https://meenews.co/post/6a471832c2ca79de23636602 Athletics prospect Ryan Lasko awaits feeling in lower half after C6-C7 spinal surgery following collision te 2026-07-03T02:02:26.006Z Athletics prospect Ryan Lasko awaits feeling in lower half after C6-C7 spinal surgery following collision A top Athletics outfield prospect still can’t feel his lower half after spinal surgery was needed to repair fractured vertebrae following a scary collision with a teammate in Double-A ball. Ryan Lasko, a 24-year-old outfielder in the Athletics system, was injured during a game with Double-A Midland RockHounds after diving to catch a ball while playing center field. The problem was Lasko’s right field teammate was also barreling down to catch the ball. They both gave up their bodies for the potential catch, but collided as they hit the turf. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Lasko’s teammate, Devin Taylor, was able to get up and field the rolling ball that split the two defenders, but Lasko stayed on the ground in what was a pretty ugly crash. After he was carted off , it was found that Lasko fractured his C6-C7 vertebra, according to MLB.com. He needed spinal decompression and stabilization surgery to repair the injury, and he was in stable condition. However, due to swelling, Lasko still doesn’t have feeling in his lower half just yet. REDS' DANE MYERS CARTED OFF FIELD AFTER CRASHING INTO WALL MAKING ACROBATIC CATCH VS BREWERS Athletics manager Mark Kotsay discussed Lasko’s injury on Wednesday, saying that "there’s hope the feeling comes back." Lasko is one of the Athletics’ top prospects, entering the season as the franchise’s No. 18 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. He was taken by the Athletics’ in the 2023 MLB Draft in the second round. While he opened the season in Double-A, Lasko made it to Triple-A Las Vegas last season. This year, Lasko is slashing .209/.275/.360 with six home runs, five triples and 34 RBI. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47181ec2ca79de236365f9 Driver charged with manslaughter after Tesla crashes into Texas home, kills grandmother te 2026-07-03T02:02:06.550Z Driver charged with manslaughter after Tesla crashes into Texas home, kills grandmother A Texas man has been charged with manslaughter after authorities said his Tesla crashed into a home last month, killing a 76-year-old grandmother. According to court documents, Michael David Butler, 44, told investigators he was driving a Tesla Model 3 with a Tesla driver-assistance system engaged when it crashed into Martha Avila's home in Katy on June 19. He later told paramedics the vehicle was on "Autopilot," according to the affidavit. Tesla has disputed that account. Avila was inside the residence when the vehicle crashed into the home. She was flown by Life Flight to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. CHARTER BUS DRIVER WHO ALLEGEDLY CAUSED CRASH KILLING 5 IN VIRGINIA CHARGED WITH INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER Butler was arrested Thursday and charged with manslaughter, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. According to an arrest affidavit, Butler told investigators he was making a DoorDash delivery when he adjusted the music on the Tesla's touchscreen before he "passed out." The affidavit alleges the vehicle reached 73 mph — more than double the posted speed limit — and that the brake pedal was not applied during the minutes leading up to the crash. NASA NUCLEAR ENGINEER FOUND DEAD IN BURNED TESLA AFTER VANISHING FROM HIS ALABAMA HOME LAST YEAR The sheriff's office said Butler failed to maintain a single lane before leaving the roadway and crashing through the side of the home. Ring doorbell footage of the crash shows the vehicle slamming into the house at a high rate of speed. According to the affidavit, Butler denied feeling ill or consuming alcohol or drugs before the crash. 'TESLA ROAD RAGE DRIVER' SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS IN PRISON AFTER ATTACKING MOTHER AND DAUGHTER IN HAWAII Tesla has disputed Butler's account. CEO Elon Musk said a vehicle operating in Full Self-Driving mode would travel slowly through residential streets, while Tesla's head of AI, Ashok Elluswamy, said Butler manually overrode the system by fully depressing the accelerator. "In this case, the driver manually overrode self-driving by pressing the accelerator all the way to 100% of the accel pedal in this residential area," he wrote in a post on X. KHOU-TV reported Butler appeared in probable cause court Thursday, where his bail was set at $150,000. He was also ordered to wear an ankle monitor and not drive. Avila's family sued Tesla last week, alleging her death resulted from the company's gross negligence and failure to warn consumers that its self-driving systems were defective. Fox News Digital has reached out to Tesla for comment. Fox News Digital's Tessa Hoyos and Reuters contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47180bc2ca79de236365f0 Fitness influencer pleads guilty in violent gym attack after beating man with weightlifting belt te 2026-07-03T02:01:47.093Z Fitness influencer pleads guilty in violent gym attack after beating man with weightlifting belt Social media fitness influencer Wes Watson pleaded guilty Thursday to aggravated battery in connection with a confrontation at a Miami-Dade County gym, resolving the case ahead of sentencing later this month. Watson, 42, entered the plea in Miami-Dade County court as part of a negotiated agreement with prosecutors. Under the deal, prosecutors recommended a sentence of 21 months in prison, including credit for time already served, followed by seven years of probation and court-ordered mental health treatment. He is scheduled to be sentenced July 17. Watson, a former prison inmate who built a large online following as a fitness influencer and motivational personality after his release, was charged after a Dec. 29, 2024, altercation at Elevation Fitness in Miami-Dade County. FITNESS INFLUENCER SAYS LUFTHANSA TOLD HER SHE LOOKED ‘NAKED,’ FORCED HER TO ZIP UP BEFORE BOARDING FLIGHT He has amassed millions of followers across social media, where he shares content focused on fitness, discipline, entrepreneurship and his life after prison. According to an arrest affidavit, Watson told responding officers he was working out when the victim approached him and said he wanted to fight. Investigators said surveillance footage showed Watson striking the man with a weightlifting belt during the confrontation. During Thursday's hearing, Watson's attorney argued the circumstances surrounding the incident were unusual, saying the alleged victim intentionally sought out his client because of Watson's online notoriety. "There's been a lot that's been argued in this case about stand your ground," defense attorney Eric Clayman said, according to Local 10. JETS' GENO SMITH UNDER ACTIVE INVESTIGATION IN FLORIDA FOR ALLEGED ASSAULT AT HIS HOME: POLICE "What's unique is you have an alleged victim that sought somebody out because of his presence online. This guy bought a plane ticket, came through New Jersey, showed up at the gym for the sole purpose of confronting Mr. Watson. That turned into something else." The Miami-Dade case is separate from multiple pending felony cases Watson faces in neighboring Broward County. Prosecutors there have charged him with felony battery, aggravated assault, witness tampering and charges related to an alleged domestic violence incident involving his girlfriend. Those charges remain pending. The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for additional comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4717f7c2ca79de236365e7 Massachusetts city imposes curfew ahead of historic World Cup match te 2026-07-03T02:01:27.647Z Massachusetts city imposes curfew ahead of historic World Cup match A Massachusetts city with one of the nation's largest Cape Verdean communities has imposed a temporary curfew ahead of Friday's historic World Cup match between the West African nation and Argentina. The curfew will be in effect in Brockton, just south of Boston, from 10 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Saturday.  City officials said the decision follows recent World Cup celebrations that led to dangerous and unlawful behavior.  "World Cup celebrations have resulted in incidents of reckless driving, illegal street gatherings, vandalism, assaults, fireworks violations, disorderly conduct, and other criminal activities," the city said.  WATCH THE WORLD CUP FINAL ON FOX ONE Brockton is home to one of the largest Cape Verdean communities in the United States, with nearly one in four residents identifying as Cape Verdean, according to local outlet The Enterprise. Friday's match was expected to draw large celebrations, as the 2026 tournament marks the first time the African island nation has qualified for the FIFA World Cup. Following previous World Cup matches, Brockton police said several people were injured in shootings that erupted during postgame celebrations, according to local outlet Boston 25 News — prompting city officials to impose the temporary curfew ahead of Friday's matchup.  FOX ONE’S NEW WORLD CUP VIEWING EXPERIENCE Under the curfew order, no one will be permitted to enter establishments serving alcohol after 7 p.m. Patrons already inside will be allowed to remain until 10 p.m., but "last calls" for alcoholic beverages must end by 9:30 p.m.  The city said only limited exceptions to the curfew will be permitted. Such cases include law enforcement officers and other first responders, individuals traveling directly to or from lawful employment, those seeking medical care, and those responding to emergencies.  Brockton officials described the measure as a public safety measure intended to preserve public order.  "The purpose of this curfew is to protect public safety, reduce criminal activity associated with post-match celebrations, and enable police, fire, and emergency personnel to effectively maintain order and respond to emergencies," the city said.  "Residents and visitors are urged to celebrate responsibly, obey all laws, avoid unlawful gatherings, and cooperate with public safety officials to ensure that all World Cup celebrations remain peaceful and safe." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a471345c2ca79de23636504 Karlie Kloss reveals what it's like navigating Trump family ties at dinner table as a Democrat te 2026-07-03T01:41:25.833Z Karlie Kloss reveals what it's like navigating Trump family ties at dinner table as a Democrat Supermodel Karlie Kloss defended the importance of bipartisan dialogue on Wednesday as she spoke about being part of President Donald Trump’s extended family. Emily Chang of "The Circuit" via Bloomberg Originals spoke to the model, who is married to Joshua Kushner, the brother of Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, noting, "You're married to a man whose brother happens to be married to Ivanka Trump. How do you deal with everything that comes with that?" "Well, I know who I am," Kloss replied. "I know the values that guide my life and the issues that I care about. So, you know, I haven't lost sight of who I am, but also, it's my husband's family." PEREZ HILTON HEAPS PRAISE ON IVANKA TRUMP, TAKES SWIPE AT KARDASHIANS DURING APPEARANCE ON TOMI LAHREN'S SHOW "What's conversation like at family dinners?" Chang asked. "Well, we're sitting here in St. Louis, which is a blue dot in a red state," the model replied. "Since as long as I can remember, I've always been exposed to a lot of different political points of view and I think that trained me for my life." She added further, "You know, I'm a Democrat. I think it's possible to have relationships with people who you politically don't align with, and I think this country has always been a place for, for dialogue. We have to be able to talk to each other." MICHELLE OBAMA WARNS LIBERALS AGAINST PIGEONHOLING TRUMP VOTERS, SAYS THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO When asked whether she had ever actually met Trump himself or spoken to him about politics, the model revealed she has never met him. In a 2019 interview with TIME Magazine, she offered a similar answer about balancing her life while being associated with such an influential family. "It’s been hard," she told the outlet. "But I choose to focus on the values that I share with my husband, and those are the same liberal values that I was raised with and that have guided me throughout my life." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a470e97c2ca79de2363642c Mexican national made knife from pens, tried stabbing passenger in the brain on Vegas-bound flight, DOJ says te 2026-07-03T01:21:27.172Z Mexican national made knife from pens, tried stabbing passenger in the brain on Vegas-bound flight, DOJ says A Mexican national who was granted lawful permanent resident status in 2018 pleaded guilty Thursday after admitting he bundled three pens together with hair bands before boarding a Seattle-to-Las Vegas flight, then tried to stab another passenger "through the eye to reach his brain," according to federal prosecutors. The terrifying attack unfolded about 30 minutes before the plane was scheduled to land in Las Vegas, when Julio Alvarez Lopez allegedly left his seat, walked to the restroom and, after returning, suddenly began punching, hitting and stabbing a passenger seated across the aisle, according to a federal criminal complaint obtained by Fox News Digital. Witnesses told investigators there was "blood everywhere" as the victim's wife screamed at Lopez to stop attacking her husband. During the struggle, the complaint says she was struck while shielding the couple's 7-year-old son. After the attack, Lopez "began walking towards the front of the aircraft," according to the complaint. As he moved up the aisle, a witness told investigators Lopez repeatedly yelled, "I'll only talk to the FBI." CHAOS ERUPTS ON AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT AS UNRULY PASSENGER ALLEGEDLY BITES FELLOW TRAVELER MIDAIR A sworn law enforcement officer aboard the flight ordered Lopez to sit down before flight attendants provided flex cuffs and passengers restrained him for the remainder of the flight, according to the complaint. The flight landed safely at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, where officers with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department took Lopez into custody. PASSENGER ALLEGEDLY BOARDS FLIGHT WITH FAKE BOARDING PASS, FORCING PLANE BACK TO GATE According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada, Lopez pleaded guilty to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon stemming from the Jan. 24, 2024, attack. During an interview with FBI agents and after waiving his Miranda rights, Lopez admitted he made the weapon before boarding the aircraft by bundling three pens together with hair bands. Investigators said Lopez told them he believed the victim, identified in court documents as C.R., had been following him during the flight. Lopez also said he believed C.R. "was the Cartel" and that he was trying to get him to stop following him. 'HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER' ACTOR NICK PASQUAL CONVICTED OF ATTEMPTED MURDER FOR STABBING EX-GIRLFRIEND The complaint further states Lopez told investigators he had never seen C.R. before the flight but, "planned on attacking and killing him." According to investigators, Lopez admitted he intended to kill the victim by stabbing him in the eye. "I planned on attacking and killing him," Lopez told investigators, according to the complaint. Lopez also admitted to investigators he was trying to stab C.R. "through the eye to reach C.R.'s brain to kill him." According to prosecutors, the victim suffered injuries to his body and eye area that required stitches. Court documents say witnesses noticed Lopez acting strangely before the attack. One passenger told investigators Lopez appeared "fidgety," repeatedly put gloves on and took them off, got into his backpack several times and avoided making eye contact with other passengers. A witness described Lopez as having "gray/white hair tied in a bun on the top of his head," and wearing a sweatshirt at the time. Another witness said Lopez stood up twice as the aircraft began descending into Las Vegas, went to the restroom, then returned to his seat before suddenly launching the attack. The complaint also states Lopez told investigators he was seeking asylum in the United States and believed the mafia had been chasing him for several months. Lopez is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 22. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a470c76c2ca79de2363639e Dana White says Donald Trump wouldn't stop pushing to make the White House UFC event bigger te 2026-07-03T01:12:22.876Z Dana White says Donald Trump wouldn't stop pushing to make the White House UFC event bigger The UFC's Freedom 250 event at the White House was a total success. And after putting on the most-watched UFC fight of all time, UFC chief Dana White is taking a victory lap. White is prominently featured in the new Fox documentary, UFC Fight House: The Making of the Biggest Fight in History. TRUMP MARKS 80TH BIRTHDAY WITH PATRIOTIC UFC FREEDOM 250 SPECTACLE ON WHITE HOUSE SOUTH LAWN The UFC president visited "The Will Cain Show" on Thursday and broke down the massive success of the June 14 UFC festivities on the White House South Lawn. WATCH: Real UFC fans celebrated the incredible main event, while others marveled at the spectacular show staged right at the doorstep of the White House. White told Cain that the reality of the situation surpassed anything Hollywood could dream up. "If you wrote a script, you wouldn't believe all the things that happen in this thing," White said. Clips from the show displayed President Donald Trump leading discussions during the early stage-building phase of the project. The man's a builder. Standing on the historic grounds before the fight, Trump mapped out the massive outdoor setup, looking to squeeze in as many seats as possible. "You could have an arena of 8,000 right here, and then you could do something there nice, whether it's stand-up or seats, around the fountain. What do you think your maximum is?" Trump said in the clips. Trump didn't beg; he demanded an impressive stage build on the lawn, even if the historic terrain presented unique obstacles. "My concept was right smack at the front door to the White House, build it as big as you can, you know, we're a little confined because of trees and these beautiful plantings and everything else, so it's not easy," the president said during the planning. Cain pointed out that having the president of the United States greasing the wheels definitely helped speed things along. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM White agreed, saying Trump helped lead the logistical challenge of pulling off the event. "Well, he was the one that kept pushing us harder and harder to be able to get more seats and to get people in there," White said. "[Trump] was pushing hard on that, and every time he would push, we would try to figure it out. But, I mean, we built basically a stadium on the South Lawn of the White House, and then I think what we did at The Ellipse is even more impressive. "I mean everything that went into that and the amount of people that were over there." According to the UFC, the Freedom 250 event shattered records as the most-watched domestic event in company history, racking up 34 million global viewers. Also, an estimated 85,000 fans packed the Fan Fest at the Ellipse. The most unbelievable moment of the entire event came down to the elements. White detailed a bizarre, almost miraculous weather event that saved the outdoor fight night just as things looked grim. "Literally, the storm is coming to hit the White House and it breaks apart and goes around the White House and the Ellipse and continues on," White shared. "It's incredible, unbelievable, and it was an amazing night." Things got off to a shaky start when a thunderstorm struck D.C. that fight weekend, pushing back the fighters' Friday night press conference at the Lincoln Memorial. Ultimately, the high-stakes gamble paid off perfectly for everyone involved. "And battling the weather, the elements, you know, all the unknown, the event could not have gone better," White concluded. Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a470c63c2ca79de23636395 Democratic infighting grows as congresswoman exposes ‘disrespectful’ welcome of socialists into ‘big tent’ te 2026-07-03T01:12:03.382Z Democratic infighting grows as congresswoman exposes ‘disrespectful’ welcome of socialists into ‘big tent’ A deepening rift within the Democratic Party is coming into sharper focus as the establishment grows frustrated with the rising influence of the party’s socialist wing. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., called out her Democratic colleagues for their "disrespectful" welcome of socialists into the "big tent" party. "I think that there are a lot of very disrespectful comments that are coming from some parts of the Democratic Party that are dismissing the voters who elected these individuals," Jayapal told CNN. Her comments come as socialism gains ground within the Democratic Party, with socialist candidates securing major primary victories and unseating established Democrats. RAHM EMANUEL WARNS NEW GENERATION OF DEM SOCIALISTS DON'T LIKE AMERICA All three congressional candidates endorsed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani – Brad Lander, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier – won their respective Democratic primaries, reflecting an increasing acceptance of the far-left movement within the party. Jayapal, who serves as chair emerita of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, argued the victories show that Americans are seeking fiercer leadership. DSA’S THIRD MAJOR PRIMARY WIN DEEPENS DEMOCRATS’ FIGHT OVER THE PARTY’S FUTURE "I think people are sick and tired of the old establishment politics that too many Democrats were part of moving forward, and they're ready for something bolder," the Democratic representative said. Jayapal raised concerns about the treatment of moderates compared with progressives within the "big tent" party, urging for fairer treatment of the latter. "Why is it that every time a moderate wins an election, people are like, ‘That's the new blueprint for the Democratic Party.’ But if a progressive or a Democratic socialist wins, ‘Oh, the whole party's falling to hell in a handbasket.’" MS NOW HOST ACCUSES DEMOCRATIC SENATOR OF GASLIGHTING AFTER HE DODGED ON SOCIALIST'S POSTS Jayapal slammed Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a prominent Democrat, saying he was "wrong" for arguing that some Democratic socialists are engaging in performative politics. She said Democrats must learn to understand what it means to be a "big tent" party. "I find it really insulting to say that Democratic socialists are just making noise," she told CNN. "I think you have to ask, ‘Why is it that we've lost so many Democratic voters?’ In these races, where Democratic socialists are winning, where progressives are winning, even in very tough swing states, it's because they are bringing voters back." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a470c4ec2ca79de23636379 Holiday weekend brings return of out-of-town parking fees at Rotary Park te 2026-07-03T01:11:42.900Z Holiday weekend brings return of out-of-town parking fees at Rotary Park BULLHEAD CITY — The Independence Day holiday brings the return of parking fees for out-of-town visitors at Rotary Park. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a470c3ac2ca79de23636370 ‘Be a shark’: GCU soccer’s Addie Vali perseveres after battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma te 2026-07-03T01:11:22.939Z ‘Be a shark’: GCU soccer’s Addie Vali perseveres after battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma Grand Canyon University athletes gather in prayer during a beach volleyball fundraiser last year to support GCU soccer player Addie Vali’s cancer battle. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a470546c2ca79de23636238 Couple publicly caned after alleged TikTok kiss sparks outrage in Indonesia te 2026-07-03T00:41:42.607Z Couple publicly caned after alleged TikTok kiss sparks outrage in Indonesia A young couple in Indonesia was publicly caned Thursday after allegedly kissing during a TikTok livestream. The couple — a 22-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman — each received 21 lashes, according to the Associated Press (AP). They were reportedly convicted of violating local morality laws under an Islamic sharia court in Indonesia’s conservative Aceh province.  The pair, who were detained in March, had already spent four months in prison prior to the punishment, which ultimately reduced their sentence from 25 lashes to 21, the AP said.  SOUTH CAROLINA FITNESS TRAINER TOLD FRIENDS SHE WANTED TO LEAVE HER NOW-HUSBAND YEARS BEFORE BODY WAS FOUND According to local authorities, the couple filmed a TikTok video inside a car one night in March. As the video went viral, they were subsequently apprehended for what officials described as an "immoral act."  "Their actions were uncovered thanks to reports from residents who were disturbed by their immoral livestream content," Sharia police said in April.  "The trigger was their livestream on TikTok while engaging in immoral acts in the car," Head of the Sharia Police Muhammad Rizal added in his statement. "This sparked criticism from netizens and local residents, who then reported them to the authorities." THREE HIKERS KILLED AFTER CLIMBING RESTRICTED INDONESIAN VOLCANO TO CREATE ONLINE CONTENT, POLICE SAY The court also confiscated a cellphone and a USB flash drive containing the TikTok video, which authorities promised to destroy, according to the AP. A Banda Aceh resident who attended the caning, 22-year-old Aini Nadhirah, said she believed the punishment was "entirely justified." "In my opinion, this caning is entirely justified because it serves as a warning to other Aceh residents to be more careful when using social media," Nadhirah said, according to the AP. "It also raises awareness that such actions are unacceptable, thereby educating the public." STUNNING PHOTOS CAPTURE MOMENT ONE OF INDONESIA'S MOST ACTIVE VOLCANOES ERUPTS Aceh is the only province in Muslim-majority Indonesia that enforces its own Islamic Criminal Code governing moral conduct.  The province’s right to implement Islamic law was granted by Indonesia’s secular central government around 2005 as part of a peace deal to end a separatist insurgency. The policy was later expanded to apply to non-Muslims as well.  Under the law, moral offenses — including adultery and same-sex relations — can carry penalties of up to 100 lashes. Caning is also used for individuals accused of gambling, drinking, adultery and premarital intimacy.  Public caning in Aceh has long drawn criticism from human rights groups, including Amnesty International Indonesia, which has called the practice cruel and degrading. Despite Indonesia having ratified international conventions prohibiting cruel punishment, local authorities in Aceh defend the practice, arguing it does not fall under such definition.  The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a470533c2ca79de2363622f 'Milestone': Scientists claim to build synthetic cell, raising concerns in step toward artificial life te 2026-07-03T00:41:23.161Z 'Milestone': Scientists claim to build synthetic cell, raising concerns in step toward artificial life Scientists at the University of Minnesota say they have built the most life-like synthetic cell yet, creating a laboratory-made system assembled entirely from nonliving components that can grow, replicate its genetic material, divide and even pass beneficial traits to future generations. The researchers describe the work as a major step toward building artificial life, but said the synthetic cells cannot survive outside carefully controlled laboratory conditions and require externally supplied nutrients and specialized components to grow and divide. Their findings were published Thursday as a preprint on bioRxiv, meaning the research has not yet undergone peer review. SCIENTISTS UNVEIL 'LIVING BANDAGE' THAT COULD DRAMATICALLY SPEED WOUND HEALING "One of the most ambitious and fascinating goals of bioengineering is to build a biochemical system that could cross the threshold from chemistry to life," the researchers wrote. They said the work demonstrates "the first minimal cell with a cell cycle, genetically encoded growth and division, all coupled to selection and competition." The researchers call the synthetic cell "SpudCell." Unlike earlier approaches that started with living organisms, SpudCell was assembled from chemically defined, nonliving components. Its 90,000-base-pair genome enables the synthetic cell to produce proteins, replicate its DNA, feed, grow and divide into daughter cells. AI-DESIGNED 'UNIVERSAL VACCINE' PASSES FIRST HUMAN CLINICAL TRIAL, COULD PREVENT FUTURE PANDEMICS Researchers also introduced a genetic mutation that allowed some synthetic cells to grow faster than others. After several generations, those faster-growing cells produced more offspring and became increasingly common in the population, demonstrating a basic form of natural selection. The team said the work represents "key milestones towards construction of synthetic life" and could eventually provide a foundation for "fully artificial organisms" designed for biotechnology applications. Still, the researchers acknowledged that the system remains far less capable than even the simplest living cells. The synthetic cells cannot survive outside laboratory conditions, require externally supplied nutrients and specialized components and rely on ribosomes purified from E. coli bacteria. After five generations, researchers found that only about 30% of daughter cells inherited the complete synthetic genome. SCIENTISTS UNVEIL 'LIVING BANDAGE' THAT COULD DRAMATICALLY SPEED WOUND HEALING Those limitations mean the work falls well short of creating self-sustaining artificial life, but researchers said it demonstrates that many of life's defining characteristics can be recreated from nonliving materials. The researchers also acknowledged that increasingly sophisticated synthetic cells could raise new biosafety and biosecurity questions. Fox News Digital has reached out to the University of Minnesota research team for comment on the matter. "This project offers a significant milestone towards evolvability of synthetic cells, making it more likely that more robust, autonomous systems will be available soon," the authors wrote, adding that the progress "highlights the urgent need to develop a safety and security framework for future synthetic cell engineering." Future work, the researchers said, will focus on making synthetic cells more self-sufficient by regenerating more of their own molecular machinery, improving how genomes are distributed during cell division and allowing mutations to arise naturally rather than being introduced by researchers. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4702f1c2ca79de236361be The unwinnable war America's Founding Fathers fought and won changed human history forever te 2026-07-03T00:31:45.593Z The unwinnable war America's Founding Fathers fought and won changed human history forever Two hundred and fifty ago, 56 men met in the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia to commit treason against the most powerful empire on Earth.  Representing 13 colonies of that empire, these men – a mix of landowners, entrepreneurs, politicians and others – had become enamored with a new set of ideas flowing from enlightenment thinkers and Christian teaching. Those convictions led them to start a war no sane person believed they could win. Remember what government looked like back then. We now live in the world those 56 men created – a world in which even dictatorships like North Korea cloak themselves in the language of "republic."  But in 1776, freedom, equality and self-governance were nascent concepts espoused by philosophers and adopted only incompletely in a few small enclaves. The vast majority of countries in the world were hereditary monarchies and empires under which equal rights and individual liberty were not contemplated. The Founders’ fight seemed incomprehensible. UNCANCEL THE MINUTEMEN: CELEBRATE LEXINGTON AND CONCORD HEROES, BLACK AND WHITE, ON BATTLE'S 250TH ANNIVERSARY In launching it, the Second Continental Congress largely tasked one man – Thomas Jefferson – with drafting the document that would articulate their vision for humanity and this new country and reshape history. Imagine how he must have felt. Jefferson secluded himself from June 11 to June 28 in a rented home on Market Street to draft the document. He was 33 years old at the time. In isolation in that rented townhome he drafted what I think is one of the most beautiful passages in history: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Read it again. Read it as if you were living under a Spanish colony in South America or under the iron fist of the Qing dynasty in China. Read it as if you were a poor tenant farmer under the oppressive rule of King George in Virginia or an enslaved person in Georgia (whose freedom under the principles of the Declaration was still decades away).  WHY THE MAGA MOVEMENT IS THE 1776 REVOLUTION OF OUR TIME Read it as if you grew up in a system that assumed you were worth less than your neighbor by virtue of your social station, and under which your future was limited by the circumstances of your birth. The Declaration was, in fact, a "revolutionary" statement articulating the ideological and factual basis for a coup against empire. But spiritually, it was more important than that.  It was a revolution against history. It was a revolution against the idea that some men (and women) are worth more than others. It was a revolution for the idea of dignity, human rights, and equality before law. And when Jefferson submitted his document to the Congress, and those 56 men signed it and shipped it off to King George and to others rulers around the world, they ignited a war in the America colonies that would become a centuries-long war to transform the globe from tyranny to liberty. READ: THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE War they got. Five of the signers were captured, tortured and killed. Nine died from wounds or hardships fighting in the war. All were impacted – raked by violence, their homes and property ravaged, their children thrust into the violence they created. They starved. They lost battles. They must have wondered if it was worth it – these ideals that had caused them to plunge a nation into violence. And then, unexpectedly, they won. In creating America, those Founding Fathers reshaped history. We now live in a world in which nearly half of countries are democracies. The combination of political freedom, free markets and the technological innovation unleashed by those systems has lifted billions of people out of poverty – creating a world more than 100 times richer than the one that existed at the time of the Declaration of Independence.  CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION The dominant ideology now globally is the one articulated in the Declaration. And the revolution in America has become a revolution in human history. This weekend in the United States we celebrate Independence Day. We celebrate 56 men who risked everything. But we also solemnly reflect on the charge of the Declaration and its authors. All people are created equal. We are all endowed by our Creator with inalienable rights. Each of us deserves life, liberty, and the ability to pursue our own unique paths to flourishing. But those inalienable rights are not guaranteed. As our forebears, we are called to embrace and fight for them.  Abraham Lincoln once noted that great men "thirst and burn for distinction" and will have it, "whether at the expense of emancipating slaves, or enslaving free men." And around the world the powers that oppose liberty, dignity and opportunity fight ceaselessly to dominate others. May we, on this Independence Day, marking America's 250th, fight back. May we have the audacity and conviction to oppose the enemies of liberty and to continue to fight for the promise of the Declaration and America’s spiritual foundation. May we do so out of love – for our neighbors and for the blessings of the Creator. And may we gain courage from the example of those 56 men, their hundreds of thousands of compatriots, and the unwinnable war they won. Happy Independence Day. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM JOHN COLEMAN Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47029dc2ca79de23636183 “Art doesn’t have to be beautiful”: Esteban Barrón’s painting after violence te 2026-07-03T00:30:21.634Z “Art doesn’t have to be beautiful”: Esteban Barrón’s painting after violence Esteban Barrón’s painting changed over time. He moved from bouquets of flowers and warm landscapes to geometric forms influenced by architecture. Then came another language: pain. A language built from a loss that forced him to rethink not only his work, but also the meaning of making art. Esteban’s canvases became filled with skulls, entrails and fragmented bodies. One of Esteban Barrón’s works explores violence through figures that evoke pain, fear and the lasting impact of organized crime. Courtesy Esteban Barrón “What I was doing was a representation of pain, horror, shock, sadness and helplessness,”  the binational artist says in Spanish. Esteban divides his life between México and Arizona. He found in painting a way to name what he could not express any other way. In February of last year, a relative he considered a younger brother died. Members of organized crime tried to forcibly recruit him. He says that when he refused, they killed him in front of his friends on a street in Colonia Nueva de Guantes, a community in Valle de Santiago, Guanajuato, a town of fewer than 500 residents.  “I have to put it this way,” Esteban says. “It’s an endless source of pain. The only thing you can do is try to minimize it.” There is silence. “Give me a second,” Esteban says. A few moments pass before he speaks again. “You think time is going to heal. But the days go by. The months go by. The pain is still the same as it was on the first day.” His voice cracks. “It shook all of us tremendously, especially me,” he says. Esteban is about to turn 40. He was in Arizona when he heard what happened. He spent weeks seeking sanity. “I spent that month almost in limbo, trying to understand what was happening. I wanted to come back and scream at the system, at people, at those who are spreading harm. I wanted them to stop. To stop doing this. To stop committing so much brutality.” Esteban soon realized that doing so also carried a risk. Speaking out could make him a target for organized crime. He returned to painting. “Once again, I realized that the only tool I had to raise my voice, even if only quietly, was art,” he says in a calm, steady voice, speaking without haste. That is how Estaban’s two most recent exhibitions came to life: Collided Emotions 2025 and Curated Experience 2026. Esteban Barrón stands beside one of his works at Skyline Lofts Gallery in Phoenix, Arizona, during the Collided Emotions 2025 exhibition. Courtesy Esteban Barrón Collided Emotions Esteban came to the United States from México as a child. In Arizona, he found an art classroom and a teacher who saw talent where he only saw a crumpled drawing. Soon afterward, he struggled to adapt to a school where he knew no one. Art became his refuge. He spent hours at school creating. Esteban found his place. He won competitions and graduated from high school recognized by both teachers and classmates. He studied architecture at Arizona State University, convinced it offered greater stability.  He never stopped painting.  After graduating, he worked as an architect. Esteban says the work environment ultimately pushed him away. He resigned and returned to the canvas as a way of life.  One of Esteban Barrón’s paintings during the Curated Experience exhibition at Skyline Lofts Gallery in Phoenix, Arizona, 2026. Courtesy Esteban Barrón For a time, his work was defined by geometry, lines and colors inspired by architecture. “I enjoyed it very much, but I felt it lacked a cause, a purpose,” he says. Esteban realized art can become a vehicle for speaking about injustice, but above all about emotions: “those we cannot express at just any moment because they are fragile and heartbreaking.” Esteban birthed Collided Emotions in July 2025 at Skyline Lofts Gallery in Phoenix. His work was no longer meant to be decorative for others only to collect. “Some pieces are visually intense. That helped me understand that art doesn’t have to be beautiful. It doesn’t have to be something people look at and say, ‘What a lovely landscape.’ Like the work I used to make. It can also communicate ideas, emotions and realities.” For Esteban, those realities cross borders. He speaks of organized crime violence in México, immigration raids in the United States and the suffering caused by wars in other parts of the world. “At the end of the day, what I ask myself is how we have come to inflict so much pain on one another,” he says, with frustration laced in his words. Art as a way to heal In his first exhibition, Esteban turned his attention to people and systems he saw as perpetrators. “To create awareness, you first have to know who is causing the pain and the terror. You have to know the source of that harm,” he says. Esteban Barrón speaks with an attendee at the Curated Experience exhibition, presented at Skyline Lofts Gallery in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2026. Credit: Beatriz Limón He shared truths, as witnessed and confronted by his communities. “I portrayed them as monsters. Much of that work was made up of skeletons, skulls surrounded by entrails and figures with horrific features. That was the intention: to paint them the way I saw them. Even though I know I fell short.” His second exhibition Curated Experience took a different direction. Instead of looking at the perpetrators, it focused on those who survive. “That’s where I talk about the emotions experienced. About what I lived through, and what anyone who has lost a family member or someone close to them continues to live through,” says the artist born in Guanajuato. Esteban looks back and compares the two stages of his work. “When I look at what I used to do, I feel it had no spirit, no soul, no purpose. Now I look at what I’m doing, and I feel it has all of those things.” He repeats a phrase. “This was the mission.” The post “Art doesn’t have to be beautiful”: Esteban Barrón’s painting after violence appeared first on AZ Luminaria. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46fe66c2ca79de23635cc8 Zohran Mamdani admits he wants to end his ‘one-sided beef’ about taxes with rapper 50 Cent te 2026-07-03T00:12:22.820Z Zohran Mamdani admits he wants to end his ‘one-sided beef’ about taxes with rapper 50 Cent New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani admitted on Wednesday that he would love to end his one-sided feud with rapper 50 Cent. While appearing on the Complex podcast, Mamdani was put on the spot by host Jillian Superstar, where she asked the socialist mayor, "If you were to have a dinner party — that I know I'd be invited to after this interview — who would be your dream dinner party guest, dead or alive?" His first choice, he answered, would be Mayor Fiorello La Guardia, who he touted as the greatest mayor of New York City in its entire history. ZOHRAN MAMDANI PRAISED FOR 'FANTASTIC' QUESTION-DODGING ON PRESIDENTIAL ELIGIBILITY "I would throw in 50 Cent so we could have a conversation around tax policy," he added. "A very much needed conversation," the interviewer agreed. During an interview on "The Breakfast Club" last year, the mayor noted that while he was a fan of 50 Cent, the musician wasn't a fan of his tax policy. "I know if 50 Cent is listening, he's not going to be happy about this. He tends to not like this tax policy, but I want to be very clear this is about $20,000 a year. It's a rounding error. And all of these things together, they make every New Yorker's life better, including those who are actually getting taxed now," Mamdani said in the June 2025 podcast. The rapper responded shortly after by asking, "Where did he come from? Whose friend is this? I’m not feeling this plan. No. I will give him $258,750 and a first-class one-way ticket away from NY. I’m telling Trump what he said too!" BILLIONAIRE FIRES BACK AT MAMDANI, SAYS BUSINESS LEADERS MUST 'FIGHT FOR THEIR CITY' Mamdani noted during Wednesday's interview that he was still a fan of 50 Cent, even if 50 Cent wasn't a fan of his policies. Superstar showed this to be true, playing a clip of the mayor quoting the rapper’s song "Get rich or die tryin'" during a recent commencement speech. "So, it's a one-sided beef?" the interviewer asked. "It's a one-sided beef," Mamdani agreed. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "I think we're always going to have a disagreement on that tax policy," he added. "I want to increase taxes on the wealthiest. He does not want that to happen. But I will still appreciate the song 'Many Men,' whatever our disagreements are." 50 Cent's representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46fe52c2ca79de23635cb5 Advocates celebrate expanded Maricopa County early voting sites te 2026-07-03T00:12:02.355Z Advocates celebrate expanded Maricopa County early voting sites Steve Gallardo, a Democrat who sits on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, celebrates the increase in early voting sites for the state’s primary election and criticizes the county recorder’s efforts to sow mistrust in the county’s election processes in Phoenix on July 2, 2026. The board and the recorder, Republican Justin Heap, have been at odds over who controls the county’s early voting processes for months. (Photo by Gloria Rebecca Gomez/Arizona Mirror) Maricopa County will have more than a dozen early voting sites open ahead of the state’s primary election on July 21, an expansion that activists are hailing as a win amid ongoing spats between the county’s election officials.  Standing down the street from the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors offices in downtown Phoenix, Gina Mendez, an organizer with Living United for Change in Arizona, called the increase in voting sites a “victory for voting access.” The board approved an early voting plant that increased the number of voting sites from 12 to 16. GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE “That means that voters will have more opportunities to cast their ballots,” Mendez said. “More working families, seniors, students, rural voters, voters with disabilities, Black and brown and indigenous communities, Latino and immigrant communities all across Maricopa County will have access to early voting.”  Mendez lauded the board’s actions as “holding the line” against Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap, who has been criticized by progressive groups for what they view as efforts to chip away at trust in the county’s election processes. Heap and the county board of supervisors have been at odds since he took office and the two have been entrenched in a legal battle over election duties for more than a year.  In June 2025, Heap filed a lawsuit against the board over an agreement made with his predecessor that stripped the recorder’s office of much of its control of early voting processing. While a recent ruling from the Arizona Court of Appeals leaves the board in charge of early voting ahead of the primary, litigation continues. Disagreement over who is in control of early voting has resulted in several spats between Heap and the board, including one that arose after surveillance footage caught Heap’s staffers removing voting equipment from the city’s central tabulation center. Heap claimed the equipment rightfully belonged to his office.  Critics say Heap, a Republican, has used his position to cast doubt on the county’s election processes instead of working to make them more accessible. In March, Heap referred more than 200 names to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for investigation he said were noncitizens who were registered to vote. That claim has been frequently advanced by the Trump administration and Republicans across the country in a bid to undermine trust in elections. And the federal database that Heap used to identify the alleged noncitizens has produced multiple false positives in other states.  Steve Gallardo, who sits on the county board of supervisors and represents District 5, which spans the southwest part of the county, denounced Heap for pushing election conspiracy theories. He accused Heap of purposefully attacking the county’s election processes with the end goal of petitioning the Trump administration to take over. Gallardo said he would continue to oppose Heap’s actions and said voters can remain confident in the county’s oversight of early voting this month. “This primary election in three weeks is going to be run safe, secure, accurate and transparent,” he said. “Voters can vote with confidence, when they cast their ballots their ballots are going to be counted. That’s the message that we want to send to all the voters across Maricopa County, regardless of all the rhetoric and false statements.”  YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46fe00c2ca79de23635c85 “El arte no tiene por qué ser hermoso”: La pintura de Esteban Barrón tras la violencia te 2026-07-03T00:10:40.413Z “El arte no tiene por qué ser hermoso”: La pintura de Esteban Barrón tras la violencia La pintura de Esteban Barrón cambió con el tiempo. Pasó de los bouquets florales  y los paisajes cálidos a formas geométricas influenciadas por la arquitectura. Luego, llegó otro lenguaje: el dolor. Un lenguaje construido a partir de una pérdida que lo obligó a replantearse no sólo su obra, sino también el significado de hacer arte. Los lienzos de Esteban comenzaron a llenarse de calaveras, entrañas y cuerpos fragmentados. “Lo que yo estaba haciendo era una representación del dolor, del horror, del shock, de la tristeza, de la impotencia”, dice el artista binacional. Esteban alterna su vida entre México y Arizona.  Una de las obras de Esteban Barrón aborda la violencia a través de figuras que evocan el dolor, el miedo y las secuelas del crimen organizado. Cortesía Esteban Barrón. Él encontró en la pintura una forma de nombrar lo que no podía decir de otra manera. En febrero del año pasado perdió a un familiar al que consideraba como un hermano menor. Integrantes del crimen organizado intentaron reclutarlo a la fuerza. Él contó que, cuando se negó, lo mataron delante de sus amigos en una calle de Colonia Nueva de Guantes, una comunidad en Valle de Santiago, Guanajuato, un pueblo de menos de 500 habitantes. Lo tengo que poner así, dice, “es una fuente interminable de dolor y lo único que puedes hacer es tratar de minimizarlo”. Se hace un silencio. “Dame un segundo”, dice Esteban. Pasan unos instantes antes de que vuelva a hablar. “Uno piensa que el tiempo lo va a curar. Pero pasan los días. Pasan los meses. El dolor sigue igual que el primer día”. Su voz se quiebra. “Nos sacudió monumentalmente a todos, especialmente a mí”, dice. Esteban está a punto de cumplir 40 años. Estaba en Arizona cuando se enteró de lo ocurrido. Pasó semanas tratando de recuperar la cordura. “Me pasé ese mes casi en el limbo, tratando de entender qué estaba pasando. Quería venir y gritarle al sistema, a la gente, a las personas que están sembrando el daño. Que pararan. Que dejaran de hacer esto, de cometer tanta barbarie”. Esteban pronto se dio cuenta de que hacerlo también implicaba un riesgo. Alzar la voz podría convertirlo en un blanco para el crimen organizado. Volvió a pintar. “Otra vez me di cuenta de que la única herramienta que tenía para alzar la voz, aunque fuera queditamente, era el arte”, dice con una voz tranquila y firme, sin prisa. Es así como surgen sus dos últimas exposiciones: Collided Emotions (Emociones Colisionadas) 2025 y Curated Experience (Experiencia Sanadora) 2026.  Esteban Barrón posa junto a una de sus obras en Skyline Lofts Gallery, en Phoenix, Arizona, durante la exposición Emociones Colisionadas 2025. Cortesía Esteban Barrón. Emociones Colisionadas Esteban llegó a Estados Unidos desde México cuando era niño. En Arizona encontró un salón de clases de arte y a una maestra que vio talento donde él solo veía un dibujo arrugado. Poco después, mientras luchaba por adaptarse a una escuela donde no conocía a nadie. El arte se convirtió en su refugio. Pasaba horas creando en la escuela. Esteban encontró su lugar. Ganó concursos y se graduó de la preparatoria con el reconocimiento de maestros y compañeros. Estudió Arquitectura en la Universidad Estatal de Arizona, convencido de que le ofrecería una mayor estabilidad. Nunca dejó de pintar. Después de graduarse, trabajó como arquitecto. Esteban dice que el ambiente laboral terminó por alejarlo. Renunció y regresó al lienzo como una forma de vida. Durante un tiempo, su obra estuvo marcada por la geometría, las líneas y los colores inspirados en la arquitectura.  Una de las pinturas de Esteban Barrón durante la exposición Curated Experience, en Skyline Lofts Gallery, en Phoenix, Arizona, en 2026. Cortesía Esteban Barrón. “Lo disfrutaba mucho, pero sentía que carecía de causa, de propósito”, dice.  Esteban comprendió que el arte puede convertirse en un vehículo para hablar sobre la injusticia, pero, sobre todo, sobre las emociones: “aquellas que no podemos expresar en cualquier momento porque son frágiles y desgarradoras”. Esteban dio vida a Collided Emotions en julio de 2025 en la Skyline Lofts Gallery, en Phoenix. Su obra no estaba destinada a ser decorativa para que otros simplemente la coleccionen.  “Visualmente algunas piezas son fuertes. Eso me ayudó a entender que el arte no tiene por qué ser hermoso. No tiene que ser algo que uno vea y diga: ‘Qué agradable paisaje’. Como la obra que yo hacía antes. También puede comunicar ideas, emociones y realidades”.  Para Esteban, esas realidades cruzan fronteras. Habla de la violencia del crimen organizado en México, de las redadas migratorias en Estados Unidos y del sufrimiento causado por guerras en otras partes del mundo. “Al final del día, lo que me pregunto es cómo hemos llegado a causarnos tanto dolor entre nosotros”, dice con la frustración entrelazada en sus palabras. El arte como forma de sanar En su primera exposición, Esteban dirigió su atención a las personas y sistemas que él percibía como perpetradores. “Para crear conciencia, primero tienes que saber quién está causando el dolor y el terror. Tienes que conocer la fuente de ese daño”, dice. Compartió verdades, tal como fueron vistas y enfrentadas por sus comunidades. Esteban Barrón conversa con un asistente durante la exposición Curated Experience en Skyline Lofts Gallery, Phoenix, Arizona, en 2026. Cortesía Esteban Barrón. Credit: Beatriz Limón “Los representé como monstruos. Gran parte de esa obra estaba compuesta por esqueletos, cráneos rodeados de vísceras y figuras con rasgos horroríficos. Esa era la intención: retratarlos como yo los veía. Aunque sé que me quedo corto”. Su segunda exposición Curated Experience tomó una dirección distinta. En lugar de mirar a los perpetradores, se centró en quienes sobreviven. “Ahí hablo de los sentimientos que viven las víctimas. De lo que viví yo y de lo que sigue viviendo cualquier persona que ha perdido a un familiar o a alguien cercano”, dice el artista nacido en Guanajuato. Esteban mira hacia atrás y compara las dos etapas de su obra. “Cuando miro lo que hacía antes, siento que no tenía espíritu, ni alma, ni propósito. Ahora miro lo que estoy haciendo y siento que tiene todo eso”. Repite una frase. “Esta era la encomienda”. The post “El arte no tiene por qué ser hermoso”: La pintura de Esteban Barrón tras la violencia appeared first on AZ Luminaria. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46fdecc2ca79de23635c68 Last chance to apply — Startup Battlefield Australia applications close July 6 te 2026-07-03T00:10:20.452Z Last chance to apply — Startup Battlefield Australia applications close July 6 If you're going to apply for Startup Battlefield Australia, now is the time. Applications close July 6, and once the deadline passes, the opportunity is gone. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46fbfcc2ca79de23635c2d ESPN must hold Stephen A. accountable after doubling down on racist remarks about White basketball players te 2026-07-03T00:02:04.081Z ESPN must hold Stephen A. accountable after doubling down on racist remarks about White basketball players Stephen A. Smith is doubling down on his racist commentary, insisting the Los Angeles Lakers cannot succeed if their top three players are White. On Wednesday, Smith mocked the team's trade for Walker Kessler, pairing him with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. "Where the hell the Los Angeles Lakers think they are going with a bunch of White dudes?" he asked on his podcast. "Your three top players are White dudes. Really? This is basketball." He then asked, "In NBA history, when has a team led by three White dudes ever gone to the promised land? Somebody gotta say it." After facing criticism, Smith responded Thursday by declaring he "ain't backing down." He argued it's "just facts" that championship teams need "Black brothers" to help "White dudes" win. https://x.com/stephenasmith/status/2072744504650559747 Consider that Smith is this worked up simply because the Lakers' top players happen to be White. Notice, too, how illogical his argument becomes. In defending himself, Smith acknowledged the greatness of Larry Bird, Dirk Nowitzki, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, Steve Nash and Cooper Flagg. If he acknowledges that White players can be just as great as Black players, then there's no logical reason three elite White players couldn't win together without "Black brothers." By Smith's own logic, it would simply mean no team has assembled the right White trio yet. But that isn't what he argued. He claimed a team cannot win with three White stars because no team has. The distinction matters. By that reasoning, no NFL team could win a Super Bowl with a Black quarterback, Black head coach and Black general manager. Of course, that's not true. It just hasn't happened yet. Still, if someone argued otherwise, Smith and his ilk would rage in fury. The double standard is obvious. LET'S HAVE AN HONEST CONVERSATION ABOUT CAITLIN CLARK, RACISM, AND MEDIA COWARDICE | BOBBY BURACK Notice how much stronger the reaction has been to Colin Cowherd reporting that teams viewed new 76ers forward Jaylen Brown as "arrogant," a possible explanation for his underwhelming trade market. Cowherd relayed what teams reportedly believed. Smith, meanwhile, is explicitly arguing that White players are inherently inferior. Smith didn't make these comments off the cuff. His social media team promoted the clips, and he has continued defending them. In his latest video, he argued the comments "had to be said." It's unclear why, other than that he appears to believe White players should know their place. But the larger issue isn't just Stephen A. Smith. Since 2020, society has increasingly normalized, if not rewarded, for making openly hostile racial comments about White people. There is no accountability for it. In some cases, there are incentives, with White executives continuing to elevate personalities who traffic in racial grievance because it's safer than confronting them. That's why certain media figures seem to pretend to be racist, including Jemele Hill and former ESPN broadcaster Mark Jones. Whether genuine or performative, they understand there's value with their bosses and with "Black Twitter" in cultivating hostility toward White people. It's transparent. And it's ugly. Smith did not respond to OutKick's request for comment. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Smith's comments should not be acceptable. Even on his own platform, he remains one of ESPN's most prominent personalities. Yet there's little reason to believe his employer will hold him accountable. OutKick has repeatedly asked ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro over the past year why he allows Black commentator to make bigoted remarks about White people and White athletes. On occasion, Pitaro has sent a PR stooge to call me names off the record. Pitaro himself has never publicly addressed the issue -- or privately. Sources tell OutKick that Pitaro backed Mark Jones in 2020 when Jones falsely accused police officers of plotting to shoot him. He also defended Kendrick Perkins in 2023 after Perkins falsely accused NBA MVP voters of favoring White players based on inaccurate claims about the racial makeup of the voting pool. Just imagine the message Pitaro could send if he simply acknowledged Smith's comments as racially inappropriate. It would cause lesser-known race idolaters at ESPN to think twice before making similar remarks on air. But he likely won't. Pitaro has shown a consistent pattern of cowardice since assuming the chairman role in 2018. That's why the consensus ESPN commentary about Caitlin Clark is that the Black women who cheap-shot and hard-foul her out of animosity are the true victims, not Clark, no matter how many black eyes and injuries she sustains. It's pathetic. Pitaro has enabled a culture in which black commentators feel beyond consequence, while everyone else walks on eggshells, hoping he doesn't lay them off. Still, one has to ask a simple question: Who exactly is the target audience for segments like Stephen A.'s rant about "white dudes" on the basketball court? Seriously. Maybe Black people are better at basketball than White people on average. It's certainly possible. But so what? Who tunes into sports talk to hear that? What's the point? Likewise, who is looking for a sports talk show to argue that white people are better at golf, as Smith also claimed during his rant? Anyone? We ask because Smith's former colleagues tried this approach before. ESPN gave Bomani Jones three shows that covered sports primarily through a racial lens. All of them failed and posted historically poor ratings in their respective time slots. Jemele Hill tried it. It failed. Dan Le Batard leaned heavily into similar commentary and saw ESPN's radio affiliate count dramatically shrink during his tenure. Believe it or not, sports fans don't watch games counting the number of White and Black athletes involved. Only the media does. And until a Black commentator is held responsible for making openly hostile remarks about White people, nothing will change. In other words, nothing will change. As soon as these anti-White commentators are done dog-whistling about the Lakers' new White trio and Caitlin Clark, they'll move on to the media-generated race war between Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. Rinse and repeat. But since Stephen A. Smith is so eager to point out patterns, here's one. His show most days features him alongside an almost entirely Black panel of commentators. First Take's ratings have become a problem. They're sluggish compared with the shows immediately before and after it, hosted by White dudes Mike Greenberg and Pat McAfee. In fact, sources say Smith has told executives at ESPN to stop booking guests who appear on his show on Greenberg's the same day, as a result. Should we point that out because it's "just facts"? Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46fbaac2ca79de23635c0b County to review funding for Parks Police dispatch services te 2026-07-03T00:00:42.671Z County to review funding for Parks Police dispatch services Mohave County supervisors are expected to ratify a $55,000 budget transfer July 6 to continue paying the Sheriff's Office for dispatch services that keep Parks Police officers connected to emergency communications 24 hours a day. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46fb94c2ca79de23635be6 As Ukraine War Escalates, Witkoff and Kushner Are Focused on Iran te 2026-07-03T00:00:20.159Z As Ukraine War Escalates, Witkoff and Kushner Are Focused on Iran Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are pivotal players at a moment when the posts of U.S. ambassador to Moscow and Kyiv are both vacant. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46f97ec2ca79de23635b9b United States-Bosnia and Herzegovina World Cup match delivers massive TV ratings te 2026-07-02T23:51:26.133Z United States-Bosnia and Herzegovina World Cup match delivers massive TV ratings Any time the U.S. Men's National Team steps on a pitch, it's going to draw in a lot of eyeballs, but Wednesday's match against Bosnia and Herzegovina was historic. Preliminary numbers from Nielsen report that the broadcast on Fox averaged 24.43 million viewers, with the broadcast peaking at 31.88 million late in the game. That was enough to make it the largest English-language audience for a soccer broadcast in U.S. history. WATCH THE WORLD CUP FINAL ON FOX ONE It just edged out the previous record holder — the 2015 Women's World Cup final between the U.S. and Japan — which averaged 22.32 million viewers, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Telemundo's Spanish telecast of the game brought in 9.1 million viewers for a combined total of 33.53 million, easily a record for a soccer match broadcast in the United States. But what else is new? This World Cup has been obliterating ratings records since it started. FOX ONE’S NEW WORLD CUP VIEWING EXPERIENCE The highly-anticipated clash saw the U.S. trying to win its first knockout stage match since 2002 and bounce back from a disappointing loss to Türkiye that capped off the group stage. Meanwhile, Bosnia and Herzegovina looked to play spoiler after advancing from Group B as a third-place team, hoping to eliminate the United States on its home soil. In the end, the U.S. came out with a 2-0 win, but it came at a cost. Star striker Folarin Balogun was on the receiving end of a wildly controversial red card that not only took him out of the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina — forcing the U.S. to play the last 25 minutes or so a man down — but also ruled him out of Monday's Round of 16 match against Belgium. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46f74bc2ca79de23635b26 Ex-Texas middle school teacher sentenced to 33 years for sexually abusing 13-year-old student te 2026-07-02T23:42:03.089Z Ex-Texas middle school teacher sentenced to 33 years for sexually abusing 13-year-old student A former Texas middle school teacher was sentenced to more than three decades in prison after being convicted of sexually abusing a 13-year-old student. A Webb County jury sentenced Adriana Rullan, 30, to 33 years in prison after finding her guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a child younger than 14. Jurors also sentenced her to 10 years for indecency with a child by sexual contact and 13 years for an improper relationship between an educator and a student. The sentences will run concurrently, and Rullan was also ordered to pay $20,000 in fines. The verdict followed a two-day trial in the 341st District Court, during which prosecutors presented testimony from six witnesses and dozens of exhibits, including text messages, photographs and video recordings. HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER WHO ALLEGEDLY HAD SEX WITH STUDENT IN CLOSET NOW FACES CHARGES INVOLVING MORE TEENS During the sentencing phase, the victim, who was 13 at the time of the abuse, told jurors the abuse cost him his friendships, his sense of self and nearly his life, according to KGNS. The victim's mother also addressed the jury, blaming Rullan for her son's depression and anxiety and describing the emotional toll the abuse had taken on their family. She told jurors Rullan was manipulative and should never be allowed to harm another child, according to KGNS. The jury returned guilty verdicts after deliberating for less than two hours, according to the Webb County District Attorney's Office. FBI AND TEXAS AUTHORITIES ARREST 276 SUSPECTED CHILD PREDATORS, RESCUE 89 CHILDREN IN SWEEPING OPERATION According to the district attorney's office, the investigation began Nov. 27, 2023, after the victim's parents contacted the United Independent School District Police Department with allegations of an inappropriate relationship between a student and a teacher at Gonzalez Middle School in Laredo. A forensic examination of the victim's cellphone recovered electronic communications documenting the relationship and provided significant evidence supporting the charges, a spokesperson for the Webb County District Attorney's Office told PEOPLE. Rullan was arrested the following month and pleaded not guilty to all charges. It was not immediately clear whether Rullan intends to appeal. Fox News Digital reached out to the Webb County District Attorney's Office for additional comment and court records, as well as the United Independent School District for comment, but did not immediately receive responses. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46f737c2ca79de23635b1d The crazy flag designs… that could have been our new flag te 2026-07-02T23:41:43.633Z The crazy flag designs… that could have been our new flag The American flag is so familiar, but do you know that the design could have been something you would not recognize? Back in 1958, as talk of the admission of two new states to the union swept the country, the Eisenhower administration was deluged with varying designs for a new 50-star flag. "People begin sending in ideas for how the new flag should look," said Dr. Jim Ginther, the Supervisory Archivist for the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene, Kansas, which has kept all the submissions from back then. "Suddenly there's a massive public interest again in the design of the flag. Beginning in July 1958, the White House begins receiving designs from the public, as does the Quartermaster Corps of the Army, from all over the country and from all over the world." ERIC SHAWN REVEALS SURPRISING DESIGNER OF CURRENT AMERICAN FLAG The story of the 50-star flag is told in episode one of the new series, "Crazy American History with Eric Shawn," that is now streaming on Fox Nation. One star was added to the flag in January 1959 when Alaska joined the union as the 49th state.  The 50th star was added with the admission of Hawaii as a state, and that new flag was officially raised for the first time on July 4, 1960, at Fort McHenry, in Baltimore, site of the War of 1812 bombardment that inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner." But in the two years before President Eisenhower settled on the new design for the Stars and Stripes, flag fever gripped the nation. The White House eventually received more than 1,900 designs, many from school children as part of their lessons from the classroom publication "My Weekly Reader."   Adults from across the country, and even overseas, submitted their proposals. "Some of them are coming in as simple as pencil drawings, some of them are as fancy as Draftsman's drawing. Some of them are sewn flags made out of cloth. Some of them are crayon drawings," Ginther noted. The Eisenhower administration used the opportunity to educate Americans about the flag and responded to every submission with a letter from a top White House official. "Several publications are produced by the government about the history of the flag, about flag etiquette, about various other aspects of use of the flag that they begin to send back out to the public, along with these letters thanking them for their submissions to educate the public about the flag." The Continental Congress enacted the flag on June 14, 1777, which is now observed as flag day.  Betsy Ross is credited with designing the first flag, with the 13 stars in a circle for the original 13 colonies.  The guidelines call for a design of alternating red and white stripes with a blue field for the stars.  But Ginther noted that the way the stars were to be laid out was never specified, which means some of the designs can appear to be curious and compelling.  But a massive change, was not to be.  "The flag is symbolic," said Ginther. NEIGHBOR SURPRISES HOMEOWNER WITH BRAND-NEW AMERICAN FLAG "Radical change in it, is going to be difficult. People are used to that symbol. It comes out in the deliberations over the flags, in the documentation," he said. "Radically changing the flag is going to be expensive, so we have to take that into consideration as well. And then you have to consider that particularly, our military, has a vested sentimental interest, in that they have fought and bled under that flag."  "There is reason, perhaps, why you might not want a radical change, even though many people in the country were interested in submitting designs. There is also an argument to be made for not being very radical in a redesign of the flag as a symbol of the nation." In the end, President Eisenhower selected a similar design to the historical tradition, adding the two stars in alternating rows of six and five stars, on the blue field where it has been so familiar ever since.  It is the flag that represents our freedoms and the American ideals on our nation's 250th birthday.  Watch "The Fifty-Star Flag," the first episode of the new Fox Nation series "Crazy American History" for more on President Eisenhower and the flag. The website of the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home tells more about the flag and the president: https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/ Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46f6e5c2ca79de23635acc Mark Zuckerberg tells staff that AI agents haven’t progressed as quickly as he’d hoped te 2026-07-02T23:40:21.210Z Mark Zuckerberg tells staff that AI agents haven’t progressed as quickly as he’d hoped At an internal meeting, the Meta CEO reportedly said that AI development efforts were not moving as quickly as anticipated. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46f4ccc2ca79de23635a96 Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell addresses NFL streaming service affordability controversy te 2026-07-02T23:31:24.735Z Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell addresses NFL streaming service affordability controversy Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell addressed concerns over the affordability of watching NFL games as the league auctions off broadcasts to more and more streaming services. The issue has prompted the attention of Congress and the FCC. "I think it's important that we continue to make it something that, you know, all fans can have a pathway to watching our games," O'Connell told Fox News Digital at a Thursday news conference for the American Century Championship golf tournament. "Hopefully a lot of them make it out to whether to US Bank Stadium or SoFi Stadium or any of the, you know, great venues we have in our league. And there's nothing like being there, but I can tell you that it's very important for the NFL to have our games be available to as many of our fans as we possibly can." SUPER BOWL CHAMPION JOE THEISMANN SAYS THE NFL'S IS LOSING TRADITION TO STREAMING-ERA SCHEDULING Still, O'Connell defended the league's media rights contracts, and believes utilizing different streaming services can also help grow the fan base. "I think it's an alignment with where a lot of, you know, not just sports media, but media in general, has kind of gone, where the consumer is choosing different ways to find their entertainment and I think a lot of the different aspects of where games are available," he said. "I know our game is very, very popular and I know it's a very important thing for the league to continue to make our game available to every possible fan out there, we're always trying to find different pathways. To new fans... not only in the United States, but it's clear globally as well." NFL ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL THANKSGIVING EVE GAME BETWEEN PACKERS AND RAMS WILL BE STREAMED ON NETFLIX The issue has become a larger part of the NFL media conversation. The league’s 2026 schedule includes games across traditional broadcast networks, cable and multiple streaming platforms. According to the NFL, Prime Video will carry "Thursday Night Football," Netflix will stream games in Week 1, on Thanksgiving Eve and on Christmas Day, and Peacock will exclusively stream a regular-season game in January. The NFL has noted that its games remain available free over the air in local markets. In its 2026 schedule announcement, the league said it is the only sports league that presents all regular-season and postseason games on free over-the-air television in local markets. But the broader access question has still drawn scrutiny in Washington. In June, the House Judiciary Committee released an interim staff report on the Sports Broadcasting Act and the NFL’s media model, saying fans increasingly need a combination of over-the-air, cable and streaming services to watch their favorite teams. The committee also said some fans must pay more than $600 per season to watch all of one team’s games. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, also asked the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to examine whether the NFL’s current distribution practices still fit within the Sports Broadcasting Act’s limited antitrust protection. In that request, Lee said fans spent nearly $1,000 last season when cable, streaming and internet costs were combined. O'Connell's comments came as he is set to compete in the American Century Championship for the first time, at Edgewood Tahoe this weekend. The event is set to feature a star-studded lineup of competitors, including Davante Adams, Baker Mayfield, Trevor Lawrence and Kyle Juszczyk, while Hall of Famers Drew Brees, Jerry Rice, Steve Young, Marcus Allen, Charles Woodson, Brian Urlacher, Tim Brown, Dwight Freeney and DeMarcus Ware are also expected to play. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46f29ac2ca79de236359fe Rams legend LeRoy Irvin, 2-time All-Pro cornerback, dead at 68 te 2026-07-02T23:22:02.409Z Rams legend LeRoy Irvin, 2-time All-Pro cornerback, dead at 68 LeRoy Irvin, a two-time Pro Bowl cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams, has died. He was 68 years old. Irvin’s former Rams teammate, Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson, wrote on his Instagram on Thursday that Irvin had died recently, saying he was "devastated" by the news. Los Angeles-based journalist Eric Geller, who noted working with Irvin following his retirement, wrote in an X post that he had been battling throat cancer. No additional details were disclosed about Irvin’s death. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "LeRoy wasn’t just a lockdown corner and a fierce competitor on the field; he was a true friend and a great man who always brought incredible energy," Dickerson said. "Rest in peace, my brother. Sending my thoughts and prayers to the Irvin family and all of Rams Nation." Dickerson shared a photo of him and Irvin together during an event for the former’s foundation. 49ERS ANNOUNCE DEATH OF ALDON SMITH AT 36, ONCE THE FASTEST PLAYER TO REACH 30 SACKS IN NFL HISTORY Irvin became a part of the Rams in 1980 when they took him in the third round of the NFL Draft that year out of Kansas. Irvin spent 10 of his 11 years with the Rams, though his career ended after one season with the Detroit Lions. To Dickerson’s point, Irvin was a lockdown corner who did quite the job in just his second season with the franchise. He was named First Team All-Pro in 1981 after tallying three interceptions, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries across 16 games. He also notched his first career sack that year. Irvin had a knack for the big play, especially when it came to interceptions as he totaled 35 for his career. During the 1984 campaign, he had five interceptions, two of which he returned to the house for a pick-six. Those two interception returns for touchdowns led the league. Irvin was cemented as a star corner for the Rams at this point in his career, earning Pro Bowl nods in 1985 and 1986, the latter of which he was named First Team All-Pro yet again. In 1985, he was named Second Team All-Pro. "We mourn the loss of Rams Legend LeRoy Irvin," the Rams wrote in a statement on social media. "We extend our condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time." During his Rams career, Irvin amassed 34 interceptions, five returned for touchdowns, nine forced fumbles and 13 fumble recoveries. 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/6a46f286c2ca79de236359f5 Teacher accused of sex with students was allegedly blackmailed for better grades: warrants te 2026-07-02T23:21:42.954Z Teacher accused of sex with students was allegedly blackmailed for better grades: warrants A Georgia high school teacher accused of having sexual trysts with multiple students in a classroom and a closet was blackmailed for better grades after students discovered she owned and operated an OnlyFans account, according to police. Maris Nichols, 25, was arrested twice over alleged relations with six students at Alexander High School in Douglas County, Georgia, according to Fox Atlanta. She was indicted on 27 counts related to the allegations. Two of the teenagers were younger than 16, authorities said. Search warrants obtained by the news outlet said Nichols, a former biology teacher and football program administrator, operated an account on OnlyFans, a subscription-based platform used by content creators, many for adult content. HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER WHO ALLEGEDLY HAD SEX WITH STUDENT IN CLOSET NOW FACES CHARGES INVOLVING MORE TEENS Some students discovered the account and blackmailed Nichols into giving them better grades, the warrant states. In its investigation, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office served warrants on OnlyFans, Snapchat, AT&T, and Nichols, as well as multiple students and their families, the news outlet reported. WASHINGTON TEACHER CHARGED WITH INCEST AFTER ALLEGEDLY HAVING SEX WITH TWO TEENAGE BOYS SHE ADOPTED Investigators also had a warrant to collect genetic evidence and fingerprints from two teenagers, as well as surveillance footage from St. Andrews Golf Course related to a rendezvous between Nichols and a student, WSB-TV reported. The warrant also requested a "Jesus Loves You" necklace Nichols was seen wearing in a video showing her having sex with a student, the news outlet said. Nichols turned herself in to authorities last week after prosecutors said she repeatedly violated the conditions of her bond, including leaving her home without permission while on house arrest with electronic monitoring. She has been in custody at the Douglas County Jail since last week. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46f235c2ca79de236359b7 MAGA Base Stays Quiet After Trump Reports Billions in Personal Gains te 2026-07-02T23:20:21.551Z MAGA Base Stays Quiet After Trump Reports Billions in Personal Gains A new mandatory disclosure revealed that the president has earned $2.2 billion during the first year back in the White House. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46f02fc2ca79de23635979 Josh Shapiro reads 'a little more Jewish' than other Democratic candidates, CNN anchor remarks te 2026-07-02T23:11:43.147Z Josh Shapiro reads 'a little more Jewish' than other Democratic candidates, CNN anchor remarks CNN's "The Story" host Elex Michaelson remarked how Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff "may not read as Jewish" as potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates like Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro during Tuesday night's show. During a panel with Los Angeles County Republican Party Chair Roxanne Beckford Hoge and political commentator Eric Messersmith, the three discussed Ossoff's chances of becoming a presidential candidate after recent betting odds websites placed him second behind California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Hoge expressed doubts that Ossoff could overcome the Democratic Party "playing footsie with anti-semites" to become a candidate, but Messersmith defended Ossoff as disciplined and very "on message," despite being untested on the national stage. JOSH SHAPIRO WARNS THAT ATTACKS ON AIPAC ARE BEING USED TO 'SILENCE CERTAIN VOTERS' "But on the Jewish thing, because he is Jewish, he might be the Democrat that can thread the needle. Because even though he’s Jewish, he’s very critical of the Israeli government, very critical of Benjamin Netanyahu," Messersmith said. "He has credibility on that issue. So it’s possible—I think he could fill that lane in between the two extremes of the Democratic Party." Michaelson responded, "Yeah, as a Jew, some people read a little more Jewish than other people, and Jon Ossoff may not read as Jewish as Josh Shapiro does, for whatever that’s worth." Fox News Digital reached out to Shapiro and Ossoff's offices for comment. Michaelson and Messersmith's comments received some backlash for appearing to rank Democratic candidates on how "Jewish" they appear. BATYA UNGAR-SARGON EXPLAINS WHY SO MANY AMERICAN JEWS BECAME DEMS — AND WHY SOME NOW FEEL POLITICALLY HOMELESS "What exactly are we doing here?" conservative commentator Meghan McCain asked. Targeted Victory Vice President Logan Dobson wrote, "what a deeply weird place the democratic party is in on this issue." "CNN anchors, chatting casually: 'There’s the acceptable Jew, you know the one who denounces Netanyahu and Israel.' 'What about Scott Wiener?' 'Oh… hahaha. Guess there’s no acceptable Jew,'" Boundless Israel CEO Aviva Klompas commented. Former US ambassador David Friedman wrote, "Most dangerous and offensive words in the modern vernacular: 'As a Jew…'" JEWISH CALIFORNIA CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE SAYS HARASSMENT FROM GAZA AGITATORS WENT ‘BEYOND FREE SPEECH’ After the clip was shared across social media, Michaelson apologized for his comments on X. "I apologize. I made a comment that was offensive. Going forward, I’ll do better," Michaelson wrote. Though currently running for re-election as governor, Shapiro has emerged as a potential 2028 presidential candidate in a crowded field. However, his Jewish background and support for Israel has drawn backlash from far-left critics. Ossoff also faces re-election this November amid suggestions that he could run for president in 2028. However, he has repeatedly denied he has any plans to run in the near future. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46efddc2ca79de23635927 Private space pilots are flying orbital missions for the US Space Force te 2026-07-02T23:10:21.745Z Private space pilots are flying orbital missions for the US Space Force True Anomaly and Rocket Lab are performing Top Gun-style satellite fly-bys for the US military. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46edd7c2ca79de23635904 Secret Service missed 'multiple opportunities' to prevent Trump assassination attempt: watchdog te 2026-07-02T23:01:43.676Z Secret Service missed 'multiple opportunities' to prevent Trump assassination attempt: watchdog The U.S. Secret Service "missed multiple opportunities" to prevent or disrupt the July 2024 assassination attempt on Donald Trump as he spoke to supporters during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General said in a report released Thursday. The 64-page document detailed several lapses in security that allowed Thomas Matthew Crooks to get a line of sight to Trump as he stood on stage in Butler, Pennsylvania, during the July 13, 2024, event. "The Secret Service’s overall lack of policy and processes coupled with limited intelligence sharing and poor collaboration and communication with protectee staff and state and local law enforcement set the conditions that led to missing opportunities to prevent and detect the attempted assassination," the report states. Among the OIG's findings were a failure to warn Trump's protective detail that Crooks had a range finder, a long gun, and had climbed onto the roof of a nearby building due to a lack of communication between the Secret Service and local law enforcement. TWO MEN SHOT AT TRUMP'S BUTLER RALLY SUE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OVER SECRET SERVICE 'PREVENTABLE FAILURES' Instead, they operated out of separate locations 257 yards apart with intermittent and highly limited radio connectivity between them. As a result, the Secret Service missed 102 radio transmissions regarding an increasingly intense search for a suspicious individual, including alerts that the suspect was on the roof with a long gun. Because the Secret Service communications room only received a handful of phone calls and texts, agents failed to recognize the urgency of the threat and never warned Trump's protective detail to delay the speech or remove him from the stage, the OIG said. "Communications was a problem because of inoperability. There were too many command posts," Paul Eckloff, a former Secret Service agent, told Fox News Digital. "The biggest failure that is probably not addressed in the OIG report is that they never should have accepted the risk of doing it at this site. It never should have been done. That roof had an egregious line of site." SECRET SERVICE, TSA AND NYPD TRANSFORM MADISON SQUARE GARDEN INTO FORTRESS FOR TRUMP'S NBA FINALS VISIT Crooks was able to fire eight shots. Trump was grazed in the ear, but Corey Comperatore, 50, who was attending the rally, was killed. Two other spectators were critically injured but survived. Moments after Trump was shot, Secret Service agents rushed the stage and moved him to safety. In addition to a lack of communication, the Secret Service failed to detect Crooks' drone flight that he used to view the campaign event stage less than three hours before the rally due to an under-trained operator and an equipment malfunction, the report states. Crooks flew the drone undetected for almost nine minutes and flew 471 yards from the event stage at an altitude of 102 feet. During the rally, the Secret Service had a counter-drone system on-site, but it malfunctioned. The counter-drone system was not operational when Crooks flew his drone hours before he tried to kill Trump. The agency also failed to share intelligence about a long-distance threat to Trump with the Pittsburgh field office and agents on site, the report said. Agents also failed to secure the area outside the security perimeter and did not use available resources to block Crooks' line of sight from the roof of the American Glass Research International building to Trump, despite the line of sight being identified as a concern, the OIG said. Despite identifying the AGR complex as a line-of-sight vulnerability during advanced walkthroughs, the Secret Service failed to ensure the view to the stage was obstructed. "There should have been a better advance, more officers, more agents, but there's simply a limit to that," Eckloff said. Officials originally proposed using trucks already onsite to block the view from the AGR complex, but Trump's campaign staff rejected the idea because it would interfere with press photographs. WHITE HOUSE UFC TERROR PLOT 'RINGLEADER' IS A MEXICAN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT, DHS CONFIRMS An agent proposed a secondary location for the trucks, but never verified that the campaign staff actually moved the equipment. As a result, Crooks had an unobstructed view of Trump's podium from a distance of just 155 yards, the report said. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Secret Service and the White House. The report offered several recommendations to improve the Secret Service’s processes for securing events, such as mandatory threat communication, enhanced counter-drone training, and a process to formally document the identification and blocking of line-of-sight vulnerabilities. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46edc4c2ca79de236358fb Ex-Obama advisor mocked after questioning Chicago's response to unconscious man: 'Own a mirror?' te 2026-07-02T23:01:24.228Z Ex-Obama advisor mocked after questioning Chicago's response to unconscious man: 'Own a mirror?' David Axelrod, a Democratic political consultant and strategist, received backlash online for noting that emergency services in Chicago had declined to assist a seemingly homeless man outside the Art Institute of Chicago. "An elderly man, probably homeless, was sprawled unconscious on the museum's front stone steps in the midst of a heat emergency. I called 911, and the operator said, ‘Well, is he ASKING for help?’ When I said no, she said, ‘Well, I'm not going to send anyone.’ So the man remained, passed out in the blazing noon sun. I guess that's how the City of Chicago deals with such situations," Axelrod wrote. "I hope we're not all complicit in assisting an unintended suicide," he added. FAMOUS LANDMARKS SLASH VISITING HOURS AS DEADLY HEAT WAVE THREATENS TOURISTS His comments sparked mockery online when observers highlighted similar encounters in a number of other Dem-run cities in the U.S. "David Axelrod comes face to face with Democratic policies in action… turns out he doesn’t like them very much," Abigail Jackson, a White House Deputy Press Secretary, observed on X. Sen. Ted Cruz's, R-Texas, deputy chief counsel Erielle Azerrad said, "Anyone who lived in the Mission district of SF has like 20 stories like this." "It’s awful to hear. It’s also why most of us who have witnessed it are so vehemently opposed to socialist nonsense ruining our once awesome cities. Welcome to the party, dude," she continued. "Democrat policy which you dedicated your career to impose," New York Post columnist Miranda Devine posted on X. "Does David Axelrod own a mirror?" conservative strategist Steve Guest asked. Earlier this year, the city, led by Mayor Brandon Johnson launched a five-year homelessness initiative with the goal of making homelessness "rare, brief and nonrecurring." The plan centers on seven core strategies, including emergency services, housing, health, education, employment, community cohesion and systems alignment. MORNING GLORY: DEMOCRATS CLIFF DIVE OVER THE FAR-LEFT EDGE OF AMERICAN POLITICS The plan does not come with a stated budget expectation but partners with several other city programs, such as a $1.2 billion housing initiative. At least one other Democratic voice bashed Axelrod’s description and the city’s response. "This is awful and unacceptable. In a case like this or a freezing/blizzard spell, the city must mobilize to render necessary aid, even if its refused," Susana Mendoza, a candidate for Chicago mayor, said in her own post. "Despite all the talk from this mayor and his administration about helping people like this in urgent need, they have abandoned them," she added. Notably, Axelrod described how the man had spoken with security at the Art Institute but declined to move or accept assistance. "I asked a museum security guard about it and she said she had woken him 3 times and suggested he move into the shade and he refused each time," Axelrod wrote. SPENCER PRATT SEIZES ON HOMELESSNESS REMARKS BY KAREN BASS, BLASTS DEMOCRAT FOR FAILURES When asked about the situation, the Art Institute of Chicago confirmed to Fox News Digital that a man had been outside the building and added that he had departed. "We are aware that a museum security officer checked on an individual on the front steps and that person left on their own accord shortly after," the institute said in a statement. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46eb6fc2ca79de2363588b Riley Gaines and women's sports activists share honest reactions, emotions to SCOTUS Title IX ruling te 2026-07-02T22:51:27.326Z Riley Gaines and women's sports activists share honest reactions, emotions to SCOTUS Title IX ruling The U.S. Supreme Court's 6-3 decision to uphold state laws that protect women's sports was a swell moment for Riley Gaines. But she admits the fight has taken a toll. "Everything that, that I have found myself fighting for over the past few years. I don't want to speak for anyone else. Um, but there is a level of me that's exhausted as well." Gaines told Fox News Digital. "It's exhausting that in the year 2026, we are still having this conversation, that the highest court in the land is having to rule on, on such insanity, when, I mean, I think even just 10 years ago, we wouldn't have necessarily celebrated this ruling. We would've kind of been like, 'yeah, duh. This is, like, the default.' It's the standard position for anyone to take. Of course we don't want boys in girls' sports. But now we find ourselves celebrating, which is a, a telltale sign of the times, of where we're at culturally and socially. Um, and so there's still more work to do." RILEY GAINES: SUPREME COURT HANDS WOMEN AN IMPORTANT WIN, BUT THE FIGHT ISN’T OVER She is already thinking about next steps. And it will take more than six votes to get that task done. "Number one, Congress to act," Gaines said. "We need, we, we need Congress to codify President Trump's executive orders... I think we need real enforcement mechanisms as well for those who continue to suffer from the very real diagnosable crippling disease that is TDS... "What we're going to see make the biggest change, is when people, your everyday person, so think of parents, coaches, etc., when they're bold enough to defend their daughters or defend their athletes or defend themselves, um, that's when you see real change." Gaines led a rally on the steps of the Supreme Court during oral arguments for the two cases the justices ruled on this week. Right next to her crowd of women's sports advocates was a mosh of pro-transgender activists wearing costumes and shouting obscenities. "They're so angry," Gaines said of the opposing crowd. "You look across the bike racks that were there separating us, and you saw anger, and you saw negativity, and you saw screaming, and you saw vitriol, and you saw colored hair, and you saw piercings, and you saw what I would describe, honestly, just visually looking at it, was island of the misfit toys. Not to be like, mean, but just speaking pretty objectively here." Gaines was a new mother at the time and famously wrapped her infant daughter Margot in a bulletproof blanket when she spoke that day. Now, as she looks toward the next steps after an "exhausting" first few years in the fight, she will have a growing army of women athletes alongside her. Many of the other current and former female activists involved in the fight shared their reactions to the ruling after it was announced. Jen Sey, founder of XX-XY Athletics, told Fox News Digital that the fact that 23 other states don't have laws protecting women's sports is "unacceptable." "We won, but we are not done," Sey said. "What changes today is athletes who are competing under the auspices of Title IX in middle school, in high school, and in college — in the 27 states that have laws on the books protecting women’s sports — they can continue to protect women’s sports. Girls in every ZIP code deserve fair sports. The court did not say that the other 23 states must enact laws. One could argue we have a law — it’s called Title IX," Sey told Fox News Digital. Sey's vision of a successful endgame for the "Save Women's Sports" movement is a widespread culture change. "There’s still a lot of work to do. It’s why I keep saying we have to focus on changing the culture, because I think once we do that, all of the governing bodies will fall in line and protect the women’s category," Sey added. Sey and her company have been central to growing the movement and bringing on new women as activists, as she has aggressively recruited star Olympians and prominent women impacted by the issue as brand ambassadors. Former UPenn women's swimmer Paula Scanlan, who had to share a pool and locker room with trans swimmer Lia Thomas in 2021-22, praised the court's decision in an interview with Fox News' "America's Newsroom" on Tuesday. "More work needs to be done. We need to see protections in all 50 states in this country. Why should a girl in Texas have different rights than a girl in Connecticut, or New York?" Scanlan said. "It's disappointing also to learn that it's not 9-0. That's something I'm upset about. But I take this win." Former San Jose State volleyball player Brooke Slusser called Tuesday’s Supreme Court ruling in favor of states protecting women’s sports the "biggest win" female athletes have had yet. Slusser appeared on Fox News’ "The Faulkner Focus" after the high court ruled 6-3 in favor of West Virginia and Idaho in two landmark transgender athlete cases. The ruling upheld state laws requiring student-athletes to compete on sports teams that correspond with their biological sex at birth rather than their gender identity. For Slusser, who became one of the most prominent voices in the fight to protect women’s sports after speaking out about a transgender player on her volleyball team in 2024, the decision was deeply personal. "I mean, it’s amazing," Slusser told Harris Faulkner. "It’s the biggest win we’ve had yet, so I couldn’t be happier. We couldn’t ask for more right now." Former high school volleyball player Payton McNabb, whose career ended when she was struck in the face by a spike from a trans player, shared her thoughts in an op-ed on Fox News Digital. PAYTON MCNABB: GIRLS DESERVE FAIR COMPETITION, AND THE SUPREME COURT JUST AGREED "Today, I feel something that I haven’t felt in a long time when it comes to the protection of women’s sports and spaces: relief," McNabb wrote. "Today’s decision is a reminder that truth does not disappear simply because someone believes a delusion. Reality does not change because people are uncomfortable discussing hard topics." Other prominent activists shared their reactions on social media. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46e67fc2ca79de23635750 Louisiana Attorney General Charged With Bullying New Orleans Officials te 2026-07-02T22:30:23.905Z Louisiana Attorney General Charged With Bullying New Orleans Officials Liz Murrill, a Republican, was indicted on charges of malfeasance and intimidation after sending warning letters to the city’s Democratic leaders over actions they took. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46e4b1c2ca79de2363570e Accused Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson dealt courtroom blow days before pivotal hearing te 2026-07-02T22:22:41.544Z Accused Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson dealt courtroom blow days before pivotal hearing Days before prosecutors are expected to publicly lay out their evidence in the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the defense lost another courtroom fight Thursday, failing to block cameras from next week's closely watched preliminary hearing. In a brief order, the Utah Supreme Court declined to hear accused assassin Tyler Robinson's appeal of Fourth District Judge Tony Graf Jr.'s decision allowing cameras inside the courtroom. The justices also deemed Robinson's request to delay the proceedings moot, clearing the way for next week's preliminary hearing to move forward as scheduled. "The petition for permission to appeal from an interlocutory order is denied. The motion to stay is deemed moot," the order states. CHARLIE KIRK'S PARENTS, WIDOW TO ATTEND TYLER ROBINSON'S PRELIMINARY HEARING NEXT WEEK The ruling marks another setback for Robinson's defense team, which has aggressively challenged several of Graf's pretrial rulings in the months leading up to the hearing. 🚨 Know something we should investigate? 📩 stepheny.price@fox.com 📸 IG: @fndstephprice 🎥 X:@StephenyPrice Your tip could lead to our next story. Robinson, 23, is accused of assassinating Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk during a public speaking event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025. CHARLIE KIRK JUDGE DENIES TYLER ROBINSON'S ATTEMPT TO HAVE POTENTIAL DEATH PENALTY REMOVED Prosecutors allege Robinson fatally shot Kirk before fleeing the scene. He has been charged with aggravated murder, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Robinson has not entered a plea. ALLEGED CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSIN TYLER ROBINSON'S ROOMMATE AND LOVER RECEIVED LIMITED IMMUNITY: PROSECUTORS The latest ruling comes less than a week after Judge Graf denied Robinson's request to strike the death penalty as a possible punishment. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X Although Graf found a Utah County prosecutor in civil contempt over comments he made to the media, the judge ruled removing the death penalty would be "grossly disproportionate" and instead expanded jury selection safeguards to protect Robinson's right to a fair trial. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS Next week's preliminary hearing will be the public's first detailed look at the evidence prosecutors say ties Robinson to Kirk's assassination. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE Prosecutors must establish probable cause that Robinson committed the crimes charged before the case can move toward trial. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST The Utah Supreme Court has not yet ruled on two additional defense petitions challenging Graf's pretrial orders. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL One seeks to block prosecutors from relying on certain hearsay evidence during the preliminary hearing, while the other challenges Graf's decision not to require key witness Lance Twiggs to testify in person. Those appeals remain pending. Fox News Digital's Lee Ross and Michael Ruiz contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46e49ec2ca79de23635705 Senators are definitely not still bitter about Brady Tkachuk trade, launch lame jersey exchange program te 2026-07-02T22:22:22.094Z Senators are definitely not still bitter about Brady Tkachuk trade, launch lame jersey exchange program Brady Tkachuk is a Florida Panther, and in Ottawa, the city he played in for eight seasons, fans are itching to swap out their Tkachuk jerseys for someone who wants to play for the Senators. The team is more than happy to oblige... if you're willing to pony up 60% for your new jersey. And that's just a bad look. The Senators announced their cutely named "Chuk Out The Old Jersey" event at the team store inside Canadian Tire Centre. All fans have to do is bring their officially licensed Fanatics-branded Brady Tkachuk sweaters and — voila! — you can get 40% off on new merch. Terms and conditions apply... Now, I love when teams do this. I think it's a great PR move and kind of endearing to fans. WISCONSIN BADGERS JUST ADDED THE PERFECT JERSEY SPONSORSHIP IF THERE IS SUCH A THING But that's when teams do a full 1-for-1 swap. This just comes off as weak sauce. For starters, it has to be a Fanatics jersey. Those only got rolled out beginning with the 2024-25 season. If you bought an Adidas Tkachuk jersey from the previous six seasons, too bad. No 40% off regular-priced merch for you. ALEX OVECHKIN SIGNS A ONE-YEAR DEAL TO RETURN FOR ANOTHER NHL SEASON WITH THE CAPITALS Hell, unless you have a ferocious BO problem, a two-year-old jersey is still going to have that new sweater smell. Come on, Senators! I get why fans are upset about Tkachuk leaving (as much as I get why he may have wanted to leave in the first place), so throw them a bone and print 'em up a brand-new Tim Stützle sweater as a thank you for sticking with the franchise through thick and thin. And there has been both thick and thin over the years. Personally, I just can't wait for when the Cats roll into the Canadian capital. That will be must-see TV. Meanwhile, despite being involved in one of the biggest transactions of the offseason, the Senators were somewhat quiet on the first day of free agency. They signed Nick Cousins to a two-year extension and also signed former Flyers goalie Sam Ersson to a two-year deal. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46e489c2ca79de236356f0 Voucher oversight initiative turns in 420k signatures, more than enough to make the ballot te 2026-07-02T22:22:01.098Z Voucher oversight initiative turns in 420k signatures, more than enough to make the ballot Teachers rally at the Arizona Capitol on June 5, 2024, to advocate for restrictions on the state's school voucher system, known as Empowerment Scholarship Accounts. The Protect Education Act, which would place restrictions on the ESA program, gathered more than enough signatures to make it onto the November ballot. (Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy/Arizona Mirror) A ballot initiative that would increase oversight of Arizona’s school voucher program turned in over 420,000 signatures to the secretary of state Thursday morning. That’s well over the 256,000 signature threshold needed to qualify for the November ballot and to provide a cushion for the thousands of signatures that will likely be disqualified. “These hundreds of thousands of signatures represent the clear will of Arizona voters to place significant reforms on the ESA voucher program that is siphoning $1 billion from Arizona’s underfunded public schools every year,” Save Our Schools Arizona, who has been working on the campaign to get the measure on the ballot said in a Thursday statement online Thursday. “Arizona voters are more than ready to add commonsense guardrails to provide far better transparency and accountability, to curtail waste, fraud and abuse, and to ensure safety and quality academics for all students.”  GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE The Arizona Secretary of State’s Office will now begin the process of validating the signatures to ensure the measure can be placed on the November ballot. Challenges from groups that support the universal K-12 voucher program, formally known as the Empowerment Scholarship Account program are likely to be forthcoming.  The “Protect Education Act” would put a $150,000 household income cap on participation, would claw back unused funds to provide to public schools, prohibit the purchase of luxury items with ESA money and require fingerprint clearance for workers in ESA supported programs.  If added to the ballot in November it will be competing with a referral from the Republican-controlled state legislature aimed at enshrining ESA protections into the state’s constitution. If passed, the legislature’s ballot referral would make the Protect Education Act moot.  In the final hours of the annual legislative session, Republican lawmakers pushed through the ballot referral that came out of a failed deal with the Arizona Education Association, the state’s largest teachers union. The deal would’ve kept the ESA ballot initiative from moving forward in exchange for GOP legislators abandoning another ballot referral asking voters to effectively kill the AEA in addition to modest ESA reforms.  However, when that negotiated bill materialized on the Senate floor, it failed, with two Republicans, Sen. Jake Hoffman, of Queen Creek, and Senate President Warren Petersen, joining Democrats in killing it.  Republicans then swiftly moved on to Plan B, House Concurrent Resolution 2048, dubbed the “Military Families College Savings and Scholarship Protection Act.”  But the legislation does far more than Republicans advertised: Buried in the bill is a clause that says it is not just limited to “scholarship account programs that are established and maintained by this state for only children of military families.” Democrats said that means it would effectively bar any reforms to the ESA program and would supersede the Protect Education Act. A plan to hold a special legislative session to once again try to broker the same deal fell through this week and both sides appear to instead be gearing up for a legal battle over the competing measures. A lawsuit has already been filed challenging the Republican measure and challenges to the Protect Education Act are expected.  “We know we have the cushion to be successful despite the fact that we will probably have significant court challenges from special interests who have deep pockets,” Beth Lewis, executive director of SOSAz said in a post on social media.  In a Thursday statement, Ryan Mills, spokesperson for the conservative Goldwater Institute bashed the Protect Education Act.  Mills said that ESA funds are “threatened by an activist attack on the state’s landmark school choice program.” The Goldwater Institute backs the legislature’s competing ballot referral, and is defending it in court.  “This measure would invalidate a teachers’ union initiative aimed at dismantling the ESA program,” Mills wrote.  The campaign for the Protect Education Act on Thursday emphasized the work of its volunteers who collected the signatures in 14 weeks.  “They gathered hundreds of thousands of signatures so Arizona voters will have the opportunity to pass basic protections for Arizona children and rein in the out-of-control abuses of their tax dollars in the ESA voucher program,” Protect Education Act campaign spokesperson Olivia Fierro said in a statement. “Next up, winning in November.”  YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46e437c2ca79de236356bd Texas Governor Appoints Former Hard Right Critic to Key Post te 2026-07-02T22:20:39.689Z Texas Governor Appoints Former Hard Right Critic to Key Post Gov. Greg Abbott appointed a firebrand former opponent, Don Huffines, to be state comptroller, underscoring a G.O.P. push for unity ahead of the midterms. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46e424c2ca79de236356b4 UPS Did Not Tell Inspectors to Check Failed Part in Louisville Crash te 2026-07-02T22:20:20.238Z UPS Did Not Tell Inspectors to Check Failed Part in Louisville Crash Inspectors were not instructed to check a bearing that they had been told was faulty, but the shipping company says Boeing, the plane’s manufacturer, is to blame. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46e246c2ca79de2363567e Sanctuary county refused 615 ICE transfer requests, turned over just 11 illegal immigrants, records show te 2026-07-02T22:12:22.051Z Sanctuary county refused 615 ICE transfer requests, turned over just 11 illegal immigrants, records show FIRST ON FOX: Records obtained by a conservative legal group show Fairfax County, Virginia, declined to transfer 615 illegal immigrants to ICE over the past 16 months, while turning over just 11. Fairfax County, whose board includes one Republican supervisor for what is the most populous jurisdiction in the Old Dominion, formally designated itself a sanctuary jurisdiction in 2021 after passing the Public Trust and Confidentiality Policy or "Trust Policy." America First Legal filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the county seeking records from the office of Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Ann Kincaid, who testified at a contentious House hearing earlier this spring on Fairfax's reluctance to cooperate with federal law enforcement. The data, obtained directly from a Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office document, showed that for the entirety of 2025, Kincaid’s office refused to transfer 448 illegal immigrants to the Department of Homeland Security for processing and instead only turned over a total of nine to ICE. During the first four months of 2026, Fairfax declined to transfer another 167 illegal immigrants, while turning over only two. WATCH: ANGEL MOM TURNS TABLES ON SANCTUARY POLITICIANS WITH BASIC QUESTION ABOUT THEIR PRIORITIES Since then, county policy has barred law enforcement from honoring ICE civil detainers or otherwise assisting with federal immigration enforcement. America First Legal (AFL), which first obtained the data, placed much of the blame on Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Stephen Descano, who sat beside Kincaid at the recent hearing and faced sharp questioning from Republicans over his prosecutorial discretion in cases involving illegal immigrants arrested in the county. SOROS-BACKED DA'S LAX ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION POLICIES LED TO 'PREVENTABLE' BUS STOP STABBING MURDER: COMPLAINT AFL said in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital that Fairfax's overall framework encourages recidivism by illegal immigrant offenders and has directly led to several gruesome cases, including the murder of Fredericksburg, Virginia, woman Stephanie Minter, whose alleged killer is an illegal immigrant from West Africa with a lengthy criminal record in Fairfax County. AFL noted that Descano is under investigation by the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division over claims U.S. citizens are effectively discriminated against because of the prosecutor's stated preferential policies, which appeared on his campaign pages and elsewhere and were highlighted by Subcommittee Chairman Tom McClintock, R-Calif., and others during the hearing. The group pointed to fatal stabbings; the alleged assault of a woman on the Washington & Old Dominion Trail, a popular rail trail spanning from Washington, D.C., to Purcellville that has long been considered safe; and other crimes allegedly committed by illegal immigrants who, it said, received light sentences or had charges dropped. FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKS BLUE STATE'S LAW PROHIBITING ICE AGENTS FROM WEARING MASKS ON THE JOB Descano has long defended his prosecutorial discretion as evidence-based and handled on a case-by-case basis. A Descano spokesperson told Fox News Digital in a statement Thursday that the DOJ's probe is politically motivated and has "distort[ed] the office’s policy." The spokesperson also said the notice appeared to arrive intentionally just before Descano testified before McClintock. "Our office’s policies are fair, legal and reflect the values of Fairfax County, and we will not be distracted from our mission of keeping this community safe and holding individuals accountable when they commit crimes," the spokesperson said. Fox News Digital also reached out to Kincaid’s office for comment. AFL counsel Will Scolinos rejected the county's defense, telling Fox News Digital that tragic cases such as Minter's murder are the product of the Trust Policy and the shielding of "hundreds of illegal aliens … from federal law enforcement." "This deliberate obstruction by county officials protects illegal alien lawbreakers and endangers every family in Northern Virginia," Scolinos said. "For too many families, it is already too late. But to protect other Virginians from future crimes at the hands of illegal aliens with prior arrests, Fairfax County must reverse this reckless, anti-American governance immediately." In the most recent month recorded, April 2026, 32 illegal immigrants were listed as being in the sheriff's office's custody, with none released to ICE. All 32 were subject to an "informed detainer," and three were listed as convicted. AFL also noted that Santa Clara County, California — home to the San Francisco 49ers' new stadium — informed the group that it received 529 ICE detainer requests in 2025 and honored none. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER "If each detainer represents a unique illegal alien, an average of 1.34 arrested illegal aliens were released into Santa Clara every day," AFL said in April. The numbers reflect a pattern that is expected to continue drawing scrutiny from the Trump administration and groups such as AFL, which has also sought data from sanctuary jurisdictions nationwide. Fox News Digital reached out to DHS for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46e232c2ca79de23635675 Democratic senator claims GOP 'stole' two SCOTUS seats in 2016, 2020, calls for expansion te 2026-07-02T22:12:02.638Z Democratic senator claims GOP 'stole' two SCOTUS seats in 2016, 2020, calls for expansion Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., claimed Wednesday that Republicans "stole" two Supreme Court seats in 2016 and 2020 and called for an expansion to the court. Markey was asked during an appearance on MS NOW about court expansion and whether Democrats were considering it. "Yes, I am the author of the court expansion bill. The Republicans stole two Supreme Court seats in 2016 and 2020. That's what's giving them their supermajority. The only way to solve this problem in a very short period of time is expand the Supreme Court by four seats up to 13. That would then restore the seven-to-six majority, which should be in place right now," he said. TRUMP SUFFERS MAJOR SUPREME COURT DEFEAT AS JUSTICES UPHOLD BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP The Supreme Court ruled on several major cases on Tuesday. "And we have to fight for that, and we can do that statutorily. It does not require a constitutional amendment. That has to be at the top of the agenda. And that's what I'm talking to my colleagues about right now," he continued. The most-watched case on the Supreme Court's docket was President Donald Trump's effort to end birthright citizenship, which the court struck down in a 6-3 vote. REPUBLICAN ACCUSES SCOTUS OF BETRAYING US, PUSHES BILL RESTRICTING BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP, PREGNANT VISITORS The court also ruled in favor of Idaho and West Virginia's bans on transgender athletes competing in women's and girl's sports. In addition, the justices struck down federal regulations limiting how much a political party can contribute to a candidate for federal office. Liberals have consistently thrown around court packing and reform in response to rulings they disagree with. SUPREME COURT STRIKES DOWN LIMIT ON PARTY CAMPAIGN SPENDING IN COORDINATION WITH CANDIDATES Democratic strategist James Carville said in April that the party should take an aggressive approach if they gain power back in Congress in November. "If the Democrats win the presidency and both Houses of Congress, I think on day one, they should make Puerto Rico [and] D.C. a state, and they should expand the Supreme Court to 13. F--- it. Eat our dust," he said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said everything was on the table with the court in April. "We're going to have to do something about this Supreme Court. And let me be very clear: everything is on the table," Jeffries told MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas. "Everything to deal with this corrupt MAGA majority that is issuing political opinions that are designed to bolster the prospects of the Republican Party, and we will not allow them to succeed." Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., has also called for court reform on social media. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46e21fc2ca79de2363566c Baseball writer says 'bigoted' free agents shouldn't sign with Giants after pride hat controversy te 2026-07-02T22:11:43.141Z Baseball writer says 'bigoted' free agents shouldn't sign with Giants after pride hat controversy A few weeks ago, the San Francisco Giants made themselves the center of the baseball world with their annual "Pride night" uniform tradition. Several players objected to wearing specific rainbow-colored hats, with a few writing Bible verses next to the logo, and one pitcher wearing the traditional Giants hat instead. Major League Baseball then issued a warning, setting off a firestorm of controversy, criticism and a referral for an investigation from the United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. In response to a letter from Sen. Josh Hawley, the league also acknowledged that the Giants did not properly communicate with its players that they cannot be forced to wear "pride" hats. An unsurprising revelation, considering the Giants organization likely does not want to receive criticism from the far-left sportswriters who cover the sport and the team, as well as ideologically motivated fans, if not enough players wear the hats. JOSH HAWLEY CALLS IT 'GREAT OUTCOME' MLB COMMISSIONER ADMITTED WRONGDOING IN GIANTS PRIDE NIGHT CAP SITUATION For most fans, there's an obvious disconnect. The Giants organization wants to virtue signal to the political left, and many professional baseball players are religious Christians who don't feel comfortable wearing pride-themed hats. There's nothing wrong with that, of course — it's a free country. Unless you're a left-wing sportswriter, then everyone must comply with your views or be labeled a "bigot." One of those left-wing sportswriters is Susan Slusser, a Giants beat reporter who is not shy about sharing her political ideology. She did so again in a recent interview with Larry Krueger, a guest host on local KNBR radio show Murph & Markus. "Susan, you've been doing this for a while. You've covered teams beyond the Giants, and you have a good sense for baseball and the players because you talk to them routinely," Krueger brought up. "We were getting into the details of the Giants' decisions, Pride Night, the communication, and all of that. But if we back away a little bit, has the Giants organization done real damage in the eyes of players? "Are they going to have a hard time attracting players because other players are looking at these guys being called bigots and attacked in the media for either not wearing the hat or writing biblical verses? Do you think, long term, the Giants are going to have a hard time attracting free agents because of what happened this year?" A reasonable question. Krueger is correct in identifying that many MLB players are religious and may not want to be forced into compelled speech by their employer when they have other options. Jacob deGrom infamously was reportedly happy to leave New York for Texas, in part because of New York's political extremism and COVID-19 restrictions, as just one example. But Slusser was furious. "I mean, bigoted free agents, maybe, I guess," Slusser answered. "Look, Sam Hentges was the guy whose comments after that game, he chose to wear the regular Giants hat and not write a Bible verse, which is probably the right way to go about it, I think," she added. "Afterwards, he kind of held forth about morals and things like that, and it was pretty distasteful, some of those comments, to the LGBTQ community. He was a free agent who chose to sign in San Francisco. Probably not uppermost in your mind is thinking, 'The Giants wear a Pride hat every year,' but it is part and parcel, and he signed here." What a surprise, a liberal sportswriter's view is that it's "bigoted" to have religious views that contradict what one community thinks. She wasn't done. "Certainly, it's not a secret that San Francisco has a huge gay community, many gay fans," she said. "To me, this is a little bit on the players. If you don't want to be a part of that, A, maybe don't openly insult your paying customers after a game, but B, don't sign here. "Maybe that will happen. I don't know. But that just seems honestly kinda crazy to me. You know where you're coming. This is San Francisco. It's not a secret." There's several issues with her framing that are, unsurprisingly, hypocritical. There is zero doubt, absolutely zero doubt, that if a devoutly Muslim player refused to wear the pride hat, Slusser would never even consider criticizing them for it. She would never say, "don't sign here" to a Muslim athlete for say, the 49ers, who didn't want to celebrate San Francisco's LGBTQ community. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Not that Slusser cares or is interested because her moral high horse is far too tall to allow for much research, but Hentges was non-tendered by the Cleveland Guardians after the 2025 season. That means he was under team control, for a limited salary, and they chose to release him anyway. His options in free agency, then, were certainly limited. Players on the fringes of a roster are the epitome of beggars can't be choosers. Should Hentges have chosen unemployment instead of a contract because the Giants play in San Francisco and their organization is terrified of people like Slusser? The other issue? Slusser would never apply the "don't openly insult your paying customers" line in the other direction. The Los Angeles Dodgers insulted their Catholic paying customers by honoring a drag group that parades around as nuns and mocks their religion. Not only did Slusser not care about that, she wrote a column celebrating the Dodgers for their decision and called offended protesters "Anti-LGBT" for daring to hold religious views. Of course she did, because she is a political ideologue first and foremost. Slusser exemplifies the mindset on the left, those who pretend not to understand things, thus making discourse impossible. To her, the pride hats are simply to welcome the LGBTQ community to the stadium. To Christian ballplayers, it's more than that, it's a celebration of certain views and behavior that they accept and tolerate, but don't want to celebrate. She won't understand their views because she doesn't want to. Ironically, the most bigoted person here is Slusser herself. And if she's offended by Christians, she simply shouldn't go to baseball games. After all, that's her advice to free agents, right? Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46e20bc2ca79de23635663 MIKE DAVIS: Dissecting the Supreme Court's 'Birthright' betrayal te 2026-07-02T22:11:23.692Z MIKE DAVIS: Dissecting the Supreme Court's 'Birthright' betrayal The Supreme Court just delivered its most disastrous ruling in generations in Trump v. Barbara. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the three liberal justices to block President Donald Trump's executive order and hand over birthright citizenship to the children of tens of millions of illegal aliens and birth tourists from China and other enemy nations. The majority ruled that the Fourteenth Amendment — which was passed after the Civil War to give former slaves equal rights — mandates citizenship to nearly anyone born on U.S. soil, even if they entered illegally, even if they’re a foreigner who hates America, even if they’re only here on a temporary visa and even if they are gaming our system as a Chinese birth tourist. Under this logic, American citizenship means nothing but birthplace. Forget heritage, patriotism or common values. All that matters is location. This decision destroys what it means to be an American. It ranks among the Court's very worst, alongside Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) and Roe v. Wade (1973). Justice Samuel Alito warned in dissent: "This is one of the most important decisions in the history of the Court, and in my judgment, the Court has made a serious mistake." Justice Alito is a gentleman. This was more than a serious mistake. John Roberts’ disastrous decision, joined by the Court’s four women, could be fatal for our country. The damage cannot be overstated. At the core of sovereignty is the power to decide who enters the country and who becomes one of its citizens. Otherwise, we live at the mercy of billions of foreigners. Citizenship defines who shares in America's blessings and burdens, who upholds its values, who honors its history, and who joins its social contract. It will ultimately determine whether the United States is a nation or just a place. ALITO WARNS SUPREME COURT MADE 'SERIOUS MISTAKE' THAT COULD HAVE NATIONAL SECURITY CONSEQUENCES The American people built the New York skyline, tamed a vast frontier, defeated fascism and communism, landed on the Moon, and created the freest and most prosperous and powerful country in human history. Deciding whom we invite to join us is the most consequential choice our nation can make. Once citizenship is granted, it is rarely undone. Citizenship confers full and equal rights, including the right to vote and claim every economic and social benefit. Yet this ruling puts the newborn child of an MS-13 gangster who crossed the border illegally days earlier on equal footing with the descendants of generations of Americans who fought world wars, built this country from nothing and died for its future. The national security implications are terrifying. As Justice Alito noted, a child born here to an enemy visitor from China or another hostile power, then raised abroad to hate the United States, would have lifelong citizenship and the right to vote in every election. They could even run for president of the United States. TRUMP SUFFERS MAJOR SUPREME COURT DEFEAT AS JUSTICES UPHOLD BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP The votes of professors Roberts and Barrett, who call themselves originalists, are especially despicable. Anyone with a reasonable historical understanding of the Fourteenth Amendment could never conclude it was intended to endow citizenship to children of illegal aliens or foreigners with no allegiance to this country. Ratified in 1868 to secure citizenship for freed slaves after the Civil War, the Amendment's pivotal qualifier — "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" — deliberately excludes children of diplomats and children of invading soldiers. The Supreme Court recognized this principle in Elk v. Wilkins (1884), ruling that Native Americans born on reservations were not entitled to birthright citizenship under the amendment, as they were subject to the jurisdiction of – and owed their allegiance to – their tribes instead of the United States. Congress later extended birthright citizenship to them by statute in 1924. If Native Americans born here and who have lived here for thousands of years are not constitutionally entitled to birthright citizenship under the Fourteenth Amendement, the children of illegal immigrants, foreign criminals, and fraudster tourists certainly cannot be. Until now. The amendment's ratifiers could never have imagined, let alone intended, citizenship for the children of millions of unvetted illegals or for a birth-tourism industry that’s funneled hundreds of thousands of foreigners, especially from China, into the country for this purpose. But Roberts, Barrett and three liberals put their vanity over our sovereignty, national security, and country. This ultimate betrayal is unforgivable. By deciding the case on sweeping constitutional grounds rather than a narrower statutory basis, the majority, including Roberts and Barrett, made fixing this catastrophe extraordinarily difficult. Reversing it now requires the passage of a constitutional amendment by two-thirds of both chambers of Congress and three-fourths of the states – or a constitutional convention. They ignored the canon of constitutional avoidance, locked in a maximalist, ahistorical rule, and tied the hands of future majorities. Had they taken the narrower path, as Justice Kavanaugh argued, Congress could have legislated a fix. Justice Kavanaugh’s rationale was still wrong – but it wasn’t catastrophic, like Roberts’ ruling. With this decision, Roberts again prioritized his personal perception over constitutional duty. His legacy is one of preserving his own reputation at the expense of our nation when political pressure mounted. Time and again he has flinched — on Obamacare, on election cases, on immigration — choosing the path of least resistance and maximum elite approval. ICE SURGES ENFORCEMENT, MAKES 10,000 ARRESTS IN FIVE DAYS AMID SUPREME COURT BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP DECISION Justice Barrett's vote is particularly galling. Barrett auditioned as the next Justice Scalia, for whom she clerked. Her advocates sold her as the same. Yet Barrett helped deliver a ruling that ignores the amendment's text, history and limiting principles. This was a failure of character and of judgment that elevates abstract academic hypotheticals over real stakes: anchor babies for gang members, incentives for further surges of illegal immigration, and the erosion of citizenship as a meaningful inheritance rather than a geographic accident. Originalism without regard for the sovereign interests it is supposed to protect is performative. Professor Barrett thinks she’s grading law-school exams instead of exercising sound judgment, proving why she’s the junior-varsity justice who is not up to the job. The Trump administration must pursue mass deportations of all illegal immigrants, starting with women of childbearing age. Even if these illegals have "citizen" children, they must still be deported to prevent them from creating more fake citizens. Cutting federal funds for programs that benefit illegal immigrants, as well, will force the hands of those who exploit our generosity. Federal funds to states, cities, and any other entities that provide benefits to illegal immigrants must also end. And the Trump Justice Department, under the all-star leadership of Todd Blanche, must continue to use all criminal and civil tools to sue, imprison, denaturalize and expel illegal aliens who have entered our country, attacked our citizens, plundered our treasure and debased our culture. The American people deserved better from Roberts and Barrett. Lifetime tenure exists precisely so justices can resist political fads and elite pressure. This abomination of a ruling destroys our sovereign power and duty – as We The People, the sovereign citizens of America – to define and control our own future. It amounts to national suicide by judicial decree. It is the ultimate betrayal by five unelected narcissists in robes. With no mercy, we must quadruple the mass deportations. And immediately. CLICK FOR MORE FROM MIKE DAVIS Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46df74c2ca79de2363559f Thiel Capital’s Jack Selby nabs stakes in hot startups like Etched through Arizona connections te 2026-07-02T22:00:20.066Z Thiel Capital’s Jack Selby nabs stakes in hot startups like Etched through Arizona connections Selby's VC firm Copper Sky Capital is currently raising a $300 million second fund, according to a regulatory filing. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46dad7c2ca79de236354c4 Judge Demands Answers About Plans for Trump’s East Potomac Golf Course te 2026-07-02T21:40:39.847Z Judge Demands Answers About Plans for Trump’s East Potomac Golf Course In a fiery hearing, Judge Ana C. Reyes hammered the government over denials that the president was forging ahead with plans to renovate the course without approval. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46dac4c2ca79de236354bb F.B.I. Assigns Scores of Analysts to Examine Election Records in Georgia te 2026-07-02T21:40:20.398Z F.B.I. Assigns Scores of Analysts to Examine Election Records in Georgia The expansion of an investigation into Fulton County’s election office reflects President Trump’s desire to prove his baseless claims that the 2020 election in Georgia was rigged. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46d870c2ca79de23635449 Tesla Driver Using Autopilot in Texas Crash Is Charged With Manslaughter te 2026-07-02T21:30:24.956Z Tesla Driver Using Autopilot in Texas Crash Is Charged With Manslaughter A front-door video camera of the crash, which killed a woman inside her home, showed the Tesla plowing into a house through its driveway. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46d40ec2ca79de2363539e Florida board votes to ban illegal immigrants from public college admissions te 2026-07-02T21:11:42.797Z Florida board votes to ban illegal immigrants from public college admissions Florida's State Board of Education voted Tuesday to move forward with a policy barring illegal immigrants from being admitted to the state's public colleges, marking the latest effort by state leaders to tighten immigration rules in higher education. The board voted 6-1 to make the Sunshine State’s 28 state colleges inaccessible to illegal immigrants, as well as the state’s adult education programs. The Orlando Sentinel reported that the only vote against the measure was from member Daniel Foganholi, who the outlet said was a first-generation American born to immigrants from Brazil. LIBERAL FACULTY STILL HUGELY OUTNUMBER CONSERVATIVES IN HIGHER EDUCATION: REPORT But the state board said they did have the authority to implement the rule, citing Florida statutes that pave the way to allow it to create admission criteria, the Sentinel noted. Higher Ed Drive reported Thursday that in 2023, the state was home to approximately 50,000 illegal immigrant students, according to the American Immigration Council. Last year, Florida ended a program that let illegal immigrant students under DACA pay in-state tuition. The Orlando Sentinel identified Alex Liberman, one of over 50 people who shared their opinion during public comment, who said that, "Education is not meant to be a policing system for immigrants." LIBERAL FACULTY STILL HUGELY OUTNUMBER CONSERVATIVES IN HIGHER EDUCATION: REPORT Virginia Bolton, a student at Florida International University, called in to voice her disapproval. "I’m calling to express my utmost disgust and concern," Bolton said. "These items are not only cruel, vague and hypocritical of what the Department of Education stands for, but what the United States Constitution does as well." Florida state Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, claimed the proposed policy is against Florida law, saying, "Florida law requires you to maintain an open-door admission policy in our state college system which these rules violate." He added, "Our constitution also requires you to provide for the education of all children within our borders, which makes what you are doing unconstitutional." MISSISSIPPI LAW COULD CREATE STATEWIDE REGISTRY OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis praised the vote, saying in a clip shared Tuesday by Spectrum News, "You know, if you're here illegally, you know, you go to a state university, it doesn't make sense. I would rather have that spot go to a Florida resident. But then they're getting less than what a U.S. citizen in Georgia is getting, someone who lives in South Georgia. It just doesn't make any sense at all." Alex Lanfranconi, communications director for DeSantis, told Fox News Digital in a statement, "Illegal immigrants have no right to attend taxpayer-funded colleges. Under Governor DeSantis, Florida will put a stop to this." Fox News Digital reached out to Florida's State Board of Education for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46d3bcc2ca79de2363535d JD Vance and Melania Trump Also Had Sharp Earnings Increases in 2025 te 2026-07-02T21:10:20.886Z JD Vance and Melania Trump Also Had Sharp Earnings Increases in 2025 But the revenue brought in by the vice president and the first lady paled in comparison to that of President Trump. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46d1bcc2ca79de23635324 Six Kurdish fighters killed in IRGC ambush as clashes spread across western Iran te 2026-07-02T21:01:48.984Z Six Kurdish fighters killed in IRGC ambush as clashes spread across western Iran Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Thursday it killed five members of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan, while the Kurdish opposition group told Fox News Digital that six of its Peshmerga — a term commonly used for Kurdish fighters — were killed in what it described as an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ambush in northwest Iran. The clash marks another escalation in Iran’s Kurdish-majority west after days of reported attacks and clashes involving Iranian security forces, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Kurdish armed factions.  It also underscores the current position of Iranian Kurdish opposition groups that recently were viewed by U.S. and Israeli officials as a possible pressure point against Tehran during the U.S.–Israeli war with Iran, but ultimately stayed out of the conflict amid mixed signals from Washington and pressure from both Iran and Turkey. WAVE OF ATTACKS ON IRAN'S IRGC RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT RENEWED KURDISH INSURGENCY Majeed Gly, president of the American Kurdish Committee, told Fox News Digital that the latest clashes should not be read as a full-scale uprising, but also should not be dismissed as routine border violence. "What I’m hearing is, this is not business as usual," Gly said. "This is not like periodic clashes on the border. This is operations, and it seems to be deep inside." Gly said Kurdish frustration has grown sharply after months of Iranian attacks on Kurdish areas and opposition-linked sites, including in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. He said the region has been hit by more than 850 attacks since February, leaving at least six civilians dead and dozens more wounded. Hejar Berenji, the U.S. representative of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan, or PDKI, confirmed to Fox News Digital that six PDKI Peshmerga were killed in a clash with IRGC forces in the Piranshahr area of Iranian Kurdistan. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said it had killed five members of the banned PDKI in northwest Iran, Reuters reported Thursday, citing state media. The IRGC said the group was ambushed after entering Iranian territory in mountainous border areas near Piranshahr in West Azerbaijan Province. WAVE OF ATTACKS ON IRAN'S IRGC RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT RENEWED KURDISH INSURGENCY Berenji identified the six Peshmerga as Karo Hormuziari, Fardin Changizi, Mohammad Khaki, Abdullah Mohammadpour, Twana Osmani and Mohammad Amin Bayezidi. He said the incident took place Wednesday night in the village of Qizqapan, near Piranshahr, and said the PDKI unit was on a "political and organizational mission" when it was "ambushed by a large and heavily equipped IRGC force." "This should be understood in the broader context of the Islamic Republic’s continued repression in Iranian Kurdistan and its repeated attacks on Iranian Kurdish civilian camps in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, even during ceasefire and negotiation periods," Berenji said. "The regime has increased pressure on Kurdish communities because it understands that Iranian Kurds remain among the most organized and determined democratic forces inside Iran." The PDKI, is one of Iran’s oldest Kurdish opposition movements. The group has been involved in decades of intermittent conflict with the Islamic Republic, while Tehran long has viewed Kurdish armed groups as separatist threats, while others describe it as a historic, centrist and nationalist Iranian Kurdish opposition group that Iran has targeted for years, including through assassinations of its leaders decades ago. The Kurds are one of the largest stateless ethnic groups in the Middle East, with communities spread across Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey. In Iran, many Kurds live in the country’s mountainous west and northwest, where Kurdish opposition groups have long accused Tehran of repression, executions, forced assimilation and military crackdowns. Iranian authorities view armed Kurdish factions as separatist or "terrorist threats." The latest clash followed several days of violence in western Iran. A similar incident near Piranshahr was reported by Iranian state media Tuesday, with the IRGC saying it had killed six members of what it called an "opposition and separatist group."  Two IRGC members were killed and two wounded in a shooting in Kermanshah Province Monday evening, an attack claimed by a newly formed Kurdish armed group seeking retaliation for the IRGC’s role in suppressing the 2022–2023 protest movement, according to the Kurdish rights group Hengaw. Iran also appeared to be expanding pressure on Kurdish opposition groups beyond PJAK, the Kurdistan Free Life Party, after days of clashes between PJAK and the IRGC, The Jerusalem Post reported Thursday.  Berenji said the latest clash was not a response to ongoing U.S.–Iran memorandum of understanding negotiations, which remain unresolved as talks continue without a finalized agreement. WAVE OF ATTACKS ON IRAN'S IRGC RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT RENEWED KURDISH INSURGENCY "The Kurdish struggle for freedom, democracy, and national rights predates the current negotiations and is not dependent on them," Berenji said. "At the same time, any agreement that ignores the Kurdish question, the regime’s attacks on Kurdish civilians, and the repression inside Iran will not bring real stability." Gly said Kurdish anger has been compounded by language in the U.S.–Iran memorandum of understanding that critics interpret as Washington agreeing not to interfere in Iran’s internal affairs. KHAMENEI BODY IN COLD STORAGE AS FEARED BASIJ MOBILIZES AHEAD OF HISTORIC IRAN FUNERAL "This sentence has taken every Iranian opposition group the wrong way, especially the Kurds," Gly said.  He argued that even during negotiations with hostile powers, the United States should not abandon its public support for freedom movements, invoking former President Ronald Reagan’s approach to the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Gly said he does not see clear evidence that Kurdish groups have gained major new military capabilities, but said the perception of Iran’s strength has changed. "What has changed is the perception of weakness of Iran," Gly told Fox News Digital. "They are less afraid of the regime." The new violence carries broader significance for Washington because Iranian Kurdish opposition groups were recently discussed as a possible ground pressure point against Tehran.  U.S. officials and Kurdish groups had discussed a potential military operation against Iranian security forces in western Iran, Reuters reported in March, while a separate report said Israel was backing Iranian Kurdish plans to seize Iranian border areas, though such an operation would likely require U.S. and Israeli support. But those expectations quickly faltered. In April, Kurdish fighters ultimately stayed out of the war because of mixed signals from Washington and Israel, as well as Iranian threats and strikes against Kurdish positions in Iraq. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged President Donald Trump during the conflict to prevent Kurdish forces from launching a ground operation inside Iran, reflecting Ankara’s longstanding opposition to Kurdish armed movements gaining ground in the region, Reuters also reported.  During the conflict, Trump told Reuters he would be "all for it" if the Kurds wanted to move against Iran and said their objective should be "to win," but Kurdish commanders were frustrated by the lack of a clear U.S. or Israeli strategy. Berenji said the PDKI does not seek chaos, but insisted Kurdish forces have the right to defend themselves. "We seek a democratic, pluralistic, secular, and federal Iran where all nations and communities can live with dignity and rights," he said. "But the Kurdish people also have the right to defend themselves against repression, intimidation, and attacks by the IRGC." Fox News Digital has reached out to Iran’s mission to the United Nations for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46d16ac2ca79de236352e3 JD Vance and Melania Trump Also Had Sharp Earnings Increases in 2025 te 2026-07-02T21:00:26.055Z JD Vance and Melania Trump Also Had Sharp Earnings Increases in 2025 But the revenue brought in by the vice president and the first lady paled in comparison to that of President Trump. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46cf0cc2ca79de2363523e IQM, Europe’s first public quantum company, admits the future of the tech is uncertain te 2026-07-02T20:50:20.349Z IQM, Europe’s first public quantum company, admits the future of the tech is uncertain IQM, a full-stack quantum company out of Finland, went public on the Nasdaq today at a valuation of about $1.9 billion. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46cd2fc2ca79de2363521d Famed jockey hospitalized with broken ribs and broken thumb after road traffic accident in Newmarket te 2026-07-02T20:42:23.790Z Famed jockey hospitalized with broken ribs and broken thumb after road traffic accident in Newmarket A famed jockey is suffering from serious injuries after being involved in a car wreck. Frankie Dettori was involved in a "road traffic accident" in Newmarket, England, on Wednesday night, his team announced on social media. The crash resulted in Dettori suffering from "several broken ribs and a broken thumb." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "Another vehicle struck the rear passenger side of the car Frankie was driving, causing it to spin and flip..." the social media post said, adding that he was then taken to the hospital. "His injuries are still being assessed, and he remains in hospital for further observation. "Frankie would like to thank the emergency services who attended the scene, together with the doctors, nurses and wider medical team caring for him. His focus is now on resting and recovering. No further comment will be made until there is a meaningful update." The Sun said Dettori's vehicle wound up upside down, although no arrests were made. FIREWORKS REPORTEDLY TRIGGER MASS HORSE STAMPEDE THROUGH ROME STREETS, INJURING SEVERAL SOLDIERS The Italian jockey, who famously went through the card with seven winners in seven races at Ascot in September 1996, has amassed more than 3,350 victories in his career, mostly in England. Dettori retired as a jockey after taking some rides in Brazil following a spell racing in the United States, Britain's PA news agency reported. Before that, he was based in England for more than three decades. He has signed up for this year’s Leger Legends race at Doncaster in September. It would be his first ride in Britain since 2023. 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/6a46cd1cc2ca79de23635214 Judge approves Tiger Woods' hospital records release to prosecutors after Florida car crash te 2026-07-02T20:42:04.334Z Judge approves Tiger Woods' hospital records release to prosecutors after Florida car crash Prosecutors have been allowed to review Tiger Woods’ medical records related to his March car crash in Florida, which led to his arrest on charges of driving under the influence. Judge Darren Steeler approved an agreement this past week between Woods’ defense and the State Attorney’s Office, allowing prosecutors to request records from the Cleveland Clinic Martin South Hospital. Woods was taken there following the crash on March 27. A similar agreement was struck in May, which gave prosecutors access to all prescription medication records for Woods at a Palm Beach, Florida pharmacy. The records were from the start of 2026 through the end of March. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Doug Duncan, who is representing Woods in this case, reached an agreement with prosecutors to only allow the release of records from both the hospital and pharmacy to them, law enforcement officers, state experts and the defense team. Woods, who recently made his first public appearance since his vehicle crash made national headlines, pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence. He was found with two prescription painkillers in his pocket during his arrest, while also showing signs of impairment. TIGER WOODS MAKES FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCE SINCE DUI, REHAB STINT AS PGA TOUR ANNOUNCES SWEEPING CHANGES Woods’ vehicle struck a truck’s trailer and flipped on its side during the incident on Jupiter Island. Woods had been traveling at a high speed on a 30-mph road, according to the incident report, which also stated it did $5,000 in damages to the truck he hit. Woods had agreed to take a Breathalyzer test, which showed no signs of alcohol in his system at the time. But he refused a urine test, according to law enforcement. Woods was granted permission on April 1 to travel out of the country to enter an inpatient treatment facility, which was understood to be in Zurich, Switzerland. Since then, Woods was seen introducing PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp at a monumental press conference for the golf organization late last month, his first appearance since returning from treatment. Woods has served as a leader on the Tour's Future Competition Committee, which he called a "privilege" during his brief introduction of Rolapp. OutKick’s Mark Harris and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46cd08c2ca79de2363520b Scott Dixon leaving Chip Ganassi Racing throws a huge wrench into IndyCar's silly season te 2026-07-02T20:41:44.879Z Scott Dixon leaving Chip Ganassi Racing throws a huge wrench into IndyCar's silly season "Silly season" is always an apt name for the driver market in any racing series, but this year's silly season in IndyCar has gone well past silly and is heading toward a certifiably insane season with the news that Scott Dixon — after 25 seasons — is leaving Chip Ganassi Racing. Which means the No. 9 at CGR is up for grabs. Buckle up, kids. There were reports that Dixon would leave the team, and Chip Ganassi Racing confirmed this on Thursday. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! The 42-year-old six-time champ's destination for 2027 has not been announced, but RACER's Marshall Pruett reports that it sets up a move to Arrow McLaren. This is now a huge piece of the driver market puzzle, and comes after it was revealed that Indianapolis 500 champion Felix Rosenqvist will not return to Meyer Shank Racing next season, with rumors that he'll return to Arrow McLaren as well, giving them a lineup of Dixon, Rosenqvist and Pato O'Ward. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE Which is obviously very strong. MSR has a technical relationship with CGR and has performed really well all season, making Rosenqvist's No. 60 a sought-after seat. But now that a seat at Ganassi has opened up alongside the dominant four-time champ Alex Palou, that will be the one everyone has their eyes on. One potential option is Christian Lundgaard, who has really impressed at Arrow McLaren this year, especially on road and street circuits. If the Dixon-Rosenqvist-O'Ward pans out, he would need a new ride and would be a good option for CGR and could compete with the likes of Alex Palou, especially in the same machinery. We're going to need some more dominoes to fall in place — with the big one being that No. 9 — but, man, is this going to be one of the wilder silly seasons in recent memory. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46ccf5c2ca79de23635202 Video shows moments before Army veteran was fatally shot in Walmart parking lot dispute te 2026-07-02T20:41:25.429Z Video shows moments before Army veteran was fatally shot in Walmart parking lot dispute Shocking cellphone video captured the deadly moment a Florida Army veteran was shot during a confrontation over a Walmart parking space, authorities said. Bart Diguglielmo, 62, died after he was shot around 12:28 p.m. Tuesday in the parking lot of the Walmart on West McNab Road in North Lauderdale, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office. Investigators said Diguglielmo and an adult woman became involved in a verbal altercation over a parking space before the shooting. VIRGINIA OFFICER PLACED ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE AFTER MALICIOUS WOUNDING CHARGE TIED TO OFF DUTY INCIDENT The woman remained at the scene, cooperated with detectives and told investigators she fired in self-defense, according to BSO. Her identity has not been released, and homicide detectives said the case will be presented to the Broward County State Attorney's Office to determine whether criminal charges will be filed. Authorities have not released additional details about what led to the confrontation or said whether investigators believe the woman's claim of self-defense. Prosecutors will review the completed investigation before deciding whether charges are warranted. VIRAL BODYCAM CAPTURES FLORIDA DEPUTY'S TRAFFIC STOP UNRAVEL AS HE ACCUSES ONE-HANDED DRIVER OF HOLDING PHONE Video obtained by Fox News Digital shows the confrontation leading up to the shooting. Additional cellphone footage obtained by Local 10 News appears to show Diguglielmo walking toward the woman, who appears to be holding a cellphone in one hand. As he approaches, she raises her other arm, appearing to point a handgun at him. After a brief standoff, a single gunshot rings out. Footage from another angle, recorded without sound, appears to show Diguglielmo doubling over at the waist before lowering himself to the ground as what appears to be blood becomes visible through the front of his shirt. MANHUNT UNDERWAY AFTER COLLEGE STUDENT FATALLY SHOT CHASING ROBBERS WHO ALLEGEDLY STOLE HIS PHONE A third angle shows the pair engaged in what appears to be a verbal dispute after a vehicle pulled out of a nearby parking space. The footage appears to show the woman backing away with the handgun pointed at Diguglielmo as he raises his hands. The video ends with the woman remaining at the scene until Broward Sheriff's Office deputies arrived and detained her for questioning. Diguglielmo was transported to Broward Health Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries, authorities said. The investigation remains ongoing. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46cac3c2ca79de23635189 Letitia James hammered after NY Medicaid fraud unit funding frozen over ineffective enforcement te 2026-07-02T20:32:03.273Z Letitia James hammered after NY Medicaid fraud unit funding frozen over ineffective enforcement New York Attorney General Letitia James is facing renewed criticism from Republicans after the Trump administration suspended federal funding for the state's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU), citing years of poor criminal enforcement performance and leadership decisions that federal officials say left fraud investigations lagging. The federal action gives Republicans a new line of attack against James as she campaigns for reelection. Republican challenger Saritha Komatireddy has made the state's struggling Medicaid Fraud Control Unit a key issue in the race, arguing James failed to aggressively prosecute fraud. Federal watchdogs' findings now lend new weight to those claims. "Letitia James ran New York's Medicaid Fraud Unit into the ground, and now we know why: a deliberate leadership choice to open fewer cases and let them drag on for years," Komatireddy said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "This means New York taxpayers are losing their hard-earned money to fraudsters, and patients and seniors are being hurt or neglected, and no one is holding them accountable." The Republican Attorneys General Association also chimed in on the funding freeze, arguing it reflected broader differences between Republican and Democratic attorneys general in combating fraud. "While Republican Attorneys General are aggressively fighting fraud, waste, and abuse, Democrat AGs like Keith Ellison in Minnesota and Letitia James in New York knowingly aid and abet scams and fraud in their states," RAGA Executive Director Adam Piper said in a statement. "Republican AGs are thrilled to roll up our sleeves and work with JD Vance, Republican AG staff alum Andrew Ferguson, Scott Brady, and the White House Task Force to save taxpayers billions of dollars and deliver maximum accountability." DR. OZ NAMES 5 STATES IN FRAUD CRACKDOWN AS TRUMP ADMIN TARGETS MEDICAID ABUSE In a June 30 letter denying the unit's annual recertification, Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) officials concluded that New York's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit had become the lowest-performing large-state unit in the nation for criminal Medicaid fraud enforcement despite receiving roughly $60 million annually in federal funding and employing more than 270 staff members. "The New York MFCU is not effectively prosecuting criminal Medicaid fraud," the letter stated. "The Unit reported only 53 fraud convictions from 2023 to 2025. This is by far the lowest among similar-sized Units; the next lowest number of reported fraud convictions for this period was 129." "Enough is enough," the letter continued. The report also found New York ranked last in criminal indictments, securing fewer than 10 fraud indictments in four of the past five years. Federal officials further found that 34% of the unit's open cases were more than three years old, while 69% of referrals from the state's Medicaid Program Integrity Unit had remained pending for at least two years, contributing to a growing investigative backlog. The HHS letter concluded that the unit's poor performance stemmed in large part from "a deliberate leadership choice" to prioritize high-impact civil fraud cases over criminal prosecutions, finding that strategy had left the office ineffective at pursuing criminal Medicaid fraud despite its size and resources. PENNSYLVANIA AG EXPLAINS WHY STATE LEADS NATION IN MEDICAID FRAUD CONVICTIONS WHILE OTHERS BATTLE MASS SCHEMES While federal officials acknowledged the state's fraud unit remained competitive in civil recoveries, they said those results did not outweigh the decline in criminal enforcement. "The Unit has sacrificed its ability to effectively fight criminal fraud to obtain civil recoveries that are largely in line with its peers," the report stated. James blasted the funding freeze, accusing the Trump administration of targeting New York for political reasons. "This administration's unprecedented attack on New York is another political distraction," James said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "During my time as Attorney General, my office has recovered more than $627 million for Medicaid and was recognized by this very administration for leading the nation in anti-fraud efforts." James' office noted that HHS highlighted New York as one of four states responsible for half of all civil recoveries nationwide in fiscal year 2025. The attorney general also pointed to several recent Medicaid fraud prosecutions, including multimillion-dollar fraud cases announced in recent weeks. "The only people this decision benefits are the criminals we investigate every day," James said. "We are considering all legal options to stop this outrageous action." TRUMP SAYS ANTI-FRAUD EFFORTS ARE UNCOVERING BILLIONS IN WASTE, CLAIMS SAVINGS COULD BALANCE BUDGET Meanwhile, federal prosecutors in New York said they are expanding efforts to investigate Medicaid fraud and patient abuse. "Attorney General James' apparent inability to explain the New York MFCU's indefensible criminal enforcement performance is not a political distraction as she puts it," First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III, who is spearheading the revival of the NDNY Health Care Fraud Task Force, said in a statement. Sarcone noted that the New York MFCU averaged just nine criminal indictments a year between 2021 and 2025, compared with more than 100 annually during the three years preceding James' tenure. "Public benefits fraud and Medicaid fraud did not abruptly stop in 2019," Sarcone added. "Instead, under the failed leadership of AG James, criminal Medicaid fraud in New York State has been ignored." The suspension took effect July 1 and remains in effect through Sept. 30 unless New York completes a series of corrective actions ordered by HHS, including reducing case backlogs, increasing criminal indictments, and improving coordination with federal investigators. If those deficiencies are not corrected, the Office of Inspector General warned New York it could lose its federal Medicaid Fraud Control Unit grant for fiscal year 2027. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46caafc2ca79de23635180 WWII pilot missing after secret spy mission finally accounted for more than 80 years later te 2026-07-02T20:31:43.814Z WWII pilot missing after secret spy mission finally accounted for more than 80 years later A pilot who disappeared during a World War II spy mission has been accounted for, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced Wednesday. Officials said U.S. Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Franklin H. McKinney, 21, of Rhode Island, was accounted for on May 15, 2026. He served as an airman with the 35th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron (PRS), 14th Air Force. McKinney reportedly failed to return after departing from Yunnanyi, China, on a reconnaissance mission to photograph targets in Thailand and Burma. SIX AMERICAN HEROES EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW THIS MEMORIAL DAY, FROM DELTA FORCE TO A WWII BOMBER CREW The U.S. Air Force indicated that the squadron carried out aerial espionage missions, flying deep into Japanese-controlled territory across China, Burma and Thailand to gather critical intelligence. On Nov. 5, 1944, McKinney reportedly departed Yunnanyi, China, while piloting an F-5 Lightning. The U.S. Air Force said his squadron, known as the "Redhawks," played a crucial role in helping "turn the tide of the war in China" by providing vital aerial mapping and intelligence on Japanese troop movements. ‘NOBODY SHOULD GO ALONE’: 1,500 STRANGERS HONOR WWII VETERAN WITH NO KNOWN FAMILY However, the airbase lost contact with McKinney shortly after his departure. Despite searches along his flight path to the China-Thailand border by personnel with the American Graves Registration Service, no evidence of a crash was found. His remains were not accounted for after the war. Around the same time, local officials in Thailand discovered what appeared to be the wreckage of an aircraft that had been struck by lightning in a wooded area, according to DPAA. Citing a wartime report from the Royal Thai Air Force Museum, the agency said the aircraft exploded before crashing near Ban Mae Kua in the Sop Prap District of Lampang Province. In 2018, third-party researchers located a crash site in a rice paddy of the Lampang province and linked it to McKinney's aircraft. DPAA investigators then examined the site in 2019 and again in 2021 before a recovery team excavated the area in 2022, recovering possible human remains. The remains were sent to a DPAA laboratory, where scientists used modern forensic techniques to identify McKinney. Officials said McKinney's family will be briefed on the findings. His name will also be memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46ca5ec2ca79de23635140 Supreme Court Allows Reporter to Be Fined for Failing to Disclose Source te 2026-07-02T20:30:22.414Z Supreme Court Allows Reporter to Be Fined for Failing to Disclose Source Catherine Herridge, a former Fox News reporter, was held in civil contempt by a lower court after she refused to reveal her sources for articles she wrote about a scientist who was investigated by the F.B.I. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46c818c2ca79de236350c0 Marana council candidates on data centers, detention te 2026-07-02T20:20:40.014Z Marana council candidates on data centers, detention Seven candidates are seeking four seats on the Marana Town Council, while two candidates are vying for the two-year mayoral term, in a primary where candidates winning a majority are elected outright. Mayor Jon Post was appointed to the position following the November 2024 death of longtime Mayor Ed Honea and is seeking his first full term. He is challenged by longtime resident Greg Johnsen. Incumbent council members Herb Kai, John Officer and Teri Murphy are seeking reelection and facing newcomers Susan Ritz, Jackie McGuire and Julie Prince. Jackie Craig, who previously served on the council before deciding not to seek reelection two years ago, is running as a write-in candidate in the nonpartisan race. Ritz, Prince, McGuire and Johnsen are campaigning as a group under the name, "Marana for the People." With recent debates around Marana's economy and immigration, incoming council members will have a full slate of issues to contend with, including the construction of a new data center in the area, which has brought discussion about regulations regarding water use, electricity and noise pollution. Tucson Spotlight asked all nine candidates their positions on the town's economic development, immigration and the construction of data centers. Post, Johnsen, Kai, Officer and Murphy did not respond. Sue Ritz Ritz, a veteran, has lived in Marana since 2007. An engineer with decades of experience in project and budget management, she wants to put the community first and make data-driven decisions. Earlier this year, the council approved rezoning for a data center, saying it will generate jobs and boost economic growth. Ritz, who worked in the mining industry, worries that data centers will bring chemicals, including PFAS, a group of more than 10,000 synthetic chemicals used since the 1940s to make products resistant to water, grease and heat. Greg Johnson, Julie Prince, Susan Ritz and Jackie McGuire are running as a slate, calling their group, "Marana for the People." Courtesy of Marana for the People. The town is already contaminated with PFAS, costing residents millions of dollars to clean up. "Strengthening the ordinance to include building the data centers and ancillary facilities inside containment systems, financial penalties for violations of air, noise, or water regulations and requiring a closure bond and plan for end of life to protect our community and ensure that the land the data center is built on can be returned to a usable state," Ritz told Tucson Spotlight. As Marana continues to grow, the council will make decisions on what economic development and tourism will look like in upcoming years. Ritz also supports the development of Marana's airport "as an overflow cargo facility for Type Inspection Authorization and regional hub to welcome small jets or propeller craft." The airport is close to several attractions, including Saguaro National Park West, which Ritz believes could boost tourism and provide jobs. A former prison in Marana was recently contracted by the federal government for use as an ICE detention center, an issue candidates will likely face pressure to address. Ritz said the community has nothing to worry about regarding ICE involvement in the area, saying the Marana Police Department is prepared to handle any situations that may arise from the facility. "Residents of Marana need to know that their Marana PD are prepared for the unexpected," Ritz said. "The emergency services have the training to respond appropriately to calls involving ICE." While the facility is moving ahead despite resident concerns, Ritz said she believes action can still be taken to avoid the construction of future facilities. "Marana does not need the attention the detention facilities bring," Ritz said, adding that the council must create new zoning codes and modify existing warehouses as needed to prevent future prison or detention facilities from being built. Julie Prince A former journalist, Prince has lived in Marana for more than 20 years. She believes the town can grow responsibly by balancing housing and business development. She previously reported on local government, which she said gave her a well-rounded understanding of how municipalities work and impact the community. Prince said "putting teeth and specifics into the current town ordinance governing data centers" is how she will approach future conversations. If elected, Prince will propose streamlining and promoting a startup process to assist local residents in starting their own businesses. She also wants to extend the Chuck Huckleberry Loop and connect it to the Loop at Ina Road. "This would provide both tourism and economic development by creating another complete route for organized bike rides/races and general enjoyment of the entire 139-mile+ Loop," Prince said. On the ICE detention center, Prince said she will add discussions about the facility to council meeting agendas while upholding her oaths to the U.S. Constitution, the Arizona Constitution and the Marana Town Code. "(I would) author and introduce a resolution for the council and mayor to voice opposition to such a facility in the town limits," Prince said. She said the council would also "hold town halls for residents to express and hear information." Jackie Craig Craig is a Tucson native who relocated to Marana in 2013 after retiring from the United States Foreign Service. She served on the Marana Town Council beginning in 2020, completing a four-year term before deciding not to seek reelection. She advocates for town staff and governance, resource preservation and balanced growth over developer-driven expansion. Craig said there were strong reasons the council approved the initial rezoning for the data center, saying she sympathizes with some of the decisions the current council has made. As for her own views on data centers, she is taking a wait-and-see approach. Craig said she is aware that growth can sound scary for longtime residents who have enjoyed Marana's quality of life, but she advocates for smart growth that focuses on preserving natural beauty, mixing housing choices and connecting residents with jobs, groceries and schools. This would make Marana a place where "people can live, work, shop all in the same community." Marana Town Council candidates hold town hall meeting Residents came out to voice their concerns. Craig said council members should respect the law and law enforcement on immigration concerns, including the zoning of an ICE detention center. "I am against the ICE detention centers in the way they are currently administered because they do not provide due process in a timely manner," Craig said. "That is un-American." She said the council could protest the potential center but that any statement the town made against the federal contract would ultimately be futile. Jackie McGuire McGuire decided to run after the council approved rezoning for the data center, and led an effort to put the proposed center on a ballot. "My objection is not to technology. My objection is to a process that approved a hyperscale facility without transparent answers on water consumption, power demand, cooling chemistry, or what happens to ratepayers when those demands hit our grid," McGuire said. McGuire told Tucson Spotlight the town's data center ordinance needs changes to include more protections on water use, restrictions on generator use, mandatory disclosure of cooling chemicals and financial guarantees to protect the town in case a project fails. "Water is the constraint that should drive every land-use decision in Marana. We paid the price for PFAS contamination we did not cause, and our rates went up to clean it," McGuire said. "I will not vote to approve any project, data center or otherwise, that puts our water supply at risk for short-term tax revenue." McGuire supports economic development that actively recruits employers who pay a living wage, partnerships with educational institutions to build a skilled workforce and prioritizes locally owned businesses over out-of-state chains. She wants to continue the development of Marana's airport as a regional hub for general aviation, which she believes will bring durable jobs and support adjacent hotels and restaurants. "On tourism, our desert is the asset," McGuire said, explaining her vision of expanding the bicycle loop and marketing Marana as an outdoor recreation destination to grow local revenue. McGuire does not support a detention facility in Marana and said she would "use every lawful mechanism available to address it." She said she would navigate the issue by coordinating with the county and reviewing underlying zoning. "Proactive land-use decisions are how local government prevents these situations in the first place," McGuire said. She said the council should have "revoked the zoning for a prison of any kind on that site," explaining that the council's inaction led to residents dealing with the consequences. 💡 The primary is July 21. Early voting began June 24, with a mail ballot deadline of July 14. Pima County voters can register, check their registration or request a mail ballot at recorder.pima.gov Diana Ramos is a University of Arizona alum and Tucson Spotlight reporter. Contact her at diana@tucsonspotlight.org.   Zaida Josephene-White  is a Sahuaro High School student and Tucson Spotlight intern. Tucson Spotlight is a community-based newsroom that provides paid opportunities for students and rising journalists in Southern Arizona. Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation. Donate to Tucson Spotlight Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46c804c2ca79de236350a4 Jersey Mike’s IPO illustrates how bad the AI hype has become te 2026-07-02T20:20:20.053Z Jersey Mike’s IPO illustrates how bad the AI hype has become Just for kicks, I took a look at Jersey Mike's IPO documents. Surely a sandwich shop would have no need to mention AI. But low-and-behold. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46c612c2ca79de2363505d Wife and mistress join forces after sext mistake, alleged OnlyFans romance scam & marrying the logical choice te 2026-07-02T20:12:02.396Z Wife and mistress join forces after sext mistake, alleged OnlyFans romance scam & marrying the logical choice It's that time of the week again. We've made it to Thursday and that means we take a dive into the world of True Romance. We're going to hear about a married man who has found himself in a tough spot after his wife and mistress joined forces. His troubles all started with a misfired sext. Once we get through that, we'll be learning about the unexpected details of an alleged OnlyFans romance scam. It's a good reminder to ease your way into matters of the heart. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! All that takes us into some potential crimes against romance. With claims of marrying for logical reasons, not for love. That's not what we're all about here. We let our hearts lead the way. Speaking of marriages, and logical reasons over love, when Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift tie the knot this weekend, will she take his last name, or will he take hers? I think that's a valid question. If it is a marriage based on love, I wish them well. Even if it's not, it has helped romance this week. One of the annual traditions this time of year, Michael Rubin's White Party, was moved up to Wednesday because of the Kelce-Swift wedding, and romance was in the air. ALEX RODRIGUEZ, GIRLFRIEND 'CURRENTLY TAKING SOME TIME APART' AFTER OVER THREE YEARS OF DATING, SHE SAYS Alex Rodriguez was caught sharing a kiss with an unknown woman at the party. It's good to see A-Rod back out there following his breakup earlier this year. Good for him and good for the romantics out there. I look forward to seeing them in the gym together very soon. Go follow True Romance on Twitter and Facebook. Send your emails here: sean.joseph@outkick.com (anonymously if you prefer). A married man who has been having an affair for the last three years is now stuck in the middle after his wife and mistress joined forces. He wants to know why he can't keep both of the women in his life. He wants to do what he wants and have a great time while he's doing it. His wife and mistress have other plans. After a sext to his wife that was meant for his mistress ruined everything, they want him to choose. "I’d happily carry on with this arrangement until my dying day; only they’ve got together and are ganging up on me. Basically, they are demanding I choose one over the other and I’m struggling to make that decision," he wrote to the Daily Star. Each brings something different to the table and compliments the other by filling in for the other's weaknesses. One can cook, the other can't. One can dance and has a sense of humor, the other can't do either. It's a situation he had to know prior to misfiring a nude to his wife that was too good to be true. You can't have it all and that's why a mistake was made. He let his guard down and started believing he deserved it all. It's a mistake that happens over and over again. "My wife first found out about my affair when I accidentally sent her a sexually explicit message and picture of my naked self, by mistake," he wrote. "At first she was reasonable and said that she’d give me two weeks to sort everything out." Two months have passed, and she's selfishly wanting a decision to be made. The women have contacted one another and the heat is on. He doesn't want to sell his house, fork over money for a divorce and give her half his pension. "Why can’t she simply turn a blind eye and pretend nothing is happening like they do in other cultures?," he understandably asks. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK CULTURE COVERAGE You know, I want to go against this guy, but he's had a three-year taste of the good life. A life full of romance, and he doesn't want to let that go without a fight. He could have approached this much differently. He could have said that he wanted neither of them. He didn't. By not choosing one over the other, he's saying he wants both. There is something special there. I don’t want there to be, but there is, and I'm a big enough person to recognize that. Are his wife and mistress? I don't know. Follow True Romance on Twitter and Facebook. You think OnlyFans scam, and you think a man is throwing away his life savings on a model. Or someone is catfishing someone and having them empty their bank account. That's what I thought at first, but that's not what is being alleged here. The alleged victim is a woman who started out as a paying customer of the man being accused of being the romance scammer, reports WRNJ. The State of New Jersey is seeking the forfeiture of vehicles, electronic devices, and financial documents and has filed a complaint in Hunterdon County Superior Court. The woman alleges that the relationship between her and the content creator started out as many do on OnlyFans. She was purchasing sexual content from him. Then the messages became more personal in nature at the end of 2024 into early 2025. According to the complaint, she believed that the two had a future together and that her shelling out money for content and several personal items were all part of an "investment" in their future. Someone told her that wasn't the case. That person alleged that her content creating online romantic interest was operating an organization to make women believe they were in romantic relationships while cashing in. There were tens of thousands of dollars sent to him, the complaint alleges, for things like dental work, a pickup truck, a motorcycle and to fund a legitimate social media career and future together. There are allegedly others out there who sent money to him and the alleged OnlyFans romance scammer was charged with "theft by deception, financial facilitation of criminal activity and falsifying or tampering with records." You love the enthusiasm for romance, but this serves as a reminder that you can't trust everyone you're purchasing sexual content from on the internet. I wish that wasn't the case, but it's a sad reality. JUDGE CAUGHT IN EXTRAMARITAL AFFAIR WITH AN OFFICER IN HER CHAMBERS, HOPELESS ROMANTIC MARRIES HERSELF & MORE Believe it or not, there are people out there marrying a logical choice and not someone they love. They're not locking eyes with someone across a bar and following the butterflies into an eventual relationship. They're marrying for central heat, health insurance and because the person has a car. They're skipping right over the part where you let the passion in a relationship burn out over many years of marriage. There's no passion, so there are no complications that come along with that. I don't want to say that these people need to be jailed for crimes against romance, but these people need to be jailed for crimes against romance. Here are some of the responses to the Reddit question: People who didn’t choose a partner for love but chose a partner that was a good logical choice, how did it work out? - Tom writes: I don't know if you can understand this but in the early 70s and into the disco era and early 80s if you were a really smooth dancer and good looking you had as much sex with as many different women as you could handle. I was known from Cleveland to Youngstown to Pittsburgh for my dance moves (think Soul Train and Saturday Night Fever) and after an hour of dancing on a lighted dance floor at Holiday Wildlife in Youngstown, Ohio my dance partner put her arms around me and said, "You just reek of sex." Another time I was at the Stable Pit and Pub dance club near Meadville, Pa and was drinking more heavily than normal, picked up this chick and we were going to her house. I got to my car, said excuse me and went to the rear and hurled. I was pretty dizzy when she walked over and asked, "Can you still get it up?" I was stunned, I mean, I had just vomited and she STILL wanted sex. I just shook my head "No" and said, "You drive." I slept on her couch. My friends and I attended a Black Oak Arkansas concert in Warren, Ohio in the 70s. We were standing near the front center stage and Jim Dandy, Ruby Starr and the boys were going to town rocking. This girl in front of me backed up and started pushing her butt against my crotch. She got the reaction from my 25 year body that she was hoping for and never stopped grinding nor looked at me for the full hour and fifteen minutes. When the concert was over, she finally turned to me, smiled and said, "Thanks for a wonderful evening" as if we had been on a date and walked away. I miss that time period. SeanJo Tom, I have a feeling this is just the tip of the iceberg. Feel free to send in more of your stories of romance. ------------- That will do it for this week. We'll do it again next week. Feel free to reach out, anonymously if you prefer, at sean.joseph@outkick.com. Send me whatever you want. I get plenty of hate mail as it is and yours will be a welcomed addition to the pile. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46c5fec2ca79de23635054 Boston cop pelted by mob as dirt bike suspect escapes in wild viral video: ‘He was all alone’ te 2026-07-02T20:11:42.927Z Boston cop pelted by mob as dirt bike suspect escapes in wild viral video: ‘He was all alone’ A Boston police officer was left alone in a hostile crowd as people hurled drinks and debris at him while a dirt bike suspect broke free and escaped, according to police and the city’s largest police union. The chaotic caught-on-camera confrontation first surfaced in a TikTok video posted by @noticiaboston. It happened around 9:24 p.m. on June 28 near Old Road and Ellington Street, where police said 100 to 150 people had flooded the area with loud music, drinking, lowriders, mopeds and dirt bikes. Boston Police Department (BPD) Officer Jesse Kennedy had responded to a loud disturbance call and tried to disperse the crowd when he spotted a dirt bike with no rear plate, according to a police report obtained by The Boston Herald. When Kennedy approached the rider and grabbed the handlebars to check whether the bike was registered, the rider refused to get off and allegedly tried to pull away. Fox News Digital has requested the police report and additional information from BPD. Video circulating on social media shows Kennedy surrounded as people appear to throw liquids, bottles and other objects while he struggles with the rider. At one point, glass can be heard smashing on the street. RAMPAGING 1,000-TEEN MOB STORMS TOURIST ATTRACTION, HURTS OFFICERS IN VIOLENT 'TAKEOVER' CAUGHT ON VIDEO "Go home," someone yells in the video reviewed by Fox News Digital. Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association President Larry Calderone told Fox News Digital the video shows exactly what rank-and-file officers are up against when staffing runs thin. "He was all alone, and he had to go," Calderone said. Kennedy had been assigned with another officer, but Calderone said that officer had trouble reaching him because of traffic, street takeovers and pedestrians blocking the way. "It’s a matter of minutes," Calderone said. "It probably doesn’t sound like much to the general public, but when you’re fighting an individual in a crowd, and you’re calling for help and nobody’s coming, that three minutes feels like an awful long time." MAMDANI WALKS BACK PLAN TO INCREASE NYPD HEADCOUNT FOLLOWING DSA PRESSURE The union boss said BPD is "extremely short" on manpower and argued the incident was a symptom of a staffing crisis that has left officers dangerously outnumbered at the busiest time of year. Calderone said the union is not blaming Mayor Michelle Wu, whom he credited with budgeting for and hiring roughly 100 officers a year during her time in office. Instead, he pointed to retirements, internal promotions and the City Council’s handling of police overtime. "The blame is not with the mayor," Calderone said. "The blame is with the City Council." Calderone claimed Boston’s patrol ranks remain dangerously depleted, saying prior department testimony to the City Council showed BPD was roughly 600 rank-and-file officers short. Fox News Digital has not independently verified Calderone’s staffing figures. LAPD CHIEF WARNS LOS ANGELES NOT PREPARED TO SECURE 2028 OLYMPICS DUE TO STAFFING SHORTAGES LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE Calderone accused some councilors of trying to "defund the police" while neighborhoods deal with street takeovers, loud late-night parties and attacks on officers trying to keep the peace. "Why aren’t they condemning these street takeovers, these loud, noisy parties, these assaults on their police officers who are trying to keep their neighborhoods safe?" Calderone said. The union president said Boston traditionally uses overtime to put extra officers on the street when officials know about recurring problem areas. "For some reason, this weekend, the department did not put any extra bodies out," he said, claiming BPD "ran below their own minimum standards," leaving Kennedy alone in the crowd. "Thank goodness he and no innocent bystander was hurt," Calderone said. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL The Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association also blasted the viral video on X, writing that "fewer cops means less safety." Additional officers eventually arrived and cleared the crowd, according to the police report. The rider was not publicly identified in initial reports, and the police report did not note any arrests from the crowd. GOT A TIP? Fox News Digital has reached out to Mayor Wu's office for comment, Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox and City Commissioner for District Four Brian Worrell's office for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46c5adc2ca79de23635008 AYSO United AZ North sets off for US Youth Soccer national championships te 2026-07-02T20:10:21.013Z AYSO United AZ North sets off for US Youth Soccer national championships Michael Blair looks to end his club coaching career on a high note by leading Flagstaff’s first appearance in a youth soccer national championship. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46c3e2c2ca79de23634fd2 Trump's 'hero' justice offers roadmap after Supreme Court rejects birthright order te 2026-07-02T20:02:42.239Z Trump's 'hero' justice offers roadmap after Supreme Court rejects birthright order President Donald Trump lost his Supreme Court bid to restrict birthright citizenship through executive order, but one of his own appointees may have handed Republicans a blueprint for pursuing much of the same goal through Congress. Voting with the 6-3 majority, Justice Brett Kavanaugh agreed that Executive Order 14160, which restricts automatic citizenship to people born to U.S. citizens or permanent residents, couldn't take effect. But in a concurring opinion, he also pointed to a different path forward. Kavanaugh argued the court should have resolved the case under federal law rather than the Constitution, laying out a potential legislative path for Congress to pursue changes to birthright citizenship. Congress first wrote the 14th Amendment's birthright citizenship language into federal law in 1940, then carried it over into the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. Because Congress adopted that language after the Supreme Court's landmark 1898 decision in United States v. Wong Kim Ark, which established that most people born in the United States automatically become U.S. citizens, Kavanaugh said lawmakers effectively incorporated the court's interpretation into federal statute. TRUMP SUFFERS MAJOR SUPREME COURT DEFEAT AS JUSTICES UPHOLD BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP Kavanaugh said Trump couldn't use an executive order to change a law Congress had already passed, but instead suggested Congress could rewrite the law to limit birthright citizenship for children born to parents who are in the country illegally or temporarily. "Congress could — consistent with the Fourteenth Amendment—amend §1401(a) or otherwise enact new legislation establishing exceptions to birthright citizenship for children born to foreign citizens unlawfully or temporarily in the country," he wrote. ALITO WARNS SUPREME COURT MADE 'SERIOUS MISTAKE' THAT COULD HAVE NATIONAL SECURITY CONSEQUENCES Kavanaugh argued that large-scale illegal immigration and modern international travel have created circumstances the Reconstruction Congress never envisioned. In his view, that gives Congress room to establish new exceptions to birthright citizenship that are comparable to the historical exceptions recognized under the citizenship clause, including children born to foreign diplomats and enemy forces occupying U.S. territory. "Those two categories of foreign citizens—namely, those unlawfully or temporarily in the country—are relevantly similar to the four categories of persons recognized as exceptions in Wong Kim Ark," Kavanaugh wrote. While the majority rejected Kavanaugh's constitutional reasoning, Republicans quickly seized on the idea that any future effort to limit birthright citizenship would have to come through Congress rather than the White House. REPUBLICAN ACCUSES SCOTUS OF BETRAYING US, PUSHES BILL RESTRICTING BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP, PREGNANT VISITORS Hours after the Supreme Court's ruling came out, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said birthright citizenship has "been abused" and suggested that Congress will have to amend the Constitution. "It's one of those things that was intended to serve a noble and important purpose and has been thwarted and overused and abused," Johnson told reporters. "I'm sure that the conclusion from this decision is you have to amend the Constitution to fix that." Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., renewed his push for a constitutional amendment to end birthright citizenship, arguing that legislation alone would not be enough. "I introduced a constitutional amendment months ago, actually, to fix birthright citizenship," Paul wrote on X. "After the Supreme Court decision, that amendment matters more than ever. I'm asking my colleagues to take it seriously and help me get this passed." Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, echoed Paul's calls to pass a constitutional amendment. "The long fight for a constitutional amendment begins now," Lee wrote on X. "We must explicitly exclude foreign nationals who break our laws, violate our borders, or exploit loopholes to make their families American." Trump argued that Congress could change birthright citizenship through legislation instead of a constitutional amendment. "No long and unwieldy Constitutional Amendment is necessary!" Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Congress should start TODAY to work on ending expensive and unfair to our Country, Birthright Citizenship. They will have my Complete and Total Support!" Several Republicans quickly pointed to existing legislation, including Sen. Tom Cotton's, R-Ark., Constitutional Citizenship Clarification Act, as well as proposals from Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Rick Scott, R-Fla., aimed at cracking down on birth tourism. Meanwhile, the Justice Department indicated it would shift tactics, announcing a crackdown on birth tourism by targeting alleged visa fraud and related criminal conduct rather than attempting to enforce Executive Order 14160. But, Kavanaugh's roadmap is far from a guarantee. On the constitutional question, a 5-4 majority concluded that the citizenship clause itself protects birthright citizenship, meaning any congressional effort to restrict it through ordinary legislation would likely face immediate constitutional challenges. "Justice Thomas says in the final paragraph of his dissent that he's not confident that the decision is going to stand the test of time, so it could well be that the court would revisit it if Congress were to take the steps that Justice Kavanaugh describes," Notre Dame Law School professor Haley Proctor told Fox News Digital. "This is an important decision. I don't think the court's going to revisit it lightly, and the only sure way to get a new answer here would be to amend the Constitution." Kavanaugh offered a similar roadmap in a recent Trump case over tariffs. In that case, the Supreme Court ruled that a federal emergency law known as IEEPA did not give Trump the authority to impose sweeping tariffs. But Kavanaugh argued the administration had simply relied on the wrong legal authority instead of rejecting the policy outright. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER "The Court today concludes that the President checked the wrong statutory box by relying on IEEPA rather than another statute to impose these tariffs," Kavanaugh wrote. Instead, Kavanaugh said Trump could rely on several existing trade laws to impose many of the same tariffs, though those laws would require additional legal steps. Trump later called Kavanaugh his "new hero" in a Truth Social post praising the justice's dissent in the February tariff decision. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46c3cec2ca79de23634fc9 Nevada transgender suspect with massive weapons cache accused of Las Vegas terrorism-related threats te 2026-07-02T20:02:22.780Z Nevada transgender suspect with massive weapons cache accused of Las Vegas terrorism-related threats Police say they thwarted what could have been a devastating mass casualty attack after arresting a transgender Nevada suspect accused of plotting a shooting on the Las Vegas Strip and uncovering an arsenal that included machine guns, grenade launchers and more than 50 firearms. Allison Howlett, 36, who police identify in the arrest report as transgender, was arrested June 27 after Henderson police received a frantic 911 call from the suspect's spouse reporting a domestic dispute, a stolen vehicle loaded with firearms and threats of both "suicide by cop" and a mass shooting. Using vehicle tracking technology, Henderson police traced the stolen SUV to the parking garage at Sunset Station casino, where officers boxed in the vehicle after finding Howlett inside with loud music blaring and refusing repeated commands to surrender. USPS WORKER ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGED MASS SHOOTING THREAT AGAINST TEXAS PRIDE EVENT, FBI SAYS Authorities said officers eventually convinced Howlett to lower a window by offering water before pulling the suspect from the vehicle and deploying a Taser during the struggle. "It should be noted that the suspect had been sitting on a handgun and had access to a fully automatic, silenced MP5-style machine gun in the back seat of the vehicle, further corroborating the reported threats of suicide by cop and having the means to carry out a mass shooting," Henderson Police Chief Reggie Rader said during a Tuesday news conference. 🚨 Know something we should investigate? 📩 stepheny.price@fox.com 📸 IG: @fndstephprice 🎥 X: @StephenyPrice Your tip could lead to our next story. Authorities say detectives recovered 22 firearms from the stolen vehicle, including handguns, rifles, a fully automatic firearm, suppressors, high-capacity magazines and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. A subsequent search warrant executed at Howlett's Henderson residence uncovered 30 additional firearms, including automatic weapons, an M2 .50-caliber machine gun, two Colt AR-style rifles equipped with M203 grenade launchers, seven suppressors and thousands of rounds of ammunition, investigators said. RECORDS REVEAL THE MASSIVE ARSENAL OHIO MAN ALLEGEDLY BUILT TO ATTACK WHITE HOUSE UFC EVENT As the investigation unfolded, Henderson police enlisted the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department's Southern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center, the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and the FBI's Las Vegas Field Office. Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren said investigators uncovered evidence that Howlett allegedly made threats over an extended period of time. FORMER NORTH CAROLINA POLICE OFFICER ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY PLANNING MASS SHOOTING AT NEW ORLEANS FESTIVAL "Some of that information included the threat of wanting to become an active shooter or to conduct a mass attack here in Las Vegas," Koren said. Police also played audio during Tuesday's news conference that investigators said was recorded in 2024 and captured Howlett allegedly threatening a future mass shooting. "If the FBI doesn't come ... arrest me, there's gonna be a ... massacre. ... One day ... hundreds of people [are] going to lose their lives," the person heard in the recording says. FOLLOW US ON X "Obviously for our community here in Las Vegas, after dealing with One October, those types of threats are taken very seriously," Koren said, referencing the 2017 Route 91 Harvest festival shooting, which authorities have called the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. Investigators said the alleged threats, coupled with the cache of weapons, prompted the immediate expansion of the investigation into a counterterrorism case. Howlett now faces 35 criminal counts, including making threats related to an act of terrorism, assault with a deadly weapon constituting domestic violence, grand larceny of a vehicle, 22 counts of grand larceny of a firearm, multiple weapons offenses involving machine guns, suppressors and short-barreled rifles, and resisting a public officer while armed with a firearm. CLICK HERE FOR MORE U.S. NEWS A Clark County judge later set Howlett's bail at $500,000. The investigation began after Julie Howlett called 911 to report that her spouse had allegedly taken her vehicle and threatened a mass shooting. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Julie Howlett later told FOX5 Las Vegas that the 22 firearms recovered from the stolen vehicle belonged to her and were part of her inventory as a gun dealer preparing to transport them out of state. According to Julie Howlett, the confrontation began after she discovered Allison using her credit card without permission. "That morning, I woke up to Allison spending money on my credit card," Julie told FOX5. "She came in with a gun." Julie said she struggled to wrestle the firearm away after Allison allegedly pulled the trigger. GET BREAKING NEWS ALERTS "She was going to kill me," Julie said. "She took off. I ran outside. I had the gun still in my hand. I unloaded it." During Tuesday's news conference, authorities confirmed investigators believe the firearms recovered from the vehicle belonged to the spouse. Officials said detectives are continuing to determine how the weapons were acquired, whether they were legally possessed and what role they allegedly played in the case. Police have also alleged that Howlett made similar threats dating back to January 2024, including warning in a recorded statement that "there is going to be a mass shooting one day" if the FBI did not arrest the suspect. Undersheriff Andrew Walsh said investigators are still working to determine a motive but warned the case highlights how rapidly violent threats can escalate. "The time from thought to act — that window has closed," Walsh said, explaining that suspected attackers today can move from making threats to carrying them out in a matter of days or even hours. SEND US A TIP KSNV reported that during a recorded interview with detectives after the arrest, Howlett denied planning a mass shooting or threatening anyone. According to the outlet, Howlett said she and Julie Howlett had been married for four years and were both transitioning to female while taking estrogen and progesterone. Howlett also told investigators she took Julie's vehicle simply to leave after an argument, acknowledged knowing firearms were inside because Julie had planned to transport them out of state, and claimed users on the online communications platform Discord had falsely accused her of making threats. KSNV further reported that Howlett said all of her personally owned firearms had previously been legally transferred to Julie through an ATF-approved process. Walsh urged anyone who hears credible threats of violence, particularly in domestic situations, to report them immediately, saying early intervention gives law enforcement the best chance to prevent tragedy. As Southern Nevada prepares for Fourth of July celebrations, officials said law enforcement agencies remain on heightened alert and credited the coordinated response between Henderson police, Metro, the FBI and other regional partners with stopping what investigators believe could have become a mass casualty attack. Fox News Digital reached out to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI's Las Vegas Field Office for additional comment. Both agencies said they had nothing further to add beyond officials' remarks during Tuesday's press conference. Fox News Digital's Adam Sabes contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46c37bc2ca79de23634f7a Fast-Moving Wildfire Forces Hundreds of Evacuations near Pueblo, Colorado te 2026-07-02T20:00:59.845Z Fast-Moving Wildfire Forces Hundreds of Evacuations near Pueblo, Colorado The Aspen Acres fire, near Pueblo, Colo., has burned more than 50,000 acres and destroyed hundreds of structures. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46c368c2ca79de23634f71 Jury Deadlocks on Felony Count for Golden Gate Bridge Protesters te 2026-07-02T20:00:40.384Z Jury Deadlocks on Felony Count for Golden Gate Bridge Protesters Seven activists shut down the bridge in 2024 to protest American-backed military attacks in Gaza. They were each convicted of several misdemeanors, but avoided a conviction on a charge that had a potential 15-year prison sentence. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46c14fc2ca79de23634f26 This is where Captain Kidd buried his treasure te 2026-07-02T19:51:43.157Z This is where Captain Kidd buried his treasure Where did pirate Captain Kidd bury his treasure? In the Caribbean? Africa? Some far-off island? Well, he did choose an island, right in the middle of the swanky area of the Hamptons on Long Island, New York, the summer playground of Wall Street honchos and Hollywood celebrities. If only they knew that the buried gold, silver and priceless jewels had been stashed right under their noses...in 1699. And if Captain William Kidd and his wife Sarah were still around today, they'd be hobnobbing with the socialites sipping gin and tonics, and playing golf. Yes, he was married. And they had two daughters. POPEYES TAKES OVER FAMOUS $150 CHICKEN TENDER TOWER AT HAMPTONS CELEBRITY HOTSPOT "They were New York's power couple," says Daphne Palmer Geanacopoulos. "He was a very, very stellar member of New York society. He owned a great deal of real estate. They had dinner parties. They had silver. They had china, and fine linens." Captain Kidd's surprising story is told in the new series "Crazy American History with Eric Shawn," now streaming on Fox Nation. DISCOVERIES THAT RESHAPED WHAT HISTORIANS KNEW ABOUT AMERICA'S FOUNDING FATHERS A pirate who was married, with two kids and a big mansion. That's crazy! "It's easy to believe the lore of pirates, because people find it kind of sexy. You know, these are really hyper-masculine men who are out there, swinging swords and cutting people to pieces and coming around with bags of gold and that's kind of like, you know, dashing and dark and it's all of that," says Geanacopoulos, who wrote the biography "A Pirate's Wife: The Remarkable True Story of Sarah Kidd." "He was a normal guy." And that treasure? 40 pounds of gold, silver, silk and precious rubies and stones? EXPLORERS DISCOVER UNKNOWN ANTARCTIC ISLAND LONG MARKED AS 'DANGER ZONE' ON MAPS "He hides the treasure on Gardiner’s Island," says Samuel Marquis, author of "Captain Kidd: A True Story of Treasure and Betrayal." He also is Kidd’s great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandson. (That’s the ninth great-grandson.) Gardiner’s Island is a privately owned property on New York’s Long Island still in the hands of the same family as when Kidd buried his booty there. Marquis says Kidd also stashed valuables elsewhere, including Connecticut and Rhode Island. New Jersey is also a suspected spot. We will show you the pirate's secret spot where he buried his booty and go along with a man who still thinks more may be out there on the East Coast. The American who you certainly do not know -- the posh pirate -- a crazy and curious story we tell in the third episode of "Crazy American History with Eric Shawn" now streaming on Fox Nation. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46c13bc2ca79de23634f1d World Cup fever takes off as fans launch reporter into air, Johnny Manziel goes nuts & viral cat lady ID'd te 2026-07-02T19:51:23.711Z World Cup fever takes off as fans launch reporter into air, Johnny Manziel goes nuts & viral cat lady ID'd Over the hump and safely onto the other side of the week. Nicely done. We did it. For a lot of us, this is also a Friday. Nothing better than a three-day weekend. The best. They're undefeated. Nothing has stood the test of time quite like the excitement for a three-day weekend. It does beg the question ... which version do y'all prefer? Getting the Friday off, or the Monday? Our next two 'three-day weekends' will actually play this out in real time. After Saturday, the next big holiday is Labor Day. That's when we traditionally get the first Monday of September off. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Personally, I'd rather that one. Mondays are the absolute worst day of the week, and it ain't particularly close. I can stomach a Friday. Everyone is naturally in a better mood on a Friday. We work on Fridays, but we all sort of mail it in a bit, too. But a Monday is just miserable. Getting a Monday off immediately changes the tune of the entire week. Everything shifts. You start work on a Tuesday, and your body is naturally in a better mood. You're also starting the week one step closer to the end of it, and you didn't have to do a thing. Easy call for me. Anyway, all that to say ... Welcome to a Thursday Nightcaps — the one where World Cup fever sends one West Coast reporter flying into the air during a Mexico watch party. What else? I've got Johnny Manziel going absolutely NUTS on a Cleveland radio host, a Wimbledon scare, and how about the viral cat girl who got engaged on top of the Empire State Building yesterday? This girl is NUTS, but also, she might be a genius. Welcome to class, Angela Nikolau! OK, grab you a Modelo, hang on for dear life, and settle in for a Thursday 'Cap! I know nothing about soccer, and I don't pretend to. Frankly, it's not my thing. Not my sport. Not my wheelhouse. That being said ... what a tournament. I can't believe it's only halfway through. Feel like we've been at this for a MONTH now. Every day, we get something new. That's a good thing when it's July and there is nothing else going on. I have no clue if the red card last night was the right call, but, given the outrage, I assume it was not. Oh well. We live to fight another day, I reckon. As for the other stuff — the stuff going on outside the stadium — I did get this email last night in regards to Freddy the Fraud. We talked about him in yesterday's class, so go back and check someone's notes to get caught up. Or, you know, just click here. From David G: Zach, On the German dude, I get people are always looking to blame the Libs for everything but come on man. Hope we can ALL agree we don't like frauds. Well, other than the 75M or so that voted for one. I'm not a "Lib," just an American who clearly knew Trump's MO for decades. Raking in $2B in crypto while we're suffering, imagine that. I'd hope no one would want to line the pockets of some random guy lying through his teeth. The frustration seems to be directed towards people who reacted as expected, instead of a con. Seems like far too many appreciate this type of corruption, and making money on SM for lies, is precisely that. No wonder we need a Million data centers, supporting utter garbage. Thanks for your time. Thanks, David! I'll be honest, I have no clue what he's trying to say, but we welcome all sorts of opinions in this class. That's why we win (alleged) awards. As for Trump ... the White House confirmed yesterday that Freddy will still be making the trip, despite him deleting his Twitter because America turned on him. We're the Land of Second Chances, after all. OK, let's get this class officially started now with Sacramento reporter Peyton Headlee getting toss into the air like a rag doll at a Mexico watch party: Lordy. What a scene. Apparently, this is what Mexico fans do? They just launch people into the air. I looked it up. Did some digging. And it's true! "I wore my Mexico jersey yesterday and two different people ran up to me and tried to pick me up and throw me," one person in the comment section said. Amazing. Like I said, I don't love soccer. I'm not even sure I like it. But I do appreciate the fandom. These people are NUTS. Imagine if this tourney was going on during college football season? I think the country would just shut down. Give me a Mexico watch party in Oxford in two months during LSU weekend! Speaking of college football ... let's go ahead and check in with Heisman-winner Johnny Manziel. We haven't heard from Johnny in a while, so I'd imagine he's doing well ... ... Right? For those who can't read the fine print ... "Rizz, you stupid c---. These comments were made in October of last year but of course you bored h---- in the Cleveland media have nothing to speak about because your quarterback stopped banging massage therapists and you can only speak about losing so much to all of the people that listen to this trash a-- show. My tenure in Cleveland was doomed by a lot more people than just be. I've taken plenty of responsibility for my failures in that building and in that city. By the way have you spoke to or about or 6th pick in the draft that year Justin Gilbert lately? Or what about our all world coach that was hired Mike Pettine? Tom Brady couldn't have won with our roster from 2015. Just move on, f--- off and leave me out of this bull---t." Whoaaaaaaaaaaa Nellie! What a RANT from Johnny Football. Shockingly, he deleted it. Can't imagine why! By the way, here's the clip that got Johnny all fired up: World Cup action going on all around the country, the Indians are a game back in the AL Central, and they're trashing Johnny Manziel over on ESPN radio in Cleveland in July. Football town, baby! OK, two quickies on the way out, because this class has already run way too long. First? With all the FIFA madness going on, let's not forget there's also a pretty big tennis tournament happening. Here's your Day 3 Wimbledon recap! Tennis ain't much in my wheelhouse, either. But, like soccer, I do appreciate the content we get out of it. I also appreciate Novak, mainly because he made the Libs freak out a few years ago during the COVID vaccine hysteria. Patriot. OK, that's it for today. Weird day, admittedly, but it's also July 2 and we're all mostly checked out anyways, so you get what you get. On the way out, here's the viral cat lady's Instagram account, which the internet quickly found after her Empire State Building stunt yesterday. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS She seems ... interesting. OutKick Nightcaps is a daily column set to run Monday through Friday at 4 p.m. (roughly, we’re not robots). Which day off do you prefer? Email me at Zach.Dean@OutKick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46bf21c2ca79de23634eae Former KKK Grand Wizard praises Mamdani-endorsed socialist's stance on interracial marriage te 2026-07-02T19:42:25.850Z Former KKK Grand Wizard praises Mamdani-endorsed socialist's stance on interracial marriage Former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard David Duke recently told a conservative media outlet that he agrees with a Democratic congressional nominee on an unlikely issue: interracial marriage. Darializa Avila Chevalier, who recently won the Democratic primary in New York’s 13th Congressional District, attracted controversy on the campaign trail for a deleted 2019 social media post where she attacked "Black men" and "Arab men" for "fetishizing ugly colonizer women."  The sentiment won praise from Duke. "Well, I think that people have the right to preserve their particular heritage," the former KKK leader told the Washington Free Beacon in a phone interview. "And if she's concerned about preserving her heritage if it's Somali, or whatever she is, she's certainly got the right to do that."  MAMDANI-BACKED SOCIALIST IN HOT SEAT AGAIN OVER DELETED POSTS PRAISING COMMUNISM, MARXISM: 'CRAZYPANTS' Chevalier identifies as Afro-Latina. She was also part of a cohort of socialist candidates endorsed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani who swept New York’s June Democratic primary elections. Duke served in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1989 to 1992 after years of involvement in extremist politics. He was grand wizard of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan from 1974 to 1980, a title used by the organization for its national leader. Even before Duke went public with his praise for Chevalier, some political observers were making connections between the two. "Chevalier is our David Duke," one unnamed Democrat told journalist Mark Halperin in June. "She is poisoning the possibility of a Democratic majority."   JAMES CARVILLE SAYS SOCIALIST DEMOCRAT SHOULDN'T BE IN THE PARTY, CALLS HER VIEWS 'A BRIDGE TOO FAR' Former Republican congressman Peter Meijer said Monday on X that "the difference is that the modern Democratic Party would never do to Chevalier what the GOP did to David Duke." Duke infamously ran as a Republican in the 1991 Louisiana gubernatorial election after placing second in the state’s nonpartisan jungle primary. Amid national controversy, the GOP refused to endorse Duke, backing Democrat Edwin Edwards instead. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, meanwhile, congratulated Chevalier on her primary victory in a Saturday social media post. New York’s 13th Congressional District is heavily Democratic, making it very likely that Chevalier will be elected to the House of Representatives in November. HUNDREDS OF RABBIS DEMAND MAMDANI APOLOGIZE FOR PUTTING 'TARGET' ON AMERICAN JEWS WITH AIPAC 'MONSTER' REMARKS Duke has had kind words for a number of Democrats in recent years, citing their shared distaste for Israel. "By defiance to (Zionist occupied government) Ilhan Omar is NOW the most important Member of the US Congress!" Duke wrote on his website in 2019 after Rep. Ilhan Omar was accused of implying that Jewish lawmakers have a dual loyalty to Israel. Duke has called Jews "a blight" who should "go into the ashcan of history." The one-time KKK leader also praised Mamdani in his interview with the Free Beacon. "I think that the new mayor of New York was a step forward," Duke said, according to the outlet, though he noted he disagrees with him on immigration policy. "His views on Israel are critical, because there's no more important political issue than the fact that a tiny minority of America … the oligarchs of the Jewish people, that they are controlling our foreign policy." The episode highlights a potential political vulnerability for some progressive Democrats, who face mounting scrutiny over allegations of antisemitism within their ranks. Duke’s praise for Chevalier — and his support for other Democrats who have drawn accusations of antisemitism — give critics in both parties a new opening to attack the Democratic Party’s young and ascendant socialist wing. The Chevalier campaign did not respond to a request for comment when reached by Fox News Digital Thursday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46bf0ec2ca79de23634ea5 Caitlin Clark highlights 3 Fever players named among 2026 WNBA All-Star Game starters te 2026-07-02T19:42:06.388Z Caitlin Clark highlights 3 Fever players named among 2026 WNBA All-Star Game starters The 10 startings for the WNBA All-Star Game on July 25 have been set, and among them is Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark. But she’s not the only one repping the Fever. Teammates Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell are also starters for the game, which will be played in Chicago. Fans made up 50% of the vote, while current players and a media panel each got 25% to round it out. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Players and media panelists all contributed one ballot, which was made up of four guards and six frontcourt players. In the end, Clark, Boston and Mitchell will appear at the All-Star Game for the third straight year together. But this is the first time all three were voted as starters, with Boston also getting that honor in 2023 and 2025, while Clark has been a starter the last two years. Mitchell gets her first start in the All-Star Game after she was a replacement in 2025. CAITLIN CLARK BREAKS WNBA ASSISTS RECORD TO A CHORUS OF BOOS AS VALKYRIES SPOIL THE MILESTONE The Fever weren’t the only team with multiple players representing their squad in the starting group. The Dallas Wings saw guard Paige Bueckers and forward Jessica Shepard in there when the votes were counted up. Also, Natasha Howard and Olivia Miles of the Minnesota Lynx will be starting in Chicago. Rounding out the starting 10 players are Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson, the four-time league MVP, two-time MVP Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty and Gabby Williams of the Golden State Valkyries. This year will see a different format, though, for how the teams will shake out. Since 2018, with the exception of the COVID-19 2020 campaign, the top two voted players were named captains, and they would pick their teams. Now, Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon, two WNBA legends, will serve as general managers and select their rosters among the 22 All-Stars who get the opportunity to represent their teams in Chicago. This is to honor the league’s 30th anniversary. There was no doubting Clark was deserving of a starter job yet again, as she’s averaging a career-high 21.2 points per game, which ranks fifth among all WNBA players this season. She is also second-best with 8.2 assists per game, and once again, she’s setting new WNBA records. Clark became the fastest player in WNBA history to surpass 1,000 career points and 500 career assists already this year. Those milestones, and others, have been great to see from a player who battled through numerous injuries in her sophomore season in 2025. With the 10 starters announced, the 12 reserves will be announced at a later date. 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/6a46bebcc2ca79de23634e81 Arizona’s story is America’s story — before and after statehood te 2026-07-02T19:40:44.980Z Arizona’s story is America’s story — before and after statehood Key Points:  Arizona’s history reflects American history beyond date of statehood Historians urge reflection beyond the nation’s 250th celebration Individual stories shape and inform state and nation’s history  Cattle roamed the rocks and bluffs around Quarter Circle U Ranch long before the U.S. president’s signature cemented Arizona’s statehood. Through verdant springs and unflinching heat each summer, a string of families have reared and herded cows in the shadows of the Superstition Mountains since 1876 – with the buck now passed to Amy Doyle from her parents, Chuck and Judy Backus, who ran the ranch for more than 40 years.  “We’re hoping to be here in 50 years,” Doyle said.  The ranch’s settlement and struggles came well before Arizona joined the United States proper, but the history of Quarter Circle U ranch is American history — a history still living with the Doyle family.  Arizona became a state 132 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. But as the United States celebrates its 250th birthday, historians work to thread the lives, stories and ethos of Arizona before and after statehood into the history of the country.  “Arizona history is American history,” Jaynie Adams, history engagement manager for the Arizona Historical Society, said. “Every event, every choice that happens is informed by a larger context where people are taking their own values and their own understandings of what it means to be an American.” On Valentine’s Day in 1912, Arizona became the 48th state to join the Union. But before the presidential signature, Arizona had already laid bare a vast history spanning indigenous stewardship, Spanish missions, Mexican frontiers, lawless Wild West settlements and budding economic output as an American territory.  “Arizonans, in particular, have this really strong sense of independence and have this really strong sense of personal freedoms,” Adams said. “Historically speaking, I think that comes from an assertion of belonging to a larger American experiment.” Marshall Trimble, the Arizona state historian, noted that before statehood, Arizona provided opportunities in land ownership where there was none before.  “You could own your property. You could be your own boss,” Trimble said. “That’s one of the things that’s so great about America is people could rise. You could rise up.”  He told the story of Ed Schieffelin, a man who arrived in Arizona broke and later struck riches in silver, prompting the founding of Tombstone.  “This was a guy who was in rags,” Trimble said. “This story played out many times.”  Trimble himself grew up in Arizona as the son of a farmer and waitress. He lived in a two room trailer house with his family. He was the first to go to college and paid his way earning $1-an-hour at Encanto Park. He went on to become a teacher, then a professor, then a published author, chronicling the countless stories woven into Arizona’s history.  “Only in America could that have happened,” Trimble said.  Though promise existed in the West, Adams acknowledged the fraught foundation — manifest destiny, settler colonialism and the mass displacement of Indigenous people who had stewarded land for generations.  “It’s complicated to look at histories like Arizona and go ‘Well, this doesn’t necessarily align with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness writ large,’ ” Adams said. “It’s complicated to think about our values as Americans versus our actions as Americans, and the gap between the two.”  Governor of the Gila River Indian Community Stephen Roe Lewis expressed similar sentiment, acknowledging both the promise and reality of America and the tribal nations’ history reaching far beyond the 250-year mark.  “I see this anniversary as a moment for reflection, not just celebration. It should be a time to honor what is best in America, but also to tell the truth about where the country has fallen short and where it still has work to do,” Lewis said.  He noted the tension between the ideals of “liberty and equality” and the history lived by Indigenous people.  “At the same time the United States was declaring that all people are created equal, Native people were being displaced from our lands, denied basic rights and often excluded from the promises being made. That conflict is part of the American story, and it cannot be ignored,” Lewis said. “But I also believe those words still matter. The question is whether America is willing to make them real for everyone, including tribal nations.” Gov. Katie Hobbs deemed it a “pivotal moment” in the state and looked to the work in the state now to move the country forward.  “Arizona’s part of the West, the new frontier, and we are doing so much here that is advancing our national security and our economy. Whoever’s in the White House, (no matter) what their agenda is, Arizona is a key component,” Hobbs said. “I just think our story is like the story of what America is about.”  Adams centered the anniversary as an opportunity for reflection. “This is more about – where are we? What has happened? Where are we going, right? That’s why we study history, generally. It’s not to have fun facts for a cocktail party,” Adams said. “It’s to use the knowledge of the past to help us make informed choices about where to go in the future.” The Arizona Historical Society partnered with the Arizona America250, a coalition encompassing major state industries, the Arizona Secretary of State’s office and civic and education groups, to celebrate the U.S. milestone.  To mark the occasion, Arizona America 250 created a guide of significant historical landmarks, destinations and natural wonders. It hosted a traveling museum touting the state’s replica Liberty Bell around all 15 counties, put on an art installation and it forged a commemorative copper ingot.  For its part, the Arizona Historical Society published a “Journal of Arizona History.” One chapter chronicled the concurrent histories in the Southwest and on the East Coast during the Revolutionary War. Historians delved into images, food traditions and documents marking the state’s history.  Adams put together a collection of artifacts to tell the stories of the people past and present.  Entries include a tus — a water-carrying basket crafted by the Yavapai people, a beaver trap, a rifle owned by Geronimo, a revolver owned by Wyatt Earp, a mounted head of a mountain lion, a cattle branding iron, an iron lung, a hockey helmet and a quilt crafted in memory of migrants who died while attempting to cross into the United States.  The items will be on display at the Arizona History Museum in Tucson for the next year, starting on July 4. Adams hopes it brings all Arizonans, in every corner of the state and in every walk of life, into the fold.  “Centering Arizona in this story and helping people see that their history, the history of their family, their neighbors, their community, that history matters, and that all history is local history, I think that’s really powerful,” Adams said. “I hope that it will encourage people to think about their own history as being something that’s integral to the national story.”  The post Arizona’s story is America’s story — before and after statehood first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46bea9c2ca79de23634e52 FLL All-Stars Roundup: Majors cruise to district title game te 2026-07-02T19:40:25.022Z FLL All-Stars Roundup: Majors cruise to district title game The Flagstaff Little League All-Star Majors will play in the district championship game against either Silver Creek or Payson on Friday at Dawson Field. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46bc8bc2ca79de23634e1b FBI says new mission center has identified 'nefarious' protest funding and subjects te 2026-07-02T19:31:23.331Z FBI says new mission center has identified 'nefarious' protest funding and subjects FIRST ON FOX: The FBI's newly created Joint Mission Center has identified suspects, uncovered "nefarious" funding sources behind violent interstate protests and begun building criminal cases with federal prosecutors, FBI Co-Deputy Director Chris Raia told Fox News Digital. In an exclusive interview at FBI headquarters, Raia said the bureau's multi-agency mission center has moved beyond intelligence gathering and into active financial investigations aimed at dismantling the networks that finance political violence. "We found funding from nefarious sources," Raia said. "We have subjects identified. Getting those folks to indictment and/or a conviction is a little bit different story right now." Raia's comments come as federal prosecutors from the office of Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche crack down on nonprofits allegedly connected to violent protest activity and possible illicit financing. As Fox News Digital exclusively reported Monday, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton has launched a grand jury investigation into American communist tech tycoon Neville Roy Singham and a network of nonprofits into which he has pumped roughly $285 million since 2017, according to people familiar with the investigation. A grand jury has issued subpoenas seeking financial records related to the Singham network, according to the sources. Raia didn't speak specifically about the Singham case. Meanwhile, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Alabama is prosecuting the Southern Poverty Law Center for alleged bank fraud, wire fraud and money laundering in a case in which prosecutors allege SPLC executives paid an informant who helped coordinate transportation, logistics and communications for the 2017 "Unite the Right" protests in Charlottesville, Va., that led to the death of a young woman, Heather Heyer. DOJ LAUNCHES GRAND JURY PROBE INTO MARXIST MOGUL NEVILLE ROY SINGHAM'S FUNDING OF LEFTIST GROUPS But the comments from Raia provide the clearest public indication yet that the FBI's Joint Mission Center, established earlier this year to coordinate the bureau's response to domestic political violence, is producing tangible investigative results. The center brings together counterterrorism, cyber, counterintelligence and financial investigators and specialists from the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service to trace funding streams, identify criminal actors and build prosecutable cases. In late September, after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, President Donald Trump issued his seventh National Security Presidential Memorandum, entitled "Countering Domestic Terrorism and Political Violence," or "NSPM-7." The FBI tasked its Joint Terrorism Task Forces, or JTTFs, to widen their lens to investigate far-left threats in the U.S. Last year, Raia worked as assistant deputy in charge of the FBI's New York field office, which successfully convicted a protester, Tarek Bazrouk, charged with hate crimes related to the violent assault of Jewish victims. In early December, the Justice Department issued a memo, "Implementing National Security Presidential Memorandum-7: Countering Domestic Terrorism and Organized Political Violence," directing law enforcement agencies to investigate "anti-fascist" actors with "extreme viewpoints on immigration, radical gender ideology, and anti-American sentiment." The directive also called for the investigation and prosecution of tax crimes in which "extremist groups are suspected of defrauding the Internal Revenue Service." FBI Director Kash Patel named Raia to the position of co-deputy director of the FBI in January after the departure of Dan Bongino from the post. By March, the Trump administration’s FBI budget included the creation of the Joint Mission Center. Agents assigned to the Joint Mission Center are working "hot and heavy," he said, to separate allegedly illicit funding from legitimate financial activity supporting nonprofit organizations and advocacy groups. "It does go through some very legitimate hoops, and it is commingled with very legitimate money as well," Raia said. "So splitting that out just takes time." PROBE INTO 'SUBVERSIVE' ANTI-AI SINGHAM NETWORK IS 'ENORMOUS,' FORMER TREASURY ADVISOR SAYS Raia said the bureau has already identified at least a "portion of the actors" believed to be involved in financing or facilitating violent protest activity, but declined to identify investigative targets because the cases remain active. "We're working every day to bring an indictable case to the Department of Justice," Raia said. Raia said the bureau created the Joint Mission Center because violent political unrest has evolved into what officials view as a "hybrid threat" requiring expertise that extends beyond traditional counterterrorism investigations. "We brought all those folks together from different divisions at headquarters. And we brought them together to sit in the same space and really be a clearinghouse for these types of events that happen," Raia said. JIM BANKS, GOP LAWMAKERS RALLY BEHIND DOJ PROBE INTO ALLEGED CCP-LINKED FUNDING NETWORK Singham and the organizations in his network didn’t return requests for comment. A spokesman for the Southern District of New York declined to comment. As part of the investigation, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met earlier this year with Goldman Sachs Chairman and CEO David Solomon, who pledged to aid the FBI's effort to trace how Singham allegedly routed money through a network of nonprofit organizations that investigators believe supported protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other causes, the sources said. The Singham investigation illustrates the type of financial case the FBI's Joint Mission Center was created to pursue: identifying and dismantling the funding networks that investigators believe enable recurring episodes of political violence across the country. Raia cited violent anti-ICE demonstrations in Minneapolis and at Delaney Hall, an immigration detention facility in Newark, N.J., the attempted terror plot at UFC 250 in Washington, D.C., and other incidents that federal authorities believe demonstrate recurring patterns of organized violence. As Fox News Digital previously reported, activists associated with the Singham network have participated in anti-ICE demonstrations at Delaney Hall as well as protests in Minneapolis and Los Angeles. "We've seen it, and we're going to continue to see it: The violent protester that shows up in Portland will be a violent protester that shows up at Delaney Hall and vice versa," Raia said. "This same cast of characters continues to show up, and they continue to invade and infiltrate the legitimate First Amendment protesters who are exercising their constitutionally given First Amendment right." "We know these violent folks are coming in and seeding into there and creating chaos, creating violence, causing us to have to get involved. And we're doing a good job getting in front of these folks and disrupting those folks," he said. PROBE INTO 'SUBVERSIVE' ANTI-AI SINGHAM NETWORK IS 'ENORMOUS,' FORMER TREASURY ADVISOR SAYS Raia said the FBI has disrupted numerous violent actors over the past 15 months, including during anti-ICE demonstrations in New York City, and that the bureau is increasingly shifting its focus beyond arrests at protest scenes to the financial infrastructure supporting those activities. "We're really looking at attacking the money. Who's funding these folks? Because we know somebody is at the end of this funding these folks," Raia said. Ren McEachern, the former acting unit chief of the FBI's International Corruption Unit, said following financial trails is often the fastest way to expose the organizations, individuals and motivations behind coordinated political violence. "When you see what appear to be disorganized or fragmented protest groups appearing and reappearing, well organized, in different areas of the country, you have to determine the funding sources to understand the organization," McEachern said. "Often, if you follow the money, it tells a different story of organized collection and distribution of funds." Fox News Digital's Michael Ruiz and Hannah Brennan contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46ba49c2ca79de23634d98 Republican says Trump's top election priority 'dead' in Senate as GOP fractures ahead of midterms te 2026-07-02T19:21:45.660Z Republican says Trump's top election priority 'dead' in Senate as GOP fractures ahead of midterms A Senate Republican revealed that even if President Donald Trump’s flagship election integrity legislation had the votes to pass, there’s not enough time to actually have it take effect for the upcoming midterm elections. The Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act has increasingly become a problem for congressional Republicans desperate to move onto other must-pass legislation. But Trump has consistently demanded they find a way to pass it, particularly in the Senate, by any means necessary. But Republicans aren’t unified behind the bill, and Democrats unanimously despise it. Even if it got 60 votes, which is an unlikely scenario, Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., contended it wouldn’t have an impact in time for November. GOP INFIGHTING OVER TRUMP'S VOTER ID BILL ERUPTS AS TOP SENATOR CALLS STRATEGY 'FANTASY' "Unless they do the work to get to the 60 votes, they know it’s dead, and so all this is theater," Tillis told the Raleigh, North Carolina-based News & Observer. Tillis, who was one of four Senate Republicans to vote against attaching the legislation to an immigration enforcement funding bill last month and was called out by Trump, is familiar with pushing for voter ID laws, which is only a portion of what the proposed SAVE America Act would do. During his time as House speaker in the North Carolina legislature, he was a major proponent of enacting the state’s voter ID. But doing so takes time and money, he argued. 'IT'S A MESS': GOP TURNS ON HOUSE CONSERVATIVES AS VOTER ID BLOCKADE STALLS TRUMP'S AGENDA "And honestly, here in North Carolina, or in virtually any state, the ability, if we go back to when we implemented voter ID in North Carolina, it took a year to get everything in place with adequate funding," Tillis said. The current version of the SAVE America Act doesn’t directly allocate funding to states to implement voter ID or its several other provisions. That is, in part, why the legislation wouldn’t work in the budget reconciliation process, as Trump has called for and House Republicans are mulling, which requires provisions to have a direct budgetary impact and not be policy only. Tillis pitched the scenario that if everything worked out, it would eat into early voting periods or outright snuff them. "Let’s assume you only allow early voting in the month of October," Tillis said. "Then do you honestly believe that we can have this thing up in 50 states? There’s no funding. There’s no specific implementation instructions." SUPREME COURT RULES ON MAIL-IN BALLOTS RECEIVED AFTER ELECTION DAY "It’s become a joke, in my mind, for somebody that’s actually implemented voter ID law, how anybody can look the American voters in the eye and suggest that it could be implemented in time without just causing a huge impact on the elections, and ironically undermine the confidence of it," he continued. Still, it hasn’t stopped a cohort of congressional Republicans, notably Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., from demanding that the Senate take action on the bill. And Trump is determined to strong-arm Republicans into passing it, demanding they nuke the filibuster, attach the SAVE America Act to must-pass legislation, or fire the Senate rules referee. Following the Supreme Court’s decision to allow mail-in ballots to be counted after Election Day, he renewed his call. "In light of the tremendous loss in the Supreme Court today concerning Voter’s Rights, and the fact that ‘people’s’ votes are allowed to be counted LONG AFTER an Election is over, it is more important than ever to pass THE SAVE AMERICA ACT," Trump said on Truth Social. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46b9f4c2ca79de23634d34 A warning sign about AI’s real cost, courtesy of Google and Amazon te 2026-07-02T19:20:20.672Z A warning sign about AI’s real cost, courtesy of Google and Amazon AI has made it a lot harder for tech companies like Amazon and Google to deliver on their net-zero pledges. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46b7ddc2ca79de23634d07 Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's MSG wedding guest list: Everyone reportedly confirmed for star-studded event te 2026-07-02T19:11:25.653Z Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's MSG wedding guest list: Everyone reportedly confirmed for star-studded event Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's reported wedding at Madison Square Garden is just a day away and there is still very little about the highly anticipated event that has been confirmed. However, if the reported wedding takes place as planned, it is expected to be a star-studded event. Over the past weeks, some A-listers have hinted at attending and the pop star herself made a rare comment about the guest list. Below is a look at everyone who will reportedly be among the 1,000 guests at MSG on July 3. TAYLOR SWIFT AND TRAVIS KELCE'S WEDDING OF THE YEAR: EVERYTHING WE KNOW SO FAR In October, Swift was a guest on U.K.’s "Hits Radio Breakfast Show" and shared that it would be "hard to stop" her longtime friend Ed Sheeran from performing at her wedding — implying he had already secured an invitation. "We spoke to Ed Sheeran a few weeks back, and he told us he is constantly asked to perform at people’s weddings. So is he singing at your wedding?" the host asked Swift. She replied, "Oh it would be hard to keep him from it, I think! That’s the thing, he’s like, ‘I’m always being asked to sing at weddings.’ It’s like, 'Ed, if there is a stage, you know you’ll be on it.' He knows what people want, and he wants to give people what they want." TAYLOR SWIFT'S WEDDING RUMORS SPARK SPECULATION ABOUT CLOSE FRIENDS, INFAMOUS FALLOUTS AND BRIDAL PARTY An insider spoke to Page Six and shared that Zoë Kravitz is "absolutely coming" to Swift and Kelce’s wedding. However, Kravitz's fiancé, Harry Styles, is currently on his Together, Together tour and is not likely to be attending. Kansas City Chiefs star George Kittle and his wife, Claire, will be attending the Swift-Kelce wedding. George confirmed his attendance at the Tight End University event in Nashville earlier this year. Kittle shared an interesting tidbit about the upcoming wedding while attending the Tight Ends & Friends concert. Speaking to ExtraTV, the NFL player confirmed he was attending the wedding and was told not to bring a gift. Advertisement  "They said absolutely no gifts. But I was thinking, Travis, for some reason, really likes old coins, so I might get him an old coin," Kittle shared. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk and his wife, Kristin, have spoken about the upcoming wedding. At Kelce's Tight End University, an NFL camp created by the football player, along with George Kittle and Greg Olsen, the Juszczyks made rare comments about the upcoming wedding. "Oh my gosh, everyone’s just so excited for them," Kristin told Page Six. "We’ve known Travis for a while now, and we’re just so happy that he found his person. "Really, it is just excitement … it’s the royal wedding!" Kyle added. In June, Jason Kelce made a joke about the Swift and Kelce wedding, claiming he's "very excited" for his brother's big day. "Obviously very excited, very excited for my brother, obviously a big moment for him," Jason said, according to People. "I’m very happy for both of them and looking forward to celebrating with them, and it's a good year right now and it’s a good year for both of them as well." After a major falling out, Blake Lively is reportedly back in Swift's good graces and scored an invite to her big day. A source told the Daily Mail that since the Justin Baldoni legal drama, Swift and Lively have spoken via phone and the invitation was an "olive branch" for their friendship. "Everyone around Taylor is aware that Blake could attend," the source added. "She may not, but that won’t be because she isn’t welcome." The Haim sisters — Este, Danielle, and Alana— are a pop-rock band based in Los Angeles and also close friends of Swift.   LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS  Page Six reported that the sisters secured invites to Swift's wedding. Suki Waterhouse has already confirmed that she will be attending Swift's wedding. "I’m gonna go to Taylor’s wedding, and maybe I’ll get some inspiration. It will be amazing," she told Variety. Waterhouse is currently dating Robert Pattinson. Multiple outlets have reported that not only are Gigi Hadid and Selena Gomez attending the wedding, they will be among her bridal party. Hadid and Gomez have been friends with Swift for years. Last year, Swift attended Gomez's wedding to Benny Blanco. It's possible that Hadid will bring her boyfriend, Bradley Cooper, to Swift's big day. According to Page Six, Cara Delevingne secured an invite to Swift and Kelce's wedding. Swift and Delevingne have been friends for years. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46b5e6c2ca79de23634c93 Former US Olympian David Hearn indicted in alleged Reflecting Pool vandalism te 2026-07-02T19:03:02.322Z Former US Olympian David Hearn indicted in alleged Reflecting Pool vandalism Former U.S. Olympic canoeist David "Davey" Hearn has been indicted on a felony destruction of property charge after his arrest last month at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., according to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. Hearn, a former U.S. Olympic canoeist, was charged Thursday in D.C. Superior Court following the incident on June 19. Hearn has denied damaging the recently renovated Reflecting Pool, saying he stopped during a bike ride and merely touched a loose piece of the peeling blue coating "to satisfy my curiosity as a citizen."  The indictment comes after several people were arrested or cited in connection with damage to the Reflecting Pool, which underwent a more than $14 million rehabilitation project under President Donald Trump. WHITE HOUSE CONDEMNS 'TARGETED SABOTAGE' OF REFLECTING POOL AS REPAIRS PUSHED PAST JULY 4 CELEBRATION The president had previously blamed vandals for the damage to the pool, which features a blue coating he calls "American flag blue." CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP This is a developing story. Check back later for updates. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46b5d2c2ca79de23634c80 Modern pitching forces MLB Hall of Fame voters to rethink greatness te 2026-07-02T19:02:42.339Z Modern pitching forces MLB Hall of Fame voters to rethink greatness PHOENIX – When Tim Kurkjian talks about starting pitching, he doesn’t begin with numbers and analytics. The longtime ESPN baseball writer starts with the games he watched as a kid.  He remembers Jim Palmer facing Sandy Koufax in the 1966 World Series and Bob Gibson taking on Denny McLain two years later. Back then, the game’s biggest moments belonged to the men on the mound. “Those were the kinds of games baseball was built on, two starting pitchers who went out there thinking they were going to finish the game,” Kurkjian said. “Those days barely exist anymore.” For generations, identifying a Hall of Fame starting pitcher was simple: Win 300 games. Strike out 3,000 batters. Take the ball every fifth day and stay on the mound long enough for the numbers to take care of the rest. That formula no longer works. Pitchers throw harder than ever, but they pitch fewer innings, make fewer starts and rarely finish games. Pitch counts, specialized bullpens and an increased emphasis on load management and injury prevention have reshaped the position. “There’s no doubt that everything involving starting pitching has changed,” Kurkjian said. “We’ve lost some of the value we once placed on the starting pitcher.” Today’s game, Kurkjian said, is built around bullpen depth rather than workhorse starters.  “Bullpens are filled with six, seven, eight guys who all have spectacular stuff,” he said. “So when a starter gets tired after 100 pitches, you bring in a fresh arm throwing 100 miles an hour.” This change in pitching philosophy hasn’t just affected the game itself, but it has altered what modern careers look like. In the 1950s through the 1970s, starters often threw more than 250 innings a season. Today, very few reach 200.  In 2025, only three pitchers surpassed that 200-inning mark. The lack of innings pitched has affected other milestones. Since 2016, only 10 pitchers have become 20-game winners. By comparison, from 1960 to 1962 there were 15. These numbers make it clear that expecting modern pitchers to hit traditional milestones is becoming increasingly unrealistic. This raises the question: Should Hall of Fame voters adjust their criteria to fairly judge pitchers in today’s game, and if so, how? Jayson Stark, a longtime national writer, Hall of Fame voter and currently a senior baseball writer for The Athletic, believes it’s simple. “The game changes and the sport evolves,” he said. “As voters, we have to evolve with it.” Out with the old For Stark, the first step in that evolution is understanding that some statistics previously valued highly can no longer hold as much weight as they did before. Case in point: the win. “We haven’t had a starting pitcher make the Hall of Fame under 200 wins since Sandy Koufax,” Stark said. “Today, the win no longer carries the meaning that it always has had in the history of the sport.” Stark believes that voters have been heading in this direction for a while. “Felix Hernandez is becoming the test case for the win’s value and what it means for Hall of Fame voting,” Stark said. “He was once the test case for Cy Young voting as well. “When he won the Cy Young with 13 wins in 2010, that to me changed everything.” That shift, Stark argued, reflects a broader change in how voters are already assessing modern careers. “The fact that Felix, a guy I didn’t even vote for in his first year, in his second year on the ballot has roared to getting over 40% of the vote, to me says that voters are ready to adjust,” Stark said. That sentiment is not shared by all, however.  Barry Bloom, a Hall of Fame voter since 1992 who currently writes for Forbes, still believes that the win is a major aspect to what makes a Hall of Fame starting pitcher. “No one will ever reach 300 wins again, and I understand that,” Bloom said. “But we just can’t let guys in with less than 200 wins.” Bloom believes only a handful of current or recently retired starting pitchers will make the Hall of Fame in the next few decades. “As of now it’s Zack Greinke, Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander and Clayton Kershaw, that’s it,” Bloom said. “These are probably the last guys to reach 200 wins, let alone 300.” Kurkjian sees the same reality but draws a slightly different conclusion about what it means for future ballots.  “We’ve essentially replaced 300 wins with a new benchmark, maybe 200 or 250 wins,” Kurkjian said. “But even then, you’d better have a low ERA, a strong strikeout total of 2,500 to 3,000 or it won’t be enough.” Kurkjian sees the way the trends are going and believes that pitchers with less than 200 wins will eventually start making the Hall of Fame. “We’re going to see it because we have to recognize the environment pitchers are operating in,” Kurkjian said. “It’s not their fault they aren’t winning 200 games anymore. They aren’t being allowed to pitch enough innings or make enough starts.” Kurkjian points to Jacob deGrom as an example of why traditional win totals don’t indicate a player’s true dominance. “deGrom is a great example,” Kurkjian said. “If he retired today, it would be hard to vote for him based on wins alone. However, his ERA after 250 starts is behind only Kershaw and Tom Seaver in the live-ball era. “Stuff like that matters.” While the profiles of elite starters are changing, he notes that this isn’t uncharted territory for Hall of Fame voters. “We’ve seen it before with Dizzy Dean and Sandy Koufax,” Kurkjian said. “So I’m certain we’ll see it again.” Redefining greatness With the win no longer carrying the weight it once did, a natural question arises: What should voters look at now to determine whether a pitcher is truly worthy of the Hall of Fame?  For Stark, it’s all about defining greatness, which he notes has changed over time. “We’re defining greatness in different ways than we ever have,” Stark said. “For me, the best gauges of greatness are strikeout rates, WHIP, and ERA. You also have to look at the pitcher’s workload and how long he was doing it effectively.” That shift, he says, isn’t optional; it’s necessary.  “The way we used to vote and the standards we used just don’t work anymore,” Stark said. “We need to find other ways to measure dominance.” One of the most valuable tools in that effort is context-based metrics.  “ERA+ is a great measure of dominance because it’s a pitcher’s ERA adjusted to compare him to others in his era,” Stark said. He points to deGrom to prove how those metrics can better capture modern greatness. “Jacob deGrom has two Cy Youngs and years of dominance, but he still doesn’t have a high win total,” Stark said. “But we know he’s one of the most dominant pitchers of his era because of his strikeout rate, WHIP and ERA+. Those stats tell you how dominant he has been compared to everyone around him.” Kurkjian also highlights the importance of winning Cy Young awards. “The Cy Young has always carried weight when it comes to Hall of Fame voting, but even more so now because wins aren’t what they used to be,” Kurkjian said. “So, if a pitcher has multiple Cy Youngs, that matters a lot.” Kurkjian believes that while advanced metrics are useful, voters need to be cautious when relying on them. “WAR in particular is complicated. It’s useful, but it varies depending on who calculates it because places like Baseball Reference and Fangraphs all differ slightly,” Kurkjian said. “So I do use it as part of the evaluation, but not as the deciding factor.”  A different future If redefining greatness is the present challenge for Hall of Fame voters, projecting it into the future may be even more difficult. The changes shaping today’s game are not temporary, they are structural. For Stark, that reality raises a larger concern about what the position itself is becoming. “The sport has effectively divided the position,” Stark said. “Because of that, I don’t think we’ll ever again see starting pitchers used in the same way or be as central to the game as they once were. “They used to be the most important players on the field, but now they’re just not.” If starting pitchers are no longer asked to carry the same workload or dominate games in the same way, their Hall of Fame cases will inevitably look different and, in some cases, weaker by traditional standards. That’s where the uncertainty begins. “So the question becomes:’What does a Hall of Fame starting pitcher’s career look like 30 years from now?’” Stark asked. It’s a question without a clear answer, but one that voters know is coming quickly. “The voters of the future – the fans, the writers, the committees of 2056 – will be the ones making those calls,” Stark said. “And they’ll be doing it in a completely different game than the one we know now.” That disconnect between past and future is already creating tension in how voters evaluate players whose careers fall in between eras. Stark points to the possibility of an entire generation of pitchers whose dominance may never fully translate through traditional metrics. “We’re already ending up with a generation of elite starters, like deGrom, who dominate in every possible way but don’t accumulate the traditional numbers,” Stark said. “If that happens, do we open the door for an entirely different group of pitchers from the same era, guys like Zack Wheeler, who may end up with 130 or 140 wins under very different usage patterns?” Those questions don’t just affect future candidates, they may even reshape how past players are remembered. “What happens then?” Stark said. “Do those new standards push out the last generation of workhorse starters we’ve already seen – guys like Johan Santana?” The statistical foundation that once defined Hall of Fame starters is disappearing, and there is no clear consensus on what replaces it. At the same time, this may create opportunity elsewhere, particularly in the bullpen. Kurkjian believes the evolution of pitching roles will inevitably shift Hall of Fame recognition toward relievers. “The way bullpens are used today has completely changed the game,” Kurkjian said. “We now have specialized relievers everywhere, and that will impact Hall of Fame voting.” He points to Billy Wagner as a turning point. “Billy Wagner got in with under 1,000 innings pitched. That changes the baseline,” Kurkjian said. “When you start electing relievers like that, it opens the door for others who dominate for 15 or 20 years in high-leverage roles. “Deep bullpens win championships now. That’s the modern game, and it will lead to more relievers being recognized.” While the back end of the pitching staff gains value, the front end continues to evolve into something new. Kurkjian believes the next generation of Hall of Fame starters will look nothing like the ones who came before. “He’ll look very different,” Kurkjian said. “He’ll likely have fewer innings and fewer wins than past generations, maybe getting 150 to 175 wins.” But the trade-off comes in dominance instead of volume. “He’ll have elite strikeout numbers, maybe 10 strikeouts per nine innings, a WHIP around 1.00 or lower, and dominant ERA metrics,” Kurkjian said. “That’s where the game is headed.” What was once rare has now become the norm. “The strikeout rates today are already far beyond what used to be normal,” Kurkjian said. “What once was rare, like Nolan Ryan or Randy Johnson level, is now common.” As long as the sport continues to prioritize velocity and power, those trends will only continue. “As long as pitchers are being asked to throw as hard as possible on every pitch, and as long as the game prioritizes velocity and strikeouts, we’ll continue to see fewer innings and fewer wins, but more dominance in power statistics,” Kurkjian said. That reality reinforces what may be the most important takeaway for voters: Adaptation is no longer a philosophical debate, it’s a necessity. “We’re going to have to adapt,” Kurkjian said. “Take a pitcher like Paul Skenes. If he pitches 10 years for a struggling team and averages 12 or 13 wins a season but posts a 2.00 ERA and 10 strikeouts per nine innings, people are going to vote for him because voters will understand it’s not his fault, it’s the industry’s fault.” In other words, the numbers may change, the roles may evolve, the standards may shift but the responsibility remains the same. To recognize greatness, even when it no longer looks the way it used to look. The post Modern pitching forces MLB Hall of Fame voters to rethink greatness appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46b5bec2ca79de23634c77 Phoenix updates fireworks code te 2026-07-02T19:02:22.371Z Phoenix updates fireworks code The Phoenix City Council recently approved revisions to the Phoenix City Code fireworks provision that aligns with state prohibitions on the use, possession and sale of fireworks within the city limits. The changes went into effect June 20 (stock photo). Before setting off those celebratory fireworks this year, Phoenix residents who live near mountain preserves need to be aware of a new change in city code that could result in a $2,500 fine or even jail time for using fireworks. On May 20, the mayor and city council approved revisions to the Phoenix City Code fireworks provisions that align the City Code with state law and include every state-allowed prohibition on the use, possession and sale of fireworks within city limits. The ordinance went into effect June 20. So, what has changed? The ordinance states that no fireworks are allowed on city-owned property, including parks Also, the use of all fireworks (whether they are legal or not) is banned within one mile of mountain preserves; and a Stage 1 Fire Restriction status triggers a prohibition on the use of all fireworks within one mile of desert and regional parks. The Phoenix Fire Department announced Stage 1 status on June 18. The update has enforcement written into it to encourage compliance. Violators face civil fines up to $2,500 or criminal misdemeanor charges punishable by up to six months in jail, and repeat violators could face escalating punishment. In addition, the city can recover costs from violators for emergency response, storage and disposal related to illegal fireworks incidents, and police have stronger authority to seize and destroy illegal fireworks Professional firework shows, which require a permit, are still allowed. Visit www.phoenix.gov/celebratesafely for an interactive map showing what fireworks rules apply in that area or to learn more about fireworks legalities and safety. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46b5aac2ca79de23634c6e Literacy volunteers still needed te 2026-07-02T19:02:02.910Z Literacy volunteers still needed Phoenix residents ages 50 and older are needed to fill a vital role by becoming a volunteer tutor through the AARP Foundation Experience Corps program this fall (photo courtesy of city of Phoenix). The city of Phoenix is looking for literacy tutors to help Phoenix elementary students when they return to class this fall. The literacy rate for Phoenix third-graders has dropped to 27 percent, which is the lowest it has been in several years, the city said. A solution to this literacy crisis is calling on Phoenix residents ages 50 and older to become a volunteer tutor through the AARP Foundation Experience Corps program. In-person and virtual information sessions are available on Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. on July 8, July 22, Aug. 12 and Aug. 26. After attending an information session volunteers will then be assigned to a Phoenix area school during the 2026-27 school year where they will tutor students twice per week. During the 2025-26 school year, 81 volunteers served in 15 local schools. More than 90 percent of students who receive one-on-one literacy coaching with Experience Corps have shown gains in critical literacy skills. Learn more and sign up to become a tutor at www.phoenix.gov/education, or emailing ecphx@phoenix.gov for more information. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46b558c2ca79de23634c36 David Hearn, Olympian Canoeist, Is Indicted After Arrest at Trump’s Reflecting Pool te 2026-07-02T19:00:40.990Z David Hearn, Olympian Canoeist, Is Indicted After Arrest at Trump’s Reflecting Pool David Hearn, a former canoeist, is accused of vandalizing the algae-challenged pool, which President Trump has said he would repair and beautify with fresh sealant. But the algae returned and the paint peeled. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46b545c2ca79de23634c25 FGSLL All-Star 11s fight smoky conditions and late comeback to make district championship te 2026-07-02T19:00:21.039Z FGSLL All-Star 11s fight smoky conditions and late comeback to make district championship The Flagstaff Softball All-Star 11s will take on Winslow in the district championship Thursday at Continental Park. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46b391c2ca79de23634be7 Reporter who exited CNN after being at center of costly defamation trial lands at Al Jazeera English te 2026-07-02T18:53:05.191Z Reporter who exited CNN after being at center of costly defamation trial lands at Al Jazeera English Alex Marquardt, who exited CNN months after his reporting helped cost the company millions following a defamation trial, has landed a new gig at Al Jazeera English. "I’m very excited to be joining Al Jazeera @AJEnglish in Washington after years of watching their extraordinary coverage from around the world," Marquardt announced Wednesday on social media.  Marquardt was famously at the center of a high-profile defamation case brought against him and CNN in 2025 by U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Young. A Florida jury found that CNN defamed Young and ruled that he could seek punitive damages as a result of a November 2021 report by Marquardt. The report branded Young as a questionable profiteer who exploited "desperate Afghans" trying to flee Afghanistan during the Biden administration's chaotic military withdrawal from the Taliban-run country, implying Young was operating on a "black market."  ALEX MARQUARDT OUT AT CNN AFTER EIGHT YEARS; REPORTER WAS AT CENTER OF COSTLY DEFAMATION TRIAL The jury had initially awarded Young $5 million in financial and emotional damages before Young and CNN reached an undisclosed settlement, suggesting the network paid Young significantly more money. The jury foreman later told Fox News Digital they were prepared to make CNN pay "somewhere in the neighborhood of $50 million to $100 million" in punitive damages.  CNN parted ways with Marquardt roughly five months after the trial, and many of his now-former colleagues told Fox News Digital at the time that it was "obviously" tied to the costly defamation case despite the network declining comment on "personnel matters."  Fox News Digital reached out to Marquardt for comment.  Al Jazeera, which is largely funded by the government of Qatar, launched the English counterpart to Al Jazeera Arabic in 2006. Marquardt will host a daytime show called "This is America" for the outlet.  CNN DEFAMATION TRIAL: LOSING CASE EXPECTED BUT STILL A BAD BRUISE FOR THE NETWORK, INSIDER SAYS In a post-trial interview, Young said he hadn't forgiven Marquardt, calling him out for remaining defiant on the witness stand at the trial. However, Young seemed to hold no ill will more than a year later when asked about Marquardt’s new gig.  "After a year on the sidelines, I’m glad he landed somewhere. Judging by his Twitter, Al Jazeera might be the only newsroom where his coverage and his opinions actually match," Young told Fox News Digital.  Marquardt’s announcement was met with congratulatory messages from several of his former CNN colleagues.  CNN DEFAMATION TRIAL: PLAINTIFF ACCUSES NETWORK OF FAKING CRITICAL PHONE CALL FOR ‘THEATER’ On the witness stand, Marquardt insisted his infamous report was not a "hit piece" on Young and that he was proud of his work. "I wasn't looking to take anyone down. I didn't take anyone down," Marquardt testified. CNN issued an on-air apology in March 2022 after Young threatened to take legal action. But throughout the trial, Marquardt and several CNN staffers testified they didn’t feel the apology was necessary. CNN senior vice president Adam Levine admitted to the jurors that the apology was merely a legal decision. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46b37dc2ca79de23634bde Former Team USA star wants to see red card rule change after Falorin Balogun controversy te 2026-07-02T18:52:45.734Z Former Team USA star wants to see red card rule change after Falorin Balogun controversy John Harkes, a member of the 1994 USMNT World Cup squad, was at Levi's Stadium on Wednesday night and had the same reaction as just about everybody when Folarin Balogun had to leave the game. "We kept going, 'Wait a minute, that's not a red card,'" Harkes said of his reaction in an interview with Fox News Digital. "You know, we're in the stadium, and right away I think I was standing there next to my daughter-in-law and our grandson, and then my son and my wife. Both my son and my wife, Cindy and Ian, turned and said, 'That's not a red card.' And I'm like, 'Oh my God,'" he said. "I don't think it was a red card at all, to be honest with you." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM With Balogun's absence, the USMNT had to play with 10 men for the rest of the game. However, a red card results in an automatic suspension for the next game, meaning that one official can alter multiple games with just one decision, even if it is, as Harkes put it, a "50/50" play. Harkes was "a victim" of something similar in 1994, the last time the United States hosted the World Cup prior to this year. He earned yellow cards in the first and third games, prompting a suspension for the United States' July 4 game against Brazil. "It crushed me. I kept thinking to myself, this is the best in the world coming together, and you're going to make a player sit out the next game because of yellow card accumulation?" Harkes said. FIFA RULES LEAVE TEAM USA NO RECOURSE AFTER FOLARIN BALOGUN'S CONTROVERSIAL RED CARD Soccer certainly is not baseball, where the rules are ever-changing. But if there was one, Harkes would like to see red cards from one game not affect any others. "That's way above my pay grade, but at the same time, so many people discuss it on a consistent basis. So let's really take a look at this and see: Does it make sense? I don't think it does. Not in a tournament format. I don't think so," he said. Unfortunately for the U.S., there is nothing anyone can do. Article 9.6 of the 2026 World Cup regulations reads, "No protests may be made about the referee’s decisions regarding facts connected with play. Such decisions are final and not subject to appeal, unless otherwise stipulated in the FIFA Disciplinary Code." "If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team’s subsequent match," Article 10.5 states. Despite it not looking like Balogun had any ill intent, the United States will have no choice but to find a replacement for someone who has probably been its best player in what is now perhaps the most important game in U.S. soccer history on Monday night. 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/6a46b36ac2ca79de23634bd5 Steak 'n Shake mocks Five Guys over burger prices after viral Liberty Meal post te 2026-07-02T18:52:26.287Z Steak 'n Shake mocks Five Guys over burger prices after viral Liberty Meal post Steak 'n Shake announced its month-long Liberty Meal deal to celebrate America's 250th birthday — and used the occasion to taunt a competitor. "$17.76 for two Liberty Meals — all July long!" the burger chain wrote on X. "A Liberty Meal includes a double grass-fed Steakburger, beef tallow fries and a Patriot Milkshake. Can't touch this, Mr. Five Guys..." The post garnered 1.5 million views and nearly 1,000 comments. DUNKIN'S AMERICA 250 EAGLE CUP SPARKS COLLECTOR FRENZY AS FANS RACE TO SNAG ONE "Yo @FiveGuys, how will y'all respond?" wrote one X user. "They don't need to respond. Five Guys food is so much better," replied another. "They respond by being good and filling," wrote someone else. "Both companies will satisfy one's individual hunger for $17.76." Other comments expressed excitement about the Liberty Meal, with praise from customers who had already tried it and disappointment from would-be customers who lamented the lack of nearby Steak 'n Shake locations. "Love the July deal, we will be stopping by the new @SteaknShake location in Royal Oak, MI for this!" one X user wrote. "That's a great deal!" commented someone else. "Going to Steak 'n Shake with my kids this week." CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS "Um, I know where we are eating for lunch tomorrow! Yum!" said another person. "If you had a store near me, we would be absolutely getting this meal ASAP!" wrote another. "My son and I enjoyed our Liberty Meal yesterday. Thanks for the treat!" another X user wrote. "We enjoyed this tonight! Bravo!" someone else commented. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Some X users were less than impressed with the price. "Wait that's a sale price?" someone wrote. "What's the regular price? That looks like a McDonald's double cheeseburger. Pretty weak for close to 20 bucks." Another user said $9 for a burger and fries was outrageous (the deal also includes a milkshake), and another person responded, "What century are you from?" CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "That's easily $40 at Five Guys," remarked another X user. "You would need a home-equity loan for that at Five Guys," wrote someone else. "Yeah, but there are 12 Five Guys in Philly, and zero of you," another person wrote, joining several X commenters who said they wished there were more Steak 'n Shake restaurants to patronize. After closing about 200 restaurants between 2018 and 2025, Steak 'n Shake has been undergoing a broader turnaround effort, QSR Magazine reported last year. A March post from Steak 'n Shake announcing that its Patriot Shake, topped with patriotic sprinkles and a dark-chocolate Statue of Liberty, would be priced at $2.50 for the rest of the year went viral, as Fox News Digital reported. Five Guys has not publicly responded to Steak 'n Shake's post. The burger chain is currently promoting its limited-time blackberry milkshake. Fox News Digital reached out to Steak 'n Shake and Five Guys for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46b304c2ca79de23634b92 U.S. Officials Believed Israel Was Plotting to Kill Iranian Negotiators te 2026-07-02T18:50:44.392Z U.S. Officials Believed Israel Was Plotting to Kill Iranian Negotiators Any Israeli attempt to kill Abbas Araghchi or Mohammad Ghalibaf would have derailed peace talks, American officials feared. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46b2ecc2ca79de23634b72 Meta quietly launches vibe-coded gaming app Pocket te 2026-07-02T18:50:20.846Z Meta quietly launches vibe-coded gaming app Pocket Meta has quietly launched Pocket, an experimental AI app that lets users generate and share interactive mini games using text prompts. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46b125c2ca79de23634b3d North Carolina man armed with flamethrowers, crossbows, 500 rounds arrested outside church: police te 2026-07-02T18:42:45.198Z North Carolina man armed with flamethrowers, crossbows, 500 rounds arrested outside church: police A North Carolina man was arrested outside a church armed with crossbows, two flamethrowers and 500 rounds of ammunition, police said. The High Point Police Department wrote in a news release that someone called 911 on Sunday to report an "armed person sitting in the parking lot" of Wesley Memorial Church in High Point, North Carolina. The caller said the man, William S. Milliken III, 44, was armed with a gun and wearing camouflage. An off-duty officer at the church spotted the suspect immediately, and with help from officers who arrived within minutes, took him into custody. USPS WORKER ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGED MASS SHOOTING THREAT AGAINST TEXAS PRIDE EVENT, FBI SAYS After Milliken III was arrested, officers searched his truck and found two flamethrowers, two crossbows, over 500 rounds of ammunition, rolls of black duct tape, three knives, oxycodone pills and a CO2-powered launcher designed to resemble a handgun, police said. SEND US A TIP HERE According to WFMY, court documents also allege that the suspect had a notebook with addresses of churches, schools and public buildings, GPS coordinates, body armor, radios with police scanners, handcuff keys as well as an enlarged map of North Carolina. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X He was charged with possession of a weapon of mass destruction, impersonation of law enforcement officer, and possession of control substance schedule II. USPS WORKER ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGED MASS SHOOTING THREAT AGAINST TEXAS PRIDE EVENT, FBI SAYS Milliken III is being held at the Guilford County Jail and has a bond of $250,000. High Point Police Chief Curtis Cheeks III said he is thankful the suspect was stopped before anyone was hurt. "Thanks to the quick action of our officers, a man armed with weapons was taken into custody before anyone was hurt," Cheeks III said. "The officers prevented a potentially dangerous situation from escalating and helped ensure everyone attending church services could return home safely. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46b111c2ca79de23634b34 Nancy Guthrie 'imposter' behind phony ransom notes pleads guilty to federal charges te 2026-07-02T18:42:25.749Z Nancy Guthrie 'imposter' behind phony ransom notes pleads guilty to federal charges The accused "imposter" behind a phony ransom demand in the Nancy Guthrie case pleaded guilty to harassing her family with a phony ransom payment Thursday in a federal court in Tucson, Arizona. Guthrie is the 84-year-old mother of "Today" co-host Savannah Guthrie, and she vanished from her home in the city's Catalina Foothills neighborhood in the early hours of Feb. 1. The following day, ransom demands were sent to local media — and investigators continue to look into their authenticity. The FBI quickly deemed messages from Derrick Anthony Callella, a 42-year-old man from Hawthorne, California, as a hoax, and he was arrested within days of Guthrie's suspected abduction and indicted on online harassment charges. He is expected to receive a sentence of five years on federal probation at a formal sentencing later, according to the Tucson-based KVOA-TV. FBI SAYS NANCY GUTHRIE ABDUCTION DEMANDS MAY BE ‘LEGITIMATE’ AS CASE STILL PROBED AS KIDNAPPING FOR RANSOM He was accused of contacting Guthrie's other daughter, Annie Guthrie, and son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, from a spoofed phone number on Feb. 4 and asking, "Did you get the bitcoin were [sic] waiting on our end for the transaction." He also allegedly placed a nine-second call to the family afterward. "Through the course of the investigation, it was found that Callella was acting as an imposter, trying to take advantage of the ongoing situation," federal prosecutors said in a statement after the suspect's first court appearance in mid-February. FOX TRUE CRIME IS NOW ON FACEBOOK According to court documents, investigators have not linked him to a Feb. 2 ransom demand sent to local media and TMZ. They did, however, allegedly link the spoofed number to a Google email account in Callella's name. EMAILER IN NANCY GUTHRIE CASE CLAIMS TO POSSESS VIDEO OF 'MAIN GUY' WITH SAVANNAH GUTHRIE'S MOTHER After being read his Miranda rights, Callella allegedly confessed to sending two messages, saying he had found the family's contact information online and had been following news coverage of the case, according to the criminal complaint. SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER Then-FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke told reporters about the arrest in a February news briefing but said the FBI was investigating a different ransom demand as potentially having come from the actual abductor. Callella had been freed on $20,000 after his arrest and was not allowed to apply for a passport. NANCY GUTHRIE RANSOM NOTES DON'T MATCH SUSPECT'S BEHAVIOR, PROFILER SAYS: 'I DON'T BELIEVE THEY'RE REAL' Savannah Guthrie and her siblings previously responded to two other ransom demands, that she said back in March she believes could be legitimate. The identity of whoever sent them remains a mystery, however, and no arrests have been made. SAVANNAH GUTHRIE PLEADS FOR TIPS AS RANSOM NOTE CLAIMS MOM IS DEAD: 'SOMEBODY KNOWS SOMETHING' "The FBI and its task force partners have received several ransom notes over the course of this investigation," the FBI's Phoenix office said in a statement on Wednesday. "Some have been deemed to be extortion attempts without legitimacy. Other ransom demands may potentially be legitimate and are still being investigated as such. This case continues to be investigated as a kidnapping for ransom case." The FBI is assisting in the investigation, the statement added, noting that the Pima County Sheriff's Department remains the lead agency on the case. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, however, has repeatedly stated that the FBI is leading ransom-related investigations. "Any questions regarding alleged ransom notes should be directed to the FBI," he said in a statement of his own. "We appreciate the public's continued cooperation and the information provided throughout this investigation. Anyone with information that may assist investigators is encouraged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit an anonymous tip to 88-CRIME." On Thursday, the sheriff's department deferred comment on Callella's plea to the FBI. The feds did not immediately respond. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46b0a7c2ca79de23634adb Anthropic is discussing a new custom chip with Samsung te 2026-07-02T18:40:39.375Z Anthropic is discussing a new custom chip with Samsung The news comes about a week after OpenAI announced its own custom AI chip in a partnership with Broadcom. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46b093c2ca79de23634ad2 Travel app Hopper to pay $35M in FTC settlement over ‘unfairly’ charging hidden fees te 2026-07-02T18:40:19.928Z Travel app Hopper to pay $35M in FTC settlement over ‘unfairly’ charging hidden fees Hopper will pay $35 million to settle FTC allegations that it used deceptive “dark patterns” to hide fees and mislead travelers about the cost and benefits of services. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46aee1c2ca79de23634aa5 Dallas mayor dismisses claims businesses are losing confidence in downtown as 'a bunch of bull' te 2026-07-02T18:33:05.842Z Dallas mayor dismisses claims businesses are losing confidence in downtown as 'a bunch of bull' Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson pushed back against claims that businesses have lost confidence in the city's downtown, calling the narrative "a bunch of bull" as officials considered incentives tied to a proposed $1.3 billion office tower development in his email newsletter published Tuesday. Local ABC affiliate WFAA 8 reported that Johnson said Dallas has led in post-pandemic economic recovery, highlighting that it has attracted major business investments, including a new Goldman Sachs campus expected to employ approximately 5,000 people and Frontier Communications' relocation of its headquarters from Connecticut to Dallas, and Morgan Stanley considering an expansion. "Morgan Stanley choosing Dallas as a new regional hub would be a huge win for the fast-growing Y'all Street sector of the city," Johnson wrote in his email newsletter. REP ROGER WILLIAMS: 250 YEARS OF HARD WORK PAYS OFF FOR MAIN STREET BUSINESSES The article also pointed out that Nasdaq, the Texas Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange are "coming to town." Johnson acknowledged that Neiman Marcus did close its downtown store, but it still plans to invest in its NorthPark Center location, about 13 minutes from downtown Dallas, and that Fifth Third and the Dallas Mavericks will still be in the city, but not in Downtown. "FIFA chose Downtown Dallas — over many other interested cities — as the home of its international broadcast center for the World Cup and selected the region to host more matches than any other," Johnson said in the newsletter. TRACKING AMERICA'S WORLD CUP JOURNEY: HOW AND WHEN TO WATCH THE US MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM "Does that sound like a loss of confidence, or does it sound like winning," he asked. "The truth is that Dallas is safer, stronger, and more vibrant than it was before this Administration inherited a city that had uncompetitive tax rates, increasing crime, and police ranks that had been decimated." He pointed out, however, that there is still more to be done. "The work is not finished," Johnson wrote. "The City Council will soon consider asking voters to approve a public safety bond package to give Dallas a police academy worthy of its police department and to shore up the Dallas Police & Fire Pension System to finally resolve a lingering mess that past leaders left behind. This year’s budget also figures to be a challenging one, and it will be important to work closely with the city manager to make appropriate cuts and to ensure that public safety remains the top priority." In April, Gov. Greg Abbott praised Texas for being named the Best State for Business for the 22nd year in a row by Chief Executive magazine. FBI REPORTS LARGEST DROP IN VIOLENT CRIME AND MURDER SINCE 1937 AS HOMICIDES FALL MORE THAN 18% Fox News Digital reached out to Johnson for further comment, and was referred back to his newsletter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46ae7cc2ca79de23634a5d Botanical Blacksmiths open at the The Arboretum at Flagstaff through Sept. 19 te 2026-07-02T18:31:24.457Z Botanical Blacksmiths open at the The Arboretum at Flagstaff through Sept. 19 The metal sculptures are from regional artists, ranging from traditional hand-forged ironwork to modern metal fabrication. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46ae68c2ca79de23634a54 Ask a Ranger: Beauty can be found among the ashes te 2026-07-02T18:31:04.491Z Ask a Ranger: Beauty can be found among the ashes This week's Ask a Ranger column, from the NPS/USFS Roving Rangers. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46ae54c2ca79de23634a4b Firefighters make progress on Pocket Fire, but smoke likely to linger te 2026-07-02T18:30:44.521Z Firefighters make progress on Pocket Fire, but smoke likely to linger Two weeks after the Pocket Fire ignited in the steep rim country south of Flagstaff, firefighters have made significant progress establishing containment lines. Confirmed containment was up to 21% on Thursday morning, and several communities north of the fire had… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46ae40c2ca79de23634a42 Gardening Etcetera: Work and whimsy in the Mt. Elden Moon Garden te 2026-07-02T18:30:24.562Z Gardening Etcetera: Work and whimsy in the Mt. Elden Moon Garden 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/6a46ac4cc2ca79de23634a07 Democrats stay quiet on next steps after Supreme Court transgender sports ruling te 2026-07-02T18:22:04.698Z Democrats stay quiet on next steps after Supreme Court transgender sports ruling Congressional Democrats are staying mum about their potential next moves after the Supreme Court dealt a blow to transgender athletes, underscoring a politically fraught issue that continues to divide the party ahead of the November midterm elections. The court ruled Tuesday that states may bar biological males from competing on girls' and women's school sports teams, upholding laws in Idaho and West Virginia, and effectively preserving similar laws in the 25 other states that restrict participation based on biological sex. The ruling — which prompted cheers among Republicans — did not interfere with the remaining states that continue to allow biological males on girls' and women’s sports teams. Progressive Democrats sharply criticized the decision, while the vast majority of elected officials in the party did not issue public statements. None, however, appeared to outline any legislative response. TRUMP ADMINISTRATION THREATENS KANSAS SCHOOL DISTRICT FUNDING OVER TRANSGENDER STUDENT POLICY "I want every trans kid to know that there are people here in Congress fighting for you," Rep. Sarah Jacobs, D-Calif., said in a video posted to social media. "We are going to stand up for all women and girls, which includes trans women and girls." Jacobs, a junior member of House Democratic leadership and co-chair of the Trans Equality Task Force, did not say whether Democrats would introduce legislation in response to the court’s ruling. The Congressional Equality Caucus, a Democratic-aligned group advocating for LGBTQ rights, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., also did not outline any legislative response. The Equality Caucus, however, posted a series of posts on social media slamming the decision, including decrying the outcome as "devastating" for transgender athletes. Fox News Digital reached out to spokespersons for Jacobs, Jeffries and the Congressional Equality Caucus for comment but did not hear back. The relatively muted response comes as public polling has consistently found broad opposition to transgender athletes in women’s sports, including among Democrats, suggesting that some lawmakers may be out of step with their own voters. A survey conducted by The New York Times in 2025 found that nearly eight in ten Americans opposed biological males competing in women’s sports. Roughly 70% of Democrats or those who "lean Democrat" held that view, according to the poll. Democrats hailing from the centrist side of the party were largely quiet on the court’s ruling. Few Democratic lawmakers facing competitive re-election challenges from Republicans commented on the court’s decision, a Fox News Digital analysis of Cook Political Report election data found. Meanwhile, Rep. Don Davis, D-N.C., who is seeking a third House term in a Republican-leaning district, issued a positive statement following the court’s ruling. "The U.S. Supreme Court delivered a significant ruling affirming that states possess the legal authority to maintain separate sports teams based on biological sex," Davis wrote in a written statement. "Title IX has played a vital role in expanding athletic opportunities for women and girls, and we must continue safeguarding those opportunities." DEMOCRATS REVOLT OVER 'BIOLOGICAL' WORDING IN WOMEN'S HISTORY MUSEUM BILL Meanwhile, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., a top GOP target in November’s midterm elections and a member of the Equality Caucus, acknowledged Wednesday that the trans rights movement misses some of the "nuance" about women’s sports. "At those town halls, what I saw was that the people who were the most upset, a lot of them had spent the last 12 years driving their girls to sports practice, and they view their best shot of their student getting a college education as an athletic scholarship," Perez told CNN in an interview. "And so when we rush to moralize and be like, 'This is all about love vs. hate,' I think we miss some of the nuance." The Washington Democrat did not directly state whether she agreed with the court’s ruling. In the Senate, responses to the decision were few and far between. Requests for comment from several Democratic lawmakers’ offices on whether they would seek to challenge the court’s decision, should they regain a majority in the upper chamber, went unanswered. Notably silent on the issue was Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who lauded the Supreme Court's decision upholding birthright citizenship the same day and had posted about attending New York City’s Pride parade days before. Some of the most vocal supporters of trans rights in the upper chamber did, however, weigh in, vowing to "keep fighting" for transgender athletes. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., one of the earliest supporters of LGBTQ rights in the Senate, who introduced the Trans Bill of Rights, charged that the court’s decision "again cleared the way for Trump and MAGA Republicans to discriminate against the trans community." "This decision tears trans athletes from their teams and the sports they love," Markey, who is in a tight bid for re-election against Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., said on X. "We will keep fighting. Discrimination and hate will not win." Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., also weighed in, accusing "right-wing extremists and the MAGA movement" of being "determined to single out, target, and harm the trans community." "My heart is with trans kids and their loved ones," she said on X. "I won’t stop fighting for them." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46abe6c2ca79de236349c0 A Firm Run by Trump Allies is Organizing the 250th. Their Fee? Unclear. te 2026-07-02T18:20:22.306Z A Firm Run by Trump Allies is Organizing the 250th. Their Fee? Unclear. Event Strategies, Inc., a longtime vendor to President Trump’s campaigns, is organizing the Great American State Fair and the July 4 celebrations. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46a9a1c2ca79de236344ce States can’t count on marijuana tax revenue growth te 2026-07-02T18:10:41.973Z States can’t count on marijuana tax revenue growth Key Points: Taxing recreational marijuana sales boosted state revenues after legalization Cannabis supply now exceeds demand, driving down prices and tax collections High operating costs and competition from illegal markets worsen the situation Taxing recreational marijuana sales boosts state revenues, but strong initial growth doesn’t last, according to new data collected by the Marijuana Policy Project.  Cannabis supply has eventually exceeded demand in all mature state markets. That has driven down prices and therefore tax collections, which are typically set as a percentage of retail price. Marijuana taxes comprise a tiny share of state revenues. Still, slowing or declining collections can create problems for budget writers and programs that benefit from marijuana cash, such as schools and substance abuse treatment programs. “Prices have dropped significantly in a lot of those markets, and obviously taxes are a percentage,” said Adam Smith, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project, a nonprofit that advocates for legalization. Colorado’s marijuana-related sales and excise tax revenues have collapsed since 2021, forcing lawmakers to take action to balance the marijuana cash fund.  The Legislature last year canceled plans to move $20 million out of the fund to pay for school facility upgrades and repealed a required $3 million annual distribution to fund a substance abuse treatment pilot program. This year they eliminated distributions from the marijuana fund to local governments. Policymakers in states that have recently legalized recreational marijuana should set realistic revenue expectations, said Emily Dohrman, a senior economist with the Legislative Council staff, a nonpartisan team that advises the Colorado Legislature. Her team is expecting marijuana revenues to stabilize next fiscal year.  “It can seem like a silver bullet at first, because the market is exploding so much,” she said of initially rapid revenue growth. “But keep in mind that there will be a limit at some point.” According to the Marijuana Policy Project data, marijuana-related tax collections are declining in six states that launched legal sales at least eight years ago: Alaska, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Tax collections are plateauing in Massachusetts, Michigan and Illinois, where legal sales began between six and eight years ago.  Revenues are growing in most of the remaining 14 states that legalized more recently. Initial growth in many of those states is more muted than the rapid rise enjoyed by the first states to legalize.  Michigan fiscal analysts expect marijuana tax revenues to decline by 2% this fiscal year and remain more or less flat after that, said David Zin, chief economist for the nonpartisan Michigan Senate Fiscal Agency.  “Competition has been insane, and that’s driving the price down,” he said. “Since our tax is a percentage of the price, that has caused a problem.” A tax increase may also be hurting sales. Michigan this year imposed a 24% wholesale tax on marijuana products, in addition to the existing 10% excise tax and 6% tax on retail sales, to raise money for transportation projects.  “We weren’t expecting that to have a huge impact on revenue, but obviously there’s some elasticity if you raise the price,” Zin said. Slumping tax collections in mature markets are a symptom of wider problems in the legal cannabis industry, Smith said.  Selling recreational marijuana to adults remains illegal under federal law. That means businesses cannot legally sell across state lines or claim federal business tax breaks, and they must be tightly regulated by states.  Licensed growers and retailers face high operating costs yet must compete with illegal marijuana and hemp cannabinoid businesses that sell similar products for less. High taxes worsen the situation, Smith said.  “One of the original sins of this all was that it [legalization] was sold as this huge revenue package,” Smith said — rather than, say, as a way to reduce arrests for marijuana possession. “We celebrate the fact that states are funding roads and bridges and public safety, but there’s a sweet spot,” he said. The post States can’t count on marijuana tax revenue growth first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46a787c2ca79de23634471 Alex Ovechkin signs a one-year deal to return for another NHL season with the Capitals te 2026-07-02T18:01:43.587Z Alex Ovechkin signs a one-year deal to return for another NHL season with the Capitals One of the biggest stories at the tail end of the NHL regular season had to do with whether or not we were witnessing the end of Alexander Ovechkin's legendary career. Well, taking some time to think it over, it appears that the Great 8, the league's all-time leading goal-scorer, is coming back for at least one more season. The team announced on Thursday that Ovechkin had re-upped with the team on a one-year deal, with a wildly team-friendly $1 million in salary plus a $4.75 million games-played bonus (set at 10 games) and a $3.25 million signing bonus. According to Puckpedia, that equates to a $4,250,000 cap hit. PENGUINS CAPTAIN SIDNEY CROSBY MAKES IT CLEAR THAT HE HAS NO PLANS TO RETIRE ANYTIME SOON Not bad for a player of Ovechkin's caliber. "I’m back!" said Ovechkin in a press release. "Thank you to everyone for giving me and my family the time to make this decision. I’m healthy. I love playing hockey and competing to win. I’m excited to come back and join my teammates so we can fight for a playoff spot and have a chance to win. See you in September, DC!" We all kind of saw this coming, right? NHL STAR JONATHAN TOEWS ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AFTER 16-YEAR CAREER AND THREE STANLEY CUPS I mean, I think the moment Ovie waved off the Pittsburgh Penguins when they wanted to shake his hand after potentially his last game against them was a clue that he wasn't ready to hang up his smoked visor and yellow laces. Another clue is the numbers. They don't lie. Granted, no one but Ovechkin himself knows how his almost 41-year-old body is holding up, but he's still producing at an impressive level. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS While last year was a down year compared to the year before, Ovechkin still appeared in all 82 games and potted 64 points, with 32 goals and 32 assists. He can still play, which is wild when you consider how he plays. It's not like he takes it easy or shies away from physicality. One last detail about this deal is that it sees Ovechkin taking a 50% pay cut. That's big, as it gives the Caps more wiggle room to make some of the moves they have this summer, including bringing in the likes of Boone Jenner and Alex Tuch. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46a580c2ca79de236343e3 11-year-old dies from rabies after bat landed on his face while he was sleeping te 2026-07-02T17:53:04.349Z 11-year-old dies from rabies after bat landed on his face while he was sleeping An 11-year-old boy died of a rabies infection in Ontario, Canada, according to a medical journal article published Monday. Canadian Medical Association Journal did not identify the boy or his family, but wrote that he was first brought to a hospital weeks after an encounter with a bat. "The patient’s family reported that, during a visit to a cottage in northern Ontario 19 days before symptom onset, the boy had been awoken by a bat on his nose and mouth. He had swatted the bat off his face; his father had caught the bat in a cooking pot and released it outside," CMAJ wrote. MEASLES-INFECTED TRAVELER MAY HAVE EXPOSED PASSENGERS AT LAX AND NEARBY HOTEL, HEALTH OFFICIALS WARN "The child had no visible lesions on his face, and his parents did not consider that the bat had behaved erratically. Therefore, they did not seek medical assessment," the journal noted. The boy was ultimately admitted to the hospital 20 days after the encounter with the bat, when his parents brought him to an emergency room. He was first sent home but then brought back the following morning and admitted to the hospital. Doctors noted that the boy's condition "rapidly worsened" by the evening, but he spent more than two weeks in the hospital before passing away. MEASLES-INFECTED TRAVELER MAY HAVE EXPOSED PASSENGERS AT LAX AND NEARBY HOTEL, HEALTH OFFICIALS WARN "By day 5 of admission, his brainstem reflexes were absent. Life-sustaining therapies were withdrawn on day 17 of admission, and he died peacefully with his family at his bedside," the journal article said. Doctors who authored the article warned that any direct human contact with a bat, even in the absence of a visible bite or scratch, should be discussed with public health authorities. Rabies is virtually always fatal in humans if not treated quickly with postexposure prophylaxis, or PEP. The treatment is nearly always successful if administered promptly after exposure. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46a52ec2ca79de236343c2 Arizona ICE warehouse conversion halted over environmental impact study te 2026-07-02T17:51:42.936Z Arizona ICE warehouse conversion halted over environmental impact study Key Points: Federal officials delay converting Surprise warehouse to detention facility Environmental assessment will be conducted to determine suitability of facility Federal officials will conduct “ordinary maintenance” on the warehouse property Federal officials have agreed to delay — but not forgo — their plans to convert a warehouse in Surprise, Arizona, to a detention facility for illegal migrants. In a proposed federal court order, attorneys for the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement said they will conduct an “environmental assessment” of the facility on West Sweetwater Avenue to determine whether it is suitable to house up to 1,500 people detained on immigration violations. More to the point, they will not begin remodeling the 418,400 square foot industrial warehouse to make it suitable for a detention center until that study is complete. That agreement satisfies one complaint made by state Attorney General Kris Mayes in April when she asked U.S. District Court Judge Susan Brnovich to block the conversion, saying such a study is legally required any time federal dollars are spent on construction projects. In this case, the questions concern the environmental issues raised by converting a warehouse to a detention center. That includes questions like whether there is sufficient water to support the expected population, whether there would be a strain on the local sewer system, and if there will be an increase in local air emissions from facility operations.  But nothing in the agreement says that Mayes will drop her opposition once the study is completed. “We just need to see how adequate their review is and if they decide to rush this,” said press aide Richie Taylor. “Usually, these things take, on average, about 9 1/2 months,” he said. “If they rush it through and do something that doesn’t meet the requirements, we would challenge that, too.” More to the point, the objections that Mayes has raised in her federal court lawsuit go beyond the failure to complete the environmental assessment. Taylor said there are other legal issues. One is the Immigration and Naturalization Act, a federal law that Mayes says requires federal agencies to arrange for “appropriate” places for immigration detention. Her case starts with the fact that the proposed detention site is directly across the street from a chemical storage facility. That, she said, creates additional safety issues if there are leaks or explosions. Mayes has acknowledged that the area is already the home of residents who would also be affected by such a hazard, but she argued that detention added new complications to the scenario.  “The major distinction is the sheer number of people who will be housed in this facility and can’t get out,” the attorney general said when she announced her lawsuit. “If this thing blows up, they will be locked in that facility with no way of getting out.” All that, Mayes contends, would put additional pressure on local fire departments and emergency responders. She said if Immigration and Customs Enforcement is allowed to use a warehouse to house detainees, firefighters could be forced to use so much water to protect the facility that there might not be enough to also battle a blaze at the chemical facility. Mayes also said the facility is about a mile from both Dysart High School and Dysart Middle School. “Our position would still be that this close to schools and neighborhoods and chemical plants is not an appropriate place — and won’t be,” Taylor said. The new agreement halts all construction, demolition or retrofitting work that would be necessary to convert the warehouse into a detention center. Mayes said when she filed suit in April that federal agencies already had issued more than $300 million in contracts to oversee the necessary and extensive construction and renovation efforts. But the federal government remains free to do other work not specifically aimed at conversion, things like repair or replace fencing, lighting, building security alarm systems, and other “ordinary maintenance” of things like the roof, windows, electrical systems and plumbing. Part of what makes the new agreement significant is that Immigration and Customs Enforcement had said in April, when Mayes first filed suit, that there was no need for any formal environmental studies. “Prior to purchasing this site, ICE carefully evaluated the use of existing facilities to help minimize environmental impacts,” the agency said in its statement. But the question of whether ICE is prepared to scrap its plans for the facility it had purchased for $70 million remains unclear. In that April statement, the agency derided the efforts by Mayes to halt the conversion. “Let’s be honest about what is happening,” the statement read.”This isn’t about the environment … It’s about trying to stop President Trump from making America safe.” There was no immediate response on July 1 from ICE to questions about its new decision to conduct the environmental assessment — and whether there were any second thoughts about the site. Mayes has never made it a secret that her objections to a new ICE facility — regardless of where it is located — go beyond what the law requires. She has said those already being detained are being mistreated and even dying unnecessarily. One example, she said, is Emmanuel Damas of Haiti, who died in ICE custody at a facility in Florence after federal agents ignored his complaint about a toothache and instead gave him ibuprofen. In another case, Arbella Rodriguez Marquez, who was being treated for leukemia, had not received necessary medication. “A report by DHS’s own Office of Inspector General detailed a pattern of abuse of detainees by ICE staff,” Mayes said in April when she filed suit, with those who complained being segregated from others and then denied access to clean bedding and clothing and were denied legal materials. The post Arizona ICE warehouse conversion halted over environmental impact study first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46a51ac2ca79de236343b8 Century Complete plans new home community north of Lake Havasu City te 2026-07-02T17:51:22.966Z Century Complete plans new home community north of Lake Havasu City Homebuilding company Century Complete has released details about the homes planned for the DL Ranch community in Havasu Heights, just north of Lake Havasu City. The company says the homes are expected to start in the low $300,000s. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46a506c2ca79de236343af Former Havasu firefighter gets 10 years in prison te 2026-07-02T17:51:02.998Z Former Havasu firefighter gets 10 years in prison A former Lake Havasu City firefighter disgraced by separate criminal indictments charging him with 21 felony offenses drew twice as many years in prison than he expected. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46a4f3c2ca79de236343a6 ICE agrees to delay Surprise detention center plan te 2026-07-02T17:50:43.040Z ICE agrees to delay Surprise detention center plan PHOENIX -- Federal officials have agreed to delay -- but not give up on -- their plans to convert a warehouse in Surprise to a detention facility for illegal migrants. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46a2f1c2ca79de23634335 Red-state senator drops hammer on Dem mayor over new 'woke' DEI ordinance while violent crime surges te 2026-07-02T17:42:09.591Z Red-state senator drops hammer on Dem mayor over new 'woke' DEI ordinance while violent crime surges Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, is demanding answers from Cincinnati’s mayor over a newly enacted city ordinance reorganizing procurement under a Department of Economic Inclusion and Procurement, arguing taxpayers should not be funding what he calls an expanding DEI bureaucracy that is potentially illegal. "Taxpayers should never foot the bill for woke DEI policies or initiatives," Moreno wrote in a letter to Cincinnati mayor Aftab Pureval on Thursday that was obtained by Fox News Digital. "Cincinnati's taxpayers deserve a government that rewards competence and merit, not politically driven quotas or preferences based on race or ethnicity." At the heart of the issue is a city ordinance approved by the Cincinnati City Council in June that creates a Department of Economic Inclusion and Procurement, which Moreno argues expands the city's DEI bureaucracy and could inject DEI considerations into the contracting process. According to city documents cited by Moreno, the restructuring would make the city's contracting process more efficient while preserving its focus on DEI. In the letter, which was also sent to the Justice Department, Moreno said the ordinance comes amid the Trump administration’s crackdown on DEI programs across the federal government and argued it "completely ignores" the Justice Department guidance warning against engaging in "unlawful discrimination." DOJ DANGLES MASSIVE SIGNING BONUSES FOR LAWYERS READY TO FIGHT ‘LAWLESS’ CITIES FAR BEYOND DC Since returning to office, President Donald Trump has made eliminating DEI initiatives a priority, signing executive orders to eliminate DEI programs and end DEI-related hiring and training practices, as well as directing agencies to review recipients of federal funding. "The days of choosing public contract winners based on excellence are back," Moreno wrote, adding that "the City of Cincinnati must be a better steward of public funds." SEATTLE COUNCIL MEMBER TOUTS ‘BLACK BUDGET,’ CALLS FOR BLACK RESIDENTS TO FORM ‘MOST POWERFUL POLITICAL PARTY’ Pointing to the city’s explanation of the ordinance, Moreno said that the city intends to continue incorporating DEI in its contracting process. "Amazingly, your office even admits it in its explanation: ‘The goal of this restructuring is not to reduce the city's focus on inclusion. Instead, it is intended to strengthen it,’" Moreno wrote. "Ohioans deserve to know that their hard-earned taxpayer dollars are awarded to individuals and businesses based on merit, not race or ethnicity," Moreno wrote. INTERNAL EMAILS EXPOSE HOW JULY 4TH BASH IS BEING DERAILED BY DEM-RUN COUNTY: 'OFFENSIVE' Moreno asked Pureval to respond within five business days with the exact amount of federal funding the city received during fiscal years 2024, 2025, and 2026, the projected cost of the ordinance and an outline of the process the new department will use when reviewing applications and awarding city contracts. Moreno also requested information on how Cincinnati is planning to comply with the Justice Department's guidance and its recent law enforcement staffing data, adding that the city should prioritize addressing its $30 million budget deficit and public safety challenges instead of expanding DEI initiatives. "Additionally, the adoption of this Ordinance represents a gross misallocation of resources at a time when the city faces a surge in violent crime, including multiple recent homicides, a mass shooting, and a persistent law enforcement recruitment crisis that undermines public safety," Moreno wrote. "Instead of fueling divisive social experiments, these public funds should be redirected to protecting Cincinnatians and restoring order to Ohio's streets." Fox News Digital reached out to Mayor Pureval's office for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46a284c2ca79de2363429a Boeing-owned Wisk Aero accused of firing manager who raised safety concerns te 2026-07-02T17:40:20.905Z Boeing-owned Wisk Aero accused of firing manager who raised safety concerns A former software manager claims Wisk rushed software testing ahead of a crucial 2025 flight test. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46a0d5c2ca79de23634271 Mystery parasite leaves Americans battling ‘explosive diarrhea’ as CDC investigates te 2026-07-02T17:33:09.114Z Mystery parasite leaves Americans battling ‘explosive diarrhea’ as CDC investigates Federal health officials are attempting to track down the source of a microscopic parasite that triggers prolonged gastrointestinal illness, as domestic cases begin to climb for the summer season. As of mid-June, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had confirmed 145 cases of cyclosporiasis across 17 states as of mid-June 2026, all linked to infections acquired in the U.S. The culprit is Cyclospora, a microscopic parasite known to cause cyclosporiasis. DEADLY ‘FOX TAPEWORM’ LINKED TO LETHAL DISEASE DETECTED IN WEST COAST WILDLIFE The hallmark symptom of the infection is watery, often "explosive" diarrhea that can last for weeks or even months if left untreated, the CDC says. Other symptoms include severe abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea, fatigue and significant weight loss. The official outbreak season for the parasite runs from May 1 through Aug. 31, a window where warmer temperatures historically coincide with a spike in infections, according to the CDC. Cases have cropped up in states ranging from Texas to Alaska. New York has been hit the hardest so far, reporting between 31 and 80 cases, followed by Texas and Illinois, which have each reported between 11 and 30 cases. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES While the infection can sometimes clear up on its own, it frequently requires antibiotics. Out of the 145 confirmed cases, 20 patients have required hospitalization, per the CDC. No deaths have yet been reported. Patients range from 5 to 86 years old, though the median age is 42, and women make up 61% of the reported cases, data shows. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER The CDC, alongside the Food and Drug Administration and state health officials, is actively investigating several multi-state clusters, but they have yet to find a cause behind the spread. "There is currently no evidence of a single, multistate Cyclospora outbreak linking all cases," the CDC noted in its surveillance report. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ The CDC advises anyone experiencing symptoms of cyclosporiasis to contact a healthcare provider for testing and treatment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46a0c1c2ca79de23634268 Anti-Israel demonstrator sentenced to year in jail for manslaughter during 2023 protests te 2026-07-02T17:32:49.660Z Anti-Israel demonstrator sentenced to year in jail for manslaughter during 2023 protests An anti-Israel protester who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of a pro-Israel demonstrator in California was sentenced to one year in county jail this week. Loay Abdel Fattah Alnaji, 53, had an altercation with Paul Kessler, 69, in 2023 where he hit Kessler in the head with a megaphone. Kessler then fell backward and struck his head again and later died of his injuries in the hospital. The incident took place against the backdrop of Israel-Hamas war tensions and concerns about antisemitism rising in the United States and more broadly. Alnaji was initially facing up to four years in prison in the case as he fought the charges against him, but the expected sentence was shortened when he pleaded guily in May. Prosecutors in the case argued the one-year sentence is not enough, saying he should have been committed to state prison and received a longer period of confinement. MOHAMED SABRY SOLIMAN TO PLEAD GUILTY IN DEADLY FIREBOMBING OF PRO-ISRAEL RALLY IN BOULDER, COLORADO "Mr. Kessler lost his life in a violent attack that took him from his family and his wife of 43 years," Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said in a statement. "Given the circumstances of this case and the death that resulted, we believe a state prison commitment was the appropriate and just sentence." Kessler's widow wrote a victim impact statement that said, in part, "There are no words to describe the pain of losing a husband in such a sudden and violent way." MOHAMED SABRY SOLIMAN TO PLEAD GUILTY IN DEADLY FIREBOMBING OF PRO-ISRAEL RALLY IN BOULDER, COLORADO "The grief is relentless. The silence in our house, the absence of his voice, his companionship, his love and the future we had planned together are losses I carry with me everyday," she continued, according to the district attorney's office. Jonathan Oswaks, a friend of Kessler's who was at the rally with him when the incident took place, spoke to the Jewish Journal when news of Alnaji's expected sentence was released, calling it "deeply frustrating." "I’m not a lawyer, but the way this was handled raises serious questions for me. It sends a troubling message about accountability," he told the outlet. PRO-ISRAEL DEMOCRAT CALIFORNIA STATE SENATOR HECKLED AT TRANS MARCH OVER GAZA, ‘WE F---ING HATE YOU’ Oswaks recounted moments from the event in his interview with the outlet, noting how the pro-Palestinian protesters vastly outnumbered them that day. He said after the pair had split up, people began approaching him and stood inches from his face yelling into his ear and using a megaphone. "When I tell you I had never experienced that level of hate in my life, I hadn’t," he said. "I told them to get out of my space. They backed off briefly, then started again. I made it clear they needed to stay away, and eventually they did." Fox News' Alec Schemmel contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46a0aec2ca79de2363425f Phil Mickelson's team rips reporter for story about alleged troubling transgressions: 'Drive-by shooting' te 2026-07-02T17:32:30.204Z Phil Mickelson's team rips reporter for story about alleged troubling transgressions: 'Drive-by shooting' Earlier this month, Skratch published a story that accused Phil Mickelson of showing a nude photo of himself to a fellow golfer's wife amid other original reports that he had been expelled from a golf club due to alleged misconduct with a female employee. The five-time major champion obtained defamation counsel to absolve the "false rumors" about his golf club departure, which turned out to be his own voluntary resignation. Days later, though, the Skratch story spoke to Ashley Perez, the ex-wife of pro golfer Pat, who said Mickelson showed her a picture of himself nude with an erection and flexing his bicep and said she could come to his bedroom after her then-husband fell asleep. Skratch also interviewed other sources for its story who hinted at potential infidelity by Mickelson amid abrupt endings of memberships at other golf clubs. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM A rep for Mickelson, though, said the reporter is perhaps infamous for a "drive-by shooting" style of "anonymously-sourced" stories. "The clear implication (of the story) is that Mr. Mickelson was forced out of multiple golf clubs. He wasn't. Mr. Mickelson has never been expelled from a golf club. His membership has never been revoked by a golf club," the statement says. The statement also ripped Shipnuck for citing a source in which Mickelson's wife, Amy, played a role in his departures from clubs. PHIL MICKELSON ACCUSED OF SHOWING NUDE PHOTO TO PRO GOLFER'S EX-WIFE: 'COME SEE ME' "That is false. Mr. Mickelson has never been forced by his wife or by any golf club to surrender his membership. Those decisions were his alone..." the statement said. "Instead, the source's personal assumption about her involvement is presented as fact, and that unsupported speculation has since been repeated by other media outlets as though it were established truth. It is not." Mickelson's spokeswoman also ripped Shipnuck for reporting that a source told him Mickelson would give his phone to "a young man in the pro shop and pay him $500 to drive around the course," so his wife would believe he was playing golf while "tracking his phone" as he had his "secret rendezvous." "How does the member know all of this? 'The kid from the pro shop told me,'" the story reads. "Shipnuck attempts to portray an ordinary 'Find My' family feature, used by millions of families every day, as something sinister. It wasn't. Anonymous speculation is presented as meaningful insight when it is nothing more than unsupported opinion," Mickelson's spokeswoman said. The statement does not deny the allegation that Mickelson showed Ashley Perez a photo of himself but does confirm he "apologize[d] for his conduct." However, that "should not be misconstrued as an admission of every allegation made against him," the spokeswoman said. "Responsible journalism does not amplify the most sensational characterization of a disputed event while minimizing the fact that the allegation itself was challenged." The statement also warned of potential "corporate" bias, as Skratch was founded by the PGA Tour, and Mickelson has since defected to LIV Golf. "Taken together, these reporting failures expose an article that prioritizes a compelling, click-bait narrative over an accurate one. Anonymous speculation is elevated over firsthand knowledge. Implication is used where facts fall short. Private family members are falsely drawn into public narratives without evidence. Context that undermines sensational allegations is minimized. Readers are left with conclusions the reporting itself never actually establishes," the statement concludes. "Credibility is not earned by publishing the most provocative narrative. It is earned through transparency, verification, and a clear distinction between fact, inference, and speculation. Those standards protect readers just as much as they protect the people being written about. Readers should demand more. Journalism should, too." Mickelson has played in only one LIV event this year and no majors as he attends to a "personal health matter." 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/6a46a09ac2ca79de23634256 TNA Wrestling begins Knockouts TV Championship tournament with several familiar faces vying for title te 2026-07-02T17:32:10.748Z TNA Wrestling begins Knockouts TV Championship tournament with several familiar faces vying for title Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) announced on Sunday at Slammiversary a tournament would take place to crown the first Knockouts TV champion. TNA legend Traci Brooks addressed the Boston crowd with the news of the new championship hitting the women’s division. She said a 16-woman tournament would begin on "Impact" on Thursday. The belt would also be defended exclusively on the television show. COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL The bracket features some fresh faces to TNA and wrestlers fans may be familiar with. Indi Hartwell vs. Vicki Venuto, Harley Hudson vs. Thea Hail, Elayna Black vs. Wendy Choo and M by Elegance vs. Rosemary on the left side of the bracket. Jade Stone vs. Alisha Edwards, Jody Threat vs. Gabby Forza, Mara Sadè vs. Tasha Steelz and Heather by Elegance vs. Allie on the other side. The winner of the tournament will begin their first reign as Knockouts TV champion. The first matches will be aired on AMC on Thursday night at 9 p.m. ET. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Heather by Elegance will take on Allie. The two met at Slammiversary for the TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Championship, which Allie and Rosemary won over Heather and M by Elegance. In the second match, Sadè takes on Steelz. "Impact" is also expected to feature matches between Leon Slater and Eddie Edwards, Ryan Nemeth vs. KC Navarro and an X Division Championship No. 1 contenders match with Fabian Aichner, Mr. Elegance, BDE, Rich Swann and Home Town Man. New TNA world champion Nic Nemeth, TNA women’s champion Xia Brookside and Ricky Sosa are expected to address the crowd as well. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46a087c2ca79de2363424d Obama judge hands progressives a win over anti-Trump '8647' message amid rising threats te 2026-07-02T17:31:51.300Z Obama judge hands progressives a win over anti-Trump '8647' message amid rising threats An Obama-appointed federal judge has issued a final ruling allowing an anti-Trump "8647" flag to be flown, delivering a win to a progressive activist group as the National Mall remains a hot zone for vandalism and threats against President Donald Trump. Progressive group Accountability Now USA flew the flag near the National Mall, and alleged that the National Park Service (NPS) violated their First Amendment rights by threatening to revoke their permit. U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss in Washington, D.C., ruled on Monday that the flag is protected political speech. The administration has previously interpreted the number "86" as a political threat, pointing to its common use in the restaurant industry to mean removing or refusing service, while 47 appears to refer to Trump as the 47th U.S. president. "This opinion is from an Obama-appointed judge. Flying a flag that is a threat to the Office of the President of the United States should not be permitted under any administration," a Department of Interior spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "In what world have we lost all decency to demand that any threat against the President be taken very seriously?" OBAMA JUDGE CLEARS LEFT-WING GROUP TO FLY OMINOUS FLAG AIMED AT TRUMP ON HIS OWN TURF "[Its] '8647' flag... is not a true threat to the President or incitement of violence," Moss said in his ruling. The group also displayed two flags accusing President Trump of sexually assaulting a minor. Moss ruled that those displays are "not legally obscene" and therefore remain protected by the First Amendment. Moss was appointed to the federal bench by former President Barack Obama after previously serving in former President Bill Clinton ’s Justice Department. He has also contributed to and volunteered for Democratic candidates and causes. OBAMA JUDGE CLEARS LEFT-WING GROUP TO FLY OMINOUS FLAG AIMED AT TRUMP ON HIS OWN TURF The judge noted in a previous order on the case that "a true threat to the life or safety of the President would undoubtedly outweigh the interest of the public or the speaker in continuing to urge that unlawful conduct." The dispute over the nature of the messaging comes amid heightened administration scrutiny of "8647" messages after the giant numbers appeared to be etched into the grass between the Washington Monument and the World War II memorial last month. OFFICIALS ASK FOR HELP IDENTIFYING PERSON IN REFLECTING POOL DAMAGE INVESTIGATION Grass samples were also collected for testing and examination in the area by investigators. America’s 250th birthday brings major events to the nation’s capital as D.C. braces for massive crowds, tight security, road closures and heightened law enforcement presence. Trump will attend the "Salute to America" event on July 4th. His remarks are expected to begin around 9:00 p.m. ET, prior to a massive fireworks display on the National Mall that has been touted by the administration as the largest in history. In April, there was an assassination attempt against Trump at the White House Correspondents Dinner where a shooter attempted to break into the ballroom. The fallout from the latest attempt comes as the anniversary of the Butler, Penn., rally approaches on July 13.  A bullet came close to ending Trump's life that day in 2024 after it grazed his ear. And just two months later another attempt on his life occurred when a man with a rifle was arrested in Southern Florida after he stuck a rifle through the bushes Trump's where he was golfing that day.  Meanwhile, the National Mall has garnered special attention this year following a string of vandalism against the Reflecting Pool and monuments. The pattern emerged after Trump ordered a restoration and repainting of the reflecting pool, which was then met with "razor-blade cuts" to its lining, according to the White House. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a469e4fc2ca79de23633fe5 Fox News AI Newsletter: American manufacturer says AI is creating jobs, not replacing them te 2026-07-02T17:22:23.196Z Fox News AI Newsletter: American manufacturer says AI is creating jobs, not replacing them IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER: - One of America's oldest manufacturers says AI is creating jobs — not replacing them - A missing kitten rode under a car hood. AI brought her home - Trump says Taiwan is doubling the size of chipmaking plant in Arizona DOMESTIC OUTPUT: Before Henry Ford rolled out the Model T, before the Wright brothers took to the skies and before the Statue of Liberty welcomed millions to America's shores, Corning was already charting a course of innovation that continues today. DIGITAL RESCUE: Ame thought Lucy might be hiding upstairs. The family's kitten had missed dinner, which felt odd. Still, cats hide. They nap in strange places. Sometimes, they ignore everyone. MANUFACTURING PUSH: President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that Taiwan is doubling the size of the chipmaking plants under construction in Arizona, adding that it could help the U.S. share of the chip market rise to 50% by the end of his term. LICENSED TO AI: The Trump administration has lifted export restrictions on two of Anthropic's latest artificial intelligence models after the company worked with the Commerce Department on a national security review, according to statements released Tuesday. SHIFTING GEARS: Ford has rehired experienced human engineers to help address the shortcomings of artificial intelligence (AI) tools meant to tackle quality issues in the automaker's production processes. PULSE CHECK: A routine heart test may be hiding a warning sign that doctors have missed for years. That is the big takeaway from new UC Berkeley research published in Nature. Researchers trained an artificial intelligence model to study ECGs, also called EKGs, and look for patterns tied to sudden cardiac death. NEW ERA: A new report is pushing back on artificial intelligence "doomsday" fears, arguing the technology could unleash one of the biggest productivity booms in American history — unless Washington slows it down with premature regulation. REIN IN GLOOM: A Nobel Prize-winning economist has warned that persistent predictions of artificial intelligence destroying the job market could become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Robert Shiller, who shared the 2013 Nobel Prize in economics for his work on asset prices, wrote a guest essay on Monday in The New York Times that argued the panic over AI is not a new sociological phenomenon. RAMAGEDDON ARRIVES: Apple has started charging more for some of its products, and AI is one of the big reasons why. The increases apply to select iPads and MacBooks, along with HomePod speakers and Apple TV devices. Apple's own store pages now show higher prices on several models than earlier launch materials listed. The iPhone was not included in this round, but analysts warn that may not last. Facebook Instagram YouTube X LinkedIn Fox News First Fox News Opinion Fox News Lifestyle Fox News Health FOX Business Fox Weather Fox Sports Tubi Fox News Go 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/6a469dfcc2ca79de23633d60 State leaders missed the moment for education te 2026-07-02T17:21:00.761Z State leaders missed the moment for education Editor’s note: This commentary utilizes research from the Helios Education Foundation and its associate Education Forward Arizona. Vince Roig Arizona’s future depends on whether the state can educate, prepare and retain the talent needed to power its growing economy. At a time when Arizona should be making sustained, strategic investments in students, schools, colleges and workforce pathways, state leaders instead chose to reduce or eliminate investments that were already too small to meet the scale of the challenge. That is why the final FY2027 state budget is so disappointing.  We understand that every budget requires difficult choices. But budgets also reveal priorities and this one sends the wrong message: that Arizona can talk about a stronger workforce, a more competitive economy and greater opportunity for its residents while failing to invest in the education systems that make those goals a reality. Paul J. Luna Education Forward Arizona has rightly noted that the budget falls short of Arizona’s education and workforce needs. The elimination of funding for dual enrollment, the Arizona Promise Program and the Ninth Grade On-Track initiative, among others, weakens the very pipeline Arizona needs to strengthen. These programs help students earn college credit earlier, make postsecondary education more affordable, and keep young people on a path to graduation and economic opportunity. Just a few years back, Arizona made a modest but meaningful investment in early literacy by providing funding for literacy coaches in high-need schools along with related efforts to strengthen reading instruction. Today, the need is even greater and the evidence is stronger, yet the state has not scaled that investment to match the urgency. Meanwhile, the Arizona Education Progress Meter shows that after several years of steady improvement, Arizona’s reading test scores for third graders have been moving in the wrong direction. We believe education is an investment, not an expense — one that changes lives, strengthens communities and returns value to the state. For more than 20 years, we have invested nearly $400 million in partnerships and initiatives designed to improve education outcomes in Arizona and Florida, with an emphasis on students from low-income and historically underrepresented communities.  We have made those investments because Arizona’s attainment goal matters. Back in 2016, state leaders committed to ensuring that 60% of working-age adults hold a postsecondary degree, certificate or license by 2030. Yet today, only half of Arizona adults have reached that benchmark, according to the Arizona Education Progress Meter. Reaching this goal is not simply an education aspiration but an economic necessity. Arizona’s employers need skilled talent. Families need access to careers that provide stability and mobility. Communities need the benefits that come when more residents are prepared to participate fully in the state’s economy. Simply hoping that the talent pipeline will strengthen on its own is misguided and foolish. The state cannot recruit, relocate or import its way to shared prosperity. It must develop more homegrown talent starting with our youngest learners. We are doing our part and expanding our strategic focus to meet this moment. We are doubling down on our commitment to postsecondary attainment while sharpening our work in areas that are essential to long-term student success and economic mobility: early academic preparedness, emphasizing literacy and numeracy, college-going preparedness and enrollment. State lawmakers need to step up and do their part. If Arizona wants stronger schools, higher attainment and a competitive workforce, it must invest accordingly and make student opportunity predictable, not accidental, for every Arizona student. This budget missed the moment for education. The question now is whether Arizona’s leaders will make it a turning point. Students, families, employers and communities deserve more than short-term thinking and small, temporary investments. They deserve a durable commitment to education as the foundation of Arizona’s future. Vince Roig is the founding board chair of Helios Education Foundation and Paul J. Luna is the president and CEO.  The post State leaders missed the moment for education first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a469dd5c2ca79de23633c3c Court Blocks Firings of Intelligence Officers Who Worked on Diversity te 2026-07-02T17:20:21.854Z Court Blocks Firings of Intelligence Officers Who Worked on Diversity The C.I.A. and Office of the Director of National Intelligence had tried to fire 19 officers at the beginning of the second Trump administration. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a469c33c2ca79de236336e2 Marshals nab teen wanted for murder of Penn State student 1,700 miles from crime scene te 2026-07-02T17:13:23.618Z Marshals nab teen wanted for murder of Penn State student 1,700 miles from crime scene A Pennsylvania teenager believed to be responsible for the death of Penn State student Billy Schmidt, who was shot as he walked home from an NBA Finals watch party, was arrested at the Colorado home of a distant relative following a month-long manhunt, authorities said Thursday. Azzubair Outen-Fleming, 16, was captured in Colorado Springs by the U.S. Marshals Service after he tried to deny his true identity, the agency said. He is being housed at a juvenile detention center pending extradition to Philadelphia. On Tuesday, officials issued warrants for Outen-Fleming and 16-year-old Kaiseem Smith, who was also allegedly involved in the shooting death and remains on the run. POLICE IDENTIFY TWO TEEN SUSPECTS AFTER PENN STATE STUDENT SHOT DEAD OVER STOLEN PHONE Philadelphia Police Department Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore said Outen-Fleming is being charged with murder, Fox 29 reported. Schmidt, 22, was killed during an armed robbery attempt in Philadelphia that happened on June 6 at around 1:30 a.m. Officers found him with a gunshot wound to his chest. He was taken to a local hospital where he died minutes after the shooting, which was captured on surveillance video. MANHUNT UNDERWAY AFTER COLLEGE STUDENT FATALLY SHOT CHASING ROBBERS WHO ALLEGEDLY STOLE HIS PHONE In the footage, Schmidt is heard demanding his phone back before a gunshot is heard moments later. The video shows a man throwing a cellphone before another individual can be seen running around a corner, while being chased by Schmidt, who was then shot in the chest. Schmidt's father, Bill Schmidt, told ABC7 that his son was on his way home from a bar where he was watching the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs with friends. "He was a really good person who cared about everybody and never hurt or bothered a soul, never bothered anyone and for him to get shot like that is a travesty," Bill Schmidt said. "I'm shocked when they stole his phone that he chased them." The younger Schmidt was slated to graduate from Penn State, where he was studying journalism, in December. Fox News Digital's Adam Sabes contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a469c20c2ca79de236336d9 Lee Greenwood recalls surviving enemy fire in Panama after White House sent him to entertain troops te 2026-07-02T17:13:04.173Z Lee Greenwood recalls surviving enemy fire in Panama after White House sent him to entertain troops Country singer Lee Greenwood recalled being sent to Panama by then-President George H.W. Bush to entertain U.S. troops during the mission against Manuel Noriega, revealing he came under fire before reaching Marines in the jungle. "I’m going to send you to Panama," Greenwood recalled Bush telling him on the "Hang Out With Sean Hannity" podcast. "Take your band down there. I’ve already taken out the dependents. We’re going to take [Noriega] out... I want you to entertain our troops." The "God Bless the USA" singer said his band left first by Chinook helicopter, while a courier handed him a letter from Bush for Marines stationed in the jungle. AARON TIPPIN SAYS PATRIOTISM IS 'VERY STRONG IN AMERICA' AHEAD OF FORT CAMPBELL 4TH OF JULY SHOW "And a courier had given me a letter from the president to 200 Marines in the jungle," Greenwood said. "So, the band’s gone. I jump in a jeep with a sergeant and we... come under fire and the bullets are whizzing through the jeep." Greenwood said he was not hit, but the sergeant driving the jeep was wounded. "[It] took my driver’s finger off right there in the index finger," Greenwood said. "So fortunately, I didn’t get hit. We got to the compound where the Marines were, and I showed them where we were, and they went out, and they took out these guys." Operation Just Cause began in December 1989 when nearly 26,000 combat troops were deployed in a mission the U.S. Army says was aimed at neutralizing Noriega's forces, restoring elected democratic government and protecting American lives. Greenwood said the Panama mission came back to him years later when the same driver showed up backstage after a concert in Ohio. "I said, ‘Is he missing a finger?’" Greenwood said. "He said, ‘Yes.’ I came out, and we hugged each other, you know, for the moment that we could have both been killed." AMERICA’S NEXT 250 YEARS DEPEND ON PASSING FAITH AND FREEDOM TO OUR CHILDREN He said the episode was one of many military visits that shaped his career. "I remember it was 140 degrees in the jungle ... and addressing 150 Marines that are about to go to war," Greenwood said. "It’s been like that all over my career whenever I visit military, and that makes me a very proud patriot." The interview focused on Greenwood, his wife, Kimberly, and the 40-year-old legacy of "God Bless the USA" ahead of America's 250th anniversary. Kimberly Greenwood said their relationship began through USO tours and service members. "Really, our beginning of our relationship started with patriotism and serving our military," she said. "And that’s what we’ve done for our entire time together." Greenwood said "God Bless the USA" was written out of love for the country and respect for those who died serving it. "I’m so proud to know that I wrote it because I love the country," he said. "I didn’t write it for any other purpose." The full interview is available now on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a469c0cc2ca79de236336d0 New sodium-ion battery could reshape grid storage te 2026-07-02T17:12:44.709Z New sodium-ion battery could reshape grid storage A new sodium-ion battery from Chinese battery giant CATL could eventually affect something much closer to home: the power grid that keeps your lights on. CATL has introduced its TENER Sodium Energy Storage System. The company says it is the world's first field-validated sodium-ion energy storage system ready for commercial use. Think big energy project, not phone upgrade. This battery is built for large storage sites that can support the grid. That kind of storage is getting more attention as electricity demand rises. AI data centers use a lot of power. Heat waves can strain local grids. Solar and wind power also need storage so electricity is available when people need it. However, CATL has not announced a specific U.S. launch for this system. So, this is more about where grid storage may be headed than what your local utility will install tomorrow. FOX NEWS POLL: VOTERS SEE AI REGULATION AS URGENT, RANK SAFEGUARDS AHEAD OF INNOVATION Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report CATL just launched the TENER Sodium Energy Storage System in Munich, Germany. The company says cumulative shipments should reach 1 gigawatt-hour by the end of 2026. Deliveries in China are expected to start in September 2026. Global deliveries are scheduled to begin in June 2027. That timeline shows sodium-ion batteries are moving closer to commercial use. The system is designed for stationary storage. In other words, it could help store electricity from solar farms, wind projects or other power sources for later use. That becomes important when demand jumps during hot afternoons or renewable power drops later in the day. Most large battery storage projects today use lithium-based systems. Lithium works well, but supply chains can be tight. Prices can also move when demand climbs. CATL says sodium is more than 1,000 times more common than lithium. The company also says sodium is widely distributed around the world. That could make sodium-ion batteries attractive for grid storage. These batteries do not need to be tiny enough for a phone or light enough for an electric car. CATL isn’t saying sodium will replace lithium overnight. Instead, the company says sodium and lithium could work together in future energy storage systems. For you, the larger point is choice. More battery options could help energy companies reduce their dependence on a single material. AI BOOM: DEMAND FOR DATA CENTERS DRIVES INNOVATION BY ENERGY, TECH INDUSTRIES TO PRODUCE NEW POWER SOURCES One of CATL's bigger claims is that TENER Sodium can fit into existing lithium iron phosphate energy storage platforms. CATL says the system shares the same physical footprint as LFP systems. That could help developers avoid changing enclosures, redesigning projects or repeating certification steps. The system delivers more than 30 megawatt-hours of rated capacity. CATL says each module weighs about 42 metric tons, or about 46 U.S. tons. The company says only 34 units are needed for a 1-gigawatt-hour storage site. The modular design also supports flexible storage durations of 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours. That gives developers more room to tailor projects based on local power needs. Battery storage has to work in places that get brutally hot or freezing cold. CATL says TENER Sodium is designed for better extreme-temperature performance, enhanced safety and lower operating costs. The company also says its battery management system gives the sodium-ion system an additional 20 percent safety margin compared with lithium-ion batteries. The system also uses a top-discharge airflow design that CATL says reduces heat generation by nearly 30 percent compared with conventional systems. CATL says auxiliary power consumption drops from the industry average of 2 percent to 1 percent. That could be useful for large grid storage projects, especially in places where heat, storms or heavy power demand can strain local systems. CATL also says TENER Sodium operates at only 65 decibels, which is 10 decibels lower than conventional systems. That could help address local concerns when battery storage sites are built closer to where power is needed. CATL says TENER Sodium has reached full commercial maturity across technology, production capacity and supply chain readiness. The company says it has worked on sodium-ion battery research and development since 2016. CATL also says it has invested about $1.4 billion, depending on exchange rates, over the past decade. CATL has expanded sodium-ion production lines at its Fuding base in China. The company says that adds 40 gigawatt-hours of annual capacity. Another planned base in Jining, Shandong, could support 160 gigawatt-hours of sodium-ion battery production capacity. CATL also says it signed a three-year, 60-gigawatt-hour sodium-ion energy storage order with HyperStrong in April 2026. The company described it as the world's largest sodium-ion commercial contract. Those numbers show CATL is treating sodium-ion storage as a serious commercial product. That said, U.S. adoption is a separate question. American utilities, regulators and developers would still need to weigh cost, performance, supply chain risk and security concerns. This sodium-ion battery system may never be something you buy directly. However, the technology behind it could still affect how electricity gets stored and delivered. If sodium-ion storage proves reliable, it could give energy companies another way to support the grid. That may become more important as AI data centers increase electricity demand. Better storage can help utilities use power more efficiently. It can also help balance supply when demand rises quickly. Still, there are limits. A new battery chemistry will not fix old transmission lines, slow permitting or local grid bottlenecks by itself. The real takeaway is that sodium-ion batteries could become part of the grid storage mix. They are not a magic fix, but they could help energy companies build more flexible storage projects. Your phone holds your email, passwords, photos, banking apps and personal data. In this free CyberGuy Live replay, Kurt the CyberGuy walks you step by step through simple phone security fixes you can do at your own pace. You’ll learn how to improve your privacy settings, spot the latest phone scams, use trusted security tools and walk away with a simple checklist to stay protected. Watch the replay and get our checklist here: CyberGuyLive.com. CATL's new sodium-ion battery may sound like a faraway energy story, especially since there is no announced U.S. rollout yet. Still, it is important because the grid is under growing pressure from AI data centers, extreme weather and the need to store more renewable power. What stands out is the use of sodium, which CATL says is far more common than lithium. If this technology proves reliable in major energy projects, it could give utilities another way to store power and keep the grid steadier when demand spikes. Would you be comfortable with Chinese-made battery systems supporting part of the U.S. electric grid if they helped make power more reliable? 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/6a469bf9c2ca79de236336c7 Florida AG seeks judge's impeachment after baby drowning COVID insanity acquittal te 2026-07-02T17:12:25.251Z Florida AG seeks judge's impeachment after baby drowning COVID insanity acquittal Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and local lawmakers are seeking to impeach a judge who acquitted a woman on a historic COVID-linked insanity plea. Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Miguel de la O acquitted Precious Bland, who was charged with manslaughter and two counts of attempted murder in the first degree after she allegedly drowned her 15-month-old daughter and stabbed her husband and another child. Bland’s attorneys argued that she suffered a psychotic break caused by COVID-19 and, therefore, was unable to understand the consequences of her actions. According to her defense, Bland was experiencing hallucinations and believed she was being instructed to baptize her family members. During the 2021 incident, Bland was yelling that "Jesus Christ is coming and COVID is going to kill us all," her husband told police, according to a copy of the arrest report obtained by Fox News Digital. STORE OWNER HELD WITHOUT BOND FOR 3 YEARS ACQUITTED OF MURDER IN TEEN'S SHOOTING DEATH "The defendant insisted that everyone needed to be baptized and that she was going to baptize everyone in the bathtub," the report read. The police report details a harrowing scene where Bland instructed one of the children in the home to retrieve a knife, but the child claimed to not know why. Bland then allegedly stabbed her husband several times during a struggle, and he "along with his four other children, ran out of the residence in fear for their lives and he contacted the police," the report read. Bland's older daughter, in an attempt to grab the baby away from the defendant, "sustained a stab wound to her forearm during the struggle," the report continued. The girl "then ran out of the residence in fear for her life. Officers arrived on the scene, made entry into the residence, and placed the defendant into custody," the report said. Officers located the baby "face down, unresponsive, inside the bathtub filled with bloody water," according to the report. De la O sided with the defense, acquitting Bland on all three counts and allowing her to return to her home ahead of a future hearing to decide on her treatment options. Uthmeier called the judge's decision unacceptable. FEDERAL JUDGE WHO HAD SEX IN CHAMBERS APOLOGIZES TO FORMER CLERK AS IMPEACHMENT PUSH RAMPS UP "In a bench trial — where the judge made the decision, not a jury — he allowed a woman off on an insanity defense after she drowned her baby. He cited insanity related to COVID. This is unacceptable," Uthmeier told Fox News Digital in an interview. "I believe we have impeachment provisions in our state constitutions for a reason. The federal government has similar authorities, but we don't see judges getting impeached in modern times. So, I believe this is wrong. We're going to be pushing hard to work with our legislature to hold some of these judges accountable. I believe they're violating their oath and endangering our citizens," Uthmeier told Fox News Digital. Uthmeier also revealed that he was exploring impeachment options for a number of other judges as well, disclosing to Fox News Digital that he was working with other Florida legislators on the matter. FEDERAL JUDGE WHO HAD SEX IN CHAMBERS APOLOGIZES TO FORMER CLERK AS IMPEACHMENT PUSH RAMPS UP "I've already had some Florida legislators reach out, excited to work with me on articles of impeachment, and hopefully get some of these dangerous people off the bench," he told Fox News Digital. "We have taken a big interest in judges that we believe are exceeding their authority, abusing discretion, or acting in a way that jeopardizes public safety. We've already called for impeachments in a couple of other judicial cases: a judge in Tallahassee who let a convicted child predator go free — a guy where a jury found him guilty of a child sex offense, and he then murdered his five-year-old stepdaughter. There's a case in Miami where a judge let the defendant out on bail after he shoved rocks in a girl's mouth as she was being raped," Uthmeier explained. Bland’s attorney, Larry Handfield, said he believed the ruling was the first successful COVID-related insanity defense in the country. "This was COVID," Handfield told NBC6 South Florida. "It's a woman who served our country for five years," he said, referring to Bland's five years in the U.S. Navy. Handfield said she was "living the American dream until COVID came. She didn't ask for COVID." Uthmeier also said he believed this was one of, if not the, first ruling of its kind. "I am not aware of this having happened before. I certainly have not read through all of the transcripts from the proceeding, but to me, anybody who drowns their daughter should not be released. To the extent that insanity is going to weigh in on things, I believe it should factor into where you are housed for your incarceration, not give you a ‘get out of jail free’ card where you're just allowed to walk scot-free and put other people in danger. If somebody truly has serious mental defects where they need treatment or help in some way, so be it, but they should get that help behind a barred hospital — some sort of mental institution where they are confined and not able to go free and walk the streets again," Uthmeier said. The Florida attorney general also said he believed the ruling was part of a "national trend" of federal judges overstepping. "I think all of us as leaders in this country need to wake up and realize that the impeachment and removal of judges is something under the Constitution that can be pursued. And until we do it — until we reject their abuse of authority — they're going to continue to have credibility when they do these wayward things. So, I'm going to be pushing impeachment very often and loudly over the next year," he concluded. The court appointed forensic psychologist Dayra Bodan to determine whether or not Bland’s degree of insanity warranted involuntary hospitalization. Bland is slated to have another hearing on July 6 to determine treatment options. Fox News Digital contacted Bland's attorney but did not receive a response. The 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida, where Judge de la O presides, told Fox News Digital "judicial ethics canons do not permit comment on pending cases." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a469be5c2ca79de236336be Zohran Mamdani praised for 'fantastic' question-dodging on presidential eligibility te 2026-07-02T17:12:05.796Z Zohran Mamdani praised for 'fantastic' question-dodging on presidential eligibility New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was praised for being "fantastic" at dodging questions by podcast host Jillian Superstar on Wednesday after she asked the socialist mayor if he would run for president if he could. "If you could run for president, would you?" Superstar asked during her "360 with Jillian" podcast. Mamdani said he thankfully never had to worry about it, referring to the fact that he was born in Uganda. MAMDANI GETS ROASTED AFTER TELLING SWELTERING NEW YORKERS TO SET ACS TO 78 DEGREES: 'COMMIE' "And I think it's hard to think of a better job than this. And I know that you'll hear so many politicians say that. But my point is just like … You wake up in New York City, you go to sleep in New York City. The whole day is in New York City. What more could you want? Yeah, it's just I don't know. It is a dream," he added. Superstar then said, "You're good. You can teach a master class on dodging questions. That was fantastic." During an interview with ABC's Jonathan Karl on Sunday, Mamdani was asked whether he supported an amendment to the Constitution to change the rule that candidates for president must be born in the U.S. "I think the Constitution looks good the way it is," he responded. FETTERMAN WARNS MAMDANI RISKS 'CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS' BY VOWING TO DEFY SCOTUS IMMIGRATION RULING Fox News Digital confirmed Wednesday that Mamdani had been speaking with former Vice President Kamala Harris. Mamdani, in an interview on SiriusXM's "The Clay Cane Show" on Wednesday, confirmed the call with Harris. "The vice president reached out to have a conversation, and we've had a brief conversation. We've been in touch over the last few months, and I really do appreciate her outreach," the mayor said. The phone call with Mamdani, first reported by Axios, along with other closed-door meetings with progressive groups, suggests Harris is trying to shore up support from factions of the party that didn’t support her during her 2024 run. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE The news comes after several Mamdani-backed socialist candidates swept their primaries in June over establishment Democrats. The three congressional candidates that he endorsed in the primary — Brad Lander, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier — were all victorious, and are expected to cruise to victory against their Republican opponents in November. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a469b94c2ca79de2363369e Making every taxpayer dollar count te 2026-07-02T17:10:44.442Z Making every taxpayer dollar count Scott Butler Mesa was recently named Arizona’s best-run city and ranked among the top 10 best-run large cities in America. That recognition means a lot to us because it measures what residents expect and deserve: Getting real value for the dollars they entrust to their local government. In Mesa, we make that our mission every day.  Mesa consistently ranks among America’s safest large cities. We are recognized as one of the best places to live in the nation. Independent credit rating agencies give Mesa some of the strongest financial ratings available. Together, these rankings show that Mesa’s resident-first mindset brings tangible results to strengthen our community.  That doesn’t happen by accident.  For decades, Mesa has invested in public safety, reliable water service, streets, parks and libraries while maintaining one of the lowest tax burdens in Arizona — and doing so without a primary property tax. Over the past several years, we’ve cut more than $56 million from our municipal budget without affecting the services residents rely on every day. Residents don’t experience fiscal responsibility through budgets and spreadsheets. They feel it when their neighborhoods are safe, water runs reliably from the tap, streets are maintained, parks are well-kept and first responders come quickly when they call 911. That’s what responsible financial management looks like in everyday life. We’ve built some of the strongest reserves in the city’s history because we take a commonsense approach to stretching tax dollars. That preparation proved its worth recently when disruptions to state-level funding streams created real pressure on our budget. Because we had managed responsibly for years, we were able to navigate that uncertainty, and those reserves gave us the flexibility to respond intentionally rather than making dramatic cuts. None of this happens in isolation. We heard clearly from residents that they wanted Mesa to remain financially strong while continuing to protect the services that make our community a great place to live. The City Council challenged staff to improve the City’s financial outlook more quickly and we responded. Working together, we strengthened Mesa’s financial position ahead of schedule while continuing to deliver the services residents rely on every day.  Growth creates opportunity, but it also brings challenges. As Mesa continues to grow, so do the demands on the services residents depend on, from maintaining streets and water systems to ensuring police officers and firefighters have the resources they need. Meeting these needs requires the same principles that have guided Mesa for decades: finding new efficiencies, using innovation to tackle problems and maintaining an unrelenting focus on the people we serve. Our employees remain committed to delivering the services our residents rely upon. This trust is earned through consistent performance and turning ideas into action. Mesa’s recognition as Arizona’s best-run city and one of the top 10 best-run cities in America reflects decades of hard work. We appreciate the accolades, but there is much more to do. Mesa is focused on creating a strong, resilient and economically prosperous future by protecting taxpayer dollars, maintaining top-notch services and planning responsibly.  Our city will continue to up our game and deliver the value Mesa residents expect and deserve.  Scott Butler is the city manager of Mesa. The post Making every taxpayer dollar count first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a469976c2ca79de23633641 Democrats, Republicans alike focus on states’ rights as a way out of America’s political woes te 2026-07-02T17:01:42.326Z Democrats, Republicans alike focus on states’ rights as a way out of America’s political woes (Illustration by Alex Cochran for Stateline) Democrats are seizing the mantle of states’ rights to oppose the agenda of President Donald Trump, who has sought to reset Washington’s relationship with the states.  While the party out of federal power has always pushed its agenda in statehouses, Democrats across the country have recently demanded more autonomy for governors and state lawmakers. Liberals, longtime proponents of a stronger central government, are now championing an ideology that evokes odious memories of slavery and segregation.   Many state leaders hope that a renewed focus on federalism could help lower the national political temperature. By shifting more political decisions to the states, they envision a nation less subject to blue-red swings that change the entire course of federal law enforcement, environmental policy and business regulation.  “Otherwise we just end up fighting every four years over red king-blue king,” said Utah state Rep. Ken Ivory, a Republican. “And our entire nation goes entirely one way, and then 180 degrees the other way.” Ivory said the pendulum swinging is “ripping our nation apart” politically and costing untold dollars as national policy reverses depending on who is in power. He leads Utah’s Federalism Commission, a bipartisan legislative group assessing state-federal boundaries and working to educate leaders across the country on federalism issues.  While he’s been pushing for a smaller federal government and heightened role for the states for years, he said the fiery policy debates in Trump’s second term have given the effort unprecedented momentum.  Last June, California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom said the White House had violated his state’s sovereignty in deploying the National Guard to Los Angeles without the governor’s consent. In a lawsuit the state ultimately won, California cited arguments made by founding father James Madison in the Federalist Papers calling for ratification of the Constitution more than 200 years ago.  And this winter in Minnesota, Democrats pushed for more state oversight of the federal government after immigration officers killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.  “This is a matter of states’ rights,” said Democratic state Senate leader Erin Murphy. “And while we can’t impact — except for next November – the makeup of Congress, we can impact and bring relief for the people of Minnesota.” Many of the most high-profile conversations surrounding states rights’ have proven predictably partisan. Yet Democrats and Republicans behind the scenes have been quietly building momentum for a rebalancing of state-federal authority.   Conservative state lawmakers who have long pushed for a smaller federal government are welcoming liberal counterparts to a growing movement underscoring the importance of federalism, the uniquely American system created by the framers of the Constitution to share power between Washington, D.C., and the states. As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, Stateline is exploring how the Trump era is transforming the relationship between the states and the federal government. This article is the third in an occasional series examining the fraught moment and what evolving — and often deteriorating — state-federal ties mean for the country, now and in the future. In Utah, the Republican House speaker called Rep. Ivory several days after Trump’s 2024 election, noting that even California’s liberal governor was talking about federalism. “He says, ‘We have the opportunity of our lifetime. … We need to get out and work with other states, get them together,’” Ivory recalled.  “I said, Mr. Speaker, I agree with you. But if Gavin Newsom does something that we believe is state jurisdiction, even if we don’t like the policy, we’ve got to stand with him. And he said, ‘I know,’ and that had never happened before.” Utah Republican state Rep. Ken Ivory, left, talks with Utah State University professor Anthony Peacock at the Utah Scholars Federalism Conference in Orem in March. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) ‘An inflection point’ The debate over how much power states should wield is as old as the nation itself: Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, the forebears of our two-party system, famously argued for larger and smaller federal roles, respectively.  In Trump’s second term, Democrats have leaned on federalism principles as a means of checking federal power, said Troy Smith, a professor of constitutional federalism and director of the Constitutional Federalism Initiative at Utah Valley University in Orem.  The American federalist system is always evolving as states and the federal government tussle over authority and the two parties come in and out of national power. Smith said state governments, namely governors, have grown increasingly partisan since the 1990s. But that may be changing as Republicans and Democrats embrace states’ rights. “I think we’re in an inflection point now that looks like it has the potential to go in that direction as the states start recognizing they have many things in common that transcends party and cooperation could be to their benefit,” Smith said. Federalism scholars took note of December’s inaugural meeting of the Assembly of State Legislative Leaders, a bipartisan gathering of lawmakers from 30 states. Though not highly publicized, that group signed off on a 449-word declaration on the importance of states’ ability to legislate independently.  “I think that’s pretty unique and telling in this moment that Republican and Democratic leaders came together and unanimously approved that resolution,” Smith said.  The group of lawmakers has yet to publicize any more meetings and its leader, Ohio’s Republican House Speaker Matt Huffman, declined an interview request. But New Hampshire House Speaker Sherman Packard, who attended that gathering, said it was clear that concerns over the size and scope of the federal government transcend parties. “It’s strictly a bipartisan issue,” said Packard, a Republican. “It isn’t an issue that’s dominated by one blue state or one red state. It’s an issue that I think almost every state legislature is dealing with, and red or blue, it’s worth telling the federal government, ‘enough is enough.’” Tennessee Democratic state Rep. Karen Camper, though, is skeptical that the states will mark meaningful progress during Trump’s term.  “Bipartisan has become a nasty word for this president,” she said. “So it’s going to have to be after he’s gone, because he will kill it. That’s what I’ve seen from this president.” Camper, the Tennessee state House minority leader, pointed to May’s special legislative session in which the GOP pushed through a controversial congressional redistricting plan. It splits the state’s only majority-Black congressional district in Memphis across three districts, diluting that area’s vote as Republicans attempt to flip the state’s only Democratic-held district.  Tennessee Democrats locked arms on the House floor in protest of a GOP redistricting vote that split the state’s only majority-Black congressional district around Memphis. State Rep. Karen Camper, the chamber’s minority leader, left, worries that too much attention on states’ rights could jeopardize important rights secured at the federal level. (Photo by John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) “Look at what just happened in our state,” Camper said, highlighting Trump’s push for redistricting. “That was a chance for our Republican supermajority to say, ‘We’re not going down this road.’”  Camper is also the chair of the Black Legislative Leaders Network, a national group of Black lawmakers who lead state chambers, caucuses and committees. She said she worries that too much focus on state autonomy could jeopardize important freedoms that were won at the federal level, including civil rights and voting rights. “So we’re going to be fighting, refighting some of the same stuff, some of the same things that we fought for,” she said. “…We should be protected by these rights, regardless of where we go in this country, but in states’ rights, there’s a chance that you won’t.” A complicated history The debate over states’ rights is inextricably tied to race, equality and segregation.  And some Southerners continue to argue that conflicts over states’ rights — rather than slavery — drove secession ahead of the Civil War. Historians, though, note the only significant right under debate at that time was the right to enslave people. In the Jim Crow era, Southern states continued the siren call of states’ rights as they defended racial segregation and fought civil rights movements. While the concept can still evoke those deeply divisive times, liberals in recent years have found political value in embracing states’ rights, said Paul Nolette, professor and director of the Les Aspin Center for Government at Marquette University and co-editor of a national academic journal on federalism.  That’s particularly true of Democratic attorneys general, who have been aggressively challenging the White House in the past year with scores of lawsuits over its immigration enforcement efforts, environmental policies and the withholding of federal funds from states. This 1948 campaign poster supporting the Dixiecrat presidential ticket of Strom Thrumond and Fielding Wright touts the importance of states’ rights. The concept is inextricably tied to race, equality and segregation, particularly in the South. (Sara L. Lepman in memory of Dr. Harry Lepman via the Smithsonian) “If states were just this weak link, then they would be able to do nothing,” Nolette said. “You know, it would just be the federal government getting whatever it wants. But in fact, the states have a lot of tools themselves to push back on the federal government.” Though the federal government has grown in scope over the decades, Nolette noted, state bureaucracies have also expanded influence. Many federal programs, including the national food stamp program and safety net health insurance, are administered by state governments. “So the nature of federal policy over the last few decades has actually given states additional powers to have a say in national policy,” he said.  Nick Brown, Washington state’s Democratic attorney general, acknowledged his view of states’ rights has evolved over the years.  Like many others, the phrase to him frequently evoked the Southerners who championed states’ rights in their efforts to oppose racial integration. The state’s first Black attorney general, Brown previously spent years working in the U.S. Department of Justice, a federal agency he admired for its role in pursuing civil rights cases.  But he said the Trump era demands a different role for states as the president continues to flout congressional appropriations and punish political opponents.    “I think certainly we have to look differently at what states’ authorities are in this moment,” he said.  Brown said a heightened focus on states is welcome after years of outsized attention on national politics. That’s because the issues most important to most people — taxes, schools and public safety — are most affected by local policy decisions, he said.  Changing the structure  In Utah, state officials are looking to lead a national movement to bring more authority back to the states.  While fears over the Trump administration’s overreach have fueled Democratic interest, Ivory, the Republican representative leading that effort, said the initiative is more focused on governmental structure than politics.  Ivory likened the current federal-state dynamic to a bicycle with a bloated front tire threatening to bust and a back tire so flat it’s about to chew the rubber off the rim. “Well, the answer is not to get a different rider or a stronger rider or to steer the bike to the left or to the right. It’s to fix the balance in the tires,” he said. “Our structure, our vehicle of government was two spheres with very specific balance, and we haven’t been paying attention to that for a long time.” This discussion comes naturally in Western states that have for generations feuded with Washington over the proper use and ownership of federal lands. Over 90% of federal lands are located in the West, according to the Congressional Western Caucus, with the federal government owning 1 of every 2 acres.  Quotation States are oftentimes too wrapped up in whether we're blue states or red states to really have each other's back. – Utah state Rep. Jennifer Dailey-Provost, a Democrat Utah’s commission aims at connecting state lawmakers and agency staff from across the country to better adjudicate federal and state jurisdiction on everything from land management to law enforcement. Ivory said the group would also like to help fill the void left after the 1996 disbandment of the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, an entity that put state and local governments in direct contact with federal agencies.  Utah Democratic state Rep. Jennifer Dailey-Provost acknowledged her initial skepticism of the GOP’s federalism push there because of its historic ties to slavery and segregation. “I’m pretty liberal,” she said. “Federalism is something that was always viewed, I think for not unjustified reasons, as something that was hostile to equality and equitable outcomes and fairness.” But after a 90-minute conversation with her Republican colleague, she began to see the value — especially now — of pushing for an expanded role for states. Now a member of the state’s federalism commission, she said she envisions a better structure where states stand together, regardless of party affiliation, to counterbalance the federal government. “States are oftentimes too wrapped up in whether we’re blue states or red states to really have each other’s back,” she said. “And it’s been hard, politically, to convince a red state like Utah to vocally say blue-state California wants to do things its way, we have to have their back and say that they have the right to do things that way, even if it’s not how we would do things.” As a member of the political minority in Utah, she acknowledged how difficult that can be. Utah’s Republican party holds all statewide offices and enjoys supermajorities in both legislative chambers. And Dailey-Provost said the state’s LGBTQ+ population has been subjected to “constant attacks” from the GOP there.  Still, she said, she would rather have that debate locally than rely on the federal government to protect those residents.  “So, I don’t like the current policy outcomes, but I see more opportunity to continue to work with communities and try to fix it over time here at the state level,” Dailey-Provost said. “… At least I feel like there’s a path forward at the local level.” Stateline reporter Kevin Hardy can be reached at khardy@stateline.org. States Newsroom reporter Jonathan Shorman can be reached at jshorman@statesnewsroom.com. 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/6a469962c2ca79de23633622 George Washington's remarkable prayer for America still resonates 250 years later te 2026-07-02T17:01:22.359Z George Washington's remarkable prayer for America still resonates 250 years later It is the quintessential imagery of a desperate man, drained of all earthly strength and power, who's come to the end of his own knowledge and wisdom. He takes a knee in humbleness to God. This is the portrait of then-General George Washington at Valley Forge, praying for guidance when the fight for America's independence seemed lost.   The iconic painting, "Prayer at Valley Forge," was created 50 years ago by artist Arnold Friberg in honor of America's bicentennial. Now, it's the centerpiece of the Museum of the Bible's exhibit celebrating the nation's 250th anniversary. SECRETS OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR BATTLEFIELDS EMERGE 250 YEARS AFTER AMERICA'S FOUNDING Carlos Campo, Ph.D., CEO of the Museum of the Bible, says, "Washington is most powerful on his knees. That's what he knows, because he is bowing to a greater power who can infuse him with true leadership." The image is a snapshot of "a man carrying a burden that feels too heavy to bear — and the quiet place he goes when everything is on the line." It takes place during the brutal winter of 1777-1778.  America's founders had already declared a break from Great Britain's rule on July 4, 1776.  Now, the "fragile army" of colonists needs to fight to secure it. Washington is their leader. But America at this juncture is more a dream than solid reality.   Washington's soldiers are freezing in the harsh snow and cold. Many of them are without shoes or warm clothing. JUST 5 MINUTES OF PRAYER COULD HAVE SURPRISING HEALTH BENEFITS, STUDY FINDS The painting and the D.C.-based museum show how fidelity to God and belief in the omniscient power of an Almighty God are real powers that helped create the United States of America. They are not lofty philosophies written in founding documents, but living realities tested on a literal battlefield.   As America celebrates its 250th year, much of Washington, D.C., is turning red, white and blue to exalt this nation's strength through its noble founding documents, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights — all now taking center stage. Yet the greater influence, Campo believes, on America’s self-governing sense of law, justice and mercy is found at the Museum of the Bible, where the famous portrait of General Washington in prayer headlines the museum’s exhibit. Campo told Fox News, "While other influences aided in the founding principles of our nation, nothing — and there's not even a close second — had the influence as the power of scripture." Even so, Dr. Ben Carson wants us to know there was something in the man himself that was divinely ordained. He quips that it's a story about a young Washington that public schools tend to leave out of their history lessons.  RARE AMERICAN BIBLE AND FOUNDERS' LETTERS TRACE FAITH'S ROLE IN BIRTH OF THE NATION Carson, the former U.S. secretary of Housing and Urban Development and, before that, a highly accomplished pediatric surgeon, is making sure younger generations hear the story through his Little Patriots Learning. In July 1755, a 23-year-old Washington escaped a harrowing death at the Battle of the Monongahela.  He was shot at by an expert marksman and survived. In a letter to his younger brother John, the future first president wrote, "By the all-powerful dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability and expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet escaped unhurt, although death was leveling my companions on every side." Carson says, "He realized that God had saved him for a reason. And years later, he was in the same area... before he became president… and one of the Indian chiefs who had been involved in the war heard about it and asked [to be brought] to where Washington was. When he reached Washington, he said, 'Sir, I just needed to meet you because I'm an expert marksman and I shot you 17 times and my men shot you, and pretty soon I told them to stop wasting their bullets, because this is a man who's protected by the great spirit above. And I just wanted to see you before I died, knowing that you would become the father of a great nation.'" CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES Added Carson, "That used to be in all of our history books." There were no videos or phone cameras back then, of course — just historical accounts. Putting the future in the hands of a man who believes wholeheartedly in the power of prayer seems a bit risky. But Washington and America's subsequent thriving should be proof enough. The museum, though, has made the portrait of "Prayer at Valley Forge" come alive with a one-man show in its theater.  Actor James Denton portrays the general, not as an alabaster statue whose portrait graces the $1 bill, nor the proud picture of confidence as the president of the United States, but as the man "at his most vulnerable" facing what all men and women face at some point in life: a crisis. Except that this crisis would affect not just him, but chart the course of history. So Washington did what he knew was demanded by Scripture: to "pray without ceasing." And to know these words of Scripture: "If my people, who are called by my name would humble themselves … I will come and heal their land." TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ The die was cast. Decades later, Abraham Lincoln would take up the mantel of prayer. He faced another crisis, a civil war. While Washington’s prayer came to help birth our nation, Lincoln’s prayer was to sustain it, to keep it together.  He famously said, "I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day." If America were to survive and become something of a global beacon on a hill, for the good of the world, it had to survive its own internal conflicts. It must live in truth "e pluribus unum" — out of many, one. Today, we sometimes take prayer for granted, even mock its worth. Thoughts and prayers get downgraded to mere words with no action. But prayer has power.  That is why the churches call men and women who take to their knees as prayer warriors. Says Campo, "Washington may not have been the most orthodox believer, [but] he certainly understood the sovereign power of God and that, in that moment, it was the thing he had to call upon for the true power that he needed." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER This Fourth of July, as we celebrate America's 250th, we should also realize that power is still available to us. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46994ec2ca79de23633614 Security guard survives eight days beneath collapsed shopping center after Venezuela earthquakes te 2026-07-02T17:01:02.904Z Security guard survives eight days beneath collapsed shopping center after Venezuela earthquakes A 43-year-old security guard in Venezuela was pulled alive from the ruins of a shopping center Thursday after being trapped beneath the rubble for eight days following twin earthquakes that killed more than 2,200 people. Hernán Alberto Gil Flores was rescued from the collapsed basement of the Galerías Playa Grande shopping center in the coastal state of La Guaira, where he had been trapped since the powerful earthquakes struck June 24. "When we found him, he asked us not to tell his wife that he was alive, just in case he wouldn't make it," Costa Rican Red Cross rescuer Minyar Collado told The Associated Press. Rescuers first made contact with Gil Flores over the weekend after detecting signs of life beneath the debris. BOY, 2, PULLED ALIVE FROM RUBBLE SIX DAYS AFTER VENEZUELA'S DEVASTATING TWIN EARTHQUAKES Gil Flores was working an overnight shift when the first earthquake struck. While much of the building collapsed around him, his small security booth stayed intact, protecting him from the falling concrete and leaving enough space for him to survive. Rescue crews worked through aftershocks, torrential rain and unstable rubble to reach him. They used a telescopic camera to communicate with Gil Flores and lowered water and liquid nutrients through a narrow shaft to keep him alive during the final days of the rescue. His wife, Gusbimar González, said the family's despair turned to hope after rescuers reached her husband. "When I learned he was alive, I saw a ray of light in the darkness," she told the AP. The couple has two children, ages 8 and 10. Video from the scene showed rescuers carrying Gil Flores on a stretcher covered with an orange tarp through cheering crowds before loading him into a Red Cross ambulance. Members of the Costa Rican Red Cross hugged one another after the rescue. The operation was led by Chilean firefighters and included search-and-rescue teams from Costa Rica, the United States, Portugal, Mexico and other countries. EX-MLB PLAYER SAYS WIFE DIED IN DEVASTATING VENEZUELA EARTHQUAKES The shopping center collapsed after twin earthquakes measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck northern Venezuela on June 24, destroying tens of thousands of buildings, killing more than 2,200 people and injuring more than 11,000 others. Gil Flores' rescue offered a rare moment of hope after days of devastation. On Tuesday, emergency workers rescued a 2-year-old boy who had been trapped beneath the rubble for six days. On Saturday, the U.S. State Department shared video showing American search-and-rescue teams pulling a 9-month-old girl alive from a collapsed structure. The infant was rescued along with her mother, the State Department told Fox News Digital. Both suffered only minor injuries, according to the rescue team. The U.S. government has mobilized $150 million in humanitarian aid to help Venezuela respond to the disaster. Fox News Digital's Michael Sinkewicz and Peter D'Abrosca, along with The Associated Press, contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46993ac2ca79de2363360b Virginia city roasted for encouraging people to snitch on neighbors celebrating Fourth of July with fireworks te 2026-07-02T17:00:42.980Z Virginia city roasted for encouraging people to snitch on neighbors celebrating Fourth of July with fireworks The city of Alexandria, Virginia, is pouring cold water on fireworks for the Fourth of July. America's 250th birthday is this Saturday, and the vibes in the country are incredibly high. It's always a good day to celebrate the USA. Independence Day just gives people a 100% justified reason to take things to the next level. INTERNAL EMAILS EXPOSE HOW JULY 4TH BASH IS BEING DERAILED BY DEM-RUN COUNTY: 'OFFENSIVE' Just don't plan on lighting any fireworks in Alexandria to celebrate. The government of Alexandria tweeted Wednesday a blunt warning about fireworks — and encouragement to snitch on your neighbors. "Fireworks are illegal in Alexandria, including sparklers. Report illegal fireworks by calling 311," the tweet announcing the city's plans stated, in part. Sounds like it's coming straight out of Stalin's communist mouth. Snitching on your neighbors over sparklers? Sounds like something right out of Pyongyang, North Korea. I'm not the only one who feels that way. The reactions on X are absolutely cooking the government of Alexandria. Sometimes resistance is the act of patriotism left in a situation like this one. I say that as someone who isn't even a huge fan of fireworks. DAVID MARCUS: AS THE NATION BICKERS, SMALL-TOWN AMERICA STILL LOVES A PARADE Yet, I understand being a proud American and celebrating our Independence Day. Fireworks, cold beer, a hot grill and time with good people. It's a simple formula that has worked for a long time. Don't fix what's not broken. What do you think about the Alexandria government's tweet? Let me know at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4696ffc2ca79de23633589 Russia unleashes nearly 600 missiles and drones on Kyiv in deadliest strike since May te 2026-07-02T16:51:11.150Z Russia unleashes nearly 600 missiles and drones on Kyiv in deadliest strike since May Russia launched one of its heaviest overnight attacks on Kyiv, firing hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles at the Ukrainian capital in a strike that tore through residential buildings, killed at least 18 people and wounded more than 90, according to Reuters. Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Nations, speaking from Ukraine exclusively with Fox News Digital, said the assault marked "the most horrific night for Kyiv since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion." "Early this morning, I spoke with my mother-in-law, who is in Kyiv. She told me she had never been so terrified. It felt as if the biblical Apocalypse were unfolding before her very eyes. Everyone was praying." HOUSE REPUBLICAN DON BACON SAYS HE WANTS 'PARIAH STATE' RUSSIA BOOTED FROM UN SECURITY COUNCIL The explosions shook central Kyiv for hours as thousands of residents rushed into bomb shelters and underground metro stations. The attack caused the widest destruction in Kyiv so far in 2026 and was the deadliest strike on the capital since at least May, when 24 people were killed in an attack that brought down an apartment block.  Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 74 missiles and 496 drones overnight, according to Reuters.  Yuri Ihnat, the Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson, said the number of ballistic missiles was unusually high and that the interception rate for them was low, as Ukraine continues to face shortages of Patriot missiles. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who cut short a visit to Ireland and returned to Ukraine, said damage had been reported at more than 20 sites across the capital. "The main strike was directed at Kyiv," Zelenskyy said. "Air defence supplies for Ukraine are an absolute and critical priority." UKRAINE LAUNCHES WHAT APPEARS TO BE ONE OF ITS LARGEST DRONE ATTACKS AGAINST RUSSIA: REPORT Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko declared Friday a day of mourning and said damage had been recorded across the city of roughly 3 million people. Melnyk told Fox News Digital the attack should force the international community to confront Russia’s status inside the U.N. Security Council. "And yet, this barbaric Russia continues to be treated at the U.N. as a normal member state," he said. "It is time to end this parallel reality. Russia’s status as a permanent member of the Security Council should finally be called into question. Russia should be treated for what it has become: a pariah state." Emergency crews searched through the rubble of a nine-story building on the left bank of the Dnipro River as fires continued to burn after sunrise. City officials said some people remained trapped inside damaged residential buildings. East2West footage showed the overnight barrage from inside Kyiv, including a baby sleeping as explosions flashed outside an open window and smoke from an earlier strike rose nearby. Other footage showed residents sheltering near a metro station as strikes hit the capital, as well as heavy damage across Kyiv, including residential buildings torn apart and thick smoke hanging over parts of the city. More than 20 sites were damaged, including residential buildings, diplomatic accommodation and the National Institute of Biochemistry, where a state-of-the-art laboratory and offices were gutted. 18 HOUSE REPUBLICANS DEFY TRUMP TO PASS UKRAINE AID PACKAGE HEADED FOR VETO FIGHT Katarina Mathernova, the European Union’s ambassador to Ukraine, said Russia "unleashed hell on Kyiv" overnight and struck accommodation used by diplomatic personnel. Diplomats were not injured, but their belongings were damaged in a fire that engulfed the building, she said. Russia’s Defense Ministry said in a Telegram post that its "massive attack" used long-range, high-precision weapons and drones to strike military and energy facilities, as well as airports in Kyiv and other locations. Moscow said the attack was retaliation for Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia.  Ukraine said it hit an oil refinery overnight in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region, where the regional governor reported one person killed in a strike on an industrial facility. The Kremlin said Russian military commanders briefed Russian President Vladimir Putin on the attacks and said Moscow would continue increasing pressure on Ukraine to achieve its war aims. Poland, a NATO and European Union member that borders Ukraine, briefly scrambled fighter jets as a preventive measure. Finland also briefly issued a temporary aviation restriction zone in the eastern Gulf of Finland, its defense forces said. Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu told Fox News Digital that Russian drones were detected in Ukraine roughly 30 kilometers from Romania’s border Wednesday, prompting NATO air-policing aircraft to respond. "Two Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft deployed under the Enhanced Air Policing mission and operating from the 86th Air Base in Fetești in Romania, were scrambled to monitor the Romanian airspace situation near the border with Ukraine," Țoiu said. "A Romanian Air Force IAR 330 Puma helicopter was also deployed. Such incidents have constantly accompanied Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine." EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Thursday that she would propose new sanctions on entities supporting Russia’s military-industrial complex in response to the strikes. "The more Moscow attacks civilians, the more sanctions must be imposed," Kallas said in a post on X. Russia has killed thousands of Ukrainian civilians in strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities since launching its full-scale invasion in February 2022.  Moscow denies intentionally targeting civilians but says attacks on what it calls civil infrastructure are legitimate because they affect Ukraine’s ability to wage war. Reuters contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4696ebc2ca79de23633580 Pro wrestler Jonathan Gresham talks drive to get back into ring after suffering two strokes te 2026-07-02T16:50:51.703Z Pro wrestler Jonathan Gresham talks drive to get back into ring after suffering two strokes Jonathan Gresham is one of the best professional wrestlers on the independents right now, but there was a moment in time when his career could have been finished. Gresham revealed in August 2025 he suffered two strokes that could have been a complication from a "bad case of COVID." He vowed to return to the ring and he did. On Jan. 23, 2026, Gresham was at the Beyond Wildest Dreams event and defeated Ryan Clancy. COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL He talked to Fox News Digital about what keeps him going after the sudden medical issue. "I am, how do you say it? I hope I’m using this term correctly, but I am an empath. I feel for people. I realized this after I came back from my strokes," Gresham said. "Before my strokes, and I talk about this a lot actually, before my strokes, I was a very introverted person but I cared very deeply for people but my connections with people wasn’t as I had hoped and I would always kind of be bummed out to myself about these things. After my stroke, I remember sitting there on the bed and my whole left side was paralyzed and I couldn’t move and I prayed and I prayed and I prayed and the next day, God gave me the ability to walk around. So, I looked at that as a second opportunity to live life a different way." Gresham said, since then, he’s found the ability to open up to people more. He wanted to focus on helping fellow pro wrestlers on the independent scene try to find their footing in the industry. "So, since then, I’ve grown closer to people that I’ve known for years in the business. That’s because I’ve opened up more to them. Random people, that I meet on the street and on planes, at malls, at the movies, I talk to people, I get to know people, I go out of my way to talk to people and get to know people," he said. "And because of this, I’ve created relationships that I would have never had before. PRO WRESTLER VINNIE MASSARO FOUND HIS 'WRESTLEMANIA MOMENT' IN JAPAN, SHARES LOVE FOR BUILDING SPORT'S FUTURE "So, I’m looking at life a lot differently now. And that kind of makes me feel more for my comrades in the wrestling business. When I see them aimless wandering the independents and not knowing where to go and when they talk to me, I can feel their frustrations. I can feel how scared some of these young people are and I desperately want to create a space to explore what pro wrestling can be. I want them to explore the pro wrestling they have in their mind." Partly, Gresham suggested, is that the increased access to pro wrestling gives emboldened fans to critique everything a wrestler does. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM He doesn’t want to have young people, trying to kick down a door in the business, be subjected to constant criticism. "So, prime example: when I started wrestling, I was head over heels in love with Rey Mysterio and Bam Bam Bigelow. So, I had the time to perform and do what I loved about pro wrestling and from that, I grew into who I am today. Today, I started around 2005, YouTube was around but it wasn’t to the point where every show that takes place was being streamed or shown on YouTube. So, I can go around and suck and enjoy myself without that," he explained. "But now, all the kids growing up in pro wrestling, whatever show they do is going straight to YouTube or some streaming platform. So, the problem is now they’re gonna get critiqued, not just by their coaches, they’re gonna get critiqued by fans who don’t know their story or care about their story and they’re saying the most mean things to them or about them and in a space where they can get it instantly. So, they’re on their phones and they’re getting nothing but negative things about them online and it kinda spoils the pro wrestling journey early on. And I want to help create a space where they don’t have to worry about that or go through that anymore." Gresham recently went up against Fuminori Abe in PRODUCE by Orange Crush’s first event on Monday. He was a co-producer for the show. The second event is set to take place on July 16 at White Eagle Hall in Jersey City, New Jersey. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46948cc2ca79de2363350a Spain tipped to shut out Austria as Portugal faces tricky Croatia draw in World Cup knockout round te 2026-07-02T16:40:44.349Z Spain tipped to shut out Austria as Portugal faces tricky Croatia draw in World Cup knockout round Another day, another great schedule of World Cup futbol. I suppose I can call it soccer, considering it is being hosted mostly in America. Though I don't understand all of the rules of soccer, it has been fun watching. Similar to the World Baseball Classic and Olympics, when every country cares, the games are just more exciting. The USA is not known for being a soccer country, but we're all behind the Men's team. Yesterday I had a play in every game, and I'll try to do that again. I lost as England allowed a goal to Congo, pushing the total over 2.5, but I was correct that England would score two or fewer. In the Belgium game, we hit both teams to score, and a +230 winner if you bet on the 90-minute draw. I was unable to get a winner for us in the USA game, as I bet on both teams scoring. Team USA won 2-0, and Bosnia-Herzegovina couldn't score despite a terrible red card giving them a man advantage. Spain vs. Austria Spain is a fairly big favorite in this game. They are -360 on the three-way moneyline with a draw being the second option, which means Austria is highly unlikely to win the game. To emphasize this point, Spain is -1000 to qualify and advance, meaning that if it goes to extra time and penalty kicks, they are still very likely to win. In the Group Stage, Spain started with a disappointing draw against Cape Verde, then they had two wins over Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. Austria won their opening match against Jordan, then lost 2-0 to Argentina, and had a draw with Algeria. They don't seem to be the most crisp team in the tournament. I do think that Spain has a great defense and it will remain their strength here. I think they shut out Austria, give me the under 0.5 team total. Portugal vs. Croatia Portugal is also a heavy favorite to advance, but at just -300, not quite as much of a favorite as Spain. Most of the conversation around Portugal that I've seen has been about Cristiano Ronaldo and him being a problem for the team. He has only scored in one of the three games, but did score twice in that game. Portugal hasn't looked great in this tournament, either. They've played to two draws and one win. Croatia doesn't have the same star power, but they did play well in the Group Stage. They lost 4-2 to England, but they beat Panama and Ghana. I think there are two options for this game. I think we should see over 2.5 goals, but I really don't love the bet. Portugal hasn't looked elite, so I could see this being a draw. I'll put a smaller bet out there, but will play this to a draw at +280 for the 90 minutes. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS Switzerland vs. Algeria This is the closest game on the slate in terms of lines for today's slate. Switzerland is a -105 favorite to win, but those odds went down from -120, meaning that people think this should be a closer game. They started their World Cup campaign with a draw against Qatar before getting locked in and beating Bosnia-Herzegovina 4-1. Then, against Canada, they were able to win 2-1. Algeria went 1-1-1 for their three games. They lost 3-0 to Argentina, one of the best teams in the tournament. Then they beat Jordan 2-1, before getting a draw against Austria. Personally, I'm not seeing the love for Algeria. I think Switzerland is the better team. Algeria has been giving up goals to everyone. Maybe the Both Teams to Score bet at -125 is the best value, but I'll take Switzerland to win in 90 minutes at -105. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a469270c2ca79de236334bd REP. ANDY BIGGS: Three Stories Of American Independence  te 2026-07-02T16:31:44.998Z REP. ANDY BIGGS: Three Stories Of American Independence  By Rep. Andy Biggs (AZ-05) | The Fourth of July is undoubtedly a special time for every American. It is an opportunity to reflect on the meaning and origin of American freedom. It is a day full of picnics, parades, barbecues, and fireworks. It is a highlight of patriotism and a celebration of proud sovereignty and independence. 250 years ago, July 4 wasn’t marked by the festivities we experience today. July 4, 1776, was mired in a time of uncertainty, sacrifice, fear, and desperation. Yet through all this, bravery, courage, and perseverance persisted, and a nation was born. There is no way we can put ourselves in the shoes of the American colonists, nor will there likely be a time in our lifetimes where we engage in a violent revolution for the inherent right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This is both a blessing and a curse. Americans are a blessed people, and our birthrights are coveted by countless people around the world. Sadly, we take our blessings for granted all too often and forget the great sacrifices that have been fought on behalf of freedom. New generations of Americans are dulled by apathy and are content to surrender their country’s sovereignty to the international community. How can we fight this surrender of American greatness? On July 4, we can start by remembering the stories of the American Revolution that gave birth to a nation “conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” Three such stories stand out to me. The first is Washington crossing the Delaware River for a Christmas week attack on a band of Hessians. General Washington led men who were weary and unfit to fight against the greatest army in the world at that time. He knew that this surprise attack had a high chance of failure, but he knew that success in this battle would mark a turning point in the war. His gamble paid off. The American army scored a partial victory, boosting the spirits and resolves of war-weary colonists around the eastern seaboard of North America. Without a successful outcome in this battle, history would have likely been drastically altered. American success here, though, was a steppingstone to independence. The second story is that of Cesar Rodney from Delaware. Rodney was a delegate to the Continental Congress. He was a marked man – both by Britain and by cancer, which had begun to ravage his body. He was not present for the initial voting for independence, yet his vote became (arguably) the most sought-after in world history when Delaware needed to break a tie to ratify the Declaration of Independence. When summoned, Rodney, very sick, traveled 80 miles, exposed to fierce elements, to break the tie. Without his vote, the results from the states would not have been unanimous, and the Declaration of Independence may have been left unsigned. The third and final story is that of Robert Morris. Morris is one of the most forgotten men of the Revolution, yet he was one of the most influential. Initially, Morris was opposed to the war; however, when the fight for independence became the objective, Morris’ abilities to finance the efforts became invaluable to the colonists. These stories – and many more – demonstrate how close America was to losing the war and remaining under a tyrannical British rule. They are linked together by a miraculous undercurrent that no one could start to explain. What if Washington had decided not to cross the Delaware? What if Cesar Rodney had not made his ride? What if Robert Morris had not come around to support a long-shot effort for independence? Thankfully, those “what-if’s” became reality. Because of heroism and commitment to independence, our children can walk in freedom. With this freedom, though, comes great responsibility. Former President Ronald Reagan once said that “freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.” He was right then – and even more so today. So, on this Independence Day, let us resolve to remember the patriotism of our American forefathers and do our own unique parts to keep the flame of liberty burning brightly for all the world to see. We should do no less for the country that gives us the opportunities and license to live the American dream. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July! Rep. Andy Biggs serves Arizona’s Fifth District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is currently running for Governor of Arizona in the 2026 election. The post REP. ANDY BIGGS: Three Stories Of American Independence  first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a469231c2ca79de23633492 New York makes history with first-of-its-kind law regulating AI-powered commercials te 2026-07-02T16:30:41.460Z New York makes history with first-of-its-kind law regulating AI-powered commercials A new, first-of-its-kind law has taken effect in New York, effectively targeting advertisements that feature an image or video of a person generated using artificial intelligence. The state’s synthetic performer disclosure law, signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul in December 2025, requires advertisements featuring an AI-generated person to include a clear label indicating the individual is not real. "In New York, we are setting the rules of the road instead of letting AI run the show," Hochul said in a press release. "Requiring simple, honest disclosure when an ad uses synthetic performers protects consumers, respects our creative workforce and keeps New York at the forefront of responsible innovation." ONE OF AMERICA'S OLDEST MANUFACTURERS SAYS AI IS CREATING JOBS — NOT REPLACING THEM AI-generated synthetic performers are digitally created media that look and sound like real people and are often used in marketing campaigns across social media and within digital advertising instead of traditional photoshoots. Under the new law, first-time violations carry a civil fine of up to $1,000 — with a $5,000 penalty tacked on for every subsequent violation. However, the law does not provide statutory guidance regarding the wording or delivery of the disclosure, and only requires that the notice be "conspicuous" to consumers. SCHOOLS TURN TO HANDWRITTEN EXAMS AS AI CHEATING SURGES "The rise of deepfakes and AI-generated performers have made it more difficult than ever for consumers to decipher fact from fiction," New York Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal, D-Manhattan, said. "The synthetic performer legislation will alert New Yorkers to the use of synthetic performers in advertisements, providing much-needed transparency to consumers and protections to artists." According to a report released by the Interactive Advertising Bureau, roughly 83% of advertisement executives have reported that their companies are using AI in the creative process this year — marking a 60% increase from 2024. AI TECHNOLOGY RACE IS NEW 'COLD WAR' BETWEEN US AND CHINA THAT COULD HAVE DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES: REPORT The law was backed by national performers union SAG-AFTRA, which hailed the decision as a step toward AI regulation and consumer protections as fears surrounding deepfakes grow among creatives. "These protections are the direct result of artists, lawmakers and advocates coming together to confront the very real and immediate risks posed by unchecked AI use," Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator, said in a previous press release. "By mandating transparency and securing consent, New York has drawn a bright line that puts human creativity, integrity and trust first," he continued. Hochul's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a469003c2ca79de23633425 Dustin May's day game ERA of 6.81 puts St. Louis Cardinals at a steep disadvantage against Atlanta Braves te 2026-07-02T16:21:23.484Z Dustin May's day game ERA of 6.81 puts St. Louis Cardinals at a steep disadvantage against Atlanta Braves I hit the wall again with baseball yesterday as I incorrectly thought that Paul Skenes and Zack Wheeler would pitch to a pitcher's duel. Skenes gave up five runs in the second inning. Wheeler was better, but it wasn't much better as he allowed four earned runs. Two top pitchers in the league combined to allow 11 runs. We still have a fairly strong slate today, so let's find a winner in the Cardinals vs. Braves game. The St. Louis Cardinals are putting together a strong year. I've brought up the halfway mark of the season in a few articles recently, and the Cardinals are above .500 for that checkpoint. The bad news for them is that they are still 8.5 games back of the Brewers in the division, and the Cubs are ahead of them. Plus, only the Reds are more than a game under .500 in the division. It is likely to be very complex trying to get into the postseason for all of these NL Central teams. However, it is too early to think about that; they just need to get every win they can. Looking to position them for a win in today's game and the series is Dustin May. In May's first season with the Cardinals, he is 5-6 for the season with a 4.30 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. The bad news for him and the Cardinals is that a road day game is the worst situation for May this season. He has a 6.81 day game ERA compared to a 2.05 night game. On the road, he is pitching to a 4.79 ERA compared to a 3.94 home ERA. His last game was against the Royals, and that was a road day game where he allowed six earned runs in two innings of work. In 70 at-bats against May the Braves have just 14 hits. Half of those hits have come from Mike Yastrzemski, so the rest of the team is 7-for-56 against him. The Atlanta Braves started the season as basically the best team in baseball. They remain in control of their division, but the Phillies have been hot on their heels since they fired their manager. I suppose even before the season, we could've predicted that the Braves and Phillies would be the two best teams in the division. Perhaps some would've included the Mets, but for me, these were my two choices. The Braves are 50-34, and really don't need to make moves at the deadline. They probably could just benefit from full health with the team. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS I think part of the reason that they are having today's starter, Hurston Waldrep, go is because of some injuries to the team. Spencer Strider is on the injured list, and the Braves are still looking for a replacement for his production. Waldrep is making just his second appearance for the Braves this season. He only went two innings in relief on Friday against the Giants. He allowed two hits, four walks, and three strikeouts, so he was a bit all over the place. Perhaps it was nerves, but he needs to control the walks. He had a good season in 2025, starting nine games, throwing to a 2.88 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. The Cardinals are not a strikeout-prone team; they rank fifth in fewest strikeouts per game at just 7.73. Waldrep averages about a strikeout per inning over his career. It should be interesting to see if he can match that here. I don't necessarily expect him to have a great game or go too deep into the game, but at +101, four strikeouts is worth a look. I think the best bet here is to take the Braves through five innings, though. I like May, but he has shown a few times this year that he pitches poorly during the day. Athletes get into routines, and May just might require a full afternoon to get into his so he can pitch better at night. I don't love Waldrep, but I think he can give a few solid innings, and the bullpen can handle the rest. Give me the Braves through five. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a468ff0c2ca79de2363341c WATCH: Coast Guard video reveals seizure of Brian Hooker's sailboat after wife's Bahamas disappearance te 2026-07-02T16:21:04.028Z WATCH: Coast Guard video reveals seizure of Brian Hooker's sailboat after wife's Bahamas disappearance Newly released bodycam video shows the moment the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service seized Brian Hooker's sailboat "Soulmate" as it was being moved from the Bahamas back to the U.S. back in May. The release of footage follows a months-long investigation into the disappearance of Lynette Hooker, who vanished while on vacation with her husband Brian Hooker in the Bahamas in April. Brian Hooker has not been charged with any crime or accused of wrongdoing. Fox News Digital's Michael Ruiz contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a468fdcc2ca79de23633413 Biden ‘madness’ still being revealed as father killed, children kidnapped by terror group member: DOJ te 2026-07-02T16:20:44.582Z Biden ‘madness’ still being revealed as father killed, children kidnapped by terror group member: DOJ Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Trump administration is still having to deal with the "madness" of former President Joe Biden’s "open border" policies, as the Justice Department announces new kidnapping and murder charges against eight members of the foreign terrorist group Tren de Aragua (TDA). According to Blanche, all eight of the charged TDA members "crossed our southern border illegally" and "every one of them entered under the Biden administration between December 2021 and April 2024." Blanche said that in one of the cases, four men murdered a father in the Dallas area area and kidnapped his 13-year-old daughter and 12-year-old nephew. Five alleged TDA members were charged in connection with the incident, according to Blanche. In the Chicago area, three more alleged TDA members were charged in connection with a case in which a man was abducted, brutally beaten and ultimately shot several times. TRUMP SAYS US MILITARY ELIMINATED 'INFAMOUS' TREN DE ARAGUA LEADER IN LETHAL STRIKE "None of these men should have been in this country. The father in Texas should be alive today. His daughter and nephew should have never been kidnapped. The young victim in Chicago should be alive," lamented Blanche. "These violent crimes and murders happened because under the Biden administration, open border policies left our borders wide open and hundreds of suspected and now convicted TDA terrorists poured through those borders into our country." During a Wednesday press conference announcing the charges, Ryan Raybould, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Texas, said that the TDA members kidnapped the Dallas area man and the two children "in the middle of the night" on Aug. 24, 2024. Raybould said the man and children had their hands zip-tied while the gang members demanded money. He said that "once the TDA members realized the man could not pay them any money, they pulled over by a bridge in Dallas and told the man to jump off." WATCH: ANGEL MOM TURNS TABLES ON SANCTUARY POLITICIANS WITH BASIC QUESTION ABOUT THEIR PRIORITIES When he refused to jump and attempted to flee, a TDA member "gunned him down execution style" in front of the two children, said Raybould. The five TDA members charged in connection with the Dallas-area crimes are Hector Garcia Zuniga, also known as "Murray," Carlos Luis Zambrano Bolivar, Jhonny Jesus Serrano, Yonatan Toro Gonzalez and Ehiker Mendoza. Raybould identified Garcia Zuniga as a high-ranking TDA member who, he said, is also facing racketeering charges, including murder, kidnapping and jackpotting spanning state lines and international borders. Local outlet NBC DFW, reporting on the case in 2024, identified the victim as 33-year-old Nilzult Arneaud Petit. The outlet said Petit and the two children were forcibly removed from an apartment complex at 12:30 a.m. The children were later found unharmed, walking along a highway service road. All five of these individuals are foreign nationals who Raybould said have been illegally present in the U.S. "at one time or another." Meanwhile, Andrew Boutrous, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, said that the Chicago victim was abducted from a park, had his hands tied behind his back, left in an apartment for hours and ultimately was shot multiple times in the head and in the body. Local outlet CWB Chicago identified the victim as 18-year-old Cristian Jose Rojas Barrios. VENEZUELAN NATIONALS CHARGED IN $529K ATM JACKPOTTING SCHEME AT I-95 REST STOPS, FEDS SAY Boutrous said that the "victim's lifeless body was left face down in the bathroom, partially in the bathtub, in an abandoned unit" at an apartment building. He said Kleiver Monasterio Briceno, Jose Pacheco Torres and "a third individual" are being charged in connection with the crimes. "I want you to think about those facts for a moment. A man kidnapped from a park in Chicago in broad daylight, beaten, held against his will, taken to an abandoned building and shot multiple times and left in a bathtub. All in the name of Tren de Aragua," Boutros said. Boutros added: "And to show just how brutal and merciless this gang is — someone then went and called the victim's mother and told her where she could find her lifeless son's body." Tren de Aragua, Spanish for "Train from Aragua," is a violent transnational criminal group that arose in Venezuela during the rule of socialist dictator Nicolas Maduro, who was removed from power in a U.S. operation ordered by President Donald Trump. As one of his first moves back in the Oval Office, Trump issued an executive order directing the State Department to designate TDA a "foreign terrorist organization." SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER According to Blanche, since Trump’s return to office, nearly 350 TDA members and associates have been charged or convicted of violent crimes, including murders, sex trafficking and kidnappings. He said that 350 TDA members have also been charged with weapons charges, drug trafficking and "widespread financial crimes," including robbery and ATM "jackpotting." During the press conference, FBI Director Kash Patel said the agency has arrested 29,000 "violent gang members" since Trump was sworn in. He also said the FBI and its partners have "disrupted and dismantled" 2,700 gangs around the country, which he said is a 365% increase from the same period under the Biden administration. "We have seen, specifically as it relates to Tren de Aragua, a 519% increase in arrests," said Patel. Fox News Digital reached out to representatives for Biden for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a468d96c2ca79de2363339c Fox News ‘Antisemitism Exposed’ Newsletter: Rabbis say Mamdani owes Jews 'monster' apology te 2026-07-02T16:11:02.460Z Fox News ‘Antisemitism Exposed’ Newsletter: Rabbis say Mamdani owes Jews 'monster' apology 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: - Rabbis say Mamdani owes Jews 'monster' apology - Orthodox Jew says California city fined him for home prayer meetings - MS NOW writer: Mamdani primary sweep 'genuinely scary night for NYC Jews' TOP STORY:  Over 700 furious rabbis are demanding NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani apologize after he branded pro-Israel group AIPAC "monsters" using "dark money." Outraged critics say swapping AIPAC for Jews mimics the world's oldest antisemitic conspiracy theories, putting a terrifying target on Jewish backs. Mamdani claims he’s just quoting philosophy—but leaders say it's dangerous bigotry! VIDEO: California state Sen. Scott Wiener, who is running for Congress, told CBS News’ Major Garrett that protesters who confronted him at San Francisco’s Trans March crossed the line from protected protest into intimidation. WATCH HERE: PRAYER POLICE: Furious Irvine Rabbi Rafi Dadon is threatening a mega-lawsuit after city bureaucrats slapped him with a whopping $5,000 in fines just for hosting private living-room prayer sessions! Religious liberty lawyers are blasting the "chilling" zoning crackdown as an illegal, shifting pretext to shut down holy study. Back off, bureaucrats—the faithful are fighting back. RED ALERT: Zohran Mamdani’s anti-Israel socialist squad just staged a New York coup. Far-left darlings Brad Lander, Darializa Avila Chevalier, and Claire Valdez crushed incumbent Dems Dan Goldman and Adriano Espaillat. With deep-blue seats locked down for November, critics are panicking over a "genuinely scary night for Jews" as the squad rockets toward Capitol Hill. HISTORICAL HORROR: A clueless Massachusetts principal is facing severe backlash after groveling to students who felt "unseen" and "unsafe" during a Holocaust history lesson. Critics are absolutely eviscerating Dr. Johnny Cole for prioritizing hurt feelings over factual education, arguing that teaching the Nazi genocide of six million Jews shouldn't require a politically correct apology. FAKE NEWS: Top United Nations official Vanessa Frazier is facing a furious backlash after spreading a sick, fake-news blood libel against Israel on social media. Frazier eagerly reposted a vile lie claiming Israelis drop bombs disguised as toys to murder children—originally posted by a UK activist facing terror charges for backing Hamas. Critics slam it as "farcical" gullibility. GUEST EDITORIAL: Heather Johnston, founder and president of U.S. Israel Education Association, writes that the alliance between the United States and Israel is not a temporary, transactional diplomatic contract, but a deep "covenantal" relationship rooted in shared moral DNA and the Hebrew Scriptures. QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "The point of Holocaust education is not to protect Muslim students’ feelings, or whatever this claptrap suggests. It’s not about them." - Fox News analyst Guy Benson, after teacher apologizes to Muslim students for teaching about the Holocaust. - 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/6a468d6fc2ca79de23633375 In Tumultuous Term, Chief Justice Roberts Took Charge of Unruly Supreme Court te 2026-07-02T16:10:23.039Z In Tumultuous Term, Chief Justice Roberts Took Charge of Unruly Supreme Court The chief justice faced down the president, forged unlikely coalitions and achieved long-sought goals. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a468b52c2ca79de23633313 WATCH: Lawler unloads on Raskin after fiery immigration hearing: ‘Grow the f--- up’ te 2026-07-02T16:01:22.720Z WATCH: Lawler unloads on Raskin after fiery immigration hearing: ‘Grow the f--- up’ Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., tore into his Democratic counterparts after a hearing on immigration policies erupted into a heated squabble as the mother of a murder victim killed by an illegal immigrant pleaded to Congress for reforms to sanctuary policies. In a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday, Lawler reprimanded Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., for not having sympathy for American victims who were murdered by illegal immigrants — Laken Riley and Sheridan Gorman. The mother of one of those victims, Jessica Gorman, was called as a witness to share her story before the committee . "They can save me their crocodile tears about they didn't like my words or they didn't like the fact that I spoke on policy as part of my introduction," Lawler told Fox News Digital. "Grow the f—--- up." ANGEL MOM WARNS DEMOCRATS 'WE'RE NOT GOING TO STOP' AFTER EMOTIONAL HOUSE HEARING ON SANCTUARY POLICIES "To fully appreciate and understand why Jessica Gorman is here, you actually have to understand what happened to their daughter," Lawler said. "The reality is that they didn't want to hear it. They didn't want to hear what happened with Sheridan Gorman or that their policies that they support contributed to her death. That's a fundamental fact." The New York Republican accused House Democrats of being more empathetic toward the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, anti-ICE agitators who were shot to death by federal agents earlier this year after they allegedly interfered with law enforcement during protests in Minnesota. This led to chaos between the two, with Raskin shouting that Lawler didn’t belong on the Judiciary Committee and didn’t understand the Constitution. RASKIN TELLS LAWLER TO 'GET THE HELL OUT' DURING CONTENTIOUS HEARING He also asked Lawler if he felt any outrage for Good and Pretti. "I said, ‘if you care about Alex Pretti and Renee Good, you should care as much about Sheridan Gorman," Lawler said about his exchange with Raskin. He continued, "The difference is I spoke out about Alex Pretti and Renee Good getting killed. They shouldn't have died. The reason they died, however, is because sanctuary policies prohibited local law enforcement from cooperating on crowd control and traffic control." RASKIN TELLS LAWLER TO 'GET THE HELL OUT' DURING CONTENTIOUS HEARING Lawler told Raskin he should be "ashamed" of himself for his stance on sanctuary policies. "Their nonsense that we had to sit there and listen to, that Jessica and Tom and Madeline had to sit there to listen to. I have no tolerance for it," Lawler told Fox News Digital about Raskin’s comments. Raskin has been a strong proponent of sanctuary policies, arguing that having local police enforce federal immigration law is unconstitutional and often defending against what he views as federal overreach on sanctuary policies. He has also criticized proposals to withhold federal funding from cities and states that have limited cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). "Sheridan Gorman would still be alive, but for open borders, sanctuary policies and pro-criminal cashless bail policies," Lawler said. "They support those policies. I don't. And that's the fundamental difference here." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a468b3ec2ca79de2363330a Former NBA doctor warns of dire consequences for Caitlin Clark if hard contact issues continue te 2026-07-02T16:01:02.771Z Former NBA doctor warns of dire consequences for Caitlin Clark if hard contact issues continue Former Philadelphia 76ers team physician Dr. Nicholas DiNubile sent a stark warning to the WNBA about the fate of superstar Caitlin Clark. Clark is currently out with a back injury, and concerns about her physical wellbeing have surged into a national controversy over the last week after she was punched in the throat by an opposing player in her last game, and referees didn't call a foul. Clark has faced a history of controversial contact since coming into the league in 2024. CAITLIN CLARK HARD CONTACT TIMELINE: WNBA'S GROWING HISTORY OF BRUTAL HITS AGAINST THE FACE OF THE SPORT DiNubile admits he is troubled by what he has seen. "The type of contact and the amount of contact that she gets is concerning to me. It’s troubling to me," DiNubile told Fox News Digital, addressing the risks of the recent punch against Clark's throat by Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas. "You can crush someone’s larynx with very little pressure. Ten to 20 pounds of pressure can damage the throat or larynx area. Even if you don’t fracture the larynx, a blow to that area, you could get some swelling or bleeding and close the airway and get into a very rapid life-or-death situation," he said. "I wouldn’t want to be the team doctor having to deal with that. That’s what keeps us up at night, those kind of things that you have to respond to on the court... you can’t go for the throat." But the doctor warned of other danger from similar hits to the one Clark has previously endured in the pros. "She gets a lot to her face. She gets poked in the eye. She gets hit in the face," DiNubile said. "And they also, with her three-point shooting... there's a lot of where they get in her space and her landing space. You see that way too often and that's very, very dangerous. "Just getting hit on the head and hit across the head, you know, head injuries, concussions, any variety of things like that. Then you fall to the floor and anything can happen when you fall to the floor. So, um, just not good and not necessary. I don't think it's necessary." Fox News Digital documented 13 instances of controversial contact on Clark dating back to the beginning of her 2024 rookie year, including multiple pokes to the eye and what she revealed to be a ruptured eardrum. WHO IS ALYSSA THOMAS? WNBA STAR SUSPENDED FOR PUNCHING CAITLIN CLARK IN THE THROAT The throat punch is just the latest in a string of controversial moments, where fans became concerned over Clark's wellbeing and treatment by other players. DiNubile believes Clark is completely at the mercy of the rest of the league. "I don't think there's anything she can do," he said when asked if Clark can do to avoid injuries from the hard contact. "It's hard to protect yourself with those type of... And that's why they're flagrant fouls, right? You just... There, there's no way to really protect yourself in those instances... she takes it in stride. I don't think she brings any of it on herself." DiNubile's opinion is that the league has to do a better job of actively protecting Clark, via the referees, in order to avoid disaster. "I think they should be calling things," he said. "They can officiate better... I mean, how do they miss this?" WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert put out a statement this week defending Thomas from apparent verbal retaliation for the throat punch on Clark. However, the WNBA did not put out any statement in support of Clark after she was punched in the throat. "The safety and well-being of everyone in our community is always the league's top priority. We are aware of Alyssa Thomas' comments, and what she and her teammates have experienced is completely unacceptable and not representative of the WNBA community. The league and our security team have been in contact with the Phoenix Mercury organization and remain committed to protecting all players," Engelbert said. Clark's own coach on the Indiana Fever, Stephenie White, also spoke in support of Thomas. "I think as a league, as a whole, there's been so much more toxicity, racism, homophobia, straight-out nonsense... it is absolutely unacceptable," White told reporters at practice on Wednesday. "If you are one of these people that are online doing this, do not call yourself a WNBA fan." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a468b16c2ca79de236332e7 Here’s the latest. te 2026-07-02T16:00:22.513Z Here’s the latest. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4688f6c2ca79de23633277 UN chief backs official who reposted anti-Israel activist's claims amid calls for investigation te 2026-07-02T15:51:18.063Z UN chief backs official who reposted anti-Israel activist's claims amid calls for investigation A top United Nations official is once again under fire for smearing Israel by sharing a social media message originally posted by a woman facing charges of incitement to terror and expressing support of Hamas. On June 18, U.N. Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict Vanessa Frazier reposted an image of three small objects which the original poster, Sarah Wilkinson, claimed were cluster munitions "disguised as children’s toys" that Israelis had been "strategically dropping" over Lebanon. In her own post, Frazier stated, "If this is true it means that there is a deliberate, premeditated intent to kill children." Frazier, who has over 10,000 followers on X, has since deleted the post, but a screenshot of the original was provided to Fox News Digital. HEZBOLLAH'S SECRET 'KILL, WOUND AND MAIM' BOMB NETWORK EXPOSED AS ISRAEL STRIKES BEIRUT In response to questions about whether United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres stood behind Frazier's repost of Wilkinson's remarks, Guterres' spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told Fox News Digital that "the retweet was deleted a while ago and, as you know, [the] retweet in no way implies an endorsement of the person who posted the original tweet." Andrew Fox a senior fellow at the Henry Jackson Society, told Fox News Digital that "it is farcical that a U.N. official should be so gullible."  Fox, a former British army officer who has studied and written about Israel Defense Forces (IDF) tactics, said it was "deeply telling that a U.N. official should leap to share the ancient, antisemitic blood libel that Jews kill children. This is the toxic atmosphere that nearly three years of lies have created around Israel. Any allegation against the Jewish state, no matter how outlandish, is immediately given credence. This is another nail in the coffin of the U.N. Special Representative’s credibility and reputation." An IDF spokesman told Fox News Digital that the "allegation is baseless and unfounded. It is fake news, and we categorically reject it." The original poster of the cluster munitions accusation was arrested in the United Kingdom on terror charges in 2024, according to the World Socialist Web Site. The site, as well as Al Mayadeen English, — Hezbollah’s media arm - link Wilkinson to the social media profile on X which shared the post Frazier elevated. BRITISH MUSLIM POLICE GROUP CALLED IDF A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION, QUESTIONED HAMAS ATROCITY REPORTS The BBC reported last week that Wilkinson will face trial in January on "two counts of encouragement of terrorism on social media, two counts of expressing an opinion or belief that was supportive of a proscribed organization, namely Hamas; and one of failing to comply with a police investigation." Though Wilkinson discussed her arrests and subsequent charges on her X account, she did not respond to Fox News Digital’s messages asking for comment about the charges she currently faces. In response to questions about her removal of the X post and concerns about its original source, Frazier said that "regarding specific tweets, I understand why some of my social media activities have generated questions. Where concerns arose regarding posts, I took appropriate action. Nonetheless, the intended message is to emphasize the alarm of the Secretary-General in his Annual Report regarding the use of explosive weapons in populated areas in Lebanon, a matter that raises serious humanitarian concerns due to their long-lasting impact on civilians." ISRAELI AMBASSADOR, UN OFFICIAL SHOUT OVER EACH OTHER IN TENSE EXCHANGE OVER SEXUAL VIOLENCE BLACKLIST Frazier said that, "Ultimately, my mandate is not carried out through social media. It is carried out through the United Nations’ established monitoring and verification methodology, which applies the same standards to all parties to conflict." In March, JNS reported that Frazier posted that she was "deeply alarmed by reports of attacks on Iranian schools leaving a large number of casualties, mostly children." A photograph accompanying the post showed numerous black body bags. When it became clear that the photo depicted victims of the Iranian regime’s crackdown on protesters, Frazier removed the post. She then created a new post with a similar sentiment featuring an updated picture. On June 24, Israel’s Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon sent a letter to the U.N. Security Council president raising Israel’s "grave concerns regarding conduct that appears inconsistent with the neutrality, professionalism, and impartiality expected of a senior United Nations official." In his letter, a copy of which was provided to Fox News Digital, Danon said that Frazier’s social media behavior suggests "a troubling pattern of engagement with unverified, disputed, or misleading material, alongside content raising concerns about antisemitic framing and extremist rhetoric." Danon also raised concerns about Frazier’s "abrupt interruption of [his] remarks during a United Nations side event," which he said was "in disregard of basic procedural norms and the respect owed to Member States." Reuters called this exchange between Danon and Frazier "a furious shouting match." Frazier told Fox News Digital that her "intervention was procedural, not political. Its purpose was to help ensure that the discussion remained consistent with the standards expected in a United Nations forum," where discussions "are expected to be conducted in accordance with established procedures and with respect for the dignity of participants and officials." The June 17 release of the Secretary-General’s Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict has also raised concerns. Anne Bayefsky, President of Human Rights Voices and Director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust, told Fox News Digital that the allegations in the report were "wild, dangerous blood libels divorced from reality." Bayefsky blasted the U.N.’s use of the term "verified" when describing allegations, despite a lack of description of how and through what sources those supposed verifications occurred. She said, "It is important to recognize the direct connection between the ancient antisemitic blood libels accusing evil Jews of murdering non-Jewish children and the U.N. actors who repeat the same ugly falsehoods today. History teaches us just how dangerous these depraved lies are for Jews wherever they live." Frazier defended the report, saying it was "the product of a rigorous United Nations (U.N.) monitoring and verification process and reflects information reviewed at multiple levels of the U.N. system." She said that "suggesting that the report is based on falsehoods does a disservice to all child victims, including Israeli children whose suffering is also documented in the report." Frazier also maintained she has "no bias against the State of Israel or against any Member States of the United Nations, and reject[s] the characterization," saying that "as a U.N. official, accuracy, impartiality, and credibility are fundamental to my work." When asked by Fox News Digital if Guterres would examine Frazier’s tenure, Dujarric responded that "the Secretary-General has full confidence in Vanessa Frazier and her work." He defended Frazier, saying she "has not ‘vilified’ and is not ‘vilifying’ the State of Israel, or any other country for that matter. Her focus is not on any one single country but on the protection of children throughout the world. Under the mandate the Security Council has given her, she does not ‘blacklist’ Member States or other parties. The report exists to find ways to get all of the parties listed to improve their behavior, so that children can be protected in concrete ways. She has been effective in doing just that."  Danon said that "it comes as no surprise that Secretary-General Guterres expresses full confidence in Ms. Frazier." He said that Frazier’s report "is a symptom of [Guterres’] tenure. Under his leadership, the United Nations has repeatedly failed to uphold the standards of impartiality it claims to represent." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4688cfc2ca79de2363326a Tucker Carlson, Who Broke With Trump, Plans to ‘Help Build a Third Party’ te 2026-07-02T15:50:39.155Z Tucker Carlson, Who Broke With Trump, Plans to ‘Help Build a Third Party’ The influential conservative commentator’s relationship with the president and the G.O.P. fractured over the war with Iran. Now, he says he is charting a new course. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4686b8c2ca79de23633236 Susan Stone: Too much anger te 2026-07-02T15:41:44.888Z Susan Stone: Too much anger Editor: It is impossible to ignore the anger and hostility entering our public life. Much of it comes from the President’s rhetoric. When the nation’s highest elected official uses insults, mockery, and dehumanizing language, it signals to supporters that cruelty… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a468679c2ca79de236331f8 'It's insane': GOP senator says Supreme Court birthright ruling hands China a citizenship loophole te 2026-07-02T15:40:41.918Z 'It's insane': GOP senator says Supreme Court birthright ruling hands China a citizenship loophole FIRST ON FOX: In the midst of a blitz of Republicans shaking their fists at the Supreme Court, one Senate Republican is warning of national security consequences for the court's bombshell birthright citizenship decision. Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., worries that the court’s 6-3 decision leaves America vulnerable to threats, particularly from China. In an interview with Fox News Digital, he explained a multistep path that lawmakers and the administration could take to tackle the issue. "I want to get this done because I really believe that the future of our country is on the line," Schmitt said. "We can't have Chinese generals sending their wives to this country to give birth and going back for 18 years and coming back and being citizens. It's insane." ALITO WARNS SUPREME COURT MADE 'SERIOUS MISTAKE' THAT COULD HAVE NATIONAL SECURITY CONSEQUENCES While some lawmakers want a constitutional amendment and others are pushing legislation, Schmitt has a foot in both camps. He contended that in all, there is "a short-term, medium-term and long-term solution." "The short-term is executive action, the medium-term is our legislative action that we could take, and then the long-term solution is the constitutional amendment," Schmitt said. "I think we should pursue all of those." The clearest shot to counter the court’s decision would be through a constitutional amendment, but legislation may be the more realistic route, he said. He’s following the breadcrumb trail left by Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh to do it, too. SUPREME COURT RULING SPARKS RACE TO KILL A MULTIBILLION-DOLLAR LOOPHOLE IN CONGRESS "Congress could — consistent with the Fourteenth Amendment — amend or otherwise enact new legislation establishing exceptions to birthright citizenship for children born to foreign citizens unlawfully or temporarily in the country," Kavanaugh wrote in the court’s decision. "But Congress has not yet done so." Schmitt’s legislation would clarify the language of the 14th Amendment. The court interpreted the words "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" within the text to effectively mean all children born in the U.S. are automatically granted citizenship. His plan is to modify the language to include "not subject to a foreign power," which he contended would return the 14th Amendment to its original intent and prevent foreign adversaries from quietly scoring citizenship. REPUBLICANS DECLARE WAR ON 'ORGANIZED THEFT' WITH GOVERNMENT FRAUD CRACKDOWN "That would get back to what the meaning was supposed to be, that the court got wrong, which would give us the opportunity, I think, for potentially the decision to be overturned, because Congress has clarified it," Schmitt said. But, like nearly every legislative push in the Senate, the 60-vote filibuster threshold is a barrier. That means that Schmitt, or any Republican pushing a bill dealing with birthright citizenship, will need Democratic support to pass. Schmitt pointed to the late former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s bill from 1993, the Immigration Stabilization Act, which among other things sought to tweak the 14th Amendment to prevent children of illegal immigrants born in the U.S. from gaining citizenship, as a marker that at one point, Democrats supported the same thing he and Republicans are pushing for. "It wasn't that long ago that Harry Reid actually had legislation to deal with this issue," he said. "And so, you know, are the Democrats going to be a party that learned their lesson from the Biden years where they were open borders and they let 15 to 20 million people here illegally?" "They don't believe in sovereignty that we can tell people who can come and who can go," Schmitt continued. "Is that who they are, or are they gonna make a shift more towards where the American people are at?" Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46845bc2ca79de2363319a California lawmakers' push to make Muslim holy days state holidays sparks debate over school neutrality te 2026-07-02T15:31:39.602Z California lawmakers' push to make Muslim holy days state holidays sparks debate over school neutrality California lawmakers are advancing a new bill that would establish two Muslim holy days as state holidays while authorizing the state to develop a new model curriculum for students to "acknowledge and celebrate" these religious observances in the classroom. The bill, AB 2017, passed the State Assembly with a 64-1 vote and advanced to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday. Authored by Assemblyman Matt Haney, D-San Francisco, the bill establishes Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha — two major holidays celebrated by Muslims around the world — as official state holidays and allows local public school boards and community colleges the option to shut down their campuses for both holidays.  Both holidays are traditionally celebrated over three to four days, but the legislation designates a single day of observance for each on the state calendar. Haney said the legislation is aimed at protecting religious diversity and recognizing the traditions of the state's 500,000 Muslim residents. TEXAS TEEN TELLS CONGRESS HE RECEIVED DEATH THREATS AFTER REVEALING ISLAMIC BOOTH AT HIGH SCHOOL "California is home to one of the largest and most vibrant Muslim communities in the country, and their traditions deserve recognition and respect," Haney said in a press release.  "No student should have to choose between celebrating one of the holiest days of their faith and showing up to school, and no worker should feel they have to sacrifice their religious observance," he continued. "AB 2017 is about making sure Muslim Californians are seen, valued, and treated with the same dignity as every other community in our state." But an under-the-radar provision in the bill's text would bring the celebration of these religious holidays into the classroom and has drawn criticism from a prominent conservative advocacy group. According to the text of AB 2017, public schools opting to observe the days can include exercises "acknowledging and celebrating the meaning and importance" of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. The bill authorizes the State Board of Education to create a model curriculum guide for these exercises, which would be funded through existing resources. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IS AMERICA'S CORE RIGHT. WE MUST DEFEND IT FOR KIDS AND PARENTS "This is not about teaching, this is encouraging the celebration of a religious holiday," Greg Burt, Vice President of the California Family Council, told Fox News Digital. "What happened to neutrality? It doesn't make any sense." Burt argued the bill flies in the face of long-standing state neutrality guidelines, which permit teaching about the historical impact of religion but strictly forbid public schools from acting as a sponsor for religious celebrations. He pointed to traditional school district policies, like those from the Fresno County Board of Education, which explicitly state: "While teaching about religious holidays is a permissible part of the educational program, celebrating religious holidays is not allowed in the public schools. School-sponsored programs shall not be, nor have the effect of being, religiously oriented or a religious celebration." Burt noted that many school districts have scrubbed Christian holidays and traditions from the calendar, adopting "Spring" and "Winter" break language in order to avoid the appearance of promoting Easter or Christmas. The California Family Council argued AB 2017 will give "preferential treatment" to the religion of Islam over others and "could create pressure on schools to formally participate in or promote religious observances," it adds. LOS ANGELES SCHOOLS QUIETLY REMOVE COMPULSORY 'AFFIRM AND RESPECT' GENDER IDENTITY PLEDGE FROM LGBTQ TRAINING CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE However, the official Senate Committee on Education review stated in its analysis of the bill, "Though the California Constitution prohibits public schools from teaching any sectarian or denominational doctrine, it does not prohibit instruction about religion." The committee found AB 2017 follows the existing state education code, which permits instruction on religious literature, dance, music and arts if related to the course of study and not for the purpose of promoting a religion. It concluded the bill "does not authorize religious indoctrination." If signed into law, Eid would be included in a growing list of cultural and religious days the state recognizes as holidays and allow district-wide closures. AB 2017 models AB 268, which went into effect in January 2026, establishing Diwali as an official state holiday, authorizing optional school district closures, and permitting the state board to adopt a model curriculum guide to celebrate the holiday. Supporters of AB2017, such as Muslim advocacy group CAIR California, argue the bill is meant to address inequity in schools and the workplace. "Despite existing California law, Muslim students and employees still face recurring inequity. Taking a day off often means missing crucial classroom instruction or falling behind on professional obligations," CAIR-CA Legislative and Government Affairs Director Oussama Mokeddem told Fox News Digital. "AB 2017 removes the burden of choosing between one’s faith and academic or professional success by providing a formal mechanism, such as negotiated agreements or MOUs, for schools and state workplaces to recognize Eid as a deeply significant holiday." Mokeddem said the bill was part of the state's broader effort to be inclusive for all communities. "AB 2017 is part of a broader, inclusive framework for all communities," she continued. "It clarifies that public institutions may observe Eid, which is consistent with California's existing recognition of cultural and religious observances, such as Lunar New Year and Diwali. Recognizing Eid alongside these holidays reflects our state’s ongoing commitment to cultural diversity and religious equity for all." Assemblymember Haney did not immediately return Fox News Digital's request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a468448c2ca79de23633191 AOC sides with Bernie-backed progressive in Senate primary clash with Schumer establishment te 2026-07-02T15:31:20.148Z AOC sides with Bernie-backed progressive in Senate primary clash with Schumer establishment Progressive champion Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is taking sides in a high-profile Democratic Senate primary that's seen as the next major showdown between the far left and the party establishment. Ocasio-Cortez on Thursday endorsed Abdul El-Sayed in battleground Michigan, in the race to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. El-Sayed, who if elected would make history as the nation's first Muslim senator, has long been backed by another progressive champion, Sen. Bernie Sanders. He is facing off with two more moderate candidates, including centrist Rep. Haley Stevens, who is tacitly supported by Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer. MAMDANI-BACKED SOCIALISTS LOOK TO TAKE NEW YORK PLAYBOOK NATIONWIDE AFTER PRIMARY VICTORIES Schumer and the party establishment view Stevens as more electable than El-Sayed, who has sparked controversy with his past comments, in a race that Democrats view as crucial as they aim to win back the Senate majority from the Republicans in this year's midterm elections. DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB But Ocasio-Cortez, the four-term firebrand from New York City best known by her initialism AOC, disagreed. "Despite our ideological differences and whatever disagreements there are in the party, every single one of us sees this moment as existential," she said in a New York Times interview, where she announced the endorsement. "And I think many people are willing to put aside differences in order to give us the best chance at winning. And I think that Abdul gives us that right now." The endorsement by Ocasio-Cortez, her first this cycle in a contested Democratic Senate primary, could further energize far-left progressive activists who are already heavily supporting El-Sayed. And it will likely be problematic for establishment leaders, who worry El-Sayed as the party's nominee would jeopardize the Democrat-controlled Senate seat by pushing the party too far to the left in a state that President Donald Trump carried two years ago. EL SAYED DOUBLES DOWN ON CONTROVERSIAL RHETORIC Ocasio-Cortez's endorsement in Michigan comes in the wake of stunning Democratic primary victories the past week and a half by far left and socialist-aligned candidates in showdowns in New York City and Colorado. The results have emboldened the far left as it takes on the center-left establishment in a high-stakes battle for the future of the party. In Michigan, which holds its primary on Aug. 4, El-Sayed, an epidemiologist, former public health official and academic who recently served as director of the Department of Health, Human, and Veterans Services of Wayne County, has made support for Medicare for all a major component of his campaign. El-Sayed also calls for abolishing ICE, and he's a vocal critic of Israel in its war with Hamas and has characterized Israel's actions in Gaza as "genocide" against Palestinians. El-Sayed, who served as a top surrogate on Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign, has also vowed not to accept PAC donations. THESE MIDTERM RACES WILL DETERMINE WHETHER REPUBLICANS HOLD THEIR SENATE MAJORITY Stevens, meanwhile, has been backed by millions in super PAC spending, including big bucks from Israel-aligned groups. State Sen. Mallory McMorrow, who has a growing national profile, is the third major candidate in the Democratic Senate primary. She is running as a progressive in an ideological space between El-Sayed and Stevens. Polling indicates that El-Sayed is the frontrunner in the race. This isn't the first time Ocasio-Cortez has backed El-Sayed. She also endorsed him for his insurgent but unsuccessful 2018 gubernatorial bid in Michigan. Sayed, pointing to Ocasio-Cortez's endorsement, told the New York Times, "I’m honored for what her support says about what this campaign is building and what we’re fighting for." And taking aim at Schumer, he argued that the longtime Democratic Senate leader "doesn’t want to see me on the inside of the U.S. Senate." The eventual Democratic nominee will face off in the general election with former Rep. Mike Rogers, who is on a glidepath to the Republican nomination. Rogers, who is running for the Senate for a second straight cycle, narrowly lost in 2024 to now-Sen. Elissa Slotkin. The leading nonpartisan political handicappers rate the Senate race in Michigan as a toss-up. The Michigan GOP called the Ocasio-Cortez endorsement "the least surprising political news of the week." Michigan GOP Senior Communications Adviser Greg Manz argued that "the U.S. Senate in Michigan race is a choice between the crazy agenda of AOC and Abdul El-Sayed or the commonsense values of Michigan working families." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a468420c2ca79de23633172 OpenAI proposed donating 5% of its equity to a US sovereign wealth fund te 2026-07-02T15:30:40.726Z OpenAI proposed donating 5% of its equity to a US sovereign wealth fund OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has reportedly proposed giving 5% of the company’s equity to a U.S. sovereign wealth fund, reviving discussions about letting the public share in the financial gains from the AI boom. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46840dc2ca79de23633169 Melinda Gates’ venture firm backs Magnify Ventures’ $46.6M Fund II te 2026-07-02T15:30:21.276Z Melinda Gates’ venture firm backs Magnify Ventures’ $46.6M Fund II Early-stage firm Magnify Ventures has raised a $46.6 million Fund II from LPs including Melinda French Gates’ Pivotal Ventures Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4681ddc2ca79de23633105 PGA star Sahith Theegala's fiancée feuds with SportsCenter host over 'uncomfortable' interaction te 2026-07-02T15:21:01.559Z PGA star Sahith Theegala's fiancée feuds with SportsCenter host over 'uncomfortable' interaction We've got drama between PGA Tour star Sahith Theegala's fiancée, Juju Chan, and ESPN SportCenter anchor, Gary Striewski. Whew. What a way to start July. You never know where this job's gonna take you. Head on a swivel at all times! The beef stemmed from an incident last weekend during the Travelers Championship. Striewski saw Chan at a local coffee shop, and recognized her from her very-active social media account. VIKTOR HOVLAND STUNS SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER WITH PLAYOFF BIRDIE TO WIN THE TRAVELERS CHAMPIONSHIP Chan has 47,000 followers on Instagram, another 69,000 on TikTok, and posts often. Anyway, according to Striewski, the SportsCenter host sat next to Chan while Theegala was ordering the coffees, and simply whispered to her, "Has anyone spotted you yet?" She responded, tersely, by saying, "I guess now." Take a look: "That was weird," he said of the interaction. "Again, I understand, people want to be left alone, people don't want to be bothered. But, if you are a person that outwardly lives your life on social media, and somebody recognizes you on social media ... it was weird." So, that's one side of this story. Obviously, Chan responded with her side, which is starkly different. She called Striewski "extremely unprofessional," and said he was painting a false narrative with his version of the events. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "I was uncomfortable with the comment, but I was also trying to laugh it off," she said in a TikTok. "The interaction that he's explaining did not happen the way he's saying it did. To me, what he said was weird. I responded light-heartedly and laughed as I said, 'I guess now.' "That was the end of the conversation. It was a three-second interaction. I think it's extremely unprofessional, given the line of work that he's in, to bring this three-second interaction to the internet and to encourage people to hate on me." So, where do we stand on this? For starters, the whole thing is silly. We're beefing over coffee shop interactions now? Lordy, do we need football back in the worst possible way. This is true "Dog Days of Summer" stuff right here. We're digging deep into our bag of tricks to create content today. Sometimes, you're forced to just play the hand you've been dealt. Oh, well. That being said ... I'm gonna side with Chan here. And I actually like Gary Striewski, dating back to his time as NESN's Red Sox reporter. He's also pretty good on the 8 a.m. SportsCenter in the fall, which leads right into College GameDay. But, this was a weird thing to say to someone. Let's just call it as it is. Weird. Odd. Sort of ... sad? Even weirder to run to TikTok to make a video about it. It's high school stuff. Kid stuff. Let's be adults, please. For once. "That guy should have never put you in a position like this," Theegala commented on Chan's post. "I love you so much and I’m incredibly proud of how you’ve handled it my queen. I see how kind and caring you are to all that interact with you and the people close to us know your real, incredible self." And that concludes the silly summer story of the day. Fifty-eight days till college football season. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4681b5c2ca79de236330de Popular TV-tracking app TV Time is shutting down as company focuses on AI te 2026-07-02T15:20:21.553Z Popular TV-tracking app TV Time is shutting down as company focuses on AI TV Time, the popular TV tracking app, is shutting down on July 15 as parent company Whip Media pivots toward enterprise AI products. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a467f9ac2ca79de236330aa Gunfighter Canyon opens indoor shooting range in Flagstaff te 2026-07-02T15:11:22.934Z Gunfighter Canyon opens indoor shooting range in Flagstaff The Flagstaff location follows the success of Gunfighter Canyon's existing facilities in Page and Williams. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a467f86c2ca79de236330a1 City of Flagstaff, Coconino County announce Fourth of July closures te 2026-07-02T15:11:02.971Z City of Flagstaff, Coconino County announce Fourth of July closures Multiple city and county offices will close on Friday, July 3 in observance of the Fourth of July holiday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a467f71c2ca79de23633077 SEE IT: Pennsylvania Democrats boot GOP lawmaker from House floor over patriotic America 250 suit te 2026-07-02T15:10:41.982Z SEE IT: Pennsylvania Democrats boot GOP lawmaker from House floor over patriotic America 250 suit A Republican lawmaker was booted from Pennsylvania’s Democrat-controlled State House chamber over his choice of patriotic attire celebrating the U.S. founding 250 years ago this week in the commonwealth. The dispute comes as Americans prepare to celebrate the nation's semiquincentennial and as the Trump administration showcases the Great American State Fair while the Shapiro administration features America250PA concerts and fairs from Pittsburgh to Wilkes-Barre. America’s most prominent swing state has long enjoyed closely-divided government, with Gov. Josh Shapiro controlling the executive, Democrats holding a one-seat House majority and Republicans holding a four-seat Senate majority – which has led to dustups like that involving state Rep. Eric Davanzo this week. MS NOW GUEST ADMITS 'GREAT TREPIDATION' ABOUT CELEBRATING AMERICA'S 250TH, CLAIMS COUNTRY IS BEING DESTROYED Davanzo, who represents a swath of Westmoreland County between Pittsburgh and Greensburg, said he was shocked by the reaction of House Speaker Joanna McClinton, D-Southwest Philadelphia, when he came to Tuesday’s session sporting a red, white and blue suit and tie. Davanzo told Fox News Digital he walked around the chamber greeting colleagues and eventually stopped to chat with House Minority Whip Timothy O’Neal, R-Washington. "We were talking, I turned around when a House photographer got a picture… and the next thing I know Whip O’Neal is gone." PRIDE FLAGS SPARK CONTROVERSY AFTER BEING DISPLAYED WITH VETERANS' TRIBUTE BANNERS IN LONG ISLAND TOWN "He comes back a few minutes later and he says, ‘hey, you're not going to like this’," Davanzo said, going on to recount that McClinton informed minority leadership that his attire was inappropriate. "I’m like, ‘what? You’ve got to be kidding’," Davanzo said, before learning McClinton wanted him off the House floor. Davanzo initially decided to stay on the floor despite Democratic leaders' wishes until a House security guard informed him McClinton was demanding he either remove his suit jacket or leave. PRIDE FLAGS SPARK CONTROVERSY AFTER BEING DISPLAYED WITH VETERANS' TRIBUTE BANNERS IN LONG ISLAND TOWN "Instead of taking my jacket off, I walked off the House Floor," he said. Davanzo said that while it was clear McClinton objected to his America 250-themed suit, some Democratic lawmakers came up to him afterward in the Capitol and said they did not agree with his ejection. One Philadelphia Democrat, Rep. Jordan Davis of Gray's Ferry, had remarked to Davanzo the suit was "a very colorful jacket the representative is wearing today. Very patriotic, I see, my friend." Davanzo said House leadership had previously endorsed thematic attire in the chamber. "They were asked to dress in pride colors because they were going to do a House photo on the floor," Davanzo told Fox News Digital, noting June is Pride Month. "That's OK. We can we can take our photos for pride but we can't show up as a patriot and take a photo or even we can even get on the House floor apparently," Davanzo said.He then read from a statement from McClinton about a Pride Month and how it encourages people to be "authentic" and "love freely." "You're only able to love freely because the brave men and women died for this flag," Davanzo said. "They died for our country. This is complete hypocrisy. You're allowed to wear tennis shoes on the floor. You're allow to wear top hats. You can wear camo-jackets. Everything across the board, but don't show up with a patriotic outfit on because you're going to be asked to leave." He noted that the Declaration of Independence was signed 250 years ago Saturday about 250 miles east of his district in Philadelphia and that he is also a "Bicentennial Baby," born in 1976 and celebrating his 50th birthday this year. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER Davanzo also leads the America First Caucus in the State House, which he said focuses on efforts like onshoring manufacturing in the increasingly postindustrial Keystone State and providing for an "automatic death penalty" for illegal immigrants convicted of murdering Pennsylvanians. "I introduced bills that we would give $250 checks out to every family household in Pennsylvania so that we can celebrate America[250]. This is what I stand for, this is what believe in. I'm just representing my folks back home of who I am," he said. "This is a big celebration coming up. I want to be patriotic, why not? What is so wrong with what I have on?" said Davanzo, who wore the very same suit during his interview. Fox News Digital reached out to McClinton for comment. Fox News Digital's Hannah Brennan contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a467d47c2ca79de23632b39 ‘Libelous’ NYT report tying Trump family to government-backed deal sparks legal demand te 2026-07-02T15:01:27.473Z ‘Libelous’ NYT report tying Trump family to government-backed deal sparks legal demand EXCLUSIVE: The Trump Organization is demanding the New York Times retract a story it calls 'libelous' and claims was deliberately crafted to suggest financial impropriety by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, according to a legal letter obtained by Fox News Digital. The letter stems from a Times story published this week titled "Trump Cut a Billion-Dollar Mining Deal. His Sons Stand to Profit," which ties the elder Trump brothers and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's sons to a tungsten deal secured by President Donald Trump with Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in September 2025. "Your June 28 article is deeply misleading and appears deliberately crafted to create the false impression that Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump were involved in, or sought to influence, the decision to award the Kazakhstan tungsten mine project to an affiliate of Cove Capital," Trump Organization attorney Alan Garten writes in a letter to The Times. THOMAS, GORSUCH TARGET LANDMARK RULING TRUMP SAYS PROTECTS THE 'FAKE NEWS' The letter is addressed to The Times' editor-in-chief Joseph Kahn, along with the authors of the story, Eric Lipton and Paul Sonne. "As your own reporting and interviews with those involved all clearly demonstrate, that implication is demonstrably false," the letter continues. A spokesperson for The New York Times defended its reporting and addressed the letter by telling Fox News Digital: "The Trump Organization does not deny the main point of our story: That Eric and Donald Jr. have profited from the U.S.-Kazakh tungsten mining agreement." "The letter mainly disputes whether the article gave enough prominence to the fact that the brothers were indirect and passive investors — a point that is clearly set out in the story," NYT's Executive Director of Media Relations Charlie Stadtlander added in the statement. Tungsten is a mineral used by the United States to develop military equipment, including missiles and fighter jets. Currently, China, Russia and North Korea have a stranglehold on the resource, and the Trump administration has made it a strategic priority to secure a pipeline to obtain the mineral. DOUG BURGUM SAYS TRUMP ENTERS CHINA SUMMIT IN 'STRONGEST POSITION' OF ANY US LEADER EVER Kazakhstan is rich in tungsten, and from the outset of his second term in office, Trump sought to make a deal with the Central Asian country to tap into its tungsten supply — even as his own tariff policies have caused price surges and bottlenecks for the import of this metal. That makings of a deal culminated in a September 2025 meeting at the St. Regis Hotel in New York, where Lutnick hosted Tokayev. Trump joined by phone, and the parties came to a verbal agreement for the United States to procure tungsten, according to The Times. The letters of interest from U.S. government financing agencies was officially inked in November. The Times’ report stems from the Trump brothers' relationship to an investment firm called Dominari Securities. The brothers invest in some deals made by Dominari and they have a minority share in its parent company, Dominari Holdings Inc. ISRAELI PM NETANYAHU INITIATING DEFAMATION LAWSUIT AGAINST NEW YORK TIMES OVER CONTROVERSIAL ‘DOG RAPE’ STORY A source familiar with the matter explained the details of how the Trump brothers became passive investors in the tungsten mining operation. An investment fund by Dominari Securities invested in a publicly traded construction company called Skyline Builders in August 2025. After the verbal September 2025 agreement, Skyline approached Cove Capital, the company that invested in the tungsten mining project, and solicited a merger that would allow Cove Capital affiliate Cove Kaz to go public, the source detailed. The project has been backed by letters of interest from U.S. government financing agencies totaling up to $1.6 billion. At no point, the source reiterated, did the brothers have any influence over the decision to award the mining contract to Kaz Resources. This is echoed in the letter to the Times, where it states: "Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump had absolutely no involvement in the award of the Kazakhstan project." Furthermore, Cove Capital was not introduced to Skyline Builders until about one month after the September 2025 verbal agreement, according to the legal letter and third-party communications obtained by Fox News Digital. Those communications also reveal that Cove Capital leadership never spoke to either of the Trump brothers about the financing support before it was executed. USHA VANCE MOCKS NEW YORK TIMES FOR DRAWING 'POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE' FROM HER PREGNANCY FASHION "Don and Eric exercise no control over either company, played no role in and no knowledge of Cove Capital’s pursuit of the Kazakhstan project, participated in no negotiations relating to the project, and never even discussed the Kazakhstan project with anyone at Skyline, Cove Capital or any of their respective affiliates," the Trump Organization letter to The Times says. "Their connection to Cove Capital is therefore remote, indirect and highly attenuated." The letter accuses The Times of intentionally misleading readers before it revealed the tenuous relationship between the brothers and the tungsten mining project. NY TIMES TORCHED FOR FATHER’S DAY ‘TRANS DAD’ ARTICLE CRITICS SAY SHOWS PAPER IS ‘CORRUPTING OUR CHILDREN' "Indeed, in a message to my clients sent prior to publication of the story, your team expressly acknowledged that Don and Eric were not 'actively a part of this deal,'" the letter says. "Based upon the foregoing, we demand that The New York Times promptly retract or prominently correct the false and misleading impression created by the article and ensure that any future reporting accurately reflects the undisputed facts, including that Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump had no operational role in any of the entities involved, no involvement whatsoever in the Kazakhstan project or its negotiations, and, as a matter of indisputable chronology, could not have influenced the award of the project." SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER The letter ends by expressly reserving all rights and remedies to solve the problem, including potential legal action. The Trump Organization sounded off on The New York Times in a statement to Fox News Digital, calling the insinuation that the Trump brothers had involvement in the tungsten deal to Cove Capital "categorically false, misleading and libelous." The statement addresses the timeline of events and reiterates that the Trump brothers had no control over Cove Capital, its affiliates or Skyline Builders. "Of course, all of these facts are readily ascertainable and could have easily been verified had anyone from the New York Times or any other publication that republished this supposed story performed even the slightest amount of due diligence before proceeding with such reckless and unfounded assertions," the statement said. The White House also weighed in. "The only special interest guiding the Trump administration’s decision-making is the best interest of the American people," said White House spokesman Kush Desai said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "Securing and reshoring America’s critical supply chains has been a top priority for President Trump, and Secretary Lutnick along with the rest of the Administration continue to take historic action to safeguard America’s national and economic security." The Commerce Department did not return a request for comment on the deal or allegations that Lutnick's two sons improperly benefited from the agreement. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a467d06c2ca79de23632a9b Lucid Motors’ CFO is out as its new CEO continues leadership shakeup te 2026-07-02T15:00:22.664Z Lucid Motors’ CFO is out as its new CEO continues leadership shakeup The company announced a new slate of executive hires meant to help turn things around, as Gravity SUV sales are not taking off as expected. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a467ac0c2ca79de23632a49 FIFA rules leave Team USA no recourse after Folarin Balogun's controversial red card te 2026-07-02T14:50:40.428Z FIFA rules leave Team USA no recourse after Folarin Balogun's controversial red card The United States men's national team earned arguably its biggest victory in recent history, but it came at quite a cost. In the midst of its 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday night, Folarin Balogun, the team's leading goal scorer in this World Cup, who found the back of the net in the first half, was handed a controversial red card. In going for a loose ball, Balogun and an opponent got incidentally tangled up to the point where Balogun stepped on the opponent's ankle, causing it to roll awkwardly. The video assistant referee (VAR) ordered the play to be looked at, and Balogun's transgressions were deemed "serious" enough for the red card. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM The red card meant that not only was Balogun ejected from the game and the USA was forced to play the rest of the match with 10 people, but Balogun will also miss the team's Round of 16 match against Belgium on Monday. Almost immediately, the outcry over the red card was extreme, and fans were hoping for some sort of appeal process to take place, but it does not exist. Article 9.6 of the 2026 World Cup regulations reads, "No protests may be made about the referee’s decisions regarding facts connected with play. Such decisions are final and not subject to appeal, unless otherwise stipulated in the FIFA Disciplinary Code." "If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team’s subsequent match," Article 10.5 states. In fact, punishments can only increase. For example, Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo was suspended for five games after breaking the leg of Canada's Ismaël Koné. While it's unlikely in Balogun's case, it actually isn't off the table. ALEXI LALAS RIPS REFEREES AFTER FOLARIN BALOGUN RED CARD IN TEAM USA WIN: 'AN ABSOLUTE JOKE' There are many different opinions out there as to whether VAR was applied to the situation properly, but unfortunately for the United States, it can simply be used to determine whether a red card should be given out. And ultimately, after looking at the footage, the decision is up to the head referee, although the referee can receive input from the video assistant referee and/or other officials. The International Football Association Board states that slow-motion replay should generally be avoided in VAR, but it could be used to determine "facts, e.g. position of offence/player, point of contact for physical offences and handball, ball out of play (including goal/no goal); normal speed should be used for the ‘intensity’ of an offence or to decide if it was a handball offence." So, this incident may fall under the "physical offences" portion of that bylaw. And ultimately, according to the IFAB, "Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play." So, despite it not looking like Balogun had any ill intent, it is the unfortunate, unlucky hand the USMNT has been dealt. The United States will have no choice but to find a replacement for someone who has probably been in its best player in what is now perhaps the most important game in United States soccer history. The United States is favored ever so slightly to defeat Belgium on Monday night in Seattle, but the odds undoubtedly have taken a hit. 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/6a46786bc2ca79de236329ee Six Flags mystery coaster already dominates skyline, with more record-breaking height to come te 2026-07-02T14:40:43.372Z Six Flags mystery coaster already dominates skyline, with more record-breaking height to come A towering new roller coaster currently under construction at Six Flags Great Adventure has officially become the tallest structure at the New Jersey theme park, with more height still to come. Six Flags Great Adventure confirmed to Fox News Digital that the attraction, currently known as Project Purple, has climbed to more than 320 feet as construction continues ahead of its planned 2027 debut. "We're excited about the progress being made on what is currently known as Project Purple," a park spokesperson told Fox News Digital. SIX FLAGS SHUTS DOWN KINGDA KA ROLLER COASTER AS FANS SOUND OFF: 'HEARTBREAKING AND INSULTING' "To date, the structure has climbed to more than 320 feet tall and continues to rise, already making it the tallest structure at Six Flags Great Adventure. Once complete, it will rank among the tallest roller coasters in the world." Construction remains on schedule, according to the park, with crews continuing vertical work on the bright purple coaster, which is already visible from miles away. While Six Flags has not yet revealed the attraction's official name or full ride statistics, the park confirmed it will feature "multiple launches and an innovative ride experience unlike anything else in North America." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Construction is expected to continue throughout 2026 before the coaster undergoes several months of testing ahead of its planned 2027 opening, reports noted. Project Purple is being built about two years after the demolition of Kingda Ka, the park's iconic launch coaster that stood 456 feet tall before it was removed in early 2025. Although Kingda Ka is gone, Six Flags indicated the new attraction is designed to deliver a similarly thrilling experience while introducing several ride elements not currently found elsewhere in North America, according to reports. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES The project has generated growing excitement among roller coaster enthusiasts online as more of the structure takes shape. "The scale of this ride didn't strike me until I saw it from the ground," one Reddit user wrote in the online forum. "The support structure is so much bigger than I realized." Others said public opinion appears to be shifting as construction progresses. "Kinda funny to see the transition from hatred to excitement about this ride," another commenter wrote. "It's hard to deny how awesome this looks," another Reddit user commented. "I hope they do something truly bonkers at the top." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a467639c2ca79de23632989 WATCH: Nationwide transgender sports law is next step after Supreme Court win, GOP senator says te 2026-07-02T14:31:21.909Z WATCH: Nationwide transgender sports law is next step after Supreme Court win, GOP senator says Fresh off a U.S. Supreme Court victory for states restricting transgender athletes from girls' and women's sports, Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., is calling on Congress to take the next step by making those protections the law nationwide. Justice, who signed West Virginia's "Save Women's Sports Act" as governor, said the ruling vindicates the state's approach after years of legal challenges and proves West Virginia "had it right all along." "To be perfectly honest, it makes me super proud of West Virginia," Justice said in an interview Tuesday. "I'm prejudiced, you know, toward West Virginia, that's for sure. But it makes me proud that the people of West Virginia had it right." SUPREME COURT MAKES RULING ON TRANS ATHLETES IN WOMEN'S SPORTS The Supreme Court's twin rulings in West Virginia v. B.P.J. and Little v. Hecox uphold laws in West Virginia and Idaho restricting participation in girls' and women's sports based on biological sex, reinforcing similar laws already on the books in 27 other states. West Virginia became one of the first states to enact legislation restricting transgender participation in girls' and women's athletics when Justice signed House Bill 3293 in April 2021. The law requires athletic teams designated for females at public schools and colleges to be based on biological sex. The measure was immediately challenged in court, leading to years of litigation before reaching the Supreme Court. Justice said he and his administration were willing to take political and legal risks to advance the legislation. "I'm a coach and I've been a coach forever and I coach women and girls and have done that forever," Justice said. "I see how hard they compete, how hard they try, how valuable Title IX is. I see their dreams being extinguished. And from my standpoint, from my heart, I've been all in from day one." Although the Supreme Court upheld the laws in West Virginia and Idaho, it did not create a nationwide standard, leaving states to determine their own policies and setting the stage for Justice's push for federal legislation. TRUMP ADMINISTRATION THREATENS KANSAS SCHOOL DISTRICT FUNDING OVER TRANSGENDER STUDENT POLICY "There's still more that needs to come," Justice told Fox News Digital. "This needs to be national." Justice's call for a nationwide law comes as the Trump administration has battled Democratic-led states such as California and Maine over policies allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls' and women's sports. President Donald Trump has clashed with Democratic Maine Gov. Janet Mills over the state's transgender athlete policy and has sued California over similar rules, arguing both states are violating Title IX protections for women and girls. While Gov. Gavin Newsom has said he does not believe it's fair for transgender athletes to compete in women's sports, California Attorney General Rob Bonta is defending the state's policy in court against the Trump administration's lawsuit. "The Supreme Court’s decision does not affect California’s laws. The state remains committed to ensuring every Californian, including the LGBTQ community, is met with dignity and respect," a spokesperson for Newsom's office told Fox News Digital. The Trump administration's lawsuits with both states are still ongoing. Since taking office in January, Justice has pushed to make West Virginia's policy the national standard by cosponsoring Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville's Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, or S.9. But the bill failed to advance in March 2025 after falling short of the 60 votes needed in the Senate. Justice indicated Tuesday he will continue supporting legislation to protect women's sports for all girls and women across the country. "As soon as I was sworn in as Senator I got to work on protecting women's sports," Justice said in a statement. "Our girls deserve somebody willing to stand up and fight for them. That's why I proudly cosponsored Senator Tuberville's S.9 and pushed the NCAA for answers about protecting women's locker rooms. At the end of the day, this isn't complicated. It's just common sense. Let's protect our female athletes, keep women's sports for women, and do what's right." In the meantime, Justice extended the invitation for families to move to his state, where "commonsense" is practiced. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER "Come to West Virginia and Idaho," Justice said. "For God's sakes, what in the world do you want to be in California for? Because the reason is just right out the window in California, It makes no sense at all. Logic doesn't matter. But in West Virginia, you'll find a lot of good stuff." Justice said the debate ultimately comes down to protecting opportunities for female athletes. "For five years, we've been on this journey and there's been a lot of beautiful, athletic girls and women that have been trying as hard as they can and people have, in many situations, turned their backs on them," Justice told Fox News Digital. "We waited five years too long, and for those that fell through the cracks in those five years, we should all apologize, but we should celebrate today." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a467625c2ca79de23632980 Young psychotherapist mom butchered inside home as cops scramble to find her killer te 2026-07-02T14:31:01.944Z Young psychotherapist mom butchered inside home as cops scramble to find her killer A New Jersey mother and psychotherapist was found stabbed to death in her home last month, and now investigators are on the hunt to find her killer. Investigators discovered Brooke Hanlon, 35, dead in her Chester home on June 6, and have yet to name a suspect. She worked as a psychotherapist in Bernardsville, according to a LinkedIn profile. BOYFRIEND ACCUSED OF STABBING DEFENSE TECH ENGINEER 15 TIMES DENIED BOND AFTER 911 CALL PLAYED IN COURT The Morris County Prosecutor's Office said, "An examination by the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death to be multiple sharp force injuries and the manner of death as homicide." A photo posted to social media from December of last year shows Hanlon holding a baby alongside her husband. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON FACEBOOK SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER 📩 Send me a story idea: kelsie.cairns@fox.com 📸 Instagram: kelsiecairns_tv 🎥 Facebook: Kelsie Cairns Morris County Crime stoppers posted an ad for a $1,000 reward for anyone who has information that could lead to an arrest. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST The investigation is ongoing. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4675fec2ca79de2363295b US government says it got hacked — again te 2026-07-02T14:30:22.523Z US government says it got hacked — again A top Democrat on the Senate's Intelligence Committee warned that the information accessed on a Homeland Security intelligence-sharing network may risk national security. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a467177c2ca79de236322b0 Empire State Building security under scrutiny after climbers' stunt, tourist reveals possible access point te 2026-07-02T14:11:03.454Z Empire State Building security under scrutiny after climbers' stunt, tourist reveals possible access point A New York City tourist said she watched a daredevil couple slip through what appeared to be a restricted access point at the Empire State Building moments before they climbed the landmark's 1,454-foot antenna, prompting questions about security after the pair staged a high-altitude marriage proposal and were arrested. Julie Morris told WABC-TV she was on the building's 102nd-floor observation deck Wednesday when she saw two people pass through a mesh gate into what appeared to be a restricted area leading toward the antenna. "Well, I was on the top, the very top, along come these two people. Opened the mesh. Assumed they worked there and nobody stopped them," Morris said. Authorities identified the climbers as Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, a Russian couple known for scaling skyscrapers and other towering structures around the world. The pair gained international attention in the 2024 Netflix documentary, "Skywalkers: A Love Story," which follows their unauthorized rooftop climbs. COUPLE FACING SLEW OF CHARGES AFTER CLIMBING TO THE TOP OF EMPIRE STATE BUILDING WITH MASSIVE BANNER The couple climbed the Empire State Building's iconic transmitter, unfurled a banner reading, "When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace," then embraced before Kuznetsov got down on one knee and proposed. After she said yes, Nikolau admired the ring before the couple continued climbing down the spire, where officers with the NYPD Emergency Service Unit met them and took them into custody. Police arrested the pair on charges of burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, criminal tampering, possession of burglar's tools, disorderly conduct and other offenses. Police are reviewing surveillance footage and believe the pair entered the antenna through a locked maintenance hatch on the 102nd-floor observation deck after apparently watching staff movements, WABC reported. Detectives are also investigating how the hatch was opened. WATCH THE BODYCAM FOOTAGE: The Empire State Building did not answer questions about how the climbers reached the antenna or whether they had any interactions with security personnel before accessing the restricted area. NYPD INVESTIGATING AFTER SURVEILLANCE VIDEO CAPTURES GROUP ENTERING SEWERS THROUGH MANHOLES In a statement, building management said the climb was "unauthorized" and insisted there was "at no time danger to tenants, visitors, and Empire State Building Observation Deck guests." Management added that the observation deck "does offer a practical way for the most memorable marriage proposals." The stunt briefly disrupted visits to the landmark, with some tourists evacuated from observation decks while police responded. "At first, it was kind of like comical and seemed a little bit wild and crazy," witness Laura Staub told the local station. "And then I'll be honest, once you're out on the observation deck, I was like, I feel like we shouldn't be out here. It didn't really seem like super safe." News helicopter footage showed the couple, dressed in black and without visible safety tethers, balancing on a narrow ledge atop the antenna before climbing back down through the latticework of the spire. NYPD bodycam footage later showed officers greeting the pair inside the structure before escorting them to safety. Nikolau later posted images of the proposal and ring on social media. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a467164c2ca79de236322a7 Aaron Tippin says patriotism is 'very strong in America' ahead of Fort Campbell 4th of July show te 2026-07-02T14:10:44.019Z Aaron Tippin says patriotism is 'very strong in America' ahead of Fort Campbell 4th of July show Country star Aaron Tippin is honoring military families ahead of America's historic 250th birthday. During an interview with Fox News Digital, Tippin — who is hosting an Independence Day celebration in honor of America’s 250th birthday in Fort Campbell, Kentucky — took a moment to speak about the toll that serving in the military has on the families who stay back home. "I wish they understood more about the sacrifice that the family makes. They don't get deployed. And man, they're just home wringing their hands, thinking about somebody who's out committed to the freedom of this nation and just praying to God that they come home safe," he began. DISNEY AND USHA VANCE TEAM UP TO HONOR MILITARY FAMILIES AND SURPRISE THEM WITH MAGICAL GIFTS Tippin continued, "I think that's something that needs a lot of respect and a lot of attention." The artist shared that he has military service members come up to him after his shows quite often. "It happens every single night. I mean, I'll be in the autograph line signing autographs and somebody comes up to me and says, 'Hey, Aaron, pulls out a picture, says, last time I saw you, we were in Afghanistan. We were in Iraq.' Or, you know, it goes all the way back to the Bob Hope days with him to Saudi Arabia to entertain the troops in the Persian Gulf," he began. WATCH: Aaron Tippin wished more Americans understood the 'sacrifice' military families make "So every single of my career, I hook up with somebody that I saw on the battlefield. So. It's always rewarding to see them home and safe and give them a big hug and thank them one more time," Tippin continued. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS For this Fourth of July celebration, Tippin will be honoring Charlie Daniels during an Independence Day celebration in Kentucky. During the celebration, a state-of-the art-Charlie Daniels hologram will be displayed. "I can't believe I got the chance to be on this. Of course, it's supporting one of my heroes in the music biz and in life, Charlie Daniels, the legend of Charlie Daniels," Tippin began. "He was just an awesome guy. I'm proud to say, you know, me and him kind of had the same plan of entertaining the troops, going down range on the battlefield and entertaining our guys and gals," he continued. "He did a lot of that. I did a lot of that with the same lady that would take him down range Judy Seals of Stars for Stripes. And so it's a great pleasure for me to be once again supporting the military." WATCH: Aaron Tippin talks hosting an Independence Day celebration honoring Charlie Daniels Tippin has always been outspoken about patriotism. Speaking to Fox News Digital, he explained that his father instilled those values in him at a young age. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "Well, I first started in country music, and my dad made me a patriot. My dad was an Air Force flight instructor when I was born, and he believed in the military and their service," he shared. "That's kind of where I got it. My career kicked off and got me on the Bob Hope show Christmas in 1990, entertaining the troops, a little song called 'You Got To Stand For Something,' so that's where it started with me." Tippin explained that patriotism was strong "in those days," adding that the 9/11 terrorist attacks renewed patriotism in America, according to the country star. "At the time, we had a song called, 'Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly,' and I think that, right now, I'll take it today, I think patriotism is very strong in America, and boy, I'm just proud to speak on it," Tippin concluded. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a466f7ac2ca79de2363226e Science Vortex hosts summer camps te 2026-07-02T14:02:34.023Z Science Vortex hosts summer camps City-sponsored camp comes to Posse Grounds Hub July 20 to 23 The Science Vortex in Cottonwood, which recently celebrated a six-week summer program for students with the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District, hosts three- to five-day public summer camps in Cottonwood and Sedona throughout the summer. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a466f4fc2ca79de2363225a Police use of artificial intelligence grows as rules lag behind te 2026-07-02T14:01:51.522Z Police use of artificial intelligence grows as rules lag behind A police officer’s body-camera footage is transcribed directly into the ReportAI interface developed by software company Mark43. Police departments across the country are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to help draft reports, analyze evidence and manage massive amounts of digital data from body cameras, surveillance systems and case files. (Photo courtesy of Mark43) Hundreds of people fill a downtown street for a protest, waving signs and chanting as they march past businesses and government buildings. Overhead, a police drone records video of the crowd. Nearby traffic cameras and license plate readers capture faces, vehicles and movements along the route. With artificial intelligence, experts say, hours of footage can be analyzed in minutes, making it easier for police to track or target a participant long after the demonstration ends. As law enforcement agencies increasingly embrace AI, some civil liberties advocates, legal scholars and policing experts warn that the technology could amplify surveillance, introduce hidden biases into investigations and make it harder to challenge evidence in court. They also worry about a future in which AI takes on a more active role in policing and criminal investigations. “It’s especially concerning sort of the ways that these tools could supercharge that kind of surveillance and enforcement,” said Rachel Levinson-Waldman, the director of the liberty and national security program at the Brennan Center for Justice, a nonpartisan law and policy organization at the New York University School of Law. Levinson-Waldman has written extensively about the risks of police surveillance and the unregulated use of AI in policing. Artificial intelligence in policing is not new. For decades, law enforcement agencies have used data-driven and automated tools, including facial recognition systems, automated license plate readers, predictive policing models and video analytics that can flag objects or activity in recorded footage. What is changing is the speed, scope and complexity of those tools. As police departments accumulate growing volumes of digital evidence — from body camera footage and surveillance video to jail calls, social media records and case files — AI is increasingly being used to help sort, search and analyze that information. “AI is going to basically be able to sort through otherwise overwhelming amounts of data in ways that we just haven’t seen yet, and give police and prosecutors and the government a lot more power over us in ways that I think will be deeply uncomfortable for many of us,” said Andrew Guthrie Ferguson, a law professor at George Washington University and the author of “Your Data Will Be Used Against You: Policing in the Age of Self-Surveillance,” a book published this year. Cris Moore, a computer scientist and professor at the Santa Fe Institute, a research and education center, said the technology is advancing faster than agencies, regulators and courts are able to fully assess its implications, raising questions about transparency, accountability and the role automated systems should play in policing decisions. “It’s fair to say that the speed at which technologically created evidence has been adopted, and the aggression with which it’s being pushed makes it hard for the legal community to keep up,” Moore said. State legislatures and police departments are still developing rules to govern how AI can be used in public safety settings. While some agencies have adopted internal policies or vendor-specific guidance, there is no consistent national framework, and state-level approaches remain limited and uneven. At least two states, California and Utah, have recently enacted laws regulating the use of generative AI in police report writing, requiring disclosure when AI is used and adding safeguards around accuracy and oversight. More broadly, more than a dozen states have passed laws regulating related technologies such as facial recognition, drone surveillance and automated license plate readers, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Emerging tech Some of the major companies offering AI-powered tools for law enforcement include Axon, Motorola Solutions, TRULEO, Flock Safety, Clearview AI and others. Their products can search body-worn camera footage, analyze large datasets, review digital evidence and case files and identify potential suspects through facial recognition. Some of these systems are built into centralized platforms that are able to pull and search for data from sensitive databases and police records. Quotation There are very real constitutional, statutory and practical risks with this new model of agentic policing. – Andrew Guthrie Ferguson, law professor at George Washington University Mark43, a cloud-based software company serving more than 300 public safety agencies, offers two AI-powered tools. ReportAI helps officers draft reports using information from dispatch records and body camera footage, while BriefAI summarizes case information for investigators and supervisors. Police agencies can choose which AI features to enable and who can access them, and the system maintains audit logs of AI-assisted activity. Mark43 told Stateline that dozens of agencies are using, testing out  or evaluating the AI features. “Our core mission is to help responders spend less time on administrative work, so that they can spend more time serving in their communities,” said Wendy Gilbert, Mark43’s senior vice president of product. Some experts are wary of AI being used for decisions that could affect a person’s rights or freedom, such as identifying suspects, recommending enforcement actions or influencing arrests. Critics warn that AI-generated outputs can make mistakes, reflect biases in underlying data and create a risk that officers or investigators place too much weight on the technology’s recommendations. They also argue that many AI systems operate in ways that are difficult for the public — and sometimes even officers — to fully understand. One source of concern is the possible advent of “agentic policing.” Future technologies could integrate body-camera footage, camera networks and other data sources into a single system capable of generating investigative leads, identifying potential suspects or suggesting connections between cases. Even if humans remain responsible for final decisions, critics say, such systems could shape investigative judgments in ways that make it more difficult to understand how conclusions were reached. “All that data is going to be dumped into an AI model, and they’re going to query it to say who’s the most likely suspect,” said Ferguson of George Washington University. “The AI is going to be running the agentic analysis of it and come up with the answer, and then police and prosecutors have to kind of work backwards to see if it’s accurate.” Ferguson warned that this flips the traditional investigative process on its head. “We’ve never started with an answer and made people work backwards,” he said. “There are very real constitutional, statutory and practical risks with this new model of agentic policing.” AI companies and some law enforcement agencies argue the technology is designed to assist officers, not replace them. They emphasize that officers are responsible for reviewing, verifying and approving AI-generated information, and that the tools are intended to reduce administrative work and help people navigate large volumes of data more efficiently. “AI should increase accountability, not reduce it, and so we’re doing everything in our will to provide transparency, governance and human control,” said Zach Barden, the lead product manager for AI at Mark43. In recent years, a growing number of police officers across the country have been accused of misusing AI-powered tools, including automated license plate reader systems, available through their departments to track people for personal reasons. In April, a former Costa Mesa, California, police officer pleaded guilty to using law enforcement databases and Flock Safety cameras to monitor his wife, a mistress and several romantic rivals. Similar allegations have surfaced in Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Wisconsin. Flock Safety, one of the nation’s largest providers of automated license plate readers, uses roadside cameras to capture images and video of passing vehicles, including license plates and basic vehicle details, and store them in searchable law enforcement databases. Some communities have reconsidered their use of automated license plate reader systems, with at least 30 cities ending or canceling contracts since early 2025 amid growing concerns about surveillance and data sharing, NPR reported in February. A Flock Safety representative was not available for an interview with Stateline before publication. In a May blog post, the company said misuse of its system is rare and noted that permanent audit logs help identify and investigate improper access. The company said the camera network has helped agencies recover missing people, connect cases across jurisdictions and identify suspects more quickly. Reshaping public safety operations While some law enforcement agencies have moved forward with early deployments, others are taking a more cautious approach as they assess potential benefits and risks. In Maryland, the Montgomery County Police Department, one of the state’s largest law enforcement agencies, is in the early stages of exploring potential uses of AI, including tools to support non-emergency call handling, translation and transcription services, and report writing to reduce administrative workload and improve efficiency. “We want to bring technology to policing, but we need to make sure that we do it safe(ly), we do it efficiently, and that when we do do it, we’re setting the community and ourselves up for success,” said Capt. Cody Fields, the director of the police department’s media and public information division. In Arkansas, officials are developing the Arkansas Criminal Intelligence Network, a centralized cloud platform designed to connect data across police agencies in the state and support the use of advanced AI-powered analytical tools. In Hawaii, the Maui County Council earlier this month approved a $1.7 million expansion of high-tech policing tools, including cameras and drones supported by AI to assist with real-time monitoring and emergency response. Last year, the Honolulu Police Department announced a pilot program with Axon, which offers a generative AI feature that helps draft police reports using video and audio transcriptions from body-worn cameras. Legal and evidentiary concerns Police reports often play a critical role in investigations and court proceedings, and some experts warn that errors introduced by AI systems could have significant legal consequences if they go undetected. Errors introduced by AI systems, including inaccuracies, omissions or misinterpretations of context and language, could influence how evidence is understood by investigators, prosecutors and judges. Experts and industry leaders generally point to a few safeguards: clear disclosure when AI is used in reports, mandatory human verification of all AI-generated text, regular independent auditing of tools, and training for law enforcement and legal stakeholders on how the systems function and how to trace outputs back to raw audio, video and other source evidence. Those recommendations align with a framework released earlier this year by the nonpartisan think tank Council on Criminal Justice, which calls for rigorous independent validation of AI systems, enforceable procurement standards, ongoing performance monitoring, and clear human oversight to ensure operators can override AI-generated outputs. “The pace of change is really pretty dramatic, and there’s a lot of energy and churn and attention to these issues,” said Jesse Rothman, the director of the Council on Criminal Justice’s task force on artificial intelligence. “The opportunities and the risks are really serious.” Stateline reporter Amanda Watford can be reached at awatford@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/6a466f3bc2ca79de2363223a Paige Spiranac has her golf content dialed in ahead of the Fourth of July, Megan Moroney's at the beach & meat te 2026-07-02T14:01:31.565Z Paige Spiranac has her golf content dialed in ahead of the Fourth of July, Megan Moroney's at the beach & meat We laughed, we cried, and most importantly, we made it through another call to the bullpen in one piece. Joe will be back tomorrow. I'll be preparing for the Fourth of July weekend, but that doesn’t mean I'm mailing it in today. This edition of Thursday Screencaps has Paige Spiranac and her golf content helping out with some of the prep work for the big holiday weekend. She has her golf content dialed in this summer. Just when you think you've seen it all from the world's No. 1 golf influencer, she comes up with something new. The classics, like the slow-motion swing, will always be there, and she's never been afraid to pull those out when she needs to. RORY MCILROY TURNS HEADS AT WIMBLEDON BY SPORTING HIS MASTERS GREEN JACKET AT CENTER COURT That's the kind of content you have to pick your spots with. It can't be wall-to-wall slo-mo swings. Paige doesn’t need to be told this. She's always been a step or two ahead of everyone else cranking out golf content. This summer has been no exception. She's been dialing it in and, a few weeks or so ago, she launched new content with other women in golf. The move might seem counterproductive to some, but being at the top has its advantages. Paige has made it to the point where it's time to use what she's built to give back and use her platform to help out others. It's what you do when you really don't have any competition. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM - Phil S in Florida writes: Hey Sean. Please pass along a you’re welcome to Mr. CF for me. Glad he enjoyed the Hank JR reference. I love making people smile, and I’m happy to know I did that for him. One thing I love about this daily article is that reader emails are included, both new and longtime readers, and I feel like I know some of these guys and would gladly have a beer or 2 with many of them. Honestly I’d probably get absolutely tanked with a few of them too. Thanks again for filling in for Joe and keeping up the good work. Have a great day, and if you have the chance, do something nice for a stranger, it might make their day. - Eric writes: Thank you for not printing one word about the WNBA today.. it’s a clown show that deserves to be shunned.. it has no merit potential whatsoever. - Mark writes: Sean, While driving the RV back from Disney World in the 80s, we stopped at "Dogpatch" in Arkansas a theme park from Lil Abner cartoon strip. It was on its last legs as some of the rides didn’t work and the parking lot was mostly empty. I’ve got an old snapshot (real film) of me with daisy mae somewhere. Great job subbing on the column too. SeanJo Hey Mark, thanks for reaching out and thanks for the support. My visit to Boardwalk and Baseball came during a visit to Disney World too. Who knew there were so many theme parks back in the day? We evidently had one for almost anything. - Homebrew Bill writes: It's not much, but it will do for dinner tonight.  SeanJo You know we don't judge around here. It's meat and a grill. That's all that matters. We're not meat-shaming around here. In fact, we decided to toss some burgers on the grill at the last minute last night. It wasn’t much either. But it was meat, it was a grill, and it was a solid dinner. - Myron writes: Sean I dont care for cheese with peanut butter, prefer thimbleberry jam or bananas, but I love a good slice of cheese. Especially sharp cheddar. Wife bought some 15 year old as a birthday present. Delicious, especially with apple pie. Remembering the days of Pele in NY, I am excited to see the turnout and enthusiasm for the world cup. Grew up playing pond hockey and soccer is very similar. So I ended up coaching kids and learning some pleasure in watching the game. Attached is a picture of a pork butt pulled and not pulled yet, along with a picture of a turkey and a very small brisket on the smoker. We will also be doing some poppers and shotgun shells for the 4th. I will try to remember to send more pictures. SeanJo Definitely send in the poppers and shotgun shells and anything else you toss on the grill. We're in the middle of prime grilling season. Also, tell me more about this apple pie and cheese combo. How is this going down? Are you melting the cheese? Do you stick it in the pie before you eat it? I need the details on this. I'm imagining a bit of pie being chased by a bite of cheese. That can't be how this goes down. Let me know. - Jim T in San Diego writes: The WNBA's tone-deaf moralizing cannot be without repercussion indefinitely, and my guess is that many, perhaps most, of the new fans Caitlin Clark brought to the league are already tiring of the constant lectures and false accusations of racism.The ratings are clear, so is attendance, and so are licensed merch sales: Clark drives eyes and dollars. Not any of the other players that the WNBA and its media apologists assure us are the real reason for the higher ratings and popularity. It's Clark. When she plays, ratings spike. When she's out - or her game isn't being televised - ratings tank. And the asinine argument that she's only popular because she's white can be disproven in under two seconds: If it was just being white, then Sue Bird, Kelsey Plum or Sophie Cunningham would have become as popular as Clark is. Fans like her not because she's white, but because of her combination of playing style, success, and personality - the same combination that made Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods transformatively popular in their respective sports. Yet the league not only doesn't protect Clark from cheap shots no other players seem to receive nearly as often, when she is pummeled anyone who protests is branded a homophobe and bigot for daring to notice. Again, at what point do Clark's fans simply tune out the league? Tire of the nonsense and take their entertainment dollars elsewhere? Success is not guaranteed - look at NASCAR, which ruled the sports landscape in the 1990s to the point the NFL didn't want to schedule against it. But NASCAR not only banned Confederate flags from its races, but did so in as confrontational manner as possible - not just banning the flags, but making clear that those who had flown them in the past weren't entirely welcome moving forward. They managed to alienate huge swaths of their existing fan base without ever replacing them with the new fans they thought that policy would attract. Or at least not enough of them. A quarter century later, tracks have closed, and races still feature tons of empty seats. If the WNBA's new fans simply go away, how long before the league's broadcast partners start demanding refunds based on lower ratings? (Usually built into most broadcast contracts, anyway.) How long before the NBA owners and players association tires of underwriting a league that won't even embrace its best marketing opportunity ever? It's rare to see this level of incompetence in an established pro sports league. It's almost as if Cathy Englebert has a deal with Rob Manfred to make him look better by comparison. If the WNBA doesn't get its act together and soon, they'll be back to fighting rugby and indoor lacrosse for bottom position in U.S. pro sports leagues. That a pro basketball league trails its counterpart in soccer in terms of popularity in this country is testament to just how badly the WNBA has been run. It is entirely conceivable that Major League Volleyball could pass the WNBA in the coming years ... ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! - Gen X Warren M writes: I just finished Screencaps, kinda late today instead of my lunch break as I had to run an errand. I know a couple of trauma nurses who worked the Fourth of July, or at least they used to when they were younger. The stories they told me. In some parts of South Florida, I’ve heard they’re using mortars, as in stuff you hear about in a war. And somebody will blow their hands off doing that. SMDH And great work SeanJo This is a great reminder. Stick to the simple stuff. You don't need mortars to celebrate the Fourth of July. Keep your fingers and both of your hands. ########## There you have it, another Thursday Screencaps in the books. Another successful relief appearance in the books. I have to grab more coffee and get going on this week's True Romance. I'll see everyone in the Screencaps community on Sunday. If you fire up the grills, if you're shooting off fireworks, send it my way sean.joseph@outkick.com. You can also follow me on Twitter and over on Instagram and slide into the DMs over there. Have a great Fourth of July weekend. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a466f28c2ca79de23632231 China-linked green group training US judges draws fresh heat as foreign ties fuel pressure at home te 2026-07-02T14:01:12.096Z China-linked green group training US judges draws fresh heat as foreign ties fuel pressure at home A national security group is urging Congress to investigate a prominent environmental-law nonprofit over past partnerships and programming ties with Chinese government-linked organizations, according to a report sent to lawmakers on Tuesday by State Armor, a national security organization. The Environmental Law Institute, or ELI, has trained more than 2,000 American judges on environmental law through its Climate Judiciary Project since 2018, according to its website. During its decades of China-related work, the organization cultivated relationships with entities the report described as Chinese government-affiliated, CCP-linked or tied to China’s military research ecosystem, according to State Armor. "Across three decades of engagement, ELI’s work has uniformly advanced Chinese strategic and national security interests while undermining American national security by constraining domestic energy producers and industrial expansion and simultaneously pushing America toward dependence upon energy sources dominated by the PRC," a letter addressed to congressional leadership attached to the report reads. LAWMAKERS PRESS ELI LILLY FOR CHINA DRUG TRIALS TIED TO MILITARY-LINKED HOSPITALS State Armor, a national security organization focused on state-level policy responses to foreign threats, is raising concerns that the ties could have domestic implications. The organization is run by Michael Lucci, a lobbyist, and keeps its donors private to shield them from being targeted by the Chinese government. Lucci said in an April 2025 Wall Street Journal profile that his group refuses funding from corporate and foreign sources to avoid perceptions of conflicting interests. "The question is not whether judges should receive continuing education but rather whether any educational initiative funded, organized, or influenced by organizations with relationships with foreign entities, particularly a foreign adversary, could affect the perception or reality of judicial impartiality," the congressional letter reads. TRUMP ADMIN AXES TIES TO DOZENS OF PROGRESSIVE GROUPS IN 'DIRECT OPPOSITION' TO MISSION: 'DECISIVE ACTION' ELI, when asked about its ties to China, told Fox News Digital that its programming in China ceased in 2024 and rejected criticism that its work advanced Chinese government interests specifically. "For over 50 years, ELI has worked to strengthen environmental protections in dozens of countries," an ELI spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Thursday. "Our programming in China concluded in 2024 but was no different than our typical work — sharing evidence-based best practices on environmental regulation, not advancing any government interests. The Climate Judiciary Project has not conducted any programming in China." The Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit was founded in 1969 and describes its mission as developing "innovative, just, and practical" environmental law and policy solutions across borders and sectors. ELI launched the Climate Judiciary Project in 2018, which is a judicial-education initiative focused on climate science, climate change and the ways climate science arises in the law. LAWMAKERS PRESS ELI LILLY FOR CHINA DRUG TRIALS TIED TO MILITARY-LINKED HOSPITALS Though ELI says it has ceased its work in China, ELI has continued to advance China-related scholarship and partner with individuals linked to Chinese government ventures. Fox News Digital is not aware of any ELI programming that has taken place in China since 2024. As recently as May, the nonprofit, through its journal, published an English-language paper written by two Chinese academics hailing from state-run universities detailing how China had made progress on environmental protection. Then, in June, ELI hosted a Chinese legal scholar for a panel discussion with speakers from multiple other countries on global career pathways in environmental law. The scholar, who received training through an ELI fellowship in 2021, "participated in ministry-level projects on environmental legislation and policy of China," according to her biography on ELI’s website. She also "managed internationally funded programs" to train Chinese "judges" and "environmental law enforcement officers," according to ELI. ELI did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on the paper by the Chinese academics or the panel featuring the Chinese legal scholar. TOP CALIFORNIA DEM RUNNING FOR OFFICE TIED TO CHINESE SCHOOL ACCUSED OF US DIPLOMA SCANDAL ELI discloses on its website that it has "worked to improve environmental rule of law, enforcement, and compliance in China" since the "mid-1990s" in light of "the critical role that China, and its 1.4 billion people, has in global environmental protection." "ELI has worked to improve environmental rule of law, enforcement, and compliance in China in partnership with Chinese NGOs, universities, law firms, businesses, judges and environmental regulators," the organization's website reads. "ELI has held capacity-building workshops, high-level roundtables, seminars and panel discussions on Chinese policy issues, trained lawyers on environmental justice issues, and published articles and books on sustainability, environmental management, and constitutional environmental law in China." State Armor argued that this kind of knowledge sharing ultimately benefited the Chinese government, to the detriment of the United States. State Armor urged lawmakers to examine the scope of ELI’s cooperation with Chinese entities and review the funding, curriculum development, expert selection and governance structure of its judicial education programs. WALL STREET BANKS HELPED CHINESE MILITARY-LINKED FIRM RAISE BILLIONS DESPITE RED FLAGS, LAWMAKERS FIND "Under the banner of ‘improv[ing] environmental rule of law,’ ELI’s China Program provides technical assistance, capacity building, and legal training to Chinese NGOs, judges, and environmental regulators," the report reads. While ELI has historically provided these services, Fox News Digital could not find evidence that ELI has provided any programming in China after 2024. To support this assertion, State Armor cited public records showing that some of the organizations ELI worked with are tied to the Chinese Communist Party or the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). State Armor cited ELI’s own website, which states that the organization worked with the Policy Research Center for Environment and Economy (PRCEE), a think tank affiliated with China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment, to improve China’s environmental regulatory system. State Armor argued that PRCEE’s affiliation with China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment and its stated policy-support role place it within China’s government environmental-policy apparatus. In 2013, PRCEE worked on a report jointly published by the Chinese government and the United Nations Environment Programme dubbed "China’s Green Long March" — an apparent reference to the CCP’s famous 1934 "Long March" where it strategically retreated inland during the Chinese Civil War. ELI also states on its website that its China International Business Dialogue on Environmental Governance (CIBDEG) working group provided "information and analysis to the Chinese government regarding environmental regulations in the United States and Europe as well as the concerns of multinational business." "The working group is designed to facilitate and encourage dialogue between multinational businesses and Chinese environmental regulatory authorities regarding best practices in environmental regulation and performance by governments and industries," the group’s website reads. ELI joined forces with the PRCEE, the Chinese law firm JunHe and the prestigious American law firm Latham & Watkins to launch CIBDEG in 2018. A press release from JunHe claimed that China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment was also involved in founding the working group. NATIONAL SECURITY EXPERTS RAISE CONCERNS AFTER MICROSOFT PROGRAM EXPOSED AS POSSIBLE AVENUE FOR CHINESE SPYING In addition to PRCEE and the CIBDEG, ELI has also worked with multiple universities that have been scrutinized by the United States government over their ties to China’s military. ELI, for instance, "trained 265 environmental NGO workers, judges, prosecutors and attorneys from 26 provinces" at Tianjin University in 2018, only for the university to later land on the Commerce Department’s Entity List, an export-control list, over alleged trade-secret theft tied to military applications. ELI was not involved in the purported intellectual property theft. ELI has drawn sustained scrutiny from Republican lawmakers and conservative activists over its China-related work, foreign partnerships and climate-focused judicial education programs. The critiques have been based on media reports alleging that ELI works closely with the Chinese government as well as with individuals linked to the CCP, not investigative findings produced by U.S. government bodies. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in particular has waged a prolonged campaign against ELI, alleging that the group has links to the Chinese government and that its operations materially harm the United States. "We’re witnessing right now a systematic campaign against American energy. There is a coordinated assault by the radical left, backed and paid for by the Chinese Communist Party to seize control of our courts, to weaponize litigation against U.S. energy producers," Cruz said during a June 2025 hearing. "The judiciary itself is being quietly captured and brainwashed as left wing nonprofits host closed door trainings that indoctrinate judges to adopt the ideological goals of the climate lawfare machine." "Perhaps the most insidious because it strikes at the very heart of the rule of law, judicial capture," the senator continued. "It is being carried out by one organization with near total control over climate-related judicial training, the Environmental Law Institute, and its Climate Judiciary Project … They claim to be science driven but what they are doing is ex parte indoctrination, pressuring judges to set aside the rule of law and rule instead according to a predetermined political narrative." In its letter to lawmakers, State Armor alleged that ELI promotes a policy agenda that disfavors American energy interests. "The jurisprudential frameworks ELI promotes to American judges disproportionately favor regulatory constraints on U.S. domestic energy production, with no commensurate frameworks within China’s system," State Armor’s report reads. "Consciously or not, this is an instance of ELI pushing for American unilateral disarmament in energy security and industrial production." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a466ef6c2ca79de23632211 Microsoft launches its own AI deployment company with $2.5 billion commitment te 2026-07-02T14:00:22.080Z Microsoft launches its own AI deployment company with $2.5 billion commitment Microsoft follows Amazon, OpenAI and Anthropic with its new AI deployment group. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a466cb3c2ca79de236321cf Mamdani gets roasted after telling sweltering New Yorkers to set ACs to 78 degrees: 'Commie' te 2026-07-02T13:50:43.633Z Mamdani gets roasted after telling sweltering New Yorkers to set ACs to 78 degrees: 'Commie' New York City's socialist mayor Zohran Mamdani sparked viral outrage on Thursday when he responded to a heat wave affecting the city by instructing residents how to set their air conditioners. The blowback came as New York City expanded emergency heat measures during a historic holiday weekend heat wave, with officials warning temperatures could feel as hot as 112 degrees. "New York: it's hot out there, and the power grid is working overtime to keep us cool," Mamdani posted on X as the city dealt with sweltering temperatures.  "Set your AC to 78 degrees, turn off lights/electronics you're not using, and unplug what you can. Our City is doing its part too: maintaining the 78 degrees rule in our buildings, dimming/turning off our lights during peak electricity demand, asking private partners to do the same, and powering down non-essential equipment. A stable grid means the AC stays on, and lives are saved. Let's ease demand — and get through the heat — together." FAMOUS LANDMARKS SLASH VISITING HOURS AS DEADLY HEAT WAVE THREATENS TOURISTS Mamdani’s post quickly went viral and was seen over 36.5 million times as conservatives and pundits blasted the mayor over his instructions on what temperature to set their air conditioning units. "Show us your thermostat, commie," reality TV star and former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt posted on X. STEVE FORBES: MAMDANI’S SOCIALIST RENT-CONTROL PUTS NEW YORK ON THE ROAD TO HOUSING RUIN "78 degrees???" Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy posted on X. "Welcome to communism people! Hope you enjoy! " "Welcome to socialism, where the government demands you turn your house into a sauna because they can't plan for the super unpredictable fact that it tends to get hot in the summer," Republican Rep. Brandon Gill posted on X. "78 degrees?" conservative commentator Matt Walsh posted on X. "My AC does not go above 68 in the summer. This is America for God’s sake." "Turns out socialism actually isn’t free," Arkansas Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders posted on X. "Do you feel the warmth of collectivism yet?" Red State writer Bonchie posted on X. Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani’s office for comment. While Mamdani faced accusations of being a communist on social media, his political power is on the rise in New York City, highlighted by last week's primary elections where his slate of endorsed socialist-linked candidates were all victorious. After those elections, former Vice President Kamala Harris reached out to Mamdani and the two connected by phone, Fox News Digital reported, sending a signal that Mamdani's base will be critical in deciding who becomes the next Democratic presidential nominee in 2028. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a466a6dc2ca79de2363216a Grizzly bear sends a bold Yellowstone wolf packing after it eyes the bear's bison carcass meal te 2026-07-02T13:41:01.549Z Grizzly bear sends a bold Yellowstone wolf packing after it eyes the bear's bison carcass meal A wolf thought it was a good idea to attempt to steal from a massive grizzly bear. As our loyal readers know, nature can be a very crazy place. The spectrum of what exists is wide-ranging. Sometimes, you see unmatched beauty. Take a trip to rural Maine for proof of that fact. Other times, it can be a wild place full of chaos and carnage. MASSIVE GRIZZLY BEAR AND WOLF CAUGHT ON CAMERA DEMOLISHING DEAD ANIMAL Enter a hunger wolf. The popular Instagram page @montanawild_ posted a video this week of a wolf attempting to sneak up on a grizzly bear to get a bite of its food. "Grizzly bear and wolf on a bison carcass in Yellowstone. Another amazing morning! This old bison carcass had some activity yesterday but was the hotspot for wildlife viewing today. This young optimistic wolf learned rather quickly that the grizzly bear does not want to share," the caption on the video reads. It's an epic video that will give you a bit of a chuckle. Give it a watch below, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. TWO KANGAROOS THROW PUNCHES LIKE UFC FIGHTERS IN AUSTRALIAN MAN'S BACKYARD IN VIRAL VIDEO One person in the comments wrote, "Wolf looks a little light. He could use a good meal. But he’s not ready to die for it." Another wrote, "Amazing!!" A wolf might be high on the chart in the animal kingdom for domination, but it doesn't have anything on a grizzly bear. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS It's not uncommon for a grizzly bear to weigh north of 700 pounds. A wolf doesn't often crack 100 pounds. That's not exactly a fair fight at all. The wolf made the right call to back off. Let me know your thoughts on the video and best nature stories at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a466a46c2ca79de2363215f California Bans ‘Sell By’ Labels, Hoping to Cut Food Waste te 2026-07-02T13:40:22.614Z California Bans ‘Sell By’ Labels, Hoping to Cut Food Waste The law standardizes language around expiration dates, aiming to minimize confusion about when food is safe to eat. More than one-third of food sold nationwide is wasted, the U.S.D.A. says. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4667ecc2ca79de236320b6 Tesla saw a massive sales jump in the second quarter te 2026-07-02T13:30:20.714Z Tesla saw a massive sales jump in the second quarter The company delivered more than 480,000 EVs globally, seemingly thanks to geographic expansion and cheaper versions of the Model 3, Model Y, and Cybertruck. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4665abc2ca79de2363206a FOX News Deals Newsletter: Celebrate America 250 and save on heatwave survival gear te 2026-07-02T13:20:43.360Z FOX News Deals Newsletter: Celebrate America 250 and save on heatwave survival gear FOX News may be compensated for or earn a commission if you buy through our links.  America turns 250 tomorrow, and if you're celebrating with a backyard barbecue, parade or fireworks, this $14 commemorative hat is an easy way to show your patriotic spirit. Featuring an embroidered American flag, a bald eagle and the anniversary years, it's a fun keepsake for this once-in-a-generation milestone. READ MORE: Shopping for America 250? Here's what's actually made in the USA — and what's imported Feeling patriotic? I know I am. Since I shop for a living, I rounded up the best veteran-owned and American-made brands to support, plus warm-weather essentials to help you beat the heat this holiday weekend. — Caitlyn Martyn, Commerce Editor Support veteran-owned businesses with everyday essentials like hot sauce, coffee and coolers. Shop American-made favorites from brands including Tecovas, Lodge and John Deere. Stay cool with insulated water bottles, portable shade chairs and wearable neck fans. -- Editor's Pick: Wayfair Basics sheets: $23.99 (82% off) from Wayfair.  Why we love it: At 82% off, this is one of the biggest discounts we've seen all week. These lightweight sheets are perfect for summer, come in more than 20 colors and have thousands of five-star reviews. Grab a few sets for your guest room, vacation home or to refresh your own bed for less. Find more deals here. -- This week, General Manager of Commerce, Erik Weigel, shares three products he recently bought and recommends. Q: What's a product you bought that immediately solved a problem you had?  A: My kids play sports, so we have many games and tournaments over the summer. This cooler backpack holds drinks and snacks while walking from field to field. Q: What's a summer staple you'd recommend?  A: We are a family of seven — five humans and two dogs — so we never have enough towels. I bought this set a while back, and they've held up well. Q: What's on your Fourth of July shopping list?  A: I love to cook outside for my family year-round, so I’m eyeing a Blackstone griddle that I can make breakfast on. Check out our "Add to Cart" series to see what our full team bought recently. -- READ MORE: Fourth of July deals under $25 to grab now: Cooling fans, breathable T-shirts and more Portable fire extinguisher ($11.96) — now 40% off: Stock up before your next backyard barbecue or fire pit gathering. American flag ($14.39) — now 20% off: Show your patriotic spirit with this 3-by-5-foot all-weather flag. Compression socks, 3-pack ($12.99) — now 38% off: These knee-high socks help keep you comfortable while traveling. Hanes zip-up hoodie ($16) — now 43% off: Stay warm on cool nights with this super-soft sweatshirt. Motion-sensor lighting strips, 2-pack ($16.98) — now 23% off: Brighten closets, cabinets and other dark spaces with these magnetic LED strips. -- If you're looking for a range of deals, all in one place, check out this week's most noteworthy shopping articles.  The best July Fourth sales we're shopping right now: Amazon, Wayfair, HexClad and more Shop Fourth of July mattress deals on Saatva, Nectar and more World Cup teams move into knockout rounds: Here's how to stream every match without cable America 250 gear on Amazon: Save on hats, garden flags and more -- These retailers have some of the best deals we've spotted this week. Shop major markdowns on everything from toilet paper and whitening strips to lawn mowers and grills. Score up to 70% off patio furniture, grills, gardening gear and mattresses during Wayfair's Fourth of July Clearance sale. Save on cookware sets, curated bundles and kitchen accessories from the Gordon Ramsay-approved brand. Get up to 50% off hiking gear, footwear and other outdoor essentials during REI's Fourth of July sale. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46637bc2ca79de2363200a Social media erupts over socialist's 9/11 comments after House primary win: 'Radical lunatic' te 2026-07-02T13:11:23.813Z Social media erupts over socialist's 9/11 comments after House primary win: 'Radical lunatic' In the wake of her primary victory on Tuesday evening in Colorado’s first congressional district, conservatives and social media users expressed alarm at Melat Kiros’s stated views of the 9/11 terror attacks. "This is light-years worse than AOC beating 10-term incumbent Joe Crowley," Steve Guest, a GOP strategist, said in a post to X, referring to the rise of progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. "This is the Democrat party," Guest added. Kiros has suggested the U.S. may have invited the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001 that left nearly 3,000 Americans dead. Those views, compounded with other statements that have seemed to rationalize acts of violence, have sparked backlash as she looks poised to capture a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives and further cement the momentum of the far-left flank of the Democratic Party. MUSLIM MAMDANI-BACKED SOCIALIST PRIMARY WINNER SUGGESTED AMERICA DESERVED 9/11 IN UNEARTHED VIDEO When asked if the 9/11 attacks had been avoidable, Kiros said she believed the U.S. had made them "inevitable" through its foreign policy. "Inevitable in the sense that we destabilized a lot of the Middle East. That forced people to believe that another act of violence was the only response," Kiros said in an interview. "SICK!" the Republican National Committee (RNC) wrote online, highlighting the comments. Benny Johnson, a conservative media personality, pointed to Kiros’ win as evidence that the Democratic Party had conceded to candidates with extreme positions. "She is a socialist who was born in Ethiopia. Melat also thinks America deserved 9/11. It isn’t just happening in New York; Democrats are losing their entire party," Johnson said in a post, alluding to the victory of other socialist candidates with similar views. Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., also echoed Johnson’s thinking. "One radical lunatic after the next is coming to Washington. Why would we ever want to empower someone who believes 9/11 is America’s fault?" MELAT KIROS BECOMES 28TH FAR-LEFT CANDIDATE TO WIN A DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY THIS YEAR AS SOCIALISTS AMASS POWER On her website, Kiros shares platform items that are commonly held by many radical progressives: Medicare-for-all, ending "all wars," abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and universal childcare. "As someone who’s working as a barista to pay for school and health care, I know what it’s like to work so hard to get ahead while Washington is so far behind," Kiros said in a campaign video. But it’s her views on Israel and U.S. foreign relations that have set her apart from many other candidates, including DeGette. Kiros, a Ph.D. student and lawyer, was fired from a New York firm in 2023 after publishing an open letter, arguing that anti-Israel student protesters calling for the elimination of Israel were not antisemitic and appearing to defend Hamas. She has also described the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks against the Jewish state as the "inevitable consequence of apartheid" and declined to characterize the deadly firebombing of protesters in Boulder last year who were urging the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza as antisemitic. "I don't know what was in the heart of the perpetrator," Kiros told Colorado's 9News in a recent television interview. "All I know is that he went and attacked innocent people because of what they might have believed." Like other onlookers, Clay Travis, the conservative founder of OutKick, a sports and pop culture website, said he feared that Kiros’ victory would only lead to more far-left momentum elsewhere. SOCIALISM GOES WEST AS DSA-BACKED CHALLENGER OUSTS LONGTIME DEMOCRAT "That’s four incumbents losing primaries to socialists in a week. Every state now has a Mamdani [and] the Democrat Party is on a rapid descent to Communism," Travis wrote. Kiros will face Republican challenger Christy Peterson, a local accountant, in the state’s general election on Nov. 3. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a466368c2ca79de23632001 My mother fled Cuba and found the freedom too many Americans now forget te 2026-07-02T13:11:04.358Z My mother fled Cuba and found the freedom too many Americans now forget I've always believed that gratitude is the most underrated of all human traits, and ingratitude is among the ugliest. A person who cannot recognize what they've been given, who cannot feel the weight of unearned blessing, has a hole in their soul that no amount of achievement can fill. It’s true of people and nations. America, I am sorry that some in this country do not love you. Sad that a record low number of young Americans say they are proud. This breaks my heart, not because dissent is wrong, but because that failure belongs to the adults who came before. Every generation that failed to explain to the next what was purchased so that they might live freely. Every classroom that taught grievance instead of gratitude. Every voice that spent more time promoting protests and condemnations over preaching unity and collaboration. WORLD CUP SOCCER FANS ARE DISCOVERING AMERICA’S GREATNESS. IT’S TIME AMERICANS DID, TOO I’m sorry that so many are rejecting the free enterprise system that lifted more people out of poverty in history for the siren call of socialism. America we know you aren’t perfect, but something seems to have gotten lost in our national conversation: Birthdays are celebrations, not condemnations. We don't gather around a cake to catalog mistakes and shortcomings. We gather to say you matter, you are loved, and we are glad you are here. I am glad you are here, America. I am profoundly, irreversibly glad. DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISM IS SWEEPING THE NATION. VOTERS SHOULD BE ALARMED Because the real American story is one of breathtaking courage and grit. The Declaration of Independence was not merely a farewell or protest letter to a distant king. It became a promissory note for every subsequent generation to redeem. Thomas Jefferson wrote the most consequential document outside of Scripture in the history of humanity that turned into the mission statement for a new nation. We keep going back to it because it keeps being right. Because the real American story is one of opportunity. America, you have given more second chances to more people of more faiths, colors, and creeds than any country in the history of the world. That is the most extraordinary experiment in human self-governance ever attempted on this earth and it is still running. Still imperfect. Still striving. Still magnificent. During the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games when over a hundred countries march into the stadium during the Parade of Nations, only one nation sends a delegation that looks like the entire world. Only one. America. America, you have given the world a people intensely competitive and intensely generous No nation on this planet gives as much money to charitable causes as the United States of America. When disaster strikes anywhere on earth, the first question is never whether Americans will show up. It is only how soon. America produced a good, decent, and noble people and a country that has done that deserves to celebrate its birthday. I know this because of my mother, Miriam Miyares. In 1965, she fled communist Cuba homeless and penniless, with nothing but the clothes on her back and no idea where her next meal would come from. She came to you, America as so many have come to you, not because the journey was easy, but because you were worth the risk. Almost fifty years to the day after Miriam Miyares escaped a country with a government with no consent from the governed, she walked into a voting booth in Virginia and she cast a ballot for her son, her American son, to represent her in the oldest democracy in the Western Hemisphere, the Virginia General Assembly. That is the American Miracle. Today, while the same communist regime in Cuba clings to power as its citizens slide further into a humanitarian crisis, the Miyares Family not only sees the American Miracle, but lives it. On this birthday, America, I want you to know that my family knows the costs and know the stakes. We know what the world looks like without America because the Miyares Family lived it. On this Independence Day, it would behoove us all to remember the words of another Virginian, Thomas Jefferson: "If a nation expects to be ignorant & free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was & never will be." Happy Birthday, America. We love you. We are grateful. And we are proud. Let’s all do our part educating the next generation about the American Miracle so it lives on for another 250 years and beyond. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a466354c2ca79de23631ff8 Furious residents confront homeless housing leaders as popular beach community hits breaking point te 2026-07-02T13:10:44.475Z Furious residents confront homeless housing leaders as popular beach community hits breaking point A coastal Los Angeles neighborhood reached its breaking point this week as more than 100 residents confronted leaders of two supportive housing programs over what they described as rising crime and deteriorating public safety. One resident told the packed meeting on Monday that Venice, California, neighbors are now "finding dead bodies" during routine cleanups, while others described drug activity, trespassing and fears of letting their children walk the neighborhood alone. The heated community meeting centered on The Journey Program and Safe Place for Youth, two supportive housing facilities on Lincoln Boulevard that neighbors blame for a sharp decline in safety and quality of life since opening roughly 18 months ago in an effort to address homelessness in the area. LA BUSINESS LEADER SAYS CRIME, WILDFIRE FALLOUT FUELING PRATT SURGE AS VOTERS SEEK CHANGE: 'PEOPLE ARE ANGRY' While residents questioned the programs' impact on the surrounding neighborhood, Venice Community Housing says on its website that "providing supportive services in conjunction with stable housing is the proven long-term solution to end homelessness." 📢 See a problem in your neighborhood that isn't getting attention? 📩 stepheny.price@fox.com 📸 Instagram: @fndstephprice 🎥 X: @StephenyPrice Your tip could help expose a problem and drive coverage. The organization also says it provides "trauma-informed resources and supports" to help tenants secure and maintain housing, improve health, enhance education and thrive in their communities. "This feels like a lot of lip service and not a lot of action," one resident said as tempers flared. Residents painted a grim picture of daily life surrounding the facilities. UCLA SORORITIES HIRE PRIVATE SECURITY AMID TERRIFYING HARASSMENT BY HOMELESS MEN: REPORT "We're finding dead bodies as we're doing our daily s--- and p--- cleanup every morning," one resident told the crowd. Another parent said, "I don't feel safe sending my teenage kids out to walk the dogs on their own, and that's ridiculous." Others described feeling trapped in their own neighborhood. "We're getting traumatized. Our lived experience is getting destroyed," another resident said. Neighbors accused the facilities of bringing more crime, drug activity, trespassing, illegal dumping and violence to the area, prompting residents and business owners to demand increased security, stronger oversight and accountability from the organizations operating the programs. After the meeting, FOX 11 asked Venice Community Housing Co-Executive Director Allison Riley why she declined to answer questions on camera. "I'm sorry, I don't want to be interviewed on camera today," Riley said. EX-EMPLOYEE OF TAXPAYER-FUNDED NONPROFIT CAUGHT SELLING FENTANYL NEAR LA PARK: DOCS When pressed about residents demanding accountability over violence and drug activity spilling into surrounding streets, Riley responded, "We're trying to give that to the community, and we will keep working on that." Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park said her office has heard complaints from neighbors for months and warned the organizations that future city funding could be jeopardized if conditions fail to improve. WATCH: Video captures conditions near LA homeless campus critics call a 'Meth Mansion' FOLLOW US ON X "We are going to continue to fix this and hold these people responsible for providing their own security, for ensuring that the neighborhood around these facilities remains safe," Park said. "And you know what? Then we will start talking about walking back their future funding." CLICK HERE FOR MORE U.S. NEWS In a post on her official Facebook page after the meeting, Park thanked residents for organizing and attending the meeting and said communities are "right to expect accountability" when taxpayer dollars are invested in homeless housing solutions. GET BREAKING NEWS ALERTS "I'm already taking steps legislatively, and you have our continued commitment to work with LAPD and VCH/SPY, to correct these issues," Park wrote. GOT A TIP? Residents left the meeting unconvinced that enough is being done, saying they want to see meaningful changes instead of more promises. "It can't just be an open door," one business owner said. "Actions need to start having consequences." Fox News Digital reached out to Councilmember Traci Park, Venice Community Housing Co-Executive Director Allison Riley, the Journey Program, Safe Place for Youth and the Los Angeles Police Department for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a465e7dc2ca79de23631e79 Taylor Swift's rumored July 3 wedding sparks holiday weekend etiquette debate for guests te 2026-07-02T12:50:05.530Z Taylor Swift's rumored July 3 wedding sparks holiday weekend etiquette debate for guests To loyal fans, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding — rumored to be taking place on July 3 as part of the long holiday weekend — is not a surprise. The popular occasion has long been part of Swift lore, thanks to headline-making July 4 parties at her Rhode Island estate. But with the ceremony and reception reportedly so close to July 4, the timing has fueled an etiquette debate: Should marrying couples ask their guests to give up a prime summer holiday weekend just for them? "Holiday weekends often mean higher travel costs, crowded airports and giving up time with family. But every couple has the right to choose a date that's meaningful to them," California-based etiquette expert Lisa Mirza Grotts told Fox News Digital. TAYLOR SWIFT'S CONTROVERSIAL WEDDING RULE HAS FANS DEBATING WHO SHOULD MAKE PLUS-ONE LIST "Celebrity weddings are naturally different," she added. "Many guests will gladly rearrange their schedules for an event of this significance." Even so, holiday weekends can be tricky. "Many people travel or spend time with family," said Florida-based etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore. "If you choose one of those weekends, give your guests plenty of notice with a ‘save the date’ so they can plan ahead." It is likely their closest friends have been aware of the wedding date for quite some time, many believe — enabling these friends to make travel plans in advance. TAYLOR SWIFT'S UNUSUAL WEDDING GIFTS RULE IGNITES ETIQUETTE DEBATE: 'HONOR THEIR WISHES' Actor Bradley Cooper, Gigi Hadid's longtime boyfriend, owns a historic 5-story town house in the West Village of Lower Manhattan, where they can stay.  But Selena Gomez and others spend most of their time on the West Coast. The NYPD is preparing to lock down a city block outside Madison Square Garden, the apparent location, according to a source with knowledge of the event, as Fox News Digital previously reported. TAYLOR SWIFT, TRAVIS KELCE REPORTED MSG WEDDING PLANS CALL FOR 1,000 GUESTS, STREET CLOSURE AT MSG: SOURCE The source detailed an event spanning multiple days of setup, with 1,000 guests expected to attend.  Even so, this year's Independence Day marks America's 250th anniversary. For some guests, this consequential occasion may hold even more meaning. ROCK STAR SLY STONE'S 20,000-GUEST MSG WEDDING SET THE PRECEDENT FOR TAYLOR SWIFT, TRAVIS KELCE NUPTIALS "Even if it's for one of the biggest pop stars in the world, good etiquette gives guests permission to decline graciously, without guilt or explanation," Grotts of California said. Texas-based etiquette expert Diane Gottsman agreed on that point.  "Summer weddings have their own challenges, with family vacations being planned," she said. "Some people may not mind, and others will choose to skip the occasion." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER It seems unlikely, however, that many invitees have declined. Swift’s ties to Independence Day are well documented.  Fourth of July parties at her Rhode Island home have featured red, white and blue outfits, plus barbecue and baked treats, according to reports.  CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES Over the years, guests have included Hadid, the Haim sisters, Blake Lively, Emma Stone and many others, as E! News has reported. While many surely view Swift and Kelce's wedding as a can't-miss event, the larger question is this: Should non-celebrities ever consider a July 4 wedding?  "I think a lot of people [in the U.S.] have traditions and routines surrounding this holiday. I also think it’s a day many people want to be outside, near water, drink[ing] beer and [enjoying] BBQ with friends and family," one Reddit user wrote. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Another person wrote on the platform, "It will be fine with some people, and may still reduce your attendance rate." A third said, "I went to one wedding on the 4th of July years ago ... It was horrible because I could've spent an entire weekend on a boat at my friend's beach house." Yet another said, "Personally, I wouldn’t go to a [July] 4th wedding. The night before, yes. Day of or day after, no." Still, etiquette expert Grotts said that, all things considered, guests should not get too hung up on the date. "The most memorable weddings aren't defined by the schedule," she said. "They're defined by how guests are made to feel." Michael Ruiz and Janelle Ash of Fox News Digital contributed reporting. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a465c24c2ca79de2363161c A's prospect undergoes spinal surgery after horrifying collision leaves him without feeling in legs te 2026-07-02T12:40:04.308Z A's prospect undergoes spinal surgery after horrifying collision leaves him without feeling in legs Ryan Lasko, the No. 18 prospect for the Athletics, is in stable condition today after undergoing spinal decompression and stabilization surgery resulting from a C6-C7 vertebra fracture. Lasko suffered the injury during a horrific collision in a game earlier this week. While playing center field for Double-AA Midland on Tuesday, Lasko and right fielder Devin Taylor collided while going for a ball in the gap. Lasko, 24, was down for 10 minutes before leaving the field on a cart and going to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano, where he underwent surgery. REDS' DANE MYERS CARTED OFF FIELD AFTER CRASHING INTO WALL MAKING ACROBATIC CATCH VS BREWERS The outfielder currently does not have feeling in his legs. Dr. Jonathan Poggi, who performed the surgery, said the hope is that Lasko will regain feeling, although it could take a significant amount of time. Goodness. What a collision. At first glance, it doesn't look that bad. But then you slow it down and watch it back, and it's awful. Lasko's neck goes straight into Taylor's chest/shoulder area, and he immediately goes down. No movement whatsoever. Nothing. Horrifying. Fans in attendance commented that Lasko did eventually give the thumbs up on the way out, for what it's worth. But, clearly, it's going to be a while before he ever sees a ballfield again. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS A's manager Mark Kotsay spoke about the collision before Wednesday's game, saying there was "hope" that Lasko regains feeling in his legs. "It's obviously going to take time," he added. "But, the positive in the statement from the doctor is that there was not a definitive statement saying that he was not going to regain feeling in his lower half. Send prayers to him, his family, to the teammate and the team. It's a trying time for them. It's an emotional time for them." Lasko was a second-round pick by the A’s in the 2023 MLB Draft out of Rutgers University. He spent some time with the A’s this spring in big league camp earlier this year. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a465c22c2ca79de236315f6 Rivian raises EV sales forecast as Q2 production ramps up te 2026-07-02T12:40:02.561Z Rivian raises EV sales forecast as Q2 production ramps up The company now expects to ship a few thousand more vehicles by the end of 2026 than it previously expected, after launching its R2 SUV last month. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4659d9c2ca79de236315a5 After 1,000 days of war: Many Israeli children carry trauma into summer break te 2026-07-02T12:30:17.818Z After 1,000 days of war: Many Israeli children carry trauma into summer break TEL AVIV: As Israel marks 1,000 days since the Hamas-led Oct. 7 massacre, children — many still coping with the psychological effects of the war — are beginning their summer vacation, with some navigating the uncertainties of traveling abroad amid rising antisemitism and others grappling at home with the anxieties of living in a society shaped by nearly three years of war on multiple fronts. Lilach, 47, of Kibbutz Eilon, jut over a mile and a half from Israel's border with Lebanon in the Western Galilee, told Fox News Digital she hopes her children — Yuval, Amit, and Yoni — will finally be able to enjoy a normal summer. During the war, there was always concern about leaving home. The kids were barely in school and spent most of their time indoors in front of screens," she said. "I hope they can now spend time with their friends and enjoy activities together. Tomorrow, Yoni is going to an amusement park. I just want them to have fun, be with their friends and enjoy being kids again," she added. ISRAEL ANNOUNCES IT KILLED ONE OF THE ARCHITECTS OF THE OCT. 7 ATTACKS Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020, Lilach said, her children have had only one uninterrupted year of school. "It was hard. They would start school, attend for a month or two, then classes would stop because of the war with Iran or fighting with Lebanon, and then resume. It was difficult to get back into a routine each time. It felt like starting a new school year over and over again," she said. Despite the repeated disruptions, Lilach said her daughter Amit graduated from high school thanks to her determination and private tutoring. Yoni, however, who has attention deficit disorder, struggled with spending weeks at home during the fighting and will move to a smaller classroom next year to receive additional support. Evacuated with her family a day after the Oct. 7 attacks, Anat, 50, of Kibbutz Yiftah in the Upper Galilee, less than two miles from Israel’s border with Lebanon, told Fox News Digital that her children changed schools three times before the family returned home in February 2025. During Israel’s recent war with Iran, they were again out of school for about six weeks. "Every day, having my 10-year-old log on to Zoom for online classes was a challenge. It was very difficult to maintain a routine and continuity in her learning," Anat said. With the family hoping to travel abroad this summer, Anat said she has tried to shelter her children from the tidal wave of antisemitism that has emerged globally over the past three years of war. "We don’t talk at home about people around the world who hate us. We love everyone, and we don’t talk about hate, period. For them, traveling is something wonderful that they can’t wait for," she said. "Despite how difficult it has been, our children are strong. They have grown up quickly because of everything they’ve been through and know how to cope. We don’t feel sorry for ourselves—we’re fighters." EXPERTS URGE EXTREME CAUTION ON IRAN'S 'CROWN JEWEL' HEZBOLLAH — TERROR GROUP WITH US BLOOD ON ITS HANDS Nufar Bar Lipshatz, a developmental psychologist in the Northern District of Clalit Health Services, Israel’s largest healthcare provider, said many children continue to show signs of trauma. According to data she cited from Israel’s National Insurance Institute, 25,274 children had been officially recognized as victims of hostile acts between Oct. 7, 2023 and the end of 2025. She also referenced a joint study by the Goshen organization and the Israeli Pediatric Association showing that 84% of Israeli children exhibited signs of emotional distress by late 2023 following the cross-border terror assault from Gaza and Hezbollah’s entry into the war from Lebanon the following day. "We see many symptoms that are connected but manifest differently in each child, whether it’s a child who can’t speak, wets their pants, or develops [nervous] tics," Bar Lipshatz said. "Trauma is real, and children can’t always express it with words, so they act it out. They reenact running to shelters, their father being deployed, war, aggression and kidnappings during play." She recalled treating a girl who became unable to ride her bicycle because she constantly looked over her shoulder, checking whether someone was behind her. While summer vacation may offer temporary relief, Bar Lipshatz warned that long breaks from routine can reinforce anxiety. "We know from research that children need stability and routine because it helps them feel safe. During school breaks, children may feel safer because they are avoiding situations that trigger stress, but over time they are also avoiding facing their fears," she said. "We need to give parents and children the tools to cope with stress because it will not disappear simply by staying at home." Bar Lipshatz, who also works with autistic children, said travel itself can be challenging because unfamiliar sounds and crowded environments may trigger traumatic memories. SIGN UP FOR ANTISEMITISM EXPOSED NEWSLETTER "When you go on vacation, you go to places with lots of people and noise. What we think could be fun can actually become a trigger," she said, recalling a trip to Romania where bear-warning sirens in a national park sounded identical to Israel's missile alerts. She noted that one of her young patients told her she feared traveling abroad because, despite the war, Israel felt more predictable than an unfamiliar country. In a bid to maintain a sense of routine and help students catch up on lost time, the Israeli Ministry of Education told Fox News Digital that it will continue operating throughout the summer through programs serving approximately 1.12 million students, supported by an investment of about $270 million. For the first time, middle school students will participate in summer programs focused on artificial intelligence, STEM subjects, mathematics, science, and English. The ministry said the highest participation rates are in northern and southern communities affected by the war. It also said it will continue providing emotional support through its Psychological Counseling Service, expand psychological services for students in need, and keep its "Voice for All" support hotline operating throughout the summer. "The education system will continue to support Israeli students during the summer vacation to ensure educational, emotional and social continuity for every student who needs it," the ministry said. FROM HOMEROOM TO HATE: HOW JEWISH STUDENTS ARE FACING A NEW KIND OF PRESSURE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS Children affected by the war are also attending summer camps such as those led by OneFamily, an organization that supports victims of terrorism and war and their families. More than 400 children — each of whom has lost an immediate family member to terrorism or war, most since the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attacks — will take part in OneFamily's annual summer camp from July 8 to July 13 in the Golan Heights, where they will spend time with other children who share similar experiences of grief and loss. A central focus of the camp is helping children build resilience while learning to cope with their grief. This year, the organization's founding director, Chantal Belzberg, received the Israel Prize for Lifetime Achievement. Activities include swimming, competitions, sports, but also therapeutic group dialogue circles. On the last night, some campers share stories about their lost loved ones and their own journey to healing, followed by a big concert. "Children who have lost a parent, both parents or siblings to terrorism or acts of war don't always want to go to therapy. But when you bring them together with other children who have experienced the same loss, it gives them strength and creates a therapeutic environment," Belzberg told Fox News Digital. "They come to have fun, and through the activities they meet other children who have gone through the same thing. That's when they begin to talk. Traditional support services are not always places where children want to go," she continued. "We bring them together so they meet children who truly understand them. They realize they are not alone and can build a community where they don't feel isolated. One of the greatest challenges after trauma is isolation," she added. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a465773c2ca79de2363153f Vatican excommunicates breakaway Catholic bishops who defied Pope Leo XIV te 2026-07-02T12:20:03.025Z Vatican excommunicates breakaway Catholic bishops who defied Pope Leo XIV Pope Leo XIV's first major showdown with a breakaway Catholic movement ended Thursday with the Vatican declaring the Society of St. Pius X in schism and excommunicating bishops who defied the pontiff by ordaining new bishops without his approval. The Vatican acted one day after the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) consecrated four new bishops at its seminary in Écône, Switzerland, despite a personal appeal from Leo urging the group to abandon what the Catholic Church called a "schismatic act." In a decree released Thursday, the Holy See excommunicated the four newly consecrated bishops as well as the two bishops who took part in the ceremony, declaring the ordinations a schism, or an intentional break from the Catholic Church. The decision comes after decades of efforts by successive popes to reconcile with the traditionalist movement, which rejects many of the reforms adopted during the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, including allowing Mass to be celebrated in local languages instead of Latin. POPE LEO PLEADS WITH BREAKAWAY CATHOLIC GROUP NOT TO COMMIT 'SIN OF EXTREME GRAVITY' Only the pope has the authority to approve the consecration of Catholic bishops, a practice meant to preserve the Church's unity and its line of succession from the apostles. The sanctions also reverse concessions the Vatican had granted the SSPX in recent years as it tried to bring the group back into full communion with Rome. According to the decree, the group can no longer validly administer the sacraments of confession and marriage, and the Vatican urged Catholics attending SSPX Masses to separate themselves from the movement. The action comes just days after Leo made a rare personal appeal to the group's leader, the Rev. Davide Pagliarani, urging him to cancel the consecrations. "I plead with you and ask you with all my heart: please turn back!" the pope wrote in a letter to Pagliarani on Monday, warning the planned ordinations would deepen the decades-old division between Rome and the SSPX. The dispute is the first major test of Leo's pontificate. Since becoming pope, the American-born pontiff has emphasized healing divisions within the Catholic Church, including reaching out to conservatives and traditionalists who felt alienated during Pope Francis' papacy. POPE LEO SENDS UNMISTAKABLE MESSAGE ON IMMIGRANTS DURING VISIT HONORING AMERICA'S FIRST SAINT During Wednesday's consecration ceremony, Pagliarani insisted the ordinations were carried out not in opposition to the pope but in service to the Church. "We are accused of not respecting the pope," Pagliarani said. "But it is precisely because we love the pope as the vicar of Christ, as the head of the church, that we don’t want to see the pope humiliated anymore, on the side of false shepherds representing false religions." Founded in 1970 by French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, the Society of St. Pius X has long opposed what it considers theological errors introduced by the Second Vatican Council. Lefebvre was excommunicated in 1988 after consecrating four bishops without the approval of Pope John Paul II in a nearly identical confrontation. Those excommunications were lifted in 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI in an effort to restore dialogue, though the SSPX never returned to full communion with Rome and has remained outside the Church's formal structure. Despite that status, the society has continued to grow, reporting hundreds of priests, seminarians and religious members serving followers in dozens of countries, making it one of the largest traditionalist Catholic movements operating outside the Vatican's authority. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46551cc2ca79de236314dc Country star Chris Janson says respecting the flag is the number one lesson he wants his kids to learn te 2026-07-02T12:10:04.824Z Country star Chris Janson says respecting the flag is the number one lesson he wants his kids to learn Chris Janson hopes to instill in his children pride in their country. "I want my kids to respect the flag and honor our country and be proud of where you come from and be honest and be respectful," the country star told Fox News Digital ahead of America’s 250th anniversary. The multi-platinum singer recently collaborated with five-time Grammy winner Steven Curtis Chapman for a new rendition of "America the Beautiful." The song made its live debut last month with the children’s choir featured on the track at the Grand Ole Opry. RILEY GAINES SAYS MOTHERHOOD INSPIRED HER NEW CHILDREN'S BOOK CELEBRATING AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM "Truth --- even in song --- the truth always wins," Janson continued. "So if you're just telling the truth you don't have to go back and lie about anything. You don't need to cover up for anything. You don't have to think about it twice. You just tell the truth the first time, whether it's good, bad, or indifferent, the truth is the truth. So those are the things I would like to instill in my kids." The 40-year-old continued: "I love this country. I've said it so many times, like, we have freedom here like no other place. It's really amazing. So number one is you respect your flag." Janson remembered a pivotal moment from his childhood when his fourth-grade teacher explained the importance of having deference to the flag. WATCH: CHRIS JANSON REVEALS THE PATRIOTIC LESSONS HE HOPES TO INSTILL IN HIS KIDS CARRIE UNDERWOOD SHARES PATRIOTIC VIDEO OF AMERICAN FLAG DISPLAY NEAR HER TENNESSEE PROPERTY "It was my turn to go take the flag down," he explained. "I brought the flag down off the pole and I wrapped it around my shoulders like a superhero. I didn't think a thing of it. He was a veteran and he came out there and he scolded me hard and I did not understand what in the world I was in trouble for." He said his teacher explained to him that he was letting the tips of the flag touch the ground. "‘Don't you ever let that touch the ground again," he said his teacher told him, "and I was like blown away. I didn't understand this until I was an adult. Until I really understood what freedom meant." COUNTRY STAR ZAC BROWN WARNS ‘POVERTY OF SPIRIT’ AND LACK OF STRUGGLE ARE RUINING AMERICAN KIDS Traveling around the world, he said, can remind Americans how lucky we are to live here. WATCH: STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN EXPLAINS WHAT BEING AN AMERICAN MEANS TO HIM "Coming from a pretty low class kid here from a trailer park, it's a --- I remind my kids all the time," he said. "Yeah, we got it pretty good, but don't forget it's a big deal to get to go out to dinner. You get to do that. It's a big deal. To walk to the fridge and have whatever you want at the snap of a finger, it's, a big. It's a blessing." He added, "And it's something not to be taken for granted. But we are in a free country and we do have the honor and the privilege provided by our great servicemen and women to have a luxury of freedom, to have luxury to live the American dream and man, that's really important." GRAMMY-NOMINATED SINGER ANNE WILSON SAYS SPEAKING ABOUT JESUS COST HER OPPORTUNITIES, BUT SHE WON'T BACK DOWN Chapman said that traveling around the world has made him realize how lucky he is to be an American. "Music has taken this country boy, two country boys that constantly look and go, ‘How in the world did we get here except the grace of God?" Chapman told Fox News Digital, calling himself a "boy from Paducah, Kentucky." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Chapman remembered singing Christian songs once at a Hard Rock café in Beijing, China, and worrying that at worst the government might force him to stop, but realizing that the real danger is for the Chinese fans who want to listen to his music. THE VIRTUE AMERICA FORGOT: WHY GRATITUDE STILL MATTERS FOR OUR NATIONAL CHARACTER "You encounter that in places and suddenly your eyes are open to just what an amazing gift it is that we have" in the United States, he said. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Chapman also mentioned his grandfather, a World War II veteran who earned a Purple Heart, who got a mention in their version of "American the Beautiful." "I grew up just loving and respecting him and probably in many ways because of his service and his love for our country, a deep love for America and for the freedom that we have," he said. "And it is an incredible gift. And with any gift that we have, it's something to be stewarded. It's something never to lose the gratitude for, even with the brokenness and even with, you know, the things that we don't have easy answers for." He continued, "Gosh, to just be grateful, gratitude just makes such a difference in my own heart, personally," adding, he recognizes "what a gift we have, the gift of freedom" to be able to sing songs about his faith "in a country where, you know, anyone can do that and sing about the things that are important or speak about the thing that they believe and are important." "And it's a great, great, beautiful thing, and I'm very grateful for it," he said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46551cc2ca79de236314d3 Taylor Swift's rumored July 3 wedding sparks huge holiday weekend debate: beach trip or big day te 2026-07-02T12:10:04.546Z Taylor Swift's rumored July 3 wedding sparks huge holiday weekend debate: beach trip or big day To loyal fans, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding — rumored to be taking place on July 3 as part of the long holiday weekend — is not a surprise. The popular occasion has long been part of Swift lore, thanks to headline-making July 4 parties at her Rhode Island estate. But with the ceremony and reception reportedly so close to July 4, the timing has fueled an etiquette debate: Should marrying couples ask their guests to give up a prime summer holiday weekend just for them? "Holiday weekends often mean higher travel costs, crowded airports and giving up time with family. But every couple has the right to choose a date that's meaningful to them," California-based etiquette expert Lisa Mirza Grotts told Fox News Digital. TAYLOR SWIFT'S CONTROVERSIAL WEDDING RULE HAS FANS DEBATING WHO SHOULD MAKE PLUS-ONE LIST "Celebrity weddings are naturally different," she added. "Many guests will gladly rearrange their schedules for an event of this significance." Even so, holiday weekends can be tricky. "Many people travel or spend time with family," said Florida-based etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore. "If you choose one of those weekends, give your guests plenty of notice with a ‘save the date’ so they can plan ahead." It is likely their closest friends have been aware of the wedding date for quite some time, many believe — enabling these friends to make travel plans in advance. TAYLOR SWIFT'S UNUSUAL WEDDING GIFTS RULE IGNITES ETIQUETTE DEBATE: 'HONOR THEIR WISHES' Actor Bradley Cooper, Gigi Hadid's longtime boyfriend, owns a historic 5-story town house in the West Village of Lower Manhattan, where they can stay.  But Selena Gomez and others spend most of their time on the West Coast. The NYPD is preparing to lock down a city block outside Madison Square Garden, the apparent location, according to a source with knowledge of the event, as Fox News Digital previously reported. TAYLOR SWIFT, TRAVIS KELCE REPORTED MSG WEDDING PLANS CALL FOR 1,000 GUESTS, STREET CLOSURE AT MSG: SOURCE The source detailed an event spanning multiple days of setup, with 1,000 guests expected to attend.  Even so, this year's Independence Day marks America's 250th anniversary. For some guests, this consequential occasion may hold even more meaning. ROCK STAR SLY STONE'S 20,000-GUEST MSG WEDDING SET THE PRECEDENT FOR TAYLOR SWIFT, TRAVIS KELCE NUPTIALS "Even if it's for one of the biggest pop stars in the world, good etiquette gives guests permission to decline graciously, without guilt or explanation," Grotts of California said. Texas-based etiquette expert Diane Gottsman agreed on that point.  "Summer weddings have their own challenges, with family vacations being planned," she said. "Some people may not mind, and others will choose to skip the occasion." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER It seems unlikely, however, that many invitees have declined. Swift’s ties to Independence Day are well documented.  Fourth of July parties at her Rhode Island home have featured red, white and blue outfits, plus barbecue and baked treats, according to reports.  CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES Over the years, guests have included Hadid, the Haim sisters, Blake Lively, Emma Stone and many others, as E! News has reported. While many surely view Swift and Kelce's wedding as a can't-miss event, the larger question is this: Should non-celebrities ever consider a July 4 wedding?  "I think a lot of people [in the U.S.] have traditions and routines surrounding this holiday. I also think it’s a day many people want to be outside, near water, drink[ing] beer and [enjoying] BBQ with friends and family," one Reddit user wrote. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Another person wrote on the platform, "It will be fine with some people, and may still reduce your attendance rate." A third said, "I went to one wedding on the 4th of July years ago ... It was horrible because I could've spent an entire weekend on a boat at my friend's beach house." Yet another said, "Personally, I wouldn’t go to a [July] 4th wedding. The night before, yes. Day of or day after, no." Still, etiquette expert Grotts said that, all things considered, guests should not get too hung up on the date. "The most memorable weddings aren't defined by the schedule," she said. "They're defined by how guests are made to feel." Michael Ruiz and Janelle Ash of Fox News Digital contributed reporting. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46551cc2ca79de236314ca Rahm Emanuel warns new generation of Dem socialists don't like America te 2026-07-02T12:10:04.246Z Rahm Emanuel warns new generation of Dem socialists don't like America Former Chicago Mayor and possible 2028 contender Rahm Emanuel blasted the recent wave of Democratic socialists who have risen in his party. Democratic socialist candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier was one of three candidates backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who won shocking primary victories in late June. Her history of controversial far-left rhetoric and policies has caused a wave of outrage among more traditional Democratic figures, such as strategist James Carville, who have responded by calling for a formal party schism. "She has attacked interracial relationships and the American flag. Lady, I ain't in the same party as you. I'm sorry," Carville said in a recent viral statement on his podcast. "I’m just not, and I actually do think it's time for Democrats to talk ‘the S-word.’ ‘Schism.’ I really do." CNN host Wolf Blitzer played a clip from this podcast as he spoke to Emanuel, asking if he agrees with Carville’s take. JAMES CARVILLE SAYS SOCIALIST DEMOCRAT SHOULDN'T BE IN THE PARTY, CALLS HER VIEWS 'A BRIDGE TOO FAR' Emanuel responded by saying he believes in flipping red areas to blue areas, not flipping blue areas to a deeper blue. "There are candidates out there, specifically like in New York City, who don't like America," he said. "I happen to think being an American means you win the lottery ticket of life." He went on to argue that as flawed as America may be, the Democratic socialists fail to appreciate it for its inherent good. "There are challenges in America that it's not living up to its potential, as outlined here on the 250-year anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, where America falls short, but you always struggle for that better," he said. "There are people in the Democratic Socialist Party who literally do not like America, think it is a bad country." MAMDANI STANDS BY FELLOW SOCIALIST CANDIDATE DESPITE RESURFACED FAR-LEFT, ANTI-AMERICAN POSTS "They don't have any identity," he continued. "And that is not the Democratic Party that I'm a part of, it is not the Democratic Party that struggles to make sure that other people get a chance to be in the winner's circle." Emanuel warned Democrats that if they want to win victories at the federal level, they need to win over Republicans and centrists. "Winning something on the Upper West Side doesn’t help you flip the Upper Peninsula of Michigan," he said. "And that is the only way to not only advance progressive agendas, win and unlock the electoral map that has kept Democrats out of the White House, but it also allows you to hold this administration accountable." "Unless we start flipping red to blue, you’re going to just hear it get red in the face, and that’s all the only other red you’re going to see," he cautioned. "So I’m not impressed with flipping blue districts." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46551bc2ca79de236314c1 Dead fitness trainer’s taxi ride becomes key piece of puzzle in mysterious disappearance, death: docs te 2026-07-02T12:10:03.929Z Dead fitness trainer’s taxi ride becomes key piece of puzzle in mysterious disappearance, death: docs A newly obtained incident report traces a South Carolina fitness trainer's final movements before she disappeared. Elena Katherine Moore, 39, was found dead almost a week after she disappeared on June 11 after she went to a Planet Fitness gym in Lexington, South Carolina. The Lexington County Coroner's Office said on June 22 that investigators found no signs of bruising, lacerations, gunshot wounds, stab wounds, blunt force trauma, strangulation or other external injuries during a forensic autopsy. While the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division continues to investigate what led to Moore's death, an incident report obtained by Fox News Digital has shed light on Moore's final movements before disappearing. SOUTH CAROLINA FITNESS TRAINER TOLD FRIENDS SHE WANTED TO LEAVE HER NOW-HUSBAND YEARS BEFORE BODY WAS FOUND Moore's husband, Brannon Slice, went to the Lexington Police Department on June 12 to report his wife missing. He told officers she had been released from an undisclosed facility on June 11, before 2 p.m., according to the incident report. The facility's name was redacted in the incident report, but Sondra Campbell, one of Moore's close friends, told Fox News Digital that Moore had been released from a mental health facility at the time. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X According to the incident report, someone arranged a taxi for Moore after her release, and she asked the driver to stop at a local CVS in Lexington. That stop was the last time the cab driver saw her. When Moore did not return outside, the driver went into the store but was unable to locate her. Slice told the officer he want to the Planet Fitness where she frequently visited, where an employee told him that Moore singed in at 6:38 p.m. on the 11th. After that, Moore wasn't seen again and was found dead on June 19. SOUTH CAROLINA FITNESS TRAINER TOLD FRIENDS SHE WANTED TO LEAVE HER NOW-HUSBAND YEARS BEFORE BODY WAS FOUND No one, including her husband, has been accused of any wrongdoing or charged with a crime. Lexington Police Department Inspector Missy Silcox told Newsweek late Tuesday that Slice "is not a person of interest at the current moment." SEND US A TIP HERE Sondra Campbell, who was close friends with Moore, previously told Fox News Digital that Moore tried to leave the relationship in the past. Campbell said that something felt "very different" the last time she saw her on May 31. SOUTH CAROLINA FITNESS TRAINER TOLD FRIENDS SHE WANTED TO LEAVE HER NOW-HUSBAND YEARS BEFORE BODY WAS FOUND "She was scared for her life. She actually said those words to me," Campbell said. "Elena is one of my best friends. I've known her over probably 10 years now. We're really close like tell each other everything. She's been that person for me for a long time." SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER According to LPD Chief Terrence Green, authorities found the body after getting a tip that led investigators to a new search location. Moore was last seen walking through the Publix parking lot at 100 Old Cherokee Road in Lexington on the night of June 11. Fox News Digital has reached out to Slice for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46551ac2ca79de236314a3 Yep, we’re using OpenClaw to date now te 2026-07-02T12:10:02.725Z Yep, we’re using OpenClaw to date now Ben Guez has "a bunch of potential international wives in [his] DMs," thanks to an automated script he set up using OpenClaw, Claude code, and Instagram trials. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4652eac2ca79de2363145b Trump admin axes 'Green New Scam' appliance rules as Europe bakes in brutal heat te 2026-07-02T12:00:42.440Z Trump admin axes 'Green New Scam' appliance rules as Europe bakes in brutal heat The Trump administration is set to unveil a sweeping overhaul of federal appliance efficiency rules that officials say will end "Green New Scam" appliance mandates, restore consumer choice, and block future federal crackdowns on gas stoves, fluorescent lightbulbs, HVAC systems, and other household appliances. "In America, you should be able to choose between a drying machine that takes multiple cycles to dry your clothes and one that does it on the first try — unfortunately, past administrations thought otherwise," Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright told Fox News Digital. The Department of Energy is expected to propose a sweeping rewrite of federal appliance regulations that would change how energy-efficiency standards are written, creating what the Trump administration says is a permanent safeguard against future efforts to regulate household appliances. The proposal was viewed by Fox News Digital. TRUMP ADMIN AXES TIES TO DOZENS OF PROGRESSIVE GROUPS IN 'DIRECT OPPOSITION' TO MISSION: 'DECISIVE ACTION' "For too long, the American people paid the price for mandates that restricted consumer choice and drove up costs. President Trump promised to end this nonsense and that is exactly what we are doing. This proposed rule will preserve the American people’s ability to choose home appliances and equipment that actually work — at prices they can afford. It’s called commonsense." Officials said previous Obama and Biden administrations interpreted Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) standards as requiring increasingly stringent efficiency standards that made some appliances more expensive or less functional. Biden-era changes in 2021 and 2024 that loosened the Trump administration’s 2020 rules by making the procedures non-binding and removing several provisions, including a significant energy savings threshold and other procedural requirements. FAMOUS LANDMARKS SLASH VISITING HOURS AS DEADLY HEAT WAVE THREATENS TOURISTS The proposal is open for public comment for 30 days before being made an official rule. It comes as the U.S. and Europe face a major heat wave. Paris Deputy Mayor Audrey Pulvar recently released a statement blaming the United States for the deadly heat wave over France by saying the issue is climate change – not the lack of air conditioning in Europe. "Dear American journalists and social media 'influencers': for days, some of you have been criticizing and making fun of Paris because the city does not have A/C in every room. OMG, this is so rich!" she wrote on Instagram. BIDEN-HARRIS STILL HATE YOUR GAS STOVE, YOU WON'T BELIEVE HOW MUCH Due to regulations, only 20% of households have air conditioning compared to 88% in the U.S., according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. She added, "As the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions in the world, you bear a significant amount of responsibility for global warming and the consequences we, in France, are experiencing. Your cities '90% air-conditioned' are not unrelated to this. In Paris, we take responsibility." Fox News Digital’s Lindsay Kornick contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4650bec2ca79de236313e3 Flagstaff Event Almanac for July 2 te 2026-07-02T11:51:26.637Z Flagstaff Event Almanac for July 2 July 2 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4650aac2ca79de236313ba Minnesota brothers lauded for patriotism after raising $60k for veterans group with lemonade stand te 2026-07-02T11:51:06.161Z Minnesota brothers lauded for patriotism after raising $60k for veterans group with lemonade stand Two Minnesota brothers are being hailed as leaders of the next generation of American patriots after their lemonade stand raised a whopping sum for a nonprofit that supports veterans. Noah Dingels, 11, and Cole Dingels, 8, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, first popped up their stand five years ago at a golf tournament hosted in their community by a nonprofit called Tee It Up for the Troops. The national organization hosts tournaments nationwide to support its six-pillar mission of helping American veterans when they return from war. Those pillars include PTSD and traumatic brain injury support, suicide awareness and prevention, employment, sports and recreation, housing and family and caregiver support. FLORIDA NONPROFIT HELPS CUT VETERAN SUICIDE RATES BY 25% WITH COMMUNITY-BASED APPROACH "I really liked it, it's cool to see the veterans and present the money at the end of the night," Noah told Fox News Digital about the first year of the lemonade stand in an interview with his brother Cole and mother Angela. "Honestly, it felt good," Cole added. In their first go-around, the boys raised $359, which motivated them to grow their operations. They have since raised $60,000 for Tee It Up for the Troops. "It feels like a lot, and it's fun to do it," Noah said. Along with lemonade, the boys have added candy bars — Snickers is preferred among tournament players, they said — and golf balls to their sales repertoire. GARY SINISE FOUNDATION, BUILDING COMPANY PRESENT FREE HOME TO WOUNDED ARMY VETERAN They have garnered local sponsors over the years, who also chip in to support the boys in their mission. "The lemonade stand has always been about giving back, and so the boys have done a great job of using their time and talents every year to show their patriotism and show their gratitude to our veterans," their mother Angela said. She described the fundraising efforts as "contagious," and said community members, including Noah and Cole's classmates and sports teammates often stop by the stand to offer them support. "It's been a really cool opportunity," she continued. "During the event, they get to meet different veterans, thank them for their service and show their love for our country." One of those veterans is Harry Wisdom, a decorated U.S. Army helicopter pilot who was awarded a Silver Star for his heroism during the Vietnam War. TRUMP TO BUILD NATIONAL CENTER FOR HOMELESS VETERANS WITH FUNDS PREVIOUSLY SEND ON HOUSING ILLEGAL ALIENS But Wisdom, now 86, found another use for his prestigious award. "He very graciously brought that [Silver Star] and gave that to the boys last year at the lemonade stand as a sign of his appreciation for their work and everything they're doing to support veterans," Angela said. "He wrote them an incredible letter, and so it's just been a very special connection that we look forward to every year." Tee It Up for the Troops was founded in 2005 and is based in Burnsville, Minnesota. Chris LaRocque, an Army reserve officer himself, is the group's executive director and president. "We've we've raised, just over $19 million in funds that have gone to directly support veterans and their families," he told Fox News Digital. The organization has supported 400,000 military families over its 21-year lifespan. Aside from the golf tournaments held across this country, 45 of which are on the calendar this year, Tee It Up for the Troops hosts an annual event in Florida called REUNION, which brings together veterans who forged friendships in the service. "REUNION brings together combat veterans and battle buddies, that they've lost connection with, as well as some of their family members," said LaRocque. "We go through a lot of their stories, through shared experiences. We have small group leaders and mentors there, and it's really a powerful experience and really a unique thing." Of course, LaRocque had high praise for Noah and Cole. "We'll receive donations that are made out to Noah and Cole's lemonade stand or Tee It Up for the Troops," he said. "What a cool thing that these young entrepreneurs, young men that are growing, want to do something bigger than themselves." 'DOWN TO ZERO': VETERAN SUICIDE CRISIS TARGETED IN VA BILL BY BIPARTISAN HOUSE COALITION "What a great message for all of us in our country, especially at the 250th anniversary of our founding," he added. LaRocque who has been deployed overseas three times recently and has combat experience, describes Tee It Up for the Troops' mission as near and dear to his heart. The reason we're able to to celebrate the 250th is because of generations of men and women that have sacrificed for it, sometimes ultimately with their lives," he said, adding that he believes America is still the greatest country in the world despite facing some challenges. "What's so special to me is that we've got some, some young men that are seeing that more than many. and doing something about it," said LaRocque of Noah and Cole. "They're like stepping up and going, 'hey, here's something we could do. I see this as like a gap. I want to help our community and veterans in our community and do something bigger than just an individual effort.' And, I think it's special." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a465096c2ca79de236313b1 Booking a summer trip? Here's what you're giving scammers te 2026-07-02T11:50:46.713Z Booking a summer trip? Here's what you're giving scammers You found the flight, booked a hotel, and gave them your name, passport details and everything else they asked for. At this point, most of us close the laptop and start counting down the days. But nobody warns you that the moment you hit "confirm," your trip stops being only yours. Just this spring, hundreds of thousands of travelers learned the hard way what happens when the personal details you share with those companies get out (and how easily they get out). Some got a scam text quoting their real hotel and check-in date before they were even told their information had been stolen. If you've got a trip on the calendar, this is worth ten minutes. TRAVEL MISTAKE PUTS PHONE, LAPTOP AND STREAMING ACCOUNTS AT RISK Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join. A travel booking may look like a routine form, but it can collect enough personal details to map your trip and your life back home. Individually, none of it feels alarming. Together, it's a complete snapshot of who you are, where you live, and when you won't be home. That is the kind of profile scammers dream of. A criminal who knows your hotel, dates, and confirmation number can send a message that looks exactly like it's from the hotel: "We couldn't process your payment. Re-enter your card to hold your room." It may not feel like a scam. It feels like a headache you want to clear up before your trip. It gets personal, too. If a scammer knows you're traveling and knows your family, they can call an elderly parent (or you) with a "grandchild stranded abroad" emergency that lands because the timing and names check out. If your first thought is, "But I only book through trusted companies," you are not alone. So did everyone caught in the breaches below. If a single careless business were the problem, I'd just warn you to steer clear of it and call it a day. Unfortunately, it's more of an industry problem. And the size of the company doesn't protect you, because the weak point usually isn't the company itself, but the chain of partners behind it. So you can do everything right and still have your details slip out through one hotel employee's infected laptop. Over the past year, the travel sector has been hit again and again. GLOBAL SCAM CRACKDOWN LEADS TO 276 ARRESTS Curious how exposed you already are? Run a free scan to see where your information is showing up online-results usually land within an hour. Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: CyberGuy.com. You don't have to stop booking trips online, but you do need to make it harder for scammers to turn your travel details into a payday. Treat every "problem with your booking" message as suspect, especially if it asks you to click a link, re-enter your card or confirm personal details. Instead, open the airline, hotel or booking site directly through your browser or app. You can also call the company using the number on its official website, not the number in the message. A credit card usually gives you stronger fraud protection than a debit card. If your bank offers virtual card numbers, use one for hotel and travel bookings. That way, if the card number gets exposed, you can shut it down without replacing your main card. Before you leave, turn on transaction alerts for the card you use to book travel. Also check the security settings on your airline, hotel and booking accounts. Use a password manager to create and store strong, unique passwords for each account. Strong passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA) can make it much harder for someone to break in, even if your email address or phone number leaks. Saving your passport, ID or payment card may save a few seconds next time. But if that account gets compromised, those details become part of the damage. After your trip, remove stored passport information, old cards and any documents you no longer need in the account. A word only your family knows can stop the "stranded grandchild" or "relative in trouble" scam fast. If someone calls claiming there’s an emergency, ask for the code word before you react, send money or share information. That tiny pause can save your family from a very expensive mistake. A travel breach becomes more dangerous when scammers can match it with your home address, relatives, phone numbers and other personal details sitting on data-broker sites. That extra information can help them make a fake hotel message, family emergency call or identity scam feel much more convincing. You can try to remove your information yourself, but the process can be frustrating. There are hundreds of data brokers and people-search sites, and each one may have its own opt-out process. Even worse, your information can show up again later. A data removal service can help by sending removal requests on your behalf and checking whether your information reappears. It will not erase every trace of you from the internet, but it can shrink the amount of personal information scammers can easily find and connect to your travel plans. 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. Every travel booking bundles your name, address, trip dates and contact details into one valuable package. Once that information moves through hotels, airlines, booking platforms and outside vendors, it may not stay where you think it does. That is why stolen reservation details are so dangerous. Scammers can use them to impersonate your hotel, send fake payment alerts or target your family while you are away. Book the trip and pack your bags. Just verify messages directly, use a password manager, turn on account alerts and shrink the personal data brokers keep on you. What extra step do you take before traveling to keep your personal information out of scammers' hands? 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/6a464bf9c2ca79de236312f9 Team USA keeps World Cup dreams alive but loses star player and more top headlines te 2026-07-02T11:31:05.808Z Team USA keeps World Cup dreams alive but loses star player and more top headlines 1. Team USA keeps World Cup dreams alive but loses star player 2. Dem leads GOP challenger by double digits in Southern battleground 3. Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce's wedding could spark spending frenzy VIOLENT ESCAPE — Illegal immigrant accused of ramming federal vehicle remains on the run. Continue reading … STANDING HIS GROUND — Newsom's office breaks silence on SCOTUS ruling as California faces ongoing trans athlete wave. Continue reading … POWER VACUUM — Chilling details emerge about Khamenei's body as Iran prepares to bid farewell to leader. Continue reading … ROCK BOTTOM — Hollywood stars turn on Dwayne Johnson over his new political decision. Continue reading … DNA BREAKTHROUGH — DNA from soda bottle allegedly links Massachusetts woman to 1985 murder of 'Baby Boy Doe'. Continue reading … -- MILITARY POSTURE — How Iran attacks are forcing the Pentagon to rethink its decades-old Middle East base strategy. Continue reading … PROVE IT, GOV — Acting AG Todd Blanche says Newsom's DOJ claims are not 'grounded in fact'. Continue reading … RADICAL — DeSantis announces plans to use new state law to target dozens of alleged terrorist groups. Continue reading … NOT BACKING DOWN — ICE surges enforcement, makes 10,000 arrests in five days amid Supreme Court birthright citizenship decision. Continue reading … Click here for more cartoons…   SENATE BUDGET — Ways & Means Chair Smith talks Working Families Tax Cut, reconciliation 3.0, fraud. Continue reading … HIGHER EDUCATION — Liberal faculty still hugely outnumber conservatives in higher education: report. Continue reading … FOUNDING FIASCO — MS NOW's historian claims America became a real democracy in 1965, not 1776. Continue reading … BITING BACK — White House issues fiery response to Pritzker after saying Trump has 'dementia'. Continue reading … SEN. TIM SCOTT — My family's journey shows America's founding promise is alive and strong. Continue reading … HUGH HEWITT — Supreme Court outrage will fade, but the rule of law endures. Continue reading … -- WILDEST DREAMS — Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding could unleash unprecedented global spending frenzy: expert. Continue reading … COURT CHAOS — Celtics agree to send Jaylen Brown, 2024 Finals MVP, to 76ers in blockbuster NBA trade: report. Continue reading … WORLD CUP GLORY — Mexican soccer fans celebrate so hard they allegedly triggered a seismic alarm. Continue reading … AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ – Test yourself on cruise controversies, wedding whispers and more. Take the quiz here … Tune in to follow the surge of victorious far-left and socialist candidates and analyze the major shift in direction within the Democratic Party. 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/6a464be5c2ca79de236312f0 Federal judge blocks Postal Service from carrying out Trump mail-in ballot order te 2026-07-02T11:30:45.894Z Federal judge blocks Postal Service from carrying out Trump mail-in ballot order A federal judge blocked the U.S. Postal Service from carrying out an executive order on mail-in ballots on Wednesday. President Donald Trump had ordered the postal service to transmit ballots for states only if those states first provided a list of mail-in voters, among other requirements. The ruling from U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan blocks the postal service from implementing the order nationwide. Sullivan argued that the order would violate the settlement agreement in an earlier 2020 lawsuit between the postal service and the NAACP. That agreement allowed the courts to oversee the postal service's actions relating to the "monitoring and timely delivery of Election Mail." "The Proposed Rule violates paragraph 2 of the Agreement because the Postal Service cannot post documents reflecting ‘practices and policies for prioritizing the monitoring and timely delivery of Election Mail’ if its policies provide that it will not accept ‘noncompliant mailing’ and therefore will not deliver mail-in or absentee ballots to some voters, and if it will not mail ballots to any voters in a state where the state ‘declines or fails to certify a list,’" Sullivan wrote in his opinion. Sullivan's order comes after an earlier case saw nearly 25 states challenge Trump's order earlier this year. Those states were successful in blocking the postal service from carrying out the order in their states, but Sullivan's ruling extends nationwide. The ruling also comes just a week after an Obama-appointed judge blocked Trump's effort to curb noncitizens from registering to vote or voting in federal elections. OBAMA-APPOINTED JUDGE BLOCKS TRUMP'S ELECTION ORDER AS SAVE AMERICA ACT FIGHT INTENSIFIES The lawsuit in that case centered on Trump's March executive order, Executive Order (EO) 14248, which directed the creation of a federal voter registration list and imposed new restrictions on eligibility for voting by mail as part of the administration's broader effort to combat voter fraud. "President Trump is committed to ensuring that Americans have full confidence in the administration of our elections. The President’s executive order lawfully protects our elections, and we are confident that we will ultimately prevail in its implementation," White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told Fox News Digital last week. Fox News' Ashley DiMella contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a464a6ac2ca79de236312cb Parker vs Bullhead City (302).JPG te 2026-07-02T11:24:26.404Z Parker vs Bullhead City (302).JPG Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a464a56c2ca79de236312c2 Parker vs Bullhead City (287).JPG te 2026-07-02T11:24:06.434Z Parker vs Bullhead City (287).JPG Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a464a42c2ca79de236312b9 Parker vs Bullhead City (218).JPG te 2026-07-02T11:23:46.487Z Parker vs Bullhead City (218).JPG Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a464a2ec2ca79de236312ab Parker vs Bullhead City (186).JPG te 2026-07-02T11:23:26.499Z Parker vs Bullhead City (186).JPG Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a464a1ac2ca79de236312a2 Parker vs Bullhead City (154).JPG te 2026-07-02T11:23:06.540Z Parker vs Bullhead City (154).JPG Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a464a06c2ca79de23631299 Parker vs Bullhead City (152).JPG te 2026-07-02T11:22:46.562Z Parker vs Bullhead City (152).JPG Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4649f2c2ca79de23631290 Parker vs Bullhead City (104).JPG te 2026-07-02T11:22:26.597Z Parker vs Bullhead City (104).JPG Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4649dec2ca79de23631287 Parker vs Bullhead City (91).JPG te 2026-07-02T11:22:06.628Z Parker vs Bullhead City (91).JPG Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4649cac2ca79de2363127e Parker vs Bullhead City (14).JPG te 2026-07-02T11:21:46.660Z Parker vs Bullhead City (14).JPG Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4649b6c2ca79de23631275 Parker vs Bullhead City (10).JPG te 2026-07-02T11:21:26.696Z Parker vs Bullhead City (10).JPG Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a464794c2ca79de236311dd USA World Cup star calls lack of appeal process for teammate's red card 'bogus' te 2026-07-02T11:12:20.674Z USA World Cup star calls lack of appeal process for teammate's red card 'bogus' Folarin Balogun’s teammates came to his defense after the USA World Cup star was given a red card during the team’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday night. Balogun received the red card after he stepped on defender Tarik Muharemovic’s right ankle. Brazilian referee Raphael Claus only gave Balogun the card after a VAR review. The red card meant Balogun will not be able to play in the team’s Round of 16 match against Belgium. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! A FIFA official told The Athletic a team cannot appeal against the red card or the suspension. The official pointed the outlet to a portion of the organization’s rules and regulations, which states, "A sending-off automatically incurs suspension from the subsequent match. The FIFA judicial bodies may impose additional match suspensions and other disciplinary measures." Balogun’s teammate, Weston McKennie, called the lack of an appeal process "bogus" and disagreed with the referee’s decision to issue the red card. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "Obviously the ref made a decision that he made, but I think it’s questionable," McKennie said. "I think there’s been many other plays like that throughout the tournament on other players that a card wasn’t given at all. It’s disappointing." U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino said Balogun’s act "was never intentional." "It’s never a red card. Never. ... If the intention is to damage the opponent, OK, I understand. But that never was. It was a normal action in football that you are fighting for the ball and your feet land," he said. Balogun is the third player to score in a World Cup knockout match and be sent off. He follows Brazil’s Ronaldinho in 2002’s quarterfinal match against England and France’s Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 World Cup final against Italy. It’s the fifth red card handed to an American in the squad’s World Cup history. Eric Wynalda received one against Czechoslovakia in 1990, Fernando Clavijo got one against Brazil in 1994 and Pablo Mastroeni and Eddie Pope each received one against Italy in 2006. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a464781c2ca79de236311d4 NPR’s Nina Totenberg long history of controversies, from plagiarism and ethics concerns to Alito retraction te 2026-07-02T11:12:01.221Z NPR’s Nina Totenberg long history of controversies, from plagiarism and ethics concerns to Alito retraction NPR legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg may have stunned the media industry on Tuesday when she erroneously reported that Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito was retiring, but the veteran journalist is no stranger to gaffes and controversies.  The 82-year-old Totenberg, who has been a working journalist for over five decades, published the story headlined, "Justice Samuel Alito, who wrote the opinion overturning Roe v. Wade, retires," but quickly replaced it with an editor’s note insisting it was "erroneously published."  Totenberg, who then tried to explain the debacle on "All Things Considered," has been no stranger to mistakes and other controversies during her storied career.  NPR RETRACTS FALSE REPORT CLAIMING JUSTICE SAMUEL ALITO IS RETIRING FROM THE SUPREME COURT Totenberg was fired for plagiarism when she worked as a staff writer for the since-shuttered National Observer in 1972, which the Columbia Journalism Review wrote about in 1995.  "Totenberg simply took several paragraphs and verbatim quotes from a Washington Post report about former House Speaker Thomas P. O'Neill, who was about to become majority leader, and dropped them into her own story about him, without attributing a single word to the Post," Trudy Lieberman wrote for the CJR.  Totenberg admitted that she "should have been punished" when recalling the incident two decades later.  "I was in a hurry. I used terrible judgment," Totenberg told CJR at the time. "The fact I used so many direct quotes obligated me morally to credit the Post. I should have been punished. I have a strong feeling that a young reporter is entitled to one mistake and to have the holy bejeezus scared out of her to never do it again." NPR REVEALS HOW A MISHEARD ANNOUNCEMENT LED TO IT FALSELY CLAIMING JUSTICE ALITO WAS RETIRING Totenberg irked Legal Times reporter Aaron Freiwald in 1987 when she reported then-Supreme Court nominee Douglas Ginsburg had exaggerated on his resume. Freiwald told Vanity Fair that her story "bore an alarming resemblance to what I had just given her," but Totenberg failed to credit him.  "I was very upset," Freiwald said at the time.  In 1992, Vanity Fair wrote that Totenberg was "having a terrible week" after she was widely criticized by prominent Republicans for reading portions of Anita Hill's confidential affidavit to NPR listeners and "nearly torpedoing Clarence Thomas's Supreme Court nomination." Hill accused Thomas of sexual harassment.  "First, a feverish Alan Simpson, the Republican Senator from Wyoming, assailed Totenberg's methods, motives and ethics while both were guesting on Nightline. Following the show, Simpson accosted her in the street where the two had a full-tilt epithet-strewn melée," Vanity Fair wrote, noting that Simpson said it would be "absurd" to call Totenberg an "objective" reporter.  "Having barely regained her equanimity from attacks from conservative senators who accused her of ruining the lives of both Thomas and Hill, Totenberg then found herself at the bull's-eye center of a media catfight among the Washington press corps," Vanity Fair added.  NPR’S ALITO RETIREMENT BLUNDER RAISES EYEBROWS AFTER REPORTER'S ‘NOT PLAUSIBLE’ EXPLANATION STUNS MEDIA WORLD In 1995, Totenberg took heat after suggesting Republican Sen. Jesse Helms, who had proposed that Congress reduce spending on AIDS research, would "get AIDS from a transfusion or one of his grandchildren will get it" as a form of "retributive justice."   "It was a stupid remark. I'll pay for it for the rest of my life," Totenberg told NPR in 2010.  Totenberg managed to pop up in headlines once again in 2020 following the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Totenberg penned an obituary for NPR in which she revealed that she was "close friends" with Ginsburg for her entire Supreme Court tenure. Totenberg, who covered the Supreme Court for NPR, did not publicly disclose the friendship until Ginsburg, a progressive justice long revered by the political left, died.  Totenberg wrote about how Ginsburg and her husband would often "scoop me up" for a night out or "dinner at their apartment."  "I always felt those evenings as a kind of embrace," Totenberg wrote.  The revelation prompted the Washington Post to publish a piece by longtime media reporter Paul Farhi about whether the relationship constituted a "conflict for NPR." Farhi reported Totenberg’s closeness to someone she was tasked with covering objectively raised questions about conflicts of interest and could lead readers to believe NPR reporting was slanted to help a friend.  "Traditional journalistic practice is to avoid such entanglements, or at least disclose them so that readers can judge for themselves," Farhi wrote.  "Totenberg and NPR rarely did the latter; her friendship with Ginsburg was almost never mentioned in the hundreds of news stories, interviews and features Totenberg has done about the court over the years," he continued, noting that she dismissed concerns that her relationship compromised her journalism. Poynter Institute media writer Tom Jones disagreed, writing that it was a "close friendship that a journalist really should not have with someone they cover." "The friendship should not have happened. Or, if the friendship was that important, Totenberg should have recused herself from covering Ginsburg or the Supreme Court," Jones wrote.  Totenberg made waves again in 2022 when Supreme Court sources and a law clerk for Justice Neil Gorsuch disputed a viral NPR report that claimed the conservative justice refused to wear a mask on the bench despite requests from Justice Sonia Sotomayor to do so. Totenberg’s story, "Gorsuch didn't mask despite Sotomayor's COVID worries, leading her to telework," reported Chief Justice John Roberts ordered the justices to wear masks because of the omicron surge since Justice Sotomayor has diabetes. Totenberg cited "court sources" to report Sotomayor herself expressed she "did not feel safe in close proximity to people who were unmasked" before Roberts made the decision.  CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "They all did. Except Gorsuch, who, as it happens, sits next to Sotomayor on the bench. His continued refusal since then has also meant that Sotomayor has not attended the justices' weekly conference in person, joining instead by telephone," Totenberg wrote. "Gorsuch, from the beginning of his tenure, has proved a prickly justice, not exactly beloved even by his conservative soulmates on the court." At the time, Fox News’ Shannon Bream quickly reported that Totenberg’s story was "not accurate." "A source at the Supreme Court says there has been no blanket admonition or request from Chief Justice Roberts that the other justices begin wearing masks to arguments," Bream said. "The source further stated Justice Sotomayor did not make any such request to Justice Gorsuch. I’m told, given that fact, there was also no refusal by Justice Gorsuch." NPR stood by Totenberg’s reporting despite Sotomayor and Gorsuch issuing a statement saying that she did not ask him to wear a mask. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46476dc2ca79de236311cb BISHOP ROBERT BARRON: The real reason communists fear religion and want believers silenced te 2026-07-02T11:11:41.762Z BISHOP ROBERT BARRON: The real reason communists fear religion and want believers silenced Like many others, I have been alarmed by the success of certain politicians in our country who identify as extreme socialists or communists. This is not a matter of classical liberals triumphing over standard-issue conservatives; this is the victory of people who stand athwart the fundamental principles that undergird our country. There are many reasons why I detest communism, but I want to draw attention to just one issue of supreme importance. Karl Marx said that the first critique is the critique of religion. He meant that, before a complete reworking of the politics and economics of a society can take place, religion has to be taken down. This is because religion, as he saw it, is the "opium of the masses," a drug taken to dull our sensitivity to the suffering caused by economic exploitation. As long as the suffering populace is lured into complacency by fantasies about God's providence and the promise of eternal life, they will never rise up and throw off their chains. In making this clarification, Marx was taking a step beyond his teacher, Ludwig Feuerbach. That little-known but massively influential German intellectual had asserted that God is but a projection of the idealized self-understanding of human beings. We are knowledgeable, kind and powerful to a limited degree, but we would love to be omniscient, omnibenevolent and omnipotent. And so we project this fantasy outward and invent the character of God. And then, pathetically, we fall on our knees and worship what we have made and ask it to give us what we want. Marx completely accepted this interpretation of religion, but he asked the follow-up question: Why would we do such a thing? His answer is the opium theory — that we do it to dull our pain. MELAT KIROS BECOMES 28TH FAR-LEFT CANDIDATE TO WIN A DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY THIS YEAR AS SOCIALISTS AMASS POWER On this reading, by the way, I, as a bishop of the Catholic Church, would qualify basically as a high-level drug dealer. And during my years as a seminary professor, I was essentially a trainer of retail-level drug pushers. Can you see, therefore, why, for convinced Marxists, people like me have to be gotten out of the way and why the fantasy we propagate has to be debunked? DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISM IS SWEEPING THE NATION. VOTERS SHOULD BE ALARMED But there is a second reason why the elimination of religion is of paramount significance for Marx. Communism aspires to be a totalizing system, involving the government's control over education, entertainment, communication, politics and especially economics. What stands resolutely athwart this ambition is religion, which declares that all of these societal expressions are finally under the judgment of God. If God exists, then there is an objective moral criterion by which all of it — government, politics, economics, etc. — can be evaluated and thus delimited.  BISHOP BARRON SLAMS 'BORDERLINE COMMUNISTS' SANDERS, MAMDANI AHEAD OF TRUMP PRAYER EVENT: 'ECONOMY THAT KILLS' How fascinating that the Bible, practically unique here in the literature of the ancient world, refused to deify its leaders or its political arrangements. Even David, the greatest king in the Old Testament, is frankly portrayed as an adulterer and a murderer. And all of the kings of Israel — for the most part, an unsavory lot — must answer to the divine law and to the prophets who represent that law. This is why, incidentally, the nonestablishment of religion, as well as its free exercise, enshrined in the First Amendment to our Constitution, is so vitally important. In giving religion freedom to operate independently of the state, the framers of the First Amendment permitted religion to play its properly critical role vis-à-vis the government. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Therefore, it should be clear that if one wants a totalizing system such as communism to succeed, religion has to be stamped out and its leaders have to be silenced, marginalized or, at the limit, eliminated. If you doubt me on any of this, I would encourage you to read the recent histories of China, Russia, Cuba, Nicaragua, Vietnam, Cambodia, Venezuela and Poland. When, in June 1979, Pope John Paul II spoke in Victory Square in Warsaw, at the height of the Cold War, he was fulfilling the prophetic function of a religious leader. With the entire communist government of Poland behind him on the stage but with roughly a million of the Polish people in front of him, he spoke of God, of human rights and dignity, of the value of the individual — and the throng before him commenced to chant, "We want God! We want God! We want God!" They say it went on for 15 minutes. That moment proved to be the beginning of the end for the communist Soviet Empire. Again, do you see why they're afraid of religion? Might I encourage my fellow believers in God not to be complacent in the face of this very troubling development in the American body politic? The success of radical socialists and communists in our electoral process is, for religious people, a real and present danger.  So vote! Speak out! Get organized! CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM BISHOP ROBERT BARRON Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46475ac2ca79de236311c2 5 of America's greatest medical breakthroughs revealed as the nation marks 250 years te 2026-07-02T11:11:22.308Z 5 of America's greatest medical breakthroughs revealed as the nation marks 250 years America has been at the forefront of medical innovation since the nation's founding in 1776. From groundbreaking surgeries to cancer breakthroughs, U.S. physicians have helped transform nearly every field of medicine. As America marks its 250th anniversary, experts are highlighting some of the most influential medical innovations in the nation's history. John Uribe, MD, orthopedic surgeon and system chief executive at Baptist Health Orthopedic Care in Florida, said he believes the greatest breakthrough in orthopedics is the evolution of joint replacement surgery, particularly of the hip and knee. AMERICA'S LIFESPAN HAS DOUBLED SINCE 1776 — EXPERTS REVEAL WHAT CHANGED "A generation ago, severe arthritis or joint damage often meant a lifetime of pain, limited mobility and loss of independence," he told Fox News Digital. "Today, orthopedic surgeons can replace a damaged joint with highly durable implants, use advanced imaging and navigation, and increasingly rely on robotic-assisted technology to personalize implant positioning and improve precision." Today, patients can walk the same day after joint replacement, return home sooner and recover with less disruption than in the past, according to Uribe. WOMAN WITH ADVANCED ALZHEIMER'S REGAINED SPEECH AND MEMORIES AFTER TAKING MAGIC MUSHROOMS "Hip and knee replacements, arthroscopic procedures, advanced fracture care and spine treatments have allowed patients to stay active longer and maintain independence as they age," the doctor said. "The biggest impact is that orthopedic care can give people back parts of their lives they thought they had lost." "For many patients, the goal is no longer just to relieve pain; it is to restore movement, independence and quality of life." For most of America’s 250 years, mental illness was largely treated indirectly with medication, or not at all when medication was ineffective, according to Dr. Russ Voltin, a West Virginia-based practicing psychiatrist and medical consultant at BrainsWay. The biggest breakthrough, Voltin told Fox News Digital, has been neuromodulation therapies like deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which are "clinically proven to non-invasively target the brain circuits involved in conditions such as depression and OCD, helping rebalance neural activity at its source." "Mental health is brain health, and for the first time, we have treatments designed to address it that way." A generation ago, a patient who didn't respond to medication had very limited options, he said. "Today, a clinician can offer noninvasive brain stimulation in an outpatient chair – no anesthesia, no sedation, none of the prominent side effects of medication, and all with limited lifestyle interruption." The FDA recently expanded clearance for an accelerated Deep TMS protocol that shortens the initial phase of depression treatment from about four weeks of daily visits to just six treatment days. "For someone in a depressive crisis, this is the difference between waiting and getting better," the expert said. In clinical trials, roughly 78% of patients reached remission and more than 80% were still in remission a full year later. "As a clinician, that last figure is the one that matters most: People going back to work, repairing relationships and re-entering their own lives, not just scoring better on a questionnaire," Voltin said. "The biggest shift is that for people who once cycled through medication after medication with no relief, durable recovery is now a realistic goal rather than a hope." Cancer care has advanced dramatically over the past 250 years, with breakthroughs in prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment transforming patient outcomes. Leonard Kalman, MD, acting system chief executive at Baptist Health Cancer Care and acting executive medical director at Baptist Health Herbert Wertheim Cancer Institute in South Florida, said one of the most important breakthroughs in oncology is the understanding that "at its core," cancer is a genetic disease. "Cancer can be driven by inherited germline mutations or by somatic mutations that occur in normal tissue and lead cells to become malignant," he told Fox News Digital. "That discovery has transformed how we understand, diagnose and treat cancer." Today, physicians can cure certain leukemias and lymphomas that were "once far more difficult to treat," the doctor noted. NEW BLOOD TEST DETECTS 90% OF AGGRESSIVE PROSTATE CANCER CASES, BEATING CURRENT SCREENINGS "We can also extend life while preserving quality of life for many patients with metastatic cancers — including diseases such as lung cancer, melanoma and prostate cancer, where treatment options were much more limited a generation ago," Kalman said. Many of those advances have shifted cancer care toward more individualized treatment, allowing physicians to tailor therapies based on a patient's specific disease. "Advances in targeted therapies, immunotherapy, molecular testing and supportive care allow physicians to better personalize treatment, manage side effects and help patients live longer with a better quality of life, even when cancer has spread beyond the primary tumor," the doctor said. Tom Nguyen, MD, system chief executive at Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care and chief medical executive at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute in South Florida, highlighted the ability to diagnose heart disease earlier and treat "even the most complex conditions" with safer, more precise and less invasive therapies. "Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, but patients who once might have died in their 40s or 50s are now routinely living into their 80s and 90s with an excellent quality of life," he told Fox News Digital. Procedures like open-heart surgery, coronary artery bypass surgery, coronary stents, catheter-based valve replacement, advanced imaging and robotic heart surgery have "completely transformed what is possible," according to Nguyen. "Robotic heart surgery is a powerful example of how far the field has come," he said. "For appropriately selected patients, surgeons can now perform highly complex heart procedures through much smaller incisions using robotic technology that provides exceptional visualization, precision and control." TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ The biggest achievement, Nguyen said, is not only helping people live longer, but also helping them "live better." "Today, heart and vascular specialists can perform procedures that would have seemed almost unimaginable just one generation ago," he said. "Patients are surviving heart attacks, valve disease, rhythm disorders and complex vascular conditions at rates that would have been difficult to imagine decades ago." Success isn't measured only by survival, Nguyen added. "Our ultimate goal is to help patients feel better and return to the lives they enjoy." Michael McDermott, MD, system chief executive of Baptist Health Brain & Spine Care and chief medical executive at Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute, said the ability to safely operate on the brain is the greatest advancement in American neuroscience. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER "Less than a century ago, a craniotomy was an extraordinarily risky operation, and survival itself was far from guaranteed," he told Fox News Digital. "Today, advances in anesthesia, electrocautery, imaging, surgical navigation, brain mapping and intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring have transformed brain surgery into a highly precise and much safer procedure." The ability to treat acute stroke in real time has been "equally transformative," McDermott noted. "Using advanced imaging and mechanical thrombectomy, physicians can now remove a clot from the brain and restore blood flow before permanent damage occurs in many eligible patients," he said. "At the same time, innovations such as high-intensity focused ultrasound for essential tremor demonstrate how neuroscience has become increasingly precise and less invasive." CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES Today, neuro experts can accomplish tasks that "would have been difficult to imagine just one generation ago," McDermott noted. "We can remove blood clots from the brain during an active stroke, implant deep brain stimulation devices for Parkinson's disease, and perform highly sophisticated brain and spine surgery using advanced imaging, navigation and artificial intelligence," he said. Advances like image-guided surgery, intra-operative brain mapping, neurophysiologic monitoring and radio-surgery allow surgeons to remove tumors more safely while protecting areas of the brain responsible for movement, speech and other critical functions, he said. Beyond brain tumors, other advances across neuroscience, like corrective spine surgery, have allowed doctors to restore posture and mobility in patients with severe spinal deformities. Meanwhile, focused ultrasound can "significantly reduce tremors that interfere with everyday activities such as writing, eating or drinking," McDermott noted. "Increasingly, our goal isn't simply to help patients survive – we're helping them maintain their independence, preserve function and return to the lives they want to live." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a464746c2ca79de236311b9 The biggest America 250 Fourth of July security threat may be where protection is thinnest te 2026-07-02T11:11:02.852Z The biggest America 250 Fourth of July security threat may be where protection is thinnest Ahead of America's 250th birthday this weekend, agencies are prepared for the possibility of an attack on Fourth of July crowds and parade-goers. That includes the Salute to America 250 Celebration and Fireworks in Washington, D.C., which the White House saids will be "one of the grandest displays of patriotism that the world has ever seen." More than a million people are slated to gather on the National Mall to hear President Donald Trump speak and watch "the largest pyrotechnics display in the history of the world," the White House said. WHITE HOUSE UFC TERROR PLOT 'RINGLEADER' IS A MEXICAN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT, DHS CONFIRMS Jason Pack, a retired supervisory special agent with the FBI, told Fox News Digital agencies have likely been preparing and coordinating for the event for weeks, if not months. "It's a whole of government approach, not just one agency," Pack said. "That's really important because that's how in the past [threats] were stovepiped and could have gotten missed." 📩 Send me a story idea: kelsie.cairns@fox.com 📸 Instagram: kelsiecairns_tv 🎥 Facebook: Kelsie Cairns He said he has not heard of any specific threats, but anything is possible. MASSACHUSETTS TOWN CANCELS JULY 4 CELEBRATION CITING LACK OF 'ADEQUATE PUBLIC SAFETY STAFFING' "Given it's the Fourth of July, which is a holiday that's so special to the country, there's no doubt that someone would want to," Pack said. While there will be heightened security in our nation's capital with millions of spectators expected to descend on D.C., experts say it's important to understand that smaller-scale events will also likely have amplified security. Recall in 2022, a mass shooter opened fire on July Fourth parade-goers in Highland Park, Illinois. Robert Crimo III was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole after court documents say he climbed on a roof above the parade and opened fire on spectators with a an assault rifle; seven people were killed and 48 others injured . MASSACHUSETTS TOWN CANCELS JULY 4 CELEBRATION CITING LACK OF 'ADEQUATE PUBLIC SAFETY STAFFING' Fox News Contributor and former NYPD Legal Bureau Commanding Officer Paul Mauro told Fox News Digital that it's imperative for local law enforcement to have safeguards in place to prevent tragedies. Mauro urged small cities and governments to communicate with larger agencies. He said, "Don't be afraid to ask the FBI office. Don't be afraid to talk to Homeland Security. They're there for that. Everybody is hyper aware of the fact that this is an iconic anniversary." Mauro also said mass shootings are not the only risk to public safety. In 2021, in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Darrell Edward Brooks Jr. drove an SUV into crowds of people at the Waukesha Christmas parade. Six people were killed and more than 60 others were injured. Brooks Jr. is currently serving six consecutive life sentences. Mauro said that small towns, like Waukesha, and their police departments need to accept that terrorist attacks or similar incidents could happen in their communities. He said the first step in preparing for such threats is acknowledging the possibility, rather than assuming "it could never happen here." Once agencies recognize the risk, they can begin implementing appropriate security and preparedness measures. Another example of attack by vehicle-ramming during a community celebration happened in 2017. Sayfullo Saipov from Uzbekistan killed eight people and injured nearly 20 more when he rammed a truck into crowds of people at a Halloween parade in New York City. His devotion to ISIS was his alleged motive, the DOJ said; he's currently serving eight life sentences in federal prison. While the truck ramming resulted in those eight lives lost, Mauro said the attack could have resulted in significantly more deaths. He said that while serving in the NYPD Intelligence Bureau's counterterrorism unit, officials anticipated the possible vehicle-ramming attack. As a result, they hardened vulnerable parade routes by placing sanitation trucks and other heavy vehicles as barriers. Saipov, who had rented a truck and planned to target a Manhattan parade, found the route blocked by these barriers and abandoned that plan. Instead, Mauro said, he drove along the West Side Highway in New York City, where he carried out a vehicle attack before being stopped after crashing into a school bus. Mauro argued that because the attacker had no prior criminal or intelligence indicators, he was difficult to detect in advance. He concluded that acknowledging the threat and implementing physical security measures prevented a much deadlier attack at the parade. Looking ahead, one way that federal agencies and local police work together to thwart premeditated or organized attacks comes from the help of fusion centers, Pack said. "Fusion centers" are located in various cities and larger urban areas "for the receipt, analysis, gathering and sharing of threat-related information between State, Local, Tribal and Territorial (SLTT), federal and private sector partners," according to Homeland Security. If you see or hear about something suspicious ahead of the holiday, you can tip the FBI at tips.fbi.gov or by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) For an immediate threat, call 911. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46471fc2ca79de236311ae Ocasio-Cortez Endorses Abdul El-Sayed in Crucial Michigan Senate Race te 2026-07-02T11:10:23.945Z Ocasio-Cortez Endorses Abdul El-Sayed in Crucial Michigan Senate Race The endorsement is the first in a contested Senate primary by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez this year, in a state that Democrats believe they must hold this fall to win a Senate majority. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a464044c2ca79de23631086 Newsom's office responds to SCOTUS ruling on women's sports as California faces ongoing trans athlete wave te 2026-07-02T10:41:08.802Z Newsom's office responds to SCOTUS ruling on women's sports as California faces ongoing trans athlete wave California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office has responded after the U.S. Supreme Court made a historic ruling on trans athletes in women's sports on Tuesday. The court ruled 6-3 to uphold state laws that protect women's sports from biological male trans athletes. California is one of 23 states in the country that don't have laws to protect women's sports, and since 2014, has had a law in place to protect the rights of males to compete against females. A spokesperson for Newsom's office said the Supreme Court ruling will not impact California's current setup. SUPREME COURT MAKES RULING ON TRANS ATHLETES IN WOMEN'S SPORTS "The Supreme Court’s decision does not affect California’s laws. The state remains committed to ensuring every Californian, including the LGBTQ community, is met with dignity and respect," the spokesperson told Fox News Digital. A source within Newsom's office provided Fox News Digital a bulleted list titled "As a Governor, Governor Newsom has the strongest record in the country on protecting and expanding transgender rights." The list included several bragging points, including "making it easier to update gender markers on official documents," and "appointed multiple trans judges." The list concludes by pointing out, "California is one of 22 states that have laws requiring transgender students to participate in sports consistent with their gender identity. California passed this law in 2013 (AB 1266) and it was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown." Newsom's state was ravaged by a trans athlete national media crisis in May, for the second year in a row and third time in total in one year, as prominent trans athlete AB Hernandez competed in girls' sports. Hernandez won two track and field state titles for the second straight year. Ahead of the first round of the state tournament in early May, "Save Girls Sports" protesters led by former NCAA women's soccer player Sophia Lorey scheduled a press conference near the competition grounds. AB HERNANDEZ ADVANCES IN CALIFORNIA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AS SAVE GIRLS' SPORTS ACTIVISTS RALLY NEARBY A source within Newsom's office previously addressed the press conference in the days leading up to the event in a statement provided to Fox News Digital, prompting controversy and criticism from locals. "The Governor has said discussions on this issue should be guided by fairness, dignity, and respect. He rejects the right wing’s cynical attempt to weaponize this debate as an excuse to vilify individual kids. The Governor’s position is simple: stand with all kids and stand up to bullies," the statement read. The governor faced mass backlash from activists across the country for his office's statement. The controversy only exploded the very next week when it was revealed the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) re-implemented a pilot program that bumped every girl who finished behind the trans athlete up by one spot on the podium. The change resulted in now-infamous imagery of Hernandez sharing podium spots with the female second-place finishers. President Donald Trump's Department of Justice is engaged in Title IX lawsuits against education agencies in California for its policies that allow trans athletes in girls' high school sports. The lawsuit was officially launched in July after Hernandez won two state finals in triple jump and high jump, and won second place in long jump, at last year's championships. Newsom previously declared that he believed males competing in girls' sports is "deeply unfair" during an episode of his podcast with the late Charlie Kirk in March 2025. Then in July 2025, Newsom spoke about the issue in an interview on the "Shawn Ryan Show" saying he has been "amazingly frustrated by it" and that he regularly encounters parents who are angry about the state's policies at his children's soccer games. "Every parent coming up says, ‘It’s so unfair.' Like ‘Whoa,' like everywhere I went, progressively-minded people, not bigots, that are champions of trans policy like I am, but didn't like the sports. They were like ‘come on man, you got to figure this out,’" Newsom said. Newsom added that his allies in the LGBTQ caucus were "furious" with him after he made his initial comments in March while speaking to Kirk, and even recalled an alleged conversation with President Donald Trump about it. "Trump is having the time of his life, and I assure you he is because we've had conversations on this topic," Newsom said. "And now he's suing and threatening us, and they're just, and you know, I'm the poster child," Newsom added. "But I do think we have to address that issue." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a464031c2ca79de2363107d America's housing market could run out of something more important than homes te 2026-07-02T10:40:49.351Z America's housing market could run out of something more important than homes For years, America didn't have enough homes to meet rising demand. Soon, it may not have enough homebuyers. A new report from the Mortgage Bankers Association argues the housing market is nearing a major demographic shift. After more than a decade of demand outpacing supply, slower population growth and an aging population are expected to reduce the need for new housing, potentially reshaping forecasts for homebuilding, home prices and affordability. That would mark a sharp reversal from the past decade. BIDEN'S ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION SURGE CAUSED HIGHER RENT AND HOME PRICES, FED STUDY FINDS Millennials, the nation's largest generation, entered their prime homebuying years after the financial crisis, driving a surge in household formation that builders struggled to keep up with. As demand outpaced supply, home prices climbed. The pandemic only intensified the imbalance as record-low mortgage rates unleashed another wave of buyers. According to the report, slower population growth, lower birth rates, an aging population and reduced immigration are expected to result in fewer people looking to buy or rent homes over the next decade, even as builders continue adding new housing. A PROBLEM HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT IS KEEPING AMERICANS FROM BUYING HOMES If that happens, some markets could end up with more homes than buyers, giving more choices to those looking to buy and making it harder for sellers to ask higher prices after years of seller favorability, especially in the post-COVID era. That doesn't mean every market is headed for a downturn. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER The report notes that housing remains highly local. States including Texas, Florida and Arizona, where construction has accelerated, could see softer prices if supply continues to grow. In contrast, parts of the Northeast and Midwest, where new construction remains constrained, may continue to experience stronger price appreciation. Researchers also reject the idea of a predicted "silver tsunami" of Baby Boomer homes flooding the market. Instead, they expect those properties to come onto the market gradually over many years, adding to housing supply without triggering a sudden glut. Even so, the shift could have real consequences for homeowners. If builders continue adding homes faster than demand grows, home-price gains could slow, homeowners could build equity more slowly, and buyers could have more choices, according to the report. Read the full report: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a463dd0c2ca79de2363101a How Iran attacks are forcing the Pentagon to rethink its decades-old Middle East base strategy te 2026-07-02T10:30:40.737Z How Iran attacks are forcing the Pentagon to rethink its decades-old Middle East base strategy After weeks of Iranian missile and drone attacks exposed the vulnerability of major U.S. military bases across the Gulf, the Pentagon is weighing whether decades of relying on large, permanent installations within range of Iranian weapons still makes strategic sense. Defense officials are considering dispersing some capabilities and reassessing parts of the U.S. regional base posture, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The Gulf base network is how the U.S. responds quickly to Iran, protects shipping lanes, reassures Arab partners and keeps pressure on ISIS and al Qaeda. If the Pentagon reduces or disperses that footprint, it could make U.S. forces harder to hit — but also slower to surge in a crisis. For decades, the tradeoff was straightforward: the closer U.S. forces were to the fight, the faster they could respond. But Operation Epic Fury reignited a long-running debate over whether concentrating aircraft, ships, command centers and thousands of troops at a handful of large Gulf bases had become an increasingly dangerous liability in an era of precision missiles and drones. REPUBLICANS BREAK WITH TRUMP TO REBUKE IRAN WAR — BUT IT WON'T CHANGE POLICY Retired Navy Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery said the military already has started relying more heavily on alternate command-and-control locations — the headquarters and communications hubs commanders use to direct military operations — and rotating forces rather than concentrating capabilities at a handful of installations close to Iran.  "We're not relying on them in the same way that we did before the war," Montgomery told Fox News Digital. "I think we are going to reposition these forces." The Pentagon has spent decades building a network of Gulf bases designed to put aircraft, ships and troops within minutes of potential crises across the Middle East. That strategy relied on concentrating combat power at a handful of large installations that offered unmatched access to the region. But during Operation Epic Fury, Iran launched repeated missile and drone attacks against some of the Pentagon's most important regional installations, including Naval Support Activity Bahrain, home to the U.S. Fifth Fleet, Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. While U.S. and partner air defenses intercepted many incoming weapons and casualties remained limited, the attacks demonstrated that virtually every major American operating hub in the Gulf now sits within range of Iranian missiles and drones. U.S. forces in the Middle East have endured rocket and drone attacks for years, many carried out by Iranian-backed proxy groups against individual outposts in Iraq and Syria. Operation Epic Fury marked a broader test of the Pentagon's regional basing model, with Iran directly targeting multiple major air and naval hubs that underpin U.S. military operations across the Gulf. Naval Support Activity Bahrain alone sustained extensive damage to command facilities and communications infrastructure, The Wall Street Journal reported. Since the conflict began Feb. 28, 13 U.S. service members have been killed and 400 wounded, with most wounded returning to duty.   Many of the fatalities resulted from a small number of attacks, including a missile strike in Kuwait and an attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins, Central Command spokesperson, declined to discuss battle damage assessments but told Fox News Digital the U.S. military "rightfully prioritized the protection of people over buildings, and our strategy of protecting people worked. Iran shot more than 8,000 missiles and drones and only two resulted in U.S. fatalities. We did far more damage to Iran than they did to us — by a lot." HEGSETH ANNOUNCES 6-MONTH REVIEW OF AMERICAN FORCES IN EUROPE, BLASTS NATO ALLIES FOR PUTTING TROOPS 'AT RISK' What that future posture ultimately looks like remains under review.  A senior U.S. official told Fox News Digital questions about dispersing forces and reducing reliance on a handful of large Gulf bases had been debated since well before Operation Epic Fury, which had reignited those conversations.  "As a planning organization, we continually assess the security environment and make adjustments to best support operations and protect our troops. This has always been the case and remains so going forward," Hawkins said in response.  Defense officials are weighing whether to disperse military capabilities across a broader network of facilities, move some bases or functions further west and even relocate certain operations to Israel, while reducing the U.S. presence at some installations in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, the Journal reported. Officials also are reportedly considering moving some command structures underground, or forgoing rebuilding damaged structures.  "We do not have any force posture changes to announce or anything to provide at this time," a War Department official told Fox News Digital.  A Joint Staff spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the military is tracking diplomatic developments in the region while continually monitoring and evaluating U.S. force posture. Former counterterrorism director Joe Kent, who resigned over the Trump administration's war with Iran, has long pushed for the U.S. to reduce its presence in the Gulf.  "Our bases in the Middle East are strategic liabilities not strategic assets. Less bases = less targets for Iran to shoot at and that = less leverage for Iran," he wrote on X Saturday.  "It's absolutely being discussed," Retired Adm. Kevin Donegan, the former commander of the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, which leads U.S. naval operations across the Middle East, told Fox News Digital. "After (the Iran conflict) is over, I think in each country it'll be independently evaluated based on our relationships with those countries." Montgomery said geography itself has become part of the problem. Many of the Gulf's largest U.S. bases sit only about 90 miles from Iranian launch sites, leaving little time and space to respond to incoming drones. "They're just too close," Montgomery said. "They're...90 miles away from Iranian launch points." Fighter aircraft have become one of the primary tools for intercepting Iranian drones, but Montgomery said the Gulf's proximity to Iran leaves defenders with less time and space to intercept drones after launch. "Our way of shooting down drones, the best way is aircraft equipped with rockets," he said. "But to do that, you got to get behind the drones. That's hard." Moving some operations farther west would not put U.S. troops beyond the reach of all Iranian weapons. Iran's longer-range missiles can reach Israel and other parts of the region, and former commanders cautioned that there may no longer be any truly safe rear area.  But dispersing command nodes, aircraft, logistics hubs and personnel across more locations could reduce the risk that a single strike disabling a critical U.S. capability. "Everywhere we have forces around the world, they are under the missile envelope of potential adversaries," he said. "So, where do you go to?" "What you can do is buy yourself a little time against the threat, but in the end, we still need to have access to basing, because our being in the Gulf is not just to revolve around Iran, we have other reasons to be there, whether that be to ensure that terrorists like ISIS and Al Qaeda, etc. don’t threaten stability," Donegan went on.  The bases that came under attack form the backbone of America's military presence in the Gulf. The U.S. typically maintains about 40,000 troops across the Middle East, anchored by a network of major bases built up during the post-9/11 wars. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar —home to the forward headquarters of U.S. Central Command and the largest U.S. military installation in the region — alone hosts about 10,000 American personnel. Other major hubs include Naval Support Activity Bahrain, home to the U.S. Fifth Fleet, Camp Arifjan and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, and Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates. Those installations became the backbone of U.S. military operations during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and remain central to American air, naval and logistics operations across the region. Fox News Digital reached out to the U.S. Fifth Fleet, the White House and the governments of Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Israel for comment. Trump has not publicly commented on the matter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a463bd9c2ca79de23630fb1 Mexico fans celebrated a World Cup goal so wildly they triggered spikes on local seismographs te 2026-07-02T10:22:17.498Z Mexico fans celebrated a World Cup goal so wildly they triggered spikes on local seismographs There are loud crowds, and then there are Mexican soccer crowds. After their 2-0 win over Ecuador on Tuesday, Mexican soccer fans went berserk... to the point where their celebration allegedly triggered an earthquake. During the huge Round of 32 knockout showdown, packed crowds inside the legendary Estadio Azteca generated enough ground movement to trigger local seismic monitoring equipment. USA ADVANCES IN WORLD CUP AFTER CONTROVERSIAL RED CARD VS BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA When exactly did it happen? When forward Julian Quiñones buried the opening goal in the 22nd minute, the stadium erupted so violently that monitoring agencies registered an "artificial seismic signal," according to the New York Post. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM The ground-shaking excitement was not just a metaphor in this case. Thousands of fans in Mexico lost their minds and shook the earth. Ground movement caused by celebrating fans is different from a real earthquake, so while the stadium must've been moving with the fans, the stadium was in no real threat. Mexico's Raul Jimenez slammed home a second goal in the 31st minute to lock in a dominant 2-0 victory. That punched El Tri's ticket straight to the Round of 16 and kept the host nation's tournament dream alive for at least one more match. Incredibly, this is actually the second time Mexico fans have forced seismologists to check their equipment. The exact same thing happened back in 2018 when Hirving Lozano shocked Germany. Look, if your fan base registers on earthquake monitors twice in a single decade, you officially own one of the greatest atmospheres on earth. This World Cup has been bringing the absolute goods from day one. Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a463bc6c2ca79de23630fa8 Nancy Guthrie mystery could be solved with 'crowdsourcing' help, private eye says te 2026-07-02T10:21:58.043Z Nancy Guthrie mystery could be solved with 'crowdsourcing' help, private eye says Over more than 21 weeks since the suspected abduction of Nancy Guthrie, the FBI and Google made a groundbreaking recovery of Nest doorbell video, two men have been detained and released without charges, thousands of tips have been investigated — and yet her whereabouts remain unknown. Herman Weisberg, a former NYPD detective turned high-profile private investigator, believes one phone call could still crack the case. "You've got to have a lot of patience when you're dealing with that because you might just be on your 7,000th call and your 15th cup of coffee that day, but the 7,001st call could be the one that's really got a piece of valuable information in this," the managing director at the New York-based private firm SAGE Intelligence told Fox News Digital. "The 7,001st call could be the one." SAVANNAH GUTHRIE PLEADS FOR TIPS AS RANSOM NOTE CLAIMS MOM IS DEAD: 'SOMEBODY KNOWS SOMETHING' With the investigation grinding on for more than 150 days and a steep decline in updates from authorities, Weisberg said the sheer volume of public interest in the case could ultimately become one of investigators' greatest assets. "The awareness that comes with a high-profile crime like this should be an advantage in solving it," he told Fox News Digital. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON FACEBOOK Weisberg points to cases like that of Gabby Petito, where ordinary citizens reviewing their own dashcam footage provided the breakthrough investigators needed to find her remains in a remote Wyoming campground. Other cases solved with help from the public include the Boston Marathon bombing, where tipsters reported the movements of the Tsarnaev brothers after the deadly attack, and the abduction of Elizabeth Smart, who was abducted as a teenager and rescued after attentive Utah residents recognized her suspected kidnappers from news coverage of the case and called police. SEND US A TIP HERE "Crowdsourcing wins cases these days, you know, all the armchair sleuths and the true crime fans that are out there," Weisberg said. "Maybe one of them is like what I always say, is the one that looks outside their window and said, 'That's strange, that car's been parked out there too long. It's got Arizona plates.' You know, it's a stolen car. Get the police to come." While he said he's surprised that digital forensics haven't solved the case already, not everything goes investigators' way. EMAILER IN NANCY GUTHRIE CASE CLAIMS TO POSSESS VIDEO OF 'MAIN GUY' WITH SAVANNAH GUTHRIE'S MOTHER "Actually, I'm pretty shocked that this case didn't come down to technology," he said. "A perfect example is that Kohberger case in Idaho. Technology was the case breaker for them, but anything can happen in a case like this. I think the old expression, three can keep a secret if two are dead. If this was a solo perpetrator of this crime, we lose a big advantage of somebody else being able to point the finger here. Whatever it is, my personal idea on this is it was a crime that went very wrong from the beginning. We didn't have some of the advantages, some of investigative opportunities there because this didn't play out the way that the perpetrator intended it to." SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER On the other hand, Weisberg said, as in the Kohberger case, there's a strong chance that investigators are farther along than the public is aware. "They could be working on a lead right now," he said. And if that doesn't work out, investigators and the Guthrie family are still asking for tips from the public. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST There are combined rewards of more than $1.2 million for information in the Guthrie case, including $1 million from the family for information that leads to her recovery. Her daughter, "Today" co-host Savannah Guthrie, is asking anyone with information on Guthrie's case to dial 1-800-CALL-FBI. Tips can be provided anonymously to Tucson's Crime Stoppers affiliate, 88-Crime, at 1-520-882-7463. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a463bb2c2ca79de23630f9f Ways & Means Chair Smith talks Working Families Tax Cut, reconciliation 3.0, fraud te 2026-07-02T10:21:38.585Z Ways & Means Chair Smith talks Working Families Tax Cut, reconciliation 3.0, fraud House Ways & Means Chair Jason Smith (R-Mo.) spoke about the first anniversary of the passage of the Working Families Tax Cut and the chances of another reconciliation bill in an interview with the Ruthless Podcast. "When we were here last time, it was literally the fight that I was having with the United States Senate trying to do one big bill instead of multiple different bills," Smith said in an interview released on Thursday morning. "We were able to get it delivered and for the president to sign it into law on July 4th of last year. It's the largest tax cut in US history, out of every tax cut that's ever been done." Smith was instrumental in shaping the bill and touted the benefits of the expanded child tax credit, the no-tax-on-tips provision, and the no-tax-on-overtime provisions to working families and small businesses. TRUMP WILL WELCOME FARMERS AND RANCHERS TO WHITE HOUSE DINNER TO CELEBRATE TRADE, TAX WINS "I did have a waitress come up to be in my district down in Fredericktown, Missouri, a couple of months ago, and it’s exactly why you do this," Smith said. "She's like, ‘Congressman, I just wanna say thank you. I got my tax refund back. And it was over $10,000.’" From a legislative perspective, Smith specifically highlighted the significant welfare reforms, investment in border security, and cuts to spending. Now, 365 days later, Republicans are once again considering another reconciliation bill. HOUSE REPUBLICANS RIP INTO SENATE FOR DELAYING IMMIGRATION RECONCILIATION PACKAGE: 'I'M VERY FRUSTRATED' "I pushed so aggressively for the One Big Beautiful Bill because if you look at history, two partisan reconciliation bills have never passed in the same year," Smith said. "Even the skinny one that just passed a few weeks ago was not in the same years . So it’s gonna be a challenge." Reconciliation is a budget-related measure that can pass the Senate on a simple majority vote. Most other forms of legislation require 60 votes to bypass the filibuster in the upper chamber. Podcast Co-host Comfortably Smug also highlighted the Congressman’s work on combating fraud. DR OZ SAYS 800 HOSPICE PROVIDERS SUSPENDED IN CALIFORNIA OVER ALLEGED $1B MEDICARE FRAUD SCHEME "Another issue that really caught fire, it feels like starting December of last year with Nick Shirley, uncovering all of that fraud, waste and abuse that was happening in Minnesota," Smug said. "You've been doing a ton of investigations into fraud, especially when it comes to hospice." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Smith highlighted a burrito stand and a tire shop that posed as hospice care. In New York, 600,000 fake employees claimed to work as home health aides. The interview took place as part of the Ruthless Midterm Interview Series, an ongoing initiative to interview major candidates across the country. The hosts have already interviewed candidates in 17 states, with more scheduled ahead of the November midterms. Voters in Missouri head to the polls for the primaries on August 4th. The general election takes place on November 3rd. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a463b9fc2ca79de23630f96 Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding could unleash unprecedented global spending frenzy: expert te 2026-07-02T10:21:19.131Z Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding could unleash unprecedented global spending frenzy: expert As Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's reported wedding approaches, experts say the ceremony is poised to become much more than a celebrity milestone. According to branding and business experts, the economic impact won't begin when the couple says "I do." It began the moment the wedding entered the cultural conversation. Even if the rumored July 3 ceremony remains entirely private, experts told Fox News Digital that Swift's influence is powerful enough to drive consumer spending without fans ever setting foot near the venue. TAYLOR SWIFT AND TRAVIS KELCE'S WEDDING OF THE YEAR: EVERYTHING WE KNOW SO FAR "The economic value isn't generated by access to the wedding," brand innovator Sunny Bonnell said. "It's generated by participation in the cultural moment." The co-founder of Motto explained that "people aren't buying a wedding. They're buying a sense of belonging to a moment." "Taylor has become exceptionally good at creating those moments," she added. Even businesses that never received a wedding invitation could end up cashing in, with experts saying simply being connected to the event may be enough to generate a surge of attention. "Anyone or anything associated with the wedding, from the city, venue, hotel, restaurants, florists, stylists, designers, could see a major visibility boost," strategic communications expert Kelcey Kintner told Fox News Digital. "At this point, even proximity to her brand can become its own form of currency. And let’s be honest, we are all excited to see what this wedding looks like whenever details are shared." And it's not just venues, hotels and florists eyeing a potential payday. Experts said brands everywhere are expected to scramble for a piece of the Swift wedding buzz, with many hoping to ride the cultural wave without ever being officially linked to the ceremony. "For some brands, the opportunity is simply to tap into the broader cultural conversation around romance, fashion, travel, friendship, football and fandom," PR expert Dave Quast explained. "The smart ones will show a healthy degree of restraint. The clumsy ones will make it too literal, too thirsty or too crassly self-promotional." TAYLOR SWIFT'S RUMORED MADISON SQUARE GARDEN WEDDING FACES ONE MASSIVE HURDLE, CELEBRITY PLANNER WARNS It's a strategy that's played out before whenever Swift dominates the cultural conversation. This was most obvious during Swift's record-breaking Eras Tour, when brands capitalized on all things Taylor — friendship bracelets, themed drinks and even concert outfits. "We have already seen how quickly brands move when Taylor creates a cultural moment, like with her recent album cover, when brands started posting their own orange, sparkly versions of their logos to tap into the conversation," Kintner, Senior VP at Red Banyan PR, pointed out. "The smart ones will be careful, though. With Taylor Swift, fans can spot an obvious cash grab very quickly." Bonnell said the real opportunity for brands lies in the community Swift has built, not in official access to the event. "She doesn't create audiences. She creates communities that want to decode, celebrate, imitate and share every chapter of the story," Bonnell, author of "Rare Breed," said. "That's why a private event can still produce public value for brands." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Experts said the scale of the expected economic activity from Swift's reported wedding ultimately comes down to the couple's unmatched cultural reach. The real magic lies in what happens when Swift's fan base collides with Kelce's. "It is hard to think of a modern celebrity couple with this exact combination of influence," Kintner explained. "Their worlds are very different, which is exactly what makes this so powerful. We have seen powerful celebrity couples before, but Taylor and Travis sit at the intersection of two massive industries: global entertainment and professional sports. Their combined cultural reach is enormous, and the spending power around them is not just about their personal wealth." It's that rare crossover appeal, Bonnell argued, that could send the economic ripple effect into overdrive. "Taylor has built one of the most engaged communities in entertainment. Travis has become far more than an athlete through sports, media and pop culture," Bonnell emphasized. "Together, they create a moment that transcends industries and audiences. The result isn't additive. It's exponential because each expands the reach of the other's world." Kintner added, "This would not just be entertainment news. It would be a sports story, a fashion story, a business story, a tourism story, and a pop culture event all at once." LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Royal weddings and power couples like Beyoncé and Jay-Z have also generated enormous cultural attention, but today's social media landscape accelerates consumer behavior in ways previous celebrity weddings couldn't. "Royal weddings have had bigger, institutional spectacles, and other celebrity couples have had more evenly matched wealth and fame," Quast, founder of EDQ Strategies, noted. "But there aren’t many modern pairings where one person can move travel, fashion, media, and fan behavior at this scale while the other brings in a different part of the culture." Kintner agreed: "Only Taylor Swift could turn wedding speculation into an economic, cultural and media event before the invitations are even confirmed." Beyond the ceremony itself, experts said the lasting impact may be measured not only in headlines but in the consumer trends that follow. Bonnell noted that fans "participate" in Swift's cultural moments rather than simply observe them, while Kintner said bridal brands, jewelers, florists, hotels and travel companies are all likely to find ways to connect themselves to the event long after the vows are exchanged. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a463b8bc2ca79de23630f8d 'God Bless the USA' star revives patriotic spirits brand benefiting veterans for America's 250th birthday te 2026-07-02T10:20:59.677Z 'God Bless the USA' star revives patriotic spirits brand benefiting veterans for America's 250th birthday Just in time for America's 250th birthday, Grammy Award-winning country music icon Lee Greenwood — writer and singer of the enduring patriotic ballad "God Bless the USA" — is bringing back his collection of Soldier Valley Spirits after the original distillery closed in 2024. The brand supports veterans' and first-responder charities. "We're really excited to relaunch this product," Greenwood told Fox News Digital in an interview. "[Soldier Valley Spirits] has been a charity organization since the beginning." A portion of the proceeds from every bottle sold helps support veteran and first-responder charities, including Helping a Hero, the Tunnels to Towers Foundation and Folds of Honor. WHISKEY MOGUL OFFERS FREE $200M COLLEGE CAMPUS TO RELIGIOUS GROUPS, WITH ONE MAJOR CATCH The lineup of spirits includes whiskey, bourbon or vodka.  The "America's 250th Birthday Collection" includes all three. The spirits come in commemorative World War II-inspired canteen-shaped bottles, which Greenwood told Fox News Digital were designed by a former Army sergeant. Soldier Valley Spirits' objective is to support military heroes and their families, Greenwood said. The company's website says it is "built on the core values of faith, family and service to country." The spirits make a fitting addition to a wedding, sporting event or serve as an after-dinner drink at a bar or casino, Greenwood said. WHISKEY VALOR FOUNDATION IS UNITING VETERANS, HERE'S HOW A 'CRAZY IDEA' BECAME REALITY "I would toast America" while drinking it, he said. Soldier Valley Spirits is working to get the product into "as many stores as we can," Greenwood said. It's also available online and can be shipped to most states. Greenwood is leading a series of high-profile events to celebrate America's 250th anniversary. He helped kick off the Great American State Fair, where he introduced President Donald Trump at the Freedom 250 celebration; he also performed "God Bless the USA" with the Marine Corps Band. The 83-year-old singer and songwriter has been honored with the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's National Patriot Award and has entertained troops on more than 30 United Service Organizations (USO) tours, according to Soldier Valley Spirits. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ He was appointed to the council of the National Endowment for the Arts in 2008 by President George W. Bush.  Such appointments continued under Presidents Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Trump, who also appointed Greenwood to serve on the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees. "I've spent much of my career honoring the men and women who serve our country ever since my first USO tour in 1989 with Bob Hope," Greenwood said in a statement.  "Soldier Valley Spirits is another way to say thank you. These are premium, American-made spirits that celebrate our shared values while helping support organizations that serve veterans and first-responder families." CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES When he toured with Hope, Greenwood performed at eight shows in eight days across eight stops around the world, covering 25,000 miles, he told Fox News Digital. He said he "respected and admired" Hope, especially for "how much he gave during the Vietnam era." Greenwood was on the back of a bus when he wrote "God Bless the USA," he said, adding that he's proud to be an American because he doesn't know "if there's another country that would have given me [the] opportunity" to be rewarded as he has through hard work. Greenwood released "God Bless the USA" in 1984, and the song peaked that year at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, according to Billboard. The song charted several more times — during the Gulf War and after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks — before reaching No. 1 on Billboard's Digital Song Sales chart in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, 36 years after its release. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Greenwood recalled that he wasn't certain he would release the iconic song, but his record label made the call. "There was nothing I could follow it with" after performing it for the first few times, he said. "There was nothing bigger than that in my show." Greenwood released his "American Patriot" album, which includes recordings of classic American ballads, in 1992. He is set to receive the 2026 All-American Icon Award and perform "God Bless the USA" during the Countdown 250 Ball on Friday in Washington, D.C., according to a news release. Fox News Digital's Kelly McGreal contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a463b78c2ca79de23630f84 Caitlin Clark's rise has 'made Alyssa Thomas’ life better,' Christine Brennan says after fist incident te 2026-07-02T10:20:40.226Z Caitlin Clark's rise has 'made Alyssa Thomas’ life better,' Christine Brennan says after fist incident Christine Brennan, a USA Today columnist and author of "ON HER GAME: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women’s Sports," opened up about why the image of Phoenix Suns forward Alyssa Thomas’ first on Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has resonated with sports fans. The incident sparked a one-game suspension for Thomas and another discourse about the treatment Clark has received from her WNBA colleagues in the floor. In just her third season, Clark has been knocked around multiple times. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Brennan appeared on OutKick’s "Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich" and suggested the image of Thomas’ fist to Clark’s throat is "that big of a deal" because Clark’s popularity helped paved the way to help players like Thomas. "Is the league going to speak out at all about the visual that will live with this league, I believe forever? I think that picture, the fist to the throat is that big of a deal. I wish it wasn’t racial. I wish it was (Marina) Mabrey or somebody so you can have it not be a racial conversation because in our polarized society, I hate that," Brennan said. "I wish that could be out of it and we can look at the fact that the face of the league, Caitlin Clark, no doubt about it, every measure possible, has got a fist to her throat. Caitlin Clark, who has brought the charter flights, I broke that story, you know, that’s a fact. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "Caitlin Clark, with all the TV ratings, all the attendance figures, everything that she has brought she has made Alyssa Thomas’ life better. She's making more money. She's got it. She's not in the middle seat anymore in coach as they all used to be, some of them and, instead you've got the fist to the throat. She’s hitting the person who brought her all of that. That’s why this story resonates. I wish we would hear from Cathy Engelbert about it. Is she concerned about Caitlin Clark and Caitlin Clark being injured?" The Fever and the Mercury will meet again on July 9. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a463921c2ca79de23630f18 Alexi Lalas rips referees after Folarin Balogun red card in Team USA win: 'An absolute joke' te 2026-07-02T10:10:41.851Z Alexi Lalas rips referees after Folarin Balogun red card in Team USA win: 'An absolute joke' Celebrations have begun for Team USA after defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 to advance to the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But it’s also bittersweet considering Folarin Balogun, who scored his third World Cup goal in the victory, won’t be available on Monday night in Seattle against Belgium after being shown a red card in the 64th minute in a massively controversial decision. When head referee Raphael Claus of Brazil showed the red card to Balogun, the crowd at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium and the millions watching from home were stunned. Not only did the USMNT have to face Bosnia and Herzegovina for the remainder of the game down one man, but he would be missing the next match if they made it through. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM After the match, former USMNT star Alexi Lalas didn’t hold back his thoughts about how the game was officiated on the night. "An absolute joke of a refereeing night," Lalas said during the FOX Sports broadcast. Lalas also had an interesting post on X involving Argentina superstar Lionel Messi, which was invoked by many after seeing what happened to Balogun. In Balogun’s case, it was determined that him stepping on the back of Tarik Muharemovic’s leg, which led to a rolled ankle, was enough to flash the red card after VAR review despite both players jostling for position to receive the ball coming their way. USA ADVANCES IN WORLD CUP AFTER CONTROVERSIAL RED CARD VS BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA There was nothing done with intent on Balogun's end; rather, he was just trying to land with his right leg after being bumped himself, and his foot unfortunately came down on Muharemovic. But Lalas immediately thought about Messi’s situation that occurred in Argentina’s World Cup opener against Algeria. Messi was trying to get a ball away from an Algerian player when he was seen digging his cleat into the back of the player’s calf. Lalas posted the clip on X with the simple caption, "'Sup," making it pretty clear what he was referring to. Messi wasn’t reprimanded on the pitch, or after, for what appeared to be a more egregious action than Balogun considering he was looking down at his opponent’s leg from behind before the cleat hits the calf. Balogun wasn’t even looking at the back right leg of Muharemovic, though it was clear it could’ve been an injury given the rolled ankle that was being stepped on. Either way, the USMNT will have to think about who will take Balogun’s place against Belgium, as manager Mauricio Pochettino and his staff will deliberate over that key position against their next formidable opponent. But this red card will be debated for the days leading up to the next match, which will be held at Seattle Stadium on July 6 at 8 p.m. 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/6a4634b8c2ca79de23630e6d U.S. House Unanimously Passes Bill To Strengthen SBA Support For Tribal Entrepreneurs te 2026-07-02T09:51:52.872Z U.S. House Unanimously Passes Bill To Strengthen SBA Support For Tribal Entrepreneurs By Ethan Faverino | The U.S. House of Representatives has unanimously passed H.R. 7396, the Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act, a bipartisan measure aimed at strengthening Small Business Administration (SBA) outreach and support for Tribal entrepreneurs across the United States. The legislation, led by a bipartisan coalition in Congress, seeks to formally establish and codify the Office of Native American Affairs (ONAA) within the SBA by amending the Small Business Act. The goal is to improve coordination, accountability, and targeted support for Native American and native Hawaiian business owners who often face structural barriers in accessing federal resources. The bill was introduced by a bipartisan group of lawmakers including Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ-02), alongside Rep. Shanice Davids (D-KS-03), Rep. Jake Ellzey (R-TX-06), and Rep. Kelly Morrison (D-MN-03). The measure passed the House with unanimous support after previously clearing the chamber in the last Congress with strong bipartisan backing before stalling in the Senate. If enacted, the legislation would formally embed the ONAA within the Small Business Administration and assign its responsibility for expanding access to entrepreneurial development programs, contracting opportunities, and capital resources for Tribal communities. This evening, the House unanimously passed the Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act to strengthen @SBAgov outreach to Tribal entrepreneurs. I'm grateful for the leadership of @RepDavids and for the support of @RepEllzey and @KellyMorrisonMN on this bipartisan bill. pic.twitter.com/GDh3uWpH8p — Rep. Eli Crane (@RepEliCrane) June 23, 2026 The office would also be tasked with improving coordination with other federal agencies and increasing education about available programs for Native entrepreneurs. Tribal business owners, particularly those operating on reservations, often face unique challenges including complex tax structures, regulatory barriers, lending difficulties, and questions surrounding property rights. Supporters of the legislation argue that these issues have been compounded by inconsistent outreach and limited access to federal small business programs. By codifying the Office of Native America Affairs into federal law, the bill also strengthens congressional oversight by requiring annual reports to Congress detailing outreach efforts, consultations with Tribal governments, training initiatives, and the number of entrepreneurs served. “I’m proud to be part of the bipartisan coalition working to improve and expand SBA outreach to Tribal communities. As the representative of over half of Arizona’s tribes, I’m focused on solutions to help expand economic growth throughout rural Arizona,” stated Rep. Crane. “I’m grateful to Rep. Davids for her leadership, as well as Reps. Ellzey and Morrison for their support of this important bill. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to quickly take up and pass this measure.” Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link. The post U.S. House Unanimously Passes Bill To Strengthen SBA Support For Tribal Entrepreneurs first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4634a3c2ca79de23630e64 Biggs’ Federal Monitor Reform Bill Advances With Senate Companion te 2026-07-02T09:51:31.880Z Biggs’ Federal Monitor Reform Bill Advances With Senate Companion By Ethan Faverino | U.S. Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) has introduced the Monitor Accountability Act in the U.S. Senate, serving as a companion measure to H.R. 8365, legislation previously passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05). The legislation seeks to establish new federal standards governing court-appointed monitors used in civil consent decrees involving state and local governments. These monitors are typically assigned to oversee reform efforts in areas such as law enforcement and public safety compliance. Supporters of the bill point to long-running monitorships in jurisdictions such as Maricopa County, Arizona, and New Orleans, Louisiana, as examples of cases where oversight arrangements have extended for years and generated significant taxpayer costs. According to figures cited by sponsors, the New Orleans Police Department consent decree lasted 13 years and cost an estimated $100 million before concluding, while the ongoing Maricopa County monitorship has reportedly exceeded $350 million in taxpayers expense and continues. “I’m grateful for Senator Kennedy’s partnership in this fight to reinsert sorely needed congressional oversight over these out-of-control federal monitors,” stated Congressman Biggs. “The stories of Maricopa County and New Orleans are abusive and well-documented, showing how these monitors operate without oversight across America. As I have said repeatedly, the destructive effects these monitors have on government budgets and public safety necessitate congressional action. I hope the Senate quickly passes this bill and sends it to the White House to be enacted into law.” U.S. Senator John Kennedy has introduced the Monitor Accountability Act as a companion bill to my legislation. I’m grateful for Senator Kennedy’s partnership in this fight to reinsert sorely needed congressional oversight over these out-of-control monitors. pic.twitter.com/0bePhGAMx2 — Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) June 29, 2026 Senator Kennedy emphasized the need for accountability and cost controls in the system. “Federal court monitors can serve an important purpose, but taxpayers should not have to fund open-ended monitorships that drag on for years without basic accountability,” said Senator Kennedy. “We basically let government contractors decide whether their own government contract keeps going. The Monitor Accountability Act would cap fees, limit terms and bring transparency to a system operating for far too long on autopilot.” If enacted, the legislation would direct the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts and the Judicial Conference of the United States to implement standardized rules for appointing and managing federal monitors. These include: Five-year term limits for monitors, with no reappointment under the same court order. Restrictions on successive appointments, preventing the same individual or affiliated employer from continuing a monitorship. Fee caps and transparency requirements, including annual public accounting of services and compensation. Public notice and comment period before a monitor is appointed. Compliance-based extensions, allowing continuation only if substantial and sustained compliance has not been achieved. Judicial reassignment after six years in ongoing cases to prevent prolonged oversight by a single judge. Retroactive application to monitorships exceeding six years, including potential replacement of monitors and judicial reassignment. The bill also encourages the use of pro bono or reduced-rate services in monitor roles. As the legislation moved through the House earlier this year, it received public support from several law enforcement leaders and organizations, including Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels, the Arizona Sheriffs’ Association, the Major County Sheriffs of America, the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, and the Arizona Police Association. The bill notes that federal monitors are typically appointed in civil settlement agreements or consent decrees to oversee corrective reforms, often in response to findings of unconstitutional policing or systemic agency misconduct. The legislation responds in part to prior federal guidance encouraging greater transparency, term limits, and cost accountability in monitor appointments. Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link. The post Biggs’ Federal Monitor Reform Bill Advances With Senate Companion first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46348ec2ca79de23630e5b DOJ Opens Campaign Finance Investigation Into Sen. Ruben Gallego te 2026-07-02T09:51:10.897Z DOJ Opens Campaign Finance Investigation Into Sen. Ruben Gallego By Staff Reporter | Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) was cleared of campaign finance and sexual misconduct accusations by one entity, but now faces a probe into his campaign finances by another.  The Senate Ethics Committee issued a letter to Gallego on Friday notifying him that he was cleared of accusations made by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL-13) concerning sexual and financial misconduct. The committee advised it had reviewed statements from individuals identified in the complaint, Federal Election Commission (FEC) reports, the 2025 Senate secretary’s expenditure report, the House of Representatives clerk’s expenditure reports, the House of Representatives reports of privately sponsored travel, and information provided by Gallego to the committee.  Committee members include Sens. James Lankford (R-OK), chairman; Christopher Coons (D-DE), vice chair; James Risch (R-ID); Brian Schatz (D-HI); Deb Fischer (R-NE); and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).  In response to the committee letter, Gallego accused Paulina Luna on Monday of being one of many “far-right activists” spreading “right-wing conspiracies.”  The dismissal by the Ethics Committee reaffirms what I have said about these accusations from the beginning: they were right-wing conspiracies peddled by far-right activists like Anna Paulina Luna, the White House, and their allies. I look forward to an apology from Rep. Luna… — Senator Ruben Gallego (@SenRubenGallego) June 29, 2026 Relief for the potential 2028 presidential candidate was short-lived. The Department of Justice (DOJ) also had an announcement on Monday wherein it revealed Gallego was under investigation for those alleged campaign finance violations the ethics committee had cleared.  According to federal campaign finance records, Gallego allegedly spent campaign funds on amenities and extravagances for himself and his family. An anonymous source first reported on by Politico accused the senator of treating his campaign cash like a “personal slush fund” for “a luxury lifestyle.”   One widely scrutinized expenditure concerned Gallego’s attendance at the 2023 Super Bowl with his former best friend: ex-California congressman and gubernatorial candidate, Eric Swalwell. Gallego and Swalwell hosted a joint fundraising committee event in which they dropped tens of thousands of dollars on brunch, tickets, and other watch party arrangements for themselves and select special guests. Gallego has reportedly spent around $20,000 in campaign funds on childcare over the past seven years (nearly half came from this past year alone), and tens of thousands more on trips to vacation destinations including Miami for his wife’s birthday, the Caribbean for the birthday of his wife’s boss, and Nantucket and Puerto Rico as well.  Twice in 2025, Gallego used campaign funds to fly his family and an au pair to Disney properties.  Another anonymous source — either the same source quoted by Politico or another source — told The Daily Beast that Gallego arranged at least the Miami trip under the guise of fundraising but truly intended as a celebration for his wife’s birthday.  The New York Times recently reported that, while running for Senate back in 2024, Gallego allowed his wife to drive an SUV leased for campaign purposes.  Gallego and his spokespeople have defended the au pair as allowable childcare reimbursements under FEC rules, and some of the events criticized as luxury outings like the jet-setting trips and 2023 Super Bowl watch party as valid fundraising endeavors.  “Trump is targeting Senator Gallego while the most weaponized Department of Justice in history is turning a blind eye to Trump’s unprecedented corruption that’s raising costs for families, and instead targeting anyone who gets in their way — like the Federal Reserve, members of Congress doing their oversight duty, and now Senator Gallego,” read a recent statement from a Gallego spokesperson. “Because I’m not a millionaire (I’m one of the least wealthy members of Congress), every month is a game of childcare, travel, and scheduling balancing,” said Gallego in a post to X earlier this month. “And because of my schedule and the laws passed that allow for it, I will at times bring my wife and children with me to these retreats and fundraisers. Are these at nice venues? Yes, it’s where the donors are, and it’s part of campaigning. I know people have opinions on that, but that’s the nature of the campaign system we have in our country.” Let me clear the air on some of these stories swirling around. The FEC has stated that childcare may be reimbursed. There is a simple reason: we want Congress to look like America. Not just people without children, those with grown children, or those from wealthy backgrounds. It… — Ruben Gallego (@RubenGallego) June 22, 2026 AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link. The post DOJ Opens Campaign Finance Investigation Into Sen. Ruben Gallego first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a462db7c2ca79de23630d04 Micron's $250 million bet on kids is a blueprint for America's future te 2026-07-02T09:21:59.934Z Micron's $250 million bet on kids is a blueprint for America's future Two hundred and fifty years ago, a band of visionaries bet everything on a radical idea: that ordinary people, given liberty and opportunity, could build a great and innovative nation. As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's time to make another bold bet on our workforce and the next generation. Idaho-based Micron Technology has committed more than $200 billion to expand semiconductor manufacturing and R&D right here in the United States. One of the largest private investments in the country’s history, it will generate more than 90,000 U.S. jobs. But Micron's investment in America never stopped at fabs. Micron has more than $300 million planned nationally over the next 20 years for education, community, veteran and workforce development programs. Micron announced today that it is once again leading the way for the private sector by committing $250 million to seed Trump Accounts for 1 million American children, in addition to matching our employees’ contributions to these accounts. HERE'S HOW MUCH TRUMP ACCOUNT BALANCES COULD GROW OVER TIME These tax-advantaged savings vehicles, passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump, help parents, guardians and other donors invest in families’ futures. Micron is putting real money behind them with two new programs. This investment — both an employee benefit and a community initiative — is the largest corporate commitment of its kind. First, an employee match. Micron employs more than 10,000 Americans, and starting now, current and future team members who open Trump Accounts for their children will receive a company match of up to $1,000 per child. After contributing $1,000 of their own, a Micron team member with one newborn child could receive an additional $1,000 match from Micron, combined with the government's $1,000 seed contribution. This collective $3,000 in tax-advantaged dollars could, based on historical market averages, grow to more than $20,000 by the time that child turns 18. Second, community seed funding. In communities where Micron operates and in counties with median incomes of less than $150,000, families who open a Trump Account for their child will receive a one-time $250 deposit per child from Micron. These are communities in Idaho, New York, Virginia, California, Colorado, Minnesota and Texas — places where hardworking Americans are constructing the fabs and engineering the chips that serve as the foundation of AI in data centers, smartphones, PCs and consumer electronics, automotive technology and several other markets. Micron’s investment in our communities is aimed at reaching up to 1 million children. The global AI boom is driving unprecedented demand for Micron's advanced memory and storage technology, and the company is expanding production rapidly. Every medical device screening for cancer, every system predicting weather patterns to save lives, every tool helping farmers forecast crop yields and optimize irrigation, every vehicle getting safer on the road, and every smartphone running on-device AI will depend on chips of the type Micron is building right here in America.  TRUMP ACCOUNTS TOUTED AS ANTIDOTE TO ‘ANTI-CAPITALIST’ IDEOLOGY, FINANCIAL ILLITERACY GRIPPING US: REGULATOR The company’s U.S. investment of more than $200 billion comes as AI has made American-made semiconductors more critical than at any point in history. President Trump's push to onshore chip manufacturing created the conditions for companies like Micron to advance U.S. economic and national security through domestic semiconductor supply chains and to reinvest in American communities at a historic scale. Micron's chips power AI, and AI is driving our growth — growth that is creating tens of thousands of American jobs in communities across the country. And now it’s supporting Trump Accounts for children in Boise, Syracuse and beyond. That is American business at its finest. Micron’s investment proves what we have always known: The private sector is ready to amplify public initiatives that help build prosperity from the ground up.. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION By investing in the next generation of American inventors, engineers, technicians, construction workers, craftspeople and entrepreneurs, Micron’s commitment builds on the founding spirit of this nation. The children who benefit from these accounts today could be the ones designing the breakthroughs that keep America ahead of the global competition tomorrow. The chips we build today will help build the futures of America’s children and tomorrow’s workforce. More than $200 billion in American manufacturing. $250 million for American children. $250 per child. In America's 250th year. That symmetry is no accident. I invite every American company to follow this lead. The Trump Account is the vehicle. The opportunity is now. Years from now, when a young American opens that account and sees how it’s grown, he or she will know somebody believed in him or her. That is the America worth building for the next 250 years. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a462da4c2ca79de23630cfb Border agents uncover $3.7M in cocaine masquerading as a cucumber delivery te 2026-07-02T09:21:40.476Z Border agents uncover $3.7M in cocaine masquerading as a cucumber delivery Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents discovered and seized over $3.7 million worth of cocaine in what was supposed to be a shipment of cucumbers last Wednesday. Agents at the Pharr International Bridge near the southernmost point of Texas discovered 112 packages in a tractor-trailer after a canine inspection and a subsequent nonintrusive imaging system scan revealed anomalies in the vehicle. CBP officials seized the load, totaling 278.88 pounds — a haul with a $3,723,654 street value, according to the agency. HIDDEN TUNNEL DISCOVERED IN TIJUANA MAY HAVE SUPPORTED CROSS-BORDER TRAFFICKING OPERATIONS The stopped shipment, just one of many shipments traffickers have tried to mask as other merchandise, highlights how smuggling remains a challenge for law enforcement along the U.S. border — even as illegal border crossings have plummeted to record lows. According to Port Director Carols Rodriguez, who manages the Hidalgo Port of Entry, it’s one of the many reasons CBP must maintain high levels of scrutiny. "This interception is a powerful reminder that our CBP officers are on duty 24/7, employing every resource to detect and deter those who attempt to exploit our borders," Rodriguez said in a statement to Fox News Digital. TRUMP ADMINISTRATION NAMES ROSARIO 'PETE' VASQUEZ TO SERVE AS NEXT US BORDER PATROL CHIEF Since the end of 2024, border crossings have plummeted, going from over 144,000 encounters in December 2024 to just 10,000 in April. Even so, CBP has reported several high-profile smuggling attempts. In February, CBP detained a truckload of "roses" concealing over 515 pounds of cocaine. Just a little later, on April 2, CBP reported seizing 298 pounds of cocaine worth roughly $2.6 million in another commercial truck allegedly carrying carrots. And the smuggling efforts haven't been limited to drugs, either. FEDS DISMANTLE ALLEGED GUN TRAFFICKING RING THAT FUNNELED DOZENS OF FIREARMS FROM GEORGIA TO CHICAGO GANGS Later in April, CBP announced it had prevented a car carrying a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, 16 AK rifles, 24 rifle magazines, 16 rifle stocks, 20 pistol grips, and other weapon parts from crossing the border. "The threat of illicit narcotics is constant, but so is our vigilance," Rodriguez said Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a462d91c2ca79de23630cf2 MORNING GLORY: Celebrate the Supreme Court, our Constitution and America at 250 te 2026-07-02T09:21:21.024Z MORNING GLORY: Celebrate the Supreme Court, our Constitution and America at 250 The Supreme Court ended its 2025-2027 term Tuesday and many of its members will soon leave the Beltway for the summer. There are courses to teach, lectures to give and seminars to lead — and perhaps a book to work on as they enjoy their annual break. The justices long ago adjusted their rhythms to the facts of the District of Columbia’s summer, but this year, they, like many other Americans will also be celebrating our nation’s 250th birthday. Robes, gavels and the necessary secrecy aside, the Court is a very human institution peopled by Americans of exceptional accomplishment and dedication. Even when followers of the Court are disappointed or even outraged by this or that decision, the Court continues to outpace the other branches of government when it comes for respect for the institution and its long and steady support for the Constitution. On three occasions, the Court has left terrible stains on American history. The "anti-cannon" trio of terrible decisions — Dred Scott, Plessy v Ferguson and Korematsu v. United States — have all been reversed, with members of the Court repeatedly expressing shame for their predecessors that penned or signed on to those decisions. SECRETS OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR BATTLEFIELDS EMERGE 250 YEARS AFTER AMERICA'S FOUNDING Many people quarrel with this or that decision every time one is issued. Of the seven most controversial decisions rolling out from One First Street, NE at this term’s end — decisions dealing with status of appointees atop federal administrative agencies, the tenure of governors of the Federal Reserve, "Temporary Protected Status" of immigrants inside the country and the availability of asylum to immigrants outside of it but at the border, the First Amendment and spending by political parties, state laws prohibiting biological boys participating in girls’ sports and birthright citizenship — very few approved of the majority in all seven cases. (I did, but that’s the scorecard of an outlier in the lists of punditry, the result of having taught Constitutional Law for 30 years to law students at the Fowler School of Law at Chapman University. My perspective is that of an institutionalist who prizes text, history and tradition as well as the much overlooked virtue of common sense.) The passionate folks who are activists on one or two issues — gun rights, abortion access, religious liberty, who is "an American" are at least entitled to stay in the country — are often the most vocal in the aftermath of a decision they don’t like. The results are occasional days of rage on X, periods of anger which too shall pass. What ought to remain as we approach our 250th birthday is an appreciation for the institution that is the embodiment of our commitment to the rule of law. The Declaration of Independence is, as President-elect Abraham Lincoln put it long ago (borrowing from the Book of Proverbs in the Bible) the "apple or gold" at the heart of our country’s being. Lincoln added —continuing to borrow from Proverbs — that the Constitution was the "frame of silver" protecting the Declaration’s promises of freedom and equality before the law. Every decision the Court renders ought to be issued to advance the polishing and strengthening of that frame. Certainly the majorities in every case of constitutional significance (as opposed to, say, interpretations of bankruptcy statutes) quest to "get it right." Dissenters are often very explicit in their arguments about every decision. But whether writing for a majority or dissenting from one, the justices all reduce their arguments to writing and let the public judge the results. It is far from an easy job and particular cases like that of President Trump’s executive order on "birthright citizenship" produce avalanches of words and, in that case, six different opinions explaining the various justices’ views. It’s a lot for a layman to take in. So they don’t. Many take their cues from social media. Rarely, if ever, can even the longest series of posts explain even one serious opinion. Step back from any particular decision and the online reactions to it, however, and every citizen should take deep pride and satisfaction in the structure of our government and the requirement that even its highest court —and the final word on how it operates is obliged to explain itself to the people over whom it exercises such immense control. (Those "final words" can sometimes be reversed or modified but even the quickest return trip to the Court for a precedent takes many years and that’s if a turn in the settled law is moving exceedingly fast.) SUPREME COURT RULES ON MAIL-IN BALLOTS RECEIVED AFTER ELECTION DAY "We the people" are owed answers and "in the course of human events" we get them — whether or not any particular decision generates applause or boos from the 330 million Americans they bind. What a glorious thing, this "rule of law" which we too often take for granted because it has almost always been there in our lifetimes. Only rarely in the 53 years since Roe v. Wade (overturning all state laws on abortion) and the 48 years since University of California v. Bakke (upholding the use of race to award benefits or inflict penalties) has the Court been so tragically wrong as to set back dramatically the march of ordered liberty based on equality before the law in our carefully constructed system of checks and balances and federalism which are designed to preserve, first and foremost, individual liberty. The Supreme Court is not perfect, of course, but it gets most things right and it carefully and surely corrects its errors over time. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Tempers are blazing right now over this decision or that, depending on the deeply held beliefs of partisans from left or right. The Supreme Court remains, however, despite its annual roller-coaster of controversy, the glory of our American system. The Court embodies the rule, not of kings or despots or even this Congress or that President, but of our laws — collectively argued about until adopted — and our Constitution, which is intentionally difficult to amend but capable of dealing with brand new technologies and unforeseen scientific advances. We are uniquely blessed of all the people in recorded human history to have such an institution so empowered and so populated with decent, hard-working people of good faith and a patient, enduring commitment to offer their best assessments of what "the law" requires. Toast the Declaration on Saturday of course, but add another for "this honorable Court" which labors in every case and controversy that comes before it to protect that "apple of gold" and that "frame of silver." Hugh Hewitt is a Fox News contributor and host of "The Hugh Hewitt Show" heard weekday afternoons from 3 PM to 6 PM ET on the Salem Radio Network, and simulcast on Salem News Channel. Hugh drives Americans home on the East Coast and to lunch on the West Coast on over 400 affiliates nationwide, and on all the streaming platforms where SNC can be seen. He is a frequent guest on the Fox News Channel’s news roundtable, hosted by Bret Baier weekdays at 6pm ET. A son of Ohio and a graduate of Harvard College and the University of Michigan Law School, Hewitt has been a Professor of Law at Chapman University’s Fowler School of Law since 1996 where he teaches Constitutional Law. Hewitt launched his eponymous radio show from Los Angeles in 1990. Hewitt has frequently appeared on every major national news television network, hosted television shows for PBS and MSNBC, written for every major American paper, has authored a dozen books and moderated a score of Republican candidate debates, most recently the November 2023 Republican presidential debate in Miami and four Republican presidential debates in the 2015-16 cycle. Hewitt focuses his radio show and his column on the Constitution, national security, American politics and the Cleveland Browns and Guardians. Hewitt has interviewed tens of thousands of guests from Democrats Hillary Clinton and John Kerry to Republican Presidents George W. Bush and Donald Trump over his 40 years in broadcasting. This column previews the lead story that will drive his radio/ TV show today. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM HUGH HEWITT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a462d7dc2ca79de23630ce9 SEN TIM SCOTT: My family's journey shows America's founding promise is alive and strong te 2026-07-02T09:21:01.591Z SEN TIM SCOTT: My family's journey shows America's founding promise is alive and strong Only in America can a family go from cotton to Congress in one lifetime. My grandfather saw his grandson win elections in the birthplace of the Confederacy. A state that once pledged allegiance to the Confederate states elected a Black man to the United States Senate. In one lifetime, by the grace of our Almighty God and the evolution of the southern heart, we saw the change America was destined for and a future that expanded the promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to all Americans. As we come together to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday, we must remember the progress we’ve made and the struggle we must undertake for our nation to continue to prosper. If in the last 250 years we have made America great, we need to remember what made us great in the first place: faith, freedom, and opportunity. WORLD CUP SOCCER FANS ARE DISCOVERING AMERICA’S GREATNESS. IT’S TIME AMERICANS DID, TOO Even in our country’s struggles, faith and freedom have always been at the core of who we are as Americans. With the first beats of America’s heart in 1776 came the soul of a nation defined by its rare proposition that all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator, not their government. Our founders knew that when we lived up to our highest ideals and viewed one another as beings created by God with inherent value, then we would point to our true north and fulfill the promises of our Declaration of Independence. CIVIL RIGHTS HEROES LOVED AMERICA. TODAY'S GRIEVANCE PEDDLERS JUST HATE IT Dr. King called America back to that same promise. He did not lead from merely a podium - he led from the pulpit. His dream was not a political speech. It was a sermon. He said, "But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!" (Amos 5:24). He called America not to be a new nation, but to honor its founding promise, echoing the words of Frederick Douglass in 1852 in the face of slavery, "The principles contained in the [Declaration of Independence] are saving principles. Stand by those principles, be true to them on all occasions, in all places, against all foes, and at whatever the cost." They didn’t want a different America. They wanted America to be all that we said we were meant to be. It took conviction, courage, and a willingness to stand up for the truth to transform this ideal into a reality for all Americans. Thank God Almighty for brave men and women of good conscience who committed themselves to advancing these principles. They did not abandon our founding principles; they challenged America to live up to them. YOUNG MEN ARE RETURNING TO CHURCH — AND IT COULD RESHAPE AMERICA’S FUTURE America needs those same convictions today. We must recommit ourselves to the Judeo-Christian values that have made our nation great in the pursuit of a more perfect union. Those enduring principles are what make America the greatest nation on God’s green Earth, and that foundation will never fail, no matter what challenges we face. Nothing good ever comes easy, and America is no exception. Only by the grace of God and leaders who unapologetically speak the truth can we ever make progress and more fully realize America as the land of opportunity where every American has the chance to reach their God-given potential. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION For America to continue to flourish, we must humble ourselves and remember the truth and values that our nation was founded upon. It doesn't mean attacking those around us, but as Ephesians 4:15 says, "speaking the truth in love." Love is a commitment to what? To truth. Therefore, love does not mean that we compromise our ideals or sugarcoat the truth. It means we encourage what is right, confront what is wrong, and remain open to correction ourselves. When we put God first, rededicate ourselves to our founding ideals, and stand up for what is right, we can surely experience the blessings of faith, freedom, and opportunity in South Carolina and the whole of the United States today, tomorrow, and for the next 250 years. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM SEN. TIM SCOTT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a462d6ac2ca79de23630ce0 America’s next 250 years depend on passing faith and freedom to our children te 2026-07-02T09:20:42.114Z America’s next 250 years depend on passing faith and freedom to our children As America reaches a major milestone this July 4th, there will be elaborate fireworks, long parades and plenty of speeches about what this nation has accomplished and endured. All of that is worth celebrating. But if we're honest, the more pressing question isn't what we're commemorating, it's what we're handing down. What we teach the next generation of Americans will determine what this country looks like at its next great milestone. Right now, we are in danger of handing them a version of America that has been stripped of the very thing that made it extraordinary in the first place: faith. SECRETS OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR BATTLEFIELDS EMERGE 250 YEARS AFTER AMERICA'S FOUNDING Let me start with something that gets misquoted almost daily in our culture. The First Amendment does not say that God has no place in American public life. It says Congress shall make no law establishing a religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. It was written by brave leaders who quoted Scripture and opened the Constitutional Convention in prayer. America wasn’t born out of a desire to eliminate religion and become some sort of aimless, secular utopia. Instead, our founders built a nation where no single church would be compelled by the state, precisely because they believed faith was too important to be weaponized by government. The Declaration of Independence references God four times. Our rights are described as endowments from a Creator. These rights don't come from a king, a parliament or a constitution. They come from God. Government doesn't grant them. Government is merely charged with protecting them. THE FOUNDING FATHERS WOULD SOUND THE ALARM ON AOC, MAMDANI AND OUR SLIDE INTO SOCIALISM This is where we have lost the plot. Over the last several decades, we've allowed "separation of church and state" — a phrase that doesn't appear anywhere in the Constitution — to be wielded as a crowbar to pry faith out of public life entirely. We've taught a generation of young people that patriotism and faith don’t blend, that loving America means setting religion aside and that the public square must be scrubbed clean of anything that looks spiritual or sounds like a prayer. The result? A generation of people who are ashamed of their country and unmoored from their God. GOV SANDERS REVEALS 'MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH' ON EDUCATION AS RED STATE POSITIONS ITSELF AS 'BLUEPRINT' FOR NATION I've learned a lot in 30 years of working with girls, many of whom left the Girl Scouts because of the ways the organization has stripped faith and God-given identity from its program, as so many other organizations have over the years. When a young woman doesn't know who she is in Christ, she won't know what to make of her country either. She'll be told by one group to love America uncritically, and by another to be ashamed of it. She'll waffle between identities, trying to figure out which version of herself is acceptable in which room. That is not freedom. It’s confusion dressed up as progress. Genuine freedom — the kind our Founders recognized and Scripture promises — isn't something any government invented. It existed before the Constitution was drafted, before the Declaration was signed, before anyone fled Europe for this continent. It's woven into how God made human beings. America's genius was not that it created freedom. It was that it acknowledged freedom as something already bestowed by God, and built a government designed to protect it. That distinction matters, especially for the kids we are raising right now. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION If we want America to look like America at its next great milestone, we have to teach the next generation that their identity as Christians and their identity as Americans are not in conflict. They are complementary. A girl confidently rooted in her faith, who knows she is first a citizen of heaven and second a citizen of this republic, is exactly the kind of person a free nation needs. She doesn't need the government to tell her what is true or good. She can hold the complexity of her nation's history, the beauty and the scars alike, without being shaken, because her foundation isn't the nation, it's the God who placed her in it! America’s birthday parties will be spectacular this July 4th. I hope they are. My own backyard will be filled with family, friends and more food than any hostess should prepare. I love the joyful, celebratory spirit of this time of year. But when the fireworks fade, the real work will be the same work it has always been, which is raising children who know the God who made them free, and who understand that freedom comes with the responsibility to pass it on. That is how we commemorate 250 years. And that is how we earn the next. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a462b8cc2ca79de23630c99 ‘Be a shark’: GCU soccer’s Addie Vali perseveres after battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma te 2026-07-02T09:12:44.246Z ‘Be a shark’: GCU soccer’s Addie Vali perseveres after battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma PHOENIX – Standing on the grass at her new home after joining the Grand Canyon University women’s soccer team, the last thing on Addie Vali’s mind was a little itchiness and a swollen lymph node. After all, two doctors had… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a462b39c2ca79de23630c42 A ‘Muslims Only’ Swim Party and the Backlash That Followed te 2026-07-02T09:11:21.804Z A ‘Muslims Only’ Swim Party and the Backlash That Followed A Muslim mother’s plan for an Eid swim party near Dallas drew backlash, then threats that upended her quiet life. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a462b26c2ca79de23630c39 Republican Senate Candidates Start Their Own Super PACs to Gain Cash Advantage te 2026-07-02T09:11:02.350Z Republican Senate Candidates Start Their Own Super PACs to Gain Cash Advantage Most of the party’s top candidates are starting their own super PACs instead of relying on a powerful group run by Washington leaders. The move allows them to seize control of their financial destinies. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a462b12c2ca79de23630c30 Boston Is Drinking Like It’s 1776. The Founding Fathers Would Be Proud. te 2026-07-02T09:10:42.895Z Boston Is Drinking Like It’s 1776. The Founding Fathers Would Be Proud. A summer of celebratory drinking is underway in the birthplace of the American Revolution. But however tipsy the tourists get, the founders probably had them beat. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a462affc2ca79de23630c27 Across a Scorching Ohio, Residents Endure Breathtaking Heat te 2026-07-02T09:10:23.456Z Across a Scorching Ohio, Residents Endure Breathtaking Heat The heat wave gripping much of the eastern half of the country over the past few days has been especially intense throughout the state. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a460cb1c2ca79de236305f0 Acting AG Todd Blanche says Newsom's DOJ claims are not 'grounded in fact' te 2026-07-02T07:01:05.313Z Acting AG Todd Blanche says Newsom's DOJ claims are not 'grounded in fact' Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Wednesday rejected California Gov. Gavin Newsom's claims that the Justice Department is politically targeting him, saying the governor's assertions are not "grounded in fact." Blanche responded to comments made by Newsom, who said last month that the Justice Department is investigating him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, under orders from President Donald Trump. While Blanche declined to comment on any ongoing investigations, he dismissed the governor's claims. GAVIN NEWSOM CLAIMS TRUMP ORDERED DOJ PROBE TARGETING HIM AND HIS WIFE "The only thing I'll say about what he chose to do and what he chose to say is, I'm not sure his words are in any way grounded in fact," Blanche said during a news conference. "He'd have to address that," Blanche added. Newsom claimed June 15 that Trump had directed the Justice Department to investigate him and his wife in an effort to undermine a potential White House campaign. The California governor has described the investigation as a politically motivated "fishing expedition" by Trump's DOJ, saying he and his wife have "nothing to hide." Newsom has also argued the inquiry is aimed at him because he is considering a presidential run, saying, "To get me, he's coming after my wife." WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE NEWSOM-LINKED CHARITIES REPORTEDLY CAUGHT IN DOJ’S SIGHTS "Donald Trump isn’t just coming after me because of my mean Tweets. He’s coming after me because I am considering running for President," Newsom said. "Because he hates that I’ve consistently called him out – over and over again – for his lies and deceit. Donald Trump is simply the most corrupt President in American history." Blanche also rejected Newsom's broader characterization of the situation. "He can choose to say whatever he thinks helps him," Blanche said. "It doesn't make it true." NEWSOM UNDER FIRE AS CALIFORNIA GAS TAX HIKE SENDS PUMP PRICES EVEN HIGHER Sources previously told Fox News the investigation has been ongoing since 2025 and is based on whistleblower complaints related to Newsom and his wife's personal finances. The matter is being handled by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Sacramento. Federal sources confirmed to Fox News there are investigations involving Jennifer Siebel Newsom, but Fox News has not learned of any federal investigation directly targeting Gov. Newsom himself. The Justice Department has not publicly confirmed any investigation involving Newsom or his wife. Jennifer Siebel Newsom is a documentary filmmaker who runs The Representation Project, a nonprofit organization that seeks to advance feminism through media production. Fox News Digital previously reported the charity has faced "pay-for-play" allegations, with critics claiming corporations with business interests in California donated to the organization in an effort to gain influence with Newsom. "There are clearly no boundaries to what Donald Trump will do to get his way or to challenge those who get in his way. This is not presidential behavior, and the Governor and I will continue to speak truth to power because the American people deserve so much more," Jennifer Siebel Newsom said in a previous statement to Fox News. Following Blanche's remarks Wednesday, the governor's office posted a meme on social media with the caption, "Why you always lyin." The governor's press office also wrote, "Trump goons know that it’s not a crime to lie to a reporter." Fox News Digital has reached out to Newsom's office for additional comment. Fox News Digital's Bonny Chu and Robert Schmad contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a460c9dc2ca79de236305e7 DeSantis announces plans to use new state law to target dozens of alleged terrorist groups te 2026-07-02T07:00:45.859Z DeSantis announces plans to use new state law to target dozens of alleged terrorist groups Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, announced on Wednesday the state's intention to use a new state law to designate dozens of groups as terrorist organizations, a move that would still require approval by the Florida Cabinet, prompting legal objections from at least one of the groups. HB 1471 was signed into law earlier this year and went into effect on Wednesday. The governor said the state plans to implement its new statutory authority to "identify, designate, and combat terrorist organizations operating in Florida" in the first use of powers established under the legislation. Florida officials plan to designate more than 90 groups as terrorist organizations, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations the Muslim Brotherhood and Antifa, though the proposed designations must be approved by the governor and Cabinet before they are finalized under the statute. FLORIDA'S CAIR THREATENS LAWSUIT AGAINST DESANTIS AFTER HE LABELS GROUP A 'FOREIGN TERRORIST' ORGANIZATION "Last December, I signed an Executive Order to eliminate the influence of radical terrorist ideologies and the organizations that promote them in Florida. This year, I signed legislation to strengthen those protections and give Florida permanent statutory tools to combat terrorism while defending the Constitutional rights of our citizens," DeSantis said in a statement. "Today, we are officially designating terrorist organizations under Florida law. In addition to CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood, we are adding Antifa to the list—along with more than 90 Foreign Terrorist Organizations, including cartels." However, under HB 1471, the Chief of Domestic Security may designate qualifying organizations as domestic or foreign terrorist organizations, but the governor and Cabinet may approve or reject those designations by majority vote before they are published in the Florida Administrative Register. Some of the foreign organizations added to the list include the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and gangs such as Cartel de Sinaloa, Tren de Aragua, Cartel del Noreste and Cartel del Golfo. The new law allows the governor and Cabinet to approve or reject designations initially made by the chief of domestic security within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. "Keeping our community safe starts with identifying the threat," Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass said. "The safety of our community is strengthened by that knowledge every day, and reinforced by the collaboration between our officers, our federal partners, and—most importantly—the people we serve." HB 1471 directs agencies to deny groups public support and taxpayer funding. The law also establishes state enforcement mechanisms and criminal penalties for providing material support to designated terrorist organizations. More specifically, the law restricts certain public benefits, funding and institutional support connected to designated groups, and creates criminal penalties for knowingly providing, attempting to provide or conspiring to provide material support or resources to a designated domestic terrorist organization. The law also ensures that foreign or religious legal codes cannot override the U.S. or Florida Constitutions in state courts. CAIR, a Muslim civil rights group, condemned the move and said it would continue challenging the state’s actions, following the governor's announcement on Wednesday, saying the organization does not engage in "terrorist activity" and has not been charged or convicted of a crime. CAIR and CAIR-Florida have also previously sued over DeSantis’ December executive order targeting CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood. "Throughout CAIR’s long history, our civil rights organization has worked to protect the Constitution’s guarantees of free speech, religious freedom and equality under the law," the group said in a statement. "We have also pursued justice for all people, including American Muslims impacted by hate. This is exactly why Gov. DeSantis has repeatedly targeted our organization. We see through Gov. DeSantis’ latest biased attempt to punish us for our views and our values. We look forward to fighting these baseless attacks in court and proving once again that the Constitution is stronger than any politician’s bigotry." FLORIDA DESIGNATES MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD AND CAIR AS FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS, DESANTIS SAYS Critics, including CAIR and civil liberties groups, argue the designations are politically motivated and threaten First Amendment-protected speech and association. DeSantis and state officials have argued the law is aimed at preventing taxpayer support for groups they say promote or support terrorism. CAIR and civil liberties groups said they would challenge the designation as baseless and unconstitutional. "Florida’s imminent designation of our clients is both dire and unmoored from reality. CAIR and CAIR-Florida’s speech and advocacy are protected by the First Amendment, which includes their right to criticize the governor, other officials, and their policies. We’re asking the court to protect our clients’ cardinal freedoms," Hina Shamsi, director of the ACLU’s National Security Project, said in a statement. The designations, if approved by the Cabinet, would operate under Florida law and would not be the same as a federal foreign terrorist organization designation, which is made by the U.S. State Department. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4607e8c2ca79de23630453 Mexican national sentenced in border child smuggling case involving THC-laced candy te 2026-07-02T06:40:40.296Z Mexican national sentenced in border child smuggling case involving THC-laced candy A Mexican national was sentenced Wednesday to five years in federal prison after admitting to participating in a human smuggling operation that prosecutors say used THC-laced candy to sedate children as young as 5 before bringing them across the U.S.-Mexico border. Federal prosecutors said one child suffered THC poisoning and was hospitalized after being given the drug-laced candy during one of the smuggling operations. Manuel Valenzuela, 35, pleaded guilty last November to one count of conspiracy to transport aliens, three counts of bringing aliens into the United States for financial gain and one count of aiding and abetting. WATCH: TRUMP DHS ESCALATES PRESSURE OVER MIGRANT CHILD WARNINGS IT SAYS BIDEN IGNORED: ‘MOVE HEAVEN AND HELL’ Valenzuela was one of four people charged last year in the alleged smuggling scheme. Prosecutors accused the group of transporting unaccompanied children between the ages of 5 and 13 from Juárez, Mexico, into the United States. According to court documents, the smugglers presented U.S. identification documents to border officers while falsely claiming the children were their own parents. Prosecutors said the children were then transported to El Paso after crossing the border. TRUMP ADMINISTRATION NAMES ROSARIO 'PETE' VASQUEZ TO SERVE AS NEXT US BORDER PATROL CHIEF Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department's Criminal Division condemned the scheme, saying, "Needing to sedate children with THC under the guise of giving them candy shows just how heinous crimes like this are." "Smuggling unaccompanied children into the country, pretending to be their parents, and then lying to U.S. immigration officials shows the lengths to which criminals like this will go to smuggle children across our borders," Duva continued. "The Criminal Division and our law enforcement partners will put an end to this conduct. Protecting children and keeping our borders safe go hand-in-hand." Acting Special Agent in Charge Ryan McRae of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso said using children in smuggling operations shows a "total disregard for human life and safety." DHS HAS ONLY 7 CHILD EXPLOITATION ANALYSTS, HAWLEY MEASURE WOULD FUND 200 INVESTIGATORS "Using THC-infused candy to facilitate the smuggling of children across the border into the United States is reprehensible and cruel and puts vulnerable minors at serious risk," McRae said. "HSI will relentlessly pursue transnational criminal organizations responsible for these heinous tactics and bring them to justice." According to the criminal complaint, the smuggling events took place between May 1 and Oct. 18, 2024. Prosecutors said proof-of-life photographs of some of the children were recovered from the suspects' cellphones. Fox News' Brooke Taylor contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a45f9c5c2ca79de23630158 Indian tech tycoon bets $30M of his own money to build AI alternative to Microsoft Office te 2026-07-02T05:40:21.169Z Indian tech tycoon bets $30M of his own money to build AI alternative to Microsoft Office Neo is Bhavin Turakhia’s fifth venture and his latest involving enterprise software. This time he's taking on Microsoft Office, Google Apps with AI. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a45e4c4c2ca79de2362fd5e Virginia officer placed on administrative leave after malicious wounding charge tied to off duty incident te 2026-07-02T04:10:44.965Z Virginia officer placed on administrative leave after malicious wounding charge tied to off duty incident A Virginia police officer was arrested this week after allegedly assaulting a person he knew while off duty, authorities said. Vincent Baglio, 31, of Arlington, was arrested on charges of malicious wounding, according to the Arlington County Police Department. Police said the alleged assault took place inside a residence on May 24 while Baglio was off duty. Authorities said Baglio and the alleged victim knew each other. MINNEAPOLIS POLICE CHIEF RESIGNS AFTER INTERFERING WITH INVESTIGATION, MAYOR SAYS "During a conversation, the suspect allegedly physically assaulted the victim and made statements threatening harm to them," police said in a statement. The incident was reported to police June 30, and Baglio was arrested after detectives investigated the allegations. Baglio has since been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal and internal administrative investigations, police said. FEDS DISMANTLE ALLEGED GUN TRAFFICKING RING THAT FUNNELED DOZENS OF FIREARMS FROM GEORGIA TO CHICAGO GANGS Arlington County Police Chief Andy Penn said the allegations against Baglio do not represent the values of the department. "I want to assure our community that the serious criminal allegations in this case represent conduct that is wholly unacceptable and fundamentally inconsistent with the values, standards and responsibilities of our agency," Penn said. "Such actions are in direct contradiction to the oath we take and the professional expectations we place on every law enforcement officer. Penn said the department will conduct both a criminal investigation and an internal administrative review and vowed to hold officers accountable based on the findings. "We remain steadfast in our commitment to holding ourselves accountable and taking appropriate action based on the findings of those investigations," Penn added. Baglio joined the Arlington County Police Department in June 2024, according to the department. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a45cf95c2ca79de2362eba0 Man Charged With Killing Postal Worker on Her Route in North Carolina te 2026-07-02T02:40:21.866Z Man Charged With Killing Postal Worker on Her Route in North Carolina William Craig Durham, 56, faces murder and kidnapping charges in the death of Brandi Reynolds, 35, the authorities say. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a45cb0cc2ca79de2362ea30 USA advances in World Cup after controversial red card vs Bosnia and Herzegovina te 2026-07-02T02:21:00.215Z USA advances in World Cup after controversial red card vs Bosnia and Herzegovina The United States men’s national soccer team is heading to the Round of 16, defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2-0, on Wednesday night in Santa Clara, California.  It’s just the second time in Team USA history that they won in the knockout stages. Their only other came in 2002 when they beat Mexico, 2-0, in the Round of 16. Now, the USMNT will head back to Seattle to face Belgium, who came back from a 2-0 deficit against Senegal in the second half to win in extra time, in the Round of 16.  CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Usually, when the USMNT enters the knockout stage in the World Cup, they’re considered the underdogs, hoping to be scrappy to force an upset. This time around, in an expanded tournament format that begins with a Round of 32, the country on home soil was the overwhelming favorites.  Their play proved why, even in the face of adversity in the second half.  It was an inauspicious start for the USMNT after Bosnia and Herzegovina secured a couple corner kicks, and goalkeeper Matt Freese, who hasn’t really been challenged much in this World Cup, had to scramble to save one that was destined for the back of the net if he didn’t punch it away.  USA WORLD CUP STAR FOLARIN BALOGUN RECEIVES CONTROVERSIAL RED CARD DURING ROUND OF 32 MATCH From there, though, the USMNT got to work in the first half, and controlled the match. It seemed like it was only a matter of time before they scored, and Falorin Balogun, who has had a tremendous tournament in terms of goal scoring, did he striker job when he received a pass on a turnover and put it in the back of the net in the 29th minute.  However, the sideline referee threw his flag in the air – offsides. Video replay showed Balogun was clearly off, and there wasn’t much debate from head coach Mauricio Pochettino and his sideline staff either in this case.  Balogun got another chance in stoppage time, and in this instance, he was onside and still lethal.  With Bosnia and Herzegovina defenders draped all over him, Balogun turned and swung his left foot into the ball just inside his opponent’s box and it slipped through the goalkeeper’s legs for the first goal of the match.  The U.S.-heavy crowd went into a frenzy, and Balogun celebrated with an ode to LeBron James, doing his signature stepping move as his teammates congratulated him on his third goal at the World Cup.  But the second half saw a massive moment occur in favor of Bosnia and Herzegovina when Balogun was called for a red card after VAR review determined so following a foul where he stepped on a defender’s ankle. It was a controversial call that changed the complexity of the game with the USMNT down to 10 men to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s 11.  Also, despite the hard-fought win, Balogun will have to miss the Round of 16 due to the decision, which is an obvious loss for the U.S.  The red card came in the 64th minute, and the USMNT had to "suffer," as FOX Sports color commentator Stu Holden said during the broadcast, to pull out a victory with a one-goal lead. While they had to defend with more tenacity, the USMNT still created chances to score despite their situation.  One was called back when Christian Pulisic found the back of the net, but was offsides. But Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Stjepan Radelijic held back Sergiño Dest just outside the box, forcing the referee to pull out a yellow card and give the USMNT a grade-A opportunity to pull away a bit in the 80th minute.  Enter Malik Tillman, the German-born son of a U.S. military veteran, who had the perfect free kick, dipping over the five-man wall in front of the net and going past the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj.  The goal put the U.S. up 2-0, and the momentum Bosnia and Herzegovina had following Balogun’s red card decision, was wiped out. They had desperation attempts to get back into the match, but the U.S. slammed the door shut to the satisfaction of the sold-out crowd at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium and the millions watching at home.  There will be tons of debate about how the U.S. deals with the loss of Balogun in the next round, but the job got done in this match where the home-country favorites kept their title hopes alive.   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/6a45caf8c2ca79de2362ea27 Two arrested at Costco after alleged fraudulent credit card shopping spree te 2026-07-02T02:20:40.766Z Two arrested at Costco after alleged fraudulent credit card shopping spree Two suspected shoplifters were arrested at a Costco location Sunday after allegedly attempting to use fraudulent credit cards to steal merchandise, authorities said. The incident occurred around 3 p.m. in South Windsor, Connecticut, the South Windsor Police Department (SWPD) said Monday. Police said the pair are suspected serial Costco shoplifters and identified them as 35-year-old Brittany A. Howard of the Bronx, New York, and 34-year-old Kasheem M. Williams of Brooklyn. "Officers responded to Costco (1220 Tamarack Ave) for reports of two shoplifters actively stealing from the store and attempting to pay at the self-checkout with fraudulent credit cards," SWPD said. WEST COAST STATE SHERIFF'S BAIT BIKE STING SNARES DOZENS OF ALLEGED THIEVES IN JUST MONTHS According to authorities, store staff had been warned that the same suspects had allegedly attempted a similar scheme at a Costco location in Enfield, roughly a 30-minute drive north.  Responding officers later discovered 28 stolen financial documents, all under different names, inside the suspects’ vehicle, along with goods believed to have been stolen from the other Costco location, police said. CALIFORNIA COUPLE SAYS MOVING COMPANY DOUBLED THEIR PRICE AND IS NOW HOLDING BELONGINGS 'FOR RANSOM': REPORT After the suspects were taken into custody, authorities said both individuals were found to have active out-of-state warrants. Williams had an extraditable warrant out of Suffolk County, New York, on multiple charges including burglary, strangulation and assault.  Howard was found to have an extraditable warrant out of Hudson County, New Jersey, on credit card theft charges. Both suspects now face additional charges, including 28 counts of payment card theft, larceny, identity theft and conspiracy. Police said the pair were held on $250,000 surety bonds and were scheduled to appear in Manchester Superior Court Monday morning. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a45c64ec2ca79de2362e932 Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly donate $1.1 million to pro-immigration groups after 2025 federal enforcement te 2026-07-02T02:00:46.543Z Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly donate $1.1 million to pro-immigration groups after 2025 federal enforcement The Los Angeles Dodgers made headlines in 2025 for a number of reasons. Their front office once again built a dominant roster full of star players. They won back-to-back World Series, becoming the first team since the New York Yankees more than two decades ago to do so. But the Dodgers organization seems to always find itself in the middle of other off-field controversies, and last season was no exception. When federal immigration officials surged enforcement into Los Angeles, which has long been a hotbed of illegal immigration, the Dodgers inexplicably got themselves involved. Some Customs and Border Patrol agents parked their cars briefly in the Dodger Stadium parking lot as they prepared to move to a different location. The Dodgers, then, issued a completely false statement saying they'd denied ICE agents access to the parking lot. Except ICE agents, the agency confirmed, never went to Dodger Stadium. ICE DENIES SENDING AGENTS TO DODGER STADIUM AS TEAM SAYS THEY WERE TURNED AWAY They left the post up regardless, apparently out of a desire to receive praise from the political left and local far-left sportswriters. It worked, as they received widespread support despite being factually wrong. At the time, OutKick reached out to the team's Vice President of Communications, Jon Weisman (he/him), to find out why they had not issued a correction. He never answered. But as part of their virtue signaling efforts, the team announced that as a result of quite literally nothing happening, they would make a donation to pro-immigration groups to satisfy those who oppose enforcing the United States border. And a new report from the Los Angeles Times has confirmed that they followed through on their ridiculous promise to make "direct financial assistance for families of immigrants impacted by recent events in the region." Per the Times, "...The Dodgers donated $1.1 million, representatives for California Community Foundation and Labor Community Services" told them. WATCH: ANGEL MOM TURNS TABLES ON SANCTUARY POLITICIANS WITH BASIC QUESTION ABOUT THEIR PRIORITIES What does this have to do with a Major League Baseball team? Nothing, of course. Why should a Major League Baseball team have any interest or impact in federal immigration law enforcement? It shouldn't; it has nothing to do with them or their sport. Regardless of how many illegal aliens live in Los Angeles and support the Dodgers. There are many Catholics who support the Dodgers, and they still felt it wise to give an award to a group of men who dress in drag like nuns and mock their faith. So what do these organizations do? Well, per their website, the California Community Foundation in 2025 "established a new fund" to support LA County NGO's because immigration raids to arrest violent criminals here illegally was a "humanitarian crisis." They also frequently issue statements of support for illegal aliens, though, of course, using the preferred progressive dogma language of "undocumented immigrations." Similarly, the Labor Community Services organization is designed to support immigrant groups with a "pathway to citizenship," per their website. There's little doubt that the Dodgers organization excels at providing a positive experience for their players. They excel at finding and developing talent. And they've done an outstanding job upgrading Dodger Stadium, retaining the character of the building and modernizing it, despite its age. But the ownership group is overwhelmed by left-wing politics. Ironic, since primary owner Mark Walter is the exact type of person the progressive left hates, thanks to his estimated net worth of around $15.5 billion. It's embarrassing that such a historic organization has sunk so low. But that's what happens when you only care about one side of the political spectrum. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a45c1c3c2ca79de2362e83a CNN journalist jumps ship to MS NOW over fears of new leadership after merger: report te 2026-07-02T01:41:23.626Z CNN journalist jumps ship to MS NOW over fears of new leadership after merger: report CNN journalist Paula Reid is leaving the network for MS NOW out of concerns over Paramount Skydance's acquisition of the network, according to a Variety report Wednesday. "Reid turned down a chance to renew her current contract at CNN, according to two people familiar with the situation, in part because CNN’s next era appears chaotic," Variety reported. The article noted that Reid's decision allegedly came because of concerns over Paramount CEO David Ellison taking over the network and potentially installing CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss as head of CNN. JAKE TAPPER RUEFULLY REVEALS CNN WILL BE AFFECTED BY PARAMOUNT'S LOOMING TAKEOVER OF NETWORK "Paramount has made some indications that it sees Bari Weiss, the editor in chief of CBS News who has generated several public controversies, as the next steward of CNN," Variety reported. Reid initially joined CNN in 2021 after previously working as a White House correspondent for CBS News. Neither MS NOW nor CNN confirmed the news to Fox News Digital. "As a general matter of practice, we don’t comment on personnel matters," an MS NOW spokesperson said in a statement. "As everyone in Washington knows, Paula Reid is an exceptional reporter, and any news organization would be fortunate to showcase her journalism." RACHEL MADDOW INVITES FIRED CBS CORRESPONDENT SCOTT PELLEY TO JOIN HER NETWORK AFTER '60 MINUTES' EXIT CNN declined to comment. A Fox News Digital report in February found that the mood inside CNN was "horrific" as parent company Warner Bros. Discovery prepared to sell all of its assets to Paramount. In the report, a CNN insider suggested the possibility of talent fleeing CNN ahead of the Ellison takeover if they can afford it. A second insider said the two main concerns are "job loss" and "editorial indifference," noting the former "greatly outranks" the latter. Specifically, CNN staffers worried about a potential "bloodbath" if CBS News and CNN were to merge. Other CNN personalities have also publicly denounced the merger. CNN journalist Kara Swisher previously vowed to leave the network if Ellison took charge in March. CNN BOSS MARK THOMPSON INSISTS HE'S ‘REALLY COMMITTED’ TO NETWORK AMID LOOMING OWNERSHIP CHANGES Veteran CNN journalist Christiane Amanpour described feeling "concerned" over new leadership in May, pointing to past issues regarding CBS News' "60 Minutes" anchors. "I’m concerned based on what’s happened to the other things that he’s taken over already, like CBS News, right?" Amanpour said. "I mean, do I have to list what’s happening there? I mean, hemorrhaging viewers, probably hemorrhaging money, this ideological realignment of CBS and the destruction, potentially, of ‘60 Minutes.’" Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a45c1b0c2ca79de2362e831 USA World Cup star Folarin Balogun receives controversial red card during Round of 32 match te 2026-07-02T01:41:04.168Z USA World Cup star Folarin Balogun receives controversial red card during Round of 32 match U.S. men’s national team star Folarin Balogun received a red card in the second half of their Round of 32 World Cup matchup against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday night. Balogun was making a challenge on a ball when he stepped on an opposing player’s leg. The U.S. men’s national team is down to 10 players for the rest of the match. If the U.S. holds their 1-0 lead, Balogun will have to miss the Round of 16 game. Balogun scored for the U.S. in the first half. This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a45c188c2ca79de2362e80d UA gets $3.7M grant to prepare for screwworm outbreak in Arizona te 2026-07-02T01:40:24.758Z UA gets $3.7M grant to prepare for screwworm outbreak in Arizona Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a45bf40c2ca79de2362e7aa Wild video captures apartment complex electrical room explosion as firefighters investigate smoke call te 2026-07-02T01:30:40.320Z Wild video captures apartment complex electrical room explosion as firefighters investigate smoke call Dramatic video captured the moment an explosion erupted inside a Washington state apartment complex electrical room, sending flames and debris toward firefighters as they investigated reports of smoke Sunday. The wild footage from Tacoma showed a crew of firefighters forcing open the door to the electrical room before thick smoke billowed out. Seconds later, a powerful explosion blasted through the doorway, shattering windows and sending vertical blinds and debris flying as firefighters quickly retreated from the building. The person recording the incident briefly turned the camera away after the blast. When the video refocused, firefighters could be seen checking on one another and moving away from the damaged building. 'PARCEL BOMB' EXPLODES IN MONACO RESIDENTIAL AREA, LEAVING 2 CRITICALLY INJURED: REPORTS The Tacoma Fire Department (TFD) later said no firefighters or residents were injured. Firefighters responded around 5:37 p.m. to an apartment complex at 6400 S. 12th St., after receiving reports of an explosion and smoke coming from an electrical conduit, according to the department. Fire alarms sounded after a resident pulled the alarm, prompting crews to evacuate buildings as a precaution. "Eight buildings evacuated indefinitely. No active fire," the TFD said in an update on X. 'PARCEL BOMB' EXPLODES IN MONACO RESIDENTIAL AREA, LEAVING 2 CRITICALLY INJURED: REPORTS Officials said an electrical transformer malfunction pushed smoke into multiple buildings while Tacoma Public Utilities and fire investigators worked to determine the cause. Apartment residents were temporarily sheltered at Hunt Middle School. In a later update, the department said the explosion occurred inside the electrical room after firefighters shut off power to the building. 'PARCEL BOMB' EXPLODES IN MONACO RESIDENTIAL AREA, LEAVING 2 CRITICALLY INJURED: REPORTS "Explosion occurred in the electrical room where firefighters shut power off to the building," the Tacoma Fire Department wrote on X. Tacoma Public Utilities continued investigating the cause of the blast. The utility later cleared residents to return to every building except the 600 building while crews worked to restore power. The American Red Cross assisted residents displaced from that building. The Tacoma Fire Department said the explosion remained under investigation. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a45bcfdc2ca79de2362e70f USA World Cup star Folarin Balogun pays tribute to LeBron James after scoring in Round of 32 match te 2026-07-02T01:21:01.740Z USA World Cup star Folarin Balogun pays tribute to LeBron James after scoring in Round of 32 match U.S. men’s national team star Folarin Balogun thought he had gotten the Americans on the board against Bosnia and Herzegovina in their World Cup match on Wednesday earlier than he did The first shot that Balogun put into the back of the net was called back for offside. On his next opportunity, he would not be denied. FOX ONE’S NEW WORLD CUP VIEWING EXPERIENCE As halftime neared, Balogun found a hole in the Bosnian defense and received a nice pass from Malik Tillman. Balogun made the most of his opportunity and scored. Balogun paid tribute to LeBron James, celebrating with the NBA star’s "silencer" move. The U.S. took a 1-0 lead into the half and were only 45-plus minutes away from moving on to the Round of 16. Balogun has three goals in the tournament so far. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM The U.S. came in with some momentum even though they lost their final group-stage match against Turkey last week. Balogun spoke of the mindset the team had going into the Round of 32 matchup. "The game is going to be about us and what we're prepared to do, and what we have to do to advance," Balogun said. "It’s crunch time. This is the business end, and this is the stage where, in my opinion, the big players step forward and the big players carry the pressure and make things happen." The U.S. reached the semifinals in the inaugural World Cup in 1930 when they won their group. Their only knockout victory came in the 2002 tournament when they beat Mexico in the Round of 16. The tournament expanded to 48 nations this year, which meant an extra knockout stage. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a45bceac2ca79de2362e706 DC settles with left-wing protester who tailed National Guard while playing Darth Vader theme song te 2026-07-02T01:20:42.289Z DC settles with left-wing protester who tailed National Guard while playing Darth Vader theme song The District of Columbia has agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by a protester who tailed an Ohio National Guard patrol while playing Darth Vader’s theme song from "Star Wars" on his cellphone before being arrested.  Sam O’Hara will receive $50,000 after alleging he was unlawfully detained and subjected to excessive force, according to a Thursday court filing obtained by The Associated Press (AP). O’Hara, who works in the hospitality industry as an artist, said he is satisfied with the settlement but conflicted that taxpayers are covering the cost.   "Those who actually violated my constitutional rights should be the ones paying the price, like taking the money from their pensions. That’s what real accountability looks like," he said in a statement, according to The AP. DC GUARD SHOOTING SUSPECT STARES DOWN DEATH PENALTY IN FIRST COURT APPEARANCE On Sept. 11, 2025, O’Hara reportedly walked behind several National Guard troops down a street and played "The Imperial March" from "Star Wars" on his phone.   He alleged that his protest, which the lawsuit characterized as satire, was aimed at President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops patrolling D.C. neighborhoods  According to the lawsuit, one of the National Guard members called police, who stopped O’Hara and kept him handcuffed "tightly" for 15 to 20 minutes before releasing him without charges.  NFL STAR'S BROTHER CHARGED WITH MURDER OF MOTHER AFTER POLICE FOUND HIM SELF-BARRICADED NEAR BODY The following month, O’Hara sued Washington, D.C., four Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers and an Ohio National Guard member.  In court documents, O’Hara alleged the defendants violated his First and Fourth Amendment rights, accusing them of unlawfully restricting free speech and initiating an unlawful seizure while using excessive force. The lawsuit sought compensatory and punitive damages for claims including false imprisonment, battery and constitutional retaliation. Last August, Trump began deploying National Guard members after declaring a crime emergency in the nation’s capital. The increased federal presence heightened tensions among some residents in the heavily Democratic district who criticized the deployment as an overreach of federal authority.  The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a45bad0c2ca79de2362dff3 Gary Paul Gillespie te 2026-07-02T01:11:44.283Z Gary Paul Gillespie Graveside Service for Gary Paul “Jeepers” Gillespie at 10 a.m., on Saturday, July 11, in the veteran’s section of the Holbrook Cemetery. A potluck reception following at the Holbrook Elks Lodge, located at 714 Elkdom Ave. The post Gary Paul Gillespie first appeared on Painted Desert Tribune. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a45babac2ca79de2362df50 Novice climber survives 1,500-foot drop on California's Mount Shasta after helicopter rescue delayed by clouds te 2026-07-02T01:11:22.293Z Novice climber survives 1,500-foot drop on California's Mount Shasta after helicopter rescue delayed by clouds A 31-year-old novice climber survived a roughly 1,500-foot slide down California's Mount Shasta after worsening weather forced rescuers to abandon plans for a direct helicopter rescue, sending climbing rangers scrambling up the mountain on foot before she could be flown to a hospital. The woman was climbing the Left of Heart variation of the popular Avalanche Gulch route Sunday with two other novice climbers when she slipped near the 13,000-foot elevation and ultimately came to rest roughly 1,500 vertical feet lower, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Cloud cover prevented a California Highway Patrol helicopter from reaching the injured climber directly, forcing the rescue to unfold in stages. RESCUERS FREE CLIMBER TRAPPED BENEATH 16,000-POUND BOULDER ON OREGON'S MOUNT HOOD IN COMPLEX OPERATION "The weather complicated the issue," a California Highway Patrol Office of Air Operations official with the Redding Air Unit told Fox News Digital. Unable to reach the woman, the helicopter instead dropped U.S. Forest Service climbing rangers lower on Mount Shasta, where they hiked to the patient while the air crew waited for weather conditions to improve. Once rangers stabilized the climber, they carefully lowered her by rescue litter to Lake Helen, where a CHP helicopter was finally able to land and fly her to Mercy Medical Center Mount Shasta at approximately 5:37 p.m. RESCUERS FREE CLIMBER TRAPPED BENEATH 16,000-POUND BOULDER ON OREGON'S MOUNT HOOD IN COMPLEX OPERATION The rescue took roughly five and a half hours from the initial emergency call until the helicopter evacuation. Although the distance sounds extraordinary, Shasta-Trinity National Forest officials said the incident was not a straight free fall. Stokesbury said the climber's descent was a long slide down the steep snow slope rather than a straight free fall, with the terrain gradually becoming less steep farther down the mountain. RESCUERS FREE CLIMBER TRAPPED BENEATH 16,000-POUND BOULDER ON OREGON'S MOUNT HOOD IN COMPLEX OPERATION "It starts steep and then kind of levels out a little bit," Stokesbury told Fox News Digital. "It does enough for them to stop." Officials said climbers are taught to perform a self-arrest with an ice axe after slipping, but novice climbers often struggle to execute the maneuver before picking up speed. The woman suffered a suspected fractured ankle along with additional injuries but remained alert and in good spirits when rescuers reached her, according to the Forest Service. A CHP aviation official also described the terrain as particularly unforgiving. "That particular portion of the mountain is extremely steep and it kind of funnels into a little bit of a chute," the official told Fox News Digital. "People take a smaller slide on the upper end, there's nothing to really arrest that descent for quite a while." Forest Service officials said the incident follows a familiar pattern seen during the latter part of Mount Shasta's climbing season. "Slips and falls happen all the time at that level," Stokesbury said, adding that April, May and early June generally provide the safest climbing conditions. As summer arrives, snow begins melting, ice hardens and rocks loosen, increasing the risk of falls and rockfall. "This is not a normal hiking trail," Stokesbury said. "You need to make sure you're in shape, you have your proper gear." The Forest Service urges climbers to carry mountaineering equipment including an ice axe and crampons when conditions require, monitor changing weather and route conditions, climb with experienced partners and have an emergency plan before attempting the 14,179-foot volcano. "Before attempting a summit, be honest about your experience and physical conditioning," the U.S. Forest Service's Facebook post reads. The rescue was carried out by Mount Shasta's specialized climbing ranger program, which spends each climbing season educating visitors, monitoring mountain conditions and responding to emergencies on one of the nation's busiest high-altitude climbing routes. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a45baa6c2ca79de2362deb7 Illegal alien on the run after allegedly ramming ICE vehicle in Pennsylvania, prompting agent to fire weapon te 2026-07-02T01:11:02.819Z Illegal alien on the run after allegedly ramming ICE vehicle in Pennsylvania, prompting agent to fire weapon An illegal immigrant with a criminal history that includes a hit-and-run remains on the run Wednesday, after he allegedly rammed his car into a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicle in Pennsylvania, prompting a federal agent to open fire, authorities said. ICE officers were trying to take Clemente Lara-Hernandez, a Mexican national, into custody in Harrisburg at around 6:15 a.m. when he resisted, ICE told Fox News Digital. At one point, Lara-Hernandez "weaponized his car" and rammed an ICE vehicle, the agency said. FLEEING SUSPECT IN NEW JERSEY STRIKES ICE AGENT, WHO OPENS FIRE "The illegal alien then dangerously drove in the wrong direction on a one-way street and crashed into a civilian vehicle," an ICE spokesperson said. An ICE agent fired his weapon and another sustained a cut to the hand, authorities said. No one appeared to have been struck. Lara-Hernandez remains at large. HEROIC ICE OFFICERS, STAFF MEMBER OPEN UP ON GROWING DANGERS: ‘AM I GOING TO DIE?' The FBI is leading the investigation into the incident. The Harrisburg Police Department had no involvement other than responding to secure the scene, a police spokesperson told Fox News Digital. The FBI said it responded to the scene but that "Justice Department policy prevents us from commenting on the nature of any investigations that may or may not be occurring." In addition to a hit-and-run, Lara-Hernandez's criminal history includes an assault and a domestic violence incident, ICE said. ICE noted that its officers are facing a significant uptick in attacks as they carry out immigration enforcement operations nationwide. "Our ICE law enforcement officers are facing a more than 1,300% increase in assaults, 3,300% increase in vehicular attacks, and an 8,000% increase in death threats against them as they put their lives on the line to arrest the worst of the worst," ICE said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a45ba92c2ca79de2362de0c America wasn't 'really founded' until 1965, MS NOW guest historian argues ahead of 250th birthday te 2026-07-02T01:10:42.516Z America wasn't 'really founded' until 1965, MS NOW guest historian argues ahead of 250th birthday MS NOW guest and presidential historian Jon Meacham made the case on Wednesday that the U.S. as a "multiracial, multiethnic democracy" was not founded until 1965 in the days leading up to the Fourth of July. "You know, we talk about, directly to your point, we talk about this as the 250th anniversary, which it is, of the Second Continental Congress passing the Declaration of Independence, fully beginning the Revolutionary War, which ultimately leads in 1787-1789 to the framing of the Constitution, the inauguration of George Washington, and the beginning of what we would see as a recognizable experiment in self-government, except that a lot of people weren’t included in that," Meacham said on MS NOW's "Morning Joe." He continued, "And in that important sentence about 'all men being created equal,' men had a very particular application in that era. There’s a very good case to be made, I think, that we were really founded in 1965, that that’s when a multiracial, multiethnic democracy came more fully into being, with the Immigration and Nationality Act, with the Voting Rights Act. And so we’re really about 60 years old, and we’re a developing democracy in a lot of ways." MS NOW GUEST ADMITS 'GREAT TREPIDATION' ABOUT CELEBRATING AMERICA'S 250TH, CLAIMS COUNTRY IS BEING DESTROYED However, Meacham, who has previously written speeches for former President Joe Biden, revered America's Founding Fathers as proof that "imperfect people can push us toward more perfect outcomes." "Let’s remember that we have to honor them by following them. We can’t just preach. We have to practice," Meacham said. MS NOW HOST ROASTED FOR QUESTIONING IF MIKE JOHNSON IS PUTTING 'GOD OVER THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE' In the months leading up to the 250th anniversary of America's founding, several current and former MS NOW hosts have expressed trepidation about the holiday over the nation's history with slavery. "They're going to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the country July 4th, but that's not our celebration," Rev. Al Sharpton said in April. "We were slaves then, and they celebrate signing the Declaration of Independence 1776. We were not even emancipated until 1863. So I don't know what everybody getting ready for a celebration [for]. You know that it seems crazy for me to have on the birthday hat at your birthday party. That ain't my party." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Joy Reid, who previously worked for the network, noted last month that no one she knows who is Black will celebrate Independence Day, adding that Juneteenth is the real beginning of America. "Whereas Juneteenth to me is the real thing that Fourth of July is, because we really were not a democracy until we ended slavery," Reid said. "And then we were really not a democracy until the people who lost the Civil War were finally forced to affirm and act upon the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments, which they were not forced to do until the '60s." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a45b83fc2ca79de2362cce5 Stephen A Smith shows his privilege by mocking Lakers' roster for having too many 'White dudes' te 2026-07-02T01:00:47.448Z Stephen A Smith shows his privilege by mocking Lakers' roster for having too many 'White dudes' ESPN host Stephen A. Smith says the Los Angeles Lakers have too many White guys to succeed in the NBA. On Wednesday, he mocked the team's trade for Walker Kessler, pairing him with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. "Where the hell the Los Angeles Lakers think they are going with a bunch of White dudes?" he asked on his podcast. "Your three top players are White dudes. Really? This is basketball." ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! He then asked, "In NBA history, when has a team led by three White dudes ever gone to the promised land? Somebody gotta say it." To answer his question: Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Danny Ainge. Smith then declared, "You ain't going anywhere with three White dudes. Ain't no way." OutKick asked Smith via email why he believes White basketball players are inferior and whether he believes there are any cases in which Black athletes are inferior. He did not respond by the time of publication. We will update this story if he does. We want to stress that Smith not only made these comments on-air but also had his team post the clip on social media. He and his team appear proud of his racist remarks. Like many Black members of sports media, Smith takes pride in his anti-White bigotry. And that's exactly what this segment was: anti-White bigotry. CAITLIN CLARK HARD CONTACT TIMELINE: WNBA'S GROWING HISTORY OF BRUTAL HITS AGAINST THE FACE OF THE SPORT Imagine the outrage if Smith heard someone question how far an NFL team could go with a Black quarterback, Black head coach and Black general manager. In fact, Smith has long argued that the NFL has overlooked Black candidates at those positions because of racial bias. Yet in this case, he's the one reducing athletes to their race. Apparently, that's okay, so long as the athletes who are reduced are White. The comments also make Smith look uninformed. Luka Doncic led the NBA in scoring this past season at 33.5 points per game. Austin Reaves averaged 23.3 points. Walker Kessler averaged 14 points and 10 rebounds. While this newly formed Big Three is hardly LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, the Lakers' trio compares favorably with the top three players on most NBA teams, including teams led by three Black players. More broadly, the idea that White players are inherently inferior no longer matches reality. While the race idolaters had hoped Victor Wembanyama would surpass him, Nikola Jokic is still the best player in the NBA. He's White. Cooper Flagg is a highly promising rookie. He's White. Caitlin Clark is a phenom. She's White. This reality seems to bother people like Stephen A. Smith, who appears uncomfortable with the infusion of White star players in basketball. He's not alone. Kendrick Perkins, Jemele Hill, Monica McNutt and Gilbert Arenas have all made comments suggesting a similar discomfort at various points. We would add Sheryl Swoopes to that list, but as she once told us, "Black people can't be racist." Yes, they can. Look at the racial hostility that Caitlin Clark faces from Black players and media members on a nightly basis. The worst part is that there are no repercussions for directing blatant racism toward White people. Nothing will happen to Smith. It's called privilege. But imagine the message ESPN could send by suspending him for remarks that, by any ordinary definition, are racist. It would certainly make others think twice before making similar comments about White athletes. Finally, as OutKick has reported, "First Take" has posted sluggish ratings for months compared to other ESPN programming. Pat McAfee has surpassed Smith as the face of the network. Uninformed, low-IQ commentary like this is a big reason why. We predicted that ESPN could soon regret agreeing to give Stephen A. Smith a five-year, $100 million contract last year. We suspect that is now officially the case. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a45b5ccc2ca79de2362c9e0 Immigrant Arrests Surge to 10,000 in 5 Days as ICE Clamps Down te 2026-07-02T00:50:20.344Z Immigrant Arrests Surge to 10,000 in 5 Days as ICE Clamps Down The agency has doubled its daily arrest numbers without the fanfare of last year’s large urban operations, sowing fear in immigrant communities. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a45b38ac2ca79de2362c960 Nine Arrested in Federal Crackdown on L.A.’s Sex-Trafficking Corridor te 2026-07-02T00:40:42.370Z Nine Arrested in Federal Crackdown on L.A.’s Sex-Trafficking Corridor Federal officials in Los Angeles described gang members’ yearslong scheme that relied on social media and physical violence to recruit and maintain control of the girls. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a45b376c2ca79de2362c957 How Trump Made ‘Y.M.C.A.’ His Anthem, Despite the Village People and Victor Willis’s Mixed Feelings te 2026-07-02T00:40:22.412Z How Trump Made ‘Y.M.C.A.’ His Anthem, Despite the Village People and Victor Willis’s Mixed Feelings On social media, he said the Village People’s lead singer, Victor Willis, was with him “right from the beginning.” But the president has a more complicated history with the group. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a45b130c2ca79de2362c8d5 Khamenei body in cold storage as feared Basij mobilizes ahead of historic Iran funeral te 2026-07-02T00:30:40.956Z Khamenei body in cold storage as feared Basij mobilizes ahead of historic Iran funeral Tehran is preparing for the July 9 burial of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, more than four months after his death, as authorities mobilize the Basij militia and mount a massive security operation ahead of what is expected to be a "historic" turnout. The lengthy delay to the funeral has raised questions about how Khamenei's remains have been preserved, as Islamic tradition, anaylsts say, generally calls for prompt burial and discourages chemical embalming. "The mechanism is almost certainly refrigerated cold storage, not embalming, as Islam bars chemical embalming," counterterrorism expert Dr. Mohammed Omar told Fox News Digital. MOJTABA KHAMENEI USING ‘BIN LADEN TEMPLATE’ TO SURVIVE, LEARNED FROM ABBOTTABAD: ANALYST "Shia law allows delayed burial and preservation by cold in exceptional cases, and a clerical exemption for a Supreme Leader is easy to get," he added. "Iran's forensic morgues already hold bodies for months, so four months in freezing is not exotic. That is what 'religious and legal standards' cover," Mohammed said. Operation Epic Fury began on Feb. 28 with a targeted U.S. strike that killed Khamenei at his compound in Tehran. He had ruled the Islamic Republic for 36 years. "There may not be much of a body to present. Khamenei was killed by a bunker-penetration strike, and others killed with him were recovered weeks later and identified by DNA," Mohammed explained. "A regime holding an intact body does not cancel the farewell, shift the burial site repeatedly, and confirm that he can be buried only days out. "It reads less like reverence and more like remains they could preserve but not display," he said. WAVE OF ATTACKS ON IRAN'S IRGC RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT RENEWED KURDISH INSURGENCY With that, Iranian authorities are portraying the funeral as both a farewell to the leader and a show of strength under the slogan "We Must Avenge." According to Iranian state media, Yaqoub Soleimani, deputy for cultural and educational affairs at the Martyrs Foundation and one of the funeral's organizers, said Wednesday the ceremony would be conducted "with full grandeur." Soleimani said a turnout of 1 million people would make the event "a historical occasion" and "a national epic in the memory of the Islamic Republic of Iran." The schedule starts with public viewings Saturday and Sunday in Tehran. A funeral procession is scheduled for July 6, where local authorities estimate 15 million to 20 million people could attend. Another procession is planned the following day in Qom, one of Shiite Islam's holiest cities. "The numbers the regime is putting out — up to 20 million mourners in Tehran, 35 million nationwide, more than 90 countries represented, 14,000 journalists credentialed — are not logistics," Mohammed, of the George Washington Program on Extremism, said. "They are the message. Tehran is spending everything it has to project continuity and strength because after the war both are in question." IRAN'S UNPRECEDENTED 'WHOLE-REGIME' DELEGATION AT US DEAL TALKS SIGNALS ONE GOAL: EXPERT According to Iran International, Tehran is also preparing a massive security operation for the funeral. "The Basij and the IRGC running this is the story, not a detail," Mohammed said. "The Basij is coordinating logistics — highways turned into parking, each Tehran district assigned a province, five public holidays declared — and the Guard has crowd control. "This is a mobilization dressed as a funeral. The same apparatus organizing the grief this week is the apparatus that put down the January protests and denied funerals to the families of the people it killed then. American readers should hold those two facts next to each other," he added. While senior Iraqi officials will attend the funeral, representation from other major powers will be limited. Although Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian personally invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India will instead send a lower-level official delegation. Reports on June 30 also confirmed that Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili will attend the ceremony. "No major power is sending its top leader," Mohammed said. "For a regime that claims to lead a front stretching from Beirut to Sanaa, a regional turnout at its founder-successor's funeral is the isolation showing through the pageantry. "For Washington, it is a useful readout: the war left Tehran's axis smaller and more regional than the regime advertises," he added. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a45aef2c2ca79de2362c86d What the SCOTUS Title IX ruling could mean for lawsuits seeking damages for women impacted by trans athletes te 2026-07-02T00:21:06.015Z What the SCOTUS Title IX ruling could mean for lawsuits seeking damages for women impacted by trans athletes The Supreme Court’s Tuesday decisions on trans athletes in women's sports did not award damages to any female athletes impacted. But for women suing the NCAA, universities and athletic conferences over past transgender-athlete policies, the ruling may prove to be an important turning point. Riley Gaines' lawsuit against the NCAA and Brooke Slusser's lawsuit against San Jose State and the Mountain West Conference each cases seek damages for female athletes who say they lost equal opportunities, privacy, safety or fair competition under policies that allowed transgender-identifying male athletes to compete in women’s sports. SUPREME COURT MAKES RULING ON TRANS ATHLETES IN WOMEN'S SPORTS Bill Bock, an attorney leading both cases for the Independent Council on Women's Sports (ICONS), said the Supreme Court ruling is "huge" because it "absolutely shredded" the reasoning used by lower courts and athletic bodies that had argued Title IX required schools to allow biological males who identify as female to compete in women’s sports. All nine Supreme Court justices agreed that Title IX and its regulations allow federally funded schools and states to separate athletic teams based on biological sex and to exclude transgender females from participating on girls' and women's teams. Bock said that because of that sentiment by all nine justice, the NCAA, Mountain West and the institutions his side is suing now "had no basis for what they did to women." "In all of their arguments, they said, 'We had to, we had to do this because Title IX required us to do this,'" Bock told Fox News Digital. "The NCAA's first defense is, 'Well, Title IX doesn't apply to us.' The second defense is, 'Well, we had to do it because Title IX required us to.' They're wrong on both counts." Bock said he will account for the ruling when filing future briefs in the lawsuits. "We'll be submitting a brief relatively soon in the Mountain West case, that will be required. In the Georgia case, we're waiting for the judge's ruling on the first question, which is whether Title IX applies to the NCAA." LAWYERS FIGHTING SJSU OVER VOLLEYBALL SCANDAL RESPOND TO FEDERAL TITLE IX PROBE FINDINGS He described the NCAA’s position as twofold: "Title IX doesn’t apply to us" and "we had to do it because Title IX required us to." "They’re wrong on both counts," Bock said. For Gaines' lawsuit, current and former female athletes sued the NCAA and others over the 2022 NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships, where former UPenn trans swimmer Lia Thomas competed in women’s events. The plaintiffs sought compensatory and punitive damages, along with other relief, on behalf of themselves and a proposed class of women who competed at those championships. That case has already been narrowed. A federal judge dismissed claims against Georgia defendants and Georgia Tech Athletic Association, finding that the challenged policy decisions came from the NCAA. What remains are Title IX claims against the NCAA, and the next key question is whether the NCAA is covered by Title IX because of alleged federal funding ties, including a concussion-research partnership with the Department of Defense. For Slusser's lawsuit, female volleyball players sued over San Jose State and Mountain West policies tied to a transgender player on San Jose State’s women’s volleyball team. A federal judge dismissed the Mountain West defendants and most claims, but Bock said he will appeal that decision. The judge left pending Title IX damages claims against the California State University Board, which oversees SJSU, and specifically delayed ruling on those damages claims until after the Supreme Court decided B.P.J. That delay now looks significant. In March, the federal judge, S. Kato Crews, wrote that his earlier preliminary-injunction ruling had relied in part on Bostock v. Clayton County, the 2020 Supreme Court employment case involving gay and transgender workers. He said that reading of Bostock was "now called into question and might be upended" by the Supreme Court’s women’s-sports case. The Supreme Court has now said Bostock does not control the Title IX sports issue. The majority said Title VII employment law and Title IX athletics are "vastly different" contexts, and that Title IX authorizes separate men’s and women’s teams. Former University of Arizona swimming star Marshi Smith, co-founder of ICONS, said the Supreme Court ruling was a "huge battle won," but not the end of the fight. "We’re lacking accountability still," Smith said, pointing to women and girls who say they lost "titles, national championships, even up to world championships, records, roster spots, scholarships." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Fox News Digital reached out to the NCAA and the Mountain West Conference for comment. Former University of Kentucky swimmer and Gaines' old teammate Kaitlynn Wheeler, a plaintiff in Gaines, said the ruling was "a super validating moment" after female athletes had been "asking for fairness for years." "I think a lot of women, including myself, woke up today feeling an immense amount of hope," Wheeler said. Kaylie Ray, who is involved in the Mountain West case, said the ruling felt "incredibly validating" after athletes in the conference felt their leaders had not protected them. "Women do matter," Ray said. "Their spaces do matter. Equality does matter. And their opportunities deserve to be protected." For female athletes seeking damages, the ruling does not guarantee victory. But it does give them a new answer to one of the central defenses they have faced for years: that institutions had no choice. The next stage of the fight will be whether courts treat that answer as enough to hold the NCAA, universities or other athletic bodies financially accountable for past seasons. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a45aedec2ca79de2362c864 Mexican soccer fans celebrate advancing in the World Cup by wailing on each other in impromptu boxing match te 2026-07-02T00:20:46.557Z Mexican soccer fans celebrate advancing in the World Cup by wailing on each other in impromptu boxing match One of the best parts of the World Cup has been watching all the fanbases having the time of their lives, and while there have been some real standouts (shoutout Tartan Army), I don't think anyone celebrates like they do down in Mexico. It's no secret that Mexican fans are about as passionate as they come — speaking from experience having watched a Mexico-Brazil 2014 World Cup match in a Cancun bar — and they love a good celebration. On Tuesday night, after harassing them the night before at their team hotel, Mexico sent Ecuador packing in a Round of 32 match at Mexico City Stadium. It was their first knockout-stage win since 1986. FORMER MAYOR ISSUES STATEMENT ABOUT HER BOOBS AFTER HER WORLD CUP CELEBRATION GOES VIRAL If that isn't a cause for celebration, then I don't know what is. And what better way to celebrate than by having two women throw on boxing mitts and wail on each other in the middle of a street? Yeah, I can't think of one either. Maybe dunking your head in a cotton candy machine, but it's been done. At first, given the way those two women squared up, I thought maybe they actually knew how to box. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Then, after the first punch, it became clear this was probably the first time either one had ever put on a pair of boxing gloves. It was obvious that No. 22 won that one, but I don't think there were any losers last night in Mexico. The place was electric. The celebration can't go on forever (or maybe it can, who knows?) because Mexico has a big match coming up against England, which defeated DR Congo on Wednesday to advance to the Round of 16. That match will take place on July 5 at Mexico City Stadium. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a45aca8c2ca79de2362c811 Early voting protection effort falls short in Arizona te 2026-07-02T00:11:20.111Z Early voting protection effort falls short in Arizona PHOENIX -- Arizonans aren't going to get to decide whether they want to enshrine the right to vote early and by mail into the state constitution. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a45ac94c2ca79de2362c7ff Mail-in voting initiative fails to make the November ballot te 2026-07-02T00:11:00.143Z Mail-in voting initiative fails to make the November ballot Photo by Jim Small | Arizona Mirror A Democratic campaign to ask voters to enshrine the right to vote by mail into the Arizona Constitution has failed to gather enough signatures to make it on the November ballot.  The political action committee behind the campaign, Protect the Vote Arizona, announced a day before the deadline that its 2,000 volunteers had gathered 439,000 signatures, not enough to withstand inevitable challenges to and disqualifications of thousands of those signatures.  GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE Spokeswoman Stacy Pearson said the campaign would instead focus on a legal challenge to the Republican ballot referral that Protect the Vote Arizona was created to compete with in November.  With a requirement to gather 383,923 valid voter signatures before the July 2 deadline, Protect the Vote Arizona’s Free, Fair and Secure Elections Act faced an uphill battle since volunteers began collecting signatures in the spring. The ballot initiative was filed with the secretary of state in March and had only gathered 50,000 signatures as of May 6.  “Facing an impossible 88 percent validity requirement, the campaign made a strategic decision to not turn over the signatures of hundreds of thousands of mail-in voting supporters to the very election-denying politicians (i.e. Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap) that this measure was designed to protect against,” Stacy Pearson, spokeswoman for the campaign, said in a statement. Citizens initiatives typically try to gather 25% more signatures than necessary, to account for signatures that are disqualified.  State Rep. Alexander Kolodin, who authored the Republican ballot referral that the Protect the Vote campaign was designed to challenge, celebrated its failure in a social media post. Kolodin did not respond to a request from the Mirror for additional comment.  “It isn’t November yet but I just beat Democrat Adrian Fontes at the ballot box!” Kolodin wrote.  Kolodin is running in the Republican primary for secretary of state, in hopes of facing incumbent Fontes, one of many Democrats who backed the Protect the Vote Arizona initiative, in November.  In the post, Kolodin called the failed initiative the “California-Style Elections Act” and asked readers to donate to his campaign.  Kolodin’s ballot referral would prohibit foreign nationals from spending money to influence elections, require every voter to show government identification before casting a ballot in every election and require all polling locations to provide on-site tabulation of ballots for voters who want it. Voters who cast a ballot in person are already required to present ID, but those who vote by mail use signature verification to confirm their identities. When Democratic lawmakers questioned how Arizonans who vote by mail would produce ID, as required in House Concurrent Resolution 2001, its Republican supporters brushed that concern aside.  Republicans repeatedly said that HCR 2001, dubbed the “Fast Accurate Secure Transparent Election Results Act,” would not impact vote by mail, despite concerns from county recorders, elections officials and Democrats.  Kolodin has been trying to pass similar legislation, based on Florida’s voting practices, for two years. The final, pared down version of his House Concurrent Resolution 2001 was passed via a final party-line vote during the marathon last day of this year’s legislative session, which began in the late morning of June 12 and lasted until 4:45 a.m. the next day.  According to Kolodin, HCR2001 is intended to restore trust in the state’s elections and to speed up results, both stated concerns of Republicans who made baseless claims that the 2020 and 2022 elections were stolen.  Pearson said in the statement that Protect the Vote Arizona “remains committed to disqualifying the Arizona legislature’s democracy-eroding referral (HCR2001) in court, and ultimately electing a slate of pro-democracy candidates in November.” HCR2001 is one of five controversial last-minute ballot referrals that the Republicans who control the Arizona Legislature sent to voters that are now facing legal challenges to keep them off the ballot.  Randy Keating, a member of the Tempe City Council, filed the challenge to Kolodin’s elections overhaul, arguing that it violates the state’s single-subject rule because it addresses multiple election processes.  “While it is disappointing that the Protect the Vote initiative will not be submitting signatures for ballot consideration, the issue of protecting vote-by-mail remains top of mind for Arizonans,” Patti O’Neil, chairwoman of the Maricopa County Democratic Party said in a statement. “More than 85% of voters, regardless of party, use vote-by-mail and have done so for the past 30 years.” No-excuse mail-in voting was enacted by Arizona Republicans in 1991. YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a45ac80c2ca79de2362c7de White House fires back after 'slob' JB Pritzker says Trump is suffering from 'dementia' te 2026-07-02T00:10:40.188Z White House fires back after 'slob' JB Pritzker says Trump is suffering from 'dementia' Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker attributed President Donald Trump’s attacks on the growing influence of socialists within the Democratic Party to "dementia." Pritzker’s remarks come after Trump classified socialism as the "biggest threat" to America since its founding – including World War I, World War II and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. "Look, the man is continually suffering from dementia. I don't think he really understands what he's saying," the Illinois governor told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. TRUMP MARKS 80TH BIRTHDAY, NOW SECOND OCTOGENARIAN SITTING PRESIDENT: 'SEEMED TO UTTERLY DEFY AGE' "I’m not a doctor. I haven’t diagnosed anything," he continued. "I’m just suggesting to you that just look at the way he puts words and sentences together and thoughts and they’re almost divergent in the same sentences." Pritzker pointed to what he described as a decline in Trump’s public appearances to support his dementia assertion. "Look at any of the videos from 2015 or 2016 and look at how he responded to questions and how he was at press conferences and then you fast forward and look at him now, I really think that there's something genuinely wrong with him," he said. In a statement to Fox News Digital, the White House called Pritzker's comments a "desperate" attempt to stay relevant. BILL MAHER'S DIRE MIDTERM ELECTION WARNING TO DEMS AFTER 'REALLY CRAZY' SOCIALISTS WIN PRIMARIES "JB Pritzker is a slob and an incompetent governor who pushes blatantly false narratives like this in a desperate attempt to stay relevant. Instead of lying in media interviews, Pritzker should focus on fixing his broken state and do his job," a White House spokesperson said. The White House also defended Trump's health, telling Fox News Digital in part: "Unlike the Biden White House, President Trump and his entire team have been fully open and transparent about the President’s health, which remains exceptional." Trump recently reupped warnings of socialism’s growing influence within the Democratic Party after several socialist candidates secured primary victories, indicating an increasing acceptance of the far-left movement within the party. All three congressional candidates endorsed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani – Brad Lander, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalie – won their respective Democratic primaries. "It’s too easy to get elected, giving everything away," Trump said Monday. "It’s easy for them to get followers because they make promises they know they can’t keep." Pritzker also slammed Trump for "regularly" threatening to use the powers of the federal government to target political opponents and said the president often speaks without thinking. "[Trump] has these concepts in his head and he blurts them out without really thinking," Pritzker said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a45aa8fc2ca79de2362c79a Scene pkg July 1 NDS te 2026-07-02T00:02:23.317Z Scene pkg July 1 NDS Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a45aa7bc2ca79de2362c78c Scene pkg July 1 te 2026-07-02T00:02:03.342Z Scene pkg July 1 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a45aa50c2ca79de2362c744 Coalition of 25 states sues Trump admin over Medicaid work rule designed to prevent fraud te 2026-07-02T00:01:20.848Z Coalition of 25 states sues Trump admin over Medicaid work rule designed to prevent fraud A coalition of blue states and jurisdictions is suing the Trump administration over new Medicaid work requirements designed to prevent fraud, arguing the policy unlawfully restricts access to health care coverage. The lawsuit, filed by at least 25 states and the District of Columbia, alleges the newly implemented Interim Final Rule (IFR) — issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) — violates federal law and departs from Congress' original intent and early CMS guidance.  The IFR requires certain individuals to provide documentation proving they are exempt from Medicaid rules requiring enrollees to work, volunteer or attend school due to severe medical conditions.  Before the rule was issued in early June, highly vulnerable Medicaid recipients were set to be automatically exempt from such requirements. Agencies would have granted those exemptions by reviewing existing health records, without requiring individuals to complete additional paperwork ahead of the requirements taking effect in January 2027. DR. OZ UNVEILS MEDICAID OVERHAUL, CLAMPS DOWN ON $2B FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND MANDATES WORK FOR ABLE-BODIED The lawsuit names Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which issued the IFR, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), as defendants. Oz previously argued that such guardrails are designed to prevent programs from being "defrauded into a turmoil," adding that able-bodied enrollees receiving American tax dollars should contribute to society.  "If you can work, you should get up and work," Oz said.  "If we put guardrails around these programs, we'll allow them to thrive. I'm here because I love Medicaid. The president has already said he loves and cherishes Medicaid and Medicare. … We cannot allow these programs to be defrauded into a turmoil that they cannot pull up from. If we love these programs, we will make the difficult decisions." The new rule would require able-bodied individuals to work 20 hours a week, volunteer, or pursue education while enrolled in free healthcare coverage. Fox News reached out to the White House and HHS for comment.  FED AUDIT, EMERGENCY MEDICAID UNDERCUT DEMS ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT HEALTH COVERAGE The plaintiffs involve California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Wisconsin and Kentucky.  "People with disabilities, patients in the middle of cancer treatment, or those struggling with another serious or complex health condition, shouldn’t be at risk of losing the care that helps maintain their health," the suit stated.  REPUBLICANS PRAISE 'BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL’S' WORK REQUIREMENT FOR MEDICAID: ‘WE’VE GOT TO GET BACK TO WORK’ According to the suit, CMS’s own projections estimate that 2.3 million enrollees will lose Medicaid coverage in the first year alone.  The agency also estimates that 7% of enrollees who are working or qualify for an exemption will lose coverage due to confusing paperwork requirements, strict deadlines or missing documentation, according to the document.  Beginning in 2028, enrollees who do not have immediate medical records on file would be limited to a single opportunity to submit a "self-attestation" form declaring, under penalty of perjury, that they are too sick to work. Under previous guidance, enrollees were allowed to use self-attestation multiple times as their medical needs evolved. In addition, plaintiffs said the new rules would force states to abandon automated systems they have already invested in and instead build more complex and costly manual review processes.  As the Aug. 31 deadline to mail notices to Medicaid enrollees approaches, the plaintiffs are seeking a temporary stay and a preliminary injunction to block CMS and HHS from enforcing the rules. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a45aa29c2ca79de2362c72a Bureau of Prisons Will Close Facilities Housing Thousands of Inmates te 2026-07-02T00:00:41.423Z Bureau of Prisons Will Close Facilities Housing Thousands of Inmates The agency pointed to crumbling infrastructure, chronic staffing shortages and budget shortfalls as it moved to cut costs. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a45aa14c2ca79de2362c708 Apple is reportedly planning new iPad Pro and MacBook Pro releases early next year te 2026-07-02T00:00:20.516Z Apple is reportedly planning new iPad Pro and MacBook Pro releases early next year Apple is readying several new iPad Pro tablets, and a budget-friendly MacBook Pro, reports suggest. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/home