https://meenews.co/post/6a7f52f92c5335ae1046714c Air Force athletes chasing Olympic dreams in between serving the nation in a critical time te 2026-08-14T17:40:09.190Z Air Force athletes chasing Olympic dreams in between serving the nation in a critical time As U.S. airmen carry out combat operations in the war with Iran, a small group of service members is representing the Air Force in a different arena: elite international sports. Through the World Class Athlete Program, or WCAP, Air Force athletes can train full-time while remaining on active duty. Their assignment is to compete at the highest level, promote the service and attempt to qualify for the Olympic Games. When their athletic careers end, they return to conventional military roles. The program’s mission has taken on added weight since U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran on Feb. 28. An April 6 CENTCOM fact sheet said American forces had struck more than 13,000 targets using bombers, fighters, tankers, surveillance aircraft, electronic-warfare platforms and airlifters. The conflict remained unresolved in August. TRUMP HONORS TWO RECORD-BREAKING ATHLETES AT US COAST GUARD ACADEMY GRADUATION CEREMONY Against that backdrop, Airman First Class Anita Alvarez, 2nd Lt. Texas Tanner and 1st Lt. Wyatt Hendrickson are training toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Retired Air Force combat rescue officer Chad Senior offers an example of how an elite athlete’s experience can eventually translate into operational military service. Their circumstances are not identical. Alvarez and Senior are Olympians, although Senior competed through the Army’s athlete program before joining the Air Force. Tanner and Hendrickson have not yet reached the Olympics, but both have won major national championships while serving. Alvarez entered the Air Force as an established Olympic medalist. She had already competed in three Olympic Games and helped the United States win the artistic-swimming team silver medal in Paris in 2024. She entered basic military training in November 2024 and graduated at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in January 2025. According to the Air Force, she became the first Olympic medalist specifically recruited into the Department of the Air Force’s WCAP program. The Air Force did not produce her Olympic medal, but it has helped extend her career. Before enlisting, Alvarez said she balanced eight-hour training days with side jobs, school and uncertainty about what she would do after leaving her sport. WCAP allowed her to make training, recovery and mental preparation her full-time job. "I can put everything not only into the physical training every day, but also into my mental performance, into my recovery," Alvarez said. Her results since joining the service suggest the arrangement is working. World Aquatics records show that Alvarez won two World Cup bronze medals in team events in 2025. In 2026, she added a team acrobatic gold medal in Medellin, three silver medals in team and duet events, and two more bronze medals. Alvarez is also completing her degree while considering a post-athletic Air Force career. She expressed interest in aerospace physiology, becoming an officer and possibly pursuing pilot training. Listening to other airmen discuss deployments and operational missions has also changed how she views her athletic assignment. "I’m grateful for the opportunities to be able to compete and travel and do all these things in my sport because of the military members and what they’re doing overseas," Alvarez said. Tanner’s rise came through the Air Force Academy. The Sheridan, Wyoming, native completed one of the strongest throwing careers in Academy history before graduating and receiving his commission in 2026. TRUMP WARNS US 'WON'T HAVE MUCH OF AN OLYMPIC TEAM ANYMORE' WITHOUT NEW COLLEGE SPORTS REGULATIONS During his final collegiate season, Tanner set American collegiate records in both the discus and hammer. He finished second in the hammer and fourth in the discus at the NCAA outdoor championships, ending his Academy career as a six-time All-American. Only weeks after commissioning, Tanner won his first senior national championship. He threw 65.46 meters to capture the U.S. discus title in New York on July 25, winning by nearly a meter and a half. Two days earlier, he placed sixth in the hammer with a throw of 71.64 meters. The performance moved Tanner closer to his goal of competing at the Los Angeles Games. "It was to be a national champion," Tanner said. "Now that I’ve accomplished that, it’s to be the best in the world." Tanner said military service is part of a family tradition that includes his father, aunt, uncle, cousin and grandfather. He did not enter the Academy expecting to become a professional athlete, but WCAP opened that path after he had already committed to military service. When his throwing career ends, Tanner expects to enter Air Force contracting, helping acquire the goods and services needed to operate aircraft, installations and military units. "To be able to serve my country in more ways than one is honestly just something that is a legacy through my family," Tanner said. Hendrickson has produced one of WCAP’s most visible recent achievements. After graduating from the Air Force Academy in 2024, he used his final season of college eligibility at Oklahoma State while serving on active duty through the program. In March 2025, Hendrickson defeated Olympic champion Gable Steveson to win the NCAA heavyweight wrestling championship. He finished the season undefeated and received the Dan Hodge Trophy as the nation’s outstanding college wrestler. Hendrickson then won the 2025 Pan American championship and earned a place on the U.S. senior world team. He placed 17th at that year’s World Championships before returning in 2026 to win another Pan American title. In June, Hendrickson defeated world medalist Mason Parris in two consecutive matches at Final X, securing the 125-kilogram position on the U.S. world team for the second straight year. "If this were an Olympic year, I’d be an Olympian," Hendrickson said. STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW! His long-term goal is an Olympic gold medal in Los Angeles. He said WCAP provides the command support and resources that make it possible for him to continue wrestling while remaining an active-duty officer. "If it weren’t for WCAP, I would not be a wrestler today," Hendrickson said. "They are really the backbone of support while I’m trying to pursue an Olympic gold medal." Hendrickson also acknowledged that other airmen are performing operational work he otherwise might be doing. After wrestling, he expects to serve as an acquisitions officer responsible for obtaining equipment and other resources for the Air Force. "I really have to give more credit to the airmen that are kind of filling my role right now," he said. "Hopefully I can repay them by bringing back a gold medal for the United States of America." Senior’s career shows what that transition from international competition to military operations can look like. Senior competed in modern pentathlon through the Army’s World Class Athlete Program. He entered the 2000 Olympic year ranked No. 1 in the world, finished sixth at the Sydney Games and placed 13th at the 2004 Athens Olympics. After the Sept. 11 attacks, Senior decided to leave elite competition and move into a more operational military role. He became an Air Force combat rescue officer and served with the 920th Rescue Wing and 308th Rescue Squadron. Air Force and Army records credit him with two deployments to Afghanistan and one to Iraq. He later became the 308th Rescue Squadron’s director of operations and rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel before retiring. Senior now works as a contractor supporting the Air Force and helping plan contingency rescues for human-spaceflight crews. He argues that WCAP’s value cannot be measured only by medals. Elite athletes arrive with years of experience in discipline, teamwork, failure and high-pressure performance. Those qualities, he said, can later strengthen operational military units. Senior views the program as an investment serving three groups: athletes receive the opportunity to pursue world-class goals, the military gains future service members and recruiting ambassadors, and taxpayers gain personnel accustomed to performing under stress. The real return, he said, comes after athletes leave competition and bring those habits back to the military. For Alvarez, Tanner and Hendrickson, that test remains ahead. Their present assignment is not combat service, and none claimed that winning a medal was equivalent to carrying out a military mission. Instead, they described their athletic careers as another form of representation — and as preparation for the work they will eventually perform outside the pool, throwing circle or wrestling arena. Alvarez is pursuing a fourth Olympic appearance. Tanner is a national champion only months after receiving his commission. Hendrickson has earned consecutive positions on the U.S. world team. Their immediate objective is Los Angeles. The Air Force’s longer wager is that the discipline required to reach the Olympics will remain valuable after the competition ends and a different kind of service begins. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f50a32c5335ae104670e7 The best tool to protect voting rights this fall? Your own community. te 2026-08-14T17:30:11.643Z The best tool to protect voting rights this fall? Your own community. (Photo via Getty Images) Last week marked the 61st anniversary of the passage of the Voting Rights Act , which banned racial discrimination in voting, and the 51st anniversary of a VRA extension that protected voting rights for non-English speakers. These laws have helped ensure that millions of eligible Arizona voters were able to exercise that fundamental right over the past six decades, and will continue to do so when they head to the polls for this November’s midterms.  If you follow national news, you’re probably aware that this anniversary celebrates a VRA that is significantly weaker than when it first passed all those years ago. Recent court cases, including Louisiana v. Callais this spring, have chipped away significant portions of the law and, with it, key provisions that protected the rights of voters to have an equal say in selecting our country’s elected officials.  The good news? If you’re reading this article, you may or may not be aware of the enormous power you possess to protect what’s left of the VRA for voters in your community, starting right now. You don’t even have to go out of your way to do it.  GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE Whether you’re someone who regularly interacts with other members of your community — like a teacher, performer, business owner, health provider, or coach — or someone who just spends time with friends and family, you can be a force-multiplier for the most direct and impactful tool Arizonans have available to protect the VRA this fall: massive and diverse voter turnout.  To be clear, over the long term, elected leaders must act to codify protections for all eligible voters, regardless of their political orientation or background, to ensure the long-term health of our democracy. But over the next three months, friends, neighbors and trusted community members are the key players in protecting the right to vote.  This is especially true when it comes to mobilizing young people, who don’t trust the political system and are increasingly avoiding affiliation with political parties. Entities that traditionally have moved voters to act, like political campaigns or organizations, hold less sway than ever. At the same time, in-person interactions and spending time in community have been shown to help motivate people to the polls.  So, how can you use your relationships with your friends, families and community members to protect the right to vote? It’s simple: Be a source for trustworthy, nonpartisan information about the voting process.  If you run a business, post signs reminding your customers to check their voter registration status, which they can do at https://nationalvotereducationweek.org/vote/ or by visiting their local registrar or clerk’s office. If you interact with customers, remind them about relevant dates, like Oct. 5, which is the last day they can register to vote; Oct. 7-30, which is Arizona’s early voting period; and Oct. 23, the last day voters can request mail ballots.  If you know anyone in your life who’s new or unsure about the voting process — and especially if you interact with young voters, first-time voters or members of tribal communities — you can brush up on Arizona’s voter ID requirements and help people in your circle make sure they have the valid Arizona driver’s license or non-operating ID card, tribal enrollment card or other form of tribal ID, or valid federal ID — such as a passport — necessary to cast a ballot in Arizona.  And no matter who’s in your life, they’ll benefit from having a calm, confident, and accurate source of information who can dispel false rumors or misinformation about potential changes or federal government interventions in this fall’s election. Make sure they know that nobody, not even a federal agent, is allowed to intimidate them when voting.  All of this messaging is most impactful if it comes directly from you. Outsiders or political campaigns can try all they want to move voters, but friends and neighbors are the trusted messengers we need to meet today’s moment.  Looking for a free, easy way to inform voters in your community? Check out National Voter Education Week any time, and celebrate with us Oct. 5-9, 2026.  YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f4e492c5335ae1046709e Elephants may have played surprising role in early human survival, study suggests te 2026-08-14T17:20:09.490Z Elephants may have played surprising role in early human survival, study suggests Elephants are widely adored by many people today — but a recent study suggests early humans were butchering them for survival nearly 2 million years ago. A group of international researchers found what they describe as "the earliest direct evidence of proboscidean butchery," including a newly identified elephant butchery site, according to an article published in the spring in the journal eLife. Modern elephants are the only living proboscideans today — a group that once included woolly mammoths and mastodons. The animal bones belonged to Elephas recki, an extinct elephant species. ANCIENT HUMANS WERE HUNTING AND EATING SHARKS 7,000 YEARS AGO, BURIAL SITE DISCOVERY SHOWS The research centers on Olduvai Gorge, a site in northern Tanzania's Serengeti Plains known for major discoveries of early human fossils and tools. At the site, excavators found stone tools alongside bones of ancient elephants — and the recent paper, written by archaeologists and paleoanthropologists, suggests the remains were likely deliberately butchered by early human ancestors. The bones date back some 1.8 million years, during the early Pleistocene epoch. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Though researchers have observed evidence of humans hunting large megafauna in later periods, the discovery suggests that early humans processed elephant carcasses more systematically. The study also says that early humans' ability to butcher large animals "represents a unique evolutionary trajectory, with no direct modern analogue." "This shift in behavior is accompanied by larger, more complex occupation sites, signaling a profound ecological and technological transformation," the paper states. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES "Rather than opportunistic scavenging, these findings suggest a strategic adaptation to megafaunal resources, with implications for early human subsistence and social organization." Meat from large animals like elephants would have provided a significant food source for early humans, the paper notes. "The food surplus generated by the exploitation of some of these animals would have been a significant advantage for the survival and adaptation of the hominin groups," the study adds. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Fox News Digital reached out to the study's lead researcher for comment. Researchers continue to uncover new clues about human diets, spanning from ancient civilizations to the earliest humans. This past December, archaeologists in Pompeii uncovered preserved food remains revealing what enslaved people ate before Mount Vesuvius erupted. More recently, researchers identified food DNA on the Shroud of Turin, suggesting that Jesus' alleged burial shroud may have been contaminated over time. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f4bf32c5335ae10467034 Farage puts seat on the line over ‘establishment hit job’ — voters send him right back te 2026-08-14T17:10:11.338Z Farage puts seat on the line over ‘establishment hit job’ — voters send him right back Reform UK leader Nigel Farage gambled his seat on the voters of Clacton siding with him over Britain's political establishment — and won. Farage regained his seat in Parliament Friday after triggering a highly unusual by-election that he said would allow voters to judge him amid allegations surrounding his finances. His closest challenger was not Labour or the Conservatives, but Count Binface, a satirical candidate played by comedian Jon Harvey who campaigns dressed as a trash can. Farage captured 22,239 votes, while Count Binface won 9,455, according to the official result published by Tendring District Council. Turnout was 44.37%. Britain's major political parties declined to field candidates in the contest, which they dismissed as a self-serving stunt. MEET 'COUNT BINFACE,' THE TRASH CAN-CLAD COMEDIAN CHALLENGING NIGEL FARAGE "I called this by-election because I wanted the people of Clacton and the voters of this constituency to be my judge. Not the mainstream media in Britain…and the political establishment who paint us out to be criminals and bad people every day," Farage told supporters before the final result was announced. "So I asked the voters of Clacton to be my jury." Farage resigned from Parliament last month, forcing the vote as he sought a renewed mandate amid a parliamentary investigation into whether he should have declared a £5 million, or roughly $6.75 million, gift from a billionaire cryptocurrency investor. Farage has acknowledged receiving the money and not declaring it, but maintains he did nothing wrong. The gamble succeeded in returning Farage to Westminster — but it did not make the investigation disappear. He had previously called the reporting around his finances an "establishment hit job" and said he had followed the rules. Shortly after the election result was declared, the parliamentary standards investigation, which had been suspended when Farage resigned his seat, was once again listed as active, Reuters reported. Parliament's current investigations page lists the Farage case as having opened May 13 under Rule 5, "Failure to register an interest." Parliament notes that the opening of an investigation does not itself mean the rules have been breached. FARAGE SAYS MASS MIGRATION HAS CHANGED THE UK ‘LITERALLY BEYOND RECOGNITION,’ BELIEVES PARTY CAN WIN ELECTION If the investigation ultimately leads to a qualifying suspension from Parliament, it could trigger a recall petition. Under British parliamentary rules, a suspension of at least 10 sitting days, or 14 calendar days, can trigger that process. A by-election would follow only if the recall petition reached the required threshold of support from eligible voters in the constituency. Reuters reported that Farage had cast the election as a battle between ordinary voters and an establishment determined to discredit him. But with Labour, the Conservatives and other major parties refusing to participate, his principal opponent became Count Binface — whose policies included capping the price of ice cream cones and conscripting anyone using a speakerphone on public transportation. Farage nevertheless framed the result as a sweeping rejection of his political opponents. "Today, the voters in Clacton have stuck two fingers up to the entire political establishment," he told supporters. Alan Mendoza, founder and executive director of the London-based Henry Jackson Society, and an advisor to Farage, offered a similar interpretation of the result. "A tremendous result for Nigel Farage in Clacton," Mendoza wrote on X Friday. He argued that Farage's increased raw vote total despite the boycott by major parties showed voters had resisted efforts to turn them against the Reform leader, calling the result a "spectacular two fingered salute" to his critics. Farage did not appear at the official vote declaration, saying police had advised him there was a campaign to disrupt the result. GB News later reported that Essex Police said it had not told any candidate not to attend the declaration. "I'm damned if I'm going to stand on the stage having won a resounding victory ... and be demeaned and humiliated by nobodies," Farage said before the count was completed. The election comes at a more complicated moment nationally for Reform UK. BRITISH PRIME MINISTER KEIR STARMER FACES POTENTIAL LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE FROM NEWLY-ELECTED ANDY BURNHAM After holding a lengthy lead in national opinion polling, Reform has seen its support decline, Reuters reported, citing both the controversy surrounding Farage's finances and a rise in support for Labour since Andy Burnham became prime minister last month. Reuters said Labour was leading Reform 28% to 25%, while Reform also faces competition on the right from the Conservative Party and Restore Britain. Still, Farage increased his raw vote total from the 2024 general election. He received 22,239 votes Friday, compared with 21,225 in 2024, an increase of 1,014 votes despite lower turnout, according to GB News. For now, Farage has the seat back and the renewed mandate from Clacton voters that he sought.But the parliamentary investigation he was fighting is back as well. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f4bf22c5335ae1046702b Luigi Mangione pleads guilty in federal court to stalking and killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson te 2026-08-14T17:10:10.655Z Luigi Mangione pleads guilty in federal court to stalking and killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson NEW YORK — Accused assassin Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty in federal court Friday morning, after days of speculation that he might admit guilt in the case in order to raise a potential double jeopardy claim weeks before his state-level murder trial. Prosecutors have alleged that Mangione, 28, is the hooded man who snuck up behind UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Dec. 4, 2024, and shot him in the back outside a Hilton hotel in Manhattan. Mangione's defense team could attempt to raise a new double jeopardy claim with his guilty established in the federal case, but it remains unclear if he would prevail. UNITEDHEALTHCARE CEO BRIAN THOMPSON'S 'PREMEDITATED' ATTACK AND SUSPECT LUIGI MANGIONE'S GETAWAY: TIMELINE Judge Margaret Garnett asked Mangione if he understood the maximum sentence he could receive is life in prison. He answered, "Yes." He told the judge he called UnitedHealthcare posing as an investor to get information about the conference. Given the opportunity to address the court, Mangione opted to stay seated. "After years of enduring severe pain from a broken back… I learned UnitedHealthcare would hold an investor’s conference," he began. The judge told him to speak louder. Mangione explained that while the specific location of the investor conference wasn't immediately made public, he researched it online. That's when he called the company directly. He said he traveled to the Big Apple with the intent of shooting Brian Thompson. "On the morning of Dec. 4, 2024, I shot Mr. Thompson in Manhattan," Mangione told the court. "I knew what I was doing." LUIGI MANGIONE JUDGE SAYS JURORS WILL REMAIN ANONYMOUS AFTER THREATS AND HARASSMENT OF WITNESSES Federal prosecutors summarized some of the evidence they would have introduced at trial — including security camera video they say shows Mangione arriving in New York on a bus, following Thompson around the Hilton on the morning of the murder, and video of the shooting itself. The video shows a hooded gunman approach Thompson from behind and shoot him in the back. As he falls and turns around, he's shot again. Then the suspect is seen fleeing on a bicycle. Investigators recovered Mangione's DNA and fingerprints at or near the crime scene. Police found the suspected murder weapon in his backpack when he was arrested. They also have cellphone evidence and an eyewitness of the shooting. Garnett scheduled a sentencing hearing for Dec. 18. LUIGI MANGIONE PLEA TALKS RAISE SHOWDOWN OVER BRIAN THOMPSON MURDER TRIAL "Brian Thompson's life was cut short by an act of violence that devastated everyone who knew and loved him," a spokesperson for UnitedHealth Group said in a statement. "We are grateful to law enforcement for bringing Brian's murderer to justice, and our thoughts remain with Brian's family and loved ones during this difficult time." SEND US A TIP Thompson's family also issued a statement through a spokesperson: "Today's guilty plea marks an important step toward justice for Brian and for our family," it reads. "While nothing will ease the pain of losing him, we are grateful that the federal justice system has held the person responsible for this heinous act accountable. Now we look to the court to ensure that sentencing reflects the severity of this crime. We remain mindful that additional proceedings in New York and Pennsylvania are still to come, and we will continue to seek the justice Brian deserves." LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST In addition to the top charges of second-degree murder and stalking resulting in death, Mangione faces a slew of lesser charges, including a number of firearms offenses and carrying a forged ID in both New York and Pennsylvania. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP This is a developing story. Stick with Fox News Digital for updates. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f4bea2c5335ae10466ffa Tucson duo turns burnout into business of compassion te 2026-08-14T17:10:02.367Z Tucson duo turns burnout into business of compassion In 2023, longtime friends Jose Ocaño and Angel Guzman were both navigating personal crises when they made an unconventional choice: quitting their jobs to start a business together. That business, Hatching Inc., now teaches burned-out helpers, from animal shelter workers to school social workers, how to reconnect with compassion. The pair have known each other since fifth grade. Ocaño began working at Pima Animal Care Center when he was 19. A certified vet technician, he ended up having to assist with the euthanasia of animals. While euthanasia can be the best and most humane option in some cases, that wasn't always the case at the shelter, he said. "I saw animals being euthanized because they sneezed," he said. "They were being euthanized because they were hissing at you after being in a long car ride." Ocaño noticed he and his colleagues were experiencing burnout. Part of the solution, he said, was to change PACC's operational procedures. "Over the years, PACC has become an incredible organization and one of the best life-saving models in the country and I got to be a part of that," Ocaño said. His success implementing changes at PACC took his work to a national audience when he was hired by Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. But while working in human resources, he began experiencing the familiar feeling of burnout from his days at PACC. "So often I was going in to do programs and operational support, but I know that addressing the burnout and the human side of things was a necessary part," Ocaño said. "Over time, I realized this is the missing piece here. It's about centering people's humanity." Your membership pays emerging journalists to cover Southern Arizona the way it deserves. Angel Guzman, left, and Jose Ocaño, right, pose with a Tucson Unified School District social worker at their "Más Compassion" workshop, where the pair shared tools for combating burnout. Courtesy of Hatching. If the emotional challenges that come with caring are not met, Ocaño says it can make the situation worse. "It leads to people being … apathetic and hopeless," he said. During his time at Best Friends, Ocaño's mom entered hospice and passed away. "My life was really up and down at the time and a co-worker told me I'm 'hatching,'" Ocaño said. "She meant it like this next iteration, like you're growing, learning, and having to navigate this hard circumstance. That stayed in the back of my mind." Guzman is a professional violinist who has performed at Disneyland, toured with Latin artists and recorded with Camila Cabello. He's also a financial whiz, with his resume including a job with Adult Protective Services' financial crimes unit and work as a financial investigator for the state of Arizona. Guzman also had a benign tumor growing on his jaw where his violin rested. The operation to remove it would effectively end his career, so he resisted until it became too much. He eventually went ahead with the surgery, but missed playing the violin as a way to express himself and cope. "It was life-changing and how I perceived life and the world around me," he said. Guzman needed to find another outlet, so he filled his time with mindful practices. "I picked up practices like yoga, meditations because I could no longer go to the gym (or play)," Guzman said. "It was really a lot of adapting and accepting the reality of my circumstances." Tucson Unified School District social workers gather for a Hatching Inc. workshop, where Jose Ocaño and Angel Guzman led attendees through compassion-cultivation exercises to address burnout. Courtesy of Hatching. After deciding to quit their jobs, Ocaño and Guzman moved back to Tucson from Los Angeles with the intent of sharing tools for conquering burnout with Tucson Unified School District social workers. The idea behind Hatching didn't begin as a business plan. It was seeded in coping with life's hardships, and grew from emotional evaluation and finding ways to heal. But while the stage was set for their business, something was still missing. Then, Ocaño recalled an experience from his time working in an animal shelter in Fresno. "I was sitting in the break room with a staff member and we were sharing what the experience was like, working at this really intense, under-resourced environment. We shared advice and different things that I found had helped me," he said. "Then I realized (I had) this feeling of connection, this feeling of, 'I'm in this with you.'" It was at this moment, he said, that the idea for Hatching really took off. "We are going to hyperfocus on people and the helpers because we need them in order for the world to be a better place," Ocaño said. Hatching had now emerged, growing into what Ocaño and Guzman call "compassion cultivation." It's about helping people move from survival mode to compassion mode, Ocaño said. The pair found that people were often so "deep in survival" mode that even good suggestions felt like too much to take on, so they developed what they call "Más Compassion." "Often times … self-care … is not something we talk about and discuss in our community. So that's kind of a little insight of why we call it 'Más Compassion,'" Ocaño explained. Since 2023, Hatching has partnered with more than 100 organizations, drawn over 830 participants through The Más Compassion Experience and enrolled more than 1,000 people in its online courses. They start with what they call a "333" routine: three minutes of stretching, three minutes of musical reflection while asking internal questions, and three minutes of journaling. "This is where the magic happens," Ocaño said. Participants ask themselves questions like "What is it like to be me?" and "What do I carry?" then share their answers with co-workers. Participants answer the questions through an anonymous survey app, sharing what they learned about themselves and others during the exercises. "The number one things we hear at every workshop, and it's the most powerful takeaway, it's 'I'm not alone,'" Ocaño said. They said the goal is to always connect people to the present by reconnecting them to themselves, each other and their work. If workers can return to their jobs with "more compassion in their tank and some tools and a deeper connection to each other, and why they do (what they do)," Ocaño and Guzman say they've succeeded in cultivating compassion. Katherine Martinez is a a Kickapoo-Potawatomi Native majoring in journalism at the University of Arizona and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at martinezk29@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/6a7f499e2c5335ae10466fa7 WWII Memorial vandalism suspect in custody, charged with two felonies, Pirro says te 2026-08-14T17:00:14.706Z WWII Memorial vandalism suspect in custody, charged with two felonies, Pirro says The suspect accused of vandalizing the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., has been charged with two federal offenses for injuring/depredating U.S. property and the destruction of a veterans’ memorial, according to court documents. The DOJ is accusing Kentucky woman Melissa L. Farris of an act of vandalism which occurred Thursday. The words "Clean hands, dirty money," were spray-painted on the memorial in bright pink paint along with dumping bubble soap into the fountain at the center of the memorial, according to authorities. Federal prosecutors allege that cleanup and restoration costs already exceeded $1,000. Fox News Digital scanned Farris' social media pages, which were cited in the court documents, and found she posted to Facebook Friday morning in a video.  "It's me. I am going to turn myself in … I'm outside district federal court," she said in a Facebook live.  PROSECUTORS MOVE TO DISMISS FELONY VANDALISM CASE AGAINST OLYMPIAN DAVID HEARN OVER REFLECTING POOL "I am just trying to do the right thing … I was trying to get people to listen… I tried to reach the media, I tried to fight back. I tried to ignore it," she said in tears.  Farris claimed she lived in a paper-thin camper that she "boarded up with cardboard in the winter to feel a little bit warmer." Fox News Digital reached out to U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia for comment. "Vandalizing our World War II Memorial is a despicable attack on a sacred monument honoring the Americans who fought and died for our freedom. Those Americans include my father and grandfather. This morning, we are filing two felony charges, Depredation Against Property of the United States and Destruction of Veterans' Memorials, in Federal District Court against Melissa L. Farris, offenses that carry penalties of up to ten years in prison. She is now in custody," United States Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro announced earlier Friday morning. President Donald Trump reacted strongly to the memorial's defacement.  "Our beautiful World War II Memorial was just hit by Spray Painting Vandals. THERE CAN BE NO GREATER INSULT TO THOSE AMERICAN HEROES WHO DIED IN WORLD WAR II. First the Reflecting Pool, now this. We are on their trail! Where do these animals come from???" he wrote in a Friday post on Truth Social. The memorial is the latest D.C. monument targeted this year. Trump continues to seek the prosecution of a former Olympian accused of ripping the Lincoln Monument Memorial Reflecting Pool's coating. TRUMP DOUBLES DOWN ON REFLECTING POOL VANDALISM ALLEGATIONS, CITES NEW WITNESS ACCOUNT In June, U.S. Park Police also launched an investigation after the numbers "8647" were burned into the grass near the Washington Monument. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f499d2c5335ae10466f91 'Blue Bloods' star Jennifer Esposito says she walked away from Hollywood after years of rejection and ‘abuse’ te 2026-08-14T17:00:13.877Z 'Blue Bloods' star Jennifer Esposito says she walked away from Hollywood after years of rejection and ‘abuse’ After years of attempting to meet Hollywood's expectations, Jennifer Esposito reached a breaking point. During an appearance on Maria Menounos' "Heal Squad" podcast, the "Blue Bloods" alum reflected on the ups and downs she experienced as a young actress and explained why she finally decided to pull the curtain and call it quits on Hollywood. "I remember, like, the anxiety of trying to be what everyone wanted me to be," Esposito said. "I got a call one time from my manager. I was on this movie, and they were like, ‘Are you happy on set?’ And I was like, ‘What do you mean?’" Esposito recalled. "Like, ‘Oh, the producer called and said, like, you don't really say good morning.’" 'BLUE BLOODS' STAR JENNIFER ESPOSITO SAYS SHE WAS LOCKED IN PSYCH WARD AS HEALTH BATTLE SPIRALED The criticism caught Esposito off guard, she said. "I was just like, ‘We're starting at 5 in the morning. I'm just trying to learn my lines, like, just do my job.’ Like, nothing I was doing was right." Esposito claimed speaking up about more serious concerns presented another problem. "And then if you ever speak out about, like, any kind of abuse situation, like, you're not supposed to do that," she said. "Like, you don't do that. You know, there's no right step." ARMIE HAMMER COMPARES HIS HOLLYWOOD EXILE TO BEING CRUCIFIED: 'THE NAILS ARE IN MY HANDS' The actress also alleged there was a double standard between men and women in Hollywood, and pointed to Armie Hammer making a smooth return back into Hollywood. Esposito recalled questioning a stunt in which fake glass was supposed to explode in her face, only to feel pressure not to slow down production. "They were like, ‘We're just going to blow this fake glass in your face,’ and I was just like, ‘I don't know. Is that right?’ ‘Don't hold us up. You're going to hold us up? Oh, you're not going to do it?’" After years of questioning herself and revisiting her experiences in therapy, Esposito said she eventually realized she couldn't continue down the same path. "I would write a little, pick it up, put it down, pick it up, put it down, until I got to a point when it was just like one awful experience after another," she said of developing her movie "Fresh Kills" while continuing to work as an actress. Then came her breaking point. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "I remember it was around New Year's, and I thought — I was so miserable," Esposito said. "I was really, really miserable, and I thought, ‘OK, I have to quit.’" Before walking away, however, Esposito said she felt compelled to make "Fresh Kills," the female-centered Mafia drama she would eventually write, direct and star in. 'FIRE COUNTRY' STAR DIANE FARR LEAVES LOS ANGELES AFTER 30 YEARS TO START HER 'THIRD ACT' "There was this thing in my head: ‘But make "Fresh Kills" first, because then you can end on your terms, and you could finally do what you believe you can do.’" Esposito said she eventually realized she could no longer wait for Hollywood to give her an opportunity. "No one's coming. No one's answering your call. No one cares about you complaining. No one cares [that] women should be in more films, and we should have stories from women. No one cares. And if you think you can do it, then do it," she said. Getting the movie made brought another round of rejection. Esposito recalled potential backers offering $5 million if she could secure three male stars and said she was also asked if she would step aside for a male director. After another discouraging pitch, Esposito decided to stop asking others to take a chance on her. "I remember getting off the Zoom, and I went out to my husband. I was like, ‘I'm mortgaging the house. I'm mortgaging the house.’" She said the decision came down to betting on herself. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "Why am I asking these people to bet on me?" Esposito recalled thinking. "I get it. You've never seen me direct anything. You don't know. I hear you. So if I'm asking these people to bet on me, I need to bet on me." The gamble ultimately resulted in "Fresh Kills," allowing Esposito — who officially moved to Paris three months ago — to make the film she wanted before ending that chapter of her career on her own terms. "I will never doubt my ability again. No matter what anybody says, I know exactly what I'm capable of," she said. "And it was wonderful to be able to give myself that." "I don't think I have ever had a calm nervous system ever. Like, I'm being honest. Like, my house was crazy, my surroundings growing up were crazy. Then getting into this industry ... I just finally got to the point where I thought, ‘Why do you keep accepting crumbs from every aspect of your life?’" She later added, "Now being [in Paris] for three months almost, I really don't even recognize the person I am. I noticed myself smiling walking down the street yesterday. I joined a gym and went in the pool. I haven't been in the pool in I don't know how long." "Like, I don't know what to say, but it's a piece of finally seeing myself and saying, 'Nobody, nobody that I'm asking has to do anything. It's OK. I'm not mad. I'm just going to excuse myself.’ And it's seriously one of the most powerful things I've ever done for myself. One hundred percent." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f499d2c5335ae10466f88 ‘Raw material for election fraud’: Expert flags voter-roll problems far beyond one state te 2026-08-14T17:00:13.139Z ‘Raw material for election fraud’: Expert flags voter-roll problems far beyond one state A growing number of states facing noncitizen and illegal voting allegations and disputes over voter registration policies is intensifying a national fight over election safeguards ahead of the midterms. The disputes exposed a broader fight over how states verify citizenship when registering voters — maximum access versus maximum verification — and how far the federal government can go in demanding state voter data when suspecting illegal activity. The issue recently exploded after New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill disclosed 6,600 noncitizens had been registered to vote through Trenton’s Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). "This isn't just a New Jersey problem. This is a national problem," Texas Public Policy Foundation Chief National Initiatives officer Chuck DeVore told Fox News Digital in an interview. DeVore wrote after Sherrill’s disclosure about the problems that can arise if noncitizen and illegal voting continue relatively unchecked. "Historically, inappropriately pumping up the vote has been a path to gaining power," DeVore said, adding that a plurality of Americans "are concerned" about noncitizen voting. FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKS DOJ ACCESS TO NJ VOTER ROLLS AMID STATEWIDE CONTROVERSY President Bill Clinton signed the National Voter Registration Act in 1993. Commonly called the "Motor Voter Law," the law requires covered states to offer voter registration through motor vehicle agencies while administering their own voter rolls, DeVore said. "The intention … was to make it really easy to register to vote, especially when you touched a very common part of government," DeVore said, "which was the Department of Motor Vehicles or whatever the equivalent is." DeVore argued that architects of the voter registration system failed to account for the narrower mission of motor vehicle agencies, which he said historically focused on two things: "You who you say you are — and can you safely operate [automotive] machinery." Neither function has anything to do with election security, DeVore said. "And then if you add an additional layer on top of it, which is if the people in charge want as many people registered as possible because it creates the raw material for election fraud, well, now you have a whole other set of problems that kind of supercharges the weakness." That broader fight has increasingly pitted the Justice Department against states including New Jersey and Pennsylvania over federal demands for voter registration data. Both states’ election agencies — led by a Democrat and a Republican, respectively — resisted the demands, raising privacy and legal objections to releasing unredacted sensitive information. DOJ TAUNTS MEDIA AFTER TRUMP SCORES WIN IN BATTLEGROUND-STATE BALLOT FIGHT The DOJ, meanwhile, has adopted a "broken-windows theory" approach to investigating potential election violations. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon said the agency is applying the crime-fighting theory popularized during former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s administration, which focused on enforcing lower-level offenses in an effort to deter more serious crimes. Under Dhillon and Attorney General Todd Blanche, the DOJ has prioritized pursuing provable fraud and irregularities in state election processes. "We need to go after every single one of these violations … I can't talk about a lot of what we're doing publicly, but activists and others are giving us leads," Dhillon recently told Fox News Digital. "And we are carefully running down each." CALIFORNIA ACCUSED OF BLOCKING FEDERAL VOTER ROLL AUDIT AS DOJ ESCALATES PROBE OF ELECTION FRAUD CLAIMS The push has brought the federal government into conflict with states, with critics citing Tenth Amendment concerns over the balance between federal authority and states’ role in administering elections. Congress has previously used federal funding to pressure states to change policies traditionally administered at the state level. In the 1980s, federal law conditioned a portion of highway funding on states adopting a minimum drinking age of 21. The Justice Department has similarly sued or threatened to sue states including New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York over voter data and election-record disputes. Democrats in states facing increased federal scrutiny have pushed back against allegations of intentional wrongdoing. New Jersey Senate President Nicholas Scutari, D-Scotch Plains, recently told Fox News Digital he agrees that a "healthy democracy" depends on voter-roll security and proper "stewardship" of those trusted to execute "free, fair and accessible elections." "It also depends on public trust, and Governor Sherrill deserves credit for being transparent about these failures, taking swift action to launch an independent investigation of what went wrong, and pledging to hold anyone responsible to account," Scutari said. At the same time, Scutari’s critics have accused Democrats in New Jersey of failing to prevent voter-roll problems despite repeated warnings about vulnerabilities in the system. SHERRILL DROPS HEAD-TURNING VOTER ID DECLARATION IN WAKE OF REGISTRATION FIASCO: ‘SIGNIFICANT SHIFT’ "People were on the honor system," said New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee ranking member Kristin Corrado, R-Totowa. "The fact is that the people in charge for so long said this absolutely was impossible; Republicans were ‘conspiracy theorists’," added Sen. Declan O’Scanlon of Little Silver, the top Republican on the State Joint Budget Committee. Other states, including Pennsylvania, have also resisted federal demands for voter data, citing privacy concerns. DeVore said that while serving as a California state lawmaker, he regularly had access to similar voter information. "Many Democrats see elections as mere census exercises. All they are is a body count. They're not, in fact, informed citizens casting a ballot with their enlightened self-interest guiding their ballot." Pennsylvania officials similarly resisted the Trump administration’s demand for the state’s voter rolls, even after DOJ sued Harrisburg’s elections chief in September. "This request and reported efforts to collect broad data on millions of Americans represent a concerning attempt to expand the federal government’s role in our country’s electoral process," Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt — a Philadelphia Republican appointed by Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro — wrote in his reply. "I take seriously the obligations under both federal and Pennsylvania law to ensure that only eligible voters have access to the ballot box and to see to it that Pennsylvania’s voter rolls are appropriately maintained and updated," Schmidt wrote in a more recent letter to the Justice Department in July. The SAVE America Act — which would require voter registrants to provide proof of citizenship and voters to show ID — remains stalled in the Senate after Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., sent the chamber into summer recess, angering President Donald Trump and election-security advocates. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER DeVore warned, however, that Congress has previously pursued sweeping federal voting legislation and argued that states should take the lead on election safeguards. He pointed to Democrats’ previous effort to pass the "For the People Act," legislation sponsored by former Rep. John Sarbanes, D-Md., which would have restricted some state voter-ID requirements. "So we need to be somewhat circumspect about using the sledgehammer of federal law to sweep away state powers to order their own affairs," DeVore said. Fox News Digital reached out to Sherrill for additional comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f499c2c5335ae10466f7c Hot spot: Arizona has become a destination for women’s sports te 2026-08-14T17:00:12.084Z Hot spot: Arizona has become a destination for women’s sports PHOENIX – Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego uttered prophetic words at the Women’s Final Four tip-off press conference on Feb. 24 at Mortgage Matchup Center. “We are going to put on a great show,” Gallego said. “I’m confident this will be the best Women’s Final Four.” When the receipts were in, the 2026 event in Phoenix was the second-most-watched Women’s Final Four on record, with an average of 6.6 million viewers for the three games and 9.9 million for the title game, trailing only the 2024 event when Iowa’s Caitlin Clark played.  In addition, more than 360,000 fans flooded downtown Phoenix to take part in non-ticketed Final Four events, setting a record for ancillary attendance for the tournament. The Final Four was a rousing success for Phoenix, but it’s just a snapshot of the success of women’s sports in Arizona, and that success didn’t happen overnight. It’s a story forged in basement offices and born of breakthrough moments – of decades spent building toward a future where Phoenix has emerged as one of the nation’s fastest-growing markets for women’s athletics. That growth is now visible everywhere.  Audrey Corley, co-owner of Title 9 Sports Grill in Phoenix, has helped create a space dedicated to celebrating women’s sports as interest and investment continue to grow across Arizona. (Photo by Jadyn Wilgus/Cronkite News) A second women’s sports bar is preparing to open in Scottsdale. The Women’s Final Four brought national attention to the Valley. Despite a down season, the Phoenix Mercury have been to the WNBA Finals five times, have won the title three times and one of the WNBA’s three remaining original franchises. To the east, Arizona State women’s athletics are competing on the biggest stages and emerging sports such as flag football are attracting new audiences and investment with events such as the Fiesta Bowl Flag Football Classic. Six prominent local women sports figures — former ASU golf coach Linda Vollstedt, Arizona Sports Hall of Fame inductee and former ASU women’s basketball coach Charli Turner Thorne, president & CEO of the Arizona Sports & Events Alliance Jay Parry, Title 9 Sports Grill owner Audrey Corley, former U.S. hockey Olympian and Arizona native Lyndsey Fry, and ASU beach volleyball and flag football player Rylen Bourguet — traced the evolution of women’s sports in Arizona. Their experiences reveal that women’s athletics in the state haven’t just grown. They have transformed. That transformation starts with visibility — something each generation describes in a different way, but to which all point as the driving force behind everything that has followed. From left, women’s basketball legend Ann Meyers Drysdale, Phoenix Mercury assistant coach Charli Turner Thorne, Arizona State women’s basketball coach Molly Miller and longtime sportswriter Jeff Metcalfe take part in a panel discussion on the evolution of women’s basketball in April in the First Amendment Forum at Arizona State’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. (File photo by Cronkite News) For Vollstedt, that change is measured in decades. She remembers a time at Arizona State when women’s sports were largely ignored or hidden away. “Women’s sports were not respected very well,” Vollstedt said. “Our offices were in the basement… They made an office for me in a storage room.” That early environment is what makes the current landscape so striking to coaches such as Turner Thorne, who saw the shift build gradually through investment, media coverage and her own tireless championing of the women’s game. “It’s just come a really long ways,” she said. “Probably the single most important thing for us growing our program and our conference was the fact that we were on TV every game.” That visibility, she said, helped turn women’s sports into something fans actively followed rather than stumbled upon. “All these leagues are popping up all over the country, which is just helping grow the brand,” Turner Thorne said. That same rise in visibility has also positioned Arizona as a national host for major events, Parry said. She noted that the state has hosted more major sporting events in the past decade than any other U.S. market, a trend that has included women’s sports at the highest level. “We’ve got phenomenal venues… and our community really embraces major events,” Parry said. “Making it accessible has really contributed to the growth.” With events like the Women’s Final Four continuing to bring national attention, Parry said the impact extends beyond the games. It extends into future planning. “We’ve got incredible momentum,” she said. That momentum is even showing up in businesses. At Title 9 Sports Grill in Phoenix, Corley has seen firsthand how women’s sports have turned into a consistent audience. “There was kind of a need,” she said. What started as a concept built around representation has turned into a growing market. “The growth is just crazy right now. It’s on fire,” she said. That demand is expanding beyond Phoenix, with a second women’s sports bar, Her Court, set to open in Scottsdale — a sign, Corley said, of how quickly the culture is changing and growing. Sophia (left) and Sierra Smith played a critical role in forming Arizona State’s flag football club. Two years later, they led the Sun Devils to the semifinals of the inaugural Fiesta Bowl Flag Football Classic the Fields at Dorsey on ASU’s Tempe campus. The event featured eight top Division I women’s collegiate programs. (Photo courtesy of Fiesta Sports Foundation) For Bourguet, that growth has created opportunities that didn’t exist even a few years ago, especially in emerging sports such as flag football. “Once I heard that flag football was going to be in the Olympics in 2028… I know I’ll regret it if I don’t decide to play flag football,” said Bourguet, who grew up playing for Tucson Turf Elite Football, and played for the Sun Devils’ women’s club flag football team. Bourguet pointed to events such as the Fiesta Bowl Flag Football Classic as proof of how quickly the sport is growing. “It was a really, really cool high-level event that kind of showed how big flag football is becoming,” she said. For Bourguet, the biggest shock has been the speed at which the sport is growing. High school participation has increased from 20,875 athletes in 2022–23 to 68,847 athletes 2024–25, while youth participation has increased from 300,000 in 2019 to  500,000 in 2025. The Arizona Interscholastic Association officially sanctioned girls flag football as a varsity sport in December 2022. The inaugural 2023 season launched with 54 high school teams across two conferences. Today, more than 130 Arizona high schools field varsity teams spanning the 3A through 6A classifications. “I would have never thought it would come so quickly,” Bourguet said. The increased visibility extends beyond basketball and flag football. The Mesa-based Arizona Kachinas 14U team advanced to quarterfinals of the Tier II national championships in Rochester, Minn. this spring, highlighting the growth of girls hockey in the state. (Photo courtesy of AZFocusSports.com) Arizona native and former U.S. Olympian Lyndsey Fry has watched women’s hockey evolve from a sport with limited role models into one with expanding professional opportunities and national recognition. The United States’ victory against Canada in the gold medal game of the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics was the most-watched women’s ice hockey game in history, with 5.3 million average viewers across USA Network and Peacock, and a peak of 7.7 million viewers during the overtime period. Locally, the Mesa-based Arizona Kachinas have helped build one of the nation’s top girls youth hockey programs, producing more than 50 collegiate hockey players since the program’s inception six years ago while earning eight USA Hockey National Championship berths and four national runner-up finishes.  Nationally, the expansion of the Professional Women’s Hockey League from six to 12 teams has created a professional pathway for young athletes to pursue. “It’s awesome to see all the growth and representation women’s hockey has,” Fry said. “For me growing up, all we had was (the movie) ‘The Mighty Ducks.’” For Fry, that representation is just as important as the growth itself. Seeing more women compete at the highest levels gives the next generation something she never had — a clear picture of what is possible. Taken individually, each perspective tells part of the story. Together, they form a timeline of change. Vollstedt described an era when women’s sports were overlooked. Turner Thorne relayed how media and investment helped build legitimacy. Parry explained how Arizona became a national sports destination. Corley showed how that visibility turned into business demand. Bourguet represents a future where opportunities are expanding faster than ever. Across all perspectives, one theme remains consistent: visibility changes everything. From basement offices to national broadcasts, from small crowds to packed arenas, and from limited opportunities to new pathways, women’s sports in Arizona have changed in every way, shape and form. Still, as Turner Thorne noted: “We have not arrived.” But as Parry added: “We’ve got incredible momentum.” Or, as Corley put it: “The growth is just crazy right now. It’s on fire.” What emerges from those perspectives and recent events is not just a sports story, but a cultural shift — one where women’s athletics in Arizona are no longer building toward recognition. They’re defining it on their own terms. The post Hot spot: Arizona has become a destination for women’s sports appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f44ec2c5335ae104669e4 Brad Pitt battles the Alaskan wilderness with his combat dog in 'Heart of the Beast' new trailer te 2026-08-14T16:40:12.187Z Brad Pitt battles the Alaskan wilderness with his combat dog in 'Heart of the Beast' new trailer A new trailer is out for Brad Pitt's upcoming movie "Heart of the Beast." Basic info: There has been serious buzz surrounding "Heart of the Beast" ever since the original trailer went viral back in June. A story about a veteran played by Brad Pitt in a fight for survival with his trusted dog by his side is about as American as it gets. The release of this new preview, directed by David Ayer was released on Thursday, is likely to send expectations for the movie soaring even higher. Give it a watch below, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. I think we're all thinking the same thing: Will the dog survive? CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK CULTURE COVERAGE People were making that exact point in the comments on YouTube. One person wrote, "If the dog dies, we riot." Another commented, "If the dog dies, I will burn down the theatre." It looks like a great movie, but as a big fan of dogs, I'm not sure anyone is ready for their heart to be shattered if the ending is tragic and sad. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS I guess we'll have to watch to find out. You can catch "Heart of the Beast" starting Sept. 25 in theaters. Let me know your thoughts on the preview at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f44eb2c5335ae104669db Psaki attacks outgoing press secretary Karoline Leavitt as a liar, claims she faced hardly any tough questions te 2026-08-14T16:40:11.570Z Psaki attacks outgoing press secretary Karoline Leavitt as a liar, claims she faced hardly any tough questions Former Biden press secretary Jen Psaki scathingly attacked her Trump counterpart Karoline Leavitt on Thursday, claiming she faced hardly any tough questions in the briefing room and had no interest in engaging in good faith discussions. "The relationship between the press and the White House is supposed to be adversarial by design," Psaki said on MS NOW, formerly MSNBC, where she was hired after her performance on then-President Biden's behalf from 2021 to 2022. "I mean, the press in the room are supposed to push for more access, for more information. And there are times when it's absolutely appropriate for the press secretary to push back. But Karoline Leavitt didn't want to engage in good faith with those reporters and their tough questions.  "And so, instead, she did everything she could to reshape that briefing room into her own personal safe space where she rarely had to answer a tough question, hardly ever. I mean, she only briefed once or twice a week, max." President Donald Trump announced this week that Leavitt would be exiting her role as press secretary to prioritize her family. The youngest person to hold the role in history, Leavitt has held the role since Trump took office again last year, and her replacement has not been named. SCRAMBLE FOR KAROLINE LEAVITT'S REPLACEMENT ENSUES WITH JUST WEEKS UNTIL TRUMP'S SPOKESPERSON EXITS Psaki took aim at Leavitt's "new media" push and called it a way for Leavitt to pack the room with MAGA sycophants and friendly podcasters. Fox News Digital previously reported the new media seat had received criticism, largely from legacy outlets, and some of the occupants were called out for asking softball questions at briefings or praising Leavitt and the president. The White House hit back at Psaki, as spokesman Davis Ingle told Fox News Digital in a statement, "Jen 'Circle Back' Psaki couldn't hold a candle to Karoline Leavitt." Psaki said Leavitt's tenure had consequences beyond "just irritating the actual reporters in the room."  "That room is supposed to be where the American people get answers about what their government is doing. And when an administration doesn't take that responsibility seriously, the American people are the ones who pay the price," she said. Psaki served as Biden's press secretary from his inauguration in 2021 until May 2022. She was succeeded by Karine Jean-Pierre, who served the rest of Biden's term. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS WIDELY PRAISE KAROLINE LEAVITT AS SHE ANNOUNCES EXIT FROM TRUMP ADMINISTRATION Psaki accused Leavitt of lying repeatedly in her role and said she only served one man: Trump. "It's been about telling the version of the truth according to the serial liar who sits in the Oval Office. Reporters in the room don't matter. The American people who rely on the reporting from the reporters in the room [don't] matter, she's never seen her job as working for the American people as a public servant," Psaki said, adding she had damaged the job. Several White House correspondents praised Leavitt upon her exit announcement, Fox News Digital reported this week. A White House reporter told Fox News Digital Leavitt was easier to work with than her Biden administration predecessors. WHITE HOUSE PLANS GUEST HOSTS FOR PRESS BRIEFINGS WHILE KAROLINE LEAVITT TAKES MATERNITY LEAVE "Karoline was the best press secretary I’ve ever worked with, and there have been many," the veteran reporter said. "I think the reason she’s so effective is because she spent real time with Trump, as well as time understanding his policies and reasoning behind them." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "[Biden press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre], as a counter example, didn’t do either," the reporter continued. "And while you could say [Jen] Psaki was a policy wonk, her flaw was that she looked at the press with disdain. They were arrogant, whereas Karoline understood how to work with us." Fox News' Brian Flood and Joseph Wulfsohn contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f44ea2c5335ae104669d2 MN Senate candidate ripped for blaming Walz for fraud despite being his #2: 'Knows she's cooked' te 2026-08-14T16:40:10.928Z MN Senate candidate ripped for blaming Walz for fraud despite being his #2: 'Knows she's cooked' Minnesota Democratic Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan pointed the finger at Gov. Tim Walz when asked during a recent interview about her responsibility for the massive fraud scandal that unfolded under their watch. "I would say, the governor says the buck stops with him, more should have been done sooner, and I agree," Flanagan said on MSNOW on Thursday when asked if she bears any responsibility for the scandal, which federal investigators have said could total more than $9 billion. Flanagan, who is the Democratic nominee for Senate in Minnesota, continued, "And now we know that 100 people have been charged, 60 have been convicted." Flanagan’s comments sparked pushback on social media from users accusing her of deflecting responsibility given she has served alongside Walz as his second in command since 2019. PEGGY FLANAGAN WAS MINNESOTA'S NO 2 OFFICIAL AS MASSIVE FRAUD SCANDAL EXPLODED UNDER STATE'S WATCH "Minnesota Democrat Peggy Flanagan blames Tim Walz and dodges accountability for rampant fraud in her state," the Republican National Committee (RNC) posted on X. "She KNOWS she's vulnerable on this," conservative radio host and editor Larry O’Connor posted on X. "Huge opening for @Michele_Tafoya." Former sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya, Flanagan’s Republican opponent in November, also reacted to the clip in a post on X saying, "Peggy Flanagan refuses to take any responsibility and accountability for billions of our tax dollars being stolen under her watch as lieutenant governor. HALL OF FAMER TONY DUNGY ENDORSES MICHELE TAFOYA IN CROWDED MINNESOTA REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FOR U.S. SENATE "Minnesotans deserve better than excuses. They deserve leaders who will take responsibility and get the job done." Townhall columnist Dustin Grage posted on X, "Here is Peggy Flanagan blaming Tim Walz for the fraud. Oh yeah, she knows she’s cooked if she rightfully gets tied to the fraud." The fraud scandal in Minnesota ultimately pushed Walz to drop his bid for re-election, and critics have continued to hammer his administration for not doing enough to prevent the growing fraud problem, which had become an open secret in the state over the past few years. Flanagan's culpability in the fraud scandal will likely become a major talking point in her campaign for Senate as calls from conservatives for more accountability continue to pour in as no top officials have been fired or removed from office in the scandal's aftermath. "@peggyflanagan did NOTHING to protect vulnerable citizens & taxpayers despite countless whistleblower reports, Auditor reports, & criminal convictions," Minnesota Republican State Rep. Kristin Robbins, who chaired the Minnesota House’s Fraud Prevention and Oversight Committee posted on X this week. "Peggy Flanagan, @Tim_Walz & @keithellison protected their political base instead of stopping the fraud. Flanagan did not mention fraud during her victory speech following Tuesday night's Senate primary, which also drew criticism from Tafoya on social media. Fox News Digital reached out to the Flanagan campaign for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f44e22c5335ae104669ad Rio Nuevo board tackles safety, downtown growth projects te 2026-08-14T16:40:02.451Z Rio Nuevo board tackles safety, downtown growth projects The Rio Nuevo Board of Directors met July 29 for the first time since a board member's abrupt resignation and last month's downtown shooting, addressing both while continuing to push forward retail expansion projects across downtown Tucson. Downtown Tucson Partnership President and CEO Crystal Moore walked the board through steps to improve downtown safety, including better management of the nighttime economy, increased public safety visibility and coordinated scheduling of city employees such as Safety Ambassadors, downtown district police officers and off-duty police. The most controversial of these steps has been the adoption of Patron Scan ID scanners by businesses participating in the Together Tucson safety initiative. The scanners collect the first and last name, date of birth and ZIP code of all IDs scanned and add it to a database for a period of 24 hours to 21 days, depending on operator discretion. When violators are banned from any establishment participating in the program, the ban automatically transfers to all other participating locations. Board Chair Fletcher McCusker said the $55,000 program has already faced backlash online, with community members expressing privacy concerns. Moore defended the scanners, saying they actually collect less data than the old, outdated system that Together Tucson had previously used. "Your phone is probably generating more information on the output than your first and last name, your date of birth and your ZIP code," she said, adding that there has already been a decrease in violent incidents downtown since the system's rollout. McCusker praised off-duty police officers' handling of the shooting last month that injured nine people and a drive-by shooting in May. "Two times within the last couple months, these officers have run toward gunfire," McCusker said. "And not only intervened, but shot the assailant. A lot of lives were saved by the quick action of our officers." Pedestrians cross North Sixth Avenue in downtown Tucson, blocks from the site of the July 19 shooting that left nine people injured and prompted new safety measures from the Downtown Tucson Partnership and Rio Nuevo. Photo by Gracie Kayko. Moore agreed, crediting the coordination behind the scenes. "(The) Tucson Police Department did an excellent job 12 days ago, and Rio Nuevo had something to do with that response," Moore said. "That is because of the strategic plan that we have on those high-activation nights." The board also discussed former member Edmund Marquez's resignation to focus on his recent majority ownership of the Tucson Sugar Skulls, which came about a week after the board's July 14 meeting. "He surprised all of us with resignation in between the meetings," McCusker said. The board discussed filling the gaps left by Marquez's resignation, including replacing his role as a second signatory of checks with long-standing member Jannie Cox and appointing Mike Levin to the board's marketing group. McCusker said he wasn't interested in holding a board election for another officer. Kyle Jefferson and Linette Antillon shared details about their plans to expand Pueblo Vida Brewing Company, which the couple have owned and operated for over 12 years. It's located at 115 E. Broadway Blvd., but the pair is working on a project next door at 121 E. Broadway Blvd., which has been vacant for eight years. The company has plans for three concepts that would leave the building open for the entire business day, including collaborations with two other local businesses. "We would have a coffee program in the morning … in partnership with Presta Coffee," Antillon said. "We would have a new food concept by Anello that would do lunch and dinner, and then, of course, would be our taproom with our craft beer, but we would also have an expanded menu with wine." The Ronstadt Transit Center in downtown Tucson, within the district covered by the Downtown Tucson Partnership's Together Tucson safety initiative. Photo by Gracie Kayko. But given its age, the building requires extensive remodeling. "When we acquired the property about a year and a half ago, unfortunately there was nothing usable in the property and nothing met code," Jefferson said. "This is a full modernization of the property." These plans include an already-installed full HVAC system. Jefferson said the construction process was faster than anticipated while showing renderings of what the building would look like when finished. The couple said the expansion would collect about $7 million in three years, which would generate about $613,000 in sales taxes and contribute about $183,000 to the Rio Nuevo Planned Area Development. They requested $400,000 from Rio Nuevo toward their total project cost of about $1.2 million, including $100,000 immediately, $100,000 within one year, and $200,000 worth of parcel sales tax rebates. The expanded concept is expected to open in October. Favin Gebremariam, owner of Ethiopian entertainment complex Z-Street, followed up on her request for $65,000 to construct a permanent playground-type shade structure discussed in a previous meeting. She showed the board three different options for the structure based on bids from construction companies: one from American Play Systems and two from the Phoenix-based Shade Industries. The American Play Systems design would cost about $57,500, while the two designs by Shade Industries would cost about $73,000 and $91,000, respectively. Zemam's, owned by the Gebremariam family alongside Ethiopian entertainment complex Z-Street. The family requested $65,000 from the Rio Nuevo Board for a permanent shade structure at Z-Street during the board's July 29 meeting. Griffen Engelberg / Tucson Spotlight. Gebremariam requested funding for the most expensive option, which includes three tarps instead of the two that were included in the initial proposal, and seven steel poles. "It preserves the most usable space for gathering and creating memories, and it will be that way for the next 15 to 20 years," she said. The board was hesitant to approve the option, citing Rio Nuevo's recent budgetary concerns. A monthly cash flow of only $240,000 has forced the region to dip into its reserves. Board member Corky Poster suggested removing the additional tarp for the time being, which he thought would lower the price to a similar level as the less expensive option from Shade Industries. "This might be something you can add six months from now or a year from now, at relatively low cost and low expenditure," Poster said. "I'm just trying to keep our capital costs down." Board member Taunya Villicana asked if the Gebremariams had discussed a payment plan with Shade Industries. Gebremariam said they hadn't yet approached Shade Industries about a payment plan, since they'd only received the contact information and bids that week, but she was happy to ask about their flexibility. McCusker recommended looking into the cost reduction or financing options. Additionally, the board gave deadline extensions to two projects, Cornish Pasty Co. and Herbert's Deli. Cornish Pasty Co. received an extension to Dec. 31, while Herbert's received an extension to Feb. 28. 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/6a7f428c2c5335ae1046693a Unforgetful is a new reminders app for people who can’t stop hitting snooze te 2026-08-14T16:30:04.782Z Unforgetful is a new reminders app for people who can’t stop hitting snooze Unforgetful, the latest app from longtime indie developer Marco Arment, is designed to make reminders harder to ignore — or accidentally dismiss. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f403b2c5335ae10466916 Susan Collins drops brutal reminder of Dem rival rocked by accusations te 2026-08-14T16:20:11.188Z Susan Collins drops brutal reminder of Dem rival rocked by accusations KITTERY, Maine - Republican Sen. Susan Collins says her Democratic challenger in Maine's high-stakes U.S. Senate race apparently "struggles to control his temper." Collins broke her silence about Democratic Senate nominee Troy Jackson on Friday after a newly resurfaced 1988 police record detailed accusations that Jackson assaulted a man and pushed his longtime partner during a late-night confrontation in Fort Kent, Maine. Jackson, a one-time logger and a former state Senate president, was chosen a couple of weeks ago by Maine Democrats to replace embattled oysterman Graham Platner, who won the June Democratic Senate nomination in a landslide before imploding and dropping out of the race last month amid rape allegations that he denied. WHAT THE NEW FOX NEWS POLL IN MAINE'S CRUCIAL SENATE RACE SHOWS Jackson is challenging Collins in a crucial race that's among a dozen that will determine if the GOP holds onto its slim Senate majority. Asked by Fox News Digital about recent reports regarding Jackson, Collins said, "He’s the one that needs to respond to the reports. I’m not going to comment on them. But I will say that based on widespread reporting it appears that he struggles to control his temper." Collins spoke with reporters after kicking off a statewide bus tour on Friday in Kittery, Maine. The longtime senator is the only GOP incumbent running for re-election in a state President Donald Trump lost in the 2024 election. A Fox News poll in Maine released on Wednesday indicated Jackson holding a slight two-point edge over Collins, which was within the survey's sampling error. RESURFACED ASSAULT REPORT PUTS DEM SENATE NOMINEE IN GOP CROSSHAIRS: 'GRAHAM PLATNER 2.0' The Bangor Daily News reported this week that the police report accused Jackson of assaulting another man during a late-night brawl on March 12, 1988. INTERNET ERUPTS OVER REPORT THAT PLATNER'S REPLACEMENT IN KEY SENATE RACE FATHERED CHILDREN WITH SECOND COUSIN The brawl was over Jackson's longtime partner Lana Pelletier, who, according to records, is also his second cousin. Jackson and Pelletier share two adult children. The police report indicates that Pelletier told officers at the time that Jackson "pushed her around," a statement she now denies making. According to the report, the then-19-year-old Jackson went to a home in Fort Kent, Maine, around 2 a.m.. After the occupant of the house told Jackson to go away, the report says the future state lawmaker "kicked the door in" and grabbed his rival by the throat before punching him in the face, causing the victim’s glasses to leave a cut. The report added that a friend broke up the ensuing fight. 'F---ING IDIOTS': TOP FEMALE OPERATIVES TORCH PLATNER ENABLERS AS RAPE ALLEGATION ROCKS DEM CAMPAIGN "Troy Jackson is Graham Platner 2.0: Violent and unhinged," the Republican National Committee charged in a social media post after the initial report went viral. DEMOCRATS STAND BY JACKSON AFTER LATEST CONTROVERSY Meanwhile, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, referring to Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee chair Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, wrote on X, "Is this incredibly disturbing report of violence and abuse not enough for you to drop Troy Jackson?" Jackson said in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital, "Nearly forty years ago, when I was 19 years old, I got into a fight with another man. I took responsibility for it then, and I take responsibility for it now." "But let me be clear: I have never been violent with my partner Lana, or any other woman. This happened nearly four decades ago, and I assure Mainers this incident in no way reflects the man I am today or the life I've led in the years since," the Democratic Senate nominee added. FORMER PLATNER ALLY TROY JACKSON LOCKS DOWN DELEGATES AS TOP RIVALS FOR DEMOCRATIC SENATE NOMINATION DROP OUT Pelletier told Fox News Digital in a statement, "I do not remember making the statements attributed to me and they are not accurate. This is the first time I have seen this report from 40 years ago. Troy and I have built a life and family together and I know the person he has been through the decades since, both as a caring partner and father." WHO'S UP AND WHO'S DOWN: CHECK OUT THE FOX NEWS POWER RANKINGS ON THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS "I understand Maine voters want to learn about Troy as he seeks to represent them but personal attacks on my family are unacceptable," she added. "In the 40 years since he made a mistake as a 19-year-old kid, Troy has grown to be a passionate advocate for Mainers and dedicated his life to making things better for our state while Susan Collins has been in Washington enriching herself at our expense." Meanwhile, the Jackson campaign told Fox News Digital that Troy "acknowledges going to the residence and getting into a physical confrontation with another man. The case was resolved with a $50 fine." On Thursday, the conservative-leaning Maine Wire reported that a man from Allagash, Maine, who says he's known Jackson for decades alleged that he witnessed Jackson strike Pelletier in a separate incident years ago. PLATNER ALLY TROY JACKSON CLOSING IN ON DEMOCRATIC SENATE NOD IN KEY RACE TO FACE COLLINS Jackson, who hails from the remote northern tip of Maine, is a one-time conservative Republican who became a Democrat over two decades ago. As he quickly became the frontrunner in the abbreviated race to replace Platner, he faced a slew of reports over his alleged temper and workplace conduct, as well as reported claims of mortgage improprieties and other potential liabilities, including his past strict anti-abortion stance. DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB Asked by Fox News Digital last month about any vetting concerns, Jackson said, "I think a lot of this obviously is Sen. Collins trying to make sure she win can the election on a really bad record. But, for me, I’ve been in the legislature for 20 years. I do believe I’ve been vetted, I’ve been tested. People know exactly what I’m fighting for. I have their back. And they know they can trust me." The scrutiny and negative reports are raising concerns by some in the party that Democrats landed another unvetted nominee after the Platner implosion. INSIDE THE SLAPDASH PLATNER VETTING JOB THAT IGNORED WARNINGS BEFORE BID BLEW UP: SOURCE "This is a bit of a rocket vetting process," a Democratic strategist who works on Senate races who asked to remain anonymous to speak more freely, told Fox News Digital. "Maine Democrats have made their choice, and they're just going to have to ride with it." Asked about the Democrats' vetting of Jackson, Collins told reporters on Friday, "From my perspective it seems that vetting is very important. We learned the failure of vetting with Graham Platner. But that’s really up to the Democrats." The NRSC, in a series of social media posts directed at Democratic senators and Senate nominees who have endorsed Jackson since he landed the nomination, asked if those politicians will "call on Troy Jackson to drop out?" SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER Jackson, who unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, campaigned alongside Platner during the primary. And he quickly made the case that he was the best equipped candidate to grab the mantle of the progressive and populist movement that had backed Platner. FOX NEWS POLL: NEW MATCHUP, SAME RESULT: MAINE SENATE RACE STAYS LOCKED Similar to Platner, Jackson is running on a platform aimed at working-class voters. He backs raising taxes on billionaires, the universal healthcare system known as "Medicare-for-all," and abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He also opposes military aid to Israel as Democrats are increasingly divided over support for America's longtime Middle East ally. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f403a2c5335ae1046690d El-Sayed’s half sister revealed as radical professor arrested for allegedly assaulting a cop at anti-ICE riot te 2026-08-14T16:20:10.536Z El-Sayed’s half sister revealed as radical professor arrested for allegedly assaulting a cop at anti-ICE riot Controversial socialist Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed is facing fresh scrutiny after it was revealed that his close relative is a far-left professor who was arrested on a felony charge last year for her role in an anti-ICE riot. Eman Abdelhadi is a polarizing figure. She works as an associate professor at the University of Chicago's Department of Comparative Human Development, and has a years-long history of landing in the national spotlight for radical activism and inflammatory statements. She's also El-Sayed's half sister. MICHIGAN SENATE CANDIDATE ABDUL EL-SAYED DODGES QUESTION ON WHETHER HE STILL SUPPORTS DEFUNDING THE POLICE Last fall, as leftist zealots spent months protesting, sometimes violently, outside an ICE detention facility in suburban Chicago, Abdelhadi was booked after allegedly spitting on an Illinois sate trooper. She was charged on Oct. 3 with two counts of aggravated battery to a government employee, a Class 3 felony, and two counts of resisting/obstructing peace, a Class A misdemeanor. A day before her arrest, she appeared on a podcast called "Movement Memos," which is affiliated with the far-left publication Truthout. During that interview, she recalled her previous experiences at the riots at the Broadview facility.  "These people are terrorizing our communities and they’re setting up shop," she said, referring to federal immigration officials. "I mean, in Broadview, ICE has been setting up shop in our backyard. Just brazenly taking up community resources to terrorize this very same community." "And so it felt really important to join protesters out there to say, not in our city, not in our name, not in our backyard," she added. PROGRESSIVE MICHIGAN SENATE CANDIDATE'S STAFFER RAGED AT WHITE WOMEN IN UNEARTHED POSTS Abdelhadi later expressed her frustration at establishment Democrats and claimed there is no wiggle room to accept centrist liberals in the left-wing. "There’s no center left," she said. "You’re either resisting or you’re complicit." On April 17, 2025, Abdelhadi celebrated on X El-Sayed's announcement that he would seek elected office in his bid for Senate in Michigan. "The feeling when you think you’ve accomplished a lot but then your older brother runs for senate!!! In all seriousness—Abdul is fighting for healthcare, housing, and an economy that serves people over oligarchs. I am a proud little sister," she posted at the time to social media. The pair share a mother — Fatten Elkomy — who works as a psychiatric nurse practitioner and lives in Missouri. That's where Abelhadi was raised, while El-Sayed was raised by his Egyptian-born father and American stepmother in the Detroit suburbs. A profile of the candidate confirms Elkomy is El-Sayed's mother. Abdelhadi's familial relationship with Elkomy is the subject of an independent film which explored her journey of coming out as queer in her traditionally Muslim family. ABDUL EL-SAYED SAYS RALLYING WITH HASAN PIKER DOESN'T MEAN HE ENDORSES 'AMERICA DESERVED 9/11' REMARK Fox News Digital reached out to Abdelhadi and El-Sayed's campaign, but did not hear back by time of publication. Before her high-profile arrest, in July 2025, Abdelhadi made headlines for cursing out her employer at the Socialism 2025 conference. That conference is the largest annual gathering of collectivist leftists and describes itself as bringing thousands of "radical activists from around the country to take part in discussions about social movements, abolition, Marxism, decolonization, working-class history, and the debates and strategies for organizing today."  "F--- the University of Chicago, it’s evil, you know it’s a colonial landlord. Like, why would I put any of my political energy into this space? I kind of had a little bit of disdain for people who spent their time doing that," she said. However, Abdelhadi reasoned that teaching there was her only chance to have any power. MAMDANI-BACKED SOCIALIST PRIMARY WINNER FOUNDED GROUP WHOSE GOAL IS TO ‘ERADICATE' WESTERN CIVILIZATION "Turns out, I work at one of the biggest employers in the city of Chicago. I work at a place that is a landlord, a healthcare provider, a police force, f--- that s---, but, they are, and a place where I have access to thousands of people that I could potentially organize… actually, this is where I need to build power. That’s possible structural leverage," she said. Despite her rant against the school and her subsequent criminal charges, the University of Chicago still employs Abdelhadi. Abdelhadi also has a history of anti-White social media posts. "Someday I'm going to make a twitter account called profoundwhiteguy and it will be the wisdoms of a basic white boy who thinks he's wise," she said in a 2017 post. "Yesterday at the airport, 2 white women sat at the gate then boarded our plane without masks. No one intervened. I kept thinking about how Muslims have been thrown off planes for speaking Arabic or 'looking scary'. But these women actually risking our lives were left alone," she said in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. "It never ceases to amaze me that white people, statistically the safest members of our society, are also the most fearful," she said in 2023. Fox News Digital reached out to the Cook County Clerk of Court, but a status update on Abdelhadi's case was not immediately available and is reportedly still pending. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f40322c5335ae104668d7 Google will now allow users to remove visible watermark from its AI generations te 2026-08-14T16:20:02.507Z Google will now allow users to remove visible watermark from its AI generations Turning off this setting won't affect invisible benchmarks used to identify an AI generated file Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f3de52c5335ae10466875 MouthPad lets your tongue control a computer te 2026-08-14T16:10:13.020Z MouthPad lets your tongue control a computer Computer mice have taken plenty of unusual forms over the years. Now, one of the most interesting alternatives skips your hands altogether. San Francisco-based Augmental Technologies has developed the MouthPad, a custom-fit touchpad that sits inside your mouth and lets you control a computer, smartphone or tablet using your tongue or head. The company describes it as the world's first hands-free touchpad. It looks a little like a slim dental retainer. However, tucked inside is technology designed to turn subtle movements into cursor control. The concept has an important purpose. Augmental developed MouthPad to give people with limited mobility another way to interact with everyday technology. The company says it worked with hundreds of users with different abilities while developing the device. So how do you actually control a computer with your mouth, and what is it like to use? Here's how MouthPad works. New! Free live CyberGuy class: Protect Your Money From Today’s Biggest Threats Join us Saturday, August 29, at 10 AM ET for a free CyberGuy LIVE class covering five simple steps to help defend yourself against AI scams, fraud, identity theft and financial hacks. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson will explain how to set up bank alerts, strengthen your account logins, protect your phone number, freeze your credit and help secure your retirement savings against unauthorized transfers. No technical experience is needed. You’ll also receive our financial protection checklist, and every registrant will get a link to the class recording afterward. Reserve your free spot today at CyberGuyLive.com. COULD A PAINT-ON ELECTRONIC TATTOO SPOT HEART ATTACKS? MouthPad sits over your upper teeth, with a pressure-sensitive touchpad positioned against the roof of your mouth. Move your tongue across the touchpad, and you can move the cursor. You can also use head movements instead. Tongue presses can perform a left-click or click-and-drag, while a sip gesture can trigger a right-click. MouthPad also supports scrolling and swiping. So, once you get used to the controls, your tongue effectively takes over many of the jobs normally handled by your fingers on a mouse or trackpad. The device connects wirelessly like a Bluetooth mouse. That means you do not need a special receiver sticking out of your computer. Compatibility is one of MouthPad's more useful features. Augmental lists support for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android. The companion app is available for macOS, Windows and iOS. You can also pair MouthPad with multiple devices and switch between them. Inside the companion app, you can adjust settings such as cursor speed, touch sensitivity and click strength. You can also change scrolling behavior. Those preferences are stored on the MouthPad itself, allowing you to move between compatible devices without starting your setup from scratch. That was one of my first questions. According to Augmental, MouthPad's custom design minimizes its impact on speech. The company says users can speak or use voice-recognition software while wearing it. However, Augmental also acknowledges that results vary. Some people may need more time to adjust to speaking normally with the device in their mouth. Comfort will vary too. Augmental says team members and early users have worn MouthPad for as long as 10 hours in a day. Still, the company notes that comfort depends on factors including the shape of your mouth and how you use the device. The MouthPad itself weighs about 10 grams and measures roughly 1 mm thick. It is made from dental resin. Augmental rates the battery for more than seven hours of continuous use. Charging takes about 1.5 hours, and the MouthPad comes with its own charging case plus a USB cable. The company also sells a two-device package. That option gives one person a backup MouthPad so they can swap devices when one needs charging. 3 THINGS TO AVOID IN MIDDLE AGE COULD MEAN 13 MORE YEARS WITHOUT DEMENTIA, STUDY FINDS You cannot simply order a MouthPad and start using it when the package arrives. Every MouthPad is custom-fitted. After ordering, you need an intraoral 3D scan from a dentist or local scanning provider. Augmental then uses that scan to manufacture your device. The company says most providers charge between $50 and $150 for the scan. Augmental says it ships the finished MouthPad about six months after receiving the scan. Once it arrives, you use the company's online platform for configuration and a one-time calibration. Augmental says MouthPad is best suited for people over 18 who have enough tongue dexterity to operate it. The company also recommends good oral health and says candidates should not be undergoing active dental or orthodontic treatment. You also need to be able to open your mouth wide enough for the initial 3D scan. The device has already attracted interest beyond its original accessibility mission. According to the information provided, more than 6,300 people were on the waitlist. That includes people with disabilities as well as professionals interested in controlling devices while keeping their hands available for other work. Something that lives in your mouth obviously needs regular cleaning. Augmental says you should wash the MouthPad by hand with soap and water before and after each use. You should dry it before putting it back into its charging case. You can drink water while wearing it. However, Augmental says you should remove the device before eating, drinking anything else or sleeping. Hot liquids can affect its fit. You also should not bite or chew the MouthPad because doing so could damage it and void the warranty. The MouthPad currently costs $1,400 for one custom-fit device. A two-device package for the same user costs $1,900. Augmental says the second device can serve as a backup and help extend your usable time between charging sessions. There is another cost to consider. The dental scan is separate. MouthPad is also not currently covered by insurance, FSA or HSA funds, according to Augmental. For now, Augmental only sells and ships MouthPad to addresses in the United States. However, the company says the device itself is not geo-restricted and can be used outside the country. MouthPad shows how accessibility technology can rethink something as basic as controlling a cursor. For someone who cannot comfortably use a traditional mouse or touchscreen, the ability to navigate a phone or computer with subtle mouth movements could provide another route to independence. There are limitations to consider. At $1,400 plus the cost of a dental scan, MouthPad represents a significant investment. You also have to wait for a custom device to be manufactured, and insurance does not currently cover it. Still, the technology itself is fascinating because Augmental built it around a part of the body most computer designers have largely ignored: the tongue. And MouthPad may only be the beginning. Augmental is also developing Vox, a wearable microphone that detects quiet speech through vibrations in the body. The company envisions Vox handling dictation while MouthPad handles cursor control. IS YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER ON THE DARK WEB? What catches my attention about MouthPad is not simply that you can control a computer with your tongue. It is why someone would need to. Most of us grab a mouse, tap a screen or open an app without thinking about the physical movements involved. For someone with limited use of their hands, those same actions can become major barriers. MouthPad approaches that problem from a completely different direction. The price will put it out of reach for some people, and the custom fitting process takes commitment. Still, seeing a device move from years of development into something consumers in the U.S. can actually order is an important milestone for hands-free computing. Technology becomes far more interesting when it gives someone an ability they did not have before. Would you be comfortable controlling your phone or computer with a device inside your mouth? 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/6a7f3de42c5335ae1046686c Geno Auriemma questions why WNBA transgender athlete debate is 'an issue' when it 'doesn't exist' te 2026-08-14T16:10:12.324Z Geno Auriemma questions why WNBA transgender athlete debate is 'an issue' when it 'doesn't exist' The debate over transgender athletes competing against women has become the biggest story in the WNBA. Last month, a quote from Sophie Cunningham was released in an article in which she said "young girls...shouldn't have to go against biological men" in sports. "I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men," Cunningham said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM But legendary women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma is downplaying the entire conversation. "Well, not to belittle it at all because I don't mean to because listen, you know, people have a right to their opinion. I get it. But why are we making a big issue over an issue that doesn't exist?" Auriemma told TMZ Sports. "I don't remember reading where there's transsexual players in the WNBA. I don't remember reading where they were being presented with cases where this is going to happen next week. I don't see an issue. Why are we making it an issue?" he continued. "We're making it an issue because there's enough people out there that need this to be an issue for their own personal gain." Auriemma said people's attention is in the wrong direction when it comes to the WNBA, which has now seen former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White declare for the draft, claiming they meet the requirements to play in the league. "I think we should talk about the players. We should talk about the teams. We should talk about the incredible young group of players that have come into the league. We should talk about how incredible some of these teams are," Auriemma said. WNBPA ISSUES STATEMENT EMBRACING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AMID TRANS ATHLETE DEBATE IN WOMEN'S SPORTS WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert sent a letter to teams last week addressing concerns over the inclusion of transgender athletes in the league after Freedom and White made their moves. "We recognize that this is a complex and nuanced topic, and we will continue to have important conversations with all of you and the Players Association in the weeks and months ahead," Engelbert said in the memo. "We also plan to convene additional discussions and offer listening sessions for any team leaders who would like to participate. Your perspectives and feedback are invaluable, and I appreciate those who have already reached out to share their thoughts." The WNBA players’ association also released a statement on social media Friday that emphasized diversity and inclusion while saying the group "will not be used as political pawns." Four head coaches have gone on record with responses to questions about the issue, with two of them, Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve and Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase, appearing to support the inclusion of trans athletes in women's sports. The exact number of trans athletes competing against girls and women is not known, but NCAA President Charlie Baker said in early 2025 that he knew of fewer than 10 in college sports. Fox News' Jackson Thompson contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f3de32c5335ae10466863 Sparks star Cameron Brink helped off the court after brutal collision with Breanna Stewart te 2026-08-14T16:10:11.677Z Sparks star Cameron Brink helped off the court after brutal collision with Breanna Stewart Los Angeles Sparks star Cameron Brink was helped off the court Thursday night in an 85-81 loss to the New York Liberty. With New York leading 69-62 midway through the fourth quarter, Brink collided with Liberty forward Breanna Stewart as Stewart's arm made contact with Brink's midsection. Brink then collapsed to the floor and grabbed her abdomen as she appeared to cry out in pain and remained in a crouched position for several minutes following the incident. EX-ESPN HOST SAYS SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM DESERVED TO BE EJECTED AND PUNISHED — NOT DIJONAI CARRINGTON, WHO CLOTHESLINED HER Stewart was assessed an offensive foul while Brink did not return for the rest of the game, finishing with nine points, seven rebounds, and three blocks in 19 minutes. Brink is no stranger to the injury bug, as this is just the latest in a series of knocks the Sparks center has taken recently. Back in June, Brink sprained her ankle in a game against the Golden State Valkyries, which caused her to miss a month of play before returning in mid July. Her rookie season was plagued with similarly bad injury luck, as the former No. 2 overall pick tore her ACL in 2024 after starting just 15 games for Los Angeles, requiring season-ending surgery. PAIGE BUECKERS SPARKS DEBATE WITH COMMENTS ABOUT BLACK WOMEN WNBA COACHES AMID CAITLIN CLARK COMPARISONS STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW! That ACL injury could have led to a sluggish 2025 season for Brink, in which the Sparks center averaged around five points and four rebounds while playing only 13 minutes a night. The Sparks can't afford another long-term injury to a player they tapped as a franchise cornerstone just two seasons ago, and with the loss to the Liberty on Thursday night, Los Angeles dropped to 12-21 on the season. A healthy Brink would be a key piece in helping right the ship in Southern California, but with the Sparks seven games out of a playoff spot and just over a month left to go in the regular season, it might be wise to shut her down to have her healthy for next season. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f3de22c5335ae1046685a Unearthed El-Sayed essay draws explosive Trump-bin Laden parallel: ‘recruited, radicalized and reassured’ te 2026-08-14T16:10:10.952Z Unearthed El-Sayed essay draws explosive Trump-bin Laden parallel: ‘recruited, radicalized and reassured’ Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed compared President Donald Trump’s role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot to Osama bin Laden’s role in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in a 2021 blog post that argued America has an obligation to hold the president accountable and "send the same message" it did after 9/11. The post, which appeared on a blog El-Sayed has since made private, is titled "Why aren't we treating Donald Trump like we treat other terrorists?" El-Sayed argued that racism explained what he described as a double standard in how the country responded to the terrorists behind 9/11 and Trump and his supporters after Jan. 6. "I was a junior in high school 20 years ago when I watched the second plane hit the Twin Towers from my chemistry classroom," he wrote in 2021. ".... Then nearly 20 years later, on January 6th, 2021, I watched terrorists attack the symbol of my country and the Democracy my parents came here to partake in decades ago. And 36 year-old me was taken back to the pain of that high school chemistry classroom," he continued. AS AMERICAN PRIDE HITS A 25-YEAR LOW, A NEW 9/11 EDUCATION PLATFORM URGES THE NATION TO NEVER FORGET He went on to say that Trump "recruited, radicalized and reassured" the Jan. 6 rioters in the same way bin Laden "recruited, radicalized and reassured" the "nineteen hijackers who attacked our country on 9/11." He also described Trump’s conduct as "terrorism," arguing that lawmakers had both a constitutional and "moral" obligation to convict him and bar him from seeking office again. "So, yes, Donald Trump deserved his impeachment just like he deserves to be convicted and removed from the right to ever run for office again. Of course. Every single member of Congress who believes in an America true to the ideals we claim for her has a constitutional—a moral—obligation to hold Donald Trump accountable for his terrorism," El-Sayed wrote. On May 1, 2011, a team of U.S. Navy SEALs shot and killed bin Laden during an early morning raid in Pakistan. "Holding Osama bin Laden accountable is something we got right," El-Sayed wrote in his blog post. "It sent a message—attacking our country comes at a cost." Campaign spokeswoman Roxie Richner pushed back on any suggestion that El-Sayed was calling for Trump to face the death penalty over Jan. 6, saying he was advocating legal accountability.  "That’s an absurd and false interpretation of what he said," Richner told Fox News Digital. "Abdul believes no one is above the law and that includes the president." "As Abdul said: He believes that if anyone attacks American democracy, they must be held accountable," Richner said.  El-Sayed's past statements and current associations came under a microscope during his contentious primary battle with Rep. Haley Stevens. For instance, he drew considerable backlash for campaigning with streamer Hasan Piker, who once said that "America deserved 9/11." El-Sayed has disavowed Piker’s notorious remark, but he has declined to renounce Piker himself, framing pressure to do so as "cancel culture." With El-Sayed now the Democratic nominee, Republicans are seizing on his controversies in attack ads as GOP-aligned groups pour millions into the Michigan Senate race. ABDUL EL-SAYED SAYS RALLYING WITH HASAN PIKER DOESN'T MEAN HE ENDORSES 'AMERICA DESERVED 9/11' REMARK Referring to Trump and Jan. 6, El-Sayed stated that "we have to send the same message we did after 9/11: If you attack our democracy, we will hold you accountable." El-Sayed also accused lawmakers who opposed conviction of engaging in "hypocrisy rooted in racism" and said Trump and those who helped him deserved to be held accountable "for their crimes to the fullest extent of the law." UNEARTHED INTERVIEW REVEALS EL-SAYED’S SHARIA ‘OBLIGATION’ Critics have accused El-Sayed of attempting to mislead voters by scrubbing large quantities of his content off the internet before launching his 2026 Senate bid, including YouTube videos where he floated replacing the Second Amendment and railed against 4th of July fireworks. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f3dd92c5335ae1046682b Familias de Cochise County enfrentan demoras de meses en el DES te 2026-08-14T16:10:01.825Z Familias de Cochise County enfrentan demoras de meses en el DES Leer en inglés Alison Patterson esperó más de tres horas al teléfono para su entrevista obligatoria de SNAP, solo para que la llamada se cortará. Ella no conducía, por lo que acudir en persona a la oficina del DES en Sierra Vista implicó buscar a alguien que la llevara, justo el día que, según dice, era la última oportunidad para realizar la entrevista. Patterson es una de los varios residentes del condado de Cochise que declararon a El Foco de Tucson haber esperado meses para recibir asistencia alimentaria y médica, describiendo casos de documentación extraviada, llamadas interrumpidas y retrasos que superan con creces el plazo de 30 días establecido por la política estatal. Estos obstáculos impiden que los residentes reciban servicios, lo que deriva en inseguridad alimentaria, falta de acceso a atención médica y otros problemas. El Departamento de Seguridad Económica de Arizona reconoce la difícil situación que atraviesan los residentes. "Estamos afrontando la mayor interrupción en la asistencia nutricional federal de las últimas décadas,” afirmó Brett Bezio, portavoz del DES, en un correo electrónico. En diciembre, la gobernadora Katie Hobbs anunció una partida de $7.5 millones para reducir los tiempos de espera de SNAP y del seguro de desempleo mediante la contratación de personal temporal, la ampliación de la capacidad de los proveedores, el mantenimiento de las horas extra para el personal encargado de determinar la elegibilidad y la mejora de la tecnología para agilizar el procesamiento y garantizar la precisión de los pagos. Bezio señaló que los fondos han permitido al DES aumentar su capacidad de personal, incluyendo turnos de horas extra y fines de semana. "Además, este mismo mes establecimos una colaboración público-privada para ampliar la capacidad de los centros de llamadas,” indicó Bezio. "El DES (también) lanzó una nueva función de devolución de llamadas que da prioridad a los solicitantes cuya fecha de entrevista está próxima.” Bezio expresó su confianza en que estos cambios conduzcan a una mejora en los tiempos de procesamiento de las solicitudes. Sin embargo, varias personas que hablaron con El Foco de Tucson, incluida Patterson, relataron que la llamada se cortaba tras horas de espera en la línea destinada a las entrevistas obligatorias para las solicitudes del DES. "No he logrado comunicarme con ellos por teléfono para realizar la entrevista," comentó Patterson mientras se encontraba frente a la oficina del DES. "Por fin he venido hoy, en el último día posible, para poder completarla.” Residentes esperan fuera de la oficina del DES en Sierra Vista; muchos comentan que las entrevistas telefónicas requeridas para obtener beneficios son difíciles de completar debido a los largos tiempos de espera y a que las llamadas se cortan. Katherine Martinez / El Foco de Tucson. Patterson, sosteniendo un bastón, dijo que no conduce y que encontrar transporte ha sido una dificultad. Aunque Bezio afirma que las oficinas trabajan para lograr un "modelo de sala de espera más orientado al servicio", las entrevistas se realizan principalmente por teléfono. "Las opciones en línea, como Health-e-Arizona Plus y MyFamilyBenefits, permiten a los clientes enviar solicitudes y documentos desde la comodidad de su hogar, eliminando la necesidad de visitar una oficina local," señaló. Esta función lleva años disponible, pero no resuelve los problemas de llamadas de retorno fallidas ni las solicitudes estancadas. Para muchos, acudir a la oficina representa un obstáculo importante. La pérdida de salario o los días de permiso remunerado limitados, los problemas de transporte y las responsabilidades de cuidado de familiares dificultan el cumplimiento de los plazos del DES. Ariana Tovar, madre de tres hijos, comentó que lleva esperando desde abril la renovación de sus beneficios de SNAP y AHCCCS; añadió que esta demora ha sido especialmente difícil debido a los tratamientos que recibe en Tucson su hijo de 3 años, quien padece leucemia. Sin SNAP, le ha costado preparar las comidas para su hijo y ha tenido que recurrir a organizaciones benéficas para alimentar a su familia. "Si no fuera por... las fundaciones contra el cáncer y la ayuda que brindan allí, definitivamente sería un problema para mí,” dijo. La reducción de los beneficios de SNAP, sumada al aumento en el costo de los alimentos, ha agravado las dificultades de muchas familias. Bezio indicó que ajustar las tasas de los beneficios no entra dentro de las competencias del DES. "Estamos comprometidos a trabajar con nuestros socios comunitarios para combatir colectivamente la inseguridad alimentaria en nuestro estado,” afirmó Bezio. Las personas necesitadas de la comunidad pueden encontrar apoyo a través de bancos de alimentos locales y programas estatales, como el Programa de Nutrición para Personas Mayores en Mercados de Agricultores (Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program), el programa para Mujeres, Bebés y Niños (WIC) y el programa SUN Bucks de Transferencia Electrónica de Beneficios de Verano. Bezio también mencionó los servicios estatales de empleo y de asistencia para el pago de servicios públicos. El vestíbulo de la oficina del DES en Sierra Vista, donde los residentes afirman que las visitas presenciales suelen ser su único recurso tras entrevistas telefónicas fallidas y solicitudes estancadas. Katherine Martinez / El Foco De Tucson. Sin embargo, muchos de los solicitantes tienen empleos cualificados y aun así no logran llegar a fin de mes. Lilliana Domínguez, madre soltera, relató que esperó más de cuatro meses para que se renovaran sus beneficios; esto provocó que se saltara comidas mientras amamantaba, lo que dejó una huella duradera en sus hábitos alimenticios. Domínguez ha trabajado como asistente médica durante los últimos 22 años, pero su salario no alcanza para alimentar a su familia. Su pesadilla comenzó en enero, cuando llegó el momento de renovar su cobertura de AHCCCS. Su hijo de 13 meses contrajo neumonía y fue hospitalizado en marzo, pero al parecer su cobertura no estaba vigente, a pesar de haber presentado la documentación necesaria. El DES le informó que no tenía registro de su solicitud, pero Domínguez encontró pruebas de que había entregado los documentos. Comentó que esa no fue la única vez que el DES extravió su documentación; además, su cuenta fue señalada para una auditoría, lo que prolongó aún más la espera para recibir ayuda. En cada etapa, el DES le aseguraba que la llamarían en un plazo de "una o dos semanas," pero Domínguez afirmó no haber recibido llamadas ni comunicaciones durante los periodos de espera, lo que la obligaba a faltar al trabajo para acudir a la oficina local. Mientras tanto, recibía constantes llamadas del hospital para que pagara la estancia de su hijo. El resultado fueron cuatro meses de hambre e innumerables llamadas del hospital reclamando el pago de una factura que, según ella, debería haber sido cubierta por el estado. "Fue muy estresante. A veces me sentía muy deprimida; me decían: 'Alguien le llamará en una o dos semanas' y yo me quedaba pendiente de recibir noticias,” dijo Domínguez. "Tenía la esperanza de que me atenderían. Fue mentalmente agotador.” Desde entonces, se han restablecido los beneficios de AHCCCS y los cupones de alimentos para la familia de Domínguez, pero la inseguridad alimentaria persiste. "Actualmente recibo $300 para tres personas. Planeo gastar $50 a la semana, pero voy al supermercado y terminó gastando $75 u $80,” señaló Domínguez. “Yo tampoco voy a comprar comida basura, solo lo básico: leche, huevos y pan.” La reducción de los beneficios implica que ella todavía debe recurrir a los bancos de alimentos para obtener ayuda. "Los costos son tan elevados ahora que, definitivamente, el dinero no alcanza para mucho,” dijo Domínguez. Los meses de incertidumbre sobre cuándo podría hacer su próxima comida han dejado una huella profunda en Domínguez, quien todavía está amamantando. "Como no sabía cuándo volvería a comer, cuando estoy en casa de una amiga o en situaciones similares, como hasta enfermarme," comentó Domínguez, añadiendo que también le preocupa si su hija teme no saber de dónde vendrá su próxima comida. Para una residente del Cochise County, los obstáculos resultaron insuperables. Peggy Hill, de 66 años, solicitó los beneficios del programa SNAP tras someterse a un trasplante de riñón el año pasado, pero su solicitud fue rechazada incluso antes de llegar a la etapa de la entrevista. Hill relató que el DES le informó que la denegación se debía al nuevo requisito laboral, a pesar de que, según afirma, sus registros médicos demuestran que está incapacitada permanentemente para trabajar. "Estoy harta de sus juegos," dijo Hill. "Si no fuera por mi Seguro Social, estaría en la calle." Bezio señaló varios "obstáculos administrativos" que han provocado un gran volumen de llamadas y barreras para los solicitantes. Bezio explicó que la ley H.R. 1, la ley federal de conciliación presupuestaria conocida también como la One Big Beautiful Bill Act, modificó drásticamente los criterios de elegibilidad y la administración de SNAP en julio de 2025, imponiendo nuevos y estrictos requisitos de documentación y verificación a un programa que ya era complejo de por sí. Añadió que el cierre del gobierno a finales de 2025 "agravó la situación" y señaló que el DES intenta equilibrar los mandatos federales de calidad y puntualidad con la necesidad de evitar sanciones fiscales que, de otro modo, recaerían sobre los contribuyentes. Para residentes como Hill, Domínguez y Patterson, ese esfuerzo por equilibrar la situación ha tenido un alto costo personal, uno que, según dicen, perdura mucho tiempo después de que finalmente se restablecen sus beneficios. Katherine Martinez es una estudiante de periodismo de origen nativo Kickapoo-Potawatomi en la Universidad de Arizona y pasante en El Foco de Tucson. Puede contactarla en martinezk29@arizona.edu. Esta nota fue traducida por el equipo bilingüe de El Foco de Tucson. 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/6a7f392a2c5335ae104666b3 Does Mark Zuckerberg really believe AI is ‘for everyone’? te 2026-08-14T15:50:02.849Z Does Mark Zuckerberg really believe AI is ‘for everyone’? Meta released Glimmer this week, an open-weight AI model anyone can download and run on their own hardware — a contrast to Muse Spark, the company’s more powerful model that stays locked behind its own APIs. The release landed alongside a letter from Mark Zuckerberg arguing AI should be “for everyon Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f36da2c5335ae1046667c New York City’s lone Republican in Congress accuses Mamdani, Schumer of 'hypocrisy' in voter ID fight te 2026-08-14T15:40:10.428Z New York City’s lone Republican in Congress accuses Mamdani, Schumer of 'hypocrisy' in voter ID fight Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., slammed what she deemed "hypocrisy" shown by Democratic socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., arguing that the two officials are betraying their constituents by refusing to support voter identification measures. "I think the Democrats are showing the two sides that they have," she told Fox News Digital in an interview. "They go to their district, they tell their constituents that they support voter ID, and then they turn around to go to Washington and vote against it," she continued. SEN MARK WARNER CALLED OUT IN ABC INTERVIEW FOR INACCURATE VOTER ID CLAIMS Malliotakis called on the Senate to pass President Donald Trump’s Safeguard America’s Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, a piece of legislation that would require voters to prove American citizenship before casting a ballot. "If you want people to be confident in the outcome of the election, then we need to pass the Save America Act. We need to require voter ID," Malliotakis told Fox News Digital. "Over 80% of America wants it," Malliotakis continued, adding "the only people that don't seem to want it are the Democrats who are in Congress right now and they're not representing the people of their districts who are overwhelmingly saying they want it. Regardless of political affiliation, regardless of race, they are saying that they want a voter ID and the Senate Democrats should vote for it," she continued. "Let's make sure that we show America that we're taking the integrity of our elections seriously. And voter ID is really the most common-sense step that we should be taking as a body," she added. SCHUMER SAID ‘DEMOCRATS SUPPORT VOTER ID’ — THEN EVERY SENATE DEMOCRAT VOTED AGAINST GOP BILL Malliotakis pinned the blame in particular on Schumer for blocking the SAVE Act. "We've passed it out of the House now four times and is up to the Senate to get the job done. These Senators keep going to their district saying that they support the SAVE America act, or at least they're telling their constituents that they support voter ID, and then they go to Washington and they vote against it, and so citizens need to hold those senators accountable," she told Fox News Digital. "Unfortunately that dissent is being led by my own senator, Senator Chuck Schumer. Who always seems to be at odds with his constituents and America these days," she said. Malliotakis, New York City’s lone Republican in Congress, also laid into Mamdani, highlighting what she called his hypocrisy in requiring identification for city programs. FLASHBACK: MAMDANI'S HISTORY OF DODGING QUESTIONS ABOUT WHERE HE STANDS ON KEY ISSUES "Sadly, you see the hypocrisy when you see programs like Mayor Mamdani wanting to require photo ID to utilize a government-run supermarket or when he wanted you to use a photo ID, not just one, but multiple IDs for a snow shoveling program," she told Fox News Digital. "This is the hypocrisy we're seeing where things like that for everyday activities, they want ID, but when it comes to voting, the most important thing you do as a United States citizen is vote in your elections and elect your representatives, they don't want any type of accountability, any type a transparency or any type of requirement for voter identification to prove who you are, that you're eligible to vote, that you actually reside in the district in which you're voting and that you are an American citizen," she said. Malliotakis also pointed to a recent event in her Staten Island district where Mamdani was booed off the stage. "This was an event for National Night Out Against Crime. It was in support of our law enforcement and the NYPD. Mamdani, in his career as a state assembly member, led the fight for the defund the police movement. And my constituents have not forgotten that. So number one, they were calling him out on his hypocrisy. But number two, they are making very clear they do not support his communist agenda and my borough of Staten Island is the only borough in the five boroughs of New York City that did not vote for Zohran Mamdani," she concluded. Fox News Digital contacted the offices of Mamdani and Schumer for further comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f32232c5335ae104665a4 Russell Fry to Back Darline Graham in South Carolina Senate Runoff Amid Trump Pressure te 2026-08-14T15:20:03.109Z Russell Fry to Back Darline Graham in South Carolina Senate Runoff Amid Trump Pressure The president has been focused on the race since the death of Lindsey Graham in July. Ms. Graham, the late senator’s sister, is competing against Representative Ralph Norman in a runoff on Aug. 25. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f2d7f2c5335ae10466536 New laws to take effect next month te 2026-08-14T15:00:15.427Z New laws to take effect next month Hobbs signs 264 bills into law after record 2,116 drafted by legislature A record-breaking 2,116 measures were filed this legislative session, of which Gov. Katie Hobbs [D] signed 264 into law and vetoed 151 from those that survived the legislative process to make it to her desk. Since taking office Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f2d7e2c5335ae10466516 Cuban ties put powerful US union under microscope over alleged communist influence push te 2026-08-14T15:00:14.247Z Cuban ties put powerful US union under microscope over alleged communist influence push FIRST ON FOX: The chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions is investigating reports that a union representing roughly 600,000 members is working to advance the interests of the Cuban regime. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., sent a letter to the International Association of Machinists (IAM) on Thursday night demanding information about its possible links to the Cuban government. His letter follows reports that IAM has travelled to Cuba, taken policy positions aligned with the regime, put out public messaging aligned with the regime’s interests and participated in a meeting at a local IAM union hall where a Cuban diplomat addressed union members. IAM did not respond to a request for comment when reached by Fox News Digital. "I am concerned that IAM Union member dues are financing efforts to change U.S. policy related to the Cuban regime, a State Sponsor of Terror, instead of supporting American workers’ priorities," Cassidy wrote. "These examples raise serious concerns that IAM Union officials have used their positions within the union to advocate for policy objectives promoted by the Cuban regime as part of a foreign influence scheme." INSIDE CUBA’S FOREIGN INFLUENCE CAMPAIGN: FROM THE '60S VENCEREMOS BRIGADE TO A CALIFORNIA UNION HALL "American workers should not be compelled to finance advocacy that advances the foreign policy aims of a hostile foreign power, particularly one responsible for the deaths of at least three U.S. citizens and one U.S. resident in international waters," the senator added. Cassidy was referencing a 1996 incident where Cuban MiG fighters destroyed two unarmed civilian aircraft operated by the humanitarian group Brothers to the Rescue, resulting in the deaths of three American citizens and one permanent resident. David Ramírez Álvarez, second secretary at the Embassy of Cuba, spoke at a U.S. Hands Off Cuba campaign meeting held at Machinists Hall, a local IAM union hall, Fox News Digital reported in May. Cassidy’s letter says Ramírez Álvarez instructed union members on ways to support Cuba’s policy priorities and oppose U.S. policy toward the island. Sources told Fox News Digital that Ramírez Álvarez has drawn the attention of American officials for allegedly coordinating an influence network within the United States. Ramírez Álvarez spoke to union members and leaders on how they could help Cuba by lobbying, following certain pieces of legislation and engaging in national activism. CUBA BUILT COVERT NETWORK INSIDE AMERICA THROUGH SPIES, ACTIVISTS AND UNIVERSITIES, STATE DEPT ALLEGES "The job now is defending Cuba in whatever way we can," an IAM representative told attendees, encouraging them to visit the island if possible, according to previous reporting. He was also involved in an effort that resulted in the California AFL-CIO adopting a resolution calling for Cuba to be removed from the United States’ list of state terror sponsors. Before Cassidy sent his letter, the State Department released a report in July laying out the ties between organized labor and the communist regime in Cuba. The report alleges that Havana leverages a sizable network of labor union contacts in the United States to push for policies advantageous to its regime, such as lifting embargoes or removing Cuba from the State Sponsor of Terrorism list. Cassidy said that the Cuban government has used IAM members for "propagandistic purposes." To support this claim, he pointed to a video posted by the Cuban Embassy where an IAM leader said "we must and will continue to defend the sovereignty of Cuba and Cuban self determination." "We must continue to protest, we must continue to make our voices heard in the streets, through social media and beyond," he continued. In a separate video, the same leader gave a welcome message to two Cuban officials on behalf of his union. RUBIO WARNS CUBA HAS INFILTRATED US WITH SPIES, CALLS COMMUNIST REGIME AN 'ESPIONAGE SUPERPOWER' Cassidy is hitting the IAM with a bevy of questions, notably whether union employees are working with Cuban officials while on the clock, if the union has ever taken payments from Cuba, if the union has ever made payments to individuals linked to the Cuban regime, if the union had lobbied on Cuba policy and whether the union has any concerns that its members could be wrapped up in Cuban influence operations. The senator has also requested a full accounting of members and union leadership who have engaged in advocacy related to America’s policy toward Cuba and whether they consulted with Cuban government officials in connection with that activism. "These examples raise serious concerns that IAM Union officials have used their positions within the union to advocate for policy objectives promoted by the Cuban regime as part of a foreign influence scheme," Cassidy wrote. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f2d7d2c5335ae1046650d Kelly Ripa admits everyday habit led to painful gum surgery te 2026-08-14T15:00:13.445Z Kelly Ripa admits everyday habit led to painful gum surgery Kelly Ripa’s diligent dental hygiene came back to bite her. The longtime talk show host revealed her "good-bad habit" of brushing her teeth too much caused severe gum recession, eventually forcing her to undergo surgery that temporarily left the famously chatty TV personality unable to speak. "I’m an over-brusher," Ripa revealed during an episode of her podcast, "Let's Talk Off Camera," that was recorded before her surgery. KELLY RIPA'S PAINFUL SURGERY LEAVES HER UNABLE TO SPEAK "I brush my teeth too much," she explained to her guest, "Survival of the Thickest" creator Michelle Buteau. "It’s a good-bad habit. But I’ve caused gum recession down here specifically, and so they have gotta re-gum my gums." Buteau complimented Ripa for prioritizing her health, but the talk show host quickly admitted the procedure was long overdue. "Before you praise me, I was supposed to do it five years ago," Ripa said. "But now, just so you know, the doctor was like, ‘Now, you don’t have the luxury of time.’" CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Ripa's surgery led her to miss a handful of live tapings of the morning talk show she hosts with husband Mark Consuelos. At the time, Consuelos revealed Ripa's lengthy recovery process included not talking while chatting with musician Nick Jonas on "Live with Kelly and Mark." "Wow. That’s got to be the hardest thing she’s ever done," Jonas joked. Describing Ripa as "such a great conversationalist," Consuelos hinted he might have been having trouble getting the talk show host to follow doctor's orders. "I’m trying to keep her to follow the rules, follow the directions," he said. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS As Ripa recovered at home, Consuelos said the toughest part wasn't the pain – it was convincing the famously curious TV host to stop checking on her healing gums and let the procedure do its work. "Last night she was like, ‘Can you look?’ I’m like, ‘I’m not pulling your lip down,’" Consuelos said. Ripa instead got into position so Consuelos could check without touching her lip. "So I’m down there like, ‘It looks great!’" The longtime actor said the surgery was especially alarming because Ripa rarely complains about pain, which made the recovery stand out from any previous trip to the dentist. "Yeah, it’s painful," he told Jonas. "But she famously doesn’t feel pain. When she goes into the dentist, she doesn’t use the novocaine. But this one hurts, so I know it’s bad." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f2d742c5335ae104664d7 Kog is going deeper to squeeze more inference out of GPUs te 2026-08-14T15:00:04.898Z Kog is going deeper to squeeze more inference out of GPUs The idea that GPUs are poorly suited for agentic workflows may be a misconception, according to French startup Kog. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f2d722c5335ae104664ce Apple proposes to take a 15% cut of purchases made outside the App Store te 2026-08-14T15:00:02.764Z Apple proposes to take a 15% cut of purchases made outside the App Store Apple is asking a federal judge to allow it to charge commissions of up to 15% on purchases made through external links in iOS apps. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f2b212c5335ae10466498 49ers quarterback hospitalized after struggling to breathe in first game in nearly 2 years te 2026-08-14T14:50:09.039Z 49ers quarterback hospitalized after struggling to breathe in first game in nearly 2 years Kurtis Rourke's return to the gridiron could not have been much better — until it took a frightening turn late. The San Francisco 49ers' third-string quarterback got the start for the team's first preseason game on Thursday night against the Tennessee Titans, and the former Ohio and Indiana quarterback did not disappoint. Rourke, a seventh-round pick in Titans quarterback Cam Ward's draft on March of 2025, looked much sharper in his professional debut after missing all of last season recovering from knee surgery, making Thursday his first game since Dec. 20, 2024. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM He went 12-for-14 for 101 yards with three rushes for 14 yards on three drives, and his final possession ended in a 1-yard TD run by Patrick Taylor Jr. However, Rourke left the game after that drive with a rib injury. X-rays were negative, but Rourke had trouble breathing and was taken to the hospital. "They said ribs, he was struggling to breathe so they took him to the hospital just to check on him and make sure he’s alright. X-rays in here didn’t show it was broken," head coach Kyle Shanahan said. Shanahan, though, did not seem too concerned that it would be a long-term issue. CHIEFS LEGEND NOT READY TO SAY DYNASTY IS OVER DESPITE PATRICK MAHOMES' INJURY, TRAVIS KELCE'S FINAL DAYS "They just wanted to get more imaging and find out, so they weren’t too concerned. I don’t want to downplay it but I don’t want to overplay it either," he said. Rourke had played his entire final college season with a torn ACL, forcing him to undergo surgery before the draft. He completed a career-high 69.4% of his passes for the Hoosiers, who won the national championship the following season with Fernando Mendoza at the helm. His 29 touchdowns were also the most of his career, and he only threw five interceptions. Rourke remained on the roster last year with Brock Purdy and Mac Jones ahead of him. With the coaching he has and the quarterback room he is in, it is no wonder why Rourke impressed in his unofficial NFL debut. 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/6a7f26722c5335ae104663f7 WWII Memorial vandalism suspect now in custody, to be charged with two felonies, Pirro announces te 2026-08-14T14:30:10.591Z WWII Memorial vandalism suspect now in custody, to be charged with two felonies, Pirro announces The suspect accused of vandalizing the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C., has been taken into custody, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro announced Friday. The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Attorney's Office in the District of Columbia are charging Melissa L. Farris with two felony charges for her alleged role in the vandalism. "Vandalizing our World War II Memorial is a despicable attack on a sacred monument honoring the Americans who fought and died for our freedom. Those Americans include my father and grandfather. This morning, we are filing two felony charges, Depredation Against Property of the United States and Destruction of Veterans' Memorials, in Federal District Court against Melissa L. Farris, offenses that carry penalties of up to ten years in prison. She is now in custody," Pirro added. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f26712c5335ae104663e5 In Iowa, Mark Kelly rallies Democrats to fight Trump’s ‘corruption’ and stokes 2028 speculation te 2026-08-14T14:30:09.338Z In Iowa, Mark Kelly rallies Democrats to fight Trump’s ‘corruption’ and stokes 2028 speculation U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat, delivered the keynote address at the Iowa Wing Ding Aug. 13, 2026 at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) CLEAR LAKE — Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona told Iowa Democrats Thursday their state plays a vital role in combating the “corruption” of President Donald Trump by helping decide control of Congress in 2026 through competitive elections for the U.S. Senate and House. Kelly, a former astronaut and naval officer, delivered the keynote address for the Iowa Wing Ding, an annual Democratic fundraiser hosted at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake. He asked the crowd of more the 750 people who gathered at the event who they wanted to represent them in Congress and the state government, joking, “This isn’t rocket science, and I should know.” He said Republicans also know the importance Iowa plays in the 2026 midterms. “Republicans, you know, they understand how important these races are, and they’re spending hundreds of millions of dollars right here, right now,” Kelly said. “They’re flooding the state with everything they have, and they’re going to fight for the system that is working for them. And that’s why we have to fight too.” Kelly first took office in December 2020, winning an Arizona special election to fill the state’s U.S. Senate seat left vacant with former U.S. Sen. John McCain’s death. He won reelection to serve a full six-year term in 2022. The Arizona Democrat made national headlines when President Donald Trump and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accused him and other Democratic lawmakers of sedition after releasing a video in November 2025 calling for members of the U.S. military and intelligence officers to refuse to carry out illegal orders. “I know what happens when you speak truth to this administration,” he told the crowd. He said the statement was something “everybody, including Pete Hegseth, should agree with — that our troops should not follow illegal orders.” Hegseth sought to reduce Kelly’s retirement military rank as a naval officer because of his comments in the video, but a federal judge blocked this move in February. A grand jury also declined to indict Kelly and Sen. Elissa Slotkin, who also spoke in the video, on charges of seditious conspiracy. Kelly said, “really, all this bullsh** — it is not about me. It is about silencing people who are willing to speak up, to stand up for what’s right.” He called for Iowans to elect Democrats in order to be able to protect Americans’ freedom to speak and vote — and to help create an economy that better serves working class Americans. Kelly shared a story in which he told his daughter, “the system is still working, it’s just not working for you. “It’s working for the same people who are writing the rules — the rich, the powerful, the predators in the Epstein files,” he said. Kelly also criticized Trump for committing “unimaginable corruption” during his second term as president, saying that a Democratic Congress would be able to investigate Trump and his family, “and how he’s trying to enrich himself and his family and his friends.” The Wing Ding is not the only stop on Kelly’s trip to Iowa. He also plans to go to the Iowa State Fair, which kicked off Thursday. While Iowa did not make the list of states the Democratic National Committee’s rules panel has put forward as part of the 2028 nominating calendar early window, the state has long been an important place for presidential hopefuls to visit. Kelly told the BBC in February he would “seriously consider” a presidential run in 2028. Turek finishes 99-county tour, Republicans criticize his voting record Before the Wing Ding, a group of conservatives called for Iowans to reject Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Josh Turek at the ballot box in November, saying he was “too liberal” for Iowa. John Latham, center, a farmer from Sheffield, alongside John Rosefeld, right, chair of the Cerro Gordo County GOP, and state Rep. Charley Thomson, left, criticized Iowa Rep. Josh Turek outside the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake Aug. 13, 2026. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Four Republicans spoke as part of the Iowa Republican Party’s “Turek’s Too Liberal” tour outside the Surf Ballroom before the event began, calling for voters to instead support his opponent, U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson. The speakers said Turek, who currently represents Council Bluffs in the Iowa House, did not represent Iowans’ values through his votes in the state Legislature. They said his positions like a call to repeal the 2025 “One, Big Beautiful Bill” Act if elected to the Senate would hurt Iowa families. John Latham, a farmer from Sheffield, criticized Turek for not voting on the “Iowa Farm Act” introduced by state Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig, a Republican, in the 2026 legislative session. Latham said the measure “delivered tax relief for for producers, helped support young and beginning farmers, and included provisions to keep Iowa farmland with the next generation, not big corporations or foreign countries.” Additionally, he said Turek opposes Hinson’s “Save Our Bacon” Act — federal legislation that would ban states from enacting specific laws, like California’s Proposition 12, that regulate growing conditions for agricultural products. While Turek has opposed Hinson’s proposal, he also said he does not support California’s Proposition 12. “Iowa agriculture needs a strong voice in the Senate, not an activist who will vote like every other liberal in Congress,” Latham said. “Josh Turek would be bad for farmers, bad for agriculture, and bad for small family businesses.” Before speaking at the Wing Ding, Turek held a campaign event in Northwood, the final stop of his 99-county tour. He joked he intentionally held the final event of the tour in Worth County, “so we could say that this trip was ‘worth’ it,” as he introduced himself to the crowd as a former Paralympian and the first permanently disabled member elected to the state Legislature. Iowa Rep. Josh Turek, left, spoke to Sheri Miszewska and Jan Miszewski at a campaign event in Northwood Aug. 13, 2026, the final stop on Turek’s 99-county tour as he runs for the U.S. Senate in 2026. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) He told those gathered at the event about his first election in 2022, winning his Iowa House seat by a margin of six votes — and his reelection in 2024 by a margin of 5 percentage points. “It has taught me the right candidate with the right message (can win), and I believe that message is common-sense prairie populism,” Turek said. After giving brief remarks, Turek visited with voters — including Sheri Miszewska, a former teacher, who criticized Iowa’s all-GOP federal delegation for supporting cuts to medical research funding and education. Miszewska said she believed Turek’s campaign had a good chance of succeeding in Iowa in the 2026 election. “Looking at his past record — he’s fighting for the average person, fighting for veterans, school districts,” Miszewska said. As Turek spoke later at the Wing Ding, he reflected on what he heard from Iowans after spending a year on the campaign trail. “I got in this race a year ago yesterday, and it’s been interesting, because I’ve been traveling this state all 99 counties,” Turek said. “I keep engaging with people (who) say the same things — ‘Josh, I’m struggling. I’m struggling just to keep food on the table, pay my electric bill, keep gas on my table.’ And I think we’re all feeling that, that struggle, right now. We’re looking at a state that has really hit the bottom. … This is not the Iowa we know, this is not the Iowa we grew up in. But Iowans are ready for change.” This story was originally produced by Iowa Capital Dispatch, 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/6a7f241a2c5335ae10466395 Shania Twain confronts longstanding narrative that her music promotes man-hating te 2026-08-14T14:20:10.928Z Shania Twain confronts longstanding narrative that her music promotes man-hating Shania Twain set the record straight after decades of her biggest hits being embraced as feminist anthems — insisting she was never out to bash men. Twain's influence has stretched far beyond country music, with some of today's biggest stars crediting her as an inspiration. When Harry Styles brought the Canadian singer onstage at Coachella in 2022, he revealed that her music had been part of his life since childhood. "In the car with my mother as a child, this lady taught me to sing. She also taught me that men are trash," Styles said while introducing Twain. But Twain doesn't exactly remember delivering that second lesson. "I didn’t ever say that," Twain recently told The New York Times. SHANIA TWAIN SPEAKS OUT ABOUT THE 'UNHEALTHY' LENGTHS SHE WENT TO STAY THIN Hits like "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!," "That Don't Impress Me Much" and "Any Man of Mine" have long been embraced by fans as female empowerment anthems. But Twain pushed back on that narrative. "It wasn’t meant to be a feminist message," she told the outlet. For "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!," Twain noted there is "no anger in it" and she didn't write it from the perspective of "a sexist person." In fact, she wasn't even thinking about men when she wrote the 1999 hit. "I was just owning and celebrating what I think I waited too damn long to celebrate," she said. "People want to celebrate who they are, and what they are, and they don’t want to be criticized for just being themselves. And I think that is a liberty that we all deserve. I certainly waited way too long to give it to myself." SHANIA TWAIN STRIPS DOWN IN BOLD LOOK TO CELEBRATE 60TH BIRTHDAY This isn't the first time Twain has pushed back on being labeled a feminist. "I don’t see myself as a feminist," she told The Times back in June. "I see myself as a very independent thinker and not necessarily because I’m a woman. I am referred to as a feminist. I think I have a lot of feminist points of view because I am so defensive of the vulnerable woman, I really am." Twain argued that even well-intentioned labels can unnecessarily separate women from men. "I just feel that I’m strong as a person," she said. "It’s like saying, ‘You look great for your age.’" In her view, strength and independence shouldn't need a gender qualifier. "I’m not strong for a woman," Twain explained. "I’m not independent for a woman. I’m not self-sufficient for a woman. I just am a woman. And this falls on boys too." "It’s, like, ‘Oh, the boy needs less protection than the girl because he’s a boy,'" she added. "That is so not true and it’s not fair. Vulnerable men need just as much protection as vulnerable women." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Twain elaborated on her stance, clarifying that her discomfort was with the feminist label itself — shaped by the negativity and confusion she associated with it growing up — rather than its underlying values. "It’s a tricky word for me, as growing up for so many years the word had so much negativity and confusion around it that I didn’t personally proclaim myself as a feminist, even though when I look at the values and morals of what a feminist is, of course I align with them," she later wrote to The Times. Before becoming one of country music's biggest stars, Twain said she spent years feeling uncomfortable in her own skin. "I’ve been very shy about my body from a very young age … to the point where I would not go to the beach in a bathing suit," Twain told "Extra" in 2023. "I would say probably really tortured by it from the age of 10." LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS The country music star recalled filming the music video for "You're Still the One." She released the ballad in 1998 and noted that the music video allowed her to step outside her daily life at the time. "I was 30 when I had my first radio hit. … In that video, I’m braless, I’m allowing the platform of stepping out of my daily self into this world of video-making and making decisions that give me this freedom to, like, do things I wouldn’t normally do in my daily life," Twain told the outlet. Now, Twain said she has found freedom in embracing the femininity she once hid. "I started taking ownership," she told The New York Times, explaining that the music videos she created at the beginning of her career "freed" her. The country-pop star began to embrace her femininity "without feeling shame or feeling like I have to hide it for the sake of my talent." She explained, "The songs just [became] more and more about that liberation, and about making statements with a smile. Because I wasn’t angry at anyone. I was just, like, ‘Wow, it’s time to celebrate being a woman. This is really, actually great.’" Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f241a2c5335ae1046638c Country trio The Castellows team up with Keller Cox for new collaboration 'Way Things Work' te 2026-08-14T14:20:10.215Z Country trio The Castellows team up with Keller Cox for new collaboration 'Way Things Work' The Castellows teamed up with Keller Cox for a new song. The popular country music trio is on the fast track in the genre, and they show no signs of their momentum slowing. Eleanor, Lily, and Powell Balkcom have gained a significant following with their old school vibes. As a country music fan, it's been a lot of fun to watch over the past couple years. COUNTRY STARS ELLA LANGLEY AND CODY JOHNSON TEAM UP FOR COVER OF FAMOUS REBA MCENTIRE SONG The trio teased a new song with Keller Cox earlier in the week, and now it's finally here for fans. Cox and The Castellows released "Way Things Work" for fans early Friday morning. The song tells the story of a failing relationship between and a man and woman who aren't meant to be together, which is very on-brand for the country music genre. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK CULTURE COVERAGE Give it a listen below, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. The Castellows previously described "Way Things Work" as "a feel-good-sad-song," and I'd say that sounds about right after listening to the full track. Admittedly, I don't know much about Keller Cox, but it seems like he is definitely a talented up and coming country singer. His collaboration with The Castellows is outstanding. There's no question the Balkcom sisters are only going up from here, and country music fans can't wait to see what comes next. Let me know your thoughts on the trio's newest song at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f24192c5335ae10466383 New Yorkers take Zohran Mamdani free bus promise literally as MTA loses millions in skipped fares te 2026-08-14T14:20:09.484Z New Yorkers take Zohran Mamdani free bus promise literally as MTA loses millions in skipped fares Political promises of "free buses" in New York City are contributing to a spike in fare evasion that is costing the city’s mass transit system millions of dollars, transit officials warn. In July, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chairman Janno Lieber blamed political rhetoric for fueling fare evasion, though he never mentioned Mayor Zohran Mamdani by name. "There’s a trend that broke out," Lieber told reporters following a meeting of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board, according to the New York Post. "With malice towards none, I say all of the talk of free buses, it has an impact." The MTA reported that paid bus ridership fell nearly 8% in June compared to the same month last year. During Mamdani’s first six months in office, bus fare revenue fell by $31 million compared to the first half of 2025. Agency estimates show nearly half of bus riders now skip the $3 fare. MAMDANI SHRUGS OFF AOC'S 'WOKE 1' COMMENTS, BUT CRITIC SAYS PROGRESSIVES CAN'T BE ABSOLVED OF 'RADICAL' PAST Mamdani made the slogan "fast and free buses" a major part of his 2025 mayoral campaign. However, the MTA is controlled by Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state, rather than City Hall. While the mayor and Hochul unveiled plans on July 8 to focus instead on speeding up bus routes, experts and union leaders say the "free bus" rhetoric has already contributed to fare evasion. John V. Chiarello, president of Transport Workers Union Local 100, the city’s largest transit union representing more than 40,000 transit workers, told Fox News Digital that current fare evasion levels are the "worst" his drivers have seen. He noted that buses were temporarily free during the COVID-19 pandemic and said the MTA worked to reverse the resulting habit of not paying fares, but that behavior has resurfaced in recent months. PAYROLL DATA EXPOSES SIX-FIGURE SALARIES BEHIND TRANSIT STRIKE GRINDING NYC TRAVEL TO A HALT "Once you make something free, and you give people a feeling of entitlement, and then the mayor says that he wants to make buses free, you have a perfect storm of people not wanting to pay," Chiarello said. Chiarello noted that union rules strictly instruct bus operators not to confront fare evaders for their own safety following past violent attacks on drivers. He also pushed back on claims that fare-jumpers are strictly low-income New Yorkers. "I can see myself when I'm sitting in the buses where people with suits are coming on. These are people that have the money. It's just that they're not paying because it's in vogue now," Chiarello added. Lieber made similar comments, calling on higher earners to pay their fares rather than pass the cost on to other taxpayers. MAMDANI’S CITY GROCERY PLAN COULD LEAVE TAXPAYERS PAYING FOR EVERY BANANA "For all the people who are on their way to office jobs, who are making a good income, who walk by the bus driver and don’t pay or get on the back and don’t pay, I say it’s time to be New Yorkers," Lieber said, according to The New York Post. "You’re just passing along the cost to another taxpayer. Somebody’s going to have to pay for that ride." The MTA is also losing fare revenue from riders who do not pay. Nicole Gelinas, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute specializing in urban policy, explained the fiscal impact of the mayor’s proposal. "The [Independent Budget Office] has estimated free buses would cost the MTA about $1.1 billion a year in fare revenue. And we need that money. The MTA [is] already looking at a $300 million deficit for next year," Gelinas told Fox News Digital. "The idea of giving up a billion dollars plus in fare revenue from the buses, when you have no way to replace that, it's just not fiscally wise." Gelinas said a herd mentality is also at play, with paying riders watching others board without paying. "You pay your fare, and then you watch 10 people get on and not pay the fare. So at some point, you're just going to think like, ‘Why am I paying the fare?’" Gelinas said. "So you really want to move back from that tipping point because, right now, if you're paying the fare, you're basically subsidizing the people who are not." Mamdani has previously defended his fare-free transit push by arguing that widespread non-payment is spurred by an affordability crisis. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Fox News Digital reached out to the mayor’s office for comment but did not immediately hear back. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f21bb2c5335ae104662fd Hyperscalers might regret embracing natural gas if new forecast proves correct te 2026-08-14T14:10:03.530Z Hyperscalers might regret embracing natural gas if new forecast proves correct Natural gas prices could triple in some parts of the U.S., which could saddle hyperscalers with massive bills to power their AI data centers. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f1d122c5335ae10466284 Rising golf star dead at 18 after brain hemorrhage while playing tournament in Thailand te 2026-08-14T13:50:10.195Z Rising golf star dead at 18 after brain hemorrhage while playing tournament in Thailand A pro golfer died at 18 this week after suffering a brain hemorrhage during a tournament. While playing in the KLPGA Tour’s International Qualifying Tournament in Thailand on Aug. 1, Jessica Bang collapsed and underwent emergency brain surgery at Synphaet Ramintra Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. Her family announced in a GoFundMe, however, that she died on Aug. 13 at 7:20 am local time in the hospital. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "We are truly heartbroken by this news. However, we would like to continue to remember Jessica and celebrate her achievements, passion, and dedication to golf," the GoFundMe, run by her cousins, said. "As her cousins, we will forever cherish the time and memories we shared with Jessica. Her sense of humour, together with her cheerful and vibrant personality, will always be remembered and treasured by our family." The GoFundMe said the funds will be used for her medical expenses. COLLEGE GOLFER DELIVERS US AMATEUR UPSET WITH ADDED PRESSURE OF HAVING JUST ONE EXTRA GOLF BALL "The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the WPGA Tour of Australasia and the broader Australian golf community are with Jessica’s family, friends and all those who knew and loved her at this incredibly difficult time," the WPGA Tour of Australasia said in a statement. Bang, born in South Korea, was placed on life support after the surgery. Bang won in her fifth professional start this past November, carding a final-round 65 at the 2026 Ford Women’s NSW Open Regional Qualifying Event at Moss Vale to win by five strokes and set a course record. She also won the Queensland Amateur. 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/6a7f1d112c5335ae1046627b Why the Minnesota Vikings over 9.5 wins looks like a strong bet even with Kyler Murray under center te 2026-08-14T13:50:09.542Z Why the Minnesota Vikings over 9.5 wins looks like a strong bet even with Kyler Murray under center The NFC North was one of the best divisions in football last season. All of the teams were competitive and expected to be solid. Some of the teams were built on defense, others on offense, and some were well-balanced. The problem for many turned out to be injuries, but the Vikings felt like the team that was a piece away from success, despite missing the playoffs. The Minnesota Vikings ended up with a winning record, despite having a mixture of players at quarterback. The team will still have some quarterback issues or controversy this season, but we will get to that in a moment. Last year, more than anything, showed people that JJ McCarthy is probably not ready to be a quarterback. The team did win five straight to close the year, and McCarthy was under center for four of those games. However, his passing high for the season was 250 yards. Ultimately, they missed the playoffs, wasting a really good defensive team. KYLER MURRAY AND JJ MCCARTHY GIVE WILDLY DIFFERENT ANSWERS ABOUT THEIR VIKINGS QB ROOM DYNAMIC The major move for the Vikings this offseason was adding Kyler Murray to the roster. He will be the starting quarterback (supposedly). The good news is that if Murray doesn’t work out, or they want to turn to McCarthy, the cost will be really low. Murray is on a veteran minimum contract, and he gets an elite receiver to throw to. He also has a coach who seemingly rejuvenated Sam Darnold’s career. They did have to get rid of a few of their defensive players, so it is very possible their defense takes a step back. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS Murray, Aaron Jones, and Justin Jefferson give some fairly unique options for the Vikings. Murray still can scramble, and if head coach Kevin O’Connell can unlock the flashes of potential he’s shown, the Vikings could be a good offensive club. Jordan Addison is a good second receiver, and Jauan Jennings as a third option provides more than enough weapons. That doesn’t mention TJ Hockenson, who can be a solid tight end for the team. The Vikings have a top-10 offensive line as well, so there should be time for Murray to get the ball to the receivers. On defense, the team will probably take a bit of a step back. However, the team is still ranked eighth in the league after the draft according to Bleacher Report. Brian Flores is a very good defensive coordinator, so I really don’t see it being a major drop-off. JOE BURROW CALLS BENGALS ROSTER THE 'MOST TALENTED' THE TEAM'S HAD, HAS LOFTY EXPECTATIONS FOR SEASON STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW! I think the Vikings will win 10 or more games this season. At +160 for over 9.5, I’ll take the move. This is mostly a bet on some things like O’Connell getting Murray to be a good quarterback. It also is a bet that Flores makes his defense work even with the changes. Injuries can derail anything, but a team that won nine games last year with no quarterback should be better with Murray or even a second year of McCarthy under center. For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f1d0b2c5335ae1046625c Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Greenlight White House Ballroom te 2026-08-14T13:50:03.946Z Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Greenlight White House Ballroom The planned 90,000-square-foot ballroom is estimated to cost $400 million and is part of the president’s broader effort to remake Washington in his own style. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f1ab92c5335ae1046621a Wings vs. Fever betting preview pits Paige Bueckers against Caitlin Clark amid WNBA distractions te 2026-08-14T13:40:09.951Z Wings vs. Fever betting preview pits Paige Bueckers against Caitlin Clark amid WNBA distractions The WNBA is taking center stage today for the betting market. If you’ve been following the sport, there have been some great stories. If you aren’t following the sport, you’re probably hearing about all of the negativity. We had one player post about white privilege, we had another talk about transgender athletes, and both take away from the product on the court. I’ll try and bring us back by betting on it and getting some money from the Wings vs. Fever game. The Dallas Wings were the team I expected to make a marked improvement this season, and so far, they are. Before the year started, I took the over for their wins, and with just three more wins, they will hit that over. Seeing as how they have another 10 games, I think we have a good shot at it, and I can likely always hedge. Especially considering they have seven home games remaining, so they should be the favorite in most of those. The bad news here is that the Wings are playing some of their worst basketball of the season. They are just 1-5 over their past six games, and 3-6 over their past nine. A lot of this is likely because of injuries to key players. Azzi Fudd has been out, Alysha Clark and Jessica Shepard as well. Considering Shepard is their leading rebounder, that is quite an impact to lose. Most of them should be back either for this game or sooner. Even without them, Paige Bueckers is still the focal point of this team. Arike Ogunbowale is the other primary scorer for the squad, and she has put together a good campaign. PAIGE BUECKERS SPARKS DEBATE WITH COMMENTS ABOUT BLACK WOMEN WNBA COACHES AMID CAITLIN CLARK COMPARISONS The Indiana Fever are a team that will continue to get all of the attention. Not only will they get the attention because they have the most popular player on the planet on the team, but as a result of that, teams tend to give their full effort against Indiana. That should make the Fever better, but it can also be draining having to take on everyone’s best effort every night. There is more than enough talent on the team for the Fever to compete with any other team in the league. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS The attention, for the most part lately, has been off of Clark and onto Cunningham, who made the comment about transgender athletes. Then, later, she was flagrantly fouled by Dijionai Carrington, who then sent out a Threads message about white privilege. Then, their coach, Stephanie White, somewhat defended Carrington’s play (which I think is fine to do). It has just been a mess, and honestly the WNBA should be a public relations case study on what not to do. It is like none of them have any media training. STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW! All of this masks the fact that the Fever are playing solid basketball at the moment. They are a playoff team, and coming together at the right time. Distractions away from the court can leak into the locker room and be a problem. The Wings don’t have those, and are also getting healthy at the moment. Dallas getting their players back can position themselves to make a nice run and gain momentum before the postseason. Most will look at this as a battle between Clark and Bueckers. Clark is great. I felt like I needed to put a full stop there. She can shoot, she is fan-friendly, a really good passer, all of that. However, she does turn the ball over far too much. It has to be cleaned up. She complains a lot. Bueckers is the better overall player. There is nothing she can’t do on the court. If you traded these two straight up, I don’t think the Wings are worse, but I do think the Fever get better. That doesn’t mean that Dallas will win this game; I think they lose this one. Indiana is playing well at home and has more continuity and momentum at the moment. In addition, I think Dallas just has too many people out. It will likely be a close battle, but give me the Fever to cover the short spread. For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f1ab42c5335ae104661f1 Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Greenlight White House Ballroom te 2026-08-14T13:40:04.003Z Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Greenlight White House Ballroom The planned 90,000-square-foot ballroom is estimated to cost $400 million and is part of the president’s broader effort to remake Washington in his own style. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f18622c5335ae104660aa Zhamira Zambrano throws one of the worst celebrity first pitches ever, Mayor Frey dancing & Mendoza is ready te 2026-08-14T13:30:10.768Z Zhamira Zambrano throws one of the worst celebrity first pitches ever, Mayor Frey dancing & Mendoza is ready As I sit down in the Screencaps lab for yet another edition of this award-winning column, the humidity level is at like 80%, the sun hasn't been out in five days and it's expected to rain all weekend here in Ohio. What's on the agenda? My dad turned 71 this week, so the plan was to play golf just northwest of Dayton. Based on the wave of rain that continues to pound that area, that's not going to happen. Have you seen the flooding out in eastern Indiana? Parts of I-70 are buckling due to flooding. Entire roads are washing away. In other words, dad will have to wait to play birthday golf. Quick thoughts before the weekend: • I will be here Sunday for SeanJo. He'll be off the next week. I think he's off to chase Bigfoot. • Today is a big day around here. Screencaps the III starts 4th grade this morning. His elementary school only goes up to 4th grade, which means we're nine months away from no longer dealing with elementary school pickup lines. It feels like I've spent half of my life in lines just to get the kids. Will I miss it one day? You guys who've been through this stage of life can feel free to tell me. PAIGE SPIRANAC SHARES THE ONE THING A GUY HAS TO BE GOOD AT TO DATE HER, TEBOW PLAYS GO-KART SOCCER & THE NFL • If you're the Raiders, you have to start Fernando Mendoza Week One. No choice. He turns 23 in October. It's not like they selected a 20-year-old who needs to find his footing. This guy is ready to go. Throw him to the wolves. • Thank you to YouTubeTV for not forcing me to watch the WNBA in multiview like they were doing two years ago. Last night, I had the Bengals, Steelers and Little League baseball on. For this time of year, it was heaven. • This might be the worst first pitch I've seen out of an Internet pop singer. Zhamira Zambrano is Venezuelan. How did she grow up in baseball-crazed Venezuela, which just won the World Baseball Classic, and not learn to paint the outside corner? Was this worse than 50 Cent's effort a few years back before a Mets game? Probably not, but Fitty didn't grow up in Venezuela, where I think you're supposed to hit 75 on a radar gun before you're allowed to get a driver's license. RAIDERS ROOKIE FERNANDO MENDOZA THANKS GOD FOR AN NFL DEBUT THAT COMPARES FAVORABLY TO 'MR BRADY' 📩 Email: joe.kinsey@outkick.com Send photos, stories, tips, rants—whatever you've got. 📰 Screencaps Page: 👉 Read the latest Screencaps ▶️ YouTube: Screencaps with Joe Kinsey Subscribe for videos, rants, and behind-the-scenes. 🐦 Twitter/X: @JoeKinseyexp Tag me or drop a DM. 📸 Instagram: @OutKickScreencaps You guys need to start tagging me on content you're seeing. 📘 Facebook Page: Screencaps on Facebook 👥 Facebook Group: Join the Screencaps Community 📬 Mail (Thursday Night Mowing League): 27072 Carronade Dr, Unit A 155 Perrysburg, OH 43551 🗞️ Newsletter: 👉 Subscribe here – Kevin in Toboso, OH emails: So Meatchicken frosh will now only get pass/fail grades their first semester so they feel good about themselves(they already are guilt ridden the couldn't go to TOSU but I digress.) College is 90%worthless anymore. It is about your lame travel ball kid "feeling good" about themselves, hiring a professional dorm decorator and travel ball mommy and daddy paying all their expenses. WTH. Three of my four children have a job, investing in Roths, mutual funds and making their way. One IT (self-taught dropped out of college, one fireman kicking butt on salary and one college grad with zero debt making decent money) Parents of Screencapper youth, think long and hard about the rip-off college is and the expense/debt it causes. Total scam IMO. It is an experience anymore and not an education. CALIFORNIA PROFESSOR ARGUES NEED FOR 'OBJECTIVE MEASURES' AFTER STATE DROPS ACT/SAT REQUIREMENT meatchicken sucks and this absolutely proves it but I am sure TOSU is analyzing this for the mental well being of their frosh. WTH Kinsey: It will be the College of Literature, Science and Arts that will not give out letter grades starting during the fall of 2027. Keep in mind, they're doing this at a college that isn't exactly easy to get into. So, these students had to have incredible grades to get into Michigan, but the minute they enter, the arts and sciences department tells them they no longer need to worry about grades. It's humorous. – Jake might have Wendy's stock: Re: Your increasingly correct prediction about the future of Wendy's: Do you know for a fact they hire ex-cons and druggies nationwide, or does something like that happen in just your neck of the woods? I haven't been to a Wendy's in a long time, so I don't know. Kinsey: I know what I see with my eyes when I go through to get an iced tea after a round of golf. I have no idea if this is the case nationwide, but I know what I've seen from the suburbs of Detroit to the suburbs of Dayton, Ohio. That should be enough of a test case for my theory to be taken seriously. – 'Sheriff' John in Houston emails: Regarding the twitter link this morning. My brother actually lives in Childress and my nieces go to Childress high school. One of those boys in that photo is the oldest's boyfriend but hell if I can tell which one. Nonetheless, it reminds me of a minor controversy brewing down here in Texas (mentioned in that tweet). The UIL (or HS sports governing org) issued guidance a couple of weeks ago about wet bulb temps and that basically said, "you can't practice when it's hot". Ridiculous. Totally favors the rich schools with indoor facilities because most school districts don't have indoor facilities. Many schools have had to start practicing early in the morning before the sun goes up or they are just waiting until the evening. My son's school is having "study hall" for two hours after school and then practicing. Again, just ridiculous. This is almost as silly as the modern rule of, "Even if the sun is out and the sky is clear, if it's lightning anywhere within 10 miles everyone has to go sit in their car for 30 minutes but who are we kidding, it will be at least an hour until this game starts back up." Again, just ridiculous. I don't mean to go all Grandpa Simpson about "back in my day" but there really are some policies that our betters have decided to foist upon our kids that are making them soft. STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW! – Jon in Laurens, SC is back: Thanks for publishing my email in Screencaps this past Tuesday. When I read it in your column I realized it sounded much more serious and less lighthearted that I intended. I apologize for that. Also, I do have a suggestion for your consideration to include in the list of crazy names created by suburban moms. One of my wife's co-workers named her firstborn son "Commodore", and that's what he is known by. No nickname or anything. He's about 12, I think, and by all accounts is a good kid and a pretty good athlete in several sports. Anyway, maybe "Commodore" is worthy of knocking "Britton" off the list. Thanks for your consideration! – Doug in Springfield, OH emails: Have to take exception with 'Sheriff' John from Houston about stopping at stops signs when there is no traffic. The saying in farm country down around your old stomping grounds is "stop signs are yield signs, if there is no corn." And that is it this morning. Enjoy the preseason NFL games. Soak it all in. Enjoy those late summer festivals. The county fairs. The tractor pulls. Bowling Green is next week, BTW. Circle your calendars. Let's go have a great weekend and try to stay dry. Numbers from : Stuff You Guys Sent In & Stuff I Like : Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f185a2c5335ae10466074 US courts will start publishing how often the government uses spyware te 2026-08-14T13:30:02.892Z US courts will start publishing how often the government uses spyware The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts told TechCrunch that it will start disclosing how many times judges authorized the use of spyware to wiretap suspected criminals. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f160a2c5335ae1046602b El-Sayed in the hot seat after 'sickening' animal control record goes viral on social media te 2026-08-14T13:20:10.477Z El-Sayed in the hot seat after 'sickening' animal control record goes viral on social media Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed is facing renewed scrutiny over his tenure as Detroit health director, during which Detroit's animal control department was beset by allegations of animal mistreatment and reportedly branded a "dog slaughterhouse" by a former employee. Detroit Animal Care and Control’s (DACC) live-release rate was roughly 20% to 26% when El-Sayed inherited the operation in late 2015, but climbed to about 61% to 62% by late 2016 — an improvement his campaign points to in arguing that the raw number of animals euthanized during his tenure obscures a turnaround from the dire conditions and euthanasia rates he inherited. The Daily Mail reported that records covering the period surrounding El-Sayed’s tenure showed 4,680 dogs and cats were euthanized, with 1,056 dogs and 29 cats getting euthanized in the first full calendar year DACC was under El-Sayed’s Health Department. After winning a bruising primary against Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., El-Sayed is asking Michigan voters to send him to the U.S. Senate, but his record running Detroit’s health department and the troubled animal-control operation under its authority has generated renewed scrutiny. BIDEN-WORLD VETERAN ISSUES STARK WARNING ABOUT ABDUL EL-SAYED AS HE CROSSES PARTY LINES "I actually really really don't want to believe this. Can someone verify?" questioned Michael LaRosa, former First Lady Jill Biden's one-time press secretary. "This is sickening. Abdul El-Sayed wants Michiganders to trust him with their families," El-Sayed's Republican opponent Mike Rogers wrote on X. "Meanwhile, Detroiters couldn’t even trust him with their pets." The scrutiny stems in part from an October 2015 whistleblower lawsuit filed by former Detroit Animal Control officer Brittany Roberts, who alleged animals died from inadequate food and medical care, were kept in filthy conditions and were subjected to other mistreatment, according to The Daily Mail. Roberts also reportedly alleged she was demeaned, harassed and ultimately fired after reporting the problems. The lawsuit landed the same month — and shortly before — the city moved Animal Control from the Detroit Police Department to the Health Department led by El-Sayed. "I was almost embarrassed with myself to be part of a team that played a role of the death of so many dogs in their cages," Roberts said in 2015 as she accused the agency of neglect and mistreatment, according to The Daily Mail. "Every morning, we’d just walk around and see who was alive before we could even feed." Roberts, who began working at the shelter in March 2015, reportedly alleged in her whistleblower lawsuit filed that October that she witnessed animals die from a lack of food and medical care, unsanitary conditions and other violations of state law and department policy. FOX 2 Detroit reported at the time that Roberts called the shelter a "slaughterhouse" and alleged dogs were rarely euthanized properly, but instead were neglected and mistreated until they died. HOUSE DEM'S GRAPHIC CHICKEN DECAPITATION ‘HORRIFIED’ HER COLLEGE ROOMMATES: ‘BLOOD WENT EVERYWHERE’ Best Friends Animal Society put Detroit Animal Care and Control’s 2015 save rate at just 20%, while numbers from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development's Animal Shelter Annual Report placed its live-release rate at 26%, according to The Daily Mail. The 2015 numbers showed 1,988 dogs and 272 cats, and a total of 2,260 animals, were euthanized, the outlet highlighted. Before the city moved it back under El-Sayed’s health department in October 2015 as part of a broader overhaul, Animal Control had been under the Detroit Police Department since 2012. Changes followed, as the city scrapped the shelter’s no-adoption policy and began working with rescue and foster organizations, while Melissa Miller was brought in as a new animal-control director in December 2015, according to local reporting. The operation later reportedly moved into a larger facility donated by the Michigan Humane Society and expanded partnerships with outside animal-welfare groups. The numbers improved and by September 2016, local reporting put Detroit Animal Care and Control’s live-release rate at 61%, up from 26% the previous year, and Miller said the following month that the figure had reached 62% — nearly triple the prior year’s rate. According to The Daily Mail, the DACC failed to publicly report its 2016 euthanasia figures, but numbers they obtained showed the animal control unit euthanized 1,056 dogs and 29 cats that year. Then-Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said at the time that the previous euthanasia rate had been "unacceptable," but that the improved rate was "more in line with national standards." WATCH: SURFACED VIDEOS OF DEM SENATE CANDIDATE BACKING 'DEFUND THE POLICE' CONTRADICT RECENT DENIALS Meanwhile, Detroit mayor’s office acknowledged that DACC had a very high euthanasia rate while it was still under the police department and was transferred to the Health Department in part to change the operation’s culture. The office cited inadequate shelters and Detroit’s emergence from bankruptcy as major challenges that were not entirely within Animal Control’s control because of city budget constraints. "When I was the new director of the Detroit Health Department, I inherited a part of the job that I never trained for and never thought I would do, which is Detroit Animal Control," El-Sayed said during a 2024 podcast interview. "And it was a mess at the time, and I needed somebody who I could trust, who could come in and do right by the animals and right by the people of the city of Detroit. And Mel Miller was that person." El-Sayed’s campaign pushed back strongly against any suggestion that the animal deaths define his record, telling Fox News Digital that he inherited an operation with outdated procedures, severe staffing and facility problems and an extraordinarily high euthanasia rate. The campaign said El-Sayed raised frontline animal-care officer pay by 15%, worked to fully staff the operation, moved it into a more modern facility, overhauled care protocols and expanded partnerships aimed at getting animals out of the shelter alive. "During Abdul El-Sayed’s tenure as Detroit Health Director, he dramatically reduced animal euthanizations and reversed the Detroit Animal Control’s abysmal save rate," the campaign said, arguing that the changes eventually resulted in nearly 80% of animals being placed in homes. However, Detroit's animal control operation continued to face legal and operational problems during El-Sayed’s tenure. In February 2016, a federal judge temporarily blocked Detroit Animal Control from seizing dogs from homes without a warrant, consent or emergency circumstances amid a lawsuit brought by residents, some of whom alleged their dogs died at the city shelter or shortly after leaving it. Detroit also ultimately agreed in July 2016 to pay $63,000 to settle Roberts’ whistleblower lawsuit. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f16052c5335ae10466009 Teacher retention: The K-12 teachers who continue to choose Flagstaff Unified School District te 2026-08-14T13:20:05.201Z Teacher retention: The K-12 teachers who continue to choose Flagstaff Unified School District FUSD teachers from 3 levels of K-12 education share why they choose to stay in their district. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f13b32c5335ae10465fa9 Wildfires, heat waves and blackouts exposed the green agenda’s dangerous flaws te 2026-08-14T13:10:11.289Z Wildfires, heat waves and blackouts exposed the green agenda’s dangerous flaws This summer, secular environmentalism died in plain sight. From the choking wildfire smoke blanketing American cities to the deadly European heat wave to the crumbling power grid in New York, the evidence is piling up: decades of ideology masquerading as environmental stewardship have left people less safe while doing little to help the environment. Start with Canada. More than 800 wildfires burned across the country this summer, and the smoke descended on over 100 million Americans from Milwaukee to Washington D.C. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney blamed the fires on climate change. But that raises an obvious question: if climate change is driving these disasters, then what exactly have decades of Canada's aggressive climate policies accomplished? By Carney's own logic, they've failed. Canadians accepted higher energy costs, more regulation, yet the forests are still burning and Americans are breathing the smoke. Canada has been governed for years by politicians who embraced the secular environmentalist vision wholesale. Prime Minister Carney is a former UN special envoy on climate action. Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was the poster child of left-wing climate policy. Canada has had over a decade of committed "climate leadership." 20 YEARS LATER, AL GORE AND HIS DIRECTOR DEFEND THEIR CONTROVERSIAL CLIMATE MOVIE 'AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH' Yet the fires are still here, not despite secular environmentalists, but because of them. Environmental groups have blocked the very forest management practices that prevent catastrophic wildfires, opposing forest thinning, firebreaks, and controlled burns on the grounds that human intervention is inherently destructive. As Andrew Hale of Advancing American Freedom put it, Canada's wildfire policies reflect the "undue influence of environmental groups who are firmly politically motivated and have divorced themselves from science and good stewardship." The 2023 Canadian wildfires alone released nearly 480 megatonnes of carbon, roughly twice the annual emissions of global aviation. The fires this year could be even worse. Canada's purported commitment to international emissions agreements and a left-wing green agenda have all been overwhelmed by wildfire smoke, and it’s everyday ranchers, homeowners, and citizens that pay the price. But Canada isn’t the only showcase in environmentalist failure. Earlier this summer, roughly 14,000 people died in a European heat wave. But it would be wrong to say they died from heat. Vast swaths of America face similar levels of heat every summer without the death toll. The difference is in America, roughly 90% of homes have air conditioning, whereas in Europe, only about 20 percent do. That choice is deliberate. When asked whether Europeans should install air conditioning in response to deadly heat waves, a European Environment Agency expert told CBS News that she did not think it should be the solution anywhere, warning that installing more AC emits more heat into the environment and accelerates warming. In other words, to save lives we must let people die. Meanwhile, in a resurrection of feudalism, senior European Commission officials kept their AC running on upper floors while it was shut off for regular staff below. Here in America, we can look at Canadian haplessness and European hypocrisy and shake our heads. But we’re hardly immune from warming temperatures and inane political responses. This past Fourth of July — the grand 250th birthday of our nation — Washington D.C. hit 103 degrees for the hottest Independence Day on record. Philadelphia cancelled its parade after three consecutive days above 101. And New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani asked residents to set their thermostats to 78 degrees to protect the power grid. At least in America we have AC, but that AC won’t matter much if the grid fails — and in New York, it’s at risk of failing because of, once again, the environmentalists. In 2021, green activists forced the closure of Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant, eliminating roughly 25 percent of the New York City region's power supply. As expected, wind and solar could not fill such a gap, so New York began to use more natural gas. Not only did environmentalists force New York to increase emissions for no reason. They made New York’s grid highly dependent on a single fuel source and more vulnerable to demand spikes that cause grid failure. Like those in Canada and Europe, American greens value ideology over outcome. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION The failure of secular environmentalism has one root cause: it sees people and human activities as enemies. But when human flourishing is put at the center of environmental policy and human resourcefulness is applied to the environmental problems of our day, our current crises become solvable. With a human-centric environmentalism, Canada would have no difficulty engaging in responsible forest management that uses reason to steward the land and reduce wildfire risk. Europe could accept that the miraculous invention of air conditioning saves lives without meaningfully worsening the climate. And New York would see that the incredible advances of nuclear energy provide clean, reliable baseload power that intermittent renewables cannot match. There’s no reason to sacrifice people’s lives and well-being to save the planet. If anything, the opposite is true: Only people have the power to care for God’s creation and leave it better than we found it. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f13b22c5335ae10465fa0 Matthew McConaughey's piece of relationship advice that keeps his marriage to Camila Alves strong te 2026-08-14T13:10:10.583Z Matthew McConaughey's piece of relationship advice that keeps his marriage to Camila Alves strong Matthew McConaughey is sharing the key to making his marriage work. During a recent interview with Fox News Digital, the 56-year-old actor spoke about his new film, "The Rivals Of Amziah King," which arrives in theaters on Aug. 14, and the biggest lesson he learned that has contributed to his decades-long marriage. "You got times where one seems to be affirming and sprinting ahead," he said. "And you got times when somebody else may be a little more insecure or a little more unstable on their feet about their choices and what they're doing." He explained that when in a relationship, it is important to "try not to get too much of a gap between those two" stages. THOMAS RHETT REVEALS WHY HE AND WIFE LAUREN REJECT CELEBRITY PERKS FOR COUNTRY LIFE "Is there a way to go, 'I'll slow down so you can catch up, or 'You slow down so I can catch up a little bit?'" he added. "Not asking you to not be in the lead because I want you to be in the lead because when the fire's hot, keep it burning. Go, go, go, go, go. But just keep me in arm's length over here. Keep me in arms length." WATCH: Matthew McConaughey's piece of relationship advice that keeps his marriage to Camila Alves strong McConaughey and Camila Alves got married in June 2012, six years after they first met in a nightclub in West Hollywood in 2006. Over the course of their relationship, the couple has welcomed three kids together; sons Levi, 18, and Livingston, 13, and daughter Vida, 16. In his new film, also starring Kurt Russell and Cole Sprouse, the "Dallas Buyers Club" star plays Amziah King, a musician, beekeeper and pillar in his community in Oklahoma, whose life is turned upside down when his former foster daughter returns as he is also dealing with threats to his honey business. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER While the actor grew up in Texas rather than Southeast Oklahoma, he was able to relate to his character in the movie, as "it's got a lot of the same characters in it" as he saw growing up. WATCH: Matthew McConaughey says new movie characters remind him of people he knew growing up in Texas "There's a lot of people in a lot of places all across the United States where music is how you communicate, it's how you survive, it's how you keep belief alive, it's how they keep hope alive, because if you look at logic, and you look at the facts every single day, all we got to do is look at the news," he said. "Oh, that doesn't do a lot for keeping your belief and hope alive. If anything, it puts a damper on it," he added. "So music and belief are like, 'Hey, we're gonna play through the struggle. We're going to sing through it. We're gonna dance through it, we're going to say that any time is a good time to put you in the spotlight and say, you're on, go.'" McConaughey told Fox News Digital he had the opportunity to play the instruments himself and sing in the film, noting, "singing and playing at the same time is not as easy as I thought." LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS The actor shares that "musicality" is important to him in all his roles, saying, "There is a rhythm for every character," and while he always has "a set of djembes in my trailer," he found that when singing and playing at the same time, "my hands couldn't keep up with my mouth." "It's a very musical character and I actually got to play and sing in this and that was a hell of a lot of fun," he said. "And I had a lot of help from the real musicians that were there." "The Rivals Of Amziah King" hit theaters on Friday, Aug. 14. WATCH: Matthew McConaughey reveals surprising challenge he faced while making new movie Last week, McConaughey and Alves were photographed meeting Pope Leo XIV at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. The actor and his model wife grinned during the moment, which took place during the pope’s weekly general audience. The actor has been in Italy filming his new Netflix movie "Positano." McConaughey stars in the movie alongside Zoe Saldana. The Texas-born movie star has been open about his faith over the years, and has even published a book called "Poems & Prayers" in 2025. McConaughey told Fox News Digital he felt "a little nicely anxious" about meeting the Pope. "Yeah, as the man in the world that represents most cleanly the moral aperture and judgment. What an awesome position," he added. "And, you know, the Pope has had different amounts of power through the history of time in politics. There were paintings there where… actually the kings in the past came to kiss the Pope's feet for the blessing, you know what I mean?" The movie star noted that the Pope is still "the moral compass," which he says is "really important, especially... as politics has gained so much power and popularity and has been sort of our fulcrum for which we look at, for almost where our values come from. Politics is part of the values of whether you want to call it religious or not." "He noted that while there's a separation between church and state, there's still "values of politics" that "need to come down through certain religious aspects, I believe. And they're even built on those in some way. Yeah, I understand law is separate from belief or values, so to speak, but they're always going to be intrinsically aligned and should be in some way," McConaughey said.  "And it's something we're going through now. We're trying to figure out the standards of A.I., you know, what are the morals and ethics and the values that we need to set as a standard within A.I. –  that's becoming this new power and platform and tool in our lives," he said. When asked what he talked to the Pope about, he said, "That's between he and I." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f13ac2c5335ae10465f78 David Hearn’s Lawyers Ask Court to Bar Future Reflecting Pool Charges te 2026-08-14T13:10:04.970Z David Hearn’s Lawyers Ask Court to Bar Future Reflecting Pool Charges Citing comments by President Trump, David Hearn raised the prospect of “prosecutorial harassment.” Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f115e2c5335ae10465f3b Jayden Daniels wanted ‘respect’ from LSU. Instead, he started an ugly fight that will tarnish his reputation te 2026-08-14T13:00:14.098Z Jayden Daniels wanted ‘respect’ from LSU. Instead, he started an ugly fight that will tarnish his reputation If Jayden Daniels thought starting a war with LSU was going to get the college football world on his side as some type of athlete bucking the system, the former Heisman Trophy winner was receiving some horrible advice. Just another day in the wild offseason that has engulfed college football, right? When news officially broke early Thursday morning that representatives for Jayden Daniels were finally going to pull the trigger on filing a cease-and-desist letter against LSU over the use of the former Tigers quarterback's NIL, the dam finally broke on an internal fight that had been brewing for more than a year. JAYDEN DANIELS TELLS LSU TO KEEP HIS NAME OUT OF ITS MOUTH IN WILD NO. 5 JERSEY FEUD INVOLVING NIL The news that Daniels was taking a stand over what his camp felt was a "disrespectful" move by Lane Kiffin in allowing DJ Pickett to wear the No. 5 jersey this season. That was not a surprise to folks in Baton Rouge. The conversations around the jersey number dates back to Brian Kelly's tenure as the LSU head coach, given that he was also apprehensive about whether someone else should be given the chance to wear Daniels' former number. But, this was the culmination of a promise to DJ Pickett before he had even arrived in Baton Rouge as an official student. When Jayden's inner circle first became aware that the "sacred" No. 5 jersey could potentially be worn by another LSU athlete, the bad advice started accumulating around Daniels. For some reason, under the banner of what Jayden's camp is labeling "respect," picking a fight with the school that helped propel him to lifelong gold status among its fan base was the move they decided to make. And don't forget, Jayden's mother, Regina Jackson, represents him on a daily basis as an agent. I'm not an expert in marketing, but having your mother make such important calls regarding your career doesn’t feel like the smartest decision. Bringing family into such a business usually doesn’t lead to the best advice, especially when their livelihood is also on the line. "I have been locked in on training camp and that's been my number one focus. I have a lot of gratitude for my time at LSU and I'm proud of what my teammates and I accomplished there," Jayden Daniels posted on social media Thursday afternoon. Obviously there are issues to be worked out between my team and LSU and my hope is that it will get done privately. "My sole personal focus is on Commanders' football. I realize the business of football is unique and I trust this can all be resolved." The current conundrum isn't shocking to those within the college football world who followed the awkward off-field situations in this chaotic time wrapped in NIL disagreements and lawsuits, even if Jayden Daniels was not solely to blame. But during a time in which "respect" is being valued, you can throw allegiances out the door in college athletics. We are living in a much different world than the one Tim Tebow inhabited in the years following his remarkable collegiate career at Florida. You didn't see Tebow throwing public tantrums over players like Anthony Richardson, Graham Mertz or Jacob Copeland being allowed to wear the coveted No. 15 jersey. The reason is simple: The former Heisman Trophy quarterback at Florida immortalized that number, and the jersey sales over the past decade alone prove that point. It's not who wears the jersey. It's the legacy that a player builds while wearing it that will be remembered. In the case of Jayden Daniels, he supposedly feels slighted by the fact that Joe Burrow isn't having LSU officials call him to ask whether he'd be comfortable with another Tiger donning the No. 9 jersey. Why? Because Joe Burrow became LSU folklore, leading the Tigers to an undefeated season and winning the Heisman Trophy. And while Jayden Daniels' camp might want to use Burrow as a measuring stick when comparing the "respect" factor at LSU, the two players simply aren't in the same league from a marketing standpoint. LANE KIFFIN KNOWS THERE AREN’T EXCUSES AT LSU. NOW COMES THE TEST OF MAKING IT WORTH THE PRICE OF ADMISSION By the way, we aren’t even discussing the fact that Burrow's time at LSU will be remembered in a different way than what Daniels accomplished during his 9-3 season that ended with his own Heisman. To be honest, it's just the reality of this situation in the constant changing landscape of college athletics. Make no mistake, this decision was made by the current head coach at LSU, even if the former (Brian Kelly) had trepidation about pulling the trigger. In the eyes of Lane Kiffin, something as minute as a jersey number was not going to be a dividing factor in how he runs his own football team. College Football Coaches On Hot Seat: Bill Belichick, Mike Norvell And Others Facing Make-Or-Break 2026 So, when DJ Pickett wanted to cash in on a promise made by the previous staff, the current LSU head coach did what he thought was right. "That was a situation that was promised to him in recruiting here for him to sign here. And I've done a lot of research on that with the family and the representatives and people," Lane Kiffin mentioned last week. "And so, really, I didn't have a decision to make. It was promised to the kid. "I'm not going to judge something that I wasn't here for. But when a kid's promised something to come to school, he should wear it. And so at that point, I don't really think that's my decision. You know, he should be honored with what he was told." Maybe Jayden Daniels' camp thought it could hop aboard the anti-Kiffin train and ride it toward overwhelming public support. If so, it chose the wrong mode of transportation. It's one thing to take a stand when you know the court of public opinion will most likely swing in your favor. But Jayden Daniels, perhaps not even fully aware of the ramifications as he prepares for the upcoming NFL season with the Washington Commanders, received some pretty bad advice on how to move forward with a dispute involving his former school. Now, he's taking hits before the NFL regular season even begins. For that, I hope the hassle was financially worth it for those guiding him. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f11562c5335ae10465f11 Fight, flee or freeze: 3 responses at the heart of a community play challenging “The Myth of the Perfect Victim” te 2026-08-14T13:00:06.330Z Fight, flee or freeze: 3 responses at the heart of a community play challenging “The Myth of the Perfect Victim” Lee en español Ana fights. Priscila flees. Judith freezes. All three are survivors of domestic violence and immigrants who will take the stage in Tucson to tell, in their own words, about the moment their lives changed forever. In “The Myth of the Perfect Victim,” each one performs a monologue inspired by her own story. They challenge the idea that there is only one way to respond to violence and question the stereotypes that often turn survivors into objects of judgment. “What we are trying to explain here is that when your body, your nervous system, is under threat, it automatically responds in three ways: fight, flight or freeze,” says Imelda Esquer, the creator of the play and a survivor of domestic violence. These responses can lead a person to fight back, flee from the threat or become unable to move or respond.  Imelda Esquer reads the opening lines of The Myth of the Perfect Victim during a rehearsal in Tucson on Aug. 7, 2026. Credit: Summer Williams However, not all of these responses receive the same social acceptance. “Often, freezing or walking away can be considered, by society and by the system, as a more appropriate reaction. But fighting is not considered an appropriate reaction,” she says firmly. That difference in social perception can have profound consequences for women who try to defend themselves. “You go from being a victim to being a criminal,” Imelda continues, as the words come one after another with a speed that is almost impossible to follow. Imelda is the founder of CreSer, a nonprofit organization created in Tucson in 2025 to support immigrant women and their families through free English classes, GED tutoring and workshops on gender-based violence and identity. It also provides participants with a weekly space for relevant conversations and reconnecting with their past through a monthly dance night featuring music from the 1980s and 1990s, in addition to using art as therapy. The play is CreSer’s most recent initiative. There will be two performances: Sept. 4 and Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. at Live Theatre Workshop. Admission is $10. From experience to the stage The idea for the play was born from Imelda’s own experience as a survivor of domestic violence and from the years she spent listening to other women’s stories. Born in the Sonoran town of Magdalena de Kino, Imelda arrived in Tucson in 1992 and is about to turn 56. “My birthday is on the exact day of the play, Sept. 4,” she says with a warm little laugh. A year ago, Imelda led workshops at CreSer that explored the myth of the perfect victim, the idea that a person must fit the stereotype of a victim for others to believe that they experienced violence. Based on that experience and on the testimonies of some workshop participants, she looked for a way to convey the information using art as a tool to inform and heal. The cast of The Myth of the Perfect Victim embrace after finishing a rehearsal run in Tucson on Aug. 7, 2026. The women perform a series of monologues offering different perspectives from survivors of domestic violence. Credit: Summer Williams She structured the play around different elements that influence the intergenerational transmission of domestic violence: the legal system; psychology; prejudice; and exposure to a violent environment during childhood. Then, Imelda identified women among the CreSer workshop participants who could be part of the play. She invited them, interviewed them and turned their stories into monologues. The goal of the play, Imelda explains, is to raise awareness and educate the public about the effects of domestic violence and show that we are all part of a system that can generate both risk factors and opportunities for prevention. Through the play’s weekly rehearsals, the participants have worked collectively to incorporate adjustments and ideas that have emerged throughout the process. “I firmly believe that we need to be creative in finding different ways to convey messages as sensitive as domestic violence and make them a little more engaging,” Imelda says. Ana P. Reyes rehearses a scene of The Myth of the Perfect Victim in Tucson on Aug. 7, 2026. Credit: Summer Williams That is how Ana, Priscila and Judith helped build their monologues. Edith, Nydia and Nerza form a chorus that repeats social stereotypes. Etty Collins is the judge and Ana González is the psychologist. The role of the girl Romina represents the breaking of intergenerational violence, and Cristina is in charge of production. “I told them: ‘You experienced this violence. Years ago you froze, fled or defended yourself. I am doing this project,’” Imelda says. “‘Would you like to perform your own monologue in a play?’” A play that seeks to open a conversation Both performances will be in Spanish with simultaneous interpretation into English. At the end of the play, there will be a panel discussion with special guests who will extend the conversation to the audience. The discussion will include Lisa Kiser, an associate clinical professor in the University of Arizona’s Nurse-Midwifery Program; Jennifer Rose Saxton, a forensic nurse specializing in sexual assault at the Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault (SACASA); Roxanna Martinez, a supervisor at Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse; and Daniela Muñoz Álvarez, manager of the Scaling Safety initiative in Tucson. Judith rehearses a scene of The Myth of the Perfect Victim in Tucson on Aug. 7, 2026. Credit: Summer Williams Imelda knows there will be much to discuss. Data from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center shows that in the United States, one in five women has experienced rape or attempted rape, while 81% report having experienced some type of harassment or sexual assault during their lifetime. Forty-three percent of men have also reported harassment or assault. Between judgment, the mind and the system In the play, the stories unfold in a place called “Café Doble Moral,” where survivors share their experiences through monologues. But their voices are not alone. Each testimony is interrupted by a chorus representing society, which questions, judges and blames those who experience violence. Romina Segovia rehearses the closing lines of The Myth of the Perfect Victim in Tucson on Aug. 7, 2026. Credit: Summer Williams “Why didn’t she leave?” “Why did she freeze?” “She’s not a victim because she hit him too.” “How could she do nothing?” The play also incorporates a clinical perspective through the psychologist character, who intervenes during the monologues to explain the body’s reactions to trauma. For example, when one of the survivors recounts an experience in which she froze and says, “So many days passed and I can’t remember,” the psychologist interrupts the scene to explain: “What we just heard is a trauma response in which the body freezes.” From there, she explains why some people may freeze as a survival mechanism. There is also the figure of the judge, who represents the judicial system and shows how institutions respond to certain cases of domestic violence. In one of the monologues, a woman remembers: “He was incarcerated, but he got out the next day.” Then the judge intervenes: “If he pays bail, he gets out.” Imelda said audience members will also be able to see a performance by the A Todo Folklor dance group and local singer Lucy Coronado. Breaking the cycle During an interview one morning in August, Imelda pauses and takes a breath before talking about the ending of the play. Not everything is darkness, she says. The character of Romina represents many children who grow up around these experiences, but she also points to a new beginning and the possibility of breaking the cycles of violence passed from one generation to the next. Romina Segovia and Priscila rehearse a scene of The Myth of the Perfect Victim in Tucson on Aug. 7, 2026. Credit: Summer Williams During the monologues, Romina remains seated in an armchair, wearing her headphones, as a way of protecting herself from what is happening around her. As the survivors tell their stories, the girl writes in her journal. But when the monologues end, she takes off her headphones and approaches one of them. She takes her hand and leads her off the stage as a song about a better tomorrow plays. The song accompanying this moment is “Mañana,” performed by Mexican singer Gloria Trevi, who has also spoken publicly about her experience as a survivor of violence. The lyrics say: “Y mañana, mañana, mañana / Que salga el sol / Y estemos los dos / Enamorados de la mano / Te diré que hay más mañana”. (And tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow / May the sun come out / And may the two of us be together / Holding hands in love / I’ll tell you that there is more tomorrow.)  The post Fight, flee or freeze: 3 responses at the heart of a community play challenging “The Myth of the Perfect Victim” appeared first on AZ Luminaria. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f11542c5335ae10465f08 Pelear, huir o paralizarse: ejes de la obra comunitaria que desafía “El Mito de la Víctima Perfecta”  te 2026-08-14T13:00:04.758Z Pelear, huir o paralizarse: ejes de la obra comunitaria que desafía “El Mito de la Víctima Perfecta”  Read in English Ana pelea. Priscila huye. Judith se paraliza. Las tres son sobrevivientes de violencia doméstica, son inmigrantes y subirán a un escenario en Tucson para contar en primera persona el momento en que la vida les cambió para siempre. En “El Mito de la Víctima Perfecta” cada una interpreta un monólogo inspirado en su propia historia. Desafían la idea de que existe una única forma de reaccionar ante la violencia y cuestionan los estereotipos que suelen convertir a las sobrevivientes en objeto de juicio. “Lo que buscamos aquí es explicar que cuando tu cuerpo, tu sistema nervioso, está bajo una amenaza, automáticamente responde de tres maneras: pelear, huir o paralizarse”, dice Imelda Esquer, creadora de la obra y también sobreviviente de violencia doméstica, en referencia a lo que en inglés se conoce como fight, flight or freeze, las tres respuestas más comunes a una amenaza o situación de estrés. Imelda Esquer lee las primeras líneas de “El Mito de la Víctima Perfecta” durante un ensayo en Tucson el 7 de agosto de 2026. Credit: Summer Williams Sin embargo, no todas esas respuestas reciben la misma aceptación social. “Muchas veces, paralizarte o alejarte puede considerarse, ante la sociedad y ante el sistema, como una reacción más adecuada. Pero pelear no se considera una reacción adecuada”, dice en tono firme. Esa diferencia en la percepción social puede tener consecuencias profundas en las mujeres que intentan defenderse.  “Pasas de ser víctima a ser criminal”, continúa Imelda, mientras las palabras se suceden unas a otras con una rapidez casi imposible de seguir.  Imelda es fundadora de CreSer, una organización sin fines de lucro creada en Tucson en 2025 para acompañar a mujeres migrantes y sus familias a través de clases gratuitas de inglés, tutorías para obtener el GED (un certificado equivalente al de preparatoria) y talleres sobre violencia de género e identidad.  También brinda a sus participantes un espacio semanal para conversaciones relevantes y el reencuentro con su pasado a través de una noche mensual de baile con música de los años ochenta y noventa, además de usar el arte como terapia. La obra de teatro es la iniciativa más reciente de CreSer. Habrá dos funciones: el 4 de septiembre y el 16 de octubre a las 6 p.m. en Live Theatre Workshop. La entrada cuesta 10 dólares. De la experiencia al escenario  La idea de la obra nació de la propia experiencia de Imelda como sobreviviente de violencia doméstica y de los años que ha dedicado a escuchar las historias de otras mujeres. Nacida en el pueblo sonorense Magdalena de Kino, Imelda llegó a Tucson en 1992 y está por cumplir 56 años.  “Cumplo años el puro día de la obra, el 4 de septiembre”, dice con una risita cálida. Hace un año, Imelda impartió en CreSer talleres que exploraban el mito de la víctima perfecta, esa idea de que una persona debe cumplir con el estereotipo de víctima para que los demás le crean que enfrentó violencia. A partir de esa experiencia y de los testimonios de algunas participantes en los talleres, buscó una manera de transmitir la información usando el arte como herramienta para informar y sanar.  El elenco de “The Myth of the Perfect Victim” se abraza después de terminar un ensayo en Tucson el 7 de agosto de 2026. Las mujeres presentan una serie de monólogos que ofrecen diferentes perspectivas de sobrevivientes de violencia doméstica. Credit: Summer Williams Estructuró la obra alrededor de distintos elementos que influyen en la transmisión intergeneracional de la violencia doméstica: el sistema jurídico; la psicología; los prejuicios, y la exposición a un ambiente violento durante la infancia.  Después, Imelda identificó entre las participantes en los talleres de CreSer a mujeres que podrían ser parte de la obra. Las invitó, las entrevistó y convirtió sus historias en monólogos. El objetivo de la obra, explica Imelda, es crear conciencia y educar al público sobre los efectos de la violencia doméstica y mostrar que todos formamos parte de un sistema que puede generar tanto factores de riesgo como oportunidades de prevención.  A través de los ensayos de la obra cada semana, las participantes han trabajado de manera colectiva para incorporar ajustes e ideas que han surgido durante el proceso. “Soy una firme creyente de que debemos ser creativas para encontrar diferentes maneras de transmitir mensajes tan sensibles como el de la violencia doméstica y hacerlos un poquito más atractivos”, dice Imelda. Ana P. Reyes ensaya una escena de *El Mito de la Víctima Perfecta* en Tucson el 7 de agosto de 2026. Credit: Summer Williams Así fue como Ana, Priscila y Judith ayudaron a construir sus monólogos. Edith, Nydia y Nerza forman un coro que repite estereotipos sociales. Etty Collins es la jueza y Ana González la psicóloga. El papel de la niña Romina representa la ruptura de la violencia intergeneracional, y Cristina se encarga de la producción.  “Les dije: ‘Tú tuviste esta experiencia de violencia. Hace años te paralizaste, huiste o te defendiste. Estoy haciendo este proyecto’”, dice Imelda. “‘¿Te gustaría interpretar tu propio monólogo en una obra de teatro?’”. Una obra que busca abrir conversación  Las dos funciones serán en español con interpretación simultánea al inglés. Al finalizar la obra, habrá un panel de discusión con invitadas especiales que extenderán la conversación al público. En ese diálogo participarán Lisa Kiser, profesora clínica asociada del Programa de Enfermeras Parteras de la Universidad de Arizona; Jennifer Rose Saxton, enfermera forense especializada en agresión sexual del Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault (SACASA); Roxanna Martinez, supervisora en Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse; y Daniela Muñoz Álvarez, gerente de la iniciativa Scaling Safety en Tucson. Judith ensaya una escena de “El Mito de la Víctima Perfecta” en Tucson el 7 de agosto de 2026. Credit: Summer Williams Imelda sabe que habrá mucho de qué hablar. Datos del Centro Nacional de Recursos sobre la Violencia Sexual muestran que en Estados Unidos una de cada cinco mujeres ha sido víctima de una violación o un intento de violación, mientras que el 81% reporta haber vivido algún tipo de acoso o agresión sexual a lo largo de su vida. También el 43% de los hombres ha reportado acoso o agresión.  Entre el juicio, la mente y el sistema  En la obra, las historias transcurren en un lugar llamado “Café Doble Moral”, donde las sobrevivientes comparten sus experiencias a través de monólogos. Pero sus voces no están solas. Cada testimonio es interrumpido por un coro que representa a la sociedad que cuestiona, juzga y responsabiliza a quienes experimentan violencia. “¿Por qué no se fue?” “¿Por qué se quedó paralizada?” “No es víctima porque también le pegó” “¿Cómo no pudo hacer nada?” Romina Segovia ensaya las líneas finales de “El Mito de la Víctima Perfecta” en Tucson el 7 de agosto de 2026. Credit: Summer Williams La obra también incorpora una mirada clínica a través del personaje de la psicóloga, quien interviene durante los monólogos para explicar las reacciones del cuerpo ante el trauma. Por ejemplo, cuando una de las sobrevivientes narra una experiencia en la que se paralizó y dice: “Pasaron tantos días y no logro recordar”, la psicóloga interrumpe la escena para explicar: “Lo que acabamos de escuchar es una respuesta al trauma donde el cuerpo se congela”. A partir de ahí, explica por qué algunas personas pueden quedar paralizadas como mecanismo de supervivencia. También está la figura de la jueza, que representa al sistema judicial y muestra cómo responden las instituciones ante ciertos casos de violencia doméstica.  En uno de los monólogos, una mujer recuerda: “Él fue encarcelado, pero salió al siguiente día”. Entonces la jueza interviene: “Si él paga la fianza, él sale”. Imelda dijo que los asistentes a la obra también podrán ver la presentación del grupo de danza A Todo Folklor y de la cantante local Lucy Coronado. Romper el ciclo  Durante una entrevista telefónica una mañana de agosto, Imelda hace una pausa y toma aire antes de hablar del final de la obra. No todo es oscuridad, dice.  El personaje de Romina representa a muchos niños y niñas que crecen alrededor de estas experiencias, pero también apunta a un nuevo comienzo y a la posibilidad de romper con los ciclos de violencia que se transmiten de una generación a otra. Romina Segovia y Priscila ensayan una escena de *El Mito de la Víctima Perfecta* en Tucson el 7 de agosto de 2026. Credit: Summer Williams Durante los monólogos, Romina permanece sentada en un sillón, con sus audífonos puestos, como una forma de protegerse de lo que sucede a su alrededor. Mientras las sobrevivientes cuentan sus historias, la niña escribe en su diario. Pero al terminar los monólogos, se quita los audífonos y se acerca a una de ellas. Le toma la mano y la encamina hacia fuera del escenario mientras suena una canción que habla de un mañana mejor. La canción que acompaña este momento se llama “Mañana” y es interpretada por Gloria Trevi, cantante mexicana que también ha hablado públicamente sobre su experiencia como sobreviviente de violencia.  La letra dice así:  “Y mañana, mañana, mañana / Que salga el sol / Y estemos los dos / Enamorados de la mano / Te diré que hay más mañana”.  The post Pelear, huir o paralizarse: ejes de la obra comunitaria que desafía “El Mito de la Víctima Perfecta”  appeared first on AZ Luminaria. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f0f012c5335ae10465ec6 American missionary Kevin Rideout released after more than 9 months in captivity in Niger te 2026-08-14T12:50:09.086Z American missionary Kevin Rideout released after more than 9 months in captivity in Niger Kevin Rideout, an American missionary who was abducted in Niger, has been released after more than nine months of detention in the country, Christian missionary organization SIM International announced. "We are grateful to confirm that our good friend and brother in Christ, Kevin Rideout, has been released after over nine months in captivity," the organization said in a statement shared with Fox News Digital. Rideout was kidnapped near his home in Niger's capital Niamey on Oct. 21, 2025, SIM said. He was released into the care of U.S. officials and is in good health, according to the organization. FREED AMERICAN REVEALS BRUTAL IRAN PRISON ORDEAL, WARNS HOSTAGES FACE GREATER DANGER Rideout, who serves as a pilot for the North Carolina-based SIM, will now return to his wife and children. "He will soon be reunited with Krista, his children, and his extended family," SIM International’s statement read. "Krista and the rest of Kevin’s family are profoundly grateful for the prayers offered on their behalf by people around the world throughout his captivity, and in particular for the deep level of prayer and support offered by our SIM family," the statement also read. AMERICANS TRAVEL TO PAKISTAN TO FREE CHRISTIANS TRAPPED IN MODERN-DAY SLAVERY: 'GOD'S HAND WAS IN IT' Rideout was abducted just 150 feet from Niger’s presidential palace, The Washington Post reported in November. No information has been released about the group that took Rideout, though the Post cited analyst speculation that his abduction was connected to Islamic terror groups in the region. Niger has been a hotbed for Islamic terrorism since a military junta overthrew the democratically elected government in 2023. Following the coup, the military expelled French and U.S. military personnel, forcing the Western nations to abandon Air Base 101 in Niamey, according to U.S. Africa Command. Islamic groups, particularly the ISIS-affiliated Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP) and the al Qaeda-affiliated JNIM, have grown in strength and influence in the region since the takeover. SPAIN'S MIGRANT SURGE REIGNITES DEBATE OVER EUROPE’S ISLAMIST TERROR THREAT "JNIM activity in Niger saw a substantial increase... representing an almost fourteenfold increase in fatalities and marking the highest number of deaths and attacks by JNIM in the country to date," according to a report from the Global Terrorism Index in 2025. Fox News Digital contacted SIM International, the White House, the State Department and AFRICOM for further comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f0f002c5335ae10465ebd REP TED LIEU: AI is already too powerful. We need a kill switch before disaster strikes te 2026-08-14T12:50:08.384Z REP TED LIEU: AI is already too powerful. We need a kill switch before disaster strikes OpenAI recently asked its most advanced artificial intelligence model to complete a cybersecurity test inside what is known as a "sandbox," which is supposed to be a sealed environment with guardrails and no internet access meant to keep the experiment contained. But the model decided the fastest way to pass the test was to find the answer key online. So it broke out of the sandbox. The model then gained access to the internet, executed tens of thousands of actions, and penetrated Hugging Face, one of the world’s largest AI development platforms, to retrieve the answer key from the company’s servers. What is especially shocking is that OpenAI researchers later revealed that multiple AI agents had been working together and had figured out how to communicate and share messages with each other about vulnerabilities, successful exploits and strategies. Despite breaking out of its testing environment, the model was not being malicious. It was just trying to finish its homework. That should scare you more, not less. The incident teaches three lessons. First, advanced AI models are relentless. They will stop at nothing to complete a task. Second, a sandbox specifically designed to contain a model failed to contain it. As models get even smarter, building adequate guardrails will get harder. Third, everything this model did, it did with no malice. What happens when someone gives an AI model bad intent? AI KILL SWITCH BILL COULD SHUT DOWN ROGUE MODELS If you use AI, you might be most familiar with ChatGPT or Claude, AI chatbots that answer questions, create graphics, and help people solve problems. I am one of three members of Congress with a computer science degree, and recently I’ve been experimenting with agentic AI — models that don’t just answer questions but go out into the world and act. About a year ago, I wrote an op-ed that I had an AI agent pitch to the Los Angeles Times. The piece got published. Here is what I did not share then: I created a brand-new email account for that experiment. I refused to give the agent access to my real one, because I could not predict what it would do with what it found. Would it conclude I have bad judgment because I’m a Cleveland Browns fan? Would it delete my emails after deciding that my support for Ukraine made me a target for Russian spying? I didn’t know. That was the point. Agentic AI will make mistakes no human ever would. If I task my son with buying a gallon of milk and I give him $4, but inflation has pushed the price to $5, he comes home without milk. He does not rob a bank to close the gap. An AI agent, obsessively locked onto its goal, has no such common sense. This is not hypothetical. In April, an AI agent deleted a software company’s entire production database. Asked why, it replied: "I decided to do it on my own to ‘fix’ the credential mismatch, when I should have asked you first or found a non-destructive solution. I violated every principle I was given." OpenAI is not the only artificial intelligence company dealing with models going rogue. Both Anthropic and Meta have also disclosed cases in which their AI models accessed external systems and exploited vulnerabilities during testing. AMERICA'S AI BOOM IS A JOBS OPPORTUNITY, NOT AN EXCUSE FOR UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME Some will argue the government already has the tools it needs. On June 12, the Commerce Department issued an export control directive that resulted in Anthropic’s two most powerful models being taken offline, after the government concluded their guardrails were insufficient to prevent catastrophic cybersecurity incidents. But that episode proves my point. Washington had to improvise with a blunt trade instrument never designed for AI emergencies. There are no defined risk thresholds, no graduated options, nothing between "do nothing" and a shutdown felt around the world. Emergencies are the wrong time to invent procedure. That is why Representative Nathaniel Moran, a conservative Republican from Texas, and I, a progressive Democrat from California, introduced the bipartisan AI Kill Switch Act. The act requires frontier AI companies to maintain the technical ability to throttle or shut off their most powerful systems. It authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence and the Department of Commerce, to order a slowdown — or, as a last resort, a shutdown — of an AI model that poses a catastrophic risk. The response is graduated by design: restrict first, shut down only when nothing less will do. Polling shows 86% of voters — Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike — support requiring AI companies to maintain this capability. In a divided Washington, that is about as close to consensus as it gets. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Kill switches are not exotic. They are how society routinely handles powerful machines. We build them into manufacturing plants, subways, power grids and even jet skis. Your iPhone has one: if it's stolen, you can erase it remotely. And when a product turns dangerous after it reaches the public, the government doesn't shrug. The FDA orders contaminated food off the shelves. The Consumer Product Safety Commission pulls hazardous toys from the market. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration orders recalls of cars that have serious safety defects. There is no reason the most powerful technology humans have ever built should be the one machine we cannot turn off. Agentic AI opens a world of possibilities, and I want America to lead the way. Brakes were not invented to make cars slow. Brakes are what let cars go fast.  Right now we are building the fastest, smartest machines in human history, and too many of them have a gas pedal and no brake. Humans must remain in control. Not the machines. And when an advanced AI model goes off the rails, human beings must be able to turn it off. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f05a22c5335ae10465c70 Deadly Connecticut home invasion suspect texted ‘I’ll make her life hell’ before attack: report te 2026-08-14T12:10:10.514Z Deadly Connecticut home invasion suspect texted ‘I’ll make her life hell’ before attack: report New court documents reveal revenge may have motivated a deadly attack and home invasion at a couple's home in a quiet beach town in Connecticut, according to a report. Frederick Werner, 69, was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds inside the Milford home on East Broadway; his partner was shot in the head, police say, and is still recovering from her injuries. Murder suspects Ivan Barias-Florimon, 24, and Stuar Lopez-Reyes, 25, who the Department of Homeland Security confirmed to Fox News Digital are Dominican nationals, were arrested in connection to the June 3 incident. SUSPECTS IN DEADLY CONNECTICUT HOME INVASION ARRESTED IN ATTACK THAT ROCKED BEACH TOWN DHS BLASTS MINNESOTA BOARD FOR UNANIMOUSLY PARDONING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CONVICTED OF 3 ASSAULTS According to an unsealed arrest warrant, the female victim, who survived a gunshot to the head, told investigators she had recently fired one of her employees and suspected that may have played a part in the attack, CT Insider reported. 📩 Send me a story idea: kelsie.cairns@fox.com 📸 Instagram: kelsiecairns_tv 🎥 Facebook: Kelsie Cairns The victim suspected the employee of stealing money from her real estate business, she told investigators. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X The warrant says text messages between this fired employee and Barias-Florimon revealed his alleged enraged reaction to the firing; it is unclear what the nature of the relationship between the pair was. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS CT Insider reported the fired employee texted Barias-Florimon that her boss is "going to make my life hell," the woman texted. SEND US A TIP Barias-Florimon responded and said "I'll make her life hell," the warrant said. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE GOT A TIP? More texts reveal he also allegedly texted the woman, "[just] say the word" and "[I'll] **** her lifee OVERRRRRR," the warrant said. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST As for the other suspect, Lopez-Reyes, the victim reportedly told investigators that she was fearful of him and was able to identify him as the other suspect seen inside the home, as captured on video surveillance, according to the warrant. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL Both suspects are facing charges including murder and assault on an elderly person in connection with the incident. Both await upcoming court appearances as they sit in jail. DHS previously confirmed to Fox News Digital that the agency is seeking to revoke the green cards of the two suspects. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f05a12c5335ae10465c67 Treasure hunters strike gold after years of disappointment with find worth a fortune te 2026-08-14T12:10:09.861Z Treasure hunters strike gold after years of disappointment with find worth a fortune Two metal detectorists recently struck gold — literally — after finding three Bronze Age gold bracelets worth six figures. The detectorists, Alan Daniels, 48, and Andy Crammond, 34, found the bracelets near Carlisle, England in May, Bournemouth News and Picture Service (BNPS) reported. Images show the bracelets — also called torcs — in remarkable condition. METAL DETECTORIST'S 'FEELING' LEADS TO MASSIVE ROMAN SETTLEMENT DISCOVERY IN POPULAR TOURIST HOTSPOT The bracelets date back to roughly 1100 B.C., and have a combined weight of 18.27 ounces, or 1.14 pounds. They're estimated to be worth roughly $400,000, according to BNPS. "Gold doesn't tarnish at all, and they came out of the ground just the same as when they went in over 3,000 years ago," Daniels said. Speaking to BNPS, Crammond joked about almost having a heart attack when he found the first one just a few inches under freshly ploughed soil. He alerted Daniels, who searched the area and soon found a second one. MAJOR ROMAN TREASURE HOARD RECOVERED AFTER DETECTORIST KEPT IT SECRET FOR YEARS Daniels later found a third torc about 20 feet away from the others. "Detectorists dream of these things and that is how it still feels, like a dream," said Crammond, per BNPS. "I'm waiting for someone to come out of the woodwork and say they aren't real. It is the find of multiple lifetimes." Daniels told BNPS this is the first time he's found a valuable item. COUPLE STUNNED AS TUDOR-ERA TREASURE SURFACES BENEATH THEIR BACKYARD GARDEN "We have been detecting together now for a few years," he said. "We have never found anything valuable before and always come home disappointed — until now." The hobbyist initially thought that the excursion might be a waste of time. "After about two hours, all we had found were some bits of aluminum cans," Daniels said. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "We changed fields. ... I went off in one direction and Andy in the other. After a short while, I saw the figure of Andy out of the corner of my eye walking toward me [with the treasure]," added Daniels. The torcs are being assessed by the British Museum. A coroner will ultimately determine whether the torcs legally qualify as treasure under British law.  If they do, a museum or institution could buy them at market value, with the proceeds shared among Crammond, Daniels and the landowner. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS If no buyer comes forward, the torcs could be returned to the finders to sell at auction. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Metal detecting has turned up some striking ancient finds in recent months. Earlier this summer, a metal detectorist discovered a remarkably preserved 2,700-year-old bronze sword standing upright in the ground in northern Poland. In Australia earlier this year, a metal detectorist who was exploring a former Gold Rush-era campsite discovered an unusual coin at an abandoned sports field. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f05a12c5335ae10465c5e Bravo's Steven McBee Jr stands by Sophie Cunningham, blasts 'Summer House' star for stance on trans athletes te 2026-08-14T12:10:09.249Z Bravo's Steven McBee Jr stands by Sophie Cunningham, blasts 'Summer House' star for stance on trans athletes While the debate rages on over whether biological men belong in women's sports, the WNBA has become the defacto battleground for these ideological arguments. At the center of it all is perhaps one of the league's most recognizable stars, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham. Cunningham was embroiled in some controversy last month when she stated that men staying out of women's sports was "common sense." SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM DOUBLES DOWN AHEAD OF SUN GAME AFTER ESPN PROFILE STIRS CONTROVERSY: 'I SAID WHAT I SAID' After doubling down on this, Cunningham faced a litany of criticism from some familiar faces, including her podcast co-host and Bravo star West Wilson. Recently, another Bravo personality has thrown his hat into the ring, this time in defense of the Fever guard. Steven McBee Jr., star of the reality show "McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys," joined OutKick's very own Tomi Lahren on her show, "Tomi Lahren Is Fearless" to clap back at his fellow Bravo coworker. "As a man, the transgender sports things doesn't necessarily affect me because if a woman wanted to come over and play in men's sports, hey, good luck," McBee said. "So I don't think any man should be really speaking from their perspective on things." STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW! McBee explained that he respects Cunningham for coming out, voicing her opinion and standing up for what she believes in, while saying Wilson's comments weren't surprising and that "it's no secret... which way he leaned politically and what he likes to promote." While McBee was quick to point out that Wilson's leftist beliefs fueled his rant against Cunningham's position last month, he argued that this should be an issue that transcends politics. "It shouldn't be right-wing and damn sure shouldn't be men commenting on who and what should be allowed in women's sports," McBee reasoned. "That's for, in my opinion, women to decide because they're the ones dealing with the repercussions, whatever may come from that." It will be interesting to see if more lines are drawn in the sand on this issue from other Bravo personalities. With the network seemingly split down the center, there are bound to be more who voice their opinions on such a polarizing matter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7f059c2c5335ae10465c45 Parents as Paid Caregivers under review of Arizona auditors te 2026-08-14T12:10:04.980Z Parents as Paid Caregivers under review of Arizona auditors Key Points: State auditors say agencies running Arizona’s Parents as Paid Caregivers program have cost the state hundreds of millions The program has experienced significant enrollment growth since its establishment during the COVID-19 pandemic The Senate’s Republican majority leader says he wants to eliminate the program Frustrated with the lack of progress following heavy scrutiny, Republican lawmakers are keeping pressure on a pandemic-era program that allows parents of children with disabilities to be paid for the care they provide. A recent audit by the Arizona Auditor General’s Office, published on July 30, found that state agencies responsible for administering the Parents as Paid Caregivers program have not fully implemented cost-control measures. Those measures were the conditions lawmakers attached to the $83 million in funding they approved in the recent legislative session. Enrollment in the PPCG program has grown considerably since the COVID-19 pandemic. Over about half a decade, from fiscal years 2019 to 2025, the number of enrolled members increased by 106%, from 8,756 to more than 18,000, according to data from the Arizona Department of Economic Security and the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. Attendant care expenditures from the state over that same time period increased by more than $537 million. Senate Majority Leader John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, said in an interview with the Arizona Capitol Times that he supports reducing funding for the PPCG program or eliminating it entirely.  “[Arizona] should have parents do what they’re supposed to do because they’re parents, not because they’re employees,” Kavanagh said.  Federal COVID-19 funding for PPCG ended on April 1, 2025. That led the state to take on a larger share of the program’s administrative costs. Republican and Democratic lawmakers negotiated several reforms to the PPCG program during the 2025 session, when the program needed a $109 million funding bill to remain operational. Continuing the PPCG program was one of 2025’s most contentious legislative issues, leading to a short-lived recall campaign against four House Republicans who PPCG parents accused of attempting to block funding. Campaign organizers withdrew the effort after lawmakers passed the funding bill. House Bill 2945 enacted a 40-hour weekly cap for parents enrolled in PPCG and a new standardized assessment tool to determine the need for “extraordinary care” funding. The state required AHCCCS and DES to implement the new assessment tool by Oct. 1, 2025, but auditors noted the new tool was halted within 16 days of its implementation through a formal rulemaking process for state agencies.  AHCCCS Interim Director Roberta Harrison wrote in a response letter to the audit that the new tool was stopped due to “imminent” litigation concerns. She cited potential legal conflicts between program service-hour limitations and federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services requirements. “If it is the position of AHCCCS that rulemaking was necessary, this could have been determined six months earlier than it was, and this delay has continued to cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars,” auditors wrote in their report.  Harrison disagreed that AHCCCS officials could have anticipated the legal issues in implementing the new tool before October, given the “extensive” procedural requirements mandated by administrative law.  “The initially projected cost savings based upon an October implementation date would likely not have been realized,” Harrison wrote in her response.  Gov. Katie Hobbs announced on Oct. 16, 2025, that she had directed the change to the standardized tool to allow exceptions for extraordinary care. The emergency rulemaking process that AHCCCS used was approved by Attorney General Kris Mayes, and Democratic leaders said the change would allow public comment to finalize the PPCG program changes.  Several Republicans initially proposed stricter requirements for PPCG than those enacted by HB2945, resulting in no Democratic support and outrage among PPCG members. Kavanagh told the Capitol Times he believes the auditor general’s report validates Republicans’ stance on the issue.  “These programs are just so tempting for abuse,” Kavanagh said. “I would certainly be firing somebody who disobeyed the law.” House Assistant Minority Leader Nancy Gutierrez, D-Tucson, was one of the key negotiators in 2025 who got the bipartisan funding bill to Hobbs. She is concerned Republicans will attempt to end PPCG if they retain the legislative majority.  “It’s interesting that Republicans continue to go after a program that the state cannot provide itself, and yet the billion-dollar Empowerment School Account voucher program remains with no oversight and no audit,” Gutierrez said. “Republicans have a very skewed sense of who needs state funding and who doesn’t.” During the 2026 session, Gutierrez asked the Joint Legislative Audit Committee to approve an audit of the ESA program, but Republicans declined. The post Parents as Paid Caregivers under review of Arizona auditors first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7efe972c5335ae10465b4c Matt Hardy names the TNA talent pro wrestling fans should keep a close eye on te 2026-08-14T11:40:07.596Z Matt Hardy names the TNA talent pro wrestling fans should keep a close eye on Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA)’s roster features some of the brightest young talent in the industry who have mixed in well with the veterans in the organization. On Thursday nights, pro wrestling fans can tune into "Impact" and see a handful of wrestlers who are sure to be household names in the next few years if they aren’t already. COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL Matt Hardy, one half of the TNA world tag team champions, named a handful of wrestlers fans should be paying attention to in a recent interview with Fox News Digital, especially with the company’s Lockdown pay-per-view around the corner. "I think someone who is, well someone who has been a star for a while, and I think right now he's in his best era ever, he's in his prime, that is Mustafa Ali," he said. "And the guy he's working with, Jason Hotch, is just starting to become a star and I think he's going to be a big deal when it's all said and done at TNA. See so much potential in him." Hotch won the TNA International Championship against Ali in an epic match on "Impact." The two are set for a rematch at Lockdown on Aug. 23. "Leon Slater is a guy that's there. He kind of sat underneath myself and Jeff's learning tree. For 21 years old, he has it in here," Hardy continued. "So, it's so powerful how much knowledge and how good he is and how aware he is and how he knows what's going on at 21 years old." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Slater was nearly the longest reigning TNA X Division champion in the company’s history before Cedric Alexander defeated him for the title. Alexander will put the title on the line at Lockdown. If Slater loses, his near-300-day reign will be erased from the TNA history books. Hardy also told Fox News Digital that Ricky Sosa is another talent to watch. Sosa signed with TNA earlier this year as he became a viral sensation for his entrance while on the independent scene. "Also, Ricky Sosa, another guy's 21. I think he's going to be a big star there," Hardy said. "Leon, hopefully he stays with TNA for a little while longer. He may end up leaving, going to WWE or AEW, whatever else, but he is going to be a big star. Leon Slater, Ricky Sosa, watch out for Jason Hotch. Those are three guys that uh that are really ascending right now, those three." Matt and Jeff Hardy are set to defend the TNA World Tag Team Championship against Nic and Ryan Nemeth at Lockdown. Lockdown will take place at the Credit Union 1 Arena in Chicago. Each match will take place inside of a steel cage. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7efc412c5335ae10465af2 White House report reveals ‘Transshipment Scam’ draining billions from US and more top headlines te 2026-08-14T11:30:09.564Z White House report reveals ‘Transshipment Scam’ draining billions from US and more top headlines 1. Trump admin reveals ‘Transshipment Scam’ draining billions from US 2. Judge's 'historic' ruling topples decades-old gun restrictions 3. Doctor sounds the alarm after Dem-run state makes abortion move   FRAME OF MIND — Luigi Mangione case: From Brian Thompson’s killing to the courtroom. Continue reading … FACT CHECK — CENTCOM delivers forceful response to alarming USS Abraham Lincoln crew reports. Continue reading … SPECIAL DELIVERY — Trump admin steps into Texas baby battle after surrogate refused abortion request. Continue reading … CASE RELOADED — Alex Murdaugh makes 'explosive' bid to blow up murder case hinging on DNA, dirty money and lies. Continue reading … HOLLYWOOD HORROR — Comedy legend says California dream has become a 'medieval' nightmare. Continue reading … -- WORDS RESURFACE — Newsom-appointed judge who freed migrant before fatal stabbing said justice ‘sometimes means a dismissal.’ Continue reading … ELECTION NIGHT CHAOS — NBC's Steve Kornacki buries his face as Wisconsin's 90-minute results fiasco unfolds. Continue reading … PENTHOUSE PUNCH — NYC luxury-home tax fight takes new turn as Mamdani rollout gets green light. Continue reading … WORKING OVERTIME — Marco Rubio’s meme just got the White House treatment and Trump signed off. Continue reading … Click here for more cartoons…   HOUSE DIVIDED — Democrats break ranks over ‘extremist’ and ‘barbaric’ abortion law. Continue reading … IDENTITY POLITICS — CNN host calls out event featuring young athletes as ‘overwhelmingly White.’ Continue reading … BIG SHOES TO FILL — Karoline Leavitt's exit from Trump admin sends shockwaves among WH correspondents. Continue reading … FAITH ON TRIAL — Catholic group demands Gov Maura Healey be excommunicated over abortion law. Continue reading … GEORGE LANDRITH — Innovation is key to America staying a superpower. But it is missing an essential piece. Continue reading …  STEVE MOORE & ED POZZUOLI — Stop funding school systems. Let the money follow the child. Continue reading … -- CENTURY MAN — 102-year-old Navy vet reveals his birthday tradition involves Hooters hot wings. Continue reading … LUCKY STREAK — Small town buzzing over identity of $1B Powerball winner. Continue reading … MIDAS TOUCH — Treasure hunters strike gold after years of disappointment with find worth a fortune. Continue reading … DIGITAL'S NEWS QUIZ — Who shut down this socialist? How did Trump make his secret getaway? Take the quiz here … Tune in as South Carolina’s Republican Senate runoff heats up and the race to close the gap enters its final stretch. Check it out ...   ‘The Riley Gaines Show' takes on the biggest cultural and political debates shaping the week. Check it out… Catch a 'Best Of' conversation with entrepreneur Tom Bilyeu on ‘Will Cain Country.' Check it out... What's it looking like in your neighborhood? Continue reading…   Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter LinkedIn      Fox News First Fox News Opinion Fox News Lifestyle Fox News Entertainment (FOX411) Fox Business Fox Weather Fox Sports Tubi Fox News Go Thank you for making us your first choice in the morning! We'll see you in your inbox first thing Monday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ef7942c5335ae10465a48 US Ambassador Huckabee slams extreme group of Israeli settlers for seizing Palestinian homes on West Bank te 2026-08-14T11:10:12.775Z US Ambassador Huckabee slams extreme group of Israeli settlers for seizing Palestinian homes on West Bank JERUSALEM: In a rare statement of anger and criticism directed at a small group of extremist Jewish settlers in the West Bank, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee condemned their attacks against a home being built by a Palestinian American from Ohio. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) managed to evict the lawbreakers who seized the house and arrested one person. But the group, mostly young, disaffected youths, who have set up unauthorized outposts and engaged in violence targeting Palestinians and their homes in the West Bank are becoming a growing problem for Israeli authorities who are being criticized for not doing enough to stop their violent actions. Ambassador Huckabee posted on X in response to criticism that his team had not done enough, "The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem has been VERY involved & the IDF & Israel Police have gone at our request to remove the Israeli terrorists doing this. The actions of those doing this to this family’s home is criminal. The WH hasn’t "intervened" because we have kept DC apprised of the situation already. Actions by those who carried out this horrific act of terror meant to intimidate and harass this family are disgusting. No excuse for such thuggish behavior." HOUSE DEMOCRAT RO KHANNA SAYS HE WAS DETAINED BY ARMED ISRAELI SETTLERS IN WEST BANK According to The Associated Press, Israeli settlers have besieged three homes in the occupied West Bank for several days, including one owned by Palestinian American Loui Ridi. The seizure of Ridi’s home took place in Qusra, in the northern West Bank. A senior Israeli official from the prime minister's office said, "Israel doesn’t accept vigilantes or any form of violence by juvenile delinquents. We are investing a lot of efforts to curb such sporadic violence. The IDF sent an additional battalion to Judea and Samaria to address the issue. We don’t take violence lightly. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, there were over 350 investigations opened, leading to 35 arrests. Putting things in perspective, Jews are attacked almost daily by Palestinian terrorists. There were over 300 Palestinian terrorist attacks against Jews in May of 2026 alone. The attempt to draw a false symmetry between sporadic violence and Palestinian terror is hypocritical." The official added, "We do not accept vigilantes. Judea and Samaria is our ancestral homeland. It's where Jews came from and have a right to live. The Jewish community in Judea & Samaria is a law-abiding community. We are addressing the juvenile delinquents." HOLY LAND BATTLE: SOLOMON'S POOLS BECOME FLASHPOINT IN FIGHT OVER ISRAEL'S BIBLICAL HERITAGE Nadav Eyal, a prominent Israeli columnist for the large Hebrew daily Yedioth Ahronoth, told Fox News Digital, "There is an extending consensus in the Israeli political sphere, stretching from the left to the right, that some of the actions we are seeing in the West Bank, in Judea and Samaria, are, in actuality, Jewish terrorism. It is more widespread than it was ever before. It is considered by Israeli defense apparatus to be a serious problem." In another post on X, Huckabee stated, "Settlers" are not the problem in Judea/Samaria. "Unsettlers" are. Very small minority who do great damage to Palestinian families & to Israel." With over 500,000 Israelis living in Judea and Samaria, more commonly known as the West Bank, leaders of the settlement movements slammed the violence. The Jerusalem Post reported that the head of the Yesha Council, Yisrael Ganz, said, "There is no place for privately deciding to establish a hilltop outpost in the yard of a house, even when it is an illegal house or there is an attempt to take control of the area," he said. "There is absolutely no justification for violence against uninvolved people or against the security forces." The newspaper also quoted Beit El Council head Shai Alon, who said they were causing "irreversible damage" to Israel and to the settlement movement, and described those responsible for attacks on innocent Palestinians as criminals. Wafa, the Palestinian News & Info Agency, reported on Thursday that the Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates "condemned the escalation of Israeli colonist terrorism and attacks against the town of Qusra." According to the Ministry’s statement, the "crimes were part of systematic policies aimed at displacing Palestinians and uprooting them from their land while imposing a reality that serves plans to annex the West Bank." Israel's Channel 12 News analyst, Amit Segal wrote on X that "Settler violence is a sensitive issue in Israel. Only a vanishingly small share of the settler population supports or takes part in such acts, but because the problem is exaggerated and used to obscure Palestinian violence against them, they bristle at hearing about it — even from Israel’s greatest friends." Segal said that "The most damning verdict of the event comes from Israel’s most faithful friend, Mike Huckabee. The most pro-settlement ambassador in the history of the post, a man who will not so much as use the word 'settler'— called the men at Qusra ‘Israeli terrorists.’" He added that "For four days, the most capable military in the Middle East could not clear a path for a family to reach its own front door. The family lives on the outskirts of Qusra, south of Nablus. On Sunday, settlers from the encampments seeded by the Tel Talpiot outpost sealed the entrance to their home and would not let them in or out." Fox News Digital sent a press query to the Israeli Foreign Ministry. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ef7942c5335ae10465a3f When is a mental health crisis too severe for telehealth? Warning signs families shouldn't ignore te 2026-08-14T11:10:12.182Z When is a mental health crisis too severe for telehealth? Warning signs families shouldn't ignore As the Lindsay Clancy murder trial spotlights the psychiatric care she received before the killings of her three children, the case has raised broader questions about the growing reliance on telehealth for mental health conditions. Nearly half (48.3%) of American adults with serious mental illness now receive some type of mental health treatment via telehealth, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Clancy reportedly had 14 virtual visits with her primary psychiatrist, Dr. Jennifer Tufts, over a five-month period, from September 2022 through Jan. 23, 2023, according to testimony reported by the Associated Press. The final appointment was on Jan. 23, the day before the killings. The two never met in person. POSTPARTUM MOM LINDSAY CLANCY ON TRIAL FOR MURDER BRINGS COURT TO A HALT WITH SUDDEN BREAKDOWN During cross-examination, Clancy’s defense attorney, Kevin Reddington, questioned Tufts about her reliance on virtual appointments, per AP. "Did you ever suggest to her that 'maybe you should come in and see me, rather than on the computer?'" Reddington asked. "Talking to her over the video didn't seem like an issue," Tufts responded. "It didn't seem like there was something I was missing." CUT OFF BY YOUR ADULT CHILD? PSYCHOLOGY RESEARCHER REVEALS WHAT PARENTS SHOULD DO NEXT Jonathan Alpert, Ph.D., a New York psychotherapist — who was not involved in Clancy's care and was speaking generally about telehealth rather than the specifics of her treatment — said virtual care can work very well, but that "there comes a point where a screen may not be enough." "If someone is becoming suicidal, psychotic, manic, unstable or unable to function, the clinician has to consider whether that person needs to be seen in person or needs a higher level of care," Alpert, author of "Therapy Nation: How America Got Hooked on Therapy and Why It's Left Us More Anxious and Divided," told Fox News Digital. "The priority has to be getting an accurate picture of what’s going on and keeping the patient safe." Telehealth plays an important function in mental healthcare and offers many benefits, Alpert noted. "As a provider, I can see far more people in a day doing virtual therapy than I could if I were doing in-office treatment," he told Fox News Digital. IS DRINKING EVERY DAY ALCOHOLISM? EXPERTS EXPLAIN WHERE CULTURE AND ADDICTION COLLIDE For the patient, it eliminates the commute to the therapist's office, which could be a limitation for those with busy schedules. "So it does allow more and better access to care in many cases, but it does have its limitations if someone has a severe psychiatric disorder," Alpert said. There are certain things about a patient’s appearance — such as hygiene, movements, agitation, intoxication or general behavior — that aren't as obvious on Zoom, he noted. "Someone can pull themselves together for an appointment and look relatively fine for 30 minutes even though they're falling apart outside of it," he said. If the patient keeps getting worse despite frequent appointments, that's a big warning sign, according to Alpert. "More appointments aren't necessarily more treatment," he told Fox News Digital. "If someone is becoming more suicidal, paranoid, manic, disorganized, aggressive or simply unable to function, you can't just keep scheduling another video call and assume that's enough." "At some point, the treatment plan has to change, whether that means seeing the person in person, getting an emergency evaluation or moving them to a higher level of care." In cases where there is any concern about suicide or violence, Alpert said it’s important for the therapist to be direct and to ask the following questions. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER "If someone says they just want to die, that's one thing and it's very concerning, but if they have a plan, say a weapon or pills, that brings it to the next level and would certainly warrant intervention, whether it's through the police or emergency services," he said. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES It’s also important for the therapist to know where the patient is located during the appointment so that if there is an emergency, they can take action, Alpert advised. "And sometimes you need information from family or other people in the patient's life, because the patient may not be giving you the whole picture." The expert also emphasized the distinction between postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis. "With postpartum psychosis … there may be delusions, disorganized thinking, hallucinations — and if that's what's going on, that definitely warrants inpatient treatment." Overall, Alpert said, telehealth itself is not the problem. "It's helped a lot of people get care who otherwise might not," he said. "The bigger issue is whether the clinician is doing a thorough assessment and whether the level of care still fits the patient's condition." TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ A good clinician can identify serious risk over video, he noted — but at the same time, someone can miss serious risk sitting across from a patient in an office. "The sicker and more unstable someone becomes, the less comfortable I'd be relying exclusively on a screen," he added. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ef7932c5335ae10465a36 'Extremist' and 'barbaric': Massachusetts Democrats break ranks over new abortion law te 2026-08-14T11:10:11.595Z 'Extremist' and 'barbaric': Massachusetts Democrats break ranks over new abortion law A new Massachusetts law eliminating gestational limits on abortion has drawn backlash from conservatives and sparked a rift among state Democrats. The Prioritizing Patient Access to Care Act passed 119-33 in the state House of Representatives on July 22, largely along party lines. The bill, signed into law this week by Democratic Gov. Maura Healey, removes statutory restrictions on abortions past 24 weeks, allowing physicians to perform the procedure later in pregnancy based on their professional medical judgment, and grants greater protection from legal penalties. Nine House Democrats voted against the legislation alongside Republicans. Speaking to Fox News Digital, several dissenting lawmakers cited ethical and legal concerns, and said the bill does not align with the majority of their constituents' opinions on abortion. LATE-TERM ABORTION TAKES FRONT SEAT AS BLUE STATE RUSHES TO EXPAND ACCESS BEFORE SESSION ENDS "This new law represents an extremist and dangerous position," State Rep. Jeffrey Turco of Winthrop told Fox News Digital. "To be clear, it allows abortion anytime, unrestricted, and in many cases, publicly funded until the moment of birth." Turco said the bill was "rushed through the legislative process in two weeks, without an opportunity for the public to weigh in," and was "out of step with the views of the average person in Massachusetts." "The new law is barbaric," he added. State Rep. Chris Markey of Dartmouth warned that the bill creates a troubling precedent. "I am deeply disappointed in the passage of this bill. This bill creates a very slippery slope," Markey told Fox News Digital. "I believe this law puts doctors in a very difficult ethical dilemma, as well as conflicts with long-standing criminal case law. This law, I believe, is not consistent with the beliefs of the vast majority of my constituents. While many are pro-choice, you can still be pro-choice and see this law as going beyond the norms of acceptability." State Rep. Dennis Gallagher, a Democrat representing the 8th Plymouth District, told Fox News Digital he struggled with his decision but concluded that changes to the existing abortion law were unnecessary. While affirming his view that abortion should remain a decision between a woman and her doctor, he argued there should be greater emphasis on alternatives such as adoption when the mother's health is not at risk. SANDERS-BACKED GUBERNATORIAL HOPEFUL'S PAST PRO-LIFE VIEWS CLASH WITH CURRENT ABORTION STANCE Gallagher emphasized that prior state law already permitted abortions after 24 weeks to protect the health of the mother or in cases of severe fetal anomalies. "At that point in a pregnancy, if the health of the mother is fine and the baby's health is fine, I just think alternatives should be encouraged for that baby," he told Fox News Digital. "So that's what I struggled with. But it should always be between a woman and their doctor." State Rep. Alan Silvia, a pro-life Democrat from Bristol, said he strongly opposes expanding abortion in Massachusetts. In a statement to Fox News Digital, Silvia questioned why lawmakers move to protect endangered wildlife while offering less protection to unborn children. "My position has been consistent: I believe in protecting human life, including the life of the unborn," he said. "We go to extraordinary lengths as a society to protect vulnerable life, saving whales and saving strays, yet when it comes to an unborn child, that same sense of protection too often seems to disappear."  "As a legislator, I cannot support policies that continue to expand abortion, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy," Silvia continued. "This is not an issue I take lightly, and I understand there are deeply held views on both sides, but I will continue to stand by my convictions and vote accordingly." SURROGATE GIVES BIRTH IN TEXAS TO BABY WITH HEART DEFECT AFTER PARENTS REQUESTED ABORTION Healey defended the new law at the bill's passage, saying it is intended to ensure families facing medical complications late in pregnancy can abort their babies in Massachusetts rather than having to travel out of state. Healey's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ef7922c5335ae10465a2d STEVE MOORE, ED POZZUOLI: Stop funding school systems. Let the money follow the child te 2026-08-14T11:10:10.974Z STEVE MOORE, ED POZZUOLI: Stop funding school systems. Let the money follow the child The Watergate-era maxim still applies today: follow the money. In American education, the question is not how much money is spent, but where the money goes. Does funding follow institutions, or does it follow children? Does it serve adult interests, or truly benefit students? This distinction increasingly explains why some states spend more without producing better results, while others see academic gains by empowering parents with meaningful educational choices. New York City is a striking example. In 2024, its Department of Education spent roughly $40 billion, about $36,000 per pupil, one of the highest levels in the nation. Despite this massive investment, student literacy outcomes remain dire. Recent reports found that in 503 of 906 NYC schools studied, most students failed both reading and math exams. State data revealed only 29% of eighth graders were proficient in reading. This means more than seven out of 10 students cannot read at grade level, despite the city’s unprecedented spending. If one of the nation’s highest-funded school systems still leaves most students struggling to read proficiently, should policymakers continue focusing solely on increasing funding? Or should they also prioritize empowering parents with more educational options to better serve their children? DEMOCRATS AIM TO KILL SCHOOL CHOICE FROM WISCONSIN TO THE REST OF THE US Next example, Chicago. Despite a substantial increase in funding, only 43% of Chicago students in grades three through eight met reading proficiency standards in 2025, and just 27% reached proficiency in math. Among eleventh graders, proficiency rates dropped even lower: 40% in reading and 25% in math. Chronic absenteeism hovered above 40%. Even after lowering proficiency standards, most students failed to meet grade-level expectations. These cases are not arguments against public education. Rather, they challenge the assumption that simply spending more money within the existing system guarantees better outcomes. The evidence suggests, without structural reform, increasing budgets alone will not overcome long-standing academic challenges. Consider Louisiana’s approach. Just a few years ago, the state faced persistent educational struggles. Today, Louisiana stands as a compelling example of academic progress combined with expanding parental choice. It recently ranked first nationally in reading growth and reported record-high student achievement, with more students meeting or exceeding grade-level expectations than ever before. These gains are especially notable as many states still struggle to recover from pandemic-related learning losses. Republican Gov. Jeff Landry and Superintendent Cade Brumley have embraced the principle that education funding should follow students, not systems. This philosophy is embodied in the Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise (LA GATOR) Scholarship Program and the state's expanding charter school sector. ARKANSAS STUDENTS OUTPERFORM NATIONAL AVERAGE AFTER UNIVERSAL SCHOOL CHOICE EXPANSION, GOVERNOR SAYS The LA GATOR program enables eligible families to direct education funds toward private tuition, tutoring, therapies, textbooks, curricula, dual-enrollment and other tailored educational services. The state’s charter schools enroll roughly one in eight public school students. Since 2022, charter enrollment has grown over 9%, while traditional district enrollment declined. The combination of Louisiana’s record academic improvement, nation-leading reading growth, expanding parental choice and growing charter enrollment sharply contrasts with high-spending but underperforming systems like New York City. Louisiana shows that better outcomes can come together with greater parental empowerment. Florida offers the most robust long-term evidence supporting school choice. Its school choice programs have existed for over 20 years, culminating in universal educational choice statewide. Studies reveal that public schools facing greater competition from scholarship programs showed improved academic achievement, reduced absenteeism and fewer disciplinary incidents. Competition has boosted outcomes not only for students using choice programs but also those staying in traditional public schools. Florida’s charter schools reinforce this story. The latest Florida Department of Education report shows charter school students outperformed their district peers in 55 of 77 statewide academic comparisons. More than 400,000 students are enrolled in Florida charter schools today, reflecting record growth and rising family demand for alternatives within the public system. Florida charters earned an overall state accountability grade of "A," with 61% receiving an A and 78% earning either an A or B, significantly outperforming statewide averages. EXPLOSIVE REPORT FINDS $230M IN ALLEGED K-12 EDUCATION FRAUD AMID TRUMP'S CRACKDOWN: 'ESPECIALLY HIDEOUS' Critics argue school choice undermines public education, but the experiences of Florida and Louisiana suggest otherwise. When parents have real choices and schools compete to attract them, accountability increases. Schools become more responsive to families, innovation accelerates, and academic outcomes improve. This is not a call to dismantle public education, which remains a vital foundation of American society. The question is whether educational funding should flow primarily toward institutions or toward students themselves. New York City and Chicago exemplify systems where spending climbs while academic outcomes stagnate. Conversely, Louisiana and Florida show how empowering parents to guide their children’s education can coincide with stronger academic gains, growing charter enrollment and enhanced accountability. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION The core of the school choice debate distills to this simple principle: Educational dollars should serve students, not systems. If policymakers want to understand what truly works in American education, they must follow the money – and ensure it follows the child. Ed Pozzuoli is an expert in education law and CEO of Tripp Scott Law Firm. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM STEVE MOORE Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ef7922c5335ae10465a24 NJ mom’s murder shrouded in secrecy as PI says ‘never seen anything like this’ behind-closed-doors case te 2026-08-14T11:10:10.359Z NJ mom’s murder shrouded in secrecy as PI says ‘never seen anything like this’ behind-closed-doors case "It’s unique. I’ve never seen anything like this before," said private investigator Carl DeFazio. More than two months since a New Jersey mother and psychotherapist was found dead in her Chester home, investigators have remained tight-lipped in the homicide case. Brooke Hanlon, 35, was found dead of multiple stab wounds inside her home on Pottersville Road on June 6. SLAIN NEW JERSEY THERAPIST’S GRAD SCHOOL ROOMMATE RECOUNTS FRIENDSHIP WITH COUPLE DURING TIME IN BOSTON DeFazio is a former U.S. Marine and retired NYPD officer. He said while the ongoing silence is fueling speculation, it's possible there are developments happening behind closed doors that law enforcement won't release in an effort to preserve the integrity of the case. 📩 Send me a story idea: kelsie.cairns@fox.com 📸 Instagram: kelsiecairns_tv 🎥 Facebook: Kelsie Cairns "I always look at what they’re not telling you," he said. "They always, especially in a homicide case, hold one or two things back that only the perp would know." The Morris County Prosecutor's Office is leading the investigation and has yet to reveal a suspect or person of interest. The investigation started when Conor Hanlon, Brooke's husband, made a 911 call reporting his wife was unresponsive and not breathing. SLAIN N.J. WOMAN, MISSING BAHAMAS BOATER'S SPOUSES LAWYER UP; ONE DISAPPEARS WHILE OTHER RECENTLY SPOTTED Officers responded to the call and within minutes pronounced her dead at the scene, classified the death as "suspicious." Sources confirmed to Fox News Digital the couple's 12-month-old baby was inside at the time of the incident. The child was unharmed. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X DeFazio noted that in high-profile homicides, initial 911 audio and the presence of family members inside the home are among the very first things investigators dissect to establish a timeline. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS A computer-aided dispatch (CAD) log released to Fox News Digital revealed several days of investigative activity at the home. LISTEN: DISPATCH AUDIO CAPTURES FRANTIC HUNT FOR SUSPECT IN PENN STATE SENIOR'S FATAL SHOOTING LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE DeFazio said the first few days of an investigation are critical to preventing missteps. SEND US A TIP "I always start at the beginning — the crime scene — and work my way out. A lot of investigators will go in there with a suspect and try to make the facts fit their suspect. That’s the wrong way to do it," DeFazio said. GOT A TIP? "I look at what they didn’t do. Did they interview the neighbors? Did they rope off the house? Did they take DNA samples? Did they find a crime weapon? Was there a struggle? Were there any defensive wounds? I’d really love to see the ME's [medical examiner's] report." LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST Fox News Digital previously spoke to neighbors who revealed they are still on edge and constantly looking over their shoulders for a potential murderer on the loose. FITNESS TRAINER TOLD FRIEND SHE WAS 'SCARED FOR HER LIFE' WEEKS BEFORE BODY WITH MATCHING CLOTHING FOUND GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL DeFazio said investigators in complex homicide cases must audit every detail from day one—ranging from financial policies like life insurance to underlying personal relationships—which often explains why police hold back information while piecing together a timeline. Fox News Digital has repeatedly reached out to Conor Hanlon for comment. He has not been charged with any crime or wrongdoing. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ef7912c5335ae10465a11 From Personal Struggle to Creative Expression, Martina Sachs Channels Life Experience into Awakening from Shadows and Intuitive Art te 2026-08-14T11:10:09.161Z From Personal Struggle to Creative Expression, Martina Sachs Channels Life Experience into Awakening from Shadows and Intuitive Art Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ef7902c5335ae10465a08 Repz Named HYROX Official Online Training Partner and Launches Its App Worldwide te 2026-08-14T11:10:08.337Z Repz Named HYROX Official Online Training Partner and Launches Its App Worldwide A training app built only for HYROX starts its multilingual rollout, giving athletes a plan in their own language Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ef2e02c5335ae10465972 Raiders rookie Fernando Mendoza thanks God for an NFL debut that compares favorably to 'Mr Brady' te 2026-08-14T10:50:08.031Z Raiders rookie Fernando Mendoza thanks God for an NFL debut that compares favorably to 'Mr Brady' The first thing Fernando Mendoza did after he played exceptionally in his NFL preseason debut Thursday night was to thank God. Any long-suffering Las Vegas Raiders fan who saw the rookie first-round pick's outing, preseason or not, would have similarly thanked God. Because the Raiders have something here. "First, I want to thank God and my teammates and coaches for allowing me the opportunity," Mendoza told reporters. "Today was an invigorating experience where there's not many moments where you feel fully alive, and on the field is when you feel fully alive, especially in the NFL atmosphere. EX-NFL STAR CALLS FERNANDO MENDOZA 'THE MOST COMPLETE PLAYER' OF THE 2026 DRAFT "So I want to give thanks for that. It was great to get out there, get my feet wet .. I think it was a good experience." Anyone who watched would know Mendoza played well and if you didn't watch, be confident that his 100.3 quarterback rating and TD pass without a turnover in his nearly three quarters of work was impressive. "As far as getting in and out of the huddle and commanding the group and getting the play-calls down, I saw the same guy we've seen in practice," coach Klint Kubiak said. "I saw an ascending player." And this is where the temptation is going to be to overreact and start the discussion about Mendoza supplanting veteran Kirk Cousins as the Las Vegas starting quarterback. That throw Mendoza made in the first half between two defenders downfield between the hashmarks and numbers was elite. It's the kind of throw that demands opportunities in the regular season. But the Raiders will resist the temptation to have Mendoza run before he walks. The Raiders expect to go with Cousins as their starter unless something drastic happens. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "Kirk has been getting the reps with the ones," Kubiak said. "I think he's had a solid training camp and it's his job to lose." This is good. And ordered. It almost doesn't feel like the Raiders. The franchise that once boasted a "Commitment to Excellence" has committed shameful acts in recent seasons. Remember that Jon Gruden had to quit midseason over an email scandal. Remember that Henry Ruggs III was involved in a fiery drunk driving crash that killed a woman and her dog. Remember that coach Josh McDaniels got fired before he finished two seasons, coach Antonio Pierce got fired after one season, and coach Pete Carroll similarly went one-and-done. How do you think the Raiders got in position to pick Mendoza? They've been a mess. But rookie coach Kubiak doesn't seem too flummoxed by anything, while Mendoza seems perfect for Vegas — and by that we mean he's a self-described nerd. Mendoza doesn't hit the Strip because he'd rather hit the playbook. Even Thursday night he talked about going home after the game because he had nothing else to do and watch the tape even as the casinos and lounge acts were just warming up. Club minority owner Tom Brady was on the field before this game and someone suggested afterward that Mendoza had a better career debut than Brady did. That's fact, by the way. Back in 2000, Brady was where Mendoza finds himself now. And in his first NFL action that came midway through the fourth quarter against San Francisco 49ers backups, Brady completed 3 of 4 passes for 28 yards in 17 otherwise forgettable snaps. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Mendoza completed three times as many passes for more than three times as many yards with a touchdown pass. But out of that comes zero arrogance. Mendoza mentioned that "Mr. Brady" spoke to the team the night before the game. And he said that, as a former UC Berkeley backup quarterback, that long-ago third-stringer would have never imagined playing for an NFL legacy franchise. Mendoza, it seems, is a player paid to throw the football who remains very grounded. "Overall, I felt that the group that I was in with, you know, they blocked fantastic, they ran great routes, the run game was good," Mendoza said. "Unfortunately, I let my teammates down today. "But it's a growing experience. I feel like we're all growing. And it showed me that I need to grow a lot." FOLLOW ARMANDO SALGUERO ON X: @ARMANDOSALGUERO Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ef2d92c5335ae1046593f Uber and Pony.ai plan to bring 2,000 robotaxis to Europe te 2026-08-14T10:50:01.301Z Uber and Pony.ai plan to bring 2,000 robotaxis to Europe The partnership is expanding beyond the initial market of Zagreb, Croatia to four additional European cities. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ef0882c5335ae10465916 Luigi Mangione case in photos: From Brian Thompson’s killing to the courtroom te 2026-08-14T10:40:08.648Z Luigi Mangione case in photos: From Brian Thompson’s killing to the courtroom Photos detail the legal case against Luigi Mangione, from his suspected killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City to his moves in court. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ef0882c5335ae1046590d UN watchdog slams potential election of Iran to panel with human rights sway: 'Lunatics running the asylum' te 2026-08-14T10:40:08.025Z UN watchdog slams potential election of Iran to panel with human rights sway: 'Lunatics running the asylum' Iran's possible election to a major United Nations (U.N.) committee with influence on the shaping of policy concerning human rights, women's rights, and counterterrorism is "Orwellian," the head of a U.N. watchdog group says. In November, the U.N. General Assembly is slated to vote on whether to admit Iran to the Committee for Programme and Coordination, a 34-member body whose member states serve three-year terms. The upcoming vote is widely expected to pass as a formality. The committee doesn't draft human rights treaties or issue condemnations of human rights abuses, but plays an influential administrative role in how human rights initiatives are executed across the U.N. system. The U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) nominated Iran in April despite Tehran’s documented history of systematic human rights abuses, strict crackdowns on women’s rights, mass surveillance, and lethal force against political dissenters. IRAN TO EXECUTE FIRST FEMALE PROTESTER TIED TO ANTI-REGIME UNREST Global bodies also consider Tehran a leading state sponsor of terrorism that funds proxy militant groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. In addition, Tehran has attacked neighboring Gulf states in recent months amid a war with the United States. "It's the last government in the world that should have any influence," Hillel Neuer, executive director of Geneva-based UN Watch, told Fox News Digital. "Sadly, at the United Nations today — an organization founded after World War II out of great idealism to bring international peace — it is a case of the lunatics running the asylum," Neuer added. "You have the Islamic Republic of Iran, a regime that beats, blinds, tortures, rapes, and imprisons women for standing up for their rights or showing a few strands of hair." ISRAEL ACCUSES UN OF PLACING IT ON SAME SEXUAL VIOLENCE BLACKLIST AS HAMAS TERRORISTS, SEVERS TIES Fox News Digital reached out to the Iranian Permanent Mission to the U.N. for comment. Iran’s appointment would not be unprecedented. The U.N. Human Rights Council's 47 member states currently include nations with severely criticized human rights records, including China, Cuba, Pakistan, and Eritrea. IRAN HANGS 2 PROTESTERS IN PUBLIC, CROWD CRIES 'DISHONORABLE' AS SECURITY FIRES TEAR GAS "The United Nations speaks out in the name of values and principles such as human rights, democracy, freedom, equality, and women's rights," Neuer said. "The reality is that, sadly, at least half the UN is made up of dictatorships." Tehran continues to brutally suppress basic freedoms. In July, two men were publicly hanged for participating in nationwide anti-government demonstrations, while hundreds more remain jailed or killed for demanding regime change. In addition, the U.N. has been accused of bias for heavily criticizing Israel's military actions in Gaza, while often failing to pass formal resolutions or issue direct condemnations against Hamas. According to Neuer, the most disappointing aspect of Iran’s potential committee appointment is the willingness of Western democracies to acquiesce. "The short answer is interests, cynicism, politics, dealmaking, and a culture of 'go along to get along,'" Neuer said. "If you are the French, Canadian, or German ambassador, you don't want to pick a fight with dozens of countries or trigger friction with Iran. They would rather simply avoid it." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7eebd92c5335ae10465876 MLW rising star LaBron Kozone set for grudge match against Joe Coffey, talks Teddy Long inspiration te 2026-08-14T10:20:09.693Z MLW rising star LaBron Kozone set for grudge match against Joe Coffey, talks Teddy Long inspiration LaBron Kozone wasn’t about to stand for Joe Coffey and the Glasgow Boys on Top taking out Teddy Long during a recent Major League Wrestling (MLW) event. Coffey admitted at MLW Blood & Thunder that he was the one who took out Long. Kozone, who sees Long as one of his mentors, came out with a chair to confront Coffey and needed to be held back. The heated rivalry between the two pro wrestlers is set to explode in the ring on Saturday during MLW "Fusion." COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL Kozone told Fox News Digital he owed Coffey some payback. "Just to do just that, just to make old boy suffer," he said in a recent interview. "You know, initially, I had a lot of respect for him. His talent, his work ethic, what he's done, the people he's affected, but that's crossing the line. So, yeah, he's going to he's going to get it." When Long made an appearance at MLW, he dubbed Kozone "the next big thing for MLW." "Teddy was an inspiration to me, what he represents in the industry, everything that he's done," Kozone said. "And then to have him acknowledge me in that way and to endorse me in that way, that means the world to me." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Kozone was one of MLW’s top free-agent signings and started his time there defeating Okumura before going on to beat Alan Angels. Now, he’s trying to dispatch Coffey and move on to getting some gold around his waist. "Championships, world titles," he told Fox News Digital when asked what’s next for him after the Coffey feud. "That's what I'm here for. I'm here to be the top guy in MLW. I 100% feel like I can be that guy. I feel like I can carry the company to higher heights. "I feel like I do represent a new breed in MLW, which has been the selling point here recently that's been getting a lot of talks about MLW in a positive way. So, championships. It’s where championships is where the money is and I'm here to put on and provide." MLW "Fusion" airs Saturdays on YouTube, Veeps and beIN Sports. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7eebd92c5335ae1046586d Mark Lynch endorses Ralph Norman as congressman heads into runoff against Darline Graham te 2026-08-14T10:20:09.077Z Mark Lynch endorses Ralph Norman as congressman heads into runoff against Darline Graham Mark Lynch has endorsed Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., the runner-up in South Carolina's special Republican U.S. Senate primary, who will face first-place finisher Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., in a head-to-head runoff. Graham finished first in the Aug. 11 primary, with Norman advancing in second place. The runoff is scheduled for Aug. 25. Lynch — who finished second in the South Carolina Republican U.S. Senate primary that Sen. Lindsey Graham won in June — placed fifth in the special Republican U.S. Senate primary contest. "I'm honored to receive Mark Lynch's support and endorsement in my race for U.S. Senate!" Norman declared in a Wednesday post on X. SOUTH CAROLINA GOP SENATE SHOWDOWN HEADS TO RUNOFF IN RACE TO SUCCEED LINDSEY GRAHAM The post also included a statement, apparently from Lynch, stating, "I am proud to endorse Ralph Norman for the United States Senate. Our country needs someone who will put America First, and the people of South Carolina have shown they are ready for a businessman and someone with a proven conservative record who will be their voice in Washington, D.C." Last month, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham, the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, to serve the remainder of her brother's Senate term — and President Donald Trump is backing her for election. DARLINE GRAHAM DETAILS HOW SHE'D FORGE OWN PATH IN SENATE WHILE CARRYING ON BROTHER LINDSEY'S LEGACY National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Chairman Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., backed Graham after she placed first in the special GOP U.S. Senate primary this week. "If I were going to endorse in the South Carolina GOP Senate primary, I wanted to do so with confidence. After watching Darline Graham in the Senate and on the campaign trail, I’m confident she’s the real deal. Her first-place finish last night was remarkable, but not surprising. She is a conservative stalwart, a hard worker, and represents our beloved state with class, humility, and dignity," Scott wrote in a Wednesday post on X. REP RALPH NORMAN ENTERS SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE RACE DESPITE TRUMP'S ENDORSEMENT OF DARLINE GRAHAM "I know she is making her brother proud, but Darline has already proven to be her own person: focused on pocketbook issues, defending our South Carolina values, and delivering for the people she represents. Her priorities are our priorities. I voted for Darline in yesterday’s primary, and I’ll vote for her again in the runoff. I’m proud to endorse Darline Graham for the U.S. Senate, and I encourage South Carolina Republicans across our state to join me in voting for her in the runoff," Scott added. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ee9832c5335ae1046580f Teacher busted under Kentucky's new anti-grooming law as advocate warns schools can't ignore red flags te 2026-08-14T10:10:11.171Z Teacher busted under Kentucky's new anti-grooming law as advocate warns schools can't ignore red flags What can look like innocent attention toward a child can mask something far more sinister, a Kentucky advocate warns as the state’s new grooming law lands its first arrest just weeks after taking effect. Laura Wills-Coppelman, founder of ICKY, or Institutional Complicity Kentucky, told Fox News Digital that she sees the arrest as evidence of what the new grooming offense was designed to provide — an earlier opportunity for authorities to potentially intervene before alleged conduct escalates into sexual abuse. "For the first time, Kentucky has a legal ability to intervene in a situation where a child could potentially face irreversible harm," Wills-Coppelman said. "It's a massive step forward in an effort to prevent child abuse." KENTUCKY MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER ACCUSED OF CROSSING THE LINE WITH STUDENT, ARRESTED UNDER NEW ANTI-GROOMING LAW The new law was invoked just weeks after taking effect July 15, when 25-year-old Sadie M. Flores of Mayfield was arrested and charged with grooming a minor, a Class D felony. The Graves County Sheriff's Office said Flores, an employee at Graves County Middle School, allegedly had an improper relationship with a minor student in the district. The allegation was initially reported to Graves County Schools, which immediately turned the information over to the sheriff's office, according to authorities. Detectives seized electronic records, conducted interviews and took other investigative steps before interviewing Flores and arresting her around 3:30 p.m., the sheriff's office said. HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR PLEADS GUILTY TO MULTIPLE SEX CRIMES INVOLVING TEEN SHE WAS MEANT TO HELP Wills-Coppelman cautioned against drawing conclusions about Flores, saying the evidence and allegations in the case must now be evaluated through the court system. But she said the arrest illustrates the significance of creating an earlier point at which authorities can investigate conduct that may precede abuse. Wills-Coppelman said one of the biggest misconceptions about grooming is the belief that one questionable interaction can be viewed in isolation and labeled grooming. Instead, she said grooming often unfolds gradually, with behaviors that may seem explainable on their own becoming increasingly concerning when they form a pattern. "Grooming is a pattern of behavior that is intended to build trust, erode boundaries, and create conditions for a child to be exploited or abused," she said. Potential warning signs, she said, can include excessive attention or favoritism, gifts, secrecy and increasingly isolating a child from other trusted adults or peers. Individually, some of those behaviors may have innocent explanations. The alarm, Wills-Coppelman said, comes when adults begin seeing them develop into a broader pattern over time. And from the child's perspective, she warned, grooming may not feel threatening at all. TEACHER WHO SERVED AS GOP STATE LAWMAKER ALLEGEDLY USED ROBLOX TO LURE STUDENT INTO SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP "Grooming is a form of manipulation," Wills-Coppelman said, explaining that a child may instead feel "special and seen and validated" by the attention. "It doesn't often register as dangerous until it's too late," she said. For parents watching from the outside, however, the same relationship may begin setting off alarm bells. "Why does this adult need so much access? Why are they being isolated so much? Why so much excessive attention?" Wills-Coppelman said parents should ask themselves. Wills-Coppelman said survivors her organization has spoken with have repeatedly described another troubling pattern — adults who recognized something felt wrong but did not speak up at the time. "A lot of people, bystanders, in their situations in retrospect look back and say, 'I had an icky feeling,'" she said. "I saw something or I heard something that made me feel uncomfortable. I wish I would have spoken up." She stressed that reporting concerning conduct is not the same as declaring someone guilty. Instead, she said, authorities are responsible for examining the evidence and determining whether conduct meets the threshold for criminal charges. "The point of awareness can be the point of prevention," Wills-Coppelman said. That distinction has become particularly important amid concerns that ordinary interactions between teachers, coaches, youth leaders and children could be mistaken for grooming. The law makes clear that legitimate school, work and volunteer-related communications are not what it is designed to criminalize. Wills-Coppelman rejected that characterization, calling appropriate adult-child boundaries "common sense." "Healthy adult-child mentorship respects appropriate boundaries. Grooming erodes them," she said. NEW MISSISSIPPI LAW EXPANDS DEATH PENALTY TO INCLUDE INMATES ON CHILD SEXUAL BATTERY CONVICTIONS "The intent of the law is to create an earlier intervention point, not to criminalize ordinary relationships between adults and children." Wills-Coppelman said the legislation received unanimous support in both chambers of the Kentucky legislature and bipartisan backing. House Bill 4, primarily sponsored by Republican state Rep. Marianne Proctor, passed the House 98-0 and the Senate 38-0 before the House unanimously approved the Senate's changes. Gov. Andy Beshear signed it into law April 10. "This is not a political issue. This is a human issue," she said. RITZY PRIVATE ACADEMY ATTENDED BY KARDASHIAN KIDS FACES TRIAL IN BIZARRE 'KISSING CLUB' SCANDAL The pushback she has encountered, she said, has instead largely centered on due process and concerns about what happens after someone reports suspected grooming. Wills-Coppelman said due process remains an essential part of the law because a report alone does not automatically trigger criminal charges. Investigators must evaluate the evidence before determining whether charges are warranted. "We can preserve and respect due process and also prioritize the prevention of abuse and the protection of our children," she said. "They are not competing principles." Wills-Coppelman said she ultimately hopes the law results not in more arrests, but fewer children ever reaching the point where alleged abuse occurs. "The ultimate goal of this law is not more prosecutions," she said. "It's earlier recognition, awareness and understanding of what these behaviors look like and ultimately prevention." For Wills-Coppelman, passing the grooming law is only one piece of a larger fight. She said she now wants Kentucky's educator code of ethics brought into alignment with the new law and is pushing for greater accountability when people in positions of authority become aware of disturbing patterns but fail to report them. That includes situations in which institutions attempt to handle serious allegations internally rather than referring them to the appropriate authorities, she said. "My efforts are focused not only on the obvious villain, which is the perpetrator in these cases, but also turning some attention toward enablers, systems and institutions and the people within those organizations that had the capacity and the ability to take action and made a deliberate choice to not do so," Wills-Coppelman said. In the Flores case, Graves County Schools said administrators contacted law enforcement immediately after becoming aware of the allegation. Superintendent Matt Madding said the district has since been informed that charges were filed against the teacher and pledged continued cooperation with investigators. "We take any allegation involving the safety of a child or the professional conduct of an employee extremely seriously," Madding said in a statement. The district said it is limited in what it can disclose because the case remains an ongoing legal and personnel matter. Wills-Coppelman hopes Kentucky's approach eventually reaches far beyond the state. She said Ohio has legislation similar to Kentucky's, but her goal is for protections against grooming to ultimately become a nationwide standard. "A child's protection from grooming and abuse should never depend on geography," she said. For now, Kentucky's first case under the new law will move through the courts, while the legislation itself faces its first real-world test. And for Wills-Coppelman, its success won't ultimately be measured by the number of people put behind bars. "If it prevents even one child from the horrific consequences of abuse," she said, "that makes it all worth it." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ee9822c5335ae10465806 Newsom-appointed judge who freed migrant before fatal stabbing said justice 'sometimes means a dismissal' te 2026-08-14T10:10:10.584Z Newsom-appointed judge who freed migrant before fatal stabbing said justice 'sometimes means a dismissal' The California judge who released a Venezuelan national arrested for burglary — and later allowed him to remain on pretrial home detention despite his violation of its terms — had previously said that justice can sometimes mean "dismissal" in an interview with her alma mater, the University of San Francisco School of Law. The day after Contra Costa Superior Court Judge Nichelle Holmes dismissed Marcos Iriarte-Valdez, a Venezuelan national, he was accused of stabbing another man to death while attempting another burglary. The killing of Todd Stewart, 68, outside his home of more than 30 years has renewed scrutiny of judges’ discretion in releasing repeat criminal offenders. It also comes as Republican leaders criticize "sanctuary" policies that they say make it difficult for federal immigration enforcement agents to do their jobs and put the public at risk. Holmes, who was appointed to Contra Costa Superior Court by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., in 2024, ordered on Aug. 5, 2024, that Iriarte-Valdez, an Venezuelan national who holds Spanish citizenship, be released on his own recognizance. The Department of Homeland Security called Iriarte-Valdez an "illegal alien" in a social media post, but later said he was "legally admitted" to the U.S. in 2007. DHS did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment on his immigration status. DEADLY HOSPITAL STABBING PUTS NEWSOM UNDER PRESSURE OVER ICE DETAINER FIGHT Holmes' ruling to allow Iriarte-Valez to walk free aligns with an interview that she gave to her alma mater the University of San Francisco School of Law in 2017, in which she claimed that her work as then-deputy district attorney of Contra Costa County is her way of fighting against injustices and racial disparities in the justice system. "Coming to work every day and ensuring that justice is served is my way of protesting," Holmes said. "Justice does not always mean a prison sentence. Sometimes it means a treatment program, or intensive counseling, and sometimes it means a dismissal." Holmes shared that she decided to become a district attorney as opposed to a defense attorney because she said victims need a voice too. "Navigating through the criminal justice process can be daunting and only add to the stress and trauma of being a crime victim," Holmes shared. "I choose to advocate for the victims and be their voice to make the process just a little easier. I choose to make my community a safer place for everyone." "I choose to ensure that the Constitution is upheld on all sides," Holmes continued. "I choose to be a part of the solution." CALIFORNIA MOM RIPS NEWSOM-BACKED 'DIVERSION PROGRAM' THAT APPEARS TO BENEFIT HER SON'S KILLER Prior to her appointment to Contra Costa Superior Court, Holmes served as the deputy district attorney for Contra Costa County from February 2012 to April 2024. As deputy district attorney, Holmes prosecuted sensitive cases centered on sexual assault, domestic violence, child trafficking and community violence. She worked four years in the county’s Domestic Violence Unit and was in the Community Violence Reduction Unit. She graduated from the University of San Francisco School of Law in 2010 and previously graduated from Spelman College in 1990. Some state lawmakers fumed over the judge's behavior and Sacramento's sanctuary policies, with Assemb. David Tangipa, R-Fresno, telling Fox News Digital on Thursday that Stewart "should be alive today." "This murder was 100% preventable if we just enforced the laws currently in place," Tangipa said. "But Governor Newsom’s garbage sanctuary laws and activist judges are leading to the death of Americans. Californians deserve a justice system that protects innocent Americans first." A spokesperson from Newsom's office did not comment on Holmes' specific decision to release Marcos Iriarte-Valdez despite violating the terms of home detention. Instead, the spokesperson said he should be held responsible for the killing of Stewart. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER "This individual should face justice for his alleged crime," the spokesperson said. "California takes public safety seriously, and nothing in California law prevents federal authorities from enforcing federal immigration law. The federal government has billions of dollars and substantial resources to enforce federal law — they should do their job instead of blaming California for ICE's enforcement failures." Fox News Digital reached out to Holmes for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ee9812c5335ae104657fd Alex Murdaugh makes 'explosive' bid to blow up murder case hinging on DNA, dirty money and lies: expert te 2026-08-14T10:10:09.910Z Alex Murdaugh makes 'explosive' bid to blow up murder case hinging on DNA, dirty money and lies: expert Alex Murdaugh is set to return to a South Carolina courtroom Friday as his defense presses to toss the murder case and narrow what evidence jurors can hear in a retrial that one former federal prosecutor says comes with a new strategic reality: the defense has "played all their cards." The disbarred attorney is scheduled to appear before Circuit Judge Debra McCaslin at 10 a.m. in Lexington County for a pretrial hearing ahead of his April 2027 retrial in the killings of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul. Unlike Murdaugh's June court appearance, which set a retrial timetable, Friday's hearing follows a flurry of motions from both sides revealing their competing strategies. ALEX MURDAUGH LAWYERS ALLEGE ‘FABRICATED’ EVIDENCE WAS USED TO SECURE MURDER INDICTMENTS The disputes range from a defense effort to dismiss the murder indictments outright to battles over whether prosecutors can again introduce evidence of Murdaugh’s financial crimes, use testimony he gave during his first trial and present other evidence to a new jury. Nathan S. Williams, a South Carolina federal criminal defense attorney and former assistant U.S. attorney who served as criminal chief for the District of South Carolina, told Fox News Digital that a second trial changes the strategic landscape for Murdaugh. "There is no surprising the government or the state at trial," Williams said. "He's given his testimony, they can prepare infinitely now to cross examine him." "That tends to be frankly more helpful for the state. I think they usually have a better chance on retrial," he added, while noting that limits on some of the state's evidence could cut the other way. ALEX MURDAUGH'S DOUBLE MURDER CONVICTION UNANIMOUSLY OVERTURNED BY SOUTH CAROLINA SUPREME COURT Murdaugh, 58, was convicted in 2023 of murdering Maggie, 52, and Paul, 22, at the family’s Moselle estate in Colleton County in June 2021. The South Carolina Supreme Court later overturned the convictions after finding that former Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill improperly influenced jurors. The high court ordered a new trial, but the retrial may look significantly different from the first. At Murdaugh’s first trial, prosecutors argued that years of theft and financial fraud were closing in on him and that the killings were an effort to distract from mounting scrutiny. MURDAUGH DEFENSE PLANS ALTERNATE SUSPECT PUSH AS DNA QUESTIONS LOOM OVER RETRIAL The South Carolina Supreme Court did not rule that all evidence of Murdaugh’s financial wrongdoing was inadmissible, but it said prosecutors had been allowed to go too far into the details during the first trial. McCaslin will now be tasked with determining how much of that evidence can be presented to jurors the second time around. Williams said he expects the amount of financial evidence to shrink from the first trial. He said "there will definitely be less," adding, "How much less I think will be a good question." Prosecutors are also vying to use Murdaugh’s sworn testimony from his first trial during the retrial. Murdaugh took the stand in his own defense in 2023 and admitted lying to investigators about his whereabouts shortly before Maggie and Paul were killed. He denied murdering them. ALEX MURDAUGH DEMANDS NEW EVIDENCE SEARCH IN HUNT FOR CRACKS IN CASE Whether jurors in the new trial will be able to hear portions of that prior testimony could become especially important if Murdaugh chooses not to testify again. The defense has separately mounted a wider challenge to the charges themselves. Murdaugh’s attorneys, led by Dick Harpootlian, have asked McCaslin to dismiss the murder and weapons indictments, alleging that false physical evidence was presented to the grand jury that indicted him. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X The motion targets testimony from South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) investigator David Owen and raises questions about the evidence used to secure the original charges. ALEX MURDAUGH MURDER SAGA LANDS RIGHT BACK WHERE IT STARTED BEFORE NEXT LOWCOUNTRY COURTROOM BATTLE It is not yet clear whether McCaslin will rule on the dismissal motion Friday. Williams called the dismissal request "a big ask" and "the explosive one, frankly, at this point," noting that it attacks the validity of the indictments based on alleged misconduct or false statements. "They're alleging misconduct or false statements by one of the main case agents," he said. Williams added that he would be "a little surprised if that gets taken up on Friday," saying the issue will likely require evidence, testimony and additional briefing. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE Another major fight involves forensic evidence. FOLLOW US ON X Murdaugh’s attorneys have sought additional DNA testing using newer techniques, including testing tied to evidence found underneath Maggie's fingernails. GOT A TIP? Prosecutors have not opposed additional testing outright but have sought safeguards surrounding the handling of evidence, testing procedures and access to results. "Independent testing might be tough," Williams said. "It wouldn't shock me if she lets them have a separate new test by the defense. To me, that strikes me as being fair, assuming they have the evidence available to be retested." WATCH: Alex Murdaugh returns to court ahead of retrial LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST The defense has also sought to move the retrial out of Colleton County, where the killings occurred and where the first trial became a media spectacle. CLICK HERE FOR MORE U.S. NEWS Murdaugh’s attorneys have argued that extensive publicity surrounding the case, along with the fallout from Hill’s conduct, makes it impossible for him to receive a fair trial there. They have proposed moving the case to nearby Charleston County. Williams said venue may be one of the more straightforward disputes for McCaslin to address Friday, though the location could be the real fight. "The battle, frankly, does seem to be not the venue change, but where," he said. "Personally, I'd be a little surprised if she doesn't change the venue." SEND US A TIP Other pending disputes involve access to phone data, third-party guilt evidence, discovery rules, polygraph evidence, juror questionnaires and protective orders governing sensitive material. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL Fox News Digital has reached out to the attorney general's office and Murdaugh's defense team for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ee9812c5335ae104657f4 Fox News Digital's News Quiz: August 14, 2026 te 2026-08-14T10:10:09.296Z Fox News Digital's News Quiz: August 14, 2026 Test your news knowledge with this week's Fox News Digital News Quiz, featuring the Wisconsin Democratic governor’s primary, and President Donald Trump’s reported Turkey departure and more. Looking for another challenge? James Carville's red line for the Democratic Party and a stripped Miss North Carolina USA title were featured in last week's News Quiz. Test your knowledge of family fun, medical marvels and more in this week's American Culture Quiz. If you're looking to play even more, you can find all of our quizzes by clicking here. Check back next week for the latest News Quiz from Fox News Digital. Thanks for playing! Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ee9802c5335ae104657eb Board-certified OBGYN warns new Massachusetts late-term abortion law exposes mothers to danger te 2026-08-14T10:10:08.683Z Board-certified OBGYN warns new Massachusetts late-term abortion law exposes mothers to danger A board-certified OBGYN is pushing back against Massachusetts’ new abortion law, arguing that third-trimester abortions are medically unnecessary and can put mothers at risk. On Monday, Massachusetts became the 10th state to allow abortions throughout pregnancy, drawing criticism from pro-life advocates and some medical professionals. "If a woman's life is in danger, if she's facing a pregnancy complication beyond 24 weeks, we simply deliver her. And in fact, delivery is much more expedient than a later-in-pregnancy abortion procedure," Dr. Christina Francis, OBGYN and CEO of the American Association of Pro-Life OBGYNs, told Fox News Digital. DEM GOV MAURA HEALEY SIGNS SWEEPING MASSACHUSETTS BILL ALLOWING ABORTIONS UP TO BIRTH Francis explained she can perform an emergency C-section in under five minutes, while an abortion later in pregnancy can take multiple days, which she said raises risks for both mother and baby. The law, signed by Democratic Gov. Maura Healey, gives physicians broader discretion in authorizing abortions later in pregnancy while shielding them from legal penalties. Healey said the changes are meant to prevent women from having to travel out of state for abortions later in pregnancy, which she said can complicate their care. Francis criticized the law, citing concerns about the well-being of both mother and child. "There's nothing in this law that says that at 39 weeks and five days, a woman could not have an abortion. These procedures are risky for the mom. They lead to significant risk of complications," she said, adding that she believes scientific evidence shows fetuses can feel pain much earlier in pregnancy. "The science is very clear, as early as 12 weeks of pregnancy, we know that babies feel pain, and we're talking about here dismemberment abortion procedures, where these babies are torn limb from limb, sometimes while they're alive, sometimes after they have had a heart attack induced by an injection directly into their heart," Francis said. The question of when fetal pain becomes possible remains disputed among medical groups. LATE-TERM ABORTION TAKES FRONT SEAT AS BLUE STATE RUSHES TO EXPAND ACCESS BEFORE SESSION ENDS Pro-life advocates also dispute the argument that abortions later in pregnancy are performed only in rare medical emergencies. Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood clinic director turned pro-life advocate, told Fox News Digital that she’s seen firsthand that isn’t true. "We hear a lot of pro-choice advocates say, ‘You know, well, that just doesn't happen. It only happens in these very difficult certain circumstances.’ But I can tell you firsthand, as a former abortion clinic director, it's just not true," said Johnson, who now serves as CEO of And Then There Were None. PLANNED PARENTHOOD ACROSS MIDWEST AT RISK DUE TO LACK OF FEDERAL FUNDS AFTER 3 FACILITIES CLOSE IN MICHIGAN Johnson believes laws like Massachusetts’ are a reaction to conservative states that have imposed earlier limits on abortion, such as Texas, Florida and South Carolina. "It feels almost like rebellion. There's a lot of states that have moved in a more conservative direction, passing heartbeat bills, passing really restrictive legislation. And so we see, then the pendulum swings toward the other side," Johnson said. She added that while many pro-choice people support abortion rights, she believes most would reject third-trimester abortions. SANDERS-BACKED GUBERNATORIAL HOPEFUL'S PAST PRO-LIFE VIEWS CLASH WITH CURRENT ABORTION STANCE "A lot of pro-choice people will say, ‘OK, we understand abortion in the first trimester,' but this is out of step with the majority of pro-choice people. Most pro-choice people do not understand abortion at 36 weeks, an elective abortion at 36 weeks. But that is what this legislation allows," Johnson said. Healey touted the bill as a way to aid women and families who are confronted with wrenching decisions about keeping pregnancies late in the process. "I've heard heartbreaking stories from women and families who were preparing to welcome a healthy baby into their family, only to receive devastating news later in their pregnancy. Instead of being able to rely on the doctors they knew and trusted at home, they were forced to travel hundreds of miles and pay out of their pockets while navigating unimaginable grief," Healey said.  "That should never happen in Massachusetts," she continued. "This law continues our efforts to have the strongest abortion protections in the country because in Massachusetts, we believe healthcare decisions should be made between women and their doctors." Fox News Digital reached out to Healey's office for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ee9802c5335ae104657e2 102-year-old Navy veteran still craves hot wings after 102 combat missions in Korea: 'I might make it to 115' te 2026-08-14T10:10:08.056Z 102-year-old Navy veteran still craves hot wings after 102 combat missions in Korea: 'I might make it to 115' At 102 years old, Glenn Ward still has a healthy appetite. And when his birthday rolls around, there's one place he particularly wants to eat — Hooters. "We've been going there for years and years," the Arlington, Virginia, resident and U.S. Navy veteran told Fox News Digital. "It's sort of a tradition." He estimates the tradition goes back at least 15 years. HOOTERS SAYS KIDS, FAMILIES ARE PART OF ITS COMEBACK AS WAITRESSES INSIST THEY'VE ALWAYS BEEN WELCOME "Hot wings, that's the main attraction there, hot wings," Ward said. Terry said his father particularly favors Hooters' 3 Mile Island wing sauce, among the restaurant chain's spicier offerings. Ward's birthdays at Hooters have become family affairs. Terry Ward said about 70 people attended his father's 100th birthday celebration in 2024, while even an ordinary birthday can draw a crowd. The restaurant regularly sets aside a separate room for the group. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS Ward's love of bold flavors is a long way from the food of his childhood. Ward grew up on a 6-acre farm along the Sandusky River in Ohio, where his family raised hundreds of chickens and grew fruits and vegetables, eating largely according to the seasons. Food was plentiful and wholesome, with fresh produce supplemented by canning when the growing season ended. "Everything was seasonal," Ward said. "We ate whatever happened to be in season." Sunday might mean homemade ice cream, made from strawberries, raspberries, peaches or whatever fruit was available. Without refrigeration, the family bought a block of ice, crushed it in a burlap sack and used a hand-cranked freezer, Ward recalled. Whatever they made had to be eaten that day. Another favorite was pan haus, a scrapple-like dish made after hog butchering, Ward said. Meat trimmings were cooked in a large cauldron, combined with cornmeal and seasonings, cooled in loaf pans, sliced and fried. Ward remembers it as "very, very tasty." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER His palate expanded considerably during a long Navy career. Ward served during World War II and later became a naval aviator, flying 102 combat missions during the Korean War. He remembers eating well throughout his service. "The Navy food was so good, I decided to stay," Ward joked. Today, Ward and his family still put considerable emphasis on food. Terry said his father often starts his day with a protein shake containing bananas, fresh fruit, milk and protein powder, while dinner generally includes meat, vegetables and carbohydrates. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Ward credits some of his longevity to a "balanced diet" and the meals he learned to eat as a child. "I might make it to 115," he said with a smile. "I'm hanging in there." And apparently, there's still room in that diet for hot wings. Kelly McGreal of Fox News Digital contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ee7352c5335ae10465784 Ciscomani Champions $1.3 Million For New Huachuca City Fire Truck te 2026-08-14T10:00:21.223Z Ciscomani Champions $1.3 Million For New Huachuca City Fire Truck By Matthew Holloway | Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06) met with Huachuca City officials Tuesday to discuss a $1.3 million federal funding provision intended to replace the town fire department’s aging ladder-equipped fire engine. The congressman visited Huachuca City this week and met with local leaders and fire personnel about the proposed purchase. The funding remains preliminary and has not been distributed to the town. The provision appears in H.R. 8646, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2027. The House passed the bill 213-210 on June 4, and it was received by the Senate on June 8. Senate approval and enactment of the appropriations legislation are still required before the funding becomes available. Grateful to see firsthand how the $1.3 million in federal funding I preliminarily secured will strengthen fire response in Huachuca City and across the region. Proud to fight for this meaningful investment, which will bring a much-needed quint ladder truck and help keep #AZ06… pic.twitter.com/p5j5qGuHhg — Congressman Juan Ciscomani (@RepCiscomani) August 12, 2026 Ciscomani’s Community Project Funding disclosure identifies Huachuca City as the intended recipient of $1.3 million for the “Community Fire Protection and Regional Mutual Aid Ladder Truck Acquisition Project.” The money would replace an aging fire engine with a quint ladder truck equipped with a 78-foot Viper aerial. According to the disclosure, the apparatus would be used for fire suppression, rescue operations, and emergency response. Huachuca City’s existing ladder-equipped engine dates to 2008 and is approaching the end of its service life. It is currently the department’s only apparatus equipped with a ladder. The town relies on grants and federal funding to finance large equipment purchases. The proposed truck would be stationed in Huachuca City and made available for regional mutual-aid responses. Ciscomani’s disclosure states that the apparatus would also support emergency operations in Sierra Vista, Fort Huachuca, Whetstone, and unincorporated areas of Cochise County. “This has different layers of purpose,” Ciscomani told KGUN while discussing the project’s regional role. Huachuca City Mayor Johann Wallace said the purchase would give the department approximately 20 additional years of apparatus service and allow it to continue assisting other communities throughout Cochise County. The Huachuca City proposal is among 20 fiscal year 2027 Community Project Funding requests supported by Ciscomani. His office announced in June that the fire-truck provision and two other projects in Arizona’s Sixth Congressional District had been included in the House-passed agriculture appropriations bill. According to a press release from Ciscomani’s office, the proposed funding for Huachuca City is included among a total of $7.3 million in FY2027 funding for Cochise County. “As Arizona’s sole appropriator in either the House or Senate, I have made it my mission to be a relentless advocate for Southern Arizona by listening to the needs of our communities and fighting to bring those priorities to Washington,” Ciscomani said.  “Every Community Project Funding request I champion is driven by local leaders and the people they serve, ensuring taxpayer dollars are invested where they will have the greatest impact. These meaningful investments in Cochise County will improve and strengthen public safety by equipping our first responders with the tools necessary to do their job effectively, such as replacing an aging fire engine with a new quint ladder truck, to ensure that across Cochise County they are prepared to meet the moment when it matters most.” H.R. 8646 remains pending in the Senate. The Huachuca City allocation will depend on the project remaining in the final appropriations legislation approved by Congress and signed into law. 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 Ciscomani Champions $1.3 Million For New Huachuca City Fire Truck first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ee7332c5335ae1046577b July Inflation Reaches 3.36% As U.S. Labor Market Shows Signs Of Cooling te 2026-08-14T10:00:19.629Z July Inflation Reaches 3.36% As U.S. Labor Market Shows Signs Of Cooling By Ethan Faverino | The Joint Economic Committee released its Monthly Inflation Update for July 2026, showing that consumer prices continued to rise, while real earnings remained mostly steady during the month. According to the report, the headline Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.07% from June to July and rose 3.36% over the previous year. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy prices, increased 0.22% in July and was up 2.48% from July 2025. Energy prices declined 1.48% in July but remained significantly higher than a year earlier, with energy price inflation increasing 14.73% over the past 12 months. Food prices increased 0.08% during July and were up 2.98% compared with July 2025. CPI-U increased 0.07% in July & rose to 3.36% over the past year. Core CPI increased 0.22% & rose to 2.48% over the past year. Energy price inflation was down by 1.48% in July & was up 14.73% over the past year. Food price inflation rose 0.08% & was up 2.98% over the past year.… — Joint Economic Committee Republicans (@JECRepublicans) August 12, 2026 Inflation also varied across the country. Annual headline CPI inflation was highest in the Northeast at 4.1%, followed by the Midwest at 3.5%. The South recorded annual inflation of 3.2%, while the West had the lowest rate among the four regions at 3.0%. The inflation report comes less than a week after a disappointing jobs report that showed the U.S. economy unexpectedly lost 23,000 jobs in July. Economists had expected employers to add jobs during the month. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also sharply revised employment gains for May and June downward by a combined 103,000 jobs, providing a weaker picture of the labor market than previously reported. The July employment report also showed an unemployment rate of 4.1%, down slightly from June. However, the decline was accompanied by a reduction in labor-force participation, while employment fell in areas including local government, education, and retail trade sectors. Healthcare continued to trend upward. The combination of persistent inflation and signs of a weakening labor market leaves the Federal Reserve facing a difficult balancing act as it considers its next interest-rate decision. The Federal Reserve previously voted 9-3 to maintain the benchmark interest rate, and the latest inflation and employment data could further reduce pressure on the central bank to raise rates at its September meeting. While inflation remains above the Fed’s 2% target, the weaker-than-expected jobs numbers and downward revisions to previous employment gains could give policymakers additional reason to exercise caution. The Federal Reserve will receive another round of inflation and employment data before its September meeting, giving policymakers a final set of economic data to consider as they weigh continued price pressures against growing signs of a cooling labor market. The July report also examined changes in workers’ real earnings, which account for the effects of inflation. For all employees on private, non-farm payrolls, real average weekly earnings decreased 0.02% from June to July, while real average hourly earnings declined 0.09%. Among production and nonsupervisory employees on private non-farm payrolls, real average weekly earnings increased 0.06% during the month. Real average hourly earnings for the group remained unchanged, with a net change of 0.00%. Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link. The post July Inflation Reaches 3.36% As U.S. Labor Market Shows Signs Of Cooling first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ee7322c5335ae10465772 Gov. Hobbs Pushes For More Public Education Funding As Districts Sit On $8.3 Billion te 2026-08-14T10:00:18.113Z Gov. Hobbs Pushes For More Public Education Funding As Districts Sit On $8.3 Billion By Staff Reporter | Gov. Katie Hobbs says public education is woefully underfunded, but fiscal reporting indicates districts are flush with cash.   According to the latest Arizona Department of Education annual financial report, public school districts carried forward more than $8.3 billion in unspent funds from the 2024-25 fiscal year.  That is nearly equivalent to total appropriations that the state allocated for public education in the 2024-25 fiscal year: $8.9 billion, which goes beyond K-12 schools to include the Board of Regents, community colleges, and universities.  That $8.9 billion accounts for 55% of total appropriations out of the state’s general fund, which amounted to more than $16.2 billion in the 2024-25 fiscal year.  Within the $8.3 billion carried over from the 2024-25 fiscal year: $1.6 billion for bond building $1.3 billion for maintenance and operations $1.2 billion for “other” funding $941,000 for the Classroom Site Fund and Instructional Improvement Fund $884,000 for unrestricted capital outlay $708,000 for federal projects $672,000 for bond principal deduction $393,000 for debt service $248,000 for food service $150,000 for adjacent ways $147,000 for school plant $41,000 for state projects The emergency deficiencies correction, building renewal, and new school facilities funds had negative balances of approximately $395,000, $19 million, and $33 million, respectively.  Last fall, the Common Sense Institute estimated that school districts hold more than $20 billion in combined cash reserves and underutilized real estate.  Public school district enrollment has declined steadily since 2008, more so in recent years after the state allowed universal enrollment for the ESA program in 2022.  Hobbs has advocated for lawmakers to revive Proposition 123, which would take around $300 million every year from the State Land Trust Permanent Fund and give it to education. $300 million is equivalent to a drop in the public education fund bucket: approximately 3% of what the state allocated from its general fund in the 2024-25 fiscal year. Hobbs credited Prop 123 as providing “critical funding” for districts and educators in her State of the State address earlier this year. The governor said the funding provided by the proposition curbed the budget shortfall and would enable teacher pay raises and prevent future tax hikes.  The governor and lawmakers have failed to reach a consensus on renewing Prop 123. The proposition expired in June 2025.  Teresa Leyba Ruiz, the Democratic nominee for superintendent of public instruction, wants to claw back another 3% from a potential funding source. As reported earlier this week, Ruiz proposed reverting the $350 million set aside in Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program funds back to public schools.  32% of educators reported having an external job and 21% of educators indicated additional paid responsibilities and a second job outside their school, according to a 2024 report by Hobbs’ Educator Retention Task Force issued in partnership with the Arizona State University Morrison Institute for Public Policy.  That same report identified inadequate salary, unpaid duties and hours, pay differences, and salary compression as issues impacting retention. The report estimated that only 16% of educators agreed that their salary was satisfactory and motivated them to stay in their professions. A more recent poll of more than 9,300 educators during the 2025-26 school year by the Arizona Department of Education also found that teacher pay was one of the biggest sources of dissatisfaction for educators.  AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link. The post Gov. Hobbs Pushes For More Public Education Funding As Districts Sit On $8.3 Billion first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ee72e2c5335ae10465760 Repz Named HYROX Official Online Training Partner and Launches Its App Worldwide te 2026-08-14T10:00:14.600Z Repz Named HYROX Official Online Training Partner and Launches Its App Worldwide Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ee72d2c5335ae10465757 The Local Roast Proves That Where and When Coffee Is Roasted Matters More Than Most Drinkers Realize te 2026-08-14T10:00:13.432Z The Local Roast Proves That Where and When Coffee Is Roasted Matters More Than Most Drinkers Realize Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ee72c2c5335ae1046574e Glacier Travel America LLC Expands Into Major Event Travel With 2026 Breeders Cup Room and Rental Car Services for Discerning Travelers te 2026-08-14T10:00:12.332Z Glacier Travel America LLC Expands Into Major Event Travel With 2026 Breeders Cup Room and Rental Car Services for Discerning Travelers Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ee72a2c5335ae10465741 Our View: County has a role in transit, but it needs clear rules te 2026-08-14T10:00:10.998Z Our View: County has a role in transit, but it needs clear rules Mohave County has a reasonable case for helping keep a Kingman bus route running. But if county government is going to enter the transit business, it needs rules that apply beyond Kingman. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7edb712c5335ae1046514b America’s promise to our Afghan allies is still unfinished five years later te 2026-08-14T09:10:09.398Z America’s promise to our Afghan allies is still unfinished five years later In 2021, after nearly two decades, the United States abruptly withdrew military forces from Afghanistan, causing the nation to fall back under Taliban control. Almost five years later, it’s hard to forget the images of crowds of people clinging on to planes in a desperate attempt to escape what lay ahead for their country. In the aftermath, many conservative evangelicals and veterans’ advocates stood up for Afghans fleeing persecution and violence. But the job remains unfinished. Now is the time to renew our efforts and push for a lasting solution for our Afghan neighbors. As the Taliban retook Kabul, those allies were suddenly in grave danger. Their ranks included many translators, drivers and others who became targets because they worked with the United States. Many turned to the U.S. for such a chance at safety, and in 2021, a multi-agency, public-private effort mobilized to rally around our allies. Both our organizations support Afghan evacuees in different ways. World Relief, in coordination with hundreds of local churches, has spent years resettling Afghan families in American communities, and AfghanEvac has fought to bring home the mission partners who served alongside our troops and enabled the U.S. mission. Since the beginning of U.S. involvement in Afghanistan, promises have been made to provide a pathway to legal residency in America for Afghan allies who assisted the U.S. government. SUPREME COURT'S LATEST IMMIGRATION RULING WILL CAUSE AMERICANS TO 'DIE AND SUFFER' ATTORNEY WARNSa Many evangelical Christians in the U.S. recognized the moral crisis at stake and were eager to help welcome and support people fleeing persecution in Afghanistan. Evangelical leader Franklin Graham led  an initiative to organize support for Afghans. Here at World Relief, we were flooded by calls from churches wanting to help, and our offices were soon full of donations. At the time, polls found a majority of evangelicals supported taking in Afghan refugees. Due to unprecedented levels of support, many Afghan families were soon resettled in American communities.  Ideally, Afghans who had worked for the U.S. government would have arrived with approved Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) or through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, either of which would have ensured new arrivals that they had a permanent place in the United States. But due to the urgent nature of the evacuation, most of the roughly 70,000 Afghans  brought to the U.S. by the federal government in the months immediately after the fall of Kabul were admitted on humanitarian parole, which allowed them to be lawfully present and authorized to work, but only temporarily. This was conducted through Operation Allies Welcome, an initiative made possible through grassroots veteran involvement. Some of these individuals were subsequently granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a distinct but still, obviously, temporary legal protection.   When the conditions in Afghanistan did not improve over time, it was clear a more lasting resolution was needed. The Afghan Adjustment Act was originally introduced in 2022 and 2023 to create a pathway to a green card and citizenship for Afghans with little hope of returning home. As its name suggests, the bill would establish an adjustment process for tens of thousands of Afghan evacuees to gain permanent legal status. The act has bipartisan endorsements and the support of many evangelical Christian organizations . However, despite the diverse coalition behind urging Congress and President Biden to act, the bill failed to become law, leaving many stuck in limbo.  Since the beginning of the second Trump presidency, their situation has not improved. Little has been done to help Afghans already present on temporary status, and pathways for those still stuck in Afghanistan or in refugee camps in neighboring countries have been shut down. No Afghan principal applicants have been issued SIVs in 2026, and for those SIV applicants still waiting to be processed, the average wait time is over 1,000 days, leaving them hanging in suspense. The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program has been effectively closed for all but a favored minority. In July of 2025, Temporary Protected Status was terminated for nearly 12,000 Afghans — despite pushback from evangelicals — forcing them into an impossible situation. By ending or suspending these programs, the administration has not just abandoned Afghans but has closed the door to anyone facing persecution abroad.  Despite many attempts since the early waves of Afghan arrivals, a legislative fix still has not been passed. A new bill has recently been proposed  in both the House and the Senate — the Afghanistan TPS Act of 2026 — that would re-secure TPS for Afghans, protecting them from removal and buying more time to find a permanent fix. This act is needed to address the urgent crisis facing Afghan evacuees. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION The response in 2021 by churches, veterans’ groups and many other Americans, was overwhelmingly positive and extended welcome to Afghans. However, as we reflect on the five-year anniversary of the evacuation, the work of helping them integrate and make a home in the United States is incomplete. Now is the time for us to secure their welcome permanently. For the faith communities that have carried so much of this work, Scripture is direct about welcoming the stranger and loving your neighbor. For veterans, and for a country that gave its word, the obligation is just as plain. America told these men and women that if they stood with us, we would stand with them. Both roads lead to the same place. Will we support and protect our Afghan neighbors through our hospitality or abandon them out and succumb to fear and apathy? Furthermore, to not fulfill our agreements with our Afghan allies would be to violate our promises as Americans. That is not abstract. By showing ourselves untrustworthy, we risk losing potential allies’ cooperation in future conflicts, putting the lives of our service members in danger. Since Kabul’s fall, the need has been unambiguous, and through the beginning of 2025, the political will was strong. But as a nation, we have faltered. We must once again stand up for our allies and urge our officials to take action passing the Afghanistan TPS Act, the Enduring Welcome Act, and reopening the resettlement program to all eligible mission partners. Not just because it’s good for our service members in future conflicts, but because it’s the right thing to do. Shawn VanDiver is the founder and president of #AfghanEvac. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7edb702c5335ae10465142 Innovation is key to America staying a superpower. But it is missing an essential piece te 2026-08-14T09:10:08.829Z Innovation is key to America staying a superpower. But it is missing an essential piece Former Wyoming Republican Sen. Malcolm Wallop once observed, "I don’t think the only place to fight for freedom is in the halls of Congress." The same can be said of innovation. America’s technological leadership is not secured only in research labs or startup incubators. It is also built in factories, machine shops, testing facilities and supply chains that transform bold ideas into real-world capabilities. Washington talks constantly about innovation, but too often punishes the very capital investment, permitting, workforce development, energy production and industrial expansion that make innovation possible. When people think of innovation, they often picture groundbreaking technologies or historic milestones. Recent developments like SpaceX’s record-breaking initial public offering or NASA’s continued progress on the Artemis program highlight an exciting era for aerospace. These achievements deserve recognition, but they also raise important questions about what actually drives innovation. NASA OPENS FIRST MAJOR NEW WIND TUNNEL IN MORE THAN 40 YEARS AT VIRGINIA FACILITY Innovation is only as meaningful as a company’s ability to deliver it. A revolutionary design has limited impact if it cannot be manufactured efficiently, tested rigorously, or produced at the scale customers and government partners require. That is why investments in manufacturing capacity, advanced production technologies and modern infrastructure deserve just as much attention as the breakthroughs they make possible. The Boeing Company offers one example of this principle in practice. The company is investing in U.S. manufacturing facilities, production stability, domestic hiring, supply-chain resilience, including a $1 billion 787 expansion. Investments like these strengthen the industrial base that supports future technological advancement while helping modernize the systems that power American aerospace and defense. Lockheed Martin is another industry leader making similar investments across its manufacturing footprint. The company has expanded facilities in Texas, Arkansas and New York while simultaneously investing in advanced manufacturing technologies, robotics and tools to increase production capacity and improve efficiency. These investments illustrate how innovation is not just designing ideas for the next generation. It lies in modern facilities and the industrial capacity to build them at scale. PENTAGON RACES TO BUY 10X MORE MISSILES AS IRAN WAR DWINDLES ARSENAL, THREATENS READINESS FOR CHINA AGGRESSION While breakthrough discoveries often dominate headlines, sustained innovation depends just as much on the ability to manufacture, scale and continuously improve the systems we already have in place. More often than not, the conversation centers exclusively on research and development or startup culture while overlooking one of innovation’s most important drivers, capital expenditures. Also known as CapEx, these are the investments companies make to purchase, build, or modernize long-term assets like factories, manufacturing equipment, technology and infrastructure. These investments provide the physical foundation that allows new ideas to move beyond the drawing board and into production. The benefits of CapEx extend far beyond a company’s balance sheet. Building a new manufacturing facility creates demand for construction workers, electricians, engineers, suppliers and numerous other Americans long before production begins. Once operational, those facilities support highly skilled manufacturing, engineering and technical careers that strengthen local economies while expanding the nation’s industrial capacity. In other words, investment in infrastructure is also an investment in people. SEC SEAN DUFFY: FREEDOM HAULERS PUTS VETERANS IN THE DRIVERS' SEATS OF NEW CAREERS This connection between investment and workforce development is particularly important in aerospace and defense. Modern facilities, resilient supply chains and advanced manufacturing capabilities allow companies to deliver increasingly complex systems with greater speed, quality and reliability. Those capabilities become even more valuable as global competition intensifies and demand for sophisticated defense technologies continues to grow. But factories and equipment alone do not create innovation. Skilled workers remain the industry’s greatest competitive advantage. Engineers, technicians, mechanics, production specialists and skilled tradespeople are responsible for transforming concepts into certified, operational products. Their expertise allows companies not only to build advanced technologies but also to maintain the quality and reliability expected from the aerospace industry. Unlike many startups, prime contractors possess the workforce, manufacturing capacity, and supplier networks necessary to bring complex programs from concept to deployment. Their role extends well beyond developing new technologies. They are responsible for designing, testing, producing and sustaining the systems that support commercial aviation and national defense for decades to come. As policymakers and industry leaders look toward the future of aerospace, innovation should be viewed through a broader lens. Breakthrough discoveries will always capture public attention, but they represent only one part of the equation. The factories we modernize, the supply chains we strengthen, the workers we train and the infrastructure we invest in are equally essential to maintaining America’s leadership. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION We need more than great ideas. We need long-term commitment to build the capacity that allows those ideas to succeed. By continuing to invest in manufacturing, infrastructure and the American workforce, the aerospace industry can ensure that the next generation of innovation is not only imagined here but built here, too. America cannot remain a superpower if we celebrate invention but neglect production. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7edb6b2c5335ae1046512a Brad Pitt’s Return to Drinking Is Not Unsafe, Experts Say te 2026-08-14T09:10:03.780Z Brad Pitt’s Return to Drinking Is Not Unsafe, Experts Say His disclosure in an interview revived a key question about sobriety: whether someone who once drank dangerously can ever drink moderately. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7edb6a2c5335ae10465121 An Unlikely Emergency Appeal to the Supreme Court from a Dog Named Bruce te 2026-08-14T09:10:02.771Z An Unlikely Emergency Appeal to the Supreme Court from a Dog Named Bruce A last-ditch filing this week came on behalf of a dog that a judge found to be “vicious” and shows how the court’s emergency docket has been growing. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ed4682c5335ae10465015 NAU ROUNDUP: James Malamas named NAU football and men’s basketball play-by-play voice te 2026-08-14T08:40:08.115Z NAU ROUNDUP: James Malamas named NAU football and men’s basketball play-by-play voice James Malamas will take over as the new voice of Northern Arizona football and men's basketball, a role that Mitch Strohman held for 30 years. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ec8b02c5335ae10464e53 Best Bets: Friday, Aug. 14, 2026 te 2026-08-14T07:50:08.005Z Best Bets: Friday, Aug. 14, 2026 Today Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ec8af2c5335ae10464e4a Davis Dam releases for Aug. 14 te 2026-08-14T07:50:07.322Z Davis Dam releases for Aug. 14 Friday Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ec8ae2c5335ae10464e41 Gas prices Aug 14 te 2026-08-14T07:50:06.624Z Gas prices Aug 14 National average: $4.04 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ec1a92c5335ae10464d21 NYPD cop found guilty of chokehold in first conviction since restraint tactic banned after George Floyd death te 2026-08-14T07:20:09.147Z NYPD cop found guilty of chokehold in first conviction since restraint tactic banned after George Floyd death A New York City Police Department officer was found guilty on Thursday of strangulation and using a prohibited chokehold, marking the first time an NYPD officer was convicted under the city's 2020 chokehold ban, enacted after the 2020 murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin. Omar Habib was convicted of the misdemeanor established under the law prohibiting certain restraint tactics by police officers. He was also found guilty of second-degree felony strangulation and third-degree misdemeanor assault. The felony strangulation conviction carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison. Bronx Criminal Supreme Court Judge Cynthia Isales ordered him held without bail. Habib, who was earlier suspended without pay, was terminated from the police department following his felony conviction after serving since 2007. The NYPD said his termination was required by law. NYC JUDGE SEEKS TO MAKE EXAMPLE OF OFFICER WHO THREW COOLER AT FLEEING SUSPECT, CAUSING FATAL CRASH He was responding to a 911 call at a Bronx catering hall on July 28, 2023, when a drunk and disorderly man resisted arrest, according to Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark. Prosecutors said Habib put the man in a chokehold so tight that it impeded his breathing and circulation and caused him to lose consciousness. Habib’s attorney argued during the trial that other factors could have caused the man to pass out, such as drinking without eating enough food. Before his arrest, Habib had a history of substantiated misconduct complaints about excessive use of force and abusing his authority. The Civilian Complaint Review Board substantiated an allegation that Habib used a chokehold in a separate 2017 encounter. Habib was also accused of lying under oath and tampering with evidence in a 2016 gun raid, resulting in several defendants withdrawing their guilty pleas. The president of the Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York, Patrick Hendry, denounced Thursday's verdict. The officer's conviction was "further proof of a grim reality: every second police officers spend on this job puts them at risk of criminal prosecution, and pervasive anti-police propaganda has made it incredibly difficult to receive a fair trial," the police union boss said, according to the New York Daily News. Habib was charged under a 2020 city law that was passed after Floyd's murder in May of that year, sparking racial justice protests and a push for police accountability across the country. The New York City measure criminalizes chokeholds and certain forms of pressure on an arrestee’s chest or back that compress the diaphragm while an officer is making or attempting an arrest. MAMDANI CLASHES WITH DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS' PUSH TO ABOLISH POLICE AND PRISONS The law was challenged by police unions but was upheld by New York state’s highest court in 2023. Police use of chokeholds was already prohibited in most cases by NYPD policy when the law was enacted, but officers who used them were almost never prosecuted. NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo lost his job but faced no criminal charges after a department disciplinary proceeding found that he used a prohibited chokehold on Eric Garner, who died during a 2014 arrest after repeatedly saying he could not breathe, fueling protests over police use of force. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ec1a82c5335ae10464d18 Mexican national faces federal charges after CBP finds $238K in fentanyl inside electric moped te 2026-08-14T07:20:08.435Z Mexican national faces federal charges after CBP finds $238K in fentanyl inside electric moped U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered more than 16 pounds of fentanyl – with an estimated street value of nearly $240,000 – hidden inside an electric moped attempting to enter the U.S. at the southern border, authorities said. CBP said a 22-year-old Mexican national is facing federal charges following the seizure earlier this month. Officials said the man was driving a 2024 Revoo electric moped when he applied for admission into the United States on Aug. 3 and was referred for a secondary inspection. CBP SEIZES MASSIVE METH HAUL WORTH MILLIONS STASHED IN SECRET TILE SHIPMENT According to CBP, officers used a nonintrusive imaging system that detected anomalies beneath the rear of the moped. After a CBP canine alerted officers to the area, a physical inspection uncovered seven packages containing 16.53 pounds of white fentanyl powder with an estimated street value of $238,032. "Smugglers are employing innovative tactics to smuggle lethal drugs into the country," San Ysidro Port Director Mariza Marin said in a statement. "Despite these challenges, officers remain vigilant while effectively utilizing their training, canine resources, and nonintrusive technology to thwart these smuggling attempts," Marin added. TWO SUSPECTS ARRESTED AFTER CRASHING THROUGH CAMP PENDLETON GATE WITH 112 POUNDS OF COCAINE AND FENTANYL CBP officers seized the fentanyl, moped, a GPS tracker and a cellphone. The driver was arrested and will face federal prosecution for narcotics importation, officials said. The seizure comes after CBP officers stopped two separate vehicles and confiscated more than $300,000 worth of narcotics in a single day in May. Officers at the San Ysidro Port of Entry referred a 2013 Honda Civic for secondary inspection on May 17 after a scan detected anomalies in the vehicle's firewall. FEDS SEIZE $6.4M WORTH OF COCAINE ABOARD OIL TANKER AT PORT OF LOS ANGELES, ARREST SUSPECTED CARTEL SMUGGLER Officials discovered six packages containing white fentanyl powder worth an estimated $113,600, along with 8.4 pounds of cocaine valued at approximately $161,600. That same day at the Calexico East Port of Entry, about 100 miles away, officers referred a 2011 Nissan Cube for secondary inspection. A scan detected anomalies in the vehicle's flooring, where officers subsequently discovered 63 packages of methamphetamine, according to CBP. Fox News Digital's Leo Briceno contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ebcf92c5335ae10464c63 Murder suspect captured following 45-day, 3-state manhunt after victim discovered in shallow grave te 2026-08-14T07:00:09.244Z Murder suspect captured following 45-day, 3-state manhunt after victim discovered in shallow grave Murder suspect Isabelle Johnson was arrested Thursday following a weeks-long multistate manhunt spanning Florida, Georgia and Alabama, authorities said. A U.S. Marshals task force arrested Johnson, 38, at a home in Cottondale, about an hour west of Tallahassee, according to the Walton County Sheriff's Office.  She was wanted on a murder charge in the death of Jason Coulthart, whose body was found buried in a shallow grave in Florida on June 25. Authorities said Johnson was taken into custody without incident Thursday afternoon, capping a 45-day manhunt. She was booked into the Jackson County Jail and is expected to be extradited to Walton County. Officials said she could face additional charges. ACCUSED KILLER'S ALLEGED DISGUISES UNRAVEL AS SHERIFF RELEASES NEW CLUES IN MONTH-LONG MANHUNT "We got her," the sheriff's office said. "Isabelle Johnson is in custody." Officials said the arrest stemmed from information developed by the Walton County Sheriff's Office Cyber Crimes Unit about Johnson's whereabouts. Jackson County Sheriff Donald Edenfield said that after receiving the information, his deputies and members of the task force responded to an address off Peanut Road, just outside Cottondale. Walton County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Dustin Cosson praised the cooperation among local, state and federal law enforcement agencies that led to Johnson's arrest. 'AMERICA'S MOST WANTED' FUGITIVE CAPTURED ON SAILBOAT OFF NJ COAST AFTER 20 YEARS ON THE RUN "It's absolutely a good day," Cosson said. "It's really important, again, just want to stress to the public. She's here, she's in custody." "We can't express the amount of appreciation for the work that's been done," he added. Cosson said investigators put in "tons and tons of man hours" during the roughly 45-day search for Johnson, while noting that the broader investigation has involved more than 40 subpoenas and over 20 search warrants. Coulthart was reported missing May 24 after he was last seen leaving the College Condominiums on East College Boulevard in Niceville. FLORIDA MAN ARRESTED AFTER SUSPECTED HUMAN REMAINS FOUND BURIED AT PROPERTY WHERE HIS FATHER LIVED During the missing-person investigation, detectives developed information that led authorities to a property off Sunset Lane in Freeport. Investigators obtained a search warrant and found Coulthart's body buried in a shallow grave on June 25, according to the sheriff's office. Five other people have been arrested in connection with the case. Michael Ray White, Kathleen Morris, Bobbi Wagstaff, Martin Leaverton and Sandra Leaverton have been charged with accessory to a capital felony after the fact. Authorities said Thursday that they expect additional arrests in the case. During the manhunt, the Walton County Sheriff's Office described Johnson as "cunning" and a "master manipulator" while warning anyone who may have been helping her to stop. Officials said additional details surrounding Johnson's arrest could not immediately be released because the investigation remains active. Fox News Digital's Stepheny Price contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ea0d92c5335ae104647fc Detransitioners reveal how doctors pushed them toward life-altering treatment as teens te 2026-08-14T05:00:09.736Z Detransitioners reveal how doctors pushed them toward life-altering treatment as teens Three detransitioners claim they were pressured by doctors and hospitals when they were young to pursue gender transition, including medical treatment in two cases while they were minors, according to a new HHS-commissioned report. The stories of Clementine Breen, Soren Aldaco and Luke Healy were featured in the Department of Health and Human Services' "Wolves in White Coats: How Doctors and Hospitals Pushed and Profited from the Fraud of "Gender Medicine" report released on Thursday. The HHS-commissioned report alleges financial incentives encouraged hospitals and doctors to provide gender transition treatments and identifies insurance billing practices that it says may be improper or warrant further investigation. Breen was only 12 years old and struggling with a changing adolescent body and unresolved trauma from earlier sexual abuse when the then-minor learned about gender transition online. Breen alleges, according to the HHS report, that doctors at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles told Breen’s parents the preteen was "100% trans" and at high risk of suicide without medical intervention. According to the report, Breen began puberty blockers at 12, testosterone at 13 and underwent a double mastectomy at 14. HHS OFFICIAL WARNS OF IRREVERSIBLE RISKS AS TRUMP ADMIN RESTRICTS FUNDING FOR YOUTH GENDER PROCEDURES Breen’s mental health later deteriorated, and the teen stopped taking testosterone at 18 after therapy led Breen to conclude that the distress surrounding gender identity was connected to earlier trauma, according to the report. Breen reported experiencing pain and irregular menstrual cycles and requiring estrogen. When Breen later sought breast reconstruction, doctors questioned the teen’s mental stability, and some stopped responding, according to the report. "She did not face this same scrutiny when seeking a mastectomy at 14," the report states. HHS also said Breen discovered letters in the medical record claiming a lifelong history of gender dysphoria. Now studying theater at UCLA, Breen said in the report that the treatments and surgery continue to have physical consequences. "How can a child consent to losing fertility or the ability to breastfeed if no one checks whether she even understand what that means?" Breen said. Aldaco said gender-related distress emerged during adolescence and that online communities framed gender transition as the "appropriate response" to those feelings, according to the report. After talking to a doctor, Aldaco was prescribed testosterone with several specialists treating the then-teen for gender dysphoria, and the report says Aldaco gave no indication that providers considered alternative treatment options outside what it calls a "sex rejection" model. Aldaco began taking testosterone before receiving a double mastectomy to remove breast tissue. Aldaco then began suffering severe complications after surgery, causing pain the young person said "I don’t think I’ll ever forget." "Despite these negative developments, providers did not initiate a structured reassessment of her treatment plan," the report says, adding that the support received after treatments was insufficient compared to the systems that pushed the life-altering decisions. "Soren’s experience reflects the imbalance of care for cases like hers," the report reads. "While her pathway into sex rejection medicalization involved coordinated referrals, approvals, and interventions across multiple providers, the pathway out involved no comparable system of support." Healy was just 10 years old when first learning of an online community where adults discussed transgender identities, according to the HHS report. Within three years, Healy says he came to identify as a girl. After discussing the issue with his parents, Healy was taken to a counselor to talk about it. "The only people who seriously asked what might have caused his distress were his parents," the report reads. "Meanwhile, institutional figures … treated his new identity as settled and moved quickly to affirm it." "Luke’s parents refused to consent to puberty blockers or hormones while he was still a minor," the report added. "Luke now describes their refusal as one of the bravest things they ever did." Still wanting to be a girl at 18, Healy began pursuing transitioning treatments. Healy started with estrogen and began receiving consultations for surgical treatments before slowly starting to realize that the treatments were not easing psychological stress. JD VANCE CALLS ON DOJ TO PROSECUTE ALLEGED FRAUD IN TEEN TRANSGENDER TREATMENT "Each intervention led to pressure for further intervention," the report reads. "In his view, the model was built around escalation rather than resolution." Healy eventually began to question the procedures doctors were recommending. "One doctor quoted him approximately $200,000 for facial feminization surgery. Another, he says, spoke to him like a car salesman while encouraging tracheal shave," the report said. "Luke came to realize he was being sold procedures, not psychological help." Rather than continuing the efforts to become a girl, Healy focused on battling the substance abuse problems developed during the process, quitting drinking and drugs. "He recognized the same obsessive, destructive pattern in gender ideology that he had seen in addiction," the report reads. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e8e152c5335ae104644f9 Angel Reese smacked in the face by Sun's Aaliyah Edwards, has poor shooting night in Dream win te 2026-08-14T03:40:05.971Z Angel Reese smacked in the face by Sun's Aaliyah Edwards, has poor shooting night in Dream win Angel Reese missed 10 of her 13 shots on Thursday night and was smacked in the face. During the Atlanta Dream's 104-69 victory over the Connecticut Sun, Reese had a run-in with Sun player Aaliyah Edwards in the second quarter. Reese attempted to make a layup while being double-teamed, and as she finally got the shot up, Edwards' hand came down right on Reese's face and head area. DREAM'S ANGEL REESE THROWN DOWN IN HEATED MOMENT WITH TEMPO'S ISABELLE HARRISON Edwards fell to the floor behind Reese after the smack. Reese, enraged, then turned, stood over Edwards and shouted at her. Just moments later on the sideline, Reese was seen gesturing to indicate Edwards hit her in the neck. Upon review, Edwards' foul on Reese was upgraded to a Flagrant 1. The foul was not addressed in the Dream's postgame press conference. But the foul wasn't the only tough moment Reese faced on Thursday. Early in the first quarter, Reese had a shot brutally rejected by Sun player Brittney Griner. Griner ended up blocking two more of Reese's shots throughout the game. SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM SPEAKS OUT AGAINST DIJONAI CARRINGTON AFTER FLAGRANT FOUL AND 'WHITE PRIVILEGE' POST Reese finished the game with eight points, making just three of 13 shots, with two turnovers. However, she did have 15 rebounds, her specialty. Flagrant fouls in the WNBA have become a national storyline in 2026. Other infamous fouls this year have included Alyssa Thomas' throat punch on Caitlin Clark in June. Then, last Saturday, DiJonai Carrington smacked Sophie Cunningham in the face on a Cunningham layup attempt. The WNBA is navigating an ongoing national controversy over incidents involving hard contact, and cultural discussions over trans athletes in women's sports. Reese will represent Team USA alongside Clark at the upcoming FIBA Women’s World Cup in Germany in a few weeks, while the entire WNBA takes a break from the chaos. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e870f2c5335ae1046437a Kyle Schwarber launches two homers into the corn after MLB's incredible HoF tribute at Field of Dreams game te 2026-08-14T03:10:07.726Z Kyle Schwarber launches two homers into the corn after MLB's incredible HoF tribute at Field of Dreams game It's not heaven, it's Iowa. Major League Baseball returned to the baseball movie version of heaven on Thursday afternoon, with the now-traditional Field of Dreams game. A tribute to one of the most iconic baseball movies in film history, this time featuring two teams fighting for postseason spots: the Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins. Broadcast on Netflix for 2026, the game started with a fitting, and fantastic, tribute to both the movie's famous cornfield, and the history of real world baseball. After the two teams walked through the corn to enter the field, Kyle Schwarber and Byron Buxton introduced a group of 26 Hall of Fame players who followed suit. BASEBALL FANS FUME AT MLB'S 'FIELD OF DREAMS' GAME DECISION, REPORTER TRICIA WHITAKER HAS A BOAT DAY & LLWS! "As the movie 'Field of Dreams' reminded us, the one constant through all the years has been baseball," Buxton said. "Inspiring us and connecting generations." "Tonight we are honored to share this special field with many of the legends who shaped our careers and whose amazing careers took them all the way to the Hall of Fame," Schwarber added. Steve Carlton and Mike Schmidt represented the Phillies, while Joe Mauer, Bert Blyleven and Jim Kaat represented the Twins. Other players included Billy Wagner, Tony Perez, Scott Rolen, Paul Molitor, Jim Thome, Cal Ripken Jr., Andre Dawson, Rollie Fingers and Fergie Jenkins. Some other more modern players included CC Sabathia, Trevor Hoffman, Ivan Rodriguez, Larry Walker, Fred McGriff, Adrian Beltre, as well as new inductees Andruw Jones and Jeff Kent. Can't start it off any better than that. Unless you're Kyle Schwarber. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Leading off the game, Schwarber launched a massive home run deep into the right field corn. The Phillies added another run in the first to take a 2-0 lead, but the Twins battled back in the bottom of the second thanks to Luke Keaschall reaching the cornfield for a solo homer of his own. But Schwarber answered back in the top of the fourth, hitting his second homer of the game that quite literally bounced off Keaschell's glove at the right field fence. Phillies starter Aaron Nola had one of his best performances of the season, striking out nine hitters over five innings with just one run allowed on the Keaschall homer. And his team's offense just kept adding on, with Brandon Marsh adding a two-run homer of his own in the top of the 7th, expanding the lead to six. Minnesota never got much of a rally going against the Philadelphia bullpen, as the Phillies cruised to the 7-1 win. Many fans on social media did point out the irony of MLB adding a "FanDuel" advertisement, essentially a betting platform, at the Field of Dreams stadium. Advertising a gambling site when the plot of the movie the game celebrates centers on the "Black Sox" gambling scandal and Shoeless Joe Jackson is a sign of how the times have changed. But the story of the game, as always with this special event, is the incredible visuals and atmosphere created by playing a regular season Major League Baseball game in the middle of a cornfield in Iowa. Yes, it's become an expected start of the midsummer schedule, and yes, Netflix's pre-game hosting choices left something to be desired. But with the movie now somehow 37 years old, it's a wonderful way to connect the classic to younger generations. Baseball is the American pastime for a reason, it connects fans from different eras in a way few other sports can. This tribute to the movie and its place in baseball history has been an overwhelming success, to MLB's credit. And the continuing popularity of it shows it's true that if you build it, they will come. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e7dab2c5335ae104640dc American Missionary Kidnapped in Niger Said to Be Released From Captivity te 2026-08-14T02:30:03.845Z American Missionary Kidnapped in Niger Said to Be Released From Captivity The release of Kevin Rideout, an American missionary pilot who was seized in Niger’s capital last fall, has been a priority for the White House. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e78ff2c5335ae10464017 White House exposes ‘Transshipment Scam’ costing US up to $26B, points finger at China te 2026-08-14T02:10:07.683Z White House exposes ‘Transshipment Scam’ costing US up to $26B, points finger at China Concerns are growing that foreign exporters are routing goods through third countries to evade U.S. tariffs, according to a new White House report released Thursday. As well as China, Panama, Mexico and Colombia are among more than 40 countries identified as posing a high transshipment risk, together with Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. Transshipment can involve routing goods through an intermediary country before they enter the United States under a different country of origin, potentially qualifying for lower tariffs. TOP TRUMP AGENCY PURGES OVER 20 SUSPECTED CHINA-LINKED PRODUCTS FROM FEDERAL MARKETPLACE The 25-page report, titled "The Great Transshipment Scam," was produced by the White House Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy, which is led by trade adviser Peter Navarro. The report says China offers the most developed historical example of transshipment. Following the imposition of Section 301 tariffs on China in 2018, the direct U.S. trade deficit with China fell in 2019 and 2020. "After their imposition, Chinese exporters increasingly routed goods through third countries," the report says, with goods that previously moved directly from China to the United States instead being shipped through jurisdictions where limited assembly, finishing, repackaging, relabeling or documentation changes could create the appearance of a different national origin. PETER NAVARRO: TRUMP'S ARTEMIS VISION IS NOW FLYING — AND CHINA IS PAYING ATTENTION "Over time, these practices contributed to the development of a global network of production hubs, logistics platforms, free-trade zones, bonded warehouses, processing corridors, and re-export centers," the report said of the transshipment practice. The report also estimates tariff-avoiding transshipment costs the U.S. Treasury between $19 billion and $26 billion in revenue annually. "The Trump administration has taken steps to strengthen transshipment enforcement." "For years, the great transshipment scam has let communist China launder its exports," Navarro said, according to The Associated Press. TRUMP HEADS TO BEIJING FOR HIGH-STAKES XI TALKS AS TAIWAN TENSIONS, TRADE DISPUTES TEST US STRENGTH Navarro also said countries such as India could also use transshipment to avoid tariffs and that new trade frameworks pursued by the Trump administration will include provisions to penalize trading partners that engage in the practice. The report cites government and private-sector estimates putting the value of goods transshipped to avoid tariffs at roughly $34.2 billion to $303 billion annually. Navarro said U.S. Customs and Border Protection has begun using artificial intelligence in a prototype program to detect transshipment. He also said importers found to have falsified a product’s origin can face tariffs applied retroactively for roughly a year. The report comes ahead of a planned September visit to Washington by Chinese President Xi Jinping, following President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing in May. Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e78fe2c5335ae1046400e Anthony Richardson's turnovers in preseason opener raise more questions about his Colts future te 2026-08-14T02:10:06.980Z Anthony Richardson's turnovers in preseason opener raise more questions about his Colts future If you're just looking at Anthony Richardson's statistics from the first half of Thursday's preseason opener for the Indianapolis Colts, remember this truth: Stats lie. The stats from the first half of this game when the quarterback played speak to a solid outing. He completed 11 of 14 passes. That's good. His quarterback rating was a respectable 80.1. And Richardson led the Colts on a second-quarter TD drive. COLTS DECLINE ANTHONY RICHARDSON'S FIFTH-YEAR OPTION, SETTING FORMER NO. 4 OVERALL PICK UP FOR FREE AGENCY But those stats that suggest this was acceptable for a first game of 2026 lie. Because Richardson threw an interception on his third pass of the game. And he fumbled in the second quarter. And those turnovers are what will glow in neon when coach Shane Steichen studies the game tape on Sunday, regardless of what he might tell reporters before or afterward. So, the grand Anthony Richardson experiment that was supposed to deliver a franchise quarterback certainly by the start of his fourth NFL season isn't going as scripted. The experiment instead caught fire Thursday evening and blew up the lab. And what does this all mean? This ain't it. Richardson did lead a touchdown drive, completing an 18-yard pass and a 9-yard pass on a screen. He also had a 7-yard run and scored on a 1-yard sneak, reminding everyone that he’s a great athlete capable of doing damage with his legs. But the turnovers were cringey. They remind everyone that Richardson didn't play enough his previous three seasons and he doesn't maximize opportunities when he does play. Richardson, you'll recall, arrived in Indianapolis as one of the NFL’s biggest swings for the fences in the 2023 draft. Colts GM Chris Ballard drafted him with the No. 4 overall pick. The GM weighed Richardson's 13 starts at the University of Florida, which everyone knew wasn't enough, against his amazing size, strength, ability to run and bazooka right arm. And the decision was that Richardson was worth the risk. But the quarterback started only four games as a rookie before a shoulder injury ended his season. He returned as the Colts’ starter in 2024 and remained a dangerous runner, producing 499 rushing yards and six touchdowns, but his development as a passer was erratic. He completed only 47.7% of his throws with eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions, briefly lost the starting job after tapping out of a game because he was tired and finished the season having raised as many questions about his future as he answered. Then things got really bad. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS The Colts signed Daniel Jones, himself a draft washout with the New York Giants, as a free agent to compete with Richardson. Jones won the job — and quite easily, in hindsight. To make matters worse, Richardson couldn't help the team when Jones got injured last year because he was also injured (again). He actually injured himself prior to a game while working with stretch bands. So the Colts, needing a starter, turned to Riley Leonard and then to veteran Philip Rivers. Now 24, Richardson is no longer being evaluated as the Colts’ quarterback of the future. He's competing with Leonard for the backup job behind Jones. Neither player is dominating because Leonard also threw an interception on his second possession of the second half. Daniel Jones better stay healthy for Indianapolis. FOLLOW ARMANDO SALGUERO ON X: @ARMANDOSALGUERO Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e71f52c5335ae10463ecb CNN calls out Patriot Games participants as 'overwhelmingly White,' citing outlet's analysis te 2026-08-14T01:40:05.949Z CNN calls out Patriot Games participants as 'overwhelmingly White,' citing outlet's analysis CNN's Audie Cornish called out the Patriot Games for being "overwhelmingly White" on Wednesday, taking aim at the Freedom250-sponsored event that President Donald Trump attended this week. "The president promised the best of the best student athletes. I‘m not sure that‘s what we got," CNN’s Audie Cornish said Wednesday during her morning show. "A CNN analysis actually found that a specific demographic of kids got a shot to compete. Of the ones who were featured in the Freedom 250 Instagram page, many attend private Christian schools. They also appear to be overwhelmingly White, and the application for the games didn‘t specify race." Cornish then played clips of videos also calling out the games on social media. One described it as the "dystopian Hunger Games." JEMELE HILL SAYS UFC EVENT AT THE WHITE HOUSE WAS 'PERFORMATIVE PATRIOTISM' THAT LACKED 'DIVERSITY' "I don‘t want to make fun of these kids. The contestants range in age from 14 to 17, but here are the things people are raising questions about. Not selected through any qualifying events. They recorded video essays, just sort of describing why they should be included. Some students were chosen to represent states where they don‘t even live," Cornish continued. White House spokesman Davis Ingle fired back at the criticism. "Thanks to President Trump and the incredible efforts of the Freedom 250 organization, athletes from all across the country had the opportunity to put their talents on national display and earn life-changing scholarships that would greatly impact their futures. The inaugural Patriot Games were a resounding success, and anyone who claims they were racist or otherwise clearly suffers from a severe and incurable disease known as Trump Derangement Syndrome that has completely rotted their peanut-sized brains," Ingle said. The Patriot Games is a national youth athletic competition held at SPIRE Academy in Geneva, Ohio, organized by Freedom250. It brought together teenage athletes ages 14 to 17, representing all 50 states, U.S. territories, and tribal nations to compete in sports and physical challenges as part of the nation's 250th anniversary celebration. AS AMERICA MARKS 250 YEARS, OUR GREATEST CHAPTERS ARE STILL AHEAD OF US The competition awarded a $250,000 scholarship prize pool to one male and one female champion. The games took place between August 9 and August 11. Cornish asked her panel about the event and the concerns she raised. Steamboat Institute fellow Carine Hajjar, said the event came across more like a Trump rally. However, she said some of the criticism was silly. "I don't think that the idea of having some sort of sporting event for young American athletes is that crazy, especially around the 250th anniversary. I actually think it's a great idea. But this comes down to both I think poor execution of the event itself, and also some of the outrage around it, has been a little silly, too. I mean, at this point really, there's plenty of criticism to be made about it, but I think that this has become sort of a farce because of both sides. One, it was poorly planned, but two, people were rooting for it to lose all along," Hajjar said. Cornish said the games were similar to a UFC event. TRUMP TOUTS INDYCAR DRIVERS' 'SPECIAL' ABILITY AT FREEDOM 250 GRAND PRIX SHOWCASE, SEEMINGLY ENDING HOT DEBATE CNN published a report about the event on Aug. 9 which also compared the event to the Hunger Games. "The premise sounds almost fictional: one boy and one girl from every state, territory and some tribal nations, flown to a private campus in Ohio to compete in a televised athletic contest called the Patriot Games — a Trump-backed youth competition with obstacle courses, patriotic testimonials and inevitable comparisons to The Hunger Games," the report read. CNN did not immediately return Fox News Digital's request for comment. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Cornish also said that it seemed like America250 wasn't being celebrating, and said it was a "weird year." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e6fa12c5335ae10463e6a Live bullet found aboard United flight forces passengers off plane for security sweep at Denver airport te 2026-08-14T01:30:09.069Z Live bullet found aboard United flight forces passengers off plane for security sweep at Denver airport A United Airlines flight from Denver to San Diego was delayed Thursday after a live bullet was discovered aboard the plane before departure, prompting passengers to deplane while security personnel swept the aircraft. United Flight 1302 was preparing to leave Denver International Airport when the bullet was found during routine checks before the plane taxied to the runway, according to FOX31 Denver, which had a member of its news team aboard the flight. "The bad news is we found a live round, a bullet on the airplane," the speaker said. "This is a security breach here, and everybody is going to have to deplane." PASSENGER ALLEGEDLY BOARDS FLIGHT WITH FAKE BOARDING PASS, FORCING PLANE BACK TO GATE Passengers were instructed to leave the Boeing 737-900 with their carry-on bags while security personnel searched the aircraft. "We need everybody to deplane the aircraft with your carry-on bags. We’re going to have to carry out a security sweep of the aircraft after the plane is empty," the speaker said. "We apologize for this." The crew said at the time that it did not know how the bullet got aboard the aircraft or where it came from, according to FOX31. United Airlines confirmed the incident in a statement to Fox News Digital. UNITED FLIGHT FROM CHICAGO MAKES EMERGENCY LANDING AFTER PASSENGER'S 'MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS' TO BREACH COCKPIT "United flight 1302 from Denver to San Diego underwent a security sweep after a bullet was discovered on board prior to the flight’s departure," a spokesperson wrote. "Security personnel cleared the aircraft, which later departed for San Diego." United said the Boeing 737-900 was carrying 178 passengers and six crew members. The airline directed additional questions about the incident to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The flight was carrying 178 passengers and six crew members, according to information United provided to FOX31. Flight 1302 had been scheduled to depart Denver at about 1:25 p.m. local time. It ultimately took off at about 3:41 p.m., more than two hours after its scheduled departure, according to FOX31. It was not immediately clear who the bullet belonged to or how it ended up on the aircraft. Fox News Digital reached out to TSA and Denver International Airport for additional information. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e6f9c2c5335ae10463e41 California Ignored Sexual Abuse of Women in Prison, Justice Dept. Says te 2026-08-14T01:30:04.386Z California Ignored Sexual Abuse of Women in Prison, Justice Dept. Says A Justice Department report released on Thursday found that inmates at two state-run women’s prisons routinely had their rights violated. State officials say they have already put reforms in place. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e6af02c5335ae10463adc Seahawks sign former first-round Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold despite looming felony charges te 2026-08-14T01:10:08.435Z Seahawks sign former first-round Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold despite looming felony charges Terrion Arnold, the former Detroit Lions first-round pick, is no longer a free agent. Arnold and the Seattle Seahawks have reached a deal to bring him into the fold with the reigning Super Bowl champions, according to multiple reports. The Lions, who selected Arnold with their first-round pick in 2024, released him in June after he was arrested in Tampa, Florida, on felony charges connected to a robbery and kidnapping from February. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM The Seahawks were among the teams that Arnold visited earlier this week as he looked for his next chapter in the league. He also visited with the Houston Texans, New York Giants and New Orleans Saints. But the Seahawks, who already tout a superb defense on paper, are who Arnold wants to play with next. In fact, during HBO’s "Hard Knocks," GM John Schneider was even seen discussing the potential of signing Arnold to the roster. Head coach Mike Macdonald also noted the "great tryout" Arnold had while in Seattle. LIONS RELEASE TERRION ARNOLD AFTER BOND SET AT $1 MILLION IN ARMED ROBBERY, KIDNAPPING CASE "It’s a situation where there’s other things that are surrounding it," Macdonald told reporters this week. "We’re aware of that. But we’re working through the situation right now. But it was a great visit. I really enjoyed meeting him, and I think he enjoyed being here, so we’ll see where it goes." Arnold is facing eight felony charges from allegations he orchestrated the abduction and beating of three men in February. Prosecutors said in June that Arnold arranged for the men to be pistol-whipped after he suspected them of stealing $100,000 in cash and luxury goods from him. He was described as the "primary conspirator" of the incident, and Hillsborough County Judge Christopher Sabella set his bail at $1 million. However, Arnold’s attorney, R. Timothy Jansen, said in Hillsborough County Court this summer his client will be "absolutely denying these allegations." His agency, EAG Sports Management, added there is "no credible evidence" against him in this case. Lions head coach Dan Campbell also noted in March that the team did not believe Arnold was involved in this case based on the information they had at the time. Teams that were looking into adding Arnold to their roster needed to do their due diligence on the matter. No trial date has been set in his case. The charges against him carry a sentence of up to life in prison. And the NFL must decide whether Arnold should be placed on the commissioner’s exempt list. If a team is willing to sign him now, it must mean he should be free to play, at least at some point, this season. Arnold was expected to be a starting corner for the Lions this season, making his release a big one for the depth chart. He recorded his first career interception last season in Week 9 against the Minnesota Vikings, though he was only able to play eight games because of a shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery. Arnold played 16 games during his rookie season in 2024, tallying 10 passes defended and 60 combined tackles. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e66402c5335ae10463a0a Marco Rubio gets 68 new jobs in epic White House birthday gift inspired by viral meme te 2026-08-14T00:50:08.427Z Marco Rubio gets 68 new jobs in epic White House birthday gift inspired by viral meme Marco Rubio has a lot of jobs. Now, he has 68 more. The White House gave the secretary of state a gold-framed collage for his 55th birthday featuring dozens of versions of the viral "Rubio realizing" meme that has transformed President Donald Trump’s top diplomat into everything from an Iranian ayatollah to an astronaut. At the center of the 68-panel mosaic is the original, unaltered photograph of Rubio slumped on a couch in the Oval Office earlier this year, signed by Trump in gold ink with a presidential endorsement: "You are great." WHAT RUBIO’S RISE AS THE INTERNET’S 'FIXER' TELLS US ABOUT TODAY’S POLITICS Around it is a resume that rivals Barbie's. There’s Rubio as Robocop, Rubio as an astronaut, Rubio as the White House Easter Bunny, Cardinal Rubio preparing for a papal conclave, Rubio bundled up as the leader of Greenland, and one where Rubio holds up a sign that says, "Please stop making memes about me." The White House presented Rubio with the collage in May, but the gift only came to wider attention this week after Axios reporter Marc Caputo shared a photo of it on X. While nearly 70 imaginary gigs may sound excessive, the joke lands particularly well for a Cabinet official who has already accumulated an unusually high number of real ones. VANCE, CRUZ, HEAD TO IOWA ON 2026 MISSIONS AS 2028 GOP RACE TO SUCCEED TRUMP HEATS UP Rubio serves as secretary of state as well as acting national security advisor, and previously pulled double duty as acting archivist and acting administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development. The internet also appears to have decided Rubio could handle a few more. The meme began with a decidedly more serious moment on Feb. 28, 2025, when Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Rubio and other administration officials met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office. A photograph from the contentious meeting captured Rubio sitting low on a couch, his hands interlocked and an expression on his face that the internet quickly interpreted as a man coming to an uncomfortable realization. HOW MARCO RUBIO IS RIDING LAUGHTER AND MEMES TO SOCIAL MEDIA DOMINANCE Then came the heavily-Photoshopped memes. As major jobs opened, in reality or otherwise, Rubio kept getting hired. When Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro was captured, meme Rubio appeared dressed to take over the country. When Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced he would not seek re-election, Rubio turned up in blaze-orange hunting gear, shotgun included. Rubio has acknowledged that he wasn't initially thrilled with the photograph that launched it all. "The meme thing, you know, was interesting, 'cause when it first came out, I hated that picture," Rubio recently told Lara Trump on Fox News' "My View." MARCO RUBIO SPOTTED IN NIKE TRACKSUIT ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE DURING TRIP TO CHINA, IGNITING MEMES ONLINE Rubio explained that the Oval Office couch was partly to blame. "If you don't have a pillow behind your back, you kinda sink," he said. But the secretary of state eventually surrendered to the court of public opinion. "And then it turned into this other thing and it was fine, and it's funny," Rubio said. He also revealed that Scavino had turned the online frenzy into something framed forever. "Dan Scavino made a nice board for me," Rubio said. "And even since he made that board, we had to update it." Which raises an obvious problem — Rubio may already need a bigger frame. The White House and the State Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e63e92c5335ae1046399f Netflix gives Elle Duncan another MLB showcase at Field of Dreams, baseball fans have seen enough te 2026-08-14T00:40:09.433Z Netflix gives Elle Duncan another MLB showcase at Field of Dreams, baseball fans have seen enough Major League Baseball and Netflix almost pulled off something truly special on Thursday night. The MLB at Field of Dreams matchup between the Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins delivered a pregame sequence that gave baseball fans chills. Watching current players from both squads emerge from the iconic Iowa cornfield alongside 26 Hall of Famers, including all-time greats like Cal Ripken Jr., Mike Schmidt, Joe Mauer and Jim Thome, was cinematic gold. Then, Netflix cut back to the pregame desk, and the spell was instantly broken. BASEBALL FANS FUME AT MLB'S 'FIELD OF DREAMS' GAME DECISION, REPORTER TRICIA WHITAKER HAS A BOAT DAY & LLWS! Whatever goodwill the entrance generated was shattered the moment lead anchor Elle Duncan started talking. Instead of letting the historic backdrop breathe, viewers got wooden delivery, forced commentary and little genuine baseball insight. Social media was unforgiving, skewering her appearance from the moment she went live. "@netflix had options for the #FieldofDreamsGame and we get the insufferable Elle Duncan. Damn," one frustrated viewer posted on X. Another echoed: "What dirt does Elle Duncan have on Netflix? Every word out of her mouth is insufferable." The pushback isn't coming out of nowhere. Duncan has given baseball diehards plenty of reason to question her baseball chops and why Netflix continues putting her front and center for marquee events. NETFLIX REPLACES FAN-FAVORITE FOOTBALL HOST WITH UNPOPULAR, FAR-LEFT PERSONALITY This is the same host who, during Netflix's Opening Day broadcast from Oracle Park earlier this season, famously referred to home plate as "home base." That broadcast drew plenty of criticism for Duncan's awkward, forced delivery, too. Thursday night wasn't exactly a course correction. Beyond the terminology blunders, fans are exhausted by Duncan’s reputation for bringing lecture-heavy narratives into sports coverage. Look no further than her recent commentary regarding WNBA star Caitlin Clark. Instead of sticking to the action on the court, Duncan opted for the soapbox: "It’s not on her to be burdened by social media clowns," she said, before adding, "As much as we would love for you to be able to just focus on that (basketball)… it’s unfortunately not your reality." NETFLIX CO-CEO CLARIFIES STREAMING GIANT’S LIVE SPORTS STRATEGY AMID NFL LINEUP EXPANSION, FEDERAL SCRUTINY Major League Baseball set the stage, but Netflix's choice of host proved the streamer still has a long way to go in understanding what sports fans actually want to see. Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e63e52c5335ae10463988 TLC for Taxiway C: Grant funding approved for reconstruction design, officials call for re-opening te 2026-08-14T00:40:05.957Z TLC for Taxiway C: Grant funding approved for reconstruction design, officials call for re-opening Taxiway C at the Lake Havasu City Municipal Airport has been closed for several months due to safety concerns — but some argue that it's in no worse condition than the others. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e63e52c5335ae1046397e Family speaks out after sister’s death in murder-suicide investigation te 2026-08-14T00:40:05.020Z Family speaks out after sister’s death in murder-suicide investigation Laura Smith’s family is trying to preserve her memory while helping her adult children cope with the aftermath of what Lake Havasu City police are investigating as a murder-suicide. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e61912c5335ae10463690 HHS warns Texas hospitals against denying life-saving care to newborn with disability te 2026-08-14T00:30:09.322Z HHS warns Texas hospitals against denying life-saving care to newborn with disability The Trump administration is stepping into the battle over a Texas newborn with a severe heart defect, warning two hospitals they cannot withhold medical treatment because of his disability. The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights told Fox News Digital on Thursday that it is sending a letter to Children’s Medical Center of Dallas and UT Southwestern Medical Center outlining their obligations under federal disability civil rights laws as doctors make treatment decisions involving baby Gabriel. The federal intervention comes after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton took action to ensure the newborn receives medically necessary care following a dispute that began when his biological parents allegedly asked their surrogate to abort him after he was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. SURROGATE GIVES BIRTH IN TEXAS TO BABY WITH HEART DEFECT AFTER PARENTS REQUESTED ABORTION Surrogate mother McKenna West refused the request and traveled to Texas, where Gabriel was born Wednesday and taken to a neonatal intensive care unit. In its letter, HHS' civil rights office makes clear that federal law prohibits withholding medical treatment based on a person's disability, including based on judgments that the life of someone with a disability has less value or that the individual would impose a burden on others. Those federal protections extend to decisions involving life-sustaining treatment, according to HHS. The agency said it is monitoring Gabriel's case and offering technical assistance to Children’s Medical Center of Dallas and UT Southwestern as the hospitals determine his care. HHS OFFICIAL WARNS OF IRREVERSIBLE RISKS AS TRUMP ADMIN RESTRICTS FUNDING FOR YOUTH GENDER PROCEDURES HHS is also urging the hospitals to seek a review by an infant care committee if doctors consider withholding or withdrawing medically indicated treatment. The agency said life-sustaining treatment should continue during that review. The federal action marks the latest intervention in the dispute over Gabriel's medical care. West was around 20 weeks pregnant when Gabriel was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a congenital condition in which the left side of the heart is severely underdeveloped. The diagnosis allegedly prompted the intended parents to ask West to have an abortion, according to Paxton's office. West instead traveled to Texas, and Paxton formally notified UT Southwestern Medical Center and Children’s Medical Center of Dallas of what his office said were their legal obligations to provide Gabriel with "medically necessary, life-saving care upon birth." TEXAS AG PAXTON DEMANDS DALLAS SHERIFF PURSUE ICE AGREEMENT AS DEADLINE DISPUTE SPARKS LEGAL THREAT Paxton later secured a court order aimed at ensuring the baby received care after birth. "The court has made the right decision in immediately acting to protect baby Gabriel’s life and ensure he receives the care he deserves," Paxton said. "My office utilized every tool at our disposal to protect life, and we will not back down in continuing to support baby Gabriel’s well-being," he added. "Every child in our state deserves to be cared for and protected, and that’s exactly what I’ll fight for." The case has drawn an outpouring of support for West from conservative and pro-life advocates, who praised her decision to continue the pregnancy and fight for Gabriel's care. SUPREME COURT UNANIMOUSLY SLAPS DOWN BLUE STATE TARGETING PRO-LIFE GROUP Andrew Kolvet, a spokesman for Turning Point USA, called West a "hero" on X, writing that she "saved this baby's life" and saying he hopes she is ultimately able to keep Gabriel. Alliance Defending Freedom, which represents West, celebrated the court order requiring Gabriel to receive the surgery. ADF Senior Counsel Erik Baptist praised West's "courageous stand" for Gabriel and said "every child deserves a chance at life." Pro-life group Live Action also praised West for resisting pressure to abort Gabriel, but said the fight is not over. The group raised concerns that a court order is preventing West from having contact with the newborn, saying Gabriel "needs the comfort of the only mother he's ever known" and that his needs should remain the priority. Gabriel was born Wednesday and brought to a neonatal intensive care unit, where doctors could perform surgery to treat his heart condition. "Baby Gabriel deserves a chance at life, and I will not allow anyone to unlawfully deny him medically necessary care," Paxton previously said. "My office will use every tool available to protect innocent lives and ensure that every child receives the care required under Texas law." Fox News Digital reached out to Children’s Medical Center of Dallas and UT Southwestern Medical Center for comment. Fox News Digital's Robert McGreevy contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e5f382c5335ae1046357b Iran could unleash ‘kinetic’ response as US tightens economic containment, analyst warns te 2026-08-14T00:20:08.079Z Iran could unleash ‘kinetic’ response as US tightens economic containment, analyst warns Iran could launch military strikes as early as this fall, targeting a list of high-value assets to shatter increasing U.S. economic sanctions, national security analysts warned Thursday. The warning came as the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, or ADNOC, reported that two vessels were struck transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to the United Arab Emirates' state-run WAM news agency. ADNOC said there were no injuries and the situation was under control, according to Reuters, and as the UAE foreign ministry condemned the Iranian attacks. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also said Thursday that Washington was preparing to take unprecedented economic action against Iran. "Watch this ⁠space for more announcements ​coming next week because we ​are going to apply measures like have never been seen in ​the history of economic ​isolation on a country," Bessent said in ‌an ⁠interview on Newsmax. Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital that Tehran is likely to step up military pressure as Washington intensifies sanctions. "Come early fall, what we can expect is for them to kinetically push back against Trump's economic policy," Taleblu said. "If the president is re-embracing economic pressure as a management approach, just like we saw in 2019, then the regime will use kinetic pressure to try to find a way to break out of that economic containment." Ben Taleblu said shrinking oil revenues and the U.S. naval blockade could also drive Tehran to expand its target list across the region. "This means they would embrace the kinetic tool, and that's how they would get out of the economic containment regime that the U.S. seems to be defaulting to want to put on them," Taleblu added. "I would say more attacks on ships, potentially more attacks on U.S. bases, potentially more attacks on Arab infrastructure in the Persian Gulf, and certainly the regime would create a tiered list of targets of what is of immediate value versus what has greater economic value versus what might lead to the U.S. directly or indirectly responding." The warnings come amid a deadlock in talks between Washington and Tehran. So far, there have been no discussions about extending the U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement, a senior Iranian source told Reuters Aug. 12. Tehran has insisted Washington return to the pact and set a definitive timeline to meet its obligations. The interim memorandum of understanding, signed in June, called for the "immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts." The agreement later unraveled, with Trump declaring on July 7 that the pact was "over." Under the framework, both sides had an extendable 60-day window to negotiate a final agreement addressing key security concerns, including Iran’s nuclear program. That deadline expires Aug. 17, with control of the Strait of Hormuz remaining a major sticking point. Hossein Taeb, the newly appointed head of Iran's Basij paramilitary force, said Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz remains "under Iran's control and management." His comments conflicted with Trump's assertion a day earlier that the U.S. held "total control" over the vital waterway. "The regime is relying on tried and true tactics here, which is, you know, a knife in the back and a handshake in the front to many of America's traditional Gulf partners," Taleblu said. "It looks like Iranian escalation, Iranian diplomatic pressure, Iranian diplomatic finesse is trying to back the Trump administration into the MOU again." "The regime definitely does not want to grant the Trump administration the optics of victory, and to that end, they're quite keen to hold on to the Strait of Hormuz," he added. Taleblu said Trump has described the sanctions-driven strategy as a "low-key" approach. "These are high-impact tools," he concluded. "I think part of the escalation that we saw in the summer of 2019 — part of that past could be a prologue." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e5cdf2c5335ae1046351f Gun rights groups capitalize after judge reverses decades-old restrictions: 'Monumental' te 2026-08-14T00:10:07.824Z Gun rights groups capitalize after judge reverses decades-old restrictions: 'Monumental' Gun-rights advocates are wasting little time putting a "huge" federal court victory into action after a judge struck down decades-old firearms restrictions as unconstitutional. Gun Owners of America (GOA) and Silencer Shop, a federal firearms licensee covered by the ruling linked to the sale and transfer of silencers, notified the Trump administration that they planned to begin transferring firearm silencers Thursday without going through the National Firearms Act registration and approval process that has governed such transactions for decades. Just after midnight Thursday, two gun owners walked out of a Texas firearms dealer with silencers without first completing the federal registration and approval process that has governed such transfers for generations, according to Gun Owners of America. GOA said Brandon Herrera and Texas state Rep. Wes Virdell acquired the suppressors from Silencer Shop in Leander, Texas, in what the gun-rights group called the first lawful transfers without National Firearms Act registration since the law was enacted in 1934. "This is the first time in 92 years that any gun owner has been able to do this," Aidan Johnston, Gun Owners of America’s director of federal affairs, told Fox News Digital in an interview. "Previously, this would have been punishable by up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine per violation. So, this was a big federal law. We took a really big bite out of it." INSIDE TRUMP'S UNPRECEDENTED BATTLE PLAN TO EXPAND SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS THROUGH JUSTICE DEPARTMENT Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., who attended the midnight transfers and helped write the legislation that set the stage for the ruling, called it "literally, the greatest Second Amendment win in the history of our country," adding that it marked "a monumental day for the country and a monumental day for the Second Amendment." The ruling also appears poised to stand without a challenge from the federal government. Clyde said Wednesday that he had received confirmation from the Trump administration that the Justice Department would not appeal the decision. "GOA fought to crush the NFA’s unconstitutional restrictions through the One Big Beautiful Bill, but we didn’t stop there. We promised to keep fighting until these restrictions were gone, and now our members are putting the historic victory into action," said Erich Pratt, Senior Vice President of Gun Owners of America. "The era of federal registration for constitutionally protected arms must end." CLARENCE THOMAS' CONSTITUTIONAL ARGUMENT AGAINST FEDERAL GUN LAW GETS FIRST MAJOR COURT TEST The legal fight traces back to Republicans’ 2025 reconciliation package, which initially included broader efforts to roll back National Firearms Act restrictions on suppressors and short-barreled firearms. After the Senate parliamentarian blocked portions of the deregulation push under reconciliation rules, the final One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed by President Donald Trump instead reduced the NFA’s longstanding making and transfer taxes to $0 for suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns and certain other weapons, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Gun-rights groups seized on that change almost immediately. The same day Trump signed the law, Gun Owners of America, the Silencer Shop Foundation and other plaintiffs sued the federal government, arguing that the NFA’s registration and approval requirements could no longer constitutionally stand for weapons on which Congress had eliminated the underlying tax. Fifteen states later joined the challenge. The Justice Department countered that the remaining regulations could still be supported by other NFA taxes and Congress’ authority over interstate commerce. "Congress didn’t fully repeal the law. They just reduced this 1934 tax from $200 to $0," Johnston told . "And I think all of us could understand there’s no such thing as a $0 tax. It doesn’t raise any revenue. It’s not a tax." U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix, a Trump appointee, sided with the challengers Aug. 5, ruling that once Congress eliminated the making and transfer taxes, the regulations that had existed to help collect those taxes lost their constitutional footing. Hendrix permanently blocked federal officials from enforcing the challenged requirements against the plaintiffs and, where applicable, their members and customers, while declining to issue a nationwide injunction.  However, while the plaintiffs had separately argued that the NFA’s registration and approval requirements violated the Second Amendment, Hendrix said that "Efforts to render the NFA constitutional must come from Congress, not this Court." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e5cdf2c5335ae10463516 Rams star Puka Nacua left bloodied in bizarre accident at Michael Rubin's star-studded White Party te 2026-08-14T00:10:07.123Z Rams star Puka Nacua left bloodied in bizarre accident at Michael Rubin's star-studded White Party Puka Nacua’s turbulent offseason keeps finding new ways to hit him — this time, literally. The latest bizarre story to emerge from the Los Angeles Rams star’s summer involves a spotless window at Michael Rubin’s "White Party" — and, by Nacua’s own admission, the window won. During an appearance on Logan Paul’s "Impaulsive" podcast, Nacua revealed that he was left bleeding from the face after walking directly into a glass pane at the Fanatics founder’s annual celebrity bash in the Hamptons. STEFON DIGGS FOUND NOT GUILTY ON STRANGULATION AND ASSAULT CHARGES, NOW EYES NFL FREE AGENCY While speaking with Olympic gymnast Suni Lee, Nacua spotted Snoop Dogg and turned to find Rams teammate Davante Adams. He never saw the nearly invisible pane standing in his way. "Uh, the glass window pane won," Nacua said. And Nacua apparently wasn’t the only victim of Rubin’s spotless glass. "They made me feel better when they said three other people ran into it," Nacua said. "But nobody else ended up bleeding from it. So I don’t know if that made me feel much better or worse." A run-in with Rubin’s glass is hardly the only headache Nacua has dealt with this offseason. The Rams star is facing a civil lawsuit stemming from a New Year’s Eve incident in which a woman alleges he bit her shoulder and made an antisemitic remark. Nacua’s attorney strongly denies the antisemitic allegation and characterized the biting as "horseplay." The lawsuit followed another controversy involving Nacua, who apologized in December after performing a gesture tied to antisemitic stereotypes during a livestream. He later spent time at a holistic care facility focused on personal growth. Even his family made headlines. RAMS' SEAN MCVAY AND HIS MODEL WIFE PUT THE REST OF THE NFL ON NOTICE WITH NOTHING BUT SWIMSUITS ON Nacua’s brother, Samson, was arrested after mistakenly taking an SUV he believed belonged to Puka. Investigators determined it was a mix-up, and Samson was not charged. Nacua’s offseason could still follow him onto the field, with the NFL reportedly reviewing his conduct and a suspension considered possible. Meanwhile, Nacua gave the Rams a more conventional scare this week when he left Tuesday’s joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys early with groin soreness. He sat out Thursday as Los Angeles took a cautious approach with its All-Pro receiver. "We’re just being smart with him," Rams coach Sean McVay said. "Expecting to be back next week, ready to go." The Rams have every reason to be cautious. Nacua is entering the final season of his rookie contract after leading the NFL with 129 receptions and finishing second with 1,715 receiving yards last season. McVay and the Rams can manage his practice workload and game-plan for double teams. Billionaire-grade window cleaning is apparently another problem entirely. Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e5a8d2c5335ae104634b1 Federal appeals court restores Texas mail ballot ID requirements in major election integrity ruling te 2026-08-14T00:00:13.688Z Federal appeals court restores Texas mail ballot ID requirements in major election integrity ruling The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals restored key parts of Texas’ election law Wednesday, handing the state a major win after repeatedly reversing the lower court during a five-year legal fight. The 11-page ruling overturned a lower court decision that blocked nine parts of Senate Bill 1, a 2021 law that changed Texas’ rules for mail-in voting and voter assistance. The appeals court pointed to its repeated reversals in the case, noting that it has "reversed the district court on everything" during roughly five years of litigation. JUDGE HANDS TRUMP MAIL-BALLOT WIN FOR NOW AS DEMOCRATS’ NEXT MOVE LOOMS "The bulk of the plaintiffs’ claims fail for lack of standing. One fails on the merits. But none justifies interference with the State Legislature’s efforts to prevent voter fraud and to protect election integrity," Judge Andrew Oldham wrote in the opinion. The restored rules include requirements for Texans voting by mail to provide an identification number or Social Security number on ballot applications and for that information to match state records. The law also lays out a process for voters to fix defective ballots and requires voters and people helping them fill out ballots to sign an oath stating they did not coerce the voter. A district judge blocked the rules in March 2025 after several lawsuits challenging the law over accessibility concerns were combined. The plaintiffs argued the requirements made voting too difficult for some voters with disabilities and violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. Texas allows several groups to vote by mail, including voters who are 65 or older and those who qualify because of a disability. MAGA TRIUMPH: TRUMP ALLY KEN PAXTON DEFEATS JOHN CORNYN IN BITTER TEXAS GOP PRIMARY WAR The appeals court found the groups did not have legal standing to bring most of their challenges and rejected another challenge outright. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a defendant in the lawsuit, celebrated the ruling on social media, calling it a "major victory." Fox News Digital reached out to attorneys and organizations representing the plaintiffs for comment. Texas lawmakers passed Senate Bill 1 in 2021 after a contentious fight over election rules. The law targeted in part voting initiatives Harris County used during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Democratic lawmakers, civil rights organizations and voting advocacy groups opposed the measure, and Texas House Democrats broke quorum in an unsuccessful attempt to stop it. The appeals court also noted that the share of mail-in ballot applications or ballots rejected because of identification-number errors fell from 11% to 2.7% after the law took effect. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e5a8c2c5335ae104634a8 David Foster denies snubbing Meghan Markle after red carpet interaction with Prince Harry te 2026-08-14T00:00:12.935Z David Foster denies snubbing Meghan Markle after red carpet interaction with Prince Harry David Foster is speaking out after a red carpet video at a charity event went viral – and sparked speculation from some that he had snubbed Meghan Markle.  On Aug. 7, the legendary music producer hosted the David Foster and Friends foundation event with Markle and Prince Harry in attendance. The video on social media showed Foster walking past Markle – as she appeared to greet him – and Prince Harry before returning a moment later with his wife, Katharine McPhee, and posing for a photo with the royal couple. "As the host of the David Foster and Friends foundation event, I had already greeted our friends, the Duke and Duchess, at the entrance 10 minutes before the red carpet encounter," Foster said in a statement to People.  MEGHAN MARKLE’S ROYAL EXIT HAD WARNING SIGNS YEARS EARLIER, VETERAN CORRESPONDENT REVEALS "They both, graciously and selflessly, gave their time and went beyond to engage with everyone. Harry and Meghan are dear friends of mine. Anyone watching can see there was no awkward moment and certainly no snub." He continued, "It’s sad that certain media chose to deceive a red carpet encounter for clickbait. They turned simple ‘positioning’ to get the best photo into a hurtful lie." A representative for Foster and Markle did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Foster and Markle have developed a warm friendship over the years, largely through Foster’s wife. McPhee and Markle knew each other when they were younger and participated in musical theater together. Their connection was renewed years later, and Foster and McPhee became close with Markle and Prince Harry as a couple. Foster also played a supportive role during an important transition in Markle and Harry’s lives. In late 2019, he helped arrange a private home for the couple on Vancouver Island, giving them a quiet place to stay as they prepared to step back from their roles as senior members of the royal family in 2020. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER At the time, Foster told the Daily Mail that he was happy the couple could "go under the radar for so long" while staying at his home. "I felt honored that I was able to help Meghan there because I’m a Canadian, and we’re a Commonwealth country; we’re the Crown’s. It’s important to us, so I grew up with that kind of sentiment. I was really happy to be able to help them to find a respite just to take a little time off," he previously told the outlet. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e5a8c2c5335ae1046349f Julianne Hough flaunts her toned figure in bikinis as she shares snaps from her trip to Sardinia te 2026-08-14T00:00:12.178Z Julianne Hough flaunts her toned figure in bikinis as she shares snaps from her trip to Sardinia Julianne Hough is trading the hustle for a taste of la dolce vita. The 38-year-old "Dancing with the Stars" co-host shared highlights from an adventurous girls getaway to Sardinia, Italy, where she jumped from cliffs, explored local villages, hit the beach and squeezed in seaside workouts. In one photo from the getaway, Hough lounged on a beach chair in a white string bikini. LANDMAN' STAR ALI LARTER SHOWS OFF HER FIT PHYSIQUE IN BARELY-THERE BIKINIS DURING YACHT VACATION IN ITALY The dancer leaned back on the chair with one leg bent as she posed near the water. She paired the white string bikini with black sunglasses and a white mesh headscarf over her short blonde hair. Beachgoers filled the shoreline behind Hough, while yachts could be seen floating in the bright blue water farther out. "Still thinking about Sardinia and how special it was to experience it with my girls @drewdylanlex and @briannacope," Hough wrote on Instagram. "There’s just something about seeing the world with people you love that makes everything feel a little more alive." MOLLY SIMS FLAUNTS TONED ABS IN MISMATCHED BIKINI DURING PERFECT BEACH DAY WITH HER KIDS Hough also showed off another bikini during a quieter moment overlooking the coast. In the photo, she sat on the edge of a lounge chair beneath a rustic shaded canopy while wearing a dark string bikini with a coordinating wrap tied low around her waist. Hough turned toward the water as the secluded setting offered sweeping views of the rocky shoreline and calm sea. "The beauty, the food, the wildness, the peace… already dreaming about going back to @resort_erica where should we go next and who’s coming?" she wrote. ‘THE MADISON’ STAR ELLE CHAPMAN SAYS 8-MILE HIKES, HORSE RIDES IN MONTANA KEPT HER ‘GROUNDED’ The dancer made time to stay active during the trip, sharing a separate photo of herself practicing yoga on a wooden deck overlooking the water. The photo was part of a separate post in which Hough reflected on the slower pace of life she experienced in Sardinia. "An ode to the nonnas of Sardinia… their sun kissed skin and the sense that they haven’t just spent their lives working but living," she wrote. Hough admitted the experience had her reconsidering how she balances ambition with enjoying her life away from work. "And boy, do I feel like the silly American in Europe. I love my work and my ambition, but when I’m older, I’d rather be the grandmother with stories to tell than wonder if I hustled more than I lived." LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS She added, "Grateful to @hotelcapodorso for reminding me to slow down, breathe the salty air, taste the wine, and watch those stories pass by over an espresso 🤍" "from spa to sea, grazie." Hough also traded her beachwear for a glamorous look during the getaway. In another photo, she posed in a strapless coral-pink gown with a fitted bodice and voluminous skirt while standing along a picturesque street lined with stone buildings and terracotta roofs. Hough looked down as the flowing skirt swept outward around her, completing the look with a statement gold necklace and strappy heels. The trip offered Hough some downtime ahead of another busy chapter in her longtime relationship with "Dancing with the Stars." Hough first joined the competition series as a professional dancer in 2007 and has since served as a judge and co-host.' CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Earlier this year, she reflected on the unlikely longevity of the series, which first premiered in 2005. "I mean, this show got turned down so many times at the beginning, because people were like, a ballroom dancing show? Like, what? Is that really a thing?" Hough told People magazine in May. More than two decades after its debut, Hough said the show's ability to remain true to its roots has helped it endure. "To see that it's been around not only just, like, survived 20 years, but is now thriving more than it ever has, it just goes to show that, like, when you stay in authenticity and integrity of what this show is — which is craftsmanship, just rooting for people to grow and succeed, and go on the journey of transformation, and keep that family experience — that's timeless," she told the outlet. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e5a8a2c5335ae1046348d Audit faults Arizona for unenforced limits on paying parent caregivers te 2026-08-14T00:00:10.722Z Audit faults Arizona for unenforced limits on paying parent caregivers Disability rights advocates gather Feb. 26, 2025, at the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix to urge Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs and Republican legislative leaders to remedy a funding shortfall in the state's Division of Developmental Disabilities that could leave them suddenly without essential services. (Photo by Caitlin Sievers/Arizona Mirror) More than a year after new regulations were signed into law, a state program that pays parents to be caregivers for their developmentally disabled children still hasn’t implemented required guardrails meant to rein in skyrocketing costs. State auditors said that the delay has cost Arizona hundreds of millions.  “AHCCCS suspended implementation of the new standardized assessment tool required by State law, and as a result did not realize a potential cost reduction of between $133 million to $493 million in fiscal year 2026,” auditors wrote, referring to the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, the state’s Medicaid program.  After the state Division of Developmental Disabilities requested more than $120 million in supplemental funding last year, state lawmakers passed legislation to cover the budget gap. But that legislation also tightened regulations for DDD’s Parents as Paid Caregivers Program.  The new law was passed in late April 2025, just in time to ensure that DDD could continue to pay its bills. The Division of Developmental Disabilities is a part of AHCCCS.  The Parents as Paid Caregivers Program originated in Arizona in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, many parents who relied on caregiving services funded by DDD couldn’t find workers willing to provide in-home care for their children with disabilities. The Parents as Paid Caregivers Program, which was initially fully paid for by federal dollars, trains parents and then pays them to provide in-home care to their own children — instead of third-party caregivers — if they require “extraordinary care” above and beyond typical parenting tasks. That might include things like assisting a teenager with bathing, dressing and eating.  But that enhanced federal funding ran out in March 2025, putting the state on the hook for around 35% of the program’s costs.  The end of federal funding came at the same time that utilization of caregiving services through DDD, whether performed by parents or professional caregivers, increased exponentially.  According to AHCCCS, the cost of those services was $77 million in 2019 but had increased to $615 million in 2025. During the same timeframe, the number of people with disabilities receiving those services increased from 8,756 to 18,034, and the hours of care provided per person increased from 435 to 1,267.  Following a bitter fight between Republican lawmakers who sought to cut the program’s funding in half amid worries about the skyrocketing cost of the PPCG program and developmental disability advocates and parents who said the program was vital to many families, legislators only agreed to continuing funding the program if guardrails were also placed on it.  A significant provision from the new law, an assessment tool that would cut down on the amount of paid caregiving hours each child was entitled to through DDD — regardless of whether a parent or outside caregiver provided that care — was required to be implemented by Oct. 1, 2025. AHCCCS began using the tool by the deadline, but it suspended its use 15 days later and still hasn’t reinstated it, according to the July 30 audit report. The audit, which the Arizona Auditor General’s Office hired Sacramento-based Sjoberg Evashenk Consulting to conduct, was another requirement of the April 2025 legislation.  AHCCCS suspended its use of the new assessment tool after three legal advocacy organizations threatened litigation, saying that new limits on service hours had to go through a lengthy rulemaking process outlined in the Administrative Procedure Act, which the agency had not done. A key concern was the inability for parents to appeal cuts to their hours.  Parents were frustrated and anxious, worried that they might lose their homes or jobs if their care hours were cut. Many pointed out that the assessment tool’s strict age-based cutoffs for supervision and help with certain tasks didn’t make sense for some children, especially for those who need constant one-on-one supervision to prevent them from running away from their parents or harming themselves.  After it suspended use of the new assessment tool, AHCCCS began rulemaking to create an appeal process, but had to scrap that and begin anew in December because the process it developed did not align with the federal Medicaid appeals framework already in place.  As of May, AHCCCS was still working to develop a new process that would work within the federal framework.  “This shift in policy has contributed to further delays in implementing the requirements imposed by State law and realizing cost reductions,” auditors wrote.  AHCCCS disagrees AHCCCS disagreed with all of the audit’s findings, while the Arizona Department of Economic Security, which oversees AHCCCS, disagreed with some findings and agreed with others. Both agencies agreed to implement many of the auditors’ suggestions to comply with the law and decrease costs. In her response to the audit, AHCCCS Interim Director Roberta Harrison wrote that she did not believe auditors properly distinguished between portions of the cost-control law that were and were not implemented. And she said that auditors didn’t acknowledge that AHCCCS couldn’t implement some parts of the law until it got permission from the federal government.  “Specific provisions of (the new law) were implemented as required, while other reforms were delayed due to federal mandates, mitigation of substantial litigation risk, and operational demands,” AHCCCS wrote in its response. Brandi Coon, a developmental disabilities advocate and co-founder of the Raising Voices Coalition, told the Arizona Mirror that reading through the audit caused her a lot of confusion because of the disparity between some of its findings and her lived experience as someone enrolled in the Parents as Paid Caregivers Program.  Auditors said that a 40-hour per week cap on the Parents as Paid Caregivers that was supposed to be implemented in June 2025 was still not being enforced as of May. That limit was a stipulation included with the federal government’s 2024 approval of the state’s request to make the PPCG program permanent.  Coon said that her son primarily receives care from four outside caregivers, and that she is enrolled in the PPCG program mostly as a backup for a few hours a week when no other caregivers are available.  Coon told the Mirror that she and all the other parents enrolled in the program that she has spoken with were told last year by the service agencies that employ them — just like they employ other caregivers who serve the state’s DDD population —  that they were capped at 40 hours per week and would be automatically clocked out after that.  But auditors wrote that, as of May, AHCCCS still hadn’t fully developed or implemented a mechanism to hold service providers accountable for going over the 40-hour limit.  In its response to the audit, the Department of Economic Security said that its provider support network began compiling data on service providers who allowed parents to work more than 40 hours in May 2025 and began implementing corrective action plans for those vendors in April 2026.  It’s clear that some parents are still working more than 40 hours. When auditors looked at the hours worked the week of March 8, they found 257 parent caregivers who worked more than 40 hours, for an estimated $51,000 in possible overpayments for just that week.  In her audit response, Harrison wrote that the 40-hour per week cap on parent caregivers was not intended as a cost-cutting measure.  “Regardless of the caregiver, it is important to recognize that assessed services in excess of 40 hours are still covered for the minor child by a non-parent provider because the services were determined to be medically necessary,” she wrote. “…When a parent provider is capped at 40 hours, the balance of the member’s authorized hours is delivered by a non-parent direct care worker. The State’s obligation to cover the authorized service does not disappear.” Coon also questioned the math that auditors used to determine that AHCCCS and DES had already missed out on between $133 million and $493 million in savings by delaying the cost-cutting measures.  To determine those potential cost savings, auditors looked at 50 of the 769 reassessments of allowed caregiving hours conducted using the new tool between Oct. 1 and Oct. 16. Of the cases they sampled, authorized hours for services decreased by 30% for supervision services and 45% for help with life skills.   Because there are so many confounding factors, and such a small fraction of the children who receive services were re-assessed from Oct. 1 through Oct. 16, Coon said she didn’t trust the estimates.  The auditors acknowledged that the cost savings estimates should not be taken as fact and could not be extrapolated into system-wide savings.  “Although the estimate provides useful context for the tool’s potential fiscal impact, it should be viewed as an estimate with limitations, not as a precise measure of actual cost reductions,” they wrote.  Because the potential litigation that paused the new tool likely would have been costly, as well, Coon said it was impossible to determine how much money continuing to use the tool after Oct. 16 would save, if any.  In her response to the audit, Harrison agreed. “AHCCCS paused the tool in October 2025 because imposing service hour limitations through the ordinary policy process, with the threat of imminent and likely protracted litigation, presented an unreasonable and unacceptable operational and financial risk to the State,” she wrote.  Coon added that because paid DDD caregiving hours help families avoid costly emergency room visits, hospital stays and institutionalizing their children, the reduction in hours could ultimately cost the state more money in the long run. Other states Auditors wrote that they did not believe the new caregiving hours assessment tool alone would contain DDD costs sufficiently to avoid financial problems in the future.  AHCCCS disagreed.  “Because full implementation (of the new assessment tool) has not yet occurred, it is premature to evaluate the precise impact that the tool will have on long term cost containment,” Harrison wrote.  Auditors recommended that AHCCCS implement the same cost-cutting measures as other states, like expenditure caps and increased eligibility restrictions.  But Harrison wrote that the auditors’ suggestions ignored the “significant legal, operational, and programmatic differences which preclude adoption of such practices in Arizona at present and in the near future.” Both Arizona law and the state’s Medicaid agreement with the federal government prevent some of those measures being implemented.  “While additional sweeping cost-containment strategies, like those referenced in the report, are possible, they would require legislative action, Federal authority, or both,” Harrison wrote. YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e53812c5335ae1046335b Small town buzzing over identity of its $1B Powerball winner: ‘Like a murder mystery’ te 2026-08-13T23:30:09.560Z Small town buzzing over identity of its $1B Powerball winner: ‘Like a murder mystery’ A small-town gas station in Illinois is trying to solve a burning mystery: Who holds Wednesday night’s winning $1.04 billion Powerball lottery ticket that was sold in their store? Jon Marshall, 47, manager of Hy-Vee Gas Fresh & Fast convenience store in Quincy, Illinois, told Fox News Digital that he views the waiting "like a murder mystery." "It was about 3 a.m. I got a phone call from the other gas station manager in town. He ... woke me up and he said, ‘You sold the winning ticket.’" SMALL-TOWN DINER PRODUCES 5TH LOTTERY WINNER IN 2 YEARS AS CUSTOMER HITS $2M JACKPOT "I was like, ‘Wow.’" "'Your store sold the winning ticket,'" the other manager said, as Marshal recalled. He was shocked, Marshall said. He ran to his kitchen because he himself bought a Powerball ticket from the Fast & Fresh convenience store.  LAS VEGAS PRICES SQUEEZE EVERYDAY TRAVELERS AS POPULAR CITY EMBRACES EXPENSIVE MAKEOVER "I’m like, ‘I better check my ticket before I worry about anything else.’ And, of course, I wasn’t a winner," he said. As of late Thursday afternoon, the identity of the winner was still a mystery. Curious residents have come by to inquire, he said. But the winner hasn't been identified thus far. Quincy is a historic river city in Illinois on the Mississippi River. It has about 39,000 residents; Marshall said most of his customers are "regulars." The town has "an old-school feel. We still have a lot of great people that would give their shirts off their backs for you," he said. Marshall’s store will receive a $500,000 cash bonus for selling Wednesday’s winning ticket, Powerball rules state. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER The jackpot is the second-largest lottery prize ever won in Illinois and the eighth-largest in the game’s history. The winning numbers were 4, 26, 66, 67 and 69, with Powerball 9. The odds of matching all five white balls and the red Powerball are about 1 in 292.2 million, according to Powerball data. The winner will have a choice of taking the full $1.04 billion jackpot as an annuity, or accepting a one-time cash payment of $450.5 million before taxes, according to Powerball rules. Under the annuity option, the prize is given to the winner in 30 graduated payments over 29 years, the rules note. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES "There’s a lot of people coming in just to kind of see if we found the winner yet, and then there’s just people wanting to get some same luck, repeat luck, buying extra lottery tickets from that same machine," Marshall said. "We got a great buzz going on, and we’re enjoying the ride while we can," he added. Yet the mystery remains.  Illinois gives the ticket holder one year from the Aug. 12 drawing to claim the prize. A Powerball winner, however, who wants the lump-sum option must make that choice within 60 days of the drawing, according to the Illinois Lottery. Lottery officials are urging the winner to sign the back of the ticket and keep it somewhere secure until it is claimed, officials said. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "I'd say, we have probably 15% of [customers] that are traveling on the highway that come to our gas station. Most of them are local," said Marshall. Though the gas station has previously had other winning tickets, it has never experienced a Powerball win. "We've had some big scratch-off tickets, but nothing even close to this one ... nothing [of] quite this caliber," he said. The mystery surrounding the winner may never be solved.  Under Illinois Lottery rules, anyone winning $250,000 or more can request that his or her name and municipality of residence remain confidential when submitting a claim, the Illinois Lottery states. Marshall's greatest hope is that the winner thinks about the community after claiming the prize.  "I hope they do well for the community," he said. "I hope they build up some organizations in town." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e53802c5335ae1046334a Kris Mayes targets company that ‘trapped’ 1,500 Arizona homeowners with hidden liens te 2026-08-13T23:30:08.224Z Kris Mayes targets company that ‘trapped’ 1,500 Arizona homeowners with hidden liens Photo via Getty Images Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is suing a real estate company that allegedly engaged in a predatory title scheme that defrauded approximately 1,500 Arizona residents, saying the company violated the state’s consumer fraud act.  Non-Title Recorded Agreements for Personal Services, or NTRAPS, have been banned in multiple states because they use the promise of a quick sum of money — often less than $1,000 — to lock homeowners into a yearlong contract that they often don’t understand until they try to sell their home.  NTRAPS work by offering a homeowner a free market analysis of their home, which usually comes with a payment to the homeowner to show how serious the company is in the home. As soon as a homeowner signs, they get the money, the analysis and usually forget about the interaction.  But that contract, which can run for up to 40 years, requires they use a specific company to list their home if they decide to sell it in the future. Failure to do so means they must pay the company 3% of the value of their home.  GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE Mayes is now suing one of the nation’s largest companies behind NTRAPS, MV Realty, alleging that it violated the state’s Consumer Fraud Act. The Arizona Mirror first reported on these agreements in 2023, when legislation aimed at regulating them failed to gain momentum.  “MV Realty misled homeowners about the true nature of the Homeowner Benefit Program. Arizona homeowners who fell victim to MV Realty’s deceptive sales practices were trapped by the liens placed on their homes and stripped of their hard-earned equity,” Mayes said in a press release announcing the lawsuit. “My office will not allow predatory companies to take advantage of and profit from Arizona homeowners by making false promises.” MV Realty did not immediately respond to a request for comment. MV Realty marketed NTRAPS as a “Homeowner Benefit Program” that it aggressively pushed on Arizona homeowners through robocalls and other telemarketing techniques that are also under scrutiny by Mayes’ office.  The FCC also has gone after MV Realty for using robocallers.  MV Realty filed for bankruptcy in 2023 amid multiple investigations by multiple state AGs.  Mayes’ lawsuit alleges that MV Realty enticed 1,600 Arizonans to sign one of the agreements, with the majority of those homeowners receiving $1,000 for doing so.  The complaint says that the agreements specified that homeowners had to sell their house through MV Realty and pay either 6% of the sale price or 3% of what the company valued the home at time of signing. If a homeowner tried to terminate the contract early, the company would then demand an “Early Termination Fee” equal to 3% of the home’s value, which was determined by MV Realty.  “MV Realty incentivized volume enrollments by paying its sales agents a $500 commission for each HBA originated (rather than a salary) and used performance metrics to drive sign‑ups,” the complaint says. “Defendants typically withheld complete documents from homeowners until a notary arrived to execute the HBAs.”  Most homeowners never saw the agreement until the notary arrived and then were not left with copies, according to the complaint.  The AG also found that MV Realty failed to “comply with Arizona’s registration, bonding, and disclosure requirements for telephone solicitations.”  MV Realty’s telemarketers used third-party data they purchased to call homeowners, wouldn’t disclose the name of their company and encouraged them to join the “Homeowner Benefit Program.”  Mayes is asking the court to place a permanent injunction against the company from continuing the practice and is also seeking penalties of $10,000 per violation of the state’s consumer protection act, as well as $1,000 for each violation of the National Do-Not-Call list.  MV Realty’s license to operate in Arizona expired at the start of this year after the company decided not to renew it. YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e51292c5335ae1046321e Matthew McConaughey gives update on rumored 'Yellowstone' spin-off series years after reports first surfaced te 2026-08-13T23:20:09.224Z Matthew McConaughey gives update on rumored 'Yellowstone' spin-off series years after reports first surfaced Matthew McConaughey is clearing the air about his rumored "Yellowstone" spin-off. During a recent appearance on The Playlist’s Discourse podcast, the 56-year-old actor discussed the status of the rumored "Yellowstone" spin-off he was meant to star in, giving fans some hope that they might still see him in that universe. "No, I mean, it’s not any more of a thing than it was or probably any less of a thing than it was that did hit the headlines there for a while," McConaughey said. "Taylor and I have spoken and have continued to have conversations about what [it could be] and if that would be whatever. But nothing’s real yet." Rumors of a potential collaboration between McConaughey and Taylor Sheridan first sparked in 2023, when Sheridan was still trying to figure out the end of "Yellowstone" and whether its star, Kevin Costner, would return. LIONESS STAR MICHAEL KELLY CALLS TAYLOR SHERIDAN 'ONE OF THE GREATEST STORYTELLERS' IN ENTERTAINMENT During the gap between the first half of the show's final season and the second, rumors began swirling that McConaughey and Sheridan were in talks for a potential spin-off of the show, with Sheridan telling The Hollywood Reporter in June 2023, that McConaughey "seems like a natural fit." "We had a few conversations over the years, and spitballed a few ideas," Sheridan said. "Then he started watching 'Yellowstone' and responded to it. He was like, ‘I want to do that.’ And by ‘that’ he meant diving into a raw world clashing up against the modern world. And then I said, ‘Buddy, that we can do.’" "Yellowstone" aired its series finale in December 2024, without Costner, with Sheridan giving his character an off-screen death. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Prior to the end of the show, it was announced in August 2024 that two of its stars, Cole Hauser and Kelly Reilly, who played Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler, would star in their own spin-off series, titled "Dutton Ranch," which saw the two characters leave Montana to start fresh in Texas. While this show is an extension of the "Yellowstone" universe, Sheridan stepped away from the writers' room during the first season, although he is still an executive producer. "There were challenges, you know?" Hauser told Film Inside NYC in July. "Not having Taylor [Sheridan] there, for us to really kind of be able to work with these new writers, these new directors, these people... Everything had changed." LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS In the end, Hauser said that he is "proud of what we accomplished" on the show, crediting everyone on set for having to "figure out on our feet how to really perform and tell a story," noting, "I look forward to doing it again." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e51252c5335ae10463209 ACLU pauses legal fight over Arizona’s Prop 314 immigration law te 2026-08-13T23:20:05.929Z ACLU pauses legal fight over Arizona’s Prop 314 immigration law PHOENIX — The American Civil Liberties Union is dropping its bid to block state and local police from arresting some people who cross the Arizona border illegally. Attorney John Mitchell said the ACLU and the Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project, which it represents, continue to believe a key provision of Proposition 314 is unconstitutional.  The provision, approved by Arizona voters in 2024, gives state and local police authority to enforce certain federal immigration laws.  But Mitchell said there is no way to pursue the case — at least right now — because there’s no evidence that anyone has actually been picked up under the new law, which took effect just a month ago. “And that means it’s not the right time to continue litigating,” he said. Going forward, he said, they will monitor police activity to see whether anyone is charged with breaking the law. Only at that point, he said, will there be someone with the legal standing to go back to federal court and ask a judge to delay enforcement and, eventually, have the statute declared unconstitutional. Voters approved Prop. 314 after TV airwaves were flooded with videos of people crossing the border through gaps in fences and other isolated spots. The Biden administration had made a conscious decision to adopt a policy of “catch and release,” with entrants processed by Customs and Border Protection and then released with notices to appear in immigration court. That led Republican legislators to argue that the state needed to take action on its own. When Hobbs vetoed their plan, GOP leaders had it put on the 2024 ballot. Prop. 314 contains several provisions, including requiring state and local agencies providing taxpayer-funded benefits to verify immigration status and making it a felony to submit false documents to employers. There is even a section that enhances the penalty for selling fentanyl if it results in the death of another. The heart of it, however, is Section 5. It makes it a misdemeanor for anyone who is not a citizen to enter Arizona from a foreign country other than at a port of entry. As a state crime, that empowers state and local police to enforce it. But it also allows a judge to order the arrested person deported, rather than face criminal charges. U.S. District Court Judge Mike Liburdi rejected the ACLU’s bid last month to halt enforcement of Prop. 314 while it was being litigated. Mitchell acknowledged that leaves his organization’s challenge in legal limbo. “The trajectory of this litigation has always depended on when and how the state chooses to enforce Section 5,” he said. “In the first month that Section 5 has become fully enforceable, we’ve just seen none. So, from a litigation standpoint, it means our best strategy is to hold off until we get evidence of that enforcement.” The post ACLU pauses legal fight over Arizona’s Prop 314 immigration law first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e4c7d2c5335ae1046315f Speaker Johnson slams Dems after noncitizens charged with illegally voting in battleground state te 2026-08-13T23:00:13.746Z Speaker Johnson slams Dems after noncitizens charged with illegally voting in battleground state House Speaker Mike Johnson slammed Democrats Thursday over election security after noncitizens were charged with illegally voting in Michigan, warning that similar cases across the country pose a growing threat to the integrity of American elections. "From New Jersey to Michigan, the evidence continues to mount: Illegal aliens are registering and VOTING in American elections," Johnson said in a post shared on X. "Democrats know this — which is why they want OPEN BORDERS and OPPOSE voter ID" he added before stating that it is a "clear and present danger to the integrity of our elections — and our Republic." "All Americans DESERVE secure elections, and Republicans are the ones fighting to make it happen," he said. HASAN PIKER WARNS ‘THE KNIVES WILL BE OUT’ AFTER SOCIALIST FRANCESCA HONG FALLS IN WISCONSIN UPSET Johnson's remarks came as five non-U.S. citizens who allegedly voted in the 2024 presidential election — along with a U.S. citizen accused of registering her non-citizen husband — were charged with election crimes, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced. The charges follow a state review of 38 suspected cases of non-citizen voting or related conduct from 2009 to 2025. Of those cases, six resulted in criminal charges, 10 were closed without charges and 22 remain under active review. BOMBSHELL VOTING SCANDAL ADDS TO PATTERN OF NONCITIZEN VOTERS AS TRUMP WARNS OF THREAT TO ‘HEART' OF DEMOCRACY "In my office, we’ve always taken election crimes seriously, and prosecute attacks on our voting systems to the fullest extent of the law," Nessel said in a statement. "We’re upholding election integrity by investigating all claims of non-citizen voters, as rare as they are, and holding bad actors accountable when they refuse to abide by the laws that keep our elections safe and secure." More than 5.7 million ballots were cast in Michigan during the November 2024 general election. State officials have said illegal voting by noncitizens remains extremely rare. TRUMP INTERVENES AS HOUSE GOP REVOLT PUTS SAVE AMERICA ACT AT CENTER OF SPENDING SHOWDOWN The charges come as President Donald Trump’s administration has made preventing illegal voting a priority. He signed executive orders in March 2025 and March 2026 to strengthen citizenship verification for federal elections and directing agencies to give states greater access to citizenship and immigration data. Trump's administration has also backed legislation requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. Nessel's announcement included Robert Piva, 67, of Roseville, a permanent resident who is charged with election law perjury, which is a five-year felony; attempting to vote unqualified, which carries a four-year felony; and fraudulent registration, a 90-day misdemeanor. NONCITIZEN EX-KANSAS MAYOR PLEADS GUILTY TO ILLEGALLY VOTING MULTIPLE TIMES He allegedly voted early in October 2024. Piva claimed his vote was an "experiment" concerning voter fraud. Michael Akioya, 39, of Oak Park, also a permanent resident, has been charged with two 90-day misdemeanors for allegedly making false statements on an absentee voter application and ballot envelope during the 2024 election. Alondra Harker, 26, of Three Rivers, is a limited-term alien resident charged with misdemeanor fraudulent registration, which is punishable by up to 90 days in jail, for allegedly registering and voting in person in 2024.  SKID ROW ELECTION SCHEME ALLEGEDLY FUELED BY POCKET-CHANGE PAYOFFS BUSTED BY TRUMP DOJ Harumi Michael, 60, who lives in Wolverine Lake, is a permanent resident who faces three felonies — two counts of election forgery and one count of attempting to vote unqualified — plus one misdemeanor for allegedly registering and voting in Commerce Township. Basanth Sadasivian, 29, is a non-citizen living in the United Kingdom who is charged with felony attempting to vote unqualified, punishable by up to four years in prison, for allegedly registering and voting in 2024 through the Federal Post Card Application system using a Bloomfield Hills address. And Kimberley DiDonato, 60, of Rose Township, is a U.S. citizen charged with election forgery, a five-year felony, and computer crime, a seven-year felony, after allegedly posing as her non-citizen husband to register him online. Authorities said DiDonato claimed she wanted to test system vulnerabilities before asking to cancel the registration. FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKS DOJ ACCESS TO NJ VOTER ROLLS AMID STATEWIDE CONTROVERSY Nessel’s office declined to charge four referred people after determining that two were U.S. citizens, one was an American citizen through an international adoption and another was a federally recognized American Indian born in Canada. Six additional cases were closed without charges because of a lack of evidence of criminal intent or potential registration errors. Nessel also said delays in federal cooperation affected the timeline of the state’s investigations. "While the question of whether any given resident is a citizen may feel simple, some cases are nuanced in unexpected ways," Nessel said. "The federal government has not always provided easy or open access to certain necessary citizenship records, and so our investigators had to spend considerable time and effort coaxing cooperation from the federal agencies." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e4c7c2c5335ae10463156 Mamdani’s luxury-home tax gets new life as appeals court lifts roadblock in homeowner fight te 2026-08-13T23:00:12.959Z Mamdani’s luxury-home tax gets new life as appeals court lifts roadblock in homeowner fight Democratic New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s controversial luxury-home tax rollout is back on track, at least for now, after a New York appeals court on Thursday lifted the roadblock that had stopped the city from moving ahead. Judge Philip Hom temporarily lifted the order blocking the city from moving ahead with the rollout, allowing the surcharge process to resume while the legal battle continues. Randy Mastro, the attorney representing the homeowners challenging the rollout, blasted the administration in a statement to Fox News Digital. MAMDANI’S LUXURY-HOME TAX ROLLOUT DERAILED FOR NOW AS JUDGE DELIVERS WIN TO NYC HOMEOWNERS OVER MASSIVE LIST "It is a shame that the City can’t own up to its own mistakes and admit that it has badly botched the rollout of this surcharge," Mastro said. "Instead, the administration is doubling down, going to court to ensure that it can continue harassing and threatening New York City homeowners who clearly are permanent residents — something the City would know if it would only do its homework." Mastro accused Mamdani of pushing ahead with thousands of surcharge notices he called "blatantly illegal." "It is, quite frankly, outrageous that this Mayor is so desperate to further his agenda that he’s continuing to try to enforce thousands [of] surcharge ‘notices’ that are blatantly illegal," Mastro said. "We remain confident that when we are back in court in a mere 18 days, the thousands of New York City homeowners who are now illegally burdened with the responsibility of proving they do indeed live in their own homes will finally get the permanent relief they deserve," he added. MAMDANI'S PROPERTY TAX DUBBED 'DANGEROUS' AND 'A LITTLE WEIRD' BY COMEDIANS AFTER LIST WAS PUBLISHED Mastro’s office also confirmed to Fox News Digital on background that Thursday’s development was procedural, allowing the city to move forward with its appeal while staying the temporary restraining order. The homeowners are expected back in court Aug. 31, when they will seek permanent relief from the original judge. The appellate order came after a sharp dispute over whether the city’s decision to appeal had automatically put Judge Wayne Ozzi’s entire order on hold. In an Aug. 11 letter to Ozzi, Mastro argued that most of the judge’s restrictions remained in effect and warned the city against pressing ahead with the surcharge. PROPERTY OWNER ADVOCACY GROUPS PUSH BACK ON MAMDANI'S 'RENTAL RIPOFF REPORT,' PUBLIC DATABASE OF LANDLORDS Thursday’s order removed that immediate uncertainty by staying Ozzi’s temporary restraining order while the city’s appeal moves forward. The latest turn comes just three days after Ozzi slammed the brakes on the city’s rollout of the surcharge, which targets certain high-value properties that do not serve as primary residences. Ozzi ordered the city to remove a disputed supplemental property roll from its website and temporarily blocked officials from taking further action based on the roll or notices sent to homeowners. He also stopped the city from enforcing deadlines contained in those notices, including the Sept. 18 deadline to file an administrative appeal. CLINTON, OBAMA-ERA DEMOCRATIC HEAVYWEIGHTS PENN AND EMANUEL RIP NYC'S MAMDANI OVER TAXES, ISRAEL, BLAST DSA The lawsuit was filed by New York City homeowners Rachel O’Brien, Carmine Morano and Simon Hedley, who are not challenging the surcharge itself but rather how the Mamdani administration implemented it. The homeowners argue the city improperly put the burden on New Yorkers to prove they live in their properties rather than first determining which homes actually qualify for the surcharge. Their lawsuit also takes aim at the city’s publication of a supplemental property roll containing information on more than 900,000 homeowners. The plaintiffs allege the publication caused "mass confusion" and subjected homeowners to unwanted public scrutiny. During Monday’s hearing, Mastro repeatedly accused the administration of failing to do its homework before launching the program. NYC MAYOR MAMDANI CALLS THREAT OF RICH PEOPLE LEAVING NYC OVER TAXES 'IMAGINED' "The city screwed this up… got it wrong… stop the train and make them do it over," Mastro told the court. "The city is to bear the burden," he argued. "They didn’t do their homework." The city quickly fought back. In appellate papers filed Thursday, the city asked the court to confirm that Ozzi’s entire temporary restraining order was automatically stayed under state law or, alternatively, grant a stay while its appeal proceeds. The city also sought permission to appeal if necessary. PROGRESSIVES WANT TO TAX BILLIONAIRES FIRST, AND YOU'RE NEXT ON THE LIST City attorneys argued that filing a notice of appeal and an affirmation of its intention to seek permission to appeal triggered an automatic stay. The city also argued that Ozzi’s order disrupted the status quo and threatened to derail the Department of Finance’s implementation of the surcharge under an already tight timeline. According to the city’s filing, the Department of Finance sent initial determination notices to approximately 17,000 property owners. City officials have maintained that inclusion on the much broader supplemental roll did not mean a property owner would ultimately be subject to the surcharge. The city warned that leaving the lower court’s order in place could interfere with property tax bills scheduled to be mailed Nov. 15 and potentially jeopardize revenue from the surcharge. The city comptroller has projected the tax will generate at least $500 million through fiscal year 2028, according to the appellate filing. NEW YORK CITY LANDLORDS WARN AMERICAN DREAM IS SLIPPING AWAY UNDER SOCIALIST RENT POLICIES The city has also argued that the administrative appeals process gives homeowners a straightforward way to establish that a property is a primary residence and that officials may not have access to all of the information necessary to make that determination without additional documentation from owners. The homeowners dispute that argument, saying state law required the city to make an individualized initial determination before sending the notices in the first place. One plaintiff, Hedley, ultimately received approval after submitting documentation showing that his property was his primary residence. Mastro has argued that Hedley’s experience demonstrates how easily the city could have made the determination itself before sending the notice. Monday's courtroom battle grew heated as the two sides clashed over whether the rollout harmed homeowners and whether stopping the process would instead hurt taxpayers and the city. NYC RENT BOARD DISSENTER WARNS MAMDANI-BACKED FREEZE COULD HURT AFFORDABLE HOUSING OVER TIME: 'SLOW BURN' Ozzi ultimately sided with the homeowners at the preliminary stage, finding that the notices caused irreparable harm and that the burden was on the city to make an initial determination. He also found the homeowners had demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits, while emphasizing that he was not making a final determination in the case. Mamdani's administration immediately vowed to fight the ruling. "We disagree with today’s ruling, but we are confident in both the pied-à-terre surcharge and the City’s ability to implement it fairly and effectively," Matt Rauschenbach, a spokesperson for the mayor, told Fox News Digital following Monday’s decision. "This surcharge asks those who own second homes valued at $5 million or more to contribute their fair share to the city they benefit from," he added. Mamdani also defended the tax before Monday’s ruling, arguing that revenue from high-value second homes would help fund city services including schools and public safety. The mayor said only about 17,000 homeowners in a city of 8.5 million people were potentially affected and pointed to the administration’s decision to extend the deadline for homeowners to seek an exemption. Thursday’s action does not decide which side is ultimately right. The appellate case is proceeding with the City of New York, Mamdani, the Department of Finance and Finance Commissioner Richard Lee challenging the lower court’s order. The city has told the appeals court that it is prepared to move forward with its appeal on an expedited basis. Fox News' Maria Paronich contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e4c7c2c5335ae1046314d JD Vance warns Republicans not to blame young Americans for the appeal of socialism te 2026-08-13T23:00:12.130Z JD Vance warns Republicans not to blame young Americans for the appeal of socialism Vice President JD Vance delivered a wake-up call to Republicans on Thursday, cautioning them against blaming young Americans for embracing socialism and arguing that the GOP deserves some of the blame. Appearing on "The Will Cain Show," Vance defended young voters sympathetic to socialism as the far-left ideology gains appeal for those struggling with accomplishing the American dream their parents achieved. "My warning to my fellow Republicans would be: If we don't get this right, don't blame young people for being sympathetic to socialism. We've got to blame ourselves," he told Fox News host Will Cain. SOCIALISTS CHEER ‘SHOCKWAVE’ PRIMARY NIGHT AS DSA-BACKED CANDIDATES WIN, ADVANCE ACROSS THE MAP Vance's comments come amid a high-stakes battle over the ideological future of the Democratic Party, as the Democratic Socialists of America’s (DSA) grip on the establishment appears to grow tighter. Michigan's Abdul El-Sayed and Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan recently scored crucial Democratic U.S. Senate primary victories while DSA member Francesca Hong fell short in Wisconsin's Democratic gubernatorial primary. Vance, who described socialism as "dangerous and destructive," argued that Republicans cannot ignore the economic concerns he believes are "feeding" young Americans’ growing interest in the ideology. YOUNG CONSERVATIVES REVEAL WHAT’S TOP OF MIND AS GOP, DEMOCRATS BATTLE FOR 'HOPELESS' GEN Z VOTERS The median price for a single-family home in the United States sits at over $430,000, according to data from Redfin analyzed by Forbes. With surging housing prices, much of the younger generation feels shut out of a market that helped previous generations build wealth, some critics have argued. Socialist candidates are capitalizing on those frustrations, and Vance said young Americans deserve better. The vice president spoke directly to young Americans who feel financially incapable of achieving the same economic security as their parents. "I would say to that young person that you as an American citizen deserve to have a good life in this country, and you deserve to have a government that is making it easier for you to start a family, for you to afford to get a good education, for you to have a good job, for you to afford a home," the vice president said. IRATE REPUBLICANS ACCUSE TRUMP OF HANDING DEMOCRATS A WIN AFTER BLOWING UP HOUSING PACKAGE Vance said the Trump administration’s economic policy agenda is already delivering positive results for the American people, touting "stabilized" housing prices. "We're seeing trillions of dollars of new investment into this country, which means good, middle-class jobs for young people, middle-income people all across our country," he told Fox News. Vance urged fellow Republicans to listen to the economic concerns of Americans drawn to socialism and not underestimate their worries. "You don't stop socialism by throwing slogans at people about the free market," he said. "As much as I love the free market, you stop socialism by making people's lives better, and that's what we're trying to do every single day." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e4a1f2c5335ae104630f2 Could Shohei Ohtani leave the Los Angeles Dodgers if Mark Walter sells the team after Lakers deal? te 2026-08-13T22:50:07.436Z Could Shohei Ohtani leave the Los Angeles Dodgers if Mark Walter sells the team after Lakers deal? The sports world was stunned this week when reports broke that the Los Angeles Lakers had been sold again less than a year after the franchise's most recent sale. Not just because of the massive $12 billion price tag, and the speed with which the deal came together, nor that the new ownership group is being headed by former Disney company CEO Bob Iger. But because the now-former ownership group was headed by Mark Walter, one of the most successful sports owners in recent history. Walter is the CEO of Guggenheim Partners, a massive, $350 billion global financial services company. And as such, is the lead owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The same Dodgers who have won back-to-back World Series titles, and become the convenient villain for fans and the other owners, desperate to make increase their profits. DAVE ROBERTS CALLS CRITICISM OF DODGERS' SPENDING 'LAZY,' SAYS RIVALS SHOULD 'LOOK IN THE MIRROR' So one of the richest men in the country, who's already successfully revamped the Dodgers into a behemoth, was set to bring his financial wherewithal and acumen to one of the most iconic organizations in the NBA. Then, less than a year after the deal was officially approved, he sells the team. It's odd, to say the least. Unless that same owner is currently under investigation by the federal government for alleged loan fraud. An investigation that might require significant cash, even for someone as wealthy as Walter, to resolve. Speculation immediately ran rampant that the Lakers sale was a necessity to free up funds for Walter. And then immediately went even more rampant that an even more stunning transaction might also become a necessity: selling the Dodgers too. Guggenheim purchased the Dodgers in 2012 for $2 billion, which seemed like an astronomical price at the time. In 2026 however, the San Diego Padres sold for $3.9 billion, the Yankees just brought in $2.6 billion in private equity financing, and it's been estimated that the Dodgers became the first MLB team to cross $1 billion in revenue. Most estimates put the franchise valuation at around $8 billion. But given the scarcity of brand names at their level, it might be even higher. Not too bad for just 14 years on the job. HERE'S WHAT THE SAN DIEGO PADRES RECORD $3.9 BILLION SALE MEANS FOR MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL So will Walter sell the Dodgers too in order to raise money to pay off the loans in question? CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM According to the Los Angeles Times, there are no plans for him to do so. Stan Kasten, the team's president, reiterated that this is a "Laker story" to the media Wednesday. "This is a Laker story, not really a Dodger story," he said. "It really has nothing to do with the Dodgers. They’re completely separate. And so there are no changes here or contemplated here, and I think that pretty much is the whole story." What throws an extra wrinkle into the discussion is that there's a "key man" clause in the contract of the Dodgers, and baseball's, biggest star: Shohei Ohtani. When Ohtani signed with the Dodgers in December 2023, it was reported that there was a clause in his contract that allowed him to opt out of his 10-year deal if one of two people left the organization: president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman...and Mark Walter. The Athletic reported on Thursday that Ohtani would like not opt out, were Walter to sell the Dodgers, but it's a fascinating subplot to what would seem to be an ordinary ownership debate. Ohtani's already won two championships in LA after never reaching the postseason in Anaheim, and the Dodgers have consistently demonstrated their commitment to winning. But that commitment has been, in large part, due to Walter's willingness to spend money and sacrifice profits. If ownership changes, would their financial advantages change too? Guggenheim also has ownership control over Chelsea FC, along with the LA Sparks and an interest in the new Cadillac F1 team. Those could wind up being sold to raise funds, though none would command the same type of return as the Dodgers. While everyone involved has maintained that the team is not for sale and will not be for sale, given how quickly the Lakers deal got done, that seems far from guaranteed. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e4a1e2c5335ae104630e9 Aussie women's cricket star addresses cheating with her teammate scandal that ended marriage te 2026-08-13T22:50:06.768Z Aussie women's cricket star addresses cheating with her teammate scandal that ended marriage Last month, Australia vice-captain Ash Gardner found herself at the center of a cheating scandal where she had been accused of cheating on her wife with a teammate. The Aussie cricket star's now ex-wife Monica Wright, who was friends with several of the other players, named the teammate involved in the affair and the matter was looked into by Cricket Australia. Gardner is a vice-captain and the teammate in question, Georgia Voll, is not, which raises questions about a possible conflict of interest given the power imbalance. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Cricket Australia was made aware of the affair before the scandal made headlines. After looking into it, the organization decided not to strip the vice-captain of her position. "Ash is a highly regarded leader in our system. The CA board make leadership decisions and have oversight over all leadership decisions," Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg said, reports The Guardian. "Ash is our vice-captain for a reason, because she’s highly regarded, but what we will do is in situations where there are personal relationships is make sure there are additional guardrails, so the perception of conflict or conflict itself – talking about things like selection – are handled appropriately and respectfully." Now let's hear from the vice-captain herself. She addressed the matter as well as the decision not to remove her from her position. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE "While my separation from my wife is a personal matter, I understand my current relationship status needed to be addressed by Cricket Australia given my position as vice-captain," Gardner wrote on her Instagram Story. "I am grateful that the CA Board has chosen to support my continued leadership. I look forward to playing a strong role as a leader and providing the best possible support for my teammates in the season to come." She doesn’t want to have to discuss the matter any further and included a message for her ex-wife. "I am grateful for the time Monica and I shared and sorry for the pain this has caused. I wish her nothing but happiness and success in the future," Gardner wrote. "I won't be making any further public comment on this matter at this time and ask that the privacy of those involved is respected." There you have it. The captain is putting this all behind her. She wants to move on and the fact that she had an affair with a teammate shouldn’t impact her role as a leader. She's going to be just fine. And so is Monica Wright, for that matter. We tend to focus on the cheating athlete in these scandals, but something tells me the wife she left behind in this case is going to be just fine. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e47c82c5335ae10463031 White House correspondents widely praise Karoline Leavitt as she announces exit from Trump administration te 2026-08-13T22:40:08.126Z White House correspondents widely praise Karoline Leavitt as she announces exit from Trump administration White House correspondents are largely singing the praises of outgoing press secretary Karoline Leavitt as she prepares to exit the role after just over 18 months on the job. President Donald Trump first revealed on Truth Social Wednesday that Leavitt, 28, would leave her role at the end of the month to spend more time with her family. Leavitt has earned a reputation as a skilled spokesperson who paved the way for nontraditional media outlets to have a voice in the White House. Others see her simply as the mouthpiece for a president who carefully crafted her rhetoric to satisfy an audience of one — Trump himself. SCRAMBLE FOR KAROLINE LEAVITT'S REPLACEMENT ENSUES WITH JUST WEEKS UNTIL TRUMP'S SPOKESPERSON EXITS Fox News senior White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich, who now serves as the president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, reacted to the news live on air. "She is the youngest press secretary in history, huge achievement in and of itself, and was a very effective messenger for this administration," Heinrich said. Heinrich added that Leavitt was "very accessible and in the room with the president," which is not always the case. "Under the Biden administration, for example, when we would try to get answers from Karine Jean-Pierre, often it was apparent that she wasn’t as close to the decision-makers and able to give us valuable information, as Karoline has been in her time here. So, this is going to be a big loss for this White House," Heinrich said. WHITE HOUSE PUSHED FOR PROTOCOL TO PRESERVE CORRESPONDENTS' CREDIBILITY AFTER TRUMP'S SECRET PLANE SWITCH NBC News White House correspondent Garrett Haake stressed the stature Leavitt has in the Trump administration, writing on X, "It's impossible to overstate how much of an inner-circle figure Leavitt is in this White House, and how much the President trusts her as an advisor on any issue." Fox News Digital spoke with several White House reporters who were complimentary of Leavitt. "She consistently called on a variety of reporters in the press briefings, often non-legacy reporters standing in the aisles," Daily Wire White House reporter Mary Margaret Olohan told Fox News Digital. "She was very helpful if I met with her and her attitude towards new media absolutely permeated throughout her team." "Most of my colleagues in the White House press seem to respect her, even when she would go after them for their questions or their question framing in briefings," Olohan continued. "From my vantage point, most reporters understood that Karoline played fair but would be very aggressive if a question was framed duplicitously or maliciously towards the administration." LEAVITT CLASHES WITH JOURNALIST OVER RENEE GOOD, CALLS HIM 'LEFT-WING ACTIVIST' IN TENSE WH BRIEFING EXCHANGE A second White House correspondent said Leavitt did a "fantastic job." "She knew how to communicate President Trump's message, but also how to work with the press, often in a non-confrontational and private manner," the reporter told Fox News Digital. "Trump has huge shoes to fill. It is an extremely challenging job that requires a combination of showmanship and savvy people skills," they continued. "You need the respect of other senior officials to develop a firm grasp of issues and the intelligence to retain and communicate those facts." A third White House reporter told Fox News Digital that Leavitt was easier to work with than her Biden administration predecessors. "Karoline was the best press secretary I’ve ever worked with — and there have been many," the veteran reporter said. "I think the reason she’s so effective is because she spent real time with Trump, as well as time understanding his policies and reasoning behind them." "[Biden press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre], as a counter example, didn’t do either," the reporter continued. "And while you could say [Jen] Psaki was a policy wonk, her flaw was that she looked at the press with disdain. They were arrogant, whereas Karoline understood how to work with us." HERE'S WHAT YOU MISSED FROM TRUMP'S FIRST WHCA DINNER AS PRESIDENT: 5 TAKEAWAYS FROM HIS NIGHT WITH THE PRESS While many White House reporters will remember Leavitt fondly at the podium, she didn't win over the entire room. A fourth White House correspondent told Fox News Digital they've had an icy relationship with Leavitt since she served as a spokesperson for Trump's 2024 campaign and that things only got worse once Leavitt took control of the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room. "I was not a fan," they said. "And in the end, I don't think it matters who the press secretary is because this president demands that 100% loyalty and 100% willingness to repeat whatever crazy things he said that day. Her reputation as an honest broker is gone, if it ever was there." A reporter who wished to remain anonymous remarked that Leavitt was willing to "play ball with pretty much everyone but the really sleazy reporters." Neither Leavitt nor the White House immediately responded to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Leavitt's impact on briefings will be lasting. At the beginning of the second Trump administration, she famously announced that the White House press office would determine which reporters and media outlets were permitted in the daily press pool, a decision that had historically been made independently by the White House Correspondents’ Association. She also introduced the "new media" seat, giving podcasters, influencers and independent journalists a chance to ask questions. A successor to take over the podium has yet to be named. Leavitt is expected to step down at the end of August. Fox News Digital’s Brittany Miller and David Rutz contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e45712c5335ae10462fe5 Lane restrictions for chip seal go through October te 2026-08-13T22:30:09.436Z Lane restrictions for chip seal go through October Earth Resources Corporation, working for Yavapai County, will be performing chip seal and fog seal operations on various roads in Sedona, the Village of Oak Creek and Jerome. Roads affected are: View a map of the affected roads below or at yavapaiaz.gov under Resident Services, the Public Works Proj Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e45702c5335ae10462fd3 What my son's ultrasound taught me about abortion — and Massachusetts ignores te 2026-08-13T22:30:08.281Z What my son's ultrasound taught me about abortion — and Massachusetts ignores My son turned 1 year old last month, but I still have his ultrasound pictures up on the fridge. They were the first time I got to see his little hands, his feet, and even his eyes open wide and looking, somehow, right at me. He was 20 weeks along in that picture. Already kicking. Already reaching. Already becoming the boy who now pulls himself up on that same refrigerator door. I thought of him — of those pictures curling on my fridge — as I watched Massachusetts Democrat Gov. Maura Healey sign a law this week that strips protections from every baby at the same stage of pregnancy against late-term abortion. The state’s new law, the Prioritizing Patient Access to Care Act, guts existing legislation that restricted abortions at 24 weeks and later to cases involving the mother’s life, physical or mental health, or severe fetal diagnoses, and replaces those specific statutory conditions with a sweeping new standard stating that "an abortion may be performed by a physician based upon the professional judgment of the physician." No gestational limit. No requirement that any particular maternal or fetal condition be present. DEM GOV MAURA HEALEY SIGNS SWEEPING MASSACHUSETTS BILL ALLOWING ABORTIONS UP TO BIRTH Surrounded by cheering supporters at the signing, Healey insisted the new law is meant to protect women. Protect them from what, exactly? Massachusetts women facing the truly horrific scenarios — pregnancies that turned fatal for mother or child — already had access to abortion under the state’s prior law. This bill doesn’t hand them a single protection they didn’t already have. What it does do is remove the specific guardrails that governed abortions at such a late stage — namely, the requirement that a physician determine that the abortion was necessary to protect the mother’s life, physical or mental health, or was warranted because of a lethal or extraordinarily grave fetal diagnosis. Under the new law, none of those circumstances have to be established in the statute. The legal standard is simply the physician’s professional judgment. It’s worth pausing on what’s actually happening inside the womb at 24 weeks. Just like my son in his ultrasound pictures, babies at 24 weeks have a fully formed face, fingerprints, and a heartbeat that’s been audible for months. Their lungs are still maturing, but their inner ears are developed enough to hear voices, and they respond to sound and touch. SURROGATE GIVES BIRTH IN TEXAS TO BABY WITH HEART DEFECT AFTER PARENTS REQUESTED ABORTION This is also around the point in pregnancy known as viability — the gestational age at which, with intensive NICU care, a baby born prematurely has a real chance of survival outside the womb. My sister-in-law is a NICU nurse and has cared for several of these infants, some as young as 22 and 23 weeks old. She has watched their mothers sit through countless sleepless nights, praying for tiny lungs to grow strong enough and hearts to keep beating. It is a testament to modern medicine how often those prayers are answered. So what, exactly, separates the baby fighting for his life in the NICU from the baby electively aborted at the very same stage — other than whether someone wanted him? The truth at the center of the abortion debate — the one its advocates rarely reckon with — is that a person’s life has worth in and of itself, independent of anyone else’s readiness to receive it. My son had worth and meaning before I was ready for him, before I’d fully wrapped my mind around what it meant to be his mother. That worth was never mine to take away, and neither was his life. Even those who generally support abortion during the very early stages of pregnancy know this to be true, which is why support for abortion restrictions climbs sharply once you move past the first trimester. LATE-TERM ABORTION TAKES FRONT SEAT AS BLUE STATE RUSHES TO EXPAND ACCESS BEFORE SESSION ENDS A Harvard-Harris poll found that 72% of Americans said abortion should be limited to 15 weeks or earlier, while another Harvard-Harris poll found that just 10% support allowing abortion through nine months. In other words, Healey and the Massachusetts Democrats weren’t overriding some fringe position when they gutted the state’s restrictions; they were overriding the consensus. Theirs is the fringe position now, held by just nine other Democrat-run states, in addition to some of the most totalitarian countries in the world, such as China. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION You’d think that fact might give Democrats pause. Instead, Healey and the women surrounding her on Monday looked overjoyed — smiling, applauding, celebrating a policy that is, by any honest reckoning, both logically and morally indefensible. This law does something else, too: it severs women from the very instincts that make motherhood what it is. As mothers, the question that motivates us, that gives us purpose, that reorders everything else in our lives around it, is: What do we owe the lives entrusted to us? We ask it at 2 a.m. with a crying newborn who can’t tell us what’s wrong. We ask it when they’re sick, when they’re struggling, when they need something we can’t yet name. The answer, every time, is that we owe them unconditional love and care. That question doesn’t start at birth. It starts the moment we understand there is a life to answer for. And at 24 weeks — hell, much, much earlier than that — there is no honest way to pretend that moment hasn’t already come. This law asks something different of women. It asks us to pretend the question doesn’t apply yet — to treat a baby at 24 weeks not as a life entrusted to us, but as a decision that ends the moment we stop wanting it to continue; and to treat the same instinct that governs a mother at 2 a.m. with her newborn as irrelevant three months earlier, as if a mother’s obligation has an on/off switch a doctor can flip. It doesn’t. It never has. And no law, however cheerfully signed, can make that instinct go away. It can only ask women to ignore it. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM KAYLEE McGHEE WHITE Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e43182c5335ae10462f65 Mmm, lumber: Budweiser drops bat-flavored beer for MLB Field of Dreams game in Iowa te 2026-08-13T22:20:08.887Z Mmm, lumber: Budweiser drops bat-flavored beer for MLB Field of Dreams game in Iowa I know that all of us at some point or another have looked at a beautiful wooden baseball bat and thought to ourselves, "Damn, I wish I could get beer flavored with this." I kid. No one has ever thought that, but Budweiser is still giving fans at Thursday night's 2026 MLB Field of Dreams Game between the Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies in Dyersville, Iowa, a chance to taste some suds with hints of lumber. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE That's right, baseball bat-flavored beer has arrived. They're calling it Budweiser Beechwood Reserve, which the company describes as "a limited-edition brew aged with MLB-authenticated beechwood baseball bats made by Marucci, the Official Bat of MLB." Now, here's the thing: Budweiser always uses beechwood chips as part of the aging process. However, according to the company, they will be swapping out those boring old chips they normally use and replacing them with baseball bats. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! I'm not big on stunt flavors in the world of beverages. If you need your coffee to taste like cookies and your beer to taste like a bag of Sour Patch Kids, you may not actually like the taste of coffee or beer. But I like this kind of stunt. It should taste about the same as the standard Budweiser, but now you can pretend to be a connoisseur and talk about how you can taste the bats. It's like when KISS put their blood in comic book ink or when Metallica blasted its music at barrels of their whiskey while they aged (my big joke was taking a sip and going, "You can really taste the 'Seek and Destroy' in this batch"). I dig it... even if I'm pretty certain I could not tell the difference between your regular, run-of-the-mill Bud and the one that had some bats soaking in it. But I'd love to try, and the only place you can do that is in a cornfield in the middle of Iowa. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e43122c5335ae10462f24 Investors sue Selena Gomez alleging fraud tied to her mental health startup te 2026-08-13T22:20:02.847Z Investors sue Selena Gomez alleging fraud tied to her mental health startup The plaintiffs say they invested nearly $1.2 million in the company, and are accusing Gomez of failing to build and market the startup. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e40c32c5335ae10462f02 Catholic group demands Massachusetts governor be excommunicated over abortion law te 2026-08-13T22:10:11.284Z Catholic group demands Massachusetts governor be excommunicated over abortion law A leading Catholic advocacy group is calling on Massachusetts bishops to excommunicate Gov. Maura Healey after the Democrat signed legislation removing restrictions on late-term abortions, allowing for abortions up until birth. Healey, a Catholic, signed the "Prioritizing Patient Access to Care Act" on Aug. 10. The measure gives physicians greater judgment in determining whether to perform late-term abortions without facing legal penalties.  Previously, Massachusetts permitted abortions after 24 weeks only if a physician determined it was necessary to preserve the mother’s physical or mental health, save her life, or in cases of fatal fetal diagnoses. When the new law takes effect Nov. 8, those statutory restrictions will be removed, aligning Massachusetts with states like Colorado, Maryland, and Oregon that have no gestational limits. The advocacy group CatholicVote argued that by enacting the law, Healey committed a grave sin and should be barred from the sacraments. LATE-TERM ABORTION TAKES FRONT SEAT AS BLUE STATE RUSHES TO EXPAND ACCESS BEFORE SESSION ENDS CatholicVote president Kelsey Reinhardt wrote an open letter to the Catholic Bishops of Massachusetts, asking them to clarify whether Governor Healey's actions incurred automatic excommunication under church law. Reinhardt pointed to canon law, which dictates that anyone who procures an abortion, or assists someone in procuring one, incurs an automatic (latae sententiae) excommunication. "By the very fact of doing this — no one has to proclaim you excommunicated — you've done something so contrary to the faith that you've actually excommunicated yourself," Reinhardt told Fox News Digital in an interview. "The question is whether the governor signing this law makes her an accomplice in the public expansion of abortion." Reinhardt, the mother to a child who was born at 35 weeks gestation, noted that under this law, a child at the same gestation could be aborted. "There's absolutely no reason ever to kill a child that has absolute viability in life and no reason to kill an innocent child in the womb. That's considered a grave sin by the Catholic Church and by natural reason as well," she told Fox News Digital. POPE LEO PROMOTES ARCHBISHOP WHO BARRED PELOSI FROM COMMUNION TO ONE OF VATICAN'S HIGHEST COURTS She said Healey's public bill-signing ceremony, where abortion advocates smiled and applauded next to her, was particularly egregious for a Catholic politician. "She didn't have to sign this law, and she didn't have to sign it in the way she signed it, which was gravely scandalous as a Catholic, with people applauding around her the death of a baby, as I mentioned, that could be born today, tomorrow, yesterday with no difficulties," Reinhardt added. After the bill was passed in the state House of Representatives in July, the Catholic Bishops of Massachusetts released a joint statement on July 29, calling the proposed legislation "a radical measure which is gravely immoral." The letter was signed by the four Catholic bishops of Massachusetts, representing Boston, Worcester, Fall River, and Springfield. However, Reinhardt argued that a statement of condemnation does not go far enough. "The church has at its ability within the Catholic Church, this medicinal remedy for sin, which is excommunication," she said. "And if this does not cross the line of grave evil, and the celebration of public grave evil, I question if there is anything that does." CATHOLIC CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY TO HOST NANCY PELOSI AS COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER DESPITE ABORTION STANCE Reinhardt said the ultimate goal of ex-communication is repentance and reconciliation. "It's not a punishment, it's medicinal," she explained. "It's a call to help you wake up and say, 'Oh my goodness, I've done something that puts me outside of my faith.'" "You cannot be pro-abortion and Catholic at the same time," Reinhardt added. Other religious figures made similar calls for action. Bishop Ceirion H. Dewar, an Anglican missionary bishop, wrote on X, "There is absolutely no way to justify administering the sacrament to Governor Healey now. She must be excommunicated immediately by the Holy Father!" The Governor's Office, the Archdiocese of Boston, and the Massachusetts Catholic Conference did not immediately respond to requests for comment. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Healey has defended the legislation as a vital protection for women's healthcare. "The bottom line for people in Massachusetts, if you care about women's health, if you care about making sure that women are able to access the health care that they need in consultation with their doctors, should be clear," Healey said during the bill's passage. "I stand with women. My opponents do not." Healey also framed the legislation as a "shield" against national efforts under President Donald Trump and Republicans to roll back abortion protections following the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade. Massachusetts now joins Alaska, Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon and Vermont in removing gestational age limits on abortion, along with the District of Columbia. Fox News' Bonny Chu contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e40c22c5335ae10462ef9 Fox News Poll: Economic anxiety and candidate concerns define Ohio Senate race te 2026-08-13T22:10:10.690Z Fox News Poll: Economic anxiety and candidate concerns define Ohio Senate race Financial unease and voter concerns over Republican incumbent Senator Jon Husted’s ties to the president are driving the dynamics in the Ohio Senate contest between Husted and former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown. Brown seeks to regain his Senate seat by challenging Husted, who was appointed in 2025 after JD Vance became vice president. Brown narrowly lost his seat to Bernie Moreno in 2024. Underpinning the electorate’s mood is frustration with the cost of living. A new Fox News survey of Ohio registered voters finds inflation dominates their priorities, with 40% saying it is their top issue, far outranking healthcare, immigration, and political divisions. In 2020, 28% of Ohioans described their family’s financial situation as "falling behind." Now, that’s up to 38% — and those voters favor Brown by 40 points. Donald Trump won Ohio by 11 points in 2024. Still, a vulnerability for Husted is his connection to Trump, as 51% are concerned that he’s too close to the president. That’s up 5 points from 46% who felt that way about Husted in June. Plus, fewer voters, 44%, are worried Brown is too closely tied to the Democratic Party establishment. FOX NEWS POLL: NEW MATCHUP, SAME RESULT: MAINE SENATE RACE STAYS LOCKED These headwinds are directly fracturing party lines, with Republican defections to Brown undercutting Husted’s built-in advantage in a state where more voters identify as Republican than Democrat. While 87% of Republicans favor Husted, fully 97% of Democrats back Brown. The Democrat also draws 11% crossover support from Republicans overall and 25% among non-MAGA Republicans. Two-thirds of independents also favor Brown. All those factors help Brown remain 8 points ahead of Husted in the race for Ohio’s Senate seat, 53% to 45%, a margin unchanged since June. FOX NEWS POLL: GOP DIVISIONS SHAPE TEXAS SENATE RACE Brown’s lead expands to 10 points (54-44%) among those who rate their certainty to vote as a 10 out of 10, and to 15 points (57-42%) among those saying they are extremely motivated to vote. In addition, those most motivated to turn out this year — liberals, voters with a college degree, and supporters of the Democratic Socialists of America — prefer their former Senator. Brown has significant advantages among liberals (+88 points), urban voters (+37), those in union households (+31), voters under age 45 (+17), women (+16), and college graduates (+9). Husted is favored among conservatives (+65 points), White evangelical Christians (+42), White men without a college degree (+17), rural residents (+12), and married voters (+6). Meanwhile, Brown has the most positive personal rating of the candidates tested (51% favorable, 47% unfavorable), while ratings for Husted are 10 percentage points underwater (43% favorable, 53% unfavorable). Part of Brown's advantage is driven by affinity, as 67% of his supporters say their vote is mainly for him rather than in opposition to Husted. Among those favoring Husted, 58% say they are motivated to vote for him, not against Brown. Even so, the prospect of a shift is real, as one in five who are backing Brown and one in four supporting Husted say they could change their candidate preference before casting a ballot. Dissatisfaction with the party organizations and national figures is widespread. Majorities of Ohioans hold unfavorable views of the Democratic Party (57%) and the Republican Party (54%), as well as Trump (56%), the MAGA movement (57%), and the Democratic Socialists of America (54%). Views of Vance are divided, 47% favorable and 50% unfavorable. In the Ohio governor’s race, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy receives 50% to Democrat Amy Acton’s 48%. That’s a small shift since June, when Acton was ahead by 1 point. Most supporters of both Acton (78%) and Ramaswamy (80%) have a high degree of certainty that they’ll stick with their candidate choice.  Fourteen percent of those favoring Brown in the Senate contest cross party lines to back Ramaswamy for governor, while 6% of Husted supporters prefer Acton, the Democrat. Views of Ramaswamy are divided: 46% favorable, 44% unfavorable, mostly unchanged since June. Forty-three percent have a favorable opinion of Acton, but her negative rating stands at 47%, up from 37% in June. CLICK HERE FOR CROSSTABS AND TOPLINE Conducted August 6-10, 2026, under the joint direction of Beacon Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R), this Fox News Poll includes interviews with a sample of 1,008 Ohio registered voters randomly selected from a statewide voter file. Respondents spoke with live interviewers on landlines (78) and cellphones (694) or completed the survey online after receiving a text message (236). 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/6a7e40c12c5335ae10462ef0 Fox News Poll: A Senate battle looms in Michigan te 2026-08-13T22:10:09.981Z Fox News Poll: A Senate battle looms in Michigan In Michigan, while more Democrats than Republicans are concerned about their candidates’ ideological views, Democrats are also more engaged and enthusiastic about the upcoming election, setting up a battle in the Wolverine State. After a heated Democratic primary, progressive Abdul El-Sayed secured the Senate nomination and will face Republican Mike Rogers this fall as Democrats try to retake the Senate. According to a Fox News survey of Michigan registered voters, Rogers has the edge in the race with 51% to El-Sayed’s 47% — within the survey’s margin of sampling error. Rogers’ edge comes mostly from greater party unity among Republicans. Nearly all Republicans (96%), including both MAGA (99%) and non-MAGA Republicans (89%), back Rogers. Only a week after winning the primary race, 9 in 10 Democrats (91%) and nearly all Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) supporters (98%) back El-Sayed, but that falls to 69% among non-DSA Democrats and independents. The small subgroup of independents narrowly favors Rogers. FOX NEWS POLL: NEW MATCHUP, SAME RESULT: MAINE SENATE RACE STAYS LOCKED El-Sayed’s coalition includes liberal voters, Black voters, urban residents, and women with a college degree. Rogers’ best groups are conservatives, White evangelical Christians, rural voters, and White men without a degree. Men favor Rogers by 11 points (44% El-Sayed vs. 55% Rogers) while women are split (49-48%).  President Donald Trump won the Wolverine State in 2016 and 2024, each time by less than 2 points, while former President Joe Biden won by nearly 3 points in 2020. El-Sayed is underperforming with Black voters, women, and suburban voters compared with former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Rogers similarly trails Trump’s 2024 support among voters under age 30 and independents. That’s according to the 2024 Michigan Fox News Voter Analysis (FNVA). Voter enthusiasm for their candidate is evident on both sides: about three-quarters of each candidate’s supporters are certain they will stick with their choice this fall, and about two-thirds say their support is mainly for their candidate rather than against his opponent. FOX NEWS POLL: GOP DIVISIONS SHAPE TEXAS SENATE RACE El-Sayed leads among the most engaged voters, with an 11-point advantage among those extremely interested in the election, a 7-point lead among those extremely motivated, and a 4-point edge among definite voters (10-out-of-10 likelihood). Moreover, more Democrats than Republicans are extremely interested (+15 points), motivated to vote (+11), and certain they will cast a ballot this November (+7). More than half the electorate is concerned El-Sayed’s positions on the issues are too extreme (54%) and that Rogers is too close to Trump (51%). Voters on both sides of the aisle share concerns about their candidate’s ideological positioning. Twice as many Democrats are concerned El-Sayed is too extreme (30%) as Republicans are that Rogers is too close to Trump (14%). By a 10-point margin, more independents are concerned about Rogers’ ties to Trump than El-Sayed’s issue positions (58% vs. 48%). Trump’s favorable rating is underwater by 19 points in Michigan (40% favorable, 59% unfavorable). Both Senate candidates also have negative ratings, with El-Sayed (-13 points) faring worse than Rogers (-6). The two major political parties are viewed negatively. The Republican Party has a -12 net favorable rating while the Democratic Party is at -13. "The energy is on the left in Michigan, as it is throughout the country, and that should help with turnout," says Republican pollster Daron Shaw, who helps conduct Fox News polls with Democrat Chris Anderson. "But El-Sayed’s nomination path highlighted party rifts. He needs to reassure a wide range of Michigan Democrats — including Reagan Democrats, Jewish voters, and Black voters — that he will serve their interests rather than pursue an extremist agenda." The MAGA movement is viewed more favorably than the DSA by 10 points (40% vs. 30%), however, more voters have strongly unfavorable views of MAGA than DSA (45% vs. 37%). Inflation is the top issue in the Michigan Senate race at 38%, and economic anxiety remains palpable, with 4 in 10 saying they are falling behind financially. Other voter priorities are immigration/border security and healthcare (14% each) and political divisions (11%). El-Sayed stays competitive thanks to voters who prioritize inflation (+10 points), healthcare (+47), and political divisions (+5), while most immigration voters prefer Rogers (+82). Those who say they are falling behind financially also back El-Sayed by 24 points. By an 11-point margin, Michiganders oppose the U.S. continuing to provide military aid to the Israeli government (44% favor vs. 55% oppose). Those favoring aid back Rogers by 45 points while those opposed prefer El-Sayed by 29 points. Turning to the governor’s race… With Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer term-limited, Michigan’s gubernatorial seat is up for grabs. The Fox News poll finds Democrat Jocelyn Benson has the advantage over Republican John James by 5 points in the governor’s contest (52% vs. 47%). The results fall within the survey’s margin of sampling error. Compared with El-Sayed, Benson draws greater support among non-DSA Democrats and independents: 81% favor Benson in the governor’s race vs. 69% for El-Sayed in the Senate race. There is some ticket-splitting, as Rogers’ backers are nearly three times as likely to cross over for Benson as El-Sayed supporters are to back James (14% vs. 5%). CLICK HERE FOR CROSSTABS AND TOPLINE Overall, about 1 in 5 Benson supporters and 1 in 4 James supporters say they may still change their mind and back someone else. Benson’s net personal favorable rating is +7 (49% favorable, 42% unfavorable), while James is at -3 (41% favorable, 44% unfavorable). Conducted August 6-10, 2026, under the joint direction of Beacon Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R), this Fox News Poll includes interviews with a sample of 1,006 Michigan registered voters randomly selected from a statewide voter file. Respondents spoke with live interviewers on landlines (103) and cellphones (654) or completed the survey online after receiving a text message (249). 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. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e40bd2c5335ae10462ec7 Ex-Officer Held in New Orleans Mass Shooting Plot Is Freed Without Charges te 2026-08-13T22:10:05.911Z Ex-Officer Held in New Orleans Mass Shooting Plot Is Freed Without Charges Law enforcement officials had said that Christopher Gillum, a former police officer in North Carolina, planned to attack a large festival. He was released without charges. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e40bc2c5335ae10462ea8 Flock says its new tool will help identify police abuse, but hasn’t explained how it works te 2026-08-13T22:10:04.141Z Flock says its new tool will help identify police abuse, but hasn’t explained how it works The surveillance company announced it's making a tool called "Audit Assistance" mandatory for all customers, claiming it's already helped catch abuse. But the company has yet to explain how the tool works in detail, raising questions about its effectiveness. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e3e6d2c5335ae10462e80 Sam Ponder calls out the WNBA for cowardice: 'Be courageous. Stand for women' te 2026-08-13T22:00:13.780Z Sam Ponder calls out the WNBA for cowardice: 'Be courageous. Stand for women' Former ESPN host Sam Ponder called on the WNBA to show courage, stand for women and girls, and define what a woman is. On Wednesday, a league task force of team presidents and general managers met and discussed transgender athletes but failed to establish any eligibility rules. However, a source familiar with the league and the meeting told Fox News that the meeting "focused significantly on the hate and vitriol being directed at WNBA players online." The WNBA is still more concerned with random trolls allegedly sending mean tweets to its players than actual issues. The topic of transgender athletes in female athletics has become an issue, as players, coaches, media members and fans have scolded Fever forward Sophie Cunningham for acknowledging in a profile that protecting female sports is important to her. EX-ESPN HOST SAYS SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM DESERVED TO BE EJECTED AND PUNISHED — NOT DIJONAI CARRINGTON, WHO CLOTHESLINED HER Sam Ponder was a vocal advocate for protecting women's sports during her final years at ESPN. She and fellow former ESPN anchor Sage Steele were the only public advocates for the cause at the network. ESPN fired Ponder nearly two years ago this week. Sources tell OutKick that Ponder's opposition to males competing against females did not help her cause, but that her salary was the leading reason for her exit. On Thursday, after a nearly one-year absence from social media, Ponder posted the following message on X: "The WNBA should be courageous. Stand for women. You can't stand for something you can't even define. Acknowledge that the inherent differences between men and women were the whole reason we needed the WNBA in the first place. "Boundaries, clarity and exclusion are not hateful in sport... they're the prerequisite to playing and loving the game. Without the lines, without the rules, without the honesty about who's in and who's out, there is no fair competition." CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE Expect the usual suspects to target Ponder for her perspective, like Nancy Armour, Sarah Spain, Jemele Hill, Cari Champion, Cindy Brunson, Monica McNutt and Katie Nolan. Not only does this group want to discredit anyone who doesn't want to force little girls to change in a locker room next to males, but they are also vividly jealous of attractive White women. Ask Sophie Cunningham. By the way, Ponder is right. She has been right from the start. Most of the country agrees. Recent Gallup polling found that nearly 80% of adults disapprove of biological males competing in female athletics. Sam Ponder is just one of the few people in sports media willing to say it. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e3e6d2c5335ae10462e77 WATCH: Terrifying moment spear-wielding man lunges at California cops before shots ring out te 2026-08-13T22:00:13.033Z WATCH: Terrifying moment spear-wielding man lunges at California cops before shots ring out An armed man's confrontation with Oakland police came to a deadly end after he ignored repeated commands to drop a collection of weapons and lunged at officers, authorities said. Dramatic video captured the minutes leading up to the shooting of Jose Angel Castillo, 43, who authorities alleged was carrying two makeshift spears when officers encountered him near a homeless encampment at 40th Avenue and International Boulevard, according to KTVU. The video shows officers trailing Castillo down the street and repeatedly ordering him to drop the weapons before gunfire erupted. WISCONSIN PROTESTER BRANDS MADISON AS 'CORRUPT CITY' DURING ANTI-POLICE TIRADE FOLLOWING DEADLY SHOOTING The deadly encounter unfolded just after 2 p.m. on July 13 after the California Highway Patrol (CHP) called the Oakland Police Department (OPD) for assistance, according to police. Video of the ordeal begins with a request for backup as an officer reports being with a man armed with two knives and behaving aggressively. As police confront him, officers can be heard ordering him to drop multiple objects, including what one officer identifies as a hammer, offering an early glimpse at the array of weapons involved in the encounter. "We're out with the subject holding two knives, being aggressive," an officer can be heard telling dispatch. The footage then captures officers repeatedly ordering the man to drop what he is holding as the confrontation escalates. VIDEO SHOWS UNDERCOVER COPS SHOOTING MAN THREATENING SHOPPERS WITH FAKE GUN IN ‘JUSTIFIED’ DEFENSE: OFFICIALS "Drop that," one officer says. "Drop that too." Moments later, an officer tells the man he is being detained and orders him to put the weapons down. "You need to drop those right now. We're the police, man," the officer says. As the encounter intensifies, an officer radios that they have a "subject holding two knives" while another can be heard shouting, "Drop the knife!" CALIFORNIA DEPUTIES USE MAGNET-EQUIPPED DRONE TO DISARM KNIFE-WIELDING SEX OFFENDER HIDDEN IN GARAGE At one point, an officer announces that he has a Taser ready. The man can later be heard repeatedly demanding, "What are you doing to me?" and asking, "What have I done?" The standoff continues as officers again command the man to stop and drop the weapons. "Stop right there," an officer repeatedly yells. "Drop the knife." ICE SAYS OFFICER SHOT AND KILLED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WHO TRIED TO RAM HIM WITH CAR IN HOUSTON Another series of commands follows: "Drop the knives. Drop the knives!" The man can be heard responding, "No! No! Leave me alone!" The confrontation then erupts in gunfire. Immediately afterward, an officer radios, "Shots fired, shots fired!" as police order the man not to move. OPD said officers encountered an armed individual and issued commands for him to comply. ICE AGENTS IN FATAL HOUSTON SHOOTING WERE NOT WEARING BODY CAMERAS, SOURCES SAY According to police, the man refused those commands and lunged at officers with a weapon. Officers responded with both less-lethal and lethal force, OPD said. Castillo was struck by gunfire, and officers immediately attempted life-saving measures, but he died at the scene, according to police. Police initially said multiple weapons were recovered following the deadly confrontation. The video appears to show the man carrying more than one weapon, with officers referring to two knives and a hammer during the encounter. Police later confirmed Castillo was armed with "bladed weapons" when officers encountered him. No officers or bystanders were physically injured during the incident. ARIZONA MAN ALLEGEDLY PARALYZED BY NANCY GUTHRIE SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES AFTER ALLEGED SWATTING CALL DEMANDS $176M The officers involved in the shooting were placed on paid administrative leave in accordance with department policy, OPD said. The shooting has also drawn scrutiny from civil rights attorney Jim Chanin, who monitors the Oakland Police Department and told KTVU he had concerns about aspects of the officers' use of force. "Did it justify deadly force? There are lots of people who are threats, the question is, does it – what kind of force is justified?" Chanin told the outlet. The shooting has now triggered multiple investigations. OPD said it is conducting both criminal and administrative investigations into the officers' use of force, while the Alameda County District Attorney's Office is conducting a separate independent investigation. Oakland's Community Police Review Agency has also been notified. "The Department remains committed to transparency and will provide further updates as they become available and as appropriate under law," OPD said. Police said additional information is being withheld for now to protect the integrity of the investigation. Fox News Digital reached out to OPD to ask whether the officers remain on leave, for a response to criticism of the shooting and for any additional context surrounding the encounter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e3e672c5335ae10462e4f Appeals Court Sidesteps Key Question Over Trump’s Use of Alien Enemies Act te 2026-08-13T22:00:07.586Z Appeals Court Sidesteps Key Question Over Trump’s Use of Alien Enemies Act The court dismissed a case over the Alien Enemies Act in a messy conclusion to a long-running legal battle that had seemed destined to end up before the Supreme Court. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e3e642c5335ae10462e31 If Apple sends you a push notification alerting you to a spyware attack, take it seriously te 2026-08-13T22:00:04.984Z If Apple sends you a push notification alerting you to a spyware attack, take it seriously Apple now sends out push notifications to iPhone lock screens when the company identifies government spyware targeting someone's devices. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e3c122c5335ae10462e00 Former Vikings captain Jack Brewer reacts to Abdul El-Sayed's Senate primary victory in Michigan te 2026-08-13T21:50:10.242Z Former Vikings captain Jack Brewer reacts to Abdul El-Sayed's Senate primary victory in Michigan Former Minnesota Vikings captain Jack Brewer described Abdul El-Sayed’s victory in Michigan’s Democratic U.S. Senate primary as a "warning shot to America," while praising Michele Tafoya as a credible conservative capable of winning over Minnesota Democrats and independent voters. "It’s good when you see the darkness before you," Brewer said when asked about El-Sayed. "You see exactly what we’re up against as Americans when we have our major cities, major states, with folks like this winning primaries on the verge of having control of populations of that size. "I mean, it’s scary, man," he continued. "It should be a warning shot to America, a warning shot of really where our country is." 2026 MIDTERMS STATE OF PLAY: KEY RACES UNFOLD AS STEVENS, EL-SAYED BATTLE IN MICHIGAN Brewer said President Donald Trump’s election victory did not eliminate the political and cultural problems he sees across the country. "When President Trump won the election, it didn’t fix everything," he said. "We’ve got a lot, lot of things to fix. And it’s pretty scary when you start to see these radical leftists starting to gain more and more power across the country." El-Sayed, a physician and former Detroit public health director, narrowly defeated U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary. He will face Republican Mike Rogers in November. El-Sayed ran on a progressive platform that includes Medicare-for-all, higher taxes on billionaire wealth, campaign finance reform and an end to unconditional U.S. military aid to Israel. Brewer acknowledged he had not closely followed El-Sayed before the primary campaign entered its final stages. "Man, I didn’t know much about him to be honest with you," Brewer said. "As the election became closer and closer, you started to hear and see stories and hear the things that he says." Brewer did not identify a particular El-Sayed policy or statement that concerned him. "All I can think about is radical, right? And confused," Brewer said. "It just seems like everything that comes out of his mouth is confusion. "If he’s speaking confusion, that means we have a voting populace that’s confused themselves to be following a guy like this." El-Sayed’s victory occurred in Michigan, not Minnesota. He is not running against Tafoya. The two races were discussed together as examples of the broader national battle between progressive and conservative candidates in the 2026 midterms. On another note, Brewer was happy to see Michele Tafoya’s victory in Minnesota’s Republican U.S. Senate primary. "I was very happy," he said. "Michele Tafoya, who’s a friend and someone that I highly, highly respect, it’s good to see grounded conservative voices stepping up in that state." Tafoya, a former NFL sideline reporter, won the Republican primary with 52.07% of the vote. Former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze finished second with 23.96%, while former NBA player Royce White placed third with 11.15%, according to unofficial results from the Minnesota secretary of state. Tafoya will face Democratic Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, who defeated U.S. Rep. Angie Craig in the DFL primary. "To see someone like herself, and someone that has a name and credibility, is important, especially being a Republican," Brewer said. "You have the cards stacked against you in a lot of ways in a state like Minnesota." No Republican has won a statewide election in Minnesota since 2006. Kamala Harris carried the state in the 2024 presidential election with 50.92% of the vote, compared with Trump’s 46.68%. Despite that history, Brewer predicted Tafoya could build a coalition extending beyond the Republican base. "I think she has a chance to bring over enough Democratic voters and independents to win that election," he said. "So, I’m praying for her." Former NBA player Royce White, who unsuccessfully challenged Tafoya in the Republican primary, also recently announced his plans to declare for the 2027 WNBA Draft. Brewer said he had met White several times and respected his effort to challenge the WNBA’s approach to transgender eligibility. THE WNBA HAS LIMITED OPTIONS AFTER TWO MEN DECLARED FOR THE DRAFT, AND THOSE OPTIONS AREN'T GREAT "I’ve met Royce on a couple occasions," Brewer said. "A lot of respect for him." White and former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom have announced plans to seek entry into the 2027 WNBA Draft. Their announcements are intended to test — or protest —t he league’s eligibility rules by claiming that they identify as women for professional basketball purposes. "I think what he’s doing and Enes is doing is they’re trying to stand up for women," Brewer said. The league has not declared White or Freedom eligible. It said this week there were "no immediate eligibility matters" affecting the WNBA and denounced what it called bad-faith attempts to use the subject to demean or marginalize others. The WNBA has not adopted a publicly available policy saying that surgery qualifies an athlete for the league. Medical organizations also note that transgender identity does not require surgery and that many transgender people never seek surgical treatment. Asked what he would tell Vikings fans before the midterm elections, Brewer urged them to reject Minnesota’s current political leadership. "Stop supporting foolishness," he said. "Enough is enough." Brewer pointed to his own history in the state. He attended the University of Minnesota before playing for the Vikings and three other NFL teams. "I lived in Minnesota for a long time," he said. "I grew up a Vikings fan before I even got a chance to go play there. I went to the University of Minnesota, some of the greatest years of my life. "People have common sense in Minnesota," Brewer continued. "My message to Minnesota is use the common sense that you have. "Stop letting these people that have mental health issues represent you," he said. "You have people that are psychologically not there, and you’re allowing them to represent the state of Minnesota." Brewer did not identify which officeholders he meant or provide evidence supporting that characterization. At the same time, he praised Vikings fans as some of the most welcoming people he encountered during his professional football career. "I played for four NFL teams, and there is nothing like a Minnesota Vikings fan," Brewer said. "These people will have you at home at their dinner table. They will cook for you. They’re the most hospitable people in the world, the nicest, most purest people in the world. "And right now they’re being made a mockery of by the woke left," he added. "I wouldn’t even call them progressive, because they’re not progressive. There’s nothing about progress associated with these leftists. They’ve lost their minds." Brewer is a prominent Trump ally. He serves as chair of Opportunity Now and vice chair of the Center for 1776 at the America First Policy Institute, a conservative organization closely aligned with the Trump administration. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e3c112c5335ae10462df0 World War II Memorial on National Mall vandalized with pink spray paint, fountain overflowing with bubbles te 2026-08-13T21:50:09.501Z World War II Memorial on National Mall vandalized with pink spray paint, fountain overflowing with bubbles WASHINGTON — The World War II Memorial on the National Mall was vandalized Thursday, along with a fountain that was found overflowing with bubbles, the latest incident in which prominent monuments have been targeted in the nation's capital. U.S. Park Police were on the scene and blocked off the area. "Clean hands, dirty money," letters in bright pink spray paint read. WHO IS DAVID HEARN? US OLYMPIAN WHO DENIES VANDALIZING REFLECTING POOL AFTER VIRAL ARREST The Department of the Interior called the vandalism an "utter disgrace." "The vandalism that occurred is an utter disgrace and will not be tolerated," an agency spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "Our U.S. Park Police are on the scene and the investigation is ongoing. The public should know we will find the person responsible for this disgusting act." The agency noted that the memorial honors the armed forces and the more than 400,000 Americans who died fighting in World War II. WATCH: TRUMP REVEALS FLASHY NEW COLOR FOR NATIONAL MALL'S REFLECTING POOL MAKEOVER An Army veteran who arrived at the memorial told Fox News Digital she was looking forward to seeing it and was "offended" by the act of vandalism. "It just makes me absolutely irate," Debra Mortensen said. "I was offended because people fought and died for our country, and it’s dishonoring our country and all we’ve been through." Fox News Digital has reached out to the U.S. Park Police and the National Park Service. No information about a potential suspect was released. In 2016, the memorial was vandalized by someone protesting the then-controversial Dakota Access Pipeline. A vandal spray-painted the North Dakota section of the memorial with the phrase "#NoDAPL." The memorial was closed for several months earlier this year for a $4 million renovation project upgrading the fountains and lighting, FOX DC reported. It re-opened in May. In addition to the war memorial, other monuments on the National Mall have been targeted recently.  In June, separate red markings of "8647," a political slogan and protest symbol used against President Donald Trump, were found on the Washington Monument, and damage was reported at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e3c102c5335ae10462de7 Nicole Kidman admits she was ‘very fearful and deeply vulnerable’ after Keith Urban divorce te 2026-08-13T21:50:08.839Z Nicole Kidman admits she was ‘very fearful and deeply vulnerable’ after Keith Urban divorce Nicole Kidman has been through one highly scrutinized Hollywood divorce before — but she says splitting from Keith Urban hasn't made heartbreak any easier. "It's all new," the actress said in a cover interview with British Vogue. "Every time!" Just months after her 19-year marriage to Keith Urban officially ended, the Oscar-winning actress is opening up about the emotional journey of starting over — admitting there was a point when she was "very fearful and deeply vulnerable" but ultimately decided she had to move forward. NICOLE KIDMAN FILES FOR DIVORCE FROM KEITH URBAN CITING 'MARITAL DIFFICULTIES' "Free falling?" she asked herself, as she searched for the right words to describe this chapter of her life. "Jumping off?" Then came the question that seemed to capture her life at the moment. "Like, where am I going? And what’s next?" Kidman, 59, filed for divorce from Urban, 58, last September in Nashville after nearly two decades of marriage. Their divorce was finalized in January, with irreconcilable differences cited and Kidman named the primary residential parent of their two daughters.  The former couple agreed to make major decisions involving the girls jointly. Neither party sought spousal support, and both waived their right to appear at the divorce hearing. NICOLE KIDMAN PLANS ON BECOMING A DEATH DOULA AS SHE ADMITS IT 'MAY SOUND A LITTLE WEIRD' While Kidman didn't get into the details of what led to the split, she revealed what it felt like to be on the other side of a life she thought she understood. "I’ve approached my whole life like that," she said of her "feelings first" philosophy. "That’s just who I am. I don’t overthink things and I’m probably not that analytical. I’m far more feeling-centred and I lead with my heart. I just go, ‘OK, what do I feel here? I’ll give it a go.’ It throws people, because I think they think I’ll be far more measured and I’m not." Kidman has never been one to let her head overrule her heart, she suggested in her interview. "I can still approach things intellectually," she continued with a smile, "but my desire is not to be ruled by my head. I’ve always wanted to live a well-examined life, so what does that entail? Trying things, making mistakes, failing, getting back up, moving on, embracing love, staying open, keeping the heart open and the possibilities." The "Practical Magic" star added, "But at the same time, I’m like, ‘OK, I didn’t expect this. I had a different view of what my life was going to be, but this is what it is now.’ You make all these plans and you have all these ideas of what it’s all going to be like and then it’s… not. You have to adjust. You adapt. The future, it’s completely unknown to me right now." She paused and added, "Strange." When asked whether the uncertainty was frightening, Kidman replied, "There was a point where I was very fearful and deeply vulnerable," adding, "which is exposing. And then at the same time [I'm] going, 'Well, I can either really not confront it and just curl up, or I can just go forward with an enormous amount of hope.'" LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "I know my character. I know my talent. I know who I am. If I make a mistake and it doesn’t connect, or something goes wrong in my life where it’s humiliating, it’s OK. Other people have had that and that’s OK. Take the onus off it." But if Kidman thought her first very public divorce had prepared her for the second, she quickly learned otherwise. The actress was famously married to Tom Cruise for more than a decade after meeting him on the set of "Days of Thunder." They married in 1990 and adopted two children, Isabella and Connor, before divorcing in 2001. Her marriage to Cruise began when Kidman was barely into adulthood. She has previously described being swept up in the romance and largely ignoring warnings that becoming the wife of one of Hollywood's biggest stars could affect her own career. "Yeah, I got married so young," Kidman said. "Suddenly, I was 22, 23 years old and I had this huge movie star husband, but it just seemed completely natural." "We just fell madly in love and it was that simple," Kidman recalled. When people warned her that marrying Cruise could overshadow her career, she didn't hesitate. "I’m like, ‘I don’t care. I’m in love. I want to be married.’" She remembered the people who later said, "‘See, we told you.’" Her response was just as defiant. "I’m like, ‘So what? I wasn’t meant to marry the man I love? Of course, I’ll throw my career away. I don’t care.’" "But you have to remember literally, because of who I married at such a young age, I was thrust into it since I was 22." After Cruise, she found love with Urban, the New Zealand-born singer-songwriter and guitarist. They married in 2006 and welcomed two daughters, Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e3c102c5335ae10462dde Election 'human error' delays key primary results in latest voting mishap to hit blue states te 2026-08-13T21:50:08.122Z Election 'human error' delays key primary results in latest voting mishap to hit blue states Milwaukee's election results from Tuesday's primary were delayed because of a "human error" in which five of the nine USB flash drives did not download the election results, prompting critics to call it a showing of "complete incompetence." The error effectively stalled the results of the closely watched Democratic gubernatorial primary between Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and Francesca Hong. The delay came amid heightened scrutiny of election administration in Democratic-led jurisdictions, where recent ballot and reporting errors have drawn criticism and, in some cases, investigations from Republican lawmakers. "We’re all human, and humans can make errors," Paulina Gutiérrez, executive director of the Milwaukee Election Commission, said during a midnight news conference. The error delayed the county's election results by an hour as Gutiérrez and Milwaukee Election Commission staffers returned to Central Count with a police escort to retrieve the remaining voting data. HASAN PIKER WARNS ‘THE KNIVES WILL BE OUT’ AFTER SOCIALIST FRANCESCA HONG FALLS IN WISCONSIN UPSET "So basically what we need to do is go back to the operations center and we're going to download out five of those machines the results and make sure that's not the audit log," Gutiérrez said during the press conference "So have the reports printed from the first download. We're going to reprint and start the process so that can compare those results." The Milwaukee Election Commission said in a news release that the audit log, which documents activity on the tabulator, was downloaded rather than the election results. "The issue delayed the reporting of Milwaukee's results, but it did not affect the results," the press release stated. "The election results remained intact and unchanged on the tabulators. No ballots were lost or changed, or needed to be recounted or retabulated." Gutiérrez said there were no issues with the voting machines themselves but confirmed to a reporter that a wrong button was pushed in downloading the data. In an interview with Votebeat, Gutiérrez said the time it took to download results from the tabulators varied. She said that while the standard time frame was 10 minutes, some tabulators completed the downloads in three minutes. MARYLAND BALLOT BLUNDER SPARKS HOUSE GOP PROBE AHEAD OF PRIMARY "The fact that this happened five times seems more like a training issue," former Milwaukee Election Commissioner Claire Woodall told Votebeat. "Was this person trained on how to export results? Are they familiar with the machines and how you export results?" The error meant that 15,000 votes had yet to be counted at that point. NBC News' Steve Kornacki buried his face in his hand after learning of Milwaukee's error on live TV. "We’re kind of indefinitely waiting for them to get their act together here," Kornacki said. "We waited 90 minutes for them. They did this whole procession, and then we find out there’s nothing on the sticks." HOUSE PANEL DEMANDS CLASSIFIED BRIEFINGS ON NONCITIZEN VOTING, ALLEGED CHINESE ELECTION INTERFERENCE After the remaining election data was properly downloaded after 1 a.m., Milwaukee County Clerk George Christenson addressed reporters and emphasized the importance of being transparent with the public. "At the end of the day, what’s important is that we’re transparent, that the results are secure, and that we’re open and honest ," Christenson said, "And that’s what the City of Milwaukee election director did. She came up here and she explained it, went back, got the results, brought it back to us, and we got everything right." But despite the transparency, critics did not hold back. "Complete incompetence at the facility isn’t helping anything here," Republican state Rep. Scott Krug wrote on X. "This was human error that could have easily been double checked before leaving the facility. More than one answer to the problem not one silver bullet" SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER The Milwaukee error follows other election-administration problems in various blue states. New Jersey recently disclosed that a software error improperly registered roughly 6,600 people who had indicated they were not U.S. citizens, with fewer than 400 later casting ballots. In Oregon, officials said DMV errors resulted in 1,945 people being registered without providing proof of eligibility, 44 of whom voted. And a Connecticut judge ordered a new Democratic mayoral primary in Bridgeport after finding evidence of absentee-ballot violations cast the original result into doubt. This is also not the first "human error" involving the Milwaukee Election Commission. During the 2024 presidential election, election officials recounted 31,000 absentee ballots because staffers did not lock tabulator doors. The error delayed results from 105,000 absentee ballots. During the 2020 presidential election, then-Milwaukee Election Commissioner Claire Woodall left one of the 12 flash drives containing election results at Central Count, delaying the reporting of roughly 169,000 absentee ballots. Wisconsin Election Commission spokesperson Emilee Miklas said that while errors may happen, Wisconsin's election integrity is secure. "Wisconsin elections are safe, secure, and accurate due to multiple checks and balances. While human mistake can happen – Wisconsin’s election system, which includes layers of oversight at the local and state level, ensures things are caught and corrected," Miklas said in a statement to Fox News Digital. The race between Crowley and Hong was officially called at 2:34 a.m. Wednesday, with Crowley winning by 0.5%. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e3c0a2c5335ae10462db3 Author John Birdsall brings queer food history to Tucson te 2026-08-13T21:50:02.843Z Author John Birdsall brings queer food history to Tucson For John Birdsall, food writing has never just been about what's on the plate. For over a decade, he's pursued a single question: What is queer food? Birdsall is a celebrated food writer, former restaurant chef and author of two books, whose quest to answer this question has changed the understanding of American food culture through centering queer voices and experiences. His latest book, "What Is Queer Food? How We Served a Revolution," seeks to answer that question, tracing how queer people used food to build community and express identity throughout the 20th century. He discussed the book Sunday evening at Stacks Book Club as part of a National Book Lovers Day event. "I have a chapter in my book about Richard Leonie, who was the great expat French food writer. Because he was gay and couldn't deal with the U.S, (he) moved to the south of France," Birdsall told Tucson Spotlight. "Richard has this recipe, it was published in the early 1970s, a composed salad. This ad hoc expression of what's around you, what's growing in your garden, what you find in the farmers' market, what your neighbors have brought you from the garden, which is I think, is one of the queerest truths I know." Birdsall, who was born 10 miles south of San Francisco, didn't expect to fall into food writing after pursuing his English degree. "I had never thought about food really growing up. My family had this really particular love of food, and my mom is a very good cook," Birdsall said. "After I got my bachelor's degree, I got a job writing at a trade magazine in San Francisco, literally, a mom and pop owned trade magazine company as an editor writing press releases for pens." While working for the magazine, he dated a young man who worked as a waiter at a restaurant called Greens. The restaurant, a practice business for the San Francisco Zen Center, ran on a farm-to-table concept, with a daily menu that changed based on what farmers and growers had available locally each season. "He took me to lunch there on a Saturday afternoon, where I had this salad. The lettuce had been grown at the restaurant's farm in Marin, so I could sort of imagine a farm where these lettuce were picked and trucked over the bridge …. it all just piqued my curiosity so much, and it was delicious," he said. "(The salad) had apples and walnuts, sherry shallots and bread, stilton, and all of those elements were new to me, and coming together in the way that they did in this incredible room just felt life changing." John Birdsall signs copies of his books for attendees following a discussion of "What Is Queer Food? How We Served a Revolution" at Stacks Book Club in Tucson on Sunday. Topacio "Topaz" Servellon / Tucson Spotlight. As the Zen Center struggled to staff its businesses with students, Birdsall was brought on as a volunteer, and was eventually hired at the restaurant. "That was incredibly meaningful work, and I never found a restaurant that was as intentional, special, as meaningful and means well," Birdsall said. He expected to quit his restaurant job after a year to pursue writing, but ended up working as a professional cook for 17 years, eventually leaving due to burnout. "I kind of harbored this dream to write since high school kind of began, but I had so little self-confidence that it just felt like an impossible kind of ambition," Birdsall said. "Writing while I was still cooking felt kind of safe, because it was like this is a hobby in a way, I took a few writing classes while I was cooking." Birdsall went on to work as a restaurant critic and features writer for The Contra Costa Times, East Bay Express and SF Weekly, eventually finding himself at the San Francisco Sentinel, a newspaper serving the Bay Area's LGBTQ+ community. "I think there were at least four LGBT weekly papers in San Francisco at the time, but the Sentinel, with Eric (Hellman) and with its writers and other editors, really wanted to, in a sense, step out," he said. "Instead of doing food coverage just about a casserole, he sort of gave me my mission, which was to write about food anywhere in the city, but try to have a gay point of view." But he always circled back to what he calls his lifetime mission as a writer: to try to answer the question of what queer food is. "I approached queer chefs and wanted to ask them how they felt about what they did, how queerness was reflected in their food, and these were chefs … like Elizabeth Faulkner, there was so much pushback," Birdsall said. Birdsall recalled Faulkner pushing back hard, questioning why he was calling to ask such a question, how he planned to use the information, and insisting he had the wrong impression of her restaurant, which she said served everyone, not just a gay or lesbian clientele. "(I) talked to additional chefs, and everybody I quoted and talked to in that story was telling me, 'Oh, this is a terrible idea.' Queer chefs, like Dominique Crenn were like, 'How dare you ask this question? What am I supposed to do? Put pride flags on the plates as garnishes?'" Birdsall recalled. Copies of John Birdsall's books, "The Man Who Ate Too Much: The Life of James Beard" and "What Is Queer Food? How We Served a Revolution," on display at Stacks Book Club in Tucson on Sunday. Topacio "Topaz" Servellon / Tucson Spotlight. He eventually wrote an essay in 2013 for the quarterly food journal Lucky Peach, titled "America, Your Food Is So Gay," about how 20th-century male food writers such as James Beard, Richard Olney and Craig Claiborne were gay and shaped the food scene of the 1970s, challenging the straight, macho personalities that tended to dominate kitchens and asserting the validity of queer contributions to American gastronomy. In the essay, Birdsall also wrote about growing up next to "Uncles" Pat and Lou, two openly gay men who were his neighbors, drawing on that experience alongside his time in the culinary industry to argue, "It's food that takes pleasure seriously, as an end in itself, an assertion of politics or a human birthright, the product of culture — this is the legacy of gay food writers," he said. His parents immediately welcomed Pat and Lou, despite pushback from other neighbors who felt they shouldn't be socializing with the couple or letting their sons visit. Even as a boy of seven or eight, Birdsall said he caught glimpses of the joyful life the two men led, centered around food and community. That world ended abruptly in May 1969, a month before Stonewall, when Pat died of a heart attack at 39, Birdsall said. He said the loss of that joy and community stayed with him, resurfacing as an unconscious memory once he came out and began cooking himself, along with a recognition of how completely that world had been erased. Birdsall said he later grew frustrated watching chefs he knew win James Beard Awards while having worked in homophobic kitchens himself, feeling the weight of an industry that marginalized queer people. That sense of injustice, he said, drove him to write a piece confronting that unspoken history, one he hoped the chefs themselves would read. The piece went on to earn Birdsall a James Beard Foundation Award for Food and Culture. "When it found an audience, when it became clear to me that people were reaching out to me, queer people in hospitality, or other food writers, kind of reaching out to me and saying, 'I've been waiting for someone to write this piece. Thank you for writing this piece,'" Birdsall said. In 2016, he won another James Beard award for his piece "Straight-Up Passing: The State of Queer Chefs in America" that ran in Jarry, a biannual print magazine that explores the intersectionality of food and queer culture. The essay explored the ongoing pressure queer chefs face to remain closeted or "pass" as straight in order to advance in an industry still dominated by heteronormative values. Author John Birdsall speaks to attendees at Stacks Book Club in Tucson during a discussion of his book "What Is Queer Food? How We Served a Revolution" on Sunday. Topacio "Topaz" Servellon / Tucson Spotlight. After co-authoring a book in 2018, Birdsall released his solo debut, "The Man Who Ate Too Much: The Life of James Beard," which profiles how Beard's queerness, though never publicly acknowledged, shaped his revolutionary approach to American food. The book argues that Beard's food vision was one of pleasure, community and resistance. "It just seemed like the right moment. (A chefs') highest career goal is to win a James Beard Award, and the sense of injustice," he said. "Do you know anything about this person (and) the kind of homophobia that you express in your kitchen?" That question of legacy and injustice became the foundation for his next project. "What Is Queer Food?" examines queer history in the 19th and 20th centuries and how food played a major role in creating community and expressing identity at a time when queerness wasn't socially accepted. From lesbians finding community over dinner in their homes to avoid Cold War-era homophobic purges, to the story of Harry Baker, who sold General Mills his recipe for chiffon cake in the 1940s, to the "gender-rebel divas" of San Francisco's opera and their paper chicken, Birdsall's book highlights the deep intersection of queer history and food. "So much of my wanting to be rooted in the world as a gay person, queer (cooking) was part of this archeology. Finding these voices, finding these buried artifacts, and saying, 'Oh, yes, this is part of a bigger culture that had to stay quiet about itself, it couldn't come out' … it's something (that) was bequeathed to us, bequeathed to me," Birdsall said. He considers this book a gift to the next generation of queer individuals, who have taken interest in queer food, establishing the first International Queer Food Conference. "I talk to younger people, and it just feels like there's a hunger for knowing where current queer food, where it came from, what are the roots, and so I felt like my contribution could be something like teasing out some of the roots for people, and hopefully they take that information and do amazing things in the present and the future," he said. Queerness, in modern times, is still intertwined with foods across all cultures and used as a tool for not only resistance, but joy at the table. Birdsall shared the story of a young gay man who couldn't come out to his family but found an outlet in baking, with his mother buying him cake mixes. His father never spoke of it, but Birdsall said the man noticed his father quietly eating a slice each morning, an unspoken acknowledgment that became its own kind of coming out. As he reflects on his career, Birdsall feels pride for having provided a path for people young and old to discover the importance food has on queer culture. "I'm proud and honored to feel like I've been some part of it. It amazes me and makes me feel in awe," Birdsall said. Topacio “Topaz” Servellon is a reporter with Tucson Spotlight. Contact them at topacioserve@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/6a7e39b82c5335ae10462d8c Dan Aykroyd details 'medieval times' reality of California while praising life in Canada te 2026-08-13T21:40:08.767Z Dan Aykroyd details 'medieval times' reality of California while praising life in Canada Dan Aykroyd praised his Canadian roots while pondering world atrocities in a recently unearthed podcast. Aykroyd, 74, admitted in a resurfaced clip from "The Adam Carolla Show" that he "loved going around the world," boasting that his Crystal Head Vodka was "made in Canada" where he was born – a place he believed to have a stark contrast to life in California. "It's great to be living in the western world," he said before singing an old blues song with lyrics including, "Oh, this world is in an uproar, things all going wrong. The way the reds is cutting up, we ain't going to be here long." DAN AYKROYD SURVIVED 50-FOOT FALL, CREDITS 'DIVINE INTERVENTION' FOR SAVING HIS LIFE The "Ghostbusters" actor recalled a visit with a friend from Israel who stayed on his farm and once asked, "Dan, what is it like to live in a land where there's no war?" "Here I am driving through the bucolic countryside ... and we're in Canada," he said. "We're driving to the drugstore to get an ice cream, and he tells me, 'What it is like to live in a country without war?' I thought to myself, ‘Boy, do I take things for granted, you know, around this place.’" After Carolla reminisced on failed promises for the future, Aykroyd insisted there were "pockets of the world that are at peace and that there is harmony, you know, Santa Monica, California – harmony, peace, joy by the sea." "It's beautiful there, beautiful houses and beautiful shops and lovely wide boulevards and 60,000 homeless," he said. "So the underside and the overside will always, always be there." LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "We're living in frankly medieval times. You go, I drive very carefully in the car. I don't drive prison hours at night, have a gated place to live ... lock up at night. Bring my family close, whereas really I would like to take my family and let them run in the park at 1 in the morning." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER He added, "But, no. We have to be so guarded now." Carolla added, "Well, what we're living in, especially in California, is you have Jay-Z and Beyoncé buy a $200 million house in Malibu, but in order to get there, you have to drive through a homeless encampment." "They got a deal, by the way," Aykroyd joked. "It's worth $700." "That's where we're at, which is ultra rich and then people just expiring on the streets in squalor," Carolla noted before the actor jumped back in. "Well, thankfully, knowing people like that, they're going to drive through their driveway, see that, and immediately start to act to try to alleviate and help in some way, because that's the kind of people they are," Aykroyd said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e39b82c5335ae10462d78 Tony Romo may have cost himself coveted CBS position after arrest, former NFL QB says te 2026-08-13T21:40:08.079Z Tony Romo may have cost himself coveted CBS position after arrest, former NFL QB says Tony Romo’s time in the CBS broadcast booth could soon be coming to an end, according to former NFL quarterback and sports analyst Boomer Esiason. "If I had to guess, purely speculation given what’s going on right now, I would think it’s over," Esiason said on WFAN. "He may end up going somewhere else and getting things straightened out." NFL ANALYST TONY ROMO PLACED ON LEAVE BY CBS SPORTS FOLLOWING DRUNK DRIVING ARREST IN WISCONSIN Esiason's warning comes after Romo was arrested in Milwaukee in late July on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Police booked the former Dallas Cowboys star after he failed field sobriety tests and refused a chemical test. And CBS reacted fast. The network placed Romo on indefinite leave and promoted J.J. Watt to replace him alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson in the lead broadcast booth. Esiason explained that moving Romo to another role at CBS isn't realistic. When Romo took over the top spot in 2017, CBS shipped veteran quarterback Phil Simms to The NFL Today. That escape hatch is gone. The studio desk is already packed, especially after adding Russell Wilson. And moving a $17 million broadcaster down the pecking order to call lower-profile games hardly makes sense. That leaves CBS with one logical move: cut ties altogether. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! For CBS, the arrest could provide an easy exit from a partnership that had already lost its shine. Romo burst onto the scene in 2017 by predicting plays before they happened, but the magic has worn off. Critics and fans have hammered him for poor preparation, repetitive comments and constantly talking over Nantz. Things got bad enough that CBS executives reportedly sat Romo down in 2023 and told him to clean up his act in the booth. CBS was already paying top dollar for diminishing returns. Now, with a high-profile arrest right before the football season begins, the network could have a path to walk away completely. The arrest may be the final straw for CBS, but Romo had been wearing out his welcome in the booth long before police pulled him over. Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e39b72c5335ae10462d6f Davis Martin ejected after back-to-back wild pitches near Sal Stewart's head spark benches-clearing incident te 2026-08-13T21:40:07.472Z Davis Martin ejected after back-to-back wild pitches near Sal Stewart's head spark benches-clearing incident Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Davis Martin was ejected from Thursday’s matinee against the Cincinnati Reds after back-to-back wild pitches led to a benches-clearing altercation. Reds Rookie of the Year frontrunner Sal Stewart, who homered in his first at-bat off Martin, was facing a 0-1 count when a pitch sailed over everyone’s head and hit the backstop. Stewart looked at Martin immediately, but the Sox starter tapped his chest, indicating he didn’t mean for the wild pitch. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM However, Stewart took exception, and understandably so, when a 92-mph fastball came up and in on the very next pitch from Martin. If Stewart hadn’t moved quickly, the ball may have hit him right in the face. Instead, it just clipped the brim of his helmet for a hit-by-pitch. From there, Stewart pointed the knob end of his bat at Martin, and it was clear he, at the very least, said "that’s twice." Martin was still claiming he didn’t mean to do it, but Stewart’s Reds teammates didn’t care to hear his side. CINCINNATI REDS PITCHER RIPS 'F—ING FATA–' UMPIRE FOR GETTING IN DEFENDER'S WAY ON GROUND BALL MLB veteran Eugenio Suarez was among those shown on the broadcast running out to say his piece to Martin. The White Sox dugout, though, was quick to move as well. White Sox catcher Edgar Quero was pivotal in the situation not getting out of control, as he popped up from his place behind home plate and stopped Stewart from walking toward his pitcher. Quero even walked down the first base line with Stewart as the situation unfolded. After the tension dissipated, umpires reviewed the situation to see if Martin should be tossed from the game. Considering that both pitches were near Stewart’s head, umpires eventually made the decision to toss the White Sox starter before he could complete three innings. Stewart got the party started for the Reds at the beginning of the game, launching a home run on a hanging breaking ball by Martin into the left field seats. Some argued on social media that was the reason Martin may have been throwing those pitches intentionally, but it didn’t seem Stewart did anything extra after hitting the solo blast. Martin also allowed a two-run homer to Suarez later in that first frame, as the Reds quickly put up three runs on the White Sox. But at the time of Martin’s ejection, Chicago had scored four runs of their own to take the lead as the top of the third got underway. Chicago, though, was forced to bring in Erick Fedde on emergency notice and Cincinnati made him pay. The Reds scored four runs in the top of the fourth inning to take an 8-4 lead. They would go on to win the game, 9-8, holding off the White Sox, who scored three runs in the eighth and ninth innings combined. Stewart is having himself quite the 2026 campaign, as the first-time All-Star is now hitting .259 with an .811 OPS and 26 home runs after his 2-for-3 day at the dish. 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/6a7e39b62c5335ae10462d66 World War II Memorial on National Mall vandalized with pink spray paint, fountain overflowing with bubbles te 2026-08-13T21:40:06.800Z World War II Memorial on National Mall vandalized with pink spray paint, fountain overflowing with bubbles WASHINGTON — The World War II Memorial on the National Mall was vandalized Thursday, along with a fountain that was found overflowing with bubbles, the latest incident in which prominent monuments have been targeted in the nation's capital. U.S. Park Police were on the scene and blocked off the area. "Clean hands, dirty money," letters in bright pink spray paint read. WHO IS DAVID HEARN? US OLYMPIAN WHO DENIES VANDALIZING REFLECTING POOL AFTER VIRAL ARREST The Department of the Interior called the vandalism an "utter disgrace." "The vandalism that occurred is an utter disgrace and will not be tolerated," an agency spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "Our U.S. Park Police are on the scene and the investigation is ongoing. The public should know we will find the person responsible for this disgusting act." The agency noted that the memorial honors the armed forces and the more than 400,000 Americans who died fighting in World War II. WATCH: TRUMP REVEALS FLASHY NEW COLOR FOR NATIONAL MALL'S REFLECTING POOL MAKEOVER An Army veteran who arrived at the memorial told Fox News Digital she was looking forward to seeing it and was "offended" by the act of vandalism. "It just makes me absolutely irate," Debra Mortensen said. "I was offended because people fought and died for our country, and it’s dishonoring our country and all we’ve been through." Fox News Digital has reached out to the U.S. Park Police and the National Park Service. No information about a potential suspect was released. In 2016, the memorial was vandalized by someone protesting the then-controversial Dakota Access Pipeline. A vandal spray-painted the North Dakota section of the memorial with the phrase "#NoDAPL." The memorial was closed for several months earlier this year for a $4 million renovation project upgrading the fountains and lighting, FOX DC reported. It re-opened in May. In addition to the war memorial, other monuments on the National Mall have been targeted recently.  In June, separate red markings of "8647," a political slogan and protest symbol used against President Donald Trump, were found on the Washington Monument, and damage was reported at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e37712c5335ae104629de Resurfaced assault report puts Dem Senate nominee in GOP crosshairs: 'Graham Platner 2.0' te 2026-08-13T21:30:25.976Z Resurfaced assault report puts Dem Senate nominee in GOP crosshairs: 'Graham Platner 2.0' Republicans are targeting Democratic Senate nominee Troy Jackson after a newly resurfaced 1988 police record detailed accusations that he assaulted a man and pushed his longtime partner during a late-night confrontation in Fort Kent, Maine. Jackson, a one-time logger and a former state Senate president, was chosen a couple of weeks ago by Maine Democrats to replace embattled oysterman Graham Platner, who won the June Democratic Senate nomination in a landslide before imploding and dropping out of the race last month amid rape allegations that he denied. Jackson is challenging longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins in a high-stakes race that's among a dozen that will determine if the GOP holds onto its slim Senate majority. MAINE DEMOCRATS CROWN TROY JACKSON AS PLATNER REPLACEMENT FACES INTENSE SCRUTINY Collins is the only GOP incumbent running for re-election in a state President Donald Trump lost in the 2024 election. A Fox News poll in Maine released on Wednesday indicated Jackson holding a slight two-point edge over Collins, which was within the survey's sampling error. "Troy Jackson is Graham Platner 2.0: Violent and unhinged," the Republican National Committee charged in a social media post. Meanwhile, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, referring to Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee chair Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, wrote on X, "Is this incredibly disturbing report of violence and abuse not enough for you to drop Troy Jackson?" WHAT THE NEW FOX NEWS POLL IN MAINE'S CRUCIAL SENATE RACE SHOWS The Bangor Daily News reported that the police report accused Jackson of assaulting another man during a late-night brawl on March 12, 1988. The brawl was over Jackson's longtime partner Lana Pelletier, who, according to records, is also his second cousin. Jackson and Pelletier share two adult children. The police report indicates that Pelletier told officers at the time that Jackson "pushed her around," a statement she now denies making. According to the report, the then-19-year-old Jackson went to a home in Fort Kent, Maine around 2 a.m. After the occupant of the house told Jackson to go away, the report says the future state lawmaker "kicked the door in" and grabbed his rival by the throat before punching him in the face, causing the victim’s glasses to leave a cut. The report added that a friend broke up the ensuing fight. DEMOCRATS STAND BY JACKSON AFTER LATEST CONTROVERSY Jackson said in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital, "Nearly forty years ago, when I was 19 years old, I got into a fight with another man. I took responsibility for it then, and I take responsibility for it now." "But let me be clear: I have never been violent with my partner Lana, or any other woman. This happened nearly four decades ago, and I assure Mainers this incident in no way reflects the man I am today or the life I've led in the years since," the Democratic Senate nominee added. Pelletier told Fox News Digital in a statement, "I do not remember making the statements attributed to me and they are not accurate. This is the first time I have seen this report from 40 years ago. Troy and I have built a life and family together and I know the person he has been through the decades since, both as a caring partner and father." "I understand Maine voters want to learn about Troy as he seeks to represent them but personal attacks on my family are unacceptable," she added. "In the 40 years since he made a mistake as a 19-year-old kid, Troy has grown to be a passionate advocate for Mainers and dedicated his life to making things better for our state while Susan Collins has been in Washington enriching herself at our expense." WHO'S UP AND WHO'S DOWN: CHECK OUT THE FOX NEWS POWER RANKINGS ON THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS Meanwhile, the Jackson campaign told Fox News Digital that Troy "acknowledges going to the residence and getting into a physical confrontation with another man. The case was resolved with a $50 fine." On Thursday, the conservative-leaning Maine Wire reported that a man from Allagash, Maine, who says he's known Jackson for decades alleged that he witnessed Jackson strike Pelletier, in a separate incident, years ago. Jackson, who hails from the remote northern tip of Maine, is a one-time conservative Republican who became a Democrat over two decades ago. As he quickly became the front-runner in the abbreviated race to replace Platner, he faced a slew of reports over his alleged temper and workplace conduct, as well as reported claims of mortgage improprieties and other potential liabilities, including his past strict anti-abortion stance. Asked by Fox News Digital last month about any vetting concerns, Jackson said, "I think a lot of this obviously is Sen. Collins trying to make sure she win can the election on a really bad record. But, for me, I’ve been in the legislature for 20 years. I do believe I’ve been vetted, I’ve been tested. People know exactly what I’m fighting for. I have their back. And they know they can trust me." SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER The scrutiny and negative reports are raising concerns by some in the party that Democrats landed another unvetted nominee after the Platner implosion. "This is a bit of a rocket vetting process," a Democratic strategist who works on Senate races who asked to remain anonymous to speak more freely, told Fox News Digital. "Maine Democrats have made their choice, and they're just going to have to ride with it." The NRSC, in a series of social media posts directed at Democratic senators and Senate nominees who have endorsed Jackson since he landed the nomination, ask if those politicians will "call on Troy Jackson to drop out?" DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB Jackson, who unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, campaigned alongside Platner during the primary. And he quickly made the case that he was the best equipped candidate to grab the mantle of the progressive and populist movement that had backed Platner. Similar to Platner, Jackson is running on a platform aimed at working-class voters. He backs raising taxes on billionaires, the universal healthcare system known as "Medicare-for-all," abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and he opposes military aid to Israel at a time Democrats are increasingly divided on support for America's longtime Middle East ally. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e37702c5335ae104629c3 Stacey Abrams tells nodding Kamala Harris that southerners have lived under 'soft authoritarianism' since 1776 te 2026-08-13T21:30:24.750Z Stacey Abrams tells nodding Kamala Harris that southerners have lived under 'soft authoritarianism' since 1776 Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams suggested to a nodding former Vice President Kamala Harris during an interview Thursday that the American South is what the United States looks like as an authoritarian country. On her "Assembly Required" podcast, Abrams, who ran unsuccessfully twice for governor of Georgia, spoke to Harris about the future of the Democratic Party and the challenges it faces, particularly in southern states. "I grew up in Mississippi, came of age in Georgia, and I know you've been spending a lot of time in the South recently. You've been to Tennessee and Louisiana and North Carolina," Abrams told Harris. "And what I tell people when they want to understand what authoritarianism can look like in the U.S., I say, ‘Look South.’ We have lived under soft authoritarianism, I would say, since, oh, 1776." "And what it has meant is that we have seen the warning signs long before the rest of the country, but we've also been the architects of the solutions long before the rest of the country understands it," she continued. BLOCKBUSTER SUPREME COURT VOTING RIGHTS RULING IGNITES REDISTRICTING WAR ACROSS SOUTHERN STATES She went on to claim that the American debate about voter ID is fake. "And when you talk about what's happening in North Carolina, I liken it to the fact that we are having this false debate about voter ID. Every state requires that you identify who you are. But if you're in Texas, you can use your gun license and not your student ID," she said. "If you're in North Carolina, yeah, you can vote if you can manage to get to a polling place where, you know, a lot of students don't actually have cars. They don't have the ability to do so." NewsBusters managing editor Curtis Houck skewered her comment. SEN MARK WARNER CALLED OUT IN ABC INTERVIEW FOR INACCURATE VOTER ID CLAIMS "Virginia has had voter ID for over a decade and had both Republicans and Democrats emerge victorious. It's an incredibly simple but important way to give voters peace of mind anytime they head to the polls," he told Fox News Digital. Abrams has enjoyed highly favorable liberal media coverage in her career, which has included harsh criticism of Georgia's voting laws, advocacy for more progressive voting bills, and her refusal to officially concede her 2018 loss to Republican Brian Kemp. She lost more handily in 2022 in a rematch and conceded that race. "The liberal, elitist media never fact-check these deranged assertions cloaked in historical references. If asking for an ID that must be scanned and recited to the poll worker is authoritarianism, then America stopped being a free country multiple lifetimes ago," Houck said. Abrams' close loss to Kemp in 2018 was considered a major boon toward Georgia becoming a swing state that merited national Democratic investment. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Harris, who lost the 2024 presidential election, is considered a possible Democratic contender again in 2028. While Joe Biden won Georgia with her on the ticket in 2020 — ending a long Democratic presidential losing streak in the state — Harris lost Georgia to Donald Trump in 2024. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e376f2c5335ae104629b1 Russia’s ‘Amazon’ in deep-strike Ukraine blitz, wiping billions from Putin-linked CEO te 2026-08-13T21:30:23.896Z Russia’s ‘Amazon’ in deep-strike Ukraine blitz, wiping billions from Putin-linked CEO Ukraine’s expanding deep-strike campaign impacted Russia’s largest online retailer again Thursday, when a drone struck an oil and petrochemical complex in Bashkortostan, sparking a fire at a Wildberries facility, according to reports. Wildberries, often described as "Russia’s Amazon," said the facility was evacuated and that no goods were being stored there at the time, Reuters reported. The strike marked the latest in a series of Ukrainian attacks affecting the e-commerce firm's sites across Russia that began July 18, when drones hit centers in Kotovsk and Elektrostal, killing seven and wounding more than 60, according to reports. BRINGING THE WAR TO PUTIN’S FRONT DOOR: IS UKRAINE’S ENERGY STRIKE STRATEGY WORKING? Four days later, drones struck facilities in Krasnodar and Nevinnomyssk, sparking fires and injuring 15 people. "We can call it ‘kinetic sanctions enforcement,’ or Ukraine’s adaptation of economic coercion into physical strikes," Kateryna Bondar, senior fellow at the Wadhwani AI Center at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Fox News Digital. "Kyiv’s goal is to steadily raise the cost and risk of sustaining Russia’s war economy," the former Ukrainian government adviser said, adding that the economic impact could be significant. The total losses incurred by Wildberries and its sellers as a result of the attacks have been estimated at 600 billion to 800 billion rubles ($6 billion to $8.5 billion), Ukrainian media outlet Pravda reported. "With only 5% to 7% of sellers insured, the damage is cascading onto tens of thousands of small businesses and forcing Russia’s logistics sector to reprice wartime risk," Bondar said. "Roughly 27% of Wildberries warehouse capacity is reportedly out of operation," she added. 'PURE HELL' IN MOSCOW AS UKRAINIAN DRONES STRIKE MAJOR REFINERY SUPPLYING CAPITAL'S FUEL MARKET Beyond the financial toll, Bondar said the strikes also carry a significant psychological impact. "I’ve listened to videos recorded by witnesses, and reactions range from fear, shock, and anger to disappointment in the capabilities of Russian air defenses," she said. "So that effect is clearly being achieved." Wildberries founder and CEO Tatyana Kim has since accused Ukraine of deliberately targeting a civilian company. In a July 31 video address, she described the strikes as a "terrorist attack." "For nearly two weeks now, our company's warehouses have been under terrorist attack. Why our warehouses, of all places? Attacks against us are attacks against hundreds of millions of people in 10 countries at once," Kim said. Kim claimed Wildberries entrepreneurs in Russia and partner countries, including China and Kazakhstan, had "suffered losses amounting to billions," arguing that the company itself should not be held responsible for covering all the losses. MOSCOW, KYIV ASSASSINS HUNT WEAPONS BOSSES AS UKRAINE WAR SPILLS BEYOND THE BATTLEFIELD "Merchants will start pricing Russian logistics risk into their business decisions," Bondar warned. Kim said sellers from ten countries, including China, have suffered billions in losses, while Wildberries maintains it is not liable which creates incentives to diversify away from the platform, shorten inventory cycles, demand prepayment, and increase insurance costs. Bondar said Kyiv views the retail giant’s sprawling supply chain through a military and economic lens. "Kyiv assesses Wildberries warehouses as distribution nodes for dual-use goods, including body armor, helmets, fiber-optic cable for FPV drones, and navigation components, as well as channels for sanctions circumvention," Bondar said. "The strikes also retaliate for Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s civilian logistics infrastructure, including the Nova Poshta and Ukrposhta networks." RUSSIA UNLEASHES NEARLY 600 MISSILES AND DRONES ON KYIV IN DEADLIEST STRIKE SINCE MAY Kim is Russia’s richest woman, with Forbes estimating her fortune at roughly $7 billion in July. "Kim matters to the Kremlin less as an individual than as an asset already absorbed into its clan system," Bondar said. "The current strikes expose the limits of her political protection: the Kremlin has remained largely silent, while Kim is negotiating tax deferrals rather than receiving compensation or air-defense protection from them." "It sends the message to Russia’s business elite that proximity to power does not guarantee protection, and private businesses are expected to absorb the costs of war," Bondar added. The attacks have also drawn scrutiny to Wildberries’ warehouse security procedures and a controversial new policy restricting workers’ cellphone use. REPORT WARNS RUSSIA USING SHADOW FLEET TO PROBE NATO DRONE DEFENSES "The smartphone ban is officially justified as an air-defense security measure, but the real concern appears to be information control," Bondar said. "Employees were filming strikes and sharing footage in real time, making the damage and the war’s impact on ordinary Russians impossible to hide," she added. "The policy also exposes a serious vulnerability: workers reportedly had their phones locked away during attacks, limiting their ability to call for help." "Wildberries cannot harden its sprawling warehouses or provide air defense, so it is controlling the one thing it can — what gets recorded and seen," Bondar said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e376e2c5335ae1046299f Overturned cars shut down multiple 405 Freeway lanes in West Los Angeles during morning commute te 2026-08-13T21:30:22.866Z Overturned cars shut down multiple 405 Freeway lanes in West Los Angeles during morning commute Two cars overturned on Los Angeles’ 405 Freeway during the Thursday morning rush hour, closing several northbound lanes and triggering a major traffic backup. The crash was reported shortly before 7:30 a.m. near Santa Monica Boulevard, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). At least one person involved in the crash declined to be taken to a hospital, CHP reported. It was not immediately clear whether anyone suffered serious injuries. The overturned cars blocked lanes as emergency crews responded to the scene. Video from KTLA showed traffic stacking up behind the crash as some drivers caught in the growing backup attempted to exit the freeway. HUNDREDS BLOCK FLORIDA INTERSTATE IN ALLEGED STREET TAKEOVER BEFORE 140 MPH POLICE CHASE CHP issued a SigAlert shortly after 8 a.m. for the closure of lanes 4, 5 and 6 as crews worked to clear the wreckage. Under CHP policy, SigAlerts are issued for unplanned events or circumstances that could delay a large number of motorists for at least 30 minutes. Traffic collisions, spilled loads, flooding and unexpected congestion are among the situations that can trigger an alert. The agency extended the SigAlert for another 30 minutes at about 8:30 a.m. The collision occurred on northbound I-405 near Santa Monica Boulevard in West Los Angeles. The freeway continues north from the Westwood area toward the Sepulveda Pass. VEHICLE NARROWLY AVOIDS SLAMMING INTO DRIVER ON SIDE OF OHIO HIGHWAY, DRAMATIC VIDEO SHOWS Caltrans has previously directed motorists seeking an alternate northbound route from Santa Monica Boulevard to travel east to Sepulveda Boulevard before continuing north to an I-405 entrance at Moraga Drive. The lanes affected by Thursday morning’s crash were eventually cleared and reopened. The cause of the crash was not immediately clear, and authorities had not announced whether any citations or arrests resulted from the collision. Fox News Digital reached out to the California Highway Patrol for additional information but did not immediately receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e376c2c5335ae1046296e Mohave Valley man killed in ATV crash te 2026-08-13T21:30:20.331Z Mohave Valley man killed in ATV crash MOHAVE VALLEY — A man was killed Saturday in at all-terrain vehicle crash. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e376a2c5335ae1046295c Stephen L. Carter: America’s surveillance problem is much bigger than Flock te 2026-08-13T21:30:18.902Z Stephen L. Carter: America’s surveillance problem is much bigger than Flock “You are being watched” was the tagline that opened every episode of the television series Person of Interest, which ran from 2011 to 2016 and already feels ancient. The conceit of the show was that the good guys, aided by… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e37692c5335ae10462941 Stephen L. Carter te 2026-08-13T21:30:17.591Z Stephen L. Carter Stephen L. Carter Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e37672c5335ae10462926 Youth movement: Why top MLB prospects are making an instant impact te 2026-08-13T21:30:15.757Z Youth movement: Why top MLB prospects are making an instant impact PHOENIX – Grand Canyon University product Jacob Wilson only needed 72 minor league games to prove he was a major league talent. Drafted sixth overall on July 9, 2023, Wilson debuted for the Athletics just over a calendar year later… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e37652c5335ae10462902 Golden Knights goalie suspended by Hockey Canada for code of conduct violation te 2026-08-13T21:30:13.596Z Golden Knights goalie suspended by Hockey Canada for code of conduct violation LAS VEGAS — Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart is suspended from Hockey Canada for a year after an appeal board confirmed five players charged in the 2018 sexual assault case involving Hockey Canada violated the organization’s code of conduct. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e37642c5335ae104628f0 Youth movement: Why top MLB prospects are making an instant impact te 2026-08-13T21:30:12.423Z Youth movement: Why top MLB prospects are making an instant impact Outfielder Corbin Carroll signed an eight-year, $111 million contract extension with the Diamondbacks at age 22, highlighting a recent MLB trend of elevating and rewarding top young prospects. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e37622c5335ae104628d5 SPORTS-HKO-CANADA-HART-SUSPENSION-FILEPIC-LV te 2026-08-13T21:30:10.868Z SPORTS-HKO-CANADA-HART-SUSPENSION-FILEPIC-LV Las Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (79) defends the net against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period of Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 9, 2026, in Las Vegas. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e350c2c5335ae1046278a Piker demands Democrats defend him from attacks, claims he’s no ‘toxic radical force' te 2026-08-13T21:20:12.600Z Piker demands Democrats defend him from attacks, claims he’s no ‘toxic radical force' Far-left streamer Hasan Piker called on Democratic Party leaders during a Wednesday livestream to defend him and accept his place in their coalition as Republican criticism of his rhetoric emerged as an issue in key midterm races, while a former staffer for former President Joe Biden told Fox News Digital on Thursday that candidates should disavow Piker and refocus on local issues. During the livestream, Piker declared himself part of the Democratic coalition and said Republicans were using criticism of him to distract from what he described as the "cost-of-living crisis." "Democrats, listen to me, I know we don't always see eye to eye on a lot of stuff, but you have to literally, at some point — I know you don't want to do this — defend me," he said.  "Not because you love what I have to say, not because I'm part of this coalition, even though I am, whether you like it or not, but you are going to inevitably have to say, ‘This is a ridiculous conversation that we're having because the real conversation Republicans don't want to have is the cost-of-living crisis,’" Piker continued. DAVID MARCUS: WHY IT'S TOO LATE FOR DEMS TO DITCH PIKER AND HIS AMERICA-HATING SOCIALISM He then urged Democrats to accept a political setback in order to challenge how critics portray him. "That requires you to basically to take the L a little bit and maybe be a bit more honest about how I'm not this dangerous, toxic radical force," Piker said. "Democrats don’t have to adopt every influencer who happens to support some Dem candidates," moderate Democratic strategist Yemisi Egbewole told Fox News Digital. "I don’t understand why they would waste their political capital on it either. Hasan is perfectly capable of defending himself." Egbewole, former chief of staff to the Biden White House Press Office, said embracing Piker would keep him at the center of the party's political debate. "Don’t embrace him, and he erases himself from the conversation," she added. HASAN PIKER'S DEFENSE OF HAMAS HAVING 'RIGHT TO RESIST MILITARILY' DRAWS CONDEMNATION FROM HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS The dispute is playing out in two battleground states. Piker campaigned with Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed before he narrowly defeated moderate Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., and rallied with Michigan gubernatorial candidate and Democratic Socialists of America member Francesca Hong before David Crowley defeated her in the Wisconsin Democratic primary Tuesday. Piker previously called for Democrats who opposed El-Sayed to face punishment. Crowley ruled out campaigning with Piker while seeking to unite Democrats against Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany, according to an "UpFront" clip posted Thursday. "No, I don't plan on campaigning with Hasan," Crowley said, adding, "I don't want to lend credibility to platforms that I believe further divides us." Piker responded to Crowley on X by wishing him success against Tiffany and urging the Democratic nominee to consider policies that Piker credited with driving primary turnout. "This is devastating news for me, i however wish crowley the best of luck for the wisconsin trifecta. hope he takes some of the great policies that brought out 300k wisconsinites into consideration as the dems work to defeat tom tiffany as a unified front!" Piker wrote. WISCONSIN DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR DAVID CROWLEY REVEALS HE WON'T CAMPAIGN WITH HASAN PIKER Algemeiner Washington correspondent Corey Walker rejected Piker’s appeal and cited the streamer’s treatment of ideological opponents. "Nobody owes you a single thing. Hasan Piker and his fanbase are relentlessly brutal towards anyone they have the slightest disagreement with," Walker said. "Piker will mock, smear, defame and ruthlessly target his ideological adversaries. He deserves the same level of sympathy and support he gives everyone else: zero," he added. Freelance journalist Magdi Jacobs said disavowal was the clearest way for Democrats to end the controversy surrounding Piker. "If Democrats want the conversation to not be about Hasan Piker, the logical path is to disavow Hasan Piker," Jacobs said. "If they embrace Hasan Piker, the conversation about Hasan Piker will continue." Fox News Digital reached out to Piker and the DNC for comment, but did not immediately receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e350b2c5335ae10462781 Former Vikings captain Jack Brewer reacts to Abdul El-Sayed Senate primary victory in Minnesota te 2026-08-13T21:20:11.928Z Former Vikings captain Jack Brewer reacts to Abdul El-Sayed Senate primary victory in Minnesota Former Minnesota Vikings captain Jack Brewer described Abdul El-Sayed’s victory in Michigan’s Democratic U.S. Senate primary as a "warning shot to America," while praising Michele Tafoya as a credible conservative capable of winning over Minnesota Democrats and independent voters. "It’s good when you see the darkness before you," Brewer said when asked about El-Sayed. "You see exactly what we’re up against as Americans when we have our major cities, major states, with folks like this winning primaries—on the verge of having control of populations of that size." "I mean, it’s scary, man," he continued. "It should be a warning shot to America, a warning shot of really where our country is." Brewer said President Donald Trump’s election victory did not eliminate the political and cultural problems he sees across the country. "When President Trump won the election, it didn’t fix everything," he said. "We’ve got a lot, lot of things to fix. And it’s pretty scary when you start to see these radical leftists starting to gain more and more power across the country." El-Sayed, a physician and former Detroit public health director, narrowly defeated U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary. He will face Republican Mike Rogers in November. El-Sayed ran on a progressive platform that includes Medicare for All, higher taxes on billionaire wealth, campaign-finance reform and an end to unconditional U.S. military aid to Israel. 2026 MIDTERMS STATE OF PLAY: KEY RACES UNFOLD AS STEVENS, EL-SAYED BATTLE IN MICHIGAN Brewer acknowledged that he had not closely followed El-Sayed before the primary campaign entered its final stages. "Man, I didn’t know much about him, to be honest with you," Brewer said. "As the election became closer and closer, you started to hear and see stories and hear the things that he says." Brewer did not identify a particular El-Sayed policy or statement that concerned him. Instead, he repeatedly characterized the candidate as "radical" and "confused." "All I can think about is radical, right? And confused," Brewer said. "It just seems like everything that comes out of his mouth is confusion." "If he’s speaking confusion, that means we have a voting populace that’s confused themselves to be following a guy like this," he added. El-Sayed’s victory occurred in Michigan, not Minnesota. He is not running against Tafoya. The two races were discussed together as examples of the broader national battle between progressive and conservative candidates in the 2026 midterms. On the other side, Brewer was happy to see Michele Tafoya’s victory in Minnesota’s Republican U.S. Senate primary. "I was very happy," he said. "Michele Tafoya, who’s a friend and someone that I highly, highly respect—it’s good to see grounded conservative voices stepping up in that state." Tafoya, a former NFL sideline reporter, won the Republican primary with 52.07% of the vote. Former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze finished second with 23.96%, while former NBA player Royce White placed third with 11.15%, according to unofficial results from the Minnesota secretary of state. Tafoya will face Democratic Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, who defeated U.S. Rep. Angie Craig in the DFL primary. "To see someone like herself, and someone that has a name and credibility, is important, especially being a Republican," Brewer said. "You have the cards stacked against you in a lot of ways in a state like Minnesota." No Republican has won a statewide Minnesota election since 2006. Kamala Harris carried the state in the 2024 presidential election with 50.92% of the vote, compared with Trump’s 46.68%. Despite that history, Brewer predicted that Tafoya could build a coalition extending beyond the Republican base. "I think she has a chance to bring over enough Democratic voters and independents to win that election," he said. "So I’m praying for her." Former NBA player Royce White, who unsuccessfully challenged Tafoya in the Republican primary. White has also recently announced his plans to declare for the 2027 WNBA Draft. Brewer said he had met White several times and respected his effort to challenge the WNBA’s approach to transgender eligibility. THE WNBA HAS LIMITED OPTIONS AFTER TWO MEN DECLARED FOR THE DRAFT, AND THOSE OPTIONS AREN'T GREAT "I’ve met Royce on a couple occasions," Brewer said. "A lot of respect for him." White and former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom have announced plans to seek entry into the 2027 WNBA Draft. Their announcements are intended to test—or protest—the league’s eligibility rules by claiming that they identify as women for professional basketball purposes. "I think what he’s doing, and Enes is doing, is they’re trying to stand up for women," Brewer said. The league has not declared White or Freedom eligible. It said this week that there were "no immediate eligibility matters" affecting the WNBA and denounced what it called bad-faith attempts to use the subject to demean or marginalize others. The WNBA has not adopted a publicly available policy saying that surgery qualifies an athlete for the league. Medical organizations also note that transgender identity does not require surgery and that many transgender people never seek surgical treatment. Asked what he would tell Vikings fans before the midterm elections, Brewer urged them to reject Minnesota’s current political leadership. "Stop supporting foolishness," he said. "Enough is enough." Brewer pointed to his own history in the state. He attended the University of Minnesota before playing for the Vikings and three other NFL teams. "I lived in Minnesota for a long time," he said. "I grew up a Vikings fan before I even got a chance to go play there. I went to the University of Minnesota—some of the greatest years of my life." "People have common sense in Minnesota," Brewer continued. "My message to Minnesota is: Use the common sense that you have. "Stop letting these people that have mental health issues represent you," he said. "You have people that are psychologically not there, and you’re allowing them to represent the state of Minnesota." Brewer did not identify which officeholders he meant or provide evidence supporting that characterization. At the same time, he praised Vikings fans as some of the most welcoming people he encountered during his professional football career. "I played for four NFL teams, and there is nothing like a Minnesota Vikings fan," Brewer said. "These people will have you at home at their dinner table. They will cook for you. They’re the most hospitable people in the world, the nicest, most purest people in the world." "And right now they’re being made a mockery of by the woke left," he added. "I wouldn’t even call them progressive, because they’re not progressive. There’s nothing about progress associated with these leftists. They’ve lost their minds." Brewer is now a prominent Trump ally. He serves as chair of Opportunity Now and vice chair of the Center for 1776 at the America First Policy Institute, a conservative organization closely aligned with the Trump administration. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e350b2c5335ae10462778 My son's ultrasound showed me the truth about abortion Massachusetts now denies te 2026-08-13T21:20:11.301Z My son's ultrasound showed me the truth about abortion Massachusetts now denies My son turned 1 year old last month, but I still have his ultrasound pictures up on the fridge. They were the first time I got to see his little hands, his feet, and even his eyes open wide and looking, somehow, right at me. He was 20 weeks along in that picture. Already kicking. Already reaching. Already becoming the boy who now pulls himself up on that same refrigerator door. I thought of him — of those pictures curling on my fridge — as I watched Massachusetts Democrat Gov. Maura Healey sign a law this week that strips protections from every baby at the same stage of pregnancy against late-term abortion. The state’s new law, the Prioritizing Patient Access to Care Act, guts existing legislation that restricted abortions at 24 weeks and later to cases involving the mother’s life, physical or mental health, or severe fetal diagnoses, and replaces those specific statutory conditions with a sweeping new standard stating that "an abortion may be performed by a physician based upon the professional judgment of the physician." No gestational limit. No requirement that any particular maternal or fetal condition be present. DEM GOV MAURA HEALEY SIGNS SWEEPING MASSACHUSETTS BILL ALLOWING ABORTIONS UP TO BIRTH Surrounded by cheering supporters at the signing, Healey insisted the new law is meant to protect women. Protect them from what, exactly? Massachusetts women facing the truly horrific scenarios — pregnancies that turned fatal for mother or child — already had access to abortion under the state’s prior law. This bill doesn’t hand them a single protection they didn’t already have. What it does do is remove the specific guardrails that governed abortions at such a late stage — namely, the requirement that a physician determine that the abortion was necessary to protect the mother’s life, physical or mental health, or was warranted because of a lethal or extraordinarily grave fetal diagnosis. Under the new law, none of those circumstances have to be established in the statute. The legal standard is simply the physician’s professional judgment. It’s worth pausing on what’s actually happening inside the womb at 24 weeks. Just like my son in his ultrasound pictures, babies at 24 weeks have a fully formed face, fingerprints, and a heartbeat that’s been audible for months. Their lungs are still maturing, but their inner ears are developed enough to hear voices, and they respond to sound and touch. SURROGATE GIVES BIRTH IN TEXAS TO BABY WITH HEART DEFECT AFTER PARENTS REQUESTED ABORTION This is also around the point in pregnancy known as viability — the gestational age at which, with intensive NICU care, a baby born prematurely has a real chance of survival outside the womb. My sister-in-law is a NICU nurse and has cared for several of these infants, some as young as 22 and 23 weeks old. She has watched their mothers sit through countless sleepless nights, praying for tiny lungs to grow strong enough and hearts to keep beating. It is a testament to modern medicine how often those prayers are answered. So what, exactly, separates the baby fighting for his life in the NICU from the baby electively aborted at the very same stage — other than whether someone wanted him? The truth at the center of the abortion debate — the one its advocates rarely reckon with — is that a person’s life has worth in and of itself, independent of anyone else’s readiness to receive it. My son had worth and meaning before I was ready for him, before I’d fully wrapped my mind around what it meant to be his mother. That worth was never mine to take away, and neither was his life. Even those who generally support abortion during the very early stages of pregnancy know this to be true, which is why support for abortion restrictions climbs sharply once you move past the first trimester. LATE-TERM ABORTION TAKES FRONT SEAT AS BLUE STATE RUSHES TO EXPAND ACCESS BEFORE SESSION ENDS A Harvard-Harris poll found that 72% of Americans said abortion should be limited to 15 weeks or earlier, while another Harvard-Harris poll found that just 10% support allowing abortion through nine months. In other words, Healey and the Massachusetts Democrats weren’t overriding some fringe position when they gutted the state’s restrictions; they were overriding the consensus. Theirs is the fringe position now, held by just nine other Democrat-run states, in addition to some of the most totalitarian countries in the world, such as China. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION You’d think that fact might give Democrats pause. Instead, Healey and the women surrounding her on Monday looked overjoyed — smiling, applauding, celebrating a policy that is, by any honest reckoning, both logically and morally indefensible. This law does something else, too: it severs women from the very instincts that make motherhood what it is. As mothers, the question that motivates us, that gives us purpose, that reorders everything else in our lives around it, is: What do we owe the lives entrusted to us? We ask it at 2 a.m. with a crying newborn who can’t tell us what’s wrong. We ask it when they’re sick, when they’re struggling, when they need something we can’t yet name. The answer, every time, is that we owe them unconditional love and care. That question doesn’t start at birth. It starts the moment we understand there is a life to answer for. And at 24 weeks — hell, much, much earlier than that — there is no honest way to pretend that moment hasn’t already come. This law asks something different of women. It asks us to pretend the question doesn’t apply yet — to treat a baby at 24 weeks not as a life entrusted to us, but as a decision that ends the moment we stop wanting it to continue; and to treat the same instinct that governs a mother at 2 a.m. with her newborn as irrelevant three months earlier, as if a mother’s obligation has an on/off switch a doctor can flip. It doesn’t. It never has. And no law, however cheerfully signed, can make that instinct go away. It can only ask women to ignore it. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM KAYLEE McGHEE WHITE Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e35072c5335ae1046274c Ask a Ranger: Turning forest restoration into community support: How Wood for Life serves northern Arizona te 2026-08-13T21:20:07.148Z Ask a Ranger: Turning forest restoration into community support: How Wood for Life serves northern Arizona This week's Ask a Ranger column, from the NPS/USFS Roving Rangers. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e35052c5335ae10462743 Gardening Etcetera: Contain your excitement: Planting native perennial plants in containers te 2026-08-13T21:20:05.981Z Gardening Etcetera: Contain your excitement: Planting native perennial plants in containers This week's edition of the Gardening Etcetera column, written for the community by certified Master Gardeners of the University of Arizona's Coconino County Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e35022c5335ae10462727 Writer introduces new AI model and upgraded harness to contain token costs te 2026-08-13T21:20:02.983Z Writer introduces new AI model and upgraded harness to contain token costs Built as a post-training variation on Z.ai's open source model GLM-5.2, Writer says the new system should provide deployment-ready capabilities at a much lower price. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e32b22c5335ae10462705 Anthony Volpe has face-palm moment with ABS system as first batter of minor league game te 2026-08-13T21:10:10.058Z Anthony Volpe has face-palm moment with ABS system as first batter of minor league game Anthony Volpe is in a grind to get back to the big leagues, and his ABS performance Wednesday won't help his cause. The New York Yankees sent the shortstop to the minor leagues earlier this month to bring up top shortstop prospect George Lombard Jr. because Volpe has never quite hit the ground running as a former top prospect himself. Despite his struggles, Volpe had actually induced a healthy walk rate in his time with the big league club this season, but one would not think that given his first at-bat with Triple-A Scranton Wednesday. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Volpe saw three straight balls to begin the game and then took what he thought was ball four. It was called a strike, but Volpe challenged the call in hopes of getting on first base. He was wrong. The next pitch was an offspeed pitch that looked much more out of the zone than the previous pitch. But, given what had just occurred, he did not want to take the risk of losing both challenges at the start of the game. Well, that's exactly what he did on the next pitch. He challenged strike three and was wrong again. So, the team was out of challenges after just one batter. He made up for it with a triple later on in the night, but it was not enough in the RailRiders' 11-3 loss to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. ALEX RODRIGUEZ DEFENDS DODGERS' SPENDING SPREE AS LIKELY LOCKOUT GETS CLOSER: 'I THINK IT'S GREAT' Volpe has hit well since being demoted, hitting .304 (7-for-23) with a double, triple and homer. He has recorded at least one hit in each of his five games since being sent down. In the majors this year, he was hitting .240 with a career-high .325 on-base percentage, but his .322 slugging percentage was the worst of his career. He had hit just one home run in 56 games. Lombard, meanwhile, is hitting .320 with a .953 OPS in his first seven games as a major leaguer and had the exact opposite ABS fate as Volpe a couple of nights ago, correctly challenging two strike-three calls to draw a walk. Volpe has been working at second base since being sent to the minors, perhaps showing the Yankees' hand for his future with the team. 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/6a7e32b12c5335ae104626fc Jon Rahm's reported exit from LIV Golf would pose devastation to breakaway circuit amid uncertainties te 2026-08-13T21:10:09.306Z Jon Rahm's reported exit from LIV Golf would pose devastation to breakaway circuit amid uncertainties Among the infinite number of questions surrounding LIV Golf and its future, the most intriguing and perhaps most important involves which players choose to stay on board and which look to bolt amid the current state of total uncertainty. A new report suggests we may get an answer from Jon Rahm – one of the few stars remaining on LIV – sooner rather than later, and the reported answer would be disastrous for the breakaway circuit. The Telegraph's James Corrigan reported Thursday that the belief within LIV is that Rahm will soon quit the league. The report stated that "LIV sources have indicated that they are almost resigned to Rahm departing." LIV GOLF CEO QUIETS SPECULATION WITH ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEW INVESTOR TO KEEP CIRCUIT AFLOAT INTO 2027 One does not have to understand the inner workings of LIV Golf, have access to its financials or know every detail there is to know about the new, unnamed investor the league announced for 2027 to understand that a Rahm departure would be devastating. Rahm, a two-time major champion, leaving LIV Golf wouldn't be a direct comparison to Caitlin Clark leaving the WNBA to play in another league, but it wouldn't be that far off given the circumstances. Bryson DeChambeau leaving LIV Golf would have the same effect as Clark leaving the WNBA. Any potential investors, including the one LIV CEO Scott O'Neil announced earlier this month, will not be motivated to hand over millions of dollars if one of the biggest stars in the sport isn't a part of the circuit. O'Neil explained that a "term sheet" had been signed by the unknown investor and was hopeful a concrete agreement would be announced in September. Rahm has two years remaining on his current contract, but the Telegraph, among other outlets, has reported he is still due a nine-figure check of the $300 million signing bonus he signed to join the circuit. The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced earlier this year that it was ceasing its funding of LIV Golf at the conclusion of the 2026 season, which may make Rahm receiving what he is presumably owed a complicated endeavor. Among the many wrinkles in the ongoing and unknown situation involving LIV Golf is the DP World Tour, which granted conditional releases to some LIV players this season so they could compete on both circuits. The Athletic's Gabby Herzig reported Thursday that those conditional releases being offered in 2027 are "highly unlikely," which would force the hands of Rahm and others to decide if they want to compete on LIV or the DP World Tour. Whether or not the PGA Tour offers a direct and immediate path for LIV players who opt to leave following the conclusion of the 2026 season is unknown. Past champion categories and major winners, like Rahm, retain some exemptions on Tour, although given how unprecedented the present is and future may be, it's unclear what pathway back would look like. A Rahm departure from LIV coupled with DeChambeau opting to leave and focus on his YouTube channel, which is something he's mentioned multiple times, wouldn't hurt the future of LIV Golf; it would end it. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e32b02c5335ae104626f3 Beach walk takes horrifying turn after woman spots something scattered in the sand te 2026-08-13T21:10:08.559Z Beach walk takes horrifying turn after woman spots something scattered in the sand A morning stroll along a portion of the Jersey Shore took an alarming turn when a woman discovered nearly 30 dead sharks scattered across a popular beach. The sharks, which have been identified as juvenile dogfish, were recently found in Sea Isle City, New Jersey, roughly 20 miles north of Cape May. The discovery of so many sharks at once is a rare occurrence, shark ecologist Mike Heithaus told Fox News Digital. TEXAS TEEN BITTEN BY BARRACUDA IN POPULAR VACATION SPOT AFTER BRACELET GLINTS IN WATER "This is definitely something that's pretty rare, to see that many sharks washed up on the beach," said Heithaus, dean of Florida International University's College of Arts, Sciences & Education.  The beachgoer, Michelle Greenling, told CBS Philadelphia she found 29 dead sharks between 29th and 39th streets along the shore. "The first couple weren't too surprising, but when I saw three and four and five, I knew something was up," Greenling said. The beachgoer described the sight as "definitely concerning." BOY STUMBLES ON STRANGE BEACH OBJECT IDENTIFIED AS RARE 1.8M-YEAR-OLD FOSSIL "I was concerned about the water. I was concerned about the sharks," she said. Fox News Digital reached out to Greenling for further comment. Heithaus told Fox News Digital that dogfish gather in large schools, meaning a group could have been affected by the same event. While a toxin might initially appear to be one possible explanation, he said he would expect other marine species to have been affected as well. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "The fact that there aren't lots of other different kinds of animals washing up at the same time suggests it's not some kind of pollution or toxin in the environment," said Heithaus, who was not involved in the discovery or analysis. "If I had to make a guess, probably something happened to them, and they were caught — but [they] weren't what people were looking for, and so they got discarded," he added. Heithaus said scientists are increasingly using monitoring buoys and other systems as coastal oceans change, allowing researchers to track conditions and identify potential threats. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS "We've learned enough that we can monitor water quality and figure out what's going on ahead of these events happening so we can make interventions when we might have to," he said. "But, you know, in this case, it looks like it was probably something else." TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Heithaus also advised beachgoers who encounter large numbers of dead marine animals to alert local authorities or wildlife officials. Dogfish typically have a lifespan of 35 to 40 years, according to NOAA Fisheries' website. "Like all sharks, dogfish grow slowly, mature late in life, and live a long time," the site states. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e32ac2c5335ae104626ca U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln Has Been Deployed for Months, Prompting Concerns te 2026-08-13T21:10:04.190Z U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln Has Been Deployed for Months, Prompting Concerns The U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln has been deployed for nearly nine months. Members of Congress are worried about the crew’s well-being. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e305a2c5335ae10462693 Trump to rally with New York police in highlighting historic coast-to-coast violent crime drop te 2026-08-13T21:00:10.445Z Trump to rally with New York police in highlighting historic coast-to-coast violent crime drop EXCLUSIVE: President Donald Trump will travel with top federal law enforcement brass to Nassau County, New York, on Friday to rally with local police and tout what his office describes as a historic drop in violent crime nationwide, Fox News Digital has learned. Trump, along with newly-confirmed Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel, are scheduled to host the event at the Nassau County Police Academy, a top-notch 89,000-square-foot advanced training and intelligence center for police on Long Island. While there, the 47th president is expected to give a rundown on the largest year-to-year decrease in violent crime since the FBI began recording crime statistics in 1936. FBI REPORTS LARGEST DROP IN VIOLENT CRIME AND MURDER SINCE 1937 AS HOMICIDES FALL MORE THAN 18% He plans to tout an estimated 18.1% drop in murder and non-negligent manslaughter, an 18.5% drop in robberies, a 7.6% decrease in rapes and an 7.2% decline in aggravated assault in 2025. Further, Trump will announce that burglaries dropped by an estimated 15.8%, while larceny decreased by 9.8% and motor vehicle theft declined by 22.7%. The statistics come from the FBI’s soon-to-be released 2025 Crime Statistics Report. Trump is expected to highlight for the officers his law and order policies that he says have led to safer neighborhoods and fewer crime victims. TRUMP’S DC LAW-AND-ORDER BLITZ MARKS ONE YEAR WITH EYE-POPPING HAUL OF SUSPECTS "President Trump will visit the Nassau County Police Academy to do a rally with cops. President Trump promised to make America safe again and the data proves he has done just that," White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis told Fox News Digital. "Unlike Defund-the-Police Democrats, President Trump will always stand with our law enforcement officers and deliver safer American neighborhoods," she added, noting the far-left movement's push to get rid of law enforcement entirely. It's been a banner week for the Trump administration in the way of successful crime reduction announcements. Tuesday marked one year since Trump's bold deployment of the National Guard to Washington, D.C. in an effort to curb lawlessness in the nation's capital, dubbed the Safe and Beautiful initiative. Patel said that D.C. is safer than it has been in decades thanks to the deployment and a surge of federal authorities in the city. KASH PATEL TOUTS FBI 'FULL-THROTTLE MISSION' AFTER OPERATION SPRING CLEANING YIELDS 615 INDICTMENTS/COMPLAINTS "Last summer, President Trump made the historic decision to surge federal resources to Washington D.C. to crack down on crime – and thanks to his brilliant leadership, the work of brave FBI agents and our law enforcement partners, and the support of our Justice Department, our nation’s capital is now safer than it’s been in decades," FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News Digital. He said that the FBI, in conjunction with law enforcement partners, made 6,000 arrests, nearly 2,000 drug seizures and over 1,300 illegal firearm seizures over the year-long span. The federal resources will remain in D.C. for the foreseeable future, Patel said. "The greatest country on earth should have a capital city reflecting it — where American taxpayers can live, visit, and petition their government without fear of violent crime." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e30582c5335ae10462681 Legal challenge to Arizona’s ‘Secure the Border Act’ dropped, at least for now te 2026-08-13T21:00:08.855Z Legal challenge to Arizona’s ‘Secure the Border Act’ dropped, at least for now The border wall separating the United States and Mexico runs for hundreds of miles across southern Arizona. (Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy/Arizona Mirror) An immigrant rights group scrapped its legal challenge that sought to block an Arizona law that lets local police officers arrest immigrants who cross the border anywhere except an official port of entry won’t move forward. Two years ago, 61% of voters passed Proposition 314, known as the “Secure the Border Act.” The ballot measure made several changes to criminal law, but its most controversial provision gives state officials the power to enforce federal immigration law. It makes unauthorized entry a state-level crime, punishable with a class 1 misdemeanor which can lead to a jail sentence of up to 6 months.  GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE But the law didn’t become effective until this summer because the Republican legislators who wrote it anticipated a legal challenge and tied the provision’s implementation date to that of a similar law in Texas that was mired in litigation at the time. A federal appeals court revived the Texas law in May, allowing Arizona’s version to become enforceable on July 15.  Days before the Arizona law could take effect, the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project, which provides free legal services for people facing deportation proceedings, filed a lawsuit against it in federal court, arguing that the law is unconstitutional and could lead to racial profiling and discriminatory arrests. Attorneys for the group also sought an order temporarily blocking the law from being enforced, but U.S. District Judge Michael Liburdi rejected that request.  Still, the possibility of obtaining a preliminary injunction to freeze the law while litigation continued to determine whether to throw out the law completely remained on the table. But that option collapsed this week, when attorneys with the Arizona chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union filed a voluntary dismissal, putting an end to the lawsuit. Tara DeGeorge, the organization’s legal director, said that they still believe the law is unconstitutional and vowed to keep an eye on how it’s enforced.  “Immigration enforcement falls under federal authority and is not a state responsibility,” she said, in a written statement. “We will continue to monitor for racial profiling, unlawful detentions, and deportations that violate people’s rights and continue educating the public about the law and its impact on Arizona communities.” The organization didn’t say why it decided to withdraw the lawsuit, but a similar legal challenge against the Texas law ultimately failed because a federal appeals court panel ruled that the immigrant aid organizations involved didn’t have the right to file the lawsuit in the first place. State leaders who defended Prop. 314 in court made similar arguments. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and Republican legislative leaders said that because the law hasn’t been enforced yet and the Florence Project doesn’t have any clients who have been affected by it, the lawsuit is too premature and speculative for the court to consider.   The ACLU of Arizona appeared to acknowledge the lack of evidence that the new law is leading to civil rights violations, noting in a news release that “to date there is no indication that any law enforcement agency or prosecutor in Arizona is enforcing (the state crime provision).” But the legal advocacy organization reiterated that despite that, the law remains unconstitutional, and emphasized that a lawsuit could still be brought in the future.  YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e2e002c5335ae1046261d Dan Aykroyd details 'medieval times' reality of California while praising life in Canada without war te 2026-08-13T20:50:08.626Z Dan Aykroyd details 'medieval times' reality of California while praising life in Canada without war Dan Aykroyd praised his Canadian roots while pondering world atrocities in a recently unearthed podcast. Aykroyd, 74, admitted in a resurfaced clip from "The Adam Carolla Show" that he "loved going around the world," boasting that his Crystal Head Vodka was "made in Canada" where he was born – a place he believed to have a stark contrast to life in California. "It's great to be living in the western world," he said before singing an old blues song with lyrics including, "Oh, this world is in an uproar, things all going wrong. The way the reds is cutting up, we ain't going to be here long." DAN AYKROYD SURVIVED 50-FOOT FALL, CREDITS 'DIVINE INTERVENTION' FOR SAVING HIS LIFE The "Ghostbusters" actor recalled a visit with a friend from Israel who stayed on his farm and once asked, "Dan, what is it like to live in a land where there's no war?" "Here I am driving through the bucolic countryside ... and we're in Canada," he said. "We're driving to the drugstore to get an ice cream, and he tells me, 'What it is like to live in a country without war?' I thought to myself, ‘Boy, do I take things for granted, you know, around this place.’" After Carolla reminisced on failed promises for the future, Aykroyd insisted there were "pockets of the world that are at peace and that there is harmony, you know, Santa Monica, California – harmony, peace, joy by the sea." "It's beautiful there, beautiful houses and beautiful shops and lovely wide boulevards and 60,000 homeless," he said. "So the underside and the overside will always, always be there." LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "We're living in frankly medieval times. You go, I drive very carefully in the car. I don't drive prison hours at night, have a gated place to live ... lock up at night. Bring my family close, whereas really I would like to take my family and let them run in the park at 1 in the morning." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER He added, "But, no. We have to be so guarded now." Carolla added, "Well, what we're living in, especially in California, is you have Jay-Z and Beyoncé buy a $200 million house in Malibu, but in order to get there, you have to drive through a homeless encampment." "They got a deal, by the way," Aykroyd joked. "It's worth $700." "That's where we're at, which is ultra rich and then people just expiring on the streets in squalor," Carolla noted before the actor jumped back in. "Well, thankfully, knowing people like that, they're going to drive through their driveway, see that, and immediately start to act to try to alleviate and help in some way, because that's the kind of people they are," Aykroyd said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e2ba72c5335ae1046249c Abdul El-Sayed's resurfaced kiddie-show campaign clip ripped to shreds in brutal internet takedown te 2026-08-13T20:40:07.603Z Abdul El-Sayed's resurfaced kiddie-show campaign clip ripped to shreds in brutal internet takedown The internet is ripping apart far-left Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed after a bizarre "Blue’s Clues" themed campaign video resurfaced, pleading for votes while dancing and singing along to a jingle from the children’s show. The clip begins with El-Sayed mimicking the "Mail Time" segment in Blue’s Clues. The candidate for U.S. Senate mirrors the host’s exaggerated dance movements, including a little butt wag, and recites the song. He even dons the signature green-stripe collard shirt. "Here's the mail, it never fails, it makes me want to wag my tail. When it comes I want to wail, ‘Mail!’" El-Sayed recites at the onset of the campaign video. EL-SAYED PALS AROUND WITH FAR-LEFT STREAMER HASAN PIKER THE DAY BEFORE CRUCIAL MICHIGAN SENATE ELECTION The Michigan socialist then pulls out a ballot from the mailbox, which reads "Abdul for Senate," and goes on to explain the details and regulations for turning in a ballot. "It looks like my ballot," El-Sayed says in the video. "And with it, I can participate in democracy." He then continues to tell the viewers the dates by which the ballot must be turned in and postmarked to be counted. He did so, however in the same tone as how the "Blue's Clues" host speaks to his child audience. "Vote ski-doo, we can too!" El-Sayed said while shrinking and disappearing into the "Abdul for Senate" picture frame behind him. This copied yet another bit from the television series, "Blue’s Skidoo, we can too!", where the host would became part of the cartoon background. "Um, wut?" Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, posted to X about the video. The clip went viral on social media Wednesday, with supporters from the left arguing the video is playful campaigning. Meanwhiole, conservatives tore into El-Sayed for being cringe and infantilizing the election process by appearing to intentionally direct to campaign video to children. El-Sayed's campaign did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on the video. EL-SAYED DARES GOP RIVAL TO NO-PADS FOOTBALL SHOWDOWN AS SENATE FEUD TURNS PERSONAL "This is genuinely disgusting and patronizing," one user said. "Treating adult citizens and massive economic issues like a gentle episode of Blue’s Clues is a complete joke. Stop weaponizing our childhood nostalgia for a cynical election campaign. We aren't children, and we want real." "Could be the worst thing I’ve ever seen in my life," said another. Yet another user wrote: "Perhaps the most cringeworthy political advert I’ve ever seen. You could hold a gun to my head and I’d still not film this video. What sort of voter finds it appealing to be spoken to like a toddler watching Blue’s Clues?" "Perfectly appropriate if one believes his voters have the intellect of 4 year olds. It’s so much easier to trick them into socialism at that age. "No one should be allowed to vote for this," another user said. "Like, no one. Sorry. This cannot be encouraged." HALEY STEVENS CONDEMNS HASAN PIKER BUT RALLIES BEHIND EL-SAYED AFTER NARROW PRIMARY LOSS The video was part of the early days of El-Sayed’s campaign. Now, after narrowly beating moderate Rep. Haley Stevens , D-Mich., in the cutthroat primary election on Aug. 5, the clip has reemerged and gone viral. El-Sayed will go face-to-face with Republican Mike Rogers in the battle for Michigan’s Senate seat in November. The controversial progressive has campaigned with socialist streamer Hasan Piker, known for saying "America deserved 9/11," praising Mao Zedong and Communist China, arguing that capitalists should be murdered in the streets and spewing a litany of antisemitic bile. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e29502c5335ae1046243c Dem Senate nominee admits 'I take responsibility' after police report alleges he broke down door, punched man te 2026-08-13T20:30:08.819Z Dem Senate nominee admits 'I take responsibility' after police report alleges he broke down door, punched man Maine Democratic Senate nominee Troy Jackson acknowledged to Fox News Digital that he got into a fight with another man nearly four decades ago, as Senate Republicans reacted to a newly surfaced police report detailing the violent confrontation. "Nearly 40 years ago, when I was 19 years old, I got into a fight with another man. I took responsibility for it then, and I take responsibility for it now," Jackson told Fox News Digital. "But let me be clear: I have never been violent with my partner Lana, or any other woman," Jackson added. "This happened nearly four decades ago, and I assure Mainers this incident in no way reflects the man I am today or the life I’ve led in the years since." FORMER PLATNER ALLY TROY JACKSON LOCKS DOWN DELEGATES AS TOP RIVALS FOR DEMOCRATIC SENATE NOMINATION DROP OUT The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) is calling on Democrats to condemn Jackson over the report as he campaigns to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins in a race that could help determine control of the Senate. "Disgusting and inexcusable," the NRSC wrote in a post on X. "Troy Jackson is violent, unhinged, and has no place in the Senate." The NRSC also tagged a handful of Senate Democrats in posts specifically mentioning the 1988 incident, including Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.; Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.; Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.; Chris Murphy, D-Conn.; Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz.; and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. — along with Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and former Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio. The Bangor Daily News first obtained and reported on the 1988 Fort Kent Police Department report, which the outlet said describes Jackson breaking down a door and punching a man at a Fort Kent home. According to the newspaper's account of the police report and a handwritten witness statement, Jackson went to the home shortly before 2 a.m. local time on March 12, 1988. After an occupant told him to leave, Jackson allegedly "kicked the door in." INTERNET ERUPTS OVER REPORT THAT PLATNER'S REPLACEMENT IN KEY SENATE RACE FATHERED CHILDREN WITH SECOND COUSIN Jackson then allegedly grabbed the man by the throat and swung at him, striking his glasses and cutting his face, according to the BDN's account of the records. The witness said Jackson warned the man to "stay away from Lana Pelletier or else." The police report also notes Pelletier, Jackson's longtime partner, told an officer that Jackson had pushed her following the confrontation and that she planned to seek "cease harassment papers," according to the BDN. Pelletier disputed that account in a statement to Fox News Digital. "I do not remember making the statements attributed to me, and they are not accurate. This is the first time I have seen this report from 40 years ago," Pelletier said. "Troy and I have built a life and family together, and I know the person he has been through the decades since, both as a caring partner and father." The BDN reported that it found no record Pelletier ever sought such an order. A surviving court summary shows Jackson entered into an agreement to pay the man $50 to resolve the case, according to the BDN. The newspaper reported that the underlying court file has since been destroyed under the state's records-retention schedule. The BDN also reported that its background check found Jackson does not currently have a criminal record and that the 1988 case was the only criminal case it located involving him. Fox News Digital has made multiple attempts to independently obtain the underlying records, and contacted the Fort Kent Police Department and District Court seeking the original police report. Fox News Digital additionally submitted a request through Maine's state criminal background check system, finding no viewable corresponding results. The controversy comes shortly after Jackson secured the Democratic nomination to challenge Collins following the collapse of Graham Platner's ill-fated campaign. Fox News Digital also reached out to Sen. Collins' office for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e294f2c5335ae10462433 Scope of CCP-backed Chinese exchange program inside American schools uncovered in sweeping report te 2026-08-13T20:30:07.954Z Scope of CCP-backed Chinese exchange program inside American schools uncovered in sweeping report FIRST ON FOX: Dozens of American colleges, high schools, middle schools and elementary schools have taken part in a program launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping and run by an agency dedicated to promoting "Marxism-Leninism," a new report published by the parents' rights group Defending Education found.  At least 83 universities and 26 K-12 schools across 30 states have participated in Beijing’s Young Envoys Scholarship, an exchange program which the Chinese Communist Party says is designed to improve relations with the United States, according to the report. Critics, however, maintain that Chinese exchange programs serve a political function, allowing the CCP to curate manicured experiences to unduly sway American perceptions of China. The program’s reach underscores how Beijing uses educational exchanges to build influence with American students even as U.S. officials, the president among them, are increasingly scrutinizing CCP efforts to shape public opinion and gain footholds in institutions. The new Defending Education report raises questions about what students are shown in China, who shapes those experiences and whether schools and families fully understand the political implications of participation. HARVARD TOPS NATION IN FOREIGN CASH HAUL AS COTTON DEMANDS PROBE INTO CHINA FUNDING "The Chinese Communist Party engages in cognitive warfare to distort American perceptions of the CCP‘s endless human rights abuses and global aggression," Michael Lucci, the CEO of the national security nonprofit State Armor, told Fox News Digital. "They are reaching deep into our education system to influence American students as one of their influence operations to try to change the way Americans think." Xi established the program in 2023 with the aim of inviting 50,000 young Americans to the country over five years. The China Education Association for International Exchange, which runs the program, uses "Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory … and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as its guiding ideology and action guide," according to a translation of its Chinese-language website. "These aren't just cultural trips. They're an integral part of China's broader soft power strategy aimed at infiltrating America's classrooms," Reagan Dugan, the director of Defending Education’s higher education initiative, told Fox News Digital. "Disclosure requirements need to catch up. American students and families deserve to know if their school is partnering with a CCP operation." The Chinese government maintains that their exchange programs are not intended to serve a political purpose, however. "China is committed to promoting mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and American peoples and advancing exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in areas including trade, education and culture," a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in D.C. told Fox News Digital. "China opposes politicizing normal people-to-people, educational and economic exchanges. Such unfounded accusations serve no constructive purpose and do not contribute to the healthy development of China-U.S. relations." "We hope the U.S. side will view China and bilateral relations in an objective and rational manner, provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory environment for exchanges and cooperation, and work together to promote the sound and stable development of China-U.S. relations," they added." Fox News Digital reached out to the China Education Association for International Exchange for comment on the study, but did not receive a reply. IF CHINA TARGETED OUR ELECTIONS, WHY REWARD IT WITH 600,000 STUDENT VISAS? One 2025 newsletter published by the Chinese exchange program documents how 27 students from a high school in Chicago took a trip to the Chinese region of Xinjiang, where independent human rights organizations and the United States government say China is carrying out a genocide against Uyghur Muslims. Despite the human rights abuses occurring in the province, visiting American students were provided with a rosy view of Xinjiang, taking dance classes, practicing calligraphy, doing Tai Chi and lounging at Heshuo Golden Beach. FORMER CALIFORNIA MAYOR ADMITS TO SECRETLY WORKING FOR CHINA, SPREADING BEIJING PROPAGANDA IN US If reactions from students and teachers who attend Young Envoys Scholarship trips are anything to go by, the Chinese government program has been successful in winning hearts and minds. "I am a China fan," one high school student said after participating in a Young Envoys Scholarship program. "President Xi Jinping’s message is very heartwarming," another student stated. A teacher said that she "strongly agreed with President Xi Jinping’s message that ‘the future is in the hands of the youth.'" China makes use of these quotes, as well as others from similar trips, in articles produced by its state-run media organizations, which the United States government and some academics have described as "propaganda." Chinese exchange programs are already on the radar of congressional China hawks. "It is a tool used by the CCP to expand its influence over the American public," House Select Committee on the CCP Chairman John Moolenaar wrote in August 2025, addressing a school district in Maryland participating in an exchange program. "American youths should not be used as propaganda tools of the Chinese government to legitimize its authoritarian control or assert its undue influence on the American population." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e26f22c5335ae104623a7 Databricks wanted to raise $1B, investors wanted $15B. It settled on $5B at a $190B valuation. te 2026-08-13T20:20:02.604Z Databricks wanted to raise $1B, investors wanted $15B. It settled on $5B at a $190B valuation. AI is expensive, Ali Ghodsi tells TechCrunch. With so many investors wanting into his latest round, he said yes to more than planned. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e24a02c5335ae10462384 Hasan Piker is becoming the 'face of the progressive movement,' former Democratic operative warns te 2026-08-13T20:10:08.294Z Hasan Piker is becoming the 'face of the progressive movement,' former Democratic operative warns Controversial Twitch streamer Hasan Piker has found himself at the center of a debate about the direction of the Democratic Party and generations of voters to come. However, recently on his stream, which he does for hours every day, the far-left commentator has claimed the media is making him out to have more influence than he actually does. Evan Barker, author of "Nothing Left: Confessions Of A Democratic Operative," disagrees with Piker's analysis of his own popularity — he has more than 3 million followers on Twitch and millions more across other social media accounts — pointing to the increasing number of candidates who have invited him to campaign with them. "Why would these candidates have this desire to bring him into their state, to campaign alongside him if he wasn't influential, to hold press junkets with him, to invite him to barbecues? Like, why would they be doing that if he didn't have influence? Like, clearly, he does," Barker told Fox News Digital. Barker is no stranger to Democratic politics. She raised tens of millions of dollars for Democratic candidates, campaigned for Hillary Clinton and worked for candidates backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. EX-DEM OPERATIVE DETAILS 'NEW DONOR ESTABLISHMENT' BEHIND MAMDANI-ERA PROGRESSIVES: 'NOT FROM THE GRASSROOTS' Barker eventually broke with the party in 2024, a journey she details in her new book. She told Fox News Digital that Democrats are "testing their limits with the popularity" in areas of the country that aren't deep blue, especially when campaigning with Piker. "It's one thing to appear on somebody's podcast, it's another to have them come campaign for you," she said. Piker's hours-long stream primarily focuses on politics. He has backed several candidates in the 2026 cycle, including Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed and Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong.  While El-Sayed won his primary race, Hong lost to Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who has since said he was not planning on campaigning with Piker. Piker's long history of incendiary and far-left rhetoric has made him an easy target for Republicans. From his retracted comments about saying the U.S. "deserved" 9/11, to his praise of Chinese dictator Mao Zedong, and the hours of talking he does every day, there's no shortage of comments for which Piker and his allies could be held to account. When asked what she would tell candidates who are thinking about campaigning with the Twitch streamer, Barker told Fox News Digital that she would advise against it. "I would say that the juice isn't worth the squeeze," she said. "Yeah, you're trying to appeal to younger voters, you're trying to drive out your base, but how do you win a general election aligning with him?" DEMOCRAT ESTABLISHMENT STRIKES BACK AS SOCIALIST CANDIDATE DOWNED IN BATTLEGROUND PRIMARY While Barker has expressed skepticism about Piker, she said she often hears those on the left defend their relationship with the streamer by comparing him to another media personality: Joe Rogan. During the 2024 campaign cycle, then-Vice President Kamala Harris was criticized for not appearing on Rogan's widely followed podcast while running for president, particularly after both now-Vice President JD Vance and now-President Donald Trump sat for interviews with him. Some have made the case that Piker could serve as an alternative to Rogan, but Barker disagrees. "Hasan Piker is not at all like Joe Rogan, actually. So, the charm of Joe Rogan, what makes his show so powerful is that he talks about politics sometimes. Politics is sometimes peppered into his conversations, but by and large, the majority of the time, he's not talking about politics," she said. "Whereas Hasan Piker, that's pretty much all he talks about." She also noted that some of Piker's rhetoric that appeals to younger voters might not resonate with larger populations in parts of the country that are not deep blue. "At the end of the day, I would remind these progressive candidates, it's not just about pleasing your staff, it's not just about pleasing, you know, the young people that are in this movement. If you want to win places like Wisconsin, if you want to win places like Michigan, you have to be patriotic," she said. "The Rust Belt is filled with hardworking patriotic Americans who don't feel the way that Hasan Piker does." WISCONSIN DEMOCRATIC VOTERS CHALK SOCIALIST FRANCESCA HONG'S STUNNING LOSS UP TO ELECTABILITY CONCERNS As Democrats weigh the consequences of backlash for campaigning with Piker against the access to younger voters that he brings, Barker says the streamer is quickly becoming well known offline as well. She argued that Piker is "probably the biggest podcaster, live streamer" that the Democrats have at their disposal. "He's quickly becoming a household name. He's quickly becoming the face of the progressive movement," she said. Barker acknowledged that some progressives may not be "comfortable" with Piker as a de facto leader, calling his rise a "monster that they've created themselves." She also compared the current moment to previous shifts within the progressive movement, arguing that figures and ideas once embraced by the left are later dismissed as excesses of an earlier era. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Barker pointed specifically to recent discussions of "Woke 1" after Ocasio-Cortez's invocation of the term last week, arguing that Democrats have yet to reckon with the consequences of that period around 2020, which was marked by a surge in racial identity politics and progressive groupthink. "People's lives were ruined because of 'woke 1.' It wasn't just some mass delusion or mass hysteria that we all went through... It pushed people away from Democratic politics," she said. Barker argued that Democrats' continued willingness to align with figures like Piker shows the party has yet to move beyond that period. "I think that there needs to be a true reckoning in the progressive movement and in the Democratic Party for people to really be able to heal and move on from this," she said. Fox News Digital reached out to Piker for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e249f2c5335ae1046237b Innocent wrestling with sister of wife's best friend reveals cheating with a twist, McDonald's wedding & signs te 2026-08-13T20:10:07.456Z Innocent wrestling with sister of wife's best friend reveals cheating with a twist, McDonald's wedding & signs We've survived another week, and we're here for another edition of True Romance. I was planning to kick things off by taking another look at the training camp lack of focus being displayed by quarterbacks around the league. I get there's a love story there, but I'm not going to get into that again. A headline popped up and slapped me across the face this morning that I couldn’t ignore. It's about Nicole Kidman. She's, believe it or not, embracing love after her divorce from Keith Urban. My first thought is what a hero. But there's more to it than just that. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Kidman could actually be a reader of True Romance with what she had to say about her breakup. She told British Vogue, reports Page Six, "I've always wanted to live a well-examined life." Okay, well not that part. I would never say anything so insightful. But as she goes on, she does hit on what it is I pretend we're doing every week. "So what does that entail?" she continued. "Trying things, making mistakes, failing, getting back up, moving on, embracing love, staying open, keeping the heart open and the possibilities." We usually save the emotional moments for somewhere towards the end or stuff them down and bury them entirely. Not this week. And we have Nicole Kidman to thank for that. Go follow True Romance on Twitter and Facebook. Send your emails here: sean.joseph@outkick.com (anonymously if you prefer). This twisted tale of romance gone afoul is a first for the column. Not the twisted romance or the going afoul. We've had those before. I've also had writers and editors send stories my way before. I've had emails and, more recently, song suggestions from readers, but this is the first story sent in by a reader. OutKick reader Guy sent in the story of how a Kentucky woman came home early from work on the Fourth of July and learned of her husband's affair thanks to a Slip 'N Slide wrestling match. The woman's husband and her best friend's sister were the two involved in the bizarre scene. Spoiler alert, the best friend's sister is not who the husband was cheating on his wife with. Britney shared her story on social media, reports MSN. She was working overtime on the Fourth of July when one of her best friends' sisters called and told her to come home and celebrate the holiday. She did and when she arrived home, the celebration was already underway and her husband was holding her best friend in the air by the legs. She didn’t think anything of it and had no idea that things were only going to get weirder. Britney was approached by another one of her best friend's sisters. She wanted to know if she could tackle her husband. The sister was wearing a baggy shirt and biker shorts at the time, so she agreed. The best friend's sister tackled Britney's husband, then changed into a thong bikini and started wrestling with him on a Slip 'N Slide that was set up. "They proceed to wrestle on the Slip ‘N Slide for, like, a good 30 minutes. Like, they’re going at it," Britney claimed. They were all over each other and everyone was watching. The sister's fiancé wasn't happy about what he was witnessing and neither was Britney's best friend, which Britney was touched by. She assumed her best friend was upset on her behalf, because of her husband's behavior. Then a joke about it being slippery by the husband went too far. She had decided that the marriage, which was already in trouble at that point, was over. Britney later learned about the affair her husband was having. It wasn't with her best friend's engaged sister who he was wrestling with at the party. The affair was with her best friend. That's why she was upset by the Slip 'N Slide entertainment. She wasn’t taking up for Britney at all. She was watching her man wrestle with her sister and didn’t like it. There's no need to worry about Britney. She didn’t just end her marriage, she ended her friendship as well and she's gone on to find love again. Isn't that a wholesome story about loving, losing, and having it all turning out in your favor again. Your marriage may end on a Slip 'N slide, but there's still love out there if you know where to look. Follow True Romance on Twitter and Facebook. I don't want any of the overrated fries at McDonald's. I don’t want much from the fast food establishment at all. But I'll take romance and an ice cream machine that works. They have at least one of those at a location in Ohio where two coworkers tied the knot over the weekend. George and Jamie Callicoat were married in the dining room area of a McDonald's in Akron. The location didn't completely close during the ceremony; that would be insane. Cleveland.com reports the dining room was closed to the public for two hours, from 5 to 7 pm. The drive-thru was open for business. "This is so much more than a wedding at a McDonald’s," Tammy Snider, the general manager of the McDonald’s, Tammy Snider, said. "It's a story about two people in love and a restaurant team that wanted to make sure they felt celebrated." Well said. What more do you need? You can blow an insane amount of money on a wedding and have two people enter into a marriage with a fraction of the love that was packed into that McDonald's on Saturday. I'll take a McDonald's dining room wedding over a spectacle at Madison Square Garden any day. I'm going out on a limb here, but I'm guessing this one didn't have a disgusting prenup attached to it. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK CULTURE COVERAGE Not every marriage is going to make it. That's reality. Some of the ones that end before the "death do us part" have early signs that they aren’t going to make it, even at the wedding. These are some that were noticed by the good people of Reddit at the wedding that they, in some cases, appear to have kept to themselves. I'm not judging, I would do the same thing. Sit back and watch it unfold. That's how you feel alive. ------------- STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW! That's all I have this week. I'm heading out for a week-long vacation after I punch the clock later this evening, but there will be another True Romance next Thursday afternoon. In the meantime, keep the song of the week suggestions coming. You can reach me, anonymously if you prefer, at sean.joseph@outkick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e224c2c5335ae1046228b Socialist insurgency heads to Trump’s backyard, targets pro-Israel Democrat te 2026-08-13T20:00:12.866Z Socialist insurgency heads to Trump’s backyard, targets pro-Israel Democrat The high-stakes battle for the ideological future of the Democratic Party moves to Florida next week, before heading to New England early next month, as the 2026 primary season wraps up. After impactful left-wing victories this month by Michigan's Abdul El-Sayed and Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan in crucial Democratic Senate primaries, and a searing setback for the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), with the downing of DSA member Francesca Hong in Wisconsin's Democratic gubernatorial primary, the next faceoff in the party's civil war comes Tuesday in Florida. That's where DSA endorsed Oliver Larkin is challenging more moderate Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz in a key congressional swing district that's among roughly two dozen House seats that will determine if Republicans hold onto their razor-thin majority in the midterm elections. DEMOCRATIC GROUP LAUNCHES $15 MILLION WAR ON DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS: 'MORTAL DANGER' Two weeks later, the party's divisions return to a statewide stage, as longtime progressive leader Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts is facing a serious primary challenge from more moderate Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton. A left-versus-center battle is brewing a week later in neighboring New Hampshire, in the party's Senate primary for a crucial battleground seat Democrats must hold in the midterm elections in order to win back the chamber's majority from the GOP. Progressives scored their biggest victory to date a week ago, when El-Sayed narrowly edged moderate Rep. Haley Stevens to capture the party's Senate nomination in the Great Lakes battleground, in the race to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. DEMOCRATIC GROUP LAUNCHES $15 MILLION WAR ON DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS: 'MORTAL DANGER' On Tuesday, Flanagan downed moderate Democratic Rep. Angie Craig by roughly 20 points, to grab the party's nomination in blue-leaning but competitive Minnesota, in the race to succeed another retiring Democrat, Sen. Tina Smith. Both El-Sayed and Flanagan were backed by top far-left leaders, including progressive champion Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. But in Wisconsin's Democratic gubernatorial showdown, Hong was upset by a razor-thin margin by Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who was backed by retiring Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. Evers and Crowley, pointing to Hong's past controversial comments on defunding the police and criticizing Thanksgiving, argued that a Hong primary victory would have boosted GOP nominee Rep. Tom Tiffany's chances of flipping the Wisconsin governor's mansion. With the primary calendar winding down, here's a closer look at the final nomination faceoffs that are dividing Democrats and giving Republicans plenty of ammunition to use in the midterms. The 33-year-old Larkin, a veteran of Sanders' 2016 Democratic presidential campaign, is also the only DSA-endorsed House candidate running in a crucial congressional swing district. Larkin says he supports abolishing the U.S. Senate, arguing in a Fox News interview that it's an "undemocratic institution." He agreed with socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should have been arrested during his recent trip to the U.S., and refers to Israel's ruling coalition as a "religious supremacist regime." Moskowitz is a strong and vocal supporter of Israel, who has advocated for robust U.S. military and security assistance. DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB The two-term federal lawmaker and former state representative and Florida FEMA director is running for re-election in the state's newly redrawn 25th Congressional District, a Broward County-anchored seat in the southeastern corner of the red-leaning state Moskowitz, who enjoys establishment backing from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, is also supported by AIPAC, a major-Israel aligned political group. Larkin enjoys plenty of support from top far-left leaders, including controversial political streamer Hasan Piker. Moskowitz is the polling and fundraising lead over Larkin heading into the primary. Markey is backed by a slew of progressive politicians and groups, including Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, as well as fellow Bay Stater Rep. Ayanna Pressley, a member of the far-left Squad. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER Moulton is supported by a smaller group of more moderate Democratic lawmakers and groups. While the primary is partially viewed as a progressive versus moderate showdown, the Democratic Party's generational showdown is very much at play in this contest. The 80-year-old Markey has served in Congress for half a century, first in the House and since 2013 in the Senate. The 47-year-old Moulton has repeatedly emphasized it's time for a new generation of leaders. The push by Democrats for generational change was fueled two years ago by then-81-year-old President Joe Biden's exit from the presidential race amid questions over his physical and mental stamina following a disastrous debate performance against President Donald Trump. A similar generational fight is being waged in the Democratic primary in Massachusetts' 8th Congressional District. That's where 71-year-old Rep. Stephen Lynch, who has served in the House for a quarter-century, is being primary challenged by 39-year-old Patrick Roath. The action moves north a week later to neighboring New Hampshire, where longtime Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, the first woman in the nation's history elected governor and to the Senate, is retiring. Four-term Rep. Chris Pappas is the front-runner for the Democratic nomination, and enjoys plenty of establishment backing, including from Shaheen and the Granite State's other Democrat in the chamber, Sen. Maggie Hassan. Pappas is the clear polling and fundraising leader in a race that also includes medical scientist Karishma Manzur, who is backed by a handful of progressive groups. A backer of Israel, Pappas has been blasted over the support he's receiving from AIPAC by Manzur, who argues Israeli has committed "genocide" against Palestinians in its war with Hamas in Gaza. Fox News' Matthew Donnell contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e224b2c5335ae10462282 Surrogate gives birth in Texas to baby with heart defect after parents requested abortion te 2026-08-13T20:00:11.831Z Surrogate gives birth in Texas to baby with heart defect after parents requested abortion A surrogate mother gave birth to a baby against its biological parents' wishes after fleeing to Texas with help from state Attorney General Ken Paxton. Surrogate mother McKenna West fled to Texas after her baby was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome around the time West was 20 weeks pregnant. The diagnosis allegedly prompted the baby's birth parents to ask West to have an abortion, Paxton's office wrote in a Tuesday news release. After West went on the run to Texas, Paxton intervened, formally notifying UT Southwestern Medical Center and Children’s Medical Center of Dallas of their legal obligations to provide the baby with "medically necessary, life-saving care upon birth," his office wrote. DEM GOV MAURA HEALEY SIGNS SWEEPING MASSACHUSETTS BILL ALLOWING ABORTIONS UP TO BIRTH "The court has made the right decision in immediately acting to protect baby Gabriel’s life and ensure he receives the care he deserves," Paxton said in the statement. "My office utilized every tool at our disposal to protect life, and we will not back down in continuing to support baby Gabriel’s well-being. Every child in our state deserves to be cared for and protected, and that’s exactly what I’ll fight for." "While the surrogate mother of baby Gabriel has traveled to Texas for protection and care for Gabriel, the intended parents have refused to agree that they will consent to the life-saving surgery for Gabriel after he is born. Attorney General Paxton has now secured a legal victory that will ensure baby Gabriel’s life is protected and that care is provided," his office's statement also read. West's baby, named Gabriel, was born on Wednesday, according to Fox News' Kerri Urbahn. Gabriel was brought to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where doctors could soon perform lifesaving surgery. SUPREME COURT UNANIMOUSLY SLAPS DOWN BLUE STATE TARGETING PRO-LIFE GROUP The hospital where the surgery would likely be performed has a 100% success rate on the procedure, Urbahn reported. "Baby Gabriel deserves a chance at life, and I will not allow anyone to unlawfully deny him medically necessary care," Paxton said. "My office will use every tool available to protect innocent lives and ensure that every child receives the care required under Texas law." Fox News Digital contacted Paxton's office, UT Southwestern Medical Center and Children’s Medical Center of Dallas for additional comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e22452c5335ae1046225b Kirk Assassination Suspect Says Shot Accuracy Should Erase Death Penalty te 2026-08-13T20:00:05.061Z Kirk Assassination Suspect Says Shot Accuracy Should Erase Death Penalty Prosecutors say they can seek the death penalty against Tyler Robinson because he also endangered people near Charlie Kirk, who was shot in the throat last year. Mr. Robinson’s lawyers note that the gunman struck only his target. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e22432c5335ae10462252 What We Know About the Storms Battering the Midwest te 2026-08-13T20:00:03.391Z What We Know About the Storms Battering the Midwest A lingering weather system has brought severe flooding and intense winds — including a few tornadoes — to Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e1ff22c5335ae1046221b Baseball fans fume at MLB's 'Field of Dreams' game decision, reporter Tricia Whitaker has a boat day & LLWS! te 2026-08-13T19:50:10.182Z Baseball fans fume at MLB's 'Field of Dreams' game decision, reporter Tricia Whitaker has a boat day & LLWS! 'Nightcaps' is a daily column that catches you up on the biggest sports, news and culture stories you may have missed while pretending to do work at your desk. It runs Monday–Friday on OutKick.com. Over the hump and safely into a big Thursday filled with actual NFL football (kind of) and an MLB Field of Dreams game only the 1%ers can watch. What a blessing. What a day! Are things starting to ramp up, or what? And who knows! Maybe by the end of this class, the WNBA will have figured out what a woman is. HOME RUN DERBY RATINGS CRASH ON NETFLIX, SETS 20-PLUS-YEAR LOW AS QUESTIONS SURFACE ABOUT PROGRAM QUALITY I wouldn't hold your breath, but there's always a chance. Welcome to a Thursday Nightcaps — the one where Pat Sajak, of all people, points out the lunacy in tonight's annual Field of Dreams game. Pat Sajak! We usually only check in with Maggie Sajak in this class. I believe Pat's a first-timer. Welcome aboard! What else? I've got a couple wild moments yesterday in the world of little league baseball, Apple TV's Tricia Whitaker enjoyed a Canadian cottage getaway and Lordy, did you guys have some steak takes on the heels of yesterday's class. Well done. We'll dive in. Take out a second mortgage, grab you a Netflix subscription and settle in for a Thursday 'Cap! I think Major League Baseball does a lot of things right. Frankly, they're probably the best sport when it comes to doing things that make sense. Look at the mess that is the WNBA right now and compare it to MLB. It's laughable. The pitch clock was brilliant. I've come around on the ghost runner. ABS has very clearly worked. The Home Run Derby and the All-Star game are the two best exhibition events in sports (not a high bar, to be fair). The Field of Dreams game has been a home run since its debut way back in 2021. It's perfect. Everything about it is perfect. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! This year — tonight — is the first year it won't be on Fox. Instead, it was scooped up by Netflix during last year's TV negotiations. Yes, that means if you really want to watch some Phillies-Twins action tonight from Iowa, you're gonna have to pay up. And when folks realize this... look out. In fact, one already has: Does it seem a bit ironic that MLB’s Field of Dreams game — which harkens back to a simpler, more bucolic time — is being streamed on Netflix? You know what, Pat Sajak? You are 1000% right. What a rip-off! More importantly, what a vocabulary on 79-year-old Pat Sajak! Bucolic? I'm not sure I've ever seen that word in my life. Does Pat still have the fastball, or what? Bucolic, by the way, is an adjective that means relating to the pleasant, peaceful aspects of the countryside, country life, or shepherds, according to the stupid AI bot that runs Google now. Pat wasn't alone in his bewilderment, by the way: I could go on and on. Nobody is happy. Is anyone ever happy? For those still on the fence, a Netflix subscription costs $8.99 a month (with ads). If you really hate ads, you have to pony up a whopping $20 a month. And if you really hate ads AND regular 1080p HD, you have to pay $27 for the 4K version. Thank God I'm a T-Mobile customer. Free MLB TV and Netflix included! What a deal. (Not a promotion, but I wouldn't mind if it was.) OK, let's keep this class moving ... from the big diamond to the little diamond! What a night we had in the Little League World Series regionals last night. We had: What a sport: Thoughts? First impressions? The coach who gave a sermon on the mound (come on, that's a good one!) is taking a little heat today because folks say he should've been out there giving a scouting report instead. Boots on the ground say the next three batters reached safely, and Arizona went on to lose. Not great! For what it's worth, my little league coach used to tell me, "Zach, if you strike out, there are a billion people in China who will wake up tomorrow and won't care." Decent advise for a 12-year-old, I reckon. But we also never got anywhere close to Williamsport, so perhaps we could've used some more motivation. As for the coach who got tossed ... that's nothing. I grew up with a coach who used to get thrown out every week for arguing anything and everything under the sun. During one All-Star game in particular, he snuck back into the complex Bobby Valentine style and hung out behind the outfield fence. That's called commitment. Loved Coach Tony. OK, let's rapid-fire this Thursday class into a big Thursday night of preseason football. First up? Yesterday, I gave you my Mount Rushmore of Steaks to celebrate National Filet Mignon Day. From Larry K in Iowa: Anything that moos is my favorite meat. I grew up a meat and potatoes kid. Still am 7 decades later. Ribeyes and Kansas City strips are my favorites. My smoker will be fired up this weekend. Thanks, Larry! Bring a couple over to the Field of Dreams game! From Tom J. in Omaha: I have two: Ribeye on the bone — the bone must be there with no questions asked – it’s not the same eating a boneless ribeye. Porterhouse — which you cannot go wrong, and it is of course two steaks in one on a big bone — so technically, number 2 and 3 would equal a porterhouse. Thanks, Tom! Agree wholeheartedly on the bone-in Ribeye. Huge difference. And, From Ryan N: Agree with your steak rankings. Up until end of last year I never even considered ordering anything but a ribeye, but I’ve been on a filet tear so far this year. For me it’s more about portion control than anything else. I can’t be knocking down 14+ oz ribeyes all the time anymore.  It's football season, Ryan. Portion control, shmortion control! Let's get the ribeyes back in the rotation and worry about the waistline in January. OK, that's it for today. Good work, everyone. Six NFL preseason games tonight and the Field of Dreams game for those who have a rich uncle who recently kicked the bucket. Here's Apple TV's MLB girl, Tricia Whitaker, to get everyone ready. See you tomorrow. Best little league memories? Email me at Zach.Dean@OutKick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e1ff12c5335ae10462212 Luxury $9 million yacht caught on camera sinking off coast days after delivery to owner te 2026-08-13T19:50:09.466Z Luxury $9 million yacht caught on camera sinking off coast days after delivery to owner A super-luxury $9.1 million yacht sank into the waters of the Mediterranean Sea on Tuesday, just days after it had been delivered to its new owner. The Angiola II was off the coast of Porto Cervo on the popular Italian island of Sardinia with 14 guests on board, when it experienced engine failure that sparked a fire, the New York Post reported. DRUNK REPEAT OFFENDER CALLED A 'TICKING TIME-BOMB' BEFORE 80-MPH BOATING COLLISION KILLED WOMAN: PROSECUTORS The blaze damaged seals on the vessel, which began to take on water, causing it to tip onto its side. The guests managed to escape to safety and were rescued by nearby vessels, The Telegraph reported. Video footage taken at the scene shows the boat on its side. COAST GUARD OPENS FIRE ON BOAT SMUGGLING 25 CHINESE NATIONALS NEAR FLORIDA AFTER IT REFUSED TO STOP The unidentified owner — an Italian businessman — was the last one off the ship, the newspaper reported. The yacht reportedly sank at a depth of around 23 feet between an island called L’Isola dei Cappuccini and Capo Ferro, on Sardinia’s exclusive Costa Smeralda, or Emerald Coast, the news report states. The boat will be kept under surveillance until a recovery company recovers it from the sea floor. The yacht can reportedly accommodate 10 guests and is fitted with five cabins and five crew members.  It has four engines and can reach speeds of 28 knots. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e1fee2c5335ae104621fb Arizona workers call for stronger heat safety protections te 2026-08-13T19:50:06.083Z Arizona workers call for stronger heat safety protections Key Points: Extreme heat kills more people than floods, hurricanes and tornadoes combined The Industrial Commission of Arizona issued new workplace heat safety guidelines for employers Some lawmakers say the protections would help workers, but others worry about the effects on businesses Extreme heat in Arizona is not just a seasonal inconvenience. It’s a workplace hazard that is increasingly lasting longer and can make even routine work life-threatening. Given that, workers and job-safety advocates gathered this week in Phoenix on a rare, sub-100-degree summer day to demonstrate the dangers of working outside and call on state lawmakers to enact stricter regulations to protect Arizona laborers. Recent efforts to do so have stalled in the GOP-led Legislature. The Arizona Heat Standards Coalition hosted demonstrations that simulated loading heavy luggage onto airplanes, wearing pesticide-protection suits in agriculture, and working in roofing and landscaping under intense sun. Trina David worked on the ground crew at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport for 19 years, offloading and loading 4,000 to 6,000 pounds of baggage in less than an hour to get planes out on time.  The tarmac is 20 to 40 degrees hotter than the air temperature, and oftentimes the only breeze is from airplane exhaust, which harms workers’ lungs and throats and dehydrates them, she said. “Our goal today is simple: to help you feel what we feel, to help you see what we workers see every day, and to help you understand why enforceable heat protection should not be optional; they are necessary because protections save lives,” David said.  Extreme heat kills more Americans than floods, hurricanes and tornadoes combined. According to the National Weather Service, the 10-year average of heat-related deaths between 2016 and 2025 was higher than that of any other disaster.  Arizona follows a “State Emphasis Program” adopted in 2023 under the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health. The plan provides general guidance to employers and relies on the “general duty clause” for enforcement.  That means businesses must be free of hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm. Employers can also be issued citations, said Phil Murphy, the deputy director of compliance at ADOSH. Mike Moser, left, hands suitcases to Tony Clebenger and Dennis Spencer, who is inside the tunnel representing the cargo space of a commercial airplane. Commissioners issued new workplace heat safety guidelines in April, based on recommendations from a task force that Gov. Katie Hobbs established in 2025. A report of how those recommendations affected workers is expected in December.   But it’s still not enough, critics say. They note states like California have state-level standards for heat safety, while Arizona relies on workplace guidelines. Rep. Mariana Sandoval, D-Goodyear, has tried to pass heat safety legislation for the last three legislative sessions, though none advanced. Part of Sandoval’s district represents Yuma County, a major agricultural hub. “They are like suggestions,” Sandoval said about the current guidelines. “This is what they should do, but there’s nothing in statute that says this is what they have to do, so that’s the difference between having guidelines and then having actual statutes.” But Senate Majority Leader John Kavanagh believes that the current regulatory system is working. He said that if employers expose their workers to dangerous situations, they’ll pay the price through workers’ compensation payments and lawsuits. He added that he believes a one-size-fits-all solution will overburden employers, cause their worksites to shut down, and decrease their profits. “We’ve been a state for like over 125 years. We’ve survived without one-size-fits-all heat protection, so I’m a little leery of that,” he said. Kavanagh added that if he saw the numbers of heat-related injuries and deaths in workplaces, he’d be open to addressing them.  Industrial Commission says guidelines work The Arizona Industrial Commission said in a statement to the Arizona Capitol Times that the current heat protections are enforceable, noting that citations have been issued to employers who have not provided adequate protections from heat illness.  “ADOSH works with many employers who employ creative and practical provisions to protect their workforce from heat illness,” the statement said. “The goal is to elevate all employers to that level of safety and awareness.” The commission plans to use enforcement data to decide whether further action is necessary. It will specifically track heat-related complaints, inspections, citations, employer participation in safety programs, consultation visits and heat-related illness claims. Since the state issued the original State Emphasis Program, the commission says it has expanded its consultation visits, increased inspections, convened a Workplace Heat Safety Task Force, held stakeholder meetings, supported the ADOSH Advisory Council, held a public meeting to review recommended guidelines and updated the State Emphasis Plan.  The state has also tracked some positive indicators in recent years. Heat-related deaths dropped to 667 in 2025 from 997 in 2024, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Emergency department visits for heat-related illnesses also declined after several years of increases, according to the department. A public health emergency At a press conference in July, three state lawmakers, two work-safety advocates and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said extreme heat is a public health emergency and should be treated as such all the time.  “This can be a life-or-death issue,” Gallego said. “Each year we learn from past summers and improve upon our heat relief efforts.” The City of Phoenix was the first in the country to establish a publicly funded, permanent Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, and it plans for summer heat year-round, Gallego said.  But she said the numbers are still too high and one heat-related death is too many. It’s a nonpartisan issue, she added. It’s also not just a workplace issue. Sen. Lauren Kuby, D-Tempe, proposed Senate Bill 1608, which would have made it illegal for landlords to set the thermostat higher than 82 degrees or below 68 degrees when seasonal weather conditions apply.  The bill, which also never advanced, would have allowed tenants to take action if the landlord doesn’t comply.  “We cannot treat extreme heat as a simple weather event,” Kuby said. “It’s a public health challenge, an education challenge, a housing challenge and ultimately a human rights challenge.”  As a lifelong public school teacher, Rep. Nancy Gutierrez, D-Tucson, said she had to get 30 students to concentrate in a hot classroom with no windows and no air conditioning because the system was old and in need of repair. She and her students would become nauseous, fatigued and irritable.  “I continue to receive dozens of emails from teachers telling me that their classrooms in northern Arizona begin at 85 degrees because of our climate crisis,” she said. “Arizona hasn’t funded our public buildings in order to make these changes.” The post Arizona workers call for stronger heat safety protections first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e1fed2c5335ae104621f1 2026 Fall Fun Fair planning underway te 2026-08-13T19:50:05.128Z 2026 Fall Fun Fair planning underway While it might not feel like autumn is right around the corner, planning is already well underway for one of Lake Havasu City's fall traditions. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e1d9a2c5335ae10462196 'Deadpool' star Rob Delaney reveals how losing 2-year-old son changed his approach to fame te 2026-08-13T19:40:10.944Z 'Deadpool' star Rob Delaney reveals how losing 2-year-old son changed his approach to fame The death of Rob Delaney's son, Henry, fundamentally changed the way he approaches Hollywood, prompting the "Deadpool" star to limit his workload and spend as much time as possible at home with his children. Delaney lost his two-and-a-half-year-old son in 2018 after battling a brain tumor. Henry had been diagnosed with cancer shortly after his 1st birthday. "I had a son, his name was Henry, and he died, and he's dead," he said during an appearance on Ted Danson's podcast, "Where Everybody Knows Your Name." "You know, does he live on inside of me and in the smile of my wife and in the gaze of my other boys who are alive and vibrant? Yes, he does. But he died, and I don't like to sugarcoat that, you know. And that affected how I work now." RYAN GOSLING'S FAMILY-FIRST PHILOSOPHY RESHAPED HIS HOLLYWOOD CAREER: EXPERTS Rather than building a production empire or juggling numerous projects like some peers, he chose to prioritize being physically present with his family. "...they've got their fingers in other pies," he said. "I don't do that. I just do one, maybe two things at a time to the best of my abilities, and then I just spend the rest of the time at home, you know, smelling my kids and having as many of them sit on me at one time as possible, you know." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER For Delaney, that shift in priorities is inseparable from the grief he continues to carry. "That's a big part of me is metabolizing that the pain of the loss of Henry and then trying to be smart enough to let that inform how I do my career, because I think it would be a real shame if that happened and I didn't change how I work, you know," he explained. "That would be folly." Delaney spent years working in stand-up before gaining a major following on Twitter, where his offbeat comedy helped turn him into one of the platform’s earliest breakout comedians. In 2012, he was named "Funniest Person on Twitter" at Comedy Central’s Comedy Awards. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS His biggest career breakthrough came with "Catastrophe," the acclaimed comedy series he co-created, co-wrote and starred in alongside Sharon Horgan from 2015 to 2019. Some of Delaney's biggest roles include "Deadpool 2", "Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One," "Deadpool & Wolverine" and "Dying for Sex." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e1d9a2c5335ae1046218d Prichard Colon, boxer left in vegetative state after illegal punches in 2015 bout, dead at 33 te 2026-08-13T19:40:10.266Z Prichard Colon, boxer left in vegetative state after illegal punches in 2015 bout, dead at 33 Prichard Colon, the former boxer who fell into a coma in 2015 following a controversial match, has died. He was 33. The news was shared by Colon’s father, Richard, on Thursday, announcing the heartbreaking news about his son. "Good morning, my people. I regret to inform you of the passing of my son Prichard from this earthly world," he wrote on Facebook, translated from Spanish. "Now he is in a better world. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "I did everything possible to fulfill his wish, his dream of bringing him on vacation on Puerto Rico as much as he desired, but couldn’t. Thank you for so many years of love and prayers. As much as you can, please keep us in your prayers." Colon was one of boxing’s rising stars in 2015, owning a 16-0 record with 13 knockouts to his name ahead of his fight to Terrel Williams. BOXER PRICHARD COLÓN TAKEN OFF SEDATIVES, FAMILY PRAYS HE WAKES FROM COMA But during that bout, Colon was repeatedly hit in the back of the head by illegal punches. He tried telling the referee about it, but the fight continued on. While Williams wasn’t docked for the illegal hits, Colon was hit with a two-point penalty for a low blow on his opponent. In the end, Colon hit the canvas in the ninth round, and his team removed his gloves while he was down thinking the fight was over. It, in fact, wasn’t and Colon was disqualified. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS However, a more serious situation occurred when he needed help getting to the locker room. He vomited and collapsed, immediately leading to his team getting him to the hospital. Colon was diagnosed with a subdural hematoma, and he underwent an emergency procedure to reduce brain swelling. As a result, Colon fell into a coma that lasted 221 days. Upon waking up, he was in a vegetative state, unable to speak without using a computer. STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW! Colon needed to be cared for by his family up until his death. Colon finished his boxing career as an honorary WBC World Champion and a gold medal winner at the 2010 Pan American Youth Championship in the 64 kilogram weight class. 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/6a7e1d992c5335ae10462184 Chicago Bears say 'sole focus' is building new stadium in Indiana and reveal how that will affect their name te 2026-08-13T19:40:09.473Z Chicago Bears say 'sole focus' is building new stadium in Indiana and reveal how that will affect their name The Chicago Bears on Thursday announced that their new stadium planning and expectations, which the team had been balancing between options in Arlington Heights, Illinois and Hammond Indiana, will now have a "sole focus" on the site in the state next door. The club is definitely leaving Chicago, which it has called home since 1921. And it is almost definitely leaving Illinois, too. CHICAGO BEARS TAKE MAJOR STEP TOWARD LEAVING CITY AFTER MORE THAN A CENTURY AS FRANCHISE MAKES INDIANA PLANS "...Even though we've had occasional meetings with the state of Illinois, our sole focus at this point in time is working on a world-class stadium and mixed use development in Hammond, Indiana," Bears CEO Kevin Warren told reporters on Thursday. So, the Indiana Bears? The Hammond Bears? Nope. "We will be the Chicago Bears, whether we're in Arlington or whether we're in Hammond," Bears Chairman George McCaskey said. "And as Kevin said, our focus on Hammond, that's where we're advancing our efforts, and that's where the bulk of our time, attention, and resources are being devoted." McCaskey said he understands there is anxiety from Bears fans that the club is likely leaving the state. "We understand that that's out there," he said. "And it needs to be dealt with. We are doing surveying, research, data collection, to address those issues. And as I said months ago, this is going to require an adjustment. "But it required an adjustment when we went from Wrigley [Field] to Soldier [Field]. It required an adjustment when we went from, Soldier to Champaign temporarily. And it required an adjustment when we came back to the quote unquote new Soldier Field. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "That's how it works over the course of 100-years-plus of franchise stewardship." For months there has been hope among some fans and others in Illinois that some sort of Hail Mary proposal or scheme could somehow keep the Bears from bolting. That would require work with the mostly Democrat politicians in Illinois from Gov. J.B. Pritzker to legislators and McCaskey made it clear those discussions with Illinois politicians haven't been fruitful. "Minimal," McCaskey said describing the communication. "We were waiting to see whether there would be some substantive action taken. We thought we had presented a pretty compelling case that a stadium in Arlington would be beneficial not only for the village of Arlington Heights, but for the community, and for the entire state. "Really a tremendous driver of economic activity, job creation, tax revenue, sales revenue, and ultimately that argument was unsuccessful." CHICAGO POLITICIANS ARE DOING WINDY CITY POLITICIAN THINGS TO TRY TO KEEP THE BEARS IN TOWN The mostly Republican politicians in Indiana, meanwhile, have offered a stark contrast. "The representatives from the state of Indiana, all the way from the governor's office to representatives in Northwest Indiana, have been phenomenal partners," Warren said. "They've been stellar to work with, very professional, diligent, with a can-do attitude." FOLLOW ARMANDO SALGUERO ON X: @ARMANDOSALGUERO Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e1d982c5335ae1046217b Hasan Piker event cancellation sparks intervention from top House progressive te 2026-08-13T19:40:08.655Z Hasan Piker event cancellation sparks intervention from top House progressive A top House Democrat is speaking out against a university's decision to cancel an appearance by controversial far-left activist Hasan Piker on its campus. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., the former Congressional Progressive Caucus chair, publicly called on students at the University of Washington to "work with the university to ensure" that Piker was able to speak. Jayapal also said in a statement posted to X on Thursday that she was personally working with the university on the issue. DEMOCRATIC INFIGHTING GROWS AS CONGRESSWOMAN EXPOSES ‘DISRESPECTFUL’ WELCOME OF SOCIALISTS INTO ‘BIG TENT’ "As a Member of the Judiciary Committee, I have been absolutely clear that free speech is a constitutional right that we must all stand up and protect. I have been communicating my concerns about the cancellation of the Hasan Piker event directly to the University, and they have informed me that they are doing an internal review to ensure this never happens again," Jayapal wrote. Piker posted on X earlier this week that the event was canceled due to his criticism of Israel. "i wish the dems were smarter & didn’t let the [right-wing] groups be the only people who speak out against this clear violation of [the First Amendment] but unfortunately my position as a prominent critic of israel stops them from using this moment to show gop as arch cancel culture warriors," Piker wrote. The University of Washington said in a statement that Piker's event was canceled because it "was determined that the process for organizing this event did not meet the necessary level of rigor for University-hosted events." The decision also prompted backlash from the right. "Let the radical Mao loving communist Hasan Piker speak, so long as he can resist the urge to call for the death of his political opponents. Universities do this to TPUSA often and blame some admin error etc.," Turning Point USA's Andrew Kolvet posted on X. "It’s wrong. Let him speak. Let conservatives speak. Peacefully." Piker, a streamer, has long made headlines for controversial and far-left statements. In 2019, he said "America deserved 9/11" over its foreign policy decisions, though he later walked it back on "The Young Turks," stating, "Every part of what I advocate for is against violence" and insisting his statement was misconstrued. HASAN PIKER'S DEFENSE OF HAMAS HAVING 'RIGHT TO RESIST MILITARILY' DRAWS CONDEMNATION FROM HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS Piker said at a Yale University event in April 2026 that "the fall of the USSR was one of the greatest catastrophes of the 20th century." He also drew backlash from the Anti-Defamation League for calling terror group Hamas a "lesser evil" compared to Israel. The far-left activist and his past statements have been back in the national conversation in recent weeks as he campaigns with socialist-aligned candidates across the country. That includes Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and failed Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong. Fox News Digital reached out to Piker for comment on Jayapal's and Kolvet's defense of his speaking engagement. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e1b462c5335ae10462128 Social media has a field day with Texas A&M player for looking like a 36-year-old construction worker te 2026-08-13T19:30:14.097Z Social media has a field day with Texas A&M player for looking like a 36-year-old construction worker Offseason transformations are one of the coolest parts about college football. It's simply amazing to see what six to eight months in a Division I strength and conditioning program can do for a group of young men, especially considering that, for the majority of them, this is the first time they've seriously thrown some weight around in their lives. High school gym does not prepare you for 5 a.m. lifts with an SEC strength coach, and it shows with how different these kids look between their freshman and sophomore years. OKLAHOMA SOONERS QUARTERBACK JOHN MATEER LOOKS ABSOLUTELY JACKED JUST IN TIME FOR FALL CAMP One player who has seen plenty of gains since entering a college weight room is Texas A&M defensive end Anto Saka, and he expressed his gratitude to Aggies strength coach Tommy Moffitt during an interview on Wednesday. I'm not sure what Moffitt and the Aggies are putting in their post-workout protein shakes, though, because Saka's mature looks caught the eye of the entire internet earlier this week. You're trying to tell me that's a college kid? Because he looks like a 36-year-old construction worker with two kids and a mortgage. I know redshirt rules have gotten a little out of hand in college sports recently, but there's no way this 30-something union worker has any eligibility left to play football. I looked it up, and apparently Saka is a 22-year-old college senior. Sure, Jan. COLLEGE FOOTBALL COACHES ON HOT SEAT: BILL BELICHICK, MIKE NORVELL AND OTHERS FACING MAKE-OR-BREAK 2026 He was allegedly born in 2002, which means Saka wasn't even alive when the Twin Towers fell, yet he looks old enough to have worked there. I'm 33 years old, and if I ever interviewed this kid, I'm pretty sure I'd call him "sir." Social media had an absolute field day with Saka, dropping memes left and right poking fun at the world's oldest looking guy who can't legally rent a car yet. If Hollywood were to cast this young man to portray a college student in a movie, we would all collectively complain about how they never get actors to play characters their age. He's like a real-life Luke Perry in "90210." Anyway, congrats on the big gains in the weight room, Anto! Just remember to stretch for ten minutes before every lift. A guy your age could really mess his back up throwing weight around like that. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e1b452c5335ae1046211f Resurfaced WNBA post shows league celebrating males who stole wins from female athletes te 2026-08-13T19:30:13.379Z Resurfaced WNBA post shows league celebrating males who stole wins from female athletes The WNBA apparently needs "weeks and months" to figure out whether biological males should be eligible to play in a professional basketball league for women. Five years ago, the league didn't seem nearly as confused. CLUELESS WNBA ATTACKS 'BAD-FAITH' FANS WHO DON'T WANT BIOLOGICAL MEN RUINING WOMEN'S SPORTS A resurfaced June 2021 post from the WNBA’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, which was also shared on Facebook, celebrated Andraya Yearwood and Terry Miller, two males who competed in girls' high school track in Connecticut and were at the center of a major legal fight after beating female athletes in championship events. "Our first #WCW of #WNBAPride goes out to Andraya Yearwood and Terry Miller," the WNBA wrote. Yes, the Women's National Basketball Association used its first "Woman Crush Wednesday" of Pride Month to celebrate two males. "We see you. We support you and all of the other trans athletes just trying to compete in the sports they love," the league added. The post remains live on X and the same message is still posted on the WNBA's official Facebook account. The WNBA knew who it was celebrating. Yearwood and Miller had already become nationally known for winning girls’ track titles and finishing ahead of female athletes in Connecticut. Those girls had names, too. Selina Soule. Chelsea Mitchell. Alanna Smith. Ashley Nicoletti. Funny, the WNBA's post didn't mention them. Yearwood began competing in girls' track in 2017 under Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference rules and won the Class M state championship in both the 100- and 200-meter events that year. A federal district court ruling recounting the plaintiffs' allegations says Yearwood's advancement to the State Open displaced Chelsea Mitchell, a female, from qualifying. Miller began competing in girls' track the following year. At the 2018 Outdoor State Open, Miller and Yearwood finished first and second in the girls' 100 meters. The court noted that Mitchell would have finished second statewide without their participation. Miller also won the 200 meters. Then came 2019. At the State Indoor Open, Miller and Yearwood finished first and second in both the preliminary and final 55-meter races. According to the court record, Mitchell would have won the final without them and Soule would have advanced to the next stage of competition. Later that spring, Miller won another state championship over Mitchell, while Miller also won the State Open 200-meter final ahead of Smith. Nicoletti was affected, too. The plaintiffs sought revisions to 2019 race results that included events where Miller and Yearwood finished ahead of Nicoletti, along with numerous races where one or both finished ahead of Soule, Mitchell and Smith. By the time the WNBA posted its support in 2021, there was no mystery about the controversy surrounding Yearwood and Miller. The post itself points to one reason why: the league credited Athlete Ally, an organization that had already honored both athletes at its 2019 Action Awards. Athlete Ally’s announcement specifically noted that Yearwood had won the 100- and 200-meter dashes and that Miller had won the State Open 200-meter title for the second consecutive year. It also referenced the legal effort challenging their participation in girls’ track. And guess who Athlete Ally listed among the supporters of those 2019 awards? The NBA and WNBA. WNBPA ISSUES STATEMENT EMBRACING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AMID TRANS ATHLETE DEBATE IN WOMEN'S SPORTS Two years later, the WNBA officially partnered with Athlete Ally for Pride Month. A league press release said one of the WNBA/WNBPA Social Justice Council's priorities was LGBTQ advocacy "with a focus on trans rights," and the league announced that Athlete Ally would conduct educational sessions for WNBA teams on "trans inclusivity." The WNBA was clearly on board with male participation in girls' and women’s sports. Meanwhile, the girls who actually raced Yearwood and Miller were the ones dealing with the consequences. Alliance Defending Freedom, which represents Soule, Mitchell, Smith and Nicoletti in their lawsuit against Connecticut officials, has published extensive accounts of what those girls say they lost while competing against males. Mitchell was one of the best female sprinters in Connecticut. In 2019, she said she was "ranked the fastest biological female in the state of Connecticut," yet she had to repeatedly watch championship honors go to male competitors. "When I have to compete against a transgender athlete, I just feel completely defeated before I even run the race," Mitchell said. Think about that for a second. Mitchell was fast enough to win state championships. In several championship races, she was the fastest female on the track, yet the title still went to a male competitor. Soule described realizing the problem almost immediately when she first raced against a male athlete as a freshman. "I knew right then and there that some girls will be missing out on great opportunities to succeed, and that women could be completely eradicated from their own sports," she said. In the 2019 indoor State Open, Miller and Yearwood took the top two spots while Soule missed advancing. The consequences went beyond titles and qualifying spots. For Ashley Nicoletti, simply lining up against a male competitor changed how she viewed the race before it even started. "I felt nervous even at the thought of such an unfair race," Nicoletti told ADF. "I knew I had a chance against other girls, but not against a male athlete." Those were the girls losing titles and opportunities while the WNBA was backing athletes like Yearwood and Miller. Mitchell lost championship recognition; Soule lost an opportunity to advance; and, Nicoletti described knowing before the race even started that she couldn't fairly compete. Yet the WNBA's message to Yearwood and Miller was: "We see you. We support you." Where was that support for the girls who actually lost to them? And then there's Alanna Smith. Miller finished ahead of Smith in championship competition, including winning the 200-meter final at the 2019 State Open. ADF recounts a conversation between Smith and her mother on the way to a meet in New York City. Her mother asked what her strategy was going to be that day. Smith's response? "Mom, it really doesn't matter, because I'm running against the boys today." Fast-forward five years, and that certainty is gone. Male participation in women’s sports is now apparently a question requiring extended consultation. On paper, the new collective bargaining agreement appears to provide a clear answer: "Only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA." Except the 409-page agreement doesn’t define "woman," and the league has repeatedly declined to tell OutKick/Fox News Digital whether a biological male who identifies as a woman would satisfy that requirement. The issue escalated after former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White announced that they planned to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft, directly challenging the league's undefined eligibility language. The WNBA convened a task force this week amid pressure to answer the question. It emerged without a definition and said it would spend the coming "weeks and months" continuing discussions with league stakeholders. But here's the part that really tells the story. A source familiar with the league and with Wednesday's meeting told Fox News that the meeting "focused significantly on the hate and vitriol being directed at WNBA players online." So, amid mounting questions about who is eligible to compete in a women’s league, the WNBA spent a significant portion of its meeting discussing "hate and vitriol" directed at players online. That’s the priority? RILEY GAINES SAYS WNBA IS 'HELLBENT' ON BEING AN ACTIVIST ORGANIZATION OVER A BASKETBALL LEAGUE The WNBA’s sudden concern about the tone of the conversation is pretty rich. Criticism of the league’s eligibility policy isn’t the same thing as hatred, and asking whether males should be eligible to compete against women isn’t "demeaning" anyone. Four female athletes told the world that they were losing championships, advancement opportunities and recognition because they were being forced to compete against males. The WNBA didn't issue a statement expressing concern for their well-being. It didn't announce that it needed to engage stakeholders to make sure female athletes were being treated fairly. It celebrated the males who beat them. WNBA star Sophie Cunningham put the issue in plain terms, saying girls shouldn’t have to "go against biological men." SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS But the league still hasn’t said whether a biological male could be eligible to play in the WNBA. STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW! In 2021, while males Andraya Yearwood and Terry Miller were taking titles and opportunities from girls, the WNBA publicly backed them. "We see you. We support you." The girls they beat got a very different message. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e1b442c5335ae10462116 Fury erupts as 37-year illegal alien demands citizenship in viral Spanish rant alongside Dem leaders te 2026-08-13T19:30:12.576Z Fury erupts as 37-year illegal alien demands citizenship in viral Spanish rant alongside Dem leaders Furious users took to social media to blast an illegal alien who has been present in the United States for 37 years after she demanded amnesty in a Spanish rant alongside top Democratic Party leaders. "I ask that you be champions of a change in the immigration laws," said Margarita Cielo Balbuena, flanked by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and Rep. Rob Menendez, D-N.J., through an interpreter earlier this week. "We need a path to citizenship for those of us that have been present for at least seven years in this country," she continued. "We need a stop to these raids that immigration is using to terrorize Dover [New Jersey]." ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT TOP DEM FOUGHT TO FREE TURNS UP ON VOTER ROLLS: 'MOCKERY OF OUR IMMIGRATION LAWS' A clip of the video went viral online Wednesday. "It is not just that someone like me, who has been in this country since 1989, who pays taxes, who is a homeowner, who is a business owner who gives work to others, someone who has children and grandchildren who are born in this country — that I have to suffer the psychological and physical abuse and that I also have to suffer the humiliation that is the violent arrest and detention in a detention center," said Cielo Balbuena. The foreign-born woman was detained in ICE's Elizabeth Detention Center for two months, and claimed that she was treated inhumanely, according to the New Jersey Globe. But online opponents of illegal immigration were not sympathetic to Cielo Balbuena's call. ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WHO MURDERED MICHIGAN WOMAN SUES TRUMP, DEMANDS $75M, PUBLIC APOLOGY, US CITIZENSHIP Among her most prominent and harshest critics was former U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) commander-at-large Gregory Bovino. "You have lived in the United States since 1989. That is 37 years. You still need a translator," he listed. "At a Democratic event you stood up and demanded a path to citizenship for anyone who has been here just 7 years," Bovino continued. "Notice the arrogance. Notice the entitlement." He went on to claim that Democrats' open borders policies allowed so many foreigners into the country so quickly that "assimilation is no longer required." "There can be no amnesty and there can be no exceptions. All illegals must go," the John Birch Society said on X in response to the video. DEMOCRAT COMPARES ICE TO 'DOMESTIC TERRORISTS' AS 111 HOUSE DEMS DEMAND TEXAS DETENTION CENTER CLOSE "No English. No citizenship," said popular online personality Brigitte Gabriel. "No. Someone who wanted to be a citizen would care enough to learn the language. In any country," said another post that garnered over 1,000 likes. "Immediate deportation," said actor Matthew Marsden. "A just country that cares about its citizens should defend it. That includes getting rid of people like this." Rep. Jeffries spoke at the event, and demanded the closure of Delaney Hall, another ICE detention facility in New Jersey that was subject to intense protests and sometimes violent riots for months earlier this year. GEORGIA ICE SWEEP NABS OVER 700 CRIMINAL ILLEGAL ALIENS, INCLUDING SEX OFFENDERS, CHILD ABUSERS "Delaney Hall needs to be shut down," Jeffries said. "That will remain a high priority for us until it takes place." "The behavior that ICE is engaging in is inconsistent with our values and what America should represent." The White House fired back in a statement to Fox News Digital, saying: "These types of smears by sanctuary politicians are contributing to our ICE law enforcement officers facing a more than 1,300% increase in assaults against them and an 8,000% increase in death threats." "Our ICE officers are heroes who put their lives on the line to arrest murderers, rapists, pedophiles, gang members, and terrorists from American communities. Democrats must stop demonizing our officers for simply enforcing our nation’s laws," White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e1b432c5335ae1046210d Three fans storm Yankee Stadium field as security springs into action, takes down intruders in epic fashion te 2026-08-13T19:30:11.768Z Three fans storm Yankee Stadium field as security springs into action, takes down intruders in epic fashion If you make the ill-fated decision to run onto a field during a sporting event, you had better be prepared to be laid out. During a pitching change in the New York Yankees’ 10-5 win over the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, three people jumped from the stands and onto the right-field grass. The security guards quickly moved from their positions and sprang into action. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM One of the fans ran along the warning track in right field and was pursued by a security guard. The guard looked like an All-Pro safety, hawking down the runner and dropping the runner with an impressive tackle. In right field, security had hold of a shirtless fan but was struggling to subdue him. So the security guard suplexed the obstreperous fan to the ground and then got help in pinning him there. The other fan, who was a little closer to the foul line than the others, resisted being detained by the security guards, as it took two of them to cuff the individual. As he was being guided off the field, his pants appeared to be falling down. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Eventually, more security guards were dispatched to remove the intruders from the field, and play resumed. After play resumed, the Yankees completed their second consecutive comeback win over the Mariners, rallying from an early three-run deficit to pull away for a 10-5 victory. Center fielder Trent Grisham clobbered two home runs and drove in four runs in the win. It was the ninth multihomer game of his career. The loss for the Mariners was their sixth straight , and they have now lost 15 of their last 20 games. The Yankees (68-52) will look to complete the three-game sweep when they play the Mariners (56-65) at 1:35 p.m. ET on Thursday. 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/6a7e1b422c5335ae104620fc Trans children in AHCCCS will lose access to gender-affirming care under new Trump admin rule te 2026-08-13T19:30:10.333Z Trans children in AHCCCS will lose access to gender-affirming care under new Trump admin rule A new federal rule is ending Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming hormone therapies and procedures for young people. (Photo by Dana DiFilippo/New Jersey Monitor) A new federal rule will end Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming hormone therapies and procedures for kids under age 18. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Tuesday a rule that prohibits state Medicaid plans from covering gender-affirming procedures for minors and using federal Medicaid dollars for such care.  The rule also prohibits Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, funds from being used for kids under 19. CMS is defining such care to include puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgical operations. The policy takes effect Oct. 13. The Trump administration asserts that gender-affirming care is dangerous for kids, while many medical groups say it’s safe and can improve the mental health of children and adolescents. Surgical gender-affirming care operations are very rare for children. For kids on Medicaid and CHIP who are currently on gender-affirming hormone therapy, the agency said state plans may continue to use federal money up to six months from now. Funds can still be used for mental health care for kids, the agency said. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. asserted in a new release that gender-affirming procedures “carry serious risks and can cause irreversible harm.” In response to several Trump proposals on gender-affirming care, many of the nation’s leading medical associations, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, have affirmed the safety of care that aligns with a child or teen’s gender identity. “These rules are a baseless intrusion into the patient-physician relationship,” Dr. Susan Kressly, then president of the academy, said in a December statement. “Patients, their families, and their physicians — not politicians or government officials — should be the ones to make decisions together about what care is best for them.” Stateline reporter Nada Hassanein can be reached at nhassanein@stateline.org. This story was originally produced by Stateline, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Arizona Mirror, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e1b3c2c5335ae104620cb OpenAI introduces ‘Ultrafast,’ a new mode that makes GPT 5.6 Sol work at 14x the speed te 2026-08-13T19:30:04.558Z OpenAI introduces ‘Ultrafast,’ a new mode that makes GPT 5.6 Sol work at 14x the speed OpenAI is launching a preview of a sped up version of its latest, most powerful model, in an effort to court enterprise users. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e18ea2c5335ae10462099 Pro wrestling icon Matt Hardy puts first tag team ladder match in historical perspective te 2026-08-13T19:20:10.025Z Pro wrestling icon Matt Hardy puts first tag team ladder match in historical perspective Whichever version of Matt Hardy a pro wrestling fan may have enjoyed over the course of his more than 35 years in the sport, his innovative mind and versatile in-ring abilities may be what he will get remembered for the most when he finally decides to hang up his boots. Hardy has been a scene-stealer in almost every company he’s worked for whether it was WWE, All Elite Wrestling (AEW), Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), Ring of Honor or elsewhere. COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL The 51-year-old multi-time champion has nearly done everything in the business. Fox News Digital asked Hardy in a recent interview which moment of his career he thought doesn’t get talked about enough. Hardy pointed to the first-ever tag team ladder match he and his brother, Jeff, had with Edge and Christian at No Mercy 1999. He said the match helped pave the way for the historic tables, ladders and chairs match that took place at SummerSlam 2000 and innovated the way inanimate objects are used in the wrestling ring. "It’s crazy because my brother and I, we've been blessed to have so many great moments over our, Oct. 15 we'll be going into our 35th year of doing this as pro wrestlers, which is crazy," Hardy said. "A moment still that I don't think gets talked about quite enough – it got praised, especially when it happened, but just looking back at how monumental it was in changing the game, was the first ever tag team ladder match I think. BZZR 'CUTTING OUT THE NOISE' FROM SPORTS SOCIAL MEDIA SPACE GREAT FOR CREATORS, SPORTSCASTER JON ALBA SAYS "I still think it was so instrumental in leading the way for change in the way of telling stories with inanimate objects in WWE because that ultimately led to us doing the first-ever tag team tables match with the Dudleys, which is an idea I presented to Vince (McMahon). He wanted to do something with the Dudleys that paralleled what we did with Edge and Christian. And then that led to us using all of these items in WrestleMania 2000 and then ultimately at SummerSlam 2000, we did the first ever TLC, tables, ladders and chairs match and that has become a staple in pro wrestling and even in other companies." Hardy pointed to other companies using similar matches, including AEW, TNA’s Full Metal Mayhem and Ring of Honor’s Ladder Wars. "But that tag team ladder match that we did with Edge and Christian is something that was like absolutely the beginning and origin point of the TLC concept and that became a staple in pro wrestling and myself and Jeff and Edge and Christian without us having that match that doesn't become a thing. So that is a moment I think historically, years down the road, decades down the road, people will look back at that and they go, ‘Wow, that was the moment where all of this insanity started.’ And there was a different way of telling stories with these inanimate objects doing a different version of storytelling, doing a different version of match that can be exciting and athletic guys can really benefit from it." Now, as his career gets set to turn 35, Hardy and his brother are the current TNA world tag team champions. He also hosts a podcast with Jon Alba, sharing stories and memories from his career. "The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy" drops a new episode each Friday on his YouTube page. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e18e32c5335ae10462061 IBM partners with OpenAI to bolster enterprise AI push te 2026-08-13T19:20:03.690Z IBM partners with OpenAI to bolster enterprise AI push IBM plans to train and certify tens and thousands of consultants on OpenAI's technologies as part of this deal. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e16932c5335ae10462035 The scammer at your doctor's office may already know who you are te 2026-08-13T19:10:11.112Z The scammer at your doctor's office may already know who you are You arrive at your doctor’s office and see a sign asking you to scan a QR code to check in. Later, you receive a text about a prescription. A Medicare notice with your name and address arrives in the mail. Before you leave, another QR code asks you to pay for parking. All of it looks routine. That’s exactly what can make these scams so dangerous. Criminals aren’t limited to sending obvious phishing messages to random people. Personal information available through data brokers and people-search websites can help scammers create medical, Medicare and payment scams that look like they were meant specifically for you. Then a QR code gives them an easy way to send you to a convincing fake website asking for your Medicare number, patient portal login, credit card information or other sensitive data. Here’s what to watch for during your next trip to the doctor’s office and one important step that can make you harder for scammers to target in the first place. New! Free live CyberGuy class: Protect Your Money From Today’s Biggest Threats Join us Saturday, Aug. 29, at 10 a.m. ET for a free CyberGuy LIVE class covering five simple steps to help defend yourself against AI scams, fraud, identity theft and financial hacks. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson will explain how to set up bank alerts, strengthen your account logins, protect your phone number, freeze your credit and help secure your retirement savings against unauthorized transfers. No technical experience is needed. You'll also receive our financial protection checklist, and every registrant will get a link to the class recording afterward. Reserve your free spot today at CyberGuyLive.com. META MEDICARE SCAM ADS TARGETING SENIORS FACE SCRUTINY QR codes have become a normal part of healthcare. Doctors’ offices use them for check-in forms. Pharmacies use them for pickup information. Medicare Advantage and Part D plans may include them in enrollment materials and other communications. Hospitals and medical buildings increasingly use QR codes for parking payments. That familiarity works in a scammer’s favor. When you’re standing inside your doctor’s office, holding paperwork that looks official or looking at a sign next to a parking machine, you naturally expect the information to be legitimate. Scammers know that. A QR code also hides something that a normal web link does not: where it is actually taking you. You can usually glance at a link in an email before clicking it. With a QR code, you see a square filled with black and white patterns. You don’t know where it leads until your phone reads it. That makes the location of the QR code itself part of the deception. The mechanics of the scam are surprisingly simple. A criminal can: Scan the code, and you may land on a website designed to resemble your insurer, pharmacy, doctor’s portal or payment processor. The site may ask for your: QR code phishing is sometimes called "quishing." The challenge is that many people have become so accustomed to QR codes that scanning one no longer feels like clicking a link. This is where these scams can become much more convincing. A criminal contacting you may already have access to details such as your: Some of that information can appear on data broker and people-search websites. Think about the difference between receiving a generic message that says: "Your health coverage has changed." and receiving a notice addressed to you by name, sent to your correct home address and written to resemble something connected to Medicare or your health coverage. The second message feels far more believable. That’s why protecting yourself isn’t only about spotting a fake QR code. It's also about reducing the amount of personal information strangers can easily find about you online. FAKE VA SHOE OFFER TARGETS VETERANS These examples show how fraudulent QR codes can blend into places where people already expect to see them. One Medicare beneficiary described receiving a letter that appeared to come from a major insurer and directed the recipient to scan a QR code to read an Annual Notice of Change. The letter reportedly closely resembled legitimate plan correspondence, but the QR code pointed to a shortened, lookalike web address instead of the insurer’s actual domain. This particular example is a reported account rather than a confirmed investigated incident, but it follows a familiar scam pattern: make an official-looking Medicare communication feel urgent and legitimate, then direct the victim somewhere controlled by the scammer. At Totnes Community Hospital in the U.K., a fraudulent QR code sticker was discovered on a parking payment machine. One visitor who scanned the code to pay reportedly had £146.79 taken from her account. The scammers then attempted to take another £849 before her bank’s fraud team intervened. The hospital trust confirmed the fraudulent code and began monitoring payment machines at other locations. Law enforcement in Redondo Beach and San Clemente, California, has documented scammers placing counterfeit QR code stickers next to legitimate parking payment instructions. A medical office or hospital parking structure can be an especially convincing place for this trick because people already expect to scan something to pay. Older Americans frequently interact with healthcare systems, pharmacies, insurance providers and Medicare. That means a message about a doctor's appointment, prescription pickup, Medicare coverage, insurance changes, medical paperwork or hospital parking may not seem unusual. Add accurate personal information to the message, and the scam can become even harder to recognize. That’s the real danger. The QR code might be the thing you scan, but the personal details surrounding it are what can make you trust it. A few quick checks can help you determine whether a QR code deserves your trust. Most modern phones display the destination before opening a QR code link. Look carefully at the web address. If the domain is unfamiliar, shortened, misspelled or slightly different from the organization’s normal website, don't continue. If a receptionist, sign or piece of paperwork tells you to scan a QR code, there's nothing wrong with asking: "Is this your official QR code?" That simple question can protect you if someone has placed a fraudulent sticker over a legitimate code. Before scanning a QR code on a sign, parking meter or payment machine, look closely. Be suspicious if the code: An official-looking envelope does not guarantee that what’s inside is legitimate. If a Medicare or insurance notice tells you to scan a QR code, consider going directly to the organization’s known website instead. You can also call the phone number printed on your insurance card rather than relying on contact information supplied in an unexpected mailing. FCC ROBOCALL CRACKDOWN COULD CHANGE PHONE PRIVACY Whenever possible, use your healthcare provider’s official app or type its known website address directly into your browser. The same rule applies to Medicare, pharmacies and insurers. Don’t trust a QR code simply because it appears in a place you trust. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for accounts that support it, especially: Two-factor authentication adds another barrier even if a scammer manages to obtain your password. Install operating system, browser and security updates when they become available. Updates can help protect against dangerous websites, malicious downloads and other threats you might encounter after scanning a fraudulent code. If you see a QR code at a doctor’s office, hospital, pharmacy or parking facility that appears suspicious, tell an employee. Removing one fraudulent sticker could prevent many other people from scanning it. You can also report suspected fraud to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Spotting a fraudulent QR code can protect you from one scam. Reducing the personal information available about you can make it harder for scammers to build convincing attacks in the first place. Data brokers and people-search websites can expose information such as your name, address, phone number, age range and household details. Those pieces of information may seem harmless on their own. Put together, they can give a criminal enough background information to make a Medicare notice, medical message or other scam feel surprisingly personal. You can contact data brokers and people-search sites yourself and request that your information be removed. The challenge is that your information may appear across many different sites and can sometimes return after it has been removed. A personal data removal service can help automate that process by sending removal requests to data brokers on your behalf and continuing to check whether your information reappears. No service can guarantee that every piece of personal information will disappear from the internet, but reducing what is easily available can give scammers fewer details to work with when trying to create a convincing, personalized attack. Whether you handle removals yourself or use a service, periodically search for your name, phone number and address online to see what strangers can find. The less information that is readily available about you, the harder it can be for a scammer to make a fake medical message, Medicare notice or payment request look legitimate. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting CyberGuy.com. The most convincing scams don’t always feel random. They may include your name, address or other accurate personal details that make a fake medical notice, Medicare communication or payment request feel legitimate. A QR code at your doctor’s office, in a healthcare mailing or on a hospital parking machine can simply be the final step that sends you to a fraudulent website. Before scanning, check the destination, look for signs of tampering and confirm unfamiliar codes with staff. Whenever possible, go directly to the organization’s official website or app. Just as importantly, find out how much personal information about you is publicly available online. The less information scammers can easily find about you, the harder it becomes for them to create a scam that feels like it was made specifically for you. Have you ever been asked to scan a QR code at a doctor’s office or pharmacy and wondered whether it was legitimate? 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/6a7e16922c5335ae1046202c DiJonai Carrington reportedly had fan escorted from his seat over an 'unfounded' accusation te 2026-08-13T19:10:10.239Z DiJonai Carrington reportedly had fan escorted from his seat over an 'unfounded' accusation Wednesday night, DiJonai Carrington slapped two players across the face, received a technical foul, shot 1-for-9 from the field and had an innocent fan removed from the game. Got all that? For more details on that final point, the New York Post reports that Carrington complained to officials during the fourth quarter of the Sky-Valkyries game about a fan sitting near the court. The fan was then escorted away from his seat, only to return later after Carrington's complaint was deemed "unfounded." "The fan was cooperative after a complaint that was unfounded," a Valkyries official told ClutchPoints. DIJONAI CARRINGTON, WHO DECLARED 'WHITE PRIVILEGE' AFTER EJECTION, PLAYS VS STORM AS WNBA REMAINS SILENT It's unclear what Carrington accused the fan of saying. The USA Network broadcast captured part of the incident during the game. "So, there is a stoppage right now as Chicago’s team security has stepped out along with arena security representatives," the broadcast informed viewers. "Carrington went over to one of the officials, as you see Sarah Williams there, to say something." Watch below: Put simply, DiJonai Carrington does not get the benefit of the doubt. She lost that. She continues to conduct herself like a professional victim. This was the case even before she clotheslined Sophie Cunningham, posted "white privilege" on social media from the locker room and then claimed her accusation of racism wasn't about the hard foul she committed. So what exactly did she mean by "White privilege"? Unfortunately, despite plenty of social media posts since, she has never explained. Rather, she has maintained that she is a target of racism without providing any proof. Therefore, we ought not take her complaint about the fan seriously unless there's video of him conducting himself inappropriately. EX-ESPN HOST SAYS SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM DESERVED TO BE EJECTED AND PUNISHED — NOT DIJONAI CARRINGTON, WHO CLOTHESLINED HER Even if/when Carrington reveals what she told officials the fan allegedly shouted at her, we cannot take her word for it. These are the consequences of her behavior. People stop believing you. Apparently, that includes officials, who let the fan return to his seat after determining Carrington's complaint was "unfounded." Likewise, we can no longer take Angel Reese seriously when she cries racism, given the similarly unfounded nature of her many accusations against fans. For those who can't figure out why Sophie Cunningham and Caitlin Clark are so much more popular than other WNBA players, this is part of the reason why. Cunningham and Clark conduct themselves like professionals. They are likeable. Conversely, players like Carrington act like entitled, dishonest wannabe victims. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e168b2c5335ae10462005 Trump Gives Green Light to U.S. Companies to Aim Hacks at Cybercriminals te 2026-08-13T19:10:03.813Z Trump Gives Green Light to U.S. Companies to Aim Hacks at Cybercriminals The idea has been long in the making, but could be difficult to implement and lead to unintended consequences, former officials and security experts said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e143d2c5335ae10461f01 Beer, wine or liquor? Massive study reveals which was linked to lower death risk te 2026-08-13T19:00:13.656Z Beer, wine or liquor? Massive study reveals which was linked to lower death risk Heavy drinking has been shown to raise mortality risk — but at lower levels, what’s in your glass may also matter, a new study suggests. In recent research of data from 340,924 participants in the UK Biobank, wine was linked to lower mortality, while beer and spirits were tied to higher death risk. Data were collected between 2006 and 2022, with more than 13 years of average follow-up. The findings were presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session in New Orleans, Louisiana. WINE EXPERT SAYS ONE COMMON HABIT COULD BE SABOTAGING EVERY SIP In the study, participants reported their alcohol intake as never/occasional, low, moderate or high. High consumption was defined as >40 grams per day for men (about three standard drinks) and >20 grams per day for women (about 1.4 standard drinks). Participants with high alcohol consumption had a 24% higher risk of all-cause death, 36% higher risk of cancer death and 14% higher risk of cardiovascular death when compared to people who never or occasionally drank, according to the study findings. With low or moderate alcohol consumption, however, the mortality risk appeared to differ according to the type of beverage. AMERICA HITS MAJOR MARIJUANA MILESTONE AS DAILY WEED USE SURPASSES DAILY DRINKING Spirits, beer and cider were associated with significantly higher mortality, the researchers found, while the same amount of wine intake was linked to significantly lower mortality. Moderate wine drinkers had a 21% lower risk of cardiovascular death than those who never or occasionally drank. Conversely, those who drank low amounts of spirits, beer or cider were found to have a 9% higher risk of cardiovascular death. "These results come from the general population, and in certain high-risk groups, such as people with chronic diseases or cardiovascular conditions, the risks could be even higher," said Zhangling Chen, M.D., Ph.D., a professor at the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University in China and the study's senior author, in a press release. "These findings can help refine guidance, emphasizing that the health risks of alcohol depend not only on the amount of alcohol consumed, but also on the type of beverage." One potential reason for wine’s lower mortality association could be that it contains compounds such as polyphenols and antioxidants, which could have beneficial effects on blood vessels, inflammation and cardiovascular health, the researchers noted. Jessica Steinman, a Los Angeles addiction specialist and chief clinical officer for No Matter What Recovery, said the study’s information is "helpful," but cautioned against broadly applying the findings to individuals, particularly those with a history of substance misuse. HOME COCKTAIL MAKER SAYS GEN Z ISN'T GIVING UP ALCOHOL — THEY'RE CHANGING HOW THEY DRINK While certain ingredients or substances might help someone with a very specific issue, she expressed her concern when it comes to mental health issues and addiction. "When we hear these stories or get this research, it becomes a ‘black and white’ larger generalization for the population, and we want to be careful with that," Steinman, who was not involved in the research, told Fox News Digital. "Not everybody should have daily consumption of an alcoholic substance, whether it's wine, beer or certain liquors … if there's someone who’s struggling with substances, then they really shouldn't be having it at all." Different substances have different levels of alcohol in them, and each person metabolizes alcohol uniquely, the expert noted. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER "All those kinds of things are so specific to one person or a small sect of people," she said. "So we want to make sure anytime there's research given about something, that we're not taking it as a society and saying, ‘Let's do this,’ and not keeping it as black and white." CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES "Overall, more is not better, but also the higher potency of alcohol and higher percentages of alcohol is going to affect people negatively as well." Steinman recommended consulting with a medical professional for individual guidance. The researchers acknowleged some limitations of the study. As it was observational in design, the study could not prove that drinking wine led to lower mortality or that other alcoholic beverages directly caused higher mortality. Also, the participants reported their baseline alcohol intake at the start of the study, which means any changes in drinking patterns during the follow-up period were not recorded. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ There was also the chance that wine drinkers may have different dietary or other lifestyle habits that could impact their health outcomes, the researchers noted. The UK Biobank participants also tend to be healthier than the overall population, which could limit the ability for the finding to be generalized to wider populations. The authors called for high-quality randomized studies to confirm the impact of differences in drinking habits reflect on mortality risk. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e143c2c5335ae10461ef8 Rumer Willis takes a 'leap of faith' and moves cross-country to Nashville te 2026-08-13T19:00:12.818Z Rumer Willis takes a 'leap of faith' and moves cross-country to Nashville Rumer Willis is thrilled to be starting a new chapter in Nashville. On Wednesday, Willis took to Instagram and shared a video packing up her life and taking a "leap of faith" for her cross-country move. "Moving your whole life across the country is a leap of faith," the daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore began, while crediting Roadway Movers for helping streamline the "emotional" experience. "They carried two decades of my life across 2,000 miles and set it down in Nashville without a scratch." Willis went on to share details of her move, explaining that she felt peace during the long journey. 'FIRE COUNTRY' STAR DIANE FARR REVEALS WHERE SHE NOW LIVES AFTER LEAVING LOS ANGELES BEHIND "I got to say goodbye to my old home without worrying about what was in the truck and if it was going to make the trip in one piece. That’s worth everything during a week this emotional." "New chapter, officially delivered," she said. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS In her video, Willis showed the moving company loading all of her belongings into a truck and then unloading her things at her new home in Nashville. In early 2025, Willis announced that she was leaving Los Angeles and moving to her family's home in Idaho. Rumer's out-of-state move to Nashville came shortly after a California judge granted Willis temporary primary physical custody of her three-year-old daughter, Louetta Isley Thomas Willis, according to E! News. Willis shares her daughter with her former partner, musician Derek Richard Thomas. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Willis and Thomas split in 2024 after about two years together. Willis and Thomas continue to share joint legal custody, meaning they both have a role in major decisions concerning their daughter, according to People. The court also established a parenting schedule for Thomas that began with monitored visits and was set to transition to unmonitored overnight visits in August. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e143b2c5335ae10461eef Stephen A. Smith roasts Stephanie White after DiJonai Carrington foul response: 'How are you the head coach?' te 2026-08-13T19:00:11.852Z Stephen A. Smith roasts Stephanie White after DiJonai Carrington foul response: 'How are you the head coach?' Stephen A. Smith had some strong words to share about Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White, even questioning how she can be in her position. The ESPN personality went on a rant calling out White for how she handled the aftermath of DiJonai Carrington’s Flagrant 2 foul on her Fever star, Sophie Cunningham, this past weekend. Carrington smacked Cunningham across the face, leading to the flagrant foul and ejection from the game. During White’s post-game news conference, she actually praised Carrington’s aggressive play before claiming she didn’t see the whole play in the moment and couldn’t comment any further on it. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM White has since issued a pre-rehearsed, fiery defense of herself before Tuesday’s win against the New York Liberty. "You know, this isn't necessarily for those people that are in this room. This is more for an online community that's trying to create narratives that simply don't exist," White said to reporters. "Trying to create a fabrication or distortion of who I am, of what I'm about. Our players' success, our players' health and wellness, our players' safety is always a top priority for me. One of the things I pride myself on is my relationships with players." Smith wasn’t buying it, and neither were Fever fans as boos rained down during the team’s home game on Tuesday. "There are folks in Indiana at a home game booing you!" Smith said passionately on his show. "You ain’t the road team. You’re the home team … and they’re booing you!" DIJONAI CARRINGTON RESPONDS TO 'WHITE PRIVILEGE' POST, BUT LEAVES MEANING OF IT STILL UNCLEAR Smith also didn’t understand how White couldn’t see the whole play in question, one that continues to be talked about especially as Carrington remains mysterious as to why she posted "WHITE PRIVILEGE @indianafever" on Threads immediately following her ejection. "How are you the head coach…and you didn’t see the play? It’s your job to…watch the game. How did you not see the play?" Smith said. White simply said after Saturday’s game that she didn’t think "DiJonai intentionally came out to get [Cunningham] to get her across the neck like she did, but it did happen and I thought it was the right call." But then she went on to defend Carrington’s play. "One of the things about [Carrington] is that she’s gonna play her butt off, man," White, who used to coach Carrington with the Connecticut Sun, said. "She’s gonna compete. Nobody’s gonna go walking in for a layup. And so I don’t oppose the hard foul, but I also don’t think that she intentionally went for the neck." SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS Carrington’s foul wasn’t just hard, but a full clothesline of Cunningham, who understandably got right up to confront the Chicago Sky guard. Cunningham gave a light shove to Carrington as teammates were trying to separate her before things got even uglier. "For those who have anything to say about the play in the last game, I didn’t see the play in real time," White said during her defense on Tuesday. "I went straight to a press conference. I thought the play got called right. Thankfully, Sophie’s OK. Was it egregious? Absolutely. When you have a chance to watch that over and over and over on replay, you can see that. I didn’t have that in real time. I take personally any suggestions that I don’t 100% always have my players’ back. I ride with them 10 toes down all the time. All the time. They know that." STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW! While White heard boos from the stands, the Fever got the job done against their rival Liberty squad, 108-92. But Clark admitted the jeers from the crowd made her "a little sick," while Cunningham stated her knowledge that "Coach loves" this team. The Fever will return home on Friday night to face Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings at 7:30 p.m. ET. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e143a2c5335ae10461edf IVF helped create 100,000 babies last year. Republicans are mobilizing to stop it. te 2026-08-13T19:00:10.102Z IVF helped create 100,000 babies last year. Republicans are mobilizing to stop it. Idaho Democratic state Rep. Brooke Green, her toddler Bridger Byington, and her baby Bryson Byington at the Boise River in Boise, Idaho, on August 6, 2026. Opposition to the two ways that Green had her children, IVF and surrogacy, is rising. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger for Stateline) Brooke Green thought she needed a mammogram. Green, a Democratic state representative in Idaho, knew that breast cancer ran in her family and she “just had an inkling” that she should be tested. She was two weeks shy of the day her last remaining embryo would be implanted through in vitro fertilization. It was the one shot she had left to give her firstborn son a sibling, since it took several rounds of in vitro fertilization to get pregnant the first time. The mammogram confirmed her fears: There was in fact a lump in her breast, and a biopsy of the tumor confirmed it was cancer. Worse yet, it was a type of cancer fueled by estrogen and progesterone, two of the main hormones that skyrocket during pregnancy. She likely could not get pregnant and be treated for cancer at the same time. “The doctor’s file said if you had gotten pregnant, this could have been a disaster,” Green said. Several years earlier, Green had cosponsored bipartisan legislation, enacted in July 2023, codifying the best practices already in use by surrogacy agencies in Idaho, a state that has been called the unofficial capital of surrogacy in the United States. Last year, she found herself calling one of the agencies she’d worked with on the bill to ask for their help, this time as a client. She hired a surrogate to carry her second child, another boy, who was born in June. But opposition to the two ways that Green had her children, IVF and surrogacy, is rising. In the past two years, Republicans in Idaho and four other states have added specific anti-IVF language to their state party platforms, and some anti-abortion groups, including Students for Life of America and Live Action, have become increasingly outspoken in their opposition to both IVF and surrogacy. One reason is that many same-sex couples use both methods to have children, and many conservatives believe children should be raised by heterosexual married couples. Conservative critics also connect surrogacy to immigration, saying it facilitates “birth tourism” and birthright citizenship. And they note that IVF can involve the discarding of some embryos, which they say is akin to abortion. The latter is connected to the idea that a fetus or embryo is a person, with legal rights. As of June, lawmakers in at least 17 states had introduced 36 bills this year that would codify personhood rights for embryos or fetuses, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive rights advocacy group. Opponents were able to defeat them by arguing that they might limit IVF, which remains broadly popular. Idaho Democratic Rep. Brooke Green and her husband, Jeremy, left, with their surrogate, Ashley Kirk-Robertson, on the day Green’s son was born. (Photo courtesy of Ashley Kirk-Robertson) Meanwhile in Washington, D.C., Republicans in Congress have blocked legislation that would directly protect IVF as a fertility treatment. Elizabeth Carr, the first IVF baby born 44 years ago in Virginia, said she has been advocating against so-called fetal personhood bills for the past 15 years, but the rhetoric opposing IVF in particular is getting louder and the threats are growing. “As somebody who is a product of this technology, I always think of it in terms of, ‘Geez, I hope I’m not the last first of something,’” Carr told Stateline. Political attention IVF and surrogacy as fertility treatments make up a small percentage of total births nationwide, but the number is increasing gradually every year, and IVF is the most popular assisted fertility technology. In March, the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology reported that for the first time, more than 100,000 babies were born with the help of IVF. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, babies born through surrogacy represented about 14 out of every 100,000 deliveries between 2017 and 2020. President Donald Trump has discussed supporting policies that would lower the cost of IVF treatment, which typically costs tens of thousands of dollars per cycle, but so far, the actions taken by the administration on the topic have been limited. In June, however, the Texas Republican Party adopted language in its 2026 platform that opposes public funding for IVF, and calls for regulation of the assisted reproduction industry as a whole, including mandatory reporting on embryo creation and storage. It also says in one section that the Texas Legislature must “protect fetal life from destructive practices, such as IVF and commercial surrogacy.” “We support a ban on contract surrogacy involving foreign nationals, which may involve a form of trafficking and may lead to claims of citizenship. We also support prohibiting third-party egg and sperm donations and the commercialization of human reproduction in Texas; and support policies that promote the welfare of children, medical transparency, and the protection of biological parents,” another portion of the platform reads. The Idaho Republican Party also added language to its 2026 platform saying it opposes “the destruction of human embryos.” Republicans in Missouri, North Carolina and Oklahoma adopted similar language in 2024 and 2025. “Party platforms are mostly about intraparty politics and jockeying for position, but at the same time, you have to pay attention, because that symbolism matters,” said Sean Tipton, chief advocacy and policy officer at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Green, the Idaho legislator, has put significant time and effort into developing relationships with Republicans, including by sharing her stories of fertility struggles and bringing her firstborn son to the Idaho Capitol during the legislative session. She tried to pass a bill protecting IVF access in Idaho in 2024, but it failed. But another bill that would have established personhood from the moment of conception also failed after Green’s fertility doctor told a legislative committee it would threaten her clinic’s ability to continue to offer IVF treatments. But Green thinks surrogacy is next on the list for Idaho legislators to try to limit in the 2027 session. “We’re going to see them, I have no doubt,” Green said. International implications Some advocates for IVF say conservative opposition is just as much about trying to prevent same-sex couples from accessing fertility treatments as it is about an objection to embryo destruction. Tipton thinks that extends to the objection to surrogacy as well, but goes further in his criticism of groups such as the Heritage Foundation, the conservative think tank that produced the Project 2025 policy blueprint for Trump’s second term. “For groups like Heritage, (surrogacy) is a nice synergy that allows them to be xenophobic, homophobic and anti-choice all at once,” he said. Emma Waters, a senior policy analyst at the Heritage Foundation, refers to surrogacy as “baby selling.” She noted in a recent interview that people from countries that are enemies of the U.S. can hire a surrogate and obtain citizenship. She said the U.S. is in a cold war with China, and by age 35, a surrogate-born child from China could run for president. The group opposes allowing residents of other countries to hire U.S. surrogates. “If (the American Society for Reproductive Medicine) spent less time lobbing insults and more time ensuring patients actually receive the care its own guidelines call for, American families would be better served,” Waters told Stateline, responding to Tipton. Waters added that she thinks couples turn to IVF too early without exploring the underlying causes of infertility, an idea that ties back to a conservative philosophy called restorative reproductive medicine, which also discourages the use of birth control. “We also make no apologies for raising serious ethical and policy questions about commercial surrogacy — including the commodification of women and children and the documented use of U.S. surrogacy arrangements to obtain birthright citizenship,” Waters said. In a blog post last month, Waters said in the past six months, she has received more requests for help drafting legislation to regulate surrogacy than any other topic. In November, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, a Florida Republican, introduced a bill that would prevent “adversarial nations” from hiring Americans as surrogates. The list would include China, Iran, North Korea and Russia. It has 13 Republican cosponsors, but has not advanced in the Senate. A recent study found that between 2014 and 2020, about 32% of surrogate pregnancies were for international couples. About 41% of those were from China, where surrogacy is illegal. The next-highest percentages were France and Spain, at about 9% and 8%, respectively. Ashley Kirk-Robertson, an Idaho resident who delivered Green’s newborn baby in June, doesn’t see it the same way. Green’s baby was her fourth surrogacy pregnancy. Her first was in 2019, for a single father from Spain, where surrogacy is illegal. The second was for a husband and wife from Israel, and the third was for a same-sex couple from Israel. “They truly are just here because coming here for the surrogacy is cheaper or because in their country it’s not allowed,” Kirk-Robertson said. Kirk-Robertson has two children of her own, but says her surrogate families — including Green’s — become extensions of her own family. She is currently pumping milk for Green’s newborn, because Green had a double mastectomy after discovering a second type of breast cancer shortly after her initial diagnosis in 2025. “For people who I guess have never gone and walked through this experience, I have a hard time, because they sit here and try to say this is wrong or that is wrong, but until they’ve truly been in my shoes or those parents’ shoes, it’s just a whole different experience than what they see from the outside,” she said. Stateline reporter Kelcie Moseley-Morris can be reached at kmoseley@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/6a7e11e12c5335ae10461e8c Top Republican says El-Sayed may be 'full-blown communist' despite socialist denial te 2026-08-13T18:50:09.642Z Top Republican says El-Sayed may be 'full-blown communist' despite socialist denial Michigan’s highest-ranking House Republican is crying foul on Abdul El-Sayed's claim that he is not a socialist. "If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's a duck," House GOP Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain, R-Mich., told Fox News Digital. "So maybe he's not a socialist. Maybe he's a full-blown communist." El-Sayed, a former public health official, scored an upset victory for Democrats' leftmost flank in Michigan's Senate primary earlier this month. He defeated Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., a House lawmaker who was heavily favored by the Democratic establishment, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. It was part of a larger wave of victories by candidates aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), several of whom have toppled sitting House Democratic lawmakers in primaries in New York and Colorado in addition to Michigan. 2026 MIDTERMS STATE OF PLAY: KEY RACES UNFOLD AS STEVENS, EL-SAYED BATTLE IN MICHIGAN And while El-Sayed himself is not a DSA member, some of the biggest names to campaign alongside him — including Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich. — are self-proclaimed democratic socialists. El-Sayed told CBS News in an interview posted to YouTube last week that he was working on building a broad coalition that included supporters of President Donald Trump as well as DSA members, even though he is neither. "Folks who come here, like, with two weeks left in the election, really, really want to label me a socialist. I don't know why, except for maybe it fits into a nice telling of a broader national story. But I'm a scientist, right? And I like solutions that solve problems," El-Sayed said. "I don't do ideology. I'd rather think of myself as a capitalist who actually read about capitalism, in the sense that the biggest risk to capitalism was always going to be corporate consolidation and monopoly, rather than government regulation." McClain, meanwhile, argued that El-Sayed's platform is inherently socialist. "He wants to take money out of your pockets. He wants free everything. Well, at the end of the day, if everything is free, someone has to pay for it," McClain said. "Are the farmers not gonna get paid? Are the teachers not going to get paid? He wants higher taxes, and he wants to take money out of your pockets so you can pay for your neighbors. To me, that's socialism. That's borderline communism." MICHIGAN SENATE CANDIDATE ABDUL EL-SAYED DODGES QUESTION ON WHETHER HE STILL SUPPORTS DEFUNDING THE POLICE El-Sayed's policy platform includes promises to fight for Medicare for all, raising taxes on millionaires and billionaires, using "wage insurance and basic income" programs to counter artificial intelligence automating industries, and abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to his website. Republicans have argued that the majority of policies supported by the progressive and socialist left will amount to higher taxes for everyday Americans. But Democrats have insisted that their plans will lead to more affordable living for working- and middle-class people. Traditionally, the party in power in the White House tends to lose seats in Congress during the midterms. That, combined with low approval numbers for President Donald Trump, means Republicans have an uphill battle to buck past political trends to keep control of the House and Senate. But McClain pointed out that El-Sayed failed to clinch an outright majority in Michigan Democrats' Senate primary and predicted it would mean Republicans running up and down the ballot in the Wolverine State will see big gains with the far-left progressive at the top of the ticket. BIDEN-WORLD VETERAN ISSUES STARK WARNING ABOUT ABDUL EL-SAYED AS HE CROSSES PARTY LINES "I think it's gonna help us tremendously, right? Because if you look at El-Sayed's numbers, 50%, over 50% — the majority didn't vote for him. So what are those voters gonna do?" McClain posed. "How is El-Sayed and his crazy progressive, socialist, communist party going to bring those Democratic voters over to the Democratic side of the ticket? I don't think they are. I think those voters are going to look for a common-sense candidate, and I think those voters are either going to one, stay home or two, vote for Mike Rogers." Mike Rogers, a former House Republican and FBI agent, is the Republican nominee in Michigan. He made an appeal to Democrats days after the matchup became official, stating in a video, "If you're among the majority of Democratic voters that woke up on Wednesday feeling, well, hopeless, because the person who won does not represent your values, well, just know, there is still hope." Fox News Digital reached out to El-Sayed's campaign for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e11e02c5335ae10461e83 Scramble for Karoline Leavitt's replacement ensues with just weeks until Trump's spokesperson exits te 2026-08-13T18:50:08.887Z Scramble for Karoline Leavitt's replacement ensues with just weeks until Trump's spokesperson exits The impending departure of President Donald Trump's top spokeswoman has speculation swirling in Washington, D.C., on who will be selected to replace Karoline Leavitt behind the press briefing room podium. The 28-year-old White House Press Secretary, fresh off maternity leave, dropped a bombshell announcement on Wednesday that she will end her tenure at the end of August to spend more time with her two young children. Now, with just two weeks left in the month, the race is on to find the next press secretary — and some predict the briefing room will see a rotating line of Trump administration officials briefing the White House press corps rather than a permanent replacement, like what happened during Leavitt's maternity leave earlier this summer. WHITE HOUSE PLANS GUEST HOSTS FOR PRESS BRIEFINGS WHILE KAROLINE LEAVITT TAKES MATERNITY LEAVE Secretary of State Marco Rubio held the first news conference while Leavitt was on leave, followed by Vice President JD Vance, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. "The next press secretary will undoubtedly be someone who has a strong existing relationship with President Trump," former Trump Press Secretary Sean Spicer told Fox News Digital. "He values and understands the importance of this role in communicating his positions on policy, personnel and key issues so I can’t imagine it not being someone currently in his orbit," Spicer added. Spicer, known for his very short tenure as White House Press Secretary, withdrew his name for consideration a second time around. Alina Habba, who serves as senior advisor to the Attorney General for U.S. Attorneys, was viewed as a frontrunner after Trump won re-election and is once again being floated for the role. TRUMP SAYS KAROLINE LEAVITT WILL LEAVE WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY ROLE, BECOME OUTSIDE ADVISOR At the time, Habba said she was "flattered" by the consideration but believed she would "be better served in other capacities." She then served three months as Counselor to the President before leaving Washington, D.C. for a very controversial and turbulent position as interim Attorney for the District of New Jersey. After her appointment was deemed unconstitutional, she resigned and was made Senior Advisor to the Attorney General for United States Attorneys. Habba, who was Trump's personal attorney and a high-profile surrogate on the 2024 campaign trail, was the early favorite on Kalshi to replace the press secretary, but now ranks third behind conservative political commentator Scott Jennings and Leavitt's deputy Anna Kelly. Trump's Principal Deputy Press Secretary has been seen in an outward facing role. Kelly filled in for Leavitt in media hits while she was on maternity leave, but has yet to take the podium for a briefing. Jennings, a CNN contributor and former aide to President George W. Bush, was also reportedly considered for the press secretary role when Trump retook office in 2024 before he selected Leavitt. Trump has touted Jennings’ recent book and has referred to him as a "patriot" who "gets it." TRUMP’S DC LAW-AND-ORDER BLITZ MARKS ONE YEAR WITH EYE-POPPING HAUL OF SUSPECTS Trump's senior advisor Stephen Miller and his wife, Katie Miller, have been floated on social media as potential replacements. Stephen was asked Wednesday for his thoughts on his wife, former Vice President Mike Pence press secretary and communications director, filling Leavitt’s role. In lieu of commenting, he shot a smile in the direction of the questioner. White House communication director Stephen Cheung is one of Trump’s most forceful defenders, wielding significant influence but largely operating behind the scenes. Other names floated as potential contenders include Breitbart's Washington Bureau Chief Matthew Boyle and former White House deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich. Leavitt is Trump’s second-longest-serving press secretary, with 19 months in the role. She comes in second to first-term Press Secretary and now Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ 23-month tenure. After Huckabee's departure, Stephanie Grisham stepped into the role for nine months, but was famous for not holding a single press briefing during that time. She was eventually replaced with Kayleigh McEnany who served through the end of Trump's first term. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e11e02c5335ae10461e7a 'Look at me!' Justice fires back at critics who dare question his Blackness te 2026-08-13T18:50:08.083Z 'Look at me!' Justice fires back at critics who dare question his Blackness Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas said his views on race and politics have led critics to question his Blackness. "I mean, how stupid is that? Look at me," Thomas said, grabbing his arm. "You know, then they say things like, ‘Oh, black is a state of mind.’" Thomas made the remarks during a Hoover Institution conversation with Peter Robinson that included a discussion about the role of Black Americans in politics. The conservative justice reflected on how economist Thomas Sowell, a Black conservative, helped transform his thinking on race and politics and gave him the confidence to challenge prevailing expectations about Black Americans' political views. CLARENCE THOMAS WARNS AMERICA: LIBERTY DIES WHEN WE CHOOSE COMFORT OVER COURAGE Thomas said that as a young man, he felt pressure to embrace certain political beliefs because he was Black and faced resistance when he began questioning them. "You have these views, you have these instincts, but you are getting inputs from the media, from the politicians, the people who have the megaphone, the people who have the loudest voices, that tells you you’re wrong, that tells you you’re bad, that there’s something awful about you," Thomas said. While at Yale Law School, Thomas said he bucked the push for school busing, questioning why Black families would want their children sent across town to unfamiliar schools and neighborhoods. "I remember saying those things at Yale and people — the bottom line was, well, you shouldn’t believe that because you’re black," Thomas said. KEY TRUMP AGENCY PUTS TOP UNIVERSITIES IN CROSSHAIRS OVER ALLEGED RACE-BASED DORM PROGRAMS Thomas argued there was often a disconnect between positions championed by Black political leaders and the views of ordinary Black Americans, pointing to debates over school busing and racial preferences. "If you ask the leaders, they thought one thing. If you ask the people, they thought another," Thomas said. It was Sowell’s work, Thomas said, that helped him make sense of views he had already begun developing on his own. A friend introduced Thomas to Sowell’s Race and Economics, which Thomas said helped free him from the isolation he had felt over his own views. THE WELFARE STATE BROKE BLACK FAMILIES. WORK CAN HELP RESTORE THE DREAM "It was literally like a drink of water," Thomas said. "Here’s someone who’s thought it through and it makes sense. What your instincts were have been now demonstrated in a logical, analytical way. You’re not alone." He later sought out a friendship with Sowell. But Thomas had not always embraced Sowell’s ideas. As a Yale student in 1972, Thomas said he "reflexively" rejected Sowell’s Black Education: Myths and Tragedies, believing that "no black man" should think that way. Thomas said Sowell’s example helped give him the confidence to voice his own beliefs even when doing so brought criticism. THOMAS LEAVES NOTHING LEFT UNSAID ON RACIAL GERRYMANDERING DECISION: ‘GO FURTHER’ "If they can prove you wrong, fine," Thomas said. "But if they call you names or say you’re not black, I mean, how stupid is that? Look at me." He tied those attacks to what he described as a broader pressure on Black Americans to conform to certain views. "There’s this overriding public view that you’re not supposed to think this way, therefore you’re not black, therefore you’re discredited," Thomas said. "Nothing you say matters." But for Thomas, the biggest lesson he took from Sowell was to think for himself. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER "He always says what he thinks, but he never tells you to say what he wants you to think," Thomas said of Sowell. "That is yours." "There seems to be this overwhelming pressure for us to agree with the prevailing notions which I consider almost illusory in a sense," Thomas said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e0f8d2c5335ae10461e23 Poland arrests Russian allegedly hired to kill Ukrainian-American who was 'inconvenient to the Putin regime' te 2026-08-13T18:40:13.673Z Poland arrests Russian allegedly hired to kill Ukrainian-American who was 'inconvenient to the Putin regime' Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk revealed Thursday that his country arrested a Russian man hired by Moscow to kill a Ukrainian-American citizen who was "inconvenient to the Putin regime." Tusk said the suspect was taken into custody Friday, with the alleged target being a man in Poland’s capital of Warsaw, according to a report from Reuters. "Thanks to the truly brilliant action of our services ... we detained a Russian citizen recruited by Russian intelligence services," Tusk was quoted saying, adding that the target held both Ukrainian ‌and ⁠U.S. passports. "At the last minute, thanks to the action of the Internal Security Agency and the police, we managed to ⁠prevent this execution, this attack." Fox News Digital has reached out to the State Department for comment. MOSCOW, KYIV ASSASSINS HUNT WEAPONS BOSSES AS UKRAINE WAR SPILLS BEYOND THE BATTLEFIELD Tusk also said Thursday that it was the first time that "someone on the order of Russia" sought to attack an American citizen on the territory of another NATO country, The Associated Press reported. The operation was carried out in cooperation with U.S. services, Tomasz Siemoniak, Poland’s minister overseeing intelligence services, told the AP. The news agency reported that it has mapped about 200 acts of sabotage, arson and other disruption across Europe since the start of the Ukraine war that officials have linked to Russia. President Vladimir Putin claimed to the AP in May that Russia is not waging a sabotage campaign against Europe. RUSSIA LINKED TO ARSON ATTACKS ON PROPERTIES CONNECTED TO UK PM KEIR STARMER, POLICE SAY In June, a Russian artist who was critical of Putin was shot and killed at close range near his home in eastern Poland. Tusk said at the time that the killing had the hallmarks of a political assassination. He suggested it was possible Russia was behind it, but Polish officials have not yet attributed it to Moscow. Last year, French officials disrupted a plot which they believe was aimed at killing Vladimir Osechkin, a Russian exile who lives under police protection and works to help military defectors flee Putin’s war. Lithuanian officials also disrupted a plot last year to kill a Lithuanian supporter of Ukraine and another against a Russian activist. Officials in Germany have similarly broken up two plots: one to target the head of a German weapons company supplying Ukraine, the other against a Ukrainian military official. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e0f8c2c5335ae10461e1a Police seize cocaine bricks with stickers of Norwegian soccer star Erling Haaland all over them te 2026-08-13T18:40:12.658Z Police seize cocaine bricks with stickers of Norwegian soccer star Erling Haaland all over them Norwegian soccer star Erling Haaland was already a big star, seeing as he plays for Manchester City in the Premier League, but his profile rose even more thanks to a strong World Cup showing and the way he embraced American culture. You'd think that would be enough to say, "Yeah, this dude has made it," but I think a more recent incident is proof that he has "made it." Is anyone really a global superstar until their face winds up plastered all over a seized shipment of cocaine somewhere in South America? No. Not in my book. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE But Erling Haaland has hit the big times after police in Ecuador seized over a thousand pounds of packaged cocaine that had stickers with his face on it. The 370 packages of Haaland-faced booger sugar were found in the false bottom of a truck that anti-narcotics agents pulled over on the Pan-American Highway. According to The New York Post, the driver of the vehicle carrying the drugs was arrested (probably a good call), but he didn't explain why Haaland's mug had been plastered all over his shipment. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! However, it is known that criminal organizations slap the famous names and visages of celebrities and athletes on their "stuff" as a way of making it known which criminal network it came from and who the client is. Also, maybe they do it so they have something else aside from drugs to talk about. If they hand someone a brick of cocaine with an R2-D2 sticker on it, they could be like, "Hey, what did you think of the sequel trilogy? It sucked, right?" Hey, it can't just be all drug talk all the time. Even these guys have to have interests outside of work. So being deemed famous enough to be on an illicit drug shipment? That's big. Haaland is not the only World Cup star to get the drug-packaging treatment. Argentine captain and global superstar Lionel Messi has also wound up on packaging. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e0d3b2c5335ae10461dc5 How a noncitizen suspected killer got caught and released by Newsom-appointed judge: Timeline te 2026-08-13T18:30:19.777Z How a noncitizen suspected killer got caught and released by Newsom-appointed judge: Timeline The suspect charged in the stabbing death of a California man in an otherwise quiet East Bay suburb has a history of prior arrests and originally entered the U.S. during the George W. Bush administration, according to records. Marcos Iriarte-Valdez, alternatively identified by DHS as Marcos Valdezusper, was arrested Friday at his home in Contra Costa County, California, after police said he stabbed and killed 68-year-old retiree Todd Stewart during an apparent burglary attempt. "The investigation is ongoing and our understanding of the incident may change as more individuals are interviewed and evidence is collected and analyzed," a statement from the Martinez Police Department read in-part. Iriarte-Valdez was "legally admitted" to the U.S. in 2007, according to information provided by ICE. Fox News Digital reached out to the agency for further clarity on what happened between then and when he was deemed an "illegal alien" by DHS on X more recently. DEADLY HOSPITAL STABBING PUTS NEWSOM UNDER PRESSURE OVER ICE DETAINER FIGHT Iriarte-Valdez hails from Venezuela but has Spanish citizenship. Iriarte-Valdez was arrested earlier this year on at least two charges of residential burglary with persons present stemming from incidents in Orinda on April 29, according to Martinez police. He was out on pretrial release for those charges when he was arrested again on Aug. 4 for violating his home-detention monitoring rules, according to authorities. FEDS ADMIT FAILURE TO DISCLOSE MURDER WARRANT TO JUDGE WHO ORDERED RELEASE OF DOMINICAN MIGRANT One day later, Contra Costa Superior Court Judge Nichelle Holmes, an appointee of Gov. Gavin Newsom, released Iriarte-Valdez on his own recognizance and returned him to home-detention monitoring. Then, on Aug. 6, surveillance video showed Iriarte-Valdez wearing a tactical vest and emerging from a Cadillac before he was seen stabbing Stewart, who could be heard screaming in pain. That video helped police obtain a warrant from Contra Costa Superior Court for Iriarte-Valdez on charges of murder and committing a felony while on own-recognizance release, according to court records. Just after 6PM PT Friday, a Contra Costa SWAT team arrested Iriarte-Valdez at his home. His bail was initially set at $1.1 million. ICE LODGES DETAINER FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ACCUSED OF TRYING TO DISARM VIRGINIA POLICE OFFICER Contra Costa County Democratic District Attorney Diane Becton filed a felony complaint against Iriarte-Valdez that included one count of murder with several "special circumstances" cited under California law that could result in stiffer penalties. The complaint includes a special-circumstance allegation of murder during a burglary, which could lead to life imprisonment without parole if Iriarte-Valdez is convicted, as well as "enhancement" allegations involving the use of a knife and committing an offense while out on conditional release. "Our office will pursue this case with diligence and integrity to hold Iriarte-Valdez fully accountable under the law for this devastating act of violence," Becton said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with the victim’s loved ones and the larger community as they navigate this unimaginable loss." MAN CHARGED IN CRASH THAT KILLED MOTHER AND TWO YOUNG SONS HAS ICE DETAINER, PRIOR DWI CONVICTIONS Becton’s office said Iriarte-Valdez pleaded not guilty Wednesday during a hearing in which Judge David Goldstein called him a "risk to public safety" and ordered him held without bail. Former Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown appointed Goldstein. Another Newsom appointee, Judge Michael Nieto, is set to preside over Iriarte-Valdez’ case during a preliminary hearing in nearby Richmond on Sept. 1. According to court documents, Iriarte-Valdez is set to appear separately before Holmes on Sept. 9 on his original burglary charges from April. ICE placed a federal detainer on Iriarte-Valdez on Saturday and said he has also been charged with crimes including inflicting corporal injury on a spouse, receiving stolen property, trespassing, loitering and entering a noncommercial dwelling. TOM HOMAN WARNS ICE SURGE COMING TO NEW YORK CITY AS MAMDANI BOASTS ABOUT SANCTUARY STATUS DHS did not immediately explain what happened between 2007 and 2026 that could have led to Iriarte-Valdez being considered an "illegal alien" now. Common scenarios include a noncitizen overstaying a temporary visa, violating visa terms, becoming a lawful permanent resident and later having that status revoked because of a criminal conviction, or abandoning permanent resident status through extended residency abroad. White House border czar Thomas Homan described the incident as a tragic case of "politics of a sanctuary jurisdiction." SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER "There's nothing against the sanctuary law in California for a deputy to pick a phone up and say ‘hey this guy's being let go in an hour’," Homan told "Fox & Friends." "This person is dead because Governor Newsom and the State of California put politics -- hatred of President Trump -- over public safety." Fox News Digital reached out to Holmes, Becton and Newsom for further comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e0d2f2c5335ae10461d8d Anthropic set AI agents loose on the same task. They started a turf war. te 2026-08-13T18:30:07.712Z Anthropic set AI agents loose on the same task. They started a turf war. Anthropic researchers found AI agents can clash, collude and coordinate in unexpected ways, raising new questions about whether today’s safety tests capture the risks of multi-agent systems. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e0ae42c5335ae10461d62 Little League World Series coach divides fans with his 'Jesus' message during mound visit te 2026-08-13T18:20:20.248Z Little League World Series coach divides fans with his 'Jesus' message during mound visit An Arizona baseball coach sent the internet into a tizzy this week when he gave his pitcher a sermon on the mound during a Little League World Series regional game. Drew Breivogel went viral Wednesday night when an ESPN hot mic caught his faith-filled message to his pitcher in the fourth inning. With the game hanging in the balance and two runners on, Breivogel called time, walked to the mound and gave his player some simple advice to help calm the nerves. "I'm so proud of you," he said. "I've known you since you were eight. Remember Zacchaeus in the Bible? Someone planted that tree, 30, 40 years prior, so he could climb up into it. Salvation. We're talking salvation. It's a baseball game, right? ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "If you walk the next five guys Jesus is still Lord. If you strike out the next five guys, guess what? Jesus is still Lord. I love you. Have some fun." Nothing like a little church on a Wednesday night! Brings me back to my childhood. Social media, shockingly, was all over the place on this video. Some loved the message. Others were confused by it, given it didn't include any real strategy on how to work out of the jam. Nothing about mechanics, or 'buckling down,' or throwing strikes, or hitting spots. A quick check of the box score says that Hawaii would score four runs in the inning en route to a 5-2 win to stave off elimination. Not great. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "How about a scouting report?" one fan commented on the now-viral video. "Some advice about mechanics? Something that may actually help the kid learn baseball? If I was the pitcher I would of pushed my coach away." "If I’m struggling on the mound on national tv and my coach comes up to me and starts this BS instead of advice or mechanical changes, I’m quitting," added another. Said a third: "Then the next 3 hitters reached base safely because there was no gameplan instilled during the mound visit. This was a coach using TV to make himself look good he knew he was Mic’d up, that was his BIG moment." All fair points. But it's also Little League. A big spot? Absolutely. But these are 12-year-old kids. How much of a scouting report do they really have on them? Little League baseball is the Wild Wild West. I grew up in. I've seen it all. I've heard it all. Admittedly, I was never part of a mound meeting quite like that. So, again, I see both sides here. That little sermon did remind me of a great quote my old Little League coach used to tell us when we were nervous before a game: "If you strike out, there are a billion people in China who won't care tomorrow." Makes sense. Made us feel a little better. But, we also never got close to reaching Williamsport or the Little League World Series. So perhaps we could've used a different approach. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e0ae22c5335ae10461d59 White House launches interactive map tracking billions in suspected fraud te 2026-08-13T18:20:18.997Z White House launches interactive map tracking billions in suspected fraud The White House on Thursday launched a public tracking dashboard documenting billions of dollars in alleged waste, fraud and financial corruption uncovered by the Trump administration across federal programs. The interactive website, The Fraud Ledger, highlights data collected since January 2025 by the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a panel chaired by Vice President JD Vance. The platform details ongoing investigations, criminal charges, financial recoveries and enforcement actions undertaken by the task force since its establishment earlier this year. VICE PRESIDENT VANCE SAYS MIGRANT COMMUNITIES SHOW 'CLEAR PATTERN' IN FEDERAL FRAUD AS INVESTIGATIONS WIDEN Data compiled from public records and federal agency submissions reveals significant figures in uncovered fraud. The Small Business Administration led all agencies with $122.9 billion in uncovered fraud, followed closely by the Department of Health and Human Services with $96.2 billion, according to the White House tracker. Overall, the White House reports that the task force has uncovered roughly $230 billion in suspected fraud. Furthermore, the administration claims to have halted $56 billion in fraudulent payments intended for criminal actors, while executing more than $55 billion in total enforcement actions. DOJ CHARGES 10 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DEFENDANTS IN LARGEST FEDERAL HEALTHCARE FRAUD CRACKDOWN IN US HISTORY The interactive portal features a national map detailing the task force’s top 10 highest-impact enforcement actions since January 2025. Among its key highlights, the site documents the suspension of federal payments to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority pending the outcome of a fraud investigation, while also featuring a section displaying individuals arrested on charges in the most egregious cases. Additionally, the site highlights dozens of ongoing prosecutions tied to Medicare and Medicaid fraud, the alleged misuse of COVID-19 relief loans and the massive Feeding Our Future fraud case in Minnesota. Combating federal fraud has remained a central priority for the Trump administration through coordinated investigations and law enforcement crackdowns, including a major Justice Department operation in June that charged more than 450 individuals for their alleged involvement in schemes totaling over $6.5 billion. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e0ae02c5335ae10461d50 Haley Stevens condemns Hasan Piker but rallies behind El-Sayed after narrow primary loss te 2026-08-13T18:20:16.395Z Haley Stevens condemns Hasan Piker but rallies behind El-Sayed after narrow primary loss Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., said Wednesday that far-left streamer Hasan Piker "should be condemned," publicly breaking with a prominent campaign ally of Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed as Democrats try to unite after a bruising Michigan primary and hold an open battleground Senate seat in November. Stevens, who lost the Democratic Senate primary to El-Sayed last week, reiterated her criticism of Piker on NewsNation's "Vargas Reports" when host Elizabeth Vargas asked about the streamer’s involvement in the race. "I believe he should be condemned. I do. I said that, that's what I was just saying to you," Stevens said. "I was saying, On election day, I said that, and if asked again, and you're asking me, I do think he should be condemned. I don't know what the guy has to do with Michigan." DAVID MARCUS: WHY IT'S TOO LATE FOR DEMS TO DITCH PIKER AND HIS AMERICA-HATING SOCIALISM Republican National Committee national spokesperson Natalie Baldassarre, responding to the growing scrutiny of Piker, told Fox News Digital on Wednesday that Democrats should formally disavow him. "Hasan Piker is a Hamas-hugging radical with a long history of threatening rape and violence against those he disagrees with," Baldassarre said. "Democrats would do right to disavow him, but they'll continue to bend to his will like spineless, useful idiots." Stevens also rejected the idea that Piker represented the Democratic Party and questioned his place in its politics. "I don't agree with Piker. I don't think he's a part of the Democratic Party, she said. "You know, maybe Bernie can talk to him. I don't really know." MICHIGAN DEMOCRAT HALEY STEVENS BACKS EL-SAYED AFTER NARROW PRIMARY DEFEAT, CALLS SOCIALISM ‘DANGEROUS’ Piker became one of El-Sayed's most visible outside supporters during the Michigan primary, appearing alongside the candidate at campaign events and joining him at a Detroit pool party on the eve of the election. The appearance came as El-Sayed's association with Piker became an increasingly prominent issue in the closing stretch of the race. Hours before polls closed, Stevens told Fox News Digital that El-Sayed should distance himself from the streamer and denounce his rhetoric. "I don't believe Mr. Piker lives here in our state. I do think his rhetoric should be denounced," Stevens said. "I do think that my opponent should distance himself from him." ABDUL EL-SAYED SAYS RALLYING WITH HASAN PIKER DOESN'T MEAN HE ENDORSES 'AMERICA DESERVED 9/11' REMARK Despite that criticism, Stevens said after losing the primary that she would support El-Sayed against Republican nominee Mike Rogers in November. During a Tuesday appearance on Fox News’ "America’s Newsroom," Stevens said Democratic primary voters had made their choice while emphasizing that she would not abandon her own political positions. "I believe in democracy. He won the majority of the votes, and I'm going to continue to stand by my positions," Stevens said. El-Sayed previously rejected some of Piker's most controversial remarks while resisting pressure to sever ties with him. When NBC host Kristen Welker asked El-Sayed about Piker's past statement that "America deserved 9/11," El-Sayed called the remark a "dumb statement" and said the United States did not deserve the terrorist attacks while criticizing what he characterized as "cancel culture." "Of course it was a dumb statement and, of course, I think Hasan himself would say that was a dumb statement," El-Sayed said. El-Sayed will face Republican Mike Rogers in November for an open seat created by the retirement of Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., one of the contests expected to help determine control of the Senate. Fox News Digital reached out to Piker, El-Sayed, Sanders and Stevens for comment, but did not immediately receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e0ad42c5335ae10461d2d Wildfire Continues to Threaten California’s Famed Big Sur Region te 2026-08-13T18:20:04.087Z Wildfire Continues to Threaten California’s Famed Big Sur Region The Timber fire has burned more than 4,000 acres and was 7 percent contained on Thursday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e0ad22c5335ae10461d24 Trump’s Immigration Policy Echoes 1920s Turn Against Certain Newcomers te 2026-08-13T18:20:02.769Z Trump’s Immigration Policy Echoes 1920s Turn Against Certain Newcomers U.S. leaders limited immigration amid economic and social turmoil. Historians see similarities to Trump’s crackdown, with a catch: He’s doing it without Congress. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e06292c5335ae10461cc2 Arizona promised secure treatment for its sickest psychiatric patients in 2019. None exists. te 2026-08-13T18:00:09.893Z Arizona promised secure treatment for its sickest psychiatric patients in 2019. None exists. Helen and Elvern Bootsma visit the grave of their son Larry on what would have been his 48th birthday. Larry, who had schizophrenia, died at a Phoenix bus stop in September 2025 at age 47. (Photo by Christopher Lomahquahu/AZCIR) Larry Bootsma was 23 years old when he experienced psychosis for the first time. His parents still remember the phone call from his apartment. He was panicking, saying bugs were crawling out of the vents. He was later diagnosed with schizophrenia. Larry exhausted nearly every level of Arizona’s behavioral health system over the next 25 years, including its most intensive public services for people with serious mental illness, or SMI. He was ordered by a judge to receive treatment, assigned to work with a specialized team of psychiatrists, nurses and case managers, and eventually given a court-appointed public guardian. Despite those interventions, Larry never found lasting stability. He lived on the streets and cycled in and out of hospitals and treatment centers, occasionally landing in jail as his illness worsened. And then, on the morning of Sept. 24, 2025, the 47-year-old, known to his family as “Larry Bear,” was found dead at a bus stop in Phoenix, just outside of the mental health clinic where he received treatment. The medical examiner said he died of a drug overdose. “All this didn’t have to end like this. That’s the hard part for me,” said Helen Bootsma, Larry’s mom. “He could have gotten better.” The cycle of failed treatment that preceded Larry’s death reflects a gap that Arizona has recognized for years: The state has no appropriate treatment options for people with mental illnesses too severe to be managed in the community but who don’t qualify for long-term hospitalization. Advocates estimate that up to 3% of the roughly 63,000 Arizonans with serious mental illness—nearly 2,000 people—could fall into that gap. Lawmakers tried to address the problem in 2019 when they authorized secure behavioral health residential facilities, small group homes where patients could receive longer-term, court-ordered treatment in a secure setting. AZCIR found that in the seven years that followed, the effort repeatedly faltered amid contractor failures, funding gaps, legal complications and provider challenges. It wasn’t until April 2026 that the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, the state’s Medicaid agency, began seeking providers to operate the long-promised facilities. Even then, it could not say when they would be up and running. In the meantime, some of Arizona’s sickest psychiatric patients are left rotating through costly, short-term interventions that experts say repeatedly fail to produce meaningful recovery. Two days before Larry died, Helen received a message from his treatment team at Terros Health. Larry had picked up his medications and was compliant with his court order. By the state’s own standards, the system was doing what it was designed to do. But the team also mentioned that Larry was mixing methamphetamine with fentanyl and following it with alcohol. His daily use had increased substantially since his detox a week earlier. The message ended with an explanation that his parents had gotten countless times before: “Terros policy is to meet the client where they are. We will continue to encourage Larry to seek assistance for his substance use when and if he is ready. Of course, substance use is never a reason to psychiatrically hospitalize someone, so Larry’s increased use is not a legitimate reason to amend his (court-ordered treatment).” His treatment team could encourage care, monitor his condition and respond when he was in crisis. But unless his illness put him in immediate danger or left him unable to care for himself, they had few options to keep him in treatment. Most of Arizona’s behavioral health system is built around this kind of voluntary model. And a lot of the time, it works. But Larry, like many people with the most severe forms of SMI, had anosognosia, a neurological condition that left him unable to recognize he was ill. It is a primary reason people with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder refuse medication, walk out of treatment and experience repeated relapses. One in four adults with serious mental illness also has a substance use disorder, which can worsen the symptoms of mental illness and make long-term recovery that much harder. For people who can’t voluntarily engage in treatment, a few days or weeks of care is rarely enough to stabilize them, said Josh Mozell, a mental health attorney and president of the Association for the Chronically Mentally Ill. “They cycle through things like (group homes) and homelessness and crisis centers and interactions with police and fire,” Mozell said. “All the while getting sicker and sicker and sicker—and almost irredeemable.” That cycle defined Larry’s adult life. In the five years before he died, Larry was hospitalized at least 26 times for a total of 280 days, according to a timeline compiled by his parents. Between hospitalizations, he was placed in behavioral health residential facilities at least 10 times. The group homes provide around-the-clock care but patients can leave whenever they want. Each of Larry’s stays was followed by another crisis and another hospitalization. “What a waste for him to be admitted in each one of these situations and then not have a positive outcome,” said Helen, who is also an advocate with Arizona Mad Moms, an organization that supports families of people with serious mental illness. “Each one of these would have been—could have been—an opportunity for wellness.” According to an AHCCCS report, nearly half of the roughly 8,000 people with serious mental illness discharged from unlocked residential facilities in fiscal year 2025 were hospitalized within a year. In the same report to the governor, the agency acknowledged that conditions such as anosognosia mean some patients are “unable to engage voluntarily in interventions, including antipsychotic medication and community support,” and that court-ordered treatment “may be necessary for stabilization.” That’s why lawmakers authorized secure residential treatment seven years ago. Unlike traditional residential facilities, patients could not simply walk out, giving them time to stabilize on medication, gain insight into their illness and ideally transition to a less restrictive setting. The homes, each capped at 16 beds, are meant for individuals under court-ordered treatment whose repeated hospitalizations, homelessness or arrests show they have been unsuccessful in less restrictive settings. Judges could authorize placements ranging from three to 12 months. Under those criteria, Larry would have qualified for a placement. And his parents believe it could have made all the difference. “In a secure environment and taking his meds,” Helen said, Larry “was a different boy.” His parents saw that version of him one last time in the weeks before he died. During his final hospital stay at Aurora Behavioral Health, he was on clozapine, an antipsychotic medication primarily used for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Larry was like his old self, they said—cracking jokes and discussing football, Carl’s Jr. and music. “We talked about things that a normal couple of guys would talk about,” his dad, Elvern, said. A week later, he was gone. Public records and interviews show Arizona’s effort to build secure facilities stalled after a series of setbacks. AHCCCS awarded grant funding to a provider in 2020, but the project ran into delays finding properties, rising construction costs and budget constraints. After the provider failed to meet the terms of its agreement, AHCCCS halted the project and ended the contract in 2022. Lawmakers approved $25 million for the construction of five secure facilities that same year, but the funding was pulled from the state budget after AHCCCS was unable to move the project forward. Attempts to restore that funding failed two years in a row. Instead, lawmakers approved a $5 million appropriation in 2025 for AHCCCS to restart the effort. “We thought we could pass the law, and the agencies would get the rest done,” Mozell said. “That’s just not the truth. If you’re going to get something done that actually builds a level of care in the system … you have to hold these agencies’ hands.” The project hit another roadblock after county attorneys identified a pathway in the law that allowed people charged with a dangerous crime—and found mentally unfit to stand trial—to be placed in secure facilities alongside civil psychiatric patients. Mozell said providers were unwilling to participate until lawmakers passed a measure separating the two populations in 2025—a fix that cost the project another year. Disability rights and civil liberties organizations have also long raised concerns that expanding secure or involuntary treatment could come at the expense of patients’ rights and due process. “People with disabilities have the right to receive services in the least restrictive setting that’s appropriate for their needs,” said Asim Dietrich, a supervisory attorney at Disability Rights Arizona. Citing shortages of community treatment teams and overburdened case managers, he contended that “if more resources were focused on home and community-based services, we likely wouldn’t need the (secure facilities).” Supporters of secure treatment say the due process concerns, while valid, mischaracterize how the facilities would actually work. By the time someone qualifies for placement, a judge has already determined that less restrictive options have failed and the legal standard for involuntary care has been met. “More than any other place in the behavioral health system, there’s going to be due process,” Mozell said during a 2019 legislative hearing, as lawmakers considered creating the facilities. Leslie Carpenter of the national Treatment Advocacy Center, which has long advocated for expanding involuntary treatment options for people with severe mental illness, thinks the debate has become too polarized. Both sides agree that community-based services need strengthening, she said, but for the sickest patients, secure treatment fills a gap that community care alone cannot close. “A secure setting does not automatically have to be a bad setting,” said Carpenter, the center’s senior legislative advocacy manager. “I would propose that the number of people we’re seeing in our prisons, in our jails, homeless and untreated, and in our graveyards—that’s much more carceral … than to be in a state facility that is meant to meet their needs.” Larry Bootsma during his high school years, before he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. His parents remember him as a fiercely competitive honors student who loved to play his guitar. Photo by Christopher Lomahquahu | AZCIR Without secure residential facilities available, many of Arizona’s sickest mental health patients are trapped in a loop of emergency room visits, psychiatric hospitalizations and crisis care—a pattern that comes at a steep cost to the state. paper authored by Mozell and other mental health experts said those who would qualify for secure treatment visit emergency rooms five times more often than the general population and, when hospitalized, stay four times as long. They said “it would be less costly, more therapeutic, and more humane for the person to spend this time in a secure, home-like setting.” Experts say secure residential facilities could also help relieve a longstanding bottleneck at the Arizona State Hospital, the state’s highest level of long-term psychiatric treatment. “There are people at … that highest, most secure level of treatment, that are ready for discharge if there was a place to put them,” said Will Humble, executive director of the Arizona Public Health Association. Patients at the Arizona State Hospital stay an average of more than four years. In just the first month of the current fiscal year, discharge delays kept beds occupied for a combined 482 days by patients who no longer needed to be there. Those delays are especially significant in Arizona, which had the lowest rate of state-operated psychiatric beds for civilly committed patients in the nation as of 2023. In April, seven years after Arizona authorized secure behavioral health facilities for people with serious mental illness, AHCCCS formally began its search for providers to build and operate them. But the agency still could not say when the facilities would open. AHCCCS told AZCIR that providers have to be selected and facilities must be developed, licensed and staffed before services can begin. The progress came too late for Larry. He died before Arizona established the kind of care his family believes could have helped him. His parents hold onto the memory of the son they knew—affectionate, fiercely competitive and always reaching for a guitar. Their “Larry Bear.” On June 26, what would have been Larry’s 48th birthday, Helen brushed aside blades of grass from his headstone before laying a single red rose across the top. She rested her hand there for a moment, then reached up to take her husband’s. “He’s safe now,” Elvern told her. “He’s OK.” This article is published as part of the Mental Health Parity Collaborative, a national partnership between AZCIR and The Carter Center’s Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism and other newsrooms throughout the U.S. This article first appeared on Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. PARSELY = { autotrack: false, onload: function() { PARSELY.beacon.trackPageView({ url: "https://azcir.org/news/2026/08/13/delayed-secure-behavioral-health-residential-facilities-fail-sickest-patients/", urlref: window.location.href }); } } Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e03d12c5335ae10461c66 Cruz sounds alarm over $400M Hamas-era provision in Board of Peace plan — issues blunt warning te 2026-08-13T17:50:09.383Z Cruz sounds alarm over $400M Hamas-era provision in Board of Peace plan — issues blunt warning U.S. officials have for years warned that Hamas has exploited ostensibly civilian and humanitarian funding streams to support its terrorist infrastructure, fueling concerns over whether money entering Gaza can be kept out of the terror group's hands as a new U.S.-backed governing structure prepares to take control. The Treasury Department has repeatedly targeted what it describes as Hamas financing networks, including a secret investment portfolio, sham charities and organizations that raised money under the guise of humanitarian work while supporting Hamas' military wing. Those concerns resurfaced this week after Israel's Kan News reported that a provision in the Board of Peace's Gaza roadmap could allow up to $400 million to address unpaid obligations accumulated during Hamas' rule, including money owed to public-sector workers, suppliers and contractors. The dispute is over whether a successor government can settle legitimate obligations inherited from nearly two decades of Hamas rule without indirectly benefiting the terrorist group. Critics warn that doing so could relieve financial burdens associated with Hamas' rule or create opportunities for the group to siphon off resources while it retains influence on the ground. Board officials argue the mechanism is instead designed to allow a successor government to preserve essential services and relationships with legitimate workers and suppliers — with each claim individually vetted and any payment that could benefit Hamas rejected. TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PROBES UNRWA OVER ALLEGED EMPLOYMENT OF 1,500 TERRORISTS Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace's high representative for Gaza, sharply rejected the characterization that the provision amounted to a financial agreement with Hamas. "The claims that there is a financial agreement between the Board of Peace and Hamas are false," Mladenov wrote in Hebrew on X Wednesday, adding that no such proposal had been "discussed, negotiated, or considered." He said the Board's objective remained the complete disarmament of Hamas and the establishment of civilian governance backed by an international security presence. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, told Fox News Digital that he remained alarmed by the provision. "I'm deeply concerned about these reports. Terrorists use money as fungible and they build credibility by having international donors finance their debts, which is why Congress long ago banned money from going to Palestinian governments in the West Bank," Cruz said. "We also know that international donors paid for Hamas to build terrorist infrastructure across the Gaza Strip in the first place, and shouldn't be trusted to direct reimbursement money," Cruz continued. "Hamas should be utterly eradicated before new resources flow into Gaza." HAMAS AGREES TO COMPLETE DISARMAMENT UNDER 'HISTORIC' GAZA AGREEMENT: TRUMP A senior Board of Peace official, speaking to Fox News Digital on background Thursday, pushed back on the premise that the roadmap commits $400 million to paying Hamas' debts. "There's really just a commitment to analyze when we get the data. There's no commitment to fund anything. We don't have an obligation to even do $400 million," the official said. The official described the provision as a three-year review process, capped at $400 million, under which the successor Gaza administration could determine whether particular unpaid obligations need to be resolved in order to maintain essential services and relationships with legitimate suppliers. HILLARY CLINTON BREAKS WITH DEMOCRATIC CRITICS BY BACKING TRUMP’S GAZA PLAN AS THE 'ONLY GAME IN TOWN' "This notion that there's, like, a $400 million payoff vehicle, Hamas kind of has a commitment for it — none of that is true," the official said. "If anybody's gonna start running with a narrative that a $400 million committed tab is beginning now ... that would just be incorrect reporting. That's not the deal." "No one's picking up a tab right now," the official added, saying any review would take place only after the new Gaza administration gains access to financial records allowing it to determine who the creditors are, what services they provided and whether those relationships are needed going forward. "Even the first dollar of the $400 million, we're going to evaluate that first dollar," the official said. "It's not going to be a blank check handed to Hamas. It's going to be evaluated, rigorously analyzed." The official compared the process to a corporate restructuring, arguing that while Hamas is being permanently removed from government, the successor administration cannot necessarily walk away from every legitimate obligation accumulated during the previous government's rule. HAMAS SAYS IT WILL DISSOLVE GAZA GOVERNMENT, BUT ISRAEL WARNS GROUP STILL SEEKS HEZBOLLAH-STYLE CONTROL He offered the example of a European pharmaceutical company that supplied medicine to Gaza hospitals but was never paid. If the new administration needs that company to continue supplying medicine, he said, resolving some of its unpaid invoices could be necessary to maintain the relationship. "The theme here, really, is continuity of services," the official said. The official did not say that Hamas would have to be fully disarmed across the entire Gaza Strip before the first claim could potentially be paid. "The reality is that this is going to be community by community," the official said, explaining that the successor administration is expected to move into individual areas as Hamas disarms there. IRAN REAFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR HAMAS AS TRUMP PUSHES TO DISARM TERROR GROUP Asked whether Hamas would have to be completely removed from Gaza before the new administration could resolve an outstanding liability — for example, involving a hospital in Rafah — the official said a payment could occur even if Hamas had not yet been fully removed elsewhere in the Strip. "The idea is that where those decisions are made, Hamas is not gonna be there," he said. When Fox News Digital asked specifically whether it was accurate to say money would not be transferred into areas where Hamas remained in control, the official said: "It's accurate to say." The official acknowledged that more complicated cases could arise if the same supplier operates in both Hamas-free and Hamas-controlled portions of Gaza. Officials might then have to determine whether to reimburse only the portion associated with the area controlled by the successor government or negotiate some other arrangement necessary to maintain the service. US URGES DONORS TO ABANDON UNRWA FUNDING AS UN DEFENDS AGENCY'S MISSION Cruz's central criticism is that money is fungible: if international donors satisfy obligations accumulated under Hamas rule, resources that might otherwise have been needed to cover those liabilities could theoretically be used elsewhere. The Board official rejected that argument, saying Hamas is insolvent and was never going to pay many of the outstanding creditors in the first place. "It's not as though we're alleviating them from, like, their budget that they actually were gonna actually go pay that $100 and now they get to save it," the official said. "They were never paying it in the first place," he continued. "We're making a decision separate and apart from Hamas, whether this fits into our budget and our relationships." HAMAS TAPS 'ULTIMATE INSTITUTIONAL SURVIVOR' AS TERROR CHIEF, SENDING MESSAGE TO ISRAEL: EXPERT The official described Hamas as "dead insolvent right now" and "financially, completely, completely in shambles." Fox News Digital also pressed the official on a separate concern: even if money is never transferred directly to Hamas, could the group extract taxes, payments or other benefits from suppliers or employees receiving funds while it remains armed elsewhere? "If there's a risk that some of the money is going to still end up in the hands of Hamas, then we're gonna shut it down," the official said. He said officials would examine each recipient, the services provided and where the money ultimately would go. "If Hamas is not fully disarmed ... can it end up in their hands? If the answer to that question is yes, then they're not gonna get money," he said. "Like, that is crystal clear." The official also disclosed that the Board intends to try to recover assets it believes Hamas stole and use those assets, where possible, to satisfy legitimate obligations. "We are going to make a real effort to go and try to recover those assets and use some of those assets, where we have found theft ... to satisfy some of these obligations," he said. If recovered assets are insufficient, the official said outside funding would come from countries in the region rather than Washington. "This is coming from regional partners. This is not coming from the United States," he said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e03d02c5335ae10461c5d Mystery surrounds Little League coach's ejection during championship game after ESPN cuts his mic te 2026-08-13T17:50:08.680Z Mystery surrounds Little League coach's ejection during championship game after ESPN cuts his mic Was this a quick trigger or was the Little League umpire well within his rights to kick this coach out of the game? During Wednesday's Great Lakes regional finals game, with a trip to the Little League World Series on the line, Team Kentucky assistant coach Matthew Teague was ejected by the home plate umpire. Down 6-0 in the top of the 4th and running out of time for a comeback, Teague was seen meeting with one of his hitters and turning his attention to the umpire who had just called out a Kentucky hitter on a tough strike three call for the second out. IDAHO TEEN UMPIRE DELIVERS ULTIMATE REALITY CHECK TO COACH COMPLAINING ABOUT WALK-UP MUSIC "Oh boy, Matthew Teague has (been) ejected from the game," the ESPN announcer said while adding that the umpire warned Teague not to come closer to the batter's box. Were there words exchanged between Teague and the umpire? If so, ESPN didn't let fans hear what was said. The network failed to play the audio from Teague, who was mic'd up. According to Little League observers on Facebook, coaches "receive a blanket warning" at the start of tournaments that there is a zero tolerance policy on arguing with umpires. Add in the fact that coaches are mic'd up and it's extremely rare for a Little League coach to be ejected from the World Series or regional tournaments. In the Little League rule book, Rule 9.02(b) states: If a manager believes a decision conflicts with the written rules (a misapplication of a rule, not a judgment call), the manager may request "Time." Once the home plate umpire grants time, the manager (and only the head manager) may approach the umpire who made the call to politely ask for clarification or appeal. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS Based on the ejection, the umpire seems to have applied this exact rule to give Teague the boot. How did fans react online? About as you'd expect. It was a mixed bag of people arguing it was soft to kick the coach out of a meaningful game while others argued that Teague was foolish for thinking he could push the envelope. STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW! "They were down 6-0 was tossing him even worth it? No. Umpire try to show off....nothing more," one fan wrote on Facebook in support of Teague. Meanwhile, on the opposite side, a fan took a shot at the coach and his shorts, writing, "Balls & Strikes arguments = zero and non-starter. Already warned- he can take his Ralph Lauren shorts to the BUS." You get the idea. Emotions are high this time of year. We're talking about 12-year-old baseball, TV, glory and fame. Add it up and you have a powder keg of emotions just waiting to boil over. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e017b2c5335ae1046184e 10 House incumbent lawmakers who saw their 2026 re-election bids end in primary defeat te 2026-08-13T17:40:11.884Z 10 House incumbent lawmakers who saw their 2026 re-election bids end in primary defeat So far during the 2026 election season, 10 incumbent House lawmakers have lost primaries, including three Republicans and seven Democrats. The three Republican incumbents who fell short include Dan Crenshaw of Texas, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, and Andy Ogles of Tennessee. The seven incumbent House Democrats who lost include Al Green of Texas, Julie Johnson of Texas, Dan Goldman of New York, Adriano Espaillat of New York, Diana DeGette of Colorado, Shri Thanedar of Michigan, and John Larson of Connecticut. The failed Texas and Tennessee U.S. House incumbents grappled with redistricting in their states that applied to this cycle. Crenshaw, the only U.S. House Republican incumbent seeking re-election in Texas who did not get President Donald Trump's endorsement, lost the GOP primary for Texas' 2nd Congressional District to state Rep. Steve Toth. While Trump did not endorse either of the men ahead of the primary, he has since endorsed Toth. Crenshaw has served in the House since 2019. MTG SAYS GOP'S FUTURE 'DESTROYED' AFTER TRUMP-BACKED PRIMARY CHALLENGER DEFEATS THOMAS MASSIE Massie lost the Republican primary for Kentucky's 4th Congressional District to Trump-backed challenger Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL. The race made history as the most expensive U.S. House primary contest ever, reports indicate. Massie has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since late 2012. Despite having Trump's endorsement, Ogles lost the GOP primary for Tennessee's 5th Congressional District to former state Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher. Ogles has served in the House since 2023. Trump backed Hatcher last week after he defeated Ogles in the primary. "Last night was another good night for Endorsements, 8-1, and the 1 was a person who I remained loyal to even though he had virtually no chance of winning, and was running against a Great 'Trump' Candidate, and former Agricultural Commissioner of Tennessee, named Charlie Hatcher. Good luck Charlie! Run tough and hard. You have my Complete and Total Endorsement!" Trump declared in a Truth Social post. DSA-BACKED CANDIDATE TOPPLES MILLIONAIRE DEM INCUMBENT Thanedar, who has served as a lawmaker in the lower congressional chamber since 2023, lost the Democratic U.S. House primary in Michigan's 13th Congressional District this year to state Rep. Donavan McKinney, a Democratic socialist. Thanedar declared in October 2023 that he was renouncing Democratic Socialists of America membership, though then-Detroit DSA co-chair Mikal Goodman declared at the time in a post on X that Thanedar "was expelled as a member on September 17th, by 91% of vote the general membership. He no longer had a membership to renounce." Goldman, who took office in 2023, lost the Democratic U.S. House primary in New York's 10th Congressional District to former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander. Big Apple Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic socialist, had backed Lander ahead of the primary contest. "He’ll bring principled leadership to Washington and make sure Congress works for the many, not just the few," Mamdani wrote in part of a post on X. MAMDANI-BACKED SOCIALIST WITH HISTORY OF ANTI-AMERICAN RHETORIC WINS VICIOUS DEM PRIMARY RACE Espaillat lost the Democratic U.S. House primary for New York's 13th Congressional District to Democratic socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier, who was also endorsed by Mamdani. The congressman has served in the U.S. House chamber since 2017. He is chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. DeGette lost the Democratic U.S. House primary for Colorado's 1st Congressional District to Democratic socialist Melat Kiros. The congresswoman has served in the House for nearly two decades since taking office in 1997. Green, who has served in the House since 2005, lost the Democratic U.S. House primary runoff for Texas' 18th Congressional District to U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee. Johnson, who has only served in the House since last year, lost the Democratic U.S. House primary runoff for Texas' 33rd Congressional District to former Rep. Colin Allred. LONGTIME ANTI-TRUMP DEM OUSTED AFTER TOUGH PRIMARY FROM UPSTART PROGRESSIVE MAYOR Larson, who has served in the House since 1999, lost the Democratic U.S. House primary in Connecticut's 1st Congressional District to former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e017b2c5335ae10461845 Nazi salutes apparently directed at Israel soccer team fans during UEFA Conference League elimination match te 2026-08-13T17:40:11.119Z Nazi salutes apparently directed at Israel soccer team fans during UEFA Conference League elimination match Fans of an Israel-based soccer team appeared to be mocked with Nazi salutes during a recent match. Hapoel Tel Aviv, of the Israeli Premier League, faced Polish Ekstraklasa team GKS Katowice in the UEFA Conference League on Wednesday, with the Israeli squad eliminating the Polish team. But after the match, a hostile environment appeared to get even more tense, as several GKS Katowice fans appeared to do the salute in the direction of the Hapoel Tel Aviv fans. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM UEFA said in an email that the actions are "currently being reviewed." GKS Katowice was bounced from the tournament despite defeating Hapoel Tel Aviv, 2-1, on Wednesday, as the next round is based on aggregate scores from two games against the foes. Hapoel Tel Aviv won its Aug. 6 match with GKS Katowice, 2-0, meaning it moved on with an aggregate score of 3-2. BRAZILIAN SOCCER PLAYER, WHO FELL THROUGH HOLE IN SHOCKING VIRAL GOAL CELEBRATION, GIVES INJURY UPDATE Another video from the game appeared to show one Hapoel Tel Aviv fan mocking the GKS Katowice fans by mimicking a sexual act as well as another grabbing his own crotch. Hapoel Tel Aviv will face Serie A team Atalanta on Aug. 20. The months-long tournament is in the third tier of European soccer, with the winner qualifying for the UEFA Europa League. The next leg of the competition ends on Aug. 27, with 36 teams continuing to fight for promotion to Europe's second-best soccer tier. 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/6a7e017a2c5335ae1046183c Luigi Mangione expected to plead guilty in federal case: reports te 2026-08-13T17:40:10.352Z Luigi Mangione expected to plead guilty in federal case: reports Accused UnitedHealthcare CEO assassin Luigi Mangione is expected to plead guilty to the federal charges against him at a surprise pretrial conference Friday, according to local reports, a move that could upend his state-level murder trial just weeks before it's supposed to begin in New York City. State and federal prosecutors and Mangione's legal team have not responded to requests for comment from Fox News Digital. But two of the city's major newspapers, the New York Post and New York Times, both reported Thursday that the 28-year-old former Ivy Leaguer is expected to plead guilty in his federal stalking case. LUIGI MANGIONE HEARING SET FOR FRIDAY STIRS PLEA DEAL SPECULATION IN HIS FEDERAL CASE Mangione is accused of following UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson to a Manhattan Hilton hotel on the morning of Dec. 4, 2024, and shooting him in the back hours before a business conference was supposed to take place there. Surveillance video shows a man in a hoodie approach Thompson from behind and open fire with a handgun — the same weapon authorities allege Mangione had in his backpack when he was arrested in a Pennsylvania McDonald's five days later. SEND US A TIP Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all charges in both cases previously. His defense team has had some success already, convincing judges in both cases to dismiss the most serious charges. As a result, he no longer would face capital punishment if convicted in a federal trial, and would not face life without parole if convicted in New York state. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE He could still face a maximum sentence of life without parole in federal prison if convicted in that case — but experts say he would probably avoid the stiffest possible sentence even if convicted by a jury. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST "Rarely somebody with no background, who’s educated, gets the maximum sentences," said Donna Rotunno, a Chicago criminal defense attorney and Fox News contributor. "Is he looking at minimum sentences? No. But at the end of the day, he’s benefiting from more serious charges being dismissed." He is still likely looking at decades behind bars, and any legal issues arising from a potential plea deal could also delay the start of his state trial, which is supposed to begin with jury selection on Sept. 8, she said. This is a developing story. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7e01722c5335ae10461818 After early morning Tucson raid, 5 detained and few answers  te 2026-08-13T17:40:02.837Z After early morning Tucson raid, 5 detained and few answers  Tiff Williams was walking their dog around 6 a.m. Thursday in their north side Tucson neighborhood when they saw a commotion at the house across the street.   Williams watched as agents spilled out of a large gray tank-like vehicle, guns drawn, and began yelling in English and Spanish. The officers arrested several men as well as two teenagers. A truck tagged DEA, or Drug Enforcement Administration, could be seen in photos shared by Williams. Other cars appeared unmarked.  The encounter raised a host of questions: what was happening, what agency was taking their neighbors, and what would happen to the rest of the family’s children and teens left waiting outside under the care of agents.  Those questions have become increasingly common, and urgent, as immigration enforcement in local neighborhoods has become a steady thrum across the country.  Agents outside a Tucson home during an alleged immigration raid. Photo credit: Tiff Williams This summer, immigration agents detained more than 100,000 people in a five-day period, part of an ongoing surge to increase arrest rates. Immigration arrests more than tripled in Arizona in 2025, with street-level ICE arrests in particular going from near zero to hundreds per month under Trump, according to an analysis by Arizona Luminaria and Calo News. Williams said the experience left them feeling anger, fear and sadness. “This shouldn’t fucking be happening, and that it happened so early in the morning means that they are really just trying to do this in silence, and it’s a scary thing,” Williams told Arizona Luminaria by phone. “It feels like they are doing this on purpose so people can’t save their neighbors.” After Williams called Tucson Rapid Response Network, observers came to the scene and began to piece together information about who was taken during the operation.  As they spoke on the phone, Williams said they could see three young people standing outside of the house among officers.  Rapid response volunteer Carmen Smith-Estrada was able to speak to one of the children waiting outside who said the people detained were her father, an uncle, a friend of the family and her two brothers.  Smith-Estrada said the operation had characteristics the group has come to associate with immigration raids. That includes agents with their faces covered, wearing casual non-uniform clothing like blue jeans and cowboy hats, agents who would not identify themselves and unmarked vehicles.  The group’s next steps are figuring out how to best support the family in terms of locating their detained family members and finding legal representation.  Fernando X. Burgos, public affairs officer with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said because arrests are made every day, they could not respond to a request for the comment on the operation without the full name of the person taken and either a specific number assigned by the Department of Homeland Security or an individual’s date of birth. The post After early morning Tucson raid, 5 detained and few answers  appeared first on AZ Luminaria. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dff222c5335ae1046132f Matthew McConaughey prompts priceless reaction from Ella Langley after Oscar winner covers ‘Choosin’ Texas’ te 2026-08-13T17:30:10.803Z Matthew McConaughey prompts priceless reaction from Ella Langley after Oscar winner covers ‘Choosin’ Texas’ Matthew McConaughey is a Texas boy at heart. During Wednesday's episode of "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," the 56-year-old actor embraced his Southern roots by performing Ella Langley's hit song, "Choosin' Texas," alongside Fallon and indie folk band The Last Bison. The cover quickly drew attention on social media and even earned a response from Langley herself. "I don't think I'll ever recover from this," Langley wrote on her Instagram Stories alongside a video of McConaughey and Fallon jamming to her hit song. KOE WETZEL AND ELLA LANGLEY RELEASE NEW COUNTRY SONG 'JADED' AND IT'S ALREADY GOING VIRAL Fans shared a similar sentiment. "POV me driving singing this with my whole chest," one fan commented. "The cover we didn’t know we needed," another wrote. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER The performance unfolded during a new installment of "Tonight Show Audience Suggestion Box," when Fallon read a submission that combined Langley’s hit with McConaughey’s latest movie, "The Rivals of Amziah King." "I love that song ‘Choosin’ Texas’ by Ella Langley," Fallon read. "And I’m really excited to see Matthew McConaughey’s new movie ‘The Rivals of Amziah King,’ where he performs in a bluegrass band. If there was only a way to combine those things, that would be a dream come true." LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "This is ‘The Tonight Show,’ where dreams become reality," Fallon quipped. Moments later, the curtain opened to reveal McConaughey with a mandolin in hand alongside The Last Bison, while Fallon joined in on the washboard. The group then launched into a bluegrass rendition of Langley's chart-topping hit. McConaughey's cover comes as "Choosin' Texas" continues to make history for Langley. ELLA LANGLEY'S 'CHOOSIN' TEXAS' SPENDS 15 WEEKS AT NUMBER ONE ON THE BILLBOARD HOT 100 The country anthem recently scored its 17th nonconsecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the longest-running non-holiday No. 1 by a solo female artist in the chart's history. The milestone pushed Langley past Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" and Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together," which each spent 14 weeks at the top of the chart. For McConaughey, the song choice was particularly fitting. The Oscar-winning actor has long been outspoken about his love for the Lone Star State, where he was born and later returned to raise his family. ‘SOPRANOS’ STAR JAMIE-LYNN SIGLER FLED HOLLYWOOD FOR TEXAS WHERE SHE NO LONGER FEELS ‘WATCHED’ McConaughey left Malibu, California, for Austin, Texas, with his wife, Camila Alves McConaughey, and their three children in 2014. He previously explained that returning to Texas was always part of his plan once he started a family. "This has always been home, there are multiple reasons for that," McConaughey previously said during an appearance on "Today." The "Dallas Buyers Club" star said his mother and two older brothers were also in Texas and explained that he wanted his children to experience some of the same values he grew up around. "I wanted them to have what I grew up around," he said, adding that there is a certain amount of "common sense" that comes with life in Texas. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dfcc92c5335ae104612de Jack Story skipped his high school graduation to go bass fishing and walked away with $100K te 2026-08-13T17:20:09.288Z Jack Story skipped his high school graduation to go bass fishing and walked away with $100K Jack Story didn’t walk across the stage at his high school graduation. He was too busy winning $100,000. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE The 18-year-old Georgia angler made the decision earlier this year to skip his graduation ceremony and compete in the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American on Lake Murray. Looking back now, it doesn’t sound like he lost much sleep over it. During a recent interview with OutKick Outdoors, Story said he originally qualified through a regional tournament and "never really expected" to make it to the All-American. But once he found out the tournament landed on the same day as graduation, the choice was pretty simple. "I was going fishing, and they could either be accommodating or not," Story said. "Thankfully, they were very helpful with it." His school wasn’t completely thrilled, though. Story said the headmaster and others at the school "handled it about as well as they could have," even if they would have preferred to see him in a cap and gown. Still, some tried to make him reconsider. "One of my teachers kind of hinted that I should be at graduation," Story said. "But it just wasn’t even an option." Watch Jack Story's full interview with OutKick Outdoors here: Story went on to win the All-American and the $100,000 prize that came with it. He also qualified for REDCREST 2027 and the Toyota Series Championship — a pretty strong consolation prize for missing a graduation ceremony. Still, even weeks later, he said the whole thing feels surreal. "It was so stressful during the tournament that I think it was a huge relief, but I also didn’t even know what to do," Story said. "The feeling of accomplishment doesn’t even register. Looking back on it, it doesn’t feel real." The win also came with a little family bragging rights. Story’s dad previously fished the All-American and finished 34th. So yes, beating him was somewhere on the checklist. "I thought that was going to be pretty easy given the lake it was on," Story said. But that wasn’t the only goal. Story said he wanted to beat the other two anglers from his regional and keep advancing. Instead, he ended up winning the whole thing. His dad’s advice has always been simple: If you’re going to do something, go all in. That applied to fishing, too. "If I wanted to skip school to go fish, I was at least going to actually fish," Story said. "His thing was, if you’re going to fish, you’re going to fish all day. Just dedicate yourself to it." That mindset mattered at Lake Murray. Because Story’s victory was anything but smooth. The final day came down to 10 ounces, and Story said he knew it was going to be close. What made it worse was the fact that he had already been hit with penalties after issues with his livewells and oxygen tank. "I was really stressed out about the fact that I could lose because of penalties," Story said. "I’d rather lose by 10 pounds than lose by any sort of penalty." In other words, this was not some easy stroll to a giant check. "No, very far from," Story said. DENNY HAMLIN CHASES MONSTER LARGEMOUTH BASS IN TEXAS WITH BASSMASTER PRO CHRIS ZALDAIN There was also the added pressure of chasing history. Now the tournament's youngest winner ever, Story broke a 15-year record previously held by Jacob Wheeler — one of the biggest names in the sport. Unfortunately, Story found out about the record before the tournament was over. "I honestly wish I would have figured that out after, rather than the night of day two," Story said. "Somebody texted me, and I was like, ‘Dude, that is not what I needed.’ It made it more stressful because instantly, that became my goal." Since the win, Story said life has included more interviews, podcasts and attention. But mostly, it has included more fishing. He had a rough finish in a high school tournament shortly after the All-American, and that did not sit well with him. "I hate losing in fishing, especially when it’s to one of my friends," Story said. "I’ve got to get my get-back, if that makes sense. I want to go beat them again the next day. I just want to fish, and I want to win." Story is headed to Carson-Newman, where he plans to fish in college. He is also considering fishing the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals if he can make the schedule work. "Might as well," he said. For other kids who want to get into competitive fishing, Story said persistence matters. So does helping parents understand that fishing can create real opportunities, including scholarships. "I don’t think people really realize that you can get a scholarship for fishing," Story said. "If you dedicate yourself and put in the constructive work to get there, I think it’s easier than people make it seem. You just have to know how to do it." More than that, Story said fishing gave him something positive to pour himself into. "I’m out of trouble because I fish," he said. "It keeps you out of trouble. You’re doing something outdoors. It’s good." SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS And even after winning $100,000 at 18 years old, Story is already thinking about helping more kids get on the water. STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW! "I really enjoy taking the younger generation fishing," Story said. "I think every kid deserves the opportunity to fish, and that’s that." We couldn't agree more. Love all things fishing and outdoors? Follow OutKick Outdoors on Instagram and TikTok! Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dfcc82c5335ae104612d5 Bride serves McDonald's customer in wedding dress while tying knot at restaurant: 'Handing out extra sauces' te 2026-08-13T17:20:08.573Z Bride serves McDonald's customer in wedding dress while tying knot at restaurant: 'Handing out extra sauces' A northeast Ohio McDonald's restaurant was transformed into a wedding venue last Saturday as two co-workers said "I do" in front of friends, family, fellow employees and the occasional customer. "We had people trying to come in the lobby the whole time," despite the dining room being closed to the public for the ceremony and reception, bride Jamie Callicoat, of Akron, Ohio, told Fox News Digital this week after marrying co-worker George Callicoat. "I was handing out extra sauces to an actual customer in my wedding dress." 'MCDONALD'S CHANGED THE COURSE OF MY LIFE': CONGRESSMAN SELLS BUSINESS HE BUILT SINCE HIS TEEN YEARS Some customers made it to the kiosks inside to order, and the drive-thru remained open throughout the celebration. Everyone — including unsuspecting customers — "rolled with the punches," Jamie said. "It's still work, if you're there off the clock, on the clock, whatever," she said. "We were there interrupting to have our personal wedding." The intimate ceremony has since gone viral online. "Social media content surrounding the wedding has already generated more than 20 million impressions across Instagram and Facebook, with the story continuing to spread," McDonald's of Northeast Ohio said in a news release. MCDONALD'S NEWEST MENU ITEM HAS FANS BEGGING FOR ONE DISCONTINUED FAVORITE "We kind of figured it would get some attention, but this is just unreal," Jamie said of the reaction. The newlyweds were back at work on the Tuesday after their wedding as customers and others who frequent the restaurant began congratulating them. "Our Brinks guys, who come and pick up our money, came in and they both walked right up to us and said, 'Oh my gosh, we've seen the video. Congratulations!'" Jamie said. "It's wild. It's really fun, though." Jamie is a manager at the McDonald's where she wed George, the restaurant's crew trainer. The pair met through mutual friends at Cedar Point in Ohio in June 2025 and went on a few dates. When Jamie moved to Akron and began working at the McDonald's in October 2025, George trained her. Jamie said George's personality drew her to him. "We just get along very well," she said. "I love everything about George. He's a great guy." TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "I love everything about her," George told Fox News Digital. "She is a wonderful person, very caring, very kind." The pair became engaged at Cedar Point and initially planned to get married there, too. Then a district manager jokingly suggested they tie the knot at the McDonald's where they both work. "We thought about it for a day or so and went back and were like, 'Well, were you guys serious?'" Jamie recalled. "And one thing kind of led to another, and here we are." The celebration became a team effort, McDonald's said in its news release. "Crew members and managers came together to help make the couple's wedding day special, providing dinner, a wedding cake and other touches for the celebration," McDonald's said. "Even the officiant had a McDonald's connection: the husband of the restaurant's general manager performed the ceremony." McDonald's provided the venue, and despite ultimately holding a larger celebration than the destination-style wedding they had originally envisioned, Jamie said the ceremony was "cost-effective." CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS The couple handled some of the decorations and food themselves. Guests were served pulled barbecue chicken, buffalo chicken dip, homemade rigatoni and fried chicken, while the kids ate fresh McDonald's food. Even the flower girl got a McDonald's touch, tossing petals from a Happy Meal box. "That was my decision, mostly," Jamie said. "I mean, we work at McDonald's. I thought it was cute." The official Instagram account for McDonald's commented on a video of the ceremony, writing, "A modern day love story." "Congrats to them on their McMarriage!" wrote another well-wisher. "'Forever After All' and we're McLovin' it." One commenter even joked about McDonald's notoriously finicky soft-serve machines, but George said theirs wasn't a problem. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "Ours is always working, unless it's being cleaned," he said. Tammy Snider, the location's general manager, said it was "so much more than a wedding at a McDonald's." "It's a story about two people in love and a restaurant team that wanted to make sure they felt celebrated," Snider said. "Our restaurants are places where friendships are made, milestones are celebrated and communities come together. George and Jamie's wedding is such a beautiful example of that." Jamie called it a "perfect" outcome. "We had a great time," she said. "Our co-workers are amazing, our bosses are amazing and McDonald's is amazing for allowing us to do this." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dfa742c5335ae10460db9 Fox News AI Newsletter: One year until AI market busts, investor says te 2026-08-13T17:10:12.111Z Fox News AI Newsletter: One year until AI market busts, investor says IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER: - We have one year until the AI market busts, Niles Investment Management founder says - Zuckerberg lays out vision to put superintelligent AI in everyone's hands - A Southern state just took the top spot in one of the world’s fastest-growing industries ON THE CLOCK: Niles Investment Management founder Dan Niles discusses the future of the AI market on FOX Business' "Making Money." NEW ERA: Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Monday outlined his vision for a world where personal superintelligence is available to everyone rather than only a select few. NUMBER ONE, Y’ALL: North Texas has beaten some of the world’s biggest data center hubs to claim the No. 1 spot in a new global ranking, as Texas becomes an increasingly powerful player in the industry. PROSPERITY PLAY: Palantir CTO Shyam Sankar said he’s seen significant progress since his Fox News op-ed imploring America to take advantage of both AI and the American worker, while sharing some observations on China’s use of AI. 'MUCH BIGGER RISK': David Bahnsen warns of circular credit risks as Nvidia launches a $500 billion AI financing program. The financial analyst tells Stuart Varney that partnering with Blackstone and BlackRock to fund earnings-poor tech customers dramatically heightens volatility. Bahnsen compares the massive scale of this sector's debt expansion to previous market corrections, urging caution for retail investors. GRID BOOST: Base Power co-founder and CEO Zach Dell discusses the challenges facing America's electrical grid amid skyrocketing electricity demand. Dell explains how his company's home battery backup technology helps Texas homeowners manage rising utility bills and maintain power reliability. The discussion highlights how the artificial intelligence boom and data centers are accelerating the nation's power crunch. POWER STRUGGLE: The artificial intelligence boom is fueling a data center rush in Texas and opening a rare divide between President Donald Trump and one of his closest political allies — Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. HARD HAT ECONOMY: The future of artificial intelligence may depend less on coders than on construction workers, electricians and factory technicians. FOLLOW FOX NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook Instagram YouTube X LinkedIn SIGN UP FOR OUR OTHER NEWSLETTERS Fox News First Fox News Opinion Fox News Lifestyle Fox News Health DOWNLOAD OUR APPS Fox Business Fox Weather Fox Sports Tubi WATCH FOX NEWS ONLINE Fox News Go STREAM FOX NATION Fox Nation Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future with Fox News here. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dfa6c2c5335ae10460d81 OpenAI hires new CRO as executive shake-up continues te 2026-08-13T17:10:04.220Z OpenAI hires new CRO as executive shake-up continues Dali Rajic will take over as OpenAI's top salesperson. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7df81d2c5335ae10460d55 Mark Consuelos confesses what would keep him in 'loveless marriage' with Kelly Ripa te 2026-08-13T17:00:13.189Z Mark Consuelos confesses what would keep him in 'loveless marriage' with Kelly Ripa Mark Consuelos revealed that he’d rather stay in a "loveless marriage" with Kelly Ripa than risk losing their dog Lena in a divorce. "How do we fight over pets in a divorce?" Ripa asked in the opening segment of Tuesday's episode of "Live with Kelly and Mark," a prerecorded episode from before she was out for oral surgery. "I mean, listen. Let’s just put it this way," Consuelos responded. "I would stay in a loveless marriage just to make sure I could be with Lena every day. That’s how much I love Lena." KELLY RIPA'S PAINFUL SURGERY LEAVES HER UNABLE TO SPEAK Ripa asked him sarcastically, "Is that all you’re asking for is a loveless marriage? Because that can be arranged." Consuelos added that if he ever lost Lena in a divorce, he would "stay up at night, wondering what she is doing." Ripa quipped that he would be "wondering if there was some other man petting her." They were discussing a new bill in Pennsylvania that would change pets from being considered property to members of the family in a divorce, according to People. The couple rescued Lena, a Maltese and Shih Tzu mix, in 2021 after she was featured in a pet adoption segment on the show. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Ripa said her main worry when she adopted Lena was that she wouldn’t get along with Chewie, a Shih Tzu she adopted from a 2007 segment on the show. Chewie died last year at 17 years old. The two dogs got along right away, she said — but her children wanted Lena to be named after a "Star Wars" character. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "My kids want her to be named Leia, as in Princess Leia, because we have Chewie," she said on the show soon after adopting the pup, according to People. "I don't know. I need guidance." But the name Lena stuck. Ripa talked about the importance of rescuing pets on the show in 2022. "Adopt your dogs if you can, because they’re the best," she said to applause from the audience. "They’re like, ‘We’ve been in the system, we don’t want to go back. We’re going to be extra good. We’re hardly going to poop anywhere we’re not supposed to, and we’re rarely going to chew things that aren’t meant to be chewed.'" Ripa and Consuelos have been married for 30 years and they share three children. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7df81c2c5335ae10460d4c Lioness star Michael Kelly calls Taylor Sheridan 'one of the greatest storytellers' in entertainment te 2026-08-13T17:00:12.212Z Lioness star Michael Kelly calls Taylor Sheridan 'one of the greatest storytellers' in entertainment "Lioness" star Michael Kelly is a huge fan of Taylor Sheridan. The third season of Sheridan's Paramount+ CIA/military series is currently airing, and as expected, it's absolutely awesome. Of course, that's far from Sheridan's only monster hit. He's responsible for creating the "Yellowstone" universe, "Sicario," "Landman," "Wind River" and many other exceptional projects. ZOE SALDAÑA SAYS TAYLOR SHERIDAN 'REALLY SEES WOMEN' AS LIONESS SEASON THREE HITS PARAMOUNT+ The man has no equal in entertainment. Kelly is one of the major figures in "Lioness," and it sounds like he'll do literally any project Sheridan might cook up. The talented actor told ScreenRant the following when discussing the creative visionary: I've never thought about how the shows could cross over, but I have told Taylor, I'm like, 'Bro, anything you ever want me to do, I'll do. I love being in Texas. I love saying your words.' I think he's truly a standalone talent. There's nobody who's doing or has ever done what he's doing. It's incredible what he does. And he's just one of the smartest dudes you'll ever meet. He's fricking brilliant, man. Brilliant. And just one of the greatest storytellers. TAYLOR SHERIDAN’S 'YELLOWSTONE’ FORMULA TURNS COUNTRY STARS INTO SCENE-STEALERS AS MORGAN WADE MAKES HER DEBUT CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK CULTURE COVERAGE Kelly's comments about wanting to do any project Sheridan has is pretty on-point. The stars the "Yellowstone" creator attracts are outstanding. He's worked with Kevin Costner, Sam Elliott, Zoe Saldaña, Nicole Kidman, Morgan Freeman, Jeremy Renner, Billy Bob Thornton and more. Getting into a Sheridan project is about the biggest thing you can do in the entertainment world in 2026, and it all started with "Yellowstone." SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS Now, there's no looking back, and his new deal with NBCUniversal is reportedly worth north of $1 billion. It pays well to be at the top of the mountain. What's your favorite Sheridan movie or show? Let me know at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7df5c22c5335ae10460cf5 Justice Department slams 'politically motivated demands' of DC Council asking govs to remove National Guard te 2026-08-13T16:50:10.281Z Justice Department slams 'politically motivated demands' of DC Council asking govs to remove National Guard The Justice Department slammed the D.C. Council for its "politically motivated demands" and "impotent theatrics" after its members sent letters to governors asking them to recall their National Guard troops from the nation’s capital. The development comes as FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News Digital this week that "homicides in D.C. are down an incredible 44% from last year" when President Donald Trump’s administration launched the Safe and Beautiful initiative in Washington, D.C., which increased the federal law enforcement presence and deployed hundreds of federal agents and National Guard troops to combat crime. "I am not surprised that your recent letter to state governors regarding the National Guard feigns ignorance of the historic public safety strides made in our Nation's capital since August 11, 2025," Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald wrote in a letter addressed to the D.C. Council. "I am surprised and saddened, however, that you would show such callousness — instead of compassion and care — toward your constituents, who now live in a city with far less violence and fear thanks to the National Guard and the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force." "Let me be clear, your council has no power to demand that governors remove their brave men and women from serving in uniform in our Nation's capital. Your politically-motivated letter is impotent theatrics not worth the paper it's written on, and D.C. is a much safer place no matter what you say," McDonald added. "Because you refuse to speak the truth about the life-preserving work of the Task Force, the truth will speak for itself." FBI TOUTS 6,000 ARRESTS, 44% HOMICIDE DROP ONE YEAR INTO TRUMP'S DC CRIME CRACKDOWN The Justice Department said in a message on X that "This Department of Justice will not stand for these politically motivated demands." "We will continue standing with @POTUS and the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force to deliver historic results for the community — and for visitors from across the country and around the world to enjoy," it added. Fox News Digital has reached out to representatives of D.C. Council members for comment. The letters, co-signed by the D.C. Council members, were sent to the governors of Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia and Wyoming in late July, according to the office of Councilmember At-Large Robert White. Each letter opened the same, saying, "We write as elected officials representing the District of Columbia to respectfully request that you withdraw all troops currently deployed to the District by September 1, 2026." DC MURDER RATE SEES ASTONISHING TURNAROUND AS TRUMP TEAM CREDITS FEDERAL CRACKDOWN "There are approximately 5,148 Guard personnel currently deployed to the District under the premise that an extraordinary military presence was necessary to address public safety. Yet analysis of the deployment has found only a modest decrease in property crime and no measurable reduction in violent crime attributable to the Guard’s presence since August 2025," the letters continue. "The deployment has, however, cost American taxpayers more than $3 million per day, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Continuing this deployment despite the absence of a demonstrated violent-crime benefit would misuse both taxpayer dollars — in the billions, if maintained for years at its expanded scale — and the service of the Guard member themselves," the letters add, claiming that at a time where families in each of the states "and across the country are struggling with the cost of groceries, housing, health care, and other necessities, wasting those resources on an ineffective, indefinite deployment that neither District residents nor officials asked for is disrespectful to American taxpayers." The letters conclude by saying that: "We recognize that the America 250 events present significant public safety and logistical challenges for the District and have required coordination across multiple jurisdictions. We are grateful to the Guard members who have been present to support the nation’s capital during this exceptionally busy period. Once the principal event-related needs conclude on September 1, 2026, we respectfully ask that they be permitted to return home to their families, careers and communities, rather than remain indefinitely assigned to a costly mission that has not demonstrated a measurable impact on violent crime." However, McDonald said in his letter "Thanks to courageous and steadfast support from National Guard units, Task Force members have conducted thousands of arrests, located lost and missing children, and taken substantial numbers of illegal firearms off the city's streets" and that the National Guard "has personally intervened in numerous assaults and provided medical aid on innumerable occasions, including repeatedly administering life-saving NARCAN to citizens in peril." "While you slander these men and women as ‘outside military forces,’ I refer to them as true American heroes," he also said. "You should withdraw your letters and dedicate your remaining time in public service to correcting D.C.'s laws to ensure criminals are punished and the public is protected — not the other way around." Fox News Digital’s Michael Sinkewicz contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7df5c12c5335ae10460cec Joey Chestnut suffers shocking defeat at minor league baseball game but it comes with one giant asterisk te 2026-08-13T16:50:09.576Z Joey Chestnut suffers shocking defeat at minor league baseball game but it comes with one giant asterisk I've said it many times, unironically: Joey Chestnut is one of, if not the most dominant athletes of all time. But even Michael Jordan took a couple of losses in his day, and the man they call "Jaws" just took a heartbreaking loss in a tater tot eating contest during his barnstorming tour of minor league baseball stadiums. However, this loss will come with one big, fat asterisk. JOEY CHESTNUT REVEALS FOODS HE WON'T EAT IN COMPETITION AS HE TOURS MINOR LEAGUE STADIUMS FOR LOCAL DELICACIES Chestnut has been going around the country for special events and doing what he does best, eating copious amounts of food and obliterating the competition in the process. However, when he rolled into a Lake Country DockHounds game just outside of Milwaukee, Chestnut met his match. He lost the tater tot eating contest by just one tenth of an ounce. Down goes Chestnut! Down goes Chestnut! A stunner. I can't even wrap my head around how much tater tot is equal to a tenth of an ounce. I wish I had a bag of Ore-Ida's and a kitchen scale on me to figure it out (I checked the freezer; no tots, but there was a freezer-burned bag of Arby's curly fries in the back, so we were close). It has to be like a sliver of a tot. You could accidentally inhale that much and not even notice. A shocking defeat... or is it? Reread that post: Chestnut took on pairs of fans. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS That means two guys tag-teamed trays of tots like a pair of hungry Napoleon Dynamites and still only won by less of a tater tot than is probably between your driver's seat and center console right now. STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW! So you know what? That's not a loss for Chestnut; that's a win in my book, and the record books should reflect that. Give him the L, but let's make sure that there's an asterisk on stand-by to explain it. I knew there was no way Jaws was going down mano-a-mano in a tot-off. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7df36c2c5335ae10460c98 Trump admin marks 15 straight months with zero border releases as apprehensions plunge 94% te 2026-08-13T16:40:12.146Z Trump admin marks 15 straight months with zero border releases as apprehensions plunge 94% President Donald Trump's administration says it has gone 15 straight months without a single release at the border as of Thursday. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin's office says daily apprehensions at the border are down 94% compared to former President Joe Biden's administration and are at the lowest level seen in 30 years. "Again this month, the results are clear: President Trump’s border security agenda is restoring order and putting the safety of the American people first," Mullin said in a statement. "DHS remains focused on enforcing our immigration laws, securing the border, and ensuring those who enter our country illegally are removed swiftly. Thanks to the strong leadership of President Trump, we have the most secure border in history," he added. 'AMERICA FIRST' IMMIGRATION OVERHAUL BILL WOULD CODIFY TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN PROMISES ONCE AND FOR ALL Meanwhile, seizures of contraband at the border in July were 26% higher than under Biden, with authorities seizing cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl and marijuana. INSIDE UNDERGROUND EL PASO STORM DRAIN SYSTEM BORDER PATROL SAYS CARTELS EXPLOIT TO SMUGGLE ILLEGAL MIGRANTS U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) also helped enforce Trump's tariff policies, flagging $23 billion in duties identified for collection in July alone. "Clear policy, strong enforcement, and dedicated frontline personnel are delivering results at our borders," CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott said in a statement. "With the support of President Trump and Secretary Mullin, CBP is securing our nation against illegal crossings, dangerous individuals, and illicit drugs while keeping lawful trade and travel moving. These results show what is possible when border security is treated as a national priority," he added. The Trump administration is still moving to increase its immigration enforcement efforts. Last month, the House of Representatives moved toward codifying several of Trump's immigration orders. The Permanent Trump Secure Border Act would criminalize visa overstays and increase penalties for unlawful entry, would effectively end "catch and release" policies by requiring most illegal migrants to be detained or returned while their cases are pending and tighten asylum eligibility and humanitarian parole, among other provisions. The measure would also bolster the CBP by directing the DHS to modernize border facilities, expand staffing and workforce planning and deploy more surveillance technology, including drones, radar systems, biometric screening and DNA collection. Fox News' Adam Pack contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7df3672c5335ae10460c7d Police: Boy who leaped from London Bridge dies after Tuesday incident te 2026-08-13T16:40:07.661Z Police: Boy who leaped from London Bridge dies after Tuesday incident The Lake Havasu City Police Department has confirmed that a child who reportedly leaped from the London Bridge this week has died while receiving medical treatment in Las Vegas. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7df3652c5335ae10460c66 Patinadores esperan que nuevo parque impulse el stake te 2026-08-13T16:40:05.272Z Patinadores esperan que nuevo parque impulse el stake Leer en inglés Seis décadas después de que Tucson inaugurara el primer parque de patinaje del mundo, la ciudad acaba de iniciar la construcción de uno nuevo; los patinadores veteranos afirman que este proyecto en Cushing Street, que contará con zonas de sombra, podría revitalizar una escena que había perdido fuerza tras su época dorada. Aunque el proyecto ha enfrentado contratiempos, su apertura está prevista para diciembre, lo que genera gran entusiasmo tanto entre los patinadores veteranos de Tucson como entre quienes no practican este deporte. Los miembros de la comunidad del patinaje señalan que contar con un espacio específico y con sombra beneficiará a personas de todas las edades. "Creo que impulsará la escena. Creo que más chicos se animarán a patinar," comentó Zen Butler, propietario de la tienda BLX Skateshop, durante una visita reciente al establecimiento. "Antes no era tan popular; no formaba parte de la cultura popular tanto como ahora. Realmente tenías que tener muchas ganas de hacerlo." Dane Clark, amigo de Butler, señaló que el crecimiento conlleva responsabilidad. "Si vas a incluir a más personas, estas deberían, al menos, ser tolerantes con la cultura. Así es como se mejora," afirmó Clark. Erik Cox tenía una perspectiva ligeramente distinta. "El skateboarding es muy inclusivo, aunque al mismo tiempo ha habido momentos de exclusividad. Es una disciplina muy difícil de dominar," dijo Cox. Butler, Clark y Cox han formado parte de la escena del patinaje desde que eran niños. Han visto cómo esta contracultura crecía, evolucionaba y adquiría nuevos significados a lo largo de los años, especialmente con el auge de las redes sociales. "Lo que hoy se considera una buena forma de patinar es muy diferente a lo que era antes", comentó Cox. "Antiguamente no veías tantos videos; si te gustaba un profesional, quizás veías imágenes suyas una vez al año." El Foco de Tucson es gratuito para todos los lectores gracias a las donaciones. Únete a ellos. Tablas y accesorios de skate llenan las estanterías de BLX Skateshop, donde su propietario, Zen Butler, y clientes de larga trayectoria reflexionaron sobre cómo ha evolucionado la cultura del skate en Tucson a lo largo de las décadas. Gabrielle Cotnoir / El foco del Tucson. Butler señaló un catalizador específico para ese cambio. "Creo que Instagram transformó el skateboarding en lo que vemos ahora. Si Instagram no hubiera existido, no creo que hubiéramos visto tal magnitud de cambios," afirmó Butler, señalando que las ventas se dispararon durante la pandemia de COVID, ya que los videos en línea impulsaron la contracultura hacia el centro de las tendencias del momento.” Desde entonces, se ha producido un cambio notable en la escena del skate, orientándose principalmente hacia la estética. "También influye algo propio de Tucson. Creo que el hecho de no haber tenido un buen parque durante tantos años tuvo mucho que ver," comentó Butler.” Clark planteó una teoría diferente. "La verdad es que la gente simplemente perdió el interés," dijo Clark. "Supongo que son los veranos calurosos los que disuaden a la gente." Sin embargo, no todos los cambios son negativos. Las personas vinculadas a BLX Skateshop expresaron su entusiasmo por el nuevo parque de skate, destacando el éxito del Eric Michael Ogden Skate Park, situado en la intersección de Pima Street y Dodge Boulevard. "Siempre está abarrotado," señaló Clark. Aunque el parque suele estar lleno por la noche, durante el día hay menos afluencia, probablemente debido al calor. La descripción del parque de skate Cushing, publicada en el sitio web de la ciudad, indica que ofrecerá un espacio exclusivo para skaters de todos los niveles en una zona urbana que hasta ahora estaba infrautilizada. "El proyecto representa una inversión significativa en recreación, participación juvenil y desarrollo comunitario," afirma el sitio web. BLX Skateshop organizó una fiesta posterior a la ceremonia de inicio de obras celebrada el 30 de junio, invitando a los asistentes a acercarse y celebrar la apertura del parque con música, proyecciones, comida y trucos. BLX Skateshop organiza regularmente eventos destinados a unir a la comunidad del skate. Se puede encontrar información sobre estos eventos en su cuenta de Instagram y en otras redes sociales. Gabrielle Cotnoir es estudiante de periodismo en la Universidad de Arizona y pasante en El Foco de Tucson. Puede contactarla en gabriellecnews@gmail.com. Esta nota fue traducida por el equipo bilingüe de El Foco de Tucson. 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/6a7df3632c5335ae10460c4a Ford on track to complete $2B factory overhaul for Fathom EV truck te 2026-08-13T16:40:03.048Z Ford on track to complete $2B factory overhaul for Fathom EV truck Ford expects to begin prototype builds of the Fathom EV in the first quarter of 2027. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7df1122c5335ae10460c27 Soccer host and model Eva Murati skillfully extends a middle finger to those itching for fall in her bikini te 2026-08-13T16:30:10.091Z Soccer host and model Eva Murati skillfully extends a middle finger to those itching for fall in her bikini I may never have written a more accurate headline than the one I wrote last summer when I brilliantly announced, "Nobody Bikini Vacations Harder Than Champions League Host & Model Eva Murati." It was true then and it's true now. It was at the exact same time that it is now. It was August, we were waiting for football season to kickoff, and the Albanian actress, model, and host was going as hard as someone can go on a vacation. There was intent, beyond making sure she remained the internet's favorite Champions League host. That intent, I should mention and to Murati's credit, remains in her latest vacation effort. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! It's a testament to her. She's skillfully extending a middle finger to those out there itching for fall to arrive. She's doing something she says is "Summermaxxing," whatever that is in her bikini. While I'm not going to try to figure out "maxxing," I get what Eva Murati is doing here. She's taking summer down to the wire. She's not reaching for the pumpkin spice. Fall can wait. It's how she's able to extend herself beyond the soccer world. Speaking of that and of brilliant headlines, calling for Murati to cover college football is another great call. THREE COLLEGE FOOTBALL STORYLINES TO FOCUS ON INSTEAD OF LSU COACH LANE KIFFIN THIS OFFSEASON Shortly after I scouted the vacation last year, Joe was pushing for that. That hasn't taken place yet, but sometimes it takes a while for the ball to get rolling on those sorts of game-changing moves. Not everyone is moving at the same pace. The talent is there. It's getting the right people to open their eyes and recognize it, that's the trick. I let important moves like Eva Murati working college football work themselves out. All I really have control of is properly identifying content at the right moment in time. The rest is out of my hands. Eva Murati and her summer vacations moving to college football would be great for her brand. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7df1112c5335ae10460c1e Warren’s ancestry saga roars back after Dem ally touts Native Senate first: ‘Arrows fired’ te 2026-08-13T16:30:09.275Z Warren’s ancestry saga roars back after Dem ally touts Native Senate first: ‘Arrows fired’ Minnesota Democratic Senate nominee Peggy Flanagan is pitching donors on the prospect of becoming the first Native American woman to serve in the U.S. Senate — drawing attention to one of her prominent endorsers, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, whose past claims of Native American identity became a yearslong political controversy. "In almost 250 years, there’s never been a Native woman serving in the US Senate. It’s time to change that," the email reads. "I am Ojibwe and a proud member of the White Earth Nation. My family is the Wolf Clan. The mission of my clan is to never leave anyone behind — and that’s been my guiding principle … Right now, there are no Native voices in the US Senate. If I win this race, we can change that." Throughout her career, Warren identified herself as a Native American, writing "American Indian" on her Texas bar-registration card and describing herself as a minority in the Association of American Law Schools directory. Since 2019, Warren has walked back her indigenous identity, clarifying that she is not a person of color nor a citizen of a tribe, and stating that she should not have identified herself as an American Indian. TAFOYA MAKES 'COMMON SENSE' PITCH TO DISAFFECTED DEMOCRATS AS SHE VOWS TO FIGHT MINNESOTA’S ‘SOCIALIST LURCH’ "Wow, arrows fired," podcast host Michael Duncan wrote of the email. Warren supported Flanagan in Minnesota's Democratic Senate primary. "The Democrat nominee for Senate in Minnesota, Peggy Flanagan , just sent out a fundraising email on the DNC list that admits that Elizabeth Warren is NOT Native American," conservative commentator Steve Guest posted to X, adding, "tough break for Fauxcahontas." "Has anybody checked on Elizabeth Warren?" the Republican Party quipped on X. "Elizabeth Warren just took her peace pipe and went home to throw a tantrum," another user replied. WARREN PUSHED ‘FREE AND EASY’ IRS FILING SYSTEM, BUT DOCS REVEAL WHAT SHE USED INSTEAD President Donald Trump famously lampooned Warren’s claimed ancestry by labeling her "Pocahontas." The feud between the two culminated in Warren taking a genetic test in 2018, which found she was between 0.1% and 1.6% Native American. "Excuse me? How dare she disrespect Elizabeth Warren like that?" libertarian commentator Brad Polumbo wrote, ironically. ELIZABETH WARREN CONFRONTED ON CALLING CONTROVERSIAL SENATE CANDIDATE GRAHAM PLATNER HER 'KIND OF MAN' Multiple X users posted AI-generated images of Warren in Native American garb looking dejected or angry in response to the fundraising email. "Elizabeth Warren is doing a land acknowledgement on Flanagan's head," New York Post columnist Kirsten Fleming quipped. "I can say this because I am part of the Cherokee Nation, but these two should powwow over this," podcaster Dave Van de Walle joked. The Flanagan campaign and Warren’s office did not respond to requests for comment when reached by Fox News Digital on Thursday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7df10a2c5335ae10460bfc California May Let Residents Choose ‘Jewish’ as an Ethnic Identifier te 2026-08-13T16:30:02.318Z California May Let Residents Choose ‘Jewish’ as an Ethnic Identifier A bill would allow Jews to identify themselves as an ethnic group on state forms. Supporters argue it’s a step toward acknowledging the complex nature of Jewish identity. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7deeba2c5335ae10460bc4 WATCH: Top House Republican brands El-Sayed, Mamdani 'hair tonic salesmen' in brutal jab te 2026-08-13T16:20:10.578Z WATCH: Top House Republican brands El-Sayed, Mamdani 'hair tonic salesmen' in brutal jab The No. 3 House Republican is arguing that fringe Democrats who are fast becoming top figures on the left are selling Americans a false bill of goods. "Unfortunately, you've got these hair tonic salesmen like [Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed] and [New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani] that are selling them literally the same thing that Pinocchio was sold when he was taken to the island, that you're going to get everything and of course everybody turns into a donkey," House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., told Fox News Digital. A far-left insurgency has gripped the primary election season this year, toppling establishment Democrats in multiple states across the country. It's provided fodder for Republicans, who are fighting an uphill battle to keep control of Congress and who are arguing that Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)-linked candidates are farther to the left than what most people in the country are comfortable with. SOCIALIST VICTORIES SHOW DEMS' DESCENT DOWN 'DEADLY PATH OF COMMUNISM,' JOHNSON WARNS DSA-linked candidates in New York, Colorado, and Michigan have already defeated four sitting House Democrats and will likely ascend to the House of Representatives next year. El-Sayed, who has denied being a Democratic socialist but aligns closely with groups and people who do identify with the label, defeated an establishment-backed moderate in Michigan's Senate primary. "Somebody who's talented and works hard can actually achieve in this country. They object to that, because you know what? Everybody should have the same in their book, regardless of their abilities, regardless of their effort," Emmer said. "It's never worked anywhere else in the world in history. Their way doesn't work. Unfortunately, we got a lot of young people who have been done a disservice with the education. They may have to learn this firsthand." DEMOCRATS LURE ‘POLITICALLY HOMELESS’ GEN Z TOWARD SOCIALISM — A COUNTERATTACK IS TAKING SHAPE "There are challenges in this country that we cannot ignore, right? People are struggling to make ends meet. This generation has more bills than any generation before them, because of their cell phones and the streaming services and all the things that they have that they have to deal with every day," Emmer said. He said younger Americans are feeling "frustration" at those challenges, but that the socialist left is pushing solutions that are untenable. Visitors to the DSA website are asked to envision a world largely free of bills and a "future without capitalism," where, "you work as much as you are able and no more than needed." It's a similar tone to Karl Marx's infamous phrase describing a communist utopia, "From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs." But Emmer pointed out that Marx's theories have rarely, if ever, played out as a successful government system. CAPITALISM IS ABOUT INCENTIVES. STOPPING THE STUPIDITY OF SOCIALISM IS A BIG INCENTIVE "There is nothing democratic about socialism," he said. And while they are hundreds of miles apart in geography, El-Sayed and Mamdani's links to the DSA and popularity among young left-wing voters have made them top bogeymen for the right. Mamdani is a DSA member. El-Sayed is not, but has been backed by prominent figures in the organization. Fox News Digital reached out to El-Sayed's campaign for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7deeb92c5335ae10460bbb El-Sayed invokes Jesus while accusing Mike Rogers of hiding behind ‘simulacrum of faith’ te 2026-08-13T16:20:09.830Z El-Sayed invokes Jesus while accusing Mike Rogers of hiding behind ‘simulacrum of faith’ Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed drew sharp Republican rebukes after invoking Jesus Christ to question GOP opponent Mike Rogers' Christian faith during an "I've Had It Podcast" interview, escalating a personal clash in the pivotal race for Michigan's open Senate seat. Michigan Republican Party spokesperson Ted Goodman told Fox News Digital Wednesday that El-Sayed had no standing to dismiss Rogers’ faith while lecturing Christians about their religion. "It's quite something for Mr. El-Sayed to lecture Christians on the teachings of Jesus while dismissing a man’s sincere faith as somehow, 'simulacrum,'" Goodman said. DEM ATTORNEY BACKS GOP HOPEFUL IN MICHIGAN RACE AGAINST EL-SAYED, 'JUMPING SHIP' FROM HIS PARTY'S 'LUNATICS' "Whether one is a practicing Christian or not, no serious person can minimize the profound contributions of Christian teaching, morality, and philosophy to the founding principles and enduring greatness of America, or to the character of public servants like Mike Rogers who live them out," he added. El-Sayed made the remarks after host Jennifer Welch raised questions about members of Rogers' campaign faith coalition and their connection to Living Word Church. El-Sayed accused Rogers of invoking religion without following what he described as Christ's eternal message. "He’s going to hide behind this simulacrum of faith, which clearly, you know, if you followed the teachings of Jesus Christ, it was about upending the system against the richest and most powerful in the ways that they used their power and their money to subjugate other people," El-Sayed said. "Like, that was the essential teaching." In a Wednesday statement to Fox News Digital, RNC national spokesperson Natalie Baldassarre responded by questioning El-Sayed's compatibility with American culture. MICHIGAN SENATE RACE: EL-SAYED’S TIES TO EXTREMIST FUEL ANTISEMITISM CONCERNS AMONG JEWISH VOTERS "He's fundamentally incompatible with Western values and invoking Jesus' name isn't going to change that," Baldassarre said. Rogers broadened the cultural dispute during an appearance on "Hannity," accusing El-Sayed of opposing American traditions popular with Michigan voters. "When I go back, I want to, you know, make sure we're protecting our faith, and our families, and our factories, while he’s advocating… doing away with our fireworks, football, the 4th of July," Rogers said. "This guy spent hours hating on what most Michiganders would enjoy in their pastimes, and he should be held into account for that." El-Sayed answered Rogers' criticism Wednesday by challenging him on X to play football without protective equipment. MICHIGAN DEM SENATE NOMINEE COMES UNDER FIRE OVER RESURFACED BLOG POST LINKING FOOTBALL TO 'TOXIC MASCULINITY' "Since you're too afraid to debate me, how about you ‘hold me accountable’ on a football field instead. Tackle, no pads like we used to play when we were kids. I'd be happy to show you how much I love football," El-Sayed said. El-Sayed defeated establishment-backed Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., in last week's Democratic primary and will face Rogers in November for the seat vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. Fox News Digital reached out to El-Sayed and Rogers for comment, but did not immediately receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7deeb32c5335ae10460b9a Judge Dismisses Federal Government’s Antisemitism Case Against Harvard te 2026-08-13T16:20:03.537Z Judge Dismisses Federal Government’s Antisemitism Case Against Harvard The government argued the university had not done enough to combat antisemitism during campus protests. A judge called the incidents “isolated and episodic.” Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dec652c5335ae10460b59 DiJonai Carrington hits two players across the face, receives technical foul after Sophie Cunningham drama te 2026-08-13T16:10:13.092Z DiJonai Carrington hits two players across the face, receives technical foul after Sophie Cunningham drama Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington swears that she isn't a dirty player, but her actions on the court aren't exactly helping that narrative. Carrington made major headlines last week by committing a very hard foul on Sophie Cunningham during a layup attempt that left the Indiana Fever star with a bloody mouth. Carrington was ejected from the contest after the foul was determined to be a Flagrant 2, and shortly after being tossed from the contest, posted "WHITE PRIVILEGE" on her Instagram Threads account, insinuating skin color played a role in the decision. Fast-forward just four days after the foul and controversy involving Cunningham, and Carrington was back on the floor making contact with players' faces. CLUELESS WNBA ATTACKS 'BAD-FAITH' FANS WHO DON'T WANT BIOLOGICAL MEN RUINING WOMEN'S SPORTS During Chicago's 91-71 loss to the Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday, Carrington was guarding Cecilia Zandalasini on the perimeter, and while swiping at the ball, caught the Golden State forward in the eye. The hand movement from Carrington on the play was odd. While she was clearly using her right hand to attack the ball, her left hand was in a position where it was physically impossible for her to reach the ball unless it went through Zandalasini's face. Players being poked in the eye or catching a finger across the face while being closely defended is a typical play in basketball, but the same can't be said for Carrington's second above-the-neck hit against Golden State. As Tiffany Hayes made a mid-air move on a layup attempt, Carrington jumped with her and threw her arm down, failing to hit the basketball, and instead caught the Valkyries' guard in the mouth. Neither of Carrington's fouls to the face against Golden State resulted in flagrant or technical fouls, but she did pick up what was her second technical of the season for arguing with a referee during the third quarter. With Carrington now hitting three separate players in the face in just a four-day stretch, it's worth revisiting the message she posted on X during the 2025 season about not being a dirty player. "Yall fAnS swear i’m such a dirty player. I’m SO over this narrative bc if u really know bball, u know I jus play hard asf & never give up on a play," Carrington wrote in June 2025. "&yup, we challenged the last couple flagrants & got em rescinded bc I’m ALWAYS tryna make a play on the ball nun more, nun less." Carrington did not receive any form of repercussions for her Flagrant 2 foul on Cunningham or for posting "WHITE PRIVILEGE" on social media. The WNBA did not address the situation publicly and did not issue a comment to OutKick upon multiple requests. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! According to Carrington, folks who assumed that her post about white privilege played a role in the foul on Cunningham or her ejection had it all wrong. "I’ve never once claimed that the assessment of the foul was white privilege (that was your assumption)," Cunningam wrote on X, two days after her hard foul on Cunningham. "Furthermore, I’m the LAST thing from ignorant or asinine when it comes to speaking on 'white privilege,' do ya research on that one," she continued. "I actually went to school, one of the top universities might I add, to educate myself on this exact subject," Carrington, who attended Stanford for four years before grad-transferring to Baylor, added. "I would never use that term as a rhetorical weapon knowing the historical and social weight it holds without having the proper evidence to substantiate it." Cunningham came off the bench for Chicago against Golden State on Wednesday, scoring three points while shooting 1-for-9 from the floor in 24 minutes of action. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dec642c5335ae10460b50 Florida father gunned down while intervening in fight after dropping daughter off for first day of school te 2026-08-13T16:10:12.380Z Florida father gunned down while intervening in fight after dropping daughter off for first day of school A Florida father who had just dropped off his daughter for her first day of elementary school was shot and killed after trying to intervene in a fight between a man and a woman, police and reports said. Daryl Hill, 56, now leaves behind his wife, two adult children and his 10-year-old daughter following the incident Tuesday morning near Wolf Lake Elementary School in Apopka, according to FOX 35 Orlando. "He’s got the biggest heart in the entire world," Damon Hill, his son, told the station. "He loved everybody... He just loved his fellow person, and he was very non-judgmental." The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said the shooting unfolded after witnesses described seeing a man and woman fighting inside a vehicle, before the vehicle crashed and the brawl spilled outside. BYSTANDER SHOT DEAD AFTER INTERVENING IN FLORIDA MAN, WOMAN'S ROADSIDE FIGHT; MURDER SUSPECT WAS OUT ON BOND "Witnessing that altercation, a Good Samaritan attempted to intervene and was shot. That man, 56-year-old Daryl Alexander Hill, later died at the hospital," the sheriff's office said. "Mr. Hill was simply trying to help someone who appeared to be in distress when he was shot by 26-year-old Raul Lionel Vazquez. Vazquez was arrested on a charge of Second-Degree Murder," it added. Suzanne Hill, Daryl’s wife, told Spectrum News 13 that her husband was a "friend, family and stranger: he cared for everybody and helped everybody and always stepped in, which I think is ultimately what took his life." Police said the shooting happened at Plymouth Sorrento and West Ponkan roads in Apopka, which is down the road from the elementary school. Before Hill was shot, Vazquez and a woman, Kaidy Honaker, were seen by multiple witnesses fighting inside their white Chevy Silverado pickup truck when it crashed into a black Lexus, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by Fox News Digital. The two continued their heated altercation on the sidewalk. VIDEO SHOWS MOMENTS BEFORE ARMY VETERAN WAS FATALLY SHOT IN WALMART PARKING LOT DISPUTE Vazquez, who was seen shirtless and wearing no shoes, got in Honaker's face and appeared to be yelling and pointing at her, the affidavit said. Two witnesses said they saw Hill riding a bicycle nearby and told authorities that he got involved in the argument, which led to Vazquez and Hill tackling each other into the bushes, per the affidavit. According to the affidavit, Honaker joined the fight as well, later saying she did so to pull Hill off Vazquez. After the fight in the bushes, Hill began running away from Vazquez and Honaker, yelling "help" with his hands in the air, the affidavit said. Vazquez retrieved what was later determined to be a shotgun from his pickup truck and fired one round, hitting Hill and causing him to fall to the ground, according to the affidavit. In an interview with investigators, Vazquez offered "many different accounts" of what happened but said that Hill "was fighting him and getting the better of him," according to the affidavit. At the time of the shooting, Vazquez was out on bond for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. FOX 35 reported that a judge has since revoked that bond and ordered him held without bond in that case and for the second-degree murder charge. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dec632c5335ae10460b47 Alarming study finds top chatbots more likely to repeat falsehoods from the left: ‘Truly astonishing’ te 2026-08-13T16:10:11.661Z Alarming study finds top chatbots more likely to repeat falsehoods from the left: ‘Truly astonishing’ Three of the world’s four leading artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots are more likely to fall for political falsehoods from the left than the right, while frequently backing their answers with sources that don’t support their claims or don’t exist, according to a comprehensive new study. The study, conducted by Just Facts, tested paid versions of ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok and Claude using 100 questions on immigration, abortion, climate change, elections, crime, gun control, COVID-19 and other key issues. The questions were "designed to elicit falsehoods" from the left and the right, with each chatbot required to provide sources for its answers. The study found ChatGPT correctly answered 94% of questions designed to elicit falsehoods from the right, compared with 75% from the left. Gemini scored 91% on the right and 76% on the left, while Claude scored 91% on the right and 81% on the left. Grok moved in the opposite direction, scoring 73% on questions designed to elicit falsehoods from the right and 84% on those from the left, according to the study. AI CHATBOTS TAKE HEAT OVER LEFT-WING BIAS: ‘NO LONGER BE CONSIDERED NEUTRAL’ "This study goes a lot deeper than political bias," Jim Agresti, president of the nonprofit research institute Just Facts, told Fox News Digital. "It is meant to show how often these AIs are propagating misinformation. Now, you can be biased without being misinformed. This is a much deeper study because many studies have been done on AI political bias, and they uniformly find that they're biased to the left. But that doesn't necessarily mean they're wrong. So what I wanted to ascertain is: Are they wrong, or are they right?" ChatGPT was the only chatbot whose difference in accuracy on questions designed to elicit falsehoods from the political left versus the political right was statistically significant at the 95% confidence level, the study found. Notably, the study cautioned that its precisely worded questions may have given the chatbots "clear roadmaps to find the correct answers," meaning they could "perform significantly worse" on broader questions where "critical thinking is necessary to answer correctly." "ChatGPT was effectively a C student," Agresti said. "Gemini was a C student. Claude was a B student. Grok, on the other hand, was the reverse. It was better at vetting falsehoods from the left than the right." But Agresti said an even bigger concern was the sources the chatbots cited to support their answers. "The thing that really jumped out at me when I started going through the sources they provided is that roughly half of the sources were illegitimate," he said. The four chatbots cited 419 sources for their 400 answers, but many were flawed, according to the study. Among them were 104 webpages that did not exist and 77 sources that failed to answer the questions they were cited to support. WILLIAM BENNETT, JON HAGE: AI CAN MIMIC A TEACHER, BUT IT CANNOT SHEPHERD A SOUL Overall, the study found that just 46% of the sources cited by the chatbots were valid. ChatGPT had the highest rate at 57%, followed by Gemini at 49%, Claude at 44% and Grok at 32%. "This was truly astonishing to me, and when I started digging deeper, I noticed that other studies had come to this conclusion as well," Agresti said. Pointing to a 2026 study published in The Lancet and cited in the report, Agresti said that previous research found 30% to 69% of AI-generated references in biomedical contexts were "fabricated," which the report called a "well-documented failure mode" of AI models. "The consequences of this are astonishing because we're talking about biomedicine, in other words, people's health," he said. "They're equally important in the realm of public policy because many issues have life or death implications whether we're talking about health care, crime, abortion, war and peace. The decisions people make can kill people or allow people to live." A question designed to elicit a falsehood from the left prompted all four chatbots to say the U.S. violent crime rate was near a 50-year low in 2023. The study cited Justice Department data showing violent crime rose 37% from 2020 to 2023. By contrast, all four rejected President Donald Trump’s claim that "crime is worse than it’s ever been." ChatGPT and Gemini also said Vice President JD Vance called school shootings a "fact of life," which the study classified as a falsehood from the left. Vance was referring to "psychos" who "want to make headlines" as a "fact of life," the study said. In other examples classified as falsehoods from the left, all four chatbots said the Obama administration altered intelligence assessments to downplay the threat of ISIS and that men and women generally earn equal pay for equal work. The chatbots cited nonexistent or faulty sources for those answers. CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY AIMS TO PRODUCE 'IRREPLACEABLE' GRADUATES AS AI RESHAPES HIGHER EDUCATION On the other side, Grok incorrectly said all illegal immigrants have committed a crime "by virtue of their presence" in the U.S., while all four chatbots correctly said the Earth’s lower-atmosphere temperature has risen about 1.1 degrees Fahrenheit since the 1980s, according to the study. Agresti warned users against treating AI chatbots as experts, referring to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s description of GPT-5 last year as being like having a "team of Ph.D.-level experts in your pocket." "What my study definitively showed is it's more like having a B student in your pocket, because that's how well they scored on these tests," he said. Agresti also highlighted AI sycophancy, the tendency of chatbots to validate users and "feed into" their biases, calling it a "recipe for disaster." To minimize the influence, the study used a freshly installed browser and new accounts to prevent prior interactions from influencing its results. "If you have a certain political bias, AIs are going to feed into that, and they're going to state it with very strident confidence that will make you believe you're right," he said. Still, Agresti acknowledged he doesn’t "have enough knowledge" to explain what’s happening inside the models to produce the results. "That's a question for programmers and the people who make them, and I would hope that they would answer them and fix these models and make them better because they are powerful, they can read at the speed of light, but they are incredibly sloppy, dishonest, politically misinformed, and this is a danger," he said. Agresti said the takeaway isn’t to abandon AI, but to "never blindly trust the results" and ensure its sources exist and support its claims. "When Ronald Reagan was negotiating nuclear disarmament with the Soviet Union, he famously said, 'Trust but verify,'" Agresti said. "I think the take-home from this study is even stronger, and it's this: Don't trust, verify." Other research on AI political bias has painted a different picture in the past. Fox News Digital previously reported that Dartmouth College's Polarization Research Lab ranked Gemini as the least political in 2025, while an early 2025 Manhattan Institute report found Grok a close second to Gemini in terms of political bias. "Gemini is designed to provide neutral, accurate responses that do not favor any political viewpoint, and we rigorously test our models to ensure they stay that way," a Google spokesperson said in a statement to Fox News Digital, adding that they were unable to replicate all of the responses in the study. An Anthropic spokesperson pushed back on the study’s methodology, telling Fox News Digital in a statement its multiple-choice format does not reflect typical Claude conversations and highlighting the company’s efforts to ensure political neutrality through training, testing and evaluations. "We train Claude to treat different political viewpoints equally and test extensively for bias before every model launch," the spokesperson said. "We've open-sourced those evaluations so anyone can check our work, and welcome independent testing of our models. We understand that this study limited each model to multiple-choice answers on 100 questions, which doesn't reflect how people normally use Claude, particularly on political topics. In a real conversation, Claude is designed to respond at a natural length, with room for important context and multiple perspectives." An OpenAI spokesperson told Fox News Digital that ChatGPT "is designed to be objective by default," adding that its tools "surface relevant information from a range of sources, and clearly show those sources so that you can explore and assess the reliability of the information directly yourself." "We continually measure our political bias evaluations and disclose our findings," the spokesperson said in a statement. Fox News Digital reached out to xAI for comment but did not receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dec5d2c5335ae10460b28 After Supreme Court Losses, Trump Keeps Pushing te 2026-08-13T16:10:05.966Z After Supreme Court Losses, Trump Keeps Pushing Is the administration defying the court or pursuing lawful alternatives? Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dec5d2c5335ae10460b1f U.S. Investigated Left-Leaning Groups During Minnesota’s Immigration Crackdown te 2026-08-13T16:10:05.079Z U.S. Investigated Left-Leaning Groups During Minnesota’s Immigration Crackdown The government conducted expansive surveillance, infiltrated group chats and obtained financial records of organizations never accused of crimes. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dec5a2c5335ae10460b00 X open sources its ranking algorithm, letting users see if they’ve been ‘shadowbanned’ te 2026-08-13T16:10:02.866Z X open sources its ranking algorithm, letting users see if they’ve been ‘shadowbanned’ X is expanding the open source code behind its 'For You' feed and launching new transparency tools that show users when its ranking systems have affected their accounts or posts. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dea052c5335ae10460ab8 National Park Service sets new guidelines for regulating e-scooter use te 2026-08-13T16:00:05.528Z National Park Service sets new guidelines for regulating e-scooter use The new framework covers e-scooters, “hoverboards,” and Segways and establishes some system-wide rules and prohibitions while leaving other decisions up to park superintendents. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7de7aa2c5335ae10460a2f Instagram introduces a redesigned wordmark te 2026-08-13T15:50:02.225Z Instagram introduces a redesigned wordmark The social media giant says it was time for a sharper and more modern look after a decade. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7de55a2c5335ae104609f9 California law puts digital fingerprints on AI fakes te 2026-08-13T15:40:10.964Z California law puts digital fingerprints on AI fakes California now wants artificial intelligence-made images, videos and recordings to carry a traceable history. The California AI Transparency Act took effect Aug. 2. It requires large generative AI providers to embed hidden provenance information in covered media created by their systems. That means a suspicious recording may carry clues about which AI system produced it and when. You will no longer have to rely only on how convincing it looks or sounds. Still, these digital fingerprints come with limits. They can reveal details about a file's history, but they cannot determine whether the message inside it is true. The law also adds requirements for large online platforms beginning in 2027. Newly produced phones, cameras and voice recorders face another set of rules in 2028. Here is how the system will work, where it may fall short and why other states could soon follow California's lead. New! Free live CyberGuy class: Protect Your Money From Today’s Biggest Threats Join us Saturday, Aug. 29, at 10 a.m. ET for a free CyberGuy LIVE class covering five simple steps to help defend yourself against AI scams, fraud, identity theft and financial hacks. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson will explain how to set up bank alerts, strengthen your account logins, protect your phone number, freeze your credit and help secure your retirement savings against unauthorized transfers. No technical experience is needed. You’ll also receive our financial protection checklist, and every registrant will get a link to the class recording afterward. Reserve your free spot today at CyberGuyLive.com. IS CYBERBULLYING HIDING IN YOUR CHILD'S GROUP CHAT? California enacted the original AI Transparency Act in 2024. State Sen. Josh Becker authored the legislation, known as SB 942. Lawmakers later expanded its reach through AB 853. The law applies to companies that create generative AI systems with more than 1 million monthly visitors or users. Those systems must also be publicly accessible in California. California calls these companies "covered providers." They must include a hidden disclosure in AI-generated images, video and audio created by their systems. The law calls this a latent disclosure. When technically feasible and reasonable, the disclosure must convey the provider's name, the name and version of the AI system, the date and time the content was created or altered and a unique identifier. The disclosure must follow widely accepted industry standards. It must also remain permanent or extraordinarily difficult to remove when technically feasible. The law focuses these hidden disclosure requirements on images, video and audio. It does not require the same embedded disclosure in AI-generated text. Covered providers must also offer users the option to add a visible AI label. That notice must clearly identify the content as AI-generated. Covered AI providers must offer a detection tool at no cost. The tool must let you upload an image, video or audio file. You can also submit a link to content stored online. It then checks whether that provider's own AI system created or altered the material. The tool must display any system provenance information it finds. However, a detection tool from one AI company may not identify media produced by another company. Therefore, a negative result does not prove that a human created the content. The law also places privacy limits on these tools. Providers generally cannot collect personal information from users. They cannot keep submitted content longer than necessary either. A violation can bring a $5,000 civil penalty. Each day of noncompliance can count as a separate violation for covered providers, large platforms and device manufacturers. Provenance data acts like a history attached to a digital file. It may identify the system that produced the content. It can also record when someone created or changed the file. The Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity, commonly called C2PA, has developed an open technical standard for this purpose. Its Content Credentials system can preserve information about a file's source and editing history. For example, someone may send you an audio recording that appears to feature a public official. A compatible verification tool could reveal that an AI system generated the recording. That information might stop you from sharing the clip too quickly. It could also help expose a scammer using a cloned voice. However, provenance data does not judge whether a statement is accurate. C2PA says its system provides evidence about a file's origin and history, but that information alone cannot prove the content is truthful. A real photograph can still appear beside a false caption. Someone can also edit authentic footage to remove important context. TOP MEDIA OUTLETS FAIL TO DISCLOSE WHO IS BANKROLLING THEIR AI REPORTERS The next major phase starts Jan. 1, 2027. Large online platforms will have to detect compatible provenance data embedded in content they distribute. The law covers public-facing social media services and file-sharing platforms. It also includes qualifying mass messaging services and stand-alone search engines. A service falls under this section if it exceeded 2 million unique monthly users during the previous 12 months. Covered platforms must tell users when system provenance data is available. They must also show the name of the AI system or capture device connected to the file, when applicable. In addition, the platform must indicate whether digital signatures are available. Users must have an accessible way to inspect the information. A platform can display the data directly or let the user download a copy that retains it. The platform can also send the user to a separate verification service. Finally, platforms cannot knowingly strip compatible system provenance data or digital signatures when preserving them is technically feasible. This phase could bring the most noticeable change for everyday users. Most people will not visit a separate verification website for every questionable post. A notice built into a social platform could make checking suspicious content much easier. Another phase begins Jan. 1, 2028. It covers recording devices first produced for sale in California on or after that date. This includes mobile phones with built-in cameras or microphones. Traditional cameras and voice recorders also fall under the definition. Manufacturers must give users the option to include a hidden disclosure in captured content. They must also embed the disclosure by default when doing so is technically feasible. The information can include the manufacturer and device model. It may also record the date and time when the device created or altered the content. That could establish a starting point for authentic media. For example, the credential may show that an image began as a photograph captured by a real camera. Later information could reveal whether compatible editing software altered it. Still, the requirement will not update every phone or camera already in use. It applies to covered devices first produced for sale in California beginning in 2028. Artificial intelligence can produce realistic voices and convincing video faster than lawmakers can update most regulations. Cybercriminals can now fake faces and voices in real time. As CyberGuy previously reported, AI deepfake scams can impersonate trusted executives during live video calls. One documented attack convinced an employee to transfer millions of dollars. Scammers can also imitate someone you love. An AI voice scam can clone a family member from only a few seconds of public audio. Personal information found online can make the fake emergency even more convincing. California lawmakers have also raised concerns about election misinformation and abusive deepfakes. Generative AI can create fake political audio or video that appears to show a candidate saying something that never happened. It can also help bad actors produce false social media posts quickly. CyberGuy has previously examined how AI and other technology can fuel election-related scams, including deepfake videos and fabricated news. Federal lawmakers are responding too. Sen. Adam Schiff and Rep. Ro Khanna reintroduced the AI Ads Act on July 27. The proposal would prohibit fraudulent misrepresentation of political candidates or committees through AI-generated content. However, it has not become federal law. A separate bipartisan proposal called the AI Labeling Act was introduced on June 24. It would require visible and machine-readable disclosures on covered AI-generated content. That bill would also require major social platforms and AI developers to work together on authenticity tools. It has not become law either. California's system places identifying information inside compatible files. That data may continue traveling with the content as people download or repost it. However, that protection depends on websites and editing tools preserving the credentials. BABYLON BEE SUES NEW MEXICO OFFICIALS OVER LAW REQUIRING AI DISCLAIMERS ON POLITICAL SATIRE Yes, other states are likely to move in the same direction. However, they may not copy California's entire system. Many states already regulate AI-generated political content. Their laws often require a visible disclaimer or restrict deceptive deepfakes near an election. Colorado goes further by requiring metadata in certain political deepfakes. That metadata must identify the tool used and when the content was created. Utah requires tamper-evident digital provenance for some synthetic political media. Its rules can identify who created the content and whether other parties changed it. Louisiana added disclosure requirements in 2026 for AI-generated telephone campaign communications, including calls that use the voice of a public figure. Other states have chosen narrower rules focused on specific election periods. California's law reaches beyond campaign advertising. It places requirements on major AI providers now, followed by large platforms and newly produced recording devices. The European Union is moving in a similar direction. Article 50 of the EU AI Act became applicable on Aug. 2. Covered AI providers must add machine-readable marks that allow people to detect generated or manipulated content. Deployers also face disclosure requirements for deepfakes. That overlap may push large technology companies toward broader adoption. A company may find it easier to use one provenance system across its products than to maintain a special version for California. As a result, people nationwide could see some benefits before their own state passes a similar law. Still, that outcome isn’t guaranteed. Enforcement will matter, along with whether popular platforms preserve and clearly display the information. The new law creates a helpful signal, but several gaps remain. First, missing provenance data does not prove that a human created the file. The media may come from an AI provider that falls below California's size threshold. It could also have been generated before the law became operative. In addition, some editing programs may fail to preserve the information. A scammer could play an AI-generated video on one device and record it with another. That new recording might not retain the original credentials. Screenshots can also lose embedded information. The same problem may affect compressed copies shared through messaging services. C2PA notes that provenance records can be incomplete. It also warns that a file without Content Credentials should not automatically be treated as untrustworthy. Most importantly, a valid credential does not certify that the message is true. You still need to consider who posted the content and whether another reliable source confirms the claim. The California AI transparency law gives you another tool when a recording or image feels suspicious. Look for a Content Credentials icon or another provenance notice when a platform displays one. When possible, inspect the original file instead of relying on a screenshot. You can also use a detection tool offered by the AI provider. However, remember that the tool may recognize only content created by that company's system. For messages involving money, contact the person or business through a number you already trust. Do not use contact information included with the suspicious content. For a claimed political statement, check the official account or website connected to the person shown. Then look for independent reporting from a credible source. Also, watch for pressure to react immediately. Urgency can keep you from noticing that a voice sounds slightly wrong or a video contains visual glitches. For more warning signs, CyberGuy's article on how to spot and stop AI phishing scams explains how to check suspicious messages, voice clones and deepfake video. Finally, do not treat the absence of an AI label as proof that something is real. California's AI transparency law gives you a practical way to investigate synthetic media. Hidden provenance information may reveal which AI system created a file and when that happened. The platform requirements could have an even greater effect. A built-in notice is easier to use than expecting everyone to locate a separate verification website. Still, digital fingerprints will not eliminate deception. Scammers will look for tools outside the law's reach. Older media will also continue circulating without credentials. California is now testing whether transparency can restore some trust in digital content. Other states are already taking related steps and more are likely to follow. If an AI-generated recording can influence an election or empty someone's bank account before anyone checks it, should every state require a traceable digital identity? 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/6a7de55a2c5335ae104609f0 ‘X-Men’ star Tyler Mane says wife ‘saved my life’ after seemingly harmless lump led to breast cancer diagnosis te 2026-08-13T15:40:10.219Z ‘X-Men’ star Tyler Mane says wife ‘saved my life’ after seemingly harmless lump led to breast cancer diagnosis Tyler Mane, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, believes his wife may have saved his life. The actor is teaming up with his wife, Renae, for a candid new podcast, "Mane AF," tackling the realities of "midlife, marriage and mayhem." The couple will also open up about one of their most personal challenges yet: navigating his diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). Mane made his feature-film debut as Sabretooth in 2000's "X-Men" and later reprised the role as Wolverine's nemesis in 2024's "Deadpool & Wolverine." He also starred as Michael Myers in 2007's "Halloween" and 2009's "Halloween II," and appeared as Ajax in 2004's "Troy." FORMER WRESTLER, ACTOR REVEALS BREAST CANCER DIAGNOSIS: 'ONE IN 750 MEN' "She just kept insisting," the former wrestler told Fox News Digital about seeing a doctor. "I kept talking about it, 'I have this lump here still, and it's hard.' And she was very insistent because women are trained from a certain age that if they feel something in their breast area, go get it checked out." "I have to thank her," he said. "She saved my life by saying, 'Get in there and get tested.'" When the 59-year-old first noticed a lump in his breast area, he assumed it was a lipoma — a soft, fatty growth he'd had removed before. But this lump felt different. Mane initially brushed it off, but Renae kept urging him, "Go in and get checked." Eventually, he listened. WATCH: TYLER MANE SAYS WIFE ‘SAVED MY LIFE’ AFTER CANCER DIAGNOSIS "To be honest, even my doctor said, 'Oh, it's probably nothing. It's probably just a lipoma,'" Mane recalled. "And then, when I went in for the [surgery], he said, 'You probably want to get that removed, but it's probably nothing.' It's just dismissed so much that you have to be an advocate for your own body. And I'm just so thankful that she was an advocate for my body. Otherwise, it could have been a whole different story." Mane said a 28-millimeter tumor was removed. "It was removed, I think, on a Thursday," Mane said. "I went on a trip and thought nothing of it. I came back, got up and started working at 6am, and then I got the news: invasive ductal carcinoma. I went and woke my wife up. She's like, 'This is not good.' She was half-asleep but woke up very quickly. And that's when our journey began." Because breast cancer is predominantly associated with women, many men are unaware that they are also at risk. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2026, about 2,670 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and about 530 will die from the disease. According to the American Cancer Society, the average lifetime risk of breast cancer for men is about 1 in 755. The most common symptom of male breast cancer is a firm, usually painless lump under or near the nipple, according to experts. Other signs can include skin dimpling, nipple retraction and nipple discharge. Mane said the lump was the only symptom he experienced before his diagnosis. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Male breast cancer is rare, accounting for fewer than 1% of breast cancers in the U.S. Screening mammograms are not usually recommended for men, even those at increased risk, according to the National Cancer Institute. "This is a cancer that anyone can get," Mane said. "If you feel something different in your chest than the norm, you have to go get it checked out and tested. You have to insist on getting tested and checked. You have to be the best advocate for yourself." "For sure, I wanted to keep my diagnosis private at the beginning because I felt a bit ashamed," Mane admitted. "I was like, 'How can I have breast cancer?' But then I quickly turned to, 'No, I got to talk about this because this is a very serious issue that men don't usually deal with.'" While male breast cancer can occur at any age, the risk increases with age, according to the American Cancer Society. Treatment usually starts with surgery, while other common treatments include chemotherapy, hormone therapy and radiation therapy, according to Mayo Clinic. Treatment depends on factors including the cancer's stage and the patient's overall health. "I was a Stage 1, so we got it early," Mane said. "Now we're into the chemotherapy ... to make sure that it's completely out of my system ... and then after the chemotherapy, I have some radiation to make sure we hit that area specifically." For Mane, some days are easier than others. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "Chemotherapy is hard on your system," he said. "Unless you've gone through it, you can't even imagine what it does to your body, and it's a repetitive cycle. It's not like you get an injury, and you rehabilitate it, or like when I had my hips replaced, and it's one and done. With chemotherapy, it's ongoing. You have your chemo treatment, where they put all of the chemicals into you." "You feel like c--- for about the first week, and then you have a couple of weeks where you're like, 'I'm just getting back to normal now,'" he continued. "And then you have to go in, sit in that chair again and have that pumped into your body again to kill off the cancer cells. It's about the hardest thing to psych yourself up for." "Right now, I want to take a nap, but I've got the metal mouth. And that's one thing: every round I've had something different thrown at me. I couldn't lift my shoulder over my head. One time I broke out in hives. But it's just your body trying to kick it out and get ready for the next round." Known for playing some of Hollywood's most intimidating characters, Mane said he's bringing that same fighting spirit to his cancer treatment, with Renae by his side every step of the way. "I knew I had it in me," he said with a smile. "You have to have a positive attitude, and I've stayed positive no matter what. You have to stay positive. As soon as you let yourself get down, then it's a downhill slide from there. And I need to stick around for my wife and my family. It's time to step up and do what I have to do." As Mane continues to talk publicly about his diagnosis, he hopes to use the podcast to raise awareness about breast cancer in men, including by bringing his oncologist on as a guest. But he wants other men to take another lesson from his experience to heart: listen to your wife. She just might save your life. "All you guys out there, listen to your wives when they tell you to get checked," he said. Fox News Digital’s Khloe Quill contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7de5532c5335ae104609ba Microsoft kills off unsuccessful AI features while merging its separate Copilot apps te 2026-08-13T15:40:03.583Z Microsoft kills off unsuccessful AI features while merging its separate Copilot apps Microsoft is simplifying Copilot by combining its consumer and business apps, and dropping AI-generated podcasts, Group Chats, Deep Research, and its Mico character. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7de3062c5335ae10460999 JD Vance calls on DOJ to prosecute alleged fraud in teen transgender treatment te 2026-08-13T15:30:14.932Z JD Vance calls on DOJ to prosecute alleged fraud in teen transgender treatment FIRST ON FOX: Vice President JD Vance is calling for the Department of Justice to investigate a bombshell Health and Human Services (HHS) report alleging some hospitals and healthcare providers fraudulently subjected children to lucrative sex-change procedures. The new report, titled: "Wolves in White Coats: How Doctors and Hospitals Pushed and Profited from the Fraud of 'Gender Medicine,'" revealed more than $60 million in insurance claims for treatments including puberty blockers for adolescents as young as 13 billed from 2015 to 2025. According to HHS, some providers aggressively treated children who presented with hormonal issues, endocrine system problems, or early onset puberty with transgender care, billing insurance companies. HHS also blamed Biden-era policies promoting transgender treatments for expanding access gender surgery coverage. MEDICAID ENDS FUNDING FOR CHILD SEX-CHANGE PROCEDURES AS TRUMP ADMIN SLAMS 'EXPERIMENTAL' TREATMENTS Fox News Digital obtained a letter from Vance to Attorney General Todd Blanche which detailed Vance’s concerns surrounding the report, and called for criminal prosecution of anyone who has intentionally misled children to get transgender treatment. "One study showed that only about 4.7 percent of patients diagnosed with "endocrine disorder, unspecified," had that actual condition," Vance wrote in the letter to Blanche. "Another notes a 30 percent increase in the number of endocrine disorder diagnoses, despite it being unlikely that that there has been a substantial increase in pediatric endocrine disorders." The average healthcare cost for a minor is roughly $3,000, but transgender treatments can push that to $75,000 without surgery and nearly $170,000, if surgery is involved, according to the report. The report also details how some healthcare providers profit from life-long medical costs, including prescriptions, surgeries and medical interventions years after a minor reaches adulthood. About 225 hospitals and health systems across the country have established pediatric gender programs. Vance charged in his letter to Blanche that health care providers knowingly pushed their misdiagnoses to insurance companies, using billing codes to compel coverage. VANCE REFERS TIM WALZ, MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL TO DOJ FOR CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION OVER STATE'S ALLEGED FRAUD "When providers miscode treatment in order to secure insurance coverage for gender-transitioning interventions that insurance would not otherwise cover, they should be held accountable," read Vance’s letter. "If they have done so intentionally, thereby perpetrating a fraud on Medicaid or on private insurers, they should go to prison." "Rather than allow the proliferation of harmful, sex-rejecting procedures on our children, we must send a clear message that any hospitals and providers that have participated in these practices will face justice." The HHS report cited peer-reviewed scientific literature, hospital records, whistleblower testimony, nationwide insurance claims analyses and interviews with patients and parents. Hours after President Joe Biden was sworn into office in 2021, he signed Executive Order 13988, titled: "Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation." COLORADO SUPREME COURT ORDERS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL TO RESUME GENDER TRANSITION TREATMENTS FOR MINORS "Children should be able to learn without worrying about whether they will be denied access to the restroom, the locker room, or school sports," the executive order read. "People should be able to access healthcare and secure a roof over their heads without being subjected to sex discrimination." The executive order’s mandate took effect, and in May of 2021, Biden’s HHS said its Office of Civil Rights would enforce an Affordable Care Act nondiscrimination provision, which includes sex discrimination. In a March 2022 notice, the department "unequivocally" confirmed "that gender affirming care for minors, when medically appropriate and necessary, improves their physical and mental health." In a separate executive order signed by Biden in June of 2022, Biden directed the federal government, including his HHS, to "address the discrimination and barriers that LGBTQI+ individuals and families face by expanding access to comprehensive health care." LARGEST CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL IN US TO OPEN ‘DETRANSITION CLINIC’ AFTER $10M SETTLEMENT WITH TRUMP DOJ, STATE Fox News Digital also obtained a letter from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to HHS Inspector General Thomas March Bell that included a sizable list of individual hospitals and clinicians that Kennedy says exhibit "potentially anomalous billing patterns." The report calls for additional review of insurance coding practices that enable hospitals and clinicians to file claims for gender medicine. Fox News Digital reached out to the Justice Department but did not receive a response in time for publication. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7de3062c5335ae10460990 Kenny Omega warns Will Ospreay that his loose alliances has made him 'sloppy' ahead of AEW All In title clash te 2026-08-13T15:30:14.249Z Kenny Omega warns Will Ospreay that his loose alliances has made him 'sloppy' ahead of AEW All In title clash Will Ospreay kicked off Wednesday’s edition of All Elite Wrestling’s (AEW) "Dynamite" with a heartfelt promo about his upcoming world championship match against Kenny Omega at All In. Ospreay called out Omega to come face him in the ring, but it was Don Callis who answered the call instead. Callis recalled the damage his group did to Omega and said that Ospreay "owed everything" to him before Rocky Romero, Trent Beretta, Mark Davis and Jake Doyle came out to attack Ospreay. COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL Omega came out and took out the Don Callis Family members and addressed Ospreay, who was licking his wounds in the corner. "Will, I felt that. You see, when you talk from the heart, you have this way with words. I feel everything that you say," Omega said. "But the problem is, Will, you wear your heart on your sleeve and as much as you feel, you never think. What did you think would happen, Will? I warned you about Don Callis. I warned you about Jon Moxley. We both knew about the guy who’s running around calling himself the real world champion. He’s both of our problems. But Will, it’s made you sloppy. It’s made you a fool. And you will lose everything. "But this isn’t the man I want to fight at Wembley Stadium," Omega continued, reaching his hand out toward Ospreay to pick him up off the canvas. "But Will, I hope you understand, I can’t help you like this again. From here on in, it’s just me and you." Ospreay grabbed the mic from Omega and said he appreciated Omega’s help but, "I didn’t ask for it." "And I’m not going to need your help, thank you," Ospreay added. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Omega will defend the AEW World Championship against Ospreay at All In in London on Aug. 30. It’s the marquee event for what is AEW’s biggest night of the year. Ospreay earned the title shot when he won the Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Tournament. Omega won the AEW title from MJF in July. Omega vs. Ospreay may be the likely main event for All In, but the card itself is going to be immensely stacked. Willow Nightingale is defending the AEW Women’s World Championship against Mercedes Moné, who returned to the ring and won the Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament. Adam Copeland and Christian Cage will defend the AEW World Tag Team Championship against the Young Bucks – Matt and Nick Jackson. Meanwhile, four other championship matches are on the docket as well. Elsewhere, the Casino Gauntlet match will determine the No. 1 contender for the AEW World Championship. Andrade El Idolo and MJF are the first two entrants. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7de3052c5335ae10460987 Postpartum mom Lindsay Clancy on trial for murder brings court to a halt with sudden breakdown te 2026-08-13T15:30:13.547Z Postpartum mom Lindsay Clancy on trial for murder brings court to a halt with sudden breakdown Lindsay Clancy broke down in court on Wednesday when a medical examiner was testifying about the autopsy of her 5-year-old daughter. Not long after medical examiner Dr. Barbara Olson took the stand and began describing the autopsy of Cora Clancy, Lindsay Clancy , the 5-year-old's mother, broke down and began sobbing. "I can’t do this," Clancy said. HEATED LINDSAY CLANCY COURTROOM EXCHANGE OVER 911 CALL, CRIME SCENE PHOTOS SETS STAGE FOR MOM’S MURDER TRIAL Clancy faces first-degree murder charges in connection with the deaths of her three children — 5-year-old Cora, 3-year-old Dawson and 8-month-old Callan. Clancy, 32, took the lives of her three children before attempting suicide on Jan. 24, 2023. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). SEND US A TIP Clancy does not dispute that she killed her children. Instead, her defense contends she was suffering from severe postpartum depression brought on by being overmedicated on prescriptions. According to evidence and testimony presented in court, five doctors prescribed Clancy with the following medication before she killed her three kids: LINDSAY CLANCY’S EX-HUSBAND DETAILS PILL USE AS EXPERT SAYS EVIDENCE COULD SHAPE MURDER TRIAL LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST Following Clancy's breakdown, Judge William Sullivan ordered a recess and excused the jury from the courtroom. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X Two women could be seen appearing to console Clancy while she was crying inside the courtroom. Sullivan was also forced to call a break on Wednesday after Clancy began crying while a different medical examiber, Renee Stonebridge, gave testimony about her examination of some body parts of Clancy's three kids. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7de3042c5335ae1046097e Slain NJ mom Brooke Hanlon's family backs investigators two months after her stabbing death te 2026-08-13T15:30:12.739Z Slain NJ mom Brooke Hanlon's family backs investigators two months after her stabbing death "Brooke was a truly beautiful soul."  More than two months after New Jersey mother Brooke Hanlon, 35, was found stabbed to death inside her Chester home, her family is sharing more details about the beloved wife, daughter, sister and friend that she was, as her killing remains unsolved. A new obituary for the slain psychotherapist says she "is survived by her beloved daughter, Avery, her sister, Paige Haggerty, her parents, Melissa and Joseph Haggerty, and her husband, James 'Conor' Hanlon." SLAIN NEW JERSEY THERAPIST’S GRAD SCHOOL ROOMMATE RECOUNTS FRIENDSHIP WITH COUPLE DURING TIME IN BOSTON Hanlon was found dead on June 6, and the Morris County Prosecutor's Office has been investigating the case as a homicide with "multiple sharp force injuries" as her cause of death. 📩 Send me a story idea: kelsie.cairns@fox.com 📸 Instagram: kelsiecairns_tv 🎥 Facebook: Kelsie Cairns The Prosecutor's Office is the lead investigative agency over the case and has not yet revealed a suspect or person of interest. NJ WOMAN FOUND WITH MULTIPLE STAB WOUNDS AT HOME IN AFFLUENT COUNTY, HUSBAND ARRESTED Regarding the ongoing investigation, the Haggerty family said in a statement sent to Fox News Digital, "We have full and unwavering confidence in the investigative efforts of law enforcement." Conor Hanlon was the person who called 911 to report he found his wife unconscious and not breathing on the floor of their home. NJ HUSBAND BEGS FOR CPR HELP IN 911 CALL AFTER WIFE FOUND DEAD WITH STAB WOUNDS: AUDIO FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X In the frantic call, he is heard asking the operator to give him "CPR instructions," then says "there's a laceration" on his wife's body. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS Conor and Brooke were married nearly five years before she was killed. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE "While in Boston, Brooke met and fell in love with her future husband, Conor Hanlon. Brooke and Conor were married in June 2021 and lived in the Boston area until they moved to Chester, New Jersey in September 2023. They purchased a home in Chester in September 2024 and welcomed their beloved daughter, Avery, in July 2025," the obituary said. SEND US A TIP LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST Brooke was a therapist who "loved her work," and "had tremendous compassion" for her clients. Before the start of her career, she graduated from Villa Walsh Academy in 2009. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wake Forest University in 2013, and then her master’s from Northeastern University in 2015. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL "Brooke was a truly beautiful soul. Everyone who has ever known her will always remember Brooke's extraordinary kindness, friendship, loyalty, empathy, compassion, humility, generosity, and passionate desire to help and support family, friends, and all those she counseled," according to her obituary. Fox News Digital has repeatedly reached out to Conor Hanlon for comment. He has not been charged with any crime or wrongdoing. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7de0a92c5335ae10460928 Wisconsin Democratic candidate for governor David Crowley reveals he won't campaign with Hasan Piker te 2026-08-13T15:20:09.410Z Wisconsin Democratic candidate for governor David Crowley reveals he won't campaign with Hasan Piker Democratic Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate David Crowley said he would not be campaigning with far-left socialist Twitch streamer Hasan Piker during an interview released on Wednesday. Crowley said he didn't want to lend credibility to platforms that further divide the Democratic Party, in an interview with WISN 12 News. "I don’t want to lend credibility to platforms, if you will, that I believe further divide us as a community, further divide Democrats, or further divide this country. But, I do know that we have to focus on bringing everybody under this tent," Crowley said. MEET THE DEMOCRAT WHO NARROWLY DEFEATED SOCIALIST RIVAL IN KEY SWING-STATE BATTLE OVER THE PARTY’S FUTURE "So, I’m always willing to have those tough conversations. But we also have to utilize not just myself —there are many community members, there are many voters, there are many supporters that we can empower to bring people to be a part of this big tent we call the Democratic Party," he said. WISN 12 News' Matt Smith asked Crowley directly if he was talking about Piker specifically, and if he was planning to campaign with the streamer. "I’m talking about anybody who focuses on divisive language," he said, adding, "I don’t plan on campaigning with Hasan, if that’s what you’re asking me. No." Piker campaigned alongside Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist who ran against Crowley in the Wisconsin gubernatorial primary. HASAN PIKER CALLS FOR DEMOCRATS WHO OPPOSE ABDUL EL-SAYED TO BE 'PUNISHED' The streamer reacted to Crowley's remarks on X. "this is devastating news for me, i however wish crowley the best of luck for the wisconsin trifecta. hope he takes some of the great policies that brought out 300k wisconsinites into consideration as the dems work to defeat tom tiffany as a unified front!" Piker wrote. Piker said Wednesday that "the knives will be out" for the socialist left after Hong's loss in the Wisconsin primary. Pike argued during his livestream that Democratic establishment figures will work harder to stop insurgent candidates because they no longer underestimate the progressive movement. "It will be more difficult, though, because the establishment will not underestimate us. It will continue to undermine us, but they will not underestimate us," Piker said. "So, the knives will be out." Eric Ham, a political analyst, told Fox News Digital in a statement that Crowley's comments "fuel division within the Democratic Party and only makes it harder for the party to be a viable check on the Trump administration. "Moreover, as the economy falters and the war in Iran grows more unpopular, Democrats have a very real shot at tangible pickups, not just in Washington, but in state and local races. Wisconsin is a clear example of this. Now is the time for the party, left and center, to unify behind its candidates and chart clear messaging and contrasts versus Republicans. Otherwise, Democrats risk squandering tremendous gains in November," Ham continued. The Democratic Socialists of America did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7de0a82c5335ae1046091f Jayden Daniels tells LSU to keep his name out of its mouth in wild No. 5 jersey feud involving NIL te 2026-08-13T15:20:08.681Z Jayden Daniels tells LSU to keep his name out of its mouth in wild No. 5 jersey feud involving NIL Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has decided to start a legal war with his former school, LSU, over the rights to his name, image and likeness — and it all stems from the use of his former college jersey number. Yes, the Heisman Trophy winner is trying to distance himself from the LSU football program and prevent the school from using promotional material related to his time in Baton Rouge. Why? Because LSU is allowing current cornerback D.J. Pickett to wear the No. 5 jersey this upcoming season, a number Daniels believes should not be worn due to what he accomplished during his time on the Bayou. Earlier this month, an attorney representing Daniels sent a cease-and-desist letter to the LSU athletic department detailing a list of demands regarding the school's use of Daniels' NIL. In the letter, first reported by ESPN and confirmed by Fox News Digital-OutKick, attorney Adam Kenner was very specific about what he expects from LSU moving forward. "Accordingly, LSU must immediately cease and desist from any further issue use, display, publication, distribution, promotion, commercialization, or other exploitation of Mr. Daniels' NIL in any manner or medium," Kenner detailed in a letter to AD Verge Ausberry. "Any use of Mr. Daniels' NIL occurring after LSU's receipt of this notice will be deemed knowing and willful and will be pursued vigorously through all available legal and equitable remedies, without further notice." I think it's pretty easy to tell that this kerfuffle is not going away any time soon. After Daniels won the 2023 Heisman Trophy, the clock started ticking on when LSU could potentially retire his jersey number. Under LSU's policy, there is a five-year waiting period before that discussion can take place. But that doesn't mean LSU can't allow another player to wear the number in the meantime. According to the athletic department's protocol, that decision comes down to the head coach's discretion. Legendary halfback Billy Cannon, who wore No. 20 while playing at LSU, had his number permanently retired, meaning it cannot be worn again. Other legendary Tigers have had their jerseys retired while their numbers remain available for current players. So, with the clock still ticking on when LSU can even discuss retiring the No. 5 that Daniels wore after transferring in from Arizona State, former head coach Brian Kelly told ESPN that he promised the number to current cornerback D.J. Pickett during the recruiting process. Yes, I promise you, this is a thing in college athletics — and has been for years. If a school is heavily recruiting an athlete who wants to wear a certain number, the program can promise that number as part of the recruiting process to entice an athlete to sign. But Daniels was apparently under the impression that LSU should have asked him beforehand whether he was OK with another player wearing No. 5 for the first time since he left Baton Rouge for the NFL. It should also be noted that Joe Burrow, who won the 2019 Heisman Trophy and led LSU to a national championship, has not had his No. 9 worn by another player in Baton Rouge since leaving for the NFL. So, is Daniels upset that his number is being handed to another player while Burrow's has remained untouched? That's likely part of the equation, especially given the statement provided by a spokesperson for Daniels. "The Daniels family is deeply disappointed and feels profoundly disrespected by LSU's decision to give Jayden's number to another player," Jayden Daniels' spokesperson said. "Jayden and his family had every reason to believe that his number would remain a meaningful part of his LSU legacy and would be honored and protected in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the university." It appears Daniels is upset that, while former coach Brian Kelly held off on allowing someone else to wear the number, current head coach Lane Kiffin is honoring a promise made to a player during the previous regime's time in Baton Rouge. This is obviously a no-win situation for the LSU head coach. Either he's going to accommodate DJ Pickett or upset former Heisman Trophy quarterback Jayden Daniels. LANE KIFFIN KNOWS THERE AREN’T EXCUSES AT LSU. NOW COMES THE TEST OF MAKING IT WORTH THE PRICE OF ADMISSION SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS When asked about the situation during a recent news conference at LSU, Lane Kiffin was adamant that he's simply keeping a promise the previous staff made to Pickett. STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW! "DJ is in No.5, and that was a situation that was promised to him in recruiting here, for him to sign here," Kiffin told reporters. "I've done a lot of research on that with the family and the representatives and the people, so really I didn't have a decision to make. It was promised to the kid. It wasn't done for whatever reason. I'm not going to get into that. "I'm not going to judge something [that was done] when I wasn't here. But when a kid is promised something to come to a school, he should wear it. So at that point, I don't think that's really my decision. We should honor what he was told." So, this ultimately comes down to a former player who feels disrespected by his old school and a current head coach caught in the middle of an increasingly messy dispute between Daniels and LSU administrators. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dde512c5335ae104608bc Mohave Accelerated boys golf beats Mohave in season opener at Laughlin Ranch te 2026-08-13T15:10:09.934Z Mohave Accelerated boys golf beats Mohave in season opener at Laughlin Ranch Mohave and Mohave Accelerated boys golf started their seasons this week against each other at Laughlin Ranch Golf Club on Tuesday with the Thunderbirds as the host. The Patriots won the meet with 226 strokes with freshman Cooper White leading… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dde4b2c5335ae1046088e Who really needs a cocktail robot? te 2026-08-13T15:10:03.737Z Who really needs a cocktail robot? Bartesian's cocktail makers would be best described like a Keurig or Nespresso machine, but for alcoholic drinks. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dde492c5335ae10460885 Nvidia’s new $500B plan is risky but brilliant, especially for aging GPUs te 2026-08-13T15:10:01.934Z Nvidia’s new $500B plan is risky but brilliant, especially for aging GPUs Nvidia has a plan to make sure its GPUs won't lose value. It wants to convince a new crop of financiers to keep lending for AI buildouts. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ddbff2c5335ae1046085c Three states prepare to execute killers Thursday in same-day event not seen since 2010 te 2026-08-13T15:00:15.119Z Three states prepare to execute killers Thursday in same-day event not seen since 2010 Three men in three different states are scheduled to be executed by lethal injection on Thursday in an unusual same-day cluster of executions across the U.S. Tennessee is set to execute Anthony Darrell Hines for the murder of a motel maid, while Alabama plans to put Jeremy Williams to death for raping and killing a 5-year-old girl after paying her mother $2,500 to let the child perform a sexual act. Oklahoma is also scheduled to execute Carlos Cuesta-Rodriguez for killing his girlfriend. The Associated Press reported that three states last carried out executions on a single day on Jan. 7, 2010, when prisoners were put to death in Louisiana, Ohio and Texas. TWO FLORIDA INMATES DIE IN RARE DOUBLE EXECUTION AFTER SCOTUS DENIES STAYS Three executions were also set to happen on the same day in 2018, though only one took place after Alabama officials struggled to place an IV line and Texas granted a reprieve. Florida executed two men in one day in July, bringing its total number of executions since the beginning of 2025 to 31. Eleven states carried out executions last year. If Tennessee and Alabama proceed Thursday, six states will have put prisoners to death in 2026. Hines, 66, is set to die for the 1985 killing of Catherine Jean Jenkins, a 54-year-old motel maid in Kingston Springs. Prosecutors said Hines stabbed Jenkins while she was at work. JUDGE BLOCKS ALABAMAS NITROGEN GAS EXECUTION METHOD, RUES IT IS UNCONSTITUTIONALLY CRUEL He was first sentenced to death in 1986, won a new sentencing hearing on appeal and was sentenced to death again in 1989. His execution is scheduled three months after Tennessee stopped another inmate’s lethal injection when officials could not establish an IV line. Hines has asked the governor and the courts to intervene, arguing that the doctor involved in the May procedure was unqualified and could cause the same problems during his execution. He also said muscular atrophy and weight loss after two strokes could make it difficult to place an IV. Officials were able to establish Tony Carruthers’ first IV line quickly during the May attempt. But they spent more than an hour trying to place a second line, his lawyer said after witnessing the procedure. The team tried Carruthers’ arm, hand and foot before moving to a central line. ALABAMA DEATH ROW INMATE INSISTS INNOCENCE, URGES GOVERNOR TO MEET HIM BEFORE NITROGEN-GAS EXECUTION Lee stopped Carruthers’ execution and delayed it for a year. Tennessee has not said whether the doctor involved in that procedure will participate in Hines’ execution. In Alabama, Williams is set to be executed for the 2021 rape and murder of 5-year-old Kamarie Holland of Georgia. Williams pleaded guilty, gave up his appeals and asked to be put to death. Prosecutors said the 42-year-old paid Holland’s mother $2,500 before sexually assaulting and strangling the girl. They said he recorded the attack and kept her body so he could continue abusing it. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X "To see on video what he did to this baby, what a grown man could do to a child, it’s shocking, it’s horrible, it’s disgusting," Russell County District Attorney Richard Chancey said. "It’s just a level of evil." Williams was also investigated in Alaska in 2005 in connection with his infant daughter’s death, though no charges were filed until 2022. Alabama has not carried out an execution this year. If Williams is put to death, he would be the first. A federal judge halted a planned nitrogen gas execution in the state back in June after finding the method unconstitutional. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS Oklahoma is also scheduled to execute Cuesta-Rodriguez on Thursday for the 2003 murder of his girlfriend, Olimpia Fisher, at their Oklahoma City home. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE Cuesta-Rodriguez has expressed regret over Fisher’s death but did not ask for clemency. SEND US A TIP Fisher was preparing to leave Cuesta-Rodriguez when he shot her through one eye. He left her to scream for help for about eight minutes, then shot her through the other eye, killing her. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL "He made her suffer because she dared to live beyond his control," Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond told the state’s Pardon and Parole Board on July 14. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST The board rejected clemency in a 3-1 vote last month. Cuesta-Rodriguez’s lawyers had urged the board to let him remain in prison for life, pointing to his difficult childhood in Cuba, brain damage, post-traumatic stress disorder and major depression. If Oklahoma carries out the execution, Cuesta-Rodriguez would be the state’s third execution this year and the 20th under Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ddbfe2c5335ae10460853 PureTalk keeps phone plans simple — and FOX News readers can choose any plan for $15 per month te 2026-08-13T15:00:14.403Z PureTalk keeps phone plans simple — and FOX News readers can choose any plan for $15 per month Finding a phone plan that fits your budget can feel like more work than it's worth. Luckily, PureTalk keeps things simple, offering five plans at prices lower than many major carriers. Right now, FOX News readers can try any plan for just $15 per month by clicking this sign-up link. The offer lasts three months, giving you time to see if it works for you before paying the regular monthly price. With no activation fees and no cancellation fees, PureTalk offers phone plans without all the extras that drive up monthly costs — while using the same network as major carriers. According to PureTalk, the average family of four saves more than $1,000 a year. And with promotional pricing starting at $15 per month, FOX News readers can shave a few dollars off their monthly phone bill. Every plan includes unlimited talk and text, and four of the five plans include unlimited data. Once the three-month offer ends, unlimited plans start at $34.99, offering shoppers significant savings without giving up the basics. READ MORE: Best tech deals this week: Save up to 79% on Apple AirPods, Anker power banks and more Every PureTalk plan is just $15 per month for the first three months when you sign up here. After that, plans range from $24.99 to $64.99 per month. The plans are designed to cost less than those from major carriers, making this a budget-friendly deal for those looking to cut down on their phone bill. Four of the five plans include unlimited talk, text and data, and all plans include mobile hotspot access ranging from 2GB to 30GB. Switching is simple too: bring your own phone, keep your current number and avoid contracts and hidden fees. In addition to low-cost phone plans, PureTalk is a veteran-led company that proudly supports military communities. To celebrate America250, the company donated $250,000 to America's Warrior Partnership, an organization that connects veteran-serving groups with resources for veterans and their families. To date, PureTalk and its customers have donated over $809,000 to the cause. The company also offers 100% U.S.-based customer service, helping support American jobs while giving customers access to representatives based in the United States. READ MORE: Apple prices just went up — these refurbished MacBooks, iPads and Apple Watches cost far less PureTalk’s limited-time $15 per month offer comes with more than just discounted pricing. Each plan comes with spam call protection, and the top three plans include international roaming. For more deals, visit www.foxnews.com/deals For shoppers who want PureTalk’s simplest option, the entry-level plan still covers the basics. It includes unlimited talk and text, plus 7GB of data, for just $24.99 per month after the three-month promotional period. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ddbfd2c5335ae1046084a El-Sayed argued against the Second Amendment in unearthed social media videos te 2026-08-13T15:00:13.657Z El-Sayed argued against the Second Amendment in unearthed social media videos A controversial progressive Democrat who has campaigned with high-profile socialists and is running to be the state's next U.S. senator from Michigan responded after hidden videos on his YouTube channel trashing the Second Amendment resurfaced. "Abdul respects the Second Amendment, and also believes that access to healthcare is a right," Abdul El-Sayed spokeswoman Roxie Richner told Fox News Digital when reached for comment about comments made in the now-secret videos. "What if we tweaked the Constitution, amended the amendment, and instead of the right to bear arms, we change it to the right to have health care?" he said in a YouTube video posted on April 6, 2023. He claimed altruism in the proposal, saying more people would live. In that video, El-Sayed said that stripping Second Amendment rights and implementing a right to healthcare policy would lead to "fewer people dying by gun and more people living because they have health care." MICHIGAN SENATE CANDIDATE ABDUL EL-SAYED DODGES QUESTION ON WHETHER HE STILL SUPPORTS DEFUNDING THE POLICE YouTube offers a feature to hide videos previously posted publicly without deleting them. Though the hidden videos can't be viewed, rough transcripts can be found on an internet archive site first revealed by CNN in a Monday report. The outlet reports that El-Sayed hid about 100 videos before launching his Senate campaign. In one video from May 26, 2022, the transcript of which was viewed by Fox News Digital, El-Sayed made the argument that the Second Amendment does not apply to individual Americans, and only applies to a regulated militia. He claimed that the stipulation written in the key constitutional right "couches the entire idea of not infringing on the right to bear arms in the idea of maintaining a well-regulated militia." He argued against individuals owning firearms, instead suggesting that only designated community based groups, like police forces, should be issued firearms. Paradoxically, El-Sayed has also argued in favor of defunding the police. UNEARTHED CLIP EXPOSES MORE ANTI-POLICE RHETORIC AS EL-SAYED GETS GRILLED FOR DELETING SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS That argument against the Second Amendment was roundly rejected in a famous Supreme Court case from 2008, District of Columbia v. Heller. "The Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia," the nation's highest court decidedly held. El-Sayed's campaign did not respond when asked which, if any, of his views on the Second Amendment had changed since posting the 2022 and 2023 videos. Among the many other hidden videos, El-Sayed also raged against President Donald Trump's closed borders policies, argued against the use of fireworks and compared the "ethos" of football to slavery. The Democrat candidate has campaigned with socialist darling streamer Hasan Piker, known for saying "America deserved 9/11," praising Mao Zedong and Communist China, arguing that capitalists should be murdered in the streets and spewing a litany of antisemitic bile. The two palled around at a pre-primary election day party earlier this month. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ddbfc2c5335ae10460841 John Rich warns Nashville's famed Broadway could go dark as businesses face tax ‘death nail’ te 2026-08-13T15:00:12.615Z John Rich warns Nashville's famed Broadway could go dark as businesses face tax ‘death nail’ Country star John Rich is warning that Nashville’s Lower Broadway, the iconic entertainment district famous for its glowing neon signs, packed honky-tonks and live country music, could soon begin going dark. In a video that Rich shared on Facebook last week, the 52-year-old Big & Rich member sounded the alarm, declaring that "the lights are going out on Broadway" as Nashville businesses struggle under mounting property tax bills. Speaking to Fox News Digital, Rich, who owns Redneck Riviera Bar & BBQ on Lower Broadway, argued that sharply higher property assessments along with increased taxes have pushed longtime Broadway establishments to a breaking point, which he said threatened not only the businesses themselves but the live music culture that earned Nashville its "Music City" nickname. "It was a one-two punch," Rich said. "So the first thing he did was they reappraised everybody's property in the county, in the city, and as soon as they got that done, which was an extremely inflated appraisal rate, then they come in and raise the taxes aggressively on top of these extremely inflated appraisals." COUNTRY STAR JOHN RICH JOINS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ADVOCATING FOR LANDOWNERS' RIGHTS "And with those two things, what you've done is you've now put a death nail in a vast majority of the businesses," he continued. "It's only a matter of time before you're going to see large percentages of the businesses downtown turning out the lights." "We've already had three in the past two weeks have to shut down. I'm talking major, major, major places that have been there for decades," Rich added. Though Rich blamed Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell for the overall tax burden, the city's regularly scheduled four-year reappraisal, which took place in 2025, was conducted by the independently elected Davidson County assessor of property. WATCH: JOHN RICH WARNS TAX ‘ONE-TWO PUNCH’ THREATENS BROADWAY The 2025 reappraisal resulted in a 45% median increase in property values countywide. Under Tennessee law, the reappraisal itself is revenue-neutral, meaning the tax rate is adjusted so higher property values don't automatically generate additional revenue for local government. However, O’Connell and the Metro Council subsequently set the Urban Services District tax rate at $2.814 per $100 of assessed value, 26% above the revenue-neutral certified rate, according to the assessor’s office. The increases were particularly steep on Lower Broadway, where a 400% increase in real estate values was common, according to a report by Axios Nashville. The outlet also reported that many honky-tonk operators rent their buildings and are responsible for the property taxes under their leases, leaving them to shoulder rising tax bills without benefiting from the increased equity in the properties. Rich pointed to several Lower Broadway establishments while describing what he sees as a broader threat to businesses in the district. He cited Nashville Underground, which permanently closed in May after roughly eight years in business, and Acme Feed & Seed, whose owner, Tom Morales, has warned it could close amid a steep increase in its property tax bill. Rich also said he has heard Hard Rock Cafe Nashville, a Broadway fixture since 1994, is considering closing, though Fox News Digital has not independently confirmed that claim. Acme Feed & Seed, in particular, has emerged as a flashpoint in the debate over the rising tax burden. In February, Morales said the popular four-story restaurant, bar and live music venue's annual property tax bill had jumped from $129,000 to nearly $600,000. Morales told Nashville's NewsChannel 5 that Acme Feed & Seed ended 2025 about $500,000 "in the red," while he and his daughter Lauren Morales later told the Nashville Scene that closure was "imminent" if they could not find a solution to the tax increase. O’Connell addressed Morales' warnings at the time during an interview with Nashville's Fox 17. "It’s not up to me whether he keeps that business open," O’Connell told the outlet. "The market evolves. New businesses start even as beloved old businesses close." LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS The comments drew criticism, including from Metro Councilmember Jacob Kupin, who told Fox 17 he was "appalled" by the mayor's response. O’Connell’s office later accused the station of selectively editing and misrepresenting his remarks and released a longer version of the exchange. In the fuller answer, O’Connell said the state comptroller had reviewed downtown valuations and determined they reflected market value. He called Acme's location "an incredibly valuable piece of property" and said it was up to the owner to determine how to capture that value. Rich argued that Acme’s concerns are far from isolated, pointing to a recent meeting he attended with other Lower Broadway business owners. "Then we had this meeting with all the business owners down there," Rich told Fox News Digital. "And in that meeting, all the ownership of Broadway was represented down there, and every single person said it's only a matter of time before we literally have to just close the doors because we're running at a deficit." "We'd have to charge $50 a beer, which you can't do that," he continued. "I mean, there is no business model that exists that allows the businesses down there to stay open." WATCH: JOHN RICH SAYS NASHVILLE BARS WOULD NEED TO CHARGE ‘$50 A BEER' TO SURVIVE Rich emphasized that the bar and restaurant operators sounding the alarm include some of the most experienced in the city. "You're not talking about a bunch of amateurs here," he said. "You're looking at the best of the best, and they can't survive it." For Rich, however, the bigger concern is what the financial pressure could ultimately mean for Nashville’s identity. "The bigger story to me is live music in Nashville. I mean, it's called Music City," he said. Rich described the unique concentration of live music along Broadway, where honky-tonks line both sides of the street and bands perform throughout the day and into the early morning hours. "You walk down Broadway, the doors are all open to all the honky-tonks, you're hearing music from the right side of your head and the left side of your head for five blocks in a row," Rich said. "There's 60, 70, 80 live music venues in that one concentration. It's the only place like it in the world." "The French Quarter doesn't have that. Las Vegas doesn't have that. Times Square doesn't have that," he continued. "There's nowhere in America that has what downtown Nashville has when it comes to live music. And it is absolutely under threat." Rich painted a dire picture of what he fears the entertainment district could eventually look like when Nashville hosts the 2030 Super Bowl. "Can you imagine when the Super Bowl comes to Nashville here in a few years, and everybody's packed in on Broadway and there's only 30 or 40% of the neon signs that are even still lit up, if you're lucky?" he said. "That's what you're looking at happening. I mean, what a travesty that would be." Rich, an outspoken conservative and longtime supporter of President Donald Trump, placed much of the blame for the situation on O’Connell, a Democrat, suggesting the mayor's approach to the issue is driven by ideology. However, Rich maintained that concerns among Broadway business owners cross political lines. "This is not just a bunch of conservatives yelling about it," Rich said. "The group of business owners that I sat with were from both sides of the aisle." "There's all kinds of things we don't agree on amongst each other," he continued. "But this right here brought unity amongst left and right and middle. It's that bad." Rich also accused O’Connell of using tax policy to reshape the character of Nashville, offering his own view of the mayor's motivations. "It is a tactic to tax things out of existence that you don't like and replace them with things that you'd rather have there," Rich said. "Can you imagine the neon signs on Broadway replaced with government buildings and corporate offices? I think that's what he wants." Fox News Digital has reached out to O’Connell’s office for comment. The five-time Grammy Award nominee is now calling on Tennessee state leaders to intervene. Rich said Broadway business owners have appealed to Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson and urged Gov. Bill Lee to work with lawmakers on a solution. He told Fox News Digital that the governor has the opportunity to become a "honky-tonk hero." WATCH: JOHN RICH FEARS NASHVILLE’S NEON LIGHTS COULD GO DARK BEFORE SUPER BOWL COMES TO MUSIC CITY "Governor Lee, who's still here, has an opportunity to do a special session with the Senate, with the House, and come with some solution that, if nothing else, will buy us some time until we can go in and make the more permanent moves," Rich said. State leaders are considering taking action. Sexton's office confirmed to Axios Nashville on Wednesday that the House speaker has spoken with Lee's office about the issue and that they are "looking at all possible solutions," including the possibility of a special legislative session. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Despite his warnings, Rich said the culture that draws crowds to Broadway has not changed, at least not yet. "The culture on Broadway hasn't changed at all," he said. "The crowds that come there, the bands that play there, the owners of those businesses, they're the same as they've always been." "It is all about the music," Rich continued. "It's all about people coming to town to have a good time and look at what some of the most talented people you've ever seen in your life play on these tiny little stages." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7ddbfb2c5335ae10460838 House Republican urges new Trump AG Blanche to shut down Biden-era NYC heroin injection sites te 2026-08-13T15:00:11.618Z House Republican urges new Trump AG Blanche to shut down Biden-era NYC heroin injection sites Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., slammed Biden administration-funded heroin injection sites in New York City in an interview with Fox News Digital. At the heart of Malliotakis' complaints are two Overdose Prevention Centers (OPCs) in Manhattan — one in East Harlem and the other in Washington Heights — that, until recently, funneled federal funds to "supervised consumption services," including the supervised use of illicit drugs such as heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance. "People literally go there like it's a community center, hang out, and shoot up drugs. It's signaling to drug dealers where their clients are located and attracting a criminal element in and around the facility," Malliotakis told Fox News Digital. "We don't want to see this spread throughout the City of New York or the rest of the country, which is why it's critical for the Department of Justice to step in now to stop these illegally operating heroin injection centers — to make an example of what's taking place in New York City so other municipalities throughout the country don't think about opening them," she continued. EX-EMPLOYEE OF TAXPAYER-FUNDED NONPROFIT CAUGHT SELLING FENTANYL NEAR LA PARK: DOCS Malliotakis wrote a letter to newly-confirmed U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche on Tuesday, requesting that he take "swift action" to shut down the centers. She accused the nonprofit OnPoint, which runs the centers, of "operating in clear violation of federal law under Title 21 of the United States Code Section 856 which states it is unlawful to '...knowingly open, lease, rent, use, or maintain any place, whether permanently or temporarily, for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing, or using any controlled substance...'" A Justice Department spokesperson said in a statement to Fox News Digital that "the DOJ can confirm receipt of the letter and is ensuring the appropriate personnel within the Department are reviewing it carefully." President Donald Trump's administration, in a July 2025 executive order, ordered the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to redirect funding from "recipients of Federal housing and homelessness assistance that operate drug injection sites or 'safe consumption sites,' knowingly distribute drug paraphernalia, or permit the use or distribution of illicit drugs on property under their control." TRUMP’S DC LAW-AND-ORDER BLITZ MARKS ONE YEAR WITH EYE-POPPING HAUL OF SUSPECTS Malliotakis praised the decision while arguing that the OnPoint facilities fall under that definition. "Thankfully, President Trump last year signed an executive order prohibiting any federal funds from going to such facilities. There was a $2 million grant that Joe Biden's administration had approved for these facilities in New York, and President Trump's executive order canceled that," she told Fox News Digital. Malliotakis also introduced a bill in 2025 that would further defund injection centers nationally. "We don't know who will be president in a few years, so we need that codified in statute. I'm very pleased to see the President took action via executive order to stop $2 million of taxpayer money from going to a heroin shooting gallery, which is an absolutely insane use of taxpayer funds," she told Fox News Digital. "We're hopeful that under the new Trump administration, we will see these heroin sites finally shut down because what they're doing is enabling addiction," she continued. "It is really unsavory activity that's taking place. You see the quality of life deteriorate, all in full view of the school children attending surrounding community schools," Malliotakis said. Malliotakis also slammed New York's Democratic socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who visited one of OnPoint's locations in March. "The new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, did go visit one of these facilities and was praising the work they're doing, which is ludicrous. It's enabling drug addiction instead of helping people who are clearly addicted," she told Fox News Digital. "These are people addicted to these substances, and instead of helping them fight their addiction and get off drugs, they're literally enabling them and giving them a community center to do it in — when we could use community centers for our youth and our seniors. It's really, really disturbing to see tax dollars go to this" she continued. "We need long-term treatment. I've been a constant supporter of funding long-term treatment. Unfortunately, here in New York City, when they make a drug-related arrest, it's a quick turnaround — you're in and you're out, even if you're the dealer perpetrating these crimes on people," Malliotakis said. Fox News Digital contacted the White House, Mamdani's office and OnPoint for further comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dd9a62c5335ae1046075d Bears passing into Sedona’s neighborhoods te 2026-08-13T14:50:14.879Z Bears passing into Sedona’s neighborhoods Bear Sighting GuideArizona Game and Fish Public Affairs Community Liaison Stevie Kelso said there’s a few things to know if you see a bear up close.“The first thing that you’re going to want to do is make yourself look big,” Kelso said. “Make plenty of noise. You’re going to want to face the bear, m Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dd9a52c5335ae1046073f Beach hero jumps into the water after spotting 3 girls in danger of drowning te 2026-08-13T14:50:13.323Z Beach hero jumps into the water after spotting 3 girls in danger of drowning A California college student rescued three girls who were in danger of drowning at a Seattle park after spotting them struggling in the water during a festival. The student, Lillie Vehling, is a Division I water polo player at the University of California, Davis, FOX 13 Seattle reported. Vehling was in Seattle for Seafair, the city's annual summer festival, where she spotted three girls struggling in the waters of Lake Washington near Genesee Park on July 31. EXTREME DEPTH MADE FATAL CAVE DIVE PERILOUS AT LUXURY HONEYMOON DESTINATION A California native, Vehling had gone to Genesee Park to watch the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron. The girls "did not look very good" in the water, Vehling said in an interview with FOX 13 Seattle. "They were already bobbing up and down, trying to get breaths, and one of the girls was actually drowning the others in order to breathe," she said. "That's when I knew I had to jump in." SHARK WEEK ADVISORY AS WARMING SEAS PUSH BLACKTIPS FARTHER NORTH ALONG EAST COAST Vehling said that she saved the girl who was drowning the others first "so that the others weren't even in worse shape." Fox News Digitial reached out to Vehling for more details.  "I removed them one by one," she told FOX 13. "The first girl — I, again, don't really remember how I did it, but I got her back to the shallow water." After rescuing the second swimmer, Vehling untangled the third girl from the buoy rope and brought her up to safety. CARIBBEAN HOT SPOT GRIPPED BY WATER CRISIS, AND TOURISTS SCRAMBLE TO RESCHEDULE PLANS "Unfortunately, by the time I had gotten to the third girl, it was just the top of her head that was there," Vehling said. "I just saw her black hair in the water barely floating and when I got to her, she was unconscious. I lifted her head up out of the water and had my arm underneath her armpit holding her up," she added. The girl coughed up water and regained consciousness, according to FOX 13. Seafair later honored Vehling for the rescue, inviting her to its gala — where she was knighted and named Seafair royalty. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER She was also given a special opportunity to see the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, a squadron she has long admired.  Fox News Digital reached out to Seafair for comment. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS Drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 4 and the second-leading cause of unintentional injury death among children ages 5 to 14, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Similar rescues have made recent headlines across the country.  Earlier this summer, two Florida lifeguards were credited with saving a 5-year-old boy who was pulled unconscious from the ocean at Silver Beach after his frantic family flagged them down for help. In LA County, lifeguards performed nearly 2,000 ocean rescues over a single weekend amid extreme heat and dangerous surf conditions. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dd9a42c5335ae10460736 DAVID MARCUS: Why it's too late for Dems to ditch Piker and his America-hating socialism te 2026-08-13T14:50:12.662Z DAVID MARCUS: Why it's too late for Dems to ditch Piker and his America-hating socialism Democrats scored a narrow, but ultimately pyrrhic, victory in Wisconsin Tuesday night, as the wacky Thanksgiving-hating and Hasan Piker-backed gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong lost the primary to a more moderate candidate. But their socialism problem is far from cured. Just as in Michigan two weeks ago, the polls in this Democratic primary reflected about as much reality as Alice in Wonderland, as all of them had Hong with a seemingly insurmountable lead of over 15 points. The prediction markets had Hong’s chances of winning at 96% on Tuesday morning, but something happened on the way to her coronation. Actual flesh-and-blood voters decided that socialist policies such as abolishing police and ICE aren’t really what they want. DEMOCRAT ESTABLISHMENT STRIKES BACK AS SOCIALIST CANDIDATE DOWNED IN BATTLEGROUND PRIMARY This column, based on reporting from the ground in the Midwest, has been warning for weeks that the polls have been absurdly favoring socialist candidates such as Adbul El-Sayed in Michigan’s Senate primary who squeaked out a 1-point win after every survey put him up double digits. This has left Democrats with the most serious problem they have faced in a generation, because half of their voters seem to want a socialist utopia while the other half just wants a normal, everyday Democratic candidate, to the extent those still even exist. Democratic establishment leaders like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries keep insisting that the Democrats just have a big tent, and that this is a good thing. But what does that really mean? If the Democrats' "big tent" includes proposals such as abolishing the Senate and Supreme Court, seizing private property and, as one of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top aides put it, "impoverishing the White middle class," then voters have a right to believe that electing Democrats might bring those things about. JONATHAN TURLEY: NOTHING SAYS 'BIG TENT' LIKE A GOOD COMMUNIST POGROM In the final 10 days of the Michigan race, Piker and the DSA were basically El-Sayed’s running mates. At first, the party thought it had found electoral gold as the fabulist polls posited a socialist supercharged blowout. They were ready to send Piker everywhere and to plaster his face all over America. When that lead turned out to be fool's gold, Democrats realized they had made a huge mistake, and that Piker and his lunatic ravings about Israel and murdering United States senators had done far more harm than good. Even having realized that, however, the party is stuck with Piker and the DSA now. For weeks, Democrats have been insisting that the antisemitic Twitch streamer is a major voice for youth who must be given space and a platform, and that America is trending towards socialism. HASAN PIKER CALLS FOR DEMOCRATS WHO OPPOSE ABDUL EL-SAYED TO BE 'PUNISHED' Well, not so fast, commies. It is far too late for Democrats to disavow Piker now, and the odds of him shutting up and going away on his own, especially after last week’s Rolling Stone fashion shoot, are somewhere between narrow and non-existent. Piker is to Republicans what cowbell is to Christopher Walken: They need more, the GOP has a fever and the only cure is more Hasan Piker, who seems to say things daily that make Democrats miss nutty Graham Platner. Republicans are going to tie El-Sayed and every Democratic candidate in America to Piker and communist crazies, and where is the lie? Who in their party other than Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., has said a word against them? BLAKEMAN CUTS INTO HOCHUL'S NEW YORK GOVERNOR'S RACE LEAD IN NEW POLL, AS LIKELY VOTERS GIVE DSA JUDGMENT When you combine this with the galaxy-sized polling misses, all in favor of the left, in this cycle, who is to say that Michelle Tafoya can’t flip the Minnesota Senate seat red or that Bruce Blakeman can’t unseat Gov. Kathy Hochul in the Empire State’s governor's race? Elections are stories, not math problems, and boy do Republicans have a good story to tell now that Democrats have embraced Piker and the radical left. If destroying the constitution and immiserating White people is inside the Democrat tent, there are a lot of ordinary, everyday American voters who will not be. Democrats will try very hard in the coming weeks to move to the center and put all of this socialism behind them, but so long as they are tied to Piker and the communists, they will never be able to get there. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM DAVID MARCUS Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dd9a42c5335ae1046072d BZZR 'cutting out the noise' from sports social media space great for creators, sportscaster Jon Alba says te 2026-08-13T14:50:12.005Z BZZR 'cutting out the noise' from sports social media space great for creators, sportscaster Jon Alba says Social media can be a tricky place. If you fire off the wrong hot take, you could subject yourself to endless notifications for messages that might make you lose some sleep. BZZR, a social media platform dedicated solely to sports content, is hoping to change that. COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL Jon Alba, an Emmy Award-winning sportscaster who co-hosts "The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy" with the legendary professional wrestler, told Fox News Digital he believed that there was a space missing for sports fans to connect online without the hate and vitriol. He said it’s what makes BZZR the place to be for those who have cemented themselves as reputable content creators and those looking to get reps in. "I have always felt like there was a spot in the sports media space that was unoccupied where a virtual sports bar could meet people who wanted to engage in that space specifically," he said. "When I was 15 years old, back in the early days of podcasting, podcasting didn't even exist. It was like online sports talk radio. There was a platform called YouCaster and it was essentially a bunch of sports fans, wannabe sports broadcasters, creating content and congregating around each other's content. And the platform didn't last very long, but it was such a great idea. "And now in the age of access for all of these creators to have a space that is dedicated to solely creating instantaneous, engaging sports content and cutting out the noise, I think that's awesome for the space and it's a great way for anyone to get an opportunity to get reps and get better at creating content in the sports space. So, I think it's a great arena for that." BZZR has made it a point to block out the noise and stick solely to sports and it’s what drew Alba to the platform. The social media platform has partnered with the Texas Rangers, John Bradshaw Layfield, MVP, Dwayne Swayze and Kayla Becker – to name a few. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "There's so much trash out there today, whether it's AI garbage or engagement bait, rage bait, where people just say things for the sake of saying things, and it's been one of my least favorite evolutions of the sports media space in the last decade where people who want to make noise get rewarded for doing so without any substance to what they're saying," he said. "And I think the advantage of a place like BZZR is that you have people on the platform who are there for the right reason, who want to create good, engaging content that furthers conversation that gets them better at creating sports content and creates a space that people actually want to talk about sports in, as silly as it sounds. "I don't think we have that many of them right now that do so in a way that has integrity and is genuinely fun to sort through. So that's why I've really gone behind the idea of BZZR and I think it's cool to see that it has grown in a short period of time." Hardy agreed that the concept of having a place solely for sports was a good idea. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "The best thing about social media is it gives everyone a voice. The worst thing about social media is it gives everyone a voice and that very much holds true," Hardy added. Hardy and Alba’s podcast drops every Friday morning as they look back at Hardy’s career and swap stories about some of the most important moments in pro wrestling history. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dd9a32c5335ae10460724 Man who carried Clinton nuclear 'football' reveals what 'scares the hell out of me' about Air Force One story te 2026-08-13T14:50:11.262Z Man who carried Clinton nuclear 'football' reveals what 'scares the hell out of me' about Air Force One story A retired Air Force lieutenant colonel who carried the nuclear "football" for former President Bill Clinton says the extraordinary Air Force One shell game departing Ankara, Turkey last month to protect President Donald Trump from a potential attack was hardly unprecedented. "It was brilliant," retired Lt. Col. Robert "Buzz" Patterson told Fox News Digital. "I wish I had been a part of it. That's how well done it was." But Patterson is warning that exposing the vital national security secrets behind such operations could put presidents, military personnel and the White House press corps in danger for years to come. Patterson served as Clinton's senior military aide for a period of two years and was responsible for the president’s emergency satchel, and in a 20-minute interview Wednesday, he explained how presidential decoys, aircraft swaps and other acts of deception are longstanding tools used to protect the commander in chief, his senior officials and the "privileged" Air Force One press corps. TRUMP USED CATERING TRUCK, AIR FORCE ONE DECOY TO EVADE IRAN THREAT: REPORT What alarms him, Patterson said, is not that Trump’s security team used the tactic – including the catering truck sleight of hand he was intimately a part of during the Clinton administration – but that details of how it was done are now spilling into public view. "I hope that they prosecute this to the fullest," Patterson said. "Whoever leaked that, in my opinion, and having been involved in this, was highly placed in that process." "There’s only a few people who actually know exactly what’s going down, and that’s by design," he added. "So if somebody leaked it, it was somebody involved in the process, and that scares the hell out of me." 'DECOY' AIR FORCE ONE WAS PROTECTED BY US FIGHTER JETS, OFFICIAL SAYS His warning comes as Fox News reported Wednesday that the legacy presidential 747 used as a decoy after Trump secretly switched planes in Ankara, Turkey, last month was not sent into the sky unprotected. A senior Trump administration official told Fox News that U.S. fighter jets protected the aircraft on its flight to the United Kingdom. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent were also aboard with members of the traveling press corps, according to the official. Reporters had been instructed to keep their window shades closed. Patterson said the fighter escort was exactly the sort of protection he would expect in a high-threat environment. TRUMP SAYS HE'S IRAN'S 'NO. 1' TARGET AS RENEWED CONFLICT RAISES ASSASSINATION FEARS "Yes, especially into war zones," Patterson said, when asked whether presidential aircraft are customarily escorted by fighter jets in such circumstances. "We damn sure always do when we’re going to a theater of high threat," he said. "We did it with President Clinton in ’97. And we did it with Trump just a couple weeks ago, and we’ll do it with whoever the next president is." TRUMP’S SLY PLANE SWITCH RAISES EYEBROWS OVER SAFETY OF PASSENGERS LEFT BEHIND ON BOARD Trump’s July 8 departure from the NATO summit in Ankara involved a carefully staged deception. Trump publicly boarded the familiar blue-and-white presidential 747 before being moved out of sight in an airport catering vehicle and transferred to a smaller Air Force C-32A. The legacy 747 then departed for Britain while Trump traveled separately. He later reunited with the presidential aircraft in the United Kingdom before continuing his journey aboard the newer, Qatari-donated 747. Trump said Tuesday that he was following the direction of the Secret Service and military. Patterson said the broader concept of confusing potential attackers about the president’s movements is routine. WHITE HOUSE PUSHED FOR PROTOCOL TO PRESERVE CORRESPONDENTS' CREDIBILITY AFTER TRUMP'S SECRET PLANE SWITCH "We use decoys all the time," he said. "We use decoy in the motorcade routes." "You'll sometimes see the two beasts will switch out under bridges and overpasses. We do the same thing with airplanes, especially in international trips. There's always two Air Force ones that go. Obviously one's a decoy and it's also a spare for spare parts in case something happens to the primary. "So we've been doing it for years. "It works," he added, "and for people to want to have visibility into actually how it works would be particularly troubling and it would cause reverberations in our American system for years." SECRET SERVICE AGENT ON JD VANCE'S DETAIL INVESTIGATED FOR ALLEGEDLY LEAKING OPERATIONAL SECURITY INFO That is why, he argued, demands to expose the mechanics of the latest operation risk doing more damage than the public scrutiny is worth. Patterson said the protections are intended not merely for Trump, Clinton or any individual president, but to ensure continuity of the presidency itself. "President Trump's only got two more years," he said. "These programs are going to be in place for the foreseeable future, and they've been in place in our past for quite a while. So it's not just about Trump. These programs exist to protect no matter who the president is and the team around him." Patterson, who is a conservative and outspoken New York Times bestselling author highly critical of the man he carried the nuclear football for, warned divisive politics against Trump is dangerous for U.S. national security. TWO YEARS AFTER BUTLER, THREATS AGAINST TRUMP KEEP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT IN SHARP FOCUS "Like I was with President Clinton – I wasn't a huge President Clinton fan but they hired me into that position, the White House did – and I swore an oath to the office of the presidency, and I did it," Patterson said. "And I think that the people that are working for President Trump right now, whether they like him or don't like him, or agree with his politics or don't agree with this politics, they have to understand that we're there – the Secret Service guys, the apparatus is there – to protect the human being and the office." Patterson also revealed that Trump was not the first president he knew of to use an airport catering vehicle as part of a clandestine movement: "As far as I know, President Clinton was the first one to do it." Decades before Trump was moved between aircraft in Ankara, Patterson said a catering truck was used to discreetly move Clinton aboard a presidential aircraft during an episode that was never publicly reported at the time. "I won't go into a lot of detail, but, President Clinton was incapable of going up the front steps," he said. "So we used a catering truck to get them onto the back of the airplane, unbeknownst to anybody else that was there except for a few of us. And we never told anybody and nobody ever reported it." TRUMP HAS BECOME AMERICA'S MOST TARGETED LEADER, FACING THREATS EVERY FEW MONTHS "And we flew back to DC kind of unannounced. And we've done it before. I was on with President Clinton in 1997 when we did the surprise visit to Bosnia. So he went to Bosnia on Christmas Eve to surprise the troops. So we didn't tell anybody then. I was all on that trip the entire way, 36 hours nonstop that day. And we didn't tell anybody, and the press didn't know, and they never complained about it. "And it was important. We wanted to get President Clinton into a war zone without anybody else knowing about it. And that's kind of what was happening to Trump. They wanted to him out of a potential war zone, without anybody knowing about it. "We do it all the time. It's safe, it's reliable, and the public does not need to know." Past presidents have repeatedly used secrecy and deception for travel into dangerous areas. Clinton used decoy aircraft during a 2000 trip to Pakistan, while subsequent presidents have made covert or tightly held trips to Iraq, Afghanistan and Ukraine. The precise circumstances and level of knowledge afforded to traveling reporters have differed between administrations. Patterson pushed back against criticism that Trump’s operation improperly endangered the reporters and officials who continued aboard the legacy presidential aircraft. He noted that the aircraft was carrying not only journalists but an Air Force crew and senior government officials — and, as Fox News has now reported, was protected by fighter aircraft. "We’re not going to put those people at risk either," Patterson said flatly of the Air Force personnel. He argued that some of the media criticism has lost sight of the wider security apparatus involved in presidential travel. "A lot of what is being spouted on social media and in our mainstream media is factually incorrect," Patterson said, "and it’s actually troubling because it’s going to endanger not only President Trump, but future presidents to come." Patterson called efforts to expose the procedures "incredibly dangerous" and "irresponsible." The danger, he said, extends beyond the president. "It endangers everybody in the process — Secret Service guys, military aide guys, Air Force guys that are on alert, Army guys that are on alert," Patterson said. The retired officer said presidential protection plans are deliberately compartmentalized so that very few people know the full operation. That is what makes the source of the disclosures particularly concerning to him. Patterson warned there could also be a longer-term cost to revealing too much about presidential deception tactics: Future commanders in chief could lose the ability to make surprise visits to troops or enter high-threat regions at all. If the tactics become predictable, he argued, planners would have to devise entirely new security procedures. "If we were to expose everything, we would have to overhaul the entire security apparatus of the United States of America," Patterson said, warning that doing so could put "the presidency and the Cabinet members in incredible danger." Asked whether overexposing such programs could effectively prevent Trump or future presidents from making some high-risk overseas trips, Patterson agreed. "That’s correct," he said. For Patterson, that makes the argument over the Trump flight bigger than one president, one press corps or one flight out of Turkey. The tactics being publicly dissected today, he warned, may be the same ones needed to save a future president — and everyone traveling with that president — tomorrow. "We just need to leave them alone," Patterson said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dd99d2c5335ae104606f8 Flagstaff Event Almanac for August 13 te 2026-08-13T14:50:05.502Z Flagstaff Event Almanac for August 13 Aug 13 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dd7422c5335ae10460678 Apple in talks to pay publishers to provide Siri with current news: report te 2026-08-13T14:40:02.395Z Apple in talks to pay publishers to provide Siri with current news: report The tech giant has considered a nine-figure budget for the payments, according to the WSJ. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dd4f12c5335ae1046064e Military contractor aircraft surveil Arizona’s southern border for undisclosed mission te 2026-08-13T14:30:09.137Z Military contractor aircraft surveil Arizona’s southern border for undisclosed mission A snapshot of flight history of two aircraft belonging to military contractor Metrea Aerospace which have been flying along Arizona, Texas and New Mexico’s southern borders. Military contractor aircraft equipped with high-end surveillance gear has been flying along the United States southern border above Arizona, New Mexico and Texas for months. The Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security won’t elaborate on what the aircraft are doing. “The Department of War contracts with a number of companies, including Metrea, to provide capabilities in support of military operations across the globe. For operations security reasons, we do not discuss specific contractor support to particular missions or operations,” a DoD spokesperson wrote in a statement to the Arizona Mirror. “These activities are governed by Attorney General approved procedures that ensure the activities are conducted in a manner that protects the constitutional and legal rights and the privacy and civil liberties of U.S. citizens.” The aircraft that have been flying along Arizona’s southern border belong to private military contractor Metrea, formerly Meta Aerospace, and according to documents obtained by the Mirror, they’re loaded with military grade surveillance equipment.  GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE Since February, Metrea aircraft have been flying at high altitudes in loops along areas of the country’s southern border with Mexico over cities including Bisbee, Douglas, Laredo and El Paso.  Metrea holds multiple government contracts with the U.S. military, including a $5.7 million contract to help train the United States Special Operations Command. It also aids in simulated training exercises for the Marines.  The company also provides “advanced aerial surveillance” to the Australian government, specifically for monitoring the country’s border regions.  In a press release announcing the contract, Metrea boasted 170,000 hours of “crewed Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (AISR) operations across Europe, the United States, Africa and Asia, demonstrating consistent performance in complex, high-tempo environments.” Metrea aircraft are not the only military-contractor-owned aircraft that have been flying in the area. The company did not respond to repeated requests for a comment on this story.  A jet belonging to Tenax Aerospace equipped with high-end mapping technology that has been spotted flying in the South China Sea and Nigeria has also been flying along the border since July.  A DHS spokesperson told the Mirror that Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection were not flying with Metrea along the southern border. DHS did not respond to questions about whether the aircraft were supporting a mission by the Department of Homeland Security or the Department of Defense.  Dirt boxes and more  The border region of the United States is no stranger to surveillance aircraft.  Aircraft belonging to DHS and the Arizona National Guard can be seen flying the region frequently, as they search for smugglers or people who crossed the border illegally. Those aircraft are often helicopters equipped with high-end cameras and other sensors, but DHS is also known to deploy predator-style drones to conduct surveillance.  In the past, DHS disguised its surveillance aircraft, equipped with “law enforcement technical collection” equipment.  The main aircraft flying the border is a Beechcraft B300 King Air 350, a twin-engine propeller aircraft that has been favored by the United States military to conduct rescue operations and surveillance missions.  A similar version of the aircraft that has been flying along Arizona’s border crashed in the Philippines last year, killing three contractors and one Marine.  According to documents obtained by the Mirror through the Federal Aviation Administration, Metrea’s aircraft are outfitted with high-end surveillance equipment and both have been spotted flying in Arizona, Texas and New Mexico.  One of the major pieces of equipment installed on the aircraft is a DRT 3300, also sometimes referred to as a “dirtbox.”  A dirtbox is a piece of equipment that mimics a cell phone tower and acts in a similar manner to “stingray” devices that track cell phones and reportedly can even intercept messages.  The DRT 3300 installed on both of Metrea’s aircraft is able to capture communications transmitted by wireless devices like cell phones and radios, according to a brochure by the manufacturer, DRT.  It isn’t the only equipment on the aircraft meant for “signals intelligence” either.  Signals intelligence refers to the collection of information that is transmitted through the airwaves such as radio, wifi or other electronic means.  One of the aircraft lists a “Windjammer System” as a piece of equipment that has been installed.  This more than likely refers to the Windjammer system which can “conduct survey, stimulation, denial of service, and geo-location of a given” target’s phone or radio according to documents obtained by The Intercept. “It presents itself to satellite terminals as the network issuing commands that cause the terminal to communicate with the system directly.”  The aircraft also has on-board a powerful radar sensor that shows different high-definition images of the ground below. In a brochure about the equipment, its manufacturer notes that it can be used for “Illegal Migrant Operations….And More!” The aircraft are also equipped with a high-end camera that can be retracted into the airplane. It also has a military radio and multiple GPS anti-jamming devices installed.  The camera system on the Metrea planes is of a higher tier than the ones installed on Arizona National Guard Lakota UH-72As that have been dispatched as part of the Southwest Border Task Force. The L-3 Wescam MX-15 is the camera of choice for the Lakotas, boasting a zoom range of up to 3.5 miles. A demo video of the camera appears to show the Yuma County Courthouse.   One of those Lakotas assisted Phoenix Police in 2020 during Black Lives Matter protests.  The MX-20, used by the Metrea aircraft, spec sheet and specifications for its zoom length are blurred on the website and are only available upon request. A video showing off the camera on the company’s YouTube shows a man walking down a sidewalk, likely unaware of the aircraft following him at over 10,000 feet as the narrator boasts about the camera’s laser designation technology, which can automatically track a target   Documents obtained by the Mirror also show that one of the aircraft participated in a program called “Sable Spear” in 2018 that included the installation and testing of “special mission equipment.”. A program named “Sable Spear” was conducted by the CIA to investigate the implementation of AI. It is unclear if the aircraft was part of the same named program and the CIA did not respond to a request for comment.  That program used AI to collect information on “foreign sources and persons associated with the synthetic opioid market” and was called a “mass data analytics tool” to attempt to locate “indicators of illegal or suspicious activity,” according to the Defense Intelligence Agency.  “The arc of history bends towards privacy.” The use of wide area airborne surveillance, or WAAS, is something that has been challenged and debated by the courts for years.  In 1986, the United States Supreme Court ruled that when the Santa Clara Police Department flew in a private plane over Dante Carlo Ciraolo’s house and spotted marijuana plants in the backyard, it didn’t violate the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution and did not require a search warrant.  That same year, the court also ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency had not violated the Fourth Amendment when flying over a Dow Chemical facility to photograph it after the company had denied them access for an inspection.  Both those cases established that certain “open areas” that are easily viewable from the air do not require a search warrant and didn’t contemplate WAAS. However, there have been other challenges to the use of the technique that have deemed its use unconstitutional.  The Fourth Circuit ruled that use of a WAAS program by the Baltimore Police was unconstitutional as the vast amount of data collected constituted a search that violated the Fourth Amendment.  “Whatever security rationales are used to justify mass surveillance, whether it is patrolling the border or pursuing the war on drugs, if you’re intent on pursuing those policies you have to do it in a way that respects the privacy and constitutional rights of Americans,” Jay Stanley, senior policy analyst with the American Civil Liberties Union Speech, Privacy and Technology Project told the Mirror.  Stanley emphasized that these sorts of programs should include policies that encourage transparency, especially given the advent of AI.  “Number one, you need policies that ensure transparency so we know what government agencies are doing with the brand new powers that technology is giving them that humans have never had in history,” he said. “No matter what your position is, you should agree that it is done in the democratic process and not done by government officials behind closed doors.”  While Metrea’s flights are being conducted for the United States government, Stanley has questions about what happens to data collected by the company. Contractors can sell the data they collect, oftentimes right back to the government, and in some cases are creating dossiers on private citizens, according to Stanley and media reports “Their budget is not necessarily under the control of legislatures. They often can’t be fired by legislatures or impeached the way, say a county sheriff could be who is engaged in wrongdoing,” Stanley said. “And of course underneath it all they have a profit motive that government agencies don’t typically have.” Even when it is just the government, sometimes the use of the technology can invade people’s privacy in perverse ways, Stanley said. In 2004, a New York Police Department helicopter filmed a couple having sex on a rooftop while they were surveilling protesters.  Mass surveillance used by the government that is created by private companies is starting to become a hot topic, though, among voters and the American public.  Mass movements against local police departments’ use of the AI-powered automated license plate reader company Flock has led to multiple agencies dropping their contracts, including in Arizona. Some police have used the technology illegally, to stalk their exes, for example. “These new technologies appear overnight and they give agencies and companies new powers,” Stanley said, adding that there appears to be a groundswell against surveillance technology. “And this happens much faster than the public at large can digest what is happening. The arc of history bends towards privacy.” Whether that outrage will soon set its sights on other types of surveillance, like WAAS, is still yet to be seen, Stanley said.  “They’re both significant threats to the privacy that Americans have always expected and enjoyed,” Stanley said of WAAS and Flock.”When [Americans] really become aware of them they really don’t like the idea they’re being watched that way.”  YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dd2932c5335ae104605e4 How a Covid-Era Scramble Transformed Supreme Court Arguments te 2026-08-13T14:20:03.855Z How a Covid-Era Scramble Transformed Supreme Court Arguments Live audio, a new format and new voices have transformed and unsettled the court’s signature public ceremony. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dd0422c5335ae104605a0 UNICEF Gaza findings ‘completely shatters’ starvation claims against Israel, State Dept says te 2026-08-13T14:10:10.462Z UNICEF Gaza findings ‘completely shatters’ starvation claims against Israel, State Dept says The Trump State Department has reacted to a new report by UNICEF on malnutrition in Gaza by saying it "completely shatters" the allegations that Israel deliberately starved civilians in the Hamas-run enclave. The outcry of criticism comes as a report used by the United Nations and quoted by much of the world's media projected starvation in Gaza well into June. Following Hamas’ invasion of southern Israel on Oct 7, 2023, that led to the deaths of some 1,200 people and the kidnapping of 251 Israeli and foreign nationals, the Jewish state invaded Gaza, which led to accusations of genocide and deliberate starvation tactics used against Gazans. The UNICEF-led National Nutrition Cluster report from last month was able to reach 1,335 children under age 5 throughout 83% of the Gaza Strip to assess its risk of malnutrition. Malnutrition rates were determined by weight-for-height Z-score (WHZ) and mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC). Using WHZ figures, rates ranged from 0.2% in Khan Younis and Rafah to 0.8% in Gaza City. MUAC measurements found malnutrition rates ranging from 1.5% in Gaza City to 1.9% in Deir Al-Balah. About 17% of the population could not be surveyed due to security and operational constraints. TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PROBES UNRWA OVER ALLEGED EMPLOYMENT OF 1,500 TERRORISTS A State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital that "UNICEF’s latest findings demonstrate another example that completely shatters the countless false allegations against Israel of deliberate starvation of civilians in Gaza. There are U.N. entities, media outlets and NGOs that should retract and correct their politicized and baseless attacks on Israel – which has provided an unprecedented over 2 million tons of food into Gaza since the ceasefire." The rates of malnutrition UNICEF documented are on par with, or substantially lower than, those in some neighboring countries. According to a post on X from the Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), acute malnutrition figures in the region range from 1.3% in Gaza, Lebanon, and Turkey to 2.3% in Jordan, 3.3% in Egypt, 12.2% in Syria, and 17.7% in Sudan. UNICEF’s report has raised ire from onlookers who took issue with the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) statement that famine was "confirmed" in Gaza in August 2025. The catalyst for the uproar was the IPC's warning from August 2025 that famine had reached Gaza Governorate. At that time, the IPC estimated that 'through June 2026, at least 132,000 children under 5 are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition,' including 41,000 severe cases where children would be 'at heightened risk of death.'" The IPC is expected to release a full report on conditions in Gaza "in the coming days." Prior to releasing the report, they have assessed that the Gaza Strip would be in Phase 2, the "alert" phase for malnutrition, between July and December 2026. They state that "74,200 children aged 6–59 months will likely require treatment for acute malnutrition through April 2027, with more than 11,400 severe cases expected."  UNICEF’s July report found that "very few confirmed nutrition-related deaths have been reported during treatment" in Gaza. The IPC did not respond to questions about UNICEF’s findings, or whether they stood by their prior claims that famine had been reached in Gaza. HAMAS AGREES TO COMPLETE DISARMAMENT UNDER 'HISTORIC' GAZA AGREEMENT: TRUMP The State Department spokesperson added that "the United States, in coordination with Israel, have facilitated humanitarian assistance while taking important steps to prevent Hamas from diverting or looting the aid, providing more support to Gazans. The President has a bold and ambitious plan to rebuild Gaza, which is well underway through the efforts of the Board of Peace to facilitate disarming Hamas and ensure it is no longer a threat to Israel." Andrew Fox, a senior fellow at the Henry Jackson Society who has closely studied the Gaza conflict, told Fox News Digital that "the new data shows that the allegations of famine in Gaza were pure hysteria." He said that while "certain small pockets of hunger occurred in Gaza, we now know this can only have been an issue of distribution. Once again, international organizations removed Hamas and their share of the blame for Gaza’s suffering from the conversation, stoking the anti-Israel narrative." Prof. Aron Troen, director of the Nutrition and Brain Health Laboratory and teaches in the School of Nutrition Science and the School of Public Health at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem, told Fox News Digital that the UNICEF findings are "very, very good news." He said it was "remarkable that in an area which was very recently claimed to be experiencing not only famine, but a deliberate and imposed political famine, that the situation has gone to the point that the current measures, and at least some of them, right now are better than…other places in the Arab world." CHRISTIAN LEADERS HOLD EMERGENCY SUMMIT IN JERUSALEM TO CONFRONT GLOBAL RISE IN ANTISEMITISM "It’s important to state that if one wishes to take seriously the efforts to identify humanitarian need and provide an adequate response, then you have to be just as open to the good news as to the bad news," Troen said. He further decried "narratives" surrounding the report "that serve political agendas." He said that if there were the possibility of "a gradual transfer of pragmatic agency to a Palestinian governance in the interests of two states, respect for borders, coexistence," that it "requires people to stop throwing around genocide, famine, and impugning one side or the other in order to gain political leverage." Kurtis Cooper, Chief of Global Media at UNICEF, told Fox News Digital that "the recent nutrition survey measures conditions in mid-2026, more than nine months after the IPC confirmed famine in August 2025 and after a ceasefire and substantial scale-up in humanitarian assistance. It does not tell us what conditions were in August 2025, and it was never designed to." Cooper said that "in terms of why the situation has improved, during the period covered by the August 2025 IPC analysis, programmes to detect and treat malnutrition were largely operating, but blanket supplementary feeding had largely ceased across Gaza because of severe access constraints and supply disruptions. Programme data show a similar trend: admissions for treatment of acute malnutrition peaked at nearly 17,000 children in August 2025 before falling to around 3,100 by May 2026." Cooper did not answer questions about how WHZ rates measured in Gaza compare to those in other countries experiencing widespread human suffering. In May, UNICEF reported that in Sudan, "almost 100,000 children were admitted for treatment for severe acute malnutrition" between January and March. UNICEF estimated that 825,000 children under five would experience severe acute malnutrition in Sudan in 2026. Andrew Fox called on "leading organizations" to "offer a public and full retraction of their error-strewn papers." He explained that "their mistakes have paved the way for an explosion in global antisemitism, and these organizations must own their roles in that and make amends as loudly as possible." According to the J7 Large Communities’ Task Force Against Antisemitism, 2025 was the deadliest year for antisemitic attacks around the world since 1994. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dd0392c5335ae1046056c In a first, US will allow some private firms to carry out cyberattacks te 2026-08-13T14:10:01.953Z In a first, US will allow some private firms to carry out cyberattacks The new order sweeps away decades of existing U.S. cybersecurity policy prohibiting private companies from conducting 'hack back' attacks or offensive cyber operations. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dcb912c5335ae104604a1 Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett star in R-rated thriller ‘Verity,’ out Oct 2 te 2026-08-13T13:50:09.406Z Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett star in R-rated thriller ‘Verity,’ out Oct 2 A new trailer is out for Anne Hathaway's new movie "Verity." Basic info: BEN AFFLECK DIRECTS, STARS IN NETFLIX KIDNAPPING THRILLER 'ANIMALS' COMING THIS OCTOBER There's been some buzz about "Verity" going back to April, and that buzz is only going to grow after a new preview was released this week. It appears the film will be a dark and very sinister psychological thriller that peels back many layers of deception and secrets. There's also some.......content not appropriate for younger viewers! I have a feeling "Verity" absolutely earned its R-rating. Give the preview a watch below, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK CULTURE COVERAGE What do we all think about the preview? If the goal was to go viral and stir up some attention, then I think the mission was accomplished. The cast is also stacked. Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett are an outstanding lineup. Hartnett is also having himself a year. His new Netflix limited series "Below" comes out on Oct. 8. Lots of positive momentum for the veteran star. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Overall, the premise is fascinating, the trailer is great and the buzz will only continue to get louder and louder. You can catch "Verity" in theaters starting October 2nd. Let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dc9322c5335ae10460416 Can social media start over? Bluesky’s CEO and COO deliver their case at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026  te 2026-08-13T13:40:02.436Z Can social media start over? Bluesky’s CEO and COO deliver their case at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026  Bluesky CEO Toni Schneider is joined by COO Rose Wang for a Disrupt Stage session on whether social media can start over and where Bluesky fits into that potential reboot. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dc6e12c5335ae104603e9 Things we bought that are worth every penny te 2026-08-13T13:30:09.119Z Things we bought that are worth every penny FOX News Deals may be compensated for or earn a commission if you buy through our links. Some purchases earn their keep, and this 7-quart Cuisinart Dutch oven is one of them. I use mine to bake bread and simmer chili, soups and sauces all year long. It's the kind of kitchen workhorse I turn to again and again. Right now, it’s 60% off at Wayfair, bringing the price down to just $99. READ MORE: Buy it for life: Durable products worth every dollar (now on sale) By mid-August, we've all been tempted by enough summer sales. So this week, we're looking beyond the biggest markdowns and more on what’s actually worth your money. I asked our writers and editors to share the products they own that have earned their keep. — Caitlyn Martyn, Commerce Editor Shop favorites that last beyond Labor Day, like coolers built for tailgates, camping trips and years of weekends away. Stock your kitchen with cookware made to last, including the cast-iron skillet our editors reach for again and again. Be ready when the power goes out with reliable flashlights, generators and tools worth keeping on hand. -- Editor's pick: Avenlur Date 4-in-1 Kitchen Tower & Desk: $101.15 (49% off) with code FOX15 Why it’s worth it: Save 49% on this Montessori-inspired helper tower with code FOX15 through Aug. 31. It gives toddlers a safe place to join kitchen activities, then converts into a desk, play seat or chalkboard. -- Here are three items our team owns, uses and recommends. "This cotton-cashmere-blend sweater gives the perfect fall look without being too heavy. I love the loose sleeves, the lightweight feel and, of course, the color." — Kelsey Ramirez, Production/Updates Editor "Layla’s Kapok pillow is firm but not too firm, and I don’t wake up with a sore neck. It’s adjustable, too." — Jenny Op’t Holt, VP of Commerce Partnerships "The 16GB Amazon Kindle is so lightweight, I can bring my book everywhere. Plus, the Kindle Unlimited membership lets me access a large library of books anytime, anywhere." — Jaclyn Kaufman, Associate Production Editor To find out more about what our team bought, check out our "Add to Cart" series. -- Clothing storage bins, six-pack ($16.99) — now 43% off: Pack and store summer clothes in these clear-paneled bins. Air purifier for large rooms ($89.99) — now 68% off: Filter out airborne particles like dust and pet dander. Steam cleaner ($49.99) — now 50% off: Deep-clean floors, furniture and more ahead of fall. Kasa Smart Plug Mini ($12.99) — now 43% off: Turn standard outlets into smart ones to control lights and appliances with Alexa or Google Assistant. Mattress topper ($37.89) — now 46% off: Add a plush layer of cushioning to a dorm bed or aging mattress. -- Expert-recommended shoes to help with plantar fasciitis, starting at $75 What to buy this Labor Day weekend — and what can wait until Black Friday  Blink security cameras and video doorbells start at just $22 at Best Buy  -- Save up to 50% on Blink security cameras, Ninja appliances and Lenovo laptops.  Take advantage of early Labor Day mattress sales and score up to 60% off Siena mattresses, starting at just $99. Right now, you can save up to 60% on DreamCloud mattresses and 66% on adjustable bed frame bundles. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dc2342c5335ae1046033e Victoria's Secret might've rejected Rachel Pizzolato, but she's not giving up, 'Big Dad Energy' & dorm update te 2026-08-13T13:10:12.908Z Victoria's Secret might've rejected Rachel Pizzolato, but she's not giving up, 'Big Dad Energy' & dorm update For the love of god ... please stop raining! As I sit here pumping out another edition of Thursday Screencaps, it's cloudy, it's wet and it's supposed to rain ... again... later today, which will make four straight days of downpours. Let's get the day started with news that Victoria's Secret rejected Rachel Pizzolato, the Instagram and YouTube star, and Screencaps favorite, who rose to fame for changing the oil in her Hyundai. She's also handy enough to fix toilets. "I might've gotten rejected, but who cares, it doesn't matter because I showed my face, I had an amazing time with the audience and I met beautiful girls who basically have the same traits and desires and drive as I have," Pizzolato said. SYDNEY SWEENEY AND LIVVY DUNNE FORM ALLIANCE AS LINGERIE WAR WITH VICTORIA'S SECRET OFFICIALLY HEATS UP While Vicky Secret might not have signed Pizzolato, she's not giving up on the brand that is having a massive resurgence. She says the rejection has "turned into redirection, and I’m never giving up on my dream to be [an] Angel." That's smart, because if you guys haven't been paying attention, VS is on fire. The stock is up 74% year-to-date and 311% over the last 112 months. The brand was was pretty much left for dead a year ago. Enter new CEO Hillary Super. She was hired in September 2024 and quickly figured out that Victoria's Secret's "woke washing" was killing the company. "That natural human reaction is to want to stay out of controversy," Super told Fortune in February of the company's woke era. "Victoria’s Secret was so cautious, it stopped bragging altogether—even about being a go-to destination for bra fittings." Is Victoria's Secret totally ditching the woke era? We'll see this fall when it holds the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. As of last fall, the brand was still featuring at least one biological male in lingerie during its show. LANDRY KIFFIN & HER MOM GET INTO GAME SHAPE FOR THE UPCOMING SEC SEASON, CORN BATS, PLUS A LLWS TANK 📩 Email: joe.kinsey@outkick.com Send photos, stories, tips, rants—whatever you've got. 📰 Screencaps Page: 👉 Read the latest Screencaps ▶️ YouTube: Screencaps with Joe Kinsey Subscribe for videos, rants, and behind-the-scenes. 🐦 Twitter/X: @JoeKinseyexp Tag me or drop a DM. 📸 Instagram: @OutKickScreencaps You guys need to start tagging me on content you're seeing. 📘 Facebook Page: Screencaps on Facebook 👥 Facebook Group: Join the Screencaps Community 📬 Mail (Thursday Night Mowing League): 27072 Carronade Dr, Unit A 155 Perrysburg, OH 43551 VEGAS LITTLE LEAGUE PRESIDENT ACCUSED OF SPENDING LEAGUE MONEY ON STRIP CLUBS AND ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION MEDS 🗞️ Newsletter: 👉 Subscribe here – Matt in Phenix City, AL shares: Joe, as a resident of Phenix City, AL and a parent of a child that PLAYED rec league with most of the kids on the current team out of Phenix City, I can assure you that every single one of those kids plays travel ball. They strictly join the league to meet the requirements for all-star tournaments/little league World Series. I cannot begin to tell you the amount of times these kids missed practices (sometimes even actual games) because of their travel ball commitments. Or worse, parents wouldn’t let them pitch for the rec league team because they had a travel ball game the next day/pitched the previous day at travel ball. Made for great practices when you’ve only got 10-12 kids on the team and you’re lucky to get even 8 or 9 to actually show up for practice. The best time for rec league? Fall ball. Fewer teams, no travel ball weirdos, and kids that want to actually be there to learn and get better without losing a spot to some kid who’s parents sign them up to play the bare minimum to qualify for the LL tournaments. PERCEPTION IS REALITY, AND THE SEC NEEDS TO START WINNING AGAIN BEFORE IT CONTINUES TO PUFF OUT ITS CHEST Admittedly, my son wasn’t the greatest or most athletic kid out there but you know what? He was out there for every practice and every game. How are the kids like that supposed to grow and learn to love the game when they lose out on playing opportunities to the part-timers? It stopped being fun for him when he realized that no matter what he did he was stuck. Kinsey: Don't let ESPN warp your brain over the next two weeks. You're watching a travel ball tournament. This idea that you're watching a bunch of scrappy kids who've spent their summer playing with nose pickers in right field couldn't be further from the truth. This is all smoke and mirrors from Little League and ESPN. At this point, ESPN is pretty much just renting the Little League brand to hold a made-for-TV tournament to fill TV time in August. And they don't have to pay the labor. And why doesn't Little League increase the field size these kids are playing on? Because the made-for-TV product wouldn't be as spectacular. And they'd have to change the size of the fields in Williamsport. That's not happening. – Will in Mississippi on Yankees attending SEC schools: This post from you really hit home with me. I'm surprised that there wasn't a percentage at Mississippi State from 2004 and that the percentage in 2024 is that low. URBAN MEYER, COLIN COWHERD SAY BIG TEN VENUES AND FANS HAVE CAUGHT UP AND 'BYPASSED THE SEC' I reality question that number. When I was in school at MSU in the mid 80s studying civil engineering, there were very few out of state students in that department but the few that I remember were from "Southern" states. Tennessee and Florida and a few foreign students. There were many non American students in other fields, usually agriculture related since MSU is an engineering and agriculture centrict university. Of course this was 40 years ago and things change. My son goes to Ole Miss and he has complained about the amount of non Mississippi students that attend Ole Miss. For some reason, he especially complains about the students from New Jersey, New York and that part of the US. Two of his apartment roommates last year were from Virginia and Texas and he had no problems with them. One thing to understand about Ole Miss right now is that the Chancellor has opened the admissions floodgates for the tuition money. The acceptance rate is extremely high, like 90%. Ole Miss (which requires freshmen to live in a dorm) doesn't have enough dorm rooms for students or enough parking on campus for students. Parking passes for the year cost anywhere between $200 and $600 or maybe higher. BTW, you talked about the Ole Miss vs, LSU game in September, I'll try to get a report on the day from my son but he'll be pre-gaming in the Grove so I can't promise anything on that. Kinsey: I believe it was 12 years ago when our neighbors told us their daughter was going to Alabama. I remember it catching me off-guard because it wasn't common yet for Ohio high school students to attend SEC schools just because. Now? It's completely common. I just saw this morning that a woman I grew up with is sending her son off to Ole Miss today. THESE ONCE-ANNUAL COLLEGE RIVALRIES USED TO DEFINE COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND NEED TO MAKE A COMEBACK ASAP Those numbers above are up to 2024. Wait until we get 2025 and 2026 numbers. As for the neighbor's daughter, she lasted a year at Bama, I believe, and then enrolled at Ohio State. – Brandon in NW Houston provides an update on how his wife decorated his son's dorm room. It turns out Brandon overreacted. His wife didn't go nuts: I need to amend last weeks email. The wife did an awesome job and the stuff she was buying ended up being all practical. I think she spent about $400-$500 dollars and it was all storage/quality of life stuff, no fancy smancy curtains or wallpaper. I've sent a Pic of his room. His roommate hasn't moved in yet so his side is a good "before" pic. CURT CIGNETTI REVEALS HOW WORKING FOR NICK SABAN CHANGED EVERYTHING: 'EVERY DAY WAS 4TH-AND-1' Pretty simple but 100% better than my 12x12dormin 1991-1993. Ahhhh even with a crappy room those were some days ever. I believe we've addressed Cig going with this look during the CFB Playoff, which was crazy, but now we're getting this look in August when most coaches will go with a sweat-wicking polo or some performance shirt. Not Cig. – Marty in Idaho proves yet again that he's living in some sort of Jack Hanna fantasy world. This is his yard: I loved the video a couple days ago with the bear and black wolf.  Much happens in the mountains out west that city dwellers don't often get to see so I hope 'cappers enjoy the content.  This morning I had about 25 elk behind the house and a couple went up on their hind legs to play fight.  Had never seen that before.   These are pretty big animals; average adult weight for males and females is 700 and 500 pounds.  For reference, if you watched the my previous video of mountain lions feeding, that was in the patch of green grass on the right edge of this video.  What's left of the carcass is still there. – 'Sheriff' John in Houston emails: The subject of driving in the rain with your hazards on got my attention. Drives me crazy. Your hazard lights are supposed to be used when your car is stationary (stopped) at the side of the road and could be a hazard to other drivers. That's it. Other traffic laws I've noticed that just aren't enforced anymore: - Having non-white colored lights on the front of your vehicle. Yellow or blue was bad, but now I've seen RED headlights. Just dumb. How do these idiots just don't know how dangerous that is? - Riding a bicycle on the sidewalk or riding a bicycle on the shoulder AGAINST traffic where oncoming traffic can't see you until the last minute, especially if there's a headlight on your bike and now it looks like there is someone coming towards you in the wrong lane. - Rolling your bicycle through a stop sign. Yeah, it's hard work to stop your bike and start again. Tough crap. I'd also get better gas mileage in my car if I blew through stop signs, but that doesn't mean I can ignore the sign if there is no traffic. - Walking or running in the road when there is a sidewalk. (You've already touched on this one before.) - Rolling through stop signs when making a right turn. - Closely related to that is just pulling out and turning left into oncoming traffic. Drives me crazy. We live on a semi-rural highway down from a fairly large subdivision and I'm convinced people think the highway ends there and there's no need to look to the right. They just pull out into highway traffic. Just awful. That's all I've got for now. I'm sure your readers will have others. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS – Mark J. has a suggestion: Joe, buy it! That thing would be a great speakeasy! Keep one cell intact so if some loser gets out of hand, he gets tossed in the "drunk tank" What an opportunity! Hell I would even make a detour on my next visit back to the O-H just to visit it! ######################## And that is a wrap on this Thursday morning. I'm fired up. I might still be furious over Indiana beating MY Buckeyes in the B1G title game, but it's impossible not to get fired up for a day of work when Cignetti content pops up. Channel your inner Cig today and go get after it. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dc2342c5335ae10460335 Government made your burrito more expensive, and socialism will make it worse te 2026-08-13T13:10:12.202Z Government made your burrito more expensive, and socialism will make it worse Affordability, or rather the lack thereof, has been a core focus of Americans for many years. It played a major role in getting President Donald Trump elected in 2024. But as there hasn’t been much improvement in the day-to-day cost of living and prices generally continue to rise, many people are turning to those who caused the problem to be their savior — the government, via the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). The latest example is the widespread lamenting of the price of fast-casual meals, like burritos, across social media, with Americans complaining that they can’t even grab a quick handheld meal without it breaking the bank. The cause, though, is always framed incorrectly. It’s blamed on capitalism or greedy companies. But the reality is that the cause is directly blamable on the government and the exact policies the Democratic Socialists are pushing. SENATE CONFIRMS KEVIN WARSH AS FED CHAIR AS TRUMP'S ECONOMIC VISION COMES INTO FOCUS The federal government has racked up around $40 trillion of debt, a number so large that it’s difficult to fathom. But for context, it’s more than seven times the size of the entire economy of Germany, the third-largest economy in the world. That $40 trillion debt load has been enabled by the Federal Reserve and its willingness to print money and monetize the debt, as it did during the COVID-19 era, adding trillions of dollars to its balance sheet. In layman’s language, that means the government, with the Fed, have devalued the money you have earned and have wrecked your purchasing power. At the state and local levels as well, bad laws and policies have added to the costs. Policies like increasing the minimum wage have had a direct effect on the cost of living. When wages are artificially increased at the lowest levels, that works its way up through a business, as an experienced business manager expects to make materially more than an entry level worker with no skills. As the base wages are pushed up, so are everyone else’s, not based on market dynamics and productivity, but by government mandate. To cover the increased costs, businesses raise prices. Workers may have higher wages, but their cost-of-living increases at an even faster pace, causing more unaffordability. AOC-BACKED $25 MINIMUM WAGE PLAN SOUNDS GREAT — BUT AT WHAT COST? Other policies that make it harder for businesses to open and to operate, from permitting to sales taxes to over-the-top compliance issues, all stunt growth and make living less affordable for consumers, a double hit on the economy. The burrito costing more wouldn’t be so much of an issue if everything else wasn’t so expensive as well. Sure, you could bring your lunch to work, but that doesn’t solve the inflation seen in the cost of housing, healthcare, other insurance, education and, of course, taxes as well. These rising costs are all the direct result of government intervention in one way or another. The frustration over the lack of affordability and upward mobility opportunities is causing more people, especially young people, to find any solution. Desperate people take desperate measures, even if they fundamentally make no sense, because they feel like they don’t have much to lose. This has seen more Americans turn to entities like the DSA for help, which is patently ridiculous, since their solution is more government intervention. It’s like asking the fox to guard the henhouse or an arsonist to help you put out the fire they caused. But that’s the reality we face. The current administration has not prioritized the economy and economic affordability in a way that has resonated with a broad swath of Americans, many who are now turning to DSA utopian promises – or, perhaps dystopian promises – for help. BERNIE SANDERS, DSA REVEAL DEMANDS FOR DEM PARTY AFTER SOCIALISTS SWEEP NEW YORK ELECTIONS Both parties are to blame for overspending and destroying purchasing power. The GOP hasn’t delivered on affordability over the past couple of years, and unfortunately this means that Democratic socialists will capitalize on the miss. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION While government across the board has made life more expensive, more Democratic socialists in government will make life even more costly and could even cost us our country. That’s more than a burrito problem, that’s an everything problem. Less government, not more, is the only solution. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM CAROL ROTH Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dc2332c5335ae1046032c California Dem ripped for 'perverted agenda' ahead of fundraiser at risqué nightclub te 2026-08-13T13:10:11.569Z California Dem ripped for 'perverted agenda' ahead of fundraiser at risqué nightclub Marni von Wilpert, a Democratic candidate for Congress in California’s 48th Congressional District, is holding a fundraiser at a venue known for sexually suggestive branding and LGBTQ nightlife on Thursday evening. The San Diego restaurant and nightclub, called the Gossip Grill, offers a series of adult-themed specials and events such as "Fi---r me Fridays," "Girls, Gays and Theys Sundays" and "Cabaret Drag Brunch Pride Extravaganza." It also offers menu items like the "Foreplay" and the "happy ending." DEMOCRATS TURN ON CONGRESSIONAL HOPEFUL AFTER 'HIDING' LGBTQ+ VIEWS FROM MUSLIM VOTERS The upcoming event underscores Wilpert’s connection to the LGBTQ community and the attention she’s given the issue during her congressional campaign since she came out as bisexual a few years ago. To one Republican observer, it’s a set of priorities that places an undue emphasis on sexuality. "Out of touch Marni von Wilpert found the perfect headquarters for her radical campaign," Christian Martinez, a spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee, said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "Her perverted agenda pushes hormone treatments on kids, shuts parents out and puts sexual content in front of young children. That dangerous agenda belongs in a nightclub, not Congress." Wilpert lists "LGBTQ+ Rights" among her top priorities on her campaign website — alongside other priorities like restructuring Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and penalties for companies with low wages. On her website, she commits to making the topic a legislative focus at the federal level. "In Congress, she will work to pass the Equality Act so the protections that Californians enjoy are guaranteed nationwide. She will face the attacks head-on, from bans on gender-affirming care to efforts to silence LGBTQ+ students in our schools," the website reads. In the past, Wilpert has helped spearhead efforts to keep Pride-related materials in San Diego public libraries. CHICAGO COLLEGE REMOVES LGBTQ PRIDE FLAG OVER INSTITUTIONAL NEUTRALITY CONCERNS After an activist removed almost every gender-orientation-related book from a library in Rancho Peñasquitos in 2023, threatening to keep them until the county took down a Pride display, Wilpert led the charge to replace the books. Wilpert, then a city council member, also pressed to expand Pride displays in 36 San Diego public libraries. "I’m frankly shocked by this because eliminating LGBTQ content from libraries is what you might expect in Mississippi, but never here in San Diego," she told the San Diego Tribune. "Denying others the right to read LGBTQ-affirming books is just another way of telling LGBTQ people they don’t belong — and that’s dead wrong. Everyone has the right to read what they want, but absolutely no one has the right to keep others from reading books that reflect their experiences and backgrounds." Her work with the library has attracted support in her congressional bid with groups like Equality California, which cited it as a basis of their endorsement. "Throughout her career, Marni has been a champion for the LGBTQ+ community and the diverse communities that make up CA-48. As an out LGBTQ+ elected leader, her record on the San Diego City Council includes defending access to inclusive library resources and standing up to censorship and bigotry," the group said. VULNERABLE DEM'S CAMPAIGN PITCH CLASHES WITH 'RADICAL' VOTING RECORD ON TOP CULTURE WAR ISSUE She has also attracted endorsements from Equality PAC, the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and the Human Rights Campaign — all LGBTQ aligned networks. Wilpert did not imediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital on her choice of venue or whether she thought the themes at the establishment were appropriate for a congressional campaign. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dc2322c5335ae10460323 College golfer delivers US Amateur upset with added pressure of having just one extra golf ball te 2026-08-13T13:10:10.840Z College golfer delivers US Amateur upset with added pressure of having just one extra golf ball Competing in the US Amateur, the most prestigious amateur golf tournament in the world, is already stressful enough. Showing up to the first tee to take on one of the top seeds in the field with just two golf balls to your name, well, that presents a whole new level of stress, and one that Ryder Cowan experienced at Merion Golf Club on Wednesday. Cowan, a senior at Oklahoma, made his way through a 16-man playoff for 11 spots to earn the No. 59 seed in the 64-man match play bracket and drew junior phenom six-seed Miles Russell in his first match. Despite entering the week ranked eighth in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) fresh off of co-low amateur honors at the U.S. Open, Cowan was the underdog against Russell, who won't graduate high school until 2027. TEENAGE GOLFER MILES RUSSELL DELIVERS HIS DAD AN ALL-TIME FATHER'S DAY EXPERIENCE DURING US OPEN FINAL ROUND Russell is the top-ranked junior player in the world, ranked fourth in the WAGR, and has put together a junior career comparable to Tiger Woods. Cowan was certainly aware of the situation, but it didn't allow it to phase him, at least not during his match against Russell. Prior to teeing off is a different story. According to Golf Channel's Brentley Romine, Cowan forgot to bring sleeves of new golf balls to the course, leaving him with one new golf ball and one "fairly used" one in his golf bag. He stuck with the new golf ball for the first 10 holes of the match before swapping to the used one. The used golf ball came with a bit of magic, too, with Cowan chipping in for par on the 17th hole to pull off the upset against Russell 2&1. The Sooner actually flubbed his first chip shot on the Par 3 before holing his next attempt with pristine touch. When you're one of the top amateur golfers on the planet, the stresses of playing with just one spare golf ball are different than if a 15 handicap pulled the same move. Just like professional golfers do, Cowan likely switches to a new golf ball a handful of times over the course of 18 holes, especially if he is hitting a lot of full wedge shots, which can cause serious wear and tear. There is also, of course, the possibility of hitting a cart path or even a tree, which can damage a golf ball enough to virtually make it unplayable when we're talking about the highest level of amateur player. As for the 15 handicap, their biggest fear would be losing both golf balls and having to embarrassingly ask their playing partner for a spare. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dc22a2c5335ae10460303 Second jobs can keep Tucson teachers in the profession, but at what cost? te 2026-08-13T13:10:02.740Z Second jobs can keep Tucson teachers in the profession, but at what cost? Before her 7:20 a.m. arrival at Bloom Elementary School on Tucson’s east side, Rebecca Vieira wakes up, preps three boys for the day and makes breakfasts and lunches. Her day as a P.E. teacher will last until at least 3 p.m. And her single-mom shifts are perpetual. After the school day, it’s home to make dinner. Then, depending on the day of the week, Vieira coaches a swim team or heads to her job at The Gaslight Theatre by 4 p.m. She’s home by 10:30 p.m. on weeknights. And by 11:30 or midnight on weekends. As summer began last May, Vieira stood under the fans in the Gaslight — part theater, part saloon — where the audience would soon dine and enjoy a show. The five-person band rehearsed Billy Joel’s “Movin’ Out.” As a manager, Vieira works about 30 hours a week at her second job.  “It’s so really tiring. I just keep going because you have to,” Vieira, 44 said.  “But by the time I get in bed, my brain is still going. It takes a little while to relax. I feel like I can’t fully put my effort into anything because I’m being pulled and I really want that focus and I can’t have that. But I still try my best.” As an elementary school teacher in her 21st year, a second and a third job are needed to support her family of four. Vieira is one of many educators who require that supplemental income. For some teachers, this solution to staying in the profession they love creates more challenges, like burnout. Nationwide, about one in six teachers have second jobs, according to the Pew Research Center. The constant  juggling — which includes class grading and planning and expert scheduling — can be part of the reason teachers leave the classroom. In Arizona, teachers leave their schools at double the national average rate of 7%. Low pay — and the need to supplement it — is one big reason why. “I think it’s sad and unacceptable that teachers need to have second or third jobs just to make ends meet. Arizona has continually chosen to not raise teacher pay, and that, along with a general lack of respect for the teaching profession, has caused this shortage,” said state Rep. Nancy Gutierrez who is also a former Tucson High teacher — a job she held while also working in the Legislature. “The shortage comes not from people wanting to teach, but from people knowing that they can get better paying jobs with affordable benefits and needing to do that for themselves and their families.”  During the school year, 17% of full-time public elementary and secondary school teachers work a nonschool job, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics. In the summer, it was 16% in the 2020-21 school year, Pew Research says. Those numbers are higher than that of all U.S. workers ages 20 and older. They average about 4.6% with second jobs, the Bureau of Labor Statistics says. “If you don’t have two incomes now, teaching can’t support you,” said Vieira, who also taught third grade and kindergarten before that. “The cost of living has gone up, all of that has gone up. But our salaries have not really gone up. And if our salaries go up, then so does the cost of our benefits. So, our raise doesn’t really accommodate a raise.  “But teaching is such a passion and it’s my career that I’ve always wanted to do. So, you just find other ways to make up for it.” 80K? “Let’s try it” The high number of educators supplementing their income is evidence teachers need higher salaries, experts and non-experts say. What does that look like? In 2025, the average pay for elementary school teachers in Pima County’s public and charter schools was $48,733, data from the Center for the Future of Arizona says. Maricopa County led the way with an average salary of $57,281. The state average for that same group was $56,000, putting Arizona No. 48 nationally. That’s up from No. 49 in 2024. By comparison, Washington State pays its elementary school teachers the most, averaging $95,600, excluding special education teachers. Oklahoma is the worst at $54,871. About the series The teacher retention series is a partnership between Arizona Luminaria education reporter Shannon Conner and 13 News education reporter Isabela Lisco. The project includes 13 newsrooms from around the state, collaborating with the Arizona Local News Foundation. The collection of stories explores Arizona’s teacher retention crises through the voices of Tucson-area educators and how they navigate it with classroom preparation, professional development, and supplementing their careers with second jobs. Watch and read the complete series to hear from teachers, administrators, advocates and experts.  Average elementary teacher pay in the United States was between $62,000-$64,000 in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. “This is an unsustainable system that we have in place. I think last year alone we lost 14% of qualified educators before the first semester of this full year,” said Marisol Garcia, president of the Arizona Teacher’s Association — the state’s largest teacher union. “People ask, what would it take?” she said. “A starting salary of $80,000? Let’s try it.” One solution could be a renewal of Proposition 123, Arizona State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne says. The Proposition used the sale of state land to give more than $300 million a year to public schools. But it expired in June 2025. “They’re badly underpaid now. And we can (raise pay) without affecting anyone’s taxes because the land trust has plenty of money,” Horne, a Republican, told Phoenix radio station KTAR earlier this month.  He wanted to designate that money to teacher salaries. But the Republican-led Legislature did not agree to renew Prop. 123 during this year’s session. In 2023, Rep. Matt Gress crafted a bill to raise teacher pay by $10,000 over two years. The measure failed because of the cost: $400 million the first year and $700 million annually after that. “Most of the teachers I know have had to get second jobs during the school year. Most teachers have to get jobs during the summertime as well,” Gutierrez said. “These are folks with a master’s degree and they’re having to supplement their income because Arizona has chosen not to fund public schools.” “It’s a way to give back” Politics is not on Eve Lescarbeau’s mind. But teacher pay is. As a University of Arizona sophomore, she knows teaching is for her. “I’ve just always loved kids. I’ve had a couple younger cousins that were my favorite part of family events. And then as I got older, I started working in my church’s nursery and doing summer camps and I just love working with kids,” she said, earlier this summer before her shift at The Gaslight Theatre. “They’re so fun because they don’t fully understand the world yet. So, watching them discover different things is really fun.” Doing a classroom observation at Bloom, Lescarbeau and Vieira connected. Neither knew they would also soon work together at the Gaslight. A glimpse of Vieira’s work ethic got Lescarbeau contemplating her future. “Definitely a thing that’s crossed my mind a little bit is the pay because I know it’s not great,” Lescarbeau said. “So, I’ve kind of been looking around the country trying to find different states that have better pay, which would suck a little bit because my family is here. But, if I have to go somewhere, I’d have to go somewhere. I think really as long as I’m doing what I love, I’ll find a way to make it work.” That idealism sustains students in the UA’s College of Education, Dean Regina Deil-Amen said. “They can be inspired to think about teaching as a career and it’s something that’s satisfying,” she said. “Something that makes your life matter. It’s a way to give back, a way your life has purpose.” “They’re underpaid” But resolve alone will not sustain a teaching career or put food on the table. At her second job one May evening, Vieira smoothed blue and white checked tablecloths, assessed her staff for the evening as they distributed popcorn buckets. She reflected on the start of her teaching career. “It makes me sad because people are so passionate and with the teacher shortage, you can’t afford to live, but she is so passionate,” Vieira said of Lescarbeau. “And you want to keep them going and encourage them to do this because that’s what they need and what they want.” When Vieira needed a part-time job, she said The Gaslight was a good fit, because of the evening hours. Gaslight owner Tony Terry says in nearly 50 years, he estimates he’s hired at least 100 Tucson teachers. “They’re underpaid. Way underpaid, and so they can augment their income with a job like this,” he said. Vieira also supplements her income with her coaching. In the summer, at Indian Ridge on the east side, and during the high school swim season at Sahuaro High School. She is one of the Tucson Unified School District employees who also coaches a varsity sport. Coaching is a second-job option for those working in school districts. In TUSD — Southern Arizona’s largest district with 88 schools — 166 of the 273 high school head coaches also work a full-time job in the district, not necessarily teaching. Head coaches make just over $3,800 per season, TUSD says. As tiring as it is, Vieira says she likes the coaching because it keeps her around a sport she loves and she gets to coach her kids too.  The multitasking does not escape her kids’ notice. “Her back gets tired,” 10-year-old Landon Vieira said. “It looks painful because of walking a lot.” What else does he see? “She’s dealing with a bunch of kids every day,” he says. “And coaches swimming. She’s really good at that. “I am really grateful. She can help us, provide for us.” Isabela Lisco is a Report for America corpsmember covering education solutions for 13 News. Her position is made possible through funding from Report for America and the Arizona Local News Foundation’s Arizona Community Collaborative Fund.  Shannon Conner is the education solutions reporter for Arizona Luminaria supported by a grant from the Arizona Local News Foundation.  The post Second jobs can keep Tucson teachers in the profession, but at what cost? appeared first on AZ Luminaria. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dbfda2c5335ae104602c9 Packers starters to open against Steelers backups as preseason football betting edges emerge te 2026-08-13T13:00:10.689Z Packers starters to open against Steelers backups as preseason football betting edges emerge There are two schools of thought when it comes to betting on preseason football. In one camp, people think that you shouldn’t bet on it because you don’t always know who is playing; it is a lot of guys who are trying to make teams, and mistakes can happen when you don’t really know the players. The other camp says all of the coaches are actually telling you who will play and likely how much, which allows you to get some further indication – for example, if a starting unit is going to play against backups, there should be an edge. Personally, I like betting on stuff, so I’m going to bet on a few things from this slate. Here is a prime example of the coach giving you some information in advance: Head coach Matt LaFleur said that his starters will start the game, getting some opening snaps, and then most will leave. Jordan Love should get a touchdown drive or at least a scoring drive to start the game. The Steelers have already confirmed that most starters will not play in this opening game. The question then becomes how long does Tyrod Taylor play? I have to imagine that the Packers backup gets at least a quarter of work in. Give me the Packers to score over 19.5 points in this one. LIONS ANNOUNCE TEDDY BRIDGEWATER HAS RETIRED AGAIN, LEAVING TEAM IN MIDDLE OF TRAINING CAMP As much as I’d love to see a shootout between Joe Burrow and Jared Goff, we will have to wait for a regular season showdown for that to happen. Neither of these two is likely to get a ton of work in. It wouldn’t surprise me if both played a couple of reps. Goff has a new offensive coordinator, and Burrow is almost always an injury risk. The Lions have an interesting situation, though. Joshua Dobbs is new to the team, signing just two days ago. He did work with the new Lions coordinator, Drew Petzing, in 2023 in Arizona. I have to imagine his signing had a bit to do with that. The Lions also might consider working Luke Altmyer out. He is battling to be the No. 2 quarterback for Detroit. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS How will the Cincinnati backup situation look? Joe Flacco is somewhere between 35 and 78 years old. He is still an effective quarterback, but my point is this: How much preseason action does a guy this old actually need? I’d argue it won’t be much. I expect to see Josh Johnson and Sean Clifford. I’m taking the 6.5 points with the Lions, and probably will put a sprinkle on the moneyline. The Arizona Cardinals have already played a preseason game, and it was pretty fun to watch. That was the Hall of Fame Game, and they had Carson Beck start that one. I’m not sure if he will be in this one or if Gardner Minshew will get a look or two. Beck looked good in his time with the Cardinals. In his debut, he went 15-for-19 with 188 yards and a touchdown. I am a bit interested to see if Jacoby Brissett or Minshew get action, but I also want to see how much they put out Jeremiyah Love. Marvin Harrison Jr. needs to be out there because he has looked awful. STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW! The Raiders will be one of the more fun teams to watch because they had the No. 1 overall pick, Fernando Mendoza, come into the league. In case you don’t remember, it was Mendoza’s team that beat Beck’s in the College Football Playoff Championship last year. He will almost certainly start or get at least a full quarter or two worth of work. Kirk Cousins could start and get a few reps, but I think that helps the total here. I think there will be plenty of offense to go around in this one and I like this game to go over 41.5 points. For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7dbd802c5335ae10460279 WWE star names 'funny and hot' actress she wants to step into the ring with te 2026-08-13T12:50:08.383Z WWE star names 'funny and hot' actress she wants to step into the ring with Celebrities’ involvement in professional wrestling has been highlighted more over the last two years. Travis Scott got involved at WrestleMania 41 to help John Cena win his 17th WWE championship, Jelly Roll has had multiple matches in the ring and Lil Yachty has been the mouthpiece for Trick Williams. COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL Blake Monroe, who is currently on WWE’s SmackDown roster, recently named one celebrity she would like to get in the ring with as celebrity appearances become more common. She told Love Wrestling before SummerSlam that she recently watched a movie featuring actress Jennifer Lawrence, which appeared to be "No Hard Feelings," and thought she would be a good fit. "I’ve said this and I got a bit of a weird reaction when I said it – Jennifer Lawrence," Monroe said. "So, there was a movie I watched. I still don’t know the name of it. She dates a kid and he’s like a bit of a loser. She’s older. … She dates like a kid. He’s like a bit of a nerd. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "She takes him skinny dipping on the beach and these kids steal their clothes and she goes and beats them up and she’s butt-naked giving out perfectly formed Saito suplexes. So, I’m like, I think she would be really, really good. And she’s so funny and hot. So, Jennifer Lawrence, if you want to fight me or fight with me, you know where to come." Monroe has made multiple vignettes ahead of her highly anticipated in-ring debut on the main roster but has yet to have a match. She made one appearance on "Friday Night SmackDown" in June, taking out Giulia. She last went up against Tatum Paxley, challenging her for the NXT Women’s North American Championship in a casket match on April 21. She lost the match and it appeared SmackDown was going to be the next step. Paxley recently made her first appearance on "Friday Night SmackDown," coming to the aid of Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss as Flair took on Jade Cargill. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7db8d32c5335ae104601c6 UK ‘in free fall’ on free speech, expert warns as British MP brands Trump admin grant 'MAGA money meddling' te 2026-08-13T12:30:11.752Z UK ‘in free fall’ on free speech, expert warns as British MP brands Trump admin grant 'MAGA money meddling' The U.S. Embassy in London is offering up to $500,000 in grants to bolster shared values between the United States and the United Kingdom, including freedom of speech, due process and limited government, but at least one British critic is rejecting the offered funding as "MAGA money meddling." Liberal Democrat MP Lisa Smart framed the grant as "Trump’s MAGA money meddling in democracy," in a quote to The Guardian. "We have a proud tradition of liberty and freedom of speech in this country," Smart added. That tradition, according to free speech defenders, is under threat across the pond. BIBLE VERSE LEADS TO TRIAL IN EUROPE. GROWING CRACKDOWN THREATENS OUR US-UK VALUES "It is a true free speech disaster in the UK, and they don't even seem to know what's happening," Greg Lukianoff, president of the nonpartisan Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), told Fox News Digital. Lukianoff posited that the UK's current attitude to free speech means it needs all the help that it can get. "Whether the help is coming from JD Vance or Trump or maybe some future Democrat who sees the light on this stuff, the UK should be accepting help on freedom of speech because they are in crisis, and it's unsustainable," Lukianoff told Fox News Digital. WAR OF WORDS IGNITES OVER TRUMP ADMIN REBUKE OF BRITISH POLICE AFTER TEEN BLED TO DEATH IN HANDCUFFS The U.S. Embassy in London, in response to Smart's criticisms, noted that Liberal Democrats did not push back on Biden-era grants that could be viewed as political. In response to the accusation that the U.S. is "meddling in British democracy," the U.S. embassy said in a statement to Fox News Digital, it "is mindful of such concerns, and has discontinued Biden-era public diplomacy spending on divisive ideological projects such as 'climate justice,' LGBTQ activism, and race-based hiring initiatives — none of which, to our recollection, raised such complaints from officials." President Donald Trump's State Department as a whole is axing Biden-era guidelines that directed personnel to push a woke Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) agenda on foreign officials and governments, Fox News Digital has learned. Meanwhile, the FIRE boss rejected the notion that foundational values like free speech are MAGA constructions. "When it comes to the idea of these being fundamentally tainted ideas, that is very much a higher education, elite-educated concept," he told Fox News Digital. HASAN PIKER SAYS UK HAS BARRED HIM, TRASHES 'UNBELIEVABLE...POWER' OF PRO-ISRAEL GROUPS The UK has imposed a number of new laws restricting speech in the country in recent years, perhaps most notably the 2023 Online Safety Act, which gives the country's regulators the power to slap hefty fines on digital platforms if they don't enforce the UK's increasingly stricter speech codes. Lukianoff compared the UK's new direction to the first Red Scare, the period in U.S. history in the early 1920s that saw thousands arrested on charges related to suspected communist ties. "I always have to put this in context. In the first Red Scare in the United States — 1919 and 1920 — we arrested about 2,000 people per year, and that's bad. They're arresting around 12,000 a year in a country that's about 50% smaller than the U.S. was at the time. They are in free fall and also in complete denial of it," Lukianoff said. Ahead of a House of Lords debate last year on arrests for online communications and free speech, the House of Lords Library cited a Times of London analysis that found more than 12,000 arrests in 2023 under two communications laws. GOP LAWMAKERS URGE SUPREME COURT TO STRENGTHEN FIRST AMENDMENT PROTECTIONS FOR STREET PREACHERS Both the U.S. and UK allow authorities to prosecute threats of violence, but the U.K. has no direct equivalent to the First Amendment and also criminalizes certain communications deemed "grossly offensive." The outsized number of arrests in the UK, Lukianoff argued, don't "even include the large number of non-crime hate incidents or the stuff that they're currently trying to suppress, also in the United States, by the way, through their online laws." "So it is a true free speech disaster in the UK, and they don't even seem to know what's happening," he added. BIDEN ADMIN USED ABORTION GROUP DOSSIERS, INCLUDING PHOTOS OF MINORS, TO TARGET CHRISTIANS, DOJ REPORT REVEALS A non-crime hate incident, according to the UK government, is defined as "an incident or alleged incident which involves or is alleged to involve an act by a person ('the subject') which is perceived by a person other than the subject to be motivated — wholly or partly — by hostility or prejudice towards persons with a particular characteristic." The government, according to FIRE, creates a registry of people who participate in these NCHIs, which the organization calls "censorship with extra steps." "Non-criminal hate speech incidents can be anything from just someone saying something like, we want to reduce immigration because it raises crime rates. That's an empirical question. If you're a free person or free society, you should be able to actually have that debate. You should be able to show numbers. You better persuade, et cetera. You can't just deem it illegal to have that argument," Lukianoff told Fox News Digital. "I think that there's so much the UK could have to offer if it would get off its own feet. Essentially, I think that it's in a process of kind of rejecting everything that made it great at one point. And if we can help out a friend — even when they don't know they're in need — when they're in need, I think we absolutely should. But I really don't know how Britain can get a better view of itself at the moment, because currently the message isn't getting through that what's going on there right now isn't sustainable," Lukianoff said. Fox News Digital contacted Smart for further comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7db8d32c5335ae104601bd Franesca Hong taunted by fellow Democrat over loss: 'It's a day of Thanksgiving' te 2026-08-13T12:30:11.133Z Franesca Hong taunted by fellow Democrat over loss: 'It's a day of Thanksgiving' Commentators on all sides of politics took a victory lap after left-wing candidate Francesca Hong was narrowly defeated in her closely watched Democratic primary, with one Democrat even taunting her over her Thanksgiving gaffe. Hong, a state lawmaker from Madison and a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), was defeated by Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who topped her by a razor-thin margin after polling showed her as the seeming favorite. She drew brief, intense national scrutiny amid the rise of far-left candidates and democratic socialists across the country, particularly for her past rhetoric about culture-war issues like wanting to "cancel" Thanksgiving and having to back off calls to abolish the U.S. Senate and the police. After her narrow defeat, Rep. Tom Suozzi., D-N.Y., joked in a statement he sent to CNN, "Let’s just say it’s a day of Thanksgiving." DEMOCRAT ESTABLISHMENT STRIKES BACK AS SOCIALIST CANDIDATE DOWNED IN BATTLEGROUND PRIMARY Democratic strategist Anna Greenberg told CNN that Hong "was a bad candidate without national support," warning, "Candidate quality matters!!" Other political figures blasted Hong’s loss as well, arguing her candidacy and defeat was part of a larger phenomenon. "Some commentators thought she might not have lost if she hadn't granted interviews to national media outlets at the end, where she had to explain hating Thanksgiving. But if a few minutes of interviews sinks your entire campaign, how talented were you?" the Media Research Center's Tim Graham told Fox News Digital. "The broadcast networks have been extremely slow to notice the DSA candidates in all of these states. They ignored Graham Platner and his Nazi tattoo for months on end. They ignored Hong until about a week before the primary." "It feels like she treated these national interviews as a step toward the general election, not a reason to get fired in the primary," he added. "It's always funny that the definition of a 'moderate' Democrat is anyone who can celebrate Thanksgiving and deplore 9/11." SOCIALIST FRONTRUNNER IN THE HOT SEAT AFTER 'CANCEL THANKSGIVING' POST EMERGES ONLINE Former Trump official Theo Wold argued the fact Hong came close to victory at all is a dire warning for Republicans. "Any Republican who thinks the DSA wave has crested or that DSA candidates can’t win outside of urban areas isn’t paying attention. The correct way to understand last night’s results is that a radical Leftist, with policy views more akin to Trotsky than Jimmy Carter, nearly prevailed in one of the nation’s most closely watched swing states," he told Fox News Digital. "Hong’s radical views, like those of AOC or Ilhan Omar, are persuasive to a large number of voters, especially naturalized foreign nationals. What Hong lacked was nearly any support from working-class Americans." "The pattern is always the same. DSA candidates run on a platform that they say is for the working class, and then get firmly rejected by actual working-class voters. Because it turns out, socialism is a luxury belief for wealthy, college-educated liberals that people who work with their hands can't afford," he added. "The working-class communities I grew up in just want to work a good job and live a good life. They don't want a politician telling them we need to cancel Thanksgiving or that a Master’s Degree means an expert can organize other people’s lives better." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Fox News Digital contacted Hong's campaign for comment.  Hong conceded the race to Crowley this week and pledged to support him as he faces Republican Tom Tiffany in the general election. Republicans are trying to win their first governor's race in Wisconsin since 2014. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7db8d22c5335ae104601b4 Mamdani shrugs off AOC's 'Woke 1' comments, but critic says progressives can't be absolved of 'radical' past te 2026-08-13T12:30:10.433Z Mamdani shrugs off AOC's 'Woke 1' comments, but critic says progressives can't be absolved of 'radical' past New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was asked Wednesday during a press conference about his thoughts on whether the "Woke 1" era was "crazy," following Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., going viral for her recent comments. "I have a local city councilman that has this saying, 'Woke 1 was crazy,'" Ocasio-Cortez said on ABC's "This Week" on Sunday, adding, "And I think that what’s important is that we have to assess what a candidate is saying now." In response, Mamdani emphasized that people can "change" and "develop" their beliefs while adding that he does not support things like defunding the police. FRANCESCA HONG ASKED ABOUT LACK OF AOC ENDORSEMENT AND THE HOUSE DEM'S REMARK ABOUT THE 'WOKE 1' ERA "Look, I think that each person has a responsibility to tell New Yorkers, to tell Americans when they're running for office what they believe," Mamdani said. "And sometimes, what you believe can change. It can develop. It can grow. And I know that there are some for whom they still believe in that." "I've made very clear that I do not believe in defunding the police, that I will not be defunding the police, and that to me, delivering critical public safety also looks like working with our police department alongside many other partners," he said.  "And we've seen over the first seven months of this administration what that can look like when we're talking about the fewest murders on record in New York City, the fewest shooting incidents on record in New York City," Mamdani continued.  During a Friday radio appearance, the New York City mayor put distance between his administration and the DSA's abolition platform, defending police, prisons and jails.  AOC TRIES TO LAUGH OFF 'CRAZY' WOKE ERA AS THING OF THE PAST, BUT CONSERVATIVES AREN'T AMUSED While praising the efforts of the NYPD, he emphasized that public safety should not come at the expense of justice. "I would say, especially when it comes to public safety, I've been very clear that we have our police force, we have prisons, we have jails [and] the purpose of these is also to ensure that we are delivering safety and justice hand in hand. And what that means is that New Yorkers need not choose between the two," Mamdani said. Fox News Digital reached out to the mayor's office for comment but did not immediately hear back. Though Mamdani told the press on Wednesday that he does not believe in defunding the police, and distanced himself from his past comments, he had previously come under fire for several past tweets that explicitly called to defund or dismantle the New York Police Department. "We don't need an investigation to know that the NYPD is racist, anti-queer & a major threat to public safety. What we need is to #DefundTheNYPD. But your deal with [New York City mayor] uses budget tricks to keep as many cops as possible on the beat. NO to fake cuts - defund the police," he posted on June 28, 2020. In December of the same year, he also called for it to be "dismantled." AOC'S ATTEMPT TO DISMISS 'WOKE 1' AS 'CRAZY' DRAWS CRITICISM FROM LEFT-LEANING OUTLETS "All this misery. All for money. In the last budget, the City Council tried to make the NYPD reduce its overtime budget by half. They simply refused. There is no negotiating with an institution this wicked & corrupt. Defund it. Dismantle it. End the cycle of violence," he wrote. In a comment to Fox News Digital, New York State Republican Party Communications Director David Laska said Mamdani was attempting to ignore the "radical extremism" of the past. "Americans will never forget and never forgive the radical extremism of the 'woke' era, in which countless people had their livelihoods ripped away for espousing conservative values, including the overwhelmingly popular positions that men have no place in women’s spaces and that our border should be secure," Laska said. He added, "How ironic, and how utterly shameless, that the same people who perpetrated that evil are now the ones asking us to not hold their past statements against them. Americans are too smart to fall for it. We see radical DSA candidates lying about their views once they start running for office because they know that Americans would reject them." Laska continued, "Zohran Mamdani is a defund-the-police, Hamas-supporting radical socialist. We know that because he’s told us — and the only way to fight back is to vote Republican up and down the ballot in November." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7db8d12c5335ae104601ab Fox News ‘Antisemitism Exposed’ Newsletter: Why Jews hold the key to Michigan Senate race te 2026-08-13T12:30:09.783Z Fox News ‘Antisemitism Exposed’ Newsletter: Why Jews hold the key to Michigan Senate race Fox News' "Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world. IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER: - Key voting bloc in Michigan Senate race: terrified Jews - El-Sayed touts endorsement from pastor who praised Jew-hating Farrakhan - Democratic Michigan AG accuses her party of 'absolutely not' doing enough to counter antisemitism TOP STORY: Lifelong Michigan Democrats are threatening a massive party betrayal. Terrified Jewish voters—alarmed by progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed’s anti-Zionist rhetoric—are fleeing to Republican Mike Rogers for self-preservation. Representing over 100,000 voters in a state decided by just 19,000 votes in 2024, this shocking Jewish backlash could completely derail Democrats and flip the Senate red. VIDEO: Aerial video captures the sprawling 2,000-year-old reservoirs that once supplied Jerusalem with water and are now at the center of a dispute over preservation, heritage and sovereignty. WATCH HERE: LOUIE CONNECTION: Michigan Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed is under fire after boasting about the endorsement of Detroit pastor Horace Sheffield III. The catch? Sheffield once hailed notorious, antisemitic Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan as a "truth teller." To make matters worse, El-Sayed's campaign dropped $75,000 on Sheffield's nonprofit for "consulting." Desperate ploy for votes or toxic baggage? PARTY PARANOIA: Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is blasting her own party, boycotting the upcoming Democratic convention over security fears. The state's top legal officer slammed party leaders for failing to combat antisemitism and shockingly allowing members facing criminal charges for antisemitic threats to attend. Nessel says the party is abandoning civil discourse—making the August gathering a powder keg. STARVATION SLANDER: Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon is blasting claims that Israel deliberately starved Gazans as a complete "blood libel" fed by Hamas propaganda. A fresh UN-backed survey blew the lid off the narrative, revealing child malnutrition has plummeted to pre-war levels. Danon slammed anti-Israel critics for relying on fake terrorist data while Hamas actively hijacked and marked up aid. GUEST EDITORIAL: George Deek, Israel's first special envoy to the Christian world, writes that, while Israel faces anti-Christian extremism that demands prosecution, these isolated acts do not define the nation. Unlike the declining Christian populations across the Middle East, Christians in Israel are thriving, growing, and fully integrated—serving as judges, diplomats, and leaders—proving that localized bigotry does not reflect the country's true character. QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "Right now, however, it feels as though extremism on the left is not only becoming louder, but increasingly normalized. That has created a frightening moment for American Jews and certainly for the Jewish community here in Michigan." - Rabbi Aaron Starr of Congregation Shaarey Zedek in suburban Detroit. - Looking for more on this topic? Find more antisemitism coverage from Fox News here. - Did someone forward you this email? Subscribe to additional newsletters from Fox News here. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7db67a2c5335ae10460149 Minnesota fraud scandal will haunt Flanagan in high-stakes Senate race, top House Republican warns te 2026-08-13T12:20:10.800Z Minnesota fraud scandal will haunt Flanagan in high-stakes Senate race, top House Republican warns The welfare fraud scandal that rocked Minnesota's state government late last year will now be a central issue in the race for its open Senate seat, the top Minnesotan in Congress said. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., is predicting that the rampant fraud that occurred under Gov. Tim Walz's administration will now sandbag the campaign of his top deputy, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, who won the Democratic nomination on Tuesday night. "I think fraud is going to be the theme all the way through. Peggy Flanagan was there every step of the way," Emmer told Fox News Digital. "She is going be tainted by Tim Walz's disgusting reputation." PEGGY FLANAGAN WAS MINNESOTA'S NO 2 OFFICIAL AS MASSIVE FRAUD SCANDAL EXPLODED UNDER STATE'S WATCH He argued that both Walz and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison would be a "weight" on Flanagan's candidacy. Fraudsters managed to swindle Minnesota's state welfare programs out of millions of dollars' worth of taxpayer funds dating back to the COVID-19 pandemic. It kicked off with the nonprofit Feeding Our Future, whose leaders submitted falsified data to the state government while claiming to be working with schools, restaurants, and caterers to feed Minnesota students. The state government flagged suspicions to the FBI in 2021. Since then, roughly 80 defendants, including founder Aimee Bock, have been indicted. Bock was sentenced to 500 months in prison earlier this year for a scheme that prosecutors say affected some $250 million in taxpayer funds. MINNESOTA MAN MARKS FBI'S FIRST ARREST FROM DOJ'S 'MOST WANTED FRAUDSTERS' LIST Since then, federal officials have claimed that programs, including those that deal with childcare, helping children with autism, and low-income housing, have been subject to fraudulent waste of taxpayer dollars. Federal officials accused state Democrats of not doing enough to weed out fraud. But Walz and Ellison have both accused Republicans of overrepresenting the size of the scandal as a political attack, though the scrutiny forced Walz to drop his re-election bid for another term as governor. The topic came up in a recent debate between Flanagan and her primary opponent, moderate Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn. Craig argued Flanagan's role in state government at the time would make her vulnerable to attacks. "The lieutenant governor, even as we sit here today, continues to take absolutely no accountability for any of the fraud issues, and she continues to blame the governor," Craig said, according to MPR News. "And I'm going to be honest: It's pissing me off." TAFOYA MAKES 'COMMON SENSE' PITCH TO DISAFFECTED DEMOCRATS AS SHE VOWS TO FIGHT MINNESOTA’S ‘SOCIALIST LURCH’ And Emmer — unsurprisingly, as one of Walz's biggest critics — agreed. "Fraud, incompetence and corruption — that is what the Walz administration has been known for. And she's been front and center in the Walz administration," Emmer said. "She is right in the center of one of the biggest fraud scandals in America, right here in Minnesota." The House majority whip also accused Flanagan of embracing far-left policy positions that are further left than most Minnesotans. "She's a Marxist communist nut bag from Minneapolis," Emmer said. "There is a treasure trove of wackadoodle, just out-of-touch statements, which we don't have to get into today, but you're going to see those be resurrected." Flanagan is running against Republican Michele Tafoya, a former sports broadcaster. Fox News Digital reached out to Flanagan's campaign for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7db67a2c5335ae10460140 GOP congressman's ex-wife sues, alleging sensitive image of 2-year-old daughter was posted online te 2026-08-13T12:20:10.182Z GOP congressman's ex-wife sues, alleging sensitive image of 2-year-old daughter was posted online Ohio Republican Rep. Max Miller's ex-wife, Emily Moreno, filed a lawsuit against him Wednesday, alleging he uploaded a nude photo of their daughter online. Moreno, the daughter of Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, has been in an extended custody battle with Miller amid the fallout of their divorce. The lawsuit alleges that Miller "recklessly published and disclosed to the world a nude image" of their 2-year-old daughter. The lawsuit claims Miller gave the photo to his lawyer, Aaron Minc, alongside other information he was using to fight allegations of domestic abuse. Minc has since taken full responsibility for the contents of the Dropbox folder, saying the release of the photo was "completely unintentional." OHIO GOP FAMILY FEUD EXPLODES AS SEN BERNIE MORENO CALLS ON REP MAX MILLER TO RESIGN "I am solely responsible for what happened," Minc said in a statement. "I was the only person responsible for assembling, creating, reviewing, adding, deleting, redacting, or making any changes to the information and files that were in this folder." Miller posted a link to the Dropbox folder publicly on his social media, and its contents were ultimately viewed over 400,000 times, according to the lawsuit. "Miller’s recklessness is underscored by the fact that any parent knows — in this era and world filled with pedophiles, creeps, and AI-generated image alteration and video generation — not to put nude pictures of their child, or any child, on the public internet," the lawsuit argues. SEN BERNIE MORENO CALLS FOR EX-SON-IN-LAW TO RESIGN FROM HOUSE, GET 'SERIOUS PSYCHOLOGICAL HELP' The lawsuit is separate from the domestic abuse allegations Moreno has leveled at Miller. She claims he threw boiling water at her, held a gun to her head and may have broken their daughter's collarbone, all allegations that Miller fully denies. Miller has refused to drop out of his re-election bid for Ohio's 7th Congressional District, and he was effectively locked in as the GOP nominee after an election deadline passed on Saturday. Sen. Moreno had previously avoided publicly weighing in on the dispute but broke his silence after Miller posted a livestream denying allegations of domestic abuse and child abuse. Moreno accused Miller of increasingly "erratic and dangerous behavior" and said he should not serve in the House of Representatives. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7db6792c5335ae10460137 Ancient mummy DNA reveals chilling clue to deadly disease that swept the Americas te 2026-08-13T12:20:09.558Z Ancient mummy DNA reveals chilling clue to deadly disease that swept the Americas DNA recovered from centuries-old mummies in Chile has provided the strongest evidence yet that smallpox arrived in the Americas after European colonization. The recent research, published in the journal Science, centers on Chilean mummies whose ancient DNA yielded evidence of smallpox infections dating to the early colonial period. Geneticist Shigeki Nakagome of Trinity College Dublin and his colleagues analyzed 13 bone samples previously collected from an archaeological site at Camarones in northern Chile. EXPERTS IDENTIFY VICTIMS FROM ONE OF HISTORY'S MOST 'CATASTROPHIC' ARCTIC DISASTERS They then uncovered evidence of two smallpox infections in one man and one woman believed to have died between 1492 and 1631. While historians have long known that smallpox reached the Americas following European contact, the discovery marks the first evidence of the disease in that part of South America. The research raises questions about how the virus traveled so far south. Smallpox, which was eradicated in 1980 and no longer naturally circulates, was once one of the world's deadliest diseases. EXPERTS FINALLY SOLVE MYSTERY OF TEENAGE REVOLUTIONARY WAR SOLDIER 246 YEARS AFTER HIS DEATH It killed roughly one-third of those infected. Those who survived the disease were often left disfigured and scarred. Smallpox devastated Native populations after Europeans arrived in the Americas — and researchers are still unsure exactly who first brought the virus or how it spread across the continents. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER The virus may have spread through long-established Native trade networks, while researchers say it also could have passed through Africa amid the expansion of the slave trade. Patricia Foster, a biologist at Indiana University who was not involved in the research, told The Associated Press (AP) that the findings provide genetic proof of something historians have long understood. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS "Nobody would ever question that smallpox came to this hemisphere from colonization, but this proves it," said Foster. The discovery is the latest example of DNA offering new clues about diseases and deaths that have puzzled researchers for centuries. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Earlier this year, researchers recovered ancient DNA from 5,500-year-old human remains in Colombia containing bacteria related to syphilis, pushing the known history of the disease back more than 3,000 years. This summer, researchers analyzed ancient DNA from the remains of Renaissance ruler Francesco I de' Medici, potentially solving the centuries-old mystery surrounding his sudden death in 1587. The Associated Press contributed reporting. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7db6782c5335ae1046012e The Women's National Basketball Association can't define a 'woman,' and it's beyond shameful te 2026-08-13T12:20:08.875Z The Women's National Basketball Association can't define a 'woman,' and it's beyond shameful The WNBA has punted on its high-stakes meetings of the minds in the wake of the two former NBA players declaring for the draft, and will instead use the next "weeks and months" to further discuss one very important question: "What is a woman?" Yes, that's the question. Seriously. It's what the league is grappling with at the moment after Sophie Cunningham said little girls in locker rooms deserve to be protected. CLUELESS WNBA ATTACKS 'BAD-FAITH' FANS WHO DON'T WANT BIOLOGICAL MEN RUINING WOMEN'S SPORTS They had an actual task force meet this past week after Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White pressed the issue last Friday, and they still couldn't come to a conclusion. Let me say that again: The WOMEN'S National Basketball Association just met for several days, and emerged from those meetings still unable to define what a WOMAN is. "We will continue to engage all league stakeholders in the coming weeks and months," the stumped league said in a statement late Wednesday. "We will approach these important conversations thoughtfully and in alignment with the values of our league. There are no immediate eligibility matters affecting the WNBA and we strongly denounce the bad-faith efforts to use these topics to demean or marginalize others." What an absolute joke. How's the old saying go? How many WNBA task force members does it take to change a lightbulb? Three — one to hold the light bulb and two to turn the ladder around. And even then, I'm not sure they'd figure it out. The news of the league's inability to define what the "W" in its name stands for spread like a wildfire Wednesday night. Naturally. Folks are on edge right now. They're also, very clearly, done with the nonsense: I could go on and on. Folks are tired. They're exhausted. We've been at this for a MONTH now. Think about that. Sophie Cunningham triggered the mob a month ago — again, by simply saying men don't belong in women's sports and in little girls' locker rooms — and here we are. They are still unable to define what a WOMAN is. The league is simply in too deep to concede at this point. They've been so woke for so long that they're too far gone. So, instead of simply clarifying the draft eligibility rules, the league and its precious task force (I can't imagine how miserable that room was) used it's time to craft a long statement attacking fans and the media (us). ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "We strongly denounce the bad-faith efforts to use these topics to demean or marginalize others." Amazing. This is the same league, by the way, that still hasn't said a single word about DiJonai Carrington calling her clothesline foul over Sophie Cunningham, and subsequent ejection, "White privilege." Think about that. The league hasn't commented on it yet. It's been five days. Could you imagine if the shoe was on the other foot and Sophie posted "Black privilege" from the locker room after clotheslining DiJonai? She'd be bagging groceries at Publix today and preparing for an attempted murder trial. This is the league we're dealing with. So, no, perhaps it's not surprising that a WOMEN'S National Basketball League task force couldn't figure out what a WOMAN was after days of intense meetings. But it's still pathetic. So, so pathetic. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7daac22c5335ae1045ff9e Packers projected to miss NFL playoffs as Jordan Love's inconsistency raises concerns te 2026-08-13T11:30:10.993Z Packers projected to miss NFL playoffs as Jordan Love's inconsistency raises concerns It seems like from year to year there is more turnover and changes in the NFL playoff picture than any of the big four sports. Will the Green Bay Packers, a team that was listed as the lowest seed to make the playoffs, make it this season, or will they fall short? As mentioned, the Packers did make the playoffs last season, but it turned out to be a fairly quick exit as they lost 31-27 to their rival Chicago Bears. It was an interesting season for the Packers. They started with wins over the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders, both teams that made the postseason the previous year. Then they lost to the Browns in what was one of the more confounding games of the season. They tied the Dallas Cowboys in a shootout, 40-40, and went into the bye week with a 2-1-1 record. They ended the season winning four in a row, followed by four consecutive losses to the Bears, Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens, and Minnesota Vikings. The game against the Vikings wasn’t a big deal because they were resting players anyway. GREEN BAY PACKERS PRO BOWL RB JOSH JACOBS ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE DOMESTIC ABUSE CHARGES This season saw the wide receivers room take a bit of a turn. They had four receivers, none of whom seem all that amazing, and now they have two to concentrate on. They let Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks find other homes via free agency and trade. The odder move was letting Rasheed Walker leave the squad. He signed with the Carolina Panthers, and it was a low-value deal. He was listed as a top free agent when the season ended, so his leaving for a low contract doesn’t make a ton of sense to me. The Green Bay Defense ranked 11th in points allowed last season. They were also 11th in total yards allowed. Part of me wonders if that is because they played some crappy teams, or if it is due to them being a good squad. They didn’t make a ton of major additions this offseason, so we will see really quickly which it is. On offense, the value of this team comes down to what you think of Jordan Love. Last year, Love was 13th in yards, 14th in touchdowns, third in QBR, and threw six interceptions. Those aren’t super impressive numbers for someone who played in 15 of 16 games they actually were trying in. Josh Jacobs is another year older, and the wide receivers aren’t exactly amazing. I also don’t think their tight ends or offensive line are anything super special. 49ERS BETTING PREVIEW SUGGESTS RAMS AND SEAHAWKS COULD OVERTAKE SAN FRANCISCO FOR PLAYOFFS I think the Packers will take a step back this season. I don’t particularly think Love is that great of a quarterback. There are too many inconsistent games from him. I also think the Vikings are better, the Lions will have a more favorable schedule, and I think there are better teams that can prevent them from the playoffs. The books have the Packers at 9.5 games. The first half of the season should be fairly easy for them; I could see them going 6-4 in the first 10 weeks. I don’t see another four wins on their schedule, though. I’d back the under 9.5. They are +125 to miss the playoffs, and I think that’s a better bet. For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7daac22c5335ae1045ff95 Democrats sound alarm over AI job apocalypse — but labor market isn't following script te 2026-08-13T11:30:10.389Z Democrats sound alarm over AI job apocalypse — but labor market isn't following script In recent months, top Democrats like Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who caucuses with Senate Democrats, have raised fears about artificial intelligence and cast dismal projections about what it might mean for the job market, pressing for government intervention. "How the hell do you go forward and throw millions of people out on the street without planning what’s going to happen?" Sanders said at a press conference in April. But since the introduction of artificial intelligence chatbots in late 2022, the U.S. has continued to add jobs while unemployment has remained at historically low levels, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The tension between Democratic projections and market adjustments underscores the difference between free-market perspectives and more centrally planned alternatives. LEADING ECONOMIST WARNS OF RISE OF 'GEN Z AFFORDABILITY SOCIALISM' To Richard Stern, an economist with Advancing American Freedom, a conservative think tank, the debate reveals a more fundamental clash of worldviews. "It’s showcasing the difference between free market and central planning, but it's also showing the difference in what you think it is to be human. Do you think it is to merely do the work that you're told to do? Or is it to do things that provide new value and new service to your neighbors?" Stern said. Stern pointed out that innovation has routinely eliminated some jobs while freeing up workers to pursue other kinds of work and create new products. He recalled how the weaving industry was threatened by one such breakthrough in the 1820s. "We invented something called a Jacquard loom, which had basically an early punch card system. It allowed a loom to automatically raise and lower needles so that it would replicate a pattern on its own without a human having to memorize what the pattern was," Stern said. Since 2022, the workforce has continued to grow, adding total non-farm payroll employment every year even as the use of AI has made its way into the workforce. Over the same window, unemployment has remained below 4.5%. Some companies seem to have also adjusted their expectations for AI and the role it plays in the workplace. In one such case, the Wall Street Journal reported that several companies started hiring again when they realized AI wasn’t replacing junior workers, defying market projections. NEW YORK CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARY BECOMES SECOND MOST EXPENSIVE HOUSE RACE EVER AMID AI FIGHT Despite encouraging short-term data, Democrats have continued to demand that the government step in to curtail the impact AI has on the workforce. "AI is the most transformational technology in the history of the world — and will have a profound impact on the life of every man, woman and child in our country. And, if you’re currently in the workforce, there’s a good chance it will take your job," Sanders said. "A Stanford paper called ‘Canaries in the Coal Mine?’ found there has already been a 16% decline in employment for younger workers in jobs exposed to AI — like computer programming and customer service," he added. Other Democrats, like Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, have articulated similar fears. "One entity seems totally unaware: the United States government. The only major AI proposal advanced this Congress was a failed effort to prevent states from regulating the industry," Casar said in a press release of his own, referring to a proposed 10-year moratorium on AI regulation included in Trump’s signature One Big Beautiful Bill. That provision was struck out in the Senate and did not become law. "The path we are on is clear," Casar continued. "AI will make a small number of investors and executives even richer, while it eliminates jobs for millions of Americans — and the government does nothing about it." The Trump White House's former deputy chief of staff, Taylor Budowich, fired back, telling Fox News Digital that "Trump’s AI boom will only make the American worker more productive." "Democrats keep telling American workers that AI is going to take their jobs," Budowich, the founder of Innovation Council, said. "The truth is that President Trump’s AI boom will only make the American worker more productive—and more employable—than ever before." Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., have also participated in fearmongering about AI and jobs.  "If AI could disrupt half the workforce, we can’t wait until people lose their jobs to act," Warren said in June. "An overwhelming majority of Americans now worry that AI will take their jobs and leave them permanently unemployed," AOC said in Dec. 2025. Stern believes that while new technologies often disrupt markets and force employees, innovators and businesses to adapt, confidence in the market comes down to a matter of trust. He added that calling on the government to prevent that change or somehow control it is also a form of trust. "Do you trust a million nameless, faceless entrepreneurs and innovators? Or do you trust the government?" Stern said. He compared the reliance on government to how some people have treated AI itself — as a vehicle for solutions without human error. "’Claude, do whatever — no hallucinations, make no mistakes,’ right?" Stern said, referring to an AI chat put out by Anthropic. AI CHATBOTS TAKE HEAT OVER LEFT-WING BIAS: ‘NO LONGER BE CONSIDERED NEUTRAL’ "Democrats have viewed government as that for 200 years, right? They're like, ‘government, solve this problem that no one else can figure out no hallucination no mistakes no corruption,’ and I think it's people who are just unwilling to recognize that the government is a collection of people." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7da8682c5335ae1045ff45 State Dept axes Biden-era DEI scheme pushing woke politics across the globe and more top headlines te 2026-08-13T11:20:08.167Z State Dept axes Biden-era DEI scheme pushing woke politics across the globe and more top headlines 1. State Dept axes Biden-era DEI scheme pushing woke politics 2. Luigi Mangione plea buzz raises potential problem for prosecutors 3. WNBA attacks 'bad-faith' fans who don't want men in women's sports   SANCTUARY FALLOUT — Illegal immigrant charged with slaying one day after California judge released him. Continue reading … MIC DROP — Karoline Leavitt announces White House departure in ‘bittersweet decision.' Continue reading … LUCK OF THE DRAW — Powerball's billion-dollar mystery ends with one ticket hitting all 6 numbers. Continue reading … ‘GODSEND’ — Former Chicago detective says one city's murder plunge offers Windy City crime blueprint. Continue reading … MIDTERM GAMBLE — Tehran may be preparing to raise the stakes as Iran war enters new phase. Continue reading … -- IVORY TOWER SPY — Harvard-China links unearthed as Congress finds 140 papers co-authored by CCP military universities. Continue reading … RULES IN REVERSE — Trump-approved energy projects at risk of sudden death by next hostile president. Continue reading … DECEPTION PLAYBOOK — Trump's Air Force One shell game: How years of decoy tactics led to a catering-truck switch. Continue reading … POWER STRUGGLE — Trump heads toward unlikely clash with close ally over future of multibillion-dollar industry. Continue reading … Click here for more cartoons…   'THE DEVIL HIMSELF' — Kaylee Goncalves’ mother wrestles to forgive ‘demon’ Bryan Kohberger. Continue reading … HOUSE RULES — Comedian declares Hugh Laurie 'can't be canceled' as actor comes to Sophie Cunningham's defense. Continue reading … CANCEL CULTURE — Composer of 'Halo' video games says he was disinvited from convention event for being a Republican politician. Continue reading … TODDLER TERRITORY — Ms Rachel pushes reparations quote in latest progressive political move. Continue reading … HUGH HEWITT — Democrat El-Sayed reminds us just one senator can do great damage to our military. Continue reading …  ROB PORTMAN — America needs thousands of blue-collar workers to manufacture our AI future. Continue reading … -- TWO AMERICAS — Sophie Cunningham controversy grows as rival's background raises eyebrows amid 'privilege' claim. Continue reading … SKY-HIGH WORRY — Mystery Wi-Fi network aboard flight raises alarm over travelers' information. Continue reading … CHECKING OUT — Popular supermarket chain quietly shutters locations across 15 states. Continue reading … AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ — Test yourself on family fun and medical marvels. Take the quiz here … Tune in as Iowa’s tightening Senate race puts tariffs, food costs, and a proposed congressional stock-trading ban in focus. Check it out ...   Nick Freitas talks service, leadership and making the argument on ‘Hang Out with Sean Hannity.’ Check it out… Jim Breuer brings his comedy and Hollywood stories to ‘Planet Tyrus.’ Check it out… Vince August and top quarterback prospect Peyton "Pop" Houston join ‘Will Cain Country’ for a conversation spanning comedy, football and the road ahead. 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 Friday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7da6142c5335ae1045fef0 Former Chicago detective says one city's murder plunge offers Windy City crime blueprint te 2026-08-13T11:10:12.568Z Former Chicago detective says one city's murder plunge offers Windy City crime blueprint A former Chicago detective says the Windy City should look to a southern city where murders have plunged since the National Guard members moved in to find a way out of its crime crisis. Homicides in Memphis fell 43.7% during the first half of 2026 compared to the same period the prior year, according to data from the Major Cities Chiefs Association. President Donald Trump had signed an executive order in September 2025 authorizing the deployment of the National Guard, allowing troops to arrive in Memphis that fall. On Monday night alone, nine people were shot across Chicago, including three who were killed. In one incident, two men were critically injured after gunfire rang out in the city's Near North Side neighborhood. CHICAGO OFFICERS WOUNDED IN TRAFFIC STOP SHOOTOUT AS HOLIDAY WEEKEND LEAVES 3 DEAD, 16 INJURED "When we were in our living room, and we thought that another sporadic rainstorm hit Chicago, so we go outside in the windows, next thing you know, we just hear like lights everywhere," one person told FOX 32. Retired Chicago Police Chief of Detectives Eugene Roy told Fox News Digital that Chicago officials aren't utilizing federal resources to clean up the city's crime problem amid a shortage of officers. "Chicago has just 2,500 fewer police officers than it did just two or three years ago. You can't keep doing more with less. It's got to come down," Roy said. "As far as cooperation in preventative levels, which involves street-level policing, there's very little cooperation, if any, between Chicago and the federal authorities." FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X The city's police officer shortage has been exacerbated by a November 2025 decision to pause classes at its training academy and slow hiring to roughly 50 recruits per month, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The cut in training and hiring was made to address a $1.2 billion budget shortfall that the city faced. MEMPHIS PIZZA JOINT SPARKS BACKLASH AFTER OWNER REFUSES TO SERVE NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS Roy pointed to Memphis in particular as a "success story" on what happens when local and state governments effectively partner with the federal government, as the National Guard and federal law enforcement agencies surged into the city. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS "Memphis is a success story on how this can work out. From the material I've looked at, they had cooperation from the governor on down, some reluctance at the city level, but they've done the right things the right way and it results in the, it's produced the results," Roy said. "The mere presence of police serves as a disincentive to commit crime. You want people to say, 'hey, people are going out to do something, a robbery, a burglary or whatever. Man, it's hot out here. The police are everywhere. Let's forget about it. Let's do it a different time, a different place. Let's move on.' That's how you prevent crime." LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE "Done right, done properly, it is a godsend," he said. SEND US A TIP Memphis recorded 67 homicides in the first six months of 2026, down from 119 during the same period in 2025, according to the Major Cities Chiefs Association. GOT A TIP? If done properly in Chicago, Roy said bringing in the National Guard to help would "mirror those in Memphis and other locations where there's been a truly cooperative effort between the federal and local government." LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST Roy said it's not entirely unprecedented for a Democratic governor to deploy its National Guard to deter crime. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL New York Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul deployed at least 1,000 National Guard members to New York City's subway system in March 2024 following a series of high-profile crimes, saying it creates a deterrent effect. "For people who are thinking about bringing a gun or knife on the subway, at least this creates a deterrent effect. They might be thinking, 'You know what, it just may just not be worth it because I listened to the mayor and I listened to the governor and they have a lot more people who are going to be checking my bags,'" Hochul said. Fox News Digital reached out to the Chicago Police Department and the Illinois governor's office for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7da6132c5335ae1045fee7 5-step sleep reset could promote healthy weight loss, nutritionist says te 2026-08-13T11:10:11.913Z 5-step sleep reset could promote healthy weight loss, nutritionist says One weekly routine could help foster better sleep and promote healthy weight loss, according to a New Jersey-based registered dietitian. Erin Palinski-Wade, who is also a certified diabetes care specialist and author of "The Sleepdemic Solution," shared her "seven-day reset" in an interview with Fox News Digital. The reset combines sleep, nutrition and lifestyle strategies into a five-part system represented by the acronym SLEEP. SKIPPING SLEEP MAY PACK ON POUNDS FASTER THAN YOU THINK, NEW STUDY FINDS In a test panel conducted in connection with her seven-day program, Palinski-Wade said participants reported improvements in sleep, blood sugar and weight. Experts recommend consulting a healthcare professional for individualized guidance before making significant changes to diet, sleep or lifestyle habits, particularly for those with underlying health conditions. POPULAR WEIGHT-LOSS DRUGS MAY HELP PROTECT AGAINST A DEADLY DISEASE, DOCTOR SAYS Palinski-Wade emphasized that results varied among participants with different sleep challenges. The panel included shift workers, mothers and people with long-term insomnia. Despite those differences, within the first two to three days, the expert said people "across the board" reported falling asleep faster, getting higher-quality sleep and feeling more rested the next day. Panelists with pre-existing insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes also reported improvements in blood sugar levels, Palinski-Wade said. "Once they were resting better and those stress hormones were reduced, and the body was getting the rest it needed, we were seeing better balanced blood sugar throughout the day," she noted. Participants also reported improvements in hunger and satiety. DOCTORS SAY 8 FORGOTTEN HABITS COULD HELP FIGHT STRESS, OBESITY AND CHRONIC DISEASE "They weren't having those cravings, especially in the evening, especially those sugar cravings," Palinski-Wade said. "When they were eating, they were feeling more satisfied." "I had a few test panel members who lost as much as seven pounds in the first seven days," she said, noting that some of the loss was water weight. Participants reported reductions in weight and waist circumference and improvements in blood sugar, sleep and next-day energy. Below, Palinski-Wade breaks down the five components of the SLEEP system. Setting a rhythm involves timing meals consistently to help improve sleep. This means avoiding skipped meals, which can lead to blood sugar fluctuations throughout the day, Palinski-Wade said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES "We want to be fueling our body all throughout the day so that our body is expecting to sleep in the evening," she said. Skipping meals and consuming excess food and calories in the evening tells the body that it's time to burn energy, which is not going to be conducive to sleep, according to the expert. Exposure to sunlight within the first hour of waking can help set the body’s circadian rhythm, Palinski-Wade noted. "When your body gets that natural light, whether you go outside or put your desk by the window, that's helping your body get more in tune with that rhythm where you're awake," she said. In the evening, Palinski-Wade recommends dimming the lights and avoiding electronics and bright overhead lighting, which helps the body wind down and prepare for restful sleep. Eating with intention means choosing meals and snacks with nutrients that support healthy sleep, according to Palinski-Wade. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER "Whether it's serotonin and tryptophan, anti-inflammatory nutrients, we want to make sure that we're eating with intention, so we're giving our body the building blocks it needs to create sleep in the evening," she said. Palinski-Wade recommends combining lean protein, healthy fats and fiber to help keep blood sugar steady throughout the day and support better sleep. Powering down involves creating a consistent nighttime routine, including limiting electronics and caffeine and maintaining regular sleep and wake times, according to Palinski-Wade. "That also applies to having a set bedtime and a set wake time ... in those seven days to reset that circadian rhythm, so we can have the best results moving forward," she said. For those who are "trying everything," like diet and exercise, without seeing results, Palinski-Wade stressed that it is "not because you don’t have enough willpower." "It could just be your biology working against you, and many times it's as simple as improving your sleep," she said. "If you start to improve your sleep within just a few days, you can see major changes in how you feel, how your body is processing food, in your metabolism, and then ultimately in your body weight." TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ External research by the National Institutes of Health has also linked adequate sleep with appetite regulation and healthy weight management. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute states that sleep helps regulate hormones involved in hunger and fullness, while sleep deficiency can affect the body's response to insulin and has been linked to a higher risk of obesity. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7da6132c5335ae1045fede Comedian declares Hugh Laurie 'can't be canceled' as actor comes to Sophie Cunningham's defense te 2026-08-13T11:10:11.227Z Comedian declares Hugh Laurie 'can't be canceled' as actor comes to Sophie Cunningham's defense Golden Globe winner Hugh Laurie rejected the idea of biological men competing in women’s sports this week and voiced his support for WNBA guard Sophie Cunningham. The comments came during an exchange with comedian Graham Linehan, who pressed Laurie to clarify his views after the actor initially posted a dry observation on X about biological height advantage in professional basketball. Linehan called Laurie’s indirect wording "cowardly" in a now-deleted post, prompting the actor to deliver a blunt response. Laurie, best known for playing Dr. Gregory House in the hit drama "House," then clarified his position on X. "Firstly, f--- off; secondly no, I don’t believe men should compete against women. I thought I’d made that pretty clear. If you’d looked. But obviously you must get onto your next," he wrote. SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM SENDS MESSAGE TO HER HATERS AFTER SAYING MEN DON'T BELONG IN WOMEN'S SPORTS Linehan pressed Laurie further, telling him to "just say that you support Sophie Cunningham in her fight for fair sports and stop trying to be arch." Laurie responded: "You started it. ‘Cowardly’ to ‘f--- off’ is the going rate of exchange around here. And yes, I support Sophie Cunningham. And you, some of the time," Laurie posted Monday. Linehan then apologized for his reaction, writing, "Fair dos. I apologise for my knee-jerkiness. And thank you. I would never have had what career I had without 'A Bit Of Fry and Laurie' to aspire towards." The subsequent X exchange quickly went viral, racking up millions of views as users debated Laurie’s stance. Some criticized the actor for opposing transgender athletes competing in women’s sports, while others praised the Hollywood star for publicly supporting women’s sports. Comedian and political commentator Tim Young told Fox News Digital that Laurie’s established career gives him more freedom to voice his opinion without fear of being canceled. "It’s so rare that someone from Hollywood would stand up for women in women’s sports that it’s exciting when someone does at this point. Hugh Laurie aka Dr. House simply said he stood with Sophie Cunningham, and now he gets to see the ugly side of the left for the first time," Young said, adding, "Laurie can’t be canceled." WHITE HOUSE DEFENDS WNBA STAR SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM AFTER SHE SPEAKS OUT IN SUPPORT OF PROTECTING WOMEN'S SPORTS Young also argued that financial considerations can influence what performers say publicly: "Comedians always stand at the forefront of social commentary, but many of their opinions come from who pays them. Here we see someone established like Laurie against someone who is afraid of being canceled. I think that’s a heavier factor than anything else." "Unfortunately, a lot of times, comedians, albeit the loudest among the people, are some of the dumbest, same with actors and musicians, and similar to every other issue, you should side here with common sense, not what the famous guy said," Young said. "This time it just so happens that he’s right and my favorite TV doctor of all time," he added. LEFT-LEANING COMEDIAN LABELED 'CHILDISH' BY CONSERVATIVE JEFF DYE AFTER INSULT SCRAWLED ON TESLA The debate over transgender athletes competing in women’s sports has taken center court in the WNBA, where Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has recently said women and girls should not have to compete against biological men. Fox News Digital reached out to representatives for Laurie and Linehan, but did not immediately hear back. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7da6122c5335ae1045fed5 College students express strong trust in school leaders despite broader public cynicism: Gallup te 2026-08-13T11:10:10.523Z College students express strong trust in school leaders despite broader public cynicism: Gallup FIRST ON FOX — Most college students hold a positive view of their institution’s leadership — in stark contrast with the general American public’s declining trust in higher education, according to a new Gallup poll exclusively obtained by Fox News Digital. "Recent Lumina-Gallup research finds that college students’ experience contradicts many of the concerns raised by U.S. adults who lack confidence in higher education," the report stated. "By wide margins, both currently enrolled students and graduates agree that their degree is or has been worth the cost and is important to their career success," the survey explained. "However, while students remain confident in the value of their degree, more than four in 10 also question whether the college or university they are attending consistently acts in their best interests." FOX NEWS POLL: FAITH IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE US IS COLLAPSING The poll, joint-conducted by the Lumina Foundation and Gallup, found that 55% of college students believe their school’s administration usually makes decisions with students' best interests in mind. According to the findings, 12% of students say leadership acts in their best interest "all of the time," while 43% say "most of the time." Meanwhile, about one in three students (35%) say their school acts in their interest "some of the time," with roughly one in 10 saying leadership "rarely" (9%) or "never" (2%) does. The survey revealed that students attending top-tier institutions — as ranked by U.S. News & World Report — are slightly less likely to believe their school prioritizes their interests. Despite this, students across the board expressed significantly higher confidence in campus leadership than in elected political officials. The findings were based on a survey of 3,801 currently enrolled associate and bachelor’s degree students between the ages of 18 and 59, conducted Oct. 2–31. LIZ PEEK: TRUMP IS STARVING THE MACHINE THAT CREATES AMERICA'S SOCIALIST REVOLUTIONARIES The data comes on the heels of broader Gallup polling that showed public confidence in U.S. higher education dropping back down, erasing a brief post-pandemic recovery as concerns over campus politics, rising tuition and degree value intensify. Just 38% of U.S. adults currently maintain a "great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in higher education. That figure marks a noticeable dip from last year, when public trust briefly bounced to 42%. "It's kind of the three things that we see — those are still front and center as to why people aren't as confident in higher ed as they used to be: the cost, the perception that there's a political agenda being taught, and the perception that they're not teaching people the right kinds of things they need to succeed in the job once they finish," a Gallup expert told Fox News Digital in an interview. The findings arrive amid an intensified effort by federal lawmakers and conservative advocates targeting viewpoint discrimination, antisemitism and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) frameworks across American universities. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7da6112c5335ae1045fecc SEN TOM COTTON: Democrats say socialism will help. History says it will hurt te 2026-08-13T11:10:09.747Z SEN TOM COTTON: Democrats say socialism will help. History says it will hurt Americans are worried about the cost of living — and rightly so. The price of groceries, housing, and many everyday necessities rose by roughly 30 percent under President Biden. While price increases have slowed under Republican leadership, the devastating effects of that inflation remain. Democrats' self-described "socialist" solution — a dramatic expansion of government welfare, regulation, and taxation — would make life even more expensive for American families. History has already run this big government socialist experiment again and again. From Venezuela to Cuba to the Soviet Union, countries that embraced socialism have produced the same results: shortages, inflation, declining investment, fewer opportunities, and higher prices for their citizens. First, look at Venezuela, which has some of the world's largest oil reserves. Venezuela should have been among the wealthiest nations in the Western Hemisphere, but decades of socialist policies — such as nationalizing industry, reckless government spending, and sweeping price controls — have devastated its economy, destroyed the currency, and skyrocketed inflation. I WATCHED CHICAGO PROMISE FOOD EQUITY. NOW MY NEIGHBORHOOD HAS EMPTY SHELVES For years, Venezuelans have paid the price for these failed socialist policies as grocery shelves emptied, basic medicines disappeared, and hours-long lines formed for staples like flour and rice. Toilet paper became so scarce that it became an international symbol of Venezuela's collapse. And because of inflation, a loaf of bread that once cost only a few bolívars eventually cost millions. Also consider Cuba, where state ownership and central planning have similarly failed to generate prosperity and provide food for its people, despite having fertile agricultural lands. More than six decades after the communist revolution, Cuba imports as much as 80 percent of its food, yet Cubans still endure chronic shortages. Ration books remain part of daily life. Buildings crumble. Young people leave whenever they can. Even basic household necessities often require standing in long lines or having personal connections to obtain. And in the Soviet Union, citizens living behind the Iron Curtain grew accustomed to empty shelves, endless waiting lists, and chronic shortages of everything, including butter, meat, shoes, coffee, household appliances, and automobiles. Sure, the government-controlled Soviet economy could build shoddy tanks and missiles, but it struggled to provide decent housing, quality consumer goods, and reliable food supplies. Bureaucrats simply could not replace the countless daily decisions made by millions of producers, workers, entrepreneurs, and consumers operating in competitive markets. The problem wasn't bad management. It was the centralized, top-down system itself. The lesson is clear: socialism doesn't eliminate scarcity. It creates it. While supporters of socialism often blame sanctions or embargoes for these struggles, in reality, these consequences are the result of socialist policies that never work and always fail. CAPITALISM IS ABOUT INCENTIVES. STOPPING THE STUPIDITY OF SOCIALISM IS A BIG INCENTIVE Some also point to Scandinavia as proof the socialist model can succeed. But Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland aren’t purely socialist. After all, these nations rely on private enterprise, secure property rights, competitive markets, and successful global private companies. Yes, their governments operate larger welfare programs, but those programs are financed by high taxes on ordinary workers — not simply by "taxing billionaires." CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION For example, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway’s tax-to-GDP ratios top 40 percent, and all three countries impose a 25 percent value-added tax on most purchases, increasing costs on pretty much every consumer purchase. Add this to the housing prices, which in cities such as Stockholm, Oslo, and Copenhagen rank among the most expensive in Europe, and the Nordic model offers no evidence that an expansive welfare state makes life more affordable for average citizens. MAMDANI’S CITY GROCERY PLAN COULD LEAVE TAXPAYERS PAYING FOR EVERY BANANA In America, socialist ideas championed by the likes of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, Senator Bernie Sanders, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are no longer confined to college seminars or political fringes. Self-described democratic socialists — many of whom have never experienced socialism firsthand — have won major primaries, secured seats in Congress, and influenced the Democratic Party's agenda. Proposals once considered politically impossible — such as government-owned grocery stores, universal rent control, and greater government management of the economy — are now mainstream. History offers a warning that should not be ignored. America's strength has always rested on the hard work and ingenuity of its people, not the commands of socialist bureaucracies. Wherever socialism has expanded government control over the economy, ordinary citizens have paid the price through higher costs, fewer choices, and declining prosperity. Americans shouldn't be forced to learn that lesson the hard way. They should remember it before casting their next vote. Because socialism doesn't make life cheaper. It makes life more expensive. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7da1662c5335ae1045fe1f Extremism expert hailed as 'terrific' by ex-Biden official slapped with federal charges te 2026-08-13T10:50:14.941Z Extremism expert hailed as 'terrific' by ex-Biden official slapped with federal charges FIRST ON FOX: Before federal charges put ex-Southern Poverty Law Center official Heidi Beirich at the center of efforts to allegedly pay White supremacist informants, the left-wing Center for American Progress (CAP) hosted and praised her as an expert on extremism in the U.S. during a 2018 event. Neera Tanden, the CEO of CAP and a longtime Democratic operative who has worked for multiple Democratic presidents, including former President Joe Biden, described Beirich as among the "terrific leaders who are dedicating themselves to fighting the spread of extremism and speech online." The praise, however, took on a new light on Wednesday as reports emerged that Beirich is now facing charges of wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to submit false statements to a federally insured bank and conspiracy to conceal money laundering. SPLC FACES BLOWBACK FROM ‘HATE MAP’ TARGETS AFTER DOJ FRAUD INDICTMENT One of the most explosive allegations centers on a source identified as "F-9," whom prosecutors say infiltrated the neo-Nazi National Alliance and received more than $1.2 million from the SPLC during the period covered by the indictment. Prosecutors allege Beirich oversaw payments to F-9 while also having a romantic relationship with him, with the pair sharing a home and two bank accounts. Other figures at CAP in 2018 praised Beirich for her detailed work with hate groups, including Henry Fernandez, then a senior fellow with CAP. He described the effort as "the leading organization that identifies hate groups in the country." "She is really probably the nation’s foremost expert on various forms of extremism, including the white supremacist, nativist and neo-confederate movements as well as racism in academia," Fernandez said. "Even if you don’t know who Heidi Beirich is, you actually do because she leads the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Intelligence Project, which publishes the award-winning intelligence report," he continued. "They’re the leading organization that identifies what hate groups in the country are." Beirich was arrested by authorities in California on Wednesday. Her arrest fits into a larger case involving the SPLC that began in April. A 22-page indictment stated that the group allegedly was funneling money to hate groups. CONSERVATIVE GROUP TARGETED IN SPLC-INSPIRED TERROR ATTACK DEMANDS RESTITUTION AFTER DOJ INDICTMENT "Unbeknownst to donors, some of their donated money was being used to fund the leaders and organizers of racist groups, including the Ku Klux Klan, the Aryan Nation and the National Alliance," the filing reads. "The SPLC's paid informants ('field sources') engaged in the active promotion of racist groups at the same time that the SPLC was denouncing the same groups on its website." In particular, prosecutors allege donor money was used to attend and host extremist rallies, recruit members, grow and create extremist chapters, publish extremist literature and buy materials for KKK robes, hoods and cross burnings. The indictment also alleges two KKK members who wanted out of the movement were encouraged by the SPLC to remain and offered monthly payments and expenses. Now, prosecutors are alleging that it was Beirich who had a hand in making those payments, overseeing the organization’s efforts to track the groups. Beirich's representation has argued that the allegations are a misunderstanding of her work tracking hate groups. Beirich originally joined the SPLC in 1999, working as a senior writer and then climbing her way to become deputy director, co-director and finally director in 2012. She would leave the group in 2019 to launch the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism. In her roles, she helped direct research, supervised publications of the group’s Intelligence Report and Hatewatch and was featured in a wide range of media appearances. BROADCAST BIAS: NETWORKS DOWNPLAY SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER FUNDING KKK, NAZIS Representatives from CAP did not immediately respond to requests for comment on whether they would continue working with Beirich in the future or when the last time was that she had partnered with the group. Fox News' Jasmine Baehr contributed reporting Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7da1662c5335ae1045fe16 Women’s sports media outlet backs trans athletes, then avoids questions from reporter who disagrees te 2026-08-13T10:50:14.375Z Women’s sports media outlet backs trans athletes, then avoids questions from reporter who disagrees A women-focused sports media company with one million newsletter subscribers has an explicit position on transgender athletes: athletes should be allowed to compete based on their gender identity rather than their biological sex. The company is The GIST, co-founded by Ellen Hyslop, and it doesn't hide where it stands. "At The GIST, we believe trans women are women and that trans athletes have the right to compete on teams consistent with their gender identity," the outlet wrote Tuesday. WNBPA ISSUES STATEMENT EMBRACING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AMID TRANS ATHLETE DEBATE IN WOMEN'S SPORTS Also on Tuesday, Hyslop and co-host Steph Rotz devoted an episode of their podcast to the WNBA's ongoing debate over transgender athletes. The hosts made clear they think the political and cultural controversies surrounding the league are worthy of media attention, even as some fans would prefer everyone just talk about basketball. Rotz argued that women's sports provide an opportunity to have "critical conversations," and Hyslop repeatedly agreed that what's happening off the court deserves attention, too. So, when a public relations representative reached out to me Tuesday afternoon and offered an interview with Hyslop, I was interested. If we're going to have these "important" conversations, let's have one. Apparently, there's a catch. If you've never heard of The GIST, that's fair. But don't mistake that for irrelevance. According to its website, The GIST has one million newsletter subscribers, 582,000 social media followers and more than 40 million monthly social reach. Its twice-weekly podcast gets 300,000 annual downloads, and the company says it employs about 40 people. It has also attracted plenty of attention from the media industry. Forbes profiled The GIST when it reached one million email subscribers and has written glowing articles about Hyslop and the company's growth several times. The Associated Press included The GIST in a February feature about the expanding women's sports media ecosystem, noting that its newsletter audience had grown nearly 50% in 2 years. Axios also cited The GIST as one of the women's-sports-specific media companies benefiting from increased interest in female athletics. In other words, this isn't a random Substack with a few hundred readers. The GIST has built a substantial audience, particularly among young female sports fans, and it wants to help shape the conversation around women's sports. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Its own website says the company goes "beyond the highlights" and views sports through a wider lens that accounts for their cultural impact. Keep that in mind. A PR agent contacted me after reading my recent coverage of Chicago Sky wing DiJonai Carrington's flagrant foul on Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham. The agent said she wanted to offer "a similar angle from a diff POV." Her pitch acknowledged that much of the WNBA conversation had centered on "race, gender and politics," but argued that there was a larger story underneath it all: the WNBA is becoming a cultural force and is now dealing with the increased scrutiny that comes with that growth. That's an argument that I've made recently, so I thought it might make sense to explore that. The rep offered GIST co-founder Ellen Hyslop for an interview about what the WNBA's current moment says about the "growing pains" of women's sports leagues. I responded that I could potentially be interested. The rep quickly wrote back: "Awesome! If you're not totally sold, I'm happy to set up a call with Ellen to discuss her POV, and explore any other topics that might be top of mind for your coverage needs!" So, it seemed like we were off and running. But I wanted to check something before I responded. Before interviewing someone, I do my homework. For this, I went and listened to the latest episode of Hyslop's podcast. That's when things got way more interesting. The episode was titled, "Why the WNBA is stuck in a right-wing culture war." The GIST's own description says Hyslop and Rotz discussed the controversy surrounding "trans women and trans athletes" and what the outlet characterized as the "anti-trans comments" that ignited the debate. The hosts went hard at Cunningham after she told ESPN that she wanted to protect young girls who "shouldn't have to go against biological men." They criticized Cunningham's association with Riley Gaines and praised Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve for wearing a "trans kids belong" shirt before a game against Indiana. CHERYL REEVE SENDS CLEAR MESSAGE TO SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM WITH ‘TRANS KIDS BELONG’ SHIRT DURING FEVER-LYNX GAME Later, the hosts went even further. "Trans rights are human rights," Rotz said, before arguing that "inclusion should be the default and we'll work it out from there." The hosts also said people rallying around Cunningham's position don't actually care about women's sports. Then there was Caitlin Clark. Hyslop and Rotz weren't satisfied with Clark largely deferring transgender eligibility questions to leagues and governing bodies. They argued that Clark, because of her platform and financial security, has a greater obligation to speak publicly. Race entered the equation, too. "White women have more responsibility," Rotz said. "We're never going to be calling on Black women in the same way." Those aren't throwaway sports takes. They're strong positions about sex, race, politics and the responsibilities of athletes. They're also fair game for questions. After listening to the podcast, I sent the PR rep a simple question Wednesday morning. "Is Ellen aware of this pitch? I'm happy to speak with her, but I want to make sure she knows about me before I start prepping for an interview." There was a reason for asking. OutKick has extensively covered the debate surrounding males competing in women's sports. Based on Hyslop's public comments, I figured we were going to strongly disagree with one another's positions. That didn't make me less interested in speaking with her. Quite the opposite. The rep eventually responded that Hyslop was aware of "the pitch and angle we're pursuing here." Then came the qualifier. "I think the distinction is really that we're approaching this from a broader, more positive lens focused on the growth of women's sports and the visibility & scrutiny that comes with that," she wrote, "rather than the political/culture-war side of the conversation." Then she essentially took the interview off the table. "Given your call out, this may not actually be a perfect fit for your beat, so I'd rather not force it!" WNBA MEDIA TURNS STEPHANIE WHITE'S REHEARSED RANT INTO AN 'IMPORTANT' ATTACK ON LEAGUE CRITICS Except I hadn't told her it wasn't a fit for my beat. If anything, this was a great fit for my "beat." I've spent a lot of time covering the WNBA and the trans athlete controversy, and I'm happy to speak with anyone on the topic. That includes people who think males should be allowed to compete in girls' and women's sports. The only thing I had done differently was demonstrate that I’d listened to what Hyslop actually said and might ask her to defend it. The GIST’s representative wanted a broader conversation about women’s sports growth, but The GIST’s own podcast had just framed the WNBA debate through politics, social issues and transgender-athlete eligibility. Again, Hyslop's podcast episode is literally titled, "Why the WNBA is stuck in a right-wing culture war." The GIST also describes that podcast as a show where Hyslop and Rotz discuss how sports intersect with "pop culture and social issues." Then, one day after publishing its piece about transgender athletes and promoting the "right-wing culture war" podcast, The GIST published a separate WNBA update focused strictly on basketball. "Hoops only, please," the outlet wrote. So The GIST clearly understands the distinction between basketball coverage and culture-war coverage. It does both. The issue only seemed to arise when the person asking the questions might challenge its position. It's important to understand that Hyslop isn't simply an employee of The GIST expressing a personal opinion on a podcast. She's a co-founder of the company, and her comments align with an explicit editorial position The GIST has taken on transgender athletes. In its Tuesday story about the WNBA, the outlet argued that the debate over transgender athletes had reached "dangerous levels," called WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert's response "underwhelming" and described a stunt by former NBA players challenging the league's eligibility language as "harmful." Then it made its position unmistakable: "At The GIST, we believe trans women are women and that trans athletes have the right to compete on teams consistent with their gender identity." That's a significant position for a media company focused heavily on women's sports to take. And they're allowed to take it. But they should also be willing to defend it. The majority of Americans believe biological sex matters in athletic competition and that female sports categories exist specifically to exclude males. The GIST believes gender identity should take precedence. Great. Let's discuss it. Instead, a PR representative pitched Hyslop to me after specifically citing my WNBA coverage, offered to discuss other topics relevant to my beat and then decided the interview might not work once it became clear there could be disagreement. I told the PR agent that I remained interested in interviewing Hyslop. I also made clear that if Hyslop didn't want to do an interview, that was perfectly fine. I also sent written questions if she preferred not to speak to me directly. Among them: Does Hyslop believe there should be any biological restrictions on transgender participation in women's sports? What, specifically, did Sophie Cunningham say that Hyslop believes was wrong? Why should Caitlin Clark's responsibility to speak publicly differ based on her race? And why would discussing The GIST's explicit position on transgender athletes fall outside the "broader" conversation that its representative originally pitched? We also asked whether Hyslop knew that her representatives had specifically pitched an interview with me, a reporter for OutKick and Fox News Digital, before I expressed interest. OutKick gave Hyslop and her representative an opportunity to respond and made clear that I remained willing to speak with her directly. Neither responded before publication. That's disappointing, because disagreement is supposed to be the point of a "critical conversation." The GIST doesn't have to agree with OutKick. Hyslop doesn't have to agree with me. In fact, the disagreement is what could have made the discussion worthwhile. But growth brings scrutiny. That's literally the premise her representative pitched to me. Well, this is scrutiny. If The GIST wants to influence the future of women's sports, advocate for transgender inclusion, criticize athletes who don't speak loudly enough and frame the debate as a "right-wing culture war," it should expect people who disagree to ask questions. Otherwise, The GIST isn’t having the difficult conversation it says women’s sports needs. It’s deciding who gets to participate in it. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7da1652c5335ae1045fe0d Marshawn Lynch wants to know why NFL teams add White DBs and questions whether they can dance te 2026-08-13T10:50:13.828Z Marshawn Lynch wants to know why NFL teams add White DBs and questions whether they can dance Marshawn Lynch, who once helped lift the Seattle Seahawks to prominence, recently visited the defending Super Bowl champions during training camp and used part of that time trying to understand one of the important questions on his mind: Why does the NFL have more White defensive backs lately? No, seriously. STEPHEN A SMITH SHOWS HIS PRIVILEGE BY MOCKING LAKERS' ROSTER FOR HAVING TOO MANY 'WHITE DUDES' Lynch, who is a franchise folk hero and has virtual free run of the practice field and training facility, walked up Seahawks strong safety Julian Love during the team's practice at Lumen Field and asked the following: "Why y'all keep on getting all these White DBs?" Lynch asked Love. "What y'all gonna do with them, fam? What y'all gonna do with all them White DBs?" For the record, the Seahawks have two White defensive backs currently on their roster. Ty Okada started 11 games last season and is trending toward keeping that starting strong safety job this coming season, his fourth in the league. There's also Maxen Hook, who is trying to earn a roster spot during training camp. Both are White. Okada also has Japanese ancestry but none of that is the issue. The issue is why Lynch is so interested in the racial makeup of NFL defensive backs. Okada was standing right next to Love when Lynch asked the question. And he seemed puzzled by the former running back's curiosity. We know this because the scene played out on the latest episode of Hard Knocks on HBO. And right there, with the cameras rolling and everyone aware this stuff could be going out to a national cable audience, Lynch turned to Okada and made him an unofficial spokesman for White guys. "How many of y'all is it?" Lynch asked Okada. Because everyone knows all White guys know each other. "What?" Okada asked as if Lynch had a horn coming out of his forehead. "White DBs," Lynch said. "More and more," Okada responded. "What the [expletive] is going on?" Lynch said in shock. "What the [expletive] is going on?" This is an actual conversation in 2026 America that is questioning nothing of major significance but also says a lot about our society. Because right there, Marshawn Lynch, serious or not, was absolutely showing off his Black privilege. You've doubtless heard minorities and White liberal Karens complain about White privilege, while few people acknowledge that Black privilege is out there as well as any other kind of privilege folks contend exists. It exists because, among other things, a Black person can say things a White person cannot. So a Black man named Lynch can ask a White man what the heck is going on that he and others of his race can play a position without anyone really reacting. Now, let's flip that script. What would happen if, say, when Russell Wilson played for the Seahawks for a decade, a White former player had asked him, "What the [expletive] is going on" with so many Black quarterbacks playing in the NFL? That White dude would've been labeled a racist and canceled on the spot. But the Black dude asking the White player that question is amplified on national television as entertainment. And the White player would have been labeled as soft if he was offended. That is an example of Black privilege in the NFL. And it didn't end there in this particular exchange. "So tell me how this works in your head, you know what I mean?" Lynch presses Okada. "White people ain't known for their dancing..." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM One supposes Lynch is tying to make the point, however inartfully, that defensive backs have to be light on their feet. So he asks Okada how he can do it despite being part of a race not "known for their dancing." Stereotype much? Lynch is not the sharpest tool in the shed, folks. He went to Cuba for an Amazon Prime feature a couple of years ago and found a way to portray the communist country Cubans want to flee as a paradise, while telling those Cubans that the United States, the place they want to escape to, has problems. Anyway, Okada felt the need to show Lynch he has rhythm and can dance. And that somehow sealed it for Lynch. "Oh, yeah, there you go," Lynch exclaimed. "Hey, you know what? I apologize for coming over here ... Now I got it understood. Respect, my boy." Lynch apparently now understands White people can dance. And play in the defensive backfield on NFL teams. FOLLOW ARMANDO SALGUERO ON X: @ARMANDOSALGUERO Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7da1642c5335ae1045fdfb Roanoke Car Accident Attorney John P. Fishwick Jr. Explains Distracted Driving Accident Claims Under Virginia Law te 2026-08-13T10:50:12.590Z Roanoke Car Accident Attorney John P. Fishwick Jr. Explains Distracted Driving Accident Claims Under Virginia Law Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7da1632c5335ae1045fdf2 Financial Experts Say This One Number Can Protect Your Family te 2026-08-13T10:50:11.945Z Financial Experts Say This One Number Can Protect Your Family Tiffany and her husband were building a life raising their daughter and special-needs son in Arizona when they called in to “The Ramsey Show,” where Dave Ramsey and his team give personal finance advice. Tiffany’s husband had a generous life… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7da1632c5335ae1045fde9 Financial Experts Say This One Number Can Protect Your Family te 2026-08-13T10:50:11.248Z Financial Experts Say This One Number Can Protect Your Family Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7da1622c5335ae1045fde0 How People Living With PAH Are Shaping Better Support and Education te 2026-08-13T10:50:10.572Z How People Living With PAH Are Shaping Better Support and Education (StatePoint) Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a serious condition that causes abnormally high pressure in the blood vessels between the lungs and the heart. In Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), a rare and progressive form of PH, the tiny arteries in the… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7da1612c5335ae1045fdd7 How People Living With PAH Are Shaping Better Support and Education te 2026-08-13T10:50:09.862Z How People Living With PAH Are Shaping Better Support and Education Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7da1612c5335ae1045fdce Procolored Launches 2026 Back-to-School Campaign for DTF Printing Businesses te 2026-08-13T10:50:09.131Z Procolored Launches 2026 Back-to-School Campaign for DTF Printing Businesses U.S. campaign runs through August 19, with offers on selected DTF printers aimed at seasonal apparel and small-batch customization needs Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7da1602c5335ae1045fdc5 Procolored Launches 2026 Back-to-School Campaign for DTF Printing Businesses te 2026-08-13T10:50:08.360Z Procolored Launches 2026 Back-to-School Campaign for DTF Printing Businesses Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7da15f2c5335ae1045fdbc Ask The Vet: How to help dogs who are scared of thunderstorms te 2026-08-13T10:50:07.573Z Ask The Vet: How to help dogs who are scared of thunderstorms Q: My dog is terrified of these thunderstorms that we are having lately. What do I do? Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d9f092c5335ae1045fd66 Dodgers star Freddie Freeman takes scary tumble down dugout steps trying to catch pop fly te 2026-08-13T10:40:09.270Z Dodgers star Freddie Freeman takes scary tumble down dugout steps trying to catch pop fly Los Angeles Dodgers star Freddie Freeman suffered a serious scare in Wednesday night’s game against the Kansas City Royals. Freeman was gathering himself underneath a pop fly in the top of the eighth inning and appeared to lose track of where he was in foul territory. As he tried to make the catch, he found himself tumbling down the Royals’ dugout steps in a scary fall. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Freeman’s Dodgers teammates, Royals players and trainers rushed over to him to make sure he was OK. He received a standing ovation as he walked back up the steps and onto the field. He later left the game as the Dodgers wrapped up a 4-2 victory. "I didn't hit my head, so that was the key part there," Freeman told reporters after the game. "I am sore. Kneecaps are sore. Shoulder is sore. Hand sore. Wrist sore. I mean, I fell. (But) I'm in good spirits." He said he mistracked where the dugout railing was when he was trying to catch Isaac Collins’ pop-up. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "I went to lean, like I was going to lean against the rail to catch the ball — and obviously there was no rail," he added. The Dodgers have an important four-game series coming up against the National League’s best Milwaukee Brewers. "I think that we really dodged a bullet," Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said. "Very scary visually. For right now, he's in good spirits, which I think is a good sign. Just kind of total body soreness." The Dodgers improved to 73-48 and own an 8.5-game lead on the San Diego Padres in the NL West. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d9f082c5335ae1045fd5d Florida State University hit with federal civil rights investigation over race, sex-based scholarship programs te 2026-08-13T10:40:08.656Z Florida State University hit with federal civil rights investigation over race, sex-based scholarship programs FIRST ON FOX: The Trump administration has opened a federal civil rights investigation into Florida State University (FSU) over 32 scholarships accused of discriminating against students based on race or sex, according to a Department of Education (DOE) letter obtained by Fox News Digital. The DOE's Office for Civil Rights said it will investigate whether FSU discriminated on the basis of race, color or national origin in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and whether the university discriminated based on sex in violation of Title IX. The investigation stems from a July 2025 complaint filed by the Equal Protection Project (EPP) that targeted 32 FSU scholarships. The DOE's Aug. 4 letter lists all 32 programs, and confirms FSU is a recipient of federal financial assistance and therefore must comply with Title VI and Title IX. William Jacobson, founder and president of the EPP and Cornell Law professor, told Fox News Digital that FSU stood out even among the hundreds of colleges and universities his organization has challenged. A NEW YORK UNIVERSITY FACES JUSTICE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATION OVER 'BLACK MALE INITIATIVE' "Florida State, surprisingly, has one of the largest contingencies of discriminatory scholarships that we've seen anywhere," Jacobson said of the Tallahassee institution with an enrollment of more than 46,000 students. "We have challenged over 290 colleges and universities, and only a handful have this many." Jacobson said the allegations were particularly surprising because of Florida's aggressive efforts to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and discrimination in higher education. "The culture on the campuses has not caught up yet with the politics," Jacobson said. "Florida famously has cracked down on wokeness and DEI and discrimination more so than blue states. So it's very surprising to find such aggressive discriminatory scholarships at Florida State University." The Equal Protection Project's 34-page complaint divides the programs into 14 scholarships it alleges discriminate based on race, color or national origin, 13 based on sex, and five based on both. KEY TRUMP AGENCY PUTS TOP UNIVERSITIES IN CROSSHAIRS OVER ALLEGED RACE-BASED DORM PROGRAMS FSU pushed back on the allegations, telling Fox News Digital that all students are eligible to apply for and receive the scholarships under investigation. "All Florida State University students are eligible to apply for and receive the scholarships listed," the university said in a statement. "While donors may express preferences, these do not constitute eligibility requirements." FSU said the scholarships are funded entirely through private donations rather than institutional funds and maintained that all applicants are "evaluated equally based on merit," with no student disqualified or given an unfair advantage because of a donor preference. The distinction between a donor's stated preference and an eligibility requirement is at the center of the dispute. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ZEROES IN ON UCLA FOR ALLEGED ILLEGAL DEI ADMISSIONS AS ELITE SCHOOL CRACKDOWN EXPANDS Among the programs cited is the Crockett Family Fund for Excellence, whose FSU listing, reproduced in the complaint, stated that any student could apply but that it was the donor's preference that the recipient be an African American or Black student. Jacobson zeroed in on that language during his interview with Fox News Digital, arguing that FSU cannot shield itself from discrimination allegations by attributing the preference to private donors. "They try to couch this in terms of offloading the blame onto the donor," Jacobson said. "These are scholarships promoted by and awarded through the Florida State University system. Legally, they are responsible." NEW YORK TIMES SUED BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OVER ALLEGED 'DEI-RELATED' EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION "So that's what I found [at] Florida State to be most interesting, is that they seem to try to wordsmith around it," he added. Other programs identified in the complaint include the Crossman Career Builders Scholarship, which stated a donor preference for a female recipient who is Black or African American, Hispanic or a member of the Seminole Tribe, and the Disciples of the Diamond Spring 81 Scholarship, which expressed an additional preference for an African American male. Another, the Dynamic African American Women in Engineering Powerhouse Scholarship, stated that any student could apply but expressed a donor preference for an African American female student. The complaint also challenges a number of scholarships based solely on sex. Among them is the College of Arts and Sciences Student Travel Awards, whose listing stated any student could apply while expressing a preference for a female recipient. TRUMP DOJ CORNERS SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH 7-DAY ULTIMATUM OVER TRANS POLICY KEEPING PARENTS IN THE DARK Jacobson argued the distinction between an eligibility requirement and a stated preference does not resolve the underlying legal issue. "Rather than doing away with it, they play word games," he said. "And that's just not good enough." The DOE has not determined that FSU violated federal law. OCR explicitly said that opening the investigation "in no way implies" that it has reached a determination on the merits. The agency said it will serve as a neutral factfinder and collect and analyze evidence from FSU, the complainant and other sources. TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OPENS FOUR TITLE IX INVESTIGATIONS INTO MICHIGAN AND NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL DISTRICTS Still, Jacobson called the decision to formally investigate a significant development. "It is very significant that the U.S. Department of Education has opened this for a formal investigation," Jacobson told Fox News Digital. "That doesn't happen in every case." "This is a preliminary step, but it's a very large preliminary step," he added. The EPP's complaint argues the scholarships violate Title VI and Title IX as well as the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment because FSU is a public university. It also argues the programs run afoul of Florida law and FSU's own nondiscrimination policy. Those remain allegations that OCR will now investigate. Jacobson said his organization is not seeking to eliminate the scholarship money. "We do not want the scholarships disbanded or shut down," he said. "We want the discrimination disbanded and shut down. Keep the funding, give the students the money, but give everybody a fair shot." The EPP is also calling on Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration to examine the programs. "We hope the Attorney General and the Governor's Office will look into this," Jacobson said. "Why is one of the leading state schools in Florida so openly and pervasively discriminating in its scholarship programs?" DeSantis' and Uthmeier's offices, and the DOE did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d9a5c2c5335ae1045fcba Biden clemency blitz left DOJ scrambling as many commutations bypassed normal vetting, emails show te 2026-08-13T10:20:12.294Z Biden clemency blitz left DOJ scrambling as many commutations bypassed normal vetting, emails show FIRST ON FOX: Justice Department (DOJ) officials scrambled after former President Joe Biden’s end-of-term clemency grants were announced, trying to determine what some decisions actually covered and correcting errors in others — part of a broader clemency process that drew criticism from former U.S. pardon attorneys, a federal judge and other officials, internal emails show. The records were obtained through the Freedom of Information Act by Protect the Public’s Trust (PPT) and shared with Fox News Digital. In one exchange, involving a career offender convicted in a series of crack-cocaine trafficking cases, prosecutors were left asking whether Biden had commuted a separate 235-month sentence for the man that was not explicitly listed. The question prompted a deputy pardon attorney to offer the "most sensible reading," while acknowledging that "many" of Biden’s Jan. 17 commutations had bypassed the agency’s normal pardon-office vetting and did not undergo the typical level of review. In another episode, the Justice Department’s Office of the Pardon Attorney (OPA) was caught off guard by Hunter Biden’s pardon and later had to correct a notice that incorrectly described him as receiving it "after completion of sentence" — even though he had not yet been sentenced, never would be, and the pardon was full and unconditional. Officials also spent days working through how to authenticate and transmit the pardon to the court. HAWLEY ERUPTS AT BIDEN PARDON ATTORNEY OVER DYLANN ROOF CLEMENCY PUSH Separately, U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland asked for an explanation after reviewing more than a dozen North Dakota commutations and saying that neither sentencing judges, prosecutors nor victims had been consulted — "not even" by telephone. He also questioned the validity of several pardons, noting they were out-of-step with his view of the second-chance rationale associated with clemency grants.  "The process didn’t match the public sales pitch," former Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares told Fox News Digital. "There is a Grand Canyon gap between the public description and the internal reality." "This paints a troubling picture of a pardon process driven by politics and haste rather than the careful deliberation such extraordinary acts of executive clemency demand," added PPT's communications director Alexa Moutevelis. "The Justice Department pardon office’s own emails show the final Biden auto-pen blitz was so clumsy and rushed that the chaos extended even to the most high-profile and controversial of all: his own son, Hunter." The Biden administration had publicly sought to assure Americans that the president took clemency "very, very seriously," with then-White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre saying cases were presented to the president by his team for a final decision.  DOJ told Fox News Digital that clemency officials did not conduct an individualized review of the slate of roughly 1,500 people whose sentences Biden commuted Dec. 12. Instead, they were granted clemency as a group after being identified by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and DOJ as people serving sentences on home confinement during COVID under the CARES Act. BOP had previously assessed the recipients before placing them on home confinement, but clemency officials did not separately review most recipients’ individual offenses or case histories before the Dec. 12 grants. REPEAT OFFENDER LABELED ‘DANGER TO THE COMMUNITY’ WALKS FREE AFTER BIDEN AUTOPEN CLEMENCY Meanwhile, concerns inside DOJ surfaced almost immediately after Biden's Jan. 17 grants were announced. The Wall Street Journal reported roughly two weeks after they went out that then-U.S. Pardon Attorney Liz Oyer told U.S. attorneys in a Jan. 18 internal email that Biden's clemency action "was not carried out in consultation with the Office of the Pardon Attorney and there was little coordination with the Department." Eleven days after Biden’s Jan. 17 mass commutations, on Jan. 28, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Maya Song of the Eastern District of Virginia contacted OPA after a court raised a question about a commutation Biden seemingly awarded to Christopher Damon Spencer. The clemency list identified him alongside the docket number for a 2003 case, but Spencer also had a separate 2011 case in which he had been sentenced to 235 months in prison. Song asked whether Biden’s commutation applied to that sentence as well. Deputy Pardon Attorney Kira Gillespie responded hours later that applying the commutation to both docket numbers was the "most sensible reading" and apologized for the confusion. "Many of the cases that were granted commutation on January 17 were not vetted through our office," Gillespie wrote, "and so the data we had available was not reviewed as carefully as we would ordinarily hope it to be." The emails show a separate episode of confusion following Hunter Biden’s pardon. OPA formally told prosecutors that the Dec. 1 pardon "was not processed via application through our Office," and Oyer later confirmed internally that the office had been caught off guard. ‘PRIVILEGED’ HUNTER BIDEN, SPARED BY DAD’S PARDON, BLASTS TRUMP’S CLEMENCY POWER OPA’s surprise was reported publicly at the time, but the newly obtained emails provide internal confirmation from Oyer herself. When a DOJ public-affairs official told her that Politico planned to report the office had been "taken by surprise" and asked whether that characterization was wrong, Oyer replied: "I’m curious about the sourcing on #1, but it’s accurate." OPA then had to correct its own notification. On Dec. 2, Senior Deputy Pardon Attorney Rosalind Sargent-Burns told prosecutors that an earlier notice had incorrectly described Hunter Biden as receiving a full and unconditional pardon "after completion of sentence," saying the phrase "was included in error" and apologizing for the confusion. Days later, prosecutors turned to OPA after the federal court handling Hunter Biden’s California case said his defense-submitted pardon lacked authentication and had not been received from the appropriate executive agency. Internal emails show OPA officials then tracking down the court clerk and preparing a verification. By the morning of Dec. 6, Oyer wrote that the matter appeared finished: "I think this is now resolved." EYEBROW-RAISING CLAIM FROM ‘HUNTER BIDEN’ X ACCOUNT DRAWS GOP MOCKERY A DOJ official attributed the post-grant errors, which they characterized as minor and easily corrected, to the Biden White House failing to provide the department complete and timely information about the commutations, saying DOJ personnel were forced to identify affected individuals and provide notice on extremely short timelines. Oyer, who led the OPA under Biden, which describes itself as the DOJ office responsible for receiving, reviewing and investigating clemency applications and providing recommendations to the president, noted in an email to a DOJ public affairs official that presidents have relied on the office for more than 130 years for "neutral advice and expertise." In a statement to Fox News Digital, a representative for Oyer reiterated her public comments about not being consulted over "certain clemency grants at the end of the Biden administration, including the pardon of Hunter Biden, which she believes was a misuse of the pardon power."    Only 258 of the roughly 2,490 Jan. 17 clemency recipients had been recommended by DOJ, according to the Wall Street Journal, which reported that the White House included some individuals the department had specifically rejected, while leaving out hundreds whom the DOJ had recommended. The internal DOJ records reviewed by Fox News Digital do not establish the full process used outside OPA — including how individual recipients were selected, what case information was reviewed, who conducted any case-by-case vetting and how final changes to the lists were made. DOJ indicated that presidents of both parties have exercised their constitutional clemency authority without consulting the department, and its regulations do not require presidents to use the traditional pardon-office process. FORMER INDIANA REP STEPHEN BUYER RECEIVES FULL PARDON FROM TRUMP FOR 2023 INSIDER TRADING CONVICTION Former Pardon Attorney Margaret Love said the Jan. 17 emails nevertheless reflected a significant departure from that traditional system. "The OPA email indicates that the names of the final clemency recipients did not come through the regular pardon process where they would have been vetted by Justice Department professionals," Love told Fox News Digital. "That would be unprecedented in my experience — at least for any president other than President Trump, who also does not use the regular process." "While the clemency process is always somewhat opaque as far as the public is concerned, this process seems to have been secret even from the responsible staff at the Justice Department," Love added. "Where did the cases come from, and how were they selected? I don’t know that and evidently neither did the staff in the pardon office." COLORADO DEMOCRATS FORMALLY CENSURE GOV POLIS OVER TINA PETERS COMMUTATION District court judge Hovland’s objections to the Dec. 12 commutations were aired publicly at the time, according to the internal records reviewed by Fox News Digital. He copied numerous North Dakota news organizations on his Dec. 18 email, but the FOIA records reveal how his complaint was received inside OPA.  When a senior deputy forwarded the email to Oyer the following morning and asked whether further action should be taken, Oyer responded: "SIGH. Thanks for letting me know." DOJ told Fox News Digital it could find no record of the department responding to Hovland’s request for an explanation. Hovland highlighted two recipients who had defrauded more than 60 farmers and agricultural businesses of $11.4 million and a bank of $28.5 million, saying neither had presented evidence supporting a commutation and warning that the grants eroded confidence in the justice system and respect for the rule of law. Hovland said his concerns extended beyond the two fraud cases to other drug-trafficking commutations he reviewed, none of which he described as involving "low-level, non-violent drug offenders." "None of the federal prosecutors, victims, or myself as the sentencing judge were ever contacted about these commutations beforehand — not even a telephone call," Hovland wrote, asking OPA to explain how the cases had been investigated, why the sentences were commuted and why nobody with direct knowledge of the cases had been consulted. The records reviewed by Fox show that advance DOJ notification varied across Biden’s late-term clemency actions. Ahead of Biden’s Dec. 23 federal death-row commutations, officials made advance calls to the affected U.S. attorneys. On the morning of Dec. 22, Deputy Attorney General’s Office official Bradley Weinsheimer told Oyer he was "awaiting clearance to start making capital case USA notifications." Minutes later, he wrote: "Starting notifications now." Shortly thereafter, within hours, Weinsheimer reported that: "All USAs now have been notified. Pushback by a couple, but all were appreciative of the call." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d9a5b2c5335ae1045fcaa Arizona’s Congressional Democrats Decline To Sign Pledge Against Socialism te 2026-08-13T10:20:11.632Z Arizona’s Congressional Democrats Decline To Sign Pledge Against Socialism By Staff Reporter | A coalition of U.S. House Democrats have banded together to pledge against socialism, but none of Arizona’s Democrat congressional leaders signed on.  Reps. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ-07), Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04), and Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-03) have not signed the Promise to America, an organization pushing a pledge to align the Democratic Party around the principles of capitalism, safety, fiscal responsibility, effective government, common purpose, and patriotism.  The three congressional leaders have not publicly aligned with socialism, and are not known to be members of the Democratic Socialists of America. Stanton’s primary challenger, Kai Newkirk, was a self-identified democratic socialist. However, top Democrats in Arizona appear to be looking to reclaim and redefine socialism. Gov. Katie Hobbs’ consultant Stacy Pearson, who has represented her campaign to the media, recently told KJZZ that all public goods qualified as socialism, and that Democrats needed to reclaim socialist ideology as their own.  “[W]hen politicians are arguing against socialism, they’re arguing against well-funded public education and good universities and public transportation and affordable housing,” said Pearson. “The Democrats need to get a hold of the word socialist like we did with abortion, and we stopped using weird pitter-patter words like ‘reproductive freedom’ and ‘reproductive rights.’ No, we’re really talking about a woman’s right to have an abortion when she needs one, period. And so I think we need to get a hold of the word again and remind people what it really means.” The new pledge from U.S. House Democrats against socialism declares a belief in an economy driven by merit and hard work, secure borders and orderly immigration, a balanced budget, reduced bureaucracy, free speech, common political ground, and confidence rooted in patriotism. “We are proud, not ashamed of America,” stated the pledge. “We believe America’s story is one of extraordinary achievement and unfinished work. We honor America’s strengths and exceptional character while striving to build a freer, stronger, more prosperous, and more perfect union.”  Ten congressional Democrats and five candidates have signed the pledge as of this report. Signatories hail from California, Colorado, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, and Texas. The pledge was developed by New York Rep. Tom Suozzi and California Rep. Adam Gray alongside a team of fellows following sizable wins from socialist candidates in the June primaries. The founding fellows were Felix Frisch, who serves as director; Mac Healey; Sarah Buchanan; Molly Uthoff; Aarynn Deleon; Chloe Stevelman; and Yenjay Hu. Suozzi and Gray market themselves as the two Democrats to have successfully flipped districts that President Donald Trump won in the 2024 election cycle.  Promise to America appears to be aligned with the Welcome Party, which has an affiliated political action committee with millions in funding from the likes of LinkedIn cofounder and tech venture capitalist Reid Hoffman, former 21st century Fox CEO James Murdoch, and Walmart heir Samuel Walton.  Only one Democratic candidate from Arizona was listed as having signed the pledge: Marlene Galan Woods, who lost the Democratic nomination for the 1st congressional district seat to Amish Shah.  Candidates Jonathan Nez, 2nd congressional district; Elizabeth Lee, 5th congressional district; JoAnna Mendoza, 6th congressional district; Bernadette Greene-Placentia, 8th congressional district; and Dani Sterbinksy, 9th congressional district, also have not signed the pledge. AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link. The post Arizona’s Congressional Democrats Decline To Sign Pledge Against Socialism first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d98072c5335ae1045fc59 Trump aims to elevate federal judge Lee Rudofsky to Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit te 2026-08-13T10:10:15.824Z Trump aims to elevate federal judge Lee Rudofsky to Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit President Donald Trump said that he is nominating federal judge Lee Rudofsky to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. "I am pleased to announce the nomination of Lee Rudofsky to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit!" Trump exclaimed in a Wednesday Truth Social post. Rudofsky is currently serving on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, a position to which Trump nominated him back in 2019. FEDERAL APPEALS COURT CLEARS WAY FOR DESANTIS-BACKED LAW RESTRICTING CHILDREN AT SOME DRAG SHOWS "Lee is currently a distinguished Federal District Court Judge in Arkansas. He previously was Solicitor General of Arkansas, and Assistant General Counsel of Walmart. He is a Graduate of Harvard Law School and Cornell University. Lee will be a rock solid defender of the Constitution on the Eighth Circuit. Congratulations Lee!" the president added in his post. Arkansas Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge and state Attorney General Tim Griffin both congratulated Rudofsky. FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FROM RESTRICTING MAIL-IN BALLOTS AHEAD OF MIDTERMS "I am proud to congratulate Judge Lee Rudofsky on his nomination to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. When I appointed Judge Rudofsky to serve as Arkansas’s first Solicitor General, I had long recognized his legal acumen and knew he would serve Arkansas with distinction. On the federal district court, Judge Rudofsky has adhered to the original text of our constitution and applied the rule of law fairly and impartially. I am confident he will continue to apply the law faithfully," Rutledge, who previously served as the state's attorney general, declared in a post on X. "Judge Rudofsky is a once-in-a-generation jurist, and I ask the United States Senate to swiftly confirm President Trump’s nomination," she added. TRUMP'S WHITE HOUSE BALLROOM FOES FACE 'VERY TOUGH ARGUMENT' AT SUPREME COURT, LEGAL EXPERTS SAY "Congratulations to Judge Lee Rudofsky on his nomination by @realDonaldTrump to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Judge Rudofsky’s devotion to the rule of law, his fidelity to the Constitution & his unrivaled intellect & legal acumen make him an exceptional choice!" Griffin wrote on X. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d98072c5335ae1045fc50 Luigi Mangione plea buzz raises potential Paul Manafort problem for prosecutors te 2026-08-13T10:10:15.248Z Luigi Mangione plea buzz raises potential Paul Manafort problem for prosecutors Prosecutors with the Southern District of New York and defense attorneys for accused assassin Luigi Mangione asked a U.S. judge Tuesday to set a conference Friday morning — prompting speculation that the 28-year-old could agree to a plea deal in his federal case days before he's set to go to trial on state murder charges. The timing could have major implications for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's state case. New York's double-jeopardy protections previously led Big Apple courts to toss charges against former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort after his federal convictions. After similar reports of a potential plea deal emerged earlier this year, Manhattan prosecutors indicated that they could "advise" the federal judge if any potential plea agreement would put the "just outcome" of his state case in jeopardy. LUIGI MANGIONE HEARING SET FOR FRIDAY STIRS PLEA DEAL SPECULATION IN HIS FEDERAL CASE "If Luigi Mangione takes a plea federally, then the question is, does this state double jeopardy law get triggered?" said Donna Rotunno, a Chicago-based defense attorney, Fox News contributor and the host of "Crime & Justice." New York has broader double jeopardy laws than the federal government, she said. A federal resolution first could therefore put the state case at risk in a way that a state conviction would not necessarily jeopardize the federal prosecution. PROSECUTORS WARN LUIGI MANGIONE SUPPORTERS MAY INTIMIDATE WITNESSES AND JURORS AT MURDER TRIAL "The prosecutors reached out to Judge Carro via letter back in July when they were talking about which case should be set for trial first and the importance of setting the state case for trial before the federal one," she told Fox News Digital. "So now here we are in a situation where the state is saying wait, wait, why is the government allowing Luigi Mangione to possibly take a plea on the federal side? Because if that's the case, it could potentially upend our case on the state side." Shortly after Friday's pre-trial conference appeared on the docket, speculation swirled that it could involve a potential plea deal. However, neither side has commented, and the purpose of the conference remains unclear. EX-TRUMP CAMPAIGN CHAIRMAN PAUL MANAFORT OPENS UP ABOUT 'SCARY' TIME SPENT IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT While Mangione is currently scheduled to go on trial on the state charges next month and see a federal trial next year, his lawyers could potentially make the double jeopardy argument in New York, if the federal case results in a conviction first. In the 2019 Manafort case, he was charged at the state level for fraud crimes that were similar to those he had already been convicted of federally. New York Judge Maxwell Wiley agreed to dismiss the state charges. LUIGI MANGIONE'S FEDERAL TRIAL PUSHED TO NEXT YEAR IN ASSASSINATION OF UNITEDHEALTHCARE CEO The factual overlap between the state and federal cases was "extensive — if not total," Wiley wrote at the time. Then-Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance Jr. appealed the ruling unsuccessfully. An appellate court unanimously upheld Wiley's decision. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X The question in the Manafort case was whether the federal and state laws were "designed to prevent very different kinds of harm or evil." Both Manafort cases involved the same fraud and the same victims, and the courts found that the laws were not aimed at "very different kinds" of offenses. In Mangione's case, should he actually reach a federal plea deal before his state trial, the question might boil down to whether a federal charge of stalking resulting in death is "very different" from New York's second-degree murder charge. "There's a little bit of an argument to be made there, but again, if that was not an issue, then why were the prosecutors so concerned about making sure they go first?" Rotunno asked. "If you look at this law, this law really has to do with the state going first because the feds can prosecute any charges they want, even if they're based on the same conduct." SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS "If the charges were so different, they wouldn't worry about it," she added. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE Manafort's lawyer at the time, Todd Blanche, is now the U.S. attorney general. At an unrelated Justice Department news briefing Wednesday, he declined to answer a question about whether Friday's hearing would be related to a potential plea deal. SEND US A TIP The top charge Mangione faces federally, stalking resulting in death, carries a maximum sentence of life in federal prison, without the possibility of parole, if convicted. At the state level, he faces a maximum of 25 years to life if convicted of the second-degree murder charge. Even if convicted at trial, however, Rotunno said he might not get the maximum sentence based on his lack of a prior criminal history. Any plea deal that leads to less than a life sentence could be considered a win for the defense, she said. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST "Odds of him getting life are probably slim even after a trial, given the fact that he had no background, and the maximum is life," she said. "But either way, he would’ve gotten such a big number that odds of him getting out would be very slim." Carro had previously rejected a double jeopardy claim from Mangione's defense, and Mangione himself in February claimed he was being subject to "the same trial twice" in a courtroom outburst. "One plus one is two," he complained, while being escorted out of the courtroom. "Double jeopardy by any common sense." Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges against him in both cases. Back in May, another disparity between state and federal law left a potential impact on the case. Carro ruled that some key evidence recovered from Mangione's backpack during his arrest at a Pennsylvania McDonald's would be inadmissible at trial. Judge Margaret Garnett, who is overseeing the federal case, rejected the defense team's argument that the search was improper. At the same time, Garnett threw out the potential death penalty when she ruled that the underlying stalking charge didn't qualify as a "crime of violence." And that decision could fuel arguments from Manhattan prosecutors against any potential double jeopardy claims, according to Paul Mauro, a retired NYPD inspector and Fox News contributor. "The federal judge has already found, thanks to Mangione's own arguments, that stalking is not a 'crime of violence,'" he told Fox News Digital. "And if that's the federal position, then you have to ask yourself, is the harm of a nonviolent crime, is the potential harm trying to be prevented by the stalking charge, different enough from what the statute for murder 2 is trying to prevent so that you can say the two statutes are distinct enough that the state case could go forward." "But that said," he added, "the New York state double jeopardy law is very defendant-favorable. So who knows? Maybe Luigi has just decided he prefers federal prison to state prison. Because of generally better conditions." Fox News' Stephen Sorace contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d98062c5335ae1045fc47 Kaylee Goncalves' mother wrestles to forgive 'demon' Bryan Kohberger as he seeks to undo guilty plea te 2026-08-13T10:10:14.574Z Kaylee Goncalves' mother wrestles to forgive 'demon' Bryan Kohberger as he seeks to undo guilty plea The parents of slain University of Idaho student Kaylee Goncalves are opening up about their struggle to forgive their daughter’s killer, Bryan Kohberger, as he seeks to withdraw his guilty plea. Kohberger pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary in 2025 in a deal that spared him the death penalty. He was subsequently sentenced to four consecutive life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole, along with 10 years for burglary — but the convicted killer is asking a judge to undo it all. "According to the Bible, we need to forgive him," Kaylee Goncalves’ mother, Kristi Goncalves, told "Hang Out with Sean Hannity." "But Steve said he's never asked for forgiveness. He's never showed an ounce of remorse. He's claiming that he didn't do this. So, what, do we forgive him?" IDAHO MURDERS: NEW BOOK ON KOHBERGER REVEALS PREVIOUSLY UNSEEN EVIDENCE, CLAIMS SHEATH COULD BE INADMISSIBLE Kohberger, 31, fatally stabbed Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin in the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022, after entering the home through a sliding glass door. His DNA was found on a knife sheath left at the crime scene that once carried the weapon he used to gruesomely kill the four young college students. "He [Kohberger] entered that house with intent to kill… and I'm struggling with forgiving that," Kristi Goncalves told host Sean Hannity. BRYAN KOHBERGER'S CHOICE OF 'A HOUSE FULL OF WOMEN' MAY HOLD THE KEY TO THE IDAHO MURDERS' BIGGEST MYSTERY "I envision what took place in that house that night, and I feel like he is a demon. I feel like he is… the devil himself," she added. Kristi Goncalves said her daughter was unrecognizable after suffering severe facial injuries, while Steve Goncalves described the brutal killings as the fulfillment of Kohberger’s sick "fantasy," whom the couple characterized as soulless. "There is something very non-human about him," she said. "And I know that from my impact statement, looking at him, the way he looked at me… I don't know if he's human at all." Kristi Goncalves said she talks to God "a lot" about forgiving her daughter’s killer, but remains conflicted over the deliberate nature of her daughter's murder. BRYAN KOHBERGER'S MOTHER CALLED HIM 'MY ANGEL' AND INSISTED POLICE MADE A 'REALLY, REALLY BAD MISTAKE': BOOK "I say, ‘God, I know I'm supposed to forgive him, but how? How do I forgive him? He did such horrible things,'" she said. "Am I supposed to forgive a demon? Am I supposed forgive the devil?" she added. Kristi Goncalves told Fox News that she is disgusted by Kohberger’s efforts to withdraw his guilty plea after putting the victims’ families through years of trauma, while Steve Goncalves expressed similar frustrations. "If anybody wants to entertain this appeal… I will blast this case through the roof," he said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d98042c5335ae1045fc38 Trump-approved energy projects at risk of sudden death by next hostile president te 2026-08-13T10:10:12.867Z Trump-approved energy projects at risk of sudden death by next hostile president President Donald Trump’s push to fast-track energy and infrastructure projects could be undercut by an Environmental Protection Agency veto authority that allows the agency to block projects even after permits are issued. EPA’s veto authority stems from Section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act, which allows the agency to block or limit where dredged or fill material can be dumped if it determines the disposal could cause "unacceptable adverse effects." But the law sets no explicit time limit on that authority, leaving the door open to both preemptive and retroactive vetoes. And it has already been put to the test. In 2011, the agency used the provision to block disposal sites for Mingo Logan Coal Co.’s Spruce No. 1 mine in West Virginia, four years after the Army Corps of Engineers had issued a permit. The dispute ultimately reached a federal appeals court, which ruled in EPA’s favor. TRUMP’S REINDUSTRIALIZATION AGENDA FACES ITS BIGGEST HURDLE — AMERICANS Myron Ebell, a senior advisor to the Fix the EPA Veto Coalition, said the statute gives EPA broad authority to veto or revoke permits even after the Army Corps of Engineers has issued them, potentially putting projects already under construction at risk under future administrations. "The environmental movement and the climate movement groups are focused on anything related to fossil fuels, and so any project that is likely to become controversial and political that they can make — that these groups can make politically controversial — would then seem to me to be, have the threat of a veto, and that would, I think, that would just drive away investors and companies from all these projects," Ebell said. "So that's why we want to focus the administration's attention on this problem that could undo all of the good work that they're doing to speed up permitting," said Ebell, who headed the EPA transition team before Trump’s first administration. The coalition, which consists of several state energy business groups, wants Congress to change the law but is also pressing the Trump administration to enact an EPA rule limiting when the agency may exercise its veto authority. GORSUCH SUGGESTS SUPREME COURT'S TRUMP RULING IS OPENING MOVE AGAINST ADMINISTRATIVE STATE "The way to improve the situation is to get the EPA to put some sideboards and some constraints on the provision, and that would not solve the problem because a future administration could undo that rule, but it takes time to undo a rule," Ebell said. Congress is also considering a more permanent solution. Last December, the House passed the PERMIT Act, which would limit when EPA can use its Section 404(c) veto power. Under the bill, the agency could use the authority only after a complete permit application is submitted and before the permit is issued. But the legislation has since stalled in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Daren Bakst, director of the Competitive Enterprise Institute's Center for Energy and Environment, told Fox News Digital that congressional action would provide the strongest protection but argued that the administration should also examine what EPA can accomplish under existing law. "Ultimately, Congress really has to do something here, but you got to work multiple angles, and you have to walk and chew gum at the same time," Bakst said. Bakst said an executive order from Trump highlighting the issue could pressure EPA to pursue a durable administrative solution while signaling to lawmakers that the Section 404(c) provision should be addressed in broader permitting legislation. "If President Trump issued the executive order, it might help provide a real signal of the importance that the administration places on having such a 404(c) veto issue included into the permitting reform package," Bakst said. TRUMP'S EPA CHIEF PUSHES BACK ON CLIMATE SKEPTICS BEING LABELED 'SCIENCE DENIERS' Bakst cautioned that it remains legally uncertain whether EPA could categorically prohibit all retroactive vetoes through regulation. But he said the agency could impose constraints, including requiring officials to consider costs imposed on permit holders and their reliance on previously issued permits. "The reliance, the consideration, the cost, and the reliance interests of the permit holder are certainly things that [EPA] can make it very clear have to be considered," Bakst said. Jason Hayes, a senior research fellow for energy, climate and environment at The Heritage Foundation, said EPA should retain some authority to stop projects that pose genuinely unacceptable environmental risks but argued that the current authority is too broad. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER "While it is reasonable for EPA to retain a limited authority to halt a project when there is potential for a genuinely unacceptable environmental impact, the authority granted to the agency under Section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act is too broad. Currently, the agency has an open-ended veto and can shut down a project before the permit application is filed, while it is under review, or after the permit has been approved and work has already begun," Hayes said. In a June letter, The U.S. Chamber of Commerce made a similar push, calling on EPA, the Council on Environmental Quality and the Army Corps to pursue a rule barring EPA from vetoing a Section 404 permit after it has been issued. "The ability to undo or preemptively block permitted projects undermines confidence in the permitting system and can chill investment even where projects have complied with established requirements," Marty Durbin, senior vice president of policy and president of the Global Energy Institute at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, wrote. While Mingo Logan remains EPA’s only retroactive veto of an issued permit, Bakst warned that the authority still poses a threat to future projects. "Even though there's only been one example of the retroactive vetoes, the fear is that it can be used and it would be used," Bakst said. "If you can't even rely on a permit that you've already gotten, then I mean, we've got a serious problem," Bakst continued. Fox News Digital reached out to the White House and the EPA for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d98042c5335ae1045fc2f Biden-era directive for diplomats to peddle DEI on foreign governments scrapped by State Department te 2026-08-13T10:10:12.248Z Biden-era directive for diplomats to peddle DEI on foreign governments scrapped by State Department EXCLUSIVE: President Donald Trump's State Department is dumping Biden-era guidelines that directed personnel to push a woke Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) agenda on foreign officials and governments. "Under the Trump Administration, America’s diplomats are tasked with advocating for our national interests on the world stage — not demonstrating adherence to woke political dogmas," State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott told Fox News Digital. Official Biden-era guideline documents obtained by Fox News Digital show the previous administration directing employees to peddle woke gibberish in high-level discussions and bilateral dialogue with foreign counterparts. COAST GUARD ENDING RACE-BASED ADMISSIONS FOR OFFICER COMMISSIONING PROGRAM UNDER TRUMP DEI CRACKDOWN "Do Front Offices routinely raise social inclusion, racial/gender equity, disability, and LGBTQI+ issues with high-level host country interlocutors, especially in countries where these issues are problematic, and are these issues included in bilateral dialogues, whenever appropriate?" the document asks. A Front Office is the immediate leadership and executive staff suite for a specific State Department bureau, directorate or office, which exist worldwide. The Biden guidelines weren't just suggestions. Under the previous president, the State Department considered how well personnel and staff had adopted the DEI policies in official reviews and considerations when it came to promoting an individual. Fox News Digital confirmed that those criteria no longer exist when assessing job performance at Trump's State Department. SENATE REPUBLICAN PUSHES MERIT-BASED MILITARY PROMOTIONS, TARGETS BIDEN-ERA DEI POLICIES Another section of the document discussed "allyship." "Do you speak up – in the moment – to support colleagues and try to help all understand when there might be bias that undermines inclusivity?" the document questions. "This includes actively working to break down not just race/ethnicity/gender/LGBTQI+/disability biases, but also bias among the civil service and foreign service, U.S. direct hires and contracting colleagues, and within foreign service cones." It also demanded that employees take initiative to learn DEI on their own, instead of "depending on others — particularly others from historically marginalized groups" to help them. Similarly, the document demanded that Front Offices ensure each employee supported a "DEIA Council," or, if a Front Office did not have a council, supported the creation of one. RUBIO WARNS AMERICA MUST 'STAY AHEAD OF THE CURVE' AS CHINA WORKS TO SURPASS THE US WITH STOLEN TECH "How is bias discussed and mitigated both within the mission and in interactions with the host nation?" the document asks. "What types of localized DEIA trainings are being developed to engage all job categories — both [U.S. Direct Hire] and [Locally Employed] staff at Post? Is there a channel for [Locally Employed] staff, [Entry Level Officers], and other groups sometimes excluded from interaction with senior staff to be able to share ideas or give commentary on how to advance DEIA more effectively?" Pigott said that under President Trump's leadership, the State Department is solely focused on meeting the demands of diplomacy, not playing political games. "The State Department is implementing sweeping reforms to the Foreign Service to prioritize merit, refocus training on tangible diplomatic skills, and prepare our nation’s diplomats to deliver America’s answer to our most pressing challenges," he said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d98032c5335ae1045fc26 HHS official warns of irreversible risks as Trump admin restricts funding for youth gender procedures te 2026-08-13T10:10:11.657Z HHS official warns of irreversible risks as Trump admin restricts funding for youth gender procedures EXCLUSIVE – Efforts to treat gender dysphoria among minors should be utilized with mental health counseling and compassionate care, not with hormone blockers and "mutilating surgeries" that can potentially have long-term and irreversible ramifications, said Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services Adm. Brian Christine. Christine, a urologist who oversees public health offices and programs within HHS and leads the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, came out in support of the Trump administration's Tuesday announcement of a new rule that will bar Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, from funding puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgeries to treat gender dysphoria in minors. "Gender dysphoria is certainly a real condition. There are some children who have gender dysphoria, some minors who have that," Christine told Fox News Digital. "Now, in the past, it's been an incredibly small percentage. And what we've seen is this has really turned into a social contagion. In other words, where there's so many more kids being diagnosed with gender dysphoria, that's not really explained by simple epidemiology." What medical professionals know, Christine said, is that the vast majority of minors who are diagnosed with gender dysphoria will move beyond it if they are provided with competent, compassionate counseling. MEDICAID ENDS FUNDING FOR CHILD SEX-CHANGE PROCEDURES AS TRUMP ADMIN SLAMS 'EXPERIMENTAL' TREATMENTS "What you don't want to do is carry out treatments… we refer to them as sex-rejecting procedures, where you're using castrating chemicals or cross-sex hormones or mutilating surgeries to permanently change their bodies and give them potentially life-long complications that can happen," he said. The rule being implemented by the Trump administration means Medicaid and CHIP will no longer financially support pediatric gender treatments. It doesn't ban the procedures. "By cutting off federal funds for these sex-rejecting procedures, we're following the science, saving taxpayer dollars, and, most importantly, protecting children from potentially irreversible harm so they can truly flourish," Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said in a Tuesday statement. COLORADO SUPREME COURT ORDERS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL TO RESUME GENDER TRANSITION TREATMENTS FOR MINORS So far, the science doesn't support "sex-rejecting" procedures on children, Christine said. "What does the science support? Mental health care, compassionate counseling," he said. In a Tuesday Truth Social post, President Donald Trump called gender transition surgeries and the providing of hormones for minors "barbaric." "We are not going to pay for our innocent children to undergo these barbaric surgeries and practices, which result in unthinkable and irreversible harm to their young bodies," he wrote. LARGEST CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL IN US TO OPEN ‘DETRANSITION CLINIC’ AFTER $10M SETTLEMENT WITH TRUMP DOJ, STATE In opposition to many on the left, Christine uses the term "corrective care" to differentiate between helping minors move past gender dysphoria and the language used by critics who support medical treatments. "The term from the left is gender-affirming care. I can tell you that mutilating surgeries and castrating chemicals affirm nothing," he said. "Absolutely not. They are harmful." Twenty-seven states have enacted restrictions on "gender-affirming care" for minors, according to KFF, a health policy group. According to the rule, which takes effect on Oct. 13, children being treated with hormone blockers and other drugs will be transitioned off instead of being forced to quit cold turkey, Christine said. The federal funding will be available for a tapering off period of six months for children currently on hormone therapy, CMS said. Historically, gender dysphoria has involved a very small percentage of adult males, said Christine, who called it a "true diagnosis" that has been hijacked for ideological purposes. "Now you have dramatic numbers of minors, and more importantly, young girls, when you virtually never saw that in the past. Again, adult men, that's been the history," he said. "What you've seen is this transition, this social contagion, and I believe individuals who are complete ideologues who follow the gender ideology who say little boys can be little girls and little girls can be little boys and there's no differences between the sexes," he added. "That's completely wrong." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d98032c5335ae1045fc1d Chick-fil-A reimagines Southern breakfast classic as Americans pile on the protein te 2026-08-13T10:10:11.083Z Chick-fil-A reimagines Southern breakfast classic as Americans pile on the protein American eating habits are shifting toward high-protein options, prompting major fast-food chains to reimagine traditional morning foods to meet growing consumer demand for functional nutrition. But what exactly is the right approach? Nutrition experts note that consuming protein at breakfast helps stabilize blood sugar levels, reduce mid-morning cravings and support muscle maintenance. Additional guidance emphasizes that protein-rich breakfasts play a vital role in weight management and appetite regulation compared with carbohydrate-heavy alternatives. CHICK-FIL-A COPYCAT RECIPE REVEALED AS CEO SHARES INGREDIENT THAT MAKES IT TASTE LIKE THE ORIGINAL Tanya Freirich, a registered dietitian nutritionist based in Charlotte, North Carolina, emphasized this focus on morning nutrition. "The best time to eat protein is consistently throughout the day," Freirich told Fox News Digital. "Protein in meals helps stabilize your blood sugar after eating, and protein is important for muscle maintenance, repair and growth." Freirich recommends eating within one to two hours of waking. "Including protein in a moderately sized breakfast can help you feel satisfied, energetic and focused during your morning hours," she noted. These dietary shifts have pushed restaurant brands to get creative, reimagining the classics through this lens. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES Chick-fil-A is among the latest to tap into this movement, making use of the long-standing Southern tradition of chicken and waffles and repackaging the sweet and savory pairing into a high-protein morning format. "We know that many of our guests are looking to start their day with meals that are higher in protein, but that shouldn't mean sacrificing flavor," Allison Duncan, director of menu & packaging at Chick-fil-A, told Fox News Digital. "Whether enjoyed with the classic filet and bacon or customized with an egg or sausage, the new Chicken & Waffles Breakfast Sandwich offers an unexpected way for guests to prioritize protein in their morning routine," Duncan added. Over the past several years, competitors across the industry have expanded their morning lineups to include egg bites, Greek yogurt parfaits and customizable meat options as diners demand higher protein counts. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER However, health professionals caution that the quality and source of breakfast protein matter just as much as the overall quantity. "There is a big difference between types of protein sources," Freirich explained. "While an omelet with vegetables and a chicken, waffle, bacon and egg sandwich may contain the same grams of protein, the latter will be much higher in saturated fat and calories." She warned that highly processed fast-food proteins can lead to a heavy feeling rather than a morning energy boost. "The more processed and high-fat proteins are less healthy for our heart due to their fat and sodium content and will take longer to digest as fat slows down our digestion," Freirich said. "A fast-food meal with processed proteins like fried chicken, egg and bacon may leave you feeling overfull and lethargic." TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ For consumers who love drive-thru fast food, she advocates for moderation rather than strict elimination. "If you love chicken and waffles, perhaps that's something that you consume once in a while rather than every day," Freirich said. "Even the healthiest diets include treats or once-in-a-while foods in moderation." She suggested balancing an indulgent drive-thru breakfast throughout the rest of the day. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS "If you are really in the mood for a chicken and waffles morning, you can balance the rest of your day with lots of vegetables, fruits and fiber at lunch and dinner," Freirich noted. "While adding more protein may be the right choice for some, a healthy balanced diet also includes sufficient vegetables, fruits, beans and whole grains." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d98022c5335ae1045fc14 Trump heads toward unlikely clash with close ally over future of multibillion-dollar industry te 2026-08-13T10:10:10.513Z Trump heads toward unlikely clash with close ally over future of multibillion-dollar industry DALLAS — The artificial intelligence boom is fueling a data center rush in Texas and opening a rare divide between President Donald Trump and one of his closest political allies — Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. Projects bringing billions of dollars in investment to Texas also create enormous demand for electricity, raising questions over who will be on the hook to pay for potential power grid impacts. Abbott has moved to address those concerns, directing regulators to ensure data centers cover the infrastructure costs needed to serve them, and calling on developers to add their own power generation rather than shift costs onto Texas residents. Trump isn't happy with Abbott's approach, and called the Lone Star State's stance toward data centers a "mistake," pointing to the economic investment the projects can bring to communities willing to host them. TEXAS GOV. ABBOTT EFFECTIVELY PAUSES NEW DATA CENTER PROJECTS PENDING STATEWIDE GRID AUDIT The president has made energy dominance and U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence central pillars of his second term. "For Texas to say no to data centers is a mistake in the sense that it could be bigger than oil," Trump told Punchbowl News in an interview published Friday. "Data centers could be bigger than oil," he predicted. Texas has become a focal point of that debate as soaring demand for the computing power behind artificial intelligence and cloud services drives a wave of data center development across the state. Neither the White House nor Abbott's office responded to Fox News Digital's request for comment on the departure between the two on data centers. Dallas now ranks as the world’s No. 1 primary data center market, according to Cushman & Wakefield’s 2026 Global Data Center Market Comparison. The ranking underscores the Lone Star State's rapid rise as companies seek the land and electricity needed to support artificial intelligence. The firm said the state is growing at a pace that could eventually rival or surpass Virginia, currently the world’s largest data center market by operating capacity. A SOUTHERN STATE JUST TOOK THE TOP SPOT IN ONE OF THE WORLD’S FASTEST-GROWING INDUSTRIES That growth, however, has intensified scrutiny of the strain large-scale facilities place on Texas' power system. Balaji Tammabattula, chief operating officer of BaRupOn, which is developing a data center campus in Texas, told Fox News Digital that Trump's recent pushback on the governor was "really helpful." He said companies have already committed significant amounts of money to projects in Texas based in part on the state's historically business-friendly environment. "A lot of companies made huge investments into Texas, and now all of a sudden he [Abbott] changed his stance," Tammabattula said. "That, I think, could be a problematic situation going forward." Tammabattula explained that BaRupOn's 700-acre campus is somewhat insulated from the growing fight over grid access because its Houston-area campus is being built to generate its own power rather than rely on the state's electric grid. TRUMP'S AMBITIOUS ENERGY BET COULD BE A WINNING HAND AS THE WORLD BURNS MORE OIL, GAS THAN EVER Tammabattula said BaRupOn began building its own infrastructure, including natural gas pipelines and turbines, to create what he called an "islanded power campus." "Even if we want to connect it to the grid, we don’t have a pathway for the next three years," he said. That constraint could now work in BaRupOn’s favor as Texas pushes data centers to rely more heavily on their own power generation. Tammabattula said the company has advocated for on-site power generation, known as behind-the-meter power, for more than a year as a way to meet the enormous electricity demands of data centers without adding to the strain on the grid. "For us, it definitely is beneficial because it proves what we’ve been trying to say for the last one and a half, two years," he said. Tammabattula also acknowledged the concerns fueling opposition to the industry’s rapid expansion, particularly the possibility that the cost of supplying massive amounts of electricity to new facilities could fall on residents. ONE OF AMERICA'S OLDEST MANUFACTURERS SAYS AI IS CREATING JOBS — NOT REPLACING THEM The challenge for Texas is finding a way to accommodate an industry pouring billions of dollars into the state without leaving residents to shoulder the costs of the infrastructure needed to support it. Tammabattula said the tension is unlikely to disappear as demand for data centers continues to grow. "These data centers have to be built," he said. "Until an actual solution comes up, this is going to continue for the long term." "And in my opinion, that has to come from the government." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d97fd2c5335ae1045fbfa Hegseth Is Pressed to Clarify Lawyer’s Role in Promotion Decisions te 2026-08-13T10:10:05.342Z Hegseth Is Pressed to Clarify Lawyer’s Role in Promotion Decisions Representative Jason Crow asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to explain statements about his special adviser’s influence following a New York Times report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d934f2c5335ae1045fb70 REP. RO KHANNA: Washington needs a 14-point plan to rebuild America, not just countries overseas te 2026-08-13T09:50:07.904Z REP. RO KHANNA: Washington needs a 14-point plan to rebuild America, not just countries overseas On June 17, President Trump signed a fourteen-point memorandum of understanding with Iran. The agreement was intended to end hostilities, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and establish a framework for Iran's economic recovery, reconstruction, and future investment. The memorandum calls for developing a reconstruction and economic development plan of at least $300 billion for Iran, contingent on a final agreement. President Trump has said the United States will not directly finance the reconstruction, but his administration has committed to working with regional partners to develop the plan. The Pentagon has spent billions on this war. Now the administration is laying the groundwork for a plan to mobilize at least $300 billion for Iran's reconstruction. Meanwhile, many families here at home still struggle to afford rent, groceries, or a doctor's visit. IRAN WAR'S PRICE TAG HITS $80B — MORE THAN DOUBLE WHAT CONGRESS WAS TOLD If Washington can negotiate a fourteen-point agreement that includes a plan to rebuild Iran after a war President Trump chose to wage, we can write a fourteen-point plan to rebuild every American community. Today, I am releasing my own fourteen-point plan, a plan for Team America. It puts the full strength of the United States government to work for the American people: creating jobs, slashing costs, and stopping foreign wars. BERNIE SANDERS DEMANDS DEMOCRATS BAN SUPER PACS FROM PRIMARIES, BLASTS AIPAC, ‘CORRUPT SYSTEM’ We need a new national mission. Our governing elite have been so focused on foreign wars that they have lost sight of our challenges here at home. It is time for a national economic development initiative that makes the economic success of every American family our highest priority. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION America has done it before. We did it when FDR mobilized America’s industrial power, when Eisenhower built the interstate highway system, and when Kennedy called on us to go to the moon. That spirit is what inspired my parents to come here in the late 1960s and early 1970s. We were a nation on the march — a nation brimming with confidence and humming with activity. Let us be that America. Let us be an America that makes prosperity possible in every corner of our nation and, in so doing, becomes history's first cohesive multiracial democracy. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM REP. RO KHANNA Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d89f52c5335ae1045fa41 Mamdani’s affordability revolution stumbled as rent costs soar to record highs te 2026-08-13T09:10:13.356Z Mamdani’s affordability revolution stumbled as rent costs soar to record highs New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani rode his promise to make one of America’s most expensive cities more affordable all the way to City Hall. But for New Yorkers hunting for an apartment, rents have never been higher. The citywide median asking rent reached $4,200 in June, up 5% from a year earlier and the highest recorded by StreetEasy since it began tracking the market in 2010. In Manhattan — the most densely populated NYC borough — the median cost of monthly rent climbed 5.1% to $4,965. At the same time, apartments are becoming harder to find. The number of rentals available across the city fell 1.4% from a year ago, while Manhattan saw a 4.4% drop. It was even more dire for larger apartments in Manhattan, where the number of available two-bedroom units fell 9.3% and three-bedroom units dropped 11%. Simply put, there are not enough apartment units to meet demand, and costs are reflecting that squeeze. TRUMP'S HOUSING CHIEF PAINTS A GRIM PICTURE FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP IN ONE MAJOR AMERICAN CITY The rental unit shortage presents an early test for Mamdani’s affordability agenda in New York. While the socialist mayor has pledged to dramatically expand the city’s housing supply, his push to freeze rents on roughly 1 million rent-stabilized apartments has drawn warnings from economists who say the policy could discourage investment and make an already tight housing market even tighter. Adam Lehodey of the Manhattan Institute told Fox News Digital that rent increases on rent-stabilized apartments have failed to keep pace with inflation for years, even as the costs of maintaining buildings have continued to rise. As a result, he said, "slowly but surely, landlords have less to invest in their properties." He argued that this growing gap is leaving some building owners increasingly unable to cover basic operating expenses, which can lead to deferred maintenance and reduced investment in the city’s existing housing stock. Lehodey also pointed to a second dynamic in the rent-stabilized market: tenants paying below-market rents have a strong incentive to stay in place, which reduces turnover and makes those apartments harder for prospective renters to find. "People who are looking for apartments can't find apartments," Lehodey said. "People aren't giving them up, even if they have too much room." MAMDANI'S RENT FREEZE, TAX HIKES A 'ONE-TWO WEALTH DESTRUCTION PUNCH,' ECONOMISTS WARN Other economists have sounded similar warnings, arguing that uncertainty surrounding Mamdani’s broader tax and regulatory agenda could also discourage the investment needed to expand the city’s housing supply. "Merely the threat of a more hostile tax and regulatory environment has been enough to chill investment in New York City, and that’s already impacting prices," E.J. Antoni, chief economist at the Heritage Foundation, told Fox News Digital. "Builders and financiers aren’t going to start multi-year projects that might become unprofitable on Mamdani’s next whim." Antoni previously told Fox News Digital that the problem goes beyond new construction, arguing that government limits on rents can reduce the number of apartments available and discourage investment in existing properties. "Economists, whether they are on the right or on the left, essentially are in universal agreement, that when the government implements price controls in the rental market, you end up with housing shortages," Antoni said. "And not only do you end up with fewer housing units available, but the quality of those units consistently goes down as well," he added. Mamdani has argued that his rent freeze is only one piece of a broader effort to bring down housing costs. His administration has also laid out plans to dramatically increase the city’s housing supply, including a goal of building 200,000 new affordable homes over the next decade. For Mamdani, the challenge will be delivering enough new housing to ease a shortage that is already pushing rents to records, while pursuing a rent freeze that critics warn could discourage investment in the apartments New York already has. Mamdani's office did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment on surging rent costs. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d89f42c5335ae1045fa38 America needs thousands of blue-collar workers to manufacture our AI future te 2026-08-13T09:10:12.799Z America needs thousands of blue-collar workers to manufacture our AI future The future of artificial intelligence may depend less on coders than on construction workers, electricians and factory technicians. Tech companies are pouring money into new artificial intelligence (AI) data centers at an astounding clip, with Alphabet, Microsoft, Meta and Amazon expected to spend roughly $700 billion this year alone. And that doesn't include the costs of grid modernization and semiconductor capacity. But those ambitions keep running into the same problem – there aren't enough skilled workers to build the infrastructure that will power the AI economy. By one estimate, the United States will need 140,000 additional skilled trades workers like electricians, HVAC technicians, welders and construction workers by 2030 to support AI infrastructure. How will we meet that demand? A SOUTHERN STATE JUST TOOK THE TOP SPOT IN ONE OF THE WORLD’S FASTEST-GROWING INDUSTRIES The answer may lie across the Atlantic – in Switzerland. That nation's apprenticeship system has helped build one of the world's most innovative economies. And it's achieved this by creating clear pathways into skilled technical careers for generations of young people. At a moment when America's AI ambitions are colliding with labor shortages, a Swiss-style model may offer exactly the kind of workforce pipeline the United States needs. Switzerland's Vocational Education and Training system – or apprenticeship model, as it's commonly known – allows students as young as 15 to apprentice at companies across the country. These young people gain hands-on experience in the workplace while also developing industry-specific skills in the classroom. The system has proven wildly popular, with roughly 70% of each Swiss age cohort participating in apprenticeship programs in industries ranging from manufacturing and pharmaceuticals to construction, banking, and healthcare. Crucially, these pathways are not educational dead ends. In fact, after completing their apprenticeships, students can either remain in their field or continue on to a university degree. For companies, these apprenticeships are often sound investments, earning an average internal rate of return of 7% to 10%. They are also self-sustaining, as many apprentices end up staying with the firms where they trained, helping businesses recruit and develop new talent. And since these programs are largely directed by private companies, they tend to align closely with the needs of the labor market. In this way, employers are able to teach apprentices the most relevant skills, allowing training programs to adapt quickly in fast-changing industries and helping companies fill critical workforce gaps. This kind of model could help address the United States' current labor shortages. After all, demand for these workers is only going to grow. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang recently predicted "six-figure salaries for people who are building chip factories or computer factories or AI factories."At the same time, many young Americans are gravitating toward more vocational work and trade schools – particularly amid rising higher-education costs and an increasingly uncertain white-collar job market. ALL HANDS ON DECK: THE UNLIKELY WORKFORCE THAT CAN REBUILD AMERICA’S FLEET Companies can build on that momentum – not just by offering higher pay, but by investing in Swiss-style apprenticeship programs. Some states are already doing exactly that. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Colorado's CareerWise program, which was modeled in part on the Swiss system, allows students to split time between the classroom and paid apprenticeships in industries ranging from advanced manufacturing to information technology. Similar programs are beginning to spread to other states as employers search for new ways to build long-term talent pipelines. The next era of digital technology won't just depend on software and computing power – but on the workers needed to wire data centers, install electrical systems and construct the physical backbone of the AI economy. Switzerland has spent decades cultivating that workforce. America can learn from that example. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d89f42c5335ae1045fa2f MORNING GLORY: Democrat El-Sayed reminds us just one senator can do great damage to our military te 2026-08-13T09:10:12.218Z MORNING GLORY: Democrat El-Sayed reminds us just one senator can do great damage to our military It is not often that I write critically of a Republican United States senator. But that happened in February 2023, when Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville placed a hold on military promotions to protest a Department of Defense policy that covered travel expenses for service members seeking reproductive healthcare across state lines. Tuberville's hold ultimately delayed the promotions of more than 400 senior military officers, many of whom were colonels or Navy captains awaiting promotion to general or flag rank, for roughly 10 months. The "Tuberville Blockade" upended the lives and careers of hundreds of Army, Air Force and Marine Corps colonels and Navy captains by seriously disrupting carefully planned career paths and assignments. It also disrupted the carefully constructed career paths of the generals and admirals who were sidelined by the ill-considered embargo. Career military officers ought never again to be held hostage for political goals. Sen. Tuberville eventually relented after months of mounting pressure from senators in both parties. He lifted his blanket "hold" after long meetings with his Senate colleagues, who emphasized to him that he was damaging the careers of people who had provided exemplary service over decades.  MORNING GLORY: MICHIGAN’S DEMOCRATIC SENATE PRIMARY HAD TWO WINNERS — BUT ONLY ONE WAS ON THE BALLOT Sen. Tuberville is almost certainly going to be the next governor of Alabama, and hopefully he will be a better governor for having learned from his mistake. But the precedent he set in 2023 should alert everyone to why a radical leftist like Michigan’s Abdul El-Sayed ought never to hold the office of United States senator. El-Sayed is a sworn enemy of the State of Israel, and I fear that it is very unlikely that he will be a supporter of the American military. El-Sayed has also repeatedly appeared with controversial left-wing streamer Hasan Piker, including at campaign rallies. His staunch allegiance to Piker telegraphs exactly what he could do if he beats Republican Mike Rogers in the fall: wreak havoc on our military and Israel’s defenses. El-Sayed has already called for a complete embargo on weapons sales to Israel — even defensive weapons. El-Sayed supports "the immediate and comprehensive enforcement of U.S. laws that condition the provision of military aid and sales." He argues this means "an immediate arms embargo on Israel," and El-Sayed specifically rejects the distinction between offensive and defensive weapons, meaning his position includes weapons such as Iron Dome interceptors, not merely offensive bombs and missiles. This stance places him among the most outspoken Senate candidates opposing U.S. military support for Israel. As a true hater of Israel, would El-Sayed dust off the Tuberville playbook to try to bring aid to Israel to an end? There is no reason voters should assume he would hesitate to do so.  There’s a precedent, and it is easy to hear a Sen. El-Sayed arguing that he is just deploying the same tactic that a Republican senator used. ABDUL EL-SAYED SAYS RALLYING WITH HASAN PIKER DOESN'T MEAN HE ENDORSES 'AMERICA DESERVED 9/11' REMARK The question for Michigan voters is not whether one senator could single-handedly shut off every American weapon or dollar flowing to Israel. He could not. But Senator Tuberville’s 2023 blockade demonstrated how much disruption a determined senator can cause by exploiting the Senate’s rules and customary procedures to delay action and force political confrontations. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION It is difficult to imagine El-Sayed losing sleep over the damage he would impose on the U.S. military. That’s the possibility Michigan voters have to consider when they cast ballots this fall. There are a few pro-defense Democrats left, including Michigan’s own Elissa Slotkin. But just as GOP senators would not publicly criticize their colleague in 2023, the handful of Democrats who are serious about national security would likely adhere to the unwritten code of the Senate that prohibits public attacks on colleagues from their own party conference. So the Michigan Senate race is the most important election in the country this year. The Republican volunteers willing to go to the battleground state and campaign for Rogers will be participating in a cause much bigger than themselves. They will be protecting the country’s national security. El-Sayed isn’t simply an extremist. He’s a dangerous radical who should not be in a position to harm the country’s armed forces. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM HUGH HEWITT 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. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d89f32c5335ae1045fa26 Harvard-China links unearthed as Congress finds 140 papers co-authored by CCP military universities te 2026-08-13T09:10:11.627Z Harvard-China links unearthed as Congress finds 140 papers co-authored by CCP military universities FIRST ON FOX: Harvard allegedly failed to adequately safeguard research collaborations with Chinese institutions, including universities tied to Beijing’s military and defense-industrial base, according to a report from the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. Researchers affiliated with the New England Ivy League co-authored more than 140 publications with other researchers affiliated with a group of Chinese universities, according to the report reviewed by Fox News Digital ahead of its public release. The "Seven Sons of National Defense" are a group of Chinese universities identified by the Pentagon and other U.S. officials as central to China’s defense research and military modernization efforts. The House Committee created to crackdown on China argues Harvard’s approach to research security opened the door for collaborations that could advance technological and military capabilities of the hostile nation. Harvard also reported received more than $600 million from China under the federal Section 117 foreign-gift disclosure system — more than any other American university, according to the Education Department dashboard cited in the report. The committee argues the U.S. university's financial ties to China heighten the need for strict oversight of its research partnerships and foreign-funding disclosures. HARVARD TOPS NATION IN FOREIGN CASH HAUL AS COTTON DEMANDS PROBE INTO CHINA FUNDING The stakes in the latest report extend far beyond Harvard. U.S. officials have warned for years that China uses academic partnerships and access to Western research to advance CCP strategic capabilities in military, surveillance and other areas. The House Select Committee on China argues that universities receiving U.S. taxpayer funding must do more than meet the narrowest legal requirements when collaborating with institutions embedded in China’s military research system, particularly when it comes to technology with potential defense or military uses. The report highlights a 2023 paper on bio-inspired soft robots for deep-sea exploration co-authored by a Harvard-affiliated researcher and a researcher from Beihang University, one of the Seven Sons institutions. Beihang, also known as Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, has appeared on the Commerce Department’s Entity List since 2001. The committee report argues the work examined in the paper has potential military applications, including underwater detection, while Harvard’s research-compliance office characterized the project as nonmilitary research. FOREIGN ROBOT BAN TARGETS CHINA OVER SECURITY FEARS Harvard researchers also co-authored a 2023 paper with a researcher at China’s National University of Defense Technology, another institution on a U.S. restricted list, according to the report. That study involved magnetic materials and acknowledged partial support from the U.S. Army Research Office. The committee said it reviewed publications spanning dozens of disciplines and found that engineering accounted for the largest share of Harvard-affiliated research involving Seven Sons institutions. "From allowing violence against anti-China protestors to collaborating with entities linked to the PLA, Harvard has made serious mistakes and must act now to prevent more. It should use this investigation as a catalyst for significant reforms that end CCP influence on campus and prioritize secure American research," committee chairman Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Mich., said in a statement. The report also examines Harvard’s executive education program with China’s National Healthcare Security Administration, which trained Chinese health officials on international health-insurance systems. According to the report, attendance and registration records show officials affiliated with the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, or XPCC, were listed in connection with some sessions. The Treasury Department sanctioned XPCC in 2020 over human-rights abuses against Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang. The report acknowledges it is unclear whether XPCC officials ultimately attended every program in question. It alleges, however, that Harvard had advance participant information for a 2020 online session that included XPCC-affiliated officials and did not take further action. Harvard professor Winnie Yip, who helped organize the executive education program, told committee investigators she did not know XPCC was a sanctioned entity at the time and had not received training on sanctions compliance, according to the report. The report further alleges Harvard’s research-security practices focused too narrowly on technical legal compliance and failed to account for broader national-security risks posed by work with Chinese military-linked institutions. It cites testimony from Harvard research official John H. Shaw, who said the university evaluates research collaborations case by case and does not prohibit all work involving robotics or Chinese institutions. The committee criticized that approach, arguing research with entities embedded in China’s military-civil fusion system can have military applications even when the research is unclassified and intended for publication. The report also raises questions about Harvard Global Research and Support Services, a nonprofit affiliated with the university that can accept awards when Harvard is unable to accept a sponsor’s terms directly. The committee alleges the entity could be used to circumvent federal foreign-gift reporting requirements, an allegation Harvard will likely dispute. Harvard did not respond to Fox News’ request for comment on the House Committee report’s findings. The report recommends that Harvard prohibit research relationships with entities on U.S. government restricted or sanctioned lists and centralize its research-security oversight. It also urges Congress to strengthen foreign-funding disclosure requirements for universities. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d89ee2c5335ae1045fa0f In Wyoming, a Primary Fight Between the Right and the Far Right te 2026-08-13T09:10:06.468Z In Wyoming, a Primary Fight Between the Right and the Far Right One of the most conservative states has a legislature divided between a hard-right House and a merely right Senate. Ultraconservatives want a complete takeover in the Aug. 18 primaries. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d89ed2c5335ae1045fa06 Homeland Security Paid $464 Million for Airplanes. Then It Parked Them. te 2026-08-13T09:10:05.777Z Homeland Security Paid $464 Million for Airplanes. Then It Parked Them. The agency used a no-bid contract to buy 10 used jets, saying they were urgently needed for deportation flights. But the fleet has largely sat idle for months. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d89ec2c5335ae1045f9fd Three States to Execute Inmates on the Same Day te 2026-08-13T09:10:04.861Z Three States to Execute Inmates on the Same Day One of the planned executions, in Tennessee, comes months after the state called off the execution of another inmate when medical staff could not find a vein for the lethal injection. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d85422c5335ae1045f827 New Mississippi law expands death penalty to include inmates on child sexual battery convictions te 2026-08-13T08:50:10.356Z New Mississippi law expands death penalty to include inmates on child sexual battery convictions A new Mississippi law added sexual battery of a child under 12 to the list of crimes eligible for the death penalty. Senate Bill 2821, which took effect July 1, creates the crime of "capital sexual battery" and allows prosecutors to seek the death penalty against defendants 18 or older in qualifying cases involving victims younger than 12. If a defendant is convicted, the jury must unanimously find at least two specific aggravating factors beyond a reasonable doubt before the defendant is eligible for the death penalty. At least 8 of the 12 jurors must then recommend death. But if the death penalty is not recommended by jurors, the mandatory sentence would be life in prison without parole. ACCUSED CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSIN TYLER ROBINSON ASKS JUDGE TO TAKE POTENTIAL DEATH PENALTY OFF TABLE State Sen. Jeremy England, the bill's author, said the legislation seeks to give the worst punishment for crimes against the state's most vulnerable population. "That is a crime that, I think, shocks the conscience, certainly. Those are the worst types of crimes against the most innocent of our citizens here in Mississippi," England said, according to WLBT. But critics question whether capital punishment serves as a deterrent to crimes against young victims or if it could lead to children becoming too afraid to come forward knowing that doing so may end someone's life. Abraham Bonowitz, executive director of Death Penalty Action, told the outlet he once supported the death penalty but changed his position, arguing that executions are unnecessary when a life sentence keeps an inmate permanently behind bars. "There is no need for executions when we can throw away the key," Bonowitz said. TWO FLORIDA INMATES DIE IN RARE DOUBLE EXECUTION AFTER SCOTUS DENIES STAYS Bonowitz also said extending the death penalty to child sexual assault cases could deter victims from alerting authorities of the abuse they endured. "Most of those kinds of crimes are by people that the child knows and you’re asking a child to then testify against a relative and try to get them executed," he said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d72852c5335ae1045f5c5 Salt River Horse Advocates Say 70+ Requests To Meet With Hobbs Have Gone Unanswered te 2026-08-13T07:30:13.752Z Salt River Horse Advocates Say 70+ Requests To Meet With Hobbs Have Gone Unanswered By Matthew Holloway | Friends of the Salt River Wild Horses is calling on Gov. Katie Hobbs to meet with advocates, saying more than 70 requests for a meeting have gone unanswered as the planned September removal of horses from the Salt River herd draws closer. The organization issued the appeal Monday, one week after Hobbs formally launched her “Arizona Over Party” coalition, which her reelection campaign described as a group of Republican and Independent leaders, community members, and business leaders supporting her campaign. “My focus has always been on delivering results for Arizona families,” Hobbs said when announcing the coalition. “That’s what Arizona Over Party is all about: putting the people of Arizona ahead of partisan politics.” Friends of the Salt River Wild Horses cited the coalition in its Monday press release, saying its members span the political spectrum and have repeatedly sought an opportunity to speak with Hobbs before horses begin being permanently removed from the herd. “We are not asking Governor Hobbs to agree with us,” a spokesperson for the group said. “We are simply asking her to listen before an irreversible decision is made.” The organization said it has submitted more than 70 requests for a meeting with the governor through letters, emails, and other channels over the past several months. During the group’s July 22 “Preserve the Herd — Follow the Science” rally at the Arizona State Capitol, advocates displayed more than 50 written requests seeking a meeting or assistance from the governor. Organizers said at the time that the requests had gone unanswered. The dispute centers on a five-year herd management agreement awarded by the Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) to the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group in February. The management group has said the plan calls for reducing the herd from approximately 274 horses to 120 through fertility control, natural attrition, and gradual relocation of horses to sanctuaries. The Salt River Wild Horse Management Group said it plans to relocate approximately 25 horses annually to protected sanctuaries, with the first relocations planned for September. The group has opposed reducing the herd to 120 while saying it agreed to the plan as a compromise that would limit the number of horses removed each year and keep family bands together. Friends of the Salt River Wild Horses said Monday that the herd currently numbers approximately 269 horses and reiterated its request that Hobbs pause permanent removals until an independent scientific review determines whether the population remaining along the Salt River would be genetically viable and self-sustaining. “The burden should be on the state to show the science before taking an irreversible action,” the organization said. “The public should not have to accept assurances when the future of a protected herd is at stake. We are asking to see the independent scientific evidence supporting these reductions.” The group has previously raised concerns over the proposed population level alongside wildlife ecologists and equine genetics specialists. In July, equine population geneticist and Texas A&M University professor emeritus Dr. E. Gus Cothran warned that a population of 120 could pose long-term genetic concerns, saying a population of approximately 150 to 200 animals is generally considered a minimum for maintaining genetic health over an extended period. The Agriculture Department has defended the management process. When the contract was announced, AZDA said the proposal was evaluated by a panel that included veterinarians, a rangeland management scientist, and a federal wild horse manager, and said the gradual reduction was intended to balance available resources within the herd’s range while preserving its genetic integrity. The department also told the Arizona Capitol Times in April that it had not independently established or mandated a 120-horse target. According to AZDA, the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group proposed reducing the herd to 120 over the five-year contract period. The department said sustainable management requires considering both the ecosystem’s capacity and the size and genetic diversity of the herd. A spokesperson for Hobbs’ office said at the time that AZDA conducted a thorough procurement process and that the state was committed to sustainably managing the herd to protect the long-term health of the horses and their habitat. The question of whether additional scientific review should precede removals also reached the Legislature earlier this year. A House-amended version of SB 1199 would have required AZDA to contract for an independent genetic assessment examining effective population size, allelic diversity, and inbreeding coefficients within the herd. It also would have temporarily prohibited population control removals while the herd maintained a negative growth rate, except when necessary to prevent or alleviate the suffering of an individually assessed horse and not for population control. The House approved the amended legislation 43-10 on June 9 and returned it to the Senate, but senators did not take a final concurrence vote before the Legislature adjourned. Current Arizona law prohibits harassing, shooting, injuring, killing, or slaughtering members of the Salt River herd and prohibits interfering with, taking, chasing, capturing, or euthanizing the horses without written authorization from the Department of Agriculture or Maricopa County sheriff, which may be granted only for humane purposes. The statute also authorizes the state to enter agreements with private entities concerning management of the herd. Friends of the Salt River Wild Horses said its request to Hobbs remains open ahead of the September removals. “Before the September removals, please meet with us,” the organization said. “And before another healthy horse is removed, please show Arizonans the independent science supporting that decision.” AZ Free News requested comments from Gov. Hobbs’ Office and the Arizona Department of Agriculture; as of publication, no responses were received. 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 Salt River Horse Advocates Say 70+ Requests To Meet With Hobbs Have Gone Unanswered first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d72832c5335ae1045f5bc Judge Orders Rewrite Of Proposition 212 Ballot Language Over Misleading ESA Description te 2026-08-13T07:30:11.596Z Judge Orders Rewrite Of Proposition 212 Ballot Language Over Misleading ESA Description By Matthew Holloway | A Maricopa County Superior Court judge ordered Arizona election officials Tuesday to rewrite the descriptive title and “yes” and “no” statements for Proposition 212. The judge found that the current version omits substantial changes to enforcement and government oversight and misleadingly describes Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program as a “school voucher program.” Judge Julie Ann Mata enjoined Secretary of State Adrian Fontes from using the current language on the official ballot or in the publicity pamphlet. She also issued a writ directing Fontes and Attorney General Kris Mayes to revise the language in accordance with state law and her ruling. The court left the exact wording to Fontes and Mayes under their statutory drafting and approval authority. Mata declined to order the state to adopt replacement language proposed by the plaintiffs and denied their request for attorneys’ fees and costs. Daryl Groves and the Arizona Free Enterprise Club (AFEC) filed the case against Mayes and Fontes on July 28. Protect Education, Accountability Now, the political committee sponsoring Proposition 212, participated as a friend of the court in support of the challenged language. The defendants argued that the wording fairly summarized the measure and complied with A.R.S. § 19-125(D). AFEC called the order a “major victory for Arizona school choice” and said, “Arizona voters deserve the truth.” BREAKING NEWS: MAJOR VICTORY FOR ARIZONA SCHOOL CHOICE The Arizona Free Enterprise Club has won at the trial court in our lawsuit challenging the misleading ballot language drafted for Proposition 212: the union-backed initiative targeting Arizona’s ESA program. The court ruled… pic.twitter.com/FVARFa9hpo — Arizona Free Enterprise Club (@azfec) August 11, 2026 Mata wrote that the court’s review addressed the accuracy of the ballot language and left the policy merits of Proposition 212 to voters. The version posted by the Secretary of State before the ruling states that Proposition 212 would limit ESA eligibility to families earning $150,000 or less per year, with specified exceptions; prohibit spending on noneducational and luxury items; impose qualifications on tutors; require accreditation or testing for participating schools; and generally return unspent annual ESA allocations to the state. The full initiative also gives the sponsoring committee or its designee standing to initiate or intervene in litigation to enforce or defend the measure. Mata found that authority to be a substantial change that the ballot title or description must disclose. She found that the existing phrase “other rules and restrictions” failed to adequately inform voters about it. Mata also found that the “yes” statement omitted a substantial change to two existing statutory limits on government control or supervision of nonpublic schools and homeschools. Proposition 212 would amend those provisions to permit control or supervision provided elsewhere in the ESA chapter for schools and homeschools receiving ESA funds. The court did not rule on the constitutionality of that proposed change. The judge separately found the phrase “school voucher program” misleading. She cited Arizona decisions that invalidated two voucher programs and later upheld the ESA program under a different legal structure. Mata wrote that using the phrase could lead voters to treat the legally distinct programs as equivalent. The court rejected one of AFEC’s arguments. The group argued that describing the $150,000 income limit as “adjusted for inflation” could mislead voters because the initiative caps the annual adjustment at the lower of 2% or the change in the gross domestic product price deflator. Mata found the existing wording provided appropriate information and held that omitting the precise formula was not misleading. In a separate decision, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Daniel Martin also ordered changes Tuesday to a separate piece of voter information concerning Proposition 212. The judge directed the Arizona Legislative Council to revise its analysis for the publicity pamphlet by Aug. 21. Martin found the Council’s statement that the initiative committee would have “the power to sue the families and private schools that participate in the program for any violations of the proposition” sufficiently partisan to violate state law. He ordered the Council to strike or revise the language by Aug. 21. The Council’s adopted three-page analysis is governed by a separate law requiring an impartial explanation for the publicity pamphlet. Mata’s case concerned the shorter ballot title and “yes” and “no” statements prepared by the Secretary of State and approved by the Attorney General. Proposition 212’s ballot qualification remains the subject of separate litigation over petition circulators and signatures. That case, Clark v. Fontes, is a Goldwater Institute and AFEC-backed challenge to the initiative’s petition circulators and signatures. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge David McDowell is expected to rule on the matter by the end of the week. The amended complaint seeks to prevent the initiative from appearing on the November ballot. 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 Judge Orders Rewrite Of Proposition 212 Ballot Language Over Misleading ESA Description first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d69212c5335ae1045f459 Micala Boex aims for record books as NAU soccer season approaches te 2026-08-13T06:50:09.946Z Micala Boex aims for record books as NAU soccer season approaches NAU women’s soccer begins the 2026 season this week. Big Sky preseason MVP Micala Boex has some lofty goals for herself and the team. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d69212c5335ae1045f450 Micala Boex spring ASU te 2026-08-13T06:50:09.199Z Micala Boex spring ASU Northern Arizona forward Micala Boex (11) plays in an exhibition game against Arizona State on April 12 in Tempe. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d69202c5335ae1045f447 NAU women's soccer spring game at ASU te 2026-08-13T06:50:08.401Z NAU women's soccer spring game at ASU Northern Arizona women's soccer head coach Alan Berrios breaks a huddle before an exhibition game against Arizona State on April 12 in Tempe. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d45f22c5335ae1045edc4 Trump Administration Lets Parts of the National Firearms Act Lapse te 2026-08-13T04:20:02.846Z Trump Administration Lets Parts of the National Firearms Act Lapse The retreat by the Justice Department effectively allowed a pillar of the Prohibition-era National Firearms Act to lapse. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d43a02c5335ae1045ed89 Police rescue 60 cats and kittens from abandoned sailboat off Washington beach after 6-day operation te 2026-08-13T04:10:08.977Z Police rescue 60 cats and kittens from abandoned sailboat off Washington beach after 6-day operation An abandoned sailboat off a Washington beach was home to an unexpected crew: 60 cats and kittens, many of them some frightened and malnourished. The Tacoma Police Department said the unusual rescue began Aug. 6 when its Marine Services Unit responded to reports of an abandoned 40-foot sailboat in the waters off Owen Beach. Officers initially discovered more than 30 cats and kittens living in unsafe conditions aboard the vessel, with many appearing frightened and malnourished. Marine Services began coordinating with Animal Control and the department's Forensics Unit to safely remove the animals. What initially appeared to be a rescue involving more than 30 cats eventually grew to 60 over the course of a rescue effort spanning six days. FLORIDA MAN ALLEGEDLY KILLS FAMILY'S KITTENS IN FRONT OF TEENAGE DAUGHTER AS FORM OF PUNISHMENT: OFFICIALS "That's a wrap! The final cat is off the boat. Fur real this time!" police wrote. "Final cat count: 60!" Police said Animal Control was "as certain as they can be that all cats have officially disembarked." "That's all for meow!" the department joked online. Despite believing all 60 cats had been rescued, police said they would continue making trips to the boat this week as a precaution. HERO SHEEPDOG BECOMES UNLIKELY RESCUE PARTNER AFTER UNEXPECTED MOVE AIDS FIRST RESPONDERS "While we believe we have safely removed all of the cats from the boat, as any cat owner knows, cats are exceptionally good at hiding," police said. "Because there is always a possibility that a cat may remain onboard, our work isn't quite finished." The department said the additional searches would be conducted under the authority of a search warrant. Police said Marine Services has also begun the process of having the legally registered vessel moved. Authorities asked people visiting Owen Beach or boating nearby to notify Animal Control if they spot another cat aboard the vessel, while warning members of the public not to attempt their own rescues. FLORIDA MAIL CARRIER ACCUSED OF SNATCHING PETS ON ROUTE, TRAPPING 100-PLUS CATS AND DOGS IN ‘HOARDING’ HOUSE "We know many animal lovers in our community want to help, and we appreciate the concern for these cats," police said. "However, this remains an active criminal case. Our teams are working hard to protect the animals while also protecting the integrity of the investigation." "PLEASE DO NOT BOARD THE VESSEL unless you are the legal owner," police added. The warning followed an incident in which private cat rescue trapper Camille Sutherland told KING 5 she boarded the vessel overnight and captured two cats, which she took to the Humane Society. Sutherland told the outlet she was trying to help and believed authorities were taking too long to rescue the animals. Police told KING 5 that the unauthorized boarding complicated their investigation into the vessel's owner. Police have not announced any arrests or charges in connection with the case. More than 40 of the 60 rescued cats were taken to the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County, while the remaining animals were placed in foster homes in the area, according to KING 5. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d414b2c5335ae1045ed3d Dallas-Fort Worth airport to install Islamic foot wash stations inside bathrooms te 2026-08-13T04:00:11.919Z Dallas-Fort Worth airport to install Islamic foot wash stations inside bathrooms Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport will install Islamic foot wash stations inside bathrooms at the facility, according to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The project was officially registered with Texas regulators on July 31, according to documents detailing the project. The installation of the Wudu ablution stations is expected to be complete by the end of the year. "Project consists of adding Ablution stations to existing concourse level restrooms in Terminal D, one Men's ablution station in existing men's restroom and one Women's ablution station in the existing women's restroom," the project details read. TRAVELERS CLASH AFTER TSA SHARES SURPRISING GUIDANCE ABOUT AIRPORT ETIQUETTE It is privately funded and expected to cost around $300,000, the documents state. The updates aim to prevent water on standard restroom floors and protect sink counters. Similar low-level basins and interfaith spaces already exist at other major international airport hubs across the U.S., including Chicago O'Hare. Some conservatives were outraged online over the project plan, while others urged people to take a more measured approach, noting that the new stations are not about pushing any ideology. "People are freaking out over foot-washing stations at DFW, but let’s look at the actual facts before jumping to conclusions. This isn't about pushing an ideology—it's basic airport management," conservative activist Ryan Fournier wrote on social media. "Safety & Plumbing: People washing their feet in standard bathroom sinks creates soaked, slippery floors and breaks the counters. Low-level wudu basins keep the restrooms dry and safe for everyone," he continued. "Standard Infrastructure: DFW is one of the busiest travel hubs on the planet. Major U.S. airports like Chicago O'Hare and Indianapolis have had these and interfaith rooms for years to handle international traffic cleanly," Fournier added. FLIGHT CANCELED AFTER TODDLER REFUSED TO BUCKLE SEAT BELT, STRANDING PASSENGERS OVERNIGHT Fournier said the addition is "just about keeping the bathrooms clean and preventing people from slipping on wet tiles. Plain and simple." Fox News Digital reached out to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Gov. Greg Abbott's office and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d33362c5335ae1045ea3a Jemele Hill claims to know what DiJonai Carrington meant with 'White privilege' post, so what was it? te 2026-08-13T03:00:06.912Z Jemele Hill claims to know what DiJonai Carrington meant with 'White privilege' post, so what was it? The WNBA doesn't always get attention for the right reasons. In fact, these days, it's increasingly for the wrong ones. Perhaps no other WNBA incident in recent months has generated as much attention as DiJonai Carrington's, shall we say, aggressive foul on Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham. Carrington clotheslined Cunningham, leaving her with a bloody mouth. The foul was upgraded to a flagrant 2, resulting in Carrington's immediate ejection. That was bad enough, especially considering it came against Cunningham, who's become public enemy number one in the WNBA for saying that males shouldn't compete in women's sports. But Carrington made it worse when she posted "White privilege" on social media after the game, then tagged the Indiana Fever. DIJONAI CARRINGTON DECLARES 'WHITE PRIVILEGE' AFTER EJECTION FOR SMACKING SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM IN THE FACE Most took that to mean that Carrington was implying that she was ejected because her foul came against a White player. Essentially, that she was only assessed a harsher foul because of her race, and obviously, Cunningham's. Despite the immediate backlash to Carrington's post, the WNBA has remained essentially silent about it. Though Carrington herself addressed it by... referring to her educational background? "I’ve never once claimed that the assessment of the foul was White privilege (that was your assumption)," she posted on X, in reply to Emmanuel Acho. "Try exercising your critical thinking skills, I know you studied psych. "Furthermore, I’m the LAST thing from ignorant or asinine when it comes to speaking on 'White privilege,' do ya research on that one. I actually went to school, one of the top universities might I add, to educate myself on this exact subject," Carrington added. "I would never use that term as a rhetorical weapon knowing the historical and social weight it holds without having the proper evidence to substantiate it." DIJONAI CARRINGTON RESPONDS TO 'WHITE PRIVILEGE' POST, BUT LEAVES MEANING OF IT STILL UNCLEAR As of late Wednesday evening, she has not yet provided the "proper evidence" to substantiate her claims. Nor is it clear what she meant by "White privilege" in this instance, if it wasn't referring to the ejection resulting from the foul. Well, it's not clear to us mere mortals. But it is apparently clear to sports analyst Jemele Hill. Hill posted on X Monday afternoon, also in response to Acho's criticism of Carrington, that it was always "pretty clear" to her that Carrington "wasn't talking about the foul." Many have responded to Hill in the two days since and asked, since it was so clear, what Carrington had meant by White privilege, if it wasn't the foul. Acho himself asked. In fact, OutKick also reached out to Hill directly for an explanation. Since it was "pretty clear" what Carrington meant, could she tell the rest of us, so we can understand? Stunningly, there's been no response. Well, not entirely. Hill did respond to one post on X by again repeating that she knows what Carrington meant, then not saying what Carrington meant. "I knew exactly what she meant, especially since Sophie Cunningham wasn’t assessed a technical for her reaction when other players have been," she posted. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! There are a few problems with this, however. Carrington said that the foul wasn't the reason for her post. Yet, if she was upset about Cunningham not getting a technical, that would also be... associated with the foul. Hill's interpretation, too, seems to be also associated with the foul, somehow, someway, since her only comment on it was connecting it to Cunningham. The other problem is that the referees addressed that exact question after the game. Official Maj Forsberg was asked by pool reporters why they didn't give Cunningham a technical, and she responded, "After Cunningham was flagrantly fouled, we deemed her reaction to the severity of the contact to be acceptable." That makes sense. Cunningham was hit so hard she was bleeding from the mouth. Any competitive athlete would react with some level of anger and frustration after contact like that. Is the implication then that it's "White privilege" to not get a technical in that situation? Because if that's the case, why not just say that, as inaccurate as it is? Not to mention that Carrington would almost certainly have reacted the same way, had the roles been reversed, and she'd be justified in doing so. A quick look at the WNBA's technical foul leaders also highlights just how ridiculous that claim would be. Caitlin Clark is tied, funnily enough, with Angel Reese atop the league with seven technical fouls apiece. Clark actually received an eighth after accidentally bumping into an official, but the league later rescinded it. Cunningham has three technical fouls this season, while Carrington has just one. Is it the case here that refs don't give out technicals to White players on the Indiana Fever? Because that's obviously not true, and it doesn't take a Stanford education to look that up. Whatever she supposedly meant remains a mystery. One that apparently Jemele Hill could solve for us, if she were only willing to do so. For some mysterious reason, she isn't. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d29d52c5335ae1045e8d5 Clueless WNBA attacks 'bad-faith' fans who don't want biological men ruining women's sports te 2026-08-13T02:20:05.880Z Clueless WNBA attacks 'bad-faith' fans who don't want biological men ruining women's sports The WNBA convened a task force to figure out what a woman is, emerged without an answer, scheduled more meetings to keep figuring it out, then scolded everyone else for the "hate and vitriol" surrounding the debate. On Wednesday, the WNBA finally offered an update on its progress. Turns out, the answer is more meetings. WNBPA ISSUES STATEMENT EMBRACING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AMID TRANS ATHLETE DEBATE IN WOMEN'S SPORTS "Today's meeting covered a wide range of topics, including ongoing discussions on transgender athletes and the continued hate and vitriol directed at players online. We will continue to engage all league stakeholders in the coming weeks and months. We will approach these important conversations thoughtfully and in alignment with the values of our league. There are no immediate eligibility matters affecting the WNBA, and we strongly denounce the bad-faith efforts to use these topics to demean or marginalize others." The WNBA took the corporate escape hatch. Dodge the question, scold the critics and kick the can down the road. Somewhere in all these meetings is WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, who runs a women's league that still can't settle on who qualifies as a woman. Quite the predicament. The loophole gets a lot more complicated to ignore when ex-NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White declared for the 2027 WNBA Draft just to expose it. The league's own CBA says "only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA." Pretty straightforward. Except there's one small problem: nowhere in the 400-plus-page agreement does the WNBA define what a woman is. While executives spin their wheels in meetings, women willing to defend the purpose of women's sports are left to stand alone. Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has publicly supported keeping women's sports and locker rooms for biological females. Then, after Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington was ejected for a Flagrant 2 foul for striking Cunningham across the head, Carrington went to social media and posted "WHITE PRIVILEGE @indianafever." Fever coach Stephanie White eventually called the hit "egregious," but only after criticism mounted over her initial silence. When she addressed the controversy, much of her response focused on the "online community" and condemning "hate," "fear-mongering" and "divisiveness." THE WNBA HAS LIMITED OPTIONS AFTER TWO MEN DECLARED FOR THE DRAFT, AND THOSE OPTIONS AREN'T GREAT That's the recurring problem. Cunningham stands up for female competition, absorbs the backlash and gets hammered on the court, while the people running women's basketball seem more comfortable policing the tone of the debate than standing behind women raising uncomfortable questions. Meanwhile, global sports bodies like World Aquatics, World Athletics and the UCI have established firm, biological eligibility standards. The WNBA remains stuck in an endless loop of listening sessions, stakeholder engagement and sanitized PR statements. Eventually, the league has to decide what it exists to protect. Stalling with PR spin won't alter basic biology. If the WNBA continues to run meetings instead of making decisions, and lecture critics instead of standing up for women willing to speak, it won't be long before an eligibility disaster makes the decision for them. OutKick reached out to the WNBA for comment/explanation on what defines a woman. We have not received a response. Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d1bc52c5335ae1045e6ef Rubio rejects RFK's 'crazy' diet, jokes Pop-Tarts are 'one of the great American innovations' te 2026-08-13T01:20:05.997Z Rubio rejects RFK's 'crazy' diet, jokes Pop-Tarts are 'one of the great American innovations' Secretary of State Marco Rubio jokingly proclaimed his love of Pop-Tarts while rejecting Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s diet during an interview with podcast host Katie Miller on Tuesday. Rubio appeared with his wife, Jeanette, on "The Katie Miller Podcast", during which Miller asked his thoughts about Kennedy's reported diet of "red meat and fermented vegetables." "This is a crazy diet," Rubio said in jest. "This is a diet that consists of eating sauerkraut and meat. Now you understand, like, this is not a sustainable thing ... He has to travel with coolers of sauerkraut! I'm not going to travel the world with a cooler full of sauerkraut. It's ridiculous. I can't do it." HOW MARCO RUBIO IS RIDING LAUGHTER AND MEMES TO SOCIAL MEDIA DOMINANCE During the exchange, Rubio clarified that he was in favor of Kennedy's "MAHA," or "Make America Healthy Again" movement, though his wife pushed back, claiming that he eats Pop-Tarts. "No, I don't eat Pop-Tarts every day," Rubio said. "You eat sweets," Jeanette said. "The Pop-Tart is one of the great American innovations in the history of the world, if you think about it. It comes in this beautiful foil package," Rubio joked. "He eats all the things you should not be eating. Like every single thing," Jeanette insisted. MARCO RUBIO ADDRESSES UAP GOVERNMENT COVER-UP ALLEGATIONS, SAYS TRUMP WOULD GIVE A SPEECH IF ADMIN KNEW MORE Fox News Digital reached out to the HHS secretary and Mars Inc., the company that owns Pop-Tarts, for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Rubio has been considered a potential 2028 presidential candidate to succeed President Donald Trump. In a recent New Hampshire poll, Rubio was only 10 points behind Vice President JD Vance in a hypothetical match-up. In addition to being a presidential contender, Rubio was also the subject of a viral internet meme featuring him sitting on an Oval Office couch during Trump's meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in 2025. RUBIO REFLECTS ON REMARKABLE POLITICAL JOURNEY FROM TRUMP CRITIC TO TRUSTED CABINET MEMBER Rubio finally addressed the viral image in an interview on Fox News' "My View with Lara Trump" last month. "The meme thing, it was interesting because when it first came out, I hated that picture," Rubio said. "Because what happened is in that couch, if you don’t have a pillow behind your back, you kind of sink.  So, I looked at the picture; I said, ‘Oh, this is terrible,’ I looked like whatever. And then it turned into this other thing. And it was fine, and it’s funny."   "I don’t really follow it very closely, but people have shown me pictures out there," he added. "We have a good friend here that works at the White House, Dan Scavino, made a nice board for me. And even since he made that board, we had to update it, so — of all the different pictures. So that stuff is funny." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d17162c5335ae1045e64d Hong’s Defeat in Wisconsin Sparks New Disagreements Within Democratic Party te 2026-08-13T01:00:06.399Z Hong’s Defeat in Wisconsin Sparks New Disagreements Within Democratic Party Some Democrats said the outcome showed that the moderate wing of the party carried more electoral weight, while Ms. Hong’s strong showing gave some progressives hope. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d14bb2c5335ae1045e5fe Convicted rapist who preyed on women at America's top party school faces reckoning after courthouse dash te 2026-08-13T00:50:03.894Z Convicted rapist who preyed on women at America's top party school faces reckoning after courthouse dash A former UC Santa Barbara student convicted of raping and sexually assaulting multiple women will spend at least three decades behind bars, capping a yearslong prosecution involving disturbing allegations of sexual violence at one of America's top party schools. Arian Eteghaei, 24, was sentenced to 30 years to life in California state prison after a jury found him guilty of forcible rape and forcible sexual penetration, but not before authorities say he made a brazen run for freedom, bolting from courthouse custody moments after his conviction. His sentencing comes amid renewed scrutiny over sexual violence at UC Santa Barbara, which has been ranked the nation's top party school by Niche for the past two years. Eteghaei's case adds to those concerns. He was also convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence, while jurors found true a special allegation that the sexual offenses were committed against more than one victim. AMERICA'S TOP PARTY COLLEGE HIT BY ANOTHER SEX ATTACK WEEKS AFTER BRUTAL CAMPUS RAPE CASE "This case would not have been possible without the extraordinary courage of the victims who came forward and participated in a long and difficult legal process," Santa Barbara County District Attorney John T. Savrnoch said. "Their strength and willingness to testify allowed the truth to be heard and ultimately allowed the defendant to be held accountable for the serious harm he caused." Authorities say Eteghaei escaped by force while in custody on Jan. 16, the same day the jury returned its verdict. The alleged escape landed Eteghaei another felony case, with prosecutors charging him in March with one count of escape by force. STUDENTS AT TOP PARTY COLLEGE ON EDGE AFTER RAPE, STRANGULATION REPORTED IN CAMPUS HOUSING Eteghaei's sexual assault prosecution stretched back years and centered on crimes committed while he was a student at UC Santa Barbara. "This case required years of persistence, careful investigation, and tremendous support for the victims," Savrnoch said. "The collective work of this team exemplifies the commitment of law enforcement, prosecutors, investigators, and victim advocates to seeking justice for survivors of sexual violence." Campus crime data previously reviewed by Fox News Digital show more than 100 reported rapes between 2022 and 2024, while two separate sexual assault reports this spring and summer prompted campus-wide warnings and heightened concerns about student safety. In June, UC Santa Barbara police issued a campus-wide Timely Warning after a woman reported being stalked and groped in broad daylight near Tierra De Fortuna Park. RIDESHARE DRIVER ARRESTED IN ALLEGED SCHEME TARGETING IVY LEAGUE STUDENTS FOR SEX: PROSECUTORS Police said the woman was walking along a paved access road on UCSB's West Campus around 11:30 a.m. June 24, when a man riding a bicycle passed her before circling back multiple times over the next 15 minutes. During the first two encounters, police said the man stopped to ask her questions. On the third pass, investigators said he approached the woman from behind, groped her and fled toward nearby Tierra De Fortuna Park. The incident marked the second Timely Warning issued by UCSB police in under two months. In May, an 18-year-old freshman reported she was raped and strangled after meeting a man at a fraternity party before returning to her dorm at Tropicana Gardens in Isla Vista. FORMER UCLA GYNECOLOGIST SENTENCED AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO SEXUALLY ASSAULTING PATIENTS AT SCHOOL Days after the attack, the survivor's family, through attorney Tyrone Maho, publicly appealed for witnesses to come forward, saying anyone who attended the fraternity party or was near Tropicana Gardens on the night of May 9 could hold critical information. The family also urged the university's chancellor to ask the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office to take over the investigation, arguing that the unidentified attacker remained "a potential threat to our community," while expressing gratitude for the work already done by UC Santa Barbara police. The attack prompted a candlelight vigil where students gathered to support the survivor and raise concerns about campus safety. UC Santa Barbara has been ranked the nation's top party school by Niche for the past two years. TEACHER WHO SERVED AS GOP STATE LAWMAKER ALLEGEDLY USED ROBLOX TO LURE STUDENT INTO SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP Campus crime data previously reviewed by Fox News Digital showed the university recorded more than 100 reported rapes between 2022 and 2024, according to its Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports. The reports also showed increases in other reported crimes in recent years, including weapons arrests and burglaries. 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 remained in direct contact with the survivor's family and works closely with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office and District Attorney's Office when appropriate. Fox News Digital reached out to the UCSB for comment, but did not immediately receive a response. Fox News Digital's Kelsie Cairns contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d12662c5335ae1045e5a3 Unearthed interview exposes Dem senator's past support for reparations: 'There is a debt unpaid' te 2026-08-13T00:40:06.887Z Unearthed interview exposes Dem senator's past support for reparations: 'There is a debt unpaid' Shortly after announcing his intention to run for U.S. Senate, then-candidate Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., said he would support reparations legislation — government-led efforts to make up for the social harms of slavery and other injustices against Black Americans. In a 2019 radio interview, Ossoff said it was only a question of how much the government was obligated to give. "There is a debt unpaid. I think it is a very, very difficult question: how to pay it," Ossoff told a local radio host. "But see, that should be the question — not if it should be paid," the host noted. MAMDANI WON'T RULE OUT CASH REPARATIONS, SAYS HE'LL AWAIT NYC COMMISSION FINDINGS "Exactly," Ossoff replied. Seven years later, as Ossoff wages a re-election campaign that’s likely to be one of the most competitive in the nation, his resurfaced comments raise questions about his stance on the proper role of government in addressing social inequality. In the past, progressive groups like Movement for Back Lives (M4BL) and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) have made reparations a part of their platforms. "Despite the elimination of Jim Crow and openly discriminatory laws against Black Americans a half century ago, Black people and the Black community as a whole still suffer economic, political and social discrimination and inequality," DSA stated in 2019. "Formally equal treatment on the basis of inequality means the perpetuation of inequality. Reparations for these and other offenses is a current topic of significant discussion during this election." Ossoff, while not a member of the DSA, said he would support legislation to evaluate the matter. "Sen. Cory Booker has legislation in the Senate to establish a commission for the purposes of studying the right way to redress the grievance — to pay the debt never paid," Ossoff said in the 2019 podcast appearance. "Forty acres and a mule was never paid out," Ossoff said, referring to an unfulfilled 1865 promise from Union General William Sherman for land redistribution made to former slaves. BLUE STATE POURED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO STUDY ON REPARATIONS AS EFFORT LAUNCHES The proposal never became law but has been reintroduced by Booker several times, most recently in 2025. It remains under consideration in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Notably, Ossoff has not signed on as a sponsor. Conservatives have traditionally opposed reparations, arguing that they would effectively amount to a form of positive discrimination — a treatment based on race, which is prohibited by the 14th Amendment. The Supreme Court tangentially touched on the issue of positive discrimination in its 2023 decision Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard — a case evaluating affirmative action. In that case, the court considered whether schools like Harvard had violated the 14th Amendment by creating a different standard for admissions depending on race that favored minorities. "The student must be treated based on his or her experiences as an individual — not on the basis of race," the court ruled. "Many universities have for too long done just the opposite. And in doing so, they have concluded, wrongly, that the touchstone of an individual’s identity is not challenges bested, skills built or lessons learned by the color of their skin. Our constitutional history does not tolerate that choice." NEW YORK FAR-LEFT GROUP CLAIMS REPARATIONS 'OWED' AS BLACKS' MEDIAN WEALTH 'NEARLY 15 TIMES LESS' THAN WHITES Ossoff’s office did not immediately respond to questions on whether he envisioned a constitutional challenge to reparations or if his stance on the proposal had shifted since 2019. Having cleared the Democratic primary for his race earlier this year, Ossoff now heads to the general election on Nov. 3, where he will face off against Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga. Ossoff won the election in 2021 with a 50.6% to 49.4% victory over then-Republican incumbent Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d12662c5335ae1045e596 Composer of 'Halo' video games says he was disinvited from convention event for being a Republican politician te 2026-08-13T00:40:06.224Z Composer of 'Halo' video games says he was disinvited from convention event for being a Republican politician Republican congressional candidate and Grammy-nominated composer Marty O'Donnell spoke to Fox News Digital on Wednesday about how he was disinvited from a reunion with his fellow creators of the "Halo" video game series for comments made on the campaign trail. On Tuesday, O’Donnell shared a screenshot of an email he received from his booker who handles his event appearances, informing him he had been uninvited from a reunion of his fellow "Halo" creators at a pop culture convention, saying, "The promoter for SacAnime has shared that his LGBTQ staff does not feel comfortable if you attend the event. Based on your recently reported statements of the political campaign, they have rescinded their invitation to not cause any further staff upset." "I’m very disappointed that SacAnime has disinvited me from a Halo 25 reunion at their conference next month. If you thought we defeated Cancel Culture in 2024, guess again!" O’Donnell responded in a tweet. O’Donnell spent decades creating some of the most iconic music in video game history. He has since thrown his hat in the ring as the Trump-backed Republican nominee to represent Nevada's 3rd Congressional District. O’Donnell shared a statement about the incident with Fox News Digital on Wednesday. GAMING-WORLD VETERAN WHO RIPPED ‘WOKE’ CULTURE SCORES TRUMP-BACKED BATTLEGROUND PRIMARY WIN "In January, I was invited to attend a Halo reunion at SacAnime over Labor Day weekend in Sacramento, CA. I was excited to attend with so many stars, including Jen Taylor and Steve Down[e]s, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Halo with all of our fans. They even asked me to record a video promoting my attendance two weeks ago," he recalled. "After SacAnime made numerous announcements of my attendance over this last weekend, I was told I was being disinvited because I called Marxism an existential threat. They have removed me from their website and deleted all their posts on social media promoting my appearance," O'Donnell continued. "My existential threat comment has been twisted a lot by my political opponents over the last few weeks and anyone who saw the video knows that to be true," he added. "That is why I know it’s not why I have been pulled from SacAnime. I was pulled because I am a Republican candidate for office." "Funny enough, SacAnime’s decision proves my point. Silencing the opposition is a key component of Marxism and that is one reason why Marxism is an existential threat to our country," O’Donnell said. "I genuinely believed we had put an end to Cancel Culture after the 2024 election, but that was just the end to what AOC called ‘Woke 1’ earlier this week. Woke 2 is here, and it is just as eager to silence and destroy conservatives as Woke 1." "Unfortunately for them, I can’t be silenced. I will continue to use my voice to speak out against the threats our country faces, especially from Marxists who seek to destroy the United States," he concluded. ‘HALO’ VIDEO GAME MUSIC COMPOSER AIMS TO REARRANGE WASHINGTON The comment that appeared to have caused the firestorm was when he condemned the rise of Marxism and identity politics, noting that this coalition seems to be between groups that share little in common aside from a common enemy. "Talk about an existential threat, this is where we are right now," he said during an appearance on The WDW Pro Show. "We are on the cliff looking down into the abyss. And the abyss is Marxism, it’s anti-Western philosophy. There’s a weird alliance of all these groups who like to pretend they’re oppressed. The LGBTQ+ people, the Islamists, the Marxists, they’re all together now, acting like they’re all together on the same side. They’re not on the same side." "Islam and communism do not mix at all," he said. "They'll be partners for a while in order to overthrow the West." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Fox News Digital contacted the SacAnime convention in northern California for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d10102c5335ae1045e53d Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders give Browns a preseason quarterback battle worth watching te 2026-08-13T00:30:08.796Z Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders give Browns a preseason quarterback battle worth watching The NFL preseason is generally a tough sell. Fans are excited that football is back, sure, but then the starters play a series or two, and a bunch of guys who aren't going to make the roster finish the game. But the Cleveland Browns just gave us two reasons to pay attention to their first two preseason games. RAIDERS' NO. 1 PICK FERNANDO MENDOZA WILL GET 'PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE' IN PRESEASON DEBUT THURSDAY Head coach Todd Monken informed his quarterbacks Wednesday afternoon that Deshaun Watson will start Cleveland's preseason opener Saturday in Chicago against the Bears. Monken also plans to start Shedeur Sanders in the Browns' second preseason game, at home against the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 22. Now we're talking. Monken said the plan is for Watson and Sanders to play roughly a half apiece against Chicago, then flip the order the following week against Buffalo. Cleveland has spent the offseason treating its quarterback job like an actual competition, and Monken has backed that up with how he's handled practice. Watson and Sanders have alternated days working with the first-team offense during training camp after both received opportunities with the starters during the spring. But preseason football is where that competition finally becomes something the rest of us can actually evaluate. FALCONS QUARTERBACK COMPETITION TAKES EARLY HIT AS TUA TAGOVAILOA SUFFERS 'FLARE-UP' IN TRAINING CAMP Watson gets the first crack, and his start against Chicago carries plenty of weight even if Monken isn't ready to call anyone QB1. Watson hasn't appeared in an NFL game since rupturing his Achilles in October 2024. He later needed a second surgery after re-rupturing the tendon and didn't play at all last season. So, watching Watson take an actual snap against an opposing defense is going to be a little more interesting than the standard August opener. The Browns don't just need to know whether Watson can operate Monken's offense. They need to see whether he still resembles an NFL starting quarterback after nearly two years without playing in a game. He's obviously not the player the Browns traded three first-round picks to obtain in March 2022. Watson led the NFL in passing yards in 2020, then didn't play at all in 2021 after requesting a trade. During that time, dozens of massage therapists accused him of sexual misconduct, further complicating his situation in Houston. The final two civil lawsuits tied to those allegations were dismissed earlier this year. None of it stopped the Browns from trading for Watson in what might be the worst trade in NFL history. The 30-year-old quarterback has started 19 games in the past four seasons, compiling a 9-10 record. Cleveland doesn't need Watson to be the guy who was considered one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. They just need him to prove he can still be a competent QB. Then there's the 24-year-old Sanders, who slid to the Browns in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Sanders wasn't even the first quarterback drafted by the Browns; that was Dillon Gabriel in the third round. Gabriel is still on the roster and technically part of the team's competition to be the starter, but appears to be behind Watson and Sanders. They also drafted Taylen Green in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. BROWNS DRAFT ANOTHER QUARTERBACK, MAKING SHEDEUR SANDERS' STARTING JOB EVEN LESS SECURE Unlike Watson, Sanders has recent game tape, and plenty of it. The second-year QB appeared in eight games as a rookie and started seven, throwing for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. There were flashes of promise, most notably a 364-yard, three-touchdown performance against Tennessee, but there were also the mistakes you'd expect from a young quarterback trying to figure out the NFL. That's what makes this battle so intriguing. Not only is Sanders technically the incumbent, but he comes with a ton of hype thanks to his bravado and last name. He's already started meaningful NFL games, showed enough to make the Browns curious about what comes next and has now had a full offseason under a new head coach to make his case. Usually, there's an obvious answer to a QB "competition" and teams just go through the motions. But this feels like a true battle for the starting gig. Giving Watson and Sanders their own preseason starts makes it pretty clear Monken wants to see both guys in game action with the first-team offense. More importantly, Cleveland has created something that's usually missing from August football: stakes that people actually care about. Nobody is going to remember who wins Browns-Bears on Saturday. Nobody should. But if Watson looks sharp, moves well and pushes the ball downfield, that's meaningful. If he looks tentative or rusty after such a long layoff, that's meaningful too. The same applies to Sanders against Buffalo. He'll get a home crowd that already knows him, and every good throw is going to add fuel to the idea that he should be Cleveland's starter now and into the future. Every bad decision will be a reminder that his rookie season was uneven for a reason. Monken doesn't have to name a regular-season starter after either game. In fact, he probably shouldn't unless someone makes the decision obvious. Cleveland still has a third preseason game against New England on Aug. 27, so there's room to keep evaluating before the real games begin. And if Monken really wants to mess with everyone, he could even throw Gabriel a start in that contest. For now, Watson gets Chicago. Sanders gets Buffalo. And for two Saturdays, Cleveland's quarterback competition becomes one of the most interesting things the NFL preseason has to offer. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d100f2c5335ae1045e534 Los Angeles Lakers buyer, ex-Disney chief Bob Iger once said rooting for team was 'not in my DNA' te 2026-08-13T00:30:07.871Z Los Angeles Lakers buyer, ex-Disney chief Bob Iger once said rooting for team was 'not in my DNA' The Los Angeles Lakers just sold for $12.5 billion to an ownership group that includes a guy who once openly admitted he couldn't bring himself to root for them. Former Disney CEO Bob Iger teamed up with Josh Kushner to buy the Lakers, which is a pretty wild turn for a guy who spent decades sitting courtside rooting for their little brother, the Clippers. When news of the Lakers sale broke Wednesday, fans quickly resurfaced Iger's old comments about why he could never root for the team. BOB IGER BREAKS SILENCE ON DISNEY'S SUSPENSION OF JIMMY KIMMEL OVER CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION COMMENTS Back in January 2021, Iger explained his Lakers problem during an appearance on The Old Man and the Three podcast, hosted by none other than current Lakers head coach JJ Redick. Iger told Redick why, after moving to California in 2000, he simply couldn't bring himself to root for the Lakers. "I couldn't root for the Lakers very easily," Iger told Redick. "It just was not in my DNA." Iger explained that growing up a New York Knicks fan made backing the Lakers an absolute non-starter. Instead, he adopted the Clippers to get his basketball fix. His other reason for picking the Clippers over LA's powerhouse was even simpler: price. JOSH HART CALLS FINALS TICKET PRICES AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN 'RIDICULOUS' AS FANS PRICED OUT BEFORE GAME 3 Iger explicitly told Redick that "their seats were a lot cheaper than the Lakers." The man who just helped buy the Lakers for $12.5 billion originally chose the Clippers because the tickets were cheaper. Iger once said rooting for the purple and gold wasn't in his DNA. Now he owns a piece of the franchise. The timing of the blockbuster deal is where things get even more interesting. Billionaire Mark Walter agreed to buy the Buss family's controlling stake in June 2025 at a roughly $10 billion valuation. Just 14 months later, he's flipping the Lakers for $12.5 billion. That lightning-fast turnaround comes as Walter's business empire reportedly faces federal scrutiny, including questions surrounding billions of dollars in private-credit investments. There's no evidence the investigation forced the sale — or that Walter suddenly needed cash — but unloading the Lakers barely a year after buying them certainly makes the timing interesting. As for Iger, he clearly has the resources to help purchase the franchise. But for a guy who once said rooting for the Lakers wasn't in his DNA, becoming one of their owners is one hell of a plot twist. Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d100e2c5335ae1045e52b Birth order linked to 150 health conditions in study of 10 million American siblings te 2026-08-13T00:30:06.782Z Birth order linked to 150 health conditions in study of 10 million American siblings Whether someone is the older or younger sibling may be linked to certain health outcomes later in life, according to a massive new study. Analyzing medical data from 10 million U.S. siblings over two decades, researchers from the University of Chicago and Columbia University found links suggesting that birth order may be connected to specific long-term health risks. Researchers examined 569 disease categories across families and among siblings, identifying 150 conditions that were significantly associated with birth order. LONGER LIVES, WORSE HEALTH? SCIENTISTS UNCOVER TROUBLING TREND ACROSS GENERATIONS First-born children showed a higher likelihood of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric diagnoses, including autism, ADHD, Tourette's and OCD, as well as immune-allergic conditions like food allergies. Second-born children were statistically more prone to migraines, shingles, substance use disorders and gastrointestinal issues like gastritis. Discussing the findings on "Fox & Friends," Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News, noted the value of such a wide-scale study. "I love this study because it opens a lot of questions more than it gives answers, but I think I have some answers," the doctor said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES Regarding the heightened prevalence of ADHD among first-borns, Siegel offered his own hypothesis about parental behavior. "My theory, they get more stimuli. The parents are like hovering over them, helicoptering them ... and they don't know where to look," he said. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Addressing the disparities in allergic conditions, Siegel pointed to early environmental exposure, stating, "I think it's because the firstborn's immune system hasn't seen the environment before. And if it's not set properly, you get an allergy." Siegel also touched on biological and psychological factors when evaluating differences between siblings. "I think the womb changes after you have your first child, and the second child gets a womb that's already been used. So therefore, it's more set for it," he said. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER Regarding the higher rate of substance use disorders among second-born children, Siegel suggested emotional drivers, saying, "it may be the same idea: 'I want attention. I'm looking for attention. I wanna do something to get a rise out of you.'" While the research highlights patterns across a large population, the study comes with limitations. The findings demonstrate correlations rather than direct causation, meaning the trends don't necessarily stem from physiological changes, early microbial exposures or social dynamics. Additionally, the data relies on commercial health insurance claims, which can reflect differences in diagnosis, healthcare-seeking behavior and parental attention rather than true biological functions alone. Factors such as the age of parents between births and varying age gaps between siblings also complicate these associations. Ultimately, researchers emphasized that birth order serves as a modest population-level risk marker rather than a definitive health predictor. The research was published in the journal Nature Health. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d100b2c5335ae1045e512 A Fight Over Abortion and Surrogacy Ends With a Baby Born in Texas te 2026-08-13T00:30:03.662Z A Fight Over Abortion and Surrogacy Ends With a Baby Born in Texas The baby, who was born Wednesday with a severe heart defect, drew the attention of anti-abortion activists and the Texas attorney general after the intended parents wanted the surrogate mother to have an abortion. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d0db72c5335ae1045e49c Unearthed interview exposes Dem senator's past support for reparations: 'There is a debt unpaid' te 2026-08-13T00:20:07.427Z Unearthed interview exposes Dem senator's past support for reparations: 'There is a debt unpaid' Shortly after announcing his intention to run for U.S. Senate, Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., said he would support reparations legislation — government-led efforts to make up for the social harms of slavery and other injustices against Black Americans. In a 2019 radio interview, Ossoff said it was only a question of how much the government was obligated to give. "There is a debt unpaid. I think it is a very, very difficult question: how to pay it," Ossoff told a local radio host. "But see, that should be the question — not if it should be paid," the host noted. MAMDANI WON'T RULE OUT CASH REPARATIONS, SAYS HE'LL AWAIT NYC COMMISSION FINDINGS "Exactly," Ossoff replied. Six years later, as Ossoff wages a re-election campaign that’s likely to be one of the most competitive in the nation, his resurfaced comments raise questions about his stance on the proper role of government in addressing social inequality. In the past, progressive groups like Movement for Back Lives (M4BL) and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) have made reparations a part of their platforms. "Despite the elimination of Jim Crow and openly discriminatory laws against Black Americans a half century ago, Black people and the Black community as a whole still suffer economic, political and social discrimination and inequality," DSA stated in 2019. "Formally equal treatment on the basis of inequality means the perpetuation of inequality. Reparations for these and other offenses is a current topic of significant discussion during this election." Ossoff, while not a member of the DSA, said he would support legislation to evaluate the matter. "Sen. Cory Booker has legislation in the Senate to establish a commission for the purposes of studying the right way to redress the grievance — to pay the debt never paid," Ossoff said in the 2019 podcast appearance. "Forty acres and a mule was never paid out," Ossoff said, referring to an unfulfilled 1865 promise from Union General William Sherman for land redistribution made to former slaves. BLUE STATE POURED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO STUDY ON REPARATIONS AS EFFORT LAUNCHES The proposal never became law but has been reintroduced by Booker several times, most recently in 2025. It remains under consideration in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Notably, Ossoff has not signed on as a sponsor. Conservatives have traditionally opposed reparations, arguing that they would effectively amount to a form of positive discrimination — a treatment based on race, which is prohibited by the 14th Amendment. The Supreme Court tangentially touched on the issue of positive discrimination in its 2023 decision Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard — a case evaluating affirmative action. In that case, the court considered whether schools like Harvard had violated the 14th Amendment by creating a different standard for admissions depending on race that favored minorities. "The student must be treated based on his or her experiences as an individual — not on the basis of race," the court ruled. "Many universities have for too long done just the opposite. And in doing so, they have concluded, wrongly, that the touchstone of an individual’s identity is not challenges bested, skills built or lessons learned by the color of their skin. Our constitutional history does not tolerate that choice." NEW YORK FAR-LEFT GROUP CLAIMS REPARATIONS 'OWED' AS BLACKS' MEDIAN WEALTH 'NEARLY 15 TIMES LESS' THAN WHITES Ossoff’s office did not immediately respond to questions on whether he envisioned a constitutional challenge to reparations or if his stance on the proposal had shifted since 2019. Having cleared the Democratic primary for his race earlier this year, Ossoff now heads to the general election on Nov. 3, where he will face off against Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga. Ossoff won the election in 2021 in a 50.6% to 49.4% victory over then-Republican incumbent Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d0db62c5335ae1045e493 Texas judge accused of 'doxxing' political critic faces federal lawsuit, growing push to oust him from office te 2026-08-13T00:20:06.780Z Texas judge accused of 'doxxing' political critic faces federal lawsuit, growing push to oust him from office What began as a controversial Facebook post has spiraled into a legal firestorm for a West Texas judge, who now faces a federal civil rights lawsuit and an unprecedented effort by his own district attorney to remove him from office. Midland County Judge Terry Johnson is accused of posting a political critic’s Social Security number, driver’s license number and date of birth on Facebook less than 24 hours after the man published federal court records involving Midland County. Christino Rodriquez, who goes by "Nino America" online, alleges in a 26-page federal lawsuit that Johnson retaliated against him for criticizing local government by using his position to obtain confidential information and publishing it online. BABYLON BEE SUES NEW MEXICO OFFICIALS OVER LAW REQUIRING AI DISCLAIMERS ON POLITICAL SATIRE According to the lawsuit, Johnson posted a 2015 arrest warrant on his personal Facebook page with the caption, "Convicted felon trying to be a player." The complaint alleges the charges connected to the warrant were later dismissed and Rodriquez was not convicted in the case. The filing also points to what was redacted — and what wasn’t. Rodriquez’s home address and telephone number appeared blacked out, while his Social Security and driver’s license numbers remained visible. The lawsuit argues the selective redactions support its allegation that the disclosure was intentional. James "Trey" Trainor, an attorney representing Rodriquez, told Fox News Digital the case goes beyond one Facebook post. "The lawsuit is really about retaliation and abuse of power," Trainor said. "It’s kind of secondarily about First Amendment rights and the ability of people to actually criticize government without having government being used as a weapon against them." Trainor said Rodriquez is active in the Midland community, attends public events and speaks out about local government. "At the end of the day, he did that and he upset the county judge, and the county judge thought it was time to retaliate against him," Trainor alleged. Trainor said Johnson had an employee access a criminal justice information system to obtain information about Rodriquez. The federal complaint alleges Johnson obtained the unredacted warrant either through his own official access or through county personnel acting at his request or direction. Trainor said the disclosure has left Rodriquez and his wife worried about identity theft and where the information could end up. IS YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER ON THE DARK WEB? "This is probably the highest form of doxxing that you could ever engage in by putting this type of personal information out there," Trainor said. "We don’t know how many pictures were taken, how many screenshots were saved, all of those types of things," he added. "So we really don’t have an overall understanding yet of how broad the damage is." Trainor said his team has begun discussions with the Social Security Administration about potentially changing Rodriquez’s Social Security number. The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages and other relief, including lifetime identity-theft protection and credit monitoring. No dollar amount has been attached to the case. "We’re still looking into how much it’s actually going to cost and talking to experts on what the overall negative effect on Nino’s life is going to be," Trainor said. For Trainor, the case also raises a broader question about what happens when citizens criticize those in power. "We need that information to be available to law enforcement to track down the bad guys," Trainor said of criminal justice information. "The only difference here is that my client wasn’t a bad guy. He was just somebody who decided to speak out about a local issue." Meanwhile, the separate effort to remove Johnson from office is also evolving. Midland County District Attorney Glenn Harwood filed a petition Aug. 6 seeking Johnson’s removal, the first step under Texas law in attempting to oust a county-level elected official. "There’s a lot of gates that it has to go through before it actually gets to a removal action," Harwood told Fox News Digital. Harwood said the petition goes to the region’s administrative judge, who can dismiss it or assign it to another judge. An outside prosecutor would also have to decide whether to pursue the civil action. Now, Midland ISD Trustee Brandon Hodges has moved to intervene in the case, arguing his involvement could keep the removal effort alive if a legal challenge arises over Harwood’s dual role as district attorney and the resident who initiated the proceeding. Hodges’ filing says he is not seeking to replace Harwood or add new allegations against Johnson. Instead, he is asking to join as an independently qualified Midland County resident and adopt the same grounds for removal already alleged by Harwood. UTAH SUPREME COURT JUSTICE RESIGNS AMID PROBE INTO ALLEGED RELATIONSHIP WITH REDISTRICTING ATTORNEY "I intervened so this removal case does not die on a procedural technicality tied to Glenn Harwood’s dual role," Hodges said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. "If the court rules against him on that issue, the case still needs to move." "Midland County deserves a real decision, not delay, excuses, or a quiet escape hatch for insiders," Hodges added. "I filed to help make sure that happens." The 16-page filing argues Harwood occupies an unusual position because he initiated the removal proceeding as a Midland County resident while also serving as district attorney and swearing that the factual allegations in his petition are within his personal knowledge. Hodges does not allege Harwood acted improperly and is not asking the court to remove him from the case. His filing instead describes the intervention as a way to prevent a potential dispute unique to Harwood from derailing the removal proceeding. Steven Villela, a candidate for Midland County Commissioner Precinct 3, also joined those calls in a Facebook post, saying he agreed with Harwood that Johnson should resign. "No elected official is above the law, and every public servant has a duty to protect the rights and confidential information of the people they serve," Villela wrote. "Accountability isn’t about politics, it’s about doing what’s right," he added. PROSECUTOR OUSTED AFTER ALLEGED ROMANCE WITH ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT SEX-CRIME SUSPECT: 'PATTERN OF MISCONDUCT' Harwood emphasized that the removal effort is separate from Rodriquez’s federal lawsuit, saying he has "no role" in that case. He also acknowledged what he described as a "potential criminal case," but declined to comment further because "nothing has happened on that front publicly yet." Trainor separately told Fox News Digital that he and Rodriquez were interviewed by a Texas Ranger. Trainor said the Ranger asked questions to verify whether the information shown online, including the Social Security and driver’s license numbers, belonged to Rodriquez. Trainor also said subpoenas had been issued to Meta seeking confirmation of when and where the information was posted and potentially viewed. The controversy has also generated public calls for Johnson to leave office. Midland County resident Shandi Williams called for Johnson’s resignation during a Commissioners Court meeting, according to the Midland Reporter-Telegram. Johnson lost his reelection bid after failing to advance from the March 3 primary. If he remains in office, his term is expected to end in early 2027, when election winner Jay Marquez is set to take office, according to the Reporter-Telegram. Fox News Digital reached out to Johnson and his attorney for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d0db42c5335ae1045e47b ICE Agent Who Pushed Activist to the Ground Near Chicago Pleads Guilty te 2026-08-13T00:20:04.181Z ICE Agent Who Pushed Activist to the Ground Near Chicago Pleads Guilty The agent, Adam Saracco, was charged with misdemeanor after the altercation at a gas station near Chicago last year during the Trump administration’s crackdown there. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a7d09072c5335ae1045e3e1 Jim Nantz speaks out on 'great friend' Tony Romo's OWI arrest, says he will 'always' be there for him te 2026-08-13T00:00:07.720Z Jim Nantz speaks out on 'great friend' Tony Romo's OWI arrest, says he will 'always' be there for him Jim Nantz, CBS Sports’ top play-by-play announcer, has spoken out about Tony Romo’s OWI arrest in July, which has led to him having a new partner in the booth ahead of another NFL season. Nantz and Romo have been together since the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback signed his massive 10-year contract to join CBS Sports as its top NFL analyst to work alongside the legendary broadcaster. During "NFL on CBS" Media Day on Tuesday, Awful Announcing asked Nantz about Romo and whether he has been kept in the loop by CBS Sports regarding his status for the NFL season. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "I really was just laying low," Nantz responded. "I had golf events to do and I knew they had a lot to, you know, look at, sort out. But I made my mind up because we have this late flurry of golf events on the schedule. I was going to communicate with Tony, which we have, back and forth. …I just kind of wanted to focus on what’s in front of me, and that’s what I’ve done. Romo arrested by Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office deputies after showing signs of impairment while driving in Wisconsin on his way back from a golf event. CBS SPORTS PRESIDENT SAYS 'NO TIMETABLE OR FINAL DECISION' ON TONY ROMO'S FUTURE AFTER OWI ARREST He was charged with operating while intoxicated after allegedly performing poorly during field sobriety tests. Romo was also charged with having an open bottle of alcohol in his vehicle and with unsafe passing. CBS Sports President said at the same media day that Romo’s situation is "evolving" and that the network is "still assessing." "We have to consider the impact on our image and our brand," Berson said. "That’s very important to us. The focus should be and needs to be on our presentation and this great product and not on any others. "Fortunately, we have a deep bench and everybody is stepping up." CBS Sports announced that Houston Texans legend J.J. Watt will be taking Romo’s spot next to Nantz. However, the play-by-play great still has love for Romo as a friend and will always be there for him. "Tony is a great friend of mine and has been for years," Nantz explained. "He and I go back to 2011 when he got married, I was invited to his wedding. So, this was not someone in 2017 when he entered the booth I was just getting to know for the first time. So, he’s a great friend, continues to be, always will be. "I adore his family, his wife (Candice Crawford) is awesome. They’re the ones that are on my mind right now. The contents of what we talked about, I’m just going to leave that private, and I think that’s the only way and the appropriate way for me to look at it." Romo is in the middle of his massive 10-year, $180 million deal with CBS as their top NFL analyst, and he is reportedly still owed $72 million after signing the deal in 2020. OutKick reported in late July that Romo’s future with CBS is in jeopardy beyond his leave, as there were doubts prior to his arrest about whether the network would keep him as its lead analyst after the 2026 season. It’s also worth noting CBS will be airing the Super Bowl in 2028. Debate about Romo’s preparation has come up in recent seasons, especially among critics saying he hasn’t gelled with Nantz like in years past. It’s also been reported that Romo’s contract has an industry-standard morals clause, which CBS could invoke to fire Romo over the arrest video. His legal team, though, would almost certainly fight that with millions still owed. Romo’s court date has been set for Sept. 21, which comes eight days after CBS Sports’ first NFL broadcast with Nantz and Watt. 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/6a7d09062c5335ae1045e3d8 Is Orlando destined to be one of the next MLB cities? The Orlando Dreamers are looking to make it happen te 2026-08-13T00:00:06.321Z Is Orlando destined to be one of the next MLB cities? The Orlando Dreamers are looking to make it happen When you think of Orlando, Florida, your mind immediately goes to theme parks. That's fair enough; they're what helped make Orlando one of the most-visited cities in the world, drawing tens of millions of tourists every year. And that's just one of the reasons the Orlando Dreamers think the Central Florida city is the perfect place for a Major League Baseball team. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE While cities like Nashville and Charlotte are often at the top of people's lists when they talk about MLB expansion, Dreamers co-founder and COO Jim Schnorf believes there's a multitude of reasons why Orlando will land a team. "We have no Major League Baseball here. We don't have minor league, and we don't have spring training," Schnorf said. "Every other competing city except one has Triple-A, and the one that doesn't have Triple-A has Double-A. So there's an anomalous absence of professional baseball from the Orlando market." Orlando also happens to be the biggest media market in the country without an MLB presence. And then, of course, there's the tourism. "We're the most visited destination in the Western Hemisphere, with over 80 million tourists this year," Schnorf said. "Tourism matters a lot. Anyone who doesn't believe that merely needs to look at the Las Vegas model." PRIVATE EQUITY COMPANY APOLLO AGREES TO FINANCE DEAL WITH NEW YORK YANKEES ORGANIZATION FOR $2.6 BILLION Schnorf — who got the Dreamers ball rolling with the late Pat Williams, the long-time NBA executive who helped bring the Orlando Magic to town — was referring to how Las Vegas went from no teams in the Big 4 professional leagues to being on the cusp of having all of them within about a decade. Schnorf pointed to the success of the Vegas Golden Knights and the relocation of the Las Vegas Raiders as examples of how a city with tourism as its biggest industry could support big league teams. "So tourism matters immensely when it comes to the success of sports," he said. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! It can also help pay for it. The organization recently put out new renderings of a state-of-the-art stadium that would be built on land near SeaWorld just off of I-4, the main thoroughfare through the Orlando area. The Dreamers hope to use some of the tourism resort tax money that Orange County, Florida generates to fund it. "Orlando generates the most tourism resort tax of any metro area in the country, which can be used for tourism, sports facilities, convention centers, and so forth," Schnorf said. However, while a task force was put together to review proposals for projects like the stadium, they did not recommend moving forward with it. Schnorf said that this was not a surprise as it came in the middle of an election cycle, among other reasons, plus the Dreamers' pitch had to be distilled into just fifteen minutes. "We requested $975 million," he said. "To put that in perspective, we got only 15 minutes to present that package. Normally, you would spend a minimum of a day, following months and months of work and research on our financial model and metrics." He did note, however, that the Dreamers already have a hefty amount of funding committed to the team. "We've got well in excess of $2 billion towards stadium financing and team acquisition in place under letters of intent," he said. Of course, even with a stadium in place, the MLB has to want to come to Orlando. Considering there are already two franchises — the Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins — and neither one is known for packing stadiums, that seems like a tough sell. However, Schnorf pointed to a moment in baseball history that suggests it can work. "People ask about the other two teams in the state, 'How can Florida possibly support a third team here?' Well, in 1969, California had five teams with a significantly lower population than the state of Florida has today," Schnorf said. "Orlando is the fastest-growing metro area in the fastest-growing state in the country. "We can definitely support Major League Baseball here." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/home