https://meenews.co/post/6a4474cbc2ca79de23628034 State Department announces 'total compliance' from Venezuelan government in relief efforts after Maduro arrest te 2026-07-01T02:00:43.297Z State Department announces 'total compliance' from Venezuelan government in relief efforts after Maduro arrest The Trump administration says it has complete support from the Venezuelan government amid humanitarian efforts just months after the removal of former dictator Nicolás Maduro, which sparked rage among the president's opponents. After magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck the northern part of the South American nation last week, the American government stepped in to help in a move that the administration says has been welcomed by the Venezuelan government and citizenry alike. "We have seen total compliance from the interim authorities in Venezuela as a result of the unprecedented response by the United States to these deadly earthquakes," a State Department official told Fox News Digital Tuesday. US MILITARY TOUTS WORK TO ASSIST IN VENEZUELA FOLLOWING DEADLY EARTHQUAKES The death toll from the natural disaster stands at nearly 2,000 and continues to rise. "Every request we have made has been immediately granted and in turn, we have seen an incredible outpouring of support from the Venezuelan people towards Americans on the ground," the official continued. TRUMP 'SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING' PLAN TO MAKE VENEZUELA AND ITS $40 TRILLION IN OIL PERMANENT PART OF USA On Jan. 3, U.S. special forces successfully took Maduro into custody after a daring nighttime mission that overwhelmed the dictator's armed guards. After penetrating Maduro's palace, they took him into custody. He was relocated to the United States where he remains in jail awaiting trial on narco-terrorism and gun charges. The progressive political left rushed to the defense of the brutal socialist authoritarian in the wake of his capture. US CAPTURE OF MADURO THROWS SPOTLIGHT ON VENEZUELA’S MASSIVE OIL RESERVES Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., warned that the event risked violating international law, while Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., called the United States a "rogue state." "Trump’s illegal and unprovoked bombing of Venezuela and kidnapping of its president are grave violations of international law and the U.S. Constitution. These are the actions of a rogue state," Tlaib wrote on social media. "The American people do not want another regime change war abroad," she added. "Maduro's illegitimate election does not give the president the power to invade without congressional approval, nor does it create a national security justification. That contention is laughable," said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn. The Trump administration has taken swift action to help the Venezuelan people amid the crisis, including mobilizing $150 million in humanitarian relief. It has assembled a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) composed of more than 250 people, including three specialized Urban Search-and-Rescue (USAR) teams. The administration says the teams have conducted critical life-saving measures. The U.S. military has assisted with logistics. Venezuela's Supreme Court installed Delcy Rodríguez as the country's interim president. Since then, diplomatic relations with the country have been restored, though officials in Washington have made it clear that such cooperation is temporary, while emphasizing the U.S. does not view her presidency as a permanent solution. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4472aac2ca79de23627f40 Kirk Herbstreit goes off with complaints about modern Major League Baseball, gets everything wrong te 2026-07-01T01:51:38.839Z Kirk Herbstreit goes off with complaints about modern Major League Baseball, gets everything wrong Major League Baseball, sometimes despite its best efforts, is in the best place that it's been in decades. Attendance has grown each year for the past several seasons, with some teams, like the White Sox, Blue Jays and Mariners seeing huge increases in 2026. Ratings are up, with the 2025 World Series being the most watched domestically since 2017 and Game 7 drawing a whopping 51 million viewers between the US, Canada and Japan. National television broadcasts have seen significant increases, pace-of-play is up, the new ABS challenge system has been mostly well-received and small market teams are outperforming big spending clubs through the first half of the season, undermining parity concerns. BREWERS HUMAN HOWITZER JACOB MISIOROWSKI BREAKS HIS OWN RECORD FOR HARDEST PITCH THROWN BY A STARTER Highlight reels are dominated by exceptional athletes doing exceptional things. Jacob Misiorowski hit 105 mph as a starting pitcher. Shohei Ohtani is dominating as a hitter and a pitcher, something virtually unprecedented over such a lengthy time frame. Kyle Schwarber is threatening home run records, even as pitching continues to improve. Mason Miller has been virtually unhittable. Young stars in small markets, like Jackson Chourio, Konnor Griffin, Bobby Witt Jr., Jackson Merrill, Kevin McGonigle, Colt Emerson and Samuel Basallo, are locked up for most of their primes, ensuring fans can go years without worrying over free agency. But if you ask football commentator Kirk Herbstreit, baseball is dying. Because there aren't enough athletes, apparently. In response to a complaint from former Yankees catcher Jorge Posada, Herbstreit posted a lengthy diatribe on X completely misunderstanding the modern game. "THANK YOU!!!!! Where did the athletic ability go?," he said. "Clutch hitting in the 8th and 9th inning? Starting pitching that goes 8 or 9 innings? Base stealing-hell just good base running and SPEED?!? Sac bunts-moving runners over late in a game? Where’s Tony Gwynn? Rod Carew? Wade Boggs? Ichiro? Those guys wouldn’t exist in today’s ridiculous HR or K 'launch angle' game! The game has been dying with the youth of America for YEARS and now is losing the core fanbase as well with this ridiculous product we’ve had to digest for the last 7-10 years. Bring back Small Ball and athleticism…this s*** dreadful!!!" There's just one problem; virtually all of this is wrong. Athleticism in baseball has never been higher, which is why you see pitchers like Misiorowski and Mason Miller sitting well over 100 mph. And why hitters are still able to be successful when facing an average fastball velocity that's steadily increased year-over-year. ROYALS PITCHER DRILLED IN HEAD WITH TERRIFYING 107 MPH LINER, AND THE BATTER WHO HIT IT PULLED A RARE MOVE As recently as 2008, average fastball velocity was just 90.4 mph. Today? It's roughly 95mph. That increase is because pitchers have become more athletic thanks to improvements in training, nutrition, and biomechanical development. It's harder to hit now than it's ever been, yet Ohtani, Aaron Judge, Cal Raleigh and others have had historically successful offensive seasons. So that's wrong. Pitchers don't go eight or nine innings because, over time, after analyzing years of data, it became clear that as pitchers tire and face the same hitters more times, they become less effective. That's regardless of their pitch mix, velocities, or athletic ability. The "third time through the order penalty" is very real, and has always been real, as hitters adjust to what they see, and front offices and managers realized that their best chance of winning games was to bring in fresh relievers instead of letting exhausted pitchers continue to prove some sort of point. Despite catchers specifically trying to optimize "pop times," stolen bases are also up. In 2024, there were 3,617 stolen bases league-wide. The most in any year during the 1980s was 3,585. But, to be fair, slightly larger bases have helped. Teams, though, have again realized that stolen bases are only valuable if you don't get caught. Take 1986, for example. That season, there were 3,312 stolen bases and 1,620 runners caught stealing. That's an atrocious 67% success rate. In 2024, the success rate was 80%. Teams in the 1980s gave away outs at an astonishing rate. Herbstreit is also wrong about the 1980s stars, too. Those types of players are still enormously valuable because many of their skills are always valuable. Boggs' career on base percentage is .415. Gwynn had a .388 OBP and .459 career slugging percentage. That's an .847 OPS, over his entire career, which would put Gwynn ahead of Witt Jr., Pete Alonso, Cody Bellinger, Ketel Marte and Elly De La Cruz this season. Along with many other stars. Does Herbstreit think a player who hit .370/.447/.511 with 56 stolen bases, as Gwynn did in 1987, wouldn't have a job in 2026? Because they absolutely would. They'd probably win an MVP, in fact. The issue is that hitting now is harder than it's ever been because pitchers are better than they've ever been. And teams have realized that home runs are more valuable than other types of hits because they guarantee that runs score. Sacrificing some singles is worth it because home runs create more runs. In 1989, the time period Herbstreit lionizes, the league averaged 8.26 runs per game. Thus far in 2026, the league is averaging 9 runs per game. So scoring is up, athleticism is up, prior era stars would still be valuable today, small ball doesn't lead to more runs and baseball is not losing fans, but gaining them. Other than that, he nailed it. Ironically, the product that's actually tough to watch is the modern NFL, which Herbstreit broadcasts. Quarterbacks are protected to an absurd degree, to the point that late-hit penalties on Patrick Mahomes have become a running joke among fans. There's 10-11 minutes of in-game action over a 185-190 minute broadcast. Teams averaged 353 yards per game in 2015. In 2025? Just 326.6. Why doesn't the NFL lose fans? Gambling. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Herbstreit going full "old man yells at cloud" is one thing, but do it at the NFL. Nobody ever will, though, because that league is somehow above criticism despite its clear and obvious decline in excitement. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a447297c2ca79de23627f37 Trump-backed incumbent survives right-wing primary challenge after endorsement drama in Colorado te 2026-07-01T01:51:19.382Z Trump-backed incumbent survives right-wing primary challenge after endorsement drama in Colorado Rep. Jeff Hurd, R-Colo., clinched the GOP nomination against a right-wing challenger Tuesday, as the freshman lawmaker seeks to hold a competitive House district Democrats are seeking to flip in November’s midterm elections.  Hurd defeated former state Rep. Ron Hanks, R-Colo., in the Republican primary for a sprawling House district covering nearly all of western and southern Colorado, according to The Associated Press. Hurd ran with President Donald Trump's endorsement after the president initially revoked his support, following Hurd joining Democrats in support of a largely symbolic measure terminating Trump’s Canada tariffs in February. TRUMP PULLS ENDORSEMENT FROM GOP LAWMAKER OVER ALLEGED LACK OF SUPPORT FOR ADMINISTRATION'S TARIFF AGENDA Trump later re-issued his endorsement in March and asked Navy veteran Hope Scheppelman, who was challenging Hurd from the right, to suspend her campaign and join his administration. Scheppelman, a former vice chair of the state's Republican Party and acute care nurse, now serves as a senior advisor on substance abuse in the Department of Health and Human Services. "I will be fully supporting Jeff’s Re-Election to the House of Representatives, giving him my Complete and Total Endorsement!" Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Every true MAGA supporter and Republican, if they truly care about saving our Country, will do everything in their power to unify together, and defeat the Crazed Radical Left Democrats this November."  Following Scheppelman's exit, Hanks entered the Republican primary to challenge Hurd. He previously ran against Hurd in the 2024 GOP primary, where the now-incumbent lawmaker won with just over 40% of the vote.  Hanks, an Air Force veteran, has alleged, without evidence, that former President Joe Biden was "fraudulently elected." He was also present during the Jan. 6 riots, though he said he did not enter the U.S. Capitol complex and was not criminally charged. Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., previously represented the Republican-leaning district before moving across the state in 2024 to run for a more Republican-leaning seat in eastern Colorado.  GOP FIREBRAND LASHES OUT AT REPORTER OVER MASSIE ALLEGATION: ‘F--- YOU, FIRST OF ALL!’ Businessman Alex Kelloff and Army veteran Dwayne Romero are seeking the Democratic nomination. Democrats are hoping to unseat Hurd after he won Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District by just five points in 2024. The GOP-leaning district contains Democratic strongholds concentrated in several wealthy ski towns and Pueblo. Hanks cast Hurd as a "fake conservative" in an interview with The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel and insufficiently loyal to the president. Hurd has bucked Trump on tariff policy and a Russia sanctions package, but he has voted with the president on most high-profile pieces of legislation. He also joined Boebert in a failed vote to override Trump’s veto on a water pipeline project in Colorado’s Arkansas Valley. Hurd is a lawyer who previously served as chair of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce. He is a vice chair of the Western Caucus and is a member of the House Natural Resources and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a447283c2ca79de23627f2e Progressive momentum hits speed bump as veteran Democrat fends off challenger in Colorado te 2026-07-01T01:50:59.927Z Progressive momentum hits speed bump as veteran Democrat fends off challenger in Colorado A moderate Democrat mounting his last campaign staved off a progressive challenger in Colorado, marking a small speed bump in the rapid far-left evolution of the Democratic Party.  Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., a longtime fixture in Colorado politics, overcame a challenge from state Sen. Julie Gonzales, his progressive challenger, who has argued that Democrats need to be more aggressive in their pushback against President Donald Trump.  Hickenlooper, who is vying for a second term in the upper chamber, said this would be his final campaign for the Senate. Gonzales hoped to speed up his exit with a campaign that went after the lawmaker’s moderate position and votes in favor of some of Trump’s nominees.  DEMOCRATS TORN BETWEEN PROGRESSIVE FIRE AND CENTRIST CAUTION AS NOVEMBER ELECTIONS LOOM "John Hickenlooper has been in office for over 20 years," Gonzales said in her campaign launch ad. "I know that we’re not fooled by his so-called ‘commonsense approach,’ cause there is no sense in voting for Donald Trump’s nominees." Still, Gonzales’ defeat Tuesday night was a stumble for the progressive wave that has swept the Democratic Party during this midterm election cycle, which has seen new blood hungry for change challenging the old guard and party leadership in Washington, D.C.  Hickenlooper, 74, who served two terms each as Denver’s mayor and Colorado’s governor before launching a failed bid for president, has been a stalwart fixture in the Centennial State, while Gonzales, 43, positioned herself as part of the new wave.  THE PLOT TO STOP MAMDANI: DEMOCRATS SCRAMBLE TO BLOCK FAR-LEFT TAKEOVER IN NEW YORK Their battle for the Democratic nomination came just a week after a trio of progressive candidates backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani clinched their Democratic nominations. Notably, Mamdani-backed Darializa Avila Chevalier, a community organizer and socialist, toppled five-term incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y. And the battle between Hickenlooper and Gonzales was not the only intraparty fist fight between a moderate incumbent and progressive in Colorado.  'IT'S A MESS': GOP TURNS ON HOUSE CONSERVATIVES AS VOTER ID BLOCKADE STALLS TRUMP'S AGENDA Melat Kiros, a socialist, is squaring off against longtime Rep. Diana DeGette in Colorado's 1st Congressional District. Kiros also sported the endorsement of one of Hickenlooper’s colleagues: Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. Meanwhile, Hickenlooper will now face state Sen. Mark Baisley in November. Baisley, who ran unopposed in the Colorado GOP primary, initially launched a campaign for governor in the race to replace term-limited Gov. Jared Polis but dropped out of the contest to run for the Senate.  Fox News Digital did not immediately receive comment from the Hickenlooper and Gonzales campaigns. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a44725dc2ca79de23627f10 Manny Rutinel, a Progressive, Wins Colorado Primary for Competitive House Seat te 2026-07-01T01:50:21.021Z Manny Rutinel, a Progressive, Wins Colorado Primary for Competitive House Seat Manny Rutinel, a state representative and former activist, will face Representative Gabe Evans, a Republican seen as vulnerable, in the fall. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a447018c2ca79de23627ea1 Conservative firebrand cruises to primary win despite clash with Trump te 2026-07-01T01:40:40.121Z Conservative firebrand cruises to primary win despite clash with Trump Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., clinched her Republican primary after running unopposed to represent Colorado's 4th Congressional District on Tuesday evening, setting herself up to pursue a fourth term. Despite notable clashes with House GOP leadership and President Donald Trump, Boebert emerged from her primary largely unscathed, separating herself from the three other Republicans who voted with Democrats to advance the Epstein Files Transparency Act. If reelected in the state’s Nov. 3 general election, she will be the only one remaining next Congress among fellow GOP rebels Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky.; Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga.; and Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C. Greene, a once-outspoken backer of the president, resigned her seat at the beginning of the year when the two split on foreign aid, government transparency and federal spending. THE REVOLT OF MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE, NOW DONALD TRUMP’S FIERCEST CRITIC Although he’s presently still in office, Massie lost a primary bid to a Trump-backed challenger earlier this year. And Mace, who ran for governor in the Palmetto State, fell woefully short of capturing the GOP nomination after Trump declined to endorse her. Despite outlasting her fellow GOP colleagues, Boebert hasn’t fully escaped Trump’s wrath. The president noted that Boebert had changed districts to run for a considerably safer seat and appeared ready to test the waters against her. TRUMP THREATENS TO PULL BOEBERT ENDORSEMENT, CALLS CONGRESSWOMAN ‘WEAK MINDED’ OVER MASSIE SUPPORT "Is anyone interested in running against weak-minded Lauren Boebert in Colorado’s fourth congressional district?" Trump said in a post to Truth Social in May. "You remember Lauren moved to the district when it became obvious that she couldn’t win in her original congressional district. Boebert is campaigning for the worst ‘Republican’ congressman in the history of our country, Thomas Massie. Even though I long ago endorsed Boebert, if the right person came along, it would be my honor to withdraw that endorsement and endorse a good and proper alternative." Boebert announced her decision to switch districts in December 2023, before her vote on the Epstein Files. Despite her disagreements with the White House, Boebert has said she remains an ally to Trump. "Below is my friend Thomas Massie," Boebert said in a post to X, posting a picture of Massie alongside Trump. "He loves America and is fighting to save it. Also below is my friend and President Donald Trump. He’s put his life on the line to save this great country. I support both of these men. I’ve worked with both to preserve freedom and liberty. And if that makes you angry, bless your heart," Boebert wrote. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a446dbfc2ca79de23627e2f Conservative firebrand cruises to primary win despite clash with Trump te 2026-07-01T01:30:39.956Z Conservative firebrand cruises to primary win despite clash with Trump Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., clinched her Republican primary after running unopposed to represent Colorado's 4th Congressional District on Tuesday evening, setting herself up to pursue a fourth term. Despite notable clashes with House GOP leadership and President Donald Trump, Boebert emerged from her primary largely unscathed, separating herself from the three other Republicans who voted with Democrats to advance the Epstein Files Transparency Act. If reelected in the state’s Nov. 3 general election, she will be the only one remaining next Congress among fellow GOP rebels Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky.; Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga.; and Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C. Greene, a once-outspoken backer of the president, resigned her seat at the beginning of the year when the two split on foreign aid, government transparency and federal spending. THE REVOLT OF MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE, NOW DONALD TRUMP’S FIERCEST CRITIC Although he’s presently still in office, Massie lost a primary bid to a Trump-backed challenger earlier this year. And Mace, who ran for governor in the Palmetto State, fell woefully short of capturing the GOP nomination after Trump declined to endorse her. Despite outlasting her fellow GOP colleagues, Boebert hasn’t fully escaped Trump’s wrath. The president noted that Boebert had changed districts to run for a considerably safer seat and appeared ready to test the waters against her. TRUMP THREATENS TO PULL BOEBERT ENDORSEMENT, CALLS CONGRESSWOMAN ‘WEAK MINDED’ OVER MASSIE SUPPORT "Is anyone interested in running against weak-minded Lauren Boebert in Colorado’s fourth congressional district?" Trump said in a post to Truth Social in May. "You remember Lauren moved to the district when it became obvious that she couldn’t win in her original congressional district. Boebert is campaigning for the worst ‘Republican’ congressman in the history of our country, Thomas Massie. Even though I long ago endorsed Boebert, if the right person came along, it would be my honor to withdraw that endorsement and endorse a good and proper alternative." Boebert announced her decision to switch districts in December 2023, before her vote on the Epstein Files. Despite her disagreements with the White House, Boebert has said she remains an ally to Trump. "Below is my friend Thomas Massie," Boebert said in a post to X, posting a picture of Massie alongside Trump. "He loves America and is fighting to save it. Also below is my friend and President Donald Trump. He’s put his life on the line to save this great country. I support both of these men. I’ve worked with both to preserve freedom and liberty. And if that makes you angry, bless your heart," Boebert wrote. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a446939c2ca79de23627d35 Riley Gaines and MyKayla Skinner send message to Simone Biles on women's sports debate after SCOTUS ruling te 2026-07-01T01:11:21.294Z Riley Gaines and MyKayla Skinner send message to Simone Biles on women's sports debate after SCOTUS ruling Just over a year ago, Simone Biles came at Riley Gaines. In now-infamous X posts, Biles called out Gaines for speaking up about a transgender pitcher who won a Minnesota girls' softball championship, and mocked Gaines' body saying "bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male." It ignited the biggest pop culture flashpoint in the "Save Women's Sports" movement. Now just over a year later, Gaines has a close ally in Biles' former US Olympic gymnastics team teammate, MyKayla Skinner. Gaines and Skinner celebrated the Supreme Court's decision to uphold state laws that protect women's sports on Tuesday, and sent a message to Biles one year after the infamous social media feud. SUPREME COURT MAKES RULING ON TRANS ATHLETES IN WOMEN'S SPORTS "Just being able to try to find my voice and how I could use my voice after Simone had come out against Riley, it had really affected me," Skinner said. "I have a little daughter, and we are hoping to put her in sports soon, and I just really want her to have everything that I got to have, all the opportunities." Skinner, who won an Olympic silver medal in vault at the Tokyo Games, said her own athletic career shaped her view of the issue. "I’ve broken records, I’ve been an Olympian, I was a college athlete, and I want her to have the opportunities that I had," Skinner said of her daughter. "And so this, for me, was a way that I felt like this is the time for me to come up and stand for what I believe in, stand with Riley, and to join in on this fight." Skinner then turned her attention directly to Biles. "I think it would just be really cool to see Simone stand with us," Skinner said. "She’s one of the best athletes in the world." Skinner said she wants to see more elite female athletes join Gaines, XX-XY Athletics founder Jennifer Sey and others in the movement. "To be able to see her as my teammate, as an Olympian, as an amazing athlete that she is, to be able to stand with us and fight alongside Riley and everyone else on this road," Skinner said. "I would just love, love to see my teams, especially Simone, in step with us." Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swimmer who became one of the most prominent advocates against transgender athletes in women’s sports after tying transgender swimmer Lia Thomas at the 2022 NCAA championships, previously called on Biles to stand with her on the issue in a March interview with Fox News Digital, months before Biles' social media attack. Gaines renewed her call to Biles, alongside Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham, to stand on her side, after Tuesday's SCOTUS ruling. "Let this be a clarion call, not just to Simone, but to every, I think especially elite female athlete, professional female athlete, the likes of Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham, Serena Williams, to link arms," Gaines said. Gaines added that the ruling made her feel "absolutely vindicated." "I feel, of course, excited, I feel optimistic about the future," Gaines said. "But I think the feeling that I feel the most of is vindicated. "Being a mom, I look at her and I think of the country and the world that I want her to inherit," Gaines said of her daughter. "It’s a more fair, more safe, more prosperous, more opportunistic world, country." "Let it be known that you also think young girls are worthy of calling themselves champions one day," Gaines added. Biles’ feud with Gaines began June 6, 2025, after Gaines drew attention to a biologically male transgender softball pitcher who helped a Minnesota girls’ team win a state championship. Biles called Gaines "truly sick," a "straight up sore loser" and a "bully," and later suggested Gaines was the "same size" as a male, according to Fox News Digital. Biles later deleted the posts and apologized. The feud also became a turning point for Skinner. Skinner had already endured her own public clash with Biles after she posted a video about the 2024 U.S. Olympic women’s gymnastics team and made comments about the team’s "talent and depth." Biles responded at the time with the post, "Not everyone needs a mic and a platform," and Skinner later apologized while saying her remarks were misinterpreted. Skinner told Fox News Digital last year that the backlash included death threats and messages saying she "shouldn’t be a mom." Skinner later joined XX-XY Athletics as an ambassador in the brand’s "Gold Medal Campaign," aligning herself with Gaines, Sey, Olympic swimmer Nancy Hogshead and other prominent activists in the "Save Women’s Sports" space. 'SAVE WOMEN'S SPORTS' 2025 CULTURE WAR TIMELINE — THE YEAR THE TIDES TURNED When asked whether she believes Biles truly meant what she said to Gaines last year, Skinner did not hesitate. "100% yes," Skinner said. "I’ve known Simone since I was 13 years old, and we’ve had our moments. There’s times where she has belittled me as an athlete, as a person, bullied. And so this wasn’t a shock to me when she came out against Riley." Skinner said she believes Biles "stands firm" in her position, but hopes that can change. "Being at this level and being a mom, we look up to these amazing athletes," Skinner said. "I really think that she’s not on this side with us, and I really would love to see her come forward and maybe change her mind." Gaines agreed that Biles’ initial comments reflected her real views, while suggesting the apology that followed felt more like public-relations cleanup. "You could even notice the very obvious tone switch between the initial tweet or two and the very ChatGPT-coded apology," Gaines said. Gaines said she accepted Biles’ apology and would still be willing to "link arms" with the Olympic gymnastics legend. "That’s kind of like water off the duck’s back to me," Gaines said. But Gaines said she believes the backlash Biles faced after her posts may have revealed a cultural shift on the issue. "I think it took that for her to realize, ‘Oh dang, I think I was living in my own little bubble here,’" Gaines said. "Maybe the people I surrounded myself with think this, but majority of Americans don’t." The Supreme Court’s ruling does not force every state or school to adopt bans on transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports. The court said the cases did not present the separate question of whether schools may allow biological males who identify as female to compete on girls’ and women’s teams. But for Gaines and Skinner, Tuesday’s decision marked a defining legal victory — and another chance to pressure some of the biggest names in women’s sports to pick a side. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a446925c2ca79de23627d24 Royal Family faces backlash from critics after Queen Camilla hosts J.K. Rowling te 2026-07-01T01:11:01.331Z Royal Family faces backlash from critics after Queen Camilla hosts J.K. Rowling Queen Camilla faced a backlash on Tuesday after she posted a photo of herself with "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling. "With a shared passion for books and a deep commitment to children reading for pleasure, The Queen and author J.K. Rowling have met at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh," the caption on the royal family’s Instagram page said. "Her Majesty and Ms Rowling discussed the importance of ensuring that young people have access to books and the vital part reading plays in opening doors for future generations." One critic wrote in the comments: "As an admirer of the Queen and her Reading Room I’m deeply disappointed in her giving a platform to JKR, any month but especially during Pride Month. There are many other admirable individuals to spotlight who champion reading for children and young people." KATE MIDDLTON SCALES UK'S 3 HIGHEST PEAKS IN 24 HOURS WITH A DEEPLY PERSONAL MESSAGE FOR CANCER SURVIVORS Rowling has put herself at odds with the transgender community in the past for comments she made about trans women not being women. In 2023, she captioned a photo on social media that said "Repeat after us: Trans women are women" with "No" and said she would "happily do two years — [behind bars] if the alternative is compelled speech and forced denial of the reality and importance of sex." LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS This came after fans encouraged her to vote for the Labour Party, which was reportedly at the time considering making attacks on gender identity a criminal offense. In a 2020 essay, Rowling wrote: "So I want trans women to be safe. At the same time, I do not want to make natal girls and women less safe."  PRINCE WILLIAM REFUSES TO QUIT HOBBY THAT TERRIFIES KATE MIDDLETON: EXPERTS After explaining that she was a victim of sexual assault, she added, "When you throw open the doors of bathrooms and changing rooms to any man who believes or feels he’s a woman...then you open the door to any and all men who wish to come inside." Another person commented on Tuesday: "During pride month, is a statement" and a third wrote: "Trans rights are human rights!" "Not during gay pride month," another commenter wrote. "If tone deaf was a picture," someone else quipped, and another called it "deplorable." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Others posted trans pride flags in the comments and: "protest trans youth." Still, the billionaire author had plenty of support in the comments. "J.K. Rowling is just as entitled to her opinion as anyone else," someone said, and other fans called the photo: "Beautiful," "Two remarkable and inspiring women," and another said that Rowling deserved a DBE, the female version of a knighthood. "She encouraged a whole new generation of children to read again, and she is such a supporter of women’s rights," the person wrote. Rowling previously revealed to fans she turned that honor down because she didn't want a title. Another fan added, "Rowling has done so much good for the UK and world. Few could ever dream of having that impact." Rowling has also been criticized in the past by some of the actors from the "Harry Potter" movie franchise, including Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, although Watson said she still treasures the time she spent with Rowling. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4468fec2ca79de23627d07 Trump’s Moneymaking Run: Unrivaled in Presidential History te 2026-07-01T01:10:22.421Z Trump’s Moneymaking Run: Unrivaled in Presidential History The president’s move to open new business ventures, rather than eliminate potential conflicts, defies a long-held tradition. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4466d1c2ca79de23627caa Detroit City Council narrowly votes to renew ShotSpotter gunshot detection contract despite opposition te 2026-07-01T01:01:05.872Z Detroit City Council narrowly votes to renew ShotSpotter gunshot detection contract despite opposition The Detroit City Council on Tuesday narrowly voted to renew the city’s contract with SoundThinking for its ShotSpotter gunshot detection system. The decision will allow the California-based company to continue providing crime-fighting technology through the end of March 2027.  The system will deploy acoustic sensors mounted above city streets to detect gunfire-like sounds and automatically alert law enforcement when a suspected shot is fired. According to Michigan Advance, the measure passed by a 5–4 vote, with several councilmembers and critics citing high costs and privacy concerns during Tuesday’s hearing. NORTHEASTERN CITY VOTES TO END SHOTSPOTTER CONTRACT FOR GUNFIRE-DETECTION TECH DESIGNED TO FIGHT CRIME Council President James Tate, who has historically supported ShotSpotter in Detroit, reportedly opposed the renewal, arguing that the $2.1 million price tag was difficult to justify.  "I have a challenge with that dollar amount. It’s not about the technology," Tate said.  "When asked, would they renegotiate the contract, the answer was no, because we’ve been giving you a deal in the first place, so that leads me now to a situation where I cannot support this particular amendment." HOW SURVEILLANCE TECH LED POLICE TO ACCUSE THE WRONG PERSON Councilmember Gabriela Santiago-Romero, who voted against the measure, said her opposition stemmed from a lack of data showing the technology’s effectiveness, Michigan Advance reported.  "Frankly, I still have not heard enough support from the public, have not seen data that shows that this is working for the cost and that it’s actually protecting our information," Santiago-Romero said.  Gabrielle Dresner, a policy strategist for the ACLU of Michigan who testified against the extension, said false alerts can lead to unnecessary police responses and reinforce perceptions that minority communities are inherently dangerous, according to the outlet. SCHOOLS TURN TO AI GUN DETECTION FOR SAFETY Critics also questioned whether acoustic microphones monitoring public spaces could amount to a form of surveillance, as well as who would have access to any audio data collected.  However, the ShotSpotter technology has reported successful cases. According to Assistant Chief Franklin Hayes, a ShotSpotter alert on Detroit’s west side led officers to a gunshot victim who was found alive in a case where no one had made a 911 call, Michigan Advance said.  The technology has drawn public controversy since Detroit first signed a contract covering certain police precincts in 2020, and again in late 2022. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4466aac2ca79de23627c98 Bear Breaks Into Truck, Helping Itself to Handyman’s Lunch te 2026-07-01T01:00:26.452Z Bear Breaks Into Truck, Helping Itself to Handyman’s Lunch A handyman was returning to his truck when he opened the door and found a cub eating his lunch from the passenger seat in Steamboat Springs, Colo. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a446477c2ca79de23627b67 BlackRock CEO Larry Fink 'worried' about NYC under Mamdani, floats investing elsewhere under weaker conditions te 2026-07-01T00:51:03.858Z BlackRock CEO Larry Fink 'worried' about NYC under Mamdani, floats investing elsewhere under weaker conditions ASPEN, COLORADO — BlackRock CEO Larry Fink expressed concern about the future of New York City under its Democratic Socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani, suggesting he'd do business elsewhere under "weaker" conditions. "I'm worried about New York," Fink said Tuesday at the Aspen Institute's Ideas Festival. Fink, who told CNN host Fareed Zakaria that he hadn't spoken with Mamdani since he was only mayor-elect, cited what he called a "great statistic" showing that 47% of the taxes that go into New York City come from the top 1%. "So if we lose 5,000 1-percenters, that's gonna offset all the other stuff this administration is going to do. And the look of it, we're gonna lose the 5,000 or more," Fink warned. NYC MAYOR MAMDANI CALLS THREAT OF REACH PEOPLE LEAVING NYC OVER TAXES 'IMAGINED' The billionaire CEO panned the city's "13 years of weak administrations," naming Michael Bloomberg "the last best mayor" of the Big Apple, which he calls his "adopted home." "The quality of life that's showing up in so many different areas, and it's sad to watch," he lamented. "I always said I have never had a problem with paying my full load of taxes as a New Yorker. But it's now asymmetric. I do not believe the amount of taxes I'm paying I'm getting the appropriate services." MAMDANI'S WALL STREET COURTSHIP SPARKS CRITICISM OF ANTI-BILLIONAIRE AGENDA Fink pointed to the tax system in the Netherlands where the highest wagers pay 50% in taxes but get free medical care and education, telling the Aspen crowd, "I don't get that in New York, nobody does," and that "mismanagement is the issue." "And here's one thing I tell every Democrat and every Republican, I tell it every administration, it is not about taxes. We need to find a way to grow the economy," Fink said. "The greatest problem we have in this country is we have just ungodly deficits... Both parties are guilty. And fortunately, we have a global capital market. We have AI. We're the engine of growth that people want to invest in this country. But if there's ever a moment where that value proposition is not here, then we have severe issues." "Are you thinking at BlackRock of moving jobs out of New York or of growing new jobs in other places?" Zakaria asked. "We have globally about 25,000, 26,000 employees. We have about 8,000 in New York. So we have systematically grown," Fink responded. "If the environment gets weaker in New York City, like other businesses, we will think about not moving, but even in deploying more of our U.S. resources to a different location." Mamdani's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a446464c2ca79de23627b5e Vance calls SCOTUS birthright citizenship ruling a 'major mistake,' warns of more birth tourism te 2026-07-01T00:50:44.410Z Vance calls SCOTUS birthright citizenship ruling a 'major mistake,' warns of more birth tourism Vice President JD Vance condemned the Supreme Court’s "atrocious" birthright citizenship ruling, warning it could encourage more people to exploit the nation’s immigration system during an interview with "The Ingraham Angle" on Tuesday. The Supreme Court ruled against President Donald Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship, finding that the Constitution guarantees automatic American citizenship for most people born in the United States. "This is a very disappointing ruling from the Supreme Court," Vance said. "Of course, we respect it, but we also think that it was a major, major mistake." "One of the things that might invite is people to come here quite literally on a vacation, give birth and then all of a sudden, the child and their family have the full benefits of American citizenship. It's just a preposterous ruling." THESE 11 UPCOMING SUPREME COURT DECISIONS COULD MAKE OR BREAK TRUMP'S SECOND TERM AGENDA The Supreme Court struck down Trump’s Executive Order 14160, holding that it conflicted with the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of birthright citizenship. The ruling means most children born in the United States will continue to receive citizenship regardless of their parents’ immigration status, an idea the Trump administration opposes. SUPREME COURT'S LATEST IMMIGRATION RULING WILL CAUSE AMERICANS TO 'DIE AND SUFFER' ATTORNEY WARNS Vance identified a "silver lining" in the ruling, arguing the court’s narrow opinion suggests that birthright citizenship is on thin ice. "A lot of legal experts expected this case to go the wrong direction by 7–2, or even 8–1," Vance said. He added that the outcome of the case "effectively means that the concept of birthright citizenship, which is an absurdity to the 14th Amendment — that concept is hanging by a thread." Vance voiced his dissent toward birthright citizenship, which has been a constitutional right in the United States for more than 150 years, claiming it rewards illegal immigrants. MISSISSIPPI LAW COULD CREATE STATEWIDE REGISTRY OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS "I hate to call it birthright citizenship," the vice president told Fox News. "It's fundamentally a loophole that now exists in our immigration system that rewards illegal aliens just because they have a baby in the United States while they're in our country illegally." The vice president said the administration is considering "a number" of strategies to respond to the Supreme Court’s decision. Among them are potential restrictions involving U.S. territories such as the Northern Mariana Islands, which are located in the western Pacific near Asia. Senior administration officials have raised concerns over China sending women to the islands solely to give birth and secure U.S. citizenship for their children in a so-called "birth tourism" scheme. "We actually have an opportunity to reverse this decision, just as we reverse so many bad decisions throughout the generations," the vice president said. "We've got to fix the immigration system even more," he continued. "We have to be even more aware of who's coming into our country to make sure that they're not benefiting from this atrocious Supreme Court ruling." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a44620ac2ca79de23627b09 Arizona joins Democratic-led states to sue Trump administration over Medicaid work requirements te 2026-07-01T00:40:42.286Z Arizona joins Democratic-led states to sue Trump administration over Medicaid work requirements Attorney General Kris Mayes speaks to reporters on June 1, 2026, announcing a lawsuit accusing MultiPlan and health insurers of colluding on prices in violation of Arizona law. (Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy/Arizona Mirror) Twenty-five Democratic-led states plus the District of Columbia have sued the Trump administration over its new work requirements for people who get their health insurance through Medicaid. At issue is a “medically frail” designation that the states say is too narrow and will make it too difficult for ill and disabled people to remain on Medicaid. They’re challenging the administration’s guidance on who can be exempt from the work requirements included in the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the broad tax and spending measure President Donald Trump signed a year ago. Medicaid is the publicly-funded health insurance for people with low incomes. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, states that have expanded Medicaid eligibility to more adults under the Affordable Care Act — 40 states plus the District of Columbia — must require those adults to prove they’re working, going to school or serving their communities for at least 80 hours a month to receive Medicaid. Georgia, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, which have used federal waivers to expand their Medicaid programs, are also subject to the new work rules. The new lawsuit specifically targets new federal guidance that narrows the definition of who can qualify as “medically frail,” a key exemption used to excuse Medicaid recipients from work requirements if they have serious disabilities or illnesses. The guidance came in the form of an interim final rule published this month by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The Democratic attorneys general and governors who are plaintiffs in the suit claim the feds surprised them with this new rule months after they’d already been working with CMS on how to implement the work requirements. “This eleventh-hour attempt to further narrow protections for medically frail Medicaid recipients seeks to punish those who cannot fend for themselves,” said Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha, a Democrat, in a statement. “Further, this Administration is once again attempting to sidestep Congress by unlawfully reinterpreting the law, and coercing the states to rush to implement their last-minute changes or face penalties,” he said. To qualify as “medically frail” and therefore exempt from work requirements, the new guidance says, a Medicaid recipient must have a significant health condition and be significantly impaired in their ability to work. It’s a distinction the states say Congress did not make in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The states also claim the new guidance violates federal law by ignoring evidence that work requirements cause people to lose coverage due to red tape. For example, Arkansas tried instituting work requirements for Medicaid recipients in 2018, during Trump’s first term. A federal judge halted the policy less than a year later, after 18,000 adults had lost coverage. Studies later found that Arkansas’ work requirements didn’t increase employment. A recent analysis from the Urban Institute projects that 3-7 million people could lose coverage because of the new work requirements. Supporters of the new work rules say they are sufficiently flexible and that the category of who qualifies as “medically frail” remains broad. “This rule helps Americans build skills and independence through work, education, job training, or community service, creating new opportunities for themselves and their families,” said Dr. Mehmet Oz, director for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, in a statement earlier this month announcing the new guidance. The lawsuit says states have already invested significant resources into implementing the new work requirements based on the original law’s language and prior federal guidance. They’re staring down an August 31, 2026, deadline for notifying Medicaid recipients about changes to the “medically frail” designation, a timeline the states say is not workable. They face financial penalties for not meeting the deadline. States are expected to put the new work requirements into place by January 1, 2027, though the feds could choose to grant them temporary extensions through 2028. The lawsuit was filed by the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin, as well as the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania. Stateline reporter Anna Claire Vollers can be reached at avollers@stateline.org. This story was originally produced by Stateline, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Arizona Mirror, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a445fefc2ca79de23627ab2 Trump’s Great American State Fair: Modest crowds, $23 turkey legs, MAHA and controversy te 2026-07-01T00:31:43.954Z Trump’s Great American State Fair: Modest crowds, $23 turkey legs, MAHA and controversy WASHINGTON – The Great American State Fair underway on the National Mall is operating under a cloud of controversy.  The fair, a centerpiece of President Donald Trump’s Freedom 250 initiative commemorating the country’s 250th anniversary, has drawn criticism from Democratic lawmakers, state officials and performers who say it has become closely aligned with Trump’s political movement. Despite its atmosphere, with food vendors and exhibits, the event is steeped in Trump-era politics.  The schedule features MAHA Mondays, a reference to the “Make America Healthy Again” movement championed by vaccine skeptic and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as well as appearances from administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and television personality Dr. Mehmet Oz and Superman actor Dean Cain. The temporary fairground is nestled between Smithsonian museums, with views of the Capitol at one end and the Washington Monument on the other.  Visitors had mixed reviews. Mario Beckles, 61, a deputy comptroller with the Army Reserve visiting from Dumfries, Virginia, 30 miles south, said all he noticed was “Americana” that embodies a celebratory spirit that anyone could enjoy, regardless of their political leanings.  He wasn’t going to miss it, since the next big celebration – the tricentennial – won’t be until 2076. “I’m not going to be here for the 300th anniversary,” he said.  Barbara Jurs, who flew to Washington for a day trip from Berkeley County, South Carolina, just to spend the day at the fair, called it “the best idea.” This is “an event that is to unify our country,” she said, adding, “If somebody isn’t participating, they are the ones not being unifying.” Josh Brulé, a resident of suburban Maryland, deemed the fair just “OK,” and not even as good as the annual Montgomery County Fair in Gaithersburg, 25 miles north. “The most disappointing part is that people are just kind of apathetic” about the fair and the 250th commemoration, he said, adding that he wished attendees “were more excited.” Invited guests wave flags at the kickoff celebration for the Great American State Fair with President Donald Trump on the National Mall in Washington on June 24, 2026. (Photo by Hayli Griffin/Cronkite News) Nonpartisan event turns partisan Trump led an “America is Back” kickoff event June 24 ahead of the fair’s opening last Thursday. At times it felt like a campaign-style rally, though flyovers by fighter jets and a B-2 stealth bomber took it to another level. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, in one of the edgier speeches, addressed the well-publicized cancellations by musical acts, including Martina McBride, Bret Michaels, Young MC, The Commodores and Morris Day and The Time.  McBride wrote on Instagram that she had been “assured this was a nonpartisan event” but later concluded that characterization was “misleading.” Young MC and The Commodores cited similar concerns. “We have to give a big round of applause to our military band and singers. Way better than those libtards that canceled on us,” Duffy told a crowd where MAGA hats were a common sight, drawing cheers. Country singer Lee Greenwood performed “Proud to be an American,” the unofficial Republican anthem. Flag waving supporters erupted into chants of “USA” and prolonged applause as Trump took the stage. “Tonight, as we stand on the edge of our 250th year of independence, I am thrilled to declare that America is back,” he said in a speech laced with attacks on political opponents. Taking a poke at former President Joe Biden, he said: “A short time ago, we were a dead country. … Now we’re the hottest country anywhere in the world. We’re respected. … Nobody’s laughing at us anymore.” Freedom 250 spokesperson Julia Friedland told The Hill that the organization Trump created to oversee celebrations for the semiquincentennial is “inherently nonpolitical.” But to Trump’s critics, Freedom 250 is prime evidence that he has tried to hijack the anniversary. Congress created the America 250 commission a decade ago to organize the festivities.  Trump’s initiative has largely taken over, with events tailored to his tastes and those of his political base, such as mixed martial arts cage bouts on the White House lawn on his 80th birthday on June 14 and the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, an IndyCar race on the streets of the capital in late August. “By and large, I just see people just enjoying the day and just celebrating our country’s 250th anniversary,” Beckles said during his visit to the fair Monday, though he acknowledged that “there’s some of those people in here … maybe trying to have an agenda that they want to communicate.” Snubs by Democratic states The fair is designed to resemble a traditional state fair, with a 110-foot Ferris wheel with spectacular views of the Capitol; exhibits from states, territories and federal agencies; $23 turkey legs and other fair food; and live entertainment from rodeo demonstrations to concerts.  Unlike most state fairs, admission is free. That has not ensured big crowds so far, though. Attendance has been modest even on days with milder weather than the capital will see on July 4. Far bigger crowds are expected on the Fourth for a fireworks show that Trump has billed as 10 times bigger than anything the U.S. has ever seen.  The fair runs through July 10.  Each participating state operates a pavilion showcasing its identity through exhibits on scenic destinations, culture, signature foods and major industries. Many also offered interactive displays and souvenirs. Arizona contributed “Arizona Illuminated,” a multi-sensory pavilion designed to recreate the iconic landscapes of Antelope Canyon, a ponderosa pine forest and the Sonoran Desert at night. Alix Skelpsa Ridgway, director of the Arizona Office of Tourism, said the installation was intended to highlight the state’s beauty and encourage tourism. But 11 states controlled by Democrats declined to participate: Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. Many cited costs. Some also cited concerns about the event’s MAGA tilt. The event had become more of a “partisan affair than originally presented,” a spokesperson for Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek told OregonLive. An aide to Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey told Cronkite News that the state remains “a proud partner in America250” – the nonpartisan entity created by Congress. The crowds included families, veterans and visitors from across the country, as well as some international tourists. Patriotic and Trump-themed apparel was a common sight throughout the fairgrounds. A volunteer with David’s Tent, a Christian ministry hosting a 24/7 worship and prayer at the fair, said the crowd seemed diverse to her.  Felicia Adeyinka of Towson, Maryland, a Baltimore suburb, said her favorite part has been “seeing the different people, the different cultures, and how everyone is so receptive and amazing.”  Whatever political frictions exist, she said, Americans can get past them ”if we keep loving on people and showing them goodness and showing them kindness.” The post Trump’s Great American State Fair: Modest crowds, $23 turkey legs, MAHA and controversy appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a445fb1c2ca79de23627a7f Federal judge blocks blue state's law prohibiting ICE agents from wearing masks on the job te 2026-07-01T00:30:41.493Z Federal judge blocks blue state's law prohibiting ICE agents from wearing masks on the job A federal judge on Tuesday blocked Virginia from enforcing a new law that would prohibit federal agents — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol — from wearing masks while carrying out enforcement operations, siding with the Trump administration in a dispute over federal authority. Senior U.S. District Judge Robert E. Payne granted the Department of Justice's (DOJ) request for a preliminary injunction, preventing the law from taking effect Wednesday while the legal challenge proceeds. The injunction will remain in place while the case is litigated. Payne found the federal government is likely to succeed on the merits because Virginia's law attempts to regulate how federal officers enforce immigration laws, violating the Constitution's Supremacy Clause. MINNESOTA SENATE VOTES TO BAN ICE FROM WEARING MASKS, ALLOW RESIDENTS TO SUE FOR CONSTITUTIONAL VIOLATIONS The judge also found the government demonstrated it would likely suffer irreparable harm because enforcing the law could expose federal employees to "real risk of physical harm" while carrying out immigration enforcement duties. The ruling stems from a lawsuit the DOJ filed last week challenging two laws signed by Democrat Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger. The DOJ argued the measures would subject masked federal agents to criminal penalties and threaten agreements between federal immigration authorities and local law enforcement. DOJ ESCALATES BLUE-STATE ICE STANDOFF AFTER STATES REFUSE KEY FEDERAL REQUEST "Law enforcement officers risk their lives every day to keep Americans safe, and they do not deserve to be doxed or harassed simply for carrying out their duties," Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said when the lawsuit was filed. "Virginia's anti-law enforcement policies regulate the federal government and are designed to create risk for our agents," he added. "These laws cannot stand." The lawsuit argued Virginia was attempting to dictate how federal officers carry out law enforcement operations by restricting when they may wear face coverings, requiring them to display identifying information and placing conditions on cooperation agreements between local agencies and ICE. MINNESOTA SENATE VOTES TO BAN ICE FROM WEARING MASKS, ALLOW RESIDENTS TO SUE FOR CONSTITUTIONAL VIOLATIONS According to the DOJ, federal officers who violated Virginia's mask and identification law could have faced a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to 12 months in jail, a fine of up to $2,500, or both. The lawsuit names Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones and Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Steve Descano as defendants. Payne's order applies only to Virginia's mask and identity law. The judge noted the Justice Department's separate challenge to another provision governing immigration enforcement agreements will proceed on a different briefing schedule, with a hearing scheduled for Aug. 3. Spanberger, Jones and Descano have all taken steps to counter the Trump administration's ICE agenda in Virginia. In February, Spanberger rescinded an executive order issued by former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin directing state law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Fox News Digital has reached out to Spanberger’s office for comment on the development. Fox News Digital's Ashley J. DiMella contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a445d6cc2ca79de23626633 Fitness influencer says Lufthansa told her she looked ‘naked,’ forced her to zip up before boarding flight te 2026-07-01T00:21:00.806Z Fitness influencer says Lufthansa told her she looked ‘naked,’ forced her to zip up before boarding flight Fitness influencer Edda Elisa Pilz says she was prevented from boarding a Lufthansa flight from Berlin to Austria until she covered up her athletic outfit, alleging an airline employee repeatedly called her "naked" during the encounter as temperatures reached 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). Pilz, 24, who boasts more than 500,000 followers on both Instagram and TikTok, shared a video describing the confrontation while preparing to board the Lufthansa flight during the summer heatwave. The video has since circulated widely on social media, where Pilz questioned whether the airline has a dress code for passengers and criticized what she described as the employee's treatment of her. Pilz said she was waiting to have her boarding pass scanned when a Lufthansa employee stopped her from boarding. POPULAR CRUISE LINE’S BIKINI CRACKDOWN COULD SURPRISE PASSENGERS AT ISLAND PORTS According to Pilz, the employee told her, "You cannot board like that," before repeatedly telling her she was "naked." Pilz said she was wearing a matching athletic top and shorts and questioned why the outfit was considered inappropriate in the summer heat. "What am I supposed to put on?" she said in the video. "What should I wear? It is clothing." POPULAR CRUISE LINE’S BIKINI CRACKDOWN COULD SURPRISE PASSENGERS AT ISLAND PORTS According to Pilz, the employee told her she was not wearing "normal clothes" and instructed her to put something over her outfit before she would be allowed to board the aircraft. Pilz said she put on a jacket but was then told she also had to zip it completely before being allowed to proceed. She alleged the employee then blamed her for delaying the boarding process. PASSENGER ALLEGEDLY BOARDS FLIGHT WITH FAKE BOARDING PASS, FORCING PLANE BACK TO GATE According to Pilz, the employee told her, "Because of you, we are now delayed. Because of you, the whole flight is delayed, because you are holding up all the traffic here." Pilz said she replied that she had simply asked for an explanation because she had never heard of an airline dress code. She also claimed men wearing shorts were allowed to board the same flight without being stopped. The influencer said the incident was less about whether Lufthansa has a clothing policy than the way she said she was treated by the employee. "I can accept rules," she said. "But the attitude was unacceptable." Pilz ended the video by directly questioning Lufthansa and asking whether the airline condones that type of customer service, adding that she was waiting for an official response. Lufthansa's General Conditions of Carriage do not appear to include a specific passenger dress code. The airline says it may refuse transportation under certain circumstances, including when a passenger's conduct could significantly affect the "safety and security, the health or wellbeing of other passengers," or for other operational or security reasons, but the policy does not specifically address athletic clothing. Pilz and Lufthansa did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Fox News Digital's Christina Shaw contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a445d45c2ca79de23626476 Lopez: Arizona businesses should have right to boycott Israel te 2026-07-01T00:20:21.307Z Lopez: Arizona businesses should have right to boycott Israel Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a445b3ac2ca79de23626050 Riley Gaines and MyKayla Skinner send message to Simone Biles on women's sports debate after SCOTUS ruling te 2026-07-01T00:11:38.296Z Riley Gaines and MyKayla Skinner send message to Simone Biles on women's sports debate after SCOTUS ruling Just over a year ago, Simone Biles came at Riley Gaines. In now-infamous X posts, Biles called out Gaines for speaking up about a transgender pitcher who won a Minnesota girls' softball championship, and mocked Gaines' body saying "bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male." It ignited the biggest pop culture flashpoint in the "Save Women's Sports" movement. Now just over a year later, Gaines has a close ally in Biles' former US Olympic gymnastics team teammate, MyKayla Skinner. Gaines and Skinner celebrated the Supreme Court's decision to uphold state laws that protect women's sports on Tuesday, and sent a message to Biles one year after the infamous social media feud. SUPREME COURT MAKES RULING ON TRANS ATHLETES IN WOMEN'S SPORTS "Just being able to try to find my voice and how I could use my voice after Simone had come out against Riley, it had really affected me," Skinner said. "I have a little daughter, and we are hoping to put her in sports soon, and I just really want her to have everything that I got to have, all the opportunities." Skinner, who won an Olympic silver medal in vault at the Tokyo Games, said her own athletic career shaped her view of the issue. "I’ve broken records, I’ve been an Olympian, I was a college athlete, and I want her to have the opportunities that I had," Skinner said of her daughter. "And so this, for me, was a way that I felt like this is the time for me to come up and stand for what I believe in, stand with Riley, and to join in on this fight." Skinner then turned her attention directly to Biles. "I think it would just be really cool to see Simone stand with us," Skinner said. "She’s one of the best athletes in the world." Skinner said she wants to see more elite female athletes join Gaines, XX-XY Athletics founder Jennifer Sey and others in the movement. "To be able to see her as my teammate, as an Olympian, as an amazing athlete that she is, to be able to stand with us and fight alongside Riley and everyone else on this road," Skinner said. "I would just love, love to see my teams, especially Simone, in step with us." Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swimmer who became one of the most prominent advocates against transgender athletes in women’s sports after tying transgender swimmer Lia Thomas at the 2022 NCAA championships, previously called on Biles to stand with her on the issue in a March interview with Fox News Digital, months before Biles' social media attack. Gaines renewed her call to Biles, alongside Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham, to stand on her side, after Tuesday's SCOTUS ruling. "Let this be a clarion call, not just to Simone, but to every, I think especially elite female athlete, professional female athlete, the likes of Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham, Serena Williams, to link arms," Gaines said. Gaines added that the ruling made her feel "absolutely vindicated." "I feel, of course, excited, I feel optimistic about the future," Gaines said. "But I think the feeling that I feel the most of is vindicated. "Being a mom, I look at her and I think of the country and the world that I want her to inherit," Gaines said of her daughter. "It’s a more fair, more safe, more prosperous, more opportunistic world, country." "Let it be known that you also think young girls are worthy of calling themselves champions one day," Gaines added. Biles’ feud with Gaines began June 6, 2025, after Gaines drew attention to a biologically male transgender softball pitcher who helped a Minnesota girls’ team win a state championship. Biles called Gaines "truly sick," a "straight up sore loser" and a "bully," and later suggested Gaines was the "same size" as a male, according to Fox News Digital. Biles later deleted the posts and apologized. The feud also became a turning point for Skinner. Skinner had already endured her own public clash with Biles after she posted a video about the 2024 U.S. Olympic women’s gymnastics team and made comments about the team’s "talent and depth." Biles responded at the time with the post, "Not everyone needs a mic and a platform," and Skinner later apologized while saying her remarks were misinterpreted. Skinner told Fox News Digital last year that the backlash included death threats and messages saying she "shouldn’t be a mom." Skinner later joined XX-XY Athletics as an ambassador in the brand’s "Gold Medal Campaign," aligning herself with Gaines, Sey, Olympic swimmer Nancy Hogshead and other prominent activists in the "Save Women’s Sports" space. 'SAVE WOMEN'S SPORTS' 2025 CULTURE WAR TIMELINE — THE YEAR THE TIDES TURNED When asked whether she believes Biles truly meant what she said to Gaines last year, Skinner did not hesitate. "100% yes," Skinner said. "I’ve known Simone since I was 13 years old, and we’ve had our moments. There’s times where she has belittled me as an athlete, as a person, bullied. And so this wasn’t a shock to me when she came out against Riley." Skinner said she believes Biles "stands firm" in her position, but hopes that can change. "Being at this level and being a mom, we look up to these amazing athletes," Skinner said. "I really think that she’s not on this side with us, and I really would love to see her come forward and maybe change her mind." Gaines agreed that Biles’ initial comments reflected her real views, while suggesting the apology that followed felt more like public-relations cleanup. "You could even notice the very obvious tone switch between the initial tweet or two and the very ChatGPT-coded apology," Gaines said. Gaines said she accepted Biles’ apology and would still be willing to "link arms" with the Olympic gymnastics legend. "That’s kind of like water off the duck’s back to me," Gaines said. But Gaines said she believes the backlash Biles faced after her posts may have revealed a cultural shift on the issue. "I think it took that for her to realize, ‘Oh dang, I think I was living in my own little bubble here,’" Gaines said. "Maybe the people I surrounded myself with think this, but majority of Americans don’t." The Supreme Court’s ruling does not force every state or school to adopt bans on transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports. The court said the cases did not present the separate question of whether schools may allow biological males who identify as female to compete on girls’ and women’s teams. But for Gaines and Skinner, Tuesday’s decision marked a defining legal victory — and another chance to pressure some of the biggest names in women’s sports to pick a side. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a445b26c2ca79de23626047 Wild video shows inmates rioting inside jail after frustrations over access boil over te 2026-07-01T00:11:18.840Z Wild video shows inmates rioting inside jail after frustrations over access boil over Missouri officials have released video and a 100-page report documenting a February riot inside a local jail, where 34 inmates briefly took control of a housing unit and damaged property following phone and Wi-Fi connectivity issues. Surveillance cameras captured the February 7 incident, which began when inmates at the St. Louis County Justice Center expressed anger over phone access, Wi-Fi connections, and their allocated time outside of their cells, while refusing to return to them, FOX 2 Now reported. The incident began as a peaceful mass refusal of inmates to return to their cells before they became more physically disruptive, the report states. Officials directly blamed the unrest on severe staffing shortages. "This incident shows how unpredictable conditions are inside a jail and how important the role corrections officers play," said Captain Tim Ware, acting director of the St. Louis County Department of Justice Services. "The discontent of residents that resulted in this incident is all due to our understaffing in corrections officers which required limitations on the residents' movements." TWO CORRECTIONS OFFICERS HELD HOSTAGE AFTER INMATES TAKE OVER PORTIONS OF NORTH CAROLINA DETENTION CENTER As corrections officers tried to de-escalate the situation, inmates barricaded the entrance of the housing unit with common area furniture. "They tried to de-escalate with the residents and that was not working; the residents moved some furniture and barricaded the door," Ware said. ESCAPED NORTH CAROLINA INMATE HAS HISTORY OF TRYING TO FLEE LAW ENFORCEMENT At one point, an inmate used a basketball to knock down a mounted security camera. The inmates also broke televisions, a commissary kiosk, and parts of the ceiling, Spectrum News reported. Total damages climbed past $30,800, according to St. Louis County records. Authorities eventually deployed chemical agents to safely secure the area. Out of the 34 inmates involved, criminal charges for four "main actors" have been turned over to the Clayton Police Department and the county prosecutor for review, Ware noted. In response to the incident, county leaders approved $3 million in emergency funding for medical services to better support the nearly 1,200 inmates housed in the facility. In addition, officials are actively looking to fill approximately 80 correctional officer vacancies. To prevent future disturbances, the jail is shifting its operational approach. "We have started extra training... tabletop exercises and physical exercises... so the officers will be prepared to make decisions when something similar happens," Ware said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a445b13c2ca79de2362603e How to watch USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina: Live stream the 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 32 te 2026-07-01T00:10:59.383Z How to watch USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina: Live stream the 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 32 The United States men’s national soccer team (USMNT) did its job to begin this 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil, winning Group D and moving on to the knockout stages. Now, the real run they’ve been looking forward to for the past four years begins on Wednesday night in the San Francisco Bay Area. The USMNT will be pitted against Bosnia and Herzegovina, one of the great stories of this World Cup, in the round of 32 to determine who is moving on in the tournament, and who will be heading home. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM For the "visitors" in this case, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s journey not only knocked off Italy, an iconic country in terms of soccer, to get into this World Cup, but they’ve done enough to become a third-place team that moves on in this inaugural expanded format. WATCH USA VS BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA ON FOX ONE Their 3-1 win over Qatar on June 24 gave them the necessary three points needed to move on after drawing against Canada, a fellow host country alongside the U.S. and Mexico, which earned them one point. They fell to Switzerland, 4-1, as the winners of Group B moved on in their own right. But Bosnia and Herzegovina knew what they needed to do against Qatar, and now they carry momentum into a matchup against a Team USA squad that was hoping for a bit more themselves when they faced Türkiye in their final Group D matchup last week. Of course, the game meant nothing, but Türkiye’s late goal in stoppage time gave them a 3-2 victory that soured what appeared to be a 2-2 draw in Los Angeles. Granted, U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino wasn’t taking any chances, leaving many on his usual starting XI on the bench, though Christian Pulisic made his return in the second half after missing time due to a calf injury. However, that’s looking at it from the pessimist’s point of view. The patriotic optimist viewed that game as nothing because the USMNT already punched their ticket to the knockout stages with a 4-2 win over Paraguay, which just upset Germany on Monday afternoon in Boston with a penalty-shootout victory to move on to the round of 16, and a 2-0 win over Australia to win Group D. Now, with many starters well rested and the home crowd still on their side out in the Bay Area, the U.S. are strong favorites to get the job done against Bosnia and Herzegovina to cement their own spot in the round of 16. Here's how to watch the game, including start time, TV information and streaming options. When: Wednesday, July 1 at 8 p.m. ET Where: San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara, California TV: FOX Stream: Watch on FOX One and FOX Sports 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/6a445affc2ca79de23626035 NPR reveals how a misheard announcement led to it falsely claiming Justice Alito was retiring te 2026-07-01T00:10:39.933Z NPR reveals how a misheard announcement led to it falsely claiming Justice Alito was retiring NPR was forced to retract a story on Tuesday after it falsely reported that Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito was retiring. The story, headlined "Justice Samuel Alito, who wrote the opinion overturning Roe v. Wade, retires," apparently started with a misheard announcement. The outlet said NPR legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg was reporting on the final day of the Supreme Court session when, as she was leaving the court, she misheard Chief Justice John Roberts' announcement about upcoming retirements. NPR explained that it had a lengthy story about Alito's career already prepared, a practice that is common in the news industry that is often done ahead of notable retirements and deaths of important figures. Totenberg joined "All Things Considered" on Tuesday to explain what happened. The reporter said that the error was "entirely on me" and something she called a "rookie mistake." The reporter then read on-air a letter that she wrote to Alito apologizing for the mistake. She noted that she had not heard back from the justice, adding that she did not expect to. NPR RETRACTS FALSE REPORT CLAIMING JUSTICE SAMUEL ALITO IS RETIRING FROM THE SUPREME COURT "Dear Justice Alito, there are no words to adequately apologize for today's error in reporting your retirement. It was entirely my fault," she said. "I rushed out of the courtroom after the opinion announcements, and when I realized that the usual rush of folks after a few minutes had not happened, I asked somebody was going on inside, to which the answer was, 'retirement announcements.' I didn't hear the 's' on 'announcements,' and I assumed, something no reporter should ever do, that you were retiring. It was the worst professional mistake of my more than 50 years in journalism. I could go on, but I don't know what else to say, except that I am so, so sorry," she added. "We profoundly regret the error and the confusion that this has caused and Nina has reached out to Alito to apologize personally," NPR Executive Editor Krishnadev Calamur told NPR Public Editor Kelly McBride. SUPREME COURT'S LATEST IMMIGRATION RULING WILL CAUSE AMERICANS TO 'DIE AND SUFFER' ATTORNEY WARNS Calamur's statement about Totenberg's apologizing to Alito was echoed by top NPR editor Thomas Evans, who told Fox News Digital something similar on Tuesday. "Due to a misunderstanding, NPR’s Supreme Court and Legal Affairs Correspondent Nina Totenberg incorrectly reported that Justice Samuel Alito had retired. Neither Justice Alito nor the Supreme Court Public Information Office has announced his retirement," Evans told Fox News Digital. In April, a source told Fox News Digital that Alito "is not stepping down this term and is in the process of hiring the rest of his clerks for the next term." Two other sources have told Fox News that Alito is not retiring this term, which lasts until the Supreme Court begins its new term in October. Evans said that once the outlet realized the error, which had been published on NPR's website and announced on its airwaves, there was a swift correction online and on the air. McBride said that NPR published the story on its website at 10:51 a.m. ET and that it was "live for about 5 minutes," though the outlet noted that the story remained live on some member station websites for longer periods of time. "It was taken down and replaced with an editor's note by 10:57 a.m. The error was corrected on the broadcast at 11:07 a.m. ET," the outlet reported. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Totenberg is a seasoned reporter who has been covering the Supreme Court for NPR since 1975. Calamur told NPR that Totenberg's status led him to believe what she reported was accurate. However, following the incident, Calamur said he would be reviewing the breaking news process. McBride admitted that "while there's really no excuse for this kind of error, it was a result of an honest mistake and a rush to publish. Had it been true, NPR, The New York Times, The Washington Post and many other newsrooms all would have published their stories within minutes of each other." Alito, a 2005 appointee of then-President George W. Bush, has fueled speculation about his retirement because of two factors: his age and the length of his tenure on the bench. The 76-year-old justice has been part of the Court for more than 20 years. Some have suggested that he may be waiting to make sure a conservative successor is confirmed by the Republican-led Senate before the upcoming midterm elections. Fox News Digital’s Julia Bonavita, Alec Schemmel and Ashley Oliver contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a445910c2ca79de23625fed Davis Dam decorates for July 4, Thunderbirds fly over Hoover Dam June 27 te 2026-07-01T00:02:24.341Z Davis Dam decorates for July 4, Thunderbirds fly over Hoover Dam June 27 BULLHEAD CITY — The south face of Davis Dam will display a 75-foot by 25-foot banner for the July 4, America250 holiday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4458fcc2ca79de23625fdf Drug cartels adapt as US boat strikes fail to curb cocaine, fentanyl supply te 2026-07-01T00:02:04.369Z Drug cartels adapt as US boat strikes fail to curb cocaine, fentanyl supply WASHINGTON – Stopping drug trafficking has been a key priority for President Donald Trump. But his policies – redirecting the focus from routine counter-narcotics operations to shows of military force – have made that goal harder to achieve, according to veterans of the U.S. war on drugs and other experts on drug smuggling. If anything, the experts say, strikes that put barely a dent in the flow of narcotics have been a gift to the cartels by impeding international cooperation to combat drug trafficking. And as they always do in the perennial game of whack-a-mole, cartels adapted to disruptions in the supply chain. Since September, the U.S. military has conducted 66 strikes in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean against vessels officials say were transporting narcotics, killing 215 people. But drug trafficking networks are far more complex than a few dozen boats.  Cocaine prices have stayed roughly the same since the first strike, at $60 to $100 per gram, according to addiction scientists. Fentanyl prices are also stable. Nor do police and federal authorities report shortages on the street.  All of which indicates that supply and demand remain in equilibrium. It’s impossible to know the quantity of drugs smuggled into the U.S., though both proponents and critics of the boat strikes cite Customs and Border Protection drug seizures as a good proxy. That data shows fentanyl interdiction on track to drop 6.3% in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, and cocaine interdiction on pace to drop by 5.4%. Those dips are big enough for Trump and his allies to claim success, and far too modest for critics to give him credit for solving the chronic problem. “These sporadic, high-profile, theatrical strikes are not really going to address that broader issue,” said Lee Schlenker, a research associate at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, adding there’s no direct evidence the boat strikes reduced the flow of narcotics into the U.S. Nor has the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January – as evidenced in part by the fact the boat strikes continue even as Maduro awaits trial in New York. Striking drug boats The first such strike was on Sept. 2, 2025, when the U.S. Southern Command sank a boat in international waters off Venezuela, killing 11 people. Trump asserted that the boat was transporting narcotics to the U.S., and that those killed were members of a group he described as “Tren de Aragua Narcoterrorists.” “TDA is a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, operating under the control of Nicolas Maduro, responsible for mass murder, drug trafficking, sex trafficking, and acts of violence and terror across the United States and Western Hemisphere,” he said on Truth Social. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized a follow-on strike against the disabled vessel, killing two survivors clinging to the boat. Reports of the “double-tap” strike provoked an uproar and allegations of unlawful military action. Hegseth ousted the four-star head of SOUTHCOM, Adm. Alvin Holsey, after he raised concerns about the strikes’ legality. Tren de Aragua is a Venezuelan transnational criminal organization that the Trump administration designated as a terrorist group in February 2025. Elements do traffic narcotics. But it is not a drug cartel in the usual sense, and no large cocaine shipments have been linked to it. Within a week of the double-tap strike, Trump announced that the military had conducted another strike on an alleged drug boat in international waters off Venezuela, killing three people. The most recent known strike was June 21 in the Eastern Pacific, killing two and leaving six survivors at large in the ocean. Derek Maltz, a 28-year veteran of the Drug Enforcement Administration who served as acting DEA administrator in the first four months of Trump’s second term, said the strikes show the world that the U.S. treats drug traffickers like other terror groups. “This is a big deterrent,” he said. Still, he said, “These bad guys are very knowledgeable on how they strategically move their products around the world.” A UH-1Y Venom crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 365 (Reinforced), Littoral Combat Force-24, fires a M240-D machine gun during an aerial gun range while over the Caribbean Sea, June 8, 2026. U.S. forces are deployed to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility in support of Operation Southern Spear. (U.S. Marine Corps photo) No evidence The Defense Department has not provided evidence of drugs aboard any of the boats.  And there’s no indication that any drugs on most boats sunk so far are destined for the U.S. Instead, they’re most likely headed to Europe, Schlenker said. Drugs are smuggled throughout the Western Hemisphere by plane, rail, container ship and truck, in addition to the go-fast boats and semisubmersible vessels hit in the strikes. Drug cartels have increased their reliance on air transport and shipping containers since the strikes began, according to a March report on Operation Southern Spear from the Department of Defense Inspector General. At a House Armed Services Committee hearing that month, acting Assistant Secretary of Defense Joseph Humire testified that drug boat traffic has dropped 20% in the Caribbean and 25% in the Eastern Pacific since the first strike. Traditional interdiction efforts in the Caribbean involve the U.S. Coast Guard seizing narcotics and arresting traffickers. Airstrikes that kill the smugglers don’t leave that sort of intelligence behind, Schlenker pointed out. SOUTHCOM has not publicly released metrics of Operation Southern Spear’s effectiveness. Marine Gen. Francis Donovan, who took over SOUTHCOM in February, told the Senate Armed Services Committee in March that the strikes have led traffickers to change their patterns. He acknowledged that “the boat strikes aren’t the answer,” though, and said the military is moving toward a counter-cartel campaign targeting the full drug transit network. At a June 2 Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, pressed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to explain the criteria for ordering a strike against a particular boat. Rubio said intelligence must show “true links” to criminal activity.  But he conceded that evidence that drugs are aboard is not one of the three criteria, all of which remain classified. “How odd it is that the presence of narcotics on a boat is not one of the targeting criteria,” Kaine said. Jonathan Caulkins, a professor of public policy at Carnegie Mellon University, said that destroying boats or seizing drugs make for good optics but are just a cost of doing business for traffickers. The boat strikes can certainly inconvenience cartels, he said – while also failing to deliver a significant blow to the trafficking network. “There are many other ways of moving the drugs from point A to point B,” he said. Much of a drug’s street price stems from the risks and costs of transportation. Early in the journey, the product is relatively cheap and the cartels can absorb losses fairly easily. “Often the more valuable contribution is destroying the throughput capacity of the network,” Caulkins said.  Unless authorities can make the business unprofitable, the revenue continues to fuel the drug trade, he said, so the key metric is whether a network remains intact after a seizure by authorities. If so, he said, “the network will continue to supply drugs.” Seizures also can’t eliminate drugs from the market if cartels can scale up production. South American cocaine production grew fourfold from 2014 to 2024, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Capturing Maduro Maduro’s capture is another element of Trump’s drug strategy that experts view as more theatrical than effective. Enrique Desmond Arias, a professor of Western Hemisphere affairs at Baruch College, said the institutional corruption that allowed drug trafficking to thrive in Venezuela persists. “Nothing in what’s happened in Venezuela suggests to me a more profound change,” Arias said. Annette Idler, a professor of global security at the University of Oxford, wrote in January that Maduro’s capture could even cause disorder that would benefit organized crime. “Decades of evidence show that militarized drug policies do not reduce supply or demand – they fragment violence and expand illicit networks,” she wrote. The wrong drug Another knock on Operation Southern Spear is that it almost exclusively addresses the flow of cocaine while ignoring fentanyl. That’s “the primary cause of overdose deaths in the U.S.,” the Government Accountability Office reported on the same day as the first boat strike. Synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl, accounted for 69% of overdose deaths in 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cocaine was responsible for 28%. Nearly all illicit fentanyl in the U.S. comes from Mexico.  Despite that, Trump claimed in an address to military leadership in Quantico, Virginia, in late September that the boats were “stacked up with bags of white powder, that’s mostly fentanyl and other drugs, too.” Following Maduro’s capture, the White House characterized him as “the kingpin flooding America with deadly fentanyl.” There is no evidence of that, and the claim has been debunked. Coast Guard announcements of drug seizures in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific routinely describe discoveries of cocaine and marijuana. The press releases make no mention of fentanyl. A check of Coast Guard press releases dating to 2022 find no mention of fentanyl interdiction in the region. Most fentanyl that reaches American streets is manufactured in Mexico with chemicals from China, according to the 2025 International Narcotics Control Strategy report. “The supply chains providing fentanyl to American consumers do not pass through South America,” Caulkins said. In general, Venezuela is not a major producer of illicit drugs. According to a 2024 DEA report, Colombia produced 84% of cocaine seized by the U.S., but the UNODC categorized Venezuela as a major transit country hotspot in its 2025 World Drug Report. International cooperation The boat strikes are also problematic because they have alienated key allies and partners in the war on drugs. “Whatever potential short-term benefits from a strike would be more than offset if that strike were to damage the willingness of the other country to cooperate with us in the long run,” Caulkins said. In November, reports emerged that the United Kingdom stopped sharing intelligence about suspected drug boats with the U.S.  Canada placed limits on how the U.S. can use its intelligence, and the Netherlands restricted information sharing over feared human rights violations. The strikes also created tensions between Trump and outgoing Colombian President Gustavo Petro. In October, Petro accused the U.S. of killing Colombian nationals in one of the strikes. When Trump threatened to raise tariffs and cut aid, Petro recalled Colombia’s ambassador. Petro ordered Colombia’s intelligence agencies to halt cooperation with U.S. counterparts  until the strikes end. He later clarified intelligence would still be shared if it is used only for non-fatal drug seizures. A new Colombian president backed by Trump, Abelardo De La Espriella, takes office in August. Maltz said that during his time at DEA, extensive intelligence sharing and cooperation with the U.K., Canada and Colombia was integral to U.S. counter-narcotics operations. He blamed the breakdown of coordination on shifting domestic politics in those countries, rather than on U.S. military action under Trump. Schlenker said antagonizing international partners is counterproductive. “These are comprehensive, complex public policy interventions that we’ve been studying for decades,” he said. “But those effective policies run up against and are contested by the spectacle and theatrics of drug war politics.” The post Drug cartels adapt as US boat strikes fail to curb cocaine, fentanyl supply appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4458a9c2ca79de23625f9f U.S. Mobilizes for Venezuela Despite Trump’s Disdain for Foreign Aid te 2026-07-01T00:00:41.935Z U.S. Mobilizes for Venezuela Despite Trump’s Disdain for Foreign Aid The State Department has promised $100 million in new funds to aid groups, after President Trump was criticized for an anemic response to an earthquake in Myanmar last year. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a445894c2ca79de23625f74 UA program blends arts and health to fight inequality te 2026-07-01T00:00:20.964Z UA program blends arts and health to fight inequality 💡 This story is part of Tucson Spotlight's solutions journalism coverage, which examines responses to community challenges — what works, what doesn't and what we can learn. Learn more at solutionsjournalism.org. A University of Arizona program is pairing nursing students with photographers, mechanical engineers and artists to reframe how the next generation of health professionals thinks about who is responsible for public health. The Health and Arts Community Collaboratory merges health sciences with the arts to build a broader understanding of what makes people well, drawing on what Associate Clinical Professor Lisa Kiser calls "an infusion of different expertise" rooted in the idea that health extends far beyond the health sciences alone. The program began as a single course, Health Equity: Connections, Community and Healing in Urgent Times. The course encourages students to think critically about health inequalities and is co-listed across the College of Nursing and health sciences to draw students from different majors. NURS/HSD 250 was not a traditional class. It did not include long lectures and quizzes. Instead, students learned from guest speakers and experiential learning days. "We've been out to the San Xavier Co-Op Farm, we've been out to Desert Survivors, we've been out to Mission Garden… We even had a climate activist in Costa Rica who talked directly with our students on a live session via Zoom," said Kiser, a professor in the School of Health Professions at the Zuckerman College of Public Health who teaches the class. "It's that the world then becomes your classroom, the community is your classroom." NURS/HSD 250 students visited Watershed Management Group to learn about water in the desert. Courtesy of Lisa Kiser. Arpit Kaur Sohi, a rising junior in pharmaceutical science at the UA, took the class last spring as a way to explore different health careers. She recalls when a nurse from Oro Valley Hospital talked to the class about the importance of listening and taking the necessary time when comforting patients. "I think that's a really valuable lesson that I'm going to take away in my future health profession, whatever I choose to do," Kaur Sohi said. Research has shown that arts-based learning is beneficial for nursing students to acquire social skills like empathy and compassion toward others, with a World Health Organization report finding that photography and digital storytelling can enhance a person's understanding of complex health issues. The Health and Arts Community Collaboratory views health inequality as not exclusive to health sciences, but as a complex social issue that needs to be addressed by every discipline and field. "Health equity is everybody's problem. It's not only a healthcare problem," said Tarnia Newton, an associate clinical professor at the UA College of Nursing who helped create the Collaboratory. "It's every scientist, it's the IT person, it's the mechanical engineer, civil engineer, chemist, pharmacist, it's everybody's problem." The Collaboratory was funded by UA Research, Innovation and Impact, Research Development Production and the Hispanic Serving Institution to create interactive pop-up exhibits exploring the relationship between health and arts in healing communities across the U.S.-Mexico border. Using Photovoice, a form of documentary photography, students in NURS/HSD 250 created visual narratives reflecting on their understanding of health. Graduate students in art education then reviewed the photos and curated exhibitions around themes designed to spark conversation about health inequalities in the community. One exhibit was displayed at the UA's Center for Creative Photography, where community members were invited to reflect on their own experiences with health and what it means to be well, including writing down recipes that made them feel cared for. Patrick Pinder-Newton's photo of stacked hands spanning generations became a reflection on reproductive health. Courtesy of HACC. Seeing his art exhibited at the Center for Creative Photography was surreal for UA alumnus Patrick Pinder-Newton, who said he felt a combination of pride and excitement when he saw the community engaging with his work. "To see our work out there. It's a tad bit vulnerable, but then also to see that it's positively taken by the community, it was also nice," said Pinder-Newton, who participated in HACC while studying mechanical engineering in his senior year. With no prior art experience, Pinder-Newton found meaning in photographing ordinary things that carried deeper significance. A photo of stacked hands, spanning generations from wrinkled to youthful, became Pinder-Newton's reflection on reproductive health. "We usually think that reproductive health is only a women's issue, but I wanted to show that everyone's involved," Pinder-Newton said. "If you only think it as to be an issue centered around women, it's going to just widen the gap to be a women's centric issue rather than a human centric issue." The Collaboratory also expanded across the border, with two exhibits displayed in Hermosillo and Guaymas, Mexico, through a partnership with the University of Sonora and the Inter-American Institute of Higher Education. The bilingual exhibits paired the work of NURS/HSD 250 students with that of Mexican nursing students reflecting on health resilience and migration. The decision to create exhibits was intentional, rooted in the Collaboratory's belief that healing happens in community. "It's one thing to read a journal article or see something on Instagram, which are very isolating individual activities. But an exhibit is a community event. You show up in person," Kiser said. Students from Mexico present at one of the HACC pop-exhibits at the University of Arizona College of Public Health. Courtesy of Lisa Kiser. The HACC hopes to collaborate with more community partners and present at conferences, teaching attendees how an interdisciplinary and binational model can shape a more holistic understanding of health and wellness. "There is no healthcare, if there's no equity," said Kiser, adding that 80% of a person's health comes from the social determinants of health. Social determinants of health are conditions in a community environment that influence quality of life outcomes and risks, like having access to grocery stores, clean water and reliable transportation, according to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. "We have to prepare people to go out and be healthcare providers and educators and promotoras. So that they understand that part of our work is building community and making change," Kiser said. "That you can't just go into the clinic and take care of the person in front of you. You have to say, why does every single person I take care of can't afford their medication?" Dominique Zuniga took NURS/HSD 250 in 2023 to bolster her nursing school application. Three years later, she's working at Tucson Medical Center as an operating room nurse. Zuniga said she wouldn't describe herself as a creative person, but the class showed her how health and arts can blend together. One of Zuniga's Photovoice images was a crowded bus stop, a reflection on how many people depend on public transportation to reach doctors' appointments and a meditation on the social determinants of health. "Art isn't just painting, it isn't just sculptures. It's also noticing small daily things that relate to health in people's lives," Zuniga said. Diana Ramos is a University of Arizona alum and Tucson Spotlight reporter. Contact her at diana@tucsonspotlight.org.   Tucson Spotlight is a community-based newsroom that provides paid opportunities for students and rising journalists in Southern Arizona. Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation. Donate to Tucson Spotlight Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4453f8c2ca79de23625eb1 Suspended Alyssa Thomas blasts WNBA's silence after Caitlin Clark foul, offers no accountability te 2026-06-30T23:40:40.746Z Suspended Alyssa Thomas blasts WNBA's silence after Caitlin Clark foul, offers no accountability Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas took aim at WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert on Tuesday after receiving a one-game suspension for a flagrant hit to Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark's throat. Thomas said she learned of the suspension moments before it became public and accused Engelbert of abandoning players while remaining silent amid the backlash. She said, "Honestly, I didn't even know I was being suspended until 10 minutes before it was put on social media. We still have yet to hear anything from Cathy. It's no surprise. WNBA SUSPENDS ALYSSA THOMAS FOR 'RECKLESSLY' HITTING CAITLIN CLARK IN THROAT DURING SCRAMBLE "You can see what's being said on social media. Yeah, I mean, it's unfortunate, but as usual she remains silent, and that's unfortunate when our lives are being threatened." WATCH: Thomas's comments came just days after the WNBA suspended her for the flagrant sequence involving Clark, a play the league office determined warranted additional discipline. Thomas continued, "It's crazy, you know, playing the game, being suspended, just the whole narrative that's being painted out there. It's unfortunate that it's come to this over basketball. A lot of us, myself included, didn't even know the play took place until after the game and now we're being painted as thugs. "And death threats out on us, so it's really unacceptable. It is something that needs to change in this league, and I'm just really sick and tired of it." The lack of accountability in Thomas' remarks is difficult to ignore. Rather than acknowledging the reckless play that earned her suspension, Thomas immediately shifted the focus to herself, portraying her punishment, rather than the hit on Clark, as the real injustice. It's a curious defense from one of the WNBA's most physical players, whose reputation has long been built on imposing her will and delivering punishing contact. SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM CALLS OUT WNBA REFS FOR NOT PROTECTING CAITLIN CLARK AFTER STARTING FIGHT TO PROTECT HER The comments also underscore the debate over how Clark has been officiated and protected. For months, Clark has absorbed hard fouls, excessive contact and increasingly dangerous plays while the league has struggled to respond consistently to physical play involving the player responsible for driving its biggest television audiences, attendance figures and surge in popularity. Yet when one of the veterans finally receives meaningful discipline, the conversation suddenly pivots away from Clark's safety and toward sympathy for the player who committed the foul. CAITLIN CLARK HARD CONTACT TIMELINE: WNBA'S GROWING HISTORY OF BRUTAL HITS AGAINST THE FACE OF THE SPORT None of that excuses actual threats. But those allegations don't change why Thomas was suspended in the first place. Clark, meanwhile, continues to do what she's done throughout her career ... get up, say little publicly and keep producing despite becoming the league's biggest target, absorbing the kind of physical treatment few superstars in professional sports would be expected to endure while driving record television ratings, attendance and unprecedented interest in the WNBA. Thomas had every opportunity to acknowledge the play warranted discipline. Instead, she chose to cast herself as the victim. Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4451dcc2ca79de23625c87 Thousands of police deployed across South Africa as deadly anti-immigration protests spread to multiple cities te 2026-06-30T23:31:40.313Z Thousands of police deployed across South Africa as deadly anti-immigration protests spread to multiple cities Thousands of police officers were deployed across South Africa after large-scale protests against illegal immigration erupted Tuesday, with destructive clashes spreading across multiple cities. The unrest, involving thousands of protesters, broke out ahead of a June 30 deadline set by some organizers demanding the departure of all illegal migrants, according to Reuters. The marches reportedly drew thousands of mostly poor or unemployed South Africans, who say foreign migrants have taken jobs by accepting lower wages while also fueling higher crime rates. At least four people have been killed as violence and looting spread across the country, Reuters reported. STATE DEPARTMENT REPORT CONDEMNS SOUTH AFRICA OVER 'EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS' IN ANNUAL HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT The clashes mark the largest migration-related protests since anti-migrant violence erupted in South Africa in 2008. While thousands of foreign nationals from other African countries had already fled ahead of Tuesday’s so-called deadline, tensions have remained high, Reuters said. Multiple businesses and properties were vandalized in several areas, according to reports. In anticipation of further attacks, many shops reportedly closed, with foreign workers staying home. Landlords in Durban and Johannesburg also evicted foreign tenants illegally to avoid further trouble, witnesses alleged. Reuters added that 100 Congolese nationals were reported sleeping on the streets of Durban.   SOUTH AFRICA'S HIGH VIOLENCE AND LAND DEBATES CLASH WITH WESTERN MEDIA VIEWS While many marches were considered peaceful, police reported that they arrested several looters and fired rubber bullets to disperse crowds. National broadcaster SABC added that protesters looted shacks belonging to foreign nationals in the Soweto township.  In Thembisa, a suburb of Johannesburg, rioters reportedly threw stones at police and suspected migrants, with witnesses saying sporadic gunfire was heard. STATE DEPT SAYS G20 BOYCOTT TIED TO SOUTH AFRICA’S ‘GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED DISCRIMINATION’ AGAINST AFRIKANERS Police deployed tactical vehicles and fired shots in Benoni, east of Johannesburg, after being confronted by a group of roughly 500 protesters, Daily Maverick reported.  Thousands of police officers have been deployed nationwide, while the military was placed on standby, a defense spokesperson said in a statement.  "To those who intend to break the law tomorrow, our message is simple: do not test the resolve of the State," Lt. Gen. Tebello Mosikili said.  The "March and March" group, one of the more prominent organizations behind the unrest, addressed the violence, saying it cannot be held responsible for spontaneous incidents breaking out during the demonstrations.   "Unfortunately, we can't be in every single community telling them ... how to behave," Jacinta Ngobese, leader of the March and March group, told Reuters two weeks ago.  Ngobese said the group plans to hold weekly marches until its demands are met, despite the government rejecting the deadline and saying only authorities can enforce immigration laws. "For ​the next six months, we are asking for our national resources to be used to take the illegal immigrants out of this country. From building to building -- they ​must go," Ngobese said, according to ZimLive. Despite South Africa’s high unemployment rate, the country remains Africa’s largest economy and continues to draw migrants. The immigrant population stands at about 3 million, or roughly 4% of the total, according to StatsSA. Reuters contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4451c8c2ca79de23625be5 Republican Party to host historic midterm convention in Dallas, Trump announces on Truth Social te 2026-06-30T23:31:20.143Z Republican Party to host historic midterm convention in Dallas, Trump announces on Truth Social President Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Tuesday to announce the Republican Party will host its very first "Midterm Convention" this fall in Texas. The two-day event, scheduled to take center stage on Sept. 9 and Sept. 10 in Dallas, aims to celebrate the "great American comeback" and highlight the ongoing achievements of the administration's America First Agenda, the president said. "It will be in Dallas, Texas — One of my favorite places in the World," Trump wrote in the announcement. "It has never been done before, and will be a truly Historic Event." MIDTERM ALARM BELLS: DEMOCRATS FACE STEEP FAVORABILITY DEFICIT DESPITE ELECTION GAINS In his post, the president touted a list of policy victories and economic milestones that will serve as the focal point of the convention, including eliminating taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security, as well as securing stronger borders and safer communities. BIDEN JUDGE OVERRULED ON KEY TRUMP IMMIGRATION POLICY He also highlighted American energy dominance alongside dropping oil prices, progress on denuclearizing Iran, and driving affordability for Americans. "We are delivering on the promises that politicians talked about for decades, but never got done," Trump wrote. The president said the "rally like none other," will feature "lots of great entertainment" and spotlight the nation's first responders, innovators, entrepreneurs, manufacturers and job creators. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4451b4c2ca79de23625b4c Investing in prodigy Jackson Koivun and four other golfers at the 2026 John Deere Classic te 2026-06-30T23:31:00.688Z Investing in prodigy Jackson Koivun and four other golfers at the 2026 John Deere Classic We are officially in the closing stretch of the PGA TOUR 2026 season, with last week's Travelers Championship being the final "signature event" of the year. This week, the TOUR heads to Silvis, Illinois, aka the Quad Cities, for the 2026 John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run. This is a relatively soft field since most of the best players on TOUR are skipping this tournament to get ready for the next two weeks overseas for the Genesis Scottish Open and golf's final major, The 154th Open Championship in England. Historically, the John Deere has been a showcase for up-and-coming stars, longshots and veterans. Jordan Spieth became the youngest PGA TOUR champion when he won the 2013 John Deere at 19-years-old and won it again in 2015. Bryson DeChambeau won his first PGA TOUR event here as well. JORDAN SPIETH SAYS GAMBLING IS FUELING ROWDY GOLF CROWDS AND WANTS THE SPORT TO ADDRESS IT SOON That said, I'm leading my 2026 John Deere Classic card with one of the best amateur golfers ever making his first start as a full-time TOUR pro. Otherwise, I'm allocating 2.46 units (u) on my five outrights and 1.25u on their top-fives "including ties." Here's who I'm riding with at TPC Deere Run. The following odds are based on my previous bets on the golfers listed below. Subject to change. 🇺🇸 Jackson Koivun +2700 (0.74u) and Top-5 with ties +530 (0.25u), both at DraftKings 🇺🇸 Jacob Bridgeman +3300 at BetMGM (0.61u) and Top-5 with ties +573 at Kalshi (0.25u) 🇰🇷 Tom Kim +3500 at DraftKings (0.57u) and Top-5 with ties +755 at Kalshi (0.25u) 🇺🇸 Denny McCarthy +6566 (0.30u) and Top-5 with ties +1073 (0.25u), both at Kalshi 🇦🇷 Emiliano Grillo +8400 (0.24u) at DraftKings and Top-5 with ties +1240 at Kalshi (0.25u) This is Koivun’s first start as a full-time PGA TOUR pro, earning his status through the PGA TOUR University’s accelerated program. He is the first golfer ever to win all four collegiate awards this year while playing for Auburn. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Koivun has made the cut in eight of his 10 PGA TOUR events, including T23, and the low amateur score at the 2026 U.S. Open with Ryder Cowan his last time out, T4 at the 2025 Procore Championship, T5 at the 2026 Wyndham Championship, T6 at the ISCO Championship (an alternate event) and T11 at last year’s John Deere. He has gained strokes with his driver in those five starts, and he has gained strokes with the putter in eight straight tournaments with ShotLink data. It would be insane for Koivun to win his first tournament as a full-time pro, but he is a generational talent, and that’s good enough to get my money in this god-awful field. If the John Deere were in April, Bridgeman’s odds would be shorter than +2000. He looked like the GOAT to start the season, finishing T18-or-better in the first eight events of 2026, featuring a win at The Genesis Invitational and a T5 at THE PLAYERS Championship. After struggling since The Masters, Bridgeman finished T11 at the RBC Canadian Open and T39 at the U.S. Open in his past two starts. His putter cooled off, but he is still second in Strokes Gained (SG): Putting on TOUR this year. Bridgeman picked up 4.58 strokes on the greens at Shinnecock for the U.S. Open, which has some of the toughest green complexes in the world. Last year, he tied for fifth at the John Deere while gaining strokes across the board: Driving, on approach, around-the-green and putting. Finally, most of the approach shots at TPC Deere Run are from 100-150 yards, and Bridgeman has been dialed in with his wedges this season. He ranks ninth on TOUR this year in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 100-125 yards and 12th in the 125-150-yard range.  These odds are disrespectful. There is no way Eric Cole, Pierceson Coody and Michael Thorbjornsen should have better odds to win the John Deere. None of those guys have won on the PGA TOUR, whereas Kim has three wins, and he is younger than all of them. Coming off a T15 at the RBC Canadian Open and a third at the U.S. Open in his last two starts, Kim is starting to look like the player who burst onto the scene with two wins in his first six months on TOUR. Over the last 20 rounds, Kim leads the field in SG: Approach, per Bet The Number. The 24-year-old has gained strokes on the greens in four of his last five starts, and he is one of the most accurate drivers on TOUR. Based on this weak field, his lead-in form and resume, Kim's odds should be lower than +3000. Even though it's been a down year for McCarthy, I'm taking a flier on him because of his strong course history. He finished T11 in last year's John Deere Classic, T7 in 2024, T6 in 2023 and T6 in 2022. McCarthy was one of the top five betting favorites in the last four John Deere Classics. His shortest closing odds over that span were +1550 in 2023 when he was the betting favorite. TPC Deere Run is an easy tee-to-green test and a "birdie fest," so you have to make putts. McCarthy is one of the best putters on TOUR and pounds fairways when he is playing well. He has gained strokes on the field in driving accuracy and putting in six of his seven John Deere Classics. McCarthy showed some life last week, finishing T14 at the Travelers Championship and gaining strokes across the board vs. a star-studded field. If he builds off last week's performance, McCarthy's odds shouldn't be four times higher this year than the previous four, given how well he plays at TPC Deere Run. The Argentinian’s juju is probably solid because his native country is the reigning World Cup champion and has a realistic chance of going back-to-back this summer. In his three career John Deere Classics, Grillo lost in a playoff to Brian Campbell last year, missed the cut in 2023, and tied for second in 2022. Grillo missed the cut two years ago while carding a -2, so it wasn’t like he played that badly. TPC Deere Run strongly favors driving accuracy over distance, and Grillo has gained strokes on the field in driving accuracy in 11 consecutive starts, according to DataGolf.com. He finished T20 at the RBC Canadian Open and a respectable T23 at the U.S. Open in his last two outings. Again, this is a weak field; Grillo is a two-time PGA TOUR winner, and he is coming into the John Deere in decent form. Hence, Grillo has more win equity than his +8400 odds indicate. _____________________________ 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/6a44518dc2ca79de23625a7c 10-Year-Old Boy Charged With First-Degree Murder in Shooting of Infant Niece te 2026-06-30T23:30:21.781Z 10-Year-Old Boy Charged With First-Degree Murder in Shooting of Infant Niece The boy shot his 7-month-old niece at a St. Louis home with a firearm that had been kept under a mattress, the police said. The baby’s father, who owned the weapon, has also been charged. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a444d7fc2ca79de236259e5 MAGNET seizes nearly 3-ounces of powdered fentanyl in traffic stop te 2026-06-30T23:13:03.343Z MAGNET seizes nearly 3-ounces of powdered fentanyl in traffic stop BULLHEAD CITY — A traffic stop resulted in the seizure of about $8,000 in street-value of powdered fentanyl. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a444d6bc2ca79de236259dc STEPHEN MILLER.JPG te 2026-06-30T23:12:43.324Z STEPHEN MILLER.JPG Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a444d2cc2ca79de2362599b Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding of the year: Everything we know so far te 2026-06-30T23:11:40.855Z Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding of the year: Everything we know so far Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are gearing up to host the wedding of the year. In the days leading up, new reports, rumors and conspiracies have bubbled — so we're taking a look at everything we do know. Swift and Kelce have not confirmed anything about their wedding, but fan theories began to run wild shortly after they announced their engagement in a joint Instagram post in August 2025. Swift and Kelce first sparked dating rumors in 2023 after the Kansas City Chiefs tight end revealed that he had unsuccessfully tried to give the pop superstar a friendship bracelet during her Eras Tour stop in Kansas City. The pair later confirmed their romance when Swift began attending Chiefs games and cheering Kelce on from the stands. On Tuesday, Page Six reported that Swift's private plane landed in the New York area – just days before she is set to tie the knot. The outlet reported that Swift landed in Morristown, New Jersey, not too far from Madison Square Garden.  Below is a look at everything we know about the upcoming wedding. TAYLOR SWIFT AND TRAVIS KELCE WEDDING SPECULATION IS NARROWING FAST AS VENUE RUMORS FOCUS ON RHODE ISLAND, MSG Multiple outlets have reported that Swift and Kelce are set to tie the knot on July 3. The New York Times published an article that stated a permit application was filed to close the streets outside Madison Square Garden from July 2 until July 4. The outlet also reported that Kelce's Kansas City Chiefs teammates had made hotel accommodations at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square around July 3. Winick Productions also allegedly filed a permit with New York City's Street Activity Permit Office to set up a tent or canopy outside MSG. The prominent event planning company has produced large-scale red carpet events, according to The New York Times. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS A source told TMZ this week that wedding invitations began being mailed out in the spring, but a location for the event was not disclosed. "It simply lists New York City as the location and July 3 as the date," a source told TMZ. There has not been a confirmed guest list for Swift and Kelce's wedding, however, there are many reports circling about who received a coveted invite. A source told Fox News Digital that the wedding is expected to host 1,000 guests, and for the star players, many of them are described as "high profile" and "VIP" by the NYPD. About 100 people were invited to a rehearsal dinner that will also take place at the Garden an evening before the big day, the source said. Ed Sheeran, San Francisco 49ers player George Kittle, Jason and Kylie Kelce, Suki Waterhouse, and Graham Norton have all spoken out about attending the festivities. A source told People magazine on Tuesday that Kate Middleton and Prince William will not be attending the wedding, ending months of speculation. PRINCE WILLIAM SAYS HE'S 'HOPING' FOR AN INVITE TO TAYLOR SWIFT AND TRAVIS KELCE'S WEDDING Page Six previously reported that Miles Teller and his wife, Keleigh Sperry, did not receive an invitation after having a falling out with Swift. The outlet also shared that Swift's former close friend, model Karlie Kloss, also did not get an invitation. Swift's inner circle — Selena Gomez, Gigi Hadid and Zoë Kravitz — have been rumored to make up her bridal party. According to Harper's Bazaar, Hadid and Gomez are the only two women confirmed to be among Swift's bridal party. "Queer Eye" star Antoni Porowski, one of Swift's close friends, gave a strange answer when asked if he is planning on attending the wedding. TAYLOR SWIFT’S UNUSUAL WEDDING GIFT RULE IGNITES ETIQUETTE DEBATE: 'HONOR THEIR WISHES' "They’re getting married?" Porowski responded to Andy Cohen's question on "Watch What Happens Live." "I should really send some flowers or some kind of a congratulations," he added. Cohen then replied, "And because he didn’t answer your question, that means he is going." Kittle shared an interesting tidbit about the upcoming wedding while attending the Tight Ends & Friends concert. Speaking to ExtraTV, the NFL player confirmed he was attending the wedding and was told not to bring a gift. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "They said absolutely no gifts. But I was thinking, Travis, for some reason, really likes old coins, so I might get him an old coin," Kittle shared. TMZ reported on Monday that Kelce and Swift took drastic measures to keep the details of their wedding from the public. The outlet shared that the couple's wedding invitations were all individually watermarked with the guests' initials, so if an image of the invite surfaced online, they would know who leaked it. According to the New York Times, Swift's engagement ring was designed by Kindred Lubeck of Artifex Fine Jewelry in New York. Swift's diamond, which was seen being flashed on Instagram during the announcement, appears to be a bezel-set diamond on a gold band. A jeweler told the outlet that the diamond looks to be between seven and nine carats and could have cost Kelce anywhere from $250,000 to $500,000. New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani spoke about the upcoming wedding during a press conference about the heat wave that is occurring on the East Coast. "My recommendation to all New Yorkers is to stay inside and stay cool. And if you happen to be getting married at Madison Square Garden, you will be staying inside and you will be staying cool," Mamdani joked. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a444d05c2ca79de2362598a Trump Had a Billion-Dollar Windfall After Returning to the White House te 2026-06-30T23:11:01.439Z Trump Had a Billion-Dollar Windfall After Returning to the White House The release of a mandatory financial disclosure for 2025 shows that the Trump family’s holdings, particularly the president’s crypto businesses, were stunningly lucrative. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a444cf1c2ca79de23625981 After a Tap Heard in Rubble, U.S. Rescue Teams Begin a Grueling Marathon te 2026-06-30T23:10:41.972Z After a Tap Heard in Rubble, U.S. Rescue Teams Begin a Grueling Marathon Surrounded by the devastation of Venezuela’s earthquakes, emergency specialists from California, Virginia and Florida work with locals to search for survivors. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a444cdec2ca79de23625959 Startup Battlefield Australia application closes in days: Apply before July 6 te 2026-06-30T23:10:22.015Z Startup Battlefield Australia application closes in days: Apply before July 6 What if one pitch changed everything? The next company nobody has heard of yet is building something that will matter. It could be yours. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a444ad9c2ca79de23625944 Drugs pic.jpg.jpg te 2026-06-30T23:01:45.531Z Drugs pic.jpg.jpg Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a444a9bc2ca79de23625922 White House budget director advocates more funding for own agency, cuts for others te 2026-06-30T23:00:43.069Z White House budget director advocates more funding for own agency, cuts for others White House budget director Russell Vought speaks with reporters inside the U.S. Capitol on July 15, 2025. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom) WASHINGTON — White House budget director Russ Vought testified before a U.S. House panel Tuesday that his agency needs lawmakers to increase its annual budget, even though he hasn’t spent much of the $100 million Republicans approved in their “big, beautiful” law. That earlier funding, he said, is intended to help the agency keep track of fraud throughout the federal government and to oversee a substantial increase to the annual defense budget should Congress agree to provide the $1.5 trillion requested.  “That would be one of those portfolios that we feel like we have nowhere near the number of (full-time employees) to be able to provide accountability for,” Vought said of the proposed defense budget. “And we are trying to invest in tools that would allow us to use technology to do OMB’s work better.” The Office of Management and Budget, the agency’s official title, would then use the increase in its annual funding level to update a computer system, provide security and pay rent in two locations while it moves office space. OMB asked Congress to approve $146.1 million in its annual spending bill, which is supposed to become law before the start of the next fiscal year on Oct. 1. That would represent a 13.3% increase compared to its current funding level if both chambers agree to match the request.  The $100 million that Republicans provided OMB in their “big, beautiful” law last year is in addition to the agency’s annual budget.  Vought testified during a hearing before the House Appropriations Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee the agency hopes to increase the number of full-time employees from about 500 to 675. Whether other agencies will be able to bolster their funding levels and staffing will be up to their directors, Vought said.  Proposed cuts across departments The Trump administration’s fiscal 2027 budget request asked Congress to cut domestic spending by 10% and increase defense spending to $1.5 trillion, a $445 billion increase. The proposal envisions cuts to spending across several departments, including Agriculture, Health and Human Services, Interior, Labor and State.  Lawmakers from both political parties pressed Vought about staff reductions and funding cuts throughout the federal government, some of which were carried out by the U.S. Doge Service.  New York Republican Rep. Nick LaLota asked why OMB allowed staffing at the World Trade Center Health Program to drop from 93 to 84 employees, despite it being approved for 120 people.  “There were delays reported in claims of processing, treatment authorizations and enrollment appeals,” LaLota said. “For a program serving 9/11 first responders and survivors, what should have OMB’s early warning indications have been that those staffing levels were dropping to dangerously low levels that would impede their ability to deliver on this important mission?” Vought testified OMB was unaware of the issues at the program.  “OMB does not have this all-encompassing view of what is happening across the entire federal government,” he said. “We are a nerve center, I would agree with that, but we do not have the ability to know everything that is happening in the agencies.” Screwworm and foreign aid Georgia Democratic Rep. Sanford Bishop asked Vought a series of questions about whether cuts to staff at the USDA had an impact on the New World screwworm, which had resurfaced in the United States after six decades without a case.   “We don’t believe that this issue is under-resourced,” Vought said. “We believe that USDA has everything it needs to both create a long-term capability here and also find as many shots on goal to be able to deal with this in real time for farmers.” Wisconsin Democratic Rep. Mark Pocan pressed Vought repeatedly during a tense exchange about whether cuts to foreign aid programs, including those at the U.S. Agency for International Development, led to deaths. Vought said “there is nothing about those studies that has caused us to think differently about” the Trump administration’s approach to foreign aid spending.   Pocan asked Vought whether he believes it’s morally or ethically wrong “to facilitate the death of children.” Vought responded he doesn’t believe the Trump administration’s actions have led to that and that the United States provides “adequate foreign aid.” Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4448ccc2ca79de236258a6 Arizona moves forward with HCR 2003 as Supreme Court upholds state bans on transgender athletes te 2026-06-30T22:53:00.713Z Arizona moves forward with HCR 2003 as Supreme Court upholds state bans on transgender athletes PHOENIX – Arizona lawmakers hailed a U.S. Supreme Court decision on Tuesday that upheld state laws barring transgender girls and women from playing on school athletic teams. Proponents say the ruling serves as a sought-after validation of efforts by Idaho and West Virginia to enact similar policies, despite attempts from faith leaders, parents and advocacy groups to escalate a lawsuit challenging Arizona’s proposed ballot measure.  Those critics of Arizona’s ballot measure argue that the ruling could not only lead to the harassment, exploitation and bullying of girls, but also distract from underlying issues in the state’s education system. The ruling in West Virginia v. B.P.J. and Little v. Hecox affirms that states may define athletic eligibility based on biological sex. The Court’s majority wrote that “the States argue – and the Court agrees – that the interests of safety and competitive fairness are important interests for purposes of equal protection analysis.” It also held that “schools may determine eligibility for women’s and girls’ sports based on biological sex.” In another passage, the Court emphasized that Title IX’s regulations require “equal athletic opportunity for members of both sexes.”  Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen, who helped champion the Legislature’s involvement in the case, called the decision “a win for common sense and, more importantly, a win for girls,” in a statement released on Tuesday. Arizona lawmakers positioned themselves at center of national fight Petersen and Arizona House Speaker Steve Montenegro filed an amicus brief last year urging the justices to uphold West Virginia’s and Idaho’s Save Women’s Sports Acts. To further advance the states’ support of the two laws, Petersen even traveled to Washington for oral arguments alongside West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey and Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador. “Every young woman deserves the opportunity to compete on a level playing field and earn a roster spot, a championship, a record or a scholarship based on her hard work,” Petersen said. “Girls shouldn’t have to lose those opportunities because adults are afraid to acknowledge biological reality. That’s not fairness, and it’s not what Title IX was created to do.” Petersen further emphasized his support for the cause. “Arizona has been leading on this issue for years, and we were proud to stand with West Virginia and Idaho before the U.S. Supreme Court to defend girls’ sports. Today’s decision makes it clear that states can continue protecting the integrity of women’s athletics and the opportunities generations of women fought so hard to secure.” The Court’s ruling, Petersen said, provides “important legal certainty” for Arizona and other states with similar laws. Arizona’s ballot measure: HCR 2003 The decision arrives as Arizona lawmakers advance HCR 2003, the Protect Girls’ Sports in Arizona Act, a ballot referral that would require K‑12 schools and athletic associations to designate sports teams as male, female or coeducational based on biological sex listed on original birth certificates. As a result, female teams would be closed to biological males. The House passed the measure 32–25 on Feb. 23. The Senate approved it on June 12, meaning voters will now decide on the proposal on the November general election ballot. Sponsored by Rep. Selina Bliss, HCR 2003 also includes privacy rules prohibiting schools from allowing students to use restrooms, locker rooms or showers not aligned with their biological sex. If passed, those provisions would take effect Jan. 1, 2027. Bliss said the measure restores clarity after the Ninth Circuit partially blocked Arizona’s 2022 Save Women’s Sports Act. “Today the House acted to protect fair competition for girls across Arizona,” Bliss said in February. “Women’s sports were created because biological differences matter. When those differences are ignored, girls lose roster spots, scholarships and opportunities they earned. HCR 2003 gives voters the chance to protect female athletes and establish clear, durable rules for schools.” She further highlighted what the act entails, and its effects, should voters enact it into law. “Court rulings have created uncertainty for schools and families,” Bliss said. “This referral allows Arizona voters to decide whether girls’ sports should remain for girls. It protects privacy in locker rooms and showers and restores clarity statewide.” The measure allows athletes to participate on teams aligned with their biological sex or on coeducational teams. It also prohibits accrediting bodies or athletic associations from penalizing schools that maintain female‑only teams while creating a private cause of action for athletes who lose opportunities or suffer harm due to violations. Furthermore, it protects whistleblowers from retaliation, and it applies to public and qualifying private K‑12 schools. A split inside Arizona government Arizona’s Save Women’s Sports Act has been the subject of ongoing litigation, and when the law was challenged in Doe v. Petersen, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes declined to defend it. Petersen intervened on behalf of the Arizona State Legislature, and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne has separately continued defending the law. Horne said he has spent “education money” to continue the defense after Mayes refused to represent him. “The newspapers are full of stories about girls who worked really hard hoping to make the team or maybe even get a college scholarship,” Horne said. “And then they come against a biological male who was born with better muscles and better all kinds of physical strength. And they’re devastated. It’s a terrible blow to them. And it’s not fair. It’s completely unfair.” Arizona Interscholastic Association records show that out of roughly 170,000 high school athletes statewide, they received approximately 16 requests from transgender students to participate between 2017 and 2022. Meanwhile, from a national perspective, NCAA leadership has stated that out of more than 500,000 college student-athletes, fewer than 10 transgender athletes are participating in NCAA sports.  Horne said allowing transgender athletes to compete would defy the purpose of Title IX. “It’s contrary to Title IX, which was supposed to make it so girls could participate in sports and excel in sports just the same as boys,” Horne told Cronkite News. “When you have biological boys participating, that disappears.” Horne said biological males have an advantage “even prior to puberty,” citing expert testimony.  “Anybody who’s hung around an elementary school playground knows it,” he said. He also criticized Mayes for not representing him.  “Two large New York law firms sued us, three of the defendants conceded, and I’m the only one who fought it. The attorney general should have represented me. That was her duty. She refused to do it.” Faith leaders and Progress Arizona sue to block HCR 2003 On June 22, eight days before the Supreme Court ruling, Valley ministers and the advocacy organization Progress Arizona filed a lawsuit challenging HCR 2003. They argue the measure would harm transgender youth, invite invasive “gender checks” and undermine local control. “Every kid deserves the chance to learn, play and belong, no matter their race, gender or where they come from,” said Alison Marciniak, executive director of Progress Arizona. “But the same politicians invading students’ privacy with unnecessary gender checks, bullying transgender kids off sports teams, and separating immigrant children from their families are also cutting money from our schools to give breaks to their wealthy friends. Arizonans aren’t fooled.” Marciniak said the measure distracts from broader education issues. “We can see when politicians are trying to play us against each other to distract from what they’re really doing,” she said. The group rallied the same evening of the filing at Title 9 Sports Grill, a bar in Phoenix that prioritizes women’s sports. Tempe parent Paul Schneider said the measure could lead to harassment of girls. “We should want more young people to play sports, but a blanket ban on transgender kids would invite anyone to call for a ‘gender check’ on any girl who wants to play sports if they think she is ‘too tall’ or ‘too strong,’” Schneider said. “Local schools and sports associations should be handling this issue, not politicians.” Rev. Sarah Oglesby‑Dunegan said the measure sends harmful messages to children. “I’m here as a faith leader and as a parent – as someone who holds the value of each human in our communities as inherently worthy,” she said. “We are facing a moment where we are making decisions that will either expand or limit human flourishing. Our kids are smart. When they see us bully someone, they wonder when they will be next.” Schneider closed the opposition rally with a call to action for Arizona’s politicians.  “All kids should be able to be on a team without fear of strangers subjecting them to forced inspections,” he said. Let’s call this what it is: bullying. Arizonans aren’t going to let kids be bullied by politicians.” What the Supreme Court ruling means for Arizona The ruling does not resolve Arizona’s ongoing litigation, nor does it determine the fate of HCR 2003, but it reshapes the legal landscape in which both will unfold.  Supporters say the decision strengthens the legal footing of Arizona’s proposed ballot measure while opponents say it heightens the urgency of their lawsuit and their campaign to defeat the measure. Ultimately, the decision is in the hands of Arizona voters to decide whether to adopt the Arizona Legislature’s proposed restrictions, even as litigation continues and national standards evolve. The post Arizona moves forward with HCR 2003 as Supreme Court upholds state bans on transgender athletes appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a44488ec2ca79de23625873 Dave Portnoy claims 'Call Her Daddy' hosts planned false sexual harassment allegations to exit contracts te 2026-06-30T22:51:58.761Z Dave Portnoy claims 'Call Her Daddy' hosts planned false sexual harassment allegations to exit contracts Barstool founder Dave Portnoy said former "Call Her Daddy" co-hosts Alex Cooper and Sofia Franlyn planned to falsely claim they were sexually harassed at the company in order to get out of their contracts.  "Call Her Daddy" quickly emerged as a wildly popular podcast when it was launched by Barstool in 2018. Cooper and Franklyn, who were also roommates, lured young female audiences with first-hand tales of their sexual experiences and dating lives until contract negotiations and a feud between the co-hosts caused a public breakup in 2020.  In Portnoy’s new book, "Cancel Me If You Can," he wrote that Cooper was happy with an offer that would allow the co-hosts to keep their intellectual property, but Franklyn wanted to leave Barstool altogether.  "’Okay,’ I said. ‘You guys realize I’ll sue you if you take the podcast to another network before your contract is out, right?’ Alex claimed to me that they had a plan to say they were both sexually harassed at Barstool," Portnoy wrote. DAVE PORTNOY LEFT 'STUNNED' BY NYC SOCIALIST VICTORIES, SAYS THE AMERICAN DREAM IS UNDER SIEGE "That was it," he continued. "That was their game plan to get out of their contractual obligation to Barstool Sports in the event that I did not relinquish their IP to them and wish them well on their merry way as they jumped ship to a rival podcast network." Portnoy, who has been accused of misogyny throughout his career, added that he has "never been accused of inappropriate workplace conduct." "But had they decided to go that route, even though it was patently untrue, it would have been a tough fight for us to win in the court of public opinion. Nobody would have believed my side of the story," Portnoy wrote. "I realize that this is a heavy accusation I just made: how Call Her Daddy was allegedly planning to break their contract with us by lying about sexual harassment at Barstool." DAVE PORTNOY CELEBRATES NOT LIVING IN NYC AFTER DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST MAMDANI'S MAYORAL WIN Cooper and Franklyn did not immediately respond to a request for comment.  Portnoy also sat down with the WSJ Magazine to promote his book and explained that retaining talent like Cooper and Franklyn is difficult if other companies are offering more money.  "In practice, it’s not always so smooth. Cooper, he claims, told him she and Franklyn had a plan to say they were sexually harassed at Barstool to get out of their contract," WSJ senior writer Joshua Chaffin wrote. MEET THE BARSTOOL PERSONALITY WHO DELIVERS VIRAL NEWSCASTS BY ‘JOURNALISMING’ CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "The dirty little secret nobody else knew about… the girls hated each other," Portnoy told Chaffin.  Chaffin then moved on, noting that "Cooper and Franklyn didn’t respond to requests for comment."  Cooper ended up staying at Barstool for long enough to keep her IP and then took "Call Her Daddy" to Spotify for a massive contract that reportedly paid her $20 million per year. Franklyn now hosts her own podcast, "Sofia with an F." Fox News Digital's David Rutz contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a44487bc2ca79de2362586a EXCLUSIVE: New York woman who wished 'every day were Oct. 7' charged with funding Palestinian terror group te 2026-06-30T22:51:39.300Z EXCLUSIVE: New York woman who wished 'every day were Oct. 7' charged with funding Palestinian terror group FIRST ON FOX: A New York woman accused of leading a radical extremist group and posing with hand grenades in front of a Hamas flag has been arrested after allegedly funneling tens of thousands of dollars to a Palestinian terrorist organization. Catherine Beth Washburn, 37, of Irondequoit, a suburb of Rochester, is charged with attempting to provide material support to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. Washburn was the leader of the Direct Action Movement for Palestinian Liberation (DAMPL), a radical organization formed in the wake of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel, according to the Justice Department. The federal complaint noted that DAMPL rejects peaceful protests, opting instead for "direct action," including property destruction and acts of sabotage against entities it associates with Israel. FBI ARRESTS 4 ALLEGED MEMBERS OF RADICAL PRO-PALESTINIAN GROUP ACCUSED OF PLOTTING NEW YEAR’S EVE BOMBINGS Communications recovered by the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force revealed messages to a person claiming to be an active PIJ fighter in Gaza, where Washburn allegedly said she hated Jewish people "very much" and wished Israel "would disappear." "I wish every day were October 7th," Washburn is accused of writing in one exchange. "If I lived in Gaza, I would fight alongside the resistance." Later, she allegedly said she felt "excited every time I see news of the killing of an occupation soldier." MAN LINKED TO HAMAS ATTACK ON ISRAEL INDICTED IN LOUISIANA FOR CONSPIRING TO SUPPORT TERRORIST GROUP MAN LINKED TO HAMAS ATTACK ON ISRAEL INDICTED IN LOUISIANA FOR CONSPIRING TO SUPPORT TERRORIST GROUP U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo said Washburn went to "great lengths" to finance violence, driven by "her self-described hate of Israel and Jewish people." Financial records show she sent roughly 80 cryptocurrency transfers totaling more than $30,000 to an account used by the PIJ fighter. In a November 2025 message, she allegedly joked about the illicit activities, writing, "Based on my passed [sic] fundraising and posting Im [sic] gonna get put away for a few life times," accompanied by a laughing emoji. FBI Counterterrorism Division Acting Assistant Director Coult Markovsky said anyone who provides assistance to violent organizations will be held responsible. "This individual, as alleged in the criminal complaint, provided money to a foreign terrorist organization engaged in acts of violence," Markovsky said. "The FBI is committed to cutting off funding to terrorist groups and will continue to work side-by-side with our Justice Department partners to make sure anyone who engages in terrorism or provides assistance to such organizations is held fully accountable in our justice system." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a444854c2ca79de23625851 Advocacy groups sue to kick GOP’s controversial last-minute referrals off Arizona ballot te 2026-06-30T22:51:00.393Z Advocacy groups sue to kick GOP’s controversial last-minute referrals off Arizona ballot Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a444840c2ca79de23625848 'An exercise in uncertainty': Extreme heat limits Tucson's outdoor festivals te 2026-06-30T22:50:40.930Z 'An exercise in uncertainty': Extreme heat limits Tucson's outdoor festivals Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a44482cc2ca79de23625827 Marana, Oro Valley adopt divergent 2026-27 budgets te 2026-06-30T22:50:20.970Z Marana, Oro Valley adopt divergent 2026-27 budgets Marana and Oro Valley have adopted their final budgets for fiscal year 2026-27, with the two neighboring municipalities taking markedly different approaches. Marana's $560.2 million budget is up $144 million from last year, driven largely by capital projects, while Oro Valley's $128 million budget is down $23.5 million. Marana passed its budget, which focused on capital outlay, at its June 16 town council meeting. Oro Valley passed its budget at a town council meeting the next day, while also authorizing the collection of a 2.5% use tax on local businesses. Capital outlay, which covers purchasing, maintaining and upgrading land and infrastructure, accounts for $400.2 million, or 72% of Marana's total budget, according to Finance Director Yiannis Kalaitzidis, who said the budget was not altered from the preliminary version council members approved in May. Councilmember Herb Kai did not attend the meeting, but the remaining six council members unanimously approved the budget. The council then held a short public hearing during which Kalaitzidis summarized the final budget. "A lot of road infrastructure and a lot of utility projects are included in this budget," Kalaitzidis said. The town's projected revenues for the 2026-27 fiscal year total $491 million. "We continue to put together a budget that reflects the careful allocation of resources and invest in our community and in key areas," Kalaitzidis said. Oro Valley's budget includes a 10-year capital improvement plan and a 1.5% raise to the minimum and maximum pay for town employees. Chief Financial Officer David Gephart told council members the budget reflects a $420,000 net decrease in projected revenues for the General Fund and Highway Fund but made no changes to the expenditure limit or allocation of funds. "Over the course of my time on council … I've come to appreciate the professionalism of our staff, of the seriousness with which they approach the stewardship of taxpayer dollars," said Mayor Joe Winfield. "This budget, in my view, is another example of that commitment." The budget was unanimously approved by the council, which also discussed the addition of a 2.5% use tax to the Oro Valley tax code. The tax had previously been approved Jan. 14 but was invalidated after the Arizona Department of Revenue missed a procedural deadline. Under the new law, local businesses would be taxed 2.5% on any purchases made outside of Oro Valley. Gephart said the tax was intended to level the playing field between local and out-of-state businesses. He also cited annual gas tax revenues outstripping the annual cost of road maintenance as another reason for the change. "The difference between the expenditure growth and revenue growth is about $1.7 million to the negative," Gephart said. The council's response was mixed. Vice Mayor Melanie Barrett, who had previously voted against the tax in January, said she wanted to wait until an operational efficiency audit had been completed before approving a new tax. Winfield and three other council members voted in favor. "This is a standard provision used by nearly every municipality in our region," he said. "It promotes fairness, supports local businesses, and provides modest additional revenue to help maintain the (city's) services." The use tax passed 4-3. Benjamin DePue is a University of Arizona student and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact him at bdepue@arizona.edu. Tucson Spotlight is a community-based newsroom that provides paid opportunities for students and rising journalists in Southern Arizona. Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation. Donate to Tucson Spotlight Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4445e7c2ca79de236257db Talarico Seizes on Paxton Tabloid Story to Test Corruption Attacks in Texas Senate Race te 2026-06-30T22:40:39.772Z Talarico Seizes on Paxton Tabloid Story to Test Corruption Attacks in Texas Senate Race After a salacious report about Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee for Senate in Texas, his Democratic rival, James Talarico, seized on the news — but focused on corruption and affordability. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4445d4c2ca79de236257ca Photos: Tucson Samaritans 'flood' remote desert to mark 24 years of helping migrants te 2026-06-30T22:40:20.316Z Photos: Tucson Samaritans 'flood' remote desert to mark 24 years of helping migrants Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4443dec2ca79de23625759 Alex Murdaugh faces state pushback on Maggie DNA testing and prison laptop request te 2026-06-30T22:31:58.388Z Alex Murdaugh faces state pushback on Maggie DNA testing and prison laptop request FIRST ON FOX – South Carolina prosecutors are trying to shut down Alex Murdaugh’s latest push for a new look at evidence in the murders of his wife and son, which includes DNA found under Maggie Murdaugh’s fingernails. In new court filings, the state opposed two defense motions from the disgraced former attorney: one seeking independent DNA testing tied to Maggie Murdaugh’s fingernails and another asking for Murdaugh to be allowed to review case materials electronically while behind bars. The filings come as Murdaugh’s defense team prepares for a retrial after the South Carolina Supreme Court overturned his murder convictions in May after finding that former Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca "Becky" Hill’s conduct had tainted the jury. ALEX MURDAUGH RETURNS TO COURT AS DEFENSE ARGUES FOR RETRIAL MOVE AFTER CLERK SCANDAL POISONED JURY POOL The DNA fight centers on SLED Item No. 70, identified in court filings as left fingernail clippings from Margaret "Maggie" Murdaugh. Murdaugh’s attorneys have argued the sample contained DNA from an unknown, unrelated male and asked that it be sent to Othram Inc., a forensic genetic genealogy company, for additional testing at Murdaugh’s expense. DNA FROM MYSTERY JUVENILE MALE RAISES QUESTIONS IN CARNIVAL CRUISE MURDER CASE AGAINST TEEN STEPBROTHER Othram Inc. is a renowned Houston-based lab which gained notoriety by helping authorities identify Bryan Kohberger as the suspect in the 2022 quadruple homicide of four University of Idaho students. Prosecutors pushed back hard, saying the evidence has already been tested by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and produced only a mixture of Maggie Murdaugh’s DNA and what the state described as a "very partial and incomplete" profile from another contributor. The unknown profile, prosecutors said, did not contain enough identifying information to be submitted to CODIS, the national DNA database. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST The state also sought to undercut the defense theory that the DNA could point to an unknown suspect, arguing that trace DNA under fingernails does not automatically suggest a struggle with an assailant. Prosecutors said so-called touch DNA can be transferred through casual contact, objects or the environment. They also noted that Maggie Murdaugh had her nails done the day she and her son, Paul, were killed. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS Prosecutors said Murdaugh’s attorneys have not shown whether the remaining sample is suitable for the testing they want, what an outside lab could do that SLED could not, or how further testing would likely produce useful evidence. The state characterized the request as unsupported and aimed more at "public consumption" than viable forensic evidence. During Murdaugh’s first status hearing on Monday, Judge Debra McCaslin did not rule on the DNA evidence, telling defense attorneys to clarify if the sample was viable. Murdaugh’s team is also fighting for easier access to the massive trove of case materials as it prepares for another courtroom battle. His attorneys had proposed allowing him to use a secure laptop in prison with an encrypted, password-protected hard drive, no internet access and no cellular capabilities. But prosecutors said Murdaugh should not be trusted with unsupervised electronic access in prison, citing prior South Carolina Department of Corrections disciplinary issues involving his misuse of a prison tablet and unauthorized use of another inmate’s PIN. They also pointed to a previous contraband issue during trial involving a book that was allegedly passed to Murdaugh through defense staff and later recovered from his cell. GOT A TIP? Judge McCaslin weighed in on the laptop issue during Monday's hearing, saying that the prison warden would not allow Murdaugh to keep a laptop in his cell due to safety concerns. She suggested that defense attorneys could bring a laptop and review materials within a conference room, but someone must be with him. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X She is expected to decide on the issue at the next pretrial hearing, set for August 14. Fox News Digital has reached out to Murdaugh's defense team for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4443cac2ca79de23625750 Nicole Scherzinger flaunts toned abs in blue bikini during birthday beach vacation te 2026-06-30T22:31:38.933Z Nicole Scherzinger flaunts toned abs in blue bikini during birthday beach vacation Nicole Scherzinger is celebrating her birthday in style. In a recent Instagram post, the singer and actress shared a series of photos from her beach vacation, in celebration of her 48th birthday. "Last day at this age and she was feeling cute at sunset, back home at her fav beach 🥰🩵🤙🏽" she captioned the post. The slideshow featured multiple photos of Scherzinger flaunting her toned abs in a blue bikini, with the ocean waves visible behind her. Sher paired the look with minimal makeup, a pair of dangling earrings and a sunhat to shield her face from the sun. ELIZABETH HURLEY WOWS IN DARING YELLOW STRING BIKINI AS SHE CELEBRATES HER 61ST BIRTHDAY One of the photos show Scherzinger pursing her lips at the camera, while others show her flashing the camera a big smile. "Looking GORGGGG AS ALWAYS 😍💖💋," one fan wrote in the comments section, while another added, "You continue to look young, beautiful to see🫶." A third chimed in with, "This face card and body tea woah ❤️‍🔥." Others wished her a happy birthday, with one writing, "HAPPY BIRTHDAYYYY MOTHER SCHERZY🩷🩷," and another adding, "Happy birthday 🥳 your just not real , looooooking good 👍." Never one to shy away from posting bikini photos, the "When I Grow Up" singer previously shared a few pictures of herself in a black-and-white zebra-print bikini in honor of Earth Day, calling the holiday "a reminder that this planet is not ours to own, but to protect." Scherzinger got her break in the entertainment industry when she competed on the TV reality show, "Popstars," earning a place in the girl group, Eden's Crush in 1999. She later gained international recognition as the lead singer of The Pussycat Dolls. Having been in the industry since the late 90s, Scherzinger has experience balancing her faith with her fame, telling Variety in November 2025, faith often "gets a bad rap." "I think Christianity does get a bad rap, but I think that’s why, if you’re a true Christian, you have to lead by example and be the light," Scherzinger told the outlet. APP USERS CLICK HERE FOR POST These comments came a year after she received backlash online for commenting in support of a video comedian Russell Brand posted on Instagram the day after the 2024 presidential election. In the video, the comedian is wearing a hat which read, "Make Jesus First Again." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS The singer commented on the hat, writing, "Where do I get this hat?!" prompting many to criticize her because Brand’s hat was inspired by President Donald Trump’s "Make America Great Again" slogan. At the time, she wrote, "Many of the marginalized communities feeling hurt and concerned by the results of the presidential election are people I care about most. I stand with them, as I always have throughout my life and career. If you know me, you know that." "For me, Christ embodies peace, compassion, hope, and — above all — unconditional love, especially for those who may feel it the least right now," she added. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4443b7c2ca79de23625747 Sarah Spain is angry and bitter that Christine Brennan would dare defend Caitlin Clark te 2026-06-30T22:31:19.476Z Sarah Spain is angry and bitter that Christine Brennan would dare defend Caitlin Clark Former ESPN host Sarah Spain is upset over a USA Today column by Christine Brennan urging the WNBA to do more to protect Caitlin Clark. "A fist to the throat. That's the picture that has immediately become part of WNBA lore," Brennan began, referring to Alyssa Thomas driving her fist into Clark's throat during a recent game. "In it, Caitlin Clark, the most famous, marketable and important women's professional team sport athlete in history, is being punched by Alyssa Thomas, whose earnings, fame and way of life have all been greatly enhanced over the past couple of years by the woman she is hitting." She continued: "For three seasons now, in ways big and small, the WNBA and its players have continued to show their unabashed jealousy, disdain and outright hatred for the greatest thing to happen to them. "Clark is getting pummeled on a regular basis and WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, who was given the greatest gift, in Clark, any women's sports commissioner has ever received, has done precious little about it, until today, kind of, just a little." CAITLIN CLARK HARD CONTACT TIMELINE: WNBA'S GROWING HISTORY OF BRUTAL HITS AGAINST THE FACE OF THE SPORT Brennan's thesis should hardly be considered controversial. She argues that Clark has been the target of more hard fouls and dirty plays than any other player in the WNBA because of jealousy and resentment. Brennan believes the league should prevent the situation from escalating before Clark suffers a serious injury and the WNBA loses its biggest attraction. According to Spain, Brennan making that argument is a "dereliction of duties as a journalist." LET'S HAVE AN HONEST CONVERSATION ABOUT CAITLIN CLARK, RACISM, AND MEDIA COWARDICE | BOBBY BURACK "We would never say the 'NBA hates' fill-in-the-blank," Spain said in a video posted to LinkedIn on Monday. "That's describing every single player in the league as having that opinion and being a part of an agenda. She does that all the time with the WNBA, and it is frankly dereliction of duties as a journalist." Before we proceed, we're also wondering why Spain posted the video on LinkedIn instead of a more traditional social media platform. Strange. Still, Spain has become one of the more miserable personalities in all of sports media, assuming she is still part of the industry. Earlier this year, she made headlines for calling Vice President JD Vance a "demon" who "made her feel ill" after he was seated near her during a Team USA Olympic hockey game. DAKICH: SPORTS MEDIA HAS CREATED AN ‘INDUSTRY’ OUT OF COMPLAINING ABOUT WHITE ATHLETES LIKE CAITLIN CLARK So it's no surprise to see her side against Brennan and Clark. Through no fault of her own, Clark has become part of the culture war. Because many Black players and media members dislike her, many on the left have cast Clark and her fans as villains. This week, Jemele Hill claimed, "The right has found their White Grievance Batman in Caitlin Clark." Naturally, Spain is going to oppose Brennan's defense of Clark. She also may be jealous of Brennan, who, unlike Spain, doesn't seem to feel the need to speak in code or conform to the prevailing opinion. Spain has spent much of her career trying to fit in with the cool kids, limiting the depth and honesty of her commentary. Of course, Brennan is right. The WNBA shouldn't protect Clark because she is its biggest star or give her special treatment. The league should simply enforce the rules the same way it would for every other player. That means not allowing bitter opponents to drive their fists into another player's throat without meaningful consequences. And most common-sensical Americans agree. As a rule, vultures like Spain are a part of the loud minority. Perhaps that's why she is relegated to expressing her rage on Bluesky and LinkedIn. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4443a4c2ca79de2362573e US women Olympians react to historic Supreme Court ruling on the protection of women's sports te 2026-06-30T22:31:00.025Z US women Olympians react to historic Supreme Court ruling on the protection of women's sports The U.S. Supreme Court delivered a historic win to the "Save Women's Sports" movement on Tuesday, ruling 6-3 to uphold state laws that ban biological males from competing with girls and women. The decision was met with celebration by women's sports activists, including several high-profile Olympians. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "Today’s Supreme Court ruling is a victory for every girl who has ever dreamed of competing at the highest level," O'Brien-Amico told Fox News Digital. "As a three-time Olympic Gold Medalist, I am deeply grateful that I had the opportunity to compete on a level playing field with other biological females. The integrity and safety of women’s sports must be protected in every way. We can continue to find ways to honor the dignity of every person while protecting the spaces that generations of women worked so hard to build." "People from the far left... hopefully they wake up and just realize just how many girls are affected by this. It's a real thing, and I think sometimes it just goes over their head and they don't see what's going on with the girls," Skinner told Fox News Digital. "Women’s sports has changed my life, providing opportunities and a career I couldn’t have got elsewhere. I get to do what I love because people fought to create and protect a space for biological women. The female category was established so biological women can compete on a level playing field," Humphries told Fox News Digital. "Today is a win for the generations of girls that will step on to a field, court, track, or rink. We can now all Dream Big knowing we are safe and have a fair environment to compete in any sport at all levels. It’s a big win for women’s sports in this country." "Today’s decision is a step in the right direction for female fairness & safety in sport! Still, it doesn’t go as far as the UK Supreme Court — it doesn’t define the meaning of 'sex' in law. Allowing 27 states to establish boundaries around female sport categories should give sports governance a sigh of relief; they don’t need to worry about very expensive litigation sucking their resources," Hogshead told Fox News Digital. "But Sport cannot have a state-by-state web of laws. Even age group and Little League athletes travel across state lines. Further, will sport governing bodies award national competitions to states like California, who do not protect females? In short, Democrats aren’t done with this issue impacting elections, power and everything else on their agenda." MARTINA NAVRATILOVA SAYS SHE TRIED TO WARN KAMALA HARRIS' CAMPAIGN ABOUT TRANS ATHLETES: 'NOBODY WOULD LISTEN' "Today the Supreme Court decision upholds the significant role biology plays in the lives of all women.  Safeguarding girls and women’s spaces is just, fair and humane," de Varona told Fox News Digital. "The Supreme Court made the proper decision today, allowing 27 states to continue formally protecting girls’ and women’s sports. Democratic politicians and blue states need to wake up to the biological reality of a female’s sex," Navratilova said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital by Hogshead. "Today’s Supreme Court ruling is inspiring because it recognizes that protecting women as a biological class is not discrimination. It affirms that fairness matters, that reality matters, and that women shouldn’t have to apologize for asking for fair and safe competition. Without Fairness, there is no sport," Uhlaender told Fox News Digital. "Recently, a respected academic and clinician, told me that acknowledging biological sex is discriminatory. They directed me to respected institutions like the American Psychological Association, and I was shocked to find misleading information on it. The APA suggested that the role of testosterone isn’t proven to enhance athletic performance. The causal effects of testosterone on human physiology have been understood for decades. Suggesting otherwise gives the public an inaccurate picture of the science. Things like that have made it incredibly difficult for women to advocate for fairness." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a44437cc2ca79de23625708 Grupo de Tucson mapea 20 años de muertes de migrantes en la frontera te 2026-06-30T22:30:20.609Z Grupo de Tucson mapea 20 años de muertes de migrantes en la frontera Leer en inglés Un grupo humanitario con sede en Tucson ha publicado una base de datos que mapea más de dos décadas de muertes de migrantes a lo largo de la frontera del sur de Arizona, incluso cuando las nuevas políticas federales han dificultado el seguimiento de lo que sucede sobre el terreno. La base de datos de muertes de migrantes de No More Deaths se nutre de registros públicos que abarcan desde 2002 hasta abril de 2025. No More Deaths, al igual que muchos grupos de ayuda comunitaria en Tucson, surgió en respuesta a las políticas fronterizas más estrictas de finales de la década de 1990. El grupo comenzó a operar a principios de la década de 2000, pero la mayoría de sus valores fundamentales provienen del Movimiento Santuario de los años 80. La misión del grupo es poner fin a las muertes y el sufrimiento de los migrantes en la frontera, principalmente mediante iniciativas civiles que ayudan a las comunidades a colaborar para garantizar los derechos humanos fundamentales. Su labor de ayuda sobre el terreno incluye dejar alimentos y agua en puntos clave de las rutas, realizar misiones de búsqueda y rescate, y gestionar líneas telefónicas de asistencia para las familias de personas desaparecidas. "No quiero vivir en un mundo donde la gente muere al cruzar fronteras," afirmó Monica Ruiz-House, coordinadora de medios y voluntaria encargada de la organización de datos en No More Deaths. Ruiz-House lleva tres años en el grupo. Ha recorrido miles de millas a pie por el desierto, cuenta con certificación para rutas de senderismo y divide su tiempo entre Tucson y Chicago, donde trabaja como especialista en datos para un colectivo contra las deportaciones. "Hay algo singularmente horrendo e inconcebible en una política fronteriza que daña a las personas de la manera en que yo he visto que sufren," comentó. "Creo que, cuando reconoces que cada persona registrada en nuestra base de datos tiene una historia, un nombre y una familia, se te rompe el corazón; y creo que debería romperse." La base de datos muestra una disminución en las muertes reportadas, señaló, pero los voluntarios continúan buscando y recopilando información, aun cuando las nuevas políticas federales han reducido la actividad visible en la frontera.  El Foco de Tucson forma a la próxima generación de periodistas del sur de Arizona y publica sus trabajos de forma gratuita para todos. Sin muros de pago ni respaldo corporativo, solo lectores que creen que esta comunidad merece mejores noticias locales. Photo caption: La base de datos de No More Deaths mapea las muertes de migrantes a lo largo de la frontera del sur de Arizona desde 2002 hasta abril de 2025, registrando variables como las posibles razones para cruzar, las políticas fronterizas pertinentes y la presencia de la Oficina de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza, CBP por sus siglas en inglés. El proceso de mapeo comienza con voluntarios que realizan búsquedas sobre el terreno y presentan solicitudes de acceso a registros públicos. Cuando se recibe una llamada, la persona que llama suele indicar una ubicación general donde se vio o se tuvo contacto por última vez con su ser querido, y los voluntarios llevan a cabo una búsqueda sistemática por cuadrículas en la zona. Si los voluntarios recuperan el cuerpo de la persona, llaman a la oficina del sheriff correspondiente para gestionar su traslado. Para mapear estos hallazgos, los voluntarios comienzan presentando solicitudes de registros públicos ante los forenses, jueces de paz y médicos legistas del condado. Revisan las notas del caso, que contienen información como la edad, el sexo y una narración del incidente, o al menos la causa de muerte determinada por el médico legista. Tras depurar los datos, estos se introducen en una hoja de cálculo. Ruiz-House y su compañero voluntario Bryce Peterson crearon la base de datos más reciente, basándose en metodologías que Peterson desarrolló mientras trabajaba en el Mapa de Muertes de Migrantes del Sector de El Paso y en el Mapa de Puntos Rojos de Humane Borders. "Creo que es muy importante que todo el proyecto sea gestionado y realizado por voluntarios," afirmó. El mapa de No More Deaths incluye variables como las posibles razones para cruzar la frontera, las políticas específicas que pudieron haber provocado cada incidente y la presencia de la Oficina de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza, CBP por sus siglas en inglés. "A No More Deaths le interesa investigar cómo la Patrulla Fronteriza está directamente involucrada en las muertes," dijo Ruiz-House. "Creo que existe una participación indirecta si se considera la violencia estructural y la militarización de la frontera. Pero también hay una participación directa que, a mi parecer, muchas bases de datos oficiales no registran.” La CBP no respondió a las solicitudes de comentarios sobre estos datos. En 1998, la Patrulla Fronteriza de EE. UU. implementó la política de "Prevención mediante la disuasión,” cuyo objetivo era hacer que cruzar la frontera fuera tan peligroso que la gente desistiera de emprender el viaje. El gobierno cerró los puntos de cruce más populares y accesibles, empujando a los migrantes hacia zonas más remotas y con condiciones ambientales hostiles. El Dr. Bruce Anderson señala una pared con modelos de reconstrucción facial, una técnica utilizada para identificar cuerpos a partir únicamente del cráneo. Ruby Wray / El Foco de Tucson. La política no logró disuadir a quienes cruzaban la frontera. Por el contrario, provocó un fuerte aumento de las muertes por deshidratación y exposición a la intemperie. "Creo que ese es posiblemente uno de los aspectos más desalentadores de realizar labores de ayuda humanitaria," afirmó Ruiz-House. "En cierto modo, este remedio provisional no soluciona el terrible sistema de 'prevención mediante la disuasión,' que canaliza a las personas a través de zonas rurales sumamente peligrosas." Las consecuencias de dicha política seguían manifestándose años después, cuando Peterson se unió a la iniciativa. Peterson comenzó a trabajar con la organización No More Deaths en el sur de Arizona durante el verano de 2022. "Aquel verano resultó ser, con gran diferencia, el más mortífero jamás registrado en la zona," señaló Peterson, haciendo referencia a las más de 800 muertes documentadas a lo largo de la frontera entre Estados Unidos y México. Aun así, las cifras solo cuentan una parte de la historia. Según Ruiz-House, los datos no siempre reflejan con exactitud la realidad sobre el terreno, y la labor que realizan dista mucho de ser exhaustiva. Es frecuente que existan casos no contabilizados o que pasan desapercibidos, y miles de cuerpos recuperados aún no han sido identificados. "Mucha gente pregunta: '¿Qué está pasando en la frontera?'" comentó. "En realidad, hay mucha calma. Hemos visto una especie de internalización de las fronteras, si tenemos en cuenta las redadas que se producen en Chicago o las que han ocurrido en Los Ángeles. En cierto sentido, es como si la frontera hubiera llegado hasta ellos." Este cambio se refleja en los datos procedentes de la oficina forense del condado. La Oficina del Médico Forense del Condado de Pima investiga, identifica y gestiona los restos recuperados en sus instalaciones situadas en la zona este de Tucson, cerca de la Base de la Fuerza Aérea Davis-Monthan. "Mi puesto se creó a raíz de la problemática migratoria," explicó el antropólogo forense Dr. Bruce Anderson. El Dr. Bruce Anderson está sentado en su escritorio en la Oficina del Médico Forense del Condado de Pima. Anderson ha trabajado como antropólogo forense durante los últimos 41 años y continúa identificando a migrantes desaparecidos a medida que evoluciona la situación en la frontera. Ruby Wray / El Foco de Tucson. Anderson lleva 41 años trabajando en antropología forense y forma parte del personal del Condado de Pima desde el año 2000, cuando las muertes de migrantes comenzaron a ser un problema importante en el sur de Arizona. "Quienes trabajamos aquí somos bastante buenos controlando nuestras emociones y lidiando con los fallecidos, así como con cuerpos y huesos horriblemente desfigurados y cosas por el estilo," dijo Anderson. "Pero no tenemos mucha capacitación para tratar con familias que atraviesan un duelo o que están desesperadas; familias que ni siquiera han empezado a vivir el duelo todavía, porque desean fervientemente encontrar vivo a su ser querido." La oficina solo registra los restos recuperados, no el número total de fallecimientos. "Veremos si hay un nuevo presidente dentro de dos o tres años, o si las cosas vuelven a ser como antes, pero este año ha habido cerca de un 50% menos de casos," señaló Anderson. "Pensé que podría haber más, pero cabe pensar que, debido a que la gente teme hablar sobre sus familiares o tiene miedo de cruzar en general, esto podría estar provocando una disminución general." Anderson también especuló que la presencia de la CBP (Oficina de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza) en las principales ciudades podría estar repercutiendo en la situación fronteriza. "Puede que el clima político en Washington y todas estas redadas en Chicago, St. Louis, Portland, Nueva York y Charlotte estén asustando a la gente,” afirmó. Independientemente de las circunstancias, la organización No More Deaths y la Oficina del Médico Forense del Condado de Pima planean seguir registrando y actualizando la información sobre estos cambios. Aunque la recopilación de datos para la base de información está actualmente en pausa, se espera continuar con el proyecto como un memorial vivo para aquellos que perdieron la vida intentando cruzar la frontera. "Creo que es una carga para todos nosotros," dijo Ruiz-House. "Creo que lo difícil es aceptar que, en última instancia, nos enfrentamos a un problema estructural; que al final del día, podemos dejar agua en el desierto y realizar todas estas operaciones de búsqueda y recuperación... pero eso no ataca la raíz de por qué muere la gente." Ruby Wray estudia Periodismo y Escritura Creativa en la Universidad de Arizona y es pasante en El Foco de Tucson. Puedes contactarla en rubywray@arizona.edu. Esta nota fue traducida por Diana Ramos, exalumna de la Universidad de Arizona, Directora de Iniciativas Bilingües y reportera del Foco de Tucson. Contáctala en diana@tucsonspotlight.org.    El Foco de Tucson es una sala de prensa comunitaria que ofrece oportunidades remuneradas a estudiantes y periodistas emergentes del sur de Arizona. Por favor, considera apoyar nuestro trabajo con una donación deducible de impuestos. Donar a El Foco Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a44415fc2ca79de236256ce WWE's Sami Zayn shares praise for Johnny Gargano, opens up about his 'vegetative state' on SmackDown te 2026-06-30T22:21:19.426Z WWE's Sami Zayn shares praise for Johnny Gargano, opens up about his 'vegetative state' on SmackDown WWE star Sami Zayn has used Johnny Gargano as a sounding board for his complaints over the last few weeks on "Friday Night SmackDown." Gargano, known as "Johnny Wrestling," has been lying face down during most of his segments for months. He hasn’t spoken to anyone nor has he been in a wrestling ring since Stand & Deliver all the way back in April. The only signal to know that Gargano is actually alive is when Zayn has spoken to him. COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL Zayn talked about Gargano and what it would take to get him moving again in an interview with Fox News Digital before he won the Undisputed WWE Championship at Night of Champions. "I think he’s an immensely talented person. Anyone who’s followed his career, actually watched his work especially in NXT, knows what he’s capable of," Zayn said. "Some people when they come to the main roster never really got to showcase what they’re made of and I definitely think he falls into that category. … CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "He’s almost in this sort of vegetative state or whatever and he just needs like the Prince Charming or whatever is to come around and swoop him and get him out of it. … I think something just needs the right spark to get him to remember who he is and I do think if, and when, that happens we’re gonna get to see a side of him that’s very exciting, that hasn’t been seen in a very long time." Gargano is one of the best pure wrestlers on the roster. He put on some of the best matches in NXT history. He’s won the NXT Championship, NXT North American Championship and the NXT Tag Team Championship, which made him the first NXT Triple Crown champion. On the main roster, he’s been a WWE tag team champion twice. But every fan is hoping that he gets another shot at wrestling again and snaps out of this slumber and gets back to what he does best. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a44414bc2ca79de236256c5 First lady cites memoir after Supreme Court upholds state laws reserving girls' sports for biological females te 2026-06-30T22:20:59.970Z First lady cites memoir after Supreme Court upholds state laws reserving girls' sports for biological females First lady Melania Trump pointed to a passage from her bestselling memoir Tuesday after the Supreme Court ruled that states may limit women's and girls' sports teams to biological females, saying the decision aligns with a position she has long supported. In a post on X, Trump highlighted a passage from Melania that was published months before the court's landmark 6-3 decision, which held that states may determine eligibility for women's and girls' sports based on biological sex under Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause. "As many of you may know, I fully support the LGBTQIA+ community. But we must also ensure that our female athletes are protected and respected," the first lady wrote on X, pointing readers to page 156 of her memoir, "Melania." U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE MAKES NEW TRANS ATHLETE FINDINGS AGAINST USA HOCKEY "The U.S. Supreme Court has now legally confirmed this opinion: ‘Under Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, may schools maintain women’s and girls’ sports for biological females? ... The answer is yes,’" Trump continued, citing the court’s decision. "America, we can support the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community and also protect opportunities for female athletes," she added. "Respect everyone and keep girls' sports fair. Both ideals are essential." The first lady's comments came just hours after the Supreme Court established a new nationwide precedent allowing states to maintain women's and girls' sports teams for biological females. U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE MAKES NEW TRANS ATHLETE FINDINGS AGAINST USA HOCKEY In the consolidated cases West Virginia v. B.P.J. and Little v. Hecox, the justices ruled 6-3 in favor of West Virginia and Idaho, upholding state laws requiring student-athletes to compete on teams that correspond with their biological sex at birth rather than their gender identity. Writing for the majority, the court held: "Consistent with Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause, we hold that the States may maintain women's and girls' sports for biological females. They may determine eligibility for women's and girls' sports based on biological sex." The decision marks a major victory for supporters of so-called "Save Women's Sports" laws, validating similar legislation enacted in 27 states in recent years. The ruling also clears the way for those states to continue enforcing the laws without the legal uncertainty that surrounded them while the cases moved through the courts. LAWYERS FIGHTING SJSU OVER VOLLEYBALL SCANDAL RESPOND TO FEDERAL TITLE IX PROBE FINDINGS Justice Sonia Sotomayor filed an opinion concurring in part and dissenting in part, joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson. West Virginia Attorney General John McCuskey praised the ruling, calling it "a monumental victory for every female athlete who has ever competed, or dreamed of competing, on a fair and safe playing field." Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador likewise hailed the decision, saying it confirmed states' authority to "preserve fair competition and protect the opportunities that generations of women fought to secure." The cases centered on West Virginia's Save Women's Sports Act and Idaho's Fairness in Women's Sports Act, both of which had been blocked after legal challenges brought by transgender athletes. Fox News Digital's Jackson Thompson contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a444138c2ca79de236256bc Conservatives hail Justice Thomas for 'truth bomb' about ruling protecting women's sports te 2026-06-30T22:20:40.520Z Conservatives hail Justice Thomas for 'truth bomb' about ruling protecting women's sports Conservatives rallied around Justice Clarence Thomas on Tuesday as he wrote about the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that upheld state laws barring biological men from women’s sports. Thomas followed the high court's ruling to uphold state laws preventing transgender athletes from participating in women's sports with a concurring opinion, saying, "Men and boys with gender dysphoria are not women or girls, even if they believe that they are. Sex is an immutable ‘biological’ characteristic, see ante, at 10; it is binary; and ‘man’ and ‘woman,’ ‘boy’ and ‘girl,’ are the terms that correspond to adults and children of each sex." He added, "To use language to obscure reality to show ‘indifference regarding the truth’— is to lie to the public and cease to treat our fellow citizens ‘as equal[s].’" This concurrence was touted by numerous conservative public figures as they celebrated the ruling. MARTINA NAVRATILOVA SAYS SHE TRIED TO WARN KAMALA HARRIS' CAMPAIGN ABOUT TRANS ATHLETES: 'NOBODY WOULD LISTEN' Texas Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne wrote, "Truth, fact, and common sense from Justice Thomas in ruling that "men and boys with gender dysphoria ARE NOT WOMEN OR GIRLS". Amen, sir!!" "Right into my veins!" Evolutionary biologist Colin Wright joked. Conservative influencer Allie Beth Stuckey touted the ruling as "a win for reality." LAWYERS FIGHTING SJSU OVER VOLLEYBALL SCANDAL RESPOND TO FEDERAL TITLE IX PROBE FINDINGS "This is fire," Texas state Rep. Jeff Leach wrote with a flame emoji, going on to suggest, "Put it in the louvre." Breitbart News reporter Elizabeth Weibel praised Thomas’ words as a "TRUTH BOMB." The opponents of the ruling slammed the court's decision.  The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which represented trans athletes in West Virginia and Idaho, expressed "heartbreak" over the justices’ decision. "This is a heartbreaking ruling for our clients and transgender girls like them who’ve asked for nothing more than the same opportunities afforded to their peers," ACLU senior counsel Joshua Block said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.  "The reality is that the equality of transgender women and girls takes nothing away from, and in fact promotes, the equality of all women and girls. We will continue to advance the fundamental principle that all young people deserve equal opportunity to thrive and succeed." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Fox News' Jackson Thompson contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a443f5bc2ca79de23625679 ‘Be a shark’: GCU soccer’s Addie Vali perseveres after battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma te 2026-06-30T22:12:43.184Z ‘Be a shark’: GCU soccer’s Addie Vali perseveres after battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma PHOENIX – Standing on the grass at her new home after joining the Grand Canyon University women’s soccer team, the last thing on Addie Vali’s mind was a little itchiness and a swollen lymph node. After all, two doctors had cleared her.  Coming off of a knee injury and making the move from Southern Methodist University was stressful enough. The then-sophomore was ready to give it her all in the spring season of 2025 with her new team. Then she got the call. On April 1, at just 19, Vali learned that biopsy results confirmed Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Her family listened, stunned, on the other end of the line. After attempting to track down the cause of the swollen lymph node for six months, Vali was confident it was the mono that doctors suspected. Vali sat horrified and the word “cancer” brought her to tears. The memory remains vivid a year later, as June is National Cancer Survivors Month. Her parents asked as many questions of the doctor as they could in the moment while the terrifying information sank in, but the truth was no one knew what to expect. The news was crushing to the family as her mother, Kirsten Vali, survived breast cancer when Addie was young. “Cancer is just such a strong word,” Addie said. “When I found out, I was heartbroken and didn’t know what my future would look like.” Addie told her trusted roommate and friend, Payton Fisher, the news on that same April Fool’s Day. The thought that the news couldn’t be anything but a joke didn’t cross Fisher’s mind until she realized Addie was serious. “She (Fisher) took me to every single appointment,” Addie said. “Whether it was a Mayo Clinic appointment or a fertility clinic appointment, she was there by my side the entire time. It was truly a blessing that I was put in a room with her.” Even during summer appointments when Fisher could not be by Addie’s side, she would call her during every appointment without fail. “She brought out a side of me I don’t think anybody ever has,” Fisher said. “I struggle with vulnerability and being open, but with her, I feel like she really brought that out of me. It was a friendship I never knew I needed.” Addie Vali said, “Now being on the flipside of it, it’s more like, ‘Thank God it was me,’” about her cancer battle. (Photo courtesy of GCU Athletics) The next five months changed Addie’s perspective forever. With no time to waste, she began four rounds of chemo and 10 rounds of radiation to attack the stage 1A blood cancer, all while continuing training during the summer. “I just wanted to get back on the field.” Addie said. “I knew I had to put my body through hard things and that my body can do hard things. That’s the cool part about being an athlete.” During every other week she would have off from chemotherapy, Addie trained and practiced with the team so as to not lose her muscle and strength. “She was just so motivated to get back to what she loves,” Kirsten said. “It drove her to heal.” Although Addie pushed her body to continue training during some of the most trying months of her life, the chemo was not without debilitating side effects. While some days were accompanied by extreme fatigue that resulted in hours of sleep, other days were inflicted with bone pain, full-body shakes and hospital trips where she would go in and out of consciousness. While the initial lymph node had been removed, the treatment plan for her Hodgkin’s lymphoma had to be aggressive to try and eradicate any potential harmful cell from every inch of her body. The ABVD chemo treatments included the potent drug known as “the Red Devil,” which contributed to many of the vicious side effects. Somewhere in between the side effects of chemo and the 38 appointments Addie endured to get healthy again, she found love and support from every area of her life in ways she never could have imagined.  Although terrified to tell her new coaching staff the terrible news, she was met with a room of tears and compassion. The staff expressed how they viewed her as a daughter and would do whatever they could to support her and make her athletic dreams still feasible. “When I was over the toilet with bone pain, my athletic trainer, he made me bone broth because he knew it would help my body,” Addie said. It was valuable to have a knowledgeable coaching staff, she said, especially because she had a different experience at her previous school. The transfer to GCU could not have come at a better time in Addie’s life, and those close to her believe this move was divinely inspired. “There was no doubt that she was put in that specific environment for a reason,” Kirsten said. “She was put in the right place at the right time. … God had a huge hand in that.” In her final round of chemo, all her teammates showed up to support her as she rang the bell on her last treatment. The culture and community present at GCU was evident when 200 athletes surrounded Addie on campus in a prayer circle during the time of her cancer. “The color ribbon for lymphoma is purple and our school color is purple,” Payton said. “That is not a coincidence. I think she was brought there for a reason.” While initially struggling with questions of “Why me?” at the beginning of her treatment, Addie found that her faith in God flipped and only became stronger. “Now being on the flip side of it, it’s more like, ‘Thank God it was me,’” Addie said.  “One, I wouldn’t want it to be anybody else. And two, now I’m seeing all the bits and pieces he was doing in my life that I wouldn’t have even thought of if I didn’t go through what I went through.” Fisher and Addie regularly attend North Phoenix Church and find support and community through their time there.  “Be a shark” was the one mantra Addie carried with her through this experience. She believed that like sharks, you can only swim forward and there’s no point in looking back. This phrase has gone on to be a staple in the locker room and inspire many of her other teammates as well. It took five months from the beginning of the diagnosis to full remission, but Addie said it felt like a lifetime and it changed her outlook on life permanently. Many other collegiate athletes who are dealing with similar circumstances have reached out to her as a result of her sharing her story. It has inspired her to pursue a career in opening a clinic specifically designed to help athletes diagnosed with cancer. Addie is now back to doing the one thing she loves: soccer. She returned to the field in the spring for the first time after remission and said she feels 100%. In many ways, Addie’s story is only a beginning. It will continue on the field as GCU begins play Aug. 6 in an exhibition match against New Mexico State. The post ‘Be a shark’: GCU soccer’s Addie Vali perseveres after battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a443f1dc2ca79de23625647 Fox News Poll: Maine Senate race is tight, with concerns about both candidates te 2026-06-30T22:11:41.226Z Fox News Poll: Maine Senate race is tight, with concerns about both candidates The Maine Senate race is shaping up to be a close contest.  While majorities have concerns about both major party candidates, the worries about Democratic candidate Graham Platner are more intense.  That’s according to a Fox News statewide poll that also suggests voter motivation is helping keep the race competitive.  The new poll finds Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins has a small three percentage-point advantage, receiving 50% to Platner’s 47% among Maine registered voters.  But among the two-thirds of voters who say they are extremely motivated to vote, Platner leads by 9 points, 53-44%.  FOX NEWS POLL: LOOKING AHEAD TO AMERICA'S 250TH ANNIVERSARY That’s driven by a 15-point enthusiasm gap, as more Democrats (76%) than Republicans (61%) describe themselves as highly motivated to cast a ballot this year. FOX NEWS POLL: VOTERS EMBRACE HEALTH AGENDA WHILE RATING RFK JR NEGATIVELY Maine voters express concern about both Senate candidates. More than half say Platner lacks the judgment to serve as a U.S. senator, while a similar share believes Collins has been in office too long.  Yet concerns about Platner run a bit deeper. Nearly 4 in 10 are extremely worried about his judgment compared with 3 in 10 who say the same about Collins' lengthy tenure. Roughly one-third of independents are extremely concerned about both Platner’s judgment (33%) and Collins’ tenure (30%). Only 10% of Democrats express concern about Platner, and only 10% of Republicans about Collins. About 1 in 10 of those concerned about Platner’s judgment still support him, while 2 in 10 of those worried Collins has served too long continue to favor her.  In 2024, Harris beat Donald Trump statewide by nearly 7 points.  "Along with North Carolina, Maine is the Democrats’ most obvious Senate target — a blue state with a restless electorate and a 30-year establishment Republican incumbent," says Republican pollster Daron Shaw, who conducts the Fox News Poll with Democrat Chris Anderson. "How do you blow that?  Maybe by nominating someone facing allegations of sexual abuse, racism, and dishonesty.  This race could demonstrate whether partisan and populist loyalties trump all else." In the horse race, Collins’ edge primarily comes from men (+10 points), voters without a college degree (+15), gunowner households (+21), and rural voters (+8).  For the most part, she is matching her performance among these groups compared to her most recent re-election, according to the 2020 Maine Fox News Voter Analysis election survey.  Platner is preferred among women (+5 points), voters with a college degree (+15), and suburban voters and moderates (+10 each). He is underperforming former Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 support among those groups.  The 2024 Maine FNVA finds she won women by 10 points, voters with a degree by 42, suburban voters by 27, and moderates by 24.  Despite Collins’ reputation as a moderate Republican, 97% of MAGA Republicans favor her.  Among non-MAGA GOPers, 82% go for Collins and 15% for Platner.  Collins garners more within-party support than Platner, getting 93% of Republicans, while he gets 86% among Democrats. Independents favor Platner by 2 points, 47-45%.  While Platner is a veteran, he trails Collins by 18 points among military voters. About 8 in 10 of both Collins (79%) and Platner backers (81%) are committed to their choice, while 2 in 10 voters say they could still change their mind.  Only 1 in 10 Maine voters say they are getting ahead financially.  More than 4 in 10 say they’re falling behind, while about half are holding steady.  The most important issue to Maine voters in deciding their Senate vote is inflation (30%). That’s followed by political divisions within the country (19%), healthcare (17%), and immigration (14%).  Far fewer prioritize unemployment, Iran, abortion, or crime as their top issue. Inflation ranks first among independents and Democrats, while Republicans narrowly put immigration and border security ahead of inflation. Collins, first elected to the Senate 30 years ago, won reelection by 9 points in 2020.  Still, slightly more view her negatively than positively by 3 points (47% favorable, 50% unfavorable).  Platner’s personal rating is weaker, with negative ratings by 10 points (43-53%).  President Trump’s ratings are negative by 19 (40-59%).   Democratic gubernatorial candidate Hannah Pingree has a 17-point positive rating (53 favorable vs. 36% unfavorable).  Republican Bobby Charles is viewed about evenly (39-40%), although some 21% are unable to rate him. In the gubernatorial race, Pingree leads Charles by 11 points, 53-42%.  Her lead expands to 18 points among those who are extremely motivated to vote in November. Seventeen percent of those favoring Collins in the Senate race cross party lines to support Pingree for governor, while 5% of Platner backers go for Charles, the Republican. Sitting Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, who is term limited, has served since 2019. She suspended her campaign in the U.S. Senate race in April but has yet to endorse Platner.   CLICK HERE FOR CROSSTABS AND TOPLINE Conducted June 23-27, 2026 under the joint direction of Beacon Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R), this Fox News Poll includes interviews with a sample of 1,003 Maine registered voters randomly selected from a statewide voter file.  Respondents spoke with live interviewers on landlines (102) and cellphones (653) or completed the survey online after receiving a text message (248).  Results based on the full sample have a margin of sampling error of ± 3 percentage points. Sampling error for results among subgroups is higher.  In addition to sampling error, question wording and order can influence results. Sources for developing weight targets include the most recent American Community Survey, Fox News Voter Analysis, and voter file data.  Weights are generally applied to age, race, education, and area variables to ensure the demographics of respondents are representative of the registered voter population.  Results among subgroups are only shown when the sample size is at least N=100.  Fox News’ Victoria Balara contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a443f09c2ca79de2362563e Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed doubles down on controversial rhetoric about how to treat Republicans te 2026-06-30T22:11:21.769Z Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed doubles down on controversial rhetoric about how to treat Republicans Michigan Senate Democratic candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed doubled down on some of his controversial rhetoric during interview on Monday.  El-Sayed, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for Michigan’s Senate seat in 2026, has recently scrubbed some of his past social media comments about defunding the police. He also has faced controversy for having responded to an attack on a synagogue in March by noting that "hurt people hurt people." Rhetoric from far-left politicians that refers to violence, even in metaphor, has come under heavy scrutiny in recent years after the assassination attempts on President Donald Trump and the murder of TPUSA co-founder Charlie Kirk. During Monday's interview, CBS anchor Major Garrett noted that "Michelle Obama used to have a phrase, 'When they go low, we go high.' You have a variation on that. What is it?" RASKIN ACTS CLUELESS WHEN PRESSED ON DEMOCRATS' ANTI-TRUMP RHETORIC FOLLOWING WHCD SHOOTING "Listen, I deeply respect the First Lady," El-Sayed began. "I do think, though, that Democrats need to recognize, and I learned this the hard way, when I was a kid named Abdul in school, I learned the hard way that if you let them take your lunch, guess what happens, you don't eat lunch. And I want to eat lunch. I want everybody to eat lunch. So if they're going to show up and try to bully us, don’t be surprised when we hit back. I won't start the fight, but I’ll end it." "I’ve heard it said that you said, 'When they go low, we choke them out," Garrett said. This appeared to refer to a famous moment during a rally when El-Sayed had declared, "When they go low, we don't go high. We take them to the mud and choke them out." "I mean, their choice to go low," Garrett said. "Don’t go low. I’m just saying." EXPERTS WARN LEFTIST CELEBRATIONS OF CHARLIE KIRK'S DEATH SIGNAL A DANGEROUS MAINSTREAM SHIFT IN POLITICS Garrett also pressed him during the interview that his campaigning with far-left streamer Hasan Piker would inevitably be an issue his opponents would also target him on.  "Major, I'm hanging out with you. I don't know everything you've said. I'm sure you've said some things I disagree with. You said some things I agree with," El-Sayed replied. "It tends to be in the real world. We hold people accountable for what they said, not what somebody around them said. And it's this funny gotcha game that Democrats love to play and Republicans love to play, which I think people are sick and tired of in politics." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a443ef6c2ca79de23625635 Ecuador isn't thrilled after Mexican fans make a ruckus outside its hotel before Round of 32 te 2026-06-30T22:11:02.316Z Ecuador isn't thrilled after Mexican fans make a ruckus outside its hotel before Round of 32 When the Round of 32 picture started to take shape, there had to be some teams disappointed with their matchups, but I'm not sure anyone could've been bummed harder than Ecuador when it realized it had drawn Mexico in Mexico City. You've got an always-dangerous team playing at home in the most soccer-crazed of the tournament's three host nations. What could possibly go wrong?! ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Well, for starters, you could end up with the worst night's sleep of your life, and that's if you were able to sleep at all. Mexican fans went to the Ecuadorians' hotel and made as much noise as humanly possible to make sure that when they hit the field on Tuesday evening they are anything but well-rested. There are two ways to look at this. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE On one hand, it's not exactly an example of fine sportsmanship. On the other hand, if someone told me I could help my team by standing outside the opponents' hotel banging pots and pans, I probably wouldn't do it because I like my sleep, but dammit, I would really consider it. Also, I feel like Ecuador should've expected this. Someone should've hopped on Amazon and bought some Bluetooth eye masks, and the problem would've been solved. But clearly, they didn't do this because, on Tuesday, just hours before the game, Ecuador's football federation put out a statement about the impromptu block party outside their hotel. "Regarding certain non-footballing actions that took place in the lead-up to the round of 32 match, the Ecuadorian Football Federation informs that it has sent a formal complaint to the organization, as this behavior is a far cry from the principles of fair play, equity, and unity that a football World Cup should represent," the statement reads. I feel like the toothpaste is out of the tube on this one, but I do know one thing: things might get really interesting when these two teams — and their respective fans — meet up at Mexico City Stadium. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a443ecdc2ca79de23625608 8 candidates vie for 3 South Tucson Council seats te 2026-06-30T22:10:21.873Z 8 candidates vie for 3 South Tucson Council seats Eight candidates are vying for three seats on the South Tucson City Council in a nonpartisan primary election ending July 21, with public safety, a persistent budget deficit and the future of the city's surveillance camera system among the central issues in the race. With early voting underway, candidates include current members Roxanna Valenzuela, Cesar Aguirre and Brian Flagg, and challengers Christopher Dodson, Diana Moreno-Sears, Zeke Cook, Debbie Federico and Eduardo Baca. Dodson and Baca previously ran as write-in candidates in the August 2025 recall election that sought to remove Valenzuela, Flagg and Aguirre from office. The recall failed, and all three incumbents retained their seats. The three candidates who receive the most votes in the July 21 primary will join the council. Tucson Spotlight reached out to all eight candidates with questions about public safety, budget deficits and development plans for the one-square-mile municipality. Dodson, Moreno-Sears and Aguirre did not respond. Roxanna Valenzuela A hair stylist who once owned her own salon, Valenzuela has served on the South Tucson City Council since 2022 and was appointed mayor by her fellow council members following the 2024 election. She, Flagg and Aguirre have campaigned together and volunteered together at Casa Maria Soup Kitchen. The three incumbents have governed largely in lockstep since taking office. In February, the South Tucson City Council voted 5-1-1 to cancel its contract with Flock Safety over concerns about data collection and privacy. Residents have continued to speak about the issue since the contract's cancellation, with a small majority supporting the implementation of a new system. Flock cameras were credited by South Tucson Police Chief Danny Denogean with an arrest in the homicide of a 60-year-old South Tucson resident. The council is currently in talks about potential camera implementation. "We are building a comprehensive safety network that combines rapid emergency response with deep community care," Valenzuela told Tucson Spotlight. Mayor Roxanna Valenzuela is running on a platform centered on affordable housing, with a plan she says will help low-income families stay in their homes and achieve homeownership in South Tucson. Courtesy of Defend Nuestro Barrio. Valenzuela's plan includes keeping a fully staffed police department, funding operations through the $1 million Pascua Yaqui Tribe donation and continuing to take legal action against slumlords. "Crucially, our safety strategy puts a massive focus on expanding prevention and youth programming, giving our young people better opportunities and positive paths away from street life," Valenzuela said. South Tucson passed a tentative budget earlier this month that reduces a $1.6 million deficit to $400,000. The elimination of the 1.5% food and consumption tax in late April has added pressure, leaving the city to manage a persistent shortfall with a constrained budget. "Moving forward, we will continue balancing the budget through strict administrative fiscal discipline and by aggressively leveraging external regional partnerships for our infrastructure and operational needs, ensuring our residents don't bear the financial burden," Valenzuela said. On development, candidates were asked what they would like to see in the city. "Our absolute priority is expanding affordable housing, starting with our plan to secure 300 stable, dignified units across the municipality," Valenzuela said. "We are investing directly in our community's families and culture by increasing direct funding for after-school youth activities and sports, launching a low-cost municipal Wi-Fi network to provide free public internet and lower monthly utility bills for everyone and by bringing back beloved celebrations like the Norteño Festival." Brian Flagg Flagg has been a longtime advocate for South Tucson residents and has served on the council since 2022. He credits recent safety improvements to voter-approved fire department upgrades under Proposition 409. He also wants to maintain a fully staffed police department while exploring new strategies, including a police bike patrol inspired by Ward 3's safety initiative and continued barrio walks and cleanups with Barrio Restoration. "When you go knock on doors, which we do in South Tucson, people tell you what they want," Flagg said. "They want public safety, and they want to have a responsive police department … we feel like we're on the right track on that." If reelected, Flagg plans to work with Pima County to offset jail costs while continuing discussions about opioid settlement funds. "There's an estimate of $150,000 for our jail bill … and in recent history, Pima County has deferred our jail bill. I would like to explore that possibility," Flagg said. A campaign sign for incumbents Roxanna Valenzuela, Brian Flagg and Cesar Aguirre, who are each seeking reelection to the South Tucson City Council in the July 21 primary. He'd also like to see local programs and safety initiatives funded before development can take hold. "The base of that is to have a strong fire (and) police presence in our town," Flagg said. "I think if people feel comfortable bringing up business here and coming down here to do business, to shop, to eat at a restaurant … that's what we need. Public safety things related to the economic development piece." Zeke Cook Cook is running alongside Federico and has emphasized a data-driven approach to the city's budget and public safety. "The most effective method to increase public safety is installing license plate reading cameras," Cook said. "The Flock cameras were up for only 6 months, but led to 14 arrests and one solved murder." Cook pointed to a late May incident in which thieves stripped copper wiring from street lamps in an area previously covered by Flock cameras, causing an estimated $39,000 in damage. "Give the police the tools they deserve to keep us safe," he said. Cook said the city needs roughly $2 million more in annual tax revenue to bring staff salaries up to par and stabilize the budget. "If it all comes from the transaction privilege tax, that implies that we need a forty million dollar increase in retail sales. In other words, we need responsible development," Cook said. "(In the) short term, we need grants. Grants to make the city more attractive to investors and citizens. The good news is that we have partners willing to help." If elected, Cook plans to work with South Tucson Planning and Zoning Director Josue Licea to achieve financial milestones through a comprehensive development plan. Cook also wants to shift the focus from the unhoused community to currently housed South Tucson residents who need assistance with home upkeep. "There are grants available for home repair, and the city needs to aggressively pursue them," Cook said, adding that residents are selling their homes because they cannot cover major home repairs. Clockwise from upper left: Roxanna Valenzuela, Cesar Aguirre, Zeke Cook, Deborah Federico and Brian Flagg. Cook would also like the city to implement a vacancy tax on empty lots and a blight tax on neglected properties, while encouraging the city's Housing Authority to invest in more third spaces for residents of all ages. "We are not delivering a good first impression with the sight of open drug use, messy vacant lots and people simply wandering in the middle of traffic," Cook said. "A new comprehensive plan will give us a framework for improving this area." Debbie Federico Federico has emphasized fiscal discipline and an updated comprehensive plan for the city. "Real safety means reaching people before the crisis, using every tool we have, county programs, nonprofits, treatment, not just a patrol car, and not leaving grants and partnerships on the table that other cities fight for," Federico said. She also supports reinstalling the Flock cameras, but under strict rules, following guidelines provided by the American Civil Liberties Union, running independent audits and maintaining the previous camera transparency portal. "I would require in the contract that the data stays in South Tucson, not shared with outside agencies, (keeping) residents safe and (keeping) our information ours," Federico said. Federico also weighed in on the budget. "We already lean on a sales tax, the most regressive tool there is, and we widened the hole by cutting the grocery tax but with no plan to replace the roughly $173,000 a year it brought in," Federico said. "Fill the empty Food City and the vacant storefronts on South 6th and South 4th, make it quick and cheap to open a business here. Chase every outside dollar we're owed, federal grants, tribal partnerships … and adopt an updated comprehensive plan so we stop making money decisions one vote at a time." She agreed with the city's need for an updated comprehensive plan. "Development, housing, and safety all depend on having a real plan instead of reacting vote to vote," Federico said. Debbie Federico's late grandfather as a boy in South Tucson, circa 1950. Federico says her family's deep roots in the community are what drove her to run. Courtesy of Debbie Federico. She also wants to see a home repair and rehabilitation program for South Tucson residents, as well as small business support to help fill vacant spaces in the city. "Funded through CDBG and similar grants, a local program keeps longtime residents in place and pushes back on displacement without a single new local tax," Federico said. "South Tucson is not an experiment. They're the basics South Tucson has been owed for years." Eduardo Baca A local business owner from Baca Upholstery, Baca previously ran as a write-in candidate in the August 2025 recall election seeking to unseat Aguirre. Baca said he wants to speak directly to community members, include residents in safety planning and bring more beautification projects to the city. "I want to speak to community members and assure them of safety needs," Baca said. He would also like to see the city take more responsibility for the current budget deficits and reduce its overall spending. "(The council) shouldn't spend funds they quickly gain," Baca said. On development, Baca said he wants to see more investment in the community's cultural roots. Inspired by his son's organization Ballet Folklorico Tapatio, Baca said he would like to increase youth-based programs while also maintaining new and legacy businesses in the area. "Now is the time we do something about it," Baca said. The three candidates with the most votes will be sworn in by the end of November, with the council electing its next mayor the following Tuesday. 💡 The LD20 primary is July 21. Early voting began June 24, with a mail ballot deadline of July 14. Pima County voters can register, check their registration or request a mail ballot at recorder.pima.gov Topacio “Topaz” Servellon is a reporter with Tucson Spotlight. Contact them at topacioserve@gmail.com. Gabriel Sadza is a student at University High School and Tucson Spotlight intern. Tucson Spotlight is a community-based newsroom that provides paid opportunities for students and rising journalists in Southern Arizona. Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation. Donate to Tucson Spotlight Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a443cc4c2ca79de236255ce House backs Massie's push to release taxpayer-funded sexual harassment settlement records te 2026-06-30T22:01:40.904Z House backs Massie's push to release taxpayer-funded sexual harassment settlement records The House of Representatives overwhelmingly backed a measure Tuesday that would force the disclosure of lawmakers who used taxpayer funds to settle sexual harassment claims. The resolution, introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., would require the House Ethics Committee to "preserve and publicly release" records related to monetary settlements involving sexual misconduct.  Massie, a frequent thorn in House GOP leadership's side, forced a vote on the resolution, arguing that gaps in reporting requirements enacted in 2018 may still allow taxpayer-funded settlements to remain hidden. The Kentucky lawmaker said he discovered there were no reported cases involving any members repaying sexual harassment settlements since then. MASSIE LASHES OUT WHEN PRESSED ON EX-GIRLFRIEND'S ALLEGATIONS OF AFFAIR WITH GOP FIREBRAND His resolution would specifically direct the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights to publicly report sexual misconduct cases involving lawmakers and their staff that resulted in taxpayer-funded settlements, along with the total amount of taxpayer money spent. "We need to know what's been going on here in the House of Representatives in order to convince the people and assure the people that we are conducting the people's business with the utmost integrity and treating offices and employees of this institution with the respect they serve," Massie said. The final vote was 420-0-1. No lawmaker spoke against the resolution during debate on the House floor. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., was the lone lawmaker to vote "present," arguing Tuesday's vote was "nothing more than political theater" after she released information earlier this year showing the federal government paid out more than $330,000 to settle sexual harassment claims since the early 2000s. "Now Congress wants to vote on doing what we already did," the South Carolina Republican wrote on social media. ETHICS PANEL CLEARS GALLEGO AS LUNA DECLARES, 'ONCE A CREEP, ALWAYS A CREEP' Mace, who helped orchestrate a transparency push targeting lawmakers’ behavior toward women amid several high-profile resignations, subpoenaed the Congressional Office of Workplace Rights through her position on the House Oversight Committee for a bevy of settlement documents involving at least six lawmakers or their offices. Former Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Texas, who resigned in disgrace in 2018 amid a House ethics probe into sexual misconduct allegations, was among the lawmakers named in the documents. Former Rep. Patrick Meehan, R-Pa., who similarly resigned in 2018 amid reports he used taxpayer funds to settle a sexual harassment suit filed by a former staffer, was also listed. Ten lawmakers did not vote, as the chamber was scheduled to begin the July 4 recess immediately following the vote amid a conservative blockade of the House floor in protest of the stalled SAVE America Act. The resolution’s passage comes after Cynthia West, a former Massie girlfriend, accused the Kentucky lawmaker of emotional abuse in May. West also alleged that Massie attempted to pay her $5,000 to drop a wrongful termination lawsuit against the office of Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., who fired her shortly after taking a position in the office. The House in March rejected a resolution offered by Mace to require the House Ethics Committee to release all documents compiled by the panel involving probes into members of Congress related to sexual misconduct. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a443cb1c2ca79de236255c5 Nick Saban wrote letter to court supporting 'exceptional character' of former Lions CB Terrion Arnold te 2026-06-30T22:01:21.448Z Nick Saban wrote letter to court supporting 'exceptional character' of former Lions CB Terrion Arnold One of the most shocking stories of the 2026 NFL offseason has been the saga of cornerback Terrion Arnold. Arnold, a former 2024 first-round pick of the Detroit Lions, was arrested recently on charges of armed robbery and kidnapping. Arnold appeared in court in Hillsborough County, Florida this week, with Judge Christopher Sabella setting his bond at $1 million. He was also instructed not to contact the six co-defendants in the case, along with surrendering his passport and being subject to home confinement in Tallahassee. The Lions announced Monday that they'd released Arnold, seemingly as a result of the charges and court appearance. TERRION ARNOLD, LIONS' 2024 FIRST-ROUND PICK, CHARGED WITH KIDNAPPING AND ARMED ROBBERY IN FLORIDA But there's one piece of good news for the 23-year-old: he's received a letter of support from none other than legendary Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban. Saban wrote a letter, dated June 26, telling the judge that he's long respected Arnold for his "exceptional character" and the "genuine care" he has for others off the field. "My name is Nick Saban," the letter reads, "and I have spent decades as a football coach working with young men from diverse and often difficult backgrounds. In that time, I have had the privilege of watching hundreds of athletes grow not just as players, but as men. I write this letter because of the exceptional character I witnessed in Terrion Arnold over the more than six years I have known him." Saban also wrote that Arnold treated his family and staff with "respect, humility, and kindness," and never gave him or others cause to doubt his behavior and personal conduct. "I first met Terrion when he joined my program in 2021," he wrote. "From the beginning, he stood out not only because of his athletic ability, but because of who he was off the field. Based on my experiences with Terrion, I’ve always believed he leads with genuine care for the people around him. "Over the years, I have welcomed Terrion into my home and around my family. He has consistently treated my family and my staff with respect, humility, and kindness. In all the time I have known him, he never once gave me cause to question his conduct, his integrity, or his respect for others. I don’t ever recall him being involved in any behavior that would be described as aggressive or irresponsible." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Saban concludes by telling the court that he hopes they consider his personal "experience" with Arnold, despite not being "overly familiar" with the charges he faces. "Based on my experiences with Terrion, I remain committed to supporting him," Saban wrote. "While I’m not overly familiar with or educated on the charges he is facing, and understand the seriousness of his situation before the Court, I would respectfully ask the Court to take into account my experience with Terrion, his character, history and the positive impact he had on our program." Given the conditions placed on Arnold and the large bail set by the judge, it doesn't appear Saban's letter had a tremendous impact in this case. This letter is yet another bizarre entry in this extremely odd case. Arnold's alleged behavior obviously doesn't align with Saban's character reference. But Saban surely wouldn't submit such a letter unless he felt it accurately reflected the player and person he knew. Arnold is, of course, innocent until proven guilty. And although he's been released by the Lions, he at least has one big supporter left: the best college football coach in the sport's history. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a443c8ac2ca79de236255b6 Trump Announces Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas, Texas te 2026-06-30T22:00:42.536Z Trump Announces Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas, Texas Parties normally hold conventions only in presidential years, but President Trump liked the idea of mobilizing Republicans this fall. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a443c74c2ca79de23625591 OpenClaw is finally available on Android and iOS te 2026-06-30T22:00:20.705Z OpenClaw is finally available on Android and iOS The free open source agentic program is finally invading your phone. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a443a30c2ca79de2362553f Tim Burchett, UFO whistleblower recount ominous government warnings after demanding UFO transparency te 2026-06-30T21:50:40.528Z Tim Burchett, UFO whistleblower recount ominous government warnings after demanding UFO transparency Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., revealed the chilling warning he received from someone connected to the Trump administration after pushing for UFO disclosure during a new episode of "Hang Out with Sean Hannity." "It was another Saturday. I was sitting at the house, and I got a call from, I’ll just say, a friend of the administration," the congressman said. "He said I had kicked a hornet’s nest. They said, ‘You need to get bodies around you.’ And I’m in East Tennessee. I’ve got bodies around me. There are enough good ol’ boys out there… We have kicked a virtual hornet’s nest, and these people don’t want this stuff out." UFO disclosure activist Luis Elizondo told "Hang Out with Sean Hannity" he received a similar threat, claiming there were discussions to "eliminate" him during a classified congressional briefing. NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON DARES GOVERNMENT TO 'JUST SHOW THE ALIEN,' AS DISCLOSURE FERVOR CONTINUES TO GROW Elizondo said he received two separate calls from staffers who had just gotten out of the briefing who were worried about him and whistleblower David Grusch. 🔍 Got a story tip? Email nora.moriarty@fox.com "He says, ‘I was in a meeting where government officials had told myself and other staff… that there was a plan at one point, a discussion, to eliminate you and Grusch,’" Elizondo told host Sean Hannity. STRING OF SCIENTIST DEATHS, VANISHINGS FUELS EXPERT TALKS OF SHADOW OPS AND SILENCED SECRETS: 'VERY SERIOUS' "I received another call from a different staffer. The first thing he said was, ‘Lou, are you okay?" I said, ‘Yeah, I'm fine. Why?’ He’s like, ‘You really need to watch yourself because there were discussions involving you and Grusch. Some people were very upset with what you guys did,’" he added. Burchett went on to claim the U.S. government limits Americans' access to government information by transferring classified UFO documents to private companies. "We've come to find out they turn it over to a private entity, like one of our missile defense contractors. There’s probably five or six of them," the congressman said. PENTAGON FILES REVEAL AGENTS' REPORTS OF 'ORBS LAUNCHING ORBS' NEAR SENSITIVE US SECURITY SITE "What they do is they give it to these corporations so that you and I can't get to it through FOIA, the Freedom of Information Act," he continued. "I can FOIA Ford Motor Company, but they don't have to answer me." The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) allows citizens to request access to federal agency records as a way to ensure government transparency. By transferring UFO documents to private entities, Burchett argued the government can prevent the public from accessing the information. 📲 More stories at @newswithnora on X The congressman claimed there is sworn testimony indicating the U.S. government is in possession of alien bodies. Elizondo said there are "a lot" of reasons why organizations may want to keep information about extraterrestrial life hidden from the American people. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE As for President Donald Trump, Burchett said he was told in a secure environment that the commander-in-chief was on a "need-to-know" basis when it came to alien life. "Someone is making a unilateral decision in our government not to inform the president," Elizondo added. Hannity’s full interview with Burchett and Elizondo, where they delve deeper into the U.S. government’s knowledge of alien life, is available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4437d7c2ca79de2362501f Shelter-in-place order lifted after freight train derailment sparks hazmat concerns in Pennsylvania te 2026-06-30T21:40:39.900Z Shelter-in-place order lifted after freight train derailment sparks hazmat concerns in Pennsylvania Officials said no hazardous material leaks were found after a freight train derailment Tuesday afternoon in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, and that earlier shelter-in-place and evacuation orders have been lifted. "Hazmat personnel have deemed the area safe," the Bensalem Police Department said in a statement. "There is no threat to the public.  All residents may return to their homes and businesses." About 16 freight cars derailed around 2:15 p.m. between Street Road and the Neshaminy Falls train station, according to local outlets NBC10 and 6abc. BYSTANDER VIDEO CAPTURES NORFOLK SOUTHERN TRAIN T-BONING SEPTIC TRUCK AT VIRGINIA RAILROAD CROSSING Authorities initially worked to determine what the cars were carrying amid concerns that some may have contained hazardous materials. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., said no injuries had been reported and that his office was coordinating with local officials, first responders and the Department of Transportation. TWO-TRAIN CRASH LEAVES AT LEAST 1 DEAD, 89 INJURED AS EMERGENCY CREWS RUSH TO CHAOTIC SCENE "This was a freight derailment and did not occur on commuter rail lines," Fitzpatrick wrote on X. "Local officials have reported several cars involved, which may contain hazardous materials." A one-mile shelter-in-place order was initially issued, with residents urged to stay indoors, bring pets inside, close windows, doors and vents, and turn off heating and air conditioning systems. DEATH OF GREAT-GRANDMOTHER BRUTALLY KILLED ON TRAIN TRIGGERS FEDERAL ACTION People outside the area were asked to avoid the scene and keep nearby roads clear for emergency crews. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The incident comes more than three years after the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment raised national concerns over rail safety and the transport of hazardous materials. Bucks County Emergency Management and the Bensalem Township Police Department could not immediately be reached by Fox News Digital for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a443593c2ca79de23624faa Serena Williams drops Wimbledon comeback match to 20-year-old Maya Joint after four-year absence te 2026-06-30T21:30:59.636Z Serena Williams drops Wimbledon comeback match to 20-year-old Maya Joint after four-year absence Serena Williams fought hard but ultimately lost in her first singles match since 2022 on Tuesday at Wimbledon, falling to 20-year-old Australian Maya Joint, 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3, in the first round on Centre Court. There's a common axiom in sports that "Father Time is undefeated" and that rang true in London on Tuesday night. Williams, 44, had not played a singles match since the 2022 U.S. Open, when she lost to Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round in what many believed would be the final match of her legendary career. Instead, nearly four years later, she walked back onto the grass at the All England Club. And not just any court. Centre Court. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE The same court where Williams won seven of her 23 Grand Slam singles titles, an Olympic gold medal and authored some of the most dominant moments of the modern women's tennis era. This one, obviously, was different. Williams entered Wimbledon as a wild card and with far more questions than expectations. How much tennis did she still have in her legs? Could her serve still carry her through pressure games? Could one of the greatest competitors in sports history summon enough of the old Serena to make this more than a ceremonial comeback? For a while, the answer looked complicated. Joint, the 87th-ranked women's player in the world, came out sharp and took the opening set 6-3. After the set got to 3-3, with each player holding each of her first three serves, Joint won the next three games, breaking Serena once to take the first set. It was a reminder that nostalgia does not win tennis matches, especially at Wimbledon, where the grass can punish even small dips in movement and timing. But Williams’ fought back in the second set. Despite being broken in the first game and falling down 3-1, Williams eventually forced a tiebreak. The 20-year-old Australian had match point with a 6-5 lead in the tiebreak, but Williams won the next three points to square the match. Williams came out strong in the third set, getting the first break to take a 2-1 lead. But that's when it seemed that Williams' age started to become a bigger factor. Her daughters, Olympia and Adira, were in attendance, along with her husband Alexis Ohanian and sister Venus Williams. Venus is also scheduled to team with Serena in doubles at Wimbledon, giving the tournament another Williams sisters moment after years of uncertainty over whether fans would ever see that again. Williams has spent most of the past four years away from the tour after saying in 2022 that she was "evolving away" from tennis. She never fully closed the door, though. SERENA WILLIAMS OPENS UP ABOUT 31-POUND WEIGHT LOSS USING GLP-1 MEDICATION: ‘SOMETHING I SUFFERED WITH’ She won Wimbledon singles titles in 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016. She reached four other Wimbledon finals. She and Venus also built one of the great doubles partnerships in tennis history, including six Wimbledon women’s doubles titles together. So when Williams accepted a wild card into the singles draw, it immediately became one of the biggest stories of the tournament. That’s the power of Serena. Even after nearly four years without a singles match, even at 44, even with no real evidence that she could contend at a Grand Slam again, her presence changed the feel of the draw. Unfortunately for Williams, she did not get the storybook result Tuesday, but this was never going to be judged like an ordinary first-round loss. Not really. Yes, Williams is out of the singles draw after losing to a woman less than half her age. But the fact that she even took the court is a story in and of itself. Now comes the obvious question. Was this just a Wimbledon one-off, or was it the first step toward one more run in New York? The U.S. Open main draw begins Aug. 30, and if Williams wants another singles swing this summer, Flushing Meadows would be the obvious place to do it. That’s where she played her last singles match before this comeback. That’s where American tennis fans believed they said goodbye to her in 2022. Maybe they did. Maybe they didn’t. Either way, Serena Williams taking the court at a Grand Slam tournament is good for tennis, particularly in the United States. And if Tuesday was any indication, plenty of people would show up to watch her try it again. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a443580c2ca79de23624fa1 Jim Banks, GOP lawmakers rally behind DOJ probe into alleged CCP-linked funding network te 2026-06-30T21:30:40.188Z Jim Banks, GOP lawmakers rally behind DOJ probe into alleged CCP-linked funding network FIRST ON FOX: Top members of Congress are supporting a federal grand jury investigation into alleged financial crimes committed by Neville Roy Singham, tied to his funding of socialist, communist and Marxist organizations. According to a Fox News Digital investigation, Singham has funneled $278 million into the broad network of nonprofits since 2017. As reported, Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche authorized a grand jury in Manhattan to issue subpoenas as part of a probe of Singham's financial network. The investigation was launched by U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York, one of the country's most powerful districts for federal prosecutions. Singham hasn’t responded to repeated requests for comment that Fox News Digital has sent him over the past several months. "Neville Singham is a traitor to our country. He has ties to the CCP," Sen. Jim Banks, R-Indiana, told Fox News Digital. "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." DOJ LAUNCHES GRAND JURY PROBE INTO MARXIST MOGUL NEVILLE ROY SINGHAM'S FUNDING OF LEFTIST GROUPS Last April, Banks sounded the alarm about the Singham network, calling on former Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate CodePink, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has received funds from Singham. Co-founded by Singham’s wife, Jodie Evans, CodePink hasn’t responded to repeated requests for comment. Neither has Evans. Earlier this year, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent traveled to New York City for a meeting with Goldman Sachs Chairman and CEO David Solomon, and sources told Fox News Digital that Bessent gave a blunt ultimatum to Solomon. Bessent told Solomon that Goldman Sachs could face scrutiny for alleged conspiracy in the funneling of the Singham money and urged Solomon to cooperate with federal investigators. PROBE INTO 'SUBVERSIVE' ANTI-AI SINGHAM NETWORK IS 'ENORMOUS,' FORMER TREASURY ADVISOR SAYS A person familiar with the meeting told Fox News Digital that the discussion wasn't contentious and that Solomon readily agreed to pledge his cooperation with the Justice Department investigation. A spokesperson for the bank said "all distributions from Mr. Singham’s donor-advised fund were made to legal nonprofits, as determined by the IRS. There have been no distributions from the account since August 2023, and it was closed in early 2024." Banks serves on the Senate Banking Committee, which is responsible for bank oversight and regulation. The Indiana senator explained that Goldman’s cooperation is welcome news, but that Wall Street should be more cautious about working with individuals tied to "our biggest enemy." "It sounds like Goldman wants to put this to bed," Banks explained. "They want to do their part to help the investigation. But Wall Street should know that you can't get away with helping our biggest enemy. You can't get away with helping the Chinese Communist Party through money funneled through tech billionaires like Neville Singham. You will be held accountable for that." FIRST ON FOX: POWERFUL HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS CHAIR THROWS HAMMER DOWN ON 'FOREIGN-ALIGNED INFLUENCE NETWORK' In his letter to Bondi, Banks also raised concerns about CodePink potentially violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). The law requires individuals or entities acting as agents of foreign principals to register as foreign agents and publicly disclose their finances and relationships. "CodePink has clearly become an agent of CCP influence in the United States. Despite activities and funding so blatant that even the New York Times acknowledged the organization’s activities ‘usually require’ groups to register under FARA, Code Pink has not registered with the DOJ," the letter read. A number of lawmakers weighed in on news of the DOJ’s recent grand jury probe of Singham’s finances, including Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas), who is running for chairman of the House Oversight Committee. Fallon recently announced his run with Fox News Digital and said at the time that holding accountable nonprofits aligned with the CCP and tied to Singham would be one of his priorities if he secured the chairmanship. "Far-left NGOs are the means by which U.S. adversaries like communist China work to undermine our country," Fallon told Fox News Digital on Tuesday. "Groups like CodePink, which Singham has funded, openly spew CCP propaganda. Their objective is to spark division, resentment and unrest." "My colleagues and I on the House Oversight Committee have been committed to dismantling the dark network of communist NGOs, which is why we sent a letter to the DOJ earlier this year urging them to expose these groups for what they really are. We cannot stop until we put an end to the communist threat facing our Republic here at home." House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., who launched an investigation into the Singham nonprofit network last year, took to social media to say the grand jury investigation is overdue. "It’s about time he is brought to justice and he is held accountable for his ties to the CCP," Smith said on X. For years, critics like Smith have alleged that Singham has used the generous tax status awarded to tax-exempt nonprofit organizations to fund left-wing chaos in streets across the country. A Fox News Digital investigation uncovered a video that showed Singham calling for a "new world order' promoted by Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party during the "Global South Academic Forum," in Beijing last year. Singham has funneled millions into a network of nonprofits that regularly mobilize agitators for demonstrations across the country, including anti-ICE protests and anti-Israel protests. His financial contributions, which were routed through Goldman Sachs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund For Wealth Management Inc., include an estimated $22.44 million to People's Forum Inc., a hub for far-left activity in Manhattan, and at least $223 million and other forms of support into a global network of organizations. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a44333bc2ca79de23624f3a Los Angeles Clippers finally give up on Kawhi Leonard, send former Finals MVP back to Toronto Raptors te 2026-06-30T21:20:59.222Z Los Angeles Clippers finally give up on Kawhi Leonard, send former Finals MVP back to Toronto Raptors The Kawhi Leonard era is over in Los Angeles. According to NBA insider Shams Charania, the Clippers are finalizing a blockbuster trade that will send the two-time Finals MVP back to the Toronto Raptors, closing the book on an era defined by lofty expectations and limited postseason success. The Raptors will part with forward Brandon Ingram, guard Gradey Dick, two future first-round picks, a first-round pick swap and two second-round picks. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! The deal represents a major swing for Toronto and a reset for Los Angeles. Leonard returns to the country where he led the Raptors to the 2019 NBA championship, while the Clippers move on from an era that never produced an NBA Finals appearance despite owner Steve Ballmer's massive investment in the franchise. CLIPPERS' KAWHI LEONARD RECEIVED PAYMENT FROM 'NO-SHOW JOB' DAYS AFTER INVESTMENT BY MINORITY OWNER: REPORT When the Clippers acquired Leonard in 2019, they were expected to become title contenders. Instead, the next seven seasons were defined by injuries and postseason frustration. The Clippers won just three playoff series during Leonard's tenure. Chronic knee injuries and repeated playoff absences prevented the franchise from reaching its potential, culminating in Tuesday's huge trade. The gamble shows Toronto is looking to catch lightning in a bottle for a second time. Leonard remains under contract through 2027 and is set to earn more than $50 million next season. According to reports, he also hopes to sign a two-year, $126.1 million extension that would allow him to finish his career in Canada. At the very least, pairing Leonard with the ascending Scottie Barnes makes the Raptors one of the Eastern Conference's most intriguing contenders. Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a443327c2ca79de23624f31 California couple says moving company doubled their price and is now holding belongings 'for ransom': report te 2026-06-30T21:20:39.773Z California couple says moving company doubled their price and is now holding belongings 'for ransom': report A couple looking to leave California said their moving company is holding their belongings hostage after allegedly doubling the agreed-upon price. Roughly one month has passed since John Nelson and his wife, who were relocating from Oceanside to North Carolina, encountered what they described as a troubling experience at the end of May, according to CBS 8. The couple initially signed a contract with a moving broker for just over $16,000 for a full-service move and paid a $7,000 deposit upfront, the outlet reported.  However, on moving day, the company allegedly increased the cost to $32,000, claiming the couple had more belongings than originally estimated. CALIFORNIANS FLEEING TO RED STATES ARE DRIVING UP HOME PRICES AND RENTS IN THEIR NEW CITIES, DATA SHOWS While Nelson ultimately agreed to move forward to avoid losing his deposit, he later alleged that the company attempted to charge another round of additional fees upon delivery. According to the couple, the company attempted to deliver their belongings on June 3 — one week before the date Nelson said they would be available to receive them, CBS 8 reported. The failed delivery attempt allegedly led the contractors to issue an additional redelivery fee, according to the report. AMERICAN DRIVERS WARNED ABOUT RED FLAGS TO AVOID ‘PREDATORY TOWING’ TARGETING MOTORISTS ACROSS US "They’ve got $30,000 and they’ve got our stuff… and they’re basically holding it for ransom," Nelson said.  "When you move, it’s an exciting thing...you never expect for somebody to take your stuff and not deliver it," he added. SOPHISTICATED PORCH PIRATE RING HACKED SHIPMENT TRACKING INFO TO STEAL HUNDREDS OF PHONES, PROSECUTOR SAYS Nelson also claimed the initial delivery attempt may have been staged to pressure the couple into paying additional charges, alleging that the moving truck captured on video did not appear to be the same vehicle used to load their belongings.  "I think they just pulled up an empty truck to stage a charade," he said.  "As far as I’m concerned, they’ve got stolen property that’s crossed state lines," Nelson added.  Nelson and his wife reportedly filed police reports in both Oceanside and their new city in North Carolina. Complaints were also filed with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), a dispute-resolution service that helps consumers address issues with companies, the outlet said.  According to CBS 8, the broker has received 280 complaints with the BBB over the past three years.  The broker reportedly disputed the couple’s claims but said it was working to find a resolution. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4430e4c2ca79de23624ecc Raskin tells Lawler to 'get the hell out' during contentious hearing te 2026-06-30T21:11:00.693Z Raskin tells Lawler to 'get the hell out' during contentious hearing A tense hearing on sanctuary city policies devolved Tuesday into a shouting match between Reps. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., and Jamie Raskin, D-Md., who accused each other of not caring about the deaths of Americans at the hands of illegal immigrants or anti-ICE protesters killed by federal agents. During a House Judiciary Committee hearing on sanctuary policies, Lawler scolded some of his colleagues, accusing them of apathy regarding the deaths of Laken Riley and Sheridan Gorman—two women allegedly killed by illegal immigrants in separate incidents. However, he noted their voicing of outrage over the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, two anti-ICE agitators who were shot and killed by federal agents while allegedly interfering in law enforcement operations in Minnesota earlier this year. "So while some of my colleagues may not want to hear the truth, the same outrage you feel about Renee Good and Alex Pretti, you should feel about Sheridan Gorman and Laken Riley and every Angel family in this country," Lawler said. GRIEVING PARENTS OF SLAIN STUDENT SHERIDAN GORMAN SPEAK OUT: 'WE CAN'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO ANOTHER FAMILY' "I do feel that outrage. You do not," Raskin shouted in response. "You do not, because if you did, you would not support sanctuary jurisdictions. You should be ashamed of yourself. You should be ashamed of yourself, Jamie. You're a disgrace," Lawler replied. RASKIN ACTS CLUELESS WHEN PRESSED ON DEMOCRATS' ANTI-TRUMP RHETORIC FOLLOWING WHCD SHOOTING "Do you feel the outrage of Renee Good and Alex Pretti?" Raskin asked. "You don't belong on this committee. You should get the hell out of here!" Lawler noted that he wrote a Jan. 27 New York Times op-ed about Good and Pretti's deaths. "The deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis this month were tragic and preventable. No matter where you stand on immigration enforcement, the shootings show that what the country has been doing is not working," Lawler wrote in the piece. "Agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection are conducting forceful operations in American communities," he added. "They should reassess their current tactics." Raskin has voiced strong support for sanctuary policies, which shield illegal aliens—even those arrested and convicted of crimes—from federal immigration authorities. He has frequently defended sanctuary policies against federal overreach, emphasizing that compelling local police to enforce federal immigration law is unconstitutional. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4430bdc2ca79de23624ebe Takeaways From a Transformative Supreme Court Term te 2026-06-30T21:10:21.291Z Takeaways From a Transformative Supreme Court Term The justices rejected some of President Trump’s signature initiatives, but delivered lasting, long-sought conservative wins. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a442ef2c2ca79de23624e83 DAVID BLACKMON: Solar Doesn’t Use Much Farmland — Until You Define What ‘Much’ Really Means te 2026-06-30T21:02:42.081Z DAVID BLACKMON: Solar Doesn’t Use Much Farmland — Until You Define What ‘Much’ Really Means By David Blackmon | I have to admit that I laughed out loud – almost spewing coffee on my keyboard – Friday morning when I read this headline from a competing platform’s energy-related newsletter: “SOLAR DOESN’T USE MUCH FARMLAND: Solar occupies less than 1% of farmland in the U.S., according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.” To paraphrase from former President Bill Clinton’s grand jury testimony, that depends on what the meaning of “much” is. Curious about the subject, I decided to research the question, accessing a wealth of public information easily available to anyone, including those in the solar industry. The answer I found might surprise the folks at the Solar Energy Industries Association. Or maybe it wouldn’t, which might explain why they choose to couch the answer in such a misleading way. The salient question: How many acres make up 1% of U.S. farmlands? The easily discovered answer: Approximately 8.74 million acres (using the latest 2025 figure of ~874 million acres total), according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. According to the USDA’s most recent data, the 2025 total land in farms is 873.95 million acres (down slightly from prior years). Earlier years were a bit higher (e.g., ~900 million in 2017), but the total has been gradually declining. One percent of 873.95 million acres = 8.74 million acres. Farmland here generally refers to “land in farms” per USDA definitions (including cropland, pasture, woodland, etc., on farms). Figures can vary slightly by source or definition (e.g., cropland-only vs. all agricultural land), but the ~874 million acre range is the standard benchmark from official USDA reports. Now, for some context. The King Ranch in South Texas is arguably the largest and most celebrated big farming and ranching operation in U.S. history. Established in 1854 by pioneering rancher Richard King, the ranch at its peak consisted of 1.2 million acres. Thus, the solar power industry itself admits that its wind arrays currently occupy an area of fertile farmlands that is roughly 8 times the size of the biggest farming and ranching operation in United States history. That is a stunning number, yet the authors of that referenced newsletter characterize it as being “not much.” Being a guy who grew up in a farming and ranching family, that sure seems like “much” to me. It also most likely seems like “much” to experts whose own studies find that placing solar arrays atop farmlands robs the land of crucial nutrients and renders it more vulnerable to erosion. Disturbingly, unless radical changes are quickly made, the industry plans to cover up many more King Ranch-sized swaths of fertile land in the coming years. A 2024 report by the Institute for Energy Research finds that, despite these warnings by experts in the field, the vast majority of new solar projects are targeting farmland to house their industrial projects in the coming years. “The target for solar operations is increasingly in the Midwest, where government handouts to solar allow them to pay more to rent land than the farmers providing food for the nation,” the report says, adding, “Farmland preservation groups believe 83 percent of new solar installations will come from farm and ranch lands with half of these installations on the richest land for food and crops.” Fortunately, the big federal subsidies which drove the recent huge solar expansion are scheduled to begin expiring in July. But with hundreds of new solar projects already in the queue, millions more acres of fertile farmlands will be removed from the food system in the years to come even as a fertilizer shortage threatens to disrupt global food supplies. All to create unreliable, unpredictable, intermittent electricity for a few hours a day that could be provided by an array of more reliable power sources which occupy a fraction of the land, none of which intentionally target farmlands as their homes. It’s a completely irrational misallocation of hundreds of billions of dollars in capital brought to us directly by the Biden autopen presidency and its Orwellian Inflation Reduction Act. You could never make this stuff up if it weren’t already happening before your very eyes. Watch it and weep. Originally published by the Daily Caller News Foundation. David Blackmon is a contributor to The Daily Caller News Foundation, an energy writer, and consultant based in Texas. He spent 40 years in the oil and gas business, where he specialized in public policy and communications. The post DAVID BLACKMON: Solar Doesn’t Use Much Farmland — Until You Define What ‘Much’ Really Means first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a442ec7c2ca79de23624e75 Arizona’s largest egg producer agrees to $1M settlement over price fixing te 2026-06-30T21:01:59.580Z Arizona’s largest egg producer agrees to $1M settlement over price fixing Key Points: Hickman’s Egg Ranch settles price-fixing complaints with $1 million fine and 3.25 million egg donation Federal court lawsuit says Hickman’s and others manipulated egg prices through information sharing on Urner Barry Hickman’s and other companies will donate 53 million eggs to food banks Hickman’s Egg Ranch, Arizona’s largest egg producer, has agreed to a $1 million civil penalty and a 3.25 million egg donation under a proposed federal and multi-state settlement over complaints that it conspired to keep prices artificially high. The civil lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice and attorneys general from 17 states says Hickman’s Egg Ranch exchanged information with other companies through coordinated bids, calls and text messages that allowed them not only to coordinate egg prices but to drive them up through “manipulation.” Prosecutors say Hickman’s and two other major producers, Cal-Maine Foods and Versova Holdings, used Urner Barry Publications — a market-reporting company whose daily egg price quotations are widely used in supply contracts — to influence the benchmark prices that grocery stores, restaurants and other buyers pay for eggs nationwide. And the U.S. Department of Justice says egg price quotations fell from record highs after Hickman’s and the other companies learned of the investigation and were instructed to preserve the documents, following a period in which coordinated bidding had helped push those benchmark prices up. A representative of MTQ USA said everything in the federal complaint occurred before the international company acquired the family-owned operation last year. “This settlement fully resolves the allegations against Hickman’s Egg Ranch related to that period,” said Nikki Richardson. “We are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations and to conducting business with the highest standards of integrity.” What enabled the alleged price-fixing scheme for egg producers, according to the federal court complaint, was Urner Barry Publications, a firm that reports market pricing for eggs. Hickman’s and the other companies have contracts with retailers that set prices based on those Urner Barry quotations. But federal prosecutors said Hickman’s and others coordinated as far back as 2022 to “hold” prices, “meaning they worked together to stop prices from declining.” And an executive from Cal-Maine Foods Inc., the nation’s largest egg producer and another defendant in the case, texted Glenn Hickman, who is the CEO, stating, “we are bidding up. Let’s hold it today.” There also were regularly scheduled calls among Hickman’s and other companies where they discussed Urner Barry’s price quotations. There was another instance where federal prosecutors said the companies submitted dozens of bids to Urner Barry, resulting in that operation increasing its price data for white, large shell eggs across all regions of the country. That resulted in Hickman’s and the others submitting data showing there were higher bid prices, resulting in Urner Barry, relying on that information, reporting that egg prices were “hitting records.” Under the terms of the proposed settlement signed by an attorney for Hickman’s, the company agrees not to communicate, discuss or negotiate, whether directly or indirectly, with any competitors about the prices or bids it is or will make and the timing of those bids. It also must designate an antitrust compliance officer and adopt an antitrust compliance program to monitor and report any potential violations. The company has also agreed to produce twice-a-year reports for the next five years certifying it has not engaged in prohibited communications. Then there’s the agreement to provide 3.25 million eggs to food banks or related nonprofit organizations in states where Hickman’s currently does business over the next 18 months. And the deal makes it clear that these can’t just be eggs the company cannot sell. “Eggs provided in the egg donation must be unspoiled, non-expired, and non-damaged medium or large white Grade A eggs, with at least 20 days of shelf life,” the agreement says. It also says the eggs “must be at least of a quality identical to that of eggs sold by Hickman’s to its grocery store or food service customers.” Those deliveries are required to be at Hickman’s expense, with the company forbidden to charge any fee for shipping, freight, handling or service fees associated with the donations. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said the settlement will help Arizonans who have already been hit with higher prices for household staples by inflation and illegal tariffs, noting that some of the egg price increases were the result of illegal price-fixing by major producers. And the deal says that eggs that Hickman’s had previously donated or promised to food banks will not count toward the total “and Hickman’s will make any such previously planned donations as planned.” Overall, all the defendants will donate about 53 million eggs, with 30 million from Cal-Maine and 20 million from Versova Holdings, on top of the 3.25 million Hickman’s has agreed to provide. The $1 million payment from Hickman’s — $3.3 million from all the affected egg producers — will be divided among the 17 states that joined with the federal government in filing suit, with the decision about how to divide up the cash left by those states. Hickman’s, founded in 1944, was sold last year to MTQ USA in the wake of the avian flu that resulted in the company having to destroy six million laying eggs at two farms west of Phoenix and lay off hundreds of workers. In a prepared statement, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, who joined in the federal and multi-state lawsuit, said residents have already been beset by higher prices for household supplies because of inflation and illegal tariffs and rising inflation. “But now we know that some price increases, like those affecting eggs, were the result of illegal price-fixing by major egg producers,” she said. “This settlement holds these companies accountable, ends their illegal conduct, and helps Arizonans who need it most.” The Department of Justice, in its own statement, said the deal will prevent the companies from engaging in “coordinated manipulation” in the future. “No product more quintessentially represents affordability than the price Americans pay for eggs,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward. “These actions prove this department’s continued commitment to protecting competition and providing real relief for everyday Americans’ pocketbooks.” The agreement with Hickman’s and others is not a done deal. While the attorneys for the companies have agreed, by law it is only a proposed settlement and must be published and opened to written public comments for 60 days. After that, a federal judge in Iowa, where the case was filed, can enter a final judgment if the court finds the settlement is in the public interest under federal antitrust law. The post Arizona’s largest egg producer agrees to $1M settlement over price fixing first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a442eb3c2ca79de23624e4f Blue Jackets head coach says he's as shocked as anyone about Zach Werenski wanting out of Columbus te 2026-06-30T21:01:39.610Z Blue Jackets head coach says he's as shocked as anyone about Zach Werenski wanting out of Columbus NHL free agency gets underway on Wednesday, but this has been a weird offseason in that there seems to be more talk about players who have asked for trades than we are about players about to hit the open market. One of the most shocking of these is Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski, who told GM Don Waddell he wants out just weeks after locking up the Norris Trophy as the top blueliner in the NHL. In fact, it was such a surprise that even his head coach was blindsided by the request. "I’m as shocked as anyone that these came up," Bowness said, per The Athletic. "I mean, at the end of the year meetings, we looked each other in the eye and had great meetings and gave each other a hug leaving, and all that. "So everything was good. So when all of this broke, I was shocked and caught off-guard like everyone else." Werenski — whose current deal runs through 2027-28 — wasn't the only player who wanted out. Forward Kirill Marchenko also told the team he wants a change of scenery. Still, it was a major surprise. Sure, the end of the Blue Jackets' season was an unmitigated disaster, and that final stretch of the season is why they whiffed on the postseason. It happens, and they owned it. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! But the rest of the season looked pretty promising, and the fiery post-regular-season message from Bowness probably should've had players fired up. Maybe not, for at least two of them. And, while it's never a good look to have a player wanting out like this, especially after they win a Norris Trophy, at least that accolade increases Werenski's trade value. If the Jackets can strike a deal, they should be getting a pretty hefty haul in return, because a D-man of Werenski's caliber is not always easy to come by. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a442ea0c2ca79de23624e46 Evel Knievel's most legendary stunts retold in exclusive new Fox Nation documentary te 2026-06-30T21:01:20.155Z Evel Knievel's most legendary stunts retold in exclusive new Fox Nation documentary When it comes to death-defying stunts, Evel Knievel was one of a kind. The trailblazing motorcycle-riding daredevil defied the odds during the 1960s and 1970s, becoming an American icon. This summer, longtime fans and curious viewers alike can uncover the infamy and inspiration behind the legend. "Evel: America's Daredevil" is a brand-new documentary streaming exclusively on Fox Nation. Hosted by sportswriter Mike O'Hara, the show chronicles Knievel's ascension to stardom, starting with his Montana childhood and working in the copper mines. From there, the show highlights his historic motorcycle stunt career — including his infamous attempts to jump the Caesars Palace fountains in Las Vegas and the Snake River Canyon in Idaho.  TOM CRUISE PERFORMED UNFORGETTABLE OLYMPICS STUNT WITHOUT PAY, INSISTED ON NO STUNT DOUBLE As shown in the special, Knievel himself scoffed at the idea that fear of his stunts would ever hold him back. When a reporter once asked whether he expected to die during one of his otherworldly feats, he replied, "I'm Evel Knievel, honey. I'm not supposed to be afraid." The special features iconic interviews from Knievel's heyday, and expert analysis from Fox News personalities, television executives, and even exclusive commentary from the stuntman's granddaughter, Krysten.  "Evel was the most recognizable guy on two wheels," comedian Adam Carolla said in the special. FANATICS SPORTSBOOK LAUNCHES PROGRAM TO IDENTIFY, PUNISH SPORTS BETTORS WHO THREATEN ATHLETES ON SOCIAL MEDIA Olympic athlete and motocross competitor Colby Raha praised Knievel as vastly influential to a generation of children, explaining that while adults watched the stunts, it was younger Americans that fueled his popularity. "They see the superhero thing, and they're inspired — just a great role model," he said. Fox News host Jesse Watters emphasized Knievel's ability to rally the nation around his jaw-dropping feats, praising his persistence in attempting new tricks despite often crashing and sustaining severe injuries.  "Getting the whole country's attention on you for an absolutely ludicrous jump, and many of the times crashing, but then doing it again and again—that's resilience," Watters said. "That's the American spirit. Get knocked down, get right back up." FLYING MOTORCYCLE ZOOMS AT 124 MPH WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GROUND The riveting new Fox Nation special is not the only way to relive Knievel's legend this summer. The Evel Knievel Experience in Las Vegas is now open, offering an immersive, unique attraction to show visitors some of the stuntman's full story and the most famous motorcycles, jumpsuits, and other artifacts that defined his extraordinary life. "We all wanted to be Evel Knievel," FOX Business host Dagen McDowell said. "It was America, it was daring, and it was fun as hell." CLICK HERE TO JOIN FOX NATION FOX Nation programs are viewable on demand and from your mobile device app but only for FOX Nation subscribers. Go to FOX Nation to start a free trial and watch the extensive library from your favorite FOX Nation personalities. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a442e8cc2ca79de23624e3d Jordan Spieth says gambling is fueling rowdy golf crowds and wants the sport to address it soon te 2026-06-30T21:01:00.697Z Jordan Spieth says gambling is fueling rowdy golf crowds and wants the sport to address it soon It's safe to say that Jordan Spieth wants sports fandom to go back to the way it used to be. Ahead of the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Illinois, Spieth was asked if he felt golf crowds were getting rowdier in the wake of Wyndham Clark's treatment at the U.S. Open, and Spieth blamed a lot of it on gambling. "I do think that betting in golf is something that's going to have to be tackled here soon," Spieth said, unprovoked. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "I don't know how much of, say, the Wyndham scenario was the fact that it was enticing to bet the field versus Wyndham on Sunday in a legalized betting state, and you could have had people out there that are essentially, you know, have $100 to $10,000, depending on who it is, on the field versus somebody else. "In golf it's tricky because you could actually impact the outcome if you wanted to. It may not last very long, but you could impact a shot if you wanted to. I don't know of another sport that you could impact as a fan like you can golf. So I don't know how much that's having to do with it, if it's different than it used to be." XANDER SCHAUFFELE DISCUSSES 'PASSIONATE' NEW YORK GOLF FANS AFTER RYDER CUP, WYNDHAM CLARK VITRIOL Spieth said that fan vitriol is not "a crazy new thing," but most of it now "has to do with betting, and that is in the last five years." It should be known that Spieth was once an ambassador for FanDuel. Clark's jeers came at Shinnecock Hills in the Hamptons, roughly 60 miles away from Bethpage Black, where fans became the subject of controversy during the Ryder Cup. It prompted Golf Channel's Eamon Lynch to call Long Island fans a "stain" on golf who did not deserve another major golf event in their area. Sports gambling has been legalized in 39 states since 2018 — only Nevada had allowed it prior. Thirty-two of those states, including Illinois, allow online betting. 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/6a442e65c2ca79de23624e28 Flouting Trump policy, federal judges are freeing immigrants from mandatory detention te 2026-06-30T21:00:21.284Z Flouting Trump policy, federal judges are freeing immigrants from mandatory detention Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a442c6ec2ca79de23624dd8 Advocacy groups sue to kick GOP’s controversial last-minute referrals off the ballot te 2026-06-30T20:51:58.256Z Advocacy groups sue to kick GOP’s controversial last-minute referrals off the ballot Photo by Getty Images To avoid the governor’s veto stamp and enshrine their policies in the Arizona Constitution, Republican lawmakers sent some of their most controversial proposals to voters. Now they’re facing down lawsuits as advocacy groups fight to keep the issues off of the November ballot.  Republicans put 10 measures on this year’s ballot, giving voters a chance to weigh in on a range of topics. One targets trans students, barring them from using bathrooms consistent with their gender identity and prohibiting trans girls from joining the sports teams that reflect who they are. Another aims to erase diversity, equity and inclusion or intersectionality from the state’s hiring practices. Both are the subject of lawsuits from a political action committee that says they are contrary to the Arizonans’ values. In total, five of the 10 ballot measures Republicans hope voters will approve in the fall are facing legal challenges.  GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE Will of the People, a political action committee formed to oppose the GOP-backed ballot measures, filed lawsuits against the proposals that critics say discriminate against trans students and would make it more difficult for public institutions to be inclusive. On the landing page of the group’s website, it refers to the ballot propositions as “deceptive” and denounces the one that restricts the ability of trans girls to play on sports teams consistent with their gender identity as a “blanket discrimination.”  The lawsuit against the so-called “Protect Girls’ Sports Act”  is set to go to trial on July 16. Attorney Jim Barton, who is representing the committee, wrote that the ballot referral should be thrown out because it is misleading and violates the Arizona Constitution. The state constitution establishes guidelines for ballot measures. Those guidelines include the single subject requirement, which mandates that a proposition put before voters cover only one subject to avoid confusing voters or forcing them to support something they would otherwise oppose because they approve of part of it.  Barton argued that the so-called “Protect Girls’ Sports Act” unfairly mischaracterizes what it’s about to convince voters to support it and also spans more than one subject. The proposal regulates school sports and also restricts what facilities, like locker rooms, bathrooms and showers, students can use.  “(The) title is misleading to the point of fraud and creates a significant danger of electorate confusion and unfairness,” Barton wrote.  Barton is also representing the Will of the People committee in its effort to strike the anti-DEI measure from the November ballot. The proposal forbids preferential treatment or discrimination against someone based on race or ethnicity. It also prohibits public institutions from requiring employees or students to undergo training programs that promote DEI or commit to upholding those principles. In the lawsuit against the proposal, Barton pointed out that the Arizona Constitution already prohibits discrimination or preferential treatment based on race or ethnicity. Barton warned that the proposition instead infringes on free speech protections.  “The absolute bar on trainings, policies, and procedures that are designed or implemented with reference to race or ethnicity is both a content-based and viewpoint-based restriction on speech and therefore violates the First Amendment,” he wrote.  The case is scheduled for a trial on July 16.  The “Fast Election Results Act” would require all voters, including those who vote by mail, to provide proof of a government-issued ID, beginning in 2028. The proposal doesn’t address how Arizonans who vote by mail would do that, however. Arizona law already requires voters to show some form of government-issued ID when registering to vote in state and local elections. Randy Keating, who sits on the Tempe City Council, filed a lawsuit against the push to overhaul Arizona’s elections, arguing that it violates the state’s single-subject rule because it addresses multiple election processes. Legal challenges against proposals headed for the ballot are often based on the single subject rule, because objections to the content of the proposal usually can’t be debated until voters have a chance to weigh in.   “The Act’s title suggests it is devoted to faster election results, but its provisions are in fact reforms to far flung areas of law: voter qualifications, voter ID requirements, ballot tabulation, the Legislature’s ability to pass election laws and – perhaps most perplexingly – campaign finance,” attorney Roy Herrera wrote.  Republican lawmakers also approved two ballot measures in reaction to the push from public education advocates to reform private school vouchers. The Arizona Education Association, the state’s largest teachers union, is one of several advocacy groups backing the “Protect Education Act.” The citizens initiative would regulate the state’s universal school voucher program, including imposing a $150,000 income cap.  Republicans, who have long resisted efforts to regulate the program, put together a ballot measure during the last hours of the legislative session dubbed the “Military Families College Savings and Scholarship Protection Act” that would forbid the state from “confiscating” voucher money from the children of military families. A clause in the proposal would also void the “Protect Education Act,” and make future reforms virtually impossible.  The campaign behind the voucher reform proposal has filed a lawsuit against the GOP ballot measure, arguing that it shouldn’t be sent to voters because it covers more than one subject and misleads voters.  “Behind the banner of protecting the children of military families, the Legislature has buried a sweeping and unrelated structural demand: a provision that…would void in their entirety any future law or voter-approved initiative the Legislature dislikes,” reads the lawsuit. “The result is a single, take-it-or-leave-it ballot question.”  In what teachers have denounced as a thinly-veiled attempt to punish the public education community for supporting voucher reform, Republicans also green lit a proposal that would make it harder for the state’s largest teachers union to organize. The ballot measure would forbid teachers from speaking about union activities during school hours, prohibit the use of school resources to advance union goals, including printing flyers or gathering in classrooms, and bars school districts from deducting union membership fees from employee paychecks — even though doing so is done at the employee’s own request.  The Arizona Education Association and multiple local chapters of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees filed a lawsuit against the GOP ballot measure. While the proposal targets unions in public education, critics say it could also loop other public sector unions, like those that represent police officers and firefighters. The lawsuit argues that the ballot measure should be thrown out because it affects more groups than it purports to regulate, violating the single subject rule in the state constitution. Barton, who is also representing the group of unions, pointed out that the ballot measure focuses on school districts, which leaves out much of its actual impact. “A reasonable elector reading a title limited to ‘school districts’ and ‘labor organization use of public resources,’ where public resources are also defined to only include funds directed toward school districts, would not expect…a sweeping prohibition on collective bargaining binding the State and every county, city, town and special district in Arizona, not only with respect to school district employees, but all public employees,” Barton wrote.   YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT ***UPDATE: This story has been updated with the July 16 trial date for the Protect Girls’ Sports Act challenge. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a442c5ac2ca79de23624dba Kate Gosselin defends herself against son Collin as he prepares to release shocking new memoir te 2026-06-30T20:51:38.286Z Kate Gosselin defends herself against son Collin as he prepares to release shocking new memoir Kate Gosselin is defending herself in the comments section of her social media posts. The 51-year-old former reality TV star responded to comments on her recent TikTok posts referencing claims her 22-year-old son, Collin, made against her, alleging she "forced" him and his seven siblings apart and "pitted them against each other" as they were growing up. He recently announced his upcoming memoir, titled, "In the Shadow of Eight: Surviving the Reality of My Childhood." Gosselin has consistently denied all allegations made against her by Collin, doubling down in the comments section of her TikTok videos. "If you are 100% certain that the accusations against you are lies, my suggestion would be to take him to court and sue him for defamation!" one fan asked. She responded, ""I can’t bc I’m a public figure. Rules are different unfortunately. Or I def would!" KATE GOSSELIN’S LAWYER SAYS SHE DIDN’T ‘INTENTIONALLY’ HARM KIDS AFTER SON COLLIN ACCUSES HER OF ABUSE She continued defending herself in the comments, responding to another with, "Malice is one of the hardest things to prove. I tried :(. The rules are different for ppl in the public eye." Gosselin also shared that she "consulted a high power LA attorney" in the past "when other ppl were putting crazy stuff out there," and that is what they told her. "The courts don’t honor it if you’re in the public eye :(" she added. She later responded to another comment, saying, "Sadly, Only parents who have a mentally ill child understand! It’s so tough and I’m learning that ppl have NO ability to understand unless they’ve been through it themselves." In response to his mom's statements, Collin doubled down on his allegations of abuse, taking to his Instagram stories to share she allegedly used to hit him. "Never forget the fact that my mom would write in her diary how she 'had to pray to God to stop hitting me' (this was while I was 2 years old by the way)," he alleged. "And this is why using my voice to put these things in the light is so important." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Collin first spoke out against his mother in 2022, telling Entertainment Tonight that he was estranged from his mother and that the estrangement began after she sent him to live at the Fairmount Behavioral Health System – a psychiatric hospital located in Philadelphia – without telling anyone in the family, when he was 12 years old. While Gosselin claimed she sent him to the facility because he was diagnosed with a behavior disorder, and she couldn't meet his needs, however, during an episode of Vice's "Dark Side of the 2000s" in 2023, Collin alleged he was sent there so that he couldn't tell people about her "abusive" behavior towards him, adding she sent him "somewhere where [he] wouldn't be able to put the secrets out." After spending two years in the facility, Collin left to go live with his father, who has been divorced from Gosselin since 2009, after his father filed for and was awarded full custody of him in December 2018. Aside from Hannah, who also chose to live with their father, Collin is estranged from his siblings, in addition to being estranged from his mother. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS The 22-year-old's tell-all memoir is set to release in October. Collin posted a cover of the book — which features him as a child with his mom covering his mouth with her hand — writing, "For a long time, I wasn’t sure I’d ever tell this story." "Growing up, millions of people watched my life on television. People felt like they knew me. They knew my family. They watched me grow up. But there was so much they never saw," he said. "For years, I kept those experiences to myself. Some because I was afraid. Some because I didn’t think anyone would believe me. And some because I just wasn’t ready." Collin added, "Writing this book forced me to revisit some of the hardest moments of my life, but it also gave me something I’ve been searching for for a long time: my voice. This isn’t the story people think they know. It’s the story I’ve lived." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a442c46c2ca79de23624db1 Wave of attacks on Iran's IRGC raises questions about renewed Kurdish insurgency te 2026-06-30T20:51:18.831Z Wave of attacks on Iran's IRGC raises questions about renewed Kurdish insurgency Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is facing a new round of violence in the country’s Kurdish-majority west, raising questions about whether a long-simmering Kurdish insurgency is entering a more active phase as fragile talks between Iran and Washington continue, experts say. The flare-up matters beyond Iran’s borderlands because Kurdish opposition groups were recently viewed as a potential pressure point against Iran during the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran — and now some Kurdish voices fear they could be left exposed as Washington and Tehran return to fragile diplomacy.  In recent days, Iranian security forces have been killed in several reported attacks and clashes across western and northwestern Iran. Four Iranian security personnel reportedly were killed and several others injured in two separate armed attacks Tuesday, reported The Jerusalem Post, in an analysis by Seth J. Frantzman, citing Iraq’s Shafaq News.  IRANIAN REGIME CRITIC WARNS TRUMP DEAL COULD BE 'LIFELINE' FOR REGIME, CLAIMS PEOPLE ARE 'NERVOUS' Two Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps members were reportedly killed and two others wounded in what it called an "armed terrorist attack" in Paveh, Iran, a border city in Kermanshah Province, reported Tasnim News, an Iranian outlet close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.  In Baneh, Iran, gunmen attacked a police checkpoint, killing two police officers and injuring three other people, including a three-year-old girl, The Jerusalem Post reported. Clashes had spread to Iran's Paveh, Marivan and Mahabad, the outlet reported, citing Rojhelat.Info, a Kurdish-focused media account.  The Paveh, Iran, attack was claimed by a little-known armed group called Xore Heva, or "Sun of Hope," which said it carried out the attack in retaliation for Iran’s crackdown on protests sparked by the 2022 death of Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini. The 22-year-old died after being detained by Iran’s morality police for allegedly violating the country’s mandatory hijab rules, The National reported. The Kurds are one of the largest stateless ethnic groups in the Middle East, with communities spread across Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey.  In Iran, many Kurds live in the country’s mountainous west and northwest, where Kurdish opposition groups have long accused Iran of political repression, executions, forced assimilation and military crackdowns.  Iranian authorities, in turn, view armed Kurdish factions as separatist or terrorist threats, especially groups such as PJAK, which has clashed for years with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps along Iran’s western border. The fight is not simply ethnic: It is also political, rooted in Kurdish demands for rights and autonomy, Iran’s fear of separatism and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’s role in suppressing dissent in border regions. Jino Victoria Doabi, Head of International Relation at Hiwa, a Kurdish-led human rights organization, told Fox News Digital the latest clashes could appear to mark more than isolated exchanges. "It looks like this could be an escalation," Doabi said, referring to the spread of reported clashes.  She said the initial attack appeared to be framed by Kurdish forces as retaliation, but argued the geographic spread suggested the confrontation may continue. IRANIAN REGIME CRITIC WARNS TRUMP DEAL COULD BE 'LIFELINE' FOR REGIME, CLAIMS PEOPLE ARE 'NERVOUS' Doabi said Kurdish anger is being driven not only by the latest casualties, but by a broader sense that Iran has been able to target Kurdish areas and opposition groups systemically without consequence. "The Kurdish people in Iran are very dissatisfied that the IRGC can attack Kurdish parties and Kurdish fighters and no one reacts," Doabi said. The violence comes as Iran is moving forward with a memorandum of understanding with Washington that has drawn criticism from Iranian opposition circles. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had approved the U.S.–Iran memorandum after receiving assurances that Iran’s rights would be protected, IranWire reported Tuesday.  Iranian officials have described the deal as having the support of top officials, even as critics inside Iran have attacked negotiators over the arrangement, IranWire also reported.  Doabi said Kurdish parties are deeply skeptical of any memorandum of understanding or negotiated arrangement with Iran, arguing that many Kurds believe such a deal would only strengthen the regime. "Kurdish parties do not believe that making a deal with this regime can help the people in Iran," Doabi said. "Their position is that a deal would only strengthen the regime." IRANIAN REGIME CRITIC WARNS TRUMP DEAL COULD BE 'LIFELINE' FOR REGIME, CLAIMS PEOPLE ARE 'NERVOUS' She added that many Kurds in Iran are "very angry" over the idea of any agreement with Iran, citing decades of repression, arrests and killings in Kurdish areas. "It is going to be very dangerous for people in Iran, and especially in Kurdistan, Azerbaijan and Baluchistan," Doabi said, "because that is where much of the resistance and activism is." The Kurdish groups now under scrutiny include the Party for a Free Life in Kurdistan, known as PJAK, and its armed wing, the East Kurdistan Defense Units, or YRK.  IranWire reported earlier in June that YRK accused the Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of launching artillery and mortar attacks against its positions near Marivan, Iran, beginning June 8, prompting what YRK described as a defensive response. Iranian official outlets had not responded to YRK’s casualty claims at the time, according to IranWire. That regional sensitivity was on display earlier in 2026, when reports emerged that Kurdish opposition groups could open a front against Iran during the U.S.–Israeli war with Iran.  Israel had been backing plans by Iranian Kurdish militias to seize border areas inside Iran, Reuters reported in March, though the outlet said the fighters would likely need U.S. and Israeli backing to make a significant move. Five long-standing Iranian dissident groups, including PJAK, the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan and the Kurdistan Freedom Party, had formed an alliance, Reuters also reported.  During the war, Trump told Reuters that he would be "all for it" if the Kurds wanted to move against Iran and said their objective should be "to win." But Reuters reported that Kurdish commanders were frustrated by a lack of clear U.S. or Israeli strategy and that Iran’s threats helped keep Kurdish forces from launching an incursion. Regional reports later claimed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan persuaded Trump to abandon a plan to arm Iranian opposition groups and Iraqi Kurdish groups against Tehran. Israeli media reported June 6 that Erdogan pressed Trump to scrap the proposal after details were allegedly leaked to Turkey by White House officials. The latest violence does not prove that a coordinated insurgency is underway. But the reported spread of clashes across multiple Kurdish areas, the involvement claimed by Kurdish militant factions and Kurdish opposition to ongoing U.S.–Iran talks suggest that Iran’s western borderlands could become a new pressure point for Tehran at a moment when the regime is trying to preserve both internal control and fragile diplomatic momentum. Fox News Digital has reached out to Iranian officials and Kurdish representatives for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a442c33c2ca79de23624da8 USPS worker arrested after alleged mass shooting threat against Texas Pride event, FBI says te 2026-06-30T20:50:59.373Z USPS worker arrested after alleged mass shooting threat against Texas Pride event, FBI says A United States Postal Service (USPS) employee was arrested Sunday after threatening on social media to commit a mass shooting at a Pride parade in Texas, the FBI announced on Monday. Michael Thompson, who resides in Clovis, New Mexico, was taken into custody after authorities received a tip regarding a threat to conduct a mass casualty attack at a Pride event in Lubbock, Texas. "This weekend’s arrest out of Lubbock, Texas, is the best of this FBI and our law enforcement partners in action—yet again stopping a potentially deadly attack thanks to brilliant execution from our teams and partners," said FBI Director Kash Patel. "Our agents, intel teams, and state and local partners out of Texas acted decisively and stopped him before he could act." Thompson admitted to making and subsequently deleting the social media posts, authorities said. He also identified himself as a USPS employee. Fox News Digital has reached out to the USPS for comment. FORMER NORTH CAROLINA POLICE OFFICER ACCUSED OF THREATENING MASS SHOOTING AT NEW ORLEANS FESTIVAL Authorities said they recovered four firearms from Thompson's residence. He is legally prohibited from owning firearms due to a prior felony domestic violence conviction, according to the FBI. Thompson is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm as well as transmitting threatening interstate communications. "More lives saved thanks to good cops being cops," Patel added. 2 TEENS SHOT NEAR NYC’S STONEWALL INN AFTER PRIDE MARCH: POLICE Investigators continued to interview Thompson on Monday, and he was expected to make his initial court appearance later that day. Lubbock hosted its LubbockPRIDE festival over the weekend without incident, according to local reports. "Yesterday was filled with so much love, fun, and community, and we couldn’t have asked for a better celebration," organizers wrote on Facebook following the event. "Thank you to everyone who came out and made it so special!" In a separate incident in Brunswick, Georgia, a man was arrested earlier this month after police said he threatened to attack attendees at a local LGBTQ+ Pride event. Christopher Waller, 25, was charged with making terroristic threats stemming from comments posted in a local Facebook group on June 9. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a442c1fc2ca79de23624d9f American soccer is repeating the same mistakes the WNBA continues to make with Caitlin Clark te 2026-06-30T20:50:39.925Z American soccer is repeating the same mistakes the WNBA continues to make with Caitlin Clark When the United States men's national team takes the field for its Round of 32 match at the World Cup on Wednesday against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the country should be having one of those rare, uncomplicated sports moments. The flags are out, the bars are packed and the casual fans are in. This is what American soccer has wanted forever, right? UNITED STATES SHATTERS WORLD CUP VIEWERSHIP RECORD IN FIRST MATCH VS PARAGUAY IN LOS ANGELES It begged for more people treating a USMNT game like a national event instead of something only for soccer diehards who have spent years insisting everyone else just doesn't understand "the beautiful game." Well, congratulations. America cares. And some of American soccer's gatekeepers don't seem very happy about it. Sound familiar? It should, because the WNBA is going through the same thing with Caitlin Clark. For years, the WNBA asked the country for more attention, more coverage, more respect and more casual sports fans. Then Clark showed up and delivered all of it almost overnight. She brought Iowa fans, men, women, families and gamblers. She made the WNBA a topic on sports debate shows and news programs. She helped convince people who had never watched a WNBA regular-season game in their entire lives to give the league a chance. Essentially, she brought the mainstream. And a lot of people started acting like someone had opened the wrong door. That included players in the league, team owners, coaches and media members. Hell, just this week talking head Emmanuel Acho actually said out loud that the WNBA "would be better off without Caitlin Clark." There have been a lot of terrible takes about Clark's impact on the league. That one was, without question, the worst. But Acho's comments sound a lot like what we're hearing from some members of the soccer media. It's not that the WNBA and the USMNT are the same. Obviously, they aren't. However, both exposed the same gatekeeping instinct from certain types of people. For years, the WNBA and members of the American soccer media claimed they wanted, and deserved, growth. But that's not the whole truth. What they really want is approved growth. Growth from the right people, with the right politics and using the right language. The WNBA wanted new fans until Clark brought the "wrong" fans. Now American soccer is learning what happens when the "wrong" Americans show up for the World Cup. The USMNT's first knockout game should be a dream moment for the sport in this country. Not only is Team USA into the second stage of soccer's biggest event, but the Americans are favored to advance to the Round of 16. And this is all happening on U.S. soil. This is the kind of moment that turns casual fans into real fans. Just look at the impact Team USA hockey’s Olympic gold medal had on the sport in the United States. The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs boasted some of its best television ratings in history. Yet, the same people who begged for this opportunity for years suddenly want to police the moment. The Guardian made that very clear with its ridiculous piece on Fox's World Cup coverage, framing Thierry Henry vs. Alexi Lalas as "the World Cup's most compelling battle," while calling Henry a "French aristocrat" and Lalas an "all-American idiot." The article labeled Lalas a "MAGA hack" and argued that Fox's loud, patriotic, American approach to covering the tournament clashed with what soccer supposedly is in the United States. EX-USWNT STAR CARLI LLOYD CALLS OUT ALEXI LALAS CRITICS, SAYS BACKLASH STEMS FROM CONSERVATIVE POLITICAL VIEWS And what is soccer in the United States, according to The Guardian? A sport for "migrants, urban liberals" and people "too scrawny" for other American sports. Translation: soccer belongs to them. Not to you. Not to the casual fan or the Fox viewer. And certainly not to the American who hears the national anthem and feels pride in the country instead of disgust. And The Guardian wasn't alone. USA Today columnist Nancy Armour wrote before the tournament that the United States had "already lost" the World Cup because of its "greed and hostility." MS NOW turned a Department of Homeland Security post celebrating the USMNT into another immigration and nationalism lecture. The Athletic asked who, exactly, this World Cup is for. This is the same attitude the WNBA exposed during the Caitlin Clark explosion. The league wanted relevance. It wanted to be discussed like a major American sport. Clark brought exactly that. And suddenly everyone discovered that major American sports discourse is loud, tribal and impossible to control. Were there bad actors in the Clark conversation? Of course. Every fan base has idiots and every popular athlete attracts trolls. There are always going to be people who say dumb things online and should probably touch a little more grass. Nobody has to defend that. But too many media members and league-adjacent voices took the worst people online and tried to use them to discredit the entire new audience. Clark fans weren't just passionate. They were toxic. Now American soccer is facing a version of the same test. The USMNT's World Cup run is bringing in people who don't usually watch soccer. Some of them won't know all the rules. Some of them won't know most of the players. They'll just know the United States is playing and they'll want the United States to win. That's enough. Or at least it should be. But gatekeepers hate that because it means they lose control of the room. The Independent ran an article with the headline, "Are you rooting against the US at the World Cup? You’re not alone." It included this line: "Sports have a way of fueling nationalistic passions, and I fully expect plenty of people who don’t care much about soccer to channel their patriotic sentiments into the tournament." See what we mean? The sport no longer belongs only to the people who were there when nobody else cared. The league no longer belongs only to the (very few) fans who watched before Clark arrived. The national team no longer belongs only to the people who understand "soccer culture." That's what mainstream popularity does: gives everyone a "seat at the table." Isn't that what the left is always asking for in every other context? The NFL doesn't get to choose its fans. Neither does college football, the NBA or Major League Baseball. If American soccer wants to be mainstream, it doesn't get to choose either. Neither does the WNBA. The Caitlin Clark boom should have been treated as a victory for the WNBA. She proved there was an audience for women's basketball when the right star came along. She proved people would watch, buy merchandise and care enough to argue. THIS IS THE USA'S ROADMAP TO WINNING THE WORLD CUP NOW THAT THEY'VE MADE THE KNOCKOUT ROUND American soccer should see the USMNT's World Cup moment the same way. If casual fans are showing up for group stage games, good. If people are chanting "USA!" too much, good. If they call it soccer, good. If they watch Fox News or vote Republican, good. That means the sport reached people outside the bubble. Isn't that what everyone said they wanted? Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4429cbc2ca79de23624d38 4 Warning Signs for Graham Platner. And 4 for Susan Collins Too. te 2026-06-30T20:40:43.213Z 4 Warning Signs for Graham Platner. And 4 for Susan Collins Too. The Maine race, which both parties see as key to winning control of the Senate, is extremely close, a Times/Portland Press Herald/Siena poll found. Both candidates have reasons for concern. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4429b4c2ca79de23624d14 The DeepMind trio who built a poker AI, are now making money for quant hedge funds te 2026-06-30T20:40:20.181Z The DeepMind trio who built a poker AI, are now making money for quant hedge funds EquiLibre Technologies, a Prague-based AI lab founded by three ex-DeepMind researchers is now valued at more than $500 million. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a442785c2ca79de23624ca7 Kansas college student drowns after jumping into 'breathtaking' destination with deadly track record te 2026-06-30T20:31:01.027Z Kansas college student drowns after jumping into 'breathtaking' destination with deadly track record A 21-year-old Wichita State University student drowned after jumping into a popular Oregon swimming hole where authorities say the water is cold enough to cause immediate physical shock. Kenny Truong, of Wichita, Kansas, was visiting Tamolitch Falls, which is commonly known as Blue Pool, with friends Friday evening when he jumped into the water and was unable to get out, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office said. Dispatchers received a 911 call at 8:47 p.m. on June 26 reporting that a man had gone into the pool, located off Highway 126, and was struggling. "Witnesses describe him struggling as he swam toward shore, before submerging," Linn County Undersheriff Micah Smith said in a release. "Despite the best efforts of those at Tamolitch Falls who tried to help him, and the first responders who arrived in response to the 911 call, Kenny did not survive." NPS INVESTIGATES AFTER 23-YEAR-OLD REPORTEDLY SWEPT OVER NOTORIOUS YOSEMITE WATERFALL The Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Lane County Sheriff’s Office and Upper McKenzie Rural Fire responded to the remote area Friday evening. "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Kenny Truong, 21, of Kansas, during what is an unimaginable time," Smith said. FAMOUS LANDMARKS SLASH VISITING HOURS AS DEADLY HEAT WAVE THREATENS TOURISTS Truong was a finance major at the W. Frank Barton School of Business and a member-at-large of the Cummings Student Managed Investment Fund, Wichita State University confirmed to Fox News Digital. RESCUERS FREE CLIMBER TRAPPED BENEATH 16,000-POUND BOULDER ON OREGON'S MOUNT HOOD IN COMPLEX OPERATION Blue Pool, known for its striking turquoise water and cliffside views, is a major draw for hikers and visitors across the Pacific Northwest, but officials warned it can be deadly. "It is also a place that has taken lives before and will take lives again if visitors do not understand what they are facing," Smith said. Authorities said the cliffs surrounding the pool rise between 10 and 60 feet, while the water averages just 37 degrees. The area also has minimal to no cellphone service, and rescue efforts can be complicated by the remote terrain. "When something goes wrong at Blue Pool — or on the trail leading into the falls — it can take up to several hours from the moment of injury to reach a hospital," the sheriff’s office said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE U.S. NEWS GET BREAKING NEWS ALERTS A GoFundMe organized by Carter Nguyen remembered Truong as a deeply loved friend with "fire in him" who pushed others to become "the brightest, best, fullest" versions of themselves. "Kenny wasn’t just my best friend; he was my brother," Nguyen wrote. "He had a way of making everyone around him feel seen, feel loved, and feel like they were capable of more than they ever believed on their own." GOT A TIP? "Every room he walked into got a little brighter just because he was in it," Nguyen wrote. "That’s not something you can fake; that was just Kenny." The sheriff’s office urged visitors to understand the risks before entering the water at Tamolitch Falls, watch out for the people they arrive with and call 911 immediately if someone is in distress. Officials said visitors with questions about current conditions should contact the McKenzie River Ranger Station. FOLLOW US ON X Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a442771c2ca79de23624c9e Tennessee university to pay professor $1.9M after calling Charlie Kirk a 'disgusting psychopath' te 2026-06-30T20:30:41.579Z Tennessee university to pay professor $1.9M after calling Charlie Kirk a 'disgusting psychopath' A University of Tennessee professor will receive $1.9 million to settle a lawsuit accusing the school of violating her constitutional rights after officials sought to discipline her over social media posts criticizing conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Knox News reported Monday that the University of Tennessee System Board of Trustees approved a $1.9 million settlement for former professor Tamar Shirinian after she called Kirk, who was assassinated September 10 during his "American Comeback Tour" at Utah Valley University, a "disgusting psychopath." Shirinian was put on administrative leave following a social media post where she had said in part, "The world is better off without him in it," and added, "His kids are better off living in a world without a disgusting psychopath like him and his wife, well, she’s a sick f--- for marrying him so I dont [sic] care about her feelings." ALLEGED CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSIN TYLER ROBINSON'S ROOMMATE AND LOVER RECEIVED LIMITED IMMUNITY: PROSECUTORS She later apologized and said it was "insensitive" and "uncharacteristic of me as a person." Shirinian was fired on Feb. 11. She will not be reinstated, Knox News reported. In the February letter to Shirinian informing her that she had been fired, UT Chancellor Donde Plowman wrote, "Your words celebrated a gruesome murder, which horrifically took place on a college campus similar to our own, and then went on to callously demean the grief and loss felt by the widow and young children of the victim while also mocking any grief felt by others who sympathized with the surviving family." ALLEGED CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSIN TYLER ROBINSON'S ROOMMATE AND LOVER RECEIVED LIMITED IMMUNITY: PROSECUTORS "My client is pleased that the parties reached a resolution," Robb Bigelow, Shirinian's attorney, said in an email to Knox News. "Litigation is always difficult, and we're grateful to everyone on both sides who worked diligently to bring this matter to a close. "We believe the resolution reflects the seriousness of the issues while allowing everyone to move forward," Bigelow said. "We wish the University nothing but success in the future." In a statement to Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for The University of Tennessee System said, "We do not have a comment outside of what was publicly said in the board meeting yesterday. A link to that meeting can be found here." ALLEGED CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSIN TYLER ROBINSON'S ROOMMATE AND LOVER RECEIVED LIMITED IMMUNITY: PROSECUTORS Fox News Digital reached out to Bigelow for comment and attempted to reach Shirinian. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a442553c2ca79de23624c65 Arizona high court revives ‘dark money’ free speech fight te 2026-06-30T20:21:39.139Z Arizona high court revives ‘dark money’ free speech fight Key Points: Arizona Supreme Court rejects constitutional challenge to 2022 voter-approved law Law requires groups to disclose donors for election influence The law includes an “opt-out” option for donors who want to remain anonymous Arizona’s Supreme Court has largely upheld the state’s voter-approved crackdown on “dark money,” keeping in place one of the nation’s most sweeping donor-disclosure laws while sending a narrow free-speech challenge back to a lower court. The court dismissed most of the claims against the 2022 donor-disclosure law but allowed one as-applied free-speech claim to move forward in trial court. In a divided 4-3 opinion written by Chief Justice Ann Scott Timmer, the court rejected arguments that the “dark money” law is unconstitutional on its face or that it violates privacy rights in the state constitution. The “Voters Right to Know” Act, approved by more than 70% of voters in 2022, is aimed at ending anonymous big-money spending in Arizona elections and is widely described as one of the most comprehensive transparency laws in the country. The law requires any organization that spends more than $50,000 on a statewide race – or half that on other contests – to publicly disclose anyone who has given at least $5,000 to their cause. It also says those groups have to trace the money back to the original source, a requirement aimed at preventing wealthy ‘dark money’ donors from obscuring their identities through intermediary nonprofits. All claims in the case, including the one the Supreme Court has now revived, had previously been rejected by a trial court judge and by the Arizona Court of Appeals.  The Center for Arizona Policy and the Arizona Free Enterprise Club brought the case, along with two unnamed donors who say they could face harassment or retaliation if their identities are disclosed. They first argued that it was unconstitutional for the state to impose a blanket requirement for political groups to publicly disclose what they are spending and where the money is coming from. Timmer said that argument fails, citing provisions in the state’s original constitution directing legislators to enact laws requiring “general publicity” for campaign contributions and laws to secure the purity of elections and guard against abuses of the elective franchise. That leaves a narrower question: whether the donor-disclosure requirements in Proposition 211 burden the state constitutional right to “speak freely” for these specific groups and donors, who say their supporters could be deterred out of fear of harassment and retaliation. Taken as true at this early stage, Timmer wrote, those allegations are “minimally sufficient” to make a threshold showing that the Act’s disclosure provisions impose a concrete, non-speculative burden on their expressive activities, and the groups are entitled to try to prove that in trial court.  A statement issued by the Goldwater Institute, whose lawyers argued just that, called the revival of the challenge a victory for free speech rights. It said that the court recognized that nonprofit and donor plaintiffs do not surrender their privacy rights simply because they contribute money to causes they believe in. “This is 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,” Goldwater senior attorney Scott Freeman said. “The Arizona Supreme Court recognized that our state constitution independently protects free speech and that citizens are entitled to prove that compelled donor disclosure violates those protections.” The challenge is far from over. The plaintiffs now have to persuade a trial court judge that the harms they say disclosure causes to their donors’ speech and association are significant enough to overcome Arizona’s long-standing interest in giving voters the right to know who is trying to influence an election. That concept has been part of state law since before Arizona became a state in 1912, Timmer pointed out in a detailed 50-page opinion that delved into the history and reach of the constitution’s “Speak Freely Clause,” “Privacy Clause” and those laws requiring election funding disclosure in Arizona.  Those disclosure requirements included pre-statehood laws requiring political parties to disclose all funding and funding sources within 30 days of an election and the constitution itself, approved by state voters in 1911, which contained directives about disclosure, she wrote in rejecting free speech claims generally in the context of disclosure laws. “Arizonans at statehood also understood that the Arizona Constitution itself required the Legislature to enact certain laws, even when doing so might incidentally restrain or compel expression,” Timmer wrote. “Most notably, the Constitution directs the Legislature to enact laws ‘providing for a general publicity’ of contributions to campaign committees and candidates, and ‘to secure the purity of elections and guard against abuses of the elective franchise.’ ” In reviving the once-rejected challenge, Timmer wrote that funding campaigns is not a private matter as a matter of law. But she said that at this early stage of the litigation the two groups and two unnamed donors who joined their lawsuit have a right to have those claims heard. “Taken as true at this early stage, these allegations are minimally sufficient to make a threshold showing that the Act’s disclosure provisions impose a concrete, non-speculative burden on CAP’s and FEC’s expressive activities,” Timmer’s opinion said. Terry Goddard, the former Arizona attorney general who was one of the main backers of Proposition 211, said the high court rejected almost all of the challengers’ constitutional arguments.  “Any kind of thought that this was somehow automatically unconstitutional is completely resolved in our favor,” Goddard told Capitol Media Services. And he contends that the groups that sued will have a hard time proving that donors’ speech will actually be affected by pressure from opponents, considering that a century of disclosure laws hadn’t led to that result. “It’s a fact that in Arizona, for 114 years, we’ve had disclosure requirements for people who make campaign contributions,” Goddard said. “And in that 114 years, there hasn’t been a single recorded incident of anybody being harassed or intimidated or somehow deferred in their action because of their contribution that was disclosed.” In effect, Proposition 211 closes gaps that have opened in the past couple of decades when wealthy “dark money” donors took advantage of disclosure loopholes to hide their backing of candidates or issues.  “Prop 211 is not new in the area of disclosure,” Goddard added. “What it did do was it went after those very small groups of very wealthy people who wanted to stay anonymous, wanted to hide their identity,” Goddard said. “So I think we’ve made a big step here against giving them special privileges through this decision.” In addition to the case decided Monday, two other challenges to Proposition 211 are ongoing in the courts. One is a challenge brought by Republican House Speaker Steve Montenegro and GOP Senate President Warren Petersen. In February, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Greg Como ruled that a provision of Proposition 211 that says the Legislature does not have the right to interfere with the Citizens Clean Election Commission’s administration and enforcement of the Voters Right to Know Act was unconstitutional because it violated the separation of powers. But Como rejected efforts by Petersen and Montenegro to get the whole law gutted because of that and said it remains in effect without that provision.  The second is a federal constitutional challenge brought by Americans for Prosperity, a libertarian leaning conservative group founded by the wealthy industrialists Charles and David Koch in 2004, that is heavily involved in funding conservative causes and candidates. In that case, U.S. District Judge Roslyn Silver ruled that there’s nothing inherently unconstitutional about requiring the disclosure of donors to groups that spend money to influence elections. The post Arizona high court revives ‘dark money’ free speech fight first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a44253fc2ca79de23624c3f Lucky traveler wins $3.3M jackpot on 'Wheel of Fortune' slot machine at Harry Reid International Airport te 2026-06-30T20:21:19.170Z Lucky traveler wins $3.3M jackpot on 'Wheel of Fortune' slot machine at Harry Reid International Airport For most airline passengers, a layover means a rushed cup of coffee or a frantic search for an available charging station.  But for one lucky traveler this weekend, a brief stop at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) turned into a life-changing event. Airport officials took to social media on Monday to announce that a passenger, identified by game manufacturer IGT as "Anthony," hit a jaw-dropping $3.3 million jackpot while playing a "Wheel of Fortune" slot machine. "Congratulations to a lucky traveler who hit a $3.3 million jackpot on the Wheel of Fortune slot machine over the weekend in C Gates at LAS Airport," the post read. MAD SCRAMBLE UNDERWAY NEAR VEGAS TO SAVE CASINO RESORT GHOST TOWN FROM TOTAL COLLAPSE The massive win occurred in the airport's C Gates after the traveler placed a $10 bet, marking an unforgettable trip to the Entertainment Capital of the World. While airport slot machines are known for having tighter payouts than the mega-resorts on the Las Vegas Strip, LAS has a history of minting unexpected millionaires. The airport is one of only two commercial aviation hubs in the United States to feature terminal gambling (the other is Reno-Tahoe International Airport). STUNNING VACATION HOT SPOT TURNS INTO OVERCROWDED NIGHTMARE AS TOURISTS FLOOD STREETS Michael Gaughan’s Airport Slot Concession operates over 1,400 machines across the terminals, according to local reports, generating tens of millions in annual revenue that helps lower operating costs for airlines — ultimately keeping airfares more competitive. The multimillion-dollar windfall by "Anthony" is just the latest in a string of recent high-profile terminal jackpots. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER In May 2025, another traveler pocketed a cool $1.8 million on a $5 bet on a "Wheel of Fortune" machine in the D Gates. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES Before that, the airport celebrated a $1.4 million jackpot won by a visitor from San Diego and a $1.3 million win in 2023. While "Anthony" will have to account for a 24% federal tax withholding on his $3.3 million prize, Nevada does not tax personal income or gambling winnings. "Congratulations on your incredible win, and thanks for making LAS part of your lucky journey," airport officials wrote on social media. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a44252bc2ca79de23624c36 LeBron James thanks Lakers ahead of free agency departure for 24th NBA season: 'Hope I made a few proud' te 2026-06-30T20:20:59.714Z LeBron James thanks Lakers ahead of free agency departure for 24th NBA season: 'Hope I made a few proud' A fourth chapter is on the horizon for LeBron James. The soon-to-be 42-year-old will truly test free agency for a third time this offseason after he and the Los Angeles Lakers confirmed that he will leave the team after eight seasons. ESPN initially reported that James informed the Lakers on Tuesday that he would be departing the team for his unprecedented 24th NBA season. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Following the reports, the Lakers offered a statement thanking James, and it does not seem as though the two parties are ending their relationship on bad terms. "LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes in history. We will always be thankful for his eight years with the Lakers – including the title he led us to in 2020 under the toughest imaginable circumstances and the countless records he broke in purple and gold," Lakers owner Jeanie Buss said. "We wish him all the best in the future, both on the court and off. He will always be a cherished part of the Lakers family." James reposted the Lakers' statement and shared his own sentiments. LEBRON JAMES TELLS LOS ANGELES LAKERS HE WILL LEAVE IN FREE AGENCY AFTER EIGHT SEASONS: REPORT "No, THANK YOU! Truly a honor to wear the (purple and gold) while trying to continuing the greatness & legacies that came before me!" he said. "Hope I made a few proud during my stint." During his tenure with the Lakers, James won his fourth NBA championship, extended his record All-Star streak to 22 years and became the NBA's all-time leading scorer — yet another record he continues to extend. The Lakers reportedly wanted James back, but the four-time MVP was all set — even with his son, Bronny, on the team. The Jameses became the first father-son duo to not only be teammates in the NBA, but also to be active at the same time. It is worth noting that Bronny's salary of more than $2.3 million became fully guaranteed on Monday. James joined the Lakers in 2018 after a second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers in which he finally brought a championship to the Ohio city after 52 years. James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds last season, helping the Lakers win a playoff series while Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were nursing injuries. The Golden State Warriors are currently the favorites to land James, which would turn a rivalry between him and Stephen Curry into one of the most star-powered dynamic duos in sports history. 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/6a442504c2ca79de23624c2a C.I.A. Reorganization Prioritizes Cyberoperations te 2026-06-30T20:20:20.811Z C.I.A. Reorganization Prioritizes Cyberoperations John Ratcliffe, the C.I.A. director, said that the agency would take “smart risks,” but that people would have oversight of artificial intelligence. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a44230dc2ca79de23624bcc WATCH: Maryland Dems defend ‘big tent’ party as New York socialist surge fuels Dem divide te 2026-06-30T20:11:57.997Z WATCH: Maryland Dems defend ‘big tent’ party as New York socialist surge fuels Dem divide Maryland Democrats rejected the idea that New York's socialist surge in primary victories signals a broader Democratic divide, insisting the races are a reflection of individual districts rather than a national shift as the party looks ahead to the midterm elections. "We have a big tent party, that's what it says," Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., said when asked what New York’s election results mean for Democrats. "This is a democracy," he continued. "You're going to have lots of perspectives. It's up to the voters to decide, and they did." AOC ISSUES WARNING TO HER FELLOW DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENTS IN THE WAKE OF SOCIALISTS WINNING BIG IN NYC The comments come after three far-left candidates won New York Democratic primaries, including two who defeated sitting Democratic incumbents, fueling debate over whether the victories signal growing influence and intraparty division heading into November’s midterms. "I’m all about new leadership," Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., told Fox News Digital when asked about New York’s election results. Several Maryland Democrats argued the results reflected the unique politics of individual New York districts rather than a broader ideological shift within the Democratic Party. "I think it's very reflective of the district," former U.S. Capitol Police Officer and former Maryland congressional candidate Harry Dunn said. He continued, "I think we've got to be careful applying what happened in New York to everywhere around the country." WATCH: KELLYANNE CONWAY INSISTS SOCIALIST PRIMARY VICTORIES DON'T REFLECT AMERICAN VALUES NATIONWIDE Other Maryland Democrats stressed the need to respect voters’ choices in their own districts, even when they disagree with the candidates who won. "I don't agree with all the things they've said," Rep. Johnny Olszewski, D-Md., said about the socialist candidates in New York. "I don't agree with all their positions, but I respect what the voters have done in New York. That's not reflective of the entire country." "Every district determines who they want," Rep. Kweisi Mfume, D-Md., said. "We may not like it. Some people didn't want me in. So you have to respect what a district, a congressional district, does. It's still the rule of the people." But as the party strives to regain control in Congress, some moderate Democrats have sought to distance themselves from socialism and the party’s leftward push. Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville condemned some of the radical views of the newly nominated Democratic candidates, particularly Darializa Avila Chevalier — a member of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) — who ousted five-term Democrat Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y. "She has attacked interracial relationships and the American flag. Lady, I ain't in the same party as you. I'm sorry," Carville said in an episode of his podcast, Politics War Room. He continued, "Everybody's always said, 'No, no, we're a coalition. We're a big tent. And there's some – there's just some s--- that I can't be in the same tent with." JAMES CARVILLE SAYS SOCIALIST DEMOCRAT SHOULDN'T BE IN THE PARTY, CALLS HER VIEWS 'A BRIDGE TOO FAR' "I'm a capitalist, not a socialist," Rep. Thomas Suozzi, D-N.Y., previously told Fox News Digital regarding his views on the New York Democratic candidates. "And I believe in safety, not lawlessness. And I'm proud of America. I'm not ashamed of America." Raskin, however, defended the progressivism within his party, arguing the new wave of socialism the Democratic Party is seeing is not consistent with traditional values held by socialists. "When people say they're socialists today, I don't think that they believe in dialectical materialism and dictatorship of the proletariat and classical Marxian socialism," Raskin said. "I think what they believe is much greater equality and reduction of all the class differences that have grown up under Trump and the plutocrats." Republicans have increasingly pointed to the Democratic Party's move toward socialist principles as a crux in campaigning to hold both their control of the Senate and razor-thin majority in the House. Most Democratic lawmakers seem to be urging their party to focus on gaining control in Congress in the upcoming midterm elections, regardless of their feelings toward some of the ideology fueling new candidates within the party. "In a perfect world, everybody should come together — Democratic socialists, moderates," Dunn said. "Everybody should come together and work together to represent everybody and not just the people who elected them." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4422fac2ca79de23624bc3 South Korean soccer team gets booed during their early morning return from disastrous World Cup te 2026-06-30T20:11:38.541Z South Korean soccer team gets booed during their early morning return from disastrous World Cup It's pretty early in the week, but even if things are already going sideways for you, I can promise you you're still probably having a better week than the South Korean soccer team that just arrived home from the World Cup. Let's say that they were not received like conquering heroes. In fact, it was more like whatever the opposite of that is. I'm not sure too many people had the South Koreans going the distance in this year's tournament, but they were certainly expected to get out of the group stage. However, the Koreans finished third in Group A thanks to losses against Mexico and South Africa, with a 2-1 win over Czechia keeping their World Cup from being a complete disaster. However, with three points and a -1 goal differential, the South Koreans were not one of the eight-best third-place teams, which meant an early return flight back home. WATCH THE WORLD CUP FINAL ON FOX ONE But, not before the coach resigned and the nation's president called for an investigation into the World Cup failure and the hiring process for the national team coach. So, that couldn't have been a fun flight knowing what was waiting for them. In fact, the team flew in at 4 a.m., hoping to avoid protesters, and, well... that probably seemed like a good idea, but it sure didn't work. FAN CELEBRATES MEXICO ADVANCING IN THE WORLD CUP BY DUNKING HIS HEAD INTO A COTTON CANDY MACHINE Oh man. All I could think about watching this was how I can't imagine anything that would make me so mad that I would go out to the airport just to give them a piece of my mind. FOX ONE’S NEW WORLD CUP VIEWING EXPERIENCE And even if there was something that got me that mad, the chance of me going out to do that at 4 a.m. is virtually zero. So, these fans are about as mad as you'll ever see any fans, and it goes to show how intense the World Cup truly is. But, the worst part for the South Koreans and their fans is that it will be a long four years before the next World Cup gets underway. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4422e7c2ca79de23624bba Nearly 100 monkeys escape enclosure, invade neighborhoods as officials scramble to recapture them te 2026-06-30T20:11:19.083Z Nearly 100 monkeys escape enclosure, invade neighborhoods as officials scramble to recapture them Nearly 100 monkeys ran loose through neighborhoods in central Thailand after escaping from a government-run enclosure overnight, prompting authorities to launch a large-scale effort to capture the animals. Officials said nearly 100 monkeys broke through part of an enclosure at the Lopburi Municipality Animal Nursery. The monkeys were being housed under the care of local authorities after being transferred from Thailand's Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. Workers were able to prevent more than 1,000 other monkeys at the facility from escaping. MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER, RELEASED AFTER ALLEGEDLY FORCING TODDLER INTO CROCODILE ENCLOSURE AT ZOO Provincial officials, wildlife authorities and municipal workers searched nearby residential areas Tuesday after the escape. Authorities used food-baited cages to lure some of the escaped monkeys back into custody. Other monkeys, including some of the larger and more dominant macaques, had to be subdued with tranquilizer darts before they could be captured. Crews repaired the damaged enclosure while officials continued efforts to recapture the escaped monkeys. MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER, RELEASED AFTER ALLEGEDLY FORCING TODDLER INTO CROCODILE ENCLOSURE AT ZOO Lopburi Gov. Weeraphong Ritrod said the damaged enclosure had been repaired and reinforced to help prevent additional escapes. He said officials also plan to build a more secure, double-layer enclosure designed to keep dominant monkeys from breaking out in the future. The governor said the province is also preparing to establish a foundation to help support food costs and improve the monkeys' welfare. FLORIDA WOMAN MAULED TO DEATH BY DOGS THAT HAD ALLEGEDLY TERRORIZED NEIGHBORHOOD, OWNER CHARGED IN KILLING Mayor Chamroen Salacheep said the monkeys may have escaped because of hunger, extreme heat, overcrowding or their natural instinct to roam. He also apologized to residents affected by the incident and encouraged anyone whose property was damaged to report it so authorities could assess the damage and determine what assistance may be available. Lopburi has long been known for its large population of free-roaming macaques. The monkeys have also caused problems for residents and businesses because of property damage and aggressive behavior. Authorities have worked in recent years to reduce the monkey population through sterilization programs and by relocating some animals to dedicated enclosures. Fox News Digital reached out to the Lopburi Municipality and Thailand's Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4422d3c2ca79de23624bb1 RILEY GAINES: Supreme Court hands women an important win, but the fight isn’t over te 2026-06-30T20:10:59.630Z RILEY GAINES: Supreme Court hands women an important win, but the fight isn’t over The Supreme Court has handed women a massive victory by upholding reality and federal law with a favorable ruling on two landmark cases in a single opinion. Women’s sports CAN be just for women. The phrasing there is important and I’ll explain why in a moment. In a landmark decision addressing laws in Idaho and West Virginia, the Court upheld state protections reserving women's sports for women. The Court held that state laws reserving girls’ and women’s sports for biological females do not violate Title IX or the Equal Protection Clause. In other words, "sex" means biological sex — not a subjective identity that changes from person to person. DEMOCRATS REVOLT OVER 'BIOLOGICAL' WORDING IN WOMEN'S HISTORY MUSEUM BILL That shouldn't be controversial. Until just a few years ago, it wasn't. The timing couldn't be more fitting. Just days after the 54th anniversary of Title IX, the landmark civil rights law that opened doors for generations of female athletes, the Supreme Court affirmed that states may preserve the very category Title IX was designed to protect. There was one important divide. The Court split 6-3 on whether these laws violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The three dissenting justices (all Democrat-appointed women) would have held that laws protecting women's sports unlawfully discriminate. The irony speaks for itself. In short, the Supreme Court held that states are free to reserve women's sports for women because the sexes are not similarly situated when it comes to athletic competition. The Court acknowledged what every parent, coach, athlete, and frankly every kindergartener already knows: men and women are biologically different, and those differences matter in sports. If your first reaction is, "how did we ever get here?" you're not alone. I ask myself that question almost daily. For nearly 250 years, America had no trouble understanding what words like "man," "woman," "male," "female," and "sex" meant. Then came the cultural insanity of the last several years, when institutions, corporations, universities, governing bodies, and even courts began pretending that objective reality was somehow up for debate. We reached a point where a sitting Supreme Court justice famously said she couldn't define what a woman is because she "wasn't a biologist." When we've reached the point where the judge on the highest court in the country can't answer a question every child can answer, it becomes difficult to be surprised by anything. Thankfully, today's decision moves us back toward common sense. But let's be clear about what this ruling does and what it doesn't. What does this ruling mean? I hate to bring you down just as I built you up, but this decision isn’t as strong as we’d like it to be. And by "we", I mean those of us who believe girls, regardless of where they live, should never have to fear being met with a large man staring her down on the other side of the volleyball net. While we should certainly celebrate the win, the ruling just means having a sports category solely for women isn’t unconstitutional. Until 2020, this wouldn’t have been considered progress or worth celebrating because it was the standard position to take. The ruling does not mean states have to make the women’s category exclusive to real women, it just means it’s not illegal if they do. That distinction matters. May — not must. Basically, this ruling doesn’t reach the 23 states that have not passed some sort of state law banning men from competing in women’s sports. Fairness and safety in sports for girls depends on your zipcode. Where do we go from here? President Trump deserves credit for making this issue impossible to ignore. He campaigned on protecting women's sports, signed an executive order shortly after taking office, and hasn’t been shy talking about it since. You’ve all seen the videos of him imitating the male weightlifter…If the President of the United States ever becomes too much for him, he could always be a comedian. But executive orders aren't permanent. The next president can revoke them with the stroke of a pen. That's why Congress must act. The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act passed the House but has stalled in the Senate. If lawmakers truly believe women deserve equal opportunity, fairness, and safety, they should codify these protections into federal law rather than leaving them dependent on whichever administration occupies the White House. We need states to act through legislation or ballot measures. We need real enforcement mechanisms. We need a culture willing to push back. Despite the positive ruling, the fight continues. What happens to states like California or Washington state who will inevitably continue to act in defiance because they have crippling Trump Derangement Syndrome? Those states will continue to suffer from the very real, diagnosable disease they contracted in 2016: TDS. The usual bad actors will keep being the villains in the story. They will continue to put the feelings of boys before the physical safety of girls. Chew on that for a second. I hope the Department of Justice and the Department of Education aggressively enforce existing federal law against institutions that continue violating the rights of women and girls. Unfortunately, legal challenges take time, and activist states will almost certainly seek injunctions and other delays. Accountability will also have to come elsewhere. History shows institutions change course when ignoring reality becomes too expensive. Parents, athletes, donors, consumers, and voters all have leverage. Universities, athletic associations, corporations, and governing bodies should understand there are real consequences for sacrificing women's rights in service of political ideology. Most importantly, individual athletes should continue standing up for themselves. When schools or athletic organizations violate the rights of girls, litigation should remain on the table. Every successful lawsuit makes it more expensive to discriminate against female athletes and harder for institutions to pretend there isn't a problem. It must be expensive for the people who knowingly and willingly put girls in harm's way for the sake of ideology. They believe they’re giving a middle finger to President Trump when they defy his Executive Order and Title IX, but they’re not. They’re giving a middle finger to all the girls and women in their state. Will the trans issue continue to be an issue in 2026 and 2028? Will Democrats keep leaning into their extremism? I’m no political strategist (although, at this rate, I do believe I could advise the Democrats better than their current advisors if the goal is success), but I have no reason to believe the issue won’t be front and center again the next election cycle. This is the hill Democrats have chosen to die on. We won the Presidency, maintained control in the House, and gained control in the Senate. It was the red-wave I had expected largely thanks to how radical the Democrats had become on the culture issues. As a person who understands cause and effect, I thought the Democrats would slowly begin to recant from their voting record and previous positions. The other side has only become more radical. The extremism isn’t limited to just the gender ideology issue either. Look at the candidates they’ve put forward since the 2024 election. James Talarico believes God is non-binary and there are 6 genders for crying out loud. As long as they continue insisting biological sex doesn't matter in sports, Republicans shouldn't stop asking the question. Every candidate seeking public office should have to answer something incredibly simple: Should girls compete against boys? If their answer is some form of "yes", deflection, or a refusal to engage, then that should be disqualifying to any common sense American. If you can’t emphatically say men can't become women, why should I believe a single word that comes out of your mouth on any topic? You’ve already proven yourself detached from reality. What’s still at stake? This ruling isn’t the finish line like we want it to be; it’s really just the starting line. Title IX, once again, means something. Now we work to make sure every state recognizes its significance for all Americans, but specifically for women and girls. This case was never only about sports. Sports simply revealed the broader question our country has been wrestling with for years: does biological sex still matter under the law? Today's decision says yes. That's an enormous victory, but until every girl in every state has the same protections, the work remains unfinished. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION For me, this isn't an abstract legal debate. It's about my daughter. I want her to know that if she earns a championship, it's because she beat the best women, not because adults redefined what a woman is. I want her to know that if she's told she has equal opportunity, those words actually mean something. I want her generation to inherit a country that doesn't require courage to acknowledge obvious biological reality. That's what's still at stake. Today, the Supreme Court took an important step toward restoring that reality. Now it's up to the rest of us to finish the job. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4422c0c2ca79de23624ba8 Brooke Fletcher makes White Sox history, Taylor Swift's fake castle & OnlyFans models have PR firms now te 2026-06-30T20:10:40.194Z Brooke Fletcher makes White Sox history, Taylor Swift's fake castle & OnlyFans models have PR firms now We've made it, folks. To the halfway point of 2026. Incredible, right? It feels like just yesterday I was ringing in the New Year — watching drunk Anderson Cooper on my TV and sipping champagne with my dog. The dog wasn't sipping champagne, of course, but you know what I mean. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE And now we're in the last day of June. It's hotter than the devil's buttcrack outside, the air smells like campfires and bug spray, and some of you are enjoying your last few days with all 10 of your fingers. That's right, it's Fourth of July week, baby. America 250. Physically, I'm writing Nightcaps at my dining room table. Mentally, I'm four Miller Lites deep and sucking on a glizzy with my rear end firmly planted in an inner tube. A glizzy is a hot dog, by the way. Don't be a pervert. Although "sucking on" is an appalling way to refer to consuming a hot dog. Don't blame me. Blame John Mellencamp. It's been one hell of a week for me. If you recall, this time last week I was on my way to New York City to visit Fox HQ. I don't have any wild stories for you from the Big Apple because I spent most of my time doing super duper important work stuff. But it was really rad to meet many of the faces I see in Zoom boxes in actual human form. Good people there at the New York office. And I did have a couple hours of free time. So, naturally, I went to the Top of the Rock. Touristy, sure. But I'm a sucker for a view. Immediately when I got home from New York, I dumped out my suitcase and re-packed it to go to Athens, Tennessee. What the hell is in Athens, Tennessee? I'm so glad you asked. See, I'm a member of a book club here in my humble Nashville suburb. We read a lot of novels, and we meet at a brewery every two weeks to talk about them. This past weekend, 15 of us went on a retreat to a gorgeous house with a saltwater pool and a water slide. In Athens, Tennessee! Let me tell you something. I am feeling refreshed as heck — despite all the charcuterie and booze I inhaled over those three days. Sometimes — after a stressful week of work travel — you just need a little girl power. So log off and grab a margarita slushie. Let's do some Nightcaps. Speaking of girl power, did you see what Brooke Fletcher did last week? Brooke is a White Sox reporter for CHSN. When regular color analyst Steve Stone fell ill, she had to take over. And she became the first female TV analyst in White Sox history. If you're unfamiliar with Brooke's work, she is incredibly talented and deserving of this opportunity. Don't you go throwing any DEI accusations around because I will pull receipts faster than Dianna Russini pulled up her text messages to get out of that speeding ticket. But Brooke also happens to be the daughter of former White Sox shortstop Scott Fletcher. And over the weekend, her dad surprised her with a souvenir from her night in the booth. Brooke's crying. Scott's crying. I'm crying. You're crying. What a moment! And now onto something significantly less heartwarming. I know, you're tired of hearing (reading?) me gripe about it. And since the wedding is (allegedly) on Friday, there's an end in sight. KYLIE JENNER INSPIRES KNICKS LINGERIE, SWIFT-KELCE MSG WEDDING RUMORS & GERMAN DISCOVERS WAFFLE HOUSE But I simply refuse to believe Taylor Swift is actually choosing to have her wedding at Madison Square Garden. Yuck. Ew. Blech. The tackiness, the sticky folding chairs, the ugly basketball arena aesthetic. There's no way this billionaire pop star — who has endless options and an unlimited budget — is really getting married at MSG, right? You have to be kidding me. I refuse to believe they are actually getting married at MSG. This has to be a red herring to send the paparazzi elsewhere so that they can have their actual wedding somewhere majestic and private and beautiful. And then. As if things couldn't get any worse. I see this. They're building a CASTLE. Taylor, my sister in Christ. You have the money to go to Europe and rent out an actual castle. Please tell me this is just some sort of elaborate setup for a fan club party. Look, I know it's not my wedding. My wedding was perfect (minus the weather and the chemical burns). So I shouldn't be so invested in what Taylor Swift and dopey Travis Kelce are doing about their wedding venue. But something about this circus just offends me on a spiritual level. Let's open the mailbag. 📩 Email: amber.harding@outkick.com (Send your thoughts, stories, tips, rants and photos of your dog.) 🐦 Twitter/X: @TheAmberHarding 📸 Instagram: @amberharding Folks, I s--- you not. One of the more annoying things about being a reporter is that your inbox is constantly flooded with PR pitches. Some of them are relevant. Most of them are not. A good majority of the emails I get are just people who want me to shill some sort of random household item you can order on Amazon. But this... this was a first. Yes, friends, that is an official PR pitch from an agency that solely represents OnlyFans models and other "adult" creators. Complete with quotes and a Google Drive folder full of approved photos. Unbelievable stuff. I have, of course, redacted the model's name. No free promotions from me, young lady! But — out of curiosity — I did go to her Instagram profile and saw that a guy I briefly dated back in 2019 follows her. Probably just for her expert insight on soccer fans. Definitely not for her enormous fake boobs. What a world we live in. I love it when y'all email me or comment on my social media. I really do. Even if you're (respectfully) giving me a hard time about something I wrote, it's fun to hear from you. But every once in a while, someone goes above and beyond to tell me just what a jackass they think I am. Like this sweet 72-year-old lady Jeri, for example, who landed in my Instagram DM requests yesterday -- fuming over an article I wrote about Caitlin Clark. Jeri Wrote: "Typical Faux News story dissing Caitlin Clark. God, you people are amazing. Lost souls who hate America. All you need is blonde hair to complete the clueless ensemble." That is certainly ...a take. I cannot fathom how a person can look at Fox News or OutKick and think to themselves, "Wow, these people really hate America and Caitlin Clark." CAITLIN CLARK. We post stories singing Caitlin's praises every single day of the week and twice on Sunday. Jeri, what do you mean?! And so I asked her exactly that. Turns out, it was an article I wrote yesterday about click-me artist Emmanuel Acho claiming that the WNBA would be "better off" without Caitlin. That really got Jeri's knickers in a twist. I, obviously, reported what Acho said and then explained why what he said was complete buffoonery. It was a pro-Caitlin Clark article. Hence my confusion. Jeri Elaborated: "I think your article was a very mixed message. On purpose? Who knows. Most of it was spent giving credit to the dissers, with a few sentences at the end in support. Faux news distorts everything it touches. I am a middle of the road person. I honestly hate the crap that comes from faux news." Why Jeri spends so much time scanning a website she hates, I do not know. I wonder if she's seeing this column, too. But methinks we can chalk this one up to a reading comprehension problem on her part. Also, there's nothing wrong with blondes. Caitlin R. Writes: OK, last one on this, but did you see what Luke posted??? 😂 Amber: Last month, Luke Bryan released one of the most embarrassing songs in country music history. Golf. Fish. Hunt. Drink. Do the hokey pokey. Turn yourself around. I don't know, it's a blur to me. But I pointed out in Nightcaps how God awful terrible this song was. I was certainly not the only one to point it out. His comments were full of people just absolutely s---ing on this song. And, at first, Luke got defensive. I was adamant that this was absolutely the wrong way to handle things. His only recourse was to completely lean in. Make jokes about the absurdity of this song. Sell camo T-Shirts with "CLIMB TREE" in big, bold letters. Own it. Glad to see he's finally taking my advice. I'm so much smarter than Jeri gives me credit for. OutKick Nightcaps is a daily column set to run Monday through Friday at 4 p.m. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a44207bc2ca79de23624b4a America's top party college hit by another sex attack weeks after brutal campus rape case te 2026-06-30T20:00:59.831Z America's top party college hit by another sex attack weeks after brutal campus rape case Another sexual assault suspect is being sought at America's top party school. The University of California Santa Barbara police have issued a second campus-wide warning in less than two months after a woman reported being stalked and groped in broad daylight, as detectives continue searching for the suspect in the brutal rape and strangulation of an 18-year-old freshman reported in May. According to a campus-wide Timely Warning, the latest incident unfolded around 11:30 a.m. on June 24 as the victim walked along a paved access road on UCSB's West Campus. Police said a man riding a bicycle passed the victim before circling back multiple times over the next 15 minutes. MAN FOUND WITH ZIP TIES AND DUCT TAPE CHARGED WITH ASSAULTING FIVE WOMEN ON UCLA CAMPUS IN UNDER AN HOUR During the first two encounters, he stopped to ask questions. On the third pass, investigators said he approached the victim from behind, groped her and fled toward nearby Tierra De Fortuna Park. 🚨 Know something about crime or public safety in your area? 📩 stepheny.price@fox.com 📸 @fndstephprice 🎥 @StephenyPrice Your tip could become our next story. The suspect is described as a Hispanic or Middle Eastern man, about 35 years old, approximately 5-foot-8 with a thin build, shaved head, brown eyes and scruffy facial hair. He was wearing a gray tank top or cut-off T-shirt, shorts and a black backpack while riding a bicycle. Police said he was not known to the victim. MAN FOUND WITH ZIP TIES AND DUCT TAPE CHARGED WITH ASSAULTING FIVE WOMEN ON UCLA CAMPUS IN UNDER AN HOUR The warning is the second issued by UCSB police since May, when an 18-year-old freshman reported she was raped and strangled after meeting a man at a Sigma Pi fraternity party before returning to her dorm at Tropicana Gardens in Isla Vista. LAWYERS FIGHTING SJSU OVER VOLLEYBALL SCANDAL RESPOND TO FEDERAL TITLE IX PROBE FINDINGS That investigation remains unsolved. Days after the attack, the survivor's family, through attorney Tyrone Maho, publicly appealed for witnesses to come forward, saying anyone who attended the Sigma Pi fraternity party or was near Tropicana Gardens on the night of May 9 could hold critical information. FOLLOW US ON X The family also urged the chancellor to ask the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office to take over the investigation, arguing the attacker remained "a potential threat to our community," while expressing gratitude for the work already done by UC Santa Barbara police. The May attack prompted a candlelight vigil, where students gathered to support the survivor and voice concerns about campus safety. CLICK HERE FOR MORE U.S. NEWS UC Santa Barbara has been ranked the nation's top party school by Niche for the past two years. Campus crime data also show the university has recorded more than 100 reported rapes between 2022 and 2024, according to its Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports. The reports also show increases in other reported crimes in recent years, including weapons arrests and burglaries. GET BREAKING NEWS ALERTS In a statement previously provided to Fox News Digital following the May attack, UC Santa Barbara police said federal law limits what officials can disclose about active investigations but emphasized that reports of crimes on university property are fully investigated by sworn officers. The department said it has remained in direct contact with the survivor's family and works closely with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office and the District Attorney's Office when appropriate. GOT A TIP? Investigators are asking anyone with information about the June 24 incident to contact the UC Santa Barbara Police Department. Fox News Digital reached out to the UCSB Police Department for comment. Fox News Digital's Kelsie Cairns contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a442054c2ca79de23624b3f States Sue Trump Administration Over Medicaid Work Requirements te 2026-06-30T20:00:20.414Z States Sue Trump Administration Over Medicaid Work Requirements The lawsuit argues that new federal rules went beyond what Congress enacted and broke from guidance that the federal government previewed to states. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a441c1bc2ca79de23624a81 City of Flagstaff starts neighborhood repaving work te 2026-06-30T19:42:19.841Z City of Flagstaff starts neighborhood repaving work Asphalt removal and paving will take place in multiple neighborhoods beginning this week and continuing into July. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a441c07c2ca79de23624a78 Animal Welfare: What the HCH/CHA merger means for animal care in Flagstaff going forward te 2026-06-30T19:41:59.874Z Animal Welfare: What the HCH/CHA merger means for animal care in Flagstaff going forward How can you help and support this expanded city/county shelter? Adopt, volunteer, foster and/or donate! Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a441bf3c2ca79de23624a50 Hazmat crews rush to Pennsylvania train derailment as residents told to shelter in place te 2026-06-30T19:41:39.392Z Hazmat crews rush to Pennsylvania train derailment as residents told to shelter in place Emergency crews are responding to a freight train derailment in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, officials said Tuesday afternoon. Bensalem Police, Fire, EMS and hazmat teams were called to the area between Street Road and Neshaminy Falls Train Station after reports that 5 to 10 freight cars had derailed, according to the Bensalem Township Police Department. BYSTANDER VIDEO CAPTURES NORFOLK SOUTHERN TRAIN T-BONING SEPTIC TRUCK AT VIRGINIA RAILROAD CROSSING Officials said they are working to determine what the train cars were carrying. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "Residents in the area are urged to stay away and shelter in place until we have an update," the Bensalem Township Police Department said. This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a441bccc2ca79de23624a41 House G.O.P. Revolt Blocks Pentagon Bill te 2026-06-30T19:41:00.485Z House G.O.P. Revolt Blocks Pentagon Bill Ultraconservative lawmakers refused to back a critical procedural measure as they pressed for action on voting legislation championed by President Trump. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a441bb9c2ca79de23624a38 55% of Americans support birthright citizenship. te 2026-06-30T19:40:41.025Z 55% of Americans support birthright citizenship. The Supreme Court decision puts the court in line with the views of a majority of Americans. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a441ba5c2ca79de23624a2f Trans Sports Ruling Puts Pressure on States Without Bans te 2026-06-30T19:40:21.577Z Trans Sports Ruling Puts Pressure on States Without Bans Almost half of states do not prohibit trans girls and women from competing. The Supreme Court ruling doesn’t force them to, but lawmakers and voters could change that. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4419b6c2ca79de236249f5 Lighting up Independence Day skies: Fireworks shows along the Colorado River te 2026-06-30T19:32:06.312Z Lighting up Independence Day skies: Fireworks shows along the Colorado River BULLHEAD CITY — Adding sparkle to the Fourth of July, fireworks shows are on tap to celebrate Independence Day throughout the Tri-state. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4419a2c2ca79de236249ec Davis Dam displays America 250 banner for July 4 te 2026-06-30T19:31:46.346Z Davis Dam displays America 250 banner for July 4 BULLHEAD CITY — The south face of Davis Dam will display a 75-foot by 25-foot banner for the July 4, America250 holiday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a44198ec2ca79de236249e3 Findlay's All American Tailgate Party celebrates America's 250th birthday te 2026-06-30T19:31:26.382Z Findlay's All American Tailgate Party celebrates America's 250th birthday BULLHEAD CITY - Bullhead City scores with Findlay's All American Tailgate Party to celebrate America's 250th birthday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a441790c2ca79de23624958 EXCLUSIVE: Hawley launches investigation into postal service over dumped mail, millions in executive bonuses te 2026-06-30T19:22:56.434Z EXCLUSIVE: Hawley launches investigation into postal service over dumped mail, millions in executive bonuses FIRST ON FOX: Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., is opening a congressional investigation into the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), demanding internal records on dumped mail, potential criminal wrongdoing and millions in executive bonuses as his standoff with Postmaster General David Steiner intensifies. In a scathing letter Tuesday on behalf of the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, Hawley said the probe comes after Steiner failed to answer questions at a recent committee hearing about thousands of pieces of dumped mail discovered in St. Louis in April. Following the hearing, Steiner sent a letter to Hawley deflecting responsibility for the dumped mail to an active Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigation, while lecturing the senator on his lack of Southern "decorum." Hawley, who took to X on June 24 to demand Steiner resign if he doesn't return his bonus money, noted that it was "unbelievable" that Steiner was unaware of the highly publicized mail dumping incident. DOGE LAWMAKERS LOOK TO DEFUND BIDEN'S ANEMIC-PACED $3B EV POSTAL TRUCK 'BOONDOGGLE' In his letter Tuesday, Hawley requested all internal USPS communications regarding the St. Louis mail dumping and requested the exact date Steiner was first informed. The senator also asked if any postal employees have been referred to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for criminal prosecution under federal statutes regarding the theft, delay or destruction of mail, and clarification on whether postal workers have been falsifying scanning data to artificially inflate delivery metrics. DHS APPROVES PLAN TO VERIFY VOTER CITIZENSHIP, MONITOR MAIL BALLOTS AS TRUMP PUSH INTENSIFIES Taking aim at the millions in "non-salary compensation" paid to USPS executives over the last decade, Hawley is seeking a complete, itemized statement of all compensation paid to Steiner since his appointment, along with "scorecards" used to justify the bonuses. "You seem to operate under the misapprehension that you are entitled to some kind of special deference," Hawley wrote. "In fact, it’s the people of Missouri that are entitled to something: you doing your job." According to the letter, an audit of the St. Louis distribution center revealed the "worst case of failed on-time delivery" the inspector general had seen in field operations reviews, while a Kansas City audit found 100,000 delayed pieces of mail over just three days. The USPS did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a44177cc2ca79de2362494f Congress eyes rare bipartisan housing win with or without Trump's help te 2026-06-30T19:22:36.986Z Congress eyes rare bipartisan housing win with or without Trump's help The House has officially shipped a colossal bipartisan housing package to President Donald Trump, and lawmakers are hoping that, at the very least, he doesn’t veto it. Trump was supposed to sign the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act last week, but his last-minute decision to ghost the signing ceremony with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., put into question whether the bill was dead. His refusal to sign the bill, which passed with overwhelmingly bipartisan support in both chambers, was to leverage the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, which doesn’t currently have the votes to succeed in the Senate. WARREN TELLS TRUMP TO 'SIGN THE DAMN BILL' AS BIPARTISAN HOUSING PACKAGE REMAINS STALLED IN WASHINGTON Trump appears to be in no hurry to sign the bill, despite Republicans who are hungry for a win in the affordability fight ahead of the midterm elections. "It's so unimportant … compared to the SAVE America Act," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday. "I think the SAVE America Act is exactly what it says. It's saving America from crooked elections." "Here's what I would like to sign, much more than a bill that — big deal, it's a yawn," he continued. "Some people say it's wonderful. To me, compared to the SAVE America Act, just about everything is a big yawn." GOP INFIGHTING OVER TRUMP'S VOTER ID BILL ERUPTS AS TOP SENATOR CALLS STRATEGY 'FANTASY' It's legislation that is loaded with nearly 60 provisions from both sides of the aisle in both chambers that's designed to make it easier for homes to be built and for younger Americans to buy their first home. It also includes a ban on hedge funds buying up housing stock that Trump pushed Congress to include during the State of the Union earlier this year. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., one of the architects behind the bill in the upper chamber alongside Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., charged that Congress handed the bill to Trump "on a silver platter." "When you ask me what happens next, if he cared about the American people, he'd have already signed the damned thing, and we'd be underway," Warren said on WCVB's "On the Record" on Sunday. But Trump doesn’t have to put his signature on the bill for it to become law. IRATE REPUBLICANS ACCUSE TRUMP OF HANDING DEMOCRATS A WIN AFTER BLOWING UP HOUSING PACKAGE The Constitution grants presidents the ability to veto a bill within 10 days of it being transferred over to the White House. In that scenario, Congress could override a veto of the housing package. It’s happened before under the Trump administration. In early 2021, Congress overrode Trump’s veto of the annual National Defense Authorization Act — a massive Pentagon funding authorization package that some House Republicans are trying to use as a vehicle to pass the SAVE America Act. But during that 10-day period, if Trump doesn’t sign the bill, it would automatically become law. That’s unless Congress completely adjourns, in which case a "pocket veto" could happen. The Senate is currently in recess and the House is scheduled to leave town by week's end, but neither count as a full adjournment. Johnson, who spent the last few days meeting with Trump at the White House about the housing bill and the SAVE America Act, said: "I hope he does sign it." "If he doesn't, it's still law," Johnson said. "We'll still celebrate it, but he's trying to make a point, and I think he's making it very effectively. And the fact that you all ask me every three steps down the hallway illustrates that he has achieved the desired objective, and that is to make SAVE America the number one thing, because if we don't get that right, everybody's concerned about what happens next." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a441769c2ca79de23624946 We were forced to compete against a male. The Supreme Court had our backs te 2026-06-30T19:22:17.524Z We were forced to compete against a male. The Supreme Court had our backs The U.S. Supreme Court just moved us much closer to leveling the playing field. In a decision that defends justice and biological reality, the court upheld laws in West Virginia v. B.P.J. and Idaho (Little v. Hecox) that preserve fairness and safety for female athletes by keeping men out of women’s sports. The ruling effectively upholds the laws of 27 states; now the other 23 states need to act. By affirming the clear meaning of the law and common sense, the Supreme Court’s decision also affirmed state governments’ ability to recognize the inherent biological differences between men and women. In doing so, the justices have thrown legal cold water on years of cultural and political pressure to deny that reality—efforts that have led thousands of girls and young women like us into senseless defeat, discouragement, and, for some, even physical danger. SUPREME COURT MAKES RULING ON TRANS ATHLETES IN WOMEN'S SPORTS We didn’t compete to win "participation" trophies. And we didn’t train to lose before we even stepped up to the starting line. So we’re deeply grateful that now, by supporting states’ legal authority to keep men out of women’s sports, the court has reasserted decades-long efforts to promote women’s athletics as separate from men’s sports. The court validated fair competition rather than an increasingly destructive laboratory for social experimentation. Most Americans will appreciate this. They know men can’t become women. They know differences between the sexes run deep and can’t be erased with drugs and surgeries that do terrible damage to those who undergo them. As Justice Clarence Thomas explained in his concurring opinion today, "Men and boys with gender dysphoria are not women or girls, even if they believe that they are." The impact of this forcible "fairness" has done damage to countless girls and women nationwide: damaging their chances for greater athletic and, through scholarships, academic success; discarding years of hard work, training, and sacrifice; in some cases, doing them serious physical harm; and, in many more, draining away the purest joys of athletic competition. LAWYERS FIGHTING SJSU OVER VOLLEYBALL SCANDAL RESPOND TO FEDERAL TITLE IX PROBE FINDINGS We know. Both of us were forced to compete against a male in Idaho track and field and cross-country events; as a result, we both fell significantly in our respective athletic rankings. Other women—including Adaleia Cross, who competed on the same team and in the same events as B.P.J., were among the approximately 400 female athletes in West Virginia displaced across a three-year period by a single male athlete competing in their events. That same male athlete was given access to girls’ locker and shower areas and allegedly repeatedly sexually harassed Adaleia and other girls. The unwillingness of school officials to properly address Adaleia’s complaints is a story echoed in other schools all over the country, where women and girls have been compelled to forfeit personal privacy, physical safety, and athletic success in deference to a dangerous cultural trend and an ironclad political agenda. EMERGENCY ACTION SEEKS TO PREVENT ERASURE OF 'MOTHER' AND 'FATHER' IN CODE OF LARGEST US TOWN That is another reason why this week’s legal victory is so important. Twenty-three states still aren’t protecting women’s sports. This week’s decision affirms for officials and concerned citizens in all those states the legal protection and moral incentive to change that—to restore to this generation of young women their right to equal opportunity, personal safety, and the lifelong benefits of fair athletic competition. We would first like to thank God for His strength and hand in this effort. We’re also thankful for all those who have stood for truth. We are grateful to West Virginia Attorney General J.B. McCuskey and Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador for having the courage to stand up for every girl in their states. And to our attorneys at Alliance Defending Freedom, who worked alongside them and fought so hard for us: Thank you. We couldn’t have done this without you. We're also thankful for every parent, coach, and community member who showed up—at school board meetings, in statehouses, and online—and refused to stay quiet. And to the women athletes who used their own platforms to speak out: Riley Gaines, Wendy Enderle, Stephanie Turner, and countless others. We see you, and we’re grateful you had our backs. But particularly, this week, we give thanks for a decision that gives us justice and points our nation back to common sense … to reality … to the truth. Over the last few years, so many people have worked tirelessly to promote the lie that men can become women—that one sex should step aside and let another one destroy all that so many women struggled for so long to make possible: equality, fairness, and opportunity. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION The girls and women athletes of this country have paid a terrible price for those lies and that destruction. But this decision is the beginning of the end of all that—a great, long step back toward justice and common sense. There are more long steps to come, but they will be easier now. The playing field isn’t level yet—but it’s a lot closer than it was. Editor's note: Former Idaho State University track athletes Madison Kenyon and Mary Kate Marshall are parties to the women’s sports cases that the U.S. Supreme Court decided on June 30. Mary Kate Marshall is a former track athlete at Idaho State University. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a441756c2ca79de2362493d America's national parks could add years to your life — here's how they boost health te 2026-06-30T19:21:58.067Z America's national parks could add years to your life — here's how they boost health As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, many Americans are taking extra notice of all the things the country has to offer. One such case is our access to vast wilderness. Today, the nation's national parks are bustling tourist attractions, but they may also serve as vital resources for public health, experts say. The most immediate health boost comes from physical movement. HIKERS FACE URGENT GRAND CANYON HEAT WARNING AFTER TEEN’S DEATH ON POPULAR TRAIL Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that regular physical activity is crucial for reducing obesity, improving sleep quality and lowering the risk of chronic illnesses. The nation's public lands include parks, trails and open spaces that encourage outdoor recreation and physical activity. A review by the Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) found that implementing park, trail and greenway infrastructure directly increases physical activity across communities. AMERICA'S LIFESPAN HAS DOUBLED SINCE 1776 — EXPERTS REVEAL WHAT CHANGED When people walk, hike or bike through national parks, they are actively lowering their blood pressure, boosting immune function and reducing overall mortality, data shows. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER Beyond physical fitness, national parks may contribute to documented mental health benefits. Previous research has demonstrated that direct exposure to nature significantly reduces physiological stress, lowers heart rates and decreases levels of stress hormones, like cortisol. This research also shows that natural environments boost attention span, combat mental fatigue and improve cognitive performance. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES Parks also act as natural venues for mindfulness and social connection. Research shows that practicing mindfulness in quiet outdoor spaces lowers stress and mitigates feelings of loneliness and social isolation. Additionally, because parks protect cultural and historical resources, they can inspire lifelong learning. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ According to the data, engaging in educational activities and lifelong learning preserves brain function, improves memory and helps stave off age-related cognitive decline. The National Park Service was established in 1916 to conserve the nation's natural and historic resources for future generations, according to the organization. Today, that mission has expanded, as parks are recognized not only for their scenic and cultural value, but also the opportunities they provide for recreation and physical activity. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a441742c2ca79de23624934 San Francisco home with history of squatters under contract for $1.3 million te 2026-06-30T19:21:38.611Z San Francisco home with history of squatters under contract for $1.3 million A San Francisco home with a long history of squatters has hit the market for 1.3 million and, despite its severe neglect, already has a buyer. Located on Yukon Street near the city's historic Castro neighborhood, the abandoned 2,100-square-foot home has been occupied by a rotating group of squatters over the past five years, according to the San Francisco Standard. Neighbors say police have repeatedly been called over the years for drugs, noise and other disturbances. Property listing photos show boarded-up doors, shattered windows and interior walls covered in graffiti. According to local reports, the property is littered with hypodermic needles and squatters left a poop bucket on the top-floor deck. SPENCER PRATT SAYS HIS POLICY WILL FORCE HOMELESS OUT OF LA AND INTO CITIES LIKE SEATTLE The vacant property also lacks running water and electricity, NBC Bay Area reported. Despite its condition, listing agents Zara and James Rowbotham said the home has had "nonstop" showings. The property is already listed as under contract on the Vanguard Properties website. The home's rapid sale underscores how properties in dilapidated condition can fetch millions of dollars in San Francisco's limited real estate market. "If this were a single-family, it would have gone in a minute," Zara Rowbotham told the SF Standard. "It could have reached something like $2 million." BIDEN'S ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION SURGE CAUSED HIGHER RENT AND HOME PRICES, FED STUDY FINDS The listing's surprising success comes amid a rise in squatting incidents in California and across the nation in recent years. According to a New York Times report, a 2024 survey found that 76 percent of California property owners considered squatting a major issue, with 70 percent of respondents saying they had been victimized by squatters or personally knew someone who had been. In response, several states have passed aggressive legislation allowing law enforcement to immediately arrest unauthorized occupants and bypass traditional court backlogs. California, however, remains a strict outlier. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Under California law, property owners must go through a lengthy civil eviction process to remove squatters. In the Golden State, squatters are also allowed to legally claim ownership of a property if they occupy it and pay its property taxes for five continuous years. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a44171bc2ca79de23624926 Amy Coney Barrett Faces Right-Wing Ire Over Recent Rulings te 2026-06-30T19:20:59.698Z Amy Coney Barrett Faces Right-Wing Ire Over Recent Rulings Justice Barrett sided with Chief Justice Roberts and the liberal minority to uphold birthright citizenship and mail-in voting practices. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a441708c2ca79de23624914 Supreme Court sides with GOP states on anti-trans sports ban te 2026-06-30T19:20:40.243Z Supreme Court sides with GOP states on anti-trans sports ban Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4416f4c2ca79de236248f7 Realta Fusion generates electricity directly from a fusion reaction, an apparent first te 2026-06-30T19:20:20.282Z Realta Fusion generates electricity directly from a fusion reaction, an apparent first Realta Fusion showed it could generate electricity from a fusion reaction, no steam turbine required. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a441511c2ca79de236248b7 North Carolina cold case heats up with stepmother accused of killing missing teen te 2026-06-30T19:12:17.448Z North Carolina cold case heats up with stepmother accused of killing missing teen More than 11 years after an 18-year-old North Carolina woman mysteriously disappeared on her way to work, authorities say the case has finally cracked open. Sara Nicole Graham's stepmother, Connie Graham, is now charged with first-degree murder, while two of her sons are accused of helping cover up the crime, according to the Robeson County Sheriff's Office. The arrests mark a dramatic turn in a case that baffled investigators for more than a decade and left Graham's family searching for answers as her body remained missing. COLD CASE CRACKED AS ILLINOIS SUSPECT CHARGED IN BRUTAL 1993 KILLING OF MOTHER FOUND SLAIN IN FIELD Connie Graham, of Fairmont, was arrested Thursday on charges of first-degree murder, altering, stealing or destroying criminal evidence and two counts of felony conspiracy. Her sons, Bobby Matthew McLellan and Luke Locklear, both of Lumberton, were also arrested. McLellan is charged with accessory after the fact, felony conspiracy and evidence tampering, while Locklear is charged with felony conspiracy and evidence tampering. 🔍 Have information the public should know? 📩 stepheny.price@fox.com 📸 @fndstephprice 🎥 @StephenyPrice Whether it's a developing case, concerning trend, or something you think deserves attention, your information could help lead our next story or investigation. Connie Graham was denied bond during her first court appearance. McLellan and Locklear are each being held on $1 million secured bonds. Sara Graham vanished on Feb. 4, 2015, after leaving her home around 6:30 a.m. for her shift at a Walmart in nearby Pembroke. She never made it to work. INVESTIGATORS REVISIT FLORIDA SERIAL KILLER CASE AS SEARCH RESUMES FOR POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL VICTIMS Later that day, deputies found her van abandoned in a field near Interstate 95, but Graham had seemingly vanished without a trace. The mystery lingered for years. Earlier this month, a Robeson County judge legally declared Graham dead after she had been missing for more than seven years, clearing the way for prosecutors to move forward as a homicide case. MYSTERY OF REMAINS FOUND INSIDE SLEEPING BAG IN OLYMPIC PARK SOLVED AFTER 26 YEARS Even now, investigators have not recovered her body. Sheriff Burnis Wilkins said the investigation never went cold, despite the years that passed without an arrest. "While some may have believed this case had gone cold, the reality is a case like this never leaves the minds of the investigators assigned to it," Wilkins said. FOLLOW US ON X "When I took office in 2018, one of my first priorities was to get justice for Sara, and that doesn't end with the criminal charges today. We will not stop until we find her." Wilkins said he hopes the arrests bring "some measure of comfort" to Graham's loved ones after more than a decade of unanswered questions. "While nothing can undo the loss felt by so many, we hope these arrests provide some measure of comfort," he said. "The pursuit of justice never stopped, Sara was never forgotten, and those responsible, no matter how hard they tried, did not outrun the pursuit of justice." CLICK HERE FOR MORE U.S. NEWS Authorities have not revealed what evidence led investigators to arrest Graham's stepmother and stepbrothers, saying they cannot disclose key details while the case moves through the courts. Sara Graham's mother, Catherine Armenta, told WPDE through her attorney that the past 11 years have been "tremendously difficult." GET BREAKING NEWS ALERTS "Not a day goes by that my other children and I don't think about Sara. We miss her terribly," Armenta said, according to the station. GOT A TIP? Armenta said the family's decision to have Sara legally declared dead earlier this month was "incredibly painful" but necessary after more than a decade without answers. She also thanked the Robeson County Sheriff's Office, the FBI and prosecutors for continuing to pursue the case and renewed the family's plea for anyone with information about Sara's disappearance to come forward. The FBI is still offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the recovery of Sara Graham's body. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Robeson County Sheriff's Office for any additional updates or comment as the investigation continues. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4414fdc2ca79de236248ae MS NOW guest admits 'great trepidation' about celebrating America's 250th, claims country is being destroyed te 2026-06-30T19:11:57.996Z MS NOW guest admits 'great trepidation' about celebrating America's 250th, claims country is being destroyed MS NOW guest Eddie Glaude, an author and professor at Princeton, said Tuesday that he felt "great trepidation" about celebrating America's 250th anniversary because he felt the country is being "destroyed," and questioned what they were celebrating. "Well, I've been struggling with what are we actually celebrating," Glaude told the hosts of "Morning Joe," adding, "I'm thinking about Donald Trump, kind of, in so many ways, blending his own kind of cult of personality with the celebration of the nation, and wondering what exactly are we celebrating? Is it a storybook version of America?" "This idea that, you know, we are a beacon of freedom and that our perfection was secured in our salvation, or are we looking at the way in which our ideals don't match up to our practices, our current practices?" he continued. "And so I'm really going into July 4, grappling with whether or not the ugly ghosts of our country have us by the nape of the neck, Mika." Co-host Mika Brzezinski asked Glaude if he still had hope in the country. DAVID MARCUS: AS THE NATION BICKERS, SMALL-TOWN AMERICA STILL LOVES A PARADE "I don't know, you know, how can I put this, that the country that made my life possible is being destroyed right in front of me," he said. Glaude argued that people who imagine the country as a "White Republic" were actively trying to make it so, and that diversity was no longer seen as a strength. "I believe, in this 250th, we have to make a choice," he said. "America, in many ways, has to leave behind [this] guaranteed innocence, Willie. And confront who we actually are so that we can release ourselves into being otherwise. Otherwise, we're not going to make it to the other side of this madness, it seems to me."  "So I'm barreling towards July 4 with great trepidation, but hoping that the great diversity of this country will make itself known, and we can beat back some of these ugly forces," he added. "Because remember, JD Vance doesn't believe that the creed defines who we are. He believes in something more sinister. That there's something more fundamental about who we are as Americans that we need to reject, I think, outright," Glaude said. MS NOW's Mike Barnicle told Glaude that he still sings the "Star Spangled Banner" at sporting events and still enjoyed seeing the American flag fly on a sunny day, but also says a slave owner wrote the words, "All men are created equal." "And I also know that we're a country that we fail to remember what Lincoln once said. We cannot escape history. And we cannot escape our own history, but we can improve it, I think," he said. "And we can celebrate it without thinking that we are carrying a millstone around our neck because of the political activities that have taken place in the last, certainly the last six or seven years." WASHINGTON POST COLUMNIST: IT WILL BE 'HARDER' TO CELEBRATE AMERICA'S 250TH BIRTHDAY Barnicle went on to ask Glaude if he saw optimism "at the end of this July 4 rainbow." "No, Mike, I don't. And it comes about I think that that orientation follows from my own formation. I don't think I've ever teared up around patriotism, I don't ever think I've found joy in singing the ‘Star Spangled Banner.’ It has something to do with the tradition out of which I've come," he responded. He added he's had to live the "contradiction of America itself, even as we have struggled for its promise." He said he had a "blue-soaked hope" that the world is ugly and that the U.S. has a burdensome past that has it by the throat, but that he had some faith in human beings. MS NOW host Ali Velshi is among those who have expressed feeling unease about celebrating the 250th anniversary of America, as well as far-left journalist Joy Reid and MS NOW host Al Sharpton, who expressed uncertainty about the 4th of July, specifically for Black Americans. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "They're going to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the country July 4, but that's not our celebration," Sharpton said at the National Action Network’s 35th Anniversary National Convention in April. He continued, "We were slaves then, and they celebrate signing the Declaration of Independence in 1776. We were not even emancipated until 1863. So I don't know what everybody is getting ready for a celebration [for]. You know that it seems crazy for me to have on the birthday hat at your birthday party. That ain't my party." Reid said during a podcast conversation earlier this month, "I can promise you, Black folks, we will take that day off, we will barbecue because we [are] off, but nobody Black I know is really excited about the 4th of July." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4414d7c2ca79de23624899 Woman Wading in Central Florida River Is Fatally Bitten by Alligator te 2026-06-30T19:11:19.081Z Woman Wading in Central Florida River Is Fatally Bitten by Alligator The woman, 31, was kneeling in the shallow part of a river in Seminole County, in Central Florida, when an alligator bit her, the authorities said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4414c3c2ca79de23624890 Trump Urges Congress to Take Up Birthright Citizenship. Here’s Why It’s Unlikely. te 2026-06-30T19:10:59.624Z Trump Urges Congress to Take Up Birthright Citizenship. Here’s Why It’s Unlikely. The president lost his case in the Supreme Court, but mere legislation would not be enough. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4414b0c2ca79de2362487e No, your drinking water isn’t contaminated by abortion pills te 2026-06-30T19:10:40.167Z No, your drinking water isn’t contaminated by abortion pills Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a44149cc2ca79de23624861 Google introduces a faster, cheaper image generator with Nano Banana 2 Lite te 2026-06-30T19:10:20.211Z Google introduces a faster, cheaper image generator with Nano Banana 2 Lite Google is updating its image generator to make it faster and cheaper, making it a more useful tool for creators looking to make AI content. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4412b9c2ca79de23624828 Bigfoot is a Neanderthal-Human hybrid, according to the man who claims to have found remains te 2026-06-30T19:02:17.905Z Bigfoot is a Neanderthal-Human hybrid, according to the man who claims to have found remains The mystery of Bigfoot has been solved, if you believe Snake the Bigfoot Hunter. He's been labeled a hoaxer and scammer by some, but that has done nothing to slow him down. After finding what he claims are remains in the Adirondack Mountains in October 2024 and putting the body on display at last year's The Great New York State Fair, he now says he has the DNA results. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Folks like veteran Bigfoot researcher Matthew Moneymaker from the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization sounded the alarms after Snake's announcement that he was putting the remains on display. "A newcomer hoaxer/scammer going by the name Charles 'Snake' Stuart is claiming to have a bigfoot corpse that he will exhibit at New York State Fair in August 2025," Moneymaker wrote on BFRO's Facebook page last July. "No, he doesn't actually have bigfoot remains. It's just a cheesey fake dead bigfoot, perhaps a little bit better than Tom Biscardi's famous fake dead bigfoot." GROUP OF TEENAGE CAMPERS STALKED BY A GROUP OF SASQUATCHES IN IDAHO OVER MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND Dack, the nickname Snake aka Charles Stuart has given the 8-foot-tall, 300-pound Bigfoot, had DNA testing performed on him at Cornell University, according to Snake. I told you those labels did nothing to slow him down. Snake told Click On Detroit in a recent interview that the results of the supposed DNA testing at Cornell's Veterinary DNA Lab found that "the body has 58.5% Neanderthal and 41.5% human DNA." He has plans to show his groundbreaking discovery to as many people as he can. He knows he'll face those who don't believe in his discovery. Those who will tell him the famous Patterson-Gimlin film isn't real. Save your breath. Snake knows that one was "an obvious hoax," because Bigfoot is not a great ape as has been claimed over the years. He has the DNA results to prove that the creature is a Neanderthal-Human hybrid. Is this the answer to the mystery we've all been sitting on the edge of our seats waiting for? Or is it just another Bigfoot hoax? Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4412a6c2ca79de2362481f Lawmakers press Eli Lilly for China drug trials tied to military-linked hospitals te 2026-06-30T19:01:58.452Z Lawmakers press Eli Lilly for China drug trials tied to military-linked hospitals FIRST ON FOX: House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party Chairman John Moolenaar is launching an investigation into pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly's clinical trial operations in China, demanding records related to research conducted at Chinese military-affiliated hospitals and facilities in Xinjiang. In a Tuesday letter obtained by Fox News Digital, Moolenaar, R-Mich., demanded that Eli Lilly provide detailed information about its clinical trial operations in China, including how the company ensures ethical standards, protects sensitive biotechnology and intellectual property, and veterans research conducted at hospitals linked to the People's Liberation Army and in Xinjiang, where the Chinese government has been accused of widespread human rights abuses against Muslim Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities. The committee says publicly available records indicate Lilly has sponsored or collaborated on more than 220 clinical studies in China since 2003, including at least 11 trials involving hospitals in Xinjiang, China, and at least 16 involving Chinese military medical centers. Several remain active today, the letter says.  The inquiry marks an escalation in congressional scrutiny of U.S. pharmaceutical companies' growing ties to China as lawmakers warn that clinical research conducted at Chinese military-affiliated hospitals and in Xinjiang, China, could pose national security, intellectual property and human rights risks. The committee is seeking records from Lilly as it expands its investments and research partnerships in China. CHINA’S GRIP ON RARE-EARTH MAGNETS COULD CRUSH US DRONE INDUSTRY BEFORE IT GROWS Moolenaar stressed that the committee has "no evidence that Lilly has engaged in illegal activity or wrongdoing," but argued that conducting clinical trials in China — particularly in Xinjiang, China, and at military-affiliated hospitals, hospitals affiliated with China's People's Liberation Army (PLA), which the committee argues could gain access to valuable biotechnology research and clinical trial data generated through collaborations with U.S. companies. "The United States is engaged in a fierce biotechnology competition with the People's Republic of China," Moolenaar wrote, arguing that biotechnology has become a strategic arena in U.S.-China competition with implications for national security, economic competitiveness and the protection of Americans' medical data. He pointed to China's latest five-year plan, which identifies biotechnology as a national priority and calls for expanded use of artificial intelligence across the sector. Moolenaar said China has transformed itself into one of the world's fastest and least expensive places to conduct early-stage human drug trials through regulatory reforms, state subsidies and rapid patient enrollment. The committee argues that speed has made China increasingly attractive for global drug development while also raising concerns about ethics, data security and intellectual property. GABBARD SAYS DECLASSIFIED BIOLAB RECORDS VALIDATE CONCERNS PREVIOUSLY DISMISSED AS MISINFORMATION The inquiry comes as Lilly has continued expanding its presence in China.  Earlier in 2026, the company announced a roughly $3 billion investment to expand manufacturing and local supply in the country, bringing its total investment in China to nearly $6 billion. Lilly also has deepened its research ties with Chinese biotechnology companies, announcing an up to $8.8 billion oncology and immunology collaboration with Innovent Biologics in February and an agreement worth up to about $3 billion with Haisco Pharmaceutical Group earlier ni June. Both partnerships are referenced in Moolenaar's letter as examples of the company's expanding relationships with Chinese drugmakers. The chairman also questioned whether China's clinical trial system adequately protects participants' rights. He cited research suggesting many participants misunderstand the experimental nature of drug studies or mistakenly believe treatments have already been proven effective, raising concerns about whether informed consent is being properly obtained. The letter separately raises concerns about trials conducted in Xinjiang, pointing to reports from the United Nations, the State Department and human rights organizations documenting allegations of forced medical testing, DNA collection and other abuses targeting Uyghurs. Moolenaar argued those conditions warrant heightened scrutiny over whether clinical trial participants in the region are volunteering freely. The committee also argues that research conducted at hospitals affiliated with the People's Liberation Army raises questions about whether sensitive biotechnology research and proprietary data developed through clinical trials could ultimately benefit China's military biotechnology programs. Moolenaar gave Lilly until July 17 to provide documents detailing its due diligence procedures, inspections of clinical trial sites, agreements with Chinese companies, and safeguards for protecting sensitive data and intellectual property. "Lilly has received the letter from the House Select Committee on China. We are reviewing the letter closely," a company spokesperson told Fox News Digital. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a441292c2ca79de23624816 PAYTON MCNABB: Girls deserve fair competition, and the Supreme Court just agreed te 2026-06-30T19:01:38.995Z PAYTON MCNABB: Girls deserve fair competition, and the Supreme Court just agreed After years of what seems like walking through hell and back, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Idaho and West Virginia in two critical cases that defend laws protecting women’s sports and spaces. Today, I feel something that I haven’t felt in a long time when it comes to the protection of women’s sports and spaces: relief. Personally, I have witnessed male athletes dressed in makeup and sports bras allowed to hold trophies after humiliating the hardworking female athletes for whom they were intended. I watched my athletic career disappear before my eyes due to a life-altering injury that was 100% preventable. I watched as roster spots and championships got ripped out from underneath more-than-deserving women. I watched girls who trained their entire lives lose opportunities to boys. LAWYERS FIGHTING SJSU OVER VOLLEYBALL SCANDAL RESPOND TO FEDERAL TITLE IX PROBE FINDINGS As a former athlete, I know what it means to pour your heart into the sport you love. Every athlete does. We are well acquainted with the early mornings, exhausting practices, injuries, sacrifices, and countless hours that nobody sees. We know what it feels like to chase a goal for years with little to no guarantee of success. That’s why this issue hits so close to home for nearly 70% of Americans. When I was in high school, I suffered a traumatic brain injury in a volleyball match due to a male playing on the girls’ team. His spike was harder, faster, stronger than any girl I have ever been across the net from. Years later, I have not recovered from this injury, and it will genuinely affect me for the rest of my life. For most athletes, we already have the pressure of making the team. We stress about form, speed, agility, and technique before tryouts. We live with the potential that there may be another girl who’s better than us, so we won’t make the cut. This alone makes athletics enough of a strain, physically and mentally — yet for thousands of us, it’s a strain we are glad to bear. Then, policies that allow males to take female spots on the team throw yet another wrench into the plan. It not only lessens the chance for girls and women to chase their dreams, but it cheapens the spot in the first place. What makes today so meaningful is not simply the legal outcome. It is the recognition that women and girls should not have to apologize for wanting a category that exists specifically for us. Women’s sports were not created because women needed a participation trophy—they were created because female athletes deserve to compete on the highest level of their sport and win on fair grounds. That principle should have never become controversial. WATCH: HEARING ERUPTS AFTER DEM CHAIR TRIES TO SIDESTEP GOP TRANSGENDER SPORTS BILLS: ‘THEY’RE PETRIFIED’ It somehow has. For years, the political establishment and woke ideology abandoned the very women that they claimed to protect. Organizations that once championed women suddenly seemed afraid to acknowledge biological reality, and began giving awards and brand deals to men pretending to be women, at the expense of well-deserving female athletes. Brave women, coaches, parents, and athletes began speaking up and speaking the truth, even when it was unpopular. That began the change evident in today’s Supreme Court opinion. Change rarely happens when the powerful speak out — it’s when the high-school athletes and college sports coaches of this country decide to step up and say what everyone is thinking. That’s when change happens. Today’s decision is a reminder that truth does not disappear simply because someone believes a delusion. Reality does not change because people are uncomfortable discussing hard topics. Compassion and inclusion are traits that are ultimately good, but when people twist them to fit a comfortable lie, it can become incredibly messy. Genuine empathy and diversity cannot require women to lose the protections and categories that generations before us fought to create. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION I feel so blessed to be surrounded by so many people who have spoken out with me, first and foremost my parents, who stood by my side through my recovery and when I was at my darkest point. I feel overwhelmingly blessed by my community and fellow advocates who never backed down in the face of adversity. In fact, I believe it’s a full circle moment. In athletics, you never back down from the daunting competitor — you fight, you hustle, and you work harder than ever before to win. And today, we finally did. As I think about the next generation of girls, I feel hopeful. I think about the young athlete waking up before school to train. I think about the girl dreaming about a scholarship, a championship, or simply the chance to compete on a team with other girls who share her passion. She deserves the protections and opportunities that the Supreme Court has now upheld. Women’s sports are always worth protecting. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a44127fc2ca79de2362480d France expected to cruise past Sweden in World Cup Round of 32 as betting odds heavily favor them te 2026-06-30T19:01:19.539Z France expected to cruise past Sweden in World Cup Round of 32 as betting odds heavily favor them I'm watching the Norway and Ivory Coast World Cup game at the moment, and I started looking into the great matchups that await us with the World Cup Round of 32 tonight. We've already gotten some very good games and some big surprises in the first two days. Germany lost in penalty kicks to Paraguay, and Morocco won the same way against the Netherlands. One of my favorite tweets that I've seen about the World Cup this season is from someone making suggestions about how to make soccer better. Someone reposted about how it is the biggest sport in the world, and you don't need to change things just to accommodate people who watch occasionally. It is an instance where both sides are correct. However, watching two penalty kick outcomes yesterday, I couldn't believe any game ever would end without them. It just makes watching the game better. Maybe we will get lucky and have some more today. France vs. Sweden This is one of a handful of games this round where people already seem to think the winner is predetermined. There are a number of ways to bet on soccer -- there is the moneyline, which includes the 90 minutes, and then up to another 30 minutes of extra time. If it goes to penalty kicks, this would be a draw. The total does not include penalty kicks either. France is a -340 moneyline favorite. The draw is at +500, so that should give you a good idea of how most expect this game to go. France is a true favorite to win the World Cup, so it would be a big shock to even see this go to penalties. France should win this game 2-0 or 3-1. There is one clear play here: give me France -1.5 on the spread at -125. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Another look here would be to play the goalscorer props. Kylian Mbappe is a heavy price to pay for him to score, but I actually think he struggles to get there here as I think Sweden will double-team him. I think his counterpart, Ousmane Dembele, will be the one scoring for France. He has four goals, just like Mbappe, and should have an easier chance to score. At +100, I think Dembele will be a good choice for an anytime goalscorer. That would not include penalty kicks in the unlikely event they happen in this game. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE Mexico vs. Ecuador This one will be rowdy. There is a reason that home-field or home-court advantage is such a big thing in sports and betting, and Mexico will have it tonight. This game will be played in Mexico City, Mexico. This is a fairly even match, but with the home-field advantage on their side, it is hard to think Ecuador will pull off the upset. In Mexico's three games, they beat Saudi Arabia, Korea and Czechia. They haven't allowed a goal in any of their three games. Ecuador has been all over the map. They lost to the Ivory Coast, then played to a draw with Curacao and beat what ended up being a disappointing Germany team. In three games, there have been a total of four goals. This should be a good matchup and a conservative matchup. I think the draw and penalty kicks are a likely outcome for this game. At +185, it is worth a look. You could bet both Mexico to win and a draw and get a little bit of profit. It really wouldn't be much, but risking 200 would return either 230 or 285. You would need to dodge Ecuador winning, though. I am going to officially back Mexico to win. I think they will be more aggressive, and I think they are going to have the crowd with them. Give me Mexico on the moneyline. 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/6a44126cc2ca79de23624804 Venezuelan nationals charged in $529K ATM jackpotting scheme at I-95 rest stops, feds say te 2026-06-30T19:01:00.083Z Venezuelan nationals charged in $529K ATM jackpotting scheme at I-95 rest stops, feds say Four Venezuelan nationals are accused of turning Connecticut rest-stop ATMs into cash-spewing machines in a "jackpotting" scheme that netted more than $529,000 in less than two weeks, federal prosecutors said. The alleged crew hit ATMs along Interstate 95 and at other Connecticut locations between Aug. 8 and Aug. 18, 2025, using specialized hardware and malware to force the machines to dispense their cash, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut. Prosecutors allege that Euclides Moreno Itanare, 28, of Raleigh, North Carolina; Willian Ricardo Flores, 49, of the Bronx, New York; Alberto Jose Freites Arvilla, 41, of Queens, New York; and Luis Jose Freites Arvilla, 38, of Lynn, Massachusetts were arrested June 25 and charged with interstate transportation of stolen property and conspiracy. All four are citizens of Venezuela, prosecutors said. VENEZUELAN GANG MEMBERS WHO ENTERED US ILLEGALLY PLEAD GUILTY TO GUNNING DOWN TWO UNARMED AMERICANS Federal authorities said the men targeted ATMs in Milford and Ansonia, as well as I-95 rest stops in Fairfield, Branford, Madison and Darien. GLOBAL SCAM CRACKDOWN LEADS TO 276 ARRESTS In one alleged haul, the crew stole $136,000 from an ATM at the I-95 northbound rest stop in Fairfield, according to prosecutors. Other alleged thefts included $84,000 from an I-95 southbound rest stop in Madison, $66,400 from an I-95 northbound rest stop in Branford and multiple hits in Darien totaling more than $177,000. CLICK HERE FOR MORE U.S. NEWS Prosecutors said the alleged scheme followed a similar pattern each time: one suspect acted as a lookout while another opened the ATM’s hood and accessed its internal components. Over the next several hours, the men allegedly took turns walking up to the compromised ATM and collecting cash as it was dispensed. The suspects sometimes changed clothes to avoid drawing attention when returning to the same machine multiple times, according to court documents. Investigators said the case was built in part on surveillance footage, phone records, Google and Apple account records, and photos allegedly recovered from the suspects’ devices. According to the criminal complaint reviewed by Fox News Digital, one suspect’s Apple account contained photos of victimized ATMs before and during the thefts, images of cash in a vehicle and black plastic bags, and photos allegedly showing suspects counting money in New York hours after a Connecticut rest-stop theft. FOLLOW US ON X READ THE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT – APP USERS, CLICK HERE: One attempted hit at a Cumberland Farms ATM in Ansonia was blocked because a software patch protected the machine from that type of theft, prosecutors said. GET BREAKING NEWS ALERTS All four men are currently detained. If convicted, the stolen-property charge carries up to 10 years in federal prison, while the conspiracy charge carries up to five years. Fox News Digital has reached out to attorneys for Flores, Luis Arvilla and Alberto Arvilla. The FBI is investigating the case with assistance from Connecticut State Police, the Raleigh Police Department and the New York City Police Department. Officials said the investigation remains ongoing as authorities look into whether the same alleged crew can be tied to other ATM thefts. SEND US A TIP "Jackpotting" incidents are on the rise in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI. In a report issued in February, federal investigators said that of 1,900 ATM jackpotting incidents reported since 2020, over 700 of them with more than $20 million in losses occurred in 2025 alone. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a441244c2ca79de236247f9 Supreme Court to Weigh Constitutional Protection for AR-15 Rifles te 2026-06-30T19:00:20.756Z Supreme Court to Weigh Constitutional Protection for AR-15 Rifles Two cases to be heard in the fall challenge legality of state and local bans on the weapons, which are popular with gun owners and have been used in mass shootings. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a441017c2ca79de2362477e 'George Washington was not the first president.' What?! te 2026-06-30T18:51:03.091Z 'George Washington was not the first president.' What?! Who was the first president? I know, you are going to say George Washington. Nope. Wrong. It was President John Hanson. Who? SECRETS OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR BATTLEFIELDS EMERGE 250 YEARS AFTER AMERICA'S FOUNDING "There's no question about it. Chronologically, he certainly was," says Hanson descendant Peter Michael. "For a nation to be a nation, it has to have a government and a head of state. So the first thing the newly seated government did was elect a head of state. And it was John Hanson." Really? The hidden story of John Hanson is told in the second episode of "Crazy American History with Eric Shawn," now streaming on Fox Nation. Michael is the author of "Remembering John Hanson, A Biography of the First President of the Original United States Government." AS AMERICA TURNS 250, A RARE 1790 EXCHANGE BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND BISHOP CARROLL TAKES ON NEW RELEVANCE And he says even George Washington would have agreed with him that Hanson was number one. "He said so as president and later. He said so throughout the rest of his life, John Hanson was the first president," says Michael. He points out that Hanson had a Cabinet, including a secretary of war, secretary of foreign affairs and postmaster general. It was Hanson who sent Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, John Jay and Henry Laurens to Paris in 1782 to negotiate the British surrender in the Revolutionary War. In addition, the first national bank, census and U.S. coinage were created during Hanson's tenure. Hanson also established Thanksgiving, issuing the proclamation on March 19, 1782. OBAMA TAKES NEW SWIPE AT FOUNDING FATHERS AHEAD OF AMERICA’S 250TH BIRTHDAY: 'DEEP FLAW' Hanson was elected by the delegates of the Continental Congress under the Articles of Confederation as president of the United States, in Congress on Nov. 5, 1781. "Every other president since Hanson inherited a functioning government, but he inherited a blank slate, and he had to be a government builder, which he was. So he started appointing his cabinet, including some big names, and then some of the more minor offices, like Postmaster General, and put together a government in his one-year term. That's all he had. At the end of his year, we had a functioning government. And a functioning nation." So, why hasn't Hanson gotten any credit? Have we really been wrong all these centuries? Should Washington, D.C. be renamed, Hanson, D.C? Should the $1 bill swap out the image of George...for John? Find out more about the contention that our first, first president was John Hanson in the new Fox Nation series "Crazy American History with Eric Shawn," now streaming on Fox Nation. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a440ff0c2ca79de23624769 School voucher special session deal is likely dead in the water te 2026-06-30T18:50:24.188Z School voucher special session deal is likely dead in the water Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a440de2c2ca79de236246f4 Ex-Yankee Mark Teixeira unloads on MLB for trying to 'silence' Christian faith te 2026-06-30T18:41:38.646Z Ex-Yankee Mark Teixeira unloads on MLB for trying to 'silence' Christian faith Former New York Yankees star and Texas congressional candidate Mark Teixeira called Major League Baseball’s handling of a Pride Night dispute a "total disaster" aimed at silencing Christian athletes. Speaking on the "Fox News Rundown" podcast, the 2009 World Series champion and current congressional candidate argued that sports should not cross the line into being political. "We live in a Christian culture where people are trying to silence us," Teixeira told Fox News’s Jacqui Heinrich. "And we're not [going to] let the San Francisco Giants or any outside group, silence our faith." BUSTER POSEY MYSTERIOUSLY YANKED FROM RADIO INTERVIEW AS PRIDE NIGHT CONTROVERSY DRAGS ON, CEO MAKES IT WORSE The controversy stemmed from the Giants’ annual "Pride Night" celebration earlier this month. Several players protested the event by writing Bible verses onto the rainbow-colored Pride caps or declining to wear the caps altogether. In a statement reported by The Athletic, an MLB spokesperson said, "The writing on the cap violates our rules, and consistent with normal practice, we have warned the players about future violations." Teixeira argued that requiring players to wear the hats would force them to support something they may not believe in, calling the situation a "PR disaster." FIVE GLARING REASONS WHY MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SHOULD IMMEDIATELY STOP CELEBRATING PRIDE NIGHT | JON ROOT "Yep, total disaster, PR disaster for the league, PR disaster for The Giants. You know, these players were just expressing their Christianity. They were forced to do something that they didn't want to do," he said. TIM SHEEHY EXPOSES A 'SCARY' SHIPBUILDING COLLAPSE THAT LEAVES THE US VULNERABLE TO CHINA "I played in the major leagues for 14 years. We play 162 games a year, we don't have these conversations. We don't take political stances," Teixeira said. "It's a hard job playing baseball and bringing something like a pride night and forcing players to wear a cap. Whether that was the rule or not, that's what it looked like." Some players have spoken about their decision to include Bible verses, including starting pitcher Landen Roupp, who said the message was intended to represent "God’s covenant," not hatred toward anyone. MLB COMMISSIONER TELLS SEN. HAWLEY GIANTS PLAYERS WON’T BE DISCIPLINED OVER BIBLE VERSES ON PRIDE NIGHT HATS The Giants apologized to the LGBTQ+ community for the incident, writing in a statement that they were "sorry" for the "pain and anger" experienced by its members.  GOP Sen. Josh Hawley, however, defended the players’ rights to religious expression. Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred told Hawley that the players who wrote the Bible verses will not face fines or be disciplined over the incident. In a letter posted by Hawley on June 22, Manfred said the players were issued a "routine oral warning" after the incident. He also said the warning came before they learned the players had not been properly told it was optional to wear the pride caps, writing: "My office issued a routine oral warning about the uniform policy violation – unfortunately it was issued before we became aware of the Giants’ lapse in communication. The players were neither fined nor disciplined, nor will they ever be." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a440dcfc2ca79de236246eb Dems join Republicans to crush Tlaib's war powers resolution in lopsided House vote te 2026-06-30T18:41:19.189Z Dems join Republicans to crush Tlaib's war powers resolution in lopsided House vote The House of Representatives rejected a measure from Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., targeting U.S. military involvement in Lebanon.  Tlaib’s measure failed in a bipartisan vote of 189-235 on Tuesday, with 22 Democrats joining nearly all Republicans against it.  The resolution would have specifically barred U.S. forces from engaging in "any hostilities" in the country, despite the U.S. military not joining Israel's war in Lebanon and conducting few operations there.  Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., a leading critic of Israel, was among the Republicans who supported the measure. DEMOCRATS SPLIT OVER TLAIB'S LEBANON MEASURE AS REPUBLICANS SEIZE ON HEZBOLLAH OMISSION The Squad member’s measure was a concurrent resolution, which is largely symbolic and not sent to President Donald Trump's desk for a veto if passed. Tlaib, Congress’ sole Palestinian American, is a fierce opponent of Israel and has accused the Jewish state of pursuing "ethnic cleansing" in Gaza and Lebanon. Her sharp criticism of Israel’s war in Lebanon has spurred GOP attacks that she is providing cover for Iran-backed Hezbollah. The resolution did not mention the terrorist group, which has been engaged in a military conflict with Israel since early March around the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. Tuesday’s vote came after Tlaib previously forced a vote on a more expansive Lebanon war powers resolution earlier this month that critics argued would have required U.S. military personnel protecting embassy staff to leave the country. Opponents also charged that the measure would have restricted any assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces, which is fighting Hezbollah. REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: TLAIB FORCES RARE HOUSE PROCEDURE AFTER REPUBLICAN ACCUSES HER OF DEFENDING TERRORISTS Tlaib tailored her second resolution to clarify that it exempted protection of diplomatic personnel and cooperation with Lebanon’s military. Republicans questioned the timing of the resolution since the U.S. is not at war in Lebanon. "There are not U.S. combat forces conducting operations or engaged in hostilities in Lebanon," House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast, R-Fla., said during debate on the House floor. "They are training the Lebanese Armed Forces. "Why are they training?" Mast continued. "Because there’s probably at least 40,000 — probably more — Hezbollah terrorists spread across the South of Lebanon that are actively engaged in targeting Israel and have been doing so for many years." House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., countered that the resolution would keep the United States "out of another forever war that is not in our national interest." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a440da8c2ca79de236246d6 U.S. Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship, rejecting Trump order te 2026-06-30T18:40:40.277Z U.S. Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship, rejecting Trump order Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a440d94c2ca79de236246b9 Clicks shows off its BlackBerry-inspired phone in a new hands-on video te 2026-06-30T18:40:20.319Z Clicks shows off its BlackBerry-inspired phone in a new hands-on video A new video shows the final production version of the upcoming Clicks Communicator, a BlackBerry-like smartphone that runs modern apps. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a440b77c2ca79de23624680 Kathie Lee Gifford admits she 'wanted to die' after misdiagnosis and multiple surgeries for chronic pain te 2026-06-30T18:31:19.133Z Kathie Lee Gifford admits she 'wanted to die' after misdiagnosis and multiple surgeries for chronic pain After a year marked by multiple surgeries, chronic pain and moments when she questioned whether she could keep going, Kathie Lee Gifford says she's finally getting her life back. The TV veteran is opening up about the "debilitating" health battle that once left her praying to "go home." "I wanted to die a few times," Gifford told People. "I wasn't going to hurt myself. I wasn't going to kill myself. I just didn't want to be here — as blessed as I am." Gifford also revealed that her pain was initially attributed to the wrong condition, saying she spent nearly a year being treated for a spinal issue before doctors discovered the real source of her discomfort. FORMER 'DWTS' HOST SAMANTHA HARRIS SURVIVED BREAST CANCER TWICE AFTER DOCTORS DISMISSED HER SYMPTOMS "Thank God, I finally had the hip surgery. I had been misdiagnosed. And for a year they kept trying to treat my spine. And I said, 'I have no pain in my spine. It's in my hip. I don't know how you missed that on an X-ray.'" The former "Today" host said the extent of the damage became clear only after her operation. "The doctor, wonderful doctor here in Tennessee, in my post-op, the next day, he said, ‘Kathie, how were you existing? How were you existing with the most excruciating pain?’ He said, ‘That’s one of the worst hips I’ve ever seen. In fact, you didn’t have one' … he said all it was was ashes, arthritic ash and little, teeny bone spurs.’" The 72-year-old opened up about her difficult recovery, revealing how one medical setback quickly snowballed. "I feel like Mr. Potato Head! One thing falls off and then another," she said. What began with a total hip replacement turned into an even longer recovery after Gifford fractured her hip and required another surgery. She later broke her arm after rolling onto it while sleeping, suffered another broken bone after a fall on uneven pavement and eventually underwent cataract surgery after noticing problems with her depth perception. Even as her body struggled, Gifford noted her sense of humor never disappeared. "I'm a tough broad," she said. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS The physical pain, however, dramatically changed her day-to-day life, preventing her from playing with her five young grandchildren and making her reluctant to appear in public. "I couldn't carry them, I couldn't love on them, I couldn't run and play with them," she said. "All I could do was sit there and sing and write silly songs with them." The emotional burden of living with constant pain became overwhelming, Gifford admitted. "I've had emotional pain many times in my life, but never this chronic physical pain where you literally want to go home to Jesus." Gifford explained the experience reminded her of conversations with her late husband, Frank Gifford, who often worried about meeting fans' expectations as his health declined. "I remember Frank saying to me before he passed, 'When I go somewhere, I know what people are expecting from me. I want to be Frank Gifford when I go out,'" she recalled. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "I want to be Kathie Lee, the person they expect," she explained. "I don't want to disappoint people. But when you're in pain, it's so debilitating, and everything's a grimace. I've had emotional pain many times in my life, but never this chronic physical pain where you literally want to go home to Jesus. At her lowest point, Gifford said she repeatedly prayed, "Lord, if this is all you have left for me, I want to go home." Now, after multiple surgeries, stem cell therapy and physical therapy six days a week, Gifford says she's finally reclaiming her life. She now runs "all over the place" with her grandchildren — a milestone she once feared might never come again. "They're all fantastic," she said. "I'm hoping, Lord willing, that I have many, many years with them." The television personality has embraced a busy new chapter as a grandmother, welcoming five grandchildren in just three years: Cody's children, Frank, 4; Ford, 2; and Faith, 10 months; as well as Cassidy's children, Finn, 3, and Rosie, 13 months. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a440b63c2ca79de23624677 House conservatives derail GOP agenda in SAVE America Act showdown te 2026-06-30T18:30:59.671Z House conservatives derail GOP agenda in SAVE America Act showdown The House floor remained effectively shut down Tuesday after more than a dozen House conservatives continued their blockade in protest of the stalled SAVE America Act. The group of holdouts, including Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., blocked a procedural vote, effectively freezing legislative business for the foreseeable future, after forcing GOP leaders to punt several votes last week. The hardball tactics have forced the chamber into legislative paralysis as House Speaker Mike Johnson, races to advance several legislative priorities before the July 4 recess. Lawmakers voted 198-224 against advancing a spate of legislative items — including a must-pass defense bill that will be paired with the SAVE America Act — with 14 Republicans voting "no." 'AS LONG AS IT TAKES': TRUMP ALLIES FREEZE HOUSE FLOOR TO PRESSURE SENATE ON VOTER ID BILL With such slim margins, Johnson could afford to lose just a handful of defections. The conservative rebels continued their floor blockade in apparent defiance of President Donald Trump, who urged the cohort to stop "grandstanding" in a Truth Social post last week. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., also called their hardball tactics "self-defeating" for Republicans’ agenda. "It doesn't make any sense," Johnson told reporters Monday. "We have to move forward with legislation and that's what I'll be telling them all."   He was seen having a tense conversation with Luna and several holdouts shortly before the failed vote. In a likely attempt to appease conservative hardliners, Johnson used a rare procedural maneuver this week to revive the Trump-backed election measure, which has sat in limbo in the Senate chamber for months amid widespread opposition from Democrats.  GOP leaders proposed merging the SAVE America Act with an annual defense policy bill, known as the National Defense Authorization Act, when sending the legislation over to the Senate. The House already passed that version of the SAVE America Act, but Johnson argued the upper chamber would be more likely to pass the measure if paired with a traditionally bipartisan bill. "Let's just have the full bill that's still sitting there and has been transmitted to the Senate, let's send it again, but put it as part of something that we hope and believe will be a bipartisan vote in both chambers, and that Democrats in the Senate will understand," Johnson said during a leadership press conference on Tuesday.  The GOP holdouts have repeatedly demanded that leadership attempt to jam the upper chamber with the election measure as Trump insists it's his top legislative priority. They largely withheld their support for Johnson’s proposal prior to the vote, arguing it would not force Senate action on the SAVE America Act. HOUSE GOP'S SAVE ACT RESCUE PLAN HITS RESISTANCE FROM CONSERVATIVE HOLDOUTS Luna said she wanted the SAVE America Act to be attached to the NDAA as an amendment or have a vote on an amendment to attach voter identification proof of citizenship requirements to the defense policy bill. "IF IT IS NOT DONE THIS WAY, IT WILL EASILY BE TAKEN OUT," Luna wrote on social media shortly before the vote.  Though both Trump and Johnson sharply criticized the floor blockade, Luna disputed that her approach was derailing Republicans’ agenda. "To, you know, say that we're holding up the process. This is legislating," the Florida lawmaker told reporters Monday, standing next to Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., who has also joined the SAVE protest. "If people elected us to just come up here and vote in line with what the party wants, then it would be a whole lot different."  The upper chamber is also considering its own version of the NDAA that does not include the election measure. Tuesday’s procedural vote also advanced fiscal year 2027 funding for the State Department and other foreign operations and a GOP-authored measure commemorating the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, among other measures. Some conservatives, including Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, threatened to withhold their support during the test vote over a stalled border security package they want to put to a chamber-wide vote. Johnson promised conservatives a vote on the legislation before the July 4 recess, but that deadline appears likely to pass without a floor vote. Republicans have also yet to release the bill text.  "There's no consensus," House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., told reporters Tuesday. "At the end of the day, we've got to have consensus before we can move forward." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a440b50c2ca79de2362466e 'Save Women's Sports' legal defense and trans athlete's attorneys speak out after landmark SCOTUS ruling te 2026-06-30T18:30:40.224Z 'Save Women's Sports' legal defense and trans athlete's attorneys speak out after landmark SCOTUS ruling The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling to uphold state laws protecting women's sports from trans athletes sent shockwaves across the nation on Tuesday. The attorneys who fought on both sides of the case have now spoken out in response. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) that represented trans athletes in West Virginia and Idaho, expressed "heartbreak" over the ruling. "This is a heartbreaking ruling for our clients and transgender girls like them who’ve asked for nothing more than the same opportunities afforded to their peers." ACLU senior counsel Joshua Block said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. "The reality is that the equality of transgender women and girls takes nothing away from, and in fact promotes, the equality of all women and girls. We will continue to advance the fundamental principle that all young people deserve equal opportunity to thrive and succeed." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Lambda Legal, a firm that also provided counsel to the trans athletes, also condemned the ruling, vowing to fight back. "This ruling is deeply harmful for transgender women and girls who only asked for the ability to participate in sports with their peers," Lambda Legal senior attorney Sasha Burchert added. "Countless studies have demonstrated the myriad benefits that come with participation in team sports. Now, one population, transgender youth and collegians, are targeted for specific and baseless discrimination. We will not be deterred and will continue to fight back to secure the equal participation that all youth, including transgender youth, deserve." Meanwhile, the attorneys from Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) and the attorneys general from Idaho and West Virginia praised and celebrated the court's ruling, while expressing disagreement with the three liberal justices who dissented and the attorneys who represent the trans athletes. Jim Campbell, chief legal counsel for ADF, told Fox News Digital in a post-ruling interview that the decision was a long-awaited correction after years of female athletes being forced to compete against biological males. "When we reject truth, the harm is real, widespread and devastating," Campbell said in the interview. "Across the country, girls have been losing medals, roster spots, titles, opportunities and privacy." SUPREME COURT MAKES RULING ON TRANS ATHLETES IN WOMEN'S SPORTS "But this decision changes all that," Campbell added in the interview. "It makes clear that states are free to protect women and girls and ensure that their sports remain for them." Campbell struck a similar tone during a press conference with the attorneys general, calling the ruling "a resounding victory for every girl told to sit down, stay quiet and get comfortable with males taking their roster spots, medals, records and scholarships." "The Supreme Court’s decision today affirms that states may enact common-sense laws protecting fairness, safety and equal opportunities for women and girls," Campbell said during the press conference. Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador told Fox News Digital in a separate interview that the case was personal to him even before he became attorney general, citing his daughter’s experience playing high school volleyball. "This is one of the reasons I ran for attorney general," Labrador said in the interview, "because I thought our state deserved an attorney general that would defend the laws of the state and would defend common sense." Labrador also said he had thought about what would have happened to his daughter’s own athletic opportunities "if there would have been several male athletes ahead of her." IDAHO AG SAYS SUPREME COURT TRANSGENDER SPORTS CASE DEFIES 'COMMON SENSE' During the press conference, Labrador said Idaho "led the nation" by becoming the first state to pass a law protecting women’s sports and "never wavered" in defending it. "Today’s decision is a victory for common sense, fairness and the countless girls and women who dedicate themselves to athletics," Labrador said during the press conference. "The Supreme Court has now confirmed that states can preserve fair competition and protect the opportunities that generations of women fought to secure." West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey told Fox News Digital in an interview that the hardest part of the litigation was hearing from girls and families in his state while the law was blocked. "There was this, what I knew to be an injustice happening in real time, and my hands were really tied by the rule of law and the decision by the Fourth Circuit," McCuskey said in the interview. "Listening to these girls and talking to these girls and believing in these girls, but having to wait… was very, very difficult." That, McCuskey said, made the ruling "vindicating," because "I know they won’t have to go through that again." During the press conference, McCuskey credited the legal teams and the female athletes who joined the fight. WOMEN INVOLVED IN SUPREME COURT CASES OVER TRANS ATHLETES OPEN UP ON FIGHTING HISTORIC LEGAL BATTLE "Without the bravery of those young women, I don’t think we’re standing here today," McCuskey said during the press conference. "This is a victory that has many, many fathers. And there is no more important group of people than these young women who courageously stood up." The ruling came in two consolidated cases, West Virginia v. B.P.J. and Little v. Hecox. The court held that Title IX allows schools to provide separate women’s and men’s sports teams defined by biological sex, and that West Virginia and Idaho did not violate the Equal Protection Clause by limiting girls’ and women’s sports to biological females. Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote the majority opinion, joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett. The court’s liberal bloc — Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson — dissented on the Equal Protection issue, while agreeing in part that the Title IX claim failed in a seemingly unanimous 9-0 agreement. The Supreme Court’s opinion noted that 27 states have enacted laws maintaining women’s and girls’ sports for biological females, and that the cases before the court concerned West Virginia’s 2021 Save Women’s Sports Act and Idaho’s 2020 Fairness in Women’s Sports Act. ADF represented female athletes who intervened in the cases, including Idaho State athletes Madison Kenyon and Mary Kate Marshall in the Idaho case and former West Virginia State soccer player Lainey Armistead in the West Virginia case, according to ADF case materials. The ACLU had argued that West Virginia’s law violated the Constitution and Title IX as applied to B.P.J., a transgender student who sought to compete in cross-country and track and field. Campbell told Fox News Digital in the interview that he believed the dissenters were wrong on the constitutional question, but he emphasized that the Title IX portion of the decision was a major defeat for the challengers. "The justices that dissented only did so on the constitutional question," Campbell said in the interview. "It’s really important to recognize that every single justice on the Supreme Court recognized that Title IX allows states to protect women’s sports." "On the equal protection issue, the majority of the court said that the 14th Amendment allows states to protect women’s sports, and the dissenting justices had a different view," Campbell added. McCuskey, responding in the interview to the statements from the ACLU and Lambda Legal, said he expected the groups to "respect the process and the rule of law" the same way conservatives did in cases they lost. "Nine of nine justices decided that these laws did not violate Title IX, and six of nine justices decided that this law did not violate the Equal Protection Clause," McCuskey said in the interview. "Sometimes in this world you lose, and in this instance they did, and the real winners here are the young women and girls who are going to be provided a safe and fair place to play going forward." Labrador, when asked in the interview about the response from the other side, said he felt sympathy for children dealing with gender identity issues, but said the case was ultimately about biological girls. "The reality is that biological girls were protected today, and that’s what this case was about," Labrador said in the interview. "That’s what Title IX is about. That’s what the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution is about, and I think it was the right decision." The majority opinion leaned heavily on fairness and safety, saying sports are "generally zero sum" and that every roster spot, medal, starting position and scholarship can come at the expense of another athlete. The court concluded that states may determine eligibility for women’s and girls’ teams based on biological sex, and that the Constitution does not require schools to make case-by-case exceptions for certain biological males who identify as female. Sotomayor, writing for the liberal justices, accused the majority of cutting the litigation short and argued that unresolved factual questions should have been returned to the lower courts. She wrote that the majority "inflicts a hardship on those it disfavors without giving them the fair and full opportunity the Constitution requires to litigate their contentions." Campbell said in the interview that the ruling should now put pressure on the remaining states that have not passed similar laws. "So at this point, what’s important to consider from a national perspective is that 27 states have protected women’s sports, but 23 states haven’t," Campbell said. "This decision is a wake-up call for those other 23 states to also protect women and girls on the playing field." During the press conference, McCuskey also called on Congress to act. 'SAVE WOMEN'S SPORTS' 2025 CULTURE WAR TIMELINE — THE YEAR THE TIDES TURNED "We are very, very hopeful that Congress specifically will step up, read this decision and say it’s time for a national policy on this issue," McCuskey said. "This is common sense. Nine justices agree with it on Title IX and six justices agree with this on equal protection." Campbell told Fox News Digital in the interview that ADF is already looking beyond Idaho and West Virginia. "We’re considering all options," Campbell said. "We’re certainly evaluating whenever we see injustice on the playing field, and if there are opportunities to bring lawsuits in other venues, we will strongly consider that." The ruling also raised immediate questions about whether the court’s reasoning could affect future cases involving locker rooms, bathrooms and other sex-separated spaces. Labrador said during the press conference that "there’s a lot of language in this decision" that could apply to locker rooms and bathrooms, while McCuskey said the opinion would "instruct" future cases involving whether women should have sex-specific spaces to change, sleep and get dressed. For supporters of the ruling, Tuesday’s decision was a sweeping victory for the women’s sports movement. For opponents, it was a setback that could fuel the next wave of litigation. Neither side sounded ready to stand down. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a440922c2ca79de23624613 Democratic congressman warns of 'dangerous' socialist agenda after far-left primary wins te 2026-06-30T18:21:22.346Z Democratic congressman warns of 'dangerous' socialist agenda after far-left primary wins A high-ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee blasted the rise of democratic socialism on Tuesday following last week's primary election wins in New York, calling the far-left sweep "dangerous" while poking holes in the party’s campaign platform. Speaking with CNN’s John Berman, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., weighed in on the primary election victories of two Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) members, Darializa Avila Chevalier and State Assemblywoman Claire Valdez, and former DSA member Brad Lander. All three candidates were endorsed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. "Well, there's two big things that are going on here that need to be separated," Smith told "CNN News Central," adding, "On the one hand, there is a real desire within the Democratic Party, within the broader coalition that we put together. They want to see us fight [President Donald] Trump more effectively. They want us to go after income inequality more aggressively, and they want new, younger faces." "When you look at some of these democratic socialists that are running, their ideology is vastly more radical than that," Smith said as he later turned to discuss the far-left primary wins. "You see that in expressing support for communism, in expressing support for open borders [and] defunding the police — a fundamental attack on America itself and the premises behind it." AOC ISSUES WARNING TO HER FELLOW DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENTS IN THE WAKE OF SOCIALISTS WINNING BIG IN NYC He added that the platform on which socialist candidates are promising to voters is inherently "dangerous" to the country and not a solid foundation on which to run a campaign. "It’s dangerous that people come in and say, ‘Hey, I’m going to fight Trump. I’m new. I’m going to get after income inequality,’" Smith continued. "But they’re pushing ideas and agendas that are not popular in this country — and frankly, not good policy on immigration enforcement, criminal justice, and the basic concept of personal responsibility, accountability and economic opportunity." "So it is a significant challenge for our coalition, no doubt about it," he added. MAMDANI-BACKED CLAIRE VALDEZ FACES BACKLASH OVER PAST ‘ABOLISH PRECHECK,’ AIRLINE NATIONALIZATION CALLS Berman then asked Smith who exactly is at risk of danger with the rise in the far-left, socialist agenda. "It’s bad policy," Smith said. "I think not having any immigration enforcement creates problems. It's also going to make it difficult for us to have an election — not actually funding the police and having a criminal justice system creates less security." He went on to point to the lapses in feasibility of carrying out such policies. "I also think that if you take personal responsibility and accountability out of it, and just say, ‘We’re going to give free stuff to everybody,’ then you have a problem making that work from a funding standpoint," Smith continued. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Smith concluded his argument against the rise of Democratic socialism by holding firm on the party’s key principles — while insisting the policies backed by socialist candidates are simply unable to win elections. "Look, it's work hard, play by the rules, get ahead," Smith said. "We need more opportunity, but the agenda, as you just described, of some of these folks is pretty radical, and I don't think good policy." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a44090ec2ca79de2362460a JONATHAN TURLEY: Birthright citizenship ruling leaves conservatives with only one path te 2026-06-30T18:21:02.889Z JONATHAN TURLEY: Birthright citizenship ruling leaves conservatives with only one path Today, Folarin Balogun secured a spot on the American soccer team for the World Cup...for a second time. That may be the most positive spin I can offer to those upset by today's 5-4 decision in favor of birthright citizenship. Balogun, one of the stars on our team, was born to Nigerian parents visiting the United States and then raised in England. According to the Supreme Court, he is — and was always intended to be — a citizen under the Fourteenth Amendment. SUPREME COURT RULES ON MAIL-IN BALLOTS RECEIVED AFTER ELECTION DAY It is a conclusion that divided the court 5-4, but, as in soccer, a one-point win is as good as a nine-point win. Roberts wrote for the majority that "The Framers of the Fourteenth Amendment extended that promise to 'every free-born person in this land.' We keep that promise today." The victory for birthright citizenship was due to the joining of Chief Justice John Roberts (who authored the decision) and Justice Amy Coney Barrett with the three liberal justices. They found the language and history of the amendment to be clear and, relying on prior rulings dating back decades, concluded that birth alone in this country is enough to confer citizenship — even if born to a tourist or someone briefly on our soil. It is a view that is rejected by the vast majority of countries, which rightfully view birthright citizenship as bonkers, including some which followed the practice and then rescinded it. The United States remains one of the outliers in maintaining this ill-considered practice. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote a dissent, joined by Justice Neil Gorsuch, effectively arguing that this is the invention of the Court, which refused to reconsider its lazy prior analysis. That included the Court's 1898 ruling in United States v. Wong Kim Ark, which expanded birthright citizenship beyond what the Reconstruction Congress had ever "contemplated." He noted that the Court could have resolved the case on narrower grounds consistent with the 14th Amendment: "Wong Kim Ark addressed only the citizenship of a child born to parents who were lawfully and permanently domiciled in the United States." The 5-4 decision unleashed another furious broadside on social media against Barrett, particularly after she authored the 5-4 decision on mail-in ballots again, this time with Roberts and her liberal colleagues. Barrett hit a nerve as one of the three Trump appointees, whom many hoped would be more in the vein of Alito or Thomas. Instead, she often writes with Roberts. The attacks on Barrett ignored that there are good-faith arguments on both sides of the birthright citizenship case. They also ignore that she regularly voted with the conservatives and for positions of the administration. For example, she voted to support states in requiring transgender athletes to compete with their biological sex. She previously was the most vocal justice in rejecting transgender status as a protected class akin to race or religion. President Trump has lashed out at his nominees over their adverse rulings. However, they remain one of his most impressive and positive legacies. President Trump said that he wanted independent and principled conservatives. He got them in Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. They are all extraordinary jurists who have dramatically elevated the Court's intellectual discussions. When I testified at Gorsuch's confirmation in the Senate, I told the senators that they were wrong to pigeonhole the nominee: he would go wherever his convictions took him. That has proven to be the case, and it is a great credit to Trump that he selected such independent minds. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION On birthright citizenship, the matter now rests not with the court, but the country. We have never truly had a national debate over the practice. The basis and future of birthright citizenship have remained matters almost exclusively for the courts. We must now decide whether to pursue such a debate as a constitutional amendment. While Congress can pass legislation cracking down on birth tourism, there is only so much that such laws can do in questioning why particular births occurred in the United States, such as the birth of Balogun. I can think of no more appropriate debate to have as we celebrate our 250th anniversary than what it means to be a citizen of this unique republic. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM JONATHAN TURLEY Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4408e4c2ca79de236245e1 Nvidia competitor Etched hits $5B valuation, $1B in sales for AI chip te 2026-06-30T18:20:20.399Z Nvidia competitor Etched hits $5B valuation, $1B in sales for AI chip Nvidia AI chip competitor Etched says it has already booked $1 billion under contract for the inference systems powered by its chip. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4406c7c2ca79de236245a7 Americans are giving up multivitamins for a different daily health habit, study finds te 2026-06-30T18:11:19.119Z Americans are giving up multivitamins for a different daily health habit, study finds Americans are popping more supplements – and fewer multivitamins – than ever before, a new study found. Research published in JAMA Network Open, led by researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, looked at 25 years of U.S. dietary supplement use data from 1999 to 2023. This included more than 63,000 adults over the age of 20 who reported their supplement usage. AGING COULD SLOW DOWN WITH ONE COMMON DAILY HABIT: 'LIVE LONGER AND BETTER' When tracking patterns over time, the analysis revealed that overall supplement use increased from 51% of U.S. adults to 60%. The largest rise – from 62% to 78% – was identified in adults 65 and older. Supplement use was found to be more common in women, people with a higher income or education, and those with insurance. During the same period, multivitamin use decreased from 35% to 31%, while intake of vitamins and minerals outside of multivitamins increased. Some of the largest increases in intake were seen in vitamin D, zinc, magnesium, vitamin B12 and turmeric. Other emerging supplements include ashwagandha, elderberry, collagen, hyaluronic acid, probiotics and prebiotics, according to the research. 'WILD WEST' PEPTIDE CRAZE SURGES BEYOND GLP-1S AS FDA FACES PRESSURE TO EASE ACCESS The later post-pandemic period saw an influx of immune support-based products, like zinc and vitamin D (outside of multivitamins). The rise in supplement use aligns with the longevity movement, as more people seek products tailored to specific health goals, such as immune support, inflammation, gut health, skin health and joint health. The study only shows that people are taking more supplements, but does not prove that they're effective for these uses, the researchers noted. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Los Angeles-based registered dietitian nutritionist Ilana Muhlstein gave her take on the emerging supplement movement. "I love that people are getting more educated and more intentional – I just wish they were being advised by more doctors and dietitians and less by ‘wellness influencers’ who are likely not doing the due diligence on the quality and efficacy of the supplements they’re promoting," she said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES Muhlstein expressed concern that all-in-one-multivitamin use has "slipped," despite the rise in GLP-1 weight-loss medications. "A multivitamin is where I think people should start as the foundation to help bridge nutrient gaps, especially for people on a GLP-1 who are eating about 15% to 30% less, and therefore likely consuming 15% to 30% less vitamins and minerals," she said. "I recommend that everyone on a GLP-1 medication [should] take a multivitamin daily." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER A daily probiotic, magnesium and vitamin D3 are also "smart for many of us," the nutritionist added. She also recommends elderberry as an effective supplement for boosting the immune system when fighting a cold. Collagen has also been shown to benefit the skin and joints, which Muhlstein said is "worth considering as we get older." "My real concern is the unregulated market," she cautioned. "I can’t tell you how many calls I’ve received over the years of people pitching me new supplements ... because the margins are high and the market is huge." "That’s why I’m extremely picky about what I take and what I recommend to my family and clients." TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Muhlstein warned against taking a supplement that hasn't gone through third-party testing for safety and quality. "The best ones go further and test for pesticides, arsenic and heavy metals, especially for protein powders," she said. "If a product has many ingredients, I like to see that they do testing on each individual ingredient." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4406b3c2ca79de2362459e ABC has no business on public airwaves because it operates 'like a partisan cable network,’ watchdog tells FCC te 2026-06-30T18:10:59.662Z ABC has no business on public airwaves because it operates 'like a partisan cable network,’ watchdog tells FCC The Media Research Center (MRC) has continued its crusade against Disney, declaring Monday that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) should not renew ABC’s licenses because it operates like a "partisan cable network." FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said in April that eight ABC-owned stations must prove they have been operating in the public interest as part of an ongoing look at Disney’s diversity, equity and inclusion [DEI] practices. The MRC called ABC "a political operation that peddles falsehoods, suppresses actual journalism, and justifies political violence" in a petition to the FCC.  "We finally have an FCC willing to hold Disney and ABC accountable. Broadcast licenses are a privilege, not an entitlement. In exchange for free use of the public airwaves, broadcasters agree to serve the public interest," MRC President David Bozell told Fox News Digital. "If ABC wants to operate like a partisan cable network, it should give up the benefits reserved for broadcast licensees," Bozell continued. "No one is above the law, and ABC should not have its broadcast licenses renewed." ABC LAUNCHES ON-AIR CAMPAIGN ENCOURAGING VIEWERS TO SUPPORT ‘THE VIEW’ IN BATTLE WITH TRUMP’S FCC The Disney-owned ABC affiliates’ licenses were originally scheduled to be renewed between 2028 and 2031, but Trump’s FCC expedited the process. The stations are KFSN-TV in Fresno, KABC-TV in Los Angeles, KGO-TV in San Francisco, WLS-TV in Chicago, WABC-TV in New York, WTVD in Durham, North Carolina, WPVI-TV in Philadelphia and KTRK-TV in Houston. The 27-page petition, first reported by The New York Post and obtained by Fox News Digital, said the "MRC has reviewed nearly 50,000 hours of ABC programming over 38 years, and has produced hundreds of studies detailing ABC’s systemic bias, dishonesty, and partisan activism."  ABC is home to entertainment programs like "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" along with news offerings including "Good Morning America," "The View" and "World News Tonight." Bozell, along with other supporters and MRC colleagues, laid out examples of the alleged bias, including criticism of ABC’s 2024 presidential debate and "The View" prominently featuring liberal guests.  "As unethical as its motives may be, ABC has First Amendment rights. But it does not have a right to use public spectrum to do so. It has numerous, non-public spectrum avenues to express whatever opinions it wishes," the petition said.  ABC did not immediately respond to a request for comment. FCC LAUNCHING PROBE INTO ABC'S 'THE VIEW' AMID CRACKDOWN ON EQUAL TIME FOR CANDIDATES ABC launched ads in those markets that declared, "The FCC is questioning our commitment to viewers by threatening to take us off the air," and urged viewers to speak up and help.  ABC wants viewers to offer public comment through the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System online and enter the corresponding docket number along with their submission. There have been over 100,000 public comments in support of ABC. The FCC is also investigating ABC's "The View" amid the agency's crackdown on equal time for political candidates after Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico appeared on the daytime gabfest. Disney’s ABC believes "The View" is bona fide news and, therefore, exempt from the equal time rule.    Bozell has emerged as a thorn in Disney’s side since taking control of the conservative watchdog last year and recently penned an 18-page letter arguing "The View" is not based on newsworthiness but rather is used for "partisan purposes" such as advancing a preferred candidate.  "ABC claims that its daytime television program The View is a ‘bona fide news interview program’ and thus should be exempt from Congress’s equal opportunity rules. This claim is belied by the facts," Bozell wrote to FCC division chief Maria Mullarkey in a letter that was first obtained by Fox News Digital.  ABC FIRES BACK AT FCC PROBE OF 'THE VIEW,' CALLS OUT AGENCY'S 'CHILLING EFFECT ON FIRST AMENDMENT' "While The View may once have qualified for an exemption, the evidence shows that it has for years operated for political purposes and is therefore not entitled to an exemption to the law," he added. "The View is a political operation of the Democratic Party, not a bona fide news interview program." Bozell said the MRC "has the documentation to demonstrate that The View is a partisan political operation that advocates for Democrats and their party, against President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans, and for the political priorities of the left," and can prove that ABC "misrepresented its program in its petition to the FCC" by improperly citing First Amendment case law, and trivializing the actual harms of censorship through false outrage at the Commission’s legitimate questions. "In support of its petition, MRC will be submitting 2,473 separate pieces of evidence documenting The View’s pervasive bias and, at times, willful electioneering as exhibits to this comment," Bozell wrote. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a44068cc2ca79de2362456f Anthropic launches Claude Sonnet 5 as a cheaper way to run agents te 2026-06-30T18:10:20.246Z Anthropic launches Claude Sonnet 5 as a cheaper way to run agents Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet 5 brings stronger agentic capabilities, lower pricing, and improved safety, positioning the model as a cheaper alternative to Opus, GPT-5.5, and Gemini Pro. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a440499c2ca79de236244dc Supreme Court lambasted over 'destructive' and 'outrageous' birthright citizenship decision te 2026-06-30T18:02:01.799Z Supreme Court lambasted over 'destructive' and 'outrageous' birthright citizenship decision The Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision upholding birthright citizenship as the law of the land enraged critics, who warned it will open the floodgates for third-world and pro-Communist "birth tourism" at a time when immigration enforcement is cracking down on illegal entry. Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett joined Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. and the court's three liberals in the 6-3 majority in Trump v. Barbara, while the court's three remaining conservatives dissented. The case, brought by an immigrant in New Hampshire under the pseudonym Barbara for her own protection from retaliation, challenged President Donald Trump’s executive order that sought to exempt birthright citizenship from the Fourteenth Amendment, which was crafted to ensure formerly enslaved people obtained American citizenship. SUPREME COURT'S LATEST IMMIGRATION RULING WILL CAUSE AMERICANS TO 'DIE AND SUFFER' ATTORNEY WARNS White House advisor Stephen Miller called the ruling "one of the most destructive and outrageous decisions in the long history of the Supreme Court." "American citizenship is not the birthright of the world. It belongs only and solely to Americans. No provision of the Constitution can be read to require our national self-obliteration," he said. "The constant diluting of our citizenship. Everyone can vote. Everyone’s a citizen. Everyone gets Medicaid. Everyone qualifies for food stamps," said Daniel Turner, president of the pro-domestic energy group Power the Future. LOS ANGELES PROPOSAL TO ALLOW NONCITIZENS TO VOTE IN LOCAL ELECTIONS SPARKS ONLINE BACKLASH "You’re American. So is the Mexican who arrived 11 minutes ago or the Chinese spy who paid for birth tourism: Because ‘equity’." Turner’s take echoed a common refrain among those long concerned that such a ruling would result in an influx of illegal immigrants having babies on American soil before returning to their home countries, allowing their children to vote in U.S. elections once they turn 18. Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., wasted no time proposing legislation to address the ruling after Kavanaugh wrote in his concurring opinion that Trump’s order didn’t violate the Constitution but did violate a federal law crafted in the spirit of the Fourteenth Amendment. TRUMP'S SAVE AMERICA ACT SHOWS SIGNS OF LIFE IN THE SENATE DESPITE REPUBLICAN REVOLT "The Supreme Court’s birthright citizenship decision is wrong, dangerous, and disastrous for American sovereignty and the American people," Schmitt said in a statement. "If we can't fix it with ordinary legislation, then we must do what the Constitution commands in moments of national crisis: We must amend the Constitution and restore American citizenship." "We must again put ‘We the People’ first. The Supreme Court’s decision constitutionalizing unlimited birthright citizenship for the children of illegal aliens and temporarily present aliens is wrong—and disastrous for our sovereignty and the future of our republic." Schmitt said America is already reaping the fruits of birthright citizenship in light of "foreign communists essentially taking over New York City politics." Mayor Zohran Mamdani, for one, was born in Uganda, moved to New York with his family as a child and later became a naturalized U.S. citizen. Schmitt said his constitutional amendment — which would be the first in nearly 40 years if ratified — would fix the loophole the court created. "Today is a sad day in the history of our republic," he said. Rep. Clay Fuller, R-Ga., who recently succeeded former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, said on X that the Supreme Court put the future of illegal immigrants over real American children. "We cannot continue to support this invasion taking place. Congress must act before it's too late," he said, adding that he is introducing HR 172 – a Constitutional amendment likely to correspond with Schmitt’s Senate version. Former law professor John Eastman, who previously advised Trump on election law matters, said Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch’s dissents were "strong, and in my view, correct." Meanwhile, Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet tweeted that a willingness to overturn the case is the "new litmus test for every new Supreme Court justice." "The Court has utterly and completely failed America. The dissent of Justice Thomas will prove prescient: 'I'm not sure that today's decision will stand the test of time.'" In the run-up to the decision, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis correctly predicted on X that Thomas and Alito would be featured dissenting against a "bad ruling." When informed of the ruling during a news conference on Capitol Hill, House Speaker Mike Johnson audibly grumbled before stating that the majority justices put forth what one "could say [is] a textualist originalist view." "However, I do think that this has been grossly abused in recent years." Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts agreed, adding in a statement that the ruling is a "tremendous betrayal of the Republic." "The Justices in the majority have inflamed the all-out assault on our sovereignty and cheapened the sacred value of American citizenship. Universal birthright citizenship erases any uniquely American birthright—a distortion that was never the meaning or intention of the 14th Amendment. It is time for a constitutional amendment to correct this gross injustice." SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER The ruling did have its celebrants, including Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, and Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif. Padilla said in a statement that the Constitution "could not be clearer" that if someone is born in the U.S. they are a citizen — "period." "While there is nothing surprising about Donald Trump’s efforts to erode birthright citizenship and disregard laws he doesn’t like, today’s decision reaffirms over a century of legal precedent protecting this fundamental constitutional right," Padilla said. The senator added that the ruling is personal for him as the son of Mexican immigrants. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul concurred, saying in a statement that as the granddaughter of Irish immigrants, she was "heartened" by the court. "The Statue of Liberty stands proudly in our harbor, and New York will always stand with those seeking the promise of America," Hochul said. Schmitt and Fuller’s amendment would require approval by two-thirds of both the House and Senate, or by a constitutional convention called by two-thirds of the states. The convention method has never been used to ratify any of the Constitution’s 27 amendments. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a440486c2ca79de236244d3 Mamdani-backed socialist in hot seat again over deleted posts praising communism, Marxism: 'Crazypants' te 2026-06-30T18:01:42.338Z Mamdani-backed socialist in hot seat again over deleted posts praising communism, Marxism: 'Crazypants' Socialist New York congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier is facing criticism over a deleted social media account that featured posts where she expressed support for communism, Marxist principles, and reverence for Soviet figures.  Avila Chevalier, backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), operated the Twitter account Darializabonet until it was deleted in June 2022. The account, according to CNN, called Karl Marx a "must read", complained that libraries didn’t provide enough Marxist literature, and quoted convicted cop killer Assata Shakur.  "I just cannot get over the fact that the universe has foisted upon us the perfect illustration of literally every failing of capitalism and people are still like we can’t be communists cuz there won’t be enough types of soup," a post retweeted by Avila Chevalier said. Avila Chevalier, who has already faced criticism over deleted posts calling to abolish the police and discussing wiping her hands on an American flag, was widely slammed by conservatives and moderates both online and on television over the new CNN report. MAMDANI STANDS BY FELLOW SOCIALIST CANDIDATE DESPITE RESURFACED FAR-LEFT, ANTI-AMERICAN POSTS "Our party has become an orgy of socialism," Sen. John Fetterman said during a Fox News appearance and also posted on X, "Will Democrats continue to defend Crazypants or pretend, ‘Oh, I wasn’t really paying attention?’" "It cannot be overstated just how radical Darializa Avila Chevalier is," UPenn student Eyal Yakoby posted on X.  "Funny, I was told repeatedly on live TV that socialism and communism are totally different and in no way, shape, or form are these Democratic Socialists the same as communists," CNN political commentator Scott Jennings posted on X. MAMDANI-BACKED SOCIALIST PRIMARY WINNER FOUNDED GROUP WHOSE GOAL IS TO ‘ERADICATE' WESTERN CIVILIZATION "‘Democratic Socialist’ is to the Communist what ‘National Socialist’ was to the Nazi," reality TV star and former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt posted on X. "The enemy is inside the gates," Republican Sen. Tim Sheehy posted on X. "Socialism/communism have killed more people than every other -’ism’ combined. Add in radical Islamism and you have an apocalyptic combination." "These people are the vanguard of an America-hating wave of progressive lunatics." Fox News Digital reached out to Avila Chevalier for comment.  AvilaChevalier, despite her history of anti-American rhetoric, defeated the incumbent Democratic Rep. Adriano Espaillat in New York's 13th Congressional District Democratic primary on Tuesday. She is widely expected to defeat her Republican opponent in November in one of the bluest cities in the United States. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a440472c2ca79de236244ca Celebrate America 250 with this $10 hat FOX readers can't stop buying te 2026-06-30T18:01:22.895Z Celebrate America 250 with this $10 hat FOX readers can't stop buying This FOX News reader-favorite hat lets you celebrate America's 250th anniversary in style. It has everything from the American flag to bold patriotic designs engraved on the front and is actually super comfortable. More than 300 shoppers bought it in the past month, making it a standout pick for the Fourth of July. Grab yours for just $10 on Amazon. READ MORE: America 250 gear on Amazon: Save up to 60% on hats, garden flags and more The adjustable baseball hat features some of the country's most recognizable symbols, including the Statue of Liberty, the Liberty Bell and a bald eagle, all set against a navy background that pairs easily with your favorite patriotic outfits. An embroidered American flag on the side also adds a classic finishing touch. READ MORE: Don't let the heat ruin your Fourth of July plans — 13 products to help you stay cool It's easy to see why this America 250 commemorative hat has earned mostly 5-star reviews on Amazon. The printed design stands up to regular wear, while the adjustable metal clasp keeps the fit secure and comfortable. "This hat can handle more than it should," one reviewer wrote, adding that it's "well-made and very sturdy." Other shoppers were just as impressed, especially considering the $10 price tag. One reviewer said the "stitching is tight, everything is straight and colors are vibrant." If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can get this hat sent to your door ASAP. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a44045fc2ca79de236244c1 Mississippi district attorney Jody Owens resigns after pleading guilty in federal bribery case: report te 2026-06-30T18:01:03.426Z Mississippi district attorney Jody Owens resigns after pleading guilty in federal bribery case: report Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens resigned on Monday after pleading guilty in a sprawling federal bribery case in Mississippi. Owens pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge Monday in U.S. District Court in Jackson, according to a report by local outlet WAPT. An October 2024 indictment initially charged Owens with conspiracy, federal program bribery, wire fraud, money laundering and making false statements, according to the report. The case stemmed from a 2022 FBI undercover operation where agents posed as real estate developers interested in building a convention center hotel in downtown Jackson, the outlet reported.  JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, MAYOR FACING FEDERAL BRIBERY CHARGES TRAILS CHALLENGER IN MAYORAL ELECTION RESULTS Federal prosecutors allegedthat  Owens accepted at least $115,000 in cash, along with promises of future financial perks, in exchange for using his influence to push the project through city government channels, according to WAPT. Undercover recordings allegedly captured Owens detailing how public officials could be bribed and how the illicit funds could be laundered through businesses and campaign donations, the outlet reported. RESIGNATION IS THE NEW ESCAPE HATCH AS LAWMAKERS FACE EXPULSION In the wake of his guilty plea, Owens took to Facebook on Monday to announce his official resignation, which takes effect July 1. Calling it "one of the most difficult decisions" he has ever made, Owens wrote that while it "hurts beyond measure" to leave a position he loves, it was the best choice for his family and the district attorney's office.  "Serving as your District Attorney has been the privilege and honor of a lifetime," Owens wrote in the post.  "To everyone who has supported, encouraged, and prayed for Michelle, our children, and me over these past two years, thank you.… As we begin this next chapter, I ask only that you continue to keep our family in your prayers," he added. A conspiracy conviction carries a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison, along with a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Owens’ sentencing date has been set for Oct. 15. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Mississippi and Hinds County District Attorney's Office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a440434c2ca79de23624492 Acti puts AI agents directly into your smartphone keyboard te 2026-06-30T18:00:20.499Z Acti puts AI agents directly into your smartphone keyboard Startup Acti is betting the smartphone keyboard is the next home for AI assistants. Its new keyboard for iOS and Android works across apps and lets users create custom AI-powered shortcuts using natural language. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4401ccc2ca79de2362442d US Supreme Court upholds transgender athlete bans in Idaho, West Virginia te 2026-06-30T17:50:04.423Z US Supreme Court upholds transgender athlete bans in Idaho, West Virginia The U.S. Supreme Court on Oct. 29, 2024. (Photo by Jane Norman/States Nerwsroom) WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday kept in place state laws banning transgender athletes from participating on women’s and girls’ sports teams. The decision stems from challenges to bans in Idaho and West Virginia and marks a major setback for transgender rights across the country. The opinion also came as President Donald Trump’s administration has pursued a broad anti-trans agenda that has extended beyond athletics. The nation’s highest court found, 6-3, that the bans in Idaho and West Virginia do not violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment — a key question in both cases before the court.  The court was unanimous that Title IX, a landmark 1972 law that mandated sports teams be equally provided to male and female students, does not block bans like the ones in Idaho and West Virginia. Becky Pepper-Jackson attends the Lambda Legal Liberty Awards on June 8, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Lambda Legal ) The majority opinion, written by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, rejected the argument from Becky Pepper-Jackson, the transgender West Virginia girl in the case, that excluding trans girls from boys’ teams ran afoul of a 1974 amendment to Title IX that schools set “reasonable” provisions about sports participation. West Virginia’s law — similar to those imposed by 27 other states, the International Olympic Committee, the NCAA and other sports bodies — was at least reasonable, Kavanaugh said. “Whether biological males may participate on women’s and girls’ sports teams may be a debated policy question,” he wrote. “But the legal question for Title IX purposes is whether West Virginia may limit women’s and girls’ sports teams to biological females. As a matter of text and history, West Virginia may do so.” Liberals would impose more scrutiny The court’s three liberal justices agreed that Title IX did not prevent laws such as West Virginia’s and Idaho’s. But they disagreed on the equal protection issue, and would have remanded the case back to the West Virginia federal trial court for further fact-finding. “In not taking this modest step, the majority badly errs in two ways,” Justice Sonia Sotomayor said in a dissent joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson. Demonstrators rallied outside the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, as justices heard two cases on state bans of trans athletes. (Photo by Jane Norman/States Newsroom) There is an “unresolved factual dispute” about if transgender and cisgender girls “are similarly situated,” Sotomayor said. And the majority invoked “scientific uncertainty” to give too much deference to West Virginia. Both matters could have been resolved at lower courts, Sotomayor wrote. “None of this is to suggest what the eventual outcome of this litigation would have been, or even should have been, had the majority allowed the courts below to make the missing factual determinations and had those courts correctly applied heightened scrutiny with the benefit of those facts,” she said. “The point, rather, is that this Court’s equal protection precedents require a very different approach.” Idaho law The Idaho case contested the Gem State’s 2020 law categorically banning trans athletes from competing on women’s and girls’ sports teams. Lindsay Hecox sued over the ban in 2020, just months before the law — the first of its kind in the nation — was set to take effect.  Hecox wanted to try out for the women’s track and cross-country teams at Boise State University, but the Idaho law would have prevented her from doing so because she is transgender.  An Idaho federal court halted the law from taking effect later in 2020. A federal appeals court upheld the ruling in 2023 but later adjusted its scope in 2024 to only apply to Hecox, not other athletes. In July 2024, Idaho appealed to the Supreme Court. Hecox later asked both an Idaho federal court and the Supreme Court to drop the case.  Though a federal judge in Idaho rejected that attempt in October, the Supreme Court deferred the request until after oral arguments were heard back in January.  Idaho Republicans cheer Several of Idaho’s leading elected officials, all Republicans, issued statements praising Tuesday’s ruling. Gov. Brad Little noted in an emailed statement that the Idaho law was the first of its kind at the state level. “We are leading the nation in supporting generations of women and men who fought hard to uphold Title IX protections and keep girls and women safe,” he said. “I want to thank the Idaho Legislature and Representative Barbara Ehardt in particular for her leadership on this issue of great importance to female athletes across Idaho and the nation. This is a historic moment for common sense!” Ehardt,who sponsored Idaho’s ban in the state Legislature called the decision the end of an “amazing journey.”  “I said from the very beginning that it would end up at the Supreme Court, and when it did, I was privileged enough to sit in that courtroom and listen,” Ehardt said. “I expected my legislation, and thus Title IX, to be upheld as it should be. Opportunities for girls and women should never be confused with male feelings!” West Virginia law The case in West Virginia surrounded a 2021 Mountain State law that also bans trans athletes from participating on women’s and girls’ sports teams.   Pepper-Jackson wanted to try out for the girls’ cross-country team when starting middle school, but would have been prevented from doing so under the state law because she is transgender.  In 2021, Pepper-Jackson’s mother sued on her behalf. A federal appeals court in 2024 barred the state from enforcing the ban, which prompted West Virginia to ask the Supreme Court to weigh in.  Trump’s anti-trans agenda Meanwhile, the Trump administration has sought at the federal level to prohibit trans athletes’ participation in women’s sports teams aligning with their gender identity, including through an executive order Trump signed last year. That executive order made it the policy of the United States to “rescind all funds from educational programs that deprive women and girls of fair athletic opportunities, which results in the endangerment, humiliation, and silencing of women and girls and deprives them of privacy.” The NCAA promptly changed its policy to comply with the order, limiting “competition in women’s sports to student-athletes assigned female at birth only.” Trump has signed other executive orders targeting trans people, including orders that make it the “policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female,” restrict access to gender-affirming care for kids and aim to bar openly transgender service members from the U.S. military. Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, to commend the justices. “BIG WIN: The United States Supreme Court  just RULED AGAINST MEN PLAYING IN WOMEN’S SPORTS,” he wrote. “Wow! That takes that ridiculous situation off the table!!!” Other reaction Reaction poured in Tuesday from lawmakers and other officials, both in favor and against the court’s ruling. Many who endorsed the decision, including U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg, made some version of the declaration that “women’s sports are for women.” “Unfortunately, radical gender ideology bolstered by policies pushed under the Biden-Harris administration chipped away at Title IX protections. As a result, the very female athletes the law was meant to empower were sidelined in the name of ‘equality,’” Walberg, a Michigan Republican, said in a statement. He added that he was “grateful” to the justices and said his committee’s Republicans “will always stand with women athletes.” U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito made a similar statement in a social media post “Girls’ sports are for girls. It’s common sense,” the West Virginia Republican said. “I’m thankful SCOTUS has upheld West Virginia’s law protecting female athletes.” Critics of the ruling vowed to continue efforts to create protections for trans people. League of Women Voters CEO Celina Stewar said the decision “sends a dangerous message that some students are less worthy of dignity, opportunity, and belonging.”  “Policies that intentionally target and marginalize young people simply for who they are weaken our democracy and violate the values of fairness and inclusion that define who we are as a nation,” she said. “The League stands in solidarity with all affected students, and we remain committed to ensuring that equality  becomes a lived reality for everyone.” U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, a New Mexico Democrat who co-chairs the Democratic Women’s Caucus, said in a post to social media the decision centered on “whether LGBTQ+ rights are civil rights protected by federal law.” “The answer is YES—and we will keep fighting until it is clear this is the law of the land!” she added. And leaders in blue states that do not have laws like the ones upheld Tuesday said they would not be affected. “Today’s ruling, while predictable, is yet another disturbing affront to personal liberties by providing states with a license to discriminate,” Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey said. “The Court was clear that this decision had no bearing with respect to a state’s choice to include transgender athletes and as such, will not implicate the Department of Justice’s case against Maine.” Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4401cbc2ca79de23624405 What to Know About the Supreme Court’s Birthright Citizenship Order te 2026-06-30T17:50:03.526Z What to Know About the Supreme Court’s Birthright Citizenship Order The decision ends one of the most aggressive parts of Trump’s immigration agenda. But hundreds of other restrictions have taken effect. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43ff72c2ca79de23624397 Texas Rangers get the nod over Cleveland Guardians in tonight's MLB betting pick despite road struggles te 2026-06-30T17:40:02.966Z Texas Rangers get the nod over Cleveland Guardians in tonight's MLB betting pick despite road struggles I finally got off the slide last night and now have won three of the past four MLB games that I've played. I did catch a little bit of luck yesterday as the Diamondbacks scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. In fairness, they were winning until the top of the fifth. It was nice to be on the right side of it either way. Tonight, we head to the American League and look for a win. If you're familiar with Greek mythology at all, you've probably heard about Sisyphus. For those who don't know, he was a guy who was condemned by the Greek gods to push a huge boulder up the hill, only for it to roll back down every time it got to the top. That's how I feel about the Texas Rangers. Every time they get close to looking like a winning team, they have a setback and go back under .500. They are over for the moment at 42-41, and perhaps, this is the time they get the boulder over and keep moving forward. However, I think they are what they are - an average team that needs to find a way to get on a roll. Starting pitching really hasn't been the problem for the Rangers. It has been more about a lack of consistent offense. Today, they send out Jacob deGrom to do his work. We know that deGrom's arm was blessed by the gods early in his career, but even now, he is still turning in solid outings. He is 6-5 for the season with a 3.55 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP. He has struggled on the road this year with a 4.60 road ERA. What is crazy is that he has three games where he allowed six earned runs. He faced Cleveland earlier this month and allowed no runs in six innings of work. I'm not sure I have a mythological comparison for the Cleveland Guardians. All I can say about this team is that every year, they seem to be one of the better teams in baseball and find a way to win despite not having top-tier talent. Perhaps that is a lesson in roster construction for the rest of the league. The Guardians are three games over .500, and they are one game back of the White Sox, so you can once again count on them having a say on who wins the division. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! What the Guardians have always done a very good job of is finding reliable starting pitching. Tonight, they have Tanner Bibee taking the hill. Bibee is 2-8 for the season with a 3.78 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. He is doing slightly better at home than on the road. However, he has allowed more homers at home than on the road. And, he has allowed identical earned runs on the road as at home this season; he just has one more start at home and roughly five more innings. Bibee also faced the Rangers earlier this month and turned in his best start of the year. He went eight scoreless innings and allowed three hits. Bibee has good numbers against Rangers hitters in his career, with just 11 hits allowed in 56 at-bats. Jake Burger might be worth a look at for total bases or a homer, as he is 2-for-5 with two homers against him. I'm not sure I'll get involved in the player prop market for this game, though. The play here is to take the Rangers. Call it a bit of a hunch, but if I'm backing either of these pitchers to replicate the performance from earlier in the month, I'm taking deGrom. He has struggled a bit on the road, but part of that is from the really bad games. Otherwise, he is pitching fairly well. Give me the Rangers on the moneyline tonight. 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/6a43ff72c2ca79de2362438e Air Force reveals B-2's hidden ship killer capability as China threat grows te 2026-06-30T17:40:02.643Z Air Force reveals B-2's hidden ship killer capability as China threat grows The Air Force revealed Monday that its flagship B-2 Spirit stealth bomber can now strike enemy warships with the long range anti-ship missile (LRASM), publicly unveiling the capability after a live-fire exercise in the Western Pacific. The stealth bomber launched a long-range anti-ship missile during Exercise Valiant Shield 26, a U.S.-led multinational exercise involving American and allied forces across the Western Pacific, in a sinking exercise north of the Mariana Islands. The announcement comes as the Pentagon increasingly focuses on preparing for a potential conflict in the Indo-Pacific, where China's rapidly expanding navy would present one of the U.S. military's biggest challenges. Publicly demonstrating the B-2's new maritime strike capability also serves as a signal that the stealth bomber could play a key role in holding high-value naval targets at risk. "The B-2's impressive performance underscores the U.S. military’s commitment to adaptability and flexibility in the face of emerging security challenges," Gen. Kevin B. Schneider, commander of Pacific Air Forces, said in a statement. TRUMP PLAN FOR FOREIGN SHIPBUILDERS COULD CREATE 540,000 JOBS AND EXPAND US FLEET "By prioritizing counter-maritime strike operations, we can maintain a decisive edge over adversaries, protect our national interests and ensure the free and open Pacific that underpin our global security." Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) could not immediately be reached by Fox News Digital for details, but confirmed to The War Zone that the B-2 fired the anti-ship missile at a decommissioned amphibious warfare ship known as the USS Juneau during the exercise. U.S. and partner-nation forces battered the decommissioned warship, which entered service in 1969, with coordinated air, surface and subsurface strikes June 27 and June 28, sending it to the bottom of the Philippine Sea more than 200 nautical miles off the coast of Guam, according to a Navy release. A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine delivered the final blow with a torpedo. TIM SHEEHY EXPOSES A 'SCARY' SHIPBUILDING COLLAPSE THAT LEAVES THE US VULNERABLE TO CHINA China continues to expand the world's largest navy and fields an array of long-range anti-ship missiles aimed at keeping U.S. forces at bay in the Western Pacific. The People's Liberation Army Navy will grow from more than 370 battle force ships to roughly 435 by 2030, according to Pentagon projections. U.S. Navy currently operates about 291 battle force ships. But Beijing has yet to field its long-awaited H-20 stealth bomber, leaving the U.S. with an operational capability China has not yet publicly demonstrated: pairing a stealth bomber with a long-range anti-ship cruise missile capable of striking high-value naval targets in heavily defended airspace. While long range anti-ship missile already is carried by the Air Force's B-1B Lancer and the Navy's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, integrating the missile onto the B-2 gives the Air Force a stealth platform capable of carrying the weapon. The B-2 Spirit is the Air Force's only operational stealth bomber, designed to penetrate sophisticated enemy air defenses while carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons. Most recently, B-2s flew from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri to strike Iranian nuclear facilities during Operation Midnight Hammer, dropping 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs in the weapon's first combat use. The demonstration could also foreshadow future missions for the B-21 Raider, the Air Force's next-generation stealth bomber, which eventually will replace the B-2. While the Air Force has not disclosed which anti-ship weapons the B-21 will carry, officials say it is being designed to employ a broad mix of stand-off and direct-attack conventional munitions.  EUROPE'S $116B FIGHTER JET 'FAILURE' RAISES FRESH DOUBTS ABOUT ABILITY TO DEFEND ITSELF WITHOUT US The B-21 is expected to begin entering operational service in 2027. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43ff72c2ca79de23624385 Jackson accuses Thomas of echoing infamously racist court decision in birthright citizenship clash te 2026-06-30T17:40:02.270Z Jackson accuses Thomas of echoing infamously racist court decision in birthright citizenship clash Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson on Tuesday accused Justice Clarence Thomas of echoing "one of Dred Scott’s core tenets" by opposing the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold birthright citizenship.  In Jackson’s concurrence with the majority’s opinion in Trump v. Barbara, she argued that the 14th Amendment’s citizenship clause was historically intended to apply to all people born in the United States, including children of illegal immigrants, contrary to Thomas’s position that the amendment was ratified specifically to provide slaves freed after the Civil War with citizenship. "Freed Blacks fought for the shared humanity of all people. And the Great Emancipator eventually foresaw that the only path forward that could prevent a return — in any form — to slavery and race-based subordination was to link the fates of all," Jackson wrote. "Of course, the ultimate irony is that for all the talk about the detestable Dred Scott decision, the Government and [Thomas] propose a return to its core tenet. Their bottom line is that, for certain people, being born on American soil will not suffice to confer citizenship." By invoking "Dred Scott," Jackson is referencing an 1857 Supreme Court decision in which the majority held that people of African descent "are not included, and were not intended to be included, under the word 'citizens' in the Constitution, and can therefore claim none of the rights and privileges which that instrument provides for and secures to citizens of the United States." CHINA EXPLOITING 'BIRTH TOURISM' TO GAIN LONG-TERM POLITICAL INFLUENCE IN US, AUTHOR WARNS According to Thomas, however, Jackson’s universalist characterization of the historical context surrounding the 14th Amendment was unfounded. "After the Civil War, the Reconstruction Congress overruled Dred Scott, first with the Civil Rights Act of 1866, then with the Citizenship Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment," Thomas wrote. "Both the Civil Rights Act and the Citizenship Clause guaranteed citizenship to persons born and domiciled in the United States regardless of their race. Neither guaranteed citizenship to persons who were not domiciled in the United States." LAWYER WHO BEAT HAWAII GUN LAW CALLS STATE’S RELIANCE ON BLACK CODE ‘DISGRACEFUL’ Thomas went on to describe the distinction he believes is drawn between Black Americans and foreigners residing in the country. "Blacks were entitled to citizenship because they were Americans. They had no other homeland, owed no allegiance to any foreign power, and were subject to no other authority," the justice went on. "The same could not be said for the children of foreign temporary visitors. Foreign temporary visitors were attached to their home country, lacked similar bonds to this country, and would not be called upon in time of war." SUPREME COURT'S SHOWDOWN ON BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP DECISION COULD RESHAPE AMERICA Thomas argued that citizenship under the 14th Amendment requires birth in the United States as well as "domicile," a legal concept he defines as both one’s physical home and one's permanent allegiance to the country. Children of foreign temporary visitors, per Thomas, do not qualify because, although subject to U.S. laws while here, they remain tied to another sovereign and are not fully "subject to the jurisdiction" of the United States in the constitutional sense. Jackson fired back at this line of reasoning, calling it "myopic." "Despite his longstanding endorsement of a ‘colorblind’ Constitution, Justice Thomas now surprisingly suggests that the Citizenship Clause was a race-conscious remedial measure, relating only to ‘freed slaves such as Dred Scott,’" she wrote. "It is for this reason, he says, that ‘children who were born in the United States but [to parents] not domiciled here’ are not entitled to claim birthright citizenship. But that narrow vision of the Fourteenth Amendment bears little relationship to the history of its ratification. Even worse, Justice Thomas’s telling elides the entire point of the Second Founding." "The Reconstruction Amendments were an anticaste, antisubordination reset for the Nation, not a mere spot treatment for the dark stain of slavery," Jackson asserted. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43ff71c2ca79de23624377 ‘Heartbreaking’ Ruling Leaves Trans Advocates Crestfallen te 2026-06-30T17:40:01.234Z ‘Heartbreaking’ Ruling Leaves Trans Advocates Crestfallen The ruling upholding two state laws blocking transgender athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s sports was the latest in a series of defeats. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43fd1cc2ca79de23624339 ‘Breathing oven air’: 32 years after Lake Havasu City became America’s hottest city te 2026-06-30T17:30:04.840Z ‘Breathing oven air’: 32 years after Lake Havasu City became America’s hottest city This week marks 32 years since the record-breaking 128-degree temperature was recorded at a fire station in Lake Havasu City. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43fd1cc2ca79de23624330 🚧 Havasu Tip List | How 'blind person area' signage works te 2026-06-30T17:30:04.467Z 🚧 Havasu Tip List | How 'blind person area' signage works Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43fd1bc2ca79de23624307 Wisconsin Badgers just added the perfect jersey sponsorship if there is such a thing te 2026-06-30T17:30:03.464Z Wisconsin Badgers just added the perfect jersey sponsorship if there is such a thing One of the most controversial things to happen in sports over the last five to seven years or so is the introduction of jersey ads. Sure, they've been around in Europe and in the minor leagues forever, but now major league teams and even colleges are adding them. But now and then, someone comes up with a perfect jersey ad, and that's what the Wisconsin Badgers have done. It seems borderline sacrilegious to throw a corporate sponsorship on the Badgers' iconic cardinal red and white getups. Especially one that doesn't share those colors. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE But they may have found a solution: Butter burger-flippin', Concrete Mixer-slingin' fast-food chain, Culver's. I feel like a significant portion of the Badgers fanbase was very angry when they heard they were slapping ads on their uniforms, but that subsided at least 20%, if not completely, when they saw it was Culver's. They love Culver's there. And I think this might be the answer to these jersey sponsorships. I don't totally hate the way they look, because I think they become part of the uniform. Think about motorsports, where the sponsor is the paint scheme or livery. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! But I think you can convince even more of the haters if you bring in a sponsor that has some ties to the region, and that's what Wisconsin has done. More schools will be adding sponsors, so hopefully they will follow suit. Get a Texas school to partner with Buc-ee's or a Philly-area school to throw a Wawa patch on their uniforms (of course, it doesn't have to stay limited to regional convenience store chains, but there's a lot of pride in those). Is it still fun to see corporate logos slapped on iconic uniforms? No. But you've got to bring in that money somehow if you want to throw a competitive roster on the field. And if that means slapping a burger chain's logo on the shoulder, go for it. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43fac3c2ca79de2362429d Obama blames splintered media for preventing superstar Democrat from rising up te 2026-06-30T17:20:03.526Z Obama blames splintered media for preventing superstar Democrat from rising up Former President Barack Obama blamed a splintered media landscape for the lack of a second Obama-like political figure emerging on the national stage during an interview on Tuesday. NBC "Today" co-host Craig Melvin talked to the former president about the new Obama Presidential Center in Chicago on his "Glass Half Full" podcast and told him, "You’ve always represented a lot of different communities, but there has always been this singularity to your story. Earlier this week, one of your former aides was talking on one of these cable shows and said Democrats should stop looking for Obama 2.0. Not gonna happen." "Do you think in the current climate that someone like you with your background and your story, do you think that you could break through now the same way you did back in ’07, ’08?" Melvin asked Obama.  "I do think it’s harder because of the nature of your business, the media, it’s more splintered," Obama said. OBAMA CHOOSES SUPPORTER STEPHEN COLBERT FOR DEBUT INTERVIEW AT CONTROVERSIAL PRESIDENTIAL CENTER "I hadn’t even been elected yet to the U.S. Senate," he continued. "I had won the primary. I’d won the nomination — Democratic nomination to be the senator of Illinois, but nobody really knew who I was except outside of Illinois. And when I gave that speech at the convention, suddenly I’m a national figure because all the networks covered it. And if you’re on the cover of Time magazine or Newsweek back then, suddenly everybody knows who you are because we all shared one culture." Obama said that people "who are just as gifted or in some cases more gifted" than him were not breaking through because of a splintered media. He suggested the country was in a transition period. "So I think we’re in a transition period where there are a lot of Barack and Michelle Obamas out there doing cool stuff, but politics hasn’t quite given them the platform yet. Media hasn’t shined a spotlight on them yet. If we can help focus on the great work they’re doing, then that’s one of our core missions," he said. OBAMA REMAINS DEM HEADLINER WHILE PRESIDENT WITH MOST VOTES EVER FADES INTO BACKGROUND: 'IT WAS ALL A DREAM' Obama said during the dedication of his presidential center in Chicago earlier this month that America’s Founders fell "terribly short" of the Declaration of Independence’s promise, while casting the nation’s story as one of generations coming together to make the union "more perfect." "The success of this experiment was never a given," Obama said in his speech, referring to the nation's founding ahead of America celebrating its 250th anniversary on the 4th of July. "In forming our union, the founders fell terribly short of the Declaration's promise, leaving slavery intact, allowing states to restrict the franchise to white men who owned property," he said. "But in drafting a Constitution and a Bill of Rights, they did have the foresight, the genius, to provide us with a framework that allows each generation to make our union more perfect." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE The 44th president devoted much of his speech to outlining the work he believes America still has ahead, echoing themes he has emphasized in past appearances on the campaign trail and during his time in the White House. Fox News' Ashley J. DiMella contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43fac3c2ca79de23624294 Amazon Prime Video NFL analyst defends streaming services broadcasting but understands fan frustration te 2026-06-30T17:20:03.227Z Amazon Prime Video NFL analyst defends streaming services broadcasting but understands fan frustration It is no secret that it's much harder to find a primetime NFL game thanks to streaming services taking over. Amazon Prime Video, Peacock and Netflix each have scored exclusive rights to specific games, and that may just be the tip of the iceberg. The new way of watching sports, which is also more expensive than ever, was recently called into question during a hearing regarding the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Andrew Whitworth is one of the faces of Amazon Prime Video's NFL coverage, and while he believes in not "put[ting] the genie back in the bottle," he also understands fans' frustrations. "I get it. I get that fans are trying to figure out the landscape of how they want to watch this or that or anything else," Whitworth told Fox News Digital about the new "road we've gone down." However, Whitworth also believes that watching sports is hardly any different from finding one's favorite movies or television shows that are stretched across certain services. "It's always the most complicated thing ever when I'm like, 'Oh, I heard I should watch this show.' And I'm like, 'Well, where is that on?' And so it's that journey you go on to figure out what service has this TV show that you want to watch that somebody told you about or whatever," Whitworth said. "I think that's just kind of where this stuff is at this time. I don't think I have a great answer for what a fan or somebody should do other than that's kind of the world we live in... BROADCASTERS URGE CONGRESS TO REEXAMINE SPORTS BROADCASTING ACT AS GAMES SHIFT TO STREAMING PAYWALLS "I think sports is right along with where entertainment is, and right now a lot of that is you go to these specific places to watch these specific things. I think it's just kind of the world we're in right now. I think it's all starting to figure itself out. And I'm sure, as with anything else in the world, we'll find ways to simplify it and make it easier. But right now it feels like everyone's establishing themselves and where they fit in the industry. Then I think, over time, we'll start to see the process get simpler." If one were to strictly stream all NFL games throughout the 2025 season on Sunday Ticket, Netflix, Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, ESPN Unlimited and NFL+, it would have cost a minimum of $575, and for others (prior Sunday Ticket watchers) nearly $800. The sports leagues have cashed in on the pivot to streaming, with the NFL landing $1 billion a year to air "Thursday Night Football" on Amazon as an example. The Sports Broadcasting Act exemption passed in 1961 applies only to broadcast television. Courts have ruled in the past that it does not apply to other media, including cable, satellite and streaming. The Sports Broadcasting Act includes a rule allowing blackouts of local games, which still applies to out-of-market packages sold by the leagues. 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/6a43fac2c2ca79de2362428b Stephen Miller blasts Barrett, Roberts for caving to the 'radical left' in SCOTUS mail-in voting ruling te 2026-06-30T17:20:02.841Z Stephen Miller blasts Barrett, Roberts for caving to the 'radical left' in SCOTUS mail-in voting ruling White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller called out Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett and John Roberts Monday, accusing the two of "cav[ing] to the radical left" by ruling in favor of a Mississippi law allowing mail-in ballots to be counted even if they are received after Election Day.  "Justice Roberts and Justice Barrett decided to cave to the radical left. [Justice] Alito was so clear in his wording about what Election Day means. Nobody could read the statute, could read that opinion, could read what Alito wrote and come to any other conclusion," he told "The Ingraham Angle." "It's Election Day, not election week, not election month, not election months. So this was really a travesty, and it underscores why we have to keep fighting to pass the SAVE America Act." SUPREME COURT RULES ON MAIL-IN BALLOTS RECEIVED AFTER ELECTION DAY Miller's remarks came after Roberts and Barrett sided with liberal justices in a 5-4 ruling Monday, holding that Election Day, in the context of federal law, set a deadline for when voters must make a choice regarding their preferred candidate but said that relevant laws have no standard for when ballots must be received to be considered valid.  Trump-appointed Barrett authored the majority opinion ruling in favor of the law. She was joined by Chief Justice John Roberts, as well as Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson. TRUMP'S SAVE AMERICA ACT SHOWS SIGNS OF LIFE IN THE SENATE DESPITE REPUBLICAN REVOLT Justice Samuel Alito penned the dissent, warning the decision could erode already-fragile trust among many in the nation's electoral systems. Miller argued Monday that the American people elected Republican majorities in Congress hoping to see the SAVE Act passed, echoing other conservatives who have cited the Supreme Court's recent ruling as evidence that more ballot box protections are needed. "80 million Americans elected a Republican Senate majority, and they elected a Republican Congress to deliver on this fundamental priority," he said. "It must get done." Fox News' Robert Schmad and Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43fac2c2ca79de23624282 Save up to 70% on camping gear, luggage and more on REI's 4th of July deals te 2026-06-30T17:20:02.511Z Save up to 70% on camping gear, luggage and more on REI's 4th of July deals REI's 4th of July Deals include discounts of up to 70% on camping, hiking and other outdoor gear. Shop everything from six-person tents and camp stoves to waterproof Keen sandals and Patagonia backpacks. This sale ends on July 6, so shop now while these deals last. Save on popular brands like Nike, Hoka and Patagonia. Darn Tough women’s no-show running socks: $6.83 (57% off) Nike Swoosh support bra: $28.93 (31% off) Teva universal sandals: $41.73 (30% off) UPF shirt: $48.93 (30% off) Darn Tough men’s hiking socks: $18.93 (27% off) Original price: $130 Keen's Newport sandals combine the protection of a hiking shoe with the breathability of a sandal. Built for both land and water, they feature a quick-adjust bungee lacing system that slips on easily while helping keep your feet secure on uneven terrain. Original price: $155 The Hoka Clifton 10 is designed for running, but works just as well as an everyday walking shoe. A lightweight build and breathable knit upper help keep feet comfortable, while the durable outsole is built to handle frequent wear. READ MORE: Shopping for America 250? Here's what's actually made in the USA — and what's imported Original price: $64.95 Swiftland's running shorts feature a breathable mesh liner and high-rise waistband that stays in place during workouts. The lightweight design makes them a comfortable option for runs, walks and other warm-weather activities. Original price: $75 These water-repellent shorts transition easily from the beach to everyday wear. Quick-drying fabric and built-in drainage in the side and rear pockets help prevent water from pooling after swimming or other water activities. READ MORE: American-owned clothing brands for effortless red, white and blue style Gear up for camping season with deals on tents, cooking systems and chairs. Petzl Tikka headlamp: $14.73 (57% off) JetBoil cooking system: $107.93 (40% off) Ultra-Sil dry bag: $16.93 (28% off) Coleman camping coffee maker: $109.73 (26% off) Original price: $329 The Campwell six-person tent offers a spacious cabin-style design with nearly vertical walls that provide extra headroom. It's currently 50% off, making it a great time to upgrade your camping setup. Original price: $275 Cook breakfast and dinner on the same stove with the Coleman Cascade, which pairs a cast iron grill on one side with a cast iron griddle on the other. Built-in wind guards help shield the burners from gusts for more consistent cooking outdoors. READ MORE: Brands still making cookware and kitchen tools in the U.S. — from skillets to spatulas Original price: $89.95 The Flexlite camp chair packs down small without sacrificing comfort at camp. Its lightweight frame supports up to 250 pounds, while the durable fabric is built to handle repeated use on the trail. Original price: $579 Get out on the water with this inflatable paddleboard, now 30% off. It inflates quickly and packs down into a compact bag, so there's no need for a roof rack or extra storage space. Travel anywhere with these duffels, backpacks and more. The North Face Base Camp day pack: $63.83 (50% off) Patagonia Terravia Sacoche crossbody bag: $28.83 (41% off) The North Face Glen Canyon sling bag: $40.73 (25% off) Osprey Daylite carry-on: $186.73 (25% off) Original price: $125 This duffel bag easily transitions from road trips to camping weekends with a spacious, organized interior. A dedicated laptop compartment adds extra protection, while the shoulder straps convert it into a backpack for hands-free carrying. READ MORE: The Great American Road Trip: 8 places to travel (and stay) to celebrate America 250 this summer Original price: $59 Built for camping and outdoor adventures, these gear cubes feature a durable, water-repellent exterior and compression straps to maximize packing space. They're a practical way to organize clothing, gear and other essentials. Original price: $149 The Patagonia Black Hole backpack is currently half off, bringing this popular hiking pack below $100. Its 25-liter capacity provides plenty of room for day hikes, while the padded laptop sleeve and front stash pocket add everyday versatility. For more Deals, visit www.foxnews.com/deals Original price: $39.95 Carry your everyday essentials without the bulk of a backpack with this compact sling bag. The water-repellent exterior protects your belongings, while padded construction keeps it comfortable during hikes, walks and daily errands. If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can get these items sent to your door ASAP. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f9bec2ca79de23624245 Oatman Sidewalk Egg Fry offers sizzling July 4 competition te 2026-06-30T17:15:42.773Z Oatman Sidewalk Egg Fry offers sizzling July 4 competition OATMAN — Bring your team to Oatman on Saturday, July 4 for the annual Sidewalk Egg Fry. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f9aac2ca79de2362423c Beat the heat with a pool party on Independence Day te 2026-06-30T17:15:22.793Z Beat the heat with a pool party on Independence Day BULLHEAD CITY — Parks and Recreation is hosting a free Independence Day Pool Party. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f996c2ca79de2362422d States can ban transgender athletes from girls sports, Supreme Court says te 2026-06-30T17:15:02.320Z States can ban transgender athletes from girls sports, Supreme Court says WASHINGTON – In 2022, Lia Thomas won the women’s 500-yard freestyle at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships. The victory, the first Division I title for a transgender athlete, sparked a national debate. Four years later, the Supreme Court agreed with states that have sought to bar athletes born male from competing against girls and women. The ruling Tuesday was 6-3. “Separate sports teams for biological males and biological females are reasonable,” Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote for the conservative majority. “Given the inherent physical differences between the sexes, allowing only biological females to play on women’s and girls’ teams can reduce the risk of physical injury and ensure fair competition.” The court heard more than three-and-a-half hours of oral arguments in January on the issue, in a pair of cases from Idaho and West Virginia involving transgender athletes’ participation in sports. The ruling has implications nationwide. Arizona is one of 27 states with laws intended to block transgender athletes from participating in sports, under the Save Women’s Sports Act signed by former Gov. Doug Ducey in 2022.  Justice Sonia Sotomayor, writing a dissenting opinion for the three liberal justices, chastised the majority for allowing states to bar all transgender athletes without exception, “even if the facts show that they do not” as individuals enjoy an athletic advantage. “The ban is absolute,” she added, meaning that a transgender athlete “cannot practice on girls’ teams, even if she would not take anyone’s spot in an eventual competition, even if everyone who tries out for the team makes it, and even if having the chance to participate could aid immensely in treating (that child’s) gender dysphoria.” Education Secretary Linda McMahon called the ruling a “tremendous victory,” saying it “affirms the common sense right of states to prohibit men from competing in women’s sports, safeguard the integrity of female spaces, and ensure no woman faces discrimination on the basis of sex.” Advocates for transgender athletes had feared this outcome. “Transgender girls just want to play school sports with their friends and we all know what it feels like to be excluded from something growing up,” said Rachel Berg, senior staff attorney for the National Center for LGBTQ Rights. The center represents a transgender girl identified in court as Jane Doe in Doe v. Horne, a lawsuit against the Arizona Interscholastic Association, which sought to enforce the 2022 law barring her from competition. Doe runs cross-country and track and plays soccer and flag football. At age 7, she was diagnosed with gender dysphoria. In 2023, at age 11, she started taking the puberty-blocking medication Supprelin. Lower courts found that the treatment meant Doe would not experience a rise in testosterone levels and would therefore have no physiological advantages over female competitors. In July 2023, a federal court in Arizona issued an injunction blocking the enforcement of the Arizona law and allowing Doe to continue participating in sports. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which handles cases in nine Western states, including Arizona and Idaho, upheld the injunction in September 2024. The Supreme Court’s ruling opens the way for enforcement of the law Ducey signed, banning transgender athletes from playing sports in Arizona. “The two States here – along with 25 other States, the IOC, the USOPC, and the NCAA – have concluded at this time that women and girls should be allowed to compete … on an equal playing field, without fear of physical injury from biological males or being forced to compete against biological males,” Kavanaugh wrote in the majority opinion. “Consistent with Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause, we hold that the States may maintain women’s and girls’ sports for biological females. They may determine eligibility for women’s and girls’ sports based on biological sex. The Constitution and Title IX do not require an overhaul of women’s and girls’ sports throughout America,” he wrote. Two weeks into his second term, President Donald Trump ordered McMahon to use Title IX – a provision of a 1972 law that bans sex discrimination in federally funded education programs – to crack down on schools that allow transgender girls and women to participate in girls’ sports. The Arizona Interscholastic Association, citing the Trump executive order, has used Title IX to ban transgender athletes from competition. Under the 2023 appeals court injunction, Doe and another plaintiff, known in court filings as Megan Roe, are allowed to compete in Arizona. “These laws are part of the pattern and are part of the strategy and desire of those on the right to essentially deny the existence of – and erase from public life – transgender individuals,” said Scott McCoy, deputy legal director at the Southern Poverty Law Center, and a former Utah state senator, the first openly gay man elected to that post. Groups that want to ban transgender athletes from competition assert that regardless of treatment, biological sex doesn’t change and people born male have an unfair advantage over girls on the playing field. “The science and common sense shows us testosterone suppression does not erase the advantages that males have over females,” said Suzanne Beecher, legal counsel for the Alliance Defending Freedom. “That’s the reason that we have separate categories in sports in the first place.” In the West Virginia case, a student named Becky Pepper Jackson, known as BPJ in court filings, started taking puberty blockers in 2020 before she started middle school. BPJ recently took first place in girls shot put at the state championship, throwing more than 2 feet farther than the runner-up. “This just illustrates the very real advantages that males have over females and the real harms that come when we deny this biological reality,” Beecher said. One year ago, the Supreme Court upheld a Tennessee law banning the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapy in a 6-3 ruling. The text of the law says the ban “encourages minors to appreciate their sex, particularly as they go through puberty.” In the ruling, Chief Justice John Roberts rejected assertions that such a ban “enforces a government preference that people conform to expectations about their sex.” Advocates for transgender athletes call efforts to exclude these athletes narrow-minded. “It takes a lot of guts to put yourself in front of the public like that,” said Val Pizzo, a rugby player for the Baltimore Flamingos Rugby Football Club, Maryland’s first LGBTQ rugby team. “But if you can achieve more inclusion for trans athletes, it makes such a huge difference in the lives of a lot of people.” The debate over transgender athletes has been highly charged, though it involves a small fraction of students. “In the public testimony before the Arizona Legislature, the AIA testified that only between 10 to 15 transgender people – boys or girls – had played school sports in Arizona in the last decade,” Berg said. “So of all the 100,000-plus school athletes in Arizona, we’re talking about maybe one a year at most.” One of Trump’s second-term campaign priorities was to reverse Biden-era Title IX policies at the Department of Education. The Trump order narrows enforcement to discrimination based on sex but not gender identity.  In a June 23 letter to McMahon, three dozen members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus in the House, including Tucson Rep. Adelita Grijalva, said they were “outraged” at the way her department’s Office of Civil Rights has wielded Title IX.  OCR has not settled a single case of sexual harassment or sexual violence during McMahon’s tenure, they noted, even as it used the provision to undermine the rights of transgender athletes. “Your failure to enforce Title IX protections for millions of women and girls is deliberate and indefensible,” the lawmakers wrote. “We urge you to cease baseless investigations and demonstrate immediate progress in effectively resolving all pending OCR cases to deliver real enforceable legal protection for students facing discrimination based on their sex.” Under pressure from the Trump administration, including threats to cut federal research funding, Thomas’ university, the University of Pennsylvania, agreed to remove her records and apologize to female athletes she had competed against. The two cases before the Supreme Court – Little v. Hecox and West Virginia v. B.P.J. – challenged state restrictions on the grounds that transgender athletes have protection under Title IX and the 14th Amendment.  Berg asserted that the 9th Circuit got it right: “A blanket ban on transgender girls playing school sports … regardless of their medical history, regardless of their age, regardless of the sport that they’re playing, regardless of any other factors” would violate those athletes’ Equal Protection rights. “The state has not provided any reason that’s rational to exclude these girls from girls’ teams,” she said. The Idaho case involved a track and field athlete named Lindsay Hecox, now 24, who wanted to compete at Boise State University. State officials didn’t want her to compete, and in 2020, the Legislature enacted the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, a ban on transgender athletes competing under anything but their gender at birth. Gov. Brad Little, a Republican, signed it. A federal court blocked enforcement, and the 9th Circuit upheld the lower court. Hecox began testosterone suppression and estrogen treatments in her first year at Boise State. House Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg, R-Mich., lauded the ruling, saying the justices “stood up for fairness, common sense, and the integrity of women’s sports.” “Women’s sports are for women. Unfortunately, radical gender ideology bolstered by policies pushed under the Biden-Harris administration chipped away at Title IX protections,” he said. The post States can ban transgender athletes from girls sports, Supreme Court says appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f988c2ca79de2362421f States can ban transgender athletes from girls sports, Supreme Court says te 2026-06-30T17:14:48.388Z States can ban transgender athletes from girls sports, Supreme Court says WASHINGTON – In 2022, Lia Thomas won the women’s 500-yard freestyle at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships. The victory, the first Division I title for a transgender athlete, sparked a national debate. Four years later, the Supreme Court agreed with states that have sought to bar athletes born male from competing against girls and women. The ruling Tuesday was 6-3. “Separate sports teams for biological males and biological females are reasonable,” Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote for the conservative majority. “Given the inherent physical differences between the sexes, allowing only biological females to play on women’s and girls’ teams can reduce the risk of physical injury and ensure fair competition.” The court heard more than three-and-a-half hours of oral arguments in January on the issue, in a pair of cases from Idaho and West Virginia involving transgender athletes’ participation in sports. The ruling has implications nationwide. Arizona is one of 27 states with laws intended to block transgender athletes from participating in sports, under the Save Women’s Sports Act signed by former Gov. Doug Ducey in 2022.  Justice Sonia Sotomayor, writing a dissenting opinion for the three liberal justices, chastised the majority for allowing states to bar all transgender athletes without exception, “even if the facts show that they do not” as individuals enjoy an athletic advantage. “The ban is absolute,” she added, meaning that a transgender athlete “cannot practice on girls’ teams, even if she would not take anyone’s spot in an eventual competition, even if everyone who tries out for the team makes it, and even if having the chance to participate could aid immensely in treating (that child’s) gender dysphoria.” Education Secretary Linda McMahon called the ruling a “tremendous victory,” saying it “affirms the common sense right of states to prohibit men from competing in women’s sports, safeguard the integrity of female spaces, and ensure no woman faces discrimination on the basis of sex.” Advocates for transgender athletes had feared this outcome. “Transgender girls just want to play school sports with their friends and we all know what it feels like to be excluded from something growing up,” said Rachel Berg, senior staff attorney for the National Center for LGBTQ Rights. The center represents a transgender girl identified in court as Jane Doe in Doe v. Horne, a lawsuit against the Arizona Interscholastic Association, which sought to enforce the 2022 law barring her from competition. Doe runs cross-country and track and plays soccer and flag football. At age 7, she was diagnosed with gender dysphoria. In 2023, at age 11, she started taking the puberty-blocking medication Supprelin. Lower courts found that the treatment meant Doe would not experience a rise in testosterone levels and would therefore have no physiological advantages over female competitors. In July 2023, a federal court in Arizona issued an injunction blocking the enforcement of the Arizona law and allowing Doe to continue participating in sports. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which handles cases in nine Western states, including Arizona and Idaho, upheld the injunction in September 2024. The Supreme Court’s ruling opens the way for enforcement of the law Ducey signed, banning transgender athletes from playing sports in Arizona. “The two States here – along with 25 other States, the IOC, the USOPC, and the NCAA – have concluded at this time that women and girls should be allowed to compete … on an equal playing field, without fear of physical injury from biological males or being forced to compete against biological males,” Kavanaugh wrote in the majority opinion. “Consistent with Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause, we hold that the States may maintain women’s and girls’ sports for biological females. They may determine eligibility for women’s and girls’ sports based on biological sex. The Constitution and Title IX do not require an overhaul of women’s and girls’ sports throughout America,” he wrote. Two weeks into his second term, President Donald Trump ordered McMahon to use Title IX – a provision of a 1972 law that bans sex discrimination in federally funded education programs – to crack down on schools that allow transgender girls and women to participate in girls’ sports. The Arizona Interscholastic Association, citing the Trump executive order, has used Title IX to ban transgender athletes from competition. Under the 2023 appeals court injunction, Doe and another plaintiff, known in court filings as Megan Roe, are allowed to compete in Arizona. “These laws are part of the pattern and are part of the strategy and desire of those on the right to essentially deny the existence of – and erase from public life – transgender individuals,” said Scott McCoy, deputy legal director at the Southern Poverty Law Center, and a former Utah state senator, the first openly gay man elected to that post. Groups that want to ban transgender athletes from competition assert that regardless of treatment, biological sex doesn’t change and people born male have an unfair advantage over girls on the playing field. “The science and common sense shows us testosterone suppression does not erase the advantages that males have over females,” said Suzanne Beecher, legal counsel for the Alliance Defending Freedom. “That’s the reason that we have separate categories in sports in the first place.” In the West Virginia case, a student named Becky Pepper Jackson, known as BPJ in court filings, started taking puberty blockers in 2020 before she started middle school. BPJ recently took first place in girls shot put at the state championship, throwing more than 2 feet farther than the runner-up. “This just illustrates the very real advantages that males have over females and the real harms that come when we deny this biological reality,” Beecher said. One year ago, the Supreme Court upheld a Tennessee law banning the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapy in a 6-3 ruling. The text of the law says the ban “encourages minors to appreciate their sex, particularly as they go through puberty.” In the ruling, Chief Justice John Roberts rejected assertions that such a ban “enforces a government preference that people conform to expectations about their sex.” Advocates for transgender athletes call efforts to exclude these athletes narrow-minded. “It takes a lot of guts to put yourself in front of the public like that,” said Val Pizzo, a rugby player for the Baltimore Flamingos Rugby Football Club, Maryland’s first LGBTQ rugby team. “But if you can achieve more inclusion for trans athletes, it makes such a huge difference in the lives of a lot of people.” The debate over transgender athletes has been highly charged, though it involves a small fraction of students. “In the public testimony before the Arizona Legislature, the AIA testified that only between 10 to 15 transgender people – boys or girls – had played school sports in Arizona in the last decade,” Berg said. “So of all the 100,000-plus school athletes in Arizona, we’re talking about maybe one a year at most.” One of Trump’s second-term campaign priorities was to reverse Biden-era Title IX policies at the Department of Education. The Trump order narrows enforcement to discrimination based on sex but not gender identity.  In a June 23 letter to McMahon, three dozen members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus in the House, including Tucson Rep. Adelita Grijalva, said they were “outraged” at the way her department’s Office of Civil Rights has wielded Title IX.  OCR has not settled a single case of sexual harassment or sexual violence during McMahon’s tenure, they noted, even as it used the provision to undermine the rights of transgender athletes. “Your failure to enforce Title IX protections for millions of women and girls is deliberate and indefensible,” the lawmakers wrote. “We urge you to cease baseless investigations and demonstrate immediate progress in effectively resolving all pending OCR cases to deliver real enforceable legal protection for students facing discrimination based on their sex.” Under pressure from the Trump administration, including threats to cut federal research funding, Thomas’ university, the University of Pennsylvania, agreed to remove her records and apologize to female athletes she had competed against. The two cases before the Supreme Court – Little v. Hecox and West Virginia v. B.P.J. – challenged state restrictions on the grounds that transgender athletes have protection under Title IX and the 14th Amendment.  Berg asserted that the 9th Circuit got it right: “A blanket ban on transgender girls playing school sports … regardless of their medical history, regardless of their age, regardless of the sport that they’re playing, regardless of any other factors” would violate those athletes’ Equal Protection rights. “The state has not provided any reason that’s rational to exclude these girls from girls’ teams,” she said. The Idaho case involved a track and field athlete named Lindsay Hecox, now 24, who wanted to compete at Boise State University. State officials didn’t want her to compete, and in 2020, the Legislature enacted the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, a ban on transgender athletes competing under anything but their gender at birth. Gov. Brad Little, a Republican, signed it. A federal court blocked enforcement, and the 9th Circuit upheld the lower court. Hecox began testosterone suppression and estrogen treatments in her first year at Boise State. House Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg, R-Mich., lauded the ruling, saying the justices “stood up for fairness, common sense, and the integrity of women’s sports.” “Women’s sports are for women. Unfortunately, radical gender ideology bolstered by policies pushed under the Biden-Harris administration chipped away at Title IX protections,” he said. The post States can ban transgender athletes from girls sports, Supreme Court says appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f982c2ca79de23624216 Born in the USA? Supreme Court says you’re a citizen, rejecting Trump effort to rewrite 14th Amendment te 2026-06-30T17:14:42.858Z Born in the USA? Supreme Court says you’re a citizen, rejecting Trump effort to rewrite 14th Amendment WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected President Donald Trump’s attempt to end automatic citizenship to children born in the United States to parents in the country illegally or temporarily. The decision affirming the traditional interpretation of birthright citizenship was 6-3.  “Children born in the United States to parents unlawfully or temporarily present are ‘subject to the jurisdiction’ of the United States and are citizens at birth under the Fourteenth Amendment’s Citizenship Clause,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the majority opinion. Trump v. Barbara scrutinized Executive Order 14160, signed by Trump hours into his second term. The order sought to end automatic U.S. citizenship for any newborn without at least one parent who holds citizenship or legal permanent residency.  Every lower court that considered the order struck it down, and skepticism was widespread among the justices during oral arguments April 1.  Trump’s order reinterpreted the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868 after the Civil War, which granted citizenship to people born in the U.S. and “subject to the jurisdiction thereof.” But his focus on parentage didn’t fly with the high court. “If Congress intended to limit American citizenship to the children of those domiciled in the United States, nothing in the succinct language of the Citizenship Clause conveyed that design. Words appearing frequently in the Executive Order –`mother,’ ‘father,’ ‘lawful,’ ‘temporary’ – are absent from the Clause. For a simple reason: they did not matter,” Roberts wrote. Congress crafted the Citizenship Clause to overrule the infamous 1857 Dred Scott ruling, which held that Black people whose ancestors were brought to the U.S. as slaves did not have automatic citizenship. “For them, blood, not soil, was made the rule,” Roberts wrote of Dred Scott in Tuesday’s ruling. ‘Scant evidence’ In 1952, Congress codified the precise language of the 14th Amendment in the Immigration and Nationality Act. That gave the Supreme Court another path for rebuffing the president. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, in a concurring opinion that supported the decision to overturn Trump’s executive order, wrote that in his view, the order did not violate the 14th Amendment but did violate the 1952 law. Either way, the Trump administration asserted, the provision had been misinterpreted for over a century. U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued before the high court that the amendment was only intended to grant citizenship to children whose parents are in the U.S. lawfully, and that the 1952 law was similarly misinterpreted. Wong Kim Ark’s Departure Statement, Nov. 5, 1894 National Archives, San Francisco, Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (from the National Archives) At oral arguments, several justices challenged the assertion, noting that the Citizenship Clause focuses on where the child is born, not the parents’ immigration status.  “There is scant evidence for this dramatically revisionist view,” Roberts wrote for the court Tuesday. Roberts was joined by the three liberal justices, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, along with Justice Amy Coney Barrett. Kavanaugh provided the sixth vote. In a dissent joined by Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch, Justice Clarence Thomas called it “extraordinary” to allow citizenship for “the children of foreign temporary visitors and illegal aliens.” He warned that the version of birthright citizenship affirmed by the court has “encouraged ‘birth tourism’ – the practice of traveling here with temporary authorization solely to give birth and obtain citizenship for one’s children, then returning to raise them in another country. Today, ‘birth tourism companies’ reportedly collect large fees from wealthy foreigners to facilitate their trips to give birth in the United States.” Trump attended the oral argument, a first for a sitting president, signaling the priority he puts on the issue. “We are the only Country in the World STUPID enough to allow ‘Birthright’ Citizenship!” he wrote on Truth Social beforehand.  1898 precedent The Supreme Court seemed to settle the issue of birthright citizenship in 1898, when it ruled in United States v. Wong Kim Ark that a man born in San Francisco – to Chinese immigrant parents who had not been naturalized – was a U.S. citizen. Sauer argued that unrestricted birthright citizenship acts as a magnet or “pull factor” for illegal immigration and has contributed to so-called birth tourism, in which foreign nationals travel to the United States to give birth to secure lifelong citizenship for their child. The argument closely mirrored assertions from White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, the architect of Trump immigration policies, who has called birthright citizenship a “scam” allowing immigrants to obtain “unlimited welfare.” No American is entitled to unlimited welfare. But to the extent the government provides benefits, every baby born in the U.S. is as eligible as any other, regardless of parentage.  Alito, in a separate dissent, called the ruling “a serious mistake.” He depicted the traditional interpretation of birthright citizenship upheld Tuesday as an outlier: “Other than Canada, the United States will be the only affluent nation where birth alone is enough to establish citizenship,” he wrote. Worldwide, 32 nations confer citizenship automatically to anyone born on their soil. Conservatives have also at times raised the specter of “terror babies” who grow up with no allegiance to the U.S. but, thanks to their lifelong citizenship, can come and go at will on behalf of adversaries. Up to a quarter of a million babies born in the U.S. each year would have been denied citizenship under the rules Trump sought – about 7% of all births nationwide in 2024. In Arizona, ending automatic citizenship at birth would have excluded about 3,400 babies born in 2022, the state told a federal court shortly after Trump issued the order. “Tens of thousands” of people who are essentially stateless would be born each year under Trump’s order, said Leon Rodriguez, who served as director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under President Barack Obama. “The way the Constitution has been interpreted going back to the Civil War is that if you are born in the United States and you are neither the child of an enemy combatant or a diplomat, then you are presumed to be a U.S. citizen,” he said by phone, adding, ”Many different parts of our legal system, including the immigration system itself (are) built on that assumption.” Arizona was one of 22 states that challenged Trump’s order. The ruling, Attorney General Kris Mayes said, “upheld the soul of this nation.” A Reuters/IPSOS poll from April found that 64% of adults disapprove of Trump’s order, including 91% of Democrats, though 64% of Republicans approve.  The post Born in the USA? Supreme Court says you’re a citizen, rejecting Trump effort to rewrite 14th Amendment appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f974c2ca79de2362420d Born in the USA? Supreme Court says you’re a citizen, rejecting Trump effort to rewrite 14th Amendment te 2026-06-30T17:14:28.932Z Born in the USA? Supreme Court says you’re a citizen, rejecting Trump effort to rewrite 14th Amendment WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected President Donald Trump’s attempt to end automatic citizenship to children born in the United States to parents in the country illegally or temporarily. The decision affirming the traditional interpretation of birthright citizenship was 6-3.  “Children born in the United States to parents unlawfully or temporarily present are ‘subject to the jurisdiction’ of the United States and are citizens at birth under the Fourteenth Amendment’s Citizenship Clause,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the majority opinion. Trump v. Barbara scrutinized Executive Order 14160, signed by Trump hours into his second term. The order sought to end automatic U.S. citizenship for any newborn without at least one parent who holds citizenship or legal permanent residency.  Every lower court that considered the order struck it down, and skepticism was widespread among the justices during oral arguments April 1.  Trump’s order reinterpreted the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868 after the Civil War, which granted citizenship to people born in the U.S. and “subject to the jurisdiction thereof.” But his focus on parentage didn’t fly with the high court. “If Congress intended to limit American citizenship to the children of those domiciled in the United States, nothing in the succinct language of the Citizenship Clause conveyed that design. Words appearing frequently in the Executive Order –`mother,’ ‘father,’ ‘lawful,’ ‘temporary’ – are absent from the Clause. For a simple reason: they did not matter,” Roberts wrote. Congress crafted the Citizenship Clause to overrule the infamous 1857 Dred Scott ruling, which held that Black people whose ancestors were brought to the U.S. as slaves did not have automatic citizenship. “For them, blood, not soil, was made the rule,” Roberts wrote of Dred Scott in Tuesday’s ruling. ‘Scant evidence’ In 1952, Congress codified the precise language of the 14th Amendment in the Immigration and Nationality Act. That gave the Supreme Court another path for rebuffing the president. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, in a concurring opinion that supported the decision to overturn Trump’s executive order, wrote that in his view, the order did not violate the 14th Amendment but did violate the 1952 law. Either way, the Trump administration asserted, the provision had been misinterpreted for over a century. U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued before the high court that the amendment was only intended to grant citizenship to children whose parents are in the U.S. lawfully, and that the 1952 law was similarly misinterpreted. Wong Kim Ark’s Departure Statement, Nov. 5, 1894 National Archives, San Francisco, Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (from the National Archives) At oral arguments, several justices challenged the assertion, noting that the Citizenship Clause focuses on where the child is born, not the parents’ immigration status.  “There is scant evidence for this dramatically revisionist view,” Roberts wrote for the court Tuesday. Roberts was joined by the three liberal justices, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, along with Justice Amy Coney Barrett. Kavanaugh provided the sixth vote. In a dissent joined by Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch, Justice Clarence Thomas called it “extraordinary” to allow citizenship for “the children of foreign temporary visitors and illegal aliens.” He warned that the version of birthright citizenship affirmed by the court has “encouraged ‘birth tourism’ – the practice of traveling here with temporary authorization solely to give birth and obtain citizenship for one’s children, then returning to raise them in another country. Today, ‘birth tourism companies’ reportedly collect large fees from wealthy foreigners to facilitate their trips to give birth in the United States.” Trump attended the oral argument, a first for a sitting president, signaling the priority he puts on the issue. “We are the only Country in the World STUPID enough to allow ‘Birthright’ Citizenship!” he wrote on Truth Social beforehand.  1898 precedent The Supreme Court seemed to settle the issue of birthright citizenship in 1898, when it ruled in United States v. Wong Kim Ark that a man born in San Francisco – to Chinese immigrant parents who had not been naturalized – was a U.S. citizen. Sauer argued that unrestricted birthright citizenship acts as a magnet or “pull factor” for illegal immigration and has contributed to so-called birth tourism, in which foreign nationals travel to the United States to give birth to secure lifelong citizenship for their child. The argument closely mirrored assertions from White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, the architect of Trump immigration policies, who has called birthright citizenship a “scam” allowing immigrants to obtain “unlimited welfare.” No American is entitled to unlimited welfare. But to the extent the government provides benefits, every baby born in the U.S. is as eligible as any other, regardless of parentage.  Alito, in a separate dissent, called the ruling “a serious mistake.” He depicted the traditional interpretation of birthright citizenship upheld Tuesday as an outlier: “Other than Canada, the United States will be the only affluent nation where birth alone is enough to establish citizenship,” he wrote. Worldwide, 32 nations confer citizenship automatically to anyone born on their soil. Conservatives have also at times raised the specter of “terror babies” who grow up with no allegiance to the U.S. but, thanks to their lifelong citizenship, can come and go at will on behalf of adversaries. Up to a quarter of a million babies born in the U.S. each year would have been denied citizenship under the rules Trump sought – about 7% of all births nationwide in 2024. In Arizona, ending automatic citizenship at birth would have excluded about 3,400 babies born in 2022, the state told a federal court shortly after Trump issued the order. “Tens of thousands” of people who are essentially stateless would be born each year under Trump’s order, said Leon Rodriguez, who served as director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under President Barack Obama. “The way the Constitution has been interpreted going back to the Civil War is that if you are born in the United States and you are neither the child of an enemy combatant or a diplomat, then you are presumed to be a U.S. citizen,” he said by phone, adding, ”Many different parts of our legal system, including the immigration system itself (are) built on that assumption.” Arizona was one of 22 states that challenged Trump’s order. The ruling, Attorney General Kris Mayes said, “upheld the soul of this nation.” A Reuters/IPSOS poll from April found that 64% of adults disapprove of Trump’s order, including 91% of Democrats, though 64% of Republicans approve.  The post Born in the USA? Supreme Court says you’re a citizen, rejecting Trump effort to rewrite 14th Amendment appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f959c2ca79de236241fc DAR marks 250th signing of the Declaration te 2026-06-30T17:14:01.908Z DAR marks 250th signing of the Declaration The Oak Creek Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with a weeklong exhibit at Community Library Sedona and costumed public readings of the Declaration at two locations in Sed Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f94cc2ca79de236241ef DAR marks 250th signing of the Declaration te 2026-06-30T17:13:48.998Z DAR marks 250th signing of the Declaration The Oak Creek Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with a weeklong exhibit at Community Library Sedona and costumed public readings of the Declaration at two locations in Sed Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f92fc2ca79de236241dc Flouting Trump policy, federal judges are freeing immigrants from mandatory detention te 2026-06-30T17:13:19.400Z Flouting Trump policy, federal judges are freeing immigrants from mandatory detention A detainee stands silhouetted in a window of the Delaney Hall detention center in Newark, N.J., on May 28, 2026. Many federal judges are freeing immigrants held under a mandatory detention policy. (Photo by Anne-Marie Caruso/New Jersey Monitor) Gilberto Pacheco was driving to work for a construction job in California when he was pulled over in what court papers called a “traffic stop” in January. He was not accused of any crime, not even a traffic infraction, but he was imprisoned without bond for months because he arrived illegally in the United States more than 30 years ago from Mexico. Cases like that of Pacheco, who has applied for legal status through three U.S. citizen children, are what the Supreme Court has to consider when it rules next year on the Trump administration’s mandatory detention policy.  Justices are expected to hear the case as soon as October after the U.S. solicitor general requested the court to resolve conflicting rulings on the matter from appeals courts.  The Trump administration’s policy requires detention without bond for anyone who crossed a border illegally, and has been used to pressure immigrants into voluntary departure to escape sometimes squalid conditions. For now, plenty of U.S. district judges are questioning the idea that immigrants should be incarcerated indefinitely at the whim of the executive branch.  Stateline reviewed every immigrant habeas petition case decided in a single day — June 16 — across the country, in order to sample judicial opinion. A habeas case is a request from an immigration prisoner for a judge to review the legality of his imprisonment and order a bond hearing or release.  Of the cases that were decided that day, judges released detainees immediately or ordered bond hearings 142 times, and denied them only 36 times. Many of the judges, even Republican appointees, argued that unlimited detention was unconstitutional. One of those judges was U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison, who heard Pacheco’s case. After being picked up in California, Pacheco was held in Houston, and filed a habeas case in Texas.  Ellison ruled that it was a violation of Pacheco’s civil rights to detain him for months. He ordered Pacheco to be freed immediately. “Given the severity of this ongoing unconstitutional deprivation of liberty, the Court concludes that immediate release from custody is required,” Ellison wrote.  Quotation Fortunately, federal judges uphold the Constitution and will grant such a writ, leading to direct release. Aside from this, there are virtually no other ways to obtain release. – Xin Tian, California immigration attorney He wrote that he recognized that the Trump policy applied to Pacheco, and that it was upheld by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which governs Texas, but said that he was releasing the man anyway.  “The Due Process clause does not permit the government to ‘detain any noncitizen, no matter how long they have actually lived in the United States, for any length of time, without any individualized justification [merely because] that person initially entered the country without lawful admission,’” Ellison wrote, partially quoting a 2003 Supreme Court ruling.  Ellison is a Democratic appointee from the Bill Clinton administration, but judges from both parties, including Trump nominees, ordered bond hearings for immigrants and found the Trump policy unconstitutional. They included judges in states where appeals courts had already upheld the policy.  Many judges are going beyond bond hearings and ordering release directly, as Ellison did. In some situations the judges are holding the legal cases open to make sure releases are made or bond hearings are fair.  Few immigrants get bond hearings because of the policy, making court challenges their only recourse, said Xin Tian, an attorney representing an immigrant who was released June 16 in a California case. His client’s case was among those reviewed by Stateline. “The individual’s only recourse for release is to seek a writ of habeas corpus,” Tian wrote in an email to Stateline. “Fortunately, federal judges uphold the Constitution and will grant such a writ, leading to direct release. Aside from this, there are virtually no other ways to obtain release.” A Trump appointee in Texas, U.S. District Judge Jason K. Pulliam, ordered five releases in one day, calling the detentions “unlawful” and ordering immediate release during court proceedings. In each case, he wrote that the detainee “has no known criminal history, had been complying with the terms of a prior release, and there is no indication of flight risk or danger to the community.”   He acknowledged in court papers that he made the rulings despite the fact that an appeals court ruling for the Fifth Circuit — affecting Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi — had concluded mandatory detention was legal in those cases. A President Joe Biden appointee in Utah, U.S. District Judge Ann Marie McIff Allen, was one of the rare judges to agree with the Trump administration’s policy, according to Stateline’s review.  McIff Allen denied a petition for a bond hearing by a man from Venezuela who had arrived in Texas in 2024 to seek asylum. He had scheduled an appointment with U.S. Customs and Border Protection through an official mobile app, then settled in Florida.  His immigration case was still pending when the Trump administration revoked his parole and arrested him in May. The man was “not entitled to immediate release or a bond hearing,” McIff Allen ruled, acknowledging that “some district courts have determined the issue differently.”  The detention was legal under a Trump administration policy that interprets immigration law to mean all immigrants who arrived illegally can be treated as if they’re at the border “seeking admission” to the country.  Stateline found only seven cases where judges favorably cited the administration’s policy of mandatory detention when denying a habeas case. Besides the ruling from a Biden appointee in Utah, there were six involving Trump judicial appointees: four in New York and one each in Puerto Rico and Texas.  U.S. District Judge Raúl M. Arias-Marxuach, a Trump appointee, denied release to Marcelo Jerez, a Dominican Republic native living in Puerto Rico with a U.S. citizen wife and sick 1-year-old child who required his help with monitoring and care.   “The crux of this case has been the subject of myriad lawsuits throughout the nation and dutiful judges have reached divergent answers,” Arias-Marxuach wrote.  But relatively few judges in the Stateline review considered the mandatory detention policy valid: Four of the other six cases for the day that did so, other than the Utah case, were denied by a single judge, Trump appointee Judge John L. Sinatra in New York’s Western District court. Sinatra wrote in one of the cases, for a Venezuelan man who had been allowed into the country in 2024 on parole, that such people should be treated as if they were still at the border “seeking admission,” and face mandatory detention, and should not get the constitutional rights of someone already in the United States with legal status. “How could it be otherwise? If he were not seeking admission he would have given up and departed already,” Sinatra wrote in his decision.  David Wilson, a Minnesota immigration attorney who serves on an immigration court committee for the American Immigration Lawyers Association, said that criminal records among immigration detainees are a bone of contention among judges. There’s widespread disagreement over whether they should be detained indefinitely without bond, he said, even if a U.S. citizen in the same circumstance would be freed on bond in a criminal court.  “This kind of lingering question is, how long is too long for people with criminal records? Some circuits have come along and said, ‘There is not too long because your criminal activity is what it is, you’re just stuck, if you want to end this stop fighting your case,’” Wilson said.  Stateline reporter Tim Henderson can be reached at thenderson@stateline.org. This story was originally produced by Stateline, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Arizona Mirror, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f923c2ca79de236241cd Flouting Trump policy, federal judges are freeing immigrants from mandatory detention te 2026-06-30T17:13:07.012Z Flouting Trump policy, federal judges are freeing immigrants from mandatory detention A detainee stands silhouetted in a window of the Delaney Hall detention center in Newark, N.J., on May 28, 2026. Many federal judges are freeing immigrants held under a mandatory detention policy. (Photo by Anne-Marie Caruso/New Jersey Monitor) Gilberto Pacheco was driving to work for a construction job in California when he was pulled over in what court papers called a “traffic stop” in January. He was not accused of any crime, not even a traffic infraction, but he was imprisoned without bond for months because he arrived illegally in the United States more than 30 years ago from Mexico. Cases like that of Pacheco, who has applied for legal status through three U.S. citizen children, are what the Supreme Court has to consider when it rules next year on the Trump administration’s mandatory detention policy.  Justices are expected to hear the case as soon as October after the U.S. solicitor general requested the court to resolve conflicting rulings on the matter from appeals courts.  The Trump administration’s policy requires detention without bond for anyone who crossed a border illegally, and has been used to pressure immigrants into voluntary departure to escape sometimes squalid conditions. For now, plenty of U.S. district judges are questioning the idea that immigrants should be incarcerated indefinitely at the whim of the executive branch.  Stateline reviewed every immigrant habeas petition case decided in a single day — June 16 — across the country, in order to sample judicial opinion. A habeas case is a request from an immigration prisoner for a judge to review the legality of his imprisonment and order a bond hearing or release.  Of the cases that were decided that day, judges released detainees immediately or ordered bond hearings 142 times, and denied them only 36 times. Many of the judges, even Republican appointees, argued that unlimited detention was unconstitutional. One of those judges was U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison, who heard Pacheco’s case. After being picked up in California, Pacheco was held in Houston, and filed a habeas case in Texas.  Ellison ruled that it was a violation of Pacheco’s civil rights to detain him for months. He ordered Pacheco to be freed immediately. “Given the severity of this ongoing unconstitutional deprivation of liberty, the Court concludes that immediate release from custody is required,” Ellison wrote.  Quotation Fortunately, federal judges uphold the Constitution and will grant such a writ, leading to direct release. Aside from this, there are virtually no other ways to obtain release. – Xin Tian, California immigration attorney He wrote that he recognized that the Trump policy applied to Pacheco, and that it was upheld by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which governs Texas, but said that he was releasing the man anyway.  “The Due Process clause does not permit the government to ‘detain any noncitizen, no matter how long they have actually lived in the United States, for any length of time, without any individualized justification [merely because] that person initially entered the country without lawful admission,’” Ellison wrote, partially quoting a 2003 Supreme Court ruling.  Ellison is a Democratic appointee from the Bill Clinton administration, but judges from both parties, including Trump nominees, ordered bond hearings for immigrants and found the Trump policy unconstitutional. They included judges in states where appeals courts had already upheld the policy.  Many judges are going beyond bond hearings and ordering release directly, as Ellison did. In some situations the judges are holding the legal cases open to make sure releases are made or bond hearings are fair.  Few immigrants get bond hearings because of the policy, making court challenges their only recourse, said Xin Tian, an attorney representing an immigrant who was released June 16 in a California case. His client’s case was among those reviewed by Stateline. “The individual’s only recourse for release is to seek a writ of habeas corpus,” Tian wrote in an email to Stateline. “Fortunately, federal judges uphold the Constitution and will grant such a writ, leading to direct release. Aside from this, there are virtually no other ways to obtain release.” A Trump appointee in Texas, U.S. District Judge Jason K. Pulliam, ordered five releases in one day, calling the detentions “unlawful” and ordering immediate release during court proceedings. In each case, he wrote that the detainee “has no known criminal history, had been complying with the terms of a prior release, and there is no indication of flight risk or danger to the community.”   He acknowledged in court papers that he made the rulings despite the fact that an appeals court ruling for the Fifth Circuit — affecting Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi — had concluded mandatory detention was legal in those cases. A President Joe Biden appointee in Utah, U.S. District Judge Ann Marie McIff Allen, was one of the rare judges to agree with the Trump administration’s policy, according to Stateline’s review.  McIff Allen denied a petition for a bond hearing by a man from Venezuela who had arrived in Texas in 2024 to seek asylum. He had scheduled an appointment with U.S. Customs and Border Protection through an official mobile app, then settled in Florida.  His immigration case was still pending when the Trump administration revoked his parole and arrested him in May. The man was “not entitled to immediate release or a bond hearing,” McIff Allen ruled, acknowledging that “some district courts have determined the issue differently.”  The detention was legal under a Trump administration policy that interprets immigration law to mean all immigrants who arrived illegally can be treated as if they’re at the border “seeking admission” to the country.  Stateline found only seven cases where judges favorably cited the administration’s policy of mandatory detention when denying a habeas case. Besides the ruling from a Biden appointee in Utah, there were six involving Trump judicial appointees: four in New York and one each in Puerto Rico and Texas.  U.S. District Judge Raúl M. Arias-Marxuach, a Trump appointee, denied release to Marcelo Jerez, a Dominican Republic native living in Puerto Rico with a U.S. citizen wife and sick 1-year-old child who required his help with monitoring and care.   “The crux of this case has been the subject of myriad lawsuits throughout the nation and dutiful judges have reached divergent answers,” Arias-Marxuach wrote.  But relatively few judges in the Stateline review considered the mandatory detention policy valid: Four of the other six cases for the day that did so, other than the Utah case, were denied by a single judge, Trump appointee Judge John L. Sinatra in New York’s Western District court. Sinatra wrote in one of the cases, for a Venezuelan man who had been allowed into the country in 2024 on parole, that such people should be treated as if they were still at the border “seeking admission,” and face mandatory detention, and should not get the constitutional rights of someone already in the United States with legal status. “How could it be otherwise? If he were not seeking admission he would have given up and departed already,” Sinatra wrote in his decision.  David Wilson, a Minnesota immigration attorney who serves on an immigration court committee for the American Immigration Lawyers Association, said that criminal records among immigration detainees are a bone of contention among judges. There’s widespread disagreement over whether they should be detained indefinitely without bond, he said, even if a U.S. citizen in the same circumstance would be freed on bond in a criminal court.  “This kind of lingering question is, how long is too long for people with criminal records? Some circuits have come along and said, ‘There is not too long because your criminal activity is what it is, you’re just stuck, if you want to end this stop fighting your case,’” Wilson said.  Stateline reporter Tim Henderson can be reached at thenderson@stateline.org. This story was originally produced by Stateline, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Arizona Mirror, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f91bc2ca79de236241c4 US Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship, rejecting Trump order te 2026-06-30T17:12:59.949Z US Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship, rejecting Trump order Protesters held a rally on protecting birthright citizenship outside the U.S. Supreme Court as President Donald Trump attended oral arguments on April 1, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Al Drago/Getty Images) WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday struck down President Donald Trump’s attempt to redefine the constitutional right to birthright citizenship. In the decision, a majority of the justices upheld the country’s long understanding of automatic citizenship by birth on American soil, regardless of the immigration status of a newborn’s parents. The majority opinion, written by Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., found the president’s executive order violated the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.  “Citizenship, then and now, was the right to have rights—to freely participate in our political community,” Roberts wrote. “The Framers of the Fourteenth Amendment extended that promise to ‘every free-born person in this land.’ We keep that promise today.” While six of the justices agreed — Roberts, Amy Coney Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson — that the president’s executive order was unlawful, conservative Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil M. Gorsuch dissented.  Only five of the justices agreed that the 14th Amendment extends citizenship to the children of immigrants, with Kavanaugh partially dissenting along with Thomas, Alito and Gorsuch.  Kavanaugh argued that Trump’s executive order did not violate the 14th Amendment, but instead violated federal statute. He added in his dissent that Congress could “enact new legislation establishing exceptions to birthright citizenship for children born to foreign citizens unlawfully or temporarily in the country. But Congress has not yet done so.” The White House did not immediately respond to States Newsroom’s request for comment, but a day before the decision, Trump said in the Oval Office that he would accept the Supreme Court’s ruling.  “It’s up to them, but in terms of for the good of the country, it’d be great if they … didn’t allow it,” Trump, who in a highly unusual move for a president attended the oral arguments on the case, said of birthright citizenship.  After the ruling, the president called on Congress, which is controlled by Republicans, to pass legislation to codify his executive order into law, dismissing the need for a constitutional amendment.  However, a constitutional amendment would be needed, not legislative law, because a majority of the justices still found that any change to birthright citizenship violated the Constitution’s 14th Amendment. Utah’s GOP Sen. Mike Lee, who previously clerked for Alito, noted that “we’re going to need a constitutional amendment.”  The opinion is a major blow to Trump, who has sought to redefine who is American as part of his broader immigration agenda.  But it also follows two decisions from the high court that vastly expanded the president’s authority over immigration policy by allowing him to limit asylum seeker claims at the Southern border and strip legal protections for 350,000 Haitians and 6,000 Syrians.   Tuesday’s decision is based on one of the first executive orders that the president signed on the first day of his second term. It aimed to deny citizenship to children born to parents who either do not have legal status, or hold temporary legal visas.  Experts warned if the order were to take effect, it could create an entire class of stateless people and cause chaos for hospitals and local governments. Case brought by expectant parents The case, Trump v. Barbara, was brought by expectant mothers who feared their children would not be American citizens because of their immigration status. During oral arguments in April, a majority of the justices seemed skeptical of the Trump administration’s arguments, presented by Solicitor General D. John Sauer.  Before the justices, Sauer argued that the citizenship clause of the Constitution’s 14th Amendment, which is the basis for birthright citizenship, was meant to apply to newly freed African American slaves after the Civil War, not to children of immigrants.  Most legal scholars and historians disagree with that interpretation and have argued the Supreme Court in the 1898 case United States v. Wong Kim Ark already settled the idea that automatic citizenship was granted to children born on U.S. soil. Ark was born in San Francisco to Chinese immigrant parents. When he left California, he was denied entry back into the United States after visiting relatives in China.  Officials at the time argued that because Ark’s parents were Chinese citizens in the United States on temporary visas at the time of his birth, and therefore were not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the U.S., he was not a citizen.  Ark took the issue to the Supreme Court. In 1898, the high court affirmed that he, along with any child born on U.S. soil, were guaranteed citizenship, and rejected the argument that the 14th Amendment only applied to newly freed African American slaves. American Civil Liberties Union lead attorney Cecillia Wang, who argued before the justices, said that when the federal government tried to strip Ark of his citizenship, “largely on the same grounds (the Trump administration) raised today,” the Supreme Court at that time rejected those efforts and upheld the 14th Amendment. “This Court held that the 14th Amendment embodies the English common law rule (that) virtually everyone born on U.S. soil is subject to its jurisdiction and is a citizen,” Wang, who is the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, said. Her parents were in the U.S. on student visas when she was born in Oregon, meaning that if Trump’s executive order were in effect at that time, she would have been denied U.S. citizenship. Roberts agreed that the Supreme Court made the correct decision in 1898 about Ark’s case. “What the Court held in Wong Kim Ark was simple: the Citizenship Clause incorporated the common law and granted citizenship to nearly all children born in the United States,” he wrote. “Not surprisingly, then, in the 128 years since, we have repeatedly understood the rule of Wong Kim Ark to guarantee citizenship to all children born in the United States and subject to its power.”  “We see no reason to depart from that view today,” he continued.  14th Amendment argument During April’s oral arguments, Sauer made that case that the phrase in the 14th Amendment “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” means that children born to parents without legal status or temporary visitors are not “subject to the jurisdiction of the United States” and are instead subject to the laws of their home country.  The 14th Amendment reads: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” Roberts rejected Sauer’s position, and wrote that the Trump administration’s “[a]rguments for limiting birthright citizenship to those domiciled in the United States fail.” “Children born in the United States to parents unlawfully or temporarily present are ‘subject to the jurisdiction’ of the United States and are citizens at birth under the Fourteenth Amendment’s Citizenship Clause,” he wrote. “Under the Constitution, they are citizens at birth.” The 14th Amendment was passed to rectify the Supreme Court’s decision in Dred Scott v. Sandford, in which justices ruled that neither free or enslaved Black people could have citizenship or rights. The amendment was also meant to give African Americans citizenship while also denying citizenship to the mass migration of Chinese laborers not born on U.S. soil.  The “jurisdiction” language in the amendment, tribal scholars have said, was aimed to exempt Indigenous people who resided in Native nations — part of their tribal governments — from birthright citizenship, along with the children born to foreign diplomats.    Congress in 1924 specifically passed the Indian Citizenship Act to grant birthright citizenship to Indigenous people, regardless of their residence in Native nations.  Because of this, tribal scholars have explained the language “subject to the jurisdiction” was never meant to apply to immigrants and their home country, and instead refers to the political alliance of tribes. Congress reacts Following Tuesday’s decision, Democrats praised the decision. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York, said in a statement that “despite Trump’s best efforts to bully them, the Supreme Court just reaffirmed that if you are born in America, you belong in America.” “No matter how much President Trump tries to steal citizenship from people that the Constitution has said have earned it and reverse the grand American tradition of welcoming newcomers to our nation, the Supreme Court confirmed today that those born in America are American,” he said. Chairs of the Congressional Tri-Caucus — the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and Congressional Black Caucus — issued a joint statement that the high court’s ruling was a rejection of “Trump’s dangerous and exclusionary vision of America.” “We are American, we belong here, and we will continue to defend birthright citizenship for generations to come,” said New York Reps. Adriano Espaillat of the CHC; Grace Meng of the CAPAC; and Yvette Clarke of the CBC.  Wang, of the ACLU, who argued the case before the Supreme Court, said in a statement that Tuesday’s decision reaffirmed a core American principle.  “If you are born here, you are a citizen,” she said. “A president cannot change the Constitution by executive fiat.” An immigration advocacy group that has also challenged the Trump administration’s efforts to redefine birthright citizenship, We Are CASA, said the decision was a victory for immigrant families.  “The Trump administration’s attempt to deny citizenship to United States-born children, threaten generations of children with legal uncertainty, and overturn more than a century of settled constitutional law has failed,” said Shana Khader, the deputy legal director at We Are CASA. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f90fc2ca79de236241bb US Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship, rejecting Trump order te 2026-06-30T17:12:47.557Z US Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship, rejecting Trump order Protesters held a rally on protecting birthright citizenship outside the U.S. Supreme Court as President Donald Trump attended oral arguments on April 1, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Al Drago/Getty Images) WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday struck down President Donald Trump’s attempt to redefine the constitutional right to birthright citizenship. In the decision, a majority of the justices upheld the country’s long understanding of automatic citizenship by birth on American soil, regardless of the immigration status of a newborn’s parents. The majority opinion, written by Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., found the president’s executive order violated the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.  “Citizenship, then and now, was the right to have rights—to freely participate in our political community,” Roberts wrote. “The Framers of the Fourteenth Amendment extended that promise to ‘every free-born person in this land.’ We keep that promise today.” While six of the justices agreed — Roberts, Amy Coney Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson — that the president’s executive order was unlawful, conservative Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil M. Gorsuch dissented.  Only five of the justices agreed that the 14th Amendment extends citizenship to the children of immigrants, with Kavanaugh partially dissenting along with Thomas, Alito and Gorsuch.  Kavanaugh argued that Trump’s executive order did not violate the 14th Amendment, but instead violated federal statute. He added in his dissent that Congress could “enact new legislation establishing exceptions to birthright citizenship for children born to foreign citizens unlawfully or temporarily in the country. But Congress has not yet done so.” The White House did not immediately respond to States Newsroom’s request for comment, but a day before the decision, Trump said in the Oval Office that he would accept the Supreme Court’s ruling.  “It’s up to them, but in terms of for the good of the country, it’d be great if they … didn’t allow it,” Trump, who in a highly unusual move for a president attended the oral arguments on the case, said of birthright citizenship.  After the ruling, the president called on Congress, which is controlled by Republicans, to pass legislation to codify his executive order into law, dismissing the need for a constitutional amendment.  However, a constitutional amendment would be needed, not legislative law, because a majority of the justices still found that any change to birthright citizenship violated the Constitution’s 14th Amendment. Utah’s GOP Sen. Mike Lee, who previously clerked for Alito, noted that “we’re going to need a constitutional amendment.”  The opinion is a major blow to Trump, who has sought to redefine who is American as part of his broader immigration agenda.  But it also follows two decisions from the high court that vastly expanded the president’s authority over immigration policy by allowing him to limit asylum seeker claims at the Southern border and strip legal protections for 350,000 Haitians and 6,000 Syrians.   Tuesday’s decision is based on one of the first executive orders that the president signed on the first day of his second term. It aimed to deny citizenship to children born to parents who either do not have legal status, or hold temporary legal visas.  Experts warned if the order were to take effect, it could create an entire class of stateless people and cause chaos for hospitals and local governments. Case brought by expectant parents The case, Trump v. Barbara, was brought by expectant mothers who feared their children would not be American citizens because of their immigration status. During oral arguments in April, a majority of the justices seemed skeptical of the Trump administration’s arguments, presented by Solicitor General D. John Sauer.  Before the justices, Sauer argued that the citizenship clause of the Constitution’s 14th Amendment, which is the basis for birthright citizenship, was meant to apply to newly freed African American slaves after the Civil War, not to children of immigrants.  Most legal scholars and historians disagree with that interpretation and have argued the Supreme Court in the 1898 case United States v. Wong Kim Ark already settled the idea that automatic citizenship was granted to children born on U.S. soil. Ark was born in San Francisco to Chinese immigrant parents. When he left California, he was denied entry back into the United States after visiting relatives in China.  Officials at the time argued that because Ark’s parents were Chinese citizens in the United States on temporary visas at the time of his birth, and therefore were not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the U.S., he was not a citizen.  Ark took the issue to the Supreme Court. In 1898, the high court affirmed that he, along with any child born on U.S. soil, were guaranteed citizenship, and rejected the argument that the 14th Amendment only applied to newly freed African American slaves. American Civil Liberties Union lead attorney Cecillia Wang, who argued before the justices, said that when the federal government tried to strip Ark of his citizenship, “largely on the same grounds (the Trump administration) raised today,” the Supreme Court at that time rejected those efforts and upheld the 14th Amendment. “This Court held that the 14th Amendment embodies the English common law rule (that) virtually everyone born on U.S. soil is subject to its jurisdiction and is a citizen,” Wang, who is the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, said. Her parents were in the U.S. on student visas when she was born in Oregon, meaning that if Trump’s executive order were in effect at that time, she would have been denied U.S. citizenship. Roberts agreed that the Supreme Court made the correct decision in 1898 about Ark’s case. “What the Court held in Wong Kim Ark was simple: the Citizenship Clause incorporated the common law and granted citizenship to nearly all children born in the United States,” he wrote. “Not surprisingly, then, in the 128 years since, we have repeatedly understood the rule of Wong Kim Ark to guarantee citizenship to all children born in the United States and subject to its power.”  “We see no reason to depart from that view today,” he continued.  14th Amendment argument During April’s oral arguments, Sauer made that case that the phrase in the 14th Amendment “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” means that children born to parents without legal status or temporary visitors are not “subject to the jurisdiction of the United States” and are instead subject to the laws of their home country.  The 14th Amendment reads: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” Roberts rejected Sauer’s position, and wrote that the Trump administration’s “[a]rguments for limiting birthright citizenship to those domiciled in the United States fail.” “Children born in the United States to parents unlawfully or temporarily present are ‘subject to the jurisdiction’ of the United States and are citizens at birth under the Fourteenth Amendment’s Citizenship Clause,” he wrote. “Under the Constitution, they are citizens at birth.” The 14th Amendment was passed to rectify the Supreme Court’s decision in Dred Scott v. Sandford, in which justices ruled that neither free or enslaved Black people could have citizenship or rights. The amendment was also meant to give African Americans citizenship while also denying citizenship to the mass migration of Chinese laborers not born on U.S. soil.  The “jurisdiction” language in the amendment, tribal scholars have said, was aimed to exempt Indigenous people who resided in Native nations — part of their tribal governments — from birthright citizenship, along with the children born to foreign diplomats.    Congress in 1924 specifically passed the Indian Citizenship Act to grant birthright citizenship to Indigenous people, regardless of their residence in Native nations.  Because of this, tribal scholars have explained the language “subject to the jurisdiction” was never meant to apply to immigrants and their home country, and instead refers to the political alliance of tribes. Congress reacts Following Tuesday’s decision, Democrats praised the decision. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York, said in a statement that “despite Trump’s best efforts to bully them, the Supreme Court just reaffirmed that if you are born in America, you belong in America.” “No matter how much President Trump tries to steal citizenship from people that the Constitution has said have earned it and reverse the grand American tradition of welcoming newcomers to our nation, the Supreme Court confirmed today that those born in America are American,” he said. Chairs of the Congressional Tri-Caucus — the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and Congressional Black Caucus — issued a joint statement that the high court’s ruling was a rejection of “Trump’s dangerous and exclusionary vision of America.” “We are American, we belong here, and we will continue to defend birthright citizenship for generations to come,” said New York Reps. Adriano Espaillat of the CHC; Grace Meng of the CAPAC; and Yvette Clarke of the CBC.  Wang, of the ACLU, who argued the case before the Supreme Court, said in a statement that Tuesday’s decision reaffirmed a core American principle.  “If you are born here, you are a citizen,” she said. “A president cannot change the Constitution by executive fiat.” An immigration advocacy group that has also challenged the Trump administration’s efforts to redefine birthright citizenship, We Are CASA, said the decision was a victory for immigrant families.  “The Trump administration’s attempt to deny citizenship to United States-born children, threaten generations of children with legal uncertainty, and overturn more than a century of settled constitutional law has failed,” said Shana Khader, the deputy legal director at We Are CASA. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f907c2ca79de236241b2 Dave Portnoy left 'stunned' by NYC socialist victories, says the American Dream is under siege te 2026-06-30T17:12:39.977Z Dave Portnoy left 'stunned' by NYC socialist victories, says the American Dream is under siege Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy had an answer Monday about whether he is weighing a potential mayoral run in the Big Apple: "Maybe."  Speaking with Fox News Digital following a 92NY event promoting his new book, the New England native debated whether he’d be the best candidate to take on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whose socialist brand is rising in the Democratic Party. "Depends what day you ask me," Portnoy told Fox News Digital. "I don’t know that I could win, but somebody’s got to take that guy and beat him."  "So I don’t know," he added. "Maybe I’m the guy to do it. Depends on how much more he keeps pissing me off." DAVE PORTNOY CELEBRATES NOT LIVING IN NYC AFTER DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST MAMDANI'S MAYORAL WIN The comments came following a panel promoting Portnoy’s new book, "Cancel Me If You Can," in which the Barstool founder left no stone unturned when it came to topics of discussion — including touching on the recent sweep by three far-left socialists in New York City’s primary elections last week.  "I don't want to say, ‘We don't do politics,’ and then I jump into politics," Portnoy said during the panel, in response to a question submitted by Fox News Digital. "And I can't stay out of it, because it is blowing in my mind what's going on [in New York City] right now."  Portnoy went on to blast previous comments from Mamdani-backed candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier that have resurfaced in light of her primary win. DEM SOCIALIST'S NYC PRIMARY UPSET SIGNALS 'GENERATIONAL' SHIFT IN DEMOCRATIC PARTY, STRATEGISTS SAY  "That lady, Chevalier, just got elected," Portnoy said. "The things she has said are unbelievable."  "She said all Arab men [and] Black men shouldn’t date ugly colonizers," he continued. "She said no prisons, no quarters, no jails. She started a group at Columbia that’s goal was to overthrow Western society — she just got elected." Although Chevalier has not been elected to office, her victory is effectively a certainty in her deep-blue district after winning the Democratic nomination. He also pointed to resurfaced remarks made by Mamdani-backed Aber Kawas, who won her primary race in New York State Senate District 12, in which she appeared to suggest the United States deserved the September 11, 2001, terror attacks. MAMDANI'S FAILURE TO WALK BACK THESE POSITIONS COULD CAUSE RECKONING IN DEMOCRATIC PARTY: 'FIVE-ALARM WARNING' "[Kawas], who just got elected, said America deserved 9/11," Portnoy said. "Like that to me, is just — I can’t even wrap my brain around it."  "I don’t know if it’s scary or if I should be scared or like, [if] I gotta get into politics," he added. "I am stunned by some of the things that are happening now."  Kawas’ previous comments stemmed from a 2017 episode of the Asian American Writers' Association podcast titled "Islamophobia beyond 9/11 with Aber Kawas," in which she said, "The system of capitalism and racism and White supremacy… and Islamophobia have all been used to colonize lands, to take resources from other people and so this is a long trajectory, and we're just seeing the manifestations of that continuation with 9/11." NYC MAYORAL CANDIDATE ZOHRAN MAMDANI DEFENDS PAST TWEETS, SAYS CUOMO ATTACKING ‘MYTHICAL VERSION’ OF HIM The socialist candidate later walked back her comments days after her win, telling Fox News Digital, "I’ve always been outspoken about the wrongful scapegoating of Muslim Americans, both before and after 9/11, and in this interview I was speaking about the harmful notion that Muslims should have to apologize for an act of violence they have nothing to do with."  The pizza critic known as "El Presidente" took aim at Mamdani, blasting the sitting mayor’s socialist agenda while refusing to confirm whether a mayoral run was off the table.  WATCH: DAVE PORTNOY DISCUSSES WHETHER HE'D RUN FOR POLITICAL OFFIC "I’d want to go right for Mamdani," Portnoy told the audience at 92NY, in response to Fox News Digital’s question. RAPPING, ACTING CAMEO AMONG FRINGE ACTIVITIES LINING MAMDANI'S THIN WORK RESUME "Unlike Mamdani, who’s never had a job, I’ve had a real job," he added. "And I’ve actually done a lot of good when I wasn’t doing it to run for office. I’m doing it because it’s the right thing to do."  "I don’t know if I could win this city with a Democrat, but [Mamdani] has said what he wanted to do before he got elected. And I trust what people say before they’re running, and he said some pretty crazy things about what he wants to do."  Portnoy lamented that he believes entrepreneurship — a fundamental principle of the American Dream — has been demonized by far-left candidates throughout Democratic cities in the country. MAHER DEFENDS CAPITALISM AS BETTER THAN 'REVERSE,' CALLS OUT MAMDANI'S SOCIALIST BELIEFS "To me, I think Barstool is the American Dream. I really do," Portnoy said. "It’s like, you work your a-- off, you build a company, you employ 400 to 450 people who enjoy it. I’ve become wealthy beyond my reach. It kind of is the American Dream."  "I don’t like when I hear that people should be ashamed for being successful — that bothers me greatly," the Barstool founder continued, earning a round of applause. "A lot of things [Mamdani] says really do bother me." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani's office for comment.  Speaking to the audience in response to Fox News Digital’s question, Portnoy paraphrased a famous line from philosopher Plato to emphasize his belief that Americans should run for office if they are unhappy with the politicians elected to represent them. "If you don’t do your job in public service, then you’re doomed to be ruled by people dumber than you," Portnoy said.  Fox News Digital’s Peter D’Abrosca contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f8fbc2ca79de236241a9 Dave Portnoy left 'stunned' by NYC socialist victories, says the American Dream is under siege te 2026-06-30T17:12:27.586Z Dave Portnoy left 'stunned' by NYC socialist victories, says the American Dream is under siege Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy had an answer Monday about whether he is weighing a potential mayoral run in the Big Apple: "Maybe."  Speaking with Fox News Digital following a 92NY event promoting his new book, the New England native debated whether he’d be the best candidate to take on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whose socialist brand is rising in the Democratic Party. "Depends what day you ask me," Portnoy told Fox News Digital. "I don’t know that I could win, but somebody’s got to take that guy and beat him."  "So I don’t know," he added. "Maybe I’m the guy to do it. Depends on how much more he keeps pissing me off." DAVE PORTNOY CELEBRATES NOT LIVING IN NYC AFTER DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST MAMDANI'S MAYORAL WIN The comments came following a panel promoting Portnoy’s new book, "Cancel Me If You Can," in which the Barstool founder left no stone unturned when it came to topics of discussion — including touching on the recent sweep by three far-left socialists in New York City’s primary elections last week.  "I don't want to say, ‘We don't do politics,’ and then I jump into politics," Portnoy said during the panel, in response to a question submitted by Fox News Digital. "And I can't stay out of it, because it is blowing in my mind what's going on [in New York City] right now."  Portnoy went on to blast previous comments from Mamdani-backed candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier that have resurfaced in light of her primary win. DEM SOCIALIST'S NYC PRIMARY UPSET SIGNALS 'GENERATIONAL' SHIFT IN DEMOCRATIC PARTY, STRATEGISTS SAY  "That lady, Chevalier, just got elected," Portnoy said. "The things she has said are unbelievable."  "She said all Arab men [and] Black men shouldn’t date ugly colonizers," he continued. "She said no prisons, no quarters, no jails. She started a group at Columbia that’s goal was to overthrow Western society — she just got elected." Although Chevalier has not been elected to office, her victory is effectively a certainty in her deep-blue district after winning the Democratic nomination. He also pointed to resurfaced remarks made by Mamdani-backed Aber Kawas, who won her primary race in New York State Senate District 12, in which she appeared to suggest the United States deserved the September 11, 2001, terror attacks. MAMDANI'S FAILURE TO WALK BACK THESE POSITIONS COULD CAUSE RECKONING IN DEMOCRATIC PARTY: 'FIVE-ALARM WARNING' "[Kawas], who just got elected, said America deserved 9/11," Portnoy said. "Like that to me, is just — I can’t even wrap my brain around it."  "I don’t know if it’s scary or if I should be scared or like, [if] I gotta get into politics," he added. "I am stunned by some of the things that are happening now."  Kawas’ previous comments stemmed from a 2017 episode of the Asian American Writers' Association podcast titled "Islamophobia beyond 9/11 with Aber Kawas," in which she said, "The system of capitalism and racism and White supremacy… and Islamophobia have all been used to colonize lands, to take resources from other people and so this is a long trajectory, and we're just seeing the manifestations of that continuation with 9/11." NYC MAYORAL CANDIDATE ZOHRAN MAMDANI DEFENDS PAST TWEETS, SAYS CUOMO ATTACKING ‘MYTHICAL VERSION’ OF HIM The socialist candidate later walked back her comments days after her win, telling Fox News Digital, "I’ve always been outspoken about the wrongful scapegoating of Muslim Americans, both before and after 9/11, and in this interview I was speaking about the harmful notion that Muslims should have to apologize for an act of violence they have nothing to do with."  The pizza critic known as "El Presidente" took aim at Mamdani, blasting the sitting mayor’s socialist agenda while refusing to confirm whether a mayoral run was off the table.  WATCH: DAVE PORTNOY DISCUSSES WHETHER HE'D RUN FOR POLITICAL OFFIC "I’d want to go right for Mamdani," Portnoy told the audience at 92NY, in response to Fox News Digital’s question. RAPPING, ACTING CAMEO AMONG FRINGE ACTIVITIES LINING MAMDANI'S THIN WORK RESUME "Unlike Mamdani, who’s never had a job, I’ve had a real job," he added. "And I’ve actually done a lot of good when I wasn’t doing it to run for office. I’m doing it because it’s the right thing to do."  "I don’t know if I could win this city with a Democrat, but [Mamdani] has said what he wanted to do before he got elected. And I trust what people say before they’re running, and he said some pretty crazy things about what he wants to do."  Portnoy lamented that he believes entrepreneurship — a fundamental principle of the American Dream — has been demonized by far-left candidates throughout Democratic cities in the country. MAHER DEFENDS CAPITALISM AS BETTER THAN 'REVERSE,' CALLS OUT MAMDANI'S SOCIALIST BELIEFS "To me, I think Barstool is the American Dream. I really do," Portnoy said. "It’s like, you work your a-- off, you build a company, you employ 400 to 450 people who enjoy it. I’ve become wealthy beyond my reach. It kind of is the American Dream."  "I don’t like when I hear that people should be ashamed for being successful — that bothers me greatly," the Barstool founder continued, earning a round of applause. "A lot of things [Mamdani] says really do bother me." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani's office for comment.  Speaking to the audience in response to Fox News Digital’s question, Portnoy paraphrased a famous line from philosopher Plato to emphasize his belief that Americans should run for office if they are unhappy with the politicians elected to represent them. "If you don’t do your job in public service, then you’re doomed to be ruled by people dumber than you," Portnoy said.  Fox News Digital’s Peter D’Abrosca contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f8f4c2ca79de236241a0 WATCH: Fights break out at Russian gas stations as Putin admits fuel shortages te 2026-06-30T17:12:20.533Z WATCH: Fights break out at Russian gas stations as Putin admits fuel shortages Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly acknowledged that Ukrainian long-range strikes are creating fuel supply problems inside Russia, as videos obtained by Fox News Digital show long lines, angry motorists and fights erupting at filling stations across several Russian regions. Speaking at a meeting with government ministers and other officials after a wave of Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, Putin said on Sunday that strikes on "critical infrastructure" and energy facilities were creating "problems," including shortages affecting motorists, businesses and agricultural producers, but said Russia was dealing with them, according to Reuters.  The remarks marked a rare admission from the Kremlin that Ukraine’s long-range campaign is having an impact beyond the battlefield. UKRAINE LAUNCHES WHAT APPEARS TO BE ONE OF ITS LARGEST DRONE ATTACKS AGAINST RUSSIA: REPORT For Ukraine, the fuel crisis is evidence that its long-range strike campaign is doing more than damaging individual facilities. The attacks are forcing Moscow to manage visible problems at home, exposing a vulnerability in a country whose global power has long rested on its energy sector.  Ukraine increasingly has used long-range drones to target Russian oil refineries, depots and supply routes hundreds of miles from its border. Ukraine hit two Russian oil refineries overnight, Reuters reported Sunday, including one in Krasnodar, Russia, and another in Yaroslavl, Russia, as Kyiv continues targeting infrastructure linked to Moscow’s war effort. Fuel shortages have spread across Russia, including occupied Crimea, southern Russia, Siberia and Moscow. Moscow also is weighing emergency measures, including temporarily allowing the production and import of lower-quality fuel, according to a draft government document reported by the Kommersant daily newspaper. Maxim Katz, a Russian opposition figure and former Moscow municipal deputy, told Fox News Digital that the fuel shortages are real and increasingly difficult for Russians to ignore. "There are fuel problems in Russia right now — real ones," Katz told Fox News Digital. "I’m getting a lot of reports, and I can see it too: It’s hard. You can’t find fuel, or you have to stand in line. In some cities, you have to spend half a day looking for fuel, and then they give you only a little, and you have to get back in line again." Katz said the shortages appear tied directly to Ukraine’s attacks on Russian refining capacity. "They are bombing the refineries very effectively," he said. "Putin doesn’t have a way to defend them. Right now, it looks like there is no way to defend them, and that is a major pressure point on Putin." Videos obtained by Fox News Digital from East2West news agency show scenes of frustration at Russian filling stations, where drivers are seen waiting in long queues and arguing as shortages bite. In one video, two women appear to argue over a place in line, with one insisting, "I was in the queue," before the confrontation escalates into shouting and threats. 'PURE HELL' IN MOSCOW AS UKRAINIAN DRONES STRIKE MAJOR REFINERY SUPPLYING CAPITAL'S FUEL MARKET In Serov, Russia, police were called after a male driver was seen shouting obscenities at several women before punching one of them, according to a video.  In Ryazan, Russia, video shows a fight breaking out near a forecourt as drivers waited for fuel. In Irkutsk, Russia, a man is seen leaning into the open window of a hatchback and repeatedly hitting another motorist. One woman, identified only as Tanya, 29, told east2west she waited 13 hours in Siberia to get half a tank of fuel and blamed Putin’s war for the chaos. "He should stop this senseless conflict and let us live normally," she told the outlet.  'PURE HELL' IN MOSCOW AS UKRAINIAN DRONES STRIKE MAJOR REFINERY SUPPLYING CAPITAL'S FUEL MARKET Katz said the fuel disruption comes alongside deeper economic pressure caused by the Russia–Ukraine war, including high domestic borrowing, steep interest rates and a budget increasingly built around military spending. "The whole economy is now built on war," Katz said. "War does not produce anything. Nothing comes back from it. So what remains is a big hole." He said Russia is not yet on the verge of collapse, but the strain is "growing and growing," with economic officials warning that spending may need to be cut as the budget deficit becomes harder to close. This assessment was also confirmed to Fox News Digital by a European intelligence source, who said the economic pressure is effectively working. Fox News Digital reached out to Russian and Ukrainian spokespeople for comment.  Reuters contributed to this story. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f8e8c2ca79de23624197 WATCH: Fights break out at Russian gas stations as Putin admits fuel shortages te 2026-06-30T17:12:08.131Z WATCH: Fights break out at Russian gas stations as Putin admits fuel shortages Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly acknowledged that Ukrainian long-range strikes are creating fuel supply problems inside Russia, as videos obtained by Fox News Digital show long lines, angry motorists and fights erupting at filling stations across several Russian regions. Speaking at a meeting with government ministers and other officials after a wave of Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, Putin said on Sunday that strikes on "critical infrastructure" and energy facilities were creating "problems," including shortages affecting motorists, businesses and agricultural producers, but said Russia was dealing with them, according to Reuters.  The remarks marked a rare admission from the Kremlin that Ukraine’s long-range campaign is having an impact beyond the battlefield. UKRAINE LAUNCHES WHAT APPEARS TO BE ONE OF ITS LARGEST DRONE ATTACKS AGAINST RUSSIA: REPORT For Ukraine, the fuel crisis is evidence that its long-range strike campaign is doing more than damaging individual facilities. The attacks are forcing Moscow to manage visible problems at home, exposing a vulnerability in a country whose global power has long rested on its energy sector.  Ukraine increasingly has used long-range drones to target Russian oil refineries, depots and supply routes hundreds of miles from its border. Ukraine hit two Russian oil refineries overnight, Reuters reported Sunday, including one in Krasnodar, Russia, and another in Yaroslavl, Russia, as Kyiv continues targeting infrastructure linked to Moscow’s war effort. Fuel shortages have spread across Russia, including occupied Crimea, southern Russia, Siberia and Moscow. Moscow also is weighing emergency measures, including temporarily allowing the production and import of lower-quality fuel, according to a draft government document reported by the Kommersant daily newspaper. Maxim Katz, a Russian opposition figure and former Moscow municipal deputy, told Fox News Digital that the fuel shortages are real and increasingly difficult for Russians to ignore. "There are fuel problems in Russia right now — real ones," Katz told Fox News Digital. "I’m getting a lot of reports, and I can see it too: It’s hard. You can’t find fuel, or you have to stand in line. In some cities, you have to spend half a day looking for fuel, and then they give you only a little, and you have to get back in line again." Katz said the shortages appear tied directly to Ukraine’s attacks on Russian refining capacity. "They are bombing the refineries very effectively," he said. "Putin doesn’t have a way to defend them. Right now, it looks like there is no way to defend them, and that is a major pressure point on Putin." Videos obtained by Fox News Digital from East2West news agency show scenes of frustration at Russian filling stations, where drivers are seen waiting in long queues and arguing as shortages bite. In one video, two women appear to argue over a place in line, with one insisting, "I was in the queue," before the confrontation escalates into shouting and threats. 'PURE HELL' IN MOSCOW AS UKRAINIAN DRONES STRIKE MAJOR REFINERY SUPPLYING CAPITAL'S FUEL MARKET In Serov, Russia, police were called after a male driver was seen shouting obscenities at several women before punching one of them, according to a video.  In Ryazan, Russia, video shows a fight breaking out near a forecourt as drivers waited for fuel. In Irkutsk, Russia, a man is seen leaning into the open window of a hatchback and repeatedly hitting another motorist. One woman, identified only as Tanya, 29, told east2west she waited 13 hours in Siberia to get half a tank of fuel and blamed Putin’s war for the chaos. "He should stop this senseless conflict and let us live normally," she told the outlet.  'PURE HELL' IN MOSCOW AS UKRAINIAN DRONES STRIKE MAJOR REFINERY SUPPLYING CAPITAL'S FUEL MARKET Katz said the fuel disruption comes alongside deeper economic pressure caused by the Russia–Ukraine war, including high domestic borrowing, steep interest rates and a budget increasingly built around military spending. "The whole economy is now built on war," Katz said. "War does not produce anything. Nothing comes back from it. So what remains is a big hole." He said Russia is not yet on the verge of collapse, but the strain is "growing and growing," with economic officials warning that spending may need to be cut as the budget deficit becomes harder to close. This assessment was also confirmed to Fox News Digital by a European intelligence source, who said the economic pressure is effectively working. Fox News Digital reached out to Russian and Ukrainian spokespeople for comment.  Reuters contributed to this story. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f8e1c2ca79de2362418e Trump suffers major Supreme Court defeat as justices uphold birthright citizenship te 2026-06-30T17:12:01.063Z Trump suffers major Supreme Court defeat as justices uphold birthright citizenship The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected President Donald Trump's bid to restrict birthright citizenship, preserving the long-standing constitutional interpretation that most children born in the United States are automatically U.S. citizens, including children born to parents who are unlawfully or temporarily present in the country. The ruling is a major setback for Trump, who made curbing birthright citizenship a key part of his immigration agenda. "Children born in the United States to parents unlawfully or temporarily present are 'subject to the jurisdiction' of the United States and are citizens at birth under the Fourteenth Amendment's Citizenship Clause," the court said.  "The Framers of the Fourteenth Amendment extended that promise to 'every free-born person in this land.' We keep that promise today."  LIVE UPDATES: SUPREME COURT TO UNVEIL BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP, TRANSGENDDER ATHLETES DECISIONS ON TERM'S FINAL DAY The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to affirm a district court ruling blocking Trump's executive order, with Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joining the court's three liberal justices. Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh concurred in judgment.  The court found that a person's citizenship status is not dependent on their parents', citing the 14th Amendment. Roberts wrote that the Court's 1898 ruling in Wong Kim Ark had settled the issue. The majority said the Citizenship Clause was adopted to reverse the Supreme Court's Dred Scott ruling, which denied citizenship to Black Americans, and to ensure that citizenship is determined by birth on U.S. soil. While Kavanaugh agreed that Trump's executive order could not take effect, he reached that conclusion on different legal grounds than the majority in a concurring opinion.  Kavanaugh argued that Trump's executive order violated current federal law; however, he said the Constitution would allow Congress to pass legislation restricting birthright citizenship for children born to parents who are in the country unlawfully or temporarily. SUPREME COURT STRIKES DOWN LIMIT ON PARTY CAMPAIGN SPENDING IN COORDINATION WITH CANDIDATES "Congress could—consistent with the Fourteenth Amendment — amend or otherwise enact new legislation establishing exceptions to birthright citizenship for children born to foreign citizens unlawfully or temporarily in the country. But Congress has not yet done so," Kavanaugh ruled. Justice Clarence Thomas, joined by Justice Neil Gorsuch, authored a 91-page dissent, arguing that the majority misinterpreted the 14th Amendment. He wrote that the 14th Amendment does not guarantee birthright citizenship to children born to parents who are in the country unlawfully or temporarily. Thomas argued that the Court's 1898 ruling in Wong Kim Ark expanded birthright citizenship beyond what the Reconstruction Congress had ever "contemplated." "Wong Kim Ark addressed only the citizenship of a child born to parents who were lawfully and permanently domiciled in the United States," Thomas wrote. Justice Samuel Alito wrote a separate dissent, calling the Court's ruling a "serious mistake." He suggested the Court failed to consider the rise of "birth tourism," in which foreigners come to the United States solely to give birth, and argued that it could have serious national security implications. "Suppose that a person's only connection to this country is that he was born here to a mother who was present just long enough to give birth and then quickly return to her native country," Alito wrote. "Suppose that country is a strategic adversary or enemy of the United States. Suppose the child never visited the United States while grown and was inculcated with hatred of this country." TRUMP'S FIRING POWER FACES TWIN SUPREME COURT TESTS, BUT ONE AGENCY MAY GET SPECIAL TREATMENT Alito pointed out that this hypothetical person can now enter and leave the United States without any restrictions. "Even if he plots to harm this country, he cannot be deprived of his status as a citizen, at least under current precedent," Alito continued. The Supreme Court's ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of families challenging President Donald Trump's executive order, "Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship." Trump said the order was intended to curb illegal immigration, arguing that granting automatic U.S. citizenship to anyone born in the country acts as a "magnet for illegal immigration." The order sought to deny automatic U.S. citizenship to certain children born in the United States to parents who were in the country unlawfully or temporarily. The lawsuit, led by a Honduran woman identified only as "Barbara" to protect her identity, argued that the policy violated the 14th Amendment's Citizenship Clause and was therefore unconstitutional. The ACLU and other immigrant rights groups argued that the Constitution guarantees birthright citizenship to nearly all children born on U.S. soil, regardless of their parents' immigration status, and that the president could not alter that constitutional guarantee through executive action. The Supreme Court ultimately agreed, striking down the order. "The court’s decision reaffirms a fundamental American promise — if you are born here, you are a citizen," said ACLU National Legal Director Cecillia Wang, who argued the case before the Supreme Court. "A president cannot change the Constitution by executive fiat. Our brave clients and our legal team stand with millions of people around our country who spoke up for one of our most cherished rights. The Constitution’s guarantee of birthright citizenship stands strong." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f8d4c2ca79de23624185 Trump suffers major Supreme Court defeat as justices uphold birthright citizenship te 2026-06-30T17:11:48.676Z Trump suffers major Supreme Court defeat as justices uphold birthright citizenship The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected President Donald Trump's bid to restrict birthright citizenship, preserving the long-standing constitutional interpretation that most children born in the United States are automatically U.S. citizens, including children born to parents who are unlawfully or temporarily present in the country. The ruling is a major setback for Trump, who made curbing birthright citizenship a key part of his immigration agenda. "Children born in the United States to parents unlawfully or temporarily present are 'subject to the jurisdiction' of the United States and are citizens at birth under the Fourteenth Amendment's Citizenship Clause," the court said.  "The Framers of the Fourteenth Amendment extended that promise to 'every free-born person in this land.' We keep that promise today."  LIVE UPDATES: SUPREME COURT TO UNVEIL BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP, TRANSGENDDER ATHLETES DECISIONS ON TERM'S FINAL DAY The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to affirm a district court ruling blocking Trump's executive order, with Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joining the court's three liberal justices. Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh concurred in judgment.  The court found that a person's citizenship status is not dependent on their parents', citing the 14th Amendment. Roberts wrote that the Court's 1898 ruling in Wong Kim Ark had settled the issue. The majority said the Citizenship Clause was adopted to reverse the Supreme Court's Dred Scott ruling, which denied citizenship to Black Americans, and to ensure that citizenship is determined by birth on U.S. soil. While Kavanaugh agreed that Trump's executive order could not take effect, he reached that conclusion on different legal grounds than the majority in a concurring opinion.  Kavanaugh argued that Trump's executive order violated current federal law; however, he said the Constitution would allow Congress to pass legislation restricting birthright citizenship for children born to parents who are in the country unlawfully or temporarily. SUPREME COURT STRIKES DOWN LIMIT ON PARTY CAMPAIGN SPENDING IN COORDINATION WITH CANDIDATES "Congress could—consistent with the Fourteenth Amendment — amend or otherwise enact new legislation establishing exceptions to birthright citizenship for children born to foreign citizens unlawfully or temporarily in the country. But Congress has not yet done so," Kavanaugh ruled. Justice Clarence Thomas, joined by Justice Neil Gorsuch, authored a 91-page dissent, arguing that the majority misinterpreted the 14th Amendment. He wrote that the 14th Amendment does not guarantee birthright citizenship to children born to parents who are in the country unlawfully or temporarily. Thomas argued that the Court's 1898 ruling in Wong Kim Ark expanded birthright citizenship beyond what the Reconstruction Congress had ever "contemplated." "Wong Kim Ark addressed only the citizenship of a child born to parents who were lawfully and permanently domiciled in the United States," Thomas wrote. Justice Samuel Alito wrote a separate dissent, calling the Court's ruling a "serious mistake." He suggested the Court failed to consider the rise of "birth tourism," in which foreigners come to the United States solely to give birth, and argued that it could have serious national security implications. "Suppose that a person's only connection to this country is that he was born here to a mother who was present just long enough to give birth and then quickly return to her native country," Alito wrote. "Suppose that country is a strategic adversary or enemy of the United States. Suppose the child never visited the United States while grown and was inculcated with hatred of this country." TRUMP'S FIRING POWER FACES TWIN SUPREME COURT TESTS, BUT ONE AGENCY MAY GET SPECIAL TREATMENT Alito pointed out that this hypothetical person can now enter and leave the United States without any restrictions. "Even if he plots to harm this country, he cannot be deprived of his status as a citizen, at least under current precedent," Alito continued. The Supreme Court's ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of families challenging President Donald Trump's executive order, "Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship." Trump said the order was intended to curb illegal immigration, arguing that granting automatic U.S. citizenship to anyone born in the country acts as a "magnet for illegal immigration." The order sought to deny automatic U.S. citizenship to certain children born in the United States to parents who were in the country unlawfully or temporarily. The lawsuit, led by a Honduran woman identified only as "Barbara" to protect her identity, argued that the policy violated the 14th Amendment's Citizenship Clause and was therefore unconstitutional. The ACLU and other immigrant rights groups argued that the Constitution guarantees birthright citizenship to nearly all children born on U.S. soil, regardless of their parents' immigration status, and that the president could not alter that constitutional guarantee through executive action. The Supreme Court ultimately agreed, striking down the order. "The court’s decision reaffirms a fundamental American promise — if you are born here, you are a citizen," said ACLU National Legal Director Cecillia Wang, who argued the case before the Supreme Court. "A president cannot change the Constitution by executive fiat. Our brave clients and our legal team stand with millions of people around our country who spoke up for one of our most cherished rights. The Constitution’s guarantee of birthright citizenship stands strong." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f8cdc2ca79de2362417c UAP whistleblower Luis Elizondo details congressional staffer's warning of a plot to 'eliminate' him te 2026-06-30T17:11:41.609Z UAP whistleblower Luis Elizondo details congressional staffer's warning of a plot to 'eliminate' him A whistleblower's brush with death, a congressman's dive into one of America's biggest mysteries and chilling warnings for their safety have taken center stage on the latest episode of the "Hang Out With Sean Hannity" podcast. Former Pentagon official and UFO whistleblower Luis Elizondo recalled a startling warning he received from a congressional staffer regarding him and fellow whistleblower David Grusch. "There was a plan to eliminate you," Elizondo said, recounting the warning. UFO WHISTLEBLOWER CLAIMS BILLIONS IN SECRET SPENDING HIDDEN FROM CONGRESS According to Elizondo, the "inebriated" staffer had left a classified briefing on Capitol Hill where government officials had disclosed the information just prior to the call. Though no details were provided regarding how the plan had been formulated or exactly what it entailed, he indicated he was prepared for such a faceoff. "It's the reason why I have five German shepherds, and I'm heavily armed," he said. A call from another staffer immediately followed, offering another ominous warning related to the news. EX-PENTAGON OFFICIAL SAYS UAP FILES REVEAL 'TREASURE TROVE' OF INTELLIGENCE DATING BACK TO THE 1940S "[The] first thing he says, 'Lou, are you okay?' I said, 'Yeah, I'm fine, why?' He's like, 'Well, you need to really watch yourself. Because there was discussions involving you and Grusch, that some people were very upset with what you guys did,'" he recounted. Both Elizondo and Grusch were former intelligence officials who helped spearhead calls to disclose classified information regarding UFOs or unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs). Their calls have been met with some resistance, he says, including the alleged plan. Tennessee GOP Rep. Tim Burchett, also appearing on the podcast, similarly touched on the dangers of pressing for transparency, "I was sitting at the house and I got a call from... a friend of the administration. It told me that I'd kicked a hornet's nest, and it said, you need to get bodies around you," he recalled. "I'm in East Tennessee, I've got bodies around me. There's enough good old boys out there..." he continued. "Lou will tell you we have kicked a virtual hornet's nest, and these people don't want this stuff out, and I have my own theories about that as well. I'm sure Lou does, too." The full "Hang Out With Sean Hannity" episode with Elizondo and Burchett is available now on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f8c1c2ca79de23624173 UAP whistleblower Luis Elizondo details congressional staffer's warning of a plot to 'eliminate' him te 2026-06-30T17:11:29.219Z UAP whistleblower Luis Elizondo details congressional staffer's warning of a plot to 'eliminate' him A whistleblower's brush with death, a congressman's dive into one of America's biggest mysteries and chilling warnings for their safety have taken center stage on the latest episode of the "Hang Out With Sean Hannity" podcast. Former Pentagon official and UFO whistleblower Luis Elizondo recalled a startling warning he received from a congressional staffer regarding him and fellow whistleblower David Grusch. "There was a plan to eliminate you," Elizondo said, recounting the warning. UFO WHISTLEBLOWER CLAIMS BILLIONS IN SECRET SPENDING HIDDEN FROM CONGRESS According to Elizondo, the "inebriated" staffer had left a classified briefing on Capitol Hill where government officials had disclosed the information just prior to the call. Though no details were provided regarding how the plan had been formulated or exactly what it entailed, he indicated he was prepared for such a faceoff. "It's the reason why I have five German shepherds, and I'm heavily armed," he said. A call from another staffer immediately followed, offering another ominous warning related to the news. EX-PENTAGON OFFICIAL SAYS UAP FILES REVEAL 'TREASURE TROVE' OF INTELLIGENCE DATING BACK TO THE 1940S "[The] first thing he says, 'Lou, are you okay?' I said, 'Yeah, I'm fine, why?' He's like, 'Well, you need to really watch yourself. Because there was discussions involving you and Grusch, that some people were very upset with what you guys did,'" he recounted. Both Elizondo and Grusch were former intelligence officials who helped spearhead calls to disclose classified information regarding UFOs or unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs). Their calls have been met with some resistance, he says, including the alleged plan. Tennessee GOP Rep. Tim Burchett, also appearing on the podcast, similarly touched on the dangers of pressing for transparency, "I was sitting at the house and I got a call from... a friend of the administration. It told me that I'd kicked a hornet's nest, and it said, you need to get bodies around you," he recalled. "I'm in East Tennessee, I've got bodies around me. There's enough good old boys out there..." he continued. "Lou will tell you we have kicked a virtual hornet's nest, and these people don't want this stuff out, and I have my own theories about that as well. I'm sure Lou does, too." The full "Hang Out With Sean Hannity" episode with Elizondo and Burchett is available now on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f8bac2ca79de23624161 Supreme Court strikes down limit on party campaign spending in coordination with candidates te 2026-06-30T17:11:22.158Z Supreme Court strikes down limit on party campaign spending in coordination with candidates The Supreme Court struck down a longstanding federal campaign spending limit, ruling that political parties can now spend unlimited amounts in coordination with their federal candidates, as long as they otherwise comply with campaign finance laws. The 6-3 vote in the case National Republican Senatorial Committee v. Federal Election Commission saw all the conservative justices in the majority, ruling against the restriction in the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA). "In short, constitutional text, history, and precedent establish that the political-party coordinated-expenditure limits violate the First Amendment," Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in the majority opinion. "Importantly, by holding FECA’s political-party coordinated-expenditure restrictions unconstitutional, the Court’s decision today treats all political parties equally." Then-Senator JD Vance, R-Ohio, was among those who brought the original lawsuit to remove the spending limits in 2022, along with the Republican senatorial and congressional committees. TRUMP SUFFERS MAJOR SUPREME COURT DEFEAT AS JUSTICES UPHOLD BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP Democrats had called on the Court to uphold the law, even though there is wide agreement that the spending limits have hurt political parties in an era of unlimited spending by other organizations. Justices Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented. Kagan wrote in her dissenting opinion that "today, the Court rewrites the rules, to allow circumvention of the contribution limits." "The majority invalidates Congress’s restriction of coordinated expenditures, thus enabling a party to serve as an alternative checking account for a campaign," Kagan wrote. SUPREME COURT MAKES RULING ON TRANS ATHLETES IN WOMEN'S SPORTS The limits on party spending stem from a desire to prevent large donors from skirting caps on individual contributions to a candidate by directing unlimited sums to the party, with the understanding that the money will be spent on behalf of the candidate. The Supreme Court had previously upheld the limits in 2001. The ruling comes ahead of the November midterm elections, as President Donald Trump and Republicans work to maintain the the GOP's congressional majorities. Fox News’ Shannon Bream and Bill Mears, along with The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f8adc2ca79de23624158 Supreme Court strikes down limit on party campaign spending in coordination with candidates te 2026-06-30T17:11:09.761Z Supreme Court strikes down limit on party campaign spending in coordination with candidates The Supreme Court struck down a longstanding federal campaign spending limit, ruling that political parties can now spend unlimited amounts in coordination with their federal candidates, as long as they otherwise comply with campaign finance laws. The 6-3 vote in the case National Republican Senatorial Committee v. Federal Election Commission saw all the conservative justices in the majority, ruling against the restriction in the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA). "In short, constitutional text, history, and precedent establish that the political-party coordinated-expenditure limits violate the First Amendment," Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in the majority opinion. "Importantly, by holding FECA’s political-party coordinated-expenditure restrictions unconstitutional, the Court’s decision today treats all political parties equally." Then-Senator JD Vance, R-Ohio, was among those who brought the original lawsuit to remove the spending limits in 2022, along with the Republican senatorial and congressional committees. TRUMP SUFFERS MAJOR SUPREME COURT DEFEAT AS JUSTICES UPHOLD BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP Democrats had called on the Court to uphold the law, even though there is wide agreement that the spending limits have hurt political parties in an era of unlimited spending by other organizations. Justices Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented. Kagan wrote in her dissenting opinion that "today, the Court rewrites the rules, to allow circumvention of the contribution limits." "The majority invalidates Congress’s restriction of coordinated expenditures, thus enabling a party to serve as an alternative checking account for a campaign," Kagan wrote. SUPREME COURT MAKES RULING ON TRANS ATHLETES IN WOMEN'S SPORTS The limits on party spending stem from a desire to prevent large donors from skirting caps on individual contributions to a candidate by directing unlimited sums to the party, with the understanding that the money will be spent on behalf of the candidate. The Supreme Court had previously upheld the limits in 2001. The ruling comes ahead of the November midterm elections, as President Donald Trump and Republicans work to maintain the the GOP's congressional majorities. Fox News’ Shannon Bream and Bill Mears, along with The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f89ac2ca79de23624139 Caitlin Clark's teammate called 'wildly unprofessional' for airing true thoughts on Mercury te 2026-06-30T17:10:50.305Z Caitlin Clark's teammate called 'wildly unprofessional' for airing true thoughts on Mercury Sophie Cunningham is throwing more fuel onto the WNBA fire. Caitlin Clark's sidekick is never one to hide from anything, and on the latest episode of her "Show Me Something" podcast, she did not shy away from her true feelings about her former team. Cunningham once played for the Phoenix Mercury, but last week the Mercury was Public Enemy No. 1 after Alyssa Thomas' hard foul on Caitlin Clark. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM The foul went uncalled before the WNBA reviewed the play, upgraded the foul to a Flagrant 2, and suspended Thomas. But the Mercury also poked fun at the incident in a since-deleted social media post. Continuously having Clark's back, Cunningham said "no one" likes the Mercury. "I know people in their own organization — no one likes their team this year. They say that they're the unfriendliest group," Cunningham said. "So we're not the only ones who feel that way. Internal people feel that way too." That, however, drew the ire of USA TODAY WNBA reporter Meaghan L. Hall, who said Cunningham should keep her comments to herself. REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER RIPS WNBA’S ‘THUG TREATMENT’ OF CAITLIN CLARK AFTER LATEST ON-COURT CONTROVERSY "Goodness gracious. I — 1) This is wildly unprofessional," she began in an X post. "2) How is this helping with the points at everything current discourse? 3) There is not any scenario that exists where a player should be saying this about any organization." Cunningham spent six seasons with the Mercury before joining the Indiana Fever last year. She was named in a lawsuit last year that claimed she had a sexual relationship with Phoenix Suns and Mercury CEO Josh Bartelstein, which she denied. The Fever and Mercury will face off again on July 9, but Clark's status remains in question due to a lingering back issue. 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/6a43f890c2ca79de2362410e Anthropic’s Claude Science bets on workflow, not a new model, to win over scientists te 2026-06-30T17:10:40.681Z Anthropic’s Claude Science bets on workflow, not a new model, to win over scientists Anthropic's Claude Science is a workbench that gives scientists one environment to do computational research, saving them from the need to bounce between databases, pipelines, and tools. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f886c2ca79de23624105 Republicans declare war on 'organized theft' with government fraud crackdown te 2026-06-30T17:10:30.852Z Republicans declare war on 'organized theft' with government fraud crackdown FIRST ON FOX: A cohort of Senate Republicans are launching an anti-fraud task force to mirror the efforts of the Trump administration in its multibillion-dollar fraud crusade. Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., is leading the group of nine Senate Republicans in their formation of the Anti-Fraud Task Force, a group that will examine fraud, waste and abuse across federal programs, identify vulnerabilities in those programs and ensure that the buck stops where the flow of funding begins: Congress. "The fraud epidemic burdening our country is one of the most pressing issues facing Americans today," Schmitt said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "It’s organized theft on a national scale, and the Americans paying the price are the ones swinging the hammer and driving the trucking, working their tails off to make ends meet." TRUMP SAYS ANTI-FRAUD EFFORTS ARE UNCOVERING BILLIONS IN WASTE, CLAIMS SAVINGS COULD BALANCE BUDGET "Our Task Force will go after the fraud rings and bad actors exploiting our systems and robbing Americans," he continued. "Following President Trump's lead, we’re declaring war on fraud." Schmitt has recruited Sens. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., Katie Britt, R-Ala., Ashley Moody, R-Fla., Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Ron Johnson, R-Wis. SENATE REPUBLICAN PUSHES OVERHAUL TO CUT RED TAPE AND SPEED UP AMERICAN ENERGY PROJECTS Johnson contended that depending on the database you accessed — like the Government Accountability Office or LexisNexis — the amount of federal government fraud fluctuated between $250 billion and $1 trillion per year. "It’s nearly impossible to recover those funds through prosecutions, so we must focus on preventing the money from getting to the fraudsters in the first place," Johnson said. Schmitt’s task force is meant to align with the Trump administration’s anti-fraud efforts led by Vice President JD Vance, whom President Donald Trump tapped to be his anti-fraud czar, that were launched earlier this year. SENATE REPUBLICAN EXPANDS CHILDCARE FRAUD CRACKDOWN TO MORE BLUE STATES Vance’s operation hit the ground running in April and identified nearly $6.3 billion in government contracts believed to be tied to potentially fraudulent businesses. Those findings showed nearly 400 businesses would be required to prove they had legitimate operations and physical addresses. In May, the task force withheld $1.4 billion in federal funding from home health and hospice providers nationwide. Schmitt’s effort isn’t the only one in the Senate, either. Sen. Bill Cassidy, who chairs the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, has been ramping up anti-fraud efforts since the beginning of the year in the wake of the Minnesota fraud scandal. Cassidy launched an anti-fraud task force cracking down on abuses in Minnesota that has since expanded to other blue states, including New York, Michigan and Oregon. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f87cc2ca79de236240fc Threads adds new features to Live Chats as it expands access te 2026-06-30T17:10:20.713Z Threads adds new features to Live Chats as it expands access The updates include translations, new tools for hosts, and more. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f873c2ca79de236240f3 Trump reacts to Supreme Court ruling on trans athletes te 2026-06-30T17:10:11.394Z Trump reacts to Supreme Court ruling on trans athletes President Donald Trump called the Supreme Court's Tuesday ruling on transgender athletes a "big win."  The justices ruled in favor of West Virginia and Idaho on Thursday, 6-3, against trans athletes who sued to gain access to girls' sports.  ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "BIG WIN: The United States Supreme Court just RULED AGAINST MEN PLAYING IN WOMEN’S SPORTS. Wow! That takes that ridiculous situation off the table!!!" Trump posted to Truth Social. As Trump celebrated the ruling, the Supreme Court said it was up to the states to make the decision on trans athletes in women's sports. Justice Sotomayor filed an opinion concurring with the judgment in part and dissenting in part, which Justices Kagan and Jackson joined. Jackson filed an opinion concurring in the judgment in part and dissenting in part. Consistent with Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause, we hold that the States may maintain women’s and girls’ sports for biological females. They may determine eligibility for women’s and girls’ sports based on biological sex. The states were backed by the law firm Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), while the trans athletes were represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Cooley Legal. Now, more than half of the states in the U.S. are empowered to enforce the protection of women's sports without fear of a legal challenge. However, there are still 23 states that don't have any such laws, and some of those have laws to protect trans athletes in girls' sports. Trump signed the "No Men In Women's Sports" executive order on Feb. 5, 2025, prompting more restrictions on trans athletes and states to abide by Trump's order. On the flip side, it also welcomed a highly-publicized spat shortly after the order was signed between Trump and Maine Gov. Janet Mills. Trump continuously threatened to halt federal funding to states who did not abide by his executive order. Trump froze funds to Maine, but a federal judge ruled that the funds had to be unfrozen. But now, those states are protected by law. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Education Secretary Linda McMahon released a statement later. "Today’s ruling affirms the common sense right of states to prohibit men from competing in women’s sports, safeguard the integrity of female spaces, and ensure no woman faces discrimination on the basis of sex," she said. "For years, ideologues distorted Title IX to advance a radical transgender agenda, subjecting women to immeasurable harm.  "The Trump Administration has fought to restore Title IX’s protections for women and girls since Day One. Today’s ruling cements those reforms and builds on decades of work to secure equal educational opportunities for women and girls. This is a tremendous victory, and we look forward to ensuring that every educational institution in America abides by the law of the land." Surveys have shown that roughly 80% of Americans do not believe biological males should compete against girls and women. Fox News' Jackson Thompson and Ryan Gaydos 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/6a43f85fc2ca79de236240e3 Supreme Court financial disclosures reveal concert tickets from Bad Bunny's label, millions in book payments te 2026-06-30T17:09:51.940Z Supreme Court financial disclosures reveal concert tickets from Bad Bunny's label, millions in book payments One Supreme Court justice accepted more than $4,300 in concert tickets from Bad Bunny's record label during a private trip to Puerto Rico last year, while several other justices collected millions in book deals and other outside income, according to financial disclosures. The annual reports released on Monday cover activity in 2025 for eight of the nine justices. Justice Samuel Alito received a 90-day extension to file his disclosure. Justice Sonia Sotomayor reported receiving concert tickets valued at $4,333 from Puerto Rican record label Rimas Entertainment, stating the company "provided tickets for a concert for me and guests while I was on a private trip to Puerto Rico in August 2025." Sotomayor's disclosure did not identify which concert she attended. Rimas Entertainment represents several artists, including global music star Bad Bunny, who was holding a residency with more than 30 shows in San Juan during that period. ALITO BLASTS LATEST SCOTUS BALLOT RULING AS INVITATION TO 'VOTER FRAUD' RISKS The disclosures also showed four justices earned more than $2 million combined in book payments during the year. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson reported receiving a $1.18 million book advance from Penguin Random House for her memoir, "Lovely One," published in 2024. The payment came after she disclosed nearly $2.07 million in book advance income from the same publisher the previous year. Jackson also reported receiving a painting valued at $2,500 from Chicago artists Paul Branton and Kristen Williams. The portrait, titled "Worthy," is displayed in her Supreme Court chambers. Sotomayor disclosed $88,100 in royalties from Penguin for her children's books, "Turning Pages" and "Just Ask!" Her filing noted those figures reflected earnings after her literary agent's commission and that the publisher spent $7,473 to support sales of her book "Just Shine!" Justice Amy Coney Barrett reported earning $849,071 in royalties tied to her 2025 book, "Listening to the Law." FEDERAL JUDGE WHO HAD SEX IN CHAMBERS APOLOGIZES TO FORMER CLERK AS IMPEACHMENT PUSH RAMPS UP Justice Neil Gorsuch disclosed $300,361 in book royalties, primarily from HarperCollins, which recently published the children's book he co-authored, "Heroes of 1776: The Story of the Declaration of Independence." Several justices also reported income from teaching positions. Barrett and Justice Brett Kavanaugh each earned $33,285 for teaching at the University of Notre Dame Law School, where both serve as adjunct professors. Chief Justice John Roberts reported receiving $25,000 from New England Law after teaching a two-week course in Galway, Ireland. Justice Clarence Thomas disclosed $18,000 in teaching income from The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, while Gorsuch reported $30,380 for teaching at George Mason University. The financial disclosure reports have come under increasing public scrutiny in recent years after revelations that some justices failed to disclose luxury travel and certain real estate transactions, prompting calls from lawmakers and ethics advocates for greater transparency and stricter oversight of the Supreme Court. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f84cc2ca79de236240da Dem senator faces DOJ probe after allegations of spending campaign funds on luxury lifestyle te 2026-06-30T17:09:32.483Z Dem senator faces DOJ probe after allegations of spending campaign funds on luxury lifestyle An embattled Democrat Senator from Arizona is facing a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation after allegedly using campaign donations to fund lavish vacations with his family. A source familiar with the investigation confirmed to Fox News Digital that Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., is subject to the probe for potential violations of campaign finance laws. A week ago, Politico reported that Gallego used campaign money on family trips to Miami, Saint Barthélemy, Disneyland, Disney World and Chicago. He also used funds to attend the 2023 Super Bowl in Arizona, but the senator insisted that the tickets were a legitimate campaign fundraising expense. The report last week also said that the senator, who was just cleared Monday by the Senate Ethics Committee after a complaint about the alleged campaign finance violations and suspected sexual misconduct, also used $18,000 in funds from his leadership PAC to reimburse himself for childcare costs. SWALWELL FRIEND GALLEGO DEFENDS CAMPAIGN-FUNDED SUPER BOWL, MIAMI TRIPS: ‘GO WHERE THE MONEY IS’ Gallego brushed off the allegations in the Politico story. "This is not breaking news," he reportedly told the outlet. "With the rising costs of child care and the burden it has on the budgets of American families, Democrats and Republicans in Congress and the White House alike regularly travel with their wives and children, as is permitted by the FEC." Monday afternoon, after the ethics complaints were dismissed, Gallego said they were merely "right-wing conspiracies peddled by far-right activists," according to NPR. DOJ OPENS INVESTIGATION INTO ERIC SWALWELL OVER SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS Less than a day after he was cleared by Congress, the DOJ investigation was revealed. Fox News Digital reached out to Gallego's office for comment. Gallego was close friends with disgraced former Democratic lawmaker Eric Swalwell of California, who was forced to resign from Congress following a wave of sexual misconduct allegations against him, including claims of rape and sexual assault.  Swalwell admitted to making "mistakes," but denied the allegations of criminal behavior. The former congressman, who was running for governor of California at the time of his undoing, attended the 2023 Super Bowl with Gallego. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f839c2ca79de236240d1 GOP congressman reveals mystery illness that sidelined him from Congress for nearly four months te 2026-06-30T17:09:13.032Z GOP congressman reveals mystery illness that sidelined him from Congress for nearly four months Rep. Tom Kean Jr., R-N.J., delivered an emotional speech Tuesday revealing for the first time the medical condition that kept him away from the House and campaign stops for nearly four months.  Kean said he was given a diagnosis of depression after entering the hospital for "some testing." He said the illness took him months to heal from and left him under doctors' care during a prolonged stay in the hospital.  "I'm grateful that I accepted help, because today I stand before you stronger, healthier and excited to return to the work that I love," Kean said on the House floor. Tuesday's speech came after Kean, 57, returned to Washington this week after being absent since early March. A spokesperson for the New Jersey Republican said earlier this month that Kean would return for the June 30 session.  REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN WILL END MONTHS-LONG ABSENCE FROM DC AFTER MISSING 135 ROLL CALL VOTES During his recovery, he missed 140 roll call votes, amounting to a 100% absence rate, according to the website GovTrack. Throughout his absence, Kean's office suggested he would return to work shortly but pushed back the timeline on several occasions. In his speech, Kean said the reason was that he didn't understand how long it would take him to fully recover. "When I said I hoped to return in a matter of weeks, I believed it," Kean said. "Those were the best estimates that the doctors could provide. But as the over 48 million of my fellow Americans being treated for this illness have come to discover, there is no timeline for healing." The two-term lawmaker kept the nature of his condition private while recovering, but promised transparency upon his return. His silence appeared to extend to House Republican leadership, who said they were in the dark about Kean’s ailment when questioned by reporters on several occasions. His return will pad Republicans' razor-thin majority as House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., aims to clear a must-pass defense bill through the House chamber this week. Johnson said Tuesday that he expected Kean to receive a lot of empathy for his condition upon its reveal, adding that he had encouraged the New Jersey lawmaker to be transparent during his absence. "It's not an uncommon kind of condition and ailment that he's been fighting, and I think people resonate with that," the speaker said. Kean previously told The New Jersey Globe that the medical issue did not impact his cognitive ability and that he was not dealing with any chronic problems that could affect his decision to seek a third House term. Even while away from the Capitol, Kean's office continued to post on social media, draft legislation and introduce his remarks into the congressional record. MISSING GOP CONGRESSMAN REVEALS HE'S 'MORE ENERGIZED THAN EVER' TO RETURN TO WASHINGTON Kean’s return to work comes as he is facing a serious re-election threat from former Navy helicopter pilot Rebecca Bennett, a Democrat running with establishment support.  Bennett is expected to emphasize her national security credentials — a similar playbook that Gov. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., deployed during her rise to the governorship.  The suburban swing seat is one of the most competitive House districts in the country and Democrats are expected to aggressively seek Kean’s defeat. The GOP incumbent is endorsed by President Donald Trump and did not face a challenger during the May primary. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates Kean’s re-election bid as a "toss-up." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f825c2ca79de236240c8 Crocodile attack horror unfolds as couple tries to save victim: ‘We felt so helpless’ te 2026-06-30T17:08:53.571Z Crocodile attack horror unfolds as couple tries to save victim: ‘We felt so helpless’ A California couple who tried to rescue a tourist during a deadly crocodile attack is warning travelers about dangerous swimming conditions in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The attack occurred around 6:30 p.m. local time on Friday, June 26, the Jalisco State Police (JSP) confirmed to Fox News Digital. Jamie Yetter and her fiancé, Chris Bury, saw the attack unfold while they were swimming nearby. They attempted to help the victim, who was identified as Irving Mauricio, 28, of Mexico City. EXTREME DEATH MADE FATAL CAVE DIVE PERILOUS AT LUXURY HONEYMOON DESTINATION "We were at the pool when we heard some screams down at the water … We thought he was just stuck in the rip current," Bury told Fox News Digital. Yetter and Bury, of Orange County, were both on swim teams and are used to pulling people out of rip currents, she said.  When Bury got in the water, people warned him there was a crocodile.  "I saw that [the victim] was kind of struggling," he recalled. "There was … no one around that could help save him." OLDER TRAVELERS WHO SKIP KEY STEP BEFORE POPULAR VACATION ACTIVITY COULD BE RISKING THEIR HEALTH Bury, 48, quickly grabbed a kayak, but there were no oars.  "I laid on my stomach and paddled with my hands to get out there," he recounted. Meanwhile, Yetter and her daughter were on the beach and watched the incident unfold. "Every time the man would resurface, [he] was deeper and deeper into the ocean," she said. Yetter, 42, wanted to run into the water and help, but she worried there could be other crocodiles in the water, she said. UP CLOSE AND SCARY: JUVENILE GREAT WHITE SHARK EMERGES OFF COAST AFTER WINTER MIGRATION "It was so gruesome and graphic. I saw [him] being taken under by the crocodile over and over," Yetter recounted. She said the 12-foot crocodile was "massive," noting "his head was as long as my torso, his tail thicker than my legs." "It was absolutely horrible. We felt so helpless," she said. A search and location operation was implemented in coordination with the Secretariat of the Navy (SEMAR), the Directorate of Civil Protection and Firefighters of Puerto Vallarta, and the State Unit of Civil Protection and Firefighters of Jalisco, the Jalisco State Police told Fox News Digital. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER The search operation lasted through the night, and the victim's body was discovered at approximately 7 a.m. Saturday, the police confirmed.  The crocodile was also captured. The victim's mother, Claudia Mauricio, expressed her grief in a message posted online. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "I only ask God that on the day I leave this world, I may find you again and that you may greet me with that beautiful smile you always had for me," she said. "You will always live in my heart." The police confirmed to Fox News Digital that the beach was not closed after the incident. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES It is an open beach for tourists, and it typically remains open, the police said. In the areas near the mouths of the rivers and the estuary, there is permanent signage with warnings and restrictive cordoning, the police noted. There has been increased discussion about crocodiles in the region since July 2025, when lifeguards captured a 12-foot crocodile on a southern Puerto Vallarta beach, according to Mexico News Daily. Local experts estimated last year that the Puerto Vallarta region — especially around Boca de Tomatlán and Boca Negra — has around 200 to 250 American crocodiles, the news outlet reported. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f812c2ca79de236240bf GOP infighting over Trump's voter ID bill erupts as top senator calls strategy 'fantasy' te 2026-06-30T17:08:34.115Z GOP infighting over Trump's voter ID bill erupts as top senator calls strategy 'fantasy' Senate Republicans are taking closed-door conversations online to snipe at one another over stalled voter ID and citizenship verification legislation.  President Donald Trump wants Republicans to pass the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, but the political reality in the Senate, albeit through extreme measures that don't have unified support among the Senate GOP, makes passage unlikely.  Still, that has not stopped Trump, supporters online, and key proponents of the legislation in the Senate from pushing the message that the SAVE America Act can pass, but only if Republicans have the guts to do it. That avenue would be through the "talking filibuster," which proponents say would grind down Democrats’ resistance and ultimately lead to the SAVE America Act passing at a simple majority threshold. 'IT'S A MESS': GOP TURNS ON HOUSE CONSERVATIVES AS VOTER ID BLOCKADE STALLS TRUMP'S AGENDA Opponents warn that doing so would dominate the Senate’s most valuable commodity — floor time — and allow Democrats to control the tempo of the upper chamber. And, there’s fear that Republicans wouldn’t stay unified to kill Democratic amendments on a variety of issues.  Those dueling positions have caused clashes typically kept behind closed doors in the Senate to manifest on social media, notably between Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and John Cornyn, R-Texas.  "There is not [a] single instance in the history of the United States Senate where a ‘talking filibuster’ has resulted in a favorable outcome for the proponent," Cornyn said on X while sharing a memo that included numerous "issues" with launching a talking filibuster. Among those were the arguments that it would make campaigning more difficult because of attendance requirements, that it would allow Democrats to force unlimited votes on politically tough amendments on "issues that divide" Republicans, and that Democrats could drag out the process so long that the SAVE America Act might not be implemented before the election. Lee shot back that Cornyn’s memo "perfectly illustrates why the talking filibuster is necessary — not why we should avoid it like the plague or pretend it doesn’t exist." SEN LEE DARES DEMOCRATS TO REVIVE TALKING FILIBUSTER OVER SAVE ACT, SLAMMING CRITICISM AS ‘PARANOID FANTASY' "The procedural hurdles you list (including the two-speech rule, quorum, calendar drag, and opportunity costs) are real," Lee said. "But they’re also manageable—and in many instances can even be used to strengthen our negotiating position—if Republicans actually use the rules instead of surrendering to them." "The alternative — walking away from the SAVE America Act — has far higher costs: another election without proof of citizenship, more erosion of public confidence, and Democrats continuing to weaponize the same procedures against us," he continued.  Cornyn’s response: "fantasy." Meanwhile, the House is facing its own SAVE America Act dispute, which has threatened to blow up the perennial, must-pass National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., demanded that House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., include the legislation in the colossal NDAA package.  He relented, but it will be the same version of the voter ID bill that the House already passed and that the Senate has been unable to move. And during negotiations over the NDAA in the coming weeks and months, the Senate can easily strip the measure out to ensure that the Pentagon authorization bill passes.  The House will take its first step on that plan Tuesday afternoon.  Most Senate Republicans support the original SAVE America Act, which includes voter ID, citizenship verification to register to vote, giving the Department of Homeland Security access to voter rolls, and other policies.  But Trump wants his version of the SAVE America Act, which tacks on tight restrictions on mail-in ballots, halts biological men from participating in women’s sports and bans transgender surgeries on minors, which does not have 50 votes of support among the Senate GOP.  TRUMP HEADS TO CAPITOL HILL FOR PIVOTAL MEETING AS SENATE GOP DIVISIONS DEEPEN That version of the bill has also not passed through the House. The Supreme Court's decision on Monday to allow mail-in ballots that arrive late to still be counted has again stoked Trump’s interest in the legislation and directed his ire toward the Senate. "In a time when there is a powerful Communist Movement taking place in our Country, one more dangerous than World War I, World War II, Pearl Harbor, or September 11th, all Dumocrats, and our five Republican Senate Hold Outs, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, Thom Tillis, Bill Cassidy, and Mitch McConnell must vote to SAVE OUR COUNTRY," Trump said on Truth Social. "There can be no more excuses!"  Notably, Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., has never voted against the SAVE America Act in its many different variations in the Senate, and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, supports the original version of the bill that passed the House. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f7fec2ca79de236240b6 Amazon's Fourth of July sale: Save up to 80% on tech, clothing, generators and more te 2026-06-30T17:08:14.658Z Amazon's Fourth of July sale: Save up to 80% on tech, clothing, generators and more America is celebrating its 250th anniversary this Fourth of July, and retailers are matching the milestone with some of their biggest summer discounts. Standout deals include Apple AirPods for $99, a reader-favorite Shark vacuum at 50% off and a commemorative America 250 baseball cap, plus savings on everything from grills and robot vacuums to kitchen appliances. Levi's men's 505 regular fit jeans: $32.99 (56% off) HeyDude Wendy slip-in loafers: $29.74 (54% off) Portable tire inflator: $21.99 (45% off) Mini chainsaw: $29.99 (40% off) UPF protection shirt: $14.99 (25% off) Stock up on blenders, coffee makers and grills while deals last. Keurig K-Elite K-Cup pod coffee maker: $94 (55% off) HexClad 10-inch hybrid frying pan: $132 (22% off) Iceman by Chefman Slush-Ease: $275.39 (21% off) Ninja FlexFlame grill and smoker: $999.99 (17% off) Original price: $649.95 Save $231 on the Vitamix Ascent X3, a high-performance blender built for everything from smoothies and frozen desserts to hot soups. Discounts this deep on Vitamix blenders are uncommon, making this a notable deal while supplies last. Original price: $219.99 The Keurig K-Duo brews both K-Cup pods and ground coffee, giving you more flexibility for your morning routine. It also includes settings for hot and iced coffee, with a stronger brew mode designed to reduce dilution over ice. A drip-minimizing glass carafe and warming plate help keep coffee hot after brewing. Original price: $219.99 Ninja's Kitchen System includes multiple blending containers for everything from smoothies to chopping herbs and vegetables, helping reduce the need for separate appliances. The powerful motor and blade assembly are designed to handle tougher ingredients like ice and nuts with ease. READ MORE: 18 brands still making cookware and kitchen tools in the U.S. — from skillets to spatulas Original price: $299.99 The Charbroil Performance grill offers enough cooking space to prepare up to 17 burgers at once, making it a solid option for family cookouts and backyard gatherings. An electronic ignition system starts the grill with the push of a button, so there's no need for a lighter. Find coolers, patio furniture and other outdoor gear for less. Best Choice Products solar LED patio umbrella: $44.99 (57% off) Coleman 54-quart steel cooler: $149.99 (25% off) Wicker swivel rocker chairs: $618.99 (21% off) Ninja Foodi air fryer: $199.99 (20% off) Coleman Ice Chest wheeled cooler: $59.99 (20% off) Original price: $34.99 Add a warm glow to your backyard with these solar-powered string lights. They automatically turn on at night after charging during the day, and the included remote lets you switch between three different lighting modes to match the occasion. Original price: $129.99 Watch Fourth of July fireworks from the comfort of this Adirondack chair, now just $100. The classic design adds a timeless touch to any patio or backyard, and it folds flat for easier storage when the season ends. Original price: $289.99 The Igloo Trailmate is built for beach days, tailgates and camping trips, with oversized all-terrain wheels and an elevated design that rolls more easily over uneven ground. It also includes a removable serving tray for drinks and snacks, plus built-in holders for fishing rods and other gear. Original price: $249.99 Take the edge off hot summer days with this portable misting fan, which delivers cooling airflow and mist for patios, backyards and outdoor gatherings. The versatile design converts from a pedestal fan to a tabletop model in seconds, and the rechargeable battery provides up to 24 hours of runtime on a single charge. READ MORE: Shopping for America 250? Here's what's actually made in the USA — and what's imported Vacuums, pillows and cleaning products are heavily discounted right now. Lefant LiDAR Robot vacuum and mop: $129.99 (50% off) Dryer vent cleaner: $7.99 (43% off) Chenille bath rug: $9.37 (37% off) Pain relief cooling pillow: $39.98 (33% off) Original price: $199.99 Unlike battery-powered models, the corded Shark Rocket provides continuous power for uninterrupted cleaning. Weighing less than nine pounds, it's easy to carry from room to room, and the included upholstery tool helps remove pet hair from furniture and other soft surfaces. Original price: $599 The Shark Matrix Clean robot vacuum uses a grid-style cleaning pattern to cover floors thoroughly from edge to edge. After each cleaning cycle, it automatically empties into a self-emptying dock that can hold debris for up to 60 days. The self-cleaning brushroll is designed to reduce hair wrap and minimize maintenance. Original price: $79.99 Save $20 on this two-pack of hotel-style pillows. The no-shit fill is designed to help the pillows maintain their shape overnight, while the 250-thread-count cover provides a soft, smooth feel. Original price: $27.99 Keep shower essentials organized and off the ledge with this five-piece shower caddy set. The adhesive installation requires no drilling, and each shelf is designed to hold bottles, soap and other bathroom essentials while supporting up to 40 pounds. Get ready for your next trip with carry-ons, toiletry bags, neck pillows and more. Travel neck pillow: $15.86 (28% off) Bagsmart travel duffle: $29.99 (19% off) Luggage scale: $7.99 (11% off) Original price: $219.99 Save $104 on this scratch-resistant Samsonite suitcase. The distinctive color makes it easier to spot at baggage claim, while 360-degree spinner wheels help you maneuver smoothly through busy airports. Original price: $22.99 Bagsmart's hanging toiletry bag keeps skincare, toiletries and other travel essentials neatly organized with multiple compartments. The built-in hook lets you hang it on a towel rack or bathroom door for easy access without taking up valuable counter space. READ MORE: Celebrate America's 250th with these patriotic keepsakes and collectibles, from $16 Original price: $39.99 Keep your suitcase organized with this 10-piece packing cube set. Multiple cube sizes, a shoe bag and a hanging toiletry case make it easier to separate clothing, shoes and travel essentials while maximizing luggage space. Save hundreds on outlet extenders, AirPods and more. Blink Outdoor 4 cameras, 5-pack: $104.99 (65% off) Beats Solo 4 wireless headphones: $149.95 (25% off) Travel power strip: $16.99 (19% off) Apple AirTag, 4-pack: $89 (10% off) Original price: $12.96 Turn one wall outlet into nine with this outlet extender, which includes five AC outlets and four USB ports. It also features built-in surge protection to help safeguard connected devices from power spikes. Original price: $129 Apple's AirPods 4 are available for less than $100 for the Fourth of July. The updated design provides a more secure fit, while the dust-, sweat- and water-resistant construction is built for everyday use. Improved audio quality makes them a solid choice for music, podcasts and calls.  Original price: $359 These Bose QuietComfort headphones have dropped to their lowest price yet. Plush ear cushions provide lasting comfort during extended listening sessions, and up to 24 hours of battery life keep the music going throughout the day. Power outages are common in the summer, so grab these discounted options now. Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus: $1,799 (36% off) Pulsar 7,250-watt dual-fuel generator: $998 (23% off) PowerSmart 3600-watt portable inverter generator: $365.49 (21% off) DuroMax 15,000-watt tri-fuel generator: $2,499 (17% off) Original price: $829 The Jackery Explorer 1,000 v2 powers appliances like fridges, electric pots and AC units, but takes up a fraction of the space of other generators. It has multiple charging ports, including USB-C, USB-A, a DC car port and three AC outlets. Activate emergency charging and get back to full battery in just one hour. Original price: $499.99 Prepare for potential power outages and emergencies with the Anker SOLIX C1000. It has 11 charging ports that combine to offer 1,800 watts of power and fully recharges in less than an hour. Use the app to adjust charging speeds and track your energy usage. Original price: $3,699 The EF EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 provides up to 4,000 watts of power for backup use during outages or off-grid living. It supports charging through standard AC power or compatible solar panels, and the connected app makes it easy to monitor and manage the system from your phone. Popular brands on sale include Eddie Bauer, Carhartt and Hanes. Button-up pajama set: $19.99 (44% off) Eddie Bauer men's Rainier pants: $42 (40% off) Carhartt men's Iconic K87 T-shirt: $13.68 (32% off) Under Armour men's golf polo: $27.82 (30% off) READ MORE: American-owned clothing brands for effortless red, white and blue style Original price: $19.99 Celebrate America's 250th anniversary with this commemorative hat, now 30% off. The front features patriotic symbols including a bald eagle, the Statue of Liberty and the American flag, making it a standout choice for Fourth of July festivities. Original price: $28 Made with cotton sourced from American farms, this Hanes zip-up hoodie is a lightweight layer for cool summer evenings. An adjustable drawstring hood and roomy front pockets add everyday comfort and convenience. Original price: $24.98 With summer in full swing, this $10 polo is a wardrobe staple. Reviewers say it fits true to size, and the quick-drying fabric makes it a practical choice for everything from golf outings to backyard barbecues. Original price: $39.99 At 80% off, this wireless sports bra is one of the biggest discounts in the roundup. The stretchy fabric provides a barely-there feel, while the wide straps offer comfortable support for everyday wear and low-impact workouts. Practice more self-care with these beauty products. Oral-B Rechargeable electric toothbrush: $99.99 (23% off) Dyson Airwrap i.d. multi-styler: $519 (20% off) Minoxidil for men hair regrowth treatment: $63.96 (20% off) Manscaped The Beard Hedger trimmer: $84.99 (15% off) Original price: $109.96 The Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5300 offers an affordable way to upgrade to an electric toothbrush. It includes a pressure sensor to help prevent overly aggressive brushing, along with multiple cleaning modes for everyday care and gum health. READ MORE: 4 veteran-owned beard care brands worth trying, plus expert grooming tips Original price: $249.99 The Shark SpeedStyle Pro Flex is designed to speed up your styling routine with high-speed airflow and multiple styling positions. Its rotating nozzle adjusts to different angles for added flexibility while drying and styling. Original price: $9.99 Refresh tired-looking eyes with these under-eye patches, which contain a cooling, hydrating treatment. The patches are designed to help hydrate the under-eye area and leave skin looking smoother. For more Deals, visit www.foxnews.com/deals Original price: $49.99 The GE smart scale tracks up to 14 body metrics beyond weight, including body fat, muscle mass and bone mass. Measurement sync to the companion app to monitor changes over time. If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can get these items sent to your door ASAP. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f7ebc2ca79de236240ad Xander Schauffele discusses 'passionate' New York golf fans after Ryder Cup, Wyndham Clark vitriol te 2026-06-30T17:07:55.202Z Xander Schauffele discusses 'passionate' New York golf fans after Ryder Cup, Wyndham Clark vitriol Just months after New York golf fans were the subject of controversy for how they behaved at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, they hardly slowed their roll as the PGA Tour returned there. The U.S. Open took place at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club near the Hamptons this past weekend, and on championship Sunday, Wyndham Clark was public enemy No. 1. Clark had to go through boos and jeers en route to his second U.S. Open title, which are extremely unusual sounds at golf tournaments. Perhaps one particular reason for facing somewhat of a road-game crowd was the fact that he was paired with Scottie Scheffler, who is a U.S. Open victory away from winning the career Grand Slam. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM On the other hand, one could argue Clark has brought it upon himself — he was banned from Oakmont Country Club after destroying a locker and has had other on-course outbursts and cheating controversies. "I sort of heard some things about, I try to turn some golf on. I saw I think I saw his 18th hole, I got back to the house and watched him play come up 18. But yeah, I did hear, you know, he's getting some flack. It's a tricky thing," Xander Schauffele told Fox News Digital in a recent interview. But Clark was all class after the victory in his post-round media availability and in a heartfelt social media post, and Schauffele took notice. "I thought he handled it incredibly well and, like he even mentioned in his interview, he kind of used that as fuel to play even better and sort of prove it to himself more than anyone else," Schauffele said. RORY MCILROY DISCUSSES BETHPAGE BLACK FANS, WHETHER HE'D WANT RYDER CUP BACK IN NEW YORK Schauffele even mentioned that the boos Clark heard in Canada for wearing a Jack Hughes jersey were "more lighthearted than what was happening to him in New York," which begs the question of whether players want to, and should, still go to the New York area. The ruckus caused Golf Channel's Eamon Lynch to call Long Island golf fans a "stain" on the game who "don't deserve" to have major championships in the area. It doesn't need repeating what Rory McIlroy and Team Europe went through last September at Bethpage Black. But Schauffele, whose father even admitted he would not go to last year's Ryder Cup because of what he accurately predicted, would not go that far. "I've always enjoyed playing anywhere near New York or in the Northeast. My experiences have been good. I mean, I know the Ryder Cup got a little spicy and there's obviously anticipation that, you know, fans are pretty, I like to call passionate. So, it is what it is. "I'm sure if you ask 100 different people, you're going to get different answers. But for the most part, you know, I try to get them on my side as soon as possible." The PGA Championship will be at Bethpage Black in 2033, and Shinnecock Hills will again host the U.S. Open in 2036. Other upcoming PGA events in the New York metro area include next year's BMW Championship at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, the 2028 U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, and the 2029 PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey. 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/6a43f7d7c2ca79de236240a4 NPR retracts false report claiming Justice Samuel Alito is retiring from the Supreme Court te 2026-06-30T17:07:35.747Z NPR retracts false report claiming Justice Samuel Alito is retiring from the Supreme Court NPR retracted a story on Tuesday after falsely reporting that Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito had retired.  NPR published a story headlined, "Justice Samuel Alito, who wrote the opinion overturning Roe v. Wade, retires," that would have rocked the Supreme Court. However, NPR quickly retracted the story and replaced it with an editor’s note.  "Earlier today we erroneously published a story saying that Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito was retiring. He has not announced his retirement and we have retracted the story," NPR wrote.  NPR top editor Thomas Evans said the reporter has reached out to apologize to Justice Alito.  ALITO NOT EXPECTED TO RETIRE THIS TERM, COOLING SUPREME COURT VACANCY SPECULATION: SOURCES "Due to a misunderstanding, NPR’s Supreme Court and Legal Affairs Correspondent Nina Totenberg incorrectly reported that Justice Samuel Alito had retired. Neither Justice Alito nor the Supreme Court Public Information Office has announced his retirement," Evans told Fox News Digital. "As soon as the error was realized, the story was retracted and removed from NPR’s website and an on-air correction was broadcast. We regret the error and any confusion this may have caused," Evans continued. "This afternoon, Mrs. Totenberg will appear on ‘All Things Considered’ to explain what happened. She has reached out to Justice Alito to apologize." The Supreme Court did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Fox News Digital. Courthouse News reporter Kelsey Reichmann posted a comment from SCOTUS public information officer declaring the NPR report to be "inaccurate."  Rumors about Alito, 76, potentially retiring have grown because of his age, his two-decade tenure on the bench and speculation that he may want to make sure a conservative successor is confirmed by the current Republican-led Senate before the upcoming midterm elections. Former President George W. Bush nominated him for the nation's highest court in 2005.  In April, a source told Fox News Digital that Alito "is not stepping down this term and is in the process of hiring the rest of his clerks for the next term." Two other sources have told Fox News that Alito is not retiring this term, which lasts until the Supreme Court's new year kicks off in October. TRUMP YANKS FEDERAL FUNDING FROM NPR IN MOVE CONSERVATIVE ADVOCATES SAID WAS LONG OVERDUE President Donald Trump recently told Fox Business' Maria Bartiromo he is "prepared" to appoint up to three Supreme Court justices if vacancies arise. Trump added he has a shortlist of nominees in mind, though he did not mention any names. During that interview, Trump said he thinks Alito, who has sided with him on most high-profile cases, is "in very good physical health" and called him "one of the great justices of our time." In 2025, Trump’s rescissions package included over $1 billion in cuts from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the government-backed funding arm for NPR and PBS. The clawback package teed up cuts to "woke" spending on foreign aid programs and public media, as Republicans finally yanked federal money from NPR in a move advocates said was long overdue. JONATHAN TURLEY: SUPREME COURT HANDS TRUMP A BORDER VICTORY LIBERALS CAN'T SPIN Once Trump returned to the White House, stripping public media of federal funding began to emerge as a realistic possibility after longtime NPR editor Uri Berliner spoke out about the public radio outlet in 2024 with a Free Press essay. Berliner, who detailed the "absence of viewpoint diversity" at the organization, criticized NPR’s coverage of Russiagate, the COVID lab leak theory and Hunter Biden’s scandalous laptop, among other issues. Once Trump signed the rescissions package into law, Republicans celebrated it as a victory for cutting off the flow of U.S. taxpayer dollars to what they called "woke" initiatives. NPR has continued to operate, relying on benefactors, member donations, and corporate sponsorship. This is a developing story, more to come. Fox News Digital’s Julia Bonavita, Alec Schemmel and Ashley Oliver contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f7c4c2ca79de2362409b Shock poll: Talarico ties Paxton in Texas Senate race, threatening GOP stronghold te 2026-06-30T17:07:16.289Z Shock poll: Talarico ties Paxton in Texas Senate race, threatening GOP stronghold It's been nearly four decades since a Democrat won a U.S. Senate election in reliably red Texas. But a new poll suggests that Democrats have a good shot this year of breaking their long losing streak. Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico and Republican nominee Ken Paxton, the longtime state attorney general, are tied at 47% support among likely voters in Texas, according to a New York Times/Siena survey released on Tuesday. Paxton, who defeated longtime GOP incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in last month's Republican nomination runoff election just days after landing the backing of President Donald Trump, is facing off against Talarico, a state representative considered a rising star in the Democratic Party, in a midterm race that is among a handful that will likely determine if the Republicans hold their slim Senate majority. MAGA TRIUMPH: PAXTON TOPS CORNYN IN BATTLE FOR GOP SENATE NOMINATION The poll points to some troubling signs for Paxton, who has faced a slew of scandals and legal problems that have battered him over the past decade. In 2023, the Texas House of Representatives voted to impeach Paxton, but he was eventually acquitted of all charges by the state Senate. And Paxton is dealing with a messy divorce, with his wife Angela, a state senator, citing "biblical grounds" based on "recent discoveries" in filing last year to end their marriage. According to the poll, fewer than four in 10 respondents said Paxton has good character or the right kind of moral values. And half said Paxton, a MAGA firebrand and one of the leaders of the legal effort to overturn Trump's 2020 presidential election loss, is too extreme. Also problematic for Paxton is that his support, at 47%, is below the 50% of respondents who said they preferred Republicans to control the Senate next year. The poll also shows Talarico winning the support of 61% of Hispanic — voters less than two years after Trump carried the Hispanic vote in Texas in the last presidential election — and leading the 63-year-old Paxton by 27 points among independents. THE TEN RACES THAT WILL DETERMINE THE SENATE'S MAJORITY And the survey spotlights a massive gender gap, with Talarico winning female votes by 18 points and Paxton ahead among male voters by the same margin. Talarico, a 37-year-old former middle school teacher and Presbyterian seminarian who topped progressive firebrand and vocal Trump critic Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the March Democratic Senate primary, has emerged as the top Democratic fundraiser in Senate races, hauling in a massive $27 million in the first three months of this year. But Republicans have repeatedly targeted Talarico, spotlighting his past controversial comments, including suggesting that "God is nonbinary" or that there are six biological sexes. TRUMP ROASTS DEM CANDIDATE AS UNELECTABLE FOR CARDINAL SIN IN TEXAS In his victory speech last month, Paxton mocked the Democratic nominee as "tofu Talarico," "six-gender Jimmy," "James Talafreako" and "low-T Talarico."  And he said in a Fox News Digital interview after winning the nomination: "James Talarico doesn't belong in Texas. We cannot let him be the center of the state of Texas. He fits in California. He does not fit here." The poll suggests the Democratic Party brand may impede Talarico, with a majority of respondents seeing Democrats as too far to the left. DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB And following a divisive primary with Crockett, who is Black, the poll indicates that 12% of Black voters have a negative opinion of Talarico, who is White. But likely helping Talarico is the economy. Sixty percent of those questioned gave a thumbs down to how Trump was handling cost-of-living issues, which will do Paxton no favors. It's no surprise: Talarico is highlighting economic concerns over soaring prices, saying in a new ad as he walks out of a grocery store that "too many Texans feel like they’re drowning." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f7b0c2ca79de23624092 Appeals court revives lawsuit by Alaska Airlines flight attendants fired after opposing Pride message te 2026-06-30T17:06:56.840Z Appeals court revives lawsuit by Alaska Airlines flight attendants fired after opposing Pride message A federal appeals court revived a lawsuit brought by two former Alaska Airlines flight attendants who say they were fired after expressing religious objections to the airline's support for the Equality Act, allowing their religious discrimination claims to proceed. The Ninth Circuit ruled Wednesday there is sufficient evidence for a jury to determine whether Lacey Smith and Marli Brown were fired because of their religious beliefs, reviving the lawsuit they filed against the airline. "We are grateful the court recognized the clear evidence of religious discrimination against Marli and Lacey by both Alaska Airlines and the flight attendants’ union," Stephanie Taub, senior counsel at First Liberty Institute, who argued before the Court back in August 2025, said in a statement. JUDGE AWARDED $640K AFTER REFUSING TO OFFICIATE SAME-SEX WEDDINGS "The Ninth Circuit’s decision today reinforces that federal civil rights laws protect people of faith from discrimination by their employer or their union," Taub added. "You cannot be fired because your employer does not like your religious beliefs." In early 2021, Alaska Airlines said it would support the proposed Equality Act on an online internal employee network. The Equality Act, which was introduced by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., sought to add sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes in employment, housing, and other capacities under federal civil rights law. It passed the House in February 2021. MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL FACES BACKLASH FOR ITS STANCE ON CHRISTIANS WRITING BIBLE VERSES ON PRIDE CAPS The airline asked employees to comment in an online forum for employees, and Smith asked a question, writing, "As a company, do you think it’s possible to regulate morality?" In the same forum, Brown shared a comment conveying her sincere religious beliefs that the Equality Act would adversely affect women, girls, and people of faith. Following their comments on the online forum, Smith and Brown were investigated and fired from their jobs, with Alaska Airlines saying that the comments from Smith and Brown were "discriminatory," "hateful" and "offensive." DOJ CRACKING DOWN ON MLB FOR POTENTIAL RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION AFTER PRIDE NIGHT CAPS CONTROVERSY In a statement to Fox News Digital, Smith said, "Even though the lawsuit is between Alaska and myself, the win in the Ninth Circuit is for a nation of people who have also been facing religious discrimination in the workplace." Brown told Fox News Digital, "When I read the decision from the Ninth Circuit, I was overwhelmed with gratefulness. I’m hopeful that with this favorable ruling, no one else will have to go through anything like what I’ve been through." Fox News Digital reached out to Alaska Airlines for comment. Fox News’ Joshua Nelson contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f79dc2ca79de23624089 117 dead dogs found at animal rescue, many with gunshot wounds as investigators probe for answers te 2026-06-30T17:06:37.378Z 117 dead dogs found at animal rescue, many with gunshot wounds as investigators probe for answers Deputies uncovered the remains of more than 100 dogs, many of them with gunshot wounds, during a search of an animal rescue under investigation for alleged abuse and fraud. While executing a search warrant, deputies with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office made the gruesome discovery at Miranda's Rescue in Fortuna, California on Thursday. In what Sheriff William Honsal dubbed as a "horrific scene," investigators uncovered 117 "canine remains," skulls, "hundreds of bones, and six loose microchips" at various dig sites on the property, according to a release. 'DEEPLY DISTURBING' ANIMAL CRUELTY OPERATION INVOLVING BABY MONKEYS BUSTED BY ICE INVESTIGATION The search warrant authorized investigators to search the grounds and buildings associated with Miranda’s Rescue and Shannon Miranda for evidence related to alleged animal cruelty and fraud, including excavating open fields where investigators believed deceased dogs were buried in mass graves. 📩 Send me a story idea: kelsie.cairns@fox.com 📸 Instagram: kelsiecairns_tv 🎥 Facebook: Kelsie Cairns Dozens of the unearthed dog bodies appeared to be in varying states of decomposition. X-ray results revealed several dogs showed evidence of bullet fragments, deputies say. FOLLOW US ON X Investigators also discovered an area inside a barn on the property where they believe the dogs were killed. More than 600 dog collars were recovered from that same location. RIDGLAN FARMS RESCUE BEAGLES FIND NEW LIFE HELPING VETERANS OVERCOME WAR TRAUMA WITH PAWS OF WAR Currently, no charges have been filed. However, the sheriff's office said, "If there is sufficient evidence to support violations of animal cruelty, fraud, or other applicable laws, the case will be submitted to the prosecution team for review and consideration of criminal charges." GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL In a recent public statement posted to the rescue's website, founder Shannon Miranda said in part: "Allegations made without a full understanding of the circumstances can harm not only my reputation but also the future of an organization that has served this community for decades. At Miranda’s Rescue, our mission is to save as many animals as we safely can—always balancing compassion for animals with our responsibility to protect families, children, other pets, and the public." Fox News Digital has reached out to Miranda for comment. CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS The investigation is ongoing. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f789c2ca79de23624080 Internet tries to dunk on German super fan Freddy after discovering he's been to America before te 2026-06-30T17:06:17.930Z Internet tries to dunk on German super fan Freddy after discovering he's been to America before With Germany's unceremonious exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the hands of Paraguay on Monday evening, it means the four-time world champions, as well as their rabid fans, are heading across the pond and back to Deutschland. Though apparently, not all of their fans are heading back home for the rest of the summer. German superfan Freddy, the viral sensation who has been documenting his romp through the United States, booked his stay in America through the end of the tournament (love the confidence), so he will be hanging out in the good old U-S-of-A for another month. Not everyone is happy about this apparently, as large portions of cynics and haters on social media are apparently ready to say auf wiedersehen to Freddy. INTERNET FALLS IN LOVE WITH GERMAN SOCCER FAN DISCOVERING AMERICAN SOUTH AHEAD OF 2026 WORLD CUP It's true what Harvey Dent once said, "You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain." What's even worse is some other fans on the internet have done some digging on Freddy's X account and have found instances of him in the United States before this year's World Cup trip and even disparaging the country he has come to love. I'll address the "never been to America" claim first. I went back and looked through Freddy's posts pretty extensively (in addition to having covered his initial trip to America back at the beginning of the month), and unless I missed something, he never once said that this was his first time in the country. FREDDY, THE VIRAL WORLD CUP TOURIST, LINKS UP WITH COUNTRY SINGER ELLA LANGLEY AND THE INTERNET LOVES IT People keep pointing to his posts back in 2023 about having been to a concert in the States, but going to a venue in a major city like New York or Los Angeles and staying there for a few days before flying home is a lot different than renting a car and driving through all the small towns throughout America. Freddy experienced the real beauty of our country, not just the coastal elite cities, which is why the second post needs addressing too. There have been a ton of people who have unearthed posts from Freddy speaking ill of the United States, and honestly, this just drives home what I and several others have been saying. REPUBLICAN LEADERS EMBRACE VIRAL WORLD CUP FANS THEY SAY ARE DISCOVERING THE 'REAL AMERICA' Freddy's preconceived notions of America were likely on full display in all of those "hate posts," but he clearly gave the country a second chance and even fell in love with it in the process. He got to see the absolute best that small-town America had to offer during his trip here, and it looks like he's changed his tune. That's the funny thing about these losers on the internet who have nothing better to do but try and scrub through every moment of someone's internet life in hopes of finding a "gotcha" moment. TNA WRESTLING INVITES VIRAL WORLD CUP FAN TO SLAMMIVERSARY: 'THIS WILL BE FUN!' They don't think people have the capacity to change their thoughts, opinions, and biases. FOX ONE’S NEW WORLD CUP VIEWING EXPERIENCE Maybe there was a time in his life when Freddy hated America, or at least what he thought was America, but that has obviously changed. I hope Freddy had a blast while he experienced America at its finest, and I'm appreciative he let us all come along for the journey. WATCH THE WORLD CUP FINAL ON FOX ONE Unfortunately, the downside to that is having to deal with the droves of internet trolls, but I'm sure he didn't let that put a damper on an otherwise awesome World Cup trip. Come back anytime, Freddy, and danke schön. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f776c2ca79de23624077 The trick to smoother streaming at home and on the road te 2026-06-30T17:05:58.466Z The trick to smoother streaming at home and on the road Ever settle in for movie night, hit play, and thirty seconds later, the picture dissolves into a blurry mess of pixels? You restart the app. You restart the router. You're paying for a fast internet plan, so what gives? Before you spend forty minutes on hold with your provider, there's something you should know: the problem might not be your connection speed at all. It m ight be your internet provider putting the brakes on certain types of traffic. The good news is that one tool may help, especially when your provider is slowing down streaming traffic that it can recognize. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report TRAVEL MISTAKE PUTS PHONE, LAPTOP AND STREAMING ACCOUNTS AT RISK Internet service providers handle enormous amounts of traffic. When their networks get congested, they look for ways to manage the load. One of the handiest tools in their bag is a technique called bandwidth throttling. It means deliberately slowing down certain types of traffic to ease the pressure on their infrastructure. Streaming video is one of the first things they may target because it eats up a lot of bandwidth fast. Here's the part that most people don't realize: your ISP can often see what kind of traffic you're sending and receiving. When they detect a steady stream of traffic flowing from a streaming platform, they may put a speed limit on that traffic specifically, even while your overall connection seems fine. You won't always get a warning, but you will notice a dip in video quality. That's why you can load a webpage in a blink but still have to sit through buffer wheels before your show even gets going. The issue may not be your speed. It may be what your ISP does with it once they know how you're using it. Travelers can run into an additional wrinkle. Hotel networks and public connections are often shared across dozens or hundreds of people at once. When everyone is streaming, browsing and video calling at the same time, the network slows to a crawl and your video quality pays the price. What worked fine at home suddenly stutters and stalls on the road. A VPN, or virtual private network, is usually thought of as a privacy and security tool, but it may also help with some throttling problems. It runs quietly in the background while you stream. When you connect to the internet through a VPN, your traffic gets encrypted before it leaves your device. Your ISP can still see that you're using data, but it can no longer easily see what kind. Streaming traffic looks like encrypted data passing through, which means there's no obvious streaming target to throttle. The result can be a more consistent connection, fewer interruptions and less of that infuriating mid-episode quality drop. And there's an extra benefit for travelers: Your traffic is encrypted on hotel, airport and café Wi-Fi. That can help protect what you're doing online, though it won't magically fix a network that's overloaded. A good VPN can help keep your connection more stable across the unpredictable variety of networks you encounter while traveling, not to mention help protect you from public Wi-Fi hackers. Just keep in mind that some streaming services may limit or block VPN connections, so you may need to switch servers or check the service's rules. NETFLIX CO-CEO CLARIFIES STREAMING GIANT’S LIVE SPORTS STRATEGY AMID NFL LINEUP EXPANSION, FEDERAL SCRUTINY There's no shortage of VPN options out there, but for streaming, a few things matter more than others. Speed is king when it comes to video. A VPN that encrypts your traffic but slows your connection defeats the whole purpose. Look for a provider with a large network of fast servers and a proven track record with high-definition and 4K content. Device support matters too. Your streaming life doesn't live on just one screen. It's also on your phone, your smart TV, your tablet and your laptop. A good VPN covers all of them under one subscription and will let you run it on multiple devices simultaneously. Our top VPN pick checks all these boxes and is more than fast enough for high-quality streaming. 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 Before blaming throttling, test your speed with the VPN on and off, restart your router, move closer to Wi-Fi, use a 5 GHz or 6 GHz network when available and try Ethernet for your main TV. If everything else is fast but streaming keeps dropping quality, throttling becomes a more likely suspect. Pair a VPN with these tips, and buffering becomes a rare event instead of a nightly battle. Turn on your VPN first, then launch your streaming service. It'll save you the hassle of reconnecting in the middle of the episode. In general, the closer the server, the lower the lag. A server in your home city usually delivers the best balance of speed and stability. If streaming still struggles with a VPN running, an outdated router might be your weakest link. A dual-band or Wi-Fi 6 model makes a noticeable difference on busy home networks. Looking to upgrade your home setup? Check out our guide to the Top 5 routers for best security in 2026 at Cyberguy.com Most major streaming apps let you save content for offline playback. Load up a few episodes on your home connection before a long trip, and you might not need to stream at all for the first leg of your journey. INSTANTLY UPGRADE YOUR STREAMING: AT HOME AND WHEN TRAVELING Buffering isn't something you have to accept, and your internet plan may not be the issue. Your provider could be managing your traffic when it recognizes what you're watching. A reliable VPN can make it that much harder, whether you're on your couch or in a hotel room across the country. Remember: the trick to smoother streaming isn't always paying for faster speed. It's making sure the speed you're already paying for actually reaches your device. Are you using a VPN for streaming, or have you found another workaround that does the job? 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/6a43f763c2ca79de2362406e Postal worker and mom of two killed while delivering mail, leaving kids orphaned after husband's death: cops te 2026-06-30T17:05:39.011Z Postal worker and mom of two killed while delivering mail, leaving kids orphaned after husband's death: cops A mother of two and longtime postal worker was killed while delivering mail Tuesday in North Carolina, officials said, leaving her children orphaned just months after their father died in a December car accident. Brandi Reynolds, who was a postal deliver driver for the United States Postal Service, was shot and killed on Friday just before 4:16 p.m. in Hayes, North Carolina, according to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. William Craig Durham was arrested after allegedly killing Reynolds and is charged with kidnapping and murder. Authorities found Reynolds dead when they arrived to the scene. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST Reynolds was employed as a rural mail carrier for the USPS, according to The Wilkes Record. She was delivering mail when Durham allegedly shot and killed her, according to the Charlotte Observer. SUSPECT CHARGED IN FATAL STABBING OF POSTAL WORKER IN NYC DELI OVER SPOT IN LINE HAS HISTORY OF KNIFE VIOLENCE Authorities alleged in an arrest report obtained by the Charlotte Observer that Durham restrained Reynolds and removed "the victim from one place to another without the consent of the victim." LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB Reynolds' husband Brent Reynolds passed away after he was in a car accident in December. The couple have two kids, who will now be without parents. In a Facebook post from February, Reynolds wrote in a caption of a picture with her two kids: "The reason I get up every morning. Love these babies. They are what makes life worth living." She frequently posted pictures with her kids and husband on social media. In one post about her child, Reynolds wrote: "I couldn’t deny this baby if I tried. Love her so much and man do i wish i could slow time down and keep her little forever." Officials haven't revealed any relationship between Reynolds and Durham. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f74fc2ca79de23624065 Trump admin backs Bolivia state of emergency as leftist ex-leader's loyalists fracture nation te 2026-06-30T17:05:19.555Z Trump admin backs Bolivia state of emergency as leftist ex-leader's loyalists fracture nation The conservative, pro-U.S. government of President Rogrigo Paz is being challenged in the streets by radical elements led by a former socialist president recently forcing the new Bolivian government to introduce a state of emergency. The landlocked mineral-rich nation is facing one of its deepest political crises in decades as economic turmoil, nationwide protests and a battle over the country’s future threaten to reshape the balance of power in South America. The unrest comes after years of political divisions following the tenure of socialist President Evo Morales, whose Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) dominated Bolivian politics for nearly two decades. Internal fractures, economic decline and public frustration have weakened the movement and opened a new chapter of uncertainty. US, SHIELD OF THE AMERICAS CONDEMN 'ONGOING EFFORTS' TO OVERTHROW BOLIVIA'S ELECTED PRESIDENT AMID UNREST The Trump administration recently signaled strong backing for the Paz government while condemning efforts to destabilize the country. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States "Will not allow criminals and drug traffickers to overthrow democratically elected leaders in our hemisphere" and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to Bolivia’s "stability, security, and a better future for all Bolivians." Speaking on background, a State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital that, "The United States strongly supports President Rodrigo Paz's decision on June 20 to declare a State of Exception to restore order and ensure the free flow of food, medicine, and essential supplies to the Bolivian people.  We are glad that the blockades in Bolivia have ended and the government has restored order." Bolivia’s crisis has been driven by Morales and his supporters furious at the Paz reforms. Protests and road blockades have disrupted transportation, caused shortages and increased pressure on the Paz government. José Luis Lupo, chief of staff and minister of the presidency of Bolivia told Fox News Digital: "After more than 50 days of blockades that severely disrupted the supply of food, fuel, and medicines, paralyzing much of the country's economic activity and straining its democratic stability, I am convinced that Bolivia now faces a unique opportunity to transform a deep crisis into the starting point for a new phase of national reconstruction." He noted that "for weeks, we sought agreements with various sectors because we believe that, in a democracy, every avenue for mutual understanding must be exhausted before resorting to extraordinary measures." He said the state of emergency [state of exception] "was the constitutional last resort to restore freedom of movement, protect critical infrastructure and ensure that Bolivians could once again access essential goods. It was not a measure intended to restrict rights, but rather to protect lives, preserve democracy and restore freedom of movement to millions of citizens." PETE HEGSETH WARNS NARCO-TERRORISTS AS US BACKS BOLIVIA'S GOVERNMENT AMID COUP WARNINGS The turmoil has also had consequences beyond Bolivia’s borders. The country holds some of the world’s largest lithium resources, a key mineral for electric vehicles, batteries and advanced technology supply chains. Competition for influence in resource-rich Latin America has become increasingly important for Washington as China and other global powers expand their presence in the region. Bolivia’s political crisis reflects a broader trend across Latin America, where voters in the last few election cycles have elected conservatives who challenged the left’s business-as-usual politics and in doing so have taken the continent in a rightward direction. The socialist Morales remains an influential figure and continues to command support among rural and indigenous groups, keeping Bolivia’s political divisions alive even as the country searches for a path out of the crisis. Mauricio Ríos García, manager of Crusoe Research and editor of FRACTAL Index in Bolivia, told Fox News Digital, "The 50-day blockades have caused estimated losses of $2.5 billion and the closure of around 13,000 companies. Once the blockades end, a rebound in demand combined with excess liquidity is expected to drive inflation higher." Ríos said, "The government is nearing an IMF agreement that would likely include a new devaluation (exchange rate unification) and other adjustments in exchange for financing of around $3.3–5 billion. This marks growing dependence on the IMF and the United States, while the gradualist approach has left the economy with very little room for maneuver and risks further instability. "Expectations for Bolivia’s economy in the second half of the year have been revised downward. Blockades and deeper structural problems rooted in the government’s gradualist fiscal and monetary policies have worsened the difficult inheritance from the previous administration," he concluded. COLOMBIA'S 'EL TIGRE' SECURES PRESIDENCY AS LEFTIST RIVAL FINALLY CONCEDES DEFEAT For Washington, Bolivia’s future represents more than a domestic political dispute. The outcome could influence America’s strategic position in the Western Hemisphere, the future of critical minerals, and whether Latin America’s recent political shift continues moving away from the left-wing movements that dominated parts of the region during the last two decades. "I am convinced that stability will only endure if it is accompanied by inclusion. There can be no peace where neglect and inequality persist. That is why we are driving a development agenda for historically marginalized regions, particularly the provinces of La Paz, focused on infrastructure, basic services, productive development and the participation of the communities themselves," Lupo said. And as the barricades have lessened, Lupo, chief of staff and minister of the presidency of Bolivia, says, "A different phase is now beginning. I believe the country needs a broad political and social agreement involving the government, parliamentary forces, the regions, the productive sector, and civil society. Bolivia needs to pass reforms that provide legal certainty, promote investment, and modernize strategic sectors such as hydrocarbons, mining, lithium, renewable energy and the justice system. Such consensus is essential to restoring confidence, stabilizing the economy and generating sustainable growth. "I hope to see Bolivia definitively replace confrontation with dialogue, strengthen its institutions, and build a more robust economy characterized by clear rules, democratic stability and greater opportunities for all," Lupo concluded. The Trump administration had increased emergency humanitarian assistance to help address food and medical shortages caused by weeks of unrest, underscoring U.S. concerns that prolonged instability could have broader implications for regional security and democracy. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f73cc2ca79de2362405c Brooke Slusser calls Supreme Court transgender ruling the ‘biggest win’ yet for female athletes te 2026-06-30T17:05:00.097Z Brooke Slusser calls Supreme Court transgender ruling the ‘biggest win’ yet for female athletes Former San Jose State volleyball player Brooke Slusser called Tuesday’s Supreme Court ruling in favor of states protecting women’s sports the "biggest win" female athletes have had yet. Slusser appeared on Fox News’ "The Faulkner Focus" after the high court ruled 6-3 in favor of West Virginia and Idaho in two landmark transgender athlete cases. The ruling upheld state laws requiring student-athletes to compete on sports teams that correspond with their biological sex at birth rather than their gender identity. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE For Slusser, who became one of the most prominent voices in the fight to protect women’s sports after speaking out about a transgender player on her volleyball team in 2024, the decision was deeply personal. "I mean, it’s amazing," Slusser told Harris Faulkner. "It’s the biggest win we’ve had yet, so I couldn’t be happier. We couldn’t ask for more right now." Slusser filed a lawsuit last year over her experience at SJSU, where she said she was not told that teammate Blaire Fleming was transgender despite sharing team spaces, including hotel rooms, locker rooms and living quarters. "I found out from other student-athletes at the university, so it wasn’t even the institution itself that informed us, which makes it even worse," Slusser said. "My whole team had to find out on their own through other student-athletes." Slusser said the issue was not limited to competition. She argued that female athletes were deprived of the ability to make informed decisions about their own privacy and comfort in intimate spaces. "It’s taking away the student-athlete’s choice to choose which safe spaces they’re in," she said. "You’re going into locker rooms, or for my situation, my living space, and being told these are all women, thinking I’m comfortable doing whatever I need to be doing, changing and getting dressed where I want to. And then I found out the whole time that I’ve been sharing hotel rooms, locker rooms, my living space with a man." Slusser continued, "They’re stripping me of my choice to basically choose where I want to get ready and who I am getting ready around. That’s the biggest issue. It’s not even just about safety in the sport as well, it’s about everything else that goes into it." SUPREME COURT MAKES RULING ON TRANS ATHLETES IN WOMEN'S SPORTS The SJSU volleyball controversy became one of the most high-profile examples in the debate over trans-identifying athletes in women’s sports. Multiple Mountain West teams forfeited matches against San Jose State during that season amid concerns about Fleming’s participation. Slusser told Faulkner that even as Fleming’s teammate, she still had concerns about the physical differences in practice. "I just had to practice with him. I wasn’t even playing against him in a real game," Slusser said. "So the bare minimum, at least I got to know his tendencies so I could keep myself a little bit safer. But even then, I’m still getting slammed in my body. I had bruises on my legs from getting hit with a ball." She added that opponents were put in an even worse position because they didn’t have the same familiarity before stepping on the court. "These other teams don’t know what they’re walking into," Slusser said. "That’s even worse than what I had to go through going into practice every single day, trying to keep myself safe." The Supreme Court’s ruling in West Virginia v. B.P.J. and Little v. Hecox gives states the authority to maintain separate women’s and girls’ sports categories based on biological sex. The decision is a major victory for advocates who have argued that Title IX was designed to protect female athletes, not force them to compete against biological males. Slusser said San Jose State failed its female athletes by prioritizing Fleming over the rest of the roster. "The fact that they allowed these student-athletes that were men pretending to be women be protected under those Title IX rules that were meant for women to be protected in is the biggest fault that happened," Slusser said. "My institution itself, SJSU, they decided to protect a man and not worry about the 18 other women that should have been protected as well." Slusser also referenced former high school volleyball player Payton McNabb, who suffered serious injuries after being hit in the face by a spike from a transgender opponent in 2022. "This could ruin people’s lives, not even just in athletics, but overall," Slusser said. "Payton McNabb will never be the same from what happened to her, and that’s what we’re trying to stop." For Slusser and other women who have fought this battle publicly, Tuesday’s ruling marks a legal victory that’s been a long time coming. And for the states that passed laws protecting women’s sports, the Supreme Court has now made clear they have the constitutional authority to enforce them. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f728c2ca79de23624053 LeBron James tells Los Angeles Lakers he will leave in free agency after eight seasons: report te 2026-06-30T17:04:40.650Z LeBron James tells Los Angeles Lakers he will leave in free agency after eight seasons: report LeBron James will be in a new destination when his 24th NBA season commences. The NBA's all-time leading scorer reportedly told the Los Angeles Lakers that he would leave the team in free agency after eight seasons with the organization. James joined the Lakers in 2018 after a second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers in which he finally brought a championship to the Ohio city. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM With Los Angeles, James won the 2020 NBA title, his fourth, and passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most points scored in NBA history -- he is at 43,440 and counting. This past season James, who will turn 42 in December, scored 20.9 points per game, the lowest mark of his career, but still managed 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds per contest. The Golden State Warriors are reportedly looking to pair James with Stephen Curry, which would turn one of the NBA's greatest rivalries into two of the game's greatest stars fighting for their fifth title together. The Cavaliers could also be in the mix, but Draymond Green already reportedly opted out of a deal to eventually take even less money with Golden State to make room for James. Meanwhile, Los Angeles will now fully be Luka Doncic's team. The Lakers acquired him in a blockbuster deal with the Dallas Mavericks last year that is widely regarded as one of the most lopsided trades in the history of the league. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! The Lakers reportedly wanted James back, but the four-time MVP was all set -- even with his son, Bronny, on the team. The Jameses became the first father-son duo to not only be teammates in the NBA but also to be active at the same time. If it is Golden State, it would be the fourth team for James. He and Curry teamed up in the 2024 Olympics to bring gold back to the United States for the fifth time in a row. 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/6a43f701c2ca79de23624048 The 1952 Law That Was Central to the Birthright Citizenship Case te 2026-06-30T17:04:01.739Z The 1952 Law That Was Central to the Birthright Citizenship Case When Congress passed a sweeping immigration reform measure after World War II, it included language that mirrored the 14th Amendment’s citizenship clause — and perhaps even took it a step further. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f6eec2ca79de2362403f The Supreme Court Just Gave the G.O.P. a New Midterm Edge te 2026-06-30T17:03:42.273Z The Supreme Court Just Gave the G.O.P. a New Midterm Edge The decision, which allows parties to spend more in coordination with candidates, is likely to further expand the power of big money in American politics. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f6dac2ca79de23624036 In dissents, justices decried the ruling as a ‘serious mistake’ that would aid ‘birth tourists.’ te 2026-06-30T17:03:22.822Z In dissents, justices decried the ruling as a ‘serious mistake’ that would aid ‘birth tourists.’ Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f6c6c2ca79de23624021 U of A secures $3.74 million to strengthen Arizona's preparedness for New World screwworm te 2026-06-30T17:03:02.854Z U of A secures $3.74 million to strengthen Arizona's preparedness for New World screwworm U of A secures $3.74 million to strengthen Arizona's preparedness for New World screwworm nprevenas Mon, 29 Jun 2026 - 16:46 U of A secures $3.74 million to strengthen Arizona's preparedness for New World screwworm Today The University o Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f6b2c2ca79de2362400d Lumo, Proton’s privacy-focused AI chatbot, gets an upgrade te 2026-06-30T17:02:42.883Z Lumo, Proton’s privacy-focused AI chatbot, gets an upgrade Proton's Lumo 2.0 is dropping this week, giving users a broader variety of capabilities. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f69fc2ca79de23624004 Your brand deserves its own stage — Side Events at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 te 2026-06-30T17:02:23.431Z Your brand deserves its own stage — Side Events at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 From October 10-16, host a Side Event and command the room during the week of TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f68bc2ca79de23623ffb Amazon launches new $1 billion FDE org, following OpenAI and Anthropic te 2026-06-30T17:02:03.974Z Amazon launches new $1 billion FDE org, following OpenAI and Anthropic Engineers on the new team will embed within companies to deploy purpose-built agents, focusing on fast deployments and customer self-sufficiency. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f678c2ca79de23623ff2 Podcasting platform Riverside enters the newsletter publishing game te 2026-06-30T17:01:44.005Z Podcasting platform Riverside enters the newsletter publishing game Users will be able use AI to create newsletters based on their recordings. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f663c2ca79de23623fe9 Arcturus could halve the grid’s electrical losses using its nano-infused copper te 2026-06-30T17:01:23.542Z Arcturus could halve the grid’s electrical losses using its nano-infused copper Stealthy startup Arcturus uses lasers to infuse carbon nanomaterials into copper, dramatically improving its ability to conduct electricity. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f650c2ca79de23623fe0 X now offers an MCP server to make its platform easier for AI tools to use te 2026-06-30T17:01:04.080Z X now offers an MCP server to make its platform easier for AI tools to use X has launched a hosted MCP server, making it easier for developers to connect AI applications with the company’s API. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f63cc2ca79de23623fd7 Tesla starts testing Cybercab without pedals or a steering wheel in Austin te 2026-06-30T17:00:44.613Z Tesla starts testing Cybercab without pedals or a steering wheel in Austin The company may finally be ready to try to deliver on Elon Musk's years-long promise of launching a robotaxi network of its own. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43f626c2ca79de23623fce Blue Origin still doesn’t know why its New Glenn rocket blew up last month te 2026-06-30T17:00:22.452Z Blue Origin still doesn’t know why its New Glenn rocket blew up last month But the company is still claiming that New Glenn will return to flight this year. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b9d4197238567836bc75 FLL All-Stars Roundup: 10s win district title, Majors rolls on, 11s open with shutout, Juniors face elimination te 2026-06-30T12:43:00.530Z FLL All-Stars Roundup: 10s win district title, Majors rolls on, 11s open with shutout, Juniors face elimination All four Flagstaff Little League All-Star teams were in action over the weekend. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b9c0197238567836bc6c Flagstaff softball Juniors All-Stars falter in two-team district tournament te 2026-06-30T12:42:40.570Z Flagstaff softball Juniors All-Stars falter in two-team district tournament The FGSLL Juniors All-Stars took two losses hosting the District 1 Tournament against Mountain Pines Little League over the weekend. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b9ac197238567836bc63 FGSLL All-Stars Roundup: 10s reach title game, Majors stay alive te 2026-06-30T12:42:20.596Z FGSLL All-Stars Roundup: 10s reach title game, Majors stay alive The FGSLL All-Star 10s will take on Winslow in the district championship on Monday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b998197238567836bc5a HCH Pet of the Week: Diesel te 2026-06-30T12:42:00.627Z HCH Pet of the Week: Diesel Meet Diesel, a handsome 3.5-year-old Shepherd mix who's been patiently waiting for his forever family for far too long. This playful, loyal boy is ready to find a home where he can be someone's best friend and adventure buddy. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b984197238567836bc51 HCH Pet of the Week: Axle te 2026-06-30T12:41:40.657Z HCH Pet of the Week: Axle Axle is waiting at the shelter to meet YOU! Visit us and see if this scruffy, handsome fella could be a great new partner for you. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b970197238567836bc48 Pride-oriented blood drive to take place at Flagstaff DoubleTree te 2026-06-30T12:41:20.692Z Pride-oriented blood drive to take place at Flagstaff DoubleTree A Pride-oriented blood drive is scheduled to take place Wednesday, July 1, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Flagstaff. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b95c197238567836bc36 Flagstaff Event Almanac for June 30 te 2026-06-30T12:41:00.725Z Flagstaff Event Almanac for June 30 June 30 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b948197238567836bc0e Pope Leo pleads with breakaway Catholic group not to commit 'sin of extreme gravity' te 2026-06-30T12:40:40.250Z Pope Leo pleads with breakaway Catholic group not to commit 'sin of extreme gravity' Pope Leo XIV issued an extraordinary last-minute plea Tuesday to a breakaway traditionalist Catholic group to abandon plans to consecrate four bishops without Vatican approval, warning the move was a "sin of extreme gravity" and could deepen a decades-old split with the Church. In a letter addressed to the Rev. Davide Pagliarani, leader of the Society of St. Pius X, Leo urged the group to reconsider before Wednesday's planned ceremony in Econe, Switzerland, saying it would place the bishops involved outside the Church’s communion. "I plead with you and ask you with all my heart: please turn back!" the pope wrote. POPE LEO SENDS UNMISTAKABLE MESSAGE ON IMMIGRANTS DURING VISIT HONORING AMERICA'S FIRST SAINT Under church law, consecrating bishops without papal approval is considered a schismatic act and carries automatic excommunication for both the bishops being ordained and the bishop performing the ceremony. "I urge you to consider carefully the spiritual good of the faithful, because the schismatic act you are about to undertake would deprive them of the licit, and in some cases, even valid reception of the sacraments," Leo wrote. The dispute marks the first major challenge of Leo's pontificate. Since becoming pope, the American-born pontiff has emphasized healing divisions within the Church, including tensions with traditionalist Catholics who favor the old Latin Mass. POPE LEO XIV JOKES YOUNG SPANIARDS WOULD PICK BAD BUNNY OVER HIM DURING MADRID VISIT THIS WEEKEND The Society of St. Pius X was founded after the Second Vatican Council, rejecting many of the church's reforms, including allowing Mass to be celebrated in local languages instead of Latin. The group has long argued that it is preserving authentic Catholic teaching. The society defended its decision to consecrate four new bishops, saying there is a "state of necessity" requiring it to provide bishops for its faithful. The planned ceremony echoes a similar confrontation in 1988, when the group's founder, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, consecrated four bishops without papal approval. The Vatican responded by excommunicating Lefebvre and the newly ordained bishops, though those excommunications were lifted in 2009 as part of an effort to restore relations. Despite years of dialogue with the Vatican, the SSPX remains outside the church's formal structure. The society has continued to expand in recent decades, reporting hundreds of priests, seminarians and religious members across dozens of countries, making it one of the largest traditionalist movements operating outside the Catholic Church's official authority. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b81e197238567836bbdb Pressure Sensitive Adhesives Market Future Scope, Emerging Trends and Revenue Growth by 2031 | Expert Review te 2026-06-30T12:35:42.402Z Pressure Sensitive Adhesives Market Future Scope, Emerging Trends and Revenue Growth by 2031 | Expert Review The pressure sensitive adhesives market is expanding steadily, fueled by growing demand from packaging, automotive, healthcare, electronics, and construction industries. Leading companies are investing in sustainable formulations, high-performance products, and capacity expansion to strengthen their Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b80a197238567836bbd2 As Chronic Back Pain Continues to Affect Millions, Injury 2 Wellness Centers Highlights Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Georgia Residents te 2026-06-30T12:35:22.437Z As Chronic Back Pain Continues to Affect Millions, Injury 2 Wellness Centers Highlights Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Georgia Residents Healthcare providers encourage early, conservative care to help patients improve mobility, reduce pain, and avoid unnecessary invasive procedures. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b7f5197238567836bbc1 Trump deal gives Iran $100s of billions more than Obama nuclear pact he slammed, in return for far less te 2026-06-30T12:35:01.448Z Trump deal gives Iran $100s of billions more than Obama nuclear pact he slammed, in return for far less Cronkite News offers an audio version of this story using an automated voice created by AI. Errors in pronunciation, pacing and intonation may occur. If you notice an error please contact cronkitenews@asu.edu. WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has offered Iran hundreds of billions of dollars more than it received under President Barack Obama’s nuclear agreement – the one Trump condemned as “the worst deal in history.” The memorandum of understanding released June 17 provides $300 billion for Iran’s economic development and recovery, eases sanctions and unfreezes up to $24 billion in Iranian funds. The deal also implies that Iran will soon be able to charge ships for passing through the Strait of Hormuz, effectively recognizing control of the strategic chokepoint that didn’t exist before the war. By comparison, Obama’s Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action released about $50 billion in frozen Iranian assets, according to the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation.  Under a separate deal that coincided with the JCPOA, the U.S. delivered pallets stacked with $400 million in Swiss francs and other currency, a source of particular Republican outrage; the sum was transferred in cash due to sanctions that precluded a wire transfer. Trump’s $300 billion package for Iran makes the JCPOA “look like a pittance,” said Sen. Roger Wicker, the Mississippi Republican who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee. Trump withdrew the U.S. from the JCPOA in 2018, calling it “one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into.”  The MOU he signed June 17 in France establishes a framework to end the war he initiated four months earlier and to guide negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.  Unlike the JCPOA, the MOU doesn’t tie the funds to an agreement on nuclear enrichment or weapons development. Without such assurances, analysts and former officials said it’s hard to see much in the deal other than unprecedented concessions by the U.S. – certainly not the “unconditional surrender” Trump promised to squeeze from Iran. President Donald Trump oversees Operation Epic Fury at Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, Fla., on Feb. 28, 2026. (White House photo by Daniel Torok) The JCPOA that Trump scrapped included concrete agreements on nuclear material and weapons, rules for monitoring and penalties for non-compliance. “A lot has been sacrificed up front just to get the Strait of Hormuz open again,” said Daniel Schneiderman, who served in the State and Defense departments. He now directs global policy programs at the University of Pennsylvania Washington. Wicker emphasized that he supported Trump’s decision to attack Iran. But he condemned lifting sanctions and unfreezing assets, warning that Iran will use such funds to pursue its anti-American goals. “I am concerned that the memorandum of understanding negotiates away the victories of Operation Epic Fury in ways that are completely out of step with the President’s goals,” he said in a June 18 statement. Tolls in the Strait of Hormuz Roughly 7.9% of global maritime trade flows through the Strait of Hormuz, including 20% of the world’s supply of oil and natural gas. In March, Iran declared the waterway closed, began attacking ships attempting to pass through it and laid mines. The moves made insurance for vessels transiting the strait prohibitively expensive. Iran spent decades incorporating a strait blockage into its war planning. Western powers were also well aware of the likelihood. When Trump attacked, Iran tested the strategy for the first time. Closing the strait sent global energy markets into a tailspin. By late March, the average price per gallon of gas in the U.S. climbed from $3 to $4.56. Although Trump has asserted that the strait will remain toll-free, Iran has already taken steps to implement fees. One mechanism: mandatory insurance policies. Before the ceasefire, Iran charged $2 million per tanker or $1 per barrel of oil for the few ships it allowed to pass. At pre-war shipping levels, that would top $7.7 billion a year in revenue. Schneiderman called it “significant and extraordinary” for Trump to grant Iran the right to charge tolls.  The legality, however, is dubious. The strait is just 20 miles wide at its narrowest point but international law requires free passage in international waters. Sanctions relief and economic development One big target of criticism in the MOU is the $300 billion economic development plan.  Trump and aides say the U.S. will not contribute funding, but will organize it with regional partners that will contribute or catalyze private investment.  That fund has no equivalent in the JCPOA. The MOU adopts the JCPOA strategy of economic benefits in exchange for cooperation on elimination of nuclear weapons. But key provisions go far beyond the Obama deal’s rewards. Under the JCPOA, the U.S. rolled back most sanctions against Iran, including on its economy and oil exports. Sanctions related to terrorism, human rights abuses and arms remained in place. In exchange, Iran agreed to restrict nuclear enrichment to levels sufficient only for civilian uses and to submit to international inspections. Trump’s MOU, by contrast, calls for the U.S. to “terminate all types of sanctions” against Iran on a schedule to be negotiated later. The U.S. agreed to immediately issue waivers to allow Iran to export oil at market rate for 60 days – a boon worth up to $3 billion by some estimates. Frozen assets Tehran says the West is holding $24 billion of its assets.  The Wall Street Journal reported June 19 that the U.S. and Qatar were working to unfreeze $6 billion of that initially – to be used only for food, medicine and other humanitarian supplies. The Trump administration has highlighted that Iran can only unlock the full benefits offered under the MOU if it meets certain conditions. Officials have described the approach as pay for performance. “Fundamentally, that money is not going to be unfrozen unless we continue to see progress, and that will obviously be a big part of the negotiation in the days to come,” Vice President JD Vance told reporters Monday in Switzerland after talks with Iranian negotiators. The JCPOA also unfroze funds incrementally as Iran met certain targets. The deal was fully implemented in 2016 after the International Atomic Energy Agency reported that Iran had made the promised changes to its nuclear program. Trump killed that deal, and Iran resumed its nuclear program. In 2019, Iran accelerated uranium enrichment. Two years later, it suspended implementation of its monitoring agreement with the IAEA. By 2025, it was rapidly increasing its supply of nuclear material. The MOU provides economic incentives upfront, with no agreement on limits to Iran’s nuclear program. “This was a pretty lopsided deal,” said Bob Einhorn, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a former State Department official who helped lead early JCPOA negotiations until 2013. “The benefits to Iran were spelled out pretty clearly – some immediate benefits and some eventual benefits – but the benefits to the United States were amorphous, put off until future negotiations.” Bankrolling aid or terrorism? At a campaign rally in September 2015 in Washington, Trump condemned the JCPOA and called its negotiators “very, very stupid people.” He cited an inflated figure of $150 billion that Iran stood to receive and argued that the unfrozen assets would be used to menace Israel and to pursue other anti-American aims. “They rip us off, they take our money, they make us look like fools, and now they’re back to being who they really are,” he said. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, then a Florida senator, warned at the time that the JCPOA would let Iran buy missiles and boost its terror affiliates. “Flush with cash and arms, Iran will have even more opportunity to expand its influence across the Middle East and threaten its neighbors,” he wrote in September 2015. Rubio and Vance, then an Ohio senator, co-sponsored a bill in 2023 that stated “funds released to Iran for so-called humanitarian purposes cannot be reliably prevented from funding future terrorist attacks.” Trump, Vance and Rubio are now doing precisely what they argued against, critics say. Vance said that unfrozen funds could only purchase American soy, corn and wheat for Iranian civilians. He called it “a classic Trump deal.” Iranian officials disputed that, saying they have agreed to no such limitations. Skeptics of the MOU point out that if Iran has more funds to buy food, it also has more funds to rebuild its military and, potentially, to finance global terror – the exact critique Trump leveled against the JCPOA. “The MOU says, basically, these unfrozen funds can be used just as Iran pleases with no restriction,” Einhorn said. “They have a green light if they wanted to use some of those funds for supporting their Axis of Resistance, their proxies or for their military programs.” “One can hope that the U.S. team will do a better job negotiating the final deal than it did negotiating the MOU,” he added. “I’m not confident that’s going to be the case.” The post Trump deal gives Iran $100s of billions more than Obama nuclear pact he slammed, in return for far less appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b7f4197238567836bbb9 Trump deal gives Iran $100s of billions more than Obama nuclear pact he slammed, in return for far less te 2026-06-30T12:35:00.418Z Trump deal gives Iran $100s of billions more than Obama nuclear pact he slammed, in return for far less Cronkite News offers an audio version of this story using an automated voice created by AI. Errors in pronunciation, pacing and intonation may occur. If you notice an error please contact cronkitenews@asu.edu. WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has offered Iran hundreds of billions of dollars more than it received under President Barack Obama’s nuclear agreement – the one Trump condemned as “the worst deal in history.” The memorandum of understanding released June 17 provides $300 billion for Iran’s economic development and recovery, eases sanctions and unfreezes up to $24 billion in Iranian funds. The deal also implies that Iran will soon be able to charge ships for passing through the Strait of Hormuz, effectively recognizing control of the strategic chokepoint that didn’t exist before the war. By comparison, Obama’s Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action released about $50 billion in frozen Iranian assets, according to the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation.  Under a separate deal that coincided with the JCPOA, the U.S. delivered pallets stacked with $400 million in Swiss francs and other currency, a source of particular Republican outrage; the sum was transferred in cash due to sanctions that precluded a wire transfer. Trump’s $300 billion package for Iran makes the JCPOA “look like a pittance,” said Sen. Roger Wicker, the Mississippi Republican who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee. Trump withdrew the U.S. from the JCPOA in 2018, calling it “one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into.”  The MOU he signed June 17 in France establishes a framework to end the war he initiated four months earlier and to guide negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.  Unlike the JCPOA, the MOU doesn’t tie the funds to an agreement on nuclear enrichment or weapons development. Without such assurances, analysts and former officials said it’s hard to see much in the deal other than unprecedented concessions by the U.S. – certainly not the “unconditional surrender” Trump promised to squeeze from Iran. President Donald Trump oversees Operation Epic Fury at Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, Fla., on Feb. 28, 2026. (White House photo by Daniel Torok) The JCPOA that Trump scrapped included concrete agreements on nuclear material and weapons, rules for monitoring and penalties for non-compliance. “A lot has been sacrificed up front just to get the Strait of Hormuz open again,” said Daniel Schneiderman, who served in the State and Defense departments. He now directs global policy programs at the University of Pennsylvania Washington. Wicker emphasized that he supported Trump’s decision to attack Iran. But he condemned lifting sanctions and unfreezing assets, warning that Iran will use such funds to pursue its anti-American goals. “I am concerned that the memorandum of understanding negotiates away the victories of Operation Epic Fury in ways that are completely out of step with the President’s goals,” he said in a June 18 statement. Tolls in the Strait of Hormuz Roughly 7.9% of global maritime trade flows through the Strait of Hormuz, including 20% of the world’s supply of oil and natural gas. In March, Iran declared the waterway closed, began attacking ships attempting to pass through it and laid mines. The moves made insurance for vessels transiting the strait prohibitively expensive. Iran spent decades incorporating a strait blockage into its war planning. Western powers were also well aware of the likelihood. When Trump attacked, Iran tested the strategy for the first time. Closing the strait sent global energy markets into a tailspin. By late March, the average price per gallon of gas in the U.S. climbed from $3 to $4.56. Although Trump has asserted that the strait will remain toll-free, Iran has already taken steps to implement fees. One mechanism: mandatory insurance policies. Before the ceasefire, Iran charged $2 million per tanker or $1 per barrel of oil for the few ships it allowed to pass. At pre-war shipping levels, that would top $7.7 billion a year in revenue. Schneiderman called it “significant and extraordinary” for Trump to grant Iran the right to charge tolls.  The legality, however, is dubious. The strait is just 20 miles wide at its narrowest point but international law requires free passage in international waters. Sanctions relief and economic development One big target of criticism in the MOU is the $300 billion economic development plan.  Trump and aides say the U.S. will not contribute funding, but will organize it with regional partners that will contribute or catalyze private investment.  That fund has no equivalent in the JCPOA. The MOU adopts the JCPOA strategy of economic benefits in exchange for cooperation on elimination of nuclear weapons. But key provisions go far beyond the Obama deal’s rewards. Under the JCPOA, the U.S. rolled back most sanctions against Iran, including on its economy and oil exports. Sanctions related to terrorism, human rights abuses and arms remained in place. In exchange, Iran agreed to restrict nuclear enrichment to levels sufficient only for civilian uses and to submit to international inspections. Trump’s MOU, by contrast, calls for the U.S. to “terminate all types of sanctions” against Iran on a schedule to be negotiated later. The U.S. agreed to immediately issue waivers to allow Iran to export oil at market rate for 60 days – a boon worth up to $3 billion by some estimates. Frozen assets Tehran says the West is holding $24 billion of its assets.  The Wall Street Journal reported June 19 that the U.S. and Qatar were working to unfreeze $6 billion of that initially – to be used only for food, medicine and other humanitarian supplies. The Trump administration has highlighted that Iran can only unlock the full benefits offered under the MOU if it meets certain conditions. Officials have described the approach as pay for performance. “Fundamentally, that money is not going to be unfrozen unless we continue to see progress, and that will obviously be a big part of the negotiation in the days to come,” Vice President JD Vance told reporters Monday in Switzerland after talks with Iranian negotiators. The JCPOA also unfroze funds incrementally as Iran met certain targets. The deal was fully implemented in 2016 after the International Atomic Energy Agency reported that Iran had made the promised changes to its nuclear program. Trump killed that deal, and Iran resumed its nuclear program. In 2019, Iran accelerated uranium enrichment. Two years later, it suspended implementation of its monitoring agreement with the IAEA. By 2025, it was rapidly increasing its supply of nuclear material. The MOU provides economic incentives upfront, with no agreement on limits to Iran’s nuclear program. “This was a pretty lopsided deal,” said Bob Einhorn, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a former State Department official who helped lead early JCPOA negotiations until 2013. “The benefits to Iran were spelled out pretty clearly – some immediate benefits and some eventual benefits – but the benefits to the United States were amorphous, put off until future negotiations.” Bankrolling aid or terrorism? At a campaign rally in September 2015 in Washington, Trump condemned the JCPOA and called its negotiators “very, very stupid people.” He cited an inflated figure of $150 billion that Iran stood to receive and argued that the unfrozen assets would be used to menace Israel and to pursue other anti-American aims. “They rip us off, they take our money, they make us look like fools, and now they’re back to being who they really are,” he said. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, then a Florida senator, warned at the time that the JCPOA would let Iran buy missiles and boost its terror affiliates. “Flush with cash and arms, Iran will have even more opportunity to expand its influence across the Middle East and threaten its neighbors,” he wrote in September 2015. Rubio and Vance, then an Ohio senator, co-sponsored a bill in 2023 that stated “funds released to Iran for so-called humanitarian purposes cannot be reliably prevented from funding future terrorist attacks.” Trump, Vance and Rubio are now doing precisely what they argued against, critics say. Vance said that unfrozen funds could only purchase American soy, corn and wheat for Iranian civilians. He called it “a classic Trump deal.” Iranian officials disputed that, saying they have agreed to no such limitations. Skeptics of the MOU point out that if Iran has more funds to buy food, it also has more funds to rebuild its military and, potentially, to finance global terror – the exact critique Trump leveled against the JCPOA. “The MOU says, basically, these unfrozen funds can be used just as Iran pleases with no restriction,” Einhorn said. “They have a green light if they wanted to use some of those funds for supporting their Axis of Resistance, their proxies or for their military programs.” “One can hope that the U.S. team will do a better job negotiating the final deal than it did negotiating the MOU,” he added. “I’m not confident that’s going to be the case.” The post Trump deal gives Iran $100s of billions more than Obama nuclear pact he slammed, in return for far less appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b7f2197238567836bbb1 Trump deal gives Iran $100s of billions more than Obama nuclear pact he slammed, in return for far less te 2026-06-30T12:34:58.740Z Trump deal gives Iran $100s of billions more than Obama nuclear pact he slammed, in return for far less Cronkite News offers an audio version of this story using an automated voice created by AI. Errors in pronunciation, pacing and intonation may occur. If you notice an error please contact cronkitenews@asu.edu. WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has offered Iran hundreds of billions of dollars more than it received under President Barack Obama’s nuclear agreement – the one Trump condemned as “the worst deal in history.” The memorandum of understanding released June 17 provides $300 billion for Iran’s economic development and recovery, eases sanctions and unfreezes up to $24 billion in Iranian funds. The deal also implies that Iran will soon be able to charge ships for passing through the Strait of Hormuz, effectively recognizing control of the strategic chokepoint that didn’t exist before the war. By comparison, Obama’s Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action released about $50 billion in frozen Iranian assets, according to the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation.  Under a separate deal that coincided with the JCPOA, the U.S. delivered pallets stacked with $400 million in Swiss francs and other currency, a source of particular Republican outrage; the sum was transferred in cash due to sanctions that precluded a wire transfer. Trump’s $300 billion package for Iran makes the JCPOA “look like a pittance,” said Sen. Roger Wicker, the Mississippi Republican who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee. Trump withdrew the U.S. from the JCPOA in 2018, calling it “one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into.”  The MOU he signed June 17 in France establishes a framework to end the war he initiated four months earlier and to guide negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.  Unlike the JCPOA, the MOU doesn’t tie the funds to an agreement on nuclear enrichment or weapons development. Without such assurances, analysts and former officials said it’s hard to see much in the deal other than unprecedented concessions by the U.S. – certainly not the “unconditional surrender” Trump promised to squeeze from Iran. President Donald Trump oversees Operation Epic Fury at Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, Fla., on Feb. 28, 2026. (White House photo by Daniel Torok) The JCPOA that Trump scrapped included concrete agreements on nuclear material and weapons, rules for monitoring and penalties for non-compliance. “A lot has been sacrificed up front just to get the Strait of Hormuz open again,” said Daniel Schneiderman, who served in the State and Defense departments. He now directs global policy programs at the University of Pennsylvania Washington. Wicker emphasized that he supported Trump’s decision to attack Iran. But he condemned lifting sanctions and unfreezing assets, warning that Iran will use such funds to pursue its anti-American goals. “I am concerned that the memorandum of understanding negotiates away the victories of Operation Epic Fury in ways that are completely out of step with the President’s goals,” he said in a June 18 statement. Tolls in the Strait of Hormuz Roughly 7.9% of global maritime trade flows through the Strait of Hormuz, including 20% of the world’s supply of oil and natural gas. In March, Iran declared the waterway closed, began attacking ships attempting to pass through it and laid mines. The moves made insurance for vessels transiting the strait prohibitively expensive. Iran spent decades incorporating a strait blockage into its war planning. Western powers were also well aware of the likelihood. When Trump attacked, Iran tested the strategy for the first time. Closing the strait sent global energy markets into a tailspin. By late March, the average price per gallon of gas in the U.S. climbed from $3 to $4.56. Although Trump has asserted that the strait will remain toll-free, Iran has already taken steps to implement fees. One mechanism: mandatory insurance policies. Before the ceasefire, Iran charged $2 million per tanker or $1 per barrel of oil for the few ships it allowed to pass. At pre-war shipping levels, that would top $7.7 billion a year in revenue. Schneiderman called it “significant and extraordinary” for Trump to grant Iran the right to charge tolls.  The legality, however, is dubious. The strait is just 20 miles wide at its narrowest point but international law requires free passage in international waters. Sanctions relief and economic development One big target of criticism in the MOU is the $300 billion economic development plan.  Trump and aides say the U.S. will not contribute funding, but will organize it with regional partners that will contribute or catalyze private investment.  That fund has no equivalent in the JCPOA. The MOU adopts the JCPOA strategy of economic benefits in exchange for cooperation on elimination of nuclear weapons. But key provisions go far beyond the Obama deal’s rewards. Under the JCPOA, the U.S. rolled back most sanctions against Iran, including on its economy and oil exports. Sanctions related to terrorism, human rights abuses and arms remained in place. In exchange, Iran agreed to restrict nuclear enrichment to levels sufficient only for civilian uses and to submit to international inspections. Trump’s MOU, by contrast, calls for the U.S. to “terminate all types of sanctions” against Iran on a schedule to be negotiated later. The U.S. agreed to immediately issue waivers to allow Iran to export oil at market rate for 60 days – a boon worth up to $3 billion by some estimates. Frozen assets Tehran says the West is holding $24 billion of its assets.  The Wall Street Journal reported June 19 that the U.S. and Qatar were working to unfreeze $6 billion of that initially – to be used only for food, medicine and other humanitarian supplies. The Trump administration has highlighted that Iran can only unlock the full benefits offered under the MOU if it meets certain conditions. Officials have described the approach as pay for performance. “Fundamentally, that money is not going to be unfrozen unless we continue to see progress, and that will obviously be a big part of the negotiation in the days to come,” Vice President JD Vance told reporters Monday in Switzerland after talks with Iranian negotiators. The JCPOA also unfroze funds incrementally as Iran met certain targets. The deal was fully implemented in 2016 after the International Atomic Energy Agency reported that Iran had made the promised changes to its nuclear program. Trump killed that deal, and Iran resumed its nuclear program. In 2019, Iran accelerated uranium enrichment. Two years later, it suspended implementation of its monitoring agreement with the IAEA. By 2025, it was rapidly increasing its supply of nuclear material. The MOU provides economic incentives upfront, with no agreement on limits to Iran’s nuclear program. “This was a pretty lopsided deal,” said Bob Einhorn, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a former State Department official who helped lead early JCPOA negotiations until 2013. “The benefits to Iran were spelled out pretty clearly – some immediate benefits and some eventual benefits – but the benefits to the United States were amorphous, put off until future negotiations.” Bankrolling aid or terrorism? At a campaign rally in September 2015 in Washington, Trump condemned the JCPOA and called its negotiators “very, very stupid people.” He cited an inflated figure of $150 billion that Iran stood to receive and argued that the unfrozen assets would be used to menace Israel and to pursue other anti-American aims. “They rip us off, they take our money, they make us look like fools, and now they’re back to being who they really are,” he said. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, then a Florida senator, warned at the time that the JCPOA would let Iran buy missiles and boost its terror affiliates. “Flush with cash and arms, Iran will have even more opportunity to expand its influence across the Middle East and threaten its neighbors,” he wrote in September 2015. Rubio and Vance, then an Ohio senator, co-sponsored a bill in 2023 that stated “funds released to Iran for so-called humanitarian purposes cannot be reliably prevented from funding future terrorist attacks.” Trump, Vance and Rubio are now doing precisely what they argued against, critics say. Vance said that unfrozen funds could only purchase American soy, corn and wheat for Iranian civilians. He called it “a classic Trump deal.” Iranian officials disputed that, saying they have agreed to no such limitations. Skeptics of the MOU point out that if Iran has more funds to buy food, it also has more funds to rebuild its military and, potentially, to finance global terror – the exact critique Trump leveled against the JCPOA. “The MOU says, basically, these unfrozen funds can be used just as Iran pleases with no restriction,” Einhorn said. “They have a green light if they wanted to use some of those funds for supporting their Axis of Resistance, their proxies or for their military programs.” “One can hope that the U.S. team will do a better job negotiating the final deal than it did negotiating the MOU,” he added. “I’m not confident that’s going to be the case.” The post Trump deal gives Iran $100s of billions more than Obama nuclear pact he slammed, in return for far less appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b7e1197238567836bba8 Full circle: Valley product Koa Peat returns to Phoenix as Suns’ first-round draft pick te 2026-06-30T12:34:41.986Z Full circle: Valley product Koa Peat returns to Phoenix as Suns’ first-round draft pick Cronkite News offers an audio version of this story using an automated voice created by AI. Errors in pronunciation, pacing and intonation may occur. If you notice an error please contact cronkitenews@asu.edu. PHOENIX – Former Arizona high school basketball star Koa Peat was just 10 when the Suns drafted Devin Booker. As a young fan, he attended the first game of the 2021 NBA Finals between the Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks.  “I remember those days seeing the team compete and seeing the team win,” Peat said at his introductory news conference on Friday at the Suns’ practice facility. “Seeing the crowd be involved with the team was super special and this is a super special place to be.” Five years later, Peat will have the chance to play in front of that very same crowd. The Suns selected the Gilbert Perry High School graduate and University of Arizona standout with the last pick (No. 30) of the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft on June 25 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.  “We’re so excited about this opportunity to bring this young man into our franchise,” Suns GM Brian Gregory said. “Winning is really important. You have to continue to bring in guys that know what winning’s all about.”  It’s a full-circle moment for Peat and his family. His father, Todd, is a former NFL offensive lineman who played with the Phoenix Cardinals in the ’80s.  “His family has built an amazing athletic legacy here in the Valley and throughout the country,” Gregory said. “They’re ingrained in the Valley which is a unique situation for us and one that we’re very excited about. This community already has an unbelievable bond with Koa.”  Peat’s resume so far in his young career is filled with nothing but winning. During his four seasons at Perry, Peat led the school to state championships in each one, while simultaneously capturing four gold medals with Team USA at the FIBA World Cup.  “When he has a goal or a dream like being in the NBA, nothing is going to stop him,” said Sam Duane Jr., Peat’s high school coach. “He sacrificed a lot growing up. You have to give credit for the work that he’s put in to make himself the player he is.”   Following his decorated high school career, Peat signed to play for coach Tommy Lloyd at the University of Arizona. He helped guide the Wildcats to one of their best seasons in program history as they won 36 games this past season en route to their first Final Four appearance since 2001.  “Koa’s value is a lot higher than the number he got picked at,” Lloyd said. “If you’re basing this draft on impact on winning, Koa to me is a guy that’s a top-10 type pick.”  Peat’s presence at both Arizona and Perry was felt mostly in the paint. The Wildcats sported one of college basketball’s most physical frontcourts, thanks in large part to the 6-foot-8, 235-pound forward’s services.  “He’s gifted with his body,” Duane Jr. said. “He probably plays with more force than any player I’ve ever had. Some of his dunks in practice, the ball would go through, hit the floor and bounce almost back up to the rim.” The Suns entered the 2026 NBA Draft without a first-round pick but acquired the 30th selection in a four-team deal involving the Lakers, Knicks and Mavericks. The organization was determined to land Peat according to Lloyd.  “They started to work trades for Koa a lot earlier than the 30th pick,” Lloyd said. “They really wanted him. Koa ended up in a situation where they want to rebuild with tough, hardworking, blue-collar kinda guys, and he fits that billing.”  Gregory said Peat reflects the type of culture the Suns are trying to establish.  “His work ethic, his character, his ability and desire to continue to improve,” Gregory said. “All of those things are important for where we’re at and where we want to get to.”  Before the draft, speculation swirled regarding Peat’s potential landing spot. Many analysts initially believed Peat could be a lottery pick, but a shaky combine performance fueled concerns about his shooting and readiness for the league. It’s believed Peat turned down a hefty NIL deal to return to Arizona.  “I’m all about development. I’m 19 years old so there’s a lot I can grow into and get better at,” Peat said. “Talking with BG and coach about their player development, that’s the number one thing they harp on. I’m gonna come in here and work hard every day and try to get better as a young player.”  Gregory believes Peat’s physicality and unique skill set will address on-court issues the team had a year ago.  “The two key areas for us are defensive pressure and offensive rebounding,” Gregory said. “It’s an area that he’s really good at right now and he’s only going to get better at.” Peat will jockey for minutes in the Suns’ frontcourt after the recent acquisition of Miles Bridges from the Charlotte Hornets.   The post Full circle: Valley product Koa Peat returns to Phoenix as Suns’ first-round draft pick appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b7e0197238567836bb9f Full circle: Valley product Koa Peat returns to Phoenix as Suns’ first-round draft pick te 2026-06-30T12:34:40.965Z Full circle: Valley product Koa Peat returns to Phoenix as Suns’ first-round draft pick Cronkite News offers an audio version of this story using an automated voice created by AI. Errors in pronunciation, pacing and intonation may occur. If you notice an error please contact cronkitenews@asu.edu. PHOENIX – Former Arizona high school basketball star Koa Peat was just 10 when the Suns drafted Devin Booker. As a young fan, he attended the first game of the 2021 NBA Finals between the Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks.  “I remember those days seeing the team compete and seeing the team win,” Peat said at his introductory news conference on Friday at the Suns’ practice facility. “Seeing the crowd be involved with the team was super special and this is a super special place to be.” Five years later, Peat will have the chance to play in front of that very same crowd. The Suns selected the Gilbert Perry High School graduate and University of Arizona standout with the last pick (No. 30) of the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft on June 25 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.  “We’re so excited about this opportunity to bring this young man into our franchise,” Suns GM Brian Gregory said. “Winning is really important. You have to continue to bring in guys that know what winning’s all about.”  It’s a full-circle moment for Peat and his family. His father, Todd, is a former NFL offensive lineman who played with the Phoenix Cardinals in the ’80s.  “His family has built an amazing athletic legacy here in the Valley and throughout the country,” Gregory said. “They’re ingrained in the Valley which is a unique situation for us and one that we’re very excited about. This community already has an unbelievable bond with Koa.”  Peat’s resume so far in his young career is filled with nothing but winning. During his four seasons at Perry, Peat led the school to state championships in each one, while simultaneously capturing four gold medals with Team USA at the FIBA World Cup.  “When he has a goal or a dream like being in the NBA, nothing is going to stop him,” said Sam Duane Jr., Peat’s high school coach. “He sacrificed a lot growing up. You have to give credit for the work that he’s put in to make himself the player he is.”   Following his decorated high school career, Peat signed to play for coach Tommy Lloyd at the University of Arizona. He helped guide the Wildcats to one of their best seasons in program history as they won 36 games this past season en route to their first Final Four appearance since 2001.  “Koa’s value is a lot higher than the number he got picked at,” Lloyd said. “If you’re basing this draft on impact on winning, Koa to me is a guy that’s a top-10 type pick.”  Peat’s presence at both Arizona and Perry was felt mostly in the paint. The Wildcats sported one of college basketball’s most physical frontcourts, thanks in large part to the 6-foot-8, 235-pound forward’s services.  “He’s gifted with his body,” Duane Jr. said. “He probably plays with more force than any player I’ve ever had. Some of his dunks in practice, the ball would go through, hit the floor and bounce almost back up to the rim.” The Suns entered the 2026 NBA Draft without a first-round pick but acquired the 30th selection in a four-team deal involving the Lakers, Knicks and Mavericks. The organization was determined to land Peat according to Lloyd.  “They started to work trades for Koa a lot earlier than the 30th pick,” Lloyd said. “They really wanted him. Koa ended up in a situation where they want to rebuild with tough, hardworking, blue-collar kinda guys, and he fits that billing.”  Gregory said Peat reflects the type of culture the Suns are trying to establish.  “His work ethic, his character, his ability and desire to continue to improve,” Gregory said. “All of those things are important for where we’re at and where we want to get to.”  Before the draft, speculation swirled regarding Peat’s potential landing spot. Many analysts initially believed Peat could be a lottery pick, but a shaky combine performance fueled concerns about his shooting and readiness for the league. It’s believed Peat turned down a hefty NIL deal to return to Arizona.  “I’m all about development. I’m 19 years old so there’s a lot I can grow into and get better at,” Peat said. “Talking with BG and coach about their player development, that’s the number one thing they harp on. I’m gonna come in here and work hard every day and try to get better as a young player.”  Gregory believes Peat’s physicality and unique skill set will address on-court issues the team had a year ago.  “The two key areas for us are defensive pressure and offensive rebounding,” Gregory said. “It’s an area that he’s really good at right now and he’s only going to get better at.” Peat will jockey for minutes in the Suns’ frontcourt after the recent acquisition of Miles Bridges from the Charlotte Hornets.   The post Full circle: Valley product Koa Peat returns to Phoenix as Suns’ first-round draft pick appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b7df197238567836bb96 Full circle: Valley product Koa Peat returns to Phoenix as Suns’ first-round draft pick te 2026-06-30T12:34:39.285Z Full circle: Valley product Koa Peat returns to Phoenix as Suns’ first-round draft pick Cronkite News offers an audio version of this story using an automated voice created by AI. Errors in pronunciation, pacing and intonation may occur. If you notice an error please contact cronkitenews@asu.edu. PHOENIX – Former Arizona high school basketball star Koa Peat was just 10 when the Suns drafted Devin Booker. As a young fan, he attended the first game of the 2021 NBA Finals between the Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks.  “I remember those days seeing the team compete and seeing the team win,” Peat said at his introductory news conference on Friday at the Suns’ practice facility. “Seeing the crowd be involved with the team was super special and this is a super special place to be.” Five years later, Peat will have the chance to play in front of that very same crowd. The Suns selected the Gilbert Perry High School graduate and University of Arizona standout with the last pick (No. 30) of the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft on June 25 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.  “We’re so excited about this opportunity to bring this young man into our franchise,” Suns GM Brian Gregory said. “Winning is really important. You have to continue to bring in guys that know what winning’s all about.”  It’s a full-circle moment for Peat and his family. His father, Todd, is a former NFL offensive lineman who played with the Phoenix Cardinals in the ’80s.  “His family has built an amazing athletic legacy here in the Valley and throughout the country,” Gregory said. “They’re ingrained in the Valley which is a unique situation for us and one that we’re very excited about. This community already has an unbelievable bond with Koa.”  Peat’s resume so far in his young career is filled with nothing but winning. During his four seasons at Perry, Peat led the school to state championships in each one, while simultaneously capturing four gold medals with Team USA at the FIBA World Cup.  “When he has a goal or a dream like being in the NBA, nothing is going to stop him,” said Sam Duane Jr., Peat’s high school coach. “He sacrificed a lot growing up. You have to give credit for the work that he’s put in to make himself the player he is.”   Following his decorated high school career, Peat signed to play for coach Tommy Lloyd at the University of Arizona. He helped guide the Wildcats to one of their best seasons in program history as they won 36 games this past season en route to their first Final Four appearance since 2001.  “Koa’s value is a lot higher than the number he got picked at,” Lloyd said. “If you’re basing this draft on impact on winning, Koa to me is a guy that’s a top-10 type pick.”  Peat’s presence at both Arizona and Perry was felt mostly in the paint. The Wildcats sported one of college basketball’s most physical frontcourts, thanks in large part to the 6-foot-8, 235-pound forward’s services.  “He’s gifted with his body,” Duane Jr. said. “He probably plays with more force than any player I’ve ever had. Some of his dunks in practice, the ball would go through, hit the floor and bounce almost back up to the rim.” The Suns entered the 2026 NBA Draft without a first-round pick but acquired the 30th selection in a four-team deal involving the Lakers, Knicks and Mavericks. The organization was determined to land Peat according to Lloyd.  “They started to work trades for Koa a lot earlier than the 30th pick,” Lloyd said. “They really wanted him. Koa ended up in a situation where they want to rebuild with tough, hardworking, blue-collar kinda guys, and he fits that billing.”  Gregory said Peat reflects the type of culture the Suns are trying to establish.  “His work ethic, his character, his ability and desire to continue to improve,” Gregory said. “All of those things are important for where we’re at and where we want to get to.”  Before the draft, speculation swirled regarding Peat’s potential landing spot. Many analysts initially believed Peat could be a lottery pick, but a shaky combine performance fueled concerns about his shooting and readiness for the league. It’s believed Peat turned down a hefty NIL deal to return to Arizona.  “I’m all about development. I’m 19 years old so there’s a lot I can grow into and get better at,” Peat said. “Talking with BG and coach about their player development, that’s the number one thing they harp on. I’m gonna come in here and work hard every day and try to get better as a young player.”  Gregory believes Peat’s physicality and unique skill set will address on-court issues the team had a year ago.  “The two key areas for us are defensive pressure and offensive rebounding,” Gregory said. “It’s an area that he’s really good at right now and he’s only going to get better at.” Peat will jockey for minutes in the Suns’ frontcourt after the recent acquisition of Miles Bridges from the Charlotte Hornets.   The post Full circle: Valley product Koa Peat returns to Phoenix as Suns’ first-round draft pick appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b7ce197238567836bb8d Senate ethics panel dismisses misconduct complaint against Ruben Gallego te 2026-06-30T12:34:22.530Z Senate ethics panel dismisses misconduct complaint against Ruben Gallego Cronkite News offers an audio version of this story using an automated voice created by AI. Errors in pronunciation, pacing and intonation may occur. If you notice an error please contact cronkitenews@asu.edu. WASHINGTON – The Senate Ethics Committee has dismissed misconduct allegations against Sen. Ruben Gallego, finding no evidence that the Arizona Democrat engaged in sexual misconduct or misused campaign funds. The committee informed him on Friday, according to a letter released Monday by Gallego’s office that read, in part, that its investigation “did not find evidence that your actions violated Federal law, Senate Rules or related standards of conduct.”  Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., a staunch Trump supporter who has accused several lawmakers of misconduct, had leveled the accusations. Luna claimed in April that four women had endured “multiple and uncomfortably/inappropriate advances/comments/touching, etc. from Senator Gallego.” The senator also faced scrutiny over his close friendship with former Rep. Eric Swalwell, who was forced out of the California governor’s race earlier this year after accusations by multiple women of sexual assault or misconduct.  Swalwell resigned April 13 under pressure from Luna and others. Gallego initially resisted calls for his resignation but eventually joined the chorus. “It is time Congress has a good house cleaning,” Luna posted on X two days before Swalwell resigned. “The dismissal by the Ethics Committee reaffirms what I have said about these accusations from the beginning: they were right-wing conspiracies peddled by far-right activists like Anna Paulina Luna, the White House, and their allies,” Gallego said in a statement issued by his office. “I look forward to an apology from Rep. Luna for weaponizing the ethics process while refusing to investigate historic corruption that’s making life harder for families.”  IRS records show that Gallego created a legal defense fund on May 26. In a scathing attack posted Monday on X, Luna warned Gallego that he would likely need that defense fund in the future. “There are plenty of people who know about your antics,” she wrote. “Once a creep always a creep, and you’re gonna need it.” She also rejected his characterization of her accusations. “These are not conspiracy theories. You’re a gross example of representation. Need I mention you leaving your pregnant wife during your Campaign for Senate?” Luna posted. Gallego did file for divorce from Kate Gallego, now the mayor of Phoenix, when she was nine months pregnant. But that was in December 2016, weeks after he won his second House term. The records were unsealed in October 2024, just before he won his Senate seat. Luna has targeted members of her own party, too. In February, she demanded the resignation of Tony Gonzales, a moderate Texas Republican, after allegations surfaced that he had coerced a staff member into a sexual relationship.  Gonzales resigned April 14. Luna has also pushed for the resignation of two fellow Floridians, Republican Cory Mills and Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.  In November, Cherfilus-McCormick was indicted on federal fraud and conspiracy charges. Prosecutors say she kept a $5 million overpayment from FEMA to her family’s business for a COVID-19 vaccine staffing contract, then diverted some of that to her campaign account through straw donors. On March 26, the House Ethics panel found that she violated House rules involving campaign finance and financial disclosures. She resigned April 21, shortly before the panel was to meet to recommend a punishment. Mills is the subject of an investigation by the House Ethics Committee over allegations of financial and sexual misconduct. The post Senate ethics panel dismisses misconduct complaint against Ruben Gallego appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b7cd197238567836bb84 Senate ethics panel dismisses misconduct complaint against Ruben Gallego te 2026-06-30T12:34:21.505Z Senate ethics panel dismisses misconduct complaint against Ruben Gallego Cronkite News offers an audio version of this story using an automated voice created by AI. Errors in pronunciation, pacing and intonation may occur. If you notice an error please contact cronkitenews@asu.edu. WASHINGTON – The Senate Ethics Committee has dismissed misconduct allegations against Sen. Ruben Gallego, finding no evidence that the Arizona Democrat engaged in sexual misconduct or misused campaign funds. The committee informed him on Friday, according to a letter released Monday by Gallego’s office that read, in part, that its investigation “did not find evidence that your actions violated Federal law, Senate Rules or related standards of conduct.”  Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., a staunch Trump supporter who has accused several lawmakers of misconduct, had leveled the accusations. Luna claimed in April that four women had endured “multiple and uncomfortably/inappropriate advances/comments/touching, etc. from Senator Gallego.” The senator also faced scrutiny over his close friendship with former Rep. Eric Swalwell, who was forced out of the California governor’s race earlier this year after accusations by multiple women of sexual assault or misconduct.  Swalwell resigned April 13 under pressure from Luna and others. Gallego initially resisted calls for his resignation but eventually joined the chorus. “It is time Congress has a good house cleaning,” Luna posted on X two days before Swalwell resigned. “The dismissal by the Ethics Committee reaffirms what I have said about these accusations from the beginning: they were right-wing conspiracies peddled by far-right activists like Anna Paulina Luna, the White House, and their allies,” Gallego said in a statement issued by his office. “I look forward to an apology from Rep. Luna for weaponizing the ethics process while refusing to investigate historic corruption that’s making life harder for families.”  IRS records show that Gallego created a legal defense fund on May 26. In a scathing attack posted Monday on X, Luna warned Gallego that he would likely need that defense fund in the future. “There are plenty of people who know about your antics,” she wrote. “Once a creep always a creep, and you’re gonna need it.” She also rejected his characterization of her accusations. “These are not conspiracy theories. You’re a gross example of representation. Need I mention you leaving your pregnant wife during your Campaign for Senate?” Luna posted. Gallego did file for divorce from Kate Gallego, now the mayor of Phoenix, when she was nine months pregnant. But that was in December 2016, weeks after he won his second House term. The records were unsealed in October 2024, just before he won his Senate seat. Luna has targeted members of her own party, too. In February, she demanded the resignation of Tony Gonzales, a moderate Texas Republican, after allegations surfaced that he had coerced a staff member into a sexual relationship.  Gonzales resigned April 14. Luna has also pushed for the resignation of two fellow Floridians, Republican Cory Mills and Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.  In November, Cherfilus-McCormick was indicted on federal fraud and conspiracy charges. Prosecutors say she kept a $5 million overpayment from FEMA to her family’s business for a COVID-19 vaccine staffing contract, then diverted some of that to her campaign account through straw donors. On March 26, the House Ethics panel found that she violated House rules involving campaign finance and financial disclosures. She resigned April 21, shortly before the panel was to meet to recommend a punishment. Mills is the subject of an investigation by the House Ethics Committee over allegations of financial and sexual misconduct. The post Senate ethics panel dismisses misconduct complaint against Ruben Gallego appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b7cb197238567836bb7b Senate ethics panel dismisses misconduct complaint against Ruben Gallego te 2026-06-30T12:34:19.829Z Senate ethics panel dismisses misconduct complaint against Ruben Gallego Cronkite News offers an audio version of this story using an automated voice created by AI. Errors in pronunciation, pacing and intonation may occur. If you notice an error please contact cronkitenews@asu.edu. WASHINGTON – The Senate Ethics Committee has dismissed misconduct allegations against Sen. Ruben Gallego, finding no evidence that the Arizona Democrat engaged in sexual misconduct or misused campaign funds. The committee informed him on Friday, according to a letter released Monday by Gallego’s office that read, in part, that its investigation “did not find evidence that your actions violated Federal law, Senate Rules or related standards of conduct.”  Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., a staunch Trump supporter who has accused several lawmakers of misconduct, had leveled the accusations. Luna claimed in April that four women had endured “multiple and uncomfortably/inappropriate advances/comments/touching, etc. from Senator Gallego.” The senator also faced scrutiny over his close friendship with former Rep. Eric Swalwell, who was forced out of the California governor’s race earlier this year after accusations by multiple women of sexual assault or misconduct.  Swalwell resigned April 13 under pressure from Luna and others. Gallego initially resisted calls for his resignation but eventually joined the chorus. “It is time Congress has a good house cleaning,” Luna posted on X two days before Swalwell resigned. “The dismissal by the Ethics Committee reaffirms what I have said about these accusations from the beginning: they were right-wing conspiracies peddled by far-right activists like Anna Paulina Luna, the White House, and their allies,” Gallego said in a statement issued by his office. “I look forward to an apology from Rep. Luna for weaponizing the ethics process while refusing to investigate historic corruption that’s making life harder for families.”  IRS records show that Gallego created a legal defense fund on May 26. In a scathing attack posted Monday on X, Luna warned Gallego that he would likely need that defense fund in the future. “There are plenty of people who know about your antics,” she wrote. “Once a creep always a creep, and you’re gonna need it.” She also rejected his characterization of her accusations. “These are not conspiracy theories. You’re a gross example of representation. Need I mention you leaving your pregnant wife during your Campaign for Senate?” Luna posted. Gallego did file for divorce from Kate Gallego, now the mayor of Phoenix, when she was nine months pregnant. But that was in December 2016, weeks after he won his second House term. The records were unsealed in October 2024, just before he won his Senate seat. Luna has targeted members of her own party, too. In February, she demanded the resignation of Tony Gonzales, a moderate Texas Republican, after allegations surfaced that he had coerced a staff member into a sexual relationship.  Gonzales resigned April 14. Luna has also pushed for the resignation of two fellow Floridians, Republican Cory Mills and Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.  In November, Cherfilus-McCormick was indicted on federal fraud and conspiracy charges. Prosecutors say she kept a $5 million overpayment from FEMA to her family’s business for a COVID-19 vaccine staffing contract, then diverted some of that to her campaign account through straw donors. On March 26, the House Ethics panel found that she violated House rules involving campaign finance and financial disclosures. She resigned April 21, shortly before the panel was to meet to recommend a punishment. Mills is the subject of an investigation by the House Ethics Committee over allegations of financial and sexual misconduct. The post Senate ethics panel dismisses misconduct complaint against Ruben Gallego appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b7bb197238567836bb72 USMNT’s dominant World Cup performances could turn USA into soccer-loving nation te 2026-06-30T12:34:03.075Z USMNT’s dominant World Cup performances could turn USA into soccer-loving nation Cronkite News offers an audio version of this story using an automated voice created by AI. Errors in pronunciation, pacing and intonation may occur. If you notice an error please contact cronkitenews@asu.edu. LOS ANGELES – The last time the United States hosted the World Cup in 1994, the team had not advanced to the knockout rounds in 60 years. “When I was 8 years old, my dad took us to watch USA vs. Colombia at the Rose Bowl where they won 2-1,” L.A. local Israel Guerrero said. That historic upset pushed the U.S. through the group stage for the first time since the inaugural World Cup in 1930. When the Americans lost in the Round of 16 in 1934, there was no group stage. With the World Cup back in North America, fans are falling in love with the game. FIFA has helped create intimate fan experiences throughout the tournament’s various host cities, including one at Union Station in Los Angeles from June 25-28, when fans shared their early reactions to the USMNT’s performance. “The World Cup has sparked my interest ‘cause I love sports,” Californian Melanie Shaw said. “I’m actually a baseball fan, and the Olympics, but I started watching since it’s in America. I’m learning more about soccer just by watching the USA team, showing more of an appreciation to soccer.” The World Cup hype is so real that Nike is struggling to keep up with the demand, with recent reports showing that many top retailers ran out of jerseys before the knockouts even began. Additionally, ratings are through the roof. FOX Sports reported that 84.3 million Americans have watched the World Cup on FOX and FS1 through leg two of the group stage. Telemundo added that is has “5.5 million viewers to date, pacing at more than double FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.” Seasoned fans know this is an extraordinary time. The United States Men’s National Team finished first in its group at the World Cup for the first time since 2010. “I did not think, in my lifetime, that I would see a good American soccer team,” L.A. local Phreezy Naufaldy said.  Excitement can be felt throughout the nation. “I was in Seattle for the USA versus Australia game and everyone there was stunned by how comfortably we won that one,” Orange County Register reporter Benjamin Royer said. As dominant as the Stars and Stripes were in their first two matches, fans were upset that the team lost its final Group D match to Turkey. Coach Mauricio Pochettino encouraged them not to overreact. “The objective was to finish first and we are first,” he told reporters Thursday in his post-match press conference. “Now is the next stage, and it’s going to be a final, but we are ready.” Entering the knockout stage, the USMNT is inspiring the nation in more ways than one. Barbra McLendon and her son Ian show off their custom sign supporting the USMNT’s World Cup efforts at Men in Blazers Matchday Live! at the Union Station Fan Zone in Los Angeles on Thursday, June 25. (Photo by Matthew Badger/Cronkite News) Pochettino’s power Since taking charge in late 2024, Pochettino has actualized what fans always believed was possible for the USMNT. “Pochettino and the quality of the players, they’re at a completely different level than they’ve been anytime in the recent past,” Guerrero said. “Better than they’ve ever been.” The Argentine manager is bringing passion to a country largely devoid of soccer fandom. “I think Poch is a great manager, he’s expediting what these players can do,” said fan Joshua Di Fiore, who lives in Long Beach. “For example, putting (Antonee) Robinson and (Sergiño) Dest on the wings elevates their game instead of having them play back.” The U.S. Soccer Federation recently offered Pochettino a contract extension that would see him coaching the U.S. through the next World Cup in 2030. Fans are hopeful this could be the beginning of something beautiful. “He’s really good at pushing players for short periods of time, and with the national team, you’re not with the players for years at a time, you’re in spurts, so I think it could be a good thing,” Guerrero said. Not all fans agree, seeing as Pochettino has yet to defeat a European nation with the USMNT. “I’m a Gregg Berhalter defender, so I’ve been less than impressed with Pochettino as a coach until the World Cup,” Royer said, citing the USMNT’s previous coach. “I am a little surprised by everything that’s going on.” Matched up with Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32, now is the opportunity for Pochettino to change that narrative. The American dream With the knockout bracket finalized, fans are keeping their expectations realistic. “I think the Round of 16 is the limit for this group,” Royer said “They’ve got a good draw, but I don’t trust this group to play to their potential. Maybe that’s just the pessimism of rooting for the United States Men’s National Team my entire life.” If the U.S. defeats Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, it will face the winner of Belgium and Senegal in the Round of 16. A win in that matchup would send the Americans to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. “If they don’t get (to the quarterfinals) it would be a disappointment,” Guerrero said. “Quarterfinals or bust.” The projected quarterfinal matchup would likely pit the USMNT against Spain, one of the tournament’s favorites. Spanish fans are certain they will spoil the USA’s Cinderella run. “It’s a pipe dream,” Spain fan Chris Aguilera said of U.S. hopes.  But the United States is a nation that never backs down from a challenge, proven decades ago by Mike Eruzione and the Miracle on Ice. Fans are hopeful Pochettino’s unit can create something similar. “I think they can get as far as the quarterfinals,” Di Fiore said. “But anything’s possible because they’ve played so well in these group games.” Growing the game Regardless of how the U.S. performs in the knockouts, it has already won the nation’s support.  “With players like Messi playing in MLS and the fact that we have the World Cup here, people are not just seeing this sport for what it is, but the culture of it,” Naufaldy said. “It’s not just putting the ball in the net. It’s so much more than that.” Soccer is growing exponentially, with statistics showing it has passed baseball in popularity. The USMNT’s opening match against Paraguay generated over 27 million viewers, the most-watched soccer game ever in the U.S. “I think it would be really fun if more people in the United States got involved,” local fan Barbra McLendon said. “I think soccer, unlike a lot of other sports, the fans have a role to play, the chanting, the singing.  “It’s not like other American sports where you just sit there and cheer when there’s a score, you’re supposed to be in it all the way.” That passion could take the U.S. to new heights as future generations watch star players they can idolize. “I love Pochettino, (Christian) Pulisic is already a legend, (Folarin) Balogun is awesome,” Naufaldy said. “It’s really exciting to be a fan of US soccer right now.” The post USMNT’s dominant World Cup performances could turn USA into soccer-loving nation appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b7ba197238567836bb69 USMNT’s dominant World Cup performances could turn USA into soccer-loving nation te 2026-06-30T12:34:02.052Z USMNT’s dominant World Cup performances could turn USA into soccer-loving nation Cronkite News offers an audio version of this story using an automated voice created by AI. Errors in pronunciation, pacing and intonation may occur. If you notice an error please contact cronkitenews@asu.edu. LOS ANGELES – The last time the United States hosted the World Cup in 1994, the team had not advanced to the knockout rounds in 60 years. “When I was 8 years old, my dad took us to watch USA vs. Colombia at the Rose Bowl where they won 2-1,” L.A. local Israel Guerrero said. That historic upset pushed the U.S. through the group stage for the first time since the inaugural World Cup in 1930. When the Americans lost in the Round of 16 in 1934, there was no group stage. With the World Cup back in North America, fans are falling in love with the game. FIFA has helped create intimate fan experiences throughout the tournament’s various host cities, including one at Union Station in Los Angeles from June 25-28, when fans shared their early reactions to the USMNT’s performance. “The World Cup has sparked my interest ‘cause I love sports,” Californian Melanie Shaw said. “I’m actually a baseball fan, and the Olympics, but I started watching since it’s in America. I’m learning more about soccer just by watching the USA team, showing more of an appreciation to soccer.” The World Cup hype is so real that Nike is struggling to keep up with the demand, with recent reports showing that many top retailers ran out of jerseys before the knockouts even began. Additionally, ratings are through the roof. FOX Sports reported that 84.3 million Americans have watched the World Cup on FOX and FS1 through leg two of the group stage. Telemundo added that is has “5.5 million viewers to date, pacing at more than double FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.” Seasoned fans know this is an extraordinary time. The United States Men’s National Team finished first in its group at the World Cup for the first time since 2010. “I did not think, in my lifetime, that I would see a good American soccer team,” L.A. local Phreezy Naufaldy said.  Excitement can be felt throughout the nation. “I was in Seattle for the USA versus Australia game and everyone there was stunned by how comfortably we won that one,” Orange County Register reporter Benjamin Royer said. As dominant as the Stars and Stripes were in their first two matches, fans were upset that the team lost its final Group D match to Turkey. Coach Mauricio Pochettino encouraged them not to overreact. “The objective was to finish first and we are first,” he told reporters Thursday in his post-match press conference. “Now is the next stage, and it’s going to be a final, but we are ready.” Entering the knockout stage, the USMNT is inspiring the nation in more ways than one. Barbra McLendon and her son Ian show off their custom sign supporting the USMNT’s World Cup efforts at Men in Blazers Matchday Live! at the Union Station Fan Zone in Los Angeles on Thursday, June 25. (Photo by Matthew Badger/Cronkite News) Pochettino’s power Since taking charge in late 2024, Pochettino has actualized what fans always believed was possible for the USMNT. “Pochettino and the quality of the players, they’re at a completely different level than they’ve been anytime in the recent past,” Guerrero said. “Better than they’ve ever been.” The Argentine manager is bringing passion to a country largely devoid of soccer fandom. “I think Poch is a great manager, he’s expediting what these players can do,” said fan Joshua Di Fiore, who lives in Long Beach. “For example, putting (Antonee) Robinson and (Sergiño) Dest on the wings elevates their game instead of having them play back.” The U.S. Soccer Federation recently offered Pochettino a contract extension that would see him coaching the U.S. through the next World Cup in 2030. Fans are hopeful this could be the beginning of something beautiful. “He’s really good at pushing players for short periods of time, and with the national team, you’re not with the players for years at a time, you’re in spurts, so I think it could be a good thing,” Guerrero said. Not all fans agree, seeing as Pochettino has yet to defeat a European nation with the USMNT. “I’m a Gregg Berhalter defender, so I’ve been less than impressed with Pochettino as a coach until the World Cup,” Royer said, citing the USMNT’s previous coach. “I am a little surprised by everything that’s going on.” Matched up with Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32, now is the opportunity for Pochettino to change that narrative. The American dream With the knockout bracket finalized, fans are keeping their expectations realistic. “I think the Round of 16 is the limit for this group,” Royer said “They’ve got a good draw, but I don’t trust this group to play to their potential. Maybe that’s just the pessimism of rooting for the United States Men’s National Team my entire life.” If the U.S. defeats Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, it will face the winner of Belgium and Senegal in the Round of 16. A win in that matchup would send the Americans to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. “If they don’t get (to the quarterfinals) it would be a disappointment,” Guerrero said. “Quarterfinals or bust.” The projected quarterfinal matchup would likely pit the USMNT against Spain, one of the tournament’s favorites. Spanish fans are certain they will spoil the USA’s Cinderella run. “It’s a pipe dream,” Spain fan Chris Aguilera said of U.S. hopes.  But the United States is a nation that never backs down from a challenge, proven decades ago by Mike Eruzione and the Miracle on Ice. Fans are hopeful Pochettino’s unit can create something similar. “I think they can get as far as the quarterfinals,” Di Fiore said. “But anything’s possible because they’ve played so well in these group games.” Growing the game Regardless of how the U.S. performs in the knockouts, it has already won the nation’s support.  “With players like Messi playing in MLS and the fact that we have the World Cup here, people are not just seeing this sport for what it is, but the culture of it,” Naufaldy said. “It’s not just putting the ball in the net. It’s so much more than that.” Soccer is growing exponentially, with statistics showing it has passed baseball in popularity. The USMNT’s opening match against Paraguay generated over 27 million viewers, the most-watched soccer game ever in the U.S. “I think it would be really fun if more people in the United States got involved,” local fan Barbra McLendon said. “I think soccer, unlike a lot of other sports, the fans have a role to play, the chanting, the singing.  “It’s not like other American sports where you just sit there and cheer when there’s a score, you’re supposed to be in it all the way.” That passion could take the U.S. to new heights as future generations watch star players they can idolize. “I love Pochettino, (Christian) Pulisic is already a legend, (Folarin) Balogun is awesome,” Naufaldy said. “It’s really exciting to be a fan of US soccer right now.” The post USMNT’s dominant World Cup performances could turn USA into soccer-loving nation appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b7b8197238567836bb60 USMNT’s dominant World Cup performances could turn USA into soccer-loving nation te 2026-06-30T12:34:00.379Z USMNT’s dominant World Cup performances could turn USA into soccer-loving nation Cronkite News offers an audio version of this story using an automated voice created by AI. Errors in pronunciation, pacing and intonation may occur. If you notice an error please contact cronkitenews@asu.edu. LOS ANGELES – The last time the United States hosted the World Cup in 1994, the team had not advanced to the knockout rounds in 60 years. “When I was 8 years old, my dad took us to watch USA vs. Colombia at the Rose Bowl where they won 2-1,” L.A. local Israel Guerrero said. That historic upset pushed the U.S. through the group stage for the first time since the inaugural World Cup in 1930. When the Americans lost in the Round of 16 in 1934, there was no group stage. With the World Cup back in North America, fans are falling in love with the game. FIFA has helped create intimate fan experiences throughout the tournament’s various host cities, including one at Union Station in Los Angeles from June 25-28, when fans shared their early reactions to the USMNT’s performance. “The World Cup has sparked my interest ‘cause I love sports,” Californian Melanie Shaw said. “I’m actually a baseball fan, and the Olympics, but I started watching since it’s in America. I’m learning more about soccer just by watching the USA team, showing more of an appreciation to soccer.” The World Cup hype is so real that Nike is struggling to keep up with the demand, with recent reports showing that many top retailers ran out of jerseys before the knockouts even began. Additionally, ratings are through the roof. FOX Sports reported that 84.3 million Americans have watched the World Cup on FOX and FS1 through leg two of the group stage. Telemundo added that is has “5.5 million viewers to date, pacing at more than double FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.” Seasoned fans know this is an extraordinary time. The United States Men’s National Team finished first in its group at the World Cup for the first time since 2010. “I did not think, in my lifetime, that I would see a good American soccer team,” L.A. local Phreezy Naufaldy said.  Excitement can be felt throughout the nation. “I was in Seattle for the USA versus Australia game and everyone there was stunned by how comfortably we won that one,” Orange County Register reporter Benjamin Royer said. As dominant as the Stars and Stripes were in their first two matches, fans were upset that the team lost its final Group D match to Turkey. Coach Mauricio Pochettino encouraged them not to overreact. “The objective was to finish first and we are first,” he told reporters Thursday in his post-match press conference. “Now is the next stage, and it’s going to be a final, but we are ready.” Entering the knockout stage, the USMNT is inspiring the nation in more ways than one. Barbra McLendon and her son Ian show off their custom sign supporting the USMNT’s World Cup efforts at Men in Blazers Matchday Live! at the Union Station Fan Zone in Los Angeles on Thursday, June 25. (Photo by Matthew Badger/Cronkite News) Pochettino’s power Since taking charge in late 2024, Pochettino has actualized what fans always believed was possible for the USMNT. “Pochettino and the quality of the players, they’re at a completely different level than they’ve been anytime in the recent past,” Guerrero said. “Better than they’ve ever been.” The Argentine manager is bringing passion to a country largely devoid of soccer fandom. “I think Poch is a great manager, he’s expediting what these players can do,” said fan Joshua Di Fiore, who lives in Long Beach. “For example, putting (Antonee) Robinson and (Sergiño) Dest on the wings elevates their game instead of having them play back.” The U.S. Soccer Federation recently offered Pochettino a contract extension that would see him coaching the U.S. through the next World Cup in 2030. Fans are hopeful this could be the beginning of something beautiful. “He’s really good at pushing players for short periods of time, and with the national team, you’re not with the players for years at a time, you’re in spurts, so I think it could be a good thing,” Guerrero said. Not all fans agree, seeing as Pochettino has yet to defeat a European nation with the USMNT. “I’m a Gregg Berhalter defender, so I’ve been less than impressed with Pochettino as a coach until the World Cup,” Royer said, citing the USMNT’s previous coach. “I am a little surprised by everything that’s going on.” Matched up with Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32, now is the opportunity for Pochettino to change that narrative. The American dream With the knockout bracket finalized, fans are keeping their expectations realistic. “I think the Round of 16 is the limit for this group,” Royer said “They’ve got a good draw, but I don’t trust this group to play to their potential. Maybe that’s just the pessimism of rooting for the United States Men’s National Team my entire life.” If the U.S. defeats Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, it will face the winner of Belgium and Senegal in the Round of 16. A win in that matchup would send the Americans to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. “If they don’t get (to the quarterfinals) it would be a disappointment,” Guerrero said. “Quarterfinals or bust.” The projected quarterfinal matchup would likely pit the USMNT against Spain, one of the tournament’s favorites. Spanish fans are certain they will spoil the USA’s Cinderella run. “It’s a pipe dream,” Spain fan Chris Aguilera said of U.S. hopes.  But the United States is a nation that never backs down from a challenge, proven decades ago by Mike Eruzione and the Miracle on Ice. Fans are hopeful Pochettino’s unit can create something similar. “I think they can get as far as the quarterfinals,” Di Fiore said. “But anything’s possible because they’ve played so well in these group games.” Growing the game Regardless of how the U.S. performs in the knockouts, it has already won the nation’s support.  “With players like Messi playing in MLS and the fact that we have the World Cup here, people are not just seeing this sport for what it is, but the culture of it,” Naufaldy said. “It’s not just putting the ball in the net. It’s so much more than that.” Soccer is growing exponentially, with statistics showing it has passed baseball in popularity. The USMNT’s opening match against Paraguay generated over 27 million viewers, the most-watched soccer game ever in the U.S. “I think it would be really fun if more people in the United States got involved,” local fan Barbra McLendon said. “I think soccer, unlike a lot of other sports, the fans have a role to play, the chanting, the singing.  “It’s not like other American sports where you just sit there and cheer when there’s a score, you’re supposed to be in it all the way.” That passion could take the U.S. to new heights as future generations watch star players they can idolize. “I love Pochettino, (Christian) Pulisic is already a legend, (Folarin) Balogun is awesome,” Naufaldy said. “It’s really exciting to be a fan of US soccer right now.” The post USMNT’s dominant World Cup performances could turn USA into soccer-loving nation appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b7a7197238567836bb57 Phoenix kids are swapping screen time for stage time, thanks to a circus camp te 2026-06-30T12:33:43.621Z Phoenix kids are swapping screen time for stage time, thanks to a circus camp Cronkite News offers an audio version of this story using an automated voice created by AI. Errors in pronunciation, pacing and intonation may occur. If you notice an error please contact cronkitenews@asu.edu. PHOENIX — Rainbow colored hula hoops spun around campers’ waists as they laughed and practiced on the basketball court at Capitol Elementary School. Just steps away inside the school’s gymnasium, young participants balanced on giant exercise balls, walked on stilts, juggled and climbed aerial ropes hanging from the ceiling. While many children spend their summers scrolling through social media, watching TV or playing video games, these campers are choosing something different. They came to the Phoenix Youth Circus Arts program for hands-on learning and physical activity. Each week, a group of campers consists of new and returning students who take to the stage to perform for friends and family. Oliver Breecher practices juggling balls outside Capitol Elementary School’s gymnasium before his performance on Friday, June 5, 2026, in Phoenix. (Photo by Samad Khan/Cronkite News) Among them is 13-year-old Oliver Breecher, a recent graduate of Madison Park Middle School. For Breecher, circus arts offer more than entertainment. Beneath the spinning hoops and aerial tricks, he sees lessons that reach far beyond camp.  “Swiping and tapping on your phone doesn’t really help me keep active,” he said. “Circus arts teach you the art of how to balance in life.” The chance to try something new also appeals to 10-year-old Isabelle Fernandez Carreno. During camp, she focused on practicing her stilt routine. She carefully balanced on one-and-a-half-foot tall wooden stilts as she tried to master one of the more unique activities of the camp. Isabelle Fernandez Carreno, left, puts on stilts backstage with the help of an instructor at the camp on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Photo by Samad Khan/Cronkite News) “The stilts are awesome,” Carreno said. “It’s something that not a lot of people can do. Also, they make me look tall.” Show director Dave Davis, a former software engineer who took up juggling as a hobby, has been teaching at the camp for four years. Davis and the coaching staff work closely with campers each day to help them build their skills. They spend hours guiding students through activities like balancing on a rola bola, giant exercise balls, juggling and practicing aerial acrobatics.  Their support helps campers gain confidence as they learn new tricks. The camp has created an environment where students feel safe taking risks and discovering talents they may not have known they had. Show director Dave Davis leads campers through an interactive activity during a training session in the gymnasium of Capitol Elementary School on Friday, June 5, 2026, in Phoenix. (Photo by Samad Khan/Cronkite News) “Watching the students improve throughout the week is very rewarding,” Davis said. “They come in unsure of themselves but by the end they’re performing in front of an audience.” The lessons learned at camp, Davis said, can follow students long after summer ends. Whether in school, sports or future careers — growth begins when you keep going.  The weekly performances also give students a chance to step into the spotlight. Standing before a crowd, even for a few minutes, can build confidence that carries into adulthood. Davis helps a camper balance on a rola bola during her performance on Friday, June 5, 2026, in Phoenix. (Photo by Samad Khan/Cronkite News) “There will be people who get in front of meetings and have to make a presentation,” Davis said. “Knowing how to be in front of a crowd, it’s a wonderful skill to acquire in life.” Davis believes circus arts offer something many children are missing in today’s digital world: the feeling of working toward a goal and seeing results. “Every single kid today has a lot of screen time and I won’t say that is bad in itself,” Davis said. “But it is so much more satisfying to do something where you’re actually succeeding at something, not just watching pixels on a screen.” Isabelle Fernandez Carreno shows off her aerial silks routine during a camp showcase on Friday, June 5, 2026, in Phoenix. (Photo by Samad Khan/Cronkite News) Campers juggle balls and balance on big exercise balls during their performance at the camp on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Photo by Samad Khan/Cronkite News) Campers balance on stilts backstage as they get ready to perform on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Photo by Samad Khan/Cronkite News) Stilts, first-time juggling and landing an aerial trick, none of it comes easy. Many campers spend hours trying to stay balanced on a giant exercise ball or working their way up to the aerial silks. Every new skill is achieved by practicing and not giving up.  “It’s fun to be tired. It’s fun to be exhausted. It’s fun to work hard,” Davis said. “It’s fun to have your muscles sore to a degree.” The post Phoenix kids are swapping screen time for stage time, thanks to a circus camp appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b7a6197238567836bb4e Phoenix kids are swapping screen time for stage time, thanks to a circus camp te 2026-06-30T12:33:42.593Z Phoenix kids are swapping screen time for stage time, thanks to a circus camp Cronkite News offers an audio version of this story using an automated voice created by AI. Errors in pronunciation, pacing and intonation may occur. If you notice an error please contact cronkitenews@asu.edu. PHOENIX — Rainbow colored hula hoops spun around campers’ waists as they laughed and practiced on the basketball court at Capitol Elementary School. Just steps away inside the school’s gymnasium, young participants balanced on giant exercise balls, walked on stilts, juggled and climbed aerial ropes hanging from the ceiling. While many children spend their summers scrolling through social media, watching TV or playing video games, these campers are choosing something different. They came to the Phoenix Youth Circus Arts program for hands-on learning and physical activity. Each week, a group of campers consists of new and returning students who take to the stage to perform for friends and family. Oliver Breecher practices juggling balls outside Capitol Elementary School’s gymnasium before his performance on Friday, June 5, 2026, in Phoenix. (Photo by Samad Khan/Cronkite News) Among them is 13-year-old Oliver Breecher, a recent graduate of Madison Park Middle School. For Breecher, circus arts offer more than entertainment. Beneath the spinning hoops and aerial tricks, he sees lessons that reach far beyond camp.  “Swiping and tapping on your phone doesn’t really help me keep active,” he said. “Circus arts teach you the art of how to balance in life.” The chance to try something new also appeals to 10-year-old Isabelle Fernandez Carreno. During camp, she focused on practicing her stilt routine. She carefully balanced on one-and-a-half-foot tall wooden stilts as she tried to master one of the more unique activities of the camp. Isabelle Fernandez Carreno, left, puts on stilts backstage with the help of an instructor at the camp on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Photo by Samad Khan/Cronkite News) “The stilts are awesome,” Carreno said. “It’s something that not a lot of people can do. Also, they make me look tall.” Show director Dave Davis, a former software engineer who took up juggling as a hobby, has been teaching at the camp for four years. Davis and the coaching staff work closely with campers each day to help them build their skills. They spend hours guiding students through activities like balancing on a rola bola, giant exercise balls, juggling and practicing aerial acrobatics.  Their support helps campers gain confidence as they learn new tricks. The camp has created an environment where students feel safe taking risks and discovering talents they may not have known they had. Show director Dave Davis leads campers through an interactive activity during a training session in the gymnasium of Capitol Elementary School on Friday, June 5, 2026, in Phoenix. (Photo by Samad Khan/Cronkite News) “Watching the students improve throughout the week is very rewarding,” Davis said. “They come in unsure of themselves but by the end they’re performing in front of an audience.” The lessons learned at camp, Davis said, can follow students long after summer ends. Whether in school, sports or future careers — growth begins when you keep going.  The weekly performances also give students a chance to step into the spotlight. Standing before a crowd, even for a few minutes, can build confidence that carries into adulthood. Davis helps a camper balance on a rola bola during her performance on Friday, June 5, 2026, in Phoenix. (Photo by Samad Khan/Cronkite News) “There will be people who get in front of meetings and have to make a presentation,” Davis said. “Knowing how to be in front of a crowd, it’s a wonderful skill to acquire in life.” Davis believes circus arts offer something many children are missing in today’s digital world: the feeling of working toward a goal and seeing results. “Every single kid today has a lot of screen time and I won’t say that is bad in itself,” Davis said. “But it is so much more satisfying to do something where you’re actually succeeding at something, not just watching pixels on a screen.” Isabelle Fernandez Carreno shows off her aerial silks routine during a camp showcase on Friday, June 5, 2026, in Phoenix. (Photo by Samad Khan/Cronkite News) Campers juggle balls and balance on big exercise balls during their performance at the camp on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Photo by Samad Khan/Cronkite News) Campers balance on stilts backstage as they get ready to perform on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Photo by Samad Khan/Cronkite News) Stilts, first-time juggling and landing an aerial trick, none of it comes easy. Many campers spend hours trying to stay balanced on a giant exercise ball or working their way up to the aerial silks. Every new skill is achieved by practicing and not giving up.  “It’s fun to be tired. It’s fun to be exhausted. It’s fun to work hard,” Davis said. “It’s fun to have your muscles sore to a degree.” The post Phoenix kids are swapping screen time for stage time, thanks to a circus camp appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b7a4197238567836bb45 Phoenix kids are swapping screen time for stage time, thanks to a circus camp te 2026-06-30T12:33:40.921Z Phoenix kids are swapping screen time for stage time, thanks to a circus camp Cronkite News offers an audio version of this story using an automated voice created by AI. Errors in pronunciation, pacing and intonation may occur. If you notice an error please contact cronkitenews@asu.edu. PHOENIX — Rainbow colored hula hoops spun around campers’ waists as they laughed and practiced on the basketball court at Capitol Elementary School. Just steps away inside the school’s gymnasium, young participants balanced on giant exercise balls, walked on stilts, juggled and climbed aerial ropes hanging from the ceiling. While many children spend their summers scrolling through social media, watching TV or playing video games, these campers are choosing something different. They came to the Phoenix Youth Circus Arts program for hands-on learning and physical activity. Each week, a group of campers consists of new and returning students who take to the stage to perform for friends and family. Oliver Breecher practices juggling balls outside Capitol Elementary School’s gymnasium before his performance on Friday, June 5, 2026, in Phoenix. (Photo by Samad Khan/Cronkite News) Among them is 13-year-old Oliver Breecher, a recent graduate of Madison Park Middle School. For Breecher, circus arts offer more than entertainment. Beneath the spinning hoops and aerial tricks, he sees lessons that reach far beyond camp.  “Swiping and tapping on your phone doesn’t really help me keep active,” he said. “Circus arts teach you the art of how to balance in life.” The chance to try something new also appeals to 10-year-old Isabelle Fernandez Carreno. During camp, she focused on practicing her stilt routine. She carefully balanced on one-and-a-half-foot tall wooden stilts as she tried to master one of the more unique activities of the camp. Isabelle Fernandez Carreno, left, puts on stilts backstage with the help of an instructor at the camp on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Photo by Samad Khan/Cronkite News) “The stilts are awesome,” Carreno said. “It’s something that not a lot of people can do. Also, they make me look tall.” Show director Dave Davis, a former software engineer who took up juggling as a hobby, has been teaching at the camp for four years. Davis and the coaching staff work closely with campers each day to help them build their skills. They spend hours guiding students through activities like balancing on a rola bola, giant exercise balls, juggling and practicing aerial acrobatics.  Their support helps campers gain confidence as they learn new tricks. The camp has created an environment where students feel safe taking risks and discovering talents they may not have known they had. Show director Dave Davis leads campers through an interactive activity during a training session in the gymnasium of Capitol Elementary School on Friday, June 5, 2026, in Phoenix. (Photo by Samad Khan/Cronkite News) “Watching the students improve throughout the week is very rewarding,” Davis said. “They come in unsure of themselves but by the end they’re performing in front of an audience.” The lessons learned at camp, Davis said, can follow students long after summer ends. Whether in school, sports or future careers — growth begins when you keep going.  The weekly performances also give students a chance to step into the spotlight. Standing before a crowd, even for a few minutes, can build confidence that carries into adulthood. Davis helps a camper balance on a rola bola during her performance on Friday, June 5, 2026, in Phoenix. (Photo by Samad Khan/Cronkite News) “There will be people who get in front of meetings and have to make a presentation,” Davis said. “Knowing how to be in front of a crowd, it’s a wonderful skill to acquire in life.” Davis believes circus arts offer something many children are missing in today’s digital world: the feeling of working toward a goal and seeing results. “Every single kid today has a lot of screen time and I won’t say that is bad in itself,” Davis said. “But it is so much more satisfying to do something where you’re actually succeeding at something, not just watching pixels on a screen.” Isabelle Fernandez Carreno shows off her aerial silks routine during a camp showcase on Friday, June 5, 2026, in Phoenix. (Photo by Samad Khan/Cronkite News) Campers juggle balls and balance on big exercise balls during their performance at the camp on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Photo by Samad Khan/Cronkite News) Campers balance on stilts backstage as they get ready to perform on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Photo by Samad Khan/Cronkite News) Stilts, first-time juggling and landing an aerial trick, none of it comes easy. Many campers spend hours trying to stay balanced on a giant exercise ball or working their way up to the aerial silks. Every new skill is achieved by practicing and not giving up.  “It’s fun to be tired. It’s fun to be exhausted. It’s fun to work hard,” Davis said. “It’s fun to have your muscles sore to a degree.” The post Phoenix kids are swapping screen time for stage time, thanks to a circus camp appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b794197238567836bb3c London calling: ASU football prepares to ‘showcase’ university at Union Jack Classic te 2026-06-30T12:33:24.162Z London calling: ASU football prepares to ‘showcase’ university at Union Jack Classic Cronkite News offers an audio version of this story using an automated voice created by AI. Errors in pronunciation, pacing and intonation may occur. If you notice an error please contact cronkitenews@asu.edu. TEMPE – When Arizona State hired Kenny Dillingham in 2022, he said the Sun Devils would “play anybody anywhere, any time.” The university took him at his word and on Sept. 19, ASU will face Kansas in the inaugural Union Jack Classic at London’s Wembley Stadium. It’s a chance to start Big 12 Conference play with a winning record, not to mention extend the school’s global reach. The “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show will precede the FS1 game and give ASU another high profile stage. The 5 p.m. BST game translates to a 9 a.m. MST kickoff in Arizona. “Big noon kickoff in London at Wembley Stadium is a four-hour showcase of what’s going on at ASU, what’s going on within Sun Devil football and a great platform for coach (Kenny) Dillingham to talk about what we’re building here,” Arizona State athletic director Graham Rossini said.   In addition to football, it gives Arizona State a chance to showcase what it has in store for building a presence in London. The university’s new campus in the city opens two days after the game. “The fact that ASU London is on the horizon, and we can introduce ASU at a deeper level across the pond, it’s pretty exciting, and it’s nice how this has come together,” Rossini said.  This will be the first U.S. college football game played at Wembley Stadium, but it joins a long list of international games played overseas. Over the last three college football seasons, there have been three international regular season games, all played in Dublin, Ireland. ASU versus Kansas will be the second modern Big 12 overseas game after last year saw Iowa State defeat Kansas State 24–21.  Going to London is not cheap. Playing a football game there isn’t either, but Rossini and university officials see the far-reaching benefits to the game.   “We look at it as a tremendous investment, tremendous opportunity, not only for the young people in our program, but at an overall universal level,” Rossini said. “What better way to start the first class of students at ASU London than being at the game with us?”  Sparky and his pitchfork will also be making the trip across the pond in an effort to spotlight the university and share U.S. culture to the world.  “The mascot aspect of U.S. sports is really unique, and that’s a fun thing to share globally as well,​​ all the content that will capture, you know, part of it is showcasing ASU,” Rossini said. ASU will fly across the pond on British Airways the day after the team returns from College Station after facing Texas A&M in a Week 2 matchup. The goal is to make it feel like a normal week and maintain a football rhythm that’s as familiar as possible for the athletes and coaches.  “ It was really important to coach Dillingham that we, knowing it’s going to be different, know it’s going to be a departure from how we normally travel,” Rossini said.  Dillingham appreciates the importance of the occasion, and despite his excitement for the opportunity, he knows he has a job to do.  “I want them to experience it right when we land,” Dillingham told DAZN. “Then let’s lock back in. We’ve got to go win a football game.” However, it won’t stop the Sun Devils and Sparky from having some fun and taking advantage of a trip overseas.  “They’re still college athletes, and experiences are what college is about,” Dillingham told DAZN. “I think this is one of the experiences they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.” Despite the main event being the game, Rossini remains grounded in what the role of a university is through the opportunities it provides.  “We’re still in a learning environment, we’re here to win a football game, but our focus is always bigger than just the sport,” he said. “It’s about preparing young people to enter the real world.” This will be year four of Kenny ‘Dillingham’s tenure as Arizona State’s coach. He has a 22–17 record and a Big 12 championship under his belt. He would love to start the season with a conference victory after last year’s 8-5 record and sixth-place conference record was widely seen as disappointing. With the overall success he has achieved and the goals he still has yet to accomplish, he said he remains focused on what is important through it all: the athletes.  “College is an experience in your life that you’re going to remember forever,” he told DAZN. “Hopefully, there are moments in that stadium where, 30 years from now, they can say, ‘I played there.'” The post London calling: ASU football prepares to ‘showcase’ university at Union Jack Classic appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b793197238567836bb33 London calling: ASU football prepares to ‘showcase’ university at Union Jack Classic te 2026-06-30T12:33:23.139Z London calling: ASU football prepares to ‘showcase’ university at Union Jack Classic Cronkite News offers an audio version of this story using an automated voice created by AI. Errors in pronunciation, pacing and intonation may occur. If you notice an error please contact cronkitenews@asu.edu. TEMPE – When Arizona State hired Kenny Dillingham in 2022, he said the Sun Devils would “play anybody anywhere, any time.” The university took him at his word and on Sept. 19, ASU will face Kansas in the inaugural Union Jack Classic at London’s Wembley Stadium. It’s a chance to start Big 12 Conference play with a winning record, not to mention extend the school’s global reach. The “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show will precede the FS1 game and give ASU another high profile stage. The 5 p.m. BST game translates to a 9 a.m. MST kickoff in Arizona. “Big noon kickoff in London at Wembley Stadium is a four-hour showcase of what’s going on at ASU, what’s going on within Sun Devil football and a great platform for coach (Kenny) Dillingham to talk about what we’re building here,” Arizona State athletic director Graham Rossini said.   In addition to football, it gives Arizona State a chance to showcase what it has in store for building a presence in London. The university’s new campus in the city opens two days after the game. “The fact that ASU London is on the horizon, and we can introduce ASU at a deeper level across the pond, it’s pretty exciting, and it’s nice how this has come together,” Rossini said.  This will be the first U.S. college football game played at Wembley Stadium, but it joins a long list of international games played overseas. Over the last three college football seasons, there have been three international regular season games, all played in Dublin, Ireland. ASU versus Kansas will be the second modern Big 12 overseas game after last year saw Iowa State defeat Kansas State 24–21.  Going to London is not cheap. Playing a football game there isn’t either, but Rossini and university officials see the far-reaching benefits to the game.   “We look at it as a tremendous investment, tremendous opportunity, not only for the young people in our program, but at an overall universal level,” Rossini said. “What better way to start the first class of students at ASU London than being at the game with us?”  Sparky and his pitchfork will also be making the trip across the pond in an effort to spotlight the university and share U.S. culture to the world.  “The mascot aspect of U.S. sports is really unique, and that’s a fun thing to share globally as well,​​ all the content that will capture, you know, part of it is showcasing ASU,” Rossini said. ASU will fly across the pond on British Airways the day after the team returns from College Station after facing Texas A&M in a Week 2 matchup. The goal is to make it feel like a normal week and maintain a football rhythm that’s as familiar as possible for the athletes and coaches.  “ It was really important to coach Dillingham that we, knowing it’s going to be different, know it’s going to be a departure from how we normally travel,” Rossini said.  Dillingham appreciates the importance of the occasion, and despite his excitement for the opportunity, he knows he has a job to do.  “I want them to experience it right when we land,” Dillingham told DAZN. “Then let’s lock back in. We’ve got to go win a football game.” However, it won’t stop the Sun Devils and Sparky from having some fun and taking advantage of a trip overseas.  “They’re still college athletes, and experiences are what college is about,” Dillingham told DAZN. “I think this is one of the experiences they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.” Despite the main event being the game, Rossini remains grounded in what the role of a university is through the opportunities it provides.  “We’re still in a learning environment, we’re here to win a football game, but our focus is always bigger than just the sport,” he said. “It’s about preparing young people to enter the real world.” This will be year four of Kenny ‘Dillingham’s tenure as Arizona State’s coach. He has a 22–17 record and a Big 12 championship under his belt. He would love to start the season with a conference victory after last year’s 8-5 record and sixth-place conference record was widely seen as disappointing. With the overall success he has achieved and the goals he still has yet to accomplish, he said he remains focused on what is important through it all: the athletes.  “College is an experience in your life that you’re going to remember forever,” he told DAZN. “Hopefully, there are moments in that stadium where, 30 years from now, they can say, ‘I played there.'” The post London calling: ASU football prepares to ‘showcase’ university at Union Jack Classic appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b791197238567836bb2a London calling: ASU football prepares to ‘showcase’ university at Union Jack Classic te 2026-06-30T12:33:21.459Z London calling: ASU football prepares to ‘showcase’ university at Union Jack Classic Cronkite News offers an audio version of this story using an automated voice created by AI. Errors in pronunciation, pacing and intonation may occur. If you notice an error please contact cronkitenews@asu.edu. TEMPE – When Arizona State hired Kenny Dillingham in 2022, he said the Sun Devils would “play anybody anywhere, any time.” The university took him at his word and on Sept. 19, ASU will face Kansas in the inaugural Union Jack Classic at London’s Wembley Stadium. It’s a chance to start Big 12 Conference play with a winning record, not to mention extend the school’s global reach. The “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show will precede the FS1 game and give ASU another high profile stage. The 5 p.m. BST game translates to a 9 a.m. MST kickoff in Arizona. “Big noon kickoff in London at Wembley Stadium is a four-hour showcase of what’s going on at ASU, what’s going on within Sun Devil football and a great platform for coach (Kenny) Dillingham to talk about what we’re building here,” Arizona State athletic director Graham Rossini said.   In addition to football, it gives Arizona State a chance to showcase what it has in store for building a presence in London. The university’s new campus in the city opens two days after the game. “The fact that ASU London is on the horizon, and we can introduce ASU at a deeper level across the pond, it’s pretty exciting, and it’s nice how this has come together,” Rossini said.  This will be the first U.S. college football game played at Wembley Stadium, but it joins a long list of international games played overseas. Over the last three college football seasons, there have been three international regular season games, all played in Dublin, Ireland. ASU versus Kansas will be the second modern Big 12 overseas game after last year saw Iowa State defeat Kansas State 24–21.  Going to London is not cheap. Playing a football game there isn’t either, but Rossini and university officials see the far-reaching benefits to the game.   “We look at it as a tremendous investment, tremendous opportunity, not only for the young people in our program, but at an overall universal level,” Rossini said. “What better way to start the first class of students at ASU London than being at the game with us?”  Sparky and his pitchfork will also be making the trip across the pond in an effort to spotlight the university and share U.S. culture to the world.  “The mascot aspect of U.S. sports is really unique, and that’s a fun thing to share globally as well,​​ all the content that will capture, you know, part of it is showcasing ASU,” Rossini said. ASU will fly across the pond on British Airways the day after the team returns from College Station after facing Texas A&M in a Week 2 matchup. The goal is to make it feel like a normal week and maintain a football rhythm that’s as familiar as possible for the athletes and coaches.  “ It was really important to coach Dillingham that we, knowing it’s going to be different, know it’s going to be a departure from how we normally travel,” Rossini said.  Dillingham appreciates the importance of the occasion, and despite his excitement for the opportunity, he knows he has a job to do.  “I want them to experience it right when we land,” Dillingham told DAZN. “Then let’s lock back in. We’ve got to go win a football game.” However, it won’t stop the Sun Devils and Sparky from having some fun and taking advantage of a trip overseas.  “They’re still college athletes, and experiences are what college is about,” Dillingham told DAZN. “I think this is one of the experiences they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.” Despite the main event being the game, Rossini remains grounded in what the role of a university is through the opportunities it provides.  “We’re still in a learning environment, we’re here to win a football game, but our focus is always bigger than just the sport,” he said. “It’s about preparing young people to enter the real world.” This will be year four of Kenny ‘Dillingham’s tenure as Arizona State’s coach. He has a 22–17 record and a Big 12 championship under his belt. He would love to start the season with a conference victory after last year’s 8-5 record and sixth-place conference record was widely seen as disappointing. With the overall success he has achieved and the goals he still has yet to accomplish, he said he remains focused on what is important through it all: the athletes.  “College is an experience in your life that you’re going to remember forever,” he told DAZN. “Hopefully, there are moments in that stadium where, 30 years from now, they can say, ‘I played there.'” The post London calling: ASU football prepares to ‘showcase’ university at Union Jack Classic appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b780197238567836bb21 Supreme Court takes up GOP bid to revive Arizona proof of citizenship law that critics call voter suppression te 2026-06-30T12:33:04.709Z Supreme Court takes up GOP bid to revive Arizona proof of citizenship law that critics call voter suppression WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court agreed Monday to consider whether Arizona can require proof of citizenship for voter registration, in a case being closely watched by voting rights advocates. In February 2025, a federal appeals court blocked enforcement of two Arizona laws enacted in 2022 that Democrats and others say are intended to deter Latino voters.  Republicans want to overturn that ruling, arguing that the Legislature is simply trying to ensure that noncitizens cannot cast ballots.  “It’s not racist to believe that only U.S. citizens should vote in America,” said Arizona Republican Party Chair Sergio Arellano in a statement after the high court announced Monday that it will hear oral arguments in the fall. “The 9th Circuit lives in its own fantasyland, but common sense is still alive and well at the U.S. Supreme Court.”  Voting rights advocates say the case, Republican National Committee v. Mi Familia Vota, could have enormous implications if the justices allow Arizona and other states to require proof of citizenship. Under federal law, people registering to vote check a box affirming they are citizens but don’t have to show any documents.  “Under the false pretense of combating noncitizen voting, despite overwhelming evidence that it is exceedingly rare, the Trump administration and its MAGA allies are advancing one of the most aggressive voter suppression efforts in modern history,” Hector Sanchez Barba, president and CEO of Mi Familia Vota, said in a statement Monday evening. Likening the proof of citizenship requirement to poll taxes and literacy tests, he added, “We have already seen eligible citizens wrongly removed from voter rolls and forced through burdensome bureaucratic hurdles to restore their voting rights. That is not election integrity – it’s disenfranchisement.” Critics say that the laws could prevent millions of eligible voters from casting ballots.  A study by the Brennan Center for Justice found that more than 9% of U.S. citizens of voting age do not have proof of citizenship readily available. That percentage is higher for citizens of color. “The RNC is proud to lead this effort,” said Chairman Joe Gruter in a statement Monday. “We will keep fighting nationwide to defend election integrity and ensure only eligible citizens can cast a ballot.” The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which handles appeals from Arizona and eight other Western states, ruled in Mi Familia Vota v. Fontes early last year that two election laws adopted by the Arizona Legislature violate the National Voter Registration Act. That federal law requires states to “accept and use” a federal voter registration form.  One of the new Arizona laws requires use of a state form that adds a requirement to provide proof of citizenship. Voters who insist on using the federal form would be allowed to cast ballots for president and Congress, but not in state and local elections. More than 19,000 Arizonans were registered as federal-only voters as of July 2023, according to court records.  The second Arizona law on hold by order of the 9th Circuit would allow county election officials to investigate a voter they have “reason to believe” is not a citizen. Critics call the provision discriminatory and say it has subjected naturalized citizens to an unequal verification process.  Arizona’s governor at the time, Republican Doug Ducey, signed the measures into law. In August 2024, the Supreme Court issued an order allowing the state’s proof of citizenship requirement to remain in effect while the case works through the courts.  “Arizona does need clarity from the Court on how to administer the citizenship requirements for voting,” Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, the state’s top election official, said in a statement Monday. “The current process is confusing to voters and results in some voter applications being totally rejected just because of which form they happened to use.”  In 2004, Arizona voters approved Proposition 200, which required proof of citizenship to register to vote and for voters to show identification at polling stations. The two 2022 laws the Supreme Court will review were approved amid a wave of similar measures by GOP-controlled states. Many of those were inspired by President Donald Trump’s unsubstantiated claims that widespread voting by noncitizens cost him the 2020 election.  In fact, the number of noncitizens on voting lists is very low and the number who actually cast a ballot in a federal election – which is illegal – is even lower. A review by the Department of Homeland Security found that out of 49.5 million voter registrations from roughly half the states that were compared against federal databases, about 10,000, or 0.2%, could have been noncitizens.  But state elections officials called that figure inflated, noting that many citizens were flagged incorrectly. Nor did that review turn up evidence of illegal voting.   In late May, Utah officials released the results of a yearlong review that cross-referenced voter rolls with a federal citizenship verification database. The review identified  27 noncitizens out of 2 million registered voters.  Trump has been demanding a proof of citizenship law at the federal level: the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, which also includes a photo ID requirement at the polls. The bill is stalled in the Senate.  After the Supreme Court ruled Monday that states are allowed to count mail-in ballots that were postmarked by Election Day – rejecting a GOP challenge 5-4 – Trump called the SAVE Act even more vital to avert cheating. The SAVE Act would eliminate federal-only voters in Arizona. Arizona only counts ballots that arrive by 7 p.m. on Election Day, so Monday’s ruling does not affect Arizona’s elections. The post Supreme Court takes up GOP bid to revive Arizona proof of citizenship law that critics call voter suppression appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b77f197238567836bb18 Supreme Court takes up GOP bid to revive Arizona proof of citizenship law that critics call voter suppression te 2026-06-30T12:33:03.683Z Supreme Court takes up GOP bid to revive Arizona proof of citizenship law that critics call voter suppression WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court agreed Monday to consider whether Arizona can require proof of citizenship for voter registration, in a case being closely watched by voting rights advocates. In February 2025, a federal appeals court blocked enforcement of two Arizona laws enacted in 2022 that Democrats and others say are intended to deter Latino voters.  Republicans want to overturn that ruling, arguing that the Legislature is simply trying to ensure that noncitizens cannot cast ballots.  “It’s not racist to believe that only U.S. citizens should vote in America,” said Arizona Republican Party Chair Sergio Arellano in a statement after the high court announced Monday that it will hear oral arguments in the fall. “The 9th Circuit lives in its own fantasyland, but common sense is still alive and well at the U.S. Supreme Court.”  Voting rights advocates say the case, Republican National Committee v. Mi Familia Vota, could have enormous implications if the justices allow Arizona and other states to require proof of citizenship. Under federal law, people registering to vote check a box affirming they are citizens but don’t have to show any documents.  “Under the false pretense of combating noncitizen voting, despite overwhelming evidence that it is exceedingly rare, the Trump administration and its MAGA allies are advancing one of the most aggressive voter suppression efforts in modern history,” Hector Sanchez Barba, president and CEO of Mi Familia Vota, said in a statement Monday evening. Likening the proof of citizenship requirement to poll taxes and literacy tests, he added, “We have already seen eligible citizens wrongly removed from voter rolls and forced through burdensome bureaucratic hurdles to restore their voting rights. That is not election integrity – it’s disenfranchisement.” Critics say that the laws could prevent millions of eligible voters from casting ballots.  A study by the Brennan Center for Justice found that more than 9% of U.S. citizens of voting age do not have proof of citizenship readily available. That percentage is higher for citizens of color. “The RNC is proud to lead this effort,” said Chairman Joe Gruter in a statement Monday. “We will keep fighting nationwide to defend election integrity and ensure only eligible citizens can cast a ballot.” The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which handles appeals from Arizona and eight other Western states, ruled in Mi Familia Vota v. Fontes early last year that two election laws adopted by the Arizona Legislature violate the National Voter Registration Act. That federal law requires states to “accept and use” a federal voter registration form.  One of the new Arizona laws requires use of a state form that adds a requirement to provide proof of citizenship. Voters who insist on using the federal form would be allowed to cast ballots for president and Congress, but not in state and local elections. More than 19,000 Arizonans were registered as federal-only voters as of July 2023, according to court records.  The second Arizona law on hold by order of the 9th Circuit would allow county election officials to investigate a voter they have “reason to believe” is not a citizen. Critics call the provision discriminatory and say it has subjected naturalized citizens to an unequal verification process.  Arizona’s governor at the time, Republican Doug Ducey, signed the measures into law. In August 2024, the Supreme Court issued an order allowing the state’s proof of citizenship requirement to remain in effect while the case works through the courts.  “Arizona does need clarity from the Court on how to administer the citizenship requirements for voting,” Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, the state’s top election official, said in a statement Monday. “The current process is confusing to voters and results in some voter applications being totally rejected just because of which form they happened to use.”  In 2004, Arizona voters approved Proposition 200, which required proof of citizenship to register to vote and for voters to show identification at polling stations. The two 2022 laws the Supreme Court will review were approved amid a wave of similar measures by GOP-controlled states. Many of those were inspired by President Donald Trump’s unsubstantiated claims that widespread voting by noncitizens cost him the 2020 election.  In fact, the number of noncitizens on voting lists is very low and the number who actually cast a ballot in a federal election – which is illegal – is even lower. A review by the Department of Homeland Security found that out of 49.5 million voter registrations from roughly half the states that were compared against federal databases, about 10,000, or 0.2%, could have been noncitizens.  But state elections officials called that figure inflated, noting that many citizens were flagged incorrectly. Nor did that review turn up evidence of illegal voting.   In late May, Utah officials released the results of a yearlong review that cross-referenced voter rolls with a federal citizenship verification database. The review identified  27 noncitizens out of 2 million registered voters.  Trump has been demanding a proof of citizenship law at the federal level: the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, which also includes a photo ID requirement at the polls. The bill is stalled in the Senate.  After the Supreme Court ruled Monday that states are allowed to count mail-in ballots that were postmarked by Election Day – rejecting a GOP challenge 5-4 – Trump called the SAVE Act even more vital to avert cheating. The SAVE Act would eliminate federal-only voters in Arizona. Arizona only counts ballots that arrive by 7 p.m. on Election Day, so Monday’s ruling does not affect Arizona’s elections. The post Supreme Court takes up GOP bid to revive Arizona proof of citizenship law that critics call voter suppression appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b77e197238567836bb0f Supreme Court takes up GOP bid to revive Arizona proof of citizenship law that critics call voter suppression te 2026-06-30T12:33:02.005Z Supreme Court takes up GOP bid to revive Arizona proof of citizenship law that critics call voter suppression WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court agreed Monday to consider whether Arizona can require proof of citizenship for voter registration, in a case being closely watched by voting rights advocates. In February 2025, a federal appeals court blocked enforcement of two Arizona laws enacted in 2022 that Democrats and others say are intended to deter Latino voters.  Republicans want to overturn that ruling, arguing that the Legislature is simply trying to ensure that noncitizens cannot cast ballots.  “It’s not racist to believe that only U.S. citizens should vote in America,” said Arizona Republican Party Chair Sergio Arellano in a statement after the high court announced Monday that it will hear oral arguments in the fall. “The 9th Circuit lives in its own fantasyland, but common sense is still alive and well at the U.S. Supreme Court.”  Voting rights advocates say the case, Republican National Committee v. Mi Familia Vota, could have enormous implications if the justices allow Arizona and other states to require proof of citizenship. Under federal law, people registering to vote check a box affirming they are citizens but don’t have to show any documents.  “Under the false pretense of combating noncitizen voting, despite overwhelming evidence that it is exceedingly rare, the Trump administration and its MAGA allies are advancing one of the most aggressive voter suppression efforts in modern history,” Hector Sanchez Barba, president and CEO of Mi Familia Vota, said in a statement Monday evening. Likening the proof of citizenship requirement to poll taxes and literacy tests, he added, “We have already seen eligible citizens wrongly removed from voter rolls and forced through burdensome bureaucratic hurdles to restore their voting rights. That is not election integrity – it’s disenfranchisement.” Critics say that the laws could prevent millions of eligible voters from casting ballots.  A study by the Brennan Center for Justice found that more than 9% of U.S. citizens of voting age do not have proof of citizenship readily available. That percentage is higher for citizens of color. “The RNC is proud to lead this effort,” said Chairman Joe Gruter in a statement Monday. “We will keep fighting nationwide to defend election integrity and ensure only eligible citizens can cast a ballot.” The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which handles appeals from Arizona and eight other Western states, ruled in Mi Familia Vota v. Fontes early last year that two election laws adopted by the Arizona Legislature violate the National Voter Registration Act. That federal law requires states to “accept and use” a federal voter registration form.  One of the new Arizona laws requires use of a state form that adds a requirement to provide proof of citizenship. Voters who insist on using the federal form would be allowed to cast ballots for president and Congress, but not in state and local elections. More than 19,000 Arizonans were registered as federal-only voters as of July 2023, according to court records.  The second Arizona law on hold by order of the 9th Circuit would allow county election officials to investigate a voter they have “reason to believe” is not a citizen. Critics call the provision discriminatory and say it has subjected naturalized citizens to an unequal verification process.  Arizona’s governor at the time, Republican Doug Ducey, signed the measures into law. In August 2024, the Supreme Court issued an order allowing the state’s proof of citizenship requirement to remain in effect while the case works through the courts.  “Arizona does need clarity from the Court on how to administer the citizenship requirements for voting,” Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, the state’s top election official, said in a statement Monday. “The current process is confusing to voters and results in some voter applications being totally rejected just because of which form they happened to use.”  In 2004, Arizona voters approved Proposition 200, which required proof of citizenship to register to vote and for voters to show identification at polling stations. The two 2022 laws the Supreme Court will review were approved amid a wave of similar measures by GOP-controlled states. Many of those were inspired by President Donald Trump’s unsubstantiated claims that widespread voting by noncitizens cost him the 2020 election.  In fact, the number of noncitizens on voting lists is very low and the number who actually cast a ballot in a federal election – which is illegal – is even lower. A review by the Department of Homeland Security found that out of 49.5 million voter registrations from roughly half the states that were compared against federal databases, about 10,000, or 0.2%, could have been noncitizens.  But state elections officials called that figure inflated, noting that many citizens were flagged incorrectly. Nor did that review turn up evidence of illegal voting.   In late May, Utah officials released the results of a yearlong review that cross-referenced voter rolls with a federal citizenship verification database. The review identified  27 noncitizens out of 2 million registered voters.  Trump has been demanding a proof of citizenship law at the federal level: the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, which also includes a photo ID requirement at the polls. The bill is stalled in the Senate.  After the Supreme Court ruled Monday that states are allowed to count mail-in ballots that were postmarked by Election Day – rejecting a GOP challenge 5-4 – Trump called the SAVE Act even more vital to avert cheating. The SAVE Act would eliminate federal-only voters in Arizona. Arizona only counts ballots that arrive by 7 p.m. on Election Day, so Monday’s ruling does not affect Arizona’s elections. The post Supreme Court takes up GOP bid to revive Arizona proof of citizenship law that critics call voter suppression appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b759197238567836baff JASON BEDRICK: Proposed ESA Reforms Are Concessions, Not Fixes te 2026-06-30T12:32:25.283Z JASON BEDRICK: Proposed ESA Reforms Are Concessions, Not Fixes By Jason Bedrick | Arizona lawmakers may soon be summoned back to the Capitol for a special session to consider a “grand bargain” on Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs). If so, they should put the interests of ESA families first. Under one version of the deal, the Arizona Education Association (AEA) and its allies would drop their ballot initiative restricting ESAs. In exchange, the legislature would abandon three measures it referred to the ballot this session — protections for military families’ scholarships, payroll reform for teachers’ unions, and a mandate that districts spend 60 percent of their budgets on instruction — and would enact most of the ESA provisions debated this session in House Bill 2142. (There’s one important exception: the unnecessary testing mandate would be dropped.) A much better deal, proposed by Republican gubernatorial candidate Andy Biggs, would offer “one for one,” with the legislature dropping the payroll ballot measure in return for the AEA dropping its ballot measure. The legislative GOP caucus is behind the Biggs deal—the question is just how desperate the AEA is to avoid going to the ballot. But if the “grand bargain” requires some reforms to the ESA program, legislators should hold out for a better deal than the original proposal. The AEA-backed initiative is not a modest accountability measure; it is a serious threat to the ESA program, imposing a host of harmful regulations, including a restrictive income cap that would kick tens of thousands of students off the program, blocking parents from buying basic school supplies, and confiscating funds that families had saved for their children’s education. If Democrats balk at the Biggs proposal, trading away three referred measures and a handful of program restrictions to make that threat disappear is a defensible trade. But as Arizona’s ESA defenders take yes for an answer, they should be honest about what they’re doing and minimize harm to ESA families. The HB2142-based “grand bargain” is not, as the American Federation for Children (AFC) has suggested, a set of “commonsense reforms” that simply tidy up the program. It is a series of concessions — real costs imposed on real families — that ESA supporters are accepting because the alternative is worse. Calling it “commonsense” or a “fix” obscures this. It allows the organization to claim credit for “saving” the ESA program without ever having to explain to the families of more than 100,000 students who rely on it what its own proposed changes will actually do to their accounts. In the wake of the HB2142-based proposal, I solicited feedback about it on a social network page for ESA families. I received nearly 400 comments from ESA parents who overwhelmingly opposed the proposed regulations. They explained in detail how the supposedly “commonsense” restrictions would hamper their ability to provide their children with an education that works best for them. Here is what the three central provisions of the HB2142-based proposal would actually do — and why each of them, even if ultimately worth swallowing in some form, makes the program worse for the families it serves. Capping Rollover Funds A key feature of ESAs that distinguishes them from a traditional voucher is that families can save unspent funds from year to year rather than being forced to spend a lump sum on a single school by a single deadline. This matters because families spend their own money more efficiently than bureaucrats spend other people’s money. The ability to save and re-deploy funds gives families both the incentive to economize and the flexibility to plan for expenses that don’t arrive on a tidy nine-month school-year schedule. A voucher must be spent now, at one school, or it will be lost. ESA funds can be banked for next year’s therapy bill, a multi-year curriculum purchase, or a future tuition increase. The deal under discussion would cap how much families can carry forward — $50,000 for students with disabilities, $24,000 for everyone else — with the excess confiscated and deposited into the state general fund each year. That won’t matter for most families who spend close to their full allotment annually. But for the families who most need the flexibility ESAs were designed to provide, particularly families of students with special needs, it will be a bitter pill to swallow. Families saving toward a multi-year placement at a specialized school, parents stockpiling funds for a major piece of assistive technology, or families anticipating a more expensive placement as a child with a disability ages into more intensive services — these are exactly the families a cap punishes. The rollover cap is a “solution” in search of a problem. The rollover cap creates a perverse “use it or lose it” incentive that won’t save money; it will only encourage wasteful spending. If lawmakers proceed with a cap, the least they should do is exempt students with disabilities entirely. The case for forced spend-down is weakest exactly where the case for flexibility is strongest: students whose educational and therapeutic needs are least predictable and most expensive over time. Fingerprinting Mandate The deal would require fingerprint clearance cards — the same background-check credential used for school district and charter school employees — for individuals providing tutoring or teaching services paid for with ESA funds, as well as for staff at qualified private schools. For an institution — a school, a learning center, a tutoring company with a storefront and rotating staff — this is a reasonable extension of an existing framework, as schools are already required to fingerprint their teachers. But the bill does not stop at institutions. As drafted, it would also sweep in independent tutors — the retired teacher down the street who tutors a handful of children at a family’s kitchen table, the local college student who helps with algebra twice a week. This is a fundamentally different relationship from a teacher supervising a classroom of other people’s children at an institution. A tutor working in a family’s own home, under that family’s direct supervision and invited in by that family’s own judgment, is not analogous to a stranger left alone with a building full of students. Parents already vet who comes into their homes; that is what parental choice means. Mandating a state-administered background-check bureaucracy on top of that judgment does not make children safer — it makes it harder and more expensive to find a tutor at all, particularly in the specialized subjects and therapeutic disciplines where the pool of qualified providers is already thin. The fix here is narrow and obvious: limit the fingerprinting requirement to qualified schools and institutional tutoring providers, and exempt individual tutors providing services in a student’s own home. That preserves the child-safety rationale where it actually applies — institutional settings with unsupervised access to multiple children — without taxing the much more common, much more easily supervised arrangement of one family hiring one tutor. Spending Restrictions The deal under consideration also adds a long, explicit list of disallowed expenses. Most of this list is theater. Jewelry, lingerie, hot tubs, bounce houses, and gift cards were never allowable ESA expenses in the first place. Codifying their prohibition changes nothing about what families can actually buy. It exists to give legislators something to point to — a list that sounds tough — rather than to solve an actual problem in the program. That is itself a tell about how this provision came to be. But a few items on the list are genuinely new restrictions, and those deserve scrutiny on the merits. Barring out-of-state and international museums and excursions, for instance, would forbid spending ESA funds on precisely the kind of experiential, field-based learning that homeschooling and hybrid-schooling families have used for years — a trip to a Civil War battlefield, a national museum in Washington, D.C., a language-immersion excursion across the border. These are not luxuries dressed up as education — for many families building a curriculum outside a traditional classroom, they are the curriculum. Banning them doesn’t close a loophole. It closes off a category of legitimate, well-documented educational practice that happens to be easy to caricature in a press release. Hotel stays, meals, plane tickets and other travel expenses are already properly forbidden, but there’s no good reason to prevent families from purchasing tickets to a museum outside Arizona that would be allowed if it were in Arizona. Any grand bargain should restore legitimate educational purchases to the allowable-uses list. Why AFC Is Getting This Wrong None of these three provisions emerged from a serious conversation with ESA families about what they need. They emerged from a desire to manage headlines. Rather than designing ESA policy in the best interests of ESA families, AFC’s strategy would let school-choice opponents dictate the policy agenda. Chief among them is school-choice opponent Craig Harris at Channel 12, who has spent the better part of a year manufacturing alarm about ESA account balances and fraud rates that bear little resemblance to reality. The Arizona Department of Education has confirmed that flagged fraudulent or egregious spending amounts to roughly 0.3 percent of total ESA spending — a rate that would be the envy of nearly any government program. Harris has claimed fraud rates many times higher, and signature gatherers for the AEA-backed and AFC-backed ballot campaigns alike have been caught on camera spreading those falsehoods to voters. The right response to false claims is to correct them. Instead, AFC has chosen to give ESA opponents a say in how to regulate the program — an approach that has repeatedly proven disastrous for ESA families. Instead of proposing rollover caps because Harris made an issue of high account balances, school-choice proponents should explain to Arizona voters why families save those balances in the first place — often precisely because they have a child with disabilities whose needs are expensive and unpredictable. AFC’s approach sets a dangerous precedent: when an activist-journalist manufactures a talking point, AFC’s policy response is to regulate around it rather than to defend the program based on the facts. Arizona’s ESA families were not asked whether they would trade their ability to save for a child’s future needs, or their ability to hire a trusted neighbor as a tutor, for a quieter news cycle. They deserve a coalition that designs policy around what actually serves them — not one that lets their loudest opponents write the rules by proxy, then dresses up the result as “commonsense.” The next time AFC or any other organization in this space asks Arizona families to accept a “commonsense reform,” someone should ask the obvious question: commonsense according to whom, and at whose expense? If the goal is just to keep Craig Harris’s headlines at bay, it’s a fool’s errand — he and his ilk will continue manufacturing anti-ESA headlines so long as there’s an ESA program. “Avoiding bad headlines” is not a serious approach to policymaking and certainly not in the interests of ESA families. Arizona’s ESA families deserve better. Consider the Deal — With Open Eyes None of this is an argument against the special-session deal. The AEA-backed initiative would do far more damage to far more families than a rollover cap or a fingerprinting mandate ever could, and trading three referred ballot measures plus some unnecessary or even harmful ESA restrictions to take that threat off the table is a trade worth considering. Dropping the testing mandate from the deal is itself a meaningful win, preserving the central insight of school choice: families, not state-mandated exams, are the accountability mechanism. Taking the HB2142-based deal might be a necessary evil, but it’s certainly not a victory. At best, it would be a retreat to a more politically defensible position, not a “commonsense” fix or policy advance. If there is a special session, lawmakers who support the ESA should do everything in their power to minimize the harm to ESA families. That would entail supporting the Biggs proposal or, at the very least, holding out for revisions to HB2142 that seriously consider the impact on ESA families. Jason Bedrick is a Senior Research Fellow at The Heritage Foundation’s Center for Education Policy. The post JASON BEDRICK: Proposed ESA Reforms Are Concessions, Not Fixes first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b758197238567836baf5 JASON BEDRICK: Proposed ESA Reforms Are Concessions, Not Fixes te 2026-06-30T12:32:24.779Z JASON BEDRICK: Proposed ESA Reforms Are Concessions, Not Fixes By Jason Bedrick | Arizona lawmakers may soon be summoned back to the Capitol for a special session to consider a “grand bargain” on Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs). If so, they should put the interests of ESA families first. Under one version of the deal, the Arizona Education Association (AEA) and its allies would drop their ballot initiative restricting ESAs. In exchange, the legislature would abandon three measures it referred to the ballot this session — protections for military families’ scholarships, payroll reform for teachers’ unions, and a mandate that districts spend 60 percent of their budgets on instruction — and would enact most of the ESA provisions debated this session in House Bill 2142. (There’s one important exception: the unnecessary testing mandate would be dropped.) A much better deal, proposed by Republican gubernatorial candidate Andy Biggs, would offer “one for one,” with the legislature dropping the payroll ballot measure in return for the AEA dropping its ballot measure. The legislative GOP caucus is behind the Biggs deal—the question is just how desperate the AEA is to avoid going to the ballot. But if the “grand bargain” requires some reforms to the ESA program, legislators should hold out for a better deal than the original proposal. The AEA-backed initiative is not a modest accountability measure; it is a serious threat to the ESA program, imposing a host of harmful regulations, including a restrictive income cap that would kick tens of thousands of students off the program, blocking parents from buying basic school supplies, and confiscating funds that families had saved for their children’s education. If Democrats balk at the Biggs proposal, trading away three referred measures and a handful of program restrictions to make that threat disappear is a defensible trade. But as Arizona’s ESA defenders take yes for an answer, they should be honest about what they’re doing and minimize harm to ESA families. The HB2142-based “grand bargain” is not, as the American Federation for Children (AFC) has suggested, a set of “commonsense reforms” that simply tidy up the program. It is a series of concessions — real costs imposed on real families — that ESA supporters are accepting because the alternative is worse. Calling it “commonsense” or a “fix” obscures this. It allows the organization to claim credit for “saving” the ESA program without ever having to explain to the families of more than 100,000 students who rely on it what its own proposed changes will actually do to their accounts. In the wake of the HB2142-based proposal, I solicited feedback about it on a social network page for ESA families. I received nearly 400 comments from ESA parents who overwhelmingly opposed the proposed regulations. They explained in detail how the supposedly “commonsense” restrictions would hamper their ability to provide their children with an education that works best for them. Here is what the three central provisions of the HB2142-based proposal would actually do — and why each of them, even if ultimately worth swallowing in some form, makes the program worse for the families it serves. Capping Rollover Funds A key feature of ESAs that distinguishes them from a traditional voucher is that families can save unspent funds from year to year rather than being forced to spend a lump sum on a single school by a single deadline. This matters because families spend their own money more efficiently than bureaucrats spend other people’s money. The ability to save and re-deploy funds gives families both the incentive to economize and the flexibility to plan for expenses that don’t arrive on a tidy nine-month school-year schedule. A voucher must be spent now, at one school, or it will be lost. ESA funds can be banked for next year’s therapy bill, a multi-year curriculum purchase, or a future tuition increase. The deal under discussion would cap how much families can carry forward — $50,000 for students with disabilities, $24,000 for everyone else — with the excess confiscated and deposited into the state general fund each year. That won’t matter for most families who spend close to their full allotment annually. But for the families who most need the flexibility ESAs were designed to provide, particularly families of students with special needs, it will be a bitter pill to swallow. Families saving toward a multi-year placement at a specialized school, parents stockpiling funds for a major piece of assistive technology, or families anticipating a more expensive placement as a child with a disability ages into more intensive services — these are exactly the families a cap punishes. The rollover cap is a “solution” in search of a problem. The rollover cap creates a perverse “use it or lose it” incentive that won’t save money; it will only encourage wasteful spending. If lawmakers proceed with a cap, the least they should do is exempt students with disabilities entirely. The case for forced spend-down is weakest exactly where the case for flexibility is strongest: students whose educational and therapeutic needs are least predictable and most expensive over time. Fingerprinting Mandate The deal would require fingerprint clearance cards — the same background-check credential used for school district and charter school employees — for individuals providing tutoring or teaching services paid for with ESA funds, as well as for staff at qualified private schools. For an institution — a school, a learning center, a tutoring company with a storefront and rotating staff — this is a reasonable extension of an existing framework, as schools are already required to fingerprint their teachers. But the bill does not stop at institutions. As drafted, it would also sweep in independent tutors — the retired teacher down the street who tutors a handful of children at a family’s kitchen table, the local college student who helps with algebra twice a week. This is a fundamentally different relationship from a teacher supervising a classroom of other people’s children at an institution. A tutor working in a family’s own home, under that family’s direct supervision and invited in by that family’s own judgment, is not analogous to a stranger left alone with a building full of students. Parents already vet who comes into their homes; that is what parental choice means. Mandating a state-administered background-check bureaucracy on top of that judgment does not make children safer — it makes it harder and more expensive to find a tutor at all, particularly in the specialized subjects and therapeutic disciplines where the pool of qualified providers is already thin. The fix here is narrow and obvious: limit the fingerprinting requirement to qualified schools and institutional tutoring providers, and exempt individual tutors providing services in a student’s own home. That preserves the child-safety rationale where it actually applies — institutional settings with unsupervised access to multiple children — without taxing the much more common, much more easily supervised arrangement of one family hiring one tutor. Spending Restrictions The deal under consideration also adds a long, explicit list of disallowed expenses. Most of this list is theater. Jewelry, lingerie, hot tubs, bounce houses, and gift cards were never allowable ESA expenses in the first place. Codifying their prohibition changes nothing about what families can actually buy. It exists to give legislators something to point to — a list that sounds tough — rather than to solve an actual problem in the program. That is itself a tell about how this provision came to be. But a few items on the list are genuinely new restrictions, and those deserve scrutiny on the merits. Barring out-of-state and international museums and excursions, for instance, would forbid spending ESA funds on precisely the kind of experiential, field-based learning that homeschooling and hybrid-schooling families have used for years — a trip to a Civil War battlefield, a national museum in Washington, D.C., a language-immersion excursion across the border. These are not luxuries dressed up as education — for many families building a curriculum outside a traditional classroom, they are the curriculum. Banning them doesn’t close a loophole. It closes off a category of legitimate, well-documented educational practice that happens to be easy to caricature in a press release. Hotel stays, meals, plane tickets and other travel expenses are already properly forbidden, but there’s no good reason to prevent families from purchasing tickets to a museum outside Arizona that would be allowed if it were in Arizona. Any grand bargain should restore legitimate educational purchases to the allowable-uses list. Why AFC Is Getting This Wrong None of these three provisions emerged from a serious conversation with ESA families about what they need. They emerged from a desire to manage headlines. Rather than designing ESA policy in the best interests of ESA families, AFC’s strategy would let school-choice opponents dictate the policy agenda. Chief among them is school-choice opponent Craig Harris at Channel 12, who has spent the better part of a year manufacturing alarm about ESA account balances and fraud rates that bear little resemblance to reality. The Arizona Department of Education has confirmed that flagged fraudulent or egregious spending amounts to roughly 0.3 percent of total ESA spending — a rate that would be the envy of nearly any government program. Harris has claimed fraud rates many times higher, and signature gatherers for the AEA-backed and AFC-backed ballot campaigns alike have been caught on camera spreading those falsehoods to voters. The right response to false claims is to correct them. Instead, AFC has chosen to give ESA opponents a say in how to regulate the program — an approach that has repeatedly proven disastrous for ESA families. Instead of proposing rollover caps because Harris made an issue of high account balances, school-choice proponents should explain to Arizona voters why families save those balances in the first place — often precisely because they have a child with disabilities whose needs are expensive and unpredictable. AFC’s approach sets a dangerous precedent: when an activist-journalist manufactures a talking point, AFC’s policy response is to regulate around it rather than to defend the program based on the facts. Arizona’s ESA families were not asked whether they would trade their ability to save for a child’s future needs, or their ability to hire a trusted neighbor as a tutor, for a quieter news cycle. They deserve a coalition that designs policy around what actually serves them — not one that lets their loudest opponents write the rules by proxy, then dresses up the result as “commonsense.” The next time AFC or any other organization in this space asks Arizona families to accept a “commonsense reform,” someone should ask the obvious question: commonsense according to whom, and at whose expense? If the goal is just to keep Craig Harris’s headlines at bay, it’s a fool’s errand — he and his ilk will continue manufacturing anti-ESA headlines so long as there’s an ESA program. “Avoiding bad headlines” is not a serious approach to policymaking and certainly not in the interests of ESA families. Arizona’s ESA families deserve better. Consider the Deal — With Open Eyes None of this is an argument against the special-session deal. The AEA-backed initiative would do far more damage to far more families than a rollover cap or a fingerprinting mandate ever could, and trading three referred ballot measures plus some unnecessary or even harmful ESA restrictions to take that threat off the table is a trade worth considering. Dropping the testing mandate from the deal is itself a meaningful win, preserving the central insight of school choice: families, not state-mandated exams, are the accountability mechanism. Taking the HB2142-based deal might be a necessary evil, but it’s certainly not a victory. At best, it would be a retreat to a more politically defensible position, not a “commonsense” fix or policy advance. If there is a special session, lawmakers who support the ESA should do everything in their power to minimize the harm to ESA families. That would entail supporting the Biggs proposal or, at the very least, holding out for revisions to HB2142 that seriously consider the impact on ESA families. Jason Bedrick is a Senior Research Fellow at The Heritage Foundation’s Center for Education Policy. The post JASON BEDRICK: Proposed ESA Reforms Are Concessions, Not Fixes first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b755197238567836baeb JASON BEDRICK: Proposed ESA Reforms Are Concessions, Not Fixes te 2026-06-30T12:32:21.558Z JASON BEDRICK: Proposed ESA Reforms Are Concessions, Not Fixes By Jason Bedrick | Arizona lawmakers may soon be summoned back to the Capitol for a special session to consider a “grand bargain” on Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs). If so, they should put the interests of ESA families first. Under one version of the deal, the Arizona Education Association (AEA) and its allies would drop their ballot initiative restricting ESAs. In exchange, the legislature would abandon three measures it referred to the ballot this session — protections for military families’ scholarships, payroll reform for teachers’ unions, and a mandate that districts spend 60 percent of their budgets on instruction — and would enact most of the ESA provisions debated this session in House Bill 2142. (There’s one important exception: the unnecessary testing mandate would be dropped.) A much better deal, proposed by Republican gubernatorial candidate Andy Biggs, would offer “one for one,” with the legislature dropping the payroll ballot measure in return for the AEA dropping its ballot measure. The legislative GOP caucus is behind the Biggs deal—the question is just how desperate the AEA is to avoid going to the ballot. But if the “grand bargain” requires some reforms to the ESA program, legislators should hold out for a better deal than the original proposal. The AEA-backed initiative is not a modest accountability measure; it is a serious threat to the ESA program, imposing a host of harmful regulations, including a restrictive income cap that would kick tens of thousands of students off the program, blocking parents from buying basic school supplies, and confiscating funds that families had saved for their children’s education. If Democrats balk at the Biggs proposal, trading away three referred measures and a handful of program restrictions to make that threat disappear is a defensible trade. But as Arizona’s ESA defenders take yes for an answer, they should be honest about what they’re doing and minimize harm to ESA families. The HB2142-based “grand bargain” is not, as the American Federation for Children (AFC) has suggested, a set of “commonsense reforms” that simply tidy up the program. It is a series of concessions — real costs imposed on real families — that ESA supporters are accepting because the alternative is worse. Calling it “commonsense” or a “fix” obscures this. It allows the organization to claim credit for “saving” the ESA program without ever having to explain to the families of more than 100,000 students who rely on it what its own proposed changes will actually do to their accounts. In the wake of the HB2142-based proposal, I solicited feedback about it on a social network page for ESA families. I received nearly 400 comments from ESA parents who overwhelmingly opposed the proposed regulations. They explained in detail how the supposedly “commonsense” restrictions would hamper their ability to provide their children with an education that works best for them. Here is what the three central provisions of the HB2142-based proposal would actually do — and why each of them, even if ultimately worth swallowing in some form, makes the program worse for the families it serves. Capping Rollover Funds A key feature of ESAs that distinguishes them from a traditional voucher is that families can save unspent funds from year to year rather than being forced to spend a lump sum on a single school by a single deadline. This matters because families spend their own money more efficiently than bureaucrats spend other people’s money. The ability to save and re-deploy funds gives families both the incentive to economize and the flexibility to plan for expenses that don’t arrive on a tidy nine-month school-year schedule. A voucher must be spent now, at one school, or it will be lost. ESA funds can be banked for next year’s therapy bill, a multi-year curriculum purchase, or a future tuition increase. The deal under discussion would cap how much families can carry forward — $50,000 for students with disabilities, $24,000 for everyone else — with the excess confiscated and deposited into the state general fund each year. That won’t matter for most families who spend close to their full allotment annually. But for the families who most need the flexibility ESAs were designed to provide, particularly families of students with special needs, it will be a bitter pill to swallow. Families saving toward a multi-year placement at a specialized school, parents stockpiling funds for a major piece of assistive technology, or families anticipating a more expensive placement as a child with a disability ages into more intensive services — these are exactly the families a cap punishes. The rollover cap is a “solution” in search of a problem. The rollover cap creates a perverse “use it or lose it” incentive that won’t save money; it will only encourage wasteful spending. If lawmakers proceed with a cap, the least they should do is exempt students with disabilities entirely. The case for forced spend-down is weakest exactly where the case for flexibility is strongest: students whose educational and therapeutic needs are least predictable and most expensive over time. Fingerprinting Mandate The deal would require fingerprint clearance cards — the same background-check credential used for school district and charter school employees — for individuals providing tutoring or teaching services paid for with ESA funds, as well as for staff at qualified private schools. For an institution — a school, a learning center, a tutoring company with a storefront and rotating staff — this is a reasonable extension of an existing framework, as schools are already required to fingerprint their teachers. But the bill does not stop at institutions. As drafted, it would also sweep in independent tutors — the retired teacher down the street who tutors a handful of children at a family’s kitchen table, the local college student who helps with algebra twice a week. This is a fundamentally different relationship from a teacher supervising a classroom of other people’s children at an institution. A tutor working in a family’s own home, under that family’s direct supervision and invited in by that family’s own judgment, is not analogous to a stranger left alone with a building full of students. Parents already vet who comes into their homes; that is what parental choice means. Mandating a state-administered background-check bureaucracy on top of that judgment does not make children safer — it makes it harder and more expensive to find a tutor at all, particularly in the specialized subjects and therapeutic disciplines where the pool of qualified providers is already thin. The fix here is narrow and obvious: limit the fingerprinting requirement to qualified schools and institutional tutoring providers, and exempt individual tutors providing services in a student’s own home. That preserves the child-safety rationale where it actually applies — institutional settings with unsupervised access to multiple children — without taxing the much more common, much more easily supervised arrangement of one family hiring one tutor. Spending Restrictions The deal under consideration also adds a long, explicit list of disallowed expenses. Most of this list is theater. Jewelry, lingerie, hot tubs, bounce houses, and gift cards were never allowable ESA expenses in the first place. Codifying their prohibition changes nothing about what families can actually buy. It exists to give legislators something to point to — a list that sounds tough — rather than to solve an actual problem in the program. That is itself a tell about how this provision came to be. But a few items on the list are genuinely new restrictions, and those deserve scrutiny on the merits. Barring out-of-state and international museums and excursions, for instance, would forbid spending ESA funds on precisely the kind of experiential, field-based learning that homeschooling and hybrid-schooling families have used for years — a trip to a Civil War battlefield, a national museum in Washington, D.C., a language-immersion excursion across the border. These are not luxuries dressed up as education — for many families building a curriculum outside a traditional classroom, they are the curriculum. Banning them doesn’t close a loophole. It closes off a category of legitimate, well-documented educational practice that happens to be easy to caricature in a press release. Hotel stays, meals, plane tickets and other travel expenses are already properly forbidden, but there’s no good reason to prevent families from purchasing tickets to a museum outside Arizona that would be allowed if it were in Arizona. Any grand bargain should restore legitimate educational purchases to the allowable-uses list. Why AFC Is Getting This Wrong None of these three provisions emerged from a serious conversation with ESA families about what they need. They emerged from a desire to manage headlines. Rather than designing ESA policy in the best interests of ESA families, AFC’s strategy would let school-choice opponents dictate the policy agenda. Chief among them is school-choice opponent Craig Harris at Channel 12, who has spent the better part of a year manufacturing alarm about ESA account balances and fraud rates that bear little resemblance to reality. The Arizona Department of Education has confirmed that flagged fraudulent or egregious spending amounts to roughly 0.3 percent of total ESA spending — a rate that would be the envy of nearly any government program. Harris has claimed fraud rates many times higher, and signature gatherers for the AEA-backed and AFC-backed ballot campaigns alike have been caught on camera spreading those falsehoods to voters. The right response to false claims is to correct them. Instead, AFC has chosen to give ESA opponents a say in how to regulate the program — an approach that has repeatedly proven disastrous for ESA families. Instead of proposing rollover caps because Harris made an issue of high account balances, school-choice proponents should explain to Arizona voters why families save those balances in the first place — often precisely because they have a child with disabilities whose needs are expensive and unpredictable. AFC’s approach sets a dangerous precedent: when an activist-journalist manufactures a talking point, AFC’s policy response is to regulate around it rather than to defend the program based on the facts. Arizona’s ESA families were not asked whether they would trade their ability to save for a child’s future needs, or their ability to hire a trusted neighbor as a tutor, for a quieter news cycle. They deserve a coalition that designs policy around what actually serves them — not one that lets their loudest opponents write the rules by proxy, then dresses up the result as “commonsense.” The next time AFC or any other organization in this space asks Arizona families to accept a “commonsense reform,” someone should ask the obvious question: commonsense according to whom, and at whose expense? If the goal is just to keep Craig Harris’s headlines at bay, it’s a fool’s errand — he and his ilk will continue manufacturing anti-ESA headlines so long as there’s an ESA program. “Avoiding bad headlines” is not a serious approach to policymaking and certainly not in the interests of ESA families. Arizona’s ESA families deserve better. Consider the Deal — With Open Eyes None of this is an argument against the special-session deal. The AEA-backed initiative would do far more damage to far more families than a rollover cap or a fingerprinting mandate ever could, and trading three referred ballot measures plus some unnecessary or even harmful ESA restrictions to take that threat off the table is a trade worth considering. Dropping the testing mandate from the deal is itself a meaningful win, preserving the central insight of school choice: families, not state-mandated exams, are the accountability mechanism. Taking the HB2142-based deal might be a necessary evil, but it’s certainly not a victory. At best, it would be a retreat to a more politically defensible position, not a “commonsense” fix or policy advance. If there is a special session, lawmakers who support the ESA should do everything in their power to minimize the harm to ESA families. That would entail supporting the Biggs proposal or, at the very least, holding out for revisions to HB2142 that seriously consider the impact on ESA families. Jason Bedrick is a Senior Research Fellow at The Heritage Foundation’s Center for Education Policy. The post JASON BEDRICK: Proposed ESA Reforms Are Concessions, Not Fixes first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b745197238567836bae2 Joint Economic Committee Warns Debt Stabilization Will Require Trillions In Fiscal Adjustments te 2026-06-30T12:32:05.827Z Joint Economic Committee Warns Debt Stabilization Will Require Trillions In Fiscal Adjustments By Matthew Holloway | U.S. Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ01), chairman of the Joint Economic Committee (JEC), warned that the United States faces growing fiscal risk unless Congress acts sooner to stabilize the federal debt-to-GDP ratio. Schweikert sent the committee’s latest Views and Estimates letter to House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington in a letter earlier this month. “There is great uncertainty about when and how the debt will switch from sustainable, business as-usual, to an unsustainable, market-unraveling nightmare,” Schweikert wrote. “Every year we wait to change course increases leverage, and the higher the debt-to-GDP ratio the easier it is for bad headwinds—such as crisis spending or interest rate fragility—to lock us into a debt spiral. In short, allowing the debt burden to increase is a levered bet, and the downside risks are already enormous.” JEC Chairman @RepDavid sent @HouseBudgetGOP Chairman @RepArrington the latest Views & Estimates. “There is great uncertainty about when & how the debt will switch from sustainable, business as-usual, to an unsustainable, market-unraveling nightmare. https://t.co/pPMp4K17EP — Joint Economic Committee Republicans (@JECRepublicans) June 8, 2026 The committee’s Republican staff found that rising federal debt is structurally unsustainable and that stabilizing the debt-to-GDP ratio will require large early policy changes. The letter states that delaying action materially increases the risk of severe economic and financial consequences. According to the letter, federal debt has recently reached 100 percent of gross domestic product, meaning the federal debt is now roughly the size of the economy’s total annual output. The Congressional Budget Office projects debt held by the public will reach 118 percent of GDP by 2035, 142 percent by 2045, and 172 percent by 2055. Treasury projections cited in the letter are higher, estimating 129 percent by 2035, 183 percent by 2045, and 245 percent by 2055. The JEC letter describes the current debt path as a “levered bet on stability” that depends on avoiding major crises requiring substantial fiscal headroom and on future interest rates remaining favorable relative to economic growth. The letter warns that the damage to the nation’s fiscal position and status as a world power could be “catastrophic and irreversible” if those conditions deteriorate. The committee cited estimates from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget indicating that a fiscal adjustment of about $9.5 trillion over ten years would be needed to stabilize the debt-to-GDP ratio at about 100 percent. The JEC letter used a similar ballpark estimate of about $9.2 trillion to close the primary deficit over a ten-year window, while noting that the exact adjustment would depend on interest rates, economic growth, the timing of policy changes, and the path of the primary deficit. “In any case, these are magnitudes of adjustment virtually absent from current policy debates,” the letter states. The letter recommended reforms in Medicare, international taxation, and immigration that it estimated would produce about $3.6 trillion in deficit reduction over ten years, or roughly 40 percent of the adjustment identified as necessary to stabilize the debt-to-GDP ratio. The largest proposed savings would come from Medicare Advantage reform. The letter states that Medicare Advantage now covers 55 percent of all Medicare beneficiaries and that flawed payment policies, excessive coding practices, insufficient enforcement, and federal inaction have driven up costs. According to the JEC, Medicare Advantage beneficiaries are now estimated to cost roughly 14 percent more than they would under traditional Medicare, amounting to an estimated $76 billion in excess federal spending in 2025. The letter cites H.R. 3467, the Better Medicare Act, as a proposal to realign Medicare Advantage incentives. The JEC estimated the legislation would reduce federal spending by approximately $1.8 trillion over ten years. In a Fox Business appearance posted to X by Schweikert’s office, Schweikert described what he called “institutional design fraud,” citing his team’s investigations into New York and California “where they’re exploiting part of the Medicaid system for billions and billions and billions of dollars.” Federal prosecutors say a $30 million Medicaid scheme meant for children’s mental health services helped pay for a fleet of luxury vehicles. That is bad actor fraud. But the real bleeding is coming from New York and California exploiting parts of Medicaid for billions and… pic.twitter.com/jFyGJr3JAC — Rep. David Schweikert (@RepDavid) June 5, 2026 “If New York actually had the same cost in their Medicaid system,” he continued, “it would be a $50 billion savings a year if they had the same costs as other states. That’s actually where the tremendous amount of money is, because remember, we’re borrowing about a million dollars every 15 seconds. So, the scale is what’s just so hard to get your head around.” The committee also recommended a border adjustment tax policy, which would tax business income based on where products are sold rather than where they are produced. Under the proposal, export receipts would be excluded from the tax base and import deductions would be disallowed. The JEC estimated the policy could raise approximately $1.5 trillion over ten years. On immigration, the committee recommended shifting employment-based admissions toward higher-producing applicants through a points-based, industry-targeted framework. The letter states that an aging population and a shrinking pool of younger workers are reducing the labor force needed to grow the economy and service the debt. The JEC estimated that such a reform could produce a net fiscal benefit of $335 billion over ten years and $1.34 trillion over twenty years, assuming annual immigration remains at current levels. Schweikert has raised the alarm regarding demographic decline as a driver of fiscal collapse, citing three unassailable facts: “debt, deficits and demographics,” in March 2025. The letter also credited H.R. 1, commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, with pro-growth tax provisions. The JEC said policymakers should redirect their focus toward “transparently pro-growth reforms” and cited federal land sales, reforms of the Jones Act, and policy related to port automation as examples of areas that could support growth. Schweikert’s letter concluded that growth alone should not be counted on to resolve the federal government’s fiscal problems. “I have highlighted fiscal reforms that would bring us about 40 percent of the way to stability of the debt-to-GDP ratio,” Schweikert concluded in the letter. “While there is strong potential for increasing economic growth as a partial solution, we should not count on growth alone to address our fiscal problems.” 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 Joint Economic Committee Warns Debt Stabilization Will Require Trillions In Fiscal Adjustments first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b744197238567836bad9 Joint Economic Committee Warns Debt Stabilization Will Require Trillions In Fiscal Adjustments te 2026-06-30T12:32:04.291Z Joint Economic Committee Warns Debt Stabilization Will Require Trillions In Fiscal Adjustments By Matthew Holloway | U.S. Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ01), chairman of the Joint Economic Committee (JEC), warned that the United States faces growing fiscal risk unless Congress acts sooner to stabilize the federal debt-to-GDP ratio. Schweikert sent the committee’s latest Views and Estimates letter to House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington in a letter earlier this month. “There is great uncertainty about when and how the debt will switch from sustainable, business as-usual, to an unsustainable, market-unraveling nightmare,” Schweikert wrote. “Every year we wait to change course increases leverage, and the higher the debt-to-GDP ratio the easier it is for bad headwinds—such as crisis spending or interest rate fragility—to lock us into a debt spiral. In short, allowing the debt burden to increase is a levered bet, and the downside risks are already enormous.” JEC Chairman @RepDavid sent @HouseBudgetGOP Chairman @RepArrington the latest Views & Estimates. “There is great uncertainty about when & how the debt will switch from sustainable, business as-usual, to an unsustainable, market-unraveling nightmare. https://t.co/pPMp4K17EP — Joint Economic Committee Republicans (@JECRepublicans) June 8, 2026 The committee’s Republican staff found that rising federal debt is structurally unsustainable and that stabilizing the debt-to-GDP ratio will require large early policy changes. The letter states that delaying action materially increases the risk of severe economic and financial consequences. According to the letter, federal debt has recently reached 100 percent of gross domestic product, meaning the federal debt is now roughly the size of the economy’s total annual output. The Congressional Budget Office projects debt held by the public will reach 118 percent of GDP by 2035, 142 percent by 2045, and 172 percent by 2055. Treasury projections cited in the letter are higher, estimating 129 percent by 2035, 183 percent by 2045, and 245 percent by 2055. The JEC letter describes the current debt path as a “levered bet on stability” that depends on avoiding major crises requiring substantial fiscal headroom and on future interest rates remaining favorable relative to economic growth. The letter warns that the damage to the nation’s fiscal position and status as a world power could be “catastrophic and irreversible” if those conditions deteriorate. The committee cited estimates from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget indicating that a fiscal adjustment of about $9.5 trillion over ten years would be needed to stabilize the debt-to-GDP ratio at about 100 percent. The JEC letter used a similar ballpark estimate of about $9.2 trillion to close the primary deficit over a ten-year window, while noting that the exact adjustment would depend on interest rates, economic growth, the timing of policy changes, and the path of the primary deficit. “In any case, these are magnitudes of adjustment virtually absent from current policy debates,” the letter states. The letter recommended reforms in Medicare, international taxation, and immigration that it estimated would produce about $3.6 trillion in deficit reduction over ten years, or roughly 40 percent of the adjustment identified as necessary to stabilize the debt-to-GDP ratio. The largest proposed savings would come from Medicare Advantage reform. The letter states that Medicare Advantage now covers 55 percent of all Medicare beneficiaries and that flawed payment policies, excessive coding practices, insufficient enforcement, and federal inaction have driven up costs. According to the JEC, Medicare Advantage beneficiaries are now estimated to cost roughly 14 percent more than they would under traditional Medicare, amounting to an estimated $76 billion in excess federal spending in 2025. The letter cites H.R. 3467, the Better Medicare Act, as a proposal to realign Medicare Advantage incentives. The JEC estimated the legislation would reduce federal spending by approximately $1.8 trillion over ten years. In a Fox Business appearance posted to X by Schweikert’s office, Schweikert described what he called “institutional design fraud,” citing his team’s investigations into New York and California “where they’re exploiting part of the Medicaid system for billions and billions and billions of dollars.” Federal prosecutors say a $30 million Medicaid scheme meant for children’s mental health services helped pay for a fleet of luxury vehicles. That is bad actor fraud. But the real bleeding is coming from New York and California exploiting parts of Medicaid for billions and… pic.twitter.com/jFyGJr3JAC — Rep. David Schweikert (@RepDavid) June 5, 2026 “If New York actually had the same cost in their Medicaid system,” he continued, “it would be a $50 billion savings a year if they had the same costs as other states. That’s actually where the tremendous amount of money is, because remember, we’re borrowing about a million dollars every 15 seconds. So, the scale is what’s just so hard to get your head around.” The committee also recommended a border adjustment tax policy, which would tax business income based on where products are sold rather than where they are produced. Under the proposal, export receipts would be excluded from the tax base and import deductions would be disallowed. The JEC estimated the policy could raise approximately $1.5 trillion over ten years. On immigration, the committee recommended shifting employment-based admissions toward higher-producing applicants through a points-based, industry-targeted framework. The letter states that an aging population and a shrinking pool of younger workers are reducing the labor force needed to grow the economy and service the debt. The JEC estimated that such a reform could produce a net fiscal benefit of $335 billion over ten years and $1.34 trillion over twenty years, assuming annual immigration remains at current levels. Schweikert has raised the alarm regarding demographic decline as a driver of fiscal collapse, citing three unassailable facts: “debt, deficits and demographics,” in March 2025. The letter also credited H.R. 1, commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, with pro-growth tax provisions. The JEC said policymakers should redirect their focus toward “transparently pro-growth reforms” and cited federal land sales, reforms of the Jones Act, and policy related to port automation as examples of areas that could support growth. Schweikert’s letter concluded that growth alone should not be counted on to resolve the federal government’s fiscal problems. “I have highlighted fiscal reforms that would bring us about 40 percent of the way to stability of the debt-to-GDP ratio,” Schweikert concluded in the letter. “While there is strong potential for increasing economic growth as a partial solution, we should not count on growth alone to address our fiscal problems.” 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 Joint Economic Committee Warns Debt Stabilization Will Require Trillions In Fiscal Adjustments first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b741197238567836bad0 Joint Economic Committee Warns Debt Stabilization Will Require Trillions In Fiscal Adjustments te 2026-06-30T12:32:01.076Z Joint Economic Committee Warns Debt Stabilization Will Require Trillions In Fiscal Adjustments By Matthew Holloway | U.S. Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ01), chairman of the Joint Economic Committee (JEC), warned that the United States faces growing fiscal risk unless Congress acts sooner to stabilize the federal debt-to-GDP ratio. Schweikert sent the committee’s latest Views and Estimates letter to House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington in a letter earlier this month. “There is great uncertainty about when and how the debt will switch from sustainable, business as-usual, to an unsustainable, market-unraveling nightmare,” Schweikert wrote. “Every year we wait to change course increases leverage, and the higher the debt-to-GDP ratio the easier it is for bad headwinds—such as crisis spending or interest rate fragility—to lock us into a debt spiral. In short, allowing the debt burden to increase is a levered bet, and the downside risks are already enormous.” JEC Chairman @RepDavid sent @HouseBudgetGOP Chairman @RepArrington the latest Views & Estimates. “There is great uncertainty about when & how the debt will switch from sustainable, business as-usual, to an unsustainable, market-unraveling nightmare. https://t.co/pPMp4K17EP — Joint Economic Committee Republicans (@JECRepublicans) June 8, 2026 The committee’s Republican staff found that rising federal debt is structurally unsustainable and that stabilizing the debt-to-GDP ratio will require large early policy changes. The letter states that delaying action materially increases the risk of severe economic and financial consequences. According to the letter, federal debt has recently reached 100 percent of gross domestic product, meaning the federal debt is now roughly the size of the economy’s total annual output. The Congressional Budget Office projects debt held by the public will reach 118 percent of GDP by 2035, 142 percent by 2045, and 172 percent by 2055. Treasury projections cited in the letter are higher, estimating 129 percent by 2035, 183 percent by 2045, and 245 percent by 2055. The JEC letter describes the current debt path as a “levered bet on stability” that depends on avoiding major crises requiring substantial fiscal headroom and on future interest rates remaining favorable relative to economic growth. The letter warns that the damage to the nation’s fiscal position and status as a world power could be “catastrophic and irreversible” if those conditions deteriorate. The committee cited estimates from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget indicating that a fiscal adjustment of about $9.5 trillion over ten years would be needed to stabilize the debt-to-GDP ratio at about 100 percent. The JEC letter used a similar ballpark estimate of about $9.2 trillion to close the primary deficit over a ten-year window, while noting that the exact adjustment would depend on interest rates, economic growth, the timing of policy changes, and the path of the primary deficit. “In any case, these are magnitudes of adjustment virtually absent from current policy debates,” the letter states. The letter recommended reforms in Medicare, international taxation, and immigration that it estimated would produce about $3.6 trillion in deficit reduction over ten years, or roughly 40 percent of the adjustment identified as necessary to stabilize the debt-to-GDP ratio. The largest proposed savings would come from Medicare Advantage reform. The letter states that Medicare Advantage now covers 55 percent of all Medicare beneficiaries and that flawed payment policies, excessive coding practices, insufficient enforcement, and federal inaction have driven up costs. According to the JEC, Medicare Advantage beneficiaries are now estimated to cost roughly 14 percent more than they would under traditional Medicare, amounting to an estimated $76 billion in excess federal spending in 2025. The letter cites H.R. 3467, the Better Medicare Act, as a proposal to realign Medicare Advantage incentives. The JEC estimated the legislation would reduce federal spending by approximately $1.8 trillion over ten years. In a Fox Business appearance posted to X by Schweikert’s office, Schweikert described what he called “institutional design fraud,” citing his team’s investigations into New York and California “where they’re exploiting part of the Medicaid system for billions and billions and billions of dollars.” Federal prosecutors say a $30 million Medicaid scheme meant for children’s mental health services helped pay for a fleet of luxury vehicles. That is bad actor fraud. But the real bleeding is coming from New York and California exploiting parts of Medicaid for billions and… pic.twitter.com/jFyGJr3JAC — Rep. David Schweikert (@RepDavid) June 5, 2026 “If New York actually had the same cost in their Medicaid system,” he continued, “it would be a $50 billion savings a year if they had the same costs as other states. That’s actually where the tremendous amount of money is, because remember, we’re borrowing about a million dollars every 15 seconds. So, the scale is what’s just so hard to get your head around.” The committee also recommended a border adjustment tax policy, which would tax business income based on where products are sold rather than where they are produced. Under the proposal, export receipts would be excluded from the tax base and import deductions would be disallowed. The JEC estimated the policy could raise approximately $1.5 trillion over ten years. On immigration, the committee recommended shifting employment-based admissions toward higher-producing applicants through a points-based, industry-targeted framework. The letter states that an aging population and a shrinking pool of younger workers are reducing the labor force needed to grow the economy and service the debt. The JEC estimated that such a reform could produce a net fiscal benefit of $335 billion over ten years and $1.34 trillion over twenty years, assuming annual immigration remains at current levels. Schweikert has raised the alarm regarding demographic decline as a driver of fiscal collapse, citing three unassailable facts: “debt, deficits and demographics,” in March 2025. The letter also credited H.R. 1, commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, with pro-growth tax provisions. The JEC said policymakers should redirect their focus toward “transparently pro-growth reforms” and cited federal land sales, reforms of the Jones Act, and policy related to port automation as examples of areas that could support growth. Schweikert’s letter concluded that growth alone should not be counted on to resolve the federal government’s fiscal problems. “I have highlighted fiscal reforms that would bring us about 40 percent of the way to stability of the debt-to-GDP ratio,” Schweikert concluded in the letter. “While there is strong potential for increasing economic growth as a partial solution, we should not count on growth alone to address our fiscal problems.” 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 Joint Economic Committee Warns Debt Stabilization Will Require Trillions In Fiscal Adjustments first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b732197238567836bac7 Costanzo Highlights School Choice, Immigration Enforcement In AZ House Campaign te 2026-06-30T12:31:46.375Z Costanzo Highlights School Choice, Immigration Enforcement In AZ House Campaign By Staff Reporter | Andrew Costanzo, a Republican candidate for the 7th legislative district, still believes public education is key to Arizona’s future. But Costanzo says Arizona has serious need for reform — and that’s why public schools continue to decline.  Costanzo has proposed remedying low student proficiency rates by increasing school choice competition, mirroring Mississippi law, and implementing merit-based bonuses for educators.  He has also proposed growing the state’s universal school choice program by allowing property taxes to follow the child rather than according to the geographical predeterminations that fund school districts.  Costanzo is also very much against the proposed ballot initiative to end universal school choice. He said opportunity for educational freedom should be afforded to all, regardless of economic status. He also said educators would benefit from greater competition because they would be marketable on merit. “How will these children reach their full potential as adults if they can’t read? We’re causing them a lifetime of pain,” said Costanzo in an interview last month. “The schools need something that benefits all businesses, and that’s competition.”  Costanzo also proposed enacting legislation similar to Mississippi’s Literacy-Based Promotion Act in Arizona, which policy experts have credited with a dramatic turnaround in student outcomes. The lifelong Republican, who operates a family business near Payson, views freedom as the result of individuals taking on personal responsibilities and risks. “Security, which is typically imagined, requires minimal personal responsibility and risk,” stated Costanzo’s website. “The alleged security is always provided at the loss of freedom.” Beyond those philosophical takes on political matters, Costanzo presented a platform heavy on reducing government regulations through serious bureaucratic downsizing and greater deference to local governments, while increasing election security measures, resisting increased gun restrictions and abortion freedoms, retaining protections for law enforcement, and rolling back renewable energies.  Costanzo said in an interview last month that the legislature must “economically strangle” cartels and further scrutinize state agencies to recover what he says are sizable amounts of taxpayer funds being lost.  “It is so evident that there is waste, fraud, and abuse [in Arizona],” said Costanzo.  Costanzo’s platform also addressed at length the ongoing consequences of mass illegal immigration. He described opposition to the present government handling of the illegal immigration crisis. According to Costanzo, the status quo victimizes both the illegal aliens and Americans. Illegal aliens face exploitation due to their vulnerable status as noncitizens, while Americans face the burdens of increased crime and strained public resources. “Illegal aliens are often exploited financially, physically, or sexually. These people become part of an underclass of humans, a new form of slavery,” said Costanzo. “Whomever the victim, law enforcement resources must be implemented, the legal system is burdened, and incarcerations are applied. All paid for by the American taxpayer. […] [And t]he children of illegal aliens only put more pressure on an already failing [public school] system. Children who do not speak English must receive additional attention and resources, depriving the same from American students.” Costanzo has been involved with the Arizona Republican Party, Gila County Republican Committee, Maricopa County Republican Committee, and Arizona Law Enforcement Emerald Society. He served as a precinct committeeman as well as a chairman, first vice chairman, and secretary for his legislative district.  This year marks Costanzo’s second time running for this office. He failed to secure the nomination in the 2024 Republican primary, which proved to be more crowded than this year’s primary: six candidates fought for two seats. The 7th legislative district has fewer contenders in the Republican primary this time around.  State Rep. Walt Blackman is running to retain his seat, the other vacated by the April resignation of former lawmaker David Marshall. Three candidates are fighting for that spot vacated by a would-be incumbent: Costanzo and fellow 2024 primary candidate, Barby Ingle, and former state representative David Cook. AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link. The post Costanzo Highlights School Choice, Immigration Enforcement In AZ House Campaign first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b72f197238567836babe Costanzo Highlights School Choice, Immigration Enforcement In AZ House Campaign te 2026-06-30T12:31:43.810Z Costanzo Highlights School Choice, Immigration Enforcement In AZ House Campaign By Staff Reporter | Andrew Costanzo, a Republican candidate for the 7th legislative district, still believes public education is key to Arizona’s future. But Costanzo says Arizona has serious need for reform — and that’s why public schools continue to decline.  Costanzo has proposed remedying low student proficiency rates by increasing school choice competition, mirroring Mississippi law, and implementing merit-based bonuses for educators.  He has also proposed growing the state’s universal school choice program by allowing property taxes to follow the child rather than according to the geographical predeterminations that fund school districts.  Costanzo is also very much against the proposed ballot initiative to end universal school choice. He said opportunity for educational freedom should be afforded to all, regardless of economic status. He also said educators would benefit from greater competition because they would be marketable on merit. “How will these children reach their full potential as adults if they can’t read? We’re causing them a lifetime of pain,” said Costanzo in an interview last month. “The schools need something that benefits all businesses, and that’s competition.”  Costanzo also proposed enacting legislation similar to Mississippi’s Literacy-Based Promotion Act in Arizona, which policy experts have credited with a dramatic turnaround in student outcomes. The lifelong Republican, who operates a family business near Payson, views freedom as the result of individuals taking on personal responsibilities and risks. “Security, which is typically imagined, requires minimal personal responsibility and risk,” stated Costanzo’s website. “The alleged security is always provided at the loss of freedom.” Beyond those philosophical takes on political matters, Costanzo presented a platform heavy on reducing government regulations through serious bureaucratic downsizing and greater deference to local governments, while increasing election security measures, resisting increased gun restrictions and abortion freedoms, retaining protections for law enforcement, and rolling back renewable energies.  Costanzo said in an interview last month that the legislature must “economically strangle” cartels and further scrutinize state agencies to recover what he says are sizable amounts of taxpayer funds being lost.  “It is so evident that there is waste, fraud, and abuse [in Arizona],” said Costanzo.  Costanzo’s platform also addressed at length the ongoing consequences of mass illegal immigration. He described opposition to the present government handling of the illegal immigration crisis. According to Costanzo, the status quo victimizes both the illegal aliens and Americans. Illegal aliens face exploitation due to their vulnerable status as noncitizens, while Americans face the burdens of increased crime and strained public resources. “Illegal aliens are often exploited financially, physically, or sexually. These people become part of an underclass of humans, a new form of slavery,” said Costanzo. “Whomever the victim, law enforcement resources must be implemented, the legal system is burdened, and incarcerations are applied. All paid for by the American taxpayer. […] [And t]he children of illegal aliens only put more pressure on an already failing [public school] system. Children who do not speak English must receive additional attention and resources, depriving the same from American students.” Costanzo has been involved with the Arizona Republican Party, Gila County Republican Committee, Maricopa County Republican Committee, and Arizona Law Enforcement Emerald Society. He served as a precinct committeeman as well as a chairman, first vice chairman, and secretary for his legislative district.  This year marks Costanzo’s second time running for this office. He failed to secure the nomination in the 2024 Republican primary, which proved to be more crowded than this year’s primary: six candidates fought for two seats. The 7th legislative district has fewer contenders in the Republican primary this time around.  State Rep. Walt Blackman is running to retain his seat, the other vacated by the April resignation of former lawmaker David Marshall. Three candidates are fighting for that spot vacated by a would-be incumbent: Costanzo and fellow 2024 primary candidate, Barby Ingle, and former state representative David Cook. AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link. The post Costanzo Highlights School Choice, Immigration Enforcement In AZ House Campaign first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b72c197238567836bab5 Costanzo Highlights School Choice, Immigration Enforcement In AZ House Campaign te 2026-06-30T12:31:40.595Z Costanzo Highlights School Choice, Immigration Enforcement In AZ House Campaign By Staff Reporter | Andrew Costanzo, a Republican candidate for the 7th legislative district, still believes public education is key to Arizona’s future. But Costanzo says Arizona has serious need for reform — and that’s why public schools continue to decline.  Costanzo has proposed remedying low student proficiency rates by increasing school choice competition, mirroring Mississippi law, and implementing merit-based bonuses for educators.  He has also proposed growing the state’s universal school choice program by allowing property taxes to follow the child rather than according to the geographical predeterminations that fund school districts.  Costanzo is also very much against the proposed ballot initiative to end universal school choice. He said opportunity for educational freedom should be afforded to all, regardless of economic status. He also said educators would benefit from greater competition because they would be marketable on merit. “How will these children reach their full potential as adults if they can’t read? We’re causing them a lifetime of pain,” said Costanzo in an interview last month. “The schools need something that benefits all businesses, and that’s competition.”  Costanzo also proposed enacting legislation similar to Mississippi’s Literacy-Based Promotion Act in Arizona, which policy experts have credited with a dramatic turnaround in student outcomes. The lifelong Republican, who operates a family business near Payson, views freedom as the result of individuals taking on personal responsibilities and risks. “Security, which is typically imagined, requires minimal personal responsibility and risk,” stated Costanzo’s website. “The alleged security is always provided at the loss of freedom.” Beyond those philosophical takes on political matters, Costanzo presented a platform heavy on reducing government regulations through serious bureaucratic downsizing and greater deference to local governments, while increasing election security measures, resisting increased gun restrictions and abortion freedoms, retaining protections for law enforcement, and rolling back renewable energies.  Costanzo said in an interview last month that the legislature must “economically strangle” cartels and further scrutinize state agencies to recover what he says are sizable amounts of taxpayer funds being lost.  “It is so evident that there is waste, fraud, and abuse [in Arizona],” said Costanzo.  Costanzo’s platform also addressed at length the ongoing consequences of mass illegal immigration. He described opposition to the present government handling of the illegal immigration crisis. According to Costanzo, the status quo victimizes both the illegal aliens and Americans. Illegal aliens face exploitation due to their vulnerable status as noncitizens, while Americans face the burdens of increased crime and strained public resources. “Illegal aliens are often exploited financially, physically, or sexually. These people become part of an underclass of humans, a new form of slavery,” said Costanzo. “Whomever the victim, law enforcement resources must be implemented, the legal system is burdened, and incarcerations are applied. All paid for by the American taxpayer. […] [And t]he children of illegal aliens only put more pressure on an already failing [public school] system. Children who do not speak English must receive additional attention and resources, depriving the same from American students.” Costanzo has been involved with the Arizona Republican Party, Gila County Republican Committee, Maricopa County Republican Committee, and Arizona Law Enforcement Emerald Society. He served as a precinct committeeman as well as a chairman, first vice chairman, and secretary for his legislative district.  This year marks Costanzo’s second time running for this office. He failed to secure the nomination in the 2024 Republican primary, which proved to be more crowded than this year’s primary: six candidates fought for two seats. The 7th legislative district has fewer contenders in the Republican primary this time around.  State Rep. Walt Blackman is running to retain his seat, the other vacated by the April resignation of former lawmaker David Marshall. Three candidates are fighting for that spot vacated by a would-be incumbent: Costanzo and fellow 2024 primary candidate, Barby Ingle, and former state representative David Cook. AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link. The post Costanzo Highlights School Choice, Immigration Enforcement In AZ House Campaign first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b71e197238567836baac Hobbs Signs Bipartisan Public Safety Reform Package Into Law  te 2026-06-30T12:31:26.913Z Hobbs Signs Bipartisan Public Safety Reform Package Into Law  By Staff Reporter | A series of public safety reforms will go into effect after Gov. Katie Hobbs signed them into law over the past week.   State Sen. Kevin Payne (R-LD27), chairman of the Senate Public Safety Committee, sponsored the bills. Payne’s press release announcing the reforms said the state’s approach to public safety should be proactive, not just reactive. “Public safety is about more than responding after a crime has occurred,” said Payne. “It’s about stopping criminal organizations before they victimize more people and making sure the men and women who protect our communities have the support they need to do their jobs.” The bills in this bipartisan public safety reform package — Senate Bills 1215, 1400, 1452, and 1493 — represent changes to cargo theft investigations and prosecutions, wellness and crisis response for first responder employees, and workers’ compensation claims for cancer-stricken firefighters. SB 1215 represented a fix to something Payne called a “drafting error” in the state’s presumptive cancer law which enabled challenges to workers’ compensation claims filed by first responders diagnosed with certain cancers contracted while in the line of duty.  Workers’ compensation providers have reportedly denied claims based on what critics of the original legislation called a “punctuation problem” with missing commas that created ambiguous meaning and purportedly allowed providers to reject certain claims.  These latest legislative fixes are retroactive to July 1, 2021. “Firefighters put their lives on the line for complete strangers every day,” said Payne. “When they develop cancer linked to years of service, they shouldn’t have to fight insurance companies over a misplaced comma in state law.” SB 1400 permits first responder entities to establish wellness and crisis response programs for those employees exposed to traumatic events in the line of duty. Programs would offer employees access to certain resources including counseling, peer support, and crisis intervention services. Part of that legislation, Payne noted, created confidentiality protections for participating employees’ communications. “Our firefighters, police officers, dispatchers, and public safety professionals witness things most people will never experience,” said Payne. “Too often, the culture of these professions tells them to carry those burdens alone.” SB 1452 creates the Cargo Theft Task Force under the attorney general, dedicated specifically to investigating and prosecuting organized cargo theft operations: the theft, diversion, embezzlement, unlawful taking, or fraudulent acquisition of cargo or freight.  The bill requires the attorney general to invite federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to participate in the task force.  Task force membership will include one full-time prosecutor, one full-time paralegal, one full-time support staff member, six investigators, and any additional law enforcement personnel designated by the attorney general.  In addition to their investigatory duties, the task force will be required to meet regularly to review investigations and intelligence and share case updates, and to coordinate with local, state, or federal law enforcement on case referrals and the latest developments in the illicit cargo theft industry.  The attorney general will be required to submit an annual report on the task force’s activities, intelligence gathered, and any recommendations for legislative or policy action.  “Organized cargo theft has become a sophisticated criminal enterprise that impacts far more than warehouses and trucking companies,” said Payne. When criminals steal products moving through the supply chain, Arizona families ultimately pay the price at the checkout counter.” SB1493 would require employers of wrongfully terminated law enforcement officers to cover any appeal costs and fees.  “When an officer is wrongly terminated and later proven right, justice shouldn’t stop at reinstatement,” said Payne. “No one should have to drain their savings or jeopardize their family’s financial future simply to clear their name.” AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link. The post Hobbs Signs Bipartisan Public Safety Reform Package Into Law  first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b718197238567836ba9f Hobbs Signs Bipartisan Public Safety Reform Package Into Law  te 2026-06-30T12:31:20.116Z Hobbs Signs Bipartisan Public Safety Reform Package Into Law  By Staff Reporter | A series of public safety reforms will go into effect after Gov. Katie Hobbs signed them into law over the past week.   State Sen. Kevin Payne (R-LD27), chairman of the Senate Public Safety Committee, sponsored the bills. Payne’s press release announcing the reforms said the state’s approach to public safety should be proactive, not just reactive. “Public safety is about more than responding after a crime has occurred,” said Payne. “It’s about stopping criminal organizations before they victimize more people and making sure the men and women who protect our communities have the support they need to do their jobs.” The bills in this bipartisan public safety reform package — Senate Bills 1215, 1400, 1452, and 1493 — represent changes to cargo theft investigations and prosecutions, wellness and crisis response for first responder employees, and workers’ compensation claims for cancer-stricken firefighters. SB 1215 represented a fix to something Payne called a “drafting error” in the state’s presumptive cancer law which enabled challenges to workers’ compensation claims filed by first responders diagnosed with certain cancers contracted while in the line of duty.  Workers’ compensation providers have reportedly denied claims based on what critics of the original legislation called a “punctuation problem” with missing commas that created ambiguous meaning and purportedly allowed providers to reject certain claims.  These latest legislative fixes are retroactive to July 1, 2021. “Firefighters put their lives on the line for complete strangers every day,” said Payne. “When they develop cancer linked to years of service, they shouldn’t have to fight insurance companies over a misplaced comma in state law.” SB 1400 permits first responder entities to establish wellness and crisis response programs for those employees exposed to traumatic events in the line of duty. Programs would offer employees access to certain resources including counseling, peer support, and crisis intervention services. Part of that legislation, Payne noted, created confidentiality protections for participating employees’ communications. “Our firefighters, police officers, dispatchers, and public safety professionals witness things most people will never experience,” said Payne. “Too often, the culture of these professions tells them to carry those burdens alone.” SB 1452 creates the Cargo Theft Task Force under the attorney general, dedicated specifically to investigating and prosecuting organized cargo theft operations: the theft, diversion, embezzlement, unlawful taking, or fraudulent acquisition of cargo or freight.  The bill requires the attorney general to invite federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to participate in the task force.  Task force membership will include one full-time prosecutor, one full-time paralegal, one full-time support staff member, six investigators, and any additional law enforcement personnel designated by the attorney general.  In addition to their investigatory duties, the task force will be required to meet regularly to review investigations and intelligence and share case updates, and to coordinate with local, state, or federal law enforcement on case referrals and the latest developments in the illicit cargo theft industry.  The attorney general will be required to submit an annual report on the task force’s activities, intelligence gathered, and any recommendations for legislative or policy action.  “Organized cargo theft has become a sophisticated criminal enterprise that impacts far more than warehouses and trucking companies,” said Payne. When criminals steal products moving through the supply chain, Arizona families ultimately pay the price at the checkout counter.” SB1493 would require employers of wrongfully terminated law enforcement officers to cover any appeal costs and fees.  “When an officer is wrongly terminated and later proven right, justice shouldn’t stop at reinstatement,” said Payne. “No one should have to drain their savings or jeopardize their family’s financial future simply to clear their name.” AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link. The post Hobbs Signs Bipartisan Public Safety Reform Package Into Law  first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b704197238567836ba75 Stephen A. Smith warns Democrats embracing socialism is 'handing the presidency to the GOP' te 2026-06-30T12:31:00.854Z Stephen A. Smith warns Democrats embracing socialism is 'handing the presidency to the GOP' Stephen A. Smith emphasized how socialism could threaten the Democratic Party's presidential goals for 2028 if it embraces democratic socialist candidates like New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. During his "Straight Shooter" show on Monday, Smith reacted to Mamdani's claims on ABC News that a democratic socialist "can get elected anywhere across this country for any position." Though Smith agreed with Mamdani on concerns about the wealth gap and the working class, he bristled at the idea of the Democratic Party pushing socialism. AOC ISSUES WARNING TO HER FELLOW DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENTS IN THE WAKE OF SOCIALISTS WINNING BIG IN NYC "I am not a socialist, nor do I aspire to see socialism in the United States of America," Smith said. "I don't know anywhere in the world where true socialism has worked. I don't see it. I don't know where communism has worked." Smith added that Mamdani's socialist policies are unlikely to appeal to many voters outside New York City and could risk damaging the Democratic Party's broader reach. "If he's coming, what does that mean for the rest of America? Because I got questions. Where has socialism ever succeeded? If so, tell us where that is. How is it going to succeed in New York? How are you going to sell that in a capitalistic society? You might do it in New York with young voters. What about the people in the suburbs? What about them? You really, really think this kind of message is going to resonate with them?" Smith asked. STEPHEN A SMITH QUESTIONS WEALTH OF BILL CLINTON AND BARACK OBAMA, SAYS AMERICANS SHOULD PROSPER FIRST He continued, "If it resonates within the Democratic Party, but it doesn't have a snowball's chance of resonating in a general election, then you're basically handing the presidency to the GOP as well. That's what you're doing because the party, the Democratic Party, will have been perceived as being fragmented. That's what I'm seeing when I see Zohran Mamdani. That's what I'm looking at, and that's what I see when I see his ascension taking fold before our very eyes." At the end of his show, Smith revealed that Mamdani "was supposed to be coming on" the show but has yet to appear to discuss the issues. Despite his concerns, Smith acknowledged that it was important to pay attention to Mamdani's rise in popularity. BILL MAHER TEARS INTO SOCIALISM AND BEGS DEMOCRATS TO EMBRACE MODERATE CANDIDATES "That wealth gap is real, y'all. It's very, very real. There are two Americas in this country, no matter what way we slice it. The haves and the have-nots. And there's a lot more have-nots than haves, which is why Zohran Mamdani is relevant, if not more so. So think about that," Smith said. Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani's office and the Democratic Socialists of America for comment. Mamdani's original comments came after Mamdani-backed candidates Brad Lander, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier won Democratic congressional primaries in New York, with Lander and Chevalier defeating incumbent Democrats. Other socialist candidates have also launched primary campaigns throughout the country. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b6f4197238567836ba69 Blue states file lawsuit over ‘narrow’ Medicaid work requirement exemption te 2026-06-30T12:30:44.418Z Blue states file lawsuit over ‘narrow’ Medicaid work requirement exemption Key Points: Coalition of 24 attorneys general sues Trump administration Lawsuit challenges federal rule limiting Medicaid work exemptions The lawsuit seeks to block the rule and ultimately have it struck down A coalition of 24 attorneys general, including Attorney General Kris Mayes, and two governors sued the Trump administration on Monday to block a federal rule limiting exemptions to a new federal Medicaid work requirement.  The directive issued in June would “dramatically narrow” exclusions for medically vulnerable people under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and sow “harm and chaos” in the states by forcing them to scuttle expensive and complex plans they had spent months devising based on regular communication with federal officials, the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts alleges.  “States had already made substantial investments relying on the plain language of the law and CMS’s prior guidance and now face the risk of harsh financial penalties for noncompliance with the Medicaid work requirements interim final rule,” Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said in a statement.  “The interim final rule creates administrative burdens and unnecessary red tape that put eligible people at risk of losing their health coverage — including those who are already working or qualify for an exemption.” State officials have received regular presentations and guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services throughout the year outlining how they would be expected to implement the new work requirements established by Congress in the Big Beautiful Bill, the lawsuit alleges. The official directive took them by surprise with an additional hurdle that was not in the statutory language. While the Big Beautiful Bill mandated that most adults enrolled in Medicaid work or participate in qualifying activities for at least 80 hours a month, CMS adopted a restrictive definition of who could claim an exemption because of “medical frailty.” Read More: Guidance stirs fear of larger health insurance losses The new rule would require enrollees to prove that their medical condition prevents them from working. That test was not included in the Big Beautiful Bill. “People with serious illnesses or disabilities already face major challenges in their daily lives — they shouldn’t also have to worry about losing their healthcare because of work requirements or related barriers,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said. “That was Congress’s will, and it must be respected.” The work requirement begins on Jan. 1, 2027, but states are required to begin notifying beneficiaries by Aug. 31. The short runway doesn’t provide enough time for states to request changes through the federal rulemaking process, the lawsuit alleges. It asks for the rule to be blocked and ultimately struck down.  Bonta, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell and New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport are co-leading the lawsuit. They are joined by Weiser and the attorneys general of Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai‘i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin, as well as the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania. The post Blue states file lawsuit over ‘narrow’ Medicaid work requirement exemption first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b6f1197238567836ba60 Reds' Dane Myers carted off field after crashing into wall making acrobatic catch vs Brewers te 2026-06-30T12:30:41.346Z Reds' Dane Myers carted off field after crashing into wall making acrobatic catch vs Brewers Cincinnati Reds center fielder Dane Myers needed to be carted off the field after a play that could be a candidate for "Catch of the Year" turned scary after he crashed into the fence in Milwaukee on Monday night. Milwaukee Brewers veteran Andrew Vaughn smashed a ball to center field in the bottom of the fourth inning, and Myers got a great jump as he started to track the ball. As he sprinted toward the gap, Myers reached up and made an acrobatic catch, but he lost his balance and was too close to the wall when he collided with the fence at top speed. It was a miracle he even held on to the ball considering the collision, but it clearly took a toll. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Myers, writhing in pain on the warning track, was bent over when his fellow outfielders came over to tend to him, while Reds training staff started the sprint out onto the field. Myers was holding his right shoulder, though his collision was head-on with the fence. Trainers looked at Myers for some time, as the crowd was hushed in hopes he would walk away from this somehow. REDS ROOKIE TYLER CALLIHAN BREAKS ARM CRASHING INTO WALL WHILE TRYING TO MAKE DIVING CATCH Eventually, a cart came out and Myers rose to his feet with some assistance as the crowd gave him a round of applause for sacrificing his body for his team. TJ Friedl ended up taking his spot in center field. Myers was taken to a local hospital in Milwaukee for further testing, and it was a good sign that initial X-rays came back negative, according to manager Terry Francona following the Reds' 5-3 loss to the Brewers. Francona wouldn't go into specifics on what ailment Myers may be dealing with. Myers, a 30-year-old Columbus, Texas, native, is in his first season with the Reds, where he serves as a bench outfielder. He has played in 63 games this season, owning a .256/.358/.385 slash line with a .742 OPS, three homers and 14 RBI across 117 at-bats. Prior to his time in Cincinnati, Myers made his big league debut with the Miami Marlins in 2023, playing 22 games that year and hitting .269 over 67 at-bats. He spent the next two seasons with the Marlins, though his longest tenure in MLB came in 2025 when he played 106 games and hit .235/.291/.326 with six home runs and 31 RBI with Miami. Unfortunately for the Reds, they were unable to get the win for Myers in the end. Joey Ortiz's two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning broke the 3-3 tie at the time in this NL Central bout, which capped a comeback that also saw Brice Turang, who starred for Team USA during the World Baseball Classic, smash a solo home run to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh. The Reds were up 1-0 at the time of Myers' injury. 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/6a43b6ed197238567836ba57 Blue states file lawsuit over ‘narrow’ Medicaid work requirement exemption te 2026-06-30T12:30:37.106Z Blue states file lawsuit over ‘narrow’ Medicaid work requirement exemption Key Points: Coalition of 24 attorneys general sues Trump administration Lawsuit challenges federal rule limiting Medicaid work exemptions The lawsuit seeks to block the rule and ultimately have it struck down A coalition of 24 attorneys general, including Attorney General Kris Mayes, and two governors sued the Trump administration on Monday to block a federal rule limiting exemptions to a new federal Medicaid work requirement.  The directive issued in June would “dramatically narrow” exclusions for medically vulnerable people under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and sow “harm and chaos” in the states by forcing them to scuttle expensive and complex plans they had spent months devising based on regular communication with federal officials, the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts alleges.  “States had already made substantial investments relying on the plain language of the law and CMS’s prior guidance and now face the risk of harsh financial penalties for noncompliance with the Medicaid work requirements interim final rule,” Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said in a statement.  “The interim final rule creates administrative burdens and unnecessary red tape that put eligible people at risk of losing their health coverage — including those who are already working or qualify for an exemption.” State officials have received regular presentations and guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services throughout the year outlining how they would be expected to implement the new work requirements established by Congress in the Big Beautiful Bill, the lawsuit alleges. The official directive took them by surprise with an additional hurdle that was not in the statutory language. While the Big Beautiful Bill mandated that most adults enrolled in Medicaid work or participate in qualifying activities for at least 80 hours a month, CMS adopted a restrictive definition of who could claim an exemption because of “medical frailty.” Read More: Guidance stirs fear of larger health insurance losses The new rule would require enrollees to prove that their medical condition prevents them from working. That test was not included in the Big Beautiful Bill. “People with serious illnesses or disabilities already face major challenges in their daily lives — they shouldn’t also have to worry about losing their healthcare because of work requirements or related barriers,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said. “That was Congress’s will, and it must be respected.” The work requirement begins on Jan. 1, 2027, but states are required to begin notifying beneficiaries by Aug. 31. The short runway doesn’t provide enough time for states to request changes through the federal rulemaking process, the lawsuit alleges. It asks for the rule to be blocked and ultimately struck down.  Bonta, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell and New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport are co-leading the lawsuit. They are joined by Weiser and the attorneys general of Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai‘i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin, as well as the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania. The post Blue states file lawsuit over ‘narrow’ Medicaid work requirement exemption first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b6e0197238567836ba4d Trump’s sharpened focus on investigating elections raises fears of midterm meddling te 2026-06-30T12:30:24.963Z Trump’s sharpened focus on investigating elections raises fears of midterm meddling As President Donald Trump's administration pursues multiple election probes in advance of the midterm elections, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents carried out a raid on Jan. 28, 2026, at the Fulton County Election Hub and Operation Center in Union City, Georgia. (Photo by Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder) President Donald Trump was speaking to supporters at a Pennsylvania rally June 23 when he made an extraordinary admission about an election a continent away. Trump and his allies had spent several days in June savaging California over its slow vote counting and baselessly alleging its contests were fraudulent. But now the president divulged that his actions went beyond just public criticism. “I called up the very powerful, very good U.S. attorney in California and I said, ‘Do me a favor, take a look, they’re trying to steal that election, too,’” Trump recounted.  Over the past six months, the Trump administration has focused the power of federal law enforcement — and even a top U.S. intelligence official  — on elections and discredited grievances over the president’s 2020 loss.  In January, the FBI raided an elections facility in Fulton County, Georgia, seizing hundreds of boxes of 2020 ballots. FBI agents are probing the 2020 election in Milwaukee and subpoenas have gone out to officials in Arizona. The Department of Justice demanded to see Detroit-area ballots and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence confirmed it took voting machines from Puerto Rico. The FBI searched the offices of an Ohio voting rights group in June. Democrats, election experts, former federal prosecutors and others say the administration’s actions raise deep concerns about whether the White House will use groundless investigations to disrupt the November midterm elections. They say Trump’s recent acknowledgment that he personally directed a federal prosecutor to examine voting in California only underscores their fears. “The notion that a president or anybody in the White House calls up the U.S. attorney’s office, certainly on our end, would have been considered, I think, completely inappropriate,” said Stephen McAllister, who served as the U.S. attorney in Kansas during the first Trump administration. Shattering a norm After Watergate, the Department of Justice built a reputation for independence from the White House. While presidents nominated DOJ leaders and set broad priorities for the department, they were expected to steer clear of specific investigations. The norm was tested during the first Trump term but didn’t entirely break.  By contrast, the second term has shattered it, creating a clear path for the president to act on his false claims of stolen elections, according to individuals who have worked in the Justice Department and critics of the Trump administration. Growing evidence, they say, points to Trump personally intervening in federal law enforcement action on elections — or top officials getting the message and acting accordingly. “I think the focus and the direction is whatever the president wants, and I think this is wrong,” McAllister, now a law professor at the University of Kansas, said of the current Justice Department.  “The DOJ, especially post-Watergate, there were a lot of things done to try to strengthen it as an institution that could stand up and protect, defend the rule of law,” he said. “And this administration has torn so much of it down.” The California election shows how quickly the Justice Department can take action after Trump makes his views known. California’s primary election was Tuesday, June 2, but election officials are allowed to take roughly a month to complete vote counting. The lengthy process is a product of the state’s large population, as well as its reliance on voting by mail.  While politicians, including Democrats, have called on the state to speed up its count, the sometimes plodding process isn’t evidence of fraud. Late the night after the primary, Trump posted on Truth Social that Democrats were trying to steal the election. “Here we go with the very late and massive numbers of MAIL IN BALLOTS,” he wrote. It isn’t clear which U.S. attorney received the call from Trump or when exactly he placed the call or if it actually occurred. California is divided into multiple federal judicial districts, each with their own top federal prosecutor.  Asked about the call, the White House referred States Newsroom to Trump’s comments and the Justice Department, which didn’t respond to questions. By the Friday morning after the election, First Assistant U.S Attorney Bill Essayli, the top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, announced that his office had multiple election fraud investigations underway with the FBI. He also dispatched a prosecutor to observe vote counting. In the days that followed, Essayli gave several interviews with conservative media, including an appearance on commentator Glenn Beck’s show where he predicted criminal cases. “I expect people will be charged,” he said. After Trump’s comments in Pennsylvania, the office of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who frequently clashes with Trump, posted on social media that Trump had “just admitted it.” “The President of the United States is personally directing federal prosecutors to start investigations into his political opponents when his preferred candidate may lose the election,” the post said. DOJ pursuing 30 lawsuits on voter rolls Ahead of the midterms, Trump and other administration officials have shown a high level of interest in how elections are administered.  Last week, the president refused to sign a bipartisan housing bill to pressure the Senate to pass the SAVE America Act, which would implement a nationwide requirement that voters show documents proving their citizenship. In March, he signed an executive order attempting to restrict voting by mail, which a federal judge blocked last week. The Justice Department has filed 30 lawsuits against states that have refused to turn over their unredacted voter rolls, which include sensitive personal information like driver’s license and Social Security numbers.  The Department of Homeland Security also overhauled a powerful computer program into a system that can search voter rolls for possible noncitizen voters (a judge recently halted use of the reconfigured system). “President Trump is committed to ensuring that Americans have full confidence in the administration of elections, and that includes totally accurate and up-to-date voter rolls free of errors and unlawfully registered non-citizen voters,” White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said in a statement when asked about Trump’s approach to election-related investigations. Jackson named several federal laws — including the Civil Rights Act, National Voting Rights Act and Help America Vote Act — that she said give the Justice Department “full authority to ensure states comply with federal election laws, which mandate accurate state voter rolls.” “This campaign pledge from the President is why millions of Americans sent him back to the White House,” Jackson said, noting Trump’s support of the SAVE America Act. Within the Justice Department, criminal investigations involving elections have traditionally been treated with particular sensitivity, McAllister said.  Anything touching on elections needed to be coordinated with the Justice Department in Washington, D.C., he said, adding that there was a lot of centralized control to prevent U.S. attorneys “from just poking around where they shouldn’t be.” The Justice Department has previously published a manual on prosecuting election crimes on its website, but at some point it was removed without explanation. In June, a group of Democratic senators voiced concern its disappearance could presage attempts to interfere in the midterms. They noted that during Trump’s first term the manual was accompanied by a memo outlining the DOJ’s election non-interference policy. Robert Weiner, who served in the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division during the Biden administration, said the government used to enjoy what the legal community calls the presumption of regularity — the belief among judges that it was acting lawfully. He said courts should not extend that presumption now. Trump may be trying to impair the ability of local election officials to conduct fair elections and “generally create chaos” that could serve as an excuse to seize voting machines and not accept legitimate election results, Weiner said. “I am very worried,” said Weiner, who is now the director of the Voting Rights Project at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, an advocacy group. “I think we have to act on the assumption that bad things are going to happen. That’s not saying that they will. We have to be prepared and able to counter.” US Senate Dems form task force Some Democratic states — including California, Colorado, Connecticut and others — have passed new limits on federal election interference. At the federal level, Senate Democrats have formed an election protection task force and announced plans to train their staff members as election observers. “The president of the United States is clearly laying the groundwork to try to interfere with the midterms and try to undermine confidence in any election results that he is not happy about,” Sen. Alex Padilla, a California Democrat, told reporters. Voting rights advocates fear the FBI’s raid on a Fulton County election facility in January offered a window into what it might look like for federal law enforcement to seize ballots after the November election. While Trump has long promoted false allegations about voter fraud in Fulton County, which includes Atlanta, the raid shocked election experts in part because the FBI obtained a search warrant, meaning a federal judge found probable cause to believe evidence of federal crimes would be found at the election facility. Fulton County officials vocally condemned the raid and successfully sued to unseal the affidavit used to support the warrant. The 19-page document included previously investigated claims about the 2020 elections and revealed the investigation originated from a referral by Kurt Olsen, an election denier who Trump last fall made a special government employee to look into the 2020 election.  Trump appears to have taken a personal interest in the Fulton County raid. Tulsi Gabbard, then the director of national intelligence, was photographed at the scene and later told Congress she was present at Trump’s request. The New York Times reported that she put the president on the phone with FBI agents the next day. Gabbard left her role in June, but Trump has indicated he wants the new acting director of national intelligence, Bill Pulte, to also look into elections. The director of intelligence, a Cabinet-level position established in the wake of 9/11, is supposed to help lead the U.S. intelligence community and has no formal role in elections. Pulte, who has no previous intelligence experience and previously led the Federal Housing Finance Agency, is known for antagonizing the president’s perceived opponents, including the former Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell and New York Democratic Attorney General Letitia James. “He may find out some things about the rigged elections,” Trump told reporters in early June. Marisa Pyle, senior democracy defense manager at All Voting is Local Georgia, praised Fulton County officials for aggressively pushing back against the raid.  She said that while she is concerned the search could create a chilling effect among voters and election workers, she has been heartened that it had also motivated some people to sign up to work the polls. While no one has a crystal ball, Pyle said, she expressed hope that Fulton County’s rejection of federal interference will minimize future attempts. “I think that’s optimistic,” Pyle said. “I think we prepare as best as we can and we just have to be ready to defend the results.” Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b6d9197238567836ba41 Trump’s sharpened focus on investigating elections raises fears of midterm meddling te 2026-06-30T12:30:17.141Z Trump’s sharpened focus on investigating elections raises fears of midterm meddling As President Donald Trump's administration pursues multiple election probes in advance of the midterm elections, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents carried out a raid on Jan. 28, 2026, at the Fulton County Election Hub and Operation Center in Union City, Georgia. (Photo by Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder) President Donald Trump was speaking to supporters at a Pennsylvania rally June 23 when he made an extraordinary admission about an election a continent away. Trump and his allies had spent several days in June savaging California over its slow vote counting and baselessly alleging its contests were fraudulent. But now the president divulged that his actions went beyond just public criticism. “I called up the very powerful, very good U.S. attorney in California and I said, ‘Do me a favor, take a look, they’re trying to steal that election, too,’” Trump recounted.  Over the past six months, the Trump administration has focused the power of federal law enforcement — and even a top U.S. intelligence official  — on elections and discredited grievances over the president’s 2020 loss.  In January, the FBI raided an elections facility in Fulton County, Georgia, seizing hundreds of boxes of 2020 ballots. FBI agents are probing the 2020 election in Milwaukee and subpoenas have gone out to officials in Arizona. The Department of Justice demanded to see Detroit-area ballots and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence confirmed it took voting machines from Puerto Rico. The FBI searched the offices of an Ohio voting rights group in June. Democrats, election experts, former federal prosecutors and others say the administration’s actions raise deep concerns about whether the White House will use groundless investigations to disrupt the November midterm elections. They say Trump’s recent acknowledgment that he personally directed a federal prosecutor to examine voting in California only underscores their fears. “The notion that a president or anybody in the White House calls up the U.S. attorney’s office, certainly on our end, would have been considered, I think, completely inappropriate,” said Stephen McAllister, who served as the U.S. attorney in Kansas during the first Trump administration. Shattering a norm After Watergate, the Department of Justice built a reputation for independence from the White House. While presidents nominated DOJ leaders and set broad priorities for the department, they were expected to steer clear of specific investigations. The norm was tested during the first Trump term but didn’t entirely break.  By contrast, the second term has shattered it, creating a clear path for the president to act on his false claims of stolen elections, according to individuals who have worked in the Justice Department and critics of the Trump administration. Growing evidence, they say, points to Trump personally intervening in federal law enforcement action on elections — or top officials getting the message and acting accordingly. “I think the focus and the direction is whatever the president wants, and I think this is wrong,” McAllister, now a law professor at the University of Kansas, said of the current Justice Department.  “The DOJ, especially post-Watergate, there were a lot of things done to try to strengthen it as an institution that could stand up and protect, defend the rule of law,” he said. “And this administration has torn so much of it down.” The California election shows how quickly the Justice Department can take action after Trump makes his views known. California’s primary election was Tuesday, June 2, but election officials are allowed to take roughly a month to complete vote counting. The lengthy process is a product of the state’s large population, as well as its reliance on voting by mail.  While politicians, including Democrats, have called on the state to speed up its count, the sometimes plodding process isn’t evidence of fraud. Late the night after the primary, Trump posted on Truth Social that Democrats were trying to steal the election. “Here we go with the very late and massive numbers of MAIL IN BALLOTS,” he wrote. It isn’t clear which U.S. attorney received the call from Trump or when exactly he placed the call or if it actually occurred. California is divided into multiple federal judicial districts, each with their own top federal prosecutor.  Asked about the call, the White House referred States Newsroom to Trump’s comments and the Justice Department, which didn’t respond to questions. By the Friday morning after the election, First Assistant U.S Attorney Bill Essayli, the top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, announced that his office had multiple election fraud investigations underway with the FBI. He also dispatched a prosecutor to observe vote counting. In the days that followed, Essayli gave several interviews with conservative media, including an appearance on commentator Glenn Beck’s show where he predicted criminal cases. “I expect people will be charged,” he said. After Trump’s comments in Pennsylvania, the office of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who frequently clashes with Trump, posted on social media that Trump had “just admitted it.” “The President of the United States is personally directing federal prosecutors to start investigations into his political opponents when his preferred candidate may lose the election,” the post said. DOJ pursuing 30 lawsuits on voter rolls Ahead of the midterms, Trump and other administration officials have shown a high level of interest in how elections are administered.  Last week, the president refused to sign a bipartisan housing bill to pressure the Senate to pass the SAVE America Act, which would implement a nationwide requirement that voters show documents proving their citizenship. In March, he signed an executive order attempting to restrict voting by mail, which a federal judge blocked last week. The Justice Department has filed 30 lawsuits against states that have refused to turn over their unredacted voter rolls, which include sensitive personal information like driver’s license and Social Security numbers.  The Department of Homeland Security also overhauled a powerful computer program into a system that can search voter rolls for possible noncitizen voters (a judge recently halted use of the reconfigured system). “President Trump is committed to ensuring that Americans have full confidence in the administration of elections, and that includes totally accurate and up-to-date voter rolls free of errors and unlawfully registered non-citizen voters,” White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said in a statement when asked about Trump’s approach to election-related investigations. Jackson named several federal laws — including the Civil Rights Act, National Voting Rights Act and Help America Vote Act — that she said give the Justice Department “full authority to ensure states comply with federal election laws, which mandate accurate state voter rolls.” “This campaign pledge from the President is why millions of Americans sent him back to the White House,” Jackson said, noting Trump’s support of the SAVE America Act. Within the Justice Department, criminal investigations involving elections have traditionally been treated with particular sensitivity, McAllister said.  Anything touching on elections needed to be coordinated with the Justice Department in Washington, D.C., he said, adding that there was a lot of centralized control to prevent U.S. attorneys “from just poking around where they shouldn’t be.” The Justice Department has previously published a manual on prosecuting election crimes on its website, but at some point it was removed without explanation. In June, a group of Democratic senators voiced concern its disappearance could presage attempts to interfere in the midterms. They noted that during Trump’s first term the manual was accompanied by a memo outlining the DOJ’s election non-interference policy. Robert Weiner, who served in the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division during the Biden administration, said the government used to enjoy what the legal community calls the presumption of regularity — the belief among judges that it was acting lawfully. He said courts should not extend that presumption now. Trump may be trying to impair the ability of local election officials to conduct fair elections and “generally create chaos” that could serve as an excuse to seize voting machines and not accept legitimate election results, Weiner said. “I am very worried,” said Weiner, who is now the director of the Voting Rights Project at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, an advocacy group. “I think we have to act on the assumption that bad things are going to happen. That’s not saying that they will. We have to be prepared and able to counter.” US Senate Dems form task force Some Democratic states — including California, Colorado, Connecticut and others — have passed new limits on federal election interference. At the federal level, Senate Democrats have formed an election protection task force and announced plans to train their staff members as election observers. “The president of the United States is clearly laying the groundwork to try to interfere with the midterms and try to undermine confidence in any election results that he is not happy about,” Sen. Alex Padilla, a California Democrat, told reporters. Voting rights advocates fear the FBI’s raid on a Fulton County election facility in January offered a window into what it might look like for federal law enforcement to seize ballots after the November election. While Trump has long promoted false allegations about voter fraud in Fulton County, which includes Atlanta, the raid shocked election experts in part because the FBI obtained a search warrant, meaning a federal judge found probable cause to believe evidence of federal crimes would be found at the election facility. Fulton County officials vocally condemned the raid and successfully sued to unseal the affidavit used to support the warrant. The 19-page document included previously investigated claims about the 2020 elections and revealed the investigation originated from a referral by Kurt Olsen, an election denier who Trump last fall made a special government employee to look into the 2020 election.  Trump appears to have taken a personal interest in the Fulton County raid. Tulsi Gabbard, then the director of national intelligence, was photographed at the scene and later told Congress she was present at Trump’s request. The New York Times reported that she put the president on the phone with FBI agents the next day. Gabbard left her role in June, but Trump has indicated he wants the new acting director of national intelligence, Bill Pulte, to also look into elections. The director of intelligence, a Cabinet-level position established in the wake of 9/11, is supposed to help lead the U.S. intelligence community and has no formal role in elections. Pulte, who has no previous intelligence experience and previously led the Federal Housing Finance Agency, is known for antagonizing the president’s perceived opponents, including the former Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell and New York Democratic Attorney General Letitia James. “He may find out some things about the rigged elections,” Trump told reporters in early June. Marisa Pyle, senior democracy defense manager at All Voting is Local Georgia, praised Fulton County officials for aggressively pushing back against the raid.  She said that while she is concerned the search could create a chilling effect among voters and election workers, she has been heartened that it had also motivated some people to sign up to work the polls. While no one has a crystal ball, Pyle said, she expressed hope that Fulton County’s rejection of federal interference will minimize future attempts. “I think that’s optimistic,” Pyle said. “I think we prepare as best as we can and we just have to be ready to defend the results.” Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b6cd197238567836ba38 US Senate Ethics Committee dismisses complaint against Gallego te 2026-06-30T12:30:05.505Z US Senate Ethics Committee dismisses complaint against Gallego Ruben Gallego in August 2024. (Photo by Gage Skidmore | Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0) WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate Ethics Committee has dismissed a complaint against Sen. Ruben Gallego, writing in a letter it found no evidence the Arizona Democrat violated the chamber’s rules or federal law. Florida Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna filed a complaint to the six-member committee earlier this year, claiming the senator had violated campaign finance laws and engaged in what the letter described as “inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature.” Gallego wrote in a social media post Monday the “dismissal by the Ethics Committee reaffirms what I have said about these accusations from the beginning: they were right-wing conspiracies peddled by far-right activists like Anna Paulina Luna, the White House, and their allies.”  “I look forward to an apology from Rep. Luna for weaponizing the ethics process while refusing to investigate historic corruption that’s making life harder for families,” Gallego added. Luna wrote in a social media post in response to Gallego’s post that she doesn’t believe the complaints are “conspiracy theories.” “The good news about DC is everyone talks, and eventually the reporters come forward with your texts,” she wrote. “Do yourself a favor and keep raising for your legal defense fund. Once a creep always a creep, and you’re gonna need it.” The Ethics Committee wrote in the letter dated June 26 that it “retains the authority to revisit this matter should additional facts become known to the Committee.” Ethics Committee Chairman James Lankford, R-Okla., ranking member Chris Coons, D-Del., Idaho Republican Sen. James Risch, Hawaii Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz, Nebraska Republican Sen. Deb Fischer and New Hampshire Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, signed the letter.  Luna made the allegations against Gallego in April just after California Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell and Texas Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales resigned amid sexual misconduct allegations.  She wrote in a social media post addressed to Senate Majority Leader John Thune on April 15 that it “seems like the Senate has its own trash to take out. @LeaderJohnThune You need to look into the allegations against one of your Senators, it’s very disturbing. My chief will be contacting your chief.” Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b6c5197238567836ba06 US Senate Ethics Committee dismisses complaint against Gallego te 2026-06-30T12:29:57.683Z US Senate Ethics Committee dismisses complaint against Gallego Ruben Gallego in August 2024. (Photo by Gage Skidmore | Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0) WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate Ethics Committee has dismissed a complaint against Sen. Ruben Gallego, writing in a letter it found no evidence the Arizona Democrat violated the chamber’s rules or federal law. Florida Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna filed a complaint to the six-member committee earlier this year, claiming the senator had violated campaign finance laws and engaged in what the letter described as “inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature.” Gallego wrote in a social media post Monday the “dismissal by the Ethics Committee reaffirms what I have said about these accusations from the beginning: they were right-wing conspiracies peddled by far-right activists like Anna Paulina Luna, the White House, and their allies.”  “I look forward to an apology from Rep. Luna for weaponizing the ethics process while refusing to investigate historic corruption that’s making life harder for families,” Gallego added. Luna wrote in a social media post in response to Gallego’s post that she doesn’t believe the complaints are “conspiracy theories.” “The good news about DC is everyone talks, and eventually the reporters come forward with your texts,” she wrote. “Do yourself a favor and keep raising for your legal defense fund. Once a creep always a creep, and you’re gonna need it.” The Ethics Committee wrote in the letter dated June 26 that it “retains the authority to revisit this matter should additional facts become known to the Committee.” Ethics Committee Chairman James Lankford, R-Okla., ranking member Chris Coons, D-Del., Idaho Republican Sen. James Risch, Hawaii Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz, Nebraska Republican Sen. Deb Fischer and New Hampshire Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, signed the letter.  Luna made the allegations against Gallego in April just after California Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell and Texas Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales resigned amid sexual misconduct allegations.  She wrote in a social media post addressed to Senate Majority Leader John Thune on April 15 that it “seems like the Senate has its own trash to take out. @LeaderJohnThune You need to look into the allegations against one of your Senators, it’s very disturbing. My chief will be contacting your chief.” Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b6ba197238567836b9fd US Supreme Court to take up Arizona proof of citizenship case te 2026-06-30T12:29:46.056Z US Supreme Court to take up Arizona proof of citizenship case The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to take up a case casting the Republican National Committee against a host of Democratic and voting rights groups over voting restrictions in Arizona. (Photo by Jim Small/Arizona Mirror) The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday agreed to consider a case that could decide whether the state can require Arizonans to provide proof of citizenship to register to vote and if it can purge voter rolls in the months leading up to an election. The high court’s decision in the case, which could come before the 2028 presidential election, could impact similar laws in other states that also face legal challenges.  The case originated in 2022 when a group of voting rights organizations, including Mi Familia Vota and Living United for Change in Arizona, challenged two new laws signed by then-Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican.  The laws would ban voters who don’t provide proof of citizenship from voting by mail and in presidential elections. It would require more frequent and extensive checks of voter rolls for noncitizens, and subsequent purges.  GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE The Republican-controlled Arizona Legislature enacted the laws in response to unproven claims of widespread noncitizen voting in 2020, which were made alongside baseless claims that the 2020 election was stolen from President Donald Trump. The Republican National Committee and the U.S. Department of Justice asked the nation’s highest court to take up the case after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last year, in agreement with a trial court, that Arizona’s proof of citizenship and purge requirements violate the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 and the Civil Rights Act.  The lower court blocked portions of the Arizona laws, and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld that decision. “Only American citizens should vote in American elections,” RNC Chairman Joe Gruters said in a Monday statement. “It’s the law, and it’s supported by the overwhelming majority of Americans.”  Studies show that noncitizen voting is exceedingly rare, with one study of the 2016 election finding that it accounted for 0.0001% of votes cast. The Campaign Legal Center, which is representing the voting rights groups in the case, said in a Monday statement that the U.S. Supreme Court’s involvement puts the voter protections bestowed by the NVRA at risk.  “Ignoring critical voter protections like the National Voter Registration Act forces Arizonans to jump through unnecessary hoops to participate in our democracy,” spokesperson Danielle Lang said in the statement. “We must ensure that every Arizonan, regardless of their background, has an equal and unobstructed path to exercise their fundamental freedom to vote.”  Since 2004, Arizona has required its residents to provide proof of citizenship when they register to vote in state and local elections. But in 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the state couldn’t require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections, per the NVRA.  After that, those who were unable to provide proof of citizenship could register as federal-only voters, allowing them to vote in federal races if they attest that they are U.S. citizens under penalty of perjury.  But the 2022 laws went further by banning federal-only voters from voting by mail — by far the most popular way to vote in the Grand Canyon State — and allowing voter rolls to be purged of noncitizens within the 90 days leading up to an election. The NVRA imposes strict limits on sweeping voter registration purges in the 90 days before a federal election. Voting rights groups say that these rules disproportionately impact Latino, Native American and student voters who are citizens but don’t have access to the documents — such as birth certificates or passports — necessary to prove it. During a Feb. 9 discussion on the floor of the Arizona Senate, Democratic Sen. Theresa Hatathlie of Coal Mine Mesa, who is Navajo, said that her 67-year-old sister still doesn’t have a birth certificate. Hatathlie’s sister was born at home on a rural part of the Navajo Nation, 22 miles from the nearest community. She has been unsuccessfully trying to get a birth certificate for more than 15 years, Hatathlie said. Proof of citizenship to vote and giving election officials the ability to purge alleged noncitizen voters ahead of elections is a key aim of the SAVE America Act, Trump’s signature elections legislation that is stalled in Congress due to some Republican holdouts So, Trump’s Justice Department last month asked the U.S. Supreme Court to take up RNC v. Mi Familia Vota, to overturn the lower court rulings and find that the Arizona laws don’t violate the NVRA.  The Trump administration has been pushing for states to hand over voter rolls to the Department of Justice to run them through the Department of Homeland Security’s SAVE system, which it uses to verify citizenship by checking information in federal databases.  Many Republican states have begun uploading their voter rolls to SAVE to search for potential noncitizens, and the Trump administration unsuccessfully sued the states that refused to hand over their voter rolls, including Arizona.  Critics of the program say SAVE has incorrectly identified U.S. citizens as noncitizens, a problem that could be exacerbated if the Supreme Court allows its widespread use in the weeks before an election. Last-minute misidentifications would leave little time for voters to prove their citizenship. Arizona’s Democratic Secretary of State Adrian Fontes reminded voters in a Monday statement that the Supreme Court’s decision to take on the case will not impact 2026 elections.  “However, after years of legal wrangling and legislation, Arizona does need clarity from the Court on how to administer the citizenship requirement for voting,” Fontes wrote. “The current process is confusing to voters and results in some voter applications being totally rejected because of which form they use.”  Contributing reporting by Jonathan Shorman  YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b6b2197238567836b9f4 US Supreme Court to take up Arizona proof of citizenship case te 2026-06-30T12:29:38.231Z US Supreme Court to take up Arizona proof of citizenship case The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to take up a case casting the Republican National Committee against a host of Democratic and voting rights groups over voting restrictions in Arizona. (Photo by Jim Small/Arizona Mirror) The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday agreed to consider a case that could decide whether the state can require Arizonans to provide proof of citizenship to register to vote and if it can purge voter rolls in the months leading up to an election. The high court’s decision in the case, which could come before the 2028 presidential election, could impact similar laws in other states that also face legal challenges.  The case originated in 2022 when a group of voting rights organizations, including Mi Familia Vota and Living United for Change in Arizona, challenged two new laws signed by then-Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican.  The laws would ban voters who don’t provide proof of citizenship from voting by mail and in presidential elections. It would require more frequent and extensive checks of voter rolls for noncitizens, and subsequent purges.  GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE The Republican-controlled Arizona Legislature enacted the laws in response to unproven claims of widespread noncitizen voting in 2020, which were made alongside baseless claims that the 2020 election was stolen from President Donald Trump. The Republican National Committee and the U.S. Department of Justice asked the nation’s highest court to take up the case after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last year, in agreement with a trial court, that Arizona’s proof of citizenship and purge requirements violate the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 and the Civil Rights Act.  The lower court blocked portions of the Arizona laws, and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld that decision. “Only American citizens should vote in American elections,” RNC Chairman Joe Gruters said in a Monday statement. “It’s the law, and it’s supported by the overwhelming majority of Americans.”  Studies show that noncitizen voting is exceedingly rare, with one study of the 2016 election finding that it accounted for 0.0001% of votes cast. The Campaign Legal Center, which is representing the voting rights groups in the case, said in a Monday statement that the U.S. Supreme Court’s involvement puts the voter protections bestowed by the NVRA at risk.  “Ignoring critical voter protections like the National Voter Registration Act forces Arizonans to jump through unnecessary hoops to participate in our democracy,” spokesperson Danielle Lang said in the statement. “We must ensure that every Arizonan, regardless of their background, has an equal and unobstructed path to exercise their fundamental freedom to vote.”  Since 2004, Arizona has required its residents to provide proof of citizenship when they register to vote in state and local elections. But in 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the state couldn’t require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections, per the NVRA.  After that, those who were unable to provide proof of citizenship could register as federal-only voters, allowing them to vote in federal races if they attest that they are U.S. citizens under penalty of perjury.  But the 2022 laws went further by banning federal-only voters from voting by mail — by far the most popular way to vote in the Grand Canyon State — and allowing voter rolls to be purged of noncitizens within the 90 days leading up to an election. The NVRA imposes strict limits on sweeping voter registration purges in the 90 days before a federal election. Voting rights groups say that these rules disproportionately impact Latino, Native American and student voters who are citizens but don’t have access to the documents — such as birth certificates or passports — necessary to prove it. During a Feb. 9 discussion on the floor of the Arizona Senate, Democratic Sen. Theresa Hatathlie of Coal Mine Mesa, who is Navajo, said that her 67-year-old sister still doesn’t have a birth certificate. Hatathlie’s sister was born at home on a rural part of the Navajo Nation, 22 miles from the nearest community. She has been unsuccessfully trying to get a birth certificate for more than 15 years, Hatathlie said. Proof of citizenship to vote and giving election officials the ability to purge alleged noncitizen voters ahead of elections is a key aim of the SAVE America Act, Trump’s signature elections legislation that is stalled in Congress due to some Republican holdouts So, Trump’s Justice Department last month asked the U.S. Supreme Court to take up RNC v. Mi Familia Vota, to overturn the lower court rulings and find that the Arizona laws don’t violate the NVRA.  The Trump administration has been pushing for states to hand over voter rolls to the Department of Justice to run them through the Department of Homeland Security’s SAVE system, which it uses to verify citizenship by checking information in federal databases.  Many Republican states have begun uploading their voter rolls to SAVE to search for potential noncitizens, and the Trump administration unsuccessfully sued the states that refused to hand over their voter rolls, including Arizona.  Critics of the program say SAVE has incorrectly identified U.S. citizens as noncitizens, a problem that could be exacerbated if the Supreme Court allows its widespread use in the weeks before an election. Last-minute misidentifications would leave little time for voters to prove their citizenship. Arizona’s Democratic Secretary of State Adrian Fontes reminded voters in a Monday statement that the Supreme Court’s decision to take on the case will not impact 2026 elections.  “However, after years of legal wrangling and legislation, Arizona does need clarity from the Court on how to administer the citizenship requirement for voting,” Fontes wrote. “The current process is confusing to voters and results in some voter applications being totally rejected because of which form they use.”  Contributing reporting by Jonathan Shorman  YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b6a6197238567836b9eb School voucher special session deal is likely dead in the water te 2026-06-30T12:29:26.594Z School voucher special session deal is likely dead in the water Photo via Getty Images/iStock A plan by Republican lawmakers to call a special session of the Arizona Legislature to strike a deal with the state’s largest teachers union to kill a ballot initiative aimed at the school voucher program is likely dead in the water.  In the final hours of the annual legislative session just three weeks ago, Republican lawmakers pushed through a ballot referral that, if approved by voters, would nullify the two citizen-led initiatives aimed at regulating the state’s billion-dollar school voucher program, formally known as the Empowerment Scholarship Account program.  The move came after the Arizona Education Association, the state’s largest teachers union, tried and failed to make a deal to keep both initiatives off the ballot. That proposal would have implemented more modest reforms on the universal K-12 voucher system, in exchange for GOP legislators abandoning a ballot referral asking voters to effectively kill the AEA. GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE The push for the Republican constitutional amendment barring school voucher reforms that passed along party lines in the last hours of the legislative session was a backup plan for GOP lawmakers pushed through after the compromise with the teachers union failed.The ESA program provides payments for any K-12 Arizona student to attend private or parochial schools, and pays for tutoring or homeschooling supplies. In exchange for getting the AEA to abandon the initiative campaign, Republicans had reportedly pledged to drop their retaliatory ballot referral that would effectively defund the teachers union by prohibiting school districts from deducting membership fees from employee paychecks — even though that is done at the employee’s request.  However, when that negotiated bill materialized on the Senate floor, it failed to pass, with two Republicans, Sen. Jake Hoffman, R-Queen Creek, and Senate President Warren Petersen, joining Democrats in killing it.  Republicans then swiftly moved on to Plan B, House Concurrent Resolution 2048, dubbed the “Military Families College Savings and Scholarship Protection Act.”  But the legislation does far more than Republicans advertised: Buried in the bill is a clause that says it is not just limited to “scholarship account programs that are established and maintained by this state for only children of military families.” Democrats said that means it would effectively bar any reforms to the ESA program. Last week rumors began to circulate of a deal being proposed by Republican leadership that would see them withdrawing HCR2048, among other pieces of legislation aimed at teachers in exchange for some concessions on ESA reform.  In return AEA would drop its ballot initiative. Multiple sources at the Capitol confirmed to the Arizona Mirror that lawmakers were meeting to discuss some sort of deal and that the AEA was monitoring the situation last week.  Now it appears that a deal is unlikely as signatures for the petitions are due Thursday, meaning a special session would need to be held before then. Gov. Katie Hobbs said she wouldn’t call for one.  “Legislative Republicans are throwing firefighters, police and teachers under the bus in order to protect waste, fraud and abuse in the ESA entitlement program,” Hobbs’ office said in a statement to the Arizona Mirror “They’ve chosen to pull back from a deal they already agreed to at the end of session in order to appease partisan politicians in Washington, DC.”  The ballot referral issued by Republicans at the last hour has come under attack by firefighter and police unions who have said that an amendment made by Hoffman to the bill impacts them as well. Critics warned that the ballot referral  could ban police and firefighter union bargaining if voters favor it.  Meanwhile, Republicans Monday continued to push for Hobbs to call a legislative session and for a deal that would include what they call a “one-for-one ballot measure exchange.”  “It’s shameful that they would put their own partisan political agenda ahead of protecting public safety and public education,” Hobbs’ office said in the statement. “Governor Hobbs will continue standing with our firefighters, police and teachers who show up for Arizonans every day, and she will not accept a sham deal.” Some long-time ESA advocates are continuing to push for what is now being called the “Biggs plan,” named after Republican Congressman and gubernatorial candidate Andy Biggs, despite signals from the ninth floor that the governor will not agree to that deal.  “Keep refreshing Gov. Hobbs’ X page to see if she announces a special session before midnight,” Jason Bedrick, a Heritage Foundation employee said to another user on X who asked where they could get updates on the possible deal.  Meanwhile Democratic members of the Arizona Legislature slammed Republicans for the attempt.  “Republicans created this mess by rushing harmful and misleading ballot referrals through the Legislature, including an attack on teachers, firefighters, law enforcement officers and other public employees who wish to join a union and negotiate the terms of their employment,” Senate Minority Leader Priya Sundareshan and House Democratic Leader Oscar De Los Santos said in a joint statement. “Today, they had the opportunity to come together and work with Democrats to pull back these rushed and ill-considered reforms and once again, they failed Arizona.” YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b69e197238567836b9e2 School voucher special session deal is likely dead in the water te 2026-06-30T12:29:18.771Z School voucher special session deal is likely dead in the water Photo via Getty Images/iStock A plan by Republican lawmakers to call a special session of the Arizona Legislature to strike a deal with the state’s largest teachers union to kill a ballot initiative aimed at the school voucher program is likely dead in the water.  In the final hours of the annual legislative session just three weeks ago, Republican lawmakers pushed through a ballot referral that, if approved by voters, would nullify the two citizen-led initiatives aimed at regulating the state’s billion-dollar school voucher program, formally known as the Empowerment Scholarship Account program.  The move came after the Arizona Education Association, the state’s largest teachers union, tried and failed to make a deal to keep both initiatives off the ballot. That proposal would have implemented more modest reforms on the universal K-12 voucher system, in exchange for GOP legislators abandoning a ballot referral asking voters to effectively kill the AEA. GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE The push for the Republican constitutional amendment barring school voucher reforms that passed along party lines in the last hours of the legislative session was a backup plan for GOP lawmakers pushed through after the compromise with the teachers union failed.The ESA program provides payments for any K-12 Arizona student to attend private or parochial schools, and pays for tutoring or homeschooling supplies. In exchange for getting the AEA to abandon the initiative campaign, Republicans had reportedly pledged to drop their retaliatory ballot referral that would effectively defund the teachers union by prohibiting school districts from deducting membership fees from employee paychecks — even though that is done at the employee’s request.  However, when that negotiated bill materialized on the Senate floor, it failed to pass, with two Republicans, Sen. Jake Hoffman, R-Queen Creek, and Senate President Warren Petersen, joining Democrats in killing it.  Republicans then swiftly moved on to Plan B, House Concurrent Resolution 2048, dubbed the “Military Families College Savings and Scholarship Protection Act.”  But the legislation does far more than Republicans advertised: Buried in the bill is a clause that says it is not just limited to “scholarship account programs that are established and maintained by this state for only children of military families.” Democrats said that means it would effectively bar any reforms to the ESA program. Last week rumors began to circulate of a deal being proposed by Republican leadership that would see them withdrawing HCR2048, among other pieces of legislation aimed at teachers in exchange for some concessions on ESA reform.  In return AEA would drop its ballot initiative. Multiple sources at the Capitol confirmed to the Arizona Mirror that lawmakers were meeting to discuss some sort of deal and that the AEA was monitoring the situation last week.  Now it appears that a deal is unlikely as signatures for the petitions are due Thursday, meaning a special session would need to be held before then. Gov. Katie Hobbs said she wouldn’t call for one.  “Legislative Republicans are throwing firefighters, police and teachers under the bus in order to protect waste, fraud and abuse in the ESA entitlement program,” Hobbs’ office said in a statement to the Arizona Mirror “They’ve chosen to pull back from a deal they already agreed to at the end of session in order to appease partisan politicians in Washington, DC.”  The ballot referral issued by Republicans at the last hour has come under attack by firefighter and police unions who have said that an amendment made by Hoffman to the bill impacts them as well. Critics warned that the ballot referral  could ban police and firefighter union bargaining if voters favor it.  Meanwhile, Republicans Monday continued to push for Hobbs to call a legislative session and for a deal that would include what they call a “one-for-one ballot measure exchange.”  “It’s shameful that they would put their own partisan political agenda ahead of protecting public safety and public education,” Hobbs’ office said in the statement. “Governor Hobbs will continue standing with our firefighters, police and teachers who show up for Arizonans every day, and she will not accept a sham deal.” Some long-time ESA advocates are continuing to push for what is now being called the “Biggs plan,” named after Republican Congressman and gubernatorial candidate Andy Biggs, despite signals from the ninth floor that the governor will not agree to that deal.  “Keep refreshing Gov. Hobbs’ X page to see if she announces a special session before midnight,” Jason Bedrick, a Heritage Foundation employee said to another user on X who asked where they could get updates on the possible deal.  Meanwhile Democratic members of the Arizona Legislature slammed Republicans for the attempt.  “Republicans created this mess by rushing harmful and misleading ballot referrals through the Legislature, including an attack on teachers, firefighters, law enforcement officers and other public employees who wish to join a union and negotiate the terms of their employment,” Senate Minority Leader Priya Sundareshan and House Democratic Leader Oscar De Los Santos said in a joint statement. “Today, they had the opportunity to come together and work with Democrats to pull back these rushed and ill-considered reforms and once again, they failed Arizona.” YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b693197238567836b9d9 Arizona Supreme Court upholds dark money law, allows free speech challenge to proceed te 2026-06-30T12:29:07.138Z Arizona Supreme Court upholds dark money law, allows free speech challenge to proceed Photo by iStock / Getty Images Plus The Arizona Supreme Court on Monday dismissed most of the challenges to a voter-approved anti-dark-money law, but allowed one of the challenges from deep-pocketed conservative opponents to move forward.  The remaining challenge questions whether disclosing the identities of political donors creates a chilling effect that violates the state constitution.  Since voters in 2022 overwhelmingly approved Proposition 211, the Voters Right to Know Act, proponents of the anonymous campaign spending that has transformed American elections over the past 15 years have challenged its constitutionality. The law’s conservative opponents have argued that forcing disclosure of the source of political spending limits the free speech of wealthy people who want to influence voters, but don’t want those voters to know who is trying to persuade them.  On Monday, months after hearing oral arguments, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled to dismiss a number of the challenges brought against the law, upholding the voter approved initiative. The court agreed to let live a challenge arguing that disclosing the identity of donors chilled free speech under Arizona’s constitution.  GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE The state constitution’s “Speak Freely Clause,” which provides protections to Arizonans’ freedom of speech and the press, was the main focus of the 4-3 opinion released Monday.  The legal challenges that the court considered were brought by the anti-abortion advocacy group Center for Arizona Policy and the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, a dark money nonprofit. They were joined by two anonymous donors who said they feared harassment and violence if their political spending was disclosed.  They argued that mandating disclosure of the source of political spending violates the Arizona Constitution’s protections of free speech, association, privacy and separation of powers. Lower courts have rejected arguments that Prop. 211 chills free speech and said the law complies with the state constitution, including a unanimous decision at the Arizona Court of Appeals.   Republican legislative leaders made similar arguments in their failed attempt to overturn the ballot measure, which was broadly supported by Arizonans across all political ideologies and ultimately won the backing of more than 70% of voters.  Under federal tax law, neither the Arizona Free Enterprise Club nor the Center for Arizona Policy’s political arm have to disclose donors. But under Prop. 211, they will be forced to do so for their election-related activities.  The two groups campaigned against the passage of Prop. 211, claiming that it enshrined “cancel culture” into law. And the Center for Arizona Policy, which has a history of pushing anti-LGBTQ laws, said it feared the harassment it already received would be directed to its donors if they are revealed.  The majority opinion, written by Chief Justice Ann Timmer, noted that Arizona’s constitution strongly favors protecting freedom of speech but also supports political campaign disclosures.  “[T]he framers included a provision prohibiting corporations from making contributions ‘for the purpose of influencing any election or official action,’” Timmer wrote. “The Speak Freely Clause therefore does not prevent the prohibition of corporate campaign contributions…This is so despite the fact that the First Amendment prohibits such a restriction.” While the U.S. Supreme Court deemed corporate campaign contributions protected speech under the infamous Citizens United ruling, Timmer and the majority concluded that Arizona’s constitution and its framers did not anticipate this and thus are not impacted by it. The majority also wrote that landmark cases argued under Arizona’s Speak Freely Clause have focused more on “prohibiting punishment for expression” and did not address the chilling of speech.  In one of those cases, the court determined that a City of Phoenix nondiscrimination ordinance could not force a Christian-owned company to create invitations for a same-sex couple. The majority argued that the government has certain “police-power” rights over certain types of speech that were recognized by the authors of the Arizona Constitution, citing ordinances dating to 1910, prior to statehood. Those ordinances required residents to report contagious diseases, physicians to report births and deaths and poisons to be labeled.  “These enactments, existing before and at statehood, evidence Arizonans’ understanding that the exercise of the State’s police powers for health, safety, and welfare—as illustrated—did not conflict with Arizonans’ right to speak “‘freely,’” Timmer wrote.  However, Timmer and the majority noted the clash between the Speak Freely Clause and Arizona’s history of election spending transparency. Timmer wrote for the majority that donating to an organization for the “express purpose of funding campaign media” or knowing that it will be used for messaging is “expressive conduct protected by the Speak Freely Clause.”  Spending that reflects the organization’s messaging is also seen as “expressive conduct” so both the Center for Arizona Police and the Free Enterprise Club have “adequately alleged that expression protected by the Speak Freely Clause is at issue.”  But the state has a long history of favoring campaign disclosure, Timmer noted.  “​​Using disclosure requirements to advance integrity and transparency in election spending is deeply rooted in Arizona’s history,” Timmer wrote. “On the eve of statehood, territorial law already required candidates and political committees to file detailed public reports disclosing the sources and expenditures of campaign funds, both direct and indirect through intermediaries.” She wrote that with both those things taken together that “free-speech protections do not shield campaign-related contributions, even those made through intermediaries, or contributor identities from reasonable publicity requirements.”  Not all of the court agreed.  “We concur with the majority’s conclusion that Plaintiffs’ as-applied challenge under the Speak Freely Clause should not have been dismissed,” Justice Kathryn King wrote in the dissent. “But we depart from the majority in all other respects.”  King, along with Vice Chief Justice John Lopez IV and Justice Clint Bolick, argued that the majority’s interpretation “creates a new limitation on free speech rights, permitting censorship and restraint on speech in ‘the state’s proper exercise of its regulatory authority.” “Most fundamentally, this police power justification departs from clear constitutional text that limits the scope and exercise of legislative authority infringing on the right to speak freely to ‘abuse of that right,’” King wrote. “ But this police power justification is also nebulous and sweeping, invites government suppression of speech, and is unprecedented.”  Timmer and the majority argue that isn’t the case and that electoral disclosures, restrictions on advertisements and other similar laws are all “police-power regulation affecting expression” that have never been deemed unconstitutional and do not impact one’s ability to “speak freely.”  The dissenting justices also took umbrage with the possibility of an “indirect donor” having their private information exposed due to a second or third organization triggering the Voters Right to Know Act. The justices provided two scenarios they said were plausible under the law.  In one of them a woman  “donates $5,100 to her church over the course of a year without designating her funds to be used in any way” and then her church donates those funds to a “social justice organization.” That organization then donates the money to an immigrant relief organization that then purchases campaign advertisements against a ballot measure seeking to prohibit local law enforcement agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  “Under the Act, the woman will be publicly identified as supporting ‘anti-ICE’ campaign media spending, even if she strongly supports ICE,” King wrote.  The group gave another example involving a man who donates a total of $5,005 to a non-profit that, with his donation eventually going to an organization that funds a gun rights group, even though the person “vehemently supports gun control and increased government restrictions on the purchase and use of guns.”  “And not only are their names reported as supporting ballot measures and messages they fundamentally oppose, but their addresses, occupations, and employers are publicly reported too,” King wrote. “The notion that a citizen—who anonymously donates a total of $5,001 over two years to an organization that later uses the donation to speak through media on a matter of public interest—is a ‘major donor’ who represents a threat to our citizenry is contrary to the text and history of the Arizona Constitution.”  Both groups of justices seem to agree that the opt-out option for donors who want to make sure their money is not used for campaign media is not entirely clear.  “To be sure, the Act does not answer every question about how its notice and tracing provisions operate in all circumstances,” Timmer wrote.  “For example, it does not expressly specify who must provide upstream donors notice of the opt-out opportunity or require a covered person to investigate whether an immediate donor’s contribution includes original monies from upstream donors. We need not resolve those implementation questions here.” Both also seemed to agree that both the Center for Arizona Police and the Free Enterprise Club have faced possible threats to their speech. While both groups have “sufficiently alleged a concrete, non-speculative burden on protected expression” it does not impact their ability to “publicly communicate messages” as the act only impacts donations used for campaign media.  “They do allege, however, that the prospect of public identification under the Act will cause major donors to fear harassment and retaliation, deterring them from contributing sufficient money and resources needed for CAP and FEC to engage in campaign media related to their issue advocacy,” Timmer wrote. “As a result, CAP and FEC allege that the Act ‘chills’ their speech by forcing them to curtail their campaign media messaging.”  The Center for Arizona Policy provided an example of receiving death threats as did the Free Enterprise Club, both citing their advocacy on controversial issues as a basis for the harassment.  The Goldwater Institute, which has been representing the two organizations, applauded Monday’s opinion.  “This is 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,” Scott Freeman, senior attorney at the Goldwater Institute said in a statement. “The Arizona Supreme Court recognized that our state constitution independently protects free speech and that citizens are entitled to prove that compelled donor disclosure violates those protections.” The case will now head back to Maricopa County Superior Court where the Center for Arizona Police and Free Enterprise Club will be allowed to argue that the act is unconstitutional because it chills their clients’ speech. YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b68b197238567836b9d0 Arizona Supreme Court upholds dark money law, allows free speech challenge to proceed te 2026-06-30T12:28:59.316Z Arizona Supreme Court upholds dark money law, allows free speech challenge to proceed Photo by iStock / Getty Images Plus The Arizona Supreme Court on Monday dismissed most of the challenges to a voter-approved anti-dark-money law, but allowed one of the challenges from deep-pocketed conservative opponents to move forward.  The remaining challenge questions whether disclosing the identities of political donors creates a chilling effect that violates the state constitution.  Since voters in 2022 overwhelmingly approved Proposition 211, the Voters Right to Know Act, proponents of the anonymous campaign spending that has transformed American elections over the past 15 years have challenged its constitutionality. The law’s conservative opponents have argued that forcing disclosure of the source of political spending limits the free speech of wealthy people who want to influence voters, but don’t want those voters to know who is trying to persuade them.  On Monday, months after hearing oral arguments, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled to dismiss a number of the challenges brought against the law, upholding the voter approved initiative. The court agreed to let live a challenge arguing that disclosing the identity of donors chilled free speech under Arizona’s constitution.  GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE The state constitution’s “Speak Freely Clause,” which provides protections to Arizonans’ freedom of speech and the press, was the main focus of the 4-3 opinion released Monday.  The legal challenges that the court considered were brought by the anti-abortion advocacy group Center for Arizona Policy and the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, a dark money nonprofit. They were joined by two anonymous donors who said they feared harassment and violence if their political spending was disclosed.  They argued that mandating disclosure of the source of political spending violates the Arizona Constitution’s protections of free speech, association, privacy and separation of powers. Lower courts have rejected arguments that Prop. 211 chills free speech and said the law complies with the state constitution, including a unanimous decision at the Arizona Court of Appeals.   Republican legislative leaders made similar arguments in their failed attempt to overturn the ballot measure, which was broadly supported by Arizonans across all political ideologies and ultimately won the backing of more than 70% of voters.  Under federal tax law, neither the Arizona Free Enterprise Club nor the Center for Arizona Policy’s political arm have to disclose donors. But under Prop. 211, they will be forced to do so for their election-related activities.  The two groups campaigned against the passage of Prop. 211, claiming that it enshrined “cancel culture” into law. And the Center for Arizona Policy, which has a history of pushing anti-LGBTQ laws, said it feared the harassment it already received would be directed to its donors if they are revealed.  The majority opinion, written by Chief Justice Ann Timmer, noted that Arizona’s constitution strongly favors protecting freedom of speech but also supports political campaign disclosures.  “[T]he framers included a provision prohibiting corporations from making contributions ‘for the purpose of influencing any election or official action,’” Timmer wrote. “The Speak Freely Clause therefore does not prevent the prohibition of corporate campaign contributions…This is so despite the fact that the First Amendment prohibits such a restriction.” While the U.S. Supreme Court deemed corporate campaign contributions protected speech under the infamous Citizens United ruling, Timmer and the majority concluded that Arizona’s constitution and its framers did not anticipate this and thus are not impacted by it. The majority also wrote that landmark cases argued under Arizona’s Speak Freely Clause have focused more on “prohibiting punishment for expression” and did not address the chilling of speech.  In one of those cases, the court determined that a City of Phoenix nondiscrimination ordinance could not force a Christian-owned company to create invitations for a same-sex couple. The majority argued that the government has certain “police-power” rights over certain types of speech that were recognized by the authors of the Arizona Constitution, citing ordinances dating to 1910, prior to statehood. Those ordinances required residents to report contagious diseases, physicians to report births and deaths and poisons to be labeled.  “These enactments, existing before and at statehood, evidence Arizonans’ understanding that the exercise of the State’s police powers for health, safety, and welfare—as illustrated—did not conflict with Arizonans’ right to speak “‘freely,’” Timmer wrote.  However, Timmer and the majority noted the clash between the Speak Freely Clause and Arizona’s history of election spending transparency. Timmer wrote for the majority that donating to an organization for the “express purpose of funding campaign media” or knowing that it will be used for messaging is “expressive conduct protected by the Speak Freely Clause.”  Spending that reflects the organization’s messaging is also seen as “expressive conduct” so both the Center for Arizona Police and the Free Enterprise Club have “adequately alleged that expression protected by the Speak Freely Clause is at issue.”  But the state has a long history of favoring campaign disclosure, Timmer noted.  “​​Using disclosure requirements to advance integrity and transparency in election spending is deeply rooted in Arizona’s history,” Timmer wrote. “On the eve of statehood, territorial law already required candidates and political committees to file detailed public reports disclosing the sources and expenditures of campaign funds, both direct and indirect through intermediaries.” She wrote that with both those things taken together that “free-speech protections do not shield campaign-related contributions, even those made through intermediaries, or contributor identities from reasonable publicity requirements.”  Not all of the court agreed.  “We concur with the majority’s conclusion that Plaintiffs’ as-applied challenge under the Speak Freely Clause should not have been dismissed,” Justice Kathryn King wrote in the dissent. “But we depart from the majority in all other respects.”  King, along with Vice Chief Justice John Lopez IV and Justice Clint Bolick, argued that the majority’s interpretation “creates a new limitation on free speech rights, permitting censorship and restraint on speech in ‘the state’s proper exercise of its regulatory authority.” “Most fundamentally, this police power justification departs from clear constitutional text that limits the scope and exercise of legislative authority infringing on the right to speak freely to ‘abuse of that right,’” King wrote. “ But this police power justification is also nebulous and sweeping, invites government suppression of speech, and is unprecedented.”  Timmer and the majority argue that isn’t the case and that electoral disclosures, restrictions on advertisements and other similar laws are all “police-power regulation affecting expression” that have never been deemed unconstitutional and do not impact one’s ability to “speak freely.”  The dissenting justices also took umbrage with the possibility of an “indirect donor” having their private information exposed due to a second or third organization triggering the Voters Right to Know Act. The justices provided two scenarios they said were plausible under the law.  In one of them a woman  “donates $5,100 to her church over the course of a year without designating her funds to be used in any way” and then her church donates those funds to a “social justice organization.” That organization then donates the money to an immigrant relief organization that then purchases campaign advertisements against a ballot measure seeking to prohibit local law enforcement agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  “Under the Act, the woman will be publicly identified as supporting ‘anti-ICE’ campaign media spending, even if she strongly supports ICE,” King wrote.  The group gave another example involving a man who donates a total of $5,005 to a non-profit that, with his donation eventually going to an organization that funds a gun rights group, even though the person “vehemently supports gun control and increased government restrictions on the purchase and use of guns.”  “And not only are their names reported as supporting ballot measures and messages they fundamentally oppose, but their addresses, occupations, and employers are publicly reported too,” King wrote. “The notion that a citizen—who anonymously donates a total of $5,001 over two years to an organization that later uses the donation to speak through media on a matter of public interest—is a ‘major donor’ who represents a threat to our citizenry is contrary to the text and history of the Arizona Constitution.”  Both groups of justices seem to agree that the opt-out option for donors who want to make sure their money is not used for campaign media is not entirely clear.  “To be sure, the Act does not answer every question about how its notice and tracing provisions operate in all circumstances,” Timmer wrote.  “For example, it does not expressly specify who must provide upstream donors notice of the opt-out opportunity or require a covered person to investigate whether an immediate donor’s contribution includes original monies from upstream donors. We need not resolve those implementation questions here.” Both also seemed to agree that both the Center for Arizona Police and the Free Enterprise Club have faced possible threats to their speech. While both groups have “sufficiently alleged a concrete, non-speculative burden on protected expression” it does not impact their ability to “publicly communicate messages” as the act only impacts donations used for campaign media.  “They do allege, however, that the prospect of public identification under the Act will cause major donors to fear harassment and retaliation, deterring them from contributing sufficient money and resources needed for CAP and FEC to engage in campaign media related to their issue advocacy,” Timmer wrote. “As a result, CAP and FEC allege that the Act ‘chills’ their speech by forcing them to curtail their campaign media messaging.”  The Center for Arizona Policy provided an example of receiving death threats as did the Free Enterprise Club, both citing their advocacy on controversial issues as a basis for the harassment.  The Goldwater Institute, which has been representing the two organizations, applauded Monday’s opinion.  “This is 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,” Scott Freeman, senior attorney at the Goldwater Institute said in a statement. “The Arizona Supreme Court recognized that our state constitution independently protects free speech and that citizens are entitled to prove that compelled donor disclosure violates those protections.” The case will now head back to Maricopa County Superior Court where the Center for Arizona Police and Free Enterprise Club will be allowed to argue that the act is unconstitutional because it chills their clients’ speech. YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b67f197238567836b9c7 How American engineers unlocked the impossible beneath the Gulf of America te 2026-06-30T12:28:47.171Z How American engineers unlocked the impossible beneath the Gulf of America July 4th is more than marking America’s independence with patriotic flags, parades and fireworks. It's about celebrating American ingenuity, our firm belief that our country can engineer solutions to achieve the impossible, from launching the modern age of aviation to landing a man on the moon. Some of the most compelling evidence of American exceptionalism today is happening thousands of feet beneath the surface of the Gulf of America, where our offshore industry has spent more than a decade solving one of the hardest engineering problems in the history of energy. More than 100 miles offshore from the Gulf Coast sits a geological layer of sandstone and shale rock deep beneath the seabed called the Paleogene that holds tens of billions of barrels of oil. For years, most of it was considered unattainable. The reservoir pressures – up to 20,000 pounds per square inch, equivalent to an elephant standing on a quarter – exceeded anything existing technology could handle. No equipment had ever been built to work under those conditions. TRUMP’S ENERGY INITIATIVES MAY FINALLY EXTRACT AMERICA FROM MIDEAST CHAOS The solution was engineered here, in American waters, by the people who know them best. Transocean developed the first drillships in the world built to work in these high-pressure conditions. Their Deepwater Titan and Deepwater Atlas are currently operating in the Gulf of America. Trendsetter Engineering designed subsea systems and manifolds capable of operating reliably at pressures once considered beyond reach. Other offshore companies have developed similar equipment that has unlocked the Paleogene. The results speak for themselves. Chevron's Anchor project came online in 2024, representing roughly $5.7 billion in development spending. Beacon Offshore's Shenandoah is also producing oil and natural gas. BP's development plan for its $5 billion Kaskida project has secured federal approval and is moving toward first production. Together, these projects mark the opening of a new chapter of American offshore capability. TRUMP’S ENERGY INITIATIVES MAY FINALLY EXTRACT AMERICA FROM MIDEAST CHAOS The people who did this work aren't household names. They're engineers and subsea specialists and vessel crews spread across the Gulf Coast, part of a remarkable expertise that shows up when an impossible problem needs solving. And our people have proven this equipment is safe and reliable. Safety and containment systems were purpose-built, independently verified, and rigorously tested under federal oversight before a single well was drilled. Offshore consortiums HWCG and Marine Well Containment Co. (MWCC) both maintain 20,000 psi containment systems that can be deployed rapidly in the event of an incident. CONGRESS MUST NOT DERAIL THE FREIGHT RAIL LIFELINE FOR AMERICA’S FARMERS Federal regulations require operators to demonstrate access to containment resources, submit detailed response plans, and conduct robust recurring training exercises before drilling begins. The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement requires third-party certification on every major high-pressure component: blowout preventers, subsea trees, wellheads and completion equipment. Nothing goes offshore without it. This achievement that’s producing more American energy is worth celebrating today, especially during a time when we take stock of what this country is built on. The Paleogene wasn't unlocked by a single mandate or a government program. It was unlocked by an ecosystem of companies, engineers, regulators, suppliers and workers who collectively decided a problem was worth solving and spent years doing it. That's a distinctly American model, and it works. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION The Gulf of America supplies roughly 15% of U.S. oil production. Offshore projects support shipyards, manufacturers, ports, marine operators and skilled trades across the country. There are jobs and investments in all 50 states. The Paleogene represents the next chapter of that output, backed by existing infrastructure, an experienced workforce, and decades of hard-won operating knowledge. The economic and national security benefits don't happen without the long-term investment decisions and the long-term confidence that make them possible. At 250, America is still a country that does seemingly impossible things. The Paleogene in the Gulf of America is proof. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM ERIK MILITO Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b677197238567836b9be How American engineers unlocked the impossible beneath the Gulf of America te 2026-06-30T12:28:39.346Z How American engineers unlocked the impossible beneath the Gulf of America July 4th is more than marking America’s independence with patriotic flags, parades and fireworks. It's about celebrating American ingenuity, our firm belief that our country can engineer solutions to achieve the impossible, from launching the modern age of aviation to landing a man on the moon. Some of the most compelling evidence of American exceptionalism today is happening thousands of feet beneath the surface of the Gulf of America, where our offshore industry has spent more than a decade solving one of the hardest engineering problems in the history of energy. More than 100 miles offshore from the Gulf Coast sits a geological layer of sandstone and shale rock deep beneath the seabed called the Paleogene that holds tens of billions of barrels of oil. For years, most of it was considered unattainable. The reservoir pressures – up to 20,000 pounds per square inch, equivalent to an elephant standing on a quarter – exceeded anything existing technology could handle. No equipment had ever been built to work under those conditions. TRUMP’S ENERGY INITIATIVES MAY FINALLY EXTRACT AMERICA FROM MIDEAST CHAOS The solution was engineered here, in American waters, by the people who know them best. Transocean developed the first drillships in the world built to work in these high-pressure conditions. Their Deepwater Titan and Deepwater Atlas are currently operating in the Gulf of America. Trendsetter Engineering designed subsea systems and manifolds capable of operating reliably at pressures once considered beyond reach. Other offshore companies have developed similar equipment that has unlocked the Paleogene. The results speak for themselves. Chevron's Anchor project came online in 2024, representing roughly $5.7 billion in development spending. Beacon Offshore's Shenandoah is also producing oil and natural gas. BP's development plan for its $5 billion Kaskida project has secured federal approval and is moving toward first production. Together, these projects mark the opening of a new chapter of American offshore capability. TRUMP’S ENERGY INITIATIVES MAY FINALLY EXTRACT AMERICA FROM MIDEAST CHAOS The people who did this work aren't household names. They're engineers and subsea specialists and vessel crews spread across the Gulf Coast, part of a remarkable expertise that shows up when an impossible problem needs solving. And our people have proven this equipment is safe and reliable. Safety and containment systems were purpose-built, independently verified, and rigorously tested under federal oversight before a single well was drilled. Offshore consortiums HWCG and Marine Well Containment Co. (MWCC) both maintain 20,000 psi containment systems that can be deployed rapidly in the event of an incident. CONGRESS MUST NOT DERAIL THE FREIGHT RAIL LIFELINE FOR AMERICA’S FARMERS Federal regulations require operators to demonstrate access to containment resources, submit detailed response plans, and conduct robust recurring training exercises before drilling begins. The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement requires third-party certification on every major high-pressure component: blowout preventers, subsea trees, wellheads and completion equipment. Nothing goes offshore without it. This achievement that’s producing more American energy is worth celebrating today, especially during a time when we take stock of what this country is built on. The Paleogene wasn't unlocked by a single mandate or a government program. It was unlocked by an ecosystem of companies, engineers, regulators, suppliers and workers who collectively decided a problem was worth solving and spent years doing it. That's a distinctly American model, and it works. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION The Gulf of America supplies roughly 15% of U.S. oil production. Offshore projects support shipyards, manufacturers, ports, marine operators and skilled trades across the country. There are jobs and investments in all 50 states. The Paleogene represents the next chapter of that output, backed by existing infrastructure, an experienced workforce, and decades of hard-won operating knowledge. The economic and national security benefits don't happen without the long-term investment decisions and the long-term confidence that make them possible. At 250, America is still a country that does seemingly impossible things. The Paleogene in the Gulf of America is proof. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM ERIK MILITO Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b66b197238567836b9b5 Fetterman unleashes on 'dirtbag' wing of Dems after far-left victories: 'Orgy of socialism' te 2026-06-30T12:28:27.714Z Fetterman unleashes on 'dirtbag' wing of Dems after far-left victories: 'Orgy of socialism' Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., unloaded on his own party on Sunday evening, blasting a series of victories for progressives he called "anti-America." "Big night for the dirtbag left," Fetterman said, referring to New York’s recent primaries, when two members of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) won primaries. "I’ve said the party is becoming an orgy of socialism. Clearly anti-America, anti-Western Civilization," Fetterman said. Fetterman’s striking calls give a rare look at how some moderates may view the developments on their far-left flank that have dominated the party’s momentum in recent months, sparking concern that their high visibility is dragging the party further and further left. FETTERMAN WARNS DEMOCRATS 'DRIFTING FIRMLY INTO COMMUNISM' AFTER SOCIALIST PRIMARY WINS His comments come on the heels of a handful of key progressive victories. In Maine, Graham Platner, a controversial Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, has attracted controversy for denying knowledge of the meaning behind a Nazi-linked tattoo, for off-color comments about race and calling himself a "communist" in a deleted Reddit post. In New York, one DSA member, Claire Valdez, won a primary on a platform of abolishing ICE and a Green New Deal-style approach to climate change. Similarly, Darializa Avila-Chevalier, another DSA candidate, beat out incumbent Rep. Adriano Espillat, D-N.Y., a high-ranking Democrat and the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. WINNERS AND LOSERS EMERGE AFTER SOCIALIST EARTHQUAKE ROCKS NYC PRIMARIES Both Chevalier and Valdez had the backing of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who is a self-proclaimed socialist. The wins have captured national attention and drawn criticism from Republicans who have pointed to their success as emblematic of the direction of the Democratic Party. Fetterman, who has not shied away from confrontations, has been one of the few Democrats to express alarm about the kind of candidates carrying the party’s banner. "I mean, you look at some of the things that people have said. Abolish prison, abolish the border, abolish ICE, I mean these crazy people — I have colleagues in my caucus that refuse to even call this out," Fetterman said. FETTERMAN REACTS TO MAMDANI’S REFUSAL TO ACCEPT SUPREME COURT’S IMMIGRATION RULING "Between P-hustle in Maine and some of the other winners in New York, they should form their own party and run on all the things that they’ve had to delete on social media," Fetterman said, referring to Platner. "That’s where our party has moved," he added. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b663197238567836b9ac Fetterman unleashes on 'dirtbag' wing of Dems after far-left victories: 'Orgy of socialism' te 2026-06-30T12:28:19.890Z Fetterman unleashes on 'dirtbag' wing of Dems after far-left victories: 'Orgy of socialism' Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., unloaded on his own party on Sunday evening, blasting a series of victories for progressives he called "anti-America." "Big night for the dirtbag left," Fetterman said, referring to New York’s recent primaries, when two members of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) won primaries. "I’ve said the party is becoming an orgy of socialism. Clearly anti-America, anti-Western Civilization," Fetterman said. Fetterman’s striking calls give a rare look at how some moderates may view the developments on their far-left flank that have dominated the party’s momentum in recent months, sparking concern that their high visibility is dragging the party further and further left. FETTERMAN WARNS DEMOCRATS 'DRIFTING FIRMLY INTO COMMUNISM' AFTER SOCIALIST PRIMARY WINS His comments come on the heels of a handful of key progressive victories. In Maine, Graham Platner, a controversial Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, has attracted controversy for denying knowledge of the meaning behind a Nazi-linked tattoo, for off-color comments about race and calling himself a "communist" in a deleted Reddit post. In New York, one DSA member, Claire Valdez, won a primary on a platform of abolishing ICE and a Green New Deal-style approach to climate change. Similarly, Darializa Avila-Chevalier, another DSA candidate, beat out incumbent Rep. Adriano Espillat, D-N.Y., a high-ranking Democrat and the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. WINNERS AND LOSERS EMERGE AFTER SOCIALIST EARTHQUAKE ROCKS NYC PRIMARIES Both Chevalier and Valdez had the backing of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who is a self-proclaimed socialist. The wins have captured national attention and drawn criticism from Republicans who have pointed to their success as emblematic of the direction of the Democratic Party. Fetterman, who has not shied away from confrontations, has been one of the few Democrats to express alarm about the kind of candidates carrying the party’s banner. "I mean, you look at some of the things that people have said. Abolish prison, abolish the border, abolish ICE, I mean these crazy people — I have colleagues in my caucus that refuse to even call this out," Fetterman said. FETTERMAN REACTS TO MAMDANI’S REFUSAL TO ACCEPT SUPREME COURT’S IMMIGRATION RULING "Between P-hustle in Maine and some of the other winners in New York, they should form their own party and run on all the things that they’ve had to delete on social media," Fetterman said, referring to Platner. "That’s where our party has moved," he added. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b658197238567836b9a3 Socialists take fight west, target Colorado in latest bid to oust Democratic Party establishment te 2026-06-30T12:28:08.256Z Socialists take fight west, target Colorado in latest bid to oust Democratic Party establishment The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is setting its sights on Colorado. A handful of Tuesday's primaries in the Democrat-dominated Rocky Mountain state are the next battleground in the fight between the far left and the center-left establishment over the future of the Democratic Party. "Today, the East Coast, next week the Mountain West," the DSA wrote in a social media post last week, hours after their ballot-box victories in a handful of congressional primaries in New York City. The post came after DSA-aligned Darializa Avila Chevalier, a 32-year-old far-left community organizer, ousted incumbent Democratic Rep. Adriano Espaillat, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and state Assembly Member Claire Valdez, another democratic socialist, won a congressional primary by defeating an establishment-backed candidate. VICTORIES BY MAMDANI-BACKED CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES SPOTLIGHTS GROWING RIFT IN DEMOCRATIC PARTY The victories by Chevalier and Valdez, who were heavily supported by democratic socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, further emboldened the far left as it takes on the center-left establishment in a high-stakes battle for the future of the Democratic Party. The DSA is now looking to replicate its playbook across the country, starting Tuesday in the Democratic primary in Colorado's 1st Congressional District, a solidly blue seat anchored in Denver that then-Vice President Kamala Harris carried by a whopping 56 points in the 2024 election. Democratic Rep. Diana DeGette, who was first elected to Congress three decades ago, is facing two primary challengers, including DSA-backed Melat Kiros, a first-time candidate and former attorney born four months after DeGette first took office. Kiros, who lost her job as a lawyer in New York after writing an essay critical of Israel, is also supported by Justice Democrats, the nearly decade-old political group known for heavily supporting "Squad" members Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib as they toppled entrenched incumbents in their initial elections to Congress. DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB "ELECT ANOTHER SOCIALIST TO CONGRESS ON JUNE 30TH," a DSA social media post states as it urges supporters to lend a hand to the Kiros campaign. The Democratic Party divide will also play out in the primary in the neighboring 8th Congressional District, which stretches along the I-25 corridor north of Denver. State Rep. Manny Rutinel is running to the left of former state Rep. Shannon Bird, with the winner taking 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. Immigration has been a top issue in the Democratic primary in a district where roughly 40% of the population is Latino. Rutinel has criticized Bird for a vote she cast last year opposing a measure limiting cooperation between local and state law enforcement and ICE. MAMDANI-BACKED SOCIALISTS LOOK TO TAKE NEW YORK PLAYBOOK NATIONWIDE AFTER PRIMARY VICTORIES Another primary showdown highlighting the split between progressives and moderates, as well as the party's generational divide, is the Senate nomination battle between incumbent Sen. John Hickenlooper, 74, and former state Sen. Julie Gonzales, a 43-year-old progressive. Hickenlooper, a former Denver mayor and two-term governor, has seen his once-large advantage over Gonzales, a one-time DSA member, narrow. The winner will face Republican state Sen. Mark Baisley, who is unopposed in his primary. Shannon Jackson, a longtime progressive political strategist and grassroots organizer best known for his leadership roles in Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns, pointed to last week's results and told Fox News Digital that "people are frustrated." "The key message of the victors: Medicare-for-All, the importance of affordability and a living wage. Progressives have long fought for these values and I expect the primary victories to continue," he emphasized. Meanwhile, the state's expensive and combustible Democratic gubernatorial primary pits Sen. Michael Bennet against state Attorney General Phil Weiser. Bennet or Weiser will be considered the clear favorite in the race to succeed two-term Democratic Gov. Jared Polis, the first openly gay man elected governor in the nation's history. Weiser, who is running to Bennet's left on certain issues, closed the gap with the senator as he spotlighted his efforts to take on President Donald Trump, including suing Trump 66 times as attorney general. The winner will face either state Rep. Scott Bottoms, state Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer or pastor and Marine Corps veteran Victor Marx as the Republican nominee. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b650197238567836b99a Socialists take fight west, target Colorado in latest bid to oust Democratic Party establishment te 2026-06-30T12:28:00.448Z Socialists take fight west, target Colorado in latest bid to oust Democratic Party establishment The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is setting its sights on Colorado. A handful of Tuesday's primaries in the Democrat-dominated Rocky Mountain state are the next battleground in the fight between the far left and the center-left establishment over the future of the Democratic Party. "Today, the East Coast, next week the Mountain West," the DSA wrote in a social media post last week, hours after their ballot-box victories in a handful of congressional primaries in New York City. The post came after DSA-aligned Darializa Avila Chevalier, a 32-year-old far-left community organizer, ousted incumbent Democratic Rep. Adriano Espaillat, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and state Assembly Member Claire Valdez, another democratic socialist, won a congressional primary by defeating an establishment-backed candidate. VICTORIES BY MAMDANI-BACKED CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES SPOTLIGHTS GROWING RIFT IN DEMOCRATIC PARTY The victories by Chevalier and Valdez, who were heavily supported by democratic socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, further emboldened the far left as it takes on the center-left establishment in a high-stakes battle for the future of the Democratic Party. The DSA is now looking to replicate its playbook across the country, starting Tuesday in the Democratic primary in Colorado's 1st Congressional District, a solidly blue seat anchored in Denver that then-Vice President Kamala Harris carried by a whopping 56 points in the 2024 election. Democratic Rep. Diana DeGette, who was first elected to Congress three decades ago, is facing two primary challengers, including DSA-backed Melat Kiros, a first-time candidate and former attorney born four months after DeGette first took office. Kiros, who lost her job as a lawyer in New York after writing an essay critical of Israel, is also supported by Justice Democrats, the nearly decade-old political group known for heavily supporting "Squad" members Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib as they toppled entrenched incumbents in their initial elections to Congress. DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB "ELECT ANOTHER SOCIALIST TO CONGRESS ON JUNE 30TH," a DSA social media post states as it urges supporters to lend a hand to the Kiros campaign. The Democratic Party divide will also play out in the primary in the neighboring 8th Congressional District, which stretches along the I-25 corridor north of Denver. State Rep. Manny Rutinel is running to the left of former state Rep. Shannon Bird, with the winner taking 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. Immigration has been a top issue in the Democratic primary in a district where roughly 40% of the population is Latino. Rutinel has criticized Bird for a vote she cast last year opposing a measure limiting cooperation between local and state law enforcement and ICE. MAMDANI-BACKED SOCIALISTS LOOK TO TAKE NEW YORK PLAYBOOK NATIONWIDE AFTER PRIMARY VICTORIES Another primary showdown highlighting the split between progressives and moderates, as well as the party's generational divide, is the Senate nomination battle between incumbent Sen. John Hickenlooper, 74, and former state Sen. Julie Gonzales, a 43-year-old progressive. Hickenlooper, a former Denver mayor and two-term governor, has seen his once-large advantage over Gonzales, a one-time DSA member, narrow. The winner will face Republican state Sen. Mark Baisley, who is unopposed in his primary. Shannon Jackson, a longtime progressive political strategist and grassroots organizer best known for his leadership roles in Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns, pointed to last week's results and told Fox News Digital that "people are frustrated." "The key message of the victors: Medicare-for-All, the importance of affordability and a living wage. Progressives have long fought for these values and I expect the primary victories to continue," he emphasized. Meanwhile, the state's expensive and combustible Democratic gubernatorial primary pits Sen. Michael Bennet against state Attorney General Phil Weiser. Bennet or Weiser will be considered the clear favorite in the race to succeed two-term Democratic Gov. Jared Polis, the first openly gay man elected governor in the nation's history. Weiser, who is running to Bennet's left on certain issues, closed the gap with the senator as he spotlighted his efforts to take on President Donald Trump, including suing Trump 66 times as attorney general. The winner will face either state Rep. Scott Bottoms, state Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer or pastor and Marine Corps veteran Victor Marx as the Republican nominee. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b644197238567836b991 MORNING GLORY: Senator Susan Collins and the nation’s national defense te 2026-06-30T12:27:48.803Z MORNING GLORY: Senator Susan Collins and the nation’s national defense Extraordinarily gifted legislators in the United States Senate are rare. As preconditions to their effectiveness, they must accumulate both significant seniority in the body of 100, and the respect of their ever-changing 99 colleagues. It’s a small club — the United States Senate — and everyone knows who has got the ability and the respect to guide big lifts through the (intentionally) complicated process. Maine Senator Susan Collins is one of the handful of senators who command the respect of her Republican Conference colleagues and most of the Democratic senators who actually care about making the country run well. That is why Collins is the chair of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee and is also one of the 17 senators on the critical Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. (Collins is also a member of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.) As chair of the Appropriations Committee, Collins has a unique power to guide the country’s spending. In partnership with the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), Collins’ greatest responsibility as a legislator is to ensure the American military is fully funded to the level necessary to "provide for the common defense," as the Preamble of the Constitution succinctly puts it. TRUMP PLAN FOR FOREIGN SHIPBUILDERS COULD CREATE 540,000 JOBS AND EXPAND US FLEET Collins long ago earned a reputation as a Senate "workhorse," and her 10,000th consecutive Senate roll call vote — extending the unbroken voting streak she began in 1997 — made her the first senator in U.S. history to have cast this many votes without ever missing one. Even as Joe DiMaggio’s 1941 run of hits in 56 consecutive games is regarded as untouchable, so is Collins’ remarkable milestone (which towers higher with every roll call vote she makes.) All of that experience and all of that earned respect will be needed in the weeks and months immediately ahead as Collins, along with Wicker and the Senate GOP leadership, tackle perhaps the most difficult challenge of her already distinguished and widely admired career: Allocating the funds needed to modernize the Pentagon in an era of rapidly changing technology when it comes to war and intelligence gathering, both the visible markers of American power like ships, submarines and the new B-21 bombers which provide the nation with deterrence and the secret and extraordinarily sensitive virtual stockpiles of cyber strength. Collins must do this even as hyper-partisanship engulfs the country’s politics. Collins faces the urgent need to thread this extremely partisan era which is defined by negative polarization and rhetorical extremism of both the far left and far right. The nation requires a steady and effective set of military appropriation bills that will keep the nation’s defenses funded for the immediate demands of the conflict with Iran, even as the United States must continue to define and meet the challenge posed by the aggressive plans of China’s iron-fisted Leninist dictator Xi Jinping. That Collins is leading in this moment of peril is very fortunate for the country. That she has to do so in what is for her an election year against a self-described "communist" and wildly extremist radical from the fringe of the Democrat’s far left edge is a new challenge. Graham Platner was nominated by the Democrats because he is a human wrecking ball. By nominating the very opposite of Collins when it comes to achievement and temperament, the radical wing of the Democrats hope to cripple the Senate by denying it one of its most effective members. They are asking Mainers to destroy their own state’s vast advantage in the Congress in the service of their anti-West, anti-American, anti-Israel and antisemitic agenda. They are also aiming to deeply injure the process that defends America at this crucial moment. GRAHAM PLATNER BLASTS NEW ALLEGATIONS AS 'FALSE ACCUSATIONS': 'MAINE, YOU HAVE MY BACK' The House and Senate must soon decide how to proceed on the Pentagon’s budget for 2027 and beyond. Both the SASC and the Senate Appropriations Committee must act. SASC provides the defense spending architecture via the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), but as The Wall Street Journal noted this past weekend, the NDAA "is a policy guide not a check, and the big question is whether the President’s $1.5 trillion defense budget" will actually pass and in what form and via what process. Genuine legislators like Collins would prefer to use "regular order" to hold hearings, conduct mark-ups and send proposed bills to House-Senate conference committees. That is the ideal. That ideal is doomed to fail this year as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, assailed by his party’s radicals, is intent on creating a government shutdown before the midterms. That shutdown isn’t a prophecy or a dart thrown with a blindfold. It’s the inevitable result of how the Democrats have framed the midterm elections this fall. Schumer cannot stop the House from enacting a defense budget but he can and will make the Senate’s regular order grind to a halt in order to satisfy his party’s whacko left-wing with a shutdown. Which puts Collins and every Republican who is serious about keeping our military strong in a bind. The military must be as equipped and prepared in an era of rapidly evolving threats and technology. It cannot lurch from "Continuing Resolution" to "Continuing Resolution" (CR) which is the best result of "shutdown politics." Democrats intend that very result. And if the Democrats win either or both Houses back from the Republicans in the fall, they will go much farther than a long string of CRs. They will savage defense spending in favor of their socialist pipe dreams. This isn’t a secret and it’s not doom-casting. Believe what Democrats tell you. The party has launched off the left cliff in American politics, heading to places no American party has ever proposed to go before, much less actually traveled towards. The left is now opposed to American power and stature in the world. It would strip us of our defenses. Even the handful of crazed leftists nominated for the House by Democrats in New Jersey and New York in recent weeks would combine with the existing fringe — the "Squad" — to eviscerate American military strength. Even five radical House members will be enough to control defense spending in a closely divided House and only one or two senators can do so in an even or one-vote majority Senate. The Congress ahead is very likely to be the most radical in America’s 250 years. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Which is why Collins and Wicker, along with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), Senate Budget Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Senate Intelligence Chairman Tom Cotton (R-AR) must make the anti-institutionalist choice to fund the Pentagon via the "budget reconciliation process," a complicated and controversial means to the end of tackling major tax and spending bills like the Working Families Tax Cut of 2025 and various COVID relief bills of both Republican and Democratic presidents. (Collins and then Senator Marco Rubio led the crafting of the Paycheck Protection Program which was the critical part of the economy-saving CARES Act of March 2020.) Because Democrats are going to hold the federal government hostage in the fall as a giant campaign stunt, it falls to the serious and sober-minded Republican senators to advance national security spending through reconciliation. The harder question is whether to do so for two or three years instead of just one. That’s a difficult choice to make because it would recognize the yawning chasm between the mainstream American consensus about the country’s defenses and the hard left’s "defund defense" corollary to its "defund the police" and "defund ICE" platform planks. Using reconciliation to forward funds up to $5 trillion is nobody’s ideal. But it is a necessity to provide time for our troops until the Democrats’ collective fever breaks. Hugh Hewitt is a Fox News contributor and host of "The Hugh Hewitt Show" heard weekday afternoons from 3 PM to 6 PM ET on the Salem Radio Network, and simulcast on Salem News Channel. Hugh drives Americans home on the East Coast and to lunch on the West Coast on over 400 affiliates nationwide, and on all the streaming platforms where SNC can be seen. He is a frequent guest on the Fox News Channel’s news roundtable, hosted by Bret Baier weekdays at 6pm ET. A son of Ohio and a graduate of Harvard College and the University of Michigan Law School, Hewitt has been a Professor of Law at Chapman University’s Fowler School of Law since 1996 where he teaches Constitutional Law. Hewitt launched his eponymous radio show from Los Angeles in 1990. Hewitt has frequently appeared on every major national news television network, hosted television shows for PBS and MSNBC, written for every major American paper, has authored a dozen books and moderated a score of Republican candidate debates, most recently the November 2023 Republican presidential debate in Miami and four Republican presidential debates in the 2015-16 cycle. Hewitt focuses his radio show and his column on the Constitution, national security, American politics and the Cleveland Browns and Guardians. Hewitt has interviewed tens of thousands of guests from Democrats Hillary Clinton and John Kerry to Republican Presidents George W. Bush and Donald Trump over his 40 years in broadcasting. This column previews the lead story that will drive his radio/ TV show today. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM HUGH HEWITT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b63c197238567836b988 MORNING GLORY: Senator Susan Collins and the nation’s national defense te 2026-06-30T12:27:40.986Z MORNING GLORY: Senator Susan Collins and the nation’s national defense Extraordinarily gifted legislators in the United States Senate are rare. As preconditions to their effectiveness, they must accumulate both significant seniority in the body of 100, and the respect of their ever-changing 99 colleagues. It’s a small club — the United States Senate — and everyone knows who has got the ability and the respect to guide big lifts through the (intentionally) complicated process. Maine Senator Susan Collins is one of the handful of senators who command the respect of her Republican Conference colleagues and most of the Democratic senators who actually care about making the country run well. That is why Collins is the chair of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee and is also one of the 17 senators on the critical Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. (Collins is also a member of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.) As chair of the Appropriations Committee, Collins has a unique power to guide the country’s spending. In partnership with the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), Collins’ greatest responsibility as a legislator is to ensure the American military is fully funded to the level necessary to "provide for the common defense," as the Preamble of the Constitution succinctly puts it. TRUMP PLAN FOR FOREIGN SHIPBUILDERS COULD CREATE 540,000 JOBS AND EXPAND US FLEET Collins long ago earned a reputation as a Senate "workhorse," and her 10,000th consecutive Senate roll call vote — extending the unbroken voting streak she began in 1997 — made her the first senator in U.S. history to have cast this many votes without ever missing one. Even as Joe DiMaggio’s 1941 run of hits in 56 consecutive games is regarded as untouchable, so is Collins’ remarkable milestone (which towers higher with every roll call vote she makes.) All of that experience and all of that earned respect will be needed in the weeks and months immediately ahead as Collins, along with Wicker and the Senate GOP leadership, tackle perhaps the most difficult challenge of her already distinguished and widely admired career: Allocating the funds needed to modernize the Pentagon in an era of rapidly changing technology when it comes to war and intelligence gathering, both the visible markers of American power like ships, submarines and the new B-21 bombers which provide the nation with deterrence and the secret and extraordinarily sensitive virtual stockpiles of cyber strength. Collins must do this even as hyper-partisanship engulfs the country’s politics. Collins faces the urgent need to thread this extremely partisan era which is defined by negative polarization and rhetorical extremism of both the far left and far right. The nation requires a steady and effective set of military appropriation bills that will keep the nation’s defenses funded for the immediate demands of the conflict with Iran, even as the United States must continue to define and meet the challenge posed by the aggressive plans of China’s iron-fisted Leninist dictator Xi Jinping. That Collins is leading in this moment of peril is very fortunate for the country. That she has to do so in what is for her an election year against a self-described "communist" and wildly extremist radical from the fringe of the Democrat’s far left edge is a new challenge. Graham Platner was nominated by the Democrats because he is a human wrecking ball. By nominating the very opposite of Collins when it comes to achievement and temperament, the radical wing of the Democrats hope to cripple the Senate by denying it one of its most effective members. They are asking Mainers to destroy their own state’s vast advantage in the Congress in the service of their anti-West, anti-American, anti-Israel and antisemitic agenda. They are also aiming to deeply injure the process that defends America at this crucial moment. GRAHAM PLATNER BLASTS NEW ALLEGATIONS AS 'FALSE ACCUSATIONS': 'MAINE, YOU HAVE MY BACK' The House and Senate must soon decide how to proceed on the Pentagon’s budget for 2027 and beyond. Both the SASC and the Senate Appropriations Committee must act. SASC provides the defense spending architecture via the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), but as The Wall Street Journal noted this past weekend, the NDAA "is a policy guide not a check, and the big question is whether the President’s $1.5 trillion defense budget" will actually pass and in what form and via what process. Genuine legislators like Collins would prefer to use "regular order" to hold hearings, conduct mark-ups and send proposed bills to House-Senate conference committees. That is the ideal. That ideal is doomed to fail this year as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, assailed by his party’s radicals, is intent on creating a government shutdown before the midterms. That shutdown isn’t a prophecy or a dart thrown with a blindfold. It’s the inevitable result of how the Democrats have framed the midterm elections this fall. Schumer cannot stop the House from enacting a defense budget but he can and will make the Senate’s regular order grind to a halt in order to satisfy his party’s whacko left-wing with a shutdown. Which puts Collins and every Republican who is serious about keeping our military strong in a bind. The military must be as equipped and prepared in an era of rapidly evolving threats and technology. It cannot lurch from "Continuing Resolution" to "Continuing Resolution" (CR) which is the best result of "shutdown politics." Democrats intend that very result. And if the Democrats win either or both Houses back from the Republicans in the fall, they will go much farther than a long string of CRs. They will savage defense spending in favor of their socialist pipe dreams. This isn’t a secret and it’s not doom-casting. Believe what Democrats tell you. The party has launched off the left cliff in American politics, heading to places no American party has ever proposed to go before, much less actually traveled towards. The left is now opposed to American power and stature in the world. It would strip us of our defenses. Even the handful of crazed leftists nominated for the House by Democrats in New Jersey and New York in recent weeks would combine with the existing fringe — the "Squad" — to eviscerate American military strength. Even five radical House members will be enough to control defense spending in a closely divided House and only one or two senators can do so in an even or one-vote majority Senate. The Congress ahead is very likely to be the most radical in America’s 250 years. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Which is why Collins and Wicker, along with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), Senate Budget Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Senate Intelligence Chairman Tom Cotton (R-AR) must make the anti-institutionalist choice to fund the Pentagon via the "budget reconciliation process," a complicated and controversial means to the end of tackling major tax and spending bills like the Working Families Tax Cut of 2025 and various COVID relief bills of both Republican and Democratic presidents. (Collins and then Senator Marco Rubio led the crafting of the Paycheck Protection Program which was the critical part of the economy-saving CARES Act of March 2020.) Because Democrats are going to hold the federal government hostage in the fall as a giant campaign stunt, it falls to the serious and sober-minded Republican senators to advance national security spending through reconciliation. The harder question is whether to do so for two or three years instead of just one. That’s a difficult choice to make because it would recognize the yawning chasm between the mainstream American consensus about the country’s defenses and the hard left’s "defund defense" corollary to its "defund the police" and "defund ICE" platform planks. Using reconciliation to forward funds up to $5 trillion is nobody’s ideal. But it is a necessity to provide time for our troops until the Democrats’ collective fever breaks. Hugh Hewitt is a Fox News contributor and host of "The Hugh Hewitt Show" heard weekday afternoons from 3 PM to 6 PM ET on the Salem Radio Network, and simulcast on Salem News Channel. Hugh drives Americans home on the East Coast and to lunch on the West Coast on over 400 affiliates nationwide, and on all the streaming platforms where SNC can be seen. He is a frequent guest on the Fox News Channel’s news roundtable, hosted by Bret Baier weekdays at 6pm ET. A son of Ohio and a graduate of Harvard College and the University of Michigan Law School, Hewitt has been a Professor of Law at Chapman University’s Fowler School of Law since 1996 where he teaches Constitutional Law. Hewitt launched his eponymous radio show from Los Angeles in 1990. Hewitt has frequently appeared on every major national news television network, hosted television shows for PBS and MSNBC, written for every major American paper, has authored a dozen books and moderated a score of Republican candidate debates, most recently the November 2023 Republican presidential debate in Miami and four Republican presidential debates in the 2015-16 cycle. Hewitt focuses his radio show and his column on the Constitution, national security, American politics and the Cleveland Browns and Guardians. Hewitt has interviewed tens of thousands of guests from Democrats Hillary Clinton and John Kerry to Republican Presidents George W. Bush and Donald Trump over his 40 years in broadcasting. This column previews the lead story that will drive his radio/ TV show today. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM HUGH HEWITT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b631197238567836b97f How capitalism missed out and failed to capitalize on America’s 250th anniversary te 2026-06-30T12:27:29.347Z How capitalism missed out and failed to capitalize on America’s 250th anniversary I love a good celebration, and Americans know how to go all-out to celebrate. Whether it’s Halloween, Christmas or even a major sporting event, we decorate, we costume, we have themed and branded food, and we fête the specific holiday or milestone. And, as Americans, we go hard. As such, I was looking forward to an all-out barrage of red, white and blue patriotism coming from every direction as we headed into 2026, the 250th anniversary of our declaration of independence from England and the milestone celebrating the founding of our great country. Now, as we are just a week away from July 4th, I find myself still looking. SECRETS OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR BATTLEFIELDS EMERGE 250 YEARS AFTER AMERICA'S FOUNDING Capitalism, it seems, has failed America’s 250th anniversary. In a land of clever people who look to lean into every possible opportunity, it seems like our 250th has been a wasted one. Sure, you can find some merchandise here and there, or your normal July 4th fare, but the economic response to this huge milestone event has been utterly milquetoast at best. I expected to see T-shirts, sweatshirts, sweaters and more in red, white and blue, emblazoned with oversized "America 250" and "America: Established 1776." I expected to see accessories proudly featuring the Stars and Stripes and "250." I expected every grocery store product, from condiments to candy, to feature not only limited-edition red, white and blue variations, but branding about celebrating 250 years of America. DAVID MARCUS: AS THE NATION BICKERS, SMALL-TOWN AMERICA STILL LOVES A PARADE Where are the crazy themed decorations, the 250th balloons and the commemorative knick-knacks? Where are the blow-up Uncle Sams on the suburban lawns? Where are the special festivals and events? The big apple pie baking contests? Why, when I walk down the street, is it not covered in red, white and blue from top to bottom and oversized "America’s 250th" banners, not just for the 4th of July, but all year long? It seems like we have witnessed more American patriotism from foreigners visiting America for the FIFA World Cup than we have seen from American industry. NEW DIRECTOR'S CUT OF 2024 ‘REAGAN’ BIOPIC WILL RETURN TO THEATERS FOR AMERICA’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY Corporate America is usually first to jump on any theme, event or milestone. The fact that they have largely ignored America’s 250th is incredibly disappointing. For those who might say that they don’t want to get too "political," not only has it never stopped them in the past, but, moreover, the founding of our country isn’t about a political party. In fact, America’s 250th is about all of us as individuals. America was founded on a unique idea, to uphold and protect the rights of each of us as individuals. It’s a celebration of independence and a celebration of people over government. It’s a celebration of defying odds through smarts, grit and strategy and being willing to put ideas into action. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION The country belongs to us as Americans, regardless of what you think of anyone or everyone in government at any point in time. That is something worth celebrating, loudly, proudly and with an obscene amount of themed merchandise. With half of the year gone, it’s a little late in the game, but it’s never too late for capitalism. I hope that July 4th will mark the beginning of a wave of in-your-face patriotism. We have the greatest country in the world and that deserves appropriate celebration. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM CAROL ROTH Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b629197238567836b976 How capitalism missed out and failed to capitalize on America’s 250th anniversary te 2026-06-30T12:27:21.525Z How capitalism missed out and failed to capitalize on America’s 250th anniversary I love a good celebration, and Americans know how to go all-out to celebrate. Whether it’s Halloween, Christmas or even a major sporting event, we decorate, we costume, we have themed and branded food, and we fête the specific holiday or milestone. And, as Americans, we go hard. As such, I was looking forward to an all-out barrage of red, white and blue patriotism coming from every direction as we headed into 2026, the 250th anniversary of our declaration of independence from England and the milestone celebrating the founding of our great country. Now, as we are just a week away from July 4th, I find myself still looking. SECRETS OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR BATTLEFIELDS EMERGE 250 YEARS AFTER AMERICA'S FOUNDING Capitalism, it seems, has failed America’s 250th anniversary. In a land of clever people who look to lean into every possible opportunity, it seems like our 250th has been a wasted one. Sure, you can find some merchandise here and there, or your normal July 4th fare, but the economic response to this huge milestone event has been utterly milquetoast at best. I expected to see T-shirts, sweatshirts, sweaters and more in red, white and blue, emblazoned with oversized "America 250" and "America: Established 1776." I expected to see accessories proudly featuring the Stars and Stripes and "250." I expected every grocery store product, from condiments to candy, to feature not only limited-edition red, white and blue variations, but branding about celebrating 250 years of America. DAVID MARCUS: AS THE NATION BICKERS, SMALL-TOWN AMERICA STILL LOVES A PARADE Where are the crazy themed decorations, the 250th balloons and the commemorative knick-knacks? Where are the blow-up Uncle Sams on the suburban lawns? Where are the special festivals and events? The big apple pie baking contests? Why, when I walk down the street, is it not covered in red, white and blue from top to bottom and oversized "America’s 250th" banners, not just for the 4th of July, but all year long? It seems like we have witnessed more American patriotism from foreigners visiting America for the FIFA World Cup than we have seen from American industry. NEW DIRECTOR'S CUT OF 2024 ‘REAGAN’ BIOPIC WILL RETURN TO THEATERS FOR AMERICA’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY Corporate America is usually first to jump on any theme, event or milestone. The fact that they have largely ignored America’s 250th is incredibly disappointing. For those who might say that they don’t want to get too "political," not only has it never stopped them in the past, but, moreover, the founding of our country isn’t about a political party. In fact, America’s 250th is about all of us as individuals. America was founded on a unique idea, to uphold and protect the rights of each of us as individuals. It’s a celebration of independence and a celebration of people over government. It’s a celebration of defying odds through smarts, grit and strategy and being willing to put ideas into action. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION The country belongs to us as Americans, regardless of what you think of anyone or everyone in government at any point in time. That is something worth celebrating, loudly, proudly and with an obscene amount of themed merchandise. With half of the year gone, it’s a little late in the game, but it’s never too late for capitalism. I hope that July 4th will mark the beginning of a wave of in-your-face patriotism. We have the greatest country in the world and that deserves appropriate celebration. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM CAROL ROTH Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b61d197238567836b96d Probe into 'subversive' anti-AI Singham network is 'enormous,' former Treasury advisor says te 2026-06-30T12:27:09.889Z Probe into 'subversive' anti-AI Singham network is 'enormous,' former Treasury advisor says FIRST ON FOX: Former Treasury senior advisor and chief speechwriter Sam Lyman says the Southern District of New York's investigation into the finances behind the activist network tied to American Marxist businessman Neville Roy Singham marks one of the most significant developments yet in the federal government's scrutiny of the organization and far-left protests in the U.S. "It's an enormous development because it's one of the first legal actions that's taking a deeper look into this network, which is among the most subversive political networks here in the United States, period," Lyman told Fox News Digital. Lyman was reacting to Fox News Digital's exclusive report that U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton from the Southern District of New York has opened a grand jury investigation into the finances behind Singham's sprawling activist network. The former Treasury official, who now serves as head of research at the Bitcoin Policy Institute, released a new report on Monday, first obtained by Fox News Digital, examining the Singham network's role in organizing opposition to artificial intelligence infrastructure and data center development across the country. DOJ LAUNCHES GRAND JURY PROBE INTO MARXIST MOGUL NEVILLE ROY SINGHAM'S FUNDING OF LEFTIST GROUPS Researchers conclude that about $23.6 billion in proposed AI and data center investment has been delayed, scaled back or blocked in campaigns where Party for Socialism and Liberation served as "a critical mobilizer in efforts that delayed, scaled back, or blocked the proposed AI infrastructure investment." "What we've uncovered is that Neville Singham's network, in particular the Party for Socialism and Liberation, has been boots on the ground in dozens of protests across the country targeting data centers," Lyman said. According to the report, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, which has emerged in the past decade as a key political and activist arm of the Singham network, has developed a nationwide organizing operation that has participated in 21 campaigns across 14 states opposing AI infrastructure projects. The report documents 19 case studies involving cities and counties including: Charlotte, N.C.; Prince George's County, Md.; DeForest, Wisc.; Monterey Park, Calif.; Denver, Co.; Tucson, Ariz.; Athens, Ga.; Durham, N.C.; Madison, Wisc.; New Orleans; Cleveland and other locations. According to the report, those campaigns resulted in 10 local data center moratoria, one permanent data center ban and four rejected or withdrawn projects. The authors note that the figure likely understates the total impact because several additional campaigns involved projects whose investment values were never publicly disclosed. REPORT: CHINESE PROPAGANDA, SINGHAM NETWORK, FOREIGN DARK MONEY LINKED TO CAMPAIGNS AGAINST DATA CENTERS The report argues that while many residents have legitimate concerns over water use, electricity demand and land use, activists linked to the Singham network have built a sophisticated nationwide operation that amplifies those concerns through coordinated organizing, demonstrations and political pressure. "The American opposition to data centers is real and mostly homegrown," the report states. "But an organized, foreign-aligned party has worked to amplify and convert genuine grievances into actions that slow or degrade America's buildout of data centers." One of the report's featured examples is Charlotte, N.C., where it says Party for Socialism and Liberation organizers canvassed neighborhoods, circulated petitions and helped organize demonstrations before the City Council unanimously approved a 150-day moratorium on new data centers. According to the report, organizers are now pushing for a permanent ban. In Prince George's County, Md., researchers say the Party for Socialism and Liberation chapter in Washington, D.C., helped organize town halls, canvass neighborhoods and gather more than 20,000 petition signatures opposing Lerner Enterprises' proposed $5 billion Brightseat Tech Park. County officials later paused data center approvals while reviewing local policy. SEN. TOM COTTON URGES DOJ TO PROBE CHINESE BID TO 'KNEECAP' AMERICAN AI The report also highlights DeForest, Wisc., where it says Party for Socialism and Liberation organizers joined local residents opposing Blackstone-backed QTS' proposed $12 billion hyperscale data center campus. Following months of public opposition, village officials declared the proposal "not feasible," leading the developer to withdraw the project. In Southern California, the report said the Los Angeles chapter of Party for Socialism and Liberation participated in the "No Data Centers SGV" coalition, which organized petitions, public meetings and a ballot initiative culminating in California's first permanent municipal ban on new data centers in Monterey Park. According to the report, the coalition also influenced neighboring cities to adopt additional restrictions or temporary moratoria. Researchers further cite campaigns in Arizona opposing Amazon's proposed $3.6 billion Project Blue near Tucson and a separate $2 billion AI data center proposal in Chandler, both of which encountered significant setbacks following organized opposition. The report argues that the campaign against AI infrastructure is only one part of a broader effort by organizations linked to Singham. "The common thread in all of these nonprofit organizations is that they agitate against American causes — what they call American empire," Lyman said. NETWORK FUNDED BY PRO-CCP TECH TYCOON TARGETS PALANTIR AMID ANTI-US PROTESTS THAT SUPPORT THE REGIME IN IRAN "After Oct. 7, these nonprofit networks and their political affiliates were boots on the ground protesting Israel and any action Israel took in Gaza. They did the exact same thing when President Trump took office and started enforcing immigration laws. Now we're seeing the exact same thing take place against the technology industry here in the United States." As reported by Fox News Digital, nonprofits funded by Singham — including CodePink, Tricontinental, People's Dispatch and Liberation News — have spent years publishing material opposing American AI development and criticizing leading technology companies including Palantir, Google, Amazon and Meta. Lyman said the network's organizing capacity has made it an increasingly influential political force. "This network is incredibly good at organizing," he said. "Self-identified socialists in America are incredibly good at getting out the vote, getting their people to protest and getting them to sign petitions." He argued that the federal investigation by the Justice Department's Southern District of New York reflects growing recognition in Washington, D.C., of Singham's influence. "Singham essentially is the figurehead who's funding all of this," Lyman said. "It makes sense both from a legal perspective and from a policymaking perspective that the American people are starting to take notice of his subversive activities because they are truly prolific." The report concludes by calling for greater transparency into the funding behind the Party for Socialism and Liberation and other organizations tied to Singham, arguing that Americans should know who is financing organized campaigns that seek to shape the future of the country's AI infrastructure. Fox News Digital's Mitch Picasso contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b616197238567836b964 Probe into 'subversive' anti-AI Singham network is 'enormous,' former Treasury advisor says te 2026-06-30T12:27:02.073Z Probe into 'subversive' anti-AI Singham network is 'enormous,' former Treasury advisor says FIRST ON FOX: Former Treasury senior advisor and chief speechwriter Sam Lyman says the Southern District of New York's investigation into the finances behind the activist network tied to American Marxist businessman Neville Roy Singham marks one of the most significant developments yet in the federal government's scrutiny of the organization and far-left protests in the U.S. "It's an enormous development because it's one of the first legal actions that's taking a deeper look into this network, which is among the most subversive political networks here in the United States, period," Lyman told Fox News Digital. Lyman was reacting to Fox News Digital's exclusive report that U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton from the Southern District of New York has opened a grand jury investigation into the finances behind Singham's sprawling activist network. The former Treasury official, who now serves as head of research at the Bitcoin Policy Institute, released a new report on Monday, first obtained by Fox News Digital, examining the Singham network's role in organizing opposition to artificial intelligence infrastructure and data center development across the country. DOJ LAUNCHES GRAND JURY PROBE INTO MARXIST MOGUL NEVILLE ROY SINGHAM'S FUNDING OF LEFTIST GROUPS Researchers conclude that about $23.6 billion in proposed AI and data center investment has been delayed, scaled back or blocked in campaigns where Party for Socialism and Liberation served as "a critical mobilizer in efforts that delayed, scaled back, or blocked the proposed AI infrastructure investment." "What we've uncovered is that Neville Singham's network, in particular the Party for Socialism and Liberation, has been boots on the ground in dozens of protests across the country targeting data centers," Lyman said. According to the report, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, which has emerged in the past decade as a key political and activist arm of the Singham network, has developed a nationwide organizing operation that has participated in 21 campaigns across 14 states opposing AI infrastructure projects. The report documents 19 case studies involving cities and counties including: Charlotte, N.C.; Prince George's County, Md.; DeForest, Wisc.; Monterey Park, Calif.; Denver, Co.; Tucson, Ariz.; Athens, Ga.; Durham, N.C.; Madison, Wisc.; New Orleans; Cleveland and other locations. According to the report, those campaigns resulted in 10 local data center moratoria, one permanent data center ban and four rejected or withdrawn projects. The authors note that the figure likely understates the total impact because several additional campaigns involved projects whose investment values were never publicly disclosed. REPORT: CHINESE PROPAGANDA, SINGHAM NETWORK, FOREIGN DARK MONEY LINKED TO CAMPAIGNS AGAINST DATA CENTERS The report argues that while many residents have legitimate concerns over water use, electricity demand and land use, activists linked to the Singham network have built a sophisticated nationwide operation that amplifies those concerns through coordinated organizing, demonstrations and political pressure. "The American opposition to data centers is real and mostly homegrown," the report states. "But an organized, foreign-aligned party has worked to amplify and convert genuine grievances into actions that slow or degrade America's buildout of data centers." One of the report's featured examples is Charlotte, N.C., where it says Party for Socialism and Liberation organizers canvassed neighborhoods, circulated petitions and helped organize demonstrations before the City Council unanimously approved a 150-day moratorium on new data centers. According to the report, organizers are now pushing for a permanent ban. In Prince George's County, Md., researchers say the Party for Socialism and Liberation chapter in Washington, D.C., helped organize town halls, canvass neighborhoods and gather more than 20,000 petition signatures opposing Lerner Enterprises' proposed $5 billion Brightseat Tech Park. County officials later paused data center approvals while reviewing local policy. SEN. TOM COTTON URGES DOJ TO PROBE CHINESE BID TO 'KNEECAP' AMERICAN AI The report also highlights DeForest, Wisc., where it says Party for Socialism and Liberation organizers joined local residents opposing Blackstone-backed QTS' proposed $12 billion hyperscale data center campus. Following months of public opposition, village officials declared the proposal "not feasible," leading the developer to withdraw the project. In Southern California, the report said the Los Angeles chapter of Party for Socialism and Liberation participated in the "No Data Centers SGV" coalition, which organized petitions, public meetings and a ballot initiative culminating in California's first permanent municipal ban on new data centers in Monterey Park. According to the report, the coalition also influenced neighboring cities to adopt additional restrictions or temporary moratoria. Researchers further cite campaigns in Arizona opposing Amazon's proposed $3.6 billion Project Blue near Tucson and a separate $2 billion AI data center proposal in Chandler, both of which encountered significant setbacks following organized opposition. The report argues that the campaign against AI infrastructure is only one part of a broader effort by organizations linked to Singham. "The common thread in all of these nonprofit organizations is that they agitate against American causes — what they call American empire," Lyman said. NETWORK FUNDED BY PRO-CCP TECH TYCOON TARGETS PALANTIR AMID ANTI-US PROTESTS THAT SUPPORT THE REGIME IN IRAN "After Oct. 7, these nonprofit networks and their political affiliates were boots on the ground protesting Israel and any action Israel took in Gaza. They did the exact same thing when President Trump took office and started enforcing immigration laws. Now we're seeing the exact same thing take place against the technology industry here in the United States." As reported by Fox News Digital, nonprofits funded by Singham — including CodePink, Tricontinental, People's Dispatch and Liberation News — have spent years publishing material opposing American AI development and criticizing leading technology companies including Palantir, Google, Amazon and Meta. Lyman said the network's organizing capacity has made it an increasingly influential political force. "This network is incredibly good at organizing," he said. "Self-identified socialists in America are incredibly good at getting out the vote, getting their people to protest and getting them to sign petitions." He argued that the federal investigation by the Justice Department's Southern District of New York reflects growing recognition in Washington, D.C., of Singham's influence. "Singham essentially is the figurehead who's funding all of this," Lyman said. "It makes sense both from a legal perspective and from a policymaking perspective that the American people are starting to take notice of his subversive activities because they are truly prolific." The report concludes by calling for greater transparency into the funding behind the Party for Socialism and Liberation and other organizations tied to Singham, arguing that Americans should know who is financing organized campaigns that seek to shape the future of the country's AI infrastructure. Fox News Digital's Mitch Picasso contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b60a197238567836b95b Clinton confidant who called Maxwell his 'lover' grilled by Congress over Epstein ties te 2026-06-30T12:26:50.433Z Clinton confidant who called Maxwell his 'lover' grilled by Congress over Epstein ties Former Bill Clinton aide Doug Band is set to face a grilling by congressional investigators after his name was referenced dozens of times in the Epstein files. Band will testify voluntarily before the House Oversight Committee on Tuesday in a transcribed interview as part of the bipartisan panel’s probe into the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence after being convicted on federal sex-trafficking and conspiracy charges. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., invited Band to testify about his interactions with Epstein and Maxwell while serving as a top aide to Clinton during the early years of his post-presidency.  Band attended a 2003 dinner at Epstein’s Manhattan town house and corresponded with Maxwell between 2002 and 2006, according to files released by the Justice Department. FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON DEPOSED IN EPSTEIN PROBE IN POTENTIAL FIRST FOR CONGRESS In a 2006 email, Band, who is a University of Florida alumnus, asked to use Maxwell’s plane to attend the NCAA men’s basketball finals to watch the Florida Gators play. In other correspondence published by the DOJ, he called Maxwell his "lover" and "social matchmaker," among other flirtatious messages. The pair were photographed together at a Valentine's Day tea party at a members-only club in New York City in 2007. Band has not been charged with any wrongdoing, and his interactions with the couple appeared to largely predate Epstein’s conviction of soliciting a minor in 2008. The ex-Clinton advisor is likely to be peppered with questions about the former president’s ties to the disgraced financier. Band, who initially served as Clinton’s personal aide and ultimately became a member of his inner circle, helped establish the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton Global Initiative during Clinton’s post-presidency. He later cut ties with the Clintons during a public falling out in the early 2010s. In a 2020 tell-all interview with Vanity Fair, Band said he grew to dislike Epstein during a 2002 trip aboard Epstein’s private jet with Clinton to Africa and advised the former president to end his relationship with him.  Also in the interview, Band said Clinton in 2003 traveled to Epstein’s private Caribbean island, Little St. James. Band said he declined to attend over his objections to Epstein. Band’s account conflicts with Clinton’s repeated assertion that he never visited. Clinton, who has denied any wrongdoing, has pointed to travel logs that do not show such a trip. Band told Vanity Fair he sought to bar Maxwell from Clinton-related events amid his broader rupture with the Clinton family. Maxwell was notably close to Chelsea Clinton and was invited to her wedding in 2010. JEFFREY EPSTEIN ALLEGEDLY SAID BILL CLINTON 'LIKES' YOUNG GIRLS, DOCUMENTS REVEAL The House Oversight interview will take place behind closed doors, but a transcript is expected to be published at a later date. Tuesday’s testimony comes after Bill and Hillary Clinton testified to congressional investigators in March about their interactions with Epstein under the threat of civil contempt charges. Lawmakers threatened to criminally refer the couple to the Justice Department for contempt charges if they refused. A bipartisan group of lawmakers has also interviewed former Attorney General Pam Bondi, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates as part of the committee’s probe. Comer’s panel in July is expected to interview former Goldman Sachs attorney and Obama counsel Kathryn Ruemmler, Harvard law professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz and former JPMorgan Chase executive and ex-Barclays CEO Jes Staley. All three knew Epstein personally and were among the high-profile figures whose names appear in recently released Epstein-related files, though none has been charged with wrongdoing. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b602197238567836b952 Clinton confidant who called Maxwell his 'lover' grilled by Congress over Epstein ties te 2026-06-30T12:26:42.612Z Clinton confidant who called Maxwell his 'lover' grilled by Congress over Epstein ties Former Bill Clinton aide Doug Band is set to face a grilling by congressional investigators after his name was referenced dozens of times in the Epstein files. Band will testify voluntarily before the House Oversight Committee on Tuesday in a transcribed interview as part of the bipartisan panel’s probe into the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence after being convicted on federal sex-trafficking and conspiracy charges. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., invited Band to testify about his interactions with Epstein and Maxwell while serving as a top aide to Clinton during the early years of his post-presidency.  Band attended a 2003 dinner at Epstein’s Manhattan town house and corresponded with Maxwell between 2002 and 2006, according to files released by the Justice Department. FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON DEPOSED IN EPSTEIN PROBE IN POTENTIAL FIRST FOR CONGRESS In a 2006 email, Band, who is a University of Florida alumnus, asked to use Maxwell’s plane to attend the NCAA men’s basketball finals to watch the Florida Gators play. In other correspondence published by the DOJ, he called Maxwell his "lover" and "social matchmaker," among other flirtatious messages. The pair were photographed together at a Valentine's Day tea party at a members-only club in New York City in 2007. Band has not been charged with any wrongdoing, and his interactions with the couple appeared to largely predate Epstein’s conviction of soliciting a minor in 2008. The ex-Clinton advisor is likely to be peppered with questions about the former president’s ties to the disgraced financier. Band, who initially served as Clinton’s personal aide and ultimately became a member of his inner circle, helped establish the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton Global Initiative during Clinton’s post-presidency. He later cut ties with the Clintons during a public falling out in the early 2010s. In a 2020 tell-all interview with Vanity Fair, Band said he grew to dislike Epstein during a 2002 trip aboard Epstein’s private jet with Clinton to Africa and advised the former president to end his relationship with him.  Also in the interview, Band said Clinton in 2003 traveled to Epstein’s private Caribbean island, Little St. James. Band said he declined to attend over his objections to Epstein. Band’s account conflicts with Clinton’s repeated assertion that he never visited. Clinton, who has denied any wrongdoing, has pointed to travel logs that do not show such a trip. Band told Vanity Fair he sought to bar Maxwell from Clinton-related events amid his broader rupture with the Clinton family. Maxwell was notably close to Chelsea Clinton and was invited to her wedding in 2010. JEFFREY EPSTEIN ALLEGEDLY SAID BILL CLINTON 'LIKES' YOUNG GIRLS, DOCUMENTS REVEAL The House Oversight interview will take place behind closed doors, but a transcript is expected to be published at a later date. Tuesday’s testimony comes after Bill and Hillary Clinton testified to congressional investigators in March about their interactions with Epstein under the threat of civil contempt charges. Lawmakers threatened to criminally refer the couple to the Justice Department for contempt charges if they refused. A bipartisan group of lawmakers has also interviewed former Attorney General Pam Bondi, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates as part of the committee’s probe. Comer’s panel in July is expected to interview former Goldman Sachs attorney and Obama counsel Kathryn Ruemmler, Harvard law professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz and former JPMorgan Chase executive and ex-Barclays CEO Jes Staley. All three knew Epstein personally and were among the high-profile figures whose names appear in recently released Epstein-related files, though none has been charged with wrongdoing. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b5f6197238567836b949 One of the biggest myths about the Boston Tea Party revealed by historian te 2026-06-30T12:26:30.979Z One of the biggest myths about the Boston Tea Party revealed by historian When Americans think of the beverage that fueled the American Revolution, they usually picture black tea — but it turns out that green tea was just as popular. The Founding Fathers and their contemporaries drank both types of tea, Bruce Richardson, the Kentucky-based founder of Elmwood Inn Fine Teas, told Fox News Digital. British subjects "were as likely to be drinking green tea as black tea, whether you were in Jane Austen [era] England ... or you were in colonial Boston," he added. WANT TO EAT LIKE THE FOUNDING FATHERS THIS JULY 4TH? HOW TO INCORPORATE THEIR FAVORITE FOODS INTO YOUR HOLIDAY "There were five teas, all from China, because that was the only country that was exporting tea," Richardson said. "And of those five different teas, two of them were green and three of them were black." Richardson, a tea historian who works as the tea master at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, said the five types of tea dumped into Boston Harbor in protest of the Tea Act of 1773 included three black varieties — Bohea, Souchong and Congou — as well as the green teas Hyson and Singlo. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Bohea, the most common and least expensive black tea of the era, was often made from older tea leaves harvested after the highest-quality leaves of the season had already been picked. Most of the tea dumped into Boston Harbor was Bohea, Richardson said — and it was so ubiquitous that he compared it to the way Kleenex has become synonymous with tissues today. "It was so common that often teapots at the time, or some that I've seen, would say Bohea on the side of the teapot," he said. "If they wanted tea, they'd say, 'I'll have a cup of Bohea.' It was that common." Not only did colonial Americans distinguish between green and black tea, they even stored them differently. "The well-to-do people would have a tea caddy – a wooden, beautifully made tea caddy to store their tea in," he said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES "It was kept under lock and key. And in that tea caddy, [there] would be two compartments, one for green tea and one for black tea." Merchants often favored black tea because it held up better during the long voyage from China to Europe and onward to the American colonies, Richardson said. "The green tea was what China had always drunk," he said. "And so they were exporting that as well, but they found that the black tea actually made the voyage better than the green teas." Even after many colonists swore off British tea, they kept the ritual of drinking it — or at least a close substitute. Many patriots brewed so-called "Liberty Teas" made from ingredients such as dried apples, blueberries, chamomile and herbs grown in their gardens. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "They still wanted their tea time, but they didn't want to support the British government," Richardson said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b5ef197238567836b940 One of the biggest myths about the Boston Tea Party revealed by historian te 2026-06-30T12:26:23.156Z One of the biggest myths about the Boston Tea Party revealed by historian When Americans think of the beverage that fueled the American Revolution, they usually picture black tea — but it turns out that green tea was just as popular. The Founding Fathers and their contemporaries drank both types of tea, Bruce Richardson, the Kentucky-based founder of Elmwood Inn Fine Teas, told Fox News Digital. British subjects "were as likely to be drinking green tea as black tea, whether you were in Jane Austen [era] England ... or you were in colonial Boston," he added. WANT TO EAT LIKE THE FOUNDING FATHERS THIS JULY 4TH? HOW TO INCORPORATE THEIR FAVORITE FOODS INTO YOUR HOLIDAY "There were five teas, all from China, because that was the only country that was exporting tea," Richardson said. "And of those five different teas, two of them were green and three of them were black." Richardson, a tea historian who works as the tea master at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, said the five types of tea dumped into Boston Harbor in protest of the Tea Act of 1773 included three black varieties — Bohea, Souchong and Congou — as well as the green teas Hyson and Singlo. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Bohea, the most common and least expensive black tea of the era, was often made from older tea leaves harvested after the highest-quality leaves of the season had already been picked. Most of the tea dumped into Boston Harbor was Bohea, Richardson said — and it was so ubiquitous that he compared it to the way Kleenex has become synonymous with tissues today. "It was so common that often teapots at the time, or some that I've seen, would say Bohea on the side of the teapot," he said. "If they wanted tea, they'd say, 'I'll have a cup of Bohea.' It was that common." Not only did colonial Americans distinguish between green and black tea, they even stored them differently. "The well-to-do people would have a tea caddy – a wooden, beautifully made tea caddy to store their tea in," he said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES "It was kept under lock and key. And in that tea caddy, [there] would be two compartments, one for green tea and one for black tea." Merchants often favored black tea because it held up better during the long voyage from China to Europe and onward to the American colonies, Richardson said. "The green tea was what China had always drunk," he said. "And so they were exporting that as well, but they found that the black tea actually made the voyage better than the green teas." Even after many colonists swore off British tea, they kept the ritual of drinking it — or at least a close substitute. Many patriots brewed so-called "Liberty Teas" made from ingredients such as dried apples, blueberries, chamomile and herbs grown in their gardens. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "They still wanted their tea time, but they didn't want to support the British government," Richardson said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b5e3197238567836b937 Iran fights to keep grip on Hormuz as US, Gulf allies carve new shipping route te 2026-06-30T12:26:11.522Z Iran fights to keep grip on Hormuz as US, Gulf allies carve new shipping route Iran's latest attacks on commercial shipping came just as the United States and Oman were beginning to steer more vessels through a new southern shipping corridor hugging Oman's coastline — an alternative route designed to move traffic farther from Iran's immediate reach. Former U.S. military commanders and regional analysts told Fox News Digital the timing was no coincidence. They said Iran was trying to preserve one of its greatest strategic advantages as new shipping routes and regional infrastructure begin chipping away at Tehran's leverage over the Strait of Hormuz. "The southern route creates a route they can't toll or control," retired Navy Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery told Fox News Digital. "They felt it necessary to attack it." SHIPPING GIANT WARNS STRAIT OF HORMUZ CHAOS IS 'NEW NORMAL' AS TEHRAN SHIFTS 4M BARRELS For decades, Iran's ability to threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has given it influence well beyond its borders. But that advantage is increasingly under pressure as Gulf states invest in pipelines that bypass Hormuz and the United States and Oman expand use of the southern corridor.  Nearly half of inbound commercial traffic through the strait is already using that route, according to maritime intelligence firm Windward.  After Iran attacked vessels using the corridor, the U.S. responded with strikes on Iranian military targets tied to maritime operations. Iran retaliated in recent days with attacks on U.S. facilities and regional partners before Trump announced both sides had agreed to halt further strikes and return to negotiations in Doha.  Iran has denied that its negotiators would be meeting with U.S. officials in Qatar on Tuesday.  Former Navy Fifth Fleet commander, Vice Adm. Kevin Donegan, said Iran's objective isn't necessarily to halt shipping altogether. "The IRGC has been trying to make it commercially unworkable," Donegan told Fox News Digital, referring to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. "These attacks on shipping to me aren't random. They're strategy." Rather than closing the strait outright, Donegan said, Iran only needs to keep insurance premiums high enough that commercial shipping companies remain reluctant to return. "Their strategy is to enforce their control of the straits," he said, by driving up insurance costs while continuing to "test the U.S. resolve." VANCE REJECTS CLAIMS TRUMP-IRAN DEAL ECHOES OBAMA-ERA LOGIC AS HAWKS RAISE ALARM The question now is whether Iran can translate that military pressure into lasting influence over the strait. Under the memorandum of understanding negotiated after the ceasefire, Iran, Oman and the Gulf littoral states are expected to negotiate the strait's "future administration and maritime services" while commercial traffic moves toll-free for 60 days. President Donald Trump has insisted on social media that there will be "NO TOLLS" after the negotiating period expires, even though the memorandum itself does not explicitly guarantee that outcome. Asked about the discrepancy, Trump argued that "common sense" and the threat of renewed U.S. military action would keep Iran from interfering with commercial traffic. Iran, however, has signaled a different vision. An IRGC-linked news outlet portrayed last-minute revisions to the agreement — including language governing the strait's future administration and the temporary toll provision — as negotiating victories for Tehran. The White House could not immediately be reached for comment ahead of Tuesday's negotiations.  America's Gulf partners have made equally clear they are not interested in rewriting the status quo. "The management of the strait was working fine before the conflict," Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said. "Why should we now, as a result of a conflict, accept some novel arrangement?" The disagreement reflects competing visions of what Iran's role in the strait looks like once the fighting ends. Former Assistant Secretary of State David Schenker said the negotiations reflect Iran's effort to emerge from the conflict with "a new status quo in the Persian Gulf." But preserving leverage over the Strait is about more than commercial shipping. "Iran is trying to basically step into that void," said Clionadh Raleigh, executive director of the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data project. Raleigh argued the conflict has left Gulf governments questioning whether "the U.S. is a partner that's unreliable," creating an opportunity for Tehran to argue that Gulf security should increasingly be managed by countries in the region rather than by Washington. Those doubts are already reshaping regional strategy. "They're seeking to really develop their own defense posture," Raleigh said. "And they're also seeking alternative means for them to continue trade." Those efforts have been underway for years, but the latest conflict has accelerated them. Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in the East-West Pipeline linking Gulf oil fields to the Red Sea, while the United Arab Emirates has expanded export capacity through Fujairah, allowing crude exports to bypass Hormuz altogether. Every barrel that leaves the Gulf without transiting the strait — and every ship that safely uses the southern corridor — chips away at the leverage Iran has historically derived from one of the world's most important maritime choke points. If those alternatives continue to expand, Iran's ability to wield the strait as a strategic pressure point could gradually diminish even if Hormuz itself remains one of the world's most vital energy corridors. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b5db197238567836b92e Iran fights to keep grip on Hormuz as US, Gulf allies carve new shipping route te 2026-06-30T12:26:03.724Z Iran fights to keep grip on Hormuz as US, Gulf allies carve new shipping route Iran's latest attacks on commercial shipping came just as the United States and Oman were beginning to steer more vessels through a new southern shipping corridor hugging Oman's coastline — an alternative route designed to move traffic farther from Iran's immediate reach. Former U.S. military commanders and regional analysts told Fox News Digital the timing was no coincidence. They said Iran was trying to preserve one of its greatest strategic advantages as new shipping routes and regional infrastructure begin chipping away at Tehran's leverage over the Strait of Hormuz. "The southern route creates a route they can't toll or control," retired Navy Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery told Fox News Digital. "They felt it necessary to attack it." SHIPPING GIANT WARNS STRAIT OF HORMUZ CHAOS IS 'NEW NORMAL' AS TEHRAN SHIFTS 4M BARRELS For decades, Iran's ability to threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has given it influence well beyond its borders. But that advantage is increasingly under pressure as Gulf states invest in pipelines that bypass Hormuz and the United States and Oman expand use of the southern corridor.  Nearly half of inbound commercial traffic through the strait is already using that route, according to maritime intelligence firm Windward.  After Iran attacked vessels using the corridor, the U.S. responded with strikes on Iranian military targets tied to maritime operations. Iran retaliated in recent days with attacks on U.S. facilities and regional partners before Trump announced both sides had agreed to halt further strikes and return to negotiations in Doha.  Iran has denied that its negotiators would be meeting with U.S. officials in Qatar on Tuesday.  Former Navy Fifth Fleet commander, Vice Adm. Kevin Donegan, said Iran's objective isn't necessarily to halt shipping altogether. "The IRGC has been trying to make it commercially unworkable," Donegan told Fox News Digital, referring to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. "These attacks on shipping to me aren't random. They're strategy." Rather than closing the strait outright, Donegan said, Iran only needs to keep insurance premiums high enough that commercial shipping companies remain reluctant to return. "Their strategy is to enforce their control of the straits," he said, by driving up insurance costs while continuing to "test the U.S. resolve." VANCE REJECTS CLAIMS TRUMP-IRAN DEAL ECHOES OBAMA-ERA LOGIC AS HAWKS RAISE ALARM The question now is whether Iran can translate that military pressure into lasting influence over the strait. Under the memorandum of understanding negotiated after the ceasefire, Iran, Oman and the Gulf littoral states are expected to negotiate the strait's "future administration and maritime services" while commercial traffic moves toll-free for 60 days. President Donald Trump has insisted on social media that there will be "NO TOLLS" after the negotiating period expires, even though the memorandum itself does not explicitly guarantee that outcome. Asked about the discrepancy, Trump argued that "common sense" and the threat of renewed U.S. military action would keep Iran from interfering with commercial traffic. Iran, however, has signaled a different vision. An IRGC-linked news outlet portrayed last-minute revisions to the agreement — including language governing the strait's future administration and the temporary toll provision — as negotiating victories for Tehran. The White House could not immediately be reached for comment ahead of Tuesday's negotiations.  America's Gulf partners have made equally clear they are not interested in rewriting the status quo. "The management of the strait was working fine before the conflict," Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said. "Why should we now, as a result of a conflict, accept some novel arrangement?" The disagreement reflects competing visions of what Iran's role in the strait looks like once the fighting ends. Former Assistant Secretary of State David Schenker said the negotiations reflect Iran's effort to emerge from the conflict with "a new status quo in the Persian Gulf." But preserving leverage over the Strait is about more than commercial shipping. "Iran is trying to basically step into that void," said Clionadh Raleigh, executive director of the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data project. Raleigh argued the conflict has left Gulf governments questioning whether "the U.S. is a partner that's unreliable," creating an opportunity for Tehran to argue that Gulf security should increasingly be managed by countries in the region rather than by Washington. Those doubts are already reshaping regional strategy. "They're seeking to really develop their own defense posture," Raleigh said. "And they're also seeking alternative means for them to continue trade." Those efforts have been underway for years, but the latest conflict has accelerated them. Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in the East-West Pipeline linking Gulf oil fields to the Red Sea, while the United Arab Emirates has expanded export capacity through Fujairah, allowing crude exports to bypass Hormuz altogether. Every barrel that leaves the Gulf without transiting the strait — and every ship that safely uses the southern corridor — chips away at the leverage Iran has historically derived from one of the world's most important maritime choke points. If those alternatives continue to expand, Iran's ability to wield the strait as a strategic pressure point could gradually diminish even if Hormuz itself remains one of the world's most vital energy corridors. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b5d0197238567836b925 Seattle Pride parade pandemonium as nude marchers prance through streets in front of children te 2026-06-30T12:25:52.078Z Seattle Pride parade pandemonium as nude marchers prance through streets in front of children WARNING: Graphic Content Seattle's LGBT Pride parade on Sunday descended into bedlam as attendees stripped off their clothes and marched the streets naked while children looked on. One video filmed by Chloe Cole, a de-transitioner activist, and posted by Frontlines Turning Point USA, shows people from a group called "Friends of Denny Blaine" marching in the nude. Some onlookers clapped and cheered, while the video panned to young children watching the spectacle. Another video shows naked people prancing around an outdoor fountain near children who were playing in the water. DRAG QUEEN INVITED TO BALTIMORE ORIOLES PRIDE NIGHT TAKES A SHOT AT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION The "Friends of Denny Blaine" website says it is dedicated to protecting Denny Blaine Park, which is known for its "historic nude & queer character." Currently, the park is facing a lawsuit from concerned citizens over its graphic nature, according to the website. "Nude ≠ Lewd," "Free to be Naked" and "Nude is Nourishing," read signs held by the marchers in the parade. BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY PLANS 19 DRAG QUEEN STORY HOURS FOR YOUNG KIDS DURING PRIDE MONTH Yet another lewd video shows naked men cycling in the parade, again to the applause and appreciation of the crowd, though some spectators can be seen shielding the eyes of children from the nude bodies. DRAG QUEEN INVITED TO BALTIMORE ORIOLES PRIDE NIGHT TAKES A SHOT AT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION The Frontlines TPUSA video showing people parading nude around the Seattle Center International Fountain after the gay pride event includes scenes of children splashing in the water that sprays from the fountain just feet from several naked men and one naked woman. It comes as Pride Month, which celebrates the LGBTQ+ community every June, comes to a close. In 1999, then-President Bill Clinton officially declared June the "Gay and Lesbian Pride Month," and in the years after gay marriage was codified in 2015, the parades and celebration have become increasingly crass, often with scenes of nude or nearly nude people parading in public. The three videos of naked demonstrators caused online fury from viewers shocked by the indecent display. INDIANA REPUBLICAN SENATOR MOVES TO BLOCK KIDS FROM ACCESSING PORN ONLINE "How is this not indecent exposure? Wtf?" one X user said. "Why the f--- would you take your children to see and celebrate this vile filthy celebration of perversion and degeneracy?" asked another. DRAG QUEEN INVITED TO BALTIMORE ORIOLES PRIDE NIGHT TAKES A SHOT AT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION A third said: "Those parents are stupid, both for bringing children to a Pride Parade, and for keeping them there when a bunch of naked pervs exposed themselves. Pride Parades are infamous for crap like this." Seattle's municipal code mentions nothing about public nudity, and the Seattle Police Department (SPD) has reiterated multiple times that being nude in Seattle is not a crime in itself. "However, public nudity can quickly become a case of indecent exposure if the nudity causes a person to reasonably experience fear, alarm or concern," an SPD press release says. Instead, the city is governed by Washington's indecent exposure law. "A person is guilty of indecent exposure if he or she intentionally makes any open and obscene exposure of his or her person or the person of another knowing that such conduct is likely to cause reasonable affront or alarm," Revised Code of Washington 9A.88.010 says. A subsection of the law says indecent exposure is a misdemeanor "on the first offense if the person exposes himself or herself to a person under the age of fourteen years." It is a felony for convicted sex offenders to commit the crime of indecent exposure. The Seattle Police Department did not return a request for comment when asked whether anyone was arrested during the city's pride festivities. Mayor Katie Wilson's Office also did not return Fox News Digital's request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b5c8197238567836b916 Seattle Pride parade pandemonium as nude marchers prance through streets in front of children te 2026-06-30T12:25:44.244Z Seattle Pride parade pandemonium as nude marchers prance through streets in front of children WARNING: Graphic Content Seattle's LGBT Pride parade on Sunday descended into bedlam as attendees stripped off their clothes and marched the streets naked while children looked on. One video filmed by Chloe Cole, a de-transitioner activist, and posted by Frontlines Turning Point USA, shows people from a group called "Friends of Denny Blaine" marching in the nude. Some onlookers clapped and cheered, while the video panned to young children watching the spectacle. Another video shows naked people prancing around an outdoor fountain near children who were playing in the water. DRAG QUEEN INVITED TO BALTIMORE ORIOLES PRIDE NIGHT TAKES A SHOT AT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION The "Friends of Denny Blaine" website says it is dedicated to protecting Denny Blaine Park, which is known for its "historic nude & queer character." Currently, the park is facing a lawsuit from concerned citizens over its graphic nature, according to the website. "Nude ≠ Lewd," "Free to be Naked" and "Nude is Nourishing," read signs held by the marchers in the parade. BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY PLANS 19 DRAG QUEEN STORY HOURS FOR YOUNG KIDS DURING PRIDE MONTH Yet another lewd video shows naked men cycling in the parade, again to the applause and appreciation of the crowd, though some spectators can be seen shielding the eyes of children from the nude bodies. DRAG QUEEN INVITED TO BALTIMORE ORIOLES PRIDE NIGHT TAKES A SHOT AT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION The Frontlines TPUSA video showing people parading nude around the Seattle Center International Fountain after the gay pride event includes scenes of children splashing in the water that sprays from the fountain just feet from several naked men and one naked woman. It comes as Pride Month, which celebrates the LGBTQ+ community every June, comes to a close. In 1999, then-President Bill Clinton officially declared June the "Gay and Lesbian Pride Month," and in the years after gay marriage was codified in 2015, the parades and celebration have become increasingly crass, often with scenes of nude or nearly nude people parading in public. The three videos of naked demonstrators caused online fury from viewers shocked by the indecent display. INDIANA REPUBLICAN SENATOR MOVES TO BLOCK KIDS FROM ACCESSING PORN ONLINE "How is this not indecent exposure? Wtf?" one X user said. "Why the f--- would you take your children to see and celebrate this vile filthy celebration of perversion and degeneracy?" asked another. DRAG QUEEN INVITED TO BALTIMORE ORIOLES PRIDE NIGHT TAKES A SHOT AT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION A third said: "Those parents are stupid, both for bringing children to a Pride Parade, and for keeping them there when a bunch of naked pervs exposed themselves. Pride Parades are infamous for crap like this." Seattle's municipal code mentions nothing about public nudity, and the Seattle Police Department (SPD) has reiterated multiple times that being nude in Seattle is not a crime in itself. "However, public nudity can quickly become a case of indecent exposure if the nudity causes a person to reasonably experience fear, alarm or concern," an SPD press release says. Instead, the city is governed by Washington's indecent exposure law. "A person is guilty of indecent exposure if he or she intentionally makes any open and obscene exposure of his or her person or the person of another knowing that such conduct is likely to cause reasonable affront or alarm," Revised Code of Washington 9A.88.010 says. A subsection of the law says indecent exposure is a misdemeanor "on the first offense if the person exposes himself or herself to a person under the age of fourteen years." It is a felony for convicted sex offenders to commit the crime of indecent exposure. The Seattle Police Department did not return a request for comment when asked whether anyone was arrested during the city's pride festivities. Mayor Katie Wilson's Office also did not return Fox News Digital's request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b5bc197238567836b90d HOA threatens American flag-flying homeowners as they fight for Old Glory before nation’s 250th birthday te 2026-06-30T12:25:32.617Z HOA threatens American flag-flying homeowners as they fight for Old Glory before nation’s 250th birthday As Americans prepare to celebrate the nation's 250th birthday, homeowners in an upscale Southern California community say they're being threatened with fines for flying Old Glory. Residents in San Marcos, whose townhome community is governed by the Ambiance Owners Association, are refusing to remove American flags displayed outside their homes despite notices from the homeowners' association. Real estate websites show townhomes in the community are valued at just under $1 million. OBAMA JUDGE RULES ON EFFORT TO BLOCK AMERICA 250 EVENTS AT WH AND LINCOLN MEMORIAL Documents reviewed by Fox News Digital show the dispute dates back at least three years. In May 2023, the HOA notified one homeowner that sports flags were prohibited while stating that "the American flag is the only approved flag to be hung on and within common property." 📢 See a problem in your neighborhood that isn't getting attention? 📩 stepheny.price@fox.com 📸 Instagram: @fndstephprice 🎥 X: @StephenyPrice Whether it's a developing case, concerning trend, or something you think deserves attention, your information could help lead our next story or investigation. By May 2026, however, the HOA issued Amy and Christopher Cooke a violation notice alleging the American flag mounted outside their home violated the association's flag policy and directing them to remove the flag mount within 15 days or face enforcement action. Neighbor Terri Collins also received a violation notice over the American flag displayed outside her home and said she's prepared to fight the HOA alongside the Cookes. "The journey has been long and hard, and we are ready to put an end to it once and for all," Collins told Fox News Digital. Amy Cooke told Fox News Digital the controversy began after another resident attempted to fly a San Diego Padres flag, prompting the HOA to revisit its flag rules. PRIDE FLAGS SPARK CONTROVERSY AFTER BEING DISPLAYED WITH VETERANS' TRIBUTE BANNERS IN LONG ISLAND TOWN "Both American flags had been flying around here for decades without issue," Cooke said. "The fact is it's about the American flag, distinctly." Cooke said she laughed when she first received notice that the HOA considered her American flag to be in violation. "My first reaction was, 'No,'" she said. "'Wait a minute, this isn't legal.'" REMEMBERING THE COLLEAGUES WE LOST: A VETERAN'S MEMORIAL DAY REFLECTION According to Cooke, the flag has flown from her garage door frame for more than 20 years in honor of her husband's grandfather, who was killed in World War II while rescuing fellow sailors. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross and Purple Heart. Cooke contends the HOA has repeatedly failed to explain why it considers her garage door frame to be a common area rather than an exclusive-use common area under the association's governing documents. In a June 19 letter to the HOA obtained by Fox News Digital, the Cookes requested board meeting minutes adopting the flag policy, records supporting the HOA's interpretation of the property's common areas and the authority it relied upon in issuing the violation. They also asked that their disciplinary hearing be postponed until those records were produced, writing that the same questions "remain unanswered." Cooke said she and her husband have spent nearly two years researching federal and California law, gathering HOA records, corresponding with the HOA and preparing for what they believe could become a lengthy legal battle. The couple has since launched an online fundraiser to help cover attorney fees, court costs and other legal expenses if the dispute heads to court. FOLLOW US ON X "This isn't about refusing to follow reasonable rules," Cooke wrote on the fundraising page. "We believe this is about preserving the right to display the American flag in our own community and ensuring that HOA rules are enforced fairly and consistently." Cooke said any money remaining after legal expenses would be donated to patriotic organizations or causes supporting Gold Star military families. The homeowners' fight has also attracted attention from legal advocates. CLICK HERE FOR MORE U.S. NEWS "California law is clear. While homeowners associations may adopt reasonable rules governing the manner, placement, or safety of flag displays, they cannot prohibit homeowners from flying the American flag on their own property," Courtney Corbello, counsel at the Center for American Liberty, told Fox News Digital. "No homeowner should be threatened with fines for respectfully displaying the flag of the country they love, especially on the eve of America's 250th birthday. A blanket policy that sweeps in longstanding flag displays and punishes residents instead of pursuing reasonable solutions is likely to face serious legal scrutiny. HOAs cannot bully homeowners into taking down the Stars and Stripes." WATCH: Poll shows 27% of Democrats won't fly flag for July 4 The controversy has also reached the political arena. "What is wrong with these people? We are just about to celebrate the 250th birthday of our country," California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton told the California Post. "One of the most beautiful and magnificent things about America is the way we show our love of our country together all the time. ... And now these tin-pot bureaucrats at some ridiculous HOA want to trample on our flag and stifle national pride at this of all moments? What a bunch of anti-American losers." GET BREAKING NEWS ALERTS Hilton urged residents to ignore the HOA's demands and respond by displaying even more American flags in celebration of America's 250th birthday. Cooke said the dispute has already had a ripple effect throughout the neighborhood. SEND US A TIP "We have flags going up and down emotionally, which is really sad," she said. "Just fly the flag. It shouldn't be an emotional decision." She said she hopes the case encourages other homeowners not to be intimidated by their HOAs. "Stand up for what you believe in. Show some pride in your country and appreciate what America gives you," Cooke said. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Ambiance Owners Association and the San Marcos mayor's office for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b5b4197238567836b904 HOA threatens American flag-flying homeowners as they fight for Old Glory before nation’s 250th birthday te 2026-06-30T12:25:24.788Z HOA threatens American flag-flying homeowners as they fight for Old Glory before nation’s 250th birthday As Americans prepare to celebrate the nation's 250th birthday, homeowners in an upscale Southern California community say they're being threatened with fines for flying Old Glory. Residents in San Marcos, whose townhome community is governed by the Ambiance Owners Association, are refusing to remove American flags displayed outside their homes despite notices from the homeowners' association. Real estate websites show townhomes in the community are valued at just under $1 million. OBAMA JUDGE RULES ON EFFORT TO BLOCK AMERICA 250 EVENTS AT WH AND LINCOLN MEMORIAL Documents reviewed by Fox News Digital show the dispute dates back at least three years. In May 2023, the HOA notified one homeowner that sports flags were prohibited while stating that "the American flag is the only approved flag to be hung on and within common property." 📢 See a problem in your neighborhood that isn't getting attention? 📩 stepheny.price@fox.com 📸 Instagram: @fndstephprice 🎥 X: @StephenyPrice Whether it's a developing case, concerning trend, or something you think deserves attention, your information could help lead our next story or investigation. By May 2026, however, the HOA issued Amy and Christopher Cooke a violation notice alleging the American flag mounted outside their home violated the association's flag policy and directing them to remove the flag mount within 15 days or face enforcement action. Neighbor Terri Collins also received a violation notice over the American flag displayed outside her home and said she's prepared to fight the HOA alongside the Cookes. "The journey has been long and hard, and we are ready to put an end to it once and for all," Collins told Fox News Digital. Amy Cooke told Fox News Digital the controversy began after another resident attempted to fly a San Diego Padres flag, prompting the HOA to revisit its flag rules. PRIDE FLAGS SPARK CONTROVERSY AFTER BEING DISPLAYED WITH VETERANS' TRIBUTE BANNERS IN LONG ISLAND TOWN "Both American flags had been flying around here for decades without issue," Cooke said. "The fact is it's about the American flag, distinctly." Cooke said she laughed when she first received notice that the HOA considered her American flag to be in violation. "My first reaction was, 'No,'" she said. "'Wait a minute, this isn't legal.'" REMEMBERING THE COLLEAGUES WE LOST: A VETERAN'S MEMORIAL DAY REFLECTION According to Cooke, the flag has flown from her garage door frame for more than 20 years in honor of her husband's grandfather, who was killed in World War II while rescuing fellow sailors. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross and Purple Heart. Cooke contends the HOA has repeatedly failed to explain why it considers her garage door frame to be a common area rather than an exclusive-use common area under the association's governing documents. In a June 19 letter to the HOA obtained by Fox News Digital, the Cookes requested board meeting minutes adopting the flag policy, records supporting the HOA's interpretation of the property's common areas and the authority it relied upon in issuing the violation. They also asked that their disciplinary hearing be postponed until those records were produced, writing that the same questions "remain unanswered." Cooke said she and her husband have spent nearly two years researching federal and California law, gathering HOA records, corresponding with the HOA and preparing for what they believe could become a lengthy legal battle. The couple has since launched an online fundraiser to help cover attorney fees, court costs and other legal expenses if the dispute heads to court. FOLLOW US ON X "This isn't about refusing to follow reasonable rules," Cooke wrote on the fundraising page. "We believe this is about preserving the right to display the American flag in our own community and ensuring that HOA rules are enforced fairly and consistently." Cooke said any money remaining after legal expenses would be donated to patriotic organizations or causes supporting Gold Star military families. The homeowners' fight has also attracted attention from legal advocates. CLICK HERE FOR MORE U.S. NEWS "California law is clear. While homeowners associations may adopt reasonable rules governing the manner, placement, or safety of flag displays, they cannot prohibit homeowners from flying the American flag on their own property," Courtney Corbello, counsel at the Center for American Liberty, told Fox News Digital. "No homeowner should be threatened with fines for respectfully displaying the flag of the country they love, especially on the eve of America's 250th birthday. A blanket policy that sweeps in longstanding flag displays and punishes residents instead of pursuing reasonable solutions is likely to face serious legal scrutiny. HOAs cannot bully homeowners into taking down the Stars and Stripes." WATCH: Poll shows 27% of Democrats won't fly flag for July 4 The controversy has also reached the political arena. "What is wrong with these people? We are just about to celebrate the 250th birthday of our country," California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton told the California Post. "One of the most beautiful and magnificent things about America is the way we show our love of our country together all the time. ... And now these tin-pot bureaucrats at some ridiculous HOA want to trample on our flag and stifle national pride at this of all moments? What a bunch of anti-American losers." GET BREAKING NEWS ALERTS Hilton urged residents to ignore the HOA's demands and respond by displaying even more American flags in celebration of America's 250th birthday. Cooke said the dispute has already had a ripple effect throughout the neighborhood. SEND US A TIP "We have flags going up and down emotionally, which is really sad," she said. "Just fly the flag. It shouldn't be an emotional decision." She said she hopes the case encourages other homeowners not to be intimidated by their HOAs. "Stand up for what you believe in. Show some pride in your country and appreciate what America gives you," Cooke said. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Ambiance Owners Association and the San Marcos mayor's office for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b5a9197238567836b8fb Trump’s massive GOP faith bloc raises red flag on Iran deal: Trust him, not his team te 2026-06-30T12:25:13.153Z Trump’s massive GOP faith bloc raises red flag on Iran deal: Trust him, not his team Influential evangelical leaders are divided over the Trump administration's memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran, as conflict continues across the Middle East and debate grows over whether the framework strengthens U.S. leverage or risks harming Israel. President Donald Trump recently threatened to re-escalate U.S. military strikes against Iran after Tehran continued attacks in the Strait of Hormuz after the regime launched strikes against Kuwait and Bahrain over the weekend, drawing condemnations from both Gulf neighbors. The split is emerging at a delicate moment for Trump, who is trying to turn military pressure on Iran into a diplomatic framework without alienating supporters who helped power his political coalition. Supporters of the MOU say Trump has earned trust because he weakened Tehran first, while critics say any deal that gives Iran relief before its threat to Israel is permanently neutralized risks betraying the alliance his base expects him to protect. Dr. Mike Evans, founder of the Friends of Zion Heritage Center in Jerusalem and a close evangelical ally of Trump, told Fox News Digital that many people are underestimating the American president. EVANGELICAL LEADERS RALLY FOR TRUMP AND ISRAEL AS OPERATION EPIC FURY RESHAPES THE REGION "The facts are that Donald Trump was key to ending the Gaza war, he was key to getting hostages out of there, and he was key in breaking the back of the Iranian regime, including destroying its navy, air force, missile defense and leadership," Evans said. TRUMP ADMINISTRATION UNVEILS SWEEPING TERMS OF PROPOSED IRAN AGREEMENT There are 750 million Bible-believing Christians around the world who identify as Zionists, Evans said, adding that while they may disagree on Israeli political issues, they agree that Israel is the biblical homeland given by God to the Jewish people through Abraham. While running for president, Trump met with Christian groups, including Evans, and asked whether they would support him, Evans said, adding that they agreed on the condition that he support Christian values in the United States and stands by the State of Israel. I'M A CHRISTIAN PASTOR WHO WAS BORN IN EGYPT. HERE ARE 3 FACTS I LEARNED ABOUT IRAN'S NUCLEAR OBSESSION "He promised to do both and so far he’s exceeded all of our expectations," Evans said. "Israel is willing to shed its blood for America in the Middle East. America needs to do everything possible to support the State of Israel. We, as believers, believe that God birthed this nation. We don’t have any fear about Israel’s future," he added. U.S. officials worked with the Israel Defense Forces to complete Operation Epic Fury in February, which was a 38-day effort to dismantle the Iranian regime’s military capabilities.  "Following the historic destruction of Iran’s military capabilities through the successful Operation Epic Fury, President Trump and his negotiating team have brokered an excellent, performance-based MOU that advances the interests of the United States by ending the fighting, reopening the Strait of Hormuz to significantly lower energy prices, and forcing Iran to commit to abandon its nuclear ambitions," White House spokesperson Olivia Wales told Fox News Digital. "President Trump has a strong relationship with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and Israel has always been a great ally to the United States. There has been no greater friend to Israel and a fighter for peace than President Trump... Americans and our allies around the world are already safer for the United States and Israel’s bold actions to deny the Iranian regime the ability to develop a nuclear weapon," a White House official added in a comment to Fox News Digital. The Rev. Johnnie Moore, president of The Congress of Christian Leaders, told Fox News Digital that, in 2016, opposition to President Obama's catastrophic Iran deal was one of the top three reasons evangelicals rallied to Donald Trump, helping forge one of the most consequential, enduring and powerful political coalitions in American history — a coalition that stands with him still and knows its power. "Evangelicals know, and President Trump knows, that words on paper don't change terrorists. Accountability does. Action does. This president has been willing to confront the Iranian regime in ways no predecessor would, and the regime has never been weaker," Moore said. TRUMP PIVOTS ON STRIKES WHILE DANGLING IRAN DEAL, TESTING WHETHER TEHRAN BLINKS "The nuclear threat, at least for now, is gone. What brought Iran to this table was not a memorandum — it was precise and unrelenting military action that shattered their nuclear ambitions and broke their conventional forces," he continued. "We also know, as the president knows, that the regime will say and do anything to deceive everyone around him — because they understand they cannot deceive the president himself. Evangelicals trust President Trump entirely. That does not mean that we trust many of those now involved in the negotiation," he added.  The risk the president must manage, he said, is that Tehran turns this into a stalling game — as it tried and failed to do with his own team at least twice and did successfully with Presidents Biden and Obama.  "In the end, because of the president, America will win this too — negotiation or not. But it is clear where our community stands. The regime only understands one language: strength. American strength," he said. ISRAEL FEARS TRUMP WEARY OF ‘HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS’ NETANYAHU AND COULD 'FLIP' AMID IRAN DEAL: ANALYST  Other leaders expressed concerns over recent comments on Israel from the administration. Laurie Cardoza-Moore, president of Proclaiming Justice to the Nations, told Fox News Digital that evangelical Christians were largely responsible for the election of the current administration and said the agreement with Iran is extremely worrying. "One of our core issues is the Biblical requirement to stand with Israel and G-d's chosen people as described in the Books of Genesis and Obadiah. As the Bible teaches, those who stand with Israel will be blessed, and those who curse her will be cursed," she said. "There is a strong feeling that Israel is being betrayed and thrown under the bus in favor of the Islamic Republic of Iran. We are particularly concerned about recent harsh and false statements made by Vice President Vance, which could be perceived as cursing Israel," she added. The office of the vice president declined to comment when approached by Fox News Digital. Vance has supported Israel but has also said he is willing to criticize the country when he believes its actions warrant it. He condemned antisemitism in February, telling the Daily Mail, "I think Jew hatred is disgusting." "You shouldn’t hate people because they’re White. You shouldn’t hate people because they’re Jewish. You shouldn’t hate people because they’re Black," he said. But Vance has also made clear that support for Israel does not mean automatic agreement with Netanyahu’s government. "Prime Minister Netanyahu, look, he governs a country that has obviously been a very close partner of the United States. But, even when we've been close partners, sometimes we have interests that are perfectly aligned, and sometimes we have interests that are misaligned," Vance said in an interview on "CBS Sunday Morning" June 10. TRUMP'S IRAN AGREEMENT RAISES A BASIC QUESTION: IS IT ACTUALLY A DEAL? The Trump administration publicly released details of the memorandum outlining plans for immediate waivers on Iranian oil exports, a framework for at least $300 billion in reconstruction and economic development assistance if a final agreement is reached, and a 60-day negotiating period aimed at securing a comprehensive deal on Iran’s nuclear program. Pastor John Hagee, founder and chairman of Christians United for Israel, told Fox News Digital that, in its current form, the MOU appears ill-advised at best, as the military gains achieved by Washington and Jerusalem have yet to be fully realized. "I have yet to hear from anyone who was not surprised by such an about-face in signing the MOU. Who would not be concerned with the U.S. effectively agreeing to forever negotiations with a highly militarized radical Islamist regime, flush with cash, in pursuit of nuclear weapons," Hagee said. Most evangelical Christians, he added, see what everyone else sees: The U.S. negotiating team appears to have fumbled the ball on the one-yard line. Nevertheless, the U.S.-Israel alliance remains a cornerstone of both countries’ security and a key pillar of global stability. AMERICANS KNOW IRAN IS OUR ENEMY. IT’S TIME ESTABLISHMENT POLITICIANS AGREED RETIRED US MILITARY LEADERS SUPPORT LETTING ISRAEL 'FINISH THE JOB' AGAINST IRAN, PROXIES "From a religious perspective, we have a divine mandate to stand with Israel. From a national security perspective, we have no stronger or wiser ally anywhere in the world. And from the Christian pilgrim’s perspective, our holy sites in the Holy Land have never been more open and yet more secure," Hagee said. "The most ‘America-first’ thing one can do is stand with our only true ally in the region," he continued. "The Islamic Republic declared war on the West the day it was founded nearly half a century ago. That has not changed. Democracies rarely get to decide who their enemies are. The only conclusion to this conflict is regime change through domestic revolution in Iran," Hagee added. MORNING GLORY: PRESIDENT TRUMP AND THE US ARE WAGING A RIGHTEOUS BATTLE — AND WINNING After the 60-day timeframe, Evans predicted Trump is likely to extend negotiations for another 90 days, carrying them through the end of the year and beyond the midterm elections. President Trump, Evans said, will then break the economic back of the regime, take Kharg Island and completely bankrupt the regime. "I am not panicking because I know Donald Trump. I am the strongest supporter in the state of Israel of Donald Trump. I am the one that hosted the embassy gala, put up all the billboards and gave him an award. I am not panicking over this," he added. Evans said Christians do not believe the battle can be won by bombs alone, and that they view prayer as their most powerful weapon. "We are hosting the largest prayer in history at the Kotel (Western Wall) with 5 to 10 million Christians on Oct. 7. I now have more than a dozen ambassadors involved and 23 additional ones I am meeting with who want to represent their country," he said. Dr. Jürgen Bühler, president of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ), said his organization has witnessed up close for decades how the Iranian regime has progressively raised the sword of radical Islam over Israel, as well as over indigenous Christians throughout the Middle East. "Given the current deal being worked out with Iranian leaders, we share the sense of most Israelis that the war against this intolerable Iranian threat has been stopped short of its needed objective," he told Fox News Digital. "Israel is a fellow Western democracy that deserves our full support in its fight to defend our shared freedoms and values, and many Christians in this region look to Israel as a light of hope for securing their own freedoms and futures," he added. Ultimately, Bühler said, the best and most just answer to the Iranian threat is genuine regime change in Tehran. "We have not given up hope that the Iranian people themselves will be able to rise up and overcome their oppressive rulers and steer their nation away from this self-destructive obsession with destroying Israel," he said. Heather Johnston, founder and president of the U.S.-Israel Education Association, said in a statement to Fox News Digital in reaction to the MOU that the U.S.-Israel relationship has advanced American interests for decades and should be strengthened — not strained — by U.S. diplomacy with Iran. "Iran’s long record of supporting terrorism and threatening Israel gives Americans ample reason to assess this agreement carefully and skeptically. Any diplomacy with Iran should be measured against whether it advances or undermines that progress," she said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b5a1197238567836b8f2 Trump’s massive GOP faith bloc raises red flag on Iran deal: Trust him, not his team te 2026-06-30T12:25:05.332Z Trump’s massive GOP faith bloc raises red flag on Iran deal: Trust him, not his team Influential evangelical leaders are divided over the Trump administration's memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran, as conflict continues across the Middle East and debate grows over whether the framework strengthens U.S. leverage or risks harming Israel. President Donald Trump recently threatened to re-escalate U.S. military strikes against Iran after Tehran continued attacks in the Strait of Hormuz after the regime launched strikes against Kuwait and Bahrain over the weekend, drawing condemnations from both Gulf neighbors. The split is emerging at a delicate moment for Trump, who is trying to turn military pressure on Iran into a diplomatic framework without alienating supporters who helped power his political coalition. Supporters of the MOU say Trump has earned trust because he weakened Tehran first, while critics say any deal that gives Iran relief before its threat to Israel is permanently neutralized risks betraying the alliance his base expects him to protect. Dr. Mike Evans, founder of the Friends of Zion Heritage Center in Jerusalem and a close evangelical ally of Trump, told Fox News Digital that many people are underestimating the American president. EVANGELICAL LEADERS RALLY FOR TRUMP AND ISRAEL AS OPERATION EPIC FURY RESHAPES THE REGION "The facts are that Donald Trump was key to ending the Gaza war, he was key to getting hostages out of there, and he was key in breaking the back of the Iranian regime, including destroying its navy, air force, missile defense and leadership," Evans said. TRUMP ADMINISTRATION UNVEILS SWEEPING TERMS OF PROPOSED IRAN AGREEMENT There are 750 million Bible-believing Christians around the world who identify as Zionists, Evans said, adding that while they may disagree on Israeli political issues, they agree that Israel is the biblical homeland given by God to the Jewish people through Abraham. While running for president, Trump met with Christian groups, including Evans, and asked whether they would support him, Evans said, adding that they agreed on the condition that he support Christian values in the United States and stands by the State of Israel. I'M A CHRISTIAN PASTOR WHO WAS BORN IN EGYPT. HERE ARE 3 FACTS I LEARNED ABOUT IRAN'S NUCLEAR OBSESSION "He promised to do both and so far he’s exceeded all of our expectations," Evans said. "Israel is willing to shed its blood for America in the Middle East. America needs to do everything possible to support the State of Israel. We, as believers, believe that God birthed this nation. We don’t have any fear about Israel’s future," he added. U.S. officials worked with the Israel Defense Forces to complete Operation Epic Fury in February, which was a 38-day effort to dismantle the Iranian regime’s military capabilities.  "Following the historic destruction of Iran’s military capabilities through the successful Operation Epic Fury, President Trump and his negotiating team have brokered an excellent, performance-based MOU that advances the interests of the United States by ending the fighting, reopening the Strait of Hormuz to significantly lower energy prices, and forcing Iran to commit to abandon its nuclear ambitions," White House spokesperson Olivia Wales told Fox News Digital. "President Trump has a strong relationship with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and Israel has always been a great ally to the United States. There has been no greater friend to Israel and a fighter for peace than President Trump... Americans and our allies around the world are already safer for the United States and Israel’s bold actions to deny the Iranian regime the ability to develop a nuclear weapon," a White House official added in a comment to Fox News Digital. The Rev. Johnnie Moore, president of The Congress of Christian Leaders, told Fox News Digital that, in 2016, opposition to President Obama's catastrophic Iran deal was one of the top three reasons evangelicals rallied to Donald Trump, helping forge one of the most consequential, enduring and powerful political coalitions in American history — a coalition that stands with him still and knows its power. "Evangelicals know, and President Trump knows, that words on paper don't change terrorists. Accountability does. Action does. This president has been willing to confront the Iranian regime in ways no predecessor would, and the regime has never been weaker," Moore said. TRUMP PIVOTS ON STRIKES WHILE DANGLING IRAN DEAL, TESTING WHETHER TEHRAN BLINKS "The nuclear threat, at least for now, is gone. What brought Iran to this table was not a memorandum — it was precise and unrelenting military action that shattered their nuclear ambitions and broke their conventional forces," he continued. "We also know, as the president knows, that the regime will say and do anything to deceive everyone around him — because they understand they cannot deceive the president himself. Evangelicals trust President Trump entirely. That does not mean that we trust many of those now involved in the negotiation," he added.  The risk the president must manage, he said, is that Tehran turns this into a stalling game — as it tried and failed to do with his own team at least twice and did successfully with Presidents Biden and Obama.  "In the end, because of the president, America will win this too — negotiation or not. But it is clear where our community stands. The regime only understands one language: strength. American strength," he said. ISRAEL FEARS TRUMP WEARY OF ‘HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS’ NETANYAHU AND COULD 'FLIP' AMID IRAN DEAL: ANALYST  Other leaders expressed concerns over recent comments on Israel from the administration. Laurie Cardoza-Moore, president of Proclaiming Justice to the Nations, told Fox News Digital that evangelical Christians were largely responsible for the election of the current administration and said the agreement with Iran is extremely worrying. "One of our core issues is the Biblical requirement to stand with Israel and G-d's chosen people as described in the Books of Genesis and Obadiah. As the Bible teaches, those who stand with Israel will be blessed, and those who curse her will be cursed," she said. "There is a strong feeling that Israel is being betrayed and thrown under the bus in favor of the Islamic Republic of Iran. We are particularly concerned about recent harsh and false statements made by Vice President Vance, which could be perceived as cursing Israel," she added. The office of the vice president declined to comment when approached by Fox News Digital. Vance has supported Israel but has also said he is willing to criticize the country when he believes its actions warrant it. He condemned antisemitism in February, telling the Daily Mail, "I think Jew hatred is disgusting." "You shouldn’t hate people because they’re White. You shouldn’t hate people because they’re Jewish. You shouldn’t hate people because they’re Black," he said. But Vance has also made clear that support for Israel does not mean automatic agreement with Netanyahu’s government. "Prime Minister Netanyahu, look, he governs a country that has obviously been a very close partner of the United States. But, even when we've been close partners, sometimes we have interests that are perfectly aligned, and sometimes we have interests that are misaligned," Vance said in an interview on "CBS Sunday Morning" June 10. TRUMP'S IRAN AGREEMENT RAISES A BASIC QUESTION: IS IT ACTUALLY A DEAL? The Trump administration publicly released details of the memorandum outlining plans for immediate waivers on Iranian oil exports, a framework for at least $300 billion in reconstruction and economic development assistance if a final agreement is reached, and a 60-day negotiating period aimed at securing a comprehensive deal on Iran’s nuclear program. Pastor John Hagee, founder and chairman of Christians United for Israel, told Fox News Digital that, in its current form, the MOU appears ill-advised at best, as the military gains achieved by Washington and Jerusalem have yet to be fully realized. "I have yet to hear from anyone who was not surprised by such an about-face in signing the MOU. Who would not be concerned with the U.S. effectively agreeing to forever negotiations with a highly militarized radical Islamist regime, flush with cash, in pursuit of nuclear weapons," Hagee said. Most evangelical Christians, he added, see what everyone else sees: The U.S. negotiating team appears to have fumbled the ball on the one-yard line. Nevertheless, the U.S.-Israel alliance remains a cornerstone of both countries’ security and a key pillar of global stability. AMERICANS KNOW IRAN IS OUR ENEMY. IT’S TIME ESTABLISHMENT POLITICIANS AGREED RETIRED US MILITARY LEADERS SUPPORT LETTING ISRAEL 'FINISH THE JOB' AGAINST IRAN, PROXIES "From a religious perspective, we have a divine mandate to stand with Israel. From a national security perspective, we have no stronger or wiser ally anywhere in the world. And from the Christian pilgrim’s perspective, our holy sites in the Holy Land have never been more open and yet more secure," Hagee said. "The most ‘America-first’ thing one can do is stand with our only true ally in the region," he continued. "The Islamic Republic declared war on the West the day it was founded nearly half a century ago. That has not changed. Democracies rarely get to decide who their enemies are. The only conclusion to this conflict is regime change through domestic revolution in Iran," Hagee added. MORNING GLORY: PRESIDENT TRUMP AND THE US ARE WAGING A RIGHTEOUS BATTLE — AND WINNING After the 60-day timeframe, Evans predicted Trump is likely to extend negotiations for another 90 days, carrying them through the end of the year and beyond the midterm elections. President Trump, Evans said, will then break the economic back of the regime, take Kharg Island and completely bankrupt the regime. "I am not panicking because I know Donald Trump. I am the strongest supporter in the state of Israel of Donald Trump. I am the one that hosted the embassy gala, put up all the billboards and gave him an award. I am not panicking over this," he added. Evans said Christians do not believe the battle can be won by bombs alone, and that they view prayer as their most powerful weapon. "We are hosting the largest prayer in history at the Kotel (Western Wall) with 5 to 10 million Christians on Oct. 7. I now have more than a dozen ambassadors involved and 23 additional ones I am meeting with who want to represent their country," he said. Dr. Jürgen Bühler, president of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ), said his organization has witnessed up close for decades how the Iranian regime has progressively raised the sword of radical Islam over Israel, as well as over indigenous Christians throughout the Middle East. "Given the current deal being worked out with Iranian leaders, we share the sense of most Israelis that the war against this intolerable Iranian threat has been stopped short of its needed objective," he told Fox News Digital. "Israel is a fellow Western democracy that deserves our full support in its fight to defend our shared freedoms and values, and many Christians in this region look to Israel as a light of hope for securing their own freedoms and futures," he added. Ultimately, Bühler said, the best and most just answer to the Iranian threat is genuine regime change in Tehran. "We have not given up hope that the Iranian people themselves will be able to rise up and overcome their oppressive rulers and steer their nation away from this self-destructive obsession with destroying Israel," he said. Heather Johnston, founder and president of the U.S.-Israel Education Association, said in a statement to Fox News Digital in reaction to the MOU that the U.S.-Israel relationship has advanced American interests for decades and should be strengthened — not strained — by U.S. diplomacy with Iran. "Iran’s long record of supporting terrorism and threatening Israel gives Americans ample reason to assess this agreement carefully and skeptically. Any diplomacy with Iran should be measured against whether it advances or undermines that progress," she said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b595197238567836b8e9 WWE star dubs New Jersey coastal casino mecca 'saddest' in America te 2026-06-30T12:24:53.697Z WWE star dubs New Jersey coastal casino mecca 'saddest' in America Atlantic City, New Jersey, is far from the shining casino resort capital of the East Coast that it used to be. Sure, there are still great hotels and casinos left in the city and the beach, unlike most in New Jersey, is still free. But crime and corruption have changed the perception of the city over the years. COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL WWE star Grayson Waller took advantage of that. Atlantic City’s iconic Boardwalk Hall played host to "Monday Night Raw" and a taping of "Friday Night SmackDown." Waller posted a video of himself running on the beach on social media and dubbed the beach town the "saddest city in America." "I’ve been to a lot in America, but Atlantic City, New Jersey, might just be the saddest," the Australian heel said. "It’s like Las Vegas for people who have given up on life. But it’s Monday morning. Technically, I’m at a beach – an American version of a beach. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "While the rest of the Raw roster is sleeping in, I’m out here getting after it. I don’t want to end up like one of these people who has to vacation in Atlantic City, New Jersey. So sad." While it might feel like that for some, fellow WWE star Matt Cardona had different memories of Atlantic City. Cardona performed for Game Changer Wrestling at the Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City. The promotion would turn the hotel’s ballroom into a wrestling ring and put on some memorable matches on the independent scene. "Back in Atlantic City tonight for @WWE. Matt Cardona, the man, was born on Long Island. Matt Cardona, the pro wrestler, was born in AC!" he wrote on X. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b58d197238567836b8e0 WWE star dubs New Jersey coastal casino mecca 'saddest' in America te 2026-06-30T12:24:45.876Z WWE star dubs New Jersey coastal casino mecca 'saddest' in America Atlantic City, New Jersey, is far from the shining casino resort capital of the East Coast that it used to be. Sure, there are still great hotels and casinos left in the city and the beach, unlike most in New Jersey, is still free. But crime and corruption have changed the perception of the city over the years. COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL WWE star Grayson Waller took advantage of that. Atlantic City’s iconic Boardwalk Hall played host to "Monday Night Raw" and a taping of "Friday Night SmackDown." Waller posted a video of himself running on the beach on social media and dubbed the beach town the "saddest city in America." "I’ve been to a lot in America, but Atlantic City, New Jersey, might just be the saddest," the Australian heel said. "It’s like Las Vegas for people who have given up on life. But it’s Monday morning. Technically, I’m at a beach – an American version of a beach. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "While the rest of the Raw roster is sleeping in, I’m out here getting after it. I don’t want to end up like one of these people who has to vacation in Atlantic City, New Jersey. So sad." While it might feel like that for some, fellow WWE star Matt Cardona had different memories of Atlantic City. Cardona performed for Game Changer Wrestling at the Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City. The promotion would turn the hotel’s ballroom into a wrestling ring and put on some memorable matches on the independent scene. "Back in Atlantic City tonight for @WWE. Matt Cardona, the man, was born on Long Island. Matt Cardona, the pro wrestler, was born in AC!" he wrote on X. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b582197238567836b8d7 Man accused of killing two teens claimed he was carjacked — his own dashcam footage shows otherwise: cops te 2026-06-30T12:24:34.242Z Man accused of killing two teens claimed he was carjacked — his own dashcam footage shows otherwise: cops The New Jersey man accused of killing two girls told police he was carjacked — but his own dashcam footage showed him driving to the scene, a criminal complaint obtained by Fox News Digital alleges. Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, both 17, were riding an electric bike on Sept. 29, 2025 in Cranford, New Jersey, where prosecutors say 18-year-old Vincent Battiloro intentionally mowed them down. He was charged as an adult Friday. When detectives brought Battiloro to the Cranford Police Department, he told them he had been carjacked earlier that day — before the two teen girls were killed — by an unknown person wearing a red mask and armed with a knife, the criminal complaint alleges. However, dash camera footage obtained by police allegedly disputes his account. TEEN MURDER SUSPECT ALLEGEDLY SWATTED VICTIM'S HOME WEEKS BEFORE DEADLY HIT-AND-RUN: LAWYER "The defendant stated he was driving the Jeep Compass that afternoon when he was carjacked by an unknown individual wearing a red mask and armed with a knife," the complaint states. "Search warrants were executed on the Jeep Compass, and dash camera footage was obtained from the vehicle. The footage from 9/29 showed the defendant getting into and driving the vehicle to the area of Burnside Avenue, where he parked. Shortly thereafter, both victims were seen on the e-bike heading in the opposite direction." According to police, Battiloro's dash camera video showed him getting inside the Jeep Compass on Sept. 29, 2025, and driving to the area of Burnside Avenue in Cranford, near the home of one of the victims. Shortly after he parked, police said both teen girls were seen on electric bicycles headed in the opposite direction. TEEN ACCUSED OF KILLING TWO GIRLS IN ALLEGED HIT-AND-RUN WILL BE TRIED AS ADULT AFTER IDENTITY REVEALED Detectives said Battiloro then made a U-turn in order to follow the victims while he accelerated. The dash camera video then allegedly shows both girls being struck at a "high rate of speed before the vehicle ultimately stopped," according to the complaint. Afterward, according to the complaint, Battiloro fled the area by foot. Brent Bramnick, who is representing Niotis’ family, told Fox News Digital they are thankful the case was moved to adult court. "The decision to try the defendant as an adult is a welcomed sliver of justice. We are grateful to the Prosecutor’s Office for their efforts as well as the community at large for continuing to keep Maria and Isabella’s memories alive," Bramnick said. SEND US A TIP HERE Battiloro's identity was previously withheld because he was a minor when allegedly committing the crimes, but his case was transferred to adult court on Friday. He is now charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Bramnick previously told Fox News Digital that the suspect allegedly swatted the family's home in Cranford twice in September. He said both incidents took place between Sept. 1 and Sept. 15 in 2025. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST After the two incidents, Bramnick said the Niotis family wants to know "what went on?" "What investigation, if any, went on after all that the family reported and all the information that the police had in their possession. That's the question. So we need those questions answered," Bramnick said. "And that's why we're involved, because we're doing our own investigations to try to get to the bottom of those questions." Foulla Niotis, Maria's mother, previously told Fox News that the suspect "planned" the attack and thought he was "untouchable" because he had relatives working in law enforcement. "I want justice for Maria and Isabella. That's what I want," she added. Fox News Digital reached out to Battiloro's attorney and father for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b57a197238567836b8ce Man accused of killing two teens claimed he was carjacked — his own dashcam footage shows otherwise: cops te 2026-06-30T12:24:26.418Z Man accused of killing two teens claimed he was carjacked — his own dashcam footage shows otherwise: cops The New Jersey man accused of killing two girls told police he was carjacked — but his own dashcam footage showed him driving to the scene, a criminal complaint obtained by Fox News Digital alleges. Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, both 17, were riding an electric bike on Sept. 29, 2025 in Cranford, New Jersey, where prosecutors say 18-year-old Vincent Battiloro intentionally mowed them down. He was charged as an adult Friday. When detectives brought Battiloro to the Cranford Police Department, he told them he had been carjacked earlier that day — before the two teen girls were killed — by an unknown person wearing a red mask and armed with a knife, the criminal complaint alleges. However, dash camera footage obtained by police allegedly disputes his account. TEEN MURDER SUSPECT ALLEGEDLY SWATTED VICTIM'S HOME WEEKS BEFORE DEADLY HIT-AND-RUN: LAWYER "The defendant stated he was driving the Jeep Compass that afternoon when he was carjacked by an unknown individual wearing a red mask and armed with a knife," the complaint states. "Search warrants were executed on the Jeep Compass, and dash camera footage was obtained from the vehicle. The footage from 9/29 showed the defendant getting into and driving the vehicle to the area of Burnside Avenue, where he parked. Shortly thereafter, both victims were seen on the e-bike heading in the opposite direction." According to police, Battiloro's dash camera video showed him getting inside the Jeep Compass on Sept. 29, 2025, and driving to the area of Burnside Avenue in Cranford, near the home of one of the victims. Shortly after he parked, police said both teen girls were seen on electric bicycles headed in the opposite direction. TEEN ACCUSED OF KILLING TWO GIRLS IN ALLEGED HIT-AND-RUN WILL BE TRIED AS ADULT AFTER IDENTITY REVEALED Detectives said Battiloro then made a U-turn in order to follow the victims while he accelerated. The dash camera video then allegedly shows both girls being struck at a "high rate of speed before the vehicle ultimately stopped," according to the complaint. Afterward, according to the complaint, Battiloro fled the area by foot. Brent Bramnick, who is representing Niotis’ family, told Fox News Digital they are thankful the case was moved to adult court. "The decision to try the defendant as an adult is a welcomed sliver of justice. We are grateful to the Prosecutor’s Office for their efforts as well as the community at large for continuing to keep Maria and Isabella’s memories alive," Bramnick said. SEND US A TIP HERE Battiloro's identity was previously withheld because he was a minor when allegedly committing the crimes, but his case was transferred to adult court on Friday. He is now charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Bramnick previously told Fox News Digital that the suspect allegedly swatted the family's home in Cranford twice in September. He said both incidents took place between Sept. 1 and Sept. 15 in 2025. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST After the two incidents, Bramnick said the Niotis family wants to know "what went on?" "What investigation, if any, went on after all that the family reported and all the information that the police had in their possession. That's the question. So we need those questions answered," Bramnick said. "And that's why we're involved, because we're doing our own investigations to try to get to the bottom of those questions." Foulla Niotis, Maria's mother, previously told Fox News that the suspect "planned" the attack and thought he was "untouchable" because he had relatives working in law enforcement. "I want justice for Maria and Isabella. That's what I want," she added. Fox News Digital reached out to Battiloro's attorney and father for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b56e197238567836b8c5 Los Angeles schools quietly remove compulsory 'affirm and respect' gender identity pledge from LGBTQ training te 2026-06-30T12:24:14.786Z Los Angeles schools quietly remove compulsory 'affirm and respect' gender identity pledge from LGBTQ training The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) will reportedly no longer require educators to agree to "affirm and respect" the "identities" of LGBTQ students, following a legal challenge. Middle and high school teachers in the district must complete one hour of online cultural competency training every year to support LGBTQ students, according to the California Department of Education. The Liberty Counsel, a non-profit legal organization, revealed that the training mandated teachers to check a box acknowledging the following prompt: "I am aware that LAUSD policy requires me to affirm and respect the identities of all students, including those who identify as LGBTQ+." On Friday, Liberty Counsel announced it had sent a demand letter to LAUSD on June 8, arguing the prompt violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. LOUDOUN COUNTY PARENTS NOT 'SATISFIED' AFTER SCHOOL OFFICIALS TESTIFY ON TRANSGENDER POLICIES "Federal law protects employees from being compelled to choose between their employment and adherence to their faith," the group wrote to the district. LAUSD reportedly modified the questionnaire just two days after receiving the letter, according to Liberty Counsel. The updated prompt removes the "affirm and respect" language, instead asking teachers to simply confirm they are "aware" of the district’s nondiscrimination policies regarding LGBTQ students. In statements released through Liberty Counsel, two LAUSD sixth-grade teachers expressed relief over the change. JUDGE AWARDED $640K AFTER REFUSING TO OFFICIATE SAME-SEX WEDDINGS "When LAUSD implemented a mandatory LGBTQ training, I feared losing my job, yet I knew I had to stand firm in my faith and conviction," one teacher said. "What a victory for religious liberty! Thank you, Liberty Counsel, for courageously defending the rights of believers and helping ensure that people of faith can remain true to their convictions in the workplace." Liberty Counsel Chairman Mat Staver praised the district's swift pivot. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "The Los Angeles Unified School District did the right thing in changing its training certification language. Federal law is clear that teachers cannot be required to ‘affirm’ a student’s perceived gender identity or use inconsistent pronouns against their personal religious convictions. Title VII ensures that people cannot be forced to choose between their faith and their livelihood," he said in a statement. LAUSD did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. The online training stems from California's "Safe and Supportive Schools Act," originally introduced in 2019. Expansions to the bill passed in 2023 required school districts provide annual training to middle and high school educators to support LGBTQ students. According to a California Department of Education press release, the state partnered with LGBTQ advocacy organizations, such as the Trevor Project and the Human Rights Campaign, to develop the online training course, known as PRISM. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b566197238567836b8bc Los Angeles schools quietly remove compulsory 'affirm and respect' gender identity pledge from LGBTQ training te 2026-06-30T12:24:06.962Z Los Angeles schools quietly remove compulsory 'affirm and respect' gender identity pledge from LGBTQ training The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) will reportedly no longer require educators to agree to "affirm and respect" the "identities" of LGBTQ students, following a legal challenge. Middle and high school teachers in the district must complete one hour of online cultural competency training every year to support LGBTQ students, according to the California Department of Education. The Liberty Counsel, a non-profit legal organization, revealed that the training mandated teachers to check a box acknowledging the following prompt: "I am aware that LAUSD policy requires me to affirm and respect the identities of all students, including those who identify as LGBTQ+." On Friday, Liberty Counsel announced it had sent a demand letter to LAUSD on June 8, arguing the prompt violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. LOUDOUN COUNTY PARENTS NOT 'SATISFIED' AFTER SCHOOL OFFICIALS TESTIFY ON TRANSGENDER POLICIES "Federal law protects employees from being compelled to choose between their employment and adherence to their faith," the group wrote to the district. LAUSD reportedly modified the questionnaire just two days after receiving the letter, according to Liberty Counsel. The updated prompt removes the "affirm and respect" language, instead asking teachers to simply confirm they are "aware" of the district’s nondiscrimination policies regarding LGBTQ students. In statements released through Liberty Counsel, two LAUSD sixth-grade teachers expressed relief over the change. JUDGE AWARDED $640K AFTER REFUSING TO OFFICIATE SAME-SEX WEDDINGS "When LAUSD implemented a mandatory LGBTQ training, I feared losing my job, yet I knew I had to stand firm in my faith and conviction," one teacher said. "What a victory for religious liberty! Thank you, Liberty Counsel, for courageously defending the rights of believers and helping ensure that people of faith can remain true to their convictions in the workplace." Liberty Counsel Chairman Mat Staver praised the district's swift pivot. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "The Los Angeles Unified School District did the right thing in changing its training certification language. Federal law is clear that teachers cannot be required to ‘affirm’ a student’s perceived gender identity or use inconsistent pronouns against their personal religious convictions. Title VII ensures that people cannot be forced to choose between their faith and their livelihood," he said in a statement. LAUSD did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. The online training stems from California's "Safe and Supportive Schools Act," originally introduced in 2019. Expansions to the bill passed in 2023 required school districts provide annual training to middle and high school educators to support LGBTQ students. According to a California Department of Education press release, the state partnered with LGBTQ advocacy organizations, such as the Trevor Project and the Human Rights Campaign, to develop the online training course, known as PRISM. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b55b197238567836b8b3 Scientists discover possible link between 9/11 and accelerated aging te 2026-06-30T12:23:55.329Z Scientists discover possible link between 9/11 and accelerated aging A study of World Trade Center responders found that PTSD is associated with molecular changes linked to accelerated biological aging and a higher risk of chronic disease. The study, led by Stony Brook University in New York, could offer new clues to the long-term physical health effects of post-traumatic stress disorder. The researchers tested blood samples from 393 WTC responders, collected approximately 18 years after the September 11, 2001, attacks, according to a university press release. THE 'AGE' OF YOUR BLOOD COULD PREDICT DEMENTIA RISK, NEW STUDY SUGGESTS Out of the sampled responders, 232 were diagnosed with PTSD and 161 were not. Between the two groups, 114 proteins and seven metabolites were significantly different. In particular, the researchers detected changes in blood markers linked to brain function, immune activity, energy metabolism, protection against cell damage and how cells communicate and repair tissues. Also reported were signs of accelerated biological aging in multiple organs — including the heart, kidneys, liver and lungs — among responders with PTSD. COMMON VITAMIN MAY INFLUENCE BRAIN AGING IN WAYS SCIENTISTS DIDN'T EXPECT These discoveries could help explain why people with long-term PTSD are at greater risk for chronic conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, cognitive decline and other age-related illnesses. "This study found that chronic PTSD is associated with long-lasting biological changes throughout the body, affecting multiple organs and biological systems decades after their traumatic exposure," lead study author Benjamin Luft, director and principal investigator at the Stony Brook WTC Wellness Program, told Fox News Digital. The study reinforces the view that PTSD is a "whole-body illness" rather than simply a mental health disorder, he noted. "Traumatic experiences can produce lasting biological changes that persist for decades," Luft said. "These changes appear to accelerate aspects of biological aging and may increase the risk of many chronic diseases." FOX NEWS' ERIC SHAWN REVEALS CANCER AND RESPIRATORY ILLNESS FROM 9/11 TOXIC DUST Several proteins that are critical for healthy brain function were also altered in those with PTSD, the researchers found. "Many of these proteins play critical roles in helping brain cells communicate with one another, repair damage and maintain healthy connections that support memory and thinking," Luft said. The study – which was funded in part by the CDC, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and the National Institutes of Health – was published in Nature Communications. Luft said the findings should be viewed with "cautious optimism." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER "The research provides compelling evidence that PTSD is associated with long-lasting biological changes throughout the body, including signs of accelerated aging, altered metabolism and changes in proteins involved in brain health," he said. "These findings strengthen the growing recognition that PTSD is not simply a mental health disorder, but a condition that can have lasting effects on physical health as well." TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, was not involved in the study but called the results "fascinating." "This speaks to the complex reality that PTSD is not an isolated psychiatric event due to emotional trauma alone, but that it is also tied in with physical trauma," he told Fox News Digital. "The stress is both emotional and physical, and leads directly to immune dysregulation and aging processes." "The chronic diseases that resulted from high exposure in the aftermath of the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks were conjoined in terms of the impact on physical and emotional well-being, longevity and effects on multiple organ systems, as well as core metabolic and immunological processes," the doctor added. There were some limitations to the findings, the researchers noted. "Because all measurements were taken at one point in time, the research can only show an association — not that PTSD directly caused the changes," Luft noted. "We are currently doing studies in these patients examining multiple time points to see whether the changes in specific proteins and metabolites precede clinical changes." CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES Also, because the study was done on a unique population – World Trade Center responders who experienced very specific trauma and environmental exposures – the findings may not apply to everyone with PTSD, "such as combat veterans, survivors of abuse or people who experienced other types of trauma." Women are not well-represented in the study, comprising only 10% of responders. "Blood tests cannot tell us exactly what is happening inside the brain," Luft said. "Although many of the altered proteins are related to brain function, blood measurements are only an indirect reflection of processes occurring in the brain." Additional studies are needed to determine whether these blood markers can predict disease progression or treatment response. "From a public health and policy perspective, the study reinforces the importance of recognizing PTSD as a chronic medical condition with significant long-term health implications," Luft said. "Investing in early diagnosis, comprehensive treatment and long-term follow-up for trauma survivors, including our first responders and veterans, may improve quality of life while reducing the burden of chronic disease." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b553197238567836b8aa Scientists discover possible link between 9/11 and accelerated aging te 2026-06-30T12:23:47.506Z Scientists discover possible link between 9/11 and accelerated aging A study of World Trade Center responders found that PTSD is associated with molecular changes linked to accelerated biological aging and a higher risk of chronic disease. The study, led by Stony Brook University in New York, could offer new clues to the long-term physical health effects of post-traumatic stress disorder. The researchers tested blood samples from 393 WTC responders, collected approximately 18 years after the September 11, 2001, attacks, according to a university press release. THE 'AGE' OF YOUR BLOOD COULD PREDICT DEMENTIA RISK, NEW STUDY SUGGESTS Out of the sampled responders, 232 were diagnosed with PTSD and 161 were not. Between the two groups, 114 proteins and seven metabolites were significantly different. In particular, the researchers detected changes in blood markers linked to brain function, immune activity, energy metabolism, protection against cell damage and how cells communicate and repair tissues. Also reported were signs of accelerated biological aging in multiple organs — including the heart, kidneys, liver and lungs — among responders with PTSD. COMMON VITAMIN MAY INFLUENCE BRAIN AGING IN WAYS SCIENTISTS DIDN'T EXPECT These discoveries could help explain why people with long-term PTSD are at greater risk for chronic conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, cognitive decline and other age-related illnesses. "This study found that chronic PTSD is associated with long-lasting biological changes throughout the body, affecting multiple organs and biological systems decades after their traumatic exposure," lead study author Benjamin Luft, director and principal investigator at the Stony Brook WTC Wellness Program, told Fox News Digital. The study reinforces the view that PTSD is a "whole-body illness" rather than simply a mental health disorder, he noted. "Traumatic experiences can produce lasting biological changes that persist for decades," Luft said. "These changes appear to accelerate aspects of biological aging and may increase the risk of many chronic diseases." FOX NEWS' ERIC SHAWN REVEALS CANCER AND RESPIRATORY ILLNESS FROM 9/11 TOXIC DUST Several proteins that are critical for healthy brain function were also altered in those with PTSD, the researchers found. "Many of these proteins play critical roles in helping brain cells communicate with one another, repair damage and maintain healthy connections that support memory and thinking," Luft said. The study – which was funded in part by the CDC, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and the National Institutes of Health – was published in Nature Communications. Luft said the findings should be viewed with "cautious optimism." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER "The research provides compelling evidence that PTSD is associated with long-lasting biological changes throughout the body, including signs of accelerated aging, altered metabolism and changes in proteins involved in brain health," he said. "These findings strengthen the growing recognition that PTSD is not simply a mental health disorder, but a condition that can have lasting effects on physical health as well." TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, was not involved in the study but called the results "fascinating." "This speaks to the complex reality that PTSD is not an isolated psychiatric event due to emotional trauma alone, but that it is also tied in with physical trauma," he told Fox News Digital. "The stress is both emotional and physical, and leads directly to immune dysregulation and aging processes." "The chronic diseases that resulted from high exposure in the aftermath of the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks were conjoined in terms of the impact on physical and emotional well-being, longevity and effects on multiple organ systems, as well as core metabolic and immunological processes," the doctor added. There were some limitations to the findings, the researchers noted. "Because all measurements were taken at one point in time, the research can only show an association — not that PTSD directly caused the changes," Luft noted. "We are currently doing studies in these patients examining multiple time points to see whether the changes in specific proteins and metabolites precede clinical changes." CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES Also, because the study was done on a unique population – World Trade Center responders who experienced very specific trauma and environmental exposures – the findings may not apply to everyone with PTSD, "such as combat veterans, survivors of abuse or people who experienced other types of trauma." Women are not well-represented in the study, comprising only 10% of responders. "Blood tests cannot tell us exactly what is happening inside the brain," Luft said. "Although many of the altered proteins are related to brain function, blood measurements are only an indirect reflection of processes occurring in the brain." Additional studies are needed to determine whether these blood markers can predict disease progression or treatment response. "From a public health and policy perspective, the study reinforces the importance of recognizing PTSD as a chronic medical condition with significant long-term health implications," Luft said. "Investing in early diagnosis, comprehensive treatment and long-term follow-up for trauma survivors, including our first responders and veterans, may improve quality of life while reducing the burden of chronic disease." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b547197238567836b8a1 Morocco sends the Netherlands home with dramatic World Cup knockout in penalties te 2026-06-30T12:23:35.873Z Morocco sends the Netherlands home with dramatic World Cup knockout in penalties The World Cup provided a second miraculous moment on Monday night. The Netherlands, a favorite to win the tournament after years of making long runs, took the lead late in the match when Cody Gakpo took control of a loose ball in the box and sent it into the back of the net. But the lead didn’t last long, as Morocco’s Issa Diop headed one behind the Dutch goalie in stoppage time. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Morocco and the Netherlands went to penalties. Morocco’s Ismael Saibari nailed the winning penalty kick to give Morocco the 3-2 win in the stage, advancing the squad to the Round of 16. "We know when we do everything on the pitch, it’s God that gives something back to us as well," Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi said after the match. "We give all the energy that we have on the field. Rahimi’s goal could have not been a goal, but it went in thankfully." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM The Dutch had reached at least the Round of 16 in the last 11 World Cups, including a quarterfinal appearance in 2022 in Qatar. It was the same year Morocco became the first African team to reach the semifinals. Morocco will play Canada in the Round of 16 in Houston on Saturday. Morocco defeated Canada 2-1 in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup. "I think Morocco has gained everybody’s respect now," Ouahbi said. "I saw (the Netherlands’ style of play) as a form of respect." It was the latest surprising knockout of the World Cup. Paraguay defeated Germany after a controversial call to reverse a German goal late in their match. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b540197238567836b898 Morocco sends the Netherlands home with dramatic World Cup knockout in penalties te 2026-06-30T12:23:28.057Z Morocco sends the Netherlands home with dramatic World Cup knockout in penalties The World Cup provided a second miraculous moment on Monday night. The Netherlands, a favorite to win the tournament after years of making long runs, took the lead late in the match when Cody Gakpo took control of a loose ball in the box and sent it into the back of the net. But the lead didn’t last long, as Morocco’s Issa Diop headed one behind the Dutch goalie in stoppage time. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Morocco and the Netherlands went to penalties. Morocco’s Ismael Saibari nailed the winning penalty kick to give Morocco the 3-2 win in the stage, advancing the squad to the Round of 16. "We know when we do everything on the pitch, it’s God that gives something back to us as well," Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi said after the match. "We give all the energy that we have on the field. Rahimi’s goal could have not been a goal, but it went in thankfully." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM The Dutch had reached at least the Round of 16 in the last 11 World Cups, including a quarterfinal appearance in 2022 in Qatar. It was the same year Morocco became the first African team to reach the semifinals. Morocco will play Canada in the Round of 16 in Houston on Saturday. Morocco defeated Canada 2-1 in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup. "I think Morocco has gained everybody’s respect now," Ouahbi said. "I saw (the Netherlands’ style of play) as a form of respect." It was the latest surprising knockout of the World Cup. Paraguay defeated Germany after a controversial call to reverse a German goal late in their match. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b534197238567836b88f Warehouse robots move packages without human handoff te 2026-06-30T12:23:16.416Z Warehouse robots move packages without human handoff A busy warehouse loading dock can be a grind. Trucks pull up. Packages pour in. Workers have to move fast, lift heavy boxes and keep everything flowing before the next trailer arrives. That part of the warehouse has always been one of the hardest places to automate. Every box can be a different size. Freight can shift in transit. Labels may face the wrong way. And when one system finishes a task, the next system still has to know what to do with the package. Now, Ambi Robotics and Pickle Robot Company say they have linked their robotic systems to help solve that handoff problem. The companies announced a commercial integration that connects Pickle Robot's trailer-unloading robots with Ambi Robotics' AmbiStack pallet-building system. In other words, one robot system unloads mixed freight from a trailer. Then a conveyor moves those cases downstream so another robotic system can scan and stack them for warehouse receiving. If this works well in large facilities, it points to a future where robots can handle more of the work that happens between a truck and a warehouse floor. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report OHIO ROBOT COP RETIRES AFTER ZERO ARRESTS The setup starts at the trailer. Pickle Robot's system unloads boxes from trailers or containers. That matters because unloading mixed freight can be exhausting work. It also creates bottlenecks when warehouses do not have enough people on the dock. From there, the packages move by conveyor into AmbiStack. Ambi Robotics designed AmbiStack as a multipurpose stacking system. It reads package information and builds pallets for the next stage of the warehouse process. The key here is the handoff. Many warehouses already use automation. However, those systems often work in separate lanes. One machine may handle unloading. Another may handle sorting or stacking. Yet the warehouse still needs people or custom engineering to connect the pieces. This collaboration tries to make that connection smoother. The companies say the system can work with existing warehouse infrastructure. That means operators may avoid tearing apart a facility to use it. Physical AI means AI that controls machines doing physical work. That is important here because warehouse robots have to deal with moving boxes, shifting freight, conveyor timing and pallet stability. That creates a very different challenge from software that writes a paragraph or answers a question. A warehouse robot has to react to what sits in front of it. A box can arrive dented. A label can face the wrong way. A pallet can become unstable if the next case goes in the wrong spot. This Ambi Robotics and Pickle Robot integration shows how that can work inside a warehouse. Pickle Robot handles the trailer unloading. AmbiStack takes over downstream by scanning and stacking cases for receiving. Together, the systems show how specialized robots can connect across a warehouse workflow. "Warehouse operators shouldn't have to choose between best-in-class technologies and seamless integration," said Jim Liefer, CEO of Ambi Robotics. "As Physical AI transforms supply chains, interoperability will become increasingly important." AJ Meyer, founder and CEO of Pickle Robot Company, put the customer demand more directly: "Customers want automation that improves real-world throughput while fitting into existing operations." AI MAY SPOT DEADLY HEART RISK IN A ROUTINE ECG Anyone who has waited on a delayed package knows the supply chain can break down fast. Sometimes the problem starts long before a delivery truck reaches your home. Inbound logistics covers the work that happens when goods arrive at a warehouse. That includes getting boxes off trailers and moving them into the right workflow. It sounds pretty straightforward until you see the reality. Trailers can be packed unevenly. Boxes can arrive in odd shapes. Warehouse teams also deal with tight schedules and physical strain. That is why loading docks have become such a major focus for automation. If robots can unload freight and pass it into a pallet-building system without constant human intervention, warehouses could move goods faster through one of the most labor-heavy parts of the operation. The big question is obvious. What happens to workers? Robots can take over repetitive and physically demanding tasks. That may reduce injuries and help warehouses handle labor shortages. It may also change which jobs companies need most. Instead of spending a full shift unloading trailers, some workers may monitor the unloading and stacking systems. Others may step in when a package jams, a label fails to scan or a pallet needs human attention. Still, that shift can feel unsettling. Automation often comes with a promise of safety and efficiency. Workers want to know where they fit in next. That is very important. A robot may move a box, but people still handle judgment calls, customer issues and fast decisions when the workflow changes. Retailers and logistics companies feel pressure from several directions. Consumers expect faster shipping. Warehouses face staffing challenges. Meanwhile, e-commerce keeps creating more package volume. That creates a hard math problem. Companies need to move more goods without slowing down at the dock. This Ambi Robotics and Pickle Robot setup gives warehouse operators another option. Instead of buying one giant system from a single vendor, they can connect specialized robotic tools that handle different parts of the job. That could give operators more flexibility. It could also help them avoid major redesigns, which can be expensive and disruptive. In other words, the robots are getting smarter. They are also starting to work together in more useful ways. Even if you never set foot in a warehouse, this kind of automation can affect your life. When warehouses move goods more efficiently, stores may restock faster. Online orders may move with fewer delays. Returns may get processed more quickly. There is another side, too. More automation can reshape job roles inside warehouses. That means workers may need new training as companies bring in more robotic systems. You may also hear fewer excuses when packages run late. If robots help warehouses operate with fewer bottlenecks, retailers may raise expectations for speed even more. That sounds convenient, but it also means the race for faster delivery keeps putting pressure on every part of the supply chain. 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 MOST PROMINENT AI CHATBOTS HAVE LIBERAL BIAS, NEW STUDY FINDS What grabs me here is the handoff. One robot unloads packages from a trailer. Another scans and stacks them for the next part of the warehouse process. That is the piece that could change how loading docks operate. Warehouses are full of little delays that add up fast. If a package sits in the wrong place or waits for a person to move it to the next step, the whole process can slow down. This integration shows how warehouse robots may start taking over more of that middle work between the truck and the warehouse floor. Still, the human side deserves attention. These systems could reduce backbreaking work, which is a good thing. At the same time, they may change what warehouse workers are asked to do. The companies that make that transition clear, fair and useful for workers will be the ones to watch. If robots can unload the truck, build the pallet and keep the warehouse moving, what job inside the warehouse gets automated next? 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/6a43b52c197238567836b886 Warehouse robots move packages without human handoff te 2026-06-30T12:23:08.597Z Warehouse robots move packages without human handoff A busy warehouse loading dock can be a grind. Trucks pull up. Packages pour in. Workers have to move fast, lift heavy boxes and keep everything flowing before the next trailer arrives. That part of the warehouse has always been one of the hardest places to automate. Every box can be a different size. Freight can shift in transit. Labels may face the wrong way. And when one system finishes a task, the next system still has to know what to do with the package. Now, Ambi Robotics and Pickle Robot Company say they have linked their robotic systems to help solve that handoff problem. The companies announced a commercial integration that connects Pickle Robot's trailer-unloading robots with Ambi Robotics' AmbiStack pallet-building system. In other words, one robot system unloads mixed freight from a trailer. Then a conveyor moves those cases downstream so another robotic system can scan and stack them for warehouse receiving. If this works well in large facilities, it points to a future where robots can handle more of the work that happens between a truck and a warehouse floor. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report OHIO ROBOT COP RETIRES AFTER ZERO ARRESTS The setup starts at the trailer. Pickle Robot's system unloads boxes from trailers or containers. That matters because unloading mixed freight can be exhausting work. It also creates bottlenecks when warehouses do not have enough people on the dock. From there, the packages move by conveyor into AmbiStack. Ambi Robotics designed AmbiStack as a multipurpose stacking system. It reads package information and builds pallets for the next stage of the warehouse process. The key here is the handoff. Many warehouses already use automation. However, those systems often work in separate lanes. One machine may handle unloading. Another may handle sorting or stacking. Yet the warehouse still needs people or custom engineering to connect the pieces. This collaboration tries to make that connection smoother. The companies say the system can work with existing warehouse infrastructure. That means operators may avoid tearing apart a facility to use it. Physical AI means AI that controls machines doing physical work. That is important here because warehouse robots have to deal with moving boxes, shifting freight, conveyor timing and pallet stability. That creates a very different challenge from software that writes a paragraph or answers a question. A warehouse robot has to react to what sits in front of it. A box can arrive dented. A label can face the wrong way. A pallet can become unstable if the next case goes in the wrong spot. This Ambi Robotics and Pickle Robot integration shows how that can work inside a warehouse. Pickle Robot handles the trailer unloading. AmbiStack takes over downstream by scanning and stacking cases for receiving. Together, the systems show how specialized robots can connect across a warehouse workflow. "Warehouse operators shouldn't have to choose between best-in-class technologies and seamless integration," said Jim Liefer, CEO of Ambi Robotics. "As Physical AI transforms supply chains, interoperability will become increasingly important." AJ Meyer, founder and CEO of Pickle Robot Company, put the customer demand more directly: "Customers want automation that improves real-world throughput while fitting into existing operations." AI MAY SPOT DEADLY HEART RISK IN A ROUTINE ECG Anyone who has waited on a delayed package knows the supply chain can break down fast. Sometimes the problem starts long before a delivery truck reaches your home. Inbound logistics covers the work that happens when goods arrive at a warehouse. That includes getting boxes off trailers and moving them into the right workflow. It sounds pretty straightforward until you see the reality. Trailers can be packed unevenly. Boxes can arrive in odd shapes. Warehouse teams also deal with tight schedules and physical strain. That is why loading docks have become such a major focus for automation. If robots can unload freight and pass it into a pallet-building system without constant human intervention, warehouses could move goods faster through one of the most labor-heavy parts of the operation. The big question is obvious. What happens to workers? Robots can take over repetitive and physically demanding tasks. That may reduce injuries and help warehouses handle labor shortages. It may also change which jobs companies need most. Instead of spending a full shift unloading trailers, some workers may monitor the unloading and stacking systems. Others may step in when a package jams, a label fails to scan or a pallet needs human attention. Still, that shift can feel unsettling. Automation often comes with a promise of safety and efficiency. Workers want to know where they fit in next. That is very important. A robot may move a box, but people still handle judgment calls, customer issues and fast decisions when the workflow changes. Retailers and logistics companies feel pressure from several directions. Consumers expect faster shipping. Warehouses face staffing challenges. Meanwhile, e-commerce keeps creating more package volume. That creates a hard math problem. Companies need to move more goods without slowing down at the dock. This Ambi Robotics and Pickle Robot setup gives warehouse operators another option. Instead of buying one giant system from a single vendor, they can connect specialized robotic tools that handle different parts of the job. That could give operators more flexibility. It could also help them avoid major redesigns, which can be expensive and disruptive. In other words, the robots are getting smarter. They are also starting to work together in more useful ways. Even if you never set foot in a warehouse, this kind of automation can affect your life. When warehouses move goods more efficiently, stores may restock faster. Online orders may move with fewer delays. Returns may get processed more quickly. There is another side, too. More automation can reshape job roles inside warehouses. That means workers may need new training as companies bring in more robotic systems. You may also hear fewer excuses when packages run late. If robots help warehouses operate with fewer bottlenecks, retailers may raise expectations for speed even more. That sounds convenient, but it also means the race for faster delivery keeps putting pressure on every part of the supply chain. 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 MOST PROMINENT AI CHATBOTS HAVE LIBERAL BIAS, NEW STUDY FINDS What grabs me here is the handoff. One robot unloads packages from a trailer. Another scans and stacks them for the next part of the warehouse process. That is the piece that could change how loading docks operate. Warehouses are full of little delays that add up fast. If a package sits in the wrong place or waits for a person to move it to the next step, the whole process can slow down. This integration shows how warehouse robots may start taking over more of that middle work between the truck and the warehouse floor. Still, the human side deserves attention. These systems could reduce backbreaking work, which is a good thing. At the same time, they may change what warehouse workers are asked to do. The companies that make that transition clear, fair and useful for workers will be the ones to watch. If robots can unload the truck, build the pallet and keep the warehouse moving, what job inside the warehouse gets automated next? 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/6a43b520197238567836b87d Supreme Court set to close term with landmark birthright citizenship ruling and more top headlines te 2026-06-30T12:22:56.962Z Supreme Court set to close term with landmark birthright citizenship ruling and more top headlines 1. Supreme Court to close term with birthright citizenship ruling  2. Socialists take fight west in bid to oust Democratic establishment 3. US, Iran send delegations to Qatar as Tehran denies direct talks ENERGY SECURITY — Gulf states quietly building ways to bypass Iran's greatest geopolitical weapon. Continue reading … HOUSE DIVIDED — Fetterman unleashes on 'dirtbag' wing of Dems after far-left victories. Continue reading … HISTORIC UPSET — Disallowed goal in extra time leads Paraguay over Germany in stunner at FIFA World Cup. Continue reading … SUMMER MENACE — Deadly tick virus cases explode in US as doctors warn infection happens in minutes. Continue reading … STAR POWER — HOA threatens American flag fines as homeowners refuse to remove Old Glory. Continue reading … -- ‘PERVERSION’ — Online fury after viral Seattle Pride videos show nude adults marching next to children. Continue reading … CIRCLE OF TRUST — Clinton confidant who called Maxwell his 'lover' grilled by Congress over Epstein ties. Continue reading … COVENANT CRISIS — Trump’s massive GOP faith bloc raises red flag on Iran deal. Continue reading … SILICON SQUEEZE — AOC targets tech giants for breakup over surging processor costs and AI strain. Continue reading … Click here for more cartoons…   POLICY PIVOT — Schools quietly remove gender identity pledge from LGBTQ training. Continue reading … HOT TAKE — Paris deputy mayor blasts Americans on Instagram for France's deadly heat wave. Continue reading … DEFYING THE ODDS — Savannah Guthrie proved doubters wrong 64 days after her mother's disappearance. Continue reading … SPEAKING OUT — Meteorologist axed after Instagram rant blasts station's workplace culture. Continue reading … HUGH HEWITT — Senator Susan Collins and the nation’s national defense. Continue reading …  DAN GAINOR — How American engineers unlocked the impossible beneath the Gulf of America. Continue reading … -- PATRIOTISM BREWED — One of the biggest myths about the Boston Tea Party revealed. Continue reading … HIDDEN INFESTATION — Man's headaches led doctors to suspect cancer — the real cause was far more bizarre. Continue reading … BILLIONAIRE BRIDE — Taylor Swift's empire tops $2 billion as wedding frenzy fuels global obsession. Continue reading … AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ — Test yourself on cruise controversies and wedding whispers. Take the quiz here … Tune in to hear how the World Cup is reshaping global views of the United States and explore the history behind America’s biggest sports moments. Check it out ... What's it looking like in your neighborhood? Continue reading…   Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter LinkedIn      Fox News First Fox News Opinion Fox News Lifestyle Fox News Entertainment (FOX411) Fox Business Fox Weather Fox Sports Tubi Fox News Go Thank you for making us your first choice in the morning! We'll see you in your inbox first thing Wednesday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b519197238567836b874 Supreme Court set to close term with landmark birthright citizenship ruling and more top headlines te 2026-06-30T12:22:49.149Z Supreme Court set to close term with landmark birthright citizenship ruling and more top headlines 1. Supreme Court to close term with birthright citizenship ruling  2. Socialists take fight west in bid to oust Democratic establishment 3. US, Iran send delegations to Qatar as Tehran denies direct talks ENERGY SECURITY — Gulf states quietly building ways to bypass Iran's greatest geopolitical weapon. Continue reading … HOUSE DIVIDED — Fetterman unleashes on 'dirtbag' wing of Dems after far-left victories. Continue reading … HISTORIC UPSET — Disallowed goal in extra time leads Paraguay over Germany in stunner at FIFA World Cup. Continue reading … SUMMER MENACE — Deadly tick virus cases explode in US as doctors warn infection happens in minutes. Continue reading … STAR POWER — HOA threatens American flag fines as homeowners refuse to remove Old Glory. Continue reading … -- ‘PERVERSION’ — Online fury after viral Seattle Pride videos show nude adults marching next to children. Continue reading … CIRCLE OF TRUST — Clinton confidant who called Maxwell his 'lover' grilled by Congress over Epstein ties. Continue reading … COVENANT CRISIS — Trump’s massive GOP faith bloc raises red flag on Iran deal. Continue reading … SILICON SQUEEZE — AOC targets tech giants for breakup over surging processor costs and AI strain. Continue reading … Click here for more cartoons…   POLICY PIVOT — Schools quietly remove gender identity pledge from LGBTQ training. Continue reading … HOT TAKE — Paris deputy mayor blasts Americans on Instagram for France's deadly heat wave. Continue reading … DEFYING THE ODDS — Savannah Guthrie proved doubters wrong 64 days after her mother's disappearance. Continue reading … SPEAKING OUT — Meteorologist axed after Instagram rant blasts station's workplace culture. Continue reading … HUGH HEWITT — Senator Susan Collins and the nation’s national defense. Continue reading …  DAN GAINOR — How American engineers unlocked the impossible beneath the Gulf of America. Continue reading … -- PATRIOTISM BREWED — One of the biggest myths about the Boston Tea Party revealed. Continue reading … HIDDEN INFESTATION — Man's headaches led doctors to suspect cancer — the real cause was far more bizarre. Continue reading … BILLIONAIRE BRIDE — Taylor Swift's empire tops $2 billion as wedding frenzy fuels global obsession. Continue reading … AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ — Test yourself on cruise controversies and wedding whispers. Take the quiz here … Tune in to hear how the World Cup is reshaping global views of the United States and explore the history behind America’s biggest sports moments. Check it out ... What's it looking like in your neighborhood? Continue reading…   Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter LinkedIn      Fox News First Fox News Opinion Fox News Lifestyle Fox News Entertainment (FOX411) Fox Business Fox Weather Fox Sports Tubi Fox News Go Thank you for making us your first choice in the morning! We'll see you in your inbox first thing Wednesday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b50d197238567836b86b Juan Soto's misread turns routine single into Little League home run as Mets' woes continue te 2026-06-30T12:22:37.506Z Juan Soto's misread turns routine single into Little League home run as Mets' woes continue Just how bad are things going for the 2026 New York Mets? Look no further than the first batter they faced against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday night, where a routine base hit turned into a Little League home run. And Juan Soto, the team’s $765 million man, was at the center of the brutal mishap. The Mets came into this game 35-49, which has been one of the most shocking pre-All-Star-break stories of the season given their spot as the second-highest payroll in MLB this season, only behind the reigning World Series-champion Los Angeles Dodgers. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Starting a six-game road trip on Monday night in Toronto, the Mets were hoping to get something going in their favor just days after manager Carlos Mendoza was fired. But the game couldn’t have started off worse for New York, and it ultimately hurt them in a 2-1 loss. George Springer stepped into the batter’s box against Mets starter Sean Manaea when he served a 2-2 pitch to left field – a routine single is all it should’ve been. WHY ARE THE METS SO BAD? OFFENSIVE STRUGGLES AND A DISJOINTED CLUBHOUSE LEAD TO WORST RECORD IN MLB However, Soto misread the ball bouncing off the turf completely, choosing to have an aggressive route toward the ball and potentially catch it on the short hop. Instead, the ball went right underneath his glove and started to roll all the way to the left field fence. Soto was jogging to the ball, while the veteran Springer was booking it around the basepaths. Soto’s decision not to sprint himself was because rookie center fielder A.J. Ewing was in pursuit already. But things only got worse from there. As Ewing looked up to see where Springer was on the bases, he didn’t field the ball cleanly, rather tossing it back to the fence after trying to scoop it up with his glove. As a result, Springer was waved around third base. By the time Soto picked the ball up and looked toward the infield, Springer was already around third base to score his Little League home run to the delight of the Rogers Centre crowd. Errors have been among the pain points for the Mets this season, having the third-most in MLB, only behind the Washington Nationals and San Francisco Giants. It was just five days ago when the Mets committed six infield errors as they were swept by the Chicago Cubs in a doubleheader. This moment was one Soto tried to explain postgame. "When you have an outfield like that, that it bounces a lot, you have to be aware because you can give up extra base hits really easy," Soto told reporters after going 1-for-3 at the plate with a walk in the loss. "So, I would say you got to be aggressive – that was my mindset. Just be aggressive, come through the ball instead of playing it back and let it bounce over my head. But I actually just stopped." This is obviously not what owner Steve Cohen and the Mets had in mind when they began the 2026 campaign, but they find themselves in a hole that seems to get deeper with every game, and plays like this only pile on to the disappointment that continues for the team and its fan base.   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/6a43b505197238567836b862 Juan Soto's misread turns routine single into Little League home run as Mets' woes continue te 2026-06-30T12:22:29.683Z Juan Soto's misread turns routine single into Little League home run as Mets' woes continue Just how bad are things going for the 2026 New York Mets? Look no further than the first batter they faced against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday night, where a routine base hit turned into a Little League home run. And Juan Soto, the team’s $765 million man, was at the center of the brutal mishap. The Mets came into this game 35-49, which has been one of the most shocking pre-All-Star-break stories of the season given their spot as the second-highest payroll in MLB this season, only behind the reigning World Series-champion Los Angeles Dodgers. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Starting a six-game road trip on Monday night in Toronto, the Mets were hoping to get something going in their favor just days after manager Carlos Mendoza was fired. But the game couldn’t have started off worse for New York, and it ultimately hurt them in a 2-1 loss. George Springer stepped into the batter’s box against Mets starter Sean Manaea when he served a 2-2 pitch to left field – a routine single is all it should’ve been. WHY ARE THE METS SO BAD? OFFENSIVE STRUGGLES AND A DISJOINTED CLUBHOUSE LEAD TO WORST RECORD IN MLB However, Soto misread the ball bouncing off the turf completely, choosing to have an aggressive route toward the ball and potentially catch it on the short hop. Instead, the ball went right underneath his glove and started to roll all the way to the left field fence. Soto was jogging to the ball, while the veteran Springer was booking it around the basepaths. Soto’s decision not to sprint himself was because rookie center fielder A.J. Ewing was in pursuit already. But things only got worse from there. As Ewing looked up to see where Springer was on the bases, he didn’t field the ball cleanly, rather tossing it back to the fence after trying to scoop it up with his glove. As a result, Springer was waved around third base. By the time Soto picked the ball up and looked toward the infield, Springer was already around third base to score his Little League home run to the delight of the Rogers Centre crowd. Errors have been among the pain points for the Mets this season, having the third-most in MLB, only behind the Washington Nationals and San Francisco Giants. It was just five days ago when the Mets committed six infield errors as they were swept by the Chicago Cubs in a doubleheader. This moment was one Soto tried to explain postgame. "When you have an outfield like that, that it bounces a lot, you have to be aware because you can give up extra base hits really easy," Soto told reporters after going 1-for-3 at the plate with a walk in the loss. "So, I would say you got to be aggressive – that was my mindset. Just be aggressive, come through the ball instead of playing it back and let it bounce over my head. But I actually just stopped." This is obviously not what owner Steve Cohen and the Mets had in mind when they began the 2026 campaign, but they find themselves in a hole that seems to get deeper with every game, and plays like this only pile on to the disappointment that continues for the team and its fan base.   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/6a43b4fa197238567836b859 House GOP's SAVE Act rescue plan hits resistance from conservative holdouts te 2026-06-30T12:22:18.049Z House GOP's SAVE Act rescue plan hits resistance from conservative holdouts House Republican leaders are making another bid to salvage the stalled SAVE America Act after a conservative revolt froze floor action last week, but GOP lawmakers behind the blockade are withholding support for the plan. The House Rules Committee on Monday approved a rule in an 8-4 vote that would merge an annual defense policy bill with the Trump-backed election measure in a rare procedural maneuver before sending the package to the Senate.  Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, a member of the panel who was among the conservatives last week that backed the SAVE-related floor blockade, did not vote.  Meanwhile, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla. — the leader of the lower chamber's SAVE protest — argued the procedural tactic would fail to force Senate action, instead calling for a SAVE amendment to be added to the defense bill. 'AS LONG AS IT TAKES': TRUMP ALLIES FREEZE HOUSE FLOOR TO PRESSURE SENATE ON VOTER ID BILL "The only way to ensure the Senate passes this is to make sure it’s in the bill text of the NDAA, meaning that my amendment(s) must be made an order," the Florida Republican wrote on X. "I’m not trying to be difficult, but this is what 80% of Americans want and what we promised the American people, so I stand by my decision."  Johnson’s proposal comes after the conservative holdouts rejected his appeal to enact parts of SAVE in another ‘Big Beautiful Bill" last week. Given House Republicans' slim majority, the speaker will likely need their support to pass a rule later Tuesday teeing up the chamber's version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Because procedural votes are typically party-line, he can afford to lose only a handful of GOP defections. Tuesday’s vote will also advance a spending bill funding the State Department and other foreign operations for fiscal year 2027 and a resolution commemorating the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which Republicans now refer to as the Working Families Tax Cuts. If Republican leadership fails to advance the legislative items, the House floor would effectively be frozen and lawmakers could return home early ahead of the July 4 recess. Johnson warned Monday that continuing the floor blockade would be a "self-defeating" approach. "It doesn't make any sense," Johnson told reporters. "We have to move forward with legislation and that's what I'll be telling them all."  'IT'S A MESS': GOP TURNS ON HOUSE CONSERVATIVES AS VOTER ID BLOCKADE STALLS TRUMP'S AGENDA But Luna indicated her reluctance to unlock the House floor until she receives assurances on the SAVE America Act’s fate in the Senate. "But to, you know, say that we're holding up the process. This is legislating," Luna told reporters Monday, standing next to Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., who has also joined the SAVE protest. "If people elected us to just come up here and vote in line with what the party wants, then it would be a whole lot different." Democrats, who would like to see the rules package fail, argued the GOP holdouts should not listen to Republican leadership because their proposal would be dead on arrival in the Senate.  "Let me be clear, the Senate will just strip the SAVE Act out," Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Conn., said during the Rules Committee debate Monday. "They've already said that merging it with the NDAA bill doesn't prevent that. Nothing in this rule will prevent that." "There is a 0% chance SAVE ends up in the NDAA because of this rule today," he continued. "So this is a ‘cover-your-behind’ maneuver, if you will." Under the rule approved Monday, the procedural maneuver would facilitate SAVE’s attachment to the NDAA without requiring lawmakers to vote on it again. Leadership did not choose a version of the election bill including all the president’s SAVE priorities, such as curtailing mail-in voting and banning men in women’s sports and child sex change procedures. Johnson has yet to ask House Republicans to consider the comprehensive measure, and it is unclear whether a crackdown on mail-in ballots could clear the chamber. Johnson’s SAVE gambit comes as House Republicans appear to have little leverage to force the bill through the Senate, where GOP leaders say it lacks the votes to pass. The election measure has struggled to win unified Republican support, let alone the 60 votes needed to overcome a Democratic filibuster. Trump sharply criticized five alleged holdouts — Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Susan Collins, R-Maine, Thom Tillis, R-N.C., Bill Cassidy, R-La., and Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. — in a Truth Social post Monday, arguing the cohort "must vote to SAVE OUR COUNTRY." "There can be no more excuses!" he wrote. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b4f2197238567836b850 House GOP's SAVE Act rescue plan hits resistance from conservative holdouts te 2026-06-30T12:22:10.228Z House GOP's SAVE Act rescue plan hits resistance from conservative holdouts House Republican leaders are making another bid to salvage the stalled SAVE America Act after a conservative revolt froze floor action last week, but GOP lawmakers behind the blockade are withholding support for the plan. The House Rules Committee on Monday approved a rule in an 8-4 vote that would merge an annual defense policy bill with the Trump-backed election measure in a rare procedural maneuver before sending the package to the Senate.  Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, a member of the panel who was among the conservatives last week that backed the SAVE-related floor blockade, did not vote.  Meanwhile, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla. — the leader of the lower chamber's SAVE protest — argued the procedural tactic would fail to force Senate action, instead calling for a SAVE amendment to be added to the defense bill. 'AS LONG AS IT TAKES': TRUMP ALLIES FREEZE HOUSE FLOOR TO PRESSURE SENATE ON VOTER ID BILL "The only way to ensure the Senate passes this is to make sure it’s in the bill text of the NDAA, meaning that my amendment(s) must be made an order," the Florida Republican wrote on X. "I’m not trying to be difficult, but this is what 80% of Americans want and what we promised the American people, so I stand by my decision."  Johnson’s proposal comes after the conservative holdouts rejected his appeal to enact parts of SAVE in another ‘Big Beautiful Bill" last week. Given House Republicans' slim majority, the speaker will likely need their support to pass a rule later Tuesday teeing up the chamber's version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Because procedural votes are typically party-line, he can afford to lose only a handful of GOP defections. Tuesday’s vote will also advance a spending bill funding the State Department and other foreign operations for fiscal year 2027 and a resolution commemorating the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which Republicans now refer to as the Working Families Tax Cuts. If Republican leadership fails to advance the legislative items, the House floor would effectively be frozen and lawmakers could return home early ahead of the July 4 recess. Johnson warned Monday that continuing the floor blockade would be a "self-defeating" approach. "It doesn't make any sense," Johnson told reporters. "We have to move forward with legislation and that's what I'll be telling them all."  'IT'S A MESS': GOP TURNS ON HOUSE CONSERVATIVES AS VOTER ID BLOCKADE STALLS TRUMP'S AGENDA But Luna indicated her reluctance to unlock the House floor until she receives assurances on the SAVE America Act’s fate in the Senate. "But to, you know, say that we're holding up the process. This is legislating," Luna told reporters Monday, standing next to Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., who has also joined the SAVE protest. "If people elected us to just come up here and vote in line with what the party wants, then it would be a whole lot different." Democrats, who would like to see the rules package fail, argued the GOP holdouts should not listen to Republican leadership because their proposal would be dead on arrival in the Senate.  "Let me be clear, the Senate will just strip the SAVE Act out," Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Conn., said during the Rules Committee debate Monday. "They've already said that merging it with the NDAA bill doesn't prevent that. Nothing in this rule will prevent that." "There is a 0% chance SAVE ends up in the NDAA because of this rule today," he continued. "So this is a ‘cover-your-behind’ maneuver, if you will." Under the rule approved Monday, the procedural maneuver would facilitate SAVE’s attachment to the NDAA without requiring lawmakers to vote on it again. Leadership did not choose a version of the election bill including all the president’s SAVE priorities, such as curtailing mail-in voting and banning men in women’s sports and child sex change procedures. Johnson has yet to ask House Republicans to consider the comprehensive measure, and it is unclear whether a crackdown on mail-in ballots could clear the chamber. Johnson’s SAVE gambit comes as House Republicans appear to have little leverage to force the bill through the Senate, where GOP leaders say it lacks the votes to pass. The election measure has struggled to win unified Republican support, let alone the 60 votes needed to overcome a Democratic filibuster. Trump sharply criticized five alleged holdouts — Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Susan Collins, R-Maine, Thom Tillis, R-N.C., Bill Cassidy, R-La., and Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. — in a Truth Social post Monday, arguing the cohort "must vote to SAVE OUR COUNTRY." "There can be no more excuses!" he wrote. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b4e6197238567836b847 Discoveries that reshaped what historians knew about America's Founding Fathers te 2026-06-30T12:21:58.594Z Discoveries that reshaped what historians knew about America's Founding Fathers The Founding Fathers left behind extensive writings, but new discoveries continue to deepen historians' understanding of America's most influential figures. Advances in archaeology, DNA analysis and archival research have uncovered forgotten documents, artifacts and other evidence from the nation's earliest years. Over the past century, discoveries have offered fresh insight into America's founders, changing how historians understand their lives and legacies, as detailed below. ANCIENT ROMAN'S 'MISHAP' LEADS TO RARE JEWELRY DISCOVERY IN BRITISH COUNTRYSIDE According to the Thomas Jefferson Foundation (TJF), Thomas Jefferson, principal author of the Declaration of Independence, fathered at least six children with Sally Hemings, an enslaved woman at Monticello. Though it was rumored during his lifetime that Jefferson fathered children with one of the enslaved women, it wasn't until a landmark 1998 DNA study that historians found scientific evidence that appears to support the claim. EXCAVATORS DISCOVER PREHISTORIC VILLAGE BENEATH FUTURE GOLF COURSE: 'REMARKABLE JOURNEY' Hemings was brought to Paris from 1787 to 1789 to work as a servant and maid for Jefferson's household. "While in Paris, where enslaved people could petition for their freedom, she negotiated with Jefferson to return to enslavement at Monticello in exchange for 'extraordinary privileges' for herself and freedom for her unborn children," the TJF states on its website. "Decades later, Jefferson freed all of Sally Hemings’s children ... [he] did not grant freedom to any other enslaved family unit." ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNEARTH STRANGE HEAD DEPICTING ROMAN GOD BENEATH CATHOLIC BASILICA After reviewing documentary, scientific, statistical and oral history evidence, the Foundation concluded that Jefferson most likely fathered Hemings' children, a position now widely accepted by mainstream historians. Not all historians agree with that assessment, however. After reviewing historical evidence, the Thomas Jefferson Heritage Society concluded that Hemings "was only a minor figure in Thomas Jefferson's life and that it is very unlikely he fathered any of her children," according to the TJF website. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES "This committee also suggested in its report, issued in April 2001 and revised in 2011, that Jefferson's younger brother Randolph (1755-1815) was more likely the father of at least some of Sally Hemings's children," the website adds. In 1999, archaeologists at Mount Vernon uncovered the remains of George Washington's long-lost whiskey distillery — revealing that the first president operated what had become the largest commercial distillery in the U.S. by the time he died in 1799. Historians had long known that Washington operated a distillery through surviving records, but the archaeological excavation revealed the scale and sophistication of the operation. The facility was "one of the largest, highest producing operations in the area," Mount Vernon's website says. "The evidence also highlights the fact that this distillery was operating at an industrial scale, compared to the one or two still farmer-distillers common in the 18th and early 19th centuries," the site adds. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ During the excavation, archaeologists uncovered stone foundations, teacups, drinking glasses and evidence of the distillery's copper stills and boilers, which helped researchers reconstruct how the massive operation functioned. "Research suggests that George Washington was one of the most innovative and enterprising farmers in America’s history," Mount Vernon's website says. "This entrepreneurial spirit can be seen in such exhibits as the 16-sided treading barn, the gristmill and the distillery." In 1947, historian Julian P. Boyd discovered a previously unknown draft of the Declaration of Independence among Jefferson's papers. The Library of Congress's website describes the draft as "brief, but critically important," noting that it predated the famous "Rough Draught" Jefferson later produced. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Comparing the older fragment and the "Rough Draught," the historian found that Jefferson revised his language more extensively than previously documented. The fragment also gave historians a clearer picture of the drafting process, helping them trace Jefferson's edits alongside revisions made by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Congress before the Declaration's adoption. "Heavily edited in Jefferson's clear, precise hand, the fragment proved to be a key component in unraveling the story of the writing of the Declaration," the website notes. "The existence of the fragment confirmed the view of those historians, who had argued that a heavily edited draft must have preceded the copy Jefferson had endorsed as the original rough draft." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b4de197238567836b83e Discoveries that reshaped what historians knew about America's Founding Fathers te 2026-06-30T12:21:50.771Z Discoveries that reshaped what historians knew about America's Founding Fathers The Founding Fathers left behind extensive writings, but new discoveries continue to deepen historians' understanding of America's most influential figures. Advances in archaeology, DNA analysis and archival research have uncovered forgotten documents, artifacts and other evidence from the nation's earliest years. Over the past century, discoveries have offered fresh insight into America's founders, changing how historians understand their lives and legacies, as detailed below. ANCIENT ROMAN'S 'MISHAP' LEADS TO RARE JEWELRY DISCOVERY IN BRITISH COUNTRYSIDE According to the Thomas Jefferson Foundation (TJF), Thomas Jefferson, principal author of the Declaration of Independence, fathered at least six children with Sally Hemings, an enslaved woman at Monticello. Though it was rumored during his lifetime that Jefferson fathered children with one of the enslaved women, it wasn't until a landmark 1998 DNA study that historians found scientific evidence that appears to support the claim. EXCAVATORS DISCOVER PREHISTORIC VILLAGE BENEATH FUTURE GOLF COURSE: 'REMARKABLE JOURNEY' Hemings was brought to Paris from 1787 to 1789 to work as a servant and maid for Jefferson's household. "While in Paris, where enslaved people could petition for their freedom, she negotiated with Jefferson to return to enslavement at Monticello in exchange for 'extraordinary privileges' for herself and freedom for her unborn children," the TJF states on its website. "Decades later, Jefferson freed all of Sally Hemings’s children ... [he] did not grant freedom to any other enslaved family unit." ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNEARTH STRANGE HEAD DEPICTING ROMAN GOD BENEATH CATHOLIC BASILICA After reviewing documentary, scientific, statistical and oral history evidence, the Foundation concluded that Jefferson most likely fathered Hemings' children, a position now widely accepted by mainstream historians. Not all historians agree with that assessment, however. After reviewing historical evidence, the Thomas Jefferson Heritage Society concluded that Hemings "was only a minor figure in Thomas Jefferson's life and that it is very unlikely he fathered any of her children," according to the TJF website. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES "This committee also suggested in its report, issued in April 2001 and revised in 2011, that Jefferson's younger brother Randolph (1755-1815) was more likely the father of at least some of Sally Hemings's children," the website adds. In 1999, archaeologists at Mount Vernon uncovered the remains of George Washington's long-lost whiskey distillery — revealing that the first president operated what had become the largest commercial distillery in the U.S. by the time he died in 1799. Historians had long known that Washington operated a distillery through surviving records, but the archaeological excavation revealed the scale and sophistication of the operation. The facility was "one of the largest, highest producing operations in the area," Mount Vernon's website says. "The evidence also highlights the fact that this distillery was operating at an industrial scale, compared to the one or two still farmer-distillers common in the 18th and early 19th centuries," the site adds. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ During the excavation, archaeologists uncovered stone foundations, teacups, drinking glasses and evidence of the distillery's copper stills and boilers, which helped researchers reconstruct how the massive operation functioned. "Research suggests that George Washington was one of the most innovative and enterprising farmers in America’s history," Mount Vernon's website says. "This entrepreneurial spirit can be seen in such exhibits as the 16-sided treading barn, the gristmill and the distillery." In 1947, historian Julian P. Boyd discovered a previously unknown draft of the Declaration of Independence among Jefferson's papers. The Library of Congress's website describes the draft as "brief, but critically important," noting that it predated the famous "Rough Draught" Jefferson later produced. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Comparing the older fragment and the "Rough Draught," the historian found that Jefferson revised his language more extensively than previously documented. The fragment also gave historians a clearer picture of the drafting process, helping them trace Jefferson's edits alongside revisions made by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Congress before the Declaration's adoption. "Heavily edited in Jefferson's clear, precise hand, the fragment proved to be a key component in unraveling the story of the writing of the Declaration," the website notes. "The existence of the fragment confirmed the view of those historians, who had argued that a heavily edited draft must have preceded the copy Jefferson had endorsed as the original rough draft." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b4d3197238567836b835 Heartbroken father blasts ‘broken’ system that let family massacre take his children before they could reunite te 2026-06-30T12:21:39.137Z Heartbroken father blasts ‘broken’ system that let family massacre take his children before they could reunite A father is grieving the loss of his four young children following an alleged murder-suicide poisoning plot. Speaking with Fox News Digital, the children's father, Brady Harmon, said nothing could have prepared him for the shocking and devastating news. He said, "There is no preparation. It's horrendous." The children's grandmother is suspected of poisoning the four children and their mother before taking her own life in Mechanicville, New York, police said during a Thursday news conference. "There is recovered evidence inside the apartment that indicates intentional poisoning with numerous prescriptions and over-the-counter medication," said Mechanicville Police Chief William Rabbitt. WOMAN LINKED TO TRANSGENDER ZIZIAN CULT CHARGED WITH ARRANGING HER PARENTS' MURDERS ON HER 30TH BIRTHDAY 📩 Send me a story idea: kelsie.cairns@fox.com 📸 Instagram: kelsiecairns_tv 🎥 Facebook: Kelsie Cairns He added that during an autopsy examination it was discovered that one of the child victims may have "suffered fatal sharp force injuries." FOLLOW US ON X Investigators made their grim discovery during a welfare check at the home on Tuesday, June 23. MPD named those found dead: GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL During the news conference, police named Steadman as the children's grandmother. Rabbitt said investigators found a "handwritten note" that may link her to the deaths. CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS He also said causes of death are pending additional investigation and toxicology testing. Before the young victims were found dead, Harmon, who lives in Utah, told Fox News Digital he was planning on taking his children back to Utah with him for the summer. He never had the chance. He was fighting an ongoing custody battle with the children's mother, Myers, he said. He also told Fox News Digital he had concerns about the children's safety and well-being before the tragedy. His worst fears became realized. "The system is broken, it takes way too long to get anything done. I spent six and a half years fighting to be able to have access to my kids," he said. While the murder investigation continues, Harmon said, "My concern right now is being able to bring my kids home, and have them away from those two monsters that did this to them." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b4cb197238567836b82c Heartbroken father blasts ‘broken’ system that let family massacre take his children before they could reunite te 2026-06-30T12:21:31.316Z Heartbroken father blasts ‘broken’ system that let family massacre take his children before they could reunite A father is grieving the loss of his four young children following an alleged murder-suicide poisoning plot. Speaking with Fox News Digital, the children's father, Brady Harmon, said nothing could have prepared him for the shocking and devastating news. He said, "There is no preparation. It's horrendous." The children's grandmother is suspected of poisoning the four children and their mother before taking her own life in Mechanicville, New York, police said during a Thursday news conference. "There is recovered evidence inside the apartment that indicates intentional poisoning with numerous prescriptions and over-the-counter medication," said Mechanicville Police Chief William Rabbitt. WOMAN LINKED TO TRANSGENDER ZIZIAN CULT CHARGED WITH ARRANGING HER PARENTS' MURDERS ON HER 30TH BIRTHDAY 📩 Send me a story idea: kelsie.cairns@fox.com 📸 Instagram: kelsiecairns_tv 🎥 Facebook: Kelsie Cairns He added that during an autopsy examination it was discovered that one of the child victims may have "suffered fatal sharp force injuries." FOLLOW US ON X Investigators made their grim discovery during a welfare check at the home on Tuesday, June 23. MPD named those found dead: GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL During the news conference, police named Steadman as the children's grandmother. Rabbitt said investigators found a "handwritten note" that may link her to the deaths. CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS He also said causes of death are pending additional investigation and toxicology testing. Before the young victims were found dead, Harmon, who lives in Utah, told Fox News Digital he was planning on taking his children back to Utah with him for the summer. He never had the chance. He was fighting an ongoing custody battle with the children's mother, Myers, he said. He also told Fox News Digital he had concerns about the children's safety and well-being before the tragedy. His worst fears became realized. "The system is broken, it takes way too long to get anything done. I spent six and a half years fighting to be able to have access to my kids," he said. While the murder investigation continues, Harmon said, "My concern right now is being able to bring my kids home, and have them away from those two monsters that did this to them." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b4bf197238567836b823 Taylor Swift's empire tops $2 billion as wedding frenzy fuels global obsession te 2026-06-30T12:21:19.688Z Taylor Swift's empire tops $2 billion as wedding frenzy fuels global obsession Taylor Swift's biggest wedding gift may already be sitting in her bank account. Before the superstar prepared to say "I do," she built an estimated $2 billion empire that branding experts said transformed her from a hitmaker into one of the most powerful businesses in entertainment. "At this point, Taylor Swift's brand is so dominant and so deeply tied to her creative output that marriage is only going to add a new dimension to an empire that is already running on all cylinders," reputation management expert Evan Nierman told Fox News Digital. "The buzz and speculation around her wedding have made it a global media event long before it even happens, and that level of cultural gravity tells you everything about where her brand stands heading into the next chapter," Nierman, founder & CEO of crisis PR firm Red Banyan, added. TAYLOR SWIFT, TRAVIS KELCE WEDDING BETTING FRENZY REVEALS ONE OVERWHELMING PREDICTION Reports of Swift and Travis Kelce's rumored July 3 wedding intensified last week after The New York Times reported Swift had rented Madison Square Garden for a multi-day celebration. The couple's potential July 3 wedding would come weeks after Forbes announced the global pop star had surpassed a net worth of $2 billion after becoming a billionaire in 2023. Swift's fortune included roughly $800 million earned directly from her music and touring along with a $600 million music catalog, according to the outlet. The "Life of a Showgirl" singer's massive fortune didn't happen by accident, branding experts said. Instead, they pointed to years of relentless touring, strategic business moves and an unmatched connection with fans that turned the singer into a global powerhouse. "Taylor Swift is the apex predator of the entertainment industry," branding expert Doug Eldridge told Fox News Digital. "She is the first artist to earn one billion dollars from a world tour and while the ticket prices often started at four figures, the reality is she was an absolute road warrior – she put in the work, and was willing to grind on that tour," Eldridge, founder of Achilles PR, added. "When it comes to her billion dollar valuation, she earned it. It was grit, not grift." TRAVIS KELCE'S DAD CALLS TAYLOR SWIFT 'THE GIRL NEXT DOOR' AS WEDDING SPECULATION REACHES NEW HEIGHTS While Swift's record-breaking tour fueled her fortune, experts said her billion-dollar success extends far beyond ticket sales. "The music catalog is a massive asset, but it would only be worth a fraction of what it is today without the power of the Taylor Swift brand behind it," Nierman said. "Her ability to fill stadiums, command global attention and elevate every album release into a cultural event is what turned a great body of work into a $2 billion empire." Nierman said that brand wouldn't have reached its current value without one key ingredient: the unwavering loyalty of Swift's fans. "The Swifties are the single most valuable fanbase in entertainment because they’ve turned loyalty into an economic engine that generates revenue at a historic scale," he explained. "The Eras Tour generated over $2 billion in ticket sales and experts estimate fans spent billions more on travel, merchandise and experiences around those shows, which is the kind of consumer spending power that most major corporations would kill for." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Former CBS executive Derek Reisfield said Swift has turned fan loyalty into something few artists ever achieve: complete control over her business. "Swift is calling the shots," he explained. "She essentially is a Fortune 1000 CEO. It is driven by the music, but Swift seems to have a knack for creating significant revenue streams on top of the music. The loyalty and emotional investment of her fans helps her do that." Reisfield credited Swift's genuine connection with fans for helping her sustain one of entertainment's most powerful brands. "Taylor Swift has an extremely strong brand. She is an incredible musician and performer, and she has bonded with her fans in a powerful and unique way," the co-founder and founding Chairman of MarketWatch told Fox News Digital. "She has an authenticity that is genuine that drives a powerful connection with her audiences." LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Looking ahead, experts said a wedding would likely mark another evolution of the Swift brand rather than a departure from it. "Will marriage affect her brand? I think in only positive ways," Reisfield said. "Her relationship with Travis Kelce seems to be part of her story now. Kids won't affect her brand either. They will probably only enhance her brand in the short to medium term." Eldridge predicted that whatever comes next for Swift personally will likely translate into business success. "It’ll be one of two things: source material for her next 'good girl, done wrong' album, or a logical evolution of teen, to young adult, to finding her own, real-life Prince Charming," the PR expert noted. "In either case, it will generate eyeballs, interest, and investment. In other words, Swift will cash in." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b4b7197238567836b81a Taylor Swift's empire tops $2 billion as wedding frenzy fuels global obsession te 2026-06-30T12:21:11.858Z Taylor Swift's empire tops $2 billion as wedding frenzy fuels global obsession Taylor Swift's biggest wedding gift may already be sitting in her bank account. Before the superstar prepared to say "I do," she built an estimated $2 billion empire that branding experts said transformed her from a hitmaker into one of the most powerful businesses in entertainment. "At this point, Taylor Swift's brand is so dominant and so deeply tied to her creative output that marriage is only going to add a new dimension to an empire that is already running on all cylinders," reputation management expert Evan Nierman told Fox News Digital. "The buzz and speculation around her wedding have made it a global media event long before it even happens, and that level of cultural gravity tells you everything about where her brand stands heading into the next chapter," Nierman, founder & CEO of crisis PR firm Red Banyan, added. TAYLOR SWIFT, TRAVIS KELCE WEDDING BETTING FRENZY REVEALS ONE OVERWHELMING PREDICTION Reports of Swift and Travis Kelce's rumored July 3 wedding intensified last week after The New York Times reported Swift had rented Madison Square Garden for a multi-day celebration. The couple's potential July 3 wedding would come weeks after Forbes announced the global pop star had surpassed a net worth of $2 billion after becoming a billionaire in 2023. Swift's fortune included roughly $800 million earned directly from her music and touring along with a $600 million music catalog, according to the outlet. The "Life of a Showgirl" singer's massive fortune didn't happen by accident, branding experts said. Instead, they pointed to years of relentless touring, strategic business moves and an unmatched connection with fans that turned the singer into a global powerhouse. "Taylor Swift is the apex predator of the entertainment industry," branding expert Doug Eldridge told Fox News Digital. "She is the first artist to earn one billion dollars from a world tour and while the ticket prices often started at four figures, the reality is she was an absolute road warrior – she put in the work, and was willing to grind on that tour," Eldridge, founder of Achilles PR, added. "When it comes to her billion dollar valuation, she earned it. It was grit, not grift." TRAVIS KELCE'S DAD CALLS TAYLOR SWIFT 'THE GIRL NEXT DOOR' AS WEDDING SPECULATION REACHES NEW HEIGHTS While Swift's record-breaking tour fueled her fortune, experts said her billion-dollar success extends far beyond ticket sales. "The music catalog is a massive asset, but it would only be worth a fraction of what it is today without the power of the Taylor Swift brand behind it," Nierman said. "Her ability to fill stadiums, command global attention and elevate every album release into a cultural event is what turned a great body of work into a $2 billion empire." Nierman said that brand wouldn't have reached its current value without one key ingredient: the unwavering loyalty of Swift's fans. "The Swifties are the single most valuable fanbase in entertainment because they’ve turned loyalty into an economic engine that generates revenue at a historic scale," he explained. "The Eras Tour generated over $2 billion in ticket sales and experts estimate fans spent billions more on travel, merchandise and experiences around those shows, which is the kind of consumer spending power that most major corporations would kill for." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Former CBS executive Derek Reisfield said Swift has turned fan loyalty into something few artists ever achieve: complete control over her business. "Swift is calling the shots," he explained. "She essentially is a Fortune 1000 CEO. It is driven by the music, but Swift seems to have a knack for creating significant revenue streams on top of the music. The loyalty and emotional investment of her fans helps her do that." Reisfield credited Swift's genuine connection with fans for helping her sustain one of entertainment's most powerful brands. "Taylor Swift has an extremely strong brand. She is an incredible musician and performer, and she has bonded with her fans in a powerful and unique way," the co-founder and founding Chairman of MarketWatch told Fox News Digital. "She has an authenticity that is genuine that drives a powerful connection with her audiences." LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Looking ahead, experts said a wedding would likely mark another evolution of the Swift brand rather than a departure from it. "Will marriage affect her brand? I think in only positive ways," Reisfield said. "Her relationship with Travis Kelce seems to be part of her story now. Kids won't affect her brand either. They will probably only enhance her brand in the short to medium term." Eldridge predicted that whatever comes next for Swift personally will likely translate into business success. "It’ll be one of two things: source material for her next 'good girl, done wrong' album, or a logical evolution of teen, to young adult, to finding her own, real-life Prince Charming," the PR expert noted. "In either case, it will generate eyeballs, interest, and investment. In other words, Swift will cash in." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b4ac197238567836b811 Far-left group calls out New York officials for taking too long to issue reparations as 'disservice' to Blacks te 2026-06-30T12:21:00.226Z Far-left group calls out New York officials for taking too long to issue reparations as 'disservice' to Blacks A prominent civil rights organization is calling out New York officials for extending the timeline on a highly anticipated state report investigating slavery reparations remedies. The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) on Friday slammed the New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies after a provision embedded in the newly passed state budget pushed the release of its final report back an additional two years—moving the deadline to 2029. "The state’s decision to spend an additional three years before it takes any action to address these harms raises a lot of questions about when Black New Yorkers will receive reparations," said Chantelle Williams, the NYCLU’s Assistant Director of the Racial Justice Center, pointing to the total time elapsed since the commission's inception. TRUMP ADMIN VOWS TO STOP REPARATIONS PROGRAMS, ACCUSES OFFICIALS OF 'VIRTUE SIGNALING' TO GET 'VOTES' "Meanwhile, the impact of discrimination continues to harm Black individuals and communities across the state. This delay is not just a bureaucratic inconvenience. It is a disservice to those who have suffered the profound and lasting consequences of inequality," Williams added. The New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies, a nine-member panel composed of scholars and community leaders, recently concluded a series of statewide public hearings. The final hearing, titled "From Extraction to Repair: Closing the Racial Wealth Gap," took place in Harlem at the end of May. The commission was born out of legislation signed by Governor Kathy Hochul in late 2023, which established a panel to examine the state's historical ties to the institution of slavery, subsequent Jim Crow-era policies, and modern economic disparities like redlining. The body was tasked with compiling those findings into a formal report proposing recommendations for financial compensation and policy changes. However, state leaders agreed to stall the inquiry. Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages, D-Nassau County, who helped draft the original legislation, acknowledged that the extension was requested to navigate a changing national landscape, citing the erosion of voting protections and conservative legal challenges against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Additionally, the new budget measure shields the commissioners from personal legal exposure if they face lawsuits over their official findings. TRUMP ADMIN WANTS TO STOP ILLINOIS CITY'S REPARATIONS EFFORT FOR 'SIMPLY HANDING OUT MONEY BASED ON RACE' Williams believes that rushing the final findings would be a mistake, but emphasizes that the clock is ticking for impacted communities. "The reparations report from the state commission – whenever it’s finally released – will undoubtedly provide ample evidence of past and present harm to Black New Yorkers," Williams said. "Will the legislature respond to the report’s findings with clear, measurable actions to help repair historic wrongs? That’s an open question, and the answer will depend on lawmakers’ political will." "New York has studied, exposed, and documented injustices committed against Black Americans. Now state leaders must decide whether they are ready to truly make amends for those harms," she continued. The Empire State is part of a broader wave of states and local municipalities exploring local reparative structures. Some localities have pushed forward regardless; the Chicago suburb of Evanston, Illinois, made headlines by distributing $25,000 grants to eligible Black residents to address historic housing discrimination. Williams' comments come as the NYCLU itself faces fierce criticism from grassroots reparations advocates who take issue with the organization's overarching philosophy. At a public hearing held at Hempstead High School on Long Island, Susan Gottehrer, the Director of the Nassau County Chapter of the NYCLU, defended a broad approach to any state-level restitution framework. "These government policies have affected Black New Yorkers regardless of lineage. Excluding a subset of Black Americans would leave a significant portion of documented racial injustice completely unexamined," Gottehrer testified. OAKLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT VOWED REPARATIONS FOR BLACK STUDENTS, YET OUTCOMES APPEAR STAGNANT AFTER 5 YEARS That stance drew immediate backlash from members of the U.S. Freedmen Project, an advocacy group present at the hearing. Lineage advocates argue that reparations should be strictly reserved for ancestral Black Americans—specifically the direct descendants of individuals enslaved in the United States. Activists with the Freedmen Project argued that the left-leaning NYCLU and its local chapters do not represent the specific legal and historical interests of foundational Black Americans by trying to include modern Black immigrants under the same compensatory umbrella. The testimony gathered from these tense public forums will be weighed alongside historical data as the commission continues its work ahead of its revised multi-year deadline. The NYCLU did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b4a4197238567836b808 Far-left group calls out New York officials for taking too long to issue reparations as 'disservice' to Blacks te 2026-06-30T12:20:52.406Z Far-left group calls out New York officials for taking too long to issue reparations as 'disservice' to Blacks A prominent civil rights organization is calling out New York officials for extending the timeline on a highly anticipated state report investigating slavery reparations remedies. The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) on Friday slammed the New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies after a provision embedded in the newly passed state budget pushed the release of its final report back an additional two years—moving the deadline to 2029. "The state’s decision to spend an additional three years before it takes any action to address these harms raises a lot of questions about when Black New Yorkers will receive reparations," said Chantelle Williams, the NYCLU’s Assistant Director of the Racial Justice Center, pointing to the total time elapsed since the commission's inception. TRUMP ADMIN VOWS TO STOP REPARATIONS PROGRAMS, ACCUSES OFFICIALS OF 'VIRTUE SIGNALING' TO GET 'VOTES' "Meanwhile, the impact of discrimination continues to harm Black individuals and communities across the state. This delay is not just a bureaucratic inconvenience. It is a disservice to those who have suffered the profound and lasting consequences of inequality," Williams added. The New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies, a nine-member panel composed of scholars and community leaders, recently concluded a series of statewide public hearings. The final hearing, titled "From Extraction to Repair: Closing the Racial Wealth Gap," took place in Harlem at the end of May. The commission was born out of legislation signed by Governor Kathy Hochul in late 2023, which established a panel to examine the state's historical ties to the institution of slavery, subsequent Jim Crow-era policies, and modern economic disparities like redlining. The body was tasked with compiling those findings into a formal report proposing recommendations for financial compensation and policy changes. However, state leaders agreed to stall the inquiry. Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages, D-Nassau County, who helped draft the original legislation, acknowledged that the extension was requested to navigate a changing national landscape, citing the erosion of voting protections and conservative legal challenges against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Additionally, the new budget measure shields the commissioners from personal legal exposure if they face lawsuits over their official findings. TRUMP ADMIN WANTS TO STOP ILLINOIS CITY'S REPARATIONS EFFORT FOR 'SIMPLY HANDING OUT MONEY BASED ON RACE' Williams believes that rushing the final findings would be a mistake, but emphasizes that the clock is ticking for impacted communities. "The reparations report from the state commission – whenever it’s finally released – will undoubtedly provide ample evidence of past and present harm to Black New Yorkers," Williams said. "Will the legislature respond to the report’s findings with clear, measurable actions to help repair historic wrongs? That’s an open question, and the answer will depend on lawmakers’ political will." "New York has studied, exposed, and documented injustices committed against Black Americans. Now state leaders must decide whether they are ready to truly make amends for those harms," she continued. The Empire State is part of a broader wave of states and local municipalities exploring local reparative structures. Some localities have pushed forward regardless; the Chicago suburb of Evanston, Illinois, made headlines by distributing $25,000 grants to eligible Black residents to address historic housing discrimination. Williams' comments come as the NYCLU itself faces fierce criticism from grassroots reparations advocates who take issue with the organization's overarching philosophy. At a public hearing held at Hempstead High School on Long Island, Susan Gottehrer, the Director of the Nassau County Chapter of the NYCLU, defended a broad approach to any state-level restitution framework. "These government policies have affected Black New Yorkers regardless of lineage. Excluding a subset of Black Americans would leave a significant portion of documented racial injustice completely unexamined," Gottehrer testified. OAKLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT VOWED REPARATIONS FOR BLACK STUDENTS, YET OUTCOMES APPEAR STAGNANT AFTER 5 YEARS That stance drew immediate backlash from members of the U.S. Freedmen Project, an advocacy group present at the hearing. Lineage advocates argue that reparations should be strictly reserved for ancestral Black Americans—specifically the direct descendants of individuals enslaved in the United States. Activists with the Freedmen Project argued that the left-leaning NYCLU and its local chapters do not represent the specific legal and historical interests of foundational Black Americans by trying to include modern Black immigrants under the same compensatory umbrella. The testimony gathered from these tense public forums will be weighed alongside historical data as the commission continues its work ahead of its revised multi-year deadline. The NYCLU did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b484197238567836b7fb Az Gov. Hobbs: Flags to half-staff Tuesday to honor Granite Mountain Hotshots te 2026-06-30T12:20:20.961Z Az Gov. Hobbs: Flags to half-staff Tuesday to honor Granite Mountain Hotshots Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b47d197238567836b7f2 Az Gov. Hobbs: Flags to half-staff Tuesday to honor Granite Mountain Hotshots te 2026-06-30T12:20:13.490Z Az Gov. Hobbs: Flags to half-staff Tuesday to honor Granite Mountain Hotshots Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b46a197238567836b7c1 SCOTUS to consider reviving citizenship checks for Arizona voters te 2026-06-30T12:19:54.036Z SCOTUS to consider reviving citizenship checks for Arizona voters Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b456197238567836b7b8 Supreme Court allows states to accept mail ballots after Election Day te 2026-06-30T12:19:34.579Z Supreme Court allows states to accept mail ballots after Election Day Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b443197238567836b7af Lawsuit: Lawmakers concealed full scope of proposed anti-trans amendment to Az Constitution te 2026-06-30T12:19:15.128Z Lawsuit: Lawmakers concealed full scope of proposed anti-trans amendment to Az Constitution Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b42f197238567836b7a6 Vets with Gulf War Illness were finally seeing progress, but Congress cut funding te 2026-06-30T12:18:55.666Z Vets with Gulf War Illness were finally seeing progress, but Congress cut funding Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b41c197238567836b79d Hot dogs, fireworks and… lobbyists? These are the trade groups behind your July Fourth traditions te 2026-06-30T12:18:36.210Z Hot dogs, fireworks and… lobbyists? These are the trade groups behind your July Fourth traditions Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b408197238567836b794 2 Oro Valley candidates will attend League of Women Voters forum Tues. te 2026-06-30T12:18:16.753Z 2 Oro Valley candidates will attend League of Women Voters forum Tues. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b3f5197238567836b78b U.S. Senate Ethics Committee dismisses complaint against Gallego te 2026-06-30T12:17:57.299Z U.S. Senate Ethics Committee dismisses complaint against Gallego Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b3e1197238567836b782 How often are dogs shot by the police? te 2026-06-30T12:17:37.841Z How often are dogs shot by the police? Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b3ce197238567836b779 Celebrate a week free from local gov't meetings by mouthing off to D.C. te 2026-06-30T12:17:18.385Z Celebrate a week free from local gov't meetings by mouthing off to D.C. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b3ba197238567836b770 Sun Tran talks with Teamsters continue as Tucson bus driver contract runs out Tuesday te 2026-06-30T12:16:58.936Z Sun Tran talks with Teamsters continue as Tucson bus driver contract runs out Tuesday Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b3a7197238567836b767 In Nogales, Catholic bishops hold 'Border Mass 250' te 2026-06-30T12:16:39.475Z In Nogales, Catholic bishops hold 'Border Mass 250' Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b390197238567836b759 WhatsApp now lets you reserve usernames te 2026-06-30T12:16:16.435Z WhatsApp now lets you reserve usernames WhatsApp username can be between 3 to 35 characters. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b37b197238567836b750 In major privacy win, Supreme Court rules geofence warrants are protected by privacy rights te 2026-06-30T12:15:55.955Z In major privacy win, Supreme Court rules geofence warrants are protected by privacy rights The Supreme Court's decision to limit geofence warrants is a win for privacy advocates, who called their use unconstitutional but sought an outright ban. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b368197238567836b742 TIDAL cracks down on AI music by cutting off monetization te 2026-06-30T12:15:36.498Z TIDAL cracks down on AI music by cutting off monetization In addition, TIDAL will use automated tools to remove AI-generated music that attempts to impersonate an artist or a group, the company said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b355197238567836b739 Trump administration threatens 92 GW of new electricity supply with red tape te 2026-06-30T12:15:17.042Z Trump administration threatens 92 GW of new electricity supply with red tape The Trump administration's moves threaten $121 billion in new solar and wind power, two energy sources that are the biggest contributors to new capacity in the U.S. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b340197238567836b730 Cursor now has a mobile app for guiding your coding agent on the go te 2026-06-30T12:14:56.568Z Cursor now has a mobile app for guiding your coding agent on the go Cursor has launched a new mobile app for remote oversight over coding agents. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b32c197238567836b727 Arena, the AI leaderboard everyone uses, is now a $100M business te 2026-06-30T12:14:36.082Z Arena, the AI leaderboard everyone uses, is now a $100M business The startup, which runs a popular free AI leaderboard, launched its commercial service just last September. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b318197238567836b71e South Korean tech giants commit over $550B to ease ‘RAMageddon’ te 2026-06-30T12:14:16.629Z South Korean tech giants commit over $550B to ease ‘RAMageddon’ The world's two largest memory chip companies vow to build more memory lab fabs as South Korea positions itself as an AI tech powerhouse country. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b305197238567836b715 Anthropic and Gov. Newsom forge deal allowing California government to use Claude at half price te 2026-06-30T12:13:57.170Z Anthropic and Gov. Newsom forge deal allowing California government to use Claude at half price As Anthropic forges a closer relationship with the state of California, the federal government has made an enemy out of the OpenAI rival. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b2f1197238567836b70c Waymo and Uber quietly part ways in Phoenix te 2026-06-30T12:13:37.716Z Waymo and Uber quietly part ways in Phoenix Uber said it is readying the launch of a separate autonomous vehicle partnership in the city, but did not name the partner. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b2de197238567836b703 Watch out, Amazon: The Kobo eReader now has a Goodreads rival te 2026-06-30T12:13:18.259Z Watch out, Amazon: The Kobo eReader now has a Goodreads rival Kobo users can now automatically sync their reading progress to StoryGraph, making it easier to track books, reading stats, and challenges without relying on Amazon’s Goodreads. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b2ca197238567836b6fa Gemini’s personalized AI image generation is now free for US users te 2026-06-30T12:12:58.290Z Gemini’s personalized AI image generation is now free for US users Google is expanding Gemini’s personalized AI image generation to eligible free users in the U.S., allowing the chatbot to create images based on your interests and data from connected Google apps. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b2b6197238567836b6f1 Chamath Palihapitiya raises $135M Series A for his AI coding startup, takes CEO role te 2026-06-30T12:12:38.841Z Chamath Palihapitiya raises $135M Series A for his AI coding startup, takes CEO role VCs remain thirsty to fund AI coding startups. This one, founded by investor Chamath Palihapitiya, is no exception. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b2a3197238567836b6df Vibe coding platform Base44 launches own model as AI startups seek defensibility te 2026-06-30T12:12:19.380Z Vibe coding platform Base44 launches own model as AI startups seek defensibility Wix-owned vibe coding platform Base44 has started rolling out its own AI model — with hopes that it will eventually outperform frontier models. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b28f197238567836b6d6 The AI jobs debate just got messier te 2026-06-30T12:11:59.922Z The AI jobs debate just got messier A new report finds "high-intensity AI adopters” saw headcount increase 10.2%. Among those companies, entry-level headcount rose by 12%, countering the rhetoric that AI kills junior jobs. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b27c197238567836b6cd Crypto exchange OKX wants AI agents to hire and pay each other te 2026-06-30T12:11:40.467Z Crypto exchange OKX wants AI agents to hire and pay each other OKX is bringing together payments, identity and reputation into a marketplace for AI agents. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b268197238567836b6c4 Villegas seeks reelection in Arizona House LD20 race te 2026-06-30T12:11:20.508Z Villegas seeks reelection in Arizona House LD20 race State Rep. Betty Villegas, a Democrat, is seeking reelection to the Arizona House of Representatives in Legislative District 20, facing primary challenges from Genoveva Diaz, Sally Ann Gonzales and Ben Koehler. Katherine Weasel, a Republican, has filed as a write-in candidate for the general election. Legislative District 20 covers parts of Tucson's south and west sides and is a majority Latino district, with 53% of residents identifying as Hispanic or Latino. Villegas was elected to the position in 2023. Some of the issues she has worked to address in the Legislature are the same ones facing Tucsonans in 2026, though several have evolved and grown more urgent. Tucson Spotlight asked all the candidates their positions on water policy, school vouchers and affordable housing. Water conservation has almost always been a top priority for Tucson residents, and recent data center projects, like Amazon's Project Blue, have driven concerns that the city's limited water source, its underground aquifer, will be overused. "Water is life in Arizona," Villegas said. "The public has every right to be concerned when large corporations and data centers come into our communities and demand enormous amounts of water and energy without clear accountability." State Rep. Betty Villegas has been endorsed by U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva. Courtesy of Betty Villegas. Villegas said if reelected, she'll continue pushing for transparency, stronger oversight and guardrails before major water users are allowed to expand. "That means requiring clear water impact information, protecting our groundwater, making sure local communities have a voice, and ensuring that corporations do not get special treatment while families are asked to conserve," Villegas said, adding that she believes growth should not be divorced from sustainability. Housing affordability is another issue at the top of mind for Tucson voters, with both the city of Tucson and Pima County declaring the growing unhoused population an emergency. "Housing is one of the reasons I ran for office," said Villegas, who worked for 31 years in housing, community development, mortgages and public service. "I know housing stability is not a luxury. In Arizona's extreme heat, it is a matter of health, safety, and survival. No one should have to choose between turning on their air conditioning and paying rent or a mortgage." Villegas said she supports Gov. Katie Hobbs' work to expand utility assistance and approves of continuing support for state and federally funded programs like Power AZ and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. "Wages have not kept pace with housing," Villegas said. "It will take years for working families to catch up. We need more housing, but we also need housing people can actually afford." Villegas has introduced and supported legislation aimed at protecting renters, preventing unnecessary evictions, expanding rental assistance, strengthening manufactured housing protections, supporting community land trusts and increasing permanently affordable housing. A newer issue is the expansion of the state's Empowerment Scholarship Account voucher program, which allows parents to redirect the per-student funding that would otherwise go to their local public school and use it for tuition and resources at private or alternative schools. Many critics of the ESA expansion cite a lack of transparency and the system's potential to gut public education. "Arizona's universal ESA voucher expansion has become one of the biggest threats to our public schools and our state budget," Villegas said. "Public dollars should first serve public schools, where the vast majority of Arizona children are educated. Instead, we have a voucher system that lacks transparency, has grown far beyond what voters were originally told, and is draining resources from classrooms, teachers, and students." Villegas said she supports putting a cap on ESA growth and forcing accountability and transparency that would curtail waste and abuse from the expansion. "We must fully fund public schools, raise teacher pay, invest in school safety, support special education, and strengthen our community colleges and universities. Public education is one of the best investments we can make in Arizona's future, and we should not allow a private voucher system to weaken it," Villegas said. Villegas has also campaigned on and worked toward strong public health, defending democracy, civil rights, environmental justice and climate resilience during her time in the Legislature. 💡 The LD20 primary is July 21. Early voting began June 24, with a mail ballot deadline of July 14. Pima County voters can register, check their registration or request a mail ballot at recorder.pima.gov Quentin Agnello is a University of Arizona alum and freelance journalist in Tucson. Contact him at qsagnello@gmail.com. Tucson Spotlight is a community-based newsroom that provides paid opportunities for students and rising journalists in Southern Arizona. Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation. Donate to Tucson Spotlight Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b255197238567836b6bb Pima County SNAP households cut in half by federal bill te 2026-06-30T12:11:01.044Z Pima County SNAP households cut in half by federal bill The number of Pima County households receiving SNAP benefits has been cut nearly in half in less than a year, county officials told supervisors earlier this month, as the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act strips eligibility from veterans, the unhoused, former foster youth and thousands of others who once qualified for food and health care assistance. Supervisors heard details about the county's proposed action plan during their June 9 meeting, with the Pima County Health Department proposing a coordinated response to policy changes to mitigate the possible impact. The bill makes the following changes to SNAP and AHCCCS eligibility and reporting requirements: Extending the age range for work reporting requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents from 18-54 to 18-64. Narrowing eligible immigrant groups to lawful permanent residents and limited categories, excluding refugees, asylees and parolees. Changing Arizona's "insufficient jobs" designation so that waivers now apply only to areas with greater than 10% unemployment. Based on fiscal year 2026 data, this makes Pima County ineligible for waivers, with only the city of Yuma and select tribal areas qualifying. Reducing parental exemptions from eligibility requirements for parents caring for children under 18 to only those caring for children under 14. Eliminating most self-attestation in the verification process, now requiring verified proof of income and work activities. Removing eligibility exemptions for veterans, the unhoused and former foster youth. Basing income calculations on gross income with fewer deductions, eliminating utility bill spending deductions. Across Pima County, the number of SNAP beneficiaries has been cut nearly in half in less than a year. From July 2025 to April 2026, the number of SNAP households fell from 78,001 to 39,197, and the total number of county residents receiving benefits dropped from 144,720 to 67,671. That includes a nearly 56% drop in the number of children receiving SNAP benefits in the county, from 53,616 to 23,710. The trend mirrors the rest of the state. In that same timeframe, the number of Arizona SNAP households fell from 455,652 to 253,162, and the number of individuals receiving benefits dropped from 908,989 to 435,196. For those who remain on SNAP in Pima County, benefits have fallen nearly 15%, with the average household's benefit dropping from $330.79 to $282.15, significantly below the state average, which dropped from $356.59 to $311.43. Pima County Health Department Director Dr. Theresa Cullen said the numbers presented are a "moving target," with figures often mismatching between sources. "We are anticipating being the coordinator for a response both within the county as well with our partners throughout the county which will be primarily the health care systems as well as community-based organizations that are ensuring that people have adequate enrollment in both SNAP and access," Cullen said. District 2 Supervisor Matt Heinz estimated the SNAP reductions amount to $178 million a year in federal funding that Pima County no longer receives. "I just want everyone to understand that there is no way the county, the city, the state, community food banks, they're not making up for this," Heinz said. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is also taking public comments on a rule established June 1 that Cullen said would significantly limit the concept of medical frailty. Cullen said the county currently has no clear guidance on how people will document eligibility requirements, who will document them or how documentation will be submitted and verified at the state level for Medicaid and SNAP. The county is continuing to enroll residents in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children using its own funding, with more than 2,000 people enrolled in the last year. Pima County also operates a referral program through which residents can request food assistance and receive referrals through departments like Development Services. Arizona's Medicaid system faces similar eligibility restrictions, with changes to immigrant eligibility, which previously included humanitarian statuses, set to take effect Oct. 1. Starting in 2027, renewals will be required every six months rather than every 12, with shorter response windows and more frequent proof of work requirements. Work exemptions have narrowed, with medical frailty remaining as an exemption but requiring stricter verification. A new federal mandate will also require work or community engagement for Medicaid expansion adults aged 19 through 64. From July 2025 to April 2026, the number of SNAP households fell from 78,001 to 39,197. Statewide, an estimated 380,000 AHCCCS enrollees are subject to disenrollment. Work requirement rules will affect 190,000 adults, while more frequent redeterminations are expected to result in 50,000 additional annual disenrollments. For Pima County, that likely means 25,000 to 35,000 residents will be subject to the new requirements. The Pima County Health Department has proposed a countywide action plan to preserve health care coverage, reduce food insecurity and prevent future gaps in both. The action plan calls for developing multilingual navigation resources and community-facing tools, expanding enrollment assistance through Health-e-Arizona Plus and clinic-based programs, and creating referral pathways through clinical screenings, food insecurity referrals and community resource navigation. "There have been reports that people are so disheartened that they are choosing to believe that they will not qualify for both access and or SNAP due to the changes that have happened," Cullen said. To restore health care access, the plan calls for supporting streamlined AHCCCS redetermination processes at the state level, analyzing disenrollment trends, identifying high-risk populations, providing navigation and renewal assistance for AHCCCS enrollees and reducing Affordable Care Act marketplace coverage loss. To reduce food insecurity, the plan calls for advocating for local and state flexibility in SNAP eligibility requirements, monitoring food insecurity trends and SNAP participation rates, and expanding outreach and enrollment assistance for emergency food programs as alternatives to SNAP. The plan also aims to strengthen system readiness, connect clients to food assistance, health resources, employment opportunities and social support services, and build long-term infrastructure for sustained coverage, helping to reduce future costs. District 5 Supervisor Andrés Cano pushed back on work requirements for SNAP recipients, pointing to the steep drop in benefits for children as evidence that the cuts go far beyond targeting able-bodied adults. He also criticized the timing of the Medicaid changes, which are set to take effect after November's midterm elections, and called on residents to contact U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani and the federal administration to push for a reversal. District 4 Supervisor Steve Christy pointed to other food resources available to children in the community, such as Tucson Unified School District's free and reduced-price lunch program, but District 3 Supervisor Jennifer Allen noted that those programs were also subject to a $1 billion funding cut in 2025. "What we know is that nutrition, especially early childhood nutrition, is critical. It's critical not only for physical development, but for brain development," Cullen said. "There are many historical and peer-reviewed studies that have indicated that the impact of the malnutrition or inadequate nutrition early in life stunts growth, stunts brain development, and it cannot be recovered later in life." Cullen also noted the broader economic impact of the cuts, pointing to the ripple effects of grocers losing SNAP revenue and uninsured residents being forced to seek medical treatment they cannot pay for. Ian Stash is University of Arizona alum and freelance journalist in Tucson. Contact him at ianjgs16@gmail.com. Tucson Spotlight is a community-based newsroom that provides paid opportunities for students and rising journalists in Southern Arizona. Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation. Donate to Tucson Spotlight Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b241197238567836b6b2 Tucson's Reid Park Zoo works to protect endangered jaguars te 2026-06-30T12:10:41.592Z Tucson's Reid Park Zoo works to protect endangered jaguars At 17 years old, Bella the jaguar has already outlived most of her wild counterparts, but her quiet life at Reid Park Zoo is also a window into a species fighting to survive a shrinking, fractured habitat that stretches from Arizona to Argentina. With the strongest bite force of all large felines, Bella is widely seen as the apex predator of South America. Jaguars once ranged from South America all the way into North America, but mining, factory farming, industrialization and artificial borders have since pushed the species toward endangerment. That's why Reid Park Zoo has partnered with programs like La Tierra del Jaguar to help protect jaguars and teach people about their importance to the larger ecosystem. Bella is shy and heat-averse, preferring most days to stay in her air-conditioned back enclosure, hidden among the foliage the way jaguars are built to be: silent and unseen. Erin Gleeson, director of conservation at Reid Park Zoo, said Bella is 17, which is beyond the median life expectancy of most captive jaguars, let alone wild ones. Part of what keeps a jaguar healthy that long is meeting certain environmental needs, including visibility, temperature and scents that allow them to mark territory. Without those conditions, a jaguar can decline quickly. Allison Kreis, co-director of La Tierra del Jaguar, said she has worked with jaguars at the zoo for about 25 years, including a pair of sisters named Nikita and Simone who lived comfortably at Reid Park Zoo into their 20s. "That was my first experience with jaguars before going into conservation," Kreis said. Visitors watch as Bella, Reid Park Zoo's 17-year-old jaguar, takes part in enrichment activities designed to keep her healthy and engaged. Marlon Bedoy / Tucson Spotlight.. Despite conservation efforts like preserves and protected spaces, Kreis said the shrinking distance between those spaces is threatening the species' survival. Jaguars are generally solitary animals, each claiming hundreds of miles of territory and only interacting when mating. As fragmented populations lose the ability to reach one another, reproduction has become harder to sustain. "A lot of it has to do with the human systems," Kreis said. "The agriculture, the livestock management, the building of cities, mining, all these different things that just create disjointed populations." That hostility has real consequences for jaguar populations. "There's this attitude towards jaguars that they're dangerous, that they're evil," Gleeson said. Kreis said that when cattle go missing without a trace, ranchers are often quick to blame apex predators like jaguars and bears, or smaller predators like wolves, and some communities even incentivize hunting them. But Gleeson said part of Kreis' work is changing that perception, teaching people that jaguars are actually "majestic, beautiful" and keystones to a healthy landscape. In most cases, Kreis said, the real culprits behind mysterious herd losses are packs of feral dogs, a well-documented problem in Tucson and other urban centers. What many ranchers don't know is that these dogs form roving packs that prey on cows and calves that stray from a herd. With modern cattle operations sometimes going a week or two between herd checks, most evidence of an attack has already disappeared by the time a rancher notices animals are missing. "Working with communities is critical to protecting the jaguar and creating a longevity ... within jaguar habitats," Kreis said. Gleeson echoed that message with a broader appeal. "Understand that jaguars are native here and that ecosystems from the Southwestern US all the way down to Argentina evolved with jaguars," Gleeson said. "We need these cats to help maintain healthy, functional landscapes, and (as Allison's work is showing us), we can find ways to coexist." Kreis encourages anyone interested in jaguar preservation to consider supporting organizations like Reid Park Zoo, La Tierra del Jaguar and the Northern Jaguar Project. Quentin Agnello is a University of Arizona alum and freelance journalist in Tucson. Contact him at qsagnello@gmail.com. Tucson Spotlight is a community-based newsroom that provides paid opportunities for students and rising journalists in Southern Arizona. Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation. Donate to Tucson Spotlight Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a43b22d197238567836b6a9 Supreme Court will weigh Trump-backed Republican push to enforce Arizona voting laws te 2026-06-30T12:10:21.677Z Supreme Court will weigh Trump-backed Republican push to enforce Arizona voting laws WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court said Monday it will consider a Republican push to enforce strict Arizona voting laws passed in the swing state after the 2020 election. The high court has allowed some similar rules to take effect temporarily before, including Arizona’s proof-of-citizenship requirement for state and local elections and a Virginia purge of voter rolls that the state said was aimed at keeping noncitizens from voting. President Donald Trump’s Republican administration joined the appeal after lower courts found the measures violated federal voting laws. The high court is expected to hear arguments in the fall and hand down an opinion after the midterm elections. The Republican-controlled legislature passed the laws in 2022, part of a wave of similar proposals around the country after Trump falsely claimed widespread voter fraud was responsible for his narrow defeat there to Democrat Joe Biden. Trump reclaimed the state in 2024, helping secure his return to the White House. The case reached the Supreme Court’s emergency docket in 2024. The justices gave the GOP a partial victory, allowing Arizona to require proof of citizenship for registration in state and local elections but not federal races. Also that year, the high court allowed Virginia to continue a purge of voter rolls shortly before the election. Citizenship is required to vote across the country, and people must attest they are citizens under penalty of perjury to register. Arizona is among only a handful of states that require additional proof, like a driver’s license or passport. Data indicates that voting by noncitizens is rare. Arizona tried to impose proof requirements for national elections in 2013, but the law was struck down by the Supreme Court. Now, people can register as “federal only” voters without providing proof of citizenship, but Arizona requires additional proof for state and local election participation. Follow the AP’s coverage of the U.S. Supreme Court at https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court. The post Supreme Court will weigh Trump-backed Republican push to enforce Arizona voting laws appeared first on AZ Luminaria. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/home