https://meenews.co/post/6a8637cf2c5335ae1048cae1 Ketel Marte's unexplained absence gets stranger as Diamondbacks fight for NL wild card spot te 2026-08-19T23:10:07.131Z Ketel Marte's unexplained absence gets stranger as Diamondbacks fight for NL wild card spot One of the weirdest stories of the 2026 Major League Baseball season just keeps getting weirder. The Arizona Diamondbacks had a tough start to the year, but have battled back to put themselves squarely in postseason contention. Led by Corbin Carroll, Geraldo Perdomo, Gabriel Moreno and a resurgent Nolan Arenado, the Diamondbacks as of Wednesday afternoon found themselves just 1.5 games out of the third wild card spot in the National League. Importantly, they finish out the season with three games against the team they're chasing, the San Diego Padres. Perhaps even more importantly? They might have to chase those Padres down without one of their best players, infielder Ketel Marte. SAN DIEGO PADRES STAR MANNY MACHADO IS WRONG TO COMPLAIN ABOUT MODERN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL Marte's had a down season, by his very high standards, but still leads the team in home runs with 21, strikes out just 15% of the time, and typically contributes solid to above-average defense. There's just one problem: he didn't show up to the game a few days ago, and nobody seems to know exactly why. Monday afternoon, the Diamondbacks were set to start a series against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Each game vitally important, a series against a tough opponent on the road, and Marte just... didn't show up. With no explanation. Arizona waited until 20 minutes before game time to put Marte on the restricted list, and the story got even stranger afterward. Manager Torey Lovullo was asked about Marte's absence after the game and said he tried talking to his star infielder but "there was very little coming back." "It's been a crazy day. All I know is he's dealing with a personal issue," he said postgame. "We're trying to figure that out. He didn't show up today, and he was put on the restricted list. That's as much as I know right now. "I'm sure in time we'll start to uncover and unravel some information. But I knew that there was something going on today. … I still believed he was going to be here. He just didn't show up." ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Lovullo also seemed uncertain that Marte was even in Boston at all. That personal matter, whatever it is, then turned into him getting an MRI for some undisclosed injury. After not showing up on Monday, he was absent once again on Tuesday, meaning he wasn't seen by the team's medical staff or coaching personnel. Once again, Lovullo seemed completely unaware of what was happening with the 32-year-old. "I think he's headed back to Phoenix to get some exams done on his left knee," he said. Lovullo went on to essentially say the team has moved on from worrying about Marte's status, instead focusing on trying to win games. "That's what I've been told," he added. "But overall, my focus has shifted. My focus yesterday was squarely on this topic, but right now it's on the 26 players that are inside of the clubhouse right now. That's my responsibility and that's what we have to do in this game. We've got to shift our focuses and be present for what's most important. And the most important thing to me right now is going out to win a baseball game." They lost 9-4 on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Marte's agent, Charisse Espinosa-Dash, issued a statement to MLB reporter Jon Morosi, reiterating that he's dealing with an undisclosed "personal matter," as well as repeating that he'll get an MRI on his knee. MLB STARS ADDRESS SALARY CAP, OWNERS SAYING BASEBALL IS BROKEN AHEAD OF ALL-STAR GAME: 'BAD FOR THE GAME' "[Marte] is currently managing a personal matter and will be undergoing an MRI on his knee tomorrow. Ketel appreciates the unwavering support from fans, teammates, the Diamondbacks organization, and Torey Lovullo during this time. He remains optimistic about his recovery and looks forward to returning to the field to contribute to the team as soon as possible," the statement said. So to sum up, Marte didn't show up to the stadium on Monday, didn't tell his team he wasn't going to show up, his manager wasn't sure he was even in Boston, he's dealing with a personal matter, and he now has a knee injury that requires an MRI — though he apparently didn't come to the ballpark to tell team medical staff about it or get the MRI during the road trip. Bizarre, to say the least. This isn't the first time that Marte's had an odd absence from his team. In 2025, he missed three games after the All-Star break and went home to the Dominican Republic, reportedly frustrated that his home had been burglarized. He's also asked for games off, something the team has acknowledged, though the "load management" model has been less of a problem than simply not showing up. Several outlets have reported that his teammates are frustrated with his absences or missed games, though Lovullo has repeatedly denied it. When asked about it, teammate Geraldo Perdomo said he didn't get a response to a text asking Marte what happened. He did say that he's had a knee issue since mid-July. "I texted him and asked him what happened, and he didn't respond to me yesterday," Perdomo said. "But today I just texted him about how his knee feels, because I know it's been bothering him since the [All-Star] break. And he told me he felt a little uncomfortable and was going to get an MRI. So, that's the conversation that we had." No one would fault Marte for missing games due to a knee injury. And obviously, personal matters can be extremely serious and justify being away from the team, regardless of the time of year or postseason ramifications. But not showing up to the ballpark, with no communication? That's inexcusable. The worst part for the Diamondbacks and their fans? Nobody seems to know when to expect Marte back, if at all. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86357b2c5335ae1048ca7b Prince Harry, Meghan Markle planning to move back to UK with children 6 years after royal exit: reports te 2026-08-19T23:00:11.016Z Prince Harry, Meghan Markle planning to move back to UK with children 6 years after royal exit: reports Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are planning to move back to the United Kingdom with their two children later this month, six years after stepping away from royal duties and settling in California, according to multiple reports. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex intend to relocate to a private residence outside London, the BBC reported Wednesday, citing earlier reporting from The Telegraph and The Sun. Their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, are enrolled to begin attending a British school in September, according to the BBC. PRINCE WILLIAM'S ABSENCE SPEAKS VOLUMES AS KING CHARLES REUNITES WITH PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN MARKLE: EXPERTS King Charles III was informed of the move Sunday and reportedly welcomes the opportunity to spend more time with the Sussex family privately. Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, have also been informed. The move is not expected to change Harry and Meghan's royal status. They reportedly have no plans to resume duties as working royals and will remain private individuals. KING CHARLES SENDS 'DEFIANCE' MESSAGE TO PRINCE WILLIAM WITH BUCKINGHAM PALACE ROOM OFFER TO HARRY: EXPERT Fox News Digital reached out to Buckingham Palace and Archewell, which oversees the offices of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, for comment. The development follows a July reunion between the Sussexes and Charles at Highgrove House, the king's private residence in Gloucestershire. It marked the first time Charles had seen Archie and Lilibet in person in more than four years, according to the BBC. KING CHARLES HOPES TO REUNITE WITH PRINCE HARRY, BUT QUEEN CAMILLA IS DRAWING ONE FIRM LINE: EXPERTS Harry and Meghan had not visited the U.K. together since Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in 2022. The couple left royal duties in 2020 and ultimately settled in Montecito, California. Their relationship with the royal family became increasingly strained after they publicly discussed their grievances in interviews, their Netflix docuseries and Harry's 2023 memoir, "Spare." Harry has repeatedly expressed a desire to reconcile with his family, but security has remained a major point of contention. The Duke of Sussex lost a legal challenge in 2025 over the level of police protection available to him and his family while in the U.K. He has previously said safety concerns prevented him from bringing Meghan and their children to Britain. Despite the planned return, royal experts previously told Fox News Digital that reconciliation with Harry's family would not necessarily mean a return to royal duties. "There's always room for Harry to support his family privately as a son and brother," Kinsey Schofield, host of YouTube's "Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered," told Fox News Digital. "That's very different from supporting the monarchy publicly as a working royal. The monarchy has successfully adapted to a smaller working team." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86357a2c5335ae1048ca72 John Stamos celebrates turning 63 with a thirst trap that has fans saying 'have mercy' te 2026-08-19T23:00:10.181Z John Stamos celebrates turning 63 with a thirst trap that has fans saying 'have mercy' John Stamos is celebrating his birthday with a steamy mirror selfie. The now 63-year-old "Full House" star took to Instagram to celebrate his birthday with a mirror selfie featuring him in his birthday suit, which he captioned, "63." Fans went wild in the comments section, with many making references to his character in the popular '90s sitcom, Uncle Jesse. While his phone blocked his face, the black-and-white photo showed off Stamos' toned abs and gave fans a peek at the tattoo on his left shoulder. SOFIA VERGARA SIZZLES IN RED BIKINI WHILE CELEBRATING 54TH BIRTHDAY ON YACHT IN ITALY "More like Uncle Yes-se! 😂 Happy Birthday!❤️" one fan wrote, while another added, "HAVE MERCY," which was his character's catchphrase in the show. Other comments included catchphrases from the show, with one writing, "You Still Got It Dude 😎👍🔥🥵" and another adding, "✂️ it outttttt! 🔥" Another fan added, "Not John Stamos with the thirst trap 🪤," while his former "Full House" co-star, Candace Cameron Bure also chimed in in the comments section, writing, "Happy birthday Uncle J 🥳." Stamos debuted the tattoo on his shoulder in March, in an Instagram video showing the tattooing process, with the words, "Guess who got his first tattoo," written across the video. In the caption, Stamos explained the significance behind the tattoo, which features a Native American horseback rider looking skyward, in his caption. "The Beach Boys placed this image: ‘Appeal to the Great Spirit’ over Brother Records as a symbol of artistic freedom and trust in a higher creative path," he wrote. "Lately I’ve felt that same pull in my own life. Stepping into this new chapter of my career, taking bigger swings, following the work wherever it leads." During a recent appearance on "The Bobbycast" podcast, Stamos shared why he has declined to compete on "Dancing with the Stars," despite being asked by producers a number of times. "What makes that show good is people suffering and looking like fools," Stamos began. "They’re breaking their feet, calluses. I don’t want that." LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS He later added that after repeatedly being asked to compete on the show he finally told producers, "Don’t ever ask me again," telling podcast host, Bobby Bones, "I'm never gonna do that show." Bones notoriously won the show in 2018 with his pro partner, Sharna Burgess, a win which sparked backlash on social media. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8635792c5335ae1048ca69 Jon Ossoff's controversial Trump jab sparks media feeding frenzy over White House aide Natalie Harp te 2026-08-19T23:00:09.049Z Jon Ossoff's controversial Trump jab sparks media feeding frenzy over White House aide Natalie Harp A White House aide is becoming a household name due to a feeding frenzy by liberal media stemming from a comment by an ambitious Democrat. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., who polls currently suggest will win reelection in November and has already been generating 2028 presidential buzz, went viral over the weekend for a jab he made at President Donald Trump, heavily suggesting he was having an inappropriate relationship with his personal aide Natalie Harp. Ossoff claimed Trump would rather "build a ballroom and travel with Natalie" than do his job as president. The comment drew instant backlash from conservatives. When asked about it on MS NOW, Ossoff insisted he referenced her merely as Trump's "security blanket" and nothing more — leaving conservatives to pummel him as a "coward" for not standing behind what they considered was his sexist innuendo. JON OSSOFF DODGES ON WHY HE INVOKED TRUMP AIDE'S NAME DURING GEORGIA CAMPAIGN RALLY Still, that hasn't stopped the media from obsessing over the 35-year-old White House aide. The New York Times published a profile on how Harp "emerge[d]" in the national spotlight following Ossoff's comment. "She never takes a day off, not even on Sunday," the Times began the profile. "She works out of the Oval Office and she’s got a regular seat on Marine One. She texts with world leaders on the president’s behalf. She stays up late with him drafting social media posts. She rarely speaks on camera and yet she is never not there, ever-present with a wide smile and her eyes fixed on the president."  "She is a platinum blonde geyser of positivity, there to buck him up when the going gets rough," the paper wrote, adding how she's often referred to as Trump's "human printer" for giving him hard copies of things with her portable printer. WHITE HOUSE PUSHED FOR PROTOCOL TO PRESERVE CORRESPONDENTS' CREDIBILITY AFTER TRUMP'S SECRET PLANE SWITCH Harp has received overwhelming coverage on cable news. Her name has been mentioned at least 86 times on MS NOW since Monday, according to Grabien transcripts. Meanwhile, CNN has mentioned her at least a whopping 132 times in the same period. CNN made headlines with a story, citing unnamed sources, alleging Harp "jumped into an SUV trunk" in order to ride with Trump in an October 2023 court appearance because she "wouldn’t take no for an answer" when the vehicle didn't have enough room. The network also drew intense backlash for interviewing Harp's estranged brother on air. CNN's Brian Stelter said it "mounts to a victory for Ossoff," crediting him with "the art of the viral clip." "His 'travel with Natalie' line... showed a sophisticated understanding of the social media environment. It titillated, provoked and enraged different audiences simultaneously," Stelter wrote. CNN FIRES BACK AT TRUMP WHITE HOUSE OVER ATTACKS ON REPORTER, CALLS THEM 'BENEATH OF OFFICE' The Daily Beast ran a tabloid-esque story alleging first lady Melania Trump is "locked in a secret power struggle" over her husband with Harp, citing speculation from anti-Trump author Michael Wolff. Rolling Stone declared in a headline, "Nothing About Trump and Natalie Harp Is Normal," while Forbes went more suspicious with its headline, "Natalie Harp Seen Everywhere With Trump Lately—Why That’s Raising Questions." The far-left publication Salon tied Harp's presence to Trump's health, running the headline, "Trump aide Natalie Harp nurses his decline." "Whatever the case, the rumors have served to draw more attention to Trump’s age. But the simple fact that he requires a woman to linger around him most of the time, ready to express her devotion and that of his most ardent followers, isn’t a great look. When considered alongside the extraordinary medical privacy exerted by Trump and the White House, it cuts against his failing efforts to position himself as virile and robust," Salon wrote. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS WIDELY PRAISE KAROLINE LEAVITT AS SHE ANNOUNCES EXIT FROM TRUMP ADMINISTRATION Others, meanwhile, are reveling in the media discourse set off by Ossoff. Axios examined how his one-liner is testing "Democrats' appetite for going low" ahead of 2028. "Some battleground candidates are going viral for shooting from the hip. Jon Ossoff is doing it from a carefully controlled script," Politico wrote. "Ossoff’s campaign appearances are marked by pithy stump lines that are prone to catch fire online and aggressive jabs at Trump and his Republican opponent that appeal to Democrats’ desire for fighter candidates. But behind his bold persona on the trail is a senator who is hands-on in all aspects of his campaign, including messaging." Conservative critics are blasting the rampant coverage of Harp.  "So Jon Ossoff and some very online Dems make catty and suggestive remarks about Natalie Harp and so all the major news orgs scramble to follow ‘the story,’" Washington Free Beacon reporter Chuck Ross reacted. "The egregious sexist attacks on Natalie Harp are absolutely insane — and they’re coming from prestigious journalists. What is wrong with everyone?!" podcast host Meghan McCain posted on X. "Every president has close aides and sometimes they are females. Like what year is this?! Should women never go into politics?!" In a statement to Fox News Digital, the White House called Harp "one of the most loyal and hardest-working aides on President Trump's team." "The Fake News’s continued attacks on President Trump and his Administration prove exactly why trust in media is at historic lows," White House spokesman Davis Ingle said. "The media should get back to reporting real news and stop regurgitating Trump-Deranged liberal talking points." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86331f2c5335ae1048ca0c 8-year-old boy killed after tree falls at YMCA summer camp in Massachusetts te 2026-08-19T22:50:07.401Z 8-year-old boy killed after tree falls at YMCA summer camp in Massachusetts An 8-year-old boy was tragically killed after a tree fell on multiple people Tuesday morning during summer camp at a YMCA facility in Massachusetts, officials said. The incident, which also injured a camp counselor, happened at the YMCA’s Camp Chickami in Wayland, the fire and police departments said in a joint statement. The boy was struck by a large branch when a tree fell and struck another tree, creating a domino effect, Fire Chief Neil McPherson said, according to MassLive. The adult victim was reportedly struck by a smaller branch. TERRIFYING SCENE UNFOLDS AT SIX FLAGS AS STORM-TOPPLED TREE SENDS 4 GUESTS TO HOSPITAL First responders rushed to the scene "to find a child suffering from life-threatening injuries and an adult suffering from less serious injuries," officials said. The child was then airlifted by medical helicopter but ultimately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital, according to officials. A YMCA representative told Fox News Digital that the adult victim suffered minor injuries and has since been released from the hospital following treatment. HEARTBROKEN FATHERS FIND DIVINE HOPE IN SECRET NOTES LEFT BY GIRLS KILLED IN CAMP MYSTIC FLOOD Following the incident, the camp will remain closed for the rest of the week, West Suburban YMCA President and CEO Jack Fucci said in a statement. "The entire West Suburban YMCA family is grieving the loss of a young camper when a tree fell at Camp Chickami in Wayland on Tuesday," he said. "We are keeping the camper’s family foremost in our thoughts at this extraordinarily difficult time. We are making grief counseling and other support resources available to camp staff, campers, and their families. " Wayland officials also extended their condolences following the incident. "I want to offer our sincere thoughts and support to the family and friends who are facing this tragic loss," Acting Police Chief Mark Hebert said in a statement. "Our Wayland community is grieving today, and thinking of those who lost so much as a result of this tragic accident," McPherson added. "I encourage anyone who is experiencing overwhelming grief or anxiety to talk to someone, reach out for help, and to remember that we are the strongest when we stand together as a community." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86331a2c5335ae1048c9e4 Senate Health Panel Chairman Voices Strong Reservations About F.D.A. Nominee te 2026-08-19T22:50:02.566Z Senate Health Panel Chairman Voices Strong Reservations About F.D.A. Nominee Senator Bill Cassidy said Dr. Heidi Overton’s role in President Trump’s executive order on vaccines last week was “almost disqualifying.” Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8630c92c5335ae1048c98c Bronx man accused of attacking Shabbat worshippers admitted motive in recorded interview, feds say te 2026-08-19T22:40:09.017Z Bronx man accused of attacking Shabbat worshippers admitted motive in recorded interview, feds say A Bronx man charged with federal hate crimes for a violent disruption at a Midtown Manhattan synagogue explicitly admitted to investigators in a recorded interview that his actions were "all a racial thing" and "all religious motivated," according to federal prosecutors. During the recorded post-arrest interview, Larry Montes, 46, of the Bronx, allegedly made several anti-Semitic and derogatory remarks including, "F--- the Jews ... It’s racial," and "I will never affiliate with no filthy f------synagogues, either here or in f------ Israel." Montes, who is charged with two counts of committing hate crimes and one count of destruction of religious property resulting in bodily injury, faces up to 30 years in prison, according to the Justice Department. WATCH: LETITIA JAMES TOLD ‘DO HER F---ING JOB’ BY REPUBLICAN ENRAGED BY INACTION ON ANTISEMITIC CRIMES ANTISEMITIC VIOLENCE REACHES DEADLIEST LEVEL SINCE 1994, NEW GLOBAL REPORT FINDS Prosecutors claim Montes brazenly assaulted two people and shouted obscenities at parishioners during the Jewish Sabbath service at the Central Synagogue in Midtown, which was attended by 375 people. During the Shabbat service, Montes stood up, began shouting, and physically struck and damaged two ceremonial silver candlesticks with gold accents, authorities said. As the head of security attempted to remove him from the sanctuary, Montes screamed, "F--- you people" and "I don’t f--- with you people," according to prosecutors. Montes then punched a female congregant with a closed fist and assaulted a security guard who was attempting to handcuff him, authorities said. MAMDANI SLOW TO RESPOND TO SUSPECTED ANTISEMITIC STABBING AS HOCHUL, OTHER NY OFFICIALS CONDEMN ATTACK He allegedly directed a racial slur at the guard, who is Black, before spitting in his face and headbutting his left eye socket, prosecutors said. Montes also threatened to return to the synagogue at a later date. In addition to the federal charges, he faces state charges related to the incident. New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the woman and the security guard who were assaulted are doing well. Following the attack, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed shock over the violence. "I can only imagine the pain and fear an attack like this, during Shabbat services, causes for the congregation and for Jewish New Yorkers across our city," he wrote on X. "Every New Yorker must be able to observe their religion without fear of violence." Montes remains in custody. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8630c52c5335ae1048c96a Deadline: New county morgue could be finished by July te 2026-08-19T22:40:05.527Z Deadline: New county morgue could be finished by July A Mohave County morgue facility could soon be coming to Kingman, bringing a long-delayed project out of purgatory and into future development. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a862e742c5335ae1048c925 Florida woman accused of hiding thousands in stolen cash inside body after allegedly scamming senior te 2026-08-19T22:30:12.220Z Florida woman accused of hiding thousands in stolen cash inside body after allegedly scamming senior A Florida woman accused of posing as a bank representative to scam a senior citizen allegedly carried the scheme all the way to jail, where authorities said they found $3,200 in cash hidden inside her body. Moniquie Love Turnbull, 31, of Miami, was arrested after Martin County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) deputies alleged she showed up at a senior citizen's home pretending to work for the alleged victim's bank. The MCSO said Turnbull told the victim the account had been compromised and tried to obtain the person's debit or credit card under the guise of disposing of it. NEW BANK SCAM LAWS COULD STOP SUSPICIOUS PAYMENTS The alleged victim became suspicious and contacted law enforcement. While deputies investigated, they received another call identifying Turnbull as a possible suspect in a similar case, according to the MCSO. Deputies located Turnbull driving near Interstate 95 before she could leave Martin County and arrested her on fraud charges Monday during a traffic stop caught on MCSO bodycam video. Turnbull faces charges of scheme to defraud, felony use of a two-way communication device and fraudulent use of a credit or debit card without consent involving a victim 60 or older, according to the MCSO. TWO MEN ACCUSED OF POSING AS FEDERAL AGENTS ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY TARGETING 85-YEAR-OLD IN $200K GOLD SCAM The case took another turn after Turnbull was brought to jail. Authorities said Turnbull entered the prison with $3,200 in cash lodged in her vagina. "It’s not clear who the money was taken from, but for now, it’s accounted for and sealed in evidence," the MCSO said in a social media post. "Keep in mind, at some point the cash will be back in public circulation." FLORIDA WOMAN TELLS POLICE SHE KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT DRUGS THAT ALLEGEDLY FELL OUT OF HER ‘JAIL PURSE’ Turnbull faces an additional charge of introduction of contraband into a prison. Her bond was set at $500,000, the sheriff's office said. After the arrest, the MCSO warned people not to hand over credit cards, cash, gold or other valuables to anyone who unexpectedly shows up at a home claiming to represent a bank, financial institution, government agency or other organization. Authorities advised anyone confronted with a similar situation not to allow the person inside or give them valuables and instead call 911. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a862e732c5335ae1048c91c Third body found in Minneapolis in three days as police investigate string of deaths: report te 2026-08-19T22:30:11.621Z Third body found in Minneapolis in three days as police investigate string of deaths: report Police have reportedly been finding bodies across Minneapolis, with the latest grisly discovery made near the city’s Stone Arch Bridge. FOX9 reports that the University of Minnesota Police Department found a body near the bridge but has not revealed the circumstances leading up to the person’s death. The grim find marks the third body found in Minneapolis in three days. The first body was found on Saturday at 6 p.m. in a wooded area near East River Flats park near the Mississippi River. THREE WOMEN FOUND DEAD IN POPULAR AMERICAN TOURIST HOT SPOT AS LOCAL POLICE SEARCH FOR CLUES Police have identified the woman found Saturday evening as Karen Lynn Sognesand, 56, from Maple Grove, The Minnesota Star Tribune reported. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS An obituary for the woman says, "The most loving, caring, daughter, sister and friend has left us too soon. Her struggle with mental health and the loss of her dad was just too much." LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE SEND US A TIP The second body was found on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. near the shoreline of Bde Maka Ska Lake. REMAINS FOUND NEAR FLORIDA BRIDGE IDENTIFIED AS MISSING COLLEGE STUDENT WHO VANISHED WEEKS AGO LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL "The body was found in a severe state of decomposition, according to a statement from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board," the Star Tribune reported. BODY BELIEVED TO BE KANSAS CITY HIGHWAY SHOOTING SUSPECT FOUND IN BURNED HOME'S BASEMENT BY FAMILY: POLICE It is unclear if the three bodies discovered are connected to a crime. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a862e722c5335ae1048c913 Shirley MacLaine makes rare video appearance, pokes fun at 1960s movie flop te 2026-08-19T22:30:10.910Z Shirley MacLaine makes rare video appearance, pokes fun at 1960s movie flop Shirley MacLaine, who played the title role in 1969’s "Sweet Charity," made a rare video appearance this week for a New York theater doing a screening of the musical. The 92-year-old actress told the Southampton Playhouse in Long Island in a video posted to their Instagram: "Wish I could be with you" ahead of their Aug. 25 showing of her movie. "I would like to see ‘Sweet Charity’ again,’" she added. "And while you’re watching it, remember how hard we worked." '80S ICON KRISTY MCNICHOL MAKES RARE APPEARANCE 25 YEARS AFTER LEAVING HOLLYWOOD The "Steel Magnolias" star then stage whispered, "And between you and me, it didn’t do very well, so I hope you guys like it." "Much love," she added, blowing a kiss. MacLaine received plenty of love in the comments. "Oh, Shirley. I love you. What an incredible human being," one fan wrote, and another said, "I fell in love with Shirley in 1969 when I saw her up on the big screen in Sweet Charity." A third quipped: "The greatest legs in showbiz!" "Sweet Charity," which was legendary choreographer Bob Fosse’s directorial debut, flopped at the box office, making only $4 million domestically on a $20 million budget, according to Turner Classic Movies. The film’s failure slowed the rollout of big budget musicals in the industry for a time. JOAN COLLINS SHARES HER SIMPLE SECRETS TO AGING GRACEFULLY AT 93 Fosse’s second directorial effort, "Cabaret" with Liza Minelli, three years later, however, was a success. The legendary actress has been spotted out and about in Los Angeles a couple of times this year, and her last public appearance was last December when she received a lifetime achievement award at the first-ever Dance Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Los Angeles. Chita Rivera, who was in "Sweet Charity" with MacLaine told a Playbill reporter several years ago that Fosse told her and Paula Kelly that their dancing had to be perfect in the number "There’s Gotta Be Something Better Than This" because he would always use the take when MacLaine looked the best. But she added when she overshot a leap and Fosse decided that was the shot to go with, MacLaine sensed Rivera’s frustration and used her position to ask Fosse if they go do it again so Rivera could get it right. JANE FONDA TOUTS HER ROLE IN EARTH DAY MUSICAL 'DEAR EVERYTHING' AS HER LATEST ENVIRONMENTALIST EFFORT MacLaine left for New York to dance when she was just a teenager. She told CBS in 2024 that she remembered her dance teachers telling her "that I have too much expression in my dancing. I might want to think about acting." MICHELLE PFEIFFER SAYS SHE FELT 'HUMILIATED' FOLLOWING HER AUDITION FOR HER BREAKTHROUGH ROLE IN 'GREASE 2' She got her start in the Broadway play "The Pajama Game," and was quickly cast in Hitchcock’s "The Trouble with Harry" in 1955. She received her first Academy Award nomination three years later for her role in "Some Came Running" and won an Oscar for her performance in "Terms of Endearment." MacLaine told CBS she’s not afraid of dying. "I’m kind of interested in going there," she said. "I’m looking forward to being part of the Heaven experience. I really am." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a862e722c5335ae1048c90a Drew Brees calls Hurricane Katrina 'defining moment' of career, credits faith and community for perseverance te 2026-08-19T22:30:10.193Z Drew Brees calls Hurricane Katrina 'defining moment' of career, credits faith and community for perseverance Drew Brees said two words at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio earlier this month that started a loud roar through the seats during his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction speech. New Orleans. Brees said he and his wife were scared, yet excited to embark on the next chapter of his NFL career in a city with which he would become synonymous — through the good and the bad. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! As Brees joined the New Orleans Saints before the start of the 2006 season, Hurricane Katrina had devastated the city. The Hurricane created a total of $125 billion in estimated damage and was the deadliest American hurricane since 1928 with 1,392 deaths. Football was the last thing on the minds of those trying to rebuild their beloved community in New Orleans, but it became a pillar of hope and positivity, something to rally around thanks to Brees and his teammates. After a 20-year stay in the NFL filled with ups and downs, Fox News Digital asked Brees in a recent interview if joining the Saints while dealing with Hurricane Katrina was a defining moment in his Hall of Fame career. "It was definitely a defining moment in my career," Brees responded quickly, while highlighting his partnership with DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS. "Honestly, most of the defining moments in my career, especially as it pertains to football, came on the heels of something devastating happening, or something that was a difficulty, a challenge, a failure. Something where I felt like maybe it was being taken away from me. Injuries give you that feeling in sports. DREW BREES GIVES HIS STANCE ON ELI MANNING'S PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME CANDIDACY AMID STRONG DEBATE "Hurricane Katrina, everyone in New Orleans felt like they were losing everything, losing the entire city, and truly having to start over. So, that’s where the bond was created." Repairs were eventually made to the then-Louisiana Superdome, and the Saints held their first game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 25, 2006, for a community that was still trying to come back but screamed their heads off for their home team after they spent weeks away to start the season. Brees couldn’t help mentioning in his Hall of Fame speech the famed blocked punt early in the first quarter by Steve Gleason that sent the stadium into rapture. Not only was it years building back the city, but the Saints were building something special at the same time. Years later in Super Bowl XLIV, Brees won the game’s MVP after leading the Saints to a 31-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. It was a true culmination of perseverance, strength, support and courage that led to Brees lifting the Vince Lombardi Trophy up in the air in Miami for not just his entire team, but an entire city that had his back through even the worst of times. "I’ve always taken the approach with those events that it’s your opportunity to come back stronger," he explained. "It’s your opportunity to maybe learn from the things that happened before, and apply the lessons learned that are going to help you come out on the other side better, stronger, both mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally. So, you do. You need those things. It’s hard to manufacture those things in any other way. It’s just the mindset you have around it, that I’m always going to come back stronger from those moments. It’s not if those moments are going to happen — it’s when. Then, the approach I’m going to take around using it as fuel. It’s very necessary." Brees also noted how important his Christian faith was throughout his career, but especially during that time when Hurricane Katrina wrecked the lives of so many in his city. OPINION: SPORTS IS ONE OF AMERICA'S GREATEST TRADITIONS AND A POWERFUL FORCE THAT UNITES US "To me, that’s what got me through so many of those tough moments, knowing that God has a plan and this is just equipping me for what is to come next," he said. "So, I need to use this to be strengthened, to be molded, and just to believe there’s a higher calling. There’s a higher purpose. That this is here for a reason. It’s so true. "I mean, every one of those moments, especially going to New Orleans because you look at that on the surface. To the average person looking from afar, you would think, ‘How does that city overcome this situation?’ Yet, you pull all these pieces together and you have this belief. You have this faith, you have this trust. You see what happened when you get people who come together with that mindset." As Brees put it in his Hall of Fame speech: "You trusted me with the soul of the city, and I would’ve died to protect that calling." SPORTS ALL IN ONE PLACE Outside of football, Brees is also a businessman, being a co-owner and partner in Walk-on’s Sports Bistreaux, one of the fastest-growing sports bar franchise concepts in the country. It began in Louisiana, has grown to 80-plus units, and it continues to pave its way through the country. As a sports bar concept, there’s nothing that matters more than having any game, any time, for customers walking into the establishment. Football is king in the Southeast, as well as throughout the rest of the country, and DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS makes it easy for those like Brees to bring together live TV and streaming networks all in one place. More than 300,000 bars and restaurants have access to local, national, college and pro games for fans to watch through DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS, which includes NFL Sunday Ticket. "We pride ourselves on Louisiana-inspired cuisine. It's unbelievable food," Brees said of Walk-on’s Sports Bistreaux. "My kids crave it all the time. But like a really family-friendly atmosphere, you know, whether it's date night, bring the family, bring the little league after the game — something for everybody. Obviously, it’s sports, and high energy, and excitement on the TV all the time. Thanks to our partnership with DirecTV for Business, that's what allows us to basically have access to every college and pro game around the country. And that's not just football. We're talking basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer. So big events like March Madness and the Kentucky Derby, Masters — you name it. So, we're really appreciative of that DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS partnership. It allows us to help create that energy and excitement around our establishments. "And for the fans themselves, sportsbarfinder.com allows them to find those sports from DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS at their local spot anywhere in the country, which Brees loved to see. "There's a saying: fans have more friends. You know, they really do. You step into your local sports bar wearing the local jersey. Man, all of a sudden, next thing you know, you're high-fiving everybody, and you just made 100 more friends. That's the kind of atmosphere and that's what sports does, it brings people together," he said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a862e712c5335ae1048c901 Thousands of North Korean IT workers are infiltrating corporate America te 2026-08-19T22:30:09.511Z Thousands of North Korean IT workers are infiltrating corporate America Thousands of North Korean operatives posing as IT workers are applying for remote jobs at U.S. companies, and many are getting hired.  Using stolen American identities, U.S.-based "laptop farms" and artificial intelligence to write résumés and help answer interview questions, Kim Jong Un’s regime is exploiting the remote-work economy to get its workers inside American companies. In 2024 alone, the sprawling, state-directed workforce generated nearly $800 million for North Korea, according to the Treasury Department, helping the heavily sanctioned regime fund its weapons programs. "The North Korean regime targets American companies through deceptive schemes carried out by its overseas IT operatives, who weaponize sensitive data and extort businesses for substantial payments," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement. The threat goes beyond the paycheck.  Once hired, the workers gain legitimate credentials and trusted access to corporate networks, potentially opening the door to theft, espionage, extortion and more sophisticated North Korean cyber operations. Fox News interviewed Michael "Barni" Barnhart, a former Army intelligence specialist turned cybersecurity threat hunter who tracks North Korean IT workers for a living.  Barnhart said the workers are so pervasive that when he recently sampled 20 Fortune 500 companies, he found evidence that North Korean IT workers had applied to, worked for or targeted 18 of them. Barnhart has spent much of his career hunting America’s adversaries.  He joined the Army as a teenager, training in human intelligence before moving into signals intelligence and counterterrorism and deploying to Iraq.  He later moved into cybersecurity, eventually helping build Mandiant’s North Korea-focused threat hunting operation before the company was acquired by Google. Now at cybersecurity firm DTEX, Barnhart focuses on nation-state insider threats, including the sprawling North Korean IT worker operation. His pursuit of North Korean hackers has even left a permanent mark.  Barnhart has tattoos on his feet commemorating North Korean hacking groups he has helped investigate, including APT43 and APT45, groups tied to operations targeting U.S. think tanks and healthcare organizations.  Another tattoo reads "IT workers rich experience," a reference, he said, to language that repeatedly appears on résumés used by North Korean IT workers. "Anytime we knock off a North Korean hacking unit, I get them tattooed on my feet," Barnhart said. Barnhart said North Korea begins building its cyber workforce remarkably early. The regime can identify children with an aptitude for math, science, technology and problem-solving and funnel them into specialized training beginning as young as seven years old. "For a communist regime, everything's a little different," Barnhart said. "If you look like you're gonna have some sort of potential or some sort of potential later on, you're going to get swept in that pipeline." By college, some are already working on technology with military applications, Barnhart said, including drones and anti-drone technology. The most talented can be funneled toward North Korea's elite hacking units, while others become part of its sprawling overseas IT workforce. And the scheme is evolving. As American companies become better at spotting suspicious overseas applicants, North Korean operatives are increasingly recruiting people in the U.S. and other countries to become their faces in job interviews, host company laptops or lend them their identities. They are also turning to AI. North Korean operatives are now using generative AI and interview-assistance tools to help them answer questions during job interviews in real time. He said they are also using deepfake and other AI technologies as companies become more adept at identifying suspicious applicants. "They're using AI, a lot of times, in their actual interviews, using that generative AI to help do it, using interview AI assistance," Barnhart said. The technology helps address one of the weaknesses that previously made the scheme easier to spot.  An applicant claiming to have been born and raised in the United States might struggle with basic questions about the city where he supposedly lives, speak with an unexpected accent or appear to be reading answers from another screen. But as employers learn more about these warning signs, Barnhart said North Korean operatives are changing their tactics.  North Korean operators are increasingly working through people in countries including Pakistan, India and Nigeria, Barnhart said, adding even more layers between the North Korean worker and the company being targeted.  They can also exploit third-party contractors, potentially allowing them to reach a company's network without ever coming directly through its front door. DEMOCRATS SOUND ALARM OVER AI JOB APOCALYPSE — BUT LABOR MARKET ISN'T FOLLOWING SCRIPT "As soon as everyone has a lead on them, they like to switch," Barnhart said. These schemes can rely heavily on people thousands of miles away from North Korea. Often, companies mail a work laptop to a new employee. An address in North Korea, Russia or China where some of these workers are, would immediately raise red flags. To create the appearance the employee is actually working from inside the United States, North Korean operatives recruit Americans to receive and host the computers. Some Americans host dozens of computers for dozens of companies. These are called, "laptop farms." The Justice Department has prosecuted a growing number of Americans and other facilitators for participating in such schemes.  In some cases, the participants knowingly help overseas workers deceive American companies. In others, Barnhart said, people can initially be "hoodwinked" into believing they are simply helping a foreign developer or earning easy passive income.  North Korean operatives scour social media, messaging apps, job sites and online forums for potential recruits, Barnhart said, including Reddit, Discord, Telegram, WhatsApp and Craigslist. The targets are often people struggling financially. "They like them poor because you need that incentive to dangle in front of them," Barnhart said. A person might initially be offered a few hundred dollars to host a laptop, lend an identity or become the American face of an overseas developer. The requests can then escalate. "All I got to do is have this laptop in my house, and you're going to give me money," Barnhart said, describing how an unsuspecting participant might view the arrangement. "Little by little you can start to see over the years the schemes get larger or the asks get bigger." Barnhart provided Fox News with an actual recruitment message obtained from a real operation showing how someone was asked to impersonate a job applicant during interviews. "In my past experience, hiring managers liked my skills and experience but they were not moving forward with me because of my lack of English level. We are looking for a native English speaker/software developer to collaborate closely with me. "You will be joining all meetings (Google or Zoom) with the given profile name to do interviews with clients and pretend to be someone else during interviews." The use of Americans and overseas intermediaries creates another problem for investigators: the person whose identity, address or laptop is being used may not necessarily be the person actually doing the work. Federal prosecutors have documented schemes involving both witting and unwitting third parties, stolen identities, proxy computers and U.S.-based laptop farms.  Recent Justice Department cases have also shown facilitators allowing overseas IT workers to create fraudulent résumés in their names, participate in employer vetting and remotely access company-issued laptops from abroad. In 2025, Arizona resident Christina Chapman was sentenced to more than eight years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. Chapman helped North Korean IT workers get jobs at more than 300 U.S. companies, including several Fortune 500 corporations. The companies included a top-five major television network, a Silicon Valley technology company, an aerospace manufacturer, an American carmaker, a luxury retail store and a U.S. media and entertainment company, according to the Justice Department. Chapman operated a "laptop farm," receiving computers from U.S. companies at her home and helping deceive those companies into believing their employees were located in the United States. She shipped 49 laptops overseas, including to China. More than 90 laptops were seized from her home following the execution of a search warrant in October 2023. Chapman organized and stored the company laptops in her home, even including notes identifying which U.S. company was associated with each computer so she would not confuse them. North Korean workers are stealing the identities of normal everyday Americans.  The Wall Street Journal recently highlighted a victim of identity theft, Michael Brown. North Korea used Brown’s identity to get jobs in at least two companies, according to the WSJ.  "North Korea is not just a threat to the homeland from afar. It is an enemy within. It is perpetrating fraud on American citizens, American companies, and American banks. It is a threat to Main Street in every sense of the word," U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro said in a statement. The threat, however, is not limited to the money North Korea collects. Barnhart said he initially viewed the IT workers primarily as a revenue-generation operation and focused his attention instead on North Korea's more sophisticated hacking units. Then investigators began finding the IT workers intertwined with those hacking operations. "They're not just fraudulent hires," Barnhart said. "You really got to watch out." Once a fraudulent worker has been hired, the dynamic changes dramatically. Instead of a North Korean hacker trying to break through a company's defenses from the outside, the company itself may have handed a North Korean operative credentials, a laptop and trusted access to its systems. Barnhart said he has seen evidence of workers inside organizations with strategic intelligence value to North Korea, including critical infrastructure, defense-related organizations, research and development and other sensitive sectors. "Do they have the placement and access to do it? Yes, I can tell you right now, verified," Barnhart said. "I've seen them in places we do not want them to include critical infrastructure as well." Barnhart said North Korea's approach is essentially scattershot: place thousands of workers inside organizations around the world. At an ordinary retail company, the primary objective may simply be collecting a paycheck. But a worker who lands inside a defense contractor, pharmaceutical company, government organization or critical infrastructure operator can suddenly become far more valuable. The worker could steal information or potentially provide an opening for more sophisticated North Korean cyber operators, Barnhart said. That possibility is one reason the IT-worker operation represents something different from ordinary employment fraud. "These are not just insider threats," Barnhart said, describing them as insiders who can potentially "open the door" for more skilled North Korean hackers. "This is going to supply a weapons program for a regime that is sanctioned to their eyeballs," Barnhart said. North Korean IT workers had already started targeting remote jobs at U.S. companies before the COVID-19 pandemic began. Barnhart said the operation can be traced back more than a decade, with the threat accelerating in the mid-2010s. Then millions of Americans suddenly began working remotely. "Once the pandemic hit, it became absolute gasoline on a fire," Barnhart said. The remote-work revolution gave North Korean operatives something they previously lacked at scale: the ability to get hired by an American company without ever physically entering an American office. For North Korea, the operation also offers a critical way around international sanctions. NORTH KOREA EXPERT WARNS US CAN 'NEVER TAKE THEIR EYE OFF' KIM JONG UN FOLLOWING MISSILE TEST DURING IRAN WAR Barnhart contrasts the IT workers with North Korea's massive cryptocurrency thefts. A hacking unit might steal millions of dollars in a single operation, drawing immediate international attention. The IT workers instead provide thousands of legitimate-looking paychecks arriving little by little. "The IT workers are a slow, steady paycheck," Barnhart said. Spread across thousands of workers, those salaries create a steady stream of money flowing toward one of the most heavily sanctioned governments in the world. "It's a bypass sanction because this is a country that's sanctioned to their eyeballs," Barnhart said. And the money generated by the scheme may have consequences far beyond the Korean Peninsula. The Treasury Department says the North Korean government uses most of the wages earned by its IT workers to generate hundreds of millions of dollars to support the regime's weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs. And North Korea is now increasingly intertwined with Russia's war in Ukraine. Earlier this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia is preparing to deploy an additional North Korean contingent and has received additional ballistic missiles from Pyongyang. Russia is increasingly dependent on North Korea for its war in Ukraine.  "For the first time in its history, Russia cannot wage war without reinforcements from North Korea," Zelenskyy said. Zelenskyy warned the relationship also gives North Korea something valuable in return: an opportunity to test its troops and weapons under real battlefield conditions and improve them.  "The more North Korean strikes there are here in Ukraine, in Europe, the more their missiles and soldiers are used, the more they correct their shortcomings and blind spots, the greater the danger will later be for Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, and other countries in the region," Zelenskyy said. Barnhart argues that Americans should understand the chain connecting the remote-work scheme to North Korea's expanding military relationship with Russia. Western companies can unknowingly pay North Korean workers. Those workers generate hard currency for a regime under extensive international sanctions. North Korea uses revenue from overseas workers and other illicit schemes to support its government and weapons programs. Pyongyang, in turn, has supplied weapons and troops to Russia. TRUMP TEASES POTENTIAL KIM JONG UN MEETING LATER THIS YEAR "If the Western dollars and ally dollars are going to North Korea to help their weapons program, and they in turn are giving those weapons to the Russians to help with their Ukrainian conflict," Barnhart said, the implications become much broader. The connection shows why U.S. officials increasingly view the fraudulent-worker operation as more than an employment scam. It is a mechanism for generating hard currency for a sanctioned regime that is simultaneously expanding its military support for Moscow, Barnhart explained.  Barnhart warned companies cannot rely solely on federal law enforcement to stop the threat because of the sheer scale of the operation and because the North Korean workers themselves are often beyond the reach of U.S. authorities. "It's on us to trust but verify," Barnhart said. He said companies need to rethink remote hiring and identity-verification procedures, particularly for employees who will receive access to sensitive networks, intellectual property or critical systems.  One way companies can do this is to run identity checks as well as background checks on potential employees.  While a traditional background check looks into an applicant’s record, an identity check can determine whether the person sitting down for the interview on the computer screen is the same person whose face is on the identification and credentials that were submitted.  "We have to change," Barnhart said. "We can't just rely on law enforcement. They're only gonna go so far. We have to rely on our own policies and our own verifications in being able to stop them." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a862e6b2c5335ae1048c8c1 Waymo’s cheaper, next-gen robotaxi is now open to all riders in these three cities te 2026-08-19T22:30:03.607Z Waymo’s cheaper, next-gen robotaxi is now open to all riders in these three cities The next-generation robotaxi called the Waymo Ojai, is central to the company's push towards mass scale, and eventually, profitability. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a862c182c5335ae1048c89d El-Sayed reveals he would go ‘step further’ than Sanders on socialist plan for major US industry te 2026-08-19T22:20:08.896Z El-Sayed reveals he would go ‘step further’ than Sanders on socialist plan for major US industry Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed said he wanted to "take it a step further" when asked whether he supported Bernie Sanders' public-ownership model for major artificial intelligence companies, arguing for "some system of public control" — days after a top House Democrat rejected suggestions that young socialists are talking about "seizing the means of production." Asked during a June 12 appearance on the left-wing "Head in the Office" podcast whether he supported public ownership models for major artificial intelligence companies like one proposed by Sanders, El-Sayed said he wanted to "actually take it a step further," adding that while he agreed "we need public ownership," he also believed "we need some system of public control." El-Sayed did not explicitly call for the government to seize or take ownership of private AI companies, instead describing possible forms of "public control" that included public representation on corporate boards or an oversight body. EL-SAYED TAUNTS TRUMP, CLAIMS HE'S GOING TO MAKE HIM ‘MAIN CHARACHTER OF THE MIDTERMS’ "I want to actually take it a step further. I agree that we need public ownership, but I also agree that we need some system of public control. What is the point of democracy if it's not to protect us from existential risk? And, right now, there is no regulation," El-Sayed said when asked about public ownership and public control of major AI companies, with the podcast host citing proposals from Sanders. "I just think it’s really important for us to be thinking what is democratic control over this industry? What does it look like?" El-Sayed continued. El-Sayed later offered examples of what such "public control" could look like, including public representation on corporate boards or a public oversight body over the companies, while arguing that AI poses potentially "existential" risks requiring greater public oversight. "Democracy is supposed to fix these problems and right now they’re trying to slip democracy and we cannot allow that," El-Sayed continued about the political power tech companies wield in Washington. "And so we need leaders who both understand the technological risk and are not bought off by the AI industry itself. It is mission-critical right now for our future." EL-SAYED AIDE LIKENS GOP OPPONENT'S CAMPAIGN TO ‘KKK CROSS BURNING’ OVER VIDEO WITH FORD PICKUP El-Sayed’s call to "take it a step further" on public ownership comes as senior Democrats have sought to push back on the idea that the party’s rising socialist wing is seeking government control of the means of production. Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., recently argued that young Americans who identify as socialists are not embracing socialism in its traditional Marxist sense, asking whether they mean, "I want to socialize the means of production," before answering, "I don’t think so." Raskin has similarly argued that young self-described socialists are primarily seeking "greater equality and opportunity," rather than embracing concepts such as "dialectical materialism" or the "dictatorship of the proletariat." But some of the movement’s most prominent figures have used more explicit language. Mamdani said during a 2021 Young Democratic Socialists of America conference that one of the movement’s firmly held beliefs was the "end goal of seizing the means of production," while acknowledging it did not then enjoy the same level of public support as other progressive causes. The June podcast comments are drawing fresh attention as El-Sayed, a progressive who has embraced comparisons to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, seeks to carry that brand of politics into a marquee statewide Senate race. The resurfaced exchange also comes amid a broader debate over the Democratic Party’s embrace of democratic socialists and how far the movement’s economic agenda extends beyond policies such as universal healthcare and a higher minimum wage. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a862c122c5335ae1048c85d OpenAI seeks to one-up Anthropic with new customer privacy protections te 2026-08-19T22:20:02.817Z OpenAI seeks to one-up Anthropic with new customer privacy protections A competition is developing between OpenAI and Anthropic over who can provide the best privacy protections for enterprise customer data. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8629bf2c5335ae1048c839 Former congressman Matt Gaetz speaks out on helping Royce White in WNBA Draft pursuit te 2026-08-19T22:10:07.421Z Former congressman Matt Gaetz speaks out on helping Royce White in WNBA Draft pursuit Former U.S. House of Representatives member from Florida Matt Gaetz is providing legal counsel to former NBA player Royce White in White's bid to join the WNBA. White formally declared for the 2027 WNBA Draft on Monday, in a letter sent by Gaetz and his law firm Gaetz Law, sent directly to the WNBA league office. "Gaetz Law is currently providing legal counsel to Royce White. Royce White changed how the NBA thinks about player mental health. Now Royce White is an inspirational voice for Black transexual lesbians everywhere who aspire to play in the WNBA," Gaetz told Fox News Digital. FORMER NBA PLAYER ROYCE WHITE OFFICIALLY DECLARES FOR 2027 WNBA DRAFT AS LEAGUE'S CULTURE WAR CONTINUES White's notice of draft declaration, written by Gaetz, states that "As of the signing of the attached declaration, Ms. White identifies as a transgender woman. Consistent with Article XIII, Section 1(a) of the 2026–2033 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the WNBA and the WNBPA, Ms. White affirms her eligibility to be considered for selection on that basis." President Donald Trump initially tapped Gaetz to be his Attorney General after Trump's election in November 2024, as Gaetz resigned from Congress to accept the role. However, Gaetz then withdrew his nomination for U.S. Attorney General on Nov. 21, 2024, because intense bipartisan scrutiny and controversy over past allegations made a successful Senate confirmation unlikely. His appointment faced major hurdles due to a lingering House Ethics Committee investigation and past federal probes. The House Ethics Committee was probing allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. Gaetz strongly denied all allegations, calling the claims completely false, uncorroborated, and a partisan smear, noting he was never charged or sued in court. Now, Gaetz is looking to assist in White's bid to make it to the WNBA. White previously told Fox News Digital that he would pursue legal action if he goes undrafted and is not signed to a team. "I have to file a discrimination lawsuit, right? I mean, that's, that's ridiculous," White said. "We're gonna have to have a huge legal battle about discrimination if I can't play." White said only the league could end his challenge by stating its position plainly on the subject of males playing in women's sports. "I think the WNBA could come out and make a definitive statement about guys with a pair of balls playing in the Women’s Association," he said. Asked whether he would proceed unless the league did make such a statement, White replied, "Oh, no, I’m declaring. And I don’t want to be discriminated against. I want fair treatment. I’m a young Black, hopefully United States Senator that would like a fair chance to participate as a sometimes-identifying-as-a-transgender-woman athlete." The WNBA's gender eligibility criteria has come under scrutiny in recent weeks, as the policy does not state that only athletes who are biologically female are allowed to compete in the WNBA. White was running for U.S. Senate at the time of his WNBA announcement, but recently lost his primary bid for a U.S. Senate seat in Minnesota on Aug. 11, finishing behind Michele Tafoya. This followed his earlier 2024 general election defeat when he won the Republican nomination but lost the state's Senate race to incumbent Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86276c2c5335ae1048c7cf Court won’t force Adrian Fontes to rewrite GOP election measure’s ballot summary te 2026-08-19T22:00:12.880Z Court won’t force Adrian Fontes to rewrite GOP election measure’s ballot summary (Photo by Getty Images) The Arizona Supreme Court ruled against a Trump-aligned law firm that wanted to force the Democratic secretary of state to rewrite a ballot description of a proposed constitutional amendment that makes sweeping changes to how elections are conducted. In a split decision, the majority of the justices agreed with the trial court that the three supporters of Proposition 144, who were represented by the America First Legal Foundation, did not have standing to bring the lawsuit. And even if they did, the justices concluded, the language that Secretary of State Adrian Fontes chose to describe the measure on the ballot fell within his legal discretion. GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE The America First Legal Foundation was created by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, an architect of Project 2025 and one of President Donald Trump’s closest advisors. Prop. 144, also known as the “Fast Accurate Secure Transparent Election Results Act,” was one of five controversial last-minute ballot referrals that the Republicans who control the Arizona Legislature approved along party lines in a marathon night of voting on the last day of the annual legislative session in June.  The wide-ranging measure would add a series of provisions to the Arizona Constitution that will change how elections are administered in the Grand Canyon State. The most consequential is requiring every voter — including those to cast their ballots by mail — to show government identification. (State law already requires people who vote in person at a polling location to provide identification.) Roughly 80% of Arizona voters in any election vote by mail, but how they would show identification is unknown; Prop. 144 would direct the legislature to figure that out. It also would  prohibit foreign nationals from spending money to influence state elections — they are already barred from giving to candidates, but can give money to other political committees — and require all polling locations to provide on-site tabulation of ballots for voters who want it. And it creates a new, tougher standard for challenging election laws enacted by the state legislature. Prop. 144 also contains provisions limiting registering to vote and voting to citizens. Those already exist in state law, and have since Arizona became a state in 1912. The three supporters of Prop. 144 represented by America First Legal Foundation contended that the provisions declaring that “only citizens may register and vote in Arizona elections,” and that the results of the elections “shall be decided solely by the votes of eligible citizen voters” were the most important parts of the measure. They argued that Fontes illegally left any mention of the citizenship provisions out of the ballot description, and asked the courts to force him to change that prior to the deadline to finalize ballots on Aug. 20.  Both the trial and Arizona Supreme Court denied that request.  “A measure like Prop. 144 contains several substantive provisions competing for a fifty-word title; determining which are sufficiently ‘important,’ ‘consequential,’ or ‘primary’ to warrant inclusion … necessarily requires the Secretary to weigh and rank provisions against one another,” Timmer wrote.  To have legal standing to bring their challenge to the ballot language describing Prop. 144 to voters, its supporters had to show that they could suffer specific harms, beyond what a typical voter might experience, based on what they described as a “misleading” summary.  Because the three supporters formally registered their support in the Arizona Legislature’s system for the legislation that placed Prop. 144 on the ballot, the America First Legal Foundation argued that a misleading ballot description would harm them specifically.  Attorney for the foundation, James Rogers contended that the reportedly inaccurate ballot description would distort what the supporters were actually backing when they signed in official support of Prop. 144.  But both the trial court and the high court disagreed, with Chief Justice Ann Timmer writing for the majority that the supporters’ official register of their backing of the referral in the legislative system and their intent to advocate for it ahead of the November election did not put them at risk of specific harms needed to give them power to bring the lawsuit.  “These characteristics are shared with many voters across the state during a busy election season and certainly do not constitute a distinct and palpable injury,” Timmer wrote. “Additionally, Petitioners do not allege any interest that has been or will be injured by the Secretary and Attorney General’s descriptive title. Nothing prevents Petitioners from continuing to advocate publicly for Prop. 144.” Timmer was joined by Justices John Lopez, James Been and Maria Elena Cruz. Justices Bill Montgomery and Kathryn King dissented, writing that they would grant the supporters of Prop. 144 standing to bring the lawsuit under a relaxed standard and ordered Fontes to rewrite the description to include references to its citizenship requirements.  The dissenting justices wrote that because they found that citizenship requirements were “principal provisions” of the ballot referral, they should be included in the ballot description. YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8627682c5335ae1048c7b1 Trump, Who Has Amassed Enormous Wealth in Crypto, Hosts Industry Leaders te 2026-08-19T22:00:08.057Z Trump, Who Has Amassed Enormous Wealth in Crypto, Hosts Industry Leaders President Trump called on Congress to pass a major cryptocurrency bill that would tilt regulation in the industry’s favor. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8627632c5335ae1048c790 Cognition CEO denies report that SpaceX tried to acquire the startup te 2026-08-19T22:00:03.955Z Cognition CEO denies report that SpaceX tried to acquire the startup SpaceX was reportedly in talks to buy AI coding startup Cognition. SpaceX has already acquired Cursor as it races to catch up to rivals like OpenAI and Anthropic in enterprise AI. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86250f2c5335ae1048c742 Nearly 600 homes listed for sale in Lake Havasu City te 2026-08-19T21:50:07.515Z Nearly 600 homes listed for sale in Lake Havasu City Lake Havasu City’s housing market entered August with nearly 600 properties for sale, while recently sold homes fetched an average of 94.5% of their original asking prices. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86250c2c5335ae1048c71c Travis Kalanick kicks off another round of VC bashing: ‘1% are helpful’ te 2026-08-19T21:50:04.249Z Travis Kalanick kicks off another round of VC bashing: ‘1% are helpful’ After raising $1.7 billion for his new robotics company Atoms, Travis Kalanick is introspective about the role VCs have played in his career. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8622ba2c5335ae1048c6f9 Pat McAfee has officially surpassed Stephen A Smith as the Face of ESPN te 2026-08-19T21:40:10.684Z Pat McAfee has officially surpassed Stephen A Smith as the Face of ESPN Pat McAfee is officially the face of ESPN. On Wednesday, the network announced that McAfee will join its "Monday Night Football" pregame show this season and host his daily program live from the site of the matchup. The move also positions McAfee to serve as a main analyst on ESPN's pregame and halftime coverage of the network's first Super Bowl broadcast in February. McAfee will continue his role on "College GameDay." In doing so, he will become the first ESPN personality to work both "GameDay" and "Monday Night Countdown," the network's two most important live shoulder programs. Further, ESPN and McAfee are in discussions to renew his current agreement with the network for around $60 million a year, sources confirm to OutKick. JOSH PATE WAS EVICTED WHILE EARNING $27K. NOW, HE RUNS A COLLEGE FOOTBALL MEDIA EMPIRE For much of the past decade, Stephen A. Smith held the unofficial but consensus title of "face of ESPN," just as Chris Berman did before him. But Smith's stature inside ESPN is not what it was. He is no longer part of the network's NBA Finals coverage. "First Take's" ratings have slumped. The perception of Smith now falls somewhere between repetitive and uninformed. Smith's waning influence inside ESPN is perhaps best demonstrated by his inability to retain his preferred co-stars. For four straight offseasons, he has fought to keep at least one of Michael Irvin, Shannon Sharpe and Ryan Clark. ESPN let each of them go. It was also McAfee, not Smith, whom ESPN tapped to host a live alternative broadcast from Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden in June. More importantly, McAfee embodies ESPN's newfound direction. Smith does not. Stephen A. represented the ethos of an era built around hot takes and manufactured conflict. During a company town hall earlier this month, ESPN EVP Mike Foss instructed the company's talent to move beyond "embrace debate" and instead "embrace authenticity." Translation: Be more like McAfee and less like Smith. McAfee's appeal is rooted in an entirely different philosophy of sports programming. His show is overwhelmingly celebratory. He and his cast of producers and friendly guests spend less time scolding athletes and more time promoting the games, personalities and absurdities that define the interest in American sports. "The Pat McAfee Show" leans into the irrational excitement, anxiety, tribalism and anticipation of fandom. Sports fans are the target demographic. That formula may sound obvious. At ESPN, it qualifies as something of a breakthrough. For too long, the network programmed toward a niche audience of viewers who were "awakened" to the supposed social injustices lurking beneath American sports. ESPN routinely filtered athletic rivalries through racial politics, whether Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese or Josh Allen vs. Lamar Jackson. Whatever financial rewards Smith received for thriving during that iteration of ESPN, the era damaged the network's reputation and shrank its broader appeal. At this point, Smith resembles a musical act whose prime has passed, but whose record label keeps extended for one large contract too many. By contrast, ESPN is investing in McAfee because the network failed to build someone like him. That's an important distinction. McAfee did not need ESPN to make him a star. He arrived as one and forced ESPN to make room for him. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE Last week, ESPN college football contributor Josh Pate spoke to OutKick about McAfee's impact on sports media and why everyone else is now playing catch-up. "Pat McAfee, to me, when you mention that name, you have to mention that name, and then you have to stop," Pate told OutKick. "That's the end of any sentence that he's in." Pate compared McAfee's impact on sports media to Stone Cold Steve Austin's impact on professional wrestling during the Attitude Era. "And I remember, you know, since that Attitude Era, late '90s, when I would have been a kid growing up, since that era, there's been this whole industry that's scaled and blown up about retrospectively looking back at that era," Pate said. "One of the concepts that always stood out to me and slapped me in the face, because I can relate to it, I can apply it to my professional life, is when people talk about the impact Steve Austin had on the industry of pro wrestling, they don't talk about him as just, no doubt, like, there have been big stars before. There have been guys who made a lot of money." ESPN will try to build on McAfee's momentum this fall with the debut of "Bussin' with Pate" feaurting Pate, Will Compton and Taylor Lewan, airing Fridays from college football campuses. Like McAfee, Pate and the co-hosts of "Bussin' with the Boys" built large, valuable audiences independently of traditional network media. They now command audiences, particularly in coveted demographics, that legacy networks have struggled to capture. Hence the partnerships. For all of ESPN's blunders, executives Mike Foss and Burke Magnus have established a coherent vision for what comes next. The new regime wants less virtue signaling, racial fixation and compulsory culture warring. Unlike the previous regime, that vision follows viewer demand, both on linear television and across digital media. ESPN ceded ground to brands like Barstool, OutKick and The Ringer while previous executives tried to dictate what sports fans ought to care about. The audience noticed. So did the competition. That is not to say the McAfee-led era of ESPN won't have detractors. It already does. But notice who is complaining. It's not sports fans raging on Threads. It's the sports media establishment. Among those most irritated by McAfee's expanded presence on Monday Night Football are Dan Le Batard and reporters from Sports Illustrated, Yahoo, and CBS. That cohort disapproves of ESPN pivoting away from identity politics and back toward fandom. McAfee's friendly association with President Trump, despite not being political in nature, has added to the consternation among the media's self-appointed hall monitors. Still, the outrage shouldn't phase ESPN decision-makers. The disconnect between sports journalists and sports fans is profound. Commentators like Le Batard and Jemele Hill worry that ESPN will prioritize popularity more and skin color less. For viewers, that's step forward. Pat McAfee's ascension represents a transfer of cultural influence inside the most powerful brand in sports media. The fans and viewers have taken back control. They, not the executives, made McAfee the face of ESPN. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8622b92c5335ae1048c6f0 Teacher found dead with throat slit as detectives scrutinize husband’s shifting story te 2026-08-19T21:40:09.870Z Teacher found dead with throat slit as detectives scrutinize husband’s shifting story A Colorado elementary school teacher was found dead inside her home, and investigators said evidence at the scene raised questions about her husband's account of what happened. Patrick Theodore "Ted" Barnett, 40, was arrested in connection with the death of his wife, 37-year-old Lindsey Barnett, and is being held without bond on suspicion of first-degree murder, Lakewood police said. An arrest affidavit obtained by Fox News Digital reveals new details about the investigation and what detectives said led them to suspect Barnett in his wife's death. Barnett called 911 shortly after 6 a.m. on Aug. 13, 2026 and said Lindsey had cut herself and her throat and was not breathing, according to the affidavit. He sounded frantic and told dispatchers their two young children, a toddler and an infant, were inside the Lakewood home. CALIFORNIA MOM BEGGED FOR HELP BEFORE EX GUNNED HER DOWN IN FRONT OF THEIR 4-YEAR-OLD SON: DA First responders found Lindsey in the shower with a 5- to 6-inch laceration across the front of her neck and a roughly 5-inch serrated knife beside her, investigators wrote. ALEX MURDAUGH LAWYERS ALLEGE ‘FABRICATED’ EVIDENCE WAS USED TO SECURE MURDER INDICTMENTS The bedroom, however, immediately raised questions, authorities said. Officers described a large amount of blood covering portions of the couple's bed, including the sheets and pillow, along with what appeared to be blood clots. A trail of blood ran from the bed toward the bathroom, where investigators said there was comparatively little blood around Lindsey's body. ALEX MURDAUGH MAKES 'EXPLOSIVE' BID TO BLOW UP MURDER CASE HINGING ON DNA, DIRTY MONEY AND LIES: EXPERT Beside the bed, officers also found a footprint they described as "dainty" and appearing to have come from a woman's foot, as well as a knocked-over plant with dirt scattered toward the bathroom. Forensic processing later revealed additional blood between the bed and bathroom that was not visible to the naked eye, according to the affidavit. Barnett told investigators he and Lindsey had been having marital problems for several months and were sleeping separately. He said he had been staying in the basement while Lindsey slept in the main bedroom. NORTH CAROLINA COUPLE FOUND DEAD ONE DAY AFTER 40TH ANNIVERSARY IN SUSPECTED MURDER-SUICIDE Barnett said he woke around 5:30 a.m., heard the shower running and went upstairs, where he found Lindsey bleeding. He told detectives he moved her head and called 911. Investigators also documented injuries and apparent blood on Barnett. Detectives noticed what they described as a fresh injury to his thumb, which he attributed to an ultimate Frisbee injury from July, saying a scab had recently fallen off. LINDSAY CLANCY JUDGE SHIELDS 911 CALL, AUTOPSY PHOTOS IN MOM’S TRIPLE-MURDER TRIAL After the interview, a crime scene investigator photographed Barnett and documented fresh scratches and cuts on his upper arm, chest, abdomen and near his collarbone. The detective wrote that the marks were consistent with fingernail scratches and defensive wounds. Investigators also observed apparent dried blood on Barnett's neck extending into his beard and a smear of apparent blood behind his right ear. His hands, however, were clean of blood despite his account that he had moved Lindsey while checking her pulse, the affidavit states. LINDSAY CLANCY’S EX-HUSBAND DETAILS ‘BIG SPIRAL’ AS EXPERT SAYS ONE PART ‘SCARED ME’ IN MOM’S MURDER TRIAL Lindsey had injuries beyond the wound to her neck. The affidavit describes bruises on her arms, legs, back and hips, a fresh injury to her left knee, a scratch across her right shoulder and a cut to her left index finger that the detective said was consistent with a defensive wound. Her neck wound appeared to have injured a major artery, investigators wrote. Barnett told detectives Lindsey had experienced prepartum and postpartum depression. Lindsey's mother, however, told investigators her daughter had never expressed suicidal thoughts or attempted suicide and was making plans for the upcoming school year, according to the affidavit. TIKTOK INFLUENCER WHO ACCUSED ESTRANGED HUSBAND OF PEDOPHILIA FOUND DEAD IN POSSIBLE MURDER-SUICIDE Her mother also described the couple's relationship as troubled in recent months. She told detectives Barnett was "verbally abusive and controlling toward Lindsey," though she said he had never been physically abusive. She recalled witnessing arguments in which Barnett yelled while Lindsey remained calm, according to the affidavit. Detectives also learned Barnett had another relationship. Later that day, a woman called police requesting a welfare check on him and identified herself as his girlfriend, the affidavit states. She told investigators Barnett had said he was in the process of divorcing Lindsey and that Lindsey was living outside the home. Barnett had initially denied infidelity when detectives questioned him. During a second interview, he acknowledged the relationship but claimed Lindsey knew about it and was fine with it, according to the affidavit. Police arrested Barnett later that evening during a traffic stop in Evergreen and brought him back to Lakewood for additional questioning. During that interview, detectives confronted Barnett with what they described as inconsistencies in his story. He said he had partially picked Lindsey up in the shower to check her pulse, turned off the water and then sat on the blood-covered bed while speaking with 911, according to the affidavit. Investigators said he could not explain the apparent blood on his neck or behind his ear. Detectives then told Barnett they believed Lindsey had died in the bed and "did not get to the shower on her own," the affidavit states. Barnett maintained that he found his wife in the shower and said he had no knowledge of what happened or how she got there. In seeking a first-degree murder charge, the detective wrote that forensic evidence indicated Lindsey's body had been moved from the bed to the shower and cited Barnett's injuries, apparent blood on his body and what investigators described as his shifting and inconsistent statements. Jefferson County jail records show Barnett was booked Aug. 13 and remains in custody without bond. Jail records show he is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 20, 2026. Hutchinson Elementary confirmed to Fox News Digital that Lindsey was an art teacher who served both the Hutchinson and Westgate Elementary communities. "Lindsey was a joy to have in our school," Principal DeAnn Hoffman wrote in a letter to families provided to Fox News Digital. Hoffman described Lindsey as a "sweet soul" with a deep passion for teaching art and an "extraordinary dedication" to her students. Hoffman said Lindsey "always put our kids first," helping organize special projects and pouring her heart into the district art show for both schools. She said the loss had "shaken our entire community." School mental health and district support staff were made available to students and employees struggling with her death. Lakewood police said Barnett was being held on suspicion of first-degree murder and that the First Judicial District Attorney's Office would review the case for potential charges. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8622b42c5335ae1048c6c8 Trump to Appear on Radio With Michael Cohen, His Onetime Nemesis te 2026-08-19T21:40:04.626Z Trump to Appear on Radio With Michael Cohen, His Onetime Nemesis The call is the latest sign of a rapprochement between President Trump and his former fixer, who served as the star witness against his former boss in New York State Court. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8620632c5335ae1048c68c Bill Maher reveals Ben Affleck refuses ‘Real Time’ return after stormy appearance in 2014 debating Islam te 2026-08-19T21:30:11.235Z Bill Maher reveals Ben Affleck refuses ‘Real Time’ return after stormy appearance in 2014 debating Islam Bill Maher said Monday that Ben Affleck has rejected yearly invitations to return to HBO’s "Real Time" since the actor branded Maher and Sam Harris’ comments about Islam "gross" and "racist" during a heated 2014 discussion. Maher said on his "Club Random" podcast he had invited the Oscar-winning actor back every year and still hoped nearly 12 years later that a private conversation could resolve their disagreement. "I love him, but we just are going to disagree on that one," Maher said. "I don’t know. Maybe if I talked to him privately, or it’s been, you know, 12 years, maybe I think there’s a middle ground." MAHER SHAMES CLINTONS, KAMALA, DEMS, SAYING THEY WON'T GO ON HIS SHOW OR ANYWHERE THEY AREN'T 'PRE-ADORED' Affleck's representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Maher's account or whether the actor would consider returning to the show. His October 2014 appearance remains his most recent visit to the HBO program. Affleck later explained in a 2017 interview that his response came from his opposition to stereotyping people by race or faith, according to The Guardian. "I love a good debate and I get very energized by it," Affleck said. "On ‘Real Time,’ I think people could tell I had a genuine emotional response, because I strongly believe that no one should be stereotyped on the basis of their race or religion. It’s one of the most fundamental tenets of liberal thought." SPENCER PRATT SLAMS BEN AFFLECK'S RESURFACED CLAIM THAT 'THE CURE FOR ADDICTION IS SUFFERING' The original "Real Time" discussion included author Sam Harris and New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof. Affleck rejected what he viewed as sweeping claims about Muslims after Harris said criticism of Islamic doctrine was often mischaracterized as bigotry. "How about more than a billion people who aren’t fanatical, who don’t punch women, who just want to go to school, have some sandwiches, pray five times a day, and don’t do any of the things you’re saying of all Muslims?" Affleck said. "It’s stereotyping." Maher defended his criticism during the same exchange by citing threats and violence tied to blasphemy and dissent. "It’s the only religion that acts like the mafia that will f---ing kill you if you say the wrong thing, draw the wrong picture, or write the wrong book," Maher said. HASAN PIKER ACCUSES BILL MAHER OF BEING AN 'ISLAMOPHOBE' AND DEMONSTRATING 'ANTI-BLACKNESS' CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Affleck also called the characterization gross and racist. Harris said liberal critics had confused his criticism of religious beliefs with hostility toward Muslims. In a response published days later, Harris said he had distinguished among jihadits, Islamists, conservatives and other Muslims during the discussion. Harris said during a 2022 appearance on "Club Random" that he and Affleck had privately reconciled after the broadcast. Maher said in the new podcast episode that he had not had a similar conversation with Affleck. Maher said the enduring attention surrounding the exchange exceeded its significance as an episode of television. "More people mention that episode to me than anything," Maher said. "It wasn’t the best episode we ever had, but it got emotional with a movie star. That’s America." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8620622c5335ae1048c683 US warns Americans to avoid vacation hot spot amid quake fallout and violent crime te 2026-08-19T21:30:10.444Z US warns Americans to avoid vacation hot spot amid quake fallout and violent crime Americans who may be weighing a trip to a South American country are confronting fresh safety concerns after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the western part of Colombia on Aug. 10, killing at least 289 people and leaving more than 26,000 homes destroyed, as The Associated Press (AP) reported. The quake was centered in Chocó. Communities there are continuing to recover from widespread damage, according to AP. The deadly earthquake adds another concern for travelers as Colombia remains under a Level 3 "Reconsider Travel" advisory from the U.S. State Department because of crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping and natural disasters — with several regions carrying the more severe Level 4 designation, per the State Department. AMERICANS WARNED POPULAR TRAVEL ROUTES THIS SUMMER COULD CARRY CRIME AND KIDNAPPING RISKS U.S. officials have also cautioned that foreign visitors can be targeted by criminals, including schemes involving drugs used to incapacitate victims before robberies or assaults. The epicenter of the earthquake was near San José del Palmar in Chocó, along Colombia's Pacific coast and roughly 250 miles west of the capital city of Bogotá, according to the AP. Footage obtained by Fox News Digital shows the aftermath of the earthquake in Pereira, with furniture overturned and household belongings scattered across floors in one house. Nearly 1.2 million visitors from the United States traveled to Colombia in 2024, according to the country's Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism. CRUISE DIRECTOR WARNS OVERNIGHT HOTEL STAYS COULD LEAVE PASSENGERS STRANDED ABROAD American travelers frequently visit destinations including Cartagena on the Caribbean coast, as well as Medellín and Bogotá. Though the earthquake struck outside the major tourist hubs, travelers may still need to consider conditions in affected areas when planning transportation and itineraries. Fox News Digital reached out to the State Department for additional information. While earthquakes and other natural disasters are rare while on vacation, they do happen, travel expert and journalist Angel Castellanos told Fox News Digital. "We see travelers caught in these situations all the time," said Castellanos, who has visited Colombia multiple times. He recommended travelers first determine whether their itineraries include affected areas. "Check in on their airline to make sure that the flight is still happening, that the routes are not impacted for their particular itineraries," Castellanos said, adding that travel insurance is a necessity. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "I always advise travelers to purchase travel insurance once they start spending the big dollars on big-ticket items like airfare and like hotels," he added. "That way they're fully covered, but definitely look into it a lot more and just check on the airlines first." CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS Castellanos also encouraged Americans traveling abroad to enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, or STEP. The program allows travelers to register their trip with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "You should think of it as a really boring travel chore that you should do for your mom or your grandma or your loved ones," Castellanos said. "It allows you to register your complete itinerary in case something goes wrong," he added. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8620612c5335ae1048c670 Federal judge blocks Trump admin from changing teen pregnancy prevention program te 2026-08-19T21:30:09.102Z Federal judge blocks Trump admin from changing teen pregnancy prevention program Caption and credit: Children’s Aid, a 170-year-old organization in New York City, told Stateline in July that their nearly $1 million grant that served 1,200 youth each year was cancelled. A federal judge ruled Wednesday that the Trump administration can’t move forward with its proposed changes to the national prevention program. (Photo Courtesy of Children’s Aid) A federal judge in the District of Columbia issued an order Wednesday blocking U.S. Health and Human Services from implementing sweeping changes to grants under the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program while a lawsuit proceeds, but dozens of existing grants that were cancelled this summer will remain so for now, unless the administration chooses to reinstate the funds.   The agency canceled 53 out of 67 grants under the program at the end of June, affecting grantees in more than two dozen states, including Louisiana, New York, Oklahoma and Texas. Grantees were given no advance notice and were told their programs did not align with agency priorities — most were told their programs normalized or promoted sexual activity for minors. The grants were canceled two years before their expiration dates. Following the cancellations, three affected grantees and sex education advocacy group SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change filed a lawsuit in the District of Columbia federal court district on July 14. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, said the plaintiffs are likely to succeed in the case, warranting his decision to block the Trump administration’s actions.  But Cooper said it’s unclear whether he can order the restoration of nearly $70 million in canceled funds, and that other court cases need to be resolved before he can move forward with that kind of action. Congress established the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program in 2010 as a national, evidence-based grant program that would fund diverse programs working to prevent teen pregnancy using methods that have repeatedly shown to be effective. Grant recipients typically offer educational programs about preventing pregnancy or identifying healthy relationships, and provide referrals for community and healthcare resources as needed.  Since then, teen pregnancy rates fell about 72%, which researchers say is the biggest contributor to the overall drop in national birth rates. To replace the cancelled grants, HHS published two notices for new programs that focused less on preventing pregnancy and more on fertility tracking, “body literacy” goals and “reproductive goals counseling.” “HHS is perfectly entitled to formulate its own views about how to stem teen pregnancy — or even whether it is worth preventing at all — and to pursue policy initiatives consistent with its viewpoint,” Cooper wrote in his ruling. “But it is not at liberty … to impose conditions on grant recipients that Congress did not intend or that are unreasonable or unexplained. The preliminary record suggests that HHS has done just that.” Cooper said HHS could choose to reissue the grant funding opportunities under the previous guidelines, but it can’t move forward with the new ones while the lawsuit proceeds. The judge also noted that in July 2025, HHS issued a notice telling grantees to revise their programs to align with current executive orders, including by deleting any references to health equity and inclusivity, and offered guidance about what it considered medically accurate and age appropriate content.  Three grantees sued over the notice, saying it was contrary to the statute guiding the program as established by Congress, and another D.C. judge agreed, vacating the guidance and blocking its implementation.  “As the saying goes, ‘When at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.’ HHS has taken this adage to heart,” Cooper wrote this week, citing the 2025 court case. “Unfazed by the adverse ruling, HHS issued new (grant funding notices)  that repackaged the vacated policy changes and imposed additional grant parameters.” The administration could appeal the decision in the coming weeks. Stateline has requested comment from HHS officials. Stateline reporter Kelcie Moseley-Morris can be reached at kmoseley@stateline.org. This story was originally produced by Stateline, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Arizona Mirror, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a861e092c5335ae1048c60d Are you team yellow or red? DeWalt and Milwaukee deals worth shopping, according to reviewers te 2026-08-19T21:20:09.537Z Are you team yellow or red? DeWalt and Milwaukee deals worth shopping, according to reviewers In the tool world, yellow and red usually mean two of the biggest names in the category: DeWalt and Milwaukee. We combed through tons of Amazon reviews to find the best products for our readers.  DeWalt favorites include an orbital sander reviewers praise for its cordless design, plus drills, work lights and more. Milwaukee earns strong marks for everything from tape measures to larger power tool sets. DeWalt's signature yellow tools are popular with both DIYers and professional carpenters.  Original price: $179 DeWalt’s orbital sander makes quick work of rough wood or old paint, and reviewers love the cordless design.  "It has plenty of power for removing material quickly, but also runs smooth enough for fine finishing work," one reviewer said. "The variable speed control is great for dialing it in. I love not having to deal with a cord — being cordless makes it easy to move around the shop or job site without fighting extension cords." READ MORE: Amazon reviewers can't get enough of these 12 DeWalt tools, starting at $35 Original price: $239 DeWalt's drill and impact driver come with two batteries and a charger, and reviewers praise the set's power and lightweight design. "The drill delivers excellent power for drilling through wood, metal and plastic, while the impact driver makes driving long screws and bolts effortless," said a reviewer. "Both tools are lightweight, comfortable to hold, and built with DeWalt's renowned quality and durability." Original price: $129.97 Move air through a workshop or garage with DeWalt's floor fan. Reviewers give it a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars, and it's currently priced at a 30-day low.  "[This is a] fantastic fan that's big enough to move a lot of air yet quiet enough not to be disruptive. [I] love the versatility and ability to adjust the angle for the best performance," one reviewer wrote.  Original price: $129.50 If you need a tool that does a little bit of everything, DeWalt's oscillating multitool can handle jobs ranging from cutting wood and drywall to removing grout. "For small home projects and areas, this works fantastic… The built-in light function is a great help as well," the reviewer said.  Original price: $249 Currently a bestseller on Amazon, DeWalt's angle grinder earns high praise for its balance and manageable size.  "[It] balanced perfectly in my hand, which tends to be on the smaller side," explained one reviewer. "I finished stripping the whole [RV] gate in a day once it was delivered. Having the right tool makes a difference…I'm sure I will be using it for many more projects because the additional wheels you can change out makes this especially versatile." Original price: $84 When you need to light up your shop, DeWalt's light gets the job done.  "[This LED light] works great! [It's] super bright," a reviewer said. "Very convenient and doesn’t seem to drain the battery much. Although I've only had it on for somewhat short periods of time, I've used it many times. [This is] another must for DeWalt loyalists." READ MORE: Avoid bending and reaching with these grabber tools, starting at $9 Original price: $200.58 This electric planer earns a near-perfect rating on Amazon, with thousands of positive reviews citing its durability. It even surprised one reviewer: "I didn't expect much from a 20-volt battery-operated planer, but this thing rocked. Planing went much quicker than expected and cut very cleanly. Great tool!" Original price: $279 Reviewers say this cordless ratchet can save time when working on a car. The built-in light and trigger lock help you stay safe and see clearly. "What a time saver! [It's] easy to hold and keep stable," said one reviewer. "[It's so] lightweight for such a powerful tool. Can't go wrong with DeWalt!" Milwaukee is known as the brand that's built to last, and reviewers often praise its tools for holding up over time. Original price: $299.99 Stock up on Milwaukee's batteries while they're $130 off on Amazon.  "If you have been using standard batteries on a string trimmer, be prepared to be wowed by these high-output Milwaukee M18 batteries," a reviewer said. "[They have] at least twice the time, and they are worth every penny!" Original price: $308.98 Save your arm and switch out your manual ratchet set for Milwaukee’s electric version. "It's great for repetitive tasks that require a lot of arm! Saves you strength and cuts work time by half or better," explained a reviewer. "[It's] great for tight areas where a standard wrench is hard to turn or multiple bolts with long threads." Original price: $246.99 A reciprocating saw can cut through multiple materials, including wood, metal and plastic. You only get the tool itself, so make sure to grab a blade, too.  "The tool is well-built. It cuts quickly, but feels manageable in use thanks to the ample rubberized grip and pressure-sensitive speed controls," said a reviewer. "With this tool and a demolition bar, it only took me 15 minutes to break down a large wooden shipping crate." READ MORE: Need new tools? DeWalt, Craftsman and Bosch deals start at $20 Original price: $999.99 If you're ready for a full upgrade, snag this Milwaukee’s 8-tool kit while it's more than $100 off.  "[The] tools were a good price and very well-built," one reviewer said. "[They] come with a carrying bag, chargers and battery. They’re working out perfectly. [They're] all the tools you need to do the finishing touches [on a house build]." Milwaukee’s circular saw offers a compact option for smaller wood projects. "[It] cuts through 2x4s, no problem," said an Amazon reviewer. "4x4s are a bit of a challenge, mostly because of the blade size, but [it still] has enough power to do so. For a daily use/contractor tool, I'd spend more on a circular with a bigger blade and more guts, but for occasional quick cuts for projects around the house, [I'm] very happy with it." Original price: $149 This compact impact driver is designed for easier handling in tight spaces. "[It’s the] perfect tool. Not heavy at all and it's quiet. [It’s] super powerful, does exactly what I need, [making it] worth the money," one reviewer noted.  For more deals, visit www.foxnews.com/deals Original price: $25.99 With so many options to choose from, Milwaukee’s tape measure is one of the most purchased picks thanks to its 4.4-star rating on Amazon. "This tape measure is right in the Goldilocks zone where it’s light and small enough to carry around all day without it weighing down your belt line all day," a reviewer explained.  If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can get these items sent to your door ASAP. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a861e082c5335ae1048c604 Montana boy killed after being flung from carnival ride operating with missing restraints, lawsuit alleges te 2026-08-19T21:20:08.730Z Montana boy killed after being flung from carnival ride operating with missing restraints, lawsuit alleges A 13-year-old boy was killed last month after being thrown from a "Yo-Yo" carnival ride in Montana, according to a lawsuit alleging that carnival workers failed to follow safety protocols and operated the ride despite several missing seats and restraints. The estate of Clayton Phillips alleges that ride operator Midway West Amusements knew that at least 10 chairs lacked pelvic safety belts, clips and connectors. Rather than making repairs, the company relied entirely on employee memory and verbal instructions to keep those chairs vacant, the lawsuit states. EXCLUSIVE: TEEN GIRLS RECALL JERSEY SHORE RIDE MALFUNCTION THAT LEFT THEM STUCK HANGING UPSIDE DOWN SIREN'S CURSE ROLLER COASTER STRANDS RIDERS VERTICALLY TWICE IN ONE WEEKEND AT SIX FLAGS CEDAR POINT Despite the deficiencies, improperly trained employees placed Phillips in an unsafe chair during the carnival in Butte, the lawsuit alleges. "C.J.P. was thrown, ejected, and/or fell from the moving Yo-Yo ... fell from a substantial height and violently struck the ground and/or surrounding surface," the lawsuit states. Designed to swing outward and elevate passengers as its rotational speed increases, the Yo-Yo ride hurled Phillips from his seat; he died from his injuries two weeks later. FAMILY SEEKS $105 MILLION FROM NEW YORK CITY AFTER TEEN’S FATAL CENTRAL PARK CARRIAGE RIDE The lawsuit names the government of Butte-Silver Bow, Midway West Amusements, ride inspection company Shady Acres Safety Services, and its owner, Dennis Sutherland, as defendants. They did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment. It also cites 20 unidentified individuals or entities — including managers, ride operators, maintenance personnel and contractors — whose specific roles and identities were unknown at filing. According to the lawsuit, Midway West representative Michelle Jensen admitted to the ride's mechanical deficiencies when interviewed by law enforcement after the crash. Phillips' family is seeking unspecified damages, including all compensatory, general, special, economic, and non-economic damages, as well as compensation for lost future earnings, medical expenses and emergency costs. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a861e032c5335ae1048c5de Alabama Democrats Look for a Black Backlash Over Voting Rights te 2026-08-19T21:20:03.782Z Alabama Democrats Look for a Black Backlash Over Voting Rights Democrats in Alabama and beyond are trying to harness Black anger over the Supreme Court’s weakening of the Voting Rights Act and the Republican redistricting that followed. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a861bb02c5335ae1048c592 Colorado black bear dies after becoming trapped inside unlocked car for days: report te 2026-08-19T21:10:08.169Z Colorado black bear dies after becoming trapped inside unlocked car for days: report A black bear in Colorado spent days trapped inside a vehicle, tried to escape and destroyed the car's interior in the process before being found dead. The roughly 300-pound bear was likely trapped inside the car for days before it was discovered in Colorado Springs, The Denver Gazette reported. A Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) wildlife Officer Travis Sauder told The Gazette bears are smart and dexterous enough to open unlocked car doors while searching for food, but can struggle to escape if a door closes behind them. "Typically what happens is they pull the door open, get in, get their food and then they leave," he said. "But sometimes the door closes behind them, and they have trouble figuring out how to get out." GATLINBURG POLICE FREE BLACK BEAR THAT LOCKED ITSELF INSIDE HOTEL BATHROOM IN WILD VIRAL VIDEO The deadly encounter comes as Colorado experiences an unusually active year for bear sightings and conflicts. CPW received 6,129 reports of bear sightings and conflicts between Jan. 1 and Aug. 13, nearly double the 3,115 recorded during the same period last year, according to The Gazette. The number has already surpassed the 5,299 reports recorded during all of 2025. Wildlife officials have linked the increase in encounters to poor natural food conditions. Low snowpack and late freezes have reduced some of the food sources bears typically rely on, pushing the animals to travel farther and take greater risks in search of calories, Sauder told the newspaper. The timing adds to the concern as bears enter hyperphagia, the period when they consume large amounts of food and water to build fat reserves ahead of winter. BEAR CAUGHT ON CAMERA PERCHED ATOP NEW MEXICO UTILITY POLE BEFORE REPORTEDLY SUFFERING FATAL ELECTROCUTION CPW advises people living in bear country to eliminate potential food sources and other attractants that can bring bears close to homes, campsites and vehicles. Food, trash and scented items can draw bears searching for an easy meal. CPW advises keeping vehicles clean and removing anything that could attract a bear, including food and other scented products. "Treat your vehicle the way you would a campsite by removing any attractants," Sauder told The Gazette. "Whether it’s pet food, a kid’s snack or even flavored bubble gum, get it out of your vehicle." CPW also warns against intentionally feeding bears. Bears that become accustomed to food provided by people can lose their natural fear of humans, increasing the risk of conflicts. This year is on pace to produce the highest number of reported bear-human interactions since CPW began digitally tracking them in 2019, according to The Gazette. CPW did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86195b2c5335ae1048c537 Disney alum Christy Carlson Romano rips Hollywood for failing child stars after Hayden Panettiere’s death te 2026-08-19T21:00:11.591Z Disney alum Christy Carlson Romano rips Hollywood for failing child stars after Hayden Panettiere’s death For years, Christy Carlson Romano has used her platform to expose the pitfalls of Hollywood. Now, in the wake of Hayden Panettiere’s death, the former child star is calling for stronger safeguards to protect young actors from the lasting consequences of growing up in the spotlight. In a new op-ed for Elle, the Disney alum — who starred on "Even Stevens" from 2000 to 2003 as a young teen — compared early fame to CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) while ripping Hollywood executives, networks and stage parents for failing to do more to protect young performers during their most formative years. "The former child actor exists in a category the world does not know how to hold," she wrote. "We are children when the public wants to feel protective of us, professionals when the industry wants to profit from us, and spoiled celebrities when we eventually show symptoms of having been both." BELLA THORNE SAYS HOLLYWOOD TREATED HER LIKE A KID ON SCREEN AND AN ADULT OFF CAMERA "Early fame is like CTE. Not as a diagnosis," Romano continued. "As a way of thinking about repeated impact. We now have language for youth sports: protocols, helmets, parents worried about concussions. But we have almost no language for what happens when stress, scrutiny, rejection, adult pressure, and the collapse of privacy become the architecture of a childhood." "We put youth athletes in helmets and pads. We invented entire sciences around protecting them from long-term damage. Why can’t we pad the children paid to make the world smile?" she later added. FORMER DISNEY STAR MAITLAND WARD SAYS YOUNG ACTORS WERE TREATED LIKE A 'PRODUCT' IN HOLLYWOOD FACTORY Romano argued that despite decades of stories about former child stars struggling later in life, young actors continue to be viewed as fortunate exceptions rather than children performing demanding professional work. "Young performers are still treated as exceptions. Lucky exceptions. Cute exceptions. Talented exceptions," she said. "Exceptions whose labor powers one of the most profitable storytelling machines in the world, while their mental needs are treated as inconvenient or irrelevant. Social work be damned." 'LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE' STAR SAYS CHILD ACTORS GET 'DROPPED' AFTER HOLLYWOOD FAME FADES Romano said "notoriety comes at a cost" in this day and age — even when the fame itself occurred decades earlier. The actress, who rose to prominence as a teenager on the Disney Channel, acknowledged that she has been fortunate enough to receive meaningful help as an adult. "Unlike some, I have had access to real help over the years. Help that addressed not only my thoughts but my nervous system," Romano said. "I am not theorizing. I am describing what I finally found when I kept looking after decades of confusion." "Many former young performers do not have that kind of access or motivation for hard-won answers," she added. HAYDEN PANETTIERE AND THE CHILD STARS WHOSE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR MOMAGERS TURNED COMPLICATED Having experienced child stardom firsthand, Romano described a cycle in which responsibility for the welfare of young performers is repeatedly shifted among the adults and institutions surrounding them. "Responsibility gets passed around. Stage parents blame producers, producers blame parents, networks blame culture, and culture then blames the child when the child becomes an adult in pain," she said. "By then, the young performer is no longer cute enough to protect. They are a cautionary tale. A headline. A person expected to be grateful for the extraordinary childhood that may have cost them an ordinary self for life." Romano said the public often sees the consequences years later, rather than the circumstances that may have contributed to them. HAYDEN PANETTIERE SAYS FILMING ‘NASHVILLE’ WAS LIKE LIVING THROUGH ADDICTION TWICE "This is human and relatable in that the world always sees trauma after the fact," she said. "It sees the adult unraveling, not the child adapting. It demands the scandal, not change from the system. It sees the addiction, not the architecture or the years when intervention could have mattered." Romano’s thoughts carry added weight in the wake of Panettiere’s sudden death, which remains under investigation. HAYDEN PANETTIERE'S MOTHER POINTS FINGER AT BRIAN HICKERSON AFTER 'NASHVILLE' STAR'S DEATH AT 36 Panettiere was found dead inside a Greenville, South Carolina, residence on Sunday. Preliminary autopsy results found no signs of trauma that contributed to her death, Fox News Digital confirmed. "First responders and Emergency Medical Services arrived on scene and located a female in cardiac arrest," the Greenville County Coroner’s Office said in a statement. "EMS personnel initiated advanced cardiac life support measures; however, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and the individual was pronounced deceased at 2:32 PM." The Greenville County Coroner’s Office and the Greenville City Police Department launched parallel investigations into her death. "At autopsy no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death," the coroner’s statement continued. "The cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation and the completion of additional studies. "This investigation remains active and ongoing. No further details are available for release at this time." Romano reflected on Panettiere’s death through the lens of her own experiences as both a former child star and a mother. "I am thinking of Hayden, her daughter, the people who loved her in real life — not as a headline, not as a symbol," Romano said. "I am thinking of my own daughter still upstairs, still crawling into my bed afraid of the dark, and how badly I want her to grow up in a world where children are not asked to become consumable before they become whole." "We need to stop calling the truth bitterness just because it interrupts nostalgia," she said. "And we need to stop assuming former child performers are fine because they look pretty, sound grateful, book a job, and smile on cue." "Some of them are not unscathed," Romano concluded. "Some of them are simply still performing." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8619592c5335ae1048c51a Police Department employee, boyfriend, arrested in stabbing, choking domestic violence te 2026-08-19T21:00:09.688Z Police Department employee, boyfriend, arrested in stabbing, choking domestic violence BULLHEAD CITY — Police arrested a couple, including a police department employee on domestic violence charges Wednesday morning. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8617032c5335ae1048c4b8 South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers trades 8 a.m. classes for cutting grass, picking up golf balls te 2026-08-19T20:50:11.593Z South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers trades 8 a.m. classes for cutting grass, picking up golf balls For South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers, his only tasks this semester are preparing for the Gamecocks' upcoming games and taking care of his duties at a local golf course near campus. Imagine waking up as a college student and realizing you don't actually have to attend that dreaded 8 a.m. class — the one you think about skipping three times before finally rolling out of bed. If you were wondering, Sellers has already finished all of his course work that will end with him earning a degree in sports and entertainment. After working the books over the past four years at South Carolina, the star quarterback can now avoid a last-minute cram session for an exam, or the study halls that take place in the team hotel during road games. Now, it's football and golf that takes up his time without course work. But, he's not hitting the links in hopes of working on his handicap. No, LaNorris Sellers is finishing his degree at South Carolina by interning at The Par Tee Golf Center in West Columbia that will be the final step in his academic career. So, what does an internship look like for the starting quarterback? "Just facility management and stuff like that, cutting grass and picking up balls like that," Sellers told reporters this week. That's right, he's out there working like any other college student, even though he's also cashing six-figure checks every month. Sure, I'd imagine his internship comes with perks, like a free outing on the course with his friends, but he's making sure this last piece of academic work is taken care of which will result in him getting a degree. Oh, and don't lose your minds folks. It's normal for a college athlete to not have classes to attend during their final semester in school. Just last season, folks decided to complain on social media when Miami quarterback Carson Beck told reporters that he was not taking classes during his final semester in South Florida. No, these athletes aren’t just handed a degree. And, there will be opportunities for them once their football career ends. This also wasn’t the first internship LaNorris had taken part in while at South Carolina. The quarterback has plans for when his life on the field is over, which right now center around engineering or some type of job that involves helping piece together buildings. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS Before this interesting internship, Sellers worked 'Contract Construction', which was given the rights to upgrade Williams-Brice Stadium at South Carolina. STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW! "I sat in with a lot of those meetings at the stadium, the group out of Oklahoma that they gave the job to build the stadium, do the design and all that, I met with them. I pretty much knew what was going on over there before a lot of people did," LaNorris mentioned to reporters. So, if South Carolina fans see the starting quarterback on the golf course fetching golf balls or helping cut the grass, just know he's out there doing it for a college degree. Not a bad way to end your collegiate career. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8617022c5335ae1048c4af Kathy Griffin 'really hurt' she's not a guest on Kimmel's show during Rosie O'Donnell's week to host te 2026-08-19T20:50:10.872Z Kathy Griffin 'really hurt' she's not a guest on Kimmel's show during Rosie O'Donnell's week to host Comedian Kathy Griffin revealed Tuesday she was "really hurt" that she wasn't invited to appear during Rosie O'Donnell's week guest hosting Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show, lamenting on her podcast that she is good friends with both of them. "I'm going to be honest today," Griffin said at the start of her "Talk Your Head Off" podcast. "I might cry. I am asking for your pity. I love a good pity cry. I'm going to be open and honest and hope you understand. And I'm trying to talk about something bigger than TV talk shows, but you know, I talk a lot about Hollywood and I give you the inside scoop, etc. But this one's really personal."  "I'm just going to come out and say it, are you ready?" she continued. "It's embarrassing to say, but I have to tell you guys because we're friends. My feelings are really hurt that I was not invited to go on Rosie's week of the Jimmy Kimmel show."  O'Donnell started guest hosting "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on Monday and will continue through Thursday. Kimmel revealed she would be stepping in earlier this year as a treat for President Donald Trump, whom O'Donnell criticizes frequently. MENTALIST OZ PEARLMAN PULLS OUT OF KIMMEL GUEST APPEARANCE, REPLACED BY LEFT-WING PODCASTER "We're good pals," Griffin said Tuesday of her relationship with O'Donnell. "We're like sisters and everybody knows sisters fight, sisters and brothers fight. Best friends fight, relatives, co-workers fight. And we're not even fighting." "I'm just being honest that when I found out that Rosie was going to take over for a full week for my beloved Jimmy Kimmel — I love that he said to the camera, 'And I'm doing it as a special treat to Donald Trump' — and I thought, ‘Oh, fantastic.’ He's leaning into it and his viewers are honestly leaning more to the left," she continued. Griffin then brought up her infamous and controversial photo from 2017 that showed her holding a Halloween mask covered in fake blood that appeared to resemble Trump, which was widely condemned. She said she thought she would receive support from members of her community after the post and subsequent backlash. "And instead, what happened was quite the opposite, and in my own community of Hollywood, of stand-up comedy, where you're supposed to be edgy, you're supposed to make political statements as well as be funny, she said. "In my opinion, that's what the greats do, that's who the greats I admire did. It did not go that way for me initially." Griffin said O'Donnell had made comments that were not supportive of her Trump head photo on a recent podcast, and said it had upset her. O'Donnell made the remarks on "The Tangle" with Kyle Ridley, and said she didn't agree with Griffin's decision to post the photo. ROSIE O'DONNELL’S RETURN TO LATE NIGHT REIGNITES DECADES-OLD FEUD WITH DONALD TRUMP Griffin revealed she had a chance to catch up with O'Donnell on a recent flight to Los Angeles and noted that she told O'Donnell that she would love to be a guest. "I mean, think about it," Griffin said. "You've got these two women who share this very unique thing in common. And while what happened to me was much more extreme than what happened to Rosie, it's pretty unusual that you've got these two women that have been so outspoken about — well he wasn't the president when she talked about him on ‘The View.’ But, he was the president when I talked about him and as I have spoken about before most of Hollywood turned on me overnight."  O'Donnell responded to Griffin on Instagram. "Kathy — shoulda called me honey — I didn’t choose the guests …," O'Donnell commented on Griffin's Instagram post of her video. Kimmel's show did not immediately respond to a request for comment. ROSIE O'DONNELL CLAIMS TRUMP HAS 'PTSD RESPONSE' TO HER AS BACKLASH ERUPTS CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Griffin acknowledged that O'Donnell might have no say in booking the guests, despite guest hosting the show, and encouraged people to support her and continue watching Kimmel's show. O'Donnell has focused her monologues on Trump, referring to the president as "Mango Mussolini" during Monday's episode. Addressing Trump during her opening monologue on Tuesday, O’Donnell sarcastically credited the president with returning her to the network television spotlight. "I’m back in the spotlight all thanks to President Oompa J. Loompa, who is watching us this evening from inside a catering cart," O’Donnell said. "You know, I couldn’t have done it without you, sweetie. You brought me back just like you did with fascism and the measles." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8612532c5335ae1048bf49 Manhunt intensifies for armed woman after veteran Massachusetts police officer found dead at home te 2026-08-19T20:30:11.899Z Manhunt intensifies for armed woman after veteran Massachusetts police officer found dead at home A woman connected to a veteran Massachusetts police officer who was found dead inside their home remained on the run Wednesday, as police released new video of Karen Solomon and warned the 58-year-old suspect is still believed to be armed. The Worcester Police Department released the updated video and photo of Solomon as officers pressed their search into a second day and urged the public to remain vigilant. Worcester police have not publicly identified the officer. The New England Police Benevolent Association, however, identified him Wednesday as Officer Kurt Solomon, a 31-year veteran of the Worcester Police Department and a member of the association. The association said Solomon dedicated more than three decades to serving Worcester and was known as an "incredibly dependable officer, colleague and friend." LINDSAY CLANCY JUDGE SHIELDS 911 CALL, AUTOPSY PHOTOS IN MOM’S TRIPLE-MURDER TRIAL "Thirty-one years of service represents an extraordinary commitment to a community and to the profession of law enforcement," the association said. "Officer Kurt Solomon answered that call for more than three decades, and his service, friendship and dedication will not be forgotten." The group said it was mourning alongside Solomon's family and fellow officers as the investigation continues, adding that it had "full confidence" in authorities working to determine what happened and locate the person being sought. Public records reviewed by The Associated Press show Kurt and Karen Solomon co-owned the Wildwood Avenue home and that Kurt identified Karen as his wife in a 2016 bankruptcy filing. A Worcester city councilor also publicly referred to Karen as Kurt's wife Wednesday. MISSOURI NURSE FOUND DEAD MONTHS AFTER ANESTHESIOLOGIST HUSBAND ADMITTED TO ASSAULTING WOMAN "She is still believed to be armed," a Worcester Police Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital Wednesday morning, adding that the case remains a "very active investigation." The department declined to discuss further details, including the relationship between Karen Solomon and the deceased, but said another update could come later Wednesday. Police said officers responded to Wildwood Avenue at approximately 5:28 a.m. Tuesday for a report of a person down and found an off-duty Worcester police officer dead inside. His cause and manner of death have not been released. NYPD OFFICERS FATALLY SHOOT MAN ARMED WITH BUTCHER KNIFE AFTER HE ADVANCED TOWARD COPS: POLICE Authorities described Solomon during a Tuesday news conference as a suspect they want to question about what happened inside the home. The district attorney said Solomon had been at the house and that other people were also there, but declined to discuss further details, citing rules surrounding domestic violence cases. SUSPECTS IN DEADLY CONNECTICUT HOME INVASION ARRESTED IN ATTACK THAT ROCKED BEACH TOWN Solomon is described as a White woman with dark brown hair and brown eyes. Police initially said she was last seen wearing pajama shorts and a tank top and walking toward Westcott Street. Authorities warned Tuesday that she was presumed "armed and dangerous." In Wednesday's update, Worcester police said they continued to believe she was armed and asked the public to remain vigilant. Police urged anyone who sees Solomon or has information about her whereabouts to contact the department. A police spokesperson told Fox News Digital that anyone who sees or comes into contact with Solomon should call Worcester police at 508-799-8606 or 911. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8612532c5335ae1048bf40 ‘The Office’ star Jenna Fischer exposes the grueling reality that forced her off TV te 2026-08-19T20:30:11.173Z ‘The Office’ star Jenna Fischer exposes the grueling reality that forced her off TV After wrapping up her iconic role as Pam Beesly on one of television's most beloved sitcoms for nine seasons, "The Office" star Jenna Fischer quickly discovered acting was no longer for her. Years after the show concluded in 2013, Fischer starred in the ABC comedy "Splitting Up Together" in 2018. While the mom of two said she "really loved" the show's cast, the workload became difficult to reconcile with life at home. "The hours were so intense," Fischer said during an appearance on "Dinner's On Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson" podcast. "It was like 65, 70 hours a week. You know, it was like really, really hard, and my kids were very small." ‘X-FILES’ STAR GILLIAN ANDERSON REVEALS PARENTING REGRET, SAYS SHE WISHES SHE WAS 'LESS SELFISH' The actress said the experience ultimately prompted her to reconsider what she wanted from her career. "I just decided after that that being, like, the lead of a television show or even a regular on a television show was not going to be a fit for me anymore," she said. GOLDEN GLOBE WINNER ANN JILLIAN LEFT HOLLYWOOD AT HER PEAK FOR MOTHERHOOD: ‘SOMETHING IS GOING TO SUFFER’ When "Splitting Up Together" was canceled, Fischer found her next chapter with her former "The Office" co-star and close friend, Angela Kinsey. The pair launched "Office Ladies," a podcast built around revisiting episodes of the hit NBC sitcom and sharing behind-the-scenes memories. For Fischer, podcasting offered something her television career couldn't: control over her time. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS The new career path provided "both a steady income" and the freedom to become a regular presence at her children's activities, she explained. "I was now at every school drop-off, every school pickup, every teacher conference, every concert," Fischer said. "I didn't have to beg someone to go to the Halloween parade." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Fischer described the change as becoming "the agent of my own time, the architect of my own time, so to speak." Fischer's focus on her family later took on new significance when she was diagnosed with Stage 1 triple-positive breast cancer in December 2023. The actress publicly revealed her diagnosis in October 2024, explaining that an inconclusive mammogram had led to additional testing. Fischer underwent a lumpectomy in January 2024, followed by chemotherapy and radiation. She said the cancer was caught early and had not spread to her lymph nodes or elsewhere in her body. Fischer announced she is cancer-free in 2024. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8612512c5335ae1048bf2d Over 50,000 ballots never made it to voters in Arizona’s primary election. That isn’t unusual. te 2026-08-19T20:30:09.844Z Over 50,000 ballots never made it to voters in Arizona’s primary election. That isn’t unusual. A ballot drop box sits outside the Navajo County governmental complex south of Holbrook, Arizona. The number of undelivered ballots in the county during Arizona's July 21, 2026, primary drew media coverage and concern from voters, but data and records suggest they are a normal part of elections. (Photo by Christopher Lomahquahu/Votebeat) At least 50,000 mail ballots never made it to voters during Arizona’s July 21 primary election. That number, based on information gathered by Votebeat from 11 of the state’s 15 counties, isn’t out of the ordinary. In fact, it appears roughly in line with that of prior major elections. About 71,000 mail ballots went undelivered statewide during the 2024 general election, according to data from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission that represented all of the state’s counties. Every year, some ballots that are mailed out to voters are returned to election officials because the voter’s address is incorrect or the voter has a forwarding address on file. (In Arizona, ballots legally can’t be forwarded.) Their return does not necessarily mean those voters were disenfranchised, as they could have voted in person instead. But slowdowns in mail processing and President Donald Trump’s invections against mail voting put voters and advocates nationwide on edge about the U.S. Postal Service’s role in elections. Anxiety is especially acute in Arizona, where the vast majority of voters cast ballots by mail. That has put more attention on the state’s undeliverable ballots. Those fears were on full display last month in Navajo County, a rural county in the northeast quadrant of the state where Recorder David Marshall said just before the primary that his office was experiencing “an issue” with the U.S. Postal Service. “We have received over 900 returned ballots — over 900,” Marshall, a Republican who was recently appointed to his post, said in a public meeting on July 14. “Why? Don’t know.” Later, the number of undelivered ballots in the county rose to more than 1,300 — a figure that continues to tick slightly upward as delayed returns from the Postal Service trickle in. The news quickly spread, drawing extensive media coverage and the attention of Trump himself. This year, more ballots than usual statewide might have been undeliverable because voters were out of town. Some county recorders told Votebeat that they noticed a slightly higher number of ballots returned with postal codes indicating that the intended recipients were temporarily away. Most chalked that up to the state’s earlier-than-usual primary date. In February, state lawmakers shifted the primary from Aug. 4 to July 21. But in the Navajo County case, data and records suggest nothing nefarious, or even all that unusual, was afoot. What data and records show about undeliverable ballots in Navajo County Votebeat found that Navajo County’s rate of undeliverable ballots was indeed higher than that of other jurisdictions across Arizona during this year’s primary. As of Aug. 12, county officials said 1,377 ballots went undelivered in the rural county, or about 3.9% of the total number of ballots mailed out. By contrast, across the other 10 counties where Votebeat was able to collect data, only 2.3% of ballots were returned undelivered. (function(){function e(){window.addEventListener(`message`,function(e){if(e.data[`datawrapper-height`]!==void 0){var t=document.querySelectorAll(`iframe`);for(var n in e.data[`datawrapper-height`])for(var r=0,i;i=t[r];r++)if(i.contentWindow===e.source){var a=e.data[`datawrapper-height`][n]+`px`;i.style.height=a}}})}e()})(); But data from the EAC shows Navajo County’s undeliverable ballot rate isn’t unheard of historically in Arizona. During the 2024 general election, for instance, La Paz County saw about 4.4% of its mail ballots returned as undeliverable. In 2022, Coconino and Pinal each received thousands of undeliverable ballots from the Postal Service — about 5.5% and 3.8% of the total number of mail ballots sent to voters by officials, respectively. Statewide, undeliverable ballot rates rose as high as 4.7% in the 2016 general election. Furthermore, undeliverable ballot rates can vary widely from year to year. Navajo County, for instance, has seen its rate fluctuate from as low as 0.6% to as high as 3.3% in recent general elections. The data isn’t perfect. Some counties told Votebeat they counted undeliverable ballots in the primary election slightly differently than other counties. The EAC collects data on undeliverable ballots after each general election, but not for primary elections. And in some years, not all counties reported undeliverable ballot data to the EAC. But records obtained by Votebeat also suggest that Navajo County’s high rate of returned ballots wasn’t because something went wrong with their delivery. Following Marshall’s remarks, county officials asked the Postal Service to examine a sampling of the undeliverable ballots. When the Postal Service did so, it found that nine of the 10 ballots submitted by the county had a valid reason for being returned. The remaining ballot required further investigation. Officials appear to be backing away from undeliverable ballot fears Federal, state, and local officials have been working to tease out whether there was an identifiable issue connected to the undelivered ballots in Navajo County — or if the number, while not ideal, came from processes operating as usual. Initially, some officials — including Marshall in his remarks at the public meeting — appeared to suggest that something may have gone awry. But in recent weeks, the county’s tone has gradually shifted. For instance, the Navajo County Recorder’s Office said in a July 24 statement that it was working with the Postal Service to “identify any issues that may have occurred during the mailing process.” Later, on July 31, the office issued an updated statement. It said it had sent an expanded sample of 200 undeliverable ballot envelopes to the Postal Service for review. Of those, the Postal Service found that 66% were returned because the recipient had some type of change-of-address order on file. Others were marked undeliverable because they were addressed to vacant homes or closed postal boxes. “Returns of ballots occurred in other Arizona counties, demonstrating that this is a routine part of election administration statewide,” the statement read. Calli Jones, a spokesperson for the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office, told Votebeat on July 30 that her office was working to set up meetings with the Postal Service to “learn more about this situation on their end.” And on Aug. 14, Richie Taylor of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office said his office believed the undeliverable ballots were normal after looking into the matter. “We’ve spoken to the recorder in Navajo County and they’ve verified that the rejection rate is in line with historical rejection rates, so we don’t believe there’s anything nefarious going on there,” Taylor told Votebeat. Meanwhile, Cathy Purcell, a spokesperson for the Postal Service, told Votebeat on July 24 that mail carriers returned the ballots to the county “in accordance with proper protocol.” Can Arizona reduce its undeliverable ballots? Some number of undeliverable ballots may be normal and a sign that the system is working as intended. Still, undeliverable ballots are far from ideal, and officials in Navajo County say they will work to reduce them in the future. In a statement, officials said they would begin taking more proactive steps to clean up the county’s voter rolls ahead of November. When ballots are returned as undeliverable, the Navajo County Recorder’s Office will begin sending affected voters a mailed notice that can be forwarded by the Postal Service to their current address, if available. The office will also seek to email, call, and text voters if their contact information is available in their voter record. “This additional step will provide multiple ways for voters to receive information, respond, and update their registration,” officials said on July 31. This article was originally published by Votebeat, a nonprofit news organization covering local election administration and voting access. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a860ffc2c5335ae1048bee7 Trump's approval rating plummets to new low ahead of critical midterms: 'More work to do' te 2026-08-19T20:20:12.248Z Trump's approval rating plummets to new low ahead of critical midterms: 'More work to do' President Donald Trump's approval rating has plummeted to a record low during his second term in office, and is now tied for his lowest approval rating ever as commander-in-chief, according to a new poll. Only 33% of those surveyed in a new Reuters/Ipsos poll approve of the 45th and 47th president's job in the White House. The rating is down from 35% last week. A survey of 1,166 respondents showed that 64% disapproved of Trump's job performance. Trump hit 33% approval in December 2017, his lowest during his first term in office, according to Reuters/Ipsos. FOX NEWS POLL: AS ECONOMIC PAIN DEEPENS, DISAPPROVAL OF TRUMP HITS NEW HIGH Meanwhile, 80% of survey respondents said they expect the war in Iran "will go on for an extended period of time." The war began in February, and was explained to Americans as mission to wipe out the Middle Eastern country's nuclear weapons program. Iranian attempts to assert dominance over the Strait of Hormuz have complicated matters. One fifth of the world's oil traverses the Strait, and the effects have been felt at the pump. LAWMAKERS CLASH OVER TRUMP GAS TAX HOLIDAY AS IRAN WAR DRIVES PRICES HIGHER Since the war began, national average gas prices have jumped from just under $3 per gallon to just over $4 per gallon, according to American Automobile Association (AAA) data. On Friday, at a rally with law enforcement in New York touting record low crime rates, Trump defended the jump in prices at the pump. "Remember that when you have to pay a little bit more, $4, it’s okay," he said, adding that he did "the right thing," and saying, "I'll never apologize." Inflation has also spiked since the beginning of the war. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), year-over-year inflation in February was 2.4%. That number now sits at 3.4%. TRUMP’S AFFORDABILITY PLAN FACES CONSERVATIVE PUSHBACK AS POCKETBOOK ISSUES LOOM OVER MIDTERMS "President Trump has signed the largest middle-class tax cuts in history, lowered the cost of prescription drugs, sealed the border, driven violent crime to the lowest level in nearly a century, unleashed an energy revolution, and sent Americans’ 401(k)s climbing to record highs," White House spokesperson Olivia Wales told Fox News Digital in response to questions about the polling. "President Trump is cleaning up Joe Biden’s mess and there is more work to do, but the United States of America has never been stronger," she continued. The White House did not comment on whether there is a target date for ending the war. Democrats have seized on the war, which only 35% of Americans support according to Reuters/Ipsos, along with affordability in their attempts to re-take the House and Senate in November. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a860ff62c5335ae1048bec0 More of Trump’s Chosen Candidates Lose Republican Primaries te 2026-08-19T20:20:06.710Z More of Trump’s Chosen Candidates Lose Republican Primaries A series of recent losses has eroded the president’s winning record, raising new questions about his hold over the party’s voters. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a860ff42c5335ae1048be9e Rillet raises $100M Series C at $1B valuation — 2 years after emerging from stealth te 2026-08-19T20:20:04.591Z Rillet raises $100M Series C at $1B valuation — 2 years after emerging from stealth AI-native account startup Rillet became a unicorn, led by ICONIQ after it doubled its ARR in the past three months, it said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a860d9f2c5335ae1048baa2 Tucson nonprofit opens free internet café for public te 2026-08-19T20:10:07.495Z Tucson nonprofit opens free internet café for public We Care Tucson cut the ribbon this month on Desert Byte, a free internet café aimed at closing the digital divide for Tucson residents who lack reliable access to computers and broadband. We Care Tucson is a nonprofit that aims to expand access to technology, provide STEM-based learning experiences and promote e-recycling across Southern Arizona. The group works to expand youth STEM and workforce development pathways via summer camps, computer classes and workshop days. We Care Tucson CEO MeMe Aguila had been thinking about opening a cyber café for a while, saying the idea was sparked years ago during a discussion about what to do with some empty building space. "It seemed like a natural thing that fit," Aguila said. The café is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, operating outside of We Care Tucson's regular business hours. It will have designated youth hours daily from 3 to 5 p.m. and adult-only hours from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Desert Byte will also host a youth Dungeons & Dragons program on the second and fourth Saturday of each month. The café was designed to be more than just a place to use computers, it's a space for adults and children to make connections. "We want people here to hang out," said We Care Tucson board member Eryn Neff. "How can we reach the people who don't have access to a computer or access to a proper phone? We came up with the idea of a café where people can use these things for free." Your membership pays emerging journalists to cover Southern Arizona the way it deserves. Desert Byte's cyber café features free computer and internet access, along with communal seating designed to encourage visitors to linger and connect. Gabrielle Cotnoir / Tucson Spotlight. Matthew Dunkel, vice president of the board, posted about his excitement for the café on social media. "(It's) a place where people can come gather, use free technology, have coffee, have treats, talk about things, walk through things. And if people have questions, we have staff on-duty that can help answer these questions," Dunkel said. We Care Tucson's board was involved in the opening of the café, designing the interior and ensuring that people had a safe place to use technology for free. A big part of the process was removing any potential stress for parents regarding their child's internet access. "(I worked on) trying to make sure the actual core of it, the internet itself is there and available. The internet is important to the internet café," said Chief Technology Officer Coleman Hammer-Tomizuka. Hammer-Tomizuka helped ensure that access to potentially harmful websites, such as gambling sites or the dark web, was blocked and entirely unavailable to those using the café. While the café's computers offer similar functions to a library computer, We Care Tucson hopes to provide additional support to those who may require help, with on-site technology professionals being just one key resource Desert Byte hopes to provide. "If people go to university — have the money to go to university — they have a lot of resources. But imagine people who are not going to university. They are just regular people working at a job, and they need access to computers. So, I think that can be kind of challenging," Neff said. She said many jobs and applications require programs such as Adobe, which can be too expensive to justify if only used occasionally. "People need this to start applying for jobs, to start applying for school," Neff said. Community members step inside Desert Byte following the ribbon-cutting ceremony for We Care Tucson's newest project. Gabrielle Cotnoir / Tucson Spotlight. The idea behind Desert Byte has always been rooted in community needs, reflecting a call for better, free internet access for Tucson residents. "We're excited to give this community a place to have access to broadband and have access to computers that work," said Board President Gordon Stewart. Aguila said she has high hopes for the internet café and believes that providing a space like Desert Byte is necessary for the success of both youth and adults alike. She said opening the café would not have been possible without the help of the community and that she can't wait to see how it grows. Aguila has seen We Care Tucson's summer camps grow from 18 to 30 attendees in a single year, eventually requiring a waitlist after enrollment topped 50 kids. She said that sometimes things just take time. That growth, she said, has come almost entirely through word of mouth — which is exactly why she's hoping the community helps spread news of Desert Byte, too. "Help spread the word, that's the biggest thing. That's been one of our hardest things, is getting the word out," Aguila said. The youth Dungeons & Dragons club will hold its first meeting August 22, with more classes and programs to come. Additional information can be found on We Care Tucson's website. Gabrielle Cotnoir is a University of Arizona journalism student and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at gabriellecnews@gmail.com. Tucson Spotlight is a community-based newsroom that provides paid opportunities for students and rising journalists in Southern Arizona. Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation. Donate to Tucson Spotlight Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a860d9e2c5335ae1048ba87 Gambling on the Little League World Series? Sports bettors have gone too far te 2026-08-19T20:10:06.122Z Gambling on the Little League World Series? Sports bettors have gone too far Have we tried turning off society and turning it back on again? Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a860d9c2c5335ae1048ba7e Gwyneth Paltrow allegedly set to throw dinner in honor of Sam Altman te 2026-08-19T20:10:04.850Z Gwyneth Paltrow allegedly set to throw dinner in honor of Sam Altman The actress' firm Kinship Ventures is an investor in the company. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a860b4f2c5335ae1048ba58 14 slip-on shoes that make getting out the door easier, from sneakers to clogs te 2026-08-19T20:00:15.148Z 14 slip-on shoes that make getting out the door easier, from sneakers to clogs Slip-on shoes make it easier to get out the door without sacrificing comfort or style. Our picks include everything from comfortable sneakers and office-ready penny loafers to casual slippers and sandals from brands like Birkenstock, Skechers and Cole Haan. Original price: $75 The Skechers Expected Avillo is a casual slip-on sneaker that maximizes comfort. The lace-free canvas upper, memory foam insole and relaxed fit are designed for everyday comfort. Ideal for business-casual settings, Cole Haan's GrandPro Luxe Slip-Ons pair a polished leather look with the convenience of elastic laces. A foam footbed and cushioned midsole add comfort for extended wear. The Skechers Hands Free Go Walk Flex is a no-frills walking shoe designed for comfortable everyday walking and easy on-and-off wear. It features a mesh upper, memory foam insoles and flexible outsoles that move with your feet. If you need extra room, wide widths are also available. Skechers' Summits High Range Slip-in sneakers feature a breathable, machine-washable knit upper, memory foam insoles and shock-absorbing midsoles for added comfort during daily wear. READ MORE: Expert-recommended shoes to help with plantar fasciitis, starting at $75 The Kizik Monaco offers the look of a classic retro lace-up in a hands-free design. Simply step into the sneakers, and the specially designed heel helps secure them to your feet without requiring you to untie the laces. Original price: $92 Despite having laces, the Skechers Contour Foam Cozy Fit is designed to slip on. The quilted upper gives it the appearance of a retro sneaker. For outdoor walks, the Skechers Max Cushioning Zirrus Hands Free Slip-In features a water-repellent upper, elastic laces and rugged outsoles for traction. Inside, you'll find the brand's signature Air-Cooled Memory Foam insoles for daily comfort.  READ MORE: Expert-recommended insoles for runners, nurses and people with foot pain The L.L.Bean Sweater Fleece Scuffs combine a fleece interior, foam midsoles and rubber outsoles for warmth and traction indoors or outside. Women's styles are also available from L.L.Bean.  Original price: $114 By combining the construction of a performance running sneaker with Skechers' Slip-In technology, the Max Cushioning Gel Glide Step Advert is both sporty and easy to wear. To complete the design, Goodyear rubber outsoles add traction. The UGG Tasman II features a sheepskin interior, suede upper and thick EVA outsole, making it suitable for indoor and outdoor wear. Its signature braided collar adds a distinctive finish. Women’s sizes are also available on Amazon.  READ MORE: The best comfortable sneakers for people who are on their feet all day — from $38 Birkenstock's Boston Clog is a versatile casual style you can wear year-round. The classic design features a suede or nubuck upper and cork footbed that gradually molds to your foot with wear. Women's sizes are also available. If you like Birkenstock's signature cork footbed but prefer an open-toe design, the Arizona Sandals are a classic option. They feature a leather upper, metal hardware and a cushioned cork footbed for everyday wear. Women's sizes are also available. Original price: $120 The Florsheim Launch Moc Toe Venetian Slip combines loafer styling with sneaker-inspired comfort. Plush insoles, foam midsoles and flexible traction zones add cushioning and flexibility while wide wifths provide extra sizing options. For more deals, visit www.foxnews.com/deals Original price: $250 G.H.Bass is closely associated with the classic penny loafer, and its Logan Weejuns deliver the traditional look in leather. The shoes can also be resoled to help extend their wear. If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can get these items sent to your door ASAP. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a860b4e2c5335ae1048ba4f Majority of young adults say they are 'more concerned than excited' about AI: Pew Research te 2026-08-19T20:00:14.256Z Majority of young adults say they are 'more concerned than excited' about AI: Pew Research A majority of young adults are now more worried than enthusiastic about the growing role artificial intelligence (AI) has in their daily lives, according to a Pew Research survey released Tuesday. Among adults ages 18 to 29, 55% said they were more concerned than excited about AI, while just 11% said they felt the reverse. That marks a sharp shift from 2021, when Pew began tracking Americans’ views on the then-emerging technology. At the time, only 31% of young adults expressed greater concern than excitement. This general feeling is now shared by all age groups, with 52% of U.S. adults saying they are more concerned than excited about AI. The broad AI skepticism largely centers on how it will affect employment, according to Pew's latest poll, which included 3,488 U.S. adults and was conducted from June 22 to June 28. The vast majority of Americans, 71%, believe AI will lead to fewer jobs in the U.S. over the next two decades. Just 5% said AI would lead to more jobs over that time period. Young adults also expressed their belief that AI will stifle creativity and human connection over the long term. "They largely think it will make connection and creativity harder to come by. And though most say they use chatbots, they’re just as likely to say these tools hurt their own creativity as help it," the survey's authors wrote. There is also a growing concern that overuse of AI chatbots among children and teenagers can negatively impact their development, with some cases leading to far more serious outcomes. Last August, the parents of 16-year-old Adam Raine sued OpenAI, alleging that ChatGPT helped their son plan and carry out his suicide. The case, filed in San Francisco County Superior Court, is ongoing and is among the first lawsuits to allege that an AI chatbot contributed to a user’s death. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). In the wake of growing scrutiny over the effects of AI chatbots on children, OpenAI and other AI firms have rolled out stronger safeguards, including parental controls, age-verification systems and tools designed to detect signs of self-harm. OpenAI announced Tuesday on Fox News' "Fox & Friends" that it is creating "ChatGPT for Teens," a separate portal that will serve as the default experience on the AI chatbot for users between 13 and 17. OpenAI said that most teen users of ChatGPT use it for homework and help with their studies, so the new platform is intended to allow for study aides without giving the answers away and was designed with Stanford University. It will feature quizzes and responsible-homework reminders that redirect teens toward collaborative problem-solving, as well as a "Study Hours" feature that allows teens or parents to set "Study Mode" as a default during certain time periods. The new platform also includes stronger default safeguards addressing self-harm, violence, eating disorders, dangerous activities and explicit sexual or graphic content through age-appropriate interventions. OpenAI did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a860b4d2c5335ae1048ba46 Trump White House envoy visits Pro Football Hall of Fame to amplify museum as global tourist destination te 2026-08-19T20:00:13.297Z Trump White House envoy visits Pro Football Hall of Fame to amplify museum as global tourist destination The Pro Football Hall of Fame last weekend hosted Special Presidential Envoy for American Tourism Nick Adams to its venerable museum and sprawling campus as part of a White House initiative to amplify national and international tourism to great American sites. The Hall of Fame that honors the heroes of America's favorite sport makes sense for a visit because, well, it recently enshrined its latest class and placed the new bronze busts, a new football season is on the horizon, and the facility itself is growing by leaps and bounds. "I went there because Number One, I was invited, but Number Two because we believe in looking for places that we can really amplify and drive both domestic and international visitation to," said Adams, who is essentially tasked with being the brand ambassador or chief salesman for America. Other countries call such people their ministers of tourism. And this tourism czar of sorts represents an administration that is fully immersed in sports. DONALD TRUMP IS THE MOST SPORTS-MINDED PRESIDENT IN RECENT MEMORY "Look, the administration loves sports," Adams said. "President Trump is crazy about sports, the Secretary of State and others. So we are looking to kind of push that and make sure that we invite the rest of the world to America to come and experience it." The rest of the world recently visited America during the World Cup. The NFL is visiting abroad with games this season scheduled for Australia, Brazil, England, Germany, France and Mexico. And now the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio is in that global conversation. NFL COMMISSIONER ROGER GOODELL CONFIRMS LEAGUE WANTS MULTIPLE TEAMS BASED OUTSIDE THE US: 'NO DOUBT' The Hall, which asks visitors where they're from, says that international visitors rank 17th highest among the 52 places – 50 states, Washington D.C. and abroad – where its visitors reside. In case you're wondering visitors from Pennsylvania represent the most visitors, followed by New York, Illinois, Texas and Michigan. The Hall of Fame is working to improve its overall experience because next March it expects to complete its second phase of expansion to its Hall of Fame Village. The 112-acre village will then be opening a 100,000-square-foot water park and at least three restaurants to go along with the venerable museum, the adjacent football stadium and other fields onsite. "We're super excited about that, because the entire village project was built strategically around the museum to give an opportunity for folks to stay and play longer, to have things to do, restaurants to go to, engagement opportunities to elongate their stay," said Hall of Fame Resort and Entertainment Executive Vice President Anne Graffice. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS Graffice led the tour of dignitaries that included Adams, Ohio State House Representative Tex Fischer, and others. "I'm already setting up meetings to support the expansion," Adams said. "I'll be working hard to increase their visibility. It's an amazing museum. It was an amazing experience and I think it's an unbelievable museum and attraction and I think it will continue to be great for Ohio." And for that, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is grateful. "We were honored to welcome [Ambassador] Adams to the museum that celebrates this country's most popular sport," said Hall of Fame Chiefs Communications and Content Officer Rich Desrosiers. "We know he took away a great experience that will help him understand the work that we do to promote the values of the game." FOLLOW ARMANDO SALGUERO ON X: @ARMANDOSALGUERO Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a860b4c2c5335ae1048ba3d Florida Democrat sends 'condolences' to Hasan Piker after defeating DSA challenger in Florida primary te 2026-08-19T20:00:12.246Z Florida Democrat sends 'condolences' to Hasan Piker after defeating DSA challenger in Florida primary Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz took a victory lap on X Tuesday after he was declared the winner over a democratic socialist challenger in Florida's congressional primary, sending mocking "condolences" to Hasan Piker, a far-left streamer who backed his opponent. Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)-backed Oliver Larkin lost to the more moderate Moskowitz in the Democratic primary in Florida's 25th District, the Associated Press reported. The heavily redrawn congressional swing district is among roughly two dozen House seats that will likely determine whether Republicans hold on to their razor-thin majority in the midterm elections. "My condolences to @hasanthehun," Moskowitz wrote on X. Piker responded to Moskowitz's call-out on X and wrote, "its pretty wild that his first thought was a prominent critic of israel, before even thanking his constituents lmao. really worried about his genocidal emotional support apartheid state." PRO-ISRAEL MODERATE SURVIVES PRIMARY CHALLENGE BY SOCIALIST INSURGENT Moskowitz thanked his constituents on Wednesday in another post to X. "I want to thank the voters of District 25 for continuing to have the faith in me to deliver results for Florida," he wrote. "I want to thank my wife and kids who I have spent a lot of time away from. My dad died of cancer 4 years ago. He would have enjoyed all of this. I miss him. Onward!" Moskowitz's campaign did not immediately return Fox News Digital's request for comment. "Democrats shouldn’t play hide the Piker now," Moskowitz said after his victory, according to Politico Playbook. "For all those people who thought it was a great idea to campaign with him, as Jay-Z once said, ‘Bring ’em out, bring ’em out.’ They shouldn’t be hiding him now." Piker hit back in a comment to Playbook and said, "I’m genuinely concerned for his mental well-being." "I think he should stop posting on the internet and focus on defeating the Republican in his newly redistricted congressional seat," Piker added, according to the outlet. Moskowitz then called DSA members "anti-American at their core." WHO IS HASAN PIKER? MEET THE FAR-LEFT STREAMER WHO IS STIRRING UP CONTROVERSY AND DIVIDING DEMOCRATS Piker has been a political flashpoint within the Democratic Party, as a debate over whether the party should embrace or distance itself from the streamer has taken shape. The streamer has campaigned with far-left candidates, including Francesca Hong, who lost her gubernatorial primary in Wisconsin, and Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, among others. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said during an interview in early August that the party should include people like Piker, and said that the streamer reaches a lot of voters. Others, like Democratic strategist James Carville, have said they don't want to belong to the same political party as Piker. Commentator Kaivan Schroff told Fox News Digital that Piker would likely be taking a similar victory lap had Larkin won the race. "One of the asymmetries in Democratic politics right now is that when a DSA candidate wins, it is immediately treated as evidence of some enormous ideological realignment in the party," he said. "When a more moderate Democrat wins, there is usually much less hype and almost no corresponding narrative."  "We saw that with David Crowley beating Francesca Hong in Wisconsin, and now Moskowitz has beaten a DSA-backed challenger in Florida," Schroff continued. "Imagine the coverage if the result had gone the other way, and imagine the victory lap Hasan Piker and the online left would be taking right now." "I actually think there is value in Moskowitz picking this fight," he added. "Piker backed his opponent and made himself part of the race. By going after him publicly, Moskowitz is forcing people to tell the other side of this story, and frankly, here we are talking about it because he did." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE After El-Sayed won his race in Michigan, Piker rejected calls for the Michigan Senate candidate to repair relationships with skeptical Democrats during the candidate’s election event at the Majestic Theatre in Detroit, even as the candidate promised reconciliation ahead of the general election against Republican Mike Rogers. "Like everyone being like, Abdul has a f--- ton of work to do mending bridges. Here's the f---ing take nuke for you, OK? You are all unbelievably Islamophobic pieces of s---, OK?" Piker said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8608f22c5335ae1048b78b Clarence Thomas chokes up as he reveals promise he made after grandparents’ sudden deaths te 2026-08-19T19:50:10.522Z Clarence Thomas chokes up as he reveals promise he made after grandparents’ sudden deaths Supreme Court Justice Clasrence Thomas choked up recalling a promise he made after his grandparents’ deaths during a wide-ranging conversation about economist Thomas Sowell’s influence on his thinking and views on Black Americans. "When both my grandparents died suddenly in 1983, the decision I made was to live the rest of my life as a memorial to theirs," Thomas shared with Hoover Institution fellow Peter Robinson during an on-stage discussion. The conversation paused for a few seconds as Thomas gathered his composure. "And the point I'm going to make is that is the way I feel about Professor Sowell," Thomas said. JUSTICE THOMAS REVEALS THIS ELITE INSTITUTION IS ‘OFF LIMITS’ TO HIM " ‘THAT'S THE WORLD WE'RE IN’ "All right," Robinson said. "Watch this because I'm going to lighten the mood here." Thomas was raised by his maternal grandparents in segregated Savannah, Georgia, after his father left when he was 7 years old. His grandfather was raised by a freed slave. "We actually lived — farmed on a part of that plantation, and we grew up every summer, we farmed on that plantation," Thomas said. Neither of Thomas' maternal grandparents ever set foot in a high school. Thomas said his grandfather, Myers Anderson, had only nine months of formal education, and his grandmother, Christine Anderson, had only a sixth-grade education. SEN TIM SCOTT: MY FAMILY'S JOURNEY SHOWS AMERICA'S FOUNDING PROMISE IS ALIVE AND STRONG "Even though my grandfather only had nine months of education, the crown jewel was education. My grandmother went to the sixth grade, for her the crown jewel," Thomas said. Thomas described his grandmother as a "saintly woman" and his grandfather as a "great man" who taught him the importance of self-reliance and hard work. "It wasn't taking the measure of what you don't have. It wasn't to complain about that, but to develop the capacity to do things that you needed to do in order to… improve your life." DESCENDANT OF SLAVES SHAMES SMITHSONIAN’S WOKE ‘INDOCTRINATION’ AGAINST THE ‘GREATEST NATION ON EARTH’ "My grandfather, I remember him often saying, as a kid," Thomas said, referring to his grandfather responding when Thomas complained about being unable to do something. "And his favorite saying was, ‘old man can't is dead. I helped bury him." "And the old man can't was buried many times in our house," Thomas said. "My grandfather, no education, raised by a freed slave, and he never complained," Thomas stated. "He did it. He was a — he was just a great man. Now what do you do? How do you complain when he had nothing, no education? What do you say to it? But he sets this example of how you live your life." Thomas said rediscovering Sowell, who is also Black, gave him permission to think differently from Black leaders. He recognized Sowell's message in his grandparents and the Catholic nuns who educated him. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER "Well, I think it's something that Professor Sowell has been trying to stress, that a lot of the groundwork to being able to do difficult things, to achieve, are attitudes. And he talks about other groups," Thomas said. "And that's what attracted me initially to Race and Economics, because if you go back and you look at Race and Economics, he talks about attitude of self-reliance, of self-discipline, etc., how important those were." "Where did I first hear that? I heard from my grandfather, the single greatest man I've ever known, my grandmother, a saintly woman, my nuns. Same thing. It's the exact same thing," Thomas continued. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8608f12c5335ae1048b782 Penn State frat cocaine ring suspects allegedly used Cash App, Snapchat to arrange drug deals te 2026-08-19T19:50:09.433Z Penn State frat cocaine ring suspects allegedly used Cash App, Snapchat to arrange drug deals More details are emerging in the Penn State fraternities cocaine ring bust. Court complaints allege cocaine and drug transactions were being made using apps like Cash App and Snapchat. Nearly all complaints for the men charged, including the suspected kingpin, Agostino Abbatiello, 24, who has been dubbed online as "Pablo Pledgescobar," detail alleged transactions involving the purchase, packaging, transportation, sale or distribution of cocaine. Abbatiello is among 13 other people who have been charged in connection with the cocaine trafficking operation. THREE COLLEGE FRATS IN CROSSHAIRS AS HAZING CLAIMS OF BOOZE, BURNS AND HOSPITAL TRIPS SPARK CRACKDOWN: SCHOOL In one of the sales, one of Abbatiello's alleged associates sent an estimated $30,000 to the alleged ringleader via Cash App in exchange for drugs. The suspect also used SnapChat "to facilitate the delivery of cocaine to known persons" court documents said. 📩 Send me a story idea: kelsie.cairns@fox.com 📸 Instagram: kelsiecairns_tv 🎥 Facebook: Kelsie Cairns FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS His codefendants Thomas Michael Robinson, 23, and Mohammed Huraibi, 22, also used Snapchat for cocaine transactions, according to authorities. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE SEND US A TIP A criminal complaint said, "Huraibi testified before the Grand Jury that in the Fall of 2023, he set up the first purchase of cocaine from Abbatiello using Snapchat, a messaging application on his phone." FEDS SEIZE $6.4M WORTH OF COCAINE ABOARD OIL TANKER AT PORT OF LOS ANGELES, ARREST SUSPECTED CARTEL SMUGGLER LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST A criminal complaint for Robinson alleges he "facilitated delivery of suspected cocaine" using the Snapchat name "Tommy Robinson" in 2024. BORDER AGENTS UNCOVER $20M COCAINE STASH HIDDEN BENEATH TRUCK FLOORBOARDS IN MASSIVE BUST The document goes on to say, "The agreement was to purchase around 100 grams of cocaine for $4,000. Robinson and Huraibi both contributed cash for the purchase. Abbatiello brought the drugs to Delta Upilson and delivered 100 grams of cocaine to Huraibi in exchange for cash." GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8608f02c5335ae1048b779 5 Americans killed in helicopter crash in Kenya, including Telemundo executive te 2026-08-19T19:50:08.678Z 5 Americans killed in helicopter crash in Kenya, including Telemundo executive Five Americans died Wednesday following a major helicopter crash in northern Kenya, according to the U.S. State Department. Seven people were on board when the incident occurred around 9 a.m. local time in a mountainous region near Kirish in Samburu County, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said. One of the deceased reportedly includes Telemundo executive José Suárez, who oversaw multiple stations in Florida as president and general manager. He was identified in a message to employees by NBCUniversal News Group Chairman Cesar Conde, according to NBC News. DEADLY MILITARY HELICOPTER CRASH IN TEXAS KILLS 2, SPARKS WILDFIRE AND FORCES EVACUATIONS: OFFICIALS Lady Lori Helicopters, the company that operated the aircraft, said it was "deeply saddened" by the incident and extended its condolences to all those affected. "Our deepest sympathies are with the guests, crew, their families and loved ones, and all those affected by this tragic accident," Lady Lori said in a post on social media. MISSOURI SKYDIVING PLANE CRASH THAT KILLED ALL 12 ABOARD IS A 'DEVASTATING LOSS,' COMPANY SAYS According to the operator, the aircraft was on a charter flight from Suyian Conservancy, a 44,000-acre private wildlife refuge, to Otolokwe when it crashed near Mount Otolokwe. Officials said the aircraft was a Eurocopter EC130 B4, with Lady Lori saying it was registered as 5Y-GYM. The cause of the accident has not yet been determined and is subject to investigation by the relevant authorities, the operator said. The U.S. Embassy is in contact with local authorities and is providing consular assistance. "The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans," the State Department said. "We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones on their loss." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8606992c5335ae1048b71d Pat McAfee sets the record straight on nasty Lee Corso rumor, Lindsey Vonn shows off the arms & fall weddings! te 2026-08-19T19:40:09.320Z Pat McAfee sets the record straight on nasty Lee Corso rumor, Lindsey Vonn shows off the arms & fall weddings! 'Nightcaps' is a daily column that catches you up on the biggest sports, news and culture stories you may have missed while pretending to do work at your desk. It runs Monday–Friday on OutKick.com. Middle Hump Day of August, folks. Two down. Two to go. We're 10 days away from our first real college football game. We've got NFL preseason action tomorrow. Fantasy football drafts are about a week away from launching around this great country. There's a 6-way tie for the final wild card spot in the AL, and every single team is below .500. Don't you dare tell me things are slow on the sports calendar right now. They're about to kick into HIGH gear. Let's roll. HERE IS HOW PAT MCAFEE HAS SURPASSED STEPHEN A SMITH AS THE FACE OF ESPN | BOBBY BURACK Welcome to a Hump Day Nightcaps — the one where Pat McAfee sets the record straight on a nasty internet rumor involving a sacred college football tradition. Side note: Is ESPN over-serving us on McAfee? Folks are pissed at the latest development, but I'm not sure what the true pulse is. You'll see. What else? I've got Lindsey Vonn showing off the biceps as she works her way back from February's horrific knee injury, and a full spectrum of reader emails from Monday's 'Best Sports Movie' question on the heels of Hayden Panettiere's sudden death at just 36. Seems like most of you (correctly) agree with me that Remember the Titans is No. 1. Most. Not all. Grab you a soft ice cream for National Soft Ice Cream Day, and settle in for a Hump Day 'Cap! I know nobody is here for a history lesson on soft ice cream, but you're gonna get it anyway because we set a record yesterday in my Florida town for high temps (97!) and I'd like some ice cream right about now. Did you know that soft ice cream is actually a thing? True story. From the AI bots who now run the internet: In 1934 on Memorial Day weekend in Hartsdale, New York, Tom Carvel had a flat tire. After pulling his ice cream truck into a parking lot, the businessman knew his product was melting. As vacationers drove by, Carvel sold the softened ice cream to them. Surprisingly, they loved the soft ice cream! The potential for a new dessert was not lost on the salesman. Two years later, Tom Carvel opened his first ice cream store on the site where his truck broke down. In the preceding years, Carvel patented a super low-temperature ice cream machine and created a secret formula ice cream. While they are made with the same ingredients, soft ice cream has less milk fat. It also has more air than hard ice cream. Who knew ice cream had such a history behind it. This is why this class wins (hypothetical) awards. You're welcome! OK, let's get going with Pat McAfee debunking a nasty internet rumor that he would be taking over Lee Corso's headgear selection this year on College GameDay. Fake news, dorks! "Coach Corso’s Head Gear was retired after week 1 last year (Coach Corso went perfect on that day as well)," McAfee wrote on X. "I have come to a fun chapter where folks just make stuff up to make me look like a bigger a**hole." Obviously, Pat McAfee isn't reviving the headgear pick. He's not an idiot. ESPN is dumb, but they're not that dumb. OK, they are, but at least not in this instance. I do want to use that as a jumping off point to a larger question ... Is ESPN giving us too much McAfee? I ask because he was recently added to the Monday Night Football panel (presumably replacing Ryan Clark, which is funny in itself), and folks on the internet seem ... tired: Look ... I like McAfee. I'm a Pat McAfee guy. I contend that GameDay was on a bad trajectory until he showed up, and he revived the show. Particularly Kirk Herbstreit (even though his dog annoys the crap out of me). I don't mind the shtick. I think the kicking segment is, arguably, the greatest segment in pregame TV history, if there's a metric for that sort of thing. It's excellent. My kid is GLUED to the TV every time it comes on, and she's 4. That being said, I do understand the fatigue. The same thing happened in the mid-2010s with Kevin Hart. Remember that? When Kevin Hart was suddenly in every single movie for a solid five straight years? And they were all bad? The difference is, McAfee isn't bad. The numbers prove that. GameDay has been on the rise for three years now, and it directly coincides with McAfee. ESPN isn't pushing McAfee to the center of the table for political points or any sort of agenda. They're doing it because the ratings say it works. It's pretty simple, actually. OK, let's rapid-fire this Hump Day class into a big Hump Day night. First up? How about this rage-bait going viral on the internet today? Thoughts? First impressions? Folks are PISSED at the notion that college football sickos actively skip fall weddings to watch the greatest sport on the planet. I somewhat disagree with that train of thought, by the way. If it's the right wedding, a fall Saturday wedding is awesome. I had two buddies get married in October — a WEEK apart — a few years back. I was in both. Right in the middle of college football season. Those two Saturdays were the greatest college football Saturdays since college, because ... it was like I was back in college. The groomsmen sat there, all day long, and just watched/gambled on college football until it was time for the ceremony. It was amazing. No kids running around wanting to watch Blue's Clues in the third quarter of the noon games. No wife wanting to go thrifting right when the 3:30 games kick off. No unmowed yard staring me in the face the whole day and making me feel guilty. Just me and the boys, watching ball and losing money. So, no, fall weddings aren't a dealbreaker ... as long as they're the right weddings. Next? I asked Monday if Remember the Titans was the best sports movie ever. You all had thoughts. From Cliff F: Without a doubt the best sports movie ever! I’ve watched it a gazillion times and will watch it again each and every time it comes on.  From Stephen W: The original Angels In The Outfield from 1951 with Paul Douglas and Janet Leigh.  From Tod L: Definitely best soundtrack across any genre. I’m partial to Bull Durham And, from Chuck F: I have to go with Miracle. No better sports story than the 1980 gold medal team. Thanks, all! Good work, everyone. Hard to argue with Miracle. That's up there. Bull Durham is excellent. Angels in the Outfield is a sneaky one. Wanna know something embarrassing? I've never seen the original version from 1951. Only the '94 remake. I know. I'll be better. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS OK, that's it for today. Solid Hump Day everyone. Second half of the week is on deck. Let's finish strong. STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW! Here's Lindsey Vonn working in a lift on the way out. See you tomorrow. Too much McAfee? Email me at Zach.Dean@OutKick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8606982c5335ae1048b714 Blackhawks great Patrick Kane gets incredible standing ovation from Cubs and White Sox fans at Wrigley Field te 2026-08-19T19:40:08.604Z Blackhawks great Patrick Kane gets incredible standing ovation from Cubs and White Sox fans at Wrigley Field While the future looks promising with young stars like Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar, we're still in the midst of some uncharacteristically lean years for the Chicago Blackhawks. That's why there's so much excitement surrounding Patrick Kane's return to a Blackhawks sweater. A key piece of the team's juggernaut run in the 2010s, Kane gives fans a chance to celebrate the past while they wait for the next great Chicago team to emerge. And, man, at Wrigley Field, they were certainly ready to cheer. NHL'S TOP AMERICAN-BORN SCORER PATRICK KANE SIGNS DEAL TO RETURN TO CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS The Cubs hosted their cross-town rival White Sox on Tuesday at the Friendly Confines — which, speaking of hockey, was the site of one hell of a donnybrook this week — and while the two fanbases can't agree on much, there was one thing they could get on the same page about. The Blackhawks. Specifically, No. 88. Kane — fresh off signing a nifty two-year, $16 million deal with the Blackhawks — was given first-pitch duties, and the Chicagoland fans gave him a massive ovation. There was so much clapping I thought some people were going to have to eat their next Italian beef sandwich with a pair of bloody stumps where their hands used to be. But the guy deserves it. Kane is the top American-born scorer in NHL history, and there's really no way they win those three Cups without him. CONNOR BEDARD RE-SIGNS WITH BLACKHAWKS, ENDING HOPES FOR ANOTHER NHL OFFER SHEET THIS OFFSEASON Especially the one in 2010 (as a Flyers fan, that winning goal still haunts me). But that's the past, and the objective will be a little different this time around. This deal could be his last, and it's going to be about pointing the next generation of Blackhawks in the right direction so they can build a dynasty of their own. Of course, that's easier said than done, especially this year, as Connor Bedard will miss the start of the season after undergoing surgery. If the Blackhawks want a shot at keeping up with the Central Division frontrunners, they'll need to play well in his absence, and that's where they'll need some of that patented Patrick Kane offensive production. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8606972c5335ae1048b70b Kim Kardashian wows in string bikini during PDA-filled beach trip with Lewis Hamilton te 2026-08-19T19:40:07.832Z Kim Kardashian wows in string bikini during PDA-filled beach trip with Lewis Hamilton Kim Kardashian is putting her romance on center stage. In a recent Instagram slideshow, the 45-year-old reality TV star shared a series of photos from her recent tropical family vacation, including a few bikini shots, some featuring her boyfriend, Lewis Hamilton. The "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" star opened the post with a photo of her and Hamilton, taken from the back, walking along the shoreline with their arms around each other. Hamilton has his hair up in a bun, while Kardashian let her long brunette locks flow in the wind as she covered up with a sparkly green skirt. KIM KARDASHIAN STUNS IN BIKINI PHOTOS AS SHE GOES INSTAGRAM OFFICIAL WITH BOYFRIEND LEWIS HAMILTON In another photo, the two are posing for a mirror selfie, which features Kardashian in large sunglasses and a pink bikini top, which showed off her toned abs, which she paired with a pink bandanna and a pink long-sleeve. Hamilton posed with his arm around her waist in pink pants, a gray shirt and a denim bucket hat with white letters on it. Kardashian also included a few photos of her posing along on the beach. In one of them, she is flashing a peace sign at the camera while in a baseball hat, a gray muscle T and large red shorts. In another, she is knee-deep in the ocean while in a barely-there purple bikini, as she gives the camera a serene expression. "I’ve never manifested love for two strangers I don’t know like this in my entire life," one fan wrote in the comments section. She continued to share photos from her vacation in an Instagram post on Wednesday, which included a few more photos of her in string bikinis. The selfies featured her in a black bikini, which she paired with gold chain straps and a gold necklace worn around her waist. She also included a solo shot of her in the pink bikini she previously posed alongside Hamilton in, as well as a photo of her wearing a white crop top and gray sweats with the jungle visible behind her. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Another added, "KIMILTON 🥺😍," while a third wrote, "Love love love everything about this 😍." The slideshow also featured photos of Kardashian with her kids and nieces and nephews, including videos of them all surfing and playing in the sand together. Kardashian and Hamilton went Instagram official in a video posted to Hamilton's account in April, which showed him driving his Ferrari F40 at a track in Tokyo, Japan, with Kardashian in the passenger seat. Celebrity matchmaker, Alessandra Conti, told Fox News Digital in May that "There are certain couples that just make sense and feel natural," and to her, Kardashian and Hamilton are one of them. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "I love this pair because they are both at the top of their careers, and although incredibly famous, they are in industries that are different but complimentary," she said. "Kim is notorious for having very public relationships, while Lewis is known for being private. They both deeply value ambition and living a fully packed, jet-setting lifestyle." "The issues that typically come in when there are two people with demanding careers are usually centered around the basics, namely having enough time together to actually build a long-lasting, healthy relationship. If they both prioritize seeing each other, this is a relationship that could really go the distance." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8604432c5335ae1048b6b2 Ex-counterterrorism chief advocates for Trump to 'walk away from' Iran war, yank troops out of Middle East te 2026-08-19T19:30:11.354Z Ex-counterterrorism chief advocates for Trump to 'walk away from' Iran war, yank troops out of Middle East Former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent, who resigned in March due to his opposition to the Iran war, contends that President Donald Trump should remove U.S. combat troops from the Middle East. During an interview with Fox News Digital on Tuesday, he said Republicans and Democrats both support U.S. involvement in "endless foreign wars," but that he wants to help create another "political coalition." Kent, a military veteran and gold star husband who personally grasps the grave consequences of war because his late wife Shannon was killed in Syria in 2019, said that the U.S. is "making our troops basically tripwires so that if the Iranians hit us, and we lose more troops, then we will have to double down" on the war. "This war is not in our national security interest," he said. "Iran posed no imminent threat," the retired Green Beret asserted, reiterating the same view he voiced in his mid-March resignation letter to the president less than a month after the start of the Iran war. "This war was prompted by the pressure that the Israelis were able to exert on the Trump administration and the influence that the, the Israelis have over our government." CLICK HERE TO WATCH FOX NEWS DIGITAL'S FULL INTERVIEW WITH JOE KENT U.S. bases in the region have proven to be a liability, he said. "The Iranians were able to hit them with their ballistic missiles, with their drones. We had to evacuate our bases. We couldn't even fight a war from our military bases. So the fundamental question is, what good is a military base that you can't fight a war from? So really our bases and our presence in the region simply give the Iranians the ability to reach us and strike us whenever they want," Kent asserted. EX-COUNTERTERRORISM OFFICIAL JOE KENT CONTINUES CALLING FOR US MILITARY WITHDRAWAL FROM MIDDLE EAST More than five months have passed since Trump launched the war against Iran in conjunction with Israel. The U.S. military is currently conducting a blockade against Iran and it remains unclear when the conflict will conclude. "Right now, we're at a place where President Trump could walk away from it. We haven't recently taken any losses," Kent said, adding that the president could withdraw U.S. troops from the region. "And I think he has the political power to basically sell it as a win or at least kind of a draw to the American people." Kent said he would encourage those who agree with him to "call their congressmen, call their senators, call the White House and" tell them "that we want out of war right now." In a statement to Fox News Digital on Wednesday, White House spokesman Davis Ingle targeted Kent. "President Trump has destroyed nearly all of Iran’s military capabilities and is crushing what’s left of its abysmal economy with the most powerful naval blockade in world history. In quitter Joe Kent’s twisted mind, that somehow means Iran is winning, which only proves he doesn’t know his ass from his elbow," Ingle said in the statement. TRUMP CAN DECLARE IRAN VICTORY NOW AND WITHDRAW TROOPS, FORMER COUNTERTERROR OFFICIAL ARGUES Asked whether he has any interest in running for political office again, Kent, who has run unsuccessfully for Congress twice, told Fox News Digital that he does not "have any political aspirations." But he said that he wants to help construct a "political coalition" that conveys to Americans "that a reason why it seems like no matter who they vote for their, their quality of life is not improving," is because no matter who occupies the Oval Office, much of "their time and our money ... and our national will" is expended "on these foreign wars," and "propping up an empire that does not benefit the American people." Both parties "agree that we should be engaged in ... endless foreign wars," he said. When Americans choose between a Republican and Democrat, they end up with "the next war," "more deficit," "more debt," and have "their civil liberties ... encroached upon," he said. TRUMP SAYS IRAN TALKS ARE DEAD, INSISTS STRAIT OF HORMUZ IS 'OPEN AND OPERATING' Kent said the U.S. cannot afford to dole out foreign aid, given the national debt, inflation, and the condition of the economy — but if foreign aid is going to be distributed, he said that it should go "to partners that actually benefit our nation's security, not to countries that are gonna drag us further into more conflicts" which "actually end up costing America more in the long run." He said the U.S. should not provide aid to nations "that are actively spying on us and running influence operations like the Israelis are." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8601e92c5335ae1048b651 Tourists cling to each other in desperate struggle as raging flood sweeps them down waterfall te 2026-08-19T19:20:09.792Z Tourists cling to each other in desperate struggle as raging flood sweeps them down waterfall Desperate tourists were caught on video clinging to one another for dear life as they were swept downstream by raging water during a flash flood at a waterfall in Thailand. The incident happened at Mae Sa Waterfall in Chiang Mai on Aug. 15, when tourists ventured onto rocks in the water at Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, according to Viral Press. Video from the scene shows rushing water surrounding the group as the tourists struggled against the strong current and tried to help one another. TOURIST BREACHES SAFETY BARRIER AT WORLD’S LARGEST WATERFALL SYSTEM TO RECOVER CELLPHONE Several people can be seen holding onto each other and attempting to stay on their feet before some were swept downstream by the force of the water. One tourist is seen struggling to make his way through the water as others scream for help. Park rangers later helped bring the group to safety. The tourists reportedly suffered only minor scratches and were given first aid, according to Viral Press. Witness Arttie Martin told Viral Press he had been preparing to enter the water himself to take a photo when he heard a park officer blow a whistle moments before the flash flood struck. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "It was truly a matter of split seconds," Martin said. "I was just about to take off my shoes and walk into the middle to follow the foreigners and take a photo of the waterfall," he added. Martin said he shared footage of the frightening incident as a warning to other travelers about how quickly conditions can become dangerous around waterfalls during Thailand's rainy season. "Especially during the rainy season, when visiting waterfalls, you should exercise extra caution, observe warning signs and instructions from staff, and continuously monitor the color, level and current speed of the water, as conditions can change extremely quickly," he said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES Access to Mae Sa Waterfall remained restricted following the flash flood, according to Viral Press. Fox News Digital previously reported on another dangerous encounter at a waterfall, when a tourist climbed over a safety barrier and entered the water above Iguazu Falls in Brazil to retrieve a cellphone. Video of the incident showed the man lowering himself into the river just yards from the falls, where fast-moving water flows toward steep drops. He recovered the phone and returned to the walkway without injury before being escorted from the site by firefighters, according to Jam Press. The incident was one of several risky encounters reported at Iguazu Falls this year — including a tourist who crossed protective barriers to retrieve a hat and another visitor who was recorded lifting a baby over a safety barrier near a viewpoint. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8601e82c5335ae1048b648 DeSantis suggests ally appointed to Palm Beach post could face death penalty over child sex abuse charges te 2026-08-19T19:20:08.963Z DeSantis suggests ally appointed to Palm Beach post could face death penalty over child sex abuse charges Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis this week suggested that a former ally he appointed as Palm Beach County Clerk of Court could face the death penalty if convicted of child sex abuse charges. Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, DeSantis said that Michael Caruso could be in for a "world of hurt" if convicted. Caruso, 67, who has been suspended from his clerk duties following his arrest on Tuesday, is accused of preying on a young boy more than half a dozen times since 2024. He faces charges of kidnapping, lewd or lascivious molestation, lewd or lascivious exhibition, luring or enticing a child, and child abuse causing mental injury. The victim detailed the alleged abuse to investigators in Orange County, according to local media reports. HAITIAN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WHO FATALLY BEAT FLORIDA STORE CLERK WITH HAMMER WILL FACE THE DEATH PENALTY One of the more serious allegations involved a seven-day Royal Caribbean cruise in which Caruso allegedly separated the victim from his family and engaged in inappropriate acts. DeSantis suspended him from his post following the arrest. During a news conference, DeSantis noted that Caruso could face the death penalty if found guilty. "We’re the first state to reintroduce the death penalty for pedophiles," DeSantis told reporters. "I’m proud that I signed that into law, and I’m proud that we have very strong penalties for people that abuse children." "If he is convicted, he’s going to be in for a world of hurt," the governor added. DeSantis noted that Caruso was a "clean vet" and "was well regarded in the community" at the time he was appointed. He said the decision to "yank him from that position" was an easy one. Florida lawmakers in April 2023 passed a law allowing prosecutors to seek the death penalty for those convicted of capital sexual battery of a child under the age of 12. 74-YEAR-OLD BECOMES FLORIDA'S OLDEST INMATE EXECUTED AFTER 1982 KILLING OF TEEN However, it is unclear whether Caruso could face the ultimate punishment, as the charges against him do not appear to qualify as capital sexual battery. "Based upon the current precedent, this law would pass constitutional muster," said Mark Schlakman, who reviewed death penalty cases while working under former Florida Gov. Lawton Childs as assistant general counsel and serves as the senior program director for the Florida State University Center for the Advancement of Human Rights. Schlakman noted that one can't predict what the U.S. Supreme Court will do if the law comes before the high court. "What would happen or will happen? Can't tell you," he said. As of Wednesday, Florida has carried out 13 executions, leading all other states. The most recent happened Tuesday when William Francis Silvia, 61, died by lethal injection for fatally shooting his estranged wife and wounding his mother-in-law. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8601e22c5335ae1048b60b AI was supposed to win people over by now — it hasn’t te 2026-08-19T19:20:02.169Z AI was supposed to win people over by now — it hasn’t As AI becomes harder to avoid, consumers are growing more wary of the technology — and Silicon Valley is discovering that widespread adoption doesn’t necessarily lead to acceptance. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85ff8a2c5335ae1048b5b2 Google packs Search and Gemini with new AI study tools te 2026-08-19T19:10:02.402Z Google packs Search and Gemini with new AI study tools The launch of the new study features marks Google's latest effort to make Gemini the AI assistant that students turn to when learning and studying, as it continues to compete with companies like OpenAI. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85fd3d2c5335ae1048b58f Suspects at large after Tucson police recruit killed, Pima County corrections officer wounded in shooting te 2026-08-19T19:00:13.613Z Suspects at large after Tucson police recruit killed, Pima County corrections officer wounded in shooting Arizona authorities are on the hunt for multiple suspects after an early morning shooting left a 23-year-old Tucson police recruit dead and his 23-year-old romantic partner, a Pima County corrections officer, hospitalized with a gunshot wound, according to investigators. A spokesperson for the Pima County Sheriff's Department told Fox News Digital that deputies are searching for multiple suspects. They were described as Hispanic males wearing all black clothes and ski masks and driving gray Acura MDX. Police said the piece over the gas cap may be missing. Authorities initially described the couple as husband-and-wife but later said they were engaged. Sheriff Chris Nanos said they do share a child. "This is a pretty sad day for law enforcement, today," he told reporters at a news briefing at the scene Wednesday. NANCY GUTHRIE SHERIFF SAYS INVESTIGATORS MAY HAVE MORE VIDEO EVIDENCE AS THEY REVIEW THOUSANDS OF CLIPS The initial call came in at 6 a.m. regarding a home on the 7700 block of South Enchanted Spring Drive, about 17 miles southwest of Tucson. SEND US A TIP Responding deputies found the male victim, later identified as TPD recruit Carlos Ramirez, dead and rushed the female to a hospital, where she is in stable condition, the sheriff said. Tucson Police Chief Monica Prieto is asking anyone with information to call 911. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST Prieto called it both a "tragic event and tremendous loss for...our community, this city and our department." GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL Nanos said during a news briefing he expected to be briefed by detectives when more information is available. A PCSD spokesperson said the shootings are not believed to be connected to the abduction of Nancy Guthrie, which took place on the other side of town — at her home in Tucson's Catalina Foothills on Feb. 1. This is a developing story. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85fd3c2c5335ae1048b586 Soros-linked prosecutor blasted after accused killer got passport, fled US te 2026-08-19T19:00:12.578Z Soros-linked prosecutor blasted after accused killer got passport, fled US A Democratic prosecutor permitted a Tajik national held in a psychiatric hospital after his landlord's killing to travel to Washington to obtain a passport, which he later used to leave the U.S. Abdulloi Doniyor Toshpulodzoda left the country after he was granted a second "community pass" in July from the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute (NVMHI) in Falls Church, went to nearby Dulles International Airport and flew to Dushanbe, Tajikistan, by way of Turkey, prompting renewed criticism of Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Steve Descano over his prosecution of cases involving migrants. Toshpulodzoda had been found not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI) in the killing of Mohammad Hemmatian but was still granted the equivalent of a day pass twice — once to travel 20 miles to Washington, D.C., to obtain a passport and again in July to stay at an apartment furnished through a Fairfax County program — despite being under county supervision. Former Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares criticized Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano for failing to recognize what Miyares described as the danger of allowing Toshpulodzoda to obtain a passport. SANCTUARY COUNTY REFUSED 615 ICE TRANSFER REQUESTS, TURNED OVER JUST 11 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, RECORDS SHOW "A judge said no, Virginia authorities said yes anyway," former Attorney General Jason Miyares said in a statement. Descano has faced criticism for years over his prosecution of cases involving illegal immigrants and foreign nationals. "Fairfax’s Steve Descano supported a violent, committed man accused of killing his landlord to obtain a passport. The passport request should have been the five-alarm fire, but instead it ignored and he was allowed to walk out of a mental facility and flee the country. This is an unconscionable level of incompetence," Miyares added. Virginians for Safe Communities, an advocacy group that highlights crimes, including those involving foreign nationals and illegal immigrants, called Fairfax County’s justice system "a joke." "You hear the one about the crazed killer who walked into Dulles and went to Tajikistan?" the group tweeted. "If Descano policies were literally written by illegal immigrant confessed murderers in mental institutions, how would they be different?" asked conservative commentator Mary Katharine Ham. DOJ OPENS INVESTIGATION INTO SOROS-BACKED DA ACCUSED OF SHIELDING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CONSEQUENCES Descano’s office confirmed it "did not oppose" Toshpulodzoda taking an "escorted visit" outside the confines of NVMHI to obtain "updated documentation from the [Tajik] embassy." "[B]ut, that is not indicative of our position on community release [itself]," a Descano spokeswoman said. SOROS-BACKED PROSECUTOR HIT WITH REBUKE AFTER DISMISSING PROBE AS TRUMP ‘PARTISAN ATTACKS’: ‘HEY SCUMBAG’ The spokeswoman said Descano’s prosecutors repeatedly opposed Toshpulodzoda’s release in annual court hearings, citing public safety concerns. Descano’s prosecutor Claiborne Richardson and Toshpulodzoda’s attorney, Amy Jordan, jointly requested and received court permission for Toshpulodzoda to travel to Washington, D.C., with institute staff on May 29, 2024, according to court documents. Descano’s office said prosecutors argued at a June hearing that Toshpulodzoda should remain in the institute’s custody, and the judge agreed. Descano’s office deferred further questions about the issuance of day passes to the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health. TRUMP DOJ UNLEASHES LARGEST DENATURALIZATION EFFORT IN DEPARTMENT HISTORY — AND SAYS IT’S ‘ONLY THE BEGINNING’ Laura Cunningham, a spokesperson for VDBH, said federal and state privacy laws preclude public discussion of individual patients' cases. She added that the "community pass" process utilized by Toshpulodzoda is available under Virginia law for clinical teams to request "graduated privileges" that are later reviewed by experts before "progress[ing] to the next level." Fox News Digital reached out to the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board for comment. The board furnished the Alexandria apartment where Toshpulodzoda stayed through its Fairfax Permanent Supportive Housing Program. The Daily Wire reported that Toshpulodzoda told authorities he was "guilty" but was later found NGRI. A DHS spokesperson said in a statement that Toshpulodzoda’s departure was the "ultimate compliance of his final removal order" placed on him after an immigration judge ordered him removed on June 24. JORDAN GRILLS SOROS-BACKED DA DESCANO IN HEATED SPAT OVER SOFT-ON-CRIME POLICY: 'THIS IS ALMOST LAUGHABLE' Conservative columnist and Fairfax resident Tim Carney similarly tweeted that "my local prosecutor Steve Descano has a unique deportation policy." "He endorsed giving an accused murderer, who was deemed insane, permission to travel to DC to get a passport. The accused murderer, on weekend leave, then hopped on a plane and fled to Asia." "Total system failure," former police officer turned conservative commentator Brandon Tatum tweeted. Virginia authorities have issued a warrant for Toshpulodzoda’s arrest if he returns to the U.S. Toshpulodzoda entered the U.S. during the Obama administration and later violated the terms of his admission, according to DHS. According to several reports, Toshpulodzoda admitted to Fairfax authorities that he killed Hemmatian but was later found NGRI and institutionalized. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to Descano’s local races in the heavily Democratic Beltway county. Fox News Digital reached out to the Tajik Embassy, the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office and the State Department for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85fae22c5335ae1048b52b Walz defies Trump on key minerals as GOP warns China stands to benefit te 2026-08-19T18:50:10.885Z Walz defies Trump on key minerals as GOP warns China stands to benefit Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is catching heat for defying President Donald Trump on a key energy policy. The progressive Midwestern leader issued an executive order on Tuesday blocking mining permits and leases near a swath of land in northeast Minnesota called the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a significant portion of which is under federal jurisdiction. That's despite President Donald Trump signing legislation in April that reversed a Biden administration-era order blocking new mining leases near the Boundary Waters for a period of 20 years. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., the highest-ranking Minnesotan in Congress, called Walz's move "stupid" and "dangerous." TRUMP'S AMBITIOUS ENERGY BET COULD BE A WINNING HAND AS THE WORLD BURNS MORE OIL, GAS THAN EVER "This lame duck loser is trying to make us more energy and mineral-dependent on our adversaries," Emmer told Fox News Digital. MINNESOTA FRAUD SCANDAL WILL HAUNT FLANAGAN IN HIGH-STAKES SENATE RACE, TOP HOUSE REPUBLICAN WARNS He said the order would "harm Minnesota, good union jobs in northern Minnesota," and "put our national defense more at risk with our enemies, adversaries like Communist China." The legislation, which passed the House and Senate before getting to Trump's desk, was led by Rep. Pete Stauber, R-Minn. Walz's order focuses on the mining of metals like copper and nickel, which have a variety of uses including boat components, electric vehicle components, military equipment, and commercial electronics. TRUMP GETS MAJOR WIN AGAINST CHINA IN AFRICAN RARE EARTH MINERALS RACE Northeastern Minnesota is home to the largest known untapped source of nickel and copper in North America, called the Duluth Complex. Emmer argued that a failure to tap into those resources would put the U.S. at a disadvantage to China's metal mining industry. Mining is already banned inside the Boundary Waters, but environmental groups who hailed Walz's order have warned that mining in the protected lands outside its buffer zone still risks harming that inner area, according to MPR News. "The Federal Government sold out our canoe country earlier this year by stripping away protections that took hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans' voices and years of work to secure, all while ignoring science and the will of the public," Save The Boundary Waters executive director Ingrid Lyons said in a statement. "Now, our Governor is doing right by Minnesota by pulling out all of the stops to keep toxic copper mining out of the headwaters of the Boundary Waters, while also calling on our state's legislature to finish the job permanently. Thank you, Governor, for your actions that save the Boundary Waters today, and for building a foundation from which to protect it for generations to come." But when asked about environmental groups' support, Emmer dismissed it as a "false argument." "Every one of us is an environmentalist. I make this point, so nobody gets to claim the high ground. It's like somebody saying, 'I'm a better conservative than you.' No, we all care about our environment. We all want clean water. We all want clean air," he said. "What you're literally saying is, 'I'd rather have the Chinese and other adversaries mine in the old-fashioned ways and not care about leaving the world in a better condition, than allow us to do it right here in Minnesota, where we have one of the top precious metal mines in the world'...and we have the most stringent environmental laws in the world, I would argue, that are going to ensure that it's done safely, and it protects not only the people doing the work, but it protects the environment." Fox News Digital reached out to Walz's office for a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85fadb2c5335ae1048b4ec Researchers complain that OpenAI revoked their access to limited cyber program te 2026-08-19T18:50:03.319Z Researchers complain that OpenAI revoked their access to limited cyber program Multiple cybersecurity researchers said they suddenly lost access to OpenAI’s Trusted Access for Cyber (TAC) program, which offers models with fewer guardrails for vetted users. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85f88d2c5335ae1048b2a1 Sedona police, Sedona Fire District and SWAT to hold full-scale training exercise in Uptown on Aug. 24. te 2026-08-19T18:40:13.176Z Sedona police, Sedona Fire District and SWAT to hold full-scale training exercise in Uptown on Aug. 24. On Monday, Aug. 24, from about 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. the Sedona Police Department, Sedona Fire District and the Verde Valley Regional SWAT team will conduct a multi-agency, full-scale training exercise in Uptown to practice their collaborative response to various public safety threats. The exercise will Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85f88b2c5335ae1048b280 Karen Bass ripped after viral video lays out taxpayer-funded match of campaign donations te 2026-08-19T18:40:11.634Z Karen Bass ripped after viral video lays out taxpayer-funded match of campaign donations Democratic Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing scrutiny after an online ad revealed that that campaign contributions from supporters of her reelection bid would be matched by taxpayer dollars. "Your donation to our campaign right now is more critical than ever before," said Bass, speaking into a lapel microphone with upbeat music playing in the background of the ad, which was posted to her campaign's X account. "Let me explain," she continued. "Thanks to LA's super match program, every qualified donation from Los Angeles residents is matched 6-to-1 by the city. But after the primary, we had to start over from scratch, so we need you to rush your matching donation right now to help fuel this campaign." CALIFORNIA ELECTION RESULTS STILL UNDECIDED AS LOS ANGELES BEGINS COUNTING BALLOTS Bass noted that chipping in $5 would equate to a $35 total donation, while $25 would become $175. The explanation immediately raised eyebrows for those concerned that taxpayer dollars are being used as campaign contributions. "It's a system they set up to enrich themselves and their friends and get themselves elected," Roxanne Hoge, chairwoman of the Republican Party of Los Angeles County, told Fox News Digital in response to Bass' video.  "It's like when you're a kid, and the kid with the fancy ball gets to make all the rules of the game you're about to play. That's what this is." But the system is perfectly legal. "It's much like when people complain about election fraud in California. It's not fraud. Everything is codified just the way they like it," said Hoge. "Almost none of the money that Los Angeles takes in is used for things that make sense," she continued. "Money goes to homelessness and it increases homelessness. Basically, nothing makes sense here, and this is another thing that doesn't make sense." Bass' campaign did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Still, critics raged online about a program that has been in use for mayoral candidates since the 1990s. "This is grotesque," said author and University of Austin professor Michael Shellenberger in response to the video of Bass. "Outrageous," quipped Richard Grennell, a Trump administration official. "Hold your horses... The current Mayor of the City of LA, who is running for reelection, is allowed to take money from the city to fund her campaign at a 6 to 1 payout???" asked former Ronald Reagan official David McIntosh incredulously. "That's so innovative, I'm sure this totally legit and not communist at all," Los Angeles activist Tony Moon said sarcastically. SUPREME COURT STRIKES DOWN LIMIT ON PARTY CAMPAIGN SPENDING IN COORDINATION WITH CANDIDATES The matching program has been in effect for qualified mayoral candidates since 1990. Slowly over time, the match limit has increased, and in 2019 the current 6-to-1 match took effect and has been in use since then. Qualified candidates can choose to participate in the matching program, and must fill out a statement of acceptance of matching funds, according to city campaign rules. LA MAYORAL RACE HEADS TO NOVEMBER RUNOFF AS KAREN BASS FACES MAMDANI-STYLE SOCIALIST To qualify, a candidate must have already raised 300 times the maximum matchable amount per contributor — $257 — have at least 100 donors who have contributed $5 or more and live in Los Angeles, have an opponent and hold at least one public town hall or debate. All matched donations must come from Angelenos. FAR-LEFT POLITICIANS STILL USING ACTBLUE AS 88-YEAR-OLD DISPUTES DONATING NEARLY $150,000 TO FUNDRAISING GIANT The maximum allowable qualifying donation is $257, which, after the taxpayer-funded 6-to-1 match becomes $1,799. The total cap on matched donations is just over $1.5 million in the general election. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85f6392c5335ae1048b223 Scandals, socialists and Trump roil primaries, send incumbents packing at near-record pace te 2026-08-19T18:30:17.149Z Scandals, socialists and Trump roil primaries, send incumbents packing at near-record pace Republican Rep. Cory Mills of Florida, facing a pair of controversies, is the latest in a growing list of congressional incumbents sent packing in party primaries this year. Twelve House members and two senators have been ousted in the 2026 midterms as they bid for renomination, according to the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia. "It’s one of the highest numbers in decades in a non-national redistricting year," Center for Politics Communications Director Kyle Kondik told Fox News Digital. DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB Kondik noted that "the years that the number was higher are years that end in the number two, which are full national redistricting years. This was a partial redistricting year, but it’s a very high number historically." While the rare but not unheard of redistricting push over the past year contributed to some of the losses by incumbents, there were plenty of other factors. Those include incumbents wounded by scandals, President Donald Trump's moves to oust some GOP lawmakers, the increasing push by Democrats for generational change, and the successful movement by the far-left to target more moderate, establishment-backed Democrats in nomination showdowns. Democratic Rep. Shri Thanedar of Michigan was defeated earlier this month by a left-wing challenger, state Rep. Donavan McKinney, who is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman of New York was ousted in the state's June primary by progressive challenger Brad Lander, a former New York City comptroller who was backed by socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER Rep. Adriano Espaillat of New York, a Democrat who serves as Congressional Hispanic Caucus chair, was defeated by community organizer and activist Darializa Avila Chevalier, a DSA member who was also supported by Mamdani. Age was also a factor in the race, as the 32-year-old Chevalier ousted the 71-year-old Espaillat. Ideology and age were also key ingredients in DSA-member Melat Kiros' victory over more moderate Democratic Rep. Diana Degette of Colorado, who has served in the House for nearly three decades. Age and the push for fresh faces fueled a victory by 38-year-old Democratic Rep. Christian Menefee, who won a special congressional election earlier this year, over Rep. Al Green, a fellow Democrat who turns 79 next month. The two incumbents faced off for a House seat redrawn through a Texas Republican redistricting push. CHECK OUT THE LATEST FOX NEWS POWER RANKINGS IN THE MIDTERM RACES Redistricting in Texas also forced Democratic Rep. Julie Johnson into a showdown in the state's 33rd Congressional District against her predecessor, former Rep. Colin Allred, which Allred won in a runoff election. Generational change was the key factor as 47-year-old former Mayor Luke Bronin of Hartford, Connecticut, scored a victory in the Democratic primary over nearly 30-year congressional veteran Rep. John Larson, who is 78. Trump played a key role in the ouster of Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana earlier this year. Cassidy was one of a handful of Republican who voted to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial five years ago. Meanwhile, longtime Republican Sen. John Cornyn was defeated in the Texas GOP Senate nomination runoff election in late May by state Attorney General Ken Paxton, a MAGA firebrand and major supporter of the president. Trump stayed neutral during the year-long bitter battle, but endorsed Paxton at the last minute ahead of the runoff. 10 HOUSE INCUMBENT LAWMAKERS WHO SAW THEIR 2026 RE-ELECTION BIDS END IN PRIMARY DEFEAT Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, a very vocal Republican Trump critic, lost his renomination bid to former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein, who was backed by the president. Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Texas went down to defeat a more conservative challenger, state Rep. Steve Toth, who cast the incumbent as anti-Trump. While the president remained neutral in the race, Toth was supported by conservative firebrand Sen. Ted Cruz. Republican Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee lost the renomination despite having Trump's endorsement. Ogles, saddled by controversial comments and social media posts in recent years, was defeated by former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, who was backed by Gov. Bill Lee, former Gov. Bill Haslam and other prominent Republicans including former Trump Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. In Florida, Mills was topped by Ryan Elijah, a former local television news and sports reporter, in a four-way GOP primary in the right-leaning 7th Congressional District. Elijah repeatedly targeted Mills over the House Ethics Committee investigation into the congressman, and the restraining order placed against Mills by a judge last year after a former girlfriend said that the two-term lawmaker threatened to release sexually explicit videos of her. Mills, an Army veteran and former military contractor, denied the allegations, but faced bipartisan calls to resign. An endorsement earlier this year from President Donald Trump wasn't enough to save him in Tuesday's primary. Meanwhile, earlier this year, GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas , who had advanced to a runoff election, quit his race after admitting to an affair with a former staffer who died by suicide. Facing heavy pressure from House leaders, he resigned from Congress entirely weeks later. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85f6382c5335ae1048b21a Morning coffee could interfere with popular weight-loss pill, doctors warn te 2026-08-19T18:30:16.341Z Morning coffee could interfere with popular weight-loss pill, doctors warn Those who take oral glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications, such as Wegovy tablets, are advised not to take the medication with morning coffee or tea. According to FDA prescribing information, Wegovy tablets should be taken on an empty stomach with up to 4 ounces of water — and no other liquids. Patients should wait at least 30 minutes before consuming food, other beverages or oral medications. As the first FDA-approved oral medication for chronic weight management, the pill has different guidelines than the original injectable options, particularly because absorption through the digestive system can be affected by food and drink. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES Dr. Michael Hall, a board-certified physician, longevity specialist and author of "Infinite Youth," confirmed that oral Wegovy should be taken on an empty stomach, only with water. "Coffee, tea, juice or other drinks should not be taken with the pill because they can interfere with how the medicine is absorbed," the Miami Beach, Florida-based doctor told Fox News Digital. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ For oral GLP-1 users, Hall recommends the following morning routine. "Food and beverages other than water, and other oral medicines, can affect absorption if taken too soon," Hall said. "The safest rule is 30 minutes of nothing by mouth except water after the tablet." The expert added that GLP-1 medications can also slow stomach emptying, which can impact how other oral medications are absorbed. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel agreed that a GLP-1 pill should not be taken with caffeine, but only on an empty stomach with water. While drinking tea throughout the day generally does not interfere with oral GLP-1s or block their absorption, patients should consult their physicians, Siegel told Fox News Digital. The doctor added that certain teas, like green, black and white teas, can help support digestion, while ginger and peppermint tea can help alleviate nausea. Fox News Digital reached out to Wegovy maker Novo Nordisk for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85f6302c5335ae1048b1f4 Veterans have waited long enough te 2026-08-19T18:30:08.505Z Veterans have waited long enough Matt Kenney In 2014, the country learned something that veterans in Phoenix already knew: the system that was supposed to care for them was failing.  The Phoenix VA scandal exposed veterans waiting months for medical appointments while employees manipulated scheduling records to make wait times appear shorter. An investigation identified approximately 1,700 veterans in Phoenix who were waiting for care but were not even on the official electronic wait list. It was an extraordinary breach of trust. I had returned home from serving as an active-duty Army infantry officer only a few months earlier. Watching what happened in Phoenix pulled me into veterans advocacy. I went to work advocating for VA reform because I could not accept that veterans who kept their commitment to this country were being failed by the institutions responsible for keeping our commitment to them. A lot has changed since 2014. The scandal forced Washington to confront longstanding problems at the VA and helped launch a decade of bipartisan reforms aimed at accountability, access to community care and giving veterans greater control over their health care. Those reforms mattered. But they did not finish the job. Congress now has another opportunity to make meaningful improvements for veterans and their families by passing the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act. The legislation brings together more than 60 veterans’ priorities, addressing health care, disability benefits, mental health, caregivers, surviving spouses, education and the transition to civilian life. Many have been debated and negotiated for years. They don’t need another hearing. They need a vote. One provision I care most about is the Major Richard Star Act. Today, some veterans medically retired because of combat-related injuries cannot receive the full military retirement pay and VA disability compensation they would otherwise be entitled to receive.  In effect, the injury that ended their military career can also prevent them from receiving the full benefits associated with that career. That has never made sense to me. Retirement pay recognizes military service.  Disability compensation recognizes an injury incurred because of that service. They are two different things. If an American goes to war and suffers a combat-related injury that ends his or her career, that veteran should not receive less because the injury prevented them from making it to 20 years. The Richard Star Act would help fix that inequity. But it is only one part of a much larger bill. The Take Care of America’s Veterans Act also addresses veterans’ access to care, mental health and addiction treatment, support for surviving spouses and caregivers, and dozens of other issues that rarely make national headlines but matter enormously to the people affected by them. There are legitimate disagreements about portions of this legislation. Good. Work them out. That’s the job. I don’t expect Congress to pass a major piece of legislation without debating its cost or consequences.  With a national debt that threatens our long-term security, I want lawmakers asking hard questions about federal spending. But fiscal responsibility also means understanding the difference between making a new promise and honoring an old obligation. Veterans benefits are not charity. When the United States sends a young man or woman to war, some costs don’t appear until years or decades later. They appear as disability claims, cancer treatments, mental health care, caregiver needs and survivor benefits.  Those costs don’t stop being costs of war simply because they appear in the VA budget instead of the Pentagon’s. I think often about the generation that answered the call after September 11. My generation. The lesson I took from Phoenix in 2014 was simple: promises to veterans mean very little unless someone is willing to fight to make government keep them. More than a decade later, that principle hasn’t changed.  Nobody needs to pretend the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act is perfect. If something needs to be changed, change it. If lawmakers have a legitimate concern, resolve it. But don’t use imperfection as an excuse to do nothing.  Congress has an opportunity to build on more than a decade of veterans reform and deliver meaningful improvements for veterans, caregivers, survivors and military families. Finish the negotiations. Find the votes. Pass the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act. Matt Kenney is a veteran advocate, combat veteran and former member of the Arizona Veterans’ Advisory Commission.  The post Veterans have waited long enough first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85f62b2c5335ae1048b1d9 Investigadora de la UA desarrolla un marco ético para datos de tribus te 2026-08-19T18:30:03.565Z Investigadora de la UA desarrolla un marco ético para datos de tribus Leer en inglés Stephanie Russo Carroll ha pasado dos décadas observando cómo personas ajenas a las comunidades indígenas toman elementos de estas sin permiso: desde ceremonias de cabañas de sudor vendidas en retiros de bienestar hasta datos genéticos de una tribu utilizados para investigaciones que nunca fueron aprobadas. Ahora, ha desarrollado un marco de trabajo destinado a poner fin a esta situación. Para Carroll, la lucha no es algo abstracto. Es personal, profesional y, en ocasiones, ha llegado directamente a su propia bandeja de entrada. Carroll, quien pertenece al pueblo Ahtna y es ciudadana de la Native Village of Kluti-Kaah en Alaska, además de tener ascendencia siciliana, es directora del Collaboratory for Indigenous Data Governance de la Universidad de Arizona y profesora asociada de Comunidad, Medio Ambiente y Políticas Públicas. Asimismo, es miembro fundador de U.S. Indigenous Data Sovereignty Network y de la Global Indigenous Data Alliance, y preside a nivel mundial el Equity for Indigenous Research and Innovation Coordinating Hub.. Trabajó en el ámbito de la gobernanza indígena durante más de 20 años antes de obtener su doctorado en salud pública. Durante ese tiempo, Carroll observó que los departamentos tribales a menudo no compartían datos entre sí; según ella, esto dificultaba comunicar sus necesidades de manera que cumplieran con los estándares gubernamentales de registro estadístico y financiación. También descubrió que muchos gobiernos tribales desconocían las leyes federales relativas al intercambio de información sanitaria protegida, lo que agravaba aún más la falta de coherencia. Enseñar a los gobiernos tribales a gestionar y compartir eficazmente sus propios datos se convirtió en el punto de partida de la labor de Carroll con los datos de las naciones indígenas. Sin embargo, el acceso y el intercambio de estadísticas tribales no son el único foco de atención de Carroll. También le preocupa la ética en la recopilación y el uso de dichos datos; sostiene que el conocimiento, la lengua y la cultura indígenas solo deben recopilarse con consentimiento, comprensión cultural y beneficio mutuo, y que los investigadores no indígenas deben garantizar la exactitud de los datos que recaban. "Es una cuestión ética, porque los pueblos indígenas, las naciones tribales y las comunidades indígenas tienen derechos y responsabilidades respecto al cuidado de sus conocimientos, lenguas e información," declaró Carroll al El Foco de Tucson. "Los sistemas creados en este país, así como muchas otras estructuras coloniales, no están diseñados para respetar ni siquiera para cumplir con esos derechos y responsabilidades." Tu membresía permite remunerar a periodistas emergentes para que cubran el sur de Arizona como se merece. Stephanie Russo Carroll ayudó a desarrollar los principios CARE en 2020, un marco diseñado para proteger el conocimiento, la cultura y los datos indígenas frente a la explotación. Cortesía de la UA. Carroll no tiene que buscar muy lejos para encontrar un ejemplo. Las cabañas de sudoración ilustran por qué esto es importante. Durante milenios, han servido como una práctica sagrada, privada y medicinal. Hoy en día, es común ver anuncios de "cabañas de sudoración" en retiros de bienestar, centros de recuperación y otros negocios no tribales; una práctica que, según Carroll, contraviene los valores indígenas tradicionales y subraya la necesidad de contar con conocimientos culturales sobre cómo se emplean estas prácticas. Muchas de las personas que estudiaron y ahora ofrecen esta práctica nunca solicitaron permiso ni reconocieron la autoría de las naciones indígenas de las que la tomaron, dejando a dichas comunidades fuera de las decisiones sobre el uso de sus conocimientos y de los beneficios derivados de los mismos. Algunos actores externos se han lucrado con la práctica, mientras que las comunidades de origen no han recibido reconocimiento ni beneficio alguno. Patrones similares se han observado en los sectores farmacéutico, de gestión ambiental y de gobernanza. Para abordar estas cuestiones, Carroll ayudó a desarrollar en 2020 un nuevo marco para la gestión de datos indígenas denominado CARE (siglas en inglés de Beneficio Colectivo, Autoridad para Controlar, Responsabilidad y Ética). Estos principios están diseñados para complementar los estándares de datos científicos existentes y atender las necesidades específicas de las comunidades indígenas. El "beneficio colectivo" refleja la idea de que las naciones indígenas pueden utilizar sus datos no solo para generar ingresos muy necesarios, sino también para mejorar la salud y el bienestar de todos los parientes, tanto humanos como no humanos. La Global Indigenous Data Alliance describe el beneficio colectivo como algo que incluye "el derecho a generar valor a partir de los datos indígenas de maneras fundamentadas en las cosmovisiones indígenas y que aprovechen las oportunidades dentro de la economía del conocimiento." La "autoridad para controlar" tiene como objetivo proteger a las naciones indígenas de la explotación y evitar la difusión de interpretaciones erróneas de los conocimientos culturales. Este principio también otorga a las naciones y pueblos indígenas la capacidad de establecer salvaguardas sobre cómo se utilizan sus datos; un aspecto que Carroll destaca al referirse al caso en que la Universidad Estatal de Arizona (ASU) utilizó información genética de la tribu Havasupai. En 2010, ASU llegó a un acuerdo para resolver una demanda tras haber utilizado información genética del pueblo Havasupai sin su consentimiento. Los investigadores habían empleado las muestras para probar teorías, incluidas algunas de índole racista, que iban mucho más allá de lo que los Havasupai habían autorizado al dar su consentimiento. Casos como este, señaló Carroll, demuestran por qué es necesaria la capacidad de controlar los datos indígenas para evitar que actores malintencionados hagan un uso indebido de ellos. El principio de "responsabilidad" de los principios CARE reafirma el derecho de los pueblos, comunidades y naciones indígenas a ser los responsables de cómo se recopilan, utilizan y transfieren sus datos. Dicho principio cobra especial relevancia para Carroll a raíz de su propia experiencia durante la pandemia de COVID-19, cuando las tribus estaban obligadas a reportar datos con mayor frecuencia y bajo modalidades distintas a las exigidas a las agencias locales y estatales; una situación que derivó en una filtración de información que llegó a su bandeja de entrada. "No sé si se compartió a propósito o por error, pero se envió por correo electrónico en una hoja de cálculo de Excel," comentó Carroll. El medio The Hill informó que el incidente se debió a un error de un empleado. Se filtraron datos sobre tenencia de tierras, gastos, población e información de contacto de representantes tribales a terceros, incluidas otras tribus, según lo reportado por dicho medio. El principio de responsabilidad sostiene que los propietarios de los datos deben ser quienes se encarguen de su custodia y difusión. Para Carroll, todo se reduce a una idea sencilla: las personas a las que se refieren los datos deben tener la última palabra sobre el destino de los mismos. Carroll espera que estas nuevas normas éticas sirvan de marco para futuras políticas y aporten legitimidad a las naciones indígenas que enfrentan desafíos relacionados con su soberanía. Katherine Martinez es una estudiante de periodismo de ascendencia Kickapoo-Potawatomi en la Universidad de Arizona y pasante en El Foco de Tucson. Puede contactarla en martinezk29@arizona.edu. Esta nota fue traducida por el equipo bilingüe de El Foco de Tucson. El Foco de Tucson es una sala de prensa comunitaria que ofrece oportunidades remuneradas a estudiantes y periodistas emergentes del sur de Arizona. Por favor, considera apoyar nuestro trabajo con una donación deducible de impuestos. Donar a El Foco Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85f3da2c5335ae1048b183 Incumbents sent packing at near-record pace as scandals, socialists and Trump roil primaries te 2026-08-19T18:20:10.651Z Incumbents sent packing at near-record pace as scandals, socialists and Trump roil primaries Republican Rep. Cory Mills of Florida, facing a pair of controversies, is the latest in a growing list of congressional incumbents sent packing in party primaries this year. Twelve House members and two senators have been ousted in the 2026 midterms as they bid for renomination, according to the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia. "It’s one of the highest numbers in decades in a non-national redistricting year," Center for Politics Communications Director Kyle Kondik told Fox News Digital. DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB Kondik noted that "the years that the number was higher are years that end in the number two, which are full national redistricting years. This was a partial redistricting year, but it’s a very high number historically." While the rare but not unheard of redistricting push over the past year contributed to some of the losses by incumbents, there were plenty of other factors. Those include incumbents wounded by scandals, President Donald Trump's moves to oust some GOP lawmakers, the increasing push by Democrats for generational change, and the successful movement by the far-left to target more moderate, establishment-backed Democrats in nomination showdowns. Democratic Rep. Shri Thanedar of Michigan was defeated earlier this month by a left-wing challenger, state Rep. Donavan McKinney, who is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman of New York was ousted in the state's June primary by progressive challenger Brad Lander, a former New York City comptroller who was backed by socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER Rep. Adriano Espaillat of New York, a Democrat who serves as Congressional Hispanic Caucus chair, was defeated by community organizer and activist Darializa Avila Chevalier, a DSA member who was also supported by Mamdani. Age was also a factor in the race, as the 32-year-old Chevalier ousted the 71-year-old Espaillat. Ideology and age were also key ingredients in DSA-member Melat Kiros' victory over more moderate Democratic Rep. Diana Degette of Colorado, who has served in the House for nearly three decades. Age and the push for fresh faces fueled a victory by 38-year-old Democratic Rep. Christian Menefee, who won a special congressional election earlier this year, over Rep. Al Green, a fellow Democrat who turns 79 next month. The two incumbents faced off for a House seat redrawn through a Texas Republican redistricting push. CHECK OUT THE LATEST FOX NEWS POWER RANKINGS IN THE MIDTERM RACES Redistricting in Texas also forced Democratic Rep. Julie Johnson into a showdown in the state's 33rd Congressional District against her predecessor, former Rep. Colin Allred, which Allred won in a runoff election. Generational change was the key factor as 47-year-old former Mayor Luke Bronin of Hartford, Connecticut, scored a victory in the Democratic primary over nearly 30-year congressional veteran Rep. John Larson, who is 78. Trump played a key role in the ouster of Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana earlier this year. Cassidy was one of a handful of Republican who voted to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial five years ago. Meanwhile, longtime Republican Sen. John Cornyn was defeated in the Texas GOP Senate nomination runoff election in late May by state Attorney General Ken Paxton, a MAGA firebrand and major supporter of the president. Trump stayed neutral during the year-long bitter battle, but endorsed Paxton at the last minute ahead of the runoff. 10 HOUSE INCUMBENT LAWMAKERS WHO SAW THEIR 2026 RE-ELECTION BIDS END IN PRIMARY DEFEAT Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, a very vocal Republican Trump critic, lost his renomination bid to former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein, who was backed by the president. Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Texas went down to defeat a more conservative challenger, state Rep. Steve Toth, who cast the incumbent as anti-Trump. While the president remained neutral in the race, Toth was supported by conservative firebrand Sen. Ted Cruz. Republican Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee lost the renomination despite having Trump's endorsement. Ogles, saddled by controversial comments and social media posts in recent years, was defeated by former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, who was backed by Gov. Bill Lee, former Gov. Bill Haslam and other prominent Republicans including former Trump Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. In Florida, Mills was topped by Ryan Elijah, a former local television news and sports reporter, in a four-way GOP primary in the right-leaning 7th Congressional District. Elijah repeatedly targeted Mills over the House Ethics Committee investigation into the congressman, and the restraining order placed against Mills by a judge last year after a former girlfriend said that the two-term lawmaker threatened to release sexually explicit videos of her. Mills, an Army veteran and former military contractor, denied the allegations, but faced bipartisan calls to resign. An endorsement earlier this year from President Donald Trump wasn't enough to save him in Tuesday's primary. Meanwhile, earlier this year, GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas , who had advanced to a runoff election, quit his race after admitting to an affair with a former staffer who died by suicide. Facing heavy pressure from House leaders, he resigned from Congress entirely weeks later. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85f3d52c5335ae1048b15a Carrillo returns to coaching NPA boys soccer with work to rebuild team te 2026-08-19T18:20:05.140Z Carrillo returns to coaching NPA boys soccer with work to rebuild team Coconino boys soccer coach Erik Carrillo is also coaching at NPA this fall season, returning to where his high school coaching career started. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85f1852c5335ae1048b120 Angel Reese 'didn't sleep' after blowing game-winning layup against Fever, smirking Caitlin Clark te 2026-08-19T18:10:13.542Z Angel Reese 'didn't sleep' after blowing game-winning layup against Fever, smirking Caitlin Clark Missed layups are part of basketball, even at the professional level, but not all missed layups are equal, and Angel Reese may understand that reality more than any other player in the WNBA. The three-time All-Star is no stranger to missing layups – it comes with the territory as a post position player – but she's also been on the receiving end of plenty of criticism for her, let's call them efforts, underneath the basket. One of her most recent bricked layup attempts carried more weight than others, and she admitted it weighed on her in a major way. With her Atlanta Dream team knotted up with the Indiana Fever 81-81 in the fourth quarter on Sunday, Reese found herself with an opportunity to win the game with just seconds remaining. She missed the layup, the game went to overtime, and Caitlin Clark's Fever got the last laugh, 95-91. ANGEL REESE ADMITS SHE WAS 'PLAYING LIKE S---' BEFORE HELPING DREAM BUILD HALFTIME LEAD OVER FEVER "I didn’t sleep, and the competitor in me wanted to win that game so bad," Reese recalled of the missed game-winner following the Dream's win over the Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday. "I replayed that play so many times, but I’m like: Why would I let one moment dictate everything else that I have going on that is positive?" Reese scored 15 points and snagged 14 rebounds in the loss to the Fever over the weekend, but the double-double wasn't memorable as the missed layup or Clark being caught on camera smirking after the failed game-winning attempt. CAITLIN CLARK HELPS WNBA SHATTER ANOTHER TV RATINGS RECORD AS FEVER-DREAM DRAWS MASSIVE AUDIENCE Reese made it a point to try and flush the bad ending against the Fever before her team's eventual win over the Aces on Tuesday. "It would have been negative for me not to come out tonight and just bounce back, and I knew they expected it from me — so just being able to do it obviously against [A'ja Wilson], trying to deflect as many passes as I can," Reese said after the Dream's win over Las Vegas. "I mean, she’s going to get her shots up, of course. But just knowing my spots and how great I am defensively to put pressure on her." Wilson scored 27 points and recorded 14 rebounds in the Aces' 97-82 loss against Reese and the Dream. Reese leads the WNBA in rebounding this season, averaging 12 per contest, and has notched 24 double-doubles in 34 games. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85f1842c5335ae1048b117 Yankees favored on the moneyline against Orioles as Baltimore's postseason hopes fade further te 2026-08-19T18:10:12.755Z Yankees favored on the moneyline against Orioles as Baltimore's postseason hopes fade further It was another loss on my record yesterday, and that makes three straight, which, unfortunately, means I'm on a losing streak. It isn't quite a slump yet, and we've had a really good stretch over the last month or so. Still, I never like losing, especially when I'm on the right side of two games, but took the run line instead of the moneyline. I'm going to hope we can dodge that same fate today in a game between the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles. The Yankees are still staying afloat. They are currently 15 games above .500, but they are looking up at the Tampa Bay Rays in their own division. If you're a Yankee fan, you have to wonder where the team would be if Aaron Judge never got hurt. The problem is that it seems Judge gets injured every season. As great as he is, if he isn't on the field, he obviously cannot make an impact. They have a lot more injuries than just Judge at the moment. Cody Bellinger is injured, Giancarlo Stanton is out, and Max Fried went on the injured list when Carlos Rodon got off of it. AARON JUDGE OFFICIALLY OUT INDEFINITELY WITH STRESS FRACTURE IN HUGE BLOW TO YANKEES' TITLE HOPES No one will feel bad for the team — everyone has to deal with injuries. Today, the Yankees send out Will Warren to the hill. He has an 8-6 record with a 4.42 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. He isn't someone that you'd really want to rely on to win you a postseason game, but being a fourth or fifth starter is a good role for him. He has been about the same on the road as he has been at home this season. Warren has been solid against Baltimore this season. He has made two starts against the Orioles, and he has only allowed three earned runs over 12 innings. The Orioles are creeping toward .500 baseball for the season, but it is likely too little, too late. The team came in with big expectations considering that they signed Pete Alonso in the offseason. He has been the lone bright spot for the team, leading them in all three major categories. It wasn't just a bad start for the club; it was a bad first half of games. In their first 81 games, the team went 38-43. Not too much different than where they are overall at the moment, but they were nine games under .500 on July 8th. Since then, they've gone 19-15. There is still an outside chance they can get hot enough to make the postseason. STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW! Hoping to push their roll a bit further is tonight's starter, Chris Bassitt. For the season, Bassitt is 4-4 with a 5.11 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP. He has been substantially better in Baltimore than he has been on the road, throwing to a 3.09 ERA at home compared to 7.28 on the road. He has made only 13 appearances and 11 starts this season. None of those outings have come against the Yankees. He made his return to action just five days ago against the Rays, going 5.1 innings and allowing two earned runs. Yankees hitters have been successful against him, batting .272 overall. It seems like this is a good opportunity to take the Yankees. Warren has been very good against Baltimore this season, and Bassitt has a rough history against the Bronx Bombers. Bassitt has been better in Baltimore, but I don't feel like this is a great spot to trust him. He is in just his second game back from injury, and I think we need to fade him a bit here. Give me the Yankees to take this one at -118. For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85f1832c5335ae1048b10e Tim Robbins urges Democrats to drop outrage and 'get their stuff together' te 2026-08-19T18:10:11.915Z Tim Robbins urges Democrats to drop outrage and 'get their stuff together' Tim Robbins has a blunt message for Democrats. The Oscar winner criticized the state of Democratic politics, arguing that the party needs to stop leaning so heavily on the opposition. "I personally am not a happy guy with either [party]," Robbins said of the political landscape. "I got to say, there got to be better ideas and better, you know, better motivation for people to vote for Democrats. They have to get their stuff together. They really do." TIM ROBBINS TURNS TO AYAHUASCA AFTER FEELING 'CONSUMED BY ANGER' OVER CANCEL CULTURE The "Shawshank Redemption" star offered his assessment of the Democratic Party during an appearance on the "SmartLess" podcast with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett. Robbins, 67, reflected on his 1992 directorial debut, "Bob Roberts," a  about a conservative politician who uses folk music and media savvy to build his public persona. Robbins said the film's themes have taken on new resonance in today's political climate. "Yeah. Yes. It's weird," Robbins said when asked whether he had ever looked back on the movie and realized how prescient it was. The actor recalled that when he was promoting the film, journalists frequently asked whether the movie was about then-President George H.W. Bush, who was seeking re-election against Bill Clinton. "I said, 'Well yeah, he's actually in the film. You know, there's clips of him in the film, but it also could be about, you know, the Gore Vidal character, too. It could be about why change doesn't happen.’" Robbins argued that people can use political outrage as a substitute for purpose by waking up, checking their phones and immediately looking for the latest person or political development to hate. KELSEY GRAMMER SUSPECTS HE 'MAY HAVE' LOST HOLLYWOOD ROLES DUE TO CONSERVATIVE VIEWS "The idea that you can find your worth and purpose and virtue by hatred is this terrible, terrible idea," Robbins said. "The idea that if the source of your hatred is a particular person you don't know, it's even a worse idea. You're battling a concept or an idea or a philosophy. You're not dealing with an individual." Robbins said the phenomenon isn't confined to one side of the political aisle. "So I feel like there's too many people that wake up agitated about political figures … on either side and it's not a good way to start your day." LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "If the first thing you're doing is doomscrolling about something that will make you feel better about your political beliefs, you know, you might try a little yoga, or you might try a little exercise or take a bike ride." The comments come weeks after Robbins discussed his own struggle with political anger and polarization. In July, Robbins said an ayahuasca experience helped him let go of anger he had carried over America's increasingly bitter cultural divide. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Robbins explained that he entered the ayahuasca experience hoping to stop allowing outrage to consume him. "They tell you to go in with an intention," Robbins said during an appearance on "The Joe Rogan Experience." "My intention was to … I was frustrated with feeling anger about what was going on in the world, and I said, 'I want to release that. I don't want to be consumed by that anger.'" Robbins has been a fixture in Hollywood for more than four decades, winning the Academy Award for best supporting actor for 2003's "Mystic River" and starring in films like "The Shawshank Redemption," "Bull Durham" and "Top Gun." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85f1832c5335ae1048b105 Former Fauci adviser pleads guilty to conspiring to conceal COVID-19 records te 2026-08-19T18:10:11.176Z Former Fauci adviser pleads guilty to conspiring to conceal COVID-19 records David Morens, a former advisor to Dr. Anthony Fauci and senior official at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiring to evade records requests involving COVID-19 research grants, FBI Director Kash Patel announced. "After an FBI investigation with our DOJ partners, Dr. Fauci’s associate, David Morens, just pleaded guilty to conspiracy in a scheme to avoid FOIA requests and the Federal Records Act connected to COVID-19 research grants," Patel wrote in a Tuesday post on X. "The FBI uncovered that Morens, Co-Conspirator 1, Co-Conspirator 2, and others conspired during the COVID-19 pandemic to defraud the United States after the National Institutes of Health terminated Co-Conspirator 1’s grant," Patel's post continued. "NIH terminated the grant, 'Understanding the Risk of Bat coronavirus Emergence,' based on allegations that COVID-19 emerged from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) in Wuhan, China. Mr. Morens and his co-conspirators then agreed in writing to intentionally hide their communications from public view by corresponding through Morens’s personal Gmail account rather than his official NIH email account," Patel also added. RAND PAUL BRINGS CIA WHISTLEBLOWER TO SENATE HEARING ALLEGING 'DEEP STATE' COVID-19 CONSPIRACY The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) indicted Morens in April, charging him with conspiracy, destruction and concealment of federal records and related offenses. FAUCI'S DIARY SHOWS HE FED QUESTIONS TO JOURNALISTS, BUILT FRIENDSHIPS WITH MEDIA FIGURES Morens, it was revealed after the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic acquired his emails, instructed colleagues to circumvent his official NIAID email and communicate with him through his private email address. "This is sent from my gmail account. Please send all replies here To gmail ... There are things I cant say except [Senior NIAID official 1] is aware and I have learned that there are ongoing efforts within NIH to steer through this with minimal damage to you, [Co-Conspirator 1], and colleagues, and to nih and niaid," Morens wrote to a colleague, according to emails released by the committee. FAUCI HELD IN CONTEMPT AS COVID CELLPHONE LANDS IN HANDS OF SENATE INVESTIGATORS In another email Morens wrote to EcoHealth Alliance President Peter Daszak, Morens appeared to recount how a Fauci aide instructed him to delete emails. "I learned from your FOIA lady here now how to make emails disappeared when I am FOIA'ed but before the search starts, so I think we are all safe. Plus, I deleted most of these earlier emails after sending them to Gmail," he wrote in 2021. "In another email, dated 4/21/21, Morens wrote, "I forgot to say, there is no worry about FOIAs. I can either send stuff to Tony on his private email or hand it to him at work or at his house. He is too smart to let colleagues send him stuff that could cause trouble.'' Daszak, who ran the EcoHealth firm that obtained a federal grant to study coronaviruses in China, was debarred from receiving federal grant funding in 2025 after allegedly failing to disclose the grant's role in funding gain-of-function research on viruses. When sentenced on Nov. 12, Morens could face up to five years in prison. "By pleading guilty today, Dr. Morens has taken responsibility for what he did, ​and he will continue to do so," Morens' attorney Timothy Belevetz said in a statement, according to NBC News. Fox News Digital contacted Morens' attorney, the DOJ and the NIAID for further comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85f1822c5335ae1048b0fc DSA’s growing grip on Dem Party hits new territory as establishment falls in line te 2026-08-19T18:10:10.309Z DSA’s growing grip on Dem Party hits new territory as establishment falls in line The Democratic Socialists of America is expanding its influence inside the Democratic Party, as socialist-backed candidates rack up primary wins and establishment Democrats increasingly fall in line behind them. That dynamic is now reaching Georgia, where Sen. Jon Ossoff backed Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed after his primary victory, even as Republicans seek to make El-Sayed's socialist support and political associations an issue in Ossoff's own race. The victories are creating a new political vulnerability for Democrats, as party leaders increasingly close ranks behind candidates backed by the left while Republicans try to tie them to the socialist movement’s policies and allies. "The primary is in the past and the nominee has my support," Ossoff said after El-Sayed emerged victorious from Michigan's Democratic primary. BIDEN-WORLD VETERAN ISSUES STARK WARNING ABOUT ABDUL EL-SAYED AS HE CROSSES PARTY LINES The Atlanta DSA chapter also opened its first independent office in August, giving the organization a permanent organizing base in Georgia. Ossoff is not alone. Rep. Haley Stevens, who warned during the Michigan primary that Democrats embracing socialism were "missing" what was at stake, rallied behind El-Sayed after narrowly losing to him. "That's called democracy," Stevens said of backing El-Sayed. "You don't sign up for a Democratic Party to be salty grapes and... just continue to hold a grudge." The post-primary unity gives Republicans a chance to argue that Democrats who once distanced themselves from socialism are now supporting socialist-backed candidates. "Jon Ossoff’s big plan is to abandon Georgia to run for president, but he can’t do that without the support of the communist wing of his party, which calls all the shots. To seek the blessing of the communists, Ossoff knew he had to endorse the Islamo-Marxist [Abdul El-Sayed] in Michigan," Georgia GOP Senate candidate Mike Collins’ campaign adviser Tim Murtaugh told Fox News Digital. "But he must also know that he gets everything that comes along with that, including the dangerous anti-American, racist, anti-Jew, pro-Marxist junk. By wrapping his arms around the most radical elements of his party, Jon Ossoff has embraced the unembraceable," Murtaugh added. Socialists see the same election results very differently. Hartzell Gray, a DSA member and former congressional candidate, called recent primary victories the movement's "scoreboard." "We come with a movement. We cannot be stopped," Gray told Fox News Digital. "And no matter what one person or one personality that's gonna be targeted, there's a whole lot of personalities that are reclaiming our power." Socialist streamer Hasan Piker’s continued association with El-Sayed has come under fire from Republicans and other critics, particularly as Piker faces renewed scrutiny over inflammatory remarks from his past. Piker has faced widespread criticism for saying that "America deserved 9/11" and, in another resurfaced remark, calling to let the streets soak in "red capitalist blood." MICHIGAN DEMOCRAT HALEY STEVENS BACKS EL-SAYED AFTER NARROW PRIMARY DEFEAT, CALLS SOCIALISM ‘DANGEROUS’ Weeks before the primary, El-Sayed was pressed on Piker's remark during an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press." "It was a dumb statement," El-Sayed said, while making clear that he did not believe America deserved the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, but rejected the idea that Piker should be cast aside over it. Piker endorsed and supported Sen. Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign, and the two have since appeared together at events. Sanders, when previously asked about Piker's 9/11 remark, similarly called it "a dumb statement." Gray also rejected the idea that Piker's rhetoric should make him politically untouchable. HASAN PIKER TORCHED OVER PLAYBOOK TO DODGE HIS PAST CONTROVERSIES: 'BATS--- CRAZY' "I'll tell you right now, if given the chance to go back on, I go on again and again," Gray told Fox News Digital of appearing on Piker's podcast. "I'd be a weekly correspondent. I'll make my own theme song." Gray argued that Piker is helping to "reclaim the American promise" as socialist candidates challenge Democratic establishment figures around the country. PROGRESSIVES WANT TO TAX BILLIONAIRES FIRST, AND YOU'RE NEXT ON THE LIST Gray said "billionaires should not exist," arguing that capitalism itself does not create wealth — working people do. "It is working people who have been exploited along the way that have made our folks successful and whatever that is that that means," Gray said. The socialist movement notched another major victory Tuesday, when DSA member Angie Nixon upset Alex Vindman in Florida's Democratic Senate primary, becoming the party's nominee to face Republican Sen. Ashley Moody in November. Fox News Digital reached out to Sanders, Piker and the DSA for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85f17d2c5335ae1048b0d6 In Wyoming’s G.O.P. Primaries, an Emphatic Rebuke of the Hard Right te 2026-08-19T18:10:05.470Z In Wyoming’s G.O.P. Primaries, an Emphatic Rebuke of the Hard Right The Wyoming Freedom Caucus had ambitions for a total takeover of elected state government. But its candidates were rejected from the governor’s mansion to the Legislature. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85ef2c2c5335ae1048b09d Former NBA player Royce White officially declares for 2027 WNBA Draft as league's culture war continues te 2026-08-19T18:00:12.369Z Former NBA player Royce White officially declares for 2027 WNBA Draft as league's culture war continues EXCLUSIVE: Former NBA player and men's college basketball star Royce White has officially declared for the WNBA Draft. White's notice of draft declaration was signed on Monday and sent to the WNBA League office, as seen in a copy obtained by Fox News Digital. The declaration was signed by White's legal counsel, former U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz. "As of the signing of the attached declaration, Ms. White identifies as a transgender woman. Consistent with Article XIII, Section 1(a) of the 2026–2033 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the WNBA and the WNBPA, Ms. White affirms her eligibility to be considered for selection on that basis," Gaetz wrote in the notice. "Ms. White further affirms, consistent with Article XIII, Section 1(b)(i), that she will be at least twenty-two (22) years of age during the calendar year of the Draft and has no remaining intercollegiate eligibility. We respectfully request written confirmation of the League's receipt of this notice within ten (10) business days of the date above, and a written determination of Ms. White's eligibility status, including the basis for any determination, at the League's earliest opportunity. We appreciate your attention to this matter and are available to discuss at your convenience." White wrote in the notice, "As of signing this declaration, I identify as a transgender woman." FORMER NBA PLAYER ROYCE WHITE SAYS HE IS DECLARING FOR NEXT WNBA DRAFT AFTER ENES KANTER ANNOUNCEMENT White has provided a statement to Fox News Digital addressing the declaration.  "FBA Trans Lesbains matter and we have a right to exist. We have a right to be included and follow our dreams. Thank you to all the Americans that are supporting me, it does not go unnoticed," White said.  Fox News Digital has reached out to the WNBA for a response to White's declaration, and is awaiting a response. White announced he would be declaring for the WNBA Draft in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital on Aug. 7. The announcement came hours after fellow former NBA star Enes Kanter Freedom announced on social media he would be declaring for the WNBA Draft. "I'm transgender. I'm a woman. I identify as sometimes identifying as a woman for purpose of basketball, professional basketball, so I'll be declaring for the WNBA draft in 2027 as well," White said that day. White said only the league could end his challenge by stating its position plainly on the subject of males playing in women's sports. "I think the WNBA could come out and make a definitive statement about guys with a pair of balls playing in the Women’s Association," he said. Asked whether he would proceed unless the league did make such a statement, White replied, "Oh, no, I’m declaring. And I don’t want to be discriminated against. I want fair treatment. I’m a young Black, hopefully United States Senator that would like a fair chance to participate as a sometimes-identifying-as-a-transgender-woman athlete." White also suggested that he would pursue legal action if he goes undrafted and is not signed to a team. WNBA COMMISSIONER CATHY ENGELBERT SENDS TRANS INCLUSION MEMO AFTER ENES FREEDOM, ROYCE WHITE ANNOUNCEMENTS "I have to file a discrimination lawsuit, right? I mean, that's, that's ridiculous," he said. "We're gonna have to have a huge legal battle about discrimination if I can't play." White never scored a point in the NBA, only playing nine total minutes across 3 games for the Sacramento Kings, but was a star in college for Iowa State. During the 2011-12 college basketball season, White led the Cyclones in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals while earning All-Big 12 First Team honors and a 16th overall pick in the NBA Draft. White was running for U.S. Senate at the time of the announcement, and recently lost his primary bid for a U.S. Senate seat in Minnesota on Aug. 11, finishing behind former Michele Tafoya. This followed his earlier 2024 general election defeat when he won the Republican nomination but lost the state's Senate race to incumbent Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar. STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW! White and Freedom's announcements have thrust the WNBA further into the cultural debate over transgender athletes in women's sports. After Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham publicly shared her stance in supporting the protection of women's sports from biological males in July, rallies in support of Cunningham have followed the Fever to most of their games since the All-Star break, which has also prompted pro-trans counterprotesters to attend the events as well. The eighth rally in support of Cunningham is planned to take place in Dallas on Thursday ahead of the Fever's game against the Wings, and the ninth rally is planned to take place in New York City on Saturday ahead of the Fever's game against the Liberty. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85ef2a2c5335ae1048b08b Here are the eight ballot measures Arizona voters will decide in November te 2026-08-19T18:00:10.702Z Here are the eight ballot measures Arizona voters will decide in November A sign directing voters to a polling location on the Navajo Nation on July 30, 2024. (Photo by Shondiin Silversmith/Arizona Mirror) After a flurry of cases were decided Tuesday by the Arizona Supreme Court, the November ballot is set and voters will be deciding the fate of eight different ballot measures. One result of the expedited appeals that the high court decided this week is that voters won’t have any direct say over how Arizona’s universal school voucher program will or won’t be regulated in the future.  Public school advocates saw their dreams of imposing strict new guardrails on the voucher system dashed when the Supreme Court ruled in a way that left them short of the minimum number of valid signatures to qualify for the ballot. And in a separate case, the justices rejected a ploy by Republican lawmakers to amend the Arizona Constitution to effectively permanently bar future changes to the universal voucher system if there is any negative impact to military families who are in the legacy portion of the Empowerment Scholarship Account program. Another proposed constitutional change that GOP legislators pushed as retribution against the Arizona Education Association, the state’s largest teachers union, for backing the voucher-reform initiative was thrown off the ballot last month after a judge concluded that it improperly also would have outlawed unions representing police officers and fire fighters. Here are the eight ballot measures remaining: Proposition 141 — Ban on vehicle-miles-traveled taxes Amends the Arizona Constitution to bar all levels of government from imposing a tax or fee based on vehicle miles traveled, or monitoring those miles. The proposal seeks to preemptively eliminate possible replacements to the gas tax that currently pays for road construction and maintenance, but which is underfunded both because the tax has not increased in decades and the proliferation of electric vehicles and fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles. Proposition 142 — Anti-DEI amendment Amends the Arizona Constitution to add prohibitions targeting diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. It would bar public institutions from compelling endorsement of race-based preferences or DEI/intersectionality tenets, and from spending public money on offices that promote race-based preferential treatment. It includes carve-outs for coursework, research, student groups and instruction about events like slavery and the Holocaust. Proposition 144 — “Fast Election Results Act” Amends the Arizona Constitution to include a series of election reforms: only citizens may vote; foreign nationals may not contribute anything of value to influence an Arizona election; and every voter must show government-issued ID before casting a ballot “whether voting in person or by any other method.” The provisions limiting voting to citizens and requiring voter ID at polling places are already in state law; it is unclear how voters would show their ID if they vote by mail, as more than 70% of voters do. Proposition 316 — Cap on local grocery taxes Amends state law to cap municipal sales taxes on food for home consumption at 2% and requires voter approval for new or increased taxes; cities and towns already above 2% are frozen at their current rate rather than rolled back. Proposition 317 — Drug cartels as terrorist organizations Amends state law to declare drug cartels terrorist organizations and direct the Arizona Department of Homeland Security to act against them. The text includes a clause stating nothing in it supports an alien’s asylum claim, and ties its findings to Proposition 314, which voters approved last year, and the “actually invaded” constitutional language. Proposition 318 — Anti-trans “Protect Girls’ Sports Act” Amends state law to expand the existing statute banning transgender students from playing on the gender-appropriate K-12 or college sports team to require that teams be designated by biological sex (per original birth certificate) beginning in 2027. Additionally, the law would be expanded to bar schools from letting transgender students use the bathroom that matches their gender identity, something Republican lawmakers have failed to add to state law for more than a decade. The provisions would now also apply to private “athletic associations,” like Little League, not just Arizona schools. Proposition 319 — Photo-enforcement voter approval Amends state law to require local governments and agencies to win voter approval to keep operating speed- and red-light cameras, unless under contract by Dec. 31, 2026. If voters approve the cameras, that authorization lasts for 10 years, after which voters must once again vote on their use.  Proposition 320 — 60% direct-instructional-spending mandate Amends state law to require large school districts (those with at least 7,500-plus students) and all districts in Maricopa and Pima counties to spend at least 60% of operational dollars on direct classroom instruction, phased in over several years, with escalating cuts to a district’s Classroom Site Fund if it doesn’t comply. The Auditor General reported that, on average, 52.1 cents of every dollar currently ends up classified as instruction, the lowest in two decades of that report. YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85ef242c5335ae1048b06e U of A ranks among nation's top university-affiliated business incubators te 2026-08-19T18:00:04.202Z U of A ranks among nation's top university-affiliated business incubators U of A ranks among nation's top university-affiliated business incubators lburtchbuus Wed, 19 Aug 2026 - 10:31 U of A ranks among nation's top university-affiliated business incubators Today The University of Arizona was recognized by TI Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85ecd22c5335ae1048b025 Socialist bigwig blasts the wealthy while living in $1.4M Brooklyn brownstone with eyebrow-raising backstory te 2026-08-19T17:50:10.098Z Socialist bigwig blasts the wealthy while living in $1.4M Brooklyn brownstone with eyebrow-raising backstory The co-chair of New York City’s Democratic Socialists of America has railed against the wealthy and championed the working class — while living in a roughly $1.4 million Brooklyn home purchased and renovated by his parents. Property records show that a family LLC purchased the Bed-Stuy home in 2019. Gordillo’s father, a Peruvian immigrant and successful businessman, told the New York Post that he renovated the property and allows his two sons, including the DSA co-chair, to live there. The arrangement has drawn scrutiny because Gordillo has become a prominent voice in New York City’s democratic socialist movement while criticizing wealth, high investment returns and the affordability pressures facing working-class residents. Critics say his living arrangement — in a valuable Brooklyn property purchased and renovated by his family — undercuts that message and highlights the contrast between his political rhetoric and the financial advantages provided by his family. DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST HEADED FOR $142K LEGISLATURE SALARY BEGS FOR RENT HANDOUT, DELETES POST AFTER BACKLASH "Nothing says working class like a $1.4M townhouse your daddy bought you," New York City Councilwoman Joann Ariola wrote on X. Gordillo, a Yale graduate with an art degree, lists his occupation as a "union electrician" on social media. Gordillo attracted controversy in July when he told Fox News that the DSA doesn’t "think that anyone should have a constitutional right to double-digit returns on their investment." His father’s business success helped provide the family with the means to purchase and renovate the Brooklyn property in an increasingly expensive New York City FRUSTRATED BLUE-COLLAR UNION BOSSES RIP SOCIALIST POLITICIANS, WARN OF LABOR EXODUS FROM DEM PARTY "I am shocked, just shocked that the co-chair of the NY Socialist party lives like a king in [the] $1 million+ home his parents bought for him in cool Bed-Stuy," former New York State Senate candidate Maria Danzillo wrote. "Who would have ever guessed that a [New York City DSA] gentrifier doesn’t have to worry about paying rent or any of the other mundane problems actual working class people have to contend with?" In February, Gordillo complained that "millionaires don't actually leave New York the way other income groups do," arguing that it was unfair that lower income people and minorities were being priced out of the city. INSIDE THE LAVISH LIFESTYLE OF ULTRA-WEALTHY DEM ENDORSED BY TOP BERNIE SANDERS GROUP "Not only did DSA co-chair Gustavo Gordillo's parents buy him this rowhouse, they converted it from a two family and renovated it into a luxury single-family home for him," New York City Councilwoman Vickie Paladino said on X. "Exactly the kind of 'greed' the DSA rails against on a daily basis, and reducing valuable housing inventory by one more unit, which is supposedly something the DSA cares very deeply about." Gordillo and his father did not respond to requests for comment when reached by Fox News Digital on Wednesday. "In Dostoevsky’s novel ‘The Possessed,’ it was the sons of rich boomers who were the most in love with socialism. Not the poor. The more things change, the more things stay the same," Manhattan Institute senior fellow Rob Henderson wrote on X. Gordillo acknowledged his wealthy upbringing in an August interview with the New York Times, squaring the apparent gap between his affluence and ideology by arguing that the democratic socialist project seeks to "build a world" where his parent’s success story is "not exceptional." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85eccd2c5335ae1048b001 Driver Kills Two College Cyclists in Tennessee, Officials Say te 2026-08-19T17:50:05.101Z Driver Kills Two College Cyclists in Tennessee, Officials Say Milligan University said two members of its cycling team had been killed. Five others were injured, officials said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85ea782c5335ae1048afc0 Gage Jump's strong road ERA and Seth Lugo's five straight home quality starts point to under 9 in Kansas City te 2026-08-19T17:40:08.730Z Gage Jump's strong road ERA and Seth Lugo's five straight home quality starts point to under 9 in Kansas City We are just about three weeks from the official start of the NFL season, and I'm super excited for the opportunity to bet on some pigskin. Before we get to that point, we have about five weeks left of the baseball season. Then the NFL will be in full swing, and the MLB will be looking at the playoffs. In addition, we will get the start of basketball. What a great time! Before we get there, though, we want to get some money in the bank, and we will do that with a game between the Athletics and Royals. The Athletics are one of the worst teams in baseball, which is a bit frustrating because they made some good progress last year. This season, they are almost 30 games under .500 and have a chance to be the worst team in baseball. I'm not sure there is one single thing you can point at as a reason for the failures. Perhaps it is due to injuries - Nick Kurtz and Shane Langeliers have played fewer than 100 games. Maybe it is that their pitching staff has one of the worst ERAs in the game at 5.47 and a 1.50 WHIP. Today, the Athletics send out Gage Jump to the hill in hopes of maybe lowering that team ERA. Jump is 5-7 for the season with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP, so not much better than the overall team marks. Jump is still young, just 23 years old, so this is mostly a development year for him. He has shown strong performances on the road with a 2.60 road ERA. He has made six road starts this season and has allowed just 10 earned runs on the road, with six of them coming in one game. The Kansas City Royals don't have much room to talk, and arguably have been the more disappointing team this season. They are 21 games under .500 this season, but they were expected to win the AL Central division. Even if they weren't going to win it, they were expected to at least be competitive. They have been playing good baseball lately, winning four of the past five games. Offensively, they aren't much different than the Athletics, but the pitching has been slightly better. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW! Tonight, the Royals send out Seth Lugo to the hill. Lugo is 5-7 for the season with a 4.59 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. These aren't the strong numbers that he has put up the past few years. However, he is pitching in the best spot for him. He has a 3.70 home ERA for the year, and he has been better in night games than day games. Lugo hasn't been great lately, but his home starts have stood out. He has five straight quality starts at home. Athletics hitters are batting .273 against him over 22 at-bats. The Royals are probably going to win this game, just based on how hot they've been lately. The Athletics are also very bad on the road. They are bad overall, but couple that with the Royals being .500 at home, it helps make a case for Kansas City. I'm going to back the under 9 instead, though. Jump has been very good on the road, and Lugo has been very reliable at home lately. Give me the under 9 for tonight. For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85ea772c5335ae1048afb7 NHL announces plans for 'Hometown Remix' program with new sweaters for all 32 franchises te 2026-08-19T17:40:07.933Z NHL announces plans for 'Hometown Remix' program with new sweaters for all 32 franchises Is there anything quite like the MLB's City Connect jerseys or the NBA's City Edition jerseys to completely confuse the hell out of you when you turn on the game? Nothing makes you think you're hallucinating quite like seeing the Red Sox in yellow or the Mets in purple. But it's a cool way to pay homage to each team's city, and the NHL is getting in on this with the official announcement of their Hometown Remix program in partnership with league jersey supplier Fanatics. NEW YORK ISLANDERS PICK THEIR TOP 8 FAN-DESIGNED JERSEYS AND SOCIAL MEDIA HATES THEM ALL According to the league, Hometown Remix will be Fanatics' first crack at a league-wide jersey program since becoming the official supplier in 2024. The NHL's previous jersey partner, Adidas, produced two editions of the Reverse Retro program — reimagined jerseys from a team's history or their city's broader hockey history — which were well received. The program will also include merchandise featuring the colors and logos of each team's hometown remix, and over the last few months, it's been reported that some teams will have very different looks. SENATORS ARE DEFINITELY NOT STILL BITTER ABOUT BRADY TKACHUK TRADE, LAUNCH LAME JERSEY EXCHANGE PROGRAM The website Icethetics has released an entire graphic with the colors teams are expected to use, and yes, it looks like a pink Panthers (cue the iconic Mancini theme) jersey might finally be coming. There are going to be some absolute classics in this bunch if all of these colors are on the money, but there will also be some that are just hard to accept. A green Blackhawks jersey? It makes me think of an old-school UND hockey jersey. But while the program and some of the details have been swirling for a while, it wasn't clear when the unveiling would come. If you were hoping to see them in the next few weeks (like I was), too bad. The league says more info will come shortly after the 2026-27 season begins. On the plus side, the NHL season starts earlier this year thanks to the new collective bargaining agreement implementing an 84-game schedule. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85e8202c5335ae1048af35 U of A named a 'Best College' by The Princeton Review te 2026-08-19T17:30:08.237Z U of A named a 'Best College' by The Princeton Review U of A named a 'Best College' by The Princeton Review nprevenas Wed, 19 Aug 2026 - 09:49 U of A named a 'Best College' by The Princeton Review Today The University of Arizona is once again featured in The Princeton Review's list of Ameri Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85e81d2c5335ae1048af19 T-Mobile ‘chopped a cable’ to expel Chinese hackers from its network te 2026-08-19T17:30:05.878Z T-Mobile ‘chopped a cable’ to expel Chinese hackers from its network The U.S. phone provider escaped a large-scale breach of its network after identifying Chinese-backed hackers early on. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85e81b2c5335ae1048af10 Meet the startup helping Wall Street put a price on AI compute te 2026-08-19T17:30:03.546Z Meet the startup helping Wall Street put a price on AI compute The AI buildout shows no signs of slowing. And with hundreds of billions of dollars a year going into data centers and GPUs, compute has become the single biggest cost for anyone building AI products. But for all that spending, there still isn’t a straightforward way to put a price on compute — or f Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85e5c92c5335ae1048aeee US Marshals survive deck collapse while serving warrant at sex offender's home te 2026-08-19T17:20:09.159Z US Marshals survive deck collapse while serving warrant at sex offender's home Members of a U.S. Marshals task force surrounding the Missouri home of a convicted sex offender suddenly plunged to the ground when the elevated deck beneath them collapsed as they attempted to serve a warrant, startling video shows. The officers had gathered on the deck at the rear of the home when it suddenly gave way, sending several members of the task force tumbling to the ground below. The subject of the warrant, Jacob Alexander Munoz, 26, was taken into custody later that day, the U.S. Marshals Service said. DEPUTY US MARSHAL FATALLY SHOT WHILE SERVING ARREST WARRANT IN LOUISIANA The Marshals Service said those injured in the collapse are doing well, though some face a longer recovery and could experience lasting effects. "We expect some long-term effects of this incident for a couple of our TFOs [task force officers] and DUSMs [deputy U.S. Marshals] but nothing that will keep them from continuing the mission of the USMS," the agency said. The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office obtained a state warrant in June or July after Munoz, who had been registering as a sex offender following his release, allegedly stopped complying with the terms and conditions of his release, according to the Marshals Service. The Missouri State Highway Patrol Sex Offender Registry currently lists Munoz as a Tier 1 sex offender. His most recent offense is listed as possession of child pornography involving more than 20 images or one film or video. The registry lists the offense date as March 16, 2020, when Munoz was 20 years old, and identifies the victim as a girl between the ages of 9 and 13. The offense occurred in Randolph County, Missouri. Munoz was convicted in 2022, according to the Marshals Service. FBI NABS MORE THAN 350 ALLEGED CHILD SEX ABUSE OFFENDERS Local police had seen multiple guns inside Munoz’s home during an earlier search in 2020, the Marshals Service said. That search was conducted to seize electronic devices and led to the charges that resulted in Munoz’s 2022 conviction, according to the agency. The task force was serving the warrant as part of Operation Adam’s Watch, a nationwide U.S. Marshals effort targeting fugitives whose original charges involved sex crimes. The operation marked the 20th anniversary of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85e5c82c5335ae1048aee5 ‘Stripper’ Venmo ‘scandal’ makes Dems the punchline as Trump candidate flips script on viral DNC post te 2026-08-19T17:20:08.374Z ‘Stripper’ Venmo ‘scandal’ makes Dems the punchline as Trump candidate flips script on viral DNC post Conservatives mocked criticism of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s son-in-law, Republican congressional candidate Michael Alfonso, over old Venmo payments with suggestive captions, arguing the notes were being taken too literally as Alfonso called the criticism "wildly dishonest" and turned it into a fundraising pitch. A post from the DNC’s social media account, FactPost, went viral this week after highlighting Venmo payments Alfonso made with notes reading "The strippers" and "High supplies." Alfonso responded by sharing screenshots of the payments and saying the captions were jokes. "It’s wildly dishonest to leave out the part where the ‘strippers’ were $5 because—brace yourself—they obviously weren’t actual strippers. You can write literally anything in a Venmo note. This is called a joke—something the humorless left is incapable of comprehending," he wrote. TRUMP-BACKED MICHAEL ALFONSO WINS CROWDED GOP PRIMARY FOR HIS FATHER-IN-LAW'S FORMER WISCONSIN SEAT "Patriots: I would be very grateful for $5 or any amount you can contribute to my campaign. None of the proceeds go to strippers or high supplies—only toward defeating the radical left in November," he wrote. The exchange sparked a broader discussion about Venmo payment captions and the joking or unserious descriptions users may attach to payments, with conservatives arguing that Alfonso’s critics were reading too much into the notes. "I have no idea if there is anything here. I do know that literally not one of my male friends has ever—ever—sent me a Venmo payment with a description that wasn't a joke," said National Review editor Charles C.W. Cooke. "People thinking the Venmo comment line is an actual audit trail," wrote Wisconsin State Representative Calvin Callahan. YOUNG CONSERVATIVES REVEAL WHAT’S TOP OF MIND AS GOP, DEMOCRATS BATTLE FOR 'HOPELESS' GEN Z VOTERS "Yeah, because people who pay strippers totally put that truthfully in Venmo," said one user. "BREAKING: boomers have discovered the Venmo comment section exists," said New York Post correspondent Lydia Moynihan. "This is such a Gen Z ‘scandal’ I’m dying Buckle up, because every incoming member of Congress under 30 is going to have something like ‘heroin — $1’ in their Venmo history," Alfonso’s wife, Evita Duffy-Alfonso, wrote. "The Left can’t meme, can’t take a joke, and then wonders why it keeps losing young men at the ballot box," she added. TWO HOUSE RACES TAKE CENTER STAGE AS CONSERVATIVE PAC LAUNCHES MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR BIG TECH PUSH "One time my wife Venmoed a bunch of our friends for their share of an Airbnb with risqué captions, got banned from the app, and had to call customer service to explain it was just a joke. Unlike the media, Venmo understood and let it go," shared Daily Wire bureau chief Tim Rice. The 26-year-old congressional candidate advanced Aug. 11 in a crowded GOP primary and is set to face Democrat Fred Clark in November. Fox News Digital reached out to Alfonso for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85e3722c5335ae1048ae69 Derek Chauvin targets George Floyd murder conviction with new claims his prosecution was unlawful te 2026-08-19T17:10:10.277Z Derek Chauvin targets George Floyd murder conviction with new claims his prosecution was unlawful Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was convicted of killing George Floyd, has again filed a petition to vacate his state murder conviction. On Tuesday, attorneys representing Chauvin filed a motion requesting the Minnesota Court of Appeals to stay his current appeal. Essentially, Chauvin wants the court to pause that appeal so he can send his case back to the local trial court to argue a brand-new claim that his original charges were unlawfully brought against him. NYPD COP FOUND GUILTY OF CHOKEHOLD IN FIRST CONVICTION SINCE RESTRAINT TACTIC BANNED AFTER GEORGE FLOYD DEATH In April 2021, Chauvin was convicted of the 2020 murder of George Floyd. Records show the former officer kneeled on Floyd's neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds while Floyd was face down and handcuffed on the ground; Floyd suffered a fatal lack of oxygen to the brain. 📩 Send me a story idea: kelsie.cairns@fox.com 📸 Instagram: kelsiecairns_tv 🎥 Facebook: Kelsie Cairns ALEX MURDAUGH'S DOUBLE MURDER CONVICTION UNANIMOUSLY OVERTURNED BY SOUTH CAROLINA SUPREME COURT FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X Back in June, Chauvin's team filed an appeal against a judge's decision denying his petition for post-conviction relief. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS The judge denied Chauvin's entire post-conviction petition on May 1, more than five months after it was initially filed in November 2025. This is Chauvin's third petition for conviction relief. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE SEND US A TIP "Mr. Chauvin became aware of additional violations of Mr. Chauvin’s due process rights in the unlawful assignment of authority by Governor Tim Walz to Attorney General Keith Ellison to prosecute State v. Chauvin," the motion said. VANCE REFERS TIM WALZ, MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL TO DOJ FOR CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION OVER STATE'S ALLEGED FRAUD The Tuesday motion asks the court to pause Chauvin's pending appeal so the trial court can evaluate new procedural claims—including improper prosecutor assignment, failure to convene a grand jury, lack of court jurisdiction, and judicial bias—which his defense argues amount to non-waivable "structural errors." LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST Fox News Digital has reached out to the Minnesota Attorney General for comment. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85e11c2c5335ae1048ae10 Trump to nominate Dr Heidi Overton as next FDA commissioner te 2026-08-19T17:00:12.890Z Trump to nominate Dr Heidi Overton as next FDA commissioner President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he is nominating Heidi Overton, deputy assistant for domestic policy, as the next FDA commissioner. Overton, a physician, is known for her pro-life views and Trump said she has been a "ROCKSTAR" in his administration so far. "Dr. Overton will continue putting AMERICA FIRST, and creating a HEALTHY AMERICA," Trump said in a Truth Social post. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85e1152c5335ae1048adec Prosecutor Reduces Charges Against L.A.P.D. Whistle-Blower After Uproar te 2026-08-19T17:00:05.857Z Prosecutor Reduces Charges Against L.A.P.D. Whistle-Blower After Uproar A Los Angeles officer faced prison for secretly recording colleagues making offensive remarks. The county prosecutor is reducing those charges after critics said they would discourage whistle-blowers. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85dec12c5335ae1048ad5c Who is Angie Nixon? Bullhorn-wielding socialist upsets establishment favorite in Sunshine State stunner te 2026-08-19T16:50:09.080Z Who is Angie Nixon? Bullhorn-wielding socialist upsets establishment favorite in Sunshine State stunner Another Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member just toppled the party establishment’s preferred candidate, this time in Florida. Florida state lawmaker Angie Nixon, who recently disrupted a vote in the Florida Legislature with a bullhorn protest inside the state Capitol, defeated establishment-backed candidate Alexander Vindman. Nixon, a progressive activist and DSA member, defeated the retired Air Force officer by more than 10 percentage points despite Vindman’s $16.3 million campaign war chest, compared with Nixon’s roughly $1 million. Nixon’s viral moment came in April when she took a bullhorn to a legislative fight, walking down the aisle and disrupting proceedings on the Florida House floor during final passage of a redistricting bill backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Dressed in a pink jumpsuit and carrying a pink megaphone, Nixon approached the House speaker's dais and shouted to fellow Florida representatives as the final vote was called. She shouted, "This is a violation of the Constitution! It is!" SOCIALISTS CAPTURE MAJOR FLORIDA VICTORY ON HIT-OR-MISS NIGHT FOR TRUMP-ENDORSED PRIMARY CANDIDATES Nixon continued shouting into the bullhorn for the entirety of the vote. She insisted, "What y’all are doing is illegal!" and "I will not allow you to destroy our democracy!" As she shouted, several colleagues could be seen filming her on their phones. The protest did not stop the vote. While she continued shouting, "You are out of order!" and "This is a violation of the Constitution," the Florida House granted final approval of the redistricting bill in an 83-28 vote. A month later, WUSF reported that Nixon was arrested after she refused to leave DeSantis’ office while protesting the redistricting measure. She was released shortly afterward. WUSF previously reported that Nixon self-identified as a member of the DSA. SHOCKING PERCENTAGE OF DEMOCRATS IDENTIFY AS 'DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS' ACCORDING TO NEW POLL: 'TOXIC POLICIES' Nixon also publicly objected to resolutions honoring the late Charlie Kirk. In a September social media post, Nixon called it "BEYOND disrespectful" to honor Kirk because, as she wrote, "that man said some of the most hateful about [sic] Black People and cloaked it in scripture." Nixon claimed that if someone supported honoring Kirk, "you are a tool of white supremacy." After his assassination, Nixon also claimed that Kirk was "homophobic, antisemitic, [and] misogynistic." On her campaign website, Nixon vows to fight for what she calls a "working families guarantee," which she says includes Medicare for all, free childcare, a national rent freeze, a moratorium on evictions and a universal jobs program with inflation-adjusted wages. Her website says the government could pay for the programs by taxing billionaires "so that everyone pays their fair share" and by prioritizing "the needs of everyday Americans instead of spending trillions on war and violence overseas." Nixon also advocates for "abolishing ICE and rebuilding immigration enforcement from scratch." Nixon has said, "I don’t believe any person is illegal, and I don’t believe human beings should be treated as commodities in a system built to punish rather than to heal." On policing, Nixon has called for "demilitarizing policing and investing in community-based public safety, violence prevention and crisis response." SOCIALISTS LAUNCH RADICAL PLATFORM TO ABOLISH THE US SENATE IN BID TO FUNDAMENTALLY TRANSFORM AMERICA Nixon has also claimed that the U.S. has "fueled the genocide in Palestine." SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER Fox News Digital reached out to Nixon and the DSA for comment. Fox News Digital's Peter D'Abrosca contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85dec02c5335ae1048ad53 House Democrat accused of sexual assault after admitting to 'consensual' encounter te 2026-08-19T16:50:08.346Z House Democrat accused of sexual assault after admitting to 'consensual' encounter A sitting House Democrat who's being investigated over sexual relations with a congressional aide is now being accused of assault. One of the women interviewed by the House Ethics Committee for its probe into Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., is disputing his account of a "consensual" affair in what her lawyers are calling a "brazen" example of misconduct. "We represent one of the women who was interviewed by the House Committee on Ethics about her experience of sexual harassment and assault by Representative Jimmy Gomez. Contrary to Representative Gomez’s assertion in his statement, his actions were not ‘consensual in nature’ with respect to our client," the woman's lawyers said in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital. HOUSE BACKS MASSIE'S PUSH TO RELEASE TAXPAYER-FUNDED SEXUAL HARASSMENT SETTLEMENT RECORDS "We fully expect that the House Committee on Ethics will come to the same conclusion in its investigation." Gomez admitted to making "mistakes outside [his] marriage" in a statement to Fox News Digital earlier this week after the House's internal watchdog announced it was probing him for misconduct. GOP LAWMAKER'S GIFTS, 'EFFUSIVE AFFECTION' TOWARD YOUNG STAFFERS DETAILED IN EXPLOSIVE ETHICS REPORT He said on Monday, "Although my actions were consensual in nature and haven’t violated the law or House Ethics rules, that doesn’t diminish the impact that these mistakes have made on those I care about the most." But the woman's lawyers said Wednesday that it is "just the latest example of brazen sexual misconduct by a member of Congress." "Congress must act to rein in its members who seem to believe that preying on young women working on Capitol Hill is one of the perks of their job. We will continue to work with our client and with the House Committee on Ethics to ensure there is accountability for Representative Gomez and a safe path for any other survivors to come forward and share their experiences," the lawyers said. Fox News Digital reached out to Gomez's office for a response. He's the latest House lawmaker to be accused of improper relations with a member of congressional staff. His former ally, ex-Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., saw his gubernatorial campaign derailed earlier this year amid allegations of rape. Reps. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, and Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., both dropped their re-election bids amid backlash over sexual harassment accusations. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85debf2c5335ae1048ad4a AEW's Adam Copeland talks enormous reaction from crowd at Arena México: 'Very blessed and lucky' te 2026-08-19T16:50:07.574Z AEW's Adam Copeland talks enormous reaction from crowd at Arena México: 'Very blessed and lucky' Adam Copeland shared a list of famous venues he wanted to compete in during the next stage of the year earlier this month. The All Elite Wrestling (AEW) star included Arena México in the bullet points as well as Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto and Tokyo Dome in Japan. Copeland received his chance to compete at Arena México on Aug. 5 when AEW held Grand Slam Mexico at the facility. He competed in an eight-man tag team match with Christian Cage and Matt and Nick Jackson. COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON OUTKICK It was the first match of the night and the arena exploded when Alter Bridge’s "Metalingus" blared through the speakers. It was so loud that AEW commentator Tony Schiavone said on his "What Happened When" podcast he never experienced a pop like that in his career. Copeland told Fox News Digital that it was the loudest reaction he felt since he was in WWE and made his return to the ring at the 2020 Royal Rumble. "He had text me. He goes, ‘I've never heard anything like that in my years.’ And that’s saying something, which Schiavone’s heard some stuff, you know, so I was like, ‘Whoa, man.’ And I knew even that night, as I came out, it was one of those where you kind of leave your body for a second and you're there, but you're kind of somewhere else soaking it in," Copeland told Fox News Digital in a recent interview. "I don't know how to explain it. The only other time that that's happened was at the (2020) Rumble when I came back. "So, I feel like those two and I mean, I'm very, very blessed and lucky that in this comeback I've had a lot of really great reactions, and the fans have really come out to support and I think also understand like, ‘Hey, this ain't supposed to be happening and this is limited so we better enjoy it while we got it kind of thing,’ and me too. But that one was special. I put a post and I could feel it in my bones like it felt like I was the Memorex guy in that commercial. Like it blew my hair back. I was just like oh whoa. It's so much to process it." ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Copeland admitted that one of the toughest parts of the night was to come down from the electric crowd afterward. He said he had to try to find something to get him to relax so he could finally fall asleep. "The hardest thing about a night like that is back in the hotel after because you're wired for sound," he said. "You're just like … now and I've found that I now have to do things to kind of go, right, OK, wrestling's gone now. Let's, I don't know, I'll watch an episode of ‘Northern Exposure’ or I'll like, you know, just try and bring down the fight or flight that kind of reaction, you know, it hits you in the heart, man, in a very good way. But you also want to be able to sleep. So yeah, that that's what I've always found is the battle. "But yeah, man. I mean, you can't have a night like that and just be thankful, for all of it and thankful that people this far along still remember or care. And I think it's one of those kind of reciprocal things where Mexico knows I wasn't there for 18 years and chances are I'm not getting back. And I'm not, so I think we all kind of understand, let's enjoy this thing, man because I'm getting to wrestle in Arena Mexico for the first and last time. That's fun. That's fun." Copeland and Cage are set to take on The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) for the AEW World Tag Team Championship at All In – the biggest event on the AEW calendar. They captured the tag titles at Double or Nothing in a tag team I Quit match at Double or Nothing. Copeland and Cage, whose real name is Jay Reso, started Pure Plank nearly two years ago in an effort to help others get healthy. Copeland told Fox News Digital he still has people coming up to him thanking him for helping them to get healthy. "When you start to help people find a path to getting healthier, you can knock a path down, but whether people get on the path is up to them, right? We just assumed with planking it's a path that doesn't seem too demoralizing or too intimidating," he said. "It's like, no, you just get down to 30 seconds. Start there. Start with 30 and anybody can start with 30 seconds and that's going to be hard at first and then move on. "And hopefully the trickle-down effect from that is I'm feeling better, right? I'm not carrying that kettlebell full of gut anymore. Now I could incorporate a full workout. Now I could incorporate yoga. Now I could incorporate whatever you want to try and incorporate. I could kayak now. I can this. I can that. To me, it's kind of like the gateway and planking was the gateway for Jay and I to get back in shape except this is a positive of gateway." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85dc6c2c5335ae1048acdc Trump teases potential Kim Jong Un meeting later this year te 2026-08-19T16:40:12.818Z Trump teases potential Kim Jong Un meeting later this year President Donald Trump said Wednesday he expects to meet with dictator Kim Jong Un "later this year," signaling ongoing direct diplomacy with Pyongyang despite a direct denial by North Korea. "I get along with him very well," Trump told reporters during an impromptu White House construction walkthrough, adding, "I expected to meet with him later this year. Yeah, I will be." North Korea rejected Trump's reference to talks. "The relationship between the two leaders remains excellent," Kim Yo Jong, the sister of the North Korean leader, wrote in a statement, according to state media KCNA. "However, the U.S.’s hostile policies toward the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea haven’t changed." Trump declined to say whether he had exchanged letters with Kim, telling a reporter, "Can’t tell you that." The president repeatedly pointed to his personal relationship with the North Korean leader as an asset, calling Kim a "very powerful player" and saying their ability to get along was "a good thing, not a bad thing." Trump did not provide a date or location for the potential meeting. This is a breaking story, check back here for updates. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85dc6c2c5335ae1048acd3 Rosie O’Donnell ‘thanks’ Trump for making her famous again, says he revived ‘fascism and the measles’ te 2026-08-19T16:40:12.061Z Rosie O’Donnell ‘thanks’ Trump for making her famous again, says he revived ‘fascism and the measles’ Former "The View" host Rosie O'Donnell credited President Donald Trump with making her famous again Tuesday on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" in Los Angeles, saying their decades-long feud revived her career during the second night of her four-night guest-hosting run and accusing him of reviving fascism and measles. Addressing Trump during her opening monologue, O’Donnell sarcastically credited the president with returning her to the network television spotlight. "I’m back in the spotlight all thanks to President Oompa J. Loompa, who is watching us this evening from inside a catering cart," O’Donnell said. "You know, I couldn’t have done it without you, sweetie. You brought me back just like you did with fascism and the measles." ROSIE O'DONNELL’S RETURN TO LATE NIGHT REIGNITES DECADES-OLD FEUD WITH DONALD TRUMP In a statement to Fox News Digital, the White House pointed to a meme Trump shared on Truth Social. The image depicted O'Donnell lying in bed, reading, washing dishes and driving, with Trump pictured in a thought bubble above her in each scene. "She (?) is OBSESSED!" the meme said. O'Donnell's catering-cart reference alluded to reports that Trump used an airport catering truck and Air Force One as a decoy before secretly transferring to another military aircraft while leaving a NATO summit in Turkey because of a credible Iranian threat. ROSIE O'DONNELL CLAIMS TRUMP HAS 'PTSD RESPONSE' TO HER AS BACKLASH ERUPTS The monologue repeated an assertion O’Donnell made during a recent appearance on Amy Poehler’s "Good Hang" podcast, where she credited Trump’s continued criticism with raising her profile. "I feel like recently, I’m re-famous. That’s what I feel. I told my kids, ‘Well, kids, hold on, ’cause mommy’s re-famous,’" O’Donnell said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 2,566 confirmed U.S. measles cases through Aug. 13, surpassing the 2,289 cases recorded during all of 2025 and 285 cases in 2024. The agency said outbreaks can spread when imported cases reach communities with low immunization levels, while national MMR vaccination coverage among kindergartners has fallen below the 95% target. TRUMP ENTERS FINAL NATO SUMMIT DAY AS UKRAINE, DEFENSE SPENDING TAKE CENTER STAGE During her Monday guest-hosting debut, O’Donnell opened the show by warning viewers that she intended to continue Kimmel’s criticism of the president. "The President hated ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ when it was hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. Buckle up, people," O’Donnell said. The Kimmel appearances returned O'Donnell to U.S. network television after she moved to Ireland with her youngest child in January 2025, five days before Trump's second inauguration. She later sought Irish citizenship while retaining her U.S. citizenship and quietly returned to America for a family visit in early 2026. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Trump escalated their feud in July 2025 when he floated revoking O’Donnell’s U.S. citizenship. "She is a Threat to Humanity, and should remain in the wonderful Country of Ireland, if they want her," Trump said. The Constitution does not permit a president to strip the citizenship of an American born in the United States. O'Donnell was born in Commack, New York. Their public feud began in 2006 after O'Donnell criticized Trump's handling of a Miss USA controversy while co-hosting "The View." During a 2015 Republican presidential debate, Trump was asked about derogatory terms he had used to describe women. "Only Rosie O’Donnell," Trump said. Fox News Digital reached out to the RNC for comment, but did not immediately receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85dc6b2c5335ae1048acca Céline Dion reveals 17-year secret health battle before rare diagnosis te 2026-08-19T16:40:11.239Z Céline Dion reveals 17-year secret health battle before rare diagnosis Céline Dion is opening up about the yearslong health battle she kept hidden from fans before finally receiving a life-changing diagnosis. The 58-year-old singer recently appeared on the cover of the Harper’s Bazaar Global Icons issue and revealed in the accompanying interview that she had been experiencing symptoms of stiff-person syndrome for about 17 years before she was first diagnosed in August 2022. Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is a rare neurological disorder that causes severe muscle stiffness and painful, often unpredictable spasms. CELINE DION DESCRIBES FEELING ‘LIKE SOMEBODY IS STRANGLING’ HER WHEN SINGING WITH STIFF PERSON SYNDROME During those years, Dion's symptoms could become so debilitating that she struggled to walk and, at times, relied on high doses of Valium "simply to function," according to the outlet. "It is a progressive condition," Dion told Harper's Bazaar. "I don’t like to say ‘disease.’" According to Harper's Bazaar, Dion also struggled with guilt over attributing canceled shows to sinus infections or coughs while privately dealing with far more serious symptoms. As her unexplained health problems intensified around the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dion largely withdrew from public view due to concerns that fans might question her concert cancellations if they saw her otherwise going about her life, Harper's Bazaar reported. Dion first publicly revealed her stiff-person syndrome diagnosis in an emotional video she shared on Instagram in December 2022. "While we're still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what has been causing all of the spasms I've been having," she said at the time in the clip. "Unfortunately, these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I'm used to." After revealing her diagnosis, Dion initially postponed a string of European concerts and canceled several others. In May 2023, she announced that she was scrapping the remainder of her Courage World Tour, canceling all remaining 2023 and 2024 dates. In the years since being diagnosed, Dion has undergone an intensive rehabilitation regimen as she works to manage the condition and return to the stage. According to Harper's Bazaar, Dion's regimen includes medication, physical and vocal therapy, and immunotherapy. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS As her treatment progressed, the "My Heart Will Go On" songstress slowly began stepping back into the public eye. In February 2024, Dion returned to the spotlight at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, appearing on stage for the first time since she stopped performing in 2020. Dion served as the final presenter of the night, announcing Taylor Swift's win for album of the year. Dion continued her gradual return to the spotlight that summer, promoting her documentary, "I Am: Céline Dion," and making a rare red carpet appearance at its New York premiere in June. The following month, Dion made a triumphant return to the stage when she performed at the end of the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony, singing Édith Piaf’s "Hymne à l’amour" from the Eiffel Tower. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER In November 2024, Dion performed at Elie Saab’s 1001 Seasons fashion show in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Earlier this year, Dion announced on her 58th birthday that she would headline a five-week residency in Paris beginning next month.  "This year, I’m getting the best birthday gift of my life," she said in a video. "I’m getting the chance to see you, to perform for you once again in Paris, beginning in September!" "I’m feeling good, I’m strong, I’m feeling excited, obviously a little nervous, but most of all, I’m grateful to all of you!" she added. "I love you all and I’ll see you soon!" As she prepares for her Paris residency, Dion has incorporated 90-minute Pilates sessions three times a week and ballet classes on other days into her recovery regimen, according to Harper’s Bazaar. The five-time Grammy Award winner told the outlet that reconnecting with her fans remains at the heart of her comeback. "It’s been so long, I would like to offer them something to show how I’ve missed them," she said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85dc662c5335ae1048aca3 Marana teen builds car detailing business by 18 te 2026-08-19T16:40:06.252Z Marana teen builds car detailing business by 18 Alex Bjorke spent his high school years playing varsity basketball, keeping up his grades and building something else entirely: a car detailing business that now serves clients across Tucson, Casas Adobes, Tanque Verde and Green Valley. Bjorke, 18, started Salvation Mobile Detailing as a way to earn extra money, but the business has since become his passion. "I didn't always have the entrepreneurial mindset," Bjorke said. "While growing up, I had always wanted to go to college and get a good degree, try to find a good paying job. Maybe I want to be a lawyer, maybe I want to be an engineer." Living in his grandmother's house in Marana with his mother and sister, Bjorke worked with his friends on odd jobs like painting house numbers on the curbs. The inspiration behind the mobile detailing business came from Bjorke's friend Alex Ho, who suggested they start cleaning cars. Ho and Bjorke had been best friends since fifth grade and would work together on "side hustles" to earn money. During their sophomore year at Mountain View High School, Ho suggested he and Bjorke go door-to-door and see who was interested in paying them for car detailing services. Early on, some people were skeptical that anyone would pay, let alone trust, two teenagers to clean the inside and outside of their car. But with hard work, good customer service and a turn of good luck, they proved their worth and word got around that they were reliable. "On the first day, we made a couple hundred bucks, which kind of just hooked me," Bjorke said. Alex Bjorke, owner of Salvation Mobile Detailing, started his business as a way to earn spending money in high school. It now serves clients across Tucson, Casas Adobes, Tanque Verde and Green Valley. Courtesy of Alex Bjorke. Still in high school and with limited responsibilities, Bjorke and Ho treated detailing as an occasional source of spending money. But Bjorke had a change of heart about his career path and began considering pursuing a business degree in college. His plans changed after a bad leg injury while playing basketball his junior year of high school, which meant he had to stay home over winter break to heal. At first, Bjorke and Ho maintained an agreement in which Bjorke sourced clients and Ho provided the service, with Bjorke receiving a percentage of the pay. Eventually, their business relationship soured, and the two parted ways as partners. After he recovered, Bjorke wanted to continue doing the work that he knew, but had also grown to enjoy. Chatting and getting to know the people he works for is Bjorke's favorite part of the job. Especially during the summer, he said, customers will bring him ice-cold water or other small gifts while he works. "Yesterday … I had somebody offer me ice cream," Bjorke said. That kind of appreciation is part of what keeps him going. Salvation Mobile Detailing operates as a contract business where customers can get quotes for detailing jobs ranging from an interior vacuuming or basic exterior wash to waxing and even mold remediation. In addition to his customer base in Marana, Bjorke has expanded the business to include Casas Adobes, Tanque Verde and Green Valley. "What I realized is that if I wasn't serving those places, then I'd be cutting myself off from potential income," he said. Since Salvation Mobile Detailing is not the only car detailing business in town, Bjorke has subcontracted with other local companies to get more work, often negotiating the contracts himself. Bjorke is hoping to expand into the Phoenix area in the future. Quentin Agnello is a University of Arizona alum and freelance journalist in Tucson. Contact him at qsagnello@gmail.com. Tucson Spotlight is a community-based newsroom that provides paid opportunities for students and rising journalists in Southern Arizona. Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation. Donate to Tucson Spotlight Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85da122c5335ae1048ac6e Two missing children rescued from trailer as police arrest babysitter on kidnapping charges te 2026-08-19T16:30:10.835Z Two missing children rescued from trailer as police arrest babysitter on kidnapping charges Atlanta police officers rescued two children from a locked trailer, where they were found with a babysitter who has been accused of kidnapping them and keeping them for nearly two days. After being reported missing on Saturday night, Zola Cooper, 4, and her 11-month-old sister, Norah Cooper, were found Monday afternoon during an intensive search of an apartment complex. Eventually, police heard the cries of a baby inside a white trailer that was parked inside the complex. Body camera video released by the Atlanta Police Department showed officers using a cinder block and bolt cutters to break into the trailer, where they discovered the children with 42-year-old Lakesha Brown. Both children were crying as officers entered and carried them to safety. CALIFORNIA AUTHORITIES SEARCH FOR 2 CHILDREN ALLEGEDLY ABDUCTED BY FATHER, FEAR FOR THEIR SAFETY According to an arrest warrant obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta, it was 97 degrees Fahrenheit when the officers found the children. Police also said the cluttered trailer had no air conditioning and only had an overhead ventilation system. Despite that, the kids were "reunited with their mother in good health," police said. Brown was arrested and charged with two counts of kidnapping and two counts of first-degree cruelty to children, court records show. OHIO DAYCARE WORKER CONVICTED OF HORRIFIC PHYSICAL ABUSE OF TODDLERS SENTENCED TO YEARS IN PRISON After Brown was arrested, Atlanta police discovered she had an active arrest warrant for failing to appear in court for a separate child kidnapping case in Alabama that involved a newborn baby, People reported. Brown denied being involved in the August 2021 kidnapping of the 4-day-old child, but authorities said she posted pictures of the boy to her social media. In the Atlanta case, the girls were reported missing at around 10:00 p.m. on Saturday night by their mother, Elica Redding, according to FOX 5 Atlanta. Redding had left the girls with Brown, whom she described as a friend of hers, at around 6 p.m. so she could go out to dinner, police said. She called 911 roughly four hours later, explaining that Brown still had not returned the kids. "[Brown] told me there was an accident, but she's not answering her phone," Redding told the dispatcher, according to audio first obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta. Redding said Brown told her that they were taken to a hospital, but when Redding called every hospital she could, there was no record of her kids being admitted at any of them. Redding told police she had met Brown about a year earlier through a Facebook group for pregnant women. Brown allegedly represented herself as someone who offered babysitting services, FOX 5 Atlanta reported. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85da122c5335ae1048ac65 Trump says he will meet with North Korea's Kim Jong Un 'later this year' te 2026-08-19T16:30:10.018Z Trump says he will meet with North Korea's Kim Jong Un 'later this year' President Donald Trump said Wednesday he expects to meet with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un "later this year," signaling ongoing direct diplomacy with Pyongyang. "I get along with him very well," Trump told reporters during an impromptu White House construction walkthrough, adding, "I expected to meet with him later this year. Yeah, I will be." Trump declined to say whether he has exchanged letters with Kim, telling a reporter, "Can’t tell you that." The president repeatedly pointed to his personal relationship with the North Korean leader as an asset, calling Kim a "very powerful player" and saying their ability to get along was "a good thing, not a bad thing." Trump did not provide a date or location for the potential meeting. This is a breaking story, check back here for updates. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85da102c5335ae1048ac52 License-plate surveillance giant Flock tightens rules as cities, lawmakers push back amid police abuse te 2026-08-19T16:30:08.572Z License-plate surveillance giant Flock tightens rules as cities, lawmakers push back amid police abuse Flock Safety license plate readers are typically mounted on tall poles, with a camera and solar panel on top. The company says its technology is used in more than 6,000 communities across 49 states in partnership with thousands of law enforcement agencies nationwide. (Photo courtesy of Flock Safety) Flock Safety is tightening privacy and oversight controls for its nationwide network of automated license plate readers as more communities pull back from the technology and lawmakers across the political spectrum push for new restrictions. The company announced Thursday that it will recommend that police agencies retain license plate reader data for seven days, down from 30, while adding tools to restrict data sharing between agencies and detect potentially abusive searches. Flock also plans to require law enforcement users to associate searches with case codes and automatically suspend users whose activity is flagged as abnormal. The changes come amid growing scrutiny of a surveillance network that Flock says has more than 120,000 cameras across 49 states and serves thousands of law enforcement agencies and communities. The cameras photograph passing vehicles and record information including license plates, vehicle characteristics, location and time. Police can search the resulting data during investigations, sometimes across jurisdictional lines. More than 50 agencies or communities have canceled, suspended or rejected a Flock contract or deactivated their cameras since the beginning of 2026, according to DeFlock, a grassroots group that tracks license plate reader deployments. Cameras have also been vandalized in communities around the country. Recent incidents involving police officers accused of using Flock to track friends, relatives and romantic partners have added to concerns about how the data can be accessed and shared. The technology also has been criticized after inaccurate license plate information contributed to wrongful police stops, arrests and detentions. Flock says the new measures will give communities greater control over their data while strengthening safeguards against misuse. “These changes, like I said, are the next chapter of a long book I hope to write on how we build a better version of America that’s both safer, protects our privacy and holds those who have power accountable,” Flock Safety co-founder and CEO Garrett Langley said in a video statement. But civil liberties advocates say some of the safeguards have been tried before and question whether the company’s changes address broader concerns about a system that can create a record of people’s movements even when they are not suspected of a crime. States have taken different approaches to regulating technologies used in policing, including artificial intelligence, facial recognition, drones and automated license plate readers. More than a dozen states have enacted laws governing such technologies, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, but there is no consistent national framework for their use. Strengthening privacy and accountability Flock’s seven-day retention recommendation is one of its most significant changes. When the company launched nine years ago, it set 30 days as the default recommendation, while allowing communities to choose shorter or longer periods. For investigations that require older information, Flock is introducing “Evidence Mode,” which will allow detectives to preserve specific license plate data as evidence in an active case. The change does not automatically apply to existing customers, which can keep their current retention policies. Communities also will continue to choose their own retention periods. The American Civil Liberties Union called the shorter retention period a potential step forward but said its impact will depend on how the new mode works. In a statement, the group recommended a 48-hour retention period and warned that if searches cause data to be preserved, the new system could allow significant amounts of location information to remain available longer than seven days. Flock also is giving communities more control over which outside agencies can search their cameras. Under the new “offense filtering” system, a community could allow another agency to search its cameras for specific crimes or offenses and block searches related to immigration enforcement, for example. Flock also will require all law enforcement customers to adopt its audit assistance tool by the end of the year. The system looks for unusual search activity and flags it for administrator review. Flock plans to automatically suspend users whose activity meets certain criteria for abnormal behavior while their access is reviewed. The company also will require case codes for law enforcement searches by the end of the year. Officers can bypass the requirement during emergencies, but those searches also will be flagged for review. Police misuse and erroneous alerts Flock’s new controls build on safeguards the company has introduced in recent years, including electronic audit logs and requirements that users provide a reason for searches. The ACLU, in its statement, said some of those earlier safeguards were ineffective. The group pointed to cases in which officers circumvented search-purpose restrictions by entering vague or meaningless explanations before Flock replaced a free-text field with a list of approved search reasons. The Washington Post reported earlier this month that nearly 50 police officers had been charged or accused of using Flock cameras for unauthorized purposes, many involving attempts to track current or former romantic partners or family members. In Savannah, Georgia, four police officers and two civilian employees were fired last week after a department investigation found searches involving personal acquaintances and family members, according to a news release. The investigation also found that an officer had allowed an outside law enforcement agency to access Savannah’s Flock system. The activity was identified using Flock’s audit assistance tool. All six cases were referred to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for independent criminal investigations. The technology has also drawn scrutiny when information in the system is inaccurate or outdated. In Wisconsin, a woman was pulled over at gunpoint earlier this month after a Flock camera incorrectly flagged her vehicle as being involved in a homicide. Brookfield police stopped Amber Newell on Interstate 94 after receiving the alert, but Milwaukee police told officers they no longer needed the vehicle or its occupants. Newell was released. Milwaukee police later said the incident was caused by an employee’s failure to remove an outdated wanted-vehicle alert from the Flock system, rather than an error by Flock itself. Newell said she had also been stopped at gunpoint earlier that week and was afraid to drive afterward. In its announcement, Flock said its alerts are intended to be investigative leads rather than conclusions and that officers should visually confirm a vehicle’s license plate before taking action. The company said its system produces fewer than nine human-reported errors for every 1 million alerts. Bipartisan interest A bipartisan group of Pennsylvania lawmakers announced Monday that they plan to introduce legislation establishing statewide privacy and accountability requirements for automated license plate readers, including Flock cameras. The proposal would establish rules governing access to the data, documented reasons for searches, audit trails, data retention and transparency. It also would create civil penalties for unauthorized access, use or disclosure and allow people harmed by misuse to bring civil suits. “Technology that can help keep our communities safe should never become a tool for stalking or abuse,” Democratic state Rep. Jennifer O’Mara said in a statement announcing the proposal. Republicans in Congress also have introduced or plan to introduce at least two proposals aimed at restricting automated surveillance technology. One would restrict federal agencies from purchasing or using certain automated surveillance technology, while the other would bar state and local police from using federal funds to acquire automated license plate reader systems. Last month, 15 Democratic lawmakers in Michigan sent a letter to the state Department of Transportation to end an agreement allowing federal agencies, including U.S. Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations, to install surveillance technology on state property. The lawmakers argued that automated license plate readers infringe on residents’ constitutional rights. The West Virginia House Democratic Caucus also released a statement last month opposing Flock cameras and said it is monitoring canceled contracts and lawsuits involving the technology. Abandoning the technology Some local governments are going further by ending their relationships with Flock altogether. DeFlock’s tracker lists dozens of communities that have canceled contracts, deactivated cameras or rejected proposals since 2021. More than 50 agencies or communities have taken one of those steps since the beginning of 2026. Several communities in Rhode Island and Nebraska have acted this month, with city leaders voting to cancel contracts or uninstall cameras. Earlier this month, the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office in Texas announced that it had removed all fixed Flock cameras after repeated vandalism damaged the equipment. The cameras were provided by the Heart of Texas Auto Theft Task Force, a multi-agency, multijurisdictional task force in Central Texas. The sheriff’s office has initiated criminal cases, but there are currently no suspects, according to a news release. The debate over this technology is likely to continue through the rest of the year and into 2027, when more state legislatures return to session. That could bring additional proposals to regulate artificial intelligence tools used in policing, as well as how license plate reader data is collected, retained, shared and used. 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/6a85d7bc2c5335ae1048aa13 US ally on Putin’s doorstep braces for war as Russia tensions take ominous turn te 2026-08-19T16:20:12.456Z US ally on Putin’s doorstep braces for war as Russia tensions take ominous turn Russia’s threat of "consequences" against Britain and a stark warning from a senior Polish defense official are intensifying concerns that Moscow could seek to test NATO directly as the war in Ukraine continues. Polish Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk said his country is actively preparing for the possibility of conflict, telling Super Express in an interview published Aug. 17: "We are preparing for war, hoping that it never happens." The Polish Embassy in Washington told Fox News Digital that Warsaw’s accelerated defense preparations are intended to deter potential aggression rather than signal that conflict is inevitable. RUSSIA PREPARING HYBRID ATTACKS ON NATO'S EASTERN FLANK, INTELLIGENCE WARNS The embassy pointed to Poland’s defense spending of nearly 5% of GDP and invoked the Latin principle Si vis pacem, para bellum — "If you want peace, prepare for war" — saying that, given Russia’s war in Ukraine and what Poland views as Moscow’s imperial ambitions, strengthening deterrence is the country’s only sound strategy. A European diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, backed Tomczyk and said Poland sees a pattern of escalating Russian pressure across multiple fronts. "We are hurrying to be prepared for war since Russia is giving us and our neighbors constant signals that they want us back as their vassals, their colonial backyard," the diplomat told Fox News Digital. The diplomat pointed to what they described as Russian disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks, sabotage efforts and repeated tests of Poland’s air defenses, as well as increasingly frequent nuclear rhetoric from Russian officials and propagandists. "Altogether, it shows quite clearly that if Russia or Belarus saw any chance to attack Poland to destroy an obstacle to restoring the Soviet or Tsarist Russian empire in Eastern Europe, they would do it without hesitation," the diplomat said. The diplomat added that Tomczyk therefore had "quite solid bases to state his prediction," while stressing that the concern was not rooted in hostility toward ordinary Russians. "We want to have Russia as a good neighbor, business partner. We would like to host their tourists. We want to have a cultural exchange with them," the diplomat said. "But they — at least the imperialists who are the foundation of the Putin administration — would like to turn Poland, the Baltics and, of course, Ukraine back into their colonial part of Europe." UKRAINE POUNDS BLACK SEA FLEET’S ‘LAST MAJOR STRONGHOLD’ WHILE PUTIN FLEXES NAVAL POWER IN PACIFIC Retired Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove, who commanded U.S. European Command and served as NATO ’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe from 2013 to 2016, told Fox News Digital that Poland ’s warning reflects a concern shared by many former military leaders. "It’s a problem that many of us are worried about," Breedlove said. "They’re trying to test the alliance: Is Italy going to go to war? Is Spain going to go to war? There are several places where Russia could try to snatch something. Their goal is to divide and ultimately break up the alliance." Breedlove warned Moscow could attempt a provocation calibrated to create uncertainty over whether NATO should respond collectively. "It is likely that Russia will try to initiate a provocation that is just enough to raise the question of a NATO response," he said, arguing that Moscow’s objective would be to expose divisions among allies. NATO’s Article 4 allows members to request consultations when an ally’s territorial integrity, political independence or security is threatened. Article 5 provides for collective defense following an armed attack, although NATO says Article 4 consultations are not a prerequisite for action under Article 5. The comments follow similar warnings from other eastern-flank governments. The Associated Press reported July 15 that Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said intelligence pointed to possible limited Russian attacks on critical infrastructure in the Baltics or Poland. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Warsaw was preparing "very intensively for various scenarios," according to AP. Russia rejected the allegations. RUSSIA LINKED TO ARSON ATTACKS ON PROPERTIES CONNECTED TO UK PM KEIR STARMER, POLICE SAY The warnings came as tensions between Moscow and London escalated Tuesday. Russia’s embassy in Britain threatened unspecified "consequences" after The Times reported British-made drones had been used by Ukraine for long-range strikes inside Russia, according to Reuters on Aug. 18. Britain’s Ministry of Defence did not confirm whether British drones were used, Reuters reported. "London’s actions will inevitably carry consequences for which it will have to answer," the Russian Embassy said. The British defense ministry responded that Britain stood "shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine," according to Reuters. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov escalated the rhetoric later Tuesday, saying Moscow had the right to regard direct British involvement in strikes on Russian territory as participation in the war, according to Reuters on Aug. 18. Separately, Russian state television host Vladimir Solovyov called for using Russia’s Poseidon weapon against Britain, saying: "Give the British three days to learn to breathe underwater, then hit them with Poseidon," The Times reported Aug. 18. Poseidon is a nuclear-powered, nuclear-capable underwater weapon that Russia said it successfully tested in October 2025, Reuters reported at the time. Breedlove described the rhetoric as part of a broader Russian information campaign aimed at coercing Western governments. US MILITARY BASES ARE ‘ILL-EQUIPPED’ TO STOP DRONE SWARMS, TOP COMMANDER REVEALS AFTER RUBIO'S UAP WARNING "Without question, Russia is fighting an information war and trying to achieve what practitioners call ‘reflexive control’ to try to force NATO capitulation," Breedlove said. He argued that Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy, logistics and defense-industrial targets are creating growing pressure on the Kremlin and said Putin may increasingly seek to portray NATO itself as the external enemy. Breedlove said NATO is capable of facing Russia in a conventional war but warned that the alliance faces a different vulnerability exposed by the conflict in Ukraine. "What NATO is not ready for — and what the U.S. is not ready for — is the new kind of drone warfare that Russia is waging against Ukraine," Breedlove said. "Our air defense capabilities in the West are not even close to what is needed for the level of drone warfare that Russia is waging against Ukraine." Fox News Digital reached out to the Russian and British embassies for comment but did not receive responses in time for publication. Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85d7b32c5335ae1048a9d9 Time’s running out! Save $300 on your TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 pass until August 21  te 2026-08-19T16:20:03.977Z Time’s running out! Save $300 on your TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 pass until August 21  If you’ve been circling around Disrupt, then now’s the best time to lock in your pass and start getting ready to join the rest of the startup community gathering in San Francisco from October 13-15 at Moscone West! Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85d5612c5335ae1048a9ae For college football fans, "no fall weddings" isn't a bit or a gimmick, it's a lifestyle te 2026-08-19T16:10:09.067Z For college football fans, "no fall weddings" isn't a bit or a gimmick, it's a lifestyle Though it may not feel like it with the scorching temperatures and weekend pool parties still in full swing, fall is right around the corner, and with that, the start of the college football season. For a long time, though, fall has been a pretty famous (or infamous) wedding season, and it's easy to see why. The temperatures across the country reach reasonable levels, the foliage is as picturesque as it will ever be, and the sun seems to hit just right for those photo opportunities. THE 5 MOST DISAPPOINTING PRESEASON TOP-10 COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAMS OF THE 21ST CENTURY But for college football fans, fall weddings are the bane of our existence, and the war between weekend responsibilities and viewing pleasure has been an intense one since the advent of the sport. This was an almost unanimous sentiment among college football fans as far back as I can remember, but I've been seeing a growing portion of the fanbase start to push back on the "no fall weddings" movement. They call it a gimmick. They call it a bit. They tell college football fans to "grow up." I'm here to tell those fake fans and casuals that this isn't a bit, it's a lifestyle. All kidding aside, college football is my favorite sport, so I sympathize with the "no fall weddings" crew and consider myself a part of it. My wife and I agreed when we got married to have our wedding in August so as not to interfere with the season. CURT CIGNETTI REVEALS HOW WORKING FOR NICK SABAN CHANGED EVERYTHING: 'EVERY DAY WAS 4TH-AND-1' I'm not telling people to NOT have fall weddings, I'm just warning them that if you have one, I probably won't show up. And if I do end up going, it won't be of my own volition. My wife dragged me to an October wedding back in 2021 on a college football Saturday, and she still hasn't heard the end of it from me. Florida lost to Kentucky in the middle of the reception, and you have likely never seen a more miserable man doing the Electric Slide. And to the people telling college football fans to "grow up," I think having your priorities straight is pretty grown up in and of itself. My Saturdays during the fall are sacred. You can bother me any other day of the week or during a Saturday that falls on one of the other eight months out of the year. Or just have your wedding on a Sunday, like my buddy and fellow OutKicker Matt Reigle did. Sure, you'll piss off the NFL fans, but they're only slightly less insane than college fans, so it'll be fine. I also love the argument that "you can just watch all the games on your phone," because it's even stupider than just telling fans to grow up. First, I think it's less rude to just flat out refuse to go to a wedding than it would be to sit in the corner with your nose buried in your phone like a wallflower at prom. And second, I need to be in the comfort of my own home or among like-minded individuals when I'm watching a Florida game. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS Let's just say my behavior on a Saturday in the fall isn't exactly acceptable for a functioning member of society. STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW! All of that is to say, if you want to have a fall wedding, go right ahead. No one is stopping you. But don't take offense when the rest of us college football fans decide to skip it because Notre Dame and Miami play that weekend. We will send you something off the registry and make sure to have an extra hors d'oeuvre in our honor! Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85d5602c5335ae1048a9a5 Kai Trump reveals how family rallied around mom Vanessa amid breast cancer battle: ‘It’s a long journey’ te 2026-08-19T16:10:08.216Z Kai Trump reveals how family rallied around mom Vanessa amid breast cancer battle: ‘It’s a long journey’ Kai Trump is offering advice to young people with a parent battling cancer, drawing from her own family’s experience as she launches a new initiative shaped by her mother Vanessa Trump’s breast cancer diagnosis. President Donald Trump’s 19-year-old granddaughter, who recently began her freshman year at the University of Miami, told Fox News Digital that her family’s experience has taught her the importance of simply being present for a loved one during treatment. "The advice I'd give is just … spend time with them, be there for them," Kai said. "It's a long journey." She added, "It's always going to be up and down and kind of all over the place, but just be there for your family member, and be there as support and just spend time with them." KAI TRUMP REVEALS DIET AND NUTRITION SECRETS THAT CREATED SIX-PACK ABS POST-SURGERY Vanessa Trump revealed her breast cancer diagnosis in May. By June, she said she was recovering from surgery and preparing for the next phase of treatment. As she underwent treatment, Kai — the eldest of Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Trump’s five children — said she and her siblings took on more responsibilities at home and tried to ease the burden on their mother. "It's obviously a very tough thing, especially when my mom has a lot of kids," Kai said. "She always really took care of her five kids, and then going through the treatment, we all had to like step in and help out — which we always do — but just … making sure she's very calm and not stressed and stuff like that," she said. KAI TRUMP RECALLS ‘A LOT OF CRYING’ WITH MOM VANESSA BEFORE COLLEGE AMID BREAST CANCER BATTLE That experience also helped inspire Kai’s latest merchandise collection, which launched Wednesday and includes a charitable component benefiting breast cancer causes. "My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in May and hearing her go through treatment and then obviously being with her through the treatments, I just want to give back and give money back to breast cancer," Kai said. Kai said she hopes the effort can help fund additional breast cancer research and support other families affected by the disease. Her apparel shop first launched in September 2025, when she debuted a collection of KT-branded crewneck sweatshirts. VANESSA TRUMP REVEALS BREAST CANCER DIAGNOSIS IN EMOTIONAL STATEMENT: 'I AM STAYING FOCUSED AND HOPEFUL' "I did a drop last year and I wanted to do like a summer drop, a back-to-school drop," Kai said. "All my friends have been wearing it and they love it. So I'm super excited to launch new pieces." The new collection also includes tank tops, sweaters, crewnecks, bags and hats, according to Kai. "We're pretty much covering every single category," Kai said. "I'm looking forward to it." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85d3102c5335ae1048a943 Julio Rodriguez's inexcusable gaffe in center field is perfect microcosm of Mariners 22-0 loss to Brewers te 2026-08-19T16:00:16.861Z Julio Rodriguez's inexcusable gaffe in center field is perfect microcosm of Mariners 22-0 loss to Brewers The Seattle Mariners are paying Julio Rodriguez $18 million this season to play center field. The 25-year-old keeping up with how many outs there are in an inning would be the least he could do for the ball club, but Rodriguez failed to do so during Tuesday's contest against the Milwaukee Brewers. Fortunately for Rodriguez, his gaffe in center field happened when the game was so far out of reach for Seattle that it didn't really have much impact. That, however, doesn't mean it wasn't a wildly embarrassing moment for the three-time All-Star. With the Mariners trailing the Brewers 19-0 in the eighth inning, Milwaukee's Christian Yelich hit a routine pop-up to Rodriguez in center field. Rodriguez made the routine catch, and as outfielders typically do when recording the final out of the inning, he tossed the ball towards a group of fans beyond the wall. The one very important issue with that is Rodriguez's catch wasn't the third out of the inning; it was the second. GUARDIANS ROOKIE TOSSES BALL INTO STANDS AFTER MAKING SECOND OUT, COSTS TEAM GO-AHEAD RUN With the ball being chucked while the bases were loaded for the Brewers, Milwaukee scored two runs on the play: a runner tagged up from third base, and the runner on second advanced to home plate. Per the rules of baseball, each runner on base advances two bases in this instance. When it was all said and done, Seattle suffered its worst loss in franchise history on Tuesday, falling 22-0 to the Brewers. The Mariners began the eighth inning trailing 13-0, but surrendered a whopping nine runs in the frame. Rodriguez turning his brain off for a split second in a game that was long, long over is somewhat forgivable. It's fair to say he and his teammates were ready for things to end as quickly as possible, and his tossing of the baseball in the stands was a reaction to just that. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS Seattle third baseman Leo Rivas took the mound as an emergency reliever in the eighth inning and was essentially thrown to the wolves as he gave up nine hits and nine runs in his lone frame of work. Rodriguez also went 0-for-4 at the plate with two strikeouts against the Brewers. It was the quintessential night to forget for the young star and his club. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85d3102c5335ae1048a93a A massive brawl at Cowboys and Saints joint practice includes punches and helmets thrown and WWE moves te 2026-08-19T16:00:16.043Z A massive brawl at Cowboys and Saints joint practice includes punches and helmets thrown and WWE moves It is that lovely time for summer NFL training camps when very large men are anxious because they're trying to earn jobs, they're in foul moods because it is oppressively hot, and they're also competing against opposing teams because clubs schedule joint practices with each other. It is a petri dish of frustration and ire and aggressiveness mixing to form occasional fighting. And that's what the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints did on Tuesday when they went at it, so to speak, during their dual practice in Oxnard, Calif. How to describe that one: RAIDERS QUARTERBACK KIRK COUSINS, MAXX CROSBY GET INTO SCUFFLE IN TENSE TRAINING CAMP MOMENT There was a dustup. Then skirmishes (plural). And then a full-on brawl with punches exchanged to top it off. Asked afterward how he judged the work his team did in practice Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer answered thusly: "Right now," Schottenheimer said, "I'm charge of fight club." Yes, punches were thrown, which isn't the smartest because a fist typically doesn't work great against a helmet. So, some guys got smart and tossed their adversary's helmet. JA'MARR CHASE THROWS HELMET AS FIGHT BREAKS OUT ON FIRST DAY OF BENGALS TRAINING CAMP Then, at one point, Saints tight end Brock Rechsteiner grabbed Cowboys safety Jalen Thompson and applied a Suplex wrestling move. Makes sense because Rechsteiner is the son of WWE Hall of Famer Scott Steiner. Cowboys second-year linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku was removed from practice because officials saw him throw a punch. Cowboys cornerback Caelen Carson also threw a punch, per a video captured by the Dallas Morning News. Saints center Erik McCoy launched a Cowboy player's helmet to the moon, although the flight didn't reach its destination and the helmet landed mere yards away. That's when Ezeiruaku similarly grabbed McCoy's helmet, slung it off his head and similarly sent it flying. And then Ezeiruaku threw his punch. "You don't want punches thrown or anything like that," Saints linebacker Pete Werner said. "...But you want your guys protecting each other. You can also say that for the other team. There's a part of it that's good. Other part where it's, 'Let's be smart here. Let's get this moving.'" The coaches were not happy about the so-called fight club. They want professional work by professional players so they can hone skills and improve. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Such dual practices long ago took the place of preseason games for veterans because they compete against the opposing team's starters in these sessions and then do not play in the week's preseason game. The reason for going this route is these practices are supposed to be a controlled environment – usually. "Nobody wants this," Schottenheimer told reporters. He described the escapades as "unfortunate" and added the session "disappointed" him because his team didn't get the work it needed. There will not be a round 2 between these two teams on Wednesday. The Saints will be going down the road to visit the Rams for a joint practice on Thursday. FOLLOW ARMANDO SALGUERO ON X: @ARMANDOSALGUERO Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85d30b2c5335ae1048a90c Self-defense claim at center of Windsor Beach gun trial te 2026-08-19T16:00:11.658Z Self-defense claim at center of Windsor Beach gun trial An attorney says self-defense motivated his client to use a weapon following an argument over poor boating etiquette at the crowded Windsor Beach launch ramp more than a year ago. A 2–3-day trial for William Wachtveitl, 54, Yucca, opened Monday… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85d30a2c5335ae1048a903 Arizona Supreme Court ruling knocks ESA reform measure off ballot te 2026-08-19T16:00:10.342Z Arizona Supreme Court ruling knocks ESA reform measure off ballot PHOENIX -- A measure proposing major reforms to the Empowerment Scholarship Account program will no longer go to voters after missing the mark on signatures, according to a ruling from the Arizona Supreme Court. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85d3082c5335ae1048a8fa Arizona Supreme Court clears election overhaul for November ballot te 2026-08-19T16:00:08.659Z Arizona Supreme Court clears election overhaul for November ballot PHOENIX -- Arizonans will get a chance to decide on a package of proposed changes in election law on everything from who can spend money to influence races to a requirement for all voters -- including those who cast ballot… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85d3062c5335ae1048a8f1 Kingman man accused of firing 17 rounds at two homes te 2026-08-19T16:00:06.893Z Kingman man accused of firing 17 rounds at two homes No one was struck or injured when a Kingman man allegedly fired at least 17 rounds from a handgun at two local residences on Monday, Aug. 17. Deputy Police Chief Joel Freed said it is believed that the house gunfire… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85d0b32c5335ae1048a8b1 Tyler Robinson rarely hit bullseye in practice shots, putting bystanders at risk in Kirk shooting: prosecutors te 2026-08-19T15:50:11.043Z Tyler Robinson rarely hit bullseye in practice shots, putting bystanders at risk in Kirk shooting: prosecutors Accused Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson allegedly "seldom hit the bullseye and sometimes missed the target completely" when taking practice shots with the suspected murder weapon, according to Utah prosecutors, who opposed the defense team's attempt to have the potential death penalty taken off the table before trial. They are attempting to illustrate that the defendant knowingly put other people at great risk of death if he took a shot at Kirk from a rooftop, toward a crowd of thousands. Kirk, who was taking questions from the audience at a small stage in the campus courtyard, was struck in the neck. Robinson's defense, in a previous filing, argued that the fatal gunshot came from above the crowd and did not travel through it. They noted that only one shot was fired, it struck the intended victim, and no bystanders were shot. ACCUSED CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSIN TYLER ROBINSON ASKS JUDGE TO TAKE POTENTIAL DEATH PENALTY OFF TABLE In order to seek capital punishment, prosecutors need to prove an aggravating factor at trial — which they have alleged to be that the shooting created a great risk of death to someone other than Kirk and that Robinson knew of that danger. The defense wants to have the aggravator stricken before trial, which would eliminate the risk of a potential death sentence if he is convicted. The allegations came in a reply made public Tuesday, in answer to the defense team's earlier brief. The filings come in the wake of a week-long preliminary hearing in early July aimed at determining whether there is enough probable cause to send the case to trial. Judge Tony Graf Jr. has said he would issue a final decision on Sept. 1. TYLER ROBINSON HEARING ENDS WITHOUT RULING AS EVIDENCE DISMANTLES CHARLIE KIRK CONSPIRACY CLAIMS FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE Prosecutors told Graf that not only should Robinson's case be sent to trial — but also that the defendant's legal team "violated their ethical duty of candor to the Court" by ignoring basic case law in how evidence should be evaluated at the preliminary hearing stage. GOT A TIP? When drawing inferences, prosecutors wrote, the magistrate — the jurist overseeing the preliminary — "must" draw all reasonable ones in the state's favor. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST Simply put, Graf could infer that shooting someone on the other side of a large crowd could put bystanders at risk of being hit, as prosecutors have alleged. Robinson has not yet entered a plea. SURVEILLANCE VIDEO TIMELINE TRACKS ACCUSED CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSIN ACROSS UVU CAMPUS BEFORE FATAL ROOFTOP SHOT He is accused of driving from his home in southern Utah to Orem and fatally shooting Kirk during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University in September 2025, then confessing to several people before surrendering to authorities in his hometown. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85d0ad2c5335ae1048a88a Coconino County Board of Supervisors approves millions for local schools te 2026-08-19T15:50:05.833Z Coconino County Board of Supervisors approves millions for local schools “Education funding in Arizona is at a crisis point,” said Coconino County Board of Supervisors Chair Patrice Horstman. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85d0aa2c5335ae1048a86a TerraPower’s nuclear reactor has a secret weapon for powering AI data centers te 2026-08-19T15:50:02.572Z TerraPower’s nuclear reactor has a secret weapon for powering AI data centers TerraPower's nuclear power plant possesses a strategic advantage over competitors, especially when chasing after data center deals. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85ce5c2c5335ae1048a85e Police show up at home linked to Hayden Panettiere’s on-and-off boyfriend days after her sudden death te 2026-08-19T15:40:12.444Z Police show up at home linked to Hayden Panettiere’s on-and-off boyfriend days after her sudden death Hayden Panettiere's troubled relationship with on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson had one final, unexpected chapter that is still unfolding. On Wednesday, Greenville police showed up at a South Carolina home linked to Brian and Zach Hickerson just days after Hayden Panettiere’s death. Officers appeared to be carrying out a welfare check, but nobody answered the door. Two police cruisers were spotted around 8 a.m. Wednesday morning and again around 10 a.m. Fox News Digital reached out to Greenville Police Department for comment. Hickerson, who had an on-again, off-again relationship with Panettiere in the years before her death at 36, was among those at the South Carolina apartment when she was found unresponsive, according to the police report obtained by Fox News Digital. His presence there marked a striking final chapter in a relationship that had previously led to domestic violence charges and his eventual conviction. Hickerson and his brother had called 911 after finding Panettiere unresponsive, according to the report. Authorities spoke to both Hickerson and his brother, Zach, and executed a search warrant at the home. READ THE POLICE REPORT: WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO MOURNS FORMER FIANCÉE HAYDEN PANETTIERE, VOWS TO KEEP HER MEMORY ALIVE FOR DAUGHTER KAYA The police report claimed Zach appeared "very emotional" while paramedics worked to revive Panettiere. Meanwhile, Hickerson did not become emotional until the "Ice Princess" star was declared deceased. Officers were also given a bag of medication Panettiere had allegedly been taking by Hickerson. Panettiere had an on-again, off-again relationship with Hickerson in the years before her death at 36. Panettiere and Hickerson reportedly met through mutual friends in 2018 shortly after her split from Wladimir Klitschko. Hickerson, who is from South Carolina, worked in real estate before pursuing acting and had a small role in the 2017 thriller "M.F.A." Hickerson reportedly traveled with the "Remember the Titans" actress from Los Angeles the day before she was found unresponsive at a Greenville, South Carolina, apartment complex on Aug. 16, according to TMZ. The two broke up briefly in 2022, but rekindled their romance the following year. Hickerson's brother confirmed to police Brian was in a relationship with the actress at the time of Panettiere's death. HAYDEN PANETTIERE SAYS FILMING ‘NASHVILLE’ WAS LIKE LIVING THROUGH ADDICTION TWICE The former couple's relationship was marked by highly public legal troubles. Hickerson was first charged with domestic violence in connection to Panettiere in 2019. He was arrested again in 2020 on eight felony domestic violence charges, including felony charges of corporal injury on a spouse/cohabitant, a felony charge of assault with a deadly weapon and a misdemeanor charge of battery on a spouse/cohabitant. In 2021, he was sentenced after pleading no contest to two felony charges connected to the domestic violence involving Panettiere. The rest were dismissed due to the plea agreement. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Panettiere publicly addressed the allegations following Hickerson’s arrest, saying she hoped sharing her story would help others in abusive relationships. "I am coming forward with the truth about what happened to me with the hope that my story will empower others in abusive relationships to get the help they need and deserve," she said in a statement, according to People magazine. "I am prepared to do my part to make sure this man never hurts anyone again. I’m grateful for my support system, which helped me find the courage to regain my voice and my life." LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Three days before Panettiere's death, Hickerson appeared in Los Angeles court in an effort to have his felony charges reduced. "On Aug. 13, the prosecution objected to the defense’s motion to expunge and reduce both counts," a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office told Fox News Digital. "The court denied both." Hickerson had tried to have the charges reduced once before, appearing in court on July 18, 2025, Fox News Digital confirmed. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85ce5b2c5335ae1048a840 Ted Cruz takes victory lap as iconic American brand's stock plunges to 12-year low te 2026-08-19T15:40:11.496Z Ted Cruz takes victory lap as iconic American brand's stock plunges to 12-year low Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is again dunking on a popular sports brand as the company’s stock price hits a 12-year low. Cruz joined in on social media criticism of Nike, the Swoosh-emblazoned brand whose stock price has been on a steady decline for years. The lawmaker responded to conservative social media influencer Douglass Mackey’s list of reasons why Nike’s stock was suffering in a callback to his own boycott of the brand several years ago. MARY CAIN'S BOOK AND NIKE'S TRANS-ATHLETE STUDY REVEAL THE SAME PATTERN OF CORPORATE HYPOCRISY "Sad & predictable," Cruz posted on X, where he reiterated that Nike’s decision to nix its Betsy Ross themed shoe was how the company "lost me." "For my whole life, I wore nearly 100% Nike for athletic wear," Cruz said. "Kaepernick pissed me off, but when they cancelled the Betsy Ross shoe it showed that their marketing plan was America-hate. I went out & bought brand new shoes, shorts, t-shirts." "Turns out I wasn’t the only one," he continued. "#GoWokeGoBroke." Nike’s stock price hit a 12-year low earlier this week, dropping nearly 80% since the company’s all-time high in 2021. NIKE CRITICIZED FOR WALKING BACK BOSTON MARATHON AD FOLLOWING ‘PACE SHAMING’ BACKLASH The yearslong tumble downward saw nearly $200 billion in market value erased for the company, which five years ago saw its share price hit an all-time high of $177.51. It’s also not Cruz’s first foray into bashing the brand. In 2019, Cruz joined several conservatives to boycott Nike after the company opted to dump its planned Betsy Ross-themed shoe. Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who earned the ire of conservatives for sitting and kneeling during the national anthem in an act of protest against police brutality a decade ago, reportedly urged the company to drop the product. MLB GREAT JIM EDMONDS SAYS HE WOULDN'T HAVE TOLERATED NATIONAL ANTHEM PROTESTS: 'WE STAND UP AND SALUTE' He argued that the Revolutionary-era flag, with 13 white stars in a circle on a blue backdrop, was a symbol that had been adopted by White nationalist groups and a reminder of a time when Black people were enslaved. Nike said in a statement at the time that it opted to yank the shoe, which was set for a July Fourth release, because of "concerns that it could unintentionally offend and detract from the nation's patriotic holiday." Cruz at the time blasted the company and dumped his Nike gear. "It's a good thing @Nike only wants to sell sneakers to people who hate the American flag.... @NFL #HappyFourth," he said on X. He wasn’t the only major political figure to take a shot at the brand. Then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., criticized the decision to pull the Betsy Ross-themed shoe, and countered that if any other company had the same idea, he’d be the first in line to buy. "If we’re in a political environment where the American flag has become controversial to Americans, I think we’ve got a problem," McConnell said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85ce5a2c5335ae1048a837 Taylor Sheridan pours cold water on long-rumored 6666 spinoff after lots of speculation te 2026-08-19T15:40:10.780Z Taylor Sheridan pours cold water on long-rumored 6666 spinoff after lots of speculation Taylor Sheridan made it clear a long-rumored "Yellowstone" spinoff isn't happening. The "Yellowstone" universe is arguably the strongest entertainment product on TV today. The only thing that comes close might be "Game of Thrones." Either way, there is no question Sheridan created a powerhouse that has dominated the entertainment world. 'YELLOWSTONE' FANS GO ABSOLUTELY WILD FOR TAYLOR SHERIDAN'S NEW SPINOFF, RATINGS SOAR It's also spawned several spinoffs and prequels. One of the most talked about potential spinoffs is "6666" focused on Jimmy. Sheridan owns the actual 6666 ranch in Texas, where part of "Yellowstone" took place in the original saga. Well, "Yellowstone" fans shouldn't get too excited about the idea of Jimmy getting his own show because it's not happening. Sheridan officially poured cold water all over the idea. "There’s never going to be one. I would never fictionalize that ranch…People thought that that was going to be...but I would never do that. Because at some point, what you have to do to sustain it. I’ve actually got on my computer all the scenes of Jimmy at the Four Sixes pulled out and strung together, and it makes its own perfect little movie. Where you watch him go there as this misfit, and leave a man and a respected cowboy," Sheridan said during an interview with Dale Brisby. The "Yellowstone" creator said creating a spinoff at the 6666 would be "trivializing and fictionalizing something where real people work and they raise their families there...I could never do that to them." You can watch his full comments in the video below starting around 45:00, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. Well, this is a bit of a shame. Jimmy was one of the most lovable characters on "Yellowstone." He started as a drug addict with no future, and turned into a legitimate cowboy under the leadership of John Dutton and Rip. Eventually, he was shipped to the 6666, where he really grew into a mature person. It certainly appeared a spinoff was being set up, but as Sheridan made clear, he's not doing it, especially on his own massive ranch. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS The good news is there's plenty more of the Dutton story coming. "Dutton Ranch" was a smashing success with season one, and the prequel "1944" is still in the works. I'm especially excited for the latter. What do you want to see next from the "Yellowstone" universe? Let me know at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85ce532c5335ae1048a7fb Rivian spinout Also raises another $150 million te 2026-08-19T15:40:03.423Z Rivian spinout Also raises another $150 million The round, led by Prysm Capital, will fund the company's expansion beyond pedal-assist electric bikes and commercial cargo quads to autonomous delivery vehicles. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85cc032c5335ae1048a7d0 Jill Biden hails Hunter having his 'time to shine' as media tour raises questions about political ambitions te 2026-08-19T15:30:11.729Z Jill Biden hails Hunter having his 'time to shine' as media tour raises questions about political ambitions Former first lady Jill Biden praised her son, Hunter Biden, and his media "explosion" and momentum during an interview on Monday, telling podcast host Jamie Kern Lima that it was Hunter's "time to shine." Kern Lima said during the interview on her podcast that Hunter could be the "next star" in the Biden family, pointing to his social media presence and several recent podcast interviews, in which he has opened up about his struggle with addiction and more. "How do you and President Biden feel about his recent explosion?" she asked the former first lady. HUNTER BIDEN REVEALS HE NEVER WANTED JOE BIDEN TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION, BUT REFUSED TO TELL HIM TO STOP "We’re just so proud of him, that he can be so honest and say things other people won’t say, and feel comfortable with it, because he’s been through it," she said. "I think now is Hunter’s time to shine. He’s doing really good things." She said it was amazing how things had turned around for him and that good things could come from bad things. Biden also described how it was "heartbreaking" for her to hear Hunter's memoir read aloud when he went to trial. "But as parents, one of the toughest things I had to do was when Hunter was taken to court, and they played his book on tape in the courtroom, to hear him tell his story in his own words. I mean, it was like so heartbreaking. And I had my daughter Ashley, our daughter Ashley, next to me and it's just hearing the sound of his voice talking about it. And that's why I think, I don't know, it's amazing how things have turned around. So you see I do believe a lot of times that good things come from bad things," Biden said. HUNTER BIDEN CLAIMS UNDER OATH THAT HIS FAMILY IS BROKE AMID FIGHT OVER $17M LEGAL BILL "He's now coming out and sharing, and people are listening to what he has to say. And it's just, there is something happening. And I can spot momentum a million miles away. There's something happening with Hunter Biden right now. Something's happening," Kern Lima added. Biden agreed that something good was happening to him. Biden has appeared on NPR's "Newsmakers," and the podcasts of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Don Lemon and "I've Had It." He's also appeared on a Barstool Sports podcast and with "The View" co-host Ana Navarro on her show, "Bleep!" When reached for comment by Fox News Digital, Newsbusters Managing Editor Curtis Houck responded to Jill Biden's remarks: "'Time to shine' is certainly one way to put it. I would certainly think of it as a cry for help or a plea for attention. Clearly, no one is interested in Hunter's terrible artwork, and since there's no serious influence left to peddle from anyone on Team Biden, the money spigot has dried up." He continued, "All these interviews with rancorous figures in the podcasting world have shown is that the liberal, elitist media's protections of the Biden family for so long were solely out of self-preservation and their visceral hatred of Donald Trump (even though he's tremendous for their bottom lines). There's nothing hip, intriguing, or even stimulating about this crash-out."  During the conversation on Barstool Sports' "Macrodosing" podcast, the host known as Big Tennessee, said, "As I see you making the rounds, it just seems like a guy who might want to run for something. And then I saw you come in the building today." JILL BIDEN REVEALS TO 'THE VIEW' IT WAS 'HEARTBREAKING' WHEN DEMS ABANDONED JOE AFTER 2024 DEBATE The host said Hunter's reception when he entered the building was "of somebody that wants to run." "I'm definitely not running for anything," Biden said, joking that if he secured the Barstool host's endorsement he might. JILL BIDEN ADMITS PRESIDENT BIDEN WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SERVE ANOTHER FOUR YEARS Kern Lima asked Jill Biden during her conversation what she and former President Joe Biden would tell Hunter if he wanted to run for president, but the first part of her interview ended there. Biden has also been outspoken about critics of his father over the 2024 election. He discussed Joe Biden's debate performance on the "Macrodosing" podcast. "My dad walked out and he literally, for the first time in my life, I’ve ever seen this, he looked like a deer in the headlights. He looked blank. And what do I attribute that to? … I mean, we didn’t find out until nine months later that he not only had Stage 4 prostate cancer, but he had Stage 4 metastatic bone cancer, which means that it had been metastasizing for over a three-year period of time," he said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Biden's cancer diagnosis was not revealed until last year. Hunter Biden said during the interview that his father's debate performance came as a complete surprise to him and that he hadn't seen him like that before that night. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85cc022c5335ae1048a7c7 Cuba’s economic freefall is hiding a national security threat just miles from Florida: report te 2026-08-19T15:30:10.794Z Cuba’s economic freefall is hiding a national security threat just miles from Florida: report A new report warns that Cuba’s relationships with Russia, China and Iran could provide America’s adversaries with a strategic foothold just 90 miles from Florida, arguing that the island’s deepening economic crisis does not necessarily make it less dangerous to the United States. The America First Policy Institute report, The Dictatorship Next Door: Cuba and the Fight for the Western Hemisphere, argues that Washington has too often viewed Cuba primarily as a human rights, migration or economic problem while overlooking the national security implications of Havana’s relationships with U.S. adversaries. The report says those partnerships create opportunities for intelligence collection, military cooperation, cyber operations and political influence close to the U.S. homeland. "Cuba is a massive national security threat to the U.S.," report author Melissa Ford Maldonado, director of AFPI’s Western Hemisphere Initiative, told Fox News Digital in an interview ahead of the report’s release. RUBIO WARNS CUBA HAS INFILTRATED US WITH SPIES, CALLS COMMUNIST REGIME AN 'ESPIONAGE SUPERPOWER' "They are a hostile communist regime that is only 90 miles from Florida," Ford Maldonado said, arguing that Cuba has a decades-long history of working against American interests and supporting U.S. adversaries. The report’s most concrete current concern centers on China and suspected intelligence facilities on the island. A June 18, 2026, analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies found continued activity at Cuban sites capable of supporting signals intelligence collection. CSIS said it had previously identified four such sites, several with possible links to China. Ford Maldonado said she believes the broader evidence of Chinese intelligence activity on Cuba is compelling. "There is a lot of credible evidence that there are Chinese bases and that there is spying going on in Cuba," she said, claiming that China has taken advantage of Cuba’s geographic position to monitor U.S. activity. CUBA BUILT COVERT NETWORK INSIDE AMERICA THROUGH SPIES, ACTIVISTS AND UNIVERSITIES, STATE DEPT ALLEGES Russia’s relationship with Havana is older and more extensive. Ford Maldonado described Moscow and Havana as increasingly "intimate, reliable partners," pointing to diplomatic and military cooperation as well as Cuban nationals joining Russian forces fighting in Ukraine. The number of Cubans fighting for Russia is contested. A U.S. State Department cable obtained by Reuters on Oct. 5, 2025 estimated that 1,000 to 5,000 Cubans were fighting in Ukraine alongside Russian forces. Reuters reported that Ukrainian officials had also raised concerns with U.S. lawmakers about Russia’s recruitment of Cuban nationals. Cuba has denied sending troops to Ukraine. In an Oct. 11 statement reported by Reuters, the Cuban Foreign Ministry said Cuba was not participating in the conflict with military personnel and said it had prosecuted Cubans for mercenary activity. Havana said 40 defendants had faced criminal proceedings between 2023 and 2025, with 26 convicted. Ukraine nevertheless closed its embassy in Havana in October 2025 and downgraded relations, with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accusing Cuban authorities of failing to act against what Kyiv described as large-scale Russian recruitment of Cuban citizens, according to The Kyiv Independent. The public evidence regarding Iran is considerably less developed — something Ford Maldonado acknowledged when pressed by Fox News Digital. "Iran was a little bit trickier," she said. "There wasn’t that much substance that I could find to include it in the report," Ford Maldonado said, adding that she believes Iran has used Cuba primarily as a platform for influence operations. "The evidence was not as substantive as we saw with China and Russia and Venezuela," she said. The Trump administration has nevertheless grouped Iran with Russia and China in its own assessment of Cuba. US SANCTIONS FIVE CUBAN ENTITIES, CASTRO FAMILY MEMBER IN LATEST PRESSURE CAMPAIGN, RUBIO SAYS In a Jan. 29, 2026, executive order, President Donald Trump declared Cuba’s policies an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to U.S. national security and said Havana aligns itself with Russia, China, Iran and Iran proxies – Hezbollah and Hamas. The order also accused Cuba of hosting foreign military and intelligence capabilities and specifically alleged deep intelligence and defense cooperation with China and Russian signals-intelligence activity. AFPI’s report calls for a substantially tougher U.S. response. "We are not advocating for new American bases," she clarified. Instead, she said Washington could pursue expanded access agreements, overflight rights, cooperative security locations and stronger regional partnerships. "The objective is just permanent and persistent ... American capability," Ford Maldonado said. The call for even greater pressure, however, comes as ordinary Cubans are enduring a severe humanitarian crisis. Power outages were exceeding 20 hours a day in most provinces, Reuters reported Aug. 13, 2026, crippling food production, transportation and tourism and pushing Cuba’s electrical system toward technical collapse. Reuters described the situation as one of the most severe economic and political crises in Cuba’s modern history and said it had been exacerbated by the Trump administration’s oil restrictions and hardened sanctions. A July 7 investigation by Human Rights Watch described severe shortages of food and medicine, prolonged blackouts, water shortages and deteriorating living conditions. WALTZ WARNS OF CHINESE, RUSSIAN-FUELED ‘NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT’ LOOMING CLOSE TO US SHORES HRW attributed Cuba’s crisis to multiple factors, including longstanding structural inefficiencies in its highly state-controlled economy, decades of U.S. restrictions on trade and financing, the collapse of tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent tightening of U.S. sanctions. HRW said the 2026 restrictions on oil supplies further deepened the energy crisis. Critics of the Trump administration’s maximum-pressure strategy argue that further squeezing an already collapsing economy risks worsening civilian suffering and triggering additional instability and migration. On June 8, UN-appointed independent human rights experts called for the sanctions to be lifted, arguing that they were putting Cubans’ access to essential goods and services at risk. Asked about that broader criticism, Ford Maldonado said the blame belongs with Havana rather than Washington. "Maximum pressure isn’t harming the Cuban people, it’s harming their regime," she said, arguing that the Cuban government and Cuban people should be treated as distinct. "One has brutalized and repressed the other for 67 years now," Ford Maldonado said. "So maximum pressure is what’s necessary from the United States and from the rest of the world in order to be able to help the Cuban people." Fox News Digital reached out to the Russian, Chinese and Iranian embassies but did not receive a response in time for publication. Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85c9a62c5335ae1048a754 Police: Two brothers arrested following dirtbike chase te 2026-08-19T15:20:06.570Z Police: Two brothers arrested following dirtbike chase A municipal park violation led to felony charges this weekend for two California residents, after police say the suspects fled on their dirtbikes to avoid confrontation with Lake Havasu City Police officers. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85c7582c5335ae1048a710 Iran loses key economic lifeline in Middle East that Trump's sanctions couldn't reach as deadlock persists te 2026-08-19T15:10:16.784Z Iran loses key economic lifeline in Middle East that Trump's sanctions couldn't reach as deadlock persists The United Arab Emirates suspended all trade, commercial exchanges and financial transactions with Iran after accusing Tehran of firing ballistic missiles toward maritime traffic. The action severs one of the Islamic Republic’s most important commercial and financial links and threatens to close off an economic route President Donald Trump's sanctions have struggled to reach. It also further deepens Iran’s isolation amid its standoff with the U.S. The UAE supplied 31% of Iran’s imports, valued at roughly $21 billion, in 2024, and was the destination for 13% of its exports, according to World Trade Organization trade data. IRAN DEAL CLOCK HITS ZERO AS TRUMP DEMANDS ‘WHITE FLAG’ WITH NEW PRESSURE CAMPAIGN LOOMING Miad Maleki, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and former Treasury official, said the UAE is one of Tehran’s two key economic lifelines. "The UAE and China are Iran's two economic bloodlines. If UAE is serious about its economic embargo against Iran, then it'll close the one the U.S. Navy couldn't touch," Malek wrote on X. KEY CHINA-IRAN INFRASTRUCTURE EXPOSES CRITICAL HOLE IN TRUMP'S WAR STRATEGY Maleki said Dubai has become Tehran’s gateway to global commerce, with third-country goods routed through the emirate to Iran. "Most of what Iran calls ‘imports from the UAE’ was never Emirati. Dubai has been basically Iran's window to the world economy," he said. The UAE Foreign Ministry said the measures would remain in place "until further notice," citing a regional escalation that it said undermined peace and security. Emirati officials said two ballistic missiles launched from Iran fell into the sea and were targeting maritime navigation. Iran denied responsibility, with its foreign ministry deeming the accusation as "baseless." Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the UAE’s claim ran counter to good-neighborliness and referred to what he called a history of "multiple false-flag operations" in the region. Dubai has also served as an important conduit for Iranian financial networks facing U.S. sanctions. Earlier this month, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Dubai-based exchange houses and trading fronts it said helped Iranian networks move hundreds of millions of dollars and recover revenue from oil sales. The Treasury said this action advanced President Donald Trump’s maximum-pressure policy, though neither Washington nor Abu Dhabi has said the UAE’s new trade freeze was coordinated with the U.S. campaign. IRAN FAILS TO STRIKE DEAL WITH US AS DEADLINE PASSES AND TRUMP CALLS FOR ‘WHITE FLAG OF SURRENDER' The UAE’s move to suspend trade comes at a time when U.S.-Iran diplomacy has again broken down due to disputes over the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway that had carried roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas before the war started earlier this year. A deadlock again emerged this week after Monday's 60-day deadline came and went with no new deal on the table. Trump said Tuesday that no talks with Iran were underway or planned after a 60-day window for a broader agreement expired. He also said the U.S. naval blockade remained in effect and insisted the strait was "open and operating," while Iran maintained it would remain closed until Washington lifted oil sanctions, ended its blockade of Iranian ports and met other conditions. A day earlier, Trump posted a map on Truth Social labeling the Strait of Hormuz "NEW U.S. Territory," escalating the dispute over control of the strategic waterway. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85c7572c5335ae1048a707 New York grandmother vanishes in Las Vegas as family gets mysterious texts from her phone asking for Bitcoin te 2026-08-19T15:10:15.965Z New York grandmother vanishes in Las Vegas as family gets mysterious texts from her phone asking for Bitcoin Days after a New York grandmother vanished without a trace while visiting Las Vegas, her family says they began receiving chilling text messages from her phone asking for Bitcoin. Alisa Goods, a 63-year-old grandmother of five, was reported missing Aug. 10, two days after she was last seen leaving a friend's apartment near Maryland Parkway and Tropicana Avenue, according to her family and a missing person report obtained by KLAS-TV. Goods was staying with her longtime friend Roger John, who told the station she left his apartment around 12:45 p.m. Aug. 8 to take a bus to a nearby CVS to pick up iron pills. She never came back. 'WONDERFUL' CA NURSE AND MOTHER VANISHES AFTER GOING TO CASINO, CAR FOUND ABANDONED AT MOUNTAIN PARK: FAMILY "Last I saw her, she was going down the stairs. And I said, ‘OK, see you later,’ And that’s the last time I saw her," John told the station. John said he initially wasn't alarmed because Goods sometimes spent hours out shopping. When she didn't return, he began calling and texting her without success and later contacted her family. "This is not like her to just go missing," Goods' niece, Alana Calloway, told the outlet. "She has a family that loves her, cares about her. We want her home and want her home safe and alive." SCAMMERS EXPLOIT NANCY GUTHRIE CASE WITH QR CODE MONEY REQUESTS, PIMA COUNTY SHERIFF WARNS On Aug. 12, Goods' family says messages started coming from her phone. The person asked for gas money and Bitcoin, requests the family found suspicious because Goods doesn't drive and didn't have a car in Las Vegas. "I said, ‘What do you need gas for? The car?’ My aunt does not drive. There is no car," Calloway told CBS News. The family says they still don’t know who is texting from Goods’ phone, raising the possibility that she had been kidnapped. "If they have her phone, there's a possibility that they have her," Calloway told the outlet. "I want to know that she's OK and that she is alive." The family has checked local hospitals, jails and the coroner's office but has found no sign of Goods. Her daughter, Kristen, traveled to Las Vegas to help search for her. SAVANNAH GUTHRIE MAKES DESPERATE PLEA SIX MONTHS AFTER MOM NANCY WENT MISSING: 'SOMEONE KNOWS SOMETHING' "I am hoping to God for the best, but my heart can't take what it could be, which is the worst," Kristen Goods told the station. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police (LVMPD) told CBS News that Goods' missing person case remains active and asked anyone with information to contact investigators. Fox News Digital has reached out to LVMPD but did not immediately hear back. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85c7572c5335ae1048a6fe Fauci scandal grows as top House committee accuses Biden Cabinet official of hiding COVID diary te 2026-08-19T15:10:15.218Z Fauci scandal grows as top House committee accuses Biden Cabinet official of hiding COVID diary FIRST ON FOX: Dr. Anthony Fauci's woes on Capitol Hill are far from over after his contentious Senate hearing late last month. The House Oversight Committee is now questioning why Fauci's COVID-19 pandemic-era diary and cellphone were not turned over to Congress before this year, and it is placing the blame on former President Joe Biden's top health official. In a letter sent Monday, Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., highlighted a November 2023 request by House Republicans for former Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra, a California gubernatorial candidate, to produce any records from Fauci containing the words "COVID-19," "gain-of-function," and "Wuhan." EXCLUSIVE: BIDEN PARDON WON'T SHIELD FAUCI IF HE LIES TO CONGRESS, COMER SAYS "These terms, among others outlined in the document request, appear throughout Dr. Fauci’s diary. Despite the existence of this clearly relevant and responsive information, you failed to include any portion of Dr. Fauci’s diary in your response, let alone even acknowledge its existence," Comer wrote. "The Committee is concerned that you either intentionally withheld this information, or that you failed to conduct an adequate search of the Department’s systems as requested in the November 2, 2023, letter." FAUCI HELD IN CONTEMPT AS COVID CELLPHONE LANDS IN HANDS OF SENATE INVESTIGATORS Current HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. turned over Fauci's COVID-era diary and cellphone to Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Ron Johnson, R-Wis., earlier this year. The diary in particular caused an uproar among Fauci's critics, who accused him of gloating about his influence and celebrity during the pandemic at a time when millions of Americans were grappling with a slew of government regulations. FAUCI'S NEWLY RELEASED COVID DIARIES REVEAL BIZARRE FIXATION ON FAME AS PANDEMIC DEATHS MOUNTED More than 1,000 pages released to the public showed insight into Fauci's private thoughts as pandemic science rapidly evolved, as well as entries of the longtime public health official mulling over his newfound fame. Fauci told the Oversight Committee's now-defunct pandemic subcommittee in June 2024, "The CDC was responsible for those kinds of guidelines to schools, not me," when discussing measures like the six-foot distancing rule that played a major role in keeping schools closed across the country. Multiple diary entries suggest Fauci at least discussed school closures with political leaders. For example, one 2020 excerpt has the doctor saying he "convinced" then-New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio "based on what I was saying publicly and my conversation tonight to close the NYC schools." Fauci spoke to none of that during his Senate hearing in late July, however. Instead, the infectious disease expert invoked the Fifth Amendment over 100 times as Republicans hammered him over the pandemic's effects and the revelations from his diary. Becerra, whom Comer is directing scrutiny at now, is currently running for governor of California. Comer asked him to answer a series of questions by Sept. 2 of this year, including whether he was aware of the diary's existence, why it was not produced in House Republicans' initial document request, and whether any fellow Biden officials pressured him to withhold anything from the 2023 request. Fox News Digital reached out to Becerra's gubernatorial campaign for a response. It comes on the heels of a former Fauci adviser, David Morens, pleading guilty to conspiracy to conceal COVID-19 records related to grant funding. During his June 2024 House hearing, Fauci conceded it was "inappropriate" for Morens to edit a press release concerning grant funding and that Morens violated federal health policy by editing a letter sent to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), among other actions. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85c74e2c5335ae1048a6c2 Amazon makes its AI-powered Alexa+ free on Fire TV, no Prime required te 2026-08-19T15:10:06.465Z Amazon makes its AI-powered Alexa+ free on Fire TV, no Prime required Amazon is making its AI-powered Alexa+ assistant free on all compatible Fire TV devices in the U.S., automatically upgrading users whether or not they subscribe to Prime. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85c74d2c5335ae1048a6b9 Sachin Bansal’s fintech Navi raises first outside capital with $100M Prosus investment te 2026-08-19T15:10:05.353Z Sachin Bansal’s fintech Navi raises first outside capital with $100M Prosus investment The investment comes amid Navi plans to go public. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85c4ff2c5335ae1048a696 Bill de Blasio backs Democrats' socialist wing, says Americans are 'hungry' for far-left vision te 2026-08-19T15:00:15.213Z Bill de Blasio backs Democrats' socialist wing, says Americans are 'hungry' for far-left vision Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio says Americans are "hungry" for the vision being offered by leaders on the Democratic Party's socialist flank as Democrats debate the party's ideological future. "There are specific leaders who have emerged out of DSA who are providing a vision that actually a lot of people in this country are hungry for," de Blasio said Tuesday on "The Ingraham Angle." De Blasio pointed to Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani as leaders he believes are tapping into frustration with the political status quo by focusing on issues such as affordability. DE BLASIO DEFENDS SOCIALIST 'INSURGENCY' INSIDE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, SAYS TRUMP HAS BECOME 'STATUS QUO' "It is about the leaders that are emerging, like Bernie Sanders, AOC, Mamdani, some of the folks who won primaries lately," he said. "They are pointing in a specific direction, and there's a reason they're winning." AOC CRUISES TO PRIMARY VICTORY AS SPECULATION SWIRLS ABOUT POLITICAL FUTURE De Blasio, who has said he is neither a socialist nor a member of the DSA, nevertheless expressed support for several parts of the movement's economic and social agenda when pressed by host Laura Ingraham. He expressed support for ending the war in Iran, Medicare for All, raising taxes on America's wealthiest people — policies he argued speak directly to voters' concerns about affordability. "These progressive candidates are winning because they're talking about how to raise wages, how to lower health care costs, how to get out of the war in Iran that is shooting up gasoline prices," he said, also acknowledging there are limits to his alignment with the movement. Outside of affordability, de Blasio also called for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to be abolished and replaced with a new agency. "We need a secure border, but we should abolish ICE because it's a broken agency and start over with a different kind of agency that can secure our border without creating so much violence in our cities," he said. He also called for a "path to legalization" for illegal immigrants who have not committed violent or serious crimes. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85c4f82c5335ae1048a65b Amazon’s Prime Air is taking off in nearly 500 U.S. cities te 2026-08-19T15:00:08.053Z Amazon’s Prime Air is taking off in nearly 500 U.S. cities Amazon is significantly expanding its Prime Air drone delivery service, with plans to reach nearly 500 U.S. cities by the end of 2026. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85bdf32c5335ae1048a585 Lindsay Clancy described a male voice ordering her to ‘kill her children and kill herself’: testimony te 2026-08-19T14:30:11.923Z Lindsay Clancy described a male voice ordering her to ‘kill her children and kill herself’: testimony If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). A psychologist testified Tuesday that Lindsay Clancy said she heard a "male voice" commanding her to kill her children, according to testimony at her murder trial. Lindsay Clancy, 36, faces three counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of her children — Cora, Dawson and Callan, all younger than 6, who were discovered strangled at the family's Duxbury home in 2023. The prosecution rested its case Monday morning, and Lindsay Clancy's defense attorney has begun presenting its case, contending that she was experiencing postpartum psychosis at the time she killed her children. Dr. Paul Zeizel, a clinical and forensic psychologist, testified that after Lindsay Clancy killed her three children, she told her then-husband Patrick that she had heard a voice instructing her to kill them. WATCH: LINDSAY CLANCY MURDER TRIAL BECOMES SOCIAL MEDIA OBSESSION AS TIKTOKERS, SLEUTHS DEBATE CONTROVERSIAL CASE "She had told Patrick that she loved him very much. She was unable to express a lot of emotion, but she expressed love for him, and she had said that she heard a male voice ordering her, telling her that she didn't have any choice. But she had to kill her children and then kill herself," Zeizel said. Kevin Reddington, Clancy's defense attorney, asked if she was lying about her symptoms. WHEN IS A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS TOO SEVERE FOR TELEHEALTH? WARNING SIGNS FAMILIES SHOULDN'T IGNORE "She was not faking. There was no evidence of any malingering. She presented as an honest citizen," Zeizel said. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X Zeizel visited Clancy in the hospital following the alleged killings of her children, after Reddington obtained a court order permitting him to speak with her. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE Reddington asked Zeizel why he let Clancy use his phone. SEND US A TIP "I let her call her husband out of human compassion," he said. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS Susan Clancy, Lindsay's mother-in-law, said on Tuesday that she had concerns about Lindsay's mental health during the 2022 holiday season, but described her as a "wonderful mother." LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST "Lindsay was struggling. We were all very concerned," Susan Clancy said. "She was very nurturing, very loving." GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL "She was begging for help," Susan Clancy added. The defense resumed its case Wednesday morning, as attorneys work to persuade jurors that Lindsay Clancy was suffering from severe postpartum psychosis when she killed her children. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85bdf32c5335ae1048a57c Publix ditches longtime checkout lane rule in major change for shoppers te 2026-08-19T14:30:11.078Z Publix ditches longtime checkout lane rule in major change for shoppers Publix shoppers may notice a change the next time they head for the express checkout lane. The Florida-based supermarket chain has dropped the traditional 10-item limit from its express lanes, giving store employees more flexibility to manage checkout traffic and potentially reduce wait times. "To better serve our customers and improve checkout efficiency, we recently updated our express lane process to provide associates with greater flexibility in managing customer flow," a company spokesperson said in a statement to Fox News Digital. TRADER JOE'S WORKERS SHUT DOWN LONG-RUNNING CHECKOUT LINE RUMOR: 'OVER-THE-TOP FRIENDLINESS' "Rather than adhering to a specific item limit, our focus is on reducing wait times and ensuring customers can be served as efficiently as possible." Signs that previously designated lanes for customers with "10 items or less" are being replaced with signs that simply say "express," according to reports. The change does not mean Publix is doing away with express checkout altogether. Instead, the supermarket is moving away from using a specific number of items to determine who should use the lane. The policy could allow employees to take factors such as store traffic and the size or complexity of an order into account when directing customers to checkout lanes. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Publix has also increasingly offered self-checkout stations at its stores, providing another option for shoppers looking to quickly pay for smaller purchases. The Lakeland, Florida-based company operates more than 1,400 supermarkets across eight Southeastern states. It was not immediately clear whether the updated express checkout policy applies to every Publix location or when the change officially took effect. The change has generated discussion among shoppers over whether removing the item limit will make checkout more efficient or defeat the purpose of having an express lane in the first place. "An express lane with no item limit is just another checkout lane," one person wrote on Reddit. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS Another commenter suggested Publix should simply make self-checkout the faster option for shoppers with smaller orders, writing, "Just make it another regular register and push SCO as the express option." Others supported the change, arguing that the number of items in a customer's cart does not necessarily determine how long a transaction will take. "I actually kinda like this," one commenter wrote. "Express is meant for quick orders." TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Publix's existing customer service policies continue to list a variety of payment options at checkout, including cash, checks with proper identification, debit or credit cards and contactless payments. Publix also maintains its longstanding "Publix Promise," under which a customer who is charged more for an item at checkout than the shelf or advertised price receives it for free, excluding alcohol and tobacco products. Additional quantities are charged at the lower price. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85bb982c5335ae1048a520 Karmelo Anthony's defense targets judge who said jury 'got it right' after murder conviction te 2026-08-19T14:20:08.665Z Karmelo Anthony's defense targets judge who said jury 'got it right' after murder conviction A Texas judge will hear arguments Wednesday over whether the judge who presided over Karmelo Anthony’s June murder trial should be removed from his post-trial case, one day before a separate hearing on the convicted murderer’s request for a new trial. Anthony’s new legal team, led by Attorney Russell Wilson II, has asked another judge to remove Judge John Roach from all remaining proceedings, arguing Roach’s public comments after the trial created an appearance of bias. The recusal hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday. Court records identify Judge Sid Harle as the presiding judge. KARMELO ANTHONY BLASTS JUDGE IN NEW FILING OVER HANDLING OF MURDER TRIAL Anthony is expected to attend Wednesday’s hearing, a Collin County official told Fox News Digital. The official said a bench warrant had been issued in the case. Anthony was convicted in June of murdering 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, who prosecutors said he fatally stabbed during an altercation at a Frisco track meet. A Collin County jury sentenced Anthony to 35 years in prison. KARMELO ANTHONY FOUND GUILTY OF MURDER IN TEXAS TRACK MEET STABBING Wilson leads Anthony’s legal team, which filed two motions July 7 – one to recuse Roach and the other seeking a new trial. The new-trial hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday. The defense argues Roach cannot fairly rule on the post-trial motions because of remarks he made to reporters after the verdict. KARMELO ANTHONY TRIAL IGNITES RIVAL CAMPS THAT THREATEN TO GET IN JURORS’ HEADS IN TRACK MEET STABBING: EXPERT KARMELO ANTHONY STAYS SILENT AS ANALYSTS WARN DEFENSE FACES UPHILL BATTLE IN TRACK MEET STABBING TRIAL The filing cites comments in which Roach said the jury "got it right" and defended several trial rulings, including his handling of courtroom access and the dismissal of three Black prospective jurors. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X Anthony’s attorneys contend those comments have created the appearance that Roach prejudged the defense’s claims. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS The filing does not directly challenge Anthony’s guilt or innocence. Instead, it alleges constitutional and legal errors that the defense says deprived him of a fair trial. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE The motion argues Anthony’s trial was not open enough to the public. Cameras were barred from the courtroom and only 27 seats were available for members of the public. SEND US A TIP Anthony’s lawyers also accuse prosecutors of breaking an off-the-record agreement about character evidence and other alleged acts unrelated to the murder charge. They argue the dispute forced Anthony to decide whether to testify while risking the introduction of evidence they say could unfairly prejudice jurors. CONVICTED KILLER KARMELO ANTHONY CLAIMS HE IS 'PENNILESS' IN APPEAL DESPITE MAJOR DONOR-FUNDED LEGAL CAMPAIGN The defense also challenges the jury instructions, arguing they limited jurors’ ability to fully consider Anthony’s claim of self-defense. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST Roach referred the recusal request to another judge under Texas procedure. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL The outcome of Wednesday’s hearing could determine who handles Anthony’s new-trial motion and other remaining post-conviction matters in the trial court. Fox News Digital has reached out to Anthony’s defense team for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85b9432c5335ae1048a4c2 Lindsey Graham’s sister admits she’s ‘not that informed on national security’ while seeking full Senate term te 2026-08-19T14:10:11.280Z Lindsey Graham’s sister admits she’s ‘not that informed on national security’ while seeking full Senate term Sen. Darline Graham, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham’s sister who was appointed to fill his vacant seat, admitted during a South Carolina GOP Senate debate that she is "not that informed on national security" as she campaigns for a full six-year term. Graham made the candid admission just days before South Carolina’s GOP Senate runoff between her and Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., after a moderator asked whether Taiwan and the South China Sea are national security issues for the United States. She responded that national security is "not my thing" and "not my area of expertise." The political newcomer has the backing of President Donald Trump, who urged her to seek a full term and endorsed her candidacy after she was appointed to the Senate by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster. "Are Taiwan and the South China Sea national security issues for the United States, and if so, why or how?" the moderator asked. RALPH NORMAN SUGGESTS SPECIAL GOP PRIMARY RUNOFF RIVAL DARLINE GRAHAM IS THE ESTABLISHMENT'S CHOSEN CANDIDATE "I’m just going to be honest here. I’m not that informed on national security," Graham responded. "But I do support the military. My brother was in the Air Force for 33 years, so I will do everything I can to support the military. My dad was in the Army. I’m not a polished politician up here. National security is not my thing, not my area of expertise. But I do support the military." The gaffe earned Graham backlash and responses on X, including from Nikki Haley, former U.N. ambassador and South Carolina governor. "Lindsey Graham was well informed on the United States’ national security. Darline Graham admits she’s not. This is not something you inherit. And it’s critical in the U.S. Senate," Haley wrote on X alongside a clip of Graham's remarks. "DEVASTATING: Darline Graham can't answer a softball question about China and Taiwan, admitting she doesn't know much about foreign policy," wrote South Carolina talk-show host Tara Servatius, noting that her "stunned 16 year old answered it off the top of his head." After the debate, Graham told reporters that South Carolinians are "worried about their pocketbooks more than they’re worried about the South China Sea, quite honestly," according to the Post and Courier. TRUMP'S FIERCEST GOP CRITIC BECAME HIS MOST INFLUENTIAL VOICE ON WAR AND PEACE Graham’s spin room comments echoed how she has previously described the differences between herself and her late brother, who made foreign policy and national security a hallmark of his Senate career. During a July interview on Fox News’ "Hannity," Graham recalled urging her brother to focus more on the everyday issues facing voters rather than national security. "I would watch him, and I’d be like, ‘Lindsey, are you just talking about national security all the time?’" Graham said, pointing instead to issues such as groceries, gas and healthcare. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER Graham's response to the Taiwan question wasn't the only gaffe she had during Tuesday night's debate. Graham is also facing heat for saying that South Carolina was home to 50 million residents, when in fact it only has about 5 million. "Darlene Graham doesn't even know how many people live in South Carolina! Here she is saying 50 million people live here. Darlene darling, approximately 5.5 million people, not 50 million people live in South Carolina. I can't even right now with this Senate race," said Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., on X. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85b9422c5335ae1048a4b9 Kevin Sorbo blasts Hollywood 'blacklisting' of conservatives as 'seventh grade mean girls' culture te 2026-08-19T14:10:10.505Z Kevin Sorbo blasts Hollywood 'blacklisting' of conservatives as 'seventh grade mean girls' culture Kevin Sorbo has a message for Hollywood. The actor is calling out what he sees as Hollywood's double standard for conservatives, arguing that creators who embrace Christian or traditional values can find themselves blacklisted. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Sorbo, who appears in the faith-based movie "Elijah Peel," compared Hollywood's treatment of conservative and Christian voices to the behavior of schoolyard bullies. "That's why I find a lot of things in Hollywood, with their blacklisting people that have conservative or Christian viewpoints, I find it like they're seventh grade mean girls. It's just ridiculous and childish to me. We all have different opinions. There's nothing wrong with that," Sorbo said. HOLLYWOOD'S 'FIRST CANCEL CULTURE VICTIM' KEVIN SORBO SEES INDUSTRY DRAMATICALLY SHIFTING UNDER TRUMP The "Hercules" star's comments came while discussing "Elijah Peel," a true-story-inspired drama about a rock star whose meteoric career, addiction and self-destructive lifestyle come crashing down after a near-fatal heart attack. The movie, from executive producers Willie and Korie Robertson of "Duck Dynasty," follows Elijah as he encounters a remarkable young girl whose faith ultimately forces him to confront the life he's been living. Sorbo plays Elijah's talent manager, a man desperately attempting to keep the troubled rock star's life from completely falling apart. The movie's themes of addiction, redemption and spiritual transformation also prompted Sorbo to discuss his belief that some struggles can involve more than physical or psychological factors. WATCH: ACTOR KEVIN SORBO SAYS ‘DEMONIC STUFF’ IS HAPPENING IN HOLLYWOOD When Fox News Digital asked Sorbo whether addiction can sometimes be a spiritual battle as much as a physical or psychological one, Sorbo didn't hesitate. "Oh, most definitely. Most definitely. I think it covers all those bases," he said. Sorbo also said "there's no question" he has encountered what he considers genuine spiritual darkness during his years in Hollywood. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "I think there's a lot of demonic stuff going on out there," Sorbo said. He criticized efforts to remove Christian and religious references from schools and other institutions, tying the issue to what he described as America's Christian founding values. "It's weird when America was founded on really Christian values by our founding fathers, and now they want to get rid of all these things out of schools," he said. "We took the Bible out in '64. We want to take plaques that have been locked in the buildings built in the 1700s in the Ivy League. And now students go, 'I'm offended by that. Take it down.' Well, maybe I'm offended by you being offended. When does it end?" WATCH: ACTOR KEVIN SORBO TOUTS ‘ELIJAH PEEL’ FOR WHAT HOLLYWOOD ABANDONED Sorbo has previously spoken openly about his Christian faith and conservative political views, positions he said can make navigating Hollywood particularly difficult. "It's the conservatives that are in the closet now because they saw me get canceled," Sorbo said. "But I'm still working. And I get a lot of these actors stop me at events we're at, and go, ‘Hey man, thanks for being a voice for us.’ And I go, 'be a voice for yourself, let's stop letting fear rule your life.'" Sorbo told Fox News Digital "Elijah Peel" is part of a larger conversation about faith, morality, addiction and the possibility of redemption. For Sorbo, that message was precisely what attracted him to the project. KELSEY GRAMMER SUSPECTS HE 'MAY HAVE' LOST HOLLYWOOD ROLES DUE TO CONSERVATIVE VIEWS "I think we hear a lot about rock and roll stars, you know, the fall down, the women, the sex, the drugs, you know, the booze and everything like that," Sorbo said. "But you don't hear a lot of the redemption stories that come out for some of those people." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Sorbo said the movie offers something he believes is increasingly rare in Hollywood — a story about what happens after someone hits rock bottom. "I like movies that are based on true stories and I like movies that have redemption in them because we don't do many of those anymore," Sorbo said. "And that's kind of the road that I've been on for a while. Hollywood used to make movies like this that had good messaging in it." "Elijah Peel" is currently playing in theaters. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85b93c2c5335ae1048a474 The founder’s secret weapon: Work at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 and learn how the pros do it  te 2026-08-19T14:10:04.518Z The founder’s secret weapon: Work at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 and learn how the pros do it  Volunteer at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 and get an insider's view of how world-class tech events get built and more. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85b93a2c5335ae1048a46b Calendly throws its hat into meeting note-taker circus te 2026-08-19T14:10:02.418Z Calendly throws its hat into meeting note-taker circus Calendly is also releasing a meeting scheduling assistant called Callie Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85b6ec2c5335ae1048a443 5 takeaways from Florida Senate primary: GOP Sen Ashley Moody will face DSA's Nixon te 2026-08-19T14:00:12.343Z 5 takeaways from Florida Senate primary: GOP Sen Ashley Moody will face DSA's Nixon President Donald Trump celebrated the primary defeat of longtime political foe Alexander Vindman on Tuesday night after Democratic Florida State Rep. Angie Nixon pulled off a stunning upset in the primary that sought to flip the seat held Sen Ashley Moody, R-Fla. This will be a first general election race for Moody, outgoing Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis' hand-picked successor for former senator and current Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and it will be an ideological battle between a leading legal mind and one of the Democratic Socialists of America's up and coming figures in Nixon. Here are five takeaways from Tuesday night's high-profile Florida Senate primary: FAR-LEFT SOCIALIST WINS MASSIVE FLORIDA UPSET: KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM TUESDAY'S PRIMARIES Trump dunks on Impeachment 1 witness The Obama-Biden establishment Democrat era sees another one of its national political figures suffer a loss in Florida, a state that once was former President Barack Obama's key swing state. "SleazeBag Vindman loses tonight to a Radical Left Lunatic," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post Tuesday night. "How cool is that???" Vindman, a retired Army Lt. Col. who fled Soviet Ukraine as a child with his twin brother Eugene, rose to prominence as a Russia hawk during the final years of the Obama administration's Pentagon. Vindman testified during the first Trump impeachment trial that he "was asked to serve" on the National Security Council in July 2018, serving under fellow-impeachment witness Fiona Hill. He became a polarizing national political figure when he testified during the 2019 House impeachment inquiry about Trump’s phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. SOCIALIST SURGE: FAR-LEFT DEMOCRATS TEST NATIONAL PLAYBOOK AFTER BLUE-CITY PRIMARY SHOCKS Dems again burn big money opposing DSA candidate Vindman, backed by the Democrat establishment, raised 16 times as much money as Nixon, but like the big-ticket loss in the Michigan Democratic primary race won by Abdul El-Sayed against Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., it proved to be money wasted before November's midterm general elections. That comes as Democrats have widely reported issues with fundraising right now. They trail Republicans' national apparatus and Trump's MAGA coffers by hundreds of millions, showing the power of incumbency, despite the long historical challenges of midterm elections swinging power back to the opposition party. EXCLUSIVE: OVERSIGHT PROJECT SUES TO BLOCK MARYLAND DEMOCRATS’ REDISTRICTING MEASURE BACKED BY GOV MOORE Vindman raised $16.27 million to roughly $1 million for the DSA-backed Nixon, according to federal filings. Despite the nearly 16-to-1 cash advantage, Vindman lost in roughly a 12-point blowout. That comes on the heels of the estimated $70 million spent on Stevens. Democrats, whose small-donor platform ActBlue is under congressional investigation, could use those millions against the RNC's reported $128.5 million June cash on hand and Trump's reported $800 million. Florida delivers Election Night results fast: A contrast of red state-blue state "Florida proved there’s no excuse for elections to drag on for days or weeks," Republican National Committee (RNC) spokeswoman Ally Triolo wrote in a statement to Fox News Digital. "Floridians voted, ballots were counted, and we woke up knowing who won. It can be done — and it should be the standard nationwide." Defeated California independent mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt marveled in a trolling X post on election integrity. "Wait. How did Florida count all their votes already?" Pratt wrote. "I was reliably informed democracy takes 5 weeks." ELECTION 'HUMAN ERROR' DELAYS KEY PRIMARY RESULTS IN LATEST VOTING MISHAP TO HIT BLUE STATES RNC Chair Joe Gruters, who resides in southwest Florida, called that quick result shot to Fox News Digital weeks ago, repeating a long-hailed refrain by Gov. DeSantis. "I always say, go look at Florida, my home state, state of 23 million people, a state where literally within 90 minutes, we can give you results everybody has full faith and confidence – that's with Democrat and Republican supervisor of elections across the state," Gruters said. "We could do this nationwide. It's not rocket science, but when you have a party that does everything they possibly can to cheat, lie, and steal to win elections, when it's all about control and power, rather than trying to make sure we protect democracy, we got to do everything we can to put the ship in the right direction, and that's what we've done at the party. We're going to continue to do anything we can make sure these elections are safe and secure." Florida won redistricting, but Nixon won Democratic voter cred Nixon sparked national headlines during Florida's legislative redistricting battle when she pulled out a bright pink megaphone on the House floor to protest a GOP-drafted congressional map. Undeterred by a state reprimand, Nixon stood by her actions, famously stating that "fighting for democracy is more important than having decorum" and declaring that she had no regrets about speaking out. That viral floor protest helped define Nixon's political identity as a confrontational progressive willing to break norms, serving as a signature centerpiece for her high-profile U.S. Senate campaign. In the primary, the newly redrawn maps shifted competitive dynamics across the state, while Nixon's stand against redistricting became her primary rallying cry against the well-backed establishment. In her campaign, Nixon urged voters to "make sure you wear your pink to the polls." Moody’s law-and-order résumé gives Nixon a steep credibility test Moody, who served six years as Florida’s attorney general before DeSantis appointed her to fill the seat vacated by Rubio, enters the general election with a résumé built around the issues Republicans are likely to put front and center: crime, fraud and public safety. By contrast, Nixon comes to the race from activism on the pavement, not the courtroom. The Jacksonville Democrat built her profile as a progressive organizer and state lawmaker, championing government-run healthcare, expanded social programs and other priorities aligned with DSA. The Florida Senate seat will be a target for the cash-strapped Democratic National Committee, but it will have to invest its resources of time, energy and money into a DSA candidate opposing a tough on crime fraud-fighter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85b48e2c5335ae1048a3b7 NAH Meet Our Experts Live seminar in August focuses on sleep te 2026-08-19T13:50:06.263Z NAH Meet Our Experts Live seminar in August focuses on sleep This month’s event will be held Thursday, Aug. 20 from 5 to 6 p.m. at McGee Auditorium on the Flagstaff Medical Center campus (1200 N. Beaver St.) and will also be open for virtual attendance. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85b48a2c5335ae1048a398 Home batteries are suddenly cheap and everywhere. Here’s why. te 2026-08-19T13:50:02.706Z Home batteries are suddenly cheap and everywhere. Here’s why. Companies including Tesla and Base Power are vying for a piece of the rapidly growing market for home batteries. One technology has made it all possible. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85b2382c5335ae1048a374 Massive piece of 9/11 history makes stunning 10,500-mile journey across America te 2026-08-19T13:40:08.949Z Massive piece of 9/11 history makes stunning 10,500-mile journey across America The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is transporting a steel beam recovered from the South Tower on the final stretch of a 10,500-mile journey across America, bringing a piece of Ground Zero to communities across the nation in remembrance of the 9/11 attacks as the 25th anniversary approaches. "This tour is about ensuring that every generation can remember, and truly understand, what happened 25 years ago," said, Tunnel to Towers Foundation chairman and CEO Frank Siller said in a press release of the campaign. The 16,900-pound, 21-foot steel beam from the South Tower will travel to over 20 different states with events featuring appearances from local officials, first responders and members of the foundation. The steel beam serves as a traveling memorial to the victims and first responders of 9/11. AS AMERICAN PRIDE HITS A 25-YEAR LOW, A NEW 9/11 EDUCATION PLATFORM URGES THE NATION TO NEVER FORGET "Steel Across America is our promise to bring this sacred piece of history to every corner of this country – honoring the civilians, first responders, and service members who gave their lives on 9/11 and in the years that followed," Siller added. "No one, regardless of their age or, where they live, should ever forget what happened here or the bravery that was shown by so many heroes." Siller founded the organization in honor of his brother, FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller, who died responding to the attacks. The truck hit the road on May 2, beginning its journey in Lower Manhattan. It will travel across nearly half the country, making stops in places like California, Arizona, Washington, D.C., and Texas before reaching its final destination at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The beam will be on display at museums, town squares, sporting events, and the White House before returning to Ground Zero on the 25th anniversary of 9/11. 9/11 MUSEUM TO OFFER FREE ADMISSION FOR VETERANS AHEAD OF MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND One stop was Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida, where President George W. Bush was informed that America was under attack on Sept. 11, 2001. Former White House chief of staff Andy Card whispered to Bush, "a second plane hit the second tower, America is under attack," was at the school for the truck’s visit in May. Tunnel to Towers has provided mortgage-free homes to families of fallen service members and first responders while also working to combat veteran homelessness. The foundation is honoring the 343 FDNY firefighters who died on 9/11 by delivering 343 mortgage-free homes this year. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85afe42c5335ae1048a324 Federal $25 minimum wage mandate would destroy over 5M jobs, hit booming Sun Belt hardest: study te 2026-08-19T13:30:12.263Z Federal $25 minimum wage mandate would destroy over 5M jobs, hit booming Sun Belt hardest: study A federal $25 minimum wage mandate would destroy millions of jobs across the country and hit several of the Sun Belt states that have seen a significant influx of new residents in recent years, an economist warned in an interview with Fox News Digital. The warnings come in response to recent legislative efforts from progressive members of Congress pushing to raise the federal minimum wage floor to $25 per hour by 2031 for large employers, while smaller businesses would reach that rate by 2038. The proposal would also eliminate the federal tip credit, raising the direct cash wage requirement for tipped employees up to $25 per hour. Rebekah Paxton, research director at the conservative Employment Policies Institute (EPI), warned that a $25 federal mandate would be a total "job killer." SANDERS-AOC BACKED PROGRESSIVE DEBUTS FEDERAL $25 MINIMUM WAGE BILL WITH COALITION OF 100+ ORGANIZATIONS The EPI projects that the policy would slash over 5 million jobs nationwide. The group expects states including Texas, Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina and Florida to suffer the largest absolute job losses. "Some of the top states that are going to be impacted by a $25 minimum wage include Texas, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio, Tennessee … These states have a massive workforce. They also currently abide by the federal $7.25 minimum-wage rate, so a $25 minimum wage represents more than tripling the current minimum wage applicable in those states," Paxton told Fox News Digital. Texas, North Carolina and Florida have been among the primary beneficiaries of post-COVID migration. While major metropolitan areas, including Cook County, Illinois, and Los Angeles County, experienced population declines, U.S. Census figures show the Southeast is booming, with many of the fastest-growing counties in the nation concentrated in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. "When you’re talking about doubling or tripling the minimum wage, you’re talking about doubling and tripling labor costs for businesses in those areas," Paxton added. "There may be some businesses that try to absorb that through higher prices, but ultimately what we know from economists, business owners, and workers themselves is that it doesn't always work." "In a lot of ways, it means business owners are going to have to slash jobs and reduce the number of hours that folks are able to work," she explained. "Our report shows that that’s going to cost almost five million jobs across the country. LA HOTELS HIT BY LARGEST JOB LOSSES IN A DECADE AS 'OLYMPIC WAGE' MANDATES BITE, DATA SHOWS More than one-third of the projected job losses are concentrated in the restaurant and hospitality industry, including 1.2 million tipped workers, according to the report. The federal government is facing renewed pressure from left-leaning activists to mandate a $25-an-hour minimum wage as the national affordability crisis continues to squeeze working-class families. The federal minimum wage has sat at $7.25 per hour since 2009. One Fair Wage, part of a national coalition of more than 100 advocacy organizations and labor unions pushing for the $25 floor, told Fox News Digital that voters across the political spectrum are mobilized by the issue. "We're seeing so many MAGA voters excited about a $25 minimum wage," said Saru Jayaraman, president of One Fair Wage. "We see people across the political spectrum — and frankly, the vast majority who are not politically affiliated at all — saying, ‘I don't care about Republicans, Democrats, or Independents; what I care about is can I feed my family and who's going to deliver for me?’" The federal push, anchored by legislative proposals like the Living Wage For All Act, is backed by progressive lawmakers including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and progressive organizing allies who support proposals such as Medicare for All, wealth taxes and immigration enforcement reform. The movement is also pursuing aggressive localized initiatives. In California and New York, local chapters and union partners have introduced "30 by '30" ballot drives and municipal resolutions aimed at bringing minimum wages in high-cost cities like Oakland and New York City toward $30 per hour for major employers by the end of the decade. AOC-BACKED $25 MINIMUM WAGE PLAN SOUNDS GREAT — BUT AT WHAT COST? While proponents argue that steep wage hikes are necessary to keep pace with living costs, free-market economists and business groups caution that rapid government wage mandates will accelerate inflation and freeze entry-level hiring. Responding to the Employment Policies Institute's claims, One Fair Wage told Fox News Digital that "America is in an affordability crisis because work does not pay enough." "The federal minimum wage has remained $7.25 since 2009, while rent, groceries, health care, and child care have continued to rise. Raising paychecks is as essential as lowering prices," a spokesperson for One Fair Wage said. One Fair Wage added that "one job should be enough to live on" and that "Congress should pass the Living Wage For All Act and make that standard the law." "Workers across the country are organizing for $25 and $30 because that is what it takes to live. The Living Wage For All Act turns that worker-led demand into a national standard. The largest corporations move first, smaller businesses have years to adjust, and federal subminimum wages end — ensuring tipped workers receive the full minimum wage with tips on top," the organization said. "That projection is inconsistent with decades of minimum-wage research," it continued. "The Economic Policy Institute estimates that a federal minimum wage equal to two-thirds of the national median wage would raise pay for nearly 40 million workers. Research from UC Berkeley economist Michael Reich and the Roosevelt Institute finds that ambitious, phased increases at this level raise incomes broadly with little effect on overall employment." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85afe32c5335ae1048a319 Trump administration sanctions sitting president of the International Criminal Court for 'abuses of power' te 2026-08-19T13:30:11.480Z Trump administration sanctions sitting president of the International Criminal Court for 'abuses of power' The Trump administration has sanctioned two top International Criminal Court officials, escalating its campaign to dismantle a body that has investigated alleged U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan and issued arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials over the war in Gaza. In announcing the sanctions against ICC President Tomoko Akane of Japan and the ICC's senior trial lawyer, Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal, Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the court "corrupt and fatally politicized." "These individuals have directly engaged in efforts by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute officials whose government has not consented to ICC jurisdiction," Rubio said in a statement, adding that the ICC "has maliciously abused its authority and exceeded its mandate." The sanctions against Akane and Seye freeze assets they hold in U.S. jurisdictions and largely cut them off from transactions with Americans or the U.S. financial system. SEN MIKE LEE: TRUMP PROVES AMERICA CAN STAND UP TO A POWER-MAD FOREIGN COURT "Our whole of government campaign to dismantle the threat posed by the ICC to national sovereignty will be sweeping and we expect more countries to join our campaign by ending their funding and participation in this politicized and unaccountable court," Rubio said. "The ICC’s ability to target American nationals and those of other non-States Parties must end." An executive order signed by President Donald Trump in February 2025 created the sanctions' framework. The Trump administration argues that the ICC lacks the power to investigate soldiers, military commanders and political leaders from countries that are not parties to the court, including the U.S. and Israel. NETANYAHU FIRES BACK AT NYC MAYOR MAMDANI'S VOW TO ENFORCE 'BOGUS ARREST WARRANT' The ICC said the Trump administration's latest sanctions "undermine the rule of law," adding that they amount to "a flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution." The ICC maintains that it can exercise jurisdiction over nationals of non-member states when they are accused of qualifying crimes committed on the territory of a state that has accepted the Court’s jurisdiction. Qualifying crimes under the Rome Statute include genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. Afghanistan and Palestine are both members of the court, which the ICC says allows it to investigate alleged crimes committed on their territories, including alleged war crimes by U.S. personnel in Afghanistan and alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity by Israeli officials in Gaza. In September 2024, the ICC also issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, the minister of defense at the time. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85afe22c5335ae1048a302 Bryson DeChambeau & hockey goalie Mikayla Demaiter dating rumors heat up, tarps off in Chicago & NFL tension te 2026-08-19T13:30:10.552Z Bryson DeChambeau & hockey goalie Mikayla Demaiter dating rumors heat up, tarps off in Chicago & NFL tension Let's get Wednesday Screencaps rolling with one of the hottest topics from the world of sports and pop culture that we weren't covering because in this age of AI and Instagram influencers you just have to be very careful on what we're seeing. I'm talking about the Bryson DeChambeau and Canadian hockey goalie Mikayla Demaiter content convergence. Are they dating? Is this just some sort of content play for both of them to dominate social media? What we know is that Bryson's been making it a priority to play golf in Canada. And Mikayla has been dumping out Bryson-branded content from his home gym and from a hotel room while wearing LIV credentials. PAULINA GRETZKY LEAVES THE INTERNET SPEECHLESS WITH LATEST CONTENT BARRAGE, DORM DECORATIONS & BABE AT 34 Due to this evidence, including Bryson insisting on so much Canadian golf content, I'm fully convinced these two are dating. You can thank the Taylor Swift effect. Now imagine what the PGA Tour is going to look like in 2027. You'll have Paulina Gretzky and Demaiter at The Masters, if what I'm seeing comes to fruition, now that LIV is imploding. Looking ahead, if MLB does go through with its lockout, golf is going to be the epicenter of drama and pageviews. Buckle up. LIV GOLF TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP SET FOR INDIANAPOLIS AS MICHIGAN TOURNAMENT IS CANCELED AMID LEAGUE'S MURKY FUTURE 📩 Email: joe.kinsey@outkick.com Send photos, stories, tips, rants—whatever you've got. 📰 Screencaps Page: 👉 Read the latest Screencaps ▶️ YouTube: Screencaps with Joe Kinsey Subscribe for videos, rants, and behind-the-scenes. 🐦 Twitter/X: @JoeKinseyexp Tag me or drop a DM. 📸 Instagram: @OutKickScreencaps You guys need to start tagging me on content you're seeing. 📘 Facebook Page: Screencaps on Facebook 👥 Facebook Group: Join the Screencaps Community 📬 Mail (Thursday Night Mowing League): 27072 Carronade Dr, Unit A 155 Perrysburg, OH 43551 🗞️ Newsletter: 👉 Subscribe here – Travel Ball Hardo Chris B. in Houston proudly emailed this to me: Kinsey: I cannot wait to watch this. I pray there's a segment where they're all sitting around a Hampton Inn suckin' down High Noons and backstabbing each other. Mailbag: boy names & ESPN/NFL is about to force feed us flag football! – Mike in Texas checks in: Good Afternoon Joe. Perusing Texas high school football on X, came across the following names and immediately thought of you! Breydon, Cody, Cole, Kaegan, Kolton, Kross, and Raiden. What the heck!!! WOODY JOHNSON: MAKING FLAG FOOTBALL OFFICIAL GIVES GIRLS A CHANCE TO CATCH THEIR FUTURES Kinsey: Suburban moms gone wild, Mike. Happy wife, happy life. Men have to let them give their kids bastardized names so they'll look cool on 11U travel baseball AI-created rosters posted on social media. – Rob M. in Florida can see it coming: Flag football, I’ve seen it, we’ve all seen it. We know what is coming, we know that his year will be swamped with WNFL (do we know what the league will be called?) promos with former NFL players as coaches and assistants. They’ll be up in the booth during the game, talking up this great new league and all of the great athletes that will participate in it. We’ll have to listen as former NFL greats tell us that they have never seen the likes of the incredible athletes that are playing in this league, and how impressed they are with the skills and determination that that these women have. However, the truth is, leagues like this and the WNBA are nothing but remoras, the fish that stick to sharks and feed off of them. This league will be no different than that other league that feeds off of the NBA, propped up by a bunch of Beta men who are too afraid to say what we all know. It’s hard to write about the NFL having Beta men, but I’m not talking about the men that actually play the sport, I’m talking about the executives that green light this kind of garbage. The first time that Sue Bird or some other Lesbian Overlord walked into the NFL headquarters and pitched this, there should have been one response, "Thanks but no, I’ve seen what the WNBA is putting out, there is no way I want my league to be associated with what is basically a Real Housewives reality series in running shoes". But that’s not what happened, these guys sat at attention ad ate it all up, they couldn’t wait to say yes. You know why? The NFL prints money, even in the offseason, just stone cold prints it by the ton. They know their fan base will take it, they know we aren’t going anywhere. We’ll put up with virtue signaling slogans in the end zone, we’ll pay $19 a beer at the stadium, we’ll pay $100 to park. Oh, there will be those that tell you that they have had it, but they are lying too, they watch, secretly sitting in their basement with their 6 Fantasy teams and four screens of games on, hiding in the dark like a teenager watching porn. They may get onto Facebook and proclaim that they are done with the NFL, but they are not. Joe, you are not wrong, it’s coming, it will be force fed to us every Sunday. ESPN will carry the league, promote the league and chastise us for not watching these great athletes perform at a high level, levels to which we have never seen before. The articles will be written about the misogyny that these women face, the homophobia and racism that is rampant in the NFL and what we can do to fix it. Then, two attractive white women will star dominating the league, people will actually watch the games and find it entertaining. The Overlords will become offended that these two women are becoming the face of the sport, the other players will resent them and actively try to kill them on the field. The drama will escalate, and the cycle will repeat again and again. You know what? Let’s do this, I’m in, let’s see what this turns into. You will get column inches out of it and I’ll get to type out four paragraph rants about it. I can’t wait, bring it on…… Kinsey: Rob's final paragraph is the blueprint. Now we all get to sit back and watch this play out and laugh. – Paul in Wisco says: Oh man those DUMPkin wipes cracked me up. Speaking of cracks, I am a Dude Wipes user and only buy the unscented ones on Amazon. I don't need someone out in public asking "Where is that nice autumnal scent emanating from?" and then I answer "My clean ass." Dude Wipes also had a Bomb Pop scent at Sam's Club this summer. Not sure if that qualifies as Respect Summer, but I'll give it to them for their marketing efforts. – Rory on washing hats in the dishwasher: Yes, dishwasher works, but the heat and cycle will warp the hats. When I was kid (late 80s/early 90s) they used to sell these hat washing cages you could pop them in, but it still warped them. As someone who likes to keep my rotation of golf hats looking clean, I've found the best method is to soak in some hot water with Oxy Clean. Swish it around every so often, then once clean give it a good rinse and hang dry. The Little League World Series and travel ball teams masquerading as a group thrown together a few weeks ago to represent some small town – Reed in Minnetonka, MN checks in: You made an interesting comment this week as to the LLWS and all these teams are absolutely Travel Ball units disguised as tight-knit, small-town groups of tremendous ball players. And I would bet the mortgage you are right in 2026. I know in 1986 I was on the REC/community all-star team for LL (no travel ball existed) and we had a path to LLWS in Louisiana. Went to local regionals and got smoked by a Dwight Gooden sized dude who threw what I remember to be 80 MPH. I was the only one to reach base as I was too scared to swing, got a walk, to second on a passed ball and that was our offense for the day. They weren’t Travel, just athletically superior. We drove back to Monroe, LA. That said, I see you have the Great Lakes representation for the LLWS just down the road in Hamilton, OH (population 64k). You may already have the recon that they are big time Travel Ball. If not, you can go on a BIG J assignment and truly dig into the make-up of this squad as to how they came to be, origins of the players, truly what was the path for this unit to get to the show, do they have an Alyssa Milano-type mom pimping for Venmo to fund their trip. Kinsey: I know that Hamilton is a crazy baseball town. I also know the Little League is legendary down there. I also know that Hamilton hosts MASSIVE travel sports events. You might remember my story in July of the families who were being charged over $200 for mom and dad to attend travel basketball tournaments. That was Hamilton. I have to believe the team you see out of Ohio at the LLWS will be a travel team. I've yet to have anyone email me saying these teams are traditional Little League teams like 25 years ago. Matt in Phenix City, AL already told us the Alabama team is a travel team. The state of flashlights – Mike T. in Idaho is out and about prepping for winter: Brands just keep Disrespecting Summer – Tom in Clarksville, TN is concerned: ################# And that's it for this mid-Augusta morning with college football inching ever so close. You can feel it. Ohio high school football starts Friday night as does the National Tractor Pull in Bowling Green, OH. Guess which one I'm attending? You're damn right, the PULLLLLLLLLLL. Let's get after it. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85afe12c5335ae1048a2f9 Ella Langley's 'Choosin' Texas' spends 18 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100; sets new record te 2026-08-19T13:30:09.766Z Ella Langley's 'Choosin' Texas' spends 18 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100; sets new record Ella Langley continues to prove she's absolutely unstoppable. Langley hasn't just become a hit with the OutKick audience. She's turned into a megastar in the country music world over the past couple years. That was solidified beyond question when she absolutely boat raced everyone at the ACM Awards with seven wins. ELLA LANGLEY’S BEHIND-THE-SCENES ACM AWARDS VIDEO HAS FANS 'CRYING ALL OVER AGAIN' AFTER RECORD-BREAKING NIGHT Now, her run on the charts has hit a new level. Langley's hit song "Choosin' Texas" has been on a generational run as it absolutely shreds the competition on the Billboard Hot 100. ELLA LANGLEY'S 'CHOOSIN' TEXAS' ENTERS RARE BILLBOARD TERRITORY AFTER 12 WEEKS RULING THE HOT 100 She now has another notch in her belt of accomplishments. Billboard announced this week that the song has officially spent 18 weeks in the number one spot on the Hot 100. That's the most weeks for a female singer in the number one spot for a non-holiday song. Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" holds the number one spot at 22 weeks. The talented country singer is also one week out of tying the number two spot overall. If that happens, Langley will be in a three-way tie with Shaboozey's "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" and "Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus. ELLA LANGLEY JOINS MUSIC ROYALTY WITH 'INSANE' MILESTONE FOR 'CHOOSIN' TEXAS' Langley also teamed up with Koe Wetzel for the new viral hit "Jaded." The woman simply can't stop winning, and something tells me there's a high chance "Choosin' Texas" will move into the number two spot overall by next week. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS Then all eyes will turn to whether or not she can dethrone Mariah Carey for the top spot overall. MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY PROMPTS PRICELESS REACTION FROM ELLA LANGLEY AFTER OSCAR WINNER COVERS ‘CHOOSIN’ TEXAS’ What do you think about Langley and her music? Let me know at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85afe12c5335ae1048a2f0 Sophie Cunningham sent a loud and clear message after getting viciously booed in Canada te 2026-08-19T13:30:09.015Z Sophie Cunningham sent a loud and clear message after getting viciously booed in Canada Sophie Cunningham put on her big girl pants and hard hat, and ventured into Canada for the first time in her life Tuesday night. That's right. Canada. More specifically, Toronto. What a patriot! It can be the Wild Wild West when you go North of the Border. I love Canadians. Nicest people in the world. But, still, you never know what you're gonna get up there when it comes to politics. Anyway, Cunningham was mercilessly booed every time she touched the basketball in Tuesday's game — presumably because she said men don't belong in girls' locker rooms — and responded by hitting all three 3-pointers she took, helping the Fever to a 101-95 win. SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM SENDS BLUNT MESSAGE TO BOOING, TRANS FLAG-WAVING WNBA CROWD AFTER DRILLING SHOT After the game, she made it a point to shout out the Tempo crowd — unprompted. Instead of crying about it, she embraced it. What a breath of fresh air: "I want to shout out the Tempo crowd and the city," she said. "We've had so much fun. The crowd was absolutely amazing. I think that’s what sports is all about. You’re going to get boos and you’re going to get cheers." Cunningham also had some ... interesting ... comments directly after the final buzzer: "The Big Three are going to do their thing every night," she said. "Like I said, I'm just gonna come, have some fun, maybe inspire some young girls to come beat me one day." She's just such a normal person, and that's becoming increasingly rare in today's world — especially when you're talking about the WNBA. Don't think I didn't notice that little smirk right after she said that, either. I noticed. We all noticed. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Back to the crowd ... It is amazing that they were apparently so offended by what Cunningham said, that they felt the need to boo her on every play. Again, just to put that into the proper context, here's what Sophie told ESPN a month ago that started this whole mess: "I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that.’ I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men." SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS That's it! That's why the Tempo crowd booed Sophie Cunningham every time she touched the ball last night. That's why the Minnesota coach wore a "Trans Kids Belong" shirt last month when the Lynx played the Fever. Because Sophie Cunningham said she wanted to protect young girls in a locker room. Amazing. What a time to be alive. Take your boo-birds and shove it, Toronto! Sophie has another three to drill. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85ab312c5335ae1048a214 Redistricting gives Republicans an edge, but affordability will decide the midterms te 2026-08-19T13:10:09.379Z Redistricting gives Republicans an edge, but affordability will decide the midterms Republicans may be winning the redistricting war while losing the voters they need to build a lasting majority. The latest Fox News Power Rankings reveal a serious warning for Republicans. The new maps favor the GOP, but the political environment favors Democrats. The GOP could gain a dozen seats, including up to nine in Florida and Texas, due to redistricting. However, House Democrats expanded their midterm target list to 58 Republican-held districts, adding 12 seats in territory President Donald Trump carried. While expanded targets do not guarantee Democratic victories, they signal that Democrats see an opening among dissatisfied voters. Republicans must confront this challenge before the November midterms, but they must also recognize the opportunity to strengthen the party for future elections. Redistricting can give overlooked voters a stronger voice, attract better candidates and provide Republicans the stability needed to govern, but it cannot generate public confidence or voter enthusiasm. Current polling signals the urgency. Seventy-five percent of voters said inflation had caused financial hardship, while 54% expected the economy to worsen. Democrats lead the generic congressional ballot 53% to 46%, with voters preferring them on inflation by 10 points and the economy by nine. Democrats also hold an enthusiasm advantage, with 68% saying they are extremely motivated to vote in November compared with 57% of Republicans. In counties likely to determine control of Congress, where Trump and Kamala Harris finished within 10 points in 2024, Democrats lead the congressional ballot 59% to 41%. A separate Reuters/Ipsos poll found voters preferring Democrats over Republicans on the economy for the first time in nearly a decade. While the advantage is only one point, it is significant because Republicans risk losing their historic advantage on the issue that often determines elections. IT’S NOT THE ECONOMY, STUPID. AMERICANS VOTE BASED ON THEIR PERSONAL ECONOMY There is no doubt that Republicans should use every lawful political advantage available to them. Democrats certainly will. Republicans deserve credit for pursuing redistricting that was both strategic and necessary to secure fairer representation for voters who had previously been trapped in gerrymandered districts. Republicans now have an enormous opportunity to make the case for the promises they have already kept, including securing the border and delivering historic tax relief through the One Big Beautiful Bill. The next step is to explain what additional measures Republicans will take to confront the affordability crisis. Republicans cannot redistrict their way out of an affordability crisis because congressional maps will not lower grocery bills, make housing affordable or reduce the cost of gasoline, childcare and healthcare. Map victories will not convince the younger generation that hard work will lead to homeownership or reassure a small-business owner whose revenue is being overtaken by higher labor, energy and borrowing costs. Voters judge the economy through weekly bills, not maps. Even voters who agree with Republicans on immigration, crime and cultural issues may conclude that the party in power has not delivered. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Republicans must govern on affordability by producing economic results Americans can feel. The path is clear: continue lowering energy costs, restrain federal spending, remove barriers to home construction, protect small businesses and provide additional tax relief for working families. Every Republican measure should answer a simple question: Does this make life more affordable for Americans? Republicans won the presidency by promising safety, security and the restoration of the American Dream. Voters will measure delivery at the grocery store, the gas pump and the kitchen table. There is a difference between holding a majority and earning the public’s trust. A majority gives Republicans enough votes to elect a speaker, but public trust gives them the support needed to lead the country. Redistricting buys Republicans time to protect the majority, but that time is valuable only if used to govern. If Republicans deliver affordability, security and economic opportunity, they can build a lasting coalition. If they mistake favorable district lines for voter approval, today’s safe districts could become the epicenter of tomorrow’s political earthquake. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85ab2a2c5335ae1048a1cb CareCloud confirms 3.7M patients had their medical records stolen in data breach te 2026-08-19T13:10:02.861Z CareCloud confirms 3.7M patients had their medical records stolen in data breach The cyberattack at CareCloud resulted in one of the largest reported data breaches in the U.S. healthcare industry this year. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85a8dc2c5335ae10489d1e Aussie tennis star Nick Kyrgios hit with suspension after testing positive for cocaine at ATP event te 2026-08-19T13:00:12.023Z Aussie tennis star Nick Kyrgios hit with suspension after testing positive for cocaine at ATP event Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios has revealed that he has been provisionally suspended from tennis after testing positive for cocaine. The 31-year-old Australian shared a statement on Instagram about the failed drug test that took place during the Mallorca Open in June, explaining that he takes full responsibility for the "huge mistake" he made. Kyrgios, often labeled tennis' 'bad boy', also shared that he has "felt helpless and alone" in recent years as injuries have kept him off the court for the most part. "I'm sorry to my fans, my family, my sponsors and everyone close to me," Kyrgios wrote in an Instagram Story. "Above all, I'm sorry to the kids who follow me. I know the example this sets and I'm deeply disappointed in myself. SERENA WILLIAMS CRITICIZES 'GRUELING' ANTI-DOPING PROCESS AHEAD OF WIMBLEDON RETURN "I'm not going to make excuses, but I do want to give some context about where I've been. The last couple of years of injuries have taken a huge toll on me, both physically and mentally. My body hasn't been able to do what my mind expects it to do, and coming to terms with being near the end of my career has been harder than I ever imagined. "I've always said I didn't choose tennis - tennis chose me. But letting go of something that has been my whole life is one of the hardest things I've ever had to face. At times I've felt helpless and alone." Kyrgios now faces a ban of up to four years after testing positive for the banned substance, although a lighter sanction is to be expected. British player Dan Evans tested positive for cocaine at the 2017 Barcelona Open and ultimately served a one-year suspension. Kyrgios has not appealed the mandatory provisional suspension that was applied on Aug. 4. His positive test and suspension comes after he publicly slammed tennis stars Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek for failing doping tests in 2024. The International Tennis Integrity Agency has said that Kyrgios' sample was taken on June 22, with the positive result not being confirmed until July 17, after Kyrgios lost an opening-round doubles match at Wimbledon. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS Kyrgios suffered a knee injury in October 2022 and played just once over the course of the next two years. He got back on the court in 2025, but posted a 1-4 record and was featured in just one Grand Slam, losing a first-round match at the Australian Open. In December 2025, Kyrgios defeated four-time Grand Slam winner Aryna Sabalenka in a 'Battle of the Sexes' match held in Dubai. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85a8d72c5335ae10489cfb Autonomous truck deployment prompts pushback as states write rules te 2026-08-19T13:00:07.086Z Autonomous truck deployment prompts pushback as states write rules The push to swap human drivers in commercial trucks with artificial intelligence-powered systems is being met with public wariness, pushback and even litigation, as the technology moves from testing to deployment. The autonomous truck industry says driverless semis can save lives and help address a driver shortage. Critics counter that self-driving big rigs pose a danger and will supplant jobs.  Tension is growing between the two sides as deployment quickly expands and as states write the rules of the road without federal regulations. Teamsters California sued the Department of Motor Vehicles this month challenging new state regulations for light- and heavy-duty autonomous vehicles. The Teamsters say self-driving trucks are an “existential threat to the livelihoods” of its members and allege the DMV violated the law by not properly evaluating the economic impacts or allowing adequate public feedback.     “Such a critical decision with life-and-death consequences must involve public input and transparency,” Peter Finn, Teamsters California co-chair, said in an Aug. 5 statement announcing the lawsuit.  The DMV declined to comment on active litigation. Jeff Farrah, CEO of the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association, criticized the lawsuit in a statement posted to X as a “last-ditch attempt to undermine the regulatory authority of the Department of Motor Vehicles, and it should be rejected.” The Teamsters have sought to pass laws in California and elsewhere requiring human drivers behind the wheel of autonomous trucks, which the industry views as a roadblock to deployment.  California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, both Democrats, have twice vetoed so-called driver-in bills. In a veto statement this year, Polis said the bill “risks preventing Coloradans from being on the cutting edge of innovation that would improve safety in the future.” Read more: Newsom vetoes autonomous truck bill Similar legislation failed last year in Delaware, Indiana, Maryland and Texas.  “Requiring a human operator in a driverless truck isn’t unreasonable — it’s common sense,” Brent Taylor, a Texas Teamsters official, said in a statement when the bill was still under consideration.  This year brought other proposed autonomous truck regulations, reflecting public skepticism. A March poll from Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety found that 85% of respondents were concerned about sharing the road with autonomous trucks. Alabama lawmakers failed to pass a bill that would have prohibited autonomous oversized loads. An Iowa bill barring hazardous shipments without a human driver also died. The Alaska House unanimously passed a “driver-in” bill, but it stalled in the Senate. Meanwhile, other states are embracing the technology. Indiana and Ohio have teamed up on a U.S. Department of Transportation grant project to allow “platooning” trucks on Interstate 70 between Columbus and Indianapolis. Under the program, a lead truck with a human driver is electronically linked to a second truck that follows close behind. The second truck also has a driver in the cab as a safety measure. Swedish-based Einride is operating driverless short-haul freight operations in Marysville, Ohio. Read more: Ohio roads to see self-driving, cab-less trucks for first time A 2025 Montana law instructed the state Department of Transportation to study the feasibility and safety of platooning trucks, given the state’s harsh weather conditions and terrain.  Minnesota lawmakers considered a bill that would allow a vehicle platoon pilot project for sugar beet hauling in two Minnesota counties. It was modeled on a program in North Dakota.  The legislative battles come as more driverless trucks hit the road. Aurora Innovation announced this month that it has begun autonomous tractor-trailer operations at night across the 240 miles between Dallas and Houston. The company began daytime trips between those cities in May 2025. The company also operates between Fort Worth and Phoenix, and Dallas and Oklahoma City.  Gatik, which operates autonomous box trucks, is transporting PepsiCo products in Arizona, Arkansas and Texas. Gatik driverless trucks also deliver products for Walmart and Tyson Foods Kodiak AI trucks haul oil field sand in the Permian Basin of New Mexico and Texas with plans to expand operations. Last week, Kodiak announced that it received a permit under the new California DMV regulations, which will allow it to begin testing its trucks on California roads with a safety driver on board. Aurora and Gatik also have permits. Even as the industry celebrates these milestones, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents unionized drivers, is battling back with bills aimed at slowing the rollout of autonomous trucks. Read more: Teamsters pump the brakes on autonomous vehicle bills The legal landscape for autonomous trucks varies state to state because there is no federal framework.  According to U.S. Rep. Vince Fong, a California Republican, 35 states allow autonomous truck testing or deployment. He has sought to advance federal legislation that would preempt those states with driver-in laws for commercial vehicles.  Elements of Fong’s proposed framework were incorporated into the BUILD America 250 Act, a bipartisan bill to reauthorize the nation’s surface transportation funding. The bill was advanced by the House Transportation committee. “With other nations rapidly integrating autonomous trucking into their supply chains, America cannot afford to fall behind,” Fong said in a statement in May. “Currently, a confusing patchwork of state regulations is holding us back.”  The Trump administration has been bullish on autonomous vehicles. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy released an Autonomous Vehicle Framework in April 2025 aimed at removing regulatory barriers and encouraging commercial deployment while prioritizing safety. Companies and investors are betting big on autonomous trucking’s future. The Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association says that since 2018 more than $6 billion in private capital has been invested in the nascent industry.  Consulting firm McKinsey in 2024 projected that the autonomous trucking industry could become a $600 billion market by 2035. A University of Illinois study released last month estimated that driverless trucks could save 35% in transportation costs. The post Autonomous truck deployment prompts pushback as states write rules first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85a4282c5335ae1048987b Louisiana football phenom Peyton Houston credits faith, family for his remarkable success te 2026-08-19T12:40:08.133Z Louisiana football phenom Peyton Houston credits faith, family for his remarkable success A young Louisiana football star is dominating on the field and excelling in the classroom, and he recently revealed the pillars that drive his success. Evangel Christian Academy quarterback Peyton "Pop" Houston joined "America's Newsroom" to open up about his athletic and academic talents and how he achieves his lofty goals. The four-star Louisiana State University (LSU) recruit is a top-10 quarterback in the 2027 class, according to 247Sports.  The Shreveport native is also prominently featured in season 3 of the hit Fox Nation reality series, "God. Family. Football.," which follows the Evangel Eagles' season on and off the gridiron. CHARLIE KIRK’S MURDER SENDS SHOCKWAVES THROUGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY IN HIT FOX NATION SERIES Houston praised his family as a "big reason" for staying grounded and balancing his athletic prowess with a 4.0 GPA. But he also cited his faith as a major driver for his success. "Every chance I get out there to go display the talent that God has blessed me with, we use it," he told co-hosts Shannon Bream and Bill Hemmer. "I use it as my form of worship, giving it back to him, and with school it's easy. My parents teach me to be a student athlete and not an athlete student, so staying focused in the classroom is big." Houston also emphasized the importance of discipline. He said he has half his team come to Planet Fitness at 3:30 a.m. for workouts, calling the decision an attempt to make him "mentally strong." OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST PRAISES REAL AMERICAN FREESTYLE FOR 'OPPORTUNITY' AHEAD OF HIGHLY ANTICIPATED DEBUT "It's a mental thing, being able to be mentally strong, preparing your body to fight against itself," he said. "Your body will give up faster than your mind, and your mind controls the whole body. So being able to have a strong mind helps in football tremendously." Houston was asked about the potential impact of college name, image, and likeness (NIL) on his motivation to play, but shut down any concerns that it would affect how he approaches his game. "I play the game because I love the game," he said. "So I really try not to worry about the money. I tell myself if I'm able to go out there and perform on the football field, that NIL, the attributes outside of football, they'll come your way. So I got to perform and keep the main thing the main thing and work on perfecting my craft, so I'm able to perform on Saturday nights or Friday nights and then all the other things will come too." TRUMP ADVISOR, EX-NFL PLAYER CODY CAMPBELL WARNS PROTECT COLLEGE SPORTS ACT IS FINAL CHANCE TO RESTORE ORDER Houston went viral in 2024 when he shattered the record for most passing yards in a single National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) game, throwing for 817 yards in a wild 77-76 loss to Captain Shreve. Evangel head coach Denny Duron expressed shock at the stunning performance, calling it "impossible." The highly touted quarterback also signed a historic NIL deal with Nike ahead of his senior season, becoming one of 11 high school athletes to reach a deal with the apparel giant. To watch Houston's high school career unfold, make sure to tune into all three seasons of "God. Family. Football." streaming exclusively on Fox Nation. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO FOX NATION Fox Nation programs are viewable on demand and from your mobile device app but only for FOX Nation subscribers. Go to Fox Nation to start a free trial and watch the extensive library of your favorite FOX Nation personalities. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85a4272c5335ae10489872 Mystery voicemail scam can hit without your phone ever ringing te 2026-08-19T12:40:07.487Z Mystery voicemail scam can hit without your phone ever ringing It starts quietly. Your phone buzzes with a voicemail notification. The strange part is that your phone never rang. Then it happens again. Before long, your voicemail inbox is filling up with messages you never heard come in. That's exactly what Mike from Westport, Connecticut, is dealing with right now. He wrote to us saying: "I am so upset. Every 20 to 30 minutes, I am getting voicemails, but what's weird is my phone never rings. After blocking the number, it just rolls over to a new source number. When I go to play the message, there is no audio. Is this a scammer just trying to get me to call them back? Not sure what the endgame is here. What can I do to stop this from happening? I really appreciate your help." Mike's experience has the hallmarks of automated spam activity, but there is an important distinction. A voicemail that appears without your phone ringing does not automatically mean a scammer used a special "ringless voicemail" system. Your phone's call-screening settings, your wireless carrier's spam filters and automated robocalls can all produce a similar result. FTC REVEALS WHERE SPAM CALLS HIT HARDEST The safest approach is to treat repeated unexplained voicemails from unfamiliar numbers as suspicious and avoid calling those numbers back. Here's what may be happening behind those mystery voicemails, why the numbers keep changing and what you can do to make them stop. New! Free live CyberGuy class: Protect Your Money From Today’s Biggest Threats Join us Saturday, August 29, at 10 AM ET for a free CyberGuy LIVE class covering five simple steps to help defend yourself against AI scams, fraud, identity theft and financial hacks. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson will explain how to set up bank alerts, strengthen your account logins, protect your phone number, freeze your credit and help secure your retirement savings against unauthorized transfers. No technical experience is needed. You’ll also receive our financial protection checklist, and every registrant will get a link to the class recording afterward. Reserve your free spot today at CyberGuyLive.com. There are several ways a voicemail can appear even though you never heard your phone ring. One is ringless voicemail, sometimes called direct-to-voicemail. This technology can deliver a prerecorded message to a wireless voicemail inbox without making the phone ring. The FCC ruled in 2022 that ringless voicemail to wireless phones qualifies as a "call" under federal robocalling rules when an artificial or prerecorded voice is used and therefore is subject to applicable consent requirements. Another possibility is that the call reached your number, but your phone or wireless carrier filtered it before you heard it. On current iPhones, for example, calls identified by a carrier as potential spam or fraud can be silenced and sent to voicemail. Apple also allows you to screen or silence callers who are not saved in your contacts. Automated calling systems can also result in extremely short or silent messages when a call reaches voicemail, but the recording never plays properly. So, the symptom alone cannot tell you exactly what caused the voicemail. We discussed this issue in detail on The CyberGuy Report podcast at cyberguy.com/podcast/. Mike also noticed that blocking one number does not help for long. Another number simply replaces it. Caller ID spoofing is one reason this happens. Scammers can falsify the caller ID information that appears on your phone, making a call appear to come from a local number, a company or even another person's phone. That means the number you see may have little connection to whoever actually placed the call. In some cases, the displayed number can belong to an innocent person whose number is being misused. This is why manually blocking every number can become a frustrating game of whack-a-mole. Blocking can still help with repeat callers, but broader spam filtering is usually more useful when the displayed numbers keep changing. AMAZON RECALL TEXT SCAM COMES WITH RED FLAGS A completely silent message may seem pointless. Sometimes it may simply be an automated call where the recording failed to play correctly. However, unwanted calls can also be designed to get you to respond. An unfamiliar voicemail notification creates curiosity. You may wonder whether you missed something important and return the call. That's where you need to be careful. The FTC advises people who receive illegal robocalls to hang up, avoid pressing buttons and not call back. There are also callback scams specifically designed around curiosity. In so-called one-ring or Wangiri scams, criminals place short calls hoping you'll return them. A callback can lead to an international or premium-rate number and unexpected charges. You can read more about unexpected international call scams and why calling back can cost you. A silent voicemail isn’t automatically a one-ring scam. Still, the same safety rule applies. Do not return an unexplained call simply because you want to know who was behind it. A voicemail merely appearing in your inbox does not prove that you listened to it or that a scammer successfully confirmed you as a responsive target. Engaging is different. Calling back, pressing prompts or interacting with an illegal robocall gives the other side a response. The FTC specifically warns that pressing a number to supposedly get off a calling list can lead to more unwanted calls. That's another reason to let suspicious calls end with you. Some robocall campaigns operate at enormous scale. A system can place call after call with little or no human involvement. If the call reaches voicemail but the recording does not start correctly, you may end up with a blank or extremely short message. When the same thing happens repeatedly from changing numbers, automated calling activity becomes one possible explanation. However, the voicemail alone isn’t enough to identify the exact system or caller behind it. Repeated silent voicemails by themselves are not evidence that someone has hacked your phone. The more likely explanations involve calls being routed, screened, blocked or sent to voicemail rather than someone gaining access to the device. Still, pay attention to other warning signs. If your phone suddenly loses cellular service, you stop receiving verification codes or your carrier says your SIM or eSIM was changed unexpectedly, that is a different problem and could point to a SIM swap scam. You should also contact your carrier if you notice unexpected changes to your voicemail greeting, voicemail PIN or call-forwarding settings. For the pattern Mike described, however, the immediate concern is unwanted calling activity and what happens if he engages with it. You may not be able to eliminate every unwanted voicemail, especially when callers constantly change numbers. However, these steps can reduce the disruption and make it harder for suspicious calls to reach you. If there is no meaningful message and you do not recognize the caller, there is usually no reason to return the call. A legitimate caller with an important reason to reach you can identify themselves in a voicemail, send you a message or try again. If someone claims to represent your bank, a government agency or another organization, look up the organization's official contact information yourself rather than using a callback number from an unexpected message. Apple's current iPhone software gives you several ways to handle unknown and suspected spam callers. Turn on Call Screening With this setting, calls from unknown numbers are asked for more information before your iPhone rings. Once the caller provides a name and reason for calling, you can decide whether to answer. You can also select Silence , but keep the tradeoff in mind. Calls from unsaved numbers will be silenced and sent to voicemail, while still appearing in your recent calls. That can be useful if you never want unknown callers interrupting you, but it can also mean more legitimate unsaved callers end up in voicemail. Turn on spam filtering Calls identified by your carrier as potential spam or fraud can then be silenced, sent to voicemail and moved to the Spam list. That is also one legitimate reason you might find a voicemail on your iPhone even though you never remember hearing it ring. For more ways to deal with these calls, see our guide on sending spam calls to voicemail on iPhone and Android. Samsung Galaxy phones offer Caller ID and spam protection through the Samsung Phone app on supported devices. The first option blocks calls identified as spam or scams regardless of risk level, while the second focuses on calls identified as higher-risk scams. You can also block unknown numbers: That is a fairly aggressive setting, so consider whether you regularly receive legitimate calls from doctors, delivery drivers, businesses or other people who may not be in your contacts. Samsung now offers an AI-powered Call screening feature on compatible Galaxy phones running Android 16 with One UI 8.5 or later. To turn it on: You can also enable Auto screen calls to automatically screen unknown callers. When Call screening handles a call, Galaxy AI can provide a live transcription so you can decide whether to accept or reject it. Automatic screening can also explain some unusual call behavior because the AI may answer an unknown call before you interact with it. If Call screening does not appear, your Galaxy model, software version or carrier may not support it. For even more options, check out our guide on how to trace and block anonymous calls. For Mike's situation, where blank messages arrive every 20 to 30 minutes, I would involve the wireless carrier. Tell the carrier that you are receiving repeated silent voicemails from rotating numbers without hearing the incoming calls. Ask what network-level spam controls are available and whether anything can be done to prevent the unwanted callers from reaching voicemail. Your carrier may also have more information about how the incoming calls are reaching your line than you can see from the phone itself. Call-blocking and call-labeling tools can help identify known spam patterns before you answer. The FTC recommends looking into call-blocking and call-labeling solutions as one way to reduce unwanted calls. Before installing a third-party app, check the company's privacy policy and what access the app requests. We have more options in our guide to getting rid of robocalls with call-blocking apps and privacy tools. Scammers and marketers can obtain phone numbers in many ways, including databases, people-search sites and data brokers. Some robocalls may also simply be placed randomly, so reducing online exposure cannot prevent every unwanted call. Still, having less personal information publicly available gives strangers fewer places to gather details about you. You can submit removal requests to data brokers yourself or use a reputable data removal service to help manage them. 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 Our guide explains how to remove your personal information from the web and keep checking when it comes back. Keep expectations realistic. Removing a phone number from data broker sites will not instantly stop a robocall campaign that already has your number. You can also learn about 9 ways scammers can use your hone number to try to trick you. Antivirus software will not stop a silent voicemail from reaching your phone, so I would not position it as a robocall blocker. However, it becomes important if the person behind the call follows up with a text message, email, malicious link, fake website or dangerous download. Strong antivirus protection can help detect phishing attempts, malicious websites and malware before they compromise your device or personal information. That extra layer matters because a suspicious voicemail may only be the first contact in a scam that later tries to get you to click or download something. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com The key is still not to engage with suspicious callers. However, keeping strong security software on your devices can provide another layer of protection if a scam attempt moves from your voicemail to your browser, texts or email. See our guide to what to look for in antivirus software without the jargon. If you're receiving illegal robocalls, the FTC says to report them at DoNotCall.gov . When filing a report, it helps to provide: Those reports can help regulators identify calling patterns and support call-blocking and enforcement efforts. You can read more about what complaint data shows in our report on where spam calls are hitting Americans hardest. If you lost money or gave personal information to a scammer, you can also file a fraud report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov . The National Do Not Call Registry can help reduce unwanted sales calls from legitimate companies that follow the law. However, it does not physically block calls and will not stop scammers who are already making illegal calls. Registration is free for both mobile and home phone numbers. If you've registered and wonder why unwanted calls still get through, we explain the problem in The 'Do Not Call' list loophole: Why your phone still won't stop ringing. Getting voicemail notifications when your phone never rang can be unsettling, especially when they keep appearing from different numbers. However, there is no single explanation for every case. Ringless voicemail technology exists, but phone screening, carrier spam filtering and automated robocalls can also result in messages appearing without you hearing a ring. The biggest mistake is letting curiosity pull you into calling an unexplained number back. Delete meaningless messages, use your phone's spam controls and get your carrier involved when the problem becomes relentless. For Mike, the rotating numbers and repeated blank messages make automated spam activity a reasonable concern. Nothing he described, however, is proof that his phone has been hacked. For more on this topic, be sure to listen and subscribe to The CyberGuy Report podcast at Cyberguy.com/podcast/ . Have you ever found a voicemail on your phone even though you swear it never rang? What did the message say, and did you figure out where it came from? 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/6a85a4262c5335ae10489869 Turkey accuses Netanyahu of pursuing ‘expansionist’ policies after Israeli strike on Syrian airbase te 2026-08-19T12:40:06.737Z Turkey accuses Netanyahu of pursuing ‘expansionist’ policies after Israeli strike on Syrian airbase The Turkish government publicly denounced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for allegedly pursuing "expansionist and destabilizing policies" after Israel launched airstrikes on a Syrian airbase this week. Netanyahu's office took responsibility for the Tuesday morning strike on the Abu al-Duhur airbase the next day, saying Syria was on the verge of breaching a security agreement by allowing Turkish troops to deploy from the base, which is near Aleppo. "Israel repeatedly warned Syria that such a deployment would pose a threat to Israel's security," Netanyahu's office said Tuesday night. "Syria chose to ignore these warnings. Israel will not tolerate threats to its security, and would welcome a return to the status quo." On Wednesday, Turkey called these allegations from Israel "untenable," arguing that they are intended to legitimize Israel’s unlawful airstrikes targeting Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity." CRITICS SAY TURKEY'S VERBAL ATTACKS ON ISRAEL HAVE CROSSED INTO ANTISEMITISM "The imputations voiced stem from Netanyahu’s intent to pursue expansionist and destabilizing policies in the region ahead of the elections in Israel," Turkey's government said in a social media post. "Türkiye, like the vast majority of the international community, stands for the consolidation of lasting peace in our region. The sole path to this objective lies in Netanyahu’s abandonment of his aggressive and coercive policies and in his respect for international law," it continued. "Türkiye will resolutely continue to cooperate with the Syrian Government on a legitimate basis for the establishment of peace, stability, and prosperity in Syria, and will never allow the destabilization of Syria," the statement concluded. TRUMP BETS ON FORMER NATO TROUBLEMAKER AS TURKEY'S STRATEGIC VALUE SURGES The strike on the Syrian airbase, which caused damage but no casualties, also drew criticism from U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack, despite a senior Israeli official telling Fox News that "highly sensitive intelligence was shared with the United States in advance" of the attack. "We are deeply concerned that the confirmed Israeli airstrikes on Abu al-Duhur Airbase constitute an unnecessary escalation that does not advance regional stability," Barrack said in an X post. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has not "adopted a predatory posture nor maintained proxy forces" and has "repeatedly indicated a preference for de-escalation with Israel," Barrack added. Barrack, who is also the U.S. special envoy for Syria, told Reuters he is working to establish a deconfliction mechanism to ease tensions between Israel, Turkey and Syria. TRUMP'S TURKEY ARMS SALE PROPOSAL SPARKS CONGRESSIONAL QUESTIONS BEFORE NATO SUMMIT Al-Sharaa, formerly the head of Al Qaeda's affiliate group in Syria, became the country's new leader in January 2025 after he led rebel forces that ousted Bashar al-Assad from power. President Donald Trump has expressed strong support for al-Sharaa's government, including by lifting broad economic sanctions on Syria in late June. But Turkey, which has been training Syria's soldiers to rebuild the country's armed forces, has routinely accused Israel of trying to destabilize the region. BRIEF ALCOHOL BAN IN DAMASCUS SPARKS CONCERNS ABOUT PRESIDENT AL-SHARAA'S VISION FOR SYRIA Since al-Assad was deposed in December 2024, Israel has repeatedly struck targets within Syria seeking to prevent the new government from building up its military capabilities near the border. Netanyahu reiterated in July that he wants the region south of Damascus to remain demilitarized, while also professing a desire to protect the Druze population, an ethnoreligious minority that lives in Syria. The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85a1d12c5335ae10489801 Hayden Panettiere’s ex Brian Hickerson reportedly handed police bag of medication after her death te 2026-08-19T12:30:09.935Z Hayden Panettiere’s ex Brian Hickerson reportedly handed police bag of medication after her death Hayden Panettiere's troubled relationship with ex-boyfriend Brian Hickerson had one final, unexpected chapter on Aug. 16. Hickerson, who had an on-again, off-again relationship with Panettiere in the years before her death at 36, was among those at the South Carolina apartment when she was found unresponsive, according to the police report. His presence there marked a striking final chapter in a relationship that had previously led to domestic violence charges and his eventual conviction. Hickerson and his brother had called 911 after finding Panettiere unresponsive, according to the report. Authorities spoke to both Hickerson and his brother, Zach, and executed a search warrant at the home. WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO MOURNS FORMER FIANCÉE HAYDEN PANETTIERE, VOWS TO KEEP HER MEMORY ALIVE FOR DAUGHTER KAYA The police report, obtained by Fox Carolina, claimed Zach appeared "very emotional" while paramedics worked to revive Panettiere. Meanwhile, Hickerson did not become emotional until the "Ice Princess" star was declared deceased. Officers were also given a bag of medication Panettiere had allegedly been taking by Hickerson. Panettiere had an on-again, off-again relationship with Hickerson in the years before her death at 36. Panettiere and Hickerson reportedly met through mutual friends in 2018 shortly after her split from Wladimir Klitschko. Hickerson, who is from South Carolina, worked in real estate before pursuing acting and had a small role in the 2017 thriller "M.F.A." Hickerson reportedly traveled with the "Remember the Titans" actress from Los Angeles the day before she was found unresponsive at a Greenville, South Carolina, apartment complex on Aug. 16, according to TMZ. The two broke up briefly in 2022, but rekindled their romance the following year. It's unclear what the status of their relationship was at the time of Panettiere's death. HAYDEN PANETTIERE SAYS FILMING ‘NASHVILLE’ WAS LIKE LIVING THROUGH ADDICTION TWICE The former couple's relationship was marked by highly public legal troubles. Hickerson was first charged with domestic violence in connection to Panettiere in 2019. He was arrested again in 2020 on eight felony domestic violence charges, including felony charges of corporal injury on a spouse/cohabitant, a felony charge of assault with a deadly weapon and a misdemeanor charge of battery on a spouse/cohabitant. In 2021, he was sentenced after pleading no contest to two felony charges connected to the domestic violence involving Panettiere. The rest were dismissed due to the plea agreement. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Panettiere publicly addressed the allegations following Hickerson’s arrest, saying she hoped sharing her story would help others in abusive relationships. "I am coming forward with the truth about what happened to me with the hope that my story will empower others in abusive relationships to get the help they need and deserve," she said in a statement, according to People magazine. "I am prepared to do my part to make sure this man never hurts anyone again. I’m grateful for my support system, which helped me find the courage to regain my voice and my life." LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Three days before Panettiere's death, Hickerson appeared in Los Angeles court in an effort to have his felony charges reduced. "On Aug. 13, the prosecution objected to the defense’s motion to expunge and reduce both counts," a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office told Fox News Digital. "The court denied both." Hickerson had tried to have the charges reduced once before, appearing in court on July 18, 2025, Fox News Digital confirmed. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a859f792c5335ae10489794 Massive brawl erupts at Wisconsin State Fair as seven arrested during chaotic closing hours te 2026-08-19T12:20:09.365Z Massive brawl erupts at Wisconsin State Fair as seven arrested during chaotic closing hours Massive fights erupted at the Wisconsin State Fair during its chaotic closing hours Sunday, with viral video showing people in crowds throwing punches and brawling as police moved in to break up the mayhem. Seven people were arrested in connection with the disturbance, according to Wisconsin State Fair Park. One police officer was "struck" but did not suffer serious injuries, and there were no reported serious injuries to fairgoers. Fair officials said Wisconsin State Fair Park Police, assisted by officers from Milwaukee and West Allis, responded to disturbances "on and around" the fairgrounds near the close of the annual event on Aug. 16. LONG ISLAND STREET TAKEOVER ERUPTS AS DRIVERS BLOCK ROAD, PERFORM DONUTS, BURNOUTS: POLICE The incidents involved groups fighting on the fairgrounds and people attempting to enter the fair without authorization, officials said. Law enforcement and security personnel "responded quickly as these incidents occurred," according to Wisconsin State Fair Park. Officials also pushed back on reports of gunfire that circulated Sunday night, saying law enforcement confirmed there were no gunshots associated with the incidents. The ugly scenes also spilled into Wisconsin politics, with Republican gubernatorial nominee Rep. Tom Tiffany seizing on video of the fighting to hammer his November Democratic opponent, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, over public safety. "This is Milwaukee County under David Crowley. Crime. Chaos. At least one officer punched," Tiffany wrote on X. "Public safety starts with leadership, and Crowley’s leadership has failed Milwaukee County. Don’t let him fail Wisconsin," Tiffany added. Crowley did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on the fighting or Tiffany’s remarks. MEET THE DEMOCRAT WHO NARROWLY DEFEATED SOCIALIST RIVAL IN KEY SWING-STATE BATTLE OVER THE PARTY’S FUTURE Wisconsin State Fair Park officials said the violence was confined to the final hours of an otherwise safe 11-day fair attended by hundreds of thousands of people. "The incidents Sunday evening were isolated to the final hours of the Fair and are not representative of the experience our guests enjoyed throughout the event," officials said. "The behavior is always unacceptable and is not what we expect or will tolerate at the Wisconsin State Fair Park," the statement continued. Officials said additional law enforcement and security were in place throughout the fair, including officers from the Milwaukee and West Allis police departments. Milwaukee Police District 3, the department’s Major Events Response Team, mounted and bicycle patrols and drones were also used during the fair. Fair officials declined to say how many officers were deployed, citing security protocols, but said the additional resources helped authorities respond quickly Sunday night. "We continually review our security plans with our law enforcement partners and look for ways to make the Fair even safer for our guests," officials said. Wisconsin State Fair Park said the safety of fairgoers, vendors, exhibitors and employees remains its "highest priority," and thanked the law enforcement agencies that responded Sunday. Fox News’ Patrick McGovern contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a859d242c5335ae10489733 Does pot make you a better parent? This 'garden mom' says yes, but the reality is hazy te 2026-08-19T12:10:12.585Z Does pot make you a better parent? This 'garden mom' says yes, but the reality is hazy A new trend has emerged on social media among women rejecting the wine mom culture of generations past and instead smoking marijuana to unwind from the stressors that come with motherhood and life. They call themselves "garden moms." Fox News Digital spoke with one of these moms, Taylor Mitchem, who goes by @thatgardenmomma on TikTok and Instagram, sharing her typical day-in-the-life as a Colorado mom of a six-year-old daughter who partakes in smoke sessions. Mitchem explained that "gardening" is code for smoking weed to be able to make it past the algorithms. These moms have used #gardenmom as a code for videos showing their marijuana use. TRUMP ADMIN LOOSENS REGULATIONS ON STATE-LICENSED MEDICAL MARIJUANA "Why can't I take a hit and then and still come in and be a cool mom?" shared Mitchem. Dr. Jeremy London, a cardiovascular surgeon who also has a background in functional medicine, spoke with Fox News Digital about this trend and offered warnings about marijuana use. Dr. London has millions of followers on social media, where he shares health tips. He is also the host of "The London Podcast," has a newsletter, does speaking engagements and has been a guest on top shows like "The Mel Robbins Podcast" and "The School of Greatness," hosted by Lewis Howes. He acknowledged the desire to find things to help people unwind but said it is important to weigh all the risks. "Life is really stressful and it's hard," he said. "But like everything in life, particularly when we're looking at things that we're doing to our bodies, there's consequences." Mitchem shared that by smoking weed, she feels more clarity and focus as a mother. "I've always grown up feeling like there was something a little different about me and no medication up or down was going to help that until I found cannabis," she said. "And that's been kind of a battle with me and my husband because he doesn't smoke cannabis at all, doesn't really like the smell of it necessarily, but he has seen the transformation in how it's helped me in just myself and then also as a mother." The 36-year-old mother embraces the "natural" way to help her on a day-to-day basis. "I feel like we were the test dummies of the ADHD meds, my generation," she said. "When I decided I didn't want to take them anymore, and kind of phased out of that. I grew into loving the natural ways of the plant and how it just rewired my brain in such a way that let me find peace and balance again without having to take a pill." EVERYDAY HABIT LINKED TO DRAMATICALLY LOWER RISK OF DYING FROM HEART DISEASE Although Dr. London believes ADHD medication has been overprescribed in the past 20 years, he encourages healthier coping mechanisms. "You always have to be cognizant of what you're substituting," he warned. Dr. London said that cannabis can "significantly" increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. "Smoking cannabis in particular increases your risk of cardiovascular disease significantly," he said. "Really in the short term, there was a recent study that came out that even if you don't have a history of cardiovascular diseases, particularly blockages in the heart, it still increases your risks significantly of having a heart attack. In the short term, even after smoking cannabis, I'm talking hours." Dr. London said smoking damages the inner lining of the arteries and impacts the autonomic nervous system, often known as the "fight or flight" system. He warned that smoking weed is a "dangerous" coping mechanism. "Heart rate goes up, heart starts beating very fast, starts racing," Dr. London said. "You also have constriction of the blood vessels. And you get release of a lot of stress hormones as well. In addition to causing blockages in a heart attack, it can also increase the risk of abnormal heart rhythms. And that's smoking or not, cannabis in general, in any form, increases the risk of having abnormal potentially dangerous heart rhythm." BEER, WINE OR LIQUOR? MASSIVE STUDY REVEALS WHICH WAS LINKED TO LOWER DEATH RISK Mitchem compared smoking marijuana to how moms would use alcohol to unwind and asked, "Where is our break?" Dr. London did acknowledge the dangers of alcohol. "If we look at alcohol and how it affects the body and compare it to THC, the short answer would be that alcohol is toxic to every cell in the body." Although he doesn’t view marijuana as a healthier alternative. "Cannabis does not have that level of toxicity (compared to alcohol), but that being said, you are still altering your neurologic function." Dr. London encouraged healthier habits to cope, such as exercise, including walking, breath work and meditation, and said life is meant to be "lived untampered." "I think that there's a lot of trendy self-care that's presented on social media these days as the new holy grail, the new shiny button, the way to deal with the stressors that all moms and all of us deal with in various forms in our lives," he said. "And it becomes very tempting to jump on that bandwagon, but my opinion is twofold. One, that life is meant to be lived untampered and when you start to numb those edges, both the highs and the lows, you're losing the human experience." DOCTORS SAY 8 FORGOTTEN HABITS COULD HELP FIGHT STRESS, OBESITY AND CHRONIC DISEASE Mitchem emphasized that when she is smoking, she is responsible, never driving a car and always putting her daughter first. "And I feel like it's so easy for people to see a one-minute clip of your day and puzzle it all together in their head, thinking that after I did this one thing, I'm immediately driving my kiddo and, you know, going somewhere, which is the absolute not truth," Mitchem said. "And should there be an emergency, my husband is here. He's coherent completely. He doesn't smoke marijuana. And we also have a hospital directly across the street, which makes it really nice for us as well." Mitchem said her daughter doesn’t know that she smokes weed, and her daughter knows not to go into the room where she does. TRUMP SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER DIRECTING FDA TO REVIEW PSYCHEDELICS DESIGNATED AS BREAKTHROUGH THERAPY DRUGS Dr. London, who is a father of three grown sons, said that kids are always watching. "Always remember that kids are watching what you're doing, and they learn your behavior, your coping skills as the best way to do things," he said. "And I think that if you feel like you have to hide something from your child that you feel is a positive in your life, you might — I want to think about that before you utilize that as your primary coping skill because you think that your kids don't know what's going on. They do, they really do." While state laws on cannabis vary, the FDA does not evaluate or approve raw cannabis or recreational weed for safety and efficacy. Only select prescription-derived cannabinoid drugs are federally approved. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a859d232c5335ae1048972a Ancient shipwreck gives up dazzling treasures after more than 1,300 years underwater te 2026-08-19T12:10:11.841Z Ancient shipwreck gives up dazzling treasures after more than 1,300 years underwater Archaeologists examining an ancient shipwreck recently revealed a trove of gold — and evidence that a wealthy and powerful passenger and his entourage may have been aboard. The findings were formally presented by the Croatian Conservation Institute this summer after years of underwater excavation, Reuters reported. The ship dates to the late 7th or early 8th century A.D., and was discovered on the seabed near the Croatian island of Mljet more than a decade ago. ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNEARTH SECRET CHURCH TIED TO COUNCIL OF NICAEA, CHRISTIANITY'S DEFINING MOMENT Systematic underwater excavations of the site have been underway since 2015. Pictures released by officials show a dazzling collection of jewelry — including an elaborate piece studded with pearls and a green gemstone. The buckles, decorated with rubies, emeralds and pearls, along with a golden signet ring, suggested the ship was carrying someone of considerable status. The ring, in particular, "certainly wouldn't be worn by just anyone," Pavle Dugonjic, head of the Department of Underwater Archaeology at the Croatian Conservation Institute, told Reuters. AUTHOR DINESH D'SOUZA CHALLENGES BIBLE SKEPTICS WITH 'STARTLING' ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES The wreck also contained gold coins issued by four emperors of the Heraclian dynasty, which ruled the Byzantine Empire during the 7th and 8th centuries. The more than 1.3 pounds of gold represents the largest amount ever recovered from a shipwreck in the Mediterranean, according to Igor Miholjek, head of research at the Croatian Conservation Institute, per Reuters. "This is an impressive amount of gold," he told the outlet. It's "the largest ever ‌found ⁠on a shipwreck in the entire Mediterranean," he added. "It weighs over 600 grams when weighed after cleaning and restoration." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Justin Leidwanger, ⁠professor of archaeology at Stanford University, told Reuters that the Mljet wreck is "the most important shipwreck of its period." "If you're studying the end of the late Roman Empire and the transformation into the medieval world, this is a critical site ⁠for ​us to understand and to gain insights into ​how the Mediterranean was held together by its sea routes, how it fragmented, how the empire ​fell apart," he said. The Byzantine Empire, the eastern continuation of the Roman Empire, lasted until 1453 and once controlled vast stretches of the eastern Mediterranean. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS The shipwreck is among a number of significant Byzantine discoveries in recent years. In 2025, archaeologists unveiled a 1,600-year-old Byzantine-era mosaic from an ancient Christian monastery in southern Israel, putting it on public display for the first time. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ This summer, archaeologists uncovered a 1,700-year-old Byzantine city in Egypt, complete with a church and a deacon's home. Reuters contributed reporting. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a859d232c5335ae10489721 PGA TOUR 2026: BMW Championship best bets at Bellerive Country Club for the FedExCup Playoffs te 2026-08-19T12:10:11.093Z PGA TOUR 2026: BMW Championship best bets at Bellerive Country Club for the FedExCup Playoffs We are down to 50 golfers as the second round of the PGA TOUR's 2026 FedExCup Playoffs heads to Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri, for the BMW Championship. After the BMW, the top 30 players of the FedExCup standings advance to East Lake for next week's TOUR Championship. Bellerive is a long par-70 (7,448 yards) with bentgrass greens that has hosted a few majors, most recently the 2018 PGA Championship won by Brooks Koepka. With rain forecasted to soften conditions even further, expect a birdie-fest where elite driving and dialed-in iron play will determine the winner. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler got the monkey off his back by winning his second tournament this year — his first since the 2026 season opener — at last week's FedEx St. Jude Championship. Scottie absolutely dummied the field, winning the St. Jude by eight strokes, and he was the only guy to shoot double-digit under par. 'PAR TALK: SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER TERRORIZES MEMPHIS, RORY MCILROY COMPLETELY MAILS IT IN, AND JORDAN SPIETH IS DONE With that in mind, I'd understand if you bet in the "Winner without Scottie Scheffler" markets. I wouldn't be shocked if Scottie wins the BMW and the TOUR Championship next week, but I just can't bet him at +300 or lower. Instead, I'm wasting 2.19 units (u) on outrights and 2.5u on placement bets on the losers below. The following odds are from when I bet on the golfers listed below. Subject to change. 🇺🇸 Chris Gotterup +3000 (0.67u) and Top-10 with ties +189 (0.75u), both at Kalshi 🇯🇵 Hideki Matsuyama +3000 at FanDuel (0.67u) and Top-10 with ties +198 at Kalshi (0.75u) 🇺🇸 Collin Morikawa +3800 at DraftKings (0.53u) and Top-10 with ties +265 at Kalshi (0.5u) 🇺🇸 Michael Thorbjornsen +5500 at BetMGM (0.36u) and Top-10 with ties +312 (0.5u), both at Kalshi One of Gotterup's three wins this season, and his most recent, the John Deere Classic, was at another Midwest course with bentgrass greens. His other two wins this year were the Sony Open in Hawaii and the WM Phoenix Open in the desert, and his breakthrough win last season was the Genesis Scottish Open. I.e., Gotterup's game travels well. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! That said, it doesn't make sense why Gotterup has worse odds than Si Woo Kim, Tommy Fleetwood and Ludvig Åberg, none of whom have won this year. Gotterup is one of 14 golfers who made the cut at every major this season, and he ranks fifth in my model at Betsperts Golf, ahead of those three guys. Bellerive is a driver-heavy course, and Gotterup ranks second in this field for Strokes Gained (SG): Off-the-Tee over the last 24 rounds, per Betsperts Golf. Seven of the top-10 at the 2018 PGA Championship at Bellerive ranked in the top-10 of SG: Ball-Striking (driving and approach) that week, and Gotterup is fourth in this field in ball-striking over the last 24 rounds. The bottom line is Matsuyama’s odds are too long — tied for the 11th at FanDuel — for how well he is playing. My guy, Hideki, made me money again last week by finishing T7 at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. He has six consecutive T14-or-better finishes, including four straight T7s or better. Also, I want to bet a golfer who is lighting it up because the weather forecast is predicting rain in St. Louis this week, which will make Bellerive softer and easier, aka, more birdies. Well, Matsuyama leads this field in birdie-or-better rate over the last 24 rounds, according to Betsperts Golf. Furthermore, he ranks second in this field for ball-striking over the last 12 rounds but 31st in short-game (chipping and putting), per Betsperts Golf. I’m more focused on his good ball-striking because that’s more predictive and Hideki has one of the best short-games in the world. Meaning, as long as Matsuyama keeps pounding fairways off the tee and pin-hunting with his irons, he should continue scoring and contend at Bellerive this week. These odds are disrespectful. Collin was +2500 at last week’s St. Jude (T52) and +3000 at the 2026 British Open (T18) with deeper and tougher fields. I get that Bellerive is more of a "bomber’s course," but Morikawa’s ball-striking accuracy can help him anywhere. Morikawa leads the TOUR in Strokes Gained: Approach this season and ranks 10th in driving accuracy. He won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February and made the cut at all four majors this year, featuring a T7 at The Masters, and Augusta is one of the most driver-heavy courses in the world. Bentgrass is Collin's best putting surface. He gained strokes on the greens at Aronimink (host of the 2026 PGA Championship) and Augusta this year, and both have much tougher green complexes than Bellerive. Ultimately, this is just a good price for Morikawa, who is one of the few golfers with an A-game that can beat Scheffler’s B-game, which is all that matters considering how much win equity Scottie has this week. Supposedly, the sharps are betting Thorbjornsen. He is going for +5000 or higher at DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and Kalshi. However, Bookmaker lists him at +4274 as of Tuesday evening, and Bookmaker is considered a sharp sportsbook for golf betting. Thorbjornsen got his first TOUR win at another Midwest, driver-heavy course with bent greens (the Rocket Classic) two starts back. His other best finishes this year were at similar courses to Bellerive, including a T3 in Phoenix, T14 at the Texas Children's Houston Open, 16th at the Charles Schwab Challenge and T7 in Scotland. He has gained strokes across the board (driving, approach, chipping and putting) over the last 24 rounds. Thorbjornsen is starting to live up to the hype he got after being the 2024 PGA TOUR University valedictorian, and Bellerive fits his game well. Mayo Cup season standings: 4,386th with $6,003,249 _____________________________ Follow me on X @Geoffery-Clark, and check out my "OutKick Bets Podcast" for more betting content and random rants. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a859d1c2c5335ae104896d8 You can Venmo your college tuition, for some reason te 2026-08-19T12:10:04.967Z You can Venmo your college tuition, for some reason Kids these days don't know how good they have it. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a859d1b2c5335ae104896cf AI isn’t close to curing cancer. This startup says it knows what it will take. te 2026-08-19T12:10:03.348Z AI isn’t close to curing cancer. This startup says it knows what it will take. It's the data, stupid. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a859acb2c5335ae104896a3 AEW's Willow Nightingale opens up about winning title, All In expectations ahead of Mercedes Moné match te 2026-08-19T12:00:11.269Z AEW's Willow Nightingale opens up about winning title, All In expectations ahead of Mercedes Moné match Willow Nightingale will make her first All Elite Wrestling (AEW) Women’s World Championship defense later this month at the company’s biggest event of the year – All In. Nightingale defeated Thekla for the title at Redemption back in July while her All In opponent – Mercedes Moné won the Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament to earn a chance at the championship. For Nightingale, she said the feeling of being a champion didn’t initially set in for her until the "Dynamite" show following Redemption. COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON OUTKICK "I think initially when it happened, I didn't entirely process it, especially like I always feel hung over the day after I wrestle just because it's so, like, one, I'm getting a little bit older, but two, like you really are just putting everything out there," she told Fox News Digital in a recent interview. "You're giving your all and sometimes on show day I do my best to stay hydrated, but sometimes it just takes it all out of you. It dehydrates you a little bit. So, I'm like trying to deal with physically recovering from a match like that because, Thekla, she's tiny, but she's tough. She gave me hell. She made it really hard for me to get this championship. And my parents were there and then you immediately get thrown into the press conference into the scrum with Tony Khan, which is exciting. I love all that. I love all the hustle and bustle. I wouldn't be in this crazy wrestling business if I didn't love the hustle and bustle. "But you don't really get that moment to let it sink in. But the ‘Dynamite’ following Redemption, the Detroit crowd just showed me so much love and that's really when it hit me. I was like, ‘Holy crap, I'm the world champion.’ So, it has hit me. But I think, going into All In, if I get like a successful title defense under my belt, especially against like Mercedes, I'll feel kickass, unstoppable. That will be like the test." All In will take place on Aug. 30 at Wembley Stadium in London. Nightingale is a fan favorite. She’s a member of The Conglomeration faction and is a two-time TBS champion, holding the belt for 140 days in her last reign before she was forced to relinquish the title due to an injury. However, going into Wembley, Nightingale said she’s expecting a split crowd given the impact Moné has made on the pro wrestling industry throughout her career. "So, I'm definitely expecting a split crowd. I'll be completely honest," she said. "One of my biggest strengths is I know the people are there for me, I know the people are cheering for me, but I would be a fool to not recognize the popularity of Mercedes, even though people see her ways. They see that she's not truly like a good person at heart. There's something about her that some people are drawn to. So, I am kind of anticipating that. "My biggest strength maybe being a little torn, a little split, but as I mentioned, anytime you're kind of at this caliber, we're All Elite Wrestling. We're All Elite, and I'm in world championship tier, right? I am the world champ. The people who are going to be facing me for this are going to be elite. They're going to be bringing their best. They're going to be giving their all. So, I have to go in already knowing it's going to be a hard fight. Already knowing I'm going to have to push through when my body wants to give out." ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! To beat Moné, Nightingale said she’ll have to tap into her mind and really dig down deep. "A lot of it really comes down to like the mental toughness," she said. "Like, can you tell yourself, when you feel like there's nothing left, you can push a little more? You can give a little more? And then in a crazy stadium like that, with that many people, when they're all looking down at you, you're like, ‘Nope, I can't embarrass myself. I can't feel shame. I got to keep pushing.’ Which is a thing I've felt time and time again where it's like, listen, you might feel tired. You might feel like you just want to get to the end, but don't give up. So, I'm preparing myself for that moment." Just being in a marquee match at one of the biggest pro wrestling shows of the year is a highlight for Nightingale. The 32-year-old New York native joined AEW in 2021 and success wasn’t exactly easy to come by. She started out on "AEW Dark: Elevation" and made appearances in Ring of Honor. During her first TBS Championship reign, she lost the title to Moné – who ended up holding it for 584 days. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS Nightingale said she’s not taking it lightly that she’s been pushed to the top of the women’s division and has a real opportunity to prove herself as world champion. "Well, I've always been a team player. Before I even got to AEW, like when it first started, when the company kind of first got off the ground and was starting to do weekly television, it was very intriguing to me," she told Fox News Digital. "You know, before we started recording, we were talking about how I have this like tattoo art behind me. I used to work at a tattoo shop. I always felt a little bit like — not completely subculture because I know there's all these different niches and people be like ‘you're a poser, you're not this’ — but I definitely felt like I followed the beat of my own drum and whenever everyone was zigging, I wanted to zag. "And so, it was very exciting to have this alternative and to see something fresh and new, and I was like, ‘I want to be a part of that.’ I've been wrestling at that time maybe for already like six years or so, but I saw it and I was like, ‘That's what I want to do. That's where I want to be.’ And so then to work my way up through the card, through being on our YouTube show ‘Dark’ that we had, to kind of being in all these tags just to have a body in a match or whatever, to being a person who's kind of like, ‘Oh, she's got something. Let's feature her.’ I always just wanted to do whatever was best by the company. "And now to be put in this position where it's like the company is trusting me to put on the best show, to be one of the marquee headliners, to be the world champ, to put me in the position to fight for this and now defend it, I don't take it lightly. I love AEW. I love the people who have that same mindset where we're always pushing to be the best. You know, they say we're the best wrestling, and for me to be at the top of that, is an honor that I just can't blow. I can’t shrug it away. I got to bring the best." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a859aca2c5335ae1048969a Far-left socialist wins massive Florida upset: Key takeaways from Tuesday's primaries and more top headlines te 2026-08-19T12:00:10.332Z Far-left socialist wins massive Florida upset: Key takeaways from Tuesday's primaries and more top headlines 1. Far-left socialist wins massive Florida upset: Key takeaways from Tuesday's primaries 2. Republicans poised to sweep nearly every open statewide office amid unusual turnover 3. Polling firm closes its doors after admitting bombshell election surveys were a hoax ‘ACT OF GOD’ – Mom of 3 killed in freak highway accident that ‘could have happened to anybody’. Continue reading … BROADCAST BRAWL – ABC makes admission about 'The View' in its lawsuit against FCC. Continue reading … BALLOT CONFUSION – Harris backs Peltola to flip a race Republicans thought was locked up in November. Continue reading … TRADE BREAKTHROUGH – Trump announces Canada deal hours before 50% tariffs were set to hit. Continue reading … TELL-ALL TROUBLE – Tupac murder trial faces ‘snitches get stitches’ problem but defendant's ghostwriter could be key. Continue reading … -- ALLIANCE AT STAKE – Inside the tension that drove Trump’s South Korea alliance from ‘historic new era’ to military pullback. Continue reading … PAPER CHASE – Trump admin sued over visa time restrictions for foreign students, journalists. Continue reading … TUNDRA SHOWDOWN – More than a dozen candidates vie in heated gubernatorial primary in icy confines. Continue reading … HAT IN THE RING – America’s reddest state crowns GOP governor nominee. Continue reading … Click here for more cartoons…   NO STRAIGHT ANSWER – Ossoff goes viral targeting a presidential aide, but then dodges when asked why. Continue reading … FEUD FILL-IN – Rosie O'Donnell 'surprised' by being tapped to guest host for Kimmel, but eager for anti-Trump platform. Continue reading … FLOOR FIGHT – Federal $25 minimum wage mandate would destroy nearly 5M jobs, hit booming Sun Belt hardest: study. Continue reading … LIVING HISTORY – New ‘Reagan’ movie museum planned for president’s hometown. Continue reading … COLIN REED – Socialist candidates' deleted posts reveal what they actually think about America. Continue reading … ROBERT MAGINNIS – Iran war forces America to confront the strategic cost of deterring China. Continue reading … -- INVISIBLE TOLL – Cancer risk may be higher for people with one particular type of job, research suggests. Continue reading … 'SPEAK UP' – Portland parent fights child's elementary school over 'final straw' of adding trans-inclusive flag. Continue reading … CROWN VS CROSS – King Charles accused of 'deserting Christians' as experts warn Prince William may abandon historic royal role. Continue reading … AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ – Test yourself on summer splurges and basketball brilliance. Take the quiz here … Tune in as we take a closer look at Luigi Mangione's unexpected guilty plea in federal court that has thrown his upcoming New York state murder trial into limbo. Listen to more on Castbox … 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 Thursday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8596172c5335ae104893cc Exclusive: Sam Burns wants LIV Golf stars Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau back on the PGA Tour te 2026-08-19T11:40:07.356Z Exclusive: Sam Burns wants LIV Golf stars Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau back on the PGA Tour ST. LOUIS – Sam Burns never seriously considered leaving the PGA Tour for LIV Golf when the rival league launched in 2022. But Burns also didn't hold it against the players who did. Four years later, with LIV facing an uncertain future, Burns told OutKick in an exclusive interview that he would welcome stars like Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau back on the PGA Tour. BRYSON DECHAMBEAU DETAILS THE TWO COMPLICATED HURDLES IN HIS WAY OF A POTENTIAL PGA TOUR RETURN "I think it's best for the game of golf as a whole," Burns said. "And ultimately that's what I want as a competitor. You want to play against the best players every week." Burns also believes there will eventually be a way for those players to return. "Ultimately, I think there will be a path back for those guys," Burns said. "I don't exactly know what it'll look like." Burns lived through the split as one of the players who stayed put when LIV started throwing money around. Burns, a five-time PGA Tour winner currently ranked No. 7 in the world, has emerged as one of the top American players in the sport. He spoke to OutKick at The Highlands Golf & Tennis in Forest Park, where he partnered with Raising Cane's to work with local kids ahead of this week's BMW Championship at Bellerive Country Club. Back in 2022, Burns' name briefly surfaced in rumors about players who could potentially defect to LIV. Burns quickly shot those rumors down and made clear that he never intended to leave the PGA Tour. "I fully support the PGA Tour 100 percent," Burns said at the time. "It was a pretty easy decision for me." But Burns took a much softer stance toward the players who chose differently. "I don't really fault anyone for the decision that they make to go play another tour," Burns said. LPGA LEGEND ANNIKA SORENSTAM SAYS LIV GOLF INTERRUPTED THE GAME OF GOLF, FORCED PGA TOUR TO MAKE CHANGES Burns acknowledged that he didn't know the circumstances or life experiences that led other players to make that decision. He said he disagreed with their choice, but didn't believe that gave him reason to shame or hate them for it. That position has largely remained unchanged four years later. "I don't blame anyone for going," Burns told OutKick. "I think everyone has the freedom to kind of choose the path that they want to take. And ultimately, sometimes we make decisions with information that we have, and it doesn't pan out." And four years later, that last part looks a lot more relevant. Brooks Koepka returned to the PGA Tour earlier this year after leaving LIV, though the path back wasn't exactly painless. The PGA Tour created a one-time Returning Member Program for 2026 that included significant financial penalties and other restrictions for eligible players. Koepka accepted the terms and returned at the Farmers Insurance Open in January. The program has since closed and the Tour explicitly said it did not establish a guaranteed pathway for future LIV players who might want to return. Meanwhile, LIV is going through major changes of its own. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund plans to end its financial backing after 2026, although LIV CEO Scott O'Neil said this month that the league has reached an agreement with a new lead investor to fund the circuit going forward. LIV GOLF PLAYER ADMITS BREAKAWAY TOUR MIGHT BE NEARING THE END: 'I THINK TIME MIGHT RUN OUT' The league also announced this week that its 2026 season will end earlier than originally planned, with the Indianapolis event replacing the previously scheduled season-ending team championship. Burns acknowledged that uncertainty. "A lot of the LIV stuff is kind of up in the air right now," he said. "I don't really know the future of it." He also isn't pretending to know what a future return policy should look like. "It's definitely a topic that's kind of over my head. There's a lot of things to figure out with it," Burns said. Whatever the PGA Tour decides to do, Burns knows what he wants: the best golfers competing against each other again. "I think ultimately you'll see those guys back at some point," Burns said. "I don't know what the path will look like or their return to the PGA Tour. But as a fan of golf as well, I think it's great for our game." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8593c22c5335ae10489365 Robot performs 26 cataract surgeries with surgeon control te 2026-08-19T11:30:10.379Z Robot performs 26 cataract surgeries with surgeon control If you or someone you love has had cataract surgery, you know how routine the whole thing can feel. You arrive, the surgeon does the procedure and you are usually back home the same day. Now a robot is entering that familiar routine. ForSight Robotics says its JASPER Robotic Surgical Platform has now been used in 26 fully robotic-assisted cataract surgeries in human patients. According to the company, every procedure was completed robotically without the surgeon having to switch to a manual operation. That may sound like the robot took over the operating room. It did not. New! Free live CyberGuy class: Protect Your Money From Today’s Biggest Threats Join us Saturday, August 29, at 10 AM ET for a free CyberGuy LIVE class covering five simple steps to help defend yourself against AI scams, fraud, identity theft and financial hacks. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson will explain how to set up bank alerts, strengthen your account logins, protect your phone number, freeze your credit and help secure your retirement savings against unauthorized transfers. No technical experience is needed. You’ll also receive our financial protection checklist, and every registrant will get a link to the class recording afterward. Reserve your free spot today at CyberGuyLive.com. ROBOT LEARNS TO DISMANTLE BROKEN MACHINES JASPER works through surgeon-controlled telemanipulation. The doctor directs the procedure while the robotic system translates those commands into tiny movements inside the patient's eye. That matters because we're starting to see robots take on bigger roles in surgery. However, the details about who is actually in charge can get lost in the headline. Fully robotic-assisted cataract surgery reaches 26 patients ForSight announced its first-in-human robotic cataract surgery earlier this year. The company has since completed another 14 procedures, bringing its total first-in-human clinical experience to 26 patients. ForSight says all 26 procedures were completed with JASPER without converting to conventional manual surgery. The patients also received the same types of anesthesia commonly used in cataract surgery. Doctors used either topical anesthesia or mild sedation depending on the patient. Everyone went home the same day. That may sound like a small detail next to the robot, but I think it is one of the more interesting parts of this story. ForSight is trying to show that robotics can fit into the way cataract surgery already works. The goal is to add robotic technology without turning a familiar outpatient procedure into something completely different. So far, the company says JASPER has worked within that normal clinical routine. Still, 26 patients is a small group. This is early clinical experience, not proof that robotic cataract surgery is ready for widespread use. The phrase "fully robotic-assisted" needs a little unpacking because it can easily sound like JASPER is making decisions on its own. It isn't. The surgeon controls the procedure through telemanipulation. JASPER then translates those commands into movements by the robotic instruments working inside the eye. The system gives the surgeon high-definition 3D visualization. It can scale movements and filter out natural hand tremor. Real-time eye tracking helps JASPER respond as the eye moves during surgery. ForSight also uses computer vision to help support the surgeon during the procedure. The big difference here is that JASPER is designed to perform the complete cataract procedure, rather than stepping in for only one part of the operation. The doctor still decides what happens next and remains in control throughout. We have seen other approaches to robotic surgery move in different directions. CyberGuy previously covered an AI-powered robot that independently completed a key phase of gallbladder surgery on a lifelike surgical model. JASPER takes a more hands-on approach from the surgeon's perspective. The robot handles the physical movements, but the doctor is still calling the shots. COULD A PAINT-ON ELECTRONIC TATTOO SPOT HEART ATTACKS? Cataract surgery is already one of the most common operations in the world. ForSight says more than 30 million procedures are performed each year globally. That gives this technology a very different kind of potential impact. We are not talking about a robot built for an extremely rare procedure. If systems like JASPER eventually prove safe and practical, they could enter a part of medicine that touches millions of people every year. Robotic surgery is also beginning to stretch beyond the traditional operating room. In March, CyberGuy reported on a London surgeon who remotely guided a robot to remove a patient's prostate cancer from about 1,500 miles away. More recently, researchers tested humanoid robots during live gallbladder surgeries in a preclinical study. Human surgeons remotely controlled those robots too. JASPER brings that same idea of surgeon-controlled robotics to the eye, where tiny movements matter enormously. ForSight believes the technology could give surgeons greater precision and stability. The company also sees JASPER as a possible foundation for future AI-enabled surgical tools. Before you start asking your eye doctor when the robot is arriving, there is an important reality check. JASPER is still under design and development and has not been approved for commercial use. ForSight is continuing clinical work as it moves toward additional studies and regulatory submissions. There is also one number in the announcement that deserves a closer look: 100%. ForSight says 100% of the 26 procedures were completed robotically without switching to manual surgery. That is impressive, but it is also very specific. The figure does not mean JASPER has a 100% success rate. Nor does it prove the system is safer than conventional cataract surgery. We also do not yet know whether patients will have better long-term outcomes. Those questions need much more evidence. Whenever you see a big percentage attached to a new medical technology, look at exactly what the number measures. In this case, it measures robotic completion of the procedure. If you need cataract surgery today, this does not change your treatment options. JASPER isn’t a commercial system that you can request from your eye doctor. What it does give us is a preview of how surgery could evolve. Instead of a surgeon physically manipulating every instrument by hand, the doctor could control a robotic system that translates those decisions into extremely precise movements. For eye surgery, that could be a big deal. The technology may eventually help surgeons work with greater stability. It could also open the door to new ways of performing highly specialized procedures. But there is a difference between something working in 26 patients and something being ready for millions of people. Researchers still need larger studies. Regulators will have to examine the system closely. Doctors will also want to see how robotic cataract surgery compares with the procedures they already perform every day. For now, JASPER gives us an intriguing look at where eye surgery may be heading. What grabs me about this story isn’t simply the fact that a robot was involved in eye surgery. We've been watching robots move deeper into medicine for years. What gets my attention is how normal ForSight says the experience remained for the patient. People received familiar anesthesia and went home the same day. Meanwhile, a surgeon controlled a robotic platform through the complete cataract procedure. That tells me the real test for medical robots may be whether they can fit into existing care without making everything more complicated. At the same time, 26 patients is still 26 patients. I want to see larger studies and a clearer picture of how patients do over time. Another big question is whether robotic surgery actually improves results or mainly gives surgeons a different way to perform the same procedure. Then there is the AI question. ForSight says JASPER could eventually support AI-enabled surgical capabilities. That could push this technology into a very different territory down the road. Right now, though, the surgeon is still firmly in charge. If your eye doctor told you a robot would perform the physical movements during cataract surgery while the surgeon controlled every step, would you be comfortable with that or would you want the traditional approach? 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/6a8593c12c5335ae1048935c Trump administration sanctions sitting president of the International Criminal Court for 'abuses of power' te 2026-08-19T11:30:09.694Z Trump administration sanctions sitting president of the International Criminal Court for 'abuses of power' The Trump administration has sanctioned two top International Criminal Court officials, escalating its campaign to dismantle a body that has investigated alleged U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan and issued arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials over the war in Gaza. In announcing the sanctions against ICC President Tomoko Akane of Japan and the ICC's senior trial lawyer, Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal, Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the court "corrupt and fatally politicized." "These individuals have directly engaged in efforts by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute officials whose government has not consented to ICC jurisdiction," Rubio said in a statement, adding that the ICC "has maliciously abused its authority and exceeded its mandate." The sanctions against Akane and Seye freeze assets they hold in U.S. jurisdictions and largely cut them off from transactions with Americans or the U.S. financial system. SEN MIKE LEE: TRUMP PROVES AMERICA CAN STAND UP TO A POWER-MAD FOREIGN COURT "Our whole of government campaign to dismantle the threat posed by the ICC to national sovereignty will be sweeping and we expect more countries to join our campaign by ending their funding and participation in this politicized and unaccountable court," Rubio said. "The ICC’s ability to target American nationals and those of other non-States Parties must end." An executive order signed by President Donald Trump in February 2025 created the sanctions framework. The Trump administration argues that the ICC lacks the power to investigate soldiers, military commanders and political leaders from countries that are not parties to the court, including the U.S. and Israel. NETANYAHU FIRES BACK AT NYC MAYOR MAMDANI'S VOW TO ENFORCE 'BOGUS ARREST WARRANT' The ICC said the Trump administration's latest sanctions "undermine the rule of law," adding that they amount to "a flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution." The ICC maintains that it can exercise jurisdiction over nationals of non-member states when they are accused of qualifying crimes committed on the territory of a state that has accepted the Court’s jurisdiction. Qualifying crimes under the Rome Statute include genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. Afghanistan and Palestine are both members of the court, which the ICC says allows it to investigate alleged crimes committed on their territories, including alleged war crimes by U.S. personnel in Afghanistan and alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity by Israeli officials in Gaza. In September 2024, the ICC also issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, the minister of defense at the time. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8593c12c5335ae10489353 Former CDC advisor says decline in kindergarten vaccinations nothing to worry about: 'Keep calm and carry on' te 2026-08-19T11:30:09.037Z Former CDC advisor says decline in kindergarten vaccinations nothing to worry about: 'Keep calm and carry on' Recent data published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows U.S. kindergarten vaccination rates fell slightly in the 2025-2026 school year. Former vice chair of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Dr. Robert Malone told Fox News Digital the drop is nothing to be concerned about. The CDC on Monday released vaccination data for the 2025-2026 school year showing a 0.1% decline in vaccination coverage among children entering kindergarten and an increase in parents claiming vaccine exemptions for their children. Malone, however, downplayed the significance of the decline. "The latest CDC data indicates a 0.1% year-in-year decline in the uptake or acceptance of the vaccine schedule among kindergartners. In certain contexts, the average across the United States shows roughly a 1% shift. Regardless, we are still talking about a very low single-digit lack of compliance with the CDC's recommended vaccine schedule," Malone, an accredited physician and veteran scientist, told Fox News Digital. RFK JR SAYS COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS SHOULD BE THE MODEL FOR AMERICAN HEALTHCARE "Those are the facts," he continued, "and they are not particularly alarming." "Even by the CDC's own report, we still maintain a very high rate of compliance among kindergartners," he added. Malone also criticized the media for its coverage of the data drop. "The narrative that this represents a clear and compelling signal of parents becoming disaffected with vaccination... whoever's promoting that kind of messaging, it's not in the data," he added Malone specifically cited CNBC's coverage and its mention of an ongoing measles outbreak in the U.S., stressing that the U.S. is not an outlier. "Media outlets like CNBC have highlighted that we are in the middle of a historic measles outbreak. However, context is critical: this outbreak is not restricted to the United States. It is occurring worldwide, including in Canada and across many nations that have not experienced this level of vaccine controversy or hesitancy," he told Fox News Digital. He also added that vaccination is still the best protection against contracting measles. "Regarding the overall picture: measles cases are on the rise globally, and vaccination remains the most effective protection against infection. However, does this new kindergarten data represent a major threat? Absolutely not," he stated to Fox News Digital. Malone, who was a vocal critic of vaccine mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic, did pin some blame on falling trust in the scientific establishment for the slight down tick in inoculations. "Does it represent a potential signal that a certain part of the population, very small, is growing in its skepticism of the benefits of childhood vaccination? I would say, yeah, that is that signal," he told Fox News Digital. Still, despite growing mistrust, vaccination rates remain strong, Malone argued. "I think we can all agree [there were] failures in accurate communication by the government during COVID. And certainly they're highlighted in the recent Tony Fauci hearings and the various disclosures coming out of the Senate," Malone told Fox News Digital. REPUBLICAN AGS WORKING TOGETHER TO INVESTIGATE FAUCI EXPLAIN HOW STATES CAN POSSIBLY BYPASS BIDEN PARDON "Despite all of that, despite all the controversy around the potential role, the hypothesized role of childhood vaccine schedules being linked in some way to autism, we still have very robust year-in, year-out uptake of vaccines in kindergarten ages," Malone told Fox News Digital. "The takeaway is simple: keep calm and carry on. There is nothing in this data to panic about," Malone concluded. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85916b2c5335ae104892df The undisputed answer to Israel’s legitimacy: The Dead Sea Scrolls te 2026-08-19T11:20:11.665Z The undisputed answer to Israel’s legitimacy: The Dead Sea Scrolls The Dead Sea Scrolls have fascinated me for years, not only because of what they tell us about Judaism and the biblical world, but because of what they tell us about one of the most disputed questions in the Middle East today: the historical connection of the Jewish people to the land of Israel. I have spent years advocating for peace and reconciliation between Muslims and Jews. And I have never understood why acknowledging the ancient Jewish connection to this land should be considered threatening to Muslims. In fact, I believe the Dead Sea Scrolls are one of Israel’s greatest defenses of its legitimacy. Far more powerful than Iron Dome or F35. The Scrolls demolish one argument that has become increasingly common in parts of the Arab and Western worlds: the claim that Jewish attachment to the land is a recent political invention created by Europeans in the nineteenth or twentieth century. FORMER VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE: FIVE YEARS ON, THE ABRAHAM ACCORDS STILL POINT THE WAY TO PEACE The Dead Sea Scrolls make that argument very difficult to sustain. Their modern story began in 1947, when Bedouin shepherds discovered ancient manuscripts in caves near Qumran, close to the Dead Sea. Over the following years, additional caves were discovered containing thousands of fragments representing hundreds of manuscripts dating from the final centuries before the Common Era and the first century A.D. They were written by Jews living in this region more than 2,000 years ago. When people discuss the Dead Sea Scrolls, they often imagine that the collection consists primarily of copies of the Hebrew Bible. Biblical manuscripts are certainly among its greatest treasures. The Great Isaiah Scroll, for example, is one of the most remarkable surviving biblical manuscripts in the world. But a large majority of the material discovered at Qumran was not simply biblical text. The collection also contains rules governing religious communities, prayers, legal discussions, biblical interpretations, hymns, wisdom literature and writings concerned with the end of days. Some texts tell us how members of particular Jewish communities organized themselves, disciplined their members and understood religious purity. That is one reason I find the Scrolls so much more interesting than merely saying, "Here is an old copy of the Bible." They allow us to enter the intellectual and religious world of Jews who lived approximately two millennia ago. EXTREMISM THRIVES IN 'KEYBOARD COURTROOM' — AMERICA MUST THINK LIKE JURORS, NOT MOBS We see how they prayed. We see how they interpreted Scripture. We see disagreements about religious law. We see their expectations of redemption and the Messiah. We even see the Hebrew and Aramaic languages they used. As someone fascinated by languages, manuscripts and the history of religion, I find that extraordinary. It also places the Scrolls remarkably close to another historical world that has always fascinated me: the world of Jesus. Jesus was a Galilean Jew born into the religious environment of Second Temple Judaism in Bethlehem. The Scrolls give us an extraordinary window into that broader environment. I cannot prove that Jesus ever entered the Qumran community, nor can anyone prove that he physically held one of the particular manuscripts later discovered in those caves. But I personally believe it is entirely possible that Jesus encountered or read texts belonging to the same scriptural tradition represented by the Dead Sea Scrolls (as he did with the Greek translation). The Gospel of Luke describes Jesus entering a synagogue, receiving the scroll of Isaiah and reading from it. Today, we possess a manuscript of Isaiah discovered near the Dead Sea that predates the time of Jesus. For me, there is something profound about that. As a Muslim, Jesus is also part of my religious tradition. We call him Al-Maseeh, the Messiah, (which ironically ultimately means the Savior of Israel and some Muslims reject Israel!) and the Quran speaks about him with tremendous reverence. So when I look at the Great Isaiah Scroll, I do not see something that belongs to a civilization completely foreign to me. I see part of the religious and historical landscape from which Christianity emerged and which Islam itself repeatedly acknowledges. This is why I believe Muslims should be among the last people to deny ancient Jewish history. The Quran is filled with the history of the Children of Israel (Bani Israel). THE WAR ON AMERICA’S JUDEO-CHRISTIAN ROOTS THREATENS EVERYTHING WE SHARE Moses is mentioned more frequently in the Quran than any other prophet. The Quran speaks of King David, Solomon, Aaron, Joseph and the tribes of Israel. It acknowledges the Torah and repeatedly places its own religious message in conversation with earlier Jewish and Christian traditions. There is therefore something deeply strange, in my view, about some Muslims feeling that we must erase Jewish history in order to defend Arab or Palestinian rights. I can acknowledge that the Jewish people have an ancient and undeniable relationship with this land while also acknowledging the humanity and legitimate aspirations of Palestinians (as long as it doesn’t revolve around annihilating Israel and Jews). Those two ideas are not mutually exclusive. Peace will never be built by creating historical amnesia. For decades, political arguments surrounding Israel have frequently moved beyond criticism of Israeli policy into something much more troubling: an attempt to deny Jewish history altogether. Israel can be criticized. Israeli governments can be criticized. Policies can be criticized. But criticism of a government should not require pretending that a nation did not exist on its ancestral homeland. And this is where the Dead Sea Scrolls become so powerful. They are silent witnesses. They do not participate in political debates. They do not appear on television. They do not care about modern ideologies. They tell us that Jewish communities lived in this land, copied Hebrew Scripture in this land, developed religious institutions in this land and debated the meaning of their faith in this land centuries before Islam appeared and centuries before modern European nationalism existed. SIGN UP FOR ANTISEMITISM EXPOSED NEWSLETTER This is why I sometimes describe the Dead Sea Scrolls as one of Israel's greatest weapons. I mean a weapon against historical denial. And unlike political propaganda, archaeological evidence does not need to shout. For me, this subject is also becoming increasingly personal. My academic background is software engineering, but over the years I have become deeply interested in the ancient languages, archaeology and religious history of our region. One of my greatest personal ambitions is to pursue doctoral studies in Israel focusing on the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. I want to study their Hebrew and Aramaic, the communities that produced them, their relationship with the Hebrew Bible and the world of Second Temple Judaism. There is something especially meaningful to me about the idea of an Arab Muslim studying ancient Jewish manuscripts in Israel. I have spent much of my public life arguing that Arabs and Israelis, Muslims and Jews do not have to remain prisoners of the political and religious conflicts inherited from previous generations. Real peace is not merely a treaty between governments. It is also an intellectual and cultural transformation. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION It happens when a Muslim becomes curious about Jewish history instead of frightened by it. It happens when an Arab studies Hebrew. It happens when Jews learn the history and language of their Arab neighbors. It happens when acknowledging another people's story no longer feels like an attack on our own. The Dead Sea Scrolls cannot solve the Middle East conflict. But they can teach us something essential about how we approach it. History cannot become something we recognize only when it supports our political position. If archaeology proves something uncomfortable, we should not destroy the archaeology. We should adjust our understanding. For Muslims in particular, recognizing the Jewish people's ancient connection to this land should not frighten us. It does not diminish Islam, and it does not require denying Palestinian identity or Palestinian suffering. It simply requires intellectual honesty. The Dead Sea Scrolls spent almost two thousand years hidden in caves. When they finally emerged, they brought with them the voices of an ancient Jewish world. We should have enough confidence in our own identities to listen to those voices. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85916a2c5335ae104892cb Gas prices Aug 19 te 2026-08-19T11:20:10.354Z Gas prices Aug 19 National average: $4.06 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8591692c5335ae104892c2 Laughing at life: Comedian Steve Treviño brings his working class humor to Laughlin te 2026-08-19T11:20:09.558Z Laughing at life: Comedian Steve Treviño brings his working class humor to Laughlin One needn’t look far to find humor in everyday life, and nationally-touring comedian Steve Treviño is able to perfectly capture this feeling in his high-energy stand-up routines. Marriage, family life, and Latino culture are favorite topics for his down-to-earth jokes,… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8591682c5335ae104892b4 Ask the doctors: Measles vaccination remains highly effective te 2026-08-19T11:20:08.682Z Ask the doctors: Measles vaccination remains highly effective Dear Doctors: Our two kids are vaccinated for measles, but some of their friends are not. They're protected even if their friends get sick, right? Also, can you please discuss immune system amnesia? I read that it happens with measles,… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8591672c5335ae104892ab Stephanie Lueras: A plethora of protein te 2026-08-19T11:20:07.934Z Stephanie Lueras: A plethora of protein I know you’re going to be shocked when I say that there is a lot of misinformation that floats around regarding diets, nutritional needs, and what someone “should” eat. Even in my research to confirm the information I’m presenting to… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8591672c5335ae104892a2 Fighting Forward: The waiting, the worry, and the words I never expected to hear te 2026-08-19T11:20:07.121Z Fighting Forward: The waiting, the worry, and the words I never expected to hear Not long after my PET scan, the results appeared in my patient portal. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a858f112c5335ae1048923c Trump wants to help 146,000 mentally ill who are homeless. Democrats want to stop him te 2026-08-19T11:10:09.324Z Trump wants to help 146,000 mentally ill who are homeless. Democrats want to stop him Democrats are fighting to stop the Trump administration’s attempt to get 146,000 homeless people with serious mental illness the help they need. In late July, House and Senate Democrats launched an inquiry accusing the Trump administration of wanting to "return to a time when people with disabilities were denied basic civil rights." But there’s one problem: the system these Democrats are defending is the reason there are so many mentally ill people living in squalor on America’s streets. Until recently, when it came to helping the mentally ill homeless, states had their hands tied. For decades, government lawyers interpreted the Supreme Court’s 1999 Olmstead decision extremely broadly, pushing states to offer "community-based care." HOUSING FIRST IS A DISASTER. I SAW SACRAMENTO'S HOMELESS CHAOS FIRSTHAND For the seriously mentally ill, this meant independent living in single units where mental health and substance abuse treatment was optional – and often refused. In June, the Department of Justice released a controversial legal opinion that would fix this by revamping federal oversight of state mental healthcare. The Trump administration’s new framework allows states to offer small-scale, affordable supportive housing options, such as community-based group homes, that would provide court-ordered treatment to people (often homeless) who are disabled by mental illness or substance abuse issues. Intermediate housing options like this have historically been difficult to establish and maintain because of unrealistic regulations that put resident autonomy above safety and clinical need, preventing states from building a middle ground between hospitalization and community-based care. For the first time in three decades, states may finally be able to meet this crucial but ignored need. The administration’s new approach would not involve a reversion to large state psychiatric hospitals, which offer few opportunities for federal reimbursement and, at an average cost of $1,400 per patient, per day, are too expensive to rely on except when truly necessary. SEATTLE CLEANED UP FOR THE WORLD CUP BUT ONLY WHILE THE WORLD WAS WATCHING, COMMENTATOR SAYS But even so, activist groups claim that this shift "open[s] the doors for states to revert to warehousing people," evoking the dark imagery of midcentury American asylums. This is fearmongering, plain and simple. It conveniently ignores the squalid conditions — and public safety risks — created by the current system, which too often "warehouses" homeless people in dangerous outdoor encampments. As anyone who has walked the streets of an American city knows, mental illness and addiction among the homeless are urgent problems. Tens of thousands of Americans with serious mental disorders, severe substance-use disorders, or both live outside, where they pose a danger to themselves and the public. They face high levels of victimization, crime, disease, and premature mortality. They are also the most likely of all homeless subpopulations to resist outreach, because of the effect of severe mental illness on brain function and reasoning. This catastrophe of homeless mental illness is decades in the making. Since 1992, the federal government has asserted unprecedented authority over state behavioral health systems. Through federal regulations and the landmark Olmstead case, states have been forced to focus their resources disproportionately on voluntary mental healthcare in communities. KAREN BASS GRILLED OVER BROKEN HOMELESSNESS PROMISE, BLAMES BUREAUCRACY FOR SLOWED PROGRESS This form of care is important, but it is also the least appropriate form of care for the most severely mentally ill who require a level of daily structure and support that is incompatible with living isolated in single-occupancy units in the community. As a result, states have faced a difficult choice: they can comply with federal law and neglect the most seriously ill patients in their care, or provide the necessary care and risk federal litigation. After decades of choosing the latter and losing in court, most states now choose the former. Before the DOJ’s recent memo, the risk of federal litigation was so great that states created so-called "Olmstead Plans" that set benchmarks for reducing the populations of state psychiatric hospitals, regardless of whether this was appropriate with respect to patient well-being and public safety. As a result, since 1990, states have eliminated tens of thousands of psychiatric hospital beds. By 2016, fewer than 38,000 beds remained nationwide – a 96% decrease compared to the 1950s – even as the U.S. population grew by 110%. SEATTLE MAYOR REFUSES TO GRADE HERSELF AS CRIME, HOMELESSNESS SURGE This trend was amplified by state-level watchdogs, known as protection and advocacy agencies, that historically focused on investigating abuse and neglect in psychiatric institutions, but now focus primarily on pressuring hospitals to release patients under threat of litigation. Tragically, tens of thousands of these patients end up homeless or in the criminal justice system due to premature or inappropriate release. Even at the time of the Olmstead ruling, Justices Anthony Kennedy and Stephen Breyer foresaw this concerning possibility, which has since come to pass. As Kennedy wrote in his Olmstead concurrence, quoting Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg: "It is careful, and quite correct, to say that it is not 'the ADA's mission to drive States to move institutionalized patients into an inappropriate setting, such as a homeless shelter.’" Federal policies may have "liberated" them from psychiatric hospitals, but those same policies now banish them to conditions that rival the poorest places in the world. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION The history of institutional abuse in this country is real, and the vigilance of earlier generations of disability rights advocates helped end some of its worst practices. But learning from the mistakes of the past shouldn't mean ignoring the evidence of the present: the current system, built to prevent one form of harm, has left tens of thousands to face worsening illnesses, unsheltered and untreated on the street. The Trump administration is right to revisit federal regulations in light of that evidence. The tragedy is not that these changes are coming — it’s that they took so long. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a858f102c5335ae10489233 Popular daily drinking habit could nearly triple risk of deadly cancer, major study finds te 2026-08-19T11:10:08.614Z Popular daily drinking habit could nearly triple risk of deadly cancer, major study finds Consuming a sugary drink a day may significantly raise the risk of developing stomach cancer, according to new research from Mass General Brigham. After accounting for other risk factors, the researchers found that one or more sugary drinks per day was linked to nearly triple the risk of gastric cancer compared with fewer than one serving per month. Roughly two-thirds (63%) of U.S. adults report consuming sugar-sweetened beverages at least once a day, CDC data states. BEER, WINE OR LIQUOR? MASSIVE STUDY REVEALS WHICH WAS LINKED TO LOWER DEATH RISK While earlier studies linked sugary drinks to higher rates of liver, breast and colorectal malignancies, their specific impact on gastric tissue remained unclear until now. The new study analyzed data from more than 100,000 participants in the Nurses' Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. The long-term prospective cohort studies, which were managed by Harvard-affiliated researchers, analyzed links between lifestyle, diet and chronic disease among healthcare workers. DIRTY SODA DRINKS ARE EVERYWHERE, BUT DOCTORS WARN OF HEALTH RISKS: 'METABOLIC DISASTER' "It's definitely a concern because we are seeing an increase in cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly in young people [under] 50," senior author Andrew T. Chan, a gastroenterologist and epidemiologist with the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute in Boston, told Fox News Digital. "Our increasing consumption of sugary drinks and also ultraprocessed foods is likely to be contributing to some of these cancer trends," he added. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Gastric cancer is heavily linked to Helicobacter pylori bacteria, a type of bacteria that lives in the stomach lining.  In a subset of study participants, there was no connection found between sugary drink intake and H. pylori, strengthening the hypothesis that sugar (fructose) plays a role. The researchers defined sugar-sweetened drinks as regular sodas, fruit punches, lemonade and sports beverages, in which fructose is the main sweetener. Higher fructose consumption was associated with greater stomach cancer risk. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES Artificially sweetened drinks, including diet sodas and other low-calorie carbonated drinks, were not linked to an increased risk of gastric cancer among more than 100,000 subjects. The research was observational, which means it could only show correlation and not direct causation. The participants were predominantly White healthcare professionals, meaning the findings need to be confirmed across diverse populations, the team acknowledged. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER "The study is unable to really prove cause and effect," Chan said. "What we did see was an association. We certainly need to do more research to understand whether this association between sugary sweetened beverages and stomach cancer is truly causal." The study was published in the journal Gastro Hep Advances. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a858f0f2c5335ae1048922a Federal $25 minimum wage mandate would destroy nearly 5M jobs, hit booming Sun Belt hardest: study te 2026-08-19T11:10:07.887Z Federal $25 minimum wage mandate would destroy nearly 5M jobs, hit booming Sun Belt hardest: study A federal $25 minimum wage mandate would destroy millions of jobs across the country and hit several of the Sun Belt states that have seen a significant influx of new residents in recent years, an economist warned in an interview with Fox News Digital. The warnings come in response to recent legislative efforts from progressive members of Congress pushing to raise the federal minimum wage floor to $25 per hour by 2031 for large employers, while smaller businesses would reach that rate by 2038. The proposal would also eliminate the federal tip credit, raising the direct cash wage requirement for tipped employees up to $25 per hour. Rebekah Paxton, research director at the conservative Employment Policies Institute (EPI), warned that a $25 federal mandate would be a total "job killer." SANDERS-AOC BACKED PROGRESSIVE DEBUTS FEDERAL $25 MINIMUM WAGE BILL WITH COALITION OF 100+ ORGANIZATIONS The EPI projects that the policy would slash nearly five million jobs nationwide. The group expects states including Texas, Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina and Florida to suffer the largest absolute job losses. "Some of the top states that are going to be impacted by a $25 minimum wage include Texas, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio, Tennessee … These states have a massive workforce. They also currently abide by the federal $7.25 minimum-wage rate, so a $25 minimum wage represents more than tripling the current minimum wage applicable in those states," Paxton told Fox News Digital. Texas, North Carolina and Florida have been among the primary beneficiaries of post-COVID migration. While major metropolitan areas, including Cook County, Illinois, and Los Angeles County, experienced population declines, U.S. Census figures show the Southeast is booming, with many of the fastest-growing counties in the nation concentrated in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. "When you’re talking about doubling or tripling the minimum wage, you’re talking about doubling and tripling labor costs for businesses in those areas," Paxton added. "There may be some businesses that try to absorb that through higher prices, but ultimately what we know from economists, business owners, and workers themselves is that it doesn't always work." "In a lot of ways, it means business owners are going to have to slash jobs and reduce the number of hours that folks are able to work," she explained. "Our report shows that that’s going to cost almost five million jobs across the country. LA HOTELS HIT BY LARGEST JOB LOSSES IN A DECADE AS 'OLYMPIC WAGE' MANDATES BITE, DATA SHOWS More than one-third of the projected job losses are concentrated in the restaurant and hospitality industry, including 1.2 million tipped workers, according to the report. The federal government is facing renewed pressure from left-leaning activists to mandate a $25-an-hour minimum wage as the national affordability crisis continues to squeeze working-class families. The federal minimum wage has sat at $7.25 per hour since 2009. One Fair Wage, part of a national coalition of more than 100 advocacy organizations and labor unions pushing for the $25 floor, told Fox News Digital that voters across the political spectrum are mobilized by the issue. "We're seeing so many MAGA voters excited about a $25 minimum wage," said Saru Jayaraman, president of One Fair Wage. "We see people across the political spectrum — and frankly, the vast majority who are not politically affiliated at all — saying, ‘I don't care about Republicans, Democrats, or Independents; what I care about is can I feed my family and who's going to deliver for me?’" The federal push, anchored by legislative proposals like the Living Wage for All Act, is backed by progressive lawmakers including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and progressive organizing allies who support proposals such as Medicare for All, wealth taxes and immigration enforcement reform. The movement is also pursuing aggressive localized initiatives. In California and New York, local chapters and union partners have introduced "30 by '30" ballot drives and municipal resolutions aimed at bringing minimum wages in high-cost cities like Oakland and New York City toward $30 per hour for major employers by the end of the decade. AOC-BACKED $25 MINIMUM WAGE PLAN SOUNDS GREAT — BUT AT WHAT COST? While proponents argue that steep wage hikes are necessary to keep pace with living costs, free-market economists and business groups caution that rapid government wage mandates will accelerate inflation and freeze entry-level hiring. Responding to the Employment Policies Institute's claims, One Fair Wage told Fox News Digital that "America is in an affordability crisis because work does not pay enough." "The federal minimum wage has remained $7.25 since 2009, while rent, groceries, health care, and child care have continued to rise. Raising paychecks is as essential as lowering prices," a spokesperson for One Fair Wage said. One Fair Wage added that "one job should be enough to live on" and that "Congress should pass the Living Wage For All Act and make that standard the law." "Workers across the country are organizing for $25 and $30 because that is what it takes to live. The Living Wage For All Act turns that worker-led demand into a national standard. The largest corporations move first, smaller businesses have years to adjust, and federal subminimum wages end — ensuring tipped workers receive the full minimum wage with tips on top," the organization said. "That projection is inconsistent with decades of minimum-wage research," it continued. "The Economic Policy Institute estimates that a federal minimum wage equal to two-thirds of the national median wage would raise pay for nearly 40 million workers. Research from UC Berkeley economist Michael Reich and the Roosevelt Institute finds that ambitious, phased increases at this level raise incomes broadly with little effect on overall employment." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8588072c5335ae10488bfd King Charles accused of 'deserting Christians' as experts warn Prince William may abandon historic royal role te 2026-08-19T10:40:07.673Z King Charles accused of 'deserting Christians' as experts warn Prince William may abandon historic royal role King Charles III was criticized by Queen Elizabeth’s former chaplain, Gavin Ashenden, recently, who claimed the monarch is "deserting Christians" and abandoned his oath as "Defender of the Faith." This came after "Defender of the Faith" was replaced in this year’s Sovereign Grant Annual Report in June with "His Majesty is Supreme Governor of the Church of England and protects the space for Faith within the multi-faith nation." Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital the "new wording" has "caused considerable controversy." PRINCE HARRY'S 'THE WASP' RIVAL STEPPING DOWN BUT MAY REMAIN A 'VOICE IN THE KING'S EAR': EXPERT He added that it would have been better to leave "‘Defender of the Faith’ in the text after ‘Supreme Governor of the Church of England’ and then add a phrase that recognised Britain as multi-faith which should be included. Whoever wrote ‘protects the space for Faith within the multi-faith nation’ is no credit to the English language as this phrase is both weak and woke." Christopher Andersen, author of the new biography "Kate!" noted that Charles has always had a "powerful ecumenical streak." LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "As far back as his student days at Cambridge, Charles in the 1970s was showing a strong interest in what eastern religions had to offer, particularly Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism," he said. And while Elizabeth was "very respectful" of other religions' customs, "she never wavered when it came to her Christian beliefs," he said. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Andersen explained, "Charles is just a different sort of animal. The current king has long believed that no one religion has all the answers. He also knows that if he is going to have a big-tent reign, then he can't leave non-Christians standing out in the cold — he's going to have to let Muslims and Hindus and Jews and Buddhists inside." And it’s not just Charles, he noted. "The new generation of royals isn't quite so sure about how to react to the whole ‘Defender of the Faith’ thing," Andersen said. "A particularly telling moment came when William enrolled at Eton College in 1995." With cameras rolling, William sat at a desk filling out enrollment papers. PRINCE WILLIAM, KATE MIDDLETON COULD SEEK 'GENTLEMAN'S AGREEMENT' TO PROTECT PRINCE GEORGE AT ETON: EXPERTS "When it came time to fill out the space marked ‘Religion,’ the future Head of the Church of England looked up at his father quizzically and asked what he should put down," Andersen emphasized. "If that is any indication, it is obvious that once they are king and queen, William and Kate will in all likelihood move to phase out the Defender of the Faith role altogether." Royal broadcaster Ian Pelham Turner called Charles a "deep thinker when it comes to religion, adding that "William is not interested in the church whilst Catherine has been a staunch Christian especially renewing her beliefs more recently during her cancer diagnosis." Fitzwilliams, however, stressed that the Church of England shouldn’t be weakened any further. "Queen Elizabeth memorably compared the Church of England to an umbrella under which other faiths could flourish," he said. "She was a believer. The Church of England is clearly extremely weak. It is emphatically not in the royal family's interest, especially as we are the only monarchy in Europe to have a Coronation, to weaken it further." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8588062c5335ae10488bf4 Canadian powerlifting champion April Hutchinson leads first Sophie Cunningham rally outside the US te 2026-08-19T10:40:06.824Z Canadian powerlifting champion April Hutchinson leads first Sophie Cunningham rally outside the US Canadian powerlifting champion April Hutchinson led the seventh Sophie Cunningham rally on Tuesday night in Toronto – the first to take place outside of the U.S. A crowd of Cunningham supporters gathered outside of Scotiabank Arena ahead of the Indiana Fever's win against the Toronto Tempo. Supporters were seen wearing XX-XY Athletics T-shirts. Hutchinson told Fox News Digital it was all Cunningham supporters, until a small crowd of around five people wearing pro-transgender messaging exchanged words with the Cunningham crowd. "Only about five were wearing protect trans kids and protect the dolls t shirts, [they] walked by and said that our signs were disrespectful," Hutchinson said. Hutchinson also credited Toronto police for helping ensure the safety of the rallygoers. "The Toronto police contacted me this morning and wanted details about the rally to ensure our safety," Hutchinson said. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! However, a disagreement between Cunningham supporters and local police broke out. A large mobile billboard that featured Cunningham and messaging by Martina Navratilova addressing fairness in women's sports, and other athletes, prompted police to issue tickets. RILEY GAINES SAYS TARGET CENTER STAFFER TRIED TO SHUT DOWN HER SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM SIGN The billboard was set up by the news outlet Rebel News. Rebel News has told Fox News Digital they have contacted a lawyer to fight the charges. A copy of the ticket obtained by Fox News Digital showed the charges listed as "Display sign with animation/video display/illumination/flashing lights/sound/movement or simulation motion, contrary to Toronto Municipal By-law 693-14, Section 12." The Toronto Police Department responded to Fox News Digital's request for comment, writing, "Since this charge is now before the courts, we won’t be able to provide any further information." Inside the arena, Cunningham had a solid shooting night, hitting three of three shots from three-point range, finishing with 13 total points. However, many fans in the arena booed Cunningham, as she has become a polarizing figure since coming out in support of protecting women's sports from biological males. WNBA FAN SUBREDDIT BANS POSTERS FROM USING SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM'S NAME AFTER DEFENSE OF WOMEN'S SPORTS Cunningham addressed the boos after the game, and praised the Toronto crowd. "I want to shout out the Tempo crowd, and the city, I think we had so much fun, it's my first time being in Canada... but the crowd was absolutely amazing, and I think that's what sports is all about, you're going to get boos you're going to get cheers, but just the fact that they're so passionate, they're loud and they're putting out for the city, I think it's amazing," Cunningham told reporters. The Cunningham rallies will follow the Fever to their next two games, as two more "Sophie Nights" are planned to take place outside Indiana's next game in Dallas against the Wings, and in New York on Saturday ahead of a matchup against the Liberty. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8581022c5335ae10488ab3 New ‘Reagan’ movie museum planned for president’s hometown te 2026-08-19T10:10:10.758Z New ‘Reagan’ movie museum planned for president’s hometown FIRST ON FOX — Young America’s Foundation is partnering with the "Reagan" movie to showcase some of the sets and props from the biopic. The materials from the movie about President Ronald Reagan’s life will become permanent exhibits at the new museum in Dixon, Ill., complementing YAF’s stewardship of Reagan’s Boyhood Home in Dixon and the historic Reagan Ranch, also known as "Rancho del Cielo," in Santa Barbara, California. The collection includes a full-scale replica of the Oval Office, the Situation Room, the office of the Soviet leader, the wall of the Hilton Hotel where Reagan was shot, along with hundreds of artifacts from the film. It is expected to open in 2028. YAF President and former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said it’s been meaningful to bring students and families to Dixon over the years to learn about President Reagan, and said the movie museum will help guests discover even more about the beloved actor-turned-president. NEW DIRECTOR'S CUT OF 2024 ‘REAGAN’ BIOPIC WILL RETURN TO THEATERS FOR AMERICA’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY "There’s a great series of stories about what he learned in the Midwest and how that impacted the rest of his public life," Walker told Fox News Digital. "And our hope now is with the connection with the ‘Reagan’ movie, we helped them film a number of the things, particularly at the ranch, created this bond, and then after the movie was done, I thought how cool would it be to connect [with] things like the Oval Office, and have students and families and other guests come in and have a chance not only to take a picture and see what it was like, but then ask questions about, ‘What did he learn here in the Midwest, what impact, what influences, what books, what life experiences shaped not just him becoming President of the United States, but one of the greatest leaders of the 20th century in the entire world?"  "Bringing down communism, bringing patriotism back to America, and revitalizing our economy," Walker added of Reagan. "So those will be a part of, taking not just the sets, but then tying them in with virtual and photographic and video images of President Reagan so that young people in the end will feel a connection to Ronald Reagan, but more importantly to his ideas." "Young America’s Foundation has done extraordinary work preserving Ronald Reagan’s physical legacy," "Reagan" producer Mark Joseph said in a press release. "By bringing these artifacts from our film to them, we are ensuring that visitors to Dixon can experience the story of Reagan’s humble beginnings. We hope this museum will be a place where fans of the movie can gather and enjoy the sets that our team worked so hard to build." When Dixon hosted its own premiere of "Reagan" in 2024, it seemed like nearly the entire town had turned out to celebrate. It didn’t hurt that lead actor Dennis Quaid had showed up, too. In an interview with Fox Digital before the premiere, Quaid said he was happy to brush shoulders with the locals because Hollywood "forgot" about small towns. Walker expects the turnout for the museum will also be "huge." DENNIS QUAID THRILLS LOCALS IN DIXON FOR ‘REAGAN’ PREMIERE, SAYS HOLLYWOOD ‘FORGOT’ ABOUT SMALL TOWNS "You saw how the hometown came out in force," Walker said of the movie premiere. "And I love how Dennis Quaid could have just done the Hollywood premiere, but he was so connected to Ronald Reagan in that movie, he personally said he wanted to come and join us in Dixon – not only to do the tour of the boyhood home, but then to come over and do an interview in front of the crowd before the movie premiered. "I just think it’s a tremendous story, not only for Dixon and that county and that area, but I think it’s an American story." Walker said he "loves" telling students about Reagan’s humble upbringing. His parents, he said, rented their first home and each of their homes got progressively smaller because his dad was an alcoholic and kept losing his job, so his mom would have to take on odd jobs to help them stay afloat.  Yet, she still made time for some philanthropy, staying involved in church, and a ministry to reach out to inmates in the local jail. She later attended a community college and worked the night shift on the radio. SCOTT WALKER WARNS HONG 'UNDERMINING ONE OF HER STRENGTHS' WITH CAMPAIGN BACKTRACKING Walker said Reagan kept that humility throughout his career. "It’s a great reminder to kids, you don’t have to grow up with privilege or money, or go to a certain school. Anyone can live the American Dream, whether it’s in politics, in business, in education, and life in general," he said. The museum announcement comes as filmmakers prepare the release of the director’s cut of "Reagan," featuring 10 additional minutes, which will be released nationwide on September 25. Walker reflected on the glaring disparity between movie critics and audiences upon the original film’s release. While the movie only had a Rotten Tomatoes critics score of 18% in the weeks following its release, it boasted a 98% audience score. Walker chalked the disparity up to "snotty elitists" among the critics. "I love that because when Ronald Reagan was president, the political critics hated him," Walker said. "They overwhelmingly said, ‘This guy is an actor, he doesn’t know anything, he’s going to get nothing done, he’s going to start World War III, he’s awful.’ And what happened? Forty-nine of 50 states went for him." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8581022c5335ae10488aaa Tupac murder trial faces ‘snitches get stitches’ problem but defendant's ghostwriter could be key te 2026-08-19T10:10:10.046Z Tupac murder trial faces ‘snitches get stitches’ problem but defendant's ghostwriter could be key Tupac Shakur's murder trial could come down to the words of his accused killer and a ghostwriter involved in the book that helped authorities bring charges in the decades-old cold case, according to a retired LAPD detective. Although the mantra of "snitches get stitches" hangs over the case, defendant Duane "Keffe D" Davis outlined his alleged involvement in a series of interviews with law enforcement — in part while working as a confidential informant — in a TV interview and again in his own memoir. While the defense has hinted that Davis' ghostwriter Yusef Jah fictionalized some details and that the defendant wasn't involved in the crime, prosecutors have Jah's name on their witness list. TUPAC SHAKUR MURDER TRIAL KICKS OFF AS DUANE 'KEFFE D' DAVIS FACES JURY NEARLY THREE DECADES AFTER SHOOTING "I suspect that the prosecution is going to have to call the writer of this book and ask him point blank and directly: Did you write this based on what Davis told you?" said Moses Castillo, a retired LAPD detective. "And then if he says yes, and this is what he told me, then it's gonna be very hard to dispute that fact." Still, he told Fox News Digital, prosecutors have a tough case because Shakur's murder happened nearly 30 years ago and few witnesses cooperated at the time. Even survivor Marion "Suge" Knight, a co-founder of Death Row Records who was in the car with Shakur and wounded in the shooting, has said he does not want to testify if called to the stand. Like Jah, he's also on the witness list. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS "When you're in this circle of gangs and gang involvement, you don't want to be a snitch," Castillo added. "You don't wanna be that person that's being classified as a rat. Because as they say: snitches get stitches, and that is really true." TUPAC SHAKUR MURDER SUSPECT TAKES CENTER STAGE AT TRIAL NEARLY 30 YEARS AFTER SHOOTING SHOCKED MUSIC WORLD But as Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney Binu Palal said in his opening statement Monday, one person did talk. That was Davis, who sat for interviews with investigators in 1998, 1999, 2008 and 2009, in addition to sitting for a BET documentary and discussing details in his book. Prosecutors played some of his statements from 2008 in court on Monday — including his account of obtaining the gun and his claim that his nephew, who has since died, fired the shots. GOT A TIP? Defense attorney Michael Sanft countered that it's up to jurors to decide what the facts are, based on evidence shown in court. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST "What they are telling you, they're representing it to be a fact when it really is fiction. And it's up to you to determine what the facts are in this case," he said in his own opening. Sanft said investigators never vetted the claims in Davis' book, not even interviewing other witnesses allegedly in the suspect vehicle before they died. A gunman in a white Cadillac opened fire on a BMW carrying Shakur and Knight on Sept. 7, 1996, on the Las Vegas Strip. Knight recovered from minor injuries. Shakur succumbed to his injuries six days later at 25 years old. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8580fb2c5335ae10488a63 Relativity Networks raises $22 million to bring a faster kind of fiber to data centers te 2026-08-19T10:10:03.676Z Relativity Networks raises $22 million to bring a faster kind of fiber to data centers Relativity Networks deals in hollow-core fiber, a rarely deployed technology that allows data to be transmitted 30% faster than conventional fiber. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85779e2c5335ae10488725 Chinese Comic Investigated After Singing a Riff of a Patriotic Song te 2026-08-19T09:30:06.105Z Chinese Comic Investigated After Singing a Riff of a Patriotic Song Guo Degang, one of the country’s best-known comedians, was reported to the authorities, as the arts continue to be a focus for ideological crackdowns. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8575492c5335ae1048866a Socialists capture major Florida victory on hit-or-miss night for Trump-endorsed primary candidates te 2026-08-19T09:20:09.331Z Socialists capture major Florida victory on hit-or-miss night for Trump-endorsed primary candidates Tuesday night's primary elections featured closely-watched federal races from sunny south Florida to the frigid Alaskan tundra and two states in between, all of which will help decide whether Republicans maintain control of Congress, or whether Democrats overtake them. Three states also featured critical gubernatorial primary elections. Observers are already using the race results as bellwethers to gauge Trump's grip over the GOP and the power of the emergent socialist movement. Here's what stood out: Sunshine State socialist scores shocking Senate upset despite being heavily outspent A socialist will have a chance to unseat a sitting Republican senator after blindsiding her supposed shoo-in opponent who outspent her by a factor of nine to one. Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member and Democratic state Rep. Angie Nixon scored a massive upset in the state's Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. Nixon ran against retired Air Force Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a prominent critic of Trump who played a central role in the left's failed 2019 impeachment attempt, who was expected to emerge victorious. She defeated Vindman by almost 12 points, despite his $16.3 million war chest, compared to hers of only about $1 million. As of July, Vindman had spent about $9 million on the race, while Nixon had spent just over $700,000. TRUMP'S HANDPICKED DESANTIS SUCCESSOR WINS CROWDED GOP PRIMARY FOR FLORIDA GOVERNOR Nixon will square off in a statewide race against Sen. Ashley Moody, R-Fla. Trump has a hit-or-miss endorsement night Across the country, some of Trump's endorsed candidates won their respective races, while others struggled. Trump-endorsed Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., won the Sunshine State's Republican gubernatorial primary against a field that included Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and outsider James Fishback. Donalds won 47% of the vote to Collins' 25%. Fishback won 10.5% of the vote. Donalds will face former Florida Republican congressman-turned-Democrat David Jolly, who won the nod for the job on the Democratic side. TRUMP FLEXES GOP MUSCLE IN ARIZONA PRIMARIES AS DEMS DODGE FAR-LEFT UPSET Likewise, Republican Sen. Ashley Moody, herself a Trump endorsee, took home a victory in a special Senate primary election to finish the remainder of Secretary of State Marco Rubio's U.S. Senate term, which ends in 2028. Moody was appointed to the seat last year after Rubio joined the Trump administration. Republican Rep. Randy Fine of Florida's 6th Congressional District, also endorsed by Trump, easily won his reelection bid. However, it wasn't all smiles for team Trump. Scandal-plagued incumbent Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., who represents the state's 7th Congressional District, lost his race to challenger and former TV anchor Ryan Elijah. Trump endorsed Mills in February, but the congressman is facing a wide-ranging House Ethics Committee investigation into possible campaign finance violations, allegations of assault against a romantic partner and allegations of improperly received or solicited gifts. Mills has denied wrongdoing. The 7th District leans red, meaning Elijah should have an edge come November. Meanwhile, Catalina Lauf, who scored an 11th-hour endorsement from Trump last week, lost her bid to fill Donalds' seat in Florida's 19th Congressional District in a race featuring a myriad of compelling tidbits. Media executive Jim Schwartzel won the five-way race with 29.1% of the vote, while Lauf earned 22%. Businessman Jim Oberweis placed third with 15.7% of the vote. Lauf and Oberweis are familiar rivals, having squared off in a crowded midwestern Republican primary years ago. Both ran in Illinois' 14th Congressional District back in 2020. Oberweis won that round, but lost to a Democrat in the general election. Two years later, Lauf ran unsuccessfully in Illinois' 11th Congressional District, though that race did not feature Oberweis. The fourth place finisher in Tuesday night's 19th Congressional District race in Florida was former Rep. Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina, who was defeated in 2022 amid scandal and after attempting to change districts. Schwartzel is all but certain to win his November general election in the deep red district. AMERICA’S REDDEST STATE CROWNS GOP GOVERNOR NOMINEE A similar story played out in the western U.S. In Wyoming's U.S. Senate primary, Trump-endorsed Rep. Harriet Hageman, who serves as the state's at-large congresswoman, won in a landslide. She defeated cattle rancher Sam Mead. With 80% of the votes counted, Hageman held a 62% to 28% lead over Mead, with three others lagging well behind. However, in Wyoming's gubernatorial primary, Republican voters spurned Trump's choice, electing state Sen. Eric Barlow over, Megan Degenfelder, the state's superintendent of public instruction. Barlow, too, won decidedly, holding a lead of 50% to Degenfelder's 29.7% with three quarters of the votes counted. Both races were called shortly after polls closed. TRUMP-ALIGNED CONSERVATIVE EMERGES FROM CROWDED PRIMARY TO DECIDE WHO FILLS WYOMING’S LONE HOUSE SEAT Wyoming's Secretary of State Chuck Gray won a competitive five-way primary, garnering 25% of the vote. Businessman Steve Freiss earned 20.7% of the vote. Army veteran Kevin Christensen won 17.8% of the vote. The state hasn't elected a Democrat in a statewide race since 2006, and that trend is likely to continue in November. Incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan finished second in the state's non-partisan primaries, and will move on to the general election where he will face three other candidates, including former Democratic congresswoman Mary Peltola, the top vote-getter, in November. Trump buried the losses in a post on TRUTH Social. "A lot of great WINS tonight!!!" he said. VETERAN DEM DEFEATS SCANDAL-PLAGUED FORMER LAWMAKER, PROGRESSIVE CHALLENGER IN TRUMP'S BACKYARD On the House side, a familiar face won in the newly redrawn 20th Congressional District in Florida. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., was drawn out of the the 25th District, which she currently represents. Wasserman Schultz defeated four other candidates, including self-proclaimed socialist activist Elijah Manley, a serious contender who raised nearly $1 million in his bid. Despite the fundraising haul, Manley placed third behind former mayor of Broward County Dale Holness. Manley argued on Monday night in an appearance on NBC news that it was inappropriate for Wasserman Schultz to run in the 20th District when she lives in what is now the 22nd District, and said Democrats "need fresh leaders" in Washington. He also argued that it was inappropriate for a White person to occupy the seat. Race was a major issue in the race, with DWS' detractors slamming her for running in the district that has been described as "historically black." "One of the last remaining opportunity districts that we have in the South being held by a white Democrat, that's unacceptable," Manley said in his Monday interview. Former Democratic Rep. Sheri Cherfilus-McCormick placed fourth in the race. She represented the district until April when she resigned after facing federal criminal charges involving alleged misuse of disaster-relief funds. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. Wasserman Shultz should breeze her way to victory in November in a distict that heavily favors Democrats. Elsewhere in the state, Rep. Jared Moskowitz crushed a surging socialist challenger in Florida's 25th Congressional District, defeating Oliver Larkin by margin of 64% to 36%. Moskowitz ran as a centrist Democrat, while Larkin proudly touted his membership in the DSA on the campaign trail. Larkin said on the campaign trail that he wanted to abolish and prosecute members of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), taking his party's stance on ending the agency one step further. The former Bernie Sanders campaign field director also championed packing the Supreme Court, a $25 minimum wage, ending the Cuba embargo and D.C. statehood, along with statehood for Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands. Moskowitz issued a fiery statement denouncing the DSA. "Tonight, Democratic voters sent a clear message. I faced a challenge from the DSA. They threw everything at me and I didn’t change who I am or what I believe, and the voters overwhelmingly chose the independent-minded approach I’ve brought to Congress," he said. "I led the effort to have Kristi Noem fired, I've taken on this Administration, and I've taken on extremes in the DSA and won. Now we're running in a tough district hand-drawn by Republicans to defeat me, but I plan to win that too." Moskowitz's district, once reliably blue, leans Republican after redistricting. He will face Republican former Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer. One of the most closely-watched Senate races in the country is ongoing in Alaska, as Republicans cling to a narrow majority in the upper chamber. Alaska has non-partisan "top-four" primary elections, meaning that candidates from all parties compete in an open race, and the top four vote-getters advance to the general election. In the general election, the state uses ranked-choice voting. Trump-endorsed Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan faced 15 primary challengers, including former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola and a retired teacher. The incumbent Sullivan was second in voting at the time the race was called, and will move on to the general election. Peltola, who lost her seat to Republican Rep. Nick Begich III in 2024, was in first and held a razor thin lead of less than 1%. As of early Wednesday morning, AP had not yet called the final two candidates who would advance to November's four-way Senate contest. Alaska's only member of the House, Begich, will be on the ballot in November as he battles to keep his seat. He will be joined by a surging independent candidate in fisherman Bill Hill and two others. As of early Wednesday morning, AP had not yet called the remaining two candidates who would advance to the four-way November race for Alaska's lone House seat. The top two contenders in the gubernatorial race were separated by only two percentage points at the time AP called the race. Politics runs in the Begich family, as Nick's uncle, Tom Begich, a Democrat and former state senator, secured a spot in the November general election alongside Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins. As of early Wednesday morning, AP had not yet called the final two candidates who would round out Alaska's four-person gubernatorial field for November. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8572f32c5335ae10488606 Inside the tension that drove Trump’s South Korea alliance from ‘historic new era’ to military pullback te 2026-08-19T09:10:11.471Z Inside the tension that drove Trump’s South Korea alliance from ‘historic new era’ to military pullback President Donald Trump is scaling back major joint military exercises with South Korea after Seoul declined to support U.S. operations against Iran, a sharp U-turn with an ally his administration publicly praised just days prior. The move came just three days after Secretary of State Marco Rubio called South Korea an "indispensable partner" and said the allies had entered a "historic new era" of cooperation following Trump’s state visit to Seoul last fall. Victor Cha, the Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Fox News Digital that Trump appears to see the drill reduction as a win-win for the U.S. — pressure Seoul to move faster on investment and burden-sharing while offer Kim incentives to reopen diplomacy. "He sees this as a two for one," Cha said. "A combination of things led to Trump's frustration, that South Korea is not moving the trade and investment framework agreement on investments faster and his desire to meet the North Korean leader." TRUMP ORDERS MAJOR CUT TO US-SOUTH KOREA DRILLS AS NORTH KOREA RAMPS UP MISSILE TESTS Behind the administration’s recent praise of Seoul, strains had been building, potentially leading to the mixed-messaging. Trump has grown frustrated with the slow rollout of a $350 billion trade and investment framework, commercial disputes involving American companies and what he sees as South Korea’s unwillingness to do more for U.S. priorities, Cha detailed. "That combination of things led Trump to make a decision where he said, 'Hey, yeah, I'm gonna scale down these exercises maybe it'll get a response from Kim Jong-un. At the same time, the South Koreans are rich, they should be doing their own exercises and like we should not be paying for them.'" The deal would bring substantial South Korean investment to the United States while offering Seoul expanded cooperation on shipbuilding and nuclear-powered submarines. But the first investments have moved slowly, despite Trump’s earlier threat to raise tariffs on South Korean goods by 25%, while parallel agreements with Japan are advancing faster. The pressure on Seoul comes as Trump returns to another unfinished project from his first term: diplomacy with Kim. Trump’s tumultuous relationship with the North Korean leader swung between threats of "fire and fury" and historic summits. The first was in Singapore in 2018 and the second in Hanoi in 2019, which was followed by a third meeting at the Korean demilitarized zone later that year. NORTH KOREA EXPERT WARNS US CAN 'NEVER TAKE THEIR EYE OFF' KIM JONG UN FOLLOWING MISSILE TEST DURING IRAN WAR The formal encounters made Trump the first sitting U.S. president to meet a North Korean leader, but the diplomacy ended without a denuclearization deal after negotiations collapsed over the terms of sanctions relief and North Korea’s nuclear program. In announcing the exercise cut, Trump wrote that the drills "send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile" to North Korea, which he said "has been unthreatening and respectful" during his second term. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for more details. A War Department official said the department is "actively working on executing the Commander-in-Chief’s directive," while declining to offer details. Kim’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, has said her brother retains good memories of Trump, but North Korea has expanded its nuclear and missile capabilities since the first summits while deepening its ties with Russia and China. Pyongyang has not ruled out returning to diplomacy, but it has also signaled that Washington would first need to abandon its demand for North Korean denuclearization. NORTH KOREA LAUNCHES ANOTHER BALLISTIC MISSILE AS US, SOUTH KOREA PREPARE FOR MILITARY DRILLS "Where they haven't ruled out negotiations with the U.S., but they have basically said, unless the U.S. accepts their nuclear status, there isn't really a reason to talk," Jenny Town, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center and director of 38 North, told Fox News Digital. The drills are more than a show of force, they are where American and South Korean troops practice how to fight together if deterrence fails — from moving forces and equipment to sharing targeting information and operating under a single command structure. Before Trump’s order, this year’s Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise was set to incorporate lessons from the war in Ukraine, including drone warfare, GPS disruption and the prospect of losing communications in a crisis. Those are no longer theoretical concerns for the alliance: North Korean troops have fought alongside Russian forces and brought battlefield experience back to the peninsula. SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT JUMPS TO INVEST IN MILITARY AFTER TRUMP CUTS JOINT EXERCISES "The exercises are the biggest military maneuver exercise that the Alliance does every year," Cha said. "There's nothing that can substitute for live fire and military exercises." Town said the last-minute nature of the decision risks creating uncertainty inside the alliance. "This last minute haphazard way of sending this message really sends a lot of mixed messages, but also creates a lot of angst in the U.S.-South Korea alliance," she said. Trump’s order drew bipartisan criticism on Capitol Hill. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., said: "North and South Korea are still technically at war." "Our ability to help defend our ally against the North Koreans is because our forces are well trained and able to coordinate with the South Koreans. Hollowing out these joint exercises is shortsighted and a mistake," the retired U.S. Navy Captain added. Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, a Republican, said reducing the drills "does nothing more than free up thousands of North Korea's troops to support Putin's systematic kidnapping, torture, rape, and murder of innocent Ukrainian citizens." "President Trump is playing right into Kim Jong-Un's hands," Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., claimed on X. "Our alliance with South Korea is critical to U.S. security and announcing a decision to unilaterally scale back joint exercises, over social media, all while touting a "very good relationship" with Kim, is a gross miscalculation," she added. "Trump is rewarding a regime that sends weapons and troops to fight for Russia and has a long history of cooperation with Iran. Undermining our allies while making concessions to our adversaries is not a show of strength—it only emboldens those who threaten us.:" Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8572f22c5335ae104885fd Silicon Valley is losing the data center fight, risking a repeat of a classic failure te 2026-08-19T09:10:10.875Z Silicon Valley is losing the data center fight, risking a repeat of a classic failure Silicon Valley has spent decades winning consumer loyalty. In unprecedented numbers, people have Apple iPhones in their pockets and Amazon Alexas on their counters while they browse on Google and write in Microsoft Word. Americans have shown themselves eager to try every new technology, from health tracking rings to doorbell cameras to robot vacuums. Yet Silicon Valley has seemingly been caught flat-footed facing something it has never faced before: the near-united opposition of the American people. When it comes to artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers, the tech industry has never been more unpopular. The industry that has created the tools of modern life is losing the fight for public opinion because, ironically, it is using the wrong tools, at least in the arena of political advocacy. The tech industry certainly funds a formidable political machine. But it’s a machine focused on fighting over what happens on screens — content moderation, privacy, antitrust, intellectual property. Its political teams are not built for what AI actually requires: power plants, transmission lines, water rights, land use permits and the approval of hundreds of local communities across America. TRUMP’S REINDUSTRIALIZATION AGENDA FACES ITS BIGGEST HURDLE — AMERICANS That mismatch is why the industry is losing — badly. Local opposition has already blocked or delayed $64 billion in data center projects between May 2024 and March 2025. A Gallup poll found that 71% of Americans oppose data centers being built in their communities — opposition now exceeding that of nuclear power plants. And just recently, New York became the first state to ban data centers. Companies with enormous influence in Washington are losing at county commission meetings, utility hearings and state legislatures. The problem is not a communications gap. It is a structural one. Before, tech had to win big policy fights just in Washington. Now, it must win countless small fights across the country, not against local communities, but against an organized opposition with years of experience using state and local networks to block development. Note the activist groups heading the charge against data centers. More than 230 organizations — led by Food & Water Watch and including Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth — have formally demanded a national data center moratorium. TOP ENERGY GROUP WARNS WEALTHY FOREIGNERS ARE POTENTIALLY BANKROLLING ANTI-DATA CENTER CAMPAIGNS ACROSS US Setting aside for the moment the irony that these so-called environmental groups are trying to thwart the biggest private-sector renewable buildout in history, these are not grassroots organizations. They are well-funded political machines that have lawyers, full-time activists, local chapters and decades of experience stopping energy projects. And some of these organizations have drawn congressional scrutiny over foreign funding: The House Energy and Commerce Committee opened an investigation to explore Chinese influence on U.S. energy policy. The logic is simple: When America fails to invest in energy infrastructure that powers AI, China wins. No matter how they are funded, these political machines know how to take a legitimate concern about electricity rates or water consumption and turn it into a national campaign against technology itself. They have done it before with fracking and nuclear (again, in both cases, ironically driving up emissions by keeping coal plants online longer). Fracking offers the tech industry a more hopeful template. The shale industry survived not because it out-lobbied environmentalists in Washington, but because it created direct beneficiaries in hundreds of communities. Landowners received royalties, workers earned paychecks, businesses gained customers, towns collected tax revenue and everyone gained affordable energy. Those benefits created armies of local defenders. Nuclear, on the other hand, shows what losing looks like. Despite nuclear being an incredible, zero-emissions technology, it lost the political fight in the 1970s before its value was fully understood. America then spent 50 years underbuilding nuclear capacity. It was only surging electricity demand from AI that made nuclear energy essential enough to overcome old opposition. ANTARES REACHES REACTOR CRITICALITY UNDER TRUMP PILOT PROGRAM, MARKING MAJOR NUCLEAR MILESTONE Yet the campaign against data centers is moving faster than either of those precedents. The coordinated opposition is already sharing legal strategies, draft language for moratoriums, claims about water waste and grid strain and graphics and social strategies that can travel across the country in an instant. If the tech industry doesn’t act fast to counter this coordinated opposition with a strategy of its own, it will follow the path of nuclear energy, setting back America’s AI ambitions years, if not decades. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION The largest AI companies have the resources to respond seriously. They can finance dedicated power generation that protects existing ratepayers. They can fund local infrastructure improvements, school programs and economic development that give host communities a genuine stake in the project's success. They can hire people with relationships in state capitals and county seats, not just K Street. And they can invest in pushing out the honest message about AI and data centers, dropping the negative, Silicon Valley-preferred language of "disruption" and "singularity" to talk about real-world benefits, like empowerment, prosperity and security. Silicon Valley already spends billions building the physical infrastructure of AI. It now needs to invest in the public support that will allow America to build it at all. Aiden Buzetti is the president of the Bull Moose Project. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM CHRIS JOHNSON Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8572f22c5335ae104885f4 Socialist candidates can delete old posts, but they can't erase their radicalism te 2026-08-19T09:10:10.285Z Socialist candidates can delete old posts, but they can't erase their radicalism This summer, as millions of Americans were enjoying fireworks or gearing up for the fall football season, the campaign of the Democratic Senate candidate in Michigan was scrambling to cover up past statements denouncing both. You read that right: the campaign of Abdul el-Sayed was caught red-handed by CNN erasing hot takes declaring that "fireworks suck" and linking football to slavery. On one hand, you can’t blame him. El-Sayed is running for statewide office in Michigan, which voted for President Donald Trump twice in the last decade. Better to take the hit on the flip-flop and sell voters on his canned declaration about his love for "Michigan football on Saturdays" than defend the indefensible. DEM SENATE HOPEFUL ABDUL EL-SAYED RECOUNTS SMASHING VODKA BOTTLE AFTER BEARD CRITICISM On the other, if character is what counts when no one is watching, el-Sayed has shown who he is. Voters should believe him. To be fair, he’s not the only candidate navigating the collision course between a hard-left worldview and the political realities of getting elected in a center-right country. In neighboring Wisconsin, Francesca Hong, the Democratic Socialist candidate, came up just short in her gubernatorial primary. Unlike el-Sayed, her past social media commentary surfaced before Election Day, including her support for canceling Thanksgiving. Down the home stretch, Hong’s campaign was overrun with similar questions about some of her past and current extreme views. At one point, the candidate even declared Thanksgiving her "favorite" holiday, but the damage was done. FRANCESCA HONG REMARKS THANKSGIVING IS HER 'FAVORITE HOLIDAY,' ANSWERS SHE DOES NOT 'WANT TO CANCEL IT' While some expressed surprise at the narrow margin, the more appropriate question is how Hong came within roughly 4,000 votes of grabbing the nomination in one of America’s most purple states. One of the leaders of this movement, New York Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, has deployed a creative tactic when faced with questions about her past views, saying that "Woke 1.0 was crazy." There are at least three reasons these seemingly unelectable candidates are driving the national conversation this summer. First, an empowered activist class is stepping up and filling the void of a party in need of new ideas, leaders and voices. The Democratic Party is still reckoning with the scars of the previous election. Until it has reckoned with and acknowledged the mistakes of the past, moving forward becomes difficult. ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ SHRUGS OFF PAST 'DEFUND THE POLICE' COMMENTS, JOKING 'WOKE 1 WAS CRAZY' Second, this new crop of candidates grew up in the digital age. El-Sayed is 41. Hong is 37. Ocasio-Cortez is 36. Social media has been readily available to them their entire adult lives. Anyone has a platform to pop off on the news of the day without giving it a great deal of thought. Or how it will look under the glare of a future political campaign. This phenomenon is not limited to one political party or ideology, either. Any first-time candidate would be wise to audit and clean up their online presence before embarking on their journey into public life. Finally, and most importantly, many of these sentiments are consistent with the core principle of socialism taking hold within the American left. At its core, socialism believes that the American experiment is over and the dream is dead. What better ways to express that perspective than opposing football, fireworks and Thanksgiving? SOCIALIST VICTORIES SHOW DEMS' DESCENT DOWN 'DEADLY PATH OF COMMUNISM,' JOHNSON WARNS Proponents of socialism want voters to believe it’s all about free health care, free pre-K and free college. New York City, under the Mamdani administration, is even pursuing government-run grocery stores. They present their ideology as merely a means of righting the economic wrongs in our country, and duck questions about rgw price tag or practicality with vague platitudes about making the wealthy "pay their fair share." CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION It’s no secret the GOP faces a challenging midterm electorate. Early voting starts in some states in a matter of weeks. Trump is not on the ballot, and the ongoing conflict in Iran has bogged down his approval ratings. Republicans’ best case may well be not just that woke 1.0 was crazy, but it never left the building. Old social media posts and videos can be taken down, but the insight into the world view on philosophy remains – and it’s downright chilling. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM COLIN REED Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8572f12c5335ae104885eb Iran war forces America to confront the strategic cost of deterring China te 2026-08-19T09:10:09.654Z Iran war forces America to confront the strategic cost of deterring China The most strategically revealing military move in the Iran war this week isn’t another strike on Tehran. It is an American aircraft carrier leaving the Pacific. The USS George Washington is heading toward the Middle East to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln, whose overall deployment has exceeded 260 days, including more than 240 uninterrupted days at sea. The move could leave the Pacific without a U.S. carrier for an unknown period. That does not mean China is preparing to attack Taiwan. It means the United States is making a real strategic tradeoff: a carrier reinforcing the Middle East cannot simultaneously deter in the Western Pacific. America has global reach, but its forces are not infinite, and geography still imposes choices. The same point was visible in Adm. Brad Cooper’s just-completed 10-day trip through six Middle Eastern countries. CENTCOM says more than 50,000 American service members are now operating across the region. Iran is consuming ships, aircraft, munitions, logistics and command attention at the same time Washington says the Indo-Pacific must remain a priority. PENTAGON RACES TO BUY 10X MORE MISSILES AS IRAN WAR DWINDLES ARSENAL, THREATENS READINESS FOR CHINA AGGRESSION That is the strategic dilemma. The question is no longer simply whether the United States has enough military power to continue operations against Iran. We do. The harder question is whether we are allocating that power in a way that matches our declared priorities. The 2026 National Defense Strategy is unusually clear on this point. It calls for a strong denial defense along the First Island Chain and places deterring China among the Pentagon’s top priorities, expecting allies to shoulder more responsibility elsewhere. Whatever one thinks of that approach, it is strategy because it makes choices. Now events are testing whether Washington is prepared to live by those choices. This is not the familiar debate over whether America can "fight two wars." That phrase is too crude. The United States remains capable of fighting in more than one theater. The real problem is deterrence: Can we sustain a demanding conflict in the Middle East while keeping enough ready combat power elsewhere to persuade China that this is not its moment to attack Taiwan? THREE KEY REASONS WHY AMERICA CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE TAIWAN TO COMMUNIST CHINA Deterrence does not require an adversary to believe we are invincible. It requires him to believe the cost of acting now is greater than the potential gain. Beijing does not need to conclude that America has become weak. Chinese planners need only ask whether American forces, munitions, maintenance capacity and political attention are tied down enough elsewhere to alter the risk of acting in the Pacific. History offers useful warnings, not because 2026 replays 1941 or 1950, but because strategy has always meant matching ends, ways and means. Britain learned that lesson painfully before Singapore fell on February 15, 1942. London carried military commitments across Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Asia while its naval resources were stretched by a global war. British defense planning for Singapore depended on reinforcing the Far East in a crisis, but when Japan struck, Britain was already fighting for survival elsewhere. The lesson wasn’t courage. It was strategic capacity: Britain had accumulated commitments it could no longer defend simultaneously. The United States chose differently in World War II. Pearl Harbor made Japan the immediate enemy in the American mind, but Roosevelt and Churchill kept the main Allied effort focused on defeating Germany first. They reaffirmed that priority at Casablanca in 1943 while continuing the war against Japan. Strategy required distinguishing the most immediate enemy from the most consequential one. The lesson isn’t that America needs a simplistic "China First" slogan; strategy cannot be reduced to a bumper sticker. It is that priorities have consequences. A nation cannot call one theater its principal military challenge and then assume repeated emergency commitments elsewhere carry no cost. Our Navy makes that cost unusually visible. Airpower can shift between theaters quickly, though the tankers, bases, weapons and support that sustain it cannot. Naval power is less forgiving. A carrier committed to the Middle East is a carrier unavailable in the Pacific. The Lincoln illustrates the point. Its deployment has stretched past 260 days at sea, and lawmakers have pressed the Pentagon for answers on the strain that extended combat cruise has placed on the ship and its roughly 5,000-person crew. The George Washington rotation is necessary. But necessary rotations still carry strategic tradeoffs. REP GARAMENDI, SEN KELLY: WE MUST WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE AMERICA A SHIPBUILDING POWER Nor can the Pentagon solve this quickly by ordering more ships. Congress and the administration should debate the size and composition of the future fleet, but a carrier ordered today will not arrive for years. Shipbuilding capacity, maintenance backlogs and munitions production are decades-long problems. Strategy operates with the force we have, not the force we wish we had. That distinction matters as the Iran conflict stretches past six months. The larger strategic issue now reaches beyond Iran: What does each additional Middle Eastern commitment cost America’s ability to execute its wider defense strategy? That question only grows more urgent the longer the conflict lasts. The answer need not be withdrawal. Nor does it require conceding the Middle East to Iran. It requires something Washington often resists: enforcing priorities. Which American interests are vital? Which can be handled primarily by allies? Which military capabilities must be protected for the highest-priority contingency? And what level of risk are we accepting elsewhere each time we surge into this crisis? The Truman administration confronted a related problem when North Korea invaded the South in June 1950. Korea demanded immediate American combat power, but Washington faced the larger contest with the Soviet Union. NSC-68, issued two months earlier, had already called for a major military buildup to counter that threat. Korea accelerated it. Washington fought the immediate war without losing sight of the larger competition. US DRAINS CRITICAL MISSILE STOCKPILES IN IRAN WAR AS YEARSLONG REBUILD LOOMS That is the discipline required now. The George Washington’s move toward the Mideast should focus attention in Congress and the White House, turning an abstract strategic debate into something visible on a map. One of America’s most powerful warships is leaving the theater our own strategy calls central, headed toward a war we are already fighting. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Perhaps that is the correct decision. But if it is, Washington should acknowledge the risk being accepted and explain how it intends to preserve deterrence in the Pacific. If such tradeoffs become routine, then our stated strategy and our actual force allocation are moving in different directions. America does not lack military power. It lacks the ability to treat every threat as equally urgent at the same time. That is why strategy requires choices. Iran may demand action today; China remains the larger challenge. Washington must weigh what each requires and decide deliberately. If we don’t set our priorities, events eventually will. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM ROBERT MAGINNIS Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8572ed2c5335ae104885bf Byron Donalds Is Favored to Become Florida’s First Black Governor te 2026-08-19T09:10:05.168Z Byron Donalds Is Favored to Become Florida’s First Black Governor Byron Donalds, a three-term congressman who won the state’s Republican primary on Tuesday, endorsed President Trump over his own governor, Ron DeSantis. The payoff has been huge. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8572ec2c5335ae104885b6 U.S. Will Try California Arson Suspect Again After Stunning Mistrial te 2026-08-19T09:10:04.143Z U.S. Will Try California Arson Suspect Again After Stunning Mistrial The man accused of setting the blaze that later turned deadly in the Pacific Palisades is now readying for a new prosecution after a previous effort in June failed. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8572ea2c5335ae104885ad The Left Notches Another Win With This Secret Weapon: Old-Fashioned Organizing te 2026-08-19T09:10:03.000Z The Left Notches Another Win With This Secret Weapon: Old-Fashioned Organizing State Representative Angie Nixon scored a stunning upset on Tuesday in Florida’s Democratic Senate primary. Now comes the hard part: running as a progressive firebrand in a red state. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8567422c5335ae104881f9 Hamadeh Accuses Arizona Republic Of Downplaying JoAnna Mendoza’s Dual Property-Tax Benefit te 2026-08-19T08:20:18.785Z Hamadeh Accuses Arizona Republic Of Downplaying JoAnna Mendoza’s Dual Property-Tax Benefit By Matthew Holloway | Rep. Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ-08) recently blasted the Arizona Republic as a “dying newspaper. The congressman accused the outlet of “covering for” Democratic congressional candidate JoAnna Mendoza through its framing of a report about property-tax benefits she received on two homes. “The Arizona Republic, a dying newspaper, is at it again!” Hamadeh wrote. “This time they’re covering for Democrat candidate JoAnna Mendoza, Congressman Juan Ciscomani’s opponent.” The Arizona Republic, a dying newspaper is at it again! This time they’re covering for Democrat candidate JoAnna Mendoza, Congressman Juan Ciscomani’s opponent. They use these words and framing in the headline to cover for her. “Mistake” “Acknowledged the error” If I sneezed… https://t.co/dzIg5dbsC4 — Abe Hamadeh (@AbrahamHamadeh) August 13, 2026 Hamadeh criticized the newspaper’s use of the terms “mistake” and “acknowledged the error” in its coverage of Mendoza’s receipt of Arizona’s State Aid to Education property-tax reduction on two residences categorized as her primary home. “If I sneezed the wrong way 20 years ago, these propagandists would write a nasty story about me,” Hamadeh wrote. “But all they do is cover for DEMOCRATS. Because they are an unofficial arm of the Democrat Party.” Hamadeh said the article should have been presented under the headline: “Democrat candidate JoAnna Mendoza unlawfully takes tax benefit and claims primary residency in two counties, drawing scrutiny.” “These people aren’t journalists, they’re activists and propagandists — and have zero credibility,” Hamadeh wrote. The criticism followed an Aug. 13 Arizona Republic report by Laura Gersony. The version republished by the Arizona Daily Star carried the headline, “House candidate Mendoza wrongfully took home tax credit.” The report described the dual property classifications as an error and quoted Mendoza’s campaign calling it an honest mistake. A tax filing mistake is drawing attention in a Southern Arizona House race after a candidate acknowledged the error. https://t.co/Lpb6fFZ4EB — azcentral (@azcentral) August 13, 2026 According to the report, Mendoza purchased a central Tucson home for approximately $330,000 in 2021 and received the State Aid to Education reduction on that property. She purchased another home in Red Rock for approximately $337,000 in 2023 and later began renting the Tucson residence. Both properties remained categorized as primary residences, leading Pima and Pinal County officials to apply the reduction to each property. The Tucson classification saved Mendoza $404.29 in 2024 and $415.87 in 2025, a combined $820.16. Her 2026 property-tax bill was not yet publicly available. Arizona’s State Aid to Education program reduces qualifying school-district property taxes on owner-occupied residential property. The reduction is calculated through a parcel’s property classification and is generally capped at $600 under. Arizona law classifies residential property occupied by its owner as a primary residence as Class Three property. Residential property used solely as a rental is classified as Class Four property. County assessors are required to review residential property classifications and investigate parcels that may be rented while classified as primary residences. If an owner fails to respond to the notices prescribed by law, the assessor must reclassify the property and could impose a civil penalty equal to the additional state aid paid on the parcel during the preceding tax year. Mendoza acknowledged to the Republic that she did not submit the necessary paperwork after she began renting the Tucson property and moved to Red Rock. Records cited by the Republic showed that she contacted Pima County officials on Aug. 10 to have the Tucson home reclassified. “JoAnna is already in touch with the county assessor to correct the filing mistake,” campaign spokesman Kyle McCarthy told the Republic. The campaign said Mendoza would pay the amount county officials determine she owes. The Republic also reported that Mendoza disclosed approximately $20,000 in rental income when filing her congressional financial disclosure. Mendoza is challenging incumbent Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06) in the general election. Federal Election Commission records showed Mendoza had raised approximately $7.35 million through July 1, compared with approximately $6.17 million raised by Ciscomani. Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com. The post Hamadeh Accuses Arizona Republic Of Downplaying JoAnna Mendoza’s Dual Property-Tax Benefit first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8567412c5335ae104881f0 School Board Candidate Lisa Everett Runs As A Republican While Battling Conservative Candidates And Groups te 2026-08-19T08:20:17.056Z School Board Candidate Lisa Everett Runs As A Republican While Battling Conservative Candidates And Groups By Matthew Holloway | Lisa Everett, a Dysart Unified School District Governing Board candidate who describes herself as a Republican activist, has recently drawn attention for criticizing conservative candidates, including Arizona Corporation Commission nominee Ralph Heap, and the conservative groups that supported his campaign. Everett has filed two campaign-finance complaints against Heap, one with the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission and one with the Secretary of State’s Office while publicly defending his primary rivals, Kevin Thompson and Nick Myers. She has also repeatedly called on Heap to withdraw from the race, even after he advanced to the general election over Myers. Everett’s public support for the two Republican incumbents Heap challenged predates the complaints. In her June 1 “Patriotnheels” newsletter, Everett published a section titled “Truth vs. Lies: The Record of Arizona Corporation Commissioners Kevin Thompson and Nick Myers.” The newsletter summarized Thompson and Myers’ defenses of their records on renewable-energy mandates, President Donald Trump’s energy agenda, utility rate mechanisms, and grid reliability. Heap challenged Thompson and Myers for one of two Republican nominations to the Corporation Commission. In the July 21 primary, Thompson finished first with 35.8% of the vote, Heap finished second with 33%, and Myers finished third with 31.2%. Thompson and Heap advanced to the November general election. After the primary, Everett escalated her public opposition to Heap. She announced her Secretary of State complaint, publicly thanked Clean Elections when commissioners denied Heap’s request to leave the public-financing program, and subsequently urged Republicans to call for Heap’s withdrawal. She has continued publishing updates about the campaign-finance proceedings through her Patriotnheels account. Heap entered the Corporation Commission race with support from the Arizona Free Enterprise Club and Turning Point Action. Everett has previously criticized Turning Point’s influence in Arizona Republican primaries. In May, she told the Arizona Capitol Times that Turning Point “puts their money behind people, and that machine rolls, but it turns off the independent voters.” Everett has also directly criticized the Arizona Free Enterprise Club’s involvement in Corporation Commission races. In a post to X on August 4 she wrote, “Some have asked me why I am pursuing this. – Accountability. Some are concerned a Democrat could get elected. My prayer is Heap removes himself from the ballot and the Party appoints a great candidate. If we lose this seat the blame lays at the feet of Arizona Free Enterprise Club and their partners. They ran candidates against two great incumbents simply because the incumbents could not be controlled. The blame also lies at the feet of Heap for violating campaign finance laws. This is truly a case of don’t blame the messenger.” Some have asked me why I am pursuing this. – Accountability. Some are concerned a Democrat could get elected. My prayer is Heap removes himself from the ballot and the Party appoints a great candidate. If we lose this seat the blame lays at the feet of Arizona Free Enterprise… pic.twitter.com/VbzS6qRbhH — Patriotnheels 🇺🇸👠 (@patriotnheels) August 4, 2026 In an August 7 reply on X, she added, “Arizona Free Enterprise Club continues to recruit candidates that know nothing about utilities. They do this because they want a puppet at the ACC. Nick and Kevin follow statutes and understand the issues.” Everett describes herself as a conservative Republican. Her Patriotnheels website identifies her as a longtime Republican organizer and describes the outlet as a West Valley platform that promotes conservative viewpoints and candidates. The same site also features an essay written by Everett titled, “The Republican Party Is Still A Big Tent — Let’s Start Acting Like It.” In that piece, she criticized Republican “purists” and “RINO” labeling and argued against isolating “McCain Republicans” and “moderate Republicans.” She also urged Republicans to engage with political opponents rather than limit their political activity to people who already agree with them. Everett has applied that argument to disputes over Republican political figures as well. During an August 7 discussion on X over whether former Mesa Mayor John Giles (now the running mate for Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs) should be described as a leftist, Everett wrote, “The far right does not understand that concept. If you fail their purity test – you are a leftist.” The far right does not understand that concept. If you fail their purity test – you are a leftist. — Patriotnheels 🇺🇸👠 (@patriotnheels) August 7, 2026 Everett drew attention for that approach in 2025 while serving as chair of the Legislative District 29 Republican Committee. In April of that year, Everett organized Republican counter-protests against Northwest Valley Indivisible demonstrations targeting President Donald Trump and Rep. Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ-08). Everett told AZ Free News at the time that she organized supporters after seeing the anti-Hamadeh demonstrations and said the Republican participants supported the Trump administration’s agenda. Four months later, Everett joined Brent Peak, co-chair of Northwest Valley Indivisible, in advocating for Peoria-area restaurant owner Lai Kuen “Kelly” Yu after Yu was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. AZ Free News reported in August 2025 that Everett and Peak were working on Yu’s behalf even as Democratic Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly, along with Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04), also supported Yu. Everett told The Center Square that Yu came to the United States while pregnant, sought asylum, and became active in the Peoria community. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Yu had entered the country illegally in 2004 and had exhausted her legal avenues to remain. Court records cited by AZ Free News showed the Ninth Circuit denied Yu’s asylum appeal in 2016. The Maricopa County Republican Committee subsequently censured Everett by a 23-6 vote over her advocacy for Yu and her work with Peak. It also called for her resignation from her district leadership position. Everett defended her actions and later wrote on X that the county party was increasingly controlled by people she considered extremists, describing them as “so far right they are turning left.” MCRC Censures LD29 Chairwoman Lisa Everett Last night, the Maricopa County Republican Committee voted to censure me, Lisa Everett, Chairwoman of LD29. With that vote, my name is now listed alongside an ever-growing roster of Republicans who have been censured by MCRC: County… pic.twitter.com/5hvdhA5iTZ — Patriotnheels 🇺🇸👠 (@patriotnheels) September 3, 2025 Everett is now campaigning for the Dysart Unified School District Governing Board, where her campaign lists protecting the district’s A rating, supporting teachers and staff, and maintaining facilities among her priorities. Heap and Thompson will appear on the Nov. 3 Corporation Commission ballot alongside Democrats Clara Pratte and Jonathon Hill and Green Party candidate Mike Cease. Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com. The post School Board Candidate Lisa Everett Runs As A Republican While Battling Conservative Candidates And Groups first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85673f2c5335ae104881e7 Arizona Supreme Court Knocks Anti-School Choice Initiative Off Ballot After Legal Challenge te 2026-08-19T08:20:15.385Z Arizona Supreme Court Knocks Anti-School Choice Initiative Off Ballot After Legal Challenge By Staff Reporter | Teachers’ union activists were once again dealt a serious blow after the Arizona Supreme Court issued an order effectively removing an initiative from the ballot that aimed to undo the state’s universal school choice program. Nearly four years ago to date, a similar initiative was removed from the ballot for failing to have the required number of signatures. Katie Hobbs, secretary of the state at the time and now the governor, held out on invalidating the ballot initiative.  The court’s order to recalculate the signature totals using the trial court’s formula, issued on Tuesday, is projected to have brought Proposition 212, the Protect Education Act, below the required signature total following a legal challenge filed by the Goldwater Institute in Clark v. Fontes.  Protect Education Accountability Now, the political action committee (PAC) behind the Protect Education Act, confirmed that the Arizona Supreme Court order meant their initiative would not qualify for the ballot. The PAC blamed “big money in partnership with Republican lawmakers and the anti-public education lobby” for the initiative’s demise. A spokesperson for the PAC stated that the initiative should have been included on the ballot regardless of the invalid signatures. “This does not reflect what Arizona voters want. It does not reflect the overwhelming support of educators, parents and public school advocates across the state who volunteered their time and demanded a voice in reforming a program that abused taxpayer money and pulled funding from their neighborhood public schools,” said the spokesperson. “Instead, the hard-earned resources educators raised to fund this were buried under a mountain of big money, political power, and a system that consistently sides with special interests.” pic.twitter.com/isdr561NO6 — Protect Education Ballot Initiative (@ProtectEdAct) August 18, 2026 Activists submitted around 420,000 signatures to qualify for the ballot. Pending a review incited by the Goldwater Institute’s court challenge, the number of valid signatures will fall to a projected total of approximately 245,000. The initiative needed approximately 256,000 to qualify for the ballot.  Nearly 70,000 signatures were invalidated due to their discovery as duplicates or having been collected by legally ineligible circulators, like felons. The court also upheld the trial court ruling which invalidated entire sheets of signatures due to the petition circulator providing an address at which they weren’t living.  The ballot measure would have rolled back the universality of the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program by imposing an income cap.  The union-backed Protect Education Act appears to have fallen short of the valid signatures needed to make the November ballot. In this special Keep Arizona Free Update with @Darla4freedom: ➡️ The campaign submitted roughly between 416,000-421,000 signatures, but after trial… pic.twitter.com/l7886cgtT9 — Arizona Free Enterprise Club (@azfec) August 18, 2026 The court also agreed with a lower court ruling that the ballot language drafted by Secretary of State Adrian Fontes was false and misleading because it used the term “voucher” to describe the ESA program. Vouchers must be spent immediately and only at certain approved schools, whereas ESA program funds may be rolled over and applied to various schooling types and educational resources. The PAC behind this second failed initiative to end universal school choice raised more than $7.5 million and spent more than $7.2 million.  More than $6.5 million, or 87%, came from the National Education Association. $810,000, or nearly 11%, came from the Arizona Education Association.  Other major donors included $50,000 from the United Food and Commercial Workers Active Ballot Club, the PAC of a D.C.-based union; and $50,000 from Arizonans for Quality Education, a corporation or LLC based in Phoenix.  The latter entity was formerly known as Friends of ASBA, with ASBA standing for the Arizona School Boards Association, and was registered as a domestic nonprofit corporation, according to Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) records. AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link. The post Arizona Supreme Court Knocks Anti-School Choice Initiative Off Ballot After Legal Challenge first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85673d2c5335ae104881de MELANIE COLLETTE: The Green Climate Fund Ran Short Of Other People’s Money te 2026-08-19T08:20:13.787Z MELANIE COLLETTE: The Green Climate Fund Ran Short Of Other People’s Money By Melanie Collette | On July 14, the UN’s Adaptation Committee put fund managers, negotiators, and development bankers on a video call to work through a problem that clearly has them rattled. The money is drying up. The Green Climate Fund, the Global Environment Facility, and the Adaptation Fund all sent people to explain how developing countries can tap them for cash. What they mostly did was ask for more. The reason they are running short, though, is news that ought to please anyone who pays U.S. taxes. In February 2025, the United States rescinded roughly $4 billion in outstanding pledges to the Green Climate Fund. We were the first country to do it. This spring, the United Kingdom followed, halving its pledge from £1.6 billion to about £815 million. The people on the call treated this as a crisis. For anyone who works for a living and pays the bills, it looks more like a rescue. It’s worth being clear about what these funds are. They hand out grants, not loans. Hansol Park of the Green Climate Fund said about 80% of its public-sector adaptation money is grant based, and the Adaptation Fund gives grants exclusively. Grant means gift — no repayment, no return, nothing back. When Washington pledged $4 billion, it was pledging to give $4 billion away and call it climate policy. Where does the money go? The funds prefer to answer that in their own vocabulary. Ask what they finance, and you get “readiness,” “institutional capacity,” “capacity building,” “accreditation  support,” “project preparation,” and “locally led adaptation.” Some of it does buy physical things,  water systems and farms and flood defenses. A good deal of it, though, pays to build and staff  the offices that write the grant applications in the first place. The Green Climate Fund has placed outside experts inside developing-country governments, with more on the way. It runs multi-year “readiness” programs to prop up national agencies, with eight approved and 93 countries waiting in line. Over at the Adaptation Fund, staff run proposal-writing workshops and report that the workshops produce stronger proposals, which tells you the process is complicated enough to need a training seminar just to fill out the forms. Roxanne Valentine-Donegan of the Development Bank of Jamaica, one of the few speakers who had actually tried to pull money through the system, said getting it is “genuinely difficult,” slowed by shifting requirements and document-heavy applications. So the recipients themselves say the system is too slow, too technical, and too expensive to  navigate. And the answer on offer is not less paperwork; it is more staff and more workshops to  process the paperwork. That is how bureaucracies grow. Every new hurdle becomes the reason to  hire someone to help you clear it. “Institutional capacity” is the polite expression that makes reference to the permanent layer of  coordinators, accredited entities, and consultants standing between a donor’s check and an actual  project on the ground. The Adaptation Fund alone works through roughly 62 accredited entities.  The NDC Partnership, which helps developing countries navigate climate finance, says it has  received more than 7,000 requests for support since 2016. Yet after nearly a decade and tens of  billions of dollars, the people running this system are still saying they need more funding, more  staff, and more capacity. The bureaucracy never seems to reach the point where it decides it has  enough. The Adaptation Fund reported an active pipeline worth about $1.9 billion with an appetite that  seems to have no ceiling. Adaptation Fund specialist Alyssa Gomes said flatly, “We do need more finance.” The Green Climate Fund talked up a board decision that could unlock roughly $4 billion in new programming capacity. No number is ever sufficient, because the demand is set by the funds themselves, not by any budget a taxpayer ever approved. The dialogue ended the way these things invariably do, with appeals for donors to give more, at a  faster pace, with fewer strings attached. The honest answer from the American side is already on  the record. We are keeping the $4 billion. Originally published by the Daily Caller News Foundation. Melanie Collette is a contributor to the Daily Caller News Foundation and a senior policy analyst for the Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow  (CFACT), a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that champions free markets, property rights, and innovation as the keys to protecting both people and the environment. The post MELANIE COLLETTE: The Green Climate Fund Ran Short Of Other People’s Money first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85673b2c5335ae104881cc Comedian Steve Treviño te 2026-08-19T08:20:11.398Z Comedian Steve Treviño Comedian Steve Treviño Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85673a2c5335ae104881c3 Immortal entertainment: 27 - The Ultimate Tribute makes Laughlin Debut, revives legends lost in their prime te 2026-08-19T08:20:10.587Z Immortal entertainment: 27 - The Ultimate Tribute makes Laughlin Debut, revives legends lost in their prime The 27 Club is an informal club most people neither can nor want to join. It’s composed of music superstars who all died in their prime at the age of 27, chief among them Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison,… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8567392c5335ae104881ba 27 - The Ultimate Tribute te 2026-08-19T08:20:09.874Z 27 - The Ultimate Tribute 27 - The Ultimate Tribute Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8567392c5335ae104881b1 'Time marches on': Tracy Lawrence visits Laughlin in latest chapter of a storied country career te 2026-08-19T08:20:09.132Z 'Time marches on': Tracy Lawrence visits Laughlin in latest chapter of a storied country career Fans of classic country are in for a treat as longtime country music star Tracy Lawrence plays in Laughlin this Saturday, Aug. 22 at the Edge Pavilion. It’s the latest stop in Lawrence’s 2026 No Alibis Tour, featuring decades of… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8567382c5335ae104881a8 Tracy Lawrence te 2026-08-19T08:20:08.265Z Tracy Lawrence Tracy Lawrence Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a854d702c5335ae1048758a State of play: What to know about California showdown to replace Swalwell after massive scandal te 2026-08-19T06:30:08.609Z State of play: What to know about California showdown to replace Swalwell after massive scandal The special election to fill the seat vacated by former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., remained undecided in the early Wednesday morning hours. The battle to succeed Swalwell comes after he resigned in April amid sexual assault allegations from at least five women. Prior to the allegations, Swalwell was also making a bid for California's gubernatorial race, but he dropped that bid as well. Vying for Swalwell's seat are two women: progressive state Sen. Aisha Wahab and moderate Democrat and Bay Area Rapid Transit Board (BART) President Melissa Hernandez. Tuesday's primary race will determine who will immediately fill Swalwell's seat for the remainder of the term. However, it is also serving as the primary race for the midterms, meaning that Wahab and Hernandez will face each other again in November. STATE OF PLAY: HIGHLY WATCHED HONG RACE REMAINS TOO CLOSE TO CALL AS PROGRESSIVES NOTCH KEY PRIMARY WINS Wahab and Hernandez both emerged as the "top-two" vote getters in the special election's jungle primary race held on June 16 for California's 14th Congressional District. Under California law, elections have open primaries, meaning whoever the top vote getters are, regardless of their party affiliation, will move on to the general election. The race between Hernandez and Wahab mirrors a larger trend reflected across Democratic primary races, as far-left progressive candidates, often backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, are seeking to defeat establishment-backed Democratic candidates. Wahab, who has served in the state Senate since 2022, is running on a campaign platform centered on cracking down on ICE, having co-authored legislation making it easier for citizens to sue agents, lowering prescription drug prices and pushing for investments in green and renewable energy. She has received the backing of Our Revolution, a group that was founded by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Attorney General Rob Bonta, and fellow progressives Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and Congressman Greg Casar. Hernandez, on the other hand, has taken a moderate approach on key issues such as immigration. Hernandez, who is the daughter of Mexican immigrants, acknowledged that the immigration system is "broken" but that she "supports smart border security and regional cooperation." She has received the endorsement of close to a dozen Congressional members. But despite Wahab's critical stance of ICE, she found herself in the hot seat when her father took to Facebook calling for his daughter's supporters to "call ICE" on Hernandez. The mishap led to Wahab's campaign to issue an apology on its website. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8546682c5335ae1048747c Former state rep tops ranked-choice slugfest as Alaska advances nominees for governor te 2026-08-19T06:00:08.640Z Former state rep tops ranked-choice slugfest as Alaska advances nominees for governor Seventeen governor-lieutenant governor candidate pairs battled Tuesday to make the primary cutoff and advance to the November general election to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Michael Dunleavy. Former state Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins and running mate Zac Johnson finished first, while former Democratic state Sen. Tom Begich and Julia Hnilicks finished second. They will advance to the November general election, alongside two more winning governor-lieutenant governor pairs.  Several major political names were among the 34 candidates on the ballot for the two executive offices. The frontrunner heading into Tuesday’s contest was Begich, whose family has been involved in Alaska politics nearly since the Last Frontier achieved statehood. COURT KEEPS ‘DECOY DAN’ ON ALASKA BALLOT AS EXPERT WARNS RANKED-CHOICE SYSTEM CREATES VOTER ‘TRAPS’ Tom Begich’s father, Rep. Nick Begich Sr., D-Alaska, served in the state and federal legislatures from 1962 until a plane carrying him and House Majority Leader Hale Boggs, D-La., disappeared during a flight through the Inside Passage between Anchorage and Juneau. Tom Begich’s brother, Mark, was a longtime U.S. senator from Alaska, and most of the family members are Democrats — except incumbent Rep. Nick Begich III, R-Alaska. Business owner Bernadette Wilson is among the leading Republicans in the nonpartisan primary. Wilson grew up on the Kenai, and her family has lived in Alaska for generations. Her running mate is Michael Shower. Dunleavy’s Republican deputy, Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom, another leading Republican candidate, dropped out of the race in June. Republican Michael Loren Gilbert is also on the ballot. Gilbert told Ballotpedia he wants to expand the state’s energy dominance and consider a highway link to the Lower 48. Gilbert’s running mate, Timothy Hickel, represents another storied Alaskan political family. JUDGE RULES REPUBLICAN WITH SAME NAME AS SEN DAN SULLIVAN CAN STAY ON ALASKA PRIMARY BALLOT Former Gov. Wally Hickel, Timothy’s father, served two nonconsecutive terms as governor decades apart and also served as President Richard Nixon’s interior secretary. The western bypass of downtown Anchorage that serves Ted Stevens International Airport is known as the Walter J. Hickel Parkway. Former Anchorage Mayor David Bronson, a Republican, is also considered a leading candidate. Bronson’s running mate is Josh Church. Former state Sen. Click Bishop, R-North Star, was also in the race with lieutenant governor candidate Greta Schuerch. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER The state uses ranked-choice voting in general elections. Voters rank candidates by preference, and votes are redistributed in successive rounds as lower-performing candidates are eliminated. Though Alaska is considered a red state, Dunleavy’s departure gives Democrats such as Begich an opportunity to flip the governor’s mansion. Begich III defeated then-Rep. Mary Peltola last cycle after Peltola had won the seat following the death of Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, who had represented the state for nearly five decades. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85440f2c5335ae10487408 Alaskan political scion hopes to hold onto state's single House seat te 2026-08-19T05:50:07.671Z Alaskan political scion hopes to hold onto state's single House seat A heated battle for Alaska's only U.S. House seat will see a handful of candidates face-off in November after four candidates advanced in Tuesday's rank-choice primary. First-term incumbent Rep. Nicholas Begich III, R-Alaska, is hoping to hang onto his seat, and will have a chance to do so in November. But he is facing an insurgency from independent candidate Bill Hill. AP called the race for Begich and Hill early on, and Begich led by a 47.9% to 29.5% margin. Both will advance to the general election.  The crowded race in the open primary also featured two other Republicans, Ed Goldfarb and Clay Strickland, Democrats Eric Hafner and Yaquelin Reynoso, Libertarian John Foddrill, along with nonpartisan candidates David Ambrose, Lady Donna Dutchess, David Richey and Melania Salazar. William Schultz, a Democrat, dropped out of the race citing financial concerns, but remained on the ballot.  WASHINGTON REWARDS FAILURE. IT’S TIME TO SEND CAREER POLITICIANS HOME Despite dropping out, Schultz was in third place at the time the race was called, followed by Hafner, who himself faces unique circumstances.  Hafner is described by the Anchorage Daily News as a "federal inmate and perennial candidate," and a review of Ballotpedia shows Dutchess has run several times for office with little support. Hafner is serving a 20-year sentence for making false bomb threats and threatening judges and police officers. He was convicted in 2022. Hill is a standout when it comes to running an independent campaign. He has raised more than $1.3 million in 2026, nearly all of it from individual donors. SENATE CANDIDATE RUNNING AS 'INDEPENDENT' CONTINUES TO BE BANKROLLED BY LEFT-WING DONORS A lifetime commercial fisherman and member of the Dena’ina Athabascan native Alaskan people, Hill has lived in Anchorage and Fairbanks in the past. He currently lives with his wife in the southwestern Alaskan town Naknek, which has a population of 470 people. His platform incorporates popular positions from both sides of the political aisle. While he supports the Second Amendment, tax cuts and police and first responders, he also supports a "woman's right to choose" and making billionaires pay their "fair share," according to his campaign website. Meanwhile, Begich led the charge to overturn a Biden-era rule restricting oil and gas exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. "Unlocking Alaska's resources" is listed as a major priority on Begich's campaign site, along with cutting costs, creating jobs, protecting Alaska's native communities and securing the border. He serves as the Executive Vice Chair of the Congressional Western Caucus. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a853d0b2c5335ae104872f0 Trump-aligned conservative emerges from crowded primary to decide who fills Wyoming’s lone House seat te 2026-08-19T05:20:11.477Z Trump-aligned conservative emerges from crowded primary to decide who fills Wyoming’s lone House seat Wyoming’s Republican Secretary of State Chuck Gray has won the GOP nomination for the state’s at-large U.S. House seat to replace Rep. Harriet Hageman, who is running for Senate. Gray emerged from a crowded primary to become the heavy favorite to represent the deeply conservative state in Congress. Gray, a prominent Trump-aligned conservative who has served as secretary of state since 2023, defeated a field that included businessman Steve Friess and Reid Rasner. WYOMING ELECTION CHIEF MOUNTS FULL-COURT PRESS AGAINST 'RADICAL LEFT'S' PUSH TO REMOVE TRUMP FROM BALLOT The Republican primary was triggered by Rep. Harriet Hageman’s decision to give up Wyoming’s lone House seat and run for the U.S. Senate. Hageman, who was first elected to Congress in 2022 after defeating former Rep. Liz Cheney in a nationally watched Republican primary, is seeking the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Cynthia Lummis. The reshuffling has produced an unusual number of open races in Wyoming, with the governorship, Senate seat and House seat all open in the same election cycle for the first time in more than three decades. GOP LAWMAKER RIPS 'LOST IN THE WILDERNESS' DOGE PROTESTERS AMID CHAOS AT HER TOWN HALL: 'HIGHLY ORCHESTRATED' The contest to replace Hageman drew a sprawling Republican field and became the most expensive race on Wyoming’s primary ballot. The race unfolded without an endorsement from either Trump or Hageman, leaving candidates to compete for many of the same conservative voters. That stood in contrast to other major Wyoming primaries: Trump endorsed Hageman in the Senate contest and state Superintendent Megan Degenfelder in the governor’s race. Whoever captures the Republican nomination will be heavily favored in November. Wyoming is among the most Republican states in the country with Trump carrying the state by nearly 46 percentage points in 2024, his largest margin in any state. Wyoming has elected just one Democrat to statewide office in more than three decades. Republicans also hold every statewide elected office and overwhelming majorities in both chambers of the state Legislature. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a853d0a2c5335ae104872e7 GOP senator, ex-House Dem emerge from Alaska’s ‘jungle primary’ despite far-left meddling te 2026-08-19T05:20:10.860Z GOP senator, ex-House Dem emerge from Alaska’s ‘jungle primary’ despite far-left meddling Four candidates advanced out of Alaska’s nonpartisan jungle primary on Tuesday evening in one of the races that could decide the balance of power in the U.S. Senate come November. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska and former Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, will advance alongside two other candidates in the state’s four-candidate general election. The outcome, which pits an incumbent Republican against the only Democrat to win statewide office in Alaska in 50 years, is in line with what many had expected, but it also highlights the unique nature of Alaska’s primary as well as attempts to use its process to confuse voters. FOUR MONTHS TO MIDTERMS: 12 RACES THAT WILL DETERMINE THE SENATE MAJORITY Alaska uses a top-four nonpartisan primary followed by ranked choice voting in the general election, a system also sometimes referred to as an instant runoff election. Under this system, voters rank their preferred candidates. If their top choice is eliminated, their support passes on to their next-ranked option. While supporters of the process argue it expands the power of voters and greatly increases the influence of candidates that may not otherwise be a top choice, its critics — like Sullivan — believe it also introduces confusion. "Like many others who did not support ranked choice voting in 2020, I still believe that this new election system has created unnecessary confusion among voters," Sullivan told local Alaskan media in 2024. Fears of that confusion rose earlier this year when news broke that Alaska's primary would feature two candidates with the exact same first and last names. Dan J. Sullivan, a logger, appeared among the 16 candidates on the ballot on Tuesday evening, running against Sen. Dan Sullivan. Dan J. Sullivan’s campaign announcement did not list a party affiliation. His website does not state his position on any political issues. Instead, it leaned into the name overlap. JUDGE RULES REPUBLICAN WITH SAME NAME AS SEN DAN SULLIVAN CAN STAY ON ALASKA PRIMARY BALLOT "Dan Sullivan challenges Dan Sullivan for U.S. Senate Seat, urges Alaskans to defeat incumbent, elect a Sullivan who stands up for Alaska," it read. According to his biography, Dan J. Sullivan spent his early career working blue-collar jobs like logging, construction, bartending and forestry but decided to enter his bid for Senate after growing frustrated with government mismanagement. A Fox News Digital review of the campaign earlier this year uncovered that Amber Lee, a progressive consultant, had helped author some of Dan J. Sullivan’s campaign materials. Lee previously supported Peltola, the former congresswoman. The campaign has drawn criticism from Republicans who believe it’s an effort to put two "Dan Sullivans" on the ballot in November and, through ranked choice voting, draw away votes from the senator. Sen. Sullivan, for his part, called it an effort to "steal an election." "The Democratic Party is talking about ‘we care about fair elections.' It’s bulls---," Sullivan said. "The Democrats in D.C., the Peltola campaign, are complicit in trying to trick Alaskans." Peltola, at the time when she was elected in 2022, was the only Democrat to win a statewide election in Alaska since 1972. She lost re-election in 2024 in a 51.2% to 48.8% race against Rep. Nicholas Begich, a businessman. Despite losing control of Alaska’s at-large district, Democrats nationally view her narrow loss as evidence that Peltola is the party’s best chance at flipping Sullivan’s seat. That’s the view of Democrats like former Vice President Kamala Harris. "If there’s anyone who can flip Alaska and secure the Senate majority for Democrats — it’s Mary," Harris wrote in a fundraising email earlier this year. SAME-NAME CANDIDATE DISQUALIFIED FROM KEY SENATE RACE OVER ALLEGED DEM SCHEME TO CONFUSE VOTERS Having cleared the primary, the four candidates will face off again on Nov. 3. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a853d042c5335ae104872c0 Progressive Democrat Makes Runoff for Alaska Governor te 2026-08-19T05:20:04.881Z Progressive Democrat Makes Runoff for Alaska Governor Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, a former state legislator from Sitka, Alaska, will be one of four candidates on the ranked-choice voting ballot in November. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a853d032c5335ae104872b7 Scion of Democratic Politics Makes Runoff for Alaska Governor te 2026-08-19T05:20:03.839Z Scion of Democratic Politics Makes Runoff for Alaska Governor Tom Begich, a former Democratic legislator and singer-songwriter, will be one of four candidates on the ranked-choice ballot for governor in November. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a853ab12c5335ae1048727a Trump admin sued over visa time restrictions for foreign students, journalists te 2026-08-19T05:10:09.169Z Trump admin sued over visa time restrictions for foreign students, journalists A group of unions and advocacy groups filed a lawsuit on Tuesday seeking to block the Trump administration from enforcing new visa restrictions that would limit how long foreign students and journalists can stay in the U.S. without applying for extensions. The Department of Homeland Security's rule creates fixed periods of admission for people in F status as international students, J status as exchange visitors and I status as foreign journalists. People in those classifications generally have been admitted for the duration of their studies, exchange programs or qualifying media assignments rather than until a fixed date. Under the new rule, set to take effect on September 15, F students and J exchange visitors generally would be admitted for the length of their program, for no more than four years at a time, and would have to seek an extension to remain longer. TRUMP ADMIN PLANS TO IMPOSE 4-YEAR LIMITS FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS STUDYING IN US The period of admission for most foreign journalists in I status, which currently can last years, would be limited to 240 days, while I-status journalists presenting PRC passports, excluding Hong Kong and Macau SAR passport holders, generally would be admitted for up to 90 days. Journalists may seek extensions of up to 240 days, or 90 days for the covered PRC passport holders, but no longer than the length of their assignment. In the lawsuit, the coalition said the new changes would be "catastrophic" for universities, international students and scholars and the U.S. "They will discourage foreign students and other nonimmigrants from coming to the United States, repelled by the intolerable prospect of losing lawful immigration status partway through their studies," the groups said in the lawsuit. The rule does not require international students to complete their studies within four years; students in longer programs may apply to extend their stay. It separately imposes new restrictions on transfers and changes in educational objectives, including limits affecting some graduate-level students. Foreign students, notably, typically pay more tuition and receive fewer scholarship opportunities, meaning the proposed rule may have a financial impact on U.S. colleges if it leads to a dip in international enrollment. "Students will lose opportunities, schools will lose talent, and the public will lose billions of dollars of economic contributions supported by one of the United States’ top exports: education," the complaint reads. The Department of Homeland Security dismissed the lawsuit as "performative," arguing that the changes would root out fraud without offering evidence of the alleged fraud. DHS has said the fixed periods of admission will allow immigration officials to periodically assess whether visa holders continue to comply with the terms of their status. "If the media really cared about legitimate international students, they would be thanking President Trump for cracking down on the rampant fraud to ensure only those truly intending to study in the United States are given the privilege," a department spokesperson said in a statement to Reuters. NewsGuild-CWA President Jon Schleuss, whose organization represents thousands of media members in the U.S., called the rule an attack on journalists. TRUMP JOLTS IMMIGRATION HAWKS WITH SURPRISING DEFENSE OF CHINESE STUDENTS IN USA "In addition to attacking international students and scholars, the Trump administration is again attacking journalists by also shortening the duration of I Visas, which support the important work of international journalists working in the United States," Schleuss said in a statement. "Our First Amendment makes it clear that the United States is supposed to be a champion of a free press, not an opponent. These rule changes are just another attempt by this administration to chill reporting done by talented journalists." "Our democracy depends on journalism and journalism dependents on journalists of all stripes. We are proud to stand with other partners and fight these  illegal rule changes intended to weaken our democracy," he added. DHS previously said that requiring regular assessments for foreigners to remain in the U.S. for a longer period would allow the agency to conduct "proper oversight" and reduce the number of people in the country on visas. Reuters contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a853aac2c5335ae10487253 Mary Peltola and Dan Sullivan Advance in Key Alaska Senate Contest te 2026-08-19T05:10:04.432Z Mary Peltola and Dan Sullivan Advance in Key Alaska Senate Contest The Democratic former congresswoman and the incumbent Republican senator will face off in November. Whether a potential spoiler candidate with the same name as the senator qualifies alongside them has not been determined. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85314b2c5335ae104870d3 A Stunning Win for the Left in Florida: 6 Takeaways from Tuesday’s Primaries te 2026-08-19T04:30:03.457Z A Stunning Win for the Left in Florida: 6 Takeaways from Tuesday’s Primaries State Representative Angie Nixon, a progressive firebrand, defeated a moderate who dramatically out-raised her with grass-roots enthusiasm. Can it carry her to victory in November? Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a852a492c5335ae10486fd7 Ryan Fitzpatrick says friends raving about Highmark Stadium despite harsh critics: 'Absolutely unbelievable' te 2026-08-19T04:00:09.802Z Ryan Fitzpatrick says friends raving about Highmark Stadium despite harsh critics: 'Absolutely unbelievable' The Buffalo Bills' new Highmark Stadium was seen for the first time by fans in recent weeks, and the reception of the venue hasn't been the brightest. But former Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is hearing differently. The Bills have played one preseason game against the Carolina Panthers and held open practices at the new Highmark Stadium, the NFL franchise's new $2.2 billion home. New stadiums are always exciting for fans to see, but critics came out in droves on social media. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Posts showing obstructed views from some seats, complaints about sightlines and even early criticism from players about the grass field’s condition have quickly turned what could have been a warm reception cold. However, Fitzpatrick told Fox News Digital that he’s had friends take his season tickets to the stadium for the first preseason game, and he heard glowing reviews. BUFFALO BILLS IN DAMAGE CONTROL MODE OVER THEIR $2.2 BILLION STADIUM THAT IS GETTING CRUSHED ONLINE BY FANS "As it was being constructed, I was there right before they put the grass in, so it’s been a while," Fitzpatrick said, while highlighting his partnership with VRST, the men's activewear and apparel brand from DICK'S Sporting Goods. "Everybody has their opinions. It could be the opinion of 14 people versus the opinion of 59,000 people. So, I rely on the people that I know and love the best. "A few of my neighbors that I talk to that have been to the games, because they’ve sat in my season tickets. They did the [open practice] scrimmage, and then I had some that also did the first preseason game against Carolina. Everything that I’ve heard from the experience from parking to walking into the stadium, to the food, the sight lines — it’s absolutely unbelievable. I’m excited to get my own eyes on it and get my own experience of it." One of the knocks on the new stadium has been its seating capacity. The new Highmark Stadium has 10,000 fewer seats than the old venue. However, Fitzpatrick believes it's going to be advantageous for the Bills in the long run. "What I know is it’s 10,000 less seats. It’s 60,000 people, but I think for the opponent that comes in there, it’s going to feel even louder," he explained. "People are on top of you. You got the canopy, so noise is going to be bouncing off the canopy. I’m excited to feel the energy in that new stadium, especially in their season opener against Detroit." Fitzpatrick and the Prime Video "Thursday Night Football" crew will be in Buffalo on Sept. 17 for the Bills' home opener in Week 2. It will be there Fitzpatrick can finally see the finished product. Will the reception be better by then? Will the field be better for the players? One anonymous Bills player told The Athletic, "The field a-- right now. But it’s early." But linebacker Dorian Williams said differently. NFL PLAYERS MAY COLLECTIVELY BARGAIN FOR GRASS FIELDS IN FUTURE NEGOTIATIONS BUT IT WOULD COME AT A COST ‘The grass looked good. It was cool," he said to the same outlet. "A couple spots kind of chunked up a little bit, but it’s better than playing on turf." COOL AND COMFORTABLE WITH VRST In the coming months, Fitzpatrick will be all over with the "Thursday Night Football" crew providing his best analysis on the featured early game of the NFL schedule. It's quite the active lifestyle, especially when he also has to throw in his family duties on top of that. Fitzpatrick partnered with VRST because of how well he feels the activewear's performance and style fit exactly what he's going to be doing no matter what the day throws his way. "For me, the authenticity of it — it just captures my vibe," he said. "It’s not just the resort wear, it’s the active lifestyle stuff. The Limitless pants — there’s a lot of stuff that I’m pulled in a lot of different directions whether it’s running to a kid’s soccer game, or driving a carpool, or flying somewhere for ‘Thursday Night Football.’ All the different things I do, to be able to look good and feel comfortable, I think those are the two biggest things for me that made this a no-brainer for this partnership. "It fits my active lifestyle and it actually looks good." Fitzpatrick is known for his vibrant colors and patterns with his TNF fits, which VRST is helping him out with this season. But no matter the occasion, he knows he has options that will be comfortable, while also showcasing that evolved men's style fit for today. "You can wear it in so many different situations. That’s the biggest thing for me," he said. "I’ll have people come up to me and ask me about the shirts, or ask me about the pants. Look, I just got off a plane, I’ve been flying all morning. I feel comfortable. I’m standing out here at a soccer practice in the same thing feeling great and looking great." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8527ef2c5335ae10486f4b 5 Things to Know About Dan Sullivan, the Alaska Senator Seeking Re-election te 2026-08-19T03:50:07.504Z 5 Things to Know About Dan Sullivan, the Alaska Senator Seeking Re-election The incumbent Republican has been a reliable supporter of President Trump, giving Democrats a pickup opportunity in a state where most are politically unaffiliated. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8527ee2c5335ae10486f42 5 Things to Know About Mary Peltola, Democratic Senate Candidate in Alaska te 2026-08-19T03:50:06.771Z 5 Things to Know About Mary Peltola, Democratic Senate Candidate in Alaska The Alaska Native, who grew up along the Kuskokwim River near the Bering Sea and fished for salmon, is the leading Democrat in the nonpartisan primary race. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8525962c5335ae10486ef7 America’s reddest state crowns GOP governor nominee te 2026-08-19T03:40:06.939Z America’s reddest state crowns GOP governor nominee Wyoming Republicans chose former state House Speaker and current state Sen. Eric Barlow on Tuesday as their nominee for governor in the race to succeed outgoing Gov. Mark Gordon. The selection tees up the likely next person to move into the governor's mansion in January, considering the deep-red roots that run in Wyoming's statewide officials. Gordon considered seeking a third term and challenging Wyoming’s two-term-limit law, before ultimately deciding against another bid. This left Republicans with an open contest to replace him in November's midterms. Trump-endorsed State Superintendent Megan Degenfelder came in second behind Barlow Tuesday, while Marine Corps colonel and 2022 gubernatorial candidate Brent Bien finished third. 2026 MIDTERMS: PRIMARIES, KEY RACES AND ELECTION RESULTS Barlow emerged from a four-way primary that featured Degenfelder, Bien and professional bull rider Curt Blake who had less than 1,000 votes with 26% of the total counted. He will face Democrat Kenneth Casner in the Nov. 3 general election. REPUBLICAN SURVIVES PRIMARY ON TIM WALZ'S OLD CONGRESSIONAL TURF AS DEMS EYE SEAT FLIP Degenfelder and Barlow entered the final stretch of the campaign on roughly similar financial footing, reporting about $1.3 million and $1.2 million raised, respectively, according to campaign finance figures cited by The Associated Press. Bien reported raising about $192,000, while Blake reported no money raised. Republicans enter the general election with a substantial political advantage in Wyoming. Every statewide elected office is currently held by a Republican. The governor’s race is one of several open-seat contests at the top of Wyoming’s ballot this year. The state also has open races for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, secretary of state and superintendent of public instruction, creating an unusually large turnover in Wyoming’s political leadership. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8523402c5335ae10486ea0 Caitlin Clark helps lift Fever past Tempo after Kelsey Mitchell sits out late while 'overheated' te 2026-08-19T03:30:08.586Z Caitlin Clark helps lift Fever past Tempo after Kelsey Mitchell sits out late while 'overheated' Fever star guard Kelsey Mitchell came out firing Tuesday night, pouring in 16 points in the opening quarter before finishing with 29 as Indiana held off the Toronto Tempo 101-95 for their fifth straight win. Caitlin Clark added 24 points as Indiana kept its hot streak rolling, even with Mitchell sitting out the fourth quarter. The performance also put Clark and Mitchell in the WNBA record book. The duo has now scored at least 20 points apiece in the same game 16 times this season, surpassing the previous mark of 15 set by Diana Taurasi and Cappie Pondexter with the Phoenix Mercury in 2008. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Mitchell’s night also put her alongside another of the league’s biggest stars. Her standout performance marked her 20th consecutive game with at least 20 points, matching four-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson for the longest such streak in WNBA history. But after pouring in eight points in less than a minute late in the third quarter, Mitchell headed to the locker room and did not return. Fever head coach Stephanie White said Mitchell got "overheated." Aliyah Boston scored 16 points, and Sophie Cunningham made all three 3-point attempts and finished with 13 for the Fever, who never trailed. Indiana has now won 10 of their past 12 games, while Toronto has dropped 11 in a row. Toronto’s Marina Mabrey cut the gap to 97-93 with back-to-back 3-pointers late in the final quarter, but the Tempo got no closer. CAITLIN CLARK HELPS WNBA SHATTER ANOTHER TV RATINGS RECORD AS FEVER-DREAM DRAWS MASSIVE AUDIENCE In the Fever’s first visit to Toronto this season, there was a mix of cheers and boos when Cunningham entered the game, and fans cheered when she missed her first free-throw attempt. Cunningham said in an ESPN profile published last month that she was opposed to transgender girls and women competing in girls’ and women’s sports. Late in the fourth, fans cheered when someone holding a banner in support of transgender rights was shown on the video screen during a timeout. The Fever travel to Dallas to face the Wings on Thursday, while the Tempo return to action Wednesday against the Washington Mystics. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85233a2c5335ae10486e7e ‘I’m Not That Informed on National Security,’ Graham Says in South Carolina Debate te 2026-08-19T03:30:02.866Z ‘I’m Not That Informed on National Security,’ Graham Says in South Carolina Debate Senator Darline Graham made the remark in a debate against Representative Ralph Norman, her opponent in the runoff election to succeed her brother, Lindsey Graham. Here are five takeaways. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8520e82c5335ae10486e3d Democrats pick their fighter for uphill bid to flip deep-red Senate seat te 2026-08-19T03:20:08.796Z Democrats pick their fighter for uphill bid to flip deep-red Senate seat Former state representative James Byrd advanced Tuesday against former golf club greenskeeper Billy Benavidez in Wyoming’s Democratic primary race for the newly opened Senate seat. Incumbent Republican Sen. Cynthia Lummis announced in December that she would not seek re-election, saying she did not have the energy for another six-year term and creating an open Senate seat in deep-red Wyoming. Byrd was an exploration geophysicist in the energy industry then later became an IT project manager and software consultant. WYOMING OFFICIAL FACES BACKLASH AFTER POSTING 'HANG BAD JUDGES' COMMENT ON ABORTION RULING He served in the Wyoming House of Representatives for a decade, beginning in 2009, and has touted his bipartisan approach to lawmaking in a majority Republican legislature. The Senate seat has been held by Republicans since 1962. Joseph O’Mahoney was the last Democrat elected to the seat, winning in 1954, while Democrat John J. Hickey was appointed to the seat in 1961 and served until November 1962. The moderate Democratic candidate ran a Wyoming-first campaign running on protecting public lands, supporting energy jobs and lowering rural healthcare costs. SON OF REPUBLICAN MEGADONOR THROWS HAT IN THE RING FOR OPEN AT-LARGE HOUSE SEAT IN WYOMING His opponent, Benavidez, ran as a more libertarian-leaning Democrat, campaigning on individual liberty, opposition to government surveillance, free-market policies, congressional term limits, and reducing the power of the federal government. Byrd has criticized President Donald Trump over tariffs, arguing they have hurt Wyoming beef and agricultural products by reducing access to foreign markets. TRUMP BET TARIFFS WOULD BRING BACK AMERICAN FACTORY JOBS. NEW REPORT SAYS IT DIDN'T WORK On immigration, Byrd has taken a more moderate stance than many Democrats, supporting stronger border security and enforcement while opposing family separation and backing broader immigration reform and expanded legal pathways for workers. Byrd has also backed expanding data centers in Wyoming, arguing they could diversify the state’s economy, create jobs and take advantage of Wyoming’s abundant energy resources. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a851e902c5335ae10486dd3 Republican who kicked Liz Cheney out of Congress seeks higher office in reddest state te 2026-08-19T03:10:08.335Z Republican who kicked Liz Cheney out of Congress seeks higher office in reddest state Wyoming Republicans chose Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wy., on Tuesday as their nominee for U.S. Senate in the race to succeed retiring Republican Sen. Cynthia Lummis. Lummis, elected to the Senate in 2020 after serving four terms in the U.S. House , announced she would not seek a second term, opening the seat in one of the nation’s most reliably Republican states. Hageman emerged from a five-way Republican primary featuring former Kirby Mayor Sam Mead, Jill Edwards, John Holtz and former environmental services business owner Jimmy Skovgard. 2026 MIDTERMS: PRIMARIES, KEY RACES AND ELECTION RESULTS Hageman, in the country's most red state based on registered voter percentage, entered the race as the best-known and best-funded candidate in the field. She is seeking a promotion to the upper chamber. President Donald Trump endorsed Hageman after also backing her successful 2022 campaign to unseat former Rep. Liz Cheney in Wyoming’s Republican House primary. Now serving her second term as Wyoming’s lone U.S. House member, Hageman rose to national prominence with her victory over Cheney. Cheney became Trump's biggest target in 2022 after she served as one of the only two Republicans on the House Committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riots alongside fellow GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-IL, who did not seek reelection that year. The ousted Wyoming congresswoman, daughter of Vice President Dick Cheney, become one of Trump’s most prominent Republican critics. TRUMP-BACKED NOMINEES DOMINATE PRIMARY CONTESTS AS PRESIDENT TIGHTENS PARTY VICE GRIP Hageman will now face the Democratic nominee in the Nov. 3 general election — though with Wyoming's deep red roots, it's highly unlikely the single U.S. House seat will flip blue this year. The at-large seat is ranked by the bipartisan Cook Political Report as solidly Republican with a R+23, the best odds of any Senate race this election cycle. Republicans enter the general election with a substantial advantage in Wyoming. All of the state’s statewide elected offices are currently held by Republicans. The Senate contest is part of an unusually large turnover in Wyoming’s political leadership. For the first time in 32 years, the state has open races for governor, U.S. Senate and U.S. House in the same election cycle. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a851e8b2c5335ae10486db1 Pentagon Scales Back Major Training Exercises With South Korea te 2026-08-19T03:10:03.206Z Pentagon Scales Back Major Training Exercises With South Korea The move to end the military training a week earlier than scheduled comes after President Trump ordered the Defense Department to reduce joint military exercises with the key U.S. ally. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a851c372c5335ae10486d58 Harriet Hageman, Backed by Trump, Wins Wyoming’s Republican Senate Primary te 2026-08-19T03:00:07.178Z Harriet Hageman, Backed by Trump, Wins Wyoming’s Republican Senate Primary Ms. Hageman, who unseated Representative Liz Cheney in 2022, is a heavy favorite to replace Senator Cynthia Lummis in the deep-red state. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8517872c5335ae10486ca7 Chiefs' Eric Bieniemy returns to camp after wife gives 'blessing' as she recovers from Virginia home shooting te 2026-08-19T02:40:07.771Z Chiefs' Eric Bieniemy returns to camp after wife gives 'blessing' as she recovers from Virginia home shooting Mia Bieniemy was shot on July 26, and Eric Bieniemy left the Kansas City Chiefs soon after to be with his wife and the rest of his family. The couple's 27-year-old son, Elijah, was arrested in connection with the shooting. Bieniemy returned to Kansas City last week ahead of the team’s preseason loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The Chiefs offensive coordinator hinted that his return was prompted by some gentle encouragement from Mia, joking that he had been "driving her and a bunch of my family members crazy" while staying by her side during her recovery from the shooting at their Virginia home. Speaking publicly about the shooting for the first time on Tuesday, Bieniemy said his wife’s progress gave him the comfort he needed to return to football. "First and foremost, yes, she's on a great road to recovery. Yes, she's doing great." ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "It is one of the main reasons that I am back here, because of her recovery. She's truly a soldier. She's a saint. And it's been incredible to watch." Bieniemy, who spent the 2023 season as the Washington Commanders’ offensive coordinator, remained closely involved with the Chiefs while back home in Ashburn, Virginia. He watched practices at Missouri Western State University remotely and regularly joined team meetings before and after workouts. ERIC BIENIEMY’S SON BELIEVED TO HAVE CALLED COPS SAYING 'HIS PARENTS' CUT OFF HIS ACCESS TO WEAPONS: REPORT Eventually, Bieniemy called Chiefs general manager Brett Veach at one point, knowing Andy Reid was sitting beside him, and had Veach pass over the phone so he could point out a small coaching detail involving one of the players. "I was yelling at the screen, yelling at players, yelling at coaches — 'What the hell are we doing?!' I'm yelling at myself, 'Why would you put that play in!?'" Bieniemy said, smiling. "At the end of the day, I was making sure I was keeping up with what was going on." At the same time, he was driving Mia and the rest of the family crazy. "So she was like, 'You have my blessing to leave,'" Eric said, "so it was time to get back." Elijah Bieniemy has been charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm in commission of a felony and discharge of a firearm inside a dwelling. His court appearances remain delayed pending a mental health evaluation. "I'd like to say thank you to the Hunt family, the entire Chiefs family for the outpouring, the love and support that my family has received through this particular situation," Eric Bieniemy said. "And with all that said, we're back to football." Bieniemy was part of coaching staffs that helped the Chiefs reach three Super Bowls and win two, and he helped to set the foundation for the dynasty to come. Following a one-season stint with the Commanders, Bieniemy spent one season at UCLA before coaching the Chicago Bears’ running backs last season. He returned to Kansas City to replace Matt Nagy, who left to become the New York Giants’ offensive coordinator. "Obviously, it’s great to have him back. We missed him and prayed for his family when he was out," Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton said. "But to have a guy like that come back to the field, man, a competitor — it brings out the best in us." The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8517872c5335ae10486c9e 69 live animals found stuffed in pillowcases in hidden car compartment after border arrest: Feds te 2026-08-19T02:40:07.065Z 69 live animals found stuffed in pillowcases in hidden car compartment after border arrest: Feds A woman identified by federal prosecutors as a Tijuana resident was arrested at the U.S.-Mexico border before U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered 69 live animals — including venomous vipers, caimans and a baby crocodile — allegedly stuffed inside taped-shut pillowcases in a hidden compartment of her Volkswagen the following day, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California. Georgina Bribiesca Chavez, 66, of Tijuana, was arrested Aug. 10 while attempting to enter the U.S. through the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the Justice Department said. Chavez allegedly told a CBP officer she had nothing to declare, but a records check revealed an outstanding warrant tied to a wildlife trafficking investigation. CBP seized the Volkswagen, but officers did not discover the animals until they inspected it the following morning. Behind the rear seat, they found a concealed factory compartment containing pillowcases that had been knotted shut and sealed with tape. BORDER AGENTS UNCOVER RPG LAUNCHER, CACHE OF RIFLES HIDDEN IN VEHICLE HEADING TO MEXICO One of the pillowcases was moving. The bags were taken to the San Diego Zoo, where workers found 60 abronia lizards, four venomous yellow-blotched palm pit vipers, three caimans, a baby crocodile and an indigo snake, according to the DOJ. Prosecutors said Chavez never told officers about the animals, leaving them inside the vehicle for nearly 24 hours in the August heat. All three caimans died. The other animals were stable and remained in the zoo's care as of last week. Chavez pleaded not guilty to a federal wildlife trafficking charge and was ordered held without bond. Her alleged trafficking partner, Salvador Pelayo, 28, of Chula Vista, was arrested in July and has also pleaded not guilty. MASSACHUSETTS HOMEOWNERS STUNNED AFTER TOWN WARNS JULY 4 FLAGS THREATEN ENDANGERED BIRDS The arrests followed an approximately 18-month undercover investigation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, though prosecutors allege Chavez and Pelayo had trafficked wildlife together since 2023 and made tens of thousands of dollars selling exotic animals. During one alleged undercover transaction in March 2025, Chavez delivered four protected Mexican box turtles to an agent for $2,600 cash shortly after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. All four turtles later died after being transferred to the Oakland Zoo, prosecutors said. The turtles were already in poor health when they were acquired during the undercover operation and were believed to have been wild-caught and suffering from respiratory disease, according to prosecutors. Pelayo is separately accused of using the alias "Jose Lopez" to ship four protected Mexican and Yucatan box turtles to an undercover agent in New York. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Office of Law Enforcement is investigating the case with assistance from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Chavez and Pelayo face Lacey Act trafficking charges carrying a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8512d72c5335ae10486234 Roadrunners to open the season against the Bulldogs te 2026-08-19T02:20:07.812Z Roadrunners to open the season against the Bulldogs By Greg Perkins Holbrook opens its 2026 football season at home on Friday night, hosting Winslow in a big early-season clash for both teams. While the Bulldogs still play in the 3A North, and Holbrook is a member of the 2A North, at least in football, that doesn’t matter much when these two rivals take the field.  Last year Holbrook won a defensive battle in Winslow 12-0. Two years ago, the Bulldogs prevailed 29-6, also on Winslow’s field. Friday night, the two meet at Roadrunner Stadium.  Holbrook’s head coach, Paul Agramont, is in rebuild mode this year due to the loss of 18 seniors from last year’s roster. A season in which they went 6-5 overall, losing in the first round of the 2A state playoffs to Pima.  Winslow posted a 4-6 record a year ago but had only 11 seniors on a roster filled with younger players. This game could go either way. Can Holbrook’s inexperienced players use the home field advantage to start the season with a win, or does Winslow’s more veteran lineup prevail?  The game starts at 7 p.m. on Friday. All tickets are sold via GOFAN only. Tickets can be purchased online ahead of time or at the gate, which opens at 6 p.m. on Friday night. The post Roadrunners to open the season against the Bulldogs first appeared on Painted Desert Tribune. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8512d72c5335ae1048622b Wildcats ready to kick off fall sports te 2026-08-19T02:20:07.064Z Wildcats ready to kick off fall sports By Greg Perkins Fall sports are about to kick off for area schools, including Joseph City High School, where the Wildcat football and volleyball teams may be on different competitive spectrums to start the new year.  Last season, the Lady Wildcats went 25-9-1 overall before falling in the second round of the 1A state playoffs. Gone from that team are eight seniors, including standouts Amber and Audrey Neill. This season, Head Coach Charlsye Miller has five seniors, three juniors and one freshman on the varsity roster after one week of practice.  The Lady Wildcats will open their season at Mogollon on Aug. 27, then will make the short trip to Holbrook to face the Roadrunners on Aug. 31. Joseph City’s football team, under the direction of head coach Martin Roes, potentially has 24 players returning from last year’s roster. The team did have eight seniors but overall, they were a young squad who went 4-4 and improved late in the season, coming up just short of the 1A state playoffs.  The Wildcat football team opens the season on Friday night on the road at Desert Heights Prep. The Coyotes posted a 6-3 record, advancing to the first round of the playoffs, where they were soundly beaten by Mohave Accelerated.  Playing on the road right out of the gate could be a tough start for a Wildcat team looking to return to the postseason for the first time since the 2022 season. Next week, they will host a Valley Lutheran team that went 0-8 last year. The post Wildcats ready to kick off fall sports first appeared on Painted Desert Tribune. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8512d62c5335ae10486222 Most HHS athletics to compete in 3A North Region te 2026-08-19T02:20:06.186Z Most HHS athletics to compete in 3A North Region By Greg Perkins The Lady Roadrunner volleyball team will be the first team to compete as an official member of the 3A North Region.  Basketball, baseball, softball and track, along with wrestling and cross country, are also now in the 3A North Region at least for the next two-year block. For fans of all sports, that means a few changes. The majority of the 3A schools in the North Region have clear bag policies in place for visiting fans. They all accept GOFAN, along with cash. Each school is a little different.  Holbrook only accepts GOFAN tickets, which can be purchased ahead of time or with a card at the door. No cash sales for tickets are available.   Also, fans traveling to games need to be cognizant of the time difference between Holbrook and schools on the Navajo Reservation, as they are one hour ahead until time changes in November.  Due to flooding from the big monsoon earlier in July, Holbrook’s volleyball team will be playing most of their home games at Mike Starr Gym on the Holbrook Junior High School campus.  Floor repairs need to be done at Tony Munoz Gym, which may take up until fall break at the earliest. The post Most HHS athletics to compete in 3A North Region first appeared on Painted Desert Tribune. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8512d52c5335ae10486219 Soccer season begins on August 26 for HHS te 2026-08-19T02:20:05.205Z Soccer season begins on August 26 for HHS By Greg Perkins Victor Paz and Tony Aguilera return as head coaches for the girls and boys Roadrunner soccer teams. Low initial numbers in the first week of practices, which began back on July 27, have seen improvement over the last couple of weeks, with both programs having around 20 kids to start the season. Last year the Lady Roadrunners went 2-10 overall but had just four seniors on the roster. This season’s roster is still taking shape, but the team will get its season started on Thursday afternoon at Roadrunner Stadium when they host Chino Valley with a 4 p.m. scheduled start time.  Holbrook’s boys team looks to improve on last year’s 3-9 campaign. Only four seniors dotted that roster and at least nine players with experience have returned along with several newcomers to try and get the job done.  The boys’ team will start its season on Tuesday, Aug. 25, with a trip to face the Grand Canyon Phantoms. Both soccer teams will play at home on the 26th when they host Page in a doubleheader. The girls’ team plays at 4 p.m., with the boys’ team following at 6 p.m. The post Soccer season begins on August 26 for HHS first appeared on Painted Desert Tribune. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8510842c5335ae104861bf Liberia agrees to accept 1,200 third-country deportees from US within a year te 2026-08-19T02:10:12.462Z Liberia agrees to accept 1,200 third-country deportees from US within a year Liberia announced Tuesday that it will accept up to 1,200 third-country deportees from the U.S. over the next year under an agreement between the two countries. The agreement marks one of the largest arrangements of its kind under the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement crackdown. Liberia's President Joseph Boakai was one of five West African leaders who traveled to the White House last year to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump. As part of the arrangement, the first group of 20 deportees are expected to arrive on Thursday, Liberia’s Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah told reporters. The 1,200 deportees who will be sent to the country within the next 12 months will include Africans as well as nationals from North America, South America and the Caribbean, Piah said. TRUMP ADMIN SCORES COURT WIN TO END DEPORTATION PROTECTIONS FOR ETHIOPIAN MIGRANTS Piah said the deportees would be received "as guests," adding that they could leave when they wanted and apply for asylum in Liberia. He also said Liberia will receive support from the U.S. to manage the program and strengthen its migration system. But he said the deal was not part of a quid pro quo with the U.S. government and that the African nation was not demanding compensation in exchange for taking in the deportees. "Liberia’s gesture is entirely humanitarian and in keeping with the country’s longstanding traditions," he said. "The government of Liberia intends to provide the transferred persons with the necessary support to seek protection in Liberia and to be safe during their stay here." Liberia's government referenced its historical ties to the United States, including its roots in a 19th-century settlement established for free and formerly enslaved Black Americans and its history as a country with "a long history of accepting people seeking refuge from political and other crises." Liberia’s Justice Minister Natu Oswald Tweh said that the country has screened the migrants ahead of their arrival. "Most of them are people who had immigration violations and offenses," he said. The Liberian government said the arriving deportees are not criminals and are not being prosecuted under U.S. or Liberian law. Since Trump returned to the White House in January of last year, his administration has reached several deals with African countries to accept third-country deportees, including in some cases migrants who have legal protections barring their return to their countries of origin because of risks of torture, persecution or other abuses. It was not immediately clear whether any members of the group being sent to Liberia have such protections. TRUMP SCORES MAJOR IMMIGRATION VICTORY AS JUDGE CLEARS WAY TO END TPS PROTECTIONS FOR THOUSANDS OF SOMALIS Under several agreements that have not always been publicly disclosed in full, the administration has deported thousands of people to nearly two dozen countries that are not their own, with about 10 of them in Africa, according to immigration advocates. The administration has defended the third-country deals as lawful, saying federal immigration law permits the government to remove migrants to willing third countries. The Supreme Court last year stayed a lower-court order that had imposed additional procedural requirements on third-country removals while litigation continued. The U.S.-Liberia agreement says Liberia will not return a transferred person to their home country while a protection claim is pending and that both governments intend to act consistently with their obligations under refugee and anti-torture law. Rights groups say some migrants have been sent to countries they have never visited or where they could face safety risks, potentially increasing pressure on them to return to their countries of origin. Other African countries that have taken in third-country deportees include the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Ghana and Sierra Leone. Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8510832c5335ae104861b6 Your favorite cocktail could be an unexpected casualty of Trump's looming trade fight te 2026-08-19T02:10:11.796Z Your favorite cocktail could be an unexpected casualty of Trump's looming trade fight President Donald Trump's latest trade fight with Canada could soon spill into your cocktail glass, with a looming 50% tariff on Canadian spirits putting bars, restaurants and liquor stores on edge. Chris Swonger, president and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council, said the stakes cut both ways, saying the tariff could hit U.S. hospitality businesses while also potentially pressuring Canada to put American spirits back on its shelves. "First and foremost, great thanks to President Trump because he has recognized that our industry has lost 73% of our American distilled spirits exports to Canada as a result of the provincial ban of purchasing American distilled spirits," Swonger told Fox News Digital. "We are hopeful that an agreement will be made between the Trump administration and Canadian politicians to put American spirits back on the shelves," he added. FROM BOURBON TO BORDEAUX: TRUMP'S TARIFFS SPILL INTO GLOBAL BOOZE MARKETS The new tariff threat marks the latest escalation in a trade fight that has already sent U.S. spirits exports to Canada plunging. In retaliation for earlier U.S. tariffs, some Canadian provinces pulled American spirits from store shelves. Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney held last-minute talks Tuesday as the two sides raced to avert the 50% tariffs before the midnight deadline. The tariffs cover roughly $20 billion in Canadian imports, including liquor, dairy products, vehicles, hockey equipment and other goods. Canadian whisky, vodka, gin, rum, wine and beer are among the products facing the new levy. Canada had been a roughly $250 million annual market for American distillers before the trade dispute, but fell from the second-largest destination for U.S. spirits to sixth in 2025, according to DISCUS data previously reported by Fox News Digital. From March through December, exports plunged from $203 million in 2024 to $60 million in 2025 — a roughly $143 million drop. The fallout has been especially significant for Kentucky, which produces 95% of the world's bourbon and supports more than 23,000 industry jobs, according to the Kentucky Distillers' Association. Swonger said the prospect of steep tariffs on Canadian liquor could prove to be the leverage needed to persuade Canadian officials to reopen their market to U.S. producers. "Considering applying a 50% tariff on Canadian distilled spirits would hopefully be the trigger, the forcing mechanism to get the Canadian province leaders to put American spirits back on the shelves," he said. US WHISKEY EXPORTS TO CANADA COLLAPSE NEARLY 70% AFTER TRUMP TARIFF FIGHT The stakes extend beyond distillers on both sides of the border. Canadian whisky and other distinctive Canadian spirits are consumed by Americans at home and served by U.S. bars and restaurants, meaning a new trade barrier could reverberate through the hospitality industry. Swonger said the U.S. historically exports roughly $220 million worth of distilled spirits to Canada annually, while Canadian producers have exported more than $500 million worth of spirits to the much larger U.S. market. But Swonger cautioned that the American spirits industry ultimately does not want the tariffs to take effect. He warned a 50% levy would be "absolutely devastating to the Canadian distilled spirits industry" and would have "a real impact on the American hospitality economy." ‘WE WERE RIGHT’: HE TOOK TRUMP’S TARIFFS TO THE SUPREME COURT AND WON Unlike products that can simply be swapped for a domestic equivalent, Swonger argued that spirits are distinctive products. American consumers seek out Canadian whisky, while Canadian consumers have increasingly embraced American whiskey. The industry's preferred outcome, he said, remains a return to free trade rather than an escalating tariff battle. "We're an industry that thrives on zero-for-zero tariffs and zero trade barriers," Swonger said. With negotiations continuing ahead of the deadline, Swonger said distillers are anxiously waiting to see whether Trump's pressure campaign produces a deal. "We hope we can get back to that tomorrow," he said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8510812c5335ae1048619c Five local men arrested in operation targeting child sexual offenders te 2026-08-19T02:10:09.497Z Five local men arrested in operation targeting child sexual offenders Herculano Gasaway Adam Smith Brett Romo Max Jones Robert Jahner On Aug. 6-7, the Show Low Police Department conducted a multi-agency, two-day undercover operation focusing on identifying and apprehending sexual predators preying on children in our community. The operation targeted adult predators seeking to engage in illicit sexual activities with children in the City of Show Low. During the operation, five alleged sexual predators were identified and taken into custody. The suspects are facing various charges including luring a minor for sexual exploitation (class 2 felony), attempted sexual conduct with a minor (class 3 felony) and child sex trafficking (class 2 felony). The following suspects were arrested in connection with the incident: Brett Romo, 32, of Holbrook, attempted sexual conduct with a minor; Adam Smith, 37, of Snowflake, unlawful flight from a law enforcement officer, child sex trafficking and sexual conduct with a minor; Herculano Gasaway, 22, of Snowflake, aggravated luring of a minor for sexual exploitation; Max Jones, 69, of Concho, luring of a minor for sexual exploitation and attempted sexual conduct with a minor; and Robert Jahner, 35, of Globe, child sex trafficking and attempted sexual conduct with a minor. All suspects were booked into the Navajo County Jail. Show Low Police Department Chief Westover commented, “The safety of our children is the utmost priority, and combating child sex crimes requires a strong, united community committed to protecting our most vulnerable. Protecting children from abuse, exploitation, and trafficking requires a united effort from families, community members, schools, and law enforcement. The Show Low Police Department is committed to ensuring that credible allegations are thoroughly investigated and those responsible are held accountable through the justice system.” Several agencies participated in the operation which included the Show Low Police Department, the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office, and Snowflake/Taylor, Pinetop/Lakeside, Chandler, Tucson, Mesa police departments, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Navajo County Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Arizona Anti Trafficking Network and Darkhorse Benefits. The post Five local men arrested in operation targeting child sexual offenders first appeared on Painted Desert Tribune. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8510802c5335ae10486193 Board of Supervisors proclaim August 14 Navajo Code Talker Day te 2026-08-19T02:10:08.688Z Board of Supervisors proclaim August 14 Navajo Code Talker Day By Talaina Kor The Navajo County Board of Supervisors made a proclamation deeming Aug. 14 as Navajo Code Talkers’ Day. This proclamation is to honor those of the Navajo Nation who were called upon by the U.S. government to support the military efforts. More than four hundred Navajo men were recruited and enlisted to serve in standards communications units, these patriots became known as “Navajo Code Talkers.” Supervisor Alberto Peshlakai read from the proclamation, saying, “The Navajo Code Talkers were honorable men who performed an important service to the preservation of freedom and democracy.” Peshlakai noted that other Native tribes participated in this service as well. “We do not forget them.” Later in the meeting, board received a presentation on the county’s grant performance, updates on grant funded projects and grant related issues. According to the presentation, the county spent $13.4 million in federal funds, received $5.5 million in grant funds and were awarded 30 grants in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025. The board received an annual treasurer’s report for FY 2025-26, including information on real property tax levy totals, the county’s investment portfolio and the treasurer’s processing fund. After the presentation, the board approved the receipt of the annual report of collections and delinquencies, settlement of accounts and request for authorization to invest funds. Following the meeting, the board held a work session on information regarding data centers. During the meeting, the board: * Adopted of the FY 2026-2027 property tax rates for all Navajo County taxing districts. * Approved tax year 2026 and FY 2027 tax rates and levies for all Navajo County School Districts. * Approved the submission of comments regarding the Office of Management and Budget’s proposed revisions to 2 CFR Part 200, commonly referred to as the Uniform Guidance. * Approved an appreciation letter to Arizona Congressman Eli Crane. * Approved letters of support to Summit Healthcare for Regional Cancer Access and Technology Initiative and to 4th Trimester AZ for First 40 Days Rural Postpartum Care Innovation Initiative. * Approved the marketing, website development, and retainer agreement with Razor Thin Media LLC. Razor Thin Media will consult for the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office to develop a comprehensive recruitment marketing program centered around a fully customized, recruitment-focused WordPress website. The website will serve as the primary recruitment and information hub for the sheriff’s office and will showcase the department’s mission, career opportunities, leadership, professionalism, community, and the lifestyle advantages of living and working in Navajo County.  The agreement includes a one-time cost of $35,000 for website development and production, a $1,500 fee for a five-year GoDaddy Hosting Package, and a $2,000 monthly retainer for ongoing website management and marketing. Advertising costs are separate and will be funded by the sheriff’s office as needed.   * Approved to process 2026 fiscal year-end fund transfers that were included in the fiscal year budget for the fund reconciliations. * Approved the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area agreement (HIDTA) in the amount of $132,801. The Sheriff’s Office has again received funding from the HIDTA program through the City of Tucson. The funds will pay for salary and partial employee related expenses for the HIDTA Major Crimes Apprehension Team Lieutenant, along with $12,000 of overtime salary. Additionally awarded was $7,500 for services and $5,000 for supplies. * Approved the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission Drug, Gang, and Violent Crime Control grant for the sheriff’s office in the amount of $265,551. The award consists of $111,531 in federal funds, $87,631 in state funds and requires a $66,387 match. The grant pays the salary and employee related expenses for a minimum of two sheriff’s office personnel. The grant period runs from July 1 of this year to June 30, 2027.   * Approved of an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between Navajo County, City of Show Low, and Show Low Unified School District for school resource officer services at Linden Elementary School for one year. * Approved a resolution to cancel the Nov. 3, school governing board member elections and appointing those positions for: Cedar USD No. 25, Iris Yesslith, to fill one of two four-year terms and Alban Naha, a two-year term; Heber-Overgaard USD No. 6, Gwendolyn Hall and Brigham Tenney, four-year terms, and John Piva, a two-year term; Holbrook USD No. 3 Ward 1, Claudia Jackson, a four-year term; Holbrook USD No. 3 Ward 2, Linda Yazzie, a four-year term; Joseph City USD No. 2, Dayton Flake and Cat Hansen, both for four-year terms; Whiteriver No. 20, Kandace Declay and Candy Lupe, both for four-year terms; Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology (NAVIT) Blue Ridge, Robert Stoddard, a four-year term; NAVIT Holbrook, Leon Heward, a four-year term; and NAVIT Show Low, Jerry Walker, a two-year term. The following positions received no nomination petitions and no nomination papers as of the statutory deadlines:  Cedar USD No. 25, one four-year term; Holbrook USD No. 3 one two-year term for Ward 3; NATIVE Kayenta, one two-year term; and NAVIT Winslow, one four-year term. * Approved the Navajo County Elections Department to conduct school governing board elections on Nov. 3, each for two four-year terms: Blue Ridge USD No. 32, Kayenta USD No. 27, Pinon USD No. 4, Show Low USD No. 10, Snowflake USD No. 5, and Winslow USD No. 1. * Approved the change in vendors for backup services of the county’s data that is stored in the cloud. This will now be done by PowerProtect software sponsored by Dell for an annual contract at a cost of $5,184 per year for three years.  Total cost is $15,552. * Approved tax exemptions filed as a request for redemption of waiver. * Approved the appointment of Diane A. Talbott, Martin L. Dornan and Jeffrey L. Crowl as Republican Precinct Committeeman for their respective precincts, valid through Oct. 1. * Approved the certificate of removal and abatement purging record of tax, penalty and interest on personal property taxes. * Approved the reissuance of a stale check in the amount of $140 for OID Overgaard Domestic Wastewater Improvement District. * Approved a resolution to cancel the board member elections for the Heber/Overgaard Sanitary District, the Joseph City Sanitary District and the Pinetop Sanitary District on Nov. 3 and appointing the candidate(s) or deeming the position vacant. * Approved a resolution to cancel the board member election for Nov. 3 for the following Water Improvement Districts: Joseph City, Ponderosa, Pinedale Estate, Misty Mountain, Heber, Clay Springs, Porter Creek, Overgaard Townsite, Wonderland Acres, Three-0-Three and Woodruff, and appointing the candidate(s) or deeming the position vacant. * Approved a resolution to cancel the board member election for the following fire districts: Heber/Overgaard, Joseph City, Timber Mesa, McLaws Road, Woodruff, Sun Valley and Pinetop Fire, and appointing the candidate(s) or deeming the position vacant. * Approved contracts signed by the county manager for Professional Services with Johnson Walzer Associates, LLC for the Navajo County Courts building family toilet remodel professional services contract. * Approved contracts signed by the county manager for Cisco Support contract renewal and purchase agreements for Cisco Firewall, Nexus Switches, Cisco Switches and Cisco C9200s. The purchase agreements are for the procurement of hardware that is necessary for the security and stability of the Navajo County Network infrastructure.  * Approved sympathy letters for Michele Duran and Ora Jensen. Convening as the Navajo County Public Health Services District, the board: * Approved an amendment to the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) IGA for the Prop 201 Smoke-Free Arizona Program. The amendment adjusts reimbursement for progress reports and quarterly Contractor Expenditure Reports. The annual not-to-exceed contract amount is reduced to $57,878, a decrease from $75,082. The reduction in funding is due to decreased statewide tobacco product sales, which has reduced the available grant funding awarded by ADHS. All other terms, conditions, scope of work, and provisions of the original agreement remain unchanged. * Approved the Healthy People Healthy Communities IGA contract between the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Navajo County Public Health Services District. The agreement consolidates funding for several existing public health prevention programs into a single contract, including Tobacco Prevention, Suicide Mortality Review, Child Fatality Review, the Health in Arizona Policy Initiative, Youth Mental Health First Aid and Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program.  * Approved an amended agreement between Navajo County Public Health Services District and Trilogy MedWaste. The amendment updates the existing Trilogy MedWaste service agreement by adding the Navajo County Code Enforcement Building, located at 1121 W. Pinedale Road in Taylor as an additional service location to complement the existing public health facility located at 600 N. 9th Place in Show Low. The amendment provides regulated medical waste collection services at the Taylor facility every four weeks, including two 43-gallon reusable regulated medical waste containers. The additional service includes a fee of $51.50 per container exchange, a $51.50 no-waste fee when applicable, and a $97.85 stop charge. These additional costs will be incorporated into the Medical Examiner Program’s operating budget. All other terms and conditions of the original agreement remain unchanged. * Approved the federal award funding between Navajo County Public Health Services District and ADHS. ADHS awarded Navajo County Public Health’s Medical Examiner Program a $23,876 federal grant through the Overdose to Data Action States program. The Medical Examiner Program will utilize these funds to support forensic toxicology testing of suspected overdose deaths and enhance local medical examiner operations. These improvements will provide more timely and accurate overdose surveillance data while strengthening the county’s ability to investigate overdose-related deaths and support statewide public health initiatives.  The grant will also assist with providing more accurate data to ADHS to help guide statewide prevention and intervention strategies. The post Board of Supervisors proclaim August 14 Navajo Code Talker Day first appeared on Painted Desert Tribune. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85107f2c5335ae1048618a NCSO appoints new chief deputy te 2026-08-19T02:10:07.942Z NCSO appoints new chief deputy Photo courtesy of Navajo County Sheriff’s Office Navajo County Sheriff David Clouse (left) congratulates Jeff Sharp (right) in his appointment to the position of chief deputy over the department. Navajo County Sheriff David Clouse announced the appointment of Jeff Sharp as chief deputy of the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) last week. “After careful consideration and extensive evaluation of our long-term objectives, I have made the decision to hire Jeff Sharp to serve as our next chief deputy,” Sheriff Clouse said. “Sharp brings a unique skill set rooted in building strong relationships and a proven capability to carry out the core vision of the sheriff’s office. His experience and leadership will be a tremendous asset to NCSO and the citizens we serve.” Sharp comes to NCSO with 33 years of law enforcement experience, including 10 years as a Minnesota state trooper and 23 years with the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS). During his career, Sharp served in numerous specialized and command assignments, including K-9 handler, DEA task force officer, DPS armory, internal affairs, commander of the State Capitol District, and commander of the Northern Narcotics District. While with DPS, he also served as interim chief of the Round Valley Police Department. In 2019, Sharp transferred to Show Low, where he served as district commander for DPS District 3 – Holbrook until his retirement on Jan. 2. His time in the region provided him with firsthand knowledge of the unique public safety needs of Navajo County and the surrounding communities. “I am incredibly honored and excited to join the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office,” Sharp said. “Throughout my career, I was fortunate to serve in a variety of challenging and rewarding assignments. Each role strengthened my commitment to public service and reinforced the importance of teamwork, integrity and leadership. I look forward to this opportunity to serve alongside the men and women of NCSO and continue serving the communities of Navajo County.” As chief deputy, Sharp will work alongside Sheriff Clouse in overseeing the operations of the sheriff’s office and supporting the agency’s continued focus on effective law enforcement, organizational development, and service to the public. “Sharp knows this region, understands the challenges facing law enforcement, and knows the importance of taking care of the people who serve our communities,” Sheriff Clouse said. “I am confident in his ability to help lead this organization and in what he will bring to the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office.” The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office welcomes Chief Deputy Jeff Sharp and looks forward to this next chapter for the agency. The post NCSO appoints new chief deputy first appeared on Painted Desert Tribune. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85107f2c5335ae10486181 Local hunger relief effort brings 40,000 pounds of food to assist vulnerable populations te 2026-08-19T02:10:07.167Z Local hunger relief effort brings 40,000 pounds of food to assist vulnerable populations Photo courtesy of JustServe JustServe volunteers sort boxes of donated food to be distributed to food banks throughout Navajo County. JustServe volunteers and local community organizations partnered with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Thursday, Aug. 6, to deliver a much-needed semi-truckload of food to 11 local organizations serving the community’s most vulnerable populations. The donation, containing 40,000 pounds of food with the capacity to provide 33,000 meals, represents a significant boost to regional food security efforts during a time of heightened need. The food distribution reached a wide network of community partners, including local food banks, senior centers, and emergency assistance programs: Holbrook Emergency Food Bank, Bread of Life Mission in Holbrook, Silver Creek Senior Center and Food Bank, the ReCenter, Salvation Army, Tonto Basin Food Bank, Round Valley Food Bank, Shepherd’s Kitchen, Heber/Overgaard Food Bank and Senior Center, and Fishers of Men for Veterans. “Thank you so much! That was the perfect amount of food today. Just perfect timing too. We are so grateful,” said Ryan Lowe with the ReCenter, reflecting the urgent need these organizations face in serving their communities. The demand for food assistance remains consistently high across the region. Deb Bradford, director of the Heber/Overgaard Food Bank, emphasized the critical nature of such donations. “I can’t begin to tell you how much we truly appreciate what you are giving us. As you probably know, our demand is very high right now and doesn’t seem to be lessening,” she said. Beyond the tangible impact of the food itself, the partnership has strengthened community relationships. A Coordinated Effort The donation reflects The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ commitment to follow Jesus Christ by caring for those in need regardless of faith, background, or beliefs. Caring for those in need is a central part of the church’s efforts to provide relief, build self-reliance and strengthen communities. The church’s welfare system draws from surplus resources at its welfare farms, orchards, processing facilities, and storehouse systems. Food is grown, prepared, and distributed through coordinated efforts involving employees, missionaries, volunteers, and professional transportation teams. The distribution was made possible by the dedicated work of several volunteers, including missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as the generous support of KSI Metals, who provided facility access and forklift equipment essential to unloading and distributing the food. The effort reflects an ongoing commitment among community organizations, volunteers, JustServe and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to care for those in need and strengthen communities through service. As local organizations continue to experience high demand for food assistance, partnerships such as these make all the difference. For local residents facing food insecurity, the arrival of such resources provides immediate relief during a challenging time. The participating organizations emphasize that ongoing support from donors and partners like JustServe and the LDS Church remains critical as demand continues to rise across the region. The post Local hunger relief effort brings 40,000 pounds of food to assist vulnerable populations first appeared on Painted Desert Tribune. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85107e2c5335ae10486178 Supervisor Alberto Peshlakai discusses road improvements for Indian Wells Elementary te 2026-08-19T02:10:06.415Z Supervisor Alberto Peshlakai discusses road improvements for Indian Wells Elementary By Talaina Kor At the Holbrook Unified School District (HUSD) No. 3 Governing Board meeting on Aug. 11, Navajo County District 2 Supervisor Alberto Peshlakai presented on supervisor updates as well as the road improvements. Peshlakai spoke on his collaborative with Indian Wells Elementary School (IWES) to get a road safety audit, which began with a resolution made in February. “The community of Indian Wells entertained my request to pass a local chapter resolution in regard to a road safety audit,” he stated, mentioning a particular road in front of IWES that poses as a hazard to the community as well as students. Although the specific road was not mentioned, Peshlakai cited it as a high traffic area and in need a turnout lane for buses taking children to and from school, as well as signage and flashing lights to notify motorists of the school bus zone. “Within the last two months I believe, the 25th Navajo Nation Council had allocated $700,000 to this road safety audit.” He stated that Wilson & Company will complete the safety audit and provide a recommendation in the future. Other road improvement projects and issues on reservation lands were discussed and reviewed as well, including the use of Highway User Revenue Funds (HURF) to improve district bus routes. “We utilized some of our funds to help provide gravel to help these bus turn around areas that are in areas with dirt roads off the main paved roads that allow for buses to run around, or either pick up or drop off students in an area where they won’t get muddy.” The board received a report on the work projects done over the summer, including remodels of several spaces throughout the district and a full roof replacement for IWES. Environmental service projects noted were new fire alarms implemented at Holbrook High School (HHS) and Holbrook Junior High School (HJHS), new HVAC installed at IWES and mini split units installed in Park Elementary pending a new HVAC system. Projects completed by the information technology department and transportation services were reviewed as well. Superintendent Dr. Robbie Koerperich provided a school safety report, which included the district’s Emergency Operation Plans (EOP). Systems already implemented within the district include emergency plans, drills, camera surveillance, scan badges, RAVE notification, an inter-agency communication platform called Mutual Link, tabletop scenarios, safety modules and trainings. “We don’t have a resource officer at the time, but we do have funding for that if we can find one,” added Dr. Koerperich. The district also mandates monthly trainings for staff. Visual screening, first aid, crisis stress management and reunification were listed as part of those training sessions. “For reunification, we practiced that last year, which was the first time that we’ve ever done reunification plans.” Reunification training and planning is to ensure students safely return to guardians following an emergency or crisis. Following the presentation, the board approved the school safety plans for School Year (SY) 2026-27. The board also took public comment on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 budget revision, which had no changes aside from updating the budget to most current forms provided by the Arizona Department of Education after the completion of the legislative session. No one from the public spoke. The board then adopted the FY 2027 budget revision. In other business, the board: * Approved Dr. Koerperich, Clete Hargrave, Connie Gover, Nichole Tow, Rasheed Hollins, Galen Knight, Bernice Gover, Andrea Tomlin, Sierra Browning and Jeff Meeks as qualified evaluators for the district’s performance evaluation systems for SY 2026-2027, all have attended qualified evaluator training. * Approved the continuation of the class size differential stipend for SY 2026-27. * Approved SY 2026-27 contracted mileage administrative procedure. * Approved the Education Specialist Effectiveness Performance Evaluation System, Leader Effectiveness Performance Evaluation and Teacher Effectiveness Performance Evaluation as performance evaluation systems for SY 2026-27. * Approved a list of qualified hearing officers to use in matters of student discipline and employee-related issues that arise throughout the school year. * Approved an extra duty job description for a foster care coordinator to coordinate all foster care responsibilities on behalf of the district.  * Approved an extra duty job description for district testing coordinator.  * Approved a payroll transition plan while searching for a payroll specialist.  * Approved the SY 2026-27 preschool parent handbook for IWES. * Approved a School Facility Oversight Board Minimum Adequacy Guideline (MAG) exception for R7-6-220, which pertains to a learning and technology center for Hulet Elementary School once the Hulet to Park transition occurs.  This will acknowledge that Hulet will not require a full library, but classroom libraries will be utilized for preschool and kindergarten classrooms at Hulet.  The MAG exception will be submitted to the School Facilities Division for approval. * Approved a revised Park Elementary School gym funding resolution. The resolution outlines funding from the school facility board, unrestricted capital and adjacent way including funding for site conditions from the School Facility Oversight Board (SFOB) will be contingent upon approval from the SFOB. * Approved HUSD to use the GoFan online payment system to be used for electronic payment for concession, student activity fees, tax credit donations, general donations and ticket sales, as well as additional electronic payment applications as an online card payment system. President Craig Stuart, Vice President Linda Yazzie and Board Members Debbie Shumway and Alfred Clark voted in favor of the motion, with Claudia Jackson voting against. Jackson explained, stating “I don’t like GoFan, only because I have elders that don’t understand paying with a phone when they have to attend games.” Dr. Koerperich noted that he would look into seeing if they accept cash. * Approved for first reading the Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA) policy revisions and updated for: Policy BEDB Agenda, Policy CA Qualifications and Duties of the Superintendent, Policy DJ Purchasing Ethics, Policy DJE Bidding/Purchasing Procedures, Policy IHA Basic Instructional Program, Policy IHB-R Special Instructional Programs, Policy IKE-RB Promotion and Retention of Students, Policy IKF Graduation Requirements, Policy JF-R Student Admissions, Policy JFAA-R Admission of Resident Students, Policy JFAB-R Tuition/Admission of Nonresident Students, Policy JFABC-R Admission of Transfer Students, Policy JFABD-RB Admission of Homeless Students, and Policy JFABDA-RB Admission of Students in Foster Care. * Approved Vice President Yazzie to be a delegate to represent HUSD at the 2026 ASBA Delegate Assembly, with Board Member Clark approved as an alternate. Delegates vote on legislative priorities for advocacy on behalf of public-school districts for the 2027 legislative session. Each member district is allowed one vote for each action item. The assembly will be held on Sept. 11. * Approved the classified resignation of Fiaa Bitahay and Braylee Livingston, both graduated student workers, effective May 22; Joshua LeSueur, graduated student worker, effective Aug. 5; Nancy Canada, lead cafeteria worker, effective July 29; Jason Coley, HHS, academic advisor, effective July 21; Anthony Larsen, computer services specialist, effective Aug. 17; and Tonya Vrbas, district, payroll and leave benefits clerk, effective Aug. 7. * Approved the separation of services of Judy Saiz, transportation, high needs paraprofessional, effective Aug. 5. * Approved the classified employment of Elena Baldonado, Kyle Honeysuckle, Antasia Kennedy and Stephanie Ortega, all substitute cafeteria workers; Ashley Hayes, Hulet, preschool aide; Kamryn Lampsa, cafeteria delivery; Letitia Lee, transportation, bus monitor; Ezabelle Salazar, special needs assistant; and Jacquelyn Saxton, district, substitute secretary. * Approved the certified employment of Sierra Browning, HHS, teacher, increased to 160 days from 135 days; and Shurrell Nardi and Jason Strong, district substitutes. * Approved extra duty for Paul Agramont, HHS, head football coach and assistant track coach; Ashley Attakai, HHS, assistant volleyball coach; Leslie Baldonado and Cheryl Carlson, HHS, mentors; Dylan Barela, HHS, assistant baseball coach; Destany Begay, HJHS, sixth and seventh grade softball coach; Saraphania Benally and Karalyn Reidhead, Hulet, special education (SPED) individual education plan (IEP) liaisons; Dawna Bitsoie and Deborah Koerperich, IWES, mentors 2026/27; Bridegam Stephanie and Andrea Tomlin, IWES, SPED IEP liaisons; Steven Carbonneau, HHS, boys head wrestling coach; Madison Chappell, HHS, girls assistant basketball coach; Dennis Fortuna, HHS, E-Sports coach; Alli Gardner, Hulet/Park, cadre; Kara Gardner and Jessica Hubbard, Hulet, mentors; Karen Estridge. Kyle Gardner and Alicia Jimenez, HJHS, mentors; Danelle Garner and Nicole Moyte, Hulet, grade level chairs; Connie Gover, Clete Hargrave and Galen Knight, HHS, SPED IEP liaisons; Ramie Hatch, Callie Jensen, Shannon Knight and Heather Morgan, HHS, tutorial; Tobias Herndon, HJHS, sports help; Nora John, Johnson O’Malley Indian Education Committee; Delmar Johnson, HHS, boys assistant soccer coach and boys head basketball coach; Noah Johnson, HJHS, non-AIA (Arizona Interscholastic Association) game official and SPED IEP liaison; Jamie Justman, HHS, NAVIT (Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology) career advisor; Bryan Lang, HJHS, AIA game official; Aaren LaRose, HHS, head volleyball coach; Athina Lewis, IWES, student council 2026/27; Jeremy Madison, HHS, head golf coach; John McDaniel, HJHS, sports help and boys head cross country coach; Nicholas Moyte, HHS, head cross country coach; Anika Francis, Mandi Chee, Gypsi Gover, Gabriel Nells, Sophia Nells, Courtney King, Jasilyn Yazzie and Theresa Yazzie, IWES, White Fleet drivers; Arletta Nez, HHS, assistant cross country coach and head track coach; Jerald Nez, Ashley Mitchell and Stephanie Thompson, HHS, mentors 2026/27 and tutorial; Rochelle Nez, IWES, sports help; Daniel Orton, HHS, girls assistant basketball coach; Victor Paz, HHS, girls head soccer coach and boys assistant basketball coach; Greg Perkins, HHS, girls head basketball coach; Beth Plumb, HJHS, girls head cross country coach; Amanda Remos and Rasheed Hollins, Hulet, Mentors 2026/27 and Park, SPED IEP liaisons; Meagan Newton-Pender and Monica Sanchez, Park, grade level chair 2026/27; Cayla Serna, HHS, assistant volleyball coach; Nichole Tow, Park, SPED IEP liaison; Rebekah Wilson and Marc Yazzie, IWES, game official and sports help. * Approved volunteers Antonio Aguilera, HHS, boys head soccer coach; Julian Chavez, HJHS, football coach; Toby Christensen, HHS, sports help; Angel Curley, Park, classroom help; Tom Gomez, Aaron Hush and Alan Roes, HJHS, AIA game official; Colleen Hubbard, HJHS, sixth and seventh grade softball, head volleyball coach and white fleet driver; Jerome King, IWES, football and softball; Adriana Monroe, HJHS, seventh grade softball coach; Daniel Moore and Donavan Rodriguez, HHS, assistant football coaches; Erlinda Murray, Park/Hulet, classroom help; Mark Oberriter, HJHS, sixth and seventh grade football coach; Jonathan Sample Sr., HHS, assistant football coach and HJHS, football coach; and Farrel Yazzie, HHS, boys assistant wrestling coach. * Approved professional leave for Meghan Carbonneau and Cheryl Carlson to attend the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America advisor leadership academy, Tucson, Aug. 31–Sept. 2, estimated cost to the district is use of a district vehicle; Cheryl Carlson, Northland Pioneer College educator preparation department meeting, Snowflake, Aug. 18, estimated cost to the district is use of a district vehicle; Karen Estridge, Connie Gover, Michaela Saxton and Andrea Tomlin, NAVVY, Flagstaff, July 22, estimated cost to the district is use of a district vehicle; Jeremy Madison, Future Business Leaders of America adviser leadership conference, Tucson, Aug. 24–26, estimated cost to the district is use of a district vehicle; Gabriel Nells, athletic directors meeting, Dilkon, Aug. 7; Amanda Remos, hearing/vison hands-on competency, Whiteriver, Aug. 7, estimated cost to the district is use of a district vehicle; and Loren Silver, Sparks of Possibility conference, Phoenix, Sept. 29 – Oct. 1, estimated cost to the district is use of a district vehicle.  * Approved expense and revolving fund vouchers totaling $248,523 for FY 2025/26 and $862,367 for FY 2026/27.       * Approved payroll and expense vouchers totaling nearly $946,582. * Approved personnel pay No. 4: curriculum development, classroom set up, project momentum, nurse’s hours and new teacher training, $36,454. * Approved HHS clubs and sports to run concessions during the sports seasons for SY 2026/27, expected to earn $1,000 to $3,000 per event; and HHS volleyball to host cookie sales, Aug. 14 – Sept. 4, expected to earn $5,000. * Approved Policy GCCA Professional/Support Staff Sick Leave for final adopted.  The updates include revisions to the policy to align to current practices.   * Approved Policy IKF Graduation Requirements for final adopted. The policy update outlines new language for accepting nationally recognized assessments by transfer students.  * Approved consent agenda items and expense vouchers.  Detailed information for all District expenditures may be obtained by contacting the School District business office located at 1000 North 8th Ave., or by calling 928-524-6144. The post Supervisor Alberto Peshlakai discusses road improvements for Indian Wells Elementary first appeared on Painted Desert Tribune. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a850e312c5335ae1048612a Maryland rocked by third beaver attack in weeks after 2 animals test positive for rabies te 2026-08-19T02:00:17.903Z Maryland rocked by third beaver attack in weeks after 2 animals test positive for rabies Maryland wildlife officials are searching for a beaver that attacked a 10-year-old girl at a state park, marking the state's third reported beaver attack in less than three weeks. The girl was swimming and wading with an organized group at Seneca Creek State Park in Montgomery County when a beaver attacked and bit her around 3:30pm Thursday, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Camp counselors intervened and removed the beaver from the girl before the animal escaped into the water, DNR said. The girl suffered three lacerations to her upper leg and was taken by family members to Suburban Hospital in Bethesda for treatment. DANGEROUS RABID BEAVERS ATTACK 2 TEENS, WITH 1 AIRLIFTED AND POPULAR PARK PARTIALLY CLOSED No other injuries were reported. The attack occurred at a bend in Seneca Creek near Berryville Road, close to the Potomac River. DNR closed the area, including roughly one mile of trail and river access points, until further notice while wildlife teams search for the beaver. Other parts of Seneca Creek State Park, including the Lake Area off Clopper Road in Gaithersburg, remain open. A separate group of people canoeing in the area also reported a beaver attempting to charge one of their boats, but no one was injured, according to DNR. HIDDEN DANGER AT POPULAR US NATIONAL PARK FORCES TRAIL CLOSURES AS BEAR SIGHTINGS CLIMB The Seneca Creek attack follows two beaver attacks at Cunningham Falls State Park in Frederick County, more than 36 miles away. A beaver attacked a 13-year-old swimmer at Cunningham Falls on July 26. Another beaver bit a 19-year-old fisherman on the ankle in the park's South Beach Day Use area on Aug. 5. The fisherman took himself to Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown, where he received treatment for rabies exposure and a tetanus shot, DNR said. Natural Resources Police caught and euthanized the beavers involved in both Cunningham Falls attacks. Both animals later tested positive for rabies. BEACHGOERS WARNED AFTER DEADLY 'FLESH-EATING' BACTERIA KILLS 5 IN SOUTHERN STATE Following the second attack, the Maryland Park Service closed the Houck Day Use Area, the adjacent boat ramp and Big Hunting Creek above the lake while wildlife officials investigated the incidents. DNR said the Seneca Creek attack is not considered related to the Cunningham Falls cases because of the distance between the parks and the home range and social behavior of beavers. Health department data also show no indication of a rabies outbreak in either Frederick County or Montgomery County, according to DNR. Beaver attacks on people are rare, the agency said, and are thought to primarily involve animals infected with rabies. Before this year's incidents, the last recorded beaver bites in Maryland confirmed to involve rabid animals occurred in 2021 and 2015. Beavers typically avoid conflict with people, according to DNR. The agency recommends maintaining a minimum distance of 25 yards from the animals in the wild. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a850e312c5335ae10486121 Prosecutors hammer Tyler Robinson bid to derail death penalty in Charlie Kirk murder case te 2026-08-19T02:00:17.183Z Prosecutors hammer Tyler Robinson bid to derail death penalty in Charlie Kirk murder case Utah prosecutors are urging a judge to send Tyler Robinson to trial on every charge in the killing of Charlie Kirk, arguing that the evidence against him is overwhelming and pushing back against the defense's effort to take the potential death penalty off the table. In a 19-page filing Tuesday, prosecutors responded to a defense brief asking Judge Tony Graf to throw out the sole aggravating factor that could expose Robinson to the death penalty. The defense has argued prosecutors failed to show that the shooting created a great risk of death to anyone other than Kirk. ACCUSED CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSIN TYLER ROBINSON ASKS JUDGE TO TAKE POTENTIAL DEATH PENALTY OFF TABLE Prosecutors said the evidence shows otherwise, arguing Robinson allegedly fired his grandfather's high-powered rifle toward a crowd of thousands, with several people in the line of fire or close to Kirk. They rejected the defense's argument that the bullet traveled above the crowd, saying people near Kirk were still within the "zone of danger" created when Robinson allegedly fired the rifle. "The evidence here easily establishes at least probable cause" that Robinson knowingly created a great risk of death to others, prosecutors wrote. They said the evidence is "more than sufficient to support a finding beyond a reasonable doubt." The state also took aim at the defense's broader challenge to the evidence presented during Robinson's preliminary hearing. CHARLIE KIRK MURDER CASE AS 'STRAIGHT-FORWARD' AS IT GETS, PROSECUTORS ARGUE AS CASE NEARS TRIAL DECISION "Defendant does not challenge the substance of the evidence demonstrating that he was the person who crawled to the sniper’s perch on the Losee Building rooftop, fired the fatal shot that killed Mr. Charlie Kirk, hid the rifle in a wooded area, got rid of some of the clothing he was wearing, and told his roommate to delete their texts about the shooting," prosecutors wrote. Prosecutors also accused Robinson's attorneys of relying on case law that was later rejected by the Utah Supreme Court while failing to alert the judge to those later decisions. "This blatant omission violates counsel’s duty of candor to the court," prosecutors wrote. The filing also defends a witness-tampering charge involving Robinson's roommate and an allegation that Robinson committed a violent offense in the presence of a child. UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY SCRAPS CONTROVERSIAL COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER WHO CRITICIZED CHARLIE KIRK AFTER HIS MURDER Prosecutors also argue there is evidence Kirk was targeted because of his political expression, pointing in part to a cartridge engraved with the words "Hey fascist, catch." Robinson, 23, is accused of fatally shooting Kirk, 31, as he spoke at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025. Robinson has not entered a plea. Graf is expected to decide at a Sept. 1 hearing whether prosecutors have shown enough probable cause to send the case to trial. Fox News' Lee Ross contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a850e302c5335ae10486118 Yankees' Jazz Chisholm boots routine grounder, immediately blames umpire as replay tells another story te 2026-08-19T02:00:16.495Z Yankees' Jazz Chisholm boots routine grounder, immediately blames umpire as replay tells another story New York Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. managed to turn a basic fielding error into an embarrassing display of deflection during Tuesday night's matchup against the Baltimore Orioles. After kicking away an easy grounder, he instantly launched into a rant against the second-base umpire, looking for a scapegoat the second things went wrong. The mistake came in a scoreless second inning at Camden Yards with runners on first and second. Carlos Rodon executed his pitch perfectly, coaxing Christian Franklin into what should have been an inning-ending double-play ball hit straight to Chisholm at second base. CINCINNATI REDS PITCHER RIPS 'F—ING FATA–' UMPIRE FOR GETTING IN DEFENDER'S WAY ON GROUND BALL Instead, Chisholm clanked the ball off his glove, loaded the bases, then somehow decided the umpire was the problem. Before the ball even stopped rolling, Chisholm was already pointing at second-base umpire Ryan Additon. The replay quickly killed the excuse, showing Additon standing exactly where he belonged while Chisholm simply butchered the grounder. Fortunately for Chisholm, Rodon bailed him out. With the bases loaded and one out, Rodon struck out Carlos Narvaez and Jackson Holliday back-to-back to strand the runners, allowing the Yankees to eventually walk away with a 3-1 win. JAZZ CHISHOLM JR GIVES BLUNT SELF-ASSESSMENT AFTER EMBARRASSINGLY FAILED ABS CHALLENGE The childish reaction comes during a miserable 2026 season for Chisholm, who dragged a pathetic .216 average into Tuesday after getting benched over the weekend. Jazz even offered his own brutal assessment earlier this year, stating, "It sucked. I've sucked all season. The numbers speak for themselves." ANTHONY RIZZO CALLS OUT JAZZ CHISHOLM'S 'IMMATURITY' AFTER EJECTION DURING YANKEES' FENWAY PARK SWEEP Chisholm got lucky his pitcher cleaned up the mess before it showed up on the scoreboard. Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a850e2c2c5335ae104860fc City of Winslow animal control faces issues with overcrowding te 2026-08-19T02:00:12.475Z City of Winslow animal control faces issues with overcrowding By Shawn White The City of Winslow’s animal shelter is dealing with overcrowding as the facility is housing 41 animals in a facility with 27 kennels, Police Chief Ernie Cano told the Winslow City Council last Tuesday, a count roughly 52% above what the building was designed to hold. The shelter had 35 dogs and six cats when the quarterly figures were compiled. “The numbers fluctuate daily,” Cano said. “Pretty often we are above what the capacity of the shelter is and we work with it.” Mayor Birdie Cano said she and Councilmember Darcey McKee had just returned from the Rural Policy Forum in Kingman with information from nonprofit organizations that work on dog and cat overpopulation and that the material would go to animal control. She said the programs described there run on volunteer and donor support rather than city money. “The idea is that it’s all public based,” the mayor said. The chief said that if the department cannot act on the information itself, “We can share with members of the community that might want to pursue trying to create something like that to help with that ongoing issue.” Animal control investigated six bite cases during the quarter and logged 23 incidents through the department’s system, a figure that does not capture walk-ins or calls placed directly to the shelter. Cano then informed the council that the police department is also using software that reviews every hour of body camera footage its officers record. Chief Cano said the program, called Truleo, has been in use since last July and analyzed 10,234 hours of video this quarter, flagging 25 events involving non-compliant subjects, 22 events in which officers maintained composure under pressure, 105 instances of high professionalism and eight expressions of thanks from community members. “It’s kind of like a quality control,” the chief said, noting the department does not have enough staff to review that volume of video by hand. Flagged clips are still checked by him or a commander, because the software cannot tell who is speaking. “So we have to go back and check it and verify”, he told council. If an officer used profanity inappropriately, he added, “then we can address it.” Elsewhere in the report, patrol handled 1,471 calls for service, 359 traffic stops and 300 criminal cases, part of 2,134 total patrol incidents that produced 266 misdemeanor and felony arrests and 124 citations. Code enforcement carried 62 open cases and collected 15 shopping carts and also helped an elderly resident clear debris the resident could not remove alone. Cano said he pushes that division toward that kind of work. “It isn’t just about getting out there and writing tickets,” he said. “I want them to be a little more community-based and community oriented, especially when there’s a need there.” The department added a community service officer, an animal control officer, a transport officer and two cadets now at the police academy in Snowflake. Cano also thanked state prison Warden Eduardo Barragan, who has since been transferred, for a security assessment of the holding cells, a donated bench for the break area and an ongoing project to replace the cell doors. The council voted to cancel both of its November meetings and to add a special session on Wednesday, Nov. 18. City Manager David Coolidge called it “a little bit of a wrinkle” in the usual practice of dropping one meeting around Thanksgiving. The scheduled Nov. 10 meeting falls the day before a holiday and, more importantly Coolidge note, “It’s also only seven days after the election. And so we don’t believe the canvass will be ready at that time.” The Nov. 18 date allows about 15 days for the canvass and is a night the meeting room at the Winslow Visitor’s Center is available. The council also canceled its second December meeting, which falls during Christmas week, leaving the Dec. 8 meeting as the only regular session between early November and the new year. Relic Road Brewing Company, located at 107 W. Second St., will move from a restaurant liquor license to a bar license after the council pulled the application from the consent calendar and approved it separately. Stephanie Armstrong, co-owner of the brewery, told the council the bar license was purchased for a planned Third Street location and that “because it’s not opened yet, that timeline is expiring.” The business has operated under a restaurant license for its nine years and does not intend to change how it operates. “We don’t plan on becoming a bar,” Armstrong said, adding that the company expects to return to the council to transfer the license once the Third Street building opens. The Friends of the Library will hold their annual book sale Sept. 17-20 at the Elks Lodge auditorium, opening with a members-only night Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. Public hours run Friday from 12 noon to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday from 12 noon to 4 p.m., with memberships sold at the door. Head Librarian Brandee Leary suggested a strategy for anyone hoping to get first look at the stock. “Best way to pick your books out is to come volunteer that Wednesday the 16th and help unload the books,” she said, “because then you can set anything you want aside.” Leary, during her quarterly report to the city council, reported that 467 people signed up for the summer reading program and read 567,000 minutes against a community goal of 400,000 and that 41 programs drew more than 1,330 people. The library also won a grant from the Arizona State Library and Archives, in partnership with Penworthy, for about $2,500 in educational kits spanning a wide age range. “A lot of people go, STEM it’s just for kids,” Leary said. “A lot of these are actually really good for elderly people who might need a little bit of hands-on.” Next summer’s reading theme, she said, will be mystery. On the consent calendar, the council approved the check register and previous meeting minutes, two Circle K liquor license applications for the 1702 N. Park Drive and 317 N. Williamson Ave., locations. Also approved was a memorandum of understanding with the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office that allows the Winslow Police Department to share and access law enforcement data through the Peregrine software platform, an agreement that requires no matching funds from the city. The post City of Winslow animal control faces issues with overcrowding first appeared on Painted Desert Tribune. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a850e2b2c5335ae104860f3 First permanent MRI machine in region comes to LCMC in Winslow te 2026-08-19T02:00:11.699Z First permanent MRI machine in region comes to LCMC in Winslow Photo by Shawn White A crane hoists Little Colorado Medical Center’s new 30,000-pound MRI machine into its purpose-built suite at the Winslow hospital on Saturday, part of a project totaling nearly $2 million. By Shawn White There is a new arrival at Little Colorado Medical Center (LCMC), and it came in through the roof. On Saturday, a crane lowered a state-of-the-art MRI machine, all 30,000 pounds of it, into a purpose-built suite at the Winslow hospital, capping a project years in the making and marking one of the largest single investments in the medical center’s recent history and over two years’ worth of work. The total price tag came in just under $2 million, covering not only the machine and accessories and equipment it also covered the removal and rebuilding of a section of the hospital’s roof to get it inside. For a 25-bed critical access hospital serving more than 30,000 people across northeastern Arizona, this represents a significant accomplishment during a time when just a few months ago the hospital was listed as potentially at risk due to cuts to Medicare. Until now, many local patients needing advanced imaging faced a familiar rural reality: the drive. A trip to Flagstaff often meant a half-day or more away from work and family, assuming an appointment could be found at all. And that is just for residents of Winslow. For the many patients who already travel 50 or more miles from the reservations and surrounding communities just to reach Winslow, a scan in Flagstaff could mean a round trip of well over 200 miles. The new machine changes that math, with routine outpatient MRI scans soon available right on Williamson Avenue and wait times that hospital leadership expects to beat larger regional facilities. Anyone who has been through an MRI knows the drill: a narrow tube, loud knocking and the slow crawl of the clock. LCMC’s new unit was chosen with that experience in mind and hospital CEO Travis Udall lights up when he talks about it. “Most of them are like two or three inches [from your face]. This one’s going to be eight or nine inches away,” Udall said, describing the experience as much better than an older machine. “It actually has surround lighting and music!” The table can also accommodate patients up to roughly 600 pounds, which means fewer people will be turned away or sent elsewhere because they simply could not fit. The larger space also allows for people, for instance, in a cast to fit even if they need to keep their body in a certain position that the smaller model could not accommodate as easily. The project hit its share of snags along the way, including construction challenges, crane logistics and a delivery pushed back a full year. Udall said they purchased the biggest MRI machine that they make and it had to be delivered using the largest crane available in the state of Arizona. But the delay came with a silver lining. LCMC had placed its order with vendor United Images last year, securing the purchase with nothing more than a purchase order, and when manufacturing delays pushed the timeline, the company made it right. “We didn’t even put any money down,” Udall said of the original order and the company even went above and beyond to compensate. Udall said they gave them the newer and more upgraded model instead of the one they originally ordered which he said usually costs $600,000 more. The service agreement carries its own protections too, with the vendor covering the hospital’s costs if the machine ever goes down. The MRI has been on LCMC’s wish list for a long time. It appeared on a hospital strategic plan dating back to 2016, a document Udall says he discovered months into the job, only to realize his team had already checked off two-thirds of it. The machine joins a wave of growth at the medical center, which has been steadily adding services in recent years even as rural hospitals across the country cut back. “The whole thing is going to be wrapped up in October, and then the state has to certify it,” Udall said, noting that certification applies to inpatient use while outpatient scans can begin sooner. Among those counting down the days is Maggie Sepulveda, a radiologic technologist who recently joined LCMC from Round Valley and will operate the new machine. At her previous hospital, the MRI lived first in a trailer and later in a modular building, so the new suite came as something of a revelation. “I’ve never worked on a brand-new machine, so I’m super, super excited,” Sepulveda said. “This is probably the nicest MRI room I’ve ever seen. It’s going to be something special.” The old setup, she said, “was nothing compared to this,” and the transition in Winslow has gone far smoother. She predicts the finished suite will compare to brand new rooms in big cities, then added with a smile, “but it’s going to be nicer, because you get us.” The MRI’s obnoxious roar, dreaded in waiting rooms everywhere, softens into something like a hum more than howl for the people who, until now, never lived close enough to hear it. The post First permanent MRI machine in region comes to LCMC in Winslow first appeared on Painted Desert Tribune. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a850e2a2c5335ae104860ea Holbrook council certifies election results te 2026-08-19T02:00:10.889Z Holbrook council certifies election results By Shawn White The Holbrook City Council certified the results of the July 21 primary election last week, confirming three new four-year council members and one two-year member while declaring that all four proposed charter amendments failed at the ballot box. According to the official canvass, that was adopted unanimously, the city’s 2,462 registered voters cast ballots. Adrian Tubbs led the four-year council seat race with 362 votes, followed by Karina Pack with 341 and Arcenia Pacheco with 310, all three winning seats. Alexandria Carroll won the two-year seat with 347 votes. The winners will be sworn in Nov. 18 following the Nov. 3 general election. Voters rejected every charter question put before them. Proposition 451, repealing the charter section on the city treasurer’s position and duties, failed 221 to 273. Proposition 452, on voter approval of certain public expenditures, failed 199 to 298, and Proposition 453, on the timing of election canvasses, failed 229 to 265. Proposition 454, addressing the use of gender pronouns throughout the charter, saw the widest defeat at 178 to 317. The council had already conducted an unofficial canvass at a July 28 special meeting to satisfy the charter’s requirement that results be canvassed within seven days, but official results from the Navajo County Elections Department arrived too late that week to adopt by resolution. Mayor Kathleen Smith noted Tuesday that the numbers had not changed from those announced at the special meeting. In the night’s most debated item, the council pulled back a proposed zoning change that would have opened the city’s C2 general commercial district, including much of the historic Route 66 corridor, to apartment conversions, sending Ordinance 26-06 back to the Planning and Zoning Commission after its first reading rather than advancing it to a scheduled second reading on Sept. 9. The amendment would have allowed multifamily housing as a conditional use throughout the district and created a legal pathway for motels to convert to apartments, something city staff say has already happened illegally at several properties operating with substandard conditions. “We just don’t have the legal framework to actually work with it,” Kevin Auster, the City Planner and Community Development staff member, told council. Smith, citing a citizen email forwarded to the full council, said her chief worry was the downtown core along Hopi Drive, where inexpensive commercial buildings could be bought up by investors for duplexes and triplexes just as the city hopes for retail growth. “We desperately need to look at our zoning issues,” she said. “We need opportunities for multifamily housing, but we do want to protect our commercial streets.” Other members pointed to burned out motels still standing, lost lodger’s tax revenue and the city’s enforcement record. “We get all these codes and we want all these ordinances and we want to do all these things, but then we don’t enforce any of them,” Councilmember Teri Tafoya said. “So my problem is if we’re not going to enforce what we approve, then there’s no point in approving it.” Auster acknowledged enforcement has historically lagged and said a citywide enforcement policy is under review with the city’s attorneys. He floated a compromise keeping parcels that front Hopi Drive and Navajo Blvd. purely commercial while allowing conditional multifamily use on land behind the main streets. The council directed staff to restart the process at Planning and Zoning and plans a work session, likely in September, that will include public comment. The council also advanced two grant funded projects. On a 5-1 the council adopted a resolution authorizing City Manager Randy Sullivan to apply for a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant for a new community park anchored by the city’s first fishing pond, a project estimated at $2.7 million with the city responsible for roughly half in matching funds that can include in-kind staff time. The pond would sit on the flood-prone ground near the BNSF property and is pitched as part of the answer to the area’s standing water and mosquito problems. Councilwoman Pacheco cast the lone no vote, questioning the roughly $1.3 million match and the cost of maintaining a seventh park. Smith stressed the vote committed the city only to applying, saying, “This isn’t the end all be all decision tonight,” and that acceptance would return to the council if the grant is awarded, which is expected to be known around January. The council separately approved $294,293.60 in new playground equipment for Hunt Park from vendor WillyGoat, funded by a $129,500 Arizona Public Service grant and by federal ARPA money set aside for recreation during the pandemic. Members struck a heavy-duty seesaw from the order over safety concerns and asked the city’s risk pool to review the equipment, which will replace the park’s central climbing structure and buried tires with a new structure. APS wants the project done by year’s end, with installation expected two to three months after approval. Two construction bids were awarded without dissent. Teal Enterprises won a $67,450 contract to build roughly 1,000 linear feet of six-foot block wall around the cemetery’s new section behind the American Legion, beating a $93,750 competing bid, with Sullivan telling the council the existing cemetery has about two years’ worth of plots remaining. Mr. Tanner Construction of Chandler, the sole bidder, won a contract of about $71,760 to apply a penetrating fog seal to Golf Course Road and the road to the firehouse; work expected this summer that may briefly close the golf course. In a late addition that prompted the amended agenda, the council approved a special event liquor license application for the Holbrook Chamber of Commerce for Wild West Days, set from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22, at the historic courthouse, where the chamber will partner with Empty Pockets on a beer garden. The council also settled its calendar through December. November will have a single meeting on Nov. 18 because Nov. 11 is Veterans Day and Nov. 25 falls the night before Thanksgiving, while regular meetings remain Sept. 9, Oct. 14 and Dec. 9, with Dec. 23 cancelled and Sept. 23 likely reserved for the zoning work session. Smith proclaimed Sunday, Sept. 6, as Rat Rod Day, when up to 125 custom rat rods on the Rat Rod Magazine Route 66 Invasion Tour are expected to arrive around 1 p.m. for photographs at the city’s new Route 66 sign on Hopi Drive and a luncheon hosted by Custom Stitch. In closing remarks, she thanked residents and city crews still working through cleanup from the flooding several weeks ago and Sullivan reported that Hill Road remains closed to protect an exposed water line, with reconstruction of the crossing set to begin in about two weeks. All council members attended except Councilmember Roxanne Pergeson, who was excused. The meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m. The post Holbrook council certifies election results first appeared on Painted Desert Tribune. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a850e292c5335ae104860e1 Supervisors discuss election concerns te 2026-08-19T02:00:09.884Z Supervisors discuss election concerns By Talaina Kor The Navajo County Board of Supervisors convened for a regular meeting Tuesday, Aug. 11, during which County Manager Bryan Layton presented regarding the July 21 primary election and to address questions pertaining to the 1,357 returned early mail-in ballots and the discovery of 3,000 blank ballots from the 2024 election. Layton explained that early ballots being returned by United States Postal Service is to be expected and not unique to Navajo County, but the usual number of returned ballots was not stated. “Ballots are designed not to be forwarded. They can’t be forwarded and that triggers additional steps to clean-up voter rolls.” Follow-up efforts were outlined for the board, including notification letters that were sent by the Recorder’s Officer as well as political parties providing outreach to all those whose ballots were returned, which included door-to-door and phone call outreach. A sample of 200 ballots were analyzed by the postal service, which revealed that 66% were returned due to a permanent, temporary or expired change of address on file. “Other reasons include address was vacant, insufficient address or PO box was closed,” stated Layton. New mailers that are designed to be forwardable, automated calls, emails and text messages are being implemented as additional notice avenues. Layton also encouraged residents to reach out to the recorder’s office with their updated address if they suspect their ballots were returned. The finding of 3,000 unused ballots at a Heber/Overgaard polling location was also addressed by Layton, in which he clarified the ballots were unused and still in shrink wrap from 2024 general election. “We are beginning our investigation and will report back.” Additional steps being taken while the investigation is underway includes a secondary audit by the county’s finance team at pre- and post-election, a comprehensive review of training manual and procedures, and an evaluation of potential implemented of on-demand printers to reduce pre-printed ballots. Layton also apologized for the wording in a press release the county shared on the matter on July 27. “In that press release it said that ballots were not returned as required. Now to clarify, poll workers are not responsible for returning ballots and equipment. That is the responsibility of county staff.” Layton stated that he received many comments interpreting the press release as blaming a poll worker for those ballots not being returned. “I apologize, that was not the intent.” Prior to the presentation, Vice Chair Dawnafe Whitesinger spoke on the issue. “In the light of the recent incident involving ballot discovery in a storage area, I have spent a considerable amount of time speaking with staff, reviewing the circumstances surrounding the matter and understanding the additional safeguards and procedures that will be implemented going forward.” She explained the importance of fair and secure elections and added her appreciation for the work being done by staff to rectify the matter and strengthen weak spots in procedures. “As a member of this board, I will continue to exercise the oversight responsibility entrusted to me and work to ensure that we protect both the integrity of our election systems and the confidence of the citizens that we serve.” Several county residents spoke during call to the public regarding the recent election, including Overgaard poll worker Jerry Hubbard. During the July 21 election, Hubbard stated it was at his polling location that an inspector found the 3,000 unused ballots. Hubbard was angered by the insinuation made, blaming poll workers in the press release. “This is just another example of the carelessness and breakdown of the chain of custody that happens with this election department,” said Hubbard. Kayenta resident Jaynie Parrish also voiced her concerns over elections conducted within the county, beginning much earlier than the July 21 election. “What started this concern is when the county elected a man in 2024 as their county recorder who pulled a gun on two young men, Native men, during a road rage incident. He was later indicted, appointed. He then resigned,” She continued, saying, “The board then appointed his replacement, a former state legislator, who, by his own voting record in the legislature, supported banning vote centers and restricting mail-in voting. He’s the one seeing over our elections now.” She also noted that the returned mail-in ballots contradicted claims from residents that their addresses were correct, which can break down trust amongst voters. “We know the legacy of how hard it’s been for Native people to vote, and we’re still fighting for that right today.” In addition to Parrish, members of the Hopi and Apache tribes also addressed the concerns regarding the returned ballots. Triston Black echoed Parrish’s sentiments and advocated for the county to be clear about its voting practices, how returned mail-in ballots work and protocol for overcoming barriers that can occur in rural areas on the reservation. “On election day, we saw a lot of flooding, we saw some power outages and a lot of unforeseen issues. So, what is the coordination plan for that?” asked Black. Brent Meyer also spoke during call to the public, imploring the county to allow for a discussion and vote on Flock Safety cameras, which are used as license plate readers that can log details on passing vehicles into searchable databases. The post Supervisors discuss election concerns first appeared on Painted Desert Tribune. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a850e282c5335ae104860d8 Who makes final the decisions? Property owner rights and public concerns for renewable energy te 2026-08-19T02:00:08.787Z Who makes final the decisions? Property owner rights and public concerns for renewable energy By Talaina Kor During last week’s Navajo County Board of Supervisors meeting, County Manager Bryan Layton provided a review and response to the board and those present regarding resident concerns regarding county operations pertaining to renewable energy. Layton provided a breakdown of the history of renewable energy, beginning with the 80% property tax sanctioned by the state in 2000. In his presentation, Layton spoke on the need to balance public outcry against wind and solar projects with the rights of private property owners, which use their land for these projects. “The balance point, provided by the legislature, are regulation powers. That’s the power of zoning, setbacks, buffering, permitting requirements and other standards.” Enhancements done in 2025 to strengthen ordinances were reviewed, as well as the difference between special use permits and development agreements, which are now used by the county due to being legally binding and providing greater certainty and adaptability to the county. “The concern about water usage and water sustainability is probably the most frequent concern that I hear from the public and from you as individual board members,” Layton stated, specifically regarding how much water is used to build windmill turbines. Using the West Camp II located North of Joseph City as an example, Layton explained that 18,000 gallons of water is used per turbine, equaling 2.6 million gallons for all 144 turbines being constructed. Layton acknowledged the size of that number but created necessary context for water usage. “Some things to keep in mind: It is a one-time use for construction, wind turbines do not require the use of water for ongoing electricity production,” he added that in comparison, 2.6 million gallons of water is roughly the equivalent to a week of watering for a single 18-hole golf course operating under Arizona Department of Water Resources’ allotment. Another issue presented by residents was a need for more public input, which the board plans to mend with the implementation of a two-meeting process. Meeting one will be for project proposals, which will include technical details, outlines and terms, as well as developer input and public comment. Meeting two will provide updates based on the previous meeting, as well as input from community and developers once again. Decommissioning standards for renewable projects and security bonds were also reviewed. In comparing 79 benchmark requirements for renewable ordinances in the counties of Navajo, Apache, Cochise, Coconino and Yavapai, Layton stated that it could be argued that Navajo County’s has the most comprehensive requirements based on the research. “The survey shows that Navajo County’s ordinance and development agreement process overall is not deficient compared to others,” later adding that it is “Comparatively, very strong.” The survey revealed that the majority of Navajo County’s requirements were labeled as either greater, or equal/comparable to other counties, with only six labeled as having lesser than or no requirements. The six requirements found within the county that were flagged as not in depth as others were in relation to solar, including total acre limit, periodic soil testing, glare study, height restrictions, setbacks and groundcover. Board directed staff to look at other counties in an effort to refine the county’s requirements on soil testing. Layton clarified that these markers do not indicate good or bad requirements, but rather are indicative that the language within those requirements could be viewed as either stronger or weaker in comparison to the others, and that the language and implementation varies greatly in each county. Despite the many calls to stop renewables from entering the county, Layton explained that in reality, it isn’t that easy. “Supervisors, we understand that some residents do not see the value in renewables, and even see them as a negative. Requests to rescind the updated ordinance and the comprehensive plan, however well meaning, would not stop the developments and would only remove all the additional protections and safeguards we’ve discussed today.” During call to the public on the presentation, five county residents spoke. Karen Allen said that while Layton’s presentation covered many of her concerns, she would still like to see more public input and transparency from beginning to end. She further stated her opinion on renewables options, saying, “I don’t see the need for wind and solar if there’s a proposed plan for a nuclear power plant in the Joseph City area.” While there are currently no specific plans for nuclear plant development, Arizona Public Service will be converting Cholla Power Plant, which was a coal plant that closed in 2025, to natural gas plant with an estimated completion date 2029. Layton responded to these concerns, stating that all studies for West Camp II have been published online, but staff will make efforts to post studies as soon as possible for the public to view. County resident Brent Meyer claimed that he didn’t see public being considered in the balance between private property rights and residents that are anti-renewable companies, “Where do we weigh on that balance?” he asked, referring to the public. This despite several mentions of public input and consideration during the presentation, along with the fact that Layton labeled one side of that balance being members of the public that are against renewable energy. Holbrook Councilmember Robert Black also spoke, particularly expressing complaints about the nightly blinking of red lights at the West Camp II, which were expected by the county to stop being continuous back in June. Layton acknowledged this issue of the aircraft detection lighting system, apologizing for the delay and explaining they are required to be off by ordinance unless an aircraft is in the area, but have remained on due to pending Federal Aviation Administration certification. “If they’re not all off right now, they should be turning off. And in the future, any of those red blinking lights should be turned off after FAA certification.” Supervisor Jason Whiting asked for clarification from County Attorney Brad Carlyon on the legal abilities of the county regarding renewable projects, which clarified that the state does not allow the county to prohibit renewable projects outright and prohibition would have to be done on a federal or state level, something that has been reiterated in prior meetings. “The restrictions you [Board of Supervisors] put in place would have to achieve a legitimate government purpose and could not be a centrifuge for prohibition,” explained Carlyon when asked by Whiting if the county could make ordinances so restrictive they become prohibitive. The county has provided clarification on its role in renewable development in numerous board meetings with little impact on those attending the meetings in opposition of this type of development. As noted in prior board meetings, approaching state legislature regarding the issues may be more impactful as the state sets the statutes that the county must abide by. The post Who makes final the decisions? Property owner rights and public concerns for renewable energy first appeared on Painted Desert Tribune. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a850e272c5335ae104860cf JCUSD board discusses district enrollment figures te 2026-08-19T02:00:07.619Z JCUSD board discusses district enrollment figures By Linda Kor The Joseph City Unified School District Governing Board met on Aug. 11, during which Superintendent Shannon Harvilla reported on student enrollment. He noted that district enrollment totaled 387 students, including 28 preschool students, 137 students in kindergarten through fifth grade, 93 students in sixth through eighth grade and 129 students in grades nine through 12. He noted that the FY2027 budget adopted in July was built on a projection of 357.5 K-12 students, not including preschool, putting the district two students ahead of that projection. “I want to be careful about what this does and does not mean. Two weeks of attendance is not a trend, and the number that actually drives our funding is the Oct. 1 count. Between now and then we will lose some students and gain others. What I can tell you is that the direction is the right one, and that the elementary is carrying it,” stated Harvilla. In the last board meeting the board approved the cost for homeschooled students receiving ESA funds and wanting to enroll in at least one class, club or sport. Harvilla reported that since that meeting 13 ESA students have enrolled, with the district receiving $15,500. Six of those students signed up for just classes, three for classes and an activity and seven for either a sport or a club. It was noted that this enrollment is not included in the overall full-time student enrollment numbers. “The dollars are not the part I care most about. Thirteen students who were not in our buildings in May are in our classrooms, our gym and our shop today. Seven of them came back through a sport or a club rather than a class, which is exactly the door I hoped they would use. A family that trusts us with a season is a family that may trust us with a class next year, and a student who competes in our uniform is a student who is one of ours again,” stated Harvilla. In his report, Harvilla noted that the new business manager, Caleb Layden is fully in the business manager role with consulting support at a fraction of the previous cost, which he projected will save the district about $80,000 this year. Harvilla informed the board that Layden contacted the Navajo County Treasurer’s Office to confirm the district’s line of credit and learned that the bank had canceled it. “For the record, the district drew that line every fall and spring for five straight years and repaid it in full every cycle, most recently a $1 million draw in September 2025 repaid in November. It was a working tool with a clean repayment record,” stated Harvilla. Later in the meeting the board authorized administration to request a revolving line of credit through the Navajo County Treasurer for Fiscal Year 2026-27 in an amount not to exceed $2.6 million. The board also authorized Harvilla to request an advance of basic state aid from the Arizona Department of Education. The funds are tax dollars provided to the district but since they are not provided when needed, a line of credit has been used to pay costs until the funding is received. If approved the advance would save the district an estimated $30,000 in interest costs. Two people spoke during call to the public, the first was Kelly Metzger encouraging participation in the Box Tops for Education collection for student supplies. The second speaker was Adrienne Bushman, informing the board of the new security procedures at the elementary school for students entering and leaving the campus. She emphasized that although some parents have stated they do not like the changes, viewing them primarily as inconvenient, the procedures have been implemented to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students. In other business, the board: * Approved expense vouchers. * Reviewed the student activities funds report. * Approved student fundraisers including the football camp for the high school football team and the high school cheerleaders selling ads. * Approved gifts and donations including six 98cc engines from GoPower Sports valued at $1,320 for hands-on learning, a donation of $100 for supplies from Harbor Freight and approximately $500 in school supplies from Blattner Energy. * Approved qualified evaluators for certified staff. * Approved the disposal of unused surplus furniture, equipment, books, vehicles and other items in compliance with Arizona statutes and administrative code via the online auction web service. * Approved personnel requests for Laurie Bowler, Chess Club sponsor, class sponsor, NCA chairperson and National Honor Society sponsor; Gianna Brawley, student worker; Micah Brawley, class sponsor and Skills USA; Brayden Bushman, student worker; Dan Bushman, graduation coordinator and Career and Technical Education director; Jess Bushman, class sponsor; Trenton Deets, student worker; Christian Delgado, student worker; Jeri Edwards, class sponsor and junior high student council advisor; Brad Fischer, class sponsor; Rosemary Fischer, student worker; Dominik Flake, volunteer; Michael Gayer, chess club sponsor and class sponsor; Justin Gardner, student worker; Kylie Hansen, student worker; MarijJoe Hansen, class sponsor; Dan Hutchens, class sponsor; Daniel Hutchens III, auditorium coordinator; Taura Isaacson, class sponsor; Aaron Johnstun, class sponsor; Trina Larsen, class sponsor and FFA assistant sponsor; Kylie Miller, class sponsor; Paxton Miller, student worker; Darrel Mosier, volunteer; Lillian Neal, class sponsor; Kalebrinta Nez, student worker; Jordan Pedersen, auditorium worker; Wylie Petersen, student worker; Amy Peterson, class sponsor, concession stand supervisor, FBLA sponsor and Red Ribbon coordinator; Dimitrios Rael, student worker; Synali Rael, student worker; Kay Rush, class sponsor; JJ Sander, student worker; Tyson Smith, class sponsor, Hot Rod Club advisor and Skills USA; Ed Sorgen, concession stand supervisor; Gina Spurlock, substitute bus driver; Sharon Spurlock, junior high assistant softball coach, Jean Varney, junior high/high school volunteer; Jennifer Westover, high school student council advisor; and Jason Whetten, drama coach. * Approved Board Member Lexi Nelson as the delegate to represent the JCUSD governing board at the Arizona School Boards Association Delegate Assembly to be held Sept. 12, with Board President Eldon Larsen as the alternate. * Due to the ASBA event, the board changed the September board meeting date to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15. The post JCUSD board discusses district enrollment figures first appeared on Painted Desert Tribune. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a850e232c5335ae104860c1 Harvard Agrees to $53 Million Settlement in Body Part Theft Scandal te 2026-08-19T02:00:03.732Z Harvard Agrees to $53 Million Settlement in Body Part Theft Scandal The agreement settles lawsuits filed by relatives of people whose remains, donated for medical research and teaching, were stolen and sold by the former manager of the school’s medical morgue. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a850bd22c5335ae10486049 Potential successor to cowboy hat-wearing Dem tops crowded Florida primary te 2026-08-19T01:50:10.820Z Potential successor to cowboy hat-wearing Dem tops crowded Florida primary Retiring Rep. Frederica Wilson's chosen successor has won the crowded Democratic primary to replace her in Congress. Miami-Dade County Commissioner Oliver Gilbert is now likely to follow Wilson, D-Fla., to Congress representing her safe blue seat in Florida's 24th Congressional District. The district is located in South Florida and includes part of Miami. It remains largely Democratic after Florida Republicans redrew the state's congressional map this year, though areas along the shore, including Miami Beach, are now part of a neighboring constituency. Wilson has been in Congress since 2011, first representing Florida's 17th Congressional District for a single term before redistricting spurred her to run in the 24th. TRUMP FLEXES GOP MUSCLE IN ARIZONA PRIMARIES AS DEMS DODGE FAR-LEFT UPSET She is perhaps best known for her eccentric attire, which centers on brightly colored wide-brimmed hats that Wilson regularly wears both inside and outside the U.S. Capitol. Her exit from Congress at the end of this year spurred a mad dash among Democrats to replace her, with seven people running in the party's primary. House Democratic leaders have stayed out of the race so far but are likely to coalesce behind the now-chosen winner. Wilson emphatically endorsed Democrat Oliver Gilbert in the race, declaring at a rally for the candidate, "If I am endorsing you, everybody in District 24 should be endorsing you." And while competitive, the race was notable in that it was not one of the litany of high-profile clashes between establishment Democrats and the far-left that have come to define the 2026 midterm season. BERNIE SANDERS, DSA REVEAL DEMANDS FOR DEM PARTY AFTER SOCIALISTS SWEEP NEW YORK ELECTIONS Far-left Democrats across the country, many linked to the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), have been posing competitive challenges and, in some cases, even unseating incumbent lawmakers within the party. Elsewhere in Florida, DSA member Oliver Larkin challenged moderate Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., in a district drawn to more heavily favor Republicans this year. Self-described socialist Elijah Manley is one of many challengers to Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., who has generated controversy for running in a majority-Black district after her own seat was changed by the Florida GOP-backed new congressional map. Wasserman Schultz won Tuesday night. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a850bcf2c5335ae10486030 Jack Rabbit Trading Post welcomes celebrity visitor te 2026-08-19T01:50:07.190Z Jack Rabbit Trading Post welcomes celebrity visitor Photo courtesy of Jack Rabbit Trading Post The Jack Rabbit Trading Post has a special visitor stop at this hoppin’ roadside attraction. Actor Erik Estrada (center) grabbed some souvenirs and had a visit with shop owners Tony and Cindy Jaquez (pictured). Also pictured are the Jaquez’s grandkids Maximo Aguilera (pictured with Tony) and Santi Aguilera pictured with Cindy. Estrada’s visit was part of the Great American Road Rally Celebrity Edition, a celebrity tour of Route 66 as part of the centennial celebration to raise awareness, drive fund-raising, and activate local communities. The post Jack Rabbit Trading Post welcomes celebrity visitor first appeared on Painted Desert Tribune. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a850bce2c5335ae10486027 Local marksman participates in national competition te 2026-08-19T01:50:06.377Z Local marksman participates in national competition Photo courtesy of Twyla Taylor Kelton Reidhead, a 2026 Holbrook High School graduate, recently had the opportunity to compete in the national high school .22 long rifle shooting event in Lincoln, Neb. Reidhead qualified for the National Arizona team throughout the year competing in events from August until June. He placed first overall in Arizona, which qualified him to go to nationals in July. The top four contestants from 44 states, five Canadian Provinces, Australia, Mexico, New Zealand and Guatemala all competed in Nebraska. Kelton had an amazing first round of shooting, placing him second out of more than 150 contestants. The top 20 advanced to the final round of shooting. Kelton placed ninth in this round. These combined scores gave him an overall placing of fifth in the nation. He received prizes and scholarships for college. The post Local marksman participates in national competition first appeared on Painted Desert Tribune. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a850bca2c5335ae1048601a ‘With All My Heart, Natalie.’ Trump’s Most Devoted Aide Emerges. te 2026-08-19T01:50:02.243Z ‘With All My Heart, Natalie.’ Trump’s Most Devoted Aide Emerges. President Trump’s White House aide Natalie Harp is always by his side. What, exactly, does she do? Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8509772c5335ae10485fdd NFL commissioner Roger Goodell confirms league wants multiple teams based outside the US: 'no doubt' te 2026-08-19T01:40:07.477Z NFL commissioner Roger Goodell confirms league wants multiple teams based outside the US: 'no doubt' The NFL has made no secret of its desire to increase its footprint internationally. Not content with dominating the domestic marketplace, commissioner Roger Goodell has been open about the importance of playing more games overseas. The 2026 season will already feature nine international games, spread out in different countries around the world. Melbourne, Australia hosts a week one game between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams. In week three, the Ravens and Cowboys will play in Rio De Janiero, Brazil. Then there are four straight weeks with games in Europe. Colts-Commanders in London in week four, Eagles-Jaguars also in London in week five, Texans-Jaguars at Wembley in week six, and Steelers-Saints in Paris in week seven. Later weeks feature the Bengals-Falcons in Madrid, Patriots-Lions in Munich and Vikings-49ers in Mexico City. ROGER GOODELL DISMISSES 49ERS COACH'S CONCERNS ABOUT PLAYING IN AUSTRALIA, SAYS IT'S PART OF LONG-TERM PLAN While most years had eight international games, and this upcoming season features nine, there's already been a vote to approve up to 10 non-US games starting in 2027. That vote also removed the ability of teams to prevent their home games from being moved to an international host. All this is to say that the international expansion in the NFL is only growing. And Goodell took that a step further this week, saying in a new interview that there will be not just one but multiple teams, plural, based internationally. "At some point, there will be NFL teams outside the USA," Goodell said in an interview with former NFL player Markus Kuhn for German media outlet RTL/ntv. "I have no doubt that this will happen one day." While he didn't specify a city, or cities, that would host these "teams," he made an even more aggressive prediction: that the new international destination could potentially hold a Super Bowl. NFL OWNERS UNANIMOUSLY VOTE TO BRING SUPER BOWL LXIV TO NASHVILLE'S NEW $2 BILLION STADIUM IN 2030 "There are definitely international cities that could host something like that," Goodell said. "But we would like to see an NFL team in such a city first." Just imagine, a Super Bowl played outside the United States. Fans will be thrilled. This isn't the first time Goodell has said the NFL is serious about expanding internationally. There's a nearly-limitless fountain of money available if the league is able to grow a serious permanent foothold in Europe, for example, and there is nothing the NFL cares more about than increasing its revenue. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM He's also spoken of a desire to host games in Asia, and Mexico City was a frequent destination from 2016-2022. How this would work, however, still seems up for debate and discussion. There are the obvious travel and logistical hurdles, especially if Europe is the ultimate choice, as seems likely. West coast teams would have 10-12 hour flights to London or Paris. Even East Coast teams would have to adjust to different travel schedules, time zones and jet lag. Then just imagine having a Super Bowl played at the Tottenham Stadium. Or Wembley. Or the Stade de France. How bizarre, off-putting and disconnected from the NFL would that be? Not to mention the difference in time zones leading to some, shall we say, interesting, scheduling questions. The Super Bowl typically kicks off at 6:30pm Eastern, but 6:30pm Eastern is 11:30pm in London. Moving the game to say, 8pm in London would mean a 12pm kickoff time on the West Coast, and 3pm on the East Coast. That's on Sunday, so it's less worrisome to not be in prime time, but it's hard to imagine the NFL upending tradition so thoroughly. Obviously, this is years, or even decades, away from happening. But the NFL and Goodell are clearly committed to putting teams, multiple teams, in other countries. Money comes first, last and always. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8507212c5335ae10485eb4 ‘Hebrew Hammer’ defeats social media influencer after bitter campaign marred by antisemitic posts te 2026-08-19T01:30:09.937Z ‘Hebrew Hammer’ defeats social media influencer after bitter campaign marred by antisemitic posts Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., has won the Republican primary in Florida’s 6th Congressional District, defeating a crowded field after a campaign marked by fierce personal attacks against him. Fine cruised to victory in a district rated solidly Republican by Cook Political Report, beating businessman Manuel P. Asensio, former challenger Aaron Baker, retired U.S. Army Reserve Brig. Gen. Charles Gambaro and social media influencer Dan Bilzerian, who unleashed a barrage of antisemitic attacks against Fine during the campaign. Fine entered the contest with major advantages, including a substantial fundraising edge and the backing of President Donald Trump. Trump endorsed Fine in October 2025, calling him a "MAGA Warrior." Fine, who was first elected to Congress in a 2025 special election after Mike Waltz resigned, has quickly established himself as one of the House GOP's most outspoken advocates for Israel and efforts to combat antisemitism and protect Jewish communities. Before coming to Congress, Fine — then Florida's only Jewish Republican legislator — earned the nickname the "Hebrew Hammer" from colleagues for that work, a moniker he has since embraced. TRUMP FLEXES GOP MUSCLE IN ARIZONA PRIMARIES AS DEMS DODGE FAR-LEFT UPSET Bilzerian is a social media influencer and businessman who built his online persona around being a playboy, posting videos and photos of himself surrounded by women. He is the founder of IGNITE International Brands, which sells products including disposable vapes, vodka and tequila. Bilzerian flaunts his sexually promiscuous lifestyle and has publicly described "manosphere" social media influencer Andrew Tate as a friend. Tate was arrested in Miami in July and awaits extradition to the United Kingdom, where he and his brother Tristan are charged with rape and sex trafficking. They have also been charged with similar offenses in Romania. Bilzerian has repeatedly drawn condemnation for antisemitic remarks and conspiracy theories about Jews. He has claimed Jews knew about the Sept. 11 attacks and were responsible for John F. Kennedy’s assassination, that Jewish people control the media and has questioned the number of Jews murdered in the Holocaust. JEWISH CALIFORNIA CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE SAYS HARASSMENT FROM GAZA AGITATORS WENT ‘BEYOND FREE SPEECH’ Bilzerian’s attacks against the Jewish community and Fine continued after he launched his campaign. Just days before the election, Bilzerian posted two photos of himself with supporters on X with the caption: "District 6 understands the jewish problem- Dan Blizerian." The social media influencer also posted a two-and-a-half-minute AI-generated campaign ad attacking Fine, calling him a "fat Jew" and including other antisemitic remarks. The video caught the attention of House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who condemned the video. "The vile attack ads against Congressman Randy Fine in Florida's 6th District are disgusting and should be condemned by all political leaders on the Right and Left," Johnson wrote on X. "Antisemitism and outward hatred of Jewish communities have no place in our politics or in America, and we will continue to call them out wherever they arise." SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER Before coming to Washington, Fine served eight years in the Florida House and then in the state Senate, where he chaired five committees. He became closely associated with school choice, immigration enforcement and legislation targeting what he described as harmful ideologies in schools. Fine, Florida’s only Jewish Republican legislator, has referred to himself as the "Hebrew Hammer." Fine’s victory sets him up for the November general election in a district rated safely Republican. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8504ca2c5335ae10485e56 Federal judge blocks Trump admin plan to move FBI headquarters to Reagan Building te 2026-08-19T01:20:10.181Z Federal judge blocks Trump admin plan to move FBI headquarters to Reagan Building A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s plan to move FBI headquarters into Washington, D.C.’s Ronald Reagan Building, preserving the previously selected Greenbelt, Maryland, site for the bureau’s long-planned new headquarters. U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang ruled Monday that the FBI and General Services Administration’s (GSA) decisions to select the Reagan Building were "not in accordance with law" and exceeded their statutory authority. The court also found the FBI’s decision to redirect previously appropriated funds toward the move was arbitrary and capricious. The FBI blasted the decision in a statement to Fox News. REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT MAKES DRASTIC CHANGE FOLLOWING DEADLY 2025 MIDAIR COLLISION "This is not the first time courts have tried to undermine the administration in its goal to make government more cost-effective for American taxpayers. The court has chosen to impermissibly intervene for political reasons. This FBI is mission focused and will continue the best course of action to meet the needs of law enforcement. Sycophants seeking to undermine the work of this FBI, which has led the largest reduction in crime in American history under President Trump, will not deter us." The ruling marks the latest turn in a fight stretching back more than a decade over replacing the deteriorating J. Edgar Hoover Building, which has housed FBI headquarters since 1974. The court noted that the building is obsolete, cannot house all headquarters staff and does not meet applicable security standards. GSA selected Greenbelt in 2023 after Congress directed the agency to choose among three previously identified sites: Greenbelt and Landover, Maryland, or Springfield, Virginia. But in July 2025, the FBI and GSA announced that they instead planned to relocate headquarters to the Reagan Building in Washington. GSA FINDS CHINA-MADE TECH LABELED ‘MADE IN USA,’ ORDERS SWEEPING FEDERAL PROCUREMENT REVIEW Chuang found that those congressional site-selection requirements prevented the agencies from unilaterally choosing a different location. The court said the Reagan Building was not among the three sites Congress authorized and that the FBI exceeded its statutory authority by selecting it. The ruling blocks the FBI from moving forward with its planned headquarters at the Reagan Building and reinstates Greenbelt, Maryland, as the selected site. The judge said Congress would have to change the law if the administration wants to pursue a different location. The White House referred Fox News Digital to the FBI for comment on the ruling. Fox News' David Spunt contributed to this reporting. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8504c92c5335ae10485e4d Portland parent fights child's elementary school over 'final straw' of adding trans-inclusive flag te 2026-08-19T01:20:09.536Z Portland parent fights child's elementary school over 'final straw' of adding trans-inclusive flag Portland, Oregon, mother Allison Roberts told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that she hopes her fight with her children's elementary school over a trans-inclusive flag will inspire others to speak out for their beliefs. "I think the increased political presence with the progressive flag was a bit much," Roberts said of her situation. "And I think that was the final straw that got me to open my eyes and see that, yes, the school had become a political apparatus. It wasn't my problem with the pride flag, per se, it is what I think is using it as a political apparatus and indoctrination for the kids." According to the Liberty Justice Center, which filed the lawsuit on behalf of Roberts last week, she initially expressed concern last year over Meriwether Lewis Elementary School's decision to repaint its traditional rainbow pride flag with an "Intersex-Inclusive Progress" variant, as well as an "identity flower" assignment given to her 11-year-old child that asked students to identify and discuss their gender identity with classmates and teachers. PORTLAND PARENT BANNED FROM SCHOOL EVENTS AFTER OPPOSING GENDER IDENTITY ASSIGNMENT FILES LAWSUIT Roberts described herself as a liberal Democrat but felt the new flag was a step too far, particularly given her religious beliefs, and warned that situations like hers are likely happening in other schools. "I never would have thought it would have happened in Portland, arguably one of the most, at least, vocally liberal cities out there. I really didn't think it could happen here," Roberts said. "So if it can happen here, I have no doubt that it can happen anywhere, and again, it's ... it's curriculum that is being stealthily placed into and around other curriculum. So I do firmly believe that it's happening everywhere." After receiving what she described as an unsatisfactory response from the school, Roberts wrote an open letter to the community against the school's policies, which she distributed on a public sidewalk outside school property. Roberts was later issued a one-year trespass order after a heated exchange with another parent, barring her from attending school events, including her child's graduation ceremony. When she reached out to the school for clarification, Roberts was reportedly told that it was a result of engaging in "harassment, intimidation, and threatening behavior" as part of a pattern of "animus and harassment targeting vulnerable members of [the] community." PARENTAL RIGHTS GROUP FILES COMPLAINT AGAINST OREGON SCHOOL SYSTEM FOR ALLEGED RACIAL DISCRIMINATION The Liberty Justice Center argued that the school violated Roberts' First and Fourteenth Amendment rights by stifling and retaliating against her speech criticizing the school's policies. Timothy R. Snowball, senior counsel at the Liberty Justice Center, also told Fox News Digital that the school's actions were particularly problematic given Roberts was criticizing the school outside school property. "Not only is that problematic for the First Amendment, but it really undermines our entire democratic system of government," Snowball said. "We have something called the marketplace of ideas in which each citizen is supposed to be able to participate. And hopefully, through that conversation, you arrive at the best policy prescriptions for everyone." "And so, shutting somebody down because you don't like what they're saying, really is problematic for that," he continued. "There's no offense exception to the First Amendment. There's no hate speech exception to the First Amendment. These are made-up words, made-up things, and so really what they are doing here is insidious, I think, on several different grounds." WASHINGTON MOTHER PULLS CHILDREN FROM SCHOOL AFTER PRIDE LESSON SHOWN IN MUSIC CLASS WITHOUT NOTICE Portland Public Schools declined to comment to Fox News Digital about the ongoing case. In the meantime, Roberts encouraged other parents to get involved with their children's schools and take action when necessary. "Don't be afraid to speak up. Be loud," she said. "I think the time for hoping that the common sense and the adults will enter the conversation and make things right is kind of over. And I think it is time for us to be vocal and to get involved."  "And I would say to people, get involved in your school, your kid's school," Roberts added. "Go take a tour when it starts up this year. That's all I'd say." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8502732c5335ae10485dfd Democrats get their man as scandals put once-safe GOP House seat in play te 2026-08-19T01:10:11.333Z Democrats get their man as scandals put once-safe GOP House seat in play A retired Navy helicopter pilot backed by the Democratic establishment cruised to victory in the Florida primaries on Tuesday night. Bale Dalton defeated ex-congressman Alan Grayson and progressive Marialana Kinter, another Navy veteran, for the Democratic nomination to run in the Sunshine State's 7th Congressional District, which is currently represented by Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla. What was once expected to be a safe GOP seat is now being viewed as a possible pickup opportunity for Democrats in November as scandals continue to pile up for Mills. WATCH: CORY MILLS BLASTS DOJ PROBE AS ‘POLITICAL OP' AHEAD OF FLORIDA PRIMARY The nonpartisan Cook Political Report downgraded Republicans' chances of keeping the district from a "safe" to "likely" win for the GOP. It's rated R+5, meaning Democrats could have a shot with the right candidate. Dalton is already on the House Democratic campaign arm's "Red to Blue" list, meaning left-wing leaders are expected to pour money and other resources into the race. He was also endorsed by progressive veterans group VoteVets, the moderate-left Blue Dog Coalition, as well as Reps. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., and Lois Frankel, D-Fla. Mills, who served in the Army, has been bogged down by controversies in recent years that have prompted two of his fellow Florida Republicans — Reps. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., and Mike Haridopolos, R-Fla. — to call for him to drop out of the race. REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER WELCOMES HOUSE ETHICS PROBE INTO SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HIM They backed challenger Ryan Elijah, a former longtime Orlando news anchor. Mills is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee and allegedly by the Department of Justice (DOJ), though he denied the latter probe's existence. Mills has also denied all wrongdoing. He went into his bid for a third term endorsed by President Donald Trump, though the commander-in-chief has not spoken on the allegations of sexual harassment and financial impropriety that have dogged the sitting Republican incumbent. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8502722c5335ae10485df4 Federal judge blocks Trump admin plan to move FBI headquarters to Reagan Building te 2026-08-19T01:10:10.564Z Federal judge blocks Trump admin plan to move FBI headquarters to Reagan Building \\\\\ A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s plan to move FBI headquarters into Washington, D.C.’s Ronald Reagan Building, preserving the previously selected Greenbelt, Maryland, site for the bureau’s long-planned new headquarters. U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang ruled Monday that the FBI and General Services Administration’s (GSA) decisions to select the Reagan Building were "not in accordance with law" and exceeded their statutory authority. The court also found the FBI’s decision to redirect previously appropriated funds toward the move was arbitrary and capricious. The FBI blasted the decision in a statement to Fox News. REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT MAKES DRASTIC CHANGE FOLLOWING DEADLY 2025 MIDAIR COLLISION "This is not the first time courts have tried to undermine the administration in its goal to make government more cost-effective for American taxpayers. The court has chosen to impermissibly intervene for political reasons. This FBI is mission focused and will continue the best course of action to meet the needs of law enforcement. Sycophants seeking to undermine the work of this FBI, which has led the largest reduction in crime in American history under President Trump, will not deter us." The ruling marks the latest turn in a fight stretching back more than a decade over replacing the deteriorating J. Edgar Hoover Building, which has housed FBI headquarters since 1974. The court noted that the building is obsolete, cannot house all headquarters staff and does not meet applicable security standards. GSA selected Greenbelt in 2023 after Congress directed the agency to choose among three previously identified sites: Greenbelt and Landover, Maryland, or Springfield, Virginia. But in July 2025, the FBI and GSA announced that they instead planned to relocate headquarters to the Reagan Building in Washington. GSA FINDS CHINA-MADE TECH LABELED ‘MADE IN USA,’ ORDERS SWEEPING FEDERAL PROCUREMENT REVIEW Chuang found that those congressional site-selection requirements prevented the agencies from unilaterally choosing a different location. The court said the Reagan Building was not among the three sites Congress authorized and that the FBI exceeded its statutory authority by selecting it. The ruling blocks the FBI from moving forward with its planned headquarters at the Reagan Building and reinstates Greenbelt, Maryland, as the selected site. The judge said Congress would have to change the law if the administration wants to pursue a different location. The White House referred Fox News Digital to the FBI for comment on the ruling. Fox News' David Spunt contributed to this reporting. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85001e2c5335ae10485d84 Never-Trump Republican is top Dem choice in crucial Florida primary te 2026-08-19T01:00:14.325Z Never-Trump Republican is top Dem choice in crucial Florida primary David Jolly, a former Republican congressman and now a Democratic candidate for governor in Florida, won a primary election on Tuesday evening, topping a crowded field of hopefuls to become the party's nominee to replace outgoing Gov. Ron DeSantis in the Sunshine State. DeSantis is prevented by term limits from running for a third term. Jolly’s win sets up a race to see if a moderate Democrat can tempt a solidly Republican state to voice its frustrations with the Trump administration and, more pointedly, with Trump himself. In many ways, that’s the crux of Jolly’s message as a candidate. HAWAII GOV JOSH GREEN CRUISES TO DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY WIN, SETS UP FALL MATCHUP WITH GOP NOMINEE Jolly previously served as the representative for Florida’s 13th Congressional District from 2014-2017, but, after losing the general election to Democratic challenger Charlie Crist, he began voicing disagreements with the direction of the GOP and President Donald Trump. In 2018, Jolly published an opinion piece with NBC, stating that "you can’t be never-Trump and be a Republican." "I was a sitting Republican member of Congress who took to the house floor and called on then-candidate Donald Trump to drop out of the presidential race," Jolly said. On the campaign trail in 2016, Jolly balked at a proposed "Muslim ban" Trump and the Access Hollywood tape in which Trump made crude remarks about advances toward women. IDAHO DEMOCRATS CHOOSE SMALL BUSINESS OWNER IN UPHILL RACE AGAINST INCUMBENT GOP GOVERNOR "Three years later, I find myself fully immersed in a dwindling coalition of Republicans often referred to as never-Trumpers. That is, I was immersed in that coalition — last month I came to the conclusion that it was time to finally leave the Republican Party and registered with no party affiliation," Jolly said. Now, running as a Democrat, Jolly has pitched himself as an opportunity to break Trump’s momentum. "Since the emergence of Donald Trump in 2015 when he came down the escalator, he has disrupted the entire American experiment over the last 10 years," Jolly said in a campaign video. "If in the state of Florida, Florida’s voters are the ones who say, ‘not anymore, ‘we will have provided a reset." Among his top priorities, Jolly lists insurance affordability, public schools and campaign finance reform on his website. He also supports more traditionally Democratic platform elements like increasing access to abortion. FLORIDA GOP GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARY CANDIDATE SAYS AS GOVERNOR, HE'D 'SHUT DOWN' EVERY ABORTION CLINIC IN STATE In his campaign, Jolly has raised nearly $6.4 million, according to the Florida Department of State Division of Elections. Having secured the nomination, Jolly faces an uphill race to the general election on Nov. 3. Florida last elected a Democrat for governor in 1994, in Lawton Chiles. Chiles served from 1991 until his death in 1998, just three weeks before the end of his second term. Most recently, DeSantis last won reelection in a 49.4% to 40.0% victory over Democratic challenger Charlie Crist, a former Biden representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85001d2c5335ae10485d7b Media executive overcomes Trump endorsement in race to succeed Byron Donalds in ‘circus-like primary’ te 2026-08-19T01:00:13.625Z Media executive overcomes Trump endorsement in race to succeed Byron Donalds in ‘circus-like primary’ Florida media executive Jim Schwartzel won the GOP nomination to succeed Rep. Byron Donalds despite President Donald Trump endorsing his opponent. President Donald Trump endorsed Catalina Lauf, who served in the Department of Commerce during his first term in office, on August 13, upending the race just days before voters headed to the polls in Florida’s 19th Congressional District. Tuesday night’s results bucked a trend of Trump-endorsed candidates fairing well in primary contests. As of mid-July, 97% of candidates endorsed by the president had won their primaries. Trump’s endorsement success rate has remained at 93% or higher since 2018, according to Ballotpedia’s election tracker. TRUMP MAY HAVE ENDORSED DARLINE GRAHAM, BUT GOP SENATE HOPEFULS AREN’T BACKING DOWN Lauf and Schwartzel weren’t the only ones to throw their hats into the race to be Donalds’ successor. The field in Florida’s 19th Congressional District also included former Rep. Madison Cawthorn, who lost his North Carolina seat after a series of scandals in 2022; former Rep. Chris Collins, a former New York congressman convicted of insider trading; and Jim Oberweis, a wealthy former Illinois state senator. The unusual cast of characters running in the election attracted amusement and ridicule from the national media. Axios dubbed the race "the GOP's carpetbagger primary" and wrote that "whoever claws their way through the circus-like primary is almost guaranteed a ticket to Washington." TLAIB UNDER FIRE FOR WORKING TO UNSEAT TWO JEWISH HOUSE DEMOCRATS IN FLORIDA On the campaign trail, Schwartzel attacked Lauf for running for Congress twice in Illinois before recently moving to Florida, arguing that his ties to the state ran deeper than hers. Lauf responded that she is a "blue state refugee," not a "carpetbagger." "I came here, I didn’t have a choice to be born and raised in Illinois, but I have a choice to live here," she said during a July debate. SOCIALIST INSURGENCY HEADS TO TRUMP’S BACKYARD, TARGETS PRO-ISRAEL DEMOCRAT Lauf accused Schwartzel of being behind the firing of a popular local meteorologist. Schwartzel responded that although he owns several local media stations, he did not have an ownership stake in the network that fired the meteorologist. Schwartzel said his supporters expressed anger after Trump endorsed Lauf. "The President endorsed my opponent tonight. You're hearing it from me before you hear it anywhere else," he said on the night of the endorsement.  "​​But let's be precise about where that anger belongs. Not with President Trump — I've supported him from the beginning and I'll support him after Tuesday. It belongs with the operation that worked this for months: the out-of-state super PACs that have poured millions into this district, the Washington consultants who packaged a candidate who ran for Congress twice in Illinois and sold her as Southwest Florida's choice, the people who decided our seat shouldn’t be settled in a room a thousand miles from here." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a85001c2c5335ae10485d72 Drew Brees gives his stance on Eli Manning's Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy amid strong debate te 2026-08-19T01:00:12.589Z Drew Brees gives his stance on Eli Manning's Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy amid strong debate Drew Brees has officially entered the great halls of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, as he, alongside other legends of the game, were inducted earlier this month. Brees’ career resume speaks for itself: second all-time in passing yards and passing touchdowns, Super Bowl XLIV winner and MVP, 13 Pro Bowls, and the list goes on. Brees was always going to see his golden bust on that stage in Canton one day. Others, though, have to wait their turn – if it ever comes. And one name in particular has been debated about since he retired from the game. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Eli Manning, a fellow quarterback, spent 16 years in the NFL leading the New York Giants to two Super Bowl victories, while joining Brees, though further down, on the all-time passing leaders lists. Surely, Manning should join Brees, his older brother Peyton, and the many others in the Hall, right? Over the last two years, though, Manning hasn’t received enough votes to be inducted. He missed being one of the 15 modern-era finalists for the second straight time this past voting period. So, does Manning deserve to be in the Hall of Fame? Brees gave his stance. "Yeah, he is," he told Fox News Digital, while also highlighting his work with DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS. "It's always funny to hear how people want to evaluate the quarterback position. I mean, look, there's so much that goes into it. It's body of work, it's consistency, certainly championships factor into it. I think when you look at all those things, it's hard to argue the things that he accomplished in his career with his two championships, and then, you know, his body of work and his consistency. " ADAM VINATIERI SHAMED INTO OFFERING APOLOGY AND EXPLANATION FOR HALL OF FAME SPEECH THAT WAS EPIC Brees called what Manning did across his 16 seasons leading one of the most iconic franchises in the sport "impressive." And it’s hard to ignore the fact it was done against a generation of fantastic quarterbacks like himself, Peyton, Tom Brady, who Eli beat in his two Super Bowl appearances, and more. "I think overall I look at this era that we had a chance to be a part of," Brees explained. "It started with Peyton [Manning]. You go Peyton, Tom Brady, my draft in '01, and that ‘04 draft was impressive with Eli, with Philip [Rivers]. With Ben Roethlisberger and then Aaron Rodgers coming the year after that. "I kind of look at that as kind of an era of quarterbacks that we all battled against each other, man. It was some epic battles , too, when you look at them. I think we all brought out the best in each other in a lot of ways because we knew what we were going up against week in and week out." The argument against Eli, however, is that there was too much mediocrity in his career despite the greatness he showcased. He owned an even 117-117 record in the regular season. Eli also never made a first-team All-Pro squad, while never once receiving a vote for AP NFL MVP. Then, there’s the turnovers. Eli was never afraid to fit the football in any window, or allow his receivers to make a play – the David Tyree helmet catch in Super Bowl XLII is a prime example of that. But he led the NFL in interceptions three separate times, while owning a completion rate of 60.3% on his passes. But then again, Manning’s durability (210 consecutive regular-season games played for the Giants), career totals and the ability to clutch up in the playoffs against a dynasty in the New England Patriots twice in the biggest game on the gridiron, let alone other postseason moments, is too great a resume to ignore. At least, it is for Brees, who believes Manning will eventually hear his name called to Canton one day. FOOTBALL ALL IN ONE PLACE Outside of football, Brees is also a businessman, being a co-owner and partner in Walk-on’s Sports Bistreaux, one of the fastest-growing sports bar franchise concepts in the country. It began in Louisiana, has grown to 80-plus units, and it continues to pave its way through the country. As a sports bar concept, there’s nothing that matters more than having any game, any time, for customers walking into the establishment. Football is king in the Southeast, as well as throughout the rest of the country, and DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS makes it easy for those like Brees to bring together live TV and streaming networks all in one place. More than 300,000 bars and restaurants have access to local, national, college and pro games for fans to watch through DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS. "We pride ourselves on Louisiana-inspired cuisine. It's unbelievable food," Brees said of Walk-on’s Sports Bistreaux. "My kids crave it all the time. But like a really family-friendly atmosphere, you know, whether it's date night, bring the family, bring the little league after the game — something for everybody. Obviously, it’s sports, and high energy, and excitement on the TV all the time. Thanks to our partnership with DirecTV for Business, that's what allows us to basically have access to every college and pro game around the country. And that's not just football. We're talking basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer. So big events like March Madness and the Kentucky Derby, Masters — you name it. So, we're really appreciative of that DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS partnership. It allows us to help create that energy and excitement around our establishments. "And for the fans themselves, sportsbarfinder.com allows them to find those sports from DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS at their local spot anywhere in the country, which Brees loved to see. "There's a saying: fans have more friends. You know, they really do. You step into your local sports bar wearing the local jersey. Man, all of a sudden, next thing you know, you're high- fiving everybody and you just made 100 more friends. That's the kind of atmosphere and that's what sports does, it brings people together," he said. 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/6a84fdc52c5335ae10485d03 Never-Trump Republican is Dem’s top choice in crucial Florida primary te 2026-08-19T00:50:13.109Z Never-Trump Republican is Dem’s top choice in crucial Florida primary David Jolly, a former Republican congressman and now a Democratic candidate for governor in Florida, won a primary election on Tuesday evening, topping a crowded field of hopefuls to become the party's nominee to replace outgoing Gov. Ron DeSantis in the Sunshine State. DeSantis is prevented by term limits from running for a third term. Jolly’s win sets up a race to see if a moderate Democrat can tempt a solidly Republican state to voice its frustrations with the Trump administration and, more pointedly, with Trump himself. In many ways, that’s the crux of Jolly’s message as a candidate. HAWAII GOV JOSH GREEN CRUISES TO DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY WIN, SETS UP FALL MATCHUP WITH GOP NOMINEE Jolly previously served as the representative for Florida’s 13th Congressional District from 2014-2017, but, after losing the general election to Democratic challenger Charlie Crist, he began voicing disagreements with the direction of the GOP and President Donald Trump. In 2018, Jolly published an opinion piece with NBC, stating that "you can’t be never-Trump and be a Republican." "I was a sitting Republican member of Congress who took to the house floor and called on then-candidate Donald Trump to drop out of the presidential race," Jolly said. On the campaign trail in 2016, Jolly balked at a proposed "Muslim ban" Trump and the Access Hollywood tape in which Trump made crude remarks about advances toward women. IDAHO DEMOCRATS CHOOSE SMALL BUSINESS OWNER IN UPHILL RACE AGAINST INCUMBENT GOP GOVERNOR "Three years later, I find myself fully immersed in a dwindling coalition of Republicans often referred to as never-Trumpers. That is, I was immersed in that coalition — last month I came to the conclusion that it was time to finally leave the Republican Party and registered with no party affiliation," Jolly said. Now, running as a Democrat, Jolly has pitched himself as an opportunity to break Trump’s momentum. "Since the emergence of Donald Trump in 2015 when he came down the escalator, he has disrupted the entire American experiment over the last 10 years," Jolly said in a campaign video. "If in the state of Florida, Florida’s voters are the ones who say, ‘not anymore, ‘we will have provided a reset." Among his top priorities, Jolly lists insurance affordability, public schools and campaign finance reform on his website. He also supports more traditionally Democratic platform elements like increasing access to abortion. FLORIDA GOP GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARY CANDIDATE SAYS AS GOVERNOR, HE'D 'SHUT DOWN' EVERY ABORTION CLINIC IN STATE In his campaign, Jolly has raised nearly $6.4 million, according to the Florida Department of State Division of Elections. Having secured the nomination, Jolly faces an uphill race to the general election on Nov. 3. Florida last elected a Democrat for governor in 1994, in Lawton Chiles. Chiles served from 1991 until his death in 1998, just three weeks before the end of his second term. Most recently, DeSantis last won reelection in a 49.4% to 40.0% victory over Democratic challenger Charlie Crist, a former Biden representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84fdbf2c5335ae10485ccd 5 Things to Know About David Jolly, the Democratic Nominee for Florida Governor te 2026-08-19T00:50:07.188Z 5 Things to Know About David Jolly, the Democratic Nominee for Florida Governor A former Republican, he plans to run on an affordability agenda. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84fdbe2c5335ae10485cc4 5 Things to Know About Byron Donalds, Republican Nominee for Florida Governor te 2026-08-19T00:50:06.344Z 5 Things to Know About Byron Donalds, Republican Nominee for Florida Governor Representative Donalds, the Republican nominee for governor of Florida, made a name as a Black conservative in Congress, but his loyalty to President Trump has been his ticket. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84fb722c5335ae10485532 Trump's support doesn't save scandal-plagued lawmaker in primary te 2026-08-19T00:40:18.861Z Trump's support doesn't save scandal-plagued lawmaker in primary President Donald Trump's endorsement was not enough to save one scandal-plagued Florida congressman on Tuesday night, as the 2026 primary season took the head of yet another House incumbent. Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., lost his bid for a third term representing the Sunshine State's 7th Congressional District as a House Ethics Committee investigation and alleged federal probe weighed down his candidacy. The winner in the race was Ryan Elijah, a former Orlando-area news anchor for FOX 35 and a one-time NFL sideline reporter who. WATCH: CORY MILLS BLASTS DOJ PROBE AS ‘POLITICAL OP' AHEAD OF FLORIDA PRIMARY Elijah lives in Seminole County with his wife where they pair raised their two adult sons, according to his campaign website. The win is undoubtedly an upset victory against Mills, who held a sizable lead in multiple polls leading up to primary night and earned the most important and coveted endorsement in GOP politics. But the effort to oust Mills from Congress has lasted months, and was ultimately successful. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., led a failed bipartisan effort to censure Mills and threatened to push for his expulsion, though she later backed off the latter measure. She also endorsed Elijah's bid against the Florida lawmaker. Earlier this month, Reps. Mike Haridopolos, R-Fla., and Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., announced they were also endorsing Elijah over Mills in a race for the seat in their home state. Mills, a military veteran, referenced his Trump endorsement several times on the campaign trail as he downplayed scandals plaguing his bid to keep his job. REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER WELCOMES HOUSE ETHICS PROBE INTO SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HIM Mills is the latest in a strong of House Republicans to fall amid scandals in recent months. Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., dropped his re-election bid in the wake of an explosive House Ethics Committee report that accused him of harassing two young female staffers. House Democrats also targeted Mills as a potential vulnerability for the GOP in the 2026 midterms. It's not clear if they will put the same focus on Elijah now that he ousted the embattled congressman. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84f9132c5335ae10484c04 Progressive Florida lawmaker Angie Nixon topples Trump impeachment witness in Dem Senate primary upset te 2026-08-19T00:30:11.887Z Progressive Florida lawmaker Angie Nixon topples Trump impeachment witness in Dem Senate primary upset Florida state Rep. Angie Nixon defeated retired Army Lt. Col. Alex Vindman in the state’s Democratic Senate primary Tuesday, pulling off an upset over the nationally known Trump impeachment witness and advancing to the general election that will select who will finish out the remainder of Marco Rubio’s former seat. Nixon’s victory came despite a massive fundraising advantage for Vindman, who entered the race with a national profile stemming from his role in President Donald Trump’s first impeachment.  Nixon will now face Trump-backed Sen. Ashley Moody, R-Fla., in November for the right to serve the remaining two years of Rubio’s Senate term. Moody was appointed by Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis after Rubio vacated his seat to join the Trump administration, but must win in November to retain the seat through the end of his term. FLORIDA COLD-CASE SUSPECT ALLEGEDLY CONFESSES TO 1987 MURDER AND REVEALS SECRET CRIME SCENE DETAILS Nixon, a Jacksonville Democrat first elected to the Florida House in 2020, entered politics after years of community and labor organizing. Her campaign describes her as a union organizer, and SEIU says Nixon served as state field director for SEIU Florida and as director of the Florida Public Service Union’s Higher Education Campaign. The union also identifies Nixon as an SEIU member, while her official Florida House biography lists her occupation as "Higher Education Director." In an exclusive Fox News interview days before the primary, Nixon defended her support for abolishing ICE, arguing that existing law enforcement agencies could handle criminal conduct and saying, "Immigration is not a criminal issue. It’s a civil issue." She also backed freezing rents nationwide for at least one year, blaming rising costs on "corporate greed" and insurance companies. Asked about the cost of Medicare for All and her other economic priorities amid the rising national debt, Nixon said she would not raise taxes on the middle class and added that "the only debt that I’m concerned about is the debt of hardworking, everyday people." She also declined to commit to supporting Schumer as the Senate’s Democratic leader, saying Democrats need "new leadership all across the country." RUBIO TESTIFIES IN TRIAL OF EX-FLORIDA CONGRESSMAN ALLEGEDLY HIRED BY MADURO GOVERNMENT TO LOBBY FOR VENEZUELA Nixon’s relationship with the Democratic Socialists of America also drew attention during the primary. Nixon told public radio in July that she was a DSA member, but DSA officials told Fox News on primary night that she had previously belonged to a local chapter and unsuccessfully sought its endorsement, while saying her current membership status was unclear. Fox News reached out to Nixon’s campaign for clarification. Vindman, meanwhile, entered the contest as its most nationally recognizable Democrat. The retired lieutenant colonel was serving on the National Security Council when he raised concerns about Trump’s 2019 call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and later became a central witness in the impeachment inquiry. Vindman reported approximately $14.6 million in campaign receipts through June 30, more than 20 times the roughly $625,000 reported by Nixon during the same election cycle, according to FEC records. Nixon will vhead into November trying to break a long Democratic drought in the Sunshine State. No Democrat has won a Florida U.S. Senate election since 2012. The winner in November will serve through the end of Rubio’s term before the seat is contested again in 2028. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84f90d2c5335ae10484bd1 Former Mayor of Boca Raton Wins G.O.P. Primary in Florida’s 25th District te 2026-08-19T00:30:05.417Z Former Mayor of Boca Raton Wins G.O.P. Primary in Florida’s 25th District Scott Singer will face the winner of the Democratic primary in one of the most competitive House races in the nation. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84f6be2c5335ae10484b86 Rep Ralph Norman calls Senate hiatus 'a slap in the face' while SAVE Act remains stalled te 2026-08-19T00:20:14.115Z Rep Ralph Norman calls Senate hiatus 'a slap in the face' while SAVE Act remains stalled Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., criticized Senate Republican leaders for taking a five-week recess while conservative priorities, including the SAVE America Act, remained stalled in the Senate. Speaking on the "Fox News Rundown" podcast recently, Norman discussed his campaign and scolded Senate Majority Leader John Thune for allowing the break with so many issues in flux. "To go on a five-week hiatus is an abomination to — and a slap in the face of — people all over this country. That's what I want to change," Norman told Fox News senior White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich. SEN RICK SCOTT: AMERICANS WORK FIVE DAYS A WEEK, WHY CAN’T THE SENATE? Senators began their break on Aug. 8 and won’t return to Washington, D.C., until Sept. 14. Several conservative priorities remain stalled in the Senate, including the SAVE America Act, a House-passed bill requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. Norman said there’s "no more important legislation than the SAVE Act" and called on senators to focus on passing it.  "If we don't know that American citizens are voting for the leaders of our great country, what do we have? We don't have a democracy," Norman said. He criticized the Senate’s progress on conservative priorities but stopped short of calling for Thune’s removal as Majority leader. TRUMP'S VOTER ID BILL CATCHES UNLIKELY BREAK AS MCCONNELL REMAINS SIDELINED "Here's what disappoints me with Sen. Thune: I like him. I've met him. What frustrates me is we keep hearing the same refrain. 'We don't have the votes.' How long are we going to hear that? Are you staying in session, or are you going on a five-week hiatus like they did?" Norman said. "We've got to dial into fixing this country in a way that we haven't had to do. It's D-Day now. It's time to do it," he later added. Though Norman focused his criticism on the Senate, both chambers of Congress are on their scheduled August recess. The Senate has also previously held votes on election integrity and voter ID measures during late-night floor sessions, but none secured the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster.  Norman also addressed President Donald Trump’s decision to endorse his primary opponent, Darline Graham.  "I wanted the president's endorsement, I called him. He chose otherwise, that's fine. South Carolina will pick the next senator for six years," Norman said. Graham and Norman advanced to an Aug. 25 runoff following South Carolina’s special Republican primary on Aug. 11. Both are vying for the Republican nomination to succeed the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died on July 11. Darline Graham, Lindsey Graham’s sister, was appointed to finish her brother’s term and is now seeking a full six-year term. Trump endorsed Darline Graham in a Truth Social post following her brother’s death, writing, "She is a spectacular person, and a true American Patriot. Lindsey was one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, and his sister shares his deep love of our Country, and the State of South Carolina." RALPH NORMAN SUGGESTS SPECIAL GOP PRIMARY RUNOFF RIVAL DARLINE GRAHAM IS THE ESTABLISHMENT'S CHOSEN CANDIDATE "I asked Darline, for the Good of our Nation, to run for the U.S. Senate in the Special Republican Primary on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. I hope Darline does this, in that there would be nobody better to honor the legacy of her beloved brother, Lindsey," Trump added. Norman announced his Senate bid during an interview with "Saturday in America" host Kayleigh McEnany in July, telling her, "I'm here to announce that I will be a candidate for the Senate. I'll be throwing my hat in the ring. And day one, Kayleigh, I will be laser-focused on passing President Trump's America First, and it starts with the SAVE America Act." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84f6bd2c5335ae10484b7d Israeli student wins gold at computer science olympiad in Uzbekistan then gets disqualified for flag te 2026-08-19T00:20:13.353Z Israeli student wins gold at computer science olympiad in Uzbekistan then gets disqualified for flag An Israeli high school computer science prodigy was erased from the official leaderboard at an international competition in Uzbekistan after displaying an Israeli flag on the victory podium. Yotam Budnik, a 12th-grade student from Rehovot, won a gold medal at the 2026 International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) before being disqualified for displaying the Israeli flag. Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported that Budnik displayed the flag amid restrictions on Israeli students representing their country at the competition. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Budnik brought an Israeli flag with him and unveiled it after taking the stage, according to reports of the incident. The display defied restrictions preventing Israeli participants from competing under their national flag. Following the display, Budnik's official recognition was revoked and organizers sought the return of his physical gold medal, according to reports. Budnik reportedly refused to return it. The disqualification stands in stark contrast to Budnik's experience just weeks earlier at the International Mathematical Olympiad in Shanghai, China, where he won gold while representing Israel. Budnik also openly displayed the Israeli flag following his victory in Shanghai without facing a similar sanction. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE The disparate treatment meant that an expression of Israeli national identity that carried no apparent consequence in Shanghai was followed weeks later in Uzbekistan by Budnik's disqualification and removal from the official standings. Official IMO results show Budnik finished 23rd among 666 competitors from 117 countries, earning a gold medal with 33 out of a possible 42 points. The result marked Budnik's second consecutive gold at the prestigious mathematics competition after he also won gold in 2025. He earned bronze in 2024. Budnik later criticized the restrictions as political and maintained that the disqualification did not diminish his achievement. While organizers in Uzbekistan could erase Budnik's name from the leaderboard, they reportedly could not reclaim the gold medal. Budnik refused to give it back. OutKick reached out to the International Olympiad in Informatics for clarification on what rule Budnik was found to have violated and the basis for his disqualification, but did not receive an immediate response. Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84f6bc2c5335ae10484b74 Trump's handpicked DeSantis successor wins crowded GOP primary for Florida governor te 2026-08-19T00:20:12.518Z Trump's handpicked DeSantis successor wins crowded GOP primary for Florida governor President Donald Trump's handpicked successor to Gov. Ron DeSantis cruised to victory in the Republican gubernatorial primary Tuesday despite a crowded field including several Florida heavy hitters. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., a third-term congressman and former Florida state lawmaker, easily defeated his Republican opponents, garnering ()% of the vote. Already one of the GOP’s most recognized figures, Donalds’ campaign was further boosted by Trump’s endorsement, which came even before he announced he was running in February 2025. In second was current Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, a close ally of the governor who explicitly ran on a platform to "protect the DeSantis legacy." Despite heavy support from the Florida GOP establishment, Collins ultimately garnered just ()% of the vote on Tuesday night. DeSantis did not endorse in the primary to succeed him. Collins, however, emphasized that DeSantis appointed him. SOCIALIST INSURGENCY STORMS TRUMP’S BACKYARD, WITH PRO-ISRAEL DEMOCRATS IN CROSSHAIRS With the GOP nomination secured, Donalds is expected to have a major advantage in the general election as Florida has grown increasingly red over the last decade. Donalds is running on a platform to "enact the Trump agenda" in Florida, including immigration enforcement, and has placed a heavy emphasis on affordability, deregulation and lower taxes. He has also campaigned on growing Florida’s infrastructure and completing the Everglades restoration. DESANTIS' REDISTRICTING FIGHT GETS MAJOR BOOST FROM HIS POTENTIAL GOP SUCCESSOR: 'DOING THE RIGHT THING' He is a longtime Trump ally, most significantly supporting him over DeSantis in the 2024 Republican presidential primary. Even before announcing his campaign, Trump issued a preemptive endorsement of Donalds in February 2025. In a social media post,, Trump wrote, "Byron Donalds would be a TRULY GREAT and POWERFUL Governor for Florida and, should he run, will have my complete and total endorsement. RUN, BYRON, RUN!" TRUMP’S AFFORDABILITY PLAN FACES CONSERVATIVE PUSHBACK AS POCKETBOOK ISSUES LOOM OVER MIDTERMS Now, Donalds will (likely) face off against David Jolly, a former Republican congressman who left the party in 2018 and is now running for Florida governor as a Democrat. Jolly is also running on an affordability message and has cast the election as "a decision about what Florida becomes next." Whichever candidate emerges victorious will succeed DeSantis, a popular two-term governor exiting office because he is term-limited.v Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84f6bb2c5335ae10484b6b Caitlin Clark helps WNBA shatter another TV ratings record as Fever-Dream draws massive audience te 2026-08-19T00:20:11.789Z Caitlin Clark helps WNBA shatter another TV ratings record as Fever-Dream draws massive audience Caitlin Clark is doing that thing again. You know, the thing where she plays basketball and the WNBA suddenly posts a television number that was literally impossible in the 15 years before she entered the league. Clark and the Indiana Fever faced Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream on Sunday, and the game averaged 2.6 million viewers on ESPN, making it the most-watched WNBA game in cable television history. CAITLIN CLARK AND ANGEL REESE RIVALRY GETS A NEW CHAPTER IN FEVER-DREAM OVERTIME THRILLER Not just a regular-season game. Not just an ESPN game. Any WNBA game ever on cable, regular season or playoffs. The audience peaked at a whopping 4 million viewers as the game went down to the wire and eventually reached overtime. The average audience was up 178% compared to ESPN's WNBA regular-season average last year. Yeah, that's a pretty big number. Of course, it probably didn't hurt that the game featured Clark and Reese. The rivalry between the two stars dates back to the 2023 NCAA women’s national championship game, when Reese's LSU Tigers defeated Clark's Iowa Hawkeyes and Reese famously, and without class, taunted Clark in the closing moments. Since then, Clark-Reese matchups have consistently brought eyeballs to women's basketball, first in college and then in the WNBA. ANGEL REESE AND CAITLIN CLARK EXCHANGE WORDS IN SECOND DREAM-FEVER MEETING IN THREE DAYS Plus, unlike some of their previous WNBA matchups, Sunday's game actually lived up to the hype. Indiana erased an eight-point second-half deficit and forced overtime before defeating Atlanta, 95-91. Clark led the Fever with 26 points and nine assists, while Reese posted 15 points, 14 rebounds and six assists for the Dream. Clark hit two clutch free throws to secure the win, while Reese shot just 5 of 16 from the field and turned the ball over four times. The 2.6 million average smashed the previous cable record of 2.3 million viewers, set by, you guessed it, a Caitlin Clark game. That one also featured the Clark vs. Reese rivalry and came in June 2024 when Clark's Fever faced Reese's then-team, the Chicago Sky, on ESPN. Clark's WNBA debut against the Connecticut Sun averaged 2.11 million viewers on ESPN2 and now sits behind Fever-Dream and Fever-Sky among WNBA cable broadcasts. Essentially, Clark just broke a television record that she had already helped set. Sounds familiar. WNBA LEGEND SLAMS GENERAL MANAGERS FOR DISRESPECTING CAITLIN CLARK IN ANNUAL SURVEY Just five days before the Fever-Dream game, Indiana's matchup against the New York Liberty averaged 2 million viewers on ESPN, which at the time ranked as the third-most-watched regular-season WNBA game ever on cable. Then, Sunday happened. The second game of ESPN's Sunday doubleheader, Portland Fire-Phoenix Mercury, averaged 1.4 million viewers on the night Phoenix retired Diana Taurasi's jersey. ESPN said that was its most-watched regular-season WNBA game ever that didn't feature Indiana. That's the positive spin. The negative spin is that the game lost nearly half the viewers from the massive Clark lead-in audience. Through 25 games, WNBA broadcasts on ESPN networks are averaging 1.4 million viewers, up 16% year-over-year. That's legitimate growth for the league. But it all comes back to Caitlin Clark. And when Angel Reese is on the other side, the rivalry adds another layer that casual sports fans clearly find compelling. At this point, the Caitlin Clark effect isn't a theory. It's a fact reinforced by almost every new ratings release. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84f6ba2c5335ae10484b62 Rubio’s GOP successor clears key hurdle to finish his six-year Senate term te 2026-08-19T00:20:10.899Z Rubio’s GOP successor clears key hurdle to finish his six-year Senate term Sen. Ashley Moody, R-Fla., won Florida’s GOP Senate primary Tuesday, clearing a key hurdle in her bid to finish the final two years of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s six-year Senate term. The Trump-backed incumbent defeated three Republican challengers — Chris Gleason, Neelam Taneja Perry and Ernest "Ernie" Rivera — after entering the primary as the overwhelming favorite. Moody, a former two-term Florida attorney general, was appointed to Rubio’s seat by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in January 2025 and was sworn into the Senate days after Rubio resigned to join President Donald Trump’s administration. Trump endorsed Moody ahead of the special election, saying she was doing a "tremendous job," and she entered the race with support from a broad swath of Florida Republicans, including Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and several other members of the state’s congressional delegation. TRUMP FLEXES GOP MUSCLE IN ARIZONA PRIMARIES AS DEMS DODGE FAR-LEFT UPSET "Senator Ashley Moody is doing a tremendous job representing the incredible people of Florida, a State I love, and WON BIG, in 2016, 2020, and 2024!" President Trump wrote on TruthSocial last month.  "A fifth generation Floridian, Ashley served as State Attorney General for six years prior to becoming a very distinguished and well respected U.S. Senator," he continued. "Ashley is working tirelessly to Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Champion American Energy DOMINANCE, Help Secure our already Secure Southern Border, Stop Migrant Crime, Murderers, and other Criminals from illegally entering our Country, Strengthen our Great Military/Veterans, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment." Moody entered the primary with a major financial advantage, reporting more than $10.8 million in receipts and about $8.4 million cash on hand through June 30, according to FEC records. She will now face Democrat nominee Angie Nixon in November after she won her primary Tuesday.  The special election will determine who serves through the end of Rubio’s term that ends in January 2029. Democrats have not won a U.S. Senate election there since 2012. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84f6b92c5335ae10484b4e Justices uphold sweeping GOP election measure for November ballot te 2026-08-19T00:20:09.693Z Justices uphold sweeping GOP election measure for November ballot Photo via Getty Images The Arizona Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a Republican-backed ballot referral that would amend the state’s constitution to make sweeping changes to how elections are conducted can remain on the November ballot.  Critics had argued that Proposition 144, also known as the “Fast Accurate Secure Transparent Election Results Act,” violated a provision in the Arizona Constitution that demands that proposed constitutional amendments be limited to a single action.  GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE The GOP-crafted ballot measure would prohibit foreign nationals from spending money to influence state elections — they are already barred from giving to candidates, but can give money to other political committees — 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. It would also create a new standard for challenging election laws enacted by the state legislature. It also adds a constitutional provision declaring that “only citizens may register and vote in Arizona elections,” and that the results of the elections “shall be decided solely by the votes of eligible citizen voters.” Both of those provisions are already in state law, and have been since Arizona became a state.  Tempe City Councilman Randy Keating challenged Prop. 144’s constitutionality and sought to have it removed from the ballot, claiming that it violated the Arizona Constitution’s Separate Amendment Rule.  A trial court dismissed Keating’s arguments last week, and he appealed to the Arizona Supreme Court, which concurred with the lower court in its ruling on Tuesday.  Vice Chief Justice John Lopez wrote for the majority that the provisions in Prop. 144 were topically related, given they all pertain to the administration of Arizona elections.  “They embrace the single general topic of election administration of public elections; they concern a single new constitutional section; and they are qualitatively similar in their shared aim of ensuring that Arizona elections are decided by, and only by, eligible citizen voters,” Lopez wrote.  Joining in the majority opinion were Justices James Beene, Bill Montgomery and Kathryn King.  Lopez wrote that even though the provisions cover different aspects of election administration, they are all aimed at “protecting the franchise from ineligible participation and foreign influence and ensuring eligible votes are accurately counted.” Written by state Rep. Alexander Kolodin, a Scottsdale Republican, Prop. 144 was one of five controversial last-minute ballot referrals that the Republicans who control the Arizona Legislature approved along party lines in a marathon night of voting on the last day of the annual legislative session in June. Kolodin, the Republican nominee challenging Democratic Secretary of State Adrian Fontes in his race for reelection in November, is an attorney and election denier who was sanctioned by the Arizona State Bar in 2023 for his part in lawsuits challenging the 2020 election that made implausible and evidence-free claims of massive election fraud. Chief Justice Ann Timmer and Justice Maria Elena Cruz dissented, writing that they would reverse the lower court’s decision because portions of Prop. 144 are not sufficiently related to one another that they “should stand or fall as a whole.”  In their dissent, Timmer and Cruz wrote that the provisions requiring counties to offer on-site tabulation for voters on Election Day to speed up results and a section that would make challenging election laws passed by the legislature more difficult are distinct enough from the rest of the measure that they constitute separate amendments. Voters should be able decide on them separately, they said.  Justice Clint Bolick recused himself from the case.  The Arizona Supreme Court has yet to rule on whether it will force Fontes to change the description of Prop. 144 to be placed on the ballot. The Trump-aligned America First Legal Foundation challenged the description, saying it was misleading and didn’t contain key provisions. The high court has until the Aug. 20 ballot printing deadline to make its ruling.  YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84f6b32c5335ae10484b25 California Becomes First State to Regulate the Squish of Car Tires te 2026-08-19T00:20:03.733Z California Becomes First State to Regulate the Squish of Car Tires The rule to require efficient replacement tires was praised by environmentalists. But manufacturers warned that the change would hurt American companies and increase tire prices. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84f4672c5335ae10484aea Pro-Israel moderate survives primary challenge by socialist insurgent te 2026-08-19T00:10:15.061Z Pro-Israel moderate survives primary challenge by socialist insurgent The far left on Tuesday suffered a high-profile setback at the hands of the center-left establishment in the battle for the Democratic Party's ideological future. Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)-backed Oliver Larkin was downed by more moderate Rep. Jared Moskowitz in the Democrats' primary in Florida's 25th District, the Associated Press reported. The heavily redrawn congressional swing district is among roughly two dozen House seats that will likely determine whether Republicans hold onto their razor-thin majority in the midterm elections. DEMOCRATIC GROUP LAUNCHES $15 MILLION WAR ON DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS: 'MORTAL DANGER' The 33-year-old Larkin, a veteran of Sen. Bernie Sanders' 2016 Democratic presidential campaign, was the only DSA-endorsed House candidate running in a competitive congressional swing district. Larkin said he supported abolishing the U.S. Senate, arguing in a Fox News interview that it's an "undemocratic institution." He has referred to Israel's ruling coalition as a "religious supremacist regime." Moskowitz is a strong and vocal supporter of Israel and has advocated for robust U.S. military and security assistance. DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB The two-term federal lawmaker, a former state representative and Florida FEMA director appointed by GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis, is running for re-election in the state's newly redrawn 25th Congressional District, a Broward County-anchored swing seat in the southeastern corner of the one-time battleground state that now leans red. Moskowitz was backed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee as well as indirectly by AIPAC, a major pro-Israel political group. Larkin had backing from prominent far-left figures, including controversial political streamer Hasan Piker. "Democratic socialism can win in any district, in any race, for any office all across the country," Larkin told Fox News this past weekend. He added that was "very proud" to be carrying the "torch forward as a DSA candidate." SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER But Larkin fell short, and Moskowitz will now face off in the general election against the winner of a Republican primary field that included Dan Franzese, Raven Harrison, Joe Kaufman, former state Rep. George Moraitis, and former Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer. Larkin's defeat was the second setback for the far left in a week, in this year's Democratic Party primaries. In last week's Wisconsin's Democratic gubernatorial showdown, DSA-member Francesca Hong was upset by a razor-thin margin by Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who was backed by retiring Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. But the same day, Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan downed moderate Democratic Rep. Angie Craig by roughly 20 points, to grab the party's nomination in blue-leaning but competitive state, in the race to succeed another retiring Democrat, Sen. Tina Smith. Progressives scored their biggest victory to date two weeks ago, when Abdul El-Sayed narrowly edged moderate Rep. Haley Stevens to capture the party's Senate nomination in battleground Michigan, in the race to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. Both El-Sayed and Flanagan were backed by top far-left leaders, including Sanders, the progressive champion from Vermont. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84f4662c5335ae10484ae1 ABC more cautious of booking candidates on 'The View' amid FCC pressure, Disney's First Amendment lawsuit says te 2026-08-19T00:10:14.435Z ABC more cautious of booking candidates on 'The View' amid FCC pressure, Disney's First Amendment lawsuit says Disney's First Amendment lawsuit against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) alleges "The View" has had to be "more circumspect" about the content that airs on the program amid the agency's crackdown on ABC stations. The FCC, under chairman Brendan Carr, appointed by President Donald Trump, called for early renewal review of eight ABC-owned stations' licenses in April despite their license renewals being originally scheduled between 2028 and 2031. That came after the agency launched a probe into "The View" last February triggered by the appearance of Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico. In the lawsuit pushing back against the FCC's crackdown on First Amendment grounds, Disney acknowledged that "The View" has had to curb its bookings. DISNEY SUES FCC OVER 'RETALIATORY CAMPAIGN AGAINST ABC,' SEEKS TO BLOCK EARLY RENEWAL PROCEEDINGS "No candidate for public office has appeared on ‘The View’ since the Bureau’s February 2026 inquiry regarding Mr. Talarico’s appearance on February 2, 2026," the lawsuit stated. "Although there have been no changes in the program’s editorial standards regarding the newsworthiness of any candidate who might otherwise have been invited during this period the cumulative pressure from the FCC’s multiple actions against ABC has impacted the program’s decisions about which guests to invite." "Those escalating pressures have led Plaintiffs to be more circumspect in booking political candidates on 'The View,' and have resulted in passing on further consideration of booking several political candidates," the lawsuit continued. "Those pressures have impacted not only potential bookings, but also the video clips that could constitute an 'appearance' on ‘The View’ under the FCC equal opportunities regulation: Plaintiffs have chosen not to air clips that it otherwise would have aired during the Hot Topics segment of 'The View' and also in the cold open of the program." ABC ACCUSES FCC OF 'RETALIATION' AS FEDERAL AGENCY THREATENS TO REVOKE DISNEY'S BROADCASTING LICENSES "The View" has only hosted a handful of political figures on the show since Talarico, including Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., former first lady Jill Biden and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel, none of whom are seeking office in the 2026 election cycle. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Carr called the lawsuit "meritless" and vowed that the FCC will "follow the facts and the law wherever it takes us." The FCC's year-long feud with ABC goes beyond "The View." Carr leveled a threat against Disney last September after ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel sparked outrage for his comments about the Charlie Kirk assassination. ABC FIRES BACK AT FCC PROBE OF 'THE VIEW,' CALLS OUT AGENCY'S 'CHILLING EFFECT ON FIRST AMENDMENT' Disney insists Kimmel has been a motivating factor in Carr's call in April for early license renewal reviews of its eight ABC stations, which came after Kimmel's controversial "expectant widow" joke about first lady Melania Trump fueled calls for his firing. Carr said the FCC's DEI probe prompted the early review, not Kimmel. "The pressure exerted by the Administration’s mounting campaign of retaliation against ABC has been deeply felt throughout the company. The campaign is also calculated to operate in terrorem upon the rest of the industry: ABC is the visible target and suffers the most immediate harm, but the message is addressed to every broadcaster in the country, and the ultimate cost is borne by the press as a whole," Disney wrote. "Each day that the proceeding continues, ABC suffers continued First Amendment harm," the company added. "The FCC’s demand for early renewal applications reveals its intent to either hold a hearing to deny the applications or simply to subject Plaintiffs to months — and likely years — of onerous litigation and regulatory uncertainty. Either way, the agency succeeds at continuing to punish Plaintiffs." KFSN-TV in Fresno; KABC-TV in Los Angeles; KGO-TV in San Francisco; WLS-TV in Chicago; WABC-TV in New York; WTVD in Durham, N.C.; WPVI-TV in Philadelphia; and KTRK-TV in Houston are the Disney-owned stations in question. Fox News' Brian Flood contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84f4652c5335ae10484ad8 Antiracism activist blames 'White-owned' media for 'lynched' Black scholar's death, sparks online outrage te 2026-08-19T00:10:13.714Z Antiracism activist blames 'White-owned' media for 'lynched' Black scholar's death, sparks online outrage One day after British academic Jason Arday was found dead, controversial author and antiracism activist Ibram X. Kendi ignited a social media firestorm by accusing the mainstream media of contributing to his death because of his skin color. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. In an article for The Emancipator, a publication Kendi co-founded, titled "The Media Lynched Jason Arday," Kendi argued that the "White-owned, mainstream media" contributed to Arday’s death through "waves of attacks" over plagiarism allegations and inconsistencies about his personal biography. "The death of Jason Arday hit so close to home that I had no words yesterday," Kendi wrote in an X post on Saturday. EX-CAMBRIDGE PROFESSOR FOUND DEAD AFTER PLAGIARISM SCANDAL LED TO ABRUPT RESIGNATION "But I woke up with words," he continued. "To be a prominent antiracist Black scholar is to know you are a target, almost totally surrounded by resentments. You know that at any point, the attacks can come like a lynch mob. And if you die from all the attacks, the media still calls the attacks on you ‘accusations’ to wash their hands of the blood. Your lynchers announce your death as if they had no role in your lynching." Arday recently entered the international spotlight amid doubts over his claims that he was non-verbal until age 11, practically illiterate until 18 and ran 30 marathons in 35 days for charity, as well as allegations that he plagiarized portions of his academic work. The controversy prompted an investigation into the sociology professor, who resigned shortly after. The comments sparked an online uproar, with critics pushing back on Kendi’s response to Arday’s shocking death. "Ibram X Kendi, of course, blames Jason Arday's death on White people," Turning Point USA contributor Jack Posobiec posted on X. FAR-LEFT PLATNER SUPPORTER MELTS DOWN AFTER NEW SCANDAL, ACCUSES MEDIA OF 'POLITICALLY ASSASSINATING' HIM In another post on X, Kimberly Ross, a writer and Washington Examiner contributor, wrote, "Arday died by his own hand. Suicide is tragic but exceedingly selfish. Those who wanted his claims to be true never cared whether they were true. Cambridge set him up to fail. And people like Ibram X. Kendi continue the false narratives because the truth is less comforting." "If I had to name a more contemptible charlatan than Arday, it would be Ibram X. Kendi, who despite producing nothing of value enjoys a charmed life telling everyone of the fear he pretends to live in as a black man, even though he owes his entire career to guilt-ridden whites," Libertarian author and podcast host Tom Woods posted on X. CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR RESIGNS AFTER MAJOR PLAGIARISM ACCUSATIONS PROMPT INVESTIGATION "As someone who cares deeply about the cause of anti-racism, Ibram X. Kendi makes my job much more difficult," Richard Hanania, president of the Center for the Study of Partisanship and Ideology, also posted on X. In a post on X, actor Kevin Sorbo wrote, "This race grifting is pathetic. Jason took his life after being exposed as a fraud. The media did not ‘lynch’ him. Stop it." "Ralph Ellison couldn't write a follow up to Invisible Man because the endless recurrence of the terminal nightmare in which the novel's hero had been ensnared had already swallowed up any sequel. He had created a work too definitive to permit any further elaboration. The same awful fatality he depicted in the novel created both Jason Arday and Ibram X. Kendi," writer Wesley Yang posted on X. Kendi, who is now the inaugural director of Howard University’s Institute for Advanced Study, also came under fire over his academic work two years earlier. In 2024, Kendi faced backlash over his leadership of Boston University’s Center for Antiracist Research after former staffers described poor financial and administrative decisions, unfulfilled promises to donors and little research output despite tens of millions of dollars in funding. A university investigation found no financial misconduct, and the center officially closed in June 2025. Arday was found "unresponsive" at a south London address, BBC News reported Friday. In a statement to BBC News, Metropolitan Police said: "At this time, his death is being treated as unexpected, but is not believed to be suspicious." "We are desperately saddened to hear this tragic news," Cambridge University Vice Chancellor professor Deborah Prentice previously told Fox News Digital. "Our heartfelt sympathies go to Jason Arday's family and friends at this incredibly difficult time." Fox News Digital reached out to Kendi's team for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84f4612c5335ae10484ab2 Protect Education Act fails to qualify for November ballot te 2026-08-19T00:10:09.114Z Protect Education Act fails to qualify for November ballot Key points:  A citizen’s initiative that would reform the state’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program appears not to have enough valid signatures to qualify for the November ballot The Arizona Supreme Court affirmed a ruling that will likely keep the measure off the ballot ESAs continue to be a major issue for Republicans and Democrats this election Arizona voters won’t get a chance to weigh in on proposed reforms to the state’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program this November after a state Supreme Court ruling that would likely invalidate enough signatures to disqualify the Protect Education Act citizens’ initiative.  The decision, which upholds a ruling from the Maricopa County Superior Court, is a win for the conservative Goldwater Institute, the Free Enterprise Club and ESA advocates who have contended that signature gatherers fell short. The state Supreme Court’s ruling disqualified about 24,000 signatures that proponents argued had been improperly subtracted twice — leaving the measure 10,000 short of the needed 255,949 signatures. Goldwater celebrated the Supreme Court’s ruling and described the Protect Education Act as an “attack” on school choice for more than 100,000 students who are enrolled in the program.  “Despite spending an unprecedented amount of money in an effort to deceive voters into restricting school choice, the unions could not convince even a small fraction of Arizonans to sign their petition,” said Victor Riches, President and CEO of the Goldwater Institute. “Instead, they had to resort to unlawfully collecting thousands of signatures to try to game the system and dupe their way onto the ballot.” The court rejected Protect Education Act Accountability Now Committee’s argument that removing duplicate signatures during multiple reviews could result in double counting.  The Secretary of State’s Office identified duplicate signatures in a random sample it prepared for further review from Arizona’s 15 counties to determine a county signature validity rate. According to the committee, duplicate signatures were subtracted twice by both the Secretary of State and the counties, thus resulting in a higher effective signature threshold to qualify for the ballot than the constitutionally required 15% of statewide votes in the previous gubernatorial election.  But Chief Justice Ann Timmer wrote in the decision that the committee found no specific evidence that signatures were subtracted twice from the valid count and the court could not rule on a theoretical possibility.  The Supreme Court sent the case back to the superior court to make the final determination of the measure’s ballot status. That decision was not filed by Tuesday afternoon, but proponents of the Protect Education Act began conceding the measure’s defeat before the trial court’s ruling.  “Today is a victory for the powerful and a loss for the people,” Protect Education Committee spokeswoman Olivia Fierro said in a written statement following the Supreme Court’s ruling. The committee initially submitted more than 421,000 signatures in July. Fierro blamed “anti-public education lawmakers” and “wealthy” allies for keeping the measure off the ballot.  “They knew Arizonans were ready to vote for accountability for a billion-dollar voucher program that is draining resources from public schools and putting children at risk, so they stopped at nothing to keep this issue off the ballot and out of the hands of the voters,” Fierro said.  Lawmakers also put forth a competing ballot measure, Proposition 145. Republicans designed that measure on the final day of the legislative session to protect ESAs for military families and prevent Prop. 212 from taking effect if both measures passed.  The Supreme Court also affirmed a lower court’s ruling that Prop. 145 is unconstitutional. The court ruled its provisions that would keep other measures like Prop. 212 from taking effect don’t form a “single, workable proposition” that can stand or fall on its own.  Leaders of both political parties signaled the fight over ESAs is not over. The future of the ESA program will be heavily influenced by which party has control of the Legislature and the governor’s office in 2027.  House Minority Leader Oscar De Los Santos, D-Laveen, and House Minority Assistant Leader Nancy Gutierrez, D-Tucson, said in a joint statement that they hope a new legislative majority will continue their efforts to reform the ESA program.  “School choice opponents have spent years trying to roll back educational freedom in Arizona, and they will keep trying,” said House Speaker Steve Montenegro, R-Goodyear. “Arizona House Republicans will keep standing with parents. We will defend ESAs, protect school choice, and make sure parents, not unions, bureaucrats, or politicians, remain in charge of their children’s education.” The post Protect Education Act fails to qualify for November ballot first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84f45f2c5335ae10484a96 Angie Nixon Scores Upset Win in Florida Senate Primary te 2026-08-19T00:10:07.331Z Angie Nixon Scores Upset Win in Florida Senate Primary The underdog faces another uphill battle this November against a Republican incumbent heavily favored to win. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84f45e2c5335ae10484a8d Former Republican David Jolly Wins Democratic Nomination for Florida Governor te 2026-08-19T00:10:06.600Z Former Republican David Jolly Wins Democratic Nomination for Florida Governor The former Republican congressman will try to appeal to voters disaffected with President Trump in a state where Republicans significantly outnumber Democrats. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84f45d2c5335ae10484a84 Byron Donalds Wins Republican Nomination for Florida Governor te 2026-08-19T00:10:05.743Z Byron Donalds Wins Republican Nomination for Florida Governor Mr. Donalds, a conservative congressman with the backing of President Trump, seeks to become the state’s first Black governor. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84f45c2c5335ae10484a7b Representative Cory Mills Loses G.O.P. House Primary in Florida te 2026-08-19T00:10:04.699Z Representative Cory Mills Loses G.O.P. House Primary in Florida Mr. Mills, who is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee and has faced allegations of assault and threatening behavior toward women, lost to Ryan Elijah, a former TV news anchor. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84f20e2c5335ae10484a3e Trump-backed Republican survives primary after bucking him on deportations te 2026-08-19T00:00:14.261Z Trump-backed Republican survives primary after bucking him on deportations Incumbent Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar advanced Tuesday against Michael Arias in Florida’s 27th Congressional District. Miami attorney Arias is a former state prosecutor and SEC enforcement attorney who ran as a political outsider focused on fiscal responsibility, affordability, and government accountability. He campaigned on reducing the federal deficit and inflation, lowering South Florida’s cost of living — including housing and property-insurance costs — and increasing funding for public safety. Trump-backed Salazar has held the seat for more than five years, after defeating Democratic incumbent Donna Shalala in 2020 and flipping the district red. TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ORDERS GREEN CARD APPLICANTS TO LEAVE THE US, APPLY FROM THEIR HOME COUNTRIES The Cuban American, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Western Hemisphere Subcommitteee, emerging as a key congressional ally of the Trump administration’s Latin America agenda. Salazar pushed to cut off Venezuelan oil revenue and later backed the administration’s capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. While she supports the majority of Trump’s major priority, she differs when it comes to immigration. SOCIALIST IN TRUMP COUNTRY GIVES KARL MARX VISION THUMBS-UP BEFORE DUCKING KEY TAX QUESTION Salazar has taken a more moderate approach to immigration than some of her hardline GOP colleagues, pairing strong border enforcement with a pathway to legal status for qualifying immigrants living in the U.S. illegally.  While her immigration stance puts her at odds with the Trump administration’s push for widespread deportations, she still remains firmly in Trump’s corner. Arias took a similar stance on border enforcement and deporting those here illegally, but has called for deportations to be carried out in a more "humane matter" and focused on violent criminals. Florida’s 27th district covers major Florida counties such as Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach. The district has one of the largest foreign-born populations in the country, with roughly 428,000 foreign-born residents—about 54% of the district’s population—more than double Florida’s statewide rate, according to 2024 U.S. Census data. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84f2052c5335ae10484a0f Jared Moskowitz, Centrist Democrat From Florida, Beats Back Challenge From Left te 2026-08-19T00:00:05.085Z Jared Moskowitz, Centrist Democrat From Florida, Beats Back Challenge From Left Mr. Moskowitz, one of the most vocal Democratic supporters of Israel in the House, will compete in a highly competitive general election in the fall. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84f2032c5335ae10484a06 Sydney Gruters, Wife of R.N.C. Chair, Wins House Primary in Florida With Trump’s Backing te 2026-08-19T00:00:03.793Z Sydney Gruters, Wife of R.N.C. Chair, Wins House Primary in Florida With Trump’s Backing Ms. Gruters had been favored to win in a congressional district that was redrawn as part of Gov. Ron DeSantis’s new map, which leaned even more Republican. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84efac2c5335ae10484980 Judge Orders New Oversight of Immigrant Children’s Detention te 2026-08-18T23:50:04.113Z Judge Orders New Oversight of Immigrant Children’s Detention After reviewing claims of persistent safety and sanitary failures, the court named two experts to monitor detention conditions across several facilities. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84ed5a2c5335ae10484943 Veteran Dem defeats scandal-plagued former lawmaker, progressive challenger in Trump's backyard te 2026-08-18T23:40:10.038Z Veteran Dem defeats scandal-plagued former lawmaker, progressive challenger in Trump's backyard Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz has bested a young progressive challenger and an embattled former lawmaker after a hard-fought primary characterized by its racial overtones. Schultz, a 21-year veteran of the House, stressed her seniority on the campaign trail alongside her ability to deliver services to constituents and secure federal funding for her district. To secure her primary victory, Schultz bested former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who resigned in April following fraud allegations, and 27-year-old activist and teacher Elijah Manley, who is aligned with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.  Mid-decade redistricting in Florida caused Schultz to choose to run in Florida’s 20th Congressional District, which has a stronger Democratic lean than her home constituency. Schultz, a White woman, drew considerable backlash for deciding to run in the district in May. Criticism centered around the district being majority Black and having long been represented by a Black member of Congress. JEFFRIES DECLINES TO BACK WASSERMAN SCHULTZ AS BLACK LEADERS REVOLT OVER DISTRICT SWITCH Both Cherfilus-McCormick and Manley argued that Schultz representing Florida’s 20th Congressional District would be an affront to the African American community. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries declined to back Schultz during the dispute. "While the Republicans are trying their hardest to silence Black voices, I don't expect somebody in our own party, a white Democrat, to do the same," Manley said of Schultz at a candidate debate. " We are not going back to a time where there were no Black people in Congress." TLAIB UNDER FIRE FOR WORKING TO UNSEAT TWO JEWISH HOUSE DEMOCRATS IN FLORIDA: 'NO COINCIDENCE' Cherfilus-McCormick accused Schultz of "district forum shopping" and said electing her would amount to the erasure of Black history and power. During the debate, Schultz defended her candidacy by emphasizing her extensive tenure in Congress and her experience representing Black and Caribbean communities in her former district. Cherfilus-McCormick’s candidacy was itself mired in controversy. Federal prosecutors say Cherfilus-McCormick and her co-defendants stole a $5 million overpayment from a FEMA-funded COVID-19 vaccination contract, laundered the money through multiple accounts and used part of it to finance her 2021 congressional campaign through illegal contributions. She resigned from Congress in April before an expulsion vote could be scheduled and has pleaded not guilty to the federal charges. FORMER BERNIE SANDERS OFFICIAL ACCUSES SENATOR OF PUSHING MOST ANTISEMITIC CANDIDATES 'IN A GENERATION' Accusations that Schultz was carpetbagging and the federal fraud charges against Cherfilus-McCormick weren’t the only controversies in the Democratic primary in Florida’s 20th Congressional District. Rep. Rashida Tlaib appeared at a Fort Lauderdale "Chomp the Oligarchy" rally on Aug. 14 to support the effort to oust Schultz from Congress. Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fl., has claimed that the effort to oust Schultz stems from the fact that she is Jewish. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER Schultz has described herself as a "staunch supporter" of Israel and has voted against measures to cut off military aid. Her position has put her at odds with progressives seeking to reduce U.S. support for Israel. Other candidates in the Democratic primary for Florida’s 20th Congressional District included former Broward County Mayor Dale Holness and longtime community activist Luther "Uncle Luke" Campbell. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84ed522c5335ae10484913 In Florida, several House primaries are worth watching. te 2026-08-18T23:40:02.959Z In Florida, several House primaries are worth watching. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84eb052c5335ae104848d7 40 looters ransack family-run California business during massive street takeover te 2026-08-18T23:30:13.167Z 40 looters ransack family-run California business during massive street takeover A massive street takeover in California led to a family-run business being overrun by looters over the weekend. During the alleged takeover, A-Z Market convenience store in Bellflower was broken into. The city is in southeast Los Angeles. A fundraiser for the family said, "A group of individuals used power tools to break through our front window and security gate." LONG ISLAND STREET TAKEOVER ERUPTS AS DRIVERS BLOCK ROAD, PERFORM DONUTS, BURNOUTS: POLICE FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS Surveillance video showed three suspects using tools to break the window's glass and cut a security gate lock, allowing up to 40 additional suspects to enter and ransack the business for two minutes before blending back into the takeover crowd, the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department said. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE The family said the alleged thieves contributed to a loss of $30,000 between stolen items and damage to the store. SEND US A TIP "A-Z Market is more than just a store to us—it is our livelihood and a place we have worked hard to build and serve our local community," the page said. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST Multiple citations were issued for the street takeover, but no arrests were made for the burglary, as deputies could not link anyone on scene directly to the break-in. THIEF USES WAYMO AS A GETAWAY CAR GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL Days before the A-Z Market break-in, 26 suspects carried out a coordinated, mob-style burglary at another business in East Los Angeles. Thieves allegedly broke into an AutoZone, causing costly damage and losses. Investigators believe the suspects robbed the store two days in a row. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84eb042c5335ae104848ce Sophie Cunningham supporters open up on encounter with security, pro-trans fans in latest WNBA culture clash te 2026-08-18T23:30:12.474Z Sophie Cunningham supporters open up on encounter with security, pro-trans fans in latest WNBA culture clash A mistaken decision by a WNBA security representative thrust the entire league back into the eye of the storm of a national culture war Sunday. But it began with subtle tension between two groups of fans with opposing views. Kasey Thomason and her 17-year-old daughter Annie attended Sunday’s game between the Atlanta Dream and Indiana Fever to support Fever guard Sophie Cunningham and her stance on women’s sports. They said they remained in their seats and had no confrontations during most of the game. By the fourth quarter, however, they noticed several Atlanta supporters wearing pro-transgender apparel looking in their direction. MOM AND DAUGHTER TOLD TO COVER UP XX-XY T-SHIRTS, SAY THEY WERE THREATENED WITH EJECTION AT FEVER-DREAM GAME "Maybe like the fourth quarter, I could tell," one of the Thomasons recalled. "They were like two rows in front of us and maybe, you know, five or 10 people down to the right. And so it was clear that they had a problem, that they recognized what it was to have a problem with it." Kasey and Annie said the opposing fans were rooting for the Atlanta Dream, and were distraught when Angel Reese missed the game-winning layup in the final seconds of the fourth quarter. Then in overtime, the Thomasons said they saw one of them speaking with arena personnel and pointing toward them. "Because we saw someone talking to one of the people about our shirts and, like, pointing at us," Annie said. With roughly two minutes remaining in overtime, a man approached Kasey and Annie and attempted to move them away from their seats for a private conversation. The women say the man was not dressed like a typical arena security guard, and was wearing a tan suit. "Whenever the security guard came up to us, I wasn’t going to get out of my seat to go talk to him by ourselves, because I wanted people to hear what he said," Annie recalled. "I was like, ‘Is this about our shirts?’ Because we had seen people pointing at our shirts. I didn’t think there would be any problem with our shirts, because we didn’t wear it in, like, a political way, because you’re not supposed to. We looked at the rules. We followed all of the rules. And so we thought we were perfectly fine until we saw these people pointing at us." They said the security representative told them that someone considered the shirts offensive, according to the Thomasons, and gave them a choice: put on provided Atlanta Dream "Wellness & Health Night" shirts or leave the arena. STORM CO-OWNER SUSPENDED AFTER INCIDENT WITH SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM FANS AS STAR BREAKS SILENCE ON CONTROVERSY Kasey said she believed the complaint came from a woman wearing a "Protect Trans Kids" shirt who appeared familiar with regular Dream supporters and personnel. Fox News Digital has learned that WNBA security also made a person wearing a "Protect Trans Kids" shirt cover their shirt as well, right before confronting the Thomasons. Kasey and Annie said the pro-trans fan should also have been permitted to display her views. "Which shouldn’t have happened either," they said. "She should be able to wear whatever she wants to wear, and we should be able to wear whatever we want to wear, unless it’s, like, hate speech, which is not what either of our T-shirts were." Kasey and Annie eventually put on the Dream shirts because they wanted to watch the conclusion of the overtime game. After they complied, Annie said a friend of the woman in the "Protect Trans Kids" shirt turned around and addressed her. "It was the friend of the person who had the ‘Protect Trans Kids’ shirt on," Annie said. "She turned around and told me that she liked my shirt after we put the Atlanta Dream shirt on." Annie recalled the woman saying, "I like your shirt." "And I was like, ‘Thanks,’" Annie said. "There’s literally no point to say that." She believes that the group had been involved in drawing security’s attention to the XX-XY shirts. "So after we covered our XX-XY, she turned around to make sure we knew that she was, you know, basically, ‘I was involved in getting science covered up because I don’t agree with what you’re wearing,’" Annie said. The Thomasons said nearby spectators — including several Fever fans — were surprised by the security intervention. "There was a husband and a wife sitting directly behind us, and she pointed at her husband’s shirt when he was wearing a shirt about, like, God or something," Annie said. "She was like, ‘Should he cover this shirt up because God made men and women?’ So everyone was very surprised by the fact that we had to cover the shirts up." The Fever ultimately won 95-91 after Angel Reese missed a potential game-winning putback at the end of regulation. The political division in the stands largely tracked the fans’ basketball loyalties: the Thomasons were supporting Cunningham and Indiana, while the people in the pro-trans shirts were cheering for Atlanta. The episode followed an earlier confrontation at a Fever-Seattle Storm game, where two teenage Cunningham supporters wearing XX-XY Athletics apparel said they were berated by pro-trans fans and a Storm minority owner. The WNBA fined and suspended co-owner Celeste Keaton for five home games after that incident. This time, however, security attempted to suppress both messages. "Their inclusivity, it doesn’t extend to us," the Thomasons said. "Just treat everyone the same. As far as fans, treat us all the same. Whoever we’re cheering for, it doesn’t have to be a thing. If the trans girl doesn’t want to cover up her shirt, that’s fine too. You can wear that. We can wear this. Freedom—that’s what we live for, is freedom." The WNBA acknowledged Monday that its personnel mishandled the situation, saying, "This should not have happened." The Atlanta Dream said its employees were not involved in the decision and placed responsibility on league security. Despite their opposition to transgender participation in women’s sports, Kasey and Annie said the people wearing pro-trans shirts possessed the same right to express themselves. "It’s America," they said. "Everyone can have their own opinion. Disagree with me. That’s fine. I’ll still be your friend and support you as a person. I’m not going to support your opinions and your ideas, but we’re still humans. We live in the U.S." Asked whether the pro-trans fans should also criticize the WNBA’s actions, the Thomasons did not hesitate. "Absolutely," they said. "They should not have had to cover their shirt up. No matter—I don’t agree with it. I don’t think that there should be trans kids, and I don’t think that there should be men in women’s sports, but they should definitely speak out that they had to cover up their shirts, too." The confrontation may now help fuel another demonstration. Kasey said XX-XY Athletics founder Jennifer Sey was discussing bringing supporters to Saturday’s Fever-Liberty game in New York. "Jennifer Sey is talking about having a bunch of people in New York on Saturday wearing their XX-XY gear," Kasey said. "We’re a little tempted." The Atlanta episode left the two groups no closer to agreeing about transgender athletes. But it also placed them on the same side of one question: Neither group, the WNBA now concedes, should have been ordered to hide its message. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84eb002c5335ae104848b6 Beth Peterson te 2026-08-18T23:30:08.152Z Beth Peterson Beth Peterson, 87, of Snowflake, passed away Aug. 6, 2026. Beth was born Feb. 19,1939, in Spring City, Utah.        She loved living in Snowflake and built a beautiful life and family there.       Beth is the mother to nine children. She loved being a wife, mother and homemaker, and excelled at all three.       She was the best wife, mother, grandmother and friend, and she will be greatly missed by those who know her.       Beth is survived by children, Loni Parker, Dallas (Brendee) Peterson, Jay Sevison, Amy (Dave) Braithwaite, Russel (Nicole) Peterson, Laurie (Todd) Furstenau, JoLynn (Dean) Wood, Mack (Monica) Peterson and Andrea (Rand) Holyoak; sister-in-law, Natalie Bunnell; 57 grandchildren; and 44 great-grandchildren.       She was preceded in death by husband of 62 years, Elwood “Woodie” Peterson; parents, Stephen and Helen Bunnell; daughter, Shannon Sevison; son-in-law, David Parker; siblings, Stephen (DeeAnn) Bunnell and Wallace Bunnell.       A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 21, at Owens-Livingston Mortuary, located at 84 E. 19th S., in Snowflake. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., with a viewing one-hour prior on Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Pioneer Stake Center, located at 175 W. 9th S. St., in Snowflake.       Owens Livingston Mortuary of Snowflake handled the arrangements. The post Beth Peterson first appeared on Painted Desert Tribune. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84eafc2c5335ae1048489d Haitians in Springfield Hunker Down as ICE Begins Detentions te 2026-08-18T23:30:04.442Z Haitians in Springfield Hunker Down as ICE Begins Detentions Federal agents have begun detaining Haitians in the Ohio city, signaling an increase in ICE activity that has panicked the community and kept many from leaving home. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84eafa2c5335ae10484894 Wasserman Schultz Wins Democratic Primary in Historically Black District te 2026-08-18T23:30:02.574Z Wasserman Schultz Wins Democratic Primary in Historically Black District The congresswoman won her party’s nomination in Florida’s 20th District over several Black candidates who sharply criticized her decision to run there. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84e8ac2c5335ae10484855 President Trump reportedly will go on a lap of honor around the Freedom 250 Grand Prix street circuit te 2026-08-18T23:20:12.484Z President Trump reportedly will go on a lap of honor around the Freedom 250 Grand Prix street circuit The NTT IndyCar Series is gearing up for one of its biggest races of the year, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix on the streets of Washington, DC, and a new report suggests that President Donald Trump will take part in a pre-race lap of honor. The race is set to take place Aug. 23 and will use a 1.7-mile street circuit that will use part of Pennsylvania Avenue and take the field past iconic Washington landmarks, including the US Capitol Building. According to The New York Post, President Trump's motorcade will make its way around the circuit as part of the festivities leading up to the Grand Prix itself, which is being held to celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE "President Trump is ensuring America gets the spectacular birthday it deserves as we celebrate our 250th anniversary," White House spokesman Davis Ingle told OutKick and Fox News Digital in a statement. "The historic IndyCar race set to take place in our Nation’s Capital will be one of the greatest and most iconic races in history. The President will leave his imprint on this historic race in a way that only he can." INDYCAR ANNOUNCES START TIME FOR HIGHLY ANTICIPATED FREEDOM 250 GRAND PRIX ON THE STREETS OF WASHINGTON, DC President Trump signed an executive order in January directing multiple departments to work with the Washington, DC Mayor's Office to design and construct the circuit. The race was then a late addition to the IndyCar Series' schedule. Since then, drivers Alex Palou, Felix Rosenqvist and David Malukas have visited the White House to promote the event, with Malukas — driver of Team Penske's No. 12 Chevrolet — taking part in some pit stop practice in front of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The IndyCar practice and qualifying will take place Saturday, with the race — which recently had its length upped to a very appropriate 250 miles — getting underway Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. Pre-race coverage will begin at 11:30 a.m. ET on FOX. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84e8ab2c5335ae1048484c Mysterious polling firm behind fake election surveys closes after admitting ‘social experiment’ te 2026-08-18T23:20:11.761Z Mysterious polling firm behind fake election surveys closes after admitting ‘social experiment’ A polling outfit that admitted surveys it released on the Los Angeles mayor's race and the Democratic gubernatorial primary in Wisconsin were fake is now out of business. Median Strategies, the company that released polls indicating Democratic Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles and Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong leading their rivals by wide margins, announced this week that the surveys were a hoax and that it has closed its doors. The fabricated polls by Median Strategies entered the political information ecosystem and were reported on social media, by some local TV newscasts and by online reporting outlets. "Median Strategies was created as a short-term social experiment to examine how purported polling information could enter and spread through the political information ecosystem without independent verification," the company posted on its website. "Median Strategies has concluded its polling project and will not publish additional polls." CHECK OUT THE LATEST FOX NEWS POWER RANKINGS IN THE MIDTERM RACES The company told Fox News the organization was not affiliated with any candidate, political action committee or party. Median Strategies first released a poll showing Bass with a 12-point lead over Los Angeles City Council member Nithya Raman, a rival in the June mayoral primary and a Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member. The poll cited the responses of 560 Angelenos, with a 4.1% margin of error. Bass ended up edging Raman by five points in the primary, with Republican Spencer Pratt, who was running as an independent in the Democrat-dominated city, coming in third. The mayor and Raman will face off in the general election. DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB In Wisconsin, a Median Strategies survey indicated Hong, a state representative and a DSA member, leading Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley by 20 points ahead of last week's primary. It was largely in line with a couple of other public opinion polls that had Hong with a large lead. Crowley ended up defeating Hong by a razor-thin margin. The result in Wisconsin came a week after polls in Michigan widely inflated far-left candidate Abdul El-Sayed's lead over more moderate Rep. Haley Stevens. Abdul ended up edging Stevens by a narrow margin to win the nomination. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER In last week's Democratic Senate primary in Minnesota, polls underestimated progressive Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan's lead over more moderate Rep. Angie Craig. Flanagan ended up capturing the Senate nomination by roughly 20 points. The incorrect surveys in recent weeks grabbed widespread media attention and sparked fresh criticism of public opinion polling. Median Strategies told the Los Angeles Times, which was first to report the story, that it was "not seeking publicity or attribution for the individuals involved and are declining interviews." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84e8ab2c5335ae10484843 California sheriff blocks ICE from firing range, training facilities but keeps CBP access te 2026-08-18T23:20:11.098Z California sheriff blocks ICE from firing range, training facilities but keeps CBP access San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez announced Tuesday that ICE will no longer be allowed to use sheriff's facilities for training or gun qualifications, citing community concerns about the agency's conduct during armed confrontations elsewhere in the country. Martinez's decision draws a distinction between ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection as county officials move to sever facility agreements with both federal agencies. The sheriff said she will continue allowing CBP to use the county's Otay Range, warning that removing access could worsen border wait times and hurt the regional economy. "Community trust and strong relationships are the cornerstone of effective local policing," Martinez said. "Our authority to enforce the law depends on the trust and confidence of the communities we serve, and I always balance my decisions based on community trust and public safety." DEM GOVERNOR IN THE HOT SEAT AFTER TESTING LIMITS OF AUTHORITY WITH MAJOR MOVE AGAINST ICE Fox News Digital reached out to ICE for comment on Martinez's decision and asked whether the change could affect its training or operations. The move comes as the San Diego County Board of Supervisors has directed the county's chief administrative officer to have the Department of General Services terminate lease agreements with both ICE and CBP. Martinez, however, opposes cutting off CBP's access. She said she spent the past two weeks speaking with community stakeholders and concluded that doing so could affect commerce, workers and traffic throughout the border region. More than 225,000 people enter the U.S. through San Diego ports of entry each day, including more than 90,000 vehicles, 50,000 pedestrians and 5,500 commercial trucks, according to figures provided by the sheriff's office. Border wait times generally run between one and three hours, the department said. MEXICAN NATIONAL FACES FEDERAL CHARGES AFTER CBP FINDS $238K IN FENTANYL INSIDE ELECTRIC MOPED CBP officers are required to complete classroom instruction and gun-range qualifications as part of their training. Martinez argued that losing access to nearby facilities could pull officers away from ports of entry for longer periods, leaving fewer personnel available to staff inspection lanes. The sheriff's office said CBP currently does not have another comparable training option in the area and that available ranges at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar are limited. Fox News Digital reached out to CBP for comment on Martinez's concerns and asked whether losing access to the Otay Range could affect staffing or wait times at area ports of entry. Martinez also warned that longer border waits could hurt commerce and increase pollution from idling vehicles. The effects could extend to Imperial County because some CBP officers there use the Otay Range for training, according to the sheriff's office. BORDER PATROL ARRESTS TWO ILLEGAL ALIENS CONVICTED OF CHILD SEX OFFENSES NEAR SAN DIEGO IN BACK-TO-BACK BUSTS Fox News Digital reached out to San Diego County for comment on Martinez's concerns and the rationale for seeking to end CBP's use of county facilities. "Too many people on both sides of the border would be harmed by a decision to end CBP's use of the facility," Martinez said. "As Sheriff, I have a duty to protect and serve everyone who lives in or enters San Diego County." The sheriff's office said it is exploring future training options. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84e8aa2c5335ae1048483a Ricky Gervais jokes UK inheritance tax may finally push him to marry longtime partner after 40 years te 2026-08-18T23:20:10.450Z Ricky Gervais jokes UK inheritance tax may finally push him to marry longtime partner after 40 years Actor and comedian Ricky Gervais said Tuesday that the United Kingdom's inheritance tax could motivate him enough to marry his longtime partner, Jane Fallon, after more than 40 years. In an interview with Saga Magazine, Gervais was asked whether the UK tax, which takes up to 40% of a deceased person's property and money if they are worth more than £325,000, could be a good reason to tie the knot with Fallon ever since their relationship began in 1982. "It is," Gervais said. "And that will be the reason I marry. We haven’t done it yet. But if it wasn't for [tax]... why? It's mad. How much more married can you be? We share all our money; we've been living together for 40 years. Some marriages don't last a year." GOLDIE HAWN CREDITS ‘FREEDOM’ FOR KEEPING 43-YEAR RELATIONSHIP WITH KURT RUSSELL STRONG The UK allows an exception to the inheritance tax in the case of married couples, allowing couples to avoid the tax altogether so long as they are legally married. Cohabiting couples are not allowed to use this exception. "It’s horrible, isn’t it? I’ve got to get around to marrying, before I die," Gervais quipped. Fox News Digital reached out to Gervais' representatives for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Gervais' comments came months after Fallon announced on Instagram that she was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. She has since undergone two surgeries and has documented her experiences on social media. RICKY GERVAIS MOCKS GRAMMY WINNERS MAKING POLITICAL SPEECHES, SAYS THEY'RE 'STILL NOT LISTENING' In a comment to Fox News Digital, CATO Institute Director of Tax Policy Studies Adam Michel said Gervais' comments were not surprising and considered them a common worldwide perspective on wealth taxes. "This is also a broader warning against proposals to impose annual wealth taxes," Michel said. "An estate tax is a wealth tax levied just once at death. Annual wealth taxes apply a similar penalty every year."  "Estate taxes also have broader economic costs, especially when wealth is tied up in businesses rather than sitting in cash," he added. "And most wealth is in productive, ongoing businesses, not yachts and artwork. These costs explain the worldwide trend of countries repealing estate taxes."  'THE OFFICE' CO-CREATOR SAYS THAT MODERN COMEDY IS 'POLICED BY THE LEFT,' KNOCKS CANCEL CULTURE Elsewhere during the interview, Gervais remarked that cancel culture had "peaked" after years of calling out woke mobs. "Each generation tries to ‘outwoke’ the generation before; some things they’re right about, some things wrong, then we settle and go on until the next time," Gervais said. "I can’t imagine what I’d have to say for my audience to cancel me, but cancel culture never really was about comedians that could sell millions of tickets," he added. "It was about teachers and nurses who were losing their jobs because of an ideology." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84e8a92c5335ae10484831 Kristin Cavallari rocks black string bikini months after revealing runway-ready routine te 2026-08-18T23:20:09.748Z Kristin Cavallari rocks black string bikini months after revealing runway-ready routine Kristin Cavallari is soaking up the final stretch of summer while putting her own skin care front and center. The 39-year-old reality star and entrepreneur wore a black string bikini in a series of new photos promoting her Uncommon Beauty skincare line. In one of the photos, Cavallari posed beside a sheer white curtain overlooking the water while wearing a black triangle bikini with tie-side bottoms. She stood facing the camera with one hand resting near her hip and the other holding the curtain. Cavallari wore her shoulder-length blond hair in loose waves as a pool, blue water and distant skyline filled the background. "Tan lines, vitamin C + peptides 🍍☀️," Cavallari captioned the Instagram post. A second photo captured Cavallari from the side in the same black bikini. The "Laguna Beach" alum leaned against the curtain with one arm raised above her head as she smiled with her eyes closed. The pool and waterfront setting remained visible behind her. Cavallari also used the photo shoot to spotlight a product from her Uncommon Beauty line. In a close-up image, Cavallari leaned against a palm tree while holding a bottle of the brand’s Enhanced Pineapple Peptide Nectar near her face. She continued wearing the black bikini as a large green leaf partially framed the photo. The latest set of photos come months after Cavallari stepped onto the runway at Miami Swim Week for Uncommon James’ first runway show. During a June 23 episode of her "Let’s Be Honest" podcast titled "How I Got Runway Ready for Miami Swim Week," Cavallari detailed how she prepared to walk the runway in a swimsuit. Cavallari explained that she had known about the show for roughly three months and became more disciplined about a month before the event. "You guys know I'm pretty healthy in general. But then what I did was I sort of like cranked it up a notch at least a month out," she said. One of the biggest changes involved alcohol. "So my point with this is basically in a nutshell I think leading up to Miami I drank twice in like 3 months," Cavallari said. The mother of three also discussed how her approach to fitness has evolved over the years, explaining that she no longer puts the same pressure on herself to maintain a rigid workout schedule. "I have gotten more lax in the last few years about eating and working out. And I think first of all, I look and feel the best I ever have," she said. Cavallari said she typically aims for four workouts a week, including three days of full-body weight training and one session on the StairMaster. However, preparing for Miami Swim Week presented an unexpected challenge after Cavallari said she was dealing with a torn labrum that had been bothering her for months. "In my head, I was like, ‘I'm trying to get runway bikini ready, and you're telling me I basically can't work out my legs.’ But I did. I took a solid week off of doing anything with my legs," she recalled. The injury forced Cavallari to pull back on the heavy weights she typically uses, a change she ultimately believed worked in her favor ahead of the runway show. "I actually think it worked in my favor because I was able to lean up a little bit more than I have, you know, like I was a little bit leaner than I have been in the last couple of years, I think," she said. "And um I think it worked in my favor for the runway." Despite months of preparation, Cavallari admitted she was "so incredibly nervous" before stepping onto the runway. "And as soon as I got out there, it was just like, okay, it's go time," she said. Cavallari ultimately described the experience as a milestone for both herself and her company. "It really was such a great moment, I think, not only for the company, but for me personally, because I was nervous," she said. "And I love anytime I get out of my comfort zone and I do something that scares me." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84e6542c5335ae104847cf Beloved mom of 3 killed when massive tree crashes onto SUV in freak highway accident te 2026-08-18T23:10:12.390Z Beloved mom of 3 killed when massive tree crashes onto SUV in freak highway accident An Ohio mother of three was killed after a massive tree came crashing down on her SUV as she drove along a highway over the weekend, authorities said. Bridget E. Reagan, 35, of Minerva, was behind the wheel of a 2023 Jeep Wagoneer traveling west on U.S. Route 30 in Paris Township around 5:24 p.m. Saturday when a tree toppled from a wooded area and crashed onto the vehicle, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP).  Reagan was pronounced dead at the scene, OSHP said. "We’re trying to determine whether or not the ground was saturated, if the tree was rotted or things like that — everything points to being an act of God," Lt. Johnnie Maier of the Ohio State Highway Patrol told WEWS. NATIONAL PARK TRIP TURNS TRAGIC AFTER FALLING ROCK PIERCES JEEP ROOF, FATALLY STRIKING MAN IN FRONT OF WIFE "This could have happened to anybody, but in this case, it happened to a young lady with a family," Maier told the outlet. Reagan was a small-business owner and well-known member of the Minerva community, where she owned Chic Haven, a clothing and home décor boutique. Reagan’s sudden death prompted an outpouring of grief from family, friends, fellow business owners and members of the tight-knit Minerva community. The Minerva Area Chamber of Commerce offered its "deepest and most heartfelt condolences" to Reagan’s family, friends and loved ones, describing her as a valued member of the local business community who brought "an incredible amount of energy, warmth, and joy" to those around her. OVERTURNED CARS SHUT DOWN MULTIPLE 405 FREEWAY LANES IN WEST LOS ANGELES DURING MORNING COMMUTE "Her presence touched so many people, and the impact she made throughout our community will not be forgotten," the chamber said, adding that the loss "will be felt for a very long time." Reagan also used her platform to give back. In a Facebook post last year, she asked friends to mark her birthday by donating to SAVE22 Veterans, an Ohio nonprofit focused on supporting veterans and raising awareness about veteran suicide. "I've chosen this nonprofit because their mission means a lot to me, and I hope you'll consider contributing as a way to celebrate with me," Reagan wrote at the time. Chic Haven Boutique confirmed Reagan’s death in an emotional Facebook post signed by her sister, Kelly. "There are no words that could ever truly express the heartbreak and emptiness we are feeling," the post said. "Bridget poured so much love, time, passion, and pieces of herself into this business, but even more importantly, she touched the lives of so many people along the way," the post continued. The family said they would work to preserve what Reagan built. "We will do our best to honor her memory and the legacy she created," the post said. NURSE IMPALED BY POLE DURING HIKE FORCED TO TREK 10 MILES FOR HELP: 'A FREAK THING' A GoFundMe created by Reagan’s sister is raising money for funeral and memorial expenses and to support her three children. "Bridget was a loving mother to three young children, and they were the center of her world," the fundraiser said. "She was also a deeply loved daughter, sister, and friend," the fundraiser continued, saying Reagan’s death "has left an enormous space in the lives of so many people who cared about her." Friends and customers also flooded social media with tributes, remembering Reagan as a kind and supportive friend who made time for others and embraced families in the community. One mourner recalled that Reagan was never too busy to offer a new mother advice or a listening ear, while another said she welcomed their family "with open arms." Others remembered her as "such a light in our little community" and said she had "the kindest heart." One local business is now using Reagan’s memory to help support her family. Gardner Candle Co. announced a memorial candle made in a fragrance Reagan particularly loved, with 100% of the profits going to her family. "Some people leave a light behind that can never be dimmed. Bridget Reagan was one of those beautiful souls," the company wrote, saying Reagan had supported the owner’s candle business and often partnered with her on local events. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84e64e2c5335ae104847ab 5 Things to Know About Alex Vindman, Democratic Senate Candidate in Florida te 2026-08-18T23:10:06.856Z 5 Things to Know About Alex Vindman, Democratic Senate Candidate in Florida The Democrat testified in President Trump’s first impeachment trial and has a twin brother, Eugene, in Congress. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84e64e2c5335ae104847a2 5 Things to Know About Angie Nixon, Democratic Senate Candidate in Florida te 2026-08-18T23:10:06.059Z 5 Things to Know About Angie Nixon, Democratic Senate Candidate in Florida Ms. Nixon, a democratic socialist, is running on a platform that calls for universal health care and a federal minimum wage of $25 per hour. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84e64d2c5335ae10484799 Threatening Friends and Courting Enemies in Trump’s ‘Upside-Down World’ te 2026-08-18T23:10:05.273Z Threatening Friends and Courting Enemies in Trump’s ‘Upside-Down World’ The president’s hostility to allies like Oman, Canada and South Korea, and his affection for adversaries like North Korea, may still shock some. But it comes as little surprise after a decade of upheaval. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84e64c2c5335ae10484790 5 Things to Know About Ashley Moody, Republican Senate Candidate in Florida te 2026-08-18T23:10:04.306Z 5 Things to Know About Ashley Moody, Republican Senate Candidate in Florida The Republican incumbent has President Trump’s support but has little name recognition to many in her state. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84e3fc2c5335ae1048474e Taylor Sheridan takes swipe at Los Angeles after building TV empire from Texas te 2026-08-18T23:00:12.503Z Taylor Sheridan takes swipe at Los Angeles after building TV empire from Texas Taylor Sheridan let everyone know how he really feels about Los Angeles. During a recent appearance on the "Rodeo Time" podcast," the 56-year-old writer and director called Los Angeles an "awful place" where there is nothing to do except to work out. "I'm the biggest content creator in Hollywood, and I haven't been to that sorry son of a b----- in seven years," he said. The prolific showrunner is known for creating many of TV's most popular programming, including "Yellowstone," "Landman," "Lioness," "Tulsa King" and many others and has managed to "do it from Granbury, Texas." WHAT TAYLOR SHERIDAN'S BIGGEST STARS REALLY THINK ABOUT WORKING WITH THE 'YELLOWSTONE' CREATOR Sheridan's home base, known as Bosque Ranch, is in North Texas, and his studio, SGS Studios, which features sound stages and constructed sets, is in Fort Worth, Texas. Many of his shows have used both the ranch and the studio when filming. After getting his start as an actor in Los Angeles, Sheridan witnessed unsavory behavior from directors on sets he worked on, which greatly influenced how he treats his talent as a director. "I watch these directors, most of them yell at everybody, yell at their crew, yell at people. ... It's a leadership by frustration," he explained. "It's a terrible way to lead, and it creates an atmosphere that nobody wants to be a part of." He recalled coming to the understanding that, without the camera operators, costume designers, production designers and everyone else on set, he can't make anything. "So, unless I'm willing to do it, I better be real nice when I ask someone to do it, and I better be real appreciative when they do," Sheridan said.  CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Sheridan's latest project, Season 3 of "Lioness," premiered on Aug. 2, and one of its stars recently gave the creator high praise. When speaking to ScreenRant earlier this month, actor Michael Kelly revealed he told Sheridan, "Bro, anything you ever want me to do, I'll do. I love being in Texas. I love saying your words. "I think he's truly a standalone talent," he said. "There's nobody who's doing or has ever done what he's doing. It's incredible what he does. And he's just one of the smartest dudes you'll ever meet. He's fricking brilliant, man. Brilliant. And just one of the greatest storytellers." Zoe Saldaña also praised the director for his ability to write female characters who are "complex" and "wholesome," noting, "If there’s one thing that I love the most, it’s men that really see women and know how to write women. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "They may not be perfect, but then again, human beings weren’t made to be perfect," she told "CBS Mornings." "I love the fact that there is an accurate depiction of Joe. A woman that, in front of her team, she never breaks, and she’s able to carry so much responsibility on her shoulders. And yet, when she’s in her private quarters, you see this human being grapple with just having to make everything work." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84e3f42c5335ae1048472b When to Expect Election Results in Alaska, California, Florida and Wyoming te 2026-08-18T23:00:04.086Z When to Expect Election Results in Alaska, California, Florida and Wyoming Four states are holding elections on Tuesday. Election officials anticipate having results by late Tuesday or early Wednesday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84e1a32c5335ae104846ef Carville torches Democratic socialists as 'pack of fools,' praises AOC's political evolution te 2026-08-18T22:50:11.982Z Carville torches Democratic socialists as 'pack of fools,' praises AOC's political evolution James Carville took aim at the Democratic Party's socialist flank Monday, dismissing members of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) as a "pack of fools" amid ongoing debates over the party's future. "They're a bunch of silly people," the longtime Democratic strategist told "Jesse Watters Primetime." "Those DSA people, they are a pack of fools. No one pays attention to them." JAMES CARVILLE WORRIES ABOUT THE 'END OF THE TWO-PARTY SYSTEM' AS DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS GAIN POPULARITY Carville brushed aside concerns that communists could be "taking over" his party, arguing that the ascendant far-left faction ultimately won't "do anything." Carville also predicted Democrats will win both chambers of Congress in November's midterms. He also praised "Squad" Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., a potential 2028 presidential contender, saying she has evolved since her election to Congress in 2018. "I do think she's very talented. She's certainly to the left of me, but you know what she's doing? What I think good politicians do, she's growing into the job," he told Watters. ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ SHRUGS OFF PAST 'DEFUND THE POLICE' COMMENTS, JOKING 'WOKE 1 WAS CRAZY' "She's not the same person she was when she was elected in 2018, and when people change a position from what I think is a more naive position to a more realistic position, I'm going to praise them." Carville's remarks come as Democrats debate the influence of the party's progressive flank and which wing will shape its future heading into the midterms and, eventually, the 2028 presidential race. Ocasio-Cortez has increasingly found herself at the center of that conversation, while other progressive candidates have won high-profile Democratic primaries around the country. The Democratic Socialists of America, meanwhile, has sought to expand its footprint in elected office as other Democrats debate how to respond to the movement's electoral gains. Carville isn't concerned, however, and argued that Democrats have a deep bench of political talent. "There's so much talent in this party people are gonna be blown away after we get past '26 and start running [people]... and the people that we're talking about [progressives] are not going to do anything," he said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84e1a32c5335ae104846e6 Billions spent by key federal agency hasn't made American dream of homeownership any easier: report te 2026-08-18T22:50:11.220Z Billions spent by key federal agency hasn't made American dream of homeownership any easier: report The traditional American Dream of homeownership slipped further out of reach across the country over the last decade, even as Washington spent hundreds of billions of dollars on housing programs, according to a new government watchdog analysis. Open The Books, a conservative watchdog that tracks government spending, analyzed a decade of home-price and household-income data across all 50 states and compared it with federal housing spending, finding virtually no relationship between greater investment from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and narrower affordability gaps. The watchdog found home prices grew faster than median household incomes in every state during the 10 years they looked at. "The further you get from a prospective homesite, the less effective or efficient any spending or regulatory tweak is likely to be," Christopher Neefus, vice president of communications for Open The Books, told Fox News Digital. "A single agency in Washington is likely the least equipped to offer some uniform solution." AMERICA’S BROKEN PERMITTING SYSTEM IS QUIETLY RAISING YOUR COST OF LIVING To measure that disparity, Open The Books calculated the percentage growth in each state’s Federal Housing Finance Agency home-price index over the decade and subtracted the percentage growth in median household income over the same period, calling the difference the "Affordability Gap." Effectively, the metric measures how much faster home prices rose than median household incomes in each state. The watchdog found home prices grew faster than median household incomes in every state between 2015 and 2024, creating what the group dubbed an "Affordability Gap." The wider the gap, the further the traditional dream of homeownership slipped from what household incomes could keep pace with. In 48 states, that gap reached double digits, while 17 states saw home-price growth outpace income growth by more than 50 percentage points, according to Open The Books' analysis. GOP CAN'T AGREE ON KEY PART OF TRUMP'S HOUSING AFFORDABILITY PUSH AS INFIGHTING CONTINUES "In this case, nearly half a trillion dollars was shoveled into the states over a decade, but it offered no meaningful effect for Americans whose incomes were outrun by prices in every state," Neefus said. "The answer, then, has to be in addressing regulatory hurdles, zoning restrictions, and investments at the local level." To test whether greater federal spending corresponded with better affordability outcomes, Open The Books tallied roughly $460 billion in HUD spending across 18 programs related to housing affordability, availability, rent control and homelessness from 2015 through 2024, then compared each state’s spending with its "Affordability Gap."  The analysis found virtually no linear relationship between the amount of HUD funding a state received and the size of its affordability gap, according to the watchdog. In response to the report, HUD pointed to the Trump administration’s efforts to cut regulations, combat fraud and shift more housing policy decisions to state and local governments. FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER AFFORDABILITY IN SEATTLE AREA CALLED 'RIDICULOUS' AS HOUSING COSTS KEEP RISING "Under President Trump’s leadership, HUD is focused on delivering results and making housing more affordable for every American willing to work for it," a HUD spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "We’ve uncovered nearly $495 million in fraud, rolled back burdensome Biden-era policies, and helped more than one million Americans achieve homeownership." "Washington doesn’t have all the answers, which is why we’re empowering state and local leaders to advance proven solutions, cut barriers, and increase housing supply," the spokesperson added. The report comes amid broader concern that younger Americans are being priced out of milestones that previous generations associated with the American Dream. Fox News Digital previously reported that median household income nationally increased 99.7% between 2000 and 2024, while the median sale price of a single-family home increased 150.1% over the same period, according to a housing policy blueprint released earlier this year. The median age of a first-time homebuyer has also climbed to 40. For Neefus, those trends help explain why younger generations may increasingly view homeownership as something less attainable than it was for their parents and grandparents. "If you look at how long it would take a median income household to save up for a strong down payment, it’s really no wonder that younger generations might be redefining what the American dream means for them," Neefus said. "If there’s hope of restoring that dream of homeownership, this analysis demonstrates that top-down spending won’t be the way." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84df482c5335ae1048468f Jon Rahm could be set to leave LIV Golf, pay massive penalties to return to PGA Tour in matter of weeks te 2026-08-18T22:40:08.822Z Jon Rahm could be set to leave LIV Golf, pay massive penalties to return to PGA Tour in matter of weeks LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil has remained adamant that the breakaway tour will continue in 2027 and beyond, even without the support of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, remaining a top competitor for the PGA Tour. But for that to be the case, it seems O'Neil and LIV will likely have to do it without one of their best players and biggest draws. While some players have expressed support for LIV, whatever it winds up being, or at least no desire to return to the PGA Tour, others have acknowledged that the path forward is unclear. Ian Poulter, one of the first to leave for LIV, even recently stated that time might "run out" for the tour to replace their funding for 2027. Their team championship event in Michigan was officially canceled, too, after weeks of rumors. And now it seems the wait for the other shoe to drop is coming to an end as well. JON RAHM'S REPORTED EXIT FROM LIV GOLF WOULD POSE DEVASTATION TO BREAKAWAY CIRCUIT AMID UNCERTAINTIES One new report from the "Tee Times Pub" account on X has said that LIV star Jon Rahm has made a deal to return to the PGA Tour in a matter of weeks. With some heavy financial penalties and other "punishments" attached. Their post says that Rahm will have to pay a "$25 million fine," which would be donated to charity, along with going on an "apology tour." That "apology tour" would reportedly involve "announcing his separation from LIV Golf and a return to 'traditional golf.'" He would also not be able to play in the PGA's high-purse "Signature events," unless he "plays his way into them." That would mean no sponsor exemptions, despite the increased ratings and interest Rahm would bring to those events. PGA TOUR CEO SHARES JARRING COMMENTS ABOUT PLAYERS RETURNING AS LIV GOLF SAUDI FUNDING DISAPPEARS All of these terms seem close enough to realistic, and the PGA Tour would obviously want Rahm back in the fold, competing against Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. But others have contradicted the Tee Times account, particularly Joel Beall from Golf Digest. Beall posted in response "that reports about Jon Rahm striking a deal to return to the PGA Tour are inaccurate/premature at this point." The Tee Times account then added some more context in response, saying that "it's believed to be an agreement reached between parties, though it can't be formalized because Rahm is still under contract with LIV. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "The PGAT certainly can't approach him to have these discussions (see: potential tortious interference), and he could be taking further financial risks by approaching them. For these reasons, it's advantageous for the tour to downplay this, act as if these conversations haven't happened, or that a deal is 'premature.'" It's hard to know what to trust, but given LIV's substantive issues and uncertainty, it wouldn't be surprising if Rahm and his team are looking to get him back on the PGA Tour as soon as possible. There may be other pathways, but would, for example, one of the best handful of players in the world want to spend a year playing DP World Tour events to try and return to the PGA? Then there's the other side of it, that Rahm is still under contract with LIV. It's unclear how easy, or not, it would be for Rahm to get out of his deal. If there are requirements LIV has to meet, or exit clauses based on purses or guaranteed contracts, it could just be a matter of the 31-year-old waiting for the right time. If not, this could stretch on longer than anticipated. Often, with reports on LIV's issues, there's a similar pattern. Someone from outside the traditional world of golf reporting says that something will happen, like a canceled tournament, more official sources deny it, or say it's premature, and then the initial report is proven right. If that pattern holds here, we won't have long to wait to find out if Rahm is indeed headed back to the PGA Tour. Stay tuned. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84dcef2c5335ae10484625 AZ Supreme Court keeps election law initiative on the ballot te 2026-08-18T22:30:07.981Z AZ Supreme Court keeps election law initiative on the ballot PHOENIX — The Arizona Supreme Court has ruled that a package of proposed changes to Arizona election law may go before voters in November, rejecting opponents’ claims that the measure contained too many provisions. Proposition 144 would add a provision to the Arizona Constitution stating that only citizens can vote. It would also restrict spending by foreign nationals to influence elections and require all voters to show identification when casting a ballot. “These provisions are interrelated because each regulates the same context — the conduct of public elections,” Justice John Lopez wrote for the majority on Tuesday. Lopez said it’s irrelevant that each proposed change could be presented to voters separately. In their dissent, Chief Justice Ann Scott Timmer and Justice Maria Elena Cruz said two of the changes that Prop. 144 would make are not sufficiently interrelated to be presented to voters as a single package. They include the provisions that would require early ballots to be tabulated on site when dropped off and another that would give lawmakers broad powers to enact new election law. “Voters should be permitted to consider [the two sections] separately,” they wrote. And they said putting them in a single package violates state constitutional requirements prohibiting disparate subjects from being put into a single ballot measure. The ruling addresses only whether Prop. 144 will be on the ballot. What voters will be told about the measure remains to be decided. The conservative advocacy group America First Legal contends that Democratic Secretary of State Adrian Fontes is trying to mislead voters — and using words designed to get them to reject the GOP-crafted ballot measure. A trial judge rejected those claims. Now America First Legal is seeking Supreme Court review. The post AZ Supreme Court keeps election law initiative on the ballot first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84dcec2c5335ae10484613 Former Mother-in-Law Describes Lindsay Clancy’s Mental Health Struggle te 2026-08-18T22:30:04.746Z Former Mother-in-Law Describes Lindsay Clancy’s Mental Health Struggle Ms. Clancy, who is on trial for murder in the deaths of her three children, tried to find treatment for her deteriorating condition, her ex-husband’s mother testified. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84da9b2c5335ae104845d1 Jemele Hill posts misleading study to suggest there are too many 'white men' in sports media te 2026-08-18T22:20:11.532Z Jemele Hill posts misleading study to suggest there are too many 'white men' in sports media Jemele Hill dismissed calls to add men to WNBA broadcasts as "deeply unserious," arguing that the sports media industry is overrun by "White men." Earlier this week, NBA reporter Ric Bucher pointed to the lack of diversity on WNBA studio shows, which are staffed predominantly by Black women. Bucher suggested networks like ESPN and NBC add a male voice to the conversation. Hill responded to Bucher's post by citing what she called the "latest stats." "— 83 percent of sports editors are white men — 75 percent of assistant sports editors are white men — 82 percent of columnists are white men — 67 percent of sports anchors are white men — 68 percent of sports analysts are white men — 65 percent of sports producers are white men. C’mon, Ric. This is deeply unserious." JOSH PATE WAS EVICTED WHILE EARNING $27K. NOW, HE RUNS A COLLEGE FOOTBALL MEDIA EMPIRE As OutKick argued on Monday, Bucher is correct that mainstream WNBA programming lacks diversity. However, it's the lack of diversity in worldview that is consequential. WNBA programming doesn't necessarily need someone of a particular gender or race to improve the discourse. It needs someone willing to represent the other side of the conversation, someone to challenge claims that Caitlin Clark is overrated, that "white privilege" is rampant, that Black women in the WNBA are victims, that Sophie Cunningham is a culture warrior and that trans women are women. The public doesn't care whether that counterargument comes from a man or a woman, or a Black or white commentator. It just wants someone willing to challenge the groupthink. That said, it wasn't Bucher's argument that was "unserious." It was Hill's rebuttal. Her statistics appear to trace back to a 2018 study called the "Associated Press Sports Editors Racial and Gender Report Card," published by the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport. Using that study to characterize who holds the most influential jobs in sports media is grossly misleading. The report lumps vastly different jobs into the same broad picture. An entry-level anchor working weekends at a local station is given the same weight as a lead anchor for NBC, ESPN, CBS, or Fox. And that's before considering questions about the study's sample size and methodology. For example, perhaps there are three white male anchors in Traverse City, Michigan, making $50,000 a year. (This is hypothetical. Don't protest outside their studios.) In a vacuum, that might suggest favoritism toward white men, or it may simply reflect the gender and racial makeup of sports broadcasters in the area. Either way, consider the most prominent anchor jobs in sports media, starting with the most prestigious hosting assignment in American sports: the Super Bowl. A white man has not been the lead host of a Super Bowl pregame or halftime show since, wait for it, 2018. That was Dan Patrick's final year in the role for NBC. Since then, the Super Bowl has been hosted by NBC's Mike Tirico and Maria Taylor, Fox's Curt Menefee and CBS's James Brown. ESPN could buck that trend when it broadcasts its first Super Bowl this season, with either Scott Van Pelt or Mike Greenberg as host. Nonetheless, as things currently stand, three of the four networks with Super Bowl rights have Black hosts. There are now industry rumblings that Netflix will join the Super Bowl rotation in 2029. The streamer recently announced Elle Duncan as its lead anchor. Duncan is a Black woman. NBA hosting assignments are the second most prominent in the industry. There are four NBA pregame hosts across the league's three partners. Three are Black women: Maria Taylor (NBC), Malika Andrews (ESPN) and Taylor Rooks (Amazon). The other is Ernie Johnson (ESPN), a white man. Damn you, Ernie Johnson. EX-ESPN HOST SAYS SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM DESERVED TO BE EJECTED AND PUNISHED — NOT DIJONAI CARRINGTON, WHO CLOTHESLINED HER Hill also complained that there are too many white male analysts. Again, maybe during the Saturday wrap-up in Iowa. Likewise, many of the top analyst jobs are held by Black former NFL and NBA players. Inside the NBA," the most prominent studio show in basketball, sure isn't forcing white men down the throats of hoop fans with a cast of Charles Barkley, Shaq and Kenny Smith. NHL and MLB coverage tends to feature more white or Latino personalities. Positions like assistant sports editor and columnist are harder to assess. Still, there is a larger dynamic Hill's statistics don't capture. As television networks increasingly prioritized DEI since 2017, many white men remained behind the camera while their counterparts of color were given opportunities in front of it. Put simply, sports media is a strange industry for Hill to cite as Exhibit A for white male privilege. Consider some of the commentators handpicked and prioritized by networks over the past decade: Maria Taylor, Elle Duncan, Mina Kimes, Bomani Jones, Taylor Rooks, Ryan Clark, Joy Taylor, Emmanuel Acho, Sarah Spain, David Dennis, Monica McNutt, Malika Andrews, Katie Nolan and Dianna Russini. Of that group, Andrews and Kimes are the two who emerged as lasting centerpiece personalities at ESPN. Sure, ESPN is now building around the likes of Pat McAfee, Josh Pate, Taylor Lewan and Will Compton. Yet there's an important distinction: ESPN didn't build them. They built themselves. Each developed an audience and established a brand outside the traditional sports media pipeline. Only after they proved they could attract audiences independently did major networks come calling. Networks like ESPN also needed that star power, given the failure rate of the personalities they had hoped to turn into stars. Ultimately, anyone can mix and match statistics to support any preferred narrative. That's what Jemele Hill did, in an effort to pretend white men have a distinct advantage across sports media. The positive is that sports fans are less concerned with the race or gender of the people on television than with the perspectives they bring to the discussion. The average American is not nearly as focused on the skin colors of the people they see as members of the media are. If the four Black women on ESPN's WNBA studio show offered genuinely diverse viewpoints, this discussion wouldn't be necessary. In fact, if sports media stopped fixating on manufactured crises regarding race, the worldviews of said commentators wouldn't matter nearly as much. It shouldn't be this hard to find entertaining, likeable people to talk about sports and stick to sports, regardless of their race and gender Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84da9a2c5335ae104845be GOP referral that would prevent school voucher regulations blocked from the ballot te 2026-08-18T22:20:10.297Z GOP referral that would prevent school voucher regulations blocked from the ballot Photo via Getty Images The Republican-led ballot referral designed to block any effort to regulate the state’s private school voucher system is officially dead, after the Arizona Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that it violates the state Constitution.  Proposition 145 would have forbidden any voucher money from being taken from military families. But a hidden clause extended that prohibition to all other recipients of the Empowerment Scholarship Account program. And a separate provision would have made future reforms to the voucher system nearly impossible, enshrining protections for it in the Arizona Constitution that would void even voter-backed efforts to restrain the program.  GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE The GOP referral was a direct response to a ballot initiative crafted by public education advocates that would have overhauled the voucher system. Proposition 212, or the Protect Education Act, would have added an income cap to the program, established penalties for voucher misuse and set educational and safety requirements for schools that accept vouchers. Part of Prop. 212 would have clawed back voucher money in scholarship accounts, including from military families. If voters had approved of Prop. 145, the public-education backed Prop. 212 would have been nullified even if it had passed, because the prohibitions in Prop. 145 applied to all laws and ballot measures adopted after Nov. 1, 2026.  But voters won’t get a chance to consider whether the $1 billion school voucher program should be more strictly regulated. That’s because on Tuesday, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled that Prop. 212 didn’t gather enough signatures to qualify for the ballot.  Also on Tuesday, the high court ordered that Prop. 145 be left off of the November ballot, agreeing with a lower court’s July decision that determined it was unconstitutional and foiling GOP hopes of preemptively protecting the voucher program from future threats. Republicans had petitioned the Arizona Supreme Court to reverse the July ruling and ensure that their ballot measure could still be put before voters, but the justices weren’t impressed.  Chief Justice Ann Scott Timmer, writing on behalf of the six justices who weighed in on the case, pointed out that Prop. 145’s two main provisions aren’t related enough to satisfy the Arizona Constitution’s separate amendment requirement. Justice Kathryn King didn’t participate in the decision.  The separate amendment requirement prohibits ballot measures from making multiple, disparate changes that could force voters to support a proposal despite reservations about some of its content. Timmer noted that barring the state from taking away money from the children of military families who qualify for vouchers isn’t connected enough to the provision that declares any state law or ballot initiative void if it impacts military family voucher recipients to warrant both provisions being wrapped up in one proposal.  That’s because the main provisions in Prop. 145 change different parts of the Arizona Constitution. One adds an entirely new amendment to the state constitution protecting military family voucher accounts and the other amends the existing rules that limit the legislature’s influence over citizen initiatives, creating an exception that allows the legislature to override voter approved ballot measures when school vouchers are in play.  “(Prop. 145) does not confine its effects to a single constitutional provision,” Timmer wrote.  Timmer added that, on top of failing to be sufficiently connected, the provisions also have significantly different impacts. While one part of the ballot referral simply protects military family voucher accounts, the other goes far beyond that, nullifying laws that affect any voucher accounts, even those that don’t belong to the children of military families. That, Timmer wrote, is exactly the kind of broad and disconnected type of ballot measure the state Constitution’s separate amendment rule was created to prevent.  “The provisions do not share a logical relationship or derive meaning and effect from each other,” she wrote. “This is the type of measure the separate amendment rule is designed to prohibit.” YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84da992c5335ae104845b5 Trump’s ballroom ‘illegal’ without congressional approval, high court told te 2026-08-18T22:20:09.595Z Trump’s ballroom ‘illegal’ without congressional approval, high court told A crane on the construction site of the planned White House ballroom, where the East Wing used to be, during the early morning of Thursday, June 11, 2026. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom) WASHINGTON — Historic preservationists asked the U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday to deny President Donald Trump’s appeal to continue construction on his $400 million White House ballroom on the grounds of the demolished East Wing. In response to Trump’s application to the high court, the National Trust for Historic Preservation argued irreparable harm would result if construction continued, and that the project is “illegal” without authorization from Congress. The Trust lawyers highlighted that the Trump administration has argued in court the ballroom will be “virtually impossible to deconstruct” because it will be constructed out of nuclear power plant-grade concrete. “That is the essence of irreparable harm,” the Trust argued in the 48-page filing. “Petitioners make no secret of the fact that if the Court permits construction to continue, they will declare the case over,” according to the Trust, a private nonprofit chartered by Congress in 1949 to encourage the protection of historic sites. By contrast, the organization argued, the president and his administration would not be harmed if the Supreme Court left intact a lower court order halting above-ground construction. Security complex Court filings from the administration have publicly revealed that a security complex under the ballroom will descend five stories, and is well on its way to completion.  The concrete-and-steel “superstructure,” reaching five stories deep and 70 feet high, already encompassing about 50,000 square feet, is 65% finished, according to the administration.  Plans include a 1,000-seat ballroom incorporated into a “highly integrated military complex” with drone-proof ceilings, bomb shelters, sniper nests, “military-grade venting,” and “state-of-the-art hospital and medical facilities.”  The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit panel on Aug. 7 upheld, 2-1, the lower court order blocking all but underground construction while litigation continued. The Trust further argued Tuesday that any above-ground construction happening is already illegal because Congress didn’t authorize it, which means the administration would not likely win the case should the Supreme Court take it up.  “The question is simply who decides whether a ballroom can be built on federal property. Our constitutional system and federal law commits that choice to Congress,” the Trust argued.  “If Petitioners believe there is a pressing need for a ballroom, nothing prevents them from asking Congress for one — today, tomorrow, or any time in the future,” the brief reads. “But Petitioners’ efforts to foil judicial review and arrogate Congress’s exclusive powers should not be rewarded with a stay that allows Petitioners to complete a ballroom they lacked any authority to commence in the first place.” Democrats back preservationists More than 30 Democratic U.S. senators, U.S. House Democratic leaders and committee ranking members from both chambers filed a brief Tuesday in support of the Trust. Lawmakers who signed the brief are from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia and Washington. “The White House is, indisputably, federal property. It was built only after Congress authorized its construction and appropriated funds to cover that expense,” the lawmakers wrote. “And for over two centuries since, the White House has been renovated and maintained pursuant to congressional authorizations and appropriations.” But Congress “neither authorized the demolition of the White House’s East Wing and construction of a ballroom nor appropriated funds to carry out that project,” they continued. Trump maintains the ballroom project is being funded entirely by private donations.  U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer, who was Trump’s personal attorney before joining the government, told the Supreme Court in the administration’s application last week that $200 million has already been spent or committed to the project.  Sauer argued that a statute governing the Department of the Interior allows private donations to cover projects on land administered by the National Park Service. The service, an agency within the Interior Department, manages the White House and President’s Park. The Democratic senators who signed onto the amicus brief were Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse and Jack Reed of Rhode Island, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Angela Alsobrooks and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico, John Hickenlooper of Colorado, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Gary Peters of Michigan, Adam Schiff of California, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Ron Wyden of Oregon The Democratic House leaders who joined the brief were Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, of New York, Minority Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar of California.  The other representatives who signed on were Robert Garcia, Jared Huffman, Ro Khanna, Mark Takano, Maxine Waters and Zoe Lofgren of California; Jim Hines of Connecticut; Rick Larsen and Adam Smith of Washington state; Jamie Raskin of Maryland; Bobby Scott of Virginia; Bennie Thompson of Mississippi; and Gregory Meeks and Joe Morelle of New York. Republican AGs want ballroom A brief led by the Republican Attorneys General Raúl Labrador of Idaho and Todd Rokita of Indiana argued the Supreme Court should side with Trump because the National Trust allegedly built its case on the “associational standing” of one of its board members who would not suffer harm. “This case is about more than a ballroom. It is about whether a passerby’s aesthetic objection to a government construction project furnishes not just the passerby standing, but an uninjured association standing to air its grievances in court,” the attorneys general wrote.  The argument echoed Trump’s many public statements that the case against his ballroom rests on the objection of one person who sometimes walks by the White House. That risk is “of significant interest to States across the Nation,” they wrote.  “Amici States have extensive experience litigating against organizations that invoke associational standing as their ticket into court.” The attorneys general concluded: “The Court should not allow groups whose members claim offense to sue over virtually anything and everything.”  A federal district judge in December had already denied the Trust’s initial request for a temporary restraining order based on the lack of irreparable harm for an initial plaintiff. The most recent lower court decision is based on an amended complaint filed by the Trust in early March. In addition to Idaho and Indiana, the Republican attorneys general who signed the brief are from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. Two members of the Arizona state legislature also signed it. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84da922c5335ae10484585 Cursor capitalizes on Github frustration, launches rival hosting platform te 2026-08-18T22:20:02.702Z Cursor capitalizes on Github frustration, launches rival hosting platform Cursor, known for its AI Code Editor, is launching a new code hosting platform to rival developers' long preferred favorite, Github. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84d8412c5335ae104843d6 Kai Trump recalls ‘a lot of crying’ with mom Vanessa before college amid breast cancer battle te 2026-08-18T22:10:09.134Z Kai Trump recalls ‘a lot of crying’ with mom Vanessa before college amid breast cancer battle Kai Trump is opening up about the emotional days she spent with her mother, Vanessa Trump, before college amid Vanessa’s breast cancer battle. The 19-year-old granddaughter of President Donald Trump told Fox News Digital that she and her mother became especially emotional in the week before she left to begin her freshman year at the University of Miami. "There was definitely, there was a lot of crying in like the week leading up," Kai Trump said. "We would just be driving, and then we'd just start crying together." Vanessa Trump revealed in May that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and was working with her medical team on a treatment plan. KAI TRUMP REVEALS DIET AND NUTRITION SECRETS THAT CREATED SIX-PACK ABS POST-SURGERY In June, Vanessa Trump said she was recovering from surgery and preparing to begin the second stage of her treatment. "My mom, she’s doing a lot better," Kai said. "Kind of after treatment, she wasn’t feeling very good. Just like how treatment will make you feel … but she’s getting a lot better now." VANESSA TRUMP REVEALS BREAST CANCER DIAGNOSIS IN EMOTIONAL STATEMENT: 'I AM STAYING FOCUSED AND HOPEFUL' Kai Trump said her mother’s diagnosis gave them an opportunity to spend considerably more time together over the summer — time the competitive golfer said she otherwise may have spent on the course. She described that extra time together as a "blessing in disguise." "I was able to spend extra time with her that I would normally probably spend on the golf course," Kai Trump said. "It was nice to spend those extra hours with her throughout the day before going to college." DONALD TRUMP'S GRANDDAUGHTER KAI TRUMP REVEALS HER UNEXPECTED SONG OF THE YEAR PICK Kai Trump said being relatively close to home has helped make the college transition easier and reassured her that her mother is never far away. "I know if I called her at a random time she would be here in a heartbeat," Kai Trump said. "So it's very sweet, but I'm looking forward to the next chapter. And yeah, I mean, she's very excited for me as well." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84d8402c5335ae104843cd Runner discovers woman stabbed to death outside vehicle near upscale DC suburb trail te 2026-08-18T22:10:08.367Z Runner discovers woman stabbed to death outside vehicle near upscale DC suburb trail A morning runner discovered a woman fatally stabbed outside her vehicle near a popular trail area in an affluent Northern Virginia neighborhood outside Washington, D.C. on Monday, according to police. Fairfax County police said officers were called around 7 a.m. to the 8800 block of Georgetown Pike in the Great Falls area of McLean, Virginia, after a community member heading out for a morning run spotted an unconscious woman outside a vehicle. The woman was suffering from trauma to her upper body and was pronounced dead at the scene, Fairfax County Police Capt. Jason Chandler said during a news conference. The department separately described the incident as a "fatal stabbing." The vehicle near the woman was registered to her, Chandler said. BABYSITTER ACCUSED OF KIDNAPPING TWO YOUNG SISTERS WAS PREVIOUSLY CHARGED WITH ABDUCTING NEWBORN Police said the parking area leads to several trails used by people to hike, walk and enjoy the Great Falls area in McLean. McLean, located just outside Washington, D.C., is one of Northern Virginia's most affluent communities, sitting just outside Washington. The median household income tops $250,000, while the median owner-occupied home is valued at more than $1.4 million, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau data. Detectives were actively following up on leads Monday, but authorities had not publicly identified a suspect or released a description. NJ MOM’S MURDER SHROUDED IN SECRECY AS PI SAYS ‘NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS’ BEHIND-CLOSED-DOORS CASE "There is no immediate indication that this was a random act," Chandler said. Chandler repeated that assessment when asked whether nearby residents should be concerned. Police have not publicly identified the woman or disclosed her age beyond describing her as an adult. Authorities also have not said whether she lived in the area or why she was at the trailhead. Investigators were working to determine how long the woman had been there and whether she arrived alone, Chandler said. Detectives were also canvassing the surrounding area for surveillance cameras and seeking video from nearby community members as they worked to piece together what happened. Police are asking anyone who saw anything suspicious around the time of the discovery to contact authorities at 1-866-411-TIPS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84d5ec2c5335ae1048437a Ohio couple accused of barging into cruise ship cabin, attacking family and 9-year-old te 2026-08-18T22:00:12.429Z Ohio couple accused of barging into cruise ship cabin, attacking family and 9-year-old An Ohio couple was arrested after authorities said they forced their way into a family's cruise ship cabin and attacked two adults and their 9-year-old child after being asked to quiet down. Gannon Jacox, 29, and girlfriend Brooklyn Hicks, 28, were arrested after the ship returned to Port Canaveral, Florida, according to Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey. Ivey said Jacox and Hicks had been arguing loudly after drinking when one of the victims asked them to quiet down. 'HEAVILY INTOXICATED' MAN ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY BEATING CHILDREN ABOARD CARNIVAL CRUISE SHIP, POLICE SAY Hicks then confronted the victim, while Jacox walked over with his cellphone, began recording the encounter and encouraged Hicks to attack them, according to Ivey. The couple then pushed their way into the family's cabin, where the 9-year-old was inside, the sheriff said. "As a fight ensued Jacox ends up hitting all 3 people (including the child) and Hicks was just swinging, hoping one would land," Ivey wrote in a Facebook post. Ivey said Jacox struck all three victims during the fight. Hicks also threw punches, according to the sheriff. CARNIVAL CRUISE SHIP PASSENGER DIES AFTER FALLING FROM BALCONY – FBI INVESTIGATES HIGH-SEAS HORROR Jacox suffered an eye injury during the confrontation that Ivey said could have come from one of the victims or from Hicks as she threw punches. None of the three victims was seriously injured, according to Ivey. Jacox was charged with burglary with battery and child abuse without great bodily harm, while Hicks was charged with burglary with battery and battery-touch/strike, according to the sheriff. Authorities have not identified the cruise ship involved in the incident. Four cruise ships were scheduled to dock at Port Canaveral on Saturday: Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas, Disney Cruise Line's Disney Treasure and Carnival Cruise Line's Mardi Gras and Carnival Freedom, according to the port's schedule. It was not immediately clear which ship Jacox and Hicks had been aboard. Ivey used the arrests to warn cruise passengers about drinking excessively and causing trouble. "So what’s the moral of the story…if you can’t hold your liquor, then you definitely shouldn’t be out in public causing a scene like this and injuring random people including a child!!" Ivey wrote. "And if that memo is not clear enough for you then you might want to stay your butt out of Brevard County!!" Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84d5eb2c5335ae10484371 Broncos QB Bo Nix gets in a fight at practice, handles it like an ultimate football guy te 2026-08-18T22:00:11.635Z Broncos QB Bo Nix gets in a fight at practice, handles it like an ultimate football guy We're inching ever closer to the start of the NFL regular season, but thankfully there's no shortage of drama during training camp, sometimes even if there's only one team on the field. That was the case for the Denver Broncos on Tuesday when a fight broke out during the team's practice. And signal caller Bo Nix just happened to be in the middle of it. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE The footage of the fight is hard to come by on social media at the moment, which is downright insane. I'm sure the Broncos had some cameras going, but in an age where everyone has a phone with a camera in their pocket and a growing population has Meta glasses on at all times of the day, how is it not everywhere?! But I digress... If you're a Broncos fan, I think you have to like this. This isn't a "the locker room chemistry is in shambles" fight. This is a good ol' fashioned aggro-competitive dudes fight. And I think you'll be even more excited about how Nix handled it afterward. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "I love it. It’s football. It’s getting me ready for the games coming up," Nix said later. "It's a physical practice out there played by physical people. It got intense, and we were just really enjoying it. Sometimes in the dog days of summer, practice gets long, and the intensity runs high." Two words: Football Guy. I love that. You get in a big fight at practice, and when you're done you hop up to the podium and you're like, "Yeah, it happens; we enjoyed it." The Broncos were a bit of a pleasant surprise last year, and I can't imagine a step backward based solely on that attitude. If I'm another team in the NFL after hearing all of this, I think I'm gulping like a nervous Hanna-Barbera character right now. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84d38c2c5335ae104842ef Liberia Agrees to Take 1,200 Deportees From U.S. te 2026-08-18T21:50:04.583Z Liberia Agrees to Take 1,200 Deportees From U.S. The arrangement is one of the largest known deals that the Trump administration has struck to expel migrants who cannot be sent back to their home countries. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84d1392c5335ae10483cf7 Cancer risk may be higher for people with one particular type of job te 2026-08-18T21:40:09.675Z Cancer risk may be higher for people with one particular type of job People who fly for a living could face a higher risk of certain types of cancers, a new Harvard study suggests. Flight attendants and pilots in the U.S. face the highest risk of radiation-related cancer deaths out of a list of more than 500 occupations, the researchers concluded. "As you get high up in the atmosphere, you're exposed to ionizing radiation from the sun – it's called cosmic radiation," study author Anupam B. Jena, M.D., Ph.D., told Fox News Digital. CANCER TREATMENT DELAYS SURGE ACROSS US AS DOCTOR WARNS SYSTEM ‘NEEDS FIXING IMMEDIATELY’ The finding was based on analysis of data from the National Vital Statistics System – specifically, nearly 13 million U.S. death certificates between 2020 and 2024. Out of those records, 14,000 were pilots and 7,000 were flight attendants. Across all occupations, the team analyzed mortality from radiation-related cancers, including breast cancer, multiple myeloma, leukemia (except chronic lymphocytic leukemia), lymphoma, central nervous system cancers, thyroid cancer, prostate cancer, melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. They did not include lung cancer to prevent confounding the results with any smoking-related risk. CANCER WARNING SIGNS MAY APPEAR IN DNA YEARS BEFORE BLOOD TESTS DETECT TROUBLE Pilots and flight attendants were found to have "statistically significantly" higher mortality rates linked to breast cancer, central nervous system cancers, prostate cancers and melanoma. Pilots were also more likely to die from leukemia. Among all flight attendant deaths, 6.9% were linked to radiation-related cancers, as were 6.7% of pilots’ deaths. This was higher than the rates for any other occupations, the researchers found. For cancers not related to radiation, the rates were comparable to other occupations. "It's not just lifestyle factors or factors about these individuals that are making them more likely to develop cancer at large," Jena added. The study was published Aug. 17 in JAMA Internal Medicine. "The risk increase is meaningful enough for the group," Jena said. "Our study doesn't speak to the individual pilot or flight attendant, but more so to the two groups as a whole." Each year, airline workers receive about 3 to 6 millisieverts of cosmic radiation, compared to 0.4 millisieverts for someone who takes 10 round-trip cross-country flights, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER That means airline workers may receive roughly eight to 15 times the annual cosmic radiation exposure of someone taking 10 cross-country round trips. "It is thought that this would be a cumulative risk, so the more time that you're exposed to that cosmic radiation, the greater the increase in risk that you might experience," Jena pointed out. The findings could also raise questions about whether U.S. pilots and flight attendants should receive additional or earlier cancer screenings. "I think the level of screening may need to be higher," Jena said, noting that approaches differ between the U.S. and other countries. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES "Just making sure that these individuals are screened regularly, that they may be screened earlier in life than other folks — I think that's totally on the table." TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ For people who fly frequently for business or pleasure, Jena said the findings should be less concerning, noting that very few passengers accumulate flight time comparable to pilots and flight attendants. He added, "This is really sort of a consideration for people who spend their life in the air." The study has several limitations. Because it was observational, the findings cannot establish that cosmic radiation caused the elevated cancer mortality among pilots and flight attendants, only that the two were associated. The researchers also did not have access to data on individual workers’ radiation exposure, which means they could not determine whether those with greater exposure faced greater risks. Other occupational or lifestyle factors could also potentially contribute to the findings. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84d1332c5335ae10483cd9 Trump Officials Ignored Their Own University Investigations, Lawyer Says te 2026-08-18T21:40:03.819Z Trump Officials Ignored Their Own University Investigations, Lawyer Says A former Justice Department lawyer says Trump administration leaders ignored findings that elite schools, including Brown and Columbia, hadn’t broken the law as they pressed them into deals. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84cee62c5335ae10483c99 Trump admin scores court win to end deportation protections for Ethiopian migrants te 2026-08-18T21:30:14.115Z Trump admin scores court win to end deportation protections for Ethiopian migrants A federal judge on Tuesday cleared the way for the Trump administration to end deportation protections for Ethiopian immigrants, putting into effect all of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) terminations the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has pursued for select countries. U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy in Boston lifted a temporary hold on the decades-old TPS program, which allowed Ethiopian nationals to live and work legally in the U.S. as their home country was considered unsafe. Last year, DHS determined that Ethiopia no longer met the conditions for TPS, asserting that conditions in the country had improved. The decision removes the final legal hurdle facing DHS after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June that the administration could terminate similar protections for thousands of people from Haiti and Syria. "ALL TPS terminations are now IN EFFECT," the DHS said in a post on X. "Those with terminated TPS should leave NOW. If they don’t, we will DEPORT them." TRUMP SCORES MAJOR IMMIGRATION VICTORY AS JUDGE CLEARS WAY TO END TPS PROTECTIONS FOR THOUSANDS OF SOMALIS The decision to terminate the deportation protections was part of a split ruling by Murphy, who had previously issued an administrative stay in African Communities Together v. Markwayne Mullin. In the civil case, plaintiffs argued that DHS terminated the protections due to racial and national-origin discrimination. In the ruling, Murphy found that DHS has the authority to terminate TPS designations and that individuals were not entitled to individual hearings before the nationwide program was terminated. SUPREME COURT'S LATEST IMMIGRATION RULING WILL CAUSE AMERICANS TO 'DIE AND SUFFER' ATTORNEY WARNS Concurrently, Murphy allowed the plaintiffs' primary claim to move forward, finding that they had presented a plausible case that the government ended the protections due to discrimination, allegedly violating the Fifth Amendment Equal Protection Clause. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a humanitarian program established by Congress in 1990 that grants temporary work authorization and protection from deportation to noncitizens whose home countries are deemed unsafe due to ongoing armed conflict, natural disasters or other extraordinary conditions. Ethiopia was first designated for the program on Dec. 12, 2022, following ongoing armed conflict and severe climatic shocks. Last December, the Secretary of Homeland Security terminated Ethiopia's TPS designation, setting an effective end date of Feb. 13, 2026. The termination sparked immediate legal challenges, resulting in a series of temporary court-ordered pauses that have now been dissolved by the latest ruling. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84cee52c5335ae10483c90 Hayden Panettiere's mother points finger at Brian Hickerson after 'Nashville' star's death at 36 te 2026-08-18T21:30:13.377Z Hayden Panettiere's mother points finger at Brian Hickerson after 'Nashville' star's death at 36 Hayden Panettiere's mother broke her silence two days after the "Heroes" star died. She was 36. Lesley Vogel, who once managed the child star's career, took aim at Panettiere's on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson. "This person in her life that we have been trying to get rid of for quite some time was with her at her death and that was Brian Hickerson," Vogel told NBC News. HAYDEN PANETTIERE AND THE CHILD STARS WHOSE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR MOMAGERS TURNED COMPLICATED The "Nashville" actress died Sunday in Greenville, South Carolina. Hickerson and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were with Panettiere at the time of her death, according to a police report obtained by the outlet. "I think Hayden was an amazingly talented person in so many departments and I think young people who grow up in the entertainment industry — it is a struggle and it’s a very challenging industry and it’s not unusual for them to sadly find the wrong path," Vogel said. Hickerson did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO MOURNS FORMER FIANCÉE HAYDEN PANETTIERE, VOWS TO KEEP HER MEMORY ALIVE FOR DAUGHTER KAYA While Vogel served as Panettiere's manager for most of her childhood career, the actress ended their business relationship when she was 19 and was estranged from her mother earlier this year. "Unfortunately, we don’t have a relationship right now," Panettiere told US Weekly in May. "But that doesn’t mean that I don’t leave the door open for the opportunity to present itself one day. It’s hard for me to say, but I’ve chosen to be brutally honest." Preliminary autopsy results found no signs of trauma that contributed to her death, Fox News Digital confirmed. "First responders and Emergency Medical Services arrived on scene and located a female in cardiac arrest," the Greenville County Coroner’s Office said in a statement. "EMS personnel initiated advanced cardiac life support measures; however, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and the individual was pronounced deceased at 2:32 PM." The Greenville County Coroner’s Office and Greenville City Police Department launched parallel investigations into her death. "At autopsy no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death," the coroner's statement continued. "The cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation and the completion of additional studies." "This investigation remains active and ongoing. No further details are available for release at this time." Panettiere’s younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, died unexpectedly in February 2023 at age 28. The "Remember the Titans" actress is survived by her daughter Kaya, who was born in 2014, with ex-fiance Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko. Klitschko admitted that his family was "going through a time of profound shock and grief" in a post shared on social media Tuesday. HAYDEN PANETTIERE SAYS FILMING ‘NASHVILLE’ WAS LIKE LIVING THROUGH ADDICTION TWICE "The announcement of Hayden’s tragic death saddens me deeply. She left this world far too soon," he wrote. "Hayden was, although no longer my partner, an important part of my life and the mother of our daughter, Kaya. "She built an incredible career through immense talent, while also facing the darker sides of a very demanding industry. Nothing will erase the times we shared or the place she had in our lives." He added, "To our daughter Kaya, I will always speak of her mother with respect and make sure she remembers the person she was. I extend my deepest condolences to Hayden’s parents, her friends, and her fans, who are also grieving today. Young and talented people like Hayden should not leave this world so soon." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER In "This Is Me: A Reckoning," her memoir released in May, Panettiere discussed why she gave her ex full custody of their daughter in 2018. "I just knew that if I wanted to... I knew how bad a place I was in," the actress told Fox News Digital last month. "I hid it from my daughter as much as I could." "When I saw her in the environment over there (in Europe) and the support system that she had, I said to myself, 'If I fight, if I go to war about this, it's going to permanently damage my child. It's going to be incredibly public. She's got two very famous parents, and it's going to be ugly.'" LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "I said, 'You know what? Let her grow up here,'" she said. "I will travel here as much as I can. I know she's safe. I know she's well taken care of — beyond well taken care of. She has an incredible life. And I also knew that there would be a day when she would come back to me." Fox News Digital's Christina Dugan Ramirez and Lauryn Overhultz contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84cede2c5335ae10483c70 University of Michigan Names President After Prior Pick Faced Brain Cancer te 2026-08-18T21:30:06.774Z University of Michigan Names President After Prior Pick Faced Brain Cancer The university chose a Vanderbilt academic, Cybele Raver, after a previous candidate for the role had to step down because of a brain cancer diagnosis. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84cc8c2c5335ae10483bbe WNBA won't name person responsible for security incident over fans' shirts, as Dream blame league te 2026-08-18T21:20:12.815Z WNBA won't name person responsible for security incident over fans' shirts, as Dream blame league The Atlanta Dream placed blame on the WNBA for an incident in which fans were told to cover their shirts, in a statement on Monday. At least three fans were told to cover their shirts, Fox News Digital has learned. And two of those fans were a mother and daughter wearing shirts for the brand XX-XY Athletics, which advocates for the protection of women's sports from biological males. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! A third fan was wearing a pro-transgender shirt, and was also asked to cover it up. The Dream said its team personnel were not involved in the incident, while saying WNBA security "fell short" of the expected standard. "The Atlanta Dream believes in creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. Unfortunately, at last night's game, WNBA security took actions that fell short of that standard. At no point was Dream personnel involved in the decisions made by WNBA security," the statement said. The WNBA put out a separate statement saying the incident, "should not have happened." CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE "The WNBA is aware of interactions at last night's game in Atlanta in which fans were asked by league security to cover their shirts. This should not have happened," the league said. Fox News Digital has reached out to the WNBA asking who was responsible for the decision to ask the fans to cover their shirts, but has not received a response. The mother and daughter who were told to cover their XX-XY Athletics shirts, Kasey and Annie Thomason, told Fox News Digital that the person who confronted them was not dressed like a typical arena security guard, and was wearing a tan suit. The game was not played in the Dream's typical home arena Gateway Center Arena. It was moved to the larger State Farm Arena, home to the Atlanta Hawks, to accommodate a larger expected crowd for a game against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84cc8b2c5335ae10483bac School voucher regulation measure Prop. 212 is pushed off the ballot te 2026-08-18T21:20:11.677Z School voucher regulation measure Prop. 212 is pushed off the ballot A sign held by a teacher at a 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. (Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy/Arizona Mirror) A ballot measure that would ask voters to institute sweeping regulations to Arizona’s billion-dollar universal school voucher program is effectively dead.  The Arizona Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled against the backers of Proposition 212, upholding a lower court’s decision that disqualified a number of voter signatures in support of the measure, putting it below the threshold to make the ballot.  Prop. 212, also known as the Protect Education Act, submitted almost 420,000 signatures from supportive voters to the Secretary of State’s Office in July.  The Secretary of State’s Office determined that about 389,000 were eligible for verification, but a trial court  disqualified a number of those signatures during litigation over double-counting of signatures.  GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE Protect Education Accountable Now committee argued that removing signatures during litigation — as the lower court judge did — and then applying validity rates that already factor in double-counting that may have been done as the counties verified signatures incorrectly invalidated 24,000 signatures in support of Prop. 212.  Opponents to the proposition argued that the judge correctly applied existing case law and accused the proponents of wanting to count duplicate signatures toward the total needed to make the ballot.  The proposition sought to add an income eligibility cap to the program, crack down on misuse of funds for luxury items and require fingerprint clearance for schools that accept voucher payments.  The Arizona Supreme Court ultimately sided with the Goldwater Institute and the Arizona Free Enterprise Club. Both organizations helped lawmakers create the Empowerment Scholarship Account program, the voucher system  used in Arizona.  “The Committee contends that this approach double-counts. It reasons that because duplicates are identified in the sample, and the sample drives the projected validity rate, removing the same duplicates again from the total subtracts them twice; from this it argues that honoring the retain-one rule requires either crediting each duplicate set with an additional signature or doubling the projection multiplier. We are not persuaded,” Chief Justice Ann Scott Timmer wrote. “The Committee’s proposed adjustments would credit the petition with signatures the Legislature has directed be removed.”   Without those signatures, Prop. 212 cannot meet the 75.2% validity rate needed to qualify for the ballot.  The Court ordered that the case be returned to the lower court where the validity rate will be applied to the signatures that have been validated by the state’s 15 counties.  Educators and backers of the initiative decried the court’s ruling.  “The lengths that the voucher lobby went to invalidate signatures with scorched-earth legal objections shows just how terrified they are of Arizona voters actually having a say in how our tax dollars are spent, and how sure they were that Arizona voters would prioritize funding a robust public education system over a $1 billion ESA voucher program siphoning our tax dollars to unregulated private schools that pick and choose students and create a segregated system of haves and have-nots,” Save Our Schools Arizona Director Beth Lewis said in a statement.  The Arizona Education Association, the state’s largest teacher’s union, said it intends to shift its focus from the initiative to supporting “pro-education candidates” in the upcoming midterm election.  “Millions of Arizonans recognize that billion dollar fraud committed with ESA vouchers must be stopped, but unfortunately, they won’t get a chance to do so in November. Prop 212 would have protected students and returned money to our underfunded public schools,” AEA President Marisol Garcia said in a statement. “Arizona educators will dedicate the next 11 weeks to supporting our pro-education candidates so that they can undo the harm that’s been done to our schools.” Meanwhile, opponents of Prop. 212 are celebrating the decision as a “major victory for school choice” including former Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, who helped create and champion the program. “Tens of thousands of parents and students across Arizona are breathing a sigh of relief today,” Ducey, who is a board member of the Goldwater Institute and a chairman for the pro-ESA Institute for American Prosperity said in a statement. “Today’s ruling should send a clear message to any other anti-parent, anti-school-choice organization: Arizonans overwhelmingly embrace school choice and will continue to do so, regardless of how many millions of dollars these groups waste trying to take it away.” The court also ruled against both parties on the question of “residence address” for petition circulators.  The Goldwater Institute and Arizona Free Enterprise Club argued that a petition circulator’s “residence address” means their permanent residence and a ruling in their favor would have likely put an end to the use of out-of-state petition gatherers who often stay at hotels while they gather signatures.  “We reject both Challengers’ and the Committee’s efforts to expand or limit the definition of ‘residence’ for the circulator affidavits to anything other than a place where a person actually lives at the time the attestation is made on the affidavit,” Timmer wrote. The court also overturned a ruling by the lower court that invalidated whole pages of signatures if someone other than a voter wrote the voter’s name or address on the sheet. “We hold that absent additional evidence that the someone has inserted multiple addresses, thus demonstrating that the circulator’s affidavit was knowingly false or fraudulent rather than inadvertent error, the proper remedy is to void the specific signatures at issue, not the entire signature sheet,” Timmer wrote. “No such evidence was presented here beyond isolated instances of addresses with the same handwriting for persons residing at the same address.”  Around the same time the court released its ruling Tuesday, members of the Arizona Legislature convened to discuss ballot language for the proposition. In a separate ruling, the Arizona Supreme Court ordered the legislature to rewrite the ballot description of Prop. 212 which the court said broke state law by trying to sway voters against it.  “The trial court ruled that you were wrong. The Arizona Supreme Court ruled that you were wrong, period. This committee acted illegally, unlawfully,” House Minority Leader Oscar De Los Santos said at the meeting. “That was wrong and it was illegal.”  Speaker of the House Steve Montenegro took umbrage with De Los Santos’ framing, calling it a “stretch.”  “It is not illegal to pass a law that is later ruled unconstitutional,” Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, said in response to comments by De Los Santos and others. “That is not illegal and calling it illegal is part of the partisan bickering and gasoline throwing that voters are sick and tired of.”  The ballot language passed out of the committee along party lines.  YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84cc872c5335ae10483b9b Arrests & Citations: Lake Havasu City police te 2026-08-18T21:20:07.173Z Arrests & Citations: Lake Havasu City police Lake Havsu City Police reported the following arrests and citations: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84cc832c5335ae10483b8d School voucher regulation measure Prop. 212 is pushed off the ballot te 2026-08-18T21:20:03.633Z School voucher regulation measure Prop. 212 is pushed off the ballot This article was originally published by Arizona Mirror, part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. A ballot measure that would ask voters to institute sweeping regulations to Arizona’s billion-dollar universal school voucher program is effectively dead.  The Arizona Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled against the backers of Proposition 212, upholding a lower court’s decision that disqualified a number of voter signatures in support of the measure, putting it below the threshold to make the ballot.  Prop. 212, also known as the Protect Education Act, submitted almost 420,000 signatures from supportive voters to the Secretary of State’s Office in July. The Secretary of State’s Office determined that about 389,000 were eligible for verification, but a trial court disqualified a number of those signatures during litigation over double-counting of signatures.  Protect Education Accountable Now committee argued that removing signatures during litigation — as the lower court judge did — and then applying validity rates that already factor in double-counting that may have been done as the counties verified signatures incorrectly invalidated 24,000 signatures in support of Prop. 212.  Opponents to the proposition argued that the judge correctly applied existing case law and accused the proponents of wanting to count duplicate signatures toward the total needed to make the ballot.  The proposition sought to add an income eligibility cap to the program, crack down on misuse of funds for luxury items and require fingerprint clearance for schools that accept voucher payments.  The Arizona Supreme Court ultimately sided with the Goldwater Institute and the Arizona Free Enterprise Club. Both organizations helped lawmakers create the Empowerment Scholarship Account program, the voucher system used in Arizona.  “The Committee contends that this approach double-counts. It reasons that because duplicates are identified in the sample, and the sample drives the projected validity rate, removing the same duplicates again from the total subtracts them twice; from this it argues that honoring the retain-one rule requires either crediting each duplicate set with an additional signature or doubling the projection multiplier. We are not persuaded,” Chief Justice Ann Scott Timmer wrote. “The Committee’s proposed adjustments would credit the petition with signatures the Legislature has directed be removed.”   Without those signatures, Prop. 212 cannot meet the 75.2% validity rate needed to qualify for the ballot.  The Court ordered that the case be returned to the lower court where the validity rate will be applied to the signatures that have been validated by the state’s 15 counties.  Educators and backers of the initiative decried the court’s ruling.  “The lengths that the voucher lobby went to invalidate signatures with scorched-earth legal objections shows just how terrified they are of Arizona voters actually having a say in how our tax dollars are spent, and how sure they were that Arizona voters would prioritize funding a robust public education system over a $1 billion ESA voucher program siphoning our tax dollars to unregulated private schools that pick and choose students and create a segregated system of haves and have-nots,” Save Our Schools Arizona Director Beth Lewis said in a statement.  The Arizona Education Association, the state’s largest teacher’s union, said it intends to shift its focus from the initiative to supporting “pro-education candidates” in the upcoming midterm election.  “Millions of Arizonans recognize that billion dollar fraud committed with ESA vouchers must be stopped, but unfortunately, they won’t get a chance to do so in November. Prop 212 would have protected students and returned money to our underfunded public schools,” AEA President Marisol Garcia said in a statement. “Arizona educators will dedicate the next 11 weeks to supporting our pro-education candidates so that they can undo the harm that’s been done to our schools.” Meanwhile, opponents of Prop. 212 are celebrating the decision as a “major victory for school choice” including former Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, who helped create and champion the program. “Tens of thousands of parents and students across Arizona are breathing a sigh of relief today,” Ducey, who is a board member of the Goldwater Institute and a chairman for the pro-ESA Institute for American Prosperity said in a statement. “Today’s ruling should send a clear message to any other anti-parent, anti-school-choice organization: Arizonans overwhelmingly embrace school choice and will continue to do so, regardless of how many millions of dollars these groups waste trying to take it away.” The court also ruled against both parties on the question of “residence address” for petition circulators.  The Goldwater Institute and Arizona Free Enterprise Club argued that a petition circulator’s “residence address” means their permanent residence and a ruling in their favor would have likely put an end to the use of out-of-state petition gatherers who often stay at hotels while they gather signatures.  “We reject both Challengers’ and the Committee’s efforts to expand or limit the definition of ‘residence’ for the circulator affidavits to anything other than a place where a person actually lives at the time the attestation is made on the affidavit,” Timmer wrote. The court also overturned a ruling by the lower court that invalidated whole pages of signatures if someone other than a voter wrote the voter’s name or address on the sheet. “We hold that absent additional evidence that the someone has inserted multiple addresses, thus demonstrating that the circulator’s affidavit was knowingly false or fraudulent rather than inadvertent error, the proper remedy is to void the specific signatures at issue, not the entire signature sheet,” Timmer wrote. “No such evidence was presented here beyond isolated instances of addresses with the same handwriting for persons residing at the same address.”  Around the same time the court released its ruling Tuesday, members of the Arizona Legislature convened to discuss ballot language for the proposition. In a separate ruling, the Arizona Supreme Court ordered the legislature to rewrite the ballot description of Prop. 212 which the court said broke state law by trying to sway voters against it.  “The trial court ruled that you were wrong. The Arizona Supreme Court ruled that you were wrong, period. This committee acted illegally, unlawfully,” House Minority Leader Oscar De Los Santos said at the meeting. “That was wrong and it was illegal.”  Speaker of the House Steve Montenegro took umbrage with De Los Santos’ framing, calling it a “stretch.”  “It is not illegal to pass a law that is later ruled unconstitutional,” Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, said in response to comments by De Los Santos and others. “That is not illegal and calling it illegal is part of the partisan bickering and gasoline throwing that voters are sick and tired of.”  The ballot language passed out of the committee along party lines.  The post School voucher regulation measure Prop. 212 is pushed off the ballot appeared first on AZ Luminaria. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84ca332c5335ae104835cd Prosecutor corners Lindsay Clancy's Catholic mother-in-law with 'mortal sin' question te 2026-08-18T21:10:11.803Z Prosecutor corners Lindsay Clancy's Catholic mother-in-law with 'mortal sin' question Prosecutors played the faith card Tuesday, asking Lindsay Clancy's Catholic mother-in-law if she knew murder is a mortal sin, part of their push to show Clancy knew what she was doing when she killed her three children, not that she was in a postpartum psychosis as the defense claims. Lindsay Clancy, 36, is charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of her three children — Cora, Dawson and Callan, all under 6 years old, who were found strangled in the family's Duxbury home in 2023. Prosecutors concluded their case Monday morning. On Tuesday, Assistant District Attorney Shanan Buckingham asked Susan Clancy, Lindsay's mother-in-law and a Catholic, if she knew murder was a "mortal sin." POSTPARTUM MOM LINDSAY CLANCY ON TRIAL FOR MURDER BRINGS COURT TO A HALT WITH SUDDEN BREAKDOWN Susan Clancy didn't answer the question, and Judge William Sullivan immediately called a sidebar and struck the remark from the record. SEND US A TIP Susan Clancy told jurors Tuesday that she had concerns about Lindsay's mental health during the 2022 holiday season, though she described her as a devoted mother. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE "Lindsay was struggling. We were all very concerned," Susan Clancy said. "She was very nurturing, very loving. She was a wonderful mother. Wonderful." LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST Susan Clancy said she began seeing a decline in Lindsay's mental health in November 2022. "She reached out to me in November and told me that she felt unwell," Susan Clancy said. "She felt... Mostly she had insomnia. She was losing her appetite. She was very anxious and sad." "She was begging for help," Susan Clancy said. LINDSAY CLANCY’S HUSBAND COULD TESTIFY FOR HER AT TRIAL OVER DEATHS OF THEIR THREE CHILDREN Paula Musgrove, Lindsay Clancy's mother, also told jurors about the mental health problems. In an Oct. 20, 2022 text message, Lindsay Clancy asked her mother for help. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL "Mom, will you please come up and stay with me for a bit? I'm really sick. Something is wrong. I had horrible insomnia all night, and I just don’t know how I am going to get through the day... It’s just really scary, and I don’t want to be alone," the text read. Musgrove said she wasn't concerned about the children's safety. Lindsay Clancy's defense team will continue presenting its case Wednesday morning as her defense team seeks to convince jurors that she was suffering from severe postpartum psychosis when she killed her children. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84ca2e2c5335ae104835b2 Penn State Fraternity Members Are Charged in Cocaine Trafficking Case te 2026-08-18T21:10:06.085Z Penn State Fraternity Members Are Charged in Cocaine Trafficking Case More than a dozen current and former students from two fraternities were part of an operation that involved packaging drugs at fraternity houses, the authorities said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84c5842c5335ae10483139 ‘Bachelor’ star Madison Prewett reveals private marriage ritual she says is more intimate than sex te 2026-08-18T20:50:12.474Z ‘Bachelor’ star Madison Prewett reveals private marriage ritual she says is more intimate than sex Madison Prewett says the most intimate part of her marriage has nothing to do with sex. The former "Bachelor" star opened up about the struggles she and husband Grant Troutt faced during their first year of marriage and the nightly ritual she credits with transforming their relationship. "We pray together every single night before bed. That changed our marriage so much," Prewett said during an appearance on "The Riley Gaines Show." The author, 30, rose to national prominence in 2020 as the runner-up on season 24 of "The Bachelor," starring Peter Weber. She later married Grant Troutt, the son of billionaire businessman Kenny Troutt, in 2022, and the couple has since welcomed a daughter. Since leaving reality television behind, Prewett has built a life centered on her Christian faith, marriage and motherhood. But Prewett admitted adjusting to married life wasn't as easy as she expected. TIM ALLEN REVEALS THE ONE THING THAT HAS SAVED HIS NEARLY 20-YEAR MARRIAGE TO JANE HAJDUK "That first year of marriage was really hard," she said. The couple was navigating a series of major changes at once, including moving cities, changing jobs and building a new community. "It was a lot of new at one time," Prewett said. "But more than anything, I mean, marriage is a mirror. And so it just exposes everything that you've tolerated, or you've thought you've dealt with or whatever it may be, it just exposes it all. The good and the bad, right?" She explained that living so closely with another person forced both of them to confront parts of themselves they may have previously overlooked. "And so this person seeing you so up close, and they're seeing the best of you and the worst of you," she said. "And so that first year was really, really hard." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER For Prewett, the turning point came when she stopped focusing on what she believed her husband needed to change and turned toward prayer. "I went from just complaining and frustrated all the time with just, you know, 'Why are we fighting? Why are we having the same conversations again and again? Why doesn't he get me?' Or whatever it may be, right?" she recalled. At first, she admitted, even her prayers centered on changing Troutt. "I was like, 'Oh Lord, please change him. Please change him and show him how to love me because he ain't loving me well,'" Prewett said. But she said that mindset eventually shifted as she began examining her own role in the marriage. COUNTRY STAR TYLER HUBBARD SAYS ‘THE CHOSEN’ BROUGHT THE BIBLE TO LIFE FOR HIS FAMILY "As soon as I started praying that, you know, a couple weeks into that, it was like the Holy Spirit convicted my heart and brought me to this place of, 'No, no. I'm not being the godly wife God's called me to be,'" she said. Prewett said she began asking God to help her become the kind of wife she believed she was called to be rather than concentrating solely on her husband's shortcomings. The couple also began praying together every night. "We started praying together every single night and just the unity that that creates – like obviously we think about, you know, sex and sexual intimacy being such a unifying thing. And it is. And I would say the most intimate thing is spiritual intimacy." She added, "And so, anything that you can do that just cultivates such a spiritual closeness and unity and intimacy. And so for us, that's praying together often [is important]." Prewett revealed that she and Troutt had taken communion together the night before the interview, describing the practice as another way married couples can intentionally share their faith. "Last night we took communion together," she said. "And so, even just taking time, maybe once a week where you come together, and you remember just the sacrifice of Jesus and what He went through for us and reflecting on that and remembering that and worshiping Him." She warned that married couples can easily fall into separate spiritual routines if they aren't intentional about sharing their faith. "Because I think it is easy too, to also have like two separate spiritual journeys where it's like, 'Oh, that's his faith, this is my faith, this is quiet time, this is his quiet time,'" Prewett said. She added that creating shared spiritual moments within marriage is "one of the most beautiful, powerful, uniting, unifying things that we can do." Prewett's shift toward a quieter family life has extended beyond her marriage. The former reality star revealed that she has been off social media since January after Troutt first stepped away from the platforms himself. "Grant actually got off social media first, so he started the trend. And then I followed," she said. "It's like a family thing." LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS After roughly eight months away, Prewett said the decision has been transformative. "Riley, when I tell you, it has been the most freeing thing in my life," she said. "I feel so much more present everywhere that I am." Prewett said her relationship with social media changed dramatically after "The Bachelor" thrust her into the public eye. "When I came off ‘The Bachelor,’ like my whole life just flipped upside down almost instantly," she said. Before appearing on the dating show, Prewett said she was involved in foster care and adoption while living a relatively private life in Alabama. "When I came off the show and just having this platform, having all these opinions about me, there was just a lot of healing that needed to happen over the time, over the past four years or so," she said. Prewett said stepping away from social media gave her an opportunity to separate her sense of identity from public praise, criticism and productivity. "I just wanted to be at this place where I'm like, ‘Maddie is enough as a mom, as a wife, as a friend, as a human being, apart from anything she can produce that is seen and praised by other people or criticized and hated by other people,’" she said. The break has also allowed her to spend more uninterrupted time with her daughter. "I'm so present with my daughter," Prewett said, explaining that she now has more space to think creatively about how they spend their days together. She admitted she isn't sure when she will return to social media — or whether she ultimately will. "I don't know when I'll get back on. I don't know if I ever will. I think I will, but I'm just at a place where it's been so freeing and healing." Her "Stay True" podcast still maintains a social media presence managed by someone else, but Prewett said she doesn't keep the apps on her phone. When Gaines asked whether she missed the positive aspects of social media, Prewett's answer was blunt. "I don't miss anything." She said leaving the platforms forced her to confront her own desire to remain visible and relevant. "I think I didn't even realize how much I have to fight this desire to be seen and this desire to be relevant," she said. Prewett later described the hiatus as the opposite of a sacrifice. "This is the best decision I've ever made," she said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84c5832c5335ae10483130 You will never guess which company decided to become Georgia football's on-field sponsor te 2026-08-18T20:50:11.765Z You will never guess which company decided to become Georgia football's on-field sponsor The advent of NIL in college athletics has led to some pretty bizarre sights in recent years. From quarterbacks making more money than their offensive coordinators to backup defensive linemen driving around in Lamborghinis, it's safe to say this ain't your granddaddy's college football. Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing remains to be seen, but another aspect of the NIL era that has taken some getting used to is on-field sponsorships. JAY BILAS RAVES ABOUT THE IMPACT OF NIL ON COLLEGE BASKETBALL: 'I DON'T THINK IT'S EVER BEEN BETTER' Yes, much like when the Red Sox started to let companies advertise on the Green Monster, several Power 4 football teams are starting to turn to big-time companies for NIL revenue in exchange for allowing them to emblazon their logos on the 25-yard lines of their home field. It's something a lot of traditionalists have held their nose about while acknowledging that the added revenue is a positive when it comes to building a championship roster. Many of the companies make sense too, given their geographic location or relationship with the university, but one Fortune 500 company took their assignment a little too literally when it came to picking a football program to partner with. Believe me, I had to look at it multiple times and check the X handle at least twice to make sure this wasn't a parody account, but that is the real-life Georgia football account announcing a sponsorship deal with none other than Progressive Insurance. For the uninitiated, the reason this is so funny is that the University of Georgia — more specifically, the Georgia Bulldogs' football team — has a bit of a checkered recent history with regard to automotive incidents. TED CRUZ URGES SENATE TO STAY IN WASHINGTON UNTIL PROTECT COLLEGE SPORTS ACT PASSES THIS WEEK Since January 2023, shortly after capturing their second straight national championship, the Georgia Bulldogs have had over 30 players arrested, the majority of which have been for vehicular incidents such as reckless driving. Even players who are no longer playing for the university and have gone onto the NFL, such as Philadelphia Eagles edge rusher Nolan Smith, have had run-ins with the law thanks to their proclivity for "aggressive driving." Maybe this is a smart business move by Progressive and they are just double-dipping by advertising both to the fans in the stadium and the players who take the very field their logo is plastered all over. Who's to say? Regardless, it is hilarious how on-the-nose this is from UGA and Progressive. I can't wait for the day when Rutgers puts a big "Sopranos" logo on the 25-yard line at SHI Stadium. Now THAT would almost make this whole thing worth it. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84c5822c5335ae10483127 Two planes blow tires while landing at major US airport hours apart, FAA investigating te 2026-08-18T20:50:10.911Z Two planes blow tires while landing at major US airport hours apart, FAA investigating The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after two commercial planes reported blown tires hours apart at Chicago O'Hare International Airport on Monday, marking the latest in a series of recent tire-related incidents involving passenger planes at Chicago airports. The crew of American Airlines Flight 386 reported two blown tires after landing safely at O'Hare around 2 p.m. Monday, according to a statement the FAA provided to Fox News Digital. The Boeing 737-800 had departed from New York's LaGuardia Airport. Passengers exited the plane using stairs and were bused to the terminal, the FAA said. American Airlines described the incident as a "tire issue" in a statement to Fox News Digital and said first responders met the aircraft as a precaution. DELTA FLIGHT DIVERTED TWICE AFTER LAVATORY LEAK FLOODS CABIN, LEAVES PASSENGERS STRANDED FOR HOURS "American Airlines flight 386 experienced a tire issue after landing safely at Chicago (ORD). Per procedure, first responders met the aircraft out of an abundance of caution and customers were transported safely to the terminal by bus," the statement read. "The aircraft has been taken out of service to be inspected by our maintenance team. We thank our team members for their professionalism and we apologize to our customers for their experience." The FAA said its information was preliminary and subject to change and that it will investigate the incident. Just over three hours later, the crew of United Airlines Flight 739 reported a blown tire after landing safely at O'Hare around 5:15 p.m., according to the FAA. The Airbus A320 was traveling from Omaha, Nebraska, to Chicago with 121 passengers and five crew members aboard, United Airlines confirmed to Fox News Digital. LIVE BULLET FOUND ABOARD UNITED FLIGHT FORCES PASSENGERS OFF PLANE FOR SECURITY SWEEP AT DENVER AIRPORT "After arriving at Chicago O’Hare, United flight 739 sustained tire damage. Customers deplaned via airstairs and buses took them back to the terminal," a spokesperson for the airline said. United said there were no reported injuries. The FAA said it will also investigate the United incident and cautioned that its information was preliminary and subject to change. The incidents add to a recent series of tire problems involving commercial flights in Chicago. Less than a week earlier, another United Airlines plane reportedly suffered blown tires and aborted a takeoff at O'Hare. Earlier this month, Southwest Airlines Flight 1243 blew a tire after landing at Chicago Midway International Airport at about 6:45 a.m. on Aug. 3, according to the FAA. The Southwest Boeing 737 had departed from Southwest Florida International Airport. The FAA also opened an investigation into that incident. No injuries were reported in the Midway incident. Monday's incidents occurred during a busy summer travel season at O'Hare. The FAA said earlier this year that more than 3,080 flights were planned at the airport on peak days during the summer 2026 travel season, a 14.9% increase from the previous summer's peak-day schedule. The agency subsequently imposed limits on scheduled operations at O'Hare in an effort to reduce delays and manage operational constraints at the airport. Fox News Digital also reached out to the Chicago Department of Aviation for additional information about Monday's incidents and any impact on airport operations. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84c57c2c5335ae1048310d Trump’s Ballroom Is Rising at Breakneck Speed: 20 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week te 2026-08-18T20:50:04.601Z Trump’s Ballroom Is Rising at Breakneck Speed: 20 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week Although the fate of the ballroom is tied up in court, the Trump administration argues that the project is too far along to be stopped now. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84c32b2c5335ae104830d2 Rosie O'Donnell 'surprised' by being tapped to guest host for Kimmel, but eager for anti-Trump platform te 2026-08-18T20:40:11.596Z Rosie O'Donnell 'surprised' by being tapped to guest host for Kimmel, but eager for anti-Trump platform Liberal comedian Rosie O’Donnell said that she was surprised to be tapped to guest-host Jimmy Kimmel’s show, but said she was thankful to be filling in for the ABC late-night host known for his hostility to President Donald Trump. O’Donnell, former host of "The Rosie O’Donnell Show" and "The View," began serving as a guest host of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" Monday night and will continue through Thursday. She revealed to Variety that she was initially surprised by the move after she and Kimmel had an "adversarial relationship" in the past. "We’ve never spoken on the phone; we’ve texted a few times. Howard Stern tried to make amends with us, so we’ve been at the same parties a few times and I would talk to his wife. But Jimmy was never a fan of mine, and it was kind of an adversarial relationship — not that I was fighting back, but I was like, ‘OK, one of the bro guys…,’" O’Donnell recalled. However, after the death of Kimmel's uncle, Frank Potenza, O'Donnell reached out to him and they became more friendly.  JIMMY KIMMEL REVEALS HE ASKED MAJOR TRUMP CRITIC TO GUEST HOST WHILE HE'S ON VACATION AS A 'SPECIAL TREAT' "When everything happened with his uncle dying, I wrote him and he wrote back. So, when my publicist called and said, ‘Do you want to guest-host ‘Kimmel’ for a week?’ I said, ‘I haven’t ever even been a guest!’ And then I said, ‘If you’re positive that that’s an actual offer, and he wants me to do it, then I most certainly will,’" she told Variety. "I was surprised, to tell you the truth, and very thankful." One key aspect that motivated her to guest host was the opportunity to criticize Trump and support Kimmel in his feud with his administration. ABC temporarily suspended Kimmel's show last year after he made controversial comments following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. "I support [Kimmel] in what he’s doing with the First Amendment, and our ability as entertainers and citizens to speak out against our government that’s enshrined in the Founding Fathers’ writings about our government, so I think he’s fantastic," O’Donnell said. "And I wish that Stephen Colbert had the same kind of support when it happened to him, because he shouldn’t be gone either." On her first night filling in for Kimmel on Monday, O'Donnell used the platform to repeatedly bash Trump, even addressing the president directly during the show.  BOB IGER BREAKS SILENCE ON DISNEY'S SUSPENSION OF JIMMY KIMMEL OVER CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION COMMENTS In her Variety interview, O’Donnell worried that much of the media was in crisis as Paramount pursues its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. "Look at what’s happened to CBS News and ‘60 Minutes,’ which was the gold star of their entire network, and they blew it up. This Bari Weiss person, I don’t know how she can live with herself. There are people who are sidling up to him and history will record all of their names, what they did, and who they stood next to. [I]f you’re in a room with 10 Nazis at a table and you’re the only one who’s not, there’s a pretty good chance you’re a Nazi," she said while discussing the media landscape and the proposed merger. NewsBusters executive editor Tim Graham blasted O’Donnell’s comments. "Only unintelligent people who don't watch CBS News at all would suggest Bari Weiss has ruined ‘60 Minutes,’ which seemed mostly unchanged last season," he told Fox News Digital. "The idea that this show ‘sidled up’ to Trump last year is ludicrous. Now that some of the angriest Trump-haters have left, you could wonder about next season. But anyone watching CBS News right now can't tell much of a difference between the Weiss era and the pre-Weiss era. Trying to throw Weiss in with her metaphorical Nazis is especially noxious." On how Kimmel chose O’Donnell as a guest host, Graham offered this explanation: "Rosie seems to be suggesting that she and Kimmel weren't pals until Kimmel realized booking her as a summer co-host was the best kind of anti-Trump trolling." BARI WEISS ADDRESSES SCOTT PELLEY FIRING IN CBS NEWS STAFF CALL, SAYS IT'S THE ‘PATH THAT HE CHOSE’ Fox News Digital reached out to Bari Weiss and Paramount and did not receive an immediate response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84c32a2c5335ae104830c9 A sporting goods giant is getting into the lucrative, ever-expanding sports card business te 2026-08-18T20:40:10.788Z A sporting goods giant is getting into the lucrative, ever-expanding sports card business It's crazy how the sports card industry keeps exploding, and now, one of the biggest sports retailers is getting in on it. That's right. No longer is Dick's Sporting Goods just a place to test drive putters while your wife browses her way through Sephora. According to The Athletic, the sports retail giant has plans to start offering Collectors Clubhouse sections in its House of Sports locations. These locations aren't just where you buy a mouth guard and tape on your way to a beer league hockey game. They have all sorts of things like batting cages, golf simulators, and rock climbing walls. But the interesting thing about the Collectors Clubhouses is that they're not supposed to just be a section of the store with boxes of cards that you can buy and then shred open in your car. Instead, the team at Dick's Sporting Goods has been buying highly sought-after cards to attract the real-deal collectors to their stores. The company bought the Paul Skenes 2024 Topps Chrome Update MLB Debut Patch autographed rookie card for $1.11 million. At the recent National Sports Collectors Convention, Dick's had buyers going around and purchasing collectible cards from the show floor. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! I dig this idea. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS Why? Because next to Guitar Center, Dick's Sporting Goods is my favorite store to waste time in. I'll cruise around and look at sneakers, check the clearance rack, practice my batting stance, and then kick the tires on a Yeti cooler. Now, you're telling me that they're going to have sports cards in select stores with batting cages, golf sims, and rock walls? Why is every kid in the country not having their birthday party there? Throw in bad pizza, and it's like your local family fun center, but with high-end sports cards worth more than your house. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84c3222c5335ae10483098 DOJ’s probe into Andreessen Horowitz over board seats baffles VCs te 2026-08-18T20:40:02.619Z DOJ’s probe into Andreessen Horowitz over board seats baffles VCs Since portfolio companies often pivot and expand into competing markets, investors view occasional conflicts of interest as unavoidable for large VC firms. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84c0d52c5335ae10483074 Two workers killed, several injured after explosions tear through Ohio recycling facility te 2026-08-18T20:30:13.204Z Two workers killed, several injured after explosions tear through Ohio recycling facility Two workers were killed and several others injured after two explosions tore through an industrial recycling facility in Toledo, Ohio, early Tuesday, sparking a massive fire and sending thick, black smoke billowing over the area, officials said. The blasts erupted shortly before 5 a.m. at Brent Industries during a shift change, Toledo Fire Chief Allison Armstrong said, according to The Associated Press. Firefighters later found the bodies of a male and female employee inside the heavily damaged building. Two or three other workers suffered minor injuries. Video from the scene showed flames engulfing portions of the facility as fire crews surrounded the building.  WATCH: NEIGHBOR’S DOUBLE TAKE HELPED POLICE IDENTIFY ACCUSED WILDFIRE ARSONIST AS FLAMES RACED NEARBY Aerial images showed extensive destruction, with nearly all of the roof gone and several walls blown out, according to The Associated Press. Armstrong said crews initially faced hazardous materials, runoff and the threat of additional explosions as they searched for victims and accounted for employees. Environmental officials said air monitoring detected no hazardous threat. Demetrius Langston, who was about half a mile away, said he felt the force of the blasts. NYC CHURCH ARSON SUSPECT ALLEGEDLY PLOTTED MORE ATTACKS, HAD VIOLENT NOTES LIKE 'MURDER THEM' AND 'RAPE HIM' "The shock waves came down the block," he said. "Then we all heard it again. Boom! You could feel it." The fire continued burning into Tuesday afternoon, and officials said there were no preliminary indications of what caused the explosions. Authorities urged residents who could see or smell smoke to stay away from the area and keep their windows and doors closed. Brent Industries, based in Alabama, provides textile reconditioning and industrial recycling services and uses mineral spirits in its cleaning process, according to The Associated Press. WASHINGTON MAN ARRESTED ON ARSON CHARGE TIED TO DEVASTATING SPOKANE WILDFIRE Fire officials said tanks containing the petroleum-based solvent were at the Toledo facility, though their role in Tuesday’s explosions remains unknown. The company has a history of deadly accidents and safety violations, The Associated Press reported. A 2015 explosion at its Alabama plant killed one worker after mineral spirit vapors ignited inside a washing machine. OSHA later cited the company for six violations and fined it $27,000. Brent Industries could not immediately be reached by Fox News Digital for comment. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84be7d2c5335ae1048301b Bill Rasmussen, ESPN founder who conceived a cable network devoted to sports, dead at 93 te 2026-08-18T20:20:13.355Z Bill Rasmussen, ESPN founder who conceived a cable network devoted to sports, dead at 93 ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen passed away at the age of 93 on Tuesday from the effects of Parkinson’s Disease. ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro published the following statement, remembering Rasmussen: "Bill was a remarkable man – a visionary and an innovator who conceived the idea of a network entirely devoted to sports. Quite simply, none of us would be here today if it wasn’t for Bill’s passion and all the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit he put into building ESPN in the late 1970s – key aspects of our company culture that still carry on to this day." Pitaro added: "One of my greatest thrills since joining ESPN was getting to know Bill on a personal level. I will always cherish the memory of catching the ceremonial first pitch that he threw at Fenway Park in Boston in celebration of our 40th anniversary. His legacy will always be a part of ESPN." JOSH PATE DISCUSSES NEW ESPN SHOW, FOUR FACES OF ESPN, PAT MCAFEE AND FUTURE OF MEDIA COMPANY WITH OUTKICK During a traffic stop in 1978, Rasmussen and his son Scott were discussing programming options for their newly acquired satellite transponder from RCA. Rasmussen then blurted out an idea: a 4-hour cable network devoted to sports. ESPN launched on Sept. 7, 1979, beginning with the first broadcast of SportsCenter, which remains the network's flagship brand nearly 50 years later. Scott Rasmussen reminisced this car ride on X Tuesday: "After I finished high school, my father and I worked closely together for a few years in the late 1970s and early '80s. I will never forget the car ride on August 16, 1978 and am still amazed at what it helped create. "My most cherished memory of my father was at about 6 pm on September 7, 1979-- one hour before @ESPN went on the air. We snuck around the back of the building and had a moment alone to reflect on all that had happened since that car ride. Later, our journeys through life took different paths, but I am grateful we had that brief moment together and am proud of what we accomplished." CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE It’s hard to imagine what sports media would look like today without Rasmussen’s idea. Would daily sports talk shows even exist on television? Would there be an OutKick or Barstool? And would names like Chris Berman, Bob Ley and Stephen A. Smith have ever become household names without Rasmussen? Most importantly, would live sports in America have continued to grow at the rate in which they did without a network devoted to promoting the various leagues across the country? As ESPN legend Chris Berman said on Tuesday, "Bill was our George Washington." "He was such a grateful person and every sports fan can be grateful for Bill," Berman, who joined the network three weeks after the original network launch in 1979, added. "He wasn’t a glass half-full guy; his glass was always overflowing with optimism. He greeted everyone with a smile and we can all smile knowing Bill’s legacy." ESPN notes that Rasmussen became an ambassador for Parkinson’s patients through both the American Parkinson Disease Association and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. The network says that in place of flowers, donations may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84be7c2c5335ae10483012 These 5 versions of the Apple AirPods are all on sale right now — starting at just $99 te 2026-08-18T20:20:12.544Z These 5 versions of the Apple AirPods are all on sale right now — starting at just $99 It's rare to find this many AirPods models on sale at once, but right now, five versions are marked down across retailers like Amazon, B&H Photo Video and Adorama. Find discounts on standard AirPods, noise-canceling models and AirPods Max over-ear headphones. READ MORE: Amazon Outlet's secret Labor Day sale: Save up to 53% on AirPods, DeWalt tools and more Original price: $129 Best for: Budget-conscious shoppers If you want one of Apple's more budget-friendly headphone options, the Apple AirPods 4 pack plenty of useful features for $99. The comfortable design makes them suitable for extended wear, while five hours of battery life increases to up to 30 hours with the charging case. They're also resistant to dust, sweat and water, making them a practical option for workouts and everyday use. READ MORE: Apple prices just went up — these refurbished MacBooks, iPads and Apple Watches cost far less  Original price: $179 Best for: Listeners who want noise cancellation Tune out distractions with the noise-canceling version of the Apple AirPods 4. You get the same core features as the $99 model, plus Active Noise Cancellation for a more immersive listening experience. When you want to stay aware of your surroundings, Transparency mode lets outside sound in without stopping your music. Original price: $208 Best for: Shoppers who want added protection and peace of mind For extra protection, consider the AirPods 4 with AppleCare+. Along with noise-canceling capabilities, this option includes two years of AppleCare coverage for accidental damage and battery service. You'll also get 24/7 access to Apple experts for technical support. READ MORE: Best tech deals this week: Save up to 79% on Apple AirPods, HP laptops and more Original price: $249 Best for: Listeners who want built-in health and fitness features The Apple AirPods Pro 3 have a deeper in-ear fit that enhances Active Noise Cancellation and delivers richer bass for a more immersive listening experience. But the built-in health and fitness features really set this model apart from Apple's other headphones. A built-in heart rate sensor tracks your pulse and calories burned during workouts, giving you more insights into your performance. They also include hearing-focused features, including Hearing Aid and Automatic Conversation Boost. For more deals, visit www.foxnews.com/deals Original price: $549 Best for: Listeners who prefer an over-ear fit and more color options Apple's AirPods Max 2 over-ear headphones run on the H2 chip, delivering high-fidelity audio for an immersive listening experience. They offer up to 1.5 times more Active Noise Cancellation than the original AirPods Max, while Adaptive Audio automatically adjusts to your surroundings. Live Translation can help you communicate across languages when paired with a compatible Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone. If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can get these items sent to your door ASAP. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84be7b2c5335ae10483009 Legendary ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard dead at 77 te 2026-08-18T20:20:11.785Z Legendary ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard dead at 77 Legendary ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard has died at the age of 77. The Fort Bend County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed Beard's death to Fox News Digital. It's unclear what led to his death at this time. Fox News Digital previously reported that Beard was battling serious health issues, forcing the rock band to make tour changes. This is a developing story. Check back for details. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84bc242c5335ae10482fb5 Maria Menounos nails first pitch at Fenway, Shane Gillis gets busted & is Amanda Anisimova drinking beer? te 2026-08-18T20:10:12.387Z Maria Menounos nails first pitch at Fenway, Shane Gillis gets busted & is Amanda Anisimova drinking beer? 'Nightcaps' is a daily column that catches you up on the biggest sports, news and culture stories you may have missed while pretending to do work at your desk. It runs Monday-Friday on OutKick.com. Blame it all on my roots — I'm headed to Indianapolis. Well not permanently. Just for the weekend. To see my family, visit the old stomping grounds and, most importantly, to see Garth Brooks in concert. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE Look, say what you want about Garth Brooks. He's a super LIB, blah blah — "Where are the bodies, Garth?" blah blah. Just kidding about the bodies. That’s a Tom Segura joke. Keep the suits out of it, Garth. Look, if you've never seen a Garth live show, trust me when I tell you you are missing out. That man is an ENTERTAINER. The energy is unmatched. I'm not ashamed to say I've seen Garth in concert about a dozen times now. But the last time really took the cake — second row at Nissan Stadium. I brought along my husband (definitely not a country music guy), and even he admitted it was a hell of a show. The view won't be so epic on Friday. I'm in the nosebleeds at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. But that's OK. I'll still be screaming "Shameless" at the top of my lungs, and I'll still get a break from this brutal Nashville heat. Now, grab yourself a longneck bottle, two piña coladas, or another sponsor-approved beverage (that'll make sense later) and let's do some 'Caps. Tennis Twitter is ablaze today after some eagle-eyed fans — and the broadcast cameras — caught world No. 10 Amanda Anisimova taking a sip of a little somethin' somethin' during her Round of 32 match against Alexandra Eala at the Cincinnati Open. What's Amanda drinking? We report. You decide. Look at her hiding it under a towel and sneaking it like a high school kid. Or me at my friend's dry wedding. Now, I don't think this is beer. I believed they confirmed it was a Red Bull, which we rarely see out of its can. Unless you're pouring it straight into the trash — where that stuff actually belongs. Red Bull looks and smells like the urine of someone who's dangerously dehydrated. With the countless options for caffeine sources out there, I cannot fathom why anyone would choose that. But if Amanda were drinking beer during her match, I'd support it. A little performance-enhancing frosty brew never hurt anybody, right? Baseball players used to drink in the clubhouse all the time. Wade Boggs famously drank 73 beers on a single cross-country flight from Boston to Los Angeles during his playing career, and he's a Hall of Famer! NBA players in the '80s? Drunk. John Daly? Also drunk. I tried Daly's Good Boy Vodka drinks for the first time a few weeks ago, by the way. I was out on my brother-in-law's boat in Wisconsin, and that's all he had stocked. Not a big tea fan, so I didn't think I'd like it. I was wrong — delicious. Way better than Red Bull, that's for sure. I digress. Whatever Amanda was drinking, it worked. She took down Eala and is now onto the Round of 16. But speaking of someone drinking something they aren't supposed to... Comedian — and Bud Light spokesman — Shane Gillis got busted at an MLS game over the weekend... drinking a Dos Equis. GASP. OK, he wasn't actually drinking it when the camera caught him. But the beer was sitting in the cupholder next to him. I'm no lawyer, but that's some pretty strong circumstantial evidence suggesting he may have been enjoying himself a crisp refreshing Mexican lager. Is that a guilty look or what? I love the friend/staffer sliding him the Bud Light and hoping no one noticed. Oh, we noticed. Shane needs to take some lessons from a real sponsor-savvy pro like Caitlin Clark. Watch how she smoothly drops that OLIPOP to the floor before speaking to media. Want your product featured next to the face of the WNBA? Better pony up some dollars, suckers. The whole concept of probiotic sodas is so weird. Or prebiotic? I don't really know the difference, but they're both supposed to help you poop. I think. There is a happy ending there, though. Following this interaction, OLIPOP reached out to Caitlin's teammate, Tyasha Harris, for a collab. Caitlin Clark is forever making WNBA players money. The Red Sox absolutely clobbered the Diamondbacks last night, 11-1, at Fenway Park. But before all that, they invited Maria Menounos to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Not the best first pitch I've ever seen. But certainly not the worst. Not even close. The competition for that honor is mighty stuff. Maria's pitch was a particularly heartwarming one. Not just because she's a Massachusetts gal and New England Sports fan through and through, but also because she's a pancreatic cancer survivor. Her appearance at Fenway was part of a telethon supporting The Jimmy Fund for cancer research. Good to see Maria living her best life. Especially after she just came back from a "trip she'll never forget" to Greece. Not quite the scenic Mediterranean, but close. An Atlanta Waffle House employee named Edric Riley — but affectionately known as Rockstar Riley — went viral last month after posting a performance of a rap he wrote about his employer. And, my friends, it's a bop. Easily the best song about a subpar restaurant since Walker Hayes came out with the Applebee's song back in 2022. As you can see, Riley was highly complimentary of Waffle House's food and even called it "America's Greatest Diner." On his Instagram, you can even watch the fully produced version where big-butted ladies twerk to the lyrics "I'm tryin' to smother, cover everything." Which made me chuckle. CRACKER BARREL OR WAFFLE HOUSE? THE SOUTH'S MOST HEATED FOOD DEBATE RETURNS AMID LOGO SAGA Unfortunately, though, corporate bosses don't have a sense of humor and they really don't like employees in uniform profiting off rap videos filmed without permission in their stores and parking lots. So after 20 years at the restaurant, he was fired. Farewell, Rockstar Riley. We hardly knew ye. As a side note, however, I will be referring to this establishment as "The Waffy" moving forward. 📩 Email: amber.harding@outkick.com (Send your thoughts, stories, tips, rants and photos of your dog.) 🐦 Twitter/X: @TheAmberHarding 📸 Instagram: @amberharding Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84bc232c5335ae10482fac Anti-socialism push can flip battlegrounds, Republican leader bets as party fights to hold House te 2026-08-18T20:10:11.586Z Anti-socialism push can flip battlegrounds, Republican leader bets as party fights to hold House EXCLUSIVE: AUBURN, Maine — House Speaker Mike Johnson decisively insisted Republicans will buck longstanding, cyclical election trends and hold their congressional majority in November's midterms. "I'm absolutely convinced we're going to defy the historic trend and keep and grow the House majority for Republicans," the five-term GOP lawmaker from Louisiana said in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital this week as he stopped in a crucial House district the GOP aims to flip. The party in power in Washington, D.C., traditionally faces political headwinds in the midterms and loses congressional seats. This year, that could be the down fall of the GOP, which has slim majorities in both the House and Senate. Meanwhile, Republicans are also facing a rough political climate thanks to persistent inflation, what polls indicate is an unpopular war in Iran, and President Donald Trump's underwater approval ratings. But Johnson says the high-profile primary battle between the far-left and the Democratic establishment, for a party already suffering from all-time low favorable ratings, is political ammunition for Republicans. CHECK OUT THE LATEST FOX NEWS POWER RANKINGS IN THE MIDTERM RACES "The Democrats are in almost an open civil war right now," Johnson emphasized to Fox News Digital. "You see communists actually running for Congress, Marxists are inside the gate." Johnson, who is crisscrossing the country on a barnstorming tour, argued that the midterms will be a choice election rather than a referendum on Trump's second term and congressional Republicans. "America is not down for that," Johnson said in reference to left-wing Democrats. "I'm so grateful we have common sense on the ballot. This really is a contrast election between common sense candidates...and crazy, and that's what the other side represents." FIRST ON FOX: JOHNSON TURNS DEMOCRATS' CIVIL WAR INTO MIDTERM WEAPON Last week, as first reported by Fox News Digital, Johnson launched a new website highlighting the contrast between Democrats and Republicans. The name for the initiative is "Contrast for America," a play on the Newt Gingrich-led "Contract with America" GOP policy platform used during the 1994 midterm election, when Republicans recaptured the House thanks to a massive red wave. Johnson was interviewed as he teamed up in Maine's 2nd Congressional District with former two-term GOP Gov. Paul LePage, the party's congressional nominee for the open seat Democrats currently hold. DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB The mostly rural district, the largest in the eastern U.S., was carried by LePage in his statewide races, and by Trump in his three presidential campaigns. And with four-term moderate Democratic Rep. Jared Golden passing on a re-election run, Republicans see the seat as a top pickup opportunity. "We're going to flip a blue seat red here," Johnson predicted. "This district matters very much to us, and that's why I'm here." The Speaker touted that LePage is "one of the greatest candidates that's been recruited nationwide. Everyone in the state knows him and respects him. He's a two-term governor with a great life story...He brings a great skill set, a great life story, a great set of experiences to Congress." LePage will face off in the general election against Democratic nominee Matt Dunlap, the current state auditor and former longtime Maine Secretary of State. The former governor called Dunlap, who enjoys support from progressive leaders and groups, "too, too far to the left." SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER Dunlap doesn't think the strategy to paint him as a radical will work because such "associations" don't matter to voters. "My priorities actually resonate with everyone. It's not necessarily progressive or conservative or moderate," Dunlap recently told Fox News Digital. Johnson's stops in Maine, at Auburn Concrete and later at a nearby fundraiser, are part of coast-to-coast swing taking him to crucial House races in 18 states. Highlighting the "highest quality candidates I think that we've had in a long, long time," Johnson said he was "very, very bullish about our prospects." Democrats don't see it that way, and they spotlight the continued high prices facing Americans. "Everything is too damn expensive because of House Republicans, and the American people are eager to vote them out of office over their broken promises," Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesperson Viet Shelton told Fox News Digital. Shelton argued, "While Democrats are running on a platform to lower costs, Mike Johnson’s decision to double down behind a class of awful , scandal-plagued , weak candidates running lackluster campaigns who cheerlead his price-hiking agendas highlights how bleak their midterm chances are." But Johnson stands by his prediction, reiterating, "We're going to grow the majority." "I'm not going to give a specific number, but I am very bullish about the outcome on on election night," he said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84bc222c5335ae10482fa3 Manhunt underway after off-duty Massachusetts police veteran found dead at woman's home te 2026-08-18T20:10:10.717Z Manhunt underway after off-duty Massachusetts police veteran found dead at woman's home An urgent manhunt is underway in Massachusetts for a 58-year-old woman who police warn may be armed after a Worcester police officer was found dead at her home. The Worcester Police Department said in an alert that officers are actively seeking Karen Solomon "regarding the death of a male at her residence." Police described her as a 58-year-old White woman with dark brown hair and brown eyes, last seen wearing pajama shorts and a tank top and walking toward Westcott Street. NEW YORK STATE POLICE LAUNCH MANHUNT AFTER KILLING, HOUSE FIRE FOR 'ARMED AND DANGEROUS' SUSPECT "There is concern she may be armed," the department said. Police have not publicly identified the man or said how he died. Police said the officer found dead was a 30-year veteran of the force and was off-duty at the time he was found. He has not yet been identified.  CBS Boston reported that Massachusetts State Police were searching the area with a helicopter and that a special emergency response team was being brought in to search nearby woods. Fox News has reached out to authorities for confirmation and additional details. Solomon's home is on Wildwood Avenue, where authorities are conducting the death investigation, according to CBS Boston. The outlet also reported that Solomon said in a 2016 interview that she was married to a Worcester police officer and had made telling the stories of law enforcement a personal mission. Solomon told WBZ-TV at the time that she was inspired to write "Hearts Beneath The Badge" after her son came home from school and asked why someone had told him that police "kill people for no reason." Solomon said she wanted to highlight the good deeds officers perform, from buying meals to saving lives and putting themselves in danger for others. MANHUNT UNDERWAY FOR KANSAS CITY SHOOTING SPREE SUSPECT NEAR WORLD CUP VENUE; FBI OFFERING $25K REWARD She later wrote "The Price They Pay," which focused on what she described as the darker side of policing, including the pain and anxiety officers can experience on the job. Solomon also developed 1stHelp.Net, a website designed to connect first responders experiencing mental, physical or financial crises with resources. She told WBZ-TV that many officers she interviewed did not know where to seek help or were afraid to do so. Neighbors told CBS Boston they were stunned by the developments. One resident described the officer as an "awesome guy" who he regularly saw walking around the neighborhood. Police urged members of the public who spot Solomon not to approach her and to immediately contact authorities. Anyone with information is asked to call the Worcester Police Department at 508-799-8606 or dial 911 in an emergency. Fox News Digital reached out to the Worcester District Attorney's Office, Massachusetts State Police and Worcester Police Department for comment, but did not immediately receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84bc1b2c5335ae10482f72 TikTok explores peer-to-peer payments via DMs, report says te 2026-08-18T20:10:03.903Z TikTok explores peer-to-peer payments via DMs, report says If rolled out, the feature would use the social media service’s TikTok Pay offering, which is already available in Southeast Asia for TikTok Shop purchases. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84b9cd2c5335ae10482f45 San Diego Padres minor-league catching coordinator Oswaldo Pirela detained by Border Patrol in Texas te 2026-08-18T20:00:13.427Z San Diego Padres minor-league catching coordinator Oswaldo Pirela detained by Border Patrol in Texas A San Diego Padres minor-league catching coordinator was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents on Monday. As first reported by The Athletic, Oswaldo Pirela was detained at El Paso International Airport in Texas at around 4 a.m. Sunday. The Padres’ Triple-A affiliate is in El Paso. Pirela was reportedly flying home to his family in Arizona. PADRES TOP PITCHING PROSPECT SELF-DEPORTS TO MEXICO AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO HUMAN SMUGGLING CHARGE: REPORT Pirela's wife, Kimberly Avila, has been in contact with her husband since the incident and has said that the Padres are assisting with the situation. The 34-year-old Pirela was apparently not carrying his work permit card at the time he was detained, according to Oswaldo’s brother, Jorge Pirela. Pirela and his family are originally from Venezuela. "We recently became aware of the detainment of minor league catching coordinator Oswaldo Pirela in El Paso, Texas," the Padres said in a statement following the incident. "We are working to gather additional information and will not have any further comment at this time." SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS OutKick reached out to ICE upon learning of Pirela's detainment and received the following statement. STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW! "On August 16, 2026, Border Patrol arrested Oswaldo Jose Pirela Dominguez, an illegal alien from Venezuela, at the El Paso International Airport," the statement said. "He entered the country legally on September 10, 2014, and was granted permission by the Obama administration to remain in the country until February 10, 2018. "In violation of our nation’s laws, he overstayed his welcome. When approached by law enforcement officers, he was not in possession of legal documentation granting him status in the country. He will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings and will receive due process." The statement goes on to clarify that a work authorization or a pending application "do NOT confer legal status in the United States," addressing Avila's claims that Pirela, along with the rest of the family, have had pending asylum applications along with temporary ID cards. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84b9cb2c5335ae10482f2b Ramar fire.jpg te 2026-08-18T20:00:11.764Z Ramar fire.jpg The origin of a Tuesday morning home fire in the 1600 block of Ramar Road was on the exterior, but the cause of the fire is still under investigation, officials said. The resident and his dog were able to escape… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84b9ca2c5335ae10482f22 Man displaced in Tuesday morning house fire on Ramar Road te 2026-08-18T20:00:10.040Z Man displaced in Tuesday morning house fire on Ramar Road BULLHEAD CITY — A man and his dog were able to escape a home fire Tuesday morning. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84b76e2c5335ae10482d86 Florida was one front in a redistricting war won by the G.O.P. te 2026-08-18T19:50:06.169Z Florida was one front in a redistricting war won by the G.O.P. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84b51c2c5335ae10482c1c Bill Maher rips left-wing lawmaker for sacrificing liberal values to appease Muslim voters te 2026-08-18T19:40:12.298Z Bill Maher rips left-wing lawmaker for sacrificing liberal values to appease Muslim voters Comedian and political commentator Bill Maher tore into a Democratic congressional candidate in Seattle for abandoning a key liberal cause to better appeal to Muslim sensibilities. Maher targeted Melissa Chaudhry, a progressive Democrat and self-described "White American convert to Islam" who is challenging longtime Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., in Washington's 9th Congressional District. "A few weeks ago, a liberal Democrat named Melissa Chaudhry, running for Congress in Seattle, was asked why, among the many progressive causes listed on her website, LGBT rights was conspicuously absent. Because, she said, ‘A lot of Muslims do not feel that way, unfortunately,’" he said. "Is this the progressive policy now?" he asked. "Is Ms. Chaudhry right? We throw gay people under the bus anytime it clashes with what makes Muslims uncomfortable?" BILL MAHER RIPS IMMIGRANTS WHO REFUSE TO ADAPT, SAYS AMERICAN VALUES ARE ‘NOT NEGOTIABLE’ Maher cited Chaudhry’s comments as part of his broader discussion about the importance of upholding Western civilization. "Most immigrants want to assimilate, but some have this other attitude of, ‘Melting pot? F--- you, you melt. Look, you don’t have to love everything about America. … But you have to answer one question: Do you like Western civilization? Because that’s what we are, and that’s not negotiable." He acknowledged that liberals may be uncomfortable with his critique because when they hear the word "Muslim" they "have been brainwashed into thinking, ‘Oh some Islamophobic b------t is coming now.'" "No, just facts and a little honesty to the people who see everything as oppressor versus oppressed but can’t see who does a lot of oppressing," he said. Fox News Digital previously reported, citing The Stranger, that when asked why her website did not mention LGBTQ+ issues, Chaudhry replied, "Because a lot of Muslims do not feel that way, unfortunately," The outlet reported that Chaudhry noted she "was careful about her Muslim constituents." DFW AIRPORT SCRAPS CONTROVERSIAL ISLAMIC FOOT-WASHING STATION PLAN AS TEXAS GOV ABBOTT TAKES AIM Chaudhry later addressed the comments in a Facebook post, calling the interview "one of the least-proud moments of my life," according to the outlet. She wrote that "if you are queer, and you are wondering if you and your rights are safe with me, I assure you from the bottom of my heart, you are, you have always been, and you always will be." Chaudhry, who often wears a hijab-like scarf, also published a video titled "LGBTQ+ Folks, and the Media’s Attacks On Me." In the video, Chaudhry said that "the very same media that doesn’t care about a federal candidate getting rape and death threats for my scarf for three years and has never covered these very real crimes is now suddenly falling all over themselves to take a lie and run with it." "Here’s what’s actually true," she continued. "When I say dignity, safety and opportunity for all, where do I stutter? "I have supported full equality for LGBTQ+ people my entire life," she said, concluding that "this issue is not a talking point for me; it is the fabric of my life." SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER Fox News Digital reached out to Chaudhry’s campaign for additional comment. Fox News Digital's Stepheny Price contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84b5152c5335ae10482bf8 London Zoo: Poisonous or venomous -- what's the difference? te 2026-08-18T19:40:05.205Z London Zoo: Poisonous or venomous -- what's the difference? This week's London Zoo column from Karen London. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84ae132c5335ae10482b0d The deals worth grabbing before fall arrives te 2026-08-18T19:10:11.889Z The deals worth grabbing before fall arrives FOX News Deals may be compensated for or earn a commission if you buy through our links. Summer has a funny way of leaving a mess behind. This portable steam cleaner, now at an all-time low of $50, tackles stuck-on grime on floors, furniture, kitchen appliances and outdoor gear — just in time for a fall reset. READ MORE: This No. 1 best-selling steam cleaner just dropped to an all-time low on Amazon Fall is just around the corner, making now a good time to refresh the essentials you'll use all season. From kitchen upgrades that make busy weeknights easier to a big-screen TV for Sunday football, these are the deals I'm watching this week. — Caitlyn Martyn, Commerce Editor Make weeknight meals easier with an air fryer that cooks, crisps or reheats meals in minutes. Gear up for football season with a 58-inch TV, now on sale for under $200.  Upgrade your student's tech with Apple AirPods Pro 3, now $59 off on Amazon. -- Editor's Pick: Full-face mask: $23.99 (53% off) Why it's worth it: This full-face mask features anti-fog, scratch-resistant lenses and helps protect against dust, pollen and wildfire smoke. It's a useful option for home projects like painting and mold removal, and right now, it's over half at Walmart. -- Here are three items our team owns, uses and recommends. "This Banana Republic polo is one of the most flattering men's polos I own. It has a silky-soft hand-feel and is made of 100% cotton. I love it so much that I bought it in four more colors."  — Moriba Cummings, Director of Commerce Content "My least-favorite thing is blow-drying my hair because it takes so long. I recently bought the Shark SpeedStyle hair dryer, and not only did it significantly cut down styling time, but my at-home blowouts have never been as sleek." — Caitlyn Martyn, Commerce Editor "Bona's multi-surface floor mop came highly recommended, so I bought it to compare it to the mop I had. I've found it easier to use, and it does a great job of cleaning my floors." — Jenny Op't Holt, VP of Commerce Partnerships To find out more about what our team bought, check out our "Add to Cart" series.  -- DeWalt work light ($35.49) — now 58% off: Keep working in dim settings or after dark. DeWalt orbital sander ($94.99) — now 47% off: Tackle fine finishing work or material removal. DeWalt drill and driver set ($139) — now 42% off: Amazon reviewers depend on this duo for everyday repairs. DeWalt drill and battery set ($125.52) — now 30% off: Get power without an annoying cord. DeWalt cordless screwdriver ($78.96) — now 14% off: Make furniture assembly and household projects easier. -- What to buy this Labor Day weekend — and what can wait until Black Friday Labor Day mattress deals: Save up to 64% on Saatva, Helix, Nectar and more Amazon Outlet has a secret Labor Day sale: Save on Apple, DeWalt, Brooks and more before the holiday -- Best Buy is turning 60, and to celebrate, the retailer marked down tons of tech from brands like Samsung, Lenovo and Hisense. Score 30% off sitewide, including the brand's bestselling Ribcage jeans and iconic 501s, during the Fall Forward sale. Save on hair tools, fans, robot vacuums and kitchen gadgets like the Ninja Creami, now on sale up to 50% off. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84ae132c5335ae10482b04 Accused murderer who fled US during 48-hour pass had access to taxpayer-funded apartment te 2026-08-18T19:10:11.109Z Accused murderer who fled US during 48-hour pass had access to taxpayer-funded apartment An accused murderer who fled the United States last month after being granted a 48-hour pass from a Virginia mental health facility was previously allowed to leave the institution on unsupervised visits, staying at a taxpayer-funded apartment while on leave. Abdulloi Toshpulodzoda left the U.S. on July 6 while on a weekend pass, boarding a one-way flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to his native Tajikistan via Istanbul. The Turkish Airlines ticket was purchased under Toshpulodzoda's name using an American Express card, according to court records. Despite the murder accusation, Toshpulodzoda was permitted to leave the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute (NVMHI) for up to 48 hours to stay at an Alexandria apartment made available through the Fairfax Permanent Supportive Housing Program, court records state. HOUSE DEMOCRAT BLASTED AFTER EARLY RELEASE LAW FREED INMATES LATER CHARGED WITH MURDER In 2019, Toshpulodzoda fatally stabbed Mohammad Hemmatian, inside his Vienna, Virginia home before responding police found him covered in blood. He was ultimately found not guilty by reason of insanity of second-degree murder and committed to a state psychiatric facility in 2022. To be found legally insane, a defense expert, and then a separate, independent expert for the prosecution evaluate the defendant, Laura Birnbaum, chief of staff for Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Steve Descano, told Fox News Digital.  If the prosecution's expert also finds the defendant to be legally insane, there is functionally no way to get a conviction at trial, Birnbaum added.  As recently as June, a judge determined that Toshpulodzoda "shall not be released from custody and inpatient hospitalization without further order of this court." However, Virginia state law permits certain patients committed to psychiatric facilities — including those accused of violent crimes — to receive temporary day or weekend passes. REPEAT OFFENDER ACCUSED OF COLLEGE STUDENT’S MURDER WAS KNOWN ‘THREAT’ AFTER PRIOR ARREST: VICTIM’S MOM NVMHI's Internal Forensic Privileging Committee approved Toshpulodzoda for unaccompanied community visits, allowing him to leave the facility without hospital staff for up to 48 hours at a time. Because this authorization remained in place, he was legally permitted to make unsupervised visits in the period leading up to his escape. In May 2024, Toshpulodzoda was granted permission to visit the Tajikistan Embassy in Washington, D.C., with an escort to obtain a passport. Fox News Digital reached out for comment to the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Department of Homeland Security. On Aug. 5 — a month after Toshpulodzoda fled the country — the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office asked a judge to issue an arrest warrant. "Abdulloi Toshpulodzoda was found by clinicians to be insane at the time he killed Mohammad Hemmatian – a legal finding that means the Commonwealth would be unable to secure a conviction at trial," the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office said in a statement. Prosecutors noted that they opposed his release during annual review hearings in June. The office added that a bench warrant was issued immediately after learning he had escaped custody, ensuring that if he re-enters the U.S., he will be arrested and extradited to Virginia. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84ae0c2c5335ae10482ae5 Trump Fired His Inspectors General. Their Replacements Have a Different Mission. te 2026-08-18T19:10:04.086Z Trump Fired His Inspectors General. Their Replacements Have a Different Mission. President Trump is installing his allies in the offices of inspector general, which are meant to provide independent government oversight. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84a9642c5335ae10482a5e Blue state mayor arrested for fraud sparks uproar for not speaking English in viral clip: 'How is this real' te 2026-08-18T18:50:12.073Z Blue state mayor arrested for fraud sparks uproar for not speaking English in viral clip: 'How is this real' The mayor of a northern Massachusetts town went viral on social media in recent days after his lawyer told reporters he doesn’t speak English when they pressed him on being arrested for COVID-19 pandemic relief fraud. Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña, 61, was arrested Friday morning following an investigation into his alleged misuse of more than $1.5 million of Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), a program administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) under the CARES Act to assist struggling businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. "He doesn’t speak English, no comment," DePeña's lawyer said in the clip as DePeña repeatedly smiles and said, "God bless you," to the reporters. The clip of the exchange quickly spread on social media, prompting criticism from users wondering aloud why the mayor wouldn’t be able to answer questions in English. MASSACHUSETTS MAYOR CHARGED WITH WIRE FRAUD IN $1.5M COVID RELIEF SCHEME "OMG," conservative influencer account LibsofTikTok wrote on X in a post viewed over 1 million times. "How is this real." "‘He doesn’t speak English, no comment’ says the assistant of the mayor of an American city," conservative radio host Mike Gallagher posted on X. "Our melting pot has completely melted." WHITE HOUSE PUSHES 'WATERSHED' FRAUD-FIGHTING REFORM IN CONGRESS AS VANCE CONVENES TASK FORCE "English fluency should be a basic prerequisite for holding public office," journalist Miranda Devine posted on X. "This is what happens when we not only import the third world, but elect the third world," Texas Republican congressional candidate Jace Yarbrough posted on X. "Why is an unassimilated foreigner a mayor in America?" Shortly after the exchange with reporters, users on social media posted video appearing to show the car DePeña left in crashing into another parked car while attempting to drive away. Fox News Digital reached out to DePeña's office for comment. DePeña was elected mayor of Lawrence in November 2021 and won re-election in November 2025. He previously served on the Lawrence City Council from 2016 to 2021. "Mayor DePeña was elected to be a leader for the City of Lawrence," said U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley. "He was looked up to and trusted by his constituents, but he betrayed that trust through his alleged corruption and lies. Today’s arrest is just another example of our determination to root out fraud by anyone, even public officials, and hold elected officials accountable." If convicted, DePeña faces up to 30 years in prison. Fox News Digital reached out to DePeña's lawyer, Carlos Apostle, for comment. Fox News Digital’s Louis Casiano contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84a9632c5335ae10482a55 Popular grocery staple could take hit as California faces major supply vulnerability te 2026-08-18T18:50:11.328Z Popular grocery staple could take hit as California faces major supply vulnerability America's broccoli supply may have a geography problem. More than 90% of fresh broccoli grown in the United States comes from California, leaving the popular vegetable's supply chain particularly vulnerable to drought, according to new research. Researchers at Cornell University examined how drought conditions in California could affect broccoli shipments and whether increasing production on the East Coast could help protect the nation's supply. SEAWEED-BASED COATING COULD KEEP STRAWBERRIES FRESH FOR DAYS WITHOUT REFRIGERATION, STUDY FINDS The study, recently published in the journal Agribusiness, used historical shipping and drought data to model the broccoli supply chain under normal, moderate-drought and severe-drought conditions. Researchers estimated that California broccoli shipments could fall nearly 9% during moderate drought and more than 20% under severe drought conditions. However, Christopher Valadez, president and CEO of the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California, cautioned against interpreting the latter figure as evidence that California has previously experienced such a collapse in supply. The roughly 20% figure is "a statistical average" produced by correlating historical monthly shipments with periods of higher drought-index readings between 2000 and 2019, Valadez told Fox News Digital. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "It is not a record of any single year in which the national broccoli supply collapsed by that amount," he said. California's coastal growing regions have continued supplying the majority of America's fresh broccoli through multiple prolonged droughts by adapting irrigation, crop management and planting decisions, Valadez noted. The Cornell researchers found that expanding production across 10 Eastern states could provide another buffer against California drought. Because growing seasons vary by location, production could move north throughout the year, beginning with the Southern states during cooler months and shifting to the Northern states as temperatures rise. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS Under severe drought conditions, expanded Eastern production could reduce annual supply-chain costs by about $10 million while cutting transportation distances to Eastern markets by approximately 20%, the researchers' model found. Expanding Eastern production could help diversify the nation's supply, Valadez acknowledged, but he said those regions face weather risks of their own, including summer heat, humidity-related disease and greater seasonal variability. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "Sensible diversification has a role in risk management," Valadez said, while arguing that California's "proven adaptive capacity and quality advantages" should also be considered when assessing the resilience of America's broccoli supply. California would remain a major source of broccoli even under the researchers' scenario. Rather than replacing Western production, expanded East Coast production could give suppliers another option when drought reduces California shipments. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84a95d2c5335ae10482a36 Judge Allows Limited Testing in Trump Plan to Paint Eisenhower Building White te 2026-08-18T18:50:05.203Z Judge Allows Limited Testing in Trump Plan to Paint Eisenhower Building White A federal judge ruled that initial preparatory steps, including testing out paints on the building’s gray granite exterior, could proceed for now. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84a70a2c5335ae104829f4 American tennis star Amanda Anisimova leaves fans convinced she drank beer mid-match with mystery beverage te 2026-08-18T18:40:10.979Z American tennis star Amanda Anisimova leaves fans convinced she drank beer mid-match with mystery beverage American tennis star Amanda Anisimova was enjoying a beverage during her Round of 32 match in the Cincinnati Open on Monday night. A world-class athlete replenishing themselves during competition is, of course, normal behavior, but at first glance it appeared that Anisimova was consuming a drink that has the opposite effect of rehydration. After dropping the first game of the final set in her match against Alex Eala, the Tennis Channel broadcast showed viewers at home a clip of Anisimova taking a few sips of a mystery beverage from a plastic cup she took out from underneath a towel on her bench during the second set. The fact that the mysterious beverage was being drunk out of a plastic cup, one that Anisimova was trying her best to hide, made fans understandably assume that she was sipping on a cold beer. It wasn't just fans who shared the thought, either, as broadcasters Brett Haber and Lindsay Davenport questioned what exactly the beverage was. "Could be apple cider, Brett," Davenport said. "I mean, I would never suggest that a player was drinking a beer in the middle of a match, but that’s certainly what it looked like," Haber remarked. Coupled with the fact that it was unclear what the beverage was and that players are prohibited from consuming alcohol during a match, Haber was sure to cover his tracks. "It could be non-alcoholic. It could be cider. It could be anything. We don’t know," Haber said. Anisimova, 24, ultimately cruised in the third and final set, winning 6-2 to advance to the Round of 16. With fans convinced that she was drinking a beer during the match that she went on to win, it only added to the fun on social media. "I don’t know if I have ever seen anything more nails than Amanda Anisimova just drilling a beer mid game and then winning the match," a fan wrote on X. "Beers have never been more back." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Some fans guessed that it was Red Bull, or a similar-looking energy drink, that was in Anisimova's plastic cup, and those fans were correct, according to Haber. "We can confirm via one of our courtside camera operators that Anisimova asked for and was delivered a Red Bull. That is the mystery bevvie," he explained on the broadcast. Sipping on a Red Bull mid-match is far less intriguing than sipping on a cold beer, but the moment still made for some fun on social media and across the tennis world. Anisimova will take on Linda Noskova on Wednesday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84a4b42c5335ae104829a1 Socialists accused of 'motor mouth' rhetoric as longtime Dem strategist unloads on far-left candidate te 2026-08-18T18:30:12.613Z Socialists accused of 'motor mouth' rhetoric as longtime Dem strategist unloads on far-left candidate Longtime Democratic pundit James Carville is firing back at recent jabs from a socialist candidate running to unseat a mainstream Democratic congressman in Tuesday's primary elections in Florida. After Oliver Larkin told Fox News this past weekend that "it may be time" for Carville "to take a back seat, to people with fresh ideas," the strategist who first gained national attention as one of the masterminds behind former President Bill Clinton's 1992 White House victory shot back. Referring to Larkin, who is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Carville told Fox News Digital he "has the attribute of every DSA member in the country, and that is he has a motor mouth." "He fits right in." CHECK OUT THE LATEST FOX NEWS POWER RANKINGS IN THE MIDTERM RACES Carville, an establishment Democrat, has repeatedly railed against high-profile victories by far-left and socialist candidates over more mainstream candidates in primaries this spring and summer, which are framed by many pundits as a battle for the party's ideological future. "They're a bunch of silly people... a pack of fools," Carville said in his comments Monday in an appearance on Fox News' "Jesse Waters Primetime." The 33-year-old Larkin, a veteran of Sen. Bernie Sanders' 2016 Democratic presidential campaign, is the only DSA-endorsed House candidate running in a competitive congressional swing district. He is challenging more moderate Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz in Florida's newly drawn 25th Congressional District. DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB Moskowitz is backed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) as well as indirectly by AIPAC, a major pro-Israel political group. Larkin, meanwhile, has support from prominent far-left figures, including controversial political streamer Hasan Piker. "Democratic socialism can win in any district, in any race, for any office all across the country," Larkin told Fox News on the campaign trail this past weekend. He added that he was "very proud" to be carrying the "torch forward as a DSA candidate." SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER And pointing to Carville and other mainstream Democratic strategists, Larkin said "they're seeing their power over the Democratic Party establishment wane, and a new generation of leadership taking a step forward." In an interview on "Fox News Sunday," Larkin added, "I think it is very foolhardy to be excluding people from the Democratic Party that they’re going to be begging for our votes in 2028." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84a4ac2c5335ae10482983 A Missile Alert Half a World Away Interrupts Court Hearing at Guantánamo te 2026-08-18T18:30:04.344Z A Missile Alert Half a World Away Interrupts Court Hearing at Guantánamo A possible expert witness was hurried off a video feed after an emergency alert in Dubai, just south of the Strait of Hormuz, a flashpoint in the U.S.-Iran war. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84a0042c5335ae10482693 Drivers Josef Newgarden and Kyle Kirkwood talk IndyCar's 'once-in-a-lifetime' Freedom 250 Grand Prix te 2026-08-18T18:10:12.013Z Drivers Josef Newgarden and Kyle Kirkwood talk IndyCar's 'once-in-a-lifetime' Freedom 250 Grand Prix The centerpiece of the NTT IndyCar Series is the Indianapolis 500, nicknamed "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing." But the series is gearing up for what might be its biggest spectacle ever to hit the streets, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, which will see America's premier open-wheel series racing past some of the country's most iconic landmarks. Team Penske's Josef Newgarden and Andretti Global's Kyle Kirkwood stopped by Fox News Channel's "Fox & Friends" on Tuesday, along with Fox Sports IndyCar commentator Will Buxton, to talk about the once-in-a-lifetime event. TRUMP TOUTS INDYCAR DRIVERS' 'SPECIAL' ABILITY AT FREEDOM 250 GRAND PRIX SHOWCASE, SEEMINGLY ENDING HOT DEBATE "It's going to be absolutely incredible — a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see IndyCars racing around the nation's capital," Buxton said. "I'm a student of history, okay? The automobile was invented in 1886. The first-ever auto race in America (happened in) 1895. The first Indianapolis 500 happened just 16 years later. That means that for over one-half of this great nation's history, car culture and, more particularly, auto racing has been right at the very heart of what makes this country great. We're here to celebrate America's 250th birthday with a once-in-a-lifetime race around Washington, DC." Newgarden, driver of the No. 2 Chevrolet for Team Penske, a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, and a two-time series champion, echoed the need to embrace something that the series may never get to do again. "I don't know when we're going to have an opportunity to race in our nation's capital again with an IndyCar," he said. "So, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Want to go out there and win with our team — with Team Penske — and obviously represent the country." CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE Kirkwood, driver of Andretti Global's No. 27 Honda, is currently second in the championship standings and always a threat when the series travels to a street circuit. "This has been going on for many, many months, setting up the track, which is on down Pennsylvania (Avenue), around the museums, and then (goes) right by the Capitol. It's going to be a beautiful backdrop," Kirkwood said. "Suites are incredible; 100,000 people on both days out there to see the event. We can't wait, as drivers. It's going to be awesome. Practice gets Saturday morning underway, with qualifying slated for early that evening. The Grand Prix gets underway at 1 p.m. ET, with pre-race coverage starting at 11:30 a.m. on FOX. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a849ffa2c5335ae10482651 OpenAI institutes new safeguards after Hugging Face breach te 2026-08-18T18:10:02.400Z OpenAI institutes new safeguards after Hugging Face breach The new safeguards include more detailed monitoring of models during the development process, as well as greater emphasis on alignment and security during the post-training process. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a849dab2c5335ae10482629 SignalTrace can link device signals to your car te 2026-08-18T18:00:11.842Z SignalTrace can link device signals to your car Your phone may be giving a roadside sensor clues about where you go and which devices regularly travel alongside you. Say you carpool to work with the same person most mornings. Your car passes a license plate reader, which records the plate along with the time and location. Meanwhile, another sensor detects wireless signals coming from devices traveling nearby. Your phone might be there. So could a smartwatch, wireless headphones or electronics built into the car. After enough trips, software may recognize that some of those signals tend to move together. Now there is a recurring electronic pattern associated with that vehicle. Weeks later, one of those signals appears somewhere else, perhaps near a different vehicle connected to an investigation. Police may not know who owns the device yet. However, its previous connections could give investigators a place to start. LICENSE PLATE CAMERAS ARE TRACKING DRIVERS EVERYWHERE That is the idea behind SignalTrace, a technology marketed to law enforcement by security company Leonardo. And it raises a big privacy question: How anonymous is a device signal once it can be tied to a vehicle, repeated locations and other devices traveling alongside it? New! Free live CyberGuy class: Protect Your Money From Today’s Biggest Threats Join us Saturday, August 29, at 10 AM ET for a free CyberGuy LIVE class covering five simple steps to help defend yourself against AI scams, fraud, identity theft and financial hacks. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson will explain how to set up bank alerts, strengthen your account logins, protect your phone number, freeze your credit and help secure your retirement savings against unauthorized transfers. No technical experience is needed. You’ll also receive our financial protection checklist, and every registrant will get a link to the class recording afterward. Reserve your free spot today at CyberGuyLive.com. SignalTrace works alongside automatic license plate reader technology, commonly called ALPR. Traditional license plate readers photograph passing vehicles. They can record the plate number, vehicle information and the time and location of the sighting. We recently looked at how license plate cameras are tracking drivers across the country. SignalTrace adds another layer. Leonardo says the system detects electronic signals being broadcast by consumer devices. That can include signals associated with phones, wearables, vehicle electronics and RFID devices. The software looks for signals that repeatedly appear together. It can then create what Leonardo calls an electronic fingerprint for that group. According to the company's product information, SignalTrace can connect recurring device patterns with license plate information and time-stamped locations. Investigators can later search those patterns. Leonardo also says the technology can help recognize a vehicle even when its license plate isn’t visible. That changes the starting point for an investigation. Police traditionally might begin with a plate number or known suspect. With this type of system, investigators could potentially begin with a recurring pattern of electronic signals and work backward. Leonardo told CyberGuy, "Leonardo recognizes that technologies used to support public safety must balance investigative value with the privacy rights of individuals. SignalTrace was designed with that responsibility in mind." According to the company, SignalTrace detects and correlates electronic signals that devices publicly broadcast. Leonardo says the system does not decrypt communications, access message content or collect information stored on someone's device. The company also stressed that SignalTrace itself does not identify individuals or associate an electronic signature with a person. However, Leonardo confirmed that an investigator could correlate an electronic signature with a license plate. The investigator could then, subject to applicable laws and policies, use outside vehicle registration records to obtain information about the registered owner. In other words, any identification would come from separate investigative steps and outside records, not from SignalTrace itself. The registered owner of a vehicle also isn’t necessarily the person who was carrying a particular device at a particular time. Leonardo told CyberGuy, "SignalTrace data is an investigative lead, not proof of identity." The company added that the data "should not be considered proof of an individual's identity or involvement in an incident." Any association with a person, Leonardo says, requires additional investigative work and corroborating information under applicable legal requirements and agency procedures. The company summed up its position this way: "Leonardo believes technology should support, not replace, sound investigative practices." This is where the privacy debate gets more interesting. Federal privacy guidance does not define identifying information only as your name, Social Security number or another obvious identifier. The National Institute of Standards and Technology says information can qualify as personally identifiable when it can distinguish or trace someone's identity on its own or when combined with other linkable information. Movement patterns can be surprisingly revealing. A widely cited Scientific Reports study examined 15 months of mobility data from 1.5 million people. Researchers found that four time-and-place points were enough to uniquely characterize 95% of the mobility traces in the dataset. That study did not examine SignalTrace. Still, it demonstrates why repeated location patterns can become distinctive even when a person's name is missing from the original data. That is important because data that appears anonymous on its own can become identifying when combined with outside information. Connect that data with a vehicle record, another location and repeated appearances over time, and investigators may have a much clearer picture. Location is only part of the concern. Association matters too. Your phone regularly travels beside certain other devices. Your spouse's watch may be nearby. A coworker's phone could appear during your commute. Your child's tablet might show up during family trips. Those patterns can say something about relationships. A Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences study followed 94 participants using phones that recorded Bluetooth proximity and communication patterns. Researchers reported that the behavioral data could accurately classify 95% of reciprocally reported friendships in their sample. Again, SignalTrace uses a different system. There is no independent research showing that SignalTrace can reproduce those results. The broader lesson still matters. Repeated proximity can reveal social relationships. That can also create mistakes. Two people may commute together without having any other connection. Someone can borrow a car. A phone may stay inside a vehicle after its owner leaves. A nearby pedestrian could potentially be close enough to a collection point to become part of the data. A pattern can create an investigative lead. It cannot explain why two people were near each other. We have already seen what can happen when surveillance data points investigators in the wrong direction. In another case, technology helped lead police to accuse the wrong person. FLOCK SURVEILLANCE SPREADS ACROSS THE SOUTH AS RED-STATE LAWMAKERS SEEK TO AX '1984'-STYLE TRACKING TOOLS Leonardo told CyberGuy that SignalTrace remains in the early stages of adoption and currently has a limited number of deployments. The company did not provide an exact number of agencies or locations using the technology. Leonardo also said interest is growing beyond law enforcement. The company pointed to potential uses involving parking management, traffic monitoring and commercial automotive applications. The legal questions surrounding this technology arrive at an especially interesting moment. In 2018, the Supreme Court ruled in Carpenter v. United States that people have a reasonable expectation of privacy in historical cellphone location records held by wireless carriers. Then came a major ruling this summer. In June 2026, the Supreme Court decided Chatrie v. United States, a case involving location information obtained through a geofence warrant. Police investigating a bank robbery had obtained Google location data associated with devices near the crime scene. Investigators narrowed the data until it helped lead them to Okello Chatrie. The Supreme Court held that police conducted a Fourth Amendment search when they obtained Chatrie's cellphone location data from Google. The justices said people can have a reasonable expectation of privacy in cellphone location information. The court did not decide whether the particular geofence warrant ultimately satisfied the Fourth Amendment's probable cause and particularity requirements. It sent that issue back to the lower court. That distinction is important for SignalTrace. Chatrie involved historical location information stored by Google. SignalTrace detects signals broadcast from nearby devices. The Supreme Court has not ruled that SignalTrace collection itself constitutes a Fourth Amendment search. Still, the cases now sit in the same broader privacy conversation. Police technology can begin with devices rather than named suspects. Investigators can then use digital patterns to narrow down the people connected to them. Consider a protest, political event or other large public gathering where SignalTrace sensors were operating nearby. A device could appear repeatedly near devices associated with people police are investigating. That proximity would not prove the device owner knew those people. It certainly would not prove wrongdoing. Yet the pattern could become an investigative lead. Software can recognize recurring signals and proximity. It cannot determine why two people were close to each other. They could be coworkers sharing a ride or strangers who happened to be standing nearby. That distinction becomes especially important because Leonardo itself says SignalTrace data is an investigative lead, not proof of an individual's identity or involvement in an incident. Any conclusion about a person would require additional investigative work and corroboration. Automated license plate readers have already expanded beyond traditional police installations. CyberGuy reported that license plate cameras have appeared at some Home Depot and Lowe's locations, showing how vehicle tracking infrastructure can spread into everyday places. Adding electronic signal analysis could make those networks capable of producing a much richer picture of movement. There is no phone setting that guarantees SignalTrace or another roadside sensor cannot detect your device. However, you can reduce some wireless activity and limit other forms of location tracking on your phone. If you do not need Bluetooth during a drive, you can turn it off completely. Keep in mind that doing this will disconnect devices such as wireless headphones, your smartwatch or your car's Bluetooth system. Limiting location access will not necessarily prevent SignalTrace from detecting a wireless signal. However, it can reduce the amount of separate location information apps collect about where you go. Find out whether your local police department uses automatic license plate readers and whether it publishes a policy explaining how the data is handled. Look for information about retention periods, access and sharing with other agencies. These steps can reduce some of your digital exposure, but they cannot make your phone invisible to every type of roadside sensor. SignalTrace can involve more than Bluetooth, so you should be skeptical of any claim that one phone setting can completely prevent this kind of tracking. THE SURVEILLANCE CAMERA ON YOUR STREET CORNER: LAWFUL SPYING OR CONSTITUTIONALLY PROBLEMATIC? You do not need to panic every time Bluetooth is turned on in your car. Leonardo says SignalTrace is still in the early stages of adoption, with a limited number of deployments to date. However, the technology changes what you should understand about digital privacy. A device identifier does not have to contain your name to become useful in an investigation. Leonardo says SignalTrace itself does not identify people, but investigators can combine an electronic signature with outside information, such as license plate and vehicle registration records. That extra context can potentially help investigators narrow down who may be associated with a device or vehicle. You should also review how much location history your apps and accounts retain. That information is separate from SignalTrace collection, but Chatrie demonstrates how valuable stored location histories can become during an investigation. Finally, pay attention to what your local police department says about automated license plate readers. Look for policies covering retention, data sharing and investigative access. If electronic signal sensors become part of those systems, the rules governing them deserve the same scrutiny. What stands out to me is how quickly the definition of identification is changing. A sensor may never learn your name when you drive past. Yet software can build a pattern around the devices you carry, and investigators can compare that pattern with information from other sources. Leonardo makes an important distinction here. The company says SignalTrace itself does not identify people and its data should be viewed as an investigative lead, not proof. I think that distinction matters. The real privacy question becomes what happens after that lead is created and how much corroboration investigators require before connecting it to a person. I understand why police would want technology that helps find a stolen vehicle or develop a lead in a serious case. These tools can have legitimate public-safety uses. But proximity deserves caution. Being near someone isn’t the same as knowing that person. Traveling with someone does not establish what either person was doing. The bigger question is how much inference we are willing to let technology make before stronger legal protections kick in. Would you be comfortable with police using electronic signatures from your devices to develop leads about your movements and associations, or should that kind of tracking require a warrant? 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/6a849daa2c5335ae10482620 Cut your phone bill to just $15 a month with this limited-time PureTalk deal te 2026-08-18T18:00:10.742Z Cut your phone bill to just $15 a month with this limited-time PureTalk deal Tired of overpaying for your phone plan? PureTalk is offering a simple way to cut it down: all five of the carrier's plans are just $15 for the first three months, with savings of up to $50 per month. The offer runs through September 8, making it a good time to switch if you’ve been looking for a more affordable wireless plan. READ MORE: PureTalk keeps phone plans simple It's not often you'll find a phone plan that's this affordable — especially one that includes unlimited talk and text, with most plans also including data. Right now, every PureTalk plan is just $15 per month for the first three months. The carrier's plans normally range from $24.99 to $64.99 per month. PureTalk says its plans can help the average family of four save up to $1,000 per year compared with major carriers, and this limited-time promotion gives FOX readers another way to save on their phone bill. READ MORE: Best tech deals this week: Save up to 79% on Apple AirPods, Anker power banks and more  PureTalk also lets you bring your own phone and keep your existing number and avoid long-term contracts and hidden fees.  This limited-time $15-per-month offer includes many of the same features as PureTalk's standard plans. Every plan includes unlimited talk and text. Four include unlimited data, while the entry-level plan comes with 7GB. Every plan also includes hotspot access, ranging from 2GB to 30GB, plus spam call protection, so you can cut down on scammers and unwanted calls. The top three plans give you international roaming.  For more deals, visit www.foxnews.com/deals PureTalk offers 100% U.S.-based customer service, making it easier to reach someone. The company also has a history of supporting U.S. veterans, adding another point of distinction for shoppers comparing carriers and plans. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a849b552c5335ae10482586 Time to face facts: Fantasy football punishments have officially jumped the shark in 2026 te 2026-08-18T17:50:13.432Z Time to face facts: Fantasy football punishments have officially jumped the shark in 2026 With the first real week of preseason football in the books, the regular season feels well within reach, and with that, the accoutrements that go along with it as well. Of all the added fun to accompany an NFL season, nothing can top the excitement of fantasy football. It has taken on a life of its own and has practically become its own sport, giving fans even more reason to tune into games they otherwise would have no interest in watching, and because we are so close to the start of the actual NFL season, that means fantasy football drafts are sure to follow. BRUTAL FANTASY FOOTBALL PUNISHMENT SENDS LONE ASTRONAUT TO KAUFFMAN STADIUM NOSEBLEEDS FOR ROYALS GAME While things like draft order and league rules are a topic of conversation at the start of any fantasy season, something that most leagues also try to get squared away on day one is the punishment for whoever finishes last. Now, let me just say, I think "punishing" someone for finishing in last place for a game that is essentially chance and injury luck is kind of dumb on its face, but I have to admit there have been some humorous punishments in the past. A personal favorite of mine was the guy who had to stay at a Waffle House for 24 hours, but each waffle he ate during that timespan knocked an hour off of his sentence. It was funny and creative, but lately I feel like we've been getting less of both of those qualities in our fantasy football punishments. STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW! There's a theory in the world of comedy called "the law of diminishing returns," and I believe that's what we are starting to see with fantasy punishments in today's day and age. I'm not saying we've seen every punishment imaginable - there are still some new and creative ones being explored - but by and large, they either feel like repeats or they just aren't very funny. Here's one where the loser has to stand up in a public setting and tell everyone why he would make a bad boyfriend. There's nothing creative about it and it isn't all that funny, it's just kind of mean. Then you had this one where the loser's friends duct taped him to a chair and poured a bunch of food products onto him. Again, not super funny or creative unless you're a fan of frat initiations or interrogation tactics. Everything just feels so forced and contrived these days. It's almost as if the demand for good fantasy punishments is outweighing the supply. They're either too gimmicky, too mean-spirited, or something a 12-year-old would find funny. "Hey dude, we made Brian stand on the street corner in a chicken suit with a sign that says 'I SUCK AT FANTASY FOOTBALL.'" Hilarious! Also, he doesn't "suck" at fantasy football. His starting wide receivers both blew their knees out before week five and his starting quarterback tripped on his kid's skateboard and dislocated his elbow. It's called "bad luck" (not that I'm speaking from experience or anything). If you can think of a creative and funny punishment, go for it. Otherwise, maybe skip that part and just pay the winner $100. Losing is punishment enough, so pour out your friend's coffee you mixed with laxatives, use the range balls for something other than target practice on his bare back, and for God's sake, donate that stupid chicken suit to a local elementary school. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a849b542c5335ae1048257d Workers warned Ohio trench was too deep but were told to enter minutes before fatal cave-in: report te 2026-08-18T17:50:12.627Z Workers warned Ohio trench was too deep but were told to enter minutes before fatal cave-in: report Workers replacing a storm drain at an Ohio job site warned that a trench had become dangerously deep, but federal investigators say they were told to enter it anyway — minutes before it collapsed, killing one worker and severely injuring two others. Jose Alberto Barajas Martinez, 28, was killed in the Dec. 5 collapse near Milford. OSHA later found the roughly 8-foot-deep trench had no protection against a cave-in, despite federal rules requiring safeguards for trenches deeper than 5 feet, according to records obtained by the Cincinnati Enquirer. Whispering Creek LLC, the landscaping company on the job, was cited for five safety violations and initially fined $231,714, the report said. The penalty was later reduced to $49,000 as Clermont County prosecutors consider possible criminal charges. WOMAN DIES AFTER FALLING INTO UNCOVERED MANHOLE OUTSIDE LUXURY STORES Company owner David Baumgardner was at the site and knew the trench's depth and layout, the paper reported. He told investigators he had used cave-in protections on previous jobs. Asked why he did not use a trench box, Baumgardner said the workers were not deep enough. Investigators accused Baumgardner of "conscious disregard," saying he knew the safety requirements but failed to follow them. They also cited his explanation about the trench's depth as evidence of "plain indifference," according to the paper. Baumgardner told the newspaper that Barajas Martinez was his friend and that his death had deeply affected him. "I actually saved one of the workers myself," he said. MISSING GRANDMA BELIEVED TO HAVE FALLEN IN SINKHOLE WHILE SEARCHING FOR LOST CAT: 'NEVER CAME BACK' The three men were installing corrugated pipe in a residential yard when the trench collapsed around 3:30 p.m., FOX19 Cincinnati reported in December. Firefighters found one man completely buried and unconscious and the other two awake but partially buried, Miami Township Fire Chief Dave Jetter told the station at the time. The trench was too unstable for firefighters to immediately enter. Crews gave the men oxygen and heated blankets while waiting for equipment to shore up the excavation. Rescuers then worked bucket by bucket to uncover the men. One man was pronounced dead, while it took about six hours to free both survivors, the station reported. OSHA investigators later found that ladders seen inside the trench had been brought in during the rescue and were not there when the workers entered, according to the Enquirer. The agency also cited Whispering Creek for inadequate inspections and worker training and for keeping excavated soil and equipment too close to the trench's edge. One survivor suffered eight fractures and the other two broken ribs. Both also suffered serious internal injuries, according to the Enquirer. A family GoFundMe identified one survivor as Jaime Barajas, the father of Barajas Martinez. Baumgardner said one survivor has returned to work while the other is still recovering. A Miami Township police report listed reckless homicide and negligent assault as possible charges, according to FOX19. Baumgardner told the Enquirer he expected felony charges, but none were listed as of Aug. 14. The Clermont County Prosecutor's Office is reviewing the case. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a849b532c5335ae1048256b No more ‘hypothetical situations’: States move to fortify elections against Trump te 2026-08-18T17:50:11.287Z No more ‘hypothetical situations’: States move to fortify elections against Trump A voter places a ballot in a drop box outside of the Maricopa County Elections Department on Aug. 2, 2022, in Phoenix. Photo by Justin Sullivan | Getty Images State Democratic officials are preparing for chaos at the polls this November, as President Donald Trump casts doubt on election security and pushes for more federal involvement in local voting.  “We’re no longer talking about hypothetical situations,” said Nick Brown, Washington state’s Democratic attorney general, noting the president’s push to nationalize election administration and to question the integrity of upcoming elections. Brown is among the many Democratic state officials raising alarms over how Trump may seek to interfere with or challenge the results of November’s midterms. At stake is not only whether Republicans will maintain their grip on Congress, but also the control of state legislatures across the country. Democratic gains at either the state or national levels could provide a new check on Trump, who has sought to significantly expand executive power in his second term. State lawmakers have introduced new legislation this year with the aim of protecting polling places this November. And behind closed doors, Democratic attorneys general and local election officials have sought to anticipate and prepare for ways the federal government could interject itself into local elections. In recent months, Democratic attorneys general have been meeting to prepare for worst-case scenarios — including the possibility of federal immigration officers patrolling polling locations or the FBI visiting county election offices. Those AGs are gearing up to immediately fight potential intimidation or interference efforts in court, Brown said, and are working to educate local election administrators on basics of election law. “Absent some very unusual circumstances, you can’t send the military to polling locations just to hang out. You can’t do those sorts of things,” he said. The White House did not respond to Stateline’s questions. Republican state officials told Stateline they will respect voting laws and the outcomes of local races — no matter how the president reacts. Some Republicans have opposed Trump’s efforts to restrict mail-in voting and resisted requests for private voter data. Brown said he’s less worried about a White House effort to cancel or attack the legitimacy of elections across the country. Rather, he fears a more targeted effort to interfere with or challenge results in a few states that could determine the balance of federal power. The president still refuses to acknowledge his 2020 electoral defeat, and Brown noted some fellow election deniers now hold power in state and local governments. At least 25 county election officials who align with the broader election-denier movement have taken office across the country since the last federal election in 2024, according to a recent New York Times analysis. “That is what worries me, is a half a dozen local elected officials saying I have doubts about the election because the president said there was something shady, and I’m not going to certify it,” Brown said. “And we’re just in a chaos moment. And I think that’s a very real possibility.” He added: “The struggle I have often in this job, and particularly on this issue, is raising the alarm for people about these possibilities, while not sounding like an alarmist, but I think we really need to in this circumstance.” Utah Republican Gov. Spencer Cox said elections have always had “some issues,” but he said there’s no evidence of anything coming close to major voter violations of election laws in the recent past. He said he expected Republican and Democratic secretaries of state to continue their long tradition of conducting elections with integrity. “I feel confident in the election system in this country, and I hope that politicians will be responsible,” he told Stateline, “that you’ll win the right way, and there’s a right way to lose, too, and I hope we’ll see more of that.”  Election officials preparing Midterms generally favor the party that doesn’t control the White House, but this cycle looks particularly competitive for Democrats as the president’s popularity sinks and consumer angst grows over high prices.  In New Hampshire, both Republican-controlled legislative chambers are considered competitive this November, along with key U.S. House and Senate races.  New Hampshire Republican Secretary of State David Scanlan said voters in his state generally trust local election officials to administer and count ballots. And he said the Trump administration would have to “have facts” to refute any unfavorable results. “The results are going to speak for themselves,” Scanlan told Stateline. “And the results are factual.” Scanlan has heard concerns about the prospects of federal agents showing up at the polls, but said he has no indication that will actually occur. While federal officials could arrive unannounced, he said he’d expect some kind of communication from Washington. “At this point, if something were to happen, we would be prepared for it. I won’t say what that preparation is at the moment, but when you conduct an election you have to be ready for whatever gets thrown at you, whether it’s a fire in the polling place, or really bad weather, or some type of natural disaster. We prepare for those things.” Katy Owens Hubler, director of elections and redistricting at the National Conference of State Legislatures, said local election officials have spent months running through tabletop exercises about all manner of potential disruptions, including the potential for federal involvement.  “There is more rhetoric coming from the federal government than we have typically seen,” she said.  While federal law prohibits ordering armed forces to polling places in most circumstances, lawmakers in multiple states this year introduced and passed legislation to prevent the presence of immigration officers or troops at voting locations, according to NCSL tracking. Democratic governors in California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Virginia signed new laws this year to limit law enforcement and military presence at voting sites and ensure more protections against voter intimidation.   Last month, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said they were not planning an aggressive campaign at voting sites. In a statement to States Newsroom, the agency said it conducts “intelligence-driven targeted enforcement” that could bring officers to polling places if they were endangered by a public safety threat. “ICE is not planning operations targeting polling locations,” the statement said.  Broad election concerns Many Republican lawmakers have embraced the president’s push to purge noncitizens from voting rolls. Experts say noncitizen registration and voting, already illegal under federal law, are rare. But since 2018, 15 states have adopted constitutional amendments to verify citizenship status, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. And several states have passed similar laws this year. Those include a Mississippi law signed in April that requires election officials to verify proof of citizenship with documents such as birth certificates and passports when registering voters — which raised major concerns from voting rights advocates about restricting voting access for citizens without the proper documentation.  Republican state Sen. Jeremy England, who sponsored that measure, said he sought to balance election security against voting access. He said media attention of even one case of a noncitizen voting in an election can cast doubt on the entire election system. “At least the last couple of presidential elections have really led to a lot more questions,” he said, “and a lot of I would say probably a lot less confidence by the people.”  Still, England rejected Trump’s call for the federal government to take over elections. The U.S. Constitution grants states primary responsibility for election administration. “This idea of federalizing the election system, I don’t think the people of Mississippi would support that,” England said. “And we’re a red state with a Republican president.” In July, Trump raised the alarm over election security in a primetime address from the White House. The president said Russia, China, Iran, North Korea and some other groups could compromise the country’s election infrastructure. Without evidence, Trump cast doubt on the integrity of the Los Angeles mayoral race and the state’s recent gubernatorial race.  And in an interview with a conservative commentator this week, the president did not rule out declaring a national security emergency and federalizing control over November’s elections.  England was among a bipartisan group of state leaders who discussed election preparations at last month’s National Conference of State Legislatures summit in Chicago. Joining him on a panel discussion was Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, a Democrat. Fontes urged state leaders to exercise more self-discipline when talking about and regulating elections. “This should not be a partisan issue. That’s the hill that I’m willing to die on,” he said during that panel. If states want to beef up election integrity, Fontes said lawmakers should provide local election officials with more funding to improve security — rather than making it more difficult to vote. And he held up the right to vote as among the most sacrosanct in society, giving ordinary people their constitutional right to check government power. “That’s the real issue here,” he said. “The one chance citizens get, the one chance the governed get to keep us in our place, is being the most heavily regulated.” Stateline reporter Kevin Hardy can be reached at khardy@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/6a8498f52c5335ae10482505 Minnesota Sues Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Over His Refusal to Extradite ICE Agent te 2026-08-18T17:40:05.017Z Minnesota Sues Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Over His Refusal to Extradite ICE Agent A federal agent facing assault charges in Minnesota has been jailed in Texas since May. Gov. Greg Abbott has not granted an extradition request. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8498f12c5335ae104824e4 Save up to $300 on your TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 pass until August 21  te 2026-08-18T17:40:01.699Z Save up to $300 on your TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 pass until August 21  If you’ve been circling around Disrupt, then now’s the best time to lock in your pass and start getting ready to join the rest of the startup community gathering in San Francisco from October 13-15 at Moscone West! Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8496a92c5335ae104824bb Cruise ships with the worst CDC sanitation scores revealed, see which vessels failed inspection te 2026-08-18T17:30:17.855Z Cruise ships with the worst CDC sanitation scores revealed, see which vessels failed inspection The lowest-scoring cruise ships of 2026 have been identified based on data from unannounced health inspections conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) does periodic, unannounced inspections of cruise ships in U.S. ports, examining conditions aboard to determine whether vessels comply with federal public health standards, according to the agency. Cruise ships are graded on a 100-point scale. Ships must score 86 or above to pass inspection — while a score of 85 or below is considered unsatisfactory, the CDC noted. CLEANEST CRUISE LINES REVEALED AFTER CDC SURPRISE SANITATION INSPECTIONS Several ships have landed near the bottom of the CDC's sanitation scale so far this year. Norwegian Dawn, Carnival Breeze, Kydon, National Geographic Sea Lion, Sun Princess, MSC Meraviglia and Amadea were the seven lowest-scoring vessels among the 2026 inspections reviewed, according to CDC data. Norwegian Dawn received a score of 84 during a March inspection — putting it below the CDC's passing threshold of 86. Carnival Breeze, Kydon and National Geographic Sea Lion each received scores of 86 — while Sun Princess, MSC Meraviglia and Amadea received 89s. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER The scores reflect conditions observed at the time of inspection — and the scores can change from one inspection to the next.  Carnival Breeze, for example, received a perfect 100 earlier in the year before earning a score of 86 during a later inspection. The scores do not necessarily mean a ship is unsafe; rather, they reflect how well the vessels met the CDC’s public health standards at the time of inspection. Fox News Digital reached out to Norwegian Dawn and the CDC for comment. Norwegian Cruise Line issued a detailed report to the CDC five days after the inspection, showing all the corrective measures the organization put in place after the ship scored poorly, the "Cruise Fever" blog reported.  Gavin Macgregor-Skinner, an infection prevention expert and epidemiologist affiliated with Penn State College of Medicine, previously told Fox News Digital that the federal government’s Vessel Sanitation Program plays an important role in protecting passengers and crew. "The federal government's Vessel Sanitation Program, established in 1975 to work with the cruise industry to protect travelers’ health, is critical for the health and safety of passengers, staff and the locations that cruise ships visit," Macgregor-Skinner said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES Inspectors focus on a wide range of areas aboard the ship. "Ships participating in the VSP can expect two unannounced inspections every year, with a focus on medical facilities, potable water systems, swimming pools and whirlpool baths, galleys and dining rooms, child activity centers, cabins, ventilation systems and common areas," Macgregor-Skinner said. The latest scores come as cruise lines continue to face scrutiny over sanitation and illness prevention aboard vessels carrying thousands of passengers. "Cruise ships are shared environments where thousands of people touch the same surfaces every day," Brian Sansoni, senior vice president of communications at the American Cleaning Institute in Washington, D.C., previously told Fox News Digital. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "Without strong cleaning and hygiene practices, germs can spread quickly, increasing the risk of illness among passengers and crew," he added. Still, a lower sanitation score does not necessarily mean a ship will experience an illness outbreak. Cruise lines report illnesses to federal health officials more routinely than many other parts of the travel industry, Macgregor-Skinner said. "It is very important not to confuse the wider availability of cruise health data with a higher incidence rate on cruise ships compared to settings like restaurants, hotels and planes," he said. Meanwhile, on the high side of the spectrum and based on the latest inspection data from the CDC, 42 cruise ships earned a perfect score of 100 — ranking them among the cleanest cruise ships reviewed in 2026. Among the cruise ships earning perfect 100 scores in 2026 from the CDC were Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, Carnival Celebration, Celebrity Apex, Disney Dream, Norwegian Viva and Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth. "Normally, over the course of a year, 25–35 ships will earn a perfect health score," noted the "Cruise Fever" blog.  Fox News Digital reached out the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) for further comment. Jessica Mekles of Fox News Digital contributed reporting. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8496a92c5335ae104824b2 Alex Murdaugh moves for new home for double-murder retrial te 2026-08-18T17:30:17.154Z Alex Murdaugh moves for new home for double-murder retrial Alex Murdaugh’s retrial could be headed to Richland County, South Carolina, as his defense presses to move the double-murder case from the Lowcountry, arguing the new venue would offer a larger jury pool and reduce costly logistical challenges. Court documents filed Monday by Murdaugh’s defense team, obtained by WIS in Columbia, and reviewed by Fox News Digital, show the attorneys are asking the court to select Richland County for the retrial. The filing comes after Judge Debra R. McCaslin ruled Friday that Murdaugh’s retrial must move out of Colleton County but did not choose a new location. ALEX MURDAUGH MURDER SAGA LANDS RIGHT BACK WHERE IT STARTED BEFORE NEXT LOWCOUNTRY COURTROOM BATTLE During the hearing, defense attorney Phillip D. Barber argued Charleston would not cost more than other parts of South Carolina. "You don’t think the cost of living is higher in Charleston?" prosecutor Creighton Waters asked. "McDonald’s is the same price in Charleston as anywhere else," Barber replied. In their latest filing, Barber and the defense team ask that the trial be moved to Richland County. ALEX MURDAUGH'S DOUBLE MURDER CONVICTION UNANIMOUSLY OVERTURNED BY SOUTH CAROLINA SUPREME COURT Murdaugh was granted a new trial after the South Carolina Supreme Court found former Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill improperly influenced jurors during his 2023 murder trial, undermining his right to a fair proceeding. "The size of the potential jury venire is on a scale comparable to Charleston, thus giving a much greater opportunity to find an impartial jury," the defense wrote. "Further, although not an absolute requirement, the racial demographics are similar to Colleton." FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X Murdaugh’s team said a Richland County trial would eliminate the need for either side to book hotel rooms for attorneys, staff or South Carolina Law Enforcement Division witnesses. The April 5, 2027, trial is scheduled during the Masters Tournament. Prosecutors argued the event could make it harder to find hotel rooms in Richland County, but the defense said the first week would likely be spent selecting jurors, reducing the need for lodging. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS "The State objected that the Masters golf tournament during the first trial week might make Richland County accommodations unavailable, but it is unlikely witnesses would need hotel rooms during the first trial week because that week will be mostly or entirely consumed by jury selection," the defense wrote. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE The defense also asked McCaslin to consider its costs, arguing it does not have the State’s "nearly limitless resources." SEND US A TIP "It was Defendant’s constitutional rights, not the State’s, which were violated by the intentional conduct of Becky Hill, an elected state official," Murdaugh’s team wrote. "One reason Defendant suggested Charleston is that the defense has access to offices near the courthouse." GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL "The State of course has offices at every courthouse in South Carolina," the defense continued. "It is appropriate that the Court act to protect the people of Colleton County from costs created by their own elected official’s unexpected criminal conduct, but it would be inappropriate to do so by imposing excessive and avoidable costs on the victim of her conduct." LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST At his 2023 trial, Murdaugh acknowledged misleading investigators about his location shortly before his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, were shot, but he has consistently denied killing either of them. Fox News Digital has reached out to both the defense and prosecution for comment. Fox News Digital's Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8496a82c5335ae104824a9 Ralph Norman suggests special GOP primary runoff rival Darline Graham is the establishment's chosen candidate te 2026-08-18T17:30:16.401Z Ralph Norman suggests special GOP primary runoff rival Darline Graham is the establishment's chosen candidate Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C. — the candidate going head-to-head against Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., in the South Carolina special Republican U.S. Senate primary runoff — suggested in a campaign ad that his rival is the establishment's candidate. "The establishment has already" selected "their candidate," he declared in the video, without naming Graham, his lone rival in the contest. "Same old playbook, same old insiders. I'm not their choice." "South Carolina needs a proven conservative with a record of fighting for you. You shouldn't have to guess where your next senator stands: With me, you already know," Norman said in the ad. HOUSE REPUBLICAN SUGGESTS SEN DARLINE GRAHAM IS AN 'ALLY' FOR THE 'SWAMP' Graham and Norman, who finished first and second respectively in the Aug. 11 special GOP U.S. Senate primary, will now face off in the Aug. 25 runoff. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Graham last month to fill the Senate vacancy caused by the death of her brother, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. RUSSELL FRY ENDORSES EX-RIVAL DARLINE GRAHAM AFTER FAILING TO ADVANCE TO SPECIAL GOP US SENATE PRIMARY RUNOFF The new senator is backed by President Donald Trump. "To suggest Donald Trump is part of the establishment is a joke. Senator Darline Graham has built a broad coalition of conservatives across South Carolina. Ralph is a party of one: himself," Graham campaign spokesperson Abby Zilch said in a statement to Fox News Digital on Tuesday. "Ralph is a fiscal conservative when it is politically convenient. He voted no on a pay raise for our troops and benefits for veterans, but when COVID money benefited Ralph, all bets were off. Darline is a MAGA fighter who will help President Trump deliver. Ralph Norman will stand in the way," she added. MARK LYNCH ENDORSES RALPH NORMAN AS CONGRESSMAN HEADS INTO RUNOFF AGAINST DARLINE GRAHAM Norman spokesperson Brittany Yanick said in a statement to Fox News Digital, "Ralph Norman is a businessman and the only proven conservative in this race. He has received wide support from conservatives including Senators Rick Scott and Mike Lee in Washington, D.C. to leaders across South Carolina, such as [former] Senator Jim DeMint and Former State Rep. Adam Morgan, among many others." "South Carolinians shouldn't have to guess where their Senator stands on important issues; with Ralph, they already know," Yanick added. "His resume is his record unlike his opponent who is unknown and backed by Democrat donors. Next week, South Carolinians will vote for Ralph Norman to represent the Palmetto State for the next six years." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8496a72c5335ae104824a0 Fox News Digital thumps all news brands including broadcast networks in key performance indicators during July te 2026-08-18T17:30:15.731Z Fox News Digital thumps all news brands including broadcast networks in key performance indicators during July Fox News Digital led all news brands and broadcast networks in key measurables during the month of July, according to Comscore. Fox News Digital posted 1.6 billion multiplatform views and 3.5 billion multiplatform minutes to beat The New York Times, CNN, CBS News, ABC News and NBC News in both categories. July was the 27th consecutive month that Fox News Digital finished as the leader of all news brands among multiplatform views and the 65th consecutive month as No. 1 with multiplatform minutes. As Fox News Digital saw a 28% increase year-over-year with total digital multiplatform unique visitors, CNN was down 34% in the category. The Fox News Mobile app attracted 6.6 million unique viewers during the month of July, leading the CNN mobile app which only saw 2.8 million unique viewers. DAVID MARCUS: KAROLINE LEAVITT’S LASTING LEGACY IS OPENING THE WHITE HOUSE TO INDIE PRESS Fox News Digital also thrived on YouTube, finishing July as the No. 1 news brand in the competitive set with 324 million video views compared to 246 million for MS NOW, 172 million for CNN, 136 million for ABC News, 109 million for NBC News and 35 million for CBS News, according to Emplifi. Fox News Media also topped all news brands in social media interactions during July, according to Emplifi and Comscore Social. Fox News was responsible for 110 million social media interactions during July with 36 million interactions on Facebook, 20 million interactions on Instagram and six million interactions on X. Fox News drove another 52 million interactions on TikTok and finished with 1.6 billion video views across social media. FOX NEWS CHANNEL LEADS CBS AND NBC IN WEEKDAY PRIMETIME, DOMINATES CABLE VIEWERSHIP IN SECOND QUARTER RATINGS FOX Business was also number one on YouTube among business brands for the 57th consecutive month.  The dominant July came after Fox News Digital led all news brands and broadcast networks in total digital multiplatform unique visitors, multiplatform views and multiplatform minutes during the second quarter of 2026. Fox News Digital, CBSNews.com, NBCNews.com, WashingtonPost.com and ABCNews.com have opted in to account for Social Incremental in Total Digital Multiplatform Unique Visitors, while brands like CNN.com and NYTimes.com have not. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8496a62c5335ae10482497 Boy who passed out in deadly ocean waves celebrates miracle birthday inside Trump Oval Office te 2026-08-18T17:30:14.928Z Boy who passed out in deadly ocean waves celebrates miracle birthday inside Trump Oval Office An 11-year-old boy who nearly drowned off the coast of Santa Cruz, California, is celebrating his birthday after a teenage lifeguard saved his life. Speaking on "Fox & Friends" Tuesday, Nathaniel Rai and his father, Sumit, discussed the rescue and their visit to the White House to meet President Donald Trump. "Nathaniel was two seconds away from dying. I mean, if he got swept out for two more seconds, he'd be 15, 20 feet deeper into the water. And at that point, you can barely see him, let alone retrieve or rescue him," Sumit said about watching the video of his son’s rescue. "He was near death. He was already unconscious, from what I'm told, limp, not breathing." TRUMP MEETS TEEN LIFEGUARD AND BOY SAVED IN VIRAL OCEAN RESCUE AT OVAL OFFICE Sumit, who was in Dallas at the time, said he first learned how serious the situation was when he saw the video on the news later that night. Video of the rescue went viral after 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams jumped into the water to save Rai. With the help of fellow lifeguard Aaron Bohnen, Williams brought Rai to safety. Nathaniel described the moment the waves hit him and began pulling him out to sea, calling it "scary." "The waves kept crashing on me and I like passed out," he said. CALIFORNIA STABBING VICTIM'S FRIEND BLASTS 'FAILED' JUSTICE SYSTEM OVER ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT SUSPECT'S RELEASE Nathaniel’s father thanked Williams for saving his son’s life, allowing the family to celebrate Nathaniel's 11th birthday this week. "The heroism he showed and the courage to go into those torrential waters, which were deadly, and then go in there, risk his own life, his own safety, to bring Nathaniel out so that I'm able to celebrate his birthday with him today and have him sit beside me. I'm just ever so grateful," Sumit said. MAN, WOMAN KILLED IN RIP CURRENT AS LIFEGUARD SHORTAGE LEAVES DANGER ZONES IN BEACH DESTINATION Nathaniel, his father and Williams visited the White House Monday to speak with Trump, who said lifeguards don’t always get the recognition they deserve. "They're [going to] look up to Ryder. They're [going to] look up to Nathaniel, the way Nathaniel handled it," Trump said. "I think, you know, very importantly, they're going to gain respect for what these people do, having to do with lifeguards and having to do with safety. This was an unbelievable experience." Nathaniel said his favorite part of the Oval Office visit was when they sang "Happy Birthday" to him, and his father described the experience as "incredible." "It was such a privilege and honor. The president was very gracious in inviting us in, and I was so happy that he was honoring Ryder. It's so well-deserved, that recognition for what he did," Sumit said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8496a02c5335ae1048247c Florida’s Polling Picture Is Limited Other Than One Key Race te 2026-08-18T17:30:08.167Z Florida’s Polling Picture Is Limited Other Than One Key Race Representative Byron Donalds had a wide lead in polls of the race for the Republican nomination for governor. Polling was sparse in every other statewide contest. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84969d2c5335ae1048245b Etched’s valuation doubles to $21B in a month te 2026-08-18T17:30:05.392Z Etched’s valuation doubles to $21B in a month Jane Street has installed Etched's first shipped AI cluster system, and was so impressed, it led another massive round, the startup says. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84944b2c5335ae10482437 Massive risk in South China Sea exposed after four-day power loss on US Navy destroyer te 2026-08-18T17:20:11.710Z Massive risk in South China Sea exposed after four-day power loss on US Navy destroyer A U.S. guided-missile destroyer spent four days without power in the South China Sea last month after an engineering casualty involving its generators, forcing the Navy to tow the warship to the Philippines for repairs. The USS Benfold lost power July 24 and was towed to Subic Bay in the Philippines on July 28, where power was restored two days later, according to U.S. 7th Fleet. The shipped reported an "engineering casualty involving its generators, causing a loss of power," Cmdr. Matthew Comer, a spokesperson for U.S. 7th Fleet, said in a statement to to Fox News Digital. "There were no injuries to the crew, who demonstrated resilience, grit, professionalism and unwavering steadiness in their response." The power loss disrupted galley services, toilets, air conditioning and potable water aboard the nearly 10,000-ton warship. CENTCOM COMMANDER TOUTS USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN MENTAL HEALTH RECORD AFTER MORE THAN 260 DAYS WITHOUT PORT CALL The guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls helped provide meals for the crew, while the strike group supported the destroyer during the casualty, 7th Fleet said. No injuries were reported. The Navy has not publicly detailed whether the casualty affected the Benfold's propulsion, navigation, communications, sensors, weapons systems or emergency power. Those facts will help define the operational impact of the failure as the Navy investigates its cause. The ship is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, which was operating with the USS George Washington carrier strike group at the time of the power outage. The breakdown occurred while the destroyer was in the South China Sea, a strategically vital waterway where the U.S. Navy routinely operates with allies and partners as China presses sweeping territorial claims. The Navy has described its regional missions as part of its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The incident also left the Benfold dependent on support from the carrier strike group at a moment when the USS George Washington was preparing to leave the western Pacific for the Middle East. The strike group is headed to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been deployed since November. PENTAGON RACES TO BUY 10X MORE MISSILES AS IRAN WAR DWINDLES ARSENAL, THREATENS READINESS FOR CHINA AGGRESSION The Navy said on Aug. 14 that the Lincoln had been deployed for 266 days, including 200 days in a combat zone, and would return home as part of a planned rotation. The shift underscores the operational demands on a Navy balancing commitments in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific. It is unclear whether The Benfold will rejoin the USS George Washington carrier strike group for its Middle East deployment after regaining power. The 7th Fleet did not immediately say whether the Benfold casualty has prompted maintenance checks or other action across the destroyer fleet. The Navy is investigating the cause of the failure. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao said the Lincoln’s deployment was extended because "the mission demanded it" and said the ship would return home as part of a planned rotation. Cao acknowledged that a small number of personnel had received mental health treatment and that meal plans were adjusted when fresh resupply was unavailable, while disputing broader media accounts of conditions aboard the carrier. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8494452c5335ae1048241d Hurricane Lala Destroyed a Hawaii Cemetery, Setting Off a Hunt for the Dead te 2026-08-18T17:20:05.635Z Hurricane Lala Destroyed a Hawaii Cemetery, Setting Off a Hunt for the Dead In the hamlet of Naalehu, the floods of Hurricane Lala opened graves. One mother sought desperately for her son. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8494432c5335ae104823fc Apple overhauls its EU App Store fees, loosens rules for alternative app stores te 2026-08-18T17:20:03.139Z Apple overhauls its EU App Store fees, loosens rules for alternative app stores Apple is simplifying its EU App Store fees, replacing its per-install fee with a 5% commission for apps distributed outside the App Store and making it easier for developers to operate alternative app marketplaces. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8491f42c5335ae104823c7 NFL ignores questions as pro-trans brand behind Jim Harbaugh’s viral shirt pushes into flag football te 2026-08-18T17:10:12.017Z NFL ignores questions as pro-trans brand behind Jim Harbaugh’s viral shirt pushes into flag football Just when all the focus is on trans and the WNBA, the Los Angeles Chargers welcomed a pro-trans in sports brand to training camp on Sunday and even got Jim Harbaugh to wear the brand's viral shirt. On the surface, the Chargers' "Women in Sports Day" appeared to be a standard community outreach event where young girls were introduced to the world of flag football, but if you dig a little deeper, you find TOGETHXR, whose cofounder is staunchly pro-trans in sports, promoting its catchy "Everyone Watches Women's Sports" slogan to unsuspecting fans who might not be aware of the company's pro-trans in sports stance. It's unclear if Harbaugh, or any of the coaches or players who appeared in the shirts were aware of TOGETHXR's politics. MEGAN RAPINOE SAYS EFFORTS TO BAR TRANS ATHLETES FROM WOMEN'S SPORTS ARE 'ATTACK ON WOMEN IN SOCIETY' "Trans women belong in sports. There are no scientific studies that prove that there is significant physical advantage," TOGETHXR cofounder Jessica Robertson said in 2023. Her fellow cofounders include athletes Sue Bird, Alex Morgan, Chloe Kim and Simone Manuel. Bird's ex-girlfriend, Megan Rapinoe, has been featured prominently on TOGETHXR's social media. When asked by OutKick if it was aware of Robertson's pro-trans in sports stance and whether it endorses TOGETHXR's corporate stance on the topic, the team didn't address our questions. "The Chargers are committed to helping open doors for young female athletes to build confidence, leadership and community through the game of football while also shining a light on the important roles women play in the sports industry," Josh Rupprecht, Chargers Senior Vice President for Communications & Brand Messaging, said in a statement provided to OutKick. "Supporting the growth and visibility of women’s athletics has long been a priority of the organization. In 2023, the Chargers served as a primary driver in establishing girl's flag as a CIF sanctioned high school sport in California. The team now sponsors the 'Conquer Chargers,' a girl's flag club comprised of 35 teams and more than 350 athletes across three Southern California chapters, and hosts annual tournaments such as the Girls’ Flag Invitational," Rupprecht added. "This past July, two Conquer Chargers teams (14U and high school) secured national championship titles and were honored during training camp. "Various brands were part of the theme days including Togethxr x Nike merchandise, exclusive Peanuts x Chargers merchandise by Homage, Chargers Social Club merchandise by WEAR and New Era and several local food truck vendors, among others." Our question on what the Chargers' stance is regarding transgender athletes competing against biological females in flag football was left unanswered. The same question was also left unanswered by the NFL on Monday. Our request for comment from the league was met with silence. We also asked TOGETHXR and Robertson whether there's been any change to the company's stance on the pro-trans in sports topic. Those questions were left unanswered as well. In October, OutKick's Armando Salguero asked NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for the league's stance on biological males playing NFL Flag in the women's category. The well-seasoned veteran commissioner claimed he couldn't give OutKick an answer on the topic because the league hadn't discussed the topic. Meanwhile, the league has massive plans for flag football heading towards the 2028 Summer Olympics where the sport will be featured. The International Olympic Committee will require a gene test to compete at the L.A. Games. The same test is now being used by the Women's Tennis Association. US FLAG FOOTBALL TEAM STUNNED BY AMERICAN SAMOA IN SHOCKING FIRST LOSS IN 14 YEARS ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Will NFL Flag follow the same rules as the IOC has set for international competition? We're waiting for an update from Goodell. As for TOGETHXR and its role in the promotion of flag football, there's a clear indication that there's mutual interest from Robertson's activist company and the NFL. In December, TOGETHXR declared on Instagram, while tagging NFL Flag, that "Flag football is getting its biggest upgrade yet." What was that investment? It was that the "NFL is [flag football's] biggest supporter." Ian Trombetta, Senior Vice President of Social and Influencer Marketing for the NFL, made sure to slap a 'like' on TOGETHXR's post. If you go back even further to February 2025, TOGETHXR declared that "the future of football is female." The NFL and NFL Flag were tagged in the social media post. Will that future include biological males playing against the females? We're still waiting to find out. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8491f32c5335ae104823be Penn State frat coke ring's alleged ringleader denied bail after missing arraignment, turning himself in te 2026-08-18T17:10:11.241Z Penn State frat coke ring's alleged ringleader denied bail after missing arraignment, turning himself in The alleged ringleader of a Penn State University fraternity cocaine distribution ring is now in custody. Pennsylvania's Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that Agostino Abbatiello, 24, from Westbury turned himself in Tuesday morning. The suspect was arraigned by a judge on "numerous felonies" and was denied bail after the attorney general said he failed to appear to his scheduled arraignment on Monday. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X Abbatiello was among 13 other men who were charged with offenses in the case. PENN STATE COCAINE BUST NETS 14 ARRESTS OVER ALLEGED PLEDGE COKE-CUTTING ‘INDOCTRINATION’ RITUALS The cocaine distribution ring allegedly occurred from 2023 through 2024 within off-campus fraternity houses belonging to Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE Court documents allege pledges within the fraternities were ordered to cut and pack kilos of drugs as part of "indoctrination" rituals. MARSHALS NAB TEEN WANTED FOR MURDER OF PENN STATE STUDENT 1,700 MILES FROM CRIME SCENE, 2ND SUSPECT IN CUSTODY Penn State students made up the majority of the alleged cocaine sales, Attorney General Sunday said. The drug was reportedly being trafficked from Philadelphia and New York. "We are pleased to report that the most significant members of this cocaine-trafficking organization are accounted for, and will have their fair process in court. These are very serious charges and the next steps will be preliminary hearings," Attorney General Sunday said. Fox News Digital has reached out to Abbatiello's attorney. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8491ea2c5335ae104823a0 Hello Kitty's first U.S. comic gets a Tucson-made cover te 2026-08-18T17:10:02.308Z Hello Kitty's first U.S. comic gets a Tucson-made cover A diverse crowd of fans packed Heroes & Villains on August 12 for the debut of the first original, American-format comic book to star the iconic Sanrio character — one that comes with a locally illustrated exclusive. Published by IDW, "Hello Kitty, Hello World" #1 comes with a store-exclusive cover, the shop's first in its 23-year history. Illustrated by Cody Lemieux, the limited-edition cover depicts Hello Kitty shopping for manga inside a comic shop, with the Heroes & Villains storefront sign prominently displayed in the background. Store-exclusive covers typically require retailers to commit to purchasing thousands of copies, a threshold that can be difficult for mid-sized markets like Tucson to reach. A lower threshold from IDW made the project feasible for the local shop, and planning for the release began eight months ago, driven by personal enthusiasm from store leadership. "When we saw the solicitation for Hello Kitty, we immediately got super excited," Heroes & Villains General Manager Ryan Rodriguez told Tucson Spotlight. "We saw the artwork featuring Hello Kitty shopping right under our sign, and we felt it perfectly captured the vibe, theme, and mission of our store. Passion, enthusiasm, and wanting to bring more people into this world… that's where the genesis of this idea came from." While Sanrio properties have previously appeared in manga and translated Japanese editions, "Hello Kitty, Hello World" represents a major milestone for the franchise in Western publishing. Written as an all-ages detective mystery in which Hello Kitty investigates her friends' missing items, the title is an original American production rather than a localized translation. The series is penned by Japanese-Canadian author Mariko Tamaki, an acclaimed mainstream comics writer known for her work on DC Comics' "Detective Comics" and the graphic novel "Zatanna: Bring Down the House." "This is the first time Hello Kitty is starring in an actual, Western-style comic," said Heroes & Villains' Lawrence Morrow. "It's written by a major, serious author, but it's created for all ages. It's accessible for young kids who are just discovering Hello Kitty, but it's also meant for adults who grew up with the character." Tucson Spotlight trains the next generation of Southern Arizona journalists and publishes their work free for everyone. No paywalls, no corporate backing — just readers who believe this community deserves better local news. Desert Drifter staff serve themed beverages to attendees at Heroes & Villains' August 12 launch event for "Hello Kitty, Hello World" #1. Isabel Vidrio / Tucson Spotlight. While Sanrio stories are often viewed as simple, recent adaptations have leaned into sweeter, more realistic themes of friendship and compassion, sensibilities that Rodriguez said transfer directly into this new comic run. The launch event aimed to reach beyond traditional comic shop demographics. Local comic retailers, historically associated with superhero titles and male-dominated spaces, have expanded their inventory to serve a broader range of readers, driven in part by the rising popularity of manga, graphic novels and more inclusive characters. The store's social media announcement generated strong engagement among female and younger fans, drawing a broad turnout to the event. "For the longest time, comic books and comic culture had been super dominant in just the male sphere of popularity, and over the past decade or so, that's been shifting pretty hard into overall acceptance of so many different walks of life," Rodriguez said. "The thing we strive for is bringing a voice to people and signaling, 'Hey, you're not alone, and you have people to share this with.'" Morrow echoed that sentiment, framing the Hello Kitty launch as part of a broader shift in the store's approach to fandom. "Anytime we host an event like this, it's an opportunity to show another facet of fandom," Morrow said. "Comics aren't just for one specific demographic. They are made for everyone. We haven't had the chance to highlight something aimed at such a broad and diverse audience on this scale before." In addition to the store-exclusive cover, the event featured a selection of Sanrio merchandise, including hair clips, blind boxes and themed collectibles. Local cafe Desert Drifter was also on-site serving themed beverages to attendees waiting for doors to open. The celebration is part of a broader slate of community-focused events hosted by Heroes & Villains across its retail departments. Up next is September 19's annual celebration of Batman Day, which will feature store giveaways, promotional masks and exclusive comic reprints. To find upcoming announcements about Batman Day or to learn more about Heroes & Villains, follow them on Instagram at @hnvtucson.  Isabel Vidrio is a University of Arizona alum and freelance journalist in Tucson. Contact her at  vidrioi@arizona.edu. Tucson Spotlight is a community-based newsroom that provides paid opportunities for students and rising journalists in Southern Arizona. Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation. Donate to Tucson Spotlight Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a848f9b2c5335ae10482363 What the streets remember: How they ended up here te 2026-08-18T17:00:11.511Z What the streets remember: How they ended up here The post What the streets remember: How they ended up here appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a848d462c5335ae10482307 Republican AGs working together to investigate Fauci explain how states can possibly bypass Biden pardon te 2026-08-18T16:50:14.143Z Republican AGs working together to investigate Fauci explain how states can possibly bypass Biden pardon A trio of Republican attorneys general — Florida's James Uthmeier, Louisiana's Liz Murrill and West Virginia's John McCuskey — opened a joint investigation into former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Dr. Anthony Fauci in an effort to hold Fauci accountable at the state level despite his federal pardon. "Americans need to have confidence that the medical professionals that are giving them information during medical catastrophes like COVID, that that information is sound... Rebuilding that trust begins with holding accountable the people who caused it to be lost," McCuskey told Fox News Digital in an interview. Uthmeier initially announced his office would launch an investigation into Fauci on July 29, shortly after Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right not to answer any questions about his role in the COVID-19 pandemic response 111 times while testifying before a Senate committee. "In light of recent reports exposed by Senator Rand Paul, we will investigate any and all potential violations of Florida law involving Anthony Fauci," Uthmeier previously told Fox News Digital. FAUCI REFUSES SENATE APPEARANCE AFTER INVOKING FIFTH AMENDMENT MORE THAN 100 TIMES IN COVID PROBE "Our inquiry will focus on what Fauci knew, when he knew it, and how he misled the American people. We will examine the physical and monetary harms to Floridians that may have resulted from his deceptions and determine whether his conduct exposes him to liability under state law," Uthmeier concluded. On Aug. 5, Uthmeier officially subpoenaed Fauci for documents related to awards he won, any financial incentives related to his pandemic response recommendations, and "documents concerning vaccine efficacy and boosters, natural immunity, potential adverse events including myocarditis risks, messaging strategies, and communications with vaccine manufacturers." Both McCuskey and Murrill have joined Uthmeier's investigation. They each explained to Fox News Digital how the partnership came about and why it was so important to them and to their constituents. FAUCI'S FIFTH FUELS VOW TO HAUL HIM INTO COURT 'EVERY DAY' DESPITE BIDEN PARDON "West Virginia and Florida and any other Republican states that want to work with us will be able to better overcome if we work together so that we can pool our resources and we can wade through a lot of this material," Murrill told Fox News Digital in an interview. Murrill also revealed that her young son had an adverse reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine. "My own son developed myocarditis from the Pfizer vaccine and was hospitalized in a pediatric ICU for a week," she told Fox News Digital. McCuskey echoed similar sentiments. "My plan here — and the reason that I jumped in — is to use the teamwork that the Republican Attorneys General Association gives us to work with General Murrill and James Uthmeier in Florida. I want my office to support them in any way that we can so that when these subpoenas come back and this investigation is completed, I can recommend to prosecutors here in West Virginia to take the same kind of actions that some of my AG colleagues can do on their own," McCuskey told Fox News Digital. The West Virginia attorney general told Fox News Digital that pandemic restrictions forced his family retail store to shutter for four months, nearly bankrupting them. "It is very hard to explain to somebody what it means to have built something that is essentially your entire livelihood and have the government tell you you're not allowed to open your doors," he told Fox News Digital. "At the exact same time, my daughter, who was turning five, was prevented from going to kindergarten. My daughter is an incredibly loquacious and energetic child who loves being around other people. She loves school and she was so excited to get started. Instead, she spent her entire kindergarten year with me in the state auditor's office by herself doing online school. Every day, I had to watch her and my wife essentially cry because of the restrictions that these COVID mandates were causing," McCuskey added. CAN FAUCI HIDE BEHIND THE FIFTH? GAME-CHANGING BIDEN PARDON MAY NOT PROVIDE COMPLETE COVER, EXPERTS SAY Former President Joe Biden, on his last day in office, doled out a sweeping federal pardon to Fauci which covered "ANY OFFENSES against the United States which he may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014" until the day it was issued. The pardon, however, does not protect Fauci from state charges, Murrill explained. "It doesn't shield him from state prosecution. The president doesn't have the power to issue a pardon for state crimes. It's that simple. The president only had the power to pardon him for what might be federal criminal activity," Murrill told Fox News Digital. Murrill will be looking specifically into whether or not Fauci lied during a testimony she participated in when her state, along with Missouri, deposed him for Murthy v. Missouri, a case in which Missouri and Louisiana sued the government for allegedly collaborating with social media platforms to censor Americans' views related to COVID-19. LEGACY MEDIA IGNORES MASSIVE ANTHONY FAUCI DOCUMENT RELEASE ALLEGING HE MISLED CONGRESS ON COVID ORIGINS "We did discover in the very beginning of the case that the federal government was pressing its own narrative. Different agencies were taking down truthful speech under threats from the federal government. Dr. Fauci was very much involved in all of that, and we deposed him for seven hours during which he mostly said, 'I don't recall,'" Murrill told Fox News Digital. "And so we then find out that there's a diary, and there are now going to be contemporaneous phone and text messages. I think that it already shows that he was lying. Of course, many of us thought he was lying anyway, but I think the public is now seeing the full extent of his lies and how he said one thing privately and then turned around and said other things publicly that directly contradicted what he was saying privately," she added. In light of the revelations coming from Fauci's text messages and internal writings released by Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Ron Johnson, R-Wisc., Murrill said she will be considering the viability of fraud and perjury charges against Fauci. "Here, I think we'd be looking at: did he lie? And if he did lie, is it actionable under our state law? The pardon would not cover that. Perjury is a crime, and the statutory penalty for perjury is probably similar to that for obstruction of justice. It could be anywhere up to five years in prison," she told Fox News Digital. McCuskey, for his part, said he does not have direct prosecution power due to a quirk in state law that grants that power to prosecuting attorneys in each of West Virginia's 55 counties. However, he said he is still using his position to investigate and provide citizens with information for any potential civil cases as well as arm his state's — and other states' — prosecutors with potential ammunition for criminal prosecution. "The way that this would work here in West Virginia is that I would take the information gleaned from Florida and Louisiana — and there's almost no chance that information would be specific just to those two states — and go to any of the county-level prosecutors that we work with every single day and say, 'Hey, here's what we got. It's your job to handle these prosecutions. I'm going to hand you a ready-made prosecution against somebody that we think needs to be held accountable.' My office would then be able to help them in that prosecution in a whole bunch of ways," he explained to Fox News Digital. McCuskey also told Fox News Digital that whether his office finds incriminating information or not, "it's important to make sure that if this happens again, we have learned every single lesson we can learn so that our response will be swifter, better for the American public, and free from the mistakes made during the crisis." Uthmeier's subpoena gave Fauci until Aug. 31 to comply. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a848d452c5335ae104822fe Masked menace films himself chasing residents as terrified victims scream for help: Police te 2026-08-18T16:50:13.397Z Masked menace films himself chasing residents as terrified victims scream for help: Police A masked man is on the loose in Philadelphia after allegedly chasing down and assaulting a woman while wearing a doll mask, police said. The unidentified man was seen on Wednesday near City Hall and asked one woman if she was "ready to die" while chasing others, police told FOX 29. Police said the man, who was wearing a doll mask, chased a 40-year-old woman and made threatening comments while holding his hand behind his back. As the woman was trying to run, she fell and injured herself, police said. SEND US A TIP Officials said the masked man fled the area and went into a train station afterwards. Philadelphia police described the man as a Black male between 16 and 20 years old, 5'8" and was wearing a "white baby doll style Halloween mask with black hair, and a black/blue plaid backpack." Philadelphia Police Captain Jason Smith said "He was able to accost a good many of people, most of which haven't come forward yet." LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST The man was seen on surveillance cameras running up to several people, and was refused service at a Dunkin Donuts because of his mask. He left the restaurant after showing erratic behavior. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X One of the victims told police she was confronted twice and ran, "screaming for help this entire time." Police say the masked man filmed himself with a cell phone during the incidents. The suspect will likely be charged with felony terroristic threats, harassment, simple assault and reckless endangerment, police said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a848d442c5335ae104822f5 Corporation targeted by Brandon Gill digs in on 'diverse workforce' after firebrand opens DEI probe te 2026-08-18T16:50:12.580Z Corporation targeted by Brandon Gill digs in on 'diverse workforce' after firebrand opens DEI probe FIRST ON FOX: A multibillion-dollar global corporation that House Republicans accused of peddling misleading claims about diversity in the workplace is sticking by its findings. Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, who leads a House Oversight Committee task force on "exposing institutional abuses," targeted consulting firm McKinsey & Company over a series of reports it released that argued diversity in the workplace led to better business and financial outcomes. "These McKinsey reports have been highly influential, being cited by publicly traded companies, asset managers, proxy advisory firms, and banking institutions, among others, as cause for embedding illegal racial and sex-based targets into hiring, promotion, executive compensation, and asset manager proxy voting policies," Gill wrote in a letter sent Monday and first reported by Fox News Digital. A spokesperson for the company told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that it agreed with Gill "that race and gender should not guarantee outcomes," but added, "We stand by our research on the business and economic impact of a diverse workforce." SENATE REPUBLICAN PUSHES MERIT-BASED MILITARY PROMOTIONS, TARGETS BIDEN-ERA DEI POLICIES "We also recognize that diversity in the workplace encompasses a broad range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. We have and will continue to follow the law in the U.S. and in the other markets in which we operate," the spokesperson said. Gill wrote in his letter that McKinsey's reports were "highly influential in American corporations" and provided fuel for left-wing groups pushing race and gender-based diversity goals. "With the support of the previous administration, progressive activists cited McKinsey’s reports to push companies, governments, and stock exchanges to implement rules which forced or incentivized illegal corporate racial or gender-based hiring and disclosure policies," he wrote. NEW YORK TIMES SUED BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OVER ALLEGED 'DEI-RELATED' EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION Gill also questioned whether the findings of the reports were legitimate. "Although in 2024 McKinsey stated that it 'stands by its findings,' other researchers have found zero statistical correlation between a company’s gender and racial diversity and its financial performance," the letter said. "Racial discrimination in the employment context, including under the guise of DEI, has been pervasive despite being plainly illegal for over half a century." Gill cited a 2026 White House Economic Report that said DEI initiatives cost the U.S. economy roughly $94 billion in 2023. He also pointed out that four reports published by McKinsey between 2015 and 2023 argued that companies with increased racial and gender diversity financially outperformed companies without it. "Researchers assessing the McKinsey DEI studies cannot recreate the results and also find that McKinsey likely swapped the cause and effect of its DEI conclusions," Gill wrote. "The Executive Office of the President has identified $94 billion in annual economic costs to the U.S. economy due to promotion of otherwise illegal race and gender-based hiring practices, perhaps in part motivated by the findings of McKinsey’s DEI reports that are partially inaccurate or wholly incorrect." McKinsey's corporate website states, "The business case for gender equality, diversity, and inclusion is strong and growing stronger." The website estimated that the national GDP would go up by $12 trillion if the workforce gender gap is narrowed by 2025, but no update appears to be provided. Another statistic cites $2 billion in additional revenue "if financial inclusion efforts broaden services for black Americans." Fox News Digital reached out to Gill for comment on McKinsey's response to his probe. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a848d3d2c5335ae104822d6 NPA girls soccer with chip on its shoulder looking to reclaim title te 2026-08-18T16:50:05.485Z NPA girls soccer with chip on its shoulder looking to reclaim title Northland Prep girls soccer looks to reclaim its place as fall soccer champions after a rare, heartbreaking loss in last season's state title game. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a848aed2c5335ae1048228c WATCH: Letitia James told ‘do her f---ing job’ by Republican enraged by inaction on antisemitic crimes te 2026-08-18T16:40:13.473Z WATCH: Letitia James told ‘do her f---ing job’ by Republican enraged by inaction on antisemitic crimes FIRST ON FOX: Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., unleashed a profanity-laden demand on New York Attorney General Letitia James for what he characterized as a failure to prosecute rising antisemitic hate crimes in the state. "The Attorney General of the State of New York, Letitia James, needs to actually do her f- - -ing job," Lawler said in response to the recent attack on a Jewish synagogue. "Which means prosecute antisemitic hate crimes." Lawler was questioned on the rise of antisemitism in New York during a campaign endorsement event with local law enforcement leaders. MAN CHARGED WITH ASSAULT, HATE CRIMES AFTER ALLEGEDLY DISRUPTING SHABBAT SERVICES AT NYC SYNAGOGUE "Rather than running around doing whatever the hell she does, where she plays politics every day, maybe she can actually focus on what her job is," the Republican lawmaker continued. "Which is to ensure the safety and well-being of New Yorkers as the chief law enforcement officer in the state of New York." The comments come just days after a Bronx man burst into a Manhattan synagogue last week during Shabbat services, assaulting a congregant and a member of the synagogue’s security team. "I saw her statement she put out the other day, decrying what happened," Lawler said. "Great." James, Trump's biggest legal foe who targeted him in New York prosecutions during the time between his first and second terms, released a statement condemning the assault, calling it "appalling and unacceptable." The New York Attorney General's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. TRUMP BACKS REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER TO OUST LETITIA JAMES AMID ONGOING MORTGAGE FRAUD FEUD "Prosecute to the fullest extent of the law," Lawler said in response to James’ statement. "Stop releasing these people on cashless bail. Start going after criminals who jeopardize the safety and well being of law-abiding New Yorkers. That's what needs to happen here." The suspect Larry Montes, 46, was arraigned Saturday night with his bail set at $10,000 cash and $30,000 in bonds. He was charged with two counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime. Anti-Jewish attacks made up more than half of all hate crimes committed in New York City, an 8.5% increase on antisemitic hate crimes in the city since last year, according to New York Police Department (NYPD) officials. "We have seen a rapid rise in attacks on places of worship," Lawler said. "We have seen a rise in antisemitic hate crimes — people being attacked for practicing their faith." Lawler also claimed during the event that over 90% of antisemitic hate crimes are not prosecuted in the state of New York. NY ASSEMBLYMAN CALLS FOR DOJ TO INVESTIGATE MAMDANI, PROTECT JEWISH NEW YORKERS AFTER STABBING ATTACKS Both Lawler and James are up for re-election, seeking another term in their respective roles serving New York. The groups endorsing Lawler at the campaign event include the Police Conference of New York, Port Authority PBA, Rockland County PBA, New York State Fraternal Order of Police and other law enforcement groups. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a848aec2c5335ae10482283 Transgender defendant who sought to 'kill Scott Bessent' sentenced to more than 6 years in prison te 2026-08-18T16:40:12.776Z Transgender defendant who sought to 'kill Scott Bessent' sentenced to more than 6 years in prison A biological male who identifies as a woman, was sentenced to 63 months (6 years and 1 month) Tuesday for a plot to kill Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Prosecutors sought at least 10 years prison for Riley Jane English, 25, who is identified in federal records as Ryan Michael English. English pleaded guilty on March 26 to unlawful receipt, possession or transfer of a firearm and carrying a firearm, dangerous weapon, explosive or incendiary device on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. "I was going to kill Scott Bessent," English told police, who repeated the question back, asking, "Kill Scott Bessent?" "Yes, sir," English confirmed. Federal court documents identify English as a transgender woman, adding another story of several high-profile acts of violence involving transgender assailants. English, who was inspired by Luigi Mangione, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras. The defendants faced two charges carrying prison terms of up to 10 years and five years, respectively. ARMED MAN ARRESTED AT US CAPITOL BARRICADE AS POLICE PROBE WHY HE DROVE ONTO RESTRICTED GROUNDS Prosecutors, led by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, sought a "total sentence of 121 months of imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release." Pirro rejected the defendant's argument for a lighter sentence for a transgender mental health issue as a "young transexual woman who has experienced trauma and suffering from the day she was born." English, of South Deerfield, Massachusetts, "had been thinking about for this for a while because of Luigi Mangione," according to a statement to police, prosecutors said. The Justice Department said English traveled from Massachusetts to the Washington area Jan. 27, 2025, intending to kill a government official or burn down a Washington think tank. English ultimately focused on Bessent, who was being confirmed by the Senate that day as President Donald Trump’s Treasury secretary. "Our system of justice depends on public officials being able to carry out their duties free from intimidation and fear," Pirro wrote in a statement announcing English's guilty plea in March. "This defendant’s threats crossed a clear legal line, and today’s guilty plea reflects our commitment to protecting those who serve. "Anyone who threatens violence against government officials will be identified, charged, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."  At about 3:12 p.m. ET on Jan. 27, 2025, English approached a U.S. Capitol Police officer near the South Door of the Capitol and said, "I’d like to turn myself in." INTERROGATION VIDEO SHOWS TRANS KILLER’S CALM CONFESSION TO AMBUSHING PARENTS OVER GENDER TRANSITION BATTLE English told the officer about a knife and two Molotov cocktails. Police found a folding knife, two 50-milliliter Absolut vodka bottles with gray cloth attached to the tops and a lighter, according to court records. Investigators later found additional vodka and material matching the cloth used in the incendiary devices inside English’s vehicle. English told investigators that the original targets included House Speaker Mike Johnson and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and that English had also considered burning down the Heritage Foundation, according to court filings. The target shifted to Bessent after English saw him on television while stopping at a library in the Washington area. English told police that a clip of Bessent discussing the federal minimum wage had sparked anger. "He said it with a smile on his face and that got under my skin," English told investigators, according to court records. UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY SCRAPS CONTROVERSIAL COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER WHO CRITICIZED CHARLIE KIRK AFTER HIS MURDER English said she went to the Capitol intending to wait for Bessent but abandoned the plan after seeing the security presence and realizing other people could be harmed. Police also recovered a handwritten note in which English wrote, in part, "This is terrible but I cant do nothing while nazis kill my sisters," according to the Justice Department. "Im so sorry for lying and plotting and lying."  English had second thoughts because of Mangione's own facing the law. "I pushed that away because I was thinking like that is so stupid, that accomplishes nothing, that poor kid just threw his life away for like a minute of vengeance," English said, according to prosecutors. Notably, Bessent is an openly gay man married to John Freeman, a former New York City prosecutor. "If all else fails, I was going to slit my wrists on the White House steps," English admitted to police, according to court filings, showing a serious mental health issue. "Just because that’s all you can do if you can’t hurt anyone else and you’re out of options and you’re out of time and you need to have an outlet and you need to show people how serious it is and you need to make one big dramatic f–––king thing." The case comes amid heightened political attention to mass shootings and other violent attacks committed by mentally ill people who identified as transgender or nonbinary. The issue became particularly prominent following the March 2023 massacre at Nashville’s Covenant School, where a shooter who identified as transgender killed six people, including three children. The shooting fueled national arguments over whether transgender perpetrators represented an emerging pattern in mass violence. BILL MAHER DENOUNCES THOSE DISAPPOINTED TRUMP WASN'T KILLED AT WHCA DINNER, SAYS, ‘YOU’RE NOT A GOOD PERSON’ That debate took an extraordinary turn nearly one year ago on Sept. 10, 2025, when Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University. Seconds before Kirk was shot, an audience member asked him, "Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?" "Too many," Kirk replied. The audience member then asked Kirk how many mass shooters there had been overall during that period. "Counting or not counting gang violence?" Kirk responded. A single rifle shot then struck Kirk in the neck, killing him. The remarkable timing immediately intensified the debate over transgender identity and political violence. Prosecutors allege Tyler Robinson targeted Kirk over his political expression, while reporting has documented Robinson’s relationship with a roommate who was undergoing a gender transition and his growing concern about LGBTQ rights. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a848ae52c5335ae10482265 Marana council, residents clash over ICE facility plan te 2026-08-18T16:40:05.286Z Marana council, residents clash over ICE facility plan A Marana Town Council meeting turned tense earlier this month as council members and residents clashed over a planned ICE detention facility, with elected officials accusing critics of hateful rhetoric even as opponents warned the project echoes historical patterns of authoritarian scapegoating. The facility was purchased from the state in July 2025 by the Utah-based Management and Training Corporation, one of several for-profit prison companies that have been contracted by ICE to run detention facilities. The building, which MTC constructed in the 1990s, was a minimum-custody prison before closing in 2023. In a July 31 Instagram post, Pima Resists ICE encouraged Marana residents to attend the August 4 Marana Town Council meeting wearing orange shirts in protest. Several residents responded to the call to action and addressed council members during the meeting. Marana resident and Pima Resists ICE member Dennis Shannon compared the tactics and rhetoric of the Trump administration to fascism, saying they were similar to the fascist governments of Germany, Italy and Spain in the early 20th century. "They used intense nationalism," he said. "They used creating fear, convincing the people that they had to be afraid of everything and that their party was the only one that could save them from those fabricated fears. (They used) racism and, of course, a scapegoat group." Shannon became emotional as he spoke, taking a long pause and apologizing before telling the council he was distressed. "I've been befuddled by this town council," Shannon said. "We've heard testimony of heartwrenching inhumanity being perpetrated. We've heard the incompetence of (MTC). And we've heard the adverse effect that this detention center will have on Marana, and yet we just ignore all of those things and take no action." Southern Arizona news written by journalists who live it. Free in your inbox. Dennis Shannon, a Marana resident and Pima Resists ICE member, addresses the town council at the August 4 meeting. Marana resident and Liberal Catholic Church bishop Bennett Burke also spoke against the facility, citing a recent statement from the Department of Homeland Security which estimated the potential number of beds in the facility at 1,300. Burke claimed that Marana town manager Terry Rozema told him that MTC claimed that this number was inaccurate. "I spent 30 years in the corporate world in a company that dealt with high-risk situations with a lot of legal responsibility, so I'm not a lawyer, but I know something about the law in cases like these," he said. "And a verbal statement is garbage compared to a number on an official federal government document." He said Rozema declined a request to contact the DHS and ask for the number to be officially changed. Councilmember Patti Comerford gave an impassioned speech in response to Shannon and Burke for more than 10 minutes, defending the council from what she called hateful attacks. "Hate is a very vicious, vicious, mean word," she said. "And hate is kind compared to some of the things that I've seen and I've heard." Comerford said she's left social media over the response that she had received regarding the facility. "I had to go and apologize on my Facebook account because I haven't talked to people in a year," she said. "I was so afraid that no matter what I said, (it) would be taken out of context, turned around, and I didn't want them to see Marana like that, because that's not our Marana." Comerford then turned her attention to the protesters seated in orange shirts, using their own attire to illustrate her point about the sting of hostile language. "How would any of you like to talk to someone and (he) says, 'You know what? I hate those orange shirts. They're the most ugliest thing I've ever seen in my life, orange shirts.' What does that mean?," Comerford asked. Bishop Bennett Burke, a Marana resident and Liberal Catholic Church bishop, speaks against the planned ICE facility during the council meeting. She said the people criticizing the town council over the ICE contract weren't being realistic. "I've listened to you all for months and months. You are not the only solution," Comerford said. "You are not willing to work to do what it really takes to bring about change. You want it your way, and you want it that way, and you want it now." Vice Mayor Roxanne Ziegler also responded to the two speakers. "We're not supposed to be political up here, so I'm not, but I'm tired of (being called) a fascist and I'm tired of (being called) a communist," Ziegler said. "If you don't like what we do on the Town Council, I apologize for that, but this is who you have." She told the speakers to contact the town's deputy director of development services and look at the contract that had been signed with MTC when the building was first constructed. "There (are) numbers there that say how many individuals can be in that building and it's not 1,300," she said. "I get really upset when you don't tell the truth, or you don't know the truth. I'd be more than happy to sit down with you and talk about MTC and what I saw." Burke pushed back from the audience, asking Ziegler directly if she was accusing him of lying. Ziegler said that wasn't what she meant. The exchange was cut short by town attorney Jane Fairall, who stepped in to explain that this portion of the meeting didn't allow back-and-forth with audience members. "What I'm trying to say to you is, come up and talk to us," Ziegler continued. "Talk to me. Talk to our staff. They will show you the agreement. It's not 1,300. It's not 1,330. It's 750. And you can't change that, because it's a contract that was signed years ago." Benjamin DePue is a University of Arizona student and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact him at bdepue@arizona.edu. Tucson Spotlight is a community-based newsroom that provides paid opportunities for students and rising journalists in Southern Arizona. Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation. Donate to Tucson Spotlight Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a848ae22c5335ae10482249 Comcast adds motion sensing to millions of its newer routers, with a privacy catch te 2026-08-18T16:40:02.635Z Comcast adds motion sensing to millions of its newer routers, with a privacy catch A new feature added to Comcast's newest routers can detect if there is motion is inside your home without needing traditional motion sensors. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8488932c5335ae10482226 Iran’s gutted ranks leave loyalists filling critical posts — with one glaring problem te 2026-08-18T16:30:11.784Z Iran’s gutted ranks leave loyalists filling critical posts — with one glaring problem Iran is rebuilding the upper ranks of its military and security establishment after months of wartime losses by turning largely to familiar veterans — figures whose careers in some cases stretch back to the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the Iran-Iraq War and previous domestic crackdowns. The appointments follow the deaths of several senior Iranian commanders in U.S.-Israeli strikes since the war began Feb. 28, The National reported Aug. 11. For Washington, the stakes go beyond who fills the vacancies. The reshuffle puts veteran hardliners atop institutions that shape Iran’s military operations, national-security policy and internal security at a time of renewed confrontation with the United States. The appointments do not prove that Tehran has run out of younger commanders or that loyalty was the sole criterion, but the reliance on figures whose careers stretch back decades is raising a broader question for U.S. policymakers: whether wartime losses have left Iran increasingly dependent on a smaller circle of trusted ideologues — potentially narrowing the room for compromise even as Washington tries to pressure Tehran back toward a deal. IRAN’S REVOLUTIONARY GUARD SIDELINES PRESIDENT AS MILITARY GRIP EXPANDS Former American prisoner Morad Tahbaz, who was detained in Iran in 2018 and freed in a U.S.-Iran prisoner exchange in September 2023, told Fox News Digital that he views the latest appointments as evidence of Tehran's continued dependence on longtime loyalists. "They keep rotating the same old people, most of whom are fairly inept but are loyal to the Khamenei father and son," Tahbaz told Fox News Digital. The reshuffle spans Iran's conventional military, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, its naval arm, the Basij paramilitary force and the country's highest national-security council. Iran's state-run IRNA reported Aug. 10 that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei appointed Ali Abdollahi chief of staff of the Armed Forces, Kioumars Heydari his deputy, Ahmad Vahidi commander of the IRGC, Mostafa Izadi deputy IRGC commander, Ali Ozmaei commander of the IRGC Navy and Hossein Taeb head of the Basij. The previous day, former IRGC commander Mohsen Rezaei, 71, was named secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and Khamenei's representative on the powerful body. Reuters reported Aug. 10 that the SNSC coordinates Iran's security and foreign policy and that Rezaei replaced Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, who had been appointed secretary in late March following the death of his predecessor, Ali Larijani. The appointments do not establish that Iran has run out of younger or less familiar commanders. But the reliance on longtime military and security figures has fueled assessments that wartime losses have narrowed the regime's pool of officials it regards as sufficiently experienced and politically trustworthy. Erfan Fard wrote for the Middle East Forum on Aug. 15 that Khamenei was not promoting a new generation but turning to veterans of the revolution, the Iran-Iraq War, intelligence operations and domestic repression, arguing that an architecture based on "institutional memory, loyalty, and coercive power" was taking shape. The Foundation for Defense of Democracies argued in an Aug. 12 policy brief that the reshuffle looked "less like renewal than a game of musical chairs among regime veterans." The appointments also formalized the position of Ahmad Vahidi, a veteran hardliner who had already emerged near the center of wartime decision-making. Vahidi was a major player in shaping Tehran's wartime policy and had risen through the IRGC's early intelligence and external-operations apparatus before later serving as defense and interior minister. As interior minister, Vahidi oversaw police units involved in the crackdown on the 2022 protests. IRNA confirmed Aug. 10 that Khamenei promoted Vahidi to major general and formally appointed him commander-in-chief of the IRGC. WHO IS AHMAD VAHIDI? IRAN’S NEW IRGC CHIEF TIED TO GLOBAL ATTACKS AND ‘DEATH TO AMERICA’ IDEOLOGY One of the most closely watched appointments is Hossein Taeb, the cleric and veteran security official tapped to lead the Basij, the IRGC's volunteer paramilitary force that has repeatedly been used against domestic dissent. The National reported that the Basij has been used to suppress internal dissent, while The Times reported Aug. 12 that the force is embedded in neighborhoods, universities, workplaces, factories, ministries and mosques and has played a central role in suppressing successive uprisings. For Tahbaz, Taeb's return is personal. Tahbaz was detained in 2018, while Taeb was leading the IRGC Intelligence Organization. "Ta’eb is extremely close to Mojtaba Khamenei but was very unceremoniously fired from his former position as head of the IRGC Intelligence Organization," Tahbaz told Fox News Digital. "He was personally responsible for my and my colleagues' arrests and detentions. He lives and breathes conspiracy theories." The Times reported Aug. 12 that Taeb and Mojtaba Khamenei's relationship dates back more than four decades and that both served in the Habib Battalion during the Iran-Iraq War. The newspaper also reported that IRGC intelligence arrested environmentalists and dual nationals during Taeb's tenure. Taeb previously commanded the Basij before moving into IRGC intelligence. The Times reported that months after the disputed 2009 election, the Guards' intelligence division was elevated into an independent organization with Taeb as its first chief. Taeb's earlier leadership of the Basij also drew U.S. sanctions. In a Sept. 29, 2010 Treasury Department fact sheet, the U.S. government said that while Taeb commanded the Basij during the June 2009 election, forces under his command participated in "beatings, murder, and arbitrary arrests and detentions of peaceful protestors." According to IRNA, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf congratulated Taeb on his appointment as head of the Basij Organization, saying his tenure could mark a new chapter for the volunteer force. Ghalibaf said the Basij now needs a more comprehensive and forward-looking approach and argued that Taeb’s appointment by the supreme leader could help advance what he described as one of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s longstanding goals: building a 20-million-strong Basij force. UN WATCHDOG SLAMS POTENTIAL ELECTION OF IRAN TO PANEL WITH HUMAN RIGHTS SWAY: 'LUNATICS RUNNING THE ASYLUM' Few appointments better illustrate the return of Iran's old guard than Mohsen Rezaei, who was named secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. Reuters reported Aug. 10 that Rezaei joined the IRGC shortly after the 1979 revolution, became its commander in 1981 at age 27 and led the force for 16 years, including through most of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War. He later served as secretary of Iran's Expediency Discernment Council for more than two decades and as vice president for economic affairs from 2021 to 2023 under President Ebrahim Raisi. Now, at 71, he is secretary of the SNSC and Khamenei's representative on the body. Beni Sabti, an Iran expert at Israel's Institute for National Security Studies, argued that bringing back longtime figures such as Rezaei reflects weakness rather than renewal. "This is, again, another evidence that they don't have anyone else," Sabti told Fox News Digital. "So they have to bring him out again from the desk and put him somewhere. These are the guys that they have." Rezaei and Vahidi were also among six people for whom INTERPOL authorized Red Notices requested by Argentina in 2007 in connection with the investigation into the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires. INTERPOL said in November 2007 that its General Assembly upheld the publication of notices for six individuals, including Ahmad Vahidi and Mohsen Rezaei, after Iran challenged Argentina's requests. Sabti argued that Rezaei's re-emergence is particularly telling because Tehran's decision-making circle has become less ideologically diverse. "Today, there is only one opinion, and this is the main problem," Sabti said. "This is why you think that there is unity and the system is stronger. No, it's not stronger. Actually, it's weaker also because of that." TRADE VESSEL STRUCK BY PROJECTILE IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ AMID US-IRAN TALKS Ali Abdollahi was elevated to chief of staff of Iran's Armed Forces, putting him at the top of the country's military command structure. IRNA confirmed the appointment Aug. 10. Abdollahi had previously commanded the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Iran's joint operational command responsible for coordinating its armed forces in wartime, according to Iran International on Aug. 10. His appointment also comes amid an effort to integrate the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters more closely with the Armed Forces General Staff. Le Monde reported Aug. 11 that Abdollahi's task includes completing that integration in an effort to further centralize command and coordination. Fard argued in his Aug. 15 Middle East Forum analysis that Abdollahi's elevation exemplifies Tehran's reliance on longstanding revolutionary-security figures rather than a generational break. FREED AMERICAN REVEALS BRUTAL IRAN PRISON ORDEAL, WARNS HOSTAGES FACE GREATER DANGER Former Army Ground Forces commander Kioumars Heydari was appointed deputy chief of staff of the Armed Forces, bringing a senior officer from Iran's conventional military into the new command structure. The National reported that Heydari formerly commanded the Army Ground Forces and has held senior positions in Iran's regular army, known as the Artesh. IRNA independently confirmed his appointment. His inclusion also demonstrates that the reshuffle is not limited to the IRGC. Fard argued in the Middle East Forum that Heydari's previous public rhetoric surrounding protest suppression indicates that Tehran has increasingly integrated the regular army into its domestic-security posture. Mostafa Izadi: Another veteran rises inside the IRGC Mostafa Izadi was appointed Vahidi's deputy, putting another longtime commander near the top of the IRGC hierarchy. IRNA confirmed Izadi's appointment Aug. 10, while The National described him Aug. 11 as a veteran commander who has held a number of senior positions in Iran's military and security establishment. Iran International reported that Izadi previously commanded the Cyber and New Threats Headquarters within the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters. IRAN HARDLINER BEHIND US DEAL WARNS TEHRAN WON’T HONOR AGREEMENT IF TRUMP FAILS TO DELIVER Rear Adm. Ali Ozmaei was appointed commander of the IRGC Navy, putting him in charge of a force central to Iran's military posture in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz. The National reported Aug. 11 that Ozmaei replaced Alireza Tangsiri, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in March, and that the IRGC Navy is responsible for Iran's military operations in the Gulf and around the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media also highlighted Ozmaei's longstanding maritime experience. IRNA reported Aug. 11 that Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf praised Ozmaei's years in maritime defense and his familiarity with the current conflict and the Strait of Hormuz.  The appointment came one day before Rezaei said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed unless the United States changed its behavior and accepted Iran's conditions. Reuters reported that Rezaei said Washington would have to end the war and unfreeze Iranian funds overseas, with other conditions relayed through mediators. Taken together, the seven personnel changes show Tehran moving to fill and reshuffle critical military and security posts after significant wartime losses. What remains an assessment rather than an established fact is whether the identities of those chosen reveal a deeper shortage of trusted successors. Sabti said the return of veteran figures reflected what he sees as a shrinking bench of trusted officials and a less diverse decision-making circle. Tahbaz offered a less academic version of that assessment. "They keep rotating the same old people," he said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8488922c5335ae1048221d Rosie O'Donnell’s return to late night reignites decades-old feud with Donald Trump te 2026-08-18T16:30:10.866Z Rosie O'Donnell’s return to late night reignites decades-old feud with Donald Trump The two-decade grudge between President Donald Trump and Rosie O'Donnell was back in the spotlight Monday night, as the comedian lobbed several insults at the White House — including speaking directly to Trump — during her debut "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" opening monologue. The former host of "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" is set to serve as the show’s guest host this week while Kimmel is on summer vacation. O’Donnell began her monologue by poking fun at Trump’s longtime distaste for the show, telling the audience, "The President hated Jimmy Kimmel Live! when it was hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. Buckle up, people." JIMMY KIMMEL REVEALS HE ASKED MAJOR TRUMP CRITIC TO GUEST HOST WHILE HE'S ON VACATION AS A 'SPECIAL TREAT' The 64-year-old comic then turned her attention to her newfound residency in Ireland, a move she made in January 2025 due to Trump’s 2024 election victory. On Monday night, O'Donnell referred to Trump as "Mango Mussolini." "I read that Project 2025 and said, ‘Got to get myself out of here, you know,’ and I decided to go to Ireland, a place where people are driven to drink regardless of who's running their country," O’Donnell said. O’Donnell then recalled how her teenage child delivered the news that they would be moving abroad to their classmates, telling the audience her child said, "‘I’m very sorry. I won’t be able to graduate sixth grade with you. I’m being forced to move to another country because the president of the United States hates my mother. But in all fairness, I believe my mother hates him more.’" Without mentioning Trump by name, O’Donnell then smiled directly into the camera and addressed the president, telling him, "Hi, I know you’re watching." ROSIE O'DONNELL CREDITS TRUMP FOR MAKING HER 'RE-FAMOUS' AS WHITE HOUSE CALLS HER 'OBSESSED' O'Donnell's monologue drew ire from Curtis Houck, managing editor of NewsBusters for the Media Research Center. "Rosie O'Donnell is painfully unfunny and the personification of letting politics run your life, with whoever is in power determining your happiness," Houck told Fox News Digital. "Rosie has been on a lengthy U.S. media blitz ahead of this week's guest-hosting, and she was able to do so freely. She hasn't been arrested and hauled off to some Trump-branded gulag." "She's still gainfully employed doing whatever it is she does to make money," he added. "It's as if her shtick about Trump being an incapacitated-yet-menacing authoritarian is all an act to secure the eyeballs of the deranged left." The comedian spent much of the show telling stories of her new life in Ireland, praising the country’s kindhearted attitude and comparing it to her previous home of New York City. "[The people in Ireland] would stop me in the street. They would say to me, 'Welcome, Rosie. You're home. We love having you here,’" O’Donnell said. "I was like, ‘It's been my refuge and my salvation.’" Between introducing guests, O’Donnell also appeared to get choked up while paying tribute to 36-year-old Hayden Panettiere, a former guest on "The Rosie O’Donnell Show" who passed away on Sunday. "I’m just heartbroken over the passing of Hayden Panettiere last night," O’Donnell tearfully said. WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO MOURNS FORMER FIANCÉE HAYDEN PANETTIERE, VOWS TO KEEP HER MEMORY ALIVE FOR DAUGHTER KAYA Toward the end of her monologue, O’Donnell looked to deal one final jab at the president after not mentioning him by name throughout the show, cheekily adding, "You know, right now he’s in the White House crying because I haven’t mentioned him." Trump hit back against O'Donnell's teasing with a post to Truth Social showing a cartoon image of O'Donnell in various situations thinking about Trump, with the caption, "She (?) is obsessed!" O’Donnell previously told Variety that she was "surprised" to receive the hosting offer from Kimmel, noting the pair’s previous "adversarial" relationship, but was "thankful" to the late-night host for the opportunity. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "I support [Kimmel] in what he’s doing with the First Amendment, and our ability as entertainers and citizens to speak out against our government that’s enshrined in the Founding Fathers’ writings about our government, so I think he’s fantastic," O’Donnell told the outlet. "And I wish that Stephen Colbert had the same kind of support when it happened to him, because he shouldn’t be gone either." Fox News Digital reached out to O’Donnell for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84863b2c5335ae104821be Matthew McConaughey hints at political ambitions after meeting with Pope Leo XIV in Vatican City te 2026-08-18T16:20:11.356Z Matthew McConaughey hints at political ambitions after meeting with Pope Leo XIV in Vatican City Matthew McConaughey's greeting with Pope Leo XIV in Italy earlier this month has sparked political ambitions for the actor. McConaughey spoke to USA Today about his conversation with the pope and shared whether his conversation with the religious figure swayed his stance on taking political office. McConaughey describes himself as politically centrist, and he considered running for Texas governor in 2021. He has also advocated for bipartisan gun-safety measures following the 2022 Uvalde school shooting. MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY'S PIECE OF RELATIONSHIP ADVICE THAT KEEPS HIS MARRIAGE TO CAMILA ALVES STRONG "Look, I’m going to use this word ‘religion,’ even though some people are going to tune out when they hear that word," McConaughey told the outlet. "Life is essentially a religious experience. There’s a lot of things we can learn about living life – how to treat others and how to treat ourselves – through religious texts and teachings. Even though I agree with the separation of church and state, the values of those should bleed down into the values of any political system." JD VANCE TELLS POPE LEO XIV TO 'STICK TO MATTERS OF MORALITY' AND STAY OUT OF US PUBLIC POLICY He added, "There’s still a constitution out there to be written that all religions could agree on. There's so much commonality. It’s a constitution that I’m excited about seeing – I don't know, maybe even adding to or working on. That would be a great thing to share." Earlier in the interview, McConaughey told USA Today that he didn't prepare for the conversation, but knew some topics he wanted to discuss with the religious figure. "That’s kind of like preparing a speech for winning an award that you don’t know you’re going to win yet. It’s a bit of a coup de grâce: Don’t do it because it’s not going to go as you expected," McConaughey said. FORMER DISNEY STAR DAVID HENRIE REJECTED 'SECULAR' HOLLYWOOD LIFESTYLE AFTER LIFE-CHANGING MONASTERY VISIT The actor continued, "So I had some ideas. I wanted to talk to him about religion in today’s world and where it sits with him as our moral compass. Where is religion today? Why has it declined? Why do we see a surge in youth running toward it? They’ve tried other things that they're seeing are vapid and don’t really work because they’re looking for more." McConaughey told the outlet that young kids today are "looking for some structure; they’re trying to get more than what the world around them has given them." LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "It’s a good reason to pick some things out of religion, for sure," he added. McConaughey also brought up artificial intelligence during the conversation, per USA Today. "What are the standards going to be with AI?" McConaughey asked. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "There are already people looking to AI as their digital God. Whether we like what it looks like or not, it is going to represent a true image of mankind by the questions we ask of it and the results we want of it. We may not like what we see when we look in the mirror, but we could also love what we see. It could be a greater truth," McConaughey continued. "So there’s great upside and I’m excited about it," he added, clarifying his stance on AI. "At the same time, there’s a definite need for caution going forward because we’re going to have to be the users of that tool and not let it tool us, so to speak. So those are the subjects, and what we got to talk about will be between [the pope] and I." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8486322c5335ae1048218c Why Apple’s camera-equipped AirPods may not be the ‘pervert pods’ consumers fear te 2026-08-18T16:20:02.924Z Why Apple’s camera-equipped AirPods may not be the ‘pervert pods’ consumers fear Apple’s leaked camera-equipped AirPods might avoid the privacy pitfalls of other AI wearables by preventing users from recording photos and videos. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8483e32c5335ae1048210f Colts face quarterback uncertainty as Daniel Jones recovers from Achilles injury te 2026-08-18T16:10:11.316Z Colts face quarterback uncertainty as Daniel Jones recovers from Achilles injury When a franchise goes from Peyton Manning to Andrew Luck as its quarterbacks, it is very hard to feel sorry for them when they have years without a true answer at quarterback. However, the Indianapolis Colts drafted Anthony Richardson years ago, thinking he would be the answer. There have been more questions and problems with him than solutions. Now they have Shane Steichen entering his fourth season as the coach, and Daniel Jones as their quarterback for the second year – only he is coming off an Achilles tear. What is the hope for the Colts this season? ANTHONY RICHARDSON'S TURNOVERS IN PRESEASON OPENER RAISE MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS COLTS FUTURE The Colts started last year looking great, running off an 8-2 record before the bye week. Even their losses were relatively acceptable ones – they dropped one game to the Los Angeles Rams and the other to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both were on the road, and both were 27-20 losses. Sure, they had some moments where they were more lucky than good, but great teams position themselves to take advantage of luck. After the bye, it was a complete disaster. They lost in overtime to the Kansas City Chiefs by three. Then they lost at home to the Houston Texans, and Jones didn’t play again after the Jacksonville Jaguars game. A promising start saw Jones’s injury eliminate any possibility of the postseason and an 8-9 finish, losing 8 of their final nine games. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! There really wasn’t any type of splash from the Colts this offseason. They did upgrade their defense a bit with the signing of Arden Key. His numbers are actually fairly impressive, but he isn’t a name most will be familiar with. On offense, the team signed extensions for both Jones and Alec Pierce. Jones was a bit interesting because the Colts are paying him a lot of money, despite knowing he just tore his Achilles. The receiving room was getting really expensive, but they traded away Michael Pittman Jr. to try and save a few bucks. This should be an interesting season for the Colts. The rumor is that Jones is healthy enough to play and will be the opening week starter under center for the Colts. At backup is the questionable Richardson, and then Riley Leonard. Both of those guys need to be ready if called upon because Jones is at his best when running, so if he can’t do that, they will be in some trouble. Pierce had ankle surgery, and it is questionable if he is back in action to start the season. The team still has some pieces, but I don’t think there are nearly enough to make it dominant. The Colts are listed at 7.5 wins for the day, and I think it is a great line hung by the books. Their schedule isn’t exactly easy, especially for a team that didn’t make the postseason. However, if they can keep things rolling the way they were when Jones was healthy to start last season, I think they have a good chance to win at least eight games this year. I’m personally not playing anything on them. I’ve said that Jones is a competent quarterback outside of games played in New York, but coming off of the Achilles injury, I’d be more likely to back the under than the over. There is a solid defense, and if they get a quarterback that can move the ball and avoid turnovers, they should be competitive in most games. For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8483e22c5335ae10482106 Microsoft exec's grieving widow faces man accused of plotting his murder as she reveals eerie final call te 2026-08-18T16:10:10.475Z Microsoft exec's grieving widow faces man accused of plotting his murder as she reveals eerie final call The widow of slain Microsoft executive Jared Bridegan came face to face Monday with the man accused of helping to plan his killing, recounting the bitter custody conflict and final phone call that preceded the roadside ambush. Kirsten Bridegan took the witness stand as Mario Fernandez Saldana’s murder trial got underway in Florida. Prosecutors allege Fernandez Saldana helped plan and finance the killing and that Henry Tenon was the gunman. Fernandez Saldana has pleaded not guilty, and his attorneys say the state cannot prove he solicited or intended Bridegan’s death. Kirsten’s testimony detailed a fractured co-parenting relationship among Bridegan, his ex-wife Shanna Gardner-Fernandez and Fernandez Saldana. SLAIN MICROSOFT EXEC'S FAMILY FACES HIS EX, SUSPECTED OF ORCHESTRATING HIS MURDER, FOR FIRST TIME IN COURT "There’s absolutely no trust," Kirsten told jurors, saying the families relied almost entirely on texts and emails to communicate. Kirsten described disputes over parenting time, medical expenses, schooling and religious decisions involving Bridegan’s twins. Prosecutors say the years-long conflict helped fuel the alleged murder-for-hire plot. Bridegan, 33, had just dropped off the twins after taking them and his daughter Bexley to dinner when the ambush unfolded, prosecutors say. Kirsten testified that the Wednesday outing was a long-standing routine, Bexley always went with him and Bridegan typically drove the black Volkswagen Atlas. Kirsten said she spoke to Bridegan after he dropped off the twins and Bexley excitedly told her they had gotten ice cream. The call then ended in an unusual silence, she testified. "It was strange. I remember feeling like it was strange because after I was like, ‘All right, well, love you, I’ll see you soon.’ He was just quiet," she said. "I was like, ‘Okay, it’s kind of weird,’ and hung up, but it was like a pause and just quiet." FLORIDA MICROSOFT EXEC SENT WARNING EMAIL TO SUSPECT EX-WIFE ACCUSED IN HIS MURDER When Bridegan did not return home, she began calling and drove toward Jacksonville Beach with her mother until a police officer answered her husband’s phone and directed her to the police station. Officers initially would not tell her what had happened, Kirsten testified. She said they questioned her about Bridegan before eventually informing her that he had been shot and killed. WOMAN LINKED TO TRANSGENDER ZIZIAN CULT CHARGED WITH ARRANGING HER PARENTS' MURDERS ON HER 30TH BIRTHDAY The case has since produced three arrests, a withdrawn cooperation plea and a series of separate trials. Here is a timeline of Bridegan’s killing, the family conflict behind the allegations and the court proceedings ahead. Gardner-Fernandez filed for divorce from Bridegan after five years of marriage. The couple shared twins and eventually reached a joint-custody agreement. The divorce did not end their disputes. They continued fighting in family court over matters including custody, child support and where their children would attend school. Prosecutors later described that prolonged conflict as central to the alleged motive. MISSOURI NEIGHBOR ACCUSED OF KILLING MOTHER AND TEEN DAUGHTER AFTER CONFRONTING FAMILY OVER DISPUTE Bridegan married Kirsten Bridegan in 2017. The couple later had two children, Bexley and London. EX-WIFE OF JARED BRIDEGAN ARRESTED IN MICROSOFT EXEC MURDER Kirsten became a prominent voice for Bridegan’s family after his killing, seeking answers as authorities investigated the roadside ambush. She has said the family would not rest until everyone involved was held accountable. Gardner-Fernandez met Fernandez Saldana at a CrossFit gym, where he worked in maintenance. The two later married. Prosecutors allege Gardner-Fernandez and Fernandez Saldana planned and financed a murder-for-hire plot against Bridegan. Bridegan had taken his twins and Bexley to dinner before dropping off the older children at Gardner-Fernandez’s home. About three miles away, he encountered a tire placed in the middle of a dark, secluded Jacksonville Beach road, prosecutors say. MAJOR BREAK IN JARED BRIDEGAN MURDER MYSTERY AFTER EX-WIFE MOVES CROSS-COUNTRY Bridegan stepped out of his Volkswagen Atlas to move the tire at about 7:30 p.m. and was repeatedly shot, authorities said. Bexley, then 2, remained strapped into her car seat as bullets entered the SUV. A passerby pulled her from the vehicle about three minutes later. Authorities arrested Tenon nearly a year after Bridegan’s killing. He was charged with second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, accessory after the fact and child abuse. Prosecutors later alleged Tenon was the gunman in a murder-for-hire plot. Investigators said the key link between Tenon and Bridegan was Fernandez Saldana, who had rented a Jacksonville home to Tenon and hired him for work at rental properties. Tenon initially pleaded guilty to second-degree murder under a cooperation agreement that called for him to testify against others accused in the case. The deal exposed him to a sentence of 15 years to life in prison. Tenon later withdrew the plea and cooperation agreement, altering the path of the prosecution. He is now scheduled to face a separate trial. Authorities arrested Fernandez Saldana in Orlando shortly after Tenon’s initial plea hearing. Bridegan’s ex-wife’s husband was charged with first-degree murder and solicitation to commit a capital felony. Prosecutors said Tenon’s cooperation corroborated evidence that Fernandez Saldana helped plan and execute Bridegan’s killing. Investigators also cited checks Fernandez Saldana wrote to Tenon and phone records showing the men communicated dozens of times around the killing. Authorities arrested Gardner-Fernandez and charged Bridegan’s ex-wife with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and child endangerment in the alleged plot. Prosecutors allege Gardner-Fernandez, Fernandez Saldana and Tenon played distinct roles in a planned killing. Gardner-Fernandez has denied the allegations. Judge London Kite ordered Gardner-Fernandez and Fernandez Saldana to stand trial separately after Tenon withdrew his plea and cooperation agreement. The ruling reshaped the state’s prosecution, leaving prosecutors to try the three defendants individually, beginning with Fernandez Saldana. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X A jury was selected in Duval County, Florida, for Fernandez Saldana’s trial. The panel will hear the first of the related prosecutions to reach trial. The selection process followed years of investigation and pretrial litigation, including the reversal of Tenon’s cooperation agreement. Prosecutors told jurors Fernandez Saldana helped plan and finance Bridegan’s killing as part of a murder-for-hire plot rooted in the custody conflict between Bridegan and Gardner-Fernandez. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS Fernandez Saldana’s attorneys argue the state cannot prove he solicited or intended Bridegan’s murder. They contend payments to Tenon were for work and say no physical or forensic evidence places Fernandez Saldana at the scene. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE , Jury selection in Gardner-Fernandez’s case is scheduled to begin Aug. 31. Her case will proceed separately from Fernandez Saldana’s trial. SEND US A TIP The process will determine the panel that hears the second prosecution stemming from Bridegan’s killing. Gardner-Fernandez’s trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 8. She faces charges tied to prosecutors’ allegation that Bridegan’s death was a planned murder-for-hire plot. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST Her defense will be able to challenge the state’s account of the custody conflict, the alleged plot and any evidence linking Gardner-Fernandez to the killing. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL Tenon’s jury selection is scheduled to begin March 29, 2027. His trial is expected to follow the cases against Gardner-Fernandez and Fernandez Saldana. Tenon’s case is the final scheduled prosecution in the alleged plot. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84818d2c5335ae1048209b Giffords se une a Tucson para impulsar seguridad en armas te 2026-08-18T16:00:13.278Z Giffords se une a Tucson para impulsar seguridad en armas Leer en inglés Cuatro días después de que un tiroteo en downtown de la ciudad dejará nueve personas heridas y reavivó el debate sobre el enfoque de la ciudad ante la violencia armada, la ex congresista Gabrielle Giffords se unió a funcionarios de Tucson y del condado de Pima para abogar por leyes más estrictas de seguridad en torno a las armas de fuego. La policía de Tucson llegaron pocos minutos después del tiroteo del 19 de julio y brindaron asistencia tanto a las víctimas como al sospechoso, David Leroy French, antes de que este fuera detenido. El panel del 23 de julio fue organizado por Giffords, una organización de investigación y defensa contra la violencia armada que lleva el nombre de una de sus cofundadoras, quien sobrevivió a un tiroteo masivo en Tucson en 2011 que le causó una grave lesión cerebral y acabó con la vida de seis personas. El panel, celebrado en El Rio Neighborhood Center, contó con la participación de la alcaldesa Regina Romero, la fiscal del Pima County Laura Conover, la jefa de policía de Tucson Monica Prieto, el gerente de la Oficina de Prevención e Intervención de la Violencia Oscar Medina, y otros colaboradores del ámbito de la seguridad pública. Giffords señaló que su organización sin fines de lucro otorga a Arizona una calificación reprobatoria cada año por sus leyes de seguridad de armas, afirmando que las leyes sobre verificación de antecedentes y almacenamiento seguro son las medidas más importantes que el estado puede adoptar para reducir la violencia armada. Romero expresó su agradecimiento por la rápida actuación de las fuerzas del orden y los profesionales médicos durante y después del tiroteo, subrayando la importancia de atender a las víctimas. "Si bien no podemos evitar que vuelvan a ocurrir sucesos como este, sí podemos comprometernos a hacer todo lo que esté a nuestro alcance para detener la violencia armada,” afirmó Romero. Destacó una reducción general de la violencia armada durante su mandato y mencionó varias iniciativas, entre ellas el programa de Violence Interruption and Visualization Action, que según ella logró una disminución de hasta el 85% en la violencia armada, así como la Iniciativa Safe City. Empire Pizza, en el centro de Tucson, fue el lugar del tiroteo del 19 de julio que dejó a nueve personas heridas. Caitlin Schmidt / El Foco de Tucson. Otras iniciativas incluyen la incorporación de 50 nuevos agentes al cuerpo policial de la ciudad durante este año fiscal; Romero destacó que una de sus primeras acciones como alcaldesa fue convertirse en miembro fundador de la organización Mayors Against Illegal Guns. Afirmó que el tiroteo de 2011 contra Giffords y otras personas, así como los asesinatos en 2020 de George Floyd y del residente de Tucson Carlos Ingram-López, formaron y consolidaron su postura sobre la importancia de prevenir la violencia armada. "Como su alcaldesa, mi prioridad absoluta es mantener seguras a nuestras comunidades, y punto,” declaró Romero. "Como vimos el domingo, aún queda trabajo por hacer. Todos en esta ciudad merecen sentirse seguros, ya sea en el parque, en su localidad, en el cine o en su lugar de culto.” Señaló lo que calificó como soluciones probadas contra la violencia armada, al tiempo que criticaba las leyes estatales laxas sobre armas y elogia a Giffords por ampliar su coalición, dentro y fuera de Arizona, para incluir a "propietarios responsables de armas" que apoyan las leyes de seguridad en el uso de armas de fuego. La reunión tuvo lugar mientras la oficina del fiscal del condado enfrentaba un escrutinio, tras revelarse que el sospechoso, de 21 años, se encontraba en libertad condicional por un cargo federal relacionado con armas en el momento del ataque. En respuesta, Conover calificó la reacción como "una serie de mensajes de odio y sensacionalismo,” afirmando que el tiroteo fue una "anomalía estadística" dado que todos los indicadores de criminalidad mostraban una tendencia significativa a la baja. Destacó una disminución del 50% en los homicidios desde el repunte registrado durante la pandemia de COVID-19, señalando que las tasas actuales son incluso mejores que los niveles previos a la crisis sanitaria. "Pero una sola vida perdida ya es demasiado," reconoció Conover. Explicó a los asistentes que, para cuando un caso llega a su escritorio, el daño ya está hecho; asimismo, expresó su apoyo a las leyes de "bandera roja,” que permiten retirar temporalmente las armas a personas que representan un riesgo, y a las reformas internas de su oficina, incluida una marcada preferencia por mantener a los infractores menores de edad en centros de detención juvenil para garantizar su acceso a recursos como la terapia para traumas. Señaló que, si bien los jóvenes asustados que comparecen ante un juez a menudo reciben penas mínimas, también suelen salir con una mayor probabilidad de reincidir. La fiscal del condado de Pima, Laura Conover, se toma de la mano con la ex representante de EE. UU. Gabrielle Giffords tras un panel sobre la prevención de la violencia armada celebrado el 23 de julio en El Rio NeighborHood Center. Ian Stash / El Foco de Tucson. Conover habló sobre sus esfuerzos para duplicar el número de fiscales, contratar a dos nuevos fiscales especializados en violencia doméstica y los posibles efectos del nuevo centro de recuperación de traumas del condado, cuya apertura está prevista para agosto. Prieto del TPD habló sobre la rápida respuesta de sus agentes para brindar asistencia tanto a las víctimas como al agresor, y posteriormente se refirió a la necesidad de invertir en programas juveniles y enseñar a los jóvenes a resolver conflictos sin recurrir a la violencia. "La pregunta es, ¿cómo abordamos a quienes no respetan la ley ni la vida humana?" planteó Prieto. "Cuando individuos violentos deciden infringir la ley, deben rendir cuentas, de lo contrario, siguen representando un peligro para la seguridad pública. Debemos mejorar nuestra forma de abordar la violencia en nuestra ciudad. Como policía, no podemos resolver esto solos ni de la noche a la mañana." Según Prieto, el 14.8% de los homicidios en Arizona en 2025 fueron cometidos por menores de edad con armas de fuego, al igual que el 12.5% de los tiroteos no letales; cifras que, según señaló, han disminuido considerablemente este año. Prieto indicó que el 67% de los autores de actos violentos habían estado expuestos a la violencia doméstica en algún momento de sus vidas, y añadió que la policía de Tucson ha recibido una subvención de $830,000 para combatir este problema. Explicó que, por su propia naturaleza, la policía suele adoptar un enfoque reactivo en sus estrategias contra la violencia, pero aseguró que el TPD está haciendo todo lo posible por adoptar un enfoque proactivo siempre que sea factible. Varios residentes plantearon preguntas a los miembros del panel. Daniel Garcia, quien posee un arma y es miembro de la organización Giffords, preguntó a los panelistas cómo podría involucrarse más gente en las conversaciones locales sobre la prevención de la violencia armada. "Creemos en la Segunda Enmienda y la apoyamos, pero también debemos encontrar la manera de prevenir la violencia armada,” afirmó Garcia. Conover coincidió con el planteamiento de Garcia y señaló que es necesario contar con más personas en este debate para elaborar un mensaje colaborativo que genere resultados. Ella afirmó imaginar un futuro en el que Arizona cuente con una ley de “bandera roja” que permita solicitar a los tribunales la retirada de armas de fuego a personas consideradas una amenaza para la seguridad pública, preservando al mismo tiempo el debido proceso mediante iniciativas de diálogo más integrales como esta. Un panel que incluyó a la jefa de policía de Tucson, Monica Prieto, a la fiscal del Pima County, Laura Conover; a la excongresista Gabrielle Giffords y a la alcaldesa Regina Romero debatió sobre la prevención de la violencia armada durante un evento celebrado el 23 de julio. Ian Stash / El Foco de Tucson. Una asistente, Pam Simon, quien trabajó para Giffords cuando esta era miembro del Congreso y sobrevivió al tiroteo de 2011, preguntó cómo fue posible que el atacante obtuviera un arma de fuego y municiones dadas las circunstancias. Los panelistas declinaron responder a la pregunta citando la investigación en curso, pero señalaron que, por lo general, los menores logran conseguir armas compradas por otras personas o las roban de los hogares. Una residente, Lennette Gomez, preguntó sobre la posibilidad de imponer penas más severas a los autores de delitos violentos, especialmente cuando existe premeditación. Conover respondió que esto ocurre a diario y que muchos casos terminan en cadenas perpetuas; explicó que la atención pública suele centrarse en aquellos casos que fracasan o en los que no se logra el nivel de "rendición de cuentas" deseado. Conover mencionó una reciente condena a cadena perpetua lograda por su oficina en un caso de asesinato en primer grado, señalando que no se ofreció ningún acuerdo al sospechoso porque su caso no cumplía con los criterios necesarios. Añadió que muchos casos no llegan a juicio simplemente porque es imposible llevar a juicio los 18,000 casos de tiroteos no letales registrados en los últimos dos años, y afirmó que, al igual que el TPD, ella también deseaba adoptar un enfoque más proactivo. "Obviamente no soy una fiscal tradicional; algunos dirían que es dolorosamente obvio," comentó Conover. "Haremos todo lo que esté a nuestro alcance en materia de prevención y seguiremos centrándonos en los jóvenes que corren mayor riesgo." El residente Mark Pinette, quien colabora frecuentemente con los sitios objetivo del programa VIVA en el ámbito artístico, preguntó cómo podrían integrarse en una estrategia de seguridad pública los beneficios para la salud física y mental y la cohesión social que ofrecen los programas de arte, señaló que muchos artistas locales no saben cómo llegar a las personas que necesitan ese tipo de apoyo. Medina, representante de la Oficina de Prevención e Intervención de la Violencia, coincidió con él y destacó la gran importancia de las actividades extracurriculares, como el deporte o el arte. Señaló vías ya existentes, como el teatro comunitario y la jardinería para jóvenes, así como un programa musical respaldado por el TPD. Giffords cerró el panel reflexionando sobre las dificultades que enfrentó tras el tiroteo en el que resultó herida y cómo su proceso de recuperación la impulsó a dedicarse a la causa de prevenir la violencia armada en el futuro. "Respondí con una misión: di un paso tras otro. Encontré una palabra y luego otra. La recuperación es una lucha, pero esa experiencia me hizo más fuerte," afirmó Giffords. "Nos encontramos en una encrucijada. Podemos permitir que continúen los tiroteos o podemos actuar. Podemos proteger a nuestras familias y nuestro futuro. Podemos votar. Podemos situarnos en el lado correcto de la historia." Ian Stash es egresado de la Universidad de Arizona y periodista independiente en Tucson. Puede contactarlo en ianjgs16@gmail.com. Esta nota fue traducida por el equipo bilingüe de El Foco de Tucson. El Foco de Tucson es una sala de prensa comunitaria que ofrece oportunidades remuneradas a estudiantes y periodistas emergentes del sur de Arizona. Por favor, considera apoyar nuestro trabajo con una donación deducible de impuestos. Donar a El Foco Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8481852c5335ae1048207f Bluesky says its recent outage was caused by another DDoS attack te 2026-08-18T16:00:05.225Z Bluesky says its recent outage was caused by another DDoS attack This is the latest large-scale DDoS attack to hit the social networking site this year. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a847f332c5335ae1048205b Jon Ossoff dodges on why he invoked Trump aide's name during Georgia campaign rally te 2026-08-18T15:50:11.157Z Jon Ossoff dodges on why he invoked Trump aide's name during Georgia campaign rally Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., did not say why he invoked President Donald Trump's executive assistant, Natalie Harp, directly during a campaign rally, when confronted during an interview Monday. "Obviously, that speech you gave over the weekend, lots of people have questions about it. Why did you decide to invoke Natalie Harp specifically in that speech?" MS NOW host Jen Psaki asked. The senator made the comment during a campaign rally in Atlanta, and a video of the moment went viral on social media. He said Trump wants to "travel with Natalie" rather than do the job of the presidency, with some progressives gleefully suggesting online that he was nodding to unfounded rumors that they were involved. ERIC TRUMP PLANS TO SUE JEN PSAKI, MS NOW FOR ALLEGED 'BLATANT LIES' ABOUT HIM JOINING FATHER'S CHINA TRIP "We're in wartime. The commander-in-chief has mired us in this geopolitical disaster. People have lost their lives, our naval logistics are frayed, the global energy system is in crisis, and he retreats into this bubble of West Wing aides who are his security blanket, to make him feel good about himself, to reassure him that he's doing a great job, to help him while he designs his new ballroom," Ossoff responded. "And he adorns the Oval Office in gold and depicts the interior decorations on this new luxury flying palace he received from a foreign prince, when every single minute of every single day what the President of the United States should be doing is bearing his most solemn burden of care for the sailors and Marines and aviators and all service members deployed on his orders on the basis of his lies to this disaster in the Middle East," he continued. Psaki pressed him to explain why he "specifically" mentioned Harp. "Well, I've heard this particular aide referred to as his security blanket, and I think we could say that about any number of the senior aides in the White House. They're not telling him what he needs to hear, they're telling him what he wants to hear. And the nation is at war, and we cannot afford that. We need a team in the White House. We need folks at the State Department, at the Defense Department, in the United Congress, who take their jobs seriously," Ossoff said. TRUMP’S WHITE HOUSE BALLROOM FOES FACE ‘VERY TOUGH ARGUMENT’ AT SUPREME COURT, LEGAL EXPERTS SAY Ossoff added Trump was a "disgrace" during the MS NOW interview. The senator said at the rally on Sunday, "While the sailors on the Lincoln fight his war, while he fruitlessly drains our munitions and oil reserves, the president sleeps through his meetings, he golfs, and trades stocks." "He doesn’t want to do the job. He wants to build his ballroom and travel with Natalie on their apparently defenseless flying palace gifted by the Emir of Qatar," Ossoff said, referring to Harp. White House spokesman Davis Ingle hit back at the senator in a statement to Fox News Digital. DEM SENATE NOMINEE ADMITS 'I TAKE RESPONSIBILITY' AFTER POLICE REPORT ALLEGES HE BROKE DOWN DOOR, PUNCHED MAN "Jon Ossoff is a feminine theatre kid who voted to massively raise taxes, give illegal immigrants free taxpayer-funded healthcare, and defund federal immigration enforcement and Border Patrol. Lightweight Jon’s rhetoric is cringeworthy, but his extreme voting record is dangerous," Ingle said. The White House lashed out at a CNN reporter who asked Trump about Ossoff's remarks on Monday as well, calling her an embarrassment. Liberals lauded Ossoff for his remarks on X, while conservatives called out the Democratic senator. "Ossoff winking at the rumor that Natalie Harp is more than just Trump’s staffer. The question now is whether this will kick up a round of actual reporting by news outlets," host of "Pod Save America" and ex-Obama staffer Tommy Vietor wrote on X. Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, wrote, "Natalie Harp survived bone cancer because President Trump allowed her the 'right to try.' Now she’s an extremely hardworking and trusted assistant. Any other insinuation is vile." Some others felt Ossoff had made a misstep with his alleged innuendo. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE When the president was asked about the remarks at the White House on Monday, Trump replied that Ossoff looked like "Pee-wee Herman." White House director of communications Steven Cheung said, "Instead of denigrating hard working people serving their country, Jon should look deep into his soul and ask himself why he's a miserable person who hates this country. It's because he's a radical, extremist Dumocrat." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a847cda2c5335ae10482004 Longtime GOP aide defects to Dem rising star as Texas Senate battle for Cornyn's seat heats up te 2026-08-18T15:40:10.675Z Longtime GOP aide defects to Dem rising star as Texas Senate battle for Cornyn's seat heats up Following his bombshell primary defeat in May, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, is facing another blow as his longtime aide is crossing the political aisle to work for the Democrat candidate running to replace him in the upper chamber. Former Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, backed by President Donald Trump, is running against Democrat state Rep. James Talarico in a crucial midterm election race that will decide the future of Cornyn's seat and could determine control of the Senate. Jacob Smith, who worked for Cornyn for five years as a deputy legislative director and policy advisor, signed up to work on the Senate campaign for Talarico. The news was first reported by NOTUS and confirmed by Fox News Digital. WHAT OUR LATEST FOX NEWS POLL IN THE TEXAS SENATE SHOWDOWN REVEALS Cornyn lost his re-election bid in an expensive and bitter primary runoff against Paxton earlier this year. The clash between the two Texas titans shaped up as a fight between the Republican establishment versus Trump's MAGA and America First supporters. The general election face-off in red-leaning Texas between Talarico and Paxton is one of roughly a dozen that will likely decide if Republicans hold the Senate majority or if Democrats win back control of the chamber. Instead of Smith opting to join the replacement Republican for Cornyn, he defected to back the Democrat running for the seat. "I’ve worked for Republicans like Senator Cornyn my entire career, but this year I’m proud to be joining James Talarico’s campaign," Smith wrote in a statement. "Instead of playing partisan politics, Talarico speaks to the needs of everyday people who day in and day out work too hard for too little." Democrats haven't won a Senate election in Texas in nearly four decades, but they view Paxton as vulnerable because of the slew of scandals and legal problems that have battered him over the past decade. And Paxton is dealing with a messy divorce, with his wife citing "biblical grounds" based on "recent discoveries" in filing last year to end their marriage. CHECK OUT THE LATEST FOX NEWS POWER RANKINGS IN THE MIDTERM RACES And Smith took aim at Paxton in his decision to bolster Talarico's campaign, charging that the former AG "is the most corrupt, self-dealing politician in Texas who would sell their futures to the highest contributor just to hold onto power." Fox News Digital reached out to the Paxton campaign for comment, but didn't receive a response at time of publication. Cornyn has repeatedly noted since his runoff defeat that he would support the party's nominee, saying, "I've always supported the Republican ticket, and I intend to do so again in this general election." DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB The cross-party switch by Smith is considered rare, and his addition to Talarico's team may potentially help the Democratic nominee as he reaches out to Republicans who may not be thrilled with Paxton as their party's nominee. The most recent Fox News poll in the Texas Senate showdown, conducted late last month, indicated Talarico holding a slight 51%-48% edge over Paxton among registered voters. The survey suggested that Paxton had yet to fully unite Republicans. While virtually all Democrats supported Talarico (98%), fewer Republicans were unified behind Paxton (89%). Meanwhile, the latest Fox News Power Rankings, released on Tuesday, shifted the Senate race in Texas from Lean Republican to toss-up. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a847cd92c5335ae10481ffb Chicago Cubs favored on the run line as White Sox bullpen faces serious availability concerns te 2026-08-18T15:40:09.898Z Chicago Cubs favored on the run line as White Sox bullpen faces serious availability concerns I didn't have the best day yesterday as I went 0-2 on the diamond. Neither of the games was a terrible call; they just didn't go the way that I wanted them to go. The Phillies only won by one run, when I needed them to cover the run line (in this case, I guess putting up the -220 was a better option than the -1.5 at -110). Then the Mets squeaked out a victory over the Padres, winning the game 2-1, and handing me another loss. I probably should've just gone with the under, but that's easy to say now. Let's make some of that cash back in a cross-town rivalry series between the White Sox and Cubs. The Chicago White Sox are significantly better than anyone expected them to be this season. They come into today's game with a lead in the American League Central, and they are six games above .500. They can't let their foot off the gas, as they have three teams within 5.5 games of them, and there are still roughly 35 games to play. For a team that doesn't really have any superstars and doesn't have a true Ace on the roster (aside from maybe Luis Castillo, who is having a down year), this is a really impressive season for the team. The White Sox lost the opener (more on that later), and now look to even up the series. Tonight, they send out Bryan Hudson to the hill. Hudson is more of an opener than a true starter, as he has had a lot of work out of the bullpen. This is not the first time Hudson has "started" a game; this is the seventh time. However, you really should only expect the lefty to throw one inning because he has only thrown more than one complete inning in five of his 54 appearances. None of them were two full innings. The White Sox do have one of the best bullpens in baseball, but they used four guys yesterday, and three of them may not be usable today. The Chicago Cubs are about the exact level of successful that you would expect. They are 20 games over .500, but they are still looking up at the Milwaukee Brewers. They also can't let up on their march to the postseason, as there are plenty of teams chasing them in the Wild Card race. However, it does seem like they are more comfortable at the moment than most other teams in that race. Their biggest issue seems to be figuring out which pitchers are usable and which are not. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS It is a good problem to have - pitching depth. They didn't have that for the majority of the season, but they've acquired at least four starting pitchers this season and are hopeful that gives them enough to not only get to the postseason, but compete in it. Kevin Gausman, one of the guys they traded for, is taking the ball today. For the Cubs, he has made two starts, and they have had very different results. Both have been road outings. In the first, he went seven innings and allowed just four hits in a 6-4 win. The second one was against the Nationals, where he allowed six earned runs in 4.2 innings. White Sox hitters haven't fared very well against him, going just 7-for-41. STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW! Yesterday's game was a good one. The Cubs started the game with back-to-back homers from Pete Crow-Armstrong and Seiya Suzuki. That lasted until the White Sox hit a three-run shot of their own with Randal Grichuk. The Cubs took the lead again with some help from White Sox errors. Then the White Sox grabbed a late lead with a pinch-hit Andrew Benintendi homer. In the 9th, the Cubs struck again, getting help from walks and timely hitting from Nico Hoerner. In the bottom of the 10th, the White Sox, for some reason, decided it was a good idea to pitch to Crow-Armstrong with first base open. He sent the fourth pitch of the inning over the right field wall for a walk-off homer. This is a game the Cubs should take and not have all that many problems. I don't like the way the White Sox are set up for this game. I think that the under is a good look. Gausman is a strong pitcher, but this is his first start in Chicago, and that can be a difficult thing for a lot of arms. The wind is expected to be blowing out as well. I'll stay off the total. Instead, I'm taking the Cubs on the run line. They have the better-set-up bullpen, the better starter, and they can play both long and small ball. Give me the Cubs -1.5 at +125. For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a847a842c5335ae104816b9 Antisemitism fight explodes in Florida as voters head to the polls: 'Political pogrom' te 2026-08-18T15:30:12.516Z Antisemitism fight explodes in Florida as voters head to the polls: 'Political pogrom' A Republican primary race in Florida has exploded over accusations of antisemitism as one far-right candidate espouses openly anti-Jewish tropes and references to Adolf Hitler. Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., the lone Jewish Republican in Florida's congressional delegation, is being targeted for his religion by a long-shot rival challenging him in the GOP primary for the Sunshine State's 6th Congressional District. "This is an open Nazi who transported himself from Las Vegas to Florida in order to target me. This isn't an organic campaign. It's an organized pogrom against the Jews. It's a political pogrom," Fine told Fox News Digital of Dan Bilzerian's campaign on Tuesday. TLAIB UNDER FIRE FOR WORKING TO UNSEAT TWO JEWISH HOUSE DEMOCRATS IN FLORIDA: 'NO COINCIDENCE' It comes as voters across Florida vote in primary elections that will set up key matchups between Democrats and Republicans ahead of the November midterms. Fine has attracted multiple GOP challengers in his fight for his first full term in the House, but none have generated backlash like Bilzerian. "District 6 understands the Jewish problem," he captioned one post on X that appeared to show a campaign gathering. Last week, he posted what appeared to be an AI-generated video to X that alluded to Hitler in a positive manner while depicting Fine with horns growing out of his head, another antisemitic trope that was infamously used in Nazi Germany to spur hatred of Jews. DEM CANDIDATE’S ZIONIST CASTRATION RANT SPARKS FIRESTORM AS PARTY LEADERS REWRITE NARRATIVE TO TARGET GOP Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., told Fox News Digital in response on Tuesday, "Dan Bilzerian is running for Congress on a Nazi platform. That’s not hyperbole. His own campaign ad celebrates Hitler, draws horns on Jews, and calls a sitting Jewish Member of Congress a problem to be solved. That’s absolutely insane, disgusting, and the clearest, textbook version of antisemitism." "I don’t agree with Randy Fine on much, but that’s exactly the point. When someone runs for the United States Congress on Jew-hatred, every one of us, Democrat and Republican, has an obligation to say so out loud, no matter who’s on the other end of it," Gottheimer said. Fine told Fox News Digital of Bilzerian's campaign, "I'll be honest, never in my wildest nightmares did I think I would start the week with a swastika painted on one of my yard signs and end the week with a video from a Republican congressional candidate with horns coming out of my head." He also said, "They've spent, we believe, $6 or $7 million. And I think there's a much bigger story that needs to be explored when this is all over about the influence of direct foreign investments in political campaigns. They've spent millions of dollars in the race of unreported money." FORMER BERNIE SANDERS OFFICIAL ACCUSES SENATOR OF PUSHING MOST ANTISEMITIC CANDIDATES 'IN A GENERATION' There is no evidence as of now that foreign investors funded Bilzerian's campaign. But the degree of antisemitism has drawn condemnation from both House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. "The vile attack ads against Congressman Randy Fine in Florida's 6th District are disgusting and should be condemned by all political leaders on the Right and Left," Johnson said in a statement. Jeffries said, "The hateful campaign being run by Daniel Bilzerian in Florida is blatantly antisemitic and shocks the conscience. People of goodwill, regardless of political affiliation, must reject his vile attacks on the Jewish community." Gottheimer was also part of a group of Jewish House Democrats who said that while they do not agree with Fine's positions, Bilzerian's "grotesque" video "has no place in America." Fine is widely expected to win his primary on Tuesday and is favored to win his seat in November. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a847a7b2c5335ae10481685 Peacock is raising prices across all of its streaming plans te 2026-08-18T15:30:03.810Z Peacock is raising prices across all of its streaming plans The cheapest ad-supported “Select” plan is increasing from $7.99 to $8.99 per month. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84782b2c5335ae10481650 Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong shows off his humility after first career walk-off homer against White Sox te 2026-08-18T15:20:11.718Z Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong shows off his humility after first career walk-off homer against White Sox Pete Crow-Armstrong is among the flashiest players in all of Major League Baseball. From his wildly confident personality to wearing every single emotion on his sleeve to never passing on an opportunity to celebrate on the field, humble wouldn't necessarily be the first word fans would use to describe the Chicago Cubs superstar. There appear to be two different versions of Crow-Armstrong, however. There is the PCA in between the white lines, the one who yelled obscenities at a Chicago White Sox fan in May, who also stops to flex while rounding third base after launching a home run. Then there is the PCA outside the white lines, who is still as confident as they come, but a team-first guy with a noticeably reserved demeanor. Both versions of Crow-Armstrong were on full display during the Cubs' extra-innings win over the White Sox on Monday. PCA immediately set off fireworks at Wrigley Field on Monday night by leading off the bottom of the first frame with a first-pitch homer off the scoreboard in right field. It turned out to be a preview of what was to come in the bottom of the 10th inning when he stepped to the dish with a chance to win the contest. While leading off the inning again and sitting on a 2-1 count, PCA got a hanging slider he was looking for and set things off in Wrigleyville yet again. He launched his bat into the air towards the Cubs' dugout, soaked in the moment while rounding the bases, and tossed his helmet onto the field while trotting towards home plate. It was a totally normal, expected reaction from the face of the franchise after winning a game in that fashion against the crosstown rivals. After the emotions settled and some of the adrenaline wore off, the scene inside the Cubs' locker room wasn't necessarily what some baseball fans would come to expect out of PCA. When asked about the walk-off moment and all that came with it, Crow-Armstrong mentioned that it was fun to be a part of, but quickly praised his team's effort while recognizing that without them, he wouldn't have had the opportunity at the dish to begin with. "That was my first career walk-off homer, so that's fun to note, but if Nico (Hoerner) doesn't tie it up for us, I don't get that chance," Crow-Armstrong explained inside the locker room after the 7-5 victory. "I feel like I've probably said this before after we've had some crazier wins, it's just super fun to appreciate all the little stuff that went right. Happer [Ian Happ] busting tail down the line, beating out a double play ball...It's just stuff like that where I can look back on it and think, 'That's why I was up in the bottom of the 10th inning.' I love these games, because that's not always going to happen, but when it does, it's nice to appreciate the stuff that went right." CARDINALS ROOKIE MAKES MLB HISTORY BY HITTING A HOME RUN IN EACH OF HIS FIRST THREE CAREER PLATE APPEARANCES SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS To recognize his walk-off home run to give the Cubs their 73rd win of the season counted just the same as the 72 before it – and that his teammates played their roles prior to his opportunity at the plate – shows that humble side of PCA that doesn't create the headlines. With his two home runs against the White Sox, Crow-Armstrong became the first Cub ever to post back-to-back seasons with at least 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84782a2c5335ae10481647 South Korean president jumps to invest in military after Trump cuts joint exercises te 2026-08-18T15:20:10.626Z South Korean president jumps to invest in military after Trump cuts joint exercises South Korean President Lee Jae Myung urged his nation to boost its independent military capabilities Tuesday after President Donald Trump ordered a cut to join U.S.-South Korean military exercises. Lee made the statement during a meeting with his cabinet on Tuesday, a day after the annual joint Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises began. Trump announced on social media this weekend that he ordered War Secretary Pete Hegseth to "substantially reduce" U.S. involvement in the drills. Trump's statement expressed concern that the drills presented an overly hostile tone toward North Korea, whose leader, Kim Jong Un, Trump spoke of with warm words. TRUMP ORDERS MAJOR CUT TO US-SOUTH KOREA DRILLS AS NORTH KOREA RAMPS UP MISSILE TESTS Lee emphasized in his cabinet meeting that Ulchi Freedom Shield is a purely defensive exercise. "A strong alliance makes the foundation of security stronger, and strengthening our own capabilities increases our value and necessity as an ally," Lee said. He stated that South Korea's top priority is maintaining peace with North Korea, but said the country must be prepared for a "worst-case scenario." Lee specifically mentioned boosting South Korea's nuclear-powered submarine program, among others. NORTH KOREA LAUNCHES ANOTHER BALLISTIC MISSILE AS US, SOUTH KOREA PREPARE FOR MILITARY DRILLS Trump's statement on Monday, posted to Truth Social, was openly critical of Lee's administration with respect to North Korea. "Based on my very good relationship with Kim Jong Un, of North Korea, I am not happy with the fact that the United States has, long ago, agreed to participate in Joint Military Exercises with South Korea," Trump wrote. "These exercises are not only costly, with much of these costs paid for by the United States of America (as usual!), but send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile, to a Country that, as long as Donald J. Trump has been President, has been unthreatening and respectful." Lee's administration noted the kind words for North Korea in his statement on Tuesday, with Lee's national security adviser, Wi Sung-lac, remarking that he hopes Trump's relationship with Kim could lead to lasting change. IRAN DEAL CLOCK HITS ZERO AS TRUMP DEMANDS ‘WHITE FLAG’ WITH NEW PRESSURE CAMPAIGN LOOMING "We hope the friendly relationship between the U.S. and North Korean leaders will lead to meaningful North Korea-U.S. dialogue," Wi said at a Tuesday briefing. Trump also took the opportunity to highlight Lee's apparent refusal to assist the U.S. in the conflict with Iran. "While somewhat unrelated (?), I recently asked the President of South Korea if they would like to join us in the Denuclearization of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and they said, ‘No thanks!’" Trump wrote. Reuters contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84737e2c5335ae104815a6 Lindsay Clancy's family was 'very concerned' about her mental health in the months before she killed her kids te 2026-08-18T15:00:14.353Z Lindsay Clancy's family was 'very concerned' about her mental health in the months before she killed her kids If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Lindsay Clancy's family was "very concerned" about her mental health in the months before she killed her three kids, according to court testimony. Lindsay Clancy, 36, is charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of her three children — Cora, Dawson and Callan, all under 6 years old, who were found strangled in the family's Duxbury home in 2023. Prosecutors concluded their case Monday morning. The jury seated to hear the case consists of 12 women and six men, though six of those people are alternates. During the trial on Tuesday, Susan Clancy, Lindsay's mother-in-law, told jurors she was concerned about her mental health during the holiday season in 2022, but said she was a caring mother. POSTPARTUM MOM LINDSAY CLANCY ON TRIAL FOR MURDER BRINGS COURT TO A HALT WITH SUDDEN BREAKDOWN Lindsay Clancy does not contest that she killed the children. She and her defense attorneys contend she was experiencing ongoing postpartum psychosis at the time of the deaths. She has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X "Lindsay was struggling. We were all very concerned," Susan Clancy said. "She was very nurturing, very loving. She was a wonderful mother. Wonderful." SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS Susan Clancy said she began seeing a decline in Lindsay's mental health in November 2022. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE "She reached out to me in November and told me that she felt unwell," Susan Clancy said. "She felt...Mostly she had insomnia. She was losing her appetite. She was, very anxious and sad." SEND US A TIP "She was begging for help," Susan Clancy said. WHEN IS A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS TOO SEVERE FOR TELEHEALTH? WARNING SIGNS FAMILIES SHOULDN'T IGNORE When asked if she ever saw Lindsay Clancy treat the children bad, her mother-in-law responded, "no." LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST Paula Musgrove, Lindsay Clancy's mother, also told jurors about the mental health problems. In an Oct. 20, 2022 text message, Lindsay Clancy asked her mother for help. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL "Mom, will you please come up and stay with me for a bit? I'm really sick. Something is wrong. I had horrible insomnia all night, and I just don’t know how I am going to get through the day...It’s just really scary, and I don’t want to be alone," the text read. Musgrove said she wasn't concerned about the children's safety. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84712a2c5335ae10481534 Trump’s affordability plan faces conservative pushback as pocketbook issues loom over midterms te 2026-08-18T14:50:18.161Z Trump’s affordability plan faces conservative pushback as pocketbook issues loom over midterms FIRST ON FOX: As Americans grapple with soaring housing, food and energy costs, both parties are racing to convince voters they have the answer to the affordability crunch ahead of the high-stakes midterm elections. A new report from the conservative group founded by former Vice President Mike Pence lays out 10 proposals aimed at lowering costs by cutting red tape and expanding production across the economy. "Yes, there's an unaffordability crisis and it's the government's fault," Richard Stern, vice president of the Plymouth Institute for Free Enterprise at Advancing American Freedom (AAF), told Fox News Digital. That argument is at the heart of the report, "10 Ways to Improve Affordability Now Across 10 Levels of the Economy," which calls affordability the "No. 1 issue facing the American people" and targets costs associated with housing, energy and business, among others. THINK YOUR STATE IS EXPENSIVE? NEW DATA REVEALS WHERE AMERICANS FACE THE HIGHEST COST OF LIVING The reports's proposals range from easing zoning restrictions and expanding oil and gas access to overhauling Social Security and SNAP eligibility, echoing parts of President Donald Trump’s second-term agenda. But the conservative blueprint breaks with Trump on two key pocketbook issues: tariffs and credit card interest rates. On trade, the report argues Trump’s sweeping tariffs have come at a cost to American consumers and the broader economy by raising prices, straining U.S. alliances and resulting in nearly 900,000 fewer jobs than expected. The authors at AAF call for shifting more tariff authority back to Congress. TRUMP JUST EXPANDED HIS TARIFF PLAYBOOK WITH A POWERFUL TRADE WEAPON NO PRESIDENT HAS EVER USED If nothing else, Trump's tariffs proved to be a windfall for Washington. In January alone, duties totaled $30.4 billion, that's up about 242% from $8.9 billion a year earlier, according to Treasury data. The report also opposes Trump’s proposed 10% cap on credit card interest rates, warning it could make lending to roughly 60% of Americans unprofitable. Stern framed the broader affordability debate as a question of whether Americans can still build a better future for their families as many see hopes of living the American dream slipping from their fingers. Housing and energy, he said, are two areas where rising costs have put "a sharper edge on this question of affordability." Stern blamed zoning restrictions for pushing families farther from jobs and making homeownership harder for younger Americans. Those costs can be substantial. The National Association of Home Builders estimates government regulations account for about 26% of the price of a new single-family home. The report recommends limiting local zoning restrictions, streamlining approval for projects that meet existing rules and tying roughly $50 billion in annual federal housing aid to zoning reform. THE SURPRISING HIDDEN COST QUIETLY ADDING NEARLY $132K TO NEW HOME PRICES REVEALED On energy, the proposal calls for more oil and gas leasing and rejecting state fracking bans. Stern argued greater domestic production could lower costs throughout the economy because energy touches "every good we move, every service provided." Stern warned that economic frustration can turn Americans against one another, toward "viewing each other as the enemy, and that’s what socialism is." "I hope that people can take away from this, that it's not businesses that are the problem," he said. "It's not entrepreneurs. It's not other Americans. It's government." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8471252c5335ae1048152b Minnesota 'outstanding refugee' honoree accused in fraud scheme tied to sex trafficking: 'Can't make this up' te 2026-08-18T14:50:13.729Z Minnesota 'outstanding refugee' honoree accused in fraud scheme tied to sex trafficking: 'Can't make this up' An immigrant in Minnesota who once received an "outstanding refugee" award from the state government has been charged with Medicaid fraud, prompting strong backlash on social media. Salman Ahmed Elmi is facing three counts of aiding and abetting by swindle and five counts of aiding and abetting by false representation as part of an alleged scam to bill Medicaid for over $1 million in fraudulent services, Fox 9 Minneapolis reported. The charges also allege that two members involved in the fraud scheme were tied to a sex-trafficking ring involving brothels. In 2021, the Minnesota Department of Human Services, an agency deeply involved in the massive fraud scheme that has unfolded across the state in recent years, honored Elmi with the title "outstanding refugee" along with an Entrepreneurship Award. News of the charges quickly spread on social media via conservative influencer accounts like LibsofTikTok and End Wokeness. VICE PRESIDENT VANCE SAYS MIGRANT COMMUNITIES SHOW 'CLEAR PATTERN' IN FEDERAL FRAUD AS INVESTIGATIONS WIDEN "Fraud is so rampant in this demographic that it’s rewarded instead of punished," ACT for America Founder Brigitte Gabriel posted on X. "When the system celebrates the looters, you have a culture problem." "Deport," Townhall columnist Dustin Grage posted on X. "This is the Minnesota Democrat officials created," Republican National Committee member AK Kamara posted on X. "Endless depravity and taxpayer-funded fraud." OMAR'S GOP CHALLENGER COMES OUT FIRING WITH VOW TO CLEAN UP 'MESS' IN DEEP BLUE DISTRICT: 'PEOPLE ARE FED UP' "You literally cannot make this up," conservative pundit Eric Daugherty posted on X. "Get these people out of my country." "The same agency that awarded Elmi is the SAME agency that gives out Medicaid payments," conservative commentator Benny Johnson posted on X. "You can’t make this up." Fox 9 Minneapolis also reported that Elmi was part of a startup that received financial backing from Shark Tank star Kevin O’Leary. "I started a business to help inspire other people," Elmi said in an archived post on the Minnesota DHS website. "No one owns businesses in my family; my entire family came here with the idea that the American dream was just getting a job and making it work, so shifting that mindset was difficult but important. Navigating those treacherous waters allowed me to provide for my family and work on my terms." The Minnesota state government, led by Gov. Tim Walz since 2019, has been under the microscope over the past year as systemic fraud, largely involving the local Somali community, that prosecutors say could total more than $9 billion has been exposed throughout various departments and programs in the state. Critics have argued that the fraud, which was an open secret for years, was aided by the fear of publicly calling it out over fears of being labeled as "racist," Fox News Digital reported last year. Walz was ultimately forced to drop his bid for re-election amid the fallout. Fox News Digital reached out to Walz's office for comment. In a statement to Fox News Digital, a Minnesota DHS spokesperson said the Outstanding Refugee Awards ended in 2024. "Salman Elmi’s alleged actions are disturbing and do not reflect the goal of the Outstanding Refugee Awards," the spokesperson said. "They also do not represent Minnesota’s refugee community. We are surrounded by neighbors, coworkers, employees and friends with powerful stories of resilience in the face of difficult circumstances, who are showing leadership in small as well as large ways to improve their communities. The Outstanding Refugee Awards were a way to recognize some of the individuals who make Minnesota better for all of us." The spokesperson added that recipients received a certificate and a plaque but no monetary award. "The value came from the opportunity to recognize the courage, resilience and entrepreneurship of refugees and their children, and to recognize their contributions to the state," the spokesperson said. "Refugees and immigrants offer skills to a needed workforce, provide entrepreneurial innovation and expand worldwide networks – all of which benefit Minnesota." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8471232c5335ae10481522 White House tears into Ossoff with brutal takedown after jab at key Trump aide: ‘Lightweight loser’ te 2026-08-18T14:50:11.448Z White House tears into Ossoff with brutal takedown after jab at key Trump aide: ‘Lightweight loser’ Sen. Jon Ossoff is facing backlash from White House officials and conservatives after taking a personal shot at Trump aide Natalie Harp at a campaign rally, referring to her only by her first name. "Natalie Harp is one of the most loyal and hardest working aides on President Trump's team. Jon Ossoff is a cringeworthy, feminine theatre kid cosplaying as Barack Obama. Nobody gives a sh*t what this lightweight loser says," said White House spokesperson Davis Ingle to Fox News Digital. Ossoff took the jab at Harp during a re-election campaign rally in Atlanta, where he slammed Trump’s handling of the Iran war and accused the president of neglecting his duties to focus on construction of the White House ballroom and "travel with Natalie," whom he did not identify by last name. DEM SENATOR SWIPES CREDIT FOR BILL HE OPPOSED AMID HEATED RE-ELECTION BID: 'DISTURBING PATTERN' "He doesn't want to do the job. He wants to build his ballroom and travel with Natalie on their apparently defenseless flying palace gifted by the emir of Qatar," Ossoff said. His jab sparked backlash from conservatives and Trump officials, who defended the 35-year-old aide as simply doing her job, called Ossoff’s attack sexist and demanded an apology. "I don’t think any woman would want to travel with Ossoff. Natalie is smart, professional and successful. Ossoff has to make a sexist remark," wrote communications specialist and political commentator Mercedes Schlapp. "Jon Jackoff has to be the biggest cuck loser in politics. Instead of denigrating hard working people serving their country, Jon should look deep into his soul and ask himself why he's a miserable person who hates this country. It's because he's a radical, extremist Dumocrat," said White House communication director Steven Cheung. FOX NEWS POLL: AN EARLY LOOK AT THE GEORGIA SENATE RACE "@SenOssoff comments regarding Natalie Harp were both sexists and misogynistic. John, attractive women can be qualified, hard workers, and in positions of power. Your gross implication otherwise only highlights your own insecurity and guilty conscience. I feel bad for your staff if this is what you think of women," wrote Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna. "Natalie Harp is an incredibly hardworking, talented, principled, and loyal member of the Trump Admin who passionately wants to help our nation thrive. Every day, she brings drive and focus to her work serving our country. She’s truly a phenomenal member of POTUS’ team," said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. "Natalie Harp survived bone cancer because President Trump allowed her the ‘right to try.’ Now she’s an extremely hardworking and trusted assistant. Any other insinuation is vile," wrote Rep. Brandon Gill. "Natalie Harp is a bone cancer survivor who only lived because Trump greenlit the right to try an experimental treatment when you were terminal. I met her back then. She went to work for him after recovery," said conservative commentator Robby Starbuck. He added, "@Ossoff is a vile coward for insinuating they’re having an affair. He should apologize to Natalie for doing this. I don’t think any of us would want our daughters talked about like this." TRUMP’S BEHIND-THE-SCENES ENFORCER PULLS BACK THE CURTAIN IN RARE PUBLIC MOVE Harp rose to prominence in 2019 after crediting Trump’s Right to Try Act with helping her access experimental cancer treatment. She later joined Trump’s 2020 campaign before being tapped as Special Assistant to the President. She has earned the nickname the "human printer" in Trump's orbit, updating the president with print outs of news articles, emails, social-media posts and other material for him to read. Ossoff sought to clarify his remarks Monday.  "[Trump] retreats into this bubble of West Wing aides who are his security blanket to make him feel good about himself, to reassure him that he’s doing a great job," said Ossoff on "The Briefing with Jen Psaki." He added, "I’ve heard this particular aide referred to as his security blanket. And I think we could say that about any number of the senior aides in the White House. They’re not telling him what he needs to hear. They’re telling him what he wants to hear." Fox News Digital reached out to Harp and Ossoff for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8471222c5335ae10481510 Refugee admissions on track to hit record low te 2026-08-18T14:50:10.106Z Refugee admissions on track to hit record low A family waits in line to apply for asylum at the southern border between El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, in 2023. The number of refugees admitted to the United States during the first 10 months of the fiscal year is on pace to hit its lowest level on record. (Photo by Corrie Boudreaux for Source NM) The number of refugees admitted to the United States during the first 10 months of the fiscal year is on pace to hit its lowest level on record, according to a new analysis. The new numbers reflect a steep decline in refugee admissions since President Donald Trump began his second term, according to a new analysis of State Department data by the Pew Research Center. The U.S. has admitted 10,258 refugees — nearly all of them white South Africans — in the first 10 months of the fiscal year, which ends on Sept. 30. During fiscal 2025, part of which overlapped with President Joe Biden’s term, the U.S. admitted 38,102 refugees. In the previous year, during which Biden was president the entire time, 100,034 refugees were admitted. The Trump administration, which has sought to limit immigration of all types, has capped refugee admissions for fiscal 2026 at 17,500, the lowest level in the past 25 years. Refugee admissions have fluctuated over time. They declined sharply after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, when President George W. Bush temporarily halted application processing. And they fell again during Trump’s first term, when he restricted immigration from majority-Muslim countries. However, the U.S. admitted an average of 50,000 refugees per year between 2001 and 2026. In February 2025, Trump issued an executive order prioritizing refugee admissions for Afrikaners — white South Africans descended from Dutch, German and French colonial settlers. Afrikaners were the primary architects of apartheid, a rigid system of racial segregation that lasted from 1948 to 1994. About 80% of South Africans are Black. Trump’s order asserts that the country’s Black leaders have discriminated against the Afrikaners and demonstrated a “shocking disregard” for their rights by seizing their farmland without compensation. South African leaders deny that Afrikaners have been subjected to systemic persecution. In recent years, the majority of refugees to the U.S. have come from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has seen ongoing war and displacement. Many refugees also have come from countries such as Syria, Ukraine, Bhutan, Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan, Venezuela, Eritrea, Myanmar and Guatemala. In a 2025 Pew Research Center survey of 10,357 Americans, about 36% of respondents said that it was very or extremely important to take in refugees escaping violence in other countries. Another 39% said it was somewhat important. Stateline reporter Shalina Chatlani can be reached at schatlani@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/6a846ecb2c5335ae104814dc SRRHS found a Ledbetter man to lead school’s swim team te 2026-08-18T14:40:11.371Z SRRHS found a Ledbetter man to lead school’s swim team 2026 graduate restarts program canceled in his senior year Colin Ledbetter, 18, missed his senior season on the Sedona Red Rock High School swim team when the 2025 season was canceled for lack of a head coach, so he’s back in the pool deck running the restarted program himself. “There’s definitely a Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a846ec92c5335ae104814bc Sammy 'The Bull' Gravano recalls chilling mob request that helped clear John Gotti's path to power te 2026-08-18T14:40:09.610Z Sammy 'The Bull' Gravano recalls chilling mob request that helped clear John Gotti's path to power Former Gambino crime family underboss Sammy "The Bull" Gravano dished on the moment he was asked to help pull off one of the mob's most audacious power plays — the murder of John Gotti's own boss. "We have problems with Paul. I need your help. We need you — me and John Gotti," Gravano recalled being told by Gotti associate Angelo Ruggiero. "I said, 'To do what?'" he recounted on the "Hang Out With Sean Hannity" podcast. SAMMY 'THE BULL' REVEALS WHY HIS LOVE FOR JOHN GOTTI TURNED INTO PRISON HATE "We're gonna kill him." The target was Paul Castellano, then-boss of the Gambino crime family, one of the most powerful figures in organized crime — making the request anything but an ordinary mob "favor." "You're gonna kill the boss of bosses?" Gravano recalled asking, prompting Ruggiero to respond, "Yes, and we need your help." The gravity of the request wasn't lost on him, he told host Sean Hannity. A hit on a boss could carry serious — even deadly — consequences for everyone involved. Gravano recalled pressing the issue and asking where Gotti was himself. JOHN GOTTI PAL: I STASHED $10M IN MY KID'S TOYCHEST "I told him, 'Angelo, first of all, where's John Gotti? You're talking to me. Where is he?'" The back-and-forth between the two men continued, with Ruggiero insisting that Gotti "had something to do." "[I said], 'He had something more important than asking me to kill the boss of bosses or help you kill the boss of bosses? I don't know what's more important than that,'" Gravano recounted. "This is a big deal," he added. Castellano and his new underboss, Thomas Bilotti, were ultimately murdered outside a New York City steakhouse in 1985. Gotti was the mastermind behind the incident and would soon be convicted for ordering the crime. Gravano's sit-down conversation with Hannity went beyond the incident, into his time with the mob, his involvement in nearly 20 murders and much more. To catch Gravano's full appearance on Hannity's podcast, look for the latest episode on iHeart, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other major podcast platforms. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a846ec82c5335ae104814b3 Kushner touts unprecedented Iran contacts as Tehran denies Trump backchannel te 2026-08-18T14:40:08.801Z Kushner touts unprecedented Iran contacts as Tehran denies Trump backchannel Senior Trump advisor Jared Kushner confirmed that communications between the U.S. and Iran are "more robust" than ever, despite Iran's denial of a backchannel between President Donald Trump and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Kushner made the statement in an interview with Fox News' Trey Yingst on Monday after a series of meetings across the Middle East about the future of Gaza and Iran. Kushner emphasized that Trump remains committed to making a deal, but there remain severe roadblocks. Kushner emphasized that Iran needs to get serious about making a deal, saying Iranian officials have so far been trying to "trick" the U.S. with false concessions and trying to "hide certain cards." It remains unclear who exactly the U.S. is communicating with through its so-called backchannel with the IRGC. The IRGC has been the most radical faction within Tehran's government, frequently sabotaging past negotiations with attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and other efforts. IRAN REQUESTS TALKS WITH US AS WHITE HOUSE WARNS 'VIOLENCE WILL BE MET WITH VIOLENCE' Previous negotiations have been with members of the Iranian civilian government, such as Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and representatives of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, but reports from within Iran suggest the IRGC holds more influence in the country. Secretary of State Marco Rubio alluded to that earlier this year when he told reporters at the White House that Iran's negotiators often don't know what they are allowed to concede. "An offer will be made, and then it takes five or six days to get a response because you have to get it through the whole system. They have to find the supreme leader wherever he hides. They have to get him to sign off. And that's their system," Rubio said in May. TRUMP SAYS IRAN WILL PAY — WHAT IT TAKES TO END THE WAR REMAINS UNCLEAR Kushner said that Trump is open to making an economic deal with Iran that will allow the country to thrive, but first the nation must give up its efforts to build a nuclear weapon. "They have to want to be a real country," Kushner said. "They can be one of the wealthiest countries in the world if they choose to pursue it. They have incredible people, incredible history, so they have so much potential." Kushner said Iran has to want to "pursue that potential instead of... spreading revolution and causing instability throughout the region and the world." As of Tuesday a deal seems further away than ever, however, with the Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. and Iran having expired on Monday. Iran is continuing to target vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian officials are even making threats against Trump's life. TRUMP CALLS ON ARAB NATIONS TO SIGN ABRAHAM ACCORDS "I think, as we said, we continue to have communications, and when the deal is ready, the deal will be ready. Deals are hard. I mean, it's funny, President Trump is always aiming for the impossible deals," Kushner said. One possibility for enacting lasting change in the region would be to expand the Abraham Accords, which Kushner said the administration is still focused on accomplishing. "We have a very good active conversations going with countries, some obvious, some not obvious. And I think once we get this Gaza situation moving forward, I think that will hopefully de-escalate the tensions here," Kushner said, adding that more concrete talks may have to wait until after the upcoming Israeli elections. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a846c752c5335ae10481450 Family seeks $105 million from New York City after teen’s fatal Central Park carriage ride te 2026-08-18T14:30:13.621Z Family seeks $105 million from New York City after teen’s fatal Central Park carriage ride The family of an 18-year-old tourist who died after a horse bolted during a carriage ride in Central Park is seeking $105 million from New York City, alleging that stray electrical voltage may have caused the animal to panic. Romanch Mahajan, who was visiting New York from India with his family, spending the day snapping photos around Manhattan, suffered fatal head injuries during the June 17 incident near Cherry Hill in Central Park. His family says the unsecured carriage horse, Sampson, suddenly took off while the driver stopped to take their picture. "This was an avoidable accident," Sagar Chadha of Liakas Law, counsel for the Mahajan family, wrote in a statement. "The allegations set forth in the Notice of Claim describe a preventable tragedy that followed years of warnings, prior incidents and failures to implement basic safeguards." "An 18-year-old young man came to New York City with his family and never made it back home,:" the statement continued. "His family deserves answers, accountability and meaningful change so that no other family experiences what they have endured." MAN KILLED AFTER HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE BOLTS AND FLIPS NEAR POPULAR NEW YORK CITY TOURIST DESTINATION The tragedy came just over two weeks after New York City horse-drawn carriages would have disappeared under an earlier proposed ban that failed last year. That bill, introduced in 2024, would have prohibited horse-drawn cab operations beginning June 1, 2026, but it was defeated by the City Council’s Health Committee in November 2025. "If the city had passed the law last year, our son would still be alive today," Deepak Mahajan said in a recorded video statement that played at a July 17 New York City Council hearing, as he and Romanch's mother wept. "The only measure that can prevent another death is a full and complete act. "Let his death not be in vain." The effort was revived this year just days before Mahajan’s death: Council Member Christopher Marte introduced a new version of the ban June 11 — six days before the June 17 accident — that would phase out horse-drawn cabs by June 1, 2028. That bill is now being renamed "Romanch’s Law," and has the backing of New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin. EAGLES FAN, 18, DIES AFTER FALL FROM LIGHT POLE DURING CELEBRATION "His death was heartbreaking, and it was preventable," Menin wrote in a statement to support and rename the bill. "That tragedy is why I have decided to support Romanch’s Law, legislation that would begin the transition away from horse-drawn carriages as a tourist attraction in Central Park — for the safety of New Yorkers, visitors from around the world, and the horses themselves." The family alleges in four notices of claim – documents that are generally required before someone can sue New York City – that "stray voltage and/or contact voltage" in the area "caused, precipitated, contributed to and/or was a substantial factor" in causing the horse to be "shocked, stimulated, startled, agitated, frightened and/or spooked, and to bolt and run away." The filings filed Friday name the city, Con Edison and several municipal agencies, including the departments of Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Health and Mental Hygiene, and Consumer and Worker Protection. CARNIVAL RIDE PASSENGERS LEFT DANGLING IN CARRIAGE AFTER MALFUNCTION AT HIGH SCHOOL EVENT: VIDEO Mahajan’s father, Deepak Mahajan, has said the family was inside the carriage, posing for a photo with the driver, when the horse abruptly bolted. As the carriage sped through the park, Romanch’s mother, Priya, fell out. Romanch then jumped from the moving carriage in an attempt to help her, according to his father. The teenager struck his head on the pavement and was later pronounced dead at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. Other members of the family suffered minor injuries, with the four notices of claim totaling $105 million. FATAL NYC HELICOPTER CRASH PROMPTS GOP LAWMAKER TO CALL FOR ENDING POPULAR TOURIST FLIGHTS The family’s claims add a new dimension to the investigation by focusing on the possibility that electrical voltage in the park contributed to the horse’s behavior. Con Edison acknowledged that low levels of stray voltage were detected in the area on July 16 and July 23, weeks after the fatal incident, according to the filings. "These allegations demand a complete and transparent investigation," Chadha said. "The family intends to determine not only why an occupied carriage was allegedly left unsecured, but whether dangerous electrical conditions existed in the very area where this horse suddenly became spooked and whether anyone knew or should have known about those conditions before Romanch was killed." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a846c6f2c5335ae10481428 Lane closures begin on Lockett Road starting Tuesday te 2026-08-18T14:30:07.133Z Lane closures begin on Lockett Road starting Tuesday Lockett Road itself will remain open to traffic, but lane closures or lane shifts may occur through Sept. 4. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a846a1e2c5335ae104813de 'Everybody Loves Raymond' star Patricia Heaton reveals the mortifying moment that made her quit drinking te 2026-08-18T14:20:14.125Z 'Everybody Loves Raymond' star Patricia Heaton reveals the mortifying moment that made her quit drinking "Everybody Loves Raymond" star Patricia Heaton is recalling the moment 10 years ago when she decided to become sober. During an interview with Woman's World, Heaton shared that during the Coronavirus pandemic, her children left her home and she didn't know how to spend her time. "Right before the pandemic, my children had left home and I wasn’t working. The things that had always anchored me — my family and my work—were gone. I started thinking, 'What am I supposed to do today?'" Heaton said. The actress explained that her drinking didn't escalate all at once, and she noticed her alcohol intake increased over time. FORMER DISNEY STAR DAVID HENRIE REJECTED 'SECULAR' HOLLYWOOD LIFESTYLE AFTER LIFE-CHANGING MONASTERY VISIT "A glass of wine while cooking became wine with dinner, wine while cleaning up and wine while watching 'Wheel of Fortune' and 'Jeopardy!' One night I realized I had almost finished an entire bottle by myself," she said. Heaton said at this moment, she started "thinking about alcohol differently" and turned to religion to help her. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "I said a prayer: ‘God, I think you want me to stop drinking. I would be willing to stop, but you have to make it happen because I can’t. I’m willing, but I’m unable.' The next night I was with my sons and their friends, and I couldn’t pronounce the word ‘tradition.’ I tried three times. My youngest son said, ‘That’s great, Mom. You can’t even speak,'" she recalled. Heaton said the incident "mortified" her and prompted her to begin her sobriety journey. "The next morning I said, ‘Okay, God. Message received.’ That was eight years ago," she said. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Heaton is a proud mom of four sons: Samuel, John, Joseph and Daniel. She shares all four children with her husband, British actor and director David Hunt, whom she married in 1990. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a846a1d2c5335ae104813d5 FIRST ON FOX: Man found dead on street triggers ICE action after shocking hit-and-run te 2026-08-18T14:20:13.390Z FIRST ON FOX: Man found dead on street triggers ICE action after shocking hit-and-run FIRST ON FOX: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged a detainer against an illegal immigrant accused of a hit-and-run that left a North Carolina father dead in the street. Fox News Digital learned that ICE filed a detainer request for 21-year-old Honduran illegal immigrant Mauricio Josue Alberto Sarmiento, who is charged with hit-and-run resulting in death in Sylva, North Carolina. The Sylva Police Department said Sarmiento struck 51-year-old James Robert Bagley III with his car before leaving the scene early Aug. 2. Officers and first responders found Bagley unresponsive in the street. He died from his injuries. Five days later, the Sylva Police Department announced it had arrested Sarmiento and charged him with felony hit-and-run resulting in serious injury or death, no liability insurance, driving with a revoked license, exceeding safe speed and failure to reduce speed. He also had an outstanding arrest order in Jackson County, North Carolina. MAN CHARGED IN CRASH THAT KILLED MOTHER AND TWO YOUNG SONS HAS ICE DETAINER, PRIOR DWI CONVICTIONS The same day Sarmiento was arrested, ICE lodged a detainer with the Jackson County Jail. The Department of Homeland Security told Fox News Digital that Sarmiento entered the country illegally through Texas as an unaccompanied minor in October 2021. U.S. Border Patrol arrested him after his entry. DHS said he was "reunified" with an unrelated sponsor and released into the country under the Biden administration. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin told Fox News Digital his agency is "asking officials in Jackson County to cooperate and not release this criminal from jail without notifying ICE." Mullin said "if it weren’t for the Biden Administration’s disastrous open borders, James Bagley would still be alive." Fox News Digital reached out to a representative of the former Biden administration for comment but did not receive a response. WATCH: DEM DEMANDS 'ONE CASE' WHERE SANCTUARY CITIES DIDN'T TURN OVER ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS; DHS PROVIDES LIST Mullin said "by securing our border and deporting illegal aliens, we can save lives and prevent tragedies like this one from ever happening again." After Sarmiento’s arrest, Sylva Police Chief Aimee Sumner said his arrest "represents a significant step forward in our investigation" but added that "while an arrest has been made, this case is not over, and we remain committed to conducting a thorough investigation and ensuring that the facts are presented through the judicial process." Sumner noted, "Our thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of James Bagley as they continue to cope with this tremendous loss." The police chief confirmed the charges against Sarmiento to Fox News Digital. Sumner also confirmed that Sarmiento remains in custody at the Jackson County Detention Center, which the Jackson County Sheriff's Office operates. ICE BOSTON ARRESTS BRAZILIAN ILLEGAL ALIEN WANTED FOR MURDER DAYS BEFORE GOV HEALY SIGNED PROTECT ACT SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER Regarding the ICE detainer, Sumner said, "Our department was not involved in that process; you would need to speak with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office." Fox News Digital contacted the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office but did not receive a response by the time of publication. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a846a1c2c5335ae104813cc Jill Wagner reveals the month-long boot camp 'Lioness' cast endures for Taylor Sheridan's show te 2026-08-18T14:20:12.547Z Jill Wagner reveals the month-long boot camp 'Lioness' cast endures for Taylor Sheridan's show The cast of "Lioness" undergoes significant training for the hit Paramount+ series. The epic CIA/military drama series created by Taylor Sheridan is currently airing season three. The first three episodes of the new season are out, and as expected, it's awesome. The best part of "Lioness" is that it has the best action scenes on TV, and there's no comparable rival. Season two had some absurdly neat shootouts. The season three premiere took things to new levels. TAYLOR SHERIDAN'S 'LIONESS' KEEPS FANS HOOKED AS LATEST EPISODE RAISES THE STAKES IN A BIG WAY How much training is required of the cast to make the shootouts feel real? A lot. "Lioness" star Jill Wagner, who plays Bobby on the series, recently appeared on "The Gold Shields Show" to reveal the intense boot camp the cast goes through to make sure the movements and weapons handling is as accurate as possible. "We train for a month prior. He puts you through basically a boot camp and we have our whether it be a SEAL or Green Beret or Delta Guy, whatever, they come out and they help us and they really work with us. And these are people that are, I mean, I look at these guys, I'm like, 'You guys are extremely patient people.' Because we are actors. We are not operators like we are trying our best to play but I think we are all very aware that we, you know, we are not the real deal but in order to portray it, like you you have to go through, for us, we have to go through a month if not more training," Wagner explained on the podcast. LAYSLA DE OLIVEIRA TEASES ‘LIONESS’ SEASON 3 DEBUT WITH BEHIND-THE-SCENES PHOTOS The talented actress continued, "And that's just for the technical side of things. That's just for the gun side of things. And then as you know, I'm sure you guys know, it's a perishable skill. So if you're not shooting every day, if you're not doing something, you can forget and you can pick up bad habits. So, our technical advisors, there was at least one on set at all times, if not two, and we would go over all of our choreography and, you know, wear those guys out with questions. But they were always great, and I and I think that was very important with Taylor. You know, a lot of these shows don't have technical advisors there behind the camera every single day watching every move that all of us do." "Now, and I'm sure now that I say that, I'm sure that I'm going to do something dumb in the next episode and everybody's going to be like, 'Where was the technical advice for that day?" Look, I get it all the time, but yeah, it's really important to I know all of our actors that we at least look the part as much as we can," Wagner further commented. The "Lioness" actress also revealed she underwent a physical transformation to look the part of an elite operator. You can watch Wagner's full comments in the video below starting around 8:22, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. NEW LIONESS SEASON 3 TRAILER SIGNALS TAYLOR SHERIDAN IS TAKING THE PARAMOUNT+ SERIES TO NEW HEIGHTS The effort and training the "Lioness" cast puts in certainly doesn't go unnoticed. While my CQB knowledge is limited (I have never done CQB at a high level and would get melted by any well-trained guy in a heartbeat), I know enough to understand the show makes it feel as real as possible. After all, it's a TV show. Expecting it to be as accurate as SEAL Team 6 or Delta Force hitting a target is utterly ridiculous. All you can hope is for the action sequences to be as believable as possible, and "Lioness" easily accomplishes that goal. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS It's another masterclass from Sheridan and everyone involved. Check out the season three premiere if you want an outstanding example. What do you think about "Lioness"? Let me know at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a846a162c5335ae104813ac 2 Workers Missing After Explosions and Fire at Ohio Recycling Plant te 2026-08-18T14:20:06.253Z 2 Workers Missing After Explosions and Fire at Ohio Recycling Plant Chemical tanks had ruptured during the incident but officials said there was no immediate threat to the Toledo area. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a846a152c5335ae104813a3 An A.I. Tax Boom Could Curtail America’s Debt. But Not Solve It. te 2026-08-18T14:20:05.184Z An A.I. Tax Boom Could Curtail America’s Debt. But Not Solve It. The consequences of A.I. for the budget will largely hinge on whether — and to what extent — the technology reshapes the labor market. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a846a132c5335ae1048139a Google Just Made It Easier for Campaigns to Send You Fund-Raising Emails te 2026-08-18T14:20:03.928Z Google Just Made It Easier for Campaigns to Send You Fund-Raising Emails Republicans previously sued Google claiming its spam filter was biased, but the case was dismissed. The company will now allow verified campaigns to more easily bypass the spam filter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8467c62c5335ae10481358 Ohio State moves Senior Day away from Michigan game in an effort to remove 'distractions' te 2026-08-18T14:10:14.156Z Ohio State moves Senior Day away from Michigan game in an effort to remove 'distractions' The final home game on the schedule for every college football program in the country has always served as an opportunity for programs to honor the seniors on the roster. For Ohio State this season, honoring its seniors ahead of the Buckeyes' home finale against Michigan is apparently just too tall an order. Ohio State recently announced that it will be moving its Senior Day to Week 1 when Ball State comes to town on Sept. 5. In other words, instead of honoring its seniors ahead of the biggest rivalry in all of college football, Ohio State is opting to do so ahead of what may be the least-anticipated matchup on its schedule. Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day admitted that rivalry week for the Michigan game simply has too many distractions, and moving Senior Day festivities removes one of them. "When we look at all the things that go on that (rivalry) weekend, the way things have changed, there are some things that we thought about," Day shared with the media, according to the Delaware Gazette. "The first thing was, we want to keep much of the focus on The Game, and the more distractions we have — there’s already enough distractions during that week — so this was just one more thing that we felt like we could move." MICHIGAN'S NEW HEAD COACH POURS COLD WATER ON OHIO STATE RIVALRY: 'HATE IS A STRONG WORD' Day went on to explain that he and the staff addressed the seniors on the team with the idea, and they collectively agreed that moving Senior Day to Week 1 was a great idea. THESE ONCE-ANNUAL COLLEGE RIVALRIES USED TO DEFINE COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND NEED TO MAKE A COMEBACK ASAP In the grand scheme of things, the only people who truly care about Senior Day and the traditions that come along with it are the seniors themselves and the family members in attendance. Moving Senior Day doesn't really matter, but it's impossible to ignore that Ohio State is already discussing "distractions" surrounding The Game against Michigan weeks before the newest season has even kicked off. Ohio State ended its four-game losing streak to the Wolverines a season ago with a 27-9 victory in Ann Arbor, and the Buckeyes are clearly and publicly pulling out all the stops to pick up their first win against Michigan in Columbus for the first time since 2018. Maybe Ohio State begins a new Senior Day trend, seeing as how the final week of the regular season is rivalry week for many teams around college football. Then again, keeping a semblance of tradition in a sport that feels to be in a state of constant change would be refreshing. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8467c52c5335ae1048134f Spanish journalist says Ceuta residents believe government isn't doing enough to prevent another migrant rush te 2026-08-18T14:10:13.428Z Spanish journalist says Ceuta residents believe government isn't doing enough to prevent another migrant rush Residents of Ceuta, Spain's North African enclave bordering Morocco, are saying that the government is not doing enough to prevent another mass immigration event like the July 30 influx of approximately 70,000 migrants into the city, conservative Spanish journalist Javier Negre told Fox News Digital. "The local citizens, they are really sad. And no matter if they are left or right, What they say is like, it's really complicated to live right now in Ceuta," Negre told Fox News Digital in an interview. Negre said citizens have cited incidents in which migrants committed crimes including robbery and attempted rape, adding "they live in the street and the people are really scared." "We need in Spain, we need in Europe, governments that try to avoid the illegal immigration right now because it's not fair for the citizens that pay taxes to have social security, to have healthcare and these illegal migrants, they collapse the hospitals, they collapsed the universities, the schools, and it's not fair for the Spanish people," Negre said. STATE DEPARTMENT RAISES TRAVEL WARNING FOR PART OF SPAIN AS MIGRANT SURGE SPARKS MILITARY DEPLOYMENT The residents who reportedly spoke to Negre seemingly echoed comments from Juan Jesús Vivas, Ceuta's Mayor-President. Speaking during an extraordinary session of the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, Vivas said the migrant rush put public safety and public health at risk and threatened to collapse the city's immigration infrastructure. "Furthermore, the morale of Ceuta's residents is severely affected. Our population feels sad, helpless, uneasy, fearful, and worried — and with good reason. It is inevitable to wonder whether this will happen again, and if that next time will be the definitive plunge into the abyss, causing us to cease being what we are: Spain and Europe," Vivas said. Following a circulation of social media messages in Morocco calling for migrants to again rush the Spanish enclave on Aug. 15, both Spain and Morocco beefed up security on their respective sides of the border, in addition to the maritime barriers Spain put up after the initial incident saw migrants swim ashore. But, Negre said Moroccan officials told him that the increased measures are not enough. "I know that today the Spanish government and the Moroccan government, they say that they are going to put more police, but it's not enough," Negre said. "We need more police," he continued. "We need to have more border security because people don't understand why they're paying taxes, why they're giving a lot of money to the state if they can't block the frontier to these illegal migrants that they are not escaping from a war or a difficult situation," Negre told Fox News Digital. Negre criticized Spain's government, led by left-wing Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and his party, Vox. The journalist pointed to Spanish media reports arguing that Sánchez's frosty relationship with Morocco may have contributed to the migration incident. "Pedro Sánchez, who is involved in a lot of scandals of corruption, he went to Algeria, and there are some rumors that maybe the king of Morocco try to promote this illegal invasion to tell the Spanish government, 'hey, take it easy,'" Negre explained. TRUMP CRITICIZES SPAIN AMID IRAN, NATO RIFT AS PM SANCHEZ FACES QUESTIONS OVER POLITICAL MOTIVES Sánchez traveled to Algeria on July 20, 10 days before the migration incident, in an effort to restore diplomatic ties after a freeze in the countries' relationship over Morocco's claim to the Western Sahara. Western Sahara, a desolate region in northwest Africa, has long been the focus of hostile relations between Algeria and Morocco. In 2020, the U.S. officially recognized Morocco's claim of sovereignty over the region. While Spain does not officially recognize that claim, Sánchez did endorse Morocco's autonomy plan for the region, which proposes limited self-governance under Moroccan sovereignty to be the "most serious, realistic, and credible basis" for resolving a long-standing dispute between Morocco and Algeria over the territory. Sánchez revealed his decision in a March 2022 letter to Morocco's King Mohammed VI, a letter he sent less than a year after another migrant influx from Morocco into Ceuta. During that May 2021 incident, Moroccan border guards appeared to stand down while 10,000 people flooded into Ceuta from the African nation. 'YOU'RE DESTROYING YOUR COUNTRIES': IS EUROPE FINALLY HEEDING TRUMP'S WARNING ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION? While Moroccan officials denied they instructed border guards to stand down, the European Parliament passed a resolution condemning Morocco for the incident, citing statements from Morocco's Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledging that the incident was retaliation for Spain treating the leader of a Western Saharan rebel group at a Spanish hospital. Negre also took aim at European leadership writ large, contrasting European Parliament with President Donald Trump. "Europe is going really bad with illegal immigration, with the open frontiers, completely opposite as the politics of President Trump with border security and deporting all the illegal migrants," he told Fox News Digital, while praising Trump's proposed legislation to require voter identification, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, known as the SAVE Act. Fox News Digital contacted the governments of Spain, Ceuta, Morocco and Algeria for further comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8467c42c5335ae10481346 Former Nickelodeon child star reveals hidden price of fame after sharing residual checks worth pennies te 2026-08-18T14:10:12.738Z Former Nickelodeon child star reveals hidden price of fame after sharing residual checks worth pennies The price of childhood fame can be steep. The checks that come afterward? Sometimes just pennies. "Ned's Declassified" alum Jennifer Tedmori recently went viral after revealing the surprisingly small residual checks she still receives from her time on the hit Nickelodeon sitcom. The former child star-turned-lawyer, who now hosts the mental health podcast "Off My Meds," told Fox News Digital that those small payments expose just one part of the hidden cost of fame that can follow child actors long after the cameras stop rolling. 'MARRIED... WITH CHILDREN' STAR TED MCGINLEY REVEALS HE GETS PENNY RESIDUAL CHECKS FROM HIS HIT TV SHOWS "I've had a lot of time to think about why so many child actors struggle into adulthood," she said. "I think it's a couple of things. I think home life is a big part of it. I think upbringing, I think intentions as to why somebody is in the business is a big one. "But I think, as I watch some colleagues and co-stars go through really tough times with being an adult, I think I would just want the public to know that these are human beings. And I think there should be a level of compassion that is given to some of them because, as much as they're prepared for being a child star, they really aren't prepared for the adult world. And they're not really taught the real world things outside of acting that can prepare them for just being a regular human being." When Tedmori sifts through stacks of unopened mail only to find residual checks worth pocket change — sometimes just a few cents, occasionally $5 — she laughs. But behind the humor is a reality that could have looked very different. WATCH: JENNIFER TEDMORI REVEALS REALITY BEHIND ACTORS’ RESIDUAL CHECKS Growing up, Tedmori said she was encouraged to build a life beyond acting and pursue other passions. Many of her peers, she noted, were prepared for fame and success — but not for what happens when the spotlight fades and the hit show ends. "I made the conscious decision after I was around 18 and figuring out part-time jobs and how I was going to move forward with the uncertainty of an actor's life that I decided to go to law school," she said. "And I think that was the best decision I could have ever made for myself because I am someone that values stability, financial stability. But when it comes to child actors, there's a misconception that they are set for life." "There is a misconception that, if we see somebody on a show, that fame equals wealth," Tedmori said. "That's not the case for most people." On "Ned's Declassified," Tedmori played Doris Trembly, a member of the "Huge Crew," a group of girls who had crushes on Ned (Devon Werkheiser). The show aired for three seasons from 2004 to 2007. "... Anybody that's getting residuals, they taper off over time," she said. "And if it's anything like what I'm getting, which from what my colleagues and former co-stars have been saying, they're all getting the same type of checks. ... So, there is a misunderstanding that you are set for life, and that isn't necessarily the case. ... And in most cases, I think it costs more in their mental health than it does in the checks that they're getting in terms of the value lost and value earned for a child actor. ... I think it ends up being kind of rough for them." In her viral video, Tedmori opened checks for 68 cents, 87 cents, 36 cents, 45 cents, two for three cents, three for 81 cents and two for $1.01. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "So for 'Ned's Declassified,' that earned me a grand total of $8.63," she said while sitting in her car. "With '90210,' $30.06. Maybe I can go buy a coffee at Starbucks. Do I even report this to the IRS? They're not even going to give a f---." The largest check Tedmori found in the pile wasn't for "Ned's Declassified," but for her work on CW's "90210." She appeared in the reboot as "Goth Girl." The check was for $21.43. WATCH: JENNIFER TEDMORI REVEALS SURPRISING ‘90210’ RESIDUAL CHECK "I'm super grateful for the opportunities I've had in my career, and with 'Ned's Declassified,'" Tedmori clarified. "... But the lawyer in me really has to contemplate if there’s a better system for doing this. ... It costs more to pay somebody to issue the check and for them to go to SAG-AFTRA, and then for them to write a statement, print the check, put it in an envelope and then send it to me for all of 2 cents. ... And what’s crazy is I can’t even electronically deposit these checks. It’s too low of an amount. ... So then I’ve got to go to the bank, look somebody in the eye, and be like, ‘Here’s my check for all of 2 cents that I’m cashing.’" Fox News Digital reached out to SAG-AFTRA for comment. Tedmori believes there's a more meaningful way to put these "penny checks" to use. She suggested actors with envelopes piling up could pool the money. Collectively, she said, those pennies could help create a fund for struggling peers. "So many actors have talked about their experiences with residual checks, specifically the penny checks and not depositing them, but not throwing them away," she said. "[We should allow] actors the opportunity to donate them or put them in a charity fund for creatives." "I think about when I go to the grocery store, and they ask me if I want to donate the remainder of the less than a dollar amount to round up to a charity of their choosing," she said. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "I think, why can't we do the same as actors? I don't know what that looks like, but I did have the thought that I would so gladly donate all of my residual payments to a charity or some sort of actor's equity fund to help struggling creatives. And I think specifically, with these checks, it adds up. So for me, what seems like $8.63 from 'Ned's Declassified' and $8 from my co-star and another, that might not be a lot of money to a charity, but I think, as a whole, could actually be a significant amount that could go help a greater cause." Tedmori said she's considering a social media series about the residual checks to shed light on the realities of child stardom. "I think it's something that probably should be talked about more, just because more people don't realize it," she said. "Growing up, I don't think that there was a whole lot of conversation about finances. Maybe there should have been. I was just doing it because I love to act. I love to perform. And for me, it was fun. I didn't really think about what that might look like financially down the line." Fox News Digital's Tracy Wright contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8467c42c5335ae1048133d Chicago found millions for migrants. Why are its own children being left behind? te 2026-08-18T14:10:12.002Z Chicago found millions for migrants. Why are its own children being left behind? The numbers for the elementary school down the block from my church are discouraging. The latest CPS data for Dulles Elementary School show that just 13.7% of Dulles students are proficient in English language arts and 3.9% are proficient in math. Dulles spends significantly less per student than some districtwide estimates of CPS spending. This is shocking, mind-boggling, and if this isn’t a crime against humanity, then I don’t know what is. The numbers only get worse. The school spends about $16,200 per student. The Chicago Public Schools district average is roughly $27,000 to $32,000 per student. How is this inequity possible in this age of DEI? We live in one of the bluest cities in America, and our mayor, Brandon Johnson, brags about having the "Blackest administration" and always talks about fighting White supremacy. And yet he is comfortable with this disparity in school spending? Why aren’t all the White DEI folks on the North Side of Chicago outraged over this inequity? CHICAGO’S EMPTY 'GHOST SCHOOLS' TEACH US ABOUT HOW THE SYSTEM IS FAILING On top of this, Chicago Public Schools is staring down a roughly $732 million budget deficit. Just last summer, the district laid off 1,458 employees, including 432 teachers and 677 special education assistants. This year, the board restored proposed cuts in part by assuming an additional $150 million from the state that lawmakers have not committed. But this is not a solution, and it will only lead to more debt. Now here is what is infuriating to me. Guess how much the city spent on services for the migrants and asylum seekers coming into town between August 2022 and the end of 2024. Chicago’s inspector general found that roughly $639.6 million in city and grant funds was spent on services for new arrivals between August 2022 and the end of 2024. Why weren’t more unrestricted city resources directed toward our struggling schools instead? I am a pastor. I believe in compassion. But it is morally wrong to assign so many of our taxpayer dollars to non-citizens who came to the United States and are now receiving taxpayer-funded services in Chicago. Every dollar of unrestricted public money spent on one priority is a dollar that cannot be spent on another, including our schools. We can apply the cold tools of cost-benefit analysis here, and I’m always going to take the side of our children. I believe in taking care of our own home first because it puts us on the right footing to extend a strong, helping hand to others. Right now, we are creating children weak in the mind, and in what universe is that moral or right? What I want to know is why we have chosen to prize the newly arrived over those of us who were born, through no fault of their own, into generational poverty. CHICAGO PASTOR GATHERS HUNDREDS OF MEN TO DECLARE VIOLENCE-FREE ZONE ON SOUTH SIDE Just a few years ago, nearly every leader in Chicago was chanting "Black Lives Matter!" I guess that was just an empty slogan and they’re insincere people. Where is the urgent help for the kids who cannot read, the special-needs students who need consistent aides, and the teachers stretched thin every day? If equity means anything, it should start with the children who have been failed the longest in the neighborhoods that vote most consistently for these leaders.  CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION I don’t agree with their vote, and I’ve told them so. Yet, I have no problem telling Mayor Brandon Johnson, "They voted for you, so why don’t you start doing your job and representing them? Or are they just your pawns?" If you walk the halls of our South Side schools, you will meet students who cannot read at grade level, special-needs children who need consistent support, and teachers who are exhausted from doing more with less. Enrollment has declined. Buildings are aging. Pensions and debt eat huge portions of the budget. Yet year after year, the deficit returns, and year after year, the conversation turns to everything except the hard choices that put local kids first. I have spent years in the streets of this city trying to build something better for the next generation. Project H.O.O.D. is about opportunity, not excuses. Education is the foundation of that opportunity. When a district repeatedly faces shortfalls in the hundreds of millions of dollars while hundreds of millions flow to other priorities, the message to our children is unmistakable: You are not the priority. I do not write this out of anger. I write it out of love for the kids I see every day. They deserve adults who will fight as hard for their classrooms as they fight for every other cause. Until that happens, the view from the South Side will keep showing the same picture: struggling schools, deferred maintenance on our children’s futures, and a city that keeps choosing everything else first. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM PASTOR COREY BROOKS Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8467bc2c5335ae10481306 Warp’s new system is an out-of-the-box software factory for AI development te 2026-08-18T14:10:04.466Z Warp’s new system is an out-of-the-box software factory for AI development On Tuesday, Warp introduced Warp Factories, a new infrastrructure system designed to make building AI software factories as easy as possible. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8467ba2c5335ae104812fd Anthro Energy breaks ground on factory that could pave the road to solid-state batteries te 2026-08-18T14:10:02.331Z Anthro Energy breaks ground on factory that could pave the road to solid-state batteries Battery materials startup Anthro Energy has broken ground on a Louisville factory to make electrolytes, including those for solid-state batteries. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8465632c5335ae1048117c OpenAI launches a safer ChatGPT for teens — years after teens started using it te 2026-08-18T14:00:03.524Z OpenAI launches a safer ChatGPT for teens — years after teens started using it ChatGPT for Teens adds age-appropriate safety measures, parental controls, and learning tools designed to steer teens away from harmful content — and from using AI to cheat on their homework. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84630e2c5335ae10481141 Trump Honors a Teenage Lifeguard and Takes Aim at a CNN Reporter te 2026-08-18T13:50:06.205Z Trump Honors a Teenage Lifeguard and Takes Aim at a CNN Reporter President Trump told a journalist to “be quiet” at a White House event for a California lifeguard and a boy he saved. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84630b2c5335ae10481120 Perplexity’s free AI offer left it with millions more users in India te 2026-08-18T13:50:03.255Z Perplexity’s free AI offer left it with millions more users in India Perplexity's India revenue rose about 60% after the Airtel offer ended for new users, even as downloads declined. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a845e692c5335ae10480e44 Cubs fans get into nasty brawl in bleachers, SMU's football cheerleaders are dialed in & Baker gets tricked te 2026-08-18T13:30:17.846Z Cubs fans get into nasty brawl in bleachers, SMU's football cheerleaders are dialed in & Baker gets tricked As I sit down to pump out Tuesday Screencaps, I cannot believe what I'm seeing in the sky –– blue. No clouds. No signs of 80% humidity and temps hovering in the low 90s. I'm not some pumpkin spice latte mafia member, but I will say it's nice to look outside this morning and not see signs of butt crack sweat. Speaking of butt cracks, let's go to Wrigley Field where the boys were brawling in the bleachers last night. We have butt cracks. We have Fat Sandberg getting lit up and we have a group of boys who wanted to fight until the fight came to them and then they definitely didn't want the fight. The other thing I focused on here is that low man won the fight. I've been writing about stadium fights on the Internet for nearly 20 years. Do you know how many times low man wins? Like 3% of the time. This one is on you, Fat Sandberg. If you're going to talk like that, you better be able to control the high ground. 📩 Email: joe.kinsey@outkick.com Send photos, stories, tips, rants—whatever you've got. 📰 Screencaps Page: 👉 Read the latest Screencaps ▶️ YouTube: Screencaps with Joe Kinsey Subscribe for videos, rants, and behind-the-scenes. 🐦 Twitter/X: @JoeKinseyexp Tag me or drop a DM. 📸 Instagram: @OutKickScreencaps You guys need to start tagging me on content you're seeing. 📘 Facebook Page: Screencaps on Facebook 👥 Facebook Group: Join the Screencaps Community 📬 Mail (Thursday Night Mowing League): 27072 Carronade Dr, Unit A 155 Perrysburg, OH 43551 🗞️ Newsletter: 👉 Subscribe here If you followed my tweets Monday, you know that alarm bells are going off in my head over what the NFL is about to do with flag football. You're about to be beaten over the head with this stuff for the next 18 months as the league does whatever it takes to make flag football 'important' before the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. You can imagine my emotions when, last night, I turned YouTubeTV to NFL Network only to find, just weeks from the start of the NFL season, that the channel was showing flag football. Talk about disgusting. US FLAG FOOTBALL TEAM STUNNED BY AMERICAN SAMOA IN SHOCKING FIRST LOSS IN 14 YEARS Add in the stunt the Chargers pulled Sunday with Harbaugh and members of the team wearing "Everyone Watches Women's Sports" and you have all the indications of what the activists are up to behind the scenes. Am I just a conspiracy nut? Those "Everyone Watches Women's Sports" shirts the Chargers were wearing are sold by Nike. The shirts are the brainchild of TOGETHXR, a brand founded by Sue Bird and other activist athles. You'll be reading more about that group later today on OutKick. Meanwhile, the morning after the Chargers wore those shirts, Nike broke resistance. I'll be damned. Stay woke, Nike. JEMELE HILL IS RIGHT: WNBA FANS EXPECT JOURNALISTS TO BE 'CHEERLEADERS,' AND THAT'S NOT HOW THIS WORKS – Will in Mississippi emails: I use the FlightRadar24 app to track flights and mainly to see where the planes I see overhead are coming from and going to. What I really like is the website which shows the Top 10 most tracked flights in the world. (See attached). You maybe can do this in the app but I haven't figured out how or maybe you need the paid app. – Dean in Fond du Lac, WI says: Millennial Chris B. in Bowling Green should use his Flight Radar 24 to check on Oshkosh, WI, the week of the annual EAA Air Venture Convention in Oshkosh, which occurs in the second half of July.  The Air Traffic Control Tower at Oshkosh’s Wittman Regional Airport is manned by the best of the best of our nation’s Air Traffic Controllers.  I have included a screenshot of Flight Radar 24 from my phone from Tuesday, July 21 at 8:07 am, which was one of the "less busy" times of the convention.  The line of aircraft coming in for a landing looks mind boggling to handle but the ATC’s do it without incident.  It’s even more crowded in the skies on the Friday and Saturday before the convention starts!  Wittman Regional Airport becomes the world’s busiest airport during the week of AirVenture handling everything from private planes to current military aircraft to jet airliners to vintage World War II and Korean War aircraft.  I use the Flight Radar to see which World War II military aircraft fly over my house so I can go out see them in flight as they get into the landing pattern. – Brad S. loves this app: I enjoy the Flight Aware app and have become a nerd with it! I've been an aviation nut since I was a kid (we lived next door to a 747 captain) and a pilot since I was in college. (Shout out to the - former- U of I Institute of Aviation!) Last night, while I was enjoying a fine cigar and adult beverage, I saw a light moving west to east in the northern sky and knew it was the KLM Cargo flight from O'Hare to Frankfurt - even before I checked the app! OK, maybe I enjoy it too much. FATAL AIR AMBULANCE CRASH EXPOSES GROWING GPS DANGER FACING US FLIGHTS – Jon in Indy tells me: Regarding Flightradar 24, my wife and I regularly sit out by the garage with adult beverages and check out planes going by.  When anything passes by even remotely from the west, we'll yell "Comin' from Vegas baby!!".  Which probably isn't very thoughtful, since it's usually around midnight and the neighbors' houses are dark. – Gary M. is back: My children tell me I have "aviation autism" as I have both FlightAware and Flightradar 24. Personally I prefer Flightradar 24 and it is worth the $15 per year subscription to get the additional aircraft and airport details. I guess my old days in the USAF never do leave. Currently we are sitting on the cruise ship in Barcelona waiting to head out. We are in the final approach landing pattern for Barcelona International and yes I am using Flightradar 24. I know I need help…. – Brandon in NW Houston is addicted: I 100% have this app on my phone's front page.  My favorite part is the AR feature.  You aim your camera at a plane and it pops up a little info card giving you all the info..aircraft type, origin/destination, etc.. FLAMES SHOOT FROM AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT BEFORE EMERGENCY LANDING Philly Ray in MN can't believe that Dude Wipes has leaned into the stupid craze. Do we have any readers who use these wipes? I want to hear from you. Yes, I'll keep you anonymous. – Mike from Centerville, OH checks in: You're in to covering sports and culture. In my opinion I believe you need to get an Outkick booth, or at least media pass, to cover the Cincinnati (Mason, OH) Open in the future. This is really where sports (tennis) and culture collide. It truly is a world-class event. Between the 4 major tennis championships (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and U.S Open) there are 9 other major Tennis tournaments played in the world. And only 4 are played in North America: Indian Wells, CA (Palm Springs), Miami and a rotation between Toronto & Montreal along with Mason. But, with all of that said, would you pay $105 for a steak to eat with plastic utensils?! That's what one vendor is charging! I didn't believe it, but when the little misses told me what she paid for our 2 burgers I had to go over and look at the menu. Yeah, I know, it's a shi–y picture, but I didn't want to be too obvious....Probably need a new phone too. But $105. For a steak you have to use a plastic knife to cut. The misses, after ordering our expensive burgers, told me she saw a woman drop over $300. So, I went over and asked what type of cutlery do we get to cut the $105 steak. It's plastic, but wrapped in a "nice" napkin. Seriously. Look, I'm a huge proponent of capitalism and if that vendor can make that work I'm all for him. And, I know, this being a world-class event this is some people's annual vacation/trip so they're willing to spend more on the trip. But a $105 steak you have to eat with a plastic fork and cut with a plastic knife?! Where did common sense go? Kinsey: Hold up, you're supposed to cut the steak with a plastic knife? If you're successful cutting the steak with a plastic knife, I might need to try said steak. #################### ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! And with that, let's roll. I have an NFL flag story to publish. Have a great day. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a845e682c5335ae10480e31 Boulevard Glass & Metal Offers Shower Door Replacements in Lower Burrell, PA te 2026-08-18T13:30:16.480Z Boulevard Glass & Metal Offers Shower Door Replacements in Lower Burrell, PA Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a845e672c5335ae10480e28 Geely Auto Reports Record H1 2026 Revenue of RMB 173.6 Billion; Core Profit Attributable to Owners of the Parent Rises 46% te 2026-08-18T13:30:15.636Z Geely Auto Reports Record H1 2026 Revenue of RMB 173.6 Billion; Core Profit Attributable to Owners of the Parent Rises 46% Revenue reached an all-time first-half high of RMB 173.6 billion (up 15% YoY). Core profit attributable to owners of the parent rose 46% to RMB 9.68 billion. Total vehicle sales volume hit 1.42 million units, supported by strong performances across… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a845e662c5335ae10480e1f Geely Auto Reports Record H1 2026 Revenue of RMB 173.6 Billion; Core Profit Attributable to Owners of the Parent Rises 46% te 2026-08-18T13:30:14.733Z Geely Auto Reports Record H1 2026 Revenue of RMB 173.6 Billion; Core Profit Attributable to Owners of the Parent Rises 46% Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a845e652c5335ae10480e16 Toys for Tots Literacy Program’s Operation Turn the Page is Unlocking Futures Through Books te 2026-08-18T13:30:13.881Z Toys for Tots Literacy Program’s Operation Turn the Page is Unlocking Futures Through Books Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a845e642c5335ae10480e0d Toys for Tots Literacy Program’s Operation Turn the Page is Unlocking Futures Through Books te 2026-08-18T13:30:12.934Z Toys for Tots Literacy Program’s Operation Turn the Page is Unlocking Futures Through Books Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a845e5c2c5335ae10480ddb Apple’s new macOS update reportedly contains a video of AirPods with a camera te 2026-08-18T13:30:04.265Z Apple’s new macOS update reportedly contains a video of AirPods with a camera A video in a MacOS Tahoe release candidate version shows a user wearing AirPods, looking at a book, and talking to Siri. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8459b42c5335ae10480d5c Hayden Panettiere and the child stars whose relationships with their momagers turned complicated te 2026-08-18T13:10:12.933Z Hayden Panettiere and the child stars whose relationships with their momagers turned complicated Hayden Panettiere’s death at the age of 36 came just months after the late actress publicly opened up about her estrangement from her mother and former manager, Lesley Vogel. The former "Heroes" star died on Sunday at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, where she had been temporarily staying. Authorities have said the cause and manner of her death remain under investigation. In her memoir "This Is Me: A Reckoning," published in May, Panettiere detailed her complicated relationship with Vogel, who managed the actress's career after she began working in the entertainment industry as a baby. HAYDEN PANETTIERE DEAD AT 36 During an interview with Us Weekly, Panettiere confirmed that she and Vogel were not in contact. "Unfortunately, we don’t have a relationship right now," she told the outlet in May. "But that doesn’t mean that I don’t leave the door open for the opportunity to present itself one day. It’s hard for me to say, but I’ve chosen to be brutally honest." Born in Palisades, New York, Panettiere was the daughter of former soap opera actress Vogel and New York City firefighter Alan "Skip" Panettiere. Panettiere signed with the modeling agency Wilhelmina Models at eight-months-old and booked her first commercial at eleven months. She landed her first recurring television role in the long-running soap opera "One Life to Live" when she was 4. ‘PARENT TRAP’ STAR HAYLEY MILLS LOST HER DISNEY FORTUNE TO ‘THE TAX MAN’ Vogel assumed the role of Panettiere's manager, making business and financial decisions for her daughter throughout her childhood. In her memoir, Panettiere reflected on growing up with Vogel overseeing her career and how the blurred lines between mother and manager affected their relationship long after she became an adult. Panettiere portrayed Vogel as a domineering and complicated figure in her childhood, alleging that her mother could be volatile and withholding of affection as she managed her daughter’s career. During an interview with The Independent in May, Panettiere recalled how she was lauded for her acting skills at a very early age and began to associate professional praise with maternal affection. GOLDIE HAWN SOUNDS THE ALARM ON CHILDHOOD CELEBRITY CULTURE: 'ALL I CAN SAY IS IT'S A NIGHTMARE' "Getting that kind of praise so young made me feel empowered and happy," Panettiere said. "But it was also all wrapped up in pleasing my mom. Her opinions were the most important to me. I associated praise with love. So being praised felt like being loved." In her book, Panettiere also recounted specific incidents to illustrate the pressures she faced as her mother managed her career. In one striking anecdote, Panettiere recalled losing a baby tooth at age 8 less than 24 hours before an important audition. Panettiere wrote that both she and Vogel became panicked, fearing the gap would prevent her from booking the gig. She claimed that Vogel ultimately superglued the tooth to her dental flipper and she went on to land the job. During an appearance on Jay Shetty's "On Purpose" podcast in May, Panettiere described how she had felt about the dynamic that emerged from Vogel serving as both her mother and manager. HAYDEN PANETTIERE SAYS FILMING ‘NASHVILLE’ WAS LIKE LIVING THROUGH ADDICTION TWICE "Everything was business," she recalled. "I became the confidant and the assistant and the therapist and the shoulder to cry on and everything but her child." After years as a successful child actor, Panettiere skyrocketed to fame at 17 when she landed the role of cheerleader Claire Bennet on NBC’s hit series "Heroes," which premiered in 2006. While speaking with Shetty, Panettiere recalled that at age 19, she decided to end her business relationship with Vogel because she wanted them to have a more normal mother-daughter relationship. "I said to her, ‘I don’t want us to work together anymore. I just want you to be my mom,’" Panettiere remembered. "I remember being hopeful," she continued. "But I also wasn’t expecting the reaction that I got, which was, ‘You owe me.’ And that’s all she said. And she walked out." Panettiere said that she later ruminated on her mother's comment, which she found confusing. "It was like this dark looming cloud, you know, over my head going, ‘What does she mean by I owe her?’ ‘What form of payment is she expecting?,'" Panettiere remembered. "And it was disappointing to find out that it was money and that she didn't pursue a relationship with me as just a mother/daughter." "The fact that she didn’t care to have a relationship with me was a tough pill to swallow," she added. FORMER DISNEY STAR MAITLAND WARD SAYS YOUNG ACTORS WERE TREATED LIKE A 'PRODUCT' IN HOLLYWOOD FACTORY Although Panettiere stressed that she wasn't solely supporting her family as a child actor, she said Vogel established a corporation around her work and some of her childhood earnings went toward family expenses, including car leases and cell phone bills. She described the dynamic as "role reversal," that left her feeling "incredibly uncomfortable." Panettere's parents separated in 2008 and finalized their divorce in 2016. The former couple also shared son Jansen Panettiere, who died suddenly in 2023 at the age of 28 due to heart complications. Vogel has previously disputed Panettiere's portrayal of their relationship. In May, ahead of the publication of Panettiere's book, Vogel addressed her estrangement from her daughter. "After 20 years of trauma, I took the advice of professionals and chose the no-contact route," she told Page Six in part at the time. "As many parents of entertainment children [know], we are all too familiar with the painful observation of watching the self-destructive paths they sometimes choose. No parent hopes for this scenario; we want our children to be the best of themselves and live a peaceful, joyful life!" Vogel also suggested that the public airing of their family conflict was "partially to sell books." Fox News Digital has reached out to Vogel for comment on her daughter’s death and Panettiere’s previous statements about their relationship. Panettiere was far from the first former child star whose relationship with a parent became complicated when the mother doubled as a manager. Here's a look at other actresses who have opened up about fraught family dynamics with their former momagers. Former "iCarly" star Jennette McCurdy has frequently spoken out candidly about her difficult relationship with her late mother and former manager Debra McCurdy. In her bestselling 2022 memoir "I’m Glad My Mom Died," Jennette wrote extensively about their dynamic, describing Debra as intensely controlling and abusive. Jennette recalled that Debra pushed Jennette into the acting industry at age 6 to live out her own unfulfilled dreams, though the Nickelodeon star has said she never wanted to become an actress. "My mom had always dreamt of being a famous actor and she became obsessed with making me a star," McCurdy claimed in a 2021 interview with People magazine. "I felt like my job was to keep the peace and I wanted to make my mom happy." In her memoir and past interviews, Jennette alleged that Debra introduced her to calorie restriction when the actress was 11, leading to lifelong eating disorders. Jennette has accused Debra of monitoring her excessively, performing inappropriate physical exams and continuing to shower her well into her teenage years. The now 34-year-old claimed that Debra controlled every aspect of her personal and financial life until her mother died due to cancer in 2013. She has said that it was only after Debra's death and years of therapy that she came to identify what she had experienced as abuse. Jennette eventually left acting, describing it as an identity her mother had created for her. Brooke Shields has never disputed the complicated relationship she shared with her late mother, Teri Shields, who the actress has described as the "original momager." Teri managed Brooke's career from the time she made her modeling debut at 11 months old into her 20s. Brooke has previously said she supported the family household as a child star and Teri tightly controlled her schedules, sets, and interviews. The actress and model has also spoken out about how she was sexualized and objectified as a minor, including playing a child sex worker in the controversial 1978 movie "Pretty Baby" at 11 to starring in provocative Calvin Klein ads at 15. Teri also struggled with alcoholism, which Brooke has said further complicated their relationship, especially with her mother's dual roles as a mother and manager. In her late 20s, Brooke ultimately fired Teri as her manager, a decision she later described as "the hardest thing" she had ever done. Brooke has described suffering lasting trauma due to growing up with an alcoholic mother, saying she learned from an early age to monitor Teri’s moods and behavior. However, she has resisted portraying herself simply as her mother’s victim, maintaining that Teri fiercely loved and protected her despite their complicated relationship. Teri passed away in October 2012 after a long illness due to dementia. Drew Barrymore has previously described having a complex relationship with her mother and former manager, Jaid Barrymore. After Drew shot to fame in the 1982 mega-hit movie "E.T.: the Extra-Terrestrial" at age 7, her mother brought her along to Hollywood parties and nightclubs while she was still a child, which she said created a dynamic in which Jaid behaved more like a friend than a parent. By 13, Drew began to struggle with addictions to drugs and alcohol. Jaid later admitted her to a psychiatric institution, where she spent 18 months. Drew was legally emancipated from her mother at 14 and began living independently. Despite their painful history, Barrymore has said she and Jaid eventually reconciled and remain in contact. She has acknowledged her mother’s failures while also saying she believes Jaid loved her and was herself ill-equipped to raise a child in the extraordinary circumstances of Drew’s early fame. Leighton Meester’s relationship with her mother and former manager, Constance Meester, eventually deteriorated into a bitter legal battle. At age 11, Leighton launched her modeling career after she and Constance moved from Florida to New York. Leighton made her acting debut at 13 in a 1999 episode of "Law & Order" and landed her breakthrough role in the hit show "Gossip Girl" in 2009 when she was 20. In 2011, at the height of her "Gossip Girl" fame, Leighton sued her mother, alleging that some of the $7,500 she sent home each month to help care for her younger brother, who had serious health problems, was instead being spent on cosmetic procedures and personal expenses, including Botox, plastic surgery and hair extensions. Constance countersued her daughter, claiming Leighton had promised to support her financially and owed her $10,000 a month. A judge ultimately sided with Leighton in 2012, ruling that there was no valid agreement requiring her to financially support her mother. Mischa Barton is another star who found herself facing her mother and former manager Nuala Barton in court. Mischa began acting professionally at age 8, around the same time Nuala began managing her career. Nuala received a 10% management fee from her daughter’s earnings. In 2003, Mischa rose to fame at 17 after landing the role of troubled Newport Beach teen Marissa Cooper on the hit series "The O.C." However, Mischa's personal and professional relationship with her mother eventually fell apart. Mischa sued her mother in 2015, with her complaint describing Nuala as a "greedy stage mother." The actress alleged that her mother had taken control of her finances and lied about how much she was being paid for a film and pocketed the difference. She also accused Nuala of assigning herself co-ownership of a $7.8 million Beverly Hills home that was purchased with Mischa's earnings. Nuala denied the allegations, with her representative calling claims of dishonest or improper conduct "outrageous and patently false." Mischa ultimately moved to dismiss the lawsuit in 2016. During a 2024 appearance on Alex Cooper's "Call Her Daddy" podcast, Mischa explained why she decided to fire Nuala as her manager. "It just wasn’t healthy," she said. "I’ve really learned to prioritize my chosen family and the people who have really, actually been there for me. I don’t rely on any one particular family member anymore. I’ve learned that for my own happiness." Ariel Winter had a turbulent relationship with her mother and former manager Chrisoula "Crystal" Workman and the two have remained estranged for years. Winter previously said her mother "pushed" her into the entertainment industry at age 4 and Workman went on to manage her career. Workman also served as the president and secretary of the family's entertainment company Winter Sky Entertainment. At age 11, Winter was cast in her breakout role as Alex Dunphy on the hit sitcom "Modern Family," which premiered in 2009. When she was 14 in 2012, Winter was removed from the care of Workman amid allegations of physical and emotional abuse and her older sister was appointed her guardian. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Workman also temporarily lost control of her daughter's finances and career. A judge also ordered her to step down from her roles at Winter Sky Entertainment. Court filings also accused Workman of restricting Winter’s food and attempting to sexualize her appearance. Workman has repeatedly denied all allegations. Winter was legally emancipated and declared an adult at age 17 in 2015. She has repeatedly asserted that she and Workman remain estranged. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS During a 2025 interview with People magazine, Winter said her "entire childhood" was her "biggest source of trauma." "It’s a really deep, painful, sore, sore part for me that’s so much deeper and bigger than I’ve ever felt ready to talk about," she said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8459b42c5335ae10480d53 Fox News Power Rankings: As Democrats turn left, Black voters tap the brakes te 2026-08-18T13:10:12.256Z Fox News Power Rankings: As Democrats turn left, Black voters tap the brakes President Trump’s return to office was made possible in part because of increasing support from three traditionally Democratic groups: Hispanic voters (41% supported Trump, a 6-point improvement from 2020), young voters (46%, up 10 points) and Black voters (15%, up 7 points). There isn’t much evidence that Democrats have figured out how to talk to these voters again, but for two of the three groups, Trump’s declining approval rating is doing the job for them. In a recent Marquette survey, two-thirds of young Americans said they disapproved of Trump, and 56% said they would support the Democratic candidate in their district. Hispanics were also unhappy with the president: 71% disapproved of his performance and 56% said they’ll support a Democrat this November. Black voters haven’t come all the way home yet. One in five Black Americans approves of Trump, but only 69% say they’ll support a Democrat in their district. That’s 21 points below Biden’s 2020 share of the Black vote, when he thanked those voters for delivering his victory. DSA BRAND ON TRIAL AS EL-SAYED STRUGGLES WHERE DEMS CAN LEAST AFFORD IT Democratic candidates in three battleground states are also staring at Black voter erosion, but they’ve found ways to stem the losses. In Georgia, Sen. Jon Ossoff is running 10 points behind Biden’s 2020 support among Black voters. In North Carolina, it’s 7 points. In Texas, State Rep. James Talarico is running about even with Black voters over that period. It’s a different story in Michigan. According to a new Fox News poll, 75% of Black voters support newly minted Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed. That’s down 18 points from their support for Biden. EL-SAYED ADMITS FREE HEALTHCARE MEANS PAYING 'A LITTLE BIT MORE IN TAXES' REGARDLESS OF INCOME El-Sayed’s far-left platform is probably playing a role in Black voters’ skepticism. In the Marquette survey, just 36% of Black Americans said they had a favorable view of the Democratic Socialists of America. (Bear in mind that because Black voters are a small group in most surveys, these results have large margins of error.) You can also see it in the maps from three recent Democratic primaries: El-Sayed did poorly in Black-majority areas like Detroit, while Wisconsin democratic socialist Francesca Hong underperformed in Milwaukee, another city with a high Black population. Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a card-carrying member of the DSA, also struggled with Black voters in New York City last year. That might explain why he’s been on a "Black media blitz" to defend some of his most controversial ideas. It might be working: Mamdani’s favorability among New Yorkers sat at 69% in a Siena poll released last week. In any case, the clock is ticking for the far-left. Michigan starts absentee voting on September 24. The state’s Senate race moves to toss-up in this edition of the Fox News Power Rankings, along with another big-name state. Three gubernatorial races also just got more competitive. Senate: Two more states become toss-ups, giving both parties a chance at a landslide MEET THE DEMOCRAT WHO NARROWLY DEFEATED SOCIALIST RIVAL IN KEY SWING-STATE BATTLE OVER THE PARTY’S FUTURE The latest Senate forecast includes six states where neither Democrats nor Republicans have an edge. That could make for an extraordinary election night. In one scenario, the Democrats not only flip the Senate, but end up with 53 seats. In another, Republicans hold on to the Senate with no net loss of seats. The GOP has a better chance at flipping Michigan than it did a week ago. In last week’s Fox survey, former Rep. Mike Rogers had the support of 51% of voters to El-Sayed’s 47%, within the margin of error. Republicans are united in their support for Rogers, a strong and seasoned campaigner. With a quarter of Black voters not backing El-Sayed, his coalition isn’t complete. The fundamentals still favor the Democrats, but in what is certain to be a high-turnout election, El-Sayed will need every Democrat to show up. This race is now a toss-up. FOX NEWS POLL: A SENATE BATTLE LOOMS IN MICHIGAN At the same time, the national environment hasn’t changed. Trump’s overall approval rating is stuck in the 30s; his ratings on the economy and Iran are often lower. Gas prices have proven even tougher to sell: only 21% of Americans recently said they approved of Trump when asked specifically about that issue. That has benefited Talarico, the Democratic candidate for Senate in Texas, who has enjoyed some robust polling results this summer. He’s averaging 48% in three recent polls, hitting 51% in Fox’s survey, while his opponent, Ken Paxton, averages 46%. Paxton’s history of legal and personal issues is likely playing a role in that latter figure, and while Talarico must defend a history of "woke" comments, voters say they’re less worried about those. They could make the difference in an election year that’s already favorable to Democrats. Texas is also a toss-up. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer raised some eyebrows last week when he said Democrats were expanding the Senate map to include Kansas (Trump +16 in 2024) and Mississippi (Trump +23). The comment came shortly after El-Sayed’s victory in Michigan, and with parts of the party establishment balking at that win, Schumer may just be giving donors options. Still, Kansas wouldn’t be out of reach on an outstanding night for Democrats. Megachurch pastor Adam Hamilton is already a well-funded Democratic challenger; he faces incumbent GOP Sen. Roger Marshall. This race moves to Likely R. Governor: Texas, Alaska, and Minnesota are all in play Based on polls alone, Texas’ gubernatorial race looks remarkably similar to the Senate. In the same three polls this summer, incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott has the support of 49% of voters, with Democrat Gina Hinojosa sitting at 46%. There’s more to the story than that. When Republican voters show up in Texas, they easily outnumber Democrats, and while Paxton appears not to be helping this ticket, Abbott’s fundraising prowess and experience in close races should keep the candidates apart when the votes are tallied. Even as Republicans maintain a lead, though, this race is clearly competitive. It moves from Solid R to Likely R. Alaska voters will head to the polls tonight for their top-four primaries, which will narrow the field but won’t tell us a whole lot more. This year’s gubernatorial election features 17 candidates, none of whom is an incumbent, but one might seem that way: Tom Begich, a former Democratic legislator with three relatives who have served in the U.S. House or Senate. It’s a difficult race to predict, but between former Rep. Mary Peltola’s Senate push and Begich’s name on the ballot, it’s going to be competitive. It moves from Likely R to Lean R. Finally, the Republican establishment had a good week in Minnesota, where popular former NFL sideline reporter Michele Tafoya won the party’s nomination for Senate, and state House Speaker Lisa Demuth became the party’s gubernatorial nominee. Demuth will face Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar this November, a formidable opponent who has criticized the state’s handling of fraud involving government programs. But that issue gives the GOP a rare opening in this blue-leaning state, and with this slate of candidates, the party is likely to invest here. Minnesota’s gubernatorial race moves from Solid D to Likely D. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8459b32c5335ae10480d4a Disney sues FCC over ‘retaliatory campaign against ABC,’ seeks to block early renewal proceedings te 2026-08-18T13:10:11.532Z Disney sues FCC over ‘retaliatory campaign against ABC,’ seeks to block early renewal proceedings Disney sued the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Tuesday, seeking to block the agency’s early broadcast license renewal proceedings for ABC stations in a lawsuit alleging First Amendment violations. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr called for early renewal of eight ABC-owned stations' licenses in April.  The Disney-owned ABC stations' licenses were originally scheduled to be renewed between 2028 and 2031, but the FCC expedited the process amid ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. The eight stations must demonstrate they have been operating in the public interest as part of an ongoing look at Disney’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices. In the lawsuit, ABC said the Trump administration "has waged a retaliatory campaign against ABC for a single reason: it disapproves of what ABC broadcasts." ABC is also expected to file a motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction. The FCC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.  An FCC spokesperson previously issued the following statement: "For decades, Americans of all stripes have been subsidizing broadcast media to the tune of many billions of dollars by giving TV stations free use of a valuable, public resource — the airwaves. In exchange, broadcasters are required by law to operate in the public interest, not in the narrow or partisan interests of a political party.  "Broadcasters know that they are prohibited from engaging in invidious forms of DEI discrimination, that they must comply with political equal opportunity regulations and that they are barred from running broadcast hoaxes or distorting the news. The FCC is going to hold broadcasters accountable to the full extent of the law, regardless of any disinformation campaign that some of them may choose to run." This is a developing story, more to come… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8459ad2c5335ae10480d2a A free dishwasher and a path to remain in the classroom te 2026-08-18T13:10:05.323Z A free dishwasher and a path to remain in the classroom While walking his dog, the chemistry teacher saw a dishwasher across the street. It was parked on the curb. It needed a hose and electrical line. It was abandoned. Free. Blake Betteridge was unsure it worked. He only knew he needed one in his chemistry classroom at Desert View High School. Once he got the dishwasher loaded into his room, he found a space, fixed it, and could finally wash the beakers, cylinders and test tubes his students use. Betteridge, 39, is one of several Sunnyside Unified School District teachers whose professional development is funded, allowing them to earn special certification to teach dual enrollment courses.  Ultimately, there’s a student benefit: earning credit toward an associates’ or bachelor’s degree. That support through professional development can also keep teachers in the classroom.  In Arizona, teachers leave their schools at double the national average rate of 7%, according to the Center for the Future of Arizona. Professional development is one way school districts can stand out with customized workshops and programs to grow teachers and keep them beyond that three-to-five year drop-out window. “I had to duct tape the drain hose to the sink,” he said. “And they plumbed the dishwasher for me. It’s been really nice.” Investing in the professional growth of new teachers is good for them professionally and personally. It also makes sense financially for school districts. About this series The teacher retention series is a partnership between Arizona Luminaria education reporter Shannon Conner and 13 News education reporter Isabela Lisco. The project includes 13 newsrooms from around the state, collaborating with the Arizona Local News Foundation. The collection of stories explores Arizona’s teacher retention crises through the voices of Tucson-area educators and how they navigate it with classroom preparation, professional development, and supplementing their careers with second jobs. Watch and read the complete series to hear from teachers, administrators, advocates and experts.  Professional development can mean teacher investment like the dual enrollment certification, a training program or providing deep backgrounding on a district’s culture.  The alternative of teacher turnover is costly: Estimates range from $9,000 to $21,000 per teacher depending on the district, according to the American College of Education. Districts can reduce turnover, save money and improve student achievement when teachers have comprehensive professional training. Betteridge remains at Desert View because of it, he says. Sunnyside investment pays off Subsidizing dual enrollment training for teachers is just one element of professional development the Sunnyside District offers. So far, it’s invested in seven teachers paying — $6,000 each toward their teaching certifications.  It pays off for the students, too. With about 12,000 students districtwide, Sunnyside is offering 25 new sections of dual enrollment courses. Arizona students are twice as likely to enroll in a post-secondary school if they’ve had some experience with dual enrollment, the district says. Taking dual enrollment classes means students are earning high school and community college credit at the same time. Last May, five graduates in the Sunnyside District earned their associate degrees from Pima Community College the day before they graduated from high school. “I think the path for teachers to earn more money or have more voice has often been to go into administration,” said NJ Utter, who retired over the summer as Sunnyside’s student services coordinator. “But we’ve been committed for a long time now to make sure teachers have a voice and opportunities to earn additional money without having to leave the classrooms to do so.” For Betteridge and others, working on their certification rekindled a spark. As a chemistry teacher, it encourages him to teach better, to reach more. Students get that vibe and respond. “We really look at what’s going on in the world that we can relate to what we’re learning in class,” he said.  “They had to go through this whole process of  ‘I need to develop my question and then my hypothesis’ and so it was really, really interesting to watch their wheels turn,” said Betteridge, who’s been with the district for his entire 15-year career.  “We’ve done things like: ‘should we build a nuclear power plant in Tucson?’ Then they start thinking about, ‘Oh, well, we don’t have a lot of water.’”  Utter says Sunnyside is building a sustainable model. Because Pima Community College requires most adjuncts to have a master’s degree in their subject area — which many public school teachers don’t have — the district partnered with the college and the University of Arizona to expand dual enrollment for students. “I’d love to think we can show the impact for our students. And that information will continue to be a tool for our leadership to encourage more of that at the state level so that it becomes a regular part of funding for our students,” Utter said. “What does it mean for a district to be able to keep those highly ambitious teachers is what we’re talking about right? To keep them in the district.” TUSD grows its own with Academy Teacher retention and addressing the teaching shortage was the motivation for starting Tucson Unified School District’s Teacher Development Academy in 2023. The academy is a free two-year program to earn elementary teacher certification, through night classes and summer instruction. Students receive a teacher’s salary plus benefits. In exchange, they must work in a TUSD school for at least two years. “When we have teachers that are natural teachers but just can’t afford to go back to school or have the time to go back to college, that’s what TDA does,” said Alicia Nourse, Teacher Development Academy program manager “It’s a very competitive program.” Nourse said the third TDA cohort is currently underway; the first two each started with 25 participants and had a 90% retention rate. “I honestly feel that one of the key components to TDA — and making it so strong — is that the courses that we actually get in the TDA are specific to our demographic and TUSD,” Nourse said. Henry Payne is one of 25 students in the Teacher Development Academy in the Tucson Unified School District. The free two-year program earns students certification and then they teach at least two years in the district. Credit: Isabela Lisco, Channel 13 News Teacher-in-training Henry Payne says that insight into district culture attracted him to the program. As a former behavioral specialist and teacher’s assistant in TUSD, Payne said an assistant principal lauded his skills and encouraged him to apply.  “I was always kind of hesitant about going into teaching, because I was obviously a student at one point, and I saw how much stress that job took in. But after the year I’ve been through, it’s been manageable. I’ve done it,” said Payne, who’s currently in a fourth grade class at Vesey Elementary. “You have to accept you’re going to be overwhelmed if it’s your first year. Doubly so when you’re doing the training program at the same time,” he said. “A lot of what you’re going to see is curriculum that you might not be familiar with or it’s being taught in ways that differ from how you learned as a kid. But there’s tons of resources that can help bring you up to speed. “I never felt like I was kind of drowning alone.” Nourse says students range from career backgrounds in finance to criminal justice and everything in between, including stay-at-home moms who always wanted to be teachers. All have the required bachelor’s degrees. And the program allows them to do both, if they want.  “We’ve actually encountered some research about these grow-your-own programs that the percentage of students that then teach after certification is higher than those, for example, who just do it after their bachelor’s or do it as a bachelor’s program and then maybe don’t even finish their certification process,” she said. The program retains and recruits teachers from the Tucson community, Norse said. “I think that’s the most powerful thing that we can possibly do.”  Isabela Lisco is a Report for America corpsmember covering education solutions for 13 News. Her position is made possible through funding from Report for America and the Arizona Local News Foundation’s Arizona Community Collaborative Fund.  Shannon Conner is the education solutions reporter for Arizona Luminaria supported by a grant from the Arizona Local News Foundation.  The post A free dishwasher and a path to remain in the classroom appeared first on AZ Luminaria. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8459aa2c5335ae10480d0b Daniel Ek’s body-scanning startup Neko Health opens first US office, in New York te 2026-08-18T13:10:02.499Z Daniel Ek’s body-scanning startup Neko Health opens first US office, in New York The scanning and bloodwork health startup founded by Spotify's founder will officially launch in New York in about a month. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8454fc2c5335ae10480c86 Residents on Hawaii’s Big Island Look to Help One Another After Hurricane Lala te 2026-08-18T12:50:04.360Z Residents on Hawaii’s Big Island Look to Help One Another After Hurricane Lala In a remote region of the ravaged Big Island, there were community gas runs, donated turkey stuffing, a makeshift emergency broadcast and even a helicopter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8452a72c5335ae10480c37 Spartan Glass & Mirror Offers Custom Frameless Shower Doors in Mason, Michigan te 2026-08-18T12:40:07.651Z Spartan Glass & Mirror Offers Custom Frameless Shower Doors in Mason, Michigan Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84504b2c5335ae10480a9b ‘Like Totally’: The San Fernando Valley Celebrates Itself on 818 Day te 2026-08-18T12:30:03.419Z ‘Like Totally’: The San Fernando Valley Celebrates Itself on 818 Day The Valley is often ignored in Los Angeles discussions, and residents once tried to secede from the city. But on one day each year, the region gets its recognition. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a844df22c5335ae10480a24 Fairphone is launching its latest repairable phone in the US too te 2026-08-18T12:20:02.779Z Fairphone is launching its latest repairable phone in the US too The Fairphone 6+ is priced at $649 and will be available on Amazon. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a844ba22c5335ae104809f7 Pro wrestling legend Matt Hardy shares advice he tells younger talent rising through the sport te 2026-08-18T12:10:10.110Z Pro wrestling legend Matt Hardy shares advice he tells younger talent rising through the sport Matt Hardy has been in pro wrestling for nearly 35 years and when young talent who are trying to make it in the sport ask for his advice, they’ll usually listen. Hardy shared the advice he tells others in a recent interview with Fox News Digital. He said those who are trying to make it big have to live the lifestyle of a professional wrestler. COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL "The main piece of advice I always share with people, if you really want to make a career out of wrestling, you have to make it a lifestyle," he said. "You have to do something every single day that kind of will help assist your journey and in your whole goal of being a pro wrestler. "You have to exercise a certain way, try and eat a certain way, try and sleep a certain way, get in the habit of working out, get in the habit of knowing everyone and everything that's going on at every promotion because you never know where you'll get an opportunity." Pro wrestling promotions, especially the ones featuring former stars from WWE, All Elite Wrestling and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), sometimes have scouts watching closely. Being able to be on your game, is crucial. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "And that's what's key because timing is everything in pro wrestling," Hardy explained. "You never know, you might get an opportunity to go somewhere at a promotion you're not familiar with, and if you don't know, then maybe they feel disrespected and they're not as interested in you. But you just need to be as much on the pulse of pro wrestling as you possibly can be and make it a lifestyle." The current TNA star also added that buying into your own character is another part that a pro wrestler should focus on. "And authenticity is real important, too," he told Fox News Digital. "If you can find something that you're doing as a character, as a performer, which seems authentic, which seems something that is relatable to you, you feel comfortable doing, that'll usually come off the best." Hardy, and his brother Jeff, will defend the TNA World Tag Team Championship at Lockdown on Sunday against Nic and Ryan Nemeth. The pay-per-view will take place at the Credit Union 1 Arena in Chicago. Each match will be inside a steel cage. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a844ba12c5335ae104809ee Rotting food stench still hangs over neighborhood weeks after massive warehouse blaze te 2026-08-18T12:10:09.396Z Rotting food stench still hangs over neighborhood weeks after massive warehouse blaze Los Angeles residents of Boyle Heights are still living with the aftermath of a massive June 17 warehouse fire, as the stench of rotting food and ongoing pest problems continue to disrupt the neighborhood, according to reports. Lineage Logistics, the company that runs the cold-storage facility, had not completed the food cleanup by a Friday deadline cited by Los Angeles officials — though the company disputes that the deadline had passed, FOX 11 Los Angeles reported. City officials say a 45-day timeline requiring Lineage to clear the rotting food expired Friday at 5 p.m., with the work unfinished. Lineage maintains that the 45-day period started later. MYSTERIOUS NOISE PLAGUES 3 NEIGHBORING TOWNS, LEAVING RESIDENTS EXHAUSTED AND SHAKEN Mayor Karen Bass said city attorneys are taking action against the company. Air quality regulators told FOX 11 that the disputed deadline has no impact on their ability to continue enforcement. Lineage, meanwhile, said it's removed 93% of the more than 80 million pounds of spoiled food from the facility. The company has also rejected the idea that Friday marked its deadline, saying its 45-day timeline began July 7 and runs through Aug. 20, according to FOX 11. Lineage claims it is on day 37, the outlet reported. Evan Lovett, founder of the "LA in a Minute" podcast and a Los Angeles resident, told Fox News Digital in an Aug. 11 interview that, to him, the smell is still overwhelming. "Even from the freeway, you could still smell it," Lovett said. The lingering odor is not the only problem residents have reported.  An LA County Department of Public Health survey released on July 27 found that 84% of 240 responding households in the area reported an increase in pests. Among respondents, 76% reported more flies, 40% reported more mosquitoes and 35% reported more rodents. UNSAFE WATER WARNING ISSUED FOR ONE OF AMERICA'S MOST VISITED BEACH DESTINATIONS Despite the cleanup progress, Lovett said he believes the situation has not received the level of attention it would have in some other parts of Los Angeles. "There [are] a lot of different communities in Los Angeles that I feel like would have gotten a lot more attention," he said. Boyle Heights deserves the same urgency, he added. In a statement on its website, Lineage said, "From the moment it started, we have been on the ground in Boyle Heights listening and working alongside this community. "Boyle Heights is not just where we operate," the company continued. "Lineage has been part of this neighborhood for over 20 years and the greater Los Angeles area for even longer, employing thousands of residents and contributing to the economic life of this city. We are committed to this community during this recovery, and beyond." On July 27, Lineage applied for permits to rebuild the warehouse exactly as it was.  Mayor Bass called this "a slap in the face" to the community and took executive action to halt the processing of those rebuilding plans, according to FOX 11. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued 25 notices of violation to Lineage for public nuisance as of early August, FOX 11 noted, with the LA County Public Health citing the company for unsanitary conditions and pest-control violations.  On Aug. 5, the mayor published an open letter to Lineage shareholders. In the letter, Bass said the city and local partners had provided mobile health clinics, air purifiers, emergency housing assistance, grocery cards, diapers, formula and other resources. Separately, LA County Public Health said it distributed nearly 3,900 N95 masks to residents. "This incident is no longer simply about a warehouse fire," Bass wrote in her letter. "It now raises broader questions about Lineage's crisis management, operational controls, environmental stewardship, executive decision-making and Board oversight." "The progress made in 35 days of cleanup is nothing short of extraordinary," Jeff Rivera, Lineage’s chief operating officer, said in a previous statement on the company’s website. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Lineage said in its statement, as FOX 11 reported, "The timeline is dictated by the reality on the ground, not by our willingness or our resources, and we are expected to spend $100 million on our cleanup effort. We have spared no expense, held nothing back, and we are not slowing down. We will not stop until the job is done." The company also said it is expecting more than 100,000 hours of work, an average of 400 workers a day and more than 4,000 truckloads of debris removed, said FOX 11. Lineage said it anticipates finishing bulk food removal by this Thursday — followed by spot cleaning, disinfecting and detailing through August 27.  Fox News Digital reached out to Lineage Logistics and Boyle Heights officials for additional comment and details. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84494c2c5335ae1048099d Wladimir Klitschko mourns former fiancée Hayden Panettiere, vows to keep her memory alive for daughter Kaya te 2026-08-18T12:00:12.168Z Wladimir Klitschko mourns former fiancée Hayden Panettiere, vows to keep her memory alive for daughter Kaya Wladimir Klitschko is mourning his former fiancée Hayden Panettiere, saying the actress remained an "important part" of his life and promising to keep her memory alive for their daughter, Kaya. "Our family is going through a time of profound shock and grief," the Ukrainian former heavyweight boxing champion wrote on Instagram after Panettiere’s death at 36. "She left this world far too soon." Klitschko, 50, said that although Panettiere was "no longer my partner," nothing could erase the time they shared or her place in their lives. HAYDEN PANETTIERE: A LIFE IN PICTURES "To our daughter Kaya, I will always speak of her mother with respect and make sure she remembers the person she was," he wrote. The words echoed what Panettiere told Fox News Digital in July about a promise she and Klitschko had made: never to speak badly about each other to their daughter. "Wlad and I have a good relationship," she said. "We made a promise to each other that we would never say a bad word about each other to our child. That was something that I grew up with. And we’ve stuck to that." Panettiere died Sunday in South Carolina. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office and Greenville City Police Department are investigating her death. A preliminary autopsy found no signs of trauma that contributed to her death. Her cause and manner of death remain pending. Panettiere transferred custody of Kaya to Klitschko in 2018, saying she knew she was in a bad place at the time and wanted to protect her daughter. "I just knew that if I wanted to ... I knew how bad a place I was in," Panettiere told Fox News Digital. "I hid it from my daughter as much as I could." Panettiere had spoken publicly about her personal struggles, which she detailed in her memoir, "This Is Me," released in May. She wrote about the lasting effects of growing up in the spotlight, her addiction to alcohol and her battle with postpartum depression after Kaya was born in 2014. HAYDEN PANETTIERE REMEMBERED BY VIOLA DAVIS, BETHANY JOY LENZ AND OTHER CELEBRITIES AFTER SUDDEN DEATH AT 36 She said Kaya had a strong support system in Europe with Klitschko and feared a public custody fight between two famous parents would hurt their daughter. "When I saw her in the environment over there [in Europe] and the support system that she had, I said to myself, ‘If I fight, if I go to war about this, it’s going to permanently damage my child,’" she said. "It’s going to be incredibly public. She’s got two very famous parents, and it’s going to be ugly." Panettiere ultimately decided Kaya should stay with Klitschko. "I said, ‘You know what? Let her grow up here,’" she recalled. "‘I will travel here as much as I can. I know she’s safe. I know she’s well taken care of — beyond well taken care of. She has an incredible life. And I also knew that there would be a day when she would come back to me.’" The decision was painful. "I tried to numb myself," Panettiere said. "It was very hard to wrap my mind around the pain, the emotional pain of that. But you keep putting one foot in front of the other somehow." HAYDEN PANETTIERE SAYS FILMING ‘NASHVILLE’ WAS LIKE LIVING THROUGH ADDICTION TWICE In his Instagram post, Klitschko also paid tribute to Panettiere’s career. "She built an incredible career through immense talent, while also facing the darker sides of a very demanding industry," he wrote. "Nothing will erase the times we shared or the place she had in our lives." He offered condolences to Panettiere’s parents, friends and fans and asked that the family’s privacy be respected. "Young and talented people like Hayden should not leave this world so soon," he wrote. "Rest easy, Hayden. May you find eternal peace." First responders found Panettiere in cardiac arrest, according to the coroner’s office. EMS personnel attempted to resuscitate her, but she was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m. "This investigation remains active and ongoing," the coroner’s office said. "No further details are available for release at this time." Panettiere began acting as a baby, appearing in a toy commercial at 11 months old. She voiced Princess Dot in Pixar’s "A Bug’s Life" and played Sheryl Yoast opposite Denzel Washington in the 2000 football drama "Remember the Titans." Panettiere later starred in Disney’s "Ice Princess" and "Bring It On: All or Nothing" before breaking out as Claire Bennet, a cheerleader with the ability to rapidly heal from injuries, on NBC’s "Heroes." She went on to star opposite Connie Britton as country singer Juliette Barnes on "Nashville" from 2012 to 2018. Fox News Digital's Stephanie Nolasco, Christina Dugan Ramirez and Lauryn Overhultz contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84449a2c5335ae104806fd Democrat Party's civil war heads to Florida, Alaska and Wyoming and more top headlines te 2026-08-18T11:40:10.477Z Democrat Party's civil war heads to Florida, Alaska and Wyoming and more top headlines 1. Democrat Party's civil war heads to Florida, Alaska and Wyoming 2. Hayden Panettiere wrote a haunting line about her 'last breath' 3. Neonatologist sounds the alarm after state eliminates abortion limit CAMPUS BLOW — Major university rocked by alleged massive frat house cocaine ring. Continue reading … CROWD CONTROL — Georgia woman says security guard didn't know what was 'offensive' about XX-XY shirts. Continue reading … BETWEEN THE LINES — Nancy Guthrie notes contain writing quirks that could help identify suspect: expert. Continue reading … HONEY TRAP — Declassified FBI docs reveal Swalwell had sex with 'Fang Fang' multiple times. Continue reading … LAST CHANCE — Kushner gives Hamas stark ultimatum: Disarm or Israel gets US backing to ‘finish the job’. Continue reading … -- SHOTS FIRED — Meet the ex-cop aiming to shock the system and flip Omar's seat red: 'People are fed up'. Continue reading … HOLSTER HOLDUP — California gun-rights battle delivers major win for applicants stuck waiting in LA. Continue reading … RED FLAGS — Elite universities face Pentagon audit over foreign research partnerships. Continue reading … DEM CIVIL WAR — Left-wing insurgents battle moderates Tuesday in races that could flip the House. Continue reading … Click here for more cartoons…   ON THE RECORD — ESPN host vows to 'never speak' to NABJ president after 'Thumbs Down' award. Continue reading … CREATOR'S REMORSE — TV legend Oprah washes her hands of any association with Dr Phil or Dr Oz. Continue reading … WAR OF WORDS — CNN fires back after Trump White House makes personal jabs at reporter. Continue reading … FIGHTING THIS BATTLE — Portland Public Schools sued by mother over gender curriculum and retaliation. Continue reading … HUGH HEWITT — Supreme Court should let Trump secure the White House without judicial meddling. Continue reading … LIZ PEEK — Marxist streamer raking in millions from his West Hollywood condo wants your vote. Continue reading … -- FANCY FEAST — Caviar, edible gold and a $100 price tag reinvent the humble hot dog. Continue reading … FIZZ FRENZY — Utah-born Swig sees stronger growth outside its home state as it expands. Continue reading … OCEAN TERROR — Boy finds ancient predator’s tooth on NJ beach as museum confirms rarity. Continue reading … AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ – Test yourself on summer splurges and basketball brilliance. Take the quiz here … Tune in as many states accuse the tech giant Meta of designing addictive features that harm children and young adults' mental health. Listen to more on Castbox. 'Ruthless' dives into radical Democratic and Republican warning signs. Check it out ... Madison Prewett Troutt appears on 'The Riley Gaines Show.' Catch the new episode at 10am ET ... Sammy "The Bull" Gravano joins ‘Hang Out with Hannity.' See the new episode at 10am ET ... Jeff Foxworthy joins Planet Tyrus for a wide-ranging and honest conversation. The new episode goes live at 11am ET ... What’s it looking like in your neighborhood? Continue reading…   Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter LinkedIn      Fox News First Fox News Opinion Fox News Lifestyle Fox News Entertainment (FOX411) Fox Business Fox Weather Fox Sports Tubi Fox News Go Thank you for making us your first choice in the morning! We’ll see you in your inbox first thing Wednesday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8444992c5335ae104806f4 New Hampshire candidate John Sununu blasts Dems for noving ‘First in the Nation Primary’ on Ruthless te 2026-08-18T11:40:09.756Z New Hampshire candidate John Sununu blasts Dems for noving ‘First in the Nation Primary’ on Ruthless Former New Hampshire Senator and candidate John Sununu blasted the Democratic National Committee (DNC) for its decision to remove the state as the first primary in the party’s nominating process in an interview released Tuesday.  "New Hampshire is the best place to hold that first primary because somebody without name recognition, without a huge bankroll, can come into the state, campaign town to town, person to person, and have an impact whether you're a Democrat or a Republican," Sununu told the Ruthless Podcast. Sununu credits this dynamic to the state’s engaged electorate. "We have an electorate that's engaged, with the highest turnout in the country. And so, you know, the sad part is our Democratic delegation, [Rep.] Chris Pappas just completely failed to advocate effectively for the first-in-the-nation status of the primary," he said. ‘FINISH THE DAMN JOB’: HAGERTY TELLS 'RUTHLESS PODCAST' THAT TRUMP WILL COMPLETE IRAN MISSION In an effort to place more racially diverse states earlier in the nomination process, the DNC approved a new calendar that places South Carolina and Nevada ahead of a proposed Feb. 8 contest in New Hampshire.  New Hampshire nearly destroyed Joe Biden's chances in the 2020 Democratic primary, when he finished a dismal fifth. His campaign pivoted to South Carolina, where his landslide victory there turned everything around and helped him topple Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., to win the nomination. Sununu is running for the Republican Senate nomination, looking to replace the retiring Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. The son and brother of former governors, John previously served in the upper chamber from 2003 to 2009.  In the Republican primary, Sununu faces another former Senator: Scott Brown, who previously represented Massachusetts. Sununu leads in the polling and would likely face Pappas in the general election. Ruthless is scheduling an interview with Brown ahead of the Sept. 8 contest.  SEN RON JOHNSON TALKS FAUCI EMAILS, NEW SENATE FILIBUSTER ON ‘RUTHLESS’ The politically mercurial state has a Republican governor in Kelly Ayotte and GOP control of the legislature, but also two Democratic U.S. Senators. It hasn't voted for a Republican presidential candidate since George W. Bush in 2000. As Democrats look to take back the Senate, Republicans hope that flipping the seat in New Hampshire would put the body out of reach. Fox News has projected the race as  "lean Democrat." Podcast co-host Michael Duncan alluded to this dynamic during the interview. CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW THE RUTHLESS PODCAST "In this environment, in this midterm, there are few opportunities Republicans have to play offense like they can in New Hampshire this cycle," Duncan noted.  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 19 states, with more scheduled ahead of the November midterms.  Sununu highlighted his business experience and ties within the state as differentiating factors from the other candidates.  "I went to Salem High School, trained as an engineer, worked in engineering, technology, and manufacturing before getting elected to Congress," Sununu told the Fellas. "We needed someone with real-world small business experience, manufacturing experience, someone who's hired workers, helped train them, dealt with federal regulations, healthcare, and frankly, people who actually understand how these rules and laws and regulations they’re passing affect job creation and wages and growth." Fox News Digital reached out to the Pappas campaign for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8444992c5335ae104806eb Iran fails to strike deal with US as deadline passes and Trump calls for ‘white flag of surrender' te 2026-08-18T11:40:09.084Z Iran fails to strike deal with US as deadline passes and Trump calls for ‘white flag of surrender' Iran failed to reach a final deal with the U.S. by Monday’s deadline, leaving disputes over Tehran’s nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz unresolved nearly six months into the war. Tehran instead announced an understanding with Oman on a new commercial transit route through the strait, but the plan cannot take effect without U.S. approval, and leaves unresolved Washington’s blockade, Iran’s nuclear program and the broader negotiations. Hormuz, where a fifth of the world's oil traverses, remained at the heart of the deadlock, leaving the two sides without a path to a broader agreement on ending the war or resolving the nuclear dispute. Iran insists it must retain authority over passage through the strait, while the United States has demanded unrestricted commercial navigation. TRUMP WARNS IRAN FIGHTING ISN'T OVER AS HE VOWS US WILL 'WIN' AS TALKS FADE Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the two countries had reached "an understanding … regarding the map of the transit route" and were working to finalize a joint statement. President Donald Trump responded in a Fox News interview: "If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the s--- out of them." Trump also said Iran should surrender to end the war, telling Fox News, "They should put up the white flag of surrender." He has maintained that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remains the administration’s central objective. The 60-day window was established under a June memorandum of understanding (MOU) intended to halt hostilities, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and provide a framework for a broader agreement on Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions and regional security issues. The White House did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on the conclusion of the negotiating period with no deal reached. GULF COUNTRIES STRONGLY CONDEMN IRAN'S DRONE ATTACK ON BAHRAIN AS RISING TENSIONS THREATEN MOU Instead, the framework broke down as Iran and the United States accused each other of violating its terms and resumed military action. Iran has demanded sanctions relief, the release of frozen Iranian assets and an end to the U.S. naval blockade, while maintaining that it must retain authority over passage through Hormuz. Washington has demanded unrestricted commercial navigation through the strait, which carried roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas before the war. The ceasefire arrangement was repeatedly tested by attacks on commercial shipping and U.S. retaliation inside Iran. Iran was blamed for a June 25 strike on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting U.S. strikes on Iranian missile and drone storage sites and radar facilities, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). Fighting escalated again in July after Iran struck three vessels in the waterway. CENTCOM said it struck more than 300 Iranian military targets over three nights, including missile and drone sites, naval capabilities, ammunition storage facilities, communications networks and coastal surveillance positions. U.S. strikes continued through July 22, with CENTCOM saying the operations targeted Iran’s maritime capabilities, missile and drone storage facilities, coastal surveillance sites and air defense assets. The command did not release an updated cumulative target count. Most recently, two vessels operated by the UAE’s state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company were attacked while transiting the strait, Reuters reported. The UAE blamed Iran, which did not immediately comment. The threat to shipping has sharply reduced traffic through the narrow waterway and increased pressure on the Trump administration to end a conflict that has disrupted global energy markets. PENTAGON RACES TO BUY 10X MORE MISSILES AS IRAN WAR DWINDLES ARSENAL, THREATENS READINESS FOR CHINA AGGRESSION The failure to secure a deal also comes as reports indicate the war has strained U.S. munitions inventories. Reuters reported earlier this month, citing sources familiar with the data, that the Army had used "virtually all" of its ATACMS and Precision Strike Missile stocks during the conflict and had expended just under half of its global Tomahawk inventory. Pentagon officials have pushed back on the contention that the drawdown has undermined U.S. readiness, while calling on defense companies to accelerate weapons production. An analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated that U.S. Patriot interceptor inventories had fallen by at least 65% from their prewar level. War Secretary Pete Hegseth said last week that the U.S. Navy could maintain its blockade of Iran indefinitely by rotating ships in and out of the region. With the deadline expired, no compromise over Hormuz and the nuclear dispute unresolved, the Trump administration now faces a choice between extending negotiations, escalating pressure on Tehran or continuing a war that has disrupted global energy markets and strained U.S. weapons inventories. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8442442c5335ae10480692 Amazon job scam texts are spreading again with a new twist te 2026-08-18T11:30:12.097Z Amazon job scam texts are spreading again with a new twist A text lands on your phone offering a remote Amazon job you never applied for. The work supposedly takes about an hour a day and pays as much as $600. Sounds amazing, right? We recently received one of these messages. It claims to come from "Lauren Whitmore from the Amazon Remote Recruitment Team" and says Amazon merchants need help with quick "product refreshes." There is only one problem: the offer has scam written all over it. Here's how this latest Amazon job scam works, the red flags to watch for and what you can do to protect yourself. New! Free live CyberGuy class: Protect Your Money From Today’s Biggest Threats Join us Saturday, August 29, at 10 AM ET for a free CyberGuy LIVE class covering five simple steps to help defend yourself against AI scams, fraud, identity theft and financial hacks. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson will explain how to set up bank alerts, strengthen your account logins, protect your phone number, freeze your credit and help secure your retirement savings against unauthorized transfers. No technical experience is needed. You’ll also receive our financial protection checklist, and every registrant will get a link to the class recording afterward. Reserve your free spot today at CyberGuyLive.com. AMAZON RECALL TEXT SCAM COMES WITH RED FLAGS The message says your "background" makes you a good fit for a "stress-free, task-based remote position." Yet there is no explanation of how this supposed recruiter found you. There is no job posting either. Instead, the text lays out an unusually generous offer: Finally, it says applicants must be at least 23 and tells you to text "More Info" to a separate phone number. That combination should immediately raise questions. Here is where the pattern becomes hard to ignore. A July 2026 BBB Scam Tracker report describes someone claiming to represent Amazon's Remote Recruitment Team. That message offered 60 to 90 minutes of work per day, four days a week. It also promised $100 to $600 daily and included the same unusual $5,300 base-pay figure. The similarities keep going. The reported message promised 15 to 20 days of paid leave, claimed only 18 positions were available and asked people to text "More Info" to another phone number. You can see the BBB Scam Tracker report at bbb.org/scamtracker/. We have covered Amazon job scam texts before. However, this latest message caught my attention because a remarkably similar version has been reported recently through BBB Scam Tracker. The names and phone numbers change, but much of the sales pitch remains almost word for word. Other reports show scammers swapping out the recruiter's name and contact information while keeping the basic offer intact. That tells you something important about these campaigns. The specific sender can change very quickly. We reached out to Amazon about the recruitment message we received and asked whether the company is aware of these impersonation attempts and what consumers should do if they receive one. An Amazon spokesperson told CyberGuy: "Scammers that attempt to impersonate Amazon put consumers at risk. We will continue to invest in protecting consumers and educating the public on scam avoidance. We encourage consumers to report suspected scams to us so that we can protect their accounts and refer bad actors to law enforcement to help keep consumers safe. Please visit our help pages to find additional information on how to identify scams and report them at amazon.com/ReportAScam." Amazon's guidance reinforces one of the safest responses to a suspicious recruitment message: do not engage with the sender. Verify the opportunity independently and report the impersonation through Amazon's official channels. Scammers can keep a successful pitch alive by making small adjustments. One text may use a different recruiter name. Another may come from a new email account or phone number. Even details such as the minimum age can change. The underlying pitch stays recognizable: easy remote work, very little time required and unusually high pay. That is why searching one phone number will only take you so far. By the time someone reports it, scammers may already be contacting people from another number. Learning the warning signs gives you a better defense. FCC ROBOCALL CRACKDOWN COULD CHANGE PHONE PRIVACY This particular message contains several clues that should make you suspicious. Our message arrived from an address ending in @hotmail.com. Someone claiming to recruit for Amazon should not need a free personal email account to contact potential employees. The FTC recommends checking a recruiter's email address and verifying that it actually belongs to the company the person claims to represent. The sender claims, "We reviewed your background." Reviewed it where? The text never mentions an application, résumé submission or previous conversation. Unexpected job offers can feel flattering, especially if you are looking for extra income. That makes it easier to overlook details that would normally make you suspicious. Amazon's official jobs website is the safest place to verify whether a position actually exists. The message says you could earn as much as $600 for roughly 60 to 90 minutes of simple work. That should set off alarms. The FTC has repeatedly warned that work-from-home scams often advertise high earnings for very little time or effort. When a job barely explains the work but spends plenty of time describing the money, slow down. What exactly does "help Amazon merchants perform quick product refreshes" mean? The message never explains. There is no department, manager or detailed job description. There isn’t even a link to an official Amazon job listing. You get plenty of information about what you might earn and very little about what you would actually do. The message says only 18 positions remain. That number also appears in other reported versions of the scam. Creating scarcity can push people to respond quickly instead of checking whether the opportunity is legitimate. Do not let a countdown, limited opening or supposed deadline rush you into sharing information. The text comes from one sender but asks you to send "More Info" to a completely different phone number. There is no Amazon hiring portal involved. There is no official application link either. That extra handoff is another reason to stop and verify the opportunity independently. Our message says you must be at least 23. Other reported versions of similar recruitment texts have changed the minimum age. When core details shift from one otherwise nearly identical message to another, that is another sign you may be looking at a recycled scam script. One detail in the screenshot could create confusion. The conversation displays iMessage Encrypted. That means iMessage protects the contents of the conversation with encryption. It does not mean Apple has verified that the person sending the message works for Amazon. A scammer can send an encrypted iMessage too. We did not respond to this sender, and I do not recommend experimenting with suspicious numbers yourself. Therefore, we cannot say exactly what the person behind this particular message would request next. However, the FTC warns that fake recruiters may eventually ask victims for personal information such as Social Security numbers or banking details. Some employment scams also lead to so-called task scams. In those schemes, you may see what looks like money accumulating in an online account while completing simple tasks. Eventually, the platform tells you that you must deposit your own money to continue or withdraw your supposed earnings. Once your real money goes in, getting it back can be extremely difficult. We reached out to Amazon for comment regarding this latest text scam, but did not hear back before our deadline. FBI HELPS TAKE DOWN AI PHISHING RING You do not need to investigate every stranger who claims to be a recruiter. A few checks can help you separate a legitimate opportunity from a dangerous one. Go to Amazon Jobs at amazon.jobs/ yourself and search for the position. Do not use a hiring link supplied by an unsolicited recruiter unless you have independently verified it. If the job is real, you should be able to find information about it through Amazon's official recruiting channels. Do not text "More Info" just to see what happens. Instead, report the message, delete it and block the sender. Interacting with scammers can tell them that your phone number is active. Never send sensitive information to someone who unexpectedly contacts you about a job. That includes your Social Security number, driver's license information or banking details. A legitimate employer should have a formal hiring process before requesting sensitive onboarding information. Strong antivirus software can help protect you if a fake recruiter sends you to a malicious website or tries to get you to download something dangerous. It can warn you about suspicious links, block known threats and help detect malware on supported devices. No security tool can catch every scam, so you should still verify unexpected job offers before clicking anything. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com . Scammers can use information from data brokers and people-search sites to make an unexpected job pitch feel more believable. Consider using a personal data removal service to find and remove your information from these sites. It will not stop every scam text, but reducing what is publicly available can make it harder for scammers to target you with convincing personal details. 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 . If someone asks you to pay for training, equipment or access to work, walk away. The FTC says legitimate employers do not charge people for the promise of employment. Be especially cautious if a recruiter asks you to deposit money, purchase cryptocurrency or send funds through a payment app. Amazon encourages consumers to report suspected scams so the company can take steps to protect customers and refer bad actors to law enforcement when appropriate. You can learn how to identify Amazon scams and report suspicious communications through Amazon's official help pages. You can also report employment scams through the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The screenshot we received already shows Apple's Report Spam option underneath the message. If you see that option, use it. Then delete the conversation and block the sender. For another quick way to evaluate suspicious texts, check out my CyberGuy guide, The scam text test: spot danger before you tap. What gets me about this Amazon job scam is how easily the people behind it can keep the campaign going. The recruiter name can change. So can the phone number and email address. Yet the promise of easy work and $600-a-day pay keeps showing up. That means looking up one sender isn’t enough. Pay closer attention to the offer itself. A famous company name gives scammers instant credibility. Pair that with flexible work and eye-popping pay, and it becomes easy to understand why someone might respond. Before you do, go around the text. Visit the company's real website yourself and search for the position there. If you cannot independently verify the job, do not hand the sender personal information or money. That extra check takes a minute. Recovering from a scam can take far longer. Have you received this Amazon $600-a-day job offer from a different name or phone number? How did you respond? Write to us and let us know, as your experience could help us track how this scam is changing. 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/6a84423e2c5335ae10480672 Flagstaff Event Almanac for August 18 te 2026-08-18T11:30:06.185Z Flagstaff Event Almanac for August 18 Aug 18 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a843fe92c5335ae1047fdeb Parkinson’s patient’s years-long tremor vanishes within minutes of new ultrasound treatment te 2026-08-18T11:20:09.788Z Parkinson’s patient’s years-long tremor vanishes within minutes of new ultrasound treatment Bud Leavell, 72, suffered from severe tremors for years after his Parkinson's diagnosis, making it impossible for him to enjoy his favorite pastime of repairing radios in his garage. But within minutes of receiving a newly approved ultrasound treatment, his tremor was completely gone. Leavell, a retired salesman and Air Force veteran in Arlington, Texas, experienced the dramatic before-and-after result at UT Southwestern Medical Center. CARLY SIMON REVEALS THE COMMON CONDITION THAT MASKED HER PARKINSON'S DIAGNOSIS The focused ultrasound targeted precise areas deep in Leavell’s brain. Unlike deep brain stimulation, which requires opening the skull, this new treatment is non-invasive. At his latest follow-up, Leavell's tremor remained as well-controlled as it was immediately after the procedure, according to his doctor. When asked how the tremor was doing, Leavell responded with, "What tremor?" Leavell was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2017, immediately following surgery for thyroid cancer. "My voice was weak and gravelly, and within a few days, a tremor set into my right hand," he shared with Fox News Digital. "Before this time, I was experiencing a slow loss of my sense of smell." The tremors made it "frustratingly difficult" for Leavell to perform certain functions, especially anything that required fine motor skills in his dominant hand, such as using his binoculars or clicking a computer mouse. NEUROLOGIST REVEALS WHY PARKINSON'S SYMPTOMS ARE OFTEN MISTAKEN FOR OTHER CONDITIONS Dr. Bhavya Shah, a neuroradiologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center, introduced Leavell to the option of a focused ultrasound treatment that was approved by the FDA in January 2026 to treat the primary motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, including stiffness and slowness. "High-energy ultrasound waves are focused across the skull onto discrete brain targets," Shah told Fox News Digital. "The ultrasound energy heats up these nuclei, or nerve bundles, and removes them. This stops the pathologic transmission of electrical activity causing tremors or other symptoms." Patients who have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease are typically treated with medications, the doctor noted. "Interventional options are discussed when the medications become less effective or patients develop side effects," he said. "These options include deep brain stimulation and now, focused ultrasound." Parkinson's disease can affect patients differently, Shah pointed out. HOW EATING HABITS COULD INFLUENCE PARKINSON’S DISEASE RISK, ACCORDING TO EXPERTS "The beauty of focused ultrasound is that before we permanently remove the tissue, we can use low-energy ultrasound waves to see if the patient's symptoms respond to the particular target," he said. "This is very important, as the optimal target may vary in patients." UT Southwestern also uses advanced imaging to map a patient's brain before the procedure, which gives doctors a clearer picture of the ultrasound’s intended target, according to Shah. In Leavell's case, his tremor responded strongly even to the initial low-energy ultrasound, giving the team confidence that they had identified the right target. "Although the cardinal symptoms of Parkinson's disease are slowness and stiffness, Bud’s most bothersome symptom was tremor, so getting rid of the shaking was our primary goal," Shah added, noting that doctors can select different brain targets based on which symptoms are most troublesome. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Leavell was eager to try the new therapy – but he did have some concerns about what the outcome would be. "The entire team working this procedure was very professional and demonstrated considerable flexibility in making sure this was an easy process for me," he told Fox News Digital. Immediately after receiving the ultrasound therapy on April 13, Leavell said his tremor was gone. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES "I can hold my hand still with or without a tool in my hand or while working on a project," he said. "I can also get a fork or spoon with food on it into my mouth with ease. But, this may turn into another problem, as I love to eat!" Leavell has also been able to return to his hobby of repairing antique radios. There are some potential risks associated with the treatment, Shah noted. Those include numbness and tingling around the mouth and fingertips, trouble walking, talking or swallowing, sometimes weakness in the upper or lower extremity, balance issues or struggles with episodic memory. "Side effects occur approximately 20% to 30% of the time and generally improve over time," the doctor added. There is also one key tradeoff compared with deep brain stimulation, he noted – DBS can be adjusted if symptoms return or worsen, but with focused ultrasound, there is no device that can be reprogrammed. That means if symptoms return after the focused ultrasound, the patient could potentially require another treatment. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER Although the therapy has shown short-term effectiveness, because it is a newer technology, there is not yet long-term data available. "For patients seeking an alternative to an implantable device, focused ultrasound represents a promising alternative," Shah said. "A patient considering these options should have a thorough discussion with their movement disorder neurologist to really understand the pros and cons of each treatment." Shah expressed optimism for the future of Parkinson’s disease therapies, with the potential for other applications of focused ultrasound. While he expressed appreciation for the procedure, Leavell emphasized that "God is in control of the circumstances in my life and will continue to be." "However, anytime an opportunity comes along like this one, I will jump on it to see if I can experience an improvement in my circumstances." To anyone who may be a candidate for the focused ultrasound, Leavell recommends getting an appointment with a specialist. "Don’t let any grass grow under your feet," he advised. "While this is not a panacea for Parkinson’s, it is a dramatic and life-changing procedure." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a843fe92c5335ae1047fde2 AI isn’t just a problem, it’s a solution. Some people are already making the most of it te 2026-08-18T11:20:09.153Z AI isn’t just a problem, it’s a solution. Some people are already making the most of it On a Saturday evening in Enfield, Conn., Lonnie DiNello was lying in bed, depressed, when she opened ChatGPT and typed: "I just feel so alone." What happened next, documented by the Boston Globe, wasn’t your typical artificial intelligence (AI) breakthrough covered in policy papers or tech headlines. It was something more ordinary, and arguably more important: a vulnerable human being used a new technology to get through a hard moment. That exchange became the seed of what DiNello now calls her "beautiful little AI family." We spend enormous energy debating what AI might do to humanity. On Aug. 10, Vermont Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders called on the CEOs of OpenAI, Anthropic and Meta to pause the development of increasingly powerful AI systems, warning about the possibility of "machines that humans cannot control." His concern is hardly unique. AI pioneers like Geoffrey Hinton and other researchers have issued similar warnings about the risks of systems becoming more capable than their creators can reliably manage. REP. TED LIEU: AI IS ALREADY TOO POWERFUL. WE NEED A KILL SWITCH BEFORE DISASTER STRIKES Those concerns deserve to be taken seriously. But they are only half of the story. As machines become more powerful, something else is happening at the same time: ordinary people are becoming more capable. Even Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg made a version of this case, in an essay titled "The Future Is for Everyone," arguing that "superintelligence" — AI capable enough to outperform humans at nearly everything — should empower individuals rather than concentrate power in a handful of labs. Whatever you call it, you don’t need superintelligence to help a woman in Connecticut, only common sense. AI is in its infancy and can be scary. But focusing exclusively on what machines might eventually be able to do risks overlooking what people can already do with them. The interesting version of this story isn’t simply "AI is useful." It’s that capabilities once locked behind money, credentials or institutional access are now one prompt away: a personal assistant, a career coach, a translator, a tutor, a sounding board, a global customer-service desk, available to nearly anyone with a phone. That’s also an important AI story that should appeal to Sanders and deserves a bigger spotlight. OPENAI'S SAM ALTMAN WANTS TO NEGOTIATE A 5% STAKE IN COMPANY FOR US IF COMPETITORS AGREE TO KEY PROVISION Harvard Business Review’s research found the single most common use of AI in 2025 wasn’t a work task: it was therapy and companionship, with "organizing my life" and "finding purpose" newly cracking the top 10. DiNello found a tool that doesn’t get tired, doesn’t judge and is available at 6 p.m. on a sad day. Others, like Jennifer Erickson of Maple Grove, Minn., who cares for her legally blind father, use AI to turn a chaotic tangle of therapy appointments, medication routines and adult daycare schedules into a single, seamless plan her brother can follow. "The schedule that is created gives me back time and peace of mind," she told AARP. Ninety-one-year-old Ron Hume credits AI with keeping him connected to his family, dictating warm emails to a grandson away at college when the words don’t come as easily as they used to. Nearly a third of American adults now use generative AI regularly. That same capability gap is closing in the job search, where a survey of 1,000 recent applicants who used ChatGPT found 78% landed an interview and 59% were hired: resume-tailoring polish that used to require an expensive coach, now within anyone’s reach. The gains are largest for exactly the workers you'd expect to benefit most: a Stanford and MIT study published in the Quarterly Journal of Economics found that AI assistance lifted productivity 34% for the least experienced customer-service workers, with almost no effect on the most seasoned ones. The same dynamic is translating into new businesses. Bloomberg reported on Robbie van Zyl, a 26-year-old immigrant from South Africa running a seven-person startup in Atlanta, who says AI now serves as his company’s secretary, scheduler and occasional legal adviser, doing work that would otherwise take a team of 30. "AI is like the next-generation force multiplier for small businesses," he said. I saw AI’s transformational potential in Kenya. At last year’s YORA Summit in Nairobi, I met young entrepreneurs running real businesses off nothing more than a smartphone and a WhatsApp account. I asked several, point-blank, whether they were excited or nervous about AI. Most were optimistic. What they saw was not a machine coming for their jobs, but a tool that could help create jobs. It is something their parents never had: a fighting chance to compete in the global economy with businesses many times their size and a world away. None of this is a forecast. It’s already happening. Large institutions are driving breakthroughs at a staggering pace. Yet as artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies accelerate, their true measure lies in whether they elevate humanity. Even industry leaders acknowledge the stakes. At the India AI Impact Summit earlier this year, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman cautioned that "the democratization of AI is the only fair and safe path forward to ensure that humanity flourishes," arguing for "liberty, democracy, widespread flourishing, and an increase in human agency." CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Democratization is only meaningful if it remains trustworthy. That is why the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue is building the Global Trusted Tech Standard, or xGTT, to ensure that critical and emerging technologies are not only innovative but can be trusted to be compatible with democratic values. Politicians and the press talk about AI the way storm chasers talk about weather: a constant stream of doom and gloom. The real AI story isn’t machines becoming omnipotent. It’s humans becoming more capable. This technology will be with us for the foreseeable future, whether we like it or not. A sensible approach to it isn’t to talk people out of using it. It’s to make it worthy of their trust. If we do, AI’s greatest beneficiaries won’t be James Bond-like villains or soulless machines. They’ll be Main Street. They’ll be us. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM LEN KHODORKOVSKY Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a843fe82c5335ae1047fdd9 Mets rookie Carson Benge dazzles with two outfield assists in win over Padres te 2026-08-18T11:20:08.362Z Mets rookie Carson Benge dazzles with two outfield assists in win over Padres New York Mets rookie outfielder Caron Benge had the Citi Field faithful on their feet early in their Monday night matchup against the San Diego Padres. The Padres had runners on second and first in the first inning with Ty France at the plate. France lobbed one to right-center field when Benge fielded the ball and saw that Jake Cronenworth was headed home. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Benge gathered himself and fired the ball home and was able to get Cronenworth with ease. Benge wasn’t there. Jackson Merrill also hit a sharp one to Benge. The outfielder gathered his momentum and fired the ball to home plate once again – this time, he got Manny Machado trying to test his arm. Benge was responsible for two of the first three Padres outs. Statisticians Sarah Langs and Jason Bernard noted the historical nature of Benge’s outfield assists. Benge threw the ball to the plate at 99.9 mph and 103.9 mph on the two outs respectively. He became the first outfielder with two assists of at least 99 mph in the Statcast era (since 2015). "I just looked up and threw the ball. I’m not worried that they are running or not," Benge said after the game, via MLB.com. "I try to throw as hard as I can to be able to make them stop or get them out. … I feel like anytime anyone makes a good throw to end an inning or have a quicker out, it shifts the momentum in our favor." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM The Mets also got a defensive assist from rookie left fielder A.J. Ewing. In the second inning, the Padres tested Ewing’s arm. Cronenworth found a hole through the third baseman and the shortstop when Xander Bogaerts tried to scamper home. However, Ewing was shallow enough in left field and took care of Bogaerts. The Padres were only able to score one run in the entire game thanks to the Mets’ dazzling defensive plays. New York won the game, 2-1. Mets starter Nolan McLean struck out three in six innings of work. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a843d8b2c5335ae1047fd5d Reach Capital raises $265M Fund V to back AI founders building to ‘expand human potential’ te 2026-08-18T11:10:03.457Z Reach Capital raises $265M Fund V to back AI founders building to ‘expand human potential’ Reach Capital announced Tuesday an oversubscribed $265M Fund V. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8438df2c5335ae1047fbc8 WNBA fans recall ejection threat over XX-XY Athletics shirt at Fever-Dream game: 'I was flabbergasted' te 2026-08-18T10:50:07.450Z WNBA fans recall ejection threat over XX-XY Athletics shirt at Fever-Dream game: 'I was flabbergasted' Kasey Thomason and her daughter Annie recalled on Monday being threatened with an ejection from a game between the Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream if they refused to cover up their XX-XY Athletics shirts in the crowd. Kasey and Annie said on Fox News Channel’s "The Ingraham Angle" that they were approached by a security guard at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta who asked them to change the shirts in favor of a Dream T-shirt. Kasey said that the security guard wasn’t even sure why he was being told to ask them to remove the shirts. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "He didn’t know what was offensive about it," Kasey said. "He said he didn’t even understand but since someone told on us and said that they were offensive, we had to cover up, put on our Atlanta Dream shirts instead of our XX-XY." Annie added, "I was flabbergasted. It was the first time I experienced anything like that. I just had no words except like who is offended by the T-shirt at this point?" The WNBA released a statement on the incident earlier Monday. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS "The WNBA is aware of interactions at last night’s game in Atlanta in which fans were asked by league security to cover their shirts," a league spokesperson said. "This should not have happened." Annie said the WNBA’s statement didn’t make it any better. "It’s 100% going to happen again until people actually do something about it," she said. "And no, it does not make me feel better because they’re not going to do anything about it." A 2025 New York Times/Ipsos survey found the vast majority of Americans, including a majority of Democrats, don't think transgender athletes should be permitted to compete in women's sports. Of the 2,128 people who participated, 79% said males who identify as women should not be allowed to participate in women's sports. Of the 1,025 people who identified as Democrats or leaning Democrat, 67% said transgender athletes should not be allowed to compete with women. Among 1,022 Republicans, that number was 94%. Kasey said she believed Americans are in even more agreement than what the poll showed. "I’m pretty sure we’re like 90-10, 95-5 on men in women’s sports, but that 5 or 10% is so loud against us and it makes no sense. Like, common sense, people. That’s all we’re asking for," she said. Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84368b2c5335ae1047fb6b Spartan Glass & Mirror Offers Custom Frameless Shower Doors in Mason, Michigan te 2026-08-18T10:40:11.048Z Spartan Glass & Mirror Offers Custom Frameless Shower Doors in Mason, Michigan Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84368a2c5335ae1047fb62 Owen Edwards, Certified Financial Fiduciary®, Encourages Investors to Focus on the Value of Advice – Not Just the Cost of It te 2026-08-18T10:40:10.330Z Owen Edwards, Certified Financial Fiduciary®, Encourages Investors to Focus on the Value of Advice – Not Just the Cost of It Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8436892c5335ae1047fb59 Owen Edwards, Certified Financial Fiduciary®, Encourages Investors to Focus on the Value of Advice – Not Just the Cost of It te 2026-08-18T10:40:09.515Z Owen Edwards, Certified Financial Fiduciary®, Encourages Investors to Focus on the Value of Advice – Not Just the Cost of It Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8436882c5335ae1047fb50 Our View: Arizona can protect water and still grow te 2026-08-18T10:40:08.777Z Our View: Arizona can protect water and still grow Arizona voters are worried about water. They also appear unwilling to accept the idea that protecting water means Arizona must stop growing. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8436822c5335ae1047fb21 Einride strikes deal to add 500 Tesla Semis to its fleet te 2026-08-18T10:40:02.541Z Einride strikes deal to add 500 Tesla Semis to its fleet Einride will buy the Tesla Semis, which will be made to Amazon and other customers. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8431d92c5335ae1047f6d3 Trump endorses replacement GOP nominee Jennifer Balkcom after Chuck Edwards ends re-election bid te 2026-08-18T10:20:09.106Z Trump endorses replacement GOP nominee Jennifer Balkcom after Chuck Edwards ends re-election bid President Donald Trump has endorsed North Carolina state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom, the new Republican nominee for the state's 11th Congressional District. Balkcom was tapped to run this month after Trump-backed incumbent Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., dropped his re-election bid. "It is my Great Honor to endorse America First Patriot, Jennifer Balkcom, who is running to represent the wonderful people of North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District!" Trump declared in part of a Monday Truth Social post. REPLACEMENT GOP NOMINEE NAMED AFTER REP CHUCK EDWARDS DROPS RE-ELECTION BID Balkcom thanked the president in a post on X. "THANK YOU, President Trump! I’m incredibly grateful for your support, and I’m proud to stand and fight for the people of Western North Carolina. In Congress, I’ll work with you to continue rebuilding WNC after Helene, deliver real results for our communities, and fight to make life more affordable for hardworking families. I’m ready to get to work," she wrote, adding an American flag emoji. Trump had endorsed Edwards for re-election before the lawmaker decisively won the March 3 Republican primary in the state's 11th Congressional District, but the congressman announced on Aug. 5 that he was ending his re-election run. GOP REP CHUCK EDWARDS DROPS RE-ELECTION BID AFTER HOUSE ETHICS REPORT RECOMMENDS CENSURE Edwards made the announcement in the wake of the House Committee on Ethics releasing a report about him recommending censure. The report states that the committee found that the congressman "engaged in persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct towards two young female staffers." GOP LAWMAKER'S GIFTS, 'EFFUSIVE AFFECTION' TOWARD YOUNG STAFFERS DETAILED IN EXPLOSIVE ETHICS REPORT "While Representative Edwards denied that any of his conduct was intended as a sexual or romantic advance, his pattern of behavior would lead a reasonable observer to interpret it as such, including providing the young women with lavish and recurrent gifts, making comments regarding their appearance and dress, inviting them to intimate dinners and vacations, sending notes regarding his effusive affection, and inviting them to other activities as a way to spend time together," the report stated. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a842f842c5335ae1047f683 Omar's GOP challenger comes out firing with vow to clean up 'mess' in deep blue district: 'People are fed up' te 2026-08-18T10:10:12.196Z Omar's GOP challenger comes out firing with vow to clean up 'mess' in deep blue district: 'People are fed up' MINNEAPOLIS, MN: Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., officially has a Republican challenger who is making the case that Minnesota voters are "fed up" with fraud and dysfunction and are ready for a change as he looks to unseat Omar in one of the country's most closely watched progressive strongholds. John Nagel, a Minnesota native who spent 30 years as a state trooper, told Fox News Digital in an interview that he believes his background gives him a unique opportunity to make the case against Omar in Minnesota's deep-blue 5th Congressional District. "I think the people of Minnesota have been lied to. They've had their money stolen. They want to see somebody that's going to come in and fix things," Nagel said. "They're tired of being told the same old things." Nagel argued that his roots in the state and decades in law enforcement separate him from the political class. ILHAN OMAR ON TRACK FOR FIFTH TERM AS MINNESOTA VOTERS MAINTAIN FAR-LEFT STREAK "I'm from Minnesota, born and raised here. I'm not a Washington plant," Nagel said, pointing to his three decades as a state trooper and his work teaching defensive driving and working in schools across the area. Nagel, who won the Republican primary in Minnesota's 5th District last week, said his campaign will focus heavily on the fraud scandals that have rocked Minnesota in recent years, drawing a sharp contrast with Omar and Democrats in the state. "I'm pro-American. I'm from Minnesota. I love Minnesota and I love my country," Nagel said when asked about the contrast he plans to draw with Omar. "I'm not involved in fraud," he added, before arguing that Omar's district has been at the center of the state's fraud problems and Fox News Digital has extensively reported on Omar’s ties to those implicated in the scandal. Omar’s former campaign staffer Guhaad Hashi Said pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering after prosecutors said a fraudulent food site he established received nearly $3 million in reimbursements while serving only a fraction of the more than 1 million meals it claimed. MILLION-DOLLAR SNAP FOOD STAMP FRAUD SCHEME IN WALZ'S BACKYARD SPARKS OUTRAGE: 'CRUEL JOKE' Omar also promoted Safari Restaurant as a meal distribution site during the pandemic, praising the Minneapolis establishment in a 2020 Somali-language video. Safari co-owner Salim Said was later convicted in the Feeding Our Future scheme, with prosecutors alleging the site received more than $16 million in fraudulent child nutrition funds. Safari had also hosted Omar's 2018 election-night watch party. Omar additionally introduced the MEALS Act in 2020, which sought to expand waivers for federal school meal programs during the pandemic. Provisions similar to the legislation were ultimately enacted as part of broader bipartisan COVID relief, and Omar later pushed the Trump administration to extend pandemic-era meal waivers. Republican Minnesota lawmakers have argued those changes removed safeguards and helped create conditions exploited by Feeding Our Future fraudsters. Omar has rejected that characterization, telling Fox News Digital earlier this year that any suggestion she knew about the fraud scheme is "flat-out false." OMAR CONFRONTED ON CAMERA OVER GOP PROPOSAL TARGETING FOREIGN-BORN LAWMAKERS: ‘GOOD LUCK TO HER’ Nagel also accused Minnesota Democrats of failing to adequately combat fraud and argued voters in both parties are looking for leaders willing to crack down on abuse of taxpayer dollars. "I have not met a Democrat yet that has come out and said, yeah, we really want to do something about fraud," Nagel said. "It's been just the opposite." Nagel also suggested he sees an opening with voters who may not traditionally support Republicans, including members of Minnesota's Somali community who have grown dissatisfied with Omar. He specifically pointed to Somalilanders in the district, claiming some former Omar voters are "coming out of the woodwork" and turning against the congresswoman and saying he is willing to work with members of the community who share his vision for the state. "I'm here to serve everybody in Minnesota," Nagel explained. "I don't care what faith you are, I don't care what color you are. When you go to Congress, you're supposed to be taking care of everybody from Minnesota, and she doesn't do that." Nagel, who described himself as a "just a normal guy that wants to make things better" without "big bucks backing me" will face an uphill battle in the district which includes all of Minneapolis, from downtown and the university area to North, Northeast and Southwest Minneapolis, but also inner-ring suburbs including Richfield, St. Louis Park, Golden Valley, Robbinsdale, Crystal, New Hope, Brooklyn Center, Columbia Heights and Fridley. The Cook Political Report ranks the race as "Solid D." Nagel, who is from St. Louis Park, told Fox News Digital his years in law enforcement have never been about partisanship and that he intends to speak to all voters regardless of party affiliation. "When I would get to a crash scene, I didn't ask them if they were a Democrat or Republican before I gave them first aid," Nagel said. "I don't care who you are, I don't care how you voted in the past." "If you want lower taxes, if you want to have pro-police, if you want your schools to be better, if you just want to [have] a normal life where your paycheck comes back to you and you can go to work every morning and not have much to worry about, those are the people that I want to talk to," he continued. Nagel said concerns about Minnesota's economy and schools are also driving his campaign, arguing that the state is losing jobs and risks making itself unattractive to families and businesses. "We are losing jobs," Nagel said. "Our school system is so bad that no one's going to want to bring their kids here, even if we do have industry here." "People are just fed up. They want normalcy, which is what I want," he added. Nagel said his motivation is personal, pointing to his family and a new granddaughter as reasons he decided to enter politics. "I'm doing this because I've got a family," he said. "I've got a brand new granddaughter. And I'm not going to leave what we currently have in Minnesota, which is a mess." Fox News Digital reached out to Omar's campaign for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a842f832c5335ae1047f67a $100 hot dogs get over-the-top treatment with caviar, Wagyu and 24-karat gold te 2026-08-18T10:10:11.575Z $100 hot dogs get over-the-top treatment with caviar, Wagyu and 24-karat gold Toppings for the humble hot dog have evolved way beyond standard ketchup and mustard. Upscale restaurants and venues these days are dressing dogs up with edible gold, caviar and price tags of up to $100. The "Golden Glizzy" caviar hot dog by Miami-based Golden Goat is an Australian Wagyu hot dog topped with crème fraîche and mascarpone, 30 grams of Golden Goat Classic Ossetra, chives and 24-karat edible gold flakes, all served on Ficelle Bakery croissant dough. Each one sells for $100. The Golden Glizzy was a star at the Formula One Miami Grand Prix and Miami Open tennis tournament this year, where it sold out, reported The Wall Street Journal. HOT DOG TOWERS ARE A BUDGET-FRIENDLY REPLACEMENT FOR SEAFOOD TOWERS "The debut of the Golden Glizzy at the Miami Open showed what happens when craftsmanship, indulgence and the right creative partners align — the response is instant and electric," Keith Glickman, managing partner of Golden Goat Caviar, told Fox News Digital. "People said, 'Oh, wow, $100 hot dog,'" Glickman told the Journal. "But a tin of that Ossetra alone sells for $120. So I joke to people: 'You're getting a deal here.'" At The Bar Room at The Modern, inside New York City's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), two mini Wagyu hot dogs are made in collaboration with meat purveyor Pat LaFrieda and New Jersey-based hot dog maker Sabrett. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ The mini link is tucked into a poppy seed bun and dressed with pickled shallots, a fried egg sauce mixed with house-made mustard and sour beer, and caviar. The menu price is $39. After he tried caviar on a hot dog by happenstance at an event, Danny Meyer, founder and executive chairman of Union Square Hospitality Group, called The Modern's executive chef, Thomas Allan. "[Meyer] was so struck by how great the combination was that he asked chef Allan to consider creating a dish around it," a representative from The Modern told Fox News Digital. "It has now become a signature snack in the Bar Room — guests love how fun, delicious and unexpected the dish is." CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS At Breckenridge Ski Resort in Colorado, the Ski Hill Grill's $60 Mega Hot Dog Tower includes six all-beef hot dogs, six sauces and a mountain of waffle fries. "Inspired by the spectacle of seafood towers, we wanted to create a fun dish that felt uniquely Breckenridge: eye-catching, absurd, a little over the top and best enjoyed with friends," a Breckenridge Ski Resort spokesperson told Fox News Digital. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "As one of our colleagues recently put it, 'Seafood towers are lavish, but at Breck, you want a hot dog.'" "Hot dog towers are just one of the many ways we're leaning into the playful spirit of our community and mountain," the spokesperson added. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a842f822c5335ae1047f671 CBP officers seize $67 million in illegal drugs at San Diego border ports, DHS says te 2026-08-18T10:10:10.933Z CBP officers seize $67 million in illegal drugs at San Diego border ports, DHS says EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in San Diego seized more than $67 million in illegal drugs across separate hauls in July, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said. Officers with CBP's San Diego Field Office, which includes seven ports of entry along the California-Mexico border, made the seizures amid the Trump administration's crackdown to secure the southern border. "Day after day, our officers remain steadfast in their mission to protect our communities and secure our borders," said Sidney Aki, CBP San Diego Director of Field Operations. "These significant narcotics seizures reflect their vigilance, professionalism, and commitment to keeping dangerous drugs out of the United States." Between July 1 and July 31, officers in the San Diego office seized 8,359 pounds of drugs during 144 smuggling attempts. MEXICAN NATIONAL FACES FEDERAL CHARGES AFTER CBP FINDS $238K IN FENTANYL INSIDE ELECTRIC MOPED The hauls included 553 pounds of fentanyl, 36 pounds of heroin, 2,572 pounds of cocaine and 5,077 pounds of methamphetamine. In total, the drugs had an estimated street value of $67 million, DHS said. BORDER AGENTS UNCOVER RPG LAUNCHER, CACHE OF RIFLES HIDDEN IN VEHICLE HEADING TO MEXICO In addition, earlier this month, a 22-year-old Mexican citizen was found with 16 pounds of fentanyl —with an estimated street value of nearly $240,000—hidden inside an electric moped attempting to enter the United States through the San Ysidro Port of Entry, which separates San Diego from Tijuana, Mexico. CBP recently announced that officers stopped a vehicle carrying a rocket-propelled grenade launcher tube and other weapons as it attempted to cross from Arizona into Mexico. In addition to the weapon, authorities said they found four rifles, an Avtomat Kalashnikova AK-style pistol, 16 AK rifles, 24 rifle magazines, 16 rifle stocks and 20 pistol grips. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a842f822c5335ae1047f668 Neonatologist sounds alarm over Massachusetts abortion law allowing procedures up to birth: 'Very disturbing' te 2026-08-18T10:10:10.337Z Neonatologist sounds alarm over Massachusetts abortion law allowing procedures up to birth: 'Very disturbing' Massachusetts' sweeping move to expand abortion rights up to birth is facing fierce criticism nationwide, with one neonatologist calling it "very disturbing" that life-and-death decisions are being made based on limited prenatal information. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Dr. Robin Pierucci, a co-chair of the American College of Pediatricians' Pro-Life Council, said she could not "reconcile" the newly signed law, which she said is ironically named the Prioritizing Patient Access to Care Act. The bill, signed by Gov. Maura Healey last week, eliminates the state's previous 24-week gestational limit on abortion, making the deep-blue state the 10th to permit the procedure up to birth. Scheduled to take effect in less than 90 days, the law will allow terminations to be performed based on a physician's professional judgment. DEM GOV MAURA HEALEY SIGNS SWEEPING MASSACHUSETTS BILL ALLOWING ABORTIONS UP TO BIRTH As a doctor who cares for newborns facing serious health complications, Pierucci said that even when a baby's condition cannot be cured, doctors still have an absolute "obligation to care" and should not simply turn to pregnancy termination. "If it was really about healthcare, then it would be about protecting both the mom and the baby. And if we're really about healthcare, it would also be about if there's a problem that was identified — it will be about removing barriers for helping this baby live well," she said. "Voting one off the island because there was a suspected diagnosis is just inconsistent to do no harm." BOARD-CERTIFIED OBGYN WARNS NEW MASSACHUSETTS LATE-TERM ABORTION LAW EXPOSES MOTHERS TO DANGER Pierucci cited several concerns with eliminating gestational limits, including potentially inaccurate prenatal screening results that can mislead parents into considering abortion, advances in medical technology that can help babies born as early as 22 weeks, and the ethical dilemmas the law could create for medical professionals. Parents are increasingly offered pregnancy termination based on prenatal screening tests that can produce misleading or inaccurate results, Pierucci said. "There's something called the spectrum of disease, meaning I can't tell usually from just a picture how much or how little the patient's going to be affected," she said. "This thing is going on frequently. It's very disturbing that we're making life and death decisions with so little information." SURROGATE GIVES BIRTH IN TEXAS TO BABY WITH HEART DEFECT AFTER PARENTS REQUESTED ABORTION Pierucci warned that screening tests have become routine, but typically provide percentage-based probabilities rather than complete diagnostic certainty. As a result, parents may make irreversible decisions without fully understanding what the test actually indicates or how severely their child could be affected. As a neonatologist who routinely cares for extremely premature babies born at the edge of viability, typically between 22 and 24 weeks, Pierucci warned that the measure creates an ethical contradiction for doctors who work to save premature babies born within that window. A baby at 24 weeks' gestation is just over halfway through a full-term pregnancy. Roughly the size of a hand, the baby would have fingernails, eyelashes and rapidly developing brain activity, marking a significant milestone in fetal viability. For babies diagnosed with fatal or severe conditions, Pierucci advocates for perinatal palliative care, which surrounds families with medical and emotional support while focusing on helping the infant remain comfortable for whatever time they have. She described perinatal palliative care as a compassionate and active form of clinical care, rejecting the idea that medical care is only useful if it can result in a complete cure. HHS WARNS TEXAS HOSPITALS AGAINST DENYING LIFE-SAVING CARE TO NEWBORN WITH DISABILITY "Even if we don't have the ability to fully heal something... I always have an obligation to care," she said. Because the law does not account for alternative approaches, practitioners with conscientious objections to abortion can face ethical conflicts, Pierucci said. "When we have laws that fail to meet an ethical standard, we risk moral trauma to those who have a conscientious objection to this. This is not consistent with their value system." Ultimately, Pierucci said she opposes abortion regardless of gestational age, arguing that the value of a baby's life does not change based on how far along a pregnancy has progressed. "I don't give it different value at different points in gestation," she said. An early abortion does not make a mother hurt any less, she said, "It just meant her baby was dead sooner, which is heartbreaking to hear." Healey's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a842f812c5335ae1047f65f Nancy Guthrie ransom notes contain repeated writing quirks that could help identify suspect, expert says te 2026-08-18T10:10:09.745Z Nancy Guthrie ransom notes contain repeated writing quirks that could help identify suspect, expert says A pair of messages that may have been sent by someone with knowledge of Nancy Guthrie's suspected kidnapping from her Arizona home contain a series of clues about their author, according to retired Colorado investigator Lisa Miller, who said grammatical habits and sentence patterns suggest both notes were likely written by the same person — and could ultimately trigger the tip detectives have been waiting for. Guthrie is the 84-year-old mother of "Today" co-host Savannah Guthrie. Authorities have said she was taken from her home in northern Tucson in the early hours of Feb. 1, after a masked intruder appeared on her front steps in recovered doorbell camera video. Making them public last month could do more than jog someone's memory, Miller said. It could also put pressure on whoever wrote the notes, potentially prompting a misstep that exposes the author to someone in their own circle. "The bad guys can't help but look over their shoulder and wonder, are they onto me? Are they coming? And that pressure creates behavioral leakage that we're looking for and people around them might see." NANCY GUTHRIE RANSOM NOTES RELEASE FOLLOWS UNABOMBER ‘PRECEDENT' THAT CRACKED CASE, EXPERT SAYS But the notes themselves may give the public something specific to look for. "Think about if you've heard someone in your group, maybe outside your orbit that you just encounter that uses this strange language, or if you're written a letter," Miller said. "If you see something in their writing or in an email where they're using these comma splicings, those are the things that are useful to ask people to look for." The comma splices — where two sentences are joined with a comma rather than separated by a period — are a signature detail in both notes, she added. "We see it also again in the second note," she said. "So it's continuous between the two notes, which is one of the reasons why I believe this continuity more likely than not indicates this one author." NANCY GUTHRIE RANSOM DEMANDS RELEASED BY PIMA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IN BID TO IDENTIFY SENDER The Pima County Sheriff's Department released the notes in July, six months after Guthrie's suspected abduction from her home in Tucson, Arizona. Her whereabouts remain unknown, and authorities said they are hoping that someone recognizes the sender's "unique linguistic style." "These are characteristics, these are things that law enforcement can use to ask people, crowdsource for help in this case," Miller said. And the comma splices aren't the only habits that caught her attention. "We're seeing also some open compounds through the notes," she said. "We see 'heart related,' that should be hyphenated by most people when they write that. We see smartwatch written as two words. Most people write that as one. Floodlight, we see that written as words. So that is a continuity that we're seeing between the two." NANCY GUTHRIE RANSOM NOTES MAY BE FAKE AS RENOWNED PROFILER SAYS CASE LOOKS MORE LIKE BURGLARY GONE WRONG She also said she doesn't think the sender used AI to concoct the messages. There's a typo, for example, and the sentences don't have a smooth, AI-generated flow, she said. Instead, the unusual language may reflect the writer's unique speech and writing habits, Miller said. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X "There's something else, it's called idiolect," Miller explained. "Idiolect is our personal style of communication and it can be affected by many things. The region we grew up in, neighborhoods we live in, slang that we've adopted." The sender's idiolect could be why they used the word "perished" rather than "died" and wrote that Guthrie had been "buried in nature," Miller speculated. NANCY GUTHRIE RANSOM NOTE CLAIMED THAT SHE HAD DIED, BEEN ‘BURIED WITH NATURE,’ SOURCE SAYS "Perhaps this idiolect, this personalized language is something that they've said based on religious upbringing, based on books they've read, maybe 'buried in nature' is something they utilize," she said. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS Another possibility, she said, is that offenders typically try to minimize their wrongdoing. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE "They blame others," Miller said. "They blame, you know, the victim themselves. They distance themselves from that bad thing that they did." SEND US A TIP Miller also flagged the sender's use of both a dollar sign and "USD" to specify the ransom amount, along with the way dates and times were written, as other notable quirks. "I would bring people from the public that are looking at these notes to look at that also, cause that's a distinction," she said. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST Authorities have not yet confirmed that the notes are authentic, but Guthrie's daughter, "Today" co-host Savannah Guthrie, has said she believes they may be — and investigators haven't ruled them out either. The sum of all rewards in the case is over $1.2 million. Anyone with information is asked to dial 1-800-CALL-FBI or, to remain anonymous, call 520-88-CRIME. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a842f7a2c5335ae1047f62c Detroit startup Grounded raises $5M to customize electric and gas-powered vans te 2026-08-18T10:10:02.240Z Detroit startup Grounded raises $5M to customize electric and gas-powered vans The company has shifted from making van-life builds to custom outfitting vehicles for small businesses, all while the EV landscape in the US changed dramatically. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8423c92c5335ae1047f390 To win in November, Republicans need to take a page from Obama’s playbook te 2026-08-18T09:20:09.350Z To win in November, Republicans need to take a page from Obama’s playbook If history is any guide, Republicans could be in store for a beating at the ballot box in November. President Donald Trump’s average approval rating has dipped below 40%, while his disapproval rating has climbed into the high 50s. In previous elections, when presidents had approval ratings below 50%, their parties have almost always performed poorly in the midterms. Trump is nowhere near that threshold. Congressional Republicans are not doing much better. The generic ballot shows that most midterm voters favor Democrats, and congressional disapproval has soared in 2026 compared to 2025. It now sits in the high 60s. TRUMP’S ‘FIREWALL’ AGAINST SOCIALISM IN BATTLEGROUND STATE PUNCHES TICKET TO ELECTION Republicans clearly need a new strategy. As strange as it might sound, one of the best models could come from their former nemesis, President Barack Obama, who managed to pull off one of modern political history’s biggest turnarounds in 2012. Many Americans have forgotten that Obama’s reelection was far from assured. The Tea Party helped propel Republicans to a massive midterm victory in 2010. The recovery from the 2008 financial crash was extremely sluggish. Instability was spreading overseas, and fears about government spending were widespread. Throughout 2011, Obama’s approval rating remained in the low 40s and sometimes fell into the high 30s. Obama turned things around in time for the 2012 presidential election by adopting two strategies that conservatives could use in 2026. First, although many Americans were deeply unhappy with the economy in 2012, the Obama administration successfully persuaded millions of voters that their economic problems had been inherited from the George W. Bush administration. Obama argued America could not afford to return to the failed policies that, in his view, caused the 2008 crash. Of course, his account conveniently ignored that many of those policies had been strongly supported by Democrats in Congress, but the political strategy worked. The message became one of the centerpieces of Obama’s campaign. His team even adopted "Forward" as an official campaign slogan. TOP REPUBLICAN PUSHES FOR RECONCILIATION 3.0 TO ADDRESS AFFORDABILITY Republicans have an obvious opportunity to make a similar case today. They inherited one of the worst inflation crises in decades when they took power in 2025. Housing costs and the prices of most consumer goods skyrocketed under Democratic rule for numerous reasons, including reckless spending, unnecessary lockdown and stimulus programs, supply chain problems and the Biden administration’s obsession with costly "green" energy sources. If Republicans want to survive November, they must convince voters that returning power to the architects of those policies could make the affordability crisis even worse. The second strategy Republicans could borrow from Obama is related but distinct. Obama acknowledged in 2012 that the country had more work to do, but he also argued that his administration had made real progress in recovering from the 2008 housing crisis. Finishing the job, Obama warned, was "going to take more time than any of us would like." TRUMP WILL ‘DELIVER’: RNC CHAIR SIGNALS MIDTERMS CONFIDENCE DESPITE ‘DOOM AND GLOOM’ Republicans could make "Let us finish what we started" one of their central messages in 2026. There is little reason for Republican candidates to pretend that the promised American Golden Age has already arrived. Voters know that groceries, housing, healthcare and other basic necessities remain painfully expensive. Any campaign that ignores those realities could come across as insulting or hopelessly detached. A more credible message would acknowledge Americans’ continued struggles while arguing that free-market policies are beginning to work and need more time to produce the results voters want. Republican policymakers inherited a crisis so large that no administration could reasonably reverse it in only two years. There are plenty of victories for Republicans to tout. SENATE REPUBLICANS ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME TO PROVE THEY CAN ACTUALLY GOVERN Under President Joe Biden, there were more than 10 million border encounters, along with an unknown number of additional illegal entries that were never detected. Today, the border is secure, and illegal immigration is no longer a serious problem. Under Democrats, the Consumer Price Index, a common measure of inflation, increased by a whopping 21% from January 2021 to January 2025. Since Republicans took control of the federal government, CPI has increased by just 5%, well within historical norms. The average sales price of a home also skyrocketed under Biden, increasing by more than $100,000 during his first two years in office. THE SURPRISING HIDDEN COST QUIETLY ADDING NEARLY $132K TO NEW HOME PRICES REVEALED Under Trump and congressional Republicans, home prices have hardly budged. Housing affordability remains a major problem, but conservative policies have at least stopped it from getting worse. None of these accomplishments guarantees Republicans a victory. Elections are rarely won by statistics alone. Voters must believe that the country is moving in the right direction and that changing course could erase whatever progress has been made. Obama understood this in 2012. He did not need voters to believe that every problem had been solved. He needed them to accept three basic claims: He had inherited a disaster, his policies had produced measurable progress and his opponents would reverse that progress. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Whether voters accept a similar argument from Republicans could determine control of Congress in November. If Republican candidates continue acting as though public frustration is irrelevant, history suggests they could face a devastating defeat. If they study Obama’s successful strategy, acknowledge the country’s continuing problems and make a persuasive case for finishing the work they began, they might still have time to change the trajectory of the election. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM JUSTIN HASKINS Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8423c82c5335ae1047f387 Socialist insurgency storms Trump’s backyard, with pro-Israel Democrats in crosshairs te 2026-08-18T09:20:08.768Z Socialist insurgency storms Trump’s backyard, with pro-Israel Democrats in crosshairs The high-stakes battle between the left wing and the center-left establishment over the future of the Democratic Party takes the spotlight Tuesday in Florida, where a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) faces a more moderate incumbent Democrat who supports Israel. After attention-grabbing left-wing victories this month by Michigan's Abdul El-Sayed and Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan in crucial Democratic Senate nomination showdowns, and a major setback for the DSA with the defeat of DSA member Francesca Hong in Wisconsin's Democratic gubernatorial primary, the next faceoff in the party's civil war comes in Florida, which, along with Alaska and Wyoming, is holding primaries. The Senate primaries in Alaska and Florida will set up crucial general election showdowns in the fight for control of the chamber. Floridians will pick the major party nominees in the race to succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis, while longtime Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz is fighting for political survival against a socialist candidate in a dramatically altered congressional district. But the primary grabbing the most national attention is in Florida's 25th District, where DSA-endorsed Oliver Larkin is challenging the more moderate Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz in a key congressional swing district that's among roughly two dozen House seats that will determine whether Republicans hold onto their razor-thin majority in the midterm elections. DEMOCRATIC GROUP LAUNCHES $15 MILLION WAR ON DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS: 'MORTAL DANGER' The 33-year-old Larkin, a veteran of Sanders' 2016 Democratic presidential campaign, is the only DSA-endorsed House candidate running in a crucial congressional swing district. Larkin says he supports abolishing the U.S. Senate, arguing in a Fox News interview that it's an "undemocratic institution," and has referred to Israel's ruling coalition as a "religious supremacist regime." Moskowitz is a strong and vocal supporter of Israel and has advocated for robust U.S. military and security assistance. The two-term federal lawmaker, a former state representative and Florida emergency management director, is running for re-election in the state's newly redrawn 25th Congressional District, a Broward County-anchored swing seat in the southeastern corner of the one-time battleground state that has leaned red. Moskowitz, who enjoys establishment backing from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, is also supported by AIPAC, a major pro-Israel political group. Larkin has support from prominent far-left figures, including controversial political streamer Hasan Piker. Wasserman Schultz, an 11-term congresswoman and former Democratic National Committee chair, is running for re-election in the newly drawn 20th District, even though she lives in an adjacent district. She has faced criticism from Black leaders for being the only White candidate running for a majority-minority seat that has been represented by Black lawmakers for three decades. DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB The field includes former congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who resigned from Congress in April over allegations that she misused $5 million in federal funds, which she denies; former Broward County Mayor Dale Holness; and community activist Luther "Uncle Luke" Campbell, a rapper best known for his role in 2 Live Crew. The Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC), a leading political group on the left, is backing Elijah Manley, a 27-year-old substitute teacher who overcame childhood homelessness. In the race to succeed DeSantis, Rep. Byron Donalds enjoys the backing of President Donald Trump. The large field of contenders also includes Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, and businessman James Fishback. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER Former Republican Rep. David Jolly, who became a Democrat last year, is the best-known candidate running for his party's gubernatorial nomination. No Democrat has won an election for Florida governor in more than three decades. Florida's Senate primary will tee up the race to fill out the remainder of the term previously held by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who stepped down from the Senate early last year to serve in the Trump administration. DeSantis appointed then-Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody to fill the vacant seat. She faces three primary challengers on Tuesday. Retired Army Lt. Col. Alex Vindman, who gained national attention after testifying in Trump's first impeachment trial, faces progressive state Rep. Angie Nixon for the Democratic nomination. Democrats are hoping to flip the Senate seat in the midterms, as they aim to win back the Senate majority. Democrats also have their eyes on red-leaning Alaska, where Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan is running for re-election and is expected to face a formidable challenge from former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola. Sullivan and Peltola are the best-known candidates among the 16 contenders in the state's all-party primary, where the top four vote-getters advance to the general election regardless of party affiliation. A former teacher also named Dan Sullivan is on the ballot. Republicans unsuccessfully tried to block the other Dan Sullivan from appearing on the ballot, accusing him of colluding with Democrats to help elect Peltola by confusing voters, an accusation he and the Peltola campaign have denied. Meanwhile, Peltola made headlines last week by distancing herself from an endorsement coming from former Vice President Kamala Harris. Alaska also has crowded primary fields in the race to succeed term-limited GOP Gov. Mike Dunleavy and in the contest for the state's sole congressional seat, where Republican Rep. Nick Begich is seeking re-election. In bright-red Wyoming, Trump is backing Rep. Harriet Hageman in her bid to succeed retiring GOP Sen. Cynthia Lummis. There are also primaries for governor, where GOP Gov. Mark Gordon is term-limited, and for the state's at-large U.S. House seat, which Hageman is leaving to run for the Senate. Meanwhile, four months after Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell quit Congress amid sexual assault allegations that sank his bid for California governor, voters in his former Bay Area district will choose a replacement. Both candidates on the ballot are Democrats, meaning the GOP's razor-thin House majority will narrow further. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8423c82c5335ae1047f37e MORNING GLORY: SCOTUS should urgently allow construction at the White House to proceed te 2026-08-18T09:20:08.177Z MORNING GLORY: SCOTUS should urgently allow construction at the White House to proceed Because of extremely unfortunate, inexplicable and reckless decisions of two lower courts, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts has before him an application for a stay of an order from the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit which order upholds the imposition of a rococo construction schedule for the above-ground construction of new East Wing of the White House, one which was ordered by U.S. District Judge Richard Leon’s micromanagement of what can and cannot be built in the replacement structure of the now demolished old East Wing of The White House —an East Wing which was built in 1902 and expanded in 1942 when FDR had it substantially expanded and added underground facilities which include the Presidential Emergency Operations Center. An 84-year-old "emergency center" is, of course, outdated. Judge Leon and the Circuit have directed President Trump what he can and cannot build on the grounds of the Executive Mansion. Judge Leon is an old acquaintance of mine and has been a fine judge for his long tenure (he was appointed by President George W. Bush in 2002 and assumed senior status in 2016), but even the best judges throw a spanner every now and then, and this order is one of those. Judge Neomi Rao, perhaps the most brilliant intellect on the D.C. Circuit, issued a comprehensive dissent to the rambling wreck of the circuit court’s lengthy opinion. The Department of Justice has asked the Chief Justice to stay the order of the Circuit Court and thus Judge Leon’s order. TRUMP’S WHITE HOUSE BALLROOM FOES FACE ‘VERY TOUGH ARGUMENT’ AT SUPREME COURT, LEGAL EXPERTS SAY Justice Roberts requested the Trust’s response, due by noon (EDT) on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 I hope the Chief Justice stays the D.C. Circuit order Tuesday by COB and makes it clear that construction may continue until and unless the Supreme Court itself orders it halted. Not only are there obvious "standing issues" that should have barred the courts from reaching to the "merits" of the case brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation (as President Trump noted in a post Thursday,) but the heart of the debate is presidential authority over the Executive Mansion and its attached grounds and other structures related to the role of Commander-in-Chief. This is not a close case. A terse opinion may follow on the ongoing, urgent need to allow this president and all future presidents authority over their home/office/national security facilities within that area as well as associated areas such as Camp David. To ignore the rapidly evolving threats to the White House and any facility used frequently by any president against this reality would be reckless beyond reason and defy common sense. Judge Rao’s dissent from the D.C. Circuit decision is persuasive, but it is too long. The idea that there has to be a process to change the White House facilities (or Camp David or any national security facility threatened by the continually changing capabilities of the country’s enemies) is ridiculous and should be declared so in short, sharp sentences aimed at restoring common sense to the country’s awareness of the threats it faces. US MILITARY BASES ARE ‘ILL-EQUIPPED’ TO STOP DRONE SWARMS, TOP COMMANDER REVEALS AFTER RUBIO'S UAP WARNING The Constitution would not have established the separate but equal branch of the Executive (which also names him the Commander-in-Chief of the military) without including within those grants the necessary and proper powers to conduct both the execution of the laws and the facilities necessary to the command-and-control of the military. The backdrop to this case is not just repeated attempts on the lives of this and other presidents, but also rapidly evolving surveillance technology that has to be countered, and, of course, the astonishing evolution of the threats from drones and hypersonic missiles over the past three years. This president and future presidents should not be hindered in securing their homes, offices and national security facilities from a threat matrix that has soared off the charts. Recall that on 9/11, Vice President Dick Cheney was physically lifted up and out of his West Wing Office. Where do you think he was taken? The Blue Room? What do you imagine is being built below the new East Wing? TRUMP SAYS HE'S IRAN'S 'NO. 1' TARGET AS RENEWED CONFLICT RAISES ASSASSINATION FEARS Imagine the consequences of a state sponsor of terror successfully targeting the White House in the near term if necessary defenses that would have deflected the attack are not in place because of this ridiculous litigation. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION "Trump Derangement Syndrome" has spread far and wide, but while the hard left in this country (and the terror-based regimes which align with the objectives of the radicals) would love to see a Commander-in-Chief denied authority over his command structures and defense of his residence, the Supreme Court should move quickly to end this circus. Most of America, and certainly its highest court, would rather spend the rest of its summer break relaxing and preparing for another term that begins in October. But that’s not what would-be assassin nutters much less the Iranian Revolutionary Guard are doing this August. The Supreme Court must "must never forget that it is a constitution we are expounding," and this is the rare case where common sense about the Constitution should see the stay issue and construction resumed according to the design the president has approved after consultations with the Secret Service and the Pentagon. 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/6a8423c72c5335ae1047f375 LIZ PEEK: Hasan Piker exposes Democrats' desperation to win back young men te 2026-08-18T09:20:07.609Z LIZ PEEK: Hasan Piker exposes Democrats' desperation to win back young men Hasan Piker is a self-described Marxist who lives in a multi-million-dollar condo in West Hollywood, drives a Mercedes and makes millions of dollars every year spewing hateful commentary about America, capitalism and, of course, Israel. He was born in New Jersey to a well-to-do family, grew up in Turkey and says he is a non-practicing Muslim. That’s it. He hasn’t developed a new political philosophy, created an innovative technology, run a significant organization, or served in our country’s military. He is not a thought leader or an especially witty speaker. Nonetheless, he has gathered millions of followers on Twitch, a platform mostly used by video game enthusiasts, by saying outrageous things like, "America deserved 9/11". Most people have never heard of Piker, but suddenly stories about him are popping up everywhere. Rolling Stone, for instance, published a fawning piece that described Piker as a "matinee-handsome progressive icon who’s uniquely talented at translating radical-left politics for Gen Z bros." HASAN PIKER TORCHED OVER PLAYBOOK TO DODGE HIS PAST CONTROVERSIES: 'BATS--- CRAZY' Why the sudden acclaim? Piker is the new favorite of the radical Left, campaigning with the likes of Abdul El-Sayed, who is running for a vacant senate seat in Michigan, and is the darling of progressives like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Democrats, though, are divided about how to handle Piker. On the one hand, his f-bomb-laden self-absorbed commentary offends most people. On the other, he appeals to a cohort Democrats are desperately trying to woo: young men. President Trump made inroads with numerous Democrat-aligned groups in 2016 and 2024, but none was more consequential than his appeal to young males. In 2024, Trump won men by 12 points after winning that cohort by only 2 points in 2020. Men ages 18-49 went for Trump by 1 point after they chose former President Joe Biden by 10 points in 2020. The hectoring "me-too"-empowered feminism of the Democrat Party, which hates "toxic masculinity" has understandably alienated America’s young men. Democrats have embarrassed themselves in recent years trying to reverse those losses by concocting stunts aimed at attracting male Millennials (29-45 year-olds) and members of Gen Z (13-29 year-olds). Kamala Harris’ running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz set out to show off his red-blooded Midwestern hunting prowess during the 2024 presidential campaign, but fumbled around loading a shotgun; he was further humiliated by staging a video in which he tinkers with his International Harvester Scout engine like, you know, a real guy, but with spotlessly clean hands. The same quest has led Democrats to seek out rugged candidates like Graham Platner, their pick to run against Senator Susan Collins in Maine. Platner had it all – an oysterman and veteran who was described by GQ as "the virile, earthy working man many male politicians wish they were." Given that he so perfectly fit the script, Platner was forgiven many peccadillos by Democrats before facing accusations of rape and being drummed out of the race. WISCONSIN DEMOCRAT DOWNPLAYS APPEARING ON HASAN PIKER'S SHOW, DOESN'T 'ENDORSE' EVERYTHING HE SAYS All Democrats seem to lace their discourse today with foul language; they apparently think that’s part of Trump’s locker-room appeal. With Trump, the f-bombs sound genuine; from his opponents, they do not. Except for Hasan Piker, who curses routinely and appeals to young men online looking for someone to hate. Piker has chalked up some wins, like being an early supporter of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and some notable losses, like backing Francesca Hong, a gubernatorial candidate in Wisconsin who lost to a moderate Democrat despite polls showing her up by some 20 points. Evidently Hong’s past comments about wanting to cancel Thanksgiving and abolish the police did not sit well with voters. AOC and Bernie were smart enough to steer clear of Hong’s comically bad run, but Piker jumped all-in. He was furious that she lost and blamed her defeat on Boomers, saying "Outlaw Thanksgiving and outlaw boomers." Most recently, Piker whined that Democrats should be defending him. In one of his daily streams, Piker demanded, "Not because you love what I have to say, not because I'm part of this coalition, even though I am, whether you like it or not…" HALEY STEVENS URGES EL-SAYED TO DITCH HASAN PIKER AFFILIATION AFTER MICHIGAN PRIMARY His plea surfaced after several Democrats distanced themselves from Piker, declaring him a danger to their party. Lefty media host Joe Scarborough blasted Democrat leaders for not denouncing Piker after the streamer said about Hamas: "it doesn’t matter if rape happened on Oct. 7." Scarborough is not alone. Shannon Watts, a Democratic activist, recently mocked his efforts to scrub past incendiary remarks, saying he uses his "defense Bingo card: ‘It’s a joke, satire, hyperbole. It’s out of context. It was years ago." Watts elaborated, "English is my second language. I stream for hours. Bad faith clipping. Smear campaign. Critics are being paid for Israel.’" But many in the party see Piker as helping to drive turnout and enthusiasm. El-Sayed reportedly saw a 29% boost in volunteer sign-ups after rallying with Piker, as well as a jump in donations. And, they see engagement with those all-important young male voters. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Piker wants to be taken seriously, but his appeal comes after refusing to endorse Democrats who support Israel, including former Vice President Kamala Harris. Democrats’ long-time support from the Jewish community, that has put him at odds with many in the party. Piker’s impact will be tested anew, when Florida primary voters will pick either two-term incumbent Democrat Jared Moskowitz or DSA-backed Oliver Larkin to run for the House in Florida’s newly-drawn district 25. Moskowitz is running as a "DeSantis Democrat", trading on the Republican governor’s popularity and on his own history of working with state officials in emergency management and bringing federal funding to Florida. Larkin is a Democrat activist and "proud DSA candidate", who is campaigning hard, along with Hasan Piker. Polls show the race is close. Larkin has blasted Moskowitz for taking AIPAC money and supporting Israel. It’s a risky posture in a district where Jews account for roughly 25% of voters. But then, so is campaigning with Hasan Piker. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM LIZ PEEK Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a84216a2c5335ae1047f30b Florida Primary Underscores State’s New Identity as a Republican Juggernaut te 2026-08-18T09:10:02.367Z Florida Primary Underscores State’s New Identity as a Republican Juggernaut Republicans hold every statewide elected office and have drastically swung voter registration in the state. A newly gerrymandered congressional map has added four Republican-leaning seats. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a841f162c5335ae1047ef1a Judge Orders Release of Woman Accused of Vandalizing World War II Memorial te 2026-08-18T09:00:06.855Z Judge Orders Release of Woman Accused of Vandalizing World War II Memorial Prosecutors led by Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney in Washington, argued that Melissa Farris posed a flight risk and asked the court to reverse its decision. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a841cc52c5335ae1047eeb8 Hamadeh Introduces Mueller-Keating Memorial Highway Act To Honor Two Arizona Heroes te 2026-08-18T08:50:13.156Z Hamadeh Introduces Mueller-Keating Memorial Highway Act To Honor Two Arizona Heroes By Ethan Faverino | Congressman Abraham Hamadeh (R-AZ-08) has introduced legislation to designate a section of Interstate 17 as the Mueller-Keating Memorial Highway, honoring the lives and sacrifices of two Arizonans who confronted the threat of ISIS through humanitarian service and military courage. The Mueller-Keating Memorial Highway Act, introduced on August 13, would designate a stretch of I-17 running from Prescott to Phoenix, connecting the hometowns of Kayla Mueller and Chief Special Warfare Operator Charles H. Keating IV. Mueller, known as “Arizona’s Angel,” was born and raised in Prescott, Arizona. She traveled to Syria to provide humanitarian assistance and was abducted by terrorists while leaving a Doctors Without Borders hospital in Aleppo in 2013. Mueller was held captive for approximately 18 months before being killed by ISIS militants, including then-ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Keating, a Phoenix native and U.S. Navy SEAL, was killed in Iraq while serving during Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led effort launched in 2014 to combat ISIS, reclaim territory taken by the terrorist organization, dismantle its network, and protect civilians from its violence. Keating was the third U.S. service member killed during Operation Inherent Resolve. 🇺🇸NEW🇺🇸 Congressman Hamadeh Honored to Introduce the Mueller-Keating Memorial Highway Act Read Press Release⤵️https://t.co/QjjPCEaHIO pic.twitter.com/JZUyjOEk81 — Office of Congressman Abe Hamadeh (@RepAbeHamadeh) August 14, 2026 The proposed highway designation seeks to recognize what Hamadeh described as the “distinct, yet complementary” contributions of two Arizona heroes who confronted ISIS in different ways. “Operation Inherent Resolve demanded both military force and humanitarian resolve, and this designation recognizes the distinct, yet complementary roles our beloved Arizonans played in that effort,” stated Congressman Hamadeh. “We can never forget the victims of ISIS and these two Americans that faced that evil with faith and courage.” Hamadeh introduced the legislation one day before what would have been Mueller’s 38th birthday. The congressman has previously highlighted Mueller’s legacy and efforts to bring her home. During his swearing in ceremony, Hamadeh used the Mueller family’s Bible while taking his oath of office. He was joined at the ceremony by his family and Mueller’s parents, Carl and Marsha. Hamadeh also traveled from Jerusalem to Damascus in August 2025 to meet with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Syrian Foreign Prime Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani. During the trip, Hamadeh discussed his continuing efforts to recover Kayla Mueller’s remains and his broader “Peace Through Strength” agenda. If enacted, the Mueller-Keating Memorial Highway would serve as a permanent tribute along I-17, linking Prescott and Phoenix while honoring two Arizonans whose lives became intertwined with the fight against ISIS and the broader conflict against terrorism. Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link. The post Hamadeh Introduces Mueller-Keating Memorial Highway Act To Honor Two Arizona Heroes first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a841cc32c5335ae1047eeaf Kyrsten Sinema Reveals New Details Of Affair With Married Veteran Bodyguard While In Senate te 2026-08-18T08:50:11.173Z Kyrsten Sinema Reveals New Details Of Affair With Married Veteran Bodyguard While In Senate By Staff Reporter | Former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema revealed more details into her affair with a married veteran who had been her bodyguard while in office.  A new narrative of the affair was made available through depositions filed in the ongoing lawsuit initiated by the bodyguard’s ex-wife under North Carolina’s homewrecker law, which enables an individual to sue the person they believe to be the cause of their divorce.  Matthew Ammel (Ammel), Sinema’s former bodyguard, had been married to the plaintiff, Heather Ammel (Heather), for 14 years. The Ammels had three children together. Ammel began working for Sinema in the spring of 2022.  Sinema admitted in her July 31 deposition that despite knowing Ammel was married with children, she and Ammel had sex for the first time on May 27, 2024, while on a Memorial Day trip in Napa, California. Prior to that date, Sinema denied having ever flirted with him, let alone held or touched him in any way that could be considered romantic in nature. The former senator is seeking to dismiss the lawsuit on the claim that the affair never took place in North Carolina, physically or electronically.  At one point in Sinema’s deposition, evidence was discussed which reflected that Sinema’s phone registered her location in Southern Pines, North Carolina, when she called Ammel on the afternoon of Nov. 1, 2024. Sinema denied having been in that location on that date and insisted that she was in New York City. Both Ammel and Sinema admitted to their affair occurring in Arizona, Washington, D.C., and other states — including New York and Colorado — but not North Carolina.  Heather admitted in her deposition that she possessed no evidence that Ammel and Sinema engaged in their affair in North Carolina, and that she didn’t believe they had a sexual encounter in the state. However, Heather stated that she didn’t acquire a computer forensics expert to investigate if there was anything deleted or hidden that would prove otherwise.  According to the latest court filings, Sinema and Ammel often communicated through Signal, an encrypted messaging app which allows for automatic message deletion according to user settings. Ammel stated in his deposition that their messages were deleted after eight hours.  Sinema denied that she caused or directed the Signal messages to be deleted, automatically or manually.  However, Heather testified in her deposition that Ammel and Sinema’s messages weren’t set to auto-delete prior to the discovery of their affair.   Ammel claimed in his deposition that he was a victim of “domestic abuse violence,” and that was the reason for initiating his affair with Sinema and later separating from his wife. Despite conflicting testimony from his ex-wife, Ammel denies continuing his relationship with her following their separation date in October 2024.  Ammel also disclosed in his deposition — which he took from “his home office” in a house in Arizona where Sinema was also present — that prior to sitting down for questions, he and Sinema had prayed together beforehand. Ammel testified that he presently works as a “cowboy” at Cross Creek Ranch in San Luis Obispo, California.  AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link. The post Kyrsten Sinema Reveals New Details Of Affair With Married Veteran Bodyguard While In Senate first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a840a022c5335ae1047e5c7 Appeals court rules Trump admin unlawfully appointed Nevada's top federal prosecutor te 2026-08-18T07:30:10.561Z Appeals court rules Trump admin unlawfully appointed Nevada's top federal prosecutor A federal appeals court panel on Monday upheld an order that disqualified Sigal Chattah as the top federal prosecutor in Nevada, finding that the Justice Department could not keep her in charge through the appointment and delegation mechanisms it used after her interim term ended. A three-judge panel of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a judge's ruling that Chattah ‌was not validly leading the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada. The ruling disqualifies Chattah from supervising the prosecutions in three criminal cases. Chattah, who served as Nevada's Republican National Committee member before joining the U.S. Justice Department, was appointed interim U.S. attorney effective April 1, 2025, for a term of up to 120 days. TRUMP-FIRED US ATTORNEY LAUNCHES UNPRECEDENTED COURT FIGHT AFTER 54 MINUTES ON THE JOB As her tenure was about to expire in late July of that year, then-Attorney General Pam Bondi designated Chattah as first assistant U.S. attorney after Chattah resigned from the interim role shortly before the 120-day term expired. The Justice Department argued that the move allowed her to serve as acting U.S. attorney under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act while a permanent U.S. attorney had not been confirmed. Bondi also appointed Chattah as a special attorney, while DOJ maintained that her designation as first assistant — the No. 2 position in the office — allowed her to serve as acting U.S. attorney under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998. Federal public defenders in Nevada challenged Chattah's authority in multiple unrelated criminal cases, arguing she should be disqualified because her appointment was unlawful and called for the cases to be dismissed. U.S. District Judge David Campbell sided with the public defenders in September, and the Trump administration would then ​appeal. The appeals court panel on Monday found that under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act provision DOJ relied on, a first assistant could automatically become acting U.S. attorney only if that person held the first-assistant position when the vacancy occurred. "Nor can the Attorney General create a de facto Acting ‌U.S. Attorney ⁠by delegating all of the functions and duties of the U.S. Attorney to someone else," wrote U.S. Circuit Judge Eric Miller, an appointee of President Donald Trump. The unanimous panel also included U.S. District Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr., another Trump appointee, sitting by designation, and U.S. Circuit Judge Sidney Thomas. The Justice Department had argued that Chattah’s designation as first assistant automatically allowed her to serve as acting U.S. attorney under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and, alternatively, that the attorney general could delegate U.S. attorney functions to her. The panel rejected both arguments. TRUMP PICKS JAMES MCDONALD TO LEAD POWERFUL SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK AFTER JAY CLAYTON'S DEPARTURE This is the latest court setback for the administration's efforts to keep temporary appointees serving as top federal prosecutors without Senate confirmation. The dispute comes amid controversy over the Senate Judiciary Committee's so-called "blue slip" tradition, which can allow home-state senators to significantly impede U.S. attorney nominees when the committee chairman honors their objections. Trump did not nominate Chattah for the permanent Nevada U.S. attorney post, instead nominating George Kelesis in February 2026. In December, the Third U.S. Circuit Court of ​Appeals found that Alina ⁠Habba, a former personal lawyer for Trump, was not lawfully serving as acting U.S. attorney in New Jersey and disqualified her from supervising cases. Reuters contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83e9322c5335ae1047dab9 DOJ opens probe into prestigious college over alleged discrimination favoring minority students te 2026-08-18T05:10:10.138Z DOJ opens probe into prestigious college over alleged discrimination favoring minority students The Department of Justice launched an investigation on Monday into the College of William & Mary to determine whether certain scholarships and student benefits at the Virginia-based public research institution include unlawful race-based criteria, adding to the Trump administration's targeting of educational institutions across the country. The DOJ's Civil Rights Division announced it was opening a compliance review for the college's potential violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. "Awarding scholarships or offering coveted opportunities to students based on the color of their skin is illegal and offends the guarantees of our color-blind Constitution," Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon said in a statement. "We will find out if scholarships or other student benefits at William & Mary favor applicants of certain races. The Department will not turn a blind eye to race-based preferences, however they are packaged or portrayed by universities," she continued. DOJ OPENS PROBE INTO HARVARD'S FINANCIAL AID FOR ALLEGED DISCRIMINATION AGAINST AMERICAN STUDENTS The "W&M Scholars" program for first-year undergraduate students includes a scholarship that covers at least the full cost of in-state tuition and fees. While the scholarship is not limited to any particular race, the DOJ said in a notice letter to the institution that applicants with an "interest in diverse people and perspectives" receive "top consideration." William & Mary's website lists that consideration alongside academic ability and potential and first-generation or limited-income status. The W&M School of Education's need-based Martha L. Muguira Fellowship for graduate students gives a "preference" to Hispanic or Latino women, who have financial need, according to the DOJ. The W&M School of Education's doctoral-level Holmes Scholars program was described by the DOJ as giving "future education leaders of color" mentorship, access to job fairs and position announcements, as well as national-level professional development benefits, including policy and advocacy training and opportunities to present their research. William & Mary's current website describes Holmes Scholars as students "from traditionally under-represented backgrounds." The DOJ said the W&M Law School offers the Lemon Legal Scholars Program. The DOJ said W&M Law offers up to five full scholarships covering tuition and fees that appear to be exclusively for HBCU graduates. William & Mary's current website, however, says the law school "will award at least five full scholarships" to HBCU graduates admitted to its J.D. program. Recipients of this scholarship also receive networking opportunities, one-on-one academic advising regarding course load and bar exam preparation, as well as access to special events with W&M Law School faculty, senior administrators and alumni. The law school also advertises the "Reaching Back Scholarship," which is a need-based scholarship that has a "preference" for HBCU graduates or those "who contribute to the diversity" of W&M Law School, the DOJ said. Some programs at the institution were established to deal with the legacy of slavery and racial discrimination at William & Mary. The DOJ urged William & Mary to hand over certain documents and information by September 8 as part of the compliance review. The department said ⁠it wants ​to secure compliance by "informal voluntary means" ​but may take formal action such as proceedings that could result in the termination of federal financial assistance if it deems such a move necessary. DOJ SUES UCLA OVER ALLEGED ‘JUDENREIN’ CONDITIONS DURING ANTI-ISRAEL ENCAMPMENT Responding to the federal probe, William & Mary said in a statement that it is "committed to nondiscriminatory learning environments across our campus and complying with all state and federal laws." The DOJ's Civil Rights Division said it had not reached any conclusions about the subject matter of the investigation. This is just the latest effort by the Trump administration to target educational institutions across the nation for issues such as race-based admissions and scholarships, diversity, equity and inclusion programs and alleged antisemitism on campus. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83e4842c5335ae1047d9d7 A Summery Panzanella te 2026-08-18T04:50:12.389Z A Summery Panzanella Nothing says summer like a brimming bowl filled with fresh garden vegetables and farmers market finds. Sweet corn and juicy tomatoes are at their peak, which makes for a perfect pairing in this vibrant salad inspired by Italian panzanella. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83e4832c5335ae1047d9ce Quick Fix: Buffalo pork salad scores big with bold game-day flavor te 2026-08-18T04:50:11.685Z Quick Fix: Buffalo pork salad scores big with bold game-day flavor With a summer full of exciting sports events on TV, I was inspired to create a buffalo-style sauce for pork. The spicy, tangy glaze gives the pork a bold kick, while a crisp, cool salad drizzled with blue cheese dressing… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83e4822c5335ae1047d9c5 Mayo Clinic Q&A: When to worry about numbness and tingling te 2026-08-18T04:50:10.811Z Mayo Clinic Q&A: When to worry about numbness and tingling Q: My spouse will tell me occasionally that their hands and feet "fall asleep," and they experience numbness, tingling and a pins-and-needles sensation. Is this normal, or does it require medical attention? Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83e4822c5335ae1047d9b9 It ‘broke my heart’: Runner says conditions along Colorado River worse than thought te 2026-08-18T04:50:10.080Z It ‘broke my heart’: Runner says conditions along Colorado River worse than thought A week ago, ultrarunner Mina Guli clamored down the Nankoweap Trail, rated by the National Park Service as the most difficult named trail in the Grand Canyon, where temperatures were 100 degrees by 6 a.m. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83e47e2c5335ae1047d9a2 ACLU drops lawsuit against Arizona immigration law te 2026-08-18T04:50:06.130Z ACLU drops lawsuit against Arizona immigration law The ACLU said Wednesday that “there is no indication that any law enforcement agency or prosecutor in Arizona is enforcing Section 5” so far. But its statement also emphasized that future legal action was not out of the question. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83c85f2c5335ae1047d2bf Scene pkg Aug 17 te 2026-08-18T02:50:07.831Z Scene pkg Aug 17 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83c85b2c5335ae1047d2a4 A California County Eyes a New Hire: Tina Peters, the Election Denier te 2026-08-18T02:50:03.479Z A California County Eyes a New Hire: Tina Peters, the Election Denier The top elections official in Shasta County offered a job to Ms. Peters, a Trump supporter who was convicted of tampering with voting machines in Colorado. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83c3ae2c5335ae1047cf87 Welcome to The Local: Twin Cities te 2026-08-18T02:30:06.108Z Welcome to The Local: Twin Cities We’ll be sharing neighborhood news and, today, talking with Hope Walz. We’ll also be revealing what Wirecutter is reviewing at the State Fair. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83c15a2c5335ae1047cf41 Virginia man acquitted by insanity in killing flees US during 48-hour mental hospital pass te 2026-08-18T02:20:10.776Z Virginia man acquitted by insanity in killing flees US during 48-hour mental hospital pass A Virginia man found not guilty by reason of insanity in a 2019 killing fled the United States on a one-way flight to Tajikistan while on an approved 48-hour pass from a state mental health facility, according to court records. Abdulloi Toshpulodzoda left the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute (NVMHI) on July 6 for an authorized 48-hour pass. He was required to return two days later, but he never did, FOX 5 reported, citing court documents. Instead, Toshpulodzoda traveled to Washington Dulles International Airport and boarded a Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul before continuing to Dushanbe, Tajikistan, court documents show. "The Acquittee failed to return to NVMHI on July 8, 2026, as required," the filing states. ICE CALLS OUT ‘DEPRAVED FREAK’ ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT DEPORTED AFTER HEINOUS CRIME IN DEM-RUN STATE Toshpulodzoda was committed to the custody of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services in 2022 after being found not guilty by reason of insanity in the death of his landlord, Mohammad Hemmatian, according to FOX 5. His departure came shortly after a judge determined he remained mentally ill and needed inpatient treatment. "On June 29, 2026, this Court found that the Acquittee remained mentally ill and in need of inpatient hospitalization," court documents state. Despite that finding, Virginia law allows mental health facilities to grant certain committed patients unaccompanied community visits lasting up to 48 hours, according to FOX 5. NVMHI authorized Toshpulodzoda to leave on July 6. Court records show he left the approved placement and headed to Dulles instead of returning to the facility. BILL MAHER RIPS IMMIGRANTS WHO REFUSE TO ADAPT, SAYS AMERICAN VALUES ARE ‘NOT NEGOTIABLE’ Airline records attached to the court filing show a Turkish Airlines itinerary from Dulles to Istanbul and then to Dushanbe. FOX 5 reported that Toshpulodzoda had previously been allowed to travel to Washington, D.C., in 2024 to obtain a passport, with support from the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. After Toshpulodzoda failed to return, NVMHI placed him on escape status, revoked his pass and issued a facility warrant. Virginia State Police and federal authorities were notified, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued an alert in case he attempted to return to the United States. A bench warrant was later issued for his arrest, according to FOX 5. LINDSAY CLANCY MURDER TRIAL BECOMES SOCIAL MEDIA OBSESSION AS TIKTOKERS, SLEUTHS DEBATE CONTROVERSIAL CASE "Abdulloi Toshpulodzoda was found by clinicians to be insane at the time he killed Mohammad Hemmatian – a legal finding that means the Commonwealth would be unable to secure a conviction at trial," the Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney’s office said in a statement. "Following that 2022 finding, prosecutors have opposed his release at annual review hearings, including in June of this year, where a judge ordered that he continue to be confined in a state behavioral health facility. A bench warrant was issued immediately following notice that he had escaped custody, so if he enters the U.S., he will be arrested and brought to Virginia." The Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney’s office, the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute and Turkish Airlines could not immediately be reached by Fox News Digital for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83c15a2c5335ae1047cf34 Anti-School Choice Measure Projected To Fall More Than 10,000 Signatures Short Of Ballot After Legal Challenge te 2026-08-18T02:20:10.035Z Anti-School Choice Measure Projected To Fall More Than 10,000 Signatures Short Of Ballot After Legal Challenge By Matthew Holloway | The Protect Education Act is projected to fall more than 10,000 valid signatures short of the number required to qualify for Arizona’s November ballot after a court challenge removed thousands of petition signatures and county recorders completed their validity reviews. The Arizona Free Enterprise Club (AFEC) announced Monday that applying the trial court’s rulings and county signature-validity rates leaves the initiative with approximately 245,000 valid signatures. Arizona law required the campaign to produce 255,949 valid signatures. The calculation follows an expedited ruling Thursday from Maricopa County Superior Court Judge David McDowell in Clark v. Fontes, the lawsuit challenging the petitions submitted by Protect Education, Accountability Now, the political committee behind the initiative. At the time of McDowell’s ruling, the final outcome remained unresolved because Maricopa and Apache counties had not yet completed their reviews. The Arizona Capitol Times reported that the Secretary of State’s initial review had reduced the campaign’s submitted total to 389,376 signatures before the court considered challenges to individual circulators, petition sheets, and duplicate signatures. 🚨 BREAKING: “PROTECT EDUCATION ACT” FALLS SHORT Based on the trial court’s ruling in Clark (@ClarkRimsza) v Fontes and county signature validity rates, the union-backed anti-ESA initiative does not have enough valid signatures to qualify for the November ballot. The numbers:… pic.twitter.com/2sEDpmnqms — Arizona Free Enterprise Club (@azfec) August 17, 2026 McDowell’s ruling left 348,269 signatures presumptively valid before application of the counties’ random-sample validity rates. The court also addressed 24,369 duplicate signatures and challenges involving more than 110 petition circulators. “The court agrees that it is conceivable that a double count could occur, but the court cannot make a decision based upon a hypothetical double counting of duplicate signatures,” McDowell wrote. The initiative’s supporters submitted 421,451 signatures on July 2. Save Our Schools Arizona and the Arizona Education Association were among the organizations backing the campaign. The Goldwater Institute filed its challenge July 20, alleging that tens of thousands of the submitted signatures should be rejected because of duplicate entries, defects in circulator registrations, and petitions collected by people who were legally ineligible to circulate them. The amended complaint raised more than 73,300 objections. Those included allegations involving unregistered paid circulators, signatures collected before circulator registration, inaccurate addresses or contact information, identification problems, and circulators whose felony convictions or other legal circumstances allegedly made them ineligible. McDowell ultimately invalidated signatures collected by several circulators. Four circulators were disqualified because of criminal histories. The judge also invalidated several thousand signatures collected by circulator Tyrone Crispell after finding his denial that he misrepresented the initiative to prospective signers was not credible. AFEC said Monday that nearly 70,000 signatures were disqualified through the challenge, including duplicates and signatures gathered by legally ineligible circulators. “This is a major victory for Arizona parents, students, and the integrity of our elections,” AFEC President Scot Mussi said. “This anti-school choice initiative and its union backers spent more than $7 million dollars trying to dismantle school choice in our state, but they still could not collect enough lawful, valid signatures to qualify for the ballot.” Campaign-finance figures compiled by Transparency USA from Arizona disclosure records show the Protect Education, Accountability Now committee had reported more than $7.5 million in total expenditures through July 30. The National Education Association accounted for approximately $6.57 million in cash and in-kind contributions, while the Arizona Education Association contributed another $810,000. The Protect Education Act, designated Proposition 212 during the ballot-review process, would make several changes to Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program. The measure would generally limit eligibility to families earning $150,000 or less, with exceptions including students with disabilities, certain military families, and students assigned to poorly performing public schools. The proposal would also establish additional requirements for participating private schools and tutors, restrict certain ESA expenditures, and generally require unused annual ESA funds to be returned to the state. The signature dispute is separate from litigation over how Proposition 212 would be described to voters. Last week, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Julie Ann Mata ordered Secretary of State Adrian Fontes to rewrite portions of the proposition’s descriptive title and “yes” and “no” statements after finding that the existing language omitted significant provisions of the measure. Judge Daniel Martin separately ordered revisions to the Arizona Legislative Council’s publicity-pamphlet analysis. Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com. The post Anti-School Choice Measure Projected To Fall More Than 10,000 Signatures Short Of Ballot After Legal Challenge first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83c1572c5335ae1047cf26 Fontes urges high court to reject Trump-linked firm’s ballot rewrite bid for election reform measure te 2026-08-18T02:20:07.290Z Fontes urges high court to reject Trump-linked firm’s ballot rewrite bid for election reform measure Adrian Fontes, the Democratic nominee for secretary of state, speaking at a Nov. 2, 2022, campaign rally in Phoenix. (Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy/Arizona Mirror) A Trump-linked law firm should not get to rewrite a description of a Republican-backed ballot referral that would make sweeping changes to Arizona election laws, the Democratic secretary of state argued to the state’s highest court.  America First Legal Foundation on Friday appealed a decision by a trial court judge, striking down its challenge to the description — written by Fontes — of Proposition 144 that is set to be printed on the November ballot.  The America First Legal Foundation was created by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, an architect of Project 2025 and one of President Donald Trump’s closest advisors. GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE Representing three supporters of Prop. 144, attorney James Rogers argued that the description leaves out some of the most important provisions of the measure and includes “unresolved assumptions.” Rogers contends that Fontes illegally left out of his description a principal part of the measure requiring Arizonans to be U.S. citizens to register to vote and for their votes to be counted.  The description of Prop. 144 to be printed on November ballots reads that it “(r)equires all voters, including voters who vote by mail, to show government-issued ID to vote in each election; makes other changes to election administration and campaign finance prohibitions.” America First Legal Foundation argued that because the language of Prop. 144 says that “only citizens may register and vote in Arizona elections,” as well as that elections “shall be decided solely by the votes of eligible citizen voters,” those points should be included in the description.  In a response to the America First Legal Foundation’s appeal, Assistant Attorney General Kara Karlson argued on Secretary of State Adrian Fontes’ behalf that the citizenship requirement is not a key provision because citizenship has always been a prerequisite to register to vote in Arizona.  “The most consequential provisions of this measure for voters are the new vote by mail and ID requirements,” Karlson wrote.  Prop. 144, also known as the “Fast Accurate Secure Transparent Election Results Act,” would prohibit foreign nationals from spending money to influence state elections — they are already barred from giving to candidates, but can give money to other political committees — 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. It would also create a new standard for challenging election laws enacted by the state legislature.  Rogers urged the court to strike down the secretary of state’s description of the proposition as illegal, and to replace it with language provided by the America First Legal Foundation.  In its response, the Secretary of State’s Office explained why it did not mention the citizenship requirement directly in the ballot description for Prop. 144.  Rogers contended that Fontes “must use language that misleadingly implies that Arizona voters can presently register to vote and cast a ballot without being citizens,” Karlson wrote. “But Arizona has required voters to be citizens since statehood; this is not a change for voters.”  Karlson said that Fontes instead focused the description on provisions that would result in changes to state law that would directly impact voters.  Written by state Rep. Alexander Kolodin, a Scottsdale Republican who will go up against Fontes in the race for secretary of state in November, Prop. 144 was one of five controversial last-minute ballot referrals that the Republicans who control the Arizona Legislature approved along party lines in a marathon night of voting on the last day of the annual legislative session in June. Kolodin is an attorney and election denier who was sanctioned by the Arizona State Bar in 2023 for his part in lawsuits challenging the 2020 election that made implausible and evidence-free claims of massive election fraud. In response to the appeal, Karlson wrote that ballot descriptions of propositions are legal if they “can reasonably be regarded as an attempt to provide” a summary of the principal provisions of the measure and are not “false nor clearly misleading.” Rogers argued that Fontes overstepped the discretion afforded to him in authoring the description, but Karlson answered that Rogers and his clients just don’t like the way the description is worded.  “The citizenship requirements are not one of the ‘principal provisions’ of the measure, nor an ‘essential change in the existing law’ because they will have no effect on Arizona voters,” Karlson wrote. “These repetitive provisions were omitted to ensure that voters are accurately informed about the way this measure will impact them and avoid the impression that citizenship is a new requirement to vote (or register to vote).” The trial court judge ruled last week that the three supporters of Prop. 144 on behalf of whom the America First Legal Foundation brought the legal challenge, did not have standing, or a stake in the ballot measure or its outcome that was specific to them, ahead of voters as a group.  Rogers asked the Arizona Supreme Court to reverse that ruling, claiming that because the three men are on the record showing support for the proposition before it was passed by the legislature, they would suffer more specific harms from reportedly misleading ballot description than other voters.  “They suggest that the Ballot Language exposes them to unique harm in the form of potential credibility and reputational harm, and frustration of their participation in the legislative process,” Karlson wrote.  If that was true, she continued, any ballot language with which advocates for it disagreed could be challenged in court on that basis alone.  “That simply cannot be the case,” Karlson wrote. YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83befb2c5335ae1047ceb9 Hegseth Campaigns for Republican Zach Nunn in Iowa te 2026-08-18T02:10:03.869Z Hegseth Campaigns for Republican Zach Nunn in Iowa The appearance for Representative Zach Nunn was another departure from previous norms for the defense secretary, whose predecessors kept a greater distance from politics. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83ba502c5335ae1047ce20 Saints first-round pick Jordyn Tyson could miss 2 months with hamstring injury from training camp te 2026-08-18T01:50:08.628Z Saints first-round pick Jordyn Tyson could miss 2 months with hamstring injury from training camp Jordyn Tyson’s start to his NFL career is not going according to plan. The New Orleans Saints receiver, who went in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, could miss the next two months after suffering a hamstring injury during training camp, according to NFL Network. The 22-year-old Arizona State product, whom the Saints took eighth overall back in April, suffered the injury during last Thursday’s joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Saints head coach Kellen Moore, who enters his second season leading the franchise, said one day later that the injury could force Tyson to be sidelined through the start of the season. Now, if the current timeline remains, Tyson is looking at potentially missing at least five games. There were also reports Tyson sought multiple opinions on his hamstring injury, leading to discourse on social media among football fans worried he would be missing more than just a few practices. VIKINGS FEAR WORST AS JAMAL ADAMS, FORMER ALL-PRO SAFETY, SUFFERS KNEE INJURY IN PRESEASON GAME: 'NOT GOOD' A two-month timeline would mean a return near Week 6, where the Saints would travel to MetLife Stadium to face the New York Giants. Then, they travel overseas for a game in Paris as part of the NFL’s International Games. Tyson did have hamstring issues while starring for the Sun Devils, but Moore refuted speculation that this injury was comparable. "I think my understanding of this one, any player that was put in his situation where your foot slips and you get shoved from behind, this has nothing to do with Jordyn's history," Moore explained, per ESPN. "Any player in that situation probably has the same diagnosis coming out of this." Moore added that Tyson, who had practiced every day in training camp before the injury, was having a good time getting acclimated to his new team. "He's played really good football," Moore said. "Inevitably, this is the unfortunate part of what preseason and training camp football is. We've already had a few of these guys, that you just have something that comes up and ... we'll just work through it. "He'll be fine. We'll get through this, and he'll be good to go." Moore is charged with continuing the positive football that came in the second half of last season for the Saints, particularly when Tyler Shough, the team’s second-round draft choice a year ago, was named the starting quarterback. Now, as Shough had a full offseason to prepare as the team’s starter moving forward, the Saints did a great job adding offensive weapons for him to work with. One of them was Tyson, who hit the prospect radar for NFL scouts with a breakout 1,101-yard performance in 2024. He dealt with hamstring problems in 2025, which led to just nine games on the field for Arizona State. However, he tallied 61 catches for 711 yards and eight touchdowns over that span. New Orleans also locked in top receiver Chris Olave on an extension before the start of the season, while adding Travis Etienne Jr. this offseason on a four-year, $48 million contract. Alvin Kamara returns to the fold as well, providing a dynamic duo in the backfield. But Tyson’s priorities will be on recovery now, as the Saints hope to have their first-round pick back on the field soon with the regular season a few weeks away. 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/6a83b7f32c5335ae1047cd9a U.S. Airman Says He Would Accept Punishment for Protesting Iran War te 2026-08-18T01:40:03.294Z U.S. Airman Says He Would Accept Punishment for Protesting Iran War Major Watson characterized the war in Iran as an act of American aggression and compared the U.S. military actions to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83b0f02c5335ae1047ccc1 Stephen A Smith goes off on national Black journalists organization after 'personal hit job' against him te 2026-08-18T01:10:08.032Z Stephen A Smith goes off on national Black journalists organization after 'personal hit job' against him ESPN host and political commentator Stephen A. Smith targeted the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) for what he called a "personal hit job" against him in a lengthy rant during his show on Monday. Smith's comments came after the NABJ gave him a "Thumbs Down" award at the group's Saturday night gala in Atlanta over what it characterized as his repeated disparagement of prominent Black women. The sports host felt personally offended by the decision, calling out the moment as a spectacular lack of journalism from a journalism organization. STEPHEN A SMITH ADMITS BYRON DONALDS COULD MAKE HIM A REPUBLICAN, CALLS HIM ‘THE REAL DEAL’ "The reality is that it was a personal hit job," Smith said. "We can sit up there and lollygag around and act like we don't know any better. It was a personal hit job. Which, by the way, usually doesn't phase me. I know you think something phases me, just because you see me commenting on it. No, I'm in this business. I have a platform. I can comment about anything I want to, and I will continue to do so." "That's not what this is," he added. "This is different. This is a journalism organization that didn't engage in journalism when it came to critiquing me. Disparaging Black women is a very incendiary thing to say. If you felt that adamant about it, [NABJ] President [Errin] Haines, how come I never got a call?" Smith speculated that the award was focused on his past criticism of high-profile Black female political figures like Texas Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett. He also revealed that he reached out to Haines regarding the organization's allegations to potentially discuss their differences, a conversation that ultimately went nowhere. STEPHEN A SMITH REVEALS DEVASTATING MOMENT HIS FATHER SAID HE WOULD NEVER 'BE ANYTHING' "Do you know what she said to me, ladies and gentlemen? She'd rather have a private off-the-air conversation first," he said. "Oh, really? So you can go on a public platform, denigrate me, make these accusations against me without calling. But when I challenge you to come on here face to face and have a conversation with me, now we want a private conversation before. Nah, I will never speak to her because the deed is done."  However, Smith clarified that he still plans to support NABJ, remarking that he owes his career to an "NABJ job fair" over 30 years ago. "This is not about the NABJ. This is not an indictment against them. It certainly isn't an indictment against the sports task force filled with a bunch of my brothers that I will always be there for," he said. "And it certainly isn't something that should be held against aspiring journalists and those already in the business who aspire to rise higher. I'm always here. But those few board members who made this decision, it was wrong. It was grossly unfair. And more importantly, it was self-defeating." An editor for the conservative watchdog, the Media Research Center, told Fox News Digital Sunday that the award reflected what he viewed as a broader disconnect between journalism organizations and the public. "This charade is further proof these so-called journalist trade groups are an absolute scam. They exist to keep Woke 1 alive, and illuminate the reality elitist journalists are wildly disconnected from the rest of the country," NewsBusters Managing Editor Curtis Houck said. "Stephen A. Smith was exactly right to eviscerate them. Smith is known as someone who can be a bloviator, but he also calls out all sides if he feels they did something wrong. It's a lesson those in the NABJ should take a page from instead of masquerading as clownish activists," he added. Fox News Digital reached out to NABJ for comment but did not immediately receive a response. STEPHEN A SMITH ONLY SPEAKS UP ABOUT IMPORTANT SOCIETAL ISSUES ONLY WHEN IT'S POLITICALLY ACCEPTABLE A video of the NABJ presentation was shared by Washington Association of Black Journalists President Phil Lewis on X Sunday. "Smith has established a recurring public pattern of disparaging commentary directed at prominent Black women across politics, sports, and media," the award presentation said. "Such commentary reinforces harmful narratives, undermines the fair and respectful representation of Black women in public discourse, and stands in direct conflict with NABJ’s longstanding commitment to accurate, responsible, and inclusive portrayals of Black communities," it continued. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83b0ef2c5335ae1047ccb8 One of world’s oldest orca whales found with possible shotgun wounds as officials launch investigation te 2026-08-18T01:10:07.381Z One of world’s oldest orca whales found with possible shotgun wounds as officials launch investigation The mysterious wounds found on one of the world's oldest orcas have triggered an investigation in Spain and raised questions about whether someone took aim at the famed killer whale amid years of tense encounters between orcas and boats. Toñi, the oldest known Iberian orca, surfaced in the Strait of Gibraltar with multiple fresh marks across her dorsal fin and back that conservationists believe were caused by shotgun pellets. The injuries were not visible in photographs taken just weeks earlier. The orca, known as Toñi, was spotted this week with marks Spanish officials described as compatible with possible pellet shots, according to Spain's Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO). CALIFORNIA TEEN FACES PRISON AFTER VIRAL VIDEO SHOWS HIM SQUARING UP, REPEATEDLY KICKING SEA LION IN THE FACE The ministry said it learned of Toñi's injuries on Aug. 11, after receiving information from marine conservation group WeWhale, which operates in the area with government authorization. Officials opened preliminary investigative proceedings the next day to determine what happened and potentially identify those responsible. While Spanish authorities have stopped short of concluding that Toñi was shot, conservation groups WeWhale and Iberian Orca Guardians said their teams believe the appearance, number and distribution of the wounds point to a shotgun discharge. The groups said the injuries appeared suddenly. They had photographed and observed Toñi only weeks earlier, when the wounds were not present. WeWhale said its team counted roughly 10 apparent pellet impacts on the left side of her dorsal fin. At least two or three projectiles appear to have passed straight through the fin, while others may still be lodged inside, according to the group. EL-SAYED IN THE HOT SEAT AFTER 'SICKENING' ANIMAL CONTROL RECORD GOES VIRAL ON SOCIAL MEDIA At an estimated 60 years old, Toñi could face added risks from the injuries. WeWhale said the fin has a rich blood supply and helps the animal regulate its body temperature, meaning the wounds could lead to tissue damage, swelling or infection. If pellets remain lodged inside, the group warned that an infection could, in the worst case, become life-threatening. For now, however, there are encouraging signs. WeWhale said Toñi appears to be swimming and hunting normally, and its team will continue watching her closely. "We know Toñi. We were with her a few weeks ago and these wounds were not there," Janek Andre, founder and president of WeWhale and the Iberian Orca Guardians Foundation, said in a statement. Andre said the groups are now seeing "multiple impact wounds" across the animal's dorsal fin and back that they believe are consistent with a shotgun blast. DEADLIEST ANIMAL IN EVERY US STATE REVEALED, FROM MOOSE AND BEARS TO DOGS "If someone has deliberately fired a shotgun at her, this is not only an act of extreme cruelty against an individual animal," Andre said. "It is an attack on one of the last remaining members of a critically endangered population." Toñi, also known as "La Abuela," or "the grandmother," is the oldest known member of the Iberian orca population, according to the conservation groups. Her population in the Strait of Gibraltar and Gulf of Cádiz is classified as vulnerable under Spain's Catalog of Endangered Species. The stakes for anyone found responsible could be steep. Spanish law prohibits killing, capturing, pursuing or disturbing protected species, and violations of regulations protecting the orcas can carry penalties of up to 2 million euros, equivalent to about $2.3 million, along with potential criminal liability, according to MITECO. The ministry's General Directorate of Biodiversity, Forests and Desertification is investigating the incident. The investigation comes amid years of documented interactions between Iberian orcas and boats off the Iberian Peninsula. Since 2020, orcas in the region have repeatedly interacted with vessels in Atlantic waters, prompting Spanish authorities to issue guidance aimed at protecting boaters, vessels and the animals. Officials advise sailors not to use deterrent measures that could kill, injure or disturb the cetaceans. WeWhale said the apparent shooting should not be viewed as an acceptable response to those encounters. "There has been enormous public discussion about Iberian orcas and their interactions with vessels," Andre said. "Whatever someone's opinion about those interactions may be, shooting at these animals can never be an acceptable response." The conservation groups said they are preserving their original photographs and observational records and will continue monitoring Toñi's physical condition and behavior as the government investigation moves forward. Authorities have not announced a suspect or identified anyone who may be responsible for the injuries. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83ac3f2c5335ae1047cad3 Newly released data shows which American cities have the most passionate fanbases in the NFL te 2026-08-18T00:50:07.991Z Newly released data shows which American cities have the most passionate fanbases in the NFL It's an age-old question that's divided sports fans for decades: which city or team has the most passionate fanbases? There are several obvious contenders, cities that have the reputation for caring "more" about their team than others. Particularly in the NFL. The Philadelphia Eagles come to mind, with that city's fans infamous for maybe caring a bit, too, much. New York and Boston too, with the East Coast mindset and dedication to sports. Then there is Chicago Bears fans, who pack the old, outdated Soldier Field, even in frigid temperatures, to watch a their team, despite years of futility. Then there's the South, particularly Texas, where football reaches extreme levels of importance and high school teams have 20,000+ seat stadiums. BUFFALO BILLS FANS AT THE BRAND NEW $2.2 BILLION HIGHMARK STADIUM ARE FINDING THEIR VIEWS ARE OBSTRUCTED Well, Nielsen, the company mostly known for measuring television ratings, attempted to answer this question once and for all. The company released a new "Local NFL fandom index" report on Monday, tracking all 30 NFL markets by eight key metrics to determine which are the most invested in their teams. Those metrics include "apparel purchases, general interest levels, live event attendance, betting intent, social media engagement, radio listenership, streaming habits, and linear TV viewership." What "general interest levels" measure is not clear, nor is how they weighted those metrics to calculate their rankings. But what is clear is that the smaller- or mid-market teams enjoy the highest level of fan engagement and interest, which isn't too surprising given some obvious advantages they have over larger cities. Here's how Nielsen ranked the 30 markets and the "average index" based on their chosen factors. VON MILLER SIGNS WITH COWBOYS IN HOMECOMING MOVE FOR 2-TIME SUPER BOWL CHAMPION: 'LET'S MAKE THIS ONE SPECIAL' There are several interesting data points here, and Nielsen did provide a bit of background data that demonstrates how factors can influence the rankings. First, the small markets dominate in part because there's less competition. Fewer entertainment options, particularly in fall and winter in the upper Midwest, lead to more focused interest on the local NFL team. Nielsen, in its report, says cities like Cincinnati, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland achieved their scores thanks to the number of fans listening on local radio, watching on television, or attending games, relative to the size of their markets. Local television viewership in Cincinnati, Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, as well as Green Bay, Buffalo, and Kansas City, is unsurprisingly higher than in the larger markets. They also called out Detroit and Green Bay for both ranking in the top five in merchandise purchases. No doubt helped by the Lions recent success, and Green Bay's consistent track record. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM On the other hand, larger markets, or those with a substantial transplant population, do not fare nearly as well. NFL teams in Miami, LA, San Francisco, Tampa, and New York have stiff competition for outside entertainment, have large communities from other parts of the country, and are loaded with teams in other sports. For all the , often deservedly, negative aspects of their reputation, kudos to Philadelphia Eagles fans. Even with the distractions that come in a large market, Philly ranks among the top five fanbases. Nielsen reported that it does not lead "a single metric outright," but landed in the top five in "five of the eight questions the index tracks." ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! What is also interesting is the importance of winning. Boston would probably rank lower, if the Patriots weren't as good. Similarly, Kansas City outpaces other similar markets because the Chiefs are Super Bowl contenders every year, thanks to Patrick Mahomes. Buffalo too, obviously has a passionate fanbase, but tops the list likely thanks to their run of playoff appearances with Josh Allen. And thanks to this ranking, they may not have Super Bowl-winning bragging rights, but the Bills Mafia can now at least say they're the best fans in the NFL and bring some data to back it up. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83ac3e2c5335ae1047cac2 Voucher-reform measure hangs by a thread as Supreme Court weighs signatures te 2026-08-18T00:50:06.916Z Voucher-reform measure hangs by a thread as Supreme Court weighs signatures (Photo by Jim Small/Arizona Mirror) Whether voters this fall will get a chance to weigh in on a ballot measure to implement sweeping new restrictions on the state’s billion-dollar universal school voucher program hinges entirely on whether the Arizona Supreme Court buys an argument from the initiative’s backers that a trial court judge’s plan for determining valid signatures means some bad signatures will be counted twice. Analyses of initiative petition signatures performed by Arizona’s 15 county recorders left Proposition 212, formally known as the Protect Education Act, with a validity rate of 75.2%.  Among other things, Prop. 212 seeks to add an income eligibility cap to the universal voucher system, crack down on voucher misuse and require schools that accept voucher payments to meet certain educational and safety requirements. GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE Although there are four separate arguments before the Supreme Court that aim to change the number of petition signatures against which to apply that validity rate, the only one that really matters for Prop. 212’s place on the ballot is how the court deals with potential double-counting of invalidated signatures. But the ballot measure’s opponents are already claiming victory and declaring that the effort by Arizona’s largest teachers union and public school advocates to curtail the voucher system has been defeated. “This is a major victory for Arizona parents, students, and the integrity of our elections,” Scot Mussi, president of the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, which helped lead the litigation, said in a written statement. “This anti-school choice initiative and its union backers spent more than $7 million dollars trying to dismantle school choice in our state, but they still could not collect enough lawful, valid signatures to qualify for the ballot.” And Steve Montenegro, the Republican speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives, took a victory lap. “The teacher unions came after Arizona parents and lost. They set out to gut Arizona’s (Empowerment Scholarship Account) program and take school choice away from families who depend on it,” he said in a statement. “Instead, Arizona voters will not face that threat on the ballot this November. That is a major victory for parents, students, and educational freedom.” But the backers of Prop. 212 said the ballot measure’s fate is far from settled. “Do not believe the misinformation. There are still many questions that need to be resolved,” said Olivia Fierro, a spokeswoman for the Protect Education Accountable Now committee. “As of right now, the Protect Education Act is still on the ballot.” She told the Arizona Mirror that the campaign is in the process of reviewing the validity checks done by the counties — particularly the one submitted Monday from Maricopa County, which is home to about 60% of the state’s voters — to see if any errors were made that may increase the validity rate. But even if errors are found and counties change their findings in a way that slightly increases the validity rate, it likely won’t be enough to keep the measure on the ballot if the state Supreme Court rejects the Protect Education Accountable Now committee’s argument about double-counted invalid signatures. Although proponents of the Protect Education Act submitted almost 420,000 signatures in July, the Secretary of State’s Office determined that only about 389,000 were eligible for verification.  Of that figure, a sample of 5% was randomly chosen and sent to the county where the voter claims to live for verification by that county’s recorder. The recorders confirmed whether each sampled signer was a registered, qualified elector on the date of signing, and then certified how many of its sampled signatures were disqualified during the review. The results from all 15 counties are then aggregated into a single validity rate, which is then applied to the total universe of verifiable signatures. The 75.2% validity rate across the counties on that 5% sample is projected onto the entire eligible population instead of checking all 389,000 by hand. Following a trial court ruling that disqualified tens of thousands of signatures that were challenged by the Arizona Free Enterprise Club and the Goldwater Institute, which helped lawmakers create the Empowerment Scholarship Account system,  the two sides agreed that about 317,000 is the absolute minimum number of valid signatures against which that validity rate will be applied, with a maximum of nearly 352,000. Although that is far more than the minimum requirement of 255,949, the 75.2% validity rate lands almost exactly on the line that decides whether Prop. 212 survives — and which side of that line it falls depends entirely on how the Supreme Court rules on the duplicate-signature question.  The Protect Education Accountable Now committee is asking the high court to overturn a trial court judge’s ruling on the double-counted signatures. Essentially, it is arguing that removing signatures during litigation — like the judge did — and then applying the validity rate that already accounts for the counties’ own duplicate-catching double-counts some of them. The Goldwater Institute and Arizona Free Enterprise Club say the judge correctly applied existing caselaw and the voucher opponents merely want to count known duplicates as valid signatures. If the Supreme Court sides with the Protect Education Accountable Now committee, the initiative will have about 24,000 more signatures to apply to the validity rate, and that will give it just barely enough to qualify for the November ballot. But if those signatures aren’t added to the total, then there’s no scenario under which the 75.2% validity rate will give it enough to stay on the ballot. The other arguments the Supreme Court must decide will have much smaller impact on Prop. 212, but could resonate in future initiative campaigns. The most consequential of those is whether the “residence address” of the petition circulator is where a person is living at the time, as the trial court concluded, or if it should be interpreted as a permanent domicile, as the Goldwater Institute and Free Enterprise Club argued. If the court interprets “residence address” to mean a permanent place of residence, it could spell an end to the use of nomadic petition circulators who travel from state to state, staying in shelters or extended-stay hotels, on Arizona ballot campaigns. The remaining arguments center on whether all of the signatures gathered by a circulator who gave her home address when she registered with the Secretary of State’s Office but listed a P.O. Box on the back of the initiative petition sheets should be invalidated and whether entire petition sheets should be disqualified if someone other than a voter wrote the voter’s name or address on the sheet. The Arizona Supreme Court is expected to rule by Aug. 20 to meet a deadline for printing ballots. YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83a9e82c5335ae1047ca73 Man calls 911 after girlfriend found dead in motel, police allegedly uncover disturbing videos on his phone te 2026-08-18T00:40:08.659Z Man calls 911 after girlfriend found dead in motel, police allegedly uncover disturbing videos on his phone A Missouri man called 911 after his girlfriend died at a motel, but investigators say a disturbing discovery soon turned the case into a homicide investigation. Nicholas Ayres, 35, is now charged with second-degree felony murder and first-degree domestic assault in the death of 37-year-old Destiny Dunn, according to Columbia Police and Boone County jail records. The investigation began around 3:22 p.m. on Aug. 12, when Ayres called 911 and told a dispatcher that Dunn was lying down, might have a heartbeat and appeared "red and blue," according to a probable cause statement (PCS) reviewed by Fox News Digital. TEXAS DAD FACES MURDER CHARGE AFTER ESTRANGED WIFE FOUND DEAD AT SUBURBAN HOME: POLICE Ayres told the dispatcher the couple had gotten into an altercation while they were in the shower and claimed Dunn fell after he got out, the court document states. But as the dispatcher pressed him about Dunn's condition, Ayres allegedly acknowledged they had been fighting and that she was bruised. "It looks like I f---ing beat her up and I promise to God I didn't do it," Ayres allegedly told the dispatcher, according to the PCS. The dispatcher then instructed him on performing chest compressions. Officers arrived about a minute later and found Dunn dead, according to the affidavit. Investigators described bruising across her body, including severe bruising to her neck and face, as well as swollen and discolored eyelids. NJ MOM’S MURDER SHROUDED IN SECRECY AS PI SAYS ‘NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS’ BEHIND-CLOSED-DOORS CASE Police quickly began piecing together what allegedly happened inside the motel room. Neighbors who shared a wall told investigators they had heard what sounded like a physical altercation around 11 a.m. that morning, according to the court filing. Ayres was taken into custody. During a post-Miranda interview, he allegedly admitted having physical altercations with Dunn on Aug. 11 and Aug. 12, but characterized them as accidental and told investigators he "does not beat women," the affidavit alleges. Then investigators searched the motel room. Police said they found Ayres' cellphone, and its contents allegedly provided a disturbing timeline stretching from the days before Dunn's death into her final hours. ANNA KEPNER’S SUSPECTED CRUISE SHIP KILLER CARRIED OUT ‘BARBARIC, INTENTIONAL, THOUGHTFUL ACT’: PROSECUTORS One video recorded Aug. 10 showed Dunn without bruising on her face, according to the affidavit. Another recording from later that night allegedly showed Ayres repeatedly assaulting her for more than a minute. In that video, investigators allege Ayres could be heard telling Dunn to "clean up her mess" as sounds of slapping and punching were captured. Near the end, police said Ayres appeared to grab Dunn by the hair and punch her in the face, knocking her down. By the afternoon of Aug. 12, the recordings allegedly painted a far more dire picture. At 12:06 p.m., police said a photo showed Dunn lying in a bathtub wearing only a shirt. A five-second video recorded at the same time allegedly showed her barely moving. NEW JERSEY MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING WIFE WITH BARBELL ALLEGEDLY CONFESSED IN MESSAGES TO RELATIVES: REPORT Two minutes later, another video allegedly captured Ayres pacing between the motel room and bathroom while a woman could be heard groaning. About a minute into the recording, investigators say Ayres told Dunn he was "really calling 911." "I have to because I'm not going down for manslaughter," he allegedly said, according to the affidavit. But the 911 call that followed did not bring police rushing to the motel. At 12:21 p.m., just 13 minutes after the video, Ayres called 911 and told dispatchers the call was accidental, according to the probable cause statement. He verified his name, phone number and location before disconnecting. ARIZONA MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING WOMAN AFTER SOCIAL MEDIA FIRST DATE ENDS IN DESERT GRAVE It would be roughly three more hours before the 3:22 p.m. call that brought officers to Dunn. Police also photographed what the affidavit described as defensive wounds on Ayres' left wrist and torso. Investigators ultimately determined Dunn's death was a homicide, Columbia Police said. In the PCS, an officer alleged Ayres physically assaulted Dunn "to the point she died from her injuries." Ayres is being held without bond, according to jail records, and is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 2. As the criminal case moves forward, Dunn's family is remembering her as far more than the victim at the center of a homicide investigation. Her sister, Marinah Hollon, described Dunn in a GoFundMe as a "loving, nurturing, and incredibly sweet person" and a mother whose death has left her children facing life without her. "She had a beautiful soul and a heart that cared deeply for the people around her," Hollon wrote. "She was someone who brought love and kindness into the lives of others." "No family should ever have to endure this kind of heartbreak," Hollon wrote. Columbia Police said the investigation remains ongoing. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83a9e42c5335ae1047ca54 Family Presses for Information About Fatal ICE Shooting in Maine te 2026-08-18T00:40:04.543Z Family Presses for Information About Fatal ICE Shooting in Maine The Department of Homeland Security said there would be an investigation. But so far little has been disclosed about the killing last month. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83a78f2c5335ae1047c759 Giles defends abortion vote, says he’s still ‘pro-life’ te 2026-08-18T00:30:07.319Z Giles defends abortion vote, says he’s still ‘pro-life’ MESA — The nominee for lieutenant governor running with Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs says he sees no conflict between being “pro-life” and voting for a state constitutional amendment that lets women terminate a pregnancy up until fetal viability. “I voted for it,” said John Giles, the former Republican mayor of Mesa who is now a political independent. “It accurately reflects my personal point of view on the topic.” Giles made his comments during a news conference with Hobbs on Saturday. The event followed a campaign rally at Giles’ Mesa law office and was the first time that political reporters had a chance to extensively question the new running mate about his beliefs on a range of statewide issues. Hobbs, by virtue of her time as a Democratic legislator, secretary of state and governor for the last four years, has an extensive public record. Republican nominee Andy Biggs has 14 years of legislative votes in addition to actions he has taken since being elected to Congress in 2016. His running mate, Sine Kerr, was appointed to the Legislature in 2018 to fill a vacant Senate seat and was re-elected three times before deciding not to seek reelection in 2024. Giles, by contrast, has a political career that is confined to Mesa, first as a council member and then as mayor. Restroom policy Giles dismissed questions about his position on transgender bathroom policies, calling the issue a “red herring.” He pointed out that in 2021, as mayor, he helped push through a wide-ranging ordinance that prohibits discrimination in public accommodations, employment and housing — not just on the basis of race, color or ethnicity but also sexual orientation, gender and gender identity.” That measure drew complaints from some residents who argued it would put women and children at risk. Giles responded at the time that the ordinance would not make Mesa restrooms fearful places where men posing as women will lurk. “Privacy is a reasonable concern,” he said. “As a father of four daughters and grandfather, I would never put them in danger.” And now? “The Mesa ordinance has been in place for several years now,” he said. “There’s never been a situation like that that has been brought forward.” Abortion In a 2024 interview with CNN during the Democratic National Convention, Giles said, “I continue to be pro-life.” He added that that was the reason he was “more comfortable” with the Republican Party than the Democratic Party. Yet Giles acknowledged that, just four months later, he voted for Proposition 139, which enshrined in the Arizona Constitution the “fundamental right to abortion.” It also barred any state restrictions on that right prior to fetal viability — generally considered between 22 and 24 weeks — absent “a compelling state interest that is achieved by the least restrictive means.” Giles said his views on the issue were affected by the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2022 that overturned Roe v. Wade and the constitutional right to abortion.  In Arizona, an 1864 law outlawing abortion had never been repealed. And a judge ruled — and the Arizona Supreme Court affirmed — that with Roe overturned, that 1864 law could once again be enforced. Giles said that, unlike Biggs and Kerr, who have a long record of opposition to legalized abortion, “I did not support that.” “If I’m ever in a position to defend [Prop.] 139 and the new state Constitution protections for that, I will do so,” Giles said. ESAs Giles was also asked about those, including Hobbs, who have pushed to eliminate the system approved by Republican lawmakers in 2022 that allows any student to get an Empowerment Scholarship Account. He responded by saying he supports “school choice.” “School choice, that toothpaste is out of the tube,” said Giles. “We’re going to continue to support school choice.” But he added that he supports Proposition 212, which would place new restrictions on how ESA money is spent and would limit benefits to families with $150,000 or less in annual income. He said he remains a “strong advocate” for public education, noting his father was a school principal in Mesa for 30 years, his mother was a teacher, and his children are school teachers and principals. “I think that for there to be true meaningful school choice the public option has to be a strong one,” Giles said. “Public education has to have the resources that it needs to compete.” Party ties Giles, born in 1960, was unapologetic about having been a Republican. “I was drawn to the Republican Party because of my admiration for people like John McCain, because of a belief in limited government and free enterprise,” he said. “That’s never changed.” Giles said he remained registered with the GOP even as he believes the party changed, saying he “felt like he needed to be there to advocate for people like myself that were being shoved out of the party.” “A few months ago, I realized that’s a lost cause right now,” Giles said. “So ‘independent’ is a good place for me to be,” he said. “It accurately describes where I’m at politically.” The post Giles defends abortion vote, says he’s still ‘pro-life’ first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83a78d2c5335ae1047c750 Report identifies keys to nuclear development te 2026-08-18T00:30:05.790Z Report identifies keys to nuclear development Focusing on workforce development, expediting permitting and lowering financial risk will help states develop nuclear power, according to the Nuclear Innovation Association’s 2026 guide for state policymakers. “The real intent of this guide is to provide state policymakers with the knowledge necessary to understand how they can bring new nuclear energy to their states,” Zach Koshgarian, who authored the document, said on a call Tuesday unveiling the annual update. “The guide ultimately answers this question ‘What can states do?’ by highlighting these policies, partnerships, and initiatives that can help advance new nuclear energy in their states.” The Nuclear Innovation Alliance is a nonprofit nuclear energy think tank. Koshgarian is an NIA analyst. Over the last few years, states have increasingly explored nuclear power as demand for electricity is projected to rise with the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and data centers, a rise in domestic manufacturing and industrial onshoring, and the widespread electrification of transport and heating. According to consulting firm ICF, electricity demand is projected to increase 25% by 2030 and 78% by 2050. Around 250 bills aimed at advancing nuclear energy were introduced this year, including measures to declare nuclear power a clean energy source, make it easier to site projects, remove moratoriums, provide incentives, develop the workforce and study nuclear power development. Workforce development is key to building new nuclear power plants as skilled workers retire at a greater rate than those seeking to take their place. The report points to Tennessee, which in 2023 provided $95 million to ramp up nuclear power in the state, including workforce training. The state used the funds to establish nuclear programs at universities, such as the University of Tennessee, and partnered with technical colleges and K-12 networks to build a nuclear talent pipeline. Other states have since set up similar funds, including New York and Iowa. Connecticut enacted legislation to study nuclear workforce development. The legislation comes as the U.S. Department of Energy recently identified Idaho, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Utah as the five possible host states for proposed Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses. Hosting a campus will also help spur nuclear workforce development. The Energy Department intends to locate fuel fabrication, enrichment, used-fuel recycling, and waste management in a unified regional hub. The agency plans to select three final host sites by the end of the year. Expediting permitting for nuclear projects has also gotten attention from states, which have sought to create a single point of contact for nuclear developers. “States can… align permitting and provide clarity on timelines and requirements to developers by creating a state-wide ‘one-stop shop’ for nuclear energy,” the report says. Lawmakers in at least nine states this year have introduced legislation establishing a centralized office to help shepherd nuclear development and expedite the permitting of new nuclear power projects. Those states include Colorado, Iowa, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah and West Virginia. The Utah bill, which creates a state nuclear energy regulatory office within the Utah Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control, was signed into law in March. Nuclear power is also very expensive, typically costing billions of dollars. To help reduce the financial risk, states have sought to work together. All six New England governors issued a joint statement in March committing to explore advanced nuclear technologies while supporting continued operation of the region’s existing nuclear fleet. The Midwestern Governors Association plans to explore deploying advanced nuclear power in the Midwest. States are also looking for incentives and pilot programs to entice developers to help defray the costs. In Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, signed legislation in April to establish the Nuclear Reactor Site Readiness Pilot Program. The initiative provides up to $75 million total for up to three selected projects. The law would provide up to $25 million per project to cover a third of costs for early site permits, construction permits, and federal licensing. Kenya Stump, executive director of the Kentucky Office of Energy Policy, who was also on the call, said the idea was to help ease the risk associated with early site development and send a signal to developers that the state is serious about nuclear power. “We just wanted to send the right market signal, de-risk it, and say that the state was all in on securing at least three sites for development,” Stump said. “I’m not trying to go find the billions yet. I’m really just trying to provide certainty that Kentucky has sites for you, and then we’ll move to the next step of how we’re going to fund it.” The post Report identifies keys to nuclear development first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83a5362c5335ae1047c6e2 Trump Votes by Mail Again in Florida te 2026-08-18T00:20:06.281Z Trump Votes by Mail Again in Florida The president also voted by mail in 2020 and in a Florida special election in March, even as he has railed against the practice and equated it to cheating. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83a5352c5335ae1047c6d9 House Panel Investigates Charges a Democrat Had Sexual Contact With Aide te 2026-08-18T00:20:05.521Z House Panel Investigates Charges a Democrat Had Sexual Contact With Aide Representative Jimmy Gomez of California acknowledged “personal mistakes” outside his marriage but denied breaking rules that bar relationships with a direct subordinate. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83a08a2c5335ae1047c654 Illegal immigrant learns fate after using stolen identity to vote in US elections for decades te 2026-08-18T00:00:10.433Z Illegal immigrant learns fate after using stolen identity to vote in US elections for decades Carlos Felipe Jaramillo-Grajales, a criminal illegal alien from Colombia, was recently sentenced to three years behind bars for identity theft and lying about his citizenship status — a falsification that, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), he used to participate in U.S. elections over a period spanning roughly 20 years. "Because of his fraud, he was able to obtain a driver’s license and vote in our elections," DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a statement. "DHS will always fight to protect the integrity of our elections, because election security is national security. Only Americans should be electing American leaders," he continued. His Friday sentencing comes as lawmakers in Washington, D.C. have wrestled over whether new legislation is needed to shore up voter verification that demonstrates the lengths some aliens have gone to secure state ID. SCHUMER SAID ‘DEMOCRATS SUPPORT VOTER ID’ — THEN EVERY SENATE DEMOCRAT VOTED AGAINST GOP BILL It’s a pattern that Mullin highlighted in a letter to secretaries of state in California, New Jersey, Nevada and Pennsylvania earlier this year. According to his findings, as many as 190,830 noncitizens registered to vote in California, for instance. In Jaramillo-Grajales’ case, he first began the scheme by using the name, date of birth and Social Security number of a U.S. citizen to obtain a passport in March 2003. Once he had secured that credential, he used the false information to obtain a Florida driver’s license and register to vote. He would go on to cast a ballot in the 2020 election and others, according to DHS. Investigators also explained that he had used the stolen identity for other purposes. "This criminal illegal alien spent years exploiting a stolen identity of a United States citizen to obtain government documents [and] claim benefits," Tim Hemker, a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations, said. CALIFORNIA ACCUSED OF BLOCKING FEDERAL VOTER ROLL AUDIT AS DOJ ESCALATES PROBE OF ELECTION FRAUD CLAIMS In one instance, Jaramillo-Grajales used his false name in June 2017 to secure lawful permanent residence for his fiancée, who later became his wife. DHS framed Jaramillo-Grajales’s conviction as a part of a broader effort to crack down on illegal aliens fabricating information to vote or secure U.S. benefits. The agency noted cases like that of Marian Chariton, an alien from Slovakia, who had illegally voted in the 2022 election in New Jersey after falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen. It similarly pointed to Jose Ceballos, an alien from Mexico who pleaded guilty to three counts of disorderly election for falsely claiming to be a citizen in Kansas. "Thanks to the hard work of the men and women of HSI, along with our federal partners, this criminal is out of our communities and, at the end of his sentence, will be removed from our country," Mullin said. NONCITIZEN EX-KANSAS MAYOR PLEADS GUILTY TO ILLEGALLY VOTING MULTIPLE TIMES According to the Florida U.S. attorney’s office, Jaramillo-Grajales’ case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), and the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arnold B. Corsmeier. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83a0822c5335ae1047c629 Anthropic’s annualized revenue surges to $65B te 2026-08-18T00:00:02.661Z Anthropic’s annualized revenue surges to $65B The model maker added $18 billion in annualized revenue in two months. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/home