https://meenews.co/post/6a87824b2c5335ae104929fd DAVID MARCUS: West Virginian fairgoers are worried, but not about prices te 2026-08-20T22:40:11.453Z DAVID MARCUS: West Virginian fairgoers are worried, but not about prices Since the 1950s, the Jefferson County Fair in West Virginia has been serving up prize pigs, hefty heifers and fried everything for a citizenry that still adores it. As politicians have long known, it is among the best places on Earth to take the temperature of the American voter. Over the two days, while stuffing the old Marcus face with corn dogs and pepperoni rolls, I had expected the political talk to be about prices, or affordability, as the Democratic Socialists and the mainstream media call it. But what most people wanted to talk about was data centers. "I’m a farmer," Roy, who raises cattle nearby, told me. "Data centers, power lines, all of that, it's a threat to us. All we've got is the land." FOX NEWS POLL: COOL YOUR SERVERS! VOTERS REJECT DATA CENTERS This is a sentiment I heard, not just from the regular folks of Jefferson County, but from those who seek to serve them. Jenny Thacker and Marta Beck are both Democrats running for the House of Delegates. While they aren’t completely opposed to data centers in the county, both have issues with how the developments are being implemented. FIRST-EVER MORATORIUM ON AI DATA CENTERS PASSES MAINE LEGISLATURE "We cannot afford to have water taken out of our system, so if we can make a law that says, 'Yes, you can use surface water, but you cannot use well water,' that goes a long way to protecting our ground water," Thacker said. For Beck’s part, her concern was that "They [the state] have taken away local control from the municipalities." That word, "control," really lies at the heart of this debate, not just in West Virginia, but everywhere I travel in the country. TEXAS GOV. GREG ABBOTT EFFECTIVELY PAUSES NEW DATA CENTER PROJECTS PENDING STATEWIDE GRID AUDIT Also at the fair, was Tamara Thompson, vice president of We The People of Jefferson County, one of the original Tea Party groups still exerting power in the Mountaineer State. She said she has been getting an earful about data centers. "I hear a lot of people being against it [data centers]," Thompson said, noting that many complain of noise pollution. "I like boots on the ground, so going there and hearing whether or not there is an export of extreme sounds was something I took personal, and I didn’t experience that." SILICON VALLEY IS LOSING THE DATA CENTER FIGHT, RISKING A REPEAT OF A CLASSIC FAILURE One fairgoer, Sarah, a retired teacher, put it rather succinctly: "I guess we need ‘em," she quipped holding up her phone, "but nobody wants ‘em." What became clear, through Tuesday’s demolition derby and Wednesday’s antique tractor pull, is that data centers are a real issue, but also the Platonic form of a first-world problem. KEVIN O'LEARY WARNS CHINA IS WINNING THE AI RACE BECAUSE U.S. STATES ARE SLOWING DATA CENTER PRODUCTION That isn’t meant dismissively. Sometimes first-world problems are more intractable than third-world ones. But this is a crisis of opportunity, not lack thereof. Mickey Reagan is running to be a Jefferson County Commissioner. I chatted with a few volunteers at her tent, and when I asked what the top issue they were hearing about from voters was, the answer was a telling single word: growth. ‘BACKYARD BRAWL’ IGNITES AS WEST VIRGINIA'S MORRISEY MOVES TO POACH BLUE STATE RIVAL SPANBERGER'S JOBS With my eyebrows slightly knitted I said, "Wait, do you mean not enough growth or, like, too much growth and the county can’t handle it?" Without a beat they said, "Too much growth." AMERICA’S BROKEN PERMITTING SYSTEM IS QUIETLY RAISING YOUR COST OF LIVING It isn’t as crazy as it may sound. In the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, it seems a hundred new houses go up every day, but not a hundred new roads, or wells, or schools. Data Centers, on the other hand, can pop up like weeds. The main takeaway I got from both Democrats and Republicans enjoying their funnel cake was that they want local control and they don’t trust big tech as far as a baby calf could pull it. How can we blame them? FOX NEWS POLL: MOVE OVER BIG BROTHER, VOTERS SEE BIG TECH AS GREATER THREAT TO US In the fast-as-lightning tech sector, when regulation lags behind innovation, we wind up with 12-year-olds watching hardcore pornography on their phones, not because we chose it, but because we let it happen. For Republicans nationally, there is good news coming from the fair. Two years ago, before Trump’s restoration, all people could talk about at such events was how much everything costs, there was little time to spare for debate on the relative value of data centers. Today, for Americans in West Virginia, and across the nation, we are not in an economic crisis. We are doing okay. The issue is not keeping our heads above water, but rather how to responsibly ride the rising tide. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM DAVID MARCUS Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8782452c5335ae104929e1 Trump Officials Impose More Sanctions to Pressure Cuba te 2026-08-20T22:40:05.959Z Trump Officials Impose More Sanctions to Pressure Cuba Human rights experts have said that the U.S. attempts to squeeze Cuba’s economy, including an oil blockade, have caused a severe humanitarian crisis. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8782432c5335ae104929c0 OpenAI is gaining on Anthropic with business users, new data indicates te 2026-08-20T22:40:03.519Z OpenAI is gaining on Anthropic with business users, new data indicates Businesses are willing to flop back and forth as each lab releases new models, volatility that should give both companies' investors pause about how "sticky" enterprise AI spending really is. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a877ff32c5335ae10492970 AEW star Adam Copeland talks winning tag team titles with Christian Cage, Young Bucks being on wrestle list te 2026-08-20T22:30:11.657Z AEW star Adam Copeland talks winning tag team titles with Christian Cage, Young Bucks being on wrestle list For the first time in 25 years, Adam Copeland and Christian Cage were able to call themselves tag team champions when they defeated FTR in an I Quit match at Double or Nothing. Copeland and Cage have reigned supreme over the tag team division since then, dispatching The Death Riders and The Dogs in separate matches. The type of run that Copeland and Cage have put together since he joined All Elite Wrestling (AEW) is exactly what he wanted when he came to the company. Copeland wasn’t looking for a nostalgia act. COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON OUTKICK "Just fun and exactly the type of reason I came to AEW is to go after these things that I still wanted to go after but I knew weren't going to be possible unless I made that that move and to get a chance to team with him and totally recreate the team and not have it just be the thing we used to do," he told Fox News Digital. "It's like we're a team again, but we're an entirely different team and we should be because we've experienced so much and gone through so much throughout our careers that we bring all of that now and to just go and try and rehash the chump stain stuff, I don't know, it almost be a disservice to us. Like we put in enough work in between to create and carve these character paths for ourselves that to just throw that to the wayside so we could do a nostalgia run, that didn't feel right. And that was the discussions we had going into this is trying to make sure that it didn't just feel like a rehash. "And I think we’ve been successful in that. We tried to change things like we never had a finishing move as a team. Like that's insane. We never had a finishing move. Our finishing move was a concerto which is illegal. So, what we always did is just cheat and we were heels so it worked. But this incarnation is different. So, it was before Forbidden Door, I was like, ‘Hey, I was thinking about this pop-up spear thing.’ We hadn't tried it. We're just like, OK, we'll try it out there in London at the O2 for the first time ever in our first match back in 15 years. It was like, ‘Oh, yeah, we hit it. Okay, we still got that thing.’" Now, Copeland and Cage are getting ready to take on the Young Bucks – Matt and Nick Jackson – at All In with the AEW World Tag Team Championship on the line. Copeland had made note in a social media post that the Young Bucks were on his list of opponents he wanted to face. The same list included historic venues he wanted to wrestle in, including Arena México. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS For Copeland, the Young Bucks have been for a little while. "Oh, they've been on the list from the time that any kind of reality of me and AEW started to come to fruition," he told Fox News Digital. "FTR, Young Bucks, team-wise, like, those are like got to do that, have to do that. They were definitely on the list, but also too, didn't fully know if Christian and I, were going to get back to teaming. So, it's like, OK, want to we got to make sure it's right and the right time and try and fit it into this story and into that to try. "So, really it was it was the match with Mox that was the vehicle to get him and I going as a team again and for him to lose the Casino Royale opportunity because of his selfishness and then for me to go, ‘See your selfishness isn't working, man.’ And then taking the turn of, OK, but you're selfish, that's you. And then I just got to accept it and then we could kind of start running and that's just been really fun. When I think of a word, the only one that comes to mind is we've just been having fun and I get to live vicariously through Jay's character. So, like I’m like what if you said this and he's like, oh, and some of the things, man, like it it's just it's so much. It's just fun." All In is set to take place on Aug. 30 at Wembley Stadium in London. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a877ff22c5335ae10492967 Pastor unleashes on Dearborn as religious tensions erupt at city council meeting: 'Enough is enough' te 2026-08-20T22:30:10.892Z Pastor unleashes on Dearborn as religious tensions erupt at city council meeting: 'Enough is enough' What started as a regularly scheduled town hall in Dearborn, Michigan, erupted into a flashpoint over the influence of Muslim culture in American civic life on Tuesday as the pastor of a local church accused the town of operating under Sharia law. "America, we have lost this city. This is a city that is no longer up under American laws; we are up under Sharia law. We will not have it anymore," Lorenzo Sewell, the pastor of 180 Church, said. "Enough is enough." The outburst, which came amid a series of other anti-Islam protests in Dearborn, vocalizes fears that Muslim populations in Michigan are working to bring their communities more in line with their religious worldview — views Sewell believes are at odds with the vast majority of the country. EL-SAYED'S AGENDA PUTS ‘PERMANENTLY’ CHANGED AMERICA ON THE LINE IN MICHIGAN SENATE RACE, GOP FIREBRAND WARNS "You are only 1% of this nation. We are not a nation of Muslims," Sewell said. Sewell’s references to an implementation of Sharia law don’t refer to actual legislation looking to codify Muslim religious practices. Instead, they’re based on what he sees as a form of favoritism that’s being applied unevenly to Muslims in the name of religious freedom. In particular, Sewell and other Dearborn critics have pointed to a case where Muslim counterprotesters, in his view, suffered inadequate consequences for assaulting Jake Lang, a local political activist. "You are not up under American law. You are up under Sharia law. That is the reason why you have made no arrests," Sewell said, referring to the incident. Lang, the activist, is no stranger to brushes with the Muslim community in Dearborn. He frames himself as a faith-based champion of American culture. In one video posted to X, Lang is seen conducting baptisms while wearing military-style garb and a bulletproof chest plate — an outfit he dons in a lot of his online content. "I don’t know about you, but I am ready to load up CRUISE SHIPS with fu—ing AMERICAN GUNS & go and LIBERATE SPAIN from the Muslim hords. If the Democrats take power in 2028, I’ll be at the Southern Border laying these animals down by the HUNDREDS!!!!!" Lang wrote in another post, referring to a recent influx of immigrants to Spain. But his online opposition turned into a real-world altercation earlier this month when Lang took his protest to the city’s Arbaeen March, an annual religious commemoration. MICHIGAN SENATE RACE: EL-SAYED’S TIES TO EXTREMIST FUEL ANTISEMITISM CONCERNS AMONG JEWISH VOTERS In one video, Lang is seen taking a punch from behind while holding a sign "deport 100 million, save America." Muslim counterprotesters chased Lang back to his car and at least one tried to hit him with a rock. "Detroit Crime News JUST released video of 3 BARBARIC Muslims picking up large rocks to STONE me to death!!! For preaching the NAME OF JESUS!!!" Lang wrote online. Notably, the police did arrest one of the assailants and asked for help in identifying others who had engaged in unlawful behavior. "One individual was arrested by Dearborn Police during the altercation and is currently held without bond as the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office determines charges," a police press release of the incident read. In Lang’s view — and in the view of Sewell — that isn’t enough. Ahead of the Tuesday city council meeting, Lang, Sewell and other demonstrators announced plans to protest the gathering, pressing for the city to more seriously evaluate Muslim influence and the influence of Sharia law. City officials have pushed back on characterizations that Muslims are being treated differently than other citizens of Dearborn. "When people portray Dearborn as some place that has been overtaken by Muslims, they aren’t simply attacking our Muslim and Arab communities. They’re also trying to erase our Christian brothers and sisters who have contributed immeasurably to the city and folks of other faiths," Mayor Abdullah Hammoud said at the city council meeting on Tuesday. CALIFORNIA LAWMAKERS' PUSH TO MAKE MUSLIM HOLY DAYS STATE HOLIDAYS SPARKS DEBATE OVER SCHOOL NEUTRALITY "Ultimately, they’re attacking something much larger than any one faith or community. They are attacking the idea that all of us can belong to America at the same time." According to the 2020 U.S. census, a majority of the Dearborn reported Middle Eastern or North African ancestry, making it the first American city to have a predominantly Arab population, at roughly 54.5% of its residents. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a877fee2c5335ae1049294f A Sun City West resident had problems with her HOA, so she wrote a bill te 2026-08-20T22:30:06.052Z A Sun City West resident had problems with her HOA, so she wrote a bill Key Points: Residents who face HOA issues are talking to lawmakers to address the laws Six bills were signed that rein in HOAs’ power The Arizona Department of Real Estate takes complaints but does not regulate HOAs When Sun City West resident Caroline Trotter ran into problems with her homeowners association, she did something many might not think to do: She took her fight to the state Legislature. This dispute — started over squabbles with neighbors, an unsightly concrete wall and a retaliatory HOA — ultimately led to the bipartisan approval of a new law requiring HOA boards to be more judicious in how they use their powers and not play favorites. Trotter’s experience is part of a broader and growing push by Arizona homeowners to rein in HOA authority. More than 30 bills affecting HOAs were introduced this legislative session, though only six became law, according to an Arizona Capitol Times analysis. The proposals addressed everything from backyard shade structures to military flags and unpaid assessments. More HOA bills will likely be filed next legislative session, but Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, said it depends on the constituents.  “Possibly. Most of my legislation is in response to some horrible story of victimization by some HOA member that I then respond to,” he said. “I haven’t gotten any yet so far, but the interim is young.” It’s no small matter in Arizona, where nearly a third of homes are governed by HOAs, according to Today’s Homeowner. HOA fees are also the second-highest in the nation: about $448 a month.  “I’m delighted this will help others, especially seniors,” Trotter said about House Bill 4011, which she got passed with the help of Rep. Beverly Ringerelli, R-Peoria. Trotter added that a home is often the only thing seniors have left.  The new law states that planned community association boards have a duty to act reasonably when exercising their authority. It defines “duty to act reasonably” as exercising discretionary powers neutrally, fairly, without favoritism and in a nonarbitrary fashion.  The goal is to educate HOA boards — quasi-government groups often made up of volunteers — who might not be aware of all the HOA’s legal responsibilities. Both Pingerelli and Trotter said it’s a starting point to move the needle and help homeowners in the future.  Pingerelli said she hasn’t had any issues with HOAs, but knows people face issues in other associations.  “The language we came up with was the most appropriate to start out the conversation,” she said. “It’s a very bipartisan issue.” Caroline Trotter is a Sun City West resident who experienced issues with her HOA and took them to a state lawmaker, resulting in a new law. (Submitted by Caroline Trotter) From HOA dispute to state law Trotter moved to Arizona after a long career in international business as a senior executive, president and CEO of several companies. For six years, she said she’s loved her neighborhood despite the issues she’s experienced over the past year. Trouble started with a series of small disputes that culminated in one neighbor building a concrete block wall on what Trotter said was her property. The wall is unpainted on Trotter’s side, and it’s the only one in the neighborhood. It also blocks her view of the golf course.  Trotter went to the Recreation Centers of Sun City West to complain. But instead of solving the problem, she said they accused her of violating HOA rules. She declined to go into details because she has since filed a lawsuit against her neighbors over the issue.  Representatives for Recreation Centers of Sun City West declined to comment at length about the case. Instead, they released a statement saying they “acted reasonably regarding issues and interactions with Mrs. Trotter.”  About HB 4011, they added, “Since 1979, the Recreation Centers of Sun City West has been and continues to be one of the nation’s top active adult communities. We set the standard for 55-plus planned communities. We have always and will continue to act reasonably in the exercise of the Association’s discretionary powers, so HB 4011 will not require any changes in how we operate.” The before-and-after photos above show Caroline Trotter’s backyard. The concrete block wall blocks her view of the golf course. (Submitted by Caroline Trotter) Three key laws curbing HOA power  House Bill 4011 isn’t the only new law trying to rein in HOA power.   Rep. Stacey Travers, D-Phoenix, filed House Bill 2342 and got it signed into law. It prevents HOAs from restricting the installation or use of a shade structure in a backyard.  Travers said earlier this year that the bill was inspired by a family in Chandler who installed a shade structure so their child could play safely outside.  The HOA told them to take it down, almost to the point of harassment, Travers said. They tried to use an umbrella, but they were told to take that down too.  “Expanding shade structure regulations within our HOA is a practical, forward-thinking step that benefits the entire community,” Travers said. “With clear design standards in place, the HOA can maintain neighborhood aesthetics while giving residents the ability to adapt to rising temperatures and changing needs.” Senate Bill 1184, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader John Kavanagh and signed into law in June, states that HOAs cannot prohibit the display of flags of military branch divisions. This bill met some resistance from Democrats, who proposed an amendment protecting homeowners who want to fly pride flags. The amendment failed on the House floor. A third law, filed as Senate Bill 1246 and sponsored by Sen. Wendy Rogers, protects homeowners from losing their homes over relatively small, unpaid HOA or Condominium Owners Association assessments. It passed unanimously in the Legislature. Homeowners have limited recourse For retired attorney Steve Cheifetz, who has litigated HOA cases involving both homeowners and associations, the new laws highlight a larger issue: HOAs have considerable authority to limit homeowners’ rights over their own property.  HOAs generally operate under what’s known as a Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (or CC&Rs). These are legally binding documents that outline what property owners can and cannot do with their properties, and the consequences for violating the rules. State laws limit some HOA authority, Cheifetz said, but homeowners are still bound by HOA property use limitations. No state department or agency oversees HOAs. Homeowners can file a $500 petition with the Arizona Department of Real Estate. It’s a legal action one party is choosing to file against another, and the matter is adjudicated by an administrative law judge through a case assignment at the Office of Administrative Hearings, Commissioner Susan Nicolson said.  But they offer reduced-fee mediation, and often the case will not proceed because there isn’t really a complaint, Nicolson said. They do not have any regulatory authority to enforce HOAs, and they don’t interpret the CC&Rs either, she added.  Between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, Nicolson’s department received 261 petitions regarding HOA complaints. Of those, the department issued 28 decisions and coordinated four rehearing requests.  So far in 2026, she said the department has received 246 petitions, and 77 cases are currently open.   Nicolson said the best advice she can give prospective homeowners who are considering an HOA is to read the CC&Rs before they buy. Many times, HOAs win their cases because they were following the law, she said.  “Homeowners associations are basically [homeowners] giving up some of [their] private property rights that came with the land in order to live in a community that’s agreed to certain rules,” she said. “Other people just want their private property rights, and if they want to paint their house turquoise and copper … go forth. They do not want anybody to tell them that they can’t do that, and that’s a personal choice.” The post A Sun City West resident had problems with her HOA, so she wrote a bill first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a877feb2c5335ae10492942 Phoenix Police Investigate 2 Officers Accused of Violent Traffic Stop te 2026-08-20T22:30:03.536Z Phoenix Police Investigate 2 Officers Accused of Violent Traffic Stop The department opened a criminal investigation after a couple said they were shocked with a stun gun and beaten during the Aug. 5 encounter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a877d9b2c5335ae10492900 Jill Biden entertains possibility Joe was drugged before debate, asked point blank if doctors ruled out stroke te 2026-08-20T22:20:11.063Z Jill Biden entertains possibility Joe was drugged before debate, asked point blank if doctors ruled out stroke Former first lady Jill Biden doubled down on the possibility of her husband, former President Joe Biden, being drugged ahead of the 2024 debate, and was asked during a podcast on Thursday if doctors ruled out a stroke that night. Podcast host Jamie Kern Lima asked Biden if a stroke was ruled out by doctors the night of the debate. "Well, they did. They said, I mean, I didn't say to them, when I was writing my book, I was reflecting, but I didn't say, 'God, did Joe have a stroke?' I just said, 'Is he okay? Is he okay?'" Biden responded. JILL BIDEN REVEALS JOE WHISPERED 'I REALLY F---ED UP' AFTER DISASTROUS DEBATE WITH TRUMP Lima asked the former first lady what her gut told her happened, and Biden said she didn't know. "I mean, there's all kinds of theories — you know, he had been traveling," she said. "I know he was tired, he didn't feel well that day, when I saw him, but there was nothing definitive that I could point to. And I had been on the road for two weeks up until that moment. So, I wasn't with him. I didn't see him days before, weeks before. I saw him maybe one hour before." JILL BIDEN SAYS SHE THOUGHT JOE WAS HAVING A STROKE DURING HIS DISASTROUS 2024 DEBATE PERFORMANCE Lima asked, "There's no way anyone could have, God forbid, laced his drink or something?" "Who knows? Who knows?" Biden responded. The former president's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. One of the most decisive moments of the 2024 election was then-President Biden's debate with now President Donald Trump. Biden stammered, had long periods of silence and intense, confused facial expressions, to the point some of his most vocal supporters broke ranks and demanded he relinquish the nomination. Jill Biden released a memoir, "View from the East Wing," which touched on the debate moment. Biden wrote that she thought Joe might have had a stroke. "I wasn’t horrified, I was frightened," Jill Biden recalled in a May interview. "I had never ever seen Joe like that before or since," the first lady said. "I don’t know what happened. As I watched it, I said, ‘Oh my God, he’s having a stroke.’ It scared me to death." JAKE TAPPER DISPUTES JILL BIDEN'S CLAIM SHE FEARED FOR HUSBAND'S HEALTH AT CNN DEBATE She told Lima that she and the president had doctors around them at all times and she was told that Joe was okay that night before they went on to do more events. "It was like such an aberration," she added. Democrats and others have pushed back on Jill's book tour and the re-hashing of 2024, a sore point for the party as former Vice President Kamala Harris ultimately lost to President Trump. DEMOCRATS’ MIDTERM PUSH CLOUDED BY INFIGHTING OVER PARTY KEEPING 2024 AUTOPSY UNDER WRAPS Andrew Bates, a former Biden spokesperson, said of Jill Biden's book, "I don’t see why that painful conversation for the party needed to be publicly reopened right now." The former first lady responded to Bates, "I want to say to Andrew: Call me up, and say it to my face, buddy." George Washington University professor of political management, Dr. Matt Dallek, told Fox News Digital in a statement that while the memoir tour and rehashing of 2024 likely wouldn't matter to voters ahead of the midterms or 2028, members of the Democratic Party see the Bidens as focused on the past. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "Democrats seem to feel like they're focused on the past, they're focused on Trump coming back to power," Dallek said. "They're focused on the perceived sense of failure of Biden, and his unpopularity as he left office." "I think that the memoir tour, the various appearances by — whether it's Jill Biden or Hunter Biden — I think there's still, you know, a lot of affection for Joe Biden, for the Bidens in the Democratic Party. There's also, I think, a certain amount of pain associated with the memory of the Biden presidency, and especially the last kind of year or two," he told Fox News Digital in a statement. The former president is expected to release his own book recounting his presidency in November, after the midterm elections. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a877d962c5335ae104928e1 Weekend equipment fire at Havasu Riviera extinguished quickly te 2026-08-20T22:20:06.714Z Weekend equipment fire at Havasu Riviera extinguished quickly Lake Havasu City residents on Saturday may have seen smoke coming from the south side. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a877d942c5335ae104928d3 Trump Officials Impose More Sanctions to Pressure Cuba te 2026-08-20T22:20:04.702Z Trump Officials Impose More Sanctions to Pressure Cuba Human rights experts have said that the U.S. attempts to squeeze Cuba’s economy, including an oil blockade, have caused a severe humanitarian crisis. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a877b452c5335ae10492896 Arizona Diamondbacks admit they have no idea what happened with star infielder: it's 'a complete mystery' te 2026-08-20T22:10:13.955Z Arizona Diamondbacks admit they have no idea what happened with star infielder: it's 'a complete mystery' The Ketel Marte saga just keeps getting stranger. Marte, one of the best players in baseball and a key part of the Arizona Diamondbacks lineup since the 2017 season, traveled with his team to Boston ahead of their very important series with the Red Sox at Fenway Park. And then just never showed up to the stadium. Not only did he not show up, he didn't tell the team front office, his manager, or his teammates that he wouldn't be there. Arizona waited until 20 minutes before first pitch to put him on the restricted list, and when asked about it after the game, manager Torey Lovullo admitted that "there was very little coming back" from Marte about his absence. KETEL MARTE FRUSTRATING DIAMONDBACKS BY OPTING TO TAKE DAYS OFF WITH TRADE DEADLINE LOOMING: REPORT Lovullo also acknowledged that nobody was even sure if Marte was still in Boston, or if he'd left to return to Phoenix or elsewhere. His agent then issued a statement on Wednesday saying that the 32-year-old is dealing with a "personal matter" and has a knee injury that requires an MRI. "[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. On Thursday, the story turned even more bizarre, as team executives admitted they still have no idea what's going on or why Marte never showed up to the stadium. In a new interview with "Bickley & Marotta" on 98.7 in Phoenix, team president and CEO Derrick Hall admitted that it's a "mystery" what happened with Marte. "Still a complete mystery," Hall said on Thursday morning. "It’s just bizarre." ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Hall added that Marte will need to provide more details on what happened, as well as apologize to his teammates and the organization, in order to "hopefully" move on. "We’re going to have to get explanations from him and apologies from him and hopefully we can pick up the pieces and move on and turn the page," he said. What made it even more odd is that Hall said he saw Marte at the team hotel on Sunday and "he appeared just fine and then was just a no-show, as you know. Just bizarre, and we’ve tried to get answers." More specifically, Hall added that there's no excuse for not showing up without prior communication and an explanation. "Any player who has a responsibility to be at the ballpark needs to be there, unless it’s been prearranged" he said, as the team traveled home to Phoenix. "We’re not sure what (this situation) is, that’s why we want to hear what the results of the MRI are right away, and still, we need to know: 'OK, if you were feeling sore, if you were hurting, why didn’t you go and have treatment?' That’s what you do. "Personally, I’m disappointed a player didn’t show up and go where he was supposed to, but I can get past it if I hear a reason why...Maybe there will be a reason to help him, and if it a personal issue as his agent is [saying], we need to hear what that is and see if there’s a way for us to help him or alleviate this whole situation." Any player not showing up to their team's game without an explanation would be bizarre and inexplicable. But for one of the best players in the sport, who's making $20 million a year, to not tell his team what's happening? That's one of the weirdest baseball stories in years. Maybe Marte does have a serious personal issue to deal with. Or his apparent knee injury has taken a turn for the worse. Those are legitimate reasons to not play, though, and all it would take for the absence to be excused is a text or phone call. For Marte to not have the courtesy to do any of it? When his team is fighting for a playoff spot? That's tough to forgive or forget. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a877b442c5335ae10492887 Officials warn of a bleak Colorado River future as deadline nears te 2026-08-20T22:10:12.696Z Officials warn of a bleak Colorado River future as deadline nears Tom Buschatzke, director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources, speaks to PBS News about the fight for Colorado River water near the banks of the river in Grand Junction, Colorado on Aug. 19, 2026. (Screenshot via YouTube) The future of the Colorado River is looking bleak, and officials in the seven states that depend on its water say they’re happy to negotiate — but with current use rules expiring at the end of the year, compromise seems unlikely. During a more than two-hour PBS special on Wednesday, officials from the Upper and Lower basins, as well as farmers and water experts, painted an alarming picture of a shrinking river without enough water to meet legal allocation obligations set more than 100 years ago.  The Colorado River is a vital source of drinking water for 40 million people in the seven states, Mexico and 30 Native American tribes, and it provides water for farming operations and hydroelectricity.  The Lower Basin states — Arizona, Nevada and California — and the Upper Basin states — Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming — have been attempting to negotiate an updated water usage agreement for more than two years. So far, they’ve been unsuccessful.  Because of the negotiating impasse, the federal government has devised a plan to replace the agreement that expires at the end of the year. It will impose drastic cuts on the Lower Basin states, and Arizona will feel the brunt of those cuts with a cut to its river water of  up to 77%. Arizona faces an outsized burden when it comes to reductions because the Central Arizona Project, a series of canals that supplies Colorado River water to the metropolitan Phoenix and Tucson areas, is one of the newest users of the river water, making it legally one of the first to be cut.  The major sticking point in the negotiations is the Upper Basin states’ refusal to commit to any mandatory cuts, while the Lower Basin states already take cuts in dry years.  Becky Mitchell, Colorado’s water commissioner, said that her state already deals with mandatory cuts, they’re just from Mother Nature, not the U.S. government. The Colorado River is fed by melting snowpack in the Rocky Mountains, which is at a record low this year.  “What I can’t promise is to deliver water when it’s not there,” Mitchell said. “Nobody can.” She characterized the Lower Basin states’ argument that the Upper Basin wasn’t taking mandatory cuts as a “major flaw,” since the Upper Basin uses anywhere between three to five millions acre-feet per year, based on what’s available.  An acre-foot of water is enough to cover an acre of land to a depth of one foot, or about 325,851 gallons. That’s enough to provide three homes in Arizona a year of water, on average. Mitchell said the cuts from Mother Nature are “far more fierce than the federal government will ever be,” putting farmers on the western slope of the Rockies at risk of going out of business.  And while those in the Upper Basin balk at the swimming pools and golf courses in the middle of the desert that are prevalent in urban centers of Arizona and Nevada, municipalities account for only about 25% of the Lower Basin’s water use.  Agriculture accounts for the other 75%. Andrea Travnik, assistant secretary for water and science at the U.S. Department of Interior, dodged a question from PBS about whether the federal government would contemplate putting restrictions on water use for farming, which would be incredibly politically unpopular.  Travnik said that the federal government has already worked with the states to raise water levels in Lake Mead through conservation efforts, and will continue to push for conservation, in addition to other solutions like desalination — which is extremely expensive — and water reuse.  But Brad Udall, a water and climate scientist at Colorado State University, said that if the 1,500 farmers that depend on Colorado River water for their crops are pitted against the 5 million people in metropolitan Phoenix and the 18 million people in the greater Los Angeles area, the winner will be obvious.  Udall thinks the states need to ditch the outdated 1922 Colorado River Compact, which allocated 7.5 million acre-feet for each basin, and was based on a faulty model that assumed the river system could supply 15 million acre-feet annually. While use agreements have been updated numerous times since then, the allocations to each basin remain the same.  The region is in the midst of a 20-year mega drought that is wreaking havoc on the river. Since 2000, flows in the Colorado River have decreased by 20%. And since, 2020 flows are down 35%.  After negotiations with the Upper Basin were unfruitful earlier this year, the Lower Basin states in May offered their own proposal to reduce their shared usage by 1.25 million acre-feet annually in 2027 and 2028, with about a 30% cut for Arizona.  This proposal was aimed at helping to stabilize water levels in Lake Powell and Lake Mead, the system’s two key reservoirs, whose water levels fell this month to their lowest point since 1957.  Udall described both reservoirs as just above deadpool, the point at which water drops too low to flow past a dam by gravity.  “Deadpool is a point where you lose control of the reservoir,” he said. “Mother Nature controls what happens. It controls what comes in. It controls what you send out the bottom.” Reaching deadpool would turn those reservoirs into nothing more than concrete basins where water evaporates, Udall said.  “It’s kind of hard to overstate the consequences of losing those water bank accounts for the states that rely on it in the Lower Basin,” he said.  While Mitchell said that the Upper Basin couldn’t guarantee its 7.5 million acre-feet delivery of water to the Lower Basin, it would attempt to prevent the reservoirs from reaching deadpool.  Tom Buschatzke, director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources, said that the basins could come to an agreement today, if the Upper Basin would agree to take a 2% mandatory cut of its annual available water supply, or about 100,000 acre-feet in a year with 5 million acre feet available.  Mitchell did not say she would agree to those cuts, saying that the Upper Basin states are already managing their water responsibly.  But Arizona and the other Lower Basin states have undertaken significant conservation efforts for Colorado River water since 2014 and have reduced their consumption from 7.4 million acre-feet in 2015 to just over 6 million in 2024, adding 165 feet of water to Lake Mead.  All of the water officials who participated in the PBS special said they would prefer to hammer out a compromise instead of going to court, but that they were committed to protecting their water rights.  In March, Arizona retained the high-powered law firm Sullivan & Cromwell to represent the state in possible litigation among the Colorado River Basin states and the federal government.  Kathryn Sorensen, director of research at the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University, said that while the fight for Colorado River water has become “existential” because of overallocation, Arizonans shouldn’t panic yet.  Even if the Central Arizona Project goes dry, she said, Phoenix still has banked groundwater and the Salt and Verde rivers to fall back on. Sorensen said she doesn’t expect municipal water shortages, but she does predict higher water bills.  The Trump administration’s draft “preferred alternative” plan for the river, released last month, could reduce the Lower Basin’s allocation by 3 million acre-feet per year, slashing Arizona’s water supply from the river by more than 75%. But there’s still a possibility that the federal government could implement the Lower Basin’s proposal for smaller cuts instead.  The federal government’s new river usage rules, which are still being negotiated, will be released later this year.  Udall said that the U.S. is totally failing to address the overall cause of the river’s decline.  “There’s a whole bunch of scientific studies that suggest that this is very much human-caused,” Udall said. “It’s due to our greenhouse gas emissions and the warming of the earth right now.” YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a877b402c5335ae10492877 New Arizona law limits custody for domestic abusers te 2026-08-20T22:10:08.529Z New Arizona law limits custody for domestic abusers PHOENIX — A new state law is designed to make it difficult, if not impossible, for those who commit domestic violence to get custody of their children — or even have unsupervised visits. The law also expands what is considered domestic violence to include someone exercising “coercive control” over the other, a form of abuse that can involve controlling a partner’s finances, movements, relationships, and daily activities. The changes to state law can all be traced to Hope Hooton, a Surprise woman whose ex-husband killed their two children during one of those visits and then killed himself. Arizona already has laws directing judges to consider the best interests of children when making decisions about custody, visitation and parental decision-making after a divorce. But Glendale Republican Rep. Lisa Fink said the previous law left too much room for interpretation. Under prior law, judges were required to determine if there was “significant domestic violence” when making those decisions.   “What is ‘significant domestic violence?'” Fink said. “Is two black eyes significant when one black eye is not?” The new law removes that word “significant” and makes several other major changes to the laws governing family court. It keeps the requirement in place that judges make custody and visitation decisions in the child’s best interests. But it adds a presumption that any history of domestic violence by one parent against another is not in the child’s best interests.  Judges also are required to consider evidence from various sources, including law enforcement, medical records, witness testimony and records from domestic violence shelters. And once a judge determines that domestic violence has occurred, it cannot require the victim to prove that the abuse was “severe or frequent” enough to justify restricting the offender’s decision-making authority or parenting time. A parent who committed domestic violence also cannot get unsupervised — or, even in some cases, supervised — parenting time unless that person presents “clear and convincing evidence”  that such restrictions are unnecessary. During hearings on the measure, Hooton detailed for lawmakers the mental and physical violence she suffered at the hands of her ex-husband, including being strangled and stabbed in her leg.  “He controlled our finances, what I ate, and how I exercised,” she testified. “He called me degrading names and threw objects at me.” Hooton said the abuse was initially not directed at her children. That changed in 2024 when her ex, Brock Mater, had the children for an unsupervised visit. Mater shot and killed 7-year-old Alec and 4-year-old Lydia before taking his own life.   Fink said Thursday that the facts of that case inspired the new law. “That’s something that we have seen over and over again: When there has been domestic violence, it does put the children at risk,” she said. Hooton told lawmakers that after she filed for divorce, she obtained an order of protection against her husband — an order that did not include Alec and Lydia. “The court did not fully evaluate strangulation, coercive control, suicidal or filicidal ideation, and acute psychiatric instability before granting unsupervised parenting time,” she said. And that, Hooton said, simply reflected the law at the time as interpreted by judges. “In family court, mothers are often told, ‘He was abusive to you, not the children,’ ” she said. “This bill recognizes that the research already tells us that abuse of a mother is a warning sign of danger to the children.” Though the law — dubbed the Alec and Lydia Act — took effect in June, Gov. Katie Hobbs held a ceremonial bill signing on Thursday. The post New Arizona law limits custody for domestic abusers first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a877b3e2c5335ae1049286c Arrests & Citations: Lake Havasu City police (copy) te 2026-08-20T22:10:06.918Z Arrests & Citations: Lake Havasu City police (copy) Lake Havsu City Police reported the following arrests and citations: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a877b3b2c5335ae10492848 ChatGPT can now send texts for you with new Apple Messages plugin te 2026-08-20T22:10:03.745Z ChatGPT can now send texts for you with new Apple Messages plugin Ever wanted someone else to do your texting for you? ChatGPT is being offered up as an automated text scribe via a new Apple Messages integration. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8778e42c5335ae1049280a A Man in a Chucky-Style Mask Was Scaring Philadelphians. Then He Picked the Wrong Woman. te 2026-08-20T22:00:04.112Z A Man in a Chucky-Style Mask Was Scaring Philadelphians. Then He Picked the Wrong Woman. When Jameka Wilson encountered a man wearing a Chucky-style Halloween mask, her stage combat training kicked in. Now she’s a minor local celebrity. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8776902c5335ae104927cd Seattle Times columnist resigns after paper allegedly refused to run 'Save Women's Sports' column te 2026-08-20T21:50:08.570Z Seattle Times columnist resigns after paper allegedly refused to run 'Save Women's Sports' column The Seattle Times lost sports columnist Matt Calkins in a highly publicized resignation on Thursday, after Calkins claimed the paper refused to run a piece on women's sports activists. Calkins, who spent 11 years at the outlet, said the decision not to publish his column left him unable to perform the job he was hired to do. The column centered on two Washington student-athletes who oppose allowing transgender girls to compete in female sports, that were recently at the center of a national controversy after they attended a Seattle Storm WNBA game to support Sophie Cunningham's support for protecting women's sports. Calkins sought to make the case that supporting sex-separated athletic competition does not necessarily reflect hostility toward transgender people. "I tried to write a column through the eyes of two student athletes who were kind of speaking out against biological males in, in girls/women's sports and I submitted this column a couple Fridays ago to my editors ... basically six days went by and they said, 'Uh, we're looking at it. Um, let me give it to this editor. This editor is gonna have a talk with the top two editors.' And six days later they decided it wasn't gonna run," Calkins told Fox News Digital. "All they said was that, 'You didn't tell us you were doing this in advance, uh, so we can't run it.' But I didn't buy the excuse." Calkins added that he wanted to platform the voices of girls who speak out against trans athletes in women's sports. "I wanted to get their voices out there," Calkins said. "I feel like if you look at most media, the girls who have to compete against biological males, I feel like their voices get stifled a lot." Calkins said the rejection followed a pattern involving several previous columns. "Anytime I would kind of go against the grain, my columns would get spiked," he said. Calkins emphasized that he respects his former editors and understands the pressure they face when deciding whether to publish commentary on divisive subjects. He said he does not harbor personal animosity toward his former colleagues. "I have a lot of respect for my editors," he said. "I don’t know what I would’ve done if I were in their situation either." AMERICANS CLASH OVER TRANSGENDER ATHLETES AS DEBATE HEATS UP: ‘JUST GETTING OUTRAGEOUS' At the same time, Calkins said he believed concern about public backlash had increasingly limited the range of opinions he was able to explore. "I couldn’t do my job as a columnist because I feel like they were stifling my voice," he said. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Seattle Times for a response, but has not heard back. The controversy Calkins focused on in his column began before a July 28 game between the Seattle Storm and Indiana Fever at Climate Pledge Arena. Calkins attended a rally supporting Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who has spoken against transgender women participating in women’s sports. At the rally, Calkins interviewed 16-year-old Ahnaleigh Wilson, a high school runner who said she had previously competed against a transgender athlete. He also later interviewed Tumwater High School basketball player Frances Staudt, who had declined to play in a game involving a transgender opponent. Wilson subsequently alleged that Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton confronted her inside the arena and used profanity while criticizing her support for Cunningham. The Storm publicly apologized for the encounter, and the WNBA fined Keaton and suspended her from attending five home games, according to reporting on the incident. WHAT'S NEXT IN THE BATTLE TO 'SAVE WOMEN'S SPORTS' AFTER SCOTUS RULING — AND THE HIDDEN DAMAGE DRIVING IT Calkins said the encounter prompted him to write the column, which he later published on Substack after leaving the newspaper The dispute came as Washington voters prepare to consider Initiative IL26-638 in November. The proposed measure would require schools to prohibit students it defines as biologically male from competing in certain athletic activities reserved for female students. It would also require healthcare-provider verification of a student’s biological sex for participation in those activities. Supporters describe the measure as a protection for fairness and safety in girls’ sports. Opponents argue that it would discriminate against transgender students and create invasive eligibility requirements. That wider political debate formed the backdrop to Calkins’s column, but his resignation raises a separate question about editorial discretion and the latitude afforded to newspaper columnists. Calkins said he had no firm professional plans when he resigned. He intends to continue writing independently while considering what comes next. "I love to keep writing. I love sports. I love to be able to speak my mind," he said. "Hopefully I can stay in that realm." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8774392c5335ae1049277b From Colin Kaepernick to Dylan Mulvaney, Nike's decade of left-wing activism has finally caught up to it te 2026-08-20T21:40:09.454Z From Colin Kaepernick to Dylan Mulvaney, Nike's decade of left-wing activism has finally caught up to it Nike spent much of the past decade making left-wing politics part of its brand and the company's stock hit a 12-year low this week. Before we get into that, we should acknowledge that the "social justice" messaging isn't the only reason the company is struggling. Nike is losing ground to newer competitors, its products haven’t created the same excitement and consumers aren’t exactly eager to pay more for sneakers right now. Still, it’s hard not to notice what Nike has been doing while its business has sputtered: picking fights over politics, race, patriotism, transgenderism and DEI. TED CRUZ TAKES VICTORY LAP AS ICONIC AMERICAN BRAND'S STOCK PLUNGES TO 12-YEAR LOW From Colin Kaepernick to the Betsy Ross flag, Dylan Mulvaney and a study involving "transgender" youth athletes that Nike quietly backed away from after OutKick exposed it, the company has built an impressive record of left-wing corporate activism. In February 2026, it added an EEOC investigation into alleged race discrimination against white employees and job applicants to the list. Nike wanted to be more than a shoe company. Mission accomplished. Nike made its choice clear in 2018, when it put former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick at the center of its 30th-anniversary "Just Do It" campaign. Kaepernick, of course, became a national political figure after sitting, and later kneeling, during the national anthem because he said he refused to show pride in a flag for a country that "oppresses black people and people of color." He specifically cited "police brutality" and later wore socks to an NFL practice depicting police officers as pigs and showed support for Cuban dictator Fidel Castro. Nike decided he was the perfect guy to launch a campaign with the slogan, "Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything." At that point, Nike wasn’t simply sponsoring a former NFL quarterback. It was elevating the most divisive figure in American sports at the time and daring consumers to take a side. THE WASHINGTON POST CAN’T QUIT COLIN KAEPERNICK Some did. Nike received plenty of backlash, including videos of customers burning products or cutting the swooshes off their socks. But the company also received glowing coverage from corporate-media types who loved the idea of a massive American brand embracing extreme left-wing political messaging. Nike didn’t back away from the Kaepernick experiment, either. The following summer, it pulled a Fourth of July-themed Air Max sneaker featuring the Betsy Ross flag after Kaepernick reportedly objected to the design. Nike said it halted distribution because of concerns the shoe could "unintentionally offend." Think about that for a second. A company built around American athletes decided that a sneaker featuring the flag associated with the country’s founding was too offensive to sell around Independence Day. Then came 2020, when nearly all of corporate America went all-in on left-wing political activism. And Nike was right there at the front of the line. After George Floyd’s death, the company released its "For Once, Don’t Do It" campaign, telling Americans not to pretend there wasn’t a problem in the country. Nike publicly supported Black Lives Matter and racial-justice activism while the NBA restarted its season in the Orlando bubble with social-justice slogans on jerseys and "Black Lives Matter" painted prominently on the court. Nike was the NBA’s apparel partner. Its logo was on the jerseys as the league put social justice slogans on players’ backs and ‘Black Lives Matter’ on the court. Nike wasn’t distancing itself from any of it. Nike can say whatever it wants. But after Kaepernick, the Betsy Ross shoe and the NBA’s Black Lives Matter moment, it was clear the company wasn’t simply interested in making an occasional political statement. Left-wing messaging had become as synonymous with Nike as its swoosh logo. In 2023, Nike featured trans-identifying influencer Dylan Mulvaney, a male, in a paid Instagram promotion for women’s sports bras and leggings. Mulvaney was already at the center of national debate after a Bud Light promotion helped trigger one of the most damaging corporate backlashes in recent memory. So, Nike wasn’t wandering blindly into a controversy nobody could have predicted. The company saw what had happened to Bud Light and made the decision anyway. Nike later defended Mulvaney and its support for the LGBTQ community. But it hired a male influencer to sell women’s sports bras and leggings. That was an absurd decision, and no one should have been surprised by the backlash. Still, Nike appeared committed to the idea that the public just needed more education, more visibility and more lectures from multinational corporations. What could possibly go wrong? This is where Nike’s activism went from poor marketing tactics to something much more serious. In April 2025, OutKick reported that evidence indicated Nike had helped fund a study involving "transgender" youth athletes as young as 12. The proposed research was designed to track athletic and physiological changes among young people undergoing so-called "gender-affirming care." Researchers connected to the project said publicly that Nike had provided funding. Boston Children’s Hospital magazine later described the research as being supported, in part, by Nike. Nike initially would not answer OutKick’s repeated questions. A company executive later said on background that the study "was never initialized" and was "not moving forward." Then, trans-identifying researcher Joanna Harper, a male, said Nike had "pulled out" after "haters got wind of it." So, which was it? Was the study never initialized, as Nike claimed? Or did Nike pull out after public pressure, as one of its researchers claimed? Nike has never provided a clear public explanation that resolves that contradiction. MARY CAIN'S BOOK AND NIKE'S TRANS-ATHLETE STUDY REVEAL THE SAME PATTERN OF CORPORATE HYPOCRISY The company had moved beyond slapping the standard rainbow logo on its website and social media accounts during "Pride Month." It was allegedly helping fund research involving children, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and the future of girls’ sports. Which is especially rich because, while this was all unfolding, Nike was telling the country how much it cared about women’s sports. For its first Super Bowl commercial in 27 years, Nike used Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu and other female stars in the company’s "So Win" campaign, which told viewers that women are constantly told they "can’t win." So, which side is Nike actually on? The company can’t spend millions promoting Caitlin Clark and women’s sports, then help fund research aimed at figuring out how boys can medically alter their bodies enough to compete against girls. Nike’s answer to that question has been a bunch of evasive statements, silence and an off-the-record claim that the study "was never initialized." The latest chapter came in February, when the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed an action to enforce a subpoena against Nike. The EEOC said it is investigating systemic allegations that Nike discriminated against white employees, job applicants and participants in training programs through DEI-related practices. The agency sought information involving hiring, promotions, layoffs, internships, mentorships, leadership-development programs and Nike’s diversity targets. Nike has denied wrongdoing, said it is cooperating and described the escalation as surprising and unusual. So Nike says it did nothing wrong, and maybe that’s true. The EEOC still has to prove its case. But the optics are almost too perfect. A company that spent years lecturing Americans about racial justice and fairness is now being asked by the federal government whether its own employment practices treated workers differently because of skin color. That’s quite a mess for a company that made DEI a central part of its corporate identity. Nike’s stock problems go well beyond its aggressive political messaging. But the company has spent years building a brand that often seemed more interested in impressing left-wing activists than connecting with consumers in middle America. A 12-year-low stock price should be a wake-up call. Nike needs to get back to making products people want to buy, not finding new ways to lecture them. Just do it, Nike. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8771e52c5335ae104926fa California controller candidate slams massive education spending despite worse student results te 2026-08-20T21:30:13.517Z California controller candidate slams massive education spending despite worse student results California is experiencing an educational paradox, according to Herb Morgan, a candidate for state controller — the state's chief fiscal officer, accountant and auditor. The Golden State, Morgan said, has spent billions of dollars educating public school students but has failed to boost educational outcomes despite the influx of taxpayer funds. California’s K-12 education funding rose from $97 billion in 2019 to $151 billion for the current budget cycle, said Morgan, who tracks and lists state expenditures through his "California Radical Transparency" website, a political and financial oversight initiative designed to track and decode state spending. EXPLOSIVE REPORT FINDS $230M IN ALLEGED K-12 EDUCATION FRAUD AMID TRUMP'S CRACKDOWN: 'ESPECIALLY HIDEOUS' Per-student spending jumped from $16,300 to $27,400 over that same period, said Morgan, an investment professional. "Why is it if we're spending all this money, why aren't we getting the results? It's because we have a broken accountability feature in state finances," Morgan told Fox News Digital. The disconnect between funding and classroom outcomes is not a lack of resources, Morgan said, but a breakdown in financial accountability at the state level, which he said allows billions of dollars to vanish into local bureaucracies without proper oversight. He noted several instances of alleged financial mismanagement and fraud schemes involving schools and school districts: the A3 Education Charter Network, where $400 million was allegedly diverted from the state by inflating enrollment numbers; the Scale Leadership Academy, where a founder was charged with siphoning $16 million in public funds; and the Magnolia School District in Orange County, where a former financial executive embezzled $17 million. RED-STATE AUDITOR REPORTS 'EXPLOSION' OF FRAUD TIPS AS HE TARGETS STATE EMPLOYEES 'RACKING UP' TAXPAYER WASTE In July, incumbent State Controller Malia Cohen praised the signing of legislation to strengthen financial oversight of California's local educational agencies. "Every dollar intended for California's students should reach the classroom and not lost to fraud, waste, or abuse," she said at the time. "Public trust depends on strong financial oversight, and this legislation gives California better tools to strengthen accountability, improve transparency, and detect fraud before it diverts resources from the students who need them most." Meanwhile, California trails states with significantly lower budgets. Mississippi spends around $12,000 per student, amounting to less than half of what California spends per pupil. However, Mississippi reports higher average standardized test scores in 4th and 8th-grade math and reading, according to data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Still, Morgan criticized Cohen and her office's oversight record. "It's a lack of desire. But more than a lack of desire, it's just a lack of skill," he said. "Running the fourth-largest economy in the world is a big, big job." Fox News Digital has reached out to Cohen's office and the California Department of Education for comment. Given the rise of artificial intelligence, Morgan said, AI-driven oversight can eliminate fraud across California's massive state budget. "The state controller has the constitutional authority over any recipient of state money, as far downstream as it goes," he said. "We don't need to look for needles in the haystack anymore. We just reach in and pull out the needles." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8771e42c5335ae104926f1 Unknown hacker allegedly leaks several minutes of Grand Theft Auto VI gameplay ahead of Netflix reveal te 2026-08-20T21:30:12.792Z Unknown hacker allegedly leaks several minutes of Grand Theft Auto VI gameplay ahead of Netflix reveal One of the most anticipated video games of last decade is set to release later this year, but a gameplay footage leak may have spoiled the surprise for millions of fans. "Grand Theft Auto VI" will be unleashed on a frenzied gaming community on Nov. 19, 2026, barring any more unforeseen delays, and developer Rockstar Games is even giving fans a sneak peak of gameplay footage on Netflix on Aug. 27. That wasn't enough for one anonymous X account, who decided to take matters into their own hands by leaking some footage of their own. THE FIVE BEST YEARS IN VIDEO GAME HISTORY RANKED: WHICH GAMING YEAR WAS THE GREATEST EVER? An X user going by the name "CyberLeek" has somehow allegedly obtained a build of the game and has posted several minutes of gameplay on their account. Their most popular and comprehensive video involves flying a plane across the map to show off the size and scale of the world Rockstar has spent the past 13 years building. INDYCAR AND IRACING STUDIOS SPILL DETAILS ON SERIES' FIRST VIDEO GAME IN TWENTY YEARS The game's map is based on a fictionalized version of the state of Florida, and anyone familiar with the Sunshine State, more specifically the city of Miami, can spot several key landmarks in the two-minute video, including the Freedom Tower, the Southeast Financial Center, and the Kaseya Center where the Heat play their home games. CyberLeek has several more videos driving vehicles and exploring interiors of buildings, so either they genuinely obtained a copy of a nearly finished GTA VI or this is all just really convincing AI. YOUTUBER BORDEAUX GOES IN DEPTH ON EA SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL 27'S 'MICRO TRANSACTIONS' Many on social media have expressed their anger in the comments section below the videos, though their ire isn't directed at CyberLeek, but rather at Rockstar. Their gripe is that the supposed game CyberLeek is showing off doesn't look as good as they expected it to, given the nearly decade and a half it spent in production. Arguments have broken out across social media questioning whether the videos posted are legitimate, and although no one has been able to confirm the validity, Rockstar and Take Two Interactive, the holding company that owns Rockstar, have yet to confirm nor deny these rumors while the videos continue to be flagged and taken down, fueling speculation. OutKick has reached out to Rockstar for comment but has received no response. CyberLeek claims they will continue to leak footage of the games to "fight for players (sic) rights," and are awaiting an apology from Rockstar. Much of the vitriol apparently stems from the developers releasing GTA VI without physical copies of the game, a decision that was roundly mocked and derided last month. It remains to be seen if these leaks are legit or not, but one thing is for sure, it has captivated an entire subculture of the internet and is just another chapter in the bizarre and seemingly never-ending story of GTA VI's development. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8771e42c5335ae104926e8 Taylor Sheridan's $330M Four Sixes Ranch purchase forced him out of retirement plans te 2026-08-20T21:30:12.107Z Taylor Sheridan's $330M Four Sixes Ranch purchase forced him out of retirement plans Taylor Sheridan was ready to kick his feet up and retire before deciding to buy a second ranch in Texas. During a recent appearance on the "Rodeo Time" podcast, the 56-year-old writer and director discussed how buying the Four Sixes Ranch for $330 million prevented him from retiring and led him to sign an exclusivity deal with Paramount. "I was set up to retire. I was going to be done after 'Yellowstone.' I'd bought the ranch in Weatherford and I paid cash. I didn't owe anybody anything," he said. "And I was going to put my feet up and show horses and have my little hobby herd over here and that was it. I knew that if I bought this ranch that I was not going to be quitting my day job for a while." He explained that before buying the ranch he needed to make sure the general manager would stay on to take care of the day-to-day duties, and ensured his son was willing to take on the responsibility of running the ranch in the future. TAYLOR SHERIDAN TAKES SWIPE AT LOS ANGELES AFTER BUILDING TV EMPIRE FROM TEXAS The ranch served as the backdrop for several episodes of season four of "Yellowstone,"and Sheridan first met its then-owner, Anne Marion, while arranging to film there. After Marion died, Sheridan recalled learning that the ranch had not been left to her daughter in her will and was going "to be broken up and sold off." "But before they did that, she had asked if they would try to find someone who would maintain her vision," he said. "And so the person they came up with was me." When they approached Sheridan with the $330 million price tag, he recalled telling them, "Well, boys, I'm a little short. I don't have, in fact, I'm about 300 million short." GET ENTERTAINMENT SCOOP DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR EMAIL BY CLICKING HERE "Paramount had been after me to make an overall deal. They were terrified that I was going to go to greener pastures and leave them and go somewhere else, which I probably was," he said. "So they'd been for years trying to get me to sign an exclusive deal with Paramount, and I'd said no." He continued: "But once this happened, I called them and I said, 'You know what? I think I'm ready to make an overall deal.' They said, 'That's great. Do you have a number in mind?' And I said, 'Why yes I do. I sure do.'" Sheridan led a group of investors that purchased the ranch, with the sale closing on Jan. 21, 2022. Since signing the deal with Paramount, Sheridan created "Mayor of Kingstown," "1883," "1923," "Lioness," "Landman," "Tulsa King" and "The Madison." LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "Lioness" is currently airing its third season, and one of its stars, Michael Kelly, recently praised Sheridan for the quality of his work when speaking to ScreenRant earlier this month. "I have told Taylor, I'm like, 'Bro, anything you ever want me to do, I'll do. I love being in Texas. I love saying your words.' I think he's truly a standalone talent," 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." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8771dd2c5335ae104926c0 An Islamophobic Provocateur Keeps Dearborn, Mich., on Edge te 2026-08-20T21:30:05.426Z An Islamophobic Provocateur Keeps Dearborn, Mich., on Edge Jake Lang has descended four times on Dearborn, Mich., which is majority Arab American. His rhetoric and protests have stirred fear among residents. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a876d2d2c5335ae10492547 Homeland Security Unable to Prove That Thousands of Noncitizens Registered to Vote in Nevada te 2026-08-20T21:10:05.500Z Homeland Security Unable to Prove That Thousands of Noncitizens Registered to Vote in Nevada The Department of Homeland Security has told Nevada election officials that it identified 185 “potential” noncitizens on the state’s voter rolls, not the nearly 16,000 it claimed last month. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a876d2b2c5335ae10492527 The Enhanced Games — tech’s steroid extravaganza — didn’t pay off, as company posts $60 million loss te 2026-08-20T21:10:03.336Z The Enhanced Games — tech’s steroid extravaganza — didn’t pay off, as company posts $60 million loss An effort to transform the world of sports through steroid use doesn't exactly seem to be bearing financial fruit. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a876adf2c5335ae104924fa Frank Isola comments on Michael Wilbon naming him preferred 'PTI' co-host when Tony Kornheiser retires te 2026-08-20T21:00:15.535Z Frank Isola comments on Michael Wilbon naming him preferred 'PTI' co-host when Tony Kornheiser retires ESPN's "Pardon the Interruption" is the highest-rated sports program on television, a distinction it has held for much of its near 25-year run. The show's simple format remains largely the same, as do its two co-hosts. ESPN has had little reason to tweak the format or cast. That is unlikely to change while Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon remain. Sources tell OutKick that the co-hosts signed new three-year deals earlier this year, with the expectation that both will fulfill their contracts. Still, both have made more than enough money to walk away at any time of their own accord. Kornheiser is 78 years old. Wilbon turns 68 in November. Wilbon, who is 10 years younger than Kornheiser, was asked by Awful Announcing this week whether he has pondered hosting the show if Kornheiser retires before him. "We do, because we do," Wilbon said when asked if he's considered continuing the show without his long-time partners. "With substitutes all along the whole 24 years. Could I see doing a show with Frank Isola, who I do the show mostly with now when Tony’s out? Yeah, I could do that. And I think Frank is like Tony and me, and I say that as a point of inclusion, not for anybody to read anything into it. PTI is Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon. That’s what PTI is. But Frank is like the last of the Mohicans." MICHAEL WILBON OPENS UP TO OUTKICK ABOUT LEBRON JAMES, STEPHEN A. SMITH, WINDHORST, & MORE For background, I've had the opportunity to interview Wilbon on several occasions. He first told me roughly eight years ago that Frank Isola, a former newspaper writer, was his preferred co-host if the show continued without Kornheiser. What's interesting is that Kornheiser and Wilbon have been doing "PTI" long enough to outlast several of the people once viewed as logical successors. Jason Whitlock and Dan Le Batard were once regular fill-in hosts and had relationships with "PTI" showrunner Erik Rydholm. Kornheiser once named Rachel Nichols, a fellow former Washington Post reporter, and Pablo Torre as potential successors at one point. When Scott Van Pelt moved back to Washington, D.C., where PTI is filmed, in 2020, there was industry chatter that he could be a fit for the next iteration of the show. That's not to say Isola will fall out of favor, but rather to emphasize that Kornheiser and Wilbon have already lasted longer than most outsiders expected. In a text exchange with Isola, 59, he joked to OutKick that they may outlast him as well. "Of course it’s beyond flattering, but Mike and Tony aren’t going anywhere. They still have the drive and passion to produce the best sports show on television. I see it firsthand. It’s an honor and a thrill just to be called out of the bullpen," Isola told OutKick. "Mick Jagger once had a great line about The Rolling Stones. He said ‘We’re not getting older we’re getting betterer.’ That was 40 years ago. So yeah, I’ll probably beat them to retirement." PAT MCAFEE HAS OFFICIALLY SURPASSED STEPHEN A SMITH AS THE FACE OF ESPN Kornheiser and Wilbon signing another contract in three years remains a possibility. In fact, some sources inside ESPN think it's more likely than not. For one, ESPN has made accommodations for them. The network allows the "PTI" co-hosts to broadcast from their home studios and take much of the summer off. The job does not require the type of schedule or travel that might otherwise push two veteran broadcasters toward a lighter workload. No matter your age, co-hosting a top-rated 30-minute sports show with one of your best friends for millions of dollars a year is hardly something you're anxious to relinquish. Of course, Wilbon and Kornheiser have earned the flexibility they have. Still, for argument's sake, suppose Kornheiser retires when his current deal expires. He would be in his 80s by then, an unusual age for anyone to remain a full-time daily television host. One option is the one Wilbon has proposed: continue "PTI" with Isola. This would not resemble the messy Stephen A. Smith-Max Kellerman dynamic on "First Take." Wilbon and Isola have chemistry, and Wilbon respects him. Wilbon also has never shown an interest in becoming the singular personality around whom a show revolves. The larger issue is that anyone replacing Kornheiser would be compared with him, likely unfavorably. The same would be true if the show had to replace Wilbon before Kornheiser. A drop-off is inevitable once one or both step away. EXCLUSIVE: MICHAEL WILBON TALKS WASHINGTON POST LAYOFFS, AI AND FUTURE OF SPORTS JOURNALISM The success of "PTI" is tied disproportionately to the relationship between the two hosts, which began in The Washington Post newsroom in 1980. Another possibility is that Wilbon and Kornheiser leave at the same time. If Kornheiser retires after their current contracts, Wilbon would be in his early 70s. At that point, he may decide there is little reason to continue a daily show with a different partner after spending nearly 30 years doing it with one. Wilbon doesn't need the money, exposure, or career validation that would come with proving he could do the show without his longtime partner. He would also have other opportunities at ESPN that require less of a daily commitment. The most obvious would be a greater focus on the NBA in a seasonal role. If Kornheiser and Wilbon both leave, ESPN could retain "PTI" and install two new co-hosts. Based on the current fill-in rotation, Isola and Mina Kimes would be among the most plausible candidates. That said, we aren't sure ESPN would choose that route. We lean toward ESPN ending the program entirely once Kornheiser and Wilbon are both gone. Kornheiser and Wilbon are the most successful duo in the history of sports media. No two replacements could replicate what they have built, and whoever follows them would face unreasonable expectations. Understand that viewership already declines considerably when both are absent. Replacing them permanently would likely accelerate that decline. There is also the issue of control. ESPN cedes considerable influence over "PTI" to Rydholm, whose production company owns the title. The network can justify that arrangement because of the show's sustained success. Giving Rydholm the same degree of influence would be harder to justify if the audience declined substantially with new hosts. For reference, Rydholm's judgment beyond "PTI" is questionable. His other creations were not nearly as successful. "Around the Horn" struggled during its final five seasons as Rydholm elevated many of the wrong personalities. "Highly Questionable with Dan Le Batard" and "High Noon with Bomani Jones and Pablo Torre" were also among the less successful shows created under the ESPN brand. Wilbon and Kornheiser made him. Not the other way around. At some point, ESPN will have to make its first programming decision about the coveted 5:30 ET time slot since 2001. Until then, for however long Wilbon and Kornheiser continue, expect "PTI" to remain the most-watched show in sports. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a876ade2c5335ae104924f1 Cancer vaccine prevents deadly melanoma from returning or spreading in landmark trial te 2026-08-20T21:00:14.838Z Cancer vaccine prevents deadly melanoma from returning or spreading in landmark trial An experimental skin cancer vaccine significantly reduced the risk of melanoma returning or spreading in a late-stage clinical trial from Merck and Moderna. The results mark the first positive phase 3 trial of an mRNA-based personalized cancer therapy, according to the companies. Known as INTerpath-001, the study evaluated 1,137 patients globally who had surgery to remove high-risk (Stage IIB through Stage IV) melanoma. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either KEYTRUDA plus the personalized vaccine or KEYTRUDA plus placebo. 'TANMAXXING' TREND COULD COME AT A DANGEROUS COST, SKIN CANCER EXPERTS WARN Patients who received the combination experienced significantly better "recurrence-free survival," meaning their cancer was less likely to return than in those who received KEYTRUDA alone. The combination also significantly improved "distant metastasis-free survival," a measure of how long patients remained alive without the cancer spreading to distant parts of the body. "These phase 3 findings represent a pivotal moment for the field of cancer research," said Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna, in the press release. "For many years, the idea of creating an mRNA treatment designed specifically for an individual patient's cancer was aspirational. We are now helping turn that vision into a reality." Unlike traditional vaccines that protect against external viruses, the custom-tailored mRNA vaccine (intismeran autogene) is a therapeutic vaccine given after surgery to train the body to hunt leftover cancer cells. After a patient undergoes surgery to remove a tumor, doctors sample both the cancerous tissue and healthy cells. Then, advanced algorithms analyze the tumor's genetic sequence to select up to 34 tumor-specific neoantigens to encode in the personalized treatment. PANCREATIC CANCER VACCINE SHOWS PROMISE IN FIRST HUMAN TRIAL, PREVENTING DISEASE IN HIGH-RISK PATIENTS Dr. Murad Alam, chief of dermatology at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, noted that not all melanomas are the same. "They're slightly different in every patient, which is why traditional chemotherapies often stop working or don't work in a particular patient," he told Fox News Digital. "This is almost individualized immunotherapy, where you're finding specific issues in a particular patient." The individualized approach is designed to direct the immune system toward tumor-specific targets, Alam noted.  "It doesn't hit normal cells, and it hits the cancer cells very effectively because it's not just a generic vaccine. It's one that specifically knows the signs of your cancer and can find it," he said. FDA APPROVES FIRST-EVER MRNA FLU VACCINE FOR MILLIONS OF OLDER AMERICANS The goal of this particular vaccine, according to the doctor, is to extend the lives of people who "already have a bad case of the disease." It is not intended to prevent melanoma in people who do not have the disease, even if they have a family history that may put them at greater risk, nor is it intended for those with a very small melanoma. "This is designed for people where the melanoma has grown to the point where it's threatening not just the local area of the skin, but their whole lives," Alam said. Alam also spoke about the role of artificial intelligence in determining which antigens to include in the vaccine so that it is most effective. "These things are difficult, and historically [they] took a lot of time, and it just wouldn't be feasible to do this for every individual patient without the power of AI," he said. "And I'm sure that will become better and better in the future." "Here, AI is a tool that allows you in a reasonable amount of time, with a reasonable amount of resources ... to come up with a vaccine for that individual person." Following the successful phase 3 outcome, Merck and Moderna announced plans to engage with regulatory authorities worldwide, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, about potential regulatory filings. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER Plans are in the works to test the vaccine technology against other hard-to-treat cancers, including lung, bladder and kidney cancers. "I think the underlying concept of targeting a particular tumor with the specific markers on that tumor is generalizable, meaning you could do this with different kinds of skin cancer, or different kinds of cancer in general," Alam agreed. "It's very exciting." TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Although the companies said the results were significant and meaningful, the findings are still early and did not reveal how long patients remained cancer-free.  The phase 3 announcement also did not establish whether the treatment ultimately helps patients live longer. The recurrence-free survival results were also based on investigator assessments rather than an independent central review, the release noted. The study only looked at people with specific stages of skin melanoma who had surgery and no prior drug treatments, so the results may not apply to other types or stages of cancer. Merck said the treatments’ side effects were similar to those seen in earlier studies, with no new safety concerns identified. Alam reiterated that the vaccine seems to have both a "tremendous benefit [and] good side effect profile." CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES "When you're getting very strong cancer medications, even when they work, the toll on the patient is often terrible," he said. "It alters their life during the course of treatment where there's tremendous suffering." "The nice thing about this because it's so targeted, it doesn't damage many of your normal cells ... so the side effects are really mild — a little fatigue, a little chills, some injection side pain." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a876ad82c5335ae104924d7 Under Trump, Protected Wild Horses Are Going to Slaughter te 2026-08-20T21:00:08.507Z Under Trump, Protected Wild Horses Are Going to Slaughter A legal loophole allows the government to sell mustangs on the cheap, stripping them of protections and clearing their path to destruction. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a876ad72c5335ae104924ce Ken Paxton’s $1,000 Pen Incident Resurfaces in Texas Senate Race te 2026-08-20T21:00:07.371Z Ken Paxton’s $1,000 Pen Incident Resurfaces in Texas Senate Race The pen Mr. Paxton pocketed more than a decade ago has resurfaced as a campaign issue. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a876ad22c5335ae104924a2 Ok, can we actually cool data centers with our pee? te 2026-08-20T21:00:02.800Z Ok, can we actually cool data centers with our pee? Jason Kelce joked that people should cool data centers with their pee, rather than potable water -- his suggestion is not completely ludicrous. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8768852c5335ae10492462 Sean Duffy faces family dilemma over embattled Ivy League school and Christian values te 2026-08-20T20:50:13.016Z Sean Duffy faces family dilemma over embattled Ivy League school and Christian values Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy accused Harvard University of indoctrinating students with ideas that run counter to his Christian values, raising concerns about whether his own daughter should attend the prestigious Ivy League school. "I don't want them to get one viewpoint," Duffy said on an episode of the Department of Transportation-sponsored YouTube series The Great American Roadtrip. "I want them to get a lot of different viewpoints, but I don't want them fed only one viewpoint that's contrary to the way my kids were raised." The comments come as Duffy's daughter, Paloma, expressed interest in attending Harvard University, saying she couldn't turn down the opportunity if accepted. CONSERVATIVE RADIO HOST CALLS OUT ANA NAVARRO'S CLAIM ABOUT SEAN DUFFY'S ROAD TRIP IN HEATED CLASH "But mom and I can," Duffy said, referring to his wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy, a Fox News host. The couple has been married since 1999 and shares nine children. Like her husband, Campos-Duffy also expressed concern about Paloma attending Harvard, saying she could be exposed to perspectives contrary to the teachings of the Catholic faith, which Campos-Duffy described as the bedrock of their family's life. The episode was released Wednesday, less than a week after U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns dismissed the Trump administration's lawsuit against Harvard University, which accused the school of violating Title VI by failing to protect Jewish and Israeli students from antisemitic harassment on campus. Following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in 2023, Harvard University was one of dozens of colleges that faced anti-Israel encampments and protests. HARVARD PRESIDENT CALLS STUDENTS ‘IGNORANT’ ON ISRAEL-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT Harvard Jewish students reported being harassed, intimidated and excluded from campus spaces. The Trump administration has been engaged in a contentious battle with Harvard since the early months of Trump's second term, freezing research funding for the school and attempting to revoke Harvard's ability to participate in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. President Donald Trump has called Harvard's handling of the rise of antisemitism on its campus a "disgrace" and said the Ivy League school is a "total disaster." Duffy further explained his concerns about Harvard University to his daughter. "If I send you there, I think what happens is they have professionalized figuring out how they can take good young girls like you and I think corrupt their minds," Duffy said. "You don't have to believe what I believe. You don't have to have the political viewpoints that I have, but I do think it's important that you make those choices for yourself and you have a fair representation of what they are." "And I don't think the Harvards of the world give you that kind of well-rounded picture," Duffy continued. Despite his qualms about Harvard, Duffy and his family traveled to Cambridge to visit the university as part of the limited road-trip series. While there, the family met with a Catholic priest who discussed campus life for young Catholic students, prompting Duffy to soften his stance on Harvard. "I think a smart good girl can completely navigate what is a really good school," Duffy said. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER "Should Paloma have the opportunity to go to Harvard? I am more open," Duffy continued. "In some ways, we need to trust that what we armed her with will hopefully be enough for her." Fox News Digital reached out to Harvard University for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a87687f2c5335ae1049243b Pennington sees plenty of reasons to stay at NAU ahead of final year te 2026-08-20T20:50:07.464Z Pennington sees plenty of reasons to stay at NAU ahead of final year NAU quarterback Ty Pennington could have very easily left NAU after an impressive 2025. He saw more reasons to stay for one last ride with his longtime college head coach. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a87687e2c5335ae10492432 ‘The play’s the thing …’ te 2026-08-20T20:50:06.585Z ‘The play’s the thing …’ After a 5-year hiatus, the Northern Arizona Playwriting Showcase returns to the stage. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a87687d2c5335ae10492429 Ask a Ranger: Impacted in the pines by Camp Colton te 2026-08-20T20:50:05.609Z Ask a Ranger: Impacted in the pines by Camp Colton This week's Ask a Ranger column, from the NPS/USFS Roving Rangers. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a87687b2c5335ae10492420 Gardening Etcetera: Have you been bitten by the Coconino Garden Bug? te 2026-08-20T20:50:03.902Z Gardening Etcetera: Have you been bitten by the Coconino Garden Bug? This week's edition of the Gardening Etcetera column, written for the community by certified Master Gardeners of the University of Arizona's Coconino County Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8766292c5335ae104923cc IndyCar driver Graham Rahal reflects on opportunity to compete at Freedom 250 Grand Prix: 'Iconic moment' te 2026-08-20T20:40:09.290Z IndyCar driver Graham Rahal reflects on opportunity to compete at Freedom 250 Grand Prix: 'Iconic moment' Graham Rahal will be one of about two dozen drivers who will be speeding through the streets of Washington, D.C., on Sunday at the Freedom Grand Prix 250. Rahal reflected on the opportunity to take part in the race as the U.S. celebrates its 250th anniversary. He was among those who spoke at the IndyCar Grand Prix Media Preview on Thursday afternoon. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "As an American, this is an iconic moment," Rahal said. "Obviously, this sport is a very international feel to it in many ways as well. That has always been part of the fabric of open-wheel racing, in particular IndyCar racing, but to be able to come race in the U.S. capital, right in front of Capitol Hill, to drive down Pennsylvania Ave., these are all things as a young kid growing up in this country, some of the first things you learn is the value of those names. To be here, to have the red, white and blue on the car this weekend, all of friends and folks that are coming, military people that we’ve worked with and supported over the years, means a lot. Rahal said he was itching to get on the track. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS "We’re excited. Can’t wait to see the track, because I’ve seen parts, but to be able to go around the whole thing including to be able to go out there, race and compete for this trophy right here this weekend. "I’ve tried to hold myself back a little bit. The energy inside is a little bit more than what I’m gonna show." The fun begins Saturday morning when IndyCar holds its first practice session at 9 a.m. ET. The second session begins at 1 p.m. ET and qualifying starts at 5 p.m. ET. The first practice session can be seen live on FS1 with the latter events broadcasting on FS2. On Sunday, IndyCar drivers begin their warm-ups at 9 a.m. ET with the green flag dropping at 1 p.m. ET. The warm-up will be broadcast on FS1 with the race taking place on FOX. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8763d12c5335ae10492369 First lady Melania Trump, Fox Corporation announce landmark strategic alliance to grow Fostering the Future te 2026-08-20T20:30:09.772Z First lady Melania Trump, Fox Corporation announce landmark strategic alliance to grow Fostering the Future First lady Melania Trump announced a $2 million scholarship initiative through her Fostering the Future initiative on Thursday, part of a landmark strategic alliance with Fox Corporation and IndyCar that is expected to expand academic opportunities for individuals transitioning from foster care. Fox Corporation is co-funding the initiative, contributing $1 million alongside IndyCar’s $1 million pledge. The funds directly create higher education scholarships at Indiana University and Purdue University specifically for young people with lived experience in the foster care system. The pact was announced at the White House ahead of the inaugural Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., scheduled for this Saturday and Sunday, highlighting the strong connection between education and sport.  FOX NEWS DIGITAL THUMPS ALL NEWS BRANDS INCLUDING BROADCAST NETWORKS IN KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS DURING JULY "The greatest achievement America can make is not in technology, infrastructure or capital markets. It’s our children," Melania Trump said during the event.  President Donald Trump and the first lady were joined by FOX Sports CEO Eric Shanks, Penske Corporation chairman Roger Penske, IndyCar president Doug Boles, Indiana University president Dr. Pamela Whitten, Purdue University vice provost Cherise Hall and IndyCar Series drivers Scott Dixon, Alexander Rossi, Scott McLaughlin and Graham Rahal, and youths with foster care backgrounds for the Rose Garden event. Shanks, an Indiana native who attended Indiana University, and Boles presented the first lady with checks at the event.  "Through work that we do every day at FOX Sports, we believe in investing in the future of America. Today, that commitment takes on an entirely new meaning, on behalf of Fox Corporation and our entire team at FOX Sports, we are extremely excited to partner with first lady Melania Trump and her visionary Fostering the Future initiative to fund scholarships at Indiana University and Purdue University, giving extraordinary students the tools to build bright futures," Shanks said. Jamie Little, Will Buxton, James Hinchcliffe and Kevin Lee from the FOX Sports IndyCar broadcast team were also in attendance, and a car featuring the "Be Best" and Fostering the Future branding was on display.  FOX NEWS CHANNEL LEADS CBS AND NBC IN WEEKDAY PRIMETIME, DOMINATES CABLE VIEWERSHIP IN SECOND QUARTER RATINGS The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. is the first-ever auto race on the National Mall, honoring America’s 250th birthday. There will be live TV coverage airing on FS1 and FS2 Saturday and on FOX on Sunday. It will also stream on FOX One.  Every race car on the grid will carry special initiative decals to ensure the winning car displays support for foster youths.  CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Fostering the Future was established by Melania Trump in 2021 to secure college access, housing support and transition resources for youth aging out of foster care. Nationally, less than 3% of former foster youths complete a college degree, but the first lady believes the funding will bridge a critical gap. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8761792c5335ae10492310 Prince Harry, Meghan Markle’s UK move puts fresh spotlight on their explosive claims against royal family te 2026-08-20T20:20:09.263Z Prince Harry, Meghan Markle’s UK move puts fresh spotlight on their explosive claims against royal family Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are planning to move back to the U.K. despite years of public criticism of royal life and the British press. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex plan to relocate their family to a private residence outside London later this month, according to multiple reports. Their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, are set to attend a British school beginning in September, according to the BBC. King Charles III has been informed of the move and reportedly welcomes the chance to spend more time with his grandchildren. Prince William and Princess Kate have also been informed. The move is not expected to bring Harry and Meghan back as working royals. But it does put a fresh spotlight on the couple's long list of explosive claims about life inside the monarchy. Here are some of Harry and Meghan's most explosive claims and remarks about royal life, the British press and the U.K. PRINCE HARRY, MEGHAN MARKLE PLANNING TO MOVE BACK TO UK WITH CHILDREN 6 YEARS AFTER ROYAL EXIT: REPORTS Nearly a year after walking away from their working royal roles, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle sat down for a bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021. Opening up about the immense pressure that drove them across the Atlantic, Harry didn't hold back when describing the reality of life behind palace walls. The Duke of Sussex said he would not have walked away without Meghan, explaining, "I wouldn't have been able to, because I myself was trapped. I didn't see a way out." "I was trapped, but I didn't know I was trapped," Harry told Winfrey at the time, before adding, "My father and my brother, they are trapped." PRINCE WILLIAM'S ABSENCE SPEAKS VOLUMES AS KING CHARLES REUNITES WITH PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN MARKLE: EXPERTS The explosive interview revealed the extent of Harry's strained relationships with his family. He said he felt "really let down" by his father and described himself and Prince William as being on "different paths." The Sussex’s' tell-all quickly escalated tensions with the royal family when Meghan made a staggering allegation about conversations behind palace doors. During their March 2021 sit-down with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan made allegations about concerns within the royal family over the skin color of her firstborn son, Archie. Meghan said it was the palace — not her and Prince Harry — that decided Archie would not receive a royal title or royal security. She also claimed they were never asked to pose for the traditional hospital steps photo after Archie's birth. KING CHARLES 'FED UP' WITH PRINCE HARRY DRAMA AS REUNION WITH GRANDCHILDREN HANGS IN BALANCE: EXPERT Meghan also addressed security concerns surrounding her son's birth: When Winfrey pressed on who made the remarks, Meghan refused to name names, saying that revealing the identity of the royal involved would be "very damaging" to the family. Meghan also rejected comparisons between the press scrutiny she received and the negative coverage Princess Kate faced before marrying Prince William. Meghan and Prince Harry said racism in the U.K. media and a lack of support from the palace contributed to their decision to leave. In a follow-up clip on "CBS This Morning," Meghan explained her view: Meghan, whose father is White and mother is Black, said Princess Kate had a press team that could publicly defend her, while she and Harry did not receive the same support. MEGHAN MARKLE COMPARES HER RACIST TABLOID COVERAGE TO KATE MIDDLETON'S RUDE HEADLINES If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The royal scandal reached a harrowing peak when Meghan Markle said she experienced suicidal thoughts while serving as a working royal. When Oprah Winfrey asked if relentless media scrutiny drove her to the edge, the Duchess said: Prince Harry said he entered a "very dark place" watching his wife suffer. He has repeatedly drawn parallels between the media attention surrounding Meghan and the treatment of his late mother, Princess Diana, and said his requests for help from his family were met with "total silence" and "total neglect." When asked whether she was "silent or silenced," Meghan didn't hesitate: "The latter." However, she praised Queen Elizabeth II as "warm, inviting and really welcoming." PRINCE HARRY SAYS MOM PRINCESS DIANA WOULD FEEL 'VERY ANGRY,' 'SAD', ABOUT ROYAL FAMILY FALLOUT In a candid look at his relationship with his father, Harry said: The Duke revealed that the royal family cut him off financially in early 2020 after he and Meghan announced their step back, leaving him to rely on his inheritance from Princess Diana to pay for security. Meanwhile, the fallout was immediate. Just two days after the interview shook the monarchy, then-Prince Charles stepped out to visit a London vaccine clinic. When reporters shouted questions about the bombshell conversation, the future king at the time simply chuckled, remained silent and carried on walking. In December 2022, Prince Harry dropped a blunt reality check on the monarchy, calling out internal media manipulation and vicious palace leaks in his Netflix documentary, "Harry & Meghan": Meghan delivered a chilling realization to their explosive project: "I realized, ‘They’re never gonna protect you.’" Drawing an eerie parallel to the tragic fate of his late mother, Princess Diana, Harry spoke out about the brutal psychological toll placed on women marrying into the royal family: Fighting back tears in a London courtroom in January 2026, Prince Harry delivered a blistering indictment of the British press, testifying that aggressive tabloid intrusion reduced his wife’s life to "an absolute misery": Taking the stand for a grueling two-and-a-half-hour testimony in his high-profile privacy lawsuit against Associated Newspapers, a visibly shaken Duke of Sussex choked up while condemning the relentless commercialization of his private life. Harry blasted the notion that he has no right to privacy as "disgusting," framing the bitter legal battle as yet another grueling chapter for his family. Recalling the bitter fallout of the emergency summit called by Queen Elizabeth II at the time, Prince Harry recounted the harrowing showdown where compromise was quickly thrown out the window: The Duke of Sussex detailed how the 90-minute sit-down with Queen Elizabeth II, then-Prince Charles, and Prince William failed to find common ground after his proposed "half in, half out" model was flatly rejected. The explosive Netflix documentary also spotlighted claims of deliberate negative briefings against the couple to protect other royal interests. PRINCE WILLIAM, KATE CONDUCT BUSINESS AS USUAL AS PRINCE HARRY, MEGHAN MARKLE CONTINUE WITH BOMBSHELL CLAIMS In his memoir "Spare," Prince Harry detailed a 2019 physical altercation with Prince William at Nottingham Cottage after the Prince of Wales labeled Meghan Markle "difficult," "rude" and "abrasive." According to Harry, a shouting match quickly escalated between the two: Harry wrote that William later returned to apologize — while bizarrely urging, "You don’t need to tell Meg about this" — prompting Harry to reply, "You mean that you attacked me?" to which William reportedly fired back, "I didn’t attack you, Harold." Prince Harry and Meghan Markle detailed the rigid, unyielding protocol of the British monarchy, revealing how jarringly formal traditions felt even behind closed doors in their 2022 Netflix documentary. Royal commentator and True Royalty TV co-founder Nick Bullen highlighted how the series deliberately contrasts the family's public image with a much colder private reality, pointing specifically to Meghan's description of her initial, highly formal meeting with Princess Kate and the carefully curated visuals meant to emphasize the family's sternness: Critics note that the narrative leans heavily into painting the institution as an unwelcoming, rigid environment, though Bullen also pointed out that the series sidesteps the immense privilege and luxury that came with their senior royal status. Battling to bring his children to Britain, Prince Harry argued that losing taxpayer-funded police protection left his family facing unacceptable dangers. In September 2021, Prince Harry originally applied for a judicial review of a Home Office decision that kept him from personally paying for police protection while he and his family were in the United Kingdom. Legal teams told the High Court that Harry refused to bring Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to the U.K. because he does not feel safe under current security arrangements. Harry offered to personally finance his own police detail out of pocket. However, the U.K. Home Office and government lawyers successfully blocked the bid, arguing wealthy individuals cannot "buy" police security. In May 2023, the legal defeat locked Harry out of official state-backed protection, leaving the Sussexes to rely entirely on private security during a battle that coincided with fresh security threats in the U.S. As the royal blasted his latest legal defeat as a "stitch-up," Prince Harry admitted in May 2025 that he can no longer envision bringing Meghan Markle, Archie and Lilibet back to Britain. Following a crushing blow to his long-running security appeal, Harry told BBC at the time: While claiming King Charles refused to speak to him over the ongoing feud, Harry confessed he was ready to drop the legal warfare, noting: "I would love reconciliation with my family. There's no point continuing to fight anymore, life is precious." Setting the record straight on who orchestrated "Megxit," Prince Harry confessed he was the one who pulled the plug on royal life. Facing what he called "total silence and total neglect" when seeking institutional help, he recalled the final straw: "I said that we need to get out of here." Years after fleeing to America as they built a home in Montecito, California amid fierce security battles, the Sussexes' saga has come full circle with reports that the couple is moving back to the U.K. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8761782c5335ae10492307 ACM Honors 2026 red carpet: Vote on your favorite country star looks te 2026-08-20T20:20:08.437Z ACM Honors 2026 red carpet: Vote on your favorite country star looks Music City was shining a little brighter as country music royalty stepped out for a night of celebration. The Academy of Country Music celebrated artists, songwriters and industry figures at the 19th ACM Honors Wednesday night at The Pinnacle in Nashville. Hosted by Carly Pearce and Parker McCollum, the star-studded event honored Dolly Parton, Kacey Musgraves, Eric Church and others for their contributions to country music. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Sheryl Crow, Dierks Bentley, Megan Moroney and Trisha Yearwood were among the night's performers, while Pearce and McCollum teamed up for a special tribute to Parton. GET ENTERTAINMENT SCOOP DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR EMAIL BY CLICKING HERE Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a875f1a2c5335ae10492256 Someone targeted security researchers using a fake crypto conference as a lure te 2026-08-20T20:10:02.688Z Someone targeted security researchers using a fake crypto conference as a lure A hacker pretending to work for a leading cryptocurrency news website targeted several cybersecurity professionals using Google Docs as a way to deliver malware. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a875cce2c5335ae10492223 Democrats who ‘never voted Republican’ back Rogers over El-Sayed in razor-close race te 2026-08-20T20:00:14.499Z Democrats who ‘never voted Republican’ back Rogers over El-Sayed in razor-close race EXCLUSIVE - DETROIT, MI - Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers has a message for Democrats who are far from happy with their party's nominee in battleground Michigan: "You have a home with us." Rogers, a former congressman and former FBI agent who is running a second straight time for the Senate after losing by a slim margin two years ago, on Thursday stood alongside a group of voters as he unveiled his "Democrats for Mike Rogers" coalition during a campaign event at a residence in a western Detroit neighborhood. After a combustible and divisive Democratic Senate primary, where Abdul El-Sayed narrowly edged more moderate Rep. Haley Stevens for the nomination, Rogers is heavily courting Democrats disaffected with their left-wing nominee, as he works to flip a crucial Democrat-held Senate seat in the midterm elections. "To Democrat voters who feel their nominee doesn't represent them and their values, all hope is not lost. I'm not asking you to be a Republican. I'm asking you for the opportunity to earn your trust. .. our door is open," Rogers said as he referred to Democratic voters uncomfortable with some of El-Sayed's controversial past comments and far-left policy positions.  DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB A new public opinion survey from AARP indicated El-Sayed and Rogers locked in a margin-of-error race. And in a Fox News poll conducted Aug. 6-10 and released last week, Rogers held a slight four-point edge. Rogers’ advantage in the Fox News poll was fueled largely by stronger party unity among Republicans. Nearly all Republicans (96%), including both MAGA (99%) and non-MAGA Republicans (89%), backed Rogers, the poll indicates. El-Sayed's support among Democrats was slightly lower, at 91%. While 98% of self-described Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) supporters backed El-Sayed, that number dropped to 69% of non-DSA Democrats and independents. "We definitely think it's an opening. This is going to be a tight race. It’s Michigan," Rogers said in an exclusive Fox News Digital interview following the campaign event. "We're going to take advantage of the fact that people are pausing to think if he [El-Sayed] represents their values." Rogers highlighted that Democrats "who have never voted for a Republican in their life, they're going to vote for me. We take encouragement in that. It's inspiring. It's going to show that…values do matter in this election, and we're going to be talking to a lot of people that would not normally have…an opening with a Republican." One of those Democrats who stood alongside Rogers identified herself as Chelsea from West Bloomfield, Michigan. "I'm a lifelong Democrat. I voted for Obama. I voted for Hillary. I voted for Biden. I voted for Slotkin. I heavily supported Haley Stevens throughout her race and now I'm voting for Mike Rogers because sometimes the election calls for us to look at something bigger than our party lines," Chelsea explained. CHECK OUT THE LATEST FOX NEWS POLL IN MICHIGAN'S BLOCKBUSTER SENATE RACE Pointing to El-Sayed, she emphasized "the Democratic nominee that we've been given does not share my values and he does not agree with a world that I want my children to grow up in." Responding to the event, the El-Sayed campaign highlighted Rogers' ties to President Donald Trump, who is supporting the GOP nominee. "Mike Rogers will put Donald Trump ahead of Michigan every single time. Just like he carried water for Trump’s dangerous election lies, he’ll rubber-stamp Trump’s reckless agenda—driving up gas prices and sending your tax dollars to fight foreign wars," El-Sayed campaign spokesperson Cole Wozniak charged in a statement to Fox News. Wozniak added, "Abdul's the only candidate with a coalition that can win this November and will get right to work in the US Senate getting money out of politics and putting money in your pockets." A former Wayne County Health Department director, El-Sayed, if elected in November, would make history as the nation's first Muslim senator. He is an epidemiologist who unsuccessfully ran for governor as an insurgent candidate in 2018. He has made support for Medicare for all a major component of his campaign. El-Sayed, who was endorsed and joined on the primary campaign trail by progressive champions Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, has also called for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and is a vocal critic of Israel during its war with Hamas —characterizing Israel's actions in Gaza as "genocide" against Palestinians. WHAT THE LATEST FOX NEWS POWER RANKINGS IN THE MIDTERM RACES SHOW Rabbi Asher Lopatin of Huntington Woods, Michigan, who also joined Rogers at the campaign roll out, told Fox News Digital, "I do have a lot of issues with a lot of policies of the Trump administration. I do have concerns about the Supreme Court. But it's more important to make a statement that we cannot let someone like Abdul El-Sayed get into the Senate." Lopatin said that Jewish voters who "normally vote Democrat are going to vote for Mike Rogers, and I'm hearing that. And there's a growing movement like that. And I think the more they meet him...the more they're going to feel comfortable voting for a Republican, sometimes the first time in their lives." The rabbi also pointed to a state Democratic Party convention in April, where there was hostility towards anyone who openly supported Israel. Stevens, a strong Israel supporter, was booed at the convention. "Many people I talked to, many super progressive people, are really traumatized by the way they were treated, and the way Haley Stevens was booed, and the way other candidates were treated. It's a violent, uncivil kind of setup for politics, and that's the biggest danger: taking away civility from politics," Lopatin said. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER Asked about concerns from Jewish voters, Rogers told Fox News Digital, "I've talked to two young women who were at University of Michigan, who were afraid to walk to class. They couldn't display their Star of David. To say that they're afraid is probably an understatement." He said "the violent rhetoric [is] going to make a difference" in the general election. El-Sayed's sharp criticism towards Israel and AIPAC, a powerful Israel-aligned political group that has long been a major player in American elections, were a central part of his primary campaign. But two weeks ago, after winning the nomination, El-Sayed emphasized, "My commitment to Jewish safety is the same as my commitment to the safety of my own kids. We have a responsibility to take on antisemitism in all of its forms, wherever we see it." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a875cc42c5335ae104921ee Judges ruled deporting at-risk migrants home could lead to persecution or torture. ICE is detaining them anyway. te 2026-08-20T20:00:04.295Z Judges ruled deporting at-risk migrants home could lead to persecution or torture. ICE is detaining them anyway. This article was originally published by the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting. Sign up for their newsletter here. On an August day in 2025, Celestin Dima had reason to celebrate. A judge at Arizona’s Eloy Immigration Court had just ruled that sending the African asylum-seeker back to his home country would likely bring further persecution. He’d fled Burkina Faso, a landlocked nation in West Africa, where he was outed as gay, kidnapped, and later targeted by the military and tortured by police. Dima had sought refuge in the United States, and was detained after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in 2024.   Under any previous administration, lawyers say, the immigration judge’s decision would have led to his release. Instead, nearly a year after the ruling, Dima was still locked inside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center while the government looked for another country willing to take him in. The process, known as third-country removal, can take months or years, if successful at all. “When I arrived in the United States, the hope was to live peacefully, without being afraid of what I am,” Dima said. “But the reality is another thing.” Dima was one of at least 120 immigrants whom ICE continued to detain in Arizona after judges barred deportation to their home countries, according to an AZCIR analysis of more than 1,200 habeas corpus petitions—federal lawsuits challenging the legality of a person’s detention.  The true number is almost certainly higher, as the analysis captures only immigrants who were able to challenge their detention in federal court from January 2025 through March 2026. Many in Arizona remained in custody for months—and in some cases, over a year—while the Trump administration sought to deport them to countries where they had never lived. More than half were detained beyond the six-month mark at which the Supreme Court said the government risks running afoul of constitutional limits, AZCIR’s analysis shows. Attorneys argue these prolonged detentions violate the Fifth Amendment’s guarantee of due process because there is no realistic prospect of deporting immigrants in the foreseeable future. The Supreme Court has ruled the government cannot indefinitely detain people under these circumstances. “(The goal is) to promote this uncertainty—to promote this fear—so that individuals might abandon any efforts to remain in the United States,” said Matthew Boaz, an assistant professor at the University of Kentucky law school specializing in third-country deportations. The immigrants identified by AZCIR had been granted one of two types of humanitarian relief: withholding of removal or protection under the Convention Against Torture. Both protect people from being sent to countries where they are likely to face persecution. Unlike asylum, the protections do not provide permanent legal status, leaving open the possibility of removal elsewhere if another country agrees to accept them.  The Trump administration has seized on that distinction in an effort to ramp up removals, despite federal judges routinely siding with detainees who’ve challenged the practice in court and ordering their release. “ICE is applying the law as written. If a judge finds an illegal alien has no right to be in this country, we are going to remove them. Period,” an ICE spokesperson said in a written statement. Though the immigrants caught in this legal limbo represent a sliver of those affected by the administration’s broader deportation campaign, scholars say targeting them is less about the number of people ultimately removed than the message it sends to others seeking refuge in the United States. “It doesn’t matter that you prove you fled real harm,” said Yael Schacher, a director at the nonprofit Refugees International. “You’re not welcome here.” The Eloy Detention Center, a privately run ICE immigrant detention facility, is shown here on Friday, April 10, 2020. Photo by Nicole Neri | AZCIR Dima arrived in the U.S. in late July 2024, hoping to receive asylum. But because he crossed the border between official ports of entry, a Biden-era rule made him ineligible.  Dima instead was granted withholding of removal from Burkina Faso, protecting him from deportation home. Before a federal court overturned the rule in May, it had funneled many asylum-seekers toward these more limited protections.  To win withholding, immigrants must show they would likely face persecution because of their race, religion or other protected characteristic if returned home, a higher legal standard than asylum. Those with serious criminal convictions don’t qualify. The Convention Against Torture requires immigrants to prove they would likely be tortured if sent back. More than 3,800 people were granted one or both forms of relief in fiscal year 2025, according to the Congressional Research Service. Over several decades, tens of thousands more have won these protections. Though ICE has long had the ability to deport these immigrants to third countries, it historically did so only in extraordinary circumstances, such as when someone posed a threat to national security. In 2017, for example, only 21 people with withholding were removed from the U.S., less than 2% of those granted the protection that year.  These removals were rare largely because other countries had little incentive to accept people who weren’t their own citizens. As a result, people with these protections were typically released and allowed to live in the U.S. with a work permit.  That changed under the second Trump administration. The Department of Homeland Security directed officials to review the cases of individuals who had been granted withholding of removal or CAT protections, including many who had been living in the U.S. for years and believed their immigration cases had been settled. Among those detained in Arizona facilities was a Colombian mother separated from her two young children during a routine ICE check-in in Baltimore before being transferred to Eloy, AZCIR found. Another was an Iraqi man showing early signs of dementia who was arrested by ICE agents in his front yard after living in the U.S. for more than 30 years. Judges had previously ruled both would likely face torture if returned to their home countries.  AZCIR’s analysis found that immigrants redetained under similar circumstances were held for nearly four months, on average. Once detained, immigrants can be removed to third countries with little notice. Most lack legal representation, and many never file habeas petitions challenging their detention. Even those who do can be deported before a judge has the chance to rule. “To be told, suddenly, from out of nowhere, because of a change in policy, they are at risk of being removed to a third country where they’ve never lived before,” said Ginger Jacobs, an immigration attorney in San Diego. “It’s shocking, and it’s extremely scary.” After a judge ruled in August 2025 that Dima couldn’t be deported to Burkina Faso, ICE began searching for another country willing to accept him. Officials first sought to deport him to Ghana, where homosexuality is punishable by up to three years in jail. A judge ruled he could not safely be deported there, either. ICE also raised Cameroon and Uganda—which has one of the world’s harshest anti-LGBT laws—as options. The possibilities terrified Dima. He recalled telling an ICE official at a hearing: “If you send me back to the countries you mentioned, it’s better to send me to my own country. Even if they kill me there, it’s better than sending me to countries where they burn homosexuals.” Dima also feared that if he was deported to another country, that country would send him back to Burkina Faso, a process known as chain refoulement. Immigrants the U.S. has sent to third countries have repeatedly been returned to the countries they originally fled, effectively bypassing the protections American immigration judges had put in place. The deportations have been made possible by more than $32 million in agreements the Trump administration negotiated to persuade foreign governments to accept people with no ties to their countries. “We are not supposed to, under domestic law and international conventions that were signatory, return people to situations where they’re going to be tortured or going to be persecuted. And this results in exactly that happening,” said Katharine Ruhl, an attorney at the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project who represented Dima.  While detained in Eloy, Dima became depressed and anxious, growing so sick with worry that he stopped eating for stretches at a time. After repeatedly refusing food, he said, he was placed in solitary confinement for two weeks. ICE said the move was intended to allow medical staff to more closely monitor his condition. Immigrants’ rights groups have repeatedly characterized conditions at Eloy as inhumane, citing physical abuse and medical neglect. Officials there have used solitary confinement to coerce people into self-deporting, according to detainees, and there have been at least 16 reported deaths and five suicides. “There is no real difference between the inside of a prison and the inside of an immigration detention center,” said Keith Hilzendeger, a federal public defender in Arizona. “The effect on the person is the same.” As of June, more than 8,000 of the roughly 66,000 people in immigration detention nationwide had been held for at least six months, the constitutional benchmark for prolonged detention. That number had more than doubled since September 2024, the last month of the Biden administration for which data was available. After winning withholding of removal or CAT protection in detention, immigrants in Arizona were held in detention for an average of seven months, AZCIR found. Their total length of detention, including time spent waiting for a judge to grant them protections, averaged nearly a year. Arizona ranks among the top five states nationally in immigration detention book-ins, an NPR analysis found, with plans to open at least one more detention center this year. It costs taxpayers about $150 per person per day to detain an immigrant, according to DHS. In March, the Florence Project filed a joint habeas petition on behalf of Dima and eight others who remained detained despite winning withholding of removal, arguing their indefinite detention was unlawful. Among them were a woman from Iran arrested after filming a video about the country’s Kurdish minority, an Iranian convert to Christianity who had participated in the Women Life Freedom movement, and a Chilean man tortured because he belonged to the Indigenous Mapuche people. By June, Dima had been in detention for almost two years. “I’ve lost hope,” he told AZCIR from his cell. “Right now, I don’t even know what I want.” “To this day, I regret coming to the United States.”  Around 11 a.m. on June 30, a bus pulled into the parking lot of a small church in Phoenix. Twelve people got out. All were just released from ICE detention. Dima was among them. To his surprise, a federal judge had granted his habeas petition the day before, ordering Dima and the other detained immigrants on the Florence Project’s joint petition released within 48 hours. Dima sat at a table inside the church looking stunned, a volunteer recalled. Next to him was a man from Afghanistan and another from Cameroon. They ate plates of grapes and cherries with Costco roast chicken prepared by volunteers. “I cannot express myself—the way I’m feeling,” Dima later said with a chuckle. In ordering the immigrants’ release, U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa rejected the government’s reliance on potential third-country deportation to justify their continued detention. “Unconstitutional removal cannot cure unconstitutional detention,” she wrote. Arizona has seen a historic number of habeas corpus petitions challenging prolonged immigration detention. In nearly 90% of cases analyzed by AZCIR, judges sided with immigrants who’d won withholding or CAT protections and ordered their release. That excludes cases dismissed because of deportations or transfers. “I couldn’t understand the legal justification for their continued detention,” said Luis Campos, a Tucson immigration lawyer. “They were detained simply because the government felt it could detain, and they weren’t being challenged on it.” Still, for every individual who is released, there are many more who are stuck in detention without legal representation. “We’re up against a bit of a tidal wave,” Ruhl said. “We have many more clients who we have not been able to represent because of our limited capacity, who are in the same circumstance.” In July, Dima arrived in New York City hoping to start a new life. He moved into a shared room at a friend’s apartment in the Bronx and made plans to apply for a work permit. But he couldn’t escape the threat of deportation. Even after winning a habeas case, immigrants can be redetained if the government says it has found a third country willing to accept them. Dima rarely left the apartment. He feared the bulky GPS bracelet ICE had strapped to his ankle would attract the attention of police. Ahead of his first mandatory check-in with ICE, he struggled to sleep and lost his appetite. “I keep worrying,” Dima said. “Every day, I sleep maybe three hours or four hours.” His first check-in was on July 17, less than three weeks after his release from detention in Arizona. That morning, Dima woke early and went to the ICE field office in Lower Manhattan for a 7 a.m. appointment. Within hours, ICE had taken him back into custody. Officials told him they planned to deport him but would not say where.  “It’s just completely unimaginable to be in the custody of the government not knowing what is happening,” said Marlene Berroa Rodriguez, an attorney with nonprofit Make the Road NY who took on Dima’s case. Dima was transferred to a detention center in New Jersey, where he told an advocate immigrants were packed 10 to a cell beneath bright lights that never turned off. He reported that he couldn’t sleep and soon lost his sense of day and night. Two weeks later, after another transfer, guards woke him before dawn at another detention center outside Dallas, put him in chains and drove him to an airport, according to Dima’s lawyer. By then, his attorneys had learned through a court filing that the government planned to deport him to the Central African Republic, though Dima was still in the dark. He spent the day shackled on the plane, his lawyer said. Shortly before takeoff that evening, officials removed him from the plane. A judge had temporarily blocked his deportation.  Instead of leaving the country, Dima returned to detention. Credits Olivier Touron contributed French translation for this story. The post Judges ruled deporting at-risk migrants home could lead to persecution or torture. ICE is detaining them anyway. appeared first on AZ Luminaria. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a875cc22c5335ae104921d0 Mark buys a castle te 2026-08-20T20:00:02.642Z Mark buys a castle Mark Zuckerberg just bought a cozy abode somewhat close to Meta’s international headquarters in Ireland. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a875a722c5335ae104921a4 Police identify suspect accused of terrorizing Philadelphia women while wearing creepy Chucky-style mask te 2026-08-20T19:50:10.845Z Police identify suspect accused of terrorizing Philadelphia women while wearing creepy Chucky-style mask Police have identified the suspected masked menace who is accused of terrorizing women around the streets of Philadelphia. Now, they're asking people to be on the lookout for him as he may have fled from Pennsylvania. Zymire Hughes, 22, has an active warrant out for his arrest, police report. Hughes is the man who police allege was wearing a creepy Chucky-style Halloween mask as he assaulted a woman. He reportedly hunted her down and chased her. It happened last Wednesday. ALLEGED 'MIME' STALKER STRIPPED TO UNDERWEAR, COVERED HIMSELF IN COOKING OIL: OFFICIALS He allegedly yelled at a woman asking her if she was "ready to die" while chasing others, police told FOX 29. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS Surveillance cameras allegedly show Hughes running up to people in the city. A Dunkin' Donuts in the city refused him service because he was wearing the mask. JUDGE BLOCKS PHILADELPHIA LAW TARGETING MASKED FEDERAL OFFICERS After terrorizing several people, police say, he allegedly came face-to-face with a woman who was ready to fight back, Fox News Digital learned. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST A woman trained in combat, Jameka Wilson, was able to fight Hughes when he reportedly threatened her. "He was not guarding his midsection, so she kicked him hard in the chest. He stumbled and ran," she said. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL Police say Hughes has connections to California and Nevada. They describe him as a Black male with medium complexion, 5-foot-8, thin build, wearing a white Chucky-style Halloween mask with black hair, and a black/blue plaid backpack. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a875a722c5335ae1049219b Angel dad takes major new role after daughter’s killing sparks sweeping illegal alien crackdown te 2026-08-20T19:50:10.113Z Angel dad takes major new role after daughter’s killing sparks sweeping illegal alien crackdown EXCLUSIVE: An Angel Dad whose daughter's life was tragically cut short by an illegal alien, is joining U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Fox News Digital has learned. "I am excited to accept the Executive Director role at VOICE because this is not simply a government position for me, it is deeply personal and rooted in a mission I have come to understand through unimaginable loss," Joe Abraham said, announcing the new move he hopes will help serve others in his situation. VOICE stands for Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE), an office inside the agency that supports victims of illegal alien crime. Abraham's daughter, 20-year-old Katie Abraham, and her friend Chloe Polzin were killed in a January 2025 drunk driving hit-and-run car wreck caused by criminal illegal alien Julio Cucul-Bol, a Guatemalan national. He was charged with multiple offenses following the crash and later pleaded guilty to charges including aggravated driving under the influence resulting in death and leaving the scene of a fatal crash. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison. PRITZKER CALLS FOR CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS INTO ICE AGENTS OVER ‘MIDWAY BLITZ’ CONDUCT Since then, Abraham has been an outspoken activist in favor of closing the borders and arresting and deporting illegal aliens. He is credited as the inspiration behind Operation Midway Blitz, a sweeping Chicago-area federal immigration enforcement operation from September to December 2025. The operation, which was heavily protested by Democrats, netted more than 4,000 arrests, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Now, Abraham will lead ICE's Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) office as the executive director. EXCLUSIVE: DHS HONORS ANGEL FAMILIES DURING NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS WEEK, CALLS CRIMES 'COMPLETELY PREVENTABLE' "I want to use my experience, my voice and what I have learned through Katie’s story to make sure victims and their families are heard, treated with dignity and never become an afterthought in our immigration system," Abraham continued. White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis praised Abraham as he prepares to begin his new role. DAD OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT DUI VICTIM ISSUES WARNING TO AMERICANS OVER LAX DRIVER'S LICENSE LAWS "Angel Dad Joe Abraham is the perfect choice to lead the VOICE office," she said. "Since the murder of his daughter, Katie, in a drunk driving hit-and-run in sanctuary Illinois, he has been a staunch advocate for victims of illegal alien crime and a powerful critic of the Democrats’ sanctuary policies." "In his new role in the Trump administration, he will help countless families who lost a loved one to a preventable tragedy caused by open-border policies." ICE NABS ILLEGAL ALIENS CONVICTED OF CHILD SEX CRIMES AND METH TRAFFICKING IN NATIONWIDE ENFORCEMENT SWEEP The VOICE office was reestablished by the Trump administration in April 2025, after President Donald Trump directed DHS to revive the Biden-era-shuttered office upon taking office for his second term in January. Since then, it has had a major impact helping families of illegal alien crime victims. ANGEL FAMILIES PLEAD WITH LEADERS TO 'CHOOSE' AMERICAN CHILDREN OVER PROTECTING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS It has received 897 total calls from victims, family members and advocates and has helped 588 victims seeking assistance and information, according to a report published in June. Further, it has assisted 185 victim family members seeking services and information. The most frequently reported crimes are assault, at 35%, rape and sexual assault, at 17%, and homicide and manslaughter at 10%. The Trump administration has a longstanding feud with the state of Illinois and Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker over his sanctuary state policies and refusal to cooperate with federal immigration officials. In May, when the state refused to cooperate with ICE after an illegal immigrant convicted of child sexual abuse was released from jail despite calls for state officials to turn him over to federal authorities, Bis, then the DHS assistant secretary, blasted the governor. "Governor Pritzker continues to refuse to do his job to protect his citizens from illegal alien crime and instead chooses to smear our law enforcement," she said at the time. "Where is the investigation into his own policies that allowed this pedophile to be released from jail and be loose in Illinois communities?" Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a875a712c5335ae10492192 NASCAR's Natalie Decker is having a pool party for Daytona weekend, ESPN reporter cries & even more McAfee! te 2026-08-20T19:50:09.365Z NASCAR's Natalie Decker is having a pool party for Daytona weekend, ESPN reporter cries & even more McAfee! 'Nightcaps' is a daily column that catches you up on the biggest sports, news and culture stories you may have missed while pretending to do work at your desk. It runs Monday–Friday on OutKick.com. Over the hump and safely onto the other side of the week. Phew. We made it. It's all down(up?)hill from here! We've got NFL football tonight. Raiders-Texans at 8 p.m. on ESPN! Joe and Troy in the booth and back in our living rooms, presumably. Not a bad little game for Week 2 of the preseason. I'll take anything at this point. Football is close, I can taste it. I can hear it. I can smell it. Nine days till Week 0. I pumped out two fantasy mock drafts last night. I'm woefully unprepared, for those wondering. But I've still got a few weeks. Back to the drawing board! On that note, welcome to a Thursday Nightcaps — the one where Natalie Decker gears up for a big pool party before NASCAR's season-finale next weekend in Daytona. Feels like the fellas were just starting engines for the Daytona 500, and now the regular season is just about over. Nothing like a pool party to end the summer! What else? I've got ESPN's Holly Rowe crying over a WNBA crowd, Pete Alonso getting absolutely robbed of a home run, and let's check in with how things are looking over at Citi Field before we end the day. You'll never see it coming. Trust me. OK, grab you a pen and paper to start prepping for tomorrow's National Fantasy Football Draft Day, and settle in for a Thursday 'Cap! First of all, tomorrow is far too early for a fantasy football draft. That's insane. Do you know how many players are going to get hurt between tomorrow and Week 1? The absolute earliest you can have a fantasy draft is next weekend, and that's even a little early. Like I said in the open, I'm woefully unprepared this year. During normal years, I would've already listened to a zillion podcasts and pumped out two dozen mock drafts by now. But, I have two kids, and a house, and a yard, and a wife. I just don't have the time I used to have, but perhaps that's not a bad thing. Every year, I prepare like hell for our big draft (in person, at Applebee's like patriots), and every year I lose this stupid league. I walk away thinking I had the best draft ever and I outsmarted everyone, and every year the dude who slams back 14 vodkas before the fifth round and double-picks a player by Round 9 ends up winning the league. It's uncanny. Every single year! So, this year I'm gonna go in woefully unprepared (to an extent) and see where that gets me. Bottom's up! OK, let's get this class started with NASCAR's Natalie Decker hitting the pool ahead of next Saturday night's Cup Series regular season finale at Daytona: No clue if Natalie is actually racing in next Friday's O'Reilly (Busch) Series race, but she'll certainly be in town. That much is clear! She'll be at the Shores Resort Saturday afternoon for a little meet 'n greet by the pool. Why? No clue. Sponsorships are everything in racing, I reckon. I used to live about 2 minutes down the road from The Shores. True story. Great spot. Solid bar/restaurant inside. I went to a St. Patrick's Day party there once. What a night. Anyway, Natalie has had a ... rough ... season thus far, as we've documented in these very spaces. She had an all-time radio meltdown at Dover in May where she basically quit mid-race, and it's been a rocky summer ever since. For those wondering, Decker has three O'Reilly Series starts this season with finishes of 33, 33 and 34. Credit for the consistency. Perhaps this is what turns this sucker around. Stay tuned! OK, let's keep this class moving and check in with ESPN's Holly Rowe, who was STUNNED at the crowd for this week's Fever-Tempo game in Canada: Incredible stuff here from Holly. Quick show of hands: Have you ever been so moved by something that you felt the need to turn the camera towards you and start crying? And then keep the camera on your for a solid 40 seconds? I get Holly is passionate about women's basketball. I respect that. But I just can't envision a scenario in my life where I record myself crying for the world to see. It just doesn't exist. Wild stuff. PS: Holly failed to mention that this was Caitlin Clark's first visit to Canada, and the game had to be moved to a bigger arena to accommodate the extra fans. This wasn't exactly a random Tuesday night WNBA game. The crowd was still great — Sophie Cunningham said as much after the game — but a little context matters. OK, let's rapid-fire this Thursday class into a big Thursday night. First up? How in the world was this NOT a home run for Pete Alonso last night? Yeah ... I'm not seeing a foul ball there. Looked fair in real time. Looked fair in the replay. I don't get it. We have all the technology in the world, and we still can't determine whether a ball is fair or foul? That seems silly. Come on. What are we doing here: Yikes. The O's went on to lose, 5-3, for those wondering. Not great for my Red Sox! Next? Let's stay on the diamond and check in with Pete's old team, the New York Mets: Goodness gracious. That gives me the shivers. I HATE raccoons. We have 'em all over the place down here, and they're just disgusting creatures. Raccoons and Opossums. The absolute worst. Filthy animals. OK, that's it for today. Good work, everyone. To end class, I'd like to give everyone a quick update on Pat McAfee. Yesterday, the internet was furious at ESPN for giving McAfee yet another platform — this time on the 'Monday Night Countdown' panel. Everyone and their mothers grabbed their pitchforks and started complaining about "McAfee fatigue." Anyway, I'm here to tell you all that ESPN heard your concerns ... SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS ... and promptly told you all to kick rocks! STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW! Amazing. It's called leaning into the skid! It's the Year of McAfee, folks. Suck it up. See y'all tomorrow. Best fantasy football draft strategy? Email me at Zach.Dean@OutKick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a87581a2c5335ae10491cdd Philadelphia woman says she used stage combat training to fight off masked man chasing residents te 2026-08-20T19:40:10.114Z Philadelphia woman says she used stage combat training to fight off masked man chasing residents A Philadelphia woman's art school training came in handy in an unexpected way as she was chased through the streets of Philadelphia by a man wearing a doll mask. Jameka Wilson, a 25-year-old Philadelphia-based actress, said a man in what police described as a "Chucky" Halloween mask chased her while she was on her way to an early morning workout class on Wednesday, Aug. 12. After the man chased her for "a few seconds," Wilson said, she decided that the wisest thing to do in the scenario was turn around and fight. "He seemed surprised that I had turned around initially," Wilson said in an interview with Fox News Digital. "I saw his head like tilt from side to side, like trying to figure out what he's supposed to be doing in the scenario." "Essentially what he did in defense terms was that he opened up all of the lines of attack that I could possibly make to him," she said. MASEKD MENACE FILMS HIMSELF CHASING RESIDENTS AS TERRIFIED VICTIMS SCREAM FOR HELP: POLICE That's when Wilson decided to kick her attacker, "boom, right into the center of the chest." Wilson credits her ability to defend herself and read her attacker to her art school education in stage combat. "My alma mater was the University of the Arts, and I trained with fight masters there for stage combat," said Wilson. "The whole goal is to understand what the consequences of contact and violence are and hopefully keep your scene partner safe." "I feel like these experiences helped me fight off the attacker, as crazy as that might sound," she said. GEORGIA JOGGER RUNS FOR HER LIFE AFTER STRANGER ALLEGEDLY TRIES TO MOW HER DOWN 3 TIMES Wilson said she first saw the masked man as he approached another woman across the street who was "absorbed" in her phone. She described seeing the man accelerate toward the woman, "closing distance really quickly." "I started to wave my arms and started yelling, 'Hey, there's someone behind you,'" Wilson told Fox News Digital. "And at that point she heard me, she saw me, and then she started to run away." The masked man eventually turned his focus toward Wilson, chasing her until she turned around to fight. "As for intent, I'm not really sure what exactly it was. I don't know if he even knows," Wilson said. ALLEGED 'MIME' STALKER STRIPPED TO UNDERWEAR, COVERED HIMSELF IN COOKING OIL: OFFICIALS Police have identified 22-year-old Zymire Hughes as the masked suspect. An arrest warrant is active, and police believe Hughes may have fled Pennsylvania. Hughes was also seen that morning near City Hall and asked one woman if she was "ready to die" while chasing others, police told FOX 29. Police said the masked man chased a 40-year-old woman and made threatening comments while holding his hand behind his back. Philadelphia Police Capt. Jason Smith said, "He was able to accost a good many of people, most of which haven't come forward yet." Hughes was seen on surveillance cameras running up to several people, and was refused service at a Dunkin' because of his mask. He left the restaurant after showing erratic behavior. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8758192c5335ae10491cd4 Atlanta resident speaks out after mayor tells him to ‘shut up’ over transit concerns te 2026-08-20T19:40:09.385Z Atlanta resident speaks out after mayor tells him to ‘shut up’ over transit concerns Atlanta Democratic Mayor Andre Dickens drew criticism Thursday after telling constituent Jonathan Brimer to "shut up" when Brimer pressed the mayor on voter-approved transit and pedestrian-safety commitments. The exchange began after Dickens posted a video on his Instagram last Friday showing his visit with Nature Gurlz, an Atlanta group that encourages Black women to spend time outdoors. Brimer responded to the post by pressing the mayor on transportation priorities. "Have some fun by restoring Peachtree St’s pedestrian-centric design in downtown and by delivering what we voted for with extra sales taxes for MARTA by getting Beltline rail done," Brimer said. VIOLENT TRANSIT ATTACKS IN ATLANTA, NEW YORK AND CHARLOTTE FUEL CALLS FOR TOUGHER TRACKING OF REPEAT OFFENDERS "Shut up and respect our legacy Black women residents that made this city that you get to enjoy freely," Dickens replied. In a statement provided to Fox News Digital on Thursday, Brimer said he was surprised Dickens responded and even more surprised by the nature of the reply. "I wasn’t expecting him to agree with me, but I also wasn’t expecting the mayor to tell a constituent to ‘shut up’ for raising a policy concern," Brimer said. Fox News Digital asked Dickens' office on Thursday whether the mayor personally posted the response, whether he stood by it and whether he planned to apologize. The office declined to comment. "Not weighing in on that at all," a spokesperson for the mayor’s office told Fox News Digital. MAN FACING FEDERAL CHARGES AFTER ATLANTA TRAIN PASSENGER STABBED ABOUT 20 TIMES, FBI INVESTIGATING Brimer said his comment was aimed at the administration’s transportation decisions, not the women Dickens highlighted. "My comment wasn’t directed at them. It was directed at the mayor and at specific transportation and planning decisions his administration has made," he said. "I think this exchange confirmed for me that I’m no longer particularly supportive of Mayor Dickens’ leadership." Brimer said he lived on the city's south side and respected his neighbors but objected to the mayor's treatment of a constituent. The Peachtree Street request referred to a planned $4.85 million downtown safety project that called for a protected bicycle lane, narrower vehicle lanes and safer crossings. Construction was scheduled to begin in 2027 and be completed in 2029. Brimer’s Beltline criticism involved the More MARTA program, which Atlanta voters funded through a half-penny sales tax in 2016. Work on the proposed Streetcar East Extension was paused at 30% design in 2025 while city and transit officials reconsidered which projects to prioritize. DNC PANEL PICKS FIRST 2028 PRIMARY STATE AFTER BATTLE OVER KEY VOTING BLOCS Brimer said his concern extended beyond one project to the cooperation among the Dickens administration, MARTA and Atlanta Beltline. "My concern is not just with one project. It is with the overall lack of a clear, coordinated vision for improving public transportation and connectivity throughout Atlanta," he said. On Thursday, Dickens also directed sharp criticism at his own party in a letter to the DNC obtained by Fox News Digital after Atlanta was eliminated from consideration to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention. Dickens accused DNC chairman Ken Martin of disregarding Atlanta, the South and the party's Black base. "They are abandoning Atlanta, abandoning the South, and once again abandoning Black voters," Dickens said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE The DNC narrowed its potential convention sites to Boston, Denver and Philadelphia Thursday but did not explain why Atlanta and Chicago were removed. A final host city was expected to be selected later this year. The organization said that all five cities submitted strong applications and that the party considered arena size, hotel capacity, fundraising ability, partnerships with local leaders and alignment with Democratic values. Martin praised the three remaining cities in a statement provided to Fox News Digital on Thursday. "The 2028 Democratic National Convention will be an inspiring celebration of our party’s future nominee, and a critical step on Democrats’ path towards retaking the White House. Boston, Denver, and Philadelphia all presented incredibly strong bids to host the convention," Martin said. "We look forward to continuing to work with them as the DNC makes a final selection in the coming months," the statement added. Fox News Digital reached out to Beltline but did not immediately receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8758122c5335ae10491cae Darline Graham’s Debate Misstep Tests South Carolina’s Appetite for a Political Newcomer te 2026-08-20T19:40:02.690Z Darline Graham’s Debate Misstep Tests South Carolina’s Appetite for a Political Newcomer Senator Darline Graham has argued that her lack of political experience is a strength as she runs to succeed her brother, Lindsey Graham. But a debate misstep has rattled some of her supporters. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8755be2c5335ae10491c62 Arizona’s solar industry facing mounting backlash te 2026-08-20T19:30:06.708Z Arizona’s solar industry facing mounting backlash Key Points: Republican lawmakers introduced multiple bills targeting utility-scale solar The Corporation Commission is increasing fees and decreasing reimbursements for rooftop solar customers Solar and battery projects continue to be built, but natural gas capacity is expanding faster It has been a rough year for solar advocates in the nation’s sunniest state.  Republican lawmakers, state regulators and some utility companies have historically been unfriendly to renewable energy resources. But this year they’ve attempted to block the construction of utility-scale solar on state land, repeal tax incentives for rooftop solar systems and impose higher fees on ratepayers who choose to adopt solar.  While these attempts were ultimately unsuccessful, there’s no indication that opposition to Arizona’s solar industry is abating anytime soon. This comes amid what an industry advocate called “unprecedented” federal hostility toward renewable energy, driven by President Donald Trump’s plans to reinvigorate America’s coal industry and accelerate nuclear energy development. Major cuts to federal funding and tax incentives have further compounded state-level attacks.  “It’s death by a thousand cuts,” said Autumn Johnson, the executive director of the Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association.  Arizona is consistently ranked as the sunniest state in the U.S., but solar only makes up 13% of the energy powering its electric grid. Natural gas is by far the largest source of energy used in the state, while utility companies are moving toward thermal energy sources and away from solar and wind projects. Johnson represents solar energy businesses as a lobbyist at the Legislature and Corporation Commission, where she has already noticed a drop-off in participation from renewable energy businesses. “What I hear about is, ‘this company can’t renew their membership because they are cutting back on this state,’ or ‘they’re deprioritizing Arizona,’ or ‘they’ve gone belly up entirely,’” Johnson said. “Our membership numbers are down probably 25 or 30% over the last two years.” Lawmakers take aim at solar Republican lawmakers pushed three bills this year to discourage utility-scale solar development. All came from Reps. Ralph Heap and David Marshall, who launched a bid to unseat incumbent Republican Commissioners Kevin Thompson and Nick Myers. The first bill would have classified utility-scale solar projects as public nuisances if they were located within four miles of a residence. The second would have required utility companies to get 85% of their electric generation from “reliable sources,” excluding wind and solar from the definition of “reliable.” The third bill would have prohibited the State Land Department from using solar score maps to evaluate state trust land for potential solar development. Additionally, drafts of ASLD’s continuation bill, which was meant to extend the department’s statutory life, included a moratorium on solar and wind projects on state land until 2029. While none of those proposals ultimately came to fruition, it made for a dizzying legislative session for solar advocates like Johnson. She said this year marked the first time she has had to weigh in on an agency continuation bill or state budget negotiations. “[This year] was a lot worse, but more from an optics standpoint than from an actual outcome standpoint,” Johnson said. Heap, who unseated Myers in the July 21 primary, told the Arizona Capitol Times in May that his legislation was driven by Trump’s characterization of renewable energy sources as unreliable and uneconomic. “The utilities, [Arizona Public Service] in particular, gave the Corporation Commission their 15-year plan of how they’re going to generate energy between 2023 and 2038, and that plan was net zero, green energy, run the state on wind, solar and batteries,” Heap said. “And since then, almost all the projects that have gone in the state, up to 90% now, are green energy projects.” Natural gas versus solar By all accounts, utility companies are building more solar projects. Between 2025 and the first eight months of 2026, the Commission approved line siting proposals for 12 solar and battery storage projects. However, Johnson noted that new natural gas generation is still outpacing new solar generation as utility companies look to add more resources to meet skyrocketing energy demand. “They’re still adding renewables … but they’re building a ton of new gas over the next decade, so the percentage in Arizona that is actually renewables is flat or slightly decreasing,” Johnson said. Myers, the Commission’s chair, said in a statement that the line siting approvals demonstrate the Commission’s commitment to an all-of-the-above energy approach. “Arizona is building an increasingly flexible energy portfolio to meet record-setting demand,” Myers said. “The Commission’s siting decisions are helping bring new resources online while supporting the infrastructure needed to deliver electricity to Arizona customers.” But the Commission has also moved to disincentivize residential rooftop solar this year by considering a proposed increase in APS’s “grid access charge” and adjustments to solar export rates.  The Commission adopted the GAC in the 2022 APS rate case after an administrative law judge recommended setting rates for rooftop solar customers 15% higher than non-solar customers. APS did not specifically propose the GAC, but suggested in rate case proceedings that solar customers are underpaying the cost incurred to serve them. The Court of Appeals ruled in June that the Commission must either conduct a rehearing on the GAC or vacate it entirely, citing due process concerns. Meanwhile, APS is seeking to increase the GAC in its ongoing rate case.  And on Aug. 12, the Commission approved requests from APS and UNS Electric to lower export rates that reimburse residential rooftop solar customers for energy they provide to the grid by 10%. “Rooftop solar is one of the few actions Arizona ratepayers can take to control their energy needs and meaningfully reduce monthly bills,” the solar groups wrote in a letter to the Commission. “Unfortunately, this Commission’s continued approval of the maximum reductions to the [export rates] have made rooftop solar harder to pencil out for families across the state.” The upcoming Commission election could offer some hope for clean energy advocates if the two Democrats running can manage to upset the all-Republican balance on the body. But Johnson said she’s yet to see an entirely solar-friendly Commission. “Each Commission that I’ve observed has become more and more difficult for solar in the seven years that I’ve been doing this,” Johnson said. The post Arizona’s solar industry facing mounting backlash first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8753672c5335ae10491bfd Trump Boasts of Declassifying Secrets, but Withholds Key Election Files From Public te 2026-08-20T19:20:07.356Z Trump Boasts of Declassifying Secrets, but Withholds Key Election Files From Public Even as the White House claims to be focused on transparency, it has ignored a congressional requirement to disclose a report on foreign meddling in the 2024 election. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8753662c5335ae10491bdf Runlayer, Rippling drop lawsuits. But the brouhaha is still a cautionary tale for founders. te 2026-08-20T19:20:06.038Z Runlayer, Rippling drop lawsuits. But the brouhaha is still a cautionary tale for founders. Runlayer and Rippling have dropped their lawsuits. No money was paid. Rippling celebrated by releasing a competing product. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8753642c5335ae10491bd6 Google gives publishers a new way to fight AI-driven traffic losses te 2026-08-20T19:20:04.704Z Google gives publishers a new way to fight AI-driven traffic losses Google is giving publishers a new button that lets readers make them a preferred source across Search, Discover, and Google News, potentially boosting their traffic as AI search sends fewer clicks to the web. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a87510a2c5335ae10491b7f Castelion hits $13B valuation to mass-produce hypersonic missiles te 2026-08-20T19:10:02.757Z Castelion hits $13B valuation to mass-produce hypersonic missiles The $1 billion Series C was co-led by Andreessen Horowitz, Carlyle, and JP Morgan Chase. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a874ebb2c5335ae10491b5a Moskowitz rejects Rick Scott claims he's 'scared to death' of socialists, beholden to Hasan Piker te 2026-08-20T19:00:11.858Z Moskowitz rejects Rick Scott claims he's 'scared to death' of socialists, beholden to Hasan Piker Rep. Jared Moskowitz hit back Thursday after Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., claimed the Florida Democrat is "scared to death" of his party's socialist wing and would take marching orders from far-left streamer Hasan Piker if re-elected. "Rick doesn't know what he's talking about there," Moskowitz said Thursday on "Fox & Friends." "Nobody in my district believes that I'm a Hasan Piker guy. Hasan would want nothing to do with me. I want nothing to do with Hasan, so, at the end of the day, Rick just doesn't know what he's talking about." PIKER DEMANDS DEMOCRATS DEFEND HIM FROM ATTACKS, CLAIMS HE'S NO 'TOXIC RADICAL FORCE' Scott made the remark during a FOX Business appearance Monday, arguing that whichever Democrat won the primary would do Piker's bidding. "Moskowitz has been in there. He was in the House before. I assume he's going to win," Scott said on "Varney & Co." "But just remember, whoever wins that seat, they’re going to vote the way Piker tells them to vote.... They all support the platform of the Democrat socialists, because they’re scared to death of them," he added. Moskowitz has been described as a more "centrist" Democrat who is outspoken in his support of Israel and critical of many aligned with his party's more progressive flank, including Piker. FLORIDA DEMOCRAT SAYS HIS STATE 'THANKFULLY' DOESN'T HAVE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS LIKE NEW YORK After defeating Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)-backed challenger Oliver Larkin, Moskowitz took a victory lap on X, sending mocking "condolences" to Piker. Piker responded to Moskowitz's callout, writing, "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." Moskowitz has continued to oppose the DSA agenda and its candidates, arguing that they are "anti-American at their core" and reiterating that Democratic leadership should "speak out" against the DSA agenda. At the same time, he acknowledged an issue he believes mainstream Democrats cannot afford to ignore. "There is a economic populist movement to the DSA, and we've got to recognize that we've got to talk about how people are struggling to afford the American way of life," he said. Fox News' Hanna Panreck contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a874a092c5335ae10491a79 Dem mayor torches DNC in scathing letter for 'abandoning' Black voters after convention snub te 2026-08-20T18:40:09.257Z Dem mayor torches DNC in scathing letter for 'abandoning' Black voters after convention snub Atlanta's Democratic Mayor Andre Dickens launched a scathing attack on the Democratic National Committee's leadership Thursday, accusing party leaders of turning their backs on Black voters and the South after the DNC excluded the city from its shortlist to host the 2028 presidential convention.  "The DNC continues to make the wrong choices," Dickens wrote in a scathing letter obtained by Fox News Digital, singling out DNC Chairman Ken Martin after party officials narrowed their convention search to Boston, Denver and Philadelphia. Dickens’ rebuke echoes an argument other southern Democrats have pressed on the national party in recent months: that Democrats cannot afford to take the South — and particularly its Black voters — for granted heading into 2028. South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Christale Spain declared last month, amid debate over the party’s presidential primary calendar, that "the South is not the past, it is the future," while Democratic chairs from five other southern states previously warned the DNC against sending Black voters the message that their loyalty is "taken for granted." "They are afraid to leave their comfort zone and blind to the fact that the South is the answer. They are abandoning Atlanta, abandoning the South, and once again abandoning Black voters," Dickens wrote in his letter. "Atlanta has not hosted a convention in nearly 40 years. One party has chosen the South to host their convention, and the other has chosen the same region over and over again. This isn’t by accident. It’s an intentional choice." JASMINE CROCKETT WARNS DEMOCRATS ARE TOO FOCUSED ON WHITE VOTERS, IGNORING BLACK VOTERS The DNC declined to comment specifically on Dickens’ letter when reached by Fox News, but pointed to the party’s broader efforts in the South and provided a statement from Martin about the convention selection process. "The 2028 Democratic National Convention will be an inspiring celebration of our party’s future nominee, and a critical step on Democrats’ path towards retaking the White House," Martin said. "Boston, Denver, and Philadelphia all presented incredibly strong bids to host the convention, and we look forward to continuing to work with them as the DNC makes a final selection in the coming months." JAMES CARVILLE BLASTS FAR-LEFT 'WHITE TURDS' AMONG DEMS WHO HE SAYS VALUE LENIN MORE THAN MLK The party also pointed to its recent decision to place South Carolina first on its 2028 presidential nominating calendar. The full DNC voted last week to begin the six-state early window in South Carolina on Jan. 22, 2028, with Virginia closing out the slate. In announcing the calendar, the DNC emphasized its racial diversity and cited Census data showing roughly 4.6 million Black people live across the six early states. Meanwhile, the DNC announced Thursday that Boston, Denver and Philadelphia had advanced as the three remaining contenders to host the Aug. 7-10, 2028 convention, eliminating Atlanta and Chicago from a five-city field. The Democratic National Convention Committee will now undertake a contracts and logistics review of the three finalists, with the process expected to continue for several months before a final selection is made. REPUBLICAN PARTY TO HOST HISTORIC MIDTERM CONVENTION IN DALLAS, TRUMP ANNOUNCES ON TRUTH SOCIAL A DNC official said factors considered during the site visits and selection process included the ability to forge partnerships with local community, political and business leaders; operational and logistical capacity such as arena size and hotel availability; fundraising capability; and whether a city shares Democratic values. DNC leadership and representatives of the party’s Technical Advisory Group visited Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver and Philadelphia in April and May after the five cities advanced from the initial application process. Atlanta had aggressively pitched itself as both a capable convention city and a strategically important Democratic foothold in the South. DNC officials toured State Farm Arena and the Georgia World Congress Center during an April visit to the city. Atlanta, which also lost out to Chicago for the 2024 convention, has not hosted the Democratic gathering since 1988. "At a time when Trump and the Supreme Court are minimizing Black electoral power we need a party that would come to Atlanta and galvanize the Southeast for 2028 and beyond. Real leaders produce for the present and the future," Martin continued in his letter.  "This was an opportunity for Ken Martin and the DNC leadership to show they have a thoughtful plan for the party and know how to win the White House in 2028. But instead they are running scared and retreat to their safe spaces. I’m ready for Democratic leadership that understands what every Democratic voter already knows: that this is a moment that demands we run toward battles and into the fight." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8747b62c5335ae10491a12 Man plunges 120 feet into creek while taking photo at famous national park te 2026-08-20T18:30:14.924Z Man plunges 120 feet into creek while taking photo at famous national park A man survived a serious fall into McDonald Creek at Glacier National Park thanks to the intervention of a Good Samaritan bystander.  The man who fell was identified as Ken Nurse, who was visiting the Montana park with his wife, family and friends, according to NonStop Local Montana. He tumbled from an overlook and reportedly went over a set of waterfalls on Aug. 13, according to Two Bear Air Rescue, a Montana-based helicopter search-and-rescue organization that responded to the incident. NURSE IMPALED BY POLE DURING HIKE FORCED TO TREK 10 MILES FOR HELP: 'A FREAK THING' A witness entered the creek after seeing him lying face down. The bystander then brought the man into shallower water and began chest compressions when he realized he was not breathing, the organization said in a Facebook post accompanying video of the rescue. Ken Nurse's wife, Renae, told NonStop Local Montana the group had stopped near McDonald Falls to take photos before she returned to the car to warm up.  He moved closer to the edge for a better view when the ground beneath him gave way — sending him about 120 feet down the cliff and into the creek. Glacier National Park rangers were tending to him in the middle of the creek when the Two Bear Air Rescue helicopter crew arrived, according to the organization. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Video of the rescue shows a crew member being lowered from the helicopter to reach him before he is secured and hoisted from the water. Ken Nurse was then flown to a waiting medical helicopter for further stabilization and transport to a hospital, the Facebook post said. Two Bear Air Rescue credited the bystander's life-saving efforts.  CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES "We commend the quick action of the bystander whose actions saved the victim's life," the organization wrote. Nurse spent two days on a ventilator. He suffered multiple cracked ribs, a compound fracture to his elbow that required surgery, and fluid in his lungs, according to NonStop Local Montana. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Despite the severity of his injuries, he said he was grateful to those who helped him survive. "I just want everyone who helped me out to get the things they deserve. Because I should not be here right now," he said. "I owe everyone my life and I want that to be known," he added. Fox News Digital reached out to Glacier National Park for comment and additional details. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8747b62c5335ae10491a09 Fox News ‘Antisemitism Exposed’ Newsletter: Hometown Judge backs Harvard, tosses antisemitism suit te 2026-08-20T18:30:14.146Z Fox News ‘Antisemitism Exposed’ Newsletter: Hometown Judge backs Harvard, tosses antisemitism suit Fox News' "Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world. IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER: - Harvard gets DOJ's antisemitism lawsuit tossed by hometown judge - Anti-Israel nonprofit under federal investigation over financial dealings - Man charged with assault, hate crimes after allegedly disrupting Shabbat services at NYC synagogue TOP STORY: A federal judge threw out the Trump administration’s high-profile antisemitism lawsuit against Harvard University. The court ruled that alleged campus incidents failed to prove an ongoing pattern of civil rights violations after official warnings were issued. Justice Department officials expressed strong disagreement with the decision and are currently reviewing their options for a potential appeal. VIDEO: StopAntisemitism founder Liona Rez told Fox News Digital she wants to see a broadcaster who made controversial comments against an Israeli athlete fired. WATCH HERE: TERROR TIES?: Feds are probing a deep-pocketed anti-Israel fund linked to Big Apple Mayor Zohran Mamdani over claims donor cash was funneled to a sanctioned Palestinian group. The U.K.-based "PFF"—backed by Mamdani ally Bassema Yousef—commands a mega $100M war chest. Homeland Security is investigating potential ties to Al-Haq, though no criminal wrongdoing is proven. SHABBAT SAVAGERY: A Bronx man faces hate crime charges after terrifying worshipers during Friday Shabbat services at Manhattan's historic Central Synagogue. Police say 46-year-old Larry Montes struck a congregant, smashed property, then spat on and headbutted a security officer before being tackled by an off-duty cop. Top city officials condemned the violent outburst as the suspect remains in custody. STARVATION SCAM: State Department officials claim findings from UNICEF completely shatter long-standing allegations that Israel engineered a starvation campaign in Gaza. Officials point to data showing acute child malnutrition rates remained well below required famine thresholds. The U.S. government maintains the findings debunk propaganda claims, emphasizing that extensive humanitarian food aid and vaccines were successfully delivered throughout the conflict. HOLY WAR: Christian Zionists are flooding the West Bank to fight back against international outrage over Israeli settlements. Evangelical outfit The Israel Guys is busing thousands of global volunteers into contested territories to pick crops, open tourist hubs, and counter hostile media reports. They claim accusations of settler violence are fake news designed to demonize local Jewish communities. GUEST EDITORIAL: Loay Alshareef, an Arab Muslim peace advocate and senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, writes that the Dead Sea Scrolls provide undeniable archaeological proof of the Jewish people's ancient bond to Israel. Dated over 2,000 years ago, these manuscripts shatter claims that Jewish connection to the land is a modern invention, offering a factual foundation for peace and reconciliation. QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "The new data shows that the allegations of famine in Gaza were pure hysteria. While certain small pockets of hunger occurred in Gaza, we now know this can only have been an issue of distribution. Once again, international organizations removed Hamas and their share of the blame for Gaza’s suffering from the conversation, stoking the anti-Israel narrative." - Andrew Fox, a senior fellow at the Henry Jackson Society. - Looking for more on this topic? Find more antisemitism coverage from Fox News here. - Did someone forward you this email? Subscribe to additional newsletters from Fox News here. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8747b52c5335ae10491a00 Arctic power play gives top US adversary new opening with Russia as US stakes grow te 2026-08-20T18:30:13.415Z Arctic power play gives top US adversary new opening with Russia as US stakes grow China is testing whether the top of the world can become a new strategic trade corridor, launching regular seasonal container service to Europe through Russia’s Arctic as Beijing and Moscow deepen their commercial and military footprint in a region Washington increasingly views as critical to U.S. security. The service remains limited in scale, with just over eight voyages planned this season, but China analyst Gordon Chang told Fox News Digital that its significance goes beyond the number of containers currently making the journey. "China has a major strategic push on the Arctic for various reasons," Chang said in an interview. "Arctic ice is melting, and this means that the Northern Sea Route, which hugs Russia's north coast, does become viable at least for a few months in the summer." TRUMP ENVOY WARNS CHINA'S POWER MOVE AT SEA IS THREAT 'WE CANNOT AFFORD TO IGNORE' Sea Legend Shipping’s Dubai Tower departed Ningbo-Zhoushan Port on Aug. 15 for Europe via Russia’s Northern Sea Route, with the journey to Felixstowe, England, scheduled to take about 20 days, according to China Daily on Aug. 17. The move comes as a new U.S. congressional commission staff report warns that Russia’s increasing isolation and dependence on Beijing are giving China greater leverage — including greater access to the Arctic. Chang warned that Washington needs a stronger physical presence in response. "We need to be in the Arctic, and President Trump has authorized more icebreakers," he told Fox News Digital. "We are woefully short in that department." TIM SHEEHY EXPOSES A 'SCARY' SHIPBUILDING COLLAPSE THAT LEAVES THE US VULNERABLE TO CHINA A White House official told Fox News Digital on background that, "The Arctic is a critical region for U.S. national security and the economy. As an Arctic nation, the United States will pursue its security and economic interests and ensure safety, stability, and prosperity in the face of growing competition from China and Russia." A fact sheet released Aug. 20 by staff of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and subsequent economic isolation from the West have "compelled Russia to accept a greater Chinese presence in the Arctic," a region Moscow has traditionally regarded as central to its sovereignty and national security. CHINA IS BUILDING A MASSIVE SHIP THAT SHOULD SCARE AMERICANS ABOUT THE FUTURE The report said Chinese state-owned enterprises now hold a combined 20% stake in the U.S.- and EU-sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 project, while China and Russia are developing year-round commercial shipping along the Northern Sea Route. The two countries have also established a joint venture to manufacture ice-class container vessels, with the first ship planned to enter service in 2027. The Pentagon’s 2024 Arctic Strategy similarly said changing climate conditions are increasing accessibility in the region while China seeks greater influence and access there. The strategy identified Beijing’s proposed "Polar Silk Road" as a vehicle for infrastructure and natural-resource investments in the Arctic and warned that growing cooperation between China and Russia could "‘alter the Arctic’s stability and threat picture.’" For China-Europe commerce, the Northern Sea Route offers a radically different path from the traditional westbound journey through the Strait of Malacca, Indian Ocean, Bab el-Mandeb, Red Sea and Suez Canal. "This of course avoids some choke points, like the Strait of Malacca, the Bab el-Mandeb, the Suez Canal, the Strait of Gibraltar," Chang said. "So this is important for China." The new USCC report argues that China is increasingly benefiting from an asymmetric relationship in which Moscow needs Beijing more than Beijing needs Moscow. It says China has become indispensable to Russia since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, giving Beijing growing leverage to obtain discounted energy and greater access to Russian military technology while avoiding the obligations of a formal alliance. Energy is a major part of that imbalance. According to the report, China accounts for roughly half of Russia’s crude oil exports, while Russian crude represents only about one-fifth of China’s oil imports. The report says China has purchased approximately $372 billion in Russian fossil fuels since the invasion of Ukraine. UKRAINE POUNDS BLACK SEA FLEET’S ‘LAST MAJOR STRONGHOLD’ WHILE PUTIN FLEXES NAVAL POWER IN PACIFIC Moscow is now making increasingly aggressive use of the same Arctic passage to move oil east. Reuters reported Aug. 11 that Russia had sent seven crude shipments totaling roughly 6 million barrels toward Asia through the Northern Sea Route so far this season, nearly half the amount transported during the entire 2025 season. China is the principal destination for those shipments, according to Reuters. The growing Arctic activity comes as Washington has become increasingly concerned about Chinese and Russian cooperation close to Alaska. Chang pointed to the Bering Strait — separating Russia from Alaska — as a strategic vulnerability even on the Arctic route. CHINA, RUSSIA, IRAN AND NORTH KOREA FORM 'AXIS OF AGGRESSORS' THAT COULD OVERWHELM US, BOOK WARNS "There is one choke point though, which is of interest," he said. "You have to go between Russia on the west and our 49th state on the east. And that gives the U.S. some leverage over here." The military relationship is also expanding. The new USCC fact sheet says China and Russia had participated in at least 119 combined military exercises as of April 2026, while their joint naval operations in July included submarine, anti-submarine and drone activity. It also noted that Chinese bombers entered the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone for the first time during a joint China-Russia bomber patrol in 2024. For Chang, the issue extends beyond whether the Northern Sea Route itself ever becomes a competitor to Suez. "There are some U.S. national security strategists who say, ‘Oh, the Arctic is a distraction. There are more important places in the world,’" Chang said. "But even more important, regardless of what one thinks of the importance of the Arctic, the Chinese and the Russians are pressing us in the Arctic," he added. "So we've got no choice to respond. Whether we think the Arctic is strategic or not, the Chinese and Russians are there in force. We have to be there too." Fox News Digital has reached out to the Chinese and Russian embassies in Washington and the White House for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8747af2c5335ae104919dd Trump Officials Move to Fund Gaza Peacekeepers Even as Peace Plan Falters te 2026-08-20T18:30:07.058Z Trump Officials Move to Fund Gaza Peacekeepers Even as Peace Plan Falters The State Department informed Congress of its intent to fund the stabilization force on the same day the president’s Board of Peace announced a plan to disarm Hamas. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8747ab2c5335ae104919be Linkdaze’s smart calendar is built to run a household, not just track a schedule te 2026-08-20T18:30:03.786Z Linkdaze’s smart calendar is built to run a household, not just track a schedule Linkdaze's smart digital calendar stands out for not putting its features behind a paywall, including an AI meal planner tool. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8745582c5335ae10491998 Rubio designates US citizen held in China as wrongfully detained as Trump prepares to host Xi at White House te 2026-08-20T18:20:08.836Z Rubio designates US citizen held in China as wrongfully detained as Trump prepares to host Xi at White House The Trump administration has designated an American scholar detained in China as wrongfully held after he traveled there at Beijing’s invitation, escalating his case just weeks before President Donald Trump is set to host Chinese President Xi Jinping. Secretary of State Marco Rubio determined that U.S. citizen Min Zin is "wrongfully detained" after the State Department reviewed the circumstances of his June 3 detention in Yunnan, the State Department said Thursday. Zin had traveled to China for an academic conference at the invitation of the Chinese government, according to the department. PASTOR FREED FROM CHINESE PRISON AFTER TRUMP RAISED HIS CASE WITH XI JINPING He is now one of two U.S. citizens the State Department considers wrongfully detained in China. The other is Dr. Youlin Chen, a Chinese-born American seismologist from Boston. "The safety and security of U.S. citizens is the State Department’s top priority," Assistant Secretary Dylan Johnson said in a statement. "We will continue to advocate for Mr. Zin and call for the release of all U.S. citizens who are arbitrarily detained or exit banned in China." Zin was detained at the airport after arriving in China and has been repeatedly interrogated and held in isolation during nearly 11 weeks in custody, a senior State Department official told Reuters. DAUGHTER OF DETAINED CHINESE PASTOR SAYS SHE HAS 'HOPE' AFTER LEARNING TRUMP MAY RAISE CASE WITH XI JINPING "One minute his colleagues and family were engaging with him on the phone – exchanging updates on his arrival time and plans in China – and the next minute communication was lost," the official said. For the next 48 hours, his family and colleagues did not know where he was, whether he was alive or who had taken him, according to the official. Authorities in Yunnan later told the U.S. Embassy that Zin was under criminal investigation for allegedly endangering China’s national security, Reuters reported. China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed Zin’s arrest in June and said he was suspected of spying and endangering national security, the report said. Beijing has denied that wrongful detention occurs in China and says such cases are handled according to Chinese law. The U.S. designation can bring more government attention and resources to efforts to secure Zin’s release. It also puts his detention in the spotlight ahead of Xi’s anticipated Sept. 24 visit to the White House. Zin, who writes about Burma and Chinese foreign policy, leads the Institute for Strategy and Policy, a think tank focused on Burma. He took part in that country's 1988 pro-democracy uprising before eventually seeking asylum in the United States. The State Department said it will continue pushing for Zin’s release and for Americans it says are being arbitrarily detained or prevented from leaving China. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8743032c5335ae10491941 Why Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings will shock Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever tonight te 2026-08-20T18:10:11.298Z Why Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings will shock Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever tonight If you like the WNBA, and judging by the page views, the Fox News audience LOVES women’s basketball, then I’m sure you’re pumped about the red-hot Indiana Fever (24-12) facing the slumping Dallas Wings (20-16) Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. Indiana is 7-2 straight up (SU) and 5-4 against the spread (ATS) post-All-Star break with a five-game winning streak. Dallas, on the other hand, is 2-7 SU and ATS since the WNBA All-Star Game with losses in five of its past six games and six straight non-covers. The Fever-Wings season series is tied 1-1 SU and ATS. Indiana beat Dallas 98-87 this past Friday to even the season series after the Wings beat the Fever 107-104 in their season openers. CAITLIN CLARK OVERCOMES INJURY SCARE, DROPS 29 POINTS ON DALLAS WINGS AS FEVER TAKE TOP SPOT IN EAST Dallas was up 3 points heading into the fourth quarter last week despite not having its leading rebounder and leader in PER, starting C Jessica Shepard. In their first Fever-Wings meeting this year, Shepard had game-highs in rebounds (9) and assists (9). Indiana is due for a loss, and it’s tough beating a team twice in a short span. With that in mind, here are more reasons why I’m taking the points with Dallas in this game. This is a controversial take in these parts, and I don’t get why, but Paige Bueckers is better than Caitlin Clark. Both were No. 1 overall picks, won WNBA Rookie of the Year, and average nearly 20 points per game (PPG). Yet, Bueckers has a higher career PER (22.0-19.7) and on/off rating (+6.7 vs. +1.1), shoots better from everywhere on the floor and commits roughly three fewer turnovers per game (5.2-2.1). The Wings suffered a major blow this week with 2026 No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd undergoing season-ending arthroscopic surgery on her knee. Fudd leads the team in on/off net rating and 3-pointers made per game. AZZI FUDD WINS WNBA 3-POINT CONTEST, BECOMES FIRST ROOKIE CHAMPION However, that should increase Bueckers’ usage rate, which isn’t a bad thing. She is scoring 22.5 PPG on 51.5% shooting in six career meetings with the Fever. Also, the home/road scoring and shooting splits for these teams are massive, and the market isn’t giving Dallas a big enough boost for home-court advantage. The Wings have a +6.4 margin of victory at home and -2.1 on the road. Indy has a +8.7 margin of victory at home and a +2.8 margin of victory on the road. Furthermore, Indiana is much better at getting to the charity stripe, but Dallas is third in defensive FT/FGA rate, and teams tend to get a better whistle at home. The Wings got to the foul line more in both games vs. the Fever this season. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS Meanwhile, and this is even truer in the WNBA, the "battle for possessions" is the most important thing in high-level basketball, and Dallas has a better turnover rate on both ends of the floor. STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW! Lastly, the Wings have a rest edge with their last game being Monday and Indiana’s previous game being Tuesday. Indy has played twice since its last game vs. Dallas, which has just played once since this past Friday, and the Fever are 4-8 ATS with a rest disadvantage. _____________________________ 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/6a8743022c5335ae10491938 Irish authorities seek extradition warrant for suspect in murder of American mom Jamey Carney: report te 2026-08-20T18:10:10.492Z Irish authorities seek extradition warrant for suspect in murder of American mom Jamey Carney: report Irish authorities are reportedly seeking a warrant to extradite the primary suspect in the brutal murder of Jamey Carney, a 43-year-old New York mother found beaten and suffocated in her Killarney home last month. Carney, who documented her life abroad as a "New Yorker in Ireland," was discovered by her teenage daughter on July 7. Investigators believe her partner, a Jordanian national seeking asylum in Ireland, beat her to death before fleeing the country on a last-minute flight to Istanbul and eventually traveling to Jordan, where he was subsequently detained. AMERICAN MOTHER MURDERED IN IRISH TOURIST TOWN AS INTERNATIONAL MANHUNT TARGETS ALLEGED ASYLUM SEEKER Authorities have submitted a file to Ireland’s Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) recommending murder charges, The Irish Mirror reported. The DPP is currently reviewing the evidence to determine if formal charges will be brought. If the DPP approves prosecution, Irish officials will face diplomatic hurdles to bring the suspect back, as Ireland lacks a formal extradition treaty with Jordan. An Garda Síochána, Ireland's national police force, declined to comment on the matter when reached by Fox News Digital. "The Garda investigation into the murder of Jamey Carney is ongoing," an agency spokesperson said. "A file has been submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions." UK ASYLUM SEEKERS COULD HAVE TO PAY GOVERNMENT $13K BEFORE APPLYING FOR SETTLEMENT Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said every diplomatic and judicial channel would be explored to ensure justice is served, The Irish Independent reported. "The gardaí are obviously pursuing a very clear line of inquiry. The person they want to speak to left the country before the body of the late Ms. Carney was discovered," he said. The suspect initially arrived in the United Kingdom before crossing through Northern Ireland to settle in County Kerry. While living in a state-run accommodation for asylum seekers, he worked in hospitality and construction and began spending increased time at Carney's home after they became romantically involved. Carney’s social media posts featured her partner, whom she referred to as part of a "mixed couple," and noted that she had recently begun learning Arabic. The Irish Independent reported that the suspect had expressed a desire to relocate to the United States and told acquaintances Carney was assisting him with securing U.S. residency. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Director of Public Prosecutions for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8742fa2c5335ae10491915 She Lobbied for Police Officers. Now She’s a Suspect in One’s Death. te 2026-08-20T18:10:02.884Z She Lobbied for Police Officers. Now She’s a Suspect in One’s Death. A Massachusetts woman who was known as an advocate for the mental health of emergency workers is being sought by the police after her husband, an officer, was found dead. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8740b22c5335ae104918db Bryson DeChambeau reportedly calls media members 'the mafia' before having reporter booted from driving range te 2026-08-20T18:00:18.450Z Bryson DeChambeau reportedly calls media members 'the mafia' before having reporter booted from driving range Bryson DeChambeau seems to be on edge ahead of this week's LIV Golf season finale in Indianapolis. LIV Golf's future beyond 2026 is a complete unknown at this point after the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) officially announced in April that it would stop funding the breakaway circuit at the conclusion of the season. LIV Indianapolis has also seen its individual purse decrease from the typical $20 million to $10.1 million. Given those realities and the uncertainties ahead, it's understandable that DeChambeau, the face of LIV Golf, feels a bit frustrated. Taking out those frustrations on media members simply watching him hit golf balls on the driving range in Indy, however, is an interesting choice. According to Golf.com's Sean Zak, DeChambeau arrived at the practice area at The Club at Chatham Hills, the course playing host this week, and had a message for the group of reporters on site. "Oooh the mafia has arrived. The mafia. You guys love talking s–t," DeChambeau said. Zak noted that DeChambeau was "mostly joking" with his remark towards the media gathered at the driving range on Tuesday, but things got even more awkward the following day. Ryan French, the man behind the well-known Monday Q Info account on X, confirmed that he was asked to leave the driving range by a member of DeChambeau's team. Brandon Reef noted that French was doing nothing out of the ordinary, implying he was simply watching DeChambeau hit golf balls. A few hours after French was asked to leave by a member of DeChambeau's team – and after the story gained traction across social media – French shared that he received a call from the two-time U.S. Open champion. "Bryson gave me a call this afternoon, we spoke for about 20 mins," French wrote on Wednesday evening. "While the conversation will remain off the record, I really appreciate him calling. A lot of players wouldn't have done that." SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS DeChambeau and his LIV colleagues are teeing it up for the last time in 2026 after the LIV Team Championship slated for Michigan later this month was canceled. The 32-year-old enters the week off of a disappointing T-38 finish at LIV New York and a major championship season that saw him miss three out of four cuts. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8740b12c5335ae104918d2 Darline Graham’s ‘embarrassing and inexcusable’ national security stumble spotlights break from late brother te 2026-08-20T18:00:17.402Z Darline Graham’s ‘embarrassing and inexcusable’ national security stumble spotlights break from late brother President Donald Trump has endorsed Graham and is scheduled to rally for her in Myrtle Beach on Friday, days before the GOP runoff against Norman on Tuesday. The debate question carried consequences beyond a campaign-stage stumble. China claims Taiwan and has not ruled out using force to take the self-governing island, a conflict that could draw the United States and its military into a major war in the Indo-Pacific. Beijing’s aggressive claims in the South China Sea have also put it at odds with U.S. allies and partners. As a sitting senator on the Appropriations Committee, Graham is positioned to vote on military and national security spending decisions that shape how the nation responds to those threats. Graham sought to clarify her comments during an appearance on "Hannity" and in a post on her social media account. LINDSEY GRAHAM’S SISTER ADMITS SHE’S ‘NOT THAT INFORMED ON NATIONAL SECURITY’ WHILE SEEKING FULL SENATE TERM "I tripped up on one question last night, regarding Taiwan. I don’t speak politician. I was just honest. Of course, Taiwan is our friend. But I think people in South Carolina are more worried about boys in girls sports." "I did say, several times, that China is our enemy, a military and economic threat to the United States. Of course, Taiwan is our friend." DARLINE GRAHAM DETAILS HOW SHE'D FORGE OWN PATH IN SENATE WHILE CARRYING ON BROTHER LINDSEY'S LEGACY She added: "I’m not a politician. I don’t speak politician. I was just honest, and I think that’s a foreign concept in politics." Still, Graham’s answer drew a sharp online response, particularly because Lindsey Graham made national security and foreign policy defining parts of his Senate career and repeatedly pressed U.S. leaders to stand with Taiwan. Fox News Digital has reached out to Graham's campaign for additional clarification. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who backs Norman, wrote online: "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." Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts wrote: "I’m sorry, but respectfully, even accounting for her being new to the job, this is embarrassing and inexcusable. China’s threat toward Taiwan is a bit of a big deal, especially — it would seem — for a member of the U.S. Senate." Conservative radio host Clay Travis called Graham’s answer "disqualifying in my opinion," while former South Carolina state Rep. Adam Morgan wrote that Graham had revealed she could not answer "basic national security questions." Norman seized on the moment in an exclusive statement to Fox News Digital, saying South Carolinians "can’t afford a grace period for on-the-job training while China buys up farmland near military installations and sends spy balloons over our state." TAIWAN'S PRESIDENT SAYS ISLAND 'WILL NEVER BE SACRIFICED OR TRADED' IN STERN REBUKE OF CHINA "We need to stand ready to support our allies and South Carolinians deserve to know where my opponent stands on this issue," Norman said. Mike Nelson, a visiting fellow at the National Security Institute, said no one expects Graham to immediately replicate her brother’s deep foreign policy focus. But he said the Taiwan exchange nevertheless raised a basic question about the job she is seeking. "Obviously, senators have particular focus areas based on their experience, committee assignments, or even just their interests. Senator Graham’s late brother was one of those most focused on foreign policy in the upper chamber and nobody expects her to immediately fill his shoes to that level," Nelson told Fox News Digital. "But one would expect a cursory familiarity with some of the most concerning flashpoints, particularly as it relates to our largest strategic rival and threat, if one wants to keep their job in the body that votes on military force and authorizes defense budgets. I’d expect at least mild curiosity rather than shrugging indifference." Graham was appointed to fill the seat after her brother’s death and is now seeking a full term. Her runoff against Norman is scheduled for Tuesday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8740b02c5335ae104918c9 WWE star Ilja Dragunov departs company after being out of action for 4 months te 2026-08-20T18:00:16.497Z WWE star Ilja Dragunov departs company after being out of action for 4 months Ilja Dragunov, a one-time WWE United States champion, NXT champion and NXT UK champion, has departed the company. WWE moved Dragunov’s profile to the alumni section on Thursday. COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON OUTKICK Dragunov’s deal with WWE expired, PW Insider reported. The 32-year-old, who is arguably one of the best pro wrestlers in the industry right now, signed with WWE in February 2019 after years with Progress Wrestling and other European promotions. He immediately became one of the toughest and most fearsome competitors in the ring, rising through the ranks to become the NXT UK champion. Dragunov suffered a leg injury during his final moments with NXT UK and reappeared on the brand in September 2022, making his way overseas to NXT. He made his presence felt immediately with championship matches against Bron Breakker, JD McDonagh, Wes Lee, Carmelo Hayes and others but failed to attain gold during that time. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! He defeated Hayes to win the NXT Championship in September 2023, becoming the first person in WWE to have won both the NXT and NXT UK Championships. His run in NXT would end in April 2024 after he dropped the NXT Championship to Trick Williams. He was promoted to the Raw brand after WrestleMania 40 but a torn ACL injury kept him on the shelf for a year. When Dragunov returned, he was inserted into the WWE United States Championship picture and defeated Sami Zayn to win the title in October 2025. He had numerous successful title defenses before he lost to Hayes. Dragunov participated in the Royal Rumble earlier this year. He last appeared on WWE TV during the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on the "Friday Night SmackDown" before WrestleMania 42. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8740af2c5335ae104918c0 FBI arrests woman who allegedly plotted attack on New York state Capitol building te 2026-08-20T18:00:15.673Z FBI arrests woman who allegedly plotted attack on New York state Capitol building A New York woman plotted to bomb the New York State Capitol building and kill lawmakers inside, repeatedly surveilling the building and buying materials for an explosive device before the FBI arrested her, federal prosecutors alleged in a criminal complaint filed Thursday. Jessica Bowie, 35, of Albany, is charged with attempting to provide material support to ISIS. The FBI says she pledged allegiance to the terror group, discussed disguising a bomb in a DoorDash bag and hoped to strike when state senators were meeting, according to the complaint. This is a developing news story; check back for updates. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8740ad2c5335ae104918af Arizona voters won’t get to rein in vouchers. Don’t tell us they all love it. te 2026-08-20T18:00:13.335Z Arizona voters won’t get to rein in vouchers. Don’t tell us they all love it. Save Our Schools Arizona filled the lawn outside the Arizona House of Representatives denouncing a Republican plan to expand Empowerment Scholarship Account vouchers to all Arizona students on June 22, 2022. (Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy/Arizona Mirror) Arizona school vouchers that are pulling $1 billion away from students in K-12 public schools are here to stay, whether we like it or not. And, unfortunately, they’ll stay with no real oversight that taxpayers like me might expect, leaving parents with remarkable discretion over how our public money is spent. What are we supposed to do about it now? GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE Elect “pro-education candidates,’’ suggest the groups that tried but failed to give voters a chance to impose new restrictions, including a $150,000 household income cap.   That gives me little comfort that questionable spending on luxury items like electric dirt bikes, watches and Yeti coolers will be reined in without accountability. This week, the state’s Supreme Court ended the only chance voters had this year to weigh in on those proposed restrictions when it upheld the formula a lower court judge used to evaluate whether the voter signatures backers gathered were enough to qualify it for the ballot. The result of the legal interpretation and math means that the Protect Education Accountable Now committee failed to submit enough valid signatures. That means the Protect Education Act, which would have tightened eligibility requirements and spending rules for the Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program, won’t be on November’s ballot. “Prop. 212 would have protected students and returned money to our underfunded public schools,” AEA President Marisol Garcia said in a statement.  Former Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, who signed the universal ESA program into law, celebrated the court’s ruling as a “sigh of relief for tens of thousands of parents and students.” “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,” he added. There’s no point of arguing the merits of vouchers anymore. But let’s not rewrite history about what Arizona voters actually said. Has Ducey forgotten that voters rejected a major expansion of the voucher program when they were given the chance? And that he and Republican lawmakers later enacted a universal expansion anyway? That’s worth discussing. When voters spoke directly on the issue, they said no. Now voters won’t even get the chance to decide whether the program needs tighter guardrails. A quick trip down memory lane explains how we got here. In 2011, lawmakers created ESAs for a limited group of students, including children with disabilities. Critics sued, arguing the program violated provisions of the Arizona Constitution barring certain uses of public money for private or religious institutions. In 2013, the court of appeals upheld the program. It concluded the money was put into accounts managed by a parent who decides how to spend the money rather than directly giving it to private schools. Then came the first major expansion. In 2017, Ducey signed legislation expanding ESA eligibility to every student in Arizona. Public school advocates successfully forced the issue onto the 2018 ballot as Prop. 305. Almost 65% of voters voted to reject the measure, blocking the expansion. But four years later, Ducey signed a new bill making every K-12 student eligible for vouchers and making Arizona the first state to offer a universal ESA program.  We don’t know if voters in 2026 would have done what they did in 2018, when they overwhelmingly rejected a voucher system with minimal oversight. But neither does Ducey, whose assertion that “Arizonans overwhelmingly embrace” vouchers won’t actually be put to the test. The record is more complicated than that. Voters rejected the expansion, which exists only because lawmakers and Ducey ignored their wishes. At this point, we can debate who benefits and who doesn’t, but don’t tell us the system is universally liked and loved. It isn’t. Again, vouchers are here to stay. But what do we do with the underfunded public schools designed to educate every child, regardless of ZIP code, income, disability or family circumstances? That’s the bigger challenge facing Arizona now. If that system isn’t working, then fix it. Reform it. Demand accountability. And our task as taxpayers is also to remain vigilant and demand accountability of the loosely regulated voucher system that lets parents exploit it. It really is just up to us. YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8740a52c5335ae10491896 Lindsay Clancy Heard a Voice Telling Her to Kill Her Children, Witnesses Say te 2026-08-20T18:00:05.520Z Lindsay Clancy Heard a Voice Telling Her to Kill Her Children, Witnesses Say Ms. Clancy has pleaded not guilty to murder, citing postpartum psychosis. Two defense witnesses said she spoke lovingly of her children after the killings. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a873e522c5335ae1049184d Sedona Real Estate – Summer ’26 wrapup te 2026-08-20T17:50:10.675Z Sedona Real Estate – Summer ’26 wrapup Sedona Real Estate: Six Months In, Two Very Different Stories We’re past the halfway point of 2026, and it felt like a good time to step back from the month-to-month noise and look at what the numbers actually say about where Sedona real estate stands so far this year. As usual, the story splits rig Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a873e512c5335ae1049182d Driver accused of killing 2 college cyclists in Tennessee crash allegedly failed to brake: court docs te 2026-08-20T17:50:09.437Z Driver accused of killing 2 college cyclists in Tennessee crash allegedly failed to brake: court docs A Tennessee driver accused of striking a group of college cyclists, killing two and seriously injuring five others, allegedly failed to brake or take evasive action before the crash, according to a newly filed affidavit. John Alexander Benfield faces two counts of reckless vehicular homicide and five counts of reckless aggravated assault in connection with Wednesday’s crash involving members of the Milligan University cycling team in Carter County. The collision happened around 9 a.m. on Highway 19E near Simerly Creek Road, according to the affidavit filed by the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Investigators said Benfield was driving a 2003 Subaru Baja Sport behind another vehicle when the vehicle ahead moved from the outside lane into the inside lane. LEGENDARY DUKE COACH MIKE KRZYZEWSKI'S GRANDSON CHARGED WITH DWI AFTER COLLISION THAT KILLED TEEN BICYLCIST Benfield told investigators he did not see the group of cyclists traveling ahead in the outside lane until the other vehicle changed lanes, the affidavit says. The trooper wrote that investigators found "no physical evidence" that Benfield attempted to stop or take evasive action before striking the cyclists. Two riders, Milligan University sophomores Haylan Engdahl and Brayden Rogers, were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the university. Seven other cyclists suffered serious or critical injuries, the affidavit states. IMMIGRANT TRUCK DRIVER ADMITTED TO US UNDER BIDEN ALLEGEDLY KILLS UMASS SOCCER STAR, SPOKE NO ENGLISH Milligan said in a statement that the university was "profoundly shocked and saddened" by the deaths and asked the public to keep the victims, their families and the campus community in their prayers. "There are no words to adequately describe this level of loss," the university said. "Our prayers are with all those impacted by this tragedy. Please keep the Milligan community in your prayers." FOLLOW US ON X The affidavit also said that officers detected the odor of marijuana coming from Benfield’s vehicle. The document does not say whether Benfield was impaired, and he was not charged with driving under the influence in the warrant. CLICK HERE FOR MORE U.S. NEWS The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), which is leading the investigation, said Thursday that troopers are interviewing witnesses, reviewing evidence and examining the crash scene. GET BREAKING NEWS ALERTS "We owe it to them to take the time, follow the facts and get this right," Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security spokesperson Jason Pack said in a statement to Fox News Digital. SEND US A TIP THP said its findings will be submitted to the district attorney’s office once the investigation is complete. GOT A TIP? A judicial officer found probable cause for Benfield’s arrest Wednesday. His bond was set at $150,000, according to the warrant. USA Cycling also issued a statement mourning Engdahl and Rogers and offering condolences to their families, teammates, coaches and the Milligan community. "We are deeply saddened to learn of this morning's tragic crash involving the Milligan University Cycling team. Our hearts go out to the two student-athletes whose lives were taken far too soon, Haylan Engdahl and Brayden Rogers, as well as to the riders who were injured," the statement said. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Carter County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a873e502c5335ae10491824 Former bitter enemies Trump and Michael Cohen reunite for radio interview te 2026-08-20T17:50:08.626Z Former bitter enemies Trump and Michael Cohen reunite for radio interview President Donald Trump reunited with his former personal lawyer-turned-bitter enemy, Michael Cohen, for a Thursday radio interview in an unexpected twist to their years-long saga that now includes a "forgiveness" chapter.  Cohen told Fox News Digital that the conversation lasted 40 minutes and will be aired in two parts. The man who was a key witness in two New York cases against Trump also penned a Substack detailing the stunning reunion that will be their first public conversation in nearly a decade. The former Trump fixer wrote that his inbox has been flooded with hate mail since it was announced that the president would appear on his radio show, with many "righteous keyboard crusaders" who proudly display a deep Christian faith in their social media bios piling on the criticism.  MS NOW STAYS SILENT ON MICHAEL COHEN’S ADMISSION HE FELT 'COERCED' TO GIVE ANTI-TRUMP TESTIMONY "One minute, they’re posting inspirational memes about divine love and turning the other cheek. The next, they’re screaming into my digital throat with enough fury to melt the screen. There is a word for that. Irony," Cohen wrote.  "Colossians 3:13 says: ‘Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you,’" he continued. "That verse isn’t merely some theological footnote to what is happening between Donald Trump and me. It is the foundation of it." Earlier this year, Cohen said he felt "pressured and coerced" by New York Attorney General Letitia James and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to deliver testimony that would help build cases against his former boss. Cohen wrote in his latest entry that he has repeatedly been asked, "How can two men who spent years in a very public war, who hurled verbal missiles across an enormous legal and political canyon, ever sit down together again?" "The answer is actually much simpler than people want it to be. We forgave. Not because the past didn’t happen. Not because the scars disappeared. Not because every disagreement suddenly became irrelevant. And certainly not because I have forgotten anything. I haven’t. Forgiveness doesn’t require amnesia. It requires the courage to stop allowing yesterday to dictate tomorrow," Cohen wrote.  MICHAEL COHEN SAYS NY PROSECUTORS 'PRESSURED AND COERCED' HIM INTO ANTI-TRUMP TESTIMONY Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to lying to Congress, as well as campaign finance violations and tax evasion charges, around work he did for Trump. He was sentenced to three years in prison, eventually finishing his sentence in home confinement. Cohen, a frequent guest on liberal cable news programs while he was a key member of the #Resistance, said in his Substack that society is addicted to "permanent outrage," but Americans shouldn’t build identities around "the people we hate." "Donald Trump and I spent roughly fifteen years in the trenches together. We built relationships, shared victories, endured setbacks and pursued a path that ultimately reached the highest office on Earth. Then everything exploded," Cohen wrote.  It's a long way from May 30, 2024, when Cohen's first interview after Trump's conviction in his New York hush money case was with MSNBC's Rachel Maddow.  "It’s accountability. It’s exactly what America needs right now," he told Maddow. LEFT-WING NETWORK DROPS MICHAEL COHEN AFTER HE CLAIMS HE WAS 'PRESSURED AND COERCED' IN TRUMP CASES Cohen said this week he decided the past was not going to "own the future" and that "reconciliation doesn’t mean rewriting history." As a result, Trump and his former ally will have a discussion few would have expected after their bitter public feud.  "You don’t have to like Donald Trump. You don’t even have to believe that forgiveness is possible. But listen before you judge. Because history isn’t made only through elections, wars, betrayals and political bloodletting. Sometimes history is made in a much quieter way," Cohen wrote. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE The first part of the interview will air Thursday at 6 p.m. ET on 77WABC. It is available on WABC Radio, WABCRadio.com and on the 77WABC app. The remainder will air on Cohen's "When You Know… You Know" on Sunday night at 5 p.m. ET.  The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a873bf52c5335ae104917b2 Weary U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln Leaves Middle East te 2026-08-20T17:40:05.385Z Weary U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln Leaves Middle East The aircraft carrier has been deployed for nine months, largely in support of U.S. operations against Iran, and is now heading home to San Diego. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a873bf32c5335ae10491793 Grok keeps sending gibberish responses to users te 2026-08-20T17:40:03.541Z Grok keeps sending gibberish responses to users Affected users told TechCrunch say they were using Grok Lite, and noticed the issues as early as Wednesday morning. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a87399a2c5335ae10491735 The investor’s guide to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Everything you need to know  te 2026-08-20T17:30:02.267Z The investor’s guide to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Everything you need to know  Year after year, investors who've explored the Expo Halls, met founders, and learned from peers have proven why you need to be on the ground at Disrupt this year. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8737562c5335ae104914e2 Israeli defense minister puts NATO power on notice as Middle East tensions surge: ‘Dangerous adventures’ te 2026-08-20T17:20:22.600Z Israeli defense minister puts NATO power on notice as Middle East tensions surge: ‘Dangerous adventures’ Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan early Thursday, accusing him of dragging Turkey into "dangerous adventures in Syria" and warning the Turkish leader not to test Israel’s resolve. "Israel will not allow any actor to threaten its security," Katz wrote on X "It would be better for Erdoğan to continue his detached-from-reality, fanciful rhetoric against Israel in the Turkish Grand National Assembly than to attempt to test Israel's determination to defend itself." The warning comes two days after Israel struck Syria’s Abu al-Duhur airbase. The increasingly heated rhetoric has put Washington in the position of trying to contain tensions between Turkey, a NATO member, and Israel, Washington’s closest security partners in the Middle East. Israel said Syria was on the verge of breaching a security understanding by allowing Turkish troops to deploy there, while Ankara rejected Israel’s account. Syria said there were no plans for a permanent Turkish base or troop deployment, although Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani acknowledged that Turkish military officers had visited the facility for training and exchanges of expertise. Turkey’s Defense Ministry said no Turkish military delegation was present at the base before or during the strike, Reuters reported. CRITICS SAY TURKEY'S VERBAL ATTACKS ON ISRAEL HAVE CROSSED INTO ANTISEMITISM 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. ... 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. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told Reuters Thursday that Washington was working on "a de-escalation process" that was already in place but still needed to be refined. Asked whether the dispute could lead to a direct Israeli-Turkish confrontation, Huckabee said, "I don't think we're even close to that." He said Israel viewed Turkey as "moving further south" in Syria and perceived that as potentially threatening. U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack sounded a sharper warning after the strike. Barrack said Turkey had received no advance notice and could have prepared a military response after detecting Israeli aircraft heading north toward Turkish territory. He said Washington was working to establish a more robust deconfliction mechanism among Turkey, Israel and Syria to prevent miscalculation or an accidental confrontation. Sinan Ciddi, director of the Turkey Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital that Ankara is portraying the confrontation through a sharply different lens. FORMER SYRIAN PRESIDENT ASSAD SENTENCED TO DEATH IN ABSENTIA "Turkey is chalking up the increasingly escalatory climate between Turkey and Israel to election antics/propaganda by Netanyahu and driving a narrative that Israel does not want stable neighbors and regional powers in the Middle East," Ciddi said. At the same time, Ciddi said Erdogan "seems intent on taking actions inside Syria that are perceived by Israel as military escalation," citing proposed arms sales, military training and assistance, continued Turkish influence over former militia members integrated into Syria’s new army and, most significantly, "developing military bases with Turkish troops and sensitive equipment." "Israel established clear red lines about what it was willing to tolerate in Syria," Ciddi said. "Deconfliction only works if parties implement the agreed upon rules." NETANYAHU WARNS TURKEY SHOULD NOT GET F-35S, CITING ERDOĞAN'S HOSTILITY TOWARD NATO ALLIES The dispute was already being discussed at senior levels before the strike. Mossad chief Roman Gofman spoke with al-Shaibani on Aug. 14, four days before the attack, according to three sources cited by Reuters. The conversation focused on Israel’s concerns about Turkey’s military presence in Syria, including potential troop deployments, weapons sales and drones supplied to the Syrian military. Attempts to prevent an Israeli-Turkish clash are not new. Turkey and Israel began technical talks in Azerbaijan in 2025 aimed at preventing misunderstandings or military incidents in Syria. Turkey’s defense minister said in June 2025 that those contacts were continuing as Ankara trained and advised Syria’s military. Ciddi argued that a mechanism alone would not prevent further Israeli action if Ankara continued pushing against what Jerusalem considers its security red lines. TRUMP'S TURKEY ARMS SALE PROPOSAL SPARKS CONGRESSIONAL QUESTIONS BEFORE NATO SUMMIT "To the extent that Ankara will push boundaries and attempt to position military capabilities that Israel feels is harmful to its safety, we are likely to see pre-emptive action by Jerusalem," Ciddi said. "The ball is in Erdogan's court to not raise the temperature." Netanyahu is also facing criticism from inside Israel. Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, a longtime Netanyahu adversary, accused the prime minister Wednesday of deliberately escalating tensions with Turkey for political purposes ahead of the Israeli election. "Turkey is not Iran or Assad’s Syria," Barak wrote in Hebrew on X, arguing that Israel’s strategic disputes with Ankara could be resolved, moderated or postponed through discreet diplomacy coordinated with the United States. Fox News Digital reached out to the White House, the Turkish Embassy in Washington, D.C., and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a87374f2c5335ae10491488 A quiet channel between ICE and Iran shaped deportation flights, newly released emails show te 2026-08-20T17:20:15.217Z A quiet channel between ICE and Iran shaped deportation flights, newly released emails show Emails reveal that Iranian officials had significant influence over which Iranian immigrants in the U.S. were sent back to their home country in 2025, despite tensions between the countries. The National Iranian American Council released hundreds of emails on Tuesday… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a87374e2c5335ae10491476 Democrats narrow their list of 2028 presidential convention sites to Boston, Denver and Philadelphia te 2026-08-20T17:20:14.077Z Democrats narrow their list of 2028 presidential convention sites to Boston, Denver and Philadelphia Democrats have narrowed the list of potential host cities for their 2028 presidential convention to Boston, Denver and Philadelphia as their party looks ahead to a wide-open primary to succeed Republican President Donald Trump. Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a87374c2c5335ae10491458 Federal agents seize devices from ex-Rep. Eric Swalwell in sexual misconduct probe, AP source says te 2026-08-20T17:20:12.494Z Federal agents seize devices from ex-Rep. Eric Swalwell in sexual misconduct probe, AP source says Federal agents have seized electronic devices from former Rep. Eric Swalwell and searched his Washington home as part of an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct by the ex-Democratic congressman from California. That's according to a person familiar with the… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a87374a2c5335ae10491446 Jury convicts Yucca man in Windsor Beach gun case te 2026-08-20T17:20:10.926Z Jury convicts Yucca man in Windsor Beach gun case It took only 35 minutes of deliberation for a Mohave County Superior Court jury to convict the defendant on all counts involving weapons offenses at the Windsor Beach launch ramp in Lake Havasu City. The guilty verdict determinations in the… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8737482c5335ae10491424 In a Big Year for Progressives, Here’s Why These Moderates Won Their Primaries te 2026-08-20T17:20:08.295Z In a Big Year for Progressives, Here’s Why These Moderates Won Their Primaries At times this year, the Democratic Party’s centrist wing has felt under siege from the left. But it has won several tough primaries recently. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8737462c5335ae104913f2 A third of webpages published since ChatGPT’s launch show signs of AI authorship, study finds te 2026-08-20T17:20:06.157Z A third of webpages published since ChatGPT’s launch show signs of AI authorship, study finds ChatGPT and other AI models are now authoring and editing much of the new web. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8734f52c5335ae104911a1 Gavin Newsom avoids question on bringing back SAT scores after UC open letter, asks 'show me the data' te 2026-08-20T17:10:13.425Z Gavin Newsom avoids question on bringing back SAT scores after UC open letter, asks 'show me the data' Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., avoided directly answering Wednesday whether he would support reinstating SAT/ACT requirements after open letters from more than 3,000 University of California (UC) faculty members. During a press event to kick off the new school year, Newsom was asked about the open letter, released in May, which cited concerns about incoming students' math preparedness. A UC San Diego report found roughly one in eight incoming students fell below high school math standards, while one in 12 fell below middle school standards. The finding came after the UC Board of Regents voted in 2020 to phase out the SAT and ACT from admissions consideration. Newsom responded that "we all have our own perspective" on SAT requirements but said that he wanted to see more data on the subject before making a decision. NEW YORK TIMES CALLS UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA'S 'TEST-BLIND' ADMISSIONS POLICY A 'TERRIBLE' MISTAKE "I think it's an important discussion and debate. I'm open to argument, interested in evidence," Newsom said. "Show me the data. I have feelings about this. There's anecdotes about this. But I want to see the data. And I made that point at the regental level." Newsom added that he has spoken to the UC president, James B. Milliken, and board on the topic and will continue to wait for more information. "The data needs to bear out the ultimate determination on this, but again, there's some contra-data that's coming out and suggesting different things," Newsom said. CAL STATE PROF WARNS SCRAPPING SAT IN NAME OF ‘INCLUSIVITY’ IS LEAVING STUDENTS UNPREPARED Fox News Digital reached out to the University of California for comment. A spokesperson for Newsom referred Fox News Digital to the governor's earlier comments. The UC announced after the letter was published that it was launching a review of its standardized testing policy. "The Board of Regents and University leadership take very seriously the critical issue of college preparedness, and the UC Academic Senate has proposed a comprehensive, data-driven review to support its recommendations to strengthen student readiness and success at UC," Milliken said at the time. "There are few things more important on our agenda." A Berkeley mathematics professor also sounded the alarm last week that many students are woefully unprepared when they arrive at college, blaming the "test-blind" policies. "Three days a week, I stand in front of lecture halls with 500 to 1,400 students. By the second week of the semester, I already know who is in trouble," professor Zvezdelina Stankova wrote in a San Francisco Standard op-ed published Saturday.  "Some students are five to eight years behind in mathematics. Office hours that should be spent discussing integrals instead become lessons on fractions and basic algebra you would expect students to learn in middle school," she wrote. HARVARD FACULTY VOTE TO CAP 'A' GRADES AT 20% IN SWEEPING EFFORT TO COMBAT DECADES OF GRADE INFLATION Karajean Hyde, co-director of the UC Irvine Math Project and a lecturer of education, previously told Fox News Digital that objective benchmarks are desperately needed to restore academic baselines. "I'd say we need some objective measures to go along with the whole picture," Hyde said. "A student's not just a single number or a single letter, but standardized testing can play an important role in ensuring one level of measuring where that bar is so that the bar doesn't move." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8734f42c5335ae10491198 An open marriage somehow leads to regret, woman hooks best friend up with sister's ex & dumb divorce excuses te 2026-08-20T17:10:12.675Z An open marriage somehow leads to regret, woman hooks best friend up with sister's ex & dumb divorce excuses I am coming to you this week from vacation with a heavy heart. It's not how I wanted to start this week's True Romance, but I don't have much of a choice. I go where the romance leads me. This week, on a Wednesday of all days, it was announced that Dakota Johnson and Role Model are no longer together. TMZ confirmed the stomach-churning, tear-jerking news. Not only have the couple broken up, they haven’t been together for some time. Again, this isn't how I wanted to kick this week off. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Take a moment. Do one of those extended eye close half squeeze things that helps clear the tears if needed. Let's try to make something of this week's column. Something that can take us through the rest of the week. I can't guarantee that I'll be able to land safely by the end of this one. That's the goal each week, but sometimes there isn’t enough out there to accomplish that. I'll never force it, that's not how we want to conduct business of the heart. We have unfortunate news of an open marriage that crashed and burned and a woman who helped her best friend find love with her sister's ex-husband. It's a story that gives us hope. Light amongst the darkness. Let's get to it. Go follow True Romance on Twitter and Facebook. Send your emails here: sean.joseph@outkick.com (anonymously if you prefer). A couple in their early thirties had love slip right through their fingers after six years of marriage. They had a once strong relationship with amazing chemistry. It wasn’t enough. Could it have been? That seems to be the answer that the husband who agreed to an open marriage is looking for. Somehow, agreeing to an open marriage leads to regret. It all started innocently enough. "A few months ago, she started talking a lot about her new colleague, like how good looking he is, how funny he is, etc.," the husband wrote on Reddit. His wife got drunk during a team building trip and texted her husband that she wanted to hook up with this new colleague of hers. "I was surprised, but I appreciated her honesty. Instead of cheating, she asked for my permission. I said yes," he continued. "After they slept together, we talked about it and agreed to open our marriage with one rule: each of us could have one person on the side." That, on paper, appears to be a beneficial arrangement for both of them. He still hadn't acted on finding his one person on the side when his wife was constantly seeing her colleague. A recipe for disaster? Not necessarily, they had an agreement in place. So one of them starts having second thoughts and isn't even acting on the open marriage arrangement. This is something that can be stopped as quickly as it got started, right? They have what was referred to as a strong relationship with amazing chemistry. "After the first talk (where I told her that we are cancelling open marriage) my wife got aggressive, tried to connect me with her friend, when I rejected her friend she left to stay at her parents’ for the weekend," he wrote. "When she came back home, nothing was changed, I tried to talk, but she treated me like garbage. Something in me finally broke that moment and I told her to pack her things and get out as I want a divorce. She broke down but I still told her to leave and she left. Haven't seen her since then." He ignored her attempts to communicate with him. He instead contacted a lawyer and got the ball rolling on the divorce. "It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done as she is the only woman I’ve ever truly loved and I still love her. I know a lot of people will call me weak or stupid for still feeling this way, but I don’t care anymore," he admitted. "Loving someone deeply isn’t a crime, even when they hurt you. I love her and can't change that, that's bad I know, but this isn't changing." You know people say they love their spouses all the time. But did this guy or was this all the excuse he needed to end his marriage. He could have said no when she drunk texted him from the work trip. Not only did he not, he agreed to an open marriage then proceeded not to hold up his end of the bargain even when his loving wife offered to connect him with a friend of hers. This has all the markings of a well-set trap by the husband. The worst part of it might be his attempt at trying to get sympathy from it. Not on my watch, buddy. Follow True Romance on Twitter and Facebook. An attempt by a wife to find herself and walk away from her marriage turns into a classic tale of one woman's trash being another woman's treasure. The part of the story that restores a small piece of my faith in humanity is the person who connected the dots and made it all happen. It was the sister of the wife who walked out of her marriage to "find herself." She saw the two people through the fog and acted for the sake of romance. "He was a devoted, hardworking guy who treated her like a queen and stayed completely respectful even through the divorce," she said of her sister's ex-husband. A year after her sister and the devoted, hardworking guy who was her brother-in-law were divorced, her best friend was discussing with her how hard it was for her to find a good guy. "My best friend was talking about how exhausted she was from dating toxic men and just wanted a reliable, good man. I set them up," she said. "Fast forward to today: they’re happily married with a baby on the way." The sister could have done nothing. She could have decided the stories about her best friend's dating struggles were too entertaining to set her up with the good guy her sister had tossed into the trash. She chose a different path. One where her sister found out, blocked her and called her a traitor for "giving away her husband." She didn't sit back and take that. She let her sister have it, "I told her plain and simple: 'you threw away a good man. You don’t get to leave someone in the trash and get mad when another woman sees their worth.'" I don’t know about you, but I like these sisters. The one walks out on her marriage, then gets mad at the other for hooking her ex up with her best friend. That takes some nerve, but so does setting your best friend up with your sister's ex-husband in the name of romance. I'm wrapping this week's edition up with dumb reasons couples get divorced. You could argue that getting mad after refusing to hold up your end of an open marriage agreement belongs, but it doesn't make the cut. More important issues, like preferring the windows open and a golf addiction make the cut. Good luck out there and don't for a second think that you can't have your marriage end over something extremely idiotic. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS ------------- STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW! That's it for this edition of True Romance. I'll be back from vacation next week. A vacation, I might add, started with romance in the form of an out-of-town wedding. Thanks for reading. Keep the song of the week suggestions coming. You can reach me, anonymously if you prefer, at sean.joseph@outkick.com. And go follow along on Twitter and Facebook. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8734f32c5335ae1049118f Sherrill escalates Trump fight over voter fiasco day after Mullin praises NJ cooperation te 2026-08-20T17:10:11.948Z Sherrill escalates Trump fight over voter fiasco day after Mullin praises NJ cooperation New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill criticized the Trump administration Wednesday while releasing findings from her investigation into thousands of ineligible voters improperly registered in the state. Sherrill’s critique came one day after DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin issued a statement thanking her for agreeing to cooperate with his agency on the matter — an assertion a Democratic source disputed. Sherrill has faced criticism since mid-July, when she revealed that thousands of noncitizens were found on voting rolls because of a "software error" in the way the state Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) registers voters, commonly called the "motor voter" process. Sherrill’s findings said about 5,100 registrations were placed in deleted status, while thousands of others remain under review. "My administration has continued to move aggressively to fix the error at the Motor Vehicle Commission under the previous (Trenton) administration, to correct our voter rolls, and to protect the voting rights of eligible New Jerseyans," Sherrill said Wednesday, adding that her probe is "what accountable government looks like." NEW JERSEY REMOVES 6,600 PEOPLE FROM VOTER ROLLS WHO WERE ELIGIBLE TO CAST A BALLOT FOR 2024 ELECTION "That stands in contrast to the Trump Administration and Republicans, whose only interest has been in trying to use this issue for political gain," Sherrill said. Mullin said Tuesday that Sherrill had agreed to participate with DHS in "stopping aliens from illegally voting in your state," citing correspondence from counsel for the state’s elections chief, Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell. MORE THAN A QUARTER-MILLION NONCITIZENS MAY BE REGISTERED TO VOTE IN 4 KEY STATES, DHS ALLEGES "Thank you, Governor Sherrill. We got news from your Secretary of State that New Jersey will participate with DHS in STOPPING aliens from illegally voting in your state," Mullin tweeted. "The 35,000 potential registered aliens [DHS] identified may only be the beginning. [I] look forward to helping NJ identify illegal voters and ensure election integrity." But a source familiar with the matter said they weren’t sure what Mullin was referencing and reiterated that there is no cooperation agreement between the Sherrill administration and DHS or the Trump administration. The source said the only correspondence from Trenton to Washington was a response from Caldwell’s office to a letter from House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil, R-Wis., and fellow New Jerseyan Rep. Jeff Van Drew — and that Mullin may have been referring to it. Fox News Digital reached out to DHS for comment but did not receive a response before publication. FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKS DOJ ACCESS TO NJ VOTER ROLLS AMID STATEWIDE CONTROVERSY When reached for comment, Sherrill spokesperson Darwin Pham said the governor "remains focused on safe and secure elections in New Jersey, in contrast to Trump and Republicans, who have consistently tried to use this issue for political gain." "We will continue working to fully remediate the issue left behind by the previous (Trenton) administration, and ensure the voting rights of every eligible New Jerseyan are protected." The White House dismissed Sherrill's criticism, saying she and Democrats have denied for years that noncitizens are registering and voting in elections. "It’s laughable for Governor Sherill to criticize the Trump Administration on election integrity..." White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis said. In her announcement, Sherrill said about 5,100 names in the voter registration system were "placed in deleted status" because they had no other eligibility "attestations" beyond their original registration, which the state said was erroneous. Those names lacked further declarations of eligibility to vote. Sherrill previously said individuals who selected "no" in response to whether they were citizens were still added to the rolls. DEMOCRAT NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR SAYS THOUSANDS OF NONCITIZENS DISCOVERED ON VOTER ROLLS, PURGED An additional 1,450 registrants had their status changed to "rejected" pending county officials’ review of their documentation before they can vote. Sherrill’s report said just under 400 people who were wrongfully registered cast ballots in recent elections. "These individuals have been removed from New Jersey voter rolls because they were placed on the rolls in error," Sherrill’s office said Wednesday. Republicans, meanwhile, said Sherrill’s announcement raises more questions than answers about problems in the Garden State’s election system and how the state plans to address them. "New Jerseyans deserve to know exactly what happened, how it happened, and whether there are other problems we have yet to uncover," Senate Minority Leader Anthony Bucco, R-Boonton, told Fox News Digital. "Restoring confidence in our elections will require complete transparency from the state, cooperation from all necessary parties, and a commitment to leaving no stone unturned." SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER Bucco said he has already proposed forming a bipartisan select committee with subpoena power that would also work with the federal government on the issue. Senate Majority Leader Nicholas Scutari, D-Scotch Plains, previously told Fox News Digital the legislature will wait until Sherrill’s probe is complete before identifying "any necessary next steps." Bucco, however, said Sherrill’s announcement still leaves "many serious questions" about the veracity of her probe and what changes will be made to secure New Jersey elections. "Like, why is the investigation limited, and how can anyone say with confidence that only 6,600 non-citizens were improperly registered? New Jerseyans deserve to know exactly what happened, how it happened, and whether there are other problems we have yet to uncover," Bucco told Fox News Digital. Sherrill instructed county officials to continue reviewing names referred to them before early voting begins for the midterms. Mullin’s office also identified four noncitizens it said illegally cast ballots in recent elections — an Israeli national, a Jamaican national, a Liberian national and an Indian national — and said each faces charges. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8734ed2c5335ae1049116c Tucson restaurants cook for a cause with Primavera Cooks! te 2026-08-20T17:10:05.769Z Tucson restaurants cook for a cause with Primavera Cooks! Tucson restaurants Feast and NEX opened their kitchens to apprentice volunteers this fall for Primavera Cooks!, an annual fundraising dinner series that pairs professional chefs with community cooks to raise money for housing and homelessness services across Southern Arizona. For restaurant owners, participating in the series offers an opportunity to test creative culinary concepts and support regional housing and community assistance programs. Together, teams design, prep and execute multicourse, wine-paired benefit dinners with proceeds directly funding Primavera's community programs, including emergency shelter, street outreach, rental assistance and workforce development. As the series expands to include more local venues, both long-standing fine-dining staples and newer culinary concepts are preparing to open their kitchens to community volunteers. Agustin Kitchen and Chef Janos Wilder are also among the restaurants and chefs joining Primavera Cooks! this year. Feast owner and Chef Doug Levy's connection to the series spans back to its initial inception, long before it grew into its current iteration. "I've been participating in Primavera Cooks since before it was a dining event, since it was a cookbook," Levy said. "When I was a chef at Bocata, we would contribute recipes, and they would sell a cookbook... It sort of morphed into this series of events taking place all over town." Feast changes its menu monthly, but developing a specialized event menu requires balancing restaurant standards with non-professional kitchen staff in a different way. The process starts with a collaborative brainstorming session with the apprentice group to discuss their personal cooking interests and goals. "It needs to be something that people without a kitchen background can handle from a food preparation standpoint, and something that we know we can serve to 80 people all at once," Levy said. 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. Apprentice volunteers plate dishes alongside professional kitchen staff during a Primavera Cooks! benefit dinner at Feast. Courtesy of Feast. Feast's sold-out benefit dinner on August 12 included an apprentice-driven menu featuring sous vide branzino, chilled gazpacho, braised pork and peanut-crusted scallop and a homemade lemon balm ice cream. Beyond learning basic prep workflow, community volunteers participating at Feast experience the intense physical reality of a commercial kitchen during Arizona summers. "It is a very physically challenging job. It is really hot in an Arizona professional kitchen," Levy said, "You're on your feet for a big, long stretch. It's a physically taxing job for people who aren't in the habit of doing it every day." For Levy, the physical effort directly supports an urgent local cause. He noted that rising inflation and severe heat have heightened the visibility of regional housing instability. "I have never seen as many people experiencing homelessness in Tucson as I have in the last six months," Levy said. "It's painful to watch. Wondering where your next meal is going to come from, and not just feeling vulnerable all the time." Bringing a newer perspective to the series, co-owner and Chef Raj Sihota of NEX Restaurant and Bar and its adjacent speakeasy lounge, Afterlife, is preparing for his team's first Primavera Cooks! dinner on September 13. Located along Fourth Avenue, NEX specializes in Sonoran-influenced cuisine using regional ingredients. For Sihota and his culinary team, the multicourse event serves as a platform for menu development and culinary experimentation. "A five-course meal gets every chef's blood flowing," Sihota said. "It gets them thinking about how they would choose a new and interesting way of presenting the food to the guests. It makes us feel excited to try brand new things, and if we succeed, we can choose those things to be our seasonal, artisanal things that we can bring back on our menu." Braised pork and peanut-crusted scallop served over rice noodles was one the main dish for Feast's August 12 Primavera Cooks! benefit dinner. Courtesy of Feast. Although NEX frequently hosts specialized tasting dinners, partnering with amateur apprentices brings a distinct mentorship element to their kitchen prep. Sihota plans to structure the learning experience around core kitchen fundamentals, course pacing and layout. "Cooking in a restaurant is much easier sometimes because you have all those tools, then you have all these people to teach you," Sihota said. "You have to get your hands dirty to understand fully. We are going to use their assistance in some things that we think they can be good at." Above all, Sihota wants the apprentices to walk away from their shift on the line with a deeper appreciation for detailed execution. "Attention to detail is everything. What separates an okay restaurant from a great culinary experience in a good scratch kitchen is attention to detail," Sihota said. "Small things matter when it comes to the culinary arts. It's not important that everybody's going to notice those small things, but you know them. And it makes you feel happy that you did those small things to make that experience a little bit better." For both established operators like Levy and newer business owners like Sihota, Primavera Cooks! demonstrates the role local restaurants play in sustaining community support networks. As the Primavera Foundation plans to expand the initiative to eight or more participating restaurants in upcoming seasons, the collaboration between professional staff, apprentice volunteers and diners continues to provide direct funding for regional housing services. "There's a real unity and sense of community when we do Primavera Cooks, because everyone in the dining room is here to accomplish the same goal," Levy said. "We all want to raise money for the Primavera Foundation and help them help people experiencing homelessness." To learn more about Primavera Cooks! and to purchase tickets for a dinner, visit their website. 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/6a8734ea2c5335ae10491150 Early Cerebras investor Adit Singh joins Mayfield as infrastructure partner te 2026-08-20T17:10:02.180Z Early Cerebras investor Adit Singh joins Mayfield as infrastructure partner At Mayfield, Singh will focus on semiconductor, cybersecurity, and physical AI investments. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a87329d2c5335ae10490ab4 ActBlue co-founder pleads Fifth Amendment in closed-door House GOP grilling te 2026-08-20T17:00:13.245Z ActBlue co-founder pleads Fifth Amendment in closed-door House GOP grilling FIRST ON FOX: ActBlue co-founder Matt DeBergalis pleaded the Fifth Amendment during his closed-door deposition before three key House committees, sources familiar with the matter told Fox News Digital. The Committee on House Administration, House Oversight Committee, and House Judiciary Committee are conducting a joint investigation into ActBlue, a massive fundraising platform for Democrats, over allegations that lax fraud prevention standards may have allowed foreign donations to seep into U.S. campaigns. DeBergalis' deposition, which was scheduled for Thursday morning, lasted less than half an hour. He was seen entering and exiting the committee room within roughly 25 minutes. FAR-LEFT POLITICIANS STILL USING ACTBLUE AS 88-YEAR-OLD DISPUTES DONATING NEARLY $150,000 TO FUNDRAISING GIANT This story is breaking and will be updated... Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a87329c2c5335ae10490aab Florida Senate candidate Angie Nixon defends drag shows as 'wholesome' for children, brought her kids to one te 2026-08-20T17:00:12.286Z Florida Senate candidate Angie Nixon defends drag shows as 'wholesome' for children, brought her kids to one Democratic socialist Florida state Rep. Angie Nixon, who recently won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, blasted the idea of restricting children’s access to drag shows, and called such entertainment "wholesome" during an interview in August. During a sit-down with Nixon on the Legal AF podcast, Melba Pearson, a criminal law expert and civil rights advocate, appeared to conflate Florida’s Parental Rights in Education law, which concerns children’s education, with the Protection of Children Act that restricts minors' access to drag shows. "I believe it was today or yesterday, the appeals court upheld that, the law that basically we call ‘Don’t Say Gay,’ that the biggest provision that everybody’s most familiar with is that it makes it illegal for anyone under 18 to be at a drag show," Melba said. "So basically it’s criminalizing drag in a lot of ways, right? And so, you know, in seeing that, what does that tell you and how can you translate that into policy, you know, when you get to D.C.?" "Yeah, for sure. What that is telling me is that there’s an attack on an 'othering' of people who don’t look like Donald Trump. Like, right?" Nixon said. "Like, it is just an attack on marginalized communities. They want to create this country that looks a certain way, that acts a certain way, that believes a certain way. And it’s frustrating." FEDERAL APPEALS COURT CLEARS WAY FOR DESANTIS-BACKED LAW RESTRICTING CHILDREN AT SOME DRAG SHOWS She went on to defend drag shows as "wholesome entertainment," saying she has taken her own children to shows. "I don’t understand, like, there’s no sexualization at a drag show! It’s just people dressing up and singing and performing! I’ve taken my children to drag shows, and it’s fun! It’s entertainment," she said. "It’s wholesome entertainment and it’s nothing wrong. It’s just like, I don’t get it." Theo Wold, former assistant attorney general and former White House deputy assistant for domestic policy under President Donald Trump, told Fox News Digital that Nixon's statement was inaccurate. "Drag has always been sexualized entertainment — that’s why it originated in bars and nightclubs in front of adult audiences. On one hand, DSA candidates, like Rashida Tlaib endorsed Angie Nixon, want to Islamify America by opening our borders and electing radical Muslim clerics to high office, especially our courts; on the other hand, they want to bring drag performers to kids," he said. "It doesn’t make sense until you understand their larger project, which is to destabilize Western civilization — whether by undermining our legal regime or by destabilizing the nuclear family," he said. SENATE HOPEFUL SAYS TEXAS HOME TO THE 'BEST DRAG QUEENS IN THE NATION' IN RESURFACED COMMENTS Curtis Houck, the Managing Editor of the NewsBusters division of the Media Research Center, suggested that certain news networks will desperately try to avoid covering Nixon's comments. "Needless to say, it's doubtful this will be a comment that's played on the regular across the liberal, elitist networks like ABC or CNN in the months to come as proof she's outside the mainstream," Houck said. "It's a completely cockamamie claim that, if the so-called fact-checkers like Politifact were honest brokers, they would have already penned an item with a pants-on-fire rating. The only thing that's "wholesome" about drag shows is how wholly sexual they are. Even those who support that kind of thing should be able to acknowledge that. What a grotesque commentary on the left that someone like her would want young children to attend drag shows," Houck added. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Founder of Gays Against Groomers, Jaimee Michell, condemned Nixon's statements of drag shows being wholesome family events as "dangerous" lies. "Angie Nixon’s comments are a lie, and a dangerous one," Michell told Fox News Digital. "There is no shortage of video of drag performers in pasties, thongs, or barely-there costumes grinding, twerking, and simulating sex in front of children — including babies and toddlers — while those kids are encouraged to stuff dollar bills into their outfits. That is not 'people dressing up and singing.' That is adult sexual performance. Calling it 'wholesome entertainment' is gaslighting," she said. Michell also said that the practice of drag was inherently sexual and built on "exaggerated, hyper-sexualized parody of women." "Nixon taking her own children to these shows does not make it wholesome. It makes her judgment a warning," she added. "Florida passed a law to keep minors out of lewd live performances for a reason. This is not about banning adults from performing. It is about whether we are going to keep pretending that exposing kids to nearly nude adults collecting tips is just 'fun.' It isn’t. "Nixon is wrong, the footage proves it, and Florida voters already know it," Michell said. Nixon, a progressive activist and DSA member, defeated establishment-backed candidate and retired Air Force officer Alexander Vindman by more than 10 percentage points despite Vindman’s $16.3 million campaign war chest, compared with Nixon’s roughly $1 million. 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. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8730442c5335ae10490a59 The Terminal List season 2 first preview drops with Chris Pratt returning as Navy SEAL James Reece te 2026-08-20T16:50:12.730Z The Terminal List season 2 first preview drops with Chris Pratt returning as Navy SEAL James Reece The first preview for season two of "The Terminal List" has arrived. NEW LIONESS SEASON 3 TRAILER SIGNALS TAYLOR SHERIDAN IS TAKING THE PARAMOUNT+ SERIES TO NEW HEIGHTS Season one of "The Terminal List" was a monster hit when it premiered in July 2022. Fans watched Chris Pratt play Navy SEAL James Reece – a battle hardened SEAL on the hunt for revenge. TAYLOR SHERIDAN'S 'LIONESS' SEASON 3 IS AN ACTION-PACKED SAGA LOADED WITH VIOLENCE AND CARNAGE It was an epic season of TV. Instead of woke nonsense and fluff, it was nonstop action, carnage, violence and the unraveling of a dark and sinister conspiracy. Now, Carr and Pratt are running it back for season two. Judging from the preview, it looks like season two will keep the same electric energy and chaos of season one. Give it a watch below, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. Carr has built a powerhouse writing career, and the crown jewel is the saga of James Reece. The first book in the series – "The Terminal List" – is an awesome read, and the show is every bit as elite. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK CULTURE COVERAGE Entertainment fans are desperate for shows and movies that focus on one single goal: Give people the most entertaining experience possible. Cut the woke nonsense and stupidity. Focus on what people actually want to see. In the case of "The Terminal List," that's a good guy using the skills taught to him as a Navy SEAL to kill bad guys. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS Shockingly simple! You can catch season two of "The Terminal List" starting October 21 on Amazon. Let me know your thoughts on the preview at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8730432c5335ae10490a50 Michigan Dem invokes comparison to Jesus when pressed on socialist views: 'Radical in his time, too' te 2026-08-20T16:50:11.980Z Michigan Dem invokes comparison to Jesus when pressed on socialist views: 'Radical in his time, too' Michigan’s Democratic Senate nominee compared his "radical" policy positions to Jesus Christ’s teachings during a podcast appearance earlier this year. During an episode of the Progressive Christians Podcast that aired in May, Abdul El-Sayed was asked how his faith as a Muslim spurs his policies and positions in his campaign for the Senate. Rev. Blair Stowe, one of the podcast’s hosts, noted that through many progressive races during the midterm election cycle where policies like Medicare for all, being anti-war and resisting corporate money in politics, from the Christian lens, appeared to be "very similar to the teachings of Jesus." EL-SAYED INVOKES JESUS WHILE ACCUSING MIKE ROGERS OF HIDING BEHIND ‘SIMULACRUM OF FAITH’ "And yet, those platforms and those policies are being named radical. And we know that you have been referred to as a radical," Stowe said. "So what do you think about that title, that these things that are, that seem to come very easily from the Christian faith that are shared in the Muslim faith? Like, why is that considered so radical?" "Well, you know, Jesus, peace and blessings be upon him, was considered radical in his time too," El-Sayed responded. "And there is a radical nature to being willing to stand forthright in a time of corruption, and I think it's important for all of us to realize that popularity and zeitgeist don't make truth. And we live in a time where people are trying to normalize corruption." DEMS' LEFTWARD LURCH GETS LEGS AS EL-SAYED'S MICHIGAN SENATE VICTORY SPARKS PARTY DEBATE El-Sayed is currently locked in a contest that could determine the balance of power in the Senate, and one where his victory against Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., shook the Democratic establishment in Washington, D.C. Republicans see Michigan as a winnable opportunity on their path to maintaining and growing their thin majority in the upper chamber and believe former Rep. Mike Rogers, who narrowly lost in his bid for the Senate in 2024 against Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., can topple the insurgent progressive El-Sayed. And as the campaign has heated up between the two of them, both have used faith as a political cudgel. UNEARTHED INTERVIEW REVEALS EL-SAYED’S SHARIA ‘OBLIGATION’: ‘NOT BECAUSE OF FEAR’ "A radical Muslim with a self-proclaimed ‘obligation’ to Sharia law has gone from excusing violent attacks on Jewish Michiganders to comparing himself to Jesus Christ," National Republican Senatorial Committee spokeswoman Bernadette Breslin told Fox News Digital. "Abdul El-Sayed is unfit to represent Michigan, and he proves it every time he attacks other faiths," she continued. During an appearance on the "I’ve Had It" podcast earlier this month, El-Sayed was asked by host Jennifer Welch about Rogers going after him for his Muslim faith, where she accused him of being a "complete Christian hypocrite" over reported ties between members of his faith coalition and the Living Word Church franchise, which has been rocked by child sex abuse scandals. El-Sayed said Rogers was ignoring the "essential teaching" of Christianity. "He’s going to hide behind this simulacrum of faith, which clearly, you know, if you followed the teachings of Jesus Christ, it was about upending the system against the richest and most powerful in the ways that they used their power and their money to subjugate other people," El-Sayed said. "Like, that was the essential teaching." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a87303f2c5335ae10490a35 Arizona manufacturers invited to compete for ‘Hottest Thing’ title te 2026-08-20T16:50:07.013Z Arizona manufacturers invited to compete for ‘Hottest Thing’ title Arizona manufacturers will again compete for statewide bragging rights as nominations open for the 2026 Hottest Thing Made in Arizona competition. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a87303e2c5335ae10490a2c Arizona Supreme Court rejects challenge to Prop. 144 ballot description te 2026-08-20T16:50:06.113Z Arizona Supreme Court rejects challenge to Prop. 144 ballot description PHOENIX -- The Arizona Supreme Court won't order Secretary of State Adrian Fontes to recraft his description of a ballot measure that, if approved, would make some major changes in state election practices. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8730392c5335ae10490a05 Ramp launches its own AI model router, called Router te 2026-08-20T16:50:01.685Z Ramp launches its own AI model router, called Router Ramp has launched its own AI model routing service, dubbed Router, that lets users and companies use and switch between various large language models via an API. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a872dec2c5335ae104909d3 Three teams ranked outside the 2026 preseason AP Poll who will crash the party by season's end te 2026-08-20T16:40:12.236Z Three teams ranked outside the 2026 preseason AP Poll who will crash the party by season's end Much was made about the preseason AP Poll when it dropped earlier this week, but most of that had to do with teams that actually made it onto the poll in the first place. For those of you that don't know it, there is a small section below the actual top-25 that says "received votes," followed by a list of teams that just missed out on having that glorious number next to their name to start the season. Fans of teams in this region of the poll shouldn't worry, though, because for every top-ten team who ends up unranked by the end of the season, there are more than a few teams in the "received votes" section who end up earning a ranking in the final poll, and that's the only one that really matters. I've zeroed in on three teams that were left off the inaugural edition of the 2026 AP Poll who will likely be ranked come January. Without any further ado, let's go dumpster diving for some gems. I'll be honest with you, when I scrolled through the AP Poll after it dropped on Monday, I was expecting to see the Hokies somewhere in the 20s and was mildly shocked when I found them hanging out in the "received votes" section. Many will point to their 3-9 record as justification for the "snubbing," but I think this Virginia Tech team is ready to compete in the ACC today and it starts with who they hired to be their next head coach. HOW MUCH LONGER DOES CLEMSON HEAD COACH DABO SWINNEY REALISTICALLY HAVE IN DEATH VALLEY? I haven't made it a secret how I feel about James Franklin and I think Penn State did the right thing in firing him, but he's still a damn good coach. A national championship-caliber coach? Almost certainly not, but his floor is way higher than anything the Hokies have seen since legendary coach Frank Beamer called it quits more than a decade ago. Franklin will get the Hokies back to where they were in the 2000s and early 2010s, and I believe it happens quicker than most will expect. Virginia Tech is also top-five in returning production and signed a transfer portal class that, while not very flashy, addressed some key needs along both lines of scrimmage as well as at quarterback. Former Penn State signal caller Ethan Grunkemeyer comes to Blacksburg as Franklin's hand-picked guy, and the experience he received starting in place of Drew Allar could prove invaluable for the Hokies in 2026. The first month of the schedule sets up nicely for Virginia Tech, and outside of a stretch in late October and early November featuring trips to Clemson, SMU, and Miami, the 2026 slate is a manageable one for an experienced Power 4 head coach like Franklin. I'm not a huge betting guy, but I would put hard-earned money on Virginia Tech being ranked by the end of the season. Two things can be true at the same time: South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer's seat is borderline radioactive while at the same time, his Gamecocks have enough talent to finish the season in the top 25. Beamer and the Gamecocks start the season with two layups against Kent State and Towson followed by a relatively tricky game against Mississippi State in the friendly confines of Williams-Brice Stadium. Then, the proverbial floodgates open, beginning with a trip to Tuscaloosa to take on the Crimson Tide. I don't see a ton of breaks on the schedule for South Carolina, but if the talent on this roster gels properly early on, they have enough firepower and returning production (top-five in the country in that category) to turn in a respectable record. IDENTIFYING THREE BREAKOUT SEC PLAYERS WHO WILL BE HOUSEHOLD NAMES BY SEASON'S END IN 2026 You'll find plenty of NFL-level talent up and down the roster, including standout names like quarterback LaNorris Sellers, wide receiver Nyck Harbor, edge rusher Dylan Stewart, and offensive tackle Jaccarius Peak, to name a few. I believe an 8-4 record is well within play for the Gamecocks in 2026, and against their gauntlet of a schedule, that would more than warrant a ranking in the final AP Poll. I really didn't want to put them here, given the fact that I will probably be called a shameless homer, but I truly believe even when looking at them through the most objective lens, that the Florida Gators are more likely to end up ranked than not by season's end. We will start with the fact that the Gators were a few plays away from being an 8-4 football team last year, and although that's nothing to hang your hat on in Gainesville, it does prove that even a competent coaching staff probably has Florida looking respectable. LANE KIFFIN KNOWS THERE AREN’T EXCUSES AT LSU. NOW COMES THE TEST OF MAKING IT WORTH THE PRICE OF ADMISSION By all accounts, that seems to be the case for the Gators, as new head coach Jon Sumrall has a penchant for winning everywhere he goes and has surrounded himself with well-respected assistants, particularly offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner. The Gators rank in the top ten in returning production, and are number one in defensive returning production. Several high-profile players litter this roster, including All-SEC running back Jadan Baugh and a trio of future NFL draft picks at receiver in Vernell Brown III, Dallas Wilson, and Eric Singleton Jr., the latter of whom likely could have been a late day two selection had he declared this past April. An outsider might look at Florida's schedule and wince, given the fact that the Gators play six teams in the preseason AP Poll, but most fans of the team will tell you this schedule is a break when compared to the last several seasons. Gone are Miami and Utah from the non conference slate, and Florida gets Playoff-hopeful teams like Ole Miss and Oklahoma at home. Similarly to South Carolina, the path to 8-4 and a postseason ranking in the high teens doesn't look incredibly out of reach for the Gators. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a872deb2c5335ae104909ca Racer Sting Ray Robb gears up for Freedom 250 Grand Prix: 'This is more than just an IndyCar event' te 2026-08-20T16:40:11.551Z Racer Sting Ray Robb gears up for Freedom 250 Grand Prix: 'This is more than just an IndyCar event' Sting Ray Robb will be one of about two dozen IndyCar drivers set to take the track at the Freedom 250 Grand Prix on Sunday, racing around the streets of Washington, D.C. The 1.7-mile track will have drivers zooming near the U.S. Capitol and around the National Mall for 147 laps in what is expected to be one of the best spectacles in racing. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Robb appeared on Fox News Channel’s "The Ingraham Angle" and said he was thrilled to be able to get a chance to drive in the event, which coincides with the 250th birthday of the U.S. "Very excited. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event. I don’t think we’ll have another chance like this to race around the streets of Washington, D.C., celebrating America in this way," he said. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS "This is more than just an IndyCar event. This is a celebration of our country, the freedoms we’ve been given, the opportunity that we’ve been given. As one of eight Americans in this series, it’s a great opportunity to hopefully fly our home colors top of the podium." The fun begins Saturday morning when IndyCar holds its first practice session at 9 a.m. ET. The second session begins at 1 p.m. ET and qualifying starts at 5 p.m. ET. The first practice session can be seen live on FS1 with the latter events broadcasting on FS2. On Sunday, IndyCar drivers begin their warm-ups at 9 a.m. ET with the green flag dropping at 1 p.m. ET. The warm-up will be broadcast on FS1 with the race taking place on FOX. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a872de62c5335ae104909b0 Candlebox to bring Can’t Quit You Tour to Laughlin in October te 2026-08-20T16:40:06.724Z Candlebox to bring Can’t Quit You Tour to Laughlin in October LAUGHLIN, Nev. — Multiplatinum rock band Candlebox will bring its Can’t Quit You Tour to Laughlin this fall with an Oct. 3 performance at the Edge Pavilion at Edgewater Casino Resort. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a872de42c5335ae104909a1 A Few Expert Lawyers Dominate Supreme Court Arguments, a New Study Finds te 2026-08-20T16:40:04.077Z A Few Expert Lawyers Dominate Supreme Court Arguments, a New Study Finds Chief Justice Roberts, once such a lawyer, has said he has mixed feelings about the trend. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a872b8b2c5335ae1049092e Senators demand answers from TikTok over experiment that disabled safeguards te 2026-08-20T16:30:03.754Z Senators demand answers from TikTok over experiment that disabled safeguards The safeguard was designed to prevent users from being overwhelmed by harmful content, but TikTok wanted to determine whether it made the app less engaging. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8729392c5335ae10490909 Tulsi Gabbard gives promising, emotional update on husband's successful bone cancer surgery te 2026-08-20T16:20:09.196Z Tulsi Gabbard gives promising, emotional update on husband's successful bone cancer surgery Tulsi Gabbard delivered a hopeful and emotional message in a video posted to X on Thursday morning, updating the success of her husband Abraham Williams' bone cancer surgery for sacral chordoma, an extremely rare cancer, and giving an update on the challenges of his recovery. "A few weeks after the surgery was done, the pathologist and the doctors said that they are confident that they were able to cut out all of the cancerous bone and tissue," Gabbard said in a 3-minute video. "So here we are now, almost three months after, and he started a very rigorous physical therapy program." "He gets frustrated a lot because he wants to be able to make progress faster, and sometimes he's pushed a little bit too far, but overall, Abraham is progressing very well," Gabbard continued. "The reality is that the battle isn't over yet." TULSI GABBARD REVEALS HUSBAND'S 'VERY RARE SACRAL CHORDOMA': 'IN A LOT OF PAIN' AFTER 7-HOUR SURGERY Gabbard announced her resignation in May from the Trump administration as director of national intelligence to support her husband's cancer fight. She officially stepped down from President Donald Trump's Cabinet at the end of June. "We are so grateful to God for His unconditional love, for being our shelter, for being our peace and our strength," Gabbard said at the end of the video. "We want to say thank you to the doctors, the surgeon, the pathologist, the anesthesiologist. We want say thank to all of you sharing the most beautiful prayers and well wishes with us. Mahalo nui loa to you all." She was joined on camera with a tight, loving hug from Abraham. DEMOCRATS, MEDIA SPARK FURY WITH 'DISGUSTING' RESPONSE TO TULSI GABBARD'S DNI RESIGNATION "Love you, darlin'," he said. "I love you," she replied. The video detailed the nature of the surgery and treatment options of what she called a "one in a million type of cancer." "Earlier this year, my husband Abraham was diagnosed with cancer," she began in the video. "I picked up the phone, and Abraham's voice was different. He said that he got a call from his doctor, and the doctor told him that he has sacral chordoma, very, very rare, one in a million type of cancer." CANCER TREATMENT DELAYS SURGE ACROSS US AS DOCTOR WARNS SYSTEM ‘NEEDS FIXING IMMEDIATELY’ She said they elected the surgery over radiation, with the video showing the tender moments before he went "under heavy anesthesia for almost eight hours." "His body, as he started to come out, started reacting to the drugs that were in his body," she continued. "It was tough." "So that night, more than a few times, Abraham said, I want to get up. He had some help from some great nurses to just start very, very slowly walking around," she recalled. "He would take a few steps. He would throw up as he was trying to walk around, but he kept going." PATIENTS REMAIN CANCER-FREE NEARLY 3 YEARS AFTER RECEIVING EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNOTHERAPY Abraham also "refused to take any narcotic pain medication," she added, "so he really had to push through the post-operative pain." For now, Gabbard reports that her husband is cancer free, but that is going to be continued to be monitored. "You'll have to continue to get frequent MRIs to keep an eye on whether or not this cancer is coming back either in the same place or in other parts of his body," she said. A sacral chordoma is a rare, slow-growing cancerous bone tumor that develops in the sacrum, the triangular bone at the base of the spine above the tailbone. "This has been a challenging time for us and is hard to talk about," Gabbard wrote on X, sharing the video. "But so many of you have reached out asking how he’s doing, and sharing your prayers and well wishes with us. "We made this video to share a little about what this journey has been like, and to update you on his recovery. Mahalo for all of the love and support." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8729382c5335ae104908fd After exploitation, some human trafficking survivors carry the burden of criminal records te 2026-08-20T16:20:08.220Z After exploitation, some human trafficking survivors carry the burden of criminal records The post After exploitation, some human trafficking survivors carry the burden of criminal records appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8726e82c5335ae10490857 Alex Murdaugh defense team lied about polygraph results, prosecutors allege in new filing te 2026-08-20T16:10:16.400Z Alex Murdaugh defense team lied about polygraph results, prosecutors allege in new filing A new court filing reveals the defense team for Alex Murdaugh, who was previously convicted of murdering his wife and son, may have lied about his polygraph test results. The Wednesday filing in Colleton County, South Carolina, details state prosecutors' allegations against Murdaugh's attorney Dick Harpootlian. Murdaugh was convicted of the murders and sentenced to two consecutive life terms in 2023; those convictions were overturned in May of this year after a court clerk named Becky Hill was found to have improperly influenced jurors. ALEX MURDAUGH MOVES FOR NEW HOME FOR DOUBLE-MURDER RETRIAL During an Aug. 14 hearing, Harpootlian said, "Mr. Murdaugh passed a polygraph. Flying colors. Same polygrapher. It may play a role in this trial." FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X Prosecutors argue that when Murdaugh was initially tried in 2023, he never took a polygraph, or lie-detector, test. The time that he did in fact take a lie-detector test was after the trial in the fall of 2023. He took the test with the FBI when he was under investigation for serious financial crimes. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS The new document says: "Defense council’s claim on the record at the hearing that defendant Alex Murdaugh passed a SLED [South Carolina Law Enforcement Division] polygraph as to the murders, much less than any governmental polygraph on any subject, is categorically false, and clearly said for no other reason that an attempt to prejudice this court and the public." Read the filing below. In response to the state's filing, Harpootlian emailed a letter to Judge Debra McCaslin on Thursday saying that he incorrectly stated in court that Murdaugh had taken a polygraph and passed "with flying colors," saying he had mistakenly conflated several facts.  Harpootlian said, "I want to offer my apology to both the court and state for any confusion I may have caused." Here is the letter: LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST Murdaugh is scheduled for his new trial in April of next year. That trial will not take place in Colleton County. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL On Friday, Judge Debra R. McCaslin ruled the retrial must move out of Colleton County but she did not yet mention a new location. It's possible the retrial could be in Richland County, as Murdaugh's defense recently pressed to move it – arguing the possibility of a larger jury pool in a new location. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8726e72c5335ae1049084e Marc Jacobs says he'd dress Luigi Mangione at trial in podcast interview with fashion designer te 2026-08-20T16:10:15.639Z Marc Jacobs says he'd dress Luigi Mangione at trial in podcast interview with fashion designer Fashion designer Marc Jacobs said in a new interview that he'd be open to styling the confessed assassin Luigi Mangione at trial — and that the killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson is doing a fine job as a "trendsetter" while dressing himself already. In a sitdown with Vanity Fair's Lie Detector Test podcast, the host noted that celebrities including Winona Rider, Courtney Love and Lil' Kim had all worn Jacobs' designs in court in the early 2000s. Then she slid him a photo of Mangione and asked, "Would you be open to styling this person for his trial?" Jacobs, wearing a black Lacoste shirt, laughed as he looked at the photo, then replied, "Um...yes." LUIGI MANGIONE'S NEW YORK MURDER TRIAL ADJOURNED UNTIL DECEMBER OVER DOUBLE JEOPARDY CONCERNS "I think he looks pretty good the way he dresses, actually," the designer said. Trial fashion can draw a lot of attention, going back to OJ Simpson's so-called trial of the century in the mid-1990s, which was televised and involved the most famous American ever charged with murder at the time. Donna Rotunno, a criminal defense attorney and Fox News contributor, said the media's treatment of Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney Marcia Clark during Simpson's trial influenced her courtroom style choices when she represented Harvey Weinstein. Still, she said, she was disappointed to see public support for an admitted killer like Mangione. "I find it sad," she said in an interview Thursday. "I find that sad that a designer would in any way, shape or form want to support that." Mangione has admitted to stalking Thompson, a 50-year-old father of two, from Minnesota to New York City, where he shot him in the back on Dec. 4, 2024. His fashion choices have made headlines ever since — beginning with the high-end backpack he allegedly ditched in Central Park while fleeing the crime scene. In March 2025, he showed up in the courtroom wearing Rockport loafers and no socks — a detail that a photographer captured in a picture showing shackles around his bare ankles. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X Later, prosecutors revealed that someone had slipped Mangione a pair of heart-shaped notes hidden within a pair of socks sent to the court along with other clothes he wore for the hearing. (Only one of the notes was addressed the Mangoine — the other was meant for someone named "Joan.") "He’s kind of become a character and this cult hero to some people, and it’s pretty sad to see," Rotunno said. A court officer seized the notes but allowed Mangione to wear the socks. However, "he felt that ‘they did not look good’" and took them off, according to prosecutors. Mangione, however, may end up wearing a jail jumpsuit for the rest of his life after he pleaded guilty to federal charges last week. As a result, his state case may come to an end without trial if his defense team's double jeopardy claim succeeds in court. He faces a maximum punishment of life in prison at his sentencing on Dec. 18, but it's up to Judge Margaret Garnett. Federal sentencing guidelines recommend around 25 to 30 years, and Garnett is not bound by those either. "So the fact that you would have any designer coming out saying that he would dress him or be happy to dress him, I think is pretty tone deaf," Rotunno said. If he does end up having a state trial, it could be the last time he's seen wearing street clothes, she said. But even so, she urged his defense team to walk a fine line. "I also think you have to be careful in front of juries," she said. "You dress up Luigi Mangione too much, and maybe he loses some of the sympathy that people have for him." Jacobs was hooked up to a lie detector test during his podcast interview. The host noted that after Mangione wore a red sweater in court, it sold out at Nordstrom stores. "Does this make him a trendsetter?" "Yes," Jacobs agreed. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE Then she asked if he was offended that Gwyneth Paltrow didn't wear any of his designs at her own eight-day trial in 2023, after a retired optometrist unsuccessfully sued her over a ski crash in Park City, Utah. "No," he said. "He's being truthful," the polygrapher added. A spokesperson for Marc Jacobs did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8726e12c5335ae10490830 FBI Agents Search Eric Swalwell’s Home as Part of Federal Inquiry te 2026-08-20T16:10:09.928Z FBI Agents Search Eric Swalwell’s Home as Part of Federal Inquiry Most sex crimes are prosecuted by state and local authorities. The federal agents appeared to be using civil rights statutes to scrutinize Mr. Swalwell’s conduct, a person familiar with the case said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8726e02c5335ae10490822 Clínica gratuita de la UA cubre vacíos en la atención médica para mujeres te 2026-08-20T16:10:08.962Z Clínica gratuita de la UA cubre vacíos en la atención médica para mujeres Leer en inglés 💡 Esta historia forma parte de la cobertura de periodismo de soluciones de El Foco de Tucson, que examina las respuestas a los desafíos de la comunidad: qué funciona, qué no y qué podemos aprender. Obtenga más información en solutionsjournalism.org. Cuando una mujer embarazada, sin seguro médico ni atención prenatal, acudió a la clínica para mujeres CUP de la Universidad de Arizona, no se trataba de una opción secundaria, sino de su única oportunidad para saber que su bebé estaba bien. La mujer recibió una ecografía y pudo escuchar el latido del corazón de su bebé gracias a este centro gestionado por voluntarios, una de las clínicas del programa CUP, Commitment to Underserved People o Compromiso con las Poblaciones Desatendidas de la UA. La clínica para mujeres CUP ofrece atención preventiva y primaria gratuita, derivaciones a especialistas y pruebas de diagnóstico a mujeres del sur de Arizona que no cuentan con otra fuente de atención médica; no se requiere seguro. Asimismo, brinda a los estudiantes una experiencia temprana en medicina comunitaria, acompañada de mentoría y observación por parte de médicos y estudiantes de medicina con mayor experiencia. "En el aula aprendemos que la atención prenatal debe ser frecuente y accesible; eso es realmente importante tanto para el bebé como para la madre," comentó Sarah Teeman, estudiante de medicina de la UA. "Y saber que éramos la única opción para esta paciente me impactó profundamente." En Estados Unidos, las mujeres presentan las tasas más altas de retraso o falta de atención médica debido a los costos, según un estudio que compara el acceso a la salud y los seguros médicos entre este país y otras 13 naciones de ingresos altos. Alrededor del 9% de las mujeres menores de 65 años en Estados Unidos carece de cobertura de seguro médico, según los datos preliminares de 2025 de la Encuesta Nacional de Entrevistas de Salud. Los expertos señalan que las personas con seguro médico tienen más probabilidades de buscar atención preventiva, controlar enfermedades crónicas y recibir tratamiento, lo que contribuye a mejores resultados de salud. Ante las deficiencias del sistema de salud estadounidense, las clínicas gratuitas se han convertido en un recurso provisional fundamental. Carolyn Dunlap y Sarah Teeman realizan trabajo voluntario en la clínica para mujeres CUP el 22 de julio de 2026. Cortesía de Sarah Teeman. El programa CUP nació en 1979 impulsado por el deseo de los estudiantes de servir a la comunidad durante su formación en la facultad de medicina. Ya por aquel entonces, los estudiantes percibían la falta de acceso a la atención sanitaria que sufría la población local. "Para muchos de nosotros, CUP no es simplemente una actividad extracurricular," afirmó Isabella Steidley, estudiante líder del programa. "Creo que, para muchos, representa una oportunidad de retribuir al lugar donde tenemos el privilegio de estudiar; ninguno de nosotros podría aprender medicina de no ser por la generosidad de los miembros de nuestra comunidad, que nos permiten, precisamente, ser estudiantes." La clínica para mujeres es una de las 12 que integran el sistema CUP, el cual incluye también una clínica pediátrica, la Clínica de la Familia Shubitz, una clínica para la comunidad LGBTQ+, una clínica de salud mental, una clínica de tratamiento de heridas, una clínica de vasectomías, una clínica de atención a solicitantes de asilo y una clínica de dermatología. Esta clínica para mujeres opera en colaboración con Emerge! Center Against Domestic Violence para asistir a mujeres y niños residentes en refugios que han sufrido violencia doméstica. La clínica abre tres miércoles al mes, de 6 a 9 p.m.; las pacientes deben llamar para concertar una cita, ya que no se atiende a personas sin cita previa. Funcionamiento de la clínica Una cita en la clínica para mujeres de CUP dura aproximadamente una hora. Las pacientes se reúnen con un estudiante de medicina de primer o segundo año y con otro de tercer o cuarto año para tratar temas de salud, tales como anticonceptivos, irregularidades menstruales e infecciones de transmisión sexual, entre otros. Los estudiantes de medicina determinan un diagnóstico y lo presentan al médico voluntario, quien evalúa y confirma tanto el diagnóstico como el plan de tratamiento. Una vez que el médico aprueba el plan, los estudiantes se lo comunican a la paciente; se cuenta con intérpretes para aquellos pacientes con conocimientos limitados de inglés. Al finalizar la consulta, es posible que a las pacientes se les extraiga sangre, se les administren vacunas o una prueba de Papanicolaou, o se programe una visita de seguimiento. Una vez al mes, la clínica organiza una jornada dedicada a procedimientos especializados, durante la cual un obstetra-ginecólogo ofrece servicios como colposcopias y ecografías transvaginales. La clínica para mujeres atiende a unas 12 pacientes en una jornada habitual y cuenta con una lista de espera de un mes. Su horario vespertino permite una mayor disponibilidad de los estudiantes y ayuda a los pacientes que no pueden ausentarse del trabajo, lo que lo hace más accesible al público, señaló Teeman. La Clínica para Mujeres CUP abre tres miércoles al mes, de 6 a 9 p.m., y atendió a 61 pacientes distintas en 2025. En 2025, la clínica para mujeres atendió a 61 pacientes distintas, 14 de ellas nuevas, lo que representa un aumento del 35 % con respecto a 2024. Muchas de las consultas son visitas de seguimiento de pacientes que regresan en varias ocasiones. El sistema de clínicas CUP atendió a 384 pacientes en 2025, sumando un total de 1.031 consultas, con un promedio de 2,7 visitas por paciente. CUP también cuenta con un equipo de enlace asistencial formado por estudiantes de medicina voluntarios que desempeñan funciones similares a las de los trabajadores sociales: orientan a los pacientes hacia recursos comunitarios, como bancos de alimentos, o los derivan a otras clínicas accesibles, como Clínica Amistad y El Rio Health, que aplican tarifas ajustadas según los ingresos del paciente. Participación comunitaria activa Todas las clínicas CUP son gestionadas íntegramente por estudiantes de medicina y médicos voluntarios. Alrededor del 90 % de los estudiantes participan en CUP durante sus dos primeros años de carrera, atraídos en parte por la reputación del programa en cuanto a la participación comunitaria práctica. "Descubrir que la Universidad de Arizona contaba con el programa CUP, gestionado totalmente por estudiantes, fue algo que me entusiasmó mucho," comentó Steidley, explicando que CUP es un elemento central en la formación médica de los estudiantes. Al participar en CUP, los estudiantes pueden obtener una distinción en el programa de servicio comunitario de CUP Community Service Track por su labor voluntaria. Sin embargo, incluso tras cumplir todos los requisitos para dicha distinción, algunos deciden seguir colaborando como voluntarios. "Sigo participando en estas clínicas porque realmente las disfruto. Me gusta mucho poder atender a nuestros pacientes y brindarles ayuda," afirmó Carolyn Dunlap, estudiante de segundo año de medicina que ya ha completado las horas requeridas para la distinción de CUP. "Creo que no solo es una buena oportunidad para convertirme en una mejor médica en el futuro, sino que también me satisface enormemente poder ayudar a estos pacientes en el presente." Estudiantes de medicina prestan servicios de voluntariado en la clínica Shubitz Family CUP de la Universidad de Arizona, la cual ofrece atención gratuita a residentes del sur de Arizona que no tienen otro acceso a servicios de salud. Cortesía de la UA. Dunlap comentó que, en una época en la que estaba entre empleos y sin seguro médico, un programa como CUP habría marcado una gran diferencia y le habría ahorrado mucho estrés. "Me quedé asombrada, realmente impresionada por la cantidad de servicios que ofrecen estas clínicas," dijo Dunlap. "Al participar y hacer voluntariado, veo lo valiosas que son estas clínicas; me parece increíble que podamos brindar este servicio." Asimismo, estas clínicas ofrecen un motivo de optimismo respecto al sistema de salud de Estados Unidos. "Al participar en la Clínica de la Mujer y en CUP en general, siento que realmente estoy marcando una diferencia; no me limito a estar frustrada con el sistema, sino que, a pequeña escala, contribuyo a mi comunidad y ayudo a garantizar que las personas puedan acceder a servicios de salud," afirmó Teeman, quien también cursa una maestría en salud pública. Recursos limitados, decisiones difíciles Al ser una clínica gratuita, CUP no puede abarcarlo todo. CUP depende de la financiación de la Facultad de Medicina de Tucson para cubrir gastos administrativos, así como de donaciones tanto en especie como monetarias que los estudiantes recaudan durante el año mediante eventos como ventas de repostería y carreras benéficas de 5 km. Dado que CUP es una organización estudiantil registrada en la ASUA, los estudiantes voluntarios pagan una cuota de 20 dólares destinada a suministros médicos, pruebas y análisis de laboratorio para los pacientes. Steidley señaló que contar con más fondos podría resolver muchas de las limitaciones de la clínica, desde organizar el transporte de los pacientes hasta solicitar una radiografía de tórax ante una tos preocupante o realizar una batería completa de análisis a alguien que no ha visto a un médico en 20 años, pero la clínica simplemente no dispone de los recursos necesarios para hacerlo todo. Reconocer estas limitaciones forma parte del proceso de aprendizaje de los estudiantes, quienes deben equilibrar la toma de decisiones basándose en lo estrictamente necesario para garantizar la atención del paciente, dentro de los límites de sus conocimientos y recursos disponibles. Cada año, CUP recibe una donación en especie valorada en $15,000 de Sonoran Quest Laboratories para cubrir los análisis de laboratorio. La clínica establece un límite de $100 por paciente y visita para estas pruebas, aunque se hacen excepciones en casos que requieren análisis urgentes. Una lista de las 12 clínicas CUP ofrecidas a través de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Arizona, que incluyen una clínica para mujeres, una clínica pediátrica y una clínica de salud mental, todas ellas dirigidas por estudiantes de medicina voluntarios. Aun con esas limitaciones, las necesidades que presentan los pacientes a menudo superan lo que la clínica puede ofrecer. "Al leer algunas de las razones por las que la gente necesita atención, me quedo impactada, porque son casos que tal vez deberían tratarse en servicios de urgencias," comentó Teeman. Dado que la clínica de salud femenina de CUP abre solo tres días al mes, en turnos de tres a cuatro horas, no puede ofrecer la misma continuidad en la atención que un proveedor de atención primaria con un consultorio abierto a diario y con un horario más extenso. "Queremos atender a más pacientes, pero tampoco podemos garantizar la continuidad de la atención que todos ellos podrían necesitar," señaló Steidley. A pesar de los recursos limitados, los responsables de CUP consideran que las clínicas benefician tanto a la comunidad como a los estudiantes de medicina, contribuyendo gradualmente a una mayor equidad en el acceso a la salud. "Más personas deberían conocer los recursos a su disposición; CUP es simplemente otro recurso comunitario que queremos que la gente perciba como accesible," afirmó Steidley. CUP enseña a los estudiantes que ser médico va más allá de acumular conocimientos sobre enfermedades y tratamientos, y que saber qué preguntas formular es tan importante como estudiar. Esas preguntas pueden no estar directamente relacionadas con el problema de salud del paciente, sino con aspectos generales de su vida, como el acceso a un transporte fiable. "Ser voluntario en estas clínicas de CUP permite ver el proceso, pero también conocer los distintos desafíos que, aunque están muy ligados a la medicina, no se aprenden explícitamente en los libros de texto. Creo que todo esto, sin duda, me convertirá en un mejor médico," comentó Dunlap. Diana Ramos es egresada de la Universidad de Arizona y reportera en El Foco de Tucson. Puede contactarla en diana@tucsonspotlight.org. 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/6a8726df2c5335ae10490809 Inertia Enterprises finds a way to make its fusion fuel fast te 2026-08-20T16:10:07.850Z Inertia Enterprises finds a way to make its fusion fuel fast Fusion power startup Inertia Enterprises reduced the fuel filling process from a week to just a few hours. It's one of ten hurdles the company must overcome to make a profitable power plant. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8726de2c5335ae10490800 Patreon launches 30 new creator features, including short-form Clips and revamped discovery te 2026-08-20T16:10:06.245Z Patreon launches 30 new creator features, including short-form Clips and revamped discovery Patreon is overhauling how creators get discovered, adding short-form Clips, topic-based communities, and a revamped recommendation system designed to give smaller creators more visibility. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8726dd2c5335ae104907f7 The 2026 Startup Battlefield 200 is here — see who made the cut te 2026-08-20T16:10:05.019Z The 2026 Startup Battlefield 200 is here — see who made the cut We’re thrilled to unveil the 2026 Startup Battlefield 200, our annual handpicked list of the 200 most promising early-stage startups from around the world. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8726db2c5335ae104907ee Meta brings Pocket, an app that lets you vibe-code and share games, to US users te 2026-08-20T16:10:03.287Z Meta brings Pocket, an app that lets you vibe-code and share games, to US users Meta is bringing Pocket, its experimental AI-powered app for creating and sharing interactive games, to users across the U.S. after quietly testing it in Brazil. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a87248c2c5335ae104907c0 Amazon just dropped this $190 Keurig coffee maker to $89 — its lowest price this year te 2026-08-20T16:00:12.725Z Amazon just dropped this $190 Keurig coffee maker to $89 — its lowest price this year Keurig coffee makers are popular, but they can be a bit pricey. Now is a good time to score one at its lowest price of the year. Originally $190, the bestselling Keurig K-Supreme Single Serve Coffee Maker is down to $89.99 — that's 53% off. Original price: $190 Price tracking data shows the Keurig K-Supreme reached its lowest price of the year in late-July and has sustained that year-long low until now. Based on its volatile price history, we anticipate this changing soon. With more than 10,000 sold in the past month, it's also a popular pick with Amazon shoppers. The Keurig K-Supreme is designed to extract more flavor and aroma from the brand's K-Cup pods compared to the K-Classic coffee maker. Upgraded features let you brew stronger coffee, make iced coffee and choose from multiple cup sizes. READ MORE: Amazon is selling a $190 Keurig for $89 — plus 11 more home deals at 40% off or more More than 31,000 Amazon reviews highlight the Keurig K-Supreme’s convenience, speed and brewing options. One reviewer purchased the K-Supreme to replace their 2013 Keurig coffee maker, calling it worth the upgrade and aesthetically pleasing: "I like how easy this machine is to use. Right out of the box there was little that needed to be done. Just remove [the] factory tape, plug it in and run a single water-only cycle and good to go… That was one of the best cups of coffee I've had." "My old Keurig died on me so I decided to go with this model… I love this thing," said another. "It's very quiet and keeps my coffee very hot. It's very easy to clean and I love the color combination. You could take this with you on a business trip or on vacation since it's easily portable." One reviewer praised the Keurig K-Supreme for its size and function: "Nice, compact, stylish and came with everything, including the water filter assembly and a filter." For more deals, visit www.foxnews.com/deals The main drawback shoppers noted is the relatively small reservoir. Holding 66 ounces of water, you'll need to fill it rather frequently if you drink multiple cups a day or use it in a shared space. Considering the compact design, however, it's a fair trade-off for more counter space. At $89.99, this Keurig K-Supreme is a solid pick for anyone who wants an easy-to-use coffee maker without paying the usual $190 price. Mueller 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker: $27.97 (44% off) Keurig K-Express Single Serve Coffee Maker: $69.99 (36% off) Nespresso Vertuo Next Coffee and Espresso Maker: $125 (31% off) Ninja Fresh Brew Coffee Maker: $69.99 (22% off) Cuisinart 12-Cup Coffee Maker: $128.49 (14% off) Black+Decker 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker: $31.97 (9% off) 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/6a8724852c5335ae104907a3 As Prince Harry and Meghan Depart California for the U.K., Their Neighbors Shrug te 2026-08-20T16:00:05.373Z As Prince Harry and Meghan Depart California for the U.K., Their Neighbors Shrug Prince Harry and Meghan Markle self exiled to the ultrawealthy enclave of Montecito in 2020. “They wave. They drive. They close the gates,” a neighbor said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8724822c5335ae10490782 There are less than 48 hours to save up to $300 on your TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 ticket  te 2026-08-20T16:00:02.550Z There are less than 48 hours to save up to $300 on your TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 ticket  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/6a8722312c5335ae1049075e Trump could face impeachment if Democrats seize House majority, GOP leader warns te 2026-08-20T15:50:09.398Z Trump could face impeachment if Democrats seize House majority, GOP leader warns A top House Republican is arguing that Democrats would upend work in Washington by impeaching President Donald Trump immediately if they win the majority in November. "Democrats aren't even being shy about it. They're telling you what they would do. I mean, they'll impeach the president day one," House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., told Fox News Digital. House Democrats successfully impeached Trump twice the last time they held the House majority, though both efforts failed to get him convicted by the Senate. PUSH TO OUST TRUMP EXPOSES CRACKS AMONG DEMOCRATS ON STRATEGY, TIMING Their party leaders have not openly called for impeaching Trump again if they win in November, but progressive lawmakers have already introduced a flurry of impeachment resolutions targeting both the president and his Cabinet. And while the Democratic establishment has not endorsed any impeachment efforts — and even went so far as to join Republicans in killing one on the House floor in June 2025 — Scalise and other Republicans are warning that it's the far left that will soon have the reins of the party. GOP LAWMAKER UNVEILS HISTORIC MOVE TO 'EXPUNGE' BOTH 'MALICIOUSLY FALSE' IMPEACHMENTS AGAINST TRUMP It comes after a wave of socialist insurgents toppled Democratic incumbents and establishment-backed candidates in primaries across the country. Republicans have seized on the turmoil, arguing their candidates and vulnerable incumbents are much closer to where Americans currently are than those leading the leftward shift on the other side. "These are tough members. And these are members who have been working with President Trump to make life more affordable for families all across America, running against socialists," Scalise said. "Socialists who wanna raise taxes, open the border back up again, bring criminals back in." SCALISE WARNS 'BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION' TAKING OVER DEM PARTY AFTER SOCIALIST PRIMARY WINS Citing part of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) policy platform, he said, "Defunding prisons? Where are those prisoners gonna go? You know, are they going to take them in their house? This is insane." "And we've got seats, by the way, we have a real chance to flip. You know, go look at [Gov. Paul] LePage in Maine, poised to flip a Democrat seat over to Republican," Scalise said. "We've got seats in Texas and Ohio and Florida — so many other places where we have an opportunity to flip seats from Democrat to Republican because people are rejecting this crazy extreme socialism on the left." Fox News Digital reached out to House Democrats' campaign arm for a response to Scalise's impeachment comments. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8722302c5335ae10490755 Clark Lea thought Vanderbilt had no shot at Jared Curtis — but the 5-Star 'misfit' chose to flip the script te 2026-08-20T15:50:08.557Z Clark Lea thought Vanderbilt had no shot at Jared Curtis — but the 5-Star 'misfit' chose to flip the script What if I told you that Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis took a different route in deciding where he wanted to play college football, with a school that put zero resources into recruiting him until one phone call changed the future for Clark Lea? And what would you think, as schools roll out the red carpet and do anything necessary to land a coveted prospect, if it was actually the player who recruited the school? A nonconventional recruitment, like the one that took place with Jared Curtis, is rare in this era of college athletics, especially when money is such a driving force in schools staking their claim to industry rankings. JAYDEN DANIELS WANTED ‘RESPECT’ FROM LSU. INSTEAD, HE STARTED AN UGLY FIGHT THAT WILL TARNISH HIS REPUTATION Whether it's private jet hours, parents securing houses, exotic cars or even schools offering real estate offerings to a recruit in the hopes of a signature, we entered uncharted waters over five years ago with the inception of NIL. But in the rare instance of the highly-touted quarterback's recruitment, money was the last thing discussed during a recruitment process that left those on West End, and college football, a bit stunned at how this all came together. It's one thing to just throw out an offer to a highly touted prospect to get your school's name on the list. It's another thing to actually find out that this potential five-star quarterback is sincerely interested in your school In fact, Lea was not going to waste his staff's time in pursuing a kid he knew there was no shot in landing. The reality for Vanderbilt was that in the grand scheme of things, even with all of the momentum created over the previous two years, Curtis was the prize recruit that seemed so far off their radar that inviting him out to practice was most likely the closest they'd get to having him around campus. "We really didn’t recruit Jared. Not that we wouldn’t have recruited him, but part of being effective is elimination. You don't wanna chase things that aren’t gonna happen," Lea mentioned earlier this summer to OutKick about Jared. "He came to a Tuesday practice the week we were playing Tennessee in 2024. PETE GOLDING DROPS UNFILTERED TRUTH ON 'EX' LANE KIFFIN, AND NCAA TAMPERING: 'WHAT HAVE WE CREATED? "That was really kind of it in terms of seeing him and interacting, and even on that day I don't know that I spent that much time with them, outside of sitting in the team meeting." All of this came during a time in which Curtis de-committed from Georgia, was lured to Oregon for a short time period, then re-committed to Georgia. All the while, Vanderbilt was still on the outside, not even thinking they had shot to get on his radar outside of a random appearance at practice like any other recruit. There might have been a visit to practice, but it wasn’t as if Vanderbilt was under the impression that the five-star quarterback who was garnering headlines due to his talent and subsequent recruiting process with Oregon and Georgia. But, what Vanderbilt would soon find out was that Curtis was not actually fully invested in leaving his city behind to play at Georgia. "I think the starting point really was about Jared being unsettled and trying to find a place he really felt great about I think he loved Oregon and loved Georgia. But, he was unsettled. We didn’t put much time and attention to it, we just focused on growing our program "He was paying attention, then kind of organically reached out and said 'I'd like to come and spend some time at practice," Lea recalled. COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS FINALLY BACK AFTER MONTHS OF NCAA LAWSUITS, NIL DRAMA AND CONGRESSIONAL FIGHT What turned into Jared showing up for a practice during Vanderbilt's bye week after losing to Alabama in 2025 blossomed into something the Commodores coaching staff did not see coming. It was actually Diego Pavia going to watch a friend of the family play high school football on a Friday night that had Vanderbilt coaches starting to change their tune, just a bit. Following that game, which had Pavia marveling at the talent of Curtis, a late-night phone call to his offensive coordinator Tim Beck put the wheels in motion for a story nobody in the high school football world thought was possible, especially those around the Georgia campus. "Diego goes to one of his games on a Friday night," Tim Beck recalled. "Diego calls me that night, and he says, 'Hey, man, you got to see this kid'. I go, 'Yeah, we know about him, we know about him, Diego'. He (Diego) didn't think we knew about him. It's like, 'yeah Diego, we know about him, but he's not interested in us, he's committed to Georgia'. And he goes, "Well, I talked to him. I think he's interested'." As for that next morning, after the late-night call from a stunned Pavia, Beck would come to find out that not only was Jared Curtis interested in the Commodores, he made it a priority to pay attention to what Vanderbilt was doing on the field. "He really didn't have a favorite team that he was. He really didn't have a favorite player that he watched," Beck told OutKick. "And so, I called Jared the next morning, on a Saturday morning, and I talked to him a little bit, and one of the first things i said is, 'Hey, I know you, you haven't been really been watching much ball, but I was just curious'. "And before I got through my sentence, he stopped me and said, 'Coach, I got to be honest with you, the only team I've watched this year has been Vanderbilt'." For Lea, running an authentic program, especially when it comes to recruiting, has always been at the forefront of his conversations with recruits. While some players are rightfully chasing the money, Vanderbilt's coach knew that there had to be more than just finances and merely getting along with Curtis. "There's something inauthentic about a full-court press when you haven’t had a relationship," Lea told OutKick. "I want to be authentic and genuine in the way we're presented. "So, my conversations with him were about 'Hey, I think this can be a really great thing for the both of us. Here’s the ways I think it benefits Vanderbilt, and here's the way I think it benefits you. I don't want you to do it unless you believe in it wholeheartedly because this is going to be too hard'." There weren’t conversations that started about how much it would take from a financial standpoint to land Curtis. In reality, there was still hesitation from those within the Vanderbilt stratosphere to even engage with Jared's NIL rep, Peter Webb. COLLEGE FOOTBALL COACHES ON HOT SEAT: BILL BELICHICK, MIKE NORVELL AND OTHERS FACING MAKE-OR-BREAK 2026 But, if Vanderbilt was going to swim in the deep end of the pool related to NIL in college football with such a highly-touted prospect, they had to dive head first. So, when noted attorney Ryan Downton and his highly regarded, successful wife, Pearl Downton, decided it was time to invest their time into the NIL space of college athletics, they needed to know Curtis was first making the decision to attend Vanderbilt for the right reasons. There were no monetary offers when the quarterback started to engage with Vanderbilt on a more consistent basis, which came when the Commodores hosted Missouri last season, which also brought "College Gameday" come to town. In fact, the Downtons had not even thought about starting an NIL IP entity that could help Vanderbilt athletes, even though they were fully-engaged as donors and fans of the program. But, once they knew this wasn’t just a ploy from Curtis to drive up the price and that the five-star actually wanted to stay in Nashville to create his own legacy like the one he was witnessing Pavia put a bow on, it was time for the family to start making calls. First, it was Jay Cutler, who just happened to be their next door neighbor. Once the former Vanderbilt quarterback was in, then it was time to call noted Nashvillian Nate Bargatze. It just so happened that Bargatze was already in, having mentioned on "College Gameday" that Curtis would be invited to have a small role in a movie he was starring in. Add in Vanderbilt graduate Griffin Perry, who is the co-founder and senior adviser at Grey Rock Investment Partners, along with being the co-founder at Fermi America, the Commodores have plenty of financial resources to play the NIL game in college athletics. But, this wasn’t some wild offer to persuade a high school kid to attend Vanderbilt. This was a group of dedicated fans who were trying to do their part in helping Lea continue growing the Vanderbilt football program. It's different on West End. There is a newfound sense of pride within the city of Nashville, thanks to what Clark Lea is doing, along with a quarterback in Pavia who drew the attention of college football fans across the country. Now, whether you liked his antics is another story. But to those who have been praying for times like these, they were all-in with their unwavering support. OLE MISS FILES LAWSUITS AGAINST COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYERS WHO LEFT FOR LANE KIFFIN'S LSU After representing Pavia in his lawsuit against the NCAA to gain an additional year of eligibility, the Downtons decided it was time to once again pull together the support needed to make sure Vanderbilt was in a great position for the future. A FaceTime conversation with Bargatze while on a jet to watch Vanderbilt take on Tennessee in Knoxville, followed by meetings with Jared Curtis' NIL representative Peter Webb, all led to Vanderbilt pulling off the 'heist' that had folks at Georgia scratching their heads. And while there will be folks who think a multiyear contract worth $10 million was the sole reason why Jared Curtis decided to stay home and play for Vanderbilt, it actually had nothing to do with money. Sure, one of the top players in the country is going to garner a very large financial offer, that's a given. But, having an athlete make a decision on their own, without the family trying to play such a large part in the recruitment is becoming rarer by the day. In college athletics, the schools are recruiting the family sometimes harder than the actual player, which obviously puts the athlete in a rather awkward position of not wanting to disappoint those closest to them. "He's gotta wanna come here. We were not going to chase after him..Jared had to decide, on his own," Tsunami Dores' CEO Pearl Downton told OutKick. "I don't think it was a way he had ever been recruited before (in the process). He has to decide he wants to come to Vanderbilt, and he's gotta decide that he's a misfit "In terms of being a misfit, there's nothing more misfit than turning down one of the top programs in the country to come to Vanderbilt." The opportunity to play at Georgia was obviously enticing, and almost happened. But, Jared Curtis saw what was continuing to be built on West End. He wanted the opportunity to try and help Lea continue building on the foundation laid by those that came before him, which at his position were players like Cutler and Pavia. Success won't happen overnight. Who knows, it might not ever happen for Curtis. Nobody can predict the future, and he's an 18-year-old athlete. But like many others have mentioned to me over the past seven months since he chose to wear a Commodores jersey, Curtis decided where HE wanted to attend college and continue his career. The money was going to be there at any school he chose. But now, Curtis gets to continue building upon the No. 2 jersey that was worn by Pavia. "I think it's absolutely unique in terms of a recruiting process ... I've really enjoyed that person. He's a good kid. Humble, modest, hard working, simple," Lea said. "He's a really good representation of who we are." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a871fde2c5335ae104906d9 Raiders vs Texans and 49ers vs Chargers highlight NFL preseason slate with key quarterback matchups te 2026-08-20T15:40:14.149Z Raiders vs Texans and 49ers vs Chargers highlight NFL preseason slate with key quarterback matchups We are less than three weeks away now from the start of the NFL season, and until we get there, we have to settle for some preseason action. I don't bet a ton of these, but there are some opportunities for us to grab some cash. Game plans are discussed, personnel is announced, and coaches openly (most of the time) share who will play in the game and for how long. That doesn't always mean anything, but it does at least give us a bit more information. We have two games on the slate tonight, and I think it is worth putting a bet on both. On the surface, these are two very different teams. The Raiders come in searching for a path to the postseason after years of missing out and having dysfunctional teams. They owned the No. 1 draft pick and took Fernando Mendoza in the draft. He looked really sharp in his preseason game. A couple of the throws that he had were absolute darts. He went 10-for-16 overall for 97 yards and a touchdown. He scrambled a bit as well, running twice for six yards. Aidan O'Connell got the remainder of the work, throwing 13 times. Kirk Cousins was the first quarterback for the team, and he looked excellent in his work, going 5-for-6 for 50 yards and a touchdown. This Raiders offense looks like it could be dynamic this season. RAIDERS' NO. 1 PICK FERNANDO MENDOZA WILL GET 'PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE' IN PRESEASON DEBUT THURSDAY However, they are going against a team that went to the postseason last year and has one of the best defenses in all of football. I like the Houston Texans, but they really didn't do anything to address their biggest need, their offensive line. PFF has them ranked at 27th coming into this year. Meanwhile, the defensive line is ranked second. The lines may not matter all that much here, as head coach DeMeco Ryans has said most of his starters will rest tonight. That means we won't see CJ Stroud for the second straight game. Davis Mills has been solid in relief, and I think he should be good again. I wouldn't be shocked to see this being a bit lower scoring. The Raiders haven't announced much about their starters. They are missing a few key players, and that might slow the offense a bit. Couple that with going against a tough defense, and I think this will be a lower-scoring game. I will stay away from the under, because even in preseason, there isn't much room for error here. Instead, I'm banking on the Raiders in the first half of the game. I'll take them to be in the lead at halftime. I think their combination of quarterbacks should be able to make more progress than what the Texans have to offer. HOUSTON TEXANS' 2025 WIN TOTAL SET AT 9.5 AS CJ STROUD FACES QUESTIONS ABOUT OFFENSIVE LINE Both coaches gave us a little bit of help in this game. For the Chargers, we know that Justin Herbert and the first-team will get some time on the field. I personally like this, as he should get used to Mike McDonald's schemes. The Chargers have plenty of talent and should make some progress down the field. After Herbert is out, expect to see Trey Lance and DJ Uiagalelei taking snaps. Lance was fine in his action, but Uiagalelei looked strong in his time on the field. 49ERS BRING BACK DEEBO SAMUEL TO FILL VOID LEFT BY RICKY PEARSALL'S KNEE INJURY: REPORT STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW! The 49ers are also going to have their starters get some snaps tonight. Brock Purdy will be on the field, but a lot of other guys won't be out there. Christian McCaffrey, for example, is nursing an injury, so that dynamic player will be gone from the backfield. Instead, they will give most of the action to Kaelon Black. Expect them to have a lot of action from their draft picks. Adrian Martinez is likely to get the majority of snaps, as he did in the first game. They asked him to throw 30 times, but I don't expect that to happen again. I think this is a game we see a bit more action, but you have two strong defenses on the field. In a game like this, I think we have some tightly contested play. We should have one drive from both clubs, with a second likely going into the second quarter. I like the first quarter tie at +285 as the action for this. I think it is worth taking a small shot at it. For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a871fdc2c5335ae104906d0 Family checks Las Vegas morgues in desperate search for missing New York grandmother te 2026-08-20T15:40:12.059Z Family checks Las Vegas morgues in desperate search for missing New York grandmother The daughter of a New York grandmother who vanished while visiting Las Vegas nearly two weeks ago has traveled across the country to search for her mother, checking hospitals and morgues as the family grows increasingly desperate for answers. Alisa Goods, a 63-year-old grandmother of five, was reported missing Aug. 10, two days after she was last seen while visiting a longtime friend in Las Vegas, according to her family. "We have checked hospitals," Goods’ daughter, Kristen Goods, told FOX5 Vegas. "We have checked morgues." SEARCH UNDERWAY FOR AUSTRALIAN WOMAN WHO VANISHED AFTER SENDING MESSAGE ABOUT GOING FOR A HIKE NEAR LAS VEGAS Kristen traveled from New Jersey to Nevada to help search for her mother. "I’m extremely worried," she told the station. Goods had been staying with Roger John, a friend of about 20 years whom she had visited in Las Vegas many times before, according to her family. John previously told KLAS-TV that Goods left his apartment around 12:45 p.m. Aug. 8 to take a bus to a nearby CVS to go shopping. "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. Goods' family told FOX5 she was later seen at a store near Paradise and Flamingo roads, where she bought supplements and water. Kristen said she did not personally see the CVS surveillance video but spoke with the store manager about her mother's visit. "I did not see the CVS footage myself, but I was privy to some of the footage," Kristen said. "By talking to the CVS manager that she was there." Goods never returned to her friend's home after the shopping trip. 'WONDERFUL' CA NURSE AND MOTHER VANISHES AFTER GOING TO CASINO, CAR FOUND ABANDONED AT MOUNTAIN PARK: FAMILY John notified Goods' family that evening and filed a missing person report two days later, according to FOX5. The family said they initially had questions about John but stressed that police do not consider him a suspect. "To us, he is not a threat, and he’s also been cleared by the police," Kristen told the station. "There isn’t anything to investigate in terms of his knowledge." Kristen said she is frustrated that surveillance cameras have not provided more clues about where her mother went. "I’m extremely frustrated because I would think that this town would have so much more surveillance because it’s such a bustling area," Kristen said. "I would think that there was a way for facial recognition to be able to locate someone." The family also does not believe Goods could have traveled far on foot. They said she recently underwent several leg surgeries that make it difficult for her to walk for long periods. Police searched within a 20-mile radius of where Goods was last seen, according to FOX5. Family members have also posted flyers throughout the area hoping someone will recognize her. Days after Goods disappeared, her family began receiving text messages from her phone asking for money and eventually Bitcoin. The family said it does not know who sent the messages or whether Goods still had her phone. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police told Fox News Digital on Wednesday that Goods' missing person case remained active and detectives had not found anything suspicious. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a871d812c5335ae10490674 Baltimore Ravens 2025 preview: Why the under 10.5 wins looks like the smart bet this season te 2026-08-20T15:30:09.976Z Baltimore Ravens 2025 preview: Why the under 10.5 wins looks like the smart bet this season With pretty much anything in life, there will be change. In sports, five years can feel like an eternity. John Harbaugh lasted for almost 20 years at the helm of the Ravens, so it feels more than a little strange to realize he is no longer calling the shots in Baltimore. Perhaps it was what the team needed after a disaster of an ending to last year. One kick can change a lot for a person and a franchise. Imagine for a second if Adam Vinitieri missed those field goals in the Super Bowl. With a chance for the postseason on the line, the Ravens had a solid return to set themselves up with a shot for stealing the lead back from Pittsburgh. On a fourth-and-7, Lamar Jackson hit Isaiah Likely for 26 yards. It gave them new life and put them at about a 44-yard field goal attempt. Tyler Loop lined up and missed the field goal, sending Pittsburgh to the postseason and Harbaugh to an exit from the franchise. The team ended with an 8-9 record and went home instead of going to the playoffs, where they would’ve had a good chance to keep advancing. Sure, not everything can be blamed on one game, but this was clearly the one that made the biggest difference. The biggest change for the team was obviously its head coach. The Ravens are now led by Jesse Minter, who has Harbaugh ties, having been the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers and the Michigan Wolverines, both coached by John's brother Jim. The Ravens also tried to make a push for Maxx Crosby this offseason, but the trade was nixed, and Crosby went back to the Raiders. Instead, they stole a rusher away from a division rival, getting Trey Hendrickson. They also lost their tight end Likely and rusher Dre’Mont Jones. They did lose their center as well, so there are a number of changes that the Ravens will need to adjust to. RAVENS COACH LAYS CHALLENGE TO DIEGO PAVIA AFTER TEAM SIGNED HIM AS UNDRAFTED FREE AGENT SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS The success and failure of the Ravens, like almost any team, will fall on the quarterback, Lamar Jackson. Despite all of the regular season success, Jackson still hasn’t found it in the postseason, and it will be a knock on him until he does. The offense really shouldn’t be a problem considering the team has Jackson, Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers, and Mark Andrews. I’m a bit concerned about the offensive line. Any time you replace a center, it can be an issue. The defense should’ve improved a bit in the offseason, and if Minter can get the most out of that unit, it could be a good season in Baltimore. STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW! The Ravens have a win total of 11.5 for the season. I don’t see it. I’m looking at the schedule, and even if I’m trying to be optimistic about everything, I think they win fewer than 10 games. I’d be happier to place a bet on under 9.5 games at +220 than I would be to take under 11.5 games. Maybe a happy medium is under 10.5 games at +125. The Ravens are typically good in the regular season, but I think they take a step back this year. Give me the under 10.5 and even the 9.5. For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a871b2b2c5335ae10490623 Lost city in area tied to biblical Exodus may have finally been discovered in Egypt te 2026-08-20T15:20:11.093Z Lost city in area tied to biblical Exodus may have finally been discovered in Egypt Archaeologists in Egypt have uncovered new evidence that could help pinpoint a long-lost ancient city along a military route, with possible ties to the biblical Exodus. The discovery was announced by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities on August 15. The excavation centered on Tell Abu Seifi, an ancient fortified site in northeastern Egypt near the Sinai Peninsula that archaeologists believe may be the long-lost city of Mesen. ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNCOVER MYSTERIOUS FACE HIDDEN FOR CENTURIES IN BOOK OF REVELATION CITY The site once stood along the Horus Military Road, a strategic route connecting Egypt with Sinai and Canaan, which some scholars have linked to the "way of the land of the Philistines" in the Book of Exodus. As Exodus details, the Israelites fled Egypt under Moses but were led away from the more direct route through the land of the Philistines, despite it being the shorter path toward Canaan. In a translated statement, officials said archaeologists found a massive sandstone lintel, or stone beam, bearing the titles of Ramesses II, the pharaoh often associated with Moses. Ramesses II, born around 1303 B.C., is considered one of the most influential and powerful Egyptian rulers of the New Kingdom era. He died in roughly 1213 B.C., placing the newly uncovered beam at more than 3,000 years old. The lintel also bears an inscription referring to the restoration of a statue of Horus, described as "Lord of the City of Mesen." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Officials said the inscription strengthens the theory that Tell Abu Seifi may be the site of Mesen, which had been mentioned in texts dating to the New Kingdom. Archaeologists also unearthed the remains of a fortified temple complex, including a mudbrick enclosure wall and gates, along with storage rooms and two ancient stone roads leading into the temple. The new evidence "presents a strong archaeological and historical hypothesis linking the site to the ancient Egyptian city of Mesen," the statement read. "However, excavation and scientific study remain ongoing in the search for further evidence that could definitively settle the question," officials said. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ The site continued to evolve long after the temple was built, with parts of it converted into a Roman military barracks during the third century A.D. Archaeologists also uncovered fragments of falcon statues and other sculptures. In a statement, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy said the findings "represent an important addition to the ministry’s efforts to uncover the history of archaeological sites in North Sinai and the Qantara region." CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS "The discoveries at the site highlight the strategic and cultural role the region played in protecting Egypt’s eastern borders throughout history," added Fathy. The latest discovery is one of several significant archaeological finds in Egypt this year with connections to Ramesses II and the biblical world. Earlier this spring, archaeologists in Egypt uncovered a massive statue believed to depict Ramesses II at the Tel Pharaoh site in the Nile Delta. Shortly after, archaeologists uncovered an ancient settlement at Tell el-Koua in Wadi Tumilat, a region that has long been linked to debates over the setting of the biblical Exodus. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a871b2a2c5335ae10490606 FBI seizes Swalwell’s devices at airport as sexual misconduct investigation escalates: sources te 2026-08-20T15:20:10.133Z FBI seizes Swalwell’s devices at airport as sexual misconduct investigation escalates: sources The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) seized disgraced congressman and former California gubernatorial candidate Eric Swalwell's electronic devices at San Francisco International Airport on Saturday night, two sources familiar with the incident confirmed to Fox News Digital. Swalwell's home in Washington, D.C. was subsequently searched on Sunday, a source said. DOJ OPENS INVESTIGATION INTO ERIC SWALWELL OVER SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS The devices seized included at least one cell phone. The devices were taken from the ex-lawmaker related to a probe into sexual misconduct, according to the sources. He was not arrested or detained. Fox News Digital reached out to Swalwell's attorney. This is a breaking news story and will be updated. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8718d12c5335ae104905ae Blue-city drug gear exposes hypocrisy as cleanup group faces probe, leader cries foul te 2026-08-20T15:10:09.811Z Blue-city drug gear exposes hypocrisy as cleanup group faces probe, leader cries foul The founder of a Seattle nonprofit that cleans up discarded drug paraphernalia distributed through city and county harm reduction programs says she was stunned to learn her organization is now under state investigation over how it handles those same supplies. Andrea Suarez is the founder of We Heart Seattle. She rallies volunteers to pick up and dispose of needles, smoking supplies such as pipes and foil, and other drug-use items distributed through King County "harm reduction" programs. Critics argue the policies can enable continued drug use rather than moving people toward treatment and recovery. "One of the biggest advocacy work I have done is that I go to the needle exchange and I get what they call the 'party kit,' and I demonstrated that our King County 'Health' Department is handing out cookers and tourniquets and glass pipes an paraphernalia to do drugs," Suarez told Fox News Digital. "I was referring to this 'party kit' as a 'suicide kit' with very little, if no information on where to get medical detox." SEATTLE CLEANED UP FOR THE WORLD CUP BUT ONLY WHILE THE WORLD WAS WATCHING, COMMENTATOR SAYS Suarez has been working on her mission of cleaner streets, parks and playgrounds for seven years, and We Heart Seattle has logged more than 50,000 hours of volunteer service. Founded in 2020 as a solo operation, Suarez has built an army of hundreds of volunteers over the past six-and-a-half years. The group is now facing a state workplace-safety investigation, which Suarez says is its first government probe. We Heart Seattle is under investigation by the Washington Department of Labor & Industries following a complaint alleging "improper handling and collection of hypodermic needles and fentanyl paraphernalia," according to documents sent to Suarez from the Washington Department of Labor & Industries and viewed by Fox News Digital. SEATTLE MAYOR GRILLED ON PUBLIC SAFETY CRISIS AS RESIDENTS DEMAND ANSWERS Suarez denied wrongdoing and said the group uses gloves, grabbers and sharps-disposal procedures, while pointing to safety guidance posted on We Heart Seattle’s website. That plan includes guiding supporters on what to wear to protect themselves from potential hazards, including wearing long pants and sleeves and closed-toed boots. The website also provides guidance for volunteers to stay safe while picking up debris. Suarez argued there is a double standard in the state scrutinizing how her group handles discarded drug-use supplies while local harm reduction programs distribute some of the same types of materials. SEATTLE MAYOR SAYS SOBRIETY WON'T BE REQUIRED AT NEW HOMELESS SHELTER "We have been out here for ... going on seven years every day, every weekend we're out there picking up needles and trash. And for my 'thank you' letter from the government, it was this letter saying, 'you're under investigation for allegedly improperly handling this very equipment that they hand out with no instructions." Suarez said that after learning of the investigation, she visited a harm reduction site and asked for specific guidance on handling "fentanyl foil" and other dangerous drug supplies, but said staff did not provide her with such instructions. The Washington Department of Labor & Industries told Fox News Digital that the investigation stems from a complaint made by someone outside of the organization. TAXPAYER-FUNDED 'METH MANSION' UNDER FIRE AS CRIME CONCERNS MOUNT AROUND HOMELESS CAMPUS Spokesman Matt Ross said inspections can take up to six months, and that once complete, the results are made available to the public. He said there's a related probe into a temporary staffing agency, but declined to provide specifics. "Inspectors may issue violations if an organization isn’t meeting those requirements, and may also issue violations for other safety hazards they observe in the course of an inspection," he said. "The inspectors also work with the organizations on the best way to address the hazards they find. Potential penalties will depend on the specifics of the violations." Suarez criticized state and local harm reduction policies, arguing they contribute to the conditions her volunteers are cleaning up. SOCIALIST MAYOR KATIE WILSON SILENT AMID PROTESTS OVER ‘HUMAN DUMPING GROUND’ AHEAD OF US WORLD CUP MATCH "You have to look at the optics of a state, a county, a city level that allows people to openly use lethal and illegal narcotics like methamphetamines and fentanyl, and they give you the paraphernalia to use those drugs on our taxpayer dime, to use in public spaces with no consequences ... and then I'm over hear trying to manage the problem, clean up our dog parks, clean up our children's merry-go-rounds, ensuring our playgrounds don't have needles and foil sticking up through the grass, and I'm the one under investigation," said Suarez. "The optics are egregious," she said. She also painted a gruesome picture of life in Seattle's public spaces. SEATTLE SENIORS BEG CITY FOR HELP AS ‘ABSOLUTE ANARCHY’ ERUPTS OUTSIDE LGBTQ HOUSING COMPLEX "I think I'm going to go after the state to say, 'why aren't you training me before I go into our city library when there's drug addicts slumped over in all of the computer chairs, using our bathrooms, shooting drugs and leaving their paraphernalia all around the perimeter, putting me or my child or dog at risk of picking something up and getting a blood borne pathogen infection of sorts,' right?" she said. "So this whole city is a blood borne pathogen risk for everybody. I think that's why people don't go to these public places anymore, and they really frankly have been overtaken by drug users." Suarez said she plans to look into whether her group was unfairly targeted. She described herself as relatively apolitical before starting the nonprofit, but said its cleanup work has increasingly drawn the organization into political disputes over Seattle’s drug and homelessness policies. King County defended its harm reduction approach, saying it is intended to reduce overdoses while connecting people with treatment and other services. "The influx of fentanyl led to a sharp rise in fatal overdoses across the U.S and in King County. Our comprehensive approach to overdose response and recovery focuses on getting more people into treatment and preventing more overdoses," spokesperson Sharon Bogan said, adding that the county saw a "promising overall decline in overdoses" of 32% between 2023 and 2025. Representatives form the city of Seattle did not return a request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8718cb2c5335ae10490592 State Dept. Declares U.S. Citizen in China Wrongfully Detained te 2026-08-20T15:10:03.166Z State Dept. Declares U.S. Citizen in China Wrongfully Detained U Min Zin, a scholar who studied Myanmar, is one of two U.S. citizens the department has designated as wrongfully detained in China. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8716872c5335ae10490553 Dem’s ‘sexist’ remark against cancer survivor provokes Republican to go scorched earth: ‘Guy’s got a problem’ te 2026-08-20T15:00:23.217Z Dem’s ‘sexist’ remark against cancer survivor provokes Republican to go scorched earth: ‘Guy’s got a problem’ Republican U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Mike Collins is going scorched earth, accusing his Democratic opponent Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., of making a "sexist" and "misogynist" viral remark involving a female cancer survivor working in the Trump White House. Ossoff, a 39-year-old freshman senator running for re-election in Georgia, drew criticism after making a remark about White House aide Natalie Harp during an Atlanta campaign rally Sunday. Ossoff suggested that President Donald Trump has been neglecting his duties, saying, "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." Though the comment earned immediate cheers from the crowd, conservatives criticized it as sexist and defended the 35-year-old aide as simply doing her job. Ossoff sought to clarify his remarks Monday, saying, "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." In an interview with Fox News Digital, Collins criticized Ossoff’s remarks. "It's sexist, misogynist. This guy has a problem, the way he has treated women, and it's all coming out in the open now." JON OSSOFF DODGES ON WHY HE INVOKED TRUMP AIDE'S NAME DURING GEORGIA CAMPAIGN RALLY Collins said Ossoff’s remarks about Harp reinforced his concerns about how the senator views women. "with what he said about Natalie is just one more nail in the coffin on how this guy actually feels about women," said Collins. "When he will say that about someone who is out there doing a fantastic job and to suggest those types of things. Yeah, he owes not only her an apology, but the American people an apology." Ossoff led the race in a July AARP poll, which showed him ahead by nine percentage points. Speaking with Fox News Digital, however, Collins emphasized that the polls "have been tightening" as remarks such as this have shown his "true colors." "There is a clear problem with him and females, and he needs to explain that. He needs to tell us why he is attacking a young lady like Natalie Harp personally like that," he said. "I mean, what he is a trust-fund kid who's never had a job, who's out there denigrating women, and the vulgarity that he is insinuating and talking about- this young lady, Natalie Harp, who has overcome so many odds. It's just unbecoming." Harp rose to prominence in 2019 after crediting Trump’s Right to Try Act with helping her access experimental treatment for a rare bone cancer. She later joined Trump’s 2020 campaign and became a special assistant to the president. WHITE HOUSE TEARS INTO OSSOFF WITH BRUTAL TAKEDOWN AFTER JAB AT KEY TRUMP AIDE: ‘LIGHTWEIGHT LOSER’ She has earned the nickname the "human printer" in Trump's orbit, providing the president with printouts of news articles, emails, social media posts and other material. Collins defended Harp as someone who overcame the odds and "does a great job," adding that "there's a pattern here with this guy and it's out of control." "You can take that further. The fact that he wants to allow men to participate in girls' sports, the fact that he doesn't mind if they use women's restrooms, this guy's got a problem," he said, adding, "He can't even define a woman." Collins also said Democrats "are nothing but hypocrites when it comes to these types of issues." DSA’S GROWING GRIP ON DEM PARTY HITS NEW TERRITORY AS ESTABLISHMENT FALLS IN LINE SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER "For him to stand up there and denigrate her and to talk about her, this is nothing but him trying to make sure that he gets his social media-based platform raised and make sure he kind of tries to gin up the public out there." Fox News Digital reached out to Ossoff’s campaign for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8716842c5335ae10490542 Cities turn to AI to speed housing permitting te 2026-08-20T15:00:20.459Z Cities turn to AI to speed housing permitting (Photo by Getty Images) New housing projects can sometimes stall out as a developer applies to city or county planning boards and goes through cycles of inspections, reviews and approvals.  Now, cities are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to address one of the most persistent sources of housing permitting delays: incomplete applications. And two new streams of federal money aim to help them. AI can handle time-intensive tasks such as scanning applications and flagging errors. The aim, some city officials say, is to eliminate repeated rounds of corrections that can add weeks or months to the process — but to leave final decisions in the hands of human reviewers. The sweeping new federal housing law enacted last month creates an Innovation Fund with $200 million annually for local efforts to speed up permitting. And the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is offering up to $3 million in grants for local governments to deploy automated building code permitting systems. Syracuse, New York, applied for one of the HUD grants, along with cities across the country, including Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Mobile, Alabama; and Richland, Washington.  Vincent Scipione, chief information officer for Syracuse, told Stateline that if the city wins the grant, it would open up a competitive bidding process for vendors and ask them about two big topics: data governance and algorithm design. The city wants to install an AI system to assist developers to file more complete applications upfront thus reducing time needed for revisions. “Who owns the data that is being handled, and how is it being handled? That’s important,” Scipione told Stateline. “If it ends up being an AI-based solution, then algorithms that are involved and we need to ask what they are going to be handling?”  Large cities including Baltimore, Denver and Los Angeles have recently launched AI tools to streamline housing permitting, and smaller cities such as Everett, Washington; Lebanon, New Hampshire; and Naples, Florida, are following suit.   Texas’ Harris County, which includes Houston, this month put $750,000 toward an artificial intelligence program meant to speed up the permitting process for new construction projects. The Denver City Council voted in March to approve a five-year contract for an AI Guided Plan Review platform to reduce permitting backlogs, for around $4.6 million. A city official said only about 37% of applications are accepted on the first round, and the goal is to increase that to 80% with the new tool.  The lone dissenting vote — council member Flor Alvidrez — raised concerns about the inaccuracies of AI systems generally. She also said local architects and developers raised concerns with her that AI may not be ready to handle the complexity of zoning codes and site-specific conditions.  Matt Mudd, press secretary for Louisville, Kentucky, Mayor Craig Greenberg, told Stateline the city is testing an AI-assisted residential permitting system aimed at reducing delays caused by incomplete applications. The pilot uses property information, Geographic Information System (GIS) data and local permitting requirements to flag missing or incomplete information before an application reaches a reviewer, with early testing capable of reducing “avoidable” resubmissions by 50% or more, Mudd said. The project is in the testing phase with a small group of builders and has not yet launched publicly. Mudd said employees remain responsible for permit reviews and final decisions. CivCheck Honolulu was one of the first cities to introduce AI into its permitting process with a tool called CivCheck. That program examines building permit applications to check applications against local codes and bylaws, flag missing information and guide applications through corrections.  Dawn Takeuchi Apuna, director of the city and county of Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting, said the better the quality and completeness of the applications, the better and faster the department’s review. Prior to agreeing to work with CivCheck, Takeuchi Apuna said, city officials made sure the vendor knew that they weren’t looking to replace staff. She wanted AI to replace time spent by city planners reading incomplete applications and sending them back, and free them up for more face-to-face meetings with developers. The rollout of Honolulu’s overhaul of its decades-old permitting process, which included a cloud-based platform called HNL Build as well as CivCheck, wasn’t entirely smooth, however. An anonymous survey of more than 150 employees — half the staff — in the weeks after HNL Build launched provided almost universally negative feedback and many urged  a return to the old system, the Honolulu Civil Beat reported.   The median wait time to obtain a new building permit dropped to 2.5 months from August through April — a 40% decrease compared with the same period a year earlier, a Civil Beat review found. So far, Honolulu has reported that CivCheck pre-screening has dropped permit reviews from an average of 3.4 review cycles per application to 1.4 cycles for single- and two-family residential projects. A single review cycle is the time spent by a planner examining a permit application, identifying problems or incomplete information, sending it back to the applicant for corrections, and then reviewing the revised application.  CivCheck applications averaged 7.7 corrections, compared with 23.5 corrections for applications that did not use CivCheck, and the average time an applicant spent going through the city’s permitting process decreased from 73 days to 32.5 days, both officials from the city and county of Honolulu and CivCheck told Stateline. “We want to get back to just the face-to-face and the more complex part of the review,” Takeuchi Apuna said.  She added that AI “doesn’t necessarily catch or know how to make the decision on” the grayer areas of a project — where a proposal might meet basic requirements on paper but have unusual site conditions or neighborhood impacts — while a planner knows the context and ambiguities to determine how a rule or code applies.   Seattle also crunched the numbers during its pilot of CivCheck and found it was 87% accurate on application completeness checks and 92% accurate on design-compliance checks. CivCheck showed an approximate 50% reduction in average days for intake review of permits and a 35% reduction in correction cycles per review. However, Seattle officials noted in their reports that while CivCheck showed promise, the city was not ready to adopt it fully. As of its June 2026 report, the city was still exploring funding and logistical support for tools such as CivCheck.  CivCheck told Stateline it was working with more than 20 cities, ranging from pilot projects to full implementation.  “When you can remove three, four or five review cycles of feedback and turn that into one review cycle, that’s where you start to see material improvements in permit turnaround times,” said Cyrus Symoom, co-CEO of Clariti Software, a community development and permitting solutions provider that acquired CivCheck.  Their tool, Symoom said, is solely to be used as a fact-checker but isn’t meant to replace or take the place of human decision making on permits. Ultimately, if a mistake is made, it’s up to the planner to properly vet that information. “If you’re just gonna take the existing (permitting) process and bring it digital without an idea of what part of the process you want to fix, you’re not gonna see any real change,” he said.  A two-way street Zhenia Dulko, a planner and researcher with the educational and membership organization American Planning Association, said that group has identified more than 70 state and local cases of AI being used across planning functions, including 13 for zoning and development.  While automation can take technical and onerous work off planners’ plates, Dulko believes  it allows planners more time for the work AI cannot perform such as talking to residents, connecting stakeholders to projects and front-facing public engagement.  “AI will help speed up some of this work but there’s a lot of this planning work that doesn’t need AI because humans want to talk to humans about their ideas and visions, and find a way to finish that project.” Dulko said planners also consider factors such as the surrounding community, inclusion and equity goals that may be harder for an automated system to replicate. “Efficiency in terms of numbers is important but in terms of time it’s even more important,” Dulko said. “But we just should not miss these very other important things. We should remember that this is just one part of the permitting equation.”  An August 2026 Journal of Urban Economics paper looked at Los Angeles data on development timelines for all multifamily housing projects permitted by the city between 2010 and 2022. The analysis estimated that reducing approval times by 25% could have increased the rate of housing production by almost 24%, if the researchers accounted for both already-started projects that would have been finished sooner and the effect of incentivizing new development.  But some city officials caution that while AI can help speed the permitting process, applicants are responsible for some of the delays. “I think a lot of people assume that it’s all on the local permitting agencies, and think we’re this big black box that no one can figure out what we’re doing and that we’re just sitting on applications,” said Takeuchi Apuna. “It’s important to educate people and let them know that the applicant plays a major role. CivCheck helps address that role, but permitting is really a back-and-forth process. Applicants account for at least 50% of that whole dance and the actual review time.” Saf Rabah, CEO and founder of Govstream.ai, an AI tool that has contracted with Louisville and Bellevue, Washington, says the permitting process is a two-way street that relies on both city and developer. He said the process could use more guidance from cities to help applicants who may not be well-versed with building permitting. “A lot of people end up applying for the wrong permit and go down this rabbit hole when they upload their plans. There is no validation. There is no guidance. There is literally nothing. It is a minefield of ‘gotchas’ in front of a builder,” said Rabah.  Stateline reporter Robbie Sequeira can be reached at rsequeira@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/6a8714232c5335ae104904ef Scorpions return to gridiron on Friday  te 2026-08-20T14:50:11.897Z Scorpions return to gridiron on Friday  Sedona Red Rock High School’s football team ready to sting in its second year back on the field  On Friday, Aug. 21, at 7 p.m. the reborn Scorpions football team kicks off its second year back at Sedona Red Rock High School with eight-man football in the 1A North against the Centurions of Cicero Pre Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8714222c5335ae104904cf Colton Burpo describes meeting Jesus and hearing angels sing during near-death experience te 2026-08-20T14:50:10.563Z Colton Burpo describes meeting Jesus and hearing angels sing during near-death experience What happens after we die remains one of humanity's most enduring questions, but one man who came perilously close to death says he caught a glimpse of what lies beyond and returned to tell the story. "I had a ruptured appendix for five days before doctors caught it, and when I was in that emergency surgery, I lifted out of my body and I looked down and I could see the doctors — they were working on me," Colton Burpo, the central figure behind "Heaven Is for Real," told the "Hang Out with Sean Hannity" podcast. Burpo was just three years old when the medical emergency landed him on the operating table. 'BLIND SIDE' STAR QUINTON AARON SAYS HE 'SAW JESUS' WHILE IN A COMA AFTER NEAR-FATAL STROKE What he says happened during the surgery would later inspire a bestselling book and major motion picture. Seated with Hannity, researcher John Burke and fellow near-death experience survivor Randy Kay, Burpo recalled watching the operation from outside his body and seeing his parents in separate rooms. "My mom, she was in one room, she talking on the phone, praying with people. My dad, he was in another room, and he was praying very loudly at God," Burpo said. Then he found himself somewhere else entirely. "I was sitting on Jesus's lap, so I wasn't in heaven yet, but I was with Jesus, and he had some angels sing to me to calm me down," he recalled. COUNTRY SINGER DRAKE WHITE DESCRIBES ‘GUNSHOT’ MOMENT HIS BRAIN RUPTURED MID-CONCERT: ‘I KNEW I WAS DYING’ Though Burpo recounted the angels singing songs familiar to his frightened 3-year-old-self, including "Jesus Loves Me" and "Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho," one of his requests apparently didn't make the heavenly playlist. "I did request for them to sing 'We Will Rock You' by Queen. That is accurate," he shared, earning laughter from the group. "I was told no, so I'll just have to listen to Queen on this side of heaven." Burpo also recalled meeting a sister who he says died in a miscarriage before he was born — and whose existence he said he had never been told about — while describing his memories of encountering God the Father. The wide-ranging conversation also touched on Kay's account of surviving seven pulmonary embolisms and witnessing prayers ascend to God, as well as Burke's research into dozens of recurring similarities across thousands of near-death experiences — including accounts from blind people who reported being able to see. To catch the full conversation, look for the latest episode of "Hang Out with Sean Hannity" on iHeart, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other major podcast platforms. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8714212c5335ae104904c6 Longtime ESPN reporter Holly Rowe openly weeps before WNBA game and Caitlin Clark is to blame te 2026-08-20T14:50:09.827Z Longtime ESPN reporter Holly Rowe openly weeps before WNBA game and Caitlin Clark is to blame Longtime ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe couldn't contain herself during Tuesday's Indiana Fever-Toronto Tempo game in Canada. And it had nothing to do with the game itself. In fact, it all went down before the game tipped off. Rowe, a fierce advocate for women's sports and the WNBA, filmed her emotional reaction to the sold-out arena before the game started. The nearly minute-long video featured crowd shots and a crying Rowe as she soaked it all in. CAITLIN CLARK KEEPS DELIVERING RECORD WNBA VIEWERSHIP AS FEVER TOP 1 MILLION VIEWERS YET AGAIN "I'm trying to work a basketball game tonight," she started before covering her mouth as she was overcome with emotion. "But I keep crying because look at what they have built. I literally cannot quit crying to do my job right now. I mean, we have 19,000 people coming tonight to watch women's basketball and I'm just so proud. "I'm just really proud." What a moment for Holly Rowe! Was it a little odd that her first instinct during this groundbreaking moment was to hit record and turn the camera to herself for 30 seconds while she cried? Sure. No argument there. It certainly wouldn't have been my first move. CAITLIN CLARK HELPS WNBA SHATTER ANOTHER TV RATINGS RECORD AS FEVER-DREAM DRAWS MASSIVE AUDIENCE But this is 2026, folks. This is how the world operates. Look, it's fine. Holly Rowe has been around forever, and she's very clearly passionate about women's basketball and the WNBA. She did leave out a pretty important detail though ... Caitlin Clark was in town for the first time. Sophie Cunningham was in town for the first time. The Indiana Fever are basically the Harlem Globetrotters at this point in terms of fan interest. If ESPN could, they'd put them on TV every single night. They basically do. Tuesday's game against the Fever was moved to the larger Scotiabank Arena to accommodate demand for tickets. That's called the Caitlin Clark effect, and it's been happening for years now in the WNBA. It happened with six teams last year alone, and Clark missed a good portion of the season. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS So, no, this wasn't an unusual occurrence. Add in all the drama surrounding Sophie Cunningham right now, and it's only heightened. STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW! Does it take away from the scene? No. Cunningham herself said Tuesday's crowd was awesome, despite all the booing. But does the scene deserve a little context? Probably. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8711c82c5335ae10490463 Boater's stunt to awaken sleeping polar bear backfires after brazen horn blast te 2026-08-20T14:40:08.256Z Boater's stunt to awaken sleeping polar bear backfires after brazen horn blast A boater in Norway was hit with a hefty fine after intentionally using a ship's horn to wake a sleeping polar bear. The incident happened this month while a boat was traveling in Lomfjorden in the Svalbard archipelago, according to a statement from the Governor of Svalbard. Those aboard the vessel spotted a polar bear sleeping on land before one person sounded the ship's horn — causing the animal to awaken and move elsewhere, officials said. YELLOWSTONE BISON ATTACK WITNESS BELIEVES MAN SAVED HIS GRANDSON BY TAKING BRUNT OF ATTACK Other people aboard the vessel later reported the incident to the governor. Authorities determined that the person had intentionally disturbed the polar bear and issued a fine of 50,000 Norwegian kroner, or roughly $5,300, for violating the Svalbard Environmental Act. The fine was accepted and paid, according to the statement. Polar bears in Svalbard are subject to strict protections aimed at preventing visitors from disturbing or getting too close to the animals. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Norway strengthened those protections in January 2025, requiring people to remain at least 300 meters, or about 984 feet, away from polar bears, according to an update to Svalbard environmental regulations. The required distance increases to 500 meters, or roughly 1,640 feet, from March 1 through June 30, when the animals are considered particularly vulnerable. Anyone who encounters a polar bear at a closer distance is required to move away until the minimum distance is restored, according to the government. Norwegian regulations also prohibit people from unnecessarily disturbing, attracting or pursuing polar bears. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES The rules are particularly relevant in Svalbard, where encounters with the Arctic animals can be a major draw for visitors but are tightly regulated to protect both wildlife and people. In 2024, another visitor was fined after getting too close to a walrus in Svalbard, according to a statement from the governor. The man walked onto a floating sheet of ice in Adventbukta and approached a walrus that was resting nearby.  Members of the public contacted authorities, and several governor's employees also witnessed parts of the incident. Authorities later fined the man 12,500 Norwegian kroner, or roughly $1,300, for violating a provision of the Svalbard Environmental Act requiring visitors to avoid unnecessarily disturbing wildlife. Following the incident, thegGovernor urged visitors to keep their distance from walruses, both to avoid disturbing the animals and to prevent potentially dangerous encounters. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a870d182c5335ae104903b4 Austin Abrams fights to escape a 60-ton sperm whale in new 'Whalefall' trailer with Josh Brolin te 2026-08-20T14:20:08.655Z Austin Abrams fights to escape a 60-ton sperm whale in new 'Whalefall' trailer with Josh Brolin The latest preview for "Whalefall" might be one of the most absurd trailers cinema fans see all year. Basic info: Source material: Novel written by Daniel Kraus. NEW TRAILER RELEASED FOR UPCOMING POST-APOCALYPTIC THRILLER 'THE DOG STARS' WITH JACOB ELORDI I'm always going to click on a movie preview whenever Josh Brolin is involved. The man is a true A-list talent, and pretty much everything he touches turns into gold. That's why I rushed to watch the new trailer for "Whalefall," which was released on Wednesday. Little did I know what I was getting myself into. The film is about a young man swallowed by a sperm whale and has to fight his way out. No, that is not a joke. That is 100% the plot of the film. Give the preview a watch below, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. I am able to suspend reality for just about any film genre, but being swallowed by a sperm whale with an hour of oxygen left might be too much. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK CULTURE COVERAGE The fact of the matter is that there's no proof such a thing has ever happened in human history. There were claims a man named James Bartley survived being swallowed by a sperm whale in the 1800s, but the story has been thoroughly debunked as not true. People in the comments were also having plenty of fun with the new trailer starring Brolin and Austin Abrams. One viewer wrote, "This film has the potential to be the best comedy of the year." Another added, "Yeah, same thing happened to me. Luckily, I had some pepper with me and got the whale to sneeze me out. I also found my dad in there, we all lived happily ever after." What do you think about the preview? Let me know at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a870ac12c5335ae10490329 'DWTS' judge Carrie Ann Inaba admits she's 'always in pain' with 'debilitating' health battle te 2026-08-20T14:10:09.396Z 'DWTS' judge Carrie Ann Inaba admits she's 'always in pain' with 'debilitating' health battle Longtime "Dancing with the Stars" judge Carrie Ann Inaba is opening up about her "debilitating" pain. During a recent interview with Fox News Digital at Televerse 26, a festival by the Television Academy, the 58-year-old TV personality discussed her experience with Sjögren's disease. "It's debilitating. And so I am always in pain," she said. "And most of the time, when I'm not on camera, I'm in sweatpants. Maybe I haven't showered in three days, and I'm just kind of like roaming my little neighborhood, walking my dogs. My life is very unglamorous for the most part." Inaba said it is "really an important message in this day and age" for people to hear what life is actually like behind closed doors because everyone is "being shown these very hyper-realistic versions of people, and it's not true." DOLLY PARTON’S ONGOING HEALTH BATTLE FORCES COUNTRY LEGEND TO MISS MAJOR DOLLYWOOD EVENT "I think we need to know that people, we're all people, we are all going through something," she added. "And I'm grateful to have Sjögren's disease because it has given me even more compassion for people and I think it makes me a better judge because I really can feel people when they're going through stuff, and it's given me more empathy, and I'm grateful." WATCH: CARRIE ANN INABA IS 'ALWAYS IN PAIN' LIVING WITH SJÖGREN'S DISEASE According to the Mayo Clinic, Sjögren's disease is an autoimmune disease that "most often affects the glands that make moisture in the eyes and mouth." The lack of moisture leads to "fewer tears and less saliva." Inaba symptoms started with dry eyes, but the ballroom judge said, "I also had a lot of pain, and I think people don't know this." "A lot of people think Sjögren's disease is just dry eyes and your moisture glands, but it's actually a whole systemic condition and can affect your organs as well, and I've had some organ interactions," she explained. "It's been a rough road." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER While at Televerse 26 — a three-day conference celebrating all things television with access to insider secrets, craft expertise and innovations propelling television forward — Inaba told Fox News Digital it took doctors 10 years to diagnose her, admitting that even after learning her diagnosis, it took her around 10 to 15 years before she was able to "come to peace" with the idea that this is "something I'm gonna live with forever." She said managing her energy has become "a key factor in how I plan my day and what I can take on," adding that while she hasn't "been able to do as much lately," she has "learned we don't always have to do so much." The dancer and TV personality shared with her Instagram followers that she suffered a "medical emergency" while en route to New York in April after she "suddenly felt quite ill." WATCH: 'DWTS' JUDGE CARRIE ANN INABA WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AN AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE AFTER 10 YEARS OF SYMPTOMS "While it seemed like food poisoning, I also suddenly broke out into a cold sweat, got dizzy and my arms went numb," she wrote. "Normally I handle most of my health things on my own. Like many people who live with autoimmune disease, I travel with a health tool kit and am prepared for the worst, but this scared me." LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS She added that she knew "it was time to ask for help" when her arms went numb during the flight. Inaba later told USA Today that a flight attendant and a doctor on board helped her before paramedics took her to a hospital after the plane landed. She received fluids and was later released, continuing her recovery at her hotel. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a870ac02c5335ae10490320 Bloodied, ejected Marine Corps pilot seen calm and collected after Washington crash destroys aircraft te 2026-08-20T14:10:08.635Z Bloodied, ejected Marine Corps pilot seen calm and collected after Washington crash destroys aircraft Bodycam footage shows a Marine F-18 pilot bloodied from facial lacerations after a June crash in Washington state. "I'm a little frazzled," Marine Corps Maj. Jackson Simon admitted to a Yakima County Sheriff's deputy wearing a bodycam after the June 13, 2026 crash. Despite that, Simon appeared unfazed by the wreck. The newly released footage captured the moments after the Marine Corps pilot ejected from his F-18 Hornet before the fighter jet slammed into a mountainside near Rimrock Lake. The crash sent flames and a thick column of black smoke rising above the surrounding trees. Despite blood covering parts of his face, Simon could be seen casually walking toward the deputy with a phone in his hand and appearing strikingly composed after coming down through the trees. DEADLY B-52 CRASH PUTS FOCUS ON ENGINES, CONTROLLABILITY AS INVESTIGATORS HUNT FOR ANSWERS Asked by a responder what kind of aircraft had crashed, the pilot began to answer, "That's an F-18," before quickly correcting himself. "Well, that was–," he began, before the responder said, "An F-18?" and the pilot confirmed. The pilot told deputies he had been conducting low-level training over the lake when something went wrong. "We were doing some circles over the lake," he told the officer. "I tucked in, and I'm not sure exactly. Honestly, I'm a little frazzled." COAST GUARD HELICOPTER CRASHES DURING ALASKA TRAINING MISSION, INJURING FOUR CREW MEMBERS When told by a bystander that "you hit the trees bad, bud," he responded: "I went through the trees." When the bystander noticed the pilot was "shaking," he admitted: "I have some adrenaline going." The footage also captured the pilot calmly making calls in the aftermath. In one conversation, he matter-of-factly tells someone, "Hey, buddy, this is Major Simon, I just crashed." After finishing his calls to his reports, he turned to the officer to say: "Without exaggeration: That's about as close as you come." DEADLY MILITARY HELICOPTER CRASH IN TEXAS KILLS 2, SPARKS WILDFIRE AND FORCES EVACUATIONS: OFFICIALS Later footage showed his parachute on the mountainside and the officer helping him gather his gear and cut the parachute from the ropes tangled in the trees. The responding deputy wrote in the incident report that he found Simon standing on a hillside, "taking off his flight harness" and stacking his gear in a pile. Simon then slid down the embankment to meet the deputy, who performed a "buddy check" for injuries. Witnesses had watched the military aircraft circling near Rimrock Lake shortly before the crash. Several people called 911 after seeing the pilot eject and the jet plunge into the mountainside, where the impact ignited a fire in the wooded area. The first report came at 12:18 p.m. local time, according to the incident report. Less than a minute later dispatch was logging "JET CRASH" and "PILOT PARACHUTED OUT." Multiple callers reported the ejection and fire; one entry says a witness was "crying saying she saw the crash." EIGHT BELIEVED DEAD AFTER B-52 CRASHES SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE The Marine Corps said the F-18 was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. It was conducting routine training about 55 miles southeast of Seattle when the "non-fatal aviation mishap" occurred at approximately noon Pacific time June 13. The pilot ejected and was recovered by the local sheriff's department. A military spokesperson valued the destroyed aircraft at close to $67 million. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, headquartered at MCAS Miramar in San Diego, California, has said it is withholding additional details while that investigation continues and noted that military aviation mishap investigations can take several months to complete. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a87086d2c5335ae104902d1 Florida socialist Angie Nixon says she doesn’t ‘really know’ Hasan Piker te 2026-08-20T14:00:13.080Z Florida socialist Angie Nixon says she doesn’t ‘really know’ Hasan Piker Florida Democratic Senate nominee Angie Nixon declined to embrace the prospect of campaigning with far-left streamer Hasan Piker on Wednesday during an appearance on "CBS Mornings," telling co-host Gayle King she was not personally familiar with him. "I don't really know who Mr. Piker is," Nixon told King. "I've heard about him."  When pressed, Nixon told King she didn't know who he was "personally, or anything like that." Democratic strategist and former Biden White House Press Office Chief of Staff Yemisi Egbewole told Fox News Digital Wednesday the approach was politically astute. "Piker has already said he’s staying away from her campaign to avoid being a distraction, and she clearly isn’t begging him to join," Egbewole said. "If a Dem wants any shot of winning a state like Florida, they should be careful, and it’s clear she’s using a different playbook than other DSA members. Smart!" WHO IS ANGIE NIXON? BULLHORN-WIELDING SOCIALIST UPSETS ESTABLISHMENT FAVORITE IN SUNSHINE STATE STUNNER The Republican National Committee offered a sharply different assessment of Democrats’ embrace of socialist candidates. RNC press secretary Natalie Baldassarre told Fox News Digital on Wednesday that the party’s ideological direction would prove damaging in the general election. "Their embrace of this poisonous ideology is political suicide, and it will be their downfall in November," Baldassarre said. King's question came one day after Nixon upset former National Security Council official Alexander Vindman, a whistleblower who became a key witness in President Donald Trump's first impeachment inquiry, in Florida's Democratic Senate primary.  King apologized after Nixon denied knowing Piker personally, then asked whether she would want him to campaign with her. "I am actually focused on Florida and making sure that I’m talking to voters here to uplift their needs and their concerns. So that’s what my focus is going to be over the next 76 days," Nixon said.  PIKER DEMANDS DEMOCRATS DEFEND HIM FROM ATTACKS, CLAIMS HE’S NO ‘TOXIC RADICAL FORCE' Nixon acknowledged that she had heard about Piker but did not answer yes or no when asked whether she would accept him as a campaign surrogate. Her response contrasted with Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, who repeatedly campaigned with Piker before winning his primary. Piker later criticized Democrats who had supported El-Sayed’s opponent and urged the party to punish members who considered the nominee too far left. Former Biden administration official Neera Tanden warned that Piker’s rhetoric could alienate general-election voters. "It’s hard to imagine a bigger turnoff to swing voters than this guy," Tanden said on X. JOE SCARBOROUGH GOES SCORCHED EARTH ON DEMOCRATS NOT SEPARATING THEMSELVES FROM HASAN PIKER Piker faced scrutiny for a 2019 remark blaming the United States for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, comments about Hamas and praise for Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong. Piker later walked back the Sept. 11 remark and said it had been inappropriate. Nixon defeated Vindman by nearly 12 points despite his $16.27 million campaign war chest, compared with approximately $1 million raised by Nixon. She advanced to face Sen. Ashley Moody, R-Fla., whom Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed to complete Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s Senate term. Nixon also sought to move the conversation away from ideological labels during the interview. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE   "It’s not necessarily a socialist message or a progressive message. It’s actually just about the needs of people," Nixon said. Nixon said she had recently joined the Democratic Socialists of America, although DSA officials told Fox News Digital that she previously belonged to a local chapter, unsuccessfully sought its endorsement and had an unclear current membership status. Nixon will now face Trump-backed Moody in November for the right to serve the remaining two years of Rubio’s Senate term.  Fox News Digital reached out to Nixon and Moody for comment, but did not immediately receive a response. Fox News Digital also reached out to Piker for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a87086c2c5335ae104902c8 New judge has days to decide whether Karmelo Anthony's conviction and 35-year sentence survive te 2026-08-20T14:00:12.093Z New judge has days to decide whether Karmelo Anthony's conviction and 35-year sentence survive A newly assigned judge has only days to decide whether Karmelo Anthony’s murder conviction survives, putting his 35-year sentence and chance at a second trial on a fast-moving legal clock after the judge who presided over his trial was removed Wednesday. Retired District Judge Michael Chitty is scheduled to hear Anthony’s motion for a new trial Thursday, after Judge Sid Harle removed Judge John Roach from Anthony’s remaining trial-court proceedings Wednesday. Harle found that a reasonable outside observer could question whether Roach appeared impartial after Roach said in a post-trial television interview that the jury "got it right" and defended several of his trial decisions. TEXAS JUDGE WHO PRESIDED OVER KARMELO ANTHONY MURDER TRIAL REMOVED FROM CASE OVER 'GOT IT RIGHT' COMMENT Roach’s removal is a significant win for Anthony’s new legal team, but it does not erase his conviction or sentence. The far more consequential question is whether Chitty will grant Anthony a new trial. Austin Metcalf’s father, Jeff Metcalf, said Roach’s removal did not change his view of the case because it did not alter the evidence that led to Anthony’s conviction. "It’s just one step in a long journey," Metcalf said Wednesday on "The Will Cain Show." "It doesn’t really change the facts." Anthony, 19, was convicted in June of murdering 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, whom 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 ISOLATED IN JAIL AS TRACK MEET KILLER APPEALS CONVICTION, PREPS FOR PRISON STINT Criminal appellate lawyer Brett Ordiway said motions to remove a judge are difficult and uncommon, but a motion for a new trial is a much steeper legal climb. "Granting that motion wipes out the conviction and the sentence altogether and gives Karmelo Anthony a new trial," Ordiway told Fox News Digital. "It is very, very difficult to win these motions in any case, and I would be surprised if they were successful here." KARMELO ANTHONY BLASTS JUDGE IN NEW FILING OVER HANDLING OF MURDER TRIAL Anthony’s attorneys argued Roach could not fairly consider the new-trial request because his public comments addressed the same issues they raise in their motion, including courtroom access. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X 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. JUDGE DEFENDS BARRING CAMERAS FROM KARMELO ANTHONY MURDER TRIAL, SAYS IT WAS 'AN EASY DECISION' Anthony’s lawyers also accuse prosecutors of breaking an off-the-record agreement about character evidence and alleged acts unrelated to the murder charge. They argue the dispute forced Anthony to choose whether to testify while risking the introduction of evidence they say could unfairly prejudice jurors. The new-trial motion also challenges the jury instructions, arguing they limited jurors’ ability to fully consider Anthony’s claim of self-defense. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS Chitty’s timeline is unusually short. Anthony was sentenced June 9, and Texas rules require a judge to rule on a motion for a new trial within 75 days of sentencing. That deadline falls Monday. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE "If the judge does not grant the motion by Monday, then by operation of law, the motion will be denied," Ordiway said. SEND US A TIP If Chitty grants the motion, Anthony’s existing conviction and sentence would be set aside. Ordiway said the case would effectively return to the point before Anthony was convicted and sentenced, allowing Anthony to pursue another jury trial or negotiate a plea agreement. CONVICTED KILLER KARMELO ANTHONY CLAIMS HE IS 'PENNILESS' IN APPEAL DESPITE MAJOR DONOR-FUNDED LEGAL CAMPAIGN If the motion is denied, Anthony’s legal fight will continue on direct appeal, a process that differs sharply from the fast-moving new-trial request. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST A direct appeal is decided by a three-judge panel of the Texas Fifth Court of Appeals in Dallas and can take a year or longer, Ordiway said. Appeals generally focus on legal errors raised and decided in the trial court, while a motion for a new trial gives the trial court an opportunity to correct alleged errors soon after a conviction. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL Anthony filed both the recusal motion and his request for a new trial on July 7. Roach referred the recusal request for assignment to another judge under Texas procedure. Fox News Digital has reached out to Anthony’s defense team for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a87060b2c5335ae10490247 Apollo Atomics wants to make nuclear power cheaper by shrinking an overlooked part te 2026-08-20T13:50:03.268Z Apollo Atomics wants to make nuclear power cheaper by shrinking an overlooked part Y Combinator alumnus Apollo Atomics is shrinking a key nuclear reactor part, which promises to slash the cost of electricity below natural gas. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8703b92c5335ae1049021a Battle over federal courthouses erupts as GSA warns against giving judiciary more control te 2026-08-20T13:40:09.074Z Battle over federal courthouses erupts as GSA warns against giving judiciary more control EXCLUSIVE: The agency overseeing U.S. courthouses is pushing back against a new bill that would give the judicial branch more property control, arguing that the judiciary has a history of mismanaging its buildings. The General Services Administration (GSA), which serves as landlord for most federal courthouse space, said the bill would allow the judiciary to assume real property authority over facilities in up to 10 federal judicial districts from the GSA, including responsibility for repairing and maintaining facilities. The bill, the Judicial Space and Facilities Management Effectiveness Act, was introduced July 30 by U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., and John Boozman, R-Ark. Proponents of the bill argue that it is necessary because the GSA itself has poorly maintained judicial facilities. Pointing to a building-management delegation program approved as a pilot in 1988, the GSA said participating courts encountered significant repair costs after assuming greater facilities responsibilities. Judiciary records say GSA changed the program in 2004 to make participating agencies responsible for additional repair costs, including major and unforeseen repairs, and that the Judicial Conference voted in 2005 to withdraw from the program as a cost-saving measure. VIDEO EXPOSES DISREPAIR LURKING BENEATH TRUMP KENNEDY CENTER AS $257M RENOVATION LOOMS Only one courthouse, the Hugo Black Federal Courthouse in Birmingham, Alabama, remained under the judiciary, the agency said. The Judicial Conference later approved continued delegated management authority for the Birmingham courthouse under specified cost limits and provisions for catastrophic repairs. The building reportedly deteriorated significantly and accumulated $57.7 million in delinquent maintenance costs. An analysis revealed extensive safety hazards, including improper chemical storage, inoperable elevator emergency phones and poorly maintained fire protection systems, among other issues, according to the GSA. "The facility’s unique repair needs reflect poor maintenance practices that have shortened the useful life of expensive, critical systems, including elevators, chiller plants, and boilers," the agency said. Despite holding autonomy over the courthouse, the judiciary repeatedly turned to the GSA for technical assistance with complex repairs, the agency said. The judiciary also relied on GSA service contract templates to assist with its own contracting needs, according to the agency. After GSA shifted additional maintenance responsibilities to participating courts, the Judicial Conference endorsed ending the judiciary’s participation in September 2005 "as a cost-savings measure," according to Judiciary records. KENNEDY CENTER DISPUTES ALLEGATIONS ON CONTRACTOR BIDS DESPITE DEMOCRAT SENATOR'S CLAIMS The judiciary strongly disputed those claims in a statement to Fox News Digital. During a Senate hearing, Judge Julia S. Gibbons and then-Sen. Jeff Sessions both "enthusiastically praised" the property management results at the Birmingham courthouse, the judiciary said. "There simply was no suggestion of failure at that hearing, and in fact the Judiciary manages repairs in the Birmingham courthouse, with no GSA involvement, to this day," an Administrative Office spokesman said. "The courts have a long history of managing complex business operations, such as budgets, finances, and information technology." The judiciary also pointed to the current GSA-managed maintenance backlog, which it said has ballooned to more than $8.3 billion, leaving federal courthouses to cope with broken elevators, severe storm damage and undrinkable water. GSA has also acknowledged more than $8.3 billion in courthouse repair and alteration liabilities. "The Judiciary has endured 15 years of sustained failure to maintain our nation’s courthouses. We are seeking Real Property Authority for one reason—we have no choice," the Administrative Office spokesman said. WHITE HOUSE SEIZES ON DELAYED OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER OPENING TO CROWN TRUMP ‘BUILDER-IN-CHIEF’ The GSA attributed the maintenance backlog to a "broken Congressional authorization and appropriations process," pointing to delays and funding shortfalls. The agency said GSA Administrator Edward Forst has already made unprecedented efforts to address the backlog. "The fundamental issue at hand is outdated Congressional funding and approval rules," Forst said. "I’m leading an unprecedented effort to reimagine federal building management by raising the prospectus threshold and expanding access to the Federal Buildings Fund with support from 22 cabinet members and agency heads. Those changes — not Judiciary management — are what’s necessary to remediate and renew America’s federal facilities and courthouses." Separately, the GSA said it successfully completed construction on the new U.S. Courthouse in Huntsville, Alabama, in 2024. The project was completed $7 million under budget and features state-of-the-art security, energy efficiency and operations technology. Forst claimed that the agency is "the most experienced and efficient building manager in the federal government." "Multiple Government Accountability Office (GAO) studies show that breaking our model apart would not make courthouse projects faster, cheaper, or better-built. It would make them more fragmented, more expensive, less accountable, and less safe," Forst said. "Trials and audits have shown that the Judiciary struggles with basic upkeep and maintenance of their facilities, doesn’t effectively utilize its vast space, and is not equipped with the financial resources or expertise to manage their own buildings," GSA added. GAO has separately found that congressional funding constraints have contributed to deferred maintenance in federal buildings and has cautioned that transferring real property authority to the Judiciary would not itself provide additional funding and would require sufficient real property expertise. Defending the branch’s capability, an Administrative Office spokesperson argued that basic facilities upkeep is inherently tied to their work. "Maintaining a safe, functional environment is essential to the administration of justice," the spokesperson said. "Starting with the proposed pilot program, the Judiciary has the capacity to make property management decisions that better serve the public and the courts." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86ff092c5335ae1049017c Smokin' Charley Hull respects summer in a sizzling new social media post, Little League drama & illegal tackle te 2026-08-20T13:20:09.321Z Smokin' Charley Hull respects summer in a sizzling new social media post, Little League drama & illegal tackle Emotions are high this morning for Thursday Screencaps as we have a possible throat slash gesture from the Little League World Series and what was up with that massive New York Life advertisement that ESPN was running in dead center? Let's get right into it with New Jersey's Mason Rincon beating Massachusetts on a walk-off home run on opening night. The big drama there was that it appeared Rincon gave a throat slash to the MA bench as he was running the bases. That's a big no-no in Little League. Now, in travel ball, where Rincon spent his summer — on his Instagram there are multiple posts of Rincon playing 13U baseball at Perfect Game tournaments while also playing on teams that went to Ripken and Cooperstown tournaments — you can get away with throat slashes. LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES SIGN-STEALING CONTROVERSY ERUPTS FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR Again, I just hope none of you are sitting there thinking you're watching kids who spent May and June playing against their buddies in a 12U rec Little League division only to then create an all-star team that was entered in district tournaments. Those days are long gone. JOE GIRARDI, SHANE VICTORINO TO MANAGE TOP HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL TALENT AT PERFECT GAME ALL-AMERICAN CLASSIC Rincon is as much of a hired gun as they come, but, it's all legal under the rules Little League has created as it deals with the loss of players to the travel ball world. ESPN has a TV product to sell, so it doesn't really matter where these kids spent the summer playing. They just need drama and eyeballs on that massive New York Life ad they popped up in CF. Watch that video of the home run again. Watch that massive box pop up out of nowhere. WISCONSIN BADGERS JUST ADDED THE PERFECT JERSEY SPONSORSHIP IF THERE IS SUCH A THING "New York Life sponsors Little League to connect with families and build community trust," Little League says on its website. Capital One is also a sponsor along with The Original Bomb Pop. At least that one makes sense. 📩 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 STAR GOLFER CHARLEY HULL HAS BLUNT MESSAGE FOR CRITICS WHO ARE UPSET WITH HER SAVAGE PRANK ON CADDIE There I was this morning creating this edition. I hit refresh on Instagram and Smokin' Charley Hull on a boat soaking up sun and heat was staring me in the face. What a relief. It is this time of year when too many women get caught up in the trap that they need to be thinking about hoodies and cozy blanket season. Not Charley. Imagine my frustration Wednesday when I learned about this weather guy who is giving out foliage reports from Alaska. Women see this nonsense and something in their brains triggers a need to bust out mantle decorations. It is up to all of us to fight this fight. We MUST stand with Charley. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! I spent Wednesday researching the women who will be featured on "Team Moms," the upcoming "reality" series on Paramount+ that will focus on travel ball moms. Let's just say that there are stars in the making and Rylee Baldri is a breakout star mom and I haven't even seen the show. She's a former Mrs. Arizona United States and an entrepreneur. "This journey has tested us in ways I can't even talk about yet. But I can tell you this: what you're going to see on September 24 is 100% real. The love, the chaos, the wins, the fights, and yes, the wine," Rylee promised in an Instagram post. Fights? Oh hell yeah! – Kristopher K. in New Hampshire responds: Whoa, whoa, whoa!!! Mikalya dating rumors heat up? How? That would imply she’s real. 110% Flawless skin & those Jessica Rabbit proportions – I always thought she was an invention of A.I. She’s not? My goodness. Well then, time to update the Hall Pass list (as if, ha!). Kinsey: She's 100% a real biological female. Remember, Screencaps was posting her before AI was introduced to the Internet. – Caio asks: I recently came across your article and wanted to reach out. I work with AirNav Radar, a global flight-tracking and aviation intelligence platform serving more than 2 million users daily. We provide real-time aircraft tracking, historical flight data, aircraft identification, and aviation data, along with statistical analysis, used by journalists, industry professionals, and government organizations worldwide. Given your coverage of aviation and transportation, I thought AirNav Radar could be a useful resource for future reporting. We'd be happy to provide you with complimentary access to an AirNav Radar Business Account. Kinsey: Hell yes, Caio! Now, I just want to preface this acceptance with the disclaimer that if AirNav doesn't work great, I'm going to tell these readers, my cherished readers, that it doesn't work great. These people are some of the brightest minds in the U.S. They will know if I'm trying to feed them a line. Fair warning. ################### And with that, it sounds like I am getting into the flight-tracking world with thousands of other Screencaps readers. I need you guys to walk me through what I should be tracking and how to have fun with these apps. I'll get connected with Caio and get this rolling. In the meantime, I need you guys to go put in 110% at your jobs. Go earn that money. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86fcb62c5335ae10490124 'Ghost Soldier' star Jim Caviezel says audiences are hungry for heroes as he takes on intense new role te 2026-08-20T13:10:14.649Z 'Ghost Soldier' star Jim Caviezel says audiences are hungry for heroes as he takes on intense new role Jim Caviezel believes people are hungry for heroes as he gears up to take on his next movie role in "Ghost Soldier." Fox News Digital has an exclusive first look at the trailer. "Ghost Soldier" follows a reclusive former Special Forces soldier and weapons developer (Caviezel) who is forced back into action when a powerful foreign corporation tries to seize his hometown’s land, according to the trailer. Using his elite training and advanced weaponry, he wages a one-man war to protect his community. In the action-packed trailer, Caviezel is seen protecting his community, the people within it and the land as he takes on a big corporation. Caviezel told Fox News Digital that audiences are looking to watch people in roles who represent faith, duty, and personal responsibility. MEL GIBSON WARNED JESUS ACTOR IN ‘PASSION OF THE CHRIST’ ROLE COULD COST HIM HOLLYWOOD CAREER "People want to see someone do the right thing, with all the odds stacked against them. We saw this phenomenon with 'Sound of Freedom'. Give them a hero who stands for what's true and audiences show up. That hunger is still there," Caviezel said. WATCH THE TRAILER: He went on to share that he connected with his character, Henry "Fitz" Fitzgerald, right away. "I connected with Fitz right away because he's a hero. He's a Green Beret who serves his country, and he lives by a moral code he won't break," he said. "He can't walk away from an injustice, whatever it costs him. I love a good action film, too. But it was Fitz's moral compass and his hunger for justice that made me say yes." Caviezel has had a history of playing characters willing to make sacrifices for their own convictions — he played Jesus in "The Passion of the Christ" and Tim Ballard in "Sound of Freedom." LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Caviezel told Fox News Digital that taking on these kinds of roles showed him that doing the right thing "usually costs you something." "I want to play men who'll sacrifice for what they believe. That's the measure of a man, and it's the story I keep coming back to," he said. Caviezel said that over the past few years, Americans have seen a "resurgence" in protecting their home, land and community and this movie speaks directly to that. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "Most people resonate with protecting their home, family and community because we were created with the instinct to protect what we love," he began. "Over the past few years, we've seen ordinary people standing up again, doing the right thing when it's hard. That's the resurgence I see, and this film speaks right to it." "Ghost Soldier" is set to premiere on November 6. Alongside Caviezel, the movie also stars Olivia Thirlby, Beau Knapp, Garret Dillahunt and Shea Whigham. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86fcb62c5335ae1049011b Iran proves that it might change its military leaders, but it’s not changing strategy te 2026-08-20T13:10:14.006Z Iran proves that it might change its military leaders, but it’s not changing strategy Military appointments in authoritarian states, particularly during wartime, reveal priorities, threat perceptions, institutional loyalties and leadership fears. The new military and security hierarchy under Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei should therefore be read as more than the reconstruction of a command structure damaged by war. It is an order of battle with two purposes: confronting the United States and Israel abroad and preserving the Islamic Republic against instability at home. Those elevated are not a postwar generation seeking accommodation with Iran’s adversaries, but veterans of the revolutionary-security establishment, formed through war, intelligence operations, ideological conflict, asymmetric warfare and domestic coercion. Claims that leadership decapitation has produced meaningful regime change in Tehran should be treated with caution. Commanders have died, offices changed hands and a new supreme leader replaced the old one, but regime change is not the replacement of individuals. It requires transformation of the institutions, ideology, strategic objectives and political relationships defining a governing order. IRAN’S UNSEEN SUPREME LEADER BECOMES WEAPON IN ESCALATING POWER STRUGGLE, EXPERTS SAY By those measures, the Islamic Republic has not disappeared. Tehran is reaching backward to men whose careers were forged in institutions that spent decades confronting Washington and Jerusalem while protecting the regime at home. Ali Abdollahi, the new chief of the General Staff, belongs to the revolutionary-security generation that emerged with the Islamic Republic, joining the Revolutionary Committees after 1979 and later the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). His appointment signals institutional continuity rather than generational renewal. IRAN ACCELERATES EXECUTION CAMPAIGN AGAINST ANTI-REGIME ACTIVISTS AMID INTERNET CENSORSHIP Kiumars Heydari, now deputy chief of the General Staff, described the Army Ground Forces’ suppression of the November 2019 protests as a "proud" mission and dismissed 2022 protesters as "flies." Such rhetoric from the traditionally less ideological Artesh, or Iranian army, further blurs the distinction between defending Iran and defending the Islamic Republic. The appointment of Ahmad Vahidi to command the IRGC is particularly consequential for the United States and Israel. Vahidi emerged from the Islamic Republic’s intelligence and external-operations apparatus that evolved into the Quds Force. Argentine prosecutors have accused him of involvement in the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people, and Interpol issued a Red Notice concerning him. WHO IS AHMAD VAHIDI? IRAN’S NEW IRGC CHIEF TIED TO GLOBAL ATTACKS AND ‘DEATH TO AMERICA’ IDEOLOGY These are accusations rather than a criminal conviction, but his trajectory is instructive. The regime has entrusted its most important revolutionary military institution to a commander experienced in intelligence, irregular warfare, extraterritorial operations and the strategic culture through which Tehran has confronted adversaries beyond Iran’s borders. For American defense planners, Vahidi’s elevation should be interpreted institutionally rather than biographically. The IRGC has spent decades challenging stronger conventional opponents through proxies, missiles, drones, covert networks, maritime pressure, intelligence operations and asymmetric warfare, allowing Tehran to impose costs while managing escalation. EXPERTS URGE EXTREME CAUTION ON IRAN'S 'CROWN JEWEL' HEZBOLLAH — TERROR GROUP WITH US BLOOD ON ITS HANDS Its confrontation with the United States has included support for armed groups Washington has held responsible for American military deaths. Elevating veterans formed in this strategic culture hardly suggests its abandonment. Instead, Tehran appears to expect confrontation with the United States and Israel to remain central to its security environment. Hossein Taeb’s return to command the Basij, or paramilitary force, completes the other half of this architecture. He has served across the IRGC, Ministry of Intelligence, counterintelligence and the Guards’ intelligence apparatus. The United States sanctioned him in 2010 for serious human-rights abuses, while the European Union later imposed measures connected to violations of Iranian citizens’ rights. IRAN HANGS 2 PROTESTERS IN PUBLIC, CROWD CRIES 'DISHONORABLE' AS SECURITY FIRES TEAR GAS The Basij reaches into universities, workplaces, neighborhoods, schools, government institutions and social organizations, providing ideological mobilization, surveillance, intimidation and a mechanism for suppressing unrest. Putting a veteran intelligence operator back in charge signals how seriously the regime views its domestic security environment. Together, Vahidi and Taeb reveal the logic of the new hierarchy. One represents decades of confronting enemies abroad; the other embodies the machinery for identifying and suppressing threats at home. The arrangement reflects a regime that sees external war and internal instability as interconnected fronts. Military setbacks can weaken its mythology of strength, intelligence penetration can expose elite vulnerabilities, and economic deterioration can fuel protest and security fractures. From Tehran’s perspective, an Israeli strike, an American military threat, an intelligence breach and an Iranian protest movement may become manifestations of the same existential danger: loss of political control. TRUMP IS WINNING EVERY BATTLE IN IRAN—AND RISKING THE WAR THAT MATTERS This convergence has implications for future Iranian behavior. A leadership facing existential threats from foreign adversaries and domestic opposition is unlikely to moderate after military losses. Weak authoritarian systems can instead become more aggressive abroad and coercive at home, interpreting compromise as vulnerability. Iran’s new hierarchy may therefore support renewed asymmetric pressure against American and Israeli interests through regional networks, maritime coercion, missiles, drones and intelligence operations. The Islamic Caliphate’s stubbornness should not be underestimated. Despite serious military and intelligence shocks, it has replaced commanders and preserved a functioning chain of command. But resilience is not vitality. Nearly half a century after the revolution, Tehran still relies on the same aging revolutionary-security class for experienced and loyal commanders. Its trusted leadership pool appears increasingly narrow: a confident military develops a new generation; an insecure barbaric revolutionary order summons veterans of its past. For Washington and Jerusalem, this distinction matters. Strategic success cannot be measured simply by the number or seniority of commanders removed. If the institutions producing hostile strategy remain intact, new commanders can inherit old missions. If the ideology defining the United States and Israel as permanent adversaries survives, personnel turnover can coexist with strategic continuity. And if the regime equates survival with demonstrating strength after humiliation, its new leadership may have powerful incentives to prove it can still impose costs on its enemies. The central question for U.S. strategy is not simply who commands the IRGC, Basij or General Staff, but what system they are assembled to preserve. The answer is troubling: one that fuses revolutionary ideology with military power, intelligence operations with foreign policy and national security with regime survival. Tehran is rebuilding institutions used to confront the United States and Israel while strengthening those used to control Iranian society. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION This is the deeper meaning of the junta’s military reshuffle. The Islamic regime has not emerged from war as a fundamentally different political order. It is reorganizing for a period in which foreign confrontation and domestic insecurity may reinforce one another. The new hierarchy reflects a dual-front posture: security veterans facing the United States and Israel abroad, while intelligence and coercive institutions face the Iranian population at home. Washington and Jerusalem should not assume that damage inflicted on Tehran will produce moderation. A wounded regime led by veterans of revolutionary warfare, intelligence operations and repression may remain dangerous precisely because it sees the next phase as a struggle for survival. Iran’s old order has not vanished. It has put its boots back on. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM ERFAN FARD Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86fcb52c5335ae10490112 LIV Golf CEO says league is hopeful it can 'do right by' vendors suing them over alleged missed payments te 2026-08-20T13:10:13.288Z LIV Golf CEO says league is hopeful it can 'do right by' vendors suing them over alleged missed payments This week's LIV Golf event in Indianapolis is not only the finale of the 2026 campaign, but it will also serve as the final event of this current iteration of the breakaway circuit. There is even a possibility that Indianapolis is the final stop LIV Golf ever makes, with its future entirely uncertain. As it has been for the majority of LIV's four-year history, money, not golf, is the topic of conversation heading into another tournament week. Specifically in Indianapolis, the money talk centers around alleged missed vendor payments and a pending lawsuit. Earlier this week, Front Office Sports reported that Fresh Tape Media was suing LIV Golf for missed payments from its work producing the league's preseason media days. Fresh Tape's founder, Jared Kleinstein, publicly called out LIV on social media, writing, "When a small business does the work, it deserves to be paid for it." LIV GOLF PLAYER ADMITS BREAKAWAY TOUR MIGHT BE NEARING THE END: 'I THINK TIME MIGHT RUN OUT' While addressing the media in Indianapolis on Wednesday, LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil was specifically asked about Kleinstein's statement and alleged missed payments, and didn't necessarily deliver a message to cool off rumors and speculation. "Look, I come from a family of entrepreneurs, a family of small business entrepreneurs and know the challenge that that is," the CEO said when asked about the issue. "So what I would say to them is we’re doing everything we can to make sure we can do right by them and the work they committed, and I hope we can. "For the next generation, it will certainly be a different business with a different process." Fresh Tape Media is reportedly suing LIV Golf for $1.2 million in unpaid dues and interest. O'Neil stating that he has "hope" that alleged missed payments can be made only adds to the idea that LIV Golf if simply out of money at this point. In April, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced that it would no longer fund the league beyond the 2026 season. Since then, LIV has cancelled the LIV Team Championship in Michigan, moved the season finale up to Indianapolis, and slashed the individual purse in the event from $20 million to $10.1 million. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS Earlier this month, O'Neil shared news of an unnamed investor being secured to keep LIV Golf afloat into 2027. Any specific details of the investor have not been shared. The circuit has announced that 'LIV 2.0' will include players holding a majority of equity and that the plan is to have 10 total tournaments, with five taking place in the United States and another five being held across the globe. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86fcb42c5335ae10490109 AI firefighting drones take aim at wildfires te 2026-08-20T13:10:12.505Z AI firefighting drones take aim at wildfires Wildfires can get a frightening head start. A small ignition in remote terrain can grow while firefighters are still trying to reach it. Now, a new generation of AI firefighting drones could help shrink that response window. CAL FIRE recently tested Seneca's autonomous suppression drones in California. Meanwhile, teams competing in the $11 million XPRIZE Wildfire competition put other autonomous systems through field testing in Alaska. The goal is to detect a fire early and get suppressant onto it while it is still small. The timing is important. NOAA says human-caused warming is contributing to larger and more severe wildfires in California and the western United States. Research has also linked warming conditions with longer wildfire seasons in the West. Here's how these firefighting drones work, what recent tests revealed and where they could be deployed next. AMERICA’S FIREFIGHTER SHORTAGE HITS CRISIS LEVEL AS EMERGENCY CALLS TRIPLE, PUTTING LIVES AT RISK 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. On July 15, CAL FIRE worked with the nonprofit FireWERX and engineers from California-based Seneca on a field test of autonomous firefighting drones. Five aircraft took part in the demonstration. CAL FIRE Deputy Chief Jack Worden said the technology could help firefighters who often attack small vegetation fires with backpack pumps and hand tools. Seneca is designing its aircraft to respond quickly after crews identify a possible fire. The company's current system uses onboard sensors with AI and computer vision to help locate a fire. It can then deliver aerated Class A foam onto a targeted area. Seneca says its full systems use four to six drones and can deliver between 500 and 1,000 pounds of suppression capacity per trip. One important point is that the payload figures can sound confusing. Reports from the CAL FIRE demonstration described the amount of water carried by individual drones and the volume of foam produced after mixing. Seneca's current product page instead describes suppression capacity by weight. Its Aspen deployment materials use yet another measure, finished foam volume. Those figures should not be treated as interchangeable. Seneca's aircraft cannot match the payload of a large airtanker. CAL FIRE already operates more than 70 fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. The agency says that fleet can reach many remote fires within its State Responsibility Area in about 20 minutes. Smaller drones could serve a different purpose. Seneca says its aircraft can be transported by utility vehicles or positioned near areas with high fire risk. The system is being developed for jobs that include early attack, nighttime operations and work in difficult terrain. That could matter when a fire starts somewhere that ground crews cannot reach quickly. San Bernardino County Fire tested an earlier Seneca Argo-1 system in December 2025. The county described that aircraft as semi-autonomous and said it used thermal tracking with precision targeting for early wildfire response. That description also highlights an important detail about the word "autonomous." The aircraft can handle substantial parts of the flight and targeting process on their own. However, the systems still operate under human supervision. For Aspen's planned deployment, Seneca says a single pilot will be able to oversee multiple aircraft. DOORDASH GETS FAA APPROVAL FOR ITS OWN DELIVERY DRONES A different firefighting system faced its own challenge in Alaska. XPRIZE held finals testing for its Autonomous Wildfire Response Track near Nenana, Alaska during June 2026. Three finalist teams had to use autonomous technology to detect and suppress early-stage fires without human intervention. Judges evaluated factors including speed, accuracy and suppression effectiveness. One of those finalists was German company Dryad Networks. Dryad combines its Silvanet detection network with a drone system called Silvaguard. Silvanet uses solar-powered environmental sensors placed in forests. These sensors monitor combustion gases and particulates associated with the earliest stages of a fire. They communicate through Dryad's network so a potential ignition can trigger a response. That wording is important because the sensors are doing more than looking for visible smoke. Once Silvanet identifies a possible fire, a Silvaguard observation drone can launch automatically. The aircraft uses infrared and optical imaging to locate the source and determine whether there is an actual fire. A separate suppression drone can then respond to the confirmed location. Dryad says its suppression drone can carry up to 100 liters of fire suppressant. That works out to about 26 gallons. The company has also demonstrated an observation drone that launches from a solar-powered hangar. In a November 2025 demonstration, Dryad said its system detected a controlled fire and extinguished it in under 12 minutes without human involvement. During the XPRIZE finals in Alaska, Dryad says its sensors detected a small fire and triggered an autonomous response. The Silvaguard system then located and attacked the fire. Controlled tests can show what the technology is capable of. Real fire operations will be a much tougher test. Aspen Fire Protection District in Colorado has already signed a five-year, multi-million-dollar agreement with Seneca. The agreement calls for a five-aircraft Seneca Strike Team and a mobile operations base. Seneca says the system has a capacity of about 500 gallons of finished foam per sortie. One pilot can oversee multiple aircraft because of the system's autonomy features. Seneca announced that the system would be delivered during summer 2026. For now, the contract represents one of the clearest moves from demonstration toward real-world deployment. The company also said Aspen firefighters would train on the aircraft before incorporating them into operations. MISSOURI TESTS MEDICAL DRONES TO SPEED UP RURAL HEALTH CARE Firefighting drones could eventually work alongside technology that California already uses for earlier detection. CAL FIRE works with UC San Diego's ALERTCalifornia program, which operated more than 1,200 cameras and sensor arrays as of February 2026. The program says its AI wildfire system detected more than 1,200 fires during its first season. It also beat the first 911 report more than 30% of the time. I've previously covered how Google's FireSat project uses specialized satellites and AI to spot wildfires earlier. That project has also taken a major step forward. Earth Fire Alliance launched the first three operational FireSat satellites on July 7, 2026. However, the system is still ramping up. The organization says operational data should begin reaching its Early Adopters at least twice daily during the fourth quarter of 2026. Eventually, systems like FireSat and ALERTCalifornia could help spot an ignition. A nearby drone could then give firefighters another way to respond quickly. That connection is still developing, but it shows where wildfire technology may be headed. If you live in a wildfire-prone area, these drones could eventually give local fire agencies another way to respond during the earliest stage of a fire. However, they have real limitations. Their payloads are far smaller than those of major firefighting aircraft. Their performance also depends on weather, terrain and safe coordination with other aircraft. In addition, autonomous firefighting technology is still moving from demonstrations into real operations. You should continue to rely on official emergency alerts and evacuation instructions. Know how you would leave your neighborhood if conditions change. Also, keep important documents somewhere you can reach quickly. The promise of these drones comes down to time. If they can reach a remote ignition while it is still small, firefighters may gain another opportunity to stop it before it becomes much harder to control. What interests me most about this technology is the focus on those first critical minutes. A drone will not replace a large airtanker. It also will not replace the judgment of experienced firefighters. Where I see potential is in getting suppression onto a remote fire faster. If a drone can slow a new ignition until more resources arrive, that could give crews an advantage they do not have today. Still, controlled demonstrations only tell us so much. The bigger test comes when these aircraft face unpredictable winds, active fire traffic and rapidly changing conditions. Fire agencies will also need clear procedures for coordinating autonomous systems with the people already working in the air and on the ground. That is when we will learn how valuable this technology can really be. Would you feel safer knowing autonomous firefighting drones were stationed near your community? 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/6a86fcae2c5335ae104900e2 On Mount Lemmon, volunteers give unemployed rocks a new job: Erosion control te 2026-08-20T13:10:06.334Z On Mount Lemmon, volunteers give unemployed rocks a new job: Erosion control Julius Gorton pushes a rectangle-shaped rock into the ground then shakes it. Still loose. He takes the pick axe next to him and hammers it down.  “OK, maybe it just needs to dig out a little bit,” Ella Marshall says. She moves the rock aside and starts digging a gap into the dirt, her hands protected by purple gardening gloves. They wedge the rock back in and hammer it down a few times. Satisfied, they start adding more rocks around it.   They play tetris with the rocks gathered from the mountain, filling gaps and turning each one to see how it fits best. Gorton puts a rock down; Marshall hammers it into place. They’re building a rock rundown, a type of erosion control structure, along a natural drainage on Mount Lemmon.  Gorton and Marshall were among 10 volunteers who spent a recent Sunday on Mount Lemmon with Sky Island Alliance, building erosion control structures to help keep soil and water on the mountain. Some of the volunteers arrived Friday night and camped at nearby Spencer Canyon Campground, working Saturday and Sunday.  A group of volunteers with the Sky Islands Alliance build erosion control structures along the Crystal Spring Trail on Mount Lemmon on Aug. 2, 2026. Credit: Summer Williams Sky Island Alliance is a 35-year-old nonprofit organization whose mission is to protect and restore the diversity of life and land in Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, and northern Sonora, Mexico. Sky Islands refer to isolated mountain ranges separated from other mountains and surrounded by drastically different environments on lower lands, in Arizona’s case, the desert.  The erosion control structures are a low-tech restoration technique that creates tiny dams to slow water down as it moves off the mountain, said Emily Burns, Sky Island Alliance’s program director for northern sky islands.  Get involved Sky Island Alliance’s next erosion control camping trip is Aug. 21-23. You can sign up to volunteer with the organization on its website.  The structures also catch soil and debris that would otherwise run down the mountain along streams and into city washes and rivers. Stopping burned debris was a priority for the Coronado National Forest and organizations like Sky Island Alliance after the Bighorn Fire burned almost 120,000 acres of the Santa Catalina Mountains in the summer of 2020.  Once the Bighorn Fire was contained, Sky Island Alliance partnered with the Coronado National Forest and started mapping out locations that needed erosion control.  Since 2023, Sky Island Alliance and its volunteers have built more than 500 erosion structures near springs on Mount Lemmon, said Bryon Lichtenhan, stewardship manager with Sky Island Alliance. Volunteers watch Andres Martinez explain different types of erosion control structures off of Crystal Spring Trail on Mount Lemmon on Aug. 2, 2026. Credit: Summer Williams Unemployed rocks On Aug. 2, the 10 volunteers followed Sky Island Alliance field technicians Becca Thompson and Andres Martinez, up the Crystal Spring trail, sometimes wading through dense deer grass, small branches crunching below their feet.  Before starting, Thompson gave the newer volunteers some direction.  “There’s a bunch of places up there where I would like to put more in because this whole side of the drainage up there is basically bare soil,” Thompson told the group.  “How do we know what rocks to pick up and which ones not to pick up?” someone asked.  “Great question. We like to look for unemployed rocks, rocks without jobs,” Thompson said.  Lifting a rock that requires some digging to get it out will probably create a new point at risk of erosion, she said.  The group scattered on the hill along the drainage joining the seasoned volunteers. Thompson had placed small red flags where a structure should be built. Some volunteers worked in pairs, others alone, finding loose rocks around the mountain to fill in the drainage.  “Water!” someone yelled. Others repeated the call. “Water!”  It was the group’s way of reminding each other to take a break and stay hydrated. If someone sees a rock rolling downhill, they yell “Rock!” in an alarming tone to warn the others. That only happened once on the trip.   Thompson approached Marshall to map the run rock dam she was finishing up. Sky Island maps every structure, collecting data so they can revisit sites and keep track of where they’ve already built.  “I’m gonna mark this because you did such a beautiful job on it,” Thompson said.  “Thank you, I think it might need some more rocks,” Marshall said.  Thompson took a closer look. “I think where it’s gonna fail is right here.”  “Yeah, that’s exactly where,” Marshall agrees.  “You want me to go find you an unemployed rock?” Thompson offers.  “Sure. I need some like chinking rocks too, for underneath,” Marshall says, pointing out an awkward gap under some of the larger rocks.  Ella Marshall and Becca Thompson drop rocks into a pile to use for building erosion control structures along the Crystal Spring Trail on Mount Lemmon on Aug. 2, 2026. Credit: Summer Williams “A large impact on the mountain”  Marshall’s first volunteer trip was about a year ago, when she joined Sky Island building erosion control structures on Mount Lemmon. That weekend, in August 2025, the group made about 40 erosion control structures, Marshall said.  Seeing how vast the Catalinas were, and how much damage the Bighorn Fire had left in its wake, Marshall left the mountain that weekend wondering whether those 40 structures would make much of a difference on the mountain. Then she thought, “part of me doesn’t really care because I had a lot of fun,” she said. “And so if we even helped this one drainage, then that’s fine.” Marshall has joined about 10 volunteer trips since then.  A few months later during another volunteer trip, they revisited some of the work Sky Island volunteers had done, and she was able to see how much of a difference the erosion structures could make.  “They’d actually caught a lot of debris,” she said, adding that another structure a Sky Island volunteer had made in the past had a small oak tree growing out of it, already a few feet tall.  “I think it’s cool that just putting down some rocks has such a large impact on the mountain,” Marshall said. “And if you scale that up to a few weekend trips a year, you can cover a lot of ground. And it’s very natural. We’re just moving some rocks around. Nothing too crazy is happening.”  Ella Marshall builds an erosion control structure off of the Crystal Spring Trail on Mount Lemmon on Aug. 2, 2026. Credit: Summer Williams It only takes one storm for a newly built erosion structure to fill in with sediment, creating a terracing effect of the water, Lichtenhan said. Building a structure starts a natural process. The rock structure holds back sediment which slows down water, creating a microclimate that allows vegetation to start to grow, Lichtenhan said. “The roots from those plants hold the soil together even better than our rock structure ever could, and as that vegetation grows, it helps to shade the soil around, and that cuts down on evaporation, and that cools the soil, and that means more moisture is held in the soil over time,” Lichtenhan said. “These processes compound upon themselves and help to create a more vibrant, a more biodiverse, a more lush, and a more moist ecosystem. So the work we’re doing it’s in response to a fire, but ultimately, when this work is successful, it can decrease the frequency or intensity of burns in the future.” A group of volunteers hike to work on erosion control structures with the Sky Island Alliance at Crystal Spring Trail on Mount Lemmon on Aug. 2, 2026. Credit: Summer Williams Six years after the fire The Bighorn Fire started with a lighting strike on June 5, 2020.  It had been months since COVID changed the way people worked and experienced everyday life. Masking, social distancing and working from home had become the norm. People were isolated.  Mount Lemmon is consistently about 20 degrees cooler than Tucson, making it a popular recreational space where people go to escape the constant triple-digit heat in the summer months. Public health leaders at the time said the outdoors were safe, as long as people practiced social distancing. But when the Bighorn Fire spread across the mountain range, finding reprieve from the heat and the isolation became more difficult for Tucsonans.  The forest burned for seven weeks before the fire was contained on July 23.  In its wake, it left burned debris, downed trees and bare soil, most of which is still visible on the mountain six years later. Without as many trees and plants on the mountain, there was a high risk for flooding below, especially in the midst of monsoon season in Arizona, which runs from June 15 to September 30. The rain would also likely bring with it the soil and debris. “We’ve all seen those videos after a fire and then floodwaters come down and it’s just black and carrying all this stuff with it,” said Burns, referring to videos that went viral in 2020 of black sludge running through the Cañada del Oro wash – a mix of ash and debris from the mountain.  Leonel Garcia, Michelle Ort and Molly Sugar grab gloves and tools before hiking out at Crystal Spring Trail on Mount Lemmon on Aug. 2, 2026. Credit: Summer Williams Michelle Ort, a volunteer with Sky Islands who lives on the west side of Tucson, said she remembers seeing the light of the fire and smelling the smoke when she walked her dog.  In the spring of 2021, Ort took a woman from El Salvador up to Mt. Lemmon. They went to the Butterfly Trail, one of Ort’s favorites. But the trail looked different, Ort said. There were fallen, burnt trees everywhere. “I was sad that a lot of the trees that had been there for a long time were gone, and that it looked so different,” they said. “But there was also a lot of new growth, like a lot of fern. So I think there was sadness and appreciation for the regrowth at the same time.” Bearing witness to a wildfire On a summer night in June 2020, Bryon Lichtenhan grabbed his binoculars, got in his Nissan Xterra and drove north to the end of Campbell Avenue. He parked along the street and watched from the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains as the Bighorn Fire ravaged through the forest, engulfing trees in flames.  Sometimes his girlfriend joined him. They were rarely alone, as others would also drive to the foothills and watch the fire, he said. Together, they were bearing witness to a wildfire that would change the way they experience Mount Lemmon. “I think it’s that kind of awe-inspiring nature of it, in a way,” Lichtenhan said. “Like, it’s just these forces that are so beyond our natural or our normal experience of the world. And you know that you’re witnessing a big change happening that’s going to affect … in my case, the rest of my life, that forest is going to be different.” As he looked up at the flames, he worried about how big the fire was getting, about what places would burn, about the wildlife that were losing their homes — and about the flooding that would inevitably follow.  “At that moment there’s not anything any of us could really do to stop it or to change the fact that it was burning,” he said. “But I think just kind of bearing witness to it was a part of my growing to accept it, and also a part of my grieving process for all that we were losing.” Arizona has been in a sustained drought since the mid- to late-1990s, according to the Arizona Department of Water Resources. Under the arid conditions, the risk of wildfires remains high in the Catalinas. This summer, on Aug. 7, a lightning strike sparked the Finger Ridge Fire. It was 90% contained by Aug. 11, after burning 67 acres of land, a Coronado National Forest update said.  The Mule Deer Fire in the Rincon Mountains within the Santa Catalina Ranger District was much smaller, burning 8 acres in one day before it was fully suppressed on Aug. 11, according to the Coronado National Forest.  Lichtenhan understands that the work Sky Island does won’t replace what is lost in a wildfire, and it could all be undone by another wildfire.  Still, he plans to keep helping forests recover and grow.  “There’s nothing else I’d rather be doing. Anything I can do to make anything better for the natural world and for people, that’s what I want to be doing,” he said. “Despite everything, we still have this amazingly beautiful planet. A big way I deal with grief is by spending my time in the world and enjoying what we still have. Connecting with nature, those are the things that help me stay happy. Motivated to keep doing this work.” Patty Giles and Orion Leslie build an erosion control structure as Becca Thompson collects red flags marking each structure along the Crystal Spring Trail on Mount Lemmon on Aug. 2, 2026. Credit: Summer Williams Four sacred mountains Orion Leslie’s mother moved their family from the Four Corners region of the Navajo Nation to Tucson when he was a child. In his Diné, Navajo culture, they have four sacred mountains in the Four Corners, he said.  “In bringing us to the city of Tucson, she also brought in, kind of interweaved our heritage with that, and explained to us that you know Tucson has its own four sacred mountains that surround this valley,” he said. “We have the Catalinas, the Rincons, the Santa Ritas, and the Tucson Mountains, and those now act as our own boundaries now in kind of rehoming, since we’re not on the reservation anymore, not within our own homelands.” His mom would take them sledding and hiking on Mount Lemmon. Leslie continued those traditions with his own two children when they were younger, taking his family camping in Mount Lemmon, at Spencer Canyon Campground, the same campground where Sky Island stays when they do erosion control work. He also runs some of the trails, and has noticed many of them, like Marshall Gulch to Aspen Trail, or the Butterfly Trail, have far fewer trees and less shade to keep him cool during those runs.  He was drawn to volunteer with Sky Island because he enjoys camping and wanted to give back to the environment he has treasured his whole life.  Orion Leslie builds an erosion control structure along the Crystal Spring Trail on Mount Lemmon on Aug. 2, 2026. Credit: Summer Williams “It’s really critical you know as an individual to help sustain the environment and give my time back to the landscape that’s really helped me grow and be the person that I am,” Leslie said. Without the hundreds of volunteers that help Sky Island on all its projects, and those who donate to the organization to keep projects going, none of the restoration work would be possible, Lichtenhan said.  “If it was just the 14 or 15 of us doing this work in the region we would be getting nowhere,” he said. “The fact that there are so many hundreds of people in Tucson and in the region that feel the same way and are willing to give their time and energy to these projects is what makes it at all possible.” With only a small area left to cover, the volunteers team up to build two more structures for the day. Gorton carries a heavy rock up the hillside, working with Skyler Elzy on a dam. A few feet downhill,  Leslie pushes a rock the size of a large watermelon into a corner. Thompson and Marshall helped him fill in the dam which they were building against the edge of a boulder, where water would otherwise quickly fall off.  Below them, Martinez cuts logs and branches and wedges them sideways against the hillside.  “Nice beaver work,” Thompson tells her coworker.  As the group walks back to the Crystal Springs trail, ready to jump in a swimming hole nearby to cool off, they pass a burned tree trunk a couple feet tall that threatens to fall over and into the drainage. It’s a reminder of what was lost in the Bighorn Fire, and what they’re working to bring back to the forest.  The post On Mount Lemmon, volunteers give unemployed rocks a new job: Erosion control appeared first on AZ Luminaria. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86fcad2c5335ae104900c4 For a16z, AI gives foreign founders an advantage te 2026-08-20T13:10:05.183Z For a16z, AI gives foreign founders an advantage a16z’s Borderless Founder network initiative supports immigrant and international founders. 'Having one foot in your home country, and one foot in Silicon Valley," is an advantage, the firm believes. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86fcab2c5335ae104900bb AI data giant Alation confirms cyberattack te 2026-08-20T13:10:03.811Z AI data giant Alation confirms cyberattack The data search and AI giant confirmed unauthorized access to its systems during an incident on Tuesday, and said it was investigating the breach. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86f7fb2c5335ae1049000a US says hackers are targeting vulnerable water systems with the help of AI te 2026-08-20T12:50:03.253Z US says hackers are targeting vulnerable water systems with the help of AI Hackers are targeting internet-connected Siemens controllers used in water facilities around the United States. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86f5a92c5335ae1048ffd8 Michelle Rodriguez says Hollywood felt like the 'devil's world' after religious upbringing te 2026-08-20T12:40:09.016Z Michelle Rodriguez says Hollywood felt like the 'devil's world' after religious upbringing Michelle Rodriguez has been working in the entertainment industry for more than 25 years and has starred in dozens of movies, including eight "Fast and the Furious" films, but she admitted this week that her religious upbringing left her feeling like she was in the "devil's world" when she first came to Hollywood. "I came from a Jehovah’s Witness background at the time," the 48-year-old said at a 25th anniversary screening of the 2001 original in Los Angeles on Monday, according to People magazine. "So it’s like none of this really means anything to me. And so you’re dealing with a kid who’s not affected. I’m already playing in the so-called devil’s world in my mind as a 20-year-old, obviously." Rodriguez had been in just two independent films, "Girlfight" and "3 A.M.," before she was cast as Letty Ortiz in the street racing franchise. "I was just getting introduced to what it is to be an actor in New York," Rodriguez told People. "And then I think Vin [Diesel] had seen ‘Girlfight’ and he really liked the character and wanted that character to be his girlfriend in ‘Fast.’" VIN DIESEL SHARES UPDATE ON FUTURE WITH 'FAST & FURIOUS' IN FIRST STATEMENT AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS Besides not giving two "s---s" about the movie because of her strict upbringing, "I really loved being able to get in a car, train, learn how to shoot guns, learn how to race cars," she told People. "To me, that was the exciting thing. Doing things that you weren’t allowed to do in real life. Break windows, be violent, all that stuff." "The Fast and the Furious" centers on an undercover police officer, played by the late Paul Walker, who infiltrates a street racing gang led by Diesel’s character. Rodriguez discussed how intense her upbringing was in 2020 on Facebook Watch’s Red Table Talk. FORMER DISNEY STAR DAVID HENRIE REJECTED 'SECULAR' HOLLYWOOD LIFESTYLE AFTER LIFE-CHANGING MONASTERY VISIT "I mean, birthdays and celebrating Halloween are like evil," she explained at the time. "I didn’t get to watch Disney movies ‘til I was in my teens because of all the witchcraft." In 2015, she told Interview magazine that the religion "kind of scarred me for life." BILL BENNETT: WHAT I TOLD MY SONS ABOUT THEIR FAITH, FAMILY AND AMERICA She said she felt like she was living a "double life" when she went door to door with her family. "Sometimes I’d knock on the door of somebody I was going to school with, so it was like living a double life," she admitted. "At school, I was this tomboy kid who just loved to hang out with her friends and learn curse words, trying to fit in with the cool kids and defending all the kids who got picked on." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86f3522c5335ae1048ff75 Pete Alonso's go-ahead home run ruled foul even after replay review, and O's fans are livid te 2026-08-20T12:30:10.459Z Pete Alonso's go-ahead home run ruled foul even after replay review, and O's fans are livid Even in today's world of ABS and instant replay, we still get some drama. See? Technology can't fix everything! Baltimore Orioles fans, players, coaches and announcers are fuming today after Pete Alonso's go-ahead home run Wednesday night against the Yankees was ruled foul. Alonso hit what looked like his 30th blast in the seventh inning. With the game tied at 3, the ex-New York Mets star launched a ball into orbit down the left field line, and started jogging towards first. PETE ALONSO RIPS ON TRAFFIC, CRUSHES HOMER AGAINST YANKEES IN RETURN TO NYC That's when umpires ruled it a foul ball, sending Alonso — and Camden Yards — into a frenzy. The umpires initiated a crew chief review, but ultimately didn't overturn the call, only saying "the call on the field stands." That's corporate lingo for, "We have no clue, so we're going to go with the call we made initially." Anyway, take a look and decide for yourself. Fair ... or foul? Thoughts? First impressions? I immediately go to the Yankees broadcast. Michael Kay sounds just distraught over the fact that it may get overturned. "That looks fair," he said. When the opposing teams' broadcast booth is admitting defeat, it was probably the wrong call. To me, this seems like a pretty cut and dry home run. I've seen a lot of them in my days watching and playing baseball, and this one feels pretty easy. Why did they call it foul on the field? I have no idea. But they did, and when it was called foul in the moment, it was NEVER getting overturned. No shot. The replay is certainly close enough to make any call on the field stand. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Had they called it fair, I'd be saying the same thing. Frankly, had they called it fair, I'm not sure anyone would've really thought anything of it. The Yankees' dugout doesn't have near the angle the Orioles' does being down the third base line, so I'm not sure anyone in there would've noticed. Yikes. Yeah, I think I'm firmly in the 'home run camp' here. Seems obvious to me. Perhaps it wasn't in real-time, but it certainly is now. Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said after the game that the dugout was convinced the ball was fair based on the ball-tracking data they have on their iPads. "It's really tough to have that come back and stands and to have that visual in the dugout. It's 2026. Technology has advanced pretty good," he said. "There's teams using AI on the iPads. Other sports using ball-tracking data for challengeable calls. I don't understand why we don't do it. But, it's not why we lost the game." Well ... it kind of is, isn't it? The Yanks won, 5-3, after plating a pair of runs in the eighth. Who knows what would've happened, but I'd imagine things play out a bit differently if the O's go into that inning up 4-3 and coming off a dramatic Pete Alonso home run. Oh well. That's baseball, as they say. Or something like that. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86f0fa2c5335ae1048ff1b Super Bowl champion OJ Brigance dead at 56 after battle with ALS te 2026-08-20T12:20:10.101Z Super Bowl champion OJ Brigance dead at 56 after battle with ALS O.J. Brigance, a former NFL linebacker who won a Super Bowl title with the Baltimore Ravens, died on Monday after a battle with ALS, the team said. He was 56. Brigance played in the league from 1996 to 2002. He spent time with the Ravens, Miami Dolphins, St. Louis Rams and New England Patriots. He played 16 games for Baltimore in 2000 as the team went on to demolish the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "We are devastated by the awful news that we have lost O.J. Brigance," Ravens team owner Steve Bisciotti said in a statement. "O.J. was a beloved legend, mentor and man to everyone who was fortunate enough to know him. He was a vibrant person who became one of the first Ravens heroes with his passionate play, including the first tackle in the 2000 Super Bowl. "Known for his big smile and welcoming nature, it was easy to feel a special connection with O.J. from the moment you met him. His infectious smile and the inspirational way he lived and played endeared him to everyone he touched, both inside our building and across this city." Brigance was diagnosed with ALS in 2007 and started a foundation to help ALS research. His activism in the ALS research field landed him the 2016 NCAA Inspiration Award. "This is a tremendously sad day for Baltimore. O.J. will be remembered for his service to our community, to the Ravens and to the fight to find a cure for ALS," Bisciotti continued. "With heavy hearts, the Ravens organization extends our deepest condolences to Chanda and the entire Brigance family. We are saddened by this loss, and O.J.’s spirit will remain part of this community forever." SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS Brigance was a standout player for the Rice Owls in college before he decided to turn pro. He joined the Dolphins in 1996 as an undrafted free agent and played in Miami through the 1999 season. He joined the Ravens for one season in 2000, recording 12 tackles and a fumble. He played for the Rams and Patriots from 2001 to 2002 before stepping away from the sport. "We have lost a very special soul in O.J. Brigance. O.J. has been a member of the Ravens family for over 25 years and was an inspiring symbol of grace, class, compassion and competitive competence," former Ravens head coach Brian Billick and his wife Kim said in a joint statement. "If asked who best represents what we all aspire to as an organization and a person, O.J. would be the first person I would point to. Our thoughts are with his family with this loss, but he will forever remain in our hearts." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86f0f92c5335ae1048ff12 Sandra Bullock says Bryan Randall was ill for 'half of our relationship' as she opens up about his death te 2026-08-20T12:20:09.421Z Sandra Bullock says Bryan Randall was ill for 'half of our relationship' as she opens up about his death Sandra Bullock broke her silence on the death of her longtime partner, Bryan Randall, who lost his battle with ALS in 2023. Bullock, 62, dialed in to the Smartless podcast from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where she was watching her kids fish nearby. The "Speed" actress admitted she felt "safe" sharing her story with the group, nearly three years after Randall died. While Bullock previously spoke about their relationship during a 2021 episode, she confessed that her head wasn't completely there at the time "because of the whole Bryan thing," she said. "I don't remember anything." SANDRA BULLOCK HAS ‘DEEP CONCERN’ FOR FAMILY'S SAFETY AFTER RECENT SOCIAL MEDIA SCAMS "It's just horrible. Where I sit now, what I have now, I would not have to share had I not gone through that," Bullock said. "I would not ever want to go through it again, though you never know life is like .. life is tricky. I wasn't allowed to speak about it. That was the request, and I honored it." When asked about keeping his diagnosis a secret, Bullock said, "Yes, he asked me not to share." "I know why he asked me not to ... it isolated me in the process and plus the entire world was locked in with the pandemic," she said. "He was ill for half of our relationship and the diagnosis came almost at the same time with the cloak of the pandemic." SANDRA BULLOCK'S LONGTIME PARTNER BRYAN RANDALL DEAD AT 57 AFTER BATTLE WITH ALS "So as the pandemic came down, and i have a child with severe asthma – I was panicking. Then, we were trying to navigate all the tests, because with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis people – you don't go, 'Oh you have these symptoms, you have ALS.' It is literally like the process of elimination over the course of a year and somewhere you keep going back, and they give you all these milestones these things to do ... because ALS appears in different ways." Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is named after the former New York Yankee great who was forced to retire in 1939 due to the debilitating disease and after playing for the team 17 seasons. Gehrig retired at the age of 36 and died two years later. "His was not hereditary, which I think is a huge sigh of relief, but it was about a year and some of watching it to see what it was," Bullock remembered. "It could have been this, it could have been this, but what I saw, I knew." Bullock noted a history with caregiving, albeit minimally, as she witnessed her parents suffer from myriad illnesses. COURTNEY LOVE REVEALS SECRET HEALTH CRISIS THAT NEARLY KILLED HER: ‘MY BODY JUST EXPLODED’ "I'm a very good planner with illness because my father was ill and had horrible accidents and my mother had cancer – I fele like I'm very comfortable in a setting where someone is ill. It doesn't scare me, not the illness itself. It doesn't scare me. I can see and be around just about anything." "But I had two young kids that were navigating, especially a little girl who saw him as a father figure. So with COVID, and all of that, and being asked not to talk." She added, "I wasn't even allowed to tell Amanda [Anka] (Jason Bateman's wife), I wasn't allowed to tell anybody. My sister was the only one who knew for a while." The "Miss Confidentiality" actress was "so scared that I'd get in trouble for speaking" about Randall's diagnosis. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "Because of my job, it's kind of like Sally Owens," she said, referring to her "Practical Magic" character. "I have a curse. I walk with this curse that knowledge is payment – for somebody, it is information that is valuable and, so that's why I keep very isolated, because I don't want to harm others because of what I do." Bullock admitted that "not talking for a while was good," but the physical illness coupled with "the mental health aspect" created a "trifecta that was pretty dark." She worked with child therapists to help guide her two kids, Lyla and Louis, who were "completely aware" of Randall's diagnosis as he battled ALS in secrecy from their home. "They could see, they have eyes. They are very, very astute kids," she said. "Very astute because they not only see the physical change, there's a behavior that changes in all of us. I'm hyper-vigilant, I became manic in my vigilance. I had to not only make sure he was OK, I had to make sure we could keep the nurses." She added, "The understanding that I now have of caregiving ... I had no idea what to do. I didn't know how to do it. I didn't know who to call. Then there's pain management." When asked why it was so important to keep his secret, Bullock said, "You'd have to ask Bryan, but I think, where he was in his journey both physically and mentally. I started grieving Bryan four years before he passed. Something in me said, start the grieving now because I knew I would be the caregiver." GET ENTERTAINMENT SCOOP DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR EMAIL BY CLICKING HERE "The selfish part of me, my person left a lot earlier than the body left, and I had to… I don't think I ever dealt with that until after he passed because you're just on this treadmill," she said. "The thing with my journey with Bryan is that I didn't stop feeling guilt as a mother with my kids until I'd say about a year ago. There's things I didn't process." Randall died on Aug. 5, 2023. He was 57. "It is with great sadness that we share that on August 5th Bryan Randall passed away peacefully after a 3 year battle with ALS," his family said in a statement at the time. PUT YOUR ENTERTAINMENT KNOWLEDGE TO THE TEST AND SEE HOW YOU SCORE "Bryan chose early to keep his journey with ALS private and those of us who cared for him did our best to honor his request. We are immensely grateful to the tireless doctors who navigated the landscape of this illness with us and to the astounding nurses who became our roommates, often sacrificing their own families to be with ours. At this time we ask for privacy to grieve and to come to terms with the impossibility of saying goodbye to Bryan." Bullock and Randall, who was a photographer, had been dating since 2015. According to People magazine, the pair first met when he was hired to take pictures during the birthday party for her son, Louis, that January. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86f0f12c5335ae1048fede Meta AI’s new Mac app wants you to talk to your apps te 2026-08-20T12:20:01.675Z Meta AI’s new Mac app wants you to talk to your apps Meta said its Muse Spark model is powering the dictation feature. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86eea62c5335ae1048fe85 118-year-old mystery cracked as divers discover lost warship beneath the waves te 2026-08-20T12:10:14.175Z 118-year-old mystery cracked as divers discover lost warship beneath the waves Divers recently uncovered the remains of a Royal Navy warship off the Isle of Wight — 118 years after it went down. The ship, HMS Tiger, sank in 1908 after colliding with another Royal Navy warship, the 10,000-ton HMS Berwick, news agency SWNS reported. More than half of HMS Tiger's 57 crew members were killed in the sinking. The wreck remained undiscovered until Aug. 10, when the ProjectXplore dive group announced its discovery. WRECK OF DEADLIEST US NAVAL LOSS OF WORLD WAR I FOUND AFTER MORE THAN A CENTURY: 'LOST WITH ALL HANDS' The ProjectXplore team spent five years going through archives and piecing together data that helped pinpoint the wreck's location. Images show divers exploring the twisted and rusting remains of HMS Tiger on the seabed over a century after it sank. A wreath was also laid on the wreck in memory of those who died. In a statement, the organizers of ProjectXplore called it "the privilege of a lifetime to research, discover and document the wreck of HMS Tiger." BOY STUMBLES ON STRANGE BEACH OBJECT IDENTIFIED AS RARE 1.8M-YEAR-OLD FOSSIL "We sincerely hope that our work will ensure that HMS Tiger, her story and the memory of those connected with her endure for future generations," organizers Leo Fielding and Dan McMullen said. The discovery comes as the British government moves to strengthen legal protections for military shipwrecks through its Armed Forces Bill. Under the proposed changes, wrecks such as HMS Tiger would be protected from the moment they're discovered, making it illegal to disturb the sites or remove items without permission. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Divers would still be allowed to visit under a "look but don't touch" approach. "This Armed Forces Bill is wide-ranging in the measures it proposes – from protecting our rich cultural heritage, to transforming the lives of military families by upgrading and improving the Defence housing estate," Armed Forces Minister Louise Sandher-Jones said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS "These protections go further to ensure that these vulnerable and nationally significant monuments are protected from day one of discovery, giving lost sailors the dignity and respect they deserve." HMS Tiger is the latest in a series of historic shipwrecks to be discovered or documented in British waters in recent years. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Last summer, divers documented the remarkably preserved wreck of the British warship Northumberland off the coast of Kent, more than 320 years after it sank during the Great Storm of 1703. Earlier this year, the remains of a 17th-century merchant ship believed to be The Fame, which sank in 1631, resurfaced on a beach in southwestern England after winter storms exposed the wreck. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86eea52c5335ae1048fe7c Lost city tied to biblical Exodus may have finally been discovered in Egypt te 2026-08-20T12:10:13.562Z Lost city tied to biblical Exodus may have finally been discovered in Egypt Archaeologists in Egypt have uncovered new evidence that could help pinpoint a long-lost ancient city along a military route, with possible ties to the biblical Exodus. The discovery was announced by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities on August 15. The excavation centered on Tell Abu Seifi, an ancient fortified site in northeastern Egypt near the Sinai Peninsula that archaeologists believe may be the long-lost city of Mesen. ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNCOVER MYSTERIOUS FACE HIDDEN FOR CENTURIES IN BOOK OF REVELATION CITY The site once stood along the Horus Military Road, a strategic route connecting Egypt with Sinai and Canaan, which some scholars have linked to the "way of the land of the Philistines" in the Book of Exodus. As Exodus details, the Israelites fled Egypt under Moses but were led away from the more direct route through the land of the Philistines, despite it being the shorter path toward Canaan. In a translated statement, officials said archaeologists found a massive sandstone lintel, or stone beam, bearing the titles of Ramesses II, the pharaoh often associated with Moses. Ramesses II, born around 1303 B.C., is considered one of the most influential and powerful Egyptian rulers of the New Kingdom era. He died in roughly 1213 B.C., placing the newly uncovered beam at more than 3,000 years old. The lintel also bears an inscription referring to the restoration of a statue of Horus, described as "Lord of the City of Mesen." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Officials said the inscription strengthens the theory that Tell Abu Seifi may be the site of Mesen, which had been mentioned in texts dating to the New Kingdom. Archaeologists also unearthed the remains of a fortified temple complex, including a mudbrick enclosure wall and gates, along with storage rooms and two ancient stone roads leading into the temple. The new evidence "presents a strong archaeological and historical hypothesis linking the site to the ancient Egyptian city of Mesen," the statement read. "However, excavation and scientific study remain ongoing in the search for further evidence that could definitively settle the question," officials said. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ The site continued to evolve long after the temple was built, with parts of it converted into a Roman military barracks during the third century A.D. Archaeologists also uncovered fragments of falcon statues and other sculptures. In a statement, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy said the findings "represent an important addition to the ministry’s efforts to uncover the history of archaeological sites in North Sinai and the Qantara region." CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS "The discoveries at the site highlight the strategic and cultural role the region played in protecting Egypt’s eastern borders throughout history," added Fathy. The latest discovery is one of several significant archaeological finds in Egypt this year with connections to Ramesses II and the biblical world. Earlier this spring, archaeologists in Egypt uncovered a massive statue believed to depict Ramesses II at the Tel Pharaoh site in the Nile Delta. Shortly after, archaeologists uncovered an ancient settlement at Tell el-Koua in Wadi Tumilat, a region that has long been linked to debates over the setting of the biblical Exodus. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86eea32c5335ae1048fe6b Email Encryption Market to Reach USD 23.33 Billion by 2030, Driven by Rising Cyber Threats and Data Privacy Regulations | Report by MarketsandMarkets™ te 2026-08-20T12:10:11.637Z Email Encryption Market to Reach USD 23.33 Billion by 2030, Driven by Rising Cyber Threats and Data Privacy Regulations | Report by MarketsandMarkets™ Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86eea22c5335ae1048fe62 Crazy Beanies Redefines Headwear Fashion With Domestically Manufactured Designs That Appeal to Every Age and Style te 2026-08-20T12:10:10.777Z Crazy Beanies Redefines Headwear Fashion With Domestically Manufactured Designs That Appeal to Every Age and Style Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86eea12c5335ae1048fe59 NecroBrew Rises From the Shadows to Deliver Roasted-to-Order Coffee With a Dark, Alternative Edge te 2026-08-20T12:10:09.924Z NecroBrew Rises From the Shadows to Deliver Roasted-to-Order Coffee With a Dark, Alternative Edge Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86eea12c5335ae1048fe50 Storie Vault Launches a Custom Story Generator for Personalized Online Storytelling te 2026-08-20T12:10:09.119Z Storie Vault Launches a Custom Story Generator for Personalized Online Storytelling Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86eea02c5335ae1048fe47 "Faith Beyond Exclusion": Historic Earl Lectures Gather Leaders for an Urgent Moment te 2026-08-20T12:10:08.353Z "Faith Beyond Exclusion": Historic Earl Lectures Gather Leaders for an Urgent Moment Two-day Berkeley gathering, September 25-26, calls faith communities to confront exclusion, build belonging, and create hope Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86ec4d2c5335ae1048f8a2 Melting Swiss glacier reveals remains of two Belgian mountaineers missing since 1992 te 2026-08-20T12:00:13.293Z Melting Swiss glacier reveals remains of two Belgian mountaineers missing since 1992 A melting glacier in the Swiss Alps revealed the remains of two Belgian mountaineers who vanished more than three decades ago, authorities said Wednesday. A hiker spotted the remains on the Trift Glacier on July 26 after melting ice exposed them, according to police in Switzerland’s Valais canton. Authorities recovered the remains and sent them to a forensic medicine institute at a hospital in Sion for identification. REMAINS FOUND IN UTAH DESERT 28 YEARS AGO WITH HELP OF A PSYCHIC FINALLY IDENTIFIED THROUGH DNA GENEALOGY DNA testing showed they belonged to two Belgian men who disappeared in the Weissmies region in 1992, police said. The men were 39 and 41 when they went missing. Valais police have kept records of missing-person cases dating to 1925. Many involve people who disappeared in the mountains or in bodies of water. WOMAN FOUND IN SHALLOW GRAVE ID’D AFTER 44 YEARS AS MILLIONAIRE TIED TO ESTATE MURDER PLOT As glaciers retreat, remains hidden beneath the ice for decades can emerge, police said. Similar discoveries have been made in Switzerland in recent years. In 2023, DNA testing identified a body found on a glacier near the Matterhorn as a German mountaineer who disappeared in 1986. Switzerland’s glaciers have been melting at an increasing rate, a trend some scientists have linked to rising global temperatures. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86ec4a2c5335ae1048f88f "Faith Beyond Exclusion": Historic Earl Lectures Gather Leaders for an Urgent Moment te 2026-08-20T12:00:10.705Z "Faith Beyond Exclusion": Historic Earl Lectures Gather Leaders for an Urgent Moment Pacific School of Religion Logo Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86ec492c5335ae1048f886 Versatile Gear for Nature Enthusiasts te 2026-08-20T12:00:09.581Z Versatile Gear for Nature Enthusiasts (StatePoint) As most outdoor enthusiasts learn sooner or later, the gear you bring on your expeditions can make or break the experience. That’s why selecting multipurpose, adaptable equipment is so important. To gear up for fall hikes, climbing expeditions, bike… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86e7992c5335ae1048f7dd Judge hands Trump, GOP major redistricting win ahead of midterm elections and more top headlines te 2026-08-20T11:40:09.049Z Judge hands Trump, GOP major redistricting win ahead of midterm elections and more top headlines 1. Judge hands Trump, GOP major redistricting win  2. Legal expert spots a problem for prosecutors in Lindsay Clancy trial 3. Trump escalates 'crushing' economic warfare against Iran   NOT SO FAST — Top name to replace Karoline Leavitt just took herself out of contention. Continue reading … ICE ON DECK — DHS vows to 'swiftly' deport illegal immigrant accused in deadly NYC boat capsizing. Continue reading … MORAL STANDOFF — Surrogate chose birth over abortion and now baby's parents want six figures. Continue reading … SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS — Hayden Panettiere death probe takes dramatic turn as DEA reportedly joins investigation. Continue reading … GOODBYE TO HOLLYWOOD — Harry and Meghan reportedly returning to UK years after torching royal ties. Continue reading … -- HIGH STAKES — El-Sayed's agenda puts ‘permanently’ changed America on the line in Michigan Senate race. Continue reading … PLUG & PAY — Monthly bill Americans can’t avoid is quietly surging thanks to emerging industry. Continue reading … SWING STATE STAKES — How a NYC suburb could decide which party controls the House. Continue reading … CLASSIFIED LEAK — Trump reveals exact number of North Korea's nuclear weapons. Continue reading … Click here for more cartoons…   HOUSE RULES — Idaho coffee shop owner defends ejecting pro-life group from his business after backlash. Continue reading … POLITICAL CIRCUS — Top Trump aide at the center of a liberal media frenzy following Ossoff's remark. Continue reading … BROADCAST BRAWL — Notorious TV clash with Ben Affleck tops everything, Bill Maher candidly admits. Continue reading … COLD SHOULDER — Kathy Griffin begs for pity after getting left off Rosie's Kimmel takeover lineup. Continue reading … HUGH HEWITT — Morning Glory: Alaska’s 'real' Senator Dan Sullivan stood up over challenger. Continue reading …  DAN GAINOR — Want to stop socialism? A modern civic education needs a lot more than you'd think. Continue reading … -- PROTECTIVE STEPS — Cancer doctor reveals 5 habits that may reduce disease risk and improve outcomes. Continue reading … EMBRACE THE HATE — Cunningham sends loud and clear message after getting mercilessly booed in Canada. Continue reading … UNPLUG & REWIND — Retro Pizza Hut draws customers from hours away as 1980s nostalgia fuels sales surge. Continue reading … AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ — Test yourself on summer splurges and basketball brilliance. Take the quiz here … Tune in for a look at six toss-up Senate races and the political forces that could determine control of the chamber. Listen to more on Castbox.   Two men recount near-death experiences and what they say they witnessed beyond this life on ‘Hang Out with Sean Hannity.’ Check it out… UFC Welterweight and RAF 12 Competitor Sean Brady joins ‘Planet Tyrus.' Check it out… Comedian and Actor Vince August appears on ‘Will Cain Country.' Check it out... What's it looking like in your neighborhood? Continue reading…   Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter LinkedIn      Fox News First Fox News Opinion Fox News Lifestyle Fox News Entertainment (FOX411) Fox Business Fox Weather Fox Sports Tubi Fox News Go Thank you for making us your first choice in the morning! We'll see you in your inbox first thing Friday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86e7982c5335ae1048f7d4 California lawmakers want corporations to disclose ties to slavery despite uncertain future for reparations te 2026-08-20T11:40:08.416Z California lawmakers want corporations to disclose ties to slavery despite uncertain future for reparations While the future of reparations in California remains uncertain, state lawmakers are continuing to push forward with related legislation despite a lack of clear consensus on broad direct cash payouts. Most recently, Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, D-Ladera Heights, introduced Assembly Bill 2599, known as the Truth in Disclosure Act. The bill would require major corporations doing business in California with annual worldwide gross receipts over $100 million to review their historical records and submit sworn affidavits disclosing any past ties to chattel slavery. If signed into law, AB 2599 would mandate that the California Civil Rights Department establish a digital public platform by Jan. 3, 2028, to archive disclosures on corporate historical ties to slavery. The measure focuses on sectors historically tied to the antebellum economy, including insurance, banking, tobacco, cotton, sugar, railroads, and shipping. CALIFORNIA COUNTY APPROVES REPARATIONS PLAN AS NEIGHBORING SCHOOL DISTRICT 'BLACK THRIVING' EFFORT STALLS "The Truth in Disclosure Act requires any company doing business in California with annual worldwide gross receipts of over $100 million to verify and search their records for any transactions related to wealth gained during chattel slavery and report that wealth to the state to be held in a digital archive," Bryan said. The legislation was advanced by the Senate Appropriations Committee in August as part of the legislative "suspense file" clearing process, sending it to the full Senate floor. If passed and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, California would become the first state to require major private corporations to report under oath their historical or financial ties to chattel slavery. AB 2599 is part of a broader push by the California Legislative Black Caucus following recommendations from the state’s historic Reparations Task Force. Another measure introduced by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor, D-Inglewood, seeks to protect potential future reparations payments from state income taxes. SAN FRANCISCO JUDGE NOT CONVINCED REPARATIONS FUND WILL BE DISCRIMINATORY DURING LAWSUIT HEARING McKinnor expressed optimism about the future of reparations in a statement to Fox News Digital when asked about whether she thinks Newsom would approve the measure. "Governor Newsom has shown great leadership by creating a number of laws that benefit the descendants of formerly enslaved people. I am hopeful that Governor Newsom will continue that leadership by signing AB 2186 into law," McKinnor told Fox News Digital. Despite the legislative activity, actual cash reparations face steep political and budgetary headwinds in the Golden State. Newsom has previously expressed caution regarding direct payments, vetoing earlier standalone measures over legal and fiscal concerns. Meanwhile, federal policies under the Trump administration remain firmly opposed to government-funded racial reparations programs. CASH PAYMENTS ARE NOT 'RULED OUT' AS CALIFORNIA COUNTY OFFICIALS PUSH REPARATIONS FOR BLACK LOCALS Civil rights attorney Lisa Holder, a former member of the California Reparations Task Force, acknowledged that achieving full reparations will require a sustained legislative fight. "You can’t legislate yourself out of 400 years of inequality and injustice," Holder told KQED. "You have to do an entire body of laws to change the systems that have been disparately affecting Black folks for decades." Bryan did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86e5432c5335ae1048f77f Pat McAfee endorses Saints' rookie wide receiver for WWE shot after training camp brawl te 2026-08-20T11:30:11.321Z Pat McAfee endorses Saints' rookie wide receiver for WWE shot after training camp brawl Who needs the WWE Performance Center when you’re at training camp launching players with German suplexes? New Orleans Saints rookie Brock Rechsteiner was involved in a training camp brawl with the Dallas Cowboys earlier this week. Rechsteiner, the son of WWE Hall of Famer Scott Steiner and nephew of Rick Steiner, was seen putting on pro wrestling moves to some of his opponents. A MASSIVE BRAWL AT COWBOYS AND SAINTS JOINT PRACTICE INCLUDES PUNCHES AND HELMETS THROWN AND WWE MOVES Rechsteiner’s involvement caught the eye of Pat McAfee, who used to be on the WWE commentary team with Michael Cole before stepping away thanks to Randy Orton’s loss to Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42 earlier this year. "This is Scott Steiner’s boy doing Rick Steiner’s German suplex and three, two and one, boom! He needs to just head to NXT right now and join Bron (Breakker) as the Steiner Brothers could return in this whole thing," McAfee said on his show on Wednesday. Rechsteiner’s cousin, Bron Breakker, is one of the fastest-rising stars in WWE. Breakker is set to face off against Oba Femi at Sunday Night’s Main Event on Sept. 6. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Meanwhile, the Saints rookie was suspended for the first six games of the NFL season for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy. The former Jacksonville State wide receiver had 53 catches for 629 yards and seven touchdowns from 2023 to 2025. In his final year with the Gamecocks, he had 36 catches for 383 yards and five touchdowns. Rechsteiner, and his brother Brandon, previously signed NIL deals with WWE last year. Brandon Rechsteiner was a guard for the Colorado State Rams men’s basketball team. He averaged 12 points per game with the Rams during the 2025-26 season and announced he was transferring to Kansas State. He initially signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent before moving to New Orleans. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86e2eb2c5335ae1048f728 Want to strengthen America's economy? The key investment is hiding in plain sight te 2026-08-20T11:20:11.739Z Want to strengthen America's economy? The key investment is hiding in plain sight Picture the morning your technicians don’t show up. Your flight never leaves the gate because there is no one to solve the maintenance issue. Your car sits in the shop for three weeks because the service bay has a lift and the necessary tools, but no one is there to utilize any of it. A factory line goes down and stays down. The trucks behind it don’t roll, the supply chain stalls, the packages never arrive. A data center overheats. A fire truck won’t start. None of that is hypothetical. It’s the direction we’re heading. The U.S. economy faces a massive shortage of skilled technical talent. Across 10 critical sectors (like automotive, aviation and HVAC), industry supply meets barely 42% of the total demand. This tech shortage drains $7.42 billion in wage-based economic output from the U.S. economy every single year. What makes this shortage so puzzling is that America is talking about the skilled trades. INNOVATION IS KEY TO AMERICA STAYING A SUPERPOWER. BUT IT IS MISSING AN ESSENTIAL PIECE Skilled technicians are exactly the high-skill, high-wage, in-demand jobs Americans increasingly say they want, and that employers, policymakers and philanthropists increasingly say they want to support. Most open jobs start at $50,000 to $80,000, require no four-year degree, and pay at or above the national median. The top techs can clear six figures. A modern vehicle is a computer on wheels. A modern aircraft is a data center with wings. Employers have started responding. Ford, Carrier and Snap-on have invested in scholarships, grants and workforce training to help build the next generation of technicians. This year alone, employers and foundations have pledged hundreds of millions of dollars to the skilled trades, which is welcome, overdue news. So, if interest and investment in the skilled trades are rising, why is the technician shortage still so severe? Part of the answer is surprisingly basic: We don't actually see technicians as a workforce. When people think of skilled labor, they often think of construction workers or plumbers. (Spoiler alert: So do the government and funders.) A "technician" is an automotive, diesel and aircraft tech; a collision and ADAS calibration specialist; an HVAC tech keeping both your home and a hyperscale data center from overheating; an industrial machinery mechanic keeping the robots running; a wind and solar tech keeping the grid alive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics counts close to 6 million in its maintenance-and-repair workforce – and that leaves out welders and excludes the self-employed entirely. Independent shops handle most of the nation’s vehicle repairs, and at TechForce, owning a shop is the dream for roughly seven in 10 of the thousands of technicians we serve. When you account for the full ecosystem — from automotive and aviation to HVAC, industrial machinery, energy and beyond — America’s technician workforce is roughly 7 million strong, collectively earning more than $375 billion a year. Yet the size and economic power of that workforce is obscured by the way our labor data categorizes it. Instead, they're scattered across dozens of occupational codes, making one of America's largest essential workforces effectively invisible. Viewed separately, their shortages can look like isolated problems facing individual industries. Taken together, they reveal something much bigger: an economy-wide shortage of the technicians who keep America running. And money follows the data. The attention and investment flow toward the trades the system can see, while an enormous swath of the skilled workforce remains fragmented across categories. Follow that to the bottom line. Americans will spend $435 billion this year just maintaining and repairing their vehicles. Airlines spend roughly $120 billion a year keeping aircraft airworthy. Ford CEO Jim Farley calls blue-collar work the "essential economy" and warns we aren’t building the workforce to sustain it, describing the shortage as "a bay with a lift and tools and no one to work in it." And lately it’s become bigger than any balance sheet. As the country reshores manufacturing, powers AI data centers that can’t be allowed to overheat and rebuilds its defense base, the people who keep those systems running are a strategic asset. Carolyn Lee, president of the Manufacturing Institute, warns that the coming shortfall of 1.9 million manufacturing workers by 2033 is "not just a workforce issue — it’s an economic and national security issue." America cannot invest trillions in new physical and technological infrastructure without investing in the human infrastructure required to maintain it. And doing that starts with making this workforce visible. We need the Bureau of Labor Statistics to stop fragmenting these jobs under dozens of separate codes, so policymakers and funders can see the true size, demand and economic value of the full technician workforce. TRUMP TAPS VETERANS TO FIX ILLEGAL ALIEN TRUCKING PROBLEM PLAGUING US ROADWAYS Then we need to build pathways that match the demand. Workforce dollars, scholarships, apprenticeships and career-and-technical education should reach roles like automotive, HVAC and industrial machinery technicians, not just the handful of skilled trades Americans already know by name. At TechForce, we see firsthand what happens when those pathways exist: students are eager to enter these careers, but demand for support far outpaces the resources available to help them get there. And companies investing billions in manufacturing, AI, energy, transportation and defense should treat the technician pipeline as part of that investment. New factories, data centers, fleets and advanced machines are only as valuable as our ability to keep them running. Technicians are the hidden force behind America's economy and investing in them is one of the most strategic ways to strengthen communities, rebuild the middle class and secure the country's future. America spends an immense amount of energy searching for the next breakthrough technology, but technologies don't maintain themselves. Every plane, server, wind turbine, factory robot, hospital MRI machine and delivery truck eventually needs someone who knows how to keep it working. Every major investment America is making has a technician workforce behind it. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Maybe the highest-return investment is in the people who keep every machine moving. The next time your car starts, your flight lands, or your lights stay on through a heat wave — thank a tech. Better yet, help us build the next one. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86e2eb2c5335ae1048f71f Is this 'lust-free' Christian gym the final battlefield for the gender wars? te 2026-08-20T11:20:11.162Z Is this 'lust-free' Christian gym the final battlefield for the gender wars? Surrounded by the loud clunks of iron, a multitude of machines and the smell of sweat are millions of Americans working out in gyms across the country, and while most tolerate the crowded ebbs and flows of co-ed commercial gyms, some men who find this setup distracting are seeking out "lust-free" gym alternatives. "[The] lust side, that’s just a small piece of what the gym does," Jeff Hambrecht, owner of Proverbs 27:17, a Christian men’s-only gym in Oklahoma City, told Fox News Digital. "The idea of a lust-free gym, it's not like we're a bunch of guys who can't control ourselves and we stay indoors. If you're an alcoholic… and you're trying to get out of that circle, you're probably going to avoid drugs and alcohol. So why would lust be any different? If you're struggling with pornography and lust and women, why would you keep going to a place over and over and where you're going to keep getting yourself in trouble? So I just eliminated that," he continued. DOES POT MAKE YOU A BETTER PARENT? THIS 'GARDEN MOM' SAYS YES, BUT THE REALITY IS HAZY EX-PRISONER WHO BECAME MAYOR AND PASTOR CREDITS FAITH-BASED PROGRAM WITH GIVING HIM SECOND CHANCE Hambrecht, an addict who recovered from his battles with drugs, alcohol and pornography through repairing his relationship with Christ, says his gym is an attempt to help men find community, remove stigmas and open up conversations around mental health and other struggles for modern men. "I just saw this gap of there's no place for guys to go and just be vulnerable and get closer to God with other men chasing that same thing," he added. "We're taking away the temptation of, hey, you're coming to a gym, whether you're single or married, and you're going to focus on what needs to be focused on. And then yeah, obviously you're going to go out in the world and there's going to be females. That's part of the deal. But the goal is you start re-looking at relationships and women and females and life in general from more of a biblical sense… that's my goal in a nutshell," he continued. TALARICO BLASTS 'INSIDIOUS' BIBLE-RELATED EDUCATION PROGRAM AS 'PROPAGANDA' Kim Abt, the owner of PWRGRLS gym in Sherman Oaks, California, a women-only gym decked out in a neon pink color scheme with palm trees reminiscent of the 80s, said that men wanting gender-secluded gyms is "fair." "[I] never thought about it, but I do hear it all the time. Guys complaining about, you know, being distracted by [women in particular workout clothes]. So I respect it," she added. Abt said that most of her classes were filled within a year, and that 80-90% of her clients sign up because they feel intimidated walking into a regular gym. She also noted that past harassment is another "main reason" women join PWRGRLS gym, citing that "the community aspect is huge" for most members. WASHINGTON MOTHER SAYS SHE FOUND ADULT MALE SHOWERING IN WOMEN'S LOCKER ROOM DURING CHILDREN'S SWIM MEET Brad Jensen, better known online as "thesoberbodybuilder" with decades of experience in the fitness industry, weighed in on the discourse surrounding Proverbs 27:17 gym. "I've seen the pushback, I've also seen the praise of it. I actually understand more and have more empathy why women would want a women-only gym," Jensen said. "I would almost understand more if they said, hey, we're going to create a Christian gym where there's a little bit of a dress code, but we're all going to bond together… Where maybe they do create a dress code, and they have Christian values for this gym, but they don't exclude the women who also might want to work out in an environment with like-minded people… I can see that making more sense," he continued. "There is a fine line sometimes. There ha[ve] been some outfits where I've seen people wearing where it's probably a little too far on the other side," he added. "I've also seen a rise of people on social media that do ‘Only Fans’, promoting that at public gyms in really, really wrong ways. That's absolutely going too far," he continued. "I think there's a line that we can cross where it's disrespectful to the other people. And if we're making people feel uncomfortable… by our action [and] it's very obvious that we're making half the gym feel uncomfortable. I think that's where we're crossing a line too far," Jensen said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86e2ea2c5335ae1048f716 Cancer doctor reveals 5 habits that may reduce disease risk and improve outcomes te 2026-08-20T11:20:10.541Z Cancer doctor reveals 5 habits that may reduce disease risk and improve outcomes Even as new data shows cancer’s continuing toll in the U.S., a surgical oncologist says some simple lifestyle measures could help lower the likelihood of developing the disease. An estimated 2,114,850 new cancer cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2026 — about 5,800 per day, according to the American Cancer Society. Dr. Loren Rourke, a Texas-based breast surgical oncologist and author of "Real Talk, Real Hope: Breast Cancer Your Way," emphasized that while no lifestyle choice can guarantee cancer prevention, healthy habits can help reduce certain risk factors. LEADING ONCOLOGIST REVEALS 6 HABITS THAT COULD PROMOTE LONGEVITY AND REDUCE YOUR RISK OF CHRONIC ILLNESS From maintaining a healthy weight to staying active, Rourke shared the following five everyday strategies that support the body and improve overall health. Being obese or overweight is associated with an increased risk of at least 13 types of cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. Rourke estimates that excess body weight is likely the third-biggest risk factor for breast cancer, after female gender and aging. OZEMPIC-STYLE DRUGS LINKED TO MAJOR SLOWDOWN IN CANCER SPREAD, NEW STUDY FINDS Growing research suggests glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications — including Ozempic and Wegovy — may be associated with a lower risk of cancer diagnoses and recurrence. Rourke said one possible reason GLP-1s could prove beneficial for cancer risk is that the drugs promote weight loss and reduce chronic inflammation. "We know that a lower BMI equals a better prognosis with breast cancer," she told Fox News Digital. "So if the secondary effect of taking a GLP-1 means that you’re going to lose weight, that’s a benefit, because we know you’re going to do better with breast cancer." GLP-1 drugs are not yet approved to prevent cancer, and more research is needed to determine whether they independently reduce disease risk. The American Cancer Society states that physical activity is linked to a lower risk of several cancers. The official guideline recommend 150–300 minutes of moderate activity or 75–150 minutes of vigorous activity per week for adults. DOCTORS SAY 8 FORGOTTEN HABITS COULD HELP FIGHT STRESS, OBESITY AND CHRONIC DISEASE "I think people underestimate overall fitness," Rourke said. "We tend to think about it for heart health, but it’s not just heart health — it’s mental health and reducing your risk of having lots of chronic medical problems that span from one end to the other, in addition to other cancers." Even if staying physically fit doesn’t keep cancer at bay, it may help improve outcomes if the disease develops, she noted. "One in eight women get breast cancer. So if it comes knocking, you want to be ready," she said. "Women come to me and say, ‘I’ve done everything. I’ve exercised every day. I’ve eaten a healthy diet, and here I am sitting in your office.’ And I say, ‘Well, that healthy body is now ready for this fight.’" "If you can bring a healthy body and a healthy mind to the disease, you are going to do better." To lower the risk of cancer and premature death, the American Cancer Society recommends sticking to a diet rich in vegetables, whole fruits, whole grains and legumes, while limiting red/processed meats, sugary drinks and highly processed foods. Rourke agrees with these guidelines, but noted that even people who follow healthy eating patterns can face cancer diagnoses. CANCER SURVIVORS SAW MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS IN SLEEP AND WELL-BEING WITH ONE WEEKLY PRACTICE "I have vegans sitting in my office. I have people who don’t eat any sugar in my office. They’re all getting breast cancer," she said. "What I say is, [eat] a healthy, balanced diet, limited processed foods, as close to farm-to-table as you can get," the doctor advised. "Just healthy eating, reasonable portions … nothing in excess." "If you practice that, that’s going to suit you for so many things in your future." The doctor added that it’s not necessary to take an extreme approach to dietary choices: "Do you need to give up all sugar? No. Do you need to go to the extreme? No." Cigarette smoking is responsible for about 20% of all cancers and about 30% of cancer deaths in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society. The habit can cause cancer in numerous parts of the body, and quitting can reduce cancer risk at any age, experts say. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES Meanwhile, alcohol consumption has been linked to an estimated 5% of U.S. cancer cases and 4% of cancer deaths in 2019, according to the National Cancer Institute. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER The U.S. surgeon general issued guidance last year following research that linked alcohol to at least seven types of cancer, naming it as the "third leading preventable cause of cancer" in the country, after tobacco and obesity. Rourke advised that alcohol should only be consumed in moderation, although even light drinking has been shown to raise the risk of certain cancers. "Too many Americans are living with an outdated assumption that some amount of alcohol is not only harmless, but also good for you," Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel previously told Fox News Digital. "Increasing evidence shows that isn't true." TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "Even though traditional advice has been up to one drink a day for women and two drinks per day for men, in fact, no amount of alcohol is healthy," he added. Early detection programs have enabled doctors and patients to detect disease earlier than ever before, which increases survival rates, Rourke noted. "I think now there’s more awareness," she said. "People know if they have someone in their family and what kind of cancer they had." "I think people are much more educated in general, and that is promoting wellness, health, early detection and screening." Rourke also expressed concern about relying too heavily on artificial intelligence when investigating possible symptoms. "If you are worried about something, call your primary care doctor [or] gynecologist," she advised. "If you feel like something’s wrong, follow through with it and get it checked out. Never ignore your inner voice." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86e2e42c5335ae1048f6f1 Flagstaff Event Almanac for August 20 te 2026-08-20T11:20:04.241Z Flagstaff Event Almanac for August 20 Aug 20 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86e08f2c5335ae1048f6b4 Christian Zionists take on anti-Israel ‘propaganda’ from biblical heartland te 2026-08-20T11:10:07.501Z Christian Zionists take on anti-Israel ‘propaganda’ from biblical heartland A major visitors center in the West Bank town of Har Bracha in Samaria was inaugurated last month by The Israel Guys, a Christian Zionist organization that has spent nearly two decades bringing more than 5,000 volunteers from 35 countries to help develop the Land of Israel. Joshua Waller, CEO of The Israel Guys, originally established as HaYovel, said the organization’s mission is to bring people to see for themselves how the biblical heartland is flourishing, despite what he says are media narratives portraying the area as beset by conflict. "We live here, we see the people who live here, and then we tell everyone what is actually happening. Our role is to expand that and bring thousands of internationals to come and see for themselves," he told Fox News Digital. US AMBASSADOR HUCKABEE SLAMS EXTREME GROUP OF ISRAELI SETTLERS FOR SEIZING PALESTINIAN HOMES ON WEST BANK "You may love the Jewish people but be unsure how to deal with the propaganda, specifically the term ‘settler violence.’ Jews in Judea and Samaria have been branded as a radical group that would probably be dangerous to encounter. Well, come to the visitor center, and you will see the exact opposite," he said. "You will see that it is a fake narrative built by the international community … it is a straight-up war against the Jewish [people]," he added. The organization’s volunteer programs include the Heartland Experience, a 10-day trip to Israel combining touring, volunteer work and interaction with local residents; the Grape Harvest trip, a two-week program held in late summer and early fall that focuses on helping farmers with the harvest; and the Men’s Pruning trip, a two-week program in early spring focused on pruning vineyards. Other programs include Zion Ops, a four-week program for young adults ages 18 to 30, and Day Visits, which offer two-hour visits to Har Bracha. ISRAEL LAUNCHES 'BIBLICAL HIGHWAY' AMID CAMPAIGN TO ERASE JEWISH HISTORY In 2004, Tommy Waller, Joshua Waller’s father, traveled to Israel for the first time, where he met Nir Lavi, founder of Har Bracha Winery. Lavi shared his plan to fulfill the vision of the Prophet Jeremiah: "You shall again plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria; the planters shall plant and eat them as ordinary food" (Jeremiah 31:5). Waller Sr. asked how he could help. In 2007, after moving with his wife, Sherri, and their 11 children from Tennessee to Har Bracha, Waller Sr. established HaYovel, a U.S. nonprofit that provides Christian volunteers with an opportunity to work the land alongside Israeli farmers. In 2013, the organization sought to counter anti-Israel rhetoric by launching The Joshua & Caleb Report TV show, its first dedicated pro-Israel media project, which in 2018 transitioned into a weekly podcast. Five years ago, the organization rebranded as The Israel Guys and stepped up its advocacy efforts. CHRISTIAN LEADERS HOLD EMERGENCY SUMMIT IN JERUSALEM TO CONFRONT GLOBAL RISE IN ANTISEMITISM The Israel Guys currently counts more than 20 team members and, since its founding, has helped develop some 120 farms. Volunteers who come to Judea and Samaria work alongside local farmers, planting trees, erecting fences, harvesting crops and assisting with infrastructure projects. In the aftermath of the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, massacre of 1,200 Israelis, The Israel Guys launched Operation Ittai and raised $3.85 million to provide tactical supplies to communities in the area and strengthen their defenses against possible terrorist attacks. The group went viral at the time after bringing American cowboys to Israel to help farmers whose workers had been called up as reservists. Addressing media coverage of recent incidents involving Christians in Israel, Waller said the narrative that they are no longer welcome in the country is false. AMBASSADOR GEORGE DEEK: THE CHRISTIAN ISRAEL YOU ARE NOT BEING SHOWN "People put a lot of money into trying to make it seem as though Christians would somehow be better off living in Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Jordan or other Arab countries surrounding Israel. Factually, that is completely wrong," he told Fox News Digital. "I know Christians living in those places, and I even know Christians living in areas under the control of the Palestinian Authority, and they suffer immensely. The fact is that Israel is the safest place for Christians in the entire Middle East. It is the only place where the Christian population is growing," he added. Volunteers, Waller explained, have come from a wide range of Christian denominations, including Catholics, Protestants, Evangelicals, Mormons, Amish and Mennonites. He emphasized that Israel is a partner for peace and urged nations to align themselves with biblical values, which he said could pave the way for "some incredible days ahead." If antisemitism leads to efforts to destroy Israel, he added, "that’s not an option," saying Israel would have to fight that war while The Israel Guys would continue to "help on the information side." "The Bible says that this land that was desolate will become like the Garden of Eden. We are literally seeing it happen. It’s beautiful to see volunteers participate in the fulfillment of that prophecy and witness the ancient words of the Bible come back to life," Waller said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86dbe32c5335ae1048f5e3 Luxury travel, shopping, six-figure income: Battleground Dems ripped for 'phony' working-class narrative te 2026-08-20T10:50:11.437Z Luxury travel, shopping, six-figure income: Battleground Dems ripped for 'phony' working-class narrative Several battleground Democrats running in competitive House races have leaned on working-class, blue-collar biographies to connect with voters’ economic anxieties, but financial records and other materials reviewed by Fox News Digital complicate the images they have presented on the campaign trail. In New Jersey, for example, Democratic Party candidate Rebecca Bennett has pitched herself as a parent with firsthand understanding of the "rising costs and economic uncertainty" facing American families, but financial records show she collected a combined salary of nearly $250,000 in 2024 and holds an extensive investment portfolio with assets potentially worth nearly $1.8 million and no reportable liabilities. In New Mexico, Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-N.M., has said he "never had the luxury of financial wealth," argued voters are drawn to candidates who do not "come from wealth," and described his mother as working long hours in Mexico’s "maquiladora industry" to make ends meet. But records reviewed by Fox News Digital show his mother held corporate finance roles at GE, including as a finance manager and comptroller in Mexico and later as a senior finance analyst in Indiana, while social media screenshots shared with Fox News Digital show repeated European travel, luxury shopping and other upscale family photos. DEM IN KEY SWING RACE MISSED NEARLY HALF HER STATE HOUSE VOTES WHILE TAKING TAXPAYER SALARY: 'NO SHOW' Meanwhile, in Washington State, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., has built part of her blue-collar image around her time working in an auto shop and her Reed College history, saying she worked three jobs and paid for the private liberal arts school "by the credit hour" after her parents stopped paying tuition. But financial disclosures reviewed by Fox News Digital did not list reportable student-loan debt, while critics familiar with her time at Reed College have questioned whether jobs Gluesenkamp Perez cited, including as a nanny, campus barista and at an "iPhone case factory," could have plausibly covered the school’s cost. "Voters can see through the phony double-talk easier than politicians ever realize. It’s far better to be who you are and offer a compelling vision to make voters’ lives better than contort your own biography and background into something it’s not," Republican strategist Colin Reed told Fox News Digital. "Under normal circumstances, financial success and upward mobility would be attributes to lean into as selling points on the campaign trail. But with socialism ascendant and the demonization of wealth not far behind, these are far from normal times." DEMOCRATS CAUGHT ON CAMERA COACHING CANDIDATE ON HOW TO BE 'AUTHENTIC' IN 2026 MESSAGING Bennett, who is running in New Jersey’s competitive 7th Congressional District, disclosed dozens of investments, retirement accounts and other assets in an amended candidate financial disclosure filed with the House on May 15 and reviewed by Fox News Digital. Based on the value ranges listed in the disclosure, her reported assets could be worth as much as roughly $1.8 million. The filing listed no reportable liabilities. Among the holdings were three valued between $50,001 and $100,000 apiece and 17 more valued between $15,001 and $50,000. Because the disclosure reports assets in broad value ranges rather than exact amounts, Bennett’s reported holdings total roughly $447,000 at the low end and nearly $1.8 million at the high end. Using the midpoint of each disclosed range puts their estimated value at roughly $1.12 million.  The disclosure also showed that Bennett received nearly $200,000 in salary from Noom in 2024 and nearly $46,000 from Oshi Health that year, for more than $242,000 combined. The financial picture contrasts with the economic message Bennett has emphasized on the campaign trail, where she has repeatedly invoked her own family's finances and experience as a mother of two. In a June 18 campaign post titled "My 2010 Honda Accord," Bennett said she and her husband still drove the 16-year-old car because "it’s what we can afford," arguing Washington needs more "regular people" who understand families’ financial pressures firsthand. In the post, Bennett specifically pointed to childcare, writing, "I know what it’s like to worry about childcare costs," while also citing rising grocery bills and difficult financial decisions because there is not "an unlimited amount of money sitting in the bank account." Months earlier, she similarly said she was, "like so many of you," navigating the "astronomical" costs of food, education, childcare and healthcare. Those comments also come as FEC records show Bennett’s campaign has paid $21,250 since June 2025 to cover her childcare expenses. Federal election rules permit campaign funds to cover a candidate’s childcare expenses when they are incurred as a direct result of campaign activity. "After serving our country for 15 years as a Navy helicopter pilot, Rebecca swapped her MH-60 Seahawk for the 2010 Honda Accord she uses to drop off her two young children at day care and public school. Rebecca knows firsthand how much childcare costs, and it’s critical that we have people in Congress that understand the challenges New Jersey families are facing," campaign spokesperson Carly Jones told Fox News Digital. "While Tom Kean Jr. plays the stock market in Congress, Rebecca is going to fight to lower costs and end Washington corruption." Meanwhile, Vasquez has also been explicit in casting his background in working-class and blue-collar terms. In his first House floor speech in March 2023, the New Mexico Democrat said, "I’ve never had the luxury of financial wealth," and during his 2022 campaign argued that voters were drawn to a candidate who "doesn’t come from wealth" or money. DSA CO-CHAIR STRUGGLES TO EXPLAIN MILLIONAIRE TAX POLICY Vasquez has also repeatedly pointed to his mother’s work in Mexico’s "maquiladora industry" as part of his family’s working-class story. In an October 2025 La Opinión op-ed, he wrote that his mother, Hortencia Banuelos, "worked long hours in the maquiladora industry working to make ends meet," describing her story as one of "sacrifice, resilience, and hope." In a 2023 interview, Vasquez similarly said his parents worked in the maquiladora industry, including assembling aerospace parts and building sensors for refrigerators and washing machines in Ciudad Juárez. But Banuelos’ own professional profile and other publicly available records reviewed by Fox News Digital show she held senior finance roles at GE during much of Vasquez’s childhood. Her LinkedIn profile lists her as a "Finance Manager/Comptroller" for GE in Mexico from December 1985 to March 1994, overseeing accounting, finance, payroll, accounts payable, IT and customs. She was promoted in 1994 to senior finance analyst at a GE operation in Bloomington, Indiana, where the profile says she analyzed a manufacturing plant with $800 million in revenue and 3,000 employees. A 2020 profile of Banuelos in Hispanic Executive separately reported that GE hired her in Mexico in the 1980s and selected her for a two-year training program geared almost exclusively toward Ivy League graduates before she later moved to Indiana. The professional record is also accompanied by social media material showing a more affluent family lifestyle. Posts from Banuelos’ Facebook and Instagram accounts, screenshots of which were shared and reviewed by Fox News Digital, showed repeated European travel, including a three-month stay in France, while other posts showed Banuelos and Vasquez’s sister shopping at luxury brands. Several photos from upscale locations also included Vasquez himself, including one in which he posed with a Corvette. Vasquez has faced scrutiny over a lavish 2018 ceremony he held with a former fiancée at Akiin Beach Tulum in Mexico as well. The Daily Mail reported in June that events at the beachfront wedding venue can cost between $30,000 and $90,000. Vasquez’s campaign told the outlet that the pair "participated in a private commitment ceremony but were never legally married and eventually separated." DAN BONGINO CALLS SOCIALISM 'BUMPER STICKER POLITICS' AS IT SURGES IN POPULARITY AMONG YOUTH Asked about Vasquez’s characterization of his family background and his mother’s professional record, campaign manager Patricia Socarras Santiago defended Banuelos’ story. "It’s pathetic that as Americans face Trump’s disastrous economy, Republicans attack Gabe’s mom who has worked incredibly hard, starting from the maquiladoras in Mexico, in pursuit of her American Dream," Socarras Santiago told Fox News Digital. "Gabe is incredibly proud of his mom and will work to ensure everyone can access the American Dream and reverse the impacts of Trump’s tanking economy." Gluesenkamp Perez has similarly made her own financial struggles and experience in the trades central to her political biography. In a 2023 interview with Reed Magazine, her alma mater's alumni publication, she said her parents stopped paying her tuition after she stopped attending church.  "Afterwards, I worked three jobs and paid for Reed by the credit hour," Gluesenkamp Perez said, identifying the jobs as working as a nanny, a barista and "in an iPhone case factory." Reed’s own historical records show tuition was $39,440 for the 2010-2011 academic year, with a per-credit tuition charge of $1,625, before rising to $40,940 and $1,750 per credit the following year.  Meanwhile, Gluesenkamp Perez’s latest House financial disclosure, filed May 15, lists two commercial-property notes and a mortgage on her residence but no reportable student-loan debt. Additionally, some of Gluesenkamp Perez’s former Reed classmates have publicly questioned her account of paying for the private college through those jobs. On a Jan. 29 episode of the NOEXIST INC podcast titled "Absolutely Sweet Marie Gluesenkamp Perez," former roommate Isaac Eger said the "iPhone case factory" was actually Grove, now Grovemade, a small Portland company that made bamboo iPhone cases by hand, and recalled that Gluesenkamp Perez did not begin working there until around 2010 or 2011, late in her time at Reed. He also noted the factory was closer to a small handmade bamboo case business that made its products by hand. Eger added on the podcast that Gluesenkamp Perez worked as a barista at Reed’s on-campus Paradox coffee shop and recalled that she did not begin that job until around her senior year. Another former roommate, identified during the episode as Sam and described by Eger as the person who hired Gluesenkamp Perez at the coffee shop, argued that the barista wages were nowhere near sufficient to cover Reed’s tuition, saying even the combined earnings of all the shop’s baristas during his four years at the school would not have paid for one student’s semester. FOX NEWS POWER RANKINGS: AS DEMOCRATS TURN LEFT, BLACK VOTERS TAP THE BRAKES Questions have also been raised about the hands-on mechanic image Gluesenkamp Perez has used throughout her political career. Her campaign continues to describe her as a "small business owner in the trades," and campaign materials have featured her working on cars and turning wrenches.  But the Washington Free Beacon reported in 2024 that an archived 2018 biography on Dean’s Car Care’s website described Gluesenkamp Perez as working "mostly behind the scenes managing the business side" of the shop, which was cited for multiple workplace-safety violations during a 2017 Oregon OSHA inspection. Her campaign pushed back on the broader criticism of Gluesenkamp Perez’s working-class credentials. "Marie is fighting every day for families in Southwest Washington. She and her husband built their small business from the ground up — not with family money but with grit and determination," campaign manager Tim Gowen told Fox News Digital. "She knows what it's like to fill out a phone book-sized SBA loan and what it takes to make payroll. She's working to address the affordability crisis affecting folks in her community by clawing back power and giving real economic agency to regular people: the right to repair what you own, homes young people can actually afford, and a family farm you can pass to your kids. She'll keep doing that work because that's what Southwest Washington needs, not another career politician controlled by corporate interests in Washington or Olympia." The scrutiny over Democrats’ working-class branding has extended beyond those three battleground Democrats.  Fox News Digital reported last month that Montana Democratic House nominee Sam Forstag, who has campaigned as a blue-collar smokejumper who knows how to "swing a tool," previously spent years as a registered lobbyist for groups including the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.  In May, ahead of the Democratic primary for the same seat, Fox News Digital reported that Forstag rival Ryan Busse also faced authenticity questions in the battleground district after he filmed a campaign ad about fighting for working people in what appeared to be a staffer’s modest townhome rather than his own four-acre property, which real estate websites valued at roughly $1.6 million. Busse ultimately lost the primary to Forstag. "Only a rich liberal can afford to be a socialist in this day and age," Matt Gorman, chief communications officer at Targeted Victory, a Republican communications firm, told Fox News Digital.  "These Democrats represent a trend of the downwardly mobile who make up the base of the Democratic Party. They have the highest percentage of secondary degrees, yet the lowest income. These candidates don't mind walking around with their hands out expecting more of your money, while they hoard their own." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86dbe22c5335ae1048f5d7 Trump urged to stop targeting fellow Republicans as GOP fights to keep majority te 2026-08-20T10:50:10.751Z Trump urged to stop targeting fellow Republicans as GOP fights to keep majority FIRST ON FOX: Some Senate Republicans worry that their secret weapon on the campaign trail, President Donald Trump, isn’t making a strong enough case to voters that there needs to be more Republicans in the upper chamber. There are only a handful of primary races left between now and November, when the balance of power in the Senate could slip from the GOP’s grasp, with several seats on the line and Senate Democrats hungry to regain control. And there’s a major issue bogging Republicans down that has spurred internal animosity: the SAVE America Act. Trump’s pressure to pass the election integrity measure and his tendency to bash Republicans for not getting it done has placed vulnerable incumbents in between a rock and a hard place. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told Fox News Digital in an interview that while some Republicans are making promises to voters that the bill could pass right now, the better tact would be to push why more Republicans are needed in the Senate. INSIDE THE SENATE'S CHAOTIC ALL-NIGHTER THAT LEFT TRUMP'S SAVE AMERICA ACT ON THE SHELF "The president made the argument, ‘Well, pass the Save America Act, it will motivate our base,’" Thune said. "Yeah, but I think the base can be plenty motivated by other issues, and particularly by the president getting out there on the campaign trail and telling them why it's important that they elect Republicans to the Senate." "Everybody has their own ideas about how best to communicate our message, but I think our message between now and November ought to be why the Democrats are completely out of step with the American people and why we need to elect more Republicans so we can do things like the SAVE America Act," he continued. Anxious Republicans hope to see a shift in messaging from shooting inward at their own to turning their fire on Democrats, who themselves are undergoing a messy ideological change on the campaign trail. Republicans see prime messaging targets with candidates like Dr. Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan in Minnesota pushing left-leaning policies.  SCHUMER SAID ‘DEMOCRATS SUPPORT VOTER ID’ — THEN EVERY SENATE DEMOCRAT VOTED AGAINST GOP BILL But the SAVE America Act has consumed much of the oxygen heading into the penultimate stretch of the election cycle.  The legislation has produced an online dogma that punishes any Republican, including Thune, who tries to convey the political reality in the Senate that Democrats continue to block the bill, and there just aren’t enough Republican votes to pass it as is. It’s caused private disagreements to take a new life on social media, where proponents, like Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, are sniping at their colleagues for the bill’s failure to launch, despite five attempts at trying to pass it throughout the year in various iterations. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee (NRSC), warned that division would sow disaster for the GOP heading into November. "There's no doubt that the road to socialism runs right through a divided Republican Party," Scott told Fox News Digital. "I hope every American understands that, remembers that, and hears it several times between now and Election Day." And with a Senate midterm map with more vulnerable Republicans in play than Democrats, it will be a difficult task for the GOP to maintain and grow their thin, 53-seat majority in the upper chamber. TRUMP KEEPS CALLING THUNE DESPITE PUBLIC FIGHT OVER SAVE AMERICA ACT Republicans know that Trump will be the key to motivating their base, just as he’s motivated voters in years past, and some hope he’ll stop dragging Republicans through the mud. Thune isn’t the only one that wants to see Trump push more on the road. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., reportedly questioned members of Trump’s political operation during a closed-door meeting last week on when the president would start attacking Democrats instead of members of his own party. Daines, who helmed the Senate GOP’s campaign arm before Scott in 2024 when they flipped the upper chamber, told Fox News Digital that Trump would be "one of the most important voices in the 2026 election." He contended that Trump would be a powerful influence on showing the contrast between "common sense versus crazy" that’s been developing in the Democratic Party. "We’re seeing the Democrats are just running so far to the left that it's frightening where the center of gravity is now a Democrat Party," Daines said. "And this has been one of the more compelling arguments for ‘26, and the president can make that as well as anybody." When pressed on Trump’s involvement on the campaign trail, Daines noted that midterm election cycles tend to boil down to complacency versus motivation. "I think he's a very important voice here, because in midterm elections, it's about turning out your base. In midterm elections, the party that's not in power tends to be angry, and they're motivated, and they do vote," Daines said. "The party that is in powers base tends to be a bit more complacent. We've got to get our happy, complacent Republican voters out to the polls, because we cannot allow Democrats to take control." Meanwhile, Thune said, "Why not turn [the SAVE America Act] into a campaign issue," and argued that the key to winning out this cycle will be independent voters who aren’t moored to either party. But the Beltway issues, like nuking the filibuster and squabbling over legislation that has stalled since March, aren’t helping make the case to those voters, for now, that Republicans should be in charge. "If you look at Maine, in North Carolina, in Ohio, in Iowa, in Alaska, you know, it's the Indy voters, it is the middle of the electorate, and we are not talking to them when we are arguing with each other over whether or not to eliminate the filibuster," Thune said. "I mean, that's just not an issue that's going to win the hearts and minds of the American people in November," he continued. "So, I'd turn my fire on the Democrats, attack them for being against something that is fundamentally straightforward, simple to understand for the American people, and realize that the best way to get the SAVE Act across the finish line is to elect more Republican senators." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86dbe22c5335ae1048f5ce Lynx, Valkyries coaches rip 'Save Women's Sports' movement as pro-trans mob rocks 1st rally at non-Fever game te 2026-08-20T10:50:10.142Z Lynx, Valkyries coaches rip 'Save Women's Sports' movement as pro-trans mob rocks 1st rally at non-Fever game The WNBA's dealings with the "Save Women's Sports" movement expanded beyond Indiana Fever games. A rally to support the protection of women's sports was held outside the Chase Center in San Francisco ahead of Wednesday's game between the Golden State Valkyries and the Minnesota Lynx, and a mob of pro-trans activists aggressively descended on it. But before the game, the head coaches of both teams appeared to criticize the movement as a whole when asked about the rally. VALKYRIES COACH NATALIE NAKASE DEFENDS TRANS ATHLETES IN WOMEN'S SPORTS AS CULTURE WAR ENGULFS WNBA Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve said that "people are buying into" the movement but dismissed it as political talking point. "I have said this before, trans kids belong. And I think, as we're seeing sort of politically, in this country, they've found a talking point that people are buying into, and the only thing I ask is that people educate themselves further on these issues and what we're capable of doing together. And that something is not used just to marginalize a community," Reeve told reporters at a pregame press conference when asked about her stance on the issue. Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase was asked about the rally, and insisted that there is too much "hate speech" going on in sports. "In the world and just in sports right now, there's too much hate that's going on. Too much hate speech. I would highly suggest people lead with love. I love to lead with love," Nakase said. CHERYL REEVE SENDS CLEAR MESSAGE TO SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM WITH ‘TRANS KIDS BELONG’ SHIRT DURING FEVER-LYNX GAME Both coaches had previously expressed support for trans athletes, and Reeve wore a "trans kids belong" shirt during a game against Sophie Cunningham and the Fever on Aug. 2. Meanwhile, outside the arena, a horde of pro-transgender counterprotesters swarmed the rally and outnumbered the women's sports activists, multiple attendees told Fox News Digital. The pro-trans crowd wielded signs and chanted loudly in unison in support of trans rights. Family rights attorney Erin Friday told Fox News Digital the opposition shouted obscenities at her and other women's sports advocates. "We were outside of this Chase Center holding signs peacefully. There were about eight to nine women, majority are lesbians, majority are Democrats or former Democrats, and the crowd came by us yelling profanities, telling us to get out," Friday said. "They would start, maybe with rational discussion, and then it would quickly divulge into name calling... We were surrounded for a while with a group of women holding signs who were knocking into us, quite agitated." Arianne Gieringer, the vice president of LGB Alliance USA, told Fox News Digital a counterprotester told her she "didn't belong" there. "One of the counter protesters kept shouting at us that we don't belong here because this is San Francisco," Gieringer said. "I just brought up was I was born and raised and spent my entire life in the San Francisco Bay Area. I told her that. This is my home. I have been here my entire life. Are you telling a lifelong San Francisco Bay Area resident that I don't belong there?" WNBA WON'T NAME PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR SECURITY INCIDENT OVER FANS' SHIRTS, AS DREAM BLAME LEAGUE Footage obtained by Fox News Digital showed a security representative telling the women's sports activists not to bring their signs into the arena, but also telling them that their XX-XY Athletics shirts were fine and "not offensive." Fox News Digital has reached out to the Golden State Warriors, parent organization of the Valkyries and owners of the Chase Center, for a response. The verbal acceptance of the shirts comes just days after a national controversy when a WNBA security representative told a mom and daughter to cover their XX-XY Athletics shirts at Sunday's game between the Fever and Dream in Atlanta. The mom and daughter alleged the man told them the shirts were "offensive." The WNBA and Dream have since addressed the incident and said it should not have happened. The Lynx went on to beat the Valkyries 77-66 to improve to 30-7 and cement their spot at the top of the WNBA standings. The rally marked the third organized "Save Women's Sports" demonstration at a WNBA game this week alone, with two more planned before the week's end. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Rallies in support of Cunningham followed the Fever to their Sunday game in Atlanta and Tuesday game in Toronto. Similar rallies are now set to also take place outside the Fever's game in Dallas on Thursday and New York on Saturday. If those two rallies go off as expected, it will mark 10 total rallies at WNBA games in support of protecting women's sports in the span of 26 days. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86dbe12c5335ae1048f5c5 Drew Brees feels Tyler Shough has everything needed with Saints to succeed in 2026: 'Unbelievable situation' te 2026-08-20T10:50:09.479Z Drew Brees feels Tyler Shough has everything needed with Saints to succeed in 2026: 'Unbelievable situation' The New Orleans Saints were quick to give Tyler Shough, their second-round pick from the 2025 NFL Draft, their vote of confidence as the team’s starting quarterback heading into the 2026 season. Shough, who sat as a backup to start the 2025 season, gets an entire offseason and training camp to prepare for the starting role compared to a full quarterback battle this time last year. Fox News Digital spoke to Shough during Super Bowl week in February, when he expressed his excitement about having more time to develop and learn head coach Kellen Moore’s offense. He also mentioned an "incredible mentor" that has helped him since he was drafted by New Orleans. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Drew Brees, the Saints' legendary quarterback who was just inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, gave words of advice to Shough, and loved what he saw from him when Moore turned the offensive keys over to him last season. "I think Shough is in an unbelievable situation," Brees told Fox News Digital in a recent interview. "He showed a ton of leadership traits this offseason. Gathering the guys together, structuring offseason workouts, getting them ready for camp." Shough was 25 years old when he came out of Louisville last year, playing for three different programs across seven years. While some viewed this as a crutch for Shough to break into the NFL, Brees viewed it differently. DREW BREES CALLS HURRICANE KATRINA 'DEFINING MOMENT' OF CAREER, CREDITS FAITH AND COMMUNITY FOR PERSEVERANCE "First off, Tyler Shough is a guy mature beyond his years," Brees explained. "I think he spent seven years in college — three at [Texas] Tech, three at Oregon and one at Louisville. He battled through his own fair share of injuries and adversity. Just having to overcome. So again, I think you learn a lot, develop a lot of gratitude. I think he was at a point in his career where he didn’t think the NFL was going to be an option. I think going to Louisville and being with Jeff Brohm, who I know really well — former coach at Purdue and former NFL quarterback. Really helped develop him and get him to the next level of, ‘Man, you can do this. You can play at a very high level.’" The Saints also went with Spencer Rattler as their starting quarterback to begin the 2025 season, but by Week 9, Moore turned the job over to Shough. He finished 5-4 in those starts, including a four-game win streak that had New Orleans feeling great about the future. Brees believes that time sitting and observing helped Shough. "I think him coming in last year, sitting for half the season, you observe so much when you do that. When you step in, it’s like, ‘You’ve earned this. It’s my time. Here we go,’" Brees said. "He just got incrementally better every week. He’s super talented. He’s big, strong, can throw the ball. Very good athlete, so you can do a lot in the run game with him. He has a lot of Josh Allen qualities in that way — running with the size and athleticism." And the Saints clearly saw everything they needed to start loading up on offense. "Man, they’ve built some pieces around him. They sign Chris Olave to a long-term deal. They draft Jordyn Tyson. Unfortunately, I know he’s got the hamstring now for two months. Nonetheless, he’s got these playmakers around him," Brees said. "They sign [Travis] Etienne [Jr.], you got Alvin Kamara, you got Juwan Johnson. You got a really good O-line. You drafted right tackle, left tackle in the first round the two years previous. And Kellen Moore, right? A very talented play-caller and developer of quarterbacks. "For all those reasons, I think he’s poised to continue to go in this upwards trajectory." 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/6a86d4da2c5335ae1048f4cc Versatile Gear for Nature Enthusiasts te 2026-08-20T10:20:10.508Z Versatile Gear for Nature Enthusiasts Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86d4d92c5335ae1048f4c3 Curitics Health Unveils Next-Generation AI Platform to Transform Clinical Workflows te 2026-08-20T10:20:09.729Z Curitics Health Unveils Next-Generation AI Platform to Transform Clinical Workflows New Curitics Point of Care Solution, Ambient Listening, AI Care Management, and mobile capabilities help reduce administrative burden, strengthen care coordination, and improve patient outcomes. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86d4d82c5335ae1048f4ba Curitics Health Unveils Next-Generation AI Platform to Transform Clinical Workflows te 2026-08-20T10:20:08.943Z Curitics Health Unveils Next-Generation AI Platform to Transform Clinical Workflows https://curiticshealth.com Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86d2842c5335ae1048f464 Princess Diana could have survived fatal Paris crash if she made one simple choice, investigator says te 2026-08-20T10:10:12.250Z Princess Diana could have survived fatal Paris crash if she made one simple choice, investigator says One small decision before Princess Diana’s 1997 crash could have saved her life and changed history. On Aug. 31, 1997, Diana, Princess of Wales, was killed alongside her companion, Dodi Fayed, and their driver, Henri Paul, when their Mercedes crashed at high speed in a Paris tunnel while paparazzi pursued them. The mother of two was just 36. The tragedy is getting a fresh examination in FOX’s new special, "Celebrity Crime Scene: Princess Diana," which airs Aug. 20. Using modern recreation technology to reconstruct the events surrounding the crash, host and investigative crime journalist Jakson Buhaj joins British forensic psychologist Kerry Daynes and former U.S. Secret Service agent Rich Staropoli to revisit the evidence, scrutinize the theories and explore what really happened that night in Paris. INSIDE PRINCESS DIANA AND JFK JR'S SECRET MEETING THAT FUELED ROMANCE RUMORS FOR DECADES Buhaj told Fox News Digital that knowing one simple thing might have saved the princess makes her death all the more haunting. "It's very odd that no one was wearing a seat belt," he said. "You would think that [Dodi Fayed's bodyguard] Trevor Rees-Jones, who was sitting in the front seat directly ahead of Diana ... would caution her that she should definitely put a seat belt on, considering the car is driving way over the speed limit. ... Yet no one thinks to do that." Rees-Jones accompanied Diana and Fayed on their final trip, but he worked as a bodyguard for Fayed's family, not as Diana's official protection officer. WATCH: PRINCESS DIANA'S FINAL MOMENTS: WHAT COULD HAVE SAVED HER? "What I think is the most tragic thing about this is that had everyone been wearing their seat belt, unfortunately, Henri Paul and Dodi Fayed probably would’ve passed away, but Diana most likely still would’ve been with us," Buhaj said. "And I think that’s something that really stuck with me after we wrapped filming, that there is a whole other timeline out there where a seat belt could have saved Princess Diana." For years, one detail about the crash was widely repeated: Rees-Jones survived because he was the only person in the Mercedes wearing a seat belt. Investigators later determined that wasn't true. The official British inquiry concluded that no one in the car was wearing a seat belt when it crashed. After the official British police inquiry concluded in 2006, Lord Stevens said Diana, Fayed and Paul might not have died had they been wearing seat belts, The Guardian reported. Paul was scheduled to be off duty that night. His blood alcohol level was later found to be more than three times the French legal limit, People magazine reported. Surveillance video did not show obvious signs that Paul was intoxicated, and several witnesses said they noticed nothing unusual about his behavior. People magazine reported that Paul taunted photographers by announcing, "You won’t catch up with us." As he picked up speed, he couldn't shake the paparazzi chasing the Mercedes, including several photographers traveling on motorcycles and scooters. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "There are many, many things that could have prevented the death of Princess Diana," Buhaj said. "I think getting into that car with Henri Paul was a death sentence for Princess Diana. ... And had she not done that, she could still be with us today." The Mercedes slammed into the 13th concrete pillar of Paris’ Pont de l’Alma underpass shortly after midnight. The car then rebounded and struck the tunnel wall before coming to a stop. In the front seat, airbags were sprayed with blood, and Paul’s body pressed on the horn, People reported. Paul and Fayed died at the scene, while Rees-Jones suffered critical injuries. Diana was found on the floor of the mangled car, severely injured. Photographers descended on the crash scene and began taking pictures. Buhaj also found it alarming that about an hour and 40 minutes passed between the crash and Diana's arrival at the hospital. It's noted that French emergency teams followed an approach to trauma care that emphasized treating and stabilizing critically injured patients at the scene before transporting them. Diana also had to be freed from the wreckage and went into cardiac arrest before she was placed in the ambulance. Even after the ambulance left, the driver was instructed to proceed slowly because Diana's condition was so unstable. At one point, the ambulance stopped when her blood pressure dropped. Diana, whose heart had been restarted once, was treated by a team of about 20 doctors and nurses, People reported. She again went into cardiac arrest. In surgery, physicians discovered a ruptured pulmonary vein and massive internal bleeding. Doctors tried to repair the torn vein and stop the bleeding, but they were unable to restart Diana’s heart. She was pronounced dead at 4 a.m. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS In the years before her death, Diana had expressed concerns about her safety. She believed she was being watched and that her phones could be tapped. She also wrote privately about fears that she could be harmed in a car crash. "People in her close circle described her as quite paranoid," Buhaj said. "... She is the most famous person on the planet. ... So not only are billions of people across the world glued to the screen whenever she appears on it, but she’s also constantly having to look over her shoulder out of fear." "I think what I learned about her paranoia coming away from the special was that she had an extremely strained relationship, not just with her husband, but with the entire royal family. And I think that played a huge role in that paranoia." According to the Operation Paget investigation, several people close to Diana said she did not appear anxious about her safety in the weeks before the crash. Still, some of Diana’s earlier fears were revisited after her death. In one account, she had warned years earlier that someone might try to harm her in a staged car crash. In a handwritten note, Diana alleged that then-Prince Charles was planning an accident involving her car.  The note was written during a turbulent period in Diana’s life, amid her separation and divorce from Charles. The Guardian reported that there were also false rumors circulating at the time that the prince and their children's nanny were having an affair. Charles later told Operation Paget investigators he had not known about the note and did not understand why Diana had expressed those fears, the outlet reported. British investigators ultimately found no evidence that Diana's death was part of a deliberate plot. PUT YOUR ENTERTAINMENT KNOWLEDGE TO THE TEST AND SEE HOW YOU SCORE Decades after her death, Buhaj said one thing is clear: Diana continues to be "the people’s princess." "... Princess Diana had this way of effortlessly merging with the people, walking through that minefield in Angola, going and reaching out and touching children suffering from AIDS, which is something that the royal family would never even dream of doing," he insisted. "But it put her in a different light. It immortalized her in a way where she was this polarizing figure who was one of the people. And I don’t think that will ever change." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86d2832c5335ae1048f45b Retro Pizza Hut draws customers from hours away as 1980s nostalgia sends sales soaring te 2026-08-20T10:10:11.624Z Retro Pizza Hut draws customers from hours away as 1980s nostalgia sends sales soaring Florida's only Pizza Hut Classic, featuring the nostalgic red plastic cups, vinyl booths, Tiffany-style lamps and checkerboard tablecloths reminiscent of the 1980s, has become so popular that employees from other locations have been brought in to help accommodate the influx of guests at the Homosassa Springs restaurant. "We have a big responsibility," Tim Sparks, president of Wichita, Kansas-based Daland Corp., which operates 82 dine-in Pizza Huts, told Fox News Digital. "We always want to provide great service, and we always want to provide a great product. But when you get put under a spotlight like this, and people are coming from two or three hours away, you've got to deliver on that expectation." PIZZA HUT BRINGS BACK VINTAGE VIBES AS FRANCHISEES EMBRACE NOSTALGIC MAKEOVERS Pizza Hut started the Classic initiative around 2017, according to Sparks. "They approached a few franchisees and said, 'Hey, we're thinking about doing this retro look. Do you guys want to participate in the test?' So I jumped at that opportunity," he said. The first Pizza Hut Classic that Daland opened was in Dahlonega, Georgia. "We flew out to see it once it was finished, and as soon as I walked through the door, it just really struck me," Sparks said. "I was super excited. I thought I was going to like it. I didn't know I was going to like it as much as I did. For me personally, it hit home." Leadership changes at Pizza Hut eventually led the brand to move away from the Classic remodels, Sparks said, but Daland was allowed to continue with them. "We did eventually run into a problem where we actually bought all the Tiffany lights that we could find," he said. "The brand quit producing them for us because … there just wasn't a big enough commitment from people to buy them." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Some of Daland's Pizza Hut Classic locations still don't have the distinctive lamps, but renewed interest in the retro restaurants could soon change that. "Now, because of the attention, we have five different vendors bidding to build those lights for us again," Sparks said. Customer feedback showed that the throwback styling "really resonated with everybody," Sparks said. Daland currently operates 39 Pizza Hut Classic locations. Since the Homosassa Springs restaurant was converted, dine-in sales have more than doubled, FOX 13 Tampa Bay reported. "Tons of people" travel from well over an hour away to visit the Pizza Hut Classic that Daland operates in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, which has attracted significant attention on social media, according to Sparks. "There's only 1,700 people in that town, and they will almost double the national average of Pizza Hut this year in sales," he said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS Older generations with fond memories of Pizza Hut aren't the only ones drawn to the retro restaurants. Sparks said he encountered skepticism early on from those who believed the concept would primarily cater to baby boomers. "That's where they were dramatically wrong," he said. "When we started to get a lot of traction with social media, these weren't 50- and 60-year-olds coming in and doing TikToks, right? These were [people in their] teens and 20s coming in and doing them." As a kid, Sparks said, he was drawn to the music, diners and drive-ins of his parents' generation in the 1950s and 1960s. "It wasn't something I ever experienced because it was gone by the time I became a teenager, but it was something I always saw in pictures and really wished I had," he said. He believes younger generations may feel a similar pull toward the Pizza Hut Classics. "I think it does take them back to a little clip of time and an era where, in their minds, things weren't as hectic," Sparks said. "It was a little simpler time." TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Sparks has also noticed another phenomenon when customers visit the Classic restaurants. "People put their phones down," Sparks said. "Once they're over the excitement and they're taking pictures of the Pac-Man machine and the salad bar and the Tiffany lights … they set it down and they start having conversation," he said. "I can't explain it, but it's super cool to watch." While Daland won't necessarily convert all of its Pizza Huts into full Classic restaurants, Sparks said the company plans to introduce retro elements — including Tiffany-style lamps and red cups — at its locations. He also plans to bring back the old red curtains at the Tunkhannock location. "That would really take it all the way back," Sparks said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86d2822c5335ae1048f452 Trump reveals exact number of North Korea's nuclear weapons te 2026-08-20T10:10:10.983Z Trump reveals exact number of North Korea's nuclear weapons President Donald Trump said Wednesday that North Korea possesses 57 nuclear weapons as he previewed a possible meeting with leader Kim Jong Un later this year. Trump made the remark while defending his relationship with Kim, arguing that his rapport with the North Korean leader is "a good thing," not a bad one. Trump’s unusually precise figure appears to be the first time a U.S. official has publicly put an exact number on North Korea’s nuclear arsenal. Public assessments have generally estimated that Pyongyang has roughly 50 to 60 assembled warheads, while warning that the country’s secretive program makes a definitive count impossible. It was not immediately clear whether Trump’s specific figure was based on a classified U.S. intelligence assessment. TRUMP ORDERS MAJOR CUT TO US-SOUTH KOREA DRILLS AS NORTH KOREA RAMPS UP MISSILE TESTS Trump said Kim is "a very powerful player" and blamed prior administrations for allowing North Korea to develop a nuclear arsenal. "The fact that I get along with him, that’s a good thing," Trump said. "You can’t let Iran have a nuclear weapon. And I know Kim Jong Un very well, and he’s going to be fine as long as we have a smart president." Trump said he expected to meet with Kim later this year, though he did not provide a date or location. NORTH KOREA EXPERT WARNS US CAN 'NEVER TAKE THEIR EYE OFF' KIM JONG UN FOLLOWING MISSILE TEST DURING IRAN WAR North Korea’s nuclear stockpile is closely guarded, and public estimates vary. The Federation of American Scientists estimated in 2024 that Pyongyang may have assembled roughly 50 nuclear warheads, while possessing enough fissile material for up to 90. Trump’s comment came after he ordered War Secretary Pete Hegseth this week to substantially scale back the annual U.S.-South Korea Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, arguing that the drills were costly and sent an "inappropriate and hostile" signal to North Korea. The U.S. and South Korean militaries said Wednesday they would shorten the exercises and end them Friday. The decision is one of several overtures Trump has made toward Kim as he seeks to revive diplomacy with Pyongyang. Trump has said he expects to meet with Kim later this year, potentially during a planned November trip to Asia, though no summit has been announced. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER Kim’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, dismissed the reduction in drills as insufficient, saying Washington’s policy toward North Korea remains hostile. Trump and Kim met three times during Trump’s first term, but their negotiations broke down in 2019 without an agreement to curb North Korea’s nuclear program. North Korea’s arsenal remains far smaller than those of the world’s two largest nuclear powers. Russia has about 4,400 nuclear warheads in its military stockpile, while the United States has 3,700, according to January estimates by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. China has 620, followed by France with 290, the United Kingdom with 225, India with 190, Pakistan with 170 and Israel with 90. SIPRI estimated North Korea has about 60 assembled warheads — broadly in line with Trump’s figure — while cautioning that the secrecy surrounding Pyongyang’s program makes precise counts uncertain. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86d2822c5335ae1048f449 Texas mom backs Ten Commandments in classrooms as legal battle reaches Supreme Court te 2026-08-20T10:10:10.364Z Texas mom backs Ten Commandments in classrooms as legal battle reaches Supreme Court As roughly two dozen Texas families fight to keep the Ten Commandments off public school walls, one Austin-area mom is making no apologies for wanting them in her kindergartner's classroom. Brittany McFarland, a Christian mother whose 5-year-old daughter attends public school in Texas, told Fox News Digital she was "pleasantly surprised" by the new classroom displays and said the fierce backlash over them reflects a much bigger battle over faith, values and religious liberty in America's public schools. "I feel like our country, we've been kind of forced to erase religion and discussion of religion in schools in general," McFarland said. "Almost to the point where the topic is taboo, and our children are afraid and uncomfortable to mention their faith or talk anything about it." McFarland said she and her husband had weighed whether public school was still the right choice for their daughter, but said learning about the Ten Commandments law gave her a "sense of hope" about the direction of public education. TEXAS DEM JAMES TALARICO RIPS 'UN-CHRISTIAN' COURT DECISION ON WHAT'S ALLOWED IN CLASSROOMS "It gave me a renewed sense of hope in our school systems," she said. The fight is straightforward. Texas requires public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms, and roughly two dozen families want the Supreme Court to block the law. The families, represented by groups including the ACLU, argue the state is crossing a constitutional line by putting a religious text in public school classrooms. They say decisions about a child's religious upbringing should be left to parents and faith communities, not the government, and warn the displays could make students from other religious or nonreligious backgrounds feel excluded or pressured. TED CRUZ, CONSERVATIVES RESPOND AFTER TALARICO CRITICIZES BIBLE-RELATED EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS AS 'PROPAGANDA' Texas has defended the law, and a federal appeals court upheld it, reasoning that students are not required to recite the Ten Commandments, believe them or affirm their religious origins. Now the families are asking the Supreme Court to step in. The justices have not yet agreed to hear the case. If they do, the dispute could become a major test of how the First Amendment applies to religious expression in public schools. McFarland rejects the characterization that simply displaying the Ten Commandments amounts to imposing Christianity on students. "I look at the Ten Commandments as a reminder to do the right thing," she told Fox News Digital. "They're good standards for children to be exposed to." McFarland pointed to commandments against stealing and the instruction to honor one's father and mother as examples of principles she believes have value for children. "These are things that we should be talking about in our homes and in our classrooms," she said. McFarland also stressed that, based on what she has seen in her daughter's classroom and others, the Ten Commandments are not being presented as something students must recite or affirm. "It's not like you're walking to the classroom and you're seeing a five-by-six poster with it in huge font, right, front and center. That's not what's happening," she said. JUDGE ORDERS WASHINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT TO LOOSEN LIMITS ON OFF-CAMPUS BIBLE CLUB FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS "I don't see this posting historically significant religious text as imposing religion at all. It's not like the children are having to recite it. It's not like they're standing up and giving a Pledge of Allegiance to it. It's nothing of that sort." McFarland said her school district recently informed parents that teachers are instructed to tell students who ask about the poster that it is displayed because of Texas law. According to the message McFarland read to Fox News Digital, teachers would contact parents if students asked specific questions about its contents rather than providing religious instruction themselves. TRUMP DOJ EXPANDS RELIGIOUS LIBERTY PROTECTIONS AFTER MAJOR SUPREME COURT RULINGS "To me, that's not imposing religion upon anyone," McFarland said. "That's giving them the opportunity to go home and talk about it. It's opening up conversation that can occur within the home and the walls of your home." Opponents, however, said the fact that students are not required to recite the text does not resolve their concerns. The ACLU has described the displays as government-imposed religion and argues they could lead to religious coercion, bullying or stigmatization. Some parents involved in the challenge said the mandate could make children who follow other faiths or no faith at all feel that the state favors one set of beliefs over their own. An Austin interfaith couple involved in the case has also argued that parents, rather than politicians, should decide how their children receive religious education. McFarland said she actually agrees with that principle, but disputes that a classroom display constitutes religious instruction. "I would actually tend to agree with the family that politicians shouldn't have a role in how teachers are specifically teaching religion to our children or trying to influence them on religion," McFarland said. "However, I see this very differently." "To me, having a poster up is not teaching your child that religion," she added. McFarland compared the distinction to a student seeing a human anatomy poster hanging in a health classroom, arguing that the presence of the material does not mean the child is being forced to receive instruction about everything depicted on it. She also pushed back on concerns that young children could feel pressured to adopt the religious beliefs contained in the Ten Commandments. "Five-year-olds can't read, for the most part," McFarland said, adding that she does not believe her daughter is entering the classroom, reading the poster and feeling pressure to embrace a particular faith. "Religion should not be taught from the teachers or enforced by the teachers, but this isn't that," she said. McFarland said she believes the controversy has become about something larger than the physical display itself. "I don't think that this fight is really a poster in the classroom," she said. "I think it's about religious liberties." At the same time, McFarland said she believes students would benefit from learning more about faith traditions beyond their own. "I think this is where our country could do a lot better, actually," she said. "If we took more time to learn about other faiths and other religions, we could see the good in other people and respect them, even though we have differences." McFarland said Americans should be able to acknowledge those differences without treating them as inherently threatening. "We need to stop finding so many differences and we need to see the good in our differences," she said. For McFarland, the debate ultimately comes back to what she wants her daughters to learn about expressing their own beliefs. "I want my daughters to stand up for what's right," McFarland said. "I teach my family that if you stand for nothing, you're gonna fall for anything." "Don't be embarrassed or ashamed to stand up for your religious beliefs," she continued. "We just need to stand up and use our voices." Fox News' Shannon Bream and Bill Mears contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86d2812c5335ae1048f440 How one NYC suburb could decide which party controls the House te 2026-08-20T10:10:09.758Z How one NYC suburb could decide which party controls the House The question of which party controls the House majority for the latter half of President Donald Trump's term could come down to a group of suburbs just north of New York City. Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., the first Republican to represent the area in roughly 40 years, is facing off against Democrat Army veteran Cait Conley in his bid for a third term in New York's 17th Congressional District. The expected close margins and dwindling number of battleground districts mean the race has garnered national attention, but Lawler is accusing Conley of ducking national-level debates. HOUSE REPUBLICANS AIM TO TURN DEMOCRATIC CIVIL WAR INTO MIDTERM WEAPON "It is, you know, vitally important for the voters in my district to hear from us — and I think, frankly, nationally, folks would benefit from it because it's one of a handful of seats that really is going to make the difference and decide control of Congress," Lawler told Fox News Digital. "So, to me, if you're running for public office, you should be able to stand on your own two feet and answer the questions from reporters, but moreover, make the direct and compelling case to voters about why you should be elected." Lawler said he challenged Conley to six debates after she won the primary to take him on, but that she has so far agreed to only two that are hosted by local networks. When reached by Fox News Digital for comment, Conley's campaign confirmed that she agreed to two debates with Lawler and accused him of running cover for fellow Republicans. "Mike Lawler will do anything to avoid delivering for his constituents, like last week, when he went on CNN to defend domestic abuser Max Miller. While he continues to act like a spoiled brat begging for more national air time to lie about his record, Cait is focused on hearing directly from voters, who are sick of being represented by a career political hack and ready for someone who puts country over party," Conley's communications director, Maddy Rosen, said. "Cait looks forward to their two scheduled televised debates where she will hold Mike Lawler accountable for failing the Hudson Valley, voting with Trump 100% of the time, and being a spineless, self-serving politician." Lawler said her refusal to agree to more debates showed that Conley was "not prepared" for the House and accused her of not even residing in the district she's running to represent. Conley's communications director did not address the claims of her residency, but the candidate's website touts her as a "fourth-generation Hudson Valley native." Lawler was born and raised in the district. Tying the GOP lawmaker to Trump is likely to be an oft-used attack by Democrats as the election season wears on, with Lawler being one of three House Republicans in the entire country who won their seats despite their districts voting for Kamala Harris in 2024. But Lawler, who has sought to forge a reputation as a moderate, is in turn accusing Conley of pushing the same ideological issues as the far-left reaches of her party, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. JOHNSON TURNS DEMOCRATS’ SOCIALIST CIVIL WAR INTO NEW WEAPON FOR MIDTERMS "The fact is, she can try to obfuscate here, and she can try and hide, but she stands shoulder to shoulder with them, and she refuses to denounce any of them," Lawler said, referring to the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). "In fact, she praised Zohran Mamdani throughout the primary campaign. So to me, at the end of the day, whatever she calls herself doesn't really matter. It's the policies." Republicans are pointing to Mamdani and other DSA figures as a warning sign of where the Democratic Party is headed, arguing they'll push the country further left if they win in the midterms. In Lawler's district just outside the Big Apple, that warning could be critical to his keeping the seat red. Lawler defeated former Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, D-N.Y., to win the seat in 2022. He then defended it against former Rep. Mondaire Jones, D-N.Y. With just a handful of swing districts on either side, the race for the House majority is almost guaranteed to be close. Democrats need a net gain of just three seats to win the majority back from Republicans in November. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86d2812c5335ae1048f437 Biden admin released illegal immigrant accused of fatally stabbing Fairfax County mother te 2026-08-20T10:10:09.196Z Biden admin released illegal immigrant accused of fatally stabbing Fairfax County mother The man allegedly behind the stabbing death of a Virginia mother in Fairfax County is an immigrant in the country illegally who was admitted by the Biden administration, a federal source tells Fox News. Alexis Antonio Cedillos-Campos, a 19-year-old Salvadoran national, was caught and released at the southern border during the Biden administration. The source said Cedillos-Campos was allowed into the U.S. in El Paso, Texas, in April 2024. "[Former President Joe] Biden and [former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro] Mayorkas hand-delivered alleged killer Cedillos-Campos to the streets of Fairfax County. They recklessly unleashed millions of unvetted illegal aliens into American communities and abused the law to do so," DHS said in a statement to Fox News. "President [Donald] Trump and [DHS] Secretary Markwayne Mullin are now enforcing the law, arresting illegal aliens who have no right to be in our country — and have reversed Biden's deadly catch and release policy." Fairfax County Police arrested Cedillos-Campos Wednesday on charges in connection with Monday's stabbing death of 42-year-old Carmen Lizet Puch. He is being held in the Prince George's County jail pending extradition to Fairfax County, where he faces a second-degree murder charge, according to police. FIRST ON FOX: MAN FOUND DEAD ON STREET TRIGGERS ICE ACTION AFTER SHOCKING HIT-AND-RUN A jogger spotted Puch unconscious just off a popular trail in the affluent Northern Virginia suburb. She had trauma to her upper body and was pronounced dead at the scene, Fairfax County Police Capt. Jason Chandler said during a news conference. Fairfax County, one of the most affluent counties in America, has seen a series of violent and sexual crimes involving immigrants in the country illegally, including several who were admitted under the Biden administration. Puch was from Reston, a suburb of Washington, D.C. She was the mother of a young daughter and worked at a nearby restaurant, according to NBC Washington. The outlet reported that "people who knew her … said she was soft-spoken and worked hard to support her young daughter." After a jogger called police at about 6:45 a.m. Monday, officers found Puch lying beside her vehicle. NBC Washington reported that sources familiar with the investigation said she was stabbed inside the vehicle. Puch is not the only Fairfax County victim of violent crime involving an immigrant in the country illegally who was admitted under the Biden administration. ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ISRAEL FLORES ORTIZ GETS 360 DAYS FOR GROPING GIRLS AT FAIRFAX COUNTY VA. HIGH SCHOOL One case involved 18-year-old Salvadoran immigrant Israel Flores Ortiz, who entered the country illegally in 2024, and was convicted this year of assault and battery involving the groping of several underage girls at Fairfax High School. Fox News Digital also reported on several homicides and other violent crimes involving immigrants in the country illegally in Fairfax County earlier this year. Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger has faced criticism over her handling of crime involving immigrants in the country illegally. ICE CALLS OUT ‘DEPRAVED FREAK’ ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT DEPORTED AFTER HEINOUS CRIME IN DEM-RUN STATE On her first day in office, Spanberger rescinded an executive order by her predecessor, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, that directed state law enforcement agencies to assist federal immigration authorities. She also ordered state and local law enforcement agencies to terminate all 287(g) agreements with ICE and signed an order prohibiting ICE from using state property as a staging area, processing location or operations base for federal civil immigration enforcement activities. On Wednesday, the White House blamed the Biden administration's immigration policies for Cedillos-Campos' presence in the country. "This brutal killing of this mother was 100% preventable," White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis told Fox News. "The Biden administration released this illegal alien MURDERER into our country." Bis added that "extreme Democrat politicians' open border policies have consequences," pointing to murders, rapes and other violent crimes committed against Americans. Fox News Digital reached out to Biden and Spanberger for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86d02f2c5335ae1048f3e6 Maricopa County Announces $800K Pilot Program To Cover Past-Due Rents te 2026-08-20T10:00:15.855Z Maricopa County Announces $800K Pilot Program To Cover Past-Due Rents By Staff Reporter | Maricopa County taxpayers will pay up to two months of rent for those facing eviction for nonpayment. Maricopa County has partnered with the city of Phoenix to launch a pilot program aimed at preventing evictions. The county allocated $800,000 from its fiscal year 2027 budget to pay for the pilot program, and the board of supervisors approved it in May. Board Chair Kate Brophy McGee said the program was modeled after the Texas Eviction Diversion Program, a pandemic-era relief program established via emergency order by the Texas Supreme Court which ended in 2023.  “For three straight years, Maricopa County Justice Courts have processed more than 80,000 eviction filings. That’s 80,000 individuals or families on the brink of homelessness each year, at a time when that population is already high,” said Chair Kate Brophy McGee, District 3. “This pilot, modeled after a successful program in Texas, aims to address our eviction crisis head-on with interventions that are sustainable and effective. They are a hand up, not a hand out.” Eligible residents may receive as much as $3,000 to cover two months of rental arrears; those with rental arrears exceeding three months past due and those with rental arrears exceeding $3,000 don’t qualify. Should every program participant qualify for the maximum relief amount, approximately 265 individuals would receive rental assistance.  Residents must reside in zip codes 85008, 85040, 85041, 85042; have citizenship or lawful permanent residency; have experienced a temporary emergency or financial setback; and can demonstrate ability to pay monthly rent moving forward.  Proof of ability to pay rent in the future includes an individual’s last two pay stubs, employment verification letter, Social Security income verification letter, a job offer letter, “other income verification,” or self-attestation.  The program also accepts on self-attestation from a resident to indicate financial hardship impacting their ability to make future rental payments. Verifiable evidence of the nature of the professed temporary hardship must be provided: terminated employment, reduced work hours, business closure, short-term illness or disability, medical bills, funeral expenses, car repairs, natural or manmade disaster, victimization by crime or domestic violence, or a self-attestation describing the temporary hardship.  Further, the program requires property owner participation. Property owners must provide documentation of the rental agreement, a tenant ledger, and other forms to include a W9.  “A key condition of receiving financial assistance includes the property owner agreeing that the amounts paid by the program fully satisfy the covered rental arrears and eligible charges,” stated the county press release.  The county’s application link sends users to an email with a domain name for HOM, an Arizona-based housing assistance and social services organization with operations in Colorado and Los Angeles, California.  On its website, HOM advertises as having assisted with the distribution of more than $9 million in monthly housing assistance, provision of monthly assistance to more than 6,900 households, and provision of housing subsidies for more than 3,000 properties.  AZ Free News reported earlier this month that the city of Phoenix is also considering the continuation of eviction legal services. That pilot program began in January 2025 with $1.2 million sourced from interest accrued from American Rescue Plan Act funds. City leaders say they would like to continue the program beyond its scheduled end date in June 2027. AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link. The post Maricopa County Announces $800K Pilot Program To Cover Past-Due Rents first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86d02e2c5335ae1048f3dd Arizona 529 Education Savings Plan Assets Nearly Double Under Treasurer Yee, Reaching Record $3.2 Billion te 2026-08-20T10:00:14.083Z Arizona 529 Education Savings Plan Assets Nearly Double Under Treasurer Yee, Reaching Record $3.2 Billion By Matthew Holloway | Arizona’s state-sponsored education savings program has reached a record $3.2 billion in managed assets, with the Arizona Treasurer’s Office reporting a 96.9 percent increase since Treasurer Kimberly Yee assumed administration of the plan in October 2020. The Arizona Treasurer’s Office announced Tuesday that the AZ529 Education Savings Plan has also added 74,995 new accounts during the 69 months it has operated under Yee’s administration. The latest figures represent continued growth from the beginning of the year. In January, the Treasurer’s Office reported that the plan held $2.87 billion in assets and had added 63,586 accounts since its transfer to the office. The new figures represent approximately $330 million in additional assets and another 11,409 accounts compared with those totals. Under the leadership of Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee, the @AZ_529 Education Savings Plan has increased assets under management by 96.9% to a new record high of $3.2 billion after 69 months of operation with 74,995 new accounts. | @AZTreasurerYee pic.twitter.com/mPXFB7rDQJ — Office of the Arizona State Treasurer (@AZTreasury) August 18, 2026 AZ529 came under the administration of the Treasurer’s Office on Oct. 1, 2020, after then-Gov. Doug Ducey signed SB 1528, transferring administration of the program from the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education to the State Treasurer and establishing the State Board of Investment as trustee. The plan itself was created by the Legislature in 1997 and launched in 1999. Two years after the transfer, the Treasurer’s Office reported that the plan had added 22,326 accounts and held approximately $1.67 billion in assets. At that time, assets had increased 3.1 percent since the Treasury took control of the program. By January 2026, assets had risen 76.7 percent from the October 2020 level to $2.87 billion. The Treasurer’s Office said at the time that 63,586 new accounts had been opened during the first 63 months of Treasury administration. The program allows parents, grandparents, and other account owners to invest money for a beneficiary’s education through tax-advantaged accounts. Funds may be used for qualified expenses including college and university costs, community college, vocational and trade programs, registered apprenticeships, and certain other educational expenses. Arizona taxpayers may deduct contributions made to any qualifying state 529 plan from state taxable income, up to $2,000 per beneficiary for single filers and heads of household and $4,000 per beneficiary for married couples filing jointly. Earnings grow tax-free, while qualified withdrawals are exempt from federal and Arizona income taxes. Families can begin saving with as little as $15 per month, depending on the plan provider. The program currently offers a direct-sold plan through Fidelity Investments and an advisor-sold plan through Goldman Sachs. Federal changes have also expanded the ways some unused 529 funds can be handled. AZ529 beneficiaries may roll qualifying unused funds into the beneficiary’s Roth IRA, subject to federal requirements and a $35,000 lifetime limit. The plan has received national recognition during its growth. In January, the Treasurer’s Office announced that Forbes named AZ529 one of six plans selected from 70 evaluated for its 2026 list. The program has also received a Silver rating from Morningstar for 2023, 2024, and 2025. Yee, who is running for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction and serving her final year as state treasurer, has made expansion of the 529 program and financial-literacy outreach part of her office’s priorities. In her 2025 accomplishments report, the Treasurer’s Office said its outreach included communities across Arizona’s 15 counties, along with Spanish and Navajo-language materials promoting the education savings program. 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 Arizona 529 Education Savings Plan Assets Nearly Double Under Treasurer Yee, Reaching Record $3.2 Billion first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86d02c2c5335ae1048f3d4 Amish Shah’s Vote Against Ban On Child Sex Change Surgeries Resurfaces te 2026-08-20T10:00:12.323Z Amish Shah’s Vote Against Ban On Child Sex Change Surgeries Resurfaces By Staff Reporter | One candidate’s voting records are resurfacing amid a heated race for the 1st Congressional District seat. Democratic nominee Amish Shah, while a state representative, voted against a measure banning sex change surgeries for minors.  Shah took the vote in 2022 while representing the 24th Legislative District. He did not explain his vote during the House floor decision on the bill.  Senate President Warren Petersen, a Republican, sponsored the legislation.  Shah also voted against bills perceived as noninclusive of transgender individuals, including a ban on males from participating in female sports, and a requirement for students to use bathrooms in accordance with their biological sex.  This resurfaced voting record provides a context of continuity with Shah’s approach as a lawmaker, considering his promises to voters in recent months to represent a further-left faction of the Democratic Party. Publicly, Shah has styled himself as an independent that works beyond political party.  His platform proposes advancing socialized medicine, codifying abortion, ending tariffs, and increasing public school funding. When Shah first announced his candidacy last May, he pledged to defend abortion access, namely for the abortion drug mifepristone.  I believe in universal healthcare. The system is broken. #LD5 #ShahForAZ — Amish Shah, MD (@DrAmishShah) July 1, 2022 During his time in the state legislature, Shah balanced his public commitment to bipartisanship by introducing legislation that aligned with a more progressive arc, such as a bill to expand anti-discrimination laws by affording protections for gender identity and sexual orientation, and another bill to redefine marriage within the state constitution.  That anti-discrimination expansion bill has been included within Shah’s bipartisanship count, since Shah cosponsored the bill alongside former Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers, a Republican.  Shah played an active role in the 2020 presidential campaign of Sen. Bernie Sanders. Shah headlined a town hall for the Sanders campaign and endorsed his approach to socializing healthcare. In one town hall, Shah proposed replacing capitalism with socialism.  It was prior to his unsuccessful 2024 campaign for this same seat that Shah openly situated himself within the socialist camp of the Democratic Party. Shah lost that 2024 race despite outspending his opponent by several million, Rep. David Schweikert. Shah also signed onto a compact to make Washington, D.C., into the 51st state. Shah was among 33 Democratic lawmakers from Arizona to sign the 2021 letter. In 2023, Shah followed up on that letter by cosponsoring a 2023 resolution to support D.C. statehood.  Shah has declined to sign onto other compacts. Shah is not among the signatories on board with Promise to America, a commitment for Democratic elected officials and candidates to oppose socialism.  Shah’s primary election opponent, Marlene Galan-Woods, did sign onto the pledge.  Apart from himself, among Shah’s biggest single donors have been the IA Victory Fund, a joint fundraising committee based out of D.C., and 314 Action Impact Slate, a hybrid PAC based out of D.C. Shah has raised more than $1.8 million this reporting period, per Federal Election Commission data.  The Republican nominee in the race, Jay Feely, has raised more than $2.5 million. As with Shah, apart from himself Feely’s top donors include Grow the Majority, a Virginia-based PAC, and Emmer Majority Builders, a Georgia-based PAC. AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link. The post Amish Shah’s Vote Against Ban On Child Sex Change Surgeries Resurfaces first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86cdcf2c5335ae1048f388 Top Dem group reveals new congressional targets in bid to flip House: 'Proven fighters' te 2026-08-20T09:50:07.549Z Top Dem group reveals new congressional targets in bid to flip House: 'Proven fighters' The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is adding five new races to its Red to Blue list, a program that looks to equip candidates in particularly competitive districts. The Red to Blue program is backing Tom Perriello in Virginia, Nancy Lacore in South Carolina, Matt Dunlap in Maine, Zach Dembo in Kentucky and Leela Gray in Florida, bringing the program’s designated races to a total of 37. The additions indicate a growing number of seats the party’s House campaign arm believes it can win as they try to retake the House of Representatives, where Republicans hold a slim majority. The announcement also telegraphs further investment in those particular races. DEMOCRATS TARGET MORE GOP HOUSE SEATS AFTER SOCIALIST VICTORIES ROCK LEFT-WING PRIMARIES "All of these candidates are proven fighters who are running strong campaigns, talking to every voter, and building coalitions across the ideological spectrum to power their victories in November." DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., said in a statement. The five new candidates can expect to receive strategic guidance, staff resources, training and fundraising support "to ensure they are in the best possible position to win in November," Red to Blue stated in a press release. Notably, all five candidates have some record of prior public or military service. Leela Gray, running in Florida’s 13th Congressional District, captured the Democratic nomination on Tuesday evening, highlighting her 30-year Army career, during which she rose to the rank of brigadier general. Her record is similar to that of Nancy Lacore, the Democratic candidate in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, and her story as a former three-star Navy admiral. HOUSE DEMOCRATS' CAMPAIGN ARM DRAWS PROGRESSIVE FURY FOR TRYING TO 'TIP THE SCALES' IN KEY HOUSE PRIMARY Similarly, Zach Dembo, who is trying to flip Kentucky’s 6th District, served as a Navy JAG officer and DOJ prosecutor. The remaining two candidates — Matt Dunlap in Maine’s 2nd District and Tom Perriello, the Democratic nominee in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District — both have held public office before. Dunlap served as Maine Secretary of State, while Perriello is a former congressman. Despite the additional focus, most of the districts are relatively safe for Republicans. Three of them, VA-05, S.C.-01 and KY-06, were all won by the GOP by an average 19.3% margin of victory. Only two of them, FL-13 and ME-02, were decided by less than 10%. Notably, the Maine race is the most competitive out of the group, having been decided by just 0.6% in 2024 in a narrow win for Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine. Golden is not pursuing re-election. In addition to their service backgrounds, DelBene, the DCCC chair, said the candidates would stress areas where voters might feel like Republicans have overpromised and underdelivered. REPUBLICAN MOVES CLOSER TO REPLACING NANCY MACE AS GOP LOOKS TO HOLD COASTAL SOUTH CAROLINA SEAT "American families are struggling under the broken promises and higher costs caused by House Republicans, and they’re eager for leaders who will always put the well-being of their communities first, not rubber-stamp Trump’s failed agenda," DelBene said. Having cleared their respective primaries, all five candidates are now headed to their general elections on Nov. 3. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86cb7a2c5335ae1048f327 Idaho coffee shop owner defends ejecting pro-life group from his business after backlash te 2026-08-20T09:40:10.084Z Idaho coffee shop owner defends ejecting pro-life group from his business after backlash An Idaho coffee shop owner says he and his wife have received "nonstop death threats" following a viral confrontation in which he demanded a pro-life group leave his business and compared them to the Ku Klux Klan. Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America, posted a video to social media on Monday alleging that she and her group were ousted from Wydaho Roasters in Driggs after owner Jim Sheehan learned they were holding a pro-life meeting. Hawkins told Fox News Digital a group of about 15 people had gathered at the café to discuss a prospective ballot measure that would legalize abortion up to 24 weeks in Idaho, where most abortions are currently illegal. Her 16-year-old son, Bear, a fellow with Students for Life, organized the gathering to recruit local volunteers. They also planned to discuss ways to help support moms and families in need in their rural neighborhood, Hawkins said. STUDENTS FOR LIFE SPOKESWOMAN DEFIANT AFTER ANTIFA 'DEATH CULT' MOBBED HER, CELEBRATED CHARLIE KIRK'S MURDER According to Hawkins, group members ordered food and drinks before sitting down, at which point Sheehan approached them and said they were not welcome to host their meeting there. Video footage shows Sheehan telling the group to meet at the public library instead. "This is my place of business," Sheehan says in the video. "I did a lot of work to get people on the ballot so women would have the right to choose in the state of Idaho, and this is something I do not support, nor does my wife, and it's our business. So we have that choice." When Hawkins asked if he was kicking them out, Sheehan replied, "Did I make it very clear that I did not want you here?" "It's like, if the KKK asked to meet here, I would say 'no,'" Sheehan explained in the recording. "In my world, it's the same sort of concept." SOCIAL MEDIA ERUPTS OVER MAMDANI'S SILENCE AFTER BROOKLYN COFFEE SHOP BANS JEWISH CONGRESSMAN Sheehan disputed claims that he "kicked out" the group, telling Fox News Digital the video posted online was misleading. He said he had politely asked the group on Facebook the day prior not to use his business for their meeting. "Sunday she announced on a local community page they were holding this meeting at our business naming it — I responded to the post politely asking them not to use our business as the agenda of the organization does not align with us," Sheehan told Fox News Digital. "They showed up anyway." Hawkins told Fox News Digital they had not seen the social media reply from Sheehan before holding the meeting. In an interview with Cowboy State Daily on Wednesday, Sheehan acknowledged the KKK comparison was a mistake, stating he "didn't think through that analogy." Sheehan said he and his wife have received "nonstop death threats" since the incident. He defended his right to host groups at his choice and said he objected to his business being associated with a cause that he and his wife adamantly opposed. "I figured they would respect my wishes and not hold it there," he told the outlet. SIX TRANSGENDER IDAHO RESIDENTS FILE LAWSUIT TO BLOCK NEW BATHROOM LAW Sheehan said his coffee shop is openly liberal, flies the pride flag and hosts LGBTQ coffee meet-ups. "It's not a surprise where my stance is on something like that," he said, adding that promoting a pro-life meeting would go against his fundamental values. "This is one of those black-and-white issues for me," he said. Students for Life maintained to Fox News Digital that Sheehan's actions amounted to an ejection, alleging he turned up the café's music after the interaction to prevent them from speaking. Hawkins said though the community in Driggs, Idaho, leans liberal, her neighbors are welcoming and friendly regardless of differences in politics, so she said she was shocked by the confrontation. "I think it was shocking to see somebody who had obviously said multiple times and in social media posts and has been out the community saying that they were a community organization, coffee shop ... you know, everyone's welcome sign and his rainbow flag is not welcoming to anyone who is a Christian or who is pro-life," she told Fox News Digital. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86cb732c5335ae1048f2f6 Binance now lets AI agents trade, but keeping them in check is largely up to users te 2026-08-20T09:40:03.266Z Binance now lets AI agents trade, but keeping them in check is largely up to users Binance's Agent OS works with tools including ChatGPT, Claude Code, and Cursor. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86c6c22c5335ae1048f273 Trump’s Order to Cut Military Exercises With South Korea Carries Risks, Experts Say te 2026-08-20T09:20:02.394Z Trump’s Order to Cut Military Exercises With South Korea Carries Risks, Experts Say President Trump’s decision to curtail the military exercises came as allies question the U.S. commitment to longstanding alliances. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86c4742c5335ae1048f237 The family group chat is a goldmine for scammers te 2026-08-20T09:10:12.081Z The family group chat is a goldmine for scammers The last message in your family group chat may have seemed completely harmless. It could have been a beach photo, a flight arrival time, a dentist appointment or an update about Dad's cardiologist. These are the everyday details that keep families connected. They can also give scammers the information they need to impersonate someone you love. A criminal may already know your relatives' names, phone numbers and addresses before making contact. Your family group chat can supply the current details that make the scam believable. 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. YOUR SENIOR PARENTS ARE EASIER TO IMPERSONATE THAN YOU ARE Scammers do not always need to hack an account. Instead, they may need only a few minutes and access to a data broker site. Sites such as Spokeo, Whitepages and BeenVerified may reveal your name, address history and phone number. They may also list your relatives, including your spouse, adult children, grandchildren and siblings. That information gives a scammer the outline of your family. Meanwhile, your family group chat can fill in the missing details. For example, you might post that you just returned from Florida. Your daughter may mention that your grandson is backpacking through Europe. You might also share Dad's next doctor's appointment or the date the grandkids start at a new school. Those updates may feel private. However, they can become exposed if someone shares them elsewhere, posts similar details on social media or loses control of an account. The FBI has explained how criminals use this information in grandparent scams. A scammer may learn that a grandson is a photographer who often travels to Mexico. Then the caller claims to be stranded there after losing his passport and camera equipment. The story sounds believable because it includes real details. The FTC warns that scammers "may know your name, where you live, and other information they could have found on social media." In other words, criminals can combine public records with personal updates to create a convincing lie. In 2025, Americans age 60 and older reported $7.7 billion in losses to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, with more than 201,000 complaints filed. Here is the number that should stop you. A data removal service analysis of FBI data found that 72% of elder fraud cases in 2024 were enabled by victims' personal data being available online. Those cases accounted for $4.2 billion in losses, or 86% of the total amount stolen. An 86-year-old woman named Joyce received a call about her real grandson, Grant. The caller reportedly knew he wore glasses, worked as a teacher and was in his mid-20s. Her daughter-in-law later recalled, "There were comments like, 'He's such a nice young man. I love the glasses he wears.'" Gary Schildhorn told the U.S. Senate Aging Committee about receiving a call from what sounded exactly like his son's voice. The caller asked for nearly $9,000 in bail money. "There was no doubt in my mind that it was his voice on the phone," he said. It was an AI-generated voice clone. Security researchers say criminals may need only a short audio clip to reproduce someone's voice. That is the type of clip families share in group chats every day. In August 2025, federal prosecutors in Massachusetts charged 13 people in a ring accused of stealing more than $5 million from over 400 victims across five states. The victims' average age was 84. The U.S. Attorney's summary was blunt: "Their goal was to trick our parents, grandparents, neighbors and friends into handing over their life savings under false pretenses, and they succeeded." Scammers do not always rely on information posted outside the group. Sometimes they take over the chat itself. One common WhatsApp takeover trick starts with a message claiming that a verification code was sent to you by mistake. The sender asks you to forward it. That code is actually your registration code. Forwarding it may allow someone to register your number on another phone. The criminal could then lock you out, create a new PIN and start messaging your family while pretending to be you. Facebook Messenger accounts can also be cloned or hijacked. With iMessage scams, criminals may try to persuade you to respond to a disabled scam link so that the link becomes active again. SIM swapping presents another threat. A criminal who convinces your carrier to transfer your phone number to a different device may gain access without asking you to forward a code. Once that happens, the scammer no longer needs to guess your relatives' names. The criminal may be inside the group chat using them. HI MOM TEXT SCAM: HOW TO SPOT FAKE EMERGENCY TEXTS Good. You should not. Nobody is asking you to leave the family group chat. Disappearing from it would take away one of the best parts of getting older: staying close to your family every day. This isn’t about talking less. It is about making a few five-minute security changes that can close the doors scammers use while preserving the connection your family values. A few changes can strengthen your account security and help your family respond safely when a suspicious message appears. Two-step verification adds another layer of protection to your accounts. Therefore, turn it on for every messaging, social media and email account that supports it. WhatsApp: Open Settings > Account > Two-step verification. Facebook: Open Accounts Center > Password and security > Two-factor authentication. Apple Account: Open Settings > [your name] > Sign-In & Security > Two-Factor Authentication. This extra security step can help block an account takeover, even if a scammer steals your password or tries to register your account on another device. Create a family rule that nobody forwards a verification code received by text, email or an authentication app. A legitimate platform will not ask you to send your private login code to another person. A real family member should not need it either. Even when the request appears to come from your child or grandchild, call that person using a phone number you already have before taking action. Choose a word, phrase or question that only your real family knows. Before anyone sends money or responds to an emergency request, ask for the codeword. Apply the rule every time, even when the person's voice sounds convincing. Do not place the codeword in the same group chat you are trying to protect. Share it by phone or in person. YOUR FAMILY COULD BE ONE PHONE CALL FROM A BANK SCAM Post beach photos after you return home rather than while you are still traveling. Real-time travel posts may reveal that your home is empty. They can also give scammers a believable opening line about where you are, where you have been or when you are expected to return. You can still share every great photo. A short delay makes the information less useful to someone watching your activity. On WhatsApp, review who can see your profile photo, last seen status and About information. Consider limiting those details to your contacts. You can also restrict who is allowed to add you to groups. For conversations containing addresses, appointments or routines, consider enabling Advanced Chat Privacy when it is available. Review similar privacy settings on Facebook, Instagram and any other service your family uses. Treat an account as untrusted when a family member suddenly asks you to forward a code, send money, buy gift cards or keep an emergency secret. Getting logged out unexpectedly can also indicate that someone is attempting to take over your account. Stop responding in the chat and call the family member directly using a phone number you already had. Do not call a new number provided in the suspicious message. Use a password managerto create and store a different strong password for every messaging, email and social media account. Reusing the same password gives criminals more opportunities. If one service suffers a breach, the stolen password may be tested against your other accounts. Apassword manager also reduces the temptation to choose short passwords based on birthdays, pets or family names that a scammer could discover online. There is one problem these security settings cannot solve: the data broker profile that may have made the scam believable in the first place. Search for your name on sites such as Spokeo or Whitepages. You may find your address, phone number and relatives listed by name. That is the information a scammer can see before making contact. Meanwhile, your group chat supplies the current details that make the eventual call or message convincing. The data broker profile may have helped identify your family as a possible target. You can request removal from data broker sites yourself. However, the process can take time, and your information may reappear later. For ongoing help, consider using a reputable data removal service. These services send removal requests to data brokers on your behalf and continue checking whether your personal information returns. No service can remove every trace of your data from the internet. Still, reducing the number of sites that display your address, phone number and family connections can make it harder for scammers to build a convincing profile around you. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com The family group chat may feel like the safest room in your digital life, but the information shared there can become valuable to criminals. Data brokers may already have your relatives mapped out by name, while travel plans, appointments and everyday updates give scammers the current details they need to create a convincing story. Real families have lost thousands of dollars to callers who appeared to know everything about them. Messaging accounts can also be hijacked through stolen verification codes, weak passwords, phishing attempts or SIM-swapping attacks. You do not need to leave the family group chat. Turn on two-step verification, use unique passwords stored in a password manager, create a family codeword and wait until you return home before sharing travel updates. Those precautions can protect your accounts, but they cannot remove information that is already sitting on data broker sites. Reducing that exposure requires regularly checking what is public and requesting that your information be removed. Stay close to your family. Just make it harder for someone else to use that closeness against you. Has a scammer ever contacted you or a relative using real names, travel details or other personal information that made the story feel convincing? 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/6a86c4732c5335ae1048f22e Want to stop socialism? A modern civic education needs a lot more than you'd think te 2026-08-20T09:10:11.491Z Want to stop socialism? A modern civic education needs a lot more than you'd think The recent election victories of socialist and progressive candidates in New York, Michigan and Minnesota, along with Democratic Socialist Francesca Hong’s narrow loss in Wisconsin, highlight the changing political and economic attitudes of a growing segment of Americans. Perhaps most surprising is the constituency driving this movement: younger, college-educated voters. Recent analysis shows support for Democratic Socialist candidates particularly strong among highly educated younger voters. By contrast, support among working-class voters without a college degree is weaker, despite these candidates’ emphasis on policies intended to benefit working-class households. There is no shortage of explanations for the recent rise in support for socialism among young college graduates. Conservatives emphasize ideological capture within universities. Progressives emphasize housing affordability and economic insecurity. Both likely play a role, but these results raise a more fundamental issue. Higher education has spent decades encouraging students to engage in political and economic debates without first ensuring that they possess the foundational knowledge to adequately evaluate those debates. Hence, before students decide what they believe about capitalism and socialism or vote to reform America's political and economic systems, they should first understand how our systems actually work. FOX NEWS POLL: FAITH IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE US IS COLLAPSING One promising response has been the emergence of schools devoted to civic education. These schools seek to restore serious study of history, constitutional government, economics and the traditions of self-government to undergraduate education. Their main purpose is not to produce historians, political scientists, philosophers or economists. Rather, they seek to prepare graduates for lives of informed citizenship and responsible leadership. Graduates will go into numerous fields, including business, medicine, law and politics. Regardless of their career choices, these students will be equipped to help shape America’s future. The renewal of civic education reflects a broader question confronting higher education as a whole: What knowledge should every educated citizen possess? Among these new schools, the School of Civic Leadership at the University of Texas at Austin illustrates one approach. As my dean, Justin Dyer, has argued, civic education should be pre-partisan: "Before we can develop a reasonable outlook on the policy issues of the day, we must first acquire knowledge of the character and basis of the political institutions we have inherited and must now steward as Americans. Civic education gives us this knowledge and in so doing prepares us for liberty." This vision rests on three pillars: history, constitutionalism and economics. History teaches students how the ideas and events that came before us shaped the American experiment. Constitutionalism teaches students how our institutions operate in a democratic republic. Economics teaches students how incentives, markets and institutions shape prosperity and public policy. Together, these three disciplines provide students with the intellectual foundation necessary to understand and steward our country, regardless of the profession they ultimately pursue. CAPITALISM IS ABOUT INCENTIVES. STOPPING THE STUPIDITY OF SOCIALISM IS A BIG INCENTIVE In practice, however, economics has often occupied a less prominent place in civic education compared to history and constitutional government. At its best, economic reasoning provides a pre-partisan framework for analyzing public policy. When applied properly, economic analysis does not begin with a predetermined policy outcome. Rather, it begins by examining costs, benefits, incentives and unintended consequences. Notably, economic analysis seeks to examine two important questions related to public policy: causality and efficiency. Causality tells us which policies achieve a desired outcome. Efficiency asks how to achieve that outcome at the lowest cost to society. Importantly, when taught correctly, economics doesn't tell students how to vote or which candidates to support. Rather, it provides a common analytical framework to teach students how to evaluate competing claims and consider tradeoffs. That shared framework, not agreement on political outcomes, is what makes economics uniquely suited to a pre-partisan civic education. COLLEGE STUDENTS EXPRESS STRONG TRUST IN SCHOOL LEADERS DESPITE BROADER PUBLIC CYNICISM: GALLUP Every citizen can vote or borrow money, and all of us have to pay taxes. And we have to live with the consequences of the economic policies enacted by our elected officials. Yet among students who began college in 2012, only about one-quarter received any college-level economics instruction. Citizens cannot meaningfully participate in those debates without first understanding basic economic principles. A civic education that omits economic reasoning is incomplete. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION If one purpose of higher education is to prepare graduates for the responsibilities of citizenship, then economics cannot remain peripheral. The resurgence of civic education has rightly restored emphasis on the study of America’s history and constitutional systems. However, we must also ensure every graduate understands the economic system that has helped make America the most prosperous nation in human history. Before Americans vote to reform or replace our economic and political institutions, they must first understand how those institutions actually work. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86c4722c5335ae1048f225 When AI tests cause damage, we need stronger safeguards and real accountability te 2026-08-20T09:10:10.905Z When AI tests cause damage, we need stronger safeguards and real accountability When a cybersecurity experiment goes wrong, the public response is predictable: Find out who is responsible, punish them, compensate the victims and make sure it never happens again. That instinct is understandable. But imagine if automakers tested every vehicle at only 20 miles per hour because they feared a crash-test car might escape the warehouse. The public might be protected from a runaway test vehicle, but manufacturers would learn little about how cars perform under dangerous real-world conditions. Artificial-intelligence testing presents a similar dilemma. When powerful artificial-intelligence (AI) systems escape controlled testing environments and gain unauthorized access to outside organizations, punishment alone may create more problems than it solves. REP. TED LIEU: AI IS ALREADY TOO POWERFUL. WE NEED A KILL SWITCH BEFORE DISASTER STRIKES Recent disclosures have revealed that advanced AI models breached third-party systems during their cybersecurity evaluations. In some cases, the organizations conducting the tests did not immediately realize what had happened. Experts warn that other unintended intrusions may have occurred without ever being detected and commentators were quick to point the finger. The obvious response is to throw the book at the AI developers responsible. But there is a catch, if the penalties are too severe, that may deter AI labs from conducting similar research or make them even less transparent about how, when, and to what ends they are evaluating their models. AI safety testing is not an exact science. Even the world’s leading researchers struggle to build the perfect environments to elicit as much information about their models as possible without also introducing some risk of harm to third parties. Best practices can reduce the danger, but recent incidents demonstrate that even the leaders in the field may not always properly implement those safeguards and that even when they do so risks may still remain. IRANIAN HACKERS ATTACKED OUR WATER SYSTEMS. HERE ARE 5 THINGS OUR LEADERS NEED TO DO NOW Ultimately, excessive punishment may deter labs from performing this societally important research or from doing so in a way that’s likely to demonstrate a model’s full capabilities. Researchers must push advanced systems hard enough to expose their weaknesses before foreign adversaries or criminals do. At the same time, innocent businesses should not be forced to pay the price when those tests escape the lab. That means that we need a smarter answer than simply "punish the lab." Some argue that access to the most powerful AI tools should be restricted to a small group of government-approved partners. Under the status quo, the most advanced tools are first offered to "trusted partners," as established by a combination of the labs and the U.S. government. If you’re off that list, then you may find yourself particularly vulnerable to such incidents. FROM NEW YORK TO TEXAS, STATES SHOULD RESPECT LOCAL CONTROL ON DATA CENTERS America’s response should focus on strengthening cyber defenses across critical infrastructure, the private sector, and civil society — not merely compensating victims after the damage is done. Nor can the United States solve the problem by bringing AI development to a halt. America is competing with hostile foreign powers to shape the future of this technology. Unilateral surrender would not make AI disappear. It would simply allow our adversaries to take the lead. The better path is to continue advancing American AI while requiring developers to bear the risks their most dangerous tests create, conducting the R&D necessary to design more robust testing environments and develop more steerable AI tools. Congress already has a model for balancing technological progress with potentially catastrophic consequences: the Price-Anderson framework for nuclear accidents. Under that system, nuclear operators carry insurance and can be required to contribute to a broader industry compensation pool when an accident exceeds ordinary coverage. Congress should consider applying the same basic framework to frontier AI, or state-of-the-art models that are highly capable across most domains. Frontier labs would pay a base assessment into a national cyber-resilience account, which would help civil-society organizations and critical-infrastructure operators shore up their defenses before an incident occurs. Those fees would be reduced when a developer follows verified containment standards, submits to independent review, maintains complete testing logs and cooperates fully with monitoring and incident investigations. In other words, responsible behavior should cost less. Reckless behavior should cost more. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Americans are right to demand accountability when an AI test goes off the rails. But accountability should do more than satisfy the desire to point fingers. It should make the country safer. The program should not shield labs from lawsuits based on gross negligence, willful misconduct, or concealment of evidence. Washington should allow American developers to conduct the demanding tests necessary to expose AI’s most dangerous capabilities. But when those experiments escape into the real world, the costs should not fall on innocent Americans who never agreed to become test subjects. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86c4722c5335ae1048f21c One monthly bill Americans can’t avoid is quietly surging thanks to emerging industry: data te 2026-08-20T09:10:10.298Z One monthly bill Americans can’t avoid is quietly surging thanks to emerging industry: data Americans could soon feel the artificial intelligence boom in an unavoidable place — their monthly electric bills. Research from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas finds that the rapid growth of AI data centers could make electricity more expensive for households in the coming years. And researchers estimate existing data centers that have popped up all over the country in recent years have already pushed average wholesale electricity prices 2% to 6% higher nationwide, with even larger surges in areas where these facilities are concentrated. The issue is sure to take even more prominence as affordability, emerging technology and the future of energy-sucking data centers becomes central to many Americans' sentiments at the ballot box. A SOUTHERN STATE JUST TOOK THE TOP SPOT IN ONE OF THE WORLD’S FASTEST-GROWING INDUSTRIES The pressure in monthly bills could grow in conjunction with the AI boom. The preferred middle-range scenario for researchers show the cost increases of generating electricity could be 20% to 30% higher by 2028 compared to what it would be without new data centers. That does not mean a family's electric bill will jump 20% to 30% — that figure is much more nuanced. Depending on its size, a single large data center can use as much electricity as a small city, according to estimates compiled by Fed researchers. Wholesale electricity is only one part of what consumers pay for, alongside costs such as transmission and distribution. The researchers at the Dallas Fed estimate energy costs make up roughly half of a typical retail electricity price, and wholesale increases generally take time to work their way into household rates. In short – the future of electricity bulls is unclear, but is likely to steadily rise over the next two years. AMERICANS HIT WITH SOARING ELECTRICITY BILLS AS PRICE HIKES OUTPACE INFLATION NATIONWIDE At its core, the explanation is straightforward, though the implications are more complex. Data centers need enormous amounts of electricity to run the computers behind AI. As more data centers connect to the grid, utilities may need additional power plants, transmission lines, substations and other infrastructure to serve them. Who ultimately pays for those upgrades depends in part on how regulators and utilities divide the costs between data centers and other customers. The growing strain has is at the center of many political debates. President Donald Trump has pushed to expand America's AI infrastructure while backing a voluntary pledge aimed at preventing data centers from driving up household utility bills. TRUMP HEADS TOWARD UNLIKELY CLASH WITH CLOSE ALLY OVER FUTURE OF MULTIBILLION-DOLLAR INDUSTRY In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, has ordered regulators to halt data center projects seeking to connect to the state's main power grid until they undergo a comprehensive audit. In Pennsylvania, Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro has also moved to tighten oversight of large-scale data center development as the state weighs how to balance new investment with rising electricity demand. Other governors have gone further, including Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who imposed a one-year moratorium on new hyperscale data centers. States continue to grapple with concerns over electricity costs, grid reliability and the rapid pace of development. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86c4712c5335ae1048f213 El-Sayed's agenda puts ‘permanently’ changed America on the line in Michigan Senate race, GOP firebrand warns te 2026-08-20T09:10:09.691Z El-Sayed's agenda puts ‘permanently’ changed America on the line in Michigan Senate race, GOP firebrand warns Former GOP gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon is sounding the alarm on her belief that Democratic Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed’s opposition to Sharia law bans, association with far-left streamer Hasan Piker and progressive policies will "permanently" change America. "This is not, if this person gets in, how much damage can they do in six years?" Dixon told Fox News Digital. "This is someone who fundamentally disagrees with the Constitution and the founding of this country and has come out and said the founding of this was wrong and he disagrees with this. This is somebody who wants to go into government to permanently change America." Dixon highlighted El-Sayed’s past opposition to Sharia law bans, saying Americans need to know where he stands. DEM ATTORNEY BACKS GOP HOPEFUL IN MICHIGAN RACE AGAINST EL-SAYED, 'JUMPING SHIP' FROM HIS PARTY'S 'LUNATICS' "This is a guy who has gone out and he's done speeches on why it is a terrible thing to ban Sharia law. That, to me, the average American is terrified of the idea of groups coming in and taking over our culture and saying that they are going to change how we live and how women are treated," she said. During a 2022 speech to the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ Oklahoma chapter, El-Sayed said efforts to ban Sharia law were rooted in white supremacy and driven by "the same exact forces" behind the forced removal of Native Americans and the destruction of Black Wall Street. "That comparison, to me, is something that the American people, and certainly the people of Michigan, need to know that that's how closely aligned he is with the Islamist values and the fact that he would bring Sharia law into our lives and defend it in that way," Dixon said. Sharia law is a body of Islamic religious principles governing personal, family and financial matters, with interpretations varying on issues including child marriage, women’s rights and criminal penalties. Turning to El-Sayed’s recent campaign appearances with Piker, Dixon took aim at El-Sayed for refusing to distance himself from the popular streamer. Piker, who has about 10 million social media followers, has faced backlash for saying that "America deserved 9/11," as well as for controversial comments about Hamas and the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, and for recently wearing an outfit resembling that of former communist dictator Mao Zedong. "At the same time, [he is] campaigning with a man who says America deserved 9/11 and refusing to back down on that," Dixon said. HASAN PIKER CALLS FOR DEMOCRATS WHO OPPOSE ABDUL EL-SAYED TO BE 'PUNISHED' El-Sayed pushed back on criticism of his association with Piker during an April "Fox & Friends" appearance, saying, "[Just] because you appear with somebody, doesn't mean you agree with them on everything." But Dixon said El-Sayed’s ties to Piker and stance on Sharia law remain issues that "you can’t ignore." "Everybody I've talked to, I've said, this is about whether or not we preserve America, or we have somebody who's completely against everything that we are, and it goes well beyond what we've seen with Democrat and Republican," she said. Looking back at El-Sayed’s 2007 University of Michigan commencement speech, where he served as the student speaker alongside former President Bill Clinton and told the crowd they must have "the audacity to believe we can change the world," Dixon said "what he really meant was destroy America." The concerns over El-Sayed’s candidacy also extends to his policies, with Dixon arguing that his economic agenda goes "beyond socialism." She said the Democratic Party has "openly embraced" socialism, adding that El-Sayed "wants government that will take over people." "You won't thrive," Dixon said. "Everybody will be equally suffering." Dixon said El-Sayed will struggle to unite a divided Democratic Party and appeal to working-class Michigan voters. DAVID MARCUS: IN BOOMING DETROIT, VOTERS SKEPTICAL OF SOCIALISM SNAKE OIL "The working-class Democrats are not socialists," Dixon said. El-Sayed has previously denied being a socialist, saying, "I believe in capitalism, I just believe that capitalism has to be regulated." Dixon cautioned that Democrats who opposed El-Sayed in the primary could back him through straight-ticket voting in November, which lets voters select one party’s candidates with a single choice. "The question that you're really asking is, will people hold their nose and straight-ticket vote?" Dixon said. But Dixon said some voters could "cross over" to support Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers. "It's going to be an interesting dynamic. It means the Republicans have to work very hard," she said. El-Sayed is facing Rogers in November for the seat held by retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters, a race that could help determine control of the Senate. Fox News Digital reached out to El-Sayed’s campaign for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86c4712c5335ae1048f20a MORNING GLORY: Alaska’s 'real' Senator Dan Sullivan stood up over challenger te 2026-08-20T09:10:09.106Z MORNING GLORY: Alaska’s 'real' Senator Dan Sullivan stood up over challenger Alaska U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan moved on to the general election following Tuesday’s primary, handily outpolling — though not eliminating — "dirty trick" Dan Sullivan. The challenger, a retired federal employee and teacher (of the sort who attends "No Kings" rallies) is suspected by most observers of being a "confusion candidate" meant to siphon votes in Alaska’s open primary, finished third. Because state rules send the top four vote-getters to the general election, both candidates will appear on the ranked-choice ballot in November. At this writing, Senator Dan Sullivan is a close second to Democratic Congresswoman Mary Peltola in the primary voting and the other Dan Sullivan is a very distant third. Why conclude the second Dan Sullivan is a dirty trick candidate, as described by Senator Dan Sullivan and others? ALASKA'S BLOCKBUSTER SENATE RACE THROWN INTO CHAOS AS SAME-NAME CHALLENGER FIGHTS DISQUALIFICATION IN COURT According to Alaska election officials, Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. initially sought ballot access as "Dan Sullivan", although his voter-registration records identified him as Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. The Division of Elections regarded that as evidence that he wanted voters to mistake him for the incumbent. He also changed his party affiliation to Republican immediately before filing, and had never before been registered as a Republican. "Dirty Trick" Dan Sullivan’s campaign also had connections to a Democratic political consultant, one whose work history included supporting Democrats. Alaska election officials actually tried to remove "Dirty Trick" Dan Sullivan from the ballot, but the state Supreme Court ruled he could be on the ballot. This week Reuters reported that The United States Department of Justice is investigating the campaign of the second Dan Sullivan and has issued Grand Jury subpoenas as part of a federal probe into what could be shenanigans. ALASKA’S DAN SULLIVAN TELLS 'RUTHLESS' HE WILL OVERCOME DEM EFFORT TO ‘STEAL’ HIS NAME Senator Dan Sullivan should be in good shape for the fall run-off as he is a relentless campaigner and a very effective senator who will run hard through the tape in a state President Trump carried by 13% two years ago, and do so with a general election voter turnout expected to more than double Tuesday’s vote. Voting numbers from the past year demonstrate that general election turnout can and does soar over the August primary totals, even in mid-term elections. The current statewide count in Tuesday’s primary was around 109,000 ballots when this column filed, and the final number should rise as absentee ballots are counted. In the 2024 general, 340,981 Alaskans voted after 108,906 voted in the primary. In the 2022 general, 267,047 voted after roughly 190,000 participated. That year the Senate and gubernatorial races generated unusually high primary interest. Much attention focused on the suspected dirty trick in recent weeks on the second Dan Sullivan and that focus will continue through the fall. The Alaskans I know are completely up to speed on the suspected bluff and the general electorate should decide on the merits, though the ranked choice rules are never well understood, even by long-term Alaskans. JUDGE RULES REPUBLICAN WITH SAME NAME AS SEN DAN SULLIVAN CAN STAY ON ALASKA PRIMARY BALLOT Senator Sullivan is a patriot and well known to his fellow Alaskans. Senator Sullivan joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1993, serving on active duty and subsequently in the Marine Corps Reserve, retiring with the rank of colonel. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Senator Sullivan’s service included a short-term deployment in Afghanistan as a reservist, (he remained in the Marine Corps Reserve for many years while pursuing his civilian career) and his extended active-duty deployment was from 2004–06, with substantial time in the Middle East, Horn of Africa, and Central Asia. His military background has strongly influenced his Senate work, particularly on defense, Arctic security and veterans’ issues. TWO ICEBREAKERS HEADED TO ALASKA AS US COMBATS RUSSIAN, CHINESE INFLUENCE IN ARCTIC Senator Sullivan attended Harvard College and Georgetown University Law School, clerked for federal and state judges and worked as an attorney in Alaska before joining President George W. Bush’s administration, Security Council staff, before becoming W’s Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy and Business Affairs, serving in that job from 2006 to 2009. Senator Sullivan then served as Alaska’s Natural Resource Commissioner and as its Attorney General before successfully running for the Senate in 2014. At 61, Sullivan has entered his prime as a senator with the sort of Senate seniority that allows him to serve Alaska’s citizenry very well. Alaska’s most important economic issues — oil and gas development, mining, federal lands, resource management and Arctic development as well as the U.S. military presence in the Arctic state — depend on their Senate duo having the clout that comes with seniority. Sullivan, along with Senator Lisa Murkowski, have that. Senator Dan Sullivan will be on the November ballot with a ballot designation "Republican incumbent," backed by a major campaign effort across every media platform with a seasoned GOTV team turning out every voter. Alaskans who know the stakes for their state, and they know too the deep downside for the Alaska economy when Democrats control the upper chamber in D.C. They won’t get fooled by a faux Senate candidate working the weird rule set up north. 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/6a86b1af2c5335ae1048ef02 CBP officers seize nearly 850 pounds of khat packed into 12 suitcases after flight from London te 2026-08-20T07:50:07.905Z CBP officers seize nearly 850 pounds of khat packed into 12 suitcases after flight from London Two travelers arriving from London allegedly packed nearly 850 pounds of khat into 12 suitcases before the massive haul was uncovered by customs officers at a Maryland airport. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said the two U.S. citizens from New York arrived at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport on Aug. 13 and were referred for secondary inspection. During a subsequent baggage examination, officers discovered what appeared to be a large quantity of tea leaves, which later tested positive for khat, or Catha edulis, according to CBP. MEXICAN NATIONAL FACES FEDERAL CHARGES AFTER CBP FINDS $238K IN FENTANYL INSIDE ELECTRIC MOPED Authorities said each traveler had six soft-sided suitcases filled with khat. The seized material weighed approximately 847 pounds and had an estimated street value of about $100,000. The men were released pending further investigation, CBP said. Khat, also known as Abyssinian tea and African salad, is typically grown in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula and is chewed for its amphetamine-like effects, according to CBP. Dried khat leaves can also be boiled to make a stimulant tea. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), khat contains two central nervous system stimulants — cathinone, a Schedule I controlled substance, and cathine, a Schedule IV controlled substance. MAN BUSTED AFTER CUSTOMS UNCOVERS BIZARRE CARGO HIDDEN INSIDE 22 PAIRS OF SOCKS Symptoms of khat toxicity can include delusions, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing and increased blood pressure and heart rate, according to the DEA. The World Health Organization classified khat as a drug of abuse in 1980. The discovery came just days after CBP officers seized another 412 pounds of khat from unclaimed traveler baggage at the same airport. In that case, CBP said officers "spooked" a suspected smuggler, who fled the inspection station and left the khat behind. CBP SEIZES MASSIVE METH HAUL WORTH MILLIONS STASHED IN SECRET TILE SHIPMENT "Customs and Border Protection officers have observed substantial quantities of khat being smuggled in commercial shipments, but smuggling loads of this volume inside traveler baggage is a bit unusual, and not any more successful," CBP's Baltimore Area Port Director Adam Rottman said in a statement. "Khat is illegal and poses severe health risks to users," Rottman continued. "CBP will continue to seize khat and other dangerous drugs when we encounter it and we will work with our law enforcement partners to hold smugglers accountable." CBP officers seized roughly 46,000 pounds of khat last fiscal year and nearly 20,000 pounds during the current fiscal year so far, according to the agency. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a869c9a2c5335ae1048e97b Alina Habba shuts down speculation she could replace Karoline Leavitt as White House press secretary te 2026-08-20T06:20:11.006Z Alina Habba shuts down speculation she could replace Karoline Leavitt as White House press secretary One of the betting favorites to replace Karoline Leavitt as White House press secretary declared Wednesday that she is not in the running for the job. The 28-year-old White House press secretary, fresh off maternity leave, announced earlier this month that she would end her tenure at the podium at the end of August to spend more time with her two young children. As speculation continued to swirl over whom President Donald Trump would tap to succeed Leavitt, bettors on prediction market platform Kalshi began favoring Alina Habba for the role. KAROLINE LEAVITT'S REPLACEMENT AS PRESS SECRETARY FACES 'CRITICAL' TEST AS MIDTERMS LOOM, TRUMP ADVISOR SAYS Habba, who serves as senior adviser to the attorney general for U.S. attorneys, was previously floated for the position after Trump won re-election. Bettors on Kalshi gave Habba a 35% chance of being named Leavitt's replacement at the time before she publicly dismissed the speculation. Habba, however, threw cold water on that idea. "Flattered by the Kalshi odds, but I'm not in the running for any job," Habba posted on X. "However, if I'm getting a new one, I'd love for one of these anonymous sources to let me know first," she continued. "Fake news remains the undefeated champ…well…until I come at them." DAVID MARCUS: KAROLINE LEAVITT’S LASTING LEGACY IS OPENING THE WHITE HOUSE TO INDIE PRESS When speculation emerged about Habba potentially becoming press secretary following Trump's 2024 election victory, she said she was "flattered" by the consideration but believed she would "be better served in other capacities." Habba went on to serve just over two months as counselor to the president before being appointed interim U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey. After a federal appeals court upheld a ruling that her subsequent service as acting U.S. attorney was unlawful, she resigned from the position and was later named senior adviser to the attorney general for U.S. attorneys. Habba also previously served as Trump's personal attorney and was a high-profile surrogate during his 2024 presidential campaign. JIM ACOSTA DEMANDS CNN FIRE SCOTT JENNINGS AFTER ON-AIR CONFRONTATION WITH PANELIST Following Habba's post Wednesday, CNN political commentator Scott Jennings became the new betting favorite on Kalshi, followed by Leavitt's deputy, Anna Kelly. Jennings, a former aide to President George W. Bush, was also reportedly considered for the press secretary role after Trump won the 2024 election before Leavitt was ultimately selected. Trump has touted Jennings' recent book and referred to him as a "patriot" who "gets it." "The next press secretary will undoubtedly be someone who has a strong existing relationship with President Trump," former White House press secretary Sean Spicer previously told Fox News Digital. Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment. Fox News Digital's Ashley J. DiMella contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86852a2c5335ae1048e10c Erika Kirk urges conservative students not to back down in first school year since Charlie's assassination te 2026-08-20T04:40:10.067Z Erika Kirk urges conservative students not to back down in first school year since Charlie's assassination Erika Kirk is urging conservative students not to back down as they return to college campuses for the first school year since her husband Charlie Kirk was assassinated, challenging them to carry forward the movement he founded in 2012. Kirk, who took over leadership of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) following the fatal shooting of her 31-year-old husband at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025, posted a lengthy message on Instagram Wednesday evening directed primarily at students beginning the new academic year. She warned that conservative and Christian students may encounter hostility at their schools but offered a stern message: Don't retreat from campus activism. YOUNG CONSERVATIVES REVEAL WHAT’S TOP OF MIND AS GOP, DEMOCRATS BATTLE FOR 'HOPELESS' GEN Z VOTERS "Your table might get flipped," Kirk wrote. "Someone might call you every name imaginable because you have a Turning Point USA sign sitting in front of you." "What are you going to do about it?" she continued. "Are you going to stop tabling? Are you going to shut down your chapter? Are you going to decide it is easier to keep your head down and get through the semester? No. You keep going." The CEO of the conservative nonprofit then invoked her husband's commitment to courage. "Charlie committed himself to a life of courage," she wrote. "I want to challenge you to do the same. He'd often talk about how courage is doing the right thing even when you don't know how it's going to work out. He would tell you that courage is being committed to the right course of action regardless of the cost associated with it." Erika Kirk also recalled how her husband deliberately traveled to college campuses where he encountered people who disagreed with him because he wanted debate rather than an audience that already shared his views. WATCH: CHAOS ERUPTS AS LEFTISTS INTERRUPT CONSERVATIVE GROUP'S UCLA EVENT FEATURING DHS LAWYER "Charlie wanted the conversation; he wanted the debate, he wanted you to ask the hard questions and challenge him," she wrote. "And he wanted you to learn how to defend what you believe instead of repeating something because somebody you follow online said it." "That is still who we are," she added. Charlie Kirk founded TPUSA to promote conservatism on college campuses nationwide. He was speaking before more than 2,000 people at a TPUSA event in Orem, Utah, when he was assassinated, leaving behind Erika and their two children. Erika Kirk argued that her husband's assassination ultimately failed to derail the student movement he created. TEXAS MAN ALLEGEDLY THREATENED TO BOMB TURNING POINT USA EVENT AND KILL CEO ERIKA KIRK IN ONLINE POSTS "What was meant to destroy the student movement my husband started 14 years ago did the opposite," she wrote. She pointed to the creation of new TPUSA chapters and said students have registered others to vote, tabled on campuses, organized events and knocked on doors. Erika also thanked students for supporting her over the past year and said being around them makes her feel her husband's presence. She acknowledged the emotional weight of beginning the first school year without Charlie. ERIKA KIRK CANCELS UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA TPUSA EVENT APPEARANCE OVER 'SERIOUS THREATS' "It's still so painful that it's our first Start of the School Year without my Charlie," she wrote. "It hasn't been easy to do any of this without him." "But he left us a blueprint for how to continue his mission, and that's what we're doing," she added. Tyler Robinson, 23, is accused of fatally shooting Kirk and has not entered a plea. Following a weeklong preliminary hearing in July, Judge Tony Graf Jr. is expected to decide Sept. 1 whether prosecutors have established enough probable cause to send Robinson to trial. Fox News Digital's Stepheny Price and Michael Ruiz contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8685292c5335ae1048e103 Pennsylvania State Police helicopter, small plane collide in midair, killing 1 and injuring 2 state troopers te 2026-08-20T04:40:09.406Z Pennsylvania State Police helicopter, small plane collide in midair, killing 1 and injuring 2 state troopers A midair collision on Wednesday night involving a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter and a small airplane killed the pilot of the plane and injured two state troopers, according to officials. A Bell 407 helicopter and a Cessna 150 airplane collided in midair at around 7:50 p.m. in central Pennsylvania, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement. Pennsylvania State Police Acting Commissioner Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens said the police helicopter was in a grassy area conducting routine training when it was hit by a small Cessna aircraft in Carlisle, which is located about 120 miles west of Philadelphia. DEADLY MILITARY HELICOPTER CRASH IN TEXAS KILLS 2, SPARKS WILDFIRE AND FORCES EVACUATIONS: OFFICIALS "The Cessna plane, for an unknown reason, veered to the right at the last moment, struck the helicopter from the rear, hit the tail rotor and the main rotor, resulting in a violent crash" Bivens said at a news briefing. The one person inside the plane died in the incident, Bivens said. "The one known occupant of the Cessna did not survive the crash. We believe only the pilot was in the Cessna," he said. Both state troopers inside the helicopter were initially trapped before being able to get out. They were injured and transported to a hospital but are expected to recover, according to Gov. Josh Shapiro. "I’m pleased to say that after an aviation accident, two Pennsylvania State Troopers, while injured, are going to be okay," he said at the news briefing. 5 AMERICANS KILLED IN HELICOPTER CRASH IN KENYA, INCLUDING TELEMUNDO EXECUTIVE "Lori and I are praying hard and we ask all of our fellow Pennsylvanians to join us," the governor wrote earlier on social media. The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation, with the FAA assisting. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a867e1e2c5335ae1048db34 Lindsay Clancy prosecutors come across as 'tone deaf,' 'uncaring' and 'snarky,' defense attorney says te 2026-08-20T04:10:06.932Z Lindsay Clancy prosecutors come across as 'tone deaf,' 'uncaring' and 'snarky,' defense attorney says If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Prosecutors in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial are coming across as "tone deaf" to how jurors likely feel about the case, a criminal defense attorney says. Lindsay Clancy, 36, faces three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of her children — Cora, Dawson and Callan, all under the age of 6 — who were found strangled at the family's Duxbury, Massachusetts home in 2023. Prosecutors concluded their case Monday morning, and Clancy's defense attorney has since begun presenting arguments, asserting that she was in the grip of postpartum psychosis when she killed her children. LINDSAY CLANCY MURDER TRIAL BECOMES SOCIAL MEDIA OBSESSION AS TIKTOKERS, SLEUTHS DEBATE CONTROVERSIAL CASE Donna Rotunno, a criminal defense attorney, told Fox News Digital she feels that prosecutors are being "tone deaf" to the way jurors are feeling about the murder trial, citing specific examples. One of the main examples Rotunno cited was a moment from Tuesday, when Assistant District Attorney Shanan Buckingham asked Susan Clancy, Lindsay's mother-in-law and a Catholic, if she knew murder was a "mortal sin." LINDSAY CLANCY'S FAMILY WAS 'VERY CONCERNED' ABOUT HER MENTAL HEALTH IN THE MONTHS BEFORE SHE KILLED HER KIDS Susan Clancy offered no response to the question, prompting Judge William Sullivan to immediately call a sidebar and order the remark stricken from the record. Rotunnno said the prosecution has so far come across as "uncaring and snarky." "I understand that your job is to prosecute this murder case and you view this as a first-degree murder," Rotunno said, "but in sort of ignoring the true emotion that this type of a case invokes, and by ignoring it, you are really tone deaf as to the way the jurors feel." LINDSAY CLANCY PROSECUTORS ‘SQUEEZE’ TIMELINE FROM EX-HUSBAND AS JURY WEIGHS ‘MURDER VERSUS MADNESS’: EXPERT WATCH:  Rotunno also pointed to the testimony of Lindsay Clancy's grandparents, particularly her mother-in-law, Susan Clancy, as a pivotal moment for the jury. She noted that Susan Clancy appeared deeply sympathetic to what Lindsay Clancy was going through. If the individual with the most reason to grieve the children's deaths is standing behind Lindsay Clancy, Rotunno argued jurors will find it hard to see her as a cold-hearted murderer. Kevin Reddington, Lindsay Clancy's defense attorney, asked Dr. Paul Zeizel, a clinical forensic psychologist, about the numerous times the mother reached out for help, and was turned away. LINDSAY CLANCY DESCRIBED A MALE VOICE ORDERING HER TO ‘KILL HER CHILDREN AND KILL HERSELF’: TESTIMONY "She felt that her brain was damaged. She felt that she should kill herself. And she's never going to get any better," Zeizel said on Wednesday, explaining why Lindsay Clancy felt she needed to get help. However, when Lindsay Clancy sought help in the form of a suicide hotline in December 2022, she was turned away, according to Zeizel. WHEN IS A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS TOO SEVERE FOR TELEHEALTH? WARNING SIGNS FAMILIES SHOULDN'T IGNORE "She called the suicide hotline, Zeizel said. "Did she receive any help from the suicide hotline?" Reddington asked. "She did not," Zeizel said, explaining that "They told us she did not meet the standard of care because she did not have a plan." She called the suicide hotline again, and according to Zeizel, didn't receive help. LINDSAY CLANCY DEFENSE SCORES ‘EXTREMELY HELPFUL’ PSYCHOSIS CONCESSION AS EXPERT FLAGS NEXT HURDLE WATCH THE TESTIMONY:  When asked by Reddington, Zeizel also said that Lindsay Clancy thinks about her kids constantly and "misses them." FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X "And when you speak with her and meet with her doctor, has she ever mentioned her children? Because apparently, according to the questioning that you underwent, she never talks about her kids," Reddington said. LINDSAY CLANCY’S EX-HUSBAND DETAILS ‘BIG SPIRAL’ AS EXPERT SAYS ONE PART ‘SCARED ME’ IN MOM’S MURDER TRIAL "She does speak about her children," Zeizel said. "She really loves them and misses them and thinks of them every single day. Almost every moment of the day." WATCH:  SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS Also on Wednesday, Judge William Sullivan rejected a defense motion seeking to add Emily Thorndike, a former clinical social worker at McLean Hospital, to the witness list. The defense contended that Thorndike's firsthand experience in the same short-term unit where Clancy received treatment could counter what it characterized as a misleading portrayal of the facility as a "five star" hospital offering unlimited treatment options that Clancy chose to decline. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE "Her involvement in this case came about after one of the prosecutors — I don't recall which — made it out on direct examination that McLean is some kind of a five-star institution where the doctors, the psychiatrists, the psychotherapists, and the counselors were all banging into each other in the hallway trying to interview Miss Clancy, who was just blithely refusing care and treatment, which is not the case," Reddington said previously. SEND US A TIP Sullivan didn't allow her to testify in front of jurors, but did allow a request from Reddington to include certain records relating to McClain's staffing when Lindsay Clancy was there, and programs it offers. GOT A TIP? The defense will continue arguments on Thursday, as a group of people plan to support Lindsay Clancy outside the Plymouth County Superior Court by wearing pink. People who can't attend are encouraged to organize a gathering in their city on Thursday morning, according to posts on social media. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST Reddington told Fox News on Wednesday that closing arguments will be on Monday, and didn't say if he's made a decision on if Lindsay Clancy will testify. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL He said Lindsay Clancy is aware of the support she's getting when asked about the solidarity gatherings in her support, with people wearing pink. Fox News' Bryan Llenas contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a867bcb2c5335ae1048dadb Missouri judge hands Trump, GOP major redistricting win ahead of midterm elections te 2026-08-20T04:00:11.222Z Missouri judge hands Trump, GOP major redistricting win ahead of midterm elections A Missouri judge handed President Donald Trump and Republicans a major redistricting victory Wednesday, ruling that the state's referendum process cannot be used to challenge congressional maps drawn by the Legislature and allowing a new GOP-friendly map to remain in place for November's midterm elections. Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green ruled Wednesday that Missouri's constitutional referendum provisions "do not apply to congressional redistricting enacted by the General Assembly," siding with Republican Secretary of State Denny Hoskins in a closely watched fight over a Trump-backed map that could help determine control of the U.S. House. Green also ruled that Hoskins' decision not to certify the referendum petition was "lawful" and ordered that the Republican-backed congressional map "remains in full force and effect for the 2026 general election." TRUMP ALLIES NOTCH REDISTRICTING WIN AS JUDGES FIND NO 'SMOKING GUN' TO SCRAP RED STATE MAP Plaintiff Richard von Glahn appealed the ruling Wednesday evening, according to the court docket. The ruling preserves a map passed by Missouri's Republican-led Legislature after Trump urged GOP-controlled states to redraw congressional boundaries ahead of the 2026 midterms. The new boundaries are aimed at giving Republicans an opportunity to defeat Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Kansas City. Missouri's current eight-member House delegation consists of six Republicans and two Democrats. The map splits portions of Kansas City between neighboring Republican-held districts and stretches the remainder of Cleaver's 5th Congressional District east into Republican-heavy rural areas. About 59% of voters in the reshaped district are new to it, according to an Associated Press estimate. TRUMP URGES REPUBLICANS TO 'BE BOLD' AS RED STATES PUSH TO REWRITE CONGRESSIONAL MAPS Republican state Sen. Rick Brattin won the GOP primary in the redrawn district earlier this month, while Cleaver was unopposed for the Democratic nomination. The new boundaries were already used in Missouri's August primaries. Opponents collected thousands of signatures seeking to force a statewide referendum on the map, but Hoskins rejected the petition, arguing that Missouri's Constitution does not allow congressional redistricting to be put to a referendum. Green agreed, entering judgment for Hoskins and the Republican National Committee, National Republican Congressional Committee and Missouri Republican State Committee, which intervened in the case. BLOCKBUSTER SUPREME COURT VOTING RIGHTS RULING IGNITES REDISTRICTING WAR ACROSS SOUTHERN STATES The Missouri fight is part of a broader national redistricting battle ahead of November. Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe called lawmakers into a special session last year after Trump urged Republican-led states to redraw congressional boundaries ahead of the midterms. Missouri became the second Republican-led state, after Texas, to pursue new congressional boundaries as part of that push. Green's ruling leaves the Trump-backed map in place while the case moves to the appeals court. The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8674c22c5335ae1048d9cb Illegal immigrant accused of operating overcrowded boat that capsized near Liberty Island arrested by ICE te 2026-08-20T03:30:10.931Z Illegal immigrant accused of operating overcrowded boat that capsized near Liberty Island arrested by ICE The man accused of operating an overcrowded, unlicensed boat tour that capsized near Liberty Island, killing a mother and her infant daughter earlier this month, was living in the U.S. illegally and is now in ICE custody, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Manuel Hernandez, 46, an El Salvador national, was taken into immigration custody after a U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service investigation confirmed he was unlawfully present in the country, according to DHS. Hernandez was initially charged by New York authorities with 13 counts of reckless endangerment and was later federally charged with two counts of misconduct and neglect of a ship officer resulting in death in connection with the Aug. 8 capsizing in New York Harbor. OVERCROWDED MIGRANT VESSEL WITH 240 PEOPLE ON BOARD INTERCEPTED NEAR TURKS AND CAICOS Federal prosecutors allege Hernandez was operating unlicensed boat tours and ignored multiple safety requirements before the fatal excursion, which killed a 5-month-old girl and her 27-year-old mother. DHS said Hernandez claims he illegally entered the United States through Texas in 2007. He allegedly lied to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer and falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen to enter the country, according to the agency. Federal prosecutors said Hernandez was not licensed to carry paying passengers but had 14 people aboard the Yamaha AR210 he was piloting, despite the vessel having a maximum capacity of 10. He also allegedly took the 5-month-old infant aboard without an appropriate life vest. ICE ASKS NORTH CAROLINA TO HOLD ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ACCUSED IN TODDLER’S BATHTUB DEATH According to the federal complaint, Hernandez told investigators he did not know that a Merchant Mariner Credential or Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection was required. He also allegedly said the borrowed vessel did not have a capacity placard and that he did not know its maximum capacity. "This criminal illegal alien was illegally and recklessly conducting unlicensed boat tours in New York Harbor when his boat capsized, killing a 27-year-old woman and her 5-month-old baby," DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a statement. Mullin said Hernandez would be removed from the country after facing the criminal case against him. "Once he faces justice for his crimes, we will make sure that he is swiftly removed from our country," Mullin said. HAWAII TOURIST CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER, ACCUSED OF STABBING VETERAN BOAT CAPTAIN ON SNORKEL TOUR According to the federal complaint, Hernandez allegedly told investigators after his arrest that he had previously piloted at least two other paid boat tours for the same company using his own vessel. He allegedly acknowledged that he did not have the required Merchant Mariner Credential or Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection and said he was paid approximately $1,000 for each trip. SAN FRANCISCO BAY SEARCH SUSPENDED FOR 3 MISSING BOATERS AFTER VESSEL CAPSIZES AMID 5-FOOT SWELLS Before the fatal excursion began, Hernandez allegedly asked the baby's parents whether they had an infant-sized flotation device. When they said they did not, Hernandez told them the boat did not have one either, according to the complaint. Prosecutors said Hernandez nevertheless instructed one of the parents to wear a life vest and hold the baby during the tour. "The defendant allegedly flouted those regulations when he transported paying customers on a commercial vessel without appropriate licenses, overcrowded the vessel, and took on a 5-month-old infant passenger, with no infant life vests onboard," U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald said in a statement. The vessel later capsized near Liberty Island, throwing all 14 people into New York Harbor. According to the complaint, Hernandez told investigators that he made a U-turn into a swell, possibly caused by the wake of a larger vessel, and tried to accelerate through it before water came over the bow. Eleven passengers and Hernandez survived, while the mother and infant were recovered unresponsive and later pronounced dead at a Brooklyn hospital. Each of the two federal charges carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Fox News Digital's Stepheny Price contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a866db22c5335ae1048d437 Missouri Judge Says Redrawn Congressional Map May Be Used in Midterms te 2026-08-20T03:00:02.891Z Missouri Judge Says Redrawn Congressional Map May Be Used in Midterms The decision was a win for Republicans, who have been pushing for the new map in an effort to help maintain the party’s narrow control in the U.S. House in November. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8664582c5335ae1048d2bc Rory McIlroy gets snarky on the return of LIV Golf players to PGA Tour: 'have they brought value?' te 2026-08-20T02:20:08.193Z Rory McIlroy gets snarky on the return of LIV Golf players to PGA Tour: 'have they brought value?' Despite the FedEx Cup Playoffs entering their second week, and even more historic dominance from world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, the main topic of conversation in golf right now is the future of the breakaway LIV Golf tour. With Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund pulling their financial support for LIV after the 2026 season and the lack of clarity around the mysterious investors who are reportedly willing to back it, there's plenty of discussion around what comes next. Some players, like Ian Poulter, have said that time is running out for LIV to arrange more funding. Bryson DeChambeau, arguably the tour's biggest star, has seemingly been keeping his options open. While it appears likely that Jon Rahm, the other big star on LIV, may try to bolt and return to the PGA Tour sooner rather than later. Even if it includes substantial financial penalties. JON RAHM COULD BE SET TO LEAVE LIV GOLF, PAY MASSIVE PENALTIES TO RETURN TO PGA TOUR IN MATTER OF WEEKS Given all the discussion, it's not surprising that one of the most prominent figures in the PGA-LIV battle was asked his thoughts about it, again, at the BMW Championship in St. Louis. During media availability on Wednesday, Rory McIlroy was asked about LIV golfers returning to the PGA Tour and whether they'd provide value by returning, and gave just about the snarkiest possible answer. "I mean, I’d argue have they brought value to LIV?" he said. "I think the PGA Tour's in a really good spot." McIlroy added a bit more context, saying that while he's not involved with whatever negotiations might be happening, he's confident that whatever deal they get may not be as lenient as the one Brooks Koepka got. BROOKS KOEPKA CALLS FIRST YEAR BACK ON PGA TOUR 'PRETTY PATHETIC' AFTER MISSING FEDEX CUP PLAYOFFS "I mean, look, eventually they will," McIlroy said. "I'm not part of these discussions, but I'm pretty sure they're not going to be welcomed back straight away. If they were offered this returning member program back in February, the one that Brooks took, then maybe. But that has sort of come and gone. "And I think it was said at the time that the deal that they might get going forward, if they do decide to come back, isn't going to be as good as the one that Brooks got. So, yeah, I would say it's going to be a tough, tough road back." To an extent, McIlroy is right. If Rahm, DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Tyrell Hatton or even Phil Mickelson were enough of a draw on their own, LIV wouldn't be in the situation it's in. On the other hand, some of LIV's apparent failure comes down to the business model itself. They paid out massive purses and guarantees that were unsupported by ratings and fan attendance, in an effort to entice top stars to leave the tour. They offered equity to players in their LIV team, as though they would eventually become meaningful franchises people were attached to, like the Lakers or Yankees. Even though that might take years, if not decades, if it ever happened at all. An unlikely proposition considering golf is very different from traditional team sports. Then there was the other problem; fans are used to the courses on the PGA Tour. They know Torrey Pines and Riviera, Pebble Beach and Bay Hill, or TPC Sawgrass and Muirfield Village. LIV went to some very high quality courses, but without the history and tradition that many fans appreciate. International events were popular, including in Australia and South Africa, but that's clearly not enough to support the financial model LIV used. Still, you could make the case that if those stars were big enough, maybe it would have. In sharp contrast to McIlroy, Scheffler was asked a similar question and gave a much more magnanimous answer. He said LIV has some "really good" players that would, in fact, provide "a lot" of value in a return to the PGA. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "When we talk about the best players, LIV has a few players that are really good," Scheffler said. "I think the depth that we have on our tour is unmatched, but I think when you look at the higher levels of LIV Golf there’s definitely some players that would provide a lot of value to the tour, and guys that I love competing against as well." Rahm and DeChambeau in particular would inarguably provide value to the PGA Tour. They have fanbases, are in the prime of their careers, are consistent contenders in big tournaments or major championships, and in DeChambeau's case, have an existing competitive rivalry with McIlroy. It's also odd that McIlroy would make this argument when Rahm and Hatton are key members of the European Ryder Cup teams. The narrative on Europe's dominance in that event is that the players are all closer than the U.S. team, and that their desire to win gives them an intangible advantage. Now McIlroy's bad mouthing two of Europe's best players. Doesn't seem like they're that close, does it? Regardless, as McIlroy said, it seems inevitable there'll be a reunion. How and when? Well, that's still up for debate. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8662022c5335ae1048d265 Idaho county probation officers compile ‘foreign-born list’ to hand over to ICE as critics raise alarms te 2026-08-20T02:10:10.094Z Idaho county probation officers compile ‘foreign-born list’ to hand over to ICE as critics raise alarms A southwestern Idaho county's probation officers have been compiling a list of foreign-born people on probation for federal immigration authorities, even though county officers did not independently verify whether everyone identified was in the U.S. illegally. In Canyon County, Idaho, more than 140 emails between county probation officers and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from May to July 2026 show how the probation department has coordinated with ICE’s Boise office, including by combing through its case files to create a list of foreign-born people on probation to hand over to ICE, according to communications obtained by InvestigateWest. In May, a probation officer emailed ICE about a man she would meet the next day for his regular check-in. "His meeting has not changed and he is expected to be here tomorrow morning at 7:30 a.m.," Norma Naranjo, a senior probation officer for Canyon County’s misdemeanor probation department, wrote in a May 13 email to six ICE agents. MISSISSIPPI LAW COULD CREATE STATEWIDE REGISTRY OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS The next day, the man arrived for his appointment a few minutes early, and Naranjo contacted the ICE agents again to ask if they would be coming soon. "He is here are you guys on your way?" she wrote. It was unclear from the heavily redacted emails if ICE agents took the man into custody at his probation appointment, according to InvestigateWest. The list compiled for ICE appeared to have been made without confirming that the people in question are in the country illegally. According to InvestigateWest, one probation officer said in an email that the names he submitted included everyone in his files who had reported being born outside the United States. Foreign birth alone does not indicate unlawful immigration status; foreign-born people can include naturalized U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, commonly known as green-card holders. Idaho law enforcement agencies have long worked with federal immigration officials to detain illegal immigrants who are in jail or serving their sentence on probation, but immigration attorneys and advocates fear that Canyon County’s foreign-born list could lead to probationers in the country legally being detained, particularly as ICE agents during the Trump administration detained or caught up U.S. citizens and people with lawful or pending immigration status in immigration enforcement actions. Some lawfully present noncitizens, including green card holders, can also be subject to removal based on certain criminal convictions or other grounds under federal law. Nikki Ramirez-Smith, an immigration attorney with Ramirez-Smith Law in Nampa, Idaho, said the county’s efforts to compile a list of foreign-born people on probation for ICE is "an invasion of privacy." "It’s one thing to know that someone is "undocumented", it’s another thing to just start targeting every single person who was born in another country," she told InvestigateWest. Jeff Breach, the director of Canyon County's misdemeanor probation department, said the list includes "individuals whose place of birth is a foreign country — and can also include individuals that have been previously flagged with an immigration hold." "Verifying and determining legal presence/status, along with any related enforcement, is within the purview of federal authorities," Breach told the outlet. Breach said ICE has requested a list of people that could be in the country illegally, typically on an annual basis and across administrations. He said the probation department coordinates with ICE the same way it would with any local or state law enforcement agency by providing them "information to carry out their lawful duties." Steve Cushman, director of constituent services for Canyon County, said he did not know exactly when the lists were first requested and provided, but added that it is his understanding that it goes back as far as the Obama administration. On June 3, Naranjo told five ICE officers that she would talk to Breach about  the "foreign-born list." "We are working on a procedure to keep a list current for your agency," Naranjo wrote. "I will get back to you on this as soon as we figure something out." Two days later, Breach sent an email to his staff directing them to compile a list of illegal immigrants. "ICE has requested a list of offenders who are in the country illegally," he wrote. "I need you to go through your caseload this month and send me a list of names of offenders who you believe are in the country illegally. I’ll review the names and put together a list that can be sent to ICE so that they can look into if the person is in the country illegally and if they want to take any action." The email shows ICE requested offenders believed to be in the country illegally, rather than all foreign-born probationers. Subsequent messages, however, show at least some probation officers used foreign birthplace as a way to identify people for review. Most of the emails from May 1 to July 10 are heavily redacted, but they show how probation officers used information in their case files to compile the list. "That’s everyone in my cabinet that filled out (an) intake form and stated not born in US," Brandon Black, a Canyon County probation officer, said in an email back to Breach on June 8. Another officer, Justin Donovan, told Breach that he only identified one person under his supervision who "may be here illegally," adding that the man "only had an ID from Mexico during his last arrest." More than half of the people on the list were on probation for driving under the influence, five people were on probation for drug-related crimes and nine people for disturbing the peace, according to InvestigateWest. Only seven people were identified as having an ICE hold, meaning the federal government had already identified them for potential deportation. Probation officers were regularly alerting ICE agents about the dates and times that certain probationers would be arriving at their office, according to the emails. In some cases, probation officers asked ICE if a person who had missed check-ins was in their custody. In two instances, officers emailed ICE just before and during the appointments to verify they were on their way to detain a probationer. One officer also gave ICE agents the home address and make, model and license plate of a probationer’s car. Breach estimated that in the last three months, ICE agents have been at one or two probation appointments per month. "All the law enforcement agencies we work with prefer to meet with offenders up in the office due to it being a controlled environment, which means it is safer for the offender, the officer, and the public," he wrote. "There is an expectation from law enforcement agencies and the public that probation officers work cooperatively with law enforcement to ensure the safety of all parties involved." Pressed on whether the department is concerned that U.S. citizens or others with legal status could be included in the list, Breach referred to a previous statement that verifying a person’s status "is within the purview of federal authorities." "ICE may still target someone if they think the conviction is a deportable or removal offense even if they (have legal) status. Sometimes, ICE doesn’t get that right," Alycia Moss, an immigration attorney with Fennemore Law in Coeur d’Alene, told InvestigateWest, noting that ICE agents should know if someone on the list is deportable or not but may still target people who are in the U.S. legally. NEW YORKER SUING ICE AFTER OFFICERS WENT TO HIS HOME TO WARN HIM OVER CRITICISM OF AGENCY Canyon County has faced criticism in the past for its attempts to help ICE. In 2019, staff at the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office were told to notify immigration officials of "all foreign-born inmates" who were booked into the jail. Some of the people they alerted agents to were U.S. citizens who had posted bond, according to the Idaho Press. If inmates served jail time and posted bond, staff were directed to contact immigration officials. That year, Canyon County faced three lawsuits from people who said they were illegally held in jail, despite posting bond, because the county refused to release them over their immigration status. The county settled with at least one man for $13,000. The sheriff’s office is also facing a lawsuit from the ACLU of Idaho over allegations that the county and other law-enforcement agencies involved in an October 2025 ICE raid racially profiled Latino attendees and unlawfully detained people at a horse-racing venue. The allegations have not been adjudicated. Fox News Digital has reached out to the county's probation department and ICE for comment. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a865d532c5335ae1048d169 AJ Brown says there's been silence between him and ex-teammate Jalen Hurts since his move to New England te 2026-08-20T01:50:11.441Z AJ Brown says there's been silence between him and ex-teammate Jalen Hurts since his move to New England A.J. Brown experienced a reunion of sorts this week when his new team, the New England Patriots, hosted his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles, for joint practices during training camp. After an uneven 2025 season for both Brown and the Eagles' offense, Philadelphia traded him to the Patriots for a pair of future draft picks amid signs that his once-close friendship and productive on-field partnership with quarterback Jalen Hurts had deteriorated. While more than two months have passed since Brown's move to New England, questions about his relationship with the Eagles quarterback resurfaced Wednesday. Following the latest Eagles-Patriots joint practice, Brown confirmed that he has not spoken with Hurts since changing teams. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "No," Brown said in a one-word response when asked whether he had a conversation with Hurts since June. He otherwise kept his comments about his former Eagles teammates upbeat. "Honestly guys, none of that stuff even matters, man. You all should want to report something positive. You know asking the question is going to turn negative," Brown said when reporters pressed him with follow-up questions about his relationship with Hurts. "So let's not get into that. Let's keep everything positive. It's love my way." Meanwhile, Hurts offered a similarly warm assessment of Brown. "I've got a lot of love for him and always have," the Super Bowl LIX MVP said. FORMER EAGLES COACH REVEALS THE TWO THINGS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE TEAM'S MAJOR REGRESSION LAST SEASON Brown did note that he could eventually reconnect with Hurts at some point during the joint practices in Foxborough. Brown set the two highest single-season receiving yardage marks in Eagles history, with 1,496 yards in 2022 and 1,456 in 2023. Philadelphia was eliminated in the wild-card round in January, losing at home to the San Francisco 49ers. Brown then told the Eagles' front office he wanted a change of scenery, general manager Howie Roseman said at the time. Sources told ESPN that part of Brown's frustration centered on Hurts and a belief that he was not being targeted enough when he faced zone coverage. Brown also made several social media comments and comments during media sessions during the 2025 season that appeared to reflect frustration with his role in the offense. During breaks in practice and after the session ended, Brown was seen chatting with former teammates Saquon Barkley and Cooper DeJean. Brown caught all six of his targets from third-year quarterback Drake Maye during 7-on-7 and team drills. He was unable to come down with a pass during a one-on-one rep against All-Pro cornerback Quinyon Mitchell. Brown said that while his chemistry with Maye is still developing, he has already seen what makes the young quarterback special. "There's definitely been some challenges, but he's very special, and he makes my job a lot easier. Just learning how he sees the game and getting on the same page," Brown said. Brown also made clear he did not view Wednesday’s moment with the Eagles as a sign of closure, saying his affection for Philadelphia remains even as his focus has shifted to New England. "It's love. I won a Super Bowl ring with them. It will always be love no matter how anyone feels. I love Philly and I will always love Philly but I'm here now," said Brown. "That's where my feet are and that's what I'm focused on." The Eagles open the regular season Sept. 13 at home against the Washington Commanders. The Patriots, meanwhile, visit the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 9 to open their 2026 season. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a865d522c5335ae1048d160 Chinese national in blue state charged with illegally voting in federal election under another man's name: DOJ te 2026-08-20T01:50:10.798Z Chinese national in blue state charged with illegally voting in federal election under another man's name: DOJ A Chinese national living in Massachusetts was arrested Wednesday after federal prosecutors said he impersonated another Chinese national to register and vote in the 2024 presidential election — then reported the alleged victim to immigration authorities for illegally voting. Yupeng Sun, 33, of Andover, was charged with one count of fraudulent voter registration and one count of fraudulent voting, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts. The criminal complaint alleges Sun admitted during a July interview with federal investigators that he registered the victim to vote and later cast a ballot using the man's identity. "I tell you the truth, I register," Sun told investigators when shown the victim's voter registration information, according to the complaint. CANADIAN NONCITIZEN ACCUSED OF ILLEGALLY VOTING IN FEDERAL AND STATE ELECTIONS After investigators showed Sun a photograph of the early voting ballot envelope submitted at Malden City Hall on Oct. 31, 2024, Sun allegedly responded, "I used his name to vote." Massachusetts voter records show the ballot cast under the victim's name was accepted for the 2024 presidential election, according to the complaint. Sun previously rented a room from the victim and his family in Malden, and investigators allege he also impersonated the victim and his wife in immigration documents requesting that they abandon their legal permanent resident status. When the couple returned from an international trip in June 2024, their green cards were confiscated and they were placed into removal proceedings.  An immigration judge restored their legal permanent resident status in January 2026, after finding their testimony credible and receiving forensic evidence that they had not signed the forms, according to the complaint. ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT LEARNS FATE AFTER USING STOLEN IDENTITY TO VOTE IN US ELECTIONS FOR DECADES Federal investigators say Sun later submitted anonymous tips to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services accusing the victim of illegally voting in the 2024 election. Sun allegedly acknowledged sending the tips when investigators interviewed him. "I went to post office and, uh, to report the father vote," Sun said, according to the complaint. Sun is a citizen and national of China who entered the U.S. in September 2020 on a B-2 tourist visa that expired in March 2021, according to the complaint. He has deferred action status based on a U-Visa application submitted in February 2022. DHS DIRECTS ICE TO DEPORT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO VOTE IN AMERICAN ELECTIONS UNDER NEW DIRECTIVE The Massachusetts Secretary of State's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Each voter fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Prosecutors said Sun could also face deportation after completing any sentence imposed. U.S. Attorney Leah Foley and Jeff Grimming, acting special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England, announced the charges. The Lexington and Andover police departments assisted in the investigation. The charges contained in the court documents are allegations. Sun is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a865d512c5335ae1048d146 SPORTS-CAR-NASCAR-CHICAGO-FILEPIC-TB te 2026-08-20T01:50:09.390Z SPORTS-CAR-NASCAR-CHICAGO-FILEPIC-TB Racers tear around a turn during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on July 6, 2025, in Chicago. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a865d502c5335ae1048d13d NASCAR won’t race on the streets of Chicago next summer te 2026-08-20T01:50:08.081Z NASCAR won’t race on the streets of Chicago next summer CHICAGO — The streets of Grant Park will not echo with the sounds of 200-mph race cars in 2027. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86564f2c5335ae1048d04e Iran taps financial lifeline, Russian arms as Trump escalates 'crushing' economic warfare te 2026-08-20T01:20:15.700Z Iran taps financial lifeline, Russian arms as Trump escalates 'crushing' economic warfare Tehran is deepening its financial and military ties with Beijing and Moscow, forging a critical lifeline as it seeks to circumvent U.S. sanctions and weather Washington’s renewed "maximum pressure" campaign, regional security analysts warned Wednesday. As the U.S. continues to ramp up Operation Economic Fury, Iran, they say, has turned to non-Western blocs and alliances to unite further with Russia and China while positioning itself as a "linchpin" in a network that directly challenges American influence. The warning came as President Donald Trump announced Wednesday what he called the "most crushing economic operation ever taken against any country," threatening sweeping consequences for nations and businesses that provide Iran with an economic lifeline as he seeks to further isolate Tehran. "This will be Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unprecedented scale," Trump said in a post shared on Truth Social. IRAN DEAL CLOCK HITS ZERO AS TRUMP DEMANDS ‘WHITE FLAG’ WITH NEW PRESSURE CAMPAIGN LOOMING "The Islamic Republic is looking to survive, but in order to survive, it needs to adapt," Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of the Iran Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), told Fox News Digital. "It needs to adapt not just to U.S. and Israeli military pressure, but this U.S. political and economic pressure." "There's no doubt the Islamic Republic is looking to maximize its enmeshment with countries like Russia and China that have been subject to U.S. political and economic pressure in the past." BRICS — an economic bloc consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and several recent expansion nations — and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a Eurasian political, economic and security alliance led by Beijing and Moscow, have become key vehicles for Iran’s outreach of late. Trump has previously labeled BRICS policies "anti-American," CNBC reported. CHINA ORDERS FIRMS TO IGNORE US IRAN SANCTIONS, DARING US TO ENFORCE CRACKDOWN Abdolnasser Hemmati, governor of the Central Bank of Iran, said Tehran will soon join the BRICS-backed New Development Bank, though the bank told Reuters it could not confirm Iran’s membership. "The most important result of cooperation among BRICS member countries is the establishment of the New Development Bank, and our country will soon become a member of this bank," Hemmati said, according to state media. "You can see Iran trying to benefit from its role in BRICS, as well as a constellation of other organizations, that really would allow itself to be shielded—or try to make itself more shielded—from U.S. political and economic pressure," Taleblu explained. "The Islamic Republic is looking to be more formally integrated into economic orders brought about by Russia and China, which are looking to contest the U.S. dollar as much as they're looking to contest U.S. power and influence." "It is quite key and important for policymakers in Washington to wake up and see how interconnected these state threats are becoming," Taleblu warned. IRAN TURNS TO PUTIN AS US TALKS COLLAPSE, HORMUZ STANDOFF THREATENS GLOBAL OIL FLOW "These are independent relationships that have been coming together. They have differences, but as an authoritarian axis, these are countries that are better able to manage their differences at present than it seems like America and the liberal western order are able to handle their differences." NBC News also reported Aug. 17 that Russia is supplying Iran with ammunition, drone components and TNT via Caspian Sea shipping routes, citing a European government document verified by a Western official. The report comes amid indications that Tehran is relying on Russian technology and military support to adapt to U.S. military and economic pressure. "Even limited technology and military flows from Russia to the Islamic Republic help it fight to survive, adapt, and live another day to combat the U.S. order in the region," Taleblu said. "In the short term, there is less transaction cost on this anti-American authoritarian order that is fast emerging than there is on the pro-American order." TRUMP TO CONFRONT XI AT HIGH-STAKES SUMMIT OVER CHINA BACKING FOR IRAN, RUSSIA Taleblu also highlighted Iran’s dual role in what he terms the "Axis of Aggressors" — a coalition of hostile, authoritarian states including Russia, China and North Korea — and the "Axis of Resistance," Tehran’s network of regional proxy groups including Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis and Shiite militias in Iraq. "They all have hostile intentions towards the U.S. and the liberal world order. They are authoritarians at home and creditors abroad. He also noted that even if Tehran’s economic goals within BRICS fail to fully materialize, the political and military backing it gets from Moscow and Beijing is significant. "So even if what the Islamic Republic wants from the BRICS countries, particularly the likes of Russia and China, doesn't happen, that doesn't mean that political, economic, and military support to this regime at a critical time is not happening. "The linchpin between the state threats that the U.S. faces in the 21st century, from the Axis of Aggressors and the non-state threats in the Middle East, is the Islamic Republic of Iran," Taleblu clarified. "It is actually a bridge for capabilities, money, and technology from states to flow to non-state actors," he warned. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86564e2c5335ae1048d045 Parents seek six figures from surrogate who refused abortion after baby’s heart diagnosis: report te 2026-08-20T01:20:14.995Z Parents seek six figures from surrogate who refused abortion after baby’s heart diagnosis: report The biological parents of a baby born after their surrogate refused their request for an abortion are now seeking more than $100,000 from the woman who carried their child, alleging she breached their surrogacy agreement. TMZ reported Wednesday that it obtained the countersuit filed by Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed against surrogate McKenna West weeks before she gave birth in Texas on Aug. 12. The couple is seeking more than $100,000 for alleged breach of their surrogacy agreement, along with unspecified damages over what they call West's "malicious, outrageous conduct." The couple alleges they paid West $60,000 during the pregnancy under the surrogacy agreement, which included provisions addressing termination, TMZ reported. The counterclaims accuse West of breaching that deal and causing the couple emotional distress. SURROGATE GIVES BIRTH IN TEXAS TO BABY WITH HEART DEFECT AFTER PARENTS REQUESTED ABORTION The filing comes after the pregnancy became the subject of a multistate legal fight. The baby was diagnosed around 20 weeks with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a severe congenital heart defect. Gilkar and Ahmed allegedly asked West to terminate the pregnancy after the diagnosis, according to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's office. West refused and later traveled to Texas to give birth. YOUTUBER SPARKS OUTRAGE AFTER ANNOUNCING HE AND WIFE TERMINATED PREGNANCY OVER DOWN SYNDROME DIAGNOSIS West denies wrongdoing and is asking the court to dismiss the counterclaims, TMZ reported Wednesday. Live Action founder and president Lila Rose, whose pro-life organization has been working with West, sharply condemned the lawsuit in a statement to Fox News Digital. OUTCRY OVER YOUTUBER'S DOWN SYNDROME ABORTION PROVES AMERICANS ARE 'REPULSED BY EUGENICS,' ACTIVIST SAYS "The people who ordered McKenna to abort this little boy because of his heart condition are now dragging her into court, trying to punish and financially ruin her for refusing to kill him, while demanding custody of the same child they ordered to be killed," Rose told Fox News Digital. "This lawsuit is retaliation against a courageous woman who is barely a week postpartum after carrying this baby and fighting to save his life." The biological parents have disputed allegations that they threatened or tried to force West to terminate the pregnancy. The Texas Tribune previously reported that, in a court filing, their attorneys claimed West initially agreed to terminate and made the appointment before later changing her mind. TWO FAMILIES SUE NORTH DAKOTA HOSPITAL ON ALLEGATIONS BABIES WERE SWITCHED AT BIRTH The dispute has since played out in Alaska, California and Texas, with West asserting parental rights and the biological parents prevailing in key parentage proceedings. West calls the baby "Gabriel," while Gilkar and Ahmed call their son "Rumi." The child was born Aug. 12. LifeNews reported Tuesday that he underwent a Norwood procedure Monday, the first of three surgeries typically required for children with HLHS. NEONATOLOGIST SOUNDS ALARM OVER MASSACHUSETTS ABORTION LAW ALLOWING PROCEDURES UP TO BIRTH: 'VERY DISTURBING' Rose said the baby's survival underscores why West was right to refuse the abortion. "This child is alive today and recovering from his first life-saving surgery because McKenna had the courage to say no," Rose said. "No contract can give one person the right to order the killing of another. Women are not incubators for hire, and children are not products to be discarded when they are sick." PRO-LIFE PUBLISHER FACING DEMANDS TO RETRACT CALLING ABORTION ‘KILLING’ FIRES BACK: ‘THE ANSWER IS NO’ "McKenna acted heroically to save the baby boy she carried, and Live Action will continue to stand with her and defend the dignity and right to life of every child," she added. Attorney Lee Budner, who represents Gilkar and Ahmed, confirmed the procedure in a statement reported by LifeNews and said the child's condition "remains critical and complex." Budner has also called West's continuing claims of custody "baseless" and said they violate court orders in Alaska and California. BOARD-CERTIFIED OBGYN WARNS NEW MASSACHUSETTS LATE-TERM ABORTION LAW EXPOSES MOTHERS TO DANGER The fight over the baby's medical care also drew intervention from state and federal officials. Paxton secured an emergency court order before the birth requiring that medically necessary care not be delayed or obstructed. His office also notified UT Southwestern Medical Center and Children's Medical Center of Dallas of their obligations to provide life-saving treatment. "The court has made the right decision in immediately acting to protect baby Gabriel's life and ensure he receives the care he deserves," Paxton said at the time. "My office utilized every tool at our disposal to protect life, and we will not back down in continuing to support baby Gabriel's well-being. Every child in our state deserves to be cared for and protected, and that's exactly what I'll fight for." The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights later notified the two Dallas hospitals of their obligations under federal disability law, including requirements barring discrimination in medical treatment based on a patient’s disability. The parents ultimately authorized the heart surgery, and their attorney has said they are focused on their son's recovery. West continues to seek parental rights in Texas. A hearing in the Dallas County case is scheduled for Aug. 25. Fox News Digital reached out to Budner and Paxton's office for comment on the biological parents' counterclaims. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86564e2c5335ae1048d03c RNC warns Democrats face 'political suicide' after DSA praises Fidel Castro, demands Rubio's prosecution te 2026-08-20T01:20:14.317Z RNC warns Democrats face 'political suicide' after DSA praises Fidel Castro, demands Rubio's prosecution The Republican National Committee warned Wednesday that the Democratic Socialists of America's online tribute to Fidel Castro would damage Democrats in November after the group praised the late Cuban dictator and demanded U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's prosecution over the Trump administration's Cuba pressure campaign. "Democrats are openly embracing the same policies that left the people of Venezuela, Cuba, and China with empty shelves, no electricity, and their freedoms stripped away," national press secretary Natalie Baldassarre told Fox News Digital. "Their embrace of this poisonous ideology is political suicide and it will be their downfall in November." Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, condemned Castro's legacy in a post on X last Thursday, the centenary of Castro's death. He did not mention the DSA by name. CUBA'S FOREIGN MINISTER ACCUSES MARCO RUBIO OF LYING TO AMERICANS TO JUSTIFY ACTION AGAINST CUBA "Fidel Castro was a complete failure at everything except destroying Cuba and impoverishing, jailing and murdering his own people," Rubio said. "I strongly suggest that anyone tempted to try and follow his example should carefully reconsider, because if they do they would be dooming themselves to failure as well," he added. The DSA statement described Castro, who ruled Cuba for nearly half a century after the 1959 revolution, as a model of anti-imperialist resistance. "Fidel was an organizer, a fighter, and endures as a stalwart symbol of anti-imperialist struggle and self-determination for the Global South," the organization said. TRUMP EXPANDS CUBA SANCTIONS BEYOND US COMPANIES IN MAJOR CRACKDOWN ON FOREIGN ENABLERS The DSA said U.S. restrictions had blocked critical resources from reaching Cuban civilians and constituted genocide under Rubio’s leadership. "By intentionally imposing conditions calculated to kill a civilian population, Marco Rubio is leading a genocide," the organization said. The group demanded an end to what it called a U.S. blockade and threats of military action, normalized relations, reparations for what it claimed were trillions of dollars in damage and Rubio's prosecution for crimes against humanity. The White House rejected DSA’s characterization of Rubio’s Cuba policy and blamed Cuba’s communist government for the island’s economic hardships and human rights abuses. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said in a statement to Fox News Digital Wednesday that the administration was prepared to pursue a new relationship with Havana. "The Cuban regime exemplifies everything that’s wrong with Communism as its population suffers from food shortages, blackouts, poor standards of living, and egregious human rights abuses," Kelly said. "Secretary Rubio wants a better future for the Cuban people, and the United States is ready to open a new chapter in the relationship between our two countries. The only thing standing in the way are those who control Cuba for their own gain." RUBIO WARNS CUBA HAS INFILTRATED US WITH SPIES, CALLS COMMUNIST REGIME AN 'ESPIONAGE SUPERPOWER' The administration’s pressure campaign expanded in June when Rubio designated five entities that he said generated revenue for Havana, including three associated with the military-controlled conglomerate GAESA, as well as a member of Castro’s extended family. The action followed a May executive order authorizing sanctions against those deemed responsible for repression in Cuba or threats to U.S. security. A State Department report released last month called Cuba the "capital of 21st century communism" and named DSA among organizations it alleged helped sustain pro-Cuba activism in the United States. DSA rejected the report three days before its tribute, saying it organized independently of the Cuban government and accusing the administration of trying to silence its movement. Castro died in 2016 at age 90, 10 years after illness led him to hand power to his brother Raúl. Fox News Digital reached out to the DSA for comment, but did not immediately receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8653ed2c5335ae1048cfc1 Trump Threatens Economic Pain for Countries That Help Iran te 2026-08-20T01:10:05.403Z Trump Threatens Economic Pain for Countries That Help Iran The president did not specify what actions he would take, and he has on other occasions abandoned threats to dramatically escalate the war with Iran. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8651952c5335ae1048cf50 NAU ROUNDUP: Football ranked No. 24 in Preseason AFCA Coaches Poll te 2026-08-20T01:00:05.347Z NAU ROUNDUP: Football ranked No. 24 in Preseason AFCA Coaches Poll NAU football is ranked in the top 25 in the American Football Coaches Association FCS Preseason Poll. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a864f422c5335ae1048cf15 Ex-New York Magazine writer announces he will 'take some time away' after plagiarism scandal te 2026-08-20T00:50:10.461Z Ex-New York Magazine writer announces he will 'take some time away' after plagiarism scandal Former New York Magazine writer and The Metropolitan Review editor-in-chief Ross Barkan apologized once again after several plagiarism allegations against him and revealed Wednesday that he plans to "self-reflect" with some time away. "Let me first begin by saying I'm sorry. I truly am sorry for the mistakes I made," Barkan wrote on X. "None of them, genuinely, were willful or intentional. In the course of writing many columns a week, I did not use citations as aggressively as I should have and did not paraphrase well enough. I never intended to crib from anyone's work. I promise all of you that. I recognize, though, how I failed. I am sorry to the journalists whose work I did not properly cite."  "I'm going to take some time away and self-reflect," he added. "I promise to do a much better job going forward." EX-CAMBRIDGE PROFESSOR FOUND DEAD AFTER PLAGIARISM SCANDAL LED TO ABRUPT RESIGNATION Barkan originally hinted at an event in September through the Metropolitan Review in an X post last week but has not provided any updates since then beyond his new statement. He has not yet clarified whether he will retain his position at the Metropolitan Review. Fox News Digital reached out to Barkan and The Metropolitan Review for comment but did not immediately receive a response. The controversy originally began in May when Washington Post reporter Drew Harwell accused Barkan of lifting from his report about conservative commentator Ben Shapiro and his outlet, The Daily Wire, for one of his columns. After Harwell highlighted the similarities between the two articles, New York Magazine updated its piece with an editor's note crediting to The Washington Post, though Harwell explained he wasn't "entirely sure what happened." HARVARD PROFESSOR CAUGHT USING AI TO CONDENSE FINANCIAL TIMES OP-ED TRASHING TRUMP TARIFFS NPR correspondent Bobby Allyn found additional examples of what appeared to be Barkan lifting similar phrases and descriptions from The Intercept and Compact Magazine in other reports. Barkan initially denied these accusations, calling them "ridiculous," but New York Magazine announced Friday that it would be severing ties with Barkan after an investigation found that he "did not adhere" to editorial standards of proper citation. "After an independent editorial review, New York found that Ross Barkan did not adhere to our editorial standards, and we have updated 67 columns that did not include proper attribution of language, information, and/or sourcing," the publication said in a statement obtained by Semafor.  "We have updated our archives to include proper attribution in all of the stories that our review found previously inadequate, noting that those updates were made, and are committed to addressing any other instances that come to light," the statement added. NPR’S NINA TOTENBERG LONG HISTORY OF CONTROVERSIES, FROM PLAGIARISM AND ETHICS CONCERNS TO ALITO RETRACTION In a statement to Fox News Digital at the time, Barkan wrote, "We've decided to end the column and I send all the best to New York Magazine. In the course of nearly 250 pieces, there were times I should have been more careful with citation. I'm sorry about these errors and will work to do better, more careful in the future." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a864f412c5335ae1048cf0c Harvard agrees to $53M settlement with families after donated body parts were stolen, sold on black market te 2026-08-20T00:50:09.790Z Harvard agrees to $53M settlement with families after donated body parts were stolen, sold on black market Harvard University has agreed to a proposed $53 million settlement with families who accused the school of negligently handling its anatomical gift program after a former morgue manager stole and sold body parts from remains donated for medical research and education. Massachusetts Superior Court Judge Debra A. Squires-Lee on Tuesday granted preliminary approval to the class action settlement, which would establish two funds totaling $53 million to resolve claims against the university. A final approval hearing is scheduled for Dec. 9, 2026, when the court will consider whether to grant final approval of the settlement. SAN FRANCISCO ARCHDIOCESE AGREES TO $395M SETTLEMENT WITH 530 CLERGY ABUSE SURVIVORS The litigation followed the 2023 arrest of Cedric Lodge, who managed Harvard Medical School's morgue for nearly three decades and who prosecutors said stole and sold parts of cadavers donated to the school for medical research and education. Lodge pleaded guilty to interstate transport of stolen human remains and was sentenced to eight years in prison. His wife, Denise Lodge, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison. PENNSYLVANIA MAN ACCUSED OF STEALING OVER 100 SETS OF HUMAN REMAINS APPEARS IN COURT IN ‘HORROR MOVIE’ CASE Lodge admitted that, from 2018 through at least March 2020, he participated in the sale and interstate transport of human remains stolen from the Harvard Medical School morgue, including organs, brains, skin, hands, faces, dissected heads and other parts from donated cadavers after they had been used for research and teaching purposes but before they were disposed of in accordance with anatomical gift donation agreements. He transported the remains to his home in New Hampshire without the knowledge or permission of Harvard, the donors or their families, officials said. Harvard condemned Lodge's conduct in a message to the school's community Monday. "His violations … were despicable, abhorrent, and a flagrant betrayal of our values as a medical community," George Daley, Harvard's dean of the faculty of medicine, and Bernard Chang, dean for medical education at Harvard Medical School, wrote in the letter. The university noted that the federal indictment said Lodge acted "without the knowledge or permission of HMS." MORE THAN 50 BODIES FOUND DECOMPOSING INSIDE CHICAGO FUNERAL HOME AFTER NEIGHBORS COMPLAINED OF 'STENCH' Harvard said the proposed settlement also includes a pledge by HMS to provide a statement to claimant families reaffirming that Lodge's criminal acts were "morally reprehensible and inconsistent with the standards that Harvard University and HMS expect for the treatment of anatomical donors and their loved ones." The university also said it will establish an annual financial aid scholarship for medical students beginning in the 2027-2028 academic year in appreciation and honor of its anatomical donors. "We hope that this resolution ensures that this never happens to another family ever again," John Morgan, whose law firm, Morgan & Morgan, represented families in the litigation, said in a statement. Fox News Digital's Alex Koch and Reuters contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a864f412c5335ae1048cf03 Hayden Panettiere death: DEA reportedly joins probe into what happened to late star te 2026-08-20T00:50:09.101Z Hayden Panettiere death: DEA reportedly joins probe into what happened to late star The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has reportedly joined the investigation into actress Hayden Panettiere's death. TMZ is reporting that the DEA has agents assisting parallel death investigations that are already underway. Panettiere died Sunday at the age of 36. She was found unresponsive and in cardiac arrest at an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina. Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful and the "Nashville" and "Remember the Titans" actress was pronounced dead. Preliminary autopsy results found no signs of trauma that contributed to her death, Fox News Digital confirmed. This is a developing story. Check back for details. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a864a912c5335ae1048ce56 UK Home Office guide tells asylum seekers not to rape, harass women or make kissing noises te 2026-08-20T00:30:09.923Z UK Home Office guide tells asylum seekers not to rape, harass women or make kissing noises A guide published by Britain's Home Office reminds asylum seekers not to rape women or sexually harass people, while noting that women are allowed to "earn their own money" and "make their own decisions about their lives." The nine-page document is among the resources provided to asylum seekers seeking refuge, though it appears to target mostly men. The guidance is meant to foster an understanding of expected behaviors for those arriving from other countries. Aside from earning a living, women are allowed to attend school, choose who they marry, travel freely, and generally make their own decisions. 200,000 SMALL BOAT ARRIVALS LOOM AMID UK RAISING THREAT LEVEL TO ‘SEVERE’ FOLLOWING RECENT TERROR ATTACK ELON MUSK DEMANDS PRISON FOR POLITICIANS WHO 'TURNED A BLIND EYE' TO GROOMING GANGS AS NEW REPORT RELEASED "Women do not need permission from a husband, father, brother, or any other man to do any of these things," the guide states. Sections of the booklet cover gender equality, domestic abuse, sex and consent, respect in public, getting help, and living in the UK. The section on domestic abuse warns of arrest and prison time for committing physical or emotional abuse against a partner. "We expect everyone who comes to the UK to abide by our laws," a Home Office spokesperson told GB News. "If they do not, they will face consequences, including the refusal of their asylum claim and removal from the UK." SOUTH AFRICA’S ILLEGAL MIGRATION BACKLASH MIRRORS POLITICAL BATTLES ACROSS THE WEST "Returns of failed asylum seekers have reached their highest level since 2010 under this government," the spokesperson added. The booklet notes that asylum seekers are expected to "treat your partner and family with respect," "let them make their own choices," and "never physically or verbally abuse or control them." In public, one must not direct sexual comments at people, even if they think it's appropriate, follow someone or block their path to refrain from whistling or making kissing noises at someone, it states. A section on consent adds that both people must consent to sex without threat or pressure, and that anyone can change their mind at any time. "If you have sex with someone without their consent, this is called rape. Rape is a serious crime in the UK. You could go to prison, lose your support and accommodation, and it will affect your asylum claim," the document states. Anyone under the age of 16 is considered a child and cannot legally consent to sex, according to the guidance. Support hotline numbers for victims of sexual and domestic abuse are provided at the end of each section and at the back of the booklet. BYSTANDERS HAILED AS 'HEROIC' AFTER INTERVENING IN BRUTAL KNIFE ATTACK BY SUDANESE MIGRANT IN UK Nearly 70,000 illegal immigrants and foreign criminals have been returned or deported from the United Kingdom since the Labour Party came to power in July 2024, the BBC reported. "Instead of trying to train these mainly young, male illegal immigrants to behave in a civilized way towards women, they should be deported," Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8648392c5335ae1048cdfb Heather Graham flaunts fit physique in bikinis on romantic Italian escape te 2026-08-20T00:20:09.794Z Heather Graham flaunts fit physique in bikinis on romantic Italian escape Heather Graham soaked up the sun in style while enjoying a romantic Italian vacation with her boyfriend Michele Civetta. The 56-year-old actress stunned in a series of bikini photos that she shared on Instagram as she gave her fans a glimpse into her picturesque getaway in the famed village of Positano on Southern Italy's Amalfi Coast. "I love Positano and pasta Nerano! 🇮🇹❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️And @mcivetta 💕," Graham wrote in the caption of her post on Sunday, tagging Civetta and adding the hashtags #positano, #italy and #summer. In the first photo of Graham's carousel, the "Boogie Nights" star showed off her fit physique in a royal blue string bikini and sported a pair of black sunglasses as she strolled down the shoreline towering cliffs and lush greenery behind her. JULIANNE HOUGH FLAUNTS HER TONED FIGURE IN BIKINIS AS SHE SHARES SNAPS FROM HER TRIP TO SARDINIA Graham also rocked a burgundy string bikini with white polka dots in several other images that she shared. The actress's two-piece featured a plunging halter top and matching bottoms that tied at the hips. She was seen wearing the swimsuit, which she paired with oversized black sunglasses, while wading through the waves of the Mediterranean Sea. The "Hangover" star also modeled the polka-dot bikini while posing on the beach in another image. Graham accessorized with a straw hat and a pair of yellow flip-flops as she stood in front of a boat with colorful umbrellas and lush mountains in the background. In one photo, Graham donned a brown string bikini, wide-brimmed sun hat and black sunglasses while standing on a pebble beach against a backdrop of Positano’s colorful cliffside buildings. She was also seen wearing the swimsuit in a selfie that she took with Civetta. The couple posed together on the beach with Graham flashing a peace sign as they beamed at the camera. LANDMAN' STAR ALI LARTER SHOWS OFF HER FIT PHYSIQUE IN BARELY-THERE BIKINIS DURING YACHT VACATION IN ITALY Graham's slideshow also featured photos in which she was seen taking a dip in the sea while wearing a dark brown polka dot bikini with black cateye sunglasses. In another snap, the "Austin Powers" star slipped on a sleeveless, sheer white floral cover-up over a white bikini along with a straw hat and tortoiseshell sunglasses as she posed against a sweeping view of the Mediterranean. Graham and Civetta were also seen enjoying Positano's cuisine and exploring the village in several photos that the actress shared, including one in which they were seen dining on plates of pasta. The duo were also pictured enjoying a night out in Positano with Graham donning a yellow sundress and Civetta sporting a brown-printed shirt with white pants and brown shoes. KIM KARDASHIAN STUNS IN BIKINI PHOTOS AS SHE GOES INSTAGRAM OFFICIAL WITH BOYFRIEND LEWIS HAMILTON CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER In another photo, Graham and Civetta posed together on a walkway overlooking the beach. Graham wore a pink satin slip dress with lace detailing as she wrapped her arm around Civetta, who was clad in a tan T-shirt, white shorts, burgundy slip-on shoes and sunglasses. Graham and the Italian filmmaker were first publicly linked earlier this year and made their relationship Instagram official in March. The Wisconsin native, who has never married or had children, previously opened up about her romance with Civetta during an April interview with Us Weekly. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Graham told the outlet that she and Civetta share similar views when it comes to relationships. NICOLE KIDMAN, RACHAEL RAY, TED DANSON KEEP MARRIAGES HOT WITH UNCONVENTIONAL RULES "I feel like I’m unconventional," she said. "Most people are like, I need to get married. I need to have kids. I’m just not totally feeling that, and he’s kind of similar. He was married, and he’s not opposed to marriage, but he feels like an unconventional person as well. It’s nice." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8648382c5335ae1048cde0 Scene pkg Aug 19 te 2026-08-20T00:20:08.500Z Scene pkg Aug 19 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8648322c5335ae1048cdc1 Trump Officials Scrap Effort to Recruit Pentagon Lawyers to Represent Migrant Children te 2026-08-20T00:20:02.667Z Trump Officials Scrap Effort to Recruit Pentagon Lawyers to Represent Migrant Children The reversal of the plan, which had not been publicly disclosed, comes amid mounting confusion about how the administration is protecting the rights of unaccompanied minors. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8645dd2c5335ae1048cd73 Court OKs ballot language on election law initiative te 2026-08-20T00:10:05.867Z Court OKs ballot language on election law initiative PHOENIX — The Arizona Supreme Court won’t order Secretary of State Adrian Fontes to recraft his description of a ballot measure that, if approved, would make some major changes in state election practices. In a divided opinion Wednesday, Chief Justice Ann Scott Timmer said the language prepared by Fontes, which will go on every ballot, “is not false or clearly misleading.” Plus, Timmer said the supporters of Proposition 144 who filed suit are not personally and immediately harmed by the secretary’s decision.  Not everyone on the high court agreed. “Petitioners, who are Arizona citizens and voters, have shown a sufficient beneficial interest to establish standing to seek mandamus relief for compliance,” wrote William Montgomery and Kathryn King. More to the point, they said Fontes was wrong not to mention two provisions of Prop. 144. Those would add language to the state constitution saying only citizens may vote in Arizona elections, and that elections “shall be decided solely by the votes of eligible citizen voters.” Montgomery and King said they would have directed the secretary to recraft what he had written. The ruling comes a day after the Supreme Court rejected a separate legal argument that Prop. 144 should not even be allowed on the ballot at all. The majority rejected arguments by Tempe City Councilman Randy Keating that there are too many unrelated proposed changes in election laws to be given to voters on a take-it-or-leave-it basis. As approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature, Prop. 144 seeks to put several new provisions in the Arizona Constitution. Aside from the ones about only citizens voting, it would require that those who get their ballots in the mail have the option not just to drop them off at polling places on Election Day — something already in law — but to have the ballots tallied at that time by presenting proof of identification. That is designed to prevent delays in getting final results. Part of what provoked the lawsuit was that Fontes said Prop. 144 “may make it harder to challenge election laws.” Attorneys for the challengers, represented by the conservative organization America First Legal, argued that Fontes was predicting what might — or might not — happen, something they said he is not allowed to do. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Adele Ponce rejected that argument, saying that the secretary is entitled to describe the potential impact of the ballot measure. “The description can reasonably be regarded as an attempt to provide necessary and appropriate information to the voting public,” she wrote. The Supreme Court upheld that decision unanimously. King and Montgomery parted ways with the other justices over Fontes’s failure, in crafting a title for the measure that will appear on the ballot, to mention the two sections of Prop. 144 that would put the citizenship requirement into the state constitution. Fontes, for his part, said that’s not necessary in the 50 words he’s given to craft a title. He argued that, in a measure with multiple provisions, these were not “principal provisions” that had to be pointed out to voters. Timmer and the majority did not specifically address that issue. Instead, they concluded that the argument about what’s a “principal provision” is legally irrelevant because the challengers had no right to sue in the first place. “[The law] leaves to the secretary’s discretion the specific wording used to convey the measure’s principal provisions,” they wrote, with the attorney general given the same discretion to approve or reject the language. The post Court OKs ballot language on election law initiative first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a86412c2c5335ae1048ccaf Susan Nicolson: How a small department keeps Arizona real estate fraud at bay te 2026-08-19T23:50:04.846Z Susan Nicolson: How a small department keeps Arizona real estate fraud at bay As the commissioner of the Department of Real Estate, Susan Nicolson keeps a sharp eye on real estate fraud while overseeing thousands of real estate licensees. It’s no small task. Nicolson said her department receives at least one, if not two or three, reports every week of some type of real estate fraud.  According to the Attorney General’s Office, they have received 372 real estate fraud complaints since January 2024. Several lawmakers have written legislation to address these issues, such as Sen. Wendy Rogers’ Senate Bill 1426, which more quickly stops squatters from claiming a home as their own. The bill was signed into law this year. “I knew the pain and the pressure points because I was a practicing agent,” said Nicolson, whom Gov. Katie Hobbs appointed in 2023. “Whenever it is that I am finished, I know Arizonans will be better protected in their property.”  She also taught real estate courses as an instructor and added several courses that are now required for licensees, including deed fraud, water education and renewing licenses. Nicolson said that when licensees provide good, reliable information, they become better agents for their clients. She grew up in Florida and married a pilot who was based in Phoenix. They have two daughters.  The questions and answers have been edited lightly for style and clarity. How big is your department?  We are only 25 people. We regulate 83,000 real estate licenses. We have to be enormously efficient and good at what we do. Our budget is about $3.2 million each year.  What are your responsibilities? We regulate real estate licenses. We also issue subdivision public reports. There are 25 items in statute that are required to be in a public report. We can make exceptions if it’s warranted and if it’s not going to cause any harm to the public. I wish everybody would read them. They are packed with great information.  We have our licensing team. We license entities, schools, instructors and we review continuing education courses for content and the minimum course requirements.  Then we have investigators and auditors. They do audits over the bank accounts of real estate brokerages to make sure that if there’s money that’s set aside in a trust account, that money is being kept properly, not being commingled and not being used for Nordstrom’s runs or anything.  Investigations is where we receive complaints from the public, and we investigate all complaints received in writing. And then if we have findings, that moves into enforcement and compliance. That determines if this is going to be a letter of concern. Is this an accelerated settlement statement, or are we going all the way to a summary suspension or a cease and desist?  How common is real estate fraud and predatory practices in Arizona? Not a week goes by that something doesn’t come in. Sometimes there’s two or three a week. It’s a big-ticket item if you can successfully steal real estate. It’s like robbing a bank. I realized law enforcement and the Department of Real Estate were all just disjointed and not communicating with one another. Real estate licensees would help if they knew how, but they don’t know what to do when they encounter this. I released a mandatory deed fraud education course that would teach real estate licensees the red flags to look for in a real estate transaction. I made it mandatory to renew your real estate license because I knew if licensees knew how to recognize the signs of the crime and the red flags, they would raise the red flag on a transaction. It’s a class five felony to record a fraudulent deed, and there’s an alert system at the county that will let you know that somebody did that. But then an Arizonan still has to pay an attorney to undo [it]. We set our minds to figure out how we could create a system to alert people in a real estate transaction when the innocent buyer is about to buy stolen property. That system should release in three weeks, and I’m really excited about it.  It’s a truly devastating crime.  Are there any recent trends to be on the lookout for? The other problem we have is our elder population is constantly being attacked with romance scams and catfishing scams. The ultimate goal seems to be to get them to sell their houses and give the money to these scammers. We’ve worked really hard with a group called Home Fraud Defense. It helps consumers because if you receive a text message and you’re kind of suspicious, or you’ve got a postcard in the mail and you’re wondering if that’s a scam, you can take a picture of it and upload it. This free site runs it against known real estate fraud, and it can say it is very likely fraudulent. Then it gives instructions on how to report it and how to protect yourself. There are people out there that pose as investors, and one of the big things that we’re seeing right now is they call it “Sub-to,” and what they mean is subject to your existing mortgage. They are “buying somebody’s house” without paying off the original lender on loans that are not assumable loans. Or even if they are assumable loans, they are not properly assuming the loan. We see people fall victim to this, and obviously, if this person who has bought your house that you’ve signed your deed over to stops paying the mortgage, it’s not on their credit. It’s still on your credit, and you don’t have a house to back it up anymore because you signed over the ownership portion of it. I can’t warn people enough not to get into bed with one of those quick offers for a little bit of cash in your pocket, and they just take over your mortgage. Mortgages don’t work that way. The post Susan Nicolson: How a small department keeps Arizona real estate fraud at bay first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a863ed92c5335ae1048cc5e Pennsylvania AG asked whether Penn State could face action over alleged fraternity drug ring te 2026-08-19T23:40:09.696Z Pennsylvania AG asked whether Penn State could face action over alleged fraternity drug ring Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday addressed whether his office would take action against Penn State after authorities uncovered an alleged cocaine trafficking ring running through the university’s fraternities. Authorities said about 1 kilogram of cocaine moved through the drug operation every other month as part of what Sunday described at a news conference as an "upper-level trafficking organization." "This was a very sophisticated endeavor. This wasn't just a couple kids at college who were sharing drugs with each other," Sunday told "The Story" on Wednesday. SUSPECT ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY RUNNING METH LAB AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY’S LARGEST ACADEMIC BUILDING "It was a lot of drugs and it was done in a very serious and very sophisticated manner," the attorney general added. Fourteen individuals, including current and former Penn State students, face felony or misdemeanor charges stemming from alleged illicit activity between 2023 and 2024. Prosecutors identified Agostino Abbatiello, 24, and Thomas Robinson, 23, as the suspected ringleaders. The alleged drug kingpins reportedly made regular trips to Philadelphia and New York to pick up "large quantities" of powder cocaine, arranged drug deals via Snapchat and accepted payments through Venmo. "As the attorney general, obviously I have a lot of concern when you have organizations like this that run for as long as it did," Sunday told Fox News. 5 MEXICAN CARTEL BOSSES CHARGED IN WEAPONS, DRUG TRAFFICKING, TIMESHARE FRAUD SCHEMES, DOJ SAYS The attorney general said pledges at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternities were allegedly instructed to cut and package cocaine as part of their initiation, pointing to peer pressure as a factor in their involvement. "When you're young… and this isn't an excuse but, peer pressure is one of the most powerful forms of motivation in the world," Sunday said. "And there's a lot of peer pressure that was involved here." MIAMI SECRET SERVICE AGENT CHARGED IN NEAR-DEADLY FRATERNITY HAZING, OFFICIALS SAY Penn State said it is "horrified" by the accusations and placed Delta Upsilon on interim suspension. The university does not recognize Sigma Chi as an organization, as the fraternity operates outside of the university’s oversight. The allegations come nearly a decade after another fraternity-related case brought national scrutiny to Penn State. In 2017, 19-year-old Tim Piazza died after being served excessive quantities of alcohol during a hazing incident at the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum asked Sunday whether his office would take action against Penn State in light of the alleged cocaine drug ring and the university’s history of fraternity-related incidents. "My hope is that Penn State will take the appropriate actions under these circumstances," the attorney general said. "Up to this point, the university has been very open to collaboration," he continued. "And that is my hope and belief moving forward, that maybe we can help remedy some of these issues collectively and collaboratively together." Fox News Digital reached out to Penn State for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a863ed92c5335ae1048cc55 Geno Smith's Jets reunion is 'like a Hollywood script,' says former teammate Ryan Fitzpatrick te 2026-08-19T23:40:09.032Z Geno Smith's Jets reunion is 'like a Hollywood script,' says former teammate Ryan Fitzpatrick Geno Smith is back with the New York Jets this season, and he’s certainly hoping his second stint with the team that drafted him goes more according to plan. When Smith was taken in the second round out of West Virginia, he had just two seasons in the starting quarterback role, where the team went 11-18 in those games, and an infamous locker room punch ultimately led to Ryan Fitzpatrick stepping in during 2015 as the team’s starter. Fitzpatrick, now out of the game and serving as an analyst for "Thursday Night Football," believes the Jets are getting a completely different Smith this time around. And he thinks it’s coming at the perfect time for a franchise in desperate need of veteran leaders. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "This is like a Hollywood script that you wouldn’t even believe," Fitzpatrick told Fox News Digital, while highlighting his partnership with VRST, the men's activewear and apparel brand from DICK'S Sporting Goods . "Demario Davis is back, too. I have a couple of teammates that are back there. But I think the one thing they’ve been craving for years now is leadership, and hopefully Geno’s able to come in and provide that." Smith’s career took the path of a backup, one many believed he would be moving forward, never again reaching the heights of a starter unless necessary with the team he signed for. He infamously got the nod for one game in 2017 for the New York Giants, which ended Eli Manning’s 210 consecutive starts streak. Then, after a stint with the Los Angeles Chargers, Smith landed as the backup to Russell Wilson with the Seattle Seahawks. It was in the Pacific Northwest where Smith got his big break, staying on as the team’s starter in 2022 when Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos. He won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award, and the veteran proved he can still be the franchise leader on offense. RUSSELL WILSON ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM NFL AFTER 14 SEASONS Smith earned two Pro Bowls with the Seahawks, while throwing for over 4,300 yards during the 2024 season. However, he was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders to reunite with Pete Carroll in a one-and-done season for both quarterback and head coach. The Jets wanted a reunion of their own and traded for Smith in March for a sixth-round pick. Now, it’s up to Smith to rewrite what Jets fans knew about him during his time in New York. Fitzpatrick believes he’s equipped now to do just that, even as critics say this will simply be the same old Jets in 2026. "The biggest thing he’s gonna provide is stability and professionalism. I think it’s cool for some of the people in the building who were there with Geno in his younger days to see him come back and see how much he’s grown as a person, as a player. That professionalism is something that team really needs," Fitzpatrick explained. "Obviously, bringing in a guy like Demario Davis, how he’s still doing it. I mean, you talk about a physical position and a guy who has been as physical as somebody, to still enjoy going out there and thumping heads on every down. He’s also going to bring a professionalism to that locker room, and I like what [head coach] Aaron Glenn did there. These are two pieces, one on offense and one on defense. We’re going to show you what you need to do every single day to become a professional and a good NFL player. I think they’re on the right track there." On paper, the Jets have pieces that Smith can utilize on offense, which is being called by new coordinator Frank Reich. Garrett Wilson, despite being on one of the worst teams in the NFL since he was drafted in 2022, had three straight 1,000-yard seasons before injuries hurt his production in 2025. There’s also running back Breece Hall, though dealing with a groin injury, who will be pivotal in the team’s rushing attack under Reich. He’s also a solid pass-catcher out of the backfield, and someone Smith can rely on during the season. The Jets also spent two of their three first-round picks on Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq and Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. David Bailey, the second overall pick out of Texas Tech, will be featured at defensive end on their defense. Smith has pieces to succeed if they can find the right chemistry. And just like a Hollywood script, Fitzpatrick is rooting for his old teammate to write that happy ending as he gets a second chance with New York. INSIDE THE NEW YORK JETS' REVAMPED PERFORMANCE FACILITY AND PLAYER DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 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." Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a863ed32c5335ae1048cc14 Stripe didn’t really buy OpenRouter because of the ‘singularity’ te 2026-08-19T23:40:03.466Z Stripe didn’t really buy OpenRouter because of the ‘singularity’ What does a payments giant want with a startup that routes prompts between different AI models? Stripe says it's because of "the singularity" but it's really for a far more real and powerful reason. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a863c832c5335ae1048cbf2 Minneapolis City Council moves to pass dress code ordinance to fight velvet rope discrimination te 2026-08-19T23:30:11.034Z Minneapolis City Council moves to pass dress code ordinance to fight velvet rope discrimination The Minneapolis City Council is one step closer to approving a dress code ordinance for businesses citywide after a committee passed a new ordinance Tuesday to counter what City Council members described as efforts to "discriminate against people." The ordinance, which received unanimous support from the Business, Housing & Zoning Committee, would require any business licensed to sell liquor or beer to post any required dress code near its entrance. This new ordinance would not cover the "no shirts, no shoes, no service" rules as those are health and safety policies regulated by the state. If passed by the full City Council, the ordinance would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2027. The City Council is expected to discuss the ordinance on Aug. 27. SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY REQUIRES BUSINESS SUITS, BANS DU-RAGS AND OTHER HEADWEAR IN NEW DRESS CODE According to members of the committee and City Council, the ordinance will combat what is known as "velvet rope discrimination," or barring entry of someone into a facility based on race, gender or orientation. According to KSTP, councilmember Jason Chavez described it by saying, "I think about the high-profile case that happened at a downtown bar here in Minneapolis. There was a White man that was allowed entry wearing a Twins shirt and a Black man not allowed entry wearing a Twins shirt."  Chavez, who identifies as LGBTQ, also says he personally experienced this discrimination before becoming a council member after being denied entry into a bar while wearing a rainbow pouch. He said that an individual who was "wearing similar clothes" but with a black pouch was allowed access. "I can understand why some people may not understand racism exists in this country, but it does." Chavez added, according to FOX 9. "What we're trying to do here is make sure that people are transparent about their dress code to help prevent that discrimination." POPULAR STEAKHOUSE'S DRESS CODE SPARKS BACKLASH AS DINERS TOLD TO DITCH HATS OR EAT AT THE BAR Fellow council members Pearll Warren and Jamal Osman also voiced support for the ordinance as a way to counter discrimination based on appearances. "Picking and choosing based on your look or your dress or your culture should not be tolerated. We’re not in the 1950s here," Osman said, according to KARE 11. Warren denied there should be any issues, saying, "If an establishment is saying no ballcaps and jerseys are allowed in this establishment, then have that posted outside that says that otherwise you cannot discriminate against people coming in with ballcaps and jerseys." Speaking to Fox News Digital, Council Member Michael Rainville said that he believes the ordinance will eventually pass based on the unanimous support from the committee and hopes that it will alleviate concerns from community members. "I am not in a position to disagree with my fellow council members of color that this racism persists in the bars and restaurants. You know, I don't have that personal experience, so I rely on their judgment. And if this will alleviate some concerns by merely posting dress code rules, then so be it," Rainville said. OUTRAGED CRUISE PASSENGERS BLAST COMPANY'S 'IDIOTIC' NEW DRESS CODE CRACKDOWN Fox News Digital reached out to the Business, Housing & Zoning Committee for comment and other members of the Minneapolis City Council but did not immediately receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a863c822c5335ae1048cbe9 Trump threatens 'unprecedented' economic consequences for any nation aiding Iran te 2026-08-19T23:30:10.306Z Trump threatens 'unprecedented' economic consequences for any nation aiding Iran President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued a stern warning to any nation thinking about offering a lifeline to Iran after announcing the launch of a U.S. operation he likened to an "economic D-Day." "Today, I am announcing the MOST CRUSHING ECONOMIC OPERATION EVER TAKEN AGAINST ANY COUNTRY! This will be Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unprecedented scale," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "I am also announcing that ANY country that allows its financial institutions, businesses, airports, or government entities to provide any type of lifeline to Iran will itself face TREMENDOUS Economic Consequences." "Oil smuggling, swap lines, cash transfers, exchange houses, ship registries, front companies — It all needs to stop NOW," he continued. "You know who you are. This will be an ECONOMIC D-DAY, and we need all of our Allies to stand with the United States of America to isolate, and defeat, the Iran threat. These maniacs are on the ropes, and these HISTORIC MEASURES will cripple them and their ability to project terror worldwide." This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a863c812c5335ae1048cbe0 Pastor and wife spread Gospel nationwide before abuse case exposed disturbing reality te 2026-08-19T23:30:09.630Z Pastor and wife spread Gospel nationwide before abuse case exposed disturbing reality A Tennessee pastor who spent years traveling the country for his ministry will spend the rest of his life behind bars after a jury convicted him of raping a child, while his wife was found guilty of facilitating the abuse, authorities said. Benjamin Garlick, 35, was found guilty Monday of seven counts of aggravated rape of a child, six counts of aggravated sexual battery, one count of solicitation of sexual exploitation of a minor and two violations of Tennessee's Child Protection Act following a two-week trial in Rutherford County. Circuit Court Judge Barry Tidwell sentenced Garlick to life in prison without the possibility of parole on the aggravated rape convictions, according to the Murfreesboro Police Department. He still faces sentencing on the remaining convictions on Nov. 10. Garlick's wife, 32-year-old Shaantal Garlick, was convicted of two counts of facilitation of aggravated rape of a child and two counts of aggravated child neglect. She is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 10. OHIO POLICE CHIEF ARRESTED IN FLORIDA AFTER GRAND JURY HANDS DOWN 70-COUNT CHILD SEX INDICTMENT The case began in August 2023, when the Murfreesboro Police Department's Special Victims Unit launched an investigation into the sexual abuse of a child who was just 5 years old at the time. Police said the abuse had occurred over several years. As detectives dug deeper, they identified two additional victims, according to police. Investigators also determined that Shaantal Garlick knowingly neglected a victim in a way that affected the child's health and welfare and assisted in the sexual abuse, police said. "The Murfreesboro Police Department thanks all members of the Child Protective Investigative Team (CPIT) for their tireless work throughout this investigation and trial, ensuring the victims’ voices were heard and justice was served," lead investigator Detective James Wilkinson said following the convictions. "The children of Rutherford County are safer because of the compassion, dedication, and commitment each member of the CPIT Team brings to their roles every day," Wilkinson said. FORMER GEORGIA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL TEACHER LEARNS FATE FOR SEXUALLY ABUSING 15-YEAR-OLD STUDENT Garlick's life outside the courtroom stood in stark contrast to the crimes for which he was convicted. Murfreesboro police said their investigation showed he had spent several years traveling as a minister, primarily focused on the Hispanic community, and that he and his wife had traveled across the country. WSMV previously reported that Garlick helped run La Espada, a Murfreesboro-based ministry for Spanish speakers. The station reported that videos and images posted online showed Garlick and his sermons connected with churches in Florida, Indiana, Minnesota and Texas. FORMER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL TEACHER SENTENCED AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO CHILD SEDUCTION CHARGE The couple also described deep family ties to the ministry in biographies that appeared on La Espada's former website and remain available through the Internet Archive. The site said La Espada was founded by Garlick's grandfather, Rolando Garlick, and showed Benjamin working with the ministry under the direction of his late father, Daniel Garlick, by at least 2015. Benjamin Garlick wrote that he began traveling with his father as a child, felt drawn to the ministry at a young age and later became an evangelist. Shaantal Garlick wrote that she met Benjamin at a youth conference when she was 18 and described her calling as serving God full time alongside her husband and working with La Espada to reach the Hispanic community with the Gospel. FBI AND TEXAS AUTHORITIES ARREST 276 SUSPECTED CHILD PREDATORS, RESCUE 89 CHILDREN IN SWEEPING OPERATION Benjamin and Shaantal Garlick were arrested in September 2023. The case continued to grow, and a Rutherford County grand jury reindicted the couple in March 2024, according to Murfreesboro police. As investigators pursued the case, Special Victims Unit detectives publicly urged potential victims to come forward, particularly people in the Hispanic community, police said. Shaantal Garlick, who had been free on bond, was taken into custody following Monday's verdict, police said. Both she and her husband are being held at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana 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/home