https://meenews.co/post/6a59eac8a12eaf174af849a7 Davis Dam releases for July 17 te 2026-07-17T08:41:44.320Z Davis Dam releases for July 17 Friday Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59eab4a12eaf174af8499e Gas prices July 17 te 2026-07-17T08:41:24.351Z Gas prices July 17 National average: $3.89 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59eaa0a12eaf174af84995 Best Bets: Friday, July 17, 2026 te 2026-07-17T08:41:04.389Z Best Bets: Friday, July 17, 2026 Today Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59e85fa12eaf174af843ce Arizona GOP Announces Grand Opening Of New Party Headquarters te 2026-07-17T08:31:27.693Z Arizona GOP Announces Grand Opening Of New Party Headquarters By Ethan Faverino | The Arizona Republican Party has announced the grand opening of its new headquarters in Phoenix, the latest development in a series of organizational changes under Chairman Sergio Arellano aimed at strengthening grassroots operations and improving the party’s financial stewardship. The celebration is scheduled for July 24 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the party’s new office, located at 4531 N. 16th St., Suite 114, in Phoenix. Arellano will be joined by Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters and KFYI radio host James T. Harris. Arellano, who was elected chairman by state committeemen in Prescott in January said the new headquarters reflects his commitment ro reducing costs and providing a more accessible and functional space for volunteers and candidates. He noted that the centrally located office is intended to serve as a comfortable, user-friendly hub for grassroots efforts and party unity. The move follows the party’s 2023 return to central Phoenix under then-Chairman Jeff DeWitt. At that time, the AZGOP purchased office space at 3033 N Central Ave. for $1.9 million using proceeds from the sale of its longtime headquarters at 24th Street and Osborn Road. The acquisition ended a brief period in leased offices in north Scottsdale and provided more than 12,000 square feet of space, with plans to lease excess capacity to conservative organizations and Republican campaigns. Party officials say the grand opening will celebrate both the new facility and what they describe as a return to fiscal responsibility and party cohesiveness. Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link. The post Arizona GOP Announces Grand Opening Of New Party Headquarters first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59e84ba12eaf174af843c5 FTC Warns Military Families, Renters About Rising Rental Scams te 2026-07-17T08:31:07.216Z FTC Warns Military Families, Renters About Rising Rental Scams By Ethan Faverino | As military families navigate permanent change of station (PCS) moves and renters search for new housing, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning consumers to remain vigilant against increasingly sophisticated scams that can result in the loss of thousands of dollars and sensitive personal information. The agency says scammers often target people facing tight deadlines or major life transitions, including military members relocating on short notice. Fraudsters commonly use fake rental listings, gift card payment schemes, cryptocurrency scams, and wire transfer requests to steal money before victims realize they have been deceived. According to the FTC, rental scams remain one of the most common fraud schemes. Some scammers create listings for properties that do not exist or are not actually available for rent, while others copy legitimate listings, steal photos and descriptions, and report them with altered contact information. Many fraudulent listings advertise rent well below market value to attract prospective tenants. One common warning sign is when a supposed landlord refuses to allow an in-person viewing, often claiming they are out of town or otherwise unavailable. The FTC advises consumers to be cautious of anyone who pressures them to make a quick decision or demands payments before they have an opportunity to verify the property. The agency recommends renters search the property’s address online to see whether it appears elsewhere under a different owner, management company, or rental price. Consumers who are unable to visit a property should have somebody who they trust tour it and verify it exists. Military members can also seek assistance from relocation or housing referral offices at their new installation to identify legitimate housing options and avoid known scams. The FTC also warns renters to protect their personal information during the application process. Fraudsters may request Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, pay stubs, or screenshots of credit card reports under the guise of processing an application. Payment methods are another major red flag. The FTC says legitimate landlords and businesses will not require tenants to pay using gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer. These payment methods function similarly to cash, making it extremely difficult or impossible to recover funds after they are sent. Fraudsters often direct victims to purchase gift cards from major retailers such as Walmart, Target, Amazon, Apple, or CVS and may even remain on the phone while the victim buys and loads the cards. Once the victim provides the card number and PIN, the scammer can quickly drain the balance. The agency is also warning consumers about cryptocurrency-related scams, which have become increasingly common as digital currencies gain popularity. Unlike credit card purchases, cryptocurrency transactions generally do not include legal consumer protections or chargeback rights. Once crypto is transferred, it usually cannot be removed unless the recipient voluntarily returns it. The FTC also warns that wiring money through services such as Western Union, MoneyGram, or Ria is essentially the same as sending cash. Once the funds are collected, recovering the money is typically impossible, and identifying the individual who received the transfer is often extremely difficult. Consumers should never wire money to someone they have not met in person, anyone claiming to represent a government agency, or anyone demanding immediate payment. To reduce the risk of becoming a victim, the FTC encourages consumers to research landlords and property management companies by searching online for reviews, complaints, or reports of scams. Renters should compare prices with similar properties in the area, verify ownership records when possible, and obtain copies of rental contracts before sending deposits. Anyone who discovers fraudulent rental listings should report it to the website where it was posted, the FTC, and their state’s attorney general’s office. Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link. The post FTC Warns Military Families, Renters About Rising Rental Scams first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59e836a12eaf174af843bc Gov. Katie Hobbs Accused Of Illegally Commingling Campaign Funds te 2026-07-17T08:30:46.741Z Gov. Katie Hobbs Accused Of Illegally Commingling Campaign Funds By Staff Reporter | Gov. Katie Hobbs stands accused of illegally commingling millions in funds to subsidize her campaign. A letter sent by attorney Tim La Sota to Secretary of State Adrian Fontes earlier this month accuses the governor of commingling funds between her reelection campaign committee, Elect Katie Hobbs, and two other entities which submit funds to her campaign committee.  Elect Katie Hobbs and all other candidate campaign committees are restricted in the types of funds they may accept. Campaign committees must rely on what’s known in campaign finance parlance as “hard money,” or donations given by individuals directly to a political candidate, and cannot accept “soft money,” or donations or contributions collected into political action committees (PACs) from corporations or unions. Individual donations are limited to $5,500 per person.  The letter claims that Hobbs has used a PAC, which it claims to be hers, Copper State Values, as an unlawful repository for soft money to be used for Elect Katie Hobbs expenses. Allegedly, Copper State Values receives soft money funds from Hobbs’ joint fundraising committee PAC, the Katie Hobbs Victory Fund, and then sends the funds on to Elect Katie Hobbs and other political entities working to reelect Hobbs such as the Navajo County Democrat Party and the Arizona Democratic Party.  “Candidate contribution limits mean little if candidates can simply funnel money that the candidate herself cannot legally receive to a political action committee and turn around and have that political action committee pay for that candidate’s campaign expenses,” said the letter.  Since 2023, Elect Katie Hobbs has accrued more than $7.8 million and spent more than $4 million, Copper State Values has accrued more than $3.8 million and spent more than $2 million, and Katie Hobbs Victory Fund has respectively accrued and spent more than $1.8 million. The letter further described Copper State Values as unusual since it lacked the typical hallmarks of a PAC, such as a political activity or a website. The PAC’s main activity appears to be the alleged shared expenses with Elect Katie Hobbs for which it pays, such as payroll, rent, and travel. “The PAC seems to only function as a repository of monies that are then distributed to various left-wing entities, who will presumably help the Governor get elected — that and paying for expenses that legally must be paid by [Elect Katie Hobbs],” stated the letter. “[I]n terms of the PAC, it seems to do nothing but receive money and distribute money. It does not have any discernible political activity in terms of expenditures for express advocacy. It does not even have a website. And yet, it racks up hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenses, money that it reimburses to Elect Katie Hobbs.” Hobbs’ reelection campaign manager, Nicole DeMont, serves as the chair of Copper State Values, and both Copper State Values and Elect Katie Hobbs share the same address, email address, and treasurer, Dacey Montoya. The letter noted that Demont’s consulting firm, Monteverde Strategies, has received about $55,000 from Copper State Values. It also noted that Capital Strategies, a consultant for Hobbs, has received more than $198,000 from Copper State Values, though the consultant doesn’t disclose its relationship to the PAC on its website page for current and former clients.  AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link. The post Gov. Katie Hobbs Accused Of Illegally Commingling Campaign Funds first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59d0aea12eaf174af83ee7 Trump offers no proof of claims foreign meddling threatens U.S. elections; Slammed for stoking voter fears te 2026-07-17T06:50:22.248Z Trump offers no proof of claims foreign meddling threatens U.S. elections; Slammed for stoking voter fears Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59c50ca12eaf174af83d09 Campaign finances: Q2 report shows $47K in fundraising for Dave Johnson te 2026-07-17T06:00:44.423Z Campaign finances: Q2 report shows $47K in fundraising for Dave Johnson Mayoral candidate Dave Johnson's quarter two campaign finance report was uploaded to Lake Havasu City's website late Thursday afternoon, and the numbers show a strong backing. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59bbd1a12eaf174af83b50 Trump, offering no proof, claims foreign meddling threatens US elections in speech slammed for stoking voter fears te 2026-07-17T05:21:21.798Z Trump, offering no proof, claims foreign meddling threatens US elections in speech slammed for stoking voter fears President Donald Trump addresses the nation from the East Room of the White House on July 16, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Saul Loeb/Getty Images) The nation’s election infrastructure is vulnerable to cyberattacks by foreign actors, President Donald Trump said during a primetime address Thursday night, citing a batch of documents he declassified — but providing no proof broad interference actually occurred or affected an election outcome. Democrats and advocates quickly criticized the remarks as another attempt by Trump to give Republicans an advantage in crucial midterm elections and sow distrust of results, following his firing of members of the Election Assistance Commission, demands by his administration for state voter rolls, an executive order limiting mail-in ballots and more. Russia, China, Iran, North Korea and some non-state groups “have the capability to compromise U.S. election infrastructure,” Trump said, quoting one of the documents, which were compiled by White House and intelligence community staff. The document said its authors did not know if any adversaries planned to interfere in elections. Trump claimed that voter rolls in at least 18 states were “bought, stolen, or hacked by China” ahead of the 2020 election. The attempted methods of interference, he said, ranged from influencing voters to trying to produce fake ballots in favor of Democratic nominee Joe Biden.   Standing behind a lectern at the White House, Trump said during the 2020 election, the People’s Republic of China carried out the “largest compromise of election data in history,” and said varyingly that China had illicitly accessed tens of millions or up to 220 million voters’ personal data.  “Our purpose in disclosing this information is not to weaken confidence in (elections), but to earn that confidence by confronting vulnerabilities and correcting them very, very quickly,” he said. “And that’s what we’re doing.” Trump announced he was immediately declassifying five sets of documents that he said proved foreign interference in the election and 2018 midterms, as well as “shocking vulnerabilities in our election infrastructure.”  “Just as disturbingly, this vital information has, for many years, been covered up and hidden from you, the American people,” he said. He claimed that the election vulnerabilities were known by members of the “deep state” who included top members of the intelligence community and worked to hide “the extent of China’s sinister election meddling,” including while he was president prior to and during the 2020 election.  He further accused Biden’s Department of Justice of killing any investigation into the matter and preventing its disclosure.  The documents were posted on a whitehouse.gov webpage Thursday evening. Trump also said the vulnerabilities were another reason to pass the SAVE America Act, a bill that in its various versions would restrict voter access by adding requirements to register and cast ballots, including photo IDs. The bill, which is stalled in the U.S. Senate, does not include funding for election security infrastructure.  Midterms impact Many Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, said the remarks were not about the 2020 cycle, but were ultimately meant to undermine confidence ahead of this year’s midterms. “Trump knows he has lost American families,” Schumer said in a statement following the address. “He knows he has made their lives more expensive, endangered their friends & families with an unnecessary war, and embarrassed the country on the global stage. And rather than pivot his policies, he is working to rig the midterms before a single vote has even been cast. We won’t let him.” Former vice president and 2024 Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris wrote shortly before Trump’s speech that he wanted the American people to believe their vote does not matter.  “He wants you to lose confidence in our electoral system so you stay home this November,” she wrote on X. “He knows how discontent the American people are, and he wants to make sure that you do not vote.”  Election forecasters say the most likely result of the midterms is that the GOP retains control of the U.S. Senate and Democrats gain a majority in the House. Chinese meddling attempts During his roughly 25-minute-long remarks, Trump avoided explicitly repeating his debunked claims the 2020 election was rigged, only implying it at one point. “We’re taking swift action to ensure that sensitive voter data is better protected so we can never be bought, we can never be hacked, and we can never watch a stolen election again,” he said. Instead, Trump said the documents showed U.S. elections are “vulnerable to being rigged and stolen.” He said China did try to meddle with voter registration and influenced public opinion against him by paying U.S. journalists “large sums of money to write more negative articles about him.” He did not say that was the reason he lost the election and he did not identify the journalists. According to the Election Assistance Commission, voter rolls are sometimes commercially available and are often obtainable through public records requests.  Trump said another set of documents revealed a scheme by a get-out-the-vote group in Muskegon, Michigan, to file fraudulent voter registrations. He did not say the scheme, which has been discredited, affected any votes counted in Michigan’s 2020 election. In a statement, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, said the state’s elections “are safe and secure.” “Any suggestion otherwise is designed to undermine our voters’ basic rights,” she said. Trump also claimed that 278,000 non-citizens are registered to vote in the U.S., citing a Department of Homeland Security report released shortly before his speech. That figure may be higher, he claimed, because Democratic-led states have not shared their voter information.  The White House documents released Thursday link to a one-page document created by the department, which cites a “review” of voter information in four states: California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Nevada. It does not reference any specific data.  Throughout his speech, Trump took aim at the media, including NBC News and ABC News, which had both said they would not broadcast his speech live. CBS ultimately broadcast a portion of his speech in a special report after it began.  2020 claims Trump’s false claims about the 2020 election began almost immediately after his loss.  Trump and his allies filed dozens of lawsuits challenging the results of the election, nearly all of which were dropped or thrown out for lack of evidence.  The post-election campaign culminated in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack by Trump’s supporters on the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to disrupt Congress’ certification of Electoral College results. A U.S. House committee investigating the attack concluded Trump was responsible for inciting it by knowingly lying to his supporters about the election results.  The investigation also found Trump sought to use Department of Justice resources and his influence among state-level Republicans to reverse the results. Trump also faced a federal indictment for his conduct leading up to the riot. That prosecution was dropped when he won the 2024 election. After returning to office last year, Trump also pardoned everyone convicted of charges related to the attack. Dems push back: ‘totally bogus’  Immediately after Trump’s remarks, Democrats slammed the president’s claims about China’s election interference.  Virginia Sen. Mark Warner said in a post on X that the “shocking ‘bombshells’ about China are totally bogus.”  “The fact is our intelligence agencies unanimously agreed that China did not even try to change a single vote in the 2020 election,” he wrote. “A single concurring opinion suggested China may have tried to sway voters’ opinions… but that’s been public knowledge since 2021.” During his speech, Trump, without evidence, cast doubt on the integrity of the Los Angeles mayoral race and the state’s recent gubernatorial race.  California’s primary election was Tuesday, June 2, but election officials are allowed to take roughly a month to complete vote counting. The lengthy process is a product of the state’s large population, as well as its reliance on voting by mail.  California Gov. Gavin Newsom echoed other Democratic officials and said the speech, which he described as “the ramblings of a mad king,” was about the midterms.  “Before a single vote has been cast, he’s already laying the groundwork to rig this election and convince YOU not to trust the results if they don’t go his way,” he said. “Don’t fall for it.” Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59bba9a12eaf174af83b1a Tucson asylum-seeker still ill, moved to San Luis prison ahead of Friday court date te 2026-07-17T05:20:41.346Z Tucson asylum-seeker still ill, moved to San Luis prison ahead of Friday court date Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59bb95a12eaf174af83b10 Kelly & Gallego urge FEMA to pay Pima County for $9.7M spent sheltering asylum seekers te 2026-07-17T05:20:21.899Z Kelly & Gallego urge FEMA to pay Pima County for $9.7M spent sheltering asylum seekers Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59b48da12eaf174af839f2 A Trump Obsession That Carries a Cost for Democracy te 2026-07-17T04:50:21.772Z A Trump Obsession That Carries a Cost for Democracy In demanding steps to address the integrity of voting, President Trump persisted in relitigating his 2020 election defeat while finding ways to cast doubt on the 2026 outcome. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59ad84a12eaf174af838cb Takeaways From Trump’s Speech Claiming Election Vulnerabilities and China Interference te 2026-07-17T04:20:20.677Z Takeaways From Trump’s Speech Claiming Election Vulnerabilities and China Interference Documents released by the Trump administration to support the president’s claims did not back up his most aggressive statements Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59a1e0a12eaf174af8368f Jerry Rice storms into gallery after heckler taunts NFL legend at celebrity golf tournament te 2026-07-17T03:30:40.213Z Jerry Rice storms into gallery after heckler taunts NFL legend at celebrity golf tournament Jerry Rice wasn't about to ignore a heckler Thursday, as the NFL Hall of Famer charged into the gallery during the American Century Championship after a fan taunted him at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in South Lake Tahoe. The San Francisco 49ers legend was competing alongside fellow sports stars and celebrities, including Aaron Rodgers, Charles Barkley and Tony Romo. Rice, 63, was in the middle of his round before eventually finishing 42nd in the 90-player field. JORDAN SPIETH SAYS GAMBLING IS FUELING ROWDY GOLF CROWDS AND WANTS THE SPORT TO ADDRESS IT SOON Immediately after one of his tee shots, someone in the gallery mockingly yelled, "Fore!" The NFL Hall of Famer turned toward the gallery, shouting, "Hey! Yo! Hey! Hey!" WATCH: Before anyone could react, Rice ducked under the ropes, club in hand, and bolted toward the crowd. "Which one? Which one?!" Rice demanded as he charged toward the spectators. Even in golf spikes, he closed the distance with the burst that made him one of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history. A nearby fan ratted out the suspected culprit, yelling, "Green and blue!" Rice closed in eventually and the heckler wasn't as cavalier. FORMER COWBOYS QB TONY ROMO FALLS SHORT IN US OPEN GOLF QUALIFYING BID The situation cooled, and Rice returned to the tee box to applause from spectators. It wasn't Rice's first heated moment at Edgewood Tahoe. During last year's American Century Championship, Rice snapped at reporters after interpreting questions about the Kansas City Chiefs as digs at his beloved 49ers. One fan on Thursday summed it up perfectly: "Don't poke the bear!" Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a599d83a12eaf174af835d6 ABC, NBC, CNN avoid airing Trump's primetime election security address live te 2026-07-17T03:12:03.334Z ABC, NBC, CNN avoid airing Trump's primetime election security address live ABC News, NBC News and CNN avoided airing President Donald Trump's primetime speech live on Thursday that addressed election security and apparent vulnerabilities during the 2020 election. Trump alleged that "vital information" about the 2020 election had been "covered up and hidden" from the American people. He accused China of meddling in the 2020 election, claiming newly declassified documents include CIA reporting alleging the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) sought to prevent his reelection, as well as intelligence from the FBI claiming China attempted to manufacture illegal ballots for Joe Biden in that election. Leading up to the primetime address, the five liberal networks developed their own plans on how to handle Trump's remarks. TRUMP RELEASES DECLASSIFIED ELECTION INTELLIGENCE, SAYS IT REVEALS 'SHOCKING VULNERABILITIES' A CNN spokesperson earlier told Fox News Digital it planned to cover Trump's speech "as a news event, and monitor it for news developments" and provide on-air analysis and commentary. The network made the speech available on its website and on its streaming platform. CNN anchor John King explained to viewers the network's decision, saying it's "because this president, sadly, has a history of misleading, and in some cases, simply false statements" on elections and election security, adding that CNN wanted to independently verify newly declassified documents released by the Trump administration. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ADDRESSES THE NATION ON ELECTION INTEGRITY IN PRIMETIME WHITE HOUSE SPEECH ABC News carried Trump's speech on its streaming platform and ABC News Radio. A spokesperson for the network previously told Fox News Digital that regular ABC newscasts will cover the speech. NBC News similarly carried the address on its streaming platform and later aired a special report on the broadcast network. Both networks aired special reports recapping Trump's remarks moments after he finished during their normally scheduled programming. Trump took a moment of his address to slam ABC and NBC for their decisions, declaring them "fake news." "They don't like the topic because they know how corrupt our system is, and they don't want to reveal it," Trump said. "They and others in the media are part of a plot. They want to continue this fraud for whatever reason. They want to keep it going. They want to protect the radical left. They can't have a great country — and that's true — you can't have a great country without free and fair elections." He continued, "Fraud like this should mean a revocation of their licenses. They use our public, multi-billion dollar in value airwaves for absolutely no money. They pay nothing. All we want is honesty in our elections and honesty in reporting. They pay nothing for multi-billion dollar assets." ABC News and NBC News did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment. NEW YORK TIMES BLASTS 'ABUSIVE' TRUMP SUBPOENAS TARGETING REPORTERS' SOURCES CBS News aired a special report that initially provided analysis before dipping into the speech minutes after Trump began speaking and cut away moments after Trump's attacks towards ABC and NBC. MS NOW carried the first 15 minutes of his speech live before dipping out to provide commentary. Fox News carried the speech in its entirety. Networks skipping presidential primetime addresses is not unprecedented. ABC, CBS and NBC chose not to air President Barack Obama's 2014 primetime speech on immigration. The three broadcast networks similarly avoided President Joe Biden's speech outside Philadelphia's Independence Hall in 2022 that attacked MAGA Republicans. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a599d6fa12eaf174af835cd Adam Silver calls Caitlin Clark a 'political football' as the WNBA keeps dodging reality te 2026-07-17T03:11:43.878Z Adam Silver calls Caitlin Clark a 'political football' as the WNBA keeps dodging reality NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is taking a notably passive approach to the safety of the WNBA's biggest superstar. Rather than directly addressing the repeated physical treatment of Clark, Silver seemed more interested in tamping down the controversy. On Thursday, as Silver addressed Clark's treatment at a CNBC Sports Summit in New York, the commish had an opportunity to demand greater accountability but instead argued that the Clark controversy has been fueled more by politics than by what is happening on the court. REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS PRESS WNBA COMMISSIONER CATHY ENGELBERT TO PROTECT CAITLIN CLARK "I've come to know Caitlin really well. She's an incredible player and also an incredible person. And she wants to focus on being the best player she can. She has become a bit of a political football in this country, and I think it's incredibly unfair to her. ... It's become political ping-pong with her." To many Clark supporters, it's Silver missing the point. Silver shifted attention away from the repeated hard fouls and physical confrontations that have fueled criticism of the league. Instead, Silver suggested the bigger problem is the controversy surrounding Clark, not the repeated physical play that created it. "Ultimately, the issues around Caitlin Clark are not largely about officiating, and that particular incident is not about whether a foul should have been called at the time ..." OLYMPIANS SPEAK OUT AGAINST WNBA FOR HANDLING OF CAITLIN CLARK Clark's supporters have watched the Fever star absorb hard foul after hard foul this season, making Silver's explanation a tough sell. But Silver's reported involvement raises even more questions. According to multiple reports, he consulted with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert before Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas was suspended following the controversial throat strike. Asked point-blank about the report, Silver wouldn't confirm or deny it. "I'm not going to comment on [the Engelbert report], because I don't think it's fair to Caitlin, and to Cathy Engelbert either." While Silver did acknowledge one area that needs improvement, saying, "Do we need to improve WNBA officiating? No doubt about it," he quickly pivoted away from the larger questions surrounding Clark's treatment. At a time when the WNBA needed action, Silver chose optics. Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a599d32a12eaf174af83524 Trump Again Makes Unfounded Claims of Noncitizen Voting te 2026-07-17T03:10:42.465Z Trump Again Makes Unfounded Claims of Noncitizen Voting The president offered no concrete evidence, and at least one state — Nevada — rejected his claims immediately. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a599d1ea12eaf174af83501 FLL All-Star Roundup: Flagstaff All-Star Majors reach state championship, 11s come short after deep run te 2026-07-17T03:10:22.983Z FLL All-Star Roundup: Flagstaff All-Star Majors reach state championship, 11s come short after deep run The Flagstaff Little League All-Star Majors will play Chandler National Little League on Friday for the Arizona State Little League title at Ora Mae Harn District Park in Marana. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a599b04a12eaf174af833ea Assessing the Documents: Voter Registration in Michigan te 2026-07-17T03:01:24.687Z Assessing the Documents: Voter Registration in Michigan A well-known allegation of attempts to fraudulently register voters never yielded evidence of illegal voting. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a599af1a12eaf174af833e1 Assessing the documents: Venezuela and Smartmatic te 2026-07-17T03:01:05.083Z Assessing the documents: Venezuela and Smartmatic Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a599adda12eaf174af833d5 Assessing the Documents: Fake IDs From China te 2026-07-17T03:00:45.109Z Assessing the Documents: Fake IDs From China A previously released F.B.I. memo, viewed skeptically by intelligence agents, described a purported scheme by China to meddle in the 2020 election. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a599ac8a12eaf174af833cb Trump Released Documents on China and the 2020 Election. Here’s What We Know. te 2026-07-17T03:00:24.227Z Trump Released Documents on China and the 2020 Election. Here’s What We Know. President Trump claimed that China had tried to acquire American voter data. Possessing such information would not allow votes to be manipulated. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59986da12eaf174af8334c Trump again makes unfounded claims of noncitizen voting te 2026-07-17T02:50:21.126Z Trump again makes unfounded claims of noncitizen voting The president offered no concrete evidence, and at least one state — Nevada — rejected his claims immediately. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a599653a12eaf174af83308 MLB announces earliest ever Opening Day for 2027, Wrigley Field All-Star Game amid labor uncertainty te 2026-07-17T02:41:23.128Z MLB announces earliest ever Opening Day for 2027, Wrigley Field All-Star Game amid labor uncertainty Major League Baseball just wrapped up the 2026 All-Star Game in Philadelphia, which means it's already time to look ahead to next year's game and schedule. MLB announced the full 2027 season schedule on Thursday afternoon, with a few notable changes from past years. Instead of the traditional late March-early April timeframe, next season will open on March 24 with one single game between two yet-to-be-determined teams. That's the earliest date, not including international games, in baseball history. And after Netflix hosted the recently completed Home Run Derby, it's set to host that exclusive Opening Night game as well, which may not be the best outcome if the league is trying to attract the largest audience, considering the mediocre ratings the derby brought in. HOME RUN DERBY RATINGS CRASH ON NETFLIX, SETS 20-PLUS-YEAR LOW AS QUESTIONS SURFACE ABOUT PROGRAM QUALITY But perhaps most importantly, this new Opening Day schedule raises some serious questions and potential issues for the league, players and the owners. Namely, what happens if there's a lockout? Particularly one that isn't resolved quickly? Nearly everyone on all sides agrees that baseball, finally, has momentum and growth on its side. Interest is up, ratings are up, attendance is up. The one thing that could jeopardize it? If baseball misses games. And with the expiration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the owners and MLB Players Association on Dec. 1, that's a very real possibility. The two sides, while seemingly not as far apart as originally feared, are nowhere close to an agreement. Owners have pushed a, frankly laughable, ad campaign out saying the sport needs to "level the field" with a salary cap, all while the $69 million dollar Marlins are 12 games ahead of the $370 million Mets. As just one example. Players, though, have long said they will never accept a cap system, as it limits their earning potential arbitrarily to protect ownership. MLB STARS ADDRESS SALARY CAP, OWNERS SAYING BASEBALL IS BROKEN AHEAD OF ALL-STAR GAME: 'BAD FOR THE GAME' That's a fundamental disagreement about the future of the sport, and this early opening date compresses the number of days available for the two sides to find a compromise. Not just because it's March 24, but because players would need a spring training of some kind to be ready for the regular season. The last lockout delayed the start of the regular season a week, but that was from March 31 to April 7. In 2027 they'll have one less week to negotiate before delaying games or canceling them. That may be a good thing, however, if it forces the two groups to come to the table more frequently. Just imagine, though, if owners tell the players the game is broken and small markets have no hope after the Milwaukee Brewers or Miami Marlins win the 2026 World Series. Competitive balance indeed. Assuming that the two sides do come together and get a deal done quickly, the 2027 All-Star Game will return to one of baseball's cathedrals: Wrigley Field. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Historically one of the sport's best places for dramatic home runs, Wrigley will be a fantastic setting for the Home Run Derby. And the home Chicago crowd has already got a hometown star and fan favorite Pete Crow-Armstrong excited. "It’s going to be crazy," he said, per MLB.com. "Wrigleyville is fun Monday through Sunday," he said to reporters at the media day event ahead of this year's All-Star Game. "I’m interested to see how packed it is, how hard it ends up being trying to get around. But knowing [Cubs chairman Tom] Ricketts and our front office and the people that will probably have a big hand in planning that, I’m sure it’ll be great. Wrigley’s a beautiful ballpark, and I’m glad that it’ll be on display for everybody to see." Wrigley, as always, will make for a fantastic showcase for the sport and the game's stars. Assuming there is a 2027 MLB season, of course. And there better be, if the league doesn't want to cost itself millions, if not billions, by alienating fans permanently. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59963fa12eaf174af832ff 'Shadow government': Trump claims intel community bragged about hiding Chinese meddling te 2026-07-17T02:41:03.682Z 'Shadow government': Trump claims intel community bragged about hiding Chinese meddling President Donald Trump accused members of the U.S. intelligence community Thursday night of operating a "shadow government" to allegedly conceal evidence of China’s efforts to influence U.S. elections, seizing on newly declassified emails that he says reveal a bitter internal dispute about how Beijing’s activities should be characterized. Trump did not claim China changed votes or altered election results. Instead, he argued Beijing engaged in an influence campaign aimed at shaping U.S. public perceptions. Trump claimed intelligence officials kept significant reporting out of his presidential briefings and highlighted an email in which a National Security Agency analyst allegedly wrote, "We have deliberately massaged our one pending (presidential daily brief) to avoid any direct links to the election." "Those responsible for sounding the alarm instead kept the information secret and hidden," Trump claimed. "They did not disclose (it) to me as president or to anyone else." TRUMP RELEASES DECLASSIFIED ELECTION INTELLIGENCE, SAYS IT REVEALS 'SHOCKING VULNERABILITIES' Trump used the disclosures to press Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, casting the newly released intelligence as evidence that lawmakers must tighten federal election rules before the midterms. "Most importantly, addressing this crisis of election security demands that Congress must pass the SAVE America Act," Trump said. "These reforms are urgently needed to stop the vulnerabilities that I’ve mentioned." The SAVE America Act passed the House in February but stalled in the Senate in March, when a 53–47 vote fell short of the 60 votes needed to advance it. Trump urged Americans to call their senators and representatives and demand its passage "without delay." REPUBLICAN SAYS TRUMP'S TOP ELECTION PRIORITY 'DEAD' IN SENATE AS GOP FRACTURES AHEAD OF MIDTERMS The legislation would require documentary proof of citizenship to register for federal elections, photo identification to vote and ongoing state efforts to identify and remove noncitizens from voter rolls. Absentee voters would be required to submit a copy of an eligible photo ID when requesting a ballot and again when returning it. Trump also called for eliminating mail-in voting except in cases of illness, disability, military deployment or travel. The current text of the SAVE America Act does not include that prohibition — it permits absentee voting subject to identification requirements. Trump urged Americans to call their representatives and demand the bill’s passage "without delay." The newly released emails show that analysts disagreed over whether any alleged Chinese influence operations and intelligence collection should be explicitly linked to elections. After the NSA analyst described "massaging" the President’s Daily Brief, other intelligence officials questioned the decision, with one writing that "the mind boggles" and another calling the approach "highly irregular." One official alleged the intelligence community was "deliberately avoiding mentioning a connection to elections for non-substantive reasons," according to a November 2020 email. That official sought to reconnect the intelligence to the election-security assessment and prevent what another described as an "analytic objectivity mistake." The documents, however, do not establish Trump’s broader allegation of a politically motivated conspiracy. Instead, they portray competing intelligence assessments over whether China’s actions amounted to an effort to influence the presidential contest or a broader campaign focused on U.S. policies, public opinion and issues important to Beijing. Trump went further Thursday, claiming an FBI official wrote that she was running a "shadow government" to prevent the China intelligence from becoming public. The Chinese embassy could not immediately be reached for comment. Trump directed the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Justice Department, FBI and CIA Thursday to investigate why the intelligence was withheld, fire anyone found to have participated in a cover-up and pursue criminal charges "if appropriate." Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said in response to the address: "Americans heard the president once again repeat claims about our elections that have been investigated for years and repeatedly rejected by the Intelligence Community." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5993e5a12eaf174af8328c What to Know About Trump’s Attacks on Mail Voting te 2026-07-17T02:31:01.546Z What to Know About Trump’s Attacks on Mail Voting Many of President Trump’s attempts to curtail mail voting have been blocked by the courts. Before Trump, Republicans actually embraced absentee voting. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5993d2a12eaf174af83283 Trump Has Dismantled Election Security Efforts. Here’s How. te 2026-07-17T02:30:42.083Z Trump Has Dismantled Election Security Efforts. Here’s How. Since his return to the White House, the lead federal partner for states on election security has lost around a third of its work force. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5993bea12eaf174af83271 Assessing the documents: Fake IDs from China te 2026-07-17T02:30:22.634Z Assessing the documents: Fake IDs from China A previously released F.B.I. memo, viewed skeptically by intelligence agents, described a purported scheme by China to meddle in the 2020 election. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59918aa12eaf174af8321c 5 Takeaways From a Maine Debate That Showed Replacing Platner Isn’t Easy te 2026-07-17T02:20:58.881Z 5 Takeaways From a Maine Debate That Showed Replacing Platner Isn’t Easy Maine Democrats vying to become the state’s new Senate nominee met, and mostly agreed, at a debate filled with halting answers and stilted deliveries. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a599177a12eaf174af83213 What to Know About Trump’s Attacks on Mail Voting te 2026-07-17T02:20:39.432Z What to Know About Trump’s Attacks on Mail Voting Many of President Trump’s attempts to curtail mail voting have been blocked by the courts. Before Trump, Republicans actually embraced absentee voting. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a598cdfa12eaf174af83186 Change of leadership at HonorHealth te 2026-07-17T02:01:03.945Z Change of leadership at HonorHealth Todd LaPorte (left) will transition from his role in March 2027, when Dr. John Neil (right) will step into the role of CEO at HonorHealth (submitted photo). HonorHealth announced in mid-June that chief executive officer Todd LaPorte will transition from his role in March 2027 following more than a decade of leadership. The HonorHealth board of directors has named John Neil, MD, MMM, current executive vice president, chief physician executive and chief strategy officer, as his successor. As part of a planned leadership transition, Neil will assume the role of president immediately, prior to becoming CEO on March 1, 2027. LaPorte will remain CEO until that date, after which he will serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO. LaPorte’s tenure has been defined by strong growth, innovation and a deep commitment to advancing healthcare in the communities HonorHealth serves, the organization said. “John is a highly respected leader who understands our mission, our people and our communities,” said Mike Welborn, HonorHealth board chair. “He has served the medical mission of this community in some capacity for the past 27 years, and his leadership will ensure continuity while driving continued innovation and growth.” Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a598843a12eaf174af830d3 Trump releases declassified election intelligence, says it reveals 'shocking vulnerabilities' te 2026-07-17T01:41:23.138Z Trump releases declassified election intelligence, says it reveals 'shocking vulnerabilities' President Donald Trump addressed the nation Thursday evening on "free and fair" elections, announcing the declassification of critical intelligence that reveals, as he said, "shocking vulnerabilities" related to "hacking, exploitation and foreign interference." "This vital information is for many years been covered up and hidden from you," Trump said. "The American people are beautiful, our great American people. But that all changes right now." Documents were posted to the White House website during the president's speech. The speech came as his administration has aggressively pushed policies, legislation and executive orders to secure U.S. elections. Leading up to the address, Trump teased that his speech would be "big news." Trump touted his new Trump Accounts and spoke about how his administration has lowered drug prices, reduced crime, and strengthened the border – with the main focus on securing American elections. "The documents we will release starting tonight have been gathered by the White House Government Transparency Taskforce, a great group of people, along with the staff of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board, supported by our top intelligence agency chiefs, who have all personally reviewed the findings we are presenting this evening and fully confirmed their authenticity," Trump said Thursday. TRUMP KEEPS 'REALLY BIG' ADDRESS UNDER WRAPS AS WHITE HOUSE SAYS ‘NOBODY KNOWS’ WHAT HE’LL REVEAL TRUMP THREATENS TO EXPAND STRIKES ON IRAN, SAYS POWER PLANTS ARE NEXT TO GO: 'HIT THEM HARD' Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a598806a12eaf174af830b2 Assessing the documents: Venezuela and Smartmatic te 2026-07-17T01:40:22.215Z Assessing the documents: Venezuela and Smartmatic Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5985aca12eaf174af83050 Assessing the Documents: Voter Registration in Michigan te 2026-07-17T01:30:20.590Z Assessing the Documents: Voter Registration in Michigan A well-known allegation of attempts to fraudulently register voters never yielded evidence of illegal voting. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5981c3a12eaf174af82f98 Olympic great Lindsey Vonn reveals that her ankle is 'still broken' months after her shocking crash te 2026-07-17T01:13:39.769Z Olympic great Lindsey Vonn reveals that her ankle is 'still broken' months after her shocking crash One of the most memorable moments of the 2026 Winter Olympics came early, when skier Lindsey Vonn delivered a gutsy performance for the ages by competing at 41 just a week after injuring her knee in a crash. Unfortunately, as admirable as her perseverance was, she injured herself badly in another crash just 13 seconds into her run in the women’s downhill final. Five months later, Vonn is still very much dealing with her injuries. MARCELLO HERNÁNDEZ ROASTS JAKE PAUL, TIGER WOODS AND BILL BELICHICK IN ESPYS MONOLOGUE "It’s been a very slow process," Vonn told People while attending the ESPYs Wednesday in New York City. "It’s been five months since I’ve been able to actually go to the gym in a somewhat meaningful way. And walking is actually still really hard for me. My ankle is still broken." Regardless of the outcome, her decision to attempt that run remains one of the most courageous moments of the Games. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Remember when I mentioned that injury before the Olympics? That wasn't just a minor bump in the road; it was a completely ruptured ACL. There was no questioning her courage, but the aftermath has been difficult. "I was in a wheelchair for so long. I was on crutches for so long," Vonn said. "It was honestly almost 3½ months that I was unable to walk unassisted. I got very emotional when I was able to walk on my own." This week, Vonn posted an update on her recovery and said she has "a very long road ahead." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5981b0a12eaf174af82f8f Jill Biden claims Joe would be ‘excoriated’ if he did what’s happening in current White House te 2026-07-17T01:13:20.316Z Jill Biden claims Joe would be ‘excoriated’ if he did what’s happening in current White House Former first lady Jill Biden sat down with "The View" co-host Whoopi Goldberg in June to promote her memoir, "A View from the East Wing," and to discuss her life, politics, and media. Biden was asked about how the press covered her husband's presidential term, and she didn't hold back. Goldberg, who moderated the 92nd Street Y event in New York City last month, asked whether the former first lady believes the press covered former President Joe Biden's four years in office fairly. Hesitating in her response, Jill Biden said, "You know, I think probably, well, I mean, seeing how things are now, I don't know. I don't know. I'd have to think about that." BIDEN CRASHES JILL'S BOOK TOUR WITH AWKWARD 'LOVE' QUESTION THAT LEAVES VIEWERS CRINGING The former first lady went on to suggest that her husband's administration could have done more to form stronger relationships with the media. "But, you know, maybe we could have done more to reach out to the press to be more open so that they understood us as real people and not sort of these figureheads. That's one thing I do regret, that maybe we could have formed closer relationships." Biden went on to suggest that there was a "double standard" between coverage of the Biden administration and the current Trump administration. "You know, if Joe would have done any one of the things that are occurring now, I mean he would have been excoriated," she said. Goldberg said while chuckling, "Oh yeah." The former first lady continued, "But, you know, it's just there — it's like there's a double standard. And that I don't think is fair or was fair." DONALD TRUMP'S AGE IS NOT RECEIVING THE SAME 'SCRUTINY' AS BIDEN'S DID, ATLANTIC WRITER COMPLAINS Biden also pushed back on Democratic critics of her memoir who have said the book needlessly dredged up controversies from the 2024 election. During a Washington, D.C., book event in early June, Biden was asked specifically about comments from former Biden White House spokesman Andrew Bates, who said of her book, "I don’t see why that painful conversation for the party needed to be publicly reopened right now," according to the New York Post. "I want to say to Andrew: Call me up, and say it to my face, buddy," Biden responded, arguing that her book had only "one chapter on politics." FORMER JILL BIDEN SPOKESMAN CLAIMS EX-FIRST LADY IS TRYING TO 'CHANGE THE TAPE' AFTER 2024 DEBATE ADMISSION Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59819ca12eaf174af82f7d Hobbs raised $2.6M in Q2, more than the GOP field, fueling her early ad blitz in reelection bid te 2026-07-17T01:13:00.349Z Hobbs raised $2.6M in Q2, more than the GOP field, fueling her early ad blitz in reelection bid Clockwise from left: Gov. Katie Hobbs, U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, U.S. Rep. David Schweikert. (Photos by Gage Skidmore and Cronkite News Service) Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs raked in campaign donations during the second quarter of 2026, collecting about $2.6 million — but she also spent big as she launched a high-dollar advertising campaign boasting about her record as governor.  Campaign finance reports for April 1 through June 30 show that Hobbs had more than $7.1 million in cash on hand at the beginning of the reporting period, but that she spent $7.4 million, leaving her with nearly $2.4 million in the bank. GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE The frontrunner in the Republican primary who hopes to face Hobbs in the November general election, U.S. Congressman Andy Biggs, scoffed at Hobbs’ big spending in a statement.  “Katie Hobbs lit $7.4M on fire during the second quarter of the 2026 cycle, stumbling into the general election after a 281% burn rate in the previous quarter,” Biggs’ campaign said in the statement. “Hobbs’ fundraising lead over Congressman Andy Biggs shrank by nearly $5M and is now roughly a $1M cash on hand advantage, a pitiful number for an incumbent governor who has held statewide office for nearly a decade.” But Hobbs’ campaign bragged on Thursday that she’d again outfundraised the entire GOP field running for governor adding that she’d gotten a “historically early start on paid communication, which will only ramp up closer to the November election.” The amount Hobbs spent in the second quarter on campaign infrastructure and advertising is more than double what Biggs has raised for his campaign. And even after her big spending, Hobbs still has a significant fundraising lead over Biggs, who has the backing of President Donald Trump and Turning Point USA.  Biggs had just over $1.1 million on hand in the second quarter, and raised about $916,700 during that time. His campaign spent $770,000, leaving him with about $1.2 million in the bank, half the amount Hobbs has in her warchest.  In a statement, the Hobbs campaign said that the vast majority of her campaign funding came from small contributions of less than $100.  “Breaking fundraising records quarter after quarter, Katie is building a coalition that spans party lines, bringing Democrats, Republicans, and Independents together behind her Arizona First leadership,” Hobbs campaign manager Nicole DeMont said in a statement.  Biggs’ opponent in the July 21 Republican primary, U.S. Congressman David Schweikert, lagged far behind Biggs and Hobbs, taking in just $101,000 in donations during the second quarter. He had $86,388 on hand at the beginning of the quarter and spent $170,878, leaving him with only $42,494 on hand just weeks before the primary election.  In the contentious Republican primary for Arizona Secretary of State, Arizona Rep. Alexander Kolodin collected $73,370 in donations compared to his opponent, former Arizona Republican Party Chairwoman Gina Swoboda’s $58,730.  At the start of the second quarter, Kolodin had $300,355 on hand, $95,000 of that in loans he made to his own campaign.  During the second quarter, Kolodin spent $82,000, a big chunk of that — about $74,000 — paid to Forged Communications for advertising. Forged Communications is owned by Arizona Sen. Jake Hoffman, leader of the far-right Arizona Freedom Caucus, of which Kolodin is a member. Kolodin had $292,000 on hand at the end of the reporting period.  Swoboda had almost $60,000 on hand at the start of the quarter, including $53,000 that she loaned to her campaign. She spent $95,871 during the second quarter, leaving her with $22,575 in the bank.  Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, a Democrat, outfundraised his Republican opponents, bringing in about $519,000 in the second quarter. Fontes had $781,000 on hand at the start of the reporting period and spent more than $284,000, leaving him with about $1 million in the bank.  Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat, had more than $2.5 million on hand at the start of the reporting period and took in more than $1.2 million in contributions. She spent more than $1.4 million, including more than $400,000 for advertising, leaving her with $2.3 million on hand.  Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen, a Republican who hopes to go up against Mayes, took in $275,416 during the second quarter of 2026. He had more than $1.5 million on hand at the start of the reporting period, including $123,000 that he loaned to himself. Petersen spent more than $1.2 million, leaving him with  $523,862.  Petersen put about $900,000 of that into television ads and spent $3,000 on Google ads.  During the second quarter of 2026, Petersen’s opponent in the Republican primary and regular candidate for Arizona office, Rodney Glassman returned nearly $18,000 in payments he received beyond contribution limits in 2024, 2025 and 2026.  Glassman was facing possible legal trouble for accepting at least 30 contributions in 2024 and 2025 above the contribution limits spelled out in state law. His refunds appear to be an attempt to remedy that.  As of September, Coconino County agreed to investigate the allegations that Glassman violated campaign finance law, after Mayes said her office couldn’t do so since Glassman could potentially be her opponent in November. Coconino County Attorney Ammon Barker told the Mirror on Thursday that his office was still reviewing the referral from the Attorney General’s Office but that it should be completed soon.  Glassman had more than $4 million on hand at the start of the reporting period, including $1 million from a loan he made to his own campaign in 2024. He raised nearly $584,000 in the second quarter and spent about $2.2 million, with more than $2 million of that going toward advertising and signs. That left him with about $2.4 million in the bank.  Republican challenger for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Kimberly Yee outraised Republican incumbent Tom Horne in the second quarter, bringing in more than $82,000 in donations to Horne’s just over $34,100. Yee, who is currently the Arizona Treasurer, had $243,713 on hand at the start of the period and spent $80,271, leaving her with $245,600 remaining. A big chunk of Yee’s spending in the second quarter — $68,046 — went to Forged Communications for consulting. Hoffman, Forged Communications’ owner, recruited Yee to challenge Horne after the incumbent angered school voucher families with increased restrictions on their spending.   Horne had $829,478 on hand at the start of the second quarter, with $651,000 of that coming from loans he made to his own campaign. He spent $474,474 leaving him with $389,000 in the bank. YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a598188a12eaf174af82f6f Suns double down after overachieving season, commit to depth, youth, culture te 2026-07-17T01:12:40.383Z Suns double down after overachieving season, commit to depth, youth, culture Koa Peat stood out in the second half of his pro debut Friday in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. He finished with 17 points, six boards and four assists. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a598174a12eaf174af82f66 Former Arizona Wildcats teammates Koa Peat and Brayden Burries renew acquaintances at NBA Summer League te 2026-07-17T01:12:20.410Z Former Arizona Wildcats teammates Koa Peat and Brayden Burries renew acquaintances at NBA Summer League LAS VEGAS – Koa Peat didn’t mince words when asked about the motivation for his rookie season. For the 30th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, motivation will be found on the rosters of the 22 teams that picked… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59814ca12eaf174af82f5b Carolyn Mae Baldwin te 2026-07-17T01:11:40.476Z Carolyn Mae Baldwin Carolyn Mae (McDaniel) Baldwin, 80, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2026. She was born on Oct. 27, 1945, to Johnnie and Tillman McDaniel in Tucson. She spent her childhood in Holbrook, lived for a short time in Winslow, where she attended school, and later returned to Holbrook, where she raised her own family.       Carolyn was preceded in death by husband, Larry Baldwin; son, Richard McNabb; parents, Johnnie and Tillman McDaniel; brother, Wayne McDaniel; and grandparents, Pauline and Ray Gannon.       She is survived by children, Jeffrey McNabb, Douglas McNabb (Claudia), and Michele Devora-McNabb  (Lynn); siblings, Tillman “Sonny” McDaniel (Mary), Donna Huff and Michele Duran (Greg); five grandchildren and two great-granddaughters.       Carolyn was a kind and gentle soul who lived with quiet strength, always showing patience, compassion, and grace. She was a natural caregiver who found her greatest joy in making sure everyone she loved was cared for in every way. Whether it was offering a listening ear, a comforting hug, a warm meal, or simply being there when someone needed her, caring for others came naturally to her. She was a devoted wife, loving daughter, sister, and mother, proud grandmother and great-grandmother, and a loyal friend.       Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. at the Holbrook Cemetery, followed by her celebration of life at 1 p.m. at the Heward House, 108 Crest View Drive in Holbrook. The post Carolyn Mae Baldwin first appeared on Painted Desert Tribune. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a598124a12eaf174af82f4a What We Know About the Sunken Boat Near Alcatraz te 2026-07-17T01:11:00.564Z What We Know About the Sunken Boat Near Alcatraz At least one person died and 16 were rescued after a three-level boat sank in the San Francisco Bay on Tuesday. Three passengers remain unaccounted for. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a598111a12eaf174af82f41 Kentucky Jury Orders Gun Kit Seller to Pay More Than $100 Million in Teen’s Death te 2026-07-17T01:10:41.080Z Kentucky Jury Orders Gun Kit Seller to Pay More Than $100 Million in Teen’s Death Lawyers for the family of Henry Coby Willis argued that the online seller failed to verify the buyer’s age or conduct a background check before shipping a pistol-building kit. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5980fda12eaf174af82f38 Multiple Investigations Refuted Trump’s Claims That Fraud Altered the Outcome in 2020 te 2026-07-17T01:10:21.633Z Multiple Investigations Refuted Trump’s Claims That Fraud Altered the Outcome in 2020 Dozens of investigations, audits, recounts and court proceedings examined the 2020 election. None found the widespread voter fraud that President Trump claimed tilted the vote. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a597ee6a12eaf174af82ef1 Video shows Canadian illegal alien slapping teen over Trump, ICE clothing: DHS te 2026-07-17T01:01:26.953Z Video shows Canadian illegal alien slapping teen over Trump, ICE clothing: DHS A newly released video shows the moment a Canadian woman accused of overstaying her visa allegedly slapped a teenage girl after confronting her group of friends wearing clothing displaying the words "Trump" and "ICE" on a New Jersey boardwalk before later being taken into federal immigration custody. The Department of Homeland Security shared the video Thursday in a post on X, calling Kaitlyn Tracey a "Maple Leaf Menace" and confirming she is now in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody pending removal proceedings. "This illegal alien who assaulted a teenager has no business being in our country," DHS wrote. The video appears to show Tracey approaching the teenage girl, reaching out and striking her before walking away without stopping. LAS VEGAS FATHER STUNNED AFTER SCHOOL COMPARED SON'S PRO-ICE STICKERS TO BURNING CROSS A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson later told Fox News Digital that Tracey entered the United States on April 14, 2024, on a visa that expired Sept. 6, 2024, but remained in the country after it expired. 🚨 Know something we should investigate? 📩 stepheny.price@fox.com 📸 IG: @fndstephprice 🎥 X: @StephenyPrice Your tip could lead to our next story. "She overstayed her visa and failed to depart," the spokesperson said, adding Tracey's name to the "nearly 70% of ICE arrests" netting illegal immigrants who have been charged with or convicted of a crime. According to DHS, the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department facilitated a controlled transfer into ICE custody following her arrest, where she will remain pending immigration proceedings. A man identifying himself on social media as Tracey's husband, Matthew Geroni, disputed the allegations in an interview with NJ.com, arguing the incident had been blown out of proportion after drawing widespread attention online. TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ORDERS GREEN CARD APPLICANTS TO LEAVE THE US, APPLY FROM THEIR HOME COUNTRIES "This whole situation has been blown out of proportion and a person like Kate does not belong in any facility," Geroni told the outlet. "My wife has never been in trouble in her entire life. She's never had any kind of situation like this. This one little situation that was really a nothingburger when it happened has been blown so out of control by conservatives online that it has caused my wife to be put in a detention center." According to the probable cause affidavit obtained by Fox News Digital, the victim told police she and three friends were walking along the boardwalk when Tracey began verbally berating the group over clothing they were wearing. The affidavit states two of the victim's friends were wearing patriotic-colored sweatpants displaying the words "Trump" and "ICE." Investigators allege Tracey then approached the victim and struck her once in the face and once in the body. Officers attempted to stop Tracey, but she refused to identify herself and continued down the boardwalk, according to the affidavit. Investigators later identified her through social media and passport information she provided when entering the United States from Canada in 2024. Geroni also posted several emotional videos to social media after Tracey's arrest, saying he was trying to find an immigration attorney and pleading for help. "I need help. I don't know what to do," he said in one video. "I need an immigration lawyer... I need my wife." ICE ARRESTS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ILLINOIS TEACHER LINKED TO TREN DE ARAGUA MASS SHOOTING Geroni also said he created a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for Tracey's legal defense and immigration costs before it was removed from the platform. Before it was taken down, the fundraiser said it had been organized by friends to help cover Tracey's legal expenses and immigration-related costs. In another video, Geroni claimed the campaign was removed after what he described as a coordinated mass-reporting campaign by a "Facebook group of MAGA supporters." A GoFundMe spokesperson disputed that claim, telling Fox News Digital the fundraiser was removed because it violated the platform's policies. "GoFundMe's Terms of Service prohibit fundraisers for the legal defense of violent crimes," the spokesperson said. "Consistent with this long-standing policy, the fundraiser was removed from the platform and fully refunded." The case also drew reaction on Capitol Hill after DHS released the surveillance video Thursday. "Oh, Canada. She's headed back your way!" Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., wrote on X. "Thank you, @SecMullinDHS!" Francis R. Hodgson, Tracey's attorney, declined to comment when reached by Fox News Digital. Court records show Tracey is scheduled to appear in Ocean County Superior Court on Aug. 4. Fox News Digital's Charles Creitz and Kelsie Cairns contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a597ea9a12eaf174af82ed4 Major I-19-Irvington upgrades begin Thursday te 2026-07-17T01:00:25.518Z Major I-19-Irvington upgrades begin Thursday Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a597a1ea12eaf174af82e3b LeBron James drops the ultimate nothing-burger at Fanatics Fest with his NBA decision looming te 2026-07-17T00:41:02.671Z LeBron James drops the ultimate nothing-burger at Fanatics Fest with his NBA decision looming LeBron James knew exactly why thousands packed Fanatics Fest on Thursday. And he left them cold without answering the only question anyone really cared about. At 41, with few career-defining decisions left, LeBron still understands the value of making everyone wait, just as he did during "The Decision" 16 years ago. After weeks of keeping the basketball world guessing, the league's all-time leading scorer took the stage for a live taping of his "Mind the Game" podcast with Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, who had spent the previous day teasing fans on social media that answers were finally coming. LEBRON JAMES TELLS LOS ANGELES LAKERS HE WILL LEAVE IN FREE AGENCY AFTER EIGHT SEASONS: REPORT Instead, James drank wine, entertained recruiting pitches and served up a whole lot of nothing. "I won't hold you guys up too much longer," James promised the crowd, right before doing exactly that. Not even Haliburton tried to get an answer. When the Pacers star asked, "Is there a decision that still has to be made?" James immediately shut down his Olympic teammate. "We literally talked about this in the back," James said. James' PR team, working in the shadows, pushed that a decision was in the works and ready for the public by the weekend. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS For all the sidestepping Thursday, James did acknowledge one thing about his next move: "It's a big decision for not only myself, but for my family as well." "It's not just about the team," James insisted. "There's so many other factors that I'm factoring in right now on what best fits me as a player, what best fits me as a person, and what best fits my happiness, and also my family as well." NBA commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged on Thursday how much the league is held at the whim of his decision. "Where LeBron plays will affect the schedule. I’d like him to make his announcement already so we can finish the schedule," Silver said. LeBron kept every detail about his next team close to the jersey. He laughed off crowd suggestions for Philly and Miami, then tossed a crumb to his ex, the Lakers, by noting he "spent eight great years" in L.A. while keeping the Warriors rumors on ice. Then he gave himself bulletin board material from all the discussions of his decision online. "I'm seeing something on social media... that wherever I go, we may be in the Play-In... and I'm not a factor anymore," James said. "So maybe that as well, too, is a little motivation." The NBA is still waiting for LeBron's next team. And like a load-management game, Fanatics fans showed up and left disappointed. Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a597317a12eaf174af82d34 EXCLUSIVE: DHS seeks custody of illegal immigrant charged with murder after Trump deportation, Biden release te 2026-07-17T00:11:03.947Z EXCLUSIVE: DHS seeks custody of illegal immigrant charged with murder after Trump deportation, Biden release FIRST ON FOX: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is asking Florida officials to turn over a Bangladeshi illegal immigrant accused of murdering his sister-in-law after he was deported under the first Trump administration, illegally reentered the U.S. and was released by the Biden administration. DHS told Fox News Digital that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lodged a detainer against Akbor Miah, who allegedly used the alias Shahidul Islam, requesting he be transferred into federal custody after his state criminal proceedings conclude. According to DHS, Miah first entered the U.S. in 2016 during the Obama administration. He was arrested by ICE in February 2018, and an immigration judge issued a final order of removal later that year. However, after being deported to Bangladesh in January 2019, during the first Trump administration, Miah illegally reentered the U.S. — a federal felony — and was released into the country by the Biden administration on March 19, 2022, officials said.  PROSECUTORS SEEKING DEATH PENALTY FOR DEPORTED ILLEGAL ALIEN INDICTED IN MURDER OF SISTER-IN-LAW DHS said ICE filed a detainer requesting Florida officials transfer Miah into federal custody after his state criminal proceedings conclude so he can face immigration enforcement following any sentence imposed in the murder case. According to authorities, Monica Islam disappeared after leaving the Eustis convenience store where she worked alongside Miah, her brother-in-law, on May 2, 2025. Hours later, she was found dead from a gunshot wound along a road in Mount Dora. Investigators recovered Monica Islam's DNA from Miah's vehicle, along with a bullet lodged in the passenger-side door and evidence the passenger window had been shattered, prosecutors said. ARREST OF GANG MEMBER CONVICTED OF MURDER PUTS DEM STATE'S SANCTUARY POLICIES ON BLAST Officials claim Miah fled to New York after the killing before he was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service and extradited to Florida, where he faces a first-degree murder charge. "This illegal alien from Bangladesh has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting his own sister-in-law in Florida," DHS acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis told Fox News Digital.  "He then thought he could evade justice by fleeing to the sanctuary state of New York. Thanks to our law enforcement partners, this criminal illegal alien has been arrested and is off our streets. ICE has lodged a detainer so he can never be loose in our country again." Fox News Digital previously reported that a Lake County grand jury indicted Miah on a charge of premeditated first-degree murder and that prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. State Attorney Bill Gladson said investigators uncovered evidence that Miah conducted numerous suspicious internet searches on the morning of the killing. Prosecutors also allege he rented a vehicle and drove to New York after the shooting before authorities tracked him down through a joint effort involving local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Fox News Digital's Alexandra Koch contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a596e7ba12eaf174af82c39 Should Erling Haaland get honorary US citizenship for crushing tee shots off a boat and blasting Ella Langley? te 2026-07-16T23:51:23.041Z Should Erling Haaland get honorary US citizenship for crushing tee shots off a boat and blasting Ella Langley? We saw thousands of fans embrace American culture and the American way of life during the FIFA World Cup, but few players were as gung-ho as Norwegian striker Erling Haaland. It sure seems like some of that good ol' fashioned American spirit rubbed off on him during his stay. The Manchester City star — who returned home with a stuffed booze bottle-wielding raccoon that is flying off shelves — shared a video of himself on a boat, hitting golf balls (biodegradable ones) off the boat and into the drink like a Nordic Cosmo Kramer, all while blasting the music of country songstress Ella Langley. BILL MAHER LAUDS FOREIGN VISITORS AT WORLD CUP: 'THEY ARE REMINDING AMERICANS THIS PLACE IS KIND OF AWESOME' That was as American as it gets if you ignore the fjords and the fact that he posted the temperature in Celsius instead of the far superior Fahrenheit we use here in the US of A. Making freezing 0 degrees and boiling 100 degrees is so predictable. I'm a 32 and 212 guy. Always will be. Sure, golf isn't an American game by birth, but I feel like we're the kings of ripping tee shots off of things. Cliffs, the beaches, the hood of your friend's dad's car, the Moon. And throwing Ms. Langley's tunes behind it all just sealed it in a nice red, white and blue package. It gave me a sudden hankering for apple pie and lighting an M80 with the end of a cigarette. It might be time to have a discussion about giving Erling Haaland honorary U.S. citizenship. Sort of like how colleges will go, "Hey, thanks for telling these college graduates the same platitudes people use in every commencement address; here's an honorary doctorate in, uh... well, I guess in whatever makes you happy." REPUBLICAN LEADERS EMBRACE VIRAL WORLD CUP FANS THEY SAY ARE DISCOVERING THE 'REAL AMERICA' I think we should offer that for those who exhibit an affinity for all things American, whether that's hitting golf balls into the drink while listening to country music, housing a pastrami sandwich, or appreciating taxidermied raccoons. They can get a tip of the cap from us born-and-bred Americans that shows how much we respect the way they embraced Americana. Maybe honorary citizens don't get to vote in elections or hold office, but they do get to wear Old Navy Fourth of July shirts without looking like posers. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a596e67a12eaf174af82c30 Ditching his 'Whizzinator' in a patrol car was Florida man's second bad decision of day te 2026-07-16T23:51:03.593Z Ditching his 'Whizzinator' in a patrol car was Florida man's second bad decision of day The Flagler County Sheriff's Office has accused a Florida man of coming up with a plan to beat his court-ordered drug test. Executing what on paper might look like a good plan proved to be difficult. His first mistake was climbing behind the wheel on July 14 and driving to submit his urine sample. A deputy stopped James Shepard, 52, as he pulled in, because according to the sheriff's office, his license is suspended. That's a violation of the felony probation he was serving for multiple burglaries and thefts, News 6 reports. He was arrested on charges of violating probation and taken to jail in the back seat of a patrol car. FLORIDA MAYOR SAYS SHE 'DID NOT RESIST' ARREST OVER ALLEGED PROBATION VIOLATION FROM DUI CASE "Driving on a suspended license was crime number one," according to the sheriff's office. "Crime number two was strapped to his groin." What Shepard had strapped to his groin was what the sheriff’s office referred to as a "jerry-rigged Whizzinator." It was constructed of a fake bladder that had fake urine in it. There was a heating pad wired to it and a fake penis attached. For comedy's sake, I hope he went large with the fake attachment. That detail isn't mentioned, but thanks to the camera in the patrol car, there's video evidence of him ditching the device. VIRAL BODYCAM CAPTURES FLORIDA DEPUTY'S TRAFFIC STOP UNRAVEL AS HE ACCUSES ONE-HANDED DRIVER OF HOLDING PHONE After complaining of a shoulder injury and having the handcuffs moved to the front, he is seen reaching in his pants until finally removing and tossing the "wet wiener on the floor." When the deputy found the Whizzinator, Shepard said it wasn’t his. The video appeared to contradict his claim, and he's now facing charges of driving without a valid license, violating his probation, defrauding a drug test, and tampering with evidence. "This pee-brain dirtbag had already been given the deal of a lifetime, walking around on community control when he should have been sitting in a prison cell for almost a decade," said Sheriff Rick Staly. "Shepard terrorized our home construction businesses and had stolen enough appliances to open an appliance store but was only sentenced to community control when his own sentencing scoresheet had him eligible for a minimum of 9 years in prison. Now he has a stream of new charges after flushing away a second chance to turn his life around. Instead, he tried to trick the system. Now he needs to go to prison!" Who knows how it all would have gone down had Shepard had someone else drive him and the Whizzinator to his court-ordered drug test. As it is, he's being held without bond. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a596c0fa12eaf174af82bc3 Trailer park firm sued by Kris Mayes is the biggest donor to a PAC backing Warren Petersen te 2026-07-16T23:41:03.497Z Trailer park firm sued by Kris Mayes is the biggest donor to a PAC backing Warren Petersen A mobile home in Tucson. (Photo by Michael McKisson/Arizona Luminaria) A trailer park management company being sued by Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes is spending big to back one of Mayes’ GOP opponents in a bid to defeat her in November.  Mayes filed a lawsuit against the BoaVida Group last year after electricity outages during a deadly summer heat wave left residents at Tucson’s Redwood Mobile Home Park in danger. BoaVida owns five other trailer parks in Arizona. Now, BoaVida is the largest backer of the Restore Order Arizona PAC, which has been spending money on ads supporting Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen in his campaign to become the Republican nominee for AG in November. The company poured more than $600,000 into the pro-Petersen campaign through the end of June, according to a campaign finance report filed this month. GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE Other state AGs have also taken interest in pursuing the company over allegations of poor conditions at parks they manage, as well as rent hikes.  BoaVida accused Mayes of being unfair and “anti-business,” and said she should be replaced by Petersen. “As a business owner in Arizona we support those who are not anti-business, those who are fair, reasonable, and seek to benefit the state as a whole, not just look for targets for publicity,” the company said in a statement to the Arizona Mirror. “We believe Warren Petersen reflects the conservative values of the state and support his candidacy.” The company said it has not discussed any of the legal matters with Petersen.  Mayes’ campaign is unconvinced.  “In June, we said follow the money. Now we know where it leads. Four days after Attorney General Mayes asked a court to hold BoaVida in contempt for leaving Arizona families in dangerous, sweltering conditions, BoaVida’s companies wrote half a million dollars in checks to Warren Petersen’s PAC,” DJ Quinlan, a consultant for Mayes’ reelection campaign, said in a statement to the Mirror. “These corporate landlords and mobile home landlords aren’t donating — they’re shopping for an attorney general who will drop the cases against them. Warren Petersen is happy to oblige.”  Petersen did not respond to multiple requests for comment for this story.  BoaVida has been facing pressure from lawmakers across the country, as well as from tenants. It is also one of six companies that New Hampshire U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan asked to produce internal documents and materials showing how their businesses have impacted mobile home parks across the country.  They also aren’t the only mobile home park owner investing heavily in the race.  Havenpark Management, Newbury Management, Comfort Communities and a number of small Arizona parks contributed more than $85,000 to the PAC. Those parks and BoaVida’s contributions combined make up almost half of the money raised by Restore Order Arizona.  Quotation These corporate landlords and mobile home landlords aren't donating — they're shopping for an attorney general who will drop the cases against them. Warren Petersen is happy to oblige. – DJ Quinlan, a political consultant for Kris Mayes' reelection campaign The PAC also includes corporate landlord interests, with groups like American Homes 4 Rent contributing $10,000.  The PAC seems to be largely funded by a collection of special interest groups that Mayes has clashed with during her first term as AG. The largest individual donor is a major player in the nicotine vape industry in Arizona, which Mayes has aggressively sought to regulate.  Private prison company GeoGroup, which operates a number of detention facilities for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is another major funder. GEO Group has reported record profits since Trump took office and has been pushing the administration for larger enforcement efforts.   And another $10,000 came from VGW Luckyland Inc., a company that operates a number of unlicensed sports betting sites that the Arizona Department of Gaming, backed by Mayes, has sought to shut down.  “This is the first time that I personally have looked and seen the donations that have happened,” Mary Alice Theroux, a Tucson mobile home park resident that has been organizing to push back against predatory practices, told the Mirror.  Theroux said that out-of-state companies have been largely contributing to issues at local mobile home parks that she said lawmakers have been largely ignoring. Theroux was able to get the ear of Mayes and others who have been working to try to pass legislation or file lawsuits against the park owners.  One of those major issues has been with how mobile home and manufactured home parks deal with utility metering.  Sub-metering is when the landlord or property owner is the “customer of record” for a utility company, which often leads to tenants not being able to get information from a utility company on outages. It is also leading to fees that residents say are unfair.  Lawmakers sought to address this issue during the last legislative session, but Petersen killed multiple bills. First, a bill that passed unanimously in the state House of Representatives dying in the Senate, which Petersen presides over. A second version of the bill was introduced later in the session, once again earning broad bipartisan support in the state House before once again stalling in the Senate, where it was never brought up for a vote.  “I think there is real bipartisan recognition that this is an issue happening in these parks,” Kelly McGowan, executive director at the non-profit Wildfire, which focuses on the issues of poverty, told the Mirror.  Theroux said she believes that the companies that own the parks are likely behind the bill’s demise.  “These parks that have donated were really upset because we got the bill passed 100% in the House, so they started coughing up their money when it got to the Senate,” Theroux said, adding that Petersen was responsible for the demise of the second bill. “He killed the bill, he would not put it forward.”   “We don’t see any reason that mobile home park tenants should have a different set of rules,” McGowan said. The bills addressed protections that are within Arizona’s Landlord Tenant Act but not in the Mobile Home Parks Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.  The legislation sought to cap administrative fees for utility metering at $8 as park residents have reported high administrative costs for this service leading to outsized bills. It would also have made it easier for residents to speak directly with utility companies about issues regarding service.  And for both Theroux and McGowan, the parks represent a subsection of Arizonans that are especially vulnerable to a number of issues.  “I’m sick and tired of seeing elderly women and elderly men taken advantage of. They’re afraid to stand up because they’re afraid of getting threatened with eviction,” Theroux said, adding that a number of elderly heat-related deaths have been tracked to these parks.  “This is a really affordable housing stock for some of our most vulnerable community members,” McGowan said, noting that another piece of legislation aimed at adding protections for these residents under Arizona’s Consumer Fraud and Protection Act similarly failed. “These are people who have put their life savings into what in some cases is their only asset.” But addressing the issues facing this population is likely to take more time as McGowan noted that she and others have been finding more and more issues to address.  “This is like an onion of an issue, and we have only just begun pulling it back, and I think we will be working on it layer by layer,” McGowan said. YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59698ca12eaf174af82b1c San Francisco mayor pushes for tougher rules after the Waymo traffic fiasco te 2026-07-16T23:30:20.806Z San Francisco mayor pushes for tougher rules after the Waymo traffic fiasco In the wake of a massive hours-long gridlock event, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has told state regulators its time to put more requirements on robotaxi operators like Waymo. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a596773a12eaf174af82af8 College student's fatal canoe trip takes turn as lone survivor is arrested months later te 2026-07-16T23:21:23.662Z College student's fatal canoe trip takes turn as lone survivor is arrested months later The lone survivor of a late-night canoe trip that left a 20-year-old college student dead is facing criminal charges after investigators alleged he had been drinking before the outing turned tragic. Connecticut environmental police arrested Michael Collins, 20, of Mineola, New York, on a charge of operating a boat under the influence in connection with the March drowning of Dominick Tocci, a 20-year-old from Woodstock, Connecticut. Investigators say Collins and Tocci had been drinking with a group of friends before the two climbed into a canoe and pushed off onto Lake Hayward in East Haddam on the night of March 21. The trip quickly turned disastrous after the canoe capsized, sending both men into the water. KENTUCKY MAN CHARGED WITH BOATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE AFTER FEMALE PASSENGER, 19, GOES MISSING FOX61 previously reported that a nearby resident heard calls for help before good Samaritans rescued Collins from the lake. 🚨 Know something we should investigate? 📩 stepheny.price@fox.com 📸 IG: @fndstephprice 🎥 X: @StephenyPrice Your tip could lead to our next story. Tocci disappeared beneath the surface, sparking a massive search involving the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's (DEEP) Environmental Conservation Police, Connecticut State Police drone and dive teams, local fire departments and other emergency responders. After a multiday search, crews recovered Tocci's body from Lake Hayward on the afternoon of March 23. Months later, EnCon Police sought an arrest warrant alleging Collins had been operating the canoe while under the influence. Collins turned himself in to EnCon Police on July 10, where he was arrested and charged with operating a boat under the influence. He was released on a promise to appear and is scheduled to appear in court on July 23. Authorities have not announced any additional criminal charges in connection with Tocci's death. INFLUENCER CONNOR MURPHY'S RENTAL DISCOVERED IN SHOCKING CONDITION AFTER HIS SUDDEN DROWNING News of Tocci's death devastated his hometown of Woodstock, where friends, coaches and former teammates remembered the 20-year-old as a talented athlete whose larger-than-life personality left a lasting impression on everyone he met. A woman identifying herself on social media as Tocci's stepmother wrote that the family was "so heartbroken" by the loss. "We are so heartbroken at the loss of my stepson, Dominick, please keep us in your prayers," she wrote at the time of his death. "Such an amazing kid and will be missed forever." BODYCAM SHOWS NANTUCKET OFFICIAL SLURRING, SWAYING DURING DUI STOP AFTER CRASHING INTO SIGN: POLICE Woodstock Little League, where Tocci played before graduating from the program in 2018, remembered him as "a bright and gregarious spirit" who "brought energy, laughter and kindness to everyone he met." "Dom was a beloved teammate and the type of kid that every coach would want in their dugout," the league wrote. "Dom's personality, warmth and enthusiasm touched everyone that he knew. Our hearts go out to his mom Lisa, his brother Vincent, his sister Antoinette and the rest of Dom's family. Rest in peace, Dominick. You will be missed, but never forgotten." According to Tocci's obituary, memorial donations were directed to youth baseball programs across Woodstock in his honor. The arrest comes just weeks after DEEP launched Operation Dry Water, a nationwide enforcement campaign targeting boating under the influence over the Fourth of July holiday. The agency noted that alcohol remains the leading known contributing factor in recreational boating deaths and reminded boaters that under a Connecticut law that took effect in October 2025, a boating under the influence conviction can also result in the suspension of a person's driver's license. "Every boater has a responsibility to help keep Connecticut's waterways safe," DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said in a statement announcing the campaign. "If you're operating a boat this holiday weekend, stay sober, wear a life jacket, and make smart decisions that protect your passengers and everyone else on the water." Fox News Digital reached out to DEEP's Environmental Conservation Police for additional information. It was not immediately clear whether Collins has retained an attorney. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a596736a12eaf174af82ad9 Wildfire Smokes Makes Air Hazardous for Millions in Midwest and East Coast te 2026-07-16T23:20:22.740Z Wildfire Smokes Makes Air Hazardous for Millions in Midwest and East Coast The haze is likely to ease in the East this weekend but linger in the Upper Midwest, where some cities recorded extremely high pollution indexes on Thursday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a596554a12eaf174af82a8e JD Vance says attending an event in Los Angeles reminded him of visiting US embassy in 3rd world country te 2026-07-16T23:12:20.649Z JD Vance says attending an event in Los Angeles reminded him of visiting US embassy in 3rd world country Vice President JD Vance spoke to podcaster Joe Rogan on Wednesday about how California has declined under Gov. Gavin Newsom to the point that it gave him flashbacks to visiting a "third-world country." Vance recalled driving through a rough neighborhood in Los Angeles on his way to an elite Christmas party and was struck by the contrast between the two settings.  "And I realized when I was there, you know what this reminds me of? This reminds me of going to the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti," he said, as Rogan chuckled. "Like super security, crazy wealth and privilege and status on the inside, and squalor and misery on the outside." "It's the first time I'd ever thought America, like this part of America, is actually more like a third-world country than anything that I thought we'd ever become," he added. JOE ROGAN MOCKS GAVIN NEWSOM FOR DISMISSING GROWING STATE PROBLEMS AS LA FILM PRODUCTION CRATERS Vance noted that his wife, Usha, is from southern California, and they have spent a great deal of time in the state to the point that he felt "heartbreak" over the condition of Los Angeles. "Because every time I'm in LA, you can see why this was like the quintessentially American city," he said. "The architecture is beautiful. It's got its own vibe going. Like you said, the weather is amazing. And then you drive through skid row, and you're like, how could any state or any city let this happen?"  Rogan, who is a former Californian himself, has spoken about his reasons for leaving the state, and told Vance that he knows people who want to leave but are struggling to sell their houses. NEWSOM BLASTS DEMOCRATS FOR THEIR 'VICTIM MINDSET' THAT ENABLED HOMELESS CRISIS "Like it's nuts there, man … First of all, you get gaslit by Gavin Newsom. He's just gaslighting everybody about how well — ‘Oh, the GDP of like the fifth-largest country in the world. That's what California is,'" Rogan said. "Hey bro, it was like that before you were the governor!" Vance quipped that a good rule of thumb to determine how well a state is doing is by checking the cost of a U-Haul truck rental going there versus leaving. Rogan recalled that he had spent many happy years in California, with all of its fun activities and warm weather, up until "politics ruined it." Rogan noted that the skid row area of the city — known for homeless encampments and crime — has actually been growing, claiming it expanded by five blocks. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Fox News Digital contacted Newsom’s office for comment but did not receive an immediate response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59652ba12eaf174af82a74 Judge weighs whether Arizona anti-DEI measure can be on November ballot te 2026-07-16T23:11:39.172Z Judge weighs whether Arizona anti-DEI measure can be on November ballot Key Points:  Judge considers ballot qualification challenge to anti-DEI ballot measure Plaintiffs claim measure illegally combines disjointed constitutional provisions Supporters claim stronger anti-discrimination, foes fear free speech violations A Maricopa County judge is considering whether a measure that would broadly ban diversity, equity, and inclusion in government is legally eligible to appear on the November ballot.  House Concurrent Resolution 2044, sponsored by House Speaker Steve Montenegro, R-Godyear, and referred to voters by the Republican majority this past session, follows the federal government’s efforts to eliminate state-sanctioned DEI programs. The measure would amend the state Constitution and cement the existing ban on preferential treatment and discrimination based on race or ethnicity in public employment, education and contracting.   But it would take a step further in banning institutions from requiring or asking for support of, providing training on, or mandating any courses that teach DEI or the belief that “colorblind” law, policy or institution contributes to racial oppression, injustice or privilege.  It would also bar all K-12 schools and universities from using public monies to influence the composition of the faculty or student body, and generally bar any public bodies from enacting policy, providing special benefit or mandating training referencing race, ethnicity, sex or sexual orientation.  In a lawsuit filed June 22, the progressive political action committee Will of the People and an elector sued the state, claiming HCR2044 violates the separate amendment rule, which bars ballot measures from “logrolling” unrelated provisions in the same act.  Josh Barro, attorney for Will of the People, claims HCR2044 presents a noncontroversial provision already enacted in Arizona – the ban on practicing and spending public money on discriminatory or preferential treatment based on race or ethnicity – but “smuggles in” anti-diversity, equity and inclusion provisions.  “You have a popular, established right paired with a distinct, controversial policy,” Barro said.  Barro argued the remaining provisions targeting employee training on race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity or sexual orientation contradict the initial intent of the measure.  “If you can’t mention race, or you can’t train your employees to be mindful of diversity, or pursue equity in the workplace, you are literally promoting discrimination,” Barro said.  He told the court the provisions stand directly at odds with each other, rendering the measure insufficiently connected as required by law.  “On one hand, HCR 2044 aims to prohibit discrimination,” Barro said. “On the other hand, HCR 2044 uses the smuggled content to restrict programs that aim to accomplish the same goal.” Both the attorney general and secretary of state declined to defend the law. But Kory Langhofer, attorney for the Legislature, claims the provisions in HCR2044 do not replace or continue the original language in the state Constitution as Barro claims.  He contends that the measure closes a loophole and “builds out specific examples of types of invidious discrimination that are prohibited in state institutions in Arizona.”  Langhofer contended all components of the measure are aimed at and connected in ending discrimination and governmental bias. “It’s all going in the same direction,” Langhofer said.  Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Julie Mata took the matter under advisement.  If the measure does ultimately end up on the ballot, groups are already lined up to offer support and prod opposition.  The Goldwater Institute, a primary backer of HCR2044, celebrated the measure’s intent to shut down DEI-related offices and training and prohibit the use of diversity statements in employment and education. Coursework at public universities would fall under fire under the new policy, too.  In April, the Goldwater Institute released a report claiming that Arizona’s public universities were requiring DEI in a long list of classes but failing to meet academic standards set by the Arizona Board of Regents.  Classes flagged by the organization included: “Anthropology of American Democracy,” “Surveillance and Society,” “Introduction to Military Studies,” and “Current Issues in National Politics.” Though HCR2044 may survive litigation challenging its qualification for the ballot, legal challenges to the measure’s substance could come down the line.  The American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona already claims HCR2044 restricts academic freedom in colleges and universities, violates the First Amendment rights of students, teachers and administrators, and targets viewpoints based on race, sex and discrimination.  “Ideas are not illegal, and there is no ‘government-approved’ speech exception to the First Amendment,” Darrell Hill, policy director for the ACLU of Arizona, said in a statement. “The state cannot adopt a policy or rule that punishes faculty, administrators, or students for expressing their beliefs or prohibits wide scopes of ideas from being debated at universities.” The post Judge weighs whether Arizona anti-DEI measure can be on November ballot first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a596503a12eaf174af82a68 Trump Administration Restricts Green Cards for Immigrants on Public Assistance te 2026-07-16T23:10:59.744Z Trump Administration Restricts Green Cards for Immigrants on Public Assistance The move is a significant change that could deter hundreds of thousands of immigrants from using such programs to meet basic needs. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5964f0a12eaf174af82a5a Arizona’s iconic saguaros are being threatened. These are the perpetrators. te 2026-07-16T23:10:40.296Z Arizona’s iconic saguaros are being threatened. These are the perpetrators. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5964dca12eaf174af82a3b SpaceX suddenly aborts second Starship V3 launch after ignition te 2026-07-16T23:10:20.326Z SpaceX suddenly aborts second Starship V3 launch after ignition The company didn't immediately say what went wrong. SpaceX's stock plunged more than 4% in after-hours trading before paring losses. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5962eaa12eaf174af82a18 More than a quarter-million noncitizens may be registered to vote in 4 key states, DHS alleges te 2026-07-16T23:02:02.624Z More than a quarter-million noncitizens may be registered to vote in 4 key states, DHS alleges FIRST ON FOX – The Department of Homeland Security told election officials in California, New Jersey, Nevada and Pennsylvania that a preliminary review found what could be more than 256,000 noncitizens registered to vote across the four states, according to letters obtained by Fox News Digital. In the four letters dated Friday, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the department compared publicly available voter registration records with federal immigration data and uncovered thousands of potential matches. He asked state election officials to work with DHS to verify the identities before taking any action. According to the letters, DHS estimates there may be as many as 190,832 non-citizens registered to vote in California, 35,152 in New Jersey, 15,903 in Nevada and 14,576 in Pennsylvania. The department said it found 81,336 California registrants, 19,497 New Jersey registrants, 8,576 Nevada registrants and 8,594 Pennsylvania registrants whose names, dates of birth, addresses and Social Security numbers match noncitizens in DHS records. DHS PLANS COSTLY CRACKDOWN ON STATES THAT DON’T COOPERATE ON ELECTION SECURITY Many non-citizens are legally issued Social Security numbers, including lawful permanent residents, people authorized to work in the United States and certain visa holders. DHS said it used Social Security numbers as one of several identifiers in matching voter registration records with federal immigration records. The letters describe the findings as a preliminary review. "The most efficient way to ensure the accuracy of our findings is to work collaboratively on identity verification," Mullin wrote. DHS said it is prepared to provide immigration records under federal law to help states determine whether those individuals are eligible to remain on the voter rolls. DHS DIRECTS ICE TO DEPORT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO VOTE IN AMERICAN ELECTIONS UNDER NEW DIRECTIVE Mullin said ensuring that only U.S. citizens vote in federal elections is essential to protecting election integrity, writing that "allowing just one non-citizen to vote cancels the vote of one U.S. citizen." He added that states maintain voter registration rolls while the federal government maintains the immigration records needed to verify citizenship. The letters ask the secretaries of state to contact DHS by July 24, so the department can begin sharing records and assisting with the verification process ahead of future federal elections. California Secretary of State Shirley Weber, Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt, New Jersey Secretary of State Dale Caldwell and Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital requests for comment. The letters come as the Trump administration continues pushing states to work more closely with federal agencies on election security and voter eligibility, arguing that access to federal immigration records can help states maintain accurate voter rolls. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5962d7a12eaf174af82a0f White House addresses growing parasite outbreak after more than 400 Americans sickened te 2026-07-16T23:01:43.170Z White House addresses growing parasite outbreak after more than 400 Americans sickened The White House said Thursday it is closely monitoring a growing multistate parasite outbreak that has sickened more than 400 people, as federal health officials race to identify the contaminated food behind the illnesses. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to trace the outbreak to its source, insisting the agencies have the resources they need despite questions about recent staffing changes. "We're committed to providing the CDC and the FDA with the resources that they need," Leavitt told reporters. "Most importantly, [we're working to] trace the outbreak back to its original source, which we are currently in the process of doing." NYC HEALTH OFFICIALS WARN CENTRAL PARK VISITORS AFTER LEGIONNAIRES’ OUTBREAK GROWS ON UPPER EAST SIDE The outbreak has heightened concern because investigators still have not identified the contaminated food, leaving consumers without a specific product to avoid as federal and state officials work to trace the illnesses through patient interviews and food supply records. The White House comments came a day after the CDC warned it is investigating large cyclosporiasis outbreak that has sickened more than 400 people in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia. The agency said the actual number of illnesses is likely much higher because many infected people never seek testing or medical care. The CDC said the outbreak appears to have accelerated since May, and is simultaneously investigating several additional clusters of cyclospora infections across the country. Public health officials are interviewing patients about everything they ate in the two weeks before becoming sick as they work to pinpoint the source. MAINE COUNTY SEES ALARMING SPIKE IN HIV CASES, PROMPTING ACTION FROM HEALTH OFFICIALS Although investigators have not linked the outbreak to a specific food, cyclospora infections have historically been associated with fresh produce, including leafy greens, herbs and berries. Officials say identifying the contaminated item remains the investigation's top priority. Cyclospora is not typically life-threatening, but the CDC warns some people can become seriously ill and require hospitalization. Symptoms generally begin about a week after exposure and can include prolonged watery diarrhea, fatigue, loss of appetite, stomach cramps and weight loss. Without treatment, the illness can last for weeks or even longer. The CDC is urging consumers to wash fresh produce thoroughly under running water, cook food when possible, and to stay hydrated if symptoms develop. It also said to contact a healthcare provider if diarrhea persists. Because routine stool tests do not always screen for cyclospora, officials say patients may need to specifically request testing for the parasite. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5962ada12eaf174af829f6 Horne thinks better student discipline will help retain teachers te 2026-07-16T23:01:01.700Z Horne thinks better student discipline will help retain teachers PHOENIX — The state’s top education official said this week that improving student discipline could increase teachers’ job satisfaction and make them less likely to leave the profession. Superintendent Tom Horne was referring to the results of a new survey of classroom teachers, conducted during the 2025-26 school year, who were asked why they remain while so many of their colleagues have quit. The report noted that fewer than 60% of continuing teachers said they felt supported by the administration when dealing with student behavior or discipline issues. In an earlier survey, more than half the teachers who left the profession said their decisions were based on student behavior. Three-fourths of returning teachers added that they feel “safe and supported” at their schools. Almost as many cited what they called a “positive and collaborative culture.” And almost 74% said they have autonomy to make instructional decisions for their students. But the new survey found that just 38% of those who said they are remaining in the profession believe their salary is competitive with similar positions. According to the National Education Association, the average teacher starting salary in Arizona is $44,860, or No. 39 nationally. Overall average salaries of all teachers are at $64,291, or 31st in the nation. Horne said on Wednesday that both reports show there is a lot to be addressed, including the perennial issue of teacher pay. But he argues that there is a simple solution to part of the morale problem — if lawmakers would only go along. Legislation introduced on his behalf by Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, would have required a school’s administration to implement some form of discipline in at least 75% of disciplinary office referrals. Failure to do so could have resulted in a school losing two rankings on its annual A-F letter grades — grades typically based on academic performance and achievement and used by many schools to boost student enrollment. It cleared the Senate but died in the House. Kavanagh tried earlier this year again with another Horne-crafted proposal. It stated that if a teacher sent a student to the office, administrators would have to provide a written or electronic certification of the disciplinary action imposed. Horne said he crafted it with input from teachers.  But Rep. Nancy Gutierrez, a former teacher and now the No. 2 Democrat in the state House, said that’s not true. “How does the Arizona Department of Education know this would solve anything if they’re not engaging with teachers?” asked the Tucson Democrat.  More to the point, she said, this sort of approach doesn’t address the underlying problem of why kids are acting out and how to help teachers manage their classrooms — all of which, Gutierrez said, have been factors contributing to 10 years of teacher shortages. Horne disagreed. “Actions have to have consequences,” he said. “When you start looking for causes, that’s the soft way, the psychology, all these methods that have been total failures.” Marisol Garcia, president of the Arizona Education Association, said requiring a note isn’t the answer. Consider, she said, a situation in which a student walks into her fourth-period social studies class, throws a pencil at another kid, and mouths off to her. What Garcia said she doesn’t know is what else went on during the day, before whatever happened in her class. She said that what Horne is proposing would result in her receiving a note or an email stating that the youngster had been given detention. But that doesn’t address the issue. “I teach eighth graders,” Garcia said. “I know their brains are developing.” Horne said he remains unconvinced. “This is why we have anarchy in the classroom because they started these psychological things to try to understand the reasons and all that,” he said. The post Horne thinks better student discipline will help retain teachers first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a596285a12eaf174af829eb Judge Unseals Filings From Jack Smith Subpoena for Lawmaker’s Phone Data te 2026-07-16T23:00:21.791Z Judge Unseals Filings From Jack Smith Subpoena for Lawmaker’s Phone Data The Justice Department had balked at the disclosure, saying that the government had not acknowledged the special counsel’s subpoenas and that grand jury information was secret. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a596055a12eaf174af829ab Bryson DeChambeau claps back at Nick Faldo, other critics, after -3 round at The Open: 'incredibly strategic' te 2026-07-16T22:51:01.709Z Bryson DeChambeau claps back at Nick Faldo, other critics, after -3 round at The Open: 'incredibly strategic' Bryson DeChambeau has once again found himself at the center of the golf world. The 2024 US Open Champion has, without question, had a terrible 2026 season when it comes to performances in major tournaments. Three missed cuts at the first three events of the year at The Masters, PGA Championship at Aronimink, and US Open at Shinnecock Hills. For a player with a ceiling as high as DeChambeau's, that's unacceptable. It's also opened himself up to criticism from analysts and commentators who have taken issue with his YouTube channel and, in their view, inability to adjust to different styles of play. GOLF LEGEND NICK FALDO UNLOADS SCATHING CRITICISM ON BRYSON DECHAMBEAU AMID MAJOR TOURNAMENT STRUGGLES Nick Faldo, six-time major winner and three-time Champion Golfer of the Year, was very specific in his assessment of DeChambeau's game, saying he doesn't focus enough on strategy when playing links courses. "That’s a whole part of the story, how they’re superstars at LIV then come over and can’t do it. So that’s all another story. Then they go back to be superstars. He has — I’d say it to his face — he has zero clue of strategy," Faldo told Sky Sports earlier this week. "He said it last year I think on TV: ‘I’m going to go out and attack the links.’ Well, I’ve never attacked a links. You thread it, don’t you? You feed it down the fairway. "You look at humps and bumps and what have you and think, ‘If I send it over and feed it, it nudges back into play.’ You don’t think, ‘I’ll just bomb it down there, can’t see where I’m going, it’s 20 yards wide.’ Oh yeah, good luck." BRYSON DECHAMBEAU POSTS 3-UNDER 67 AT ROYAL BIRKDALE TO SILENCE CRITICS AFTER THREE STRAIGHT MISSED MAJOR CUTS Brandel Chamblee added that he believed DeChambeau's struggles are a result of focusing too much on chasing "Grant Horvat" and other YouTube golf priorities. "Probably one of the biggest surprises of the year is Bryson DeChambeau," Chamblee explained this week. "It's almost like he went from chasing Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy to chasing Grant Horvat. It's like he wants to outdo every YouTuber in the game of golf instead of outplay everybody in the game of golf." Well, the 32-year-old clearly heard those remarks, because he gave a not-so-subtle response to them in a post-round interview on Thursday. After putting up a very impressive three-under 67, DeChambeau did not speak to the media, giving just one brief interview to an R&A reporter. First, he addressed his play with some very standard, middle of the road analysis. RORY MCILROY FORGETTING HOW TO MAKE PUTTS LEADS THE 2026 OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP STORYLINES AFTER ROUND ONE "It was a hard-fought battle out there. The wind was switching quite a bit. It was fun seeing a lot of the fans going at us, and they were rooting for all of us. It was fun just seeing the ups and downs of the group, but we all played pretty well. It was a lot of fun," he said. "There’s just some driving holes out there I’ve got to work on. Other than that, I played really well. Made some good putts. I three-putted once, but that’s life." But he switched gears immediately afterward, making sure to highlight how happy he was with his "strategy" in the first round. "I think you’ve got to be a lot more strategic out on the golf course. I feel like I did a really good job today of being incredibly strategic and focused super hard on placing it in the right places," he said in a clear reference to Faldo's comments. "Besides 18, I placed the ball in some good areas. But I just need to hit more fairways. Other than that, I feel like my strategy was nice today." Not exactly hiding it, is he? And who can blame him? Yes, he's struggled, badly, at the majors this season, and as a result, his decision-making and performance is going to be scrutinized and criticized. But he remains one of the best players in the world, with a ceiling as high as anyone. And ironically, in a direct repudiation of Faldo's complaints, the data shows that DeChambeau's actually been at this best off the tee in recent Open Championships. In 2025, when he finished T10 at Royal Portrush, he ranked second in strokes gained off the tee in the entire field. In 2024, he gained 1.38 strokes off the tee, missing the cut because his approach play was so poor. Same in 2023, his best category was off the tee. And when he finished T8 in 2022, sure enough, gained strokes off the tee. So in the last four Open Championships, DeChambeau has gained strokes with his driving against the field in every single event. Doesn't exactly jump out as someone who needs to overhaul his strategy off the tee. In fact, through the first round at Royal Birkdale, he once again ranked third in strokes gained off the tee. Where he has struggled at times? Approach play, though that's always been a weakness of his. And when he's gained strokes in approach play, he's excelled at The Open. In 2022, he was +1.15 and finished T8. In 2023, he was -0.57 and finished T60. He was awful, -2.37 shots in 2024, and missed the cut, then +0.65 in 2025 and finished T10. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Sure enough, in the first round, DeChambeau gained over two shots in approach play, and he had a three under 67 and put himself in position to challenge over the weekend. Does any of this mean he doesn't deserve criticism? Of course not, when you play poorly in majors, you're going to hear about it. But it's might be a bit overblown because DeChambeau does things differently; he has 3-D printed, single-length irons, for example. And if you think this very "strategic" response is funny now, just wait to see what he does if he wins the whole tournament. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a595b7da12eaf174af828f5 Republican Rifts Deepen Over $95 Billion Budget Plan for Iran War and SAVE Act te 2026-07-16T22:30:21.885Z Republican Rifts Deepen Over $95 Billion Budget Plan for Iran War and SAVE Act A House panel approved the measure. But Republicans are divided over its size, cost and policy provisions, and many are concerned about the timing before the midterm elections. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a595744a12eaf174af82864 Nine Venezuelans plead guilty in Nashville sex trafficking scheme that lured migrant women with fake jobs: DOJ te 2026-07-16T22:12:20.040Z Nine Venezuelans plead guilty in Nashville sex trafficking scheme that lured migrant women with fake jobs: DOJ Nine Venezuelan nationals have pleaded guilty for their roles in what federal prosecutors described as a family-run sex trafficking ring that lured vulnerable women to the U.S. with promises of jobs before forcing them into prostitution in the Nashville area. The U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday that members of the organization recruited women in Venezuela, arranged for them to be smuggled into the U.S. and then transported them to Nashville. Once there, prosecutors said the victims were told they owed inflated smuggling debts that could only be repaid through commercial sex acts. According to court documents, women who refused were threatened with violence against themselves and relatives still living in Venezuela. Prosecutors said the traffickers also took a share of the women's earnings while collecting on the debts. EXCLUSIVE: GUATEMALAN NATIONALS PLEAD GUILTY TO HORRIFIC HUMAN SMUGGLING CRASH THAT KILLED 56, INJURED 100+ Authorities identified Yilibeth Carmen Rivero-de Caldera and her son, Kleiver Daniel Mota Rivero, as the leaders of the operation, claiming they enlisted relatives and associates to help run the scheme. Investigators said Rivero, Mota and co-defendant Ramon De Jesus Velasquez Martinez used firearms and threats of violence to intimidate victims. Prosecutors also alleged Mota claimed ties to a Venezuelan prison gang and spoke openly about a prior homicide prison sentence in Venezuela to keep victims from resisting or leaving. "Human smuggling and trafficking operations represent a dangerous convergence of exploitation and lawlessness," Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva wrote in a statement. "These perpetrators profited off human suffering while chipping away at the integrity of our border. These convictions show that protecting vulnerable individuals and securing our border are not competing goals." MEXICAN NATIONAL SENTENCED IN BORDER CHILD SMUGGLING CASE INVOLVING THC-LACED CANDY Eight defendants pleaded guilty to charges carrying maximum penalties of life in prison, while a ninth defendant faces up to 20 years behind bars. Sentencing is scheduled for the week of Nov. 16. The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations alongside the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and other federal, state and local agencies. Fox News Digital has reached out to Homeland Security Investigations and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for additional information. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a595730a12eaf174af8285b MLB effectively outlaws use of AI on dugout iPads during games te 2026-07-16T22:12:00.583Z MLB effectively outlaws use of AI on dugout iPads during games AI has just been ejected from the game. Major League Baseball effectively outlawed the practice of using iPads during games to access artificial intelligence tools, and use of AI to shape in-game strategy. Teams were installing custom apps that pushed the boundaries of the technology guidelines, as the iPads were being used "beyond their originally intended purpose to include recommendations regarding substitutions, pitch calling, and other in-game decisions traditionally made by players and coaches," according to a commissioner’s office memo obtained by Fox News Digital. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM The league memo about AI and the iPads was issued on June 11, with the ban fully going into effect on Wednesday before teams resumed play following the All-Star break. As many as one-third of the league was using the iPads for reasons beyond its intended use, according to The Athletic’s report. The league’s review of the use of technology found that no teams broke the MLB’s rules governing sign stealing and electronic-device usage. "Gotta stop the cheating before there’s cheating now," one front office executive told The Athletic. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! On MLB-issued iPads, there are three tabs: The first contains MLB-provided Statcast data and multiple video angles, the second contains data related to the automated ball-strike (ABS) system, and the third was a custom tab where teams installed apps. That third tab is now prohibited by the league. Rules have been implemented to try and reduce the amount of live information going into iPads. In-game video is only available on a delay, and rules are posted in all clubhouses that prevent non-field personnel from entering the dugout. It is not known exactly how many teams used the iPads with live, in-game information, but the league's decision to suspend the use of artificial intelligence now ensures it is humans who are calling all of the shots. The Athletic was the first to report about the restrictions of AI on the iPads. 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/6a595707a12eaf174af82843 Arizona prison legal mail policy raises court access worries te 2026-07-16T22:11:19.626Z Arizona prison legal mail policy raises court access worries Key Points:  Prison legal mail policy sparks court access concerns statewide Advocates worry that the policy will lead to delays, missed deadlines, and inmate litigation. Corrections department defends policy as secure and legally sound  Advocates and attorneys for state prison inmates are on alert after a new policy that went into effect on July 13 reroutes legal mail, potentially hindering inmates’ access to the courts.  Instead of heading directly to a prison complex, all legal mail – defined as correspondence from a court, judge, attorney, or legal paraprofessional – must be shipped to a central address in Phoenix for contraband inspection.  Attorneys and legal paraprofessionals are also required to register and print a specialized barcode on each piece of mail in order to reach an inmate.  Advocates plan to monitor for delays in delivery, missed filing deadlines, case dismissals, and obstructed access to justice in cases involving criminal appeals, prison conditions, retaliation, excessive force, inadequate medical care, and family court cases.  They worry that this might be especially true for inmates representing themselves in court.  A spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union said the organization might sue to end the new policy. “We will see how much legal mail is returned. We’ll get some sense of how many people are missing critical court deadlines as a result of the new policy, and we’ll have to consider what action to take in light of that,” said David Fathi, director of the ACLU’s National Prison Project.  “But it certainly is a significant and apparently needless interference with legal communication for incarcerated people.”  The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry determined that centralized security scans and barcodes are crucial to stopping the flow of drugs and contraband into state prisons.  But criminal justice groups claim the department has provided no evidence that legal mail is a major entry point.    Monthly reports from the department show between 300 and about 420 contraband cases each month. Drugs account for most cases, with around 200 to 300 reported each month over the past year.   Advocates do not dispute that mail provides an avenue to introduce illicit materials into prisons, nor that stopping the flow of contraband is an important goal.  But Fathi and Donna Hamm, executive director of Middle Ground Prison Reform, contend the department has provided no evidence that legal mail is a major source.   Hamm pointed to an internal intelligence report from July 12-18, 2025, which showed the department scanned 10,929 pieces of mail across all state prison complexes. Of the 10,929, the agency reported 17 positive contraband finds.  Impact on pro se litigants Kristofer Seneca, an inmate at Arizona State Prison Complex Eyman, began studying law while in county jail at age 17. He filed his first lawsuit from behind bars in 1995.  Over the past 30 years, he’s sued prison officials over protection issues, religious policy and retaliation. Beyond timelines, Seneca said that access to evidence is a key challenge in litigating against the department.  As a pro se litigant, Seneca said the department’s attorneys often “argue everything in existence to prevent us from obtaining evidence, from false security concerns to lack of relevance.”  Seneca added he and other inmates often rely on people on the outside to obtain evidence.  But changes to mail policies now make it nearly impossible to secure affidavits, declarations, emails and documents needed to support legal claims, as inmates are barred from printing or making copies of any documents sent via mail.  He recently raised the issue in a new lawsuit. Seneca claims retaliation from the department after he was transferred from his original housing unit and lost programming amid litigation against the department.  In the case, he claimed the mail policy was an “imminent threat of interference with access to the courts.”  “We have constitutional rights, and those are important; they include the right to practice religion, to not be retaliated against, to obtain medical and mental health care, to appeal our convictions, to eat, to sleep, to communicate with family and friends, and many others,” Seneca said. “When those are violated, people must be held to account.” Slower or safer? John Fabricius, executive director of Praxis Initiative, who was formerly incarcerated by ADCRR, noted that the existing legal scheme for inmates, in particular, already requires strict adherence to both the administrative processes established by correctional agencies and the deadlines set out in law for courts.  “An incarcerated person can lose a case without a court ever deciding whether their constitutional rights were violated,” Fabricius said. “In some cases, procedural defaults can prevent a court from ever reaching the merits of a constitutional claim, regardless of how strong that claim might be.” Fathi said he is also concerned about how often the department will transport mail from its central facility to state prisons located everywhere from Yuma to Kingman.  “Are they going to transport every day? Are they going to do it once a week, once a month? We don’t know. If the mailroom officer decides that a piece of legal mail doesn’t comply with the new policy, it gets returned to the sender – how long is that going to take?” Fathi said. “That clock is ticking while a piece of critically important legal mail is traveling all over the state as a result of this policy.” The department, meanwhile, maintains the policy is legally sound and workable for all parties involved. “Overall, the resulting process will be more streamlined, consistent, and safer. It will not impede access to or confidentiality of legal communications,” a spokesperson for the department said in a statement. “As stated previously, ADCRR is fully confident in the appropriateness, legality, and constitutionality of the changes being made.“  The post Arizona prison legal mail policy raises court access worries first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5956e0a12eaf174af82837 Blue Angels’ Close Beach Flyby in Florida Results in No Punishments for Pilots te 2026-07-16T22:10:40.204Z Blue Angels’ Close Beach Flyby in Florida Results in No Punishments for Pilots The elite flying team had announced a safety review after videos posted on social media showed a fighter jet passing just above beachgoers on Wednesday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5956cca12eaf174af8282c Pima County helps residents navigate new SNAP work rules te 2026-07-16T22:10:20.751Z Pima County helps residents navigate new SNAP work rules Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a595476a12eaf174af827db Wildfire Smoke Shrouds Cities and Smothers Residents te 2026-07-16T22:00:22.050Z Wildfire Smoke Shrouds Cities and Smothers Residents The air was hazardous, and skylines at times seemed nearly erased. The smoke will linger before finally letting up. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59521ea12eaf174af82779 Democrats see path to flip Arizona Legislature as national statehouse map tilts toward them te 2026-07-16T21:50:22.139Z Democrats see path to flip Arizona Legislature as national statehouse map tilts toward them Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a594feea12eaf174af82739 IndyCar announces start time for highly anticipated Freedom 250 Grand Prix on the streets of Washington, DC te 2026-07-16T21:41:02.972Z IndyCar announces start time for highly anticipated Freedom 250 Grand Prix on the streets of Washington, DC The NTT IndyCar Series is gearing up to hit the streets of Washington, DC for the first time on Aug. 23, and now, we know when the green flag will wave. There is absolutely no question about it: the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, DC is going to be a full-on spectacle as cars race past some of the most iconic monuments our nation has to offer. As such, it's getting the level of coverage it deserves. TRUMP TOUTS INDYCAR DRIVERS' 'SPECIAL' ABILITY AT FREEDOM 250 GRAND PRIX SHOWCASE, SEEMINGLY ENDING HOT DEBATE Practice sessions 1 and 2 will air Saturday, Aug. 22, on FS1 and FS2, respectively. Qualifying will take place that evening from 5 to 6:30 p.m. ET on FS2. Then, Sunday morning, the IndyCar broadcast booth regulars — lap-by-lap commentator Will Buxton, along with former drivers-turned-broadcasters Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe — will call the warm-up from 9 to 10 a.m. ET on FS1. After that, expanded pre-race coverage will get underway on FOX at 11:30 a.m. ET, with the race getting started shortly after 1 p.m. ET. SCOTT DIXON LEAVING CHIP GANASSI RACING THROWS A HUGE WRENCH INTO INDYCAR'S SILLY SEASON On top of the IndyCar action, the International Race of Champions, or IROC, will make its return as a support series for the weekend. They'll race on Saturday, with IndyCar greats Helio Castroneves, Dario Franchitti and Tony Kanaan taking part alongside NASCAR legends Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Bobby Labonte, Rusty Wallace and Bill Elliott using the same Pontiac Firebirds the original IROC series used from 1996 to 2006. There's a lot of excitement around this one-of-a-kind addition to the 2026 IndyCar calendar, and this week reigning series champ Alex Palou, Indy 500 champ Felix Rosenqvist and Team Penske's David Malukas were all at the White House to meet with President Donald Trump and to knock out some pit stop practice. IndyCar has another big weekend ahead, as the series heads to Nashville Superspeedway for the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix on Sunday, which will air on FOX immediately after the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a594dd3a12eaf174af826c0 Liv Morgan brought her WWE title belt with her to the ESPYs & somehow everyone is talking about is her outfit te 2026-07-16T21:32:03.517Z Liv Morgan brought her WWE title belt with her to the ESPYs & somehow everyone is talking about is her outfit I'll admit it, I didn’t watch the ESPYs Wednesday night on TV. I wasn't taking a stand against it or anything like that. I just wasn't going to get off work, go straight to the living room and announce that I had something I needed to watch. Not for the ESPYs. I'll save those announcements for football season. Plus like many award shows these days you can catch up pretty quickly on social media if you really want to find out what's going on. Even things that aren't part of the show itself. LINDSEY VONN TURNS HEADS AT THE ESPYS, THE US MEN'S TEAM WAS DISGUSTINGLY SNUBBED & DECHAMBEAU FIRES BACK It was through social media and the power of algorithms that Liv Morgan at the ESPYs with her WWE Women's World Championship belt magically showed up in my feed. She had and her belt managed to go viral. The online chatter however was focused on her outfit. I guess it's worthy of some level of attention. Others seem to think so. If you search "Liv Morgan ESPYs," which I've done, you'll see a few headlines. Some of the headlines use words like stuns and frenzy and backless dress and even sideboob, if you know where to look. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! They all paint a picture that to me suggests I may have missed out on something. But I didn’t miss it. Look at me. No correction, look at us. Here we are all caught up on the WWE Women's World Champion's viral night at the ESPYs. Not since she left the Stranger Things Season 5 red carpet in a pile of ashes has Liv caused such a commotion on the internet at an event that wasn’t for the WWE. There's a reason Liv Morgan was the one at the ESPYs on Wednesday night at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City with a belt in her hands. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a594dc0a12eaf174af826b7 Details of Todd Blanche's behind-the-scenes meeting with Angel Mom revealed after Capitol Hill testimony te 2026-07-16T21:31:44.062Z Details of Todd Blanche's behind-the-scenes meeting with Angel Mom revealed after Capitol Hill testimony EXCLUSIVE: An Illinois Angel Mom whose daughter died after a tragic encounter with an illegal alien last year revealed to Fox News Digital details of a conversation she had with President Donald Trump's attorney general nominee that convinced her he's the man for the job. "I immediately felt so pulled towards him," Jennifer Bos said, speaking about Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. "You get a certain energy from people, and he is just the kindest... He listened to my story very intently, and you could just see his mind ticking like, 'what are we going to do about this?'" Bos' daughter, Megan Bos, was just 37 when she was found dead in April 2026, stuffed in a garbage can and soaked in bleach, 51 days after she disappeared. An illegal alien from Mexico, Luis Mendoza-Gonzalez, was charged with several felonies in relation to Megan's death after her body was found on his property. HUNDREDS OF JAILED ILLEGAL ALIENS RELEASED BACK ONTO BLUE-STATE STREETS DESPITE ICE DETAINERS, RECORDS SHOW Mendoza-Gonzalez is accused of abuse of a corpse, two counts of concealing the death of a person and obstructing justice. He claims Megan overdosed, and insists he had nothing to do with her death. Due to Illinois' sanctuary policies, Mendoza-Gonzalez walked free after an initial hearing, infuriating Jennifer. He was tracked down and re-arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Indiana in July 2026, just days after Jennifer shared her tragic story with Trump when they crossed paths at an anti-fentanyl bill signing. Jennifer and her husband are now raising Megan's daughter, who was five years old when her mother died. EXCLUSIVE: DHS HONORS ANGEL FAMILIES DURING NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS WEEK, CALLS CRIMES 'COMPLETELY PREVENTABLE' Though, as Jennifer noted, there is nothing Blanche can do to help her family specifically, since her daughter has already tragically died, she is confident the attorney general nominee understands the plight of Angel Families everywhere. "We're trying to make a difference for people who haven't been touched by this kind of tragedy, who haven't been touched be the violence that can be from an illegal immigrant," Jennifer said. She said she thinks Blanche, placed as acting attorney general after Pam Bondi's ouster, is "being true to the job he's supposed to do." "I trust that he's doing the right thing for the right reasons," she continued. Jennifer testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee just 24 hours after Democrats on the committee attempted to shred Blanche's credibility, and paint him as a personal yes-man for Trump. She told Fox News Digital those same Democrats have completely ignored families whose lives have been forever altered by the death of a relative at the hands of an illegal alien, including hers. She didn't speak to any Democrats on the panel before her Thursday testimony. TODD BLANCHE EARNS ATTORNEY GENERAL BID ENDORSEMENT FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT ALLIANCE AHEAD OF CONFIRMATION "You know, before President Trump came into office, Angel Families were inconvenient truths," she said. "They didn't want to acknowledge the damage that was being done by having open borders and by having people here illegally, that they couldn't track, they couldn't identify." She described Republicans and independents as "welcoming," and said they're always open to meetings and helping Angel Families tell their stories. Jennifer came face-to-face with her own senator, Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who is the Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee, during Thursday's hearing. "I was very frustrated listening to my own senator when he addressed me directly, giving his apologies, because all I could think of was, you know, I've been out in the public, I'm everywhere, I have been for the last year and a half, yet never once has he said anything to me, reached out to me or anything of the like," said Jennifer. She said the issue of illegal alien crime is "very nonpartisan," noting that it can happen to anyone regardless of political ideology and expressing disappointment that both sides of the political aisle can't come together to solve the problem. Jennifer did say that Durbin approached her to chat after the hearing, and that she is hopeful the pair can collaborate on solutions in the future. During the hearing, Jennifer said Blanche is listening to Angel Families, and that they're "being taken seriously." "I'm asking the committee not to wait until another mother is sitting where I am, confirmed Todd Blanche," she said. "He is a leader who will uphold the law, honor victims, confront dangerous criminal organizations, and fight to give other American families the safety and lasting protection that came too late for mine." "I couldn't save my daughter. But Todd Blanche as attorney general, he might save yours because next time, it could be your child. It could be your family. It could be you." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a594daca12eaf174af826ae Woman found in shallow grave ID’d after 44 years as millionaire tied to estate murder plot te 2026-07-16T21:31:24.606Z Woman found in shallow grave ID’d after 44 years as millionaire tied to estate murder plot A woman whose remains were found in a shallow grave in Riverside County, California, more than four decades ago has been identified as a multimillionaire real estate investor who vanished in 1981. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Bureau said advances in investigative genetic genealogy, along with dental records, confirmed the victim was Thelma Gaston, 80, whose disappearance sparked a high-profile Los Angeles murder investigation. The case began on Nov. 28, 1981, when people searching for firewood near Sugar Loaf Mountain discovered skeletal remains protruding from a shallow grave. Riverside County sheriff's investigators recovered the remains the following day near Highway 74, but the body had decomposed so extensively that authorities were unable to determine who the victim was despite extensive investigative efforts. MYSTERY OF REMAINS FOUND INSIDE SLEEPING BAG IN OLYMPIC PARK SOLVED AFTER 26 YEARS For decades, the woman remained known only as an unidentified homicide victim. According to UPI archives, Gaston, an 80-year-old wealthy real estate investor whose estate was estimated to be worth roughly $20 million, disappeared on June 28, 1981. A note was found on the door of her home stating she had gone out to look for a missing cat, but she never returned. KRISTIN SMART SEARCH ENDS WITH NO REMAINS FOUND AS DETECTIVES ANALYZE EVIDENCE Prosecutors later accused Lawrence Remsen, then 39, of killing Gaston to gain control of her multimillion-dollar estate. Police described Remsen as Gaston’s "sometime companion." He pleaded not guilty to charges including murder, forgery, grand theft and attempted grand theft after authorities alleged business associates received forged letters naming him as the person who would control Gaston's fortune. According to the Riverside County Sheriff's Coroner's Bureau, the Los Angeles Police Department ultimately identified Remsen as the suspect after determining he had falsely represented Gaston's disappearance. DNA CRACKS 40-YEAR COLD CASE MYSTERY WITH ARREST IN LIBRARY WORKER’S SAVAGE SLAYING: POLICE The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office later successfully prosecuted the case, and Remsen was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. While the homicide investigation had long been resolved, what happened to Gaston's body remained a mystery. That changed after the Riverside County Sheriff's Coroner's Bureau received funding through the Missing and Unidentified Human Remains Grant, giving investigators the opportunity to revisit long-unsolved unidentified remains cases with modern forensic technology. Investigators revisited the case in November 2024 by exhuming the remains for additional forensic testing. DNA samples were later sent to Othram, a forensic laboratory in The Woodlands, Texas, where scientists developed a comprehensive DNA profile using the company's Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing technology, allowing investigators to use forensic genetic genealogy and dental records to positively identify Gaston in May 2026. The identification was made through a collaborative effort involving the Riverside Sheriff's Coroner's Bureau, the Riverside Cold Case Homicide Team and Othram. "This identification ensures that Ms. Gaston has her name—and her story—returned to her," the Riverside County Sheriff's Coroner's Bureau said in announcing the breakthrough. California prison records show Remsen, now 83, is serving a life sentence at the California Institution for Men in Chino. He was denied parole in July 2025, and his next parole suitability hearing is scheduled for July 2028. Othram said the case marks the 85th publicly announced California case in which its forensic DNA technology has helped identify an unknown individual. The case underscores how advances in investigative genetic genealogy continue to solve decades-old mysteries once thought unsolvable, helping investigators identify victims who for years had no name. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Riverside County Sheriff's Coroner's Bureau, Othram, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office and the Los Angeles Police Department for additional information. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a594d6ca12eaf174af82672 Coca-Cola suspended production at its Fairlife dairy after a ransomware attack te 2026-07-16T21:30:20.118Z Coca-Cola suspended production at its Fairlife dairy after a ransomware attack Coca Cola said dairy production at its Fairlife unit will "remain suspended" in the United States following a hack. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a594b67a12eaf174af8264e FBI investigating after ICE headquarters in Phoenix riddled with gunfire te 2026-07-16T21:21:43.814Z FBI investigating after ICE headquarters in Phoenix riddled with gunfire The FBI is investigating after gunfire riddled the windows of an Arizona U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility earlier this week, with video from FOX 10 Phoenix showing the damage after one or more unidentified people fired multiple rounds at the building. The FBI's Phoenix Field Office said it is investigating the shooting, which occurred Tuesday afternoon at the Enforcement and Removal Operations building on North Central Avenue in Phoenix. According to the bureau, one or more unidentified people fired rounds that hit the exterior of the structure. No injuries were reported. ICE SAYS OFFICER SHOT AND KILLED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WHO TRIED TO RAM HIM WITH CAR IN HOUSTON ICE sources told Fox News that several bullet holes could be seen in the building's windows. FOX 10 Phoenix crews also captured video from the scene showing the apparent damage. "The FBI Phoenix field office is investigating a shooting incident that occurred on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at the Enforcement and Removal Operations building located on North Central Ave. in Phoenix, AZ," the FBI said in a statement. "According to the FBI, one or more unidentified people discharged rounds that struck the exterior in various parts of the structure. No injuries were reported in connection with this incident." The shooting comes as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced ICE will require every arrest team to have an officer wearing a body camera, citing what it says has been a sharp rise in attacks against ICE personnel. DHS said assaults against ICE officers have increased by more than 1,300%, while vehicle attacks have risen by more than 3,300%. ICE AGENTS IN FATAL HOUSTON SHOOTING WERE NOT WEARING BODY CAMERAS, SOURCES SAY "ICE will ensure each arrest team has an individual wearing a body camera," a DHS spokesperson said in a statement to Fox News. "Ensuring all of our ICE law enforcement officers have body cameras nationwide is a top priority for DHS — especially given the increase in attacks against our law enforcement, including a more than 1,300% increase in assaults against them and a 3,300% increase in vehicle attacks." "This is especially needed because the media and sanctuary politicians consistently spread smears about our law enforcement." The FBI is asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact investigators by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or submitting a tip at tips.fbi.gov. The motive for the Phoenix shooting has not been announced, and no suspect information has been released. Fox News' Alexis McAdams and Bill Melugin contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a594b2aa12eaf174af82624 Chinese Human Rights Lawyer Seeking Asylum Is Arrested by ICE te 2026-07-16T21:20:42.885Z Chinese Human Rights Lawyer Seeking Asylum Is Arrested by ICE Shaoping Wu was working as a delivery driver for Amazon when he was pulled over in Pennsylvania. He had championed personal and religious freedom for Chinese citizens. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a594b17a12eaf174af82619 Pima County help residents navigate new SNAP rules te 2026-07-16T21:20:23.436Z Pima County help residents navigate new SNAP rules Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59491fa12eaf174af825c2 Air quality concerns from Canadian wildfires force rescheduling of two professional sports games te 2026-07-16T21:11:59.393Z Air quality concerns from Canadian wildfires force rescheduling of two professional sports games A slow time in sports got even slower on Thursday as some games on the schedule were altered due to the air quality in the Northeast and Midwest. Wildfires in Canada have affected the air quality in those areas to the point where residents were urged to stay inside and wear masks if they had to go out. At least two sporting events were forced to be moved because of the air: one MLB game and an MLS match. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Polish soccer star Robert Lewandowski was set to make his MLS debut on Thursday, but the air quality forced the postponement of his Chicago Fire’s contest against the Vancouver Whitecaps. The Philadelphia Phillies also announced roughly three hours before the scheduled first pitch that their game against the New York Mets, originally slated for 7:10 p.m. ET, was moved up an hour. The National Women’s Soccer League played a game at Citi Field that turned into the most-attended women’s sports contest in New York history, with 42,175 people attending Gotham FC’s match against the Washington Spirit at Citi Field. But Washington’s Trinity Rodman wasn’t happy with the game, which included two hydration breaks per half, being played. EARTHQUAKE RATTLES ICONIC NATIONAL PARK NEAR ITS MASSIVE SUPERVOLCANO "If we have to have a hydration break every 15 minutes, then we shouldn’t be playing the game, and that’s my opinion," Rodman said. "But at the end of the day, there’s 40,000 people. It’s a whole event, so it’s really tough. It’s just a really hard situation for everyone to work around." Three MLB games were postponed in 2023 due to air quality concerns in New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. The air quality in the tri-state area has been deemed "unhealthy," perhaps putting a wrinkle in Sunday's World Cup final at nearby MetLife Stadium. But it is expected to be better in time. Due to the air quality, New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill said she "directed" NJ Transit and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority "to make select quantities of masks available to commuters and at rest areas along the Turnpike and Parkway." New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged residents to "stay somewhere cool" and "drink plenty of water." 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/6a59490ba12eaf174af825b9 EXCLUSIVE: Hawley expands USPS probe with blistering letter accusing chief of dodging Congress te 2026-07-16T21:11:39.504Z EXCLUSIVE: Hawley expands USPS probe with blistering letter accusing chief of dodging Congress FIRST ON FOX: Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., is expanding his investigation into the U.S. Postal Service, accusing Postmaster General David Steiner of ignoring congressional oversight while demanding records on the agency's use of outside restructuring consultants as USPS projects billions more in financial losses. In a letter obtained by Fox News Digital, the Missouri Republican said his office has received no documents in response to a June 30 oversight request and informed Steiner that the investigation will now examine USPS' hiring of consulting firm Alvarez & Marsal. "To date, my office has received no documents in compliance with my June 30 letter," Hawley wrote. "Is it your intention simply to ignore statutory oversight? I expect full compliance with my oversight requests immediately." SENATOR JOSH HAWLEY DEMANDS ANSWERS FROM MLB ON 'PATTERN OF DISCRIMINATION' OVER WARNINGS TO GIANTS PLAYERS Hawley said Congress must review USPS' relationship with Alvarez & Marsal, a restructuring firm Steiner disclosed earlier this year had been hired to help the postal service plan for its financial future. The senator questioned why USPS is paying outside consultants while projecting another multibillion-dollar loss and continuing to award executive bonuses. "It is surprising to me that as you complain about this monetary crisis, you and other USPS executives continue to rake in annual bonus packages and have found plenty of cash to hire these outside consultants like A&M — all while service declines and far too many Americans are not receiving their mail," Hawley wrote. RED-STATE AUDITOR REPORTS 'EXPLOSION' OF FRAUD TIPS AS HE TARGETS STATE EMPLOYEES 'RACKING UP' TAXPAYER WASTE Hawley is requesting records detailing who hired Alvarez & Marsal, how much the firm has been paid and whether it was asked to recommend closing rural post offices, limiting rural delivery or reviewing executive compensation. He also inquired about whether USPS plans to release the firm's recommendations to Congress or the public. The expanded investigation comes weeks after Fox News Digital first reported Hawley launched an oversight probe into USPS over dumped mail in St. Louis, demanding records on delayed deliveries, possible criminal misconduct and executive bonuses. That inquiry followed a contentious Senate hearing in June, where Hawley pressed Steiner over thousands of pieces of dumped mail discovered in St. Louis. Hawley later criticized the postmaster general for saying he was unaware of the incident and publicly called for his resignation if he refused to return his performance bonus. UFO WHISTLEBLOWER CLAIMS BILLIONS IN SECRET SPENDING HIDDEN FROM CONGRESS In his latest letter, Hawley said USPS has yet to comply with his original document requests. Hawley noted USPS has lost an estimated $25 billion over the past three fiscal years and is projecting at least an $8.1 billion loss in fiscal year 2026 despite reforms Congress approved in 2022 to improve the agency's finances. "If the Postal Service plans to address its losses through hiring A&M, then Congress must be apprised of the nature of the engagement and A&M's recommendations to ensure that USPS service standards — such as universal service and rural delivery — do not continue to decline in any agency restructuring plan," Hawley wrote. The senator requested USPS respond to his expanded oversight questions by July 24. USPS did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Fox News Digital's Alexandra Koch contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5948f7a12eaf174af825b0 Smith unloads on democratic socialists, declares ‘this ain’t Denmark’ in fiery defense of the American dream te 2026-07-16T21:11:19.970Z Smith unloads on democratic socialists, declares ‘this ain’t Denmark’ in fiery defense of the American dream Stephen A. Smith delivered a forceful defense of capitalism and the American dream Thursday on his SiriusXM program, "Straight Shooter with Stephen A.," accusing the socialist wing of the Democratic Party of portraying the United States as the source of Americans' economic struggles. "This ain’t Denmark. This ain’t Finland. This ain’t Sweden. This is the United States of America!" Smith said. The ESPN commentator argued that the United States remained a destination for people who believe hard work and individual ambition can provide opportunities unavailable elsewhere. "You roll over to these borders with the vision and the fantasy and the passion that, ‘Yo, here I can achieve anything,’" Smith said. SOCIALISM VS CAPITALISM: HOUSE DEMS CLASH OVER WHAT NY ELECTION RESULTS MEAN FOR PARTY Smith said that belief in economic mobility remained central to the country's identity despite concerns about inequality and the difficulties facing working-class Americans. "That’s what this is about in America!" Smith said. The "First Take" host accused socialist activists of blaming the country and its economic structure instead of holding specific politicians, corporations and lobbyists responsible for policies that hurt Americans. "We don’t talk about that enough when it comes to the socialists, because they’re convincing folks that rather than individuals being a problem, rather than lobbyists being a problem, they’re trying to convince you America’s a problem," he said. STEPHEN A SMITH WARNS DEMOCRATS EMBRACING SOCIALISM IS 'HANDING THE PRESIDENCY TO THE GOP' Smith also accused prominent advocates of socialism of condemning capitalism while personally benefiting from the wealth, audiences and opportunities available under the American economic system. Smith’s criticism came one day after Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Michigan, released a joint 2025 federal tax return reporting $686,069 in total income and $675,246 in adjusted gross income. El-Sayed has been endorsed by democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. Smith warned at the time that socialist policies that resonated with younger voters in New York might not appeal to suburban and general election voters elsewhere in the country. "If it resonates within the Democratic Party, but it doesn’t have a snowball’s chance of resonating in a general election, then you’re basically handing the presidency to the GOP as well," Smith said. SWING-STATE POLL SPELLS TROUBLE FOR FAR LEFT AS SCHUMER-BACKED CANDIDATE DOMINATES WITH CRITICAL VOTING BLOCS CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE He acknowledged the economic concerns that have helped New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and other democratic socialists attract support, including the widening divide between wealthy Americans and people struggling with housing, food and other basic expenses. "That wealth gap is real, y’all. It’s very, very real," Smith said. "There are two Americas in this country, no matter what way we slice it. The haves and the have-nots." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5948d1a12eaf174af825a2 Tourist Helicopter Struck Geese Before Crashing in Hudson River, Documents Show te 2026-07-16T21:10:41.056Z Tourist Helicopter Struck Geese Before Crashing in Hudson River, Documents Show Officials discovered remains from at least two birds on the helicopter’s rotor blades, according to documents released by the National Transportation Safety Board. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5948bda12eaf174af82596 After the Hacienda Healthcare rape, Arizona built a group home watchdog. Now it’s being defunded. te 2026-07-16T21:10:21.608Z After the Hacienda Healthcare rape, Arizona built a group home watchdog. Now it’s being defunded. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a594679a12eaf174af8253f White House confirms Trump will attend World Cup final in New Jersey: 'A fitting conclusion' te 2026-07-16T21:00:41.687Z White House confirms Trump will attend World Cup final in New Jersey: 'A fitting conclusion' White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Thursday that President Donald Trump will attend Sunday's FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium. FIFA President Gianni Infantino first said last month on "Fox & Friends" that Trump would attend the contest, but it is now official. Leavitt said Trump's attendance will be "a fitting conclusion to a tournament that showcased America's ability to host the world on the grandest stage." Infantino said he and Trump will deliver the FIFA World Cup trophy to the winning team's captain on the field. "We will be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course, together," Infantino said. Trump and Infantino did the same last year for the FIFA Club World Cup final, also at the New Jersey stadium, when Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-0. The appearance came one year after an assassination attempt on President Trump in Pennsylvania. The president participated in the trophy presentation and handed out awards to the players and referees after Chelsea won the match. Trump remained on stage for the celebration, causing some confusion. "I knew he was going to be here, but I didn’t know he was going to be on the stand when we lifted the trophy, so I was a bit confused," Chelsea’s Cole Palmer said after the match. Trump got involved in one of the World Cup's biggest controversies, calling Infantino and requesting a review of Folarin Balogun's red card. Balogun was promptly suspended for Team USA's round-of-16 match, but he was later ruled eligible for the game. TRINITY RODMAN SAYS NWSL RECORD-CROWD GAME IN NY SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN PLAYED AMID POOR AIR "All I did was, I asked for a review, because I didn’t think it was a foul," Trump said. "And again, I’m good at this stuff. I didn’t think it was a foul. I thought it was two great athletes who crashed into each other and got entangled. That was not a guy punching somebody in the face or anything, that would be different. "I think it’s a terrible… if they wouldn’t allow a top player, maybe the best, maybe among the best on the team, to play, I think it would have had a big stain. I relayed it. I didn’t tell him what to do. I don’t believe he made the decision. I think it was a committee that made the decision, and they made the right decision because, No. 1, it wasn’t a foul, and you want to see a game with your best players." Balogun admitted to CBS that he "could almost see within my teammates a bit of nerves" as the controversy brewed further. Trump has yet to attend a World Cup match, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio was spotted at the U.S. Men's National Team's opener against Paraguay, a 4-1 win, on June 12. The president was awarded the first FIFA Peace Prize at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., during the World Cup final draw in December. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Trump recently attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, while the White House played host to UFC Freedom 250 last month. An IndyCar race will take place in Washington, D.C. next month. Fox News' Ryan Gaydos, Paulina Dedaj and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a594433a12eaf174af82491 Key Trump agency puts top universities in crosshairs over alleged race-based dorm programs te 2026-07-16T20:50:59.665Z Key Trump agency puts top universities in crosshairs over alleged race-based dorm programs The Trump administration is opening civil-rights investigations into the University of Connecticut and the University of Minnesota after receiving complaints alleging the schools are operating dorm programs that may be steering students into campus housing services based on race. The complaints, filed by the Equal Protection Project and obtained by Fox News Digital, accuse UConn of operating three allegedly discriminatory housing programs — ScHOLA²RS House, BSOUL House and La Comunidad Intelectual — promoted toward Black male, Black female and Hispanic students. A separate complaint against the University of Minnesota Twin Cities names four programs — Huntley House, Charlotte’s Home, CASA SOL and Tsev Hmoob — that allegedly are promoted toward Black male, Black female, Hispanic and Hmong American students.  According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the programs potentially violate the Fair Housing Act, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and constitutional equal-protection guarantees by steering students toward or away from dormitory housing programs – which also include student support services – based on race, color or national origin, even when the universities say the programs are "open to all." UNEARTHED RECORDS REVEAL DEM MAYOR SOUGHT TAX HIKE TO FUND DEI ROLE AHEAD OF KEY HOUSE RACE "Unlawful discrimination cannot be allowed to poison American communities or separate members of our next generation —especially in college and university housing," Secretary Scott Turner said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "Every student has the right to learn and live in an educational environment free from illegal and divisive DEI. Unlike the Biden Administration, the Trump Administration does not play favorites. Every American deserves the law’s protection, and any institution of higher education that engages in unlawful housing discrimination will be held accountable." Both universities denied engaging in discriminatory housing practices. A University of Minnesota spokesperson told Fox News Digital the school wasn't aware of the probe from HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, but argued the school's programs are compliant with "federal regulations, guidelines and anti-discrimination laws." HUD confirmed to Fox News Digital it sent notice of the investigation to the university ahead of publication.  "The University’s Living Learning Communities are open to all students, regardless of race or ethnicity, which is clearly stated on our website," the spokesperson said. "The University is diligent in its compliance with federal regulations, guidelines and anti-discrimination laws." HUD LAUNCHES CIVIL RIGHTS INVESTIGATION INTO BOSTON'S DEI HOUSING POLICIES OVER ALLEGED RACIAL DISCRIMINATION However, the Equal Protection Project's complaint cited by HUD appeared to anticipate UMN’s defense, arguing that the school’s "open to all" disclaimer does not resolve the alleged problem because the university still "expressly defines and markets" the residential communities around race or ethnicity.  "Such perfunctory non-discrimination language does not cure the racial steering violation," the complaint says. The complaint points to UMN materials describing Huntley House as a community "designed for Black men," Charlotte’s House as "designed for Black women," CASA SOL as "designed for Latinx students" and Tsev Hmoob as "designed for Hmong American students," all of which provide housing and programmatic benefits including peer mentoring, academic support, community events and shared residential space for selected students. The complaint also alleges UMN added its "open to all" language to at least three of the programs sometime after March 17, 2026, based on internet archive history, and argues that the late-added disclaimer does not cure the alleged violation. Instead, the complaint says, the added language suggests the university was aware its race-based descriptions and opens them to legal liability. MED SCHOOL DEANS COME UP EMPTY IN TENSE HEARING WHEN ASKED POINT BLANK IF MEN CAN HAVE BABIES: ‘RIDICULOUS’ Meanwhile, UConn also denied discriminating in campus housing. "UConn does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, or any other aspect of identity, including in our on-campus housing," a university spokesperson told Fox News Digital.  "UConn is home to nearly 20 different interdisciplinary living and learning communities within on-campus housing, all of which are organized around students who may have similar interests, backgrounds, or academic pursuits, including the three that were specifically named," the spokesperson continued. "However, these communities are open to all students and no student is denied access to these communities based on their identity." But the Equal Protection Project complaint cited by HUD in conjunction with its new probe argues that UConn’s housing programs, which also offer student support services, may still amount to unlawful racial steering even if students outside the named groups are not formally barred.  UConn’s housing descriptions for ScHOLA²RS House, BSOUL House and La Comunidad Intelectual, the complaint alleged, have been promoted in a manner that could signal to other students that the housing programs are not intended for them. The complaint points specifically to the schools’ promotional materials and social media posts, arguing the housing the programs’ titles, descriptions and imagery are likely to steer non-Black or non-Hispanic students away from applying, regardless of whether UConn intended to discriminate. "This information steers individuals (‘ordinary readers’) towards and away from dormitory housing based on these preferences in violation of the FHA," the complaint against UConn states, adding that the allegation holds "even if UConn in fact has no discriminatory intent." The complaint highlights how UConn’s learning communities allow students to live together while participating in shared academic courses, mentoring and co-curricular programming, and says the named programs also promote support including academic and social or emotional support, research opportunities, professional development, seminar courses, events and shared community space. "When parents entrust their children to universities, they expect these institutions to cultivate independent thinkers who will engage with life’s permanent questions, pursue truth, beauty, and goodness, and carry forward the great intellectual, moral, and cultural inheritance of Western civilization," Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Craig Trainor told Fox News Digital.  "Too often, however, these young Americans arrive on campus only to be steered toward racially segregated housing arrangements that divide students, create unequal experiences, and betray the core principles of a classical liberal education," he concluded. "We will fully investigate the allegations against the University of Connecticut and the University of Minnesota to determine if they are, in fact, violating the Fair Housing Act and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59440ca12eaf174af8247a ‘Today’ Anchor Craig Melvin Chases Intruder From 30 Rock as Show Airs te 2026-07-16T20:50:20.756Z ‘Today’ Anchor Craig Melvin Chases Intruder From 30 Rock as Show Airs The incident did not result in any injuries, the police said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a594204a12eaf174af8243d House Dem Leader Jeffries hammers Trump, asks for teachers union help in midterms te 2026-07-16T20:41:40.163Z House Dem Leader Jeffries hammers Trump, asks for teachers union help in midterms U.S. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaks at the American Federation of Teachers national convention in Washington, D.C., on July 16, 2026. (Photo by Amelia Twyman/States Newsroom) WASHINGTON — U.S. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries rallied a key group for his party Thursday, telling the American Federation of Teachers’ national convention that, if successful in November’s midterm elections, a Democratic majority in the House would pursue several progressive policies.  The New York congressman addressed affordability, voting rights and what he called “the most corrupt administration in American history” while drawing personal connections to the conventiongoers. He said he was grateful for the work of public employees and the unions that represent them, having been raised by two union members in a modest-income household.  “Organized labor has always been there for me, and organized labor is there for the American people,” Jeffries said as the crowd, gathered in a large room at the Walter. E. Washington Convention Center, erupted into applause.  The AFT is a 1.8 million-member union representing educators, healthcare workers and public employees from across the country. The organization hosts a national convention every two years. The union is a major benefactor to Democrats. Its political action committee contributed more than $1.9 million to Democratic candidates and $2.1 million to the House Majority PAC, which works with House Democratic leadership, in the 2024 election cycle, according to the campaign finance tracker Open Secrets.  Jeffries urged the union’s members to help Democrats win enough House races in November to return the party to the majority next year. Jeffries would very likely become House speaker if that happens. “Are we going to take our country back?” Jeffries asked the crowd to open his address. “Are you ready to help us take back control of the United States House of Representatives in November?” Campaign promises Jeffries said House Democrats would push back against “MAGA extremists” and block efforts to undermine popular programs such as Social Security and Medicare. And they will continue working to drive down the cost of childcare, healthcare and other household expenses, he added.  In addition to promising better living conditions for Americans, Jeffries said Democratic leaders would fight to “clean up corruption” within President Donald Trump’s administration.  He also said they would work to end the war with Iran and rein in Immigration and Customs Enforcement initiatives, because the agency “is completely and totally out of control.”  ICE officers have fatally shot immigrants this month in two separate incidents in Maine and Texas. Spotlight on education Sen. Raphael Warnock, a Georgia Democrat, also spoke at the convention about the significant effect that public education had on him growing up.   It was thanks to the support of his parents and public school teachers, as well as the help of Pell grants and student loans, that he was able to become a U.S. senator, he said.  Now, what “keeps (him) up at night” is the fact that many children today don’t have access to the same opportunities, which he said would shrink the pool of future leaders in science, law and education. “We have to invest in our children because we don’t know where the cure for cancer’s going to come from,” he said.  He called for an increase in teachers’ pay, among other policies. State of the union AFT President Randi Weingarten also delivered her keynote address Thursday, touching on themes ranging from income inequality to the increasing power of big tech.  “Our union stands at the intersection of the ways that regular people gain and exercise power in our democracy—through public education, unions and voting,” she said. “This election will decide whether we are a country governed by the people or ruled by the powerful, a country of opportunity or oligarchy, a country whose people live in freedom or in fear.”  On Wednesday, Republicans from the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce took a first step toward dismantling the Department of Education, approving a package of 10 bills that would permanently reallocate some of the department’s duties to other federal bodies.  “The House and Senate have less responsibility for public schooling than statehouses across the country,” Weingarten told reporters after her speech. “Yet the people who run the House (Education and) Workforce Committee spend more time fighting teachers and fighting unions and fighting against a better life for all of us … than actually helping kids have opportunity in a capitalist system.” Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5941f0a12eaf174af8241d GOP lawmakers urge Supreme Court to strengthen First Amendment protections for street preachers te 2026-07-16T20:41:20.196Z GOP lawmakers urge Supreme Court to strengthen First Amendment protections for street preachers EXCLUSIVE — Two House Republicans are urging the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a case they say could strengthen First Amendment protections for religious speech, arguing police officers should not receive qualified immunity for "obvious" constitutional violations against Christian evangelist Richard Hershey. "Mr. Hershey’s constitutional rights were treated as optional the moment officers decided to ignore them," Rep. Nathaniel Moran, R-Texas, told Fox News Digital in a statement. "The Fifth Circuit's ruling lets that stand, creating a circuit split that leaves citizens with weaker right to free speech and right to religious free exercise which is contrary to the Founders’ intent. The violation of these First Amendment rights should alarm everyone, regardless of politics or faith." Moran and Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Wis., are leading an amicus brief supporting Hershey's petition to the Supreme Court, arguing the justices should resolve a split among federal appeals courts over whether government officials can claim qualified immunity for obvious First Amendment violations. YOU SHOULDN’T NEED A PERMIT TO PRAY IN YOUR OWN HOME — THE SUPREME COURT SHOULD AGREE Moran and Grothman’s brief argues that the Constitution protects Hershey's sidewalk evangelism under both the free speech and free exercise clauses, and maintains that qualified immunity should not shield officers from clear constitutional violations. It also says Congress intended Section 1983 to hold government officials accountable for infringing constitutional rights and maintains that differing rulings between federal appeals courts make Supreme Court review necessary. Last month, First Liberty Institute and the law firm Clement & Murphy PLLC asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review a Fifth Circuit decision that shielded Louisiana government officials from liability after they stopped Hershey from handing out Christian vegetarian literature on a public sidewalk outside a public park. SUPREME COURT UNANIMOUSLY SLAPS DOWN BLUE STATE TARGETING PRO-LIFE GROUP According to court filings, in February 2020, Hershey was handing out Christian religious pamphlets near the Bossier City Arena in Louisiana when police officers and security personnel told him to stop and leave the area. First Liberty says there was no written policy governing leafletting on the public sidewalks surrounding the arena. The legal group alleges Hershey was "harassed and threatened with arrest and jail," and tried to explain that he believed his activities were protected by the First Amendment. Hershey left the area and did not return, according to the petition, due to concerns that he would be taken into custody. JACKSON SCOLDS COLLEAGUES IN SOLO DISSENT AFTER COURT JUMPS INTO ROUTINE POLICE-STOP CASE Hershey later sued five police and security officers, alleging they violated his constitutional free speech rights. A federal district court ruled the officers were entitled to qualified immunity, and the Fifth Circuit upheld that decision on appeal. "There is simply no excuse for the government actions alleged in petitioner’s complaint. In any other circuit — and in the Fifth Circuit if he were a prisoner asserting mistreatment — his case could proceed," the petition reads. "This Court should intervene and reaffirm that there is no novelty exception to the promise of §1983 when it comes to clearly established constitutional rights." Fox News Digital reached out to First Liberty Institute and attempted to reach Hershey for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5941dca12eaf174af82414 Rory McIlroy forgetting how to make putts leads the 2026 Open Championship storylines after round one te 2026-07-16T20:41:00.738Z Rory McIlroy forgetting how to make putts leads the 2026 Open Championship storylines after round one Thanks to his Masters wins in 2025 and 2026, most people have forgotten about Rory McIlroy's struggles in major championships over the past decade. Of course they have, since he's won two of them. But it's worth remembering that, outside of the Masters, McIlroy hasn't won one of golf's other three majors since 2014. He famously let the 2024 U.S. Open slip away by making three bogeys in the final four holes to lose by one shot to Bryson DeChambeau. The biggest factor in those bogeys was McIlroy's inability to convert short putts, including a missed 2 1/2-footer on No. 16 and a miss from inside 4 feet on No. 18. SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER, RORY MCILROY DISCUSS THEIR THOUGHTS ON LEGACY AHEAD OF THE OPEN: 'WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE' Well, those woes came back on Thursday during the first round of the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. He missed putts from inside 4 feet on both No. 7 and No. 8 before adding a miss from just over 4 feet at No. 10. After missing six putts from inside 12 feet on his first 12 holes, McIlroy drained a 23-footer for birdie on No. 13. He gave the shot right back with a sloppy bogey on the par-5 14th hole but then drilled a 12-footer on No. 15 for birdie. Unfortunately, he gave that one back with another sloppy bogey on No. 17, the other par 5 at Royal Birkdale. It's not often McIlroy plays the par-5s in two-over, but that's what happened on Thursday. He missed another putt from inside 12 feet on the 17th, bringing the total to eight for the round, before making a closing birdie on No. 18 to finish his roller-coaster round. Ultimately, McIlroy carded a 2-over 72 and sits seven shots back of the lead after 18 holes. He has his work cut out for him if he plans to make the cut and play the weekend. Open debutant Jackson Suber dazzles with opening-round 65 Many people might not be familiar with the 26-year-old American, but they should get familiar. Suber, who qualified for The Open by finishing tied for fourth at the RBC Canadian Open, put together the low round of the day at Royal Birkdale and gained over six strokes on the field, according to Data Golf. He holds a one-shot lead over Daniel Brown and Sungjae Im, who shot matching 66s. Suber has only competed in two prior majors, missing the cut at this year's U.S. Open and finishing 73rd in the 2024 U.S. Open. He finds himself in very unfamiliar territory, sleeping on the lead at a major championship. But he has quietly put together a very strong year on the PGA Tour. Since the start of May, Suber has four top-20 finishes, including a solo fourth at The CJ Cup Byron Nelson, the aforementioned T-4 at the RBC Canadian Open and a T-6 at the John Deere Classic. Of course, holding the lead in a major is a different kind of pressure. It'll be interesting to see how Suber handles it. Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau and other big names in the mix at Royal Birkdale World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler said after his first-round 68 that he thought he played better than his score indicated. That's bad news for everyone else in Southport this weekend, but it serves as a reminder that Scheffler is still the best golfer on the planet. Despite shooting two-under par and sitting inside the top 20, Scheffler knows he can score better. He had the hottest start of any player on Thursday, making birdie on four of his first six holes. But he stalled after the torrid start, making two bogeys and no birdies the rest of the way. Like McIlroy, Scheffler missed some short putts, including a 5-footer on No. 11 and a 4 1/2-footer on No. 17. If the putts start falling again, like they did early in the round, look out for Scheffler. Bryson DeChambeau finally got some momentum going with his first-round performance. DeChambeau shared the lead until he made a bogey on his final hole. He also played in a group with Scheffler and posted a 3-under 67 to best the world No. 1 by one shot. DeChambeau hadn't shot under par in any of his six major rounds in 2026, so it was far and away his best major round of the year. After missing the cut in each of the first three majors this year, DeChambeau finally looks like he'll have a weekend tee time. BRYSON DECHAMBEAU POSTS 3-UNDER 67 AT ROYAL BIRKDALE TO SILENCE CRITICS AFTER THREE STRAIGHT MISSED MAJOR CUTS In the afternoon wave, world No. 4 Cameron Young shot a 67 to join a logjam of nine players currently tied for fourth place. It's a fascinating leaderboard at the Open Championship with a mix of some of the world's best, like Scheffler, DeChambeau, and Young, and some lesser-known players, like Suber, Daniel Brown, Pierceson Coody and Alex Smalley. That should set golf fans up for an exciting weekend with plenty of storylines and intrigue. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5941b5a12eaf174af82408 On the War Against Iran, the Pentagon Has Said Little te 2026-07-16T20:40:21.834Z On the War Against Iran, the Pentagon Has Said Little Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has spoken about a range of issues in recent days — from testosterone to leak investigations — but he has said little about the war. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a593faca12eaf174af823ba WATCH: GOP senators tear into former Biden pardon attorney over push to spare ‘mass murderers’ from death row te 2026-07-16T20:31:40.419Z WATCH: GOP senators tear into former Biden pardon attorney over push to spare ‘mass murderers’ from death row Several Republican senators challenged the credibility of the testimony of a former Biden Justice Department official during day two of the Todd Blanche confirmation hearing, pointing to the part she played in the clemency granted to 37 death row inmates. Democrats called Elizabeth Oyer, the former U.S. Pardon Attorney at the Department of Justice, a nonpolitical position she served from April 2022 until March 2025 when then Deputy Attorney General Blanche fired her, which she argued was politically motivated. While Democrats cast the former pardon attorney as evidence Blanche had politicized the Justice Department, Republicans argued her recommendations to commute the sentences of federal death row inmates undermined her credibility. Blanche, who has served as acting attorney general since April 2, did not publicly disclose the reasoning for Oyer's firing, but she claimed it's because she refused to recommend that actor Mel Gibson, who serves as a special envoy to Hollywood for President Donald Trump, have his gun rights restored. The Justice Department denied this as the cause for her firing. TRUMP'S AG NOMINEE RACKS UP MASSIVE SUPPORT AHEAD OF CONFIRMATION HEARING: 'REAL RESULTS' In her opening testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday, Oyer mentioned Blanche's handling of the Epstein files and Ghislaine Maxwell's reassignment to a lower security prison, as among the main reasons Blanche should not become attorney general. "At the end of the day, the priority of this DOJ is protecting powerful men, even when it comes at the expense of vulnerable women," Oyer testified Thursday. But Sens. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., and Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, hammered Oyer over an internal memo from Nov. 4, 2024, in which she recommended that then-Attorney General Merrick Garland advise then-President Joe Biden to consider commuting the 40 remaining federal death sentences. Biden went on to commute the death sentences of 37 of those recommended. "You have no credibility to talk about Todd Blanche, you have none," Schmitt said. "You've come here, you deny basic facts. You recommended the commutation of murderers. You gave no quarter at all or any time to the victims of these brutal murders. So, again, I can't believe you've been called here by the other side. But I'm glad we've had an opportunity to expose your hypocrisy." A report from the Justice Department found that Oyer's 73-page memorandum only dedicated three paragraphs to address the grievances of the victims' families. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES IT'S READOPTING THE FIRING SQUAD AS A MEANS OF EXECUTION Earlier in the hearing, Hawley pointed out some of the notorious federal death row inmates whose death sentences Oyer recommended be commuted to life in prison. Among them was Dylan Roof, who was convicted for the June 17, 2015, mass shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Charleston, South Carolina, where he killed nine Black parishioners during a Bible study. Biden ultimately declined to pardon him. "You said that actually Roof is not a compelling candidate for clemency, but you recommended it anyway," Hawley said, referring to Oyer's memorandum. "Why? Because he suffered from anxiety. You said 'right, he suffered from anxiety'. Did it ever occur to you that maybe the family of his victims might suffer a little bit of anxiety because he marched into their church and murdered them in cold blood, because he was an incredible racist and he wanted to get on TV?" Hawley then turned to Oyer's recommendation to commute the death sentence of Robert Bowers, who was convicted of 63 federal charges stemming from the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue shooting, which killed 11 Jewish worshippers. Biden also did not commute Bowers' sentence. "This guy killed people just because they're Jews," Hawley said. "A jury recommended that he be sentenced to death, and you substituted your judgment for theirs, and now he's going to live. Are you proud of that?" "Sir, what I am proud of is the fact that I took my job as pardon attorney extremely seriously," Oyer said in response. "I think your judgment is astoundingly terrible. I'm amazed that this side of the aisle has called you." Hawley responded. SENATOR TIM SHEEHY: SOFT-ON-CRIME JUDGES NEED CONSEQUENCES. THE JAIL ACT DELIVERS But Grassley pointed out that Oyer also recommended commuting the death sentence of Jorge Avila-Torrez. Torrez was on federal death row for convictions stemming from the stabbing deaths of two young girls in Illinois; the murder of Navy Petty Officer Amanda Snell at a Virginia military base, and the abduction and rape of a University of Maryland graduate student. He pressed Oyer on the pardon recommendations she made. Oyer refused to answer, invoking the president's executive privileges. "You can't even tell me if you contacted the victim's family?," Grassley asked. "You can't say yes or no to that?" Oyer said that all the death row inmates who received clemency will spend the rest of their lives behind bars. "These are absolutely horrific cases," Oyer said. "And every one of the individuals you mentioned will remain incarcerated for the rest of their lives, most likely in a maximum security prison facility." Meanwhile, Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., condemned his Republican colleagues' line of questioning with Oyer later in the hearing. "I just want to start off by saying, Miss Sawyer, I hold you in the highest esteem and respect, especially what you're doing now as a private citizen," Booker said. "You use a platform to educate people about the law. It is technical, but yet accessible. And the badgering you just endured, it should be in completely unacceptable. You were asked to comment on things you didn't have before you. The treatment here to me, is just outrageous. And I apologize on behalf of the United States Senate." Fox News Digital reached out to Biden's office and Oyer for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a593f98a12eaf174af823b1 OnlyFans models, witches haunt Dem’s campaign in toss-up House race: report te 2026-07-16T20:31:20.966Z OnlyFans models, witches haunt Dem’s campaign in toss-up House race: report The official campaign Instagram account for a Democrat running in one of the most competitive House races of 2026 followed multiple accounts belonging to OnlyFans models and individuals claiming to be witches, according to a recent report. JoAnna Mendoza, a Marine Corps veteran challenging Juan Ciscomani in Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, at one point followed 12 accounts that regularly posted sexually explicit content, including images of sex toys, the New York Post first reported. The Instagram account was also found to reportedly follow accounts run by self-described witches who promised to instruct their followers on witchcraft. The social media activity injects an unusual culture-war controversy into one of the nation’s most competitive House races, where Republicans are defending a seat that could help determine control of Congress in 2026. LUTHERAN MINISTER AND HOUSE CANDIDATE UNDER FIRE AFTER RECOUNTING HER PART IN SATANIST COUPLE'S WEDDING Mendoza's Instagram unfollowed some of these accounts after being reached by the New York Post for comment, the outlet reported. The Mendoza campaign did not respond to a request for comment when reached by Fox News Digital on Thursday. One of the accounts followed by Mendoza's campaign belonged to a transgender socialist activist who often posts pictures in BDSM gear, the New York Post reported. In one such image, the activist is seen wearing what appears to be leather and chains over a bare chest. The campaign account also followed at least two OnlyFans users, the NY Post reported.  UNEARTHED VIDEO SHOWS DEM CANDIDATE SUPPORTING 'REALLOCATION' OF POLICE FUNDING TO SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS Accounts followed by the campaign account also promised to provide prospective witches with "beginner tips" to engage in practices such as "Eden Energy Medicine" and "Crystal Spirit Readings," according to the outlet. POWERFUL LGBTQ+ GROUP'S ENDORSEMENTS COULD TANK VULNERABLE DEMS OVER RADICAL YOUTH TRANS AGENDA Mendoza has previously attracted scrutiny amid the campaign, including after a video of her advocating for legal prostitution resurfaced. When running for state office in 2020, Mendoza told an Arizona LGBT group that she would fight to "decriminalize sex work"to help "trans folks, especially trans women of color," because "discrimination is so pervasive in the formal employment sector." Cook Political Report rates the election in Arizona’s 6th Congressional District as a toss-up, meaning that neither political party has a distinct advantage as Election Day approaches. Mendoza's race is of just 18 that falls into that category for the 2026 midterm elections. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a593f85a12eaf174af823a8 Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin's claims of 'winning the offseason' fall on deaf ears for fans te 2026-07-16T20:31:01.508Z Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin's claims of 'winning the offseason' fall on deaf ears for fans After more than a decade as the head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions, James Franklin was sent packing in the midst of a brutally disappointing season. What was supposed to be a championship window of a season for Penn State in 2025 ended with a record just a touch above .500 and a new head coach. For Franklin, it meant new beginnings, and after a short time away from the headset, the 54-year-old native Pennsylvanian landed a few hundred miles down the road in Blacksburg to coach the Virginia Tech Hokies. THE 5 MOST DISAPPOINTING PRESEASON TOP-10 COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAMS OF THE 21ST CENTURY While it's a new locale for the one-time Big Ten championship-winning coach, his quotes at ACC Media Days on Thursday morning sound all too familiar for those who have heard Franklin speak during past offseasons in State College. One could argue that you'd rather hear a coach boast about "winning the offseason" than losing it. Franklin's last several years in Happy Valley will cause all but the most optimistic fans of his to roll their eyes upon hearing this quote. It's a similar refrain for anyone familiar with the Penn State program under Franklin, with his boasts of having all the pieces in place being followed by good-yet-disappointing campaigns year after year causing Nittany Lions fans to wince. INTERNET IS UP IN ARMS ABOUT ESPN FPI RANKINGS, BUT EVERYONE IS MISSING ONE KEY POINT Franklin was famously 4-21 against top-ten opponents while at Penn State, and the fact that he only won one Big Ten title in his 11 and a half seasons with the program doesn't help his cause. It even earned him the name "Big Game James," a moniker that was mostly tongue-in-cheek and more of a pejorative than anything else. If you don't believe me, take the word of the fans in the comments section beneath On3 reporter Brett McMurphy's post. DID ALABAMA DOOM THEMSELVES TO MEDIOCRITY WITH KALEN DEBOER EXTENSION? The reviews are scathing, but until Franklin can prove the doubters wrong, he will have to endure. I'm sure he doesn't care what folks on the internet have to say, but they aren't wrong in their assessments either. Here's the catch: the expectations aren't quite the same at Virginia Tech as they were at Penn State (yet). While the Hokies were an established winner under longtime head coach Frank Beamer, the truth is that they've fallen on some hard times since the turn of the decade, bottoming out to a 3-9 record in 2025 under Brent Pry. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS Despite my reservations with Franklin being elite, I think he's a very good coach and I believe he will have Virginia Tech back to a position of national relevance in no time. What he does after that remains to be seen, and whether Franklin becomes a victim of his own success in Blacksburg with regard to increased expectations will be interesting to watch. For now, he will have to prove this "offseason championship" can translate to wins on the field, otherwise this quote could come back to haunt him come December. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a593f5ea12eaf174af82398 University of Arizona marks historic Kazakhstan commencement, expands national partnership te 2026-07-16T20:30:22.091Z University of Arizona marks historic Kazakhstan commencement, expands national partnership University of Arizona marks historic Kazakhstan commencement, expands national partnership mittank Thu, 16 Jul 2026 - 09:18 University of Arizona marks historic Kazakhstan commencement, expands national partnership Today A University of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a593d18a12eaf174af8234d Ramaswamy torches Dem rival over 'outrageous' COVID-19 claim: 'Spewing lies' te 2026-07-16T20:20:40.132Z Ramaswamy torches Dem rival over 'outrageous' COVID-19 claim: 'Spewing lies' Amy Acton, the Democratic nominee for governor of Ohio, claimed that COVID mortality rates had been as high as 50% during a podcast appearance, using the figure as a rationale for the response she had called for in the early days of the 2020 pandemic. Acton highlighted the figure as evidence of her effective leadership as Director of the Ohio Department of Health on a podcast appearance this past September. "In those early days, the mortality rate was 50%. I started with that in March. By June, when we reopened, it was because we took swift, decisive action. The mortality rate had gone down to 5%. We learned how to save lives," Acton said. ONE OF THE MOST PROMINENT PRO-MASK MANDATE STUDIES DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC WAS A MISLEADING FAILURE Acton’s retelling of the pandemic’s lethality comes as she defends her record as health director and amid an uphill bid to become the next governor of the Buckeye State. COVID-19’s mortality rate was well below the 50% Acton described, resulting in 275,000 deaths nationwide in 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Of patients who contracted the virus, the death rate was just 15.9% when adjusted for age. And, when filtered further for when COVID was the cause of death, that figure fell further to 11.3%. When asked about the figure, Acton’s office said she had been referring to death rates in hospitals. She also bashed Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, the founder of Roivant Sciences, a biotech pharmaceutical company that helped produce COVID treatments. "While Dr. Acton was working hand in hand with Governor DeWine to keep Ohioans safe, Vivek Ramaswamy was calling for mandatory COVID-19 testing, making more than $2 billion off of the COVID vaccine, and recommending segregating Ohioans based on biomarker status," Addie Bullock, a spokesperson for Acton’s campaign, said. ANTHONY FAUCI BLAMES AMERICANS FOR NOT HITTING HIS COVID VACCINE TARGET WHILE IGNORING OTHER COUNTRIES In the past, Acton has received Republican criticism for pushing Ohio’s COVID response too far. Acton has countered by arguing that her leadership, alongside Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, had been effective. "I had quarantine power … we were the very first to take action," Acton said on the podcast. A Ramaswamy spokesperson fired back at Acton, telling Fox News Digital that she was "spewing lies" on COVID-19. "Liberal Amy Acton is desperately trying to rewrite history, spewing lies in a futile attempt to justify her disastrous decision-making during COVID," Connie Luck said. "But her outrageous claims only confirm what we already know: she’s an incompetent, failed government bureaucrat who ran our state into the ground and is wholly unqualified to lead Ohio." With Acton’s advice, Ohio was one of the first states to impose broad emergency restrictions, becoming the first state to shut down schools on March 16, issuing stay-at-home orders, closed polling places and limited public gatherings of 50 and then 100 people.  In those early days, Acton once overestimated the number of people in Ohio with COVID, asserting in March 2020 that the figure was 100,000, only to walk back the claim a few days later and state that she had been "guesstimating." Also in March, Acton claimed that Ohio could see as many as 10,000 new cases a day at a press conference with DeWine. For his own part, DeWine has defended Acton from criticisms, stating that it was ultimately his decision on which closures to enact and called Acton's counsel "superb" in comments to local media. Later, Acton split with the governor’s office. In particular, Acton disagreed with allowing county fairs, citing fears that the events would risk renewed spread of the virus. She also didn’t see eye to eye with which groups entered into partnerships with the state. RAMASWAMY PUMPS $25M OF OWN CASH INTO OHIO GOVERNOR BID, SMASHES FUNDRAISING RECORDS WITH $50 MILLION HAUL "I stepped down because I would not sign orders that were being forced on me. I stepped down in June because they began to make COVID, like everything else in the state house, political, giving special interests and certain businesses advantage over other businesses," Acton said. Having cleared the Ohio primaries and secured the Democratic nomination, Acton will face off against Ramaswamy in the Nov. 3 general election later this year. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a593b11a12eaf174af822fc Sherrill ripped after NJ skips flag directive honoring Graham: ‘Most political governor’ te 2026-07-16T20:12:01.802Z Sherrill ripped after NJ skips flag directive honoring Graham: ‘Most political governor’ New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill is taking heat after state flag-status records showed flags at full-staff despite a White House proclamation directing U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff nationwide in remembrance of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., through Saturday evening. "This is probably the most political [Trenton administration], and she's only been there six months -- probably the most political governor I've served with in the last 25 years," New Jersey state Sen. Joe Pennacchio, R-Boonton, told Fox News Digital on Thursday. He formally requested the governor lower the flags earlier this week following Graham's death. A Trenton source confirmed that flags at the Capitol remained at full-staff as of Thursday midday. A New Jersey Department of State website tracking flag status also indicated "all flags full-staff" on Thursday. Sherrill, whose office did not respond to multiple requests for comment, appeared to be one of a handful of Democratic state leaders to ignore the White House's proclamation – as neighboring Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro both ordered flags lowered, reportedly along with leaders of California, Colorado, Maryland, SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM DEAD AT 71 AFTER 'BRIEF AND SUDDEN' ILLNESS, OFFICE SAYS New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger did not appear to issue half-staff orders either – as each state's official flag status remained "full-staff" as of Thursday. Fox News Digital reached out to both governors for comment. Pennacchio told Fox News Digital that after inaction from Sherrill on lowering the flags, he crafted a formal request. Pennacchio said that honoring people like Graham should be nonpartisan – because Graham was a respected public figure as well as a decades-long U.S. Air Force veteran and someone who also exuded a bipartisan nature particularly on key votes like confirmations of Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor. "My request was very respectful. It wasn't partisan at all," he said, noting that Sherrill is also a veteran. Pennacchio said Graham himself would speak about the importance of putting politics aside in important moments like this, recounting that the South Carolinian defended his aisle-crossing confirmation votes by saying his advise-and-consent role was to consider whether a nominee is qualified regardless of party. KAGAN RECALLS LINDSEY GRAHAM'S VOTE THAT HELPED SEAL HER SUPREME COURT CONFIRMATION When Sherrill was in Congress she represented Pennacchio’s state Senate district. He told Fox News Digital that he had hope for bipartisanship with Sherrill because the two offices worked very well together on intergovernmental constituent services. Sherrill’s decision not to lower flags also ran counter to one of New Jersey’s other most prominent Democrats, Sen. Cory Booker, who recorded a video honoring Graham. In his video, Booker spoke of how – as a freshman senator – he was told by Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., that Graham would be a good bipartisan colleague to work with on criminal justice reform. Booker recounted walking up to Graham and breaching the topic, as Graham jokingly admonished him that he was in a South Carolina primary with a "bat—t crazy" opponent and that he can't even be seen with Democrats. Graham said Booker should come back to him after the election – and he did. "True to his word, [Graham] rolled up his sleeves and he went to work," Booker said, adding that their collaboration ended in the passage of the First Step Act. Booker did not respond to a request for comment on this story, but Pennacchio said he appreciated the Democrat’s gesture. "Senator Booker is as partisan as they come, but he did the right thing and put his partisanship aside," Pennacchio said. "The death of one diminishes a little bit of all of us." Another New Jersey figure who did speak out after Graham’s passing was Rep. Christopher Smith, a Republican representing the Jersey Shore and the Garden State's longest-serving congressman. MAJORITY LEADER THUNE: LINDSEY GRAHAM WAS THE GOP’S GLUE, BINDING US TOGETHER WITH COURAGE AND GRACE "Lindsey Graham was an indefatigable and courageous fighter for the right to life, human rights, liberty and freedom," Smith said earlier this week. "He was articulate and persuasive and brought both incisive candor and humor to debate. He was a national treasure and will be deeply missed. My wife, Marie, and I offer our deepest condolences to his family." SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER Fox News Digital also reached out to Booker’s counterpart, Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., for comment on the situation. "Our nation has long understood that when a public servant passes away after a lifetime of service to the American people, we come together and honor them with dignity and respect. New Jersey should not be the exception," Pennacchio said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a593afea12eaf174af822f3 Lindsey Vonn turns heads at the ESPYs, the US men's team was disgustingly snubbed & Dechambeau fires back te 2026-07-16T20:11:42.340Z Lindsey Vonn turns heads at the ESPYs, the US men's team was disgustingly snubbed & Dechambeau fires back '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. Whew. We're on the other side of the week, boys and girls. And, as of today, we're on the other side of the month! The ESPYs were last night. Did you know? I didn't. Imagine my surprise when I woke up this morning and found out! Remember back in the day when the ESPN-led awards show was appointment viewing? It always marked the halfway point of the summer, right? It usually falls on the slowest sports day of the year (during non-World Cup years, of course), and bridges the gap nicely. But this year, it came and went with little to no fanfare, which is ... fair ... given how far ESPN has fallen over the years. And buddy, they did themselves NO favors last night. On that note, welcome to a Thursday Nightcaps — the one where ESPN snubbed the crap out of our great USA hockey teams. It's truly unfathomable. You'll see. What else? I've got Lindsey Vonn turning heads on the red carpet, and is getting stuck in a porta-john the worst possible thing that can happen to a person in this life? I ain't talking about getting locked inside, either. I'm talking about literally falling through the toilet and getting trapped underneath. I've never been more disgusted. Stay tuned! Grab you a drink — dealer's choice today! — and settle in for a Thursday 'Cap. Before we start ... watch that video, if you have time. I watch the Jimmy V speech once a year around ESPYs time, and it's just the best. True story: I took a public speaking class in college and we had to choose one speech to give at the end of the semester. I chose that one. I'm fairly certain I was terrible at it, but whatever. It's still my favorite speech of all time — and that includes Lincoln's address! Anyway, we've gone from that moment back in 1993, to ... this moment last night at the latest edition of the ESPYs: Lordy. The difference that 30 years can make is truly remarkable. Do you think people in 1996, who were alive and well in the 50s and 60s, saw a societal transformation quite like we have? No shot, right? While that little performance was certainly a talker, it wasn't the real talker from the night. Nope. That took place a few hours later, when the New York Knicks were inexplicably named the Best Team. The other finalists? Goodness gracious. Let me make sure I have the right ... The USA men's and women's OLYMPIC hockey teams both won gold medals this year — with the men winning for the first time since the Miracle game — and ESPN instead gave the award for "Best Team" to the New York Knicks? Okeedokee. Makes sense! On top of that, they awarded OG Anunoby's tip-in in GAME 4 of the Finals "Best Play" honors over Jack Hughes' GOLDEN GOAL to win an Olympic gold medal. You know what? I'd argue that tip-in wasn't even the second best play of the year! I'd put both the Golden Goal AND Miguel Rojas' game-tying home run in the ninth inning of GAME 7 of the World Series over it! Yeah, I mean ... come on. What are we doing here? In what world is a game-winning, gold medal-clinching goal by the USA to win it all for the first time in four decades NOT the play of the year? It's just insane. Oh well. ESPN has to pander to the NBA audience. It's in the rulebook, I reckon. You know what's not in the rulebook? Falling through the toilet of a porta-john and having to be cut out: "Come on, get on outta there!" "Watch your f--king self, we're gonna cut way back, get all the way down!" "I'm not lifting, lean forward!" "I can’t, dumbf--k" "I’m the dumbf--k? While you’re stuck in a f--king urinal?" Just incredible content out of Kansas City today. I've never seen anything like it. We live in amazing times right now, folk. Soak it all in. Like Jimmy V said, don't take anything for granted. OK, let's rapid-fire this Thursday class into a big Thursday night. First up? While we were all sleeping or drinking our morning coffee, Bryson DeChambeau was playing some elite golf over at Royal Birkdale: After just a miserable season in which he's missed every major cut, Bryson fired a 3-under 67 and sits in a tie for fifth after Day 1. This, of course, comes a day after Sir Nick Faldo lit him up like a Christmas tree. "He has, and I'll say it to his face, zero clue of strategy," Faldo said ahead of the opening round. Take a look: Tell us how you really feel, Nick! Naturally, Bryson then fired a 67 and mentioned the word "strategy" three times in his post-round interview: Is DeChambeau BACK? No idea. We'll see if he can carry this over to tomorrow. I hope so, personally. I've given Bryson a lot of crap this season, but the game is so much better when he's in contention. Didn't think Royal Birkdale would be the place he would turn it around, but I'm all for it. Give 'em hell, Bryson! OK, that's it for today. Good work, everyone. Here's Jutta Leerdam and Lindsey Vonn dominating the ESPYs red carpet to take us all home. Patriots. Did the USA get snubbed? Email me at Zach.Dean@OutKick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a593ad7a12eaf174af822e8 Houston ICE Shooting: Lawyer Says Bags Held Salt, Not Drugs te 2026-07-16T20:11:03.429Z Houston ICE Shooting: Lawyer Says Bags Held Salt, Not Drugs Federal investigators said a “crystal-like” substance in the bags looked like methamphetamine. A lawyer for the victim’s brother said it was salt. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a593ac3a12eaf174af822dc Az Court of Appeals: Citing fake AI-generated cases can get you sanctioned, no matter your intent te 2026-07-16T20:10:43.971Z Az Court of Appeals: Citing fake AI-generated cases can get you sanctioned, no matter your intent Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a593aaca12eaf174af822c0 Founders Fund hires former OpenAI exec Ryan Beiermeister (and not because of her Mafia skills) te 2026-07-16T20:10:20.427Z Founders Fund hires former OpenAI exec Ryan Beiermeister (and not because of her Mafia skills) Ryan Beiermeister, who demonstrated cool analysis in the Founders Fund YouTube series "Mafia," has joined the firm as a partner. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a593638a12eaf174af82222 Former French tennis player's plan to appeal a match-fixing suspension backfires on him te 2026-07-16T19:51:20.382Z Former French tennis player's plan to appeal a match-fixing suspension backfires on him A former French tennis player has seen his ban for match fixing bumped up to three years after his attempt at appealing the initial penalty backfired. Samuel Bensoussan, a 34-year-old from France, was initially suspended for one year and 11 months after he was found to have fixed four matches. The Frenchman's actions were tied to a wide-ranging match-fixing syndicate set up in Belgium by a man named Grigor Sargsyan. EX-FORDHAM BASKETBALL PLAYERS PERMANENTLY BANNED BY NCAA OVER ALLEGED GAME MANIPULATION BETTING SCHEME According to The Athletic, citing documents from the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), this syndicate was involved in fixing a stunning 375 matches at a minimum, and involved 1,500 conspirators. However, Bensoussan, whose suspension started in May of 2025, opted to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Of the 18 breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Protocol Bensoussan was charged with, all but one were proven. However, in his appeal, he alleged that he had been pulled into the situations due to false accusations from former tennis player Mick Lescure. Lescure was handed a lifetime ban in 2022 for, you guessed it, match fixing. Bensoussan — who has turned to coaching and previously hit a singles career high-water mark of No. 405 back in 2018 — wasn't the only party appealing the decision. ITIA was appealing it as well, saying that he should actually have his suspension increased to be more in line with those given to others, and requested that it be upped to six and a half years. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS The CAS dismissed Bensoussan's appeal, and as if that wasn't bad enough for him, the court decided that he should have his suspension increased, though it stopped short of going with the six and a half years the ITIA was looking for. TENNIS PLAYER DANIEL ALTMAIER PUNTS RACKET INTO CROWD, SHOCKINGLY AVOIDS DISQUALIFICATION Bensoussan's ban is now three years, and begins on the same date as his previous one, meaning it will end in May of 2028. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a593624a12eaf174af82219 'Woke' military academies targeted in new blueprint for sweeping warfighting overhaul te 2026-07-16T19:51:00.927Z 'Woke' military academies targeted in new blueprint for sweeping warfighting overhaul FIRST ON FOX: A conservative organization is calling for a sweeping overhaul of America's service academies and war colleges, arguing the institutions have drifted too far toward civilian academia and urging Congress to permanently enshrine the Trump administration's military education reforms into law. The 12-page blueprint, obtained by Fox News Digital, was drafted by Restoration of America, a conservative advocacy organization that promotes right-leaning public policy proposals and political engagement, and proposes reshaping admissions, curriculum, faculty and governance around a single objective: preparing officers to "win the nation's wars" by returning military education to what its authors describe as a warfighting-first mission. "The expectation is that they're generating warfighters, not philosophers and future bureaucrats," Restoration of America founder Doug Truax, a West Point graduate, told Fox News Digital. "We pay a lot for these academies... and the expectation is that they're generating warfighters."  COAST GUARD ENDING RACE-BASED ADMISSIONS FOR OFFICER COMMISSIONING PROGRAM UNDER TRUMP DEI CRACKDOWN A Pentagon review already has led to changes at the academies. West Point disbanded a dozen cadet clubs centered on race, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation to comply with the administration's anti-diversity, equity and inclusion directives. During a March 26, 2025, Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, the service academy superintendents testified that West Point had eliminated two elective courses — "Race, Ethnicity and Nation" and "Power and Difference" — while the Naval Academy canceled two courses, "Gender Matters" and "Gender Sexuality Studies," and modified 18 others as part of a Pentagon-directed review of diversity-related curriculum. But Truax argues those changes should not end with executive action. "We have to take our opportunity when we have power to put this into law," Truax said. "Otherwise, we'll look back and be like, well, we had that one little moment where it was getting better, but now we're right back where we were." SENATE DEMS DRAW RARE LINE AGAINST MUST-PASS PENTAGON BILL Truax said the foundation is sharing the blueprint with lawmakers and administration officials in hopes Congress ultimately will codify many of the recommendations through legislation. He said executive orders can be reversed by future administrations, making statutory changes the only way to ensure the reforms endure. The blueprint is organized around four pillars — admissions, curriculum, faculty and governance — and proposes some of the most sweeping changes to military education advanced by conservatives since President Donald Trump returned to office. Among its recommendations, the paper calls for permanently banning consideration of race, ethnicity and sex in admissions decisions, requiring at least 75% of coursework to focus directly on military competencies and warfighting, replacing most civilian professors with active-duty or retired military officers and abolishing tenure at military educational institutions. LIBERAL FACULTY STILL HUGELY OUTNUMBER CONSERVATIVES IN HIGHER EDUCATION: REPORT It also recommends ending academy participation in the Rhodes Scholarship program, arguing the military's top young officers should spend their formative years leading troops rather than pursuing prestigious overseas academic fellowships, along with eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion offices and restructuring academy oversight boards. Truax argued the nation's military academies gradually adopted the culture and priorities of civilian universities during the Obama and Biden administrations, shifting attention away from preparing officers for combat. Critics of similar proposals argue senior military education exists to prepare future generals and admirals for strategic leadership rather than tactical command. In a March essay published by War on the Rocks, retired Army officer Bradford Duplessis argued "the cult of lethality approach, characterized by its focus on tactical warfighting at the expense of strategic study, will not produce senior military leaders with the necessary skills and attributes to effectively lead in today’s complex environment." "The removal of civilian faculty from the war colleges would result in brain drain in vital areas where military officers possess little to no experience or education," he wrote. Duplessis argued senior officers "must understand the responsibilities of their future bosses" and said strategic leadership requires an understanding of diplomacy, politics and other instruments of national power in addition to military force. Truax rejected that argument, saying he believes the officer corps has spent too much time learning to think like "politicians, State Department employees and military contractors" instead of warriors — a theme echoed throughout the blueprint. While Truax praised Hegseth for taking what he called "a number of steps in the right direction," he argued executive action alone is insufficient. "There's been a number of steps in the right direction," Truax said. "However, here's the main problem. A lot of this has been done by executive order." "Woke did not go anywhere," he added. "It's just in hiding right now." Fox News Digital has reached out to the Department of War and all three military service academies for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a593611a12eaf174af82210 Mamdani ripped over 'freak show' press conference where eviction was declared a form of 'violence' te 2026-07-16T19:50:41.476Z Mamdani ripped over 'freak show' press conference where eviction was declared a form of 'violence' New York City socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing criticism online over a press conference where a local housing advocate claimed evictions are a form of "violence" as the mayor stood behind her. "Our city is turning the corner on tenant power. When we organize, we win results. The Mamdani administration is emboldening us so we no longer tolerate the violence of evictions as a matter of business as usual," Antonia Marrero, a member of the Housing Organizers for People Empowerment (HOPE) Tenant Union, said during a press conference on Thursday. Mamdani, who has faced heavy criticism over the past year for his housing policies, was quickly blasted by conservatives and political commentators in general on social media over the comment. "This looks like a scene out of a Batman movie," Heritage Foundation senior fellow Mike Gonzalez posted on X. MAMDANI SPARKS FIERCE BACKLASH FOR WORLD CUP STUNT 'PALLING AROUND' WITH RIKERS ISLAND CONVICTS "Theater of the absurd," Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis posted on X. "Look at Mamdani's face in the back," the conservative influencer account End Wokeness posted on X, referencing Mamdani’s grin as the woman was speaking. "Impossible to describe how much damage Fauci and the CDC lying to everyone about the efficacy of masks caused," Outkick writer Ian Miller posted on X. "Even Mamdani had to dial up the fake smile to 11 to hide how ridiculous this all is." "Is theft from the property owner violence?" investor Rick Rule posted on X. "This is the game Mamdani is playing," Red State writer Bonchie posted on X. "He ‘freezes’ rent, which means some landlords can’t afford to do repairs or keep renters, and then people get evicted. Then he weaponizes that anger in his favor. The end goal is confiscation. Manipulative and sick." SOCIAL MEDIA ERUPTS AFTER MAMDANI'S FAR-LEFT SUPPORTERS TURN ON HIM OVER HOMELESS SHELTER: 'OOPS' "The mole people are taking over," The Breckinridge County Republican Party in Kansas posted on X. "The grinning Mamdani in the background makes it all look like some creepy scene in a horror movie," conservative radio host Mike Gallagher posted on X. "How is this real," conservative commentator Graham Allen posted on X. "I always wondered how the pigeon lady from Home Alone 2 came out of the pandemic," GOP strategist Matt Whitlock posted on X. "Freak show," Neighbors Together Oakland founder Seneca Scott posted on X. "Mamdani is just trolling at this point," political commentator Link Lauren posted on X. "He wants press and attention. The outrage fuels him. Even he’s laughing in the back." Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani's office and the parent organization of HOPE for comment. Thursday's event highlighted Mamdani releasing a "Rental Ripoff Report," which makes the case that residents in the nation's largest city are paying too much rent while not receiving enough in return and offering up 23 proposals to remedy that issue. "At Rental Ripoff Hearings across the five boroughs, we heard from thousands of New Yorkers living with mold that was never treated, pests that were never addressed and fees that were never explained. Listening was only the first step," Mamdani said in a press release. "This report turns those stories into concrete action. From requiring disclosure of AI-altered listings to bringing our code enforcement systems into the 21st century and finally recognizing tenant unions, we are making it clear that every New Yorker deserves a safe home – and every landlord who refuses to provide one will be held accountable." Earlier this week, Mamdani faced renewed criticism over housing affordability as rents in Manhattan and Brooklyn hit record highs, with conservative commentators arguing that immigration-driven demand is adding pressure to an already tight rental market that the mayor campaigned to ease. Mamdani campaigned on addressing New York City’s housing crisis by freezing increases for rent-stabilized tenants, building 200,000 new affordable homes and expanding tenant protections. Since taking office, he has successfully frozen rents on rent-stabilized leases, released a housing plan aimed at building and preserving 400,000 affordable homes and moved to expand rental vouchers. Critics argue that rent freezes will lead to increased prices for everyone else and disincentivize property owners from doing more than the bare minimum to maintain units that they aren’t being paid market rate to rent. Fox News Digital's Robert Schmad contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5933dfa12eaf174af821c2 Maricopa County adopts prediction market ban for employees te 2026-07-16T19:41:19.669Z Maricopa County adopts prediction market ban for employees Key Points: The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution that prohibits county employees from insider trading on prediction marketplaces. The policy follows an executive order signed by Gov. Katie Hobbs banning state-level employees from doing the same thing. Other government agencies are considering similar measures, including the Arizona legislature, the attorney general’s office and the secretary of state’s office. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted this week to adopt a policy prohibiting county employees from using insider government information in prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket. This comes as a growing number of government agencies adopt similar policies to prevent employees from cashing in by using nonpublic data. County Supervisor Thomas Galvin, a Republican, helped draft the resolution with the board’s Republican Chair, Kate Brophy McGee.  Galvin said in an interview with the Arizona Capitol Times that he wanted to ensure the policy was enacted before the state’s primary election to let Arizonans know the county was being proactive in implementing election integrity measures.  The prohibition is primarily intended to prevent county employees from betting on elections, given that election-night data is available to them before election results are publicly posted.  Galvin said there is a brief window in which county workers could place a bet on their cell phones before results are posted, but he emphasized the window is so short that he’s not sure anyone could realistically do it without getting caught.  “You’re probably too busy at that moment, and if you have a prediction market app open on your other phone, then you’ve got a lot of bigger problems,” Galvin said. County officials said during the board’s Wednesday meeting that they’re not aware of any employees who have profited off prediction markets with insider information. Any employee determined to engage in such conduct following the resolution will likely be fired, Galvin said.  “This is to give our residents and constituents peace of mind that not only is it very unlikely to occur, but we want to make sure that people know we’re preventing our employees from doing it,” Galvin said.  Employees could place bets in other areas related to county government. Court outcomes or emergency weather activations have potential for inside information to be misused. There are about 13,000 employees working for Maricopa County, but the board’s resolution doesn’t apply to employees in other elected offices, since personnel decisions are vested in the officeholder.  The Maricopa County Recorder’s office did not respond to a request for comment from the Arizona Capitol Times before Thursday afternoon.  Gov. Katie Hobbs signed an executive order on July 9 that keeps executive branch employees from using nonpublic information to profit on prediction markets.  She urged other agencies to follow her example after the federal indictment of U.S. Army soldier Gannon Van Dyke, who allegedly made more than $400,000 trading on Polymarket using classified information about military operations.  “Arizonans deserve a state government that works for them, not one where insiders exploit public service for their own gain,” Hobbs said in a statement. “I’m proud to set clear, commonsense ethical standards on prediction markets to hold our government accountable. Public service is a privilege, and we will not tolerate anybody abusing that privilege to line their own pockets.” Some state agencies, such as the Secretary of State and Attorney General’s offices, are now reviewing the executive order and considering issuing guidance akin to the governor’s. Others point to existing internal ethics policies that already address the issue.     Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Ann Timmer recently confirmed that ethical standards and policies prevent judicial officers and employees from participating in prediction markets.  As a general rule under the Code of Judicial Administration, anyone working for state courts must “uphold and promote the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary and shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety.”  But in more specific terms, judicial officers and employees are barred from using their position for personal gain, special privileges or exemptions, with a clear provision prohibiting the sharing or use of information that’s unavailable to the public for “personal gain or advantage or for any purpose unrelated to court duties.”  Galvin said Maricopa County is the first major county in the nation to adopt a policy like the governor’s executive order. He drafted the resolution after learning that several private companies prohibit their employees from using insider information in prediction marketplaces, including Kalshi itself.  “Kalshi already bans insider trading and imposes penalties for violations,” said Kalshi spokeswoman Jacki McGavick in a statement to the Arizona Capitol Times. “Formalizing this and making it an industry standard across all prediction markets is a welcome measure. Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, said legislative leaders are also interested in adopting a similar policy next session.  Arizona Capitol Times Education and Courts Reporter Kiera Riley contributed reporting to this article. The post Maricopa County adopts prediction market ban for employees first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5933cba12eaf174af8219d WNBA postpones game between Wings and Liberty due to mechanical issues with plane te 2026-07-16T19:40:59.698Z WNBA postpones game between Wings and Liberty due to mechanical issues with plane Planes, trains and automobiles, none of which were capable of getting the New York Liberty to Texas on time. The Liberty were scheduled to play the Dallas Wings at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, but the game was postponed. The WNBA said the game was postponed due to travel delays caused by mechanical issues with the Liberty's charter flight. The game is being rescheduled for Monday, July 20, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET, and the WNBA said the Wings will honor all tickets purchased for the original game. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Liberty player Pauline Astier aired out her frustrations about the plane to her Instagram Story on Wednesday night. "10h après toujours sur le tamarac," she wrote, which translates to, "10 hours later, still on the tarmac." According to the New York Post, the Liberty switched planes once before eventually deplaning around 12:30 a.m. ET. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! New York City dealt with thunderstorms throughout Wednesday afternoon. With the travel delays, the Liberty canceled their shootaround on Thursday. The Liberty are fourth in the Eastern Conference at 13-11. However, they have struggled of late, having lost seven of their last 10 games, including each of their last three. With the schedule change due to the plane issues, the Liberty will be playing three games in a span of five days in three different cities. They play the Indiana Fever on Saturday on the road, the Wings on the road on Monday, and the Chicago Sky back in New York on Wednesday. The Wings are 16-8 on the season and have won five straight. The schedule change for them means they are playing three games in a span of four days. The Wings play the Los Angeles Sparks at home on Sunday before hosting the Liberty on Monday. They then travel to play the Portland Fire on Wednesday. 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/6a5933b8a12eaf174af82194 Schumer dodges questions after bombshell report alleges Dem senator had relationships with House staffers te 2026-07-16T19:40:40.304Z Schumer dodges questions after bombshell report alleges Dem senator had relationships with House staffers Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., declined to weigh in on the latest scandal to hit a member of his party, instead focusing on his planned diatribe against President Donald Trump’s prime-time address Thursday. The New York Post reported that Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., engaged in sexual relationships with at least two Democratic House staffers who did not work for him while he was a member of the House. According to House rules, members are not barred from having relationships with staffers who work outside their office. Sources told the outlet that it was believed the relationships happened while the lawmaker was unmarried. ETHICS PANEL CLEARS GALLEGO AS LUNA DECLARES, 'ONCE A CREEP, ALWAYS A CREEP' When asked to weigh in on the latest scandal involving Gallego, Schumer tapped his planned speech railing against Trump’s scheduled address on foreign interference in the 2020 election Thursday night, and told Fox News Digital, "I’m not — I’m focused on this right now." It’s the latest bad headline to hit Gallego, who has been in the conversation for a 2028 presidential bid. The Post reported that Gallego admitted to the two relationships, which were both with aides to Texas Democrats. When asked by reporters about the allegations, Gallego said, "I’m not going to engage in gossip." 'DISTURBING' ALLEGATIONS AGAINST UNNAMED SENATOR UNDER REVIEW IN WAKE OF SCANDALS ROCKING CONGRESS Gallego's office did not immediately return a request for comment. The report comes as Gallego has come under scrutiny for his relationship with former Rep. Eric Swalwell, who resigned from the House earlier this year after being accused by several women of sexual assault, rape and harassment. Swalwell has vehemently denied the allegations. Gallego moved to quickly put distance between himself and Swalwell and argued that his tight-knit relationship "clouded my judgment," regarding rumors that swirled about the ex-lawmaker for years in Washington, D.C. He also reportedly hired former President Joe Biden’s former deputy press secretary to handle crisis communications in the ensuing fallout from Swalwell and a now-dismissed Senate Ethics probe. SENATOR GALLEGO SAYS LONGTIME FRIENDSHIP WITH SWALWELL 'CLOUDED MY JUDGMENT' AS RUMORS SWIRLED IN DC That probe, which centered on a complaint from Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., that alleged Gallego committed sexual misconduct and campaign finance violations, was tossed out by the Senate Ethics Committee last month. Gallego said in a statement at the time that the Ethics Committee’s decision "reaffirms what I have said about these accusations from the beginning: they were right-wing conspiracies peddled by far-right activists like Anna Paulina Luna, the White House and their allies." Luna quickly weighed in on the latest allegation, charging on X, "‘Conspiracy theories,’ right, [Sen. Ruben Gallego]?" "Time to resign. Glad people are going on record about this creep," she said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59319fa12eaf174af82147 Married officer off force after her on-duty affair exposed, woman slept with future son-in-law & three loves te 2026-07-16T19:31:43.111Z Married officer off force after her on-duty affair exposed, woman slept with future son-in-law & three loves Buckle up, or strap in, or whatever you normally do each Thursday because we have a roller-coaster of True Romance this week. Carmen Electra is handing out threesome advice, a married cop is off the force after an on-duty affair with another officer, a bizarre story of a woman sleeping with her future son-in-law requires an investigation of its own. It's a full slate. We have another song this week, which, with your help, could become part of what we do around here. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! First up, and before we start getting too deep into it, is Carmen Electra. She made her return to Playboy after 30 years as an advisor and was asked various questions, one of which happened to be from a guy in his early 50s with 28 years of marriage under his belt. The kids are out of the house and now is the time to ask his wife for a threesome. The problem is he doesn’t know how to ask. Here's Carmen's answer: "That’s a tricky question. I mean, has your wife ever kissed another woman? Do you see her flirting with women? Is she comfortable around other women?" She continued, "If she is, then maybe you could kind of ask her, but if you do decide to ask her, I would do it like this: 'You’re my queen, and everything you say goes in the bedroom, so if we bring someone else into the picture, we’re going to be all about you.' Because you don’t want your wife to ever feel like you’re more into the other person—that’s going to be a disaster, so you’ve got to make her the queen of it. You guys have to pleasure her and make her feel like it’s all about her, and then she’ll be cool with it." Best of luck to him as he works up the nerve to use Carmen Electra's advice. Let's get into the rest of the romance this week. Go follow True Romance on Twitter and Facebook. Send your emails here: sean.joseph@outkick.com (anonymously if you prefer). CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK CULTURE COVERAGE Almost four years ago now, officer Lisa Vidrios and her husband were making headlines for being the first married couple to graduate together from the Metro Police Academy. It was at that time, she said, while representing the graduating class, "I came here to Nashville with my family, and my husband included, who is also now a member of the Metro Police Department with me. We have three children together — ages 6, 4, and 1 years old — and we love spending time as a family and doing everything we can throughout the city of Nashville." Fast-forward to this week and Lisa Vidrios is making headlines for resigning from the Metro Nashville Police Department force after she admitted to "serious departmental violations, including conduct unbecoming an officer," reports WKRN. This reported admission comes as the result of an investigation into "inappropriate sexual activity while on duty." An added element to the story is the fact that these unapproved activities weren't with her husband. According to an investigative summary from the Office of Professional Accountability, a complaint was submitted against Vidrios and an unnamed 18-year veteran officer back on May 26, 2025. The two, according to the investigative report, had sex on duty in a MNPD vehicle and in the middle school where Vidrios was a school resource officer. This affair, reports WKRN, began between the 37-year-old married mom and the veteran officer of almost two decades in May 2025. The two reportedly had multiple sexual encounters during this time. Some of them were recorded, and the report states that Vidrios' phone contains video of the two having sex in her school resource officer's office at the middle school. Staff can be heard talking outside the door and Vidrios admitted in a written statement that "kids were inside the building during this time." There was also video, according to the OPA's report, of the two having sex in the male officer's police vehicle, which Vidrios said happened twice. FORMER PRISON GUARD WHO HAD SEX TAPE WITH INMATE GO VIRAL IS FILLED WITH REGRET & NOW FOCUSING ON BEING A MOM The Office of Professional Accountability hasn't been able to interview the 18-year veteran of the force because he filed for an injury-on-duty pension that was approved earlier this year and prevented an interview from taking place. As for Vidrios, she agreed to a settlement for the violations of MNPD policy. She served a 30-day suspension then resigned from the force. This just goes to show you how quickly you can be led down a much different path when you let romance lead the way. It's a classic tale of the heart overpowering the mind and better judgment. This isn’t the first time this has taken an officer in uniform off course, and it won't be the last. Nobody planned for one half of the first married couple to graduate from the academy together to end up off the force in less than five years due to an affair. It played out that way anyway. Sometimes all you can do is wish them luck. I have a feeling she'll be just fine. Follow True Romance on Twitter and Facebook. After we somehow managed to stick the landing on the officer affair, we're going to attempt to do so again with a woman who says she slept with her future son-in-law. I'm not making any guarantees that we'll pull it off. This one is admittedly a touch on the more bizarre side. She's a married 55-year-old mom who has embraced the swinging lifestyle for the last 15 years. Neither Amanda's husband nor her daughter had an issue with this "hot romp," as the Daily Star so eloquently referred to it as. "The idea was his," she said of the hot romp with her future son-in-law. "We all have fantasies and part of the lifestyle is experiencing those. The situation made the sex even hotter." What did her daughter think of the entire thing? According to Amanda, she was on board with it. Why wouldn't she be? She said, "Everything in the lifestyle is about consent, so she (his partner) was completely on board and enjoyed the outcome." Sure she was. If you can't have a hot romp with mom, are you really the one? Most people skip this part and maybe that's why the divorce rate is so high. Who am I to say? I'm not an expert on the matter. I'll leave that up to others to decide. What I do know is there's no chance he doesn't become her son-in-law now. The real question is, can he make it last with the daughter? We've got another song to get to this week, so I'm not going to go into a big introduction about the married boss hooking up with your coworker here. Here are some stories and what to look for in your own workplace. Step one: take your head out of the sand. Take it away Reddit: - Deep in the Heart of Texas writes: Sean, With last week’s column that ended with the "logical choice" discussion and follow up this week by MP from Staunton, Virginia with that Huey Lewis "Stuck with You" video . . . I recommend considering the "Three Loves Theory" which is summed up well by Google AI: The three people you date, according to this framework, serve the following purposes: 1. The Idealistic Love (Fairy Tale) 2. The Hard Love (The Lesson) 3. The Grounded Love (The Unexpected One) I would summarize the three as "Passion, Pain, and Peace". Do our OutKick friends agree? Can you remember the three that fall into these categories? Did you marry the right one? Another song along the same logical choice lines, "Escape" (The Pina Colada Song) by Rupert Holmes SeanJo Someone gets what we're doing here every week. Thanks for sending this my way. Is there a chance that you can experience all three with the same person? Also, I'm starting to get into the idea of a weekly song. Including one with your email was a nice touch. ------------- That's all I have this week. Feel free to reach out, anonymously if you prefer, at sean.joseph@outkick.com. Send me whatever you want, including a song for next week. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59318ba12eaf174af8213e Travel basketball parents cry foul as Ohio tournament admission price hits a shocking new high te 2026-07-16T19:31:23.653Z Travel basketball parents cry foul as Ohio tournament admission price hits a shocking new high AAU basketball parents who are used to paying exorbitant fees to watch their kids play in tournaments got a surprise over the weekend in Ohio. The game has officially changed. Basketball dad Kevin Brandt of Leipsic, OH, is used to paying admission prices that are more than attending NBA games. He's not naive to the big business of AAU basketball, or what he and his wife signed up for. Their daughter is playing on one of the top travel teams in the Midwest. But, what he experienced at the Spooky Nook complex in Hamilton left him scratching his head. JOSH HART CALLS FINALS TICKET PRICES AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN 'RIDICULOUS' AS FANS PRICED OUT BEFORE GAME 3 "Just got home from watching my daughter play in AAU Tournament, Select Showcase. $260 for my wife and I to watch her play this weekend. $260 to get in. Someone HAS to feel a little guilty about this, don’t they?!" Brandt wrote of his family's weekend experience at Spooky Nook. Wasn't there a weekend pass? Typically, these tournaments will offer a $70-$90 all-you-can-attend pass. Brandt says that was not the case in Hamilton. The family was told that it would have to pay admission prices for two different tournaments being held at the same complex. One tournament was called the Select Events Super Showcase. That was followed by another Select Events tournament called the Midwest Summer Classic. Same location. Same tournament organizer. "They told us it was (two) 'separate' events. Paid $120 for each event. Then $5 a day for parking," Brandt explained. "We stayed one night but drove two and half hours back and forth every other day because every hotel was $300+ around the area. One of our sons and his girlfriend came for one day… so add $60!" OutKick reached out to Spooky Nook senior management in an attempt to clarify who is setting admission prices and parking fees, or if the company suggests pricing levels for events at its facilities. We have not heard back. Where is this all going? That is the prevailing concern among AAU parents. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS AAU travel mom Mookie Edmond knows exactly what Brandt and others are feeling. She documented her family's weekend trip to a tournament in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Unlike the Ohio tournament, this one offered a weekend pass for the low, low cost of $90. Edmond isn't looking for your sympathy. "At the end of the day, we are going to invest in our child," she said on a Facebook video where she addressed the costs to play at the highest level of AAU. "We're going to do whatever we have to do to get him to that next level," she added. However, after dropping just shy of $1,500 on hotels, admission, gas, food and extracurriculars, Edmond is left with scar tissue. "I’m over here scratching my head like do I really wanna run it back this weekend," she told her friends on Facebook. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59314ea12eaf174af8210b Warnock and Ossoff, Georgia’s Senators, Ridicule Trump’s Election Fraud Claims te 2026-07-16T19:30:22.732Z Warnock and Ossoff, Georgia’s Senators, Ridicule Trump’s Election Fraud Claims Senators in both parties say the state’s 2020 Senate election is a long settled issue. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a592f7ea12eaf174af820d0 Resource rich nation praises US ties amid Washington-Beijing critical minerals race te 2026-07-16T19:22:38.968Z Resource rich nation praises US ties amid Washington-Beijing critical minerals race UNITED NATIONS — The Democratic Republic of Congo does not view growing American involvement in its critical-minerals industry as a contest with China, the country’s foreign minister told Fox News Digital, arguing that Kinshasa needs multiple partners to transform its vast natural wealth into prosperity for its people. "I don’t like talking about competition. I like talking about complementarity," Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner said in an exclusive interview at the United Nations. CHINA’S GRIP ON RARE-EARTH MAGNETS COULD CRUSH US DRONE INDUSTRY BEFORE IT GROWS "A country as big as the USA, but also a country as big as the DRC and as big as China, they do not develop just with one single partner," she added. "They develop with different partnerships that respond to different needs and that bring different expertise to the table." The comments come as the Trump administration seeks to increase American access to Congo’s copper, cobalt, lithium, gold and other strategic resources, while reducing U.S. reliance on mineral supply chains dominated by China. A strategic partnership signed by Washington and Kinshasa on Dec. 4, 2025, calls for increased economic cooperation, investment and the development of secure and transparent critical-mineral supply chains. The agreement accompanied a broader regional framework linking economic integration to efforts to end decades of conflict between Congo and Rwanda. TRUMP ADMIN BACKS BOLIVIA STATE OF EMERGENCY AS LEFTIST EX-LEADER'S LOYALISTS FRACTURE NATION A separate arrangement involving DR Congo’s state mining company Gécamines and commodities trader Mercuria could give U.S. buyers priority access to some copper and cobalt supplies, Reuters reported on Dec. 5, 2025. The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation also expressed interest in taking a strategic stake in the partnership. Kayikwamba Wagner said relations between the U.S. and DR Congo were taking "a more concrete shape" based on mutual economic interests. She said Kinshasa welcomed "more U.S. interests in the DRC" that could help the country turn its mineral wealth into "tangible transformations for the lives of Congolese," while also delivering benefits to American partners. Speaking separately at a high-level U.N. meeting on critical minerals Tuesday, Kayikwamba Wagner warned that the global shift toward clean energy must not reproduce an economic model in which raw materials leave Africa while processing, technology and most of the profits remain elsewhere. "The global energy transition must not become another extractive transition," she said. "If it merely replaces one form of dependency with another, it will have fallen short of its promise." She called for foreign partnerships to support local processing, infrastructure, technology transfers, research, industrialization and access to financing — not simply secure supplies of raw materials. CHILL COMING FROM TRUMP’S SUMMIT WITH XI IS PROOF OF A NEW COLD WAR WITH CHINA The minerals push is closely connected to the U.S.-mediated peace process between the DRC and Rwanda. The countries initially signed a peace agreement in Washington on June 27, 2025, before Presidents Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame reaffirmed the deal and signed related economic agreements on Dec. 4. The framework was intended both to reduce fighting and attract Western investment to a region rich in cobalt, copper, tantalum and other minerals. Kayikwamba Wagner acknowledged that the agreement had not ended the violence, but said Washington’s willingness to impose consequences for violations showed that the process remained meaningful. "This is a 30-year conflict we’re dealing with," she said. "It’s not going to happen overnight." She praised the administration for sanctioning the Rwanda Defense Force and senior Rwandan officials over what the Treasury Department described as their support for the M23 rebel group. Treasury said in March that the RDF had supported, trained and fought alongside M23 as it seized territory and strategic mining locations in eastern Congo. Rwanda has repeatedly denied supporting M23. "I find it encouraging to see that we have with us a partner that is not willing to give up at the first obstacle," Kayikwamba Wagner said. She was in New York as the DRC, which holds the Security Council presidency for July, elevated the connection between natural resources, armed conflict and sexual violence. Kayikwamba Wagner said rape and other forms of conflict-related sexual violence had risen sharply in areas held by M23 and Rwandan forces, affecting women and girls as well as men and boys. Victims in occupied areas, she said, often lack access to courts, healthcare or other avenues for redress. "This is also one of the reasons why we continue to be mobilized against this illegal occupation of eastern DRC," she said, arguing that restoring state authority was essential to providing survivors with justice and medical care. In her U.N. remarks, she cited the Rubaya mining area, which is under M23 control and supplies a significant share of global tantalum demand. She said U.N. experts estimated that at least 1,400 tons of coltan were smuggled into Rwanda during the first year after the mines were seized, generating approximately $800,000 per month for the armed group. The Treasury department imposed additional sanctions on June 25 against a network it accused of working with M23 to smuggle minerals from eastern Congo into Rwanda, saying the action was intended to support the Washington peace framework and improve transparency in regional mineral supply chains. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a592f6ba12eaf174af820c7 ICE resumes nationwide traffic stops under new policy requiring body cameras te 2026-07-16T19:22:19.505Z ICE resumes nationwide traffic stops under new policy requiring body cameras ICE officers across the country have been told they can resume traffic stops under new guidance issued Thursday, but only if at least one officer involved is wearing a body camera, ICE sources tell Fox News. The new directive means officers without access to body cameras are not authorized to conduct traffic stops. Body cameras have not yet been deployed to every ICE field office after the rollout began in the agency's largest cities. The policy is expected to continue limiting the number of ICE traffic stops that can be conducted nationwide until the rollout is complete, a process sources say is expected to take roughly two more months. "ICE will ensure each arrest team has an individual wearing a body camera," a DHS spokesperson said in a statement to Fox News. "Ensuring all of our ICE law enforcement officers have body cameras nationwide is a top priority for DHS — especially given the increase in attacks against our law enforcement, including a more than 1,300% increase in assaults against them and a 3,300% increase in vehicle attacks.  "This is especially needed because the media and sanctuary politicians consistently spread smears about our law enforcement." ICE ARRESTS RECORD 238 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN ONE DAY DURING SOUTH TEXAS ENFORCEMENT OPERATION The spokesperson added, "the process of purchasing and issuing body-worn cameras to all of our ICE field offices was interrupted by the Democrats multiple government shutdowns. Body cameras have been deployed to more than half the field offices with the remaining half expected to receive them in less than 60 days." CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP The guidance marks the latest operational change for ICE as the agency expands its use of body cameras while resuming a key immigration enforcement tactic under President Donald Trump's second administration. This is a developing story; check back later for updates. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a592f58a12eaf174af820be James Talarico admits Democrats took ‘border for granted’ under Biden te 2026-07-16T19:22:00.060Z James Talarico admits Democrats took ‘border for granted’ under Biden Texas state Rep. James Talarico said Thursday that the Democratic Party "took the border for granted" during the Biden administration as he faced questions about his views on border security. Talarico, who is running against Republican state Attorney General Ken Paxton for a Texas Senate seat in the November midterm elections, was asked by MS NOW host Joe Scarborough, "So you would agree that Democrats made a big mistake in 2021, '22, '23, not focusing enough on border security, right?" "Absolutely," Talarico said. "And I’ve called out President Biden and his administration for failing to secure our southern border. I remember talking to my colleagues in the state house who represent border communities, and they were telling me about the utter chaos along our southern border. And that’s unacceptable. We need to be about making government work for people. And this was a prime example of government not working for any of us." OPEN BORDERS WERE INSANE, BUT POLITICIANS DIDN’T CARE. FAMILIES LIKE MINE PAID THE PRICE Scarborough asked Talarico if there were enough Democrats who understood what a "horrible" mistake it was. "When you look at the 2024 election results, and you see all of those counties along the border all going red, or almost all of them going red, do you think Democrats nationwide understand what you understand, that open borders is — is no solution? In fact, it is a disaster, not only politically, but a disaster for the communities, Hispanic communities along that border," the host said. Talarico said border towns in Texas meant a lot to him and to his family, and that Democrats took advantage of them. "National Democrats took the border for granted. We stopped showing up there. And that’s why people along the southern border — it’s why people in south Texas started looking for alternatives. Republicans came to town and made big promises about, you know, common sense immigration approach, lowering people’s costs. But just a year into this administration, those promises haven’t been kept," Talarico said. GOP ZEROES IN ON SOUTH TEXAS DEM WHO URGED TRUMP TO 'ALLOW PEOPLE TO CROSS FREELY' Talarico was critical of the Trump administration's policy, and described it as "extremism." "We’ve seen this crazy, useless border wall through Big Bend being proposed when you already have a wall made by God with cliffs and mountain ranges much better than anything humans could build," he said.   "And then you’ve also seen costs skyrocketing for people along the border," Talarico continued. "You’ve seen these tariffs start to hurt small businesses in the region. So folks are feeling really disillusioned. They feel like they’ve been let down by both political parties. And it’s why we’re showing up." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Talarico defeated Texas Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the primary for the Senate seat earlier this year.  Crockett said during a recent appearance at the Essence Festival that she didn't need to campaign alongside Talarico, arguing the best thing she could do is boost down-ballot candidates.  She also claimed the primary race was "racist."  "You see, a lot of haters got a lot of things to say about me and my race and how I ran it," Crockett said. "But the reality is that there was a lot of racist — not a lot, it was racist. It was a racist race. It is what it is, right?" "But we live in America as y'all are celebrating 250," she continued. "OK? We know what this country is. But let me tell you the facts. There is no race that turned out more people to vote ever in the state of Texas except for Barack [Obama] and Hillary [Clinton]." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a592f44a12eaf174af820b5 Sen Eric Schmitt seeks to end birth tourism, revoke citizenship for babies of foreign diplomats te 2026-07-16T19:21:40.594Z Sen Eric Schmitt seeks to end birth tourism, revoke citizenship for babies of foreign diplomats The Supreme Court rejected President Donald Trump's attempt to clarify "birthright citizenship," but a Republican senator is taking up the mantle of Congress to rework the 14th Amendment, while calling for the Trump administration to revoke citizenship of babies born to foreign diplomats. "The 14th Amendment confers American citizenship upon persons born in the United States while ‘subject to the jurisdiction thereof,’" Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., wrote in a letter Thursday to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. "For more than a century, statutory law, judicial precedent, and executive-branch policy have recognized that foreign diplomats’ children born in the United States are not ‘subject to [its] jurisdiction’ and therefore do not acquire citizenship at birth. "Indeed, even though the majority in Trump v. Barbara wrongfully expanded birthright citizenship to cover the children of illegal aliens and temporarily present aliens, it too recognized that the children of diplomats do not acquire birthright citizenship."  'IT'S INSANE': GOP SENATOR SAYS SUPREME COURT BIRTHRIGHT RULING HANDS CHINA A CITIZENSHIP LOOPHOLE Schmitt's letter requests the State Department and DHS investigate "illegal grants of citizenship documentation to foreign diplomats’ children, implement policies and procedures to prevent it from occurring in the future, identify the individuals who have illegally procured citizenship documentation in this manner, and revoke those individuals’ illegally procured citizenship documentation." The demand comes two days after Schmitt introduced the American Citizenship Act, legislation that would limit birthright citizenship to children of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. "SCOTUS got birthright citizenship dangerously wrong," Schmitt wrote on X. "I'm filing the American Citizenship Act to start the process of restoring the 14th Amendment's original meaning. "My bill restores the original understanding to prevent birthright citizenship for illegal aliens and tourists." TRUMP BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP FIGHT COMES ROARING BACK WITH ‘INVADERS’ PLAY AFTER KAVANAUGH ROADMAP The Supreme Court ruled June 30 in Trump v. Barbara that children born in the U.S. to parents who are unlawfully or temporarily present are citizens at birth under the 14th Amendment’s Citizenship Clause. The decision blocked Trump’s executive order seeking to deny citizenship to those children. Schmitt’s bill is aimed at reopening the fight through Congress. "American citizenship is sacred — our nation, and its people, are bound together by the values and freedoms our forefathers fought a revolution to secure," Schmitt wrote in a statement Tuesday, when he introduced the American Citizenship Act. "But the Supreme Court’s erroneous interpretation of the 14th Amendment last month degraded the meaning of that citizenship by extending it to children born to illegal or temporary aliens — including ‘birth tourists’ — who come to our country in violation of our laws.  "That is an egregious departure from the original meaning of the 14th Amendment." TRUMP’S SCOTUS PREDICTION TAKES ON NEW WEIGHT AHEAD OF BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP RULING The Thursday letter focuses on a narrower category: children of foreign diplomats. Federal policy has long treated children born in the U.S. to accredited foreign diplomatic officers as outside the 14th Amendment’s birthright citizenship guarantee because their parents are not fully subject to U.S. jurisdiction. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) says such children do not acquire citizenship at birth, though they may register for lawful permanent residence. Schmitt argued that despite the rule, foreign diplomats’ children have still been able to obtain birth certificates, Social Security numbers and other documents that can be used to claim U.S. citizenship. His letter said agencies lack adequate safeguards to flag when a newborns' parents are foreign diplomats before citizenship-related documents are issued. "Foreign diplomats’ children using improperly procured citizenship documentation to illegally claim citizenship degrades the meaning of American citizenship, undermines our sovereignty, and threatens our national security," Schmitt wrote. Schmitt urged the State Department and DHS to investigate the scope of what he called improper grants of citizenship documentation, prevent future issuance, identify those who received the documents and revoke documentation that was unlawfully obtained. His letter cited public reporting and legal scholarship to claim that potentially thousands of diplomats’ children may have received citizenship records, despite not being citizens at birth. Schmitt, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, has made birthright citizenship a central focus after the Supreme Court decision. He previously announced plans for a constitutional amendment and led an amicus brief backing Trump’s birthright citizenship executive order. Civil liberties groups have sharply opposed efforts to restrict birthright citizenship. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which challenged Trump’s executive order, argued the 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to children born in the U.S. and said no president can rewrite that constitutional protection. Schmitt, however, said the court’s ruling strengthened the case for congressional action. "I introduced the American Citizenship Act to restore that original meaning, challenge the Supreme Court’s decision, protect the sacred bond of American citizenship, and honor the legacy of our nation’s patriots who fought to protect what it means to be an American," Schmitt's statement concluded. "It would restart our fight in the courts for sanity in birthright citizenship. While the Supreme Court’s decision threatens to destroy American citizenship, I am fighting to defend it." The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a592f31a12eaf174af820ac Claude Lemieux 'acknowledged' relapse after 12 years sober to concerned family hours before death: report te 2026-07-16T19:21:21.138Z Claude Lemieux 'acknowledged' relapse after 12 years sober to concerned family hours before death: report This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Claude Lemieux allegedly admitted to relapsing after 12 years of sobriety the night before he died by suicide, according to an incident report obtained by TMZ Sports. The report stated that Lemieux's family had noticed a change in his behavior over the past year, leaving his wife, Deborah, to confront him. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM After he allegedly "acknowledged" that he had relapsed, Deborah told him to leave the home at 10:30 p.m. ET, according to the outlet. He then was found hanging in the family's furniture store roughly five hours later by his son, Brendan. Deborah had called Brendan after confronting her husband, and Brendan came to the residence to discuss how they could support Lemieux. Brendan then checked his father's location and saw he was at the business - he then drove there, spotted his father's Ford truck in the parking lot and removed a firearm he knew Claude kept in the glove box due to the "emotional aspect of the situation." The report also said a message was found on Lemieux's phone. Fox News Digital reached out to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office but did not immediately hear back. Lemieux broke into the league with the Montreal Canadiens and was part of their Stanley Cup-winning team in 1986. SHARKS STAR MACKLIN CELEBRINI JUST MADE AN IMPRESSIVE BIT OF NHL AND VIDEO GAME HISTORY He won four Stanley Cups in his career and in 1995 and 1996 became the 10th player in NHL history to win back-to-back Stanley Cups with different teams, first with the New Jersey Devils and then with the Colorado Avalanche. After the 1995 Stanley Cup Final, Lemieux was also awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy. In his postseason career, Lemieux had 158 points (80G, 78A) in 234 games played. Lemieux last played in the NHL with the San Jose Sharks and retired in 2009. In all, he appeared in 1,215 NHL games for the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche, Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars and San Jose Sharks. He went on to become a player agent and, according to North State Journal, represented Carolina Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen. Lemieux's death came just days after he made an appearance at the Eastern Conference Finals between the Hurricanes and Canadiens. Andersen was between the pipes for the Hurricanes, while Lemieux carried the ceremonial torch into the arena for the Canadiens ahead of Game 3. OutKick's Matt Reigle and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a592ef4a12eaf174af8207a Settlement Reached in Ugly Fight Over Elections in Maricopa County te 2026-07-16T19:20:20.215Z Settlement Reached in Ugly Fight Over Elections in Maricopa County A Trump ally will receive funding for a new information technology system while retaining control of voter registration and early voting. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a592cf2a12eaf174af8203c Home Run Derby ratings crash on Netflix, sets 20-plus-year low as questions surface about program quality te 2026-07-16T19:11:46.053Z Home Run Derby ratings crash on Netflix, sets 20-plus-year low as questions surface about program quality The Home Run Derby drew just 5.3 million viewers on Netflix on Monday, marking the event's lowest audience since 2003. The two-decade low is somewhat unusual, given that most live sporting events have posted notable year-over-year viewership gains in recent years. Still, the slumpish rating likely has more to do with Netflix than the event itself. Despite changing viewing habits, live sports continue to perform better on traditional television than on streaming platforms. NETFLIX CO-CEO CLARIFIES STREAMING GIANT’S LIVE SPORTS STRATEGY AMID NFL LINEUP EXPANSION, FEDERAL SCRUTINY The drop also isn't particularly alarming. The Home Run Derby averaged 5.73 million viewers on ESPN in 2025 and 5.45 million in 2024, meaning Netflix's first broadcast wasn't far off the event's recent baseline. The hope for major sports leagues is that the gap between streaming and linear television will continue to narrow and that, eventually, a marquee event will draw a larger audience on a streaming platform than on a traditional network. Right now, the strongest model appears to be simulcasting games across both television and streaming, whether it's NBC/Peacock, ESPN/ESPN Unlimited, or Fox/Fox One. TV NETWORKS HAVE MORE LEVERAGE OVER THE NFL AND STREAMERS THAN THE LEAGUE REALIZES Further, Netflix's sports coverage remains underwhelming. Netflix's foray into live sports has drawn widespread criticism for often feeling more like an infomercial for the company's entertainment slate than a straightforward sports broadcast. The streamer continues to feature celebrities and influencers prominently during its coverage, including Will Ferrell throughout Monday's Home Run Derby. Even longtime sports radio host Dan Patrick criticized Netflix's approach on Monday. "I'd like to think I'm at least socially aware of sporting events, but I had no idea," Patrick said. "And then all of a sudden, it's like Netflix, and then you had Will Ferrell show up, you had Bonds and Pujols, and I'm like, OK. They're trying. Netflix is trying, trying different things. Now, sometimes you can try too hard. Sometimes you can try to dress something up, and you really don't need to." Indeed. Netflix also hasn't helped itself by making former ESPN host Elle Duncan the face of its sports division. To much of the general public, Duncan is best known for reportedly questioning Sage Steele's "blackness" behind the scenes and protesting "Don't Say Gay" on the air during the NCAA tournament. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS "Who at Netflix decided we’re going to make Elle Duncan the face and voice of Netflix Sports? And how does that person still have a job? Legit they have all the money in the world and this was their pick. It’s like giving Davis Mills a $200 million contract," OutKick founder Clay Travis asked on X. "Apologies to Davis Mills. Poor guy is probably just trying to watch the home run derby in peace and just got drive by whacked by me. He’s way better at QB’ing than Duncan is at hosting TV." Suffice it to say, Netflix has work to do before it becomes a serious player in live sports. And its programming decisions aren't doing much to increase either interest or viewership. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a592cdea12eaf174af82033 Famous beach now requires visitors to reserve spots weeks ahead and pay fees te 2026-07-16T19:11:26.599Z Famous beach now requires visitors to reserve spots weeks ahead and pay fees Italy's most famous beaches are becoming reservation-only destinations, leaving travelers to debate whether a day at the beach should require weeks of planning. Several of the country's most popular beaches now require visitors to reserve entry before arriving, with QR codes, daily visitor caps and admission fees replacing the traditional first-come, first-served approach, according to Fodor's Travel Guide. The changes are noticeable particularly on the island of Sardinia, where officials have introduced reservation systems to manage growing crowds and help protect some of Italy's most environmentally sensitive coastlines, Forbes reported. BRAZEN PICKPOCKETS PREY ON VULNERABLE TOURISTS AS VACATION ISLAND IS SWARMED BY MILLIONS One of the best-known examples is La Pelosa Beach, where reservations are mandatory May 15 through Oct. 15, the beach's official reservation website says. Access is limited to 1,500 visitors per day. Five hundred spots can be booked at any time during the season, while the remaining 1,000 are released two days before the selected visit date, according to the website. Visitors ages 12 and older must reserve online, pay a €3.50 (about $4) daily fee and present a QR code for entry between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. The reservation system has become so popular that advance booking availability is reportedly sold out through Sept. 15. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Another popular destination, Cala Goloritzé, also requires advance reservations from April through October.  Access is limited to 250 visitors at a time, with reservations opening 72 hours before the selected visit date. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Visitors pay a €7 (about $8) admission fee, while children under age 6 are admitted for free.  The official reservation website recommends booking as soon as spots become available, noting that reservations often fill quickly. The restrictions come as tourism continues to grow across Italy. Italy recorded a 4.2% increase in tourist arrivals and a 7.5% increase in overnight stays during the first quarter of 2026, according to data from the Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT). CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES Sebastiano Venneri, a tourism official with Italy’s Legambiente environmental group, told The Times in the U.K., "Something has to be done since the number of tourists globally is jumping from one billion in 2000 to an expected two billion in 2030." The growing use of reservations has also sparked debate over whether some of Europe's most famous public beaches should require advance planning, visitor caps and entrance fees or remain freely accessible to anyone who wants to spend a day by the sea. Online, some travelers said the restrictions are simply becoming another part of planning a vacation, while others questioned whether access to public beaches is becoming increasingly limited. "Then you go to book, and it's all booked up," one Reddit user wrote. Another commenter questioned the growing restrictions. "Who benefits from this? Certainly not the customers," the person wrote. "More free beaches!" another user added. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a592ca1a12eaf174af81ff9 Gardening Etcetera: Handling insect pests on your roses te 2026-07-16T19:10:25.166Z Gardening Etcetera: Handling insect pests on your roses 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/6a592a96a12eaf174af81fb4 Insurance companies put on notice for stranding trans patients who want to reverse surgeries te 2026-07-16T19:01:42.412Z Insurance companies put on notice for stranding trans patients who want to reverse surgeries Rep. Diana Harshbarger, R-Tenn., a lawmaker with a background in pharmacy, is introducing a bill that would require health insurance companies that provide transgender procedures to also pay for detransitions and adverse effects. Harshbarger fears that under many current plans, transitioners who consider reversing their sex-reassignment procedures are stuck with what is effectively a financial one-way door. "It's outrageous that a health plan can cover sex-rejecting procedures but refuse to cover the restorative care patients need to address the harm they cause. That's not a fair deal for patients who want to restore healthy bodily function," Harshbarger said. MED SCHOOL DEANS COME UP EMPTY IN TENSE HEARING WHEN ASKED POINT BLANK IF MEN CAN HAVE BABIES: 'RIDICULOUS' Although unlikely to become law over Democratic opposition in the Senate, the bill, titled the TRUTH in Coverage Act, draws attention to a growing number of patients who have regretted sex-reassignment procedures and lawmaker concern over barriers to addressing their fallout. It would require insurers that cover "sex-rejecting procedures" to also cover items and services needed to address the complications or adverse effects resulting from them. The bill would enact the requirement regardless of state or local laws that mandate such procedures. If passed, the bill would go into effect Jan. 1, 2027. It has 12 cosponsors, including Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., the former chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health. In its current form, Harshbarger’s bill would amend three federal statutes governing private health insurance coverage to create a uniform federal coverage requirement: the Public Health Service Act, employer-sponsored health plans and group health plans. The bill would also prevent insurers from adjusting copays, deductibles or implementing treatment limitations. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a similar bill into law last year, addressing a similar concern at the local level. WATCH: DR. OZ SAYS NEWSOM, OTHER BLUE STATES HAVE TURNED MEDICAID FRAUD INTO A 'FEATURE' Senate Bill 1257, sponsored by Texas Sen. Bryan Hughes, published a statement with the Texas Senate Research Senate, arguing the need for his bill. "Many of these individuals require extensive medical care to manage or reverse the effects of previous treatments, yet they are frequently denied insurance coverage, leading to insurmountable out-of-pocket expenses. Without this coverage, patients face significant health risks, including hormone imbalances, surgical complications, and psychological distress," Hughes wrote. According to the National Library of Medicine, it’s difficult to determine exactly how many detransitions there are or at what point someone would be considered a detransitioner. Researchers noted that stopping hormones, reversing surgeries or changing legal documents could all be triggers for what it means to begin the detransition process.   By casting a wide net and including adverse effects, Harshbarger’s bill would circumvent those technicalities. "Patients should never be abandoned after undergoing life-altering, harmful medical interventions once reality sets in," Harshbarger said. TALARICO CAMPAIGNS WITH SURGEON WHO OPERATED ON TRANSGENDER MINORS: ‘WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING’ "As a pharmacist, I've seen insurance companies find every excuse in the book to avoid paying for the care patients actually need. My TRUTH in Coverage Act restores fairness, promotes transparency and ensures patients aren't left paying the price for care their insurance should cover." It’s unclear when and if Harshbarger’s bill would reach the House floor for a vote. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a592a82a12eaf174af81fa9 'The Big Bang Theory' star Jim Parsons says he paid a steep price for fame te 2026-07-16T19:01:22.950Z 'The Big Bang Theory' star Jim Parsons says he paid a steep price for fame Jim Parsons had the career millions dream about, but the "Big Bang Theory" star said the success came with a steep personal price. At the height of his fame, Parsons wasn't celebrating his success. Instead, the Emmy-winning actor said he was overwhelmed by obsessive habits that left him "stressed" and "miserable." "I look back now and realize that there were many ways, at some of the best moments of my life, I was miserable," Parsons said during an appearance on "All Out with Jon Dean." "I was not happy. I was stressed." "I felt that there was so many plates I was supposed to be keeping in the air and that the success and the good things of life that were happening were only due to this overworking ... discipline and whatever," he continued. "And maybe to a degree that was true. I don't know." 'BIG BANG THEORY' STAR JIM PARSONS JOKES HE 'KNOWS WHERE ALL THE BODIES ARE BURIED' Although Parsons acknowledged his intense discipline may have contributed to his success, he said the constant pressure he placed on himself ultimately wasn't worth the emotional toll. "I can't say because that's how I was," he added. "But I wouldn't do that again and for any amount of money ... just because it was stressful and miserable at times. I made myself miserable." "From your own work ethic?" host Jon Dean asked. "If you want to call it that," Parsons said. "It translated in part into a work ethic, but it was really just obsessive behavior basically." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Parsons said the perfectionism that helped propel his career also trapped him in a cycle of obsessive behavior he now realizes wasn't necessary. "Yes, I was disciplined. Yes, I had a good work ethic, but a lot of it was because it was kind of OCD in nature," he noted. "I had a list of things basically in my head that I had to get done in order to be comfortable and know that I could do my job right, which I don't think was true." The actor said his obsessive routine caused him to miss out on "tons of life" that didn't fit into the structure he had built for himself. Even now, Parsons admitted he doesn't know whether he could have found a better balance. "I don't honestly know," he told Dean. "In the same way, I can't go back. I don't know that I would be where I – well, I wouldn't be where I am right now if I hadn't have had that time of life." "And the somewhat self-tortured nature of it was part of it," he added. "So, I don't know what to tell people ... Like, I don't know how much of that is necessary." LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Parsons rose from stage work and small television roles to become one of Hollywood's most recognizable sitcom stars after landing the role of Dr. Sheldon Cooper on CBS's "The Big Bang Theory" in 2007. His performance on the show earned him four Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series and a Golden Globe. "The Big Bang Theory" ran for 12 seasons from 2007 to 2019 and became one of the most successful sitcoms in TV history. Parsons starred alongside Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch in the sitcom. He is also known for his roles in "Young Sheldon," "The Normal Heart," "Hidden Figures" and "The Boys in the Band." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a592a6fa12eaf174af81f97 White House condemns staffer accused of betting on Trump speech as a 'disgrace' te 2026-07-16T19:01:03.502Z White House condemns staffer accused of betting on Trump speech as a 'disgrace' The White House on Thursday condemned as "a disgrace" a Trump administration teleprompter operator accused of betting on President Donald Trump's speeches, saying he has been placed on paid administrative leave amid a federal investigation. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump had been briefed on the matter and condemned the staffer's alleged conduct during Thursday's White House press briefing. "Obviously, I'm aware of the report. The president is, too. I spoke with him about it," Leavitt said. "He believes it's deeply unfortunate and, frankly, a disgrace." TRUMP KEEPS 'REALLY BIG' ADDRESS UNDER WRAPS AS WHITE HOUSE SAYS ‘NOBODY KNOWS’ WHAT HE’LL REVEAL Leavitt said the employee has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the investigation and confirmed a different teleprompter operator would handle Trump's speech Thursday evening. ABC News first reported that federal investigators with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission found a White House staffer — identified by sources as Gabriel Perez, Trump's teleprompter operator since 2016 — allegedly made tens of thousands of dollars by betting on the contents of Trump's speeches through the prediction market Kalshi. "The White House has strict ethics guidelines that we expect all staffers and officials to follow," White House spokesman Davis Ingle told Fox News when asked about the report. "The staffer in question is fully cooperating with the CFTC." A CFTC spokesperson told Fox News the agency "can't confirm or deny an investigation." The case began after Kalshi's surveillance systems flagged a series of unusual trades in March involving markets tied to words and phrases expected to appear in Trump's public remarks. HEGSETH ANNOUNCES JOINT TASK FORCE WITH DOJ TO PROSECUTE LEAKS TO JOURNALISTS 'WITH THE FULL FORCE OF THE LAW' Kalshi said the trades stood out because they did not follow typical trading patterns and also drew complaints from market makers through the platform's whistleblower channels. After reviewing account information, the company said it identified the trader as a federal employee who worked as a White House teleprompter operator. Kalshi said it froze the account before the trader could withdraw most of the alleged profits, leaving more than $90,000 on the platform while the matter was referred to federal regulators. "Our surveillance team promptly flagged and referred these trades to the CFTC after an exchange investigation," Robert DeNault, Kalshi's head of enforcement, told Fox News. "We have been assisting regulators on this matter and provided evidence we collected, as we do in any referral." Kalshi said the markets involved common words and topics expected to appear in presidential speeches — including country names, economic terms, campaign language and social issues — rather than classified or otherwise sensitive information. The company added it has worked with the CFTC for months as the investigation has continued. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a592803a12eaf174af819a7 Campaign finances: Quarter two reports show strong backing for Cal Sheehy, Taylor Harrison in city races te 2026-07-16T18:50:43.001Z Campaign finances: Quarter two reports show strong backing for Cal Sheehy, Taylor Harrison in city races Updated campaign finance reports are in, and the numbers reflect strong financial backing for incumbent Cal Sheehy in the mayoral race and newcomer Taylor Harrison for council. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5925d5a12eaf174af81948 Alleged Feeding Our Future fraud ringleader extradited from Somalia to face US charges te 2026-07-16T18:41:25.059Z Alleged Feeding Our Future fraud ringleader extradited from Somalia to face US charges One of the alleged ringleaders of the massive Feeding Our Future pandemic relief fraud scheme in Minnesota has been brought back to the United States to face charges, authorities said. Abdikerm Abdelahi Eidleh, 42, of Burnsville, Minnesota, was arrested on June 26 in Somalia and extradited back to the U.S. on Thursday, the FBI said. Federal prosecutors allege Eidleh was the mastermind who bilked taxpayers out of $250 million by exploiting federal child nutrition programs meant to feed vulnerable children. Authorities have described it as one of the largest fraud cases in Minnesota history. "Today is a historic moment in the FBI’s war on fraud," said FBI Director Kash Patel. "The Foreign Transfer of Custody of Abdikerm Abdelahi Eidleh brings to justice one of the alleged ringleaders of the $250 million ‘Feeding our Future’ fraud scandal out of Minnesota—where the FBI has already helped secure over 70 guilty pleas from fraudsters in partnership with the Justice Department." MINNESOTA MAN CAPTURED IN SOMALIA AFTER ALLEGEDLY HELPING ORCHESTRATE $250M CHILD NUTRITION FRAUD SCHEME Eidleh faces 31 counts, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery, federal programs bribery, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering. Federal prosecutors said Eidleh was an employee of the Feeding Our Future (FOF) nonprofit, responsible for recruiting and supporting Federal Child Nutrition Program sites under Feeding Our Future’s sponsorship. MINNESOTA FRAUD MASTERMIND GETS NEARLY 42 YEARS IN PRISON IN MASSIVE $250M 'FEEDING OUR FUTURE' SCHEME He and other FOF employees allegedly solicited and received bribes and kickbacks from people and companies seeking approval to operate fraudulent Federal Child Nutrition Program sites. Feeding Our Future allegedly operated a "pay-to-play" scheme in which operators of fraudulent meal sites kicked back a portion of their illicit proceeds to employees, including Eidleh, often disguising the payments as consulting fees through shell companies, according to an indictment previously reported by Fox News Digital. Prosecutors also said Eidleh created Federal Child Nutrition Program sites using nominee owners, then falsely claimed the sites were serving meals to thousands of children each day. FBI CAPTURES $1.2B MEDICARE FRAUD FUGITIVE IN PHILIPPINES, SECOND ARREST FROM MOST WANTED FRAUDSTERS LIST "These are individuals who stole critical, taxpayer-funded resources from kids in need during the COVID pandemic—and Eidleh was allegedly right at the top of the operation," Patel said. According to prosecutors, Eidleh deposited more than $5 million in fraud proceeds, kickbacks, and bribes into accounts associated with shell companies he created in an effort to conceal the source of the money. In 2022, Eidleh fled the U.S., Patel said, noting that criminals should be aware that "no matter where you try to hide, we will find you." In May, Aimee Bock, who headed the Feeding Our Future nonprofit, was sentenced to nearly 42 years in prison for her role in the fraud. Fox News Digital's Michael Sinkewicz contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a592594a12eaf174af81901 Google Vids now lets you star in your own AI videos te 2026-07-16T18:40:20.551Z Google Vids now lets you star in your own AI videos Google is adding personalized AI avatars to Vids that let users create videos starring a digital version of themselves, alongside Gemini Omni-powered tools for generating and editing videos from prompts and reference images. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59238ea12eaf174af818de Insurance companies put on notice for stranding trans patients who want to reverse surgeries te 2026-07-16T18:31:42.791Z Insurance companies put on notice for stranding trans patients who want to reverse surgeries Rep. Diana Harshbarger, R-Tenn., a lawmaker with a background in pharmacy, is introducing a bill that would require health insurance companies that provide transgender procedures to also pay for detransitions and adverse effects. Harshbarger fears that under many current plans, transitioners who consider reversing their sex-reassignment procedures are stuck with what is effectively a financial one-way door. "It's outrageous that a health plan can cover sex-rejecting procedures but refuse to cover the restorative care patients need to address the harm they cause. That's not a fair deal for patients who want to restore healthy bodily function," Harshbarger said. MED SCHOOL DEANS COME UP EMPTY IN TENSE HEARING WHEN ASKED POINT BLANK IF MEN CAN HAVE BABIES: 'RIDICULOUS' Although unlikely to become law over Democratic opposition in the Senate, the bill, titled the TRUTH in Coverage Act, draws attention to a growing number of patients who have regretted sex-reassignment procedures and lawmaker concern over barriers to addressing their fallout. It would require insurers that cover "sex-rejecting procedures" to also cover items and services needed to address the complications or adverse effects resulting from them. The bill would enact the requirement regardless of state or local laws that mandate such procedures. If passed, the bill would go into effect Jan. 1, 2027. It has 12 cosponsors, including Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., the former chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health. In its current form, Harshbarger’s bill would amend three federal statutes governing private health insurance coverage to create a uniform federal coverage requirement: the Public Health Service Act, employer-sponsored health plans and group health plans. The bill would also prevent insurers from adjusting copays, deductibles or implementing treatment limitations. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a similar bill into law last year, addressing a similar concern at the local level. WATCH: DR. OZ SAYS NEWSOM, OTHER BLUE STATES HAVE TURNED MEDICAID FRAUD INTO A 'FEATURE' Senate Bill 1257, sponsored by Texas Sen. Bryan Hughes, published a statement with the Texas Senate Research Senate, arguing the need for his bill. "Many of these individuals require extensive medical care to manage or reverse the effects of previous treatments, yet they are frequently denied insurance coverage, leading to insurmountable out-of-pocket expenses. Without this coverage, patients face significant health risks, including hormone imbalances, surgical complications, and psychological distress," Hughes wrote. According to the National Library of Medicine, it’s difficult to determine exactly how many detransitions there are or at what point someone would be considered a detransitioner. Researchers noted that stopping hormones, reversing surgeries or changing legal documents could all be triggers for what it means to begin the detransition process.   By casting a wide net and including adverse effects, Harshbarger’s bill would circumvent those technicalities. "Patients should never be abandoned after undergoing life-altering, harmful medical interventions once reality sets in," Harshbarger said. TALARICO CAMPAIGNS WITH SURGEON WHO OPERATED ON TRANSGENDER MINORS: ‘WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING’ "As a pharmacist, I've seen insurance companies find every excuse in the book to avoid paying for the care patients actually need. My TRUTH in Coverage Act restores fairness, promotes transparency and ensures patients aren't left paying the price for care their insurance should cover." It’s unclear when and if Harshbarger’s bill would reach the House floor for a vote. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59237ba12eaf174af818d5 JJ Watt goes after MLS squad after social post leaves out wife, a local soccer legend: 'Worth a mention' te 2026-07-16T18:31:23.336Z JJ Watt goes after MLS squad after social post leaves out wife, a local soccer legend: 'Worth a mention' A former pro soccer player was stiffed in a social media post, taking a back seat to her relatively more famous husband. Future Pro Football Hall of Famer J.J. Watt is married to Kealia Ohai Watt, a former member of the U.S. Women's National Team who played in the National Women's Soccer League. The couple took in an MLS game on Wednesday night, watching Real Salt Lake take on Burnley F.C., of which the Watts are partial owners, and the team welcomed the couple with an X post. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "Welcome to the Riot, @JJWatt and fam," the team wrote. Watt, however, was not pleased that his wife, a local soccer legend, was dismissed. Ohai attended Alta High School in nearby Sandy and won four state titles with her youth soccer club. "The woman in the photo grew up literally down the road, won 4 Utah state championships (1 in this exact stadium), Gatorade Player of the Year twice, National Player of the Year, scored the fastest first goal in USWNT history… Could probably be worth a mention, but idk," Watt said in a reply. TRINITY RODMAN SAYS NWSL RECORD-CROWD GAME IN NY SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN PLAYED AMID POOR AIR Ohai also won a national championship with the University of North Carolina. After college, she was the second overall pick in the NWSL College Draft by the Houston Dash, of which she was the captain from 2016 through being traded to the Chicago Red Stars in 2020. The couple purchased its stake in Burnley F.C., which played in the Premier League last season, in 2023. Ohai's brother-in-law is Watt's former Houston Texans teammate, Brian Cushing. 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/6a59233ca12eaf174af8188c Roblox launches an AI-powered game creation feature in its mobile app te 2026-07-16T18:30:20.879Z Roblox launches an AI-powered game creation feature in its mobile app Roblox's new "Build" feature lets users generate basic games using a single text prompt. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a592136a12eaf174af81853 Schweikert, Neely spend down war chests in bid to derail Biggs te 2026-07-16T18:21:42.335Z Schweikert, Neely spend down war chests in bid to derail Biggs PHOENIX — Two Republican gubernatorial hopefuls, trailing in the polls, are spending nearly all the money they have in hopes of clinching the nomination in the Tuesday primary. New campaign finance reports show that Congressman David Schweikert has burned through the $1.2 million in his war chest. That includes $534,000 in donations, $572,000 he moved from his prior congressional campaigns and $99,000 from his own pocket. That left him with just $42,495 in the bank as of June 30, according to reports. Schweikert spent more than $100,000 gathering the signatures needed to get his name on the ballot. Nearly $60,000 was spent on “texting.” He also sent out campaign mailers this accusing fellow Congressman Andy Biggs, the front-runner in the gubernatorial race, of associating with white supremacist and antisemitic groups. The Biggs campaign responded by calling it “a desperate tactic by our opponent.” Scott Neely Businessman Scott Neely, unlike GOP would-be governors, is running with public funds. He reported spending most of the $1.1 million he collected, largely on billboards, a texting campaign and Facebook ads attacking Biggs. Neely reported having $218,000 cash on hand, as of the reporting period. He argues that Biggs cannot win against incumbent Katie Hobbs. In one poster, he melds together pictures of Biggs and 2022 GOP gubernatorial nominee Kari Lake, whom Hobbs defeated that year. “Don’t make the Biggs mistake like we did with loser Kari Lake,” the sign reads. Then there are ads attacking Biggs for being one of only a handful of votes against releasing the full records of investigations into Jeffrey Epstein, the politically connected financier who trafficked young women. Biggs, for his part, has pretty much ignored the other candidates, attending one four-way debate but skipping other joint appearances. Biggs has reported spending $2.4 million in the race. But with donations of $3.6 million — plus $50,000 left over from his own prior races — that still leaves him with more than $1.2 million in the bank. He is also benefiting from almost $489,000 spent on his behalf to get him elected, with most of that coming from the conservative advocacy group Turning Point USA. Plus, he has President Donald Trump’s endorsement, which can carry a lot of weight in a Republican primary. There was no campaign finance report immediately available for businessman Ken Miceli, the fourth Republican in the gubernatorial race. No Labels Party contender Hugh Lytle reported nearly $1.2 million in the bank as of June 30. But his campaign has been mostly self-funded with $2 million of his own cash. His foe in the No Labels primary, Teri Ann Hourihan, who also is using personal money, reported having less than $4,500 on hand. Green Party candidate Lisa Lombardo, like Neely, has the benefit of more than $1.1 million in public funds. She said that, after expenses, she has about $159,000. The benefits of incumbency Whoever survives the July 21 primary could need a lot of money to beat Hobbs. With the benefit of incumbency, she reported hauling in more than $2.6 million in the three-month period ending June 30. But despite having no primary, Hobbs, who won her first race by just 17,117 votes, also has been spending money fast and furious, with expenses in the same three-month period topping $7.4 million. She could sustain that because she already had more than $7 million in the bank on March 31. Hobbs has been all over the airwaves, spending about $6.5 million on TV and other advertising trying to reach independent and some Republican voters with a mix of ads touting what she said are economic wins for the state and her willingness to work across the political aisle with the Republican-controlled legislature. There also are expenses for staff salaries. PAC money flowing The governor also benefits from financial help from Copper State Values, a separate political action committee run by the same people who run her campaign. What makes that separate PAC important is that donations to candidates are capped at $5,500. That is not true of political action committees, which not only have no donor limits but are also allowed to accept corporate dollars, something strictly off-limits to candidates. State election law does preclude Copper State from transferring funds above that limit to Hobbs. But the PAC can help Hobbs in other ways, such as a $400,000 transfer to the Navajo County Democratic Committee, which is running a coordinated campaign to drum up support for Hobbs and incumbent Attorney General Kris Mayes. And the PAC also has transferred about $170,000 to the governor’s own reelection committee in “shared expenses” for payroll. The governor is clearly not done raising money — and not just in the small contributions she seeks in text messages to individuals. MS NOW reports that Cindy McCain and her son Jimmy will host a fundraiser in September in Sedona on behalf of the Democratic governor. This isn’t Cindy McCain’s first foray into supporting Democrats. The widow of Sen. John McCain, she backed Joe Biden in his successful campaign to oust Donald Trump after his first four years as president. The post Schweikert, Neely spend down war chests in bid to derail Biggs first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59210ea12eaf174af81838 Wesche twins make Flagstaff their diving playground te 2026-07-16T18:21:02.913Z Wesche twins make Flagstaff their diving playground From gymnasts to divers, Grace and Margaret Wesche put their skills on display for NAU thanks to all they learned as kids in Flagstaff. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5920faa12eaf174af8182f Ask a Ranger: Campbell Mesa, Part 1: Stories from a Flagstaff forest te 2026-07-16T18:20:42.944Z Ask a Ranger: Campbell Mesa, Part 1: Stories from a Flagstaff forest This week's Ask a Ranger column, from the NPS/USFS Roving Rangers. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5920e6a12eaf174af81826 Flood watch issued by NWS for parts of northern Arizona as thunderstorms arrive Thursday te 2026-07-16T18:20:22.983Z Flood watch issued by NWS for parts of northern Arizona as thunderstorms arrive Thursday Beginning at 11 a.m. Thursday to 11 p.m., the watch warns that flash flooding is possible due to excessive rainfall in multiple areas, including Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a591edea12eaf174af817e3 Michelle Obama accuses media of weaponizing fashion to 'diminish' her as a campaign threat te 2026-07-16T18:11:42.882Z Michelle Obama accuses media of weaponizing fashion to 'diminish' her as a campaign threat Former first lady Michelle Obama claimed America was "struggling enough" to accept a Black first family, revealing earlier this month that she intentionally avoided wearing her hair in braids while in the White House to prevent political distraction. Speaking at Essence Festival in New Orleans July 3, Obama detailed the calculations behind her appearance, accusing the media and political rivals of weaponizing fashion coverage during the 2008 election cycle to "diminish" her status as a growing campaign threat. "I started wearing my hair in braids in college, right? But as I went up the professional ranks, being a lawyer, they wanted, you know, I didn't want my hair to be a part of the conversation," Obama said in a clip released Wednesday on her YouTube channel. OBAMA BLAMES SPLINTERED MEDIA FOR PREVENTING SUPERSTAR DEMOCRAT FROM RISING UP "So I made the decision, you know, look, America is struggling enough to accept the first Black president and first lady. I'm not going to make my hair the issue," she added. Obama said that during her husband’s 2008 campaign, the political press purposefully tried to change the surrounding conversations to instead focus on her shoes or clothes. She recalled giving a speech in Iowa, noting she brought in larger crowds than her husband’s rivals, but that the more popular she got, the more articles focused on her appearance. "The more popular I became, the more of a threat I became. It was interesting. That’s when the articles started coming out," Obama said. "This is when I understood like, this is politics, oh, they're coming after me because I'm useful. And they're trying to beat my husband, so they're trying to slow me down, right?" ANA NAVARRO AND FORMER TRUMP CAMPAIGN AIDE CLASH OVER PRESIDENT'S COMBATIVE EXCHANGES WITH FEMALE JOURNALISTS "And some of those first articles, they would always start, 'She was wearing a purple sheath, and she had on this pair of shoes.' It wouldn't matter what I said," she added. "The article would start with what I had on. And I realized, ‘Oh, this is how they do women in politics.’ This is how we treat women in public life. We diminish them to just what they look like, and not what I'm saying." This is not the first time the former first lady has said the press was hostile to her appearance. On the "Call Her Daddy" podcast in January, Obama similarly blasted media coverage of her looks. MICHELLE OBAMA WARNS LIBERALS AGAINST PIGEONHOLING TRUMP VOTERS, SAYS THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO "And the first thing, after all this great conversation and connection, the top of the article would be, 'She was wearing.' You know, not my education, not my, you know, not my professional career, but it started with appearance, and it got worse as we got better," she told host Alex Cooper. "They weren't doing that to my husband, right? They weren't describing him physically, and he was out there more than I was. So, I was like, ‘OK, well, this is where it comes from.’ It's like, 'Wow, whoever is doing this, when it comes to how we put women in their place, it's like, OK,'" Obama later added. In November 2025, Obama released her book "The Look," which is described by the Obama Presidential Center shop as "a stunning journey through Michelle Obama’s style evolution, in her own words for the first time." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a591ecba12eaf174af817da GOP's $95B defense package survives critical hurdle amid fiscal hawk revolt te 2026-07-16T18:11:23.444Z GOP's $95B defense package survives critical hurdle amid fiscal hawk revolt House GOP leaders narrowly avoided a major setback Thursday as they race to pass a third-party-line megabill, but fiscal hawks are still threatening to derail the effort down the road. The first test came Thursday at a critical House Budget Committee markup, during which the panel approved a $95 billion budget reconciliation framework along party lines. But House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is likely to face trouble on the House floor next week as some conservatives sharply criticize the package for including no spending-cut instructions.  Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, a member of the budget panel, did not vote. JOHNSON SCORES WIN AS CONSERVATIVE REBELS END HOUSE FLOOR BLOCKADE OVER VOTER ID BILL The budget blueprint now heads to the House Rules Committee, where GOP leaders will attempt to win a key vote and put the plan up for a chamber-wide vote by the end of next week. The framework would provide $73 billion for defense and intelligence, allocate $12 billion in assistance to farmers and establish a $10 billion funding pot that is expected to provide grants to states to implement elements of the SAVE America Act. House fiscal hawks warned earlier this week that the bill was a non-starter because it included no spending offsets. "I think that a no offset plan is dead on arrival because, frankly, three of us would kill it," Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, told reporters. "And so, I think that's likely at this point." Passing a budget blueprint is the first step to unlock the complex budget reconciliation process, which requires near-unanimity among Republicans amid their slim margins. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., can afford to lose just three GOP defections assuming all members are present and voting. SENATE FACES 'COME-TO-JESUS' MOMENT ON TRUMP'S ELECTION PRIORITY UNDER GOP'S NEW PLAN Republicans are pursuing a third "big, beautiful bill" to cut Democrats out of the process, meaning Johnson will have to rely solely on GOP votes. The plan also faces an uphill battle in the Senate, where some Republicans remain skeptical of another reconciliation effort. House Republicans’ blueprint notably contains no spending instructions for the upper chamber, an omission that could further delay the process. If the budget blueprint advances out of the House and Senate, only then will lawmakers start writing the actual bill. The plan could also face trouble in the upper chamber, where a faction of Senate Republicans remain skeptical of another reconciliation effort. "Everybody is betting against us being able to get it done," Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-Texas, told Fox News Digital on Tuesday. "I am more and more optimistic each day that passes." Johnson has cast the effort as the best opportunity for Republicans to pass pieces of the stalled SAVE America Act before the November midterm elections. "It's our best shot at enacting our party's top priority legislation, the SAVE America Act," Johnson said Wednesday at a news conference with Vice President JD Vance. "It is important to the American people and it's important to the future." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a591eb6a12eaf174af817c4 Democrats see path to flip Arizona Legislature as national statehouse map tilts toward them te 2026-07-16T18:11:02.956Z Democrats see path to flip Arizona Legislature as national statehouse map tilts toward them Iowa Democrats flipped two state Senate seats in special elections last year to break the GOP supermajority there. With momentum growing nationally, Democrats are looking to expand seats in Iowa’s upper chamber and break the House supermajority in November. (Photo by Kathie Obradovich/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Following a string of special election victories, Democrats have a path to flip several Republican-held legislative chambers and break GOP supermajorities in states across the country this November. High prices and overall voter dissatisfaction with Washington have put control of the U.S. House and Senate in play this year — a dynamic that has trickled down, with heightened Democratic enthusiasm in many state contests. “For the most part the Republicans are kind of playing defense more than offense,” said Katy Owens Hubler, director of elections and redistricting at the National Conference of State Legislatures.  Midterm elections generally favor the party that doesn’t control the White House. Still, it’s unlikely Democrats can capture the majority in states: GOP lawmakers currently hold nearly 55% of the nation’s 7,386 state legislative seats.  That gives Republicans control in 28 state legislatures and Democrats control in 18, while three states have divided control of chambers, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. NCSL is eyeing 10 Republican-held chambers, four Democratic-held chambers and the tied state House in Minnesota for potential flips in control in November. “My feeling generally is that it is going to be a good year for Democrats,” Owens Hubler said, “but it’s not going to be a blowout year.” Chambers to watch this November These are the legislative chambers the National Conference of State Legislatures is watching for potential changes in partisan control:  Democratic-held chambers Maine House Minnesota Senate Michigan Senate Pennsylvania House No-party control Minnesota House (tied 67-67) Republican-held chambers Alaska Senate  Alaska House Arizona Senate Arizona House Michigan House New Hampshire Senate New Hampshire House Pennsylvania Senate Wisconsin Senate Wisconsin House Source: National Conference of State Legislatures Wins in some states could deliver Democrats total control of state government — both legislative chambers and the governor, known as a trifecta — making it much easier to pass progressive legislation. In other states, weakening Republican majorities or breaking veto-proof supermajorities would make it easier for Democrats to object to GOP policies. Since President Donald Trump’s second term began, Democrats have flipped a dozen seats in special elections in Arkansas, Iowa, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Texas, according to tracking by the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, which works to elect Democrats at the state level. They also flipped another 18 seats in last year’s general elections in New Jersey and Virginia.  Republicans have not flipped a single Democratic legislative seat. “2026 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fundamentally transform state legislative power,” said Heather Williams, president of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee.  The committee is touting record numbers of Democratic candidates running for office in some states and has announced plans to spend a record $50 million on state legislative races this year, with aims of flipping more than 650 legislative seats. And just as in 2024, the state of the economy — and ever-rising prices — are proving a central campaign message.  In Michigan, defending their state Senate majority and winning control of the state House would give Democrats a trifecta. They would need to flip four Republican-held House seats to do so. Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks said she’s confident her party will maintain or even grow its Senate majority. The House will be a “tougher lift,” she said, but the party’s chances look good now. “I feel very confident that we will be working with a Democratic legislature in both chambers next term,” she said. Following months of GOP obstruction in the House, Democratic control of both chambers would reverse the current gridlock in Lansing. Brinks, who is term-limited, said she expects a Democratic trifecta will focus on the issues that matter to Michiganders, including regulations on data centers, childcare accessibility and affordability.  “There are things that we know we could do that make people’s lives easier and more affordable,” she said. “So I think that in general you’ll see us try to tackle those things.” Nationwide, Republicans have acknowledged growing voter frustrations over affordability while also arguing voters should support them for their work to redraw congressional districts.  Set off by a White House push to give Republicans more seats in the U.S. House, 10 states have completed middecade redistricting — a phenomenon unseen since the 1800s. Earlier this month, the Republican State Leadership Committee, which works to elect GOP state legislators, highlighted the party’s redistricting successes and underscored that current races for statehouse control will determine which party draws future maps. In a statement to Stateline, Committee President Edith Jorge-Tuñón said Democrats can brag all they want about fundraising success, “but no amount of cash changes the fact that their party is being pulled further left by the socialist wing calling the shots.” “We know Democrats and their national allies will continue to pour millions into state legislative races because they understand what’s at stake: the legislators elected in 2026 will shape redistricting and the balance of power for years to come.” ‘Things are looking really good’ In Iowa, Democrats flipped two state Senate seats in special elections last year to break the GOP supermajority, leaving Republicans with a 33-17 majority in the upper chamber.  Democrats hope to deprive Republicans of winning back that supermajority and to break the supermajority in the state House in November. It’s especially high stakes this cycle as polling has shown a very competitive race for governor, with Democratic State Auditor Rob Sand ahead of Republican Zach Lahn in some tracking.   Iowa hasn’t had a Democratic governor since 2011. “From my perspective right now, assuming we continue to do the work and we raise the money we need to, things are looking really good,” said Democratic state Sen. Janice Weiner, the minority leader.  Depriving Republicans of a veto-proof supermajority would give a potential Democratic governor much more power, Weiner said. And the more Democrats gain, the more they can challenge  the policies of the GOP, which has enjoyed control of both chambers and the governor’s office for the past decade. Senate Democrats have already used their newly won power by rejecting gubernatorial appointments, including a high-profile nomination for the leader of the state’s Health and Human Services Department. Success in November could position Democrats to further contest the state Senate in 2028, when they could conceivably tie with a 25-25 split with Republicans, she said. “It’s an accountability issue,” Weiner said. “You don’t have to be in the majority to start being a player.” In a statement, Iowa Republican House Speaker Pat Grassley acknowledged the uphill battle that midterms can present for incumbents. But he said Republicans have faced similar pressures before, particularly in the 2020 election, and have only grown their House majority in Des Moines. Republicans currently hold 67 of 100 Iowa House seats, all of which are up for election this year. Democrats only need to flip one seat to end the Republican House supermajority.  “We have a lot of territory to defend, including several districts that historically voted for Democrats. Our success in these areas isn’t a fluke,” Grassley’s statement said. “With our battle-tested incumbents and a dynamic slate of hardworking candidates, we are in a strong position in every corner of the state.” What’s at stake In this year’s legislative special elections, Democrats have overperformed general election outcomes by a median of 10.4 points compared with how their districts voted in 2024 elections, according to government relations and lobbying firm MultiState. If Democrats maintain that kind of performance through November, the firm said, it could result in one of the largest wave elections in recent history.  But special elections are not necessarily predictive of general elections, said Chris Cooper,  a professor of political science and public affairs at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina.  North Carolina Democrats are aiming to prevent a House Republican supermajority and break the Senate GOP supermajority — which would require flipping just one seat.  “I think breaking the supermajority does seem very much in reach,” Cooper said. “Getting the majority in the Senate isn’t going to happen unless we have a political earthquake the likes of which we haven’t seen in many decades.” Increasing their numbers in the legislature would greatly increase the power of Democratic Gov. Josh Stein, who has seen a dozen of his vetoes overridden by the GOP-controlled legislature. Among other issues, those overrides have allowed laws to be enacted punishing so-called sanctuary cities and eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion policies from public education.  “It’s extremely consequential,” Cooper said. “It doesn’t mean that Democrats are going to be able to do what they want, but it does mean they’re going to be able to stop the Republicans from doing what they want.” For Democrats, statehouse races provide a critical opportunity to oppose policies enacted by the federal government’s Republican trifecta.  “I think part of it is that people are waking up to the power that states have always had,” said Andrew Grunwald, vice president of political strategy at The States Project, an organization working to help Democrats gain power in states.  State lawmakers who win election this year will have a huge impact on future congressional races as states continue to redraw U.S. House maps. But Grunwald said states also have the ability to immediately legislate on affordability issues that are top of mind for voters. “When you look at who is passing laws that impact your everyday life, it’s your state lawmakers,” he said. That’s particularly true in states with split partisan governance, including Arizona, Michigan and Wisconsin. He also pointed to Pennsylvania, where Democrats control the state House but Republicans control the Senate. That divide has left hundreds of Democratic bills to die in the upper chamber. Winning a Senate majority there would require flipping three seats but could have a major impact on what legislation ultimately becomes signed by Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro.  While the national environment looks favorable now, Grunwald acknowledged things can change quickly. “We need to be doing the work now,” he said. “…If we’re not doing the work, voters will recognize that and if we’re meeting voters where they are and responding to their concerns they will recognize that as well.” Stateline reporter Kevin Hardy can be reached at khardy@stateline.org.  This story was originally produced by Stateline, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Arizona Mirror, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a591c5ea12eaf174af8176d Veteran Dem breaks party line as Jack Smith spying scandal grips Capitol Hill te 2026-07-16T18:01:02.913Z Veteran Dem breaks party line as Jack Smith spying scandal grips Capitol Hill Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., told Fox News Digital that his Republican colleagues are right to be troubled that the Justice Department spied on lawmakers to aid former Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigations. "I think we need to have more facts. Look into it. Republicans are rightly concerned about the possible breach of norms and improper access to email," Blumenthal told Fox News Digital on Wednesday. The GOP-led Senate Judiciary Committee released a trove of documents Tuesday showing that Smith’s investigation into President Donald Trump included the Department of Justice collecting text messages between 44 members of Congress, among them Republicans and Democrats, and White House staff. The messages were purportedly related to Smith's probe of the Jan. 6 breach of the Capitol and Trump’s storage of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. TODD BLANCHE EXPOSES HOW AGGRESSIVE BIDEN DOJ TARGETED LOW-LEVEL MAR-A-LAGO EMPLOYEES Other Democrats were less willing than Blumenthal to lend credence to Republican concerns regarding how Smith carried out his investigation. "I've got no comment on that. If you want to talk about the news of the day, I will," Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., told Fox News Digital, referencing Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s confirmation hearing. Booker was among the lawmakers who had their text messages seized by the Justice Department. Sens. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, Alex Padilla, D-Calif., and Patty Murray, D-Wash., all declined to comment on the issue when approached by Fox News Digital. DEM SENATOR'S STUNT GOES SIDEWAYS AFTER GOP LAWMAKER TORCHES HIM AT IMMIGRATION HEARING Blumenthal’s remarks mark a rare note of bipartisan concern over Smith’s handling of politically sensitive communications, even as other Democrats avoided weighing in on the GOP-led probe. The new documents have intensified Republican scrutiny of whether Justice Department safeguards failed during highly consequential investigations into Trump, while raising fresh questions about how far prosecutors went in accessing lawmakers’ private communications. "I think Jack Smith is a political hack. I think that's why the Justice Department, under President Biden, picked him," Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., told Fox News Digital. "Everybody knows he's a political hack. He never should have been near power. He shouldn't be near power now because he can't exercise it objectively or non-emotionally." JACK SMITH THRUST BACK INTO SPOTLIGHT AT BLANCHE HEARING OVER EXPOSED SENATORS’ MESSAGES The Judiciary Committee claims that the lawmaker’s messages were reviewed in a way that runs afoul of DOJ protocol. A "filter team" was supposed to review the communications before Smith’s investigative team could look at them, according to the documents. Contractors managing document review software for the filter team, however, failed to properly set up permission guardrails, thus allowing the investigative team to examine documents that had not been screened, per a letter sent to Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, by the DOJ. "He honestly believes he's smarter and more virtuous than the American people. He's not, and that's what got him in trouble," Kennedy told Fox News Digital in reference to Smith. After the Senate Judiciary Committee released the documents on Tuesday, multiple Republican lawmakers alleged that Smith perjured himself by answering "no" to a question from a congressional lawyer as to whether he requested text messages from lawmakers as part of his investigation. "I don't know whether it was misleading, I just, I really haven't followed it," Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said to reporters regarding the allegation facing Smith. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a591a95a12eaf174af816f8 Max Verstappen keeps it blunt, yet cryptic when asked about future with Red Bull te 2026-07-16T17:53:25.379Z Max Verstappen keeps it blunt, yet cryptic when asked about future with Red Bull Formula 1 is at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend, a fan and driver favorite, for the Belgian Grand Prix. We’re in the midst of a great title battle between Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli and George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton. However, much of the focus this weekend is on Red Bull's Max Verstappen. It's been a tough season for the four-time champ, who currently sits down in P7 in the standings, and that's because the rumor mill has been churning about his future with the team. Verstappen has not committed to Red Bull for next season and was recently linked with a potential move to McLaren. On top of that, he himself has even floated the idea of stepping away from F1. He hasn't been a fan of the direction the series has taken with its current cars, and has recently done more sports car racing. So, he was asked about all of this on Thursday during his driver press conference, and the Dutchman gave some answers that were both blunt and cryptic. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE "Is there any update you can give us?" a reporter asked. "No," Verstappen said. Verstappen was then asked about what he makes of all of the speculation about his future, to which he replied, "Nothing." ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! He was then asked whether he had a date in mind for providing an update on his plans. "No, there's nothing to say from my side," he said. "So, full commitment to Red Bull in 2027?" the reporter asked. "I said there's nothing to say," Verstappen reiterated. Now, Verstappen is known for handling press conferences like this, but, man, is that not going to keep the rumor mill from churning? It is worth noting that while Red Bull's struggles have been well documented this season, Verstappen has said he has a good relationship with team boss Laurent Mekies, who took over partway through last season. "It’s been really good. I get on very well with Laurent. We speak a lot on track, but also off track," he said, per the Associated Press. "I think the relationship that he has also within the team is great. "Everything for me feels very positive, and I think it’s always nice when you can discuss a lot of things with your team boss. So from that sense, yeah, very happy. It’s all very open and transparent." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a591a81a12eaf174af816ef Blue Angels flyover ignites social media as Hegseth, Eric Trump respond te 2026-07-16T17:53:05.934Z Blue Angels flyover ignites social media as Hegseth, Eric Trump respond Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and other Trump allies took to social media on Thursday after the Navy's Blue Angels drew widespread attention with a flyover above a Florida beach. Video shared online showed beachgoers cheering as two Blue Angels jets with the flight demonstration team made a low pass over Pensacola Beach on Wednesday. Social media reactions varied, from those who praised the flyover and wished they could have seen it in person, to those who criticized the stunt. Hegseth, however, posted on X, "The flyovers will continue until morale improves." HEGSETH SHOOTS DOWN IRAN 'KAMIKAZE DOLPHINS' — LEAVES US QUESTION OPEN Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell shared a photo of one of the aircraft performing a maneuver during the flyover and wrote, "Carry on Patriots." Eric Trump also responded by sharing an ABC News report on X, writing, "Can't stand the manufactured outrage by the low-T mainstream media. This was undoubtedly the highlight of these people's day…" The ABC News report Eric Trump shared said Navy officials confirmed in a statement to the outlet that Blue Angels leadership is "reviewing the circumstances surrounding the maneuver and conducting a thorough safety review." The Blue Angels did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. The flyover came during Wednesday morning's annual "Breakfast with the Blues" event, which marks the start of Red, White and Blues Week and gives spectators a chance to watch the Navy's flight demonstration squadron practice over the Gulf Coast. Local news outlet WALA-TV reported that this year's event drew one of its largest crowds in recent memory, with the Casino Beach and Quietwater parking lots filling by about 7 a.m. Thousands lined the beach as the Blue Angels spent about two hours practicing ahead of this weekend's air show. Brenda Bennett, who has attended the event for decades, told the newspaper she had never seen a crowd this large. ‘AMERICA IS BACK’: TRUMP KICKS OFF GREAT AMERICAN STATE FAIR WITH FLYOVERS, PATRIOTIC NATIONAL MALL SPEECH "I've been coming since 1997 and this is the best kept secret, but I think the secret's out because there's more people here than normally," Bennett said. Theresa Smith and Sheri Marinovich said they had to park farther away than usual because of the crowds but said the extra walk was worth it. "They're showing out," the pair told the newspaper. "They love to put on a show for the breakfast crowd. You feel like they're just so much closer and we get to hear them talking on the radio and they do different maneuvers than they do for the show." Many spectators told the outlet the event felt especially meaningful following the recent America 250 celebrations. Bennett said she hopes Americans continue celebrating "our freedom that we have here in the United States." The Blue Angels are scheduled to practice again Thursday before public performances Friday and Saturday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a591a58a12eaf174af816c7 Trailing GOP hopefuls burn through campaign cash ahead of primary te 2026-07-16T17:52:24.452Z Trailing GOP hopefuls burn through campaign cash ahead of primary PHOENIX -- Two Republican gubernatorial hopefuls, trailing in the polls, are spending pretty much all the money they have in hopes of clinching the nomination in the Tuesday primary. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a591a44a12eaf174af816be Horne says tougher student discipline would help keep Arizona teachers te 2026-07-16T17:52:04.491Z Horne says tougher student discipline would help keep Arizona teachers PHOENIX -- The state's top education official says he knows the way to make teachers feel more satisfied and supported in schools: more and clear discipline of students. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a591a30a12eaf174af816b0 New Mexico man gets 18 months for setting Havasu church fire te 2026-07-16T17:51:44.520Z New Mexico man gets 18 months for setting Havasu church fire A New Mexico man who set a church on fire in Lake Havasu City said he was sorry before he was sentenced to the Arizona Department of Corrections. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a591a1ca12eaf174af816a6 Lake Havasu City woman arrested on cocaine possession charges after purse search te 2026-07-16T17:51:24.550Z Lake Havasu City woman arrested on cocaine possession charges after purse search A Lake Havasu City woman was arrested after officers said she consented to a search of her purse, where suspected cocaine and drug paraphernalia were found. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a591a08a12eaf174af8169d Havasu teen arrested after Starbucks crash leads to DUI charges te 2026-07-16T17:51:04.579Z Havasu teen arrested after Starbucks crash leads to DUI charges A 19-year-old Lake Havasu City woman was arrested after police said she rear-ended another vehicle in a Starbucks drive-through and later recorded breath alcohol concentrations above .20. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5919f4a12eaf174af81694 Lake Havasu City braces for cooler temperatures, increasing storm chances te 2026-07-16T17:50:44.618Z Lake Havasu City braces for cooler temperatures, increasing storm chances Lake Havasu City residents could get a brief break from the extreme heat Friday as monsoonal moisture brings a better chance of thunderstorms and temperatures about 6 degrees cooler than Thursday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5917d5a12eaf174af8163e Fox News surges 29% in unique visitors during Q2 while CNN posts its weakest digital audience since 2015 te 2026-07-16T17:41:41.764Z Fox News surges 29% in unique visitors during Q2 while CNN posts its weakest digital audience since 2015 Fox News Digital led all news brands and broadcast networks among total digital multiplatform unique visitors, multiplatform views and multiplatform minutes during the second quarter of 2026, according to Comscore. During the news-packed quarter, Fox News Digital drove an average of 178 million total digital multiplatform unique visitors, to finish with a 29% increase in the critical category compared to 2025.  Fox News Digital also had 4.6 billion multiplatform views and 9.7 billion multiplatform minutes throughout the quarter to lead all news brands in both categories. It was the 21st consecutive quarter that Fox News finished No. 1 among views and the 16th consecutive quarter it has been the top news brand with minutes. FOX NEWS CHANNEL LEADS CBS AND NBC IN WEEKDAY PRIMETIME, DOMINATES CABLE VIEWERSHIP IN SECOND QUARTER RATINGS While Fox News thrived, CNN finished with its worst quarter since 2015 in several categories. The struggling network managed only 62 million unique visitors, 1.5 billion multiplatform views and 2.4 billion multiplatform minutes for its worst performance in over a decade.  CNN finished down 32% in unique visitors, down 46% among total views and shed 41% of minutes compared to the second quarter of 2025.  Fox News Digital finished the quarter strong, also topping all news brands and broadcast networks with total digital multiplatform visitors, views and minutes during June. It was the fourth straight month that Fox News finished as the top news brand among total multiplatform unique visitors. JIMMY FAILLA RECALLS DOUBLE-PARKING CAB ON 6TH AVENUE TO SQUEEZE IN FIRST FOX TV APPEARANCE Fox News delivered 1.4 billion YouTube video views across its channels, beating all news brands for the seventh consecutive quarter, according to Emplifi. Along the way, the main Fox News channel (1.1 billion views) managed to beat runner-up MS NOW by over 300 million views while more than doubling CNN’s viewership. Fox News also beat broadcast networks ABC News (337 million views), NBC News (310 million views) and CBS News (136 million views) combined.  FOX News Media has generated a staggering 3.3 billion YouTube video views, with FOX News Channel accounting for 2.5 billion of those views, since the start of 2026.  FOX News Media also topped all news brands on social media with interactions for the quarter, according to Emplifi and Comscore Social.  Fox News was responsible for 270 million social media interactions during the second quarter with 122 million interactions on Facebook, 51.9 million interactions on Instagram and 18.2 million interactions on X. Fox News drove another 78.0 million interactions on TikTok and finished with 4.4 billion video views across social media. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE The Fox News Mobile app averaged 6.3 million unique viewers during the quarter, leading the CNN mobile app which settled for an average of 3.1 million unique viewers. Fox News Digital, CBSNews.com, NBCNews.com, WashingtonPost.com, and ABCNews.com have opted in to account for Social Incremental in Total Digital Multiplatform Unique Visitors, while brands like CNN.com and NYTimes.com have not. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a591798a12eaf174af81616 Paul Pelosi’s Errant Driving Record Preceded His Latest Napa Valley Crash te 2026-07-16T17:40:40.838Z Paul Pelosi’s Errant Driving Record Preceded His Latest Napa Valley Crash Mr. Pelosi, the 86-year-old husband of former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, had at least eight traffic violations in a 13-year period before his crash this year, according to court records. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a591784a12eaf174af815ee Oil giant BP shutters its corporate venture arm after 20 years te 2026-07-16T17:40:20.875Z Oil giant BP shutters its corporate venture arm after 20 years BP Ventures is shutting down, ending a nearly 20 year run that was marked by reportedly lackluster returns. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5915a5a12eaf174af815cb Elderly Florida woman goes viral after getting hilariously crude license plate te 2026-07-16T17:32:21.443Z Elderly Florida woman goes viral after getting hilariously crude license plate A nearly 77-year-old South Florida woman drew viral attention on Wednesday after a license plate she believed carried an inappropriate message was mailed to her Pompano Beach home. The plate Nancy Dello Stritto received from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DMV) read, "SQZ A55." "I can handle it if I get a few honks here and there. Actually, being over 70, I might like a few honks," Dello Stritto said, according to 10 Tampa Bay News. Dello Stritto, who will turn 77 next month, said she did not request the plate, which can be interpreted as spelling out a crude phrase. She initially objected to driving through her retirement community with the tag attached to her vehicle. "I don’t think a woman that lives in a senior community that’s going to be 77 years old next month will be driving around with what this plate has to say," Dello Stritto said, according to Fox 8 Live. FLORIDA FISHERMAN USES SPEARGUN TO HOLD OFF THREE ATTACKING SHARKS DURING DESTIN DIVE Dello Stritto also told CBS News Miami that she was stunned when she opened the envelope and saw the new plate. "When I saw that, I went ballistic. I said, ‘How could that pass inspection?’" she said. The plate quickly became a subject of discussion among Dello Stritto’s relatives, friends and neighbors. She said her sons and their friends encouraged her to keep it, with the informal tally reaching 16-1 in favor of putting it on her car. Dello Stritto also showed the plate to an 89-year-old neighbor and explained that it was supposed to remain on her vehicle for the next decade. MAN FLEEING ICE OFFICERS IN FLORIDA IS STRUCK AND KILLED BY TRACTOR-TRAILER, POLICE SAY "And this is what I received from the DMV for my new license plate. That’s good for 10 years," she told the neighbor, according to 10 Tampa Bay. The neighbor offered a one-word endorsement of the plate. "Good," he replied. Dello Stritto said she still planned to alert the DMV, but had become increasingly willing to give the plate a test drive after hearing from people around her. "I’m resigned to it; maybe it was destined for it to be on my car," she told CBS News Miami. FLORIDA SCHOOL PRINCIPALS FACE DUI CHARGES AFTER POLICE TRAFFIC STOPS JUST HOURTS APART The Pompano Beach resident also joked that the unexpected attention could provide an unexpected benefit. "I can handle it; maybe I’ll even get some honks," Dello Stritto said. The plate prompted reactions on social media, where commenters encouraged Dello Stritto to keep the unusual configuration. "I cannot believe that this particular Florida license plate had not been previously requested. She could sell that for thousands," commentator Emily Zanotti wrote. 74-YEAR-OLD BECOMES FLORIDA'S OLDEST INMATE EXECUTED AFTER 1982 KILLING OF TEEN Radio host Dana Loesch joked about the reactions the plate could generate in Dello Stritto’s community. "I just want to be in the church parking lot on Sunday to see the reactions," Loesch said. OutKick’s Clay Travis shared the story with a brief reaction. "Dying," Travis said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Fox News Digital reached out to Dello Stritto for comment but did not immediately receive a response. It was not immediately clear how the plate was generated or whether the combination was reviewed before it was mailed. Florida’s standard license plates are replaced every 10 years under state law, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Dello Stritto indicated that the plate was issued as part of that scheduled replacement cycle. The agency lists three standard plate options: a county-name plate where available, a "Sunshine State" plate and an "In God We Trust" plate. Standard plates receive alphanumeric configurations unless a motorist separately applies and pays for a personalized plate. Broward County Records, Taxes and Treasury Division serves as an agent of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and issues license plates and parking permits. Its motor vehicle office is located in Plantation. An office manager told CBS News Miami that Broward County would replace a license plate deemed offensive at no cost if Dello Stritto brought it to the Plantation office. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a591591a12eaf174af815c2 Baltimore beat-down: Video shows group of teens pummeling elderly man outside 7-Eleven as police hunt suspects te 2026-07-16T17:32:01.488Z Baltimore beat-down: Video shows group of teens pummeling elderly man outside 7-Eleven as police hunt suspects Police are searching for a group of suspects accused of beating up an elderly man and attempting to rob him outside a gas station in Baltimore. Surveillance video shows the group run up to the man outside a 7-Eleven and proceed to attack him and display weapons. The six unknown suspects wearing hooded sweatshirts appear to have knocked the man to the ground several times while also throwing various objects at him. FLORIDA MEN INDICTED IN ARMED HOME INVASION WHERE SUSPECT POSED AS UTILITY WORKER, 13-YEAR-OLD ZIP-TIED: DOJ At one point, it appears one of the suspects points what looks like an assault rifle at the victim and another suspect points a sword at him in the video shared by police. Baltimore Police report it happened in the city's Northern District just before 4 a.m. on July 7 at the 7-Eleven location on Liberty Heights Avenue. The attack follows an announcement Baltimore's Democratic mayor, Brandon M. Scott, Brandon M. Scott made about the reported drop in violent crime in the city. JUDGE JUDY'S SON ADAM LEVY SAYS HE COULD FIX LOS ANGELES ‘IN A MONTH’ Mayor Scott's office noted the city has seen 50 homicides so far this year. "This total represents the fewest homicides ever recorded in Baltimore through the first six months of a calendar year. Compared to this date last year, Baltimore has seen a 23.1% decrease in homicides and a 2.5% decrease in non-fatal shootings," the announcement reported. As for the 7-Eleven incident, Baltimore Police confirmed to Fox News Digital that "the victim sustained minor bruising from the assault." Police could not confirm if suspects were involved in other related crimes in the city. The investigation is ongoing. NEW 911 AUDIO CAPTURES NEIGHBORS WARNING OF 'FULL-OUT WAR' BEFORE POLICE WERE ATTACKED IN BLOCK PARTY CHAOS Fox News Digital has reached out to 7-Eleven for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a591554a12eaf174af8159b Lake Mead will keep setting record lows over the next two years, forecasters say te 2026-07-16T17:31:00.542Z Lake Mead will keep setting record lows over the next two years, forecasters say It’s a race to the bottom for Southern Nevada’s primary water source as federal forecasters again downgraded how low they expect Lake Mead to go over the next two years. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59152ca12eaf174af81568 Newsletter platform Beehiiv now lets subscribers chat with each other, adds AI te 2026-07-16T17:30:20.101Z Newsletter platform Beehiiv now lets subscribers chat with each other, adds AI Beehiiv is launching an AI Copilot to help publishers with user growth and analytics Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a591339a12eaf174af81543 A raunchy joke by ESPYs host about DJ Khaled somehow flew right by the Disney censors te 2026-07-16T17:22:01.097Z A raunchy joke by ESPYs host about DJ Khaled somehow flew right by the Disney censors What a Mickey Mouse operation. During Wednesday night's ESPYs show on ABC, Saturday Night Live star Marcello Hernandez slipped a dirty joke about DJ Khaled's sex life right by Disney's standards and practices team with ease. "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome three guys who simply refuse to go down: Jake Paul, Mike Tyson and DJ Khaled," Hernandez said while laughing at his own joke. MARCELLO HERNÁNDEZ ROASTS JAKE PAUL, TIGER WOODS AND BILL BELICHICK IN ESPYS MONOLOGUE What's so funny? If you go back to 2018, Khaled made Internet headlines as sleuths started digging into what is believed to be a 2014 appearance on The Breakfast Club where the DJ had some rather interesting things to say about his personal life. "If you holding it down for your woman, I feel like the woman should praise and the man should praise the Queen," Khaled explained. "But, you know, my way of praising is called, 'How was dinner? You like the house you living in? You like all them clothes you getting? I'm taking care of your family, I'm taking care of my family.'" When pressed on whether he "goes down" on his then-girlfriend, Nicole Tuck, Khaled immediately said that's not his thing. "Nah, never. Nah, I can't do that. Hell nah...I can't do that. I don't do that," Khaled fired back, while noting he'd have a problem if a woman created a similar rule. DAN LE BATARD, WHO PREVIOUSLY AVOIDED DOUG EMHOFF ABUSE ALLEGATION, DECLARES JOURNALISM 'DEAD' CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS When he was pressed over his rules for thee, not for me, stance, the DJ didn't budge. "It's different rules for men. You gotta understand, we the King," he added. Tuck and Khaled now have two sons. While it wasn't a moment like 1998 when Norm MacDonald joked about having "inappropriate relations" with ESPN interns backstage at the ESPYs, Hernandez getting an oral sex joke past Disney in 2026 is still impressive considering the network's history of cutting to dead air over sex jokes. During a 2017 show, Dan Le Batard was censored while speculating that Rob Gronkowski's could end via a sex act. "It’s OK for Gronk to reference the number between 68 and 70, but not me? The hell is this, Disney? Somebody explain this to me. Because that’s the way he’s going to die!" Le Batard said at the time. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5912fca12eaf174af8151b The Sunset Strip Becomes a Gushing River After Water Main Break te 2026-07-16T17:21:00.675Z The Sunset Strip Becomes a Gushing River After Water Main Break The deluge was so strong that one person was briefly swept away and underground garages were flooded. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5912e8a12eaf174af8150b Por amor al fútbol: Habitantes de Tucson viven juntos la Copa del Mundo te 2026-07-16T17:20:40.711Z Por amor al fútbol: Habitantes de Tucson viven juntos la Copa del Mundo Aficionados de todo el mundo llenan ciudades, estadios, bares, restaurantes, hogares y espacios comunitarios este verano para disfrutar de uno de los eventos deportivos y culturales más populares del mundo. La 23.ª Copa Mundial masculina de la FIFA, que se celebra este verano, es la primera en contar con 48 selecciones y tres países anfitriones: Canadá, México y Estados Unidos. En Tucson, los aficionados se reúnen frente a televisores y pantallas de proyección para apoyar a sus equipos y jugadores favoritos, mientras aprovechan un respiro del intenso calor del verano. Los partidos generan un flujo constante de clientes para algunos pequeños negocios durante la temporada más lenta de la ciudad y brindan a las personas la oportunidad de socializar y conectar de nuevas maneras. Para quienes siguen el torneo desde Estados Unidos, los 39 días de competencia ponen en primer plano la diversidad y el carácter internacional del evento. El ganador de la semifinal del miércoles entre Argentina e Inglaterra, en este caso Argentina, se enfrentará a España en la final del domingo. El partido por el tercer lugar se disputará el sábado entre Francia y el perdedor del encuentro entre Argentina e Inglaterra. Arizona Luminaria visitó algunos espacios en Tucson donde los aficionados siguen la Copa del Mundo para explorar qué significan estos partidos para las personas, cómo celebran las comunidades e identidades internacionales y qué hace que un lugar se sienta como un hogar. Chris Martinez permanece sentado en Zerai’s International Bar, en el centro de Tucson, mientras observa el partido entre Argentina y Egipto el 7 de julio de 2026. Credit: Summer Williams Chris Martinez, originario de Tucson, ha seguido la Copa del Mundo desde que era niño. “Mi primera Copa del Mundo fue en 2006. Era muy pequeño, tenía 7 años, y fue mi padrastro quien me la presentó. Me dijo: ‘Te va a encantar’. Me emocioné muchísimo y le hacía preguntas a mi mamá, como: ‘¿Sabías que esta es la bandera de Túnez?’ o ‘Esta es la bandera de Trinidad y Tobago’”, contó mientras observaba un partido sentado en una mesa del Zerai’s International Bar en el centro de Tucson. “Es una forma muy especial de aprender sobre diferentes culturas y países que no ocurre en un salón de clases y que hace mucho más accesible conocer cómo es una cultura frente a tus propios ojos”. Martinez, maestro de inglés de sexto grado en BASIS Tucson North, dijo que la docencia le permite convivir con estudiantes de muchas culturas y que vivir en Tucson le da acceso a una comunidad más diversa. Dijo que sigue de cerca las historias que surgen durante la Copa del Mundo y disfruta ver cómo diferentes culturas y comunidades se unen, incluso en un momento en que las conexiones internacionales en Estados Unidos parecen más complejas. Rachael Colasanto observa el inicio del partido entre Noruega e Inglaterra desde el área entre la cocina y el mostrador de su cafetería y panadería Holy Focaccia el 9 de julio de 2026. Credit: Summer Williams “Antes de que comenzara la Copa del Mundo, estaba muy preocupado de que todo fuera un desastre. Y no era el único, especialmente considerando todo lo que ha estado pasando. Pero durante los primeros días empezaron a aparecer comentarios en las redes sociales de turistas diciendo: ‘Ustedes son encantadores’. O: ‘De verdad me encantan los estadounidenses’. También he visto muchísimos videos virales de personas diciendo: ‘Voy a llevar a estos turistas a comer barbecue coreano o barbecue texano’, invitándolos a almorzar o haciendo cosas así. Y ellos respondían: ‘Dios mío, esto está buenísimo’. Me da mucho gusto ver que, cuando los políticos no están de por medio, realmente nos llevamos bien”. Rachael Colasanto dirige una panadería y cafetería donde los partidos se proyectan en una pared de la cocina abierta. “Cualquier partido que se juegue mientras la panadería está abierta, lo vemos. La verdad es que cualquier equipo es divertido de ver”, dijo Colasanto. “Y siento que, especialmente en este torneo, ha habido países que simplemente han aparecido y nos han sorprendido”. La cafetería-panadería de Colasanto,Holy Focaccia, abrió hace apenas cinco meses como un establecimiento físico, después de haber iniciado el negocio desde su casa en Barrio Viejo durante la pandemia y de vender en mercados de agricultores locales y en Slow Body Beer. Sin embargo, el lugar ya se ha convertido en el espacio que ella imaginaba: lleno de gente, comida y vida. El local es pequeño y tiene pocos asientos, pero casi dos docenas de personas lo han llenado para ver los partidos. “Sé que probablemente todos estamos cansados de hablar de lo lentos que son los negocios durante el verano, pero esto realmente nos ha mantenido a flote y ha llenado esos vacíos que deja la temporada, especialmente siendo un negocio nuevo. Así que extendemos nuestro horario. Los jueves suelen ser nuestro día más lento de la semana, y ver el lugar así de lleno definitivamente nos ayuda”. Zakaria Boucetta y Rachael Colasanto posan frente al mostrador de Holy Focaccia el 9 de julio de 2026. Credit: Summer Williams Colasanto y su pareja, Zakaria Boucetta, son aficionados al fútbol desde hace muchos años. La familia de Colasanto tiene raíces en Italia y ella jugó fútbol desde los 4 años hasta la preparatoria. Boucetta, de ascendencia marroquí y portuguesa, nació en Canadá. Él diseñó el espacio y esperaba que el local estuviera listo para abrir a tiempo para la Copa del Mundo. Ambos eligieron Tucson como su hogar después de mudarse desde Nueva York. Los partidos representan una oportunidad para compartir su amor por otros países y por los lugares que han formado parte de sus vidas. “Recuerdo perfectamente haber visto grandes partidos en distintos bares o restaurantes, y esos momentos siguen muy presentes en mi memoria. Ahora que puedo hacerlo en mi propio espacio, a veces me parece increíble”, dijo mientras estaba sentada en el mostrador de la panadería observando hacia la cocina, donde su equipo se preparaba para el servicio de la tarde. “Este es nuestro lugar, y podemos transmitir estos partidos. Tal vez tenga el mismo impacto en alguien más y recuerde que vio, no sé, a Marruecos perder —entre lágrimas— en Holy Focaccia. Los lugares tienen un significado muy especial para mí, y todo esto ha sido muy divertido”.  Aarush Parvataneni posa junto a un cartel de la Copa del Mundo en el patio exterior de Zerai’s International Bar el 7 de julio de 2026. Parvataneni acudió al bar con un amigo para ver el partido entre Argentina y Egipto. Credit: Summer Williams Para Aarush Parvataneni, seguir la Copa del Mundo ha sido, en su mayor parte, una experiencia divertida desde la comodidad de su hogar. “Es el evento deportivo más grande. Hay muchísimos equipos de todo el mundo y puedes ver, desde el punto de vista deportivo, a todos estos equipos de primer nivel competir entre sí. También hay muchas historias de equipos que llegan como favoritos inesperados, y eso siempre es emocionante de seguir. Pero además, fuera de la cancha, es fascinante ver cómo se encuentran y conviven distintas culturas y tradiciones futbolísticas, así como a los aficionados de todas partes del mundo. Se siente como una gran celebración”. Parvataneni tiene un par de críticas sobre la Copa del Mundo: el precio de las entradas para los partidos y las pausas para hidratación en cada tiempo, que, en su opinión, interrumpen el ritmo del juego. “Da la impresión de que solo buscan generar más dinero al incluir más anuncios, en lugar de preocuparse por los jugadores. Además, eso cambia la forma en que se desarrolla el partido, porque si un equipo lleva el impulso del juego y luego hay una pausa para hidratación, pierde ese impulso”. Aun así, ha disfrutado seguir a distintos jugadores y las historias de los equipos sorpresa durante la Copa del Mundo, ya sea desde su casa o en Zerai’s International Bar. “Creo que, en general, la gente y los aficionados son quienes han hecho grande a la Copa del Mundo, pero la FIFA y, supongo, los gobiernos o las personas con más poder, podrían haber hecho un mejor trabajo”. Desde que se mudó hace cuatro años de Bangalore, India, a Tucson para estudiar en la Universidad de Arizona, Parvataneni sigue principalmente los deportes universitarios y el críquet. “La Copa del Mundo nos hace apreciar la diversidad que existe en el mundo y cómo todos estos países son tan diferentes y únicos a su manera. Creo que eso es algo realmente increíble de ver y, no sé, también me dan ganas de viajar a todos esos países”.  Luca Ravaglia posa frente a Zerai’s International Bar, en Tucson, con la bandera de Cabo Verde sobre los hombros el 7 de julio de 2026. Credit: Summer Williams Luca Ravaglia no se ha perdido ni un solo partido de esta Copa del Mundo. Nació en Italia, pero creció en Phoenix. Dijo que el fútbol lo conecta con su familia y con su identidad italiana. “Es algo muy importante en Europa; no se trata solo de los equipos. Significa mucho más para la gente. Poder seguirlo, involucrarte con un club, te ayuda a comprender mejor la cultura y, en general, la sociedad del lugar de donde vienes”. En Tucson, ha visto todos los partidos de esta Copa del Mundo en Zerai’s International Bar. Conoció el bar cuando abrió hace más de dos años y, desde entonces, se ha convertido en un punto de encuentro para conocer mejor distintos deportes y equipos. “Es casi como un centro internacional, tal como lo dice el nombre del bar. La gente llega, conoces personas nuevas y puedes ver cómo viven la experiencia, el orgullo que sienten por sus países. Vives aquí, en Tucson, pero al mismo tiempo puedes sentir ese ambiente internacional a través de las experiencias de quienes vienen a ver los partidos’. Como Italia no logró clasificar a la Copa del Mundo, Ravaglia dijo que pudo apoyar a distintos equipos, especialmente a los considerados favoritos inesperados y a las selecciones africanas. “Ha habido buenas historias y también malas. Tiene ambos lados”. Aficionados disfrutan la Copa del Mundo en Tucson. Ravaglia siguió de cerca la situación de Irán, cuya selección tenía previsto entrenar en el Kino Sports Complex de Tucson en junio, pero que posteriormente se trasladó a Tijuana, México, debido a problemas con las visas y al conflicto bélico con Estados Unidos que comenzó a principios de este año. “Esas fueron escenas bastante desagradables que quedaron expuestas”, dijo Ravaglia. También observó cómo personas de todo el mundo llegaron a Estados Unidos y experimentaron por primera vez la cultura estadounidense. “En ese sentido, ha sido algo positivo para quienes pudieron venir desde distintas partes del mundo, conocer el país y vivir la experiencia. Pero también hubo aspectos negativos, como la resistencia por parte de la administración y todo lo relacionado con ello. Así que esas dos tensiones se han estado desarrollando al mismo tiempo”. The post Por amor al fútbol: Habitantes de Tucson viven juntos la Copa del Mundo appeared first on AZ Luminaria. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5912d4a12eaf174af814eb Uber’s $14.8B Delivery Hero deal would nearly double its global footprint te 2026-07-16T17:20:20.746Z Uber’s $14.8B Delivery Hero deal would nearly double its global footprint Uber has agreed to acquire Delivery Hero in a $14.8 billion all-stock deal that would nearly double the company’s global footprint and create one of the world’s largest food delivery platforms outside China. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a591146a12eaf174af814c6 New York Times blasts ‘abusive’ Trump subpoenas targeting reporters’ sources te 2026-07-16T17:13:42.272Z New York Times blasts ‘abusive’ Trump subpoenas targeting reporters’ sources The New York Times asked a federal court in Manhattan on Wednesday to quash Justice Department subpoenas ordering three of its reporters to testify before a grand jury, arguing the Trump administration was retaliating against the newspaper for reporting on security concerns involving the Qatari-donated Air Force One. "As we set out in our motion, these subpoenas are brought in bad faith to punish The Times for its coverage," David McCraw, the Times’ senior vice president and deputy general counsel, said. "They violate the constitutional rights of The Times and its journalists. We are going to court to defend our journalists’ rights to report freely on the administration and to provide the public with stories that matter." McCraw said the demands were "abusive and improper" and violated the constitutional rights of the newspaper and its journalists. TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SUBPOENAS NY TIMES JOURNALISTS IN GRAND JURY LEAK PROBE TIED TO AIR FORCE ONE REPORT "We are going to court to defend our journalists’ rights to report freely on the administration and to provide the public with stories that matter," McCraw said. The subpoenas were delivered Friday, including to reporters at their homes, and directed the journalists to appear before a federal grand jury on Wednesday. The testimony did not proceed after the Times filed its legal challenge. The newspaper initially expected five journalists to receive subpoenas, but three were ultimately served, according to the AP. The dispute followed Times reporting that Trump switched to an older Air Force One after the newspaper reported the newly retrofitted aircraft lacked some advanced security systems, including antimissile capabilities. Trump denied that security concerns prompted the change. The administration spent approximately $400 million upgrading the aircraft after Qatar donated it. The filing was submitted under seal in the Southern District of New York pursuant to a court order, the AP reported. The Times also asked the court to unseal the documents. TRUMP EXPLAINS WHY HE'S FLYING OLD AIR FORCE ONE BACK TO DC "The Times believes that the public has a right to information about this case," McCraw said. The Justice Department disputed the Times' characterization and said the investigation was focused on government employees suspected of disclosing protected information rather than the journalists who received it. "To be clear, reporters are not the targets, those leaking classified information are," the department said. The department said journalists play an important role while arguing that federal authorities must protect sensitive government information. TRUMP'S AG NOMINEE RACKS UP MASSIVE SUPPORT AHEAD OF CONFIRMATION HEARING: 'REAL RESULTS' "We value and appreciate the important role that the press plays in this country," the department said. "But DOJ also plays an important role to make sure that the people entrusted with our nation’s secrets do what they’re supposed to do with that information, which means not sharing classified information." In a statement to Fox News Digital, a White House official said the administration viewed disclosures involving the presidential aircraft as a potential danger to those aboard and would pursue the people responsible through lawful means. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "Leaks that jeopardize the safety of the President, his staff, and the traveling press pool are dangerous and a threat to national security," the White House official said. "The White House takes these leaks seriously and will do everything legally to ensure the individual or individuals are caught and it does not happen again." Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the subpoenas during his Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday, describing the reporters as potential witnesses in a criminal leak investigation. "They’re material witnesses, just like a reporter would be a material witness to a car crash," Blanche said. The subpoenas were issued by Manhattan U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, who appeared Wednesday before the Senate Intelligence Committee as Trump's nominee for director of national intelligence, according to the AP. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., questioned whether prosecutors had first exhausted other avenues for obtaining the information. "We followed the processes that we’re required to follow," Clayton said according to CNN, including procedures intended to protect the First Amendment and press freedom. The subpoenas came after the Justice Department restored prosecutors’ authority in 2025 to use subpoenas, court orders and search warrants during investigations of unauthorized disclosures to journalists, reversing Biden-era protections. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a591132a12eaf174af814bd Mamdani sparks fierce backlash for World Cup stunt 'palling around' with Rikers Island convicts te 2026-07-16T17:13:22.818Z Mamdani sparks fierce backlash for World Cup stunt 'palling around' with Rikers Island convicts Controversial New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is being torn to shreds for fraternizing with inmates at Rikers Island while they watched the World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday afternoon. The Associated Press filmed Mamdani walking into a recreation room where inmates in tan jumpsuits were watching the game between Argentina and England. He sat down at a table and smiled while speaking to the inmates as the audio of the game played in the background. His voice was then dubbed over the video. MAMDANI DEFENDS CONTROVERSIAL NYC MAP AFTER OMITTING ICONIC LITTLE ITALY, JEWISH AND IRISH NEIGHBORHOODS "I hope that this shares with people who are incarcerated here on Rikers that they too are a part of New York City," Mamdani said. "The World Cup has been a magical moment for the entire city." He also insisted in the impromptu on-camera remarks that the convicts were part of the New York City community. "These are New Yorkers, and they will be New Yorkers when they get out of Rikers. They are New Yorkers today, and I wanted to make sure we could celebrate this moment together," the socialist mayor said. Mamdani was scorched online for the stunt, with users launching into the mayor who has been viewed as soft-on-crime, and has recently cut NYPD's budget by about $22 million. MAMDANI WALKS BACK PLAN TO INCREASE NYPD HEADCOUNT FOLLOWING DSA PRESSURE "As usual, communists prioritizing criminals and leeches over the honest working middle class and the movers and shakers," one user said. "Can this guy be on the right side of any subject," said another. "How dumb are New Yorkers, to see this guy and go 'yes. That’s the leader we need.'" DEMOCRATIC SENATE CANDIDATE CALLED FOR MASS RELEASE OF CRIMINALS DURING PRISON ABOLITION WEBINAR A third wrote: "Mamdani is literally laughing in everyone’s face for electing him by openly palling around with criminals every chance he can get." "Unbelievable. He's now partying with prisoners. Great job voting for him, New Yorkers!" said another. "Only a violent commie bastard would glorify the worst of criminals," yet another lamented. "They are deliberately NOT PART of society because they lost the privilege. What the f--- message is raining charity on them trying to send?" In the past, Mamdani notoriously questioned what purpose prison serve, suggesting they should be abolished. Meanwhile rapes are up 6.6% in New York City compared to this time last year. Mamdani was similarly excoriated online when he blamed the "definition of what counts as rape" for that statistic rising. Mamdani's office did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59111fa12eaf174af814b4 Jim Jordan says House weighing criminal referral of Jack Smith for allegedly lying to Congress te 2026-07-16T17:13:03.362Z Jim Jordan says House weighing criminal referral of Jack Smith for allegedly lying to Congress Former Special Counsel Jack Smith is being considered for a criminal referral to the Justice Department, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan said Wednesday, as Republicans examine whether Smith misled lawmakers during testimony about his investigation into President Donald Trump. "We're already looking at that," Jordan told "Hannity" when asked about the potential criminal referral. "Do we need to refer him to the Justice Department, to Attorney General Blanche, for them to go ahead and move forward with prosecution? We're looking at that as we speak." FBI QUESTIONING CURRENT AND FORMER CIA OFFICIALS IN DOJ PROBE INTO JOHN BRENNAN'S ROLE IN RUSSIA ASSESSMENT Jordan pointed to Smith's congressional testimony regarding his office's acquisition of telephone toll records, in which Smith said investigators did not obtain the contents of communications. "Toll records were sought for historical telephone routing information, collected after calls had taken place, identifying the incoming and outgoing call numbers, the time of the calls and their duration," Smith testified at the time. "Toll records do not include the content of calls." Jordan argued that newly disclosed information shows Smith's team obtained and reviewed congressional text messages, which he said contradicted Smith's testimony that investigators sought only telephone toll records — not texts or the broader contents of communications. APOLOGIES AND CASH HEADED TO ALLEGED 'WEAPONIZATION' VICTIMS IN BILLION-DOLLAR TRUMP SETTLEMENT In December, Smith told the committee, "No, I don't recall," when asked whether he had sought a search warrant for text messages from members of Congress, and responded, "Correct," when asked whether investigators had only sought toll records. Smith was thrust back into the spotlight Wednesday during Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s confirmation hearing when Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., pressed the Justice Department over newly revealed allegations regarding the Biden-era special counsel's review of lawmakers' text messages.  Kennedy referred to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, who announced Tuesday that records provided to the committee showed Smith's team obtained and reviewed text messages involving 44 current and former lawmakers as part of the Trump election probe. Kennedy was not among those on the list released by Grassley's office. MIKE DAVIS: WHY SENATE MUST IGNORE OBAMA JUDGE'S ATTACK ON AG NOMINEE TODD BLANCHE Blanche confirmed that the DOJ is investigating. "They got my phone logs," Jordan said. "There were 44 members of the United States Congress — members, senators, members of the House. Even some Democrats, a handful of Democrats, were caught up in this. Again, you can't do that... it wasn't just the toll. I never forget the toll records issue," he continued. Jordan accused Smith's team of going to "another branch of government" and obtaining the information without a warrant. "They got it, and they didn't screen it, and then Jack Smith, under oath, says, 'No, no. We didn't get any contents.' Well, shazam, it looks like they did, and it looks like he wasn't square with us when he testified in front of our committee," he said. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., reacted similarly on Wednesday, insisting on "Hannity" that Smith should be "prosecuted." "What did he do with the text messages? We don't know that yet. What we do know is he absolutely read them. He absolutely shared them with members of his team and all of that illegally," Hawley alleged. "The Justice Department requires that there be screening for any members of Congress [regarding] their text messages. Jack Smith said under oath that he didn't seek the text messages of members of Congress, but in fact, we know that he did. So he lied, he violated the law, he violated the Constitution. This guy ought to be prosecuted." Representatives for Smith did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Fox News' Ashley J. DiMella contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59110ba12eaf174af814ab Tesla helped save a driver. Is your car ready? te 2026-07-16T17:12:43.906Z Tesla helped save a driver. Is your car ready? A medical emergency behind the wheel is terrifying because every second suddenly feels bigger. You are trying to stay calm, stay safe and get help before things spiral. That is why John Brandt's story is getting so much attention. His Tesla Model Y helped keep him moving during a heart attack, while his son used the Tesla app to reroute the car to a nearby emergency room. The bigger takeaway isn’t that your car can replace 911. It cannot. The lesson is that connected-car settings, trusted app access and emergency contacts should be ready before you ever need them. BEFORE YOU CONNECT ANOTHER SMART TV, TABLET OR PHONE, LOCK IT DOWN Free live CyberGuy class: Sick of Spam? Join us July 22 Join us Wednesday, July 22, at 1 p.m. ET for a free CyberGuy Live class that will help you cut down on robocalls, spam texts, junk email and other unwanted messages. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson will walk you step by step through simple ways to filter spam, clean up your inbox and recognize the messages that could put your personal information at risk. No technical experience is needed. You’ll also receive our spam-stopping checklist, and every registrant will get a link to the class recording afterward. Reserve your free spot today at CyberGuyLive.com. Brandt said he was driving from Atlanta to Birmingham on I-20 around 4 a.m. when severe chest pain made it unsafe for him to keep driving on his own. His Model Y had Full Self-Driving Supervised enabled, which helped keep the car on course while he called his son, Jack. Jack then acted from his own phone. Because he was an authorized driver on his father's Tesla account, he could send a new destination to the vehicle through the Tesla app. He found Tanner Medical Center in Carrollton, Georgia and rerouted the car there. He also called ahead, so emergency room staff knew a possible heart attack patient was coming. Brandt later said doctors found three blocked arteries and told him the fast reroute likely saved his life. Brandt credited his family, the hospital team and Tesla's technology for helping him survive. His experience also shows why trusted access should be set up before a crisis starts. This story hits home because it sounds like something that could happen to any of us. You may be driving to help a parent. You may be on a highway before sunrise. You may think you feel heartburn or stress until the pain gets worse. Most of us think about car safety in terms of brakes, airbags and tires. However, this story shows that app access, navigation settings and trusted contacts can also play a role in a crisis. That does not mean your car becomes a paramedic. It means your connected vehicle can give your family more ways to help if something goes wrong. Brandt's experience raises a question every driver should consider: If you suddenly could not manage the trip alone, would someone you trust know how to step in and help? If you own a Tesla, start with trusted driver access. Add someone you trust completely, such as a spouse, adult child or close family member. Tesla lets owners add drivers through the Tesla app. Once added, that person may be able to access key vehicle features from their own phone. Choose carefully. A trusted driver may be able to see your vehicle location and use important app controls. That access can help in an emergency, but it also deserves serious thought. TESLA ROBOTAXI MIAMI LAUNCH COMES WITH LIMITS Next, show that person how to send a destination to your Tesla. Do not make this something they figure out during a crisis. Sit in the parked car and test it together. Have them send a familiar destination to the vehicle. Make sure you both understand what appears on the screen. Then talk through what they should do if you ever call and say something is wrong. Also save useful locations in your navigation system. Add home, work and hospitals you would likely use. If you often drive between two cities, look at hospitals along that route before you need them. Tesla calls the system Full Self-Driving Supervised for a reason. The driver still needs to pay attention and stay ready to take over at any time. Brandt's experience shows how the technology and app connectivity helped during one frightening emergency. But a Tesla cannot replace 911, an ambulance or a trained medical team. If you feel chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, lightheadedness or pain in your arm, back or jaw, treat it as an emergency. Pull over safely if you can. Call 911 immediately. Emergency responders can start care on the way to the hospital and alert the ER before you arrive. Your car may help your family find you or send a destination. Still, it should never delay a medical call. You do not need a Tesla to learn from this story. Many newer vehicles have connected apps, navigation tools, roadside assistance buttons or emergency calling features. First, remember this: your car should never replace 911. If you are having a medical emergency, pull over safely if you can and call for help immediately. These steps are about giving your family extra ways to help, not replacing emergency responders. Open your automaker's app and review what it can do. Look for vehicle location, shared driver access, remote lock controls, roadside assistance and navigation features. Then make sure your trusted contact can use the app if your car allows it. If the app requires a login, two-factor code or owner approval, handle that now. Also check app access after you get a new phone. Permissions can change when you upgrade. Also, because vehicle apps can show location and control certain car features, use a strong unique password, store it in a password manager and turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) if available. Only give app access to someone you fully trust. Make sure your vehicle app can use location services when needed. Also allow important notifications from the app so you do not miss alerts about your car. Ask your trusted contact to check the same settings on their phone. If they cannot see your vehicle, receive alerts or open the app quickly, they may not be able to help during a crisis. Some vehicles let you send a destination from your phone to the dashboard. Others do not. Find out now. Sit in your parked car and send a destination from your phone. Then ask your trusted contact to try it if they have authorized access. This quick test can prevent confusion later. It also shows you what your car will display when a new destination arrives. Many vehicles have an SOS button, emergency assistance button or roadside help button. Do not assume they all work the same way. Check your owner's manual or automaker app. Find out whether the button calls 911, a private call center or roadside assistance. Also learn whether the system shares your vehicle location. That detail can be critical if you cannot explain where you are. Your phone may help even more than your car. Add emergency contacts, fill out your Medical ID or emergency information and make sure your family can reach you even when Do Not Disturb is on. Apple says iPhone emergency contacts can receive a text and your location after an emergency call, while Samsung lets Galaxy owners add emergency contacts, medical info and SOS sharing from Safety and emergency settings. On iPhone To make sure key people can reach you, go to Settings → Focus → Do Not Disturb → People and allow calls or notifications from your trusted contacts. You can also open a contact, tap Edit , choose Ringtone or Text Tone and turn on Emergency Bypass . Emergency Bypass can allow that person's calls or texts to come through even when Focus settings would normally silence them. On Samsung Galaxy Settings may vary depending on your Android's manufacturer On Galaxy phones, also check Settings → Safety and emergency → Emergency Location Service and turn it on if available. This can help share your location with emergency responders in supported regions. To let important calls through Do Not Disturb, go to Settings → Notifications → Do not disturb → Calls and messages or Allowed during Do not disturb , then allow favorite contacts or selected contacts. Favorite contacts can be allowed through while Do Not Disturb is on. Technology can fail. Phones lose battery. Apps can lock you out. Keep a small emergency card in your wallet or glove box. Include emergency contacts, allergies, medications and your preferred hospital. If you have a heart condition or another medical concern, ask your doctor what details should be listed. Trusted access should not be set once and forgotten. Remove anyone who no longer needs access to your vehicle app. Add someone new if your family situation changes. Also update emergency contacts after a move, phone change or major health update. John Brandt's story is scary because it could happen to anyone. His Tesla helped, but the real lesson is preparation. If your car has an app, know what it can do before an emergency. Add a trusted family member, test the navigation tools and make sure your phone's emergency features are filled out. A car should never replace calling 911. However, the right setup can give your family one more way to help when every second counts. If your car were involved in an emergency, would your family know what to do? 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/6a5910f8a12eaf174af814a2 Tim Scott says he'd 'love to see' Fox News host replace Lindsey Graham te 2026-07-16T17:12:24.454Z Tim Scott says he'd 'love to see' Fox News host replace Lindsey Graham The Republican in charge of funding and backing candidates for the Senate has two people in mind to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., has been fielding calls from former and current members of Congress all interested in jumping into the Aug. 11 special election to replace the late lawmaker, but there’s only one he’s been calling consistently: former Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C. Scott said during an event remembering his colleague Graham on Wednesday, "You probably will be surprised to hear this, but I have an affinity for Trey Gowdy. GRAHAM'S DEATH IGNITES GOP SCRAMBLE FOR SENATE SEAT AS TRUMP HINTS HE ALREADY HAS A FAVORITE "Trey would be an amazing senator for South Carolina. I'm not sure that, as he says, he could afford the alimony or the pay cut," Scott said. "But I would love to see him. He's happily married, by the way." Gowdy served in the House for eight years, opting to retire from the lower chamber in 2019 after making a name for himself leading the House Select Committee on Benghazi, where he peppered former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the 2012 terrorist attacks in Libya where four Americans died. He’s since become a host on Fox News. Scott believed that Gowdy could easily slot into the role because of his years of experience in Congress, and noted that he shared similar areas of expertise as Graham, given his past as a prosecutor and his foreign policy acumen. TRUMP AG PICK HANGS BY A THREAD AS KEY GOP SENATORS REFUSE TO COMMIT And he could easily step in on the Senate Judiciary Committee, where Graham was expected to become chair next year, to debate and help select a new Supreme Court Justice should a retirement come down the pike in the near future. "I think he would make a great representative," Scott said. "I think that's undeniably true." "I can't think of a better person that, I think, represents the heart of South Carolina than Trey Gowdy," Scott said. "However, he's been pretty clear that he is not looking for the job, asking for the job. I'm trying to get him interested in it, but we'll see if that works out at all." TRUMP REVEALS WHO HE'S EYEING TO REPLACE LINDSEY GRAHAM But,he acknowledged that there are others who may be catching the eye of President Donald Trump, who will likely have a major role in tapping Graham’s successor. "The president's enthusiasm around Russell Fry probably is no surprise to anybody," Scott said. "But I have not seen or heard of an endorsement yet coming out of the White House." Trump has suggested that Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C., who he handpicked to run for the House four years ago, would be a person to watch in the special election. And Fry has been communicating with the White House about jumping into the race. But there’s also another person that, in Scott’s opinion, would be a near-perfect fit to replace Graham: his sister, Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., who was appointed to fill out the remainder of her brother’s term. "I think the truth of the matter is that Darline has so far been off to a remarkable start," he said. "Why not her, would be my question." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5910e4a12eaf174af81492 ‘We’re embarrassed’: Phoenix Mercury look to regroup in second half of WNBA season te 2026-07-16T17:12:04.482Z ‘We’re embarrassed’: Phoenix Mercury look to regroup in second half of WNBA season PHOENIX – Embarrassed.  That was the word Kahleah Copper used to describe the Phoenix Mercury’s historic blowout loss to the Las Vegas Aces on July 11. “We’re embarrassed about it,” the 11-year WNBA veteran said after practice at the Mountain America Performance Center on Wednesday. “And we should have been.” The 106-58 loss in Las Vegas is tied for the third-largest blowout in WNBA history, but it was just the latest setback in a season that has fallen well short of expectations after a WNBA Finals appearance in 2025 against the Aces. The Mercury sit at 8-17 and 13th in the WNBA standings, 5½ games behind the eighth and final playoff spot with 19 games remaining in the regular season. Following the devastating loss to Las Vegas, the Mercury headed to Minnesota to take on the league-leading Lynx (19-6) on July 13. Although Phoenix suffered another loss, the game was a nail-biter, with the Lynx winning 104-100. While it would be easy to take another loss as a negative, coach Nate Tibbetts is taking the positives from the outing. “Tough road trip. The Vegas game was extremely disappointing,” Tibbetts said. “I think that the Minnesota game was like, ‘Who do we want to be?’ And I thought we came out and really competed against the Lynx, which is one of the better teams in the league.” Copper also saw positives. “I think we just got to see our toughness,” she said. “Just how we weren’t satisfied with how we played in Vegas, but we came out swinging like our backs were against the wall.” The defeat in Minnesota was the Mercury’s fourth loss in a row but also their fourth loss this season by four points or fewer. Even though Phoenix fought to the very end, scoring 51 points in the second half, turnovers continued to plague the offense. The Mercury have committed 31 in their past two games. “We’ve really struggled turning it over. I think points off turnovers the last five games, I think we’re at the bottom,” Tibbetts said. “That just puts a lot of pressure on your defense. Obviously, part of my job is to put our best players in positions to create mismatches. At times, I think we’ve found that; I think there’s times that we could do a better job of that.” Copper also pointed to the team’s continuous offensive struggles as an area for growth. “We just have to understand our margin of error is very slim,” Copper said. “So whether it’s turnovers, live ball turnovers, being able to get a stop and then being able to get offensively secure and rebounds, I think the more we just understand what our margin of error is, we’ll be better off in those tight games.” Despite the team’s offensive struggles, Copper remains a focal point of the Mercury offense, leading Phoenix in scoring at 20.5 points per game after dropping 26 points against the Lynx. After a slow start to the season, Copper has become a consistent offensive force, scoring at least 20 points in eight of her past 10 games. “Throughout the season, it’s been just frustrating,” Copper said. “But watching the film and just seeing my personal growth, where it’s like I’m playing without the ball, I know when to go and be a screener and when to tell my teammates to go get it because of the different coverages I’m getting. So I just love seeing that growth out of me where I don’t have to be so ball dominant and I can play without the ball.” Even in her 11th season, Copper believes she’s still got it. “Being able to one-play at every level, but really get back to who I am, get downhill, get into the rim, sometimes I’m like, ‘Damn, I’m really like year 11,’ but I can still get there,” Copper said. “So one, it’s a blessing, but (I’m) just continuing to just polish those things and continuing to work on my finishes.” Looking ahead, every game will be critical as the Mercury push for the eighth seed and the final playoff spot. If the Mercury cannot make up the ground, it would mark just the fourth time in the last 20 seasons that they have missed the playoffs. “We’ve been talking about it. Every game is a big game,” Tibbetts said. “We’re all playing for the eight seed. You don’t have many more times to not say, ‘Hey, we didn’t get that one. We didn’t get that one.’ The time is now and we’ve got to play like it.” Games on Friday and Sunday against the 6-18 Connecticut Sun at Mortgage Matchup Center afford the Mercury a good opportunity to get back on track. “I think just us being realistic and making a push to be even in a conversation of a playoff push,” Copper said of the team’s mindset. “All these games are important and you’re going to be able to push it with the right mindset.” The post ‘We’re embarrassed’: Phoenix Mercury look to regroup in second half of WNBA season appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a591095a12eaf174af81470 Republican Senator Thom Tillis Demands Todd Blanche Meet With Epstein Survivors te 2026-07-16T17:10:45.121Z Republican Senator Thom Tillis Demands Todd Blanche Meet With Epstein Survivors Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina made the stipulation during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Thursday for witnesses to discuss Mr. Blanche’s nomination. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59107ca12eaf174af81449 Newsletter platform Beehiiv’s now lets subscribers chat with each other, adds AI te 2026-07-16T17:10:20.598Z Newsletter platform Beehiiv’s now lets subscribers chat with each other, adds AI Beehiiv is launching an AI Copilot to help publishers with user growth and analytics Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a590c7fa12eaf174af813cf Trinity Rodman says NWSL record-crowd game in NY should not have been played amid poor air te 2026-07-16T16:53:19.922Z Trinity Rodman says NWSL record-crowd game in NY should not have been played amid poor air The largest crowd at Citi Field this year has not been for a New York Mets game, but rather for Wednesday night's record-setting contest between Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). A total of 42,175 fans braved the poor air quality in New York stemming from wildfires in Canada, the most ever for a women's sporting event in New York City, but the spectacle, one of the stars on the pitch said, should not have been played. "If we have to have a hydration break every 15 minutes, then we shouldn’t be playing the game, and that’s my opinion," Washington's Trinity Rodman said, via The Athletic. "But at the end of the day, there’s 40,000 people. It’s a whole event, so it’s really tough. It’s just a really hard situation for everyone to work around." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM The air quality in the tri-state area has been deemed "unhealthy," perhaps putting a wrinkle in Sunday's World Cup Final at nearby MetLife Stadium. Rodman said the air quality was "rough" to go along with temperatures that neared triple digits. "Not to make excuses at all, but I think on both sides we were all like, ‘another break, another break, another break,'" Rodman, whose team lost 1-0, said. Earlier this month, Gotham announced the club would start playing at the new Etihad Park adjacent to Citi Field starting in 2028. They currently play at Sports Illustrated Stadium, the home of MLS' New York Red Bulls, in New Jersey. DIGITAL ENTREPRENEUR CREDITS THE WORLD CUP WITH TEACHING ABOUT SOCCER AND BOOSTING HER MONTHLY INCOME NYCFC has played most of its home games at Yankee Stadium but has also started to frequent Citi Field, as it will be moving to Etihad Park as well. Due to the air quality, New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherill said she "directed" NJ Transit and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority "to make select quantities of masks available to commuters and at rest areas along the Turnpike and Parkway." New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged residents to "stay somewhere cool" and "drink plenty of water." 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/6a590c6ca12eaf174af813c6 Bodycam shows Nantucket official slurring, swaying during DUI stop after crashing into sign: police te 2026-07-16T16:53:00.470Z Bodycam shows Nantucket official slurring, swaying during DUI stop after crashing into sign: police Newly released video shows a Nantucket official arrested on charges of allegedly being under the influence with alcohol in her car after she crashed into a street sign. Bodycam video from the Yarmouth Police Department shows Nantucket, Massachusetts, town Planning Director Leslie Snell appearing to struggle when asked to perform sobriety tests. Police were responding to the April 20 incident after Snell allegedly crashed into a street sign, according to the Nantucket Current. Snell told the officer she had "Just a couple of drinks" at Giardinos, a local restaurant, when she got out of the Jeep she was driving, according to the bodycam video. FLORIDA SCHOOL PRINCIPALS FACE DUI CHARGES AFTER POLICE TRAFFIC STOPS JUST HOURS APART A bottle of vodka and a box of White Claws could be seen inside the car, according to the video. A police report states that Snell was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and possessing an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Snell reached a plea agreement on April 21 that puts the driving under the influence charge on hold for one year without a formal finding. Under the deal, she must surrender her driver's license for 45 days, complete an alcohol education course and pay $600 in fines. GOT A TIP? According to a police report, Yarmouth police officer Samantha Voltolini said Snell's eyes were "blood shot." LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST "I observed her to have glassy blood shot eyes," Voltolini said. "I also observed a moderate odor of alcoholic beverage emanating from the vehicle. I then went over to the driver's side to speak with her. I then observed a strong odor of alcoholic beverage emanating from her breath." BODYCAM FOOTAGE FUELS BACKLASH AFTER POLICE HANDCUFF DYING STABBING VICTIM Voltolini could be heard saying that Giardinos was only around 100 yards away. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL "I attempted to explain to (Snell) that Giardino's was only a short ways away and I was confused about how she ended up in the parking lot of the Transmission Specialists," Voltolini wrote in the report. "I asked her where she lived. She informed me Nantucket. I asked if she had a place in town she said, ‘yes.’ I asked whereabouts, but she could not inform me. (Snell) named ‘North Troy’ as the location she was attempting to go to. It was difficult to gain information from Woodson due to her speaking incoherently. I asked Woodson if she needed any medical attention, but she refused." During the field sobriety tests, according to the report and body camera video, Voltolini swayed from side to side and was unbalanced. In a comment to The Inquirer and Mirror after being arrested, Snell said, "I deeply regret the event that occurred off-island on April 20 while I was attending to personal commitments. I accept full responsibility for my actions and the matter has been resolved." Fox News Digital reached out to Snell for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a590c59a12eaf174af813bd Watch the exact moment a stunned Mike Tyson finds out that Shohei Ohtani is a man during the ESPYs te 2026-07-16T16:52:41.011Z Watch the exact moment a stunned Mike Tyson finds out that Shohei Ohtani is a man during the ESPYs Here's the good news — Shohei Ohtani took home an ESPY award Wednesday night for the best single-game performance of the year. Rightfully so, too. The Los Angeles Dodgers star hit three home runs and struck out 10 in Game 4 of the NLDS last fall. That award was always going to go to Ohtani. It was arguably the greatest playoff performance ever. We may never see it again. Anyway, like I said, that's the good news. LEGENDS JUSTIN VERLANDER AND KATE UPTON MAKE ONE LAST ALL-STAR GAME RED CARPET APPEARANCE The bad news? Mike Tyson, who presented an absent Ohtani with the award during Wednesday night's show, had no idea Shohei was a man until after the fact. That's right. Mike Tyson found out just last night that the best player in Major League Baseball was, indeed, not a woman on stage at the ESPYs. Take a look: "And the ESPY award goes to — check this out — Shohei Ohtani," a proud Tyson exclaimed after correctly saying Shohei's name. "Shohei's a guy?" he then asked Jake Paul with the innocence of a toddler on Christmas morning. He literally had no idea. You can hear it in his voice. Mike Tyson is legitimately stunned to discover that Shohei Ohtani is a guy. He had no idea. None. Zero. Zilch. "Shohei could not be here tonight, he sends his gratitude and appreciate to everyone at ESPN," Jake Paul then said, letting the cat out of the bag for Tyson, who immediately turned to him and asked if he was, indeed, a guy. "Yeah, he's a guy. He's a guy," Paul responded. Amazing. What a sequence. What a show. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Between Tyson having no clue who Shohei Ohtani was, to the Savannah Bananas opening the show with one of the weirdest performances you'll ever see,to some comedian I've never heard of telling just an awful Tiger Woods joke, I'd say this year's ESPYs was another rousing success for ESPN! And by that, I mean another dumpster fire that nobody watched. Sad. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a590c45a12eaf174af813b4 Florida congressman moves to impeach judge who ordered convicted Cuban plane hijacker freed from ICE te 2026-07-16T16:52:21.567Z Florida congressman moves to impeach judge who ordered convicted Cuban plane hijacker freed from ICE FIRST ON FOX - Republican Congressman Greg Steube from Florida has filed an article of impeachment against Judge John E. Steele, Fox News Digital has learned. House Resolution 1431 accuses Senior U.S. District Judge John E. Steele of the Middle District of Florida of committing "high crimes and misdemeanors" by ordering the release of convicted Cuban plane hijacker Miakel Guerra Morales from ICE custody. Morales, who is an illegal immigrant from Cuba, was released from ICE custody following Judge Steele's July 8 order. ILLEGAL ALIEN ‘PIRATE’ WHO HIJACKED PLANE TO US FREED BY CLINTON-APPOINTED JUDGE "This is exactly the kind of activist judicial overreach the American people are sick of. Judge Steele had every legal justification to keep a convicted plane hijacker off our streets, and he chose to let him go instead," Congressman Steube said. In 2003, Morales and several others assaulted a flight crew and hijacked a Cuban commuter airplane that he boarded in Nueva Gerona, DHS says. Morales forced the pilot to fly more than 100 miles north to Monroe County, Florida, where it eventually landed at Key West International Airport. The U.S. Marshals Service arrested him and charged him with aircraft piracy and conspiracy to interfere with a flight crew when the flight arrived. He was convicted and sentenced to 22 years behind bars. Despite the conviction, Judge Steele, who was appointed by President Bill Clinton, ordered Morales' release last week, citing a Supreme Court ruling governing the detention of foreign nationals whose removal cannot be carried out. BIDEN JUDGE OVERRULED ON KEY TRUMP IMMIGRATION POLICY "The Government cannot lock individuals in a cell indefinitely as a workaround for a stalled deportation process," the order said. THREE-TIME DEPORTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CHARGED WITH KILLING NORTH CAROLINA GIRL, 6, AFTER RUNNING STOP SIGN Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a590c31a12eaf174af813a5 Arizona’s iconic saguaros are being threatened. These are the perpetrators te 2026-07-16T16:52:01.079Z Arizona’s iconic saguaros are being threatened. These are the perpetrators TUCSON – It’s hard to imagine a cactus without thinking of a saguaro. Adam Farrell-Wortman has spent more than a decade caring for saguaros at the Tucson Botanical Gardens, where he is the director of horticulture.                                      “You can go anywhere around the world, (and if you tell) a random person to draw a cactus, they will draw a saguaro,” Farrell-Wortman said. “It is the icon of the Northern American desert.” But these towering cacti are vulnerable to other climate related stressors — like extended temperatures, invasive species and fire. “I’ve lived here for 65 years,” said Flint Swerd, a retired high school teacher living in Cave Creek. “I’ve never seen so many saguaros dying.”  Swerd often hikes and mountain bikes and has noticed saguaros rapidly disappearing as wildfires increase. “The desert ecology isn’t evolved with fire,” Farrell-Wortman said. Burns A dead saguaro at the Picacho Peak State Park in Eloy on March 10, 2024. (Photo by Madison Kaminiski/Cronkite News) Saguaros’ strong interior could make them appear tough against fires. Kim Franklin, a conservation research scientist at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, said the cacti are less resilient than they appear. If saguaros are burned at their base, they have a better chance at survival than barrel cacti or baby saguaros, Franklin explained, which are low to the ground. But they still catch fire easily, with fire rapidly traveling from the bottom to the top.  Once a saguaro is ignited, fire can burn its soft tissue. If enough of the epidermis, or inner skin, is burned, the saguaro dies completely, she said. If it survives, it’s never the same again; its epidermis can no longer act as a protective barrier against pathogens. “Think about if your legs were burned from the knees down pretty significantly,” Franklin said. “That would be pretty hard on you.” Surviving saguaros are left with permanent burn scars that appear as charred patches on the lower trunk and arms of the cactus.  When saguaros die completely, they are left with their ribs – the woody structures that once supported its weight.  Native species Saguaro damage isn’t just cosmetic– it threatens coexisting wildlife, too. Birds like the Gila Woodpecker and the White-winged Dove dig out holes in the saguaro to nest in, making cavities. When a fire kills a saguaro, the birds become displaced.  The saguaro is also a food source for many forms of wildlife, and fires put that at risk. “They’re incredibly important to all sorts of pollinators … so many different species, insects, birds, bats, depend on saguaros, for their nectar, for the pollen and for their fruit,” Franklin said. Animals like bats are less threatened by saguaro fires because they can fly away, Franklin explained. But if a slower animal like a desert tortoise is nearby during a fire, the immediate impact could be death. A White-winged Dove sits in the nest of a saguaro at the Tucson Botanical Gardens on July 8, 2026. (Photo by Janes Reyes/Cronkite News) Invasive species  Invasive species are a major fire risk factor for saguaros and the wildlife that coexist with them. On the Fourth of July in 2017, fireworks were set off around Sentinel Peak in Tucson. It led to a fire that burned hundreds of saguaros. Part of this, Franklin explained, was related to buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris)– an invasive species living on the mountain that catches fire easily. Buffelgrass has thin green stalks with fluffy lavender spikes like cleaning dusters sprouting from it. You can pull on it and spread the soft bristles through the air like a dandelion. It’s also one of the biggest threats to saguaros. It can fuel intense fires, which burns the epidermis, or skin, of the saguaro. If enough of the saguaro is damaged, it doesn’t only damage the skin and pathogens — it can completely kill the saguaro. Where the saguaros were burned on Sentinel Peak, the buffelgrass returned, lush and thick. It replaced the hundreds of saguaros that used to stand tall.  “There’s hardly any saguaros left there,” Franklin explained. The fires also destroyed other plants that used to thrive alongside saguaros.  “But there’s also nothing else either,” she continued. “There’s no palo verdes… there’s no creosote, there’s no other plants either. It’s just buffelgrass.” Another invasive species that contributes to saguaros’ fire risk is stinknet (oncosiphon pilulifer), which is also starting to take off across Southern Arizona. In Phoenix, it’s already rampant.  The invasive species appears like bright bunches of yellow flowers, but, like buffelgrass, it increases wildfire risk, she said. They form dense, flammable mats throughout the desert and pose a risk to surrounding saguaros. Buffelgrass and stinknet are replacing saguaros, not just threatening them.  “People are really bad at longterm thinking, or maybe people don’t care because they’re going to get to see saguaros during their lifetime,” Franklin said. “But (their) grandkids are not going to get to see them. It’s just going to be a grassland.” The future  Hope persists, thanks in part to the people working to preserve Arizona’s deserts. Tucson has a strong sense of place, Franklin explained, and the community cares deeply about biodiversity.  “There’s hundreds, if not thousands, of people that go out every year to volunteer just to dig up buffelgrass or pull up stinknet,” Franklin said. Farrell-Wortman said the community usually steps up to help during environmental disasters. But they need to keep putting in the effort, he said. “We have to continue doing the things we are doing, like trying to pull out and remove invasive species,” Farrell-Wortman said. “We have to do things like replant … maybe putting even more effort, more resources … care more about the need to replant affected wild spaces so that they can recover from human activity.” But the most important thing we can do is at a societal level, Farrell-Wortman explained.  “We can no longer pretend that our actions aren’t having a major effect on the natural world around us,” Farrell-Wortman said. “We have to accept that climate change is happening, is occurring, and that we need to do things to mitigate the destructiveness of that.” The post Arizona’s iconic saguaros are being threatened. These are the perpetrators appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a590c08a12eaf174af8138f Several pets affected by early morning house fire on Rainbow Avenue te 2026-07-16T16:51:20.114Z Several pets affected by early morning house fire on Rainbow Avenue A house fire on Rainbow Avenue South early Wednesday morning affected several pets in the home, but no humans were injured. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a590be0a12eaf174af8137c Could a 50-Year-Old Case Thwart Trump’s Attacks on the News Media? te 2026-07-16T16:50:40.690Z Could a 50-Year-Old Case Thwart Trump’s Attacks on the News Media? The precedent said that “official harassment of the press” is forbidden by the First Amendment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a590bcca12eaf174af81354 X cracks down on creators who steal content te 2026-07-16T16:50:20.218Z X cracks down on creators who steal content X will use Grok AI to better detect stolen content, redirect payouts to original creators, and crack down on engagement bait. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5909daa12eaf174af8131f New Lioness Season 3 trailer signals Taylor Sheridan is taking the Paramount+ series to new heights te 2026-07-16T16:42:02.766Z New Lioness Season 3 trailer signals Taylor Sheridan is taking the Paramount+ series to new heights A new trailer is out for season three of "Lioness" on Paramount+. Basic info: TAYLOR SHERIDAN'S HIT CIA/MILITARY SERIES GETS MAJOR UPDATE AHEAD OF NEW SEASON PREMIERE "Lioness" is one of Taylor Sheridan's greatest creations, and fans are eager to see what we get with season three starting August 2. A previously released trailer indicated the stakes will be higher than ever. That's exactly what "Lioness" viewers want to see. LAYSLA DE OLIVEIRA TEASES ‘LIONESS’ SEASON 3 DEBUT WITH BEHIND-THE-SCENES PHOTOS Well, a new preview dropped Thursday, and it's clear season three will keep the intense energy of the first two seasons. In fact, Sheridan might be taking things to a new level. Give it a watch below, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. "We'll let the chips fall where they may. May God have mercy on us. What a line to close out the trailer. Absolutely incredible and clinging to the edge of my seat the entire time. The shot of the drones swarming and exploding is about as terrifying as it gets in modern combat. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS Welcome to war in 2026. If the Ukraine-Russia war and the war against Iran has taught us anything, it's that drones are now the new normal, and it looks like season three of "Lioness" will lean into that fact. That shouldn't surprise anyone. Sheridan is always very current with storylines in "Lioness" so they reflect global dynamics. What are your predictions for season three of "Lioness"? Let me know at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5909c7a12eaf174af81316 Brantley Gilbert slams artists who back out of patriotic shows under heat te 2026-07-16T16:41:43.299Z Brantley Gilbert slams artists who back out of patriotic shows under heat Brantley Gilbert isn't mincing words about entertainers who commit to patriotic events only to walk away once public criticism begins. During a recent appearance on the "Net Positive" podcast, the country star said it frustrates him to see fellow artists back out of performances after agreeing to participate, pointing to the backlash he received for performing during Turning Point USA’s "All-American Halftime Show" during the Super Bowl — which was headlined by Kid Rock. "It is aggravating seeing guys sign up and then back out," Gilbert said. "It's like, a lot of times, like we took a lot of heat for the Turning Point thing." VANILLA ICE DOUBLES DOWN ON FREEDOM 250 AFTER ARTIST EXODUS: 'ONCE YOU COMMIT, YOU DON'T QUIT' Gilbert explained that, from his perspective, the decision was never about politics. "My kids got to watch two quarters of football and then see their dad play. That's cool," he said. The "Bottoms Up" singer added that he viewed the performance as both a business opportunity and a memorable family experience. "We agreed to do it. Like, I'm a businessman at the same time I'm an entertainer," Gilbert said. "I didn't do it for free. We get paid to play music." At the time, Gilbert said he had recently signed with a new record label, making a high-profile appearance an easy decision. "We had just signed over to a new label at the time," he explained. "Doing a big show like that was not a bad idea for us." LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Gilbert said he never anticipated the event would become politically divisive. "I never once looked at it and was like, 'This is going to be divisive. This is going to be great,'" he said. "It doesn't make any sense." The country singer also dismissed criticism surrounding the Super Bowl halftime show, which featured Bad Bunny as the headliner, saying he wasn't concerned with who was performing. BLACK CROWES FRONTMAN CHRIS ROBINSON’S PAST CONTROVERSIAL REMARKS RESURFACE AFTER HALTING PATRIOTIC CHANT "I don't know nothing about that dude [Bad Bunny]," Gilbert said. "I've never heard one of his songs before. I don't speak Spanish really well. I wouldn't understand." While Gilbert did not identify any specific artists who have withdrawn from patriotic or politically adjacent events, he made clear he believes performers should honor commitments they voluntarily make, even if public reaction turns negative. After receiving backlash for his participating in Turning Point's halftime show, Gilbert said he's "proud" of the choices he continues to make both personally and professionally. "I’m a songwriter who grew up, and still lives in Jackson County, Georgia, whose goal in the music business was to sell out the local theater a few miles from my house and somehow make my living writing songs," he said in a statement at the time. "I’m a recovering addict with the history of all the bad choices that come with it. I’m not proud of those choices, but I am proud of the choice I’ve made to live in another direction. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "I share my story through my music in hopes that it may help and inspire others in their darkest hour. I’m a Christian, and I love our country despite its flaws. I’ve dedicated part of my life to the men and women who fight for it and the families of those who gave their life for it. Above all, I’m a proud husband and father of three." Gilbert added that he wanted to perform for his children and that it’s been more than 20 years since a country artist had been asked to perform at halftime of the Super Bowl. WATCH: COUNTRY STAR BRANTLEY GILBERT REVEALS HIS KIDS ARE HOMESCHOOLED ON GEORGIA FARM "We’re celebrating 250 years as a country, and it’s been more than 20 years since a country artist has been asked to play the Super Bowl halftime show. I respect that some people may see this differently, but I’m not playing this show to be divisive. I was offered this opportunity and imagined my kids watching their daddy perform at halftime during the biggest game in American football. Everything I do, I do for them," he stated. "The way I treat people isn’t conditional based on what our differences may be. I believe ‘united we stand, divided we fall,’ and my prayer for our country is that we stand united." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59098aa12eaf174af812e8 Mamdani Urges New Yorkers to Stay Indoors Because of Wildfire Smoke te 2026-07-16T16:40:42.373Z Mamdani Urges New Yorkers to Stay Indoors Because of Wildfire Smoke “Every New Yorker should take precautions,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani said. Gov. Kathy Hochul also issued a statewide air quality advisory. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a590974a12eaf174af812d4 Tucson animal rescue faces foreclosure amid funding gap te 2026-07-16T16:40:20.374Z Tucson animal rescue faces foreclosure amid funding gap Paula Rivadeneira has spent 16 years running Old Souls Animal Rescue and Retirement Home out of her own home, caring for elderly and special-needs animals without ever taking a paycheck, but now the shelter's future is in jeopardy as she's fallen behind on the mortgage for the house it calls home. Old Souls got its start in 2010 in Las Vegas, with Rivadeneira relocating the shelter several times over the years as she moved around the country. She eventually settled down in Tucson, after falling in love with the desert and community. The shelter is currently home to 105 animals, ranging from dogs and cats to turkeys and peacocks. It serves hospice, geriatric and special-needs animals from overcrowded shelters, primarily housing elderly animals, with residents split between permanent shelter animals and those available for adoption. Old Souls frequently rescues animals from Pima Animal Care Center, with one of its main goals being to support the municipal shelter as much as it can. Old Souls is primarily funded by small donors, though it also procured a grant from Tractor Supply Company to install a fence around the property. Tucson Spotlight is free for every reader because donors make it possible. Join them. Some of Old Souls' 105 animal residents relax on the patio. The shelter primarily houses elderly, hospice and special-needs animals. Courtesy of Old Souls Animal Rescue. And while donations and the occasional grant have provided enough funding over the years to support all of the animals in its care, Rivadeneira said that more money would allow them to take in more animals and free up critical shelter space at PACC. "We only take in as many animals as we can afford, so we would take in many more animals if we had many more supporters, donors, volunteers," Rivadeneira said. "That's really the limiting factor is funding and volunteers." Rivadeneira said she gets messages and phone calls every day, sometimes more than a dozen, from people needing to rehome their pets for various reasons, and that it never gets easier to tell them she's unable to take them. "We have to say no most of the time and it's heartbreaking for us, and many times the people are really angry with us because they think we have some kind of funding that requires us to take their animals," Rivadeneira said. Old Souls is entirely staffed by volunteers, and Rivadeneira expanded her reach a few years ago by opening a pet funeral home, Cholla Afterlife, which offers pet water cremation, or aquamation, an eco-friendly alternative to traditional cremation. She doesn't take a salary for either role. That's taken a toll on the shelter's finances. Rivadeneira has recently fallen behind on her mortgage payments, putting the house at risk of foreclosure, a threat that could significantly affect the shelter since it operates out of her home. Volunteers spend time with one of Old Souls' resident dogs. The shelter relies entirely on volunteer support, with no paid staff. Courtesy of Old Souls Animal Rescue. There are several ways the public can help the shelter beyond donating or adopting. Old Souls holds volunteer hours every Saturday, offering an easy way to pitch in. The rescue offers foster opportunities for people who want a pet but don't feel financially ready to take one on full time. In exchange for keeping the animal well cared for in a loving home, Old Souls covers its medical expenses. The rescue also offers Camp Old Souls, a cage-free pet-sitting service for geriatric, special-needs and hospice dogs, with proceeds supporting the shelter. The shelter has also found creative ways to bring in extra funds. Old Souls sells a coloring book featuring illustrations and stories of its senior and special-needs residents, with 100% of proceeds going toward the animals' care. Rivadeneira is also encouraging community members to spread news about Old Souls and its predicament on social media. "You never know if you're somehow going to be one or two or three people away from someone who might be a really big donor for us who might really love what we do," she said. "That can be a thing to even help our rescue become bigger and stronger than it is." Rivadeneira hopes to find someone to work side-by-side with her in the next few years, as well as fundraising enough for a salary so the shelter can continue to grow. She hopes to eventually have paid employees and upward of 100 volunteers. Rivadeneira said Old Souls will find a way through its financial struggles and keep the shelter running. She said their work not only impacts the animals in their care, but also touches the hearts of every person involved. Zaida Josephene-White  is a Sahuaro High School student and Tucson Spotlight intern. Tucson Spotlight is a community-based newsroom that provides paid opportunities for students and rising journalists in Southern Arizona. Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation. Donate to Tucson Spotlight Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a590732a12eaf174af81282 Trump Is Expected to Revisit Election Security. Here’s What to Know. te 2026-07-16T16:30:42.238Z Trump Is Expected to Revisit Election Security. Here’s What to Know. Repeated investigations and audits have debunked claims by the president and his allies of widespread fraud or manipulation in 2020 or other elections. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59071ea12eaf174af81279 Relentless Rain Causes Widespread Flooding in Central Texas te 2026-07-16T16:30:22.793Z Relentless Rain Causes Widespread Flooding in Central Texas At least one person has died, and emergency workers have rescued scores of people. Gov. Greg Abbott said the rain in the state was likely to break records. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a590504a12eaf174af81237 Trump admin investigating 75 truck driver schools for fraud, helping non-citizens get licenses te 2026-07-16T16:21:24.274Z Trump admin investigating 75 truck driver schools for fraud, helping non-citizens get licenses The Trump administration announced Thursday it is investigating 75 entry-level truck driver CDL schools across the U.S. that are suspected of fraudulently helping non-citizen drivers qualify for CDLs. The Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) are partnering to investigate the fraud. This is a breaking news story. Check back here for updates. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5904f0a12eaf174af8122e Florida State head coach Mike Norvell isn't concerned with 'hot seat talk' heading into crucial 2026 season te 2026-07-16T16:21:04.825Z Florida State head coach Mike Norvell isn't concerned with 'hot seat talk' heading into crucial 2026 season Day one of ACC Media Days gave fans and reporters plenty to talk about. From perceived quarterback slights to conference rankings, every fanbase had their fair share of talking points to get them through the home stretch of the offseason. Believe it or not, though, the main attraction from the first day of ACC Media Days was none other than Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell. WHICH HEAD COACH'S SEAT IS HOTTER HEADING INTO 2026 SEASON: SHANE BEAMER OR MIKE NORVELL? Despite his 7-17 record over the last two seasons — or, perhaps, because of it — Norvell's offseason moves have been heavily scrutinized, and on Wednesday in Charlotte, the embattled FSU coach was a hot commodity among most of the media members in attendance. It likely stems from his exorbitant buyout, but the topic on a lot of media members' minds was whether Norvell is letting the idea of being on the hot seat affect his preparation for this coming season. Norvell, to his credit, is brushing it all off and remaining focused on the year ahead. INTERNET IS UP IN ARMS ABOUT ESPN FPI RANKINGS, BUT EVERYONE IS MISSING ONE KEY POINT He told The Athletic he doesn't believe he's coaching for his job in an interview on Wednesday, then doubled down and told On3's Brett McMurphy that he's confident heading into the season. "I have a lot of confidence in who I am, the people I get to do it with and the opportunity that we have in front of us," Norvell said. "If we fulfill that, then the rest of it will take care of itself." While he is right about that, it's hard to see where the confidence is coming from for Norvell. YOUTUBER BORDEAUX GOES IN DEPTH ON EA SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL 27'S 'MICRO TRANSACTIONS' Somewhere hiding deep inside Norvell is a winning coach, evidenced by his 23-4 record during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, but that feels like a lifetime ago in the world of college football. The Seminoles haven't exactly been crushing it in the talent acquisition realm either, though it might not be through any monetary fault of their own. High-level recruits and transfer portal targets likely view Norvell and the situation at Florida State as radioactive, with the proof being squarely in the pudding in the form of their 2027 recruiting class. The Noles currently have the 53rd-ranked class as we speed towards the start of the season, with only six composite four-stars in the fold, a paltry sum for a program of FSU's ilk. The point is, the deck is stacked against Norvell for 2026 and beyond (if there happens to be a "beyond"). If the beleaguered head coach can work himself out of this jam, it would be nearly unprecedented, and could have something to do with the aforementioned buyout. I doubt the brass in Tallahassee wants to commit the capital to terminating Norvell, so both head coach and athletic department are stuck in limbo for now. It hardly sounds like a situation any coach would be confident heading into, but give Norvell credit for at least putting on his best poker face while at ACC Media Days. I'm not sure I necessarily believe Norvell, and, to be honest, I'm not sure even he believes what he's saying, but there is still a whole season left to be played. Perhaps Norvell and crew pull off a minor miracle, but I'm not holding my breath. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5902e6a12eaf174af811d1 Kennedy Center disputes Dem whistleblower allegations over Trump renovations, defends $8M flooring contract te 2026-07-16T16:12:22.863Z Kennedy Center disputes Dem whistleblower allegations over Trump renovations, defends $8M flooring contract The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is disputing whistleblower allegations from Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., arguing that critics have mischaracterized Trump-era renovation projects and procurement practices. In a statement to Fox News Digital, Kennedy Center officials say the senator's allegations get key facts wrong, including that an "$8 million flooring contract" has been misrepresented, the Center isn't subject to the federal contracting rules cited by critics, and that the renovation work complied with the law. According to Kennedy Center officials, the renovations are part of a long-term infrastructure renewal addressing decades of deferred maintenance rather than politically motivated cosmetic projects.  Officials said the work was made possible through new funding secured under Kennedy Center board chairman President Donald Trump. COMEDIANS DIG AT TRUMP AS BILL MAHER ACCEPTS MARK TWAIN PRIZE AT KENNEDY CENTER Whitehouse alleges that whistleblowers described a renovation effort that prioritized political optics over sound construction practices. Whitehouse's disclosure alleges renovations were rushed to satisfy Trump's preferences, resulting in wasteful spending and improper contracting.  Among the claims are that a newly installed bathroom floor was torn out because Trump disliked the tile color; steel columns were painted despite alleged rust beneath the surface; an $8 million flooring contract was awarded to a company with no concert hall experience; and renovations began before receiving congressional authorization. Whitehouse argued the allegations demonstrate "waste" that treated the Kennedy Center "as if it were a private renovation project." ‘CONFLICT OF INTEREST’: JUDGE WHO AXED TRUMP NAME FROM DC LANDMARK TIED TO ANTI-TRUMP CONSPIRACY THEORY Kennedy Center officials disputed those allegations, arguing they rely on incomplete or misleading descriptions of renovation projects while misunderstanding both the institution's legal authority and procurement process. "The Center has taken measures to responsibly and transparently stabilize the facility while preparing for the comprehensive infrastructure renewal that decades of deferred maintenance have made unavoidable, a project now made possible by our Chairman's [President Trump's] vision, which has institutional support and new funding secured," Roma Daravi, the Kennedy Center's vice president of public relations, told Fox News Digital. "As America's cultural center, the institution makes every decision guided by responsible stewardship and an unwavering commitment to its patrons and the nation it proudly serves," Daravi said. "We remain fully committed to transparency and to delivering the critical improvements that will preserve this institution for generations to come." TRUMP SAYS VANDALS USED CHEMICALS TO DAMAGE NEWLY RENOVATED REFLECTING POOL NEAR LINCOLN MEMORIAL The Center also cited a recent federal court ruling that it says supports the legal framework governing its renovation efforts. According to the Kennedy Center, a May 29 opinion from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia reaffirmed the institution's legal status outside the executive branch. The Center argues that distinction is significant because Whitehouse's allegations repeatedly suggest it violated federal procurement rules. Specifically, Kennedy Center officials dispute Whitehouse's contention that the institution was required to follow the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Officials said the FAR governs executive agencies, while the Kennedy Center is overseen by a bipartisan Board of Trustees established by Congress. According to the Center, it consulted with the Office of Management and Budget and confirmed the FAR "does not apply, and has never applied" to Kennedy Center procurements. The institution nevertheless said it recently adopted updated procurement policies to eliminate lingering administrative confusion and strengthen public confidence in its contracting process. Perhaps the biggest dispute centers on Whitehouse's criticism of an $8 million flooring contract. Kennedy Center officials said the oft-cited $8 million figure has been presented without important context. Rather than an $8 million payment, officials said the agreement is a five-year blanket purchase agreement establishing only a maximum spending ceiling, with money obligated through individual call orders only when work is needed. The Center also defended selecting Low Country Flooring, saying the company was the only vertically integrated contractor in the Mid-Atlantic capable of sourcing wood directly from timber mills while maintaining the grain consistency and acoustic performance required inside the concert hall. Whitehouse also questioned work involving decorative columns. The Kennedy Center said the contract complied with federal small business requirements because it was awarded to a certified SBA 8a contractor, which legally used subcontractors to perform portions of the work. Officials added that any workmanship concerns remain covered by standard commercial warranties requiring corrective work if necessary. The Center also disputed allegations involving reflecting pool repairs, saying the work was intended to stabilize structural deterioration, not restore the water feature to operation, and defended routine design decisions involving the Center's historic presidential boxes as standard preservation work that did not create unnecessary costs for taxpayers. Whitehouse's office, however, maintained that the Kennedy Center has not substantively engaged with the senator's oversight requests. "We have received no response from the Kennedy Center to the most recent letter, and no substantive response to any information requests dating back to November," Whitehouse communications director Meaghan McCabe told Fox News Digital. The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5902a8a12eaf174af811a4 Volk busca la reelección en el LD17 te 2026-07-16T16:11:20.393Z Volk busca la reelección en el LD17 Leer en inglés El representante estatal demócrata Kevin Volk busca la reelección a la Cámara de Representantes de Arizona por el Distrito Legislativo 17, compitiendo junto a la demócrata Holly Lyon, veterana de la Fuerza Aérea y exprofesora de matemáticas. La representante republicana Rachel Keshel busca otro mandato y está acompañada en la candidatura republicana por John Winchester, gerente de relaciones gubernamentales de la Universidad Estatal de Arizona. El Distrito Legislativo 17 rodea las zonas norte y este de Tucson, extendiéndose desde Rincon Valley y Tanque Verde, pasando por Oro Valley y Marana, hasta llegar a SaddleBrooke, en el sur del condado de Pinal. Los republicanos tienen una ventaja de aproximadamente 10 puntos porcentuales en el registro de votantes del distrito, el cual es uno de los pocos en el estado con representación dividida en la Cámara. Volk fue elegido en 2024 tras derrotar al titular republicano Cory McGarr mediante una estrategia de voto único (*single-shot*), logrando así ganar uno de los dos escaños del distrito en la Cámara. Originario de Tucson, Volk fue maestro de quinto grado, realizó prácticas con la entonces representante federal Gabby Giffords, enseñó inglés en México gracias a una beca Fulbright y posteriormente fundó una pequeña empresa dedicada al desarrollo de viviendas asequibles en Tucson. Durante su primer mandato, se ha centrado en la vivienda asequible, la financiación de la educación infantil temprana y la conservación del agua. Tucson Spotlight preguntó a todos los candidatos sobre sus posturas respecto a la regulación de las aguas subterráneas, la vivienda asequible y la financiación de las escuelas públicas. Tucson Spotlight es gratuito para todos los lectores gracias a las donaciones que lo hacen posible. Únase a ellos. Kevin Volk conversa con un asistente al VailFest de noviembre, evento patrocinado por la Cámara de Comercio del Área Metropolitana de Vail. Cortesía de Kevin Volk for Arizona. Fuera de las Áreas de Gestión Activa del estado, la extracción de aguas subterráneas en las zonas rurales de Arizona sigue careciendo en gran medida de medición y regulación; por ello, el Concejo de Política Hídrica del Gobernador ha propuesto la Ley de Gestión de Aguas Subterráneas Rurales para establecer una supervisión básica en dichas áreas. "Nací y crecí en el sur de Arizona, y pasé mi infancia explorando nuestro desierto," afirmó Volk. "Sabemos que el agua es un recurso valioso, y me parece absurdo que entidades extranjeras y de otros estados extraigan aguas subterráneas sin límite alguno, amenazando así nuestra seguridad hídrica." Volk hizo referencia a los 29 miembros del concejo, provenientes de todo el estado y de distintos partidos políticos, y señaló que la negativa de la Legislatura a debatir el proyecto de ley deja a Arizona en una situación de creciente vulnerabilidad. "Creo que el momento de actuar para proteger nuestra agua es ahora," declaró Volk. "Debatamos ese proyecto de ley, analicémoslo, trabajemos juntos en él y protejamos el agua de Arizona para garantizar que esté disponible, ante todo, para los habitantes del estado." La asequibilidad de la vivienda es otra de las principales preocupaciones de los votantes del distrito, dado que los alquileres aumentan en toda la región de Tucson y la oferta de viviendas asequibles es escasa. Volk, quien ha desarrollado proyectos de vivienda a través de su propia pequeña empresa, afirmó que el estado debería centrarse menos en subsidiar costos y más en reducir, desde un principio, el costo de construcción de viviendas. Señaló la necesidad de contar con financiación a tasas de interés más bajas para infraestructura y construcción de viviendas, así como de agilizar los trámites gubernamentales que añaden tiempo y gastos a los proyectos habitacionales. "He llamado a puertas y hablado con ciudadanos que tienen a cuatro generaciones viviendo bajo el mismo techo debido a la falta de viviendas asequibles," dijo Volk. "Los habitantes de Arizona, así como sus hijos y nietos, necesitan más opciones de vivienda. Debemos aumentar la oferta de hogares de una manera adecuada para nuestras comunidades locales." En cuanto a la educación, Volk señaló que Arizona ha caído al puesto 49 a nivel nacional en financiación por estudiante, situación que vinculó con la alta rotación de maestros y el tamaño promedio de las clases más grande del país. "La actual legislatura se ha vuelto cada vez más partidista y, por ende, cada vez menos productiva," afirmó Volk. Calificó como uno de los mayores fracasos de la Legislatura el no haber renovado la Proposición 123, una medida aprobada por los votantes que destinaba unos $300 millones anuales del fondo fiduciario de tierras estatales a las escuelas públicas antes de expirar el año pasado. "Debemos hacer de la renovación de esta fuente de financiación educativa una prioridad absoluta para el próximo año, con el fin de aumentar el salario de los maestros y financiar plenamente las instalaciones," dijo Volk. "Así es como nuestras escuelas estarán equipadas para atender de la mejor manera a los estudiantes de Arizona y a sus familias." Ninguno de los partidos enfrenta una elección primaria disputada para los dos escaños de la Cámara correspondientes al distrito en las primarias del 21 de julio. 💡 Las elecciones primarias se celebrarán el 21 de julio. La votación anticipada comenzó el 24 de junio y la fecha límite para enviar la boleta por correo fué el 14 de julio. Los votantes del Condado de Pima pueden registrarse, verificar su registro o solicitar una boleta por correo en recorder.pima.gov. Caitlin Schmidt es editora y directora de Tucson Spotlight. Puede contactarla en caitlin@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/6a590294a12eaf174af8118a Google continues its renaming streak by turning NotebookLM to Gemini Notebook te 2026-07-16T16:11:00.426Z Google continues its renaming streak by turning NotebookLM to Gemini Notebook Google said users can soon access their notebooks through AI Mode in Search. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a590280a12eaf174af81181 Google’s AI Mode now lets you link and interact with select apps te 2026-07-16T16:10:40.456Z Google’s AI Mode now lets you link and interact with select apps With this new update, Google is expanding AI Mode beyond answering questions and into completing tasks across the apps they use regularly. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59026ca12eaf174af81178 AI-powered travel agency Fora hits unicorn status, raises $60M te 2026-07-16T16:10:20.495Z AI-powered travel agency Fora hits unicorn status, raises $60M Travel agency Fora announced a $60 million Series D round led by Forerunner and Tactile Ventures, valuing the company at $1 billion. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a59006aa12eaf174af81156 'TODAY' show intruder detained after allegedly breaching security near Craig Melvin: report te 2026-07-16T16:01:46.446Z 'TODAY' show intruder detained after allegedly breaching security near Craig Melvin: report A man was detained Thursday after allegedly slipping past security at NBC’s Today show studios in New York while looking for Al Roker, TMZ reported. After failing to find Roker, he reportedly lunged at co-host Craig Melvin and shouted a racial slur before security detained him. No one was injured, and the hosts returned to the air shortly afterward. SECURITY UNDER SCRUTINY AS WHCD ATTENDEES CITE INCONSISTENT SCREENING BEFORE SHOOTING Fox News Digital has reached out to NBC Universal for comment on the incident. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a590057a12eaf174af8114d Todd Blanche roasts Adam Schiff in heated hearing: 'You're a lawyer, you know the rules' te 2026-07-16T16:01:27.007Z Todd Blanche roasts Adam Schiff in heated hearing: 'You're a lawyer, you know the rules' Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche came out swinging against Sen. Adam Schiff on Wednesday, denying allegations of self-dealing and intentional refusal-to-recuse in President Donald Trump’s cases, while accusing the California Democrat of lying. Schiff sparred with Blanche over several legal matters he said prove the nominee is unfit for the job of America’s top law enforcement officer, citing what he described as serious conflicts of interest. Blanche denied the allegations while telling Schiff he was misstating ethics rules and botching key timelines. Schiff pressed Blanche on whether he met with Justice Department ethics lawyers about his prior representation of Trump in the Stormy Daniels, Mar-a-Lago classified documents, and Jan. 6 cases. TRUMP'S AG NOMINEE RACKS UP MASSIVE SUPPORT AHEAD OF CONFIRMATION HEARING: 'REAL RESULTS' Blanche affirmed and said he has recused himself from future litigation or Justice Department business involving any of those suits. But Schiff countered that Blanche reportedly told a crowd at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) that there was no conflict of interest in the Justice Department firing prosecutors linked to Jan. 6 or other cases. Blanche soon fired back when Schiff criticized him for moving to vacate Jan. 6-related convictions for 12 members of far-right groups. "I was the acting attorney general – so yes, my department moved to dismiss," he said, adding that there was no reason for him to recuse himself when Schiff pressed him further. BIDEN SPECIAL COUNSEL’S 'RUNAWAY TRAIN’ SCOOPED UP SENSITIVE LAWMAKER INFO: 'ABUSE OF POWER' "From the Proud Boys matter?" Blanche responded with a puzzled look. "You’re a lawyer, you know the rules," Blanche told the Massachusetts-born graduate of Harvard Law. OBAMA JUDGE HANDS PROGRESSIVES A WIN OVER ANTI-TRUMP '86 47' MESSAGE AMID RISING THREATS "There are rules that say when I have to recuse and that’s not one of them," Blanche said. "There are rules," Schiff agreed. "And when you're told to recuse yourself from investigations that you handle for the president…" -- "I always do," Blanche cut in – "you're supposed to recuse yourself," Schiff finished. Schiff noted that the second volume of Special Counsel Jack Smith's report on Trump has not been released and said the Justice Department has opposed making it available. Blanche denied having anything to do with the decision and pointed out it is not the Justice Department, but a federal judge in Miami that has prohibited its release. "If you went into court asking them to release it, it would be released by now," Schiff argued. Blanche shot back: "What you’re saying happens not to be true – I did not do that." "You can’t accuse me of violating my ethical rules and then lie about what I did," he continued, Schiff asked Blanche at length what allegedly evolved in his professional life that led him to be under such criticisms. "What I don’t understand, Todd Blanche, is what happened to the Todd Blanche who was a prosecutor in the Southern District of New York? What happened to the prosecutor people had respect for," he said. "What happened to the prosecutor who said that there wouldn't be a whiff of political partisanship and then prosecutes the president's enemies over seashells cases, over making a video stating the plain law in the Constitution?" Schiff said – appearing to reference investigations into former FBI Director Jim Comey’s "8647" post that critics said amounted to a threat on Trump’s life. "I think Robert Caro had it right when he said that power doesn't corrupt as much as it reveals. I suspect it has just revealed who you are and who you are as someone willing to sacrifice everything you once believed in for that title, for that position of Attorney general," Schiff claimed. "I am still here. I am the same exact person I was when I was a federal prosecutor in the SDNY," Blanche replied. The exchange led to further criticism of Schiff, including from the Trump-appointed prosecutor in his home region: SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER "Facts are not Senator Schiff’s strong suit," claimed First Assistant U.S. Attorney for Central California Bill Essayli. Former Alabama federal prosecutor Jay Town called the exchange "excellent." "What [Blanche] is essentially saying is that the Justice Department has gone back to the fundamentals of increasing prosecutions and lowering crime nationwide, unlike the Garland DOJ targeting parents, Catholics, etc." Fox News Digital reached out to Schiff for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a590043a12eaf174af81144 Iran calls on Houthis to prepare to cut off Red Sea gateway — can the terror group do it? te 2026-07-16T16:01:07.542Z Iran calls on Houthis to prepare to cut off Red Sea gateway — can the terror group do it? Iran has reportedly instructed Yemen’s Houthi terrorists to prepare to close a critical Red Sea gateway if the United States attacks Iranian power infrastructure Reuters reported, a threat experts warn could sharply disrupt global shipping even if the group cannot completely seal the waterway. "This threat should be taken seriously," Nadwa Al-Dawsari of the Middle East Institute told Fox News Digital. "With recent escalation and U.S. strikes on Iran, Tehran has already signaled that the Bab al-Mandab could become part of its response." Three sources told Reuters on Thursday that Iran’s leadership had discussed using the Houthis to shut the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and recently conveyed the request to the group. A source close to the Houthis said missiles and drones had been deployed near the waterway and that the group was awaiting an order to begin attacking shipping. IRAN-BACKED TERROR PROXY HOUTHIS THREATEN FRESH ATTACKS AFTER YEMEN AIRPORT STRIKE Edmund Fitton-Brown, a former British ambassador to Yemen and senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, warned in a recent Fox News Digital report that a full resumption of the Houthi maritime campaign could trigger wider fighting. "It will be interesting if the Houthis do go all in, and resume their campaign against Red Sea shipping with full intensity," Fitton-Brown said. "This will draw international anger and likely result in Israeli and U.S. strikes on Sana’a and Hodeida." "There is potential for a general escalation if this happens, albeit one in which the allies have a clear military advantage," he added.  Al-Dawsari said the Houthis have continued developing the weapons needed to threaten the narrow shipping corridor despite largely refraining from maritime attacks over the past year. "While the Houthis have largely refrained from attacking shipping for about a year, they have continued to advance their maritime capabilities, including missiles, drones and sea mines," she said. "They may not be able to fully close the strait, but they could significantly disrupt shipping and raise costs and risks for commercial traffic," she said. US CLAWS BACK KEY CONCESSION TO IRAN AFTER FRESH ATTACKS ON COMMERCIAL SHIPS IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ But the group would not necessarily need to physically control the waterway. Its previous missile and drone campaign demonstrated that repeated attacks — or even a credible threat of them — can push major shipping companies to reroute vessels around Africa, driving up insurance, fuel and freight costs. The Bab el-Mandeb connects the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea and Suez Canal, making it one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints. The consequences of renewed attacks would be especially severe because Iran has already disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, historically the principal route for roughly one-fifth of global energy supplies. A substantial volume of Gulf oil has consequently been redirected through Saudi Arabia to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. Reuters reported that the Bab el-Mandeb route now carries approximately 7% of global energy supplies and that Saudi Arabia has shifted about 70% of its energy exports through Yanbu. The reported instructions also raise new questions about how much control Tehran exercises over major Houthi military decisions.  "Any decision to escalate in the Bab al-Mandab would be strategic and tied more to the interests of Iran and the Axis of Resistance than to Houthi interests alone," Al-Dawsari said. "Decisions of this magnitude are likely coordinated through the Axis’s joint operations room under IRGC oversight." A source close to the Houthis claimed representatives of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Yemen would control the timing of any move against the strait, Reuters reported. The latest warning follows earlier Houthi threats against maritime traffic. In the June 12 report, Fox News Digital reported that the group had announced a complete ban on Israeli-owned ships in the Red Sea and declared them "legitimate targets." EXPERT WARNS OF 'GENERAL ESCALATION' OF FIGHTING IF HOUTHIS RESUME RED SEA CAMPAIGN A State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital at the time that the actions of Iran and the Houthis were "unacceptable" and "dangerous," warning that they could inflame regional tensions and further disrupt global supply chains. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has "repeatedly condemned" Houthis attacks against ships in the Red Sea and called on all parties Thursday to avoid further escalation, his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, told Fox News Digital. "Any disruptions or attacks would endanger the safety and security of seafarers, freedom of navigation and the stability of global supply chains and have a negative impact on the economic and humanitarian situation in Yemen and beyond," Dujarric said. "The Secretary-General underscores that U.N. Security Council Resolution 2722 (2024) must be fully respected in its entirety," he said on the resolution condemning at least two dozen Houthis attacks on commercial vessels since November 2023 and demanding an immediate end to the attacks.  The emerging threat has also renewed scrutiny of the Iranian weapons networks that helped build the Houthis’ missile and drone arsenal. Amr Al-Bidh, foreign affairs chief of the Southern Arabian Transitional Council, said that the reported threat also exposed broader failures in the handling of Yemen’s security crisis. "The fact that individuals convicted of trafficking Iranian weapons to the Houthis and leading terrorist operations are now being released under a U.N.-brokered deal only underscores how poorly the Yemen crisis is being managed," he said, "the main beneficiary of this vacuum is Iran, as seen in its credible threat to close the Bab al-Mandab Strait." In a July 15 letter obtained by Fox News Digital, the Southern Arabian Transitional Council formerly known as the Southern Transitional Council, a southern Yemeni separatist movement that seeks greater autonomy or independence for the territory of the former South Yemen, warned U.N. Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg that a U.N.-facilitated detainee agreement may include people the council says were convicted of assisting Iranian weapons transfers to the Houthis. An annex identifies individuals the council alleges were members of a cell that smuggled drones, aviation fuel and heavy and medium weapons from Iran to Sanaa. The Office of the U.N. Special Envoy for Yemen said it received the letter only after the agreement had already been signed and stressed that it does not determine which detainees are released. "We have received the letter after the agreement was signed," spokesperson Ismini Palla told Fox News Digital. "The United Nations – as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) – do not decide who is released and who remains in detention. Our role is limited to mediating the negotiations and ICRC leads on the implementation of the release operation." Palla added that "the names of those released are proposed and agreed between the parties under the framework of the Stockholm Agreement on prisoners’ exchange of 2018." Fox News Digital reached out to the State Department and the Iranian Mission to the United Nations on the latest developments. Fox News' Paul Tilsley and Reuters contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58fde5a12eaf174af810cb Democratic Senate Candidates Trounce Republicans in Fund-Raising te 2026-07-16T15:51:01.548Z Democratic Senate Candidates Trounce Republicans in Fund-Raising In the first half of this year, Democrats raised more cash in every key Senate race except Iowa. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58fdd2a12eaf174af810c2 Republican Candidates Are Hurting for Cash, but Help May Be on the Way te 2026-07-16T15:50:42.084Z Republican Candidates Are Hurting for Cash, but Help May Be on the Way Super PACs and billionaires seem to be on the side of the G.O.P., new filings show. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58fdbea12eaf174af810b2 Flagstaff International Film Festival: Through an Arizona lens te 2026-07-16T15:50:22.631Z Flagstaff International Film Festival: Through an Arizona lens AZ filmmakers dominate the 4th year of the Flagstaff International Film Festival, set to take place Aug. 1-2. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58fbf3a12eaf174af8104f Bryson DeChambeau posts 3-under 67 at Royal Birkdale to silence critics after three straight missed major cuts te 2026-07-16T15:42:43.776Z Bryson DeChambeau posts 3-under 67 at Royal Birkdale to silence critics after three straight missed major cuts It's been a tough 2026 for two-time major champion Bryson DeChambeau. Although he won twice on LIV Golf in March, his major performance is what will define his season. And those results haven't been good. At all. DeChambeau, for the first time in his career, missed the cut in three consecutive majors: the 2026 Masters, PGA Championship and U.S. Open. BRYSON DECHAMBEAU ADMITS TO TURNING TO AI TO HELP FIX HIS SWING AFTER STRUGGLES AT LIV GOLF KOREA But you're only as good as your last round, and DeChambeau finally has some momentum going in 2026. In the first round of the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, DeChambeau shared the lead until he made a bogey on his final hole. Still, he managed to shoot a 3-under 67, putting himself in great position to at least make the cut and potentially contend for a major championship again. DeChambeau hadn't shot under par in any of his six major rounds in 2026, so it was far and away his best major round of the year. He played in the same group with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and finished one shot better than Scheffler. DeChambeau flashed the long game that helped vault him into the conversation as one of the best players in the world. With Royal Birkdale dried out, DeChambeau took advantage and played aggressively off the tee. Even though he hit only 5 of 14 fairways, the 32-year-old American was second in the field in strokes gained: off the tee following the morning wave. In 2024 and 2025, DeChambeau finished inside the top 10 in six of his eight major starts, including a win at the 2024 U.S. Open and a pair of runner-up finishes at the 2024 and 2025 PGA Championships. He was being discussed in the same conversation as Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy as one of the best golfers on the planet. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! But with the future of LIV Golf up in the air, DeChambeau made comments implying he might not return to the PGA Tour should LIV Golf shut down and could instead focus on YouTube golf. Former players and golf analysts teed off on DeChambeau's comments, saying that his focus on YouTube golf over competitive professional golf affected his majors performance. Heading into the Open Championship, Nick Faldo said DeChambeau "has zero clue of strategy". GOLF LEGEND NICK FALDO UNLOADS SCATHING CRITICISM ON BRYSON DECHAMBEAU AMID MAJOR TOURNAMENT STRUGGLES Brandel Chamblee piled on: "It's almost like he went from chasing Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy to chasing [YouTube golfer] Grant Horvat. It's like he wants to outdo every YouTuber in the game of golf instead of outplay everybody in the game of golf." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS DeChambeau, who usually makes himself available to the media following his rounds, declined to speak to reporters following Thursday's performance. But, for at least one day at the Open Championship, DeChambeau looked a lot more like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy than Grant Horvat. Whether he can keep it up remains to be seen. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58fbe0a12eaf174af81046 Bessent invokes assassination attempt '2 hours after being sworn in' in dramatic brushback of leftist threat te 2026-07-16T15:42:24.334Z Bessent invokes assassination attempt '2 hours after being sworn in' in dramatic brushback of leftist threat Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday he was the target of an assassination attempt by a "left-wing activist" just two hours after being sworn into office, citing the case as evidence that violent political extremism from the left is a real and growing threat. Speaking at the State Department's Ministerial on the Resurgence of Political Terrorism, Bessent pushed back against critics who have questioned the Trump administration's focus on violent far-left extremist groups. "I'm going to remind everyone in this room — and all the media — that I was the subject of an assassination attempt by an addled left-wing activist two hours after being sworn into my job," Bessent said. "Any of you who want to report that this is a fiction and does not exist, be there for the sentencing this August." Bessent appeared to be referring to Ryan Michael English, a 24-year-old Massachusetts man who pleaded guilty in March to charges related to attempting to assassinate the then-Treasury secretary nominee at the U.S. Capitol. English traveled to Washington on Jan. 27, 2025, carrying a folding knife and two improvised Molotov cocktails before approaching a U.S. Capitol Police officer and asking to turn himself in, according to the Justice Department. Prosecutors said English admitted he had come to the Capitol intending to kill a Cabinet nominee whose Senate confirmation vote was scheduled that day or burn down a Washington think tank. Investigators also recovered a note in which he allegedly wrote, in part, "This is terrible but I cant do nothing while nazis kill my sisters." English pleaded guilty in March to one count of unlawful receipt, possession and transfer of a firearm and one count of carrying a dangerous weapon on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. He is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 14. Before his time as Treasury secretary, Bessent spent years at Soros Fund Management, serving as the firm's chief investment officer from 2011 to 2015 after earlier helping lead its London office. Following his departure, he launched Key Square Capital Management with backing from George Soros, the billionaire investor and Democratic megadonor who has frequently been a target of criticism from Trump and other conservatives. Bessent made the remarks as administration officials gathered representatives from roughly 65 countries for a State Department summit aimed at building international cooperation against what the Trump administration describes as a resurgence of violent far-left political terrorism. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58fba2a12eaf174af8100a Why is OpenAI selling a ChatGPT basketball? te 2026-07-16T15:41:22.373Z Why is OpenAI selling a ChatGPT basketball? You may have heard that OpenAI released its first piece of hardware this week. You may not have heard about the ChatGPT basketball. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58fb8ea12eaf174af81001 Period tracker Stardust shares users’ health data with analytics firm, says Mozilla research te 2026-07-16T15:41:02.480Z Period tracker Stardust shares users’ health data with analytics firm, says Mozilla research One period tracker app tested by Mozilla was 'squeaky clean,' while another app was seen sharing users' health data with an analytics company, underscoring vast differences in user privacy among these apps. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58fb7aa12eaf174af80ff8 UK cops say arrest of two young hackers disrupted the operations of an infamous hacking group te 2026-07-16T15:40:42.448Z UK cops say arrest of two young hackers disrupted the operations of an infamous hacking group Owen Flowers and Thalha Jubair, two members of the prolific Scattered Spider hacking group, pleaded guilty and were sentenced to five years and six months in jail for hacking London’s metropolitan transit system. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58fb66a12eaf174af80fef Yes, you can now order DoorDash from the command line te 2026-07-16T15:40:22.473Z Yes, you can now order DoorDash from the command line DoorDash is opening a limited beta of dd-cli, a command-line tool that lets developers and AI agents search stores, build carts, and place orders from the terminal, marking another step toward software designed for AI agents instead of just humans. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58f937a12eaf174af80fcb Juan Soto has 12 hits and 5 home runs off Aaron Nola as Mets open series against Phillies te 2026-07-16T15:31:03.765Z Juan Soto has 12 hits and 5 home runs off Aaron Nola as Mets open series against Phillies We have reached the unofficial second half of the MLB Season. I mention it being unofficial, as we are about 95+ games played for all teams at this point, meaning fewer than 70 games are remaining for any team to make a move. We saw the first decent trade of the season with Lance McCullers Jr. going from Houston to Milwaukee. I can't wait to see what the deadline brings and how the race to the postseason plays out. Let's start this "second half" on the right foot with a win in the game between the Mets and Phillies. The New York Mets are among the most disappointing teams in the Majors. In order for them to win enough games and make it to the postseason, they will need to play something like .650 or better baseball. That's not official math from me, but they are 17 games under .500 at the moment. With 70ish games left, they would probably need to go 50-20 or something to have a realistic shot. That would put them about 10 games over .500. They are only ahead of the Colorado Rockies in the Wild Card race, and I probably don't need to explain that the Rockies have no chance to make the postseason. Perhaps there will be a turnaround. They are going to want to get off to a good start, and they turn to Christian Scott today to give them a good outing. Scott, for the year, is 2-1 with a 3.17 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. He has been slightly better on the road with a 2.79 road ERA. He really hasn't had a bad start this season, but he also hasn't completed six innings in any of his 12 outings. He did face the Phillies one this season and went 4.1 innings, allowing three hits and two earned runs. PHILLIES FIRE ROB THOMSON, MAKE DON MATTINGLY INTERIM MANAGER AFTER DISMAL START TO THE SEASON The Philadelphia Phillies already had their turnaround, and they've been dominating ever since. I've written about it many times, but after a disastrous start, they fired their manager. Don Mattingly is now at the helm, and he continues to prove that he is a transformational manager. He did well as the Dodgers manager and then led the Marlins to their first playoff appearance in 17 years. Now he is helping the Phillies get comfortable and in position to once again be a tough out in the playoffs. I don't usually think managers have an impact, but he clearly has done well. It also helps that the Phillies have a very good team and a solid roster. One dude that they need to get back in line if they want him to pitch in the postseason is today's starter, Aaron Nola. Before the All-Star break, Nola went 3-6 with a 5.75 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. He's only 33 years old, so I don't think he has fallen off a cliff, but he clearly isn't pitching all that well. Nola has been rough at home, allowing 29 earned runs in 38.1 home innings. July, so far, has been his best month of work. The Mets are hitting .257 against him, but he did have a decent outing against them earlier in the season. I am not quite sure what to make of the total. Nola has been giving up too many runs, and it seems like the Mets are cautious with Scott, but he could still allow a few runs before his day is done. Perhaps a better bet than taking the total is a player prop. Juan Soto is 12-for-45 against Nola with five home runs. He is +232, so it isn't a great number, but still might be worth it. METS' JUAN SOTO MAKES COMPARISON ABOUT KISSING GIRLS TO EXPLAIN RUMORED STRAIN WITH FRANCISCO LINDOR My official play will be on the Mets through five innings. I don't like the way that Nola has pitched, but I really don't trust the Mets for a full game. Maybe Nola has turned around, but Scott has been more consistent between the two. Give me the Mets through five innings to start the second half of the season. For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58f6dfa12eaf174af80e1a Missouri teen girl shot and killed at home, and now 3 friends face charges te 2026-07-16T15:21:03.257Z Missouri teen girl shot and killed at home, and now 3 friends face charges A Missouri teen was shot dead and left inside her home for hours before her mother returned and discovered her body, leading to criminal charges against three juveniles, authorities said. Deputies responded Saturday afternoon to a home on Tower Road near Hillsboro, about 45 minutes southwest of St. Louis, where they found 16-year-old Gabbriana Boyster with a gunshot wound to the head, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. Investigators believe she was shot Friday evening while three juveniles who knew her were inside the home. One suspect has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, unlawful use of a weapon resulting in death, armed criminal action and abandonment of a corpse, according to the Jefferson County Juvenile Office. Two others were each charged with abandonment of a corpse and later released. Authorities have not identified the suspects because they are minors. MISSOURI MOM OF 5 FATALLY SHOT WHILE BUYING SLUSHIES WITH CHILDREN; POLICE SEARCH FOR GUNMAN Boyster's mother, Candy G'Sell, was away when the shooting happened, according to the sheriff's office. She told KSDK the last conversation she had with her daughter came Friday night. "She told me she was staying home. I told her to lock the door," G'Sell told the outlet. When G'Sell returned home Saturday afternoon, she found her daughter's body and called 911, according to the sheriff's office. Paramedics pronounced the teen dead at the scene. POLICE IDENTIFY TWO TEEN SUSPECTS AFTER PENN STATE STUDENT SHOT DEAD OVER STOLEN PHONE "I walked in the room and she was laying there ... sitting up," G'Sell said. "In the blink of an eye, you know. She didn't deserve that." Investigators have not said what led to the shooting, though they say Boyster and the three suspects knew one another. G'Sell told the outlet that the boys were all friends of her daughter. "It's not a game. Guns are not toys," G'Sell said. Jefferson County Sheriff's Office spokesman Grant Bissell said the case has left multiple families grieving. "There's no getting around the loss of life," Bissell told KTVI. "You've got one family who is torn apart by the loss of their loved one. You've got three other families that are now potentially going to be torn apart by the consequences [of the] actions of these young people. It's a no-win situation for anybody." G'Sell remembered her daughter, known to friends as "Gabby," as a kind-hearted teenager who loved her family, cared deeply about her friends and dreamed of becoming an ultrasound technician, according to KSDK. Instead of getting ready for her daughter's junior year at Hillsboro High School, G'Sell said she spent the week planning her daughter's funeral. "There's no relief. My baby is gone," G'Sell told the outlet. "What mother wants to bury their baby?" The Hillsboro School District said grief counselors will be available for students and families following Boyster's death. "Our hearts are with the student's family, friends, and everyone impacted by this unimaginable loss," Superintendent Dr. Jon Isaacson said in a statement obtained by KMOV. "While words cannot take away the pain of this tragedy, we want our students, staff, and families to know they are not alone. We are committed to providing support and care for everyone who is grieving during this difficult time." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58f4d4a12eaf174af80dbf Olympians speak out against WNBA for handling of Caitlin Clark te 2026-07-16T15:12:20.544Z Olympians speak out against WNBA for handling of Caitlin Clark Caitlin Clark was infamously left off the last U.S. Olympic women's basketball team in Paris in 2024. Two years later, the controversy surrounding the WNBA's handling of Clark has reached many corners of the sports world, and caught the attention of Olympians from multiple countries. After weeks of controversy, ignited by a punch to Clark's throat by another player and has since featured Clark screaming in the face of referees on Wednesday night, eight Olympians across three countries have come forward to Fox News Digital to speak out against the WNBA in defense of Clark. "The WNBA needs the courage to act decisively for athlete safety. Caitlin Clark is a generational superstar, but she deserves the same protection as every player," Hogshead told Fox News Digital. "The WNBA cannot continue to allow any dangerous conduct to go unchecked. A fist pressed against a player's throat is never 'just part of the game.' It's wildly unacceptable. WNBA: Enforce your rules, hold offenders accountable, and put athlete safety first." "As an Olympian, I’ve always believed sports has never been about what you look like or where you come from. It’s always been finding the answer to the one pressing question: can the champion stay on top, or can the next contender rise up and take their place? The athletes who prepare the hardest, perform when the pressure is the hardest, and deliver in the biggest moments are the ones who earn respect. Caitlin Clark has done exactly that. Yet instead of celebrating her elite competition, too much of the conversation has shifted to who she is rather than what she’s accomplished," Watson told Fox News Digital. "She has faced repeated hard fouls and relentless criticism, that if roles were reversed people would now use race as an excuse and the league always  looks like it’s reacting instead of leading.The reality is that Caitlin Clark brought unprecedented attention back to the WNBA. "The league had passionate fans before she arrived, but her impact expanded the audience in a way that’s hard to ignore. That’s what transcendent athletes do for their generation, they elevate the sport. Every era has someone willing to push the standard higher, and that’s how sports grow. "Her legacy is already taking shape. The challenge now isn’t proving if she belongs because she has already shown that. It’s continuing to perform at an elite level while the league does its part to protect its players and let the competition, not the controversy, be the headline story. "For those of us pioneers who had no college or professional sports opportunities and have worked tirelessly to elevate all women in sports, the abuse behavior directed at Caitlin Clark is disrespectful and short sighted. A talented performer in any sport lifts up everyone. Players who do not understand this are undermining  the WNBA," de Varona told Fox News Digital. "Holy Cow! That’s what I thought when seeing a fist on Caitlin’s throat. Then to hear Sophie [Cunningham] say she feels they are targeting her? What’s being done about this?" Uhlaender told Fox News Digital. "Safety is not a political issue. All players deserve fair play, safety, and sports are at their best when the focus is on the game, not on whether the integrity of the officials are up to standard. If athletes are questioning the officials, what is the WNBA doing to address that? I want to see the integrity of the rules upheld consistently, so should the WNBA." "The goal of every functional sports league should be to promote the sport and the athletes in the sport. The goal of all of the athletes in the league should be to showcase their athleticism to the fans. When the public focus of the league becomes peripheral drama having nothing to do with the fundamental sport, the league will always suffer," Gebhardt told Fox News Digital. "The WNBA never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity. Having spent years falling all over themselves seemingly trying to build a social movement rather than an actual sports league, they are now botching a once in a generation opportunity with an athlete like Caitlin Clark," Bremer told Fox News Digital. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "If the WNBA wants to become a truly relevant sports league that offers women a high-paid professional opportunity, they will need to clear out the petty drama and focus on building a world-class sporting operation that supports their star athletes." "I noticed that after the letter was sent by members of Congress, news media called out the 11th best player vote by fellow players, criticism of the officiating. The last game changed from gutter/thug ball to professional ball. I hope Caitlin is finally going to be recognized as a passionate athlete and a generational player. Celebrate her, her awesome teammates, and the WNBA. All should thrive, instead of this ripping apart everything to its demise," Thompson told Fox News Digital. "The WNBA has not been aggressive enough in protecting Caitlin Clark. Every player in the league deserves the same safeguards when they step on the court. The WNBA’s responsibility is to enforce its rules consistently and make it clear that talent should be challenged by great basketball, not by unchecked cheap shots," Zimmerman told Fox News Digital. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58f4c1a12eaf174af80db6 McDonald's newest menu item has fans begging for one discontinued favorite te 2026-07-16T15:12:01.090Z McDonald's newest menu item has fans begging for one discontinued favorite McDonald's is rolling out a new Caesar sauce nationwide — and it's already prompting customers to ask the fast-food giant the same question: Where are the salads? The Illinois-based fast-food chain announced that beginning July 21, and for a limited time, participating restaurants nationwide will offer McDonald's Caesar Sauce, "a creamy, garlicky Parmesan blend infused with notes of lemon that's giving fan-favorite chicken items a glow-up this summer." The Caesar Sauce is designed for chicken items, namely the new Caesar Snack Wrap and the Bacon Caesar McCrispy Sandwich, McDonald's said. There will also be a Caesar Dip Cup available. ‘MCDONALD'S CHANGED THE COURSE OF MY LIFE': CONGRESSMAN SELLS BUSINESS HE BUILT SINCE HIS TEEN YEARS "Want extra Caesar for dipping and dunking?" McDonald's said in its news release. "You can order dip cups à la carte at participating restaurants." But as McDonald's promoted the new sauce on Instagram, many commenters focused on what wasn't on the menu. "To put on what?! Salads still aren't back," an Instagram user wrote alongside an emoji rolling its eyes. "There better be a salad dropping with this," another user wrote. "Just bring the shakable salads cups please," commented another. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS "None of your employees or CEO likes salad?" wrote someone else. "How about bringing back salads to start first, just a thought," someone commented. "Ok but what about salad shakers to go with?" a user wondered. Several other Instagram commenters echoed the salad sentiment. McDonald's has experimented with salads over the years. The Washington Post reported on the debut of the healthier menu item in 1986. The fast-food chain began testing the McSalad Shaker in 1999. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "The new salads are packaged in a large, clear cup with a domed lid so that customers can pour in the dressing and toss it evenly," the Los Angeles Times reported at the time. The McSalad Shaker was an official McDonald's item on menus nationwide by 2000. "The revolutionary packaging concept makes eating a McSalad Shaker easy and fun," Gerald Tomlinson, McDonald's corporate chef, said at the time. "It's very portable, and the clear packaging allows our customers to see the fresh ingredients from top to bottom." By 2003, however, the McSalad Shaker had been replaced by a line of large-format Premium salads, Food & Wine reported. Salads were discontinued altogether during the COVID-19 pandemic when McDonald's streamlined its menu, according to the publication. "You know, our founder famously said in 1970, 'I don't know what people are going to be eating in the year 2000, but we're going to serve more of it than anybody else,'" McDonald's USA president Joe Erlinger said during a 2024 interview at the Wall Street Journal's Global Food Forum. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Erlinger said it's been his experience that salads aren't what customers want from McDonald's. "One thing ​that won’t be returning ​to U.S. restaurants nationally is salads," Erlinger added. "The demand just isn't there. They're looking for great french fries. They're looking for a $5 meal deal. They're looking for a hot, fresh sandwich, and so that's what we're going to continue to provide them." Fox News Digital reached out to McDonald's for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58f484a12eaf174af80d96 White House Faces Stiff Pushback on Subjecting Grants to Political Review te 2026-07-16T15:11:00.158Z White House Faces Stiff Pushback on Subjecting Grants to Political Review Academics, city leaders and congressional lawmakers number among the thousands to urge the Trump administration to reconsider a plan to assert more control over grants. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58f470a12eaf174af80d6f Sheryl Sandberg leads $10 million investment in AI-powered vehicle inspection service te 2026-07-16T15:10:40.189Z Sheryl Sandberg leads $10 million investment in AI-powered vehicle inspection service The startup, founded in 2021, lets enterprise customers use smartphones to scan and spot vehicle damage. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58f45ca12eaf174af80d66 How a former DeepMind researcher raised at a $300M pre-seed valuation before launching a product te 2026-07-16T15:10:20.742Z How a former DeepMind researcher raised at a $300M pre-seed valuation before launching a product Drawing on more than a decade spent helping build some of the world's most influential AI systems, including research that later informed the development of ChatGPT, Andrew Dai explains why he believes visual AI is one of the next major frontiers in artificial intelligence. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58f294a12eaf174af80d52 Coconino County Sheriff’s Office confirms remains are Yolan Miller’s te 2026-07-16T15:02:44.542Z Coconino County Sheriff’s Office confirms remains are Yolan Miller’s After four years of wondering, Yolan Renee Miller is confirmed deceased, according to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office. The confirmation came when her DNA matched the partial remains discovered “in the Secret Mountain area,” according to the Oct. 25 announcement of the discovery of the remains — Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58f280a12eaf174af80d32 Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu look to snap Dallas Wings' five-game winning streak te 2026-07-16T15:02:24.578Z Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu look to snap Dallas Wings' five-game winning streak At the beginning of the WNBA season, there were two teams that people assumed would win the WNBA Championship. One of them was the New York Liberty. The other was the Las Vegas Aces. After all, the teams have won the past four championships. The Minnesota Lynx were expected to be fine, but take a step back due to missing their MVP. We go into tonight's game with the Liberty looking anything but a championship contender, and their challenger, the Wings, looking like they could be. The Liberty are one of those teams that has plenty of star power, but things just aren't going great this season. Let us start with the good - Breanna Stewart remains one of the best players in the league, and she is dominating with 20.4 points per game. They won when it mattered most (so far), by taking the WNBA Commissioner's Cup. It looks like Sabrina Ionescu is finally getting back in her stride. However, outside of the Cup, they are just 2-7 over their last nine games. Maybe this is just a matter of the Liberty knowing they need to get into the playoffs, then do their damage. They've shown signs of being streaky all season. They had an eight-game winning streak, but as mentioned, they've struggled as well. Like most teams, they've had to deal with injuries, and that can be a problem for getting a consistent lineup to gel. I think the Liberty ultimately will be fine, but they probably need to make a run fairly soon. I won't break my arm patting myself on the back, but of all the WNBA teams, I picked the Wings to have the biggest step forward this season. They had two players who were added to the roster, who I thought would make a big impact. The first is Azzi Fudd, the number one overall pick in this past year's draft. I know, great insight, saying the first pick would be helpful. After looking a bit timid early in the year, she is now shooting much better and playing better as well. She is third on her team in shot attempts, and I think that helps give her teammate Paige Bueckers some options for another threat on the court with her. The other person whom I expected to make an impact was Alanna Smith. She will not be available in tonight's game and has played in 20 of their 24 games. She has also started only seven games for the Wings. She is not making the impact I expected. She is a 3-and-D player and was a co-Defensive Player of the Year last year. The Wings struggled on defense significantly last year, and I thought she would help transform that part of the game. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS For the year, the Wings are still allowing 85 points per game, which is better than last season, but not great. The Liberty aren't much better at 84 points per game. Dallas is also playing some of their best basketball, having won five straight games. They've run their record to 16-8 for the season and look like they will make the postseason. I'm going to take a shot on the Liberty tonight. This game is a bit of a toss-up, but the Liberty have lost the first two games to the Wings this season, and now are on the verge of being swept for the season. I also like that the Liberty lost to the Wings just a few days ago. I know that Dallas is playing better basketball, but I think the pride comes out a bit here and New York wins. Give me them at +105. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58f26da12eaf174af80d29 Country star Riley Green reveals why fan emotion at his shows beats industry awards every time te 2026-07-16T15:02:05.120Z Country star Riley Green reveals why fan emotion at his shows beats industry awards every time Riley Green finds pleasure in the simple things in life. Green has become a legit country music superstar over the past couple years, and his rise has been a ton of fun to watch. He's currently on tour, but that's not all he's cooking up. Green's new album "That's Just Me" comes out on September 18th. RILEY GREEN'S NEW 'THINK AS YOU DRUNK' MUSIC VIDEO IS WINNING OVER COUNTRY MUSIC FANS So, how does one of country music's biggest stars find joy? His answer is shockingly simple and straightforward. Green appeared on Theo Von's incredibly popular podcast "This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von" for an episode released Wednesday, and he shared some refreshing comments about success, fame and what makes him happy. COUNTRY STAR GABBY BARRETT SAYS SHE 'SLEPT IN THE CAR' BEFORE 'AMERICAN IDOL' CHANGED HER LIFE How much do awards and professional attention matter to Green? Not nearly as much as the fans at his shows do. "For me, I think I appreciate a lot more a sold out show, but when fans are there and they're like singing a song that I wrote and it, like, I can tell it means something to them. There's emotion in it, like that means more to me than an award." Von also asked the country music icon about if he feels pride in what he's done, and he shared a very humbling answer. "I think that you got to find things in your life that you do feel proud of yourself about. Like for me, it's not musical achievements. For me, I feel proud about my farm. I feel proud that I, you know, could put my parents in a nice house and buy my dad a truck. I feel more for that than anything I've ever bought myself, you know, and like my niece and nephew sending me pictures, my sister, of them catching fish in my lake. Like, I'm proud of, like, that. And that those are things that I know will last forever," the "Jesus Saves" singer explained. You can watch Green's full comments in the video below starting around 1:15:00, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. It's always great to hear someone speak a little common sense, especially when there is very little in the entertainment industry. Seeking attention from industry insiders or awards shows is a waste of time. It's about the people close to you and the fans. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM That's all it's ever about because those are the people who actually care at the end of the day, especially family and friends. Everything else is a distraction. What do you think about Green's comments? Let me know at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58f230a12eaf174af80d0a How Nike’s Diversity Efforts Made It a Trump Target te 2026-07-16T15:01:04.188Z How Nike’s Diversity Efforts Made It a Trump Target A civil-rights investigation, which grew out of a 26-page memo by a political appointee, provides a road map for the White House’s assault on D.E.I. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58f21ca12eaf174af80cfb Man attempts to be first to juggle across the U.S. te 2026-07-16T15:00:44.733Z Man attempts to be first to juggle across the U.S. Neriah Guerin's goal is to be the first person to walk from Los Angeles to New York while juggling the whole way. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58f207a12eaf174af80cf2 Risk of major flooding after Pocket Fire appears low, but more data needed te 2026-07-16T15:00:23.753Z Risk of major flooding after Pocket Fire appears low, but more data needed Though county officials are cautiously optimistic that the Pocket Fire will not substantially increase the likelihood of severe flooding in Oak Creek Canyon, predictions will be difficult until the Burned Area Emergency Response team completes an initial survey. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58efeca12eaf174af80c9d Dems roasted for comparing Hegseth's testosterone initiative to 'gender-affirming care' te 2026-07-16T14:51:24.194Z Dems roasted for comparing Hegseth's testosterone initiative to 'gender-affirming care' Democrats, including Sens. Adam Schiff of California and Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, are being mocked online for likening the Pentagon’s new testosterone testing and treatment plan to cross-sex "gender-affirming care." Following Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s announcement that the military would begin screening for testosterone deficiency, Democratic leaders quickly took to social media to mock the program as a return to "gender-affirming care." "Pete Hegseth comes out in favor of gender-affirming care…," wrote Schiff, while Hirono wrote, "So the Pentagon is promoting gender-affirming care now?" Several other Democrats piled on with similar posts. Their posts, however, were met with immediate pushback. MED SCHOOL DEANS COME UP EMPTY IN TENSE HEARING WHEN ASKED POINT BLANK IF MEN CAN HAVE BABIES: 'RIDICULOUS' Commenting on Schiff’s post, one user wrote, "Giving testosterone to men is gender-affirming and not harmful. Chemically castrating a boy or a double mastectomy on a girl is gender-denying, irreversible and harmful. [Schiff] is not only a liar, he is stupid." In response to a post by Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., saying, "Sounds like gender-affirming care to me," conservative influencer "Just a Bama Gal" shot back, "Not even close." Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., even brought up the program during a House hearing, bashing it as "absurd" and suggesting that the government could begin testing whether representatives are "male enough to be in Congress." "The Secretary of Forever Wars, Pete Hegseth, just announced they are going to provide hormone therapy to male service members who don’t have enough testosterone," Jayapal wrote on X. "Let’s be clear: This is gender-affirming care, and it completely debunks all of Republicans’ attacks on trans people." In response, one user who goes by the name Ellie May wrote, "Let’s be clear your ignorance is showing. Giving your body more of something that it naturally produces is not the equivalent of giving your body the exact opposite it needs to thrive and survive." DEMOCRATS REVOLT OVER 'BIOLOGICAL' WORDING IN WOMEN'S HISTORY MUSEUM BILL "Are you crazy???" responded another user named Leah Babcock, "When a woman goes through menopause and gets hormone replacement she’s not suddenly a trans person." Hegseth announced the program in a post on Wednesday. He explained the military would begin testosterone screening for service members over 30 and optional screening for those under 30 as part of its annual health assessment. Hegseth said that if treatment is recommended, service members will have the choice of undergoing testosterone replacement therapy. He clarified, "This is not about artificial enhancement; it’s about restoring and optimizing your natural capabilities, protecting your longevity and ensuring you have the biological foundation required to sustain the fight." In an X post, he labeled his announcement "the High-T Department of War." Meaghan Mobbs, a former Army paratrooper and president of the nonprofit the R.T. Weatherman Foundation, posted on X, "If you are one of the people melting down because the Department of War wants to screen men over 30 for testosterone deficiency, I am begging you to spend ten minutes reading the science before letting Hegseth Derangement Syndrome rob you of common sense." "Testosterone is not some cosmetic ‘masculinity’ metric," Mobbs explained. "It is a major endocrine signal tied to muscle mass, bone density, red blood cell production, metabolism, sexual function, energy, concentration, mood, recovery, and physical performance. Clinically low testosterone can present as exhaustion, loss of strength and muscle, impaired concentration, irritability, depressed mood, reduced motivation, and diminished sexual function." She said that "for years, veterans, clinicians, and military families have begged the system to [take] endocrine health more seriously," adding, "Now someone finally is. Thank God." TRUMP SAYS US IS ‘BOOMING,’ PREDICTS IRAN WILL BE ‘DEFEATED VERY SOON’ Likewise, Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services Admiral Brian Christine wrote, "I fully support Secretary Hegseth’s initiative at the Department of War in recognizing the importance of healthy testosterone levels in its warfighting men!" "Optimizing testosterone supports strength, endurance, healthy body composition, cognitive performance, mission readiness, and overall well-being—ensuring America’s fighting force is prepared to perform at its highest level," wrote Christine. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58efaca12eaf174af80c5f Why AMI Labs’ Alexandre LeBrun won’t call his AI ‘AGI’ or ‘superintelligence’ te 2026-07-16T14:50:20.201Z Why AMI Labs’ Alexandre LeBrun won’t call his AI ‘AGI’ or ‘superintelligence’ While everyone in AI is chasing "superintelligence." Alexandre LeBrun, CEO of Yann LeCun’s world model startup, AMI Labs, dismisses the word. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58ed7ea12eaf174af80c37 Memphis pizza joint sparks backlash after owner refuses to serve National Guard troops te 2026-07-16T14:41:02.285Z Memphis pizza joint sparks backlash after owner refuses to serve National Guard troops A Memphis pizza restaurant is facing backlash after refusing service to four members of the Tennessee National Guard last weekend, with the owner telling Fox News Digital he stands by the decision and would "make the same decision tomorrow." Miles Tamboli, owner of Tamboli's Pasta & Pizza, said he refused to serve the Guardsmen on Saturday night because he opposes the federally led Memphis Safe Task Force, arguing the use of National Guard troops in local law enforcement has made the city less safe rather than more secure. "I love this country and I love this city, and that is exactly why I made this call," Tamboli told Fox News Digital in a statement. "I want Memphis to be safe. Every business owner does. And the honest truth is that Memphis was already getting safer before this Task Force ever arrived. Crime was at a 25-year low through the first eight months of 2025, according to the Memphis Police Department's own data, later confirmed by an independent Tennessee Bureau of Investigation audit. That progress was earned by the people of this city. It was not delivered by soldiers." TEXAS BAKERY SAYS IT'S 'EMBARRASSED' BY AMERICA, CALLS MAGA 'A CULT' IN JULY 4 MESSAGE The Memphis Safe Task Force is a federally led initiative established in September 2025 by President Donald Trump to stop violent crime in the city. The task force combines local police with agents from various federal agencies, the Tennessee National Guard, and state troopers to enforce public safety laws. "What the Task Force has actually done is make this city harder to live in," Tamboli continued. "Its own records show that the overwhelming majority of its arrests began with routine traffic stops, not violent crime. Families in this city are now afraid to drive to work, afraid to take their kids to school, afraid to be seen. Our own schools reported that fear drove children to stop showing up to class. And this month, a 20-year-old Memphian named Tyrin Johnson was shot and killed by National Guard troops during a foot chase, with no body camera footage and no answers for his family. None of that makes us safer. It makes us less safe, and it does the most damage to the people who were already struggling." Tamboli said he believes that the approach being taken to address public safety isn’t correct. ICE AGENTS INSTRUCTED TO END MOST VEHICLE STOPS IN MAJOR POLICY SHIFT "Being pro-safety means telling the truth about what actually protects a community, and it is not soldiers trained for combat doing the work of police officers," Tamboli said. "That mismatch is dangerous for the people of Memphis and dangerous for the troops themselves, who were sent here to do a job they were never trained for. The founders wrote their objection to standing armies among the people into the Declaration of Independence itself, because they understood that a free country does not let the military police its own citizens. That principle is older than any political party, and I am not willing to abandon it because it became inconvenient." On his restaurant’s website, Tamboli said that his family came from the Mid-South in 1909 and were part of a group of people who eventually were called the Delta Italians. "Months ago I joined dozens of other local businesses in a public commitment to stand against the military policing our streets, an act of patriotism and conscience both, and I would make the same decision tomorrow," Tamboli said. Tamboli admitted in an interview with News Channel 3 in Memphis that it had been bad for business. "None of it changes my position. If anything, it confirms why this matters," Tamboli told the outlet. UNITED PASSENGER SAYS CREW ORDERED HIM TO CHANGE CONTROVERSIAL T-SHIRT BEFORE HE COULD TRAVEL Users on X shared outrage over the incident, with one person writing, "I’m from Memphis. Tamboli’s Pasta & Pizza refused to serve uninformed Tennessee National Guard members who were just trying to eat. Their owner turned them away. That’s unacceptable. I stand with the National Guard. Businesses that disrespect the men and women protecting our city don’t deserve our support," and included the hashtag, #BoycottTamboli. Another person wrote, "I hope every patriotic pizza lover in Memphis knows that @nicktamboli owner of Taboli's Pizza is a leftist scumbag, who refuses to serve members of the Tennessee National Guard. It would be a shame if his business suffered a boycott, because ‘in this classroom we believe’... patriotism is real." Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., also took to X to comment on the situation, writing, "When I get home I’m driving to Memphis and not eating there." Fox News Digital reached out to the Tennessee Military Department and Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58eafca12eaf174af80ba8 Moonshot’s upcoming Kimi 3 is expected to close the gap with Anthropic’s Opus 4.8 te 2026-07-16T14:30:20.685Z Moonshot’s upcoming Kimi 3 is expected to close the gap with Anthropic’s Opus 4.8 The FT reports Kimi K3 will be the largest open AI model from China, with a parameter count between 2 trillion and 3 trillion. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58e8e2a12eaf174af80b86 Jimmy Fallon swipes at Biden’s upcoming memoir, jokes Kamala Harris wrote the end of it te 2026-07-16T14:21:22.227Z Jimmy Fallon swipes at Biden’s upcoming memoir, jokes Kamala Harris wrote the end of it Late-night host Jimmy Fallon swiped at former President Joe Biden on Wednesday during "The Tonight Show" after the ex-president announced he would be releasing a memoir in November. Biden's memoir, "Promise Me, America," will chronicle his presidency and reveal the "deeply agonizing calculation" behind his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, according to a press release announcing the book. The memoir is set to come out on Nov. 17, about two weeks after the midterms. Fallon showed a picture of the cover of the book and said, "The book was written by a ghost writer, Joe Biden." EX-BIDEN STAFFER BLAMES BIDEN'S 'HUBRIS' FOR THE 'HELLSCAPE THAT WE LIVE IN': REPORT "It’s the second book Biden has written," the late-night comedian said. "The first was ‘The Odyssey.’" He quipped that the book was about what the former president remembered from his presidency and said, "So it's three pages." Fallon then brought former Vice President Kamala Harris into his bit and added, "It’s kind of a strange book because toward the end it starts being written by Kamala Harris." WATCH: KAMALA HARRIS TORCHED OVER ‘ZERO SENSE’ WNBA PEP TALK IN LATEST ‘WORD SALAD’ MOMENT Fox News Digital reached out to representatives of the former president for comment about the jokes but didn't immediately hear back. Biden announced the book in a video posted to X Wednesday. He added that he has been receiving treatment for his cancer diagnosis and that it has been going "really well." "It's about the challenges we face as a nation and about the decisions I made and why I made them, leading the country through COVID, rebuilding our economy and restoring our democracy after the attack on January 6th, ending our nation's longest war in Afghanistan, strengthening NATO and supporting Ukraine," Biden said. Lindy Li, a former top Democratic fundraiser, said Biden was only doing himself a disservice by promising the public another explanation of why he decided to run for re-election in 2024 despite mounting concerns about his age and cognitive performance. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE In her view, Biden’s upcoming memoir will only serve to reopen painful wounds that Democrats have struggled to move past since the 2024 election loss. In a way, she believes the book is a bit of a microcosm of Biden’s presidency. "They’re thinking, ‘Why can’t you just shut the f--- up?’ Prior to me leaving the party, they wanted nothing to do with this guy. It was so bad that when, finally, Biden exited on July 21, there was no goodbye party other than a staffer one in the Rose Garden. There was nothing," Li said. Fox News' Ashley J. DiMella contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58e8cea12eaf174af80b7d Fox News ‘Antisemitism Exposed’ Newsletter: Spotlighting 250 years of Jewish contributions to America te 2026-07-16T14:21:02.778Z Fox News ‘Antisemitism Exposed’ Newsletter: Spotlighting 250 years of Jewish contributions to America 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: - America’s 250th: 'J250' initiative puts Jewish contributions in the spotlight - Mamdani map erases NYC's Jewish, Italian histories - Jewish House Democrat recalls colleague saying there is no antisemitism, and 'all the Jews are rich' TOP STORY: U.S. antisemitism envoy Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun has launched the "J250 Initiative" to champion "pro-Semitism"—a proactive educational movement celebrating Jewish-American contributions. Debuting during America’s 250th anniversary amidst rising hate crimes, the project shifts the focus from defense to pride, honoring the Jewish patriots, scientists, and cultural icons who have shaped the nation since its founding. VIDEO: Sandra Smith discusses with Cornell Law Professor William Jacobson the concerning rise of antisemitism in the U.S., which a new survey reveals is forcing many Jewish Americans to conceal their identities. WATCH HERE: MAP MADNESS: Mayor Zohran Mamdani is backtracking after his 2026 FIFA World Cup "immigrant enclaves" map sparked outrage for wiping historic communities off the grid. Along with erasing Little Italy and Irish hubs, City Hall somehow "forgot" NYC's massive, legendary Jewish neighborhoods. Mamdani claims the snub was accidental, but critics slam the socialist mayor's selective mapping. SHOCKING SLUR: Vermont Democrat Becca Balint is "shaken to her core" after a stunning Capitol Hill confrontation. Balint revealed a fellow House Democrat dismissed rising antisemitism because "all the Jews are rich." As progressives now use Israel as a toxic political litmus test, terrified Jewish Democrats warn they are being frozen right out of their own party by hostile, angry grassroots agitators. GUEST EDITORIAL: Shahar Azani, former spokesperson of Israel’s consulate in New York, writes that the relationship between the United States and Israel is a reciprocal strategic partnership built on shared values, not a one-way welfare agreement. Highlighting how Israeli intelligence and military innovations, joint defense systems like Iron Dome and critical warnings that protected U.S. troops from Iranian attacks—directly save American lives, Azani argues that security assistance to Israel is a vital investment. QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "Teaching the world about the greatest Jewish contributors to American history gives people the knowledge to counter those who spread hate and lies about the American Jewish community." - Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, the U.S. special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism. - 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/6a58e68aa12eaf174af80b1c Jimmy Failla recalls double-parking cab on 6th Avenue to squeeze in first FOX TV appearance te 2026-07-16T14:11:22.368Z Jimmy Failla recalls double-parking cab on 6th Avenue to squeeze in first FOX TV appearance "Fox News Saturday Night" host Jimmy Failla looked back on his unlikely path to becoming a FOX personality, recalling his first television appearance while still driving a New York City cab — and keeping it double-parked outside the studio. "When I was first getting booked on FOX, I was legitimately a cab driver... my first hit at FOX, I had my cab double-parked on 6th Avenue with the trunk open and the hazards on, because I was trying to make sure I didn't get a parking ticket..." he told the "Hang Out With Sean Hannity" podcast. "I literally went in and did a hit and ran back out and had to finish my shift," he added. SEAN HANNITY, RILEY GAINES SHOWS AMONG PODCASTS JOINING FOX ONE'S EXPANDED STREAMING PORTFOLIO Failla, who appeared on Thursday's episode of Sean Hannity's podcast, said he landed the first hit after performing at the Gotham Comedy Club when he was approached with an offer to appear on Kennedy's FOX Business show. "[A producer] was like, 'Hey, wanna be on FOX tomorrow?' And I was like, 'Yeah... I didn't even know if it was real," he recounted. Despite dropping in for the special debut appearance, more work had to be done. Failla still had to drive the remainder of his shift for the day, so he stopped for an hour and did a hit at FOX before getting back to the driver's seat. JEFF FOXWORTHY SAYS HOLLYWOOD HAS NOT UNDERSTOOD REGULAR AMERICANS IN A ‘LONG, LONG TIME’ After the segment aired, Failla couldn't resist sharing the milestone with the passengers who climbed into his cab. "I told every passenger and everyone, 'I'm on TV tonight!' And they were like, 'Honey, let's get out at the next light, I think he's on the pot,'" he quipped. Failla now hosts "Fox News Saturday Night," the nationally syndicated "FOX Across America" radio show and is a frequent fixture across FOX News Media platforms, a far cry from the days when he had to squeeze television appearances into the middle of a taxi shift. To catch Failla's full appearance on Hannity's podcast, look for the latest episode on iHeart, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other major podcast platforms. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58e676a12eaf174af80b13 Jena Sims slips into a stunning golf outfit at The Open, Brits were furious after loss & Canadian smoke te 2026-07-16T14:11:02.418Z Jena Sims slips into a stunning golf outfit at The Open, Brits were furious after loss & Canadian smoke Holy smoke. Welcome in for another edition of Screencaps where we address the heavy plume of smoke from Canadian wildfires (allegedly) that is hanging over NW Ohio. We're probably talking some of the worst air quality in the world right now and it's literally over the Screencaps HQ. How bad is it? Just opening an external door will take your breath away. That's not an exaggeration. It's actually eery how still it is. The smoke, and the putrid plastic smell is just hovering. Which brings me to this thought: How is it possible that these Canadian wildfires weren't a thing until three summers ago? The New York Times says it's all climate change. CBC, Canada's national news outlet, is currently telling kids on its CBC Kids News site that "wildfires are likely to happen more often. They may also be more powerful." FIRST ON FOX: SCHOOL LIED, HID DAUGHTER'S GENDER TRANSITION UNDER DISTRICT POLICY, PARENTS ALLEGE Why? Climate change. "The Canadian government is working on plans to adapt to — or prepare for — this reality," CBC says. And what's in that plan? They're not saying. Where does this all go? I'd love to hear from you guys. I hate to be a conspiracy theorist, but this is a moment in time we should be on high alert. What are the politicians up to? 📩 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. CALIFORNIA RESTAURANT OWNER HITS PARENTS OF BRATTY KIDS WITH HEFTY FINES FOR TRASHING HIS BUSINESS 🐦 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 – Chris B. understands why I told the kids to get out of the grass, which would be drug into the pool, which I would've had to clean up: It looks like you have the same problem I have, friend come over and rules are thrown out the window  I currently have a 9 & 11 year old and it’s been a struggle over the past couple years since we got the pool to not have them act like little maniacs. I have no issue letting them have it and the parents that come over don’t seem to have a problem with it either. Biggest issue I have is when they play in the spa and empty it. We have a shelf they can play on and yet it’s always the spa where they go and it’s not even on. Then they go to side yard with little supervision where somebody always seems to get either hurt, break something, or drag sand from the horseshoe pits into the pool. It’s always something and then my kids wonder why we don’t let them invite people over. – Scott in Florida reacts to the 13 year olds who want to go Spring Break 1989 on our pool: You are absolutely correct with enforcing your pool rules. I had a pool growing up and we had pool rules established by my dad. I’ve had 2 of my own houses and they both had a pool. I adopted my dad’s saying when it came to the pool. He would say "My house, my pool, my rules.  If you don't like the pool rules, then go swim at someone else’s house." My dad had no problem yelling at me or my friends when we weren’t following the pool rules. I had no problem yelling at my kids or their friends when they weren’t following the pool rules. The rules are there for safety of the kids. Kids can be stupid and do stupid things. Especially when a pool is involved. Keep enforcing your pool rules. – Ryan Hyatt in west Texas says: While I've never had a pool, I have had a house and the rules at the house have always been simple...My house, my rules. The rules applied to my son growing up and to his friends when they were here at the house. For you, when it comes to a pool, it's simple again. You paid for the pool. You pay for the insurance for the pool. You have rules for your sons and you have rules for your house. Why? It's your house. If the 13-year olds want to get a job, start a great media empire and build a nice house with a pool, they can and they can have their own rules. Until then, you paid the freight you make the rules. So we get to the part where your son's buddy says, "come over to my house and we'll rock out! No rules! No Worries!" Awesome... This is where it gets even more fun to be a Dad. This is where you get to tell your son that his friends parents can parent any way they want. They can have any rules at their pool they want... But... Our family rules extend beyond our home and our pool. We expect you to follow the same rules we established here at our home when you're away from home at anyone else's house. No exceptions. Our family rule are actually family values. Values travel. So, go over to your friend's pool, have a great time, but don't violate your values. And if you do, the punishment will be the same as if you did it right here at your own home! Harsh? No. It's fair and clear and will give kid's the "excuse" they need with their friends to do the right thing when you're not there... You're doing a great job, even if you can't seem to find some high-level 14-year old pitchers whose parents are willing to let them blowout their elbows throwing baby sliders for no reason... – Bob E. tells me: Jumping into the pool (is that allowed, heh) on SCJ and friends. It's simple, your casa-your rules. SCJ can have a pre-pool chat with his buddies about expectations (rules), and there'll still be plenty of fun. SCJ will appreciate you being a parent, not the cool dad, when he matures. I'll wager the rogue friend probably doesn't get much correction at home which translates into his reaction at the Kinsey abode.  On business last week in New Mexico, I shared an elevator ride with a dad and lad there for a U-15 baseball tournament. Homebase for them is Denver, Colorado and mom and sister were in Tennessee for a dance competition. Stepping out of the elevator, I commented my travel ball (soccer) years were done and how travel ball is all about dollars now. Dad said his son's baseball club has A, B, and C teams. Yearly cost for the A team is $6,000, and the C team is $2,500. I didn't ask what the 6k included and didn't ask his son's designated team. Between transportation, hotel, meals and split parenting events, I'm thinking that's an easy 3-4k weekend for them, yikes! – Matt B. in Dunwoody, GA checks in: I'm assuming most responses to your pool quandary will be similar, but my take is: Your House, Your Rules.  I took my oldest on a bucket list trip to Australia when he was 10. We stayed a night on the front and back end of the trip with a college buddy who's an expat living there with his Aussie wife and kids. One of his boys had a couple buddies stop by after a basketball game.  As I was sitting at my computer in their kitchen, the two friends around age 10 walked up to me, stuck out their hands and introduced themselves. My buddy walks in and I go 'what just happened?'.  He didn't follow, so I told him about the introductions. My buddy's like, 'Oh that's how they do it here. If you go to someone's house, you introduce yourself to the adults and then get on to playing. It teaches respect and familiarity.'  To this day, when mine go out, I try to remind them to 'Be like an Australian'.   – Brad S. says it's time to look at our insurance policy: With two teens at home (F13, M15), we become the go-to place in the summer because of our backyard pool. I can say that I haven't had a problem with the boys because my son keeps the others in check—no three-tiered chicken fights, and no jumping from the ladder or the sides of our above-ground pool.Two years ago, they probably wouldn't have listened as well! The girls, however, have to be reminded constantly to keep the screaming down—especially at night. The neighbor on one side is 94, and the family on the other side has a baby and a toddler. I definitely don't want any complaints! If you have a pool, make sure you have the proper home insurance coverage. As an insurance guy, here's what I insist for all my clients: Your liability coverage should be at least a million dollars, and I always suggest an additional one-million dollar umbrella policy. You never think anything bad will happen, but if it does, you're protected. – Tom T. adds perspective on neighborhood dads and their rules: I think you are absolutely correct in chastising the teen boys that break your undoubtedly easy rules for the pool.   When I was 16, I drove down to my buddy’s house 200 yards away, and got my little Dodge Colt up to 3rd gear.   When I pulled in his driveway, his dad told me I was going way too fast, and did not need to get into 3rd gear to drive down the freaking block.  I said "Yes, sir", and it was all forgotten.  I remember it to this day, and shake my head at what a young dipshit I was at the time. – Ken from Shamong, NJ knows what I'm going through: There must be rules or else chaos will happen. Our high school age daughter hosted a pool party at our house. Lounge furniture was being thrown into the pool. Our daughter was told to address that or I would. Her choice. She addressed it. Other rules were back packs were left in the house and gates were locked and if you left you did not come back. The kids choose to party somewhere else next time. I was happy and they were happy. Win - win for everyone. – Michael from Pittsburgh says: Noticed this strongly over the weekend at an engagement cookout we hosted for my 24YO son and his fiance. Have noticed it casually over the past few years. Kids my son's age, whom I've known most of their lives, all of a sudden want to no longer call me Mr. Instead they're going first name basis. I politely say, "Let's stick with Mr. Last Name Here" I'm 59, and when I go back to my old neighborhood, I call all the adults Mr & Mrs to this day. I also insist that my kids stick with the formal salutation for all of the parents in our circle. Am I making a bigger deal of this than necessary? Kinsey: I'm of the belief that you grow up knowing what you know. I didn't grow up using Mr. [last name] to address adults and I haven't raised my kids that way either, but they damn well better show respect for the adult. Is it less respect to not use Mr.? That's for you guys to debate. I think, at the end of the day, respect is respect. I don't need a neighbor kid calling me Mr. Kinsey. Call me Joe and don't be a moron in the pool. – Michael has hammered me in the past when I hammer football refs, but this email is pretty much an olive branch: Have really enjoyed your take on travel ball (of all forms) in recent weeks. I am lucky that Mrs. Referee and I are aligned on our travel ball stances - all 3 of our boys play rec baseball currently and not only enjoy it but are pretty good at it. We’ve decided that we won’t get our boys into travel ball (or as it’s called here in California, "comp" baseball) until they’ve gone past their 12U season - for many reasons, not just the money (although that plays into it). We had a very recent experience that solidified our stance even more, that I think you and a lot of your readers may appreciate (and be a little horrified by). Our local little league is a bit travel ball-obsessed, and we take it as a badge of honor that our boys play just as well (or even better) than the kids who cost their parents thousands of dollars every year. We both know that we’re resented by more than a few parents in our league as a result of it. Our 11-year-old finally experienced some of the gatekeeping this year, unfortunately. For whatever reason, the 11U and 12U all star teams include player voting in their selection process (it’s even recommended to do this in the Little League rule book!), and since he doesn’t have travel ball creds, a lot of the kids didn’t bother voting for him this season, even after establishing himself as the strongest 11-year old pitcher in the league with 50 K in 34 IP, 3.52 ERA and 1 CG - thanks GameChanger! He wasn’t voted on to the 11U team this year, and I found out after the fact this was largely due to the player voting - despite being highly touted by most of the coaches. Being on the board (as the umpire-in-chief, natch) I was privy to a lot of the politics so I knew this was a possibility. He was a bit bummed not to make this year’s team after making last year’s 10U team, but he was quickly on to the next thing, as is typical for him. That is, until we get a call from the team’s manager last Sunday deciding that he did need our son after all. One player had gone down to injury and another had left on a vacation that his parents swore they wouldn’t take if they got that far in the tournament. Now all of a sudden after their first loss (double-elimination) it’s up to Referee Jr. and one other kid (also brought on late, in a similar situation) to save the team. Both of them pitched well, but with no run support the team lost and that was that. Ultimately we were happy that he got his all-star experience but miffed that it happened this way. Kinsey: Thank you to Michael for having his boy Make Rec Ball Great Again. His son won't end up some downtrodden dork because he didn't go to Cooperstown after begging his aunts and uncles for $100 donations. It's slim pickings at these golf tournaments these days with Dustin Johnson not in The Open, which means Paulina Gretzky is at home. We just don't have the interesting golf wives like 10 years ago. Jena is a dying breed. That's why we have to cherish these moments. Brooksie is 36. We're not going to get many more years of Jena dumping out content at these tournaments. Enjoy these days before they're gone. Nothing good can come of this, Jerry. Actively running after someone yelling your name during a backswing at a celebrity tournament you're not going to win, and where double bogey is your friend, is not smart. Jerry finished the American Century Championship in 42nd place, one spot behind Carson Daly. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS Jerry, you're 63. Relax. ######################## And that is it. The smoke has the sky looking orange. It's a good day to work on the Internet, so let's get after it. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58e449a12eaf174af80aa5 Rubio puts entire world on notice against rise of 'poisonous' far-left terror 'masked as equality' te 2026-07-16T14:01:45.617Z Rubio puts entire world on notice against rise of 'poisonous' far-left terror 'masked as equality' Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared Thursday that violent far-left political terrorism "can no longer be denied" as he urged more than 60 countries gathered in Washington to treat the threat as a global counterterrorism priority. Speaking at the opening of a State Department ministerial attended by roughly 65 foreign delegations, Rubio said governments had spent too long overlooking what he described as a resurgence of transnational far-left extremist violence and called for greater international cooperation to counter it. Rubio described radical leftism as "a poisonous resentment cloaked in the language of equality and justice." TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FAR-LEFT PROTESTERS CLASH WITH POLICE IN ANTI-CONSERVATIVE PARTY RIOTS "Today we face a new wave of this old evil here in the United States, the share of left-wing terrorist attacks and plots has risen to levels not seen in decades," the secretary went on.  Rubio said the administration is rebuilding the U.S. counterterrorism strategy around what it views as an increasingly transnational threat, announcing that additional foreign terrorist organization designations are forthcoming after the State Department designated four foreign far-left groups in November 2025.  Rubio said far-left extremist networks coordinate across borders by sharing training materials, encrypted communications, financing and safe houses while working alongside hostile foreign states. He argued the United States and its allies must respond by expanding intelligence sharing, law enforcement cooperation and efforts to disrupt terrorist financing. "You are here because this is real, and it is getting worse, and it can no longer be denied, and it can no longer be ignored," Rubio said. "It is time to crush this evil forever." "It's time for people of the civilized world to defend themselves," he added.  A foreign terrorist organization designation criminalizes providing material support to the group, enables the U.S. government to freeze assets under its jurisdiction and blocks members from entering the United States.  Administration officials said the ministerial is the culmination of an eight-month diplomatic effort to convince foreign governments that violent far-left extremist networks have become a growing cross-border threat requiring greater international coordination. The initiative comes as some analysts and foreign officials have questioned whether violent far-left groups constitute a cohesive international terrorism threat comparable to Islamist extremist organizations. Others have raised concerns governments could use such initiatives to target political opponents under the banner of counterterrorism. Administration officials rejected those concerns Wednesday, arguing the effort is narrowly focused on criminal and terrorist violence rather than political beliefs. "We haven't waded into trying to disambiguate people's beliefs and ideologies," a senior State Department official told reporters. "In America, you can believe anything you want. The minute that you cross the legal threshold, that changes." BILL MAHER TORCHES FAR-LEFT ASSASSINATION CULTURE AFTER STRING OF HIGH-PROFILE ATTACKS Officials argue governments spent much of the past two decades concentrating on jihadist terrorism while underestimating what they describe as a resurgence of politically motivated violence from violent far-left extremist networks operating across borders. "This has been a blind spot for a lot of our partners, frankly. They have not seen these trends ... since the 1970s," the senior State Department official said. "Our partners have talked to us about the rise of assassinations or assassination plots." Administration officials pointed to a series of recent attacks in Europe that they argue underscore the need for greater international cooperation. On July 1, coordinated firebomb attacks targeted the homes of members of Greece's governing New Democracy party in Thessaloniki, killing the mother of parliamentary candidate Afroditi Nestora and injuring four others. Greek anti-terrorism police later arrested three suspects. In January, an arson attack on a power transmission facility in Berlin, Germany, knocked out electricity to tens of thousands of homes and businesses. German authorities later transferred the investigation to the federal prosecutor over suspected involvement by a terrorist organization. The meeting builds on a series of actions the administration has taken since late 2025, including designating four foreign far-left organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists, along with offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the disruption of their financial networks. Rubio is expected to argue that violent far-left extremist groups increasingly operate across borders, sharing tactics, coordinating attacks and exploiting international conflicts to recruit followers, making greater cooperation among governments essential to disrupting the threat. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller also are expected to address the ministerial, which will include discussions on the global threat landscape, terrorist financing, intelligence sharing and protecting critical infrastructure. Officials also disputed reports that foreign partners were reluctant to participate, saying several governments approached the United States seeking to join the initiative after recognizing similar trends within their own borders. "We've had countries who have reached out to us that want to be part of this," the senior State Department official said. The four organizations designated by the administration in November were Antifa Ost, the Informal Anarchist Federation/International Revolutionary Front (FAI/FRI), Armed Proletarian Justice and Revolutionary Class Self-Defense. The administration says the groups, which operate in Germany, Italy and Greece, have coordinated violent attacks across national borders. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58e436a12eaf174af80a94 Trump admin fires US attorney in Seattle minutes after he was appointed te 2026-07-16T14:01:26.161Z Trump admin fires US attorney in Seattle minutes after he was appointed The Trump administration took the fight over who controls U.S. attorney appointments to a whole new level, firing a Seattle-based prosecutor less than an hour after he was picked for the job without the blessing of the administration. "District court judges can appoint a temporary U.S. Attorney, and POTUS can fire them," Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche wrote Wednesday on X as he was testifying before the Senate in his confirmation hearing, calling out a U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington state panel for elevating Judge Roger Rogoff to be the top federal prosecutor in Seattle. "WDWA judges abandoned the time-honored process of consultation with the administration so that the selected U.S. Attorney is qualified to serve in the administration," Blanche said. "Roger Rogoff has been fired by the President." That post came after Rogoff, 57, a former King County Superior Court judge and longtime state and federal prosecutor, was sworn in before 8 a.m. local time at the federal courthouse in downtown Seattle as U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington. TRUMP'S AG NOMINEE RACKS UP MASSIVE SUPPORT AHEAD OF CONFIRMATION HEARING: 'REAL RESULTS' He then went to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and asked to meet with Charles Neil Floyd, the Trump administration’s preferred choice for the job, whose 120-day interim term expired in February. While Rogoff waited in the lobby, he received an email notifying him that Trump had removed him from office. Rogoff's situation was not mentioned in Blanche's Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday, but Blanche is back before the Senate again Thursday and Rogoff now might be a notable topic of discussion during his confirmation process. BIDEN JUDGE REJECTS TRUMP'S SANCTUARY CITIES LAWSUIT, SAYS EVEN A WIN WOULDN'T SOLVE DOJ'S PROBLEM The quick dismissal came after all 17 active and senior federal judges in the deep-blue district appointed Rogoff to the vacancy. The judges, appointed by five presidents (10 by Democrats and seven by Republicans), had opened an application process after the administration did not send Floyd’s nomination to the Senate and instead kept him in place by making him first assistant U.S. attorney while leaving the top job vacant. U.S. attorneys, who serve as the Justice Department’s chief federal prosecutors in each district, are normally nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. Federal law allows the attorney general to name an interim U.S. attorney for 120 days. If that period expires without a confirmed nominee, district judges may appoint someone to serve until the vacancy is filled. Because of obstruction by Democrats in the narrowly held Senate, the Trump administration has resorted to using acting titles and other personnel moves to keep its prosecutors in place. Courts have pushed back in several Democrat-heavy districts like Seattle and New Jersey, issuing legal challenges to the Justice Department and White House authority. "I don’t think it’s the way to run the Department of Justice," Rogoff told The New York Times. "When you have this sort of made up way of putting people in these positions, the process breaks down." Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., opposed Floyd for the U.S. attorney job and blasted Rogoff’s quick firing. "Throughout his career, he has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to public service, and he was appointed legally by the federal judges in the Western District of Washington," Murray wrote in a statement. "This administration doesn’t want to deal with advice and consent — they just want to install cronies to carry out a corrupt political agenda." LEGAL WAR ON TRUMP’S AGENDA GAINS FIREPOWER AS FEDERAL LAWYERS DEFECT TO DEMOCRATS Trump administration officials have long noted that the "advise and consent" role of the Senate does not grant Democrats against Trump's administrative priorities to be a hard block on his agenda and nominees, though. Rogoff has retained an employment law firm and is considering a legal challenge to his firing. Fox News Digital reached out to Rogoff for comment. The Seattle clash follows similar disputes elsewhere. In New Jersey, Alina Habba resigned as the top federal prosecutor after an appeals court said she had been serving unlawfully. In Virginia, Lindsey Halligan left an acting U.S. attorney post after a judge found her appointment unlawful and dismissed indictments she had brought against New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey. The administration has also fired court-appointed U.S. attorneys in other districts. Rogoff, who spent 20 years as a state prosecutor and six as a federal prosecutor before becoming a state judge, said he knew the administration might fire him immediately. Despite this, he said he had no qualms about the potential conflict he was walking into, because being U.S. attorney is "the best job there is." "I’m really proud of my career," Rogoff said. "The fact that the judges of this district — most of whom I’ve spent my career appearing in front of, or trying cases against, or working with — believed that I was the right person to do this work is just really humbling and amazing." The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58e422a12eaf174af80a7f AZ Court of Appeals: Citing fake AI-generated cases can get you sanctioned, no matter your intent te 2026-07-16T14:01:06.200Z AZ Court of Appeals: Citing fake AI-generated cases can get you sanctioned, no matter your intent (Illustration via iStock/Getty Images Plus) The Arizona Court of Appeals put lawyers and self-represented litigants alike on notice: If you let artificial intelligence write your legal brief and don’t check whether the cases it cites are real, you can be sanctioned for it — even if you never meant to mislead anyone. “Submission of hallucinated case citations — intentional or unintentional — is unjustifiable. To accept a defense of lack of ill intent would legitimize reckless indifference to the truth and accuracy of court filings and tolerate some level of misrepresentation,” Judge Brian Furuya wrote. “This we will not do.” The ruling by the appellate court marks the first time that Arizona courts have published an opinion on the use of generative artificial intelligence — and the hallucinations that come with it — in legal filings.  GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE The unanimous ruling, and the sanctions that it imposes, sprang out of a probate case. Gloria Acciavatti died in June 2023 at 93, leaving three adult children. When her daughter, Kim Dineen, sought appointment to administer the estate, she found there was nothing to administer because the assets were titled in her brother Jeffrey Kotchka’s name.  Dineen went to court in February 2024 to have the estate sorted out and herself named personal representative. Both of her siblings objected. After a hearing, a Maricopa County judge sided with Dineen and appointed her in July 2025.  Kotchka, representing himself, appealed. In his opening brief with the Court of Appeals, he made eight citations. The court found that six of them were deficient: Some pointed to wrong pages, some attributed rules or facts to cases that didn’t contain them, and two were cases that “simply do not exist.” In a written explanation and at a court hearing focused on the false citations, Kotchka readily acknowledged that he relied on generative AI to write his brief, and he conceded that he had not used — or even seen — the materials available on the Court of Appeals’ website for self-represented litigants. Among those materials is a guide providing tips and warnings for using AI tools. And Kotchka testified that he didn’t use any publicly available research tools to verify the arguments and citations in his filing, nor did he consult a professional.  “Indeed, he admitted he did nothing to independently verify the citations. We appreciate his candor, but all litigants, whether appearing through lawyers or in their own person, must ensure their filings comply with all applicable rules and law,” Furuya wrote. Reliance on generative AI doesn’t absolve parties in a case, whether they are licensed attorneys or laypeople representing themselves, from abiding by court rules, the appellate court ruled. “Accordingly, citing a hallucinated case in a legal filing is sanctionable conduct,” Furuya wrote. The three-judge panel noted that court rules allow for more severe sanctions, including contempt charges and monetary fines. But because Kotchka claimed he didn’t intend to deceive the court and isn’t a trained legal professional, it opted to narrowly sanction him by requiring him to pay the portion of Dineen’s attorney’s fees traceable to dealing with the fake citations. How much that is depends on what documentation Dineen submits to the court. Kotchka’s appeal was also rejected because there were no supportive legal authorities for his claims once the inaccurate and false citations were stricken. Although it set a framework for Arizona courts to sanction parties in the future for AI hallucinations, the Court of Appeals was careful to say the problem isn’t the technology. Generative AI can check grammar, tighten prose and summarize long documents, Furuya wrote, and the panel said it “recognize[s] the promise” such tools hold for people who can’t afford a lawyer, “provided the person signing the brief checks to make sure all the cases they cite are real and accurately cited.” YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58e1efa12eaf174af80a30 Trump’s swift ICE reversal hailed for showing 'confidence' in frontline agents te 2026-07-16T13:51:43.170Z Trump’s swift ICE reversal hailed for showing 'confidence' in frontline agents FIRST ON FOX: President Donald Trump’s quick reversal of a nationwide ban on ICE vehicle stops has been a "huge" boost for many ICE agents on the ground and reassured them that the commander-in-chief still has "confidence in the agency and its people," a federal special agent working deportations said. Speaking with Fox News Digital on the condition of anonymity, the agent said that the concerns that prompted the pause – a need for additional training for ICE agents on adversarial vehicle stops – are still being addressed. At the same time, the agent said the president’s action proved he still believes in law enforcement professionals to get the job done amid what has been an especially operationally challenging year. "Today, when the president came out with his un-pause, I think what he showed was confidence in the agency and its people, and I think that goes a long way when somebody is in one of those difficult situations," said the agent. "I’ve been doing this a long time and I’ve never seen something like that," the agent added. TRUMP REVERSES DHS POLICY, ORDERS ICE TO RESUME VEHICLE STOPS AFTER ONE-DAY PAUSE The Department of Homeland Security announced a pause on Tuesday for ICE vehicle stops after two ICE officer-involved shootings in Maine and Texas. The guidance was short-lived, however, as the next day President Donald Trump instructed the agency to reverse course on what he called "one of ICE's most important and effective Crime Fighting tools." Trump wrote that "the men and women of ICE are doing a GREAT job, one that has to be done." He noted that "CRIME IS WAY DOWN IN AMERICA, in many cases with numbers that haven’t been seen in decades." To the ICE agents operating across the country, Trump wrote, "Be judicious, fair and smart, and go back and do your very important job. Keep those Crime Stat Records coming! Remember, you are loved and respected in America." 2028 DEM HOPEFULS TORCHED OVER WEBINARS TEACHING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HOW TO 'DEFY' ICE In response, the agent said to them Trump’s message meant he had agents’ back. "You don’t have to be a Donald Trump fan but to know that the person who is ultimately responsible for all of this is saying, ‘Hey, I believe in you, you guys will work this out, we’re going to be alright,’" the agent said. The agent said that in the last year, illegal immigrants have grown more adversarial during arrests, increasing the danger of operations for both the arrestee and law enforcement. This is further exacerbated, said the agent, by the prevalence of interference and even often violent confrontation by civilian bystanders during operations. This means that agents are operating in increasingly stressful, unpredictable environments. Amid this, the agent likened ending all vehicle stops to removing a tool from a toolbox. "Any tool you take out of the toolbox is going to create challenges for [agents] to do their job in a more efficient way," he said. DOCS EXPOSE HORRIFIC STRANGLING, KIDNAPPING CHARGES AGAINST ANTI-ICE LAWYER CHAMPIONED BY DEMS Still, the agent said they would "welcome" even more training officers. According to the agent, ICE has already increased its training for officers working deportation operations on the streets. The additional training has been especially concentrated on responding to riot-type situations, something that the agent said most ICE officers previously did not need to prepare for. "They should constantly be looking at these policies and how they affect the people in the field, but also how it's perceived by the public, how legal it is, and how do we do this more safe?" the agent said, concluding, "I think any sane person would be in agreement with me to say, ‘Hey, let's look at how we can do this safer for everybody.’" Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58e1dba12eaf174af80a24 Game-changing cholesterol pill wins FDA approval after cutting LDL nearly 60% te 2026-07-16T13:51:23.712Z Game-changing cholesterol pill wins FDA approval after cutting LDL nearly 60% Millions of Americans with high cholesterol now have a new treatment option, as the FDA has approved the first once-daily oral PCSK9 inhibitor. Merck, the New Jersey-based manufacturer of Lipfendra (enlicitide), announced the approval on Thursday. Lipfendra blocks the action of PCSK9, a naturally occurring protein that affects how the liver removes LDL ("bad") cholesterol from the bloodstream. DR OZ LINKS OBESITY TO CHRONIC DISEASE SURGE, SAYS GLP-1S CAN 'JUMPSTART' BETTER HEALTH "PCSK-9 is a protein that works in the liver, preventing the recycling of LDL receptors, as a result increasing bad cholesterol in the blood," Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, told Fox News Digital. "In the caveman days, this was useful when we were hunter-gatherers and didn't always have food, but now it mainly forms plaques that lead directly to heart disease." YOUR RESTING HEART RATE COULD REVEAL MORE ABOUT YOUR HEALTH THAN YOU THINK, DOCTORS SAY The pill is approved as an add-on to diet and other LDL-lowering therapies in adults with high cholesterol, including inherited forms of high cholesterol, Merck stated. In phase 3 clinical trials, Lipfendra was shown to reduce LDL cholesterol by roughly 56% to 60% when combined with statin therapy. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "This is around double the impact of statins," Siegel noted. The pill was generally well-tolerated in the trials, Merck reported. The most common side effects were diarrhea and dizziness, while serious side effects and treatment discontinuations occurred at rates similar to those in the placebo group. Statins, which work by blocking an enzyme in the liver that the body uses to make cholesterol, are the most commonly prescribed cholesterol-lowering medications, according to the American Heart Association. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER For many people, statins are effective on their own. But for some patients who have very high cholesterol levels, inherited forms of high cholesterol or adverse side effects when taking statins, another medication — such as a PCSK9 inhibitor like Lipfendra — may be necessary, per the AHA. Until now, PCSK9 inhibitors — such as Repatha and Praluent — have only been available as injections, a factor experts say may have contributed to their underuse. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES "Repatha, the injectable form, is very useful, with few side effects," Siegel noted. "The oral form, Lipfendra, is also well-tolerated and just as effective." Additional research is needed to determine whether Lipfendra also reduces the risk of heart attacks, strokes and cardiovascular deaths. Results from a large clinical trial are expected to be available in 2029, Merck stated. "Steve Nissen, longtime head of preventive cardiology at Cleveland Clinic, tells me that the lower the better when it comes to LDL cholesterol, especially in those at risk for heart disease," Siegel added. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58e1c8a12eaf174af80a1b Baltimore Sun owner threatens MD Governor Wes Moore with lawsuit over what he calls a defamatory Epstein link te 2026-07-16T13:51:04.264Z Baltimore Sun owner threatens MD Governor Wes Moore with lawsuit over what he calls a defamatory Epstein link David Smith, the owner of The Baltimore Sun and executive chairman of Sinclair Broadcast Group, threatened Wednesday to sue Maryland Gov. Wes Moore for defamation over remarks Moore made on MS NOW linking Smith to Jeffrey Epstein, escalating a dispute over the newspaper's reporting on the Democratic governor's military record. "A false assertion of this nature linking an individual to Mr. Epstein’s financial dealings is of a kind that foreseeably subjects that individual to serious reputational harm, including public contempt and scorn, diminished business relationships, and damage to personal and professional standing," Smith’s lawyer wrote. Attorney Harold Walter made the warning in a June letter obtained by Semafor, which first reported the threatened lawsuit. Walter demanded that Moore retract and correct his remarks or explain their factual basis and instructed the governor's team to preserve documents concerning Smith and any purported Epstein connection. ‘LIBELOUS’ NYT REPORT TYING TRUMP FAMILY TO GOVERNMENT-BACKED DEAL SPARKS LEGAL DEMAND "The governor should issue a ‘clear, unequivocal public retraction and correction,’" the letter said. Walter also demanded that Moore publicly retract the claim or provide evidence supporting it. "Identify, at least at a high level, the factual basis (if any) on which you relied in making the statement," the letter said. Moore's team rejected the demand and told Semafor that the governor stood by his comments. Joseph Sandler, Moore's personal attorney, responded Tuesday that Epstein's funds had owned several hundred thousand dollars' worth of investments in Sinclair while Smith served as chairman and CEO. ISRAELI PM NETANYAHU INITIATING DEFAMATION LAWSUIT AGAINST NEW YORK TIMES OVER CONTROVERSIAL ‘DOG RAPE’ STORY "The statement made by Governor Moore is absolutely and indisputably true and, therefore, your assertion that the statement is defamatory is meritless," Sandler wrote. In a response provided to Fox News Digital, Sandler argued that Walter had misstated Moore’s words. Sandler wrote that Moore did not claim Epstein invested directly in Smith, but instead said Smith "was invested in by Jeffrey Epstein." Sandler cited Justice Department records that he said showed Epstein-founded Financial Trust Company held Sinclair investments valued between $156,240 and $373,980 in 2001 and 2002. He also said another Epstein-founded company, Southern Trust Company, invested more than $100,000 in Sinclair Broadcast Group in 2013 through Southern Financial LLC. The attorney noted that Smith served as Sinclair’s chairman, president and CEO during the years in which the Epstein-controlled entities held the investments. Sandler's response, as summarized by Semafor, cited investments in Sinclair. The report did not describe a personal relationship between Smith and Epstein.  CLINTON JUDGE ORDERS DOJ TO UNSEAL THE EPSTEIN FILES IT HAS BEEN KEEPING HIDDEN Smith personally purchased The Baltimore Sun in 2024. Sandler also confirmed that Moore’s team had taken steps to preserve evidence related to Smith’s threatened claim and demanded that Smith preserve records involving efforts to "attack or encourage attacks on Governor Moore." Moore made the disputed remarks during an appearance on MS NOW's "The Weeknight," when he was questioned about critical coverage of his administration and biographical record. The governor accused the newspaper of targeting him. "This is not journalism. This is slander and misinformation," Moore said. The dispute followed months of reporting by The Baltimore Sun and Sinclair-affiliated Spotlight on Maryland journalists examining Moore’s military service and other elements of his biography. Semafor previously reported that Smith had been copied on emails from reporters investigating the governor, an arrangement the outlet described as unusual because newspapers typically separate ownership and editorial operations. Moore attacked the newspaper’s direction in an interview with former Biden White House press secretary Jen Psaki. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "It’s actually a very sad day because The Baltimore Sun used to be our paper of record. It’s now become the paper of the right wing," Moore said. Questions about Moore's military biography have included his listing of a Bronze Star on a 2006 White House fellowship application before he had received the award. Moore described the listing as an honest mistake and received the medal in 2024 after his former commander resubmitted the paperwork. Sandler further argued that Smith’s threatened action appeared to be a bad-faith claim intended to inhibit Moore from speaking on a matter of public concern. No lawsuit had been reported as filed Wednesday. The exchange remained at the demand-letter stage, with Smith seeking a retraction and Moore’s attorney maintaining that the governor’s statement was true. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58da96a12eaf174af8049f Apple Intelligence approved for launch in China with Alibaba and Baidu te 2026-07-16T13:20:22.412Z Apple Intelligence approved for launch in China with Alibaba and Baidu The deal, which was rumored to be in the works last year, marks an important step for Apple's AI ambitions in a key market. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58d88da12eaf174af8047e SCOTUS has shown Congress a path on birthright citizenship. Lawmakers must act te 2026-07-16T13:11:41.874Z SCOTUS has shown Congress a path on birthright citizenship. Lawmakers must act As President Trump urges the Supreme Court to revisit birthright citizenship and Texas investigates a hospital accused of marketing "birth packages" to foreign nationals, one thing has become impossible to deny: Congress can no longer ignore its responsibility to clarify our nation's citizenship laws. The debate over birthright citizenship has returned to the forefront of our national conversation, and the recent Supreme Court decision has made abundantly clear that Congress can no longer ignore our responsibility to secure our nation for future generations of Americans. While the Court reached its own conclusions in the case before it, Justice Brett Kavanaugh's separate opinion underscored an important point. He suggested that Congress, not the executive branch, is the proper institution to address the scope of birthright citizenship through legislation. That is precisely what my Birthright Citizenship Act is designed to do. TRUMP BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP FIGHT COMES ROARING BACK WITH ‘INVADERS’ PLAY AFTER KAVANAUGH ROADMAP For too long, our nation has operated under an interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment that extends automatic citizenship far beyond what its authors intended. The Citizenship Clause was ratified in the aftermath of the Civil War to guarantee that formerly enslaved Americans would be recognized as full citizens of the United States. It was never intended to create a worldwide incentive for illegal immigration or to reward those who violate our immigration laws with automatic citizenship for their children. The Birthright Citizenship Act restores the original understanding of the Fourteenth Amendment by clarifying in federal law that automatic citizenship at birth applies only when at least one parent is a United States citizen or national, a lawful permanent resident residing in the United States, or a lawful immigrant serving on active duty in the United States Armed Forces. This is a steady, measured, commonsense proposal rooted in the rule of law. ABBOTT ORDERS PROBE AFTER TEXAS HOSPITAL ADVERTISES 'BIRTH PACKAGES' IN MEXICO: 'CITIZENSHIP IS NOT FOR SALE' America's citizenship is among the greatest privilege our nation can bestow. It should not be exploited through illegal immigration or birth tourism. Yet today, our laws have created powerful incentives for both. According to the Center for Immigration Studies, roughly one in ten births in the United States is to an illegal immigrant mother. The organization also estimates that hundreds of thousands of expectant mothers enter the country illegally each year with the expectation of giving birth here. Recent events in my home state of Texas demonstrate exactly why Congress must act. Last week, a hospital came under investigation after advertisements surfaced promoting "Birth Packages in South Texas" for foreign nationals. Just weeks earlier, investigators uncovered a Houston-based birth tourism operation that allegedly helped facilitate the births of more than 1,000 children for Chinese nationals seeking to obtain U.S. citizenship for their children. These are not isolated incidents, they are evidence that our current interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment has created incentives that Congress has the authority and responsibility to address. The consequences extend well beyond the delivery room. Birthright citizenship has become a magnet for illegal immigration, straining public resources and undermining confidence in an immigration system that Americans increasingly believe is neither fair nor secure. REPUBLICAN ACCUSES SCOTUS OF BETRAYING US, PUSHES BILL RESTRICTING BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP, PREGNANT VISITORS The American people deserve an immigration system that rewards legal immigration, respects the Constitution, and places the interests of our citizens first. President Donald Trump has made birthright citizenship reform a national priority, and Congress now has an opportunity, and an obligation, to act. The Supreme Court has reinforced that lasting policy changes should come through the legislative process. My legislation provides exactly that vehicle. Reasonable people can disagree about constitutional interpretation. But there should be broad agreement that Congress should not abdicate its legislative responsibilities. If lawmakers believe our citizenship laws no longer reflect the nation's interests or the original understanding of the Fourteenth Amendment, then Congress should debate the issue openly and vote. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Our nation just witnessed the biggest landmark achievement to date, its 250th birthday. For 250 years, justice, freedom, and liberty have sat at the helm of our great nation, a gift so many fought for that we are now enlisted to protect. An abdication of Congressional authority when it comes to birthright citizenship is an abdication of the responsibility to protect not just our freedom but our children’s. The blessing of liberty belongs to those willing to fight for it, not those who sit idly as it passes into the hands of those who only want to reap the benefits of freedom and never appreciate its sacrifice. That moment has arrived. The Birthright Citizenship Act gives Congress the opportunity to restore integrity to our citizenship laws, eliminate incentives for illegal immigration, and reaffirm that American citizenship is a precious privilege, not an automatic entitlement available to anyone who crosses our borders. The time for debate alone has passed. The time for action is now. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58d87aa12eaf174af80475 Meghan Markle's show Emmy nomination 'somewhat baffling' due to lackluster ratings: expert te 2026-07-16T13:11:22.407Z Meghan Markle's show Emmy nomination 'somewhat baffling' due to lackluster ratings: expert Meghan Markle's Netflix series has been nominated for an Emmy Award and experts are calling the nod "somewhat baffling." Months after "With Love, Meghan" was canceled by the streaming service, the Duchess of Sussex earned her first-ever Emmy nomination. On Wednesday, Markle took to Instagram to celebrate the news. "A huge congratulations to the amazing crew, producers, and team who worked on ‘With Love, Meghan’ on @netflix We are nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Lifestyle Series!" she captioned her post. Hilary Fordwich, British Royals Expert, told Fox News Digital she was shocked by the nomination due to the "lack-luster" response from the audience. MEGHAN MARKLE'S FAILED MARTHA STEWART DREAMS MOCKED BY COMEDIAN: 'SHE WAS SLINGING JAM' "Well not so surprising when one considers these award bodies reward high profile players who might garner the awards attention. Nevertheless, given how polarizing MM is & that the show had completely lackluster ongoing watching views, it is somewhat baffling," Fordwich said. She continued, "The really weak commercial traction of her show, with dreadfully low on-going watching demonstrated by lack of audience appeal, doesn’t warrant such an award, but no doubt it will garner the aforementioned media attention." STEPHEN COLBERT RAKES RECORD-NUMBER OF EMMY NOMINATIONS AFTER 'LATE SHOW' SERIES CANCELLATION According to Fordwich, Markle will most likely use the publicity from her Emmy nomination to fuel her next project. "This would only be a public-relations win, which is a far cry from a concrete future media contract," she said. Kinsey Schofield, host of YouTube’s "Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered," agreed with Fordwich and believes this nomination will help Markle's career. "The nomination is helpful because it gives Meghan something tangible to point to in meetings with studios, networks, and advertisers. Hollywood values third-party validation," Schofield began. "But one nomination doesn’t erase years of inconsistent commercial results." Advertisement She continued, "The industry ultimately cares about whether you can consistently attract audiences, deliver projects on time, and generate returns. That’s still the bigger question surrounding Archewell. Parodies on TikTok generated more eyeballs than With Love, Meghan on Netflix. That’s undeniable." Schofield doesn't believe that Markle's Emmy nomination erases the criticism. However, she does believe it gives her supporters "a credible talking point." "However, one nomination shouldn’t be exaggerated into a sweeping endorsement from Hollywood. There’s a meaningful difference between earning a nomination in a competitive category and fundamentally changing your standing within the entertainment industry," she said. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Doug Eldridge, Founder of Achilles PR, told Fox News Digital that whether Markle's wins the Emmy is not relevant – the nomination is impactful enough. "She will always be introduced—at least as it pertains to entertainment circles—as 'Emmy nominated actress and lifestyle personality, Meghan Markle.' That isn't predicated on the strength of her ratings or whether she eventually wins or loses; it’s an affectation and one she will likely leverage," Eldridge said. "Put differently, in 2026, anyone can publish a book—and in so doing, change their social media bio to read ‘published author’—but that is not the same thing as being a ’New York Times best-selling author,'" he continued. "Either way, they’ll update the bio to reflect their perceived accomplishment." Eldridge believes that her Emmy nomination has helped her optically, but not within the industry. "In terms of optics among fans, yes; for key stakeholders and decision makers within the industry, no," he began. "Not every athlete who qualifies for the Olympics will earn a medal; but each has earned the right to be introduced as an ‘Olympian' for the rest of their life. In that sense, the intro is the accomplishment—a literal one in a million." Eldridge continued, "Markle can’t leverage this within the industry, but from an optics standpoint, she can reposition the magnifying glass into the sun, in hopes of shining brighter in the eyes of her prospective fan/consumer base." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "'If I wasn’t great, I wouldn’t be nominated. If I wasn’t likable—and therefore, marketable—I wouldn’t be nominated.’ For Markle, the true value-add of this nomination doesn’t reflect on her entertainment aspirations, but rather, on her fledgling lifestyle empire," he concluded. When "With Love, Meghan" premiered on Netflix in March 2025, it drew largely negative reviews from critics despite generating significant public interest. The show's first season earned a 38% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and a "generally unfavorable" rating on Metacritic, though it still attracted enough viewers for Netflix to green-light a second season. Markle will find out whether she takes home her first Emmy when the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are held on Oct. 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58d866a12eaf174af80466 Beloved cruise spot will be off limits through 2027 as safety concerns linger te 2026-07-16T13:11:02.958Z Beloved cruise spot will be off limits through 2027 as safety concerns linger A popular cruise line has extended its suspension of visits to a private resort for another year, prompting some passengers to question whether the destination will ever reopen. Royal Caribbean recently said it's extending its pause on visits to Labadee, Haiti, through June 2027. Labadee, Royal Caribbean's private beach destination on Haiti's northern coast, is popular for its white-sand beaches and the Dragon's Breath Flight Line, one of the world's longest over-water ziplines. US UPDATES TRAVEL WARNING FOR QUAKE-HIT NATION, CITING DISASTER RISKS AND VIOLENT CRIME "As we continue to evaluate conditions in Haiti and our ability to deliver the best vacations responsibly, we have decided to extend the suspension of ship calls to Labadee through June 2027," a Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "This decision was made with the safety and well-being of our guests and crew members in mind. We have communicated these changes directly with guests." The extension comes as Haiti, which is under a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory from the U.S. State Department, continues to grapple with widespread gang violence and political instability. CRUISE TIPPING CHARGES ARE 'OUT OF CONTROL,' SAY PASSENGERS AS COMPANIES TOUT 'EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE' The resort is roughly six miles northwest of Cap-Haïtien, Haiti's second-largest city. Labadee is one of the few private cruise destinations in Haiti. It gives passengers an exclusive resort experience separate from much of the rest of the country. "We remain committed to our Labadee team members and are working to ensure they feel informed and supported," the Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson added. THOUSANDS OF CRUISE TRAVELERS HIT WITH ABRUPT VACATION PLAN CHANGES: 'APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE' "We have identified positions across our fleets and destinations to place team members during this pause," the company said. For now, cruise passengers will not be able to experience the destination. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Passengers on a Royal Caribbean forum said their Labadee stops were replaced with destinations including Grand Cayman, Grand Turk, Cozumel and Nassau. "I really wanted to visit Labadee," one person wrote. "Oh darn ... I'm booked to Labadee in April 2027," another wrote.  Six months ago, when Royal Caribbean canceled other visits to Labadee, travelers discussed the change on Reddit. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS "Sad, not only for the people that work there but selfishly …. [it] is stunningly beautiful," one Reddit user said. "It's unfortunate, because Labadee brings jobs and money to the Haitian citizens, who need both desperately," a second said. "So sad. Always enjoyed going there," a third Reddit user said. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "Labadee is the most stunning place. I loved it there," another chimed in. "Labadee was a big highlight for a lot of itineraries. Curious what they’ll replace it with," yet another Reddit user said. "Our connection to the Labadee community extends far beyond our operations there, and we remain proud of the long-standing investments we have made in the region," the Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson said. "We continue to support local communities through ongoing humanitarian efforts, including monthly food donations," the spokesperson added. Jessica Mekles of Fox News Digital contributed reporting. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58d636a12eaf174af80401 Fetterman reveals what it would take for him to leave Democratic Party te 2026-07-16T13:01:42.150Z Fetterman reveals what it would take for him to leave Democratic Party Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., has "no plans" to leave the Democratic Party but if it officially became the "anti-Israel party," count him out. "My long-term concern has been with the Democratic Party, as I am a member of that, is that our party is going to back away and turn their back to Israel," he said Wednesday at the Hill Nation Summit in Washington, D.C. "If our party ever becomes, and just makes it official, the anti-Israel party, that’s when I would leave because that’s been a moral clarity for me." The news comes as Fetterman and fellow Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., launch a rare joint fundraising PAC called "Common Ground PA" this month, according to FEC filings, and Fetterman's breaks from Democratic Party votes have become increasingly apparent since he was elected in 2022 and took office Jan. 3, 2023. SEN JOHN FETTERMAN PLEDGES TO BE 'LAST MAN STANDING' IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN SUPPORT OF ISRAEL "Though I was elected as a Democrat, I’m proud to serve all Pennsylvanians," Fetterman wrote in a May op-ed, delivering the age-old mantra that he has not changed from his principles, the party has. "It has become increasingly lonely to serve in that way, but I firmly believe it’s what is needed. "My party cannot simply be the opposite of whatever President Donald Trump says. The president could come out for ice cream and lazy Sundays, and my party would suddenly hate them. Such pointless pile-ons and attacks are unproductive. The American people want us to work together to find solutions on issues they and our country face." His lines in the sand, he wrote, had been laid bare on: JOHN FETTERMAN’S FALL FROM HERO TO HERETIC EXPOSES DEMOCRATS’ HARD LEFT TURN The push away from Israel has become a "long-term concern" that he "can’t understand" and might ultimately become the ultimate red line for him, he told the Hill Nation Summit. "You look at the kinds of individuals that are winning our recent primaries," he said. "It’s becoming more ... anti-Israel and hostile to people." Fetter declined to discuss what he called "private conversations" with Republicans on a potential party switch, but he wrote in May he would first become independent. "Being an independent voice that works with the other side to deliver for Pennsylvanians might put me at odds with the party that I have stayed committed to and have no plans to leave — but I will continue to put the commonwealth and the country first," he wrote. "Plus, I’d be a terrible Republican who still votes overwhelmingly with Democrats." WHY TRUMP, GOP ARE COURTING JOHN FETTERMAN, WHO INSISTS HE’LL REMAIN A DEMOCRAT The latest vow to break from Democratic Party votes is his rejection of the amendment from Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., that would cut off $3.3 billion in annual security assistance to Israel. He is also increasingly concerned about the primary election successes of progressive candidates who have been sharply critical of Israel – evidence of what he views as a troubling shift inside his party. Democrats are "trying to ingratiate ourselves with that segment of the base of our voters" that are "intensely, intensely anti-Israel," he warned Wednesday. Fetterman also raised concerns about Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed’s performance in polling for the Michigan Senate primary, warning that Democrats could be forced to spend more heavily in the battleground state if El-Sayed becomes the nominee against former Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., who narrowly lost Michigan’s 2024 Senate race. "Rogers just barely, barely lost in ’24," Fetterman said. "If El-Sayed wins, then that puts Michigan much more in play for us and would require us to spend more money. What’s defined El-Sayed is the more anti-Israel and hostile-to-Israel thing." Fetterman also criticized El-Sayed and other progressive candidates over past support for the "defund the police" movement, arguing that his party risks repeating political mistakes from the 2024 election. "Now here’s more Democrats to ‘defund the police,’" he warned. "Here we are back to part of the worst impulses that we just can’t resist. "We forgot the crazy things that we said, and that cost us the election in 2024. Now we want to revisit that — if anything they’re coming back in the strongest kind of terms. Look at the people who are winning." The senator also took aim at fellow Democrats who backed progressive Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner before Platner ended his campaign following allegations that he raped a woman in 2021. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., forcefully supported Platner, which left him "angry," he said, questioning why Democrats embraced him as the evidence mounted. "Why did you push these people? Why did you buy in and then plunge that most consequential Senate race now into chaos?" Fetterman asked, arguing that it is now "more difficult" to defeat Republican Sen. Susan Collins and win control of the narrowly held Senate. "Where’s the accountability?" Fetterman asked. "Imagine if I would have done that and pushed that kind of individual." Fox News Digital reached out to Fetterman's Senate office and campaign officials for further comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58d622a12eaf174af803f8 Italian artist unveils Charlie Kirk memorial statue he plans to feature at Times Square te 2026-07-16T13:01:22.701Z Italian artist unveils Charlie Kirk memorial statue he plans to feature at Times Square Italian artist Sergio Furnari is seeking support for a Charlie Kirk statue he plans to unveil in Times Square in September. "It’s going to be in the middle of Times Square, the center of the universe," Furnari said in one of his videos on the statue's process over the weekend. "You can bring over whoever you want, family or friends. If you were a big fan of Charlie, this will be your opportunity to maybe find a little bit of peace or harmony." Furnari has been developing models of the late Turning Point USA founder since last year after Kirk was assassinated during a Utah Valley University event. The Italian sculptor has been documenting his process and the inspiration behind the design through videos on his Instagram account. CHARLIE KIRK PODCAST PANS UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY CITING 'SAFETY CONCERNS' IN SCRAPPING CONTROVERSIAL SPEAKER In one of his earliest videos on the statue from November, Furnari revealed that he was not a fan of Kirk prior to his death but admired Kirk's efforts to open dialogue with people who disagreed with him. "I did not agree with 99.9% of whatever he was talking about, but there's the 0.001% that I agree with him. At the moment you kill or assassinate people just because you don't agree with somebody, that's when you become like the worst country ever," Furnari said. Furnari has been promoting his work on a larger statue of Kirk since then and has announced plans to display it for Sept. 10 on the one-year anniversary of his death. In recent videos, Furnari revealed that he has received threats against him and the statue ahead of its unveiling. DONALD TRUMP JR ARGUES CHARLIE KIRK MURDER EVIDENCE PUTS CONSPIRACY THEORIES 'AT REST' HIGH SCHOOLER INSPIRED BY CHARLIE KIRK'S WORK MOTIVATED TO START TURNING POINT USA CHAPTER "Now, to all the haters, how many times you guys want to kill Charlie?" Furnari asked in a video on Tuesday. "I mean, wasn't one time enough? To all of you guys out there that want to come and destroy...want to bring a drill bat and some spray paint, and you want to destroy him, you want to burn him, come on guys. The guy's dead. I mean, if you guys are afraid of a statue, there's something really wrong with you. It's just a statue. The message is simple: freedom of speech. I'm exercising my First Amendment [right] which is freedom of speech. That's all it is." In a comment to Fox News Digital, Furnari said that he was not too concerned about any backlash against the statue, saying critics "bark like chihuahuas" but "they don't bite." He described facing similar issues after sculpting a bust of President Donald Trump, which he similarly displayed for his 80th birthday. "I'm not into that stuff at all. I like Trump, but that's it. I'm basically talking, you know what I mean? You know, it felt like I'm a MAGA, you know, or I'm Republican, or I am a Democrat. I'm an artist, that's it. I never voted, never will. Yeah, it's not about politics. You know, this is not like a political statement. This is just like a guy that got killed and then got bullied," Furnari said. Furnari has set up a GoFundMe page for his "bigger than life size" Kirk statue, writing that he has sold his apartment to continue funding the project. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58d3b5a12eaf174af8038b Rubio calls violent far-left terror a global 'blind spot,' gathers allies te 2026-07-16T12:51:01.319Z Rubio calls violent far-left terror a global 'blind spot,' gathers allies The Trump administration is convening officials from roughly 65 countries Thursday to build an international coalition against violent far-left extremist groups, arguing the organizations have become a leading transnational terrorism threat. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will host representatives from the foreign delegations for discussions focused on expanding intelligence sharing, law enforcement cooperation and other international efforts to counter what administration officials describe as an increasingly transnational network of violent far-left extremist organizations. Administration officials said the ministerial is the culmination of an eight-month diplomatic effort to convince foreign governments that violent far-left extremist networks have become a growing cross-border threat requiring greater international coordination. TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FAR-LEFT PROTESTERS CLASH WITH POLICE IN ANTI-CONSERVATIVE PARTY RIOTS The initiative comes as some analysts and foreign officials have questioned whether violent far-left groups constitute a cohesive international terrorism threat comparable to Islamist extremist organizations. Others have raised concerns governments could use such initiatives to target political opponents under the banner of counterterrorism. Administration officials rejected those concerns Wednesday, arguing the effort is narrowly focused on criminal and terrorist violence rather than political beliefs. "We haven't waded into trying to disambiguate people's beliefs and ideologies," a senior State Department official told reporters. "In America, you can believe anything you want. The minute that you cross the legal threshold, that changes." BILL MAHER TORCHES FAR-LEFT ASSASSINATION CULTURE AFTER STRING OF HIGH-PROFILE ATTACKS Officials argue governments spent much of the past two decades concentrating on jihadist terrorism while underestimating what they describe as a resurgence of politically motivated violence from violent far-left extremist networks operating across borders. "This has been a blind spot for a lot of our partners, frankly. They have not seen these trends ... since the 1970s," the senior State Department official said. "Our partners have talked to us about the rise of assassinations or assassination plots." Administration officials pointed to a series of recent attacks in Europe that they argue underscore the need for greater international cooperation. On July 1, coordinated firebomb attacks targeted the homes of members of Greece's governing New Democracy party in Thessaloniki, killing the mother of parliamentary candidate Afroditi Nestora and injuring four others. Greek anti-terrorism police later arrested three suspects. In January, an arson attack on a power transmission facility in Berlin, Germany, knocked out electricity to tens of thousands of homes and businesses. German authorities later transferred the investigation to the federal prosecutor over suspected involvement by a terrorist organization. The meeting builds on a series of actions the administration has taken since late 2025, including designating four foreign far-left organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists, along with offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the disruption of their financial networks. Rubio is expected to argue that violent far-left extremist groups increasingly operate across borders, sharing tactics, coordinating attacks and exploiting international conflicts to recruit followers, making greater cooperation among governments essential to disrupting the threat. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller also are expected to address the ministerial, which will include discussions on the global threat landscape, terrorist financing, intelligence sharing and protecting critical infrastructure. Officials also disputed reports that foreign partners were reluctant to participate, saying several governments approached the United States seeking to join the initiative after recognizing similar trends within their own borders. "We've had countries who have reached out to us that want to be part of this," the senior State Department official said. The four organizations designated by the administration in November were Antifa Ost, the Informal Anarchist Federation/International Revolutionary Front (FAI/FRI), Armed Proletarian Justice and Revolutionary Class Self-Defense. The administration says the groups, which operate in Germany, Italy and Greece, have coordinated violent attacks across national borders. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58d15fa12eaf174af80329 Pro wrestling legend hopes Richard Holliday-WWE rumors come true: 'He'll have to work even harder' te 2026-07-16T12:41:03.190Z Pro wrestling legend hopes Richard Holliday-WWE rumors come true: 'He'll have to work even harder' The "Most Marketable" independent professional wrestler on the scene presently, Richard Holliday, is set to take on Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) star Elijah at Awesome Championship Wrestling’s (ACW) Indypendence Day on Saturday night in New York. Holliday’s rumored WWE signing has been the talk of the pro wrestling landscape since Fightful Select first mentioned it earlier this month. COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL Since then, he left his boots in the ring after a match with Game Changer Wrestling and embraced his fellow wrestlers Ben Bishop, Jack Vaughn and Tommy Invincible in their own version of the "Curtain Call" following a match at Fight Factory Wrestling’s The War on the Shore 3. Tommy Dreamer, who will also have a match at Indypendence Day, shared his thoughts with Fox News Digital about the possibility of Holliday going to WWE. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "I hope so. I think he's a really, really good wrestler. I like him personally," Dreamer said. "He's really worked hard on every indie to try to get his name out there and if he gets that opportunity, he'll have to work even harder." The Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) legend also lauded Elijah’s work ethic. "And Elijah, I worked with him very, very closely in TNA. He is a superstar. He is very unique in his songwriting and his wrestling," he said. "Always wanting to be better. When you meet him, you will be like, ‘Holy crap, I didn't think this guy was this big.’ He's always meal prepping. You see him in the back, not only is he playing guitar, but I mean he takes his craft very, very seriously and just overall should be a good match." Still, Dreamer implored that fans should get out to see Holliday while the ticket to get in the door is reasonably priced. "But if the rumors are true, for Richard Holliday, it's awesome. And it's another way to see somebody before you can't see them anymore because then they're under a whole other regime if that is the case," he said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58cceaa12eaf174af80274 Palantir CTO says tech innovators are building for America in shift since Trump returned to White House te 2026-07-16T12:22:02.763Z Palantir CTO says tech innovators are building for America in shift since Trump returned to White House Palantir Chief Technology Officer Shyam Sankar told the Ruthless Podcast in a new interview that there has been a shift within the technology community, and since President Donald Trump returned to the White House, tech entrepreneurs are now building in the national interest. "You have hundreds of founders out there now who are building in the national interest," Sankar said in an interview released Thursday morning on the shift in the tech sector. "And I think this is a sort of galvanizing message for us to go and get after it." The interview took place at the Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit at the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Penn. The meeting, organized by Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Penn., convened technology and defense sector executives with senior government and military leaders. A PROGRESSIVE POPE TAKES AIM AT AI AND RISKS KILLING ITS MIRACLES Sankar, who published the bestselling Mobilize: How to Reboot the American Industrial Base and Stop World War III, told the Fellas about the economic benefits artificial intelligence (AI) is bringing to American communities, including in Pennsylvania. The increased productivity is creating more jobs for Americans. "[AI] is expanding the labor population, our ability to mobilize the American worker," Sankar said. "Right here in Pennsylvania, we actually have a submarine parts manufacturer that was able to add a third shift. Production planning used to take two weeks. And during that time, mostly the line was down. With AI, they were really able to make that happen in effectively two-tenths of a second, which meant they had more parts to make, which meant that they needed more workers." Podcast co-host Michael Duncan appreciated how Sankar’s approach was making the seemingly complex technology topic more tangible for the average American. NEW YORK MAKES HISTORY WITH FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND LAW REGULATING AI-POWERED COMMERCIALS "Too often I find that these conversations around innovation, whether that's defense tech or AI, are so abstract," Duncan said. "And what I love about the stories you tell is that you make it tangible in people's lives." Just days after Democratic New York Governor Kathy Hochul made her state the first to freeze the construction of new data centers, Duncan added that these anecdotes push back against the popular anti-data center sentiment growing on the left. "You've got [Senator] Bernie Sanders being like, ‘This is the right call, this AI moratorium in New York, because AI must benefit humanity,’" Duncan told Sankar. "And it's like, I don't know, man, pick up a newspaper." ROBERT MAGINNIS: TRUMP’S ANKARA REMARKS REVEAL A GRAND STRATEGY HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT Trump addressed the event on Wednesday, speaking of the importance of both the defense and technology sectors to the nation’s long-term security. Podcast co-host Comfortably Smug said the Trump administration has played a key role in expanding AI development. CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW THE RUTHLESS PODCAST "One of the more important lessons from the book is the importance of harnessing AI and what a force multiplier that can be," Smug said. "This administration really gets that. We've seen a result. The efficacy has gone off the charts." Sankar mentioned that working around soldiers has given him extra appreciation for his work. "If you spend time with these uniformed service members going into harm's way, you just have to do the work for them," Sankar said. "It gives you a different perspective." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58ccd7a12eaf174af8026b 'Somebody needs to do something': GOP senators split as Tuberville demands McConnell answers te 2026-07-16T12:21:43.301Z 'Somebody needs to do something': GOP senators split as Tuberville demands McConnell answers Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., is calling for more information about Sen. Mitch McConnell's, R-Ky., prolonged absence from the Senate, while Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., urged people to "leave Mitch alone" as questions about the Kentucky Republican's health persist. "Somebody needs to do something," Tuberville told Fox News Digital. "Somebody needs to come out." McConnell finally broke his silence on his previously undisclosed medical conditions that have kept him absent from the Senate since he was first hospitalized on June 14. In a post to social media, McConnell said he would not be returning to the Senate floor just yet due to doctors' orders, but vowed he would return to "finish the job" before his announced retirement at the end of his term. MITCH MCCONNELL BREAKS SILENCE ON MYSTERY HOSPITALIZATION AFTER GRAHAM'S DEATH Tuberville said no additional information from Senate leadership about a timeline for when McConnell may come back or the status of his health has been given out internally to his colleagues. "We didn't get any information today in our luncheon," Tuberville said Tuesday. "I don't know what's going on, but you know that's not my business." Meanwhile, Kennedy vehemently defended McConnell, dismissing rumors that the 84-year-old senator was in a vegetative state, or even dead, as some had speculated a more serious condition than what was disclosed. "Look, I believe Mitch," Kennedy said. "I don't believe all these stories that he's brain dead and all of that. People need to get a life." 'THIS IS NOT NORMAL': AOC UNLOADS ON MCCONNELL'S PROLONGED ABSENCE In his post, McConnell claimed that his childhood fight with polio contributed to a fall that left him "briefly unconscious" and hospitalized last month — when some speculated he had suffered cardiac arrest. He said he was then hit with a "mild case of pneumonia" while in recovery, extending the healing process. "I think he had a fall, and Mitch is not 29 anymore," Kennedy said. "And he's recuperating from it, and he'll be back as soon as he can." He continued, "That's what he said, and I take him at his word." MCCONNELL WAS FOUND 'UNCONSCIOUS' IN HOME LAST MONTH AS CONDITION REMAINS UNKNOWN While Tuberville also expressed his well-wishes for McConnell’s recovery, he said more information about his timeline for return needs to be shared before the Senate begins August recess — when senators will take a break to head back to their home states from Aug. 8 to Sept. 13. "He's gonna need to come back probably before this three-week session’s over with, because then we're off for like five weeks," Tuberville said. Tuberville said Republicans will need McConnell back as the Senate prepares for votes on President Donald Trump's legislative agenda before lawmakers leave for the August recess. McConnell has not indicated when he expects to return. "We're gonna need him, because the Democrats are not gonna give us any votes," Tuberville said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58ccc3a12eaf174af80262 Insane Clown Posse's Violent J passionately declares 'there's nothing like pro wrestling in America' te 2026-07-16T12:21:23.844Z Insane Clown Posse's Violent J passionately declares 'there's nothing like pro wrestling in America' Pro wrestling fans who really love the sport know the emotional impact it could make during the biggest of moments. CM Punk’s WWE return, Jon Moxley’s All Elite Wrestling debut and the number of five-star classics that promotions around the world have booked are just some of the moments that have resonated with fans in recent months. Others can point to the Attitude Era and the Monday Night Wars as some of the most impactful moments that have transcended wrestling itself. COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL Take the Insane Clown Posse’s Violent J. He gave a passionate reason for why he loves pro wrestling in a recent interview with Fox News Digital. He said it was Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat at WrestleMania 3 that helped solidify that passion he had for pro wrestling. "But wrestling, there's nothing like pro wrestling in America," he said. "There's nothing like it, brother. It's like a lot of people call a male soap opera, man soap opera. It’s like you got two guys in the middle of the ring faking a fight, right? And you got 70, 80,000 people caught up in the moment. It's like you have a chance to create a character for yourself and sell that character and you play that character, but not only you have to act as that character and have those acting skills, but you also have to have the adlib skills. You have to be able to adlib and talk on a mic to generate to put a--es in seats. "You have to make people want to come see you kick that guy's a-- or make you want to come see you get revenge. You also have to have the physical attributes. You have to be able to physically go in the ring and tell that story. There's so much psychological warfare in wrestling. There's so much psychological stuff that goes into it. You can't just throw a punch whenever. You got to know when to throw the punch back. You have to know when to make your comeback. You can't just make it whenever. You got to feel the crowd and know how to make them reach their apex." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Violent J said there’s nothing he could compare pro wrestling to. But "male soap opera" might be the best description. He said being able to watch pro wrestling is something that gives him peace. "There’s so much to it and I don't know what else to compare it to," he said. "There's nothing like wrestling. Like there's literally nothing else like it. It's so different from everything else in the stratosphere that like I've just I've loved it my whole life. And now as a 53-year-old, I get enjoyment watching it. Especially old s---,. watching the s--- I grew up on. It calms my anxiety. Like it's been there my whole life. So, it's like I look at that old footage, it's like therapy for me. It has been there my entire life. And so, like, even in my studio, I've got posters of old wrestlers everywhere and everything, it like it calms my anxiety. It's like something that takes me back to my childhood, you know? So, wrestling is just, it's in my heart. It's in my blood. It's in my DNA. You know what I mean? Just as much as music, but music is the real therapy for me. Like, I need to make music or I’ll explode." Violent J is set to hold Bloodymania 19 at the Gathering of the Juggalos in Missouri next month. His promotion, Juggalo Championship Wrestling, airs "Lunacy" each Thursday night on YouTube. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58cc87a12eaf174af80242 Can a Pro-Israel Democrat Still Win a Big Primary? She’s Going to Try. te 2026-07-16T12:20:23.947Z Can a Pro-Israel Democrat Still Win a Big Primary? She’s Going to Try. To prevail in Michigan’s crucial Senate primary, Representative Haley Stevens will need to overcome Democratic voters’ skepticism of Israel. Pro-Israel groups are spending heavily to help her. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58cb1fa12eaf174af801f7 'Jurassic Park' star Sam Neill's cause of death confirmed by representative te 2026-07-16T12:14:23.871Z 'Jurassic Park' star Sam Neill's cause of death confirmed by representative "Jurassic Park" star Sam Neill died from pneumonia after successfully overcoming lymphoma with CAR-T therapy, his representative confirmed Thursday, correcting what he described as inaccurate reports that emerged after the Oscar-nominated actor's death earlier this week. Neill's agent, Philip Grenz, said the actor's family asked him to clarify how the 78-year-old died after several outlets published inaccurate accounts. He also said Neill, who was known for fiercely guarding his privacy, will be remembered with a private family memorial at his New Zealand farm at a later date. "Sam passed away from pneumonia," Grenz told the New York Post’s Page Six. "Prior to becoming sick, Sam had valiantly fought and beaten lymphoma through a new treatment called CAR-T therapy." ACCLAIMED NEW ZEALAND ACTOR SAM NEILL CONTRACTED PNEUMONIA BEFORE HE DIED, CO-STAR SAYS Grenz said Neill had also completed four "back-to-back" projects over the past year that are expected to be released in the coming months. Neill's family announced Monday that the actor died at St. Vincent's Private Hospital in Sydney, Australia. "Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterized his whole life," the family said in a statement shared on Neill's Instagram account. "The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free." SAM NEILL REMEMBERED AS 'ONE OF THE GREATS' BY NICOLE KIDMAN, TONI COLLETTE AND MORE AFTER HIS SUDDEN DEATH The New Zealand actor disclosed in 2023 that he had been diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In April, he announced he was cancer-free after treatment. "I've just had a scan just now and there is no cancer in my body. That's an extraordinary thing," Neill said at the time. "I'm very, very excited that this can happen." Friends and co-stars remembered Neill as a grounded, witty and deeply private man who never let his illness slow him down. Rima Te Wiata, who appeared alongside Neill in the 2016 comedy "Hunt for the Wilderpeople," told The New Zealand Herald he was "a very steady, peaceful, grounded man." "It really sucks actually," Te Wiata said. "I think he would be like: 'For goodness sake, I got over my cancer. And now look, now I get pneumonia. What next?'" Hollywood stars also paid tribute to Neill following his death. Steven Spielberg, who directed him as paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant in the 1993 blockbuster "Jurassic Park," said the actor would never be forgotten. "I adored making all the Jurassic movies with him," Spielberg said. "Along with Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum, we will always have our Jurassic family and Sam will never be forgotten by us or his many millions of fans around the world." Dern called Neill "my beloved lifetime friend," while Goldblum wrote, "The next great adventure begins. Love, always and forever." Born Nigel John Dermot Neill in Northern Ireland in 1947, Neill moved to New Zealand with his family as a child and went on to become one of the country's biggest international stars. His breakout role came in the 1977 thriller "Sleeping Dogs." Over a career spanning more than five decades, he appeared in more than 150 film and television productions, including "The Hunt for Red October," "The Piano," "Event Horizon," "The Horse Whisperer," "Peaky Blinders," "The Tudors" and "Merlin." Neill returned as Dr. Alan Grant in "Jurassic Park III" before reuniting with Dern and Goldblum for 2022's "Jurassic World Dominion." When he wasn't acting, Neill spent much of his time at Two Paddocks, his boutique vineyard in New Zealand's Central Otago region, where he produced pinot noir and riesling wines. He is survived by four children and eight grandchildren. Fox News Digital’s James Cirrone, Landon Mion and Christina Dugan Ramirez, along with The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58cb0ca12eaf174af801ee Mystery deepens after 2,700-year-old bronze sword emerges standing upright te 2026-07-16T12:14:04.419Z Mystery deepens after 2,700-year-old bronze sword emerges standing upright A metal detectorist recently spotted a 2,700-year-old bronze sword in an unusual position — standing upright in the ground. The discovery was announced by the Pomeranian Provincial Heritage Conservator on Facebook earlier in June. The weapon was found by hobbyist Marcin Wiśniewski in the Gdańsk Forest District in northern Poland, near the Baltic coast. It dates to the Late Bronze Age, between 900 and 700 B.C. 'SIGNIFICANT' EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH EMERGES BENEATH FORMER FISH MARKET IN ANCIENT CITY Pictures released by officials show the remarkably preserved bronze weapon sticking up from sandy soil during the excavation. Wiśniewski — who previously found a Bronze Age hoard in a forested area outside of Gdańsk — alerted heritage officials to the discovery. "After the discovery was reported, staff from our Department of Archaeological Monuments recovered the artifact using proper archaeological methods, working together with the finder," the Pomeranian Provincial Heritage Conservator's translated post added. TREASURE HUNTERS RECOVER RARE SILVER BAR FROM LEGENDARY SHIPWRECK OFF FLORIDA KEYS Officials said the latest discovery is not the first Bronze Age sword unearthed in what is now the Gdańsk Forest District. "In the 1920s, two antenna-hilt bronze swords were discovered in a peat bog at Rynarzewo," the post said. "Those artifacts were transferred to the Provincial Museum in Gdańsk, but were lost during World War II." Officials were immediately informed of the discovery, said Marcin Tymiński, press spokesperson for the Provincial Office for the Protection of Monuments in Gdańsk. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Tymiński told Fox News Digital that specialists will be able to provide additional details about the weapon once it is transferred to a museum and studied. "The Provincial Heritage Conservator will decide which museum the sword will be transferred to," Tymiński said in an email translated from Polish.  TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "That decision has not yet been made." CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS Ancient weapon discoveries in Poland are rare, but not unheard of — and the recent find follows several notable discoveries over the past year. Late last year, archaeologists recovered a cache of early medieval weapons from a lake in west-central Poland — relics believed to be connected to the country's first rulers. Before that, a 700-year-old medieval sword was reeled in by an angler fishing in Poland's Vistula River. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58caf7a12eaf174af801d9 New Skullcandy Crusher 1080 ANC Redefines Consumer Audio with Mind-Bending Bass and Breakthrough Sound by Bose Technologies te 2026-07-16T12:13:43.424Z New Skullcandy Crusher 1080 ANC Redefines Consumer Audio with Mind-Bending Bass and Breakthrough Sound by Bose Technologies The new Skullcandy Crusher 1080 ANC is the most advanced headphone in the brand’s history and a groundbreaking evolution of its Crusher franchise. The Crusher 1080 ANC combines Skullcandy's multi-sensory Crusher bass with premium Sound by Bose technologies, unlocking a… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58cae3a12eaf174af801d0 Cuppari Coffee Redefines Freshness With Roast-to-Order Model That Eliminates Stale Shelf Coffee for Good te 2026-07-16T12:13:23.456Z Cuppari Coffee Redefines Freshness With Roast-to-Order Model That Eliminates Stale Shelf Coffee for Good Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58cacea12eaf174af801c7 Cuppari Coffee Redefines Freshness With Roast-to-Order Model That Eliminates Stale Shelf Coffee for Good te 2026-07-16T12:13:02.476Z Cuppari Coffee Redefines Freshness With Roast-to-Order Model That Eliminates Stale Shelf Coffee for Good Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58cabaa12eaf174af801be CS-Cart Celebrates 21st Anniversary with Limited-Time Offer on Multi-Vendor Marketplace Software te 2026-07-16T12:12:42.496Z CS-Cart Celebrates 21st Anniversary with Limited-Time Offer on Multi-Vendor Marketplace Software Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58caa6a12eaf174af801b5 CS-Cart Celebrates 21st Anniversary with Limited-Time Offer on Multi-Vendor Marketplace Software te 2026-07-16T12:12:22.528Z CS-Cart Celebrates 21st Anniversary with Limited-Time Offer on Multi-Vendor Marketplace Software Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58ca92a12eaf174af801ac Julie O Studio Captures the Magic of Coastal Living with Handcrafted Seashell Frames, Sea Glass Art, and Original Paintings te 2026-07-16T12:12:02.067Z Julie O Studio Captures the Magic of Coastal Living with Handcrafted Seashell Frames, Sea Glass Art, and Original Paintings Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58ca7ea12eaf174af801a3 Julie O Studio Captures the Magic of Coastal Living with Handcrafted Seashell Frames, Sea Glass Art, and Original Paintings te 2026-07-16T12:11:42.080Z Julie O Studio Captures the Magic of Coastal Living with Handcrafted Seashell Frames, Sea Glass Art, and Original Paintings Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58ca6aa12eaf174af8019a TEMO® Sunrooms Introduces the New Tuscany Wood Grain Finish™ by TEMO® te 2026-07-16T12:11:22.111Z TEMO® Sunrooms Introduces the New Tuscany Wood Grain Finish™ by TEMO® Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58ca56a12eaf174af80191 TEMO® Sunrooms Introduces the New Tuscany Wood Grain Finish™ by TEMO® te 2026-07-16T12:11:02.243Z TEMO® Sunrooms Introduces the New Tuscany Wood Grain Finish™ by TEMO® Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58c800a12eaf174af8013e Savannah Bananas opened the 2026 ESPYs with one of the worst performances you'll ever see te 2026-07-16T12:01:04.461Z Savannah Bananas opened the 2026 ESPYs with one of the worst performances you'll ever see Unbeknownst to most of America, ESPN had its annual ESPYs award show Wednesday night. That's right. It's still, somehow, going on. I figured it died years ago given you literally never hear about it anymore, but I was wrong. Remember when the ESPYs were appointment viewing a decade ago? Growing up, I can remember watching it every summer. It was fun and exciting and filled the sports-less mid-July void. Way back in the day, Jim Valvano gave his iconic "Don't give up, don't ever give up" speech at the ESPYs. To this day, it's still one of the greatest speeches of all time. Look it up later if you have a minute. Trust me, you'll be better for it. ESPN REPORTEDLY PURSUING STEVE KERR FOR BROADCAST ROLE BECAUSE OF COURSE IT IS Anyway, we've gone from that to what ESPN pumped out last night — a three-minute opening dance show performed by the Savannah Bananas that may just be the worst thing ever shown on ESPN airwaves. And that's saying a lot given this is the same company that once ran a minute-long promo featuring transgender swimmer Lia Thomas during Women's History Month. Take a look: Just brutal. I'm not trying to dump on ESPN or the Bananas here. If the reaction to this performance was great, I'd pen an article saying the internet loved it. The internet, however, did not love this. They HATED it. It's all over my timeline this morning. Frankly, it's how I even knew the ESPYs were still a thing! Again, I hadn't heard one single word of this year's ESPYs show until this morning, and I work in a business where it's literally my job to be ahead of the trends. No marketing. No advertising. No hype. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Nothing, until I scanned social media this morning and saw the Bananas doing ... whatever it was they were doing ... for three minutes. Anyway, I assume someone said something woke at some point last night. Feel like that's in the ESPN and ESPYS script at this point, right? It'll come out eventually, I'm sure. Until then, here's a clip of some comedian I've never heard of rag-dolling Tiger Woods, which was just a brutal delivery and reception: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58c377a12eaf174af8006f San Francisco Bay search suspended for 3 missing boaters after vessel capsizes amid 5-foot swells te 2026-07-16T11:41:43.983Z San Francisco Bay search suspended for 3 missing boaters after vessel capsizes amid 5-foot swells The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search Wednesday evening for three people who remain missing after a boat carrying members of an extended family capsized near Alcatraz Island during a memorial outing in San Francisco Bay. The 49-foot cabin cruiser sank Tuesday afternoon with 20 people aboard. One person, identified as 79-year-old Clifford Joseph Boisa of Sutter County, died after being pulled from the water, while 16 others were rescued. A dog aboard the vessel also died. Authorities said the group had gathered to scatter the ashes of a loved one during a family memorial service. MULTIPLE RESCUED FROM PONTOON BOAT NEAR ALCATRAZ AS SEARCH CONTINUES FOR MISSING PERSONS "Suspending an active search is one of the most difficult things we do as Coast Guard commanders," Coast Guard Sector San Francisco Commander Capt. Jarod Toczko said during a Wednesday news conference. "Our goal is always to bring home families' loved ones." Toczko said crews searched for about 23 hours using 11 surface vessels and four aircraft, covering roughly 950 square nautical miles and more than 1,700 miles of search track before determining there was little likelihood of finding additional survivors. Families of the missing were notified before the search was suspended. Officials said the boat was struck by a wave, listed heavily, lost stability and rolled over before sinking. Toczko said investigators found no evidence of the fire initially reported by callers, concluding that what was thought to be smoke was likely steam from the sinking vessel. NEW YORK HARBOR WHALE STRIKE SINKS FIRE RESCUE BOAT AFTER JULY 4 CELEBRATIONS Authorities said the vessel had three enclosed levels, and survivor interviews indicated some passengers had been inside the main and lower decks when the boat capsized. Toczko said it remains possible some of the missing passengers became trapped inside as the vessel sank, though he stressed investigators have not reached any conclusions. The San Francisco Fire Department said three survivors were transported to local hospitals and later released, while 13 others were treated at a reunification center after being rescued. Fire Chief Dean Crispen confirmed that one person and one canine died in the incident. Officials believe the boat rests in waters roughly 130 feet deep near where it went down. San Francisco police said crews first must locate the vessel before using an underwater drone to assess whether it can safely be recovered. Divers generally cannot operate safely at depths beyond 120 feet, officials said. PILOT DECLARES MAYDAY BEFORE SEAPLANE COMES DOWN IN NEW YORK CITY’S EAST RIVER Toczko credited Good Samaritans, including nearby fishermen and other boaters, with helping save lives before emergency crews arrived. "Those folks saved lives," he said. Officials said the recreational vessel departed from the area near San Francisco's St. Francis Yacht Club and had visited Angel Island before the emergency occurred while returning across the bay. The cause of the sinking remains under investigation. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58c33ba12eaf174af8004a Flagstaff Event Almanac for July 16 te 2026-07-16T11:40:43.058Z Flagstaff Event Almanac for July 16 July 16 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58c326a12eaf174af80022 Ultrahuman’s former hardware VP raises $5.5M for devices that control AI agents, not just record you te 2026-07-16T11:40:22.071Z Ultrahuman’s former hardware VP raises $5.5M for devices that control AI agents, not just record you Aina is going to pilot a new device in coming weeks Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58c0f7a12eaf174af7ffed African growth boom follows Trump push to replace aid with trade te 2026-07-16T11:31:03.247Z African growth boom follows Trump push to replace aid with trade FIRST ON FOX: Many African economies are accelerating – booming – since the Trump Administration shifted policy focus from aid to trade, a senior State Department official told Fox News Digital. In some African countries, doom was forecast when the Trump administration severely cut back USAID funding, but instead there’s been unprecedented economic growth, credited to the Commercial Diplomacy Strategy, introduced at the beginning of President Trump’s second term. Now, "nine of the 20 fastest-growing economies (in the world) are in Africa," Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of African Affairs Frank Garcia told Fox News Digital. IRAN AND HOUTHI TERROR PROXY FACING RED SEA THREAT FROM PRO-US AFRICAN NATION Garcia added, "African economies are responding positively to the shift from aid to trade. In 2025, U.S. exports to sub-Saharan Africa increased by 23% to $22.6 billion. And continue to grow this year." When the Administration cut USAID by 83% early last year, "The predictions were catastrophic: economies heavily dependent on foreign donors—from Ethiopia to South Sudan and Malawi — were expected to collapse. Instead, something quite different happened," Anna Mahjar-Barducci, Project Director at the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), told Fox News Digital. "The African continent proved far more resilient than expected, citing Ethiopia, which revised its 2026 growth forecasts upward despite the funding cuts," Mahjar-Barducci continued. "According to projections by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to grow between 4.3% and 4.6% in 2026, outpacing Asia as a whole, whose growth is forecast at around 4.1%. Growth is propelled by massive hydroelectric investments, construction, mining and expanding coffee exports." TRUMP GETS MAJOR WIN AGAINST CHINA IN AFRICAN RARE EARTH MINERALS RACE "This is no minor detail," she continued. "For decades, we were told that without international aid Africa would collapse. Now that aid is genuinely drying up, much of the continent is not only avoiding collapse —i t is accelerating. This is precisely the argument that a long-standing school of African economic thought, now more relevant than ever, has advanced for years: aid is not the solution. In many cases, it is part of the problem." Assistant Secretary Garcia explained how the strategy works:" We see this economic acceleration in Africa. In order to best capitalize on it, the United States is focused on driving private investment, sustainable growth in terms of partnership and treating African nations not as aid recipients, but as capable commercial partners." He added "Our embassies (in Africa) work directly with the private sector to identify the policies, laws, and regulations constraining U.S. trade and investment. We then work with partner governments to develop practical reforms, identify the officials responsible for implementing them and determine where technical assistance may support implementation." CHRISTIAN FARMING COMMUNITIES UNDER SIEGE AS US REPORT NAMES FULANI MILITANTS NIGERIA'S DEADLIEST THREAT It's a strategy that appears to be working, with Garcia adding, "The Bureau of African Affairs has worked on 37 commercial transactions that have closed since the beginning of the (current) Trump Administration, representing $25.67 billion in total value, with more still being reported. Embassies across the continent are actively working to close hundreds more. Top sectors include Energy 24%, ICT 19%, Critical Minerals and Mining 11%, Aerospace 8%, Agriculture 8%, Infrastructure 8%." Mahjar-Barducci criticized the way USAID worked, telling Fox News Digital," When aid flows to governments rather than markets, it tends to finance projects designed in Brussels, Rome, or Washington which are not responding to the actual needs of local economies. Poverty cannot be overcome by treating people as permanent recipients of charity. Poverty can be reduced by recognizing people as entrepreneurs, workers and economic partners capable of building their own prosperity." AFRICAN UNION CHIEF DENIES GENOCIDE CLAIMS AGAINST CHRISTIANS AS CRUZ WARNS NIGERIAN OFFICIALS Trade, rather than aid works, Mahjar-Barducci claimed. "The Trump administration's more transactional approach to aid — access to critical minerals, or to citizens' health data, in exchange for funding — should not be dismissed as merely cynical. Unconditional transfers have long been the deeper flaw in the traditional aid model: money with no strings attached removes any incentive for a recipient government to reform and often entrenches the same officials responsible for the underlying poverty." Enter the America First Global Health Strategy. A senior State Department official told Fox News Digital this week that the administration "has signed 34 bilateral global health Memoranda of Understanding(MOU) representing more than $24 billion in new health funding, including more than $14.3 billion in U.S. assistance, alongside more than $9.6 billion in co-investment from recipient countries." "24 of these MOUs were signed with sub-Saharan African countries," the official continued. "These new bilateral MOUs are designed to continue life-saving care, build resilient healthcare systems, reduce dependency on American taxpayers and strengthen country ownership." The administration has also decided to cut funding for a U.S. anti-AIDS program known as PEPFAR. Africa has been hit hard by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. UNAIDS, the United Nations program that deals with the virus, reports that South Africa has the highest infection rate in the world.  But the State Department official Fox News Digital spoke with says South Africa must take some of the blame for cutting help to its own people. "The United States has decided to initiate a phased drawdown of PEPFAR programming in South Africa, following South Africa’s failure to make demonstrable progress on policy requests by the administration. The United States communicated to [the] South African government multiple times at many levels that PEPFAR funding would be terminated if they failed to address President Trump’s concerns." "PEPFAR was never intended to be permanent," the official added. "Its success is measured by countries' ability to sustain and build upon these gains. South Africa is a middle-income country and is more than capable of supporting its own health programs." Fox News Digital reached out to the South African government, but received no response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58be9fa12eaf174af7ff94 Kai Trump says politics is 'not my thing,' hopes to inspire next generation through her vlogs te 2026-07-16T11:21:03.120Z Kai Trump says politics is 'not my thing,' hopes to inspire next generation through her vlogs Kai Trump, the granddaughter of President Donald Trump who is set to play collegiate golf for the Miami Hurricanes, spoke at the ESPYs on Wednesday about showing her life through her video blog. Trump has given her followers and supporters of the president and inside look at what it’s like to be a part of the first family while she navigates her own life. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "Honestly, I kind of stay out of politics completely. It’s just not my thing," she told Sportico. "I just like showing my life and showing how you can still be an athlete and you can still do a ton of other things and enjoy a ton of other things. "So, I just kind like showing people that everything’s possible and I love just showing the new generation my progress through college, eventually, but obviously how I got to where I am today." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM When asked what she thought about politics intersecting with sports, Trump said again she tries to stay out of the political realm. "Honestly, I just stay out of politics. It’s not my thing," she said. "But I think the UFC event was great and it was really cool being there and especially having veterans in the stadium as well, that’s where you can kinda combine the (America) 250 point of view on it. But I thought it was great." Trump is set to make her collegiate debut soon. She is one of two freshmen on the team, which also includes Bella Dovhey. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58bc82a12eaf174af7ff34 Doctors reveal hidden danger for some Ozempic, Wegovy users with brain disorders te 2026-07-16T11:12:02.181Z Doctors reveal hidden danger for some Ozempic, Wegovy users with brain disorders Neurologists are warning that popular weight-loss medications could have severe negative effects on neurodegenerative conditions like ALS. Jinsy Andrews, MD, a neurologist and director of NYU Langone’s ALS Center, says the very mechanism that makes these drugs popular — rapid weight loss — can go against the biological needs of patients with neuromuscular disorders. GLP-1 agonists have shown to be highly effective at managing diabetes and obesity, which are major health concerns across the population. However, the doctor emphasized that the clinical rules shift when dealing with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). DR OZ LINKS OBESITY TO CHRONIC DISEASE SURGE, SAYS GLP-1S CAN 'JUMPSTART' BETTER HEALTH In addition to mitigating some of the inflammation related to obesity and diabetes, GLP-1 medications have been linked to other protective effects. The therapies have been helpful in reducing cardiovascular disease, stroke risk, liver disease and addiction, according to Andrews. However, when it comes to an incurable neurodegenerative disease, losing weight and body fat can accelerate a patient's physical decline. For an ALS patient, losing weight can cause the condition to progress faster, Andrews said, because the disease's unique traits make it dangerous to be in a caloric deficit. BIG MEDICARE CHANGE SLASHES WEIGHT-LOSS DRUG COSTS FOR ELIGIBLE SENIORS In fact, standard clinical care guidelines for ALS often recommend that patients actively maintain or even gain weight to help preserve their remaining nerve and muscle function. "In certain conditions where hypermetabolism is something that negatively affects the disease […] losing weight actually makes the disease worse and move faster," Andrews told Fox News Digital.. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES "So, in the setting of a person with ALS — whether they have diabetes or not — using GLP-1s may actually worsen the disease and make for a rapid progression." In a 2025 case report published in the medical journal Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration, a 52-year-old ALS patient was prescribed semaglutide to treat her type 2 diabetes. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER Prior to starting the medication, her physical functions were declining at a predictable rate on the standard ALS rating scale. According to the case report, the patient lost 25 pounds in three months. At the same time, she experienced a sudden, dramatic shift in her disease trajectory, with symptoms worsening significantly. Once the semaglutide was discontinued at the advice of medical professionals, the patient's rapid physical decline stabilized. Andrews pointed out that this published documentation, alongside retrospective cohort data of ALS patients with diabetes, provides growing evidence that clinicians must be careful and thoughtful about who they treat with GLP-1 receptor agonists. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ While weight-loss medications offer significant benefits for many patients, experts say maintaining body weight and muscle mass remains an important consideration for people with neurodegenerative diseases. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58bc6ea12eaf174af7ff2b Credibility crisis: Graham Platner received glowing media coverage before dramatic exit from Senate race te 2026-07-16T11:11:42.722Z Credibility crisis: Graham Platner received glowing media coverage before dramatic exit from Senate race Before Graham Platner's dramatic exit from the Maine Senate race last week, the Democratic hopeful received glowing coverage from the legacy media that pushed the narrative that he was a salt-of-the-earth oyster farmer who could win back male voters and unseat longtime Republican incumbent Susan Collins. Now out of the race after multiple scandals, including a rape allegation from a former girlfriend that he's denied, the friendly coverage he received is getting a second look. The Guardian was among the first outlets to publish a profile on Platner, running a story last August headlined, "This Maine oysterman thinks Democrats are doing ‘jack’ about fascism. So he’s running for US Senate." The outlet told readers how Platner doesn't present like a "stereotypical progressive," listing his titles as "a veteran, an oysterman and a competitive shooter," adding that he spends his weekends "at the local gunnery." GRAHAM PLATNER'S MOST PROMINENT PRESS ALLIES ABANDON HIM AS RAPE ALLEGATION ROCKS MAINE SENATE RACE "Platner believes the party needs an outsider. He believes that pedigreed, establishment Democratic candidates have failed repeatedly to appeal to working-class Americans, hastening the rise of MAGA," The Guardian wrote. "As he surveys the American political scene, Platner is enraged by a Democratic party he sees as more interested in raising money than helping people, a party willing to appease Maga, to meet it in the middle, instead of fighting it." The New Yorker praised Platner's campaign launch video in its own profile, saying it portrayed him as a "rugged and likable working-class Democratic candidate" but that it "could just as easily have been the opener for a reality-TV show called 'Oyster Man.'" "A macho pastiche with a Jeep-commercial soundtrack, it shows him diving in his wetsuit, chopping wood, hauling oyster cages, and doing kettlebell swings. There are closeups of his tattoos, along with shots of him holding hands with his wife," Lisa Wood Shapiro wrote in the New Yorker piece. Shapiro hyped that he was "drawing support from both sides of the aisle," alleging "several [Donald] Trump supporters said that they would vote for him" despite his left-wing platform. "I’ve had Platner’s number for years, and have picked up oyster orders from his boat. I’ve seen him shuck oysters at parties, fund-raisers... Soon, my friends were discussing over gin-and-tonics how they always knew he would be famous," Shapiro gushed. APPLE AND GOOGLE SUPPRESSED NEGATIVE GRAHAM PLATNER STORIES FOR MONTHS ON THEIR NEWS PLATFORMS, STUDY FINDS The Washington Post put a spotlight on Platner in a September report called "Meet the Rugged Guys of the 2026 Midterms." "They are scruffy, solidly built, middle-aged White military veterans who work with their hands and look like they’re way more comfortable in plaid flannel than pinstripe suits. And they are banking that the antiestablishment populism that Republicans have embraced during the Trump era can work the other way, too," the Post wrote about Platner and other Democratic hopefuls. Journalist Ross Barkan authored a Platner profile for GQ in October titled, "Marine Turned Oysterman Graham Platner Is Ready to Fight Trump. Will MAGA Men Join Him?" "In the battle for the soul of the Democratic Party, Senate candidate Graham Platner might be the perfect soldier: The virile, earthy working man many male politicians wish they were, with the committed lefty beliefs many voters are now demanding," Barkan began the profile. Barkan boasted Platner's "friendly growl" and how he's "deeply alluring" to progressive Democrats in their effort to win back men. "The oysterman joins a roster of antiestablishment candidates across America: men—yes, they are mostly men—who’ve channeled the growing rage at the status quo," Barkan wrote. "Trump voters, Platner argues, can still return to the Democratic coalition. He has just handed me an oyster straight from the water. The taste is salty, and then sweet. If he does get elected, he’s unlikely to attend many DC soirees or campaign fundraisers in wine caves." PLATNER ACCUSER RECALLS 'GASLIGHTING,' 'BETRAYAL' FROM NY TIMES AS SHE CAME FORWARD WITH HER ALLEGATIONS Liberal New York Times columnist Michelle Goldberg penned multiple pieces praising Platner's candidacy and how it was able to weather controversies like his Nazi tattoo and his offensive Reddit posts, saying he's "nothing like the edgelord caricature I encountered online" when she flew out to Maine to meet him in October, stunned at the crowds he gathered she said many locals claim they haven't seen since Barack Obama. She also said Platner was "largely convincing" about his claim that he didn't know that his skull and crossbones tattoo was the Totenkopf symbol despite reports alleging he knew. "Onstage, Platner is magnetic. Like Obama, he seems to promise a politics that is fundamentally progressive while going beyond debased partisan sniping. He shows his audience the respect of at least seeming to level with them," Goldberg wrote at the time. "A major difference with Obama, though, is that Platner is visibly angry... That anger resonates with a base that is both terrified and enraged." NYT COLUMNIST SAYS SHE 'DEEPLY' REGRETS PRAISING SENATE HOPEFUL AFTER RAPE ALLEGATION In a separate piece published in April, Goldberg recalled, "I could feel the charge in the air — that rare alchemy born when a politician is able to pull a crowd into a shared vision of the future," telling Times readers a voter she met linked him to Obama during his 2008 presidential bid and that he was a "natural on the stump." "One lesson of the Democratic Senate primary in Maine is that no one should underestimate the white-hot fury of the party’s voters," Goldberg said. "Maine Democrats, many of whom saw Platner in person as he tirelessly barnstormed across the state, seemed ready to look past the negative stories." Goldberg later said she "deeply" regretted being impressed by Platner after he was accused by his ex-girlfriend Jenny Racicot of sexual assault, something he firmly denied. Just in May, Time Magazine featured him on its cover declaring him the "Party Crasher." "Platner’s story feels a lot like a pat movie plot: With Democratic voters yearning for outsiders to shake up the system, along comes a rough-hewn, gravelly voiced Marine Corps veteran from Sullivan, Maine—pop. 1,300—as their new national star," Time wrote. "He barnstorms the state with a pugilistic brand of economic populism, building a following so quickly that he forces his central-casting opponent, the two-term Democratic governor, Janet Mills, out of the race before voters can cast a ballot. Even in this antiestablishment, unabashedly ageist political moment, Platner’s rise has been remarkable." TIME MAGAZINE COVER ON GRAHAM PLATNER RAISES EYEBROWS ONLINE Time marveled how voters "gravitated toward Platner" despite his various controversies, writing, "After decades of nominating buttoned-up technocrats with glittering résumés, many Democrats want candidates with flaws, faded ink, and redemption arcs that resemble their own. Platner’s past, in other words, may actually be his path." "Platner swept a hand across his auburn beard and launched into his pitch: He doesn’t want to join the Senate to be part of a system. He wants to rip that system apart and build a better one. But that, he acknowledges, requires a leap of faith for voters to believe that he won’t betray their values and has truly transformed. 'There’s also an element of this,' Platner admits, 'Where I really have to say: ‘Just trust me, bro,'" the Time piece concluded. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58bc5ba12eaf174af7ff22 Trump teases major reveal during White House address and more top headlines te 2026-07-16T11:11:23.265Z Trump teases major reveal during White House address and more top headlines 1. Trump teases major White House address  2. Todd Blance faces second day of testimony for AG confirmation 3. Tim Walz offers strange defense for pardoning convicted child rapist   RAISING EYEBROWS — Iran draws 'red line' after Trump threatens expanded military campaign. Continue reading … OUT OF SIGHT — Slain N.J. woman, missing Bahamas boater's spouses lawyer up but only one disappears. Continue reading … FOLLOW THE MONEY — FEC filings expose a suspicious payment trail following Swalwell's resignation. Continue reading … SHORE SHOWDOWN — Canadian woman accused of slapping girl over Trump, ICE clothing gets agency surprise. Continue reading … TROUBLING CLUES — 'Top Gun: Maverick' actor's death takes grim new turn after autopsy findings. Continue reading … -- POLITICS PACK & PROSPER — Billions in taxpayer income are leaving two iconic states — as a new economic map emerges. Continue reading … FLASHBACK — Michigan Dem’s awkward pep talk echoes cringey pink-gloved House floor moment. Continue reading … ‘NEVER WAVERED’ — Pence reveals Graham's last words to him in a vivid airport encounter. Continue reading … PAPER CUT — Ex-Dem fundraiser turns on Biden as book rollout backfires on social media. Continue reading … Click here for more cartoons…   CREDIBILITY CRISIS — Media swooned over Graham Platner for months despite Dem's brewing controversies. Continue reading … OUT OF TOUCH — Maher calls out wealthy liberals for pretending to be in solidarity with average people. Continue reading … ‘TERRIFYING’ — Los Angeles reporter goes viral after staying unfazed during live-shot nightmare. Continue reading … CONSTITUTIONAL LAW — Viral run-in between police and street preacher draws federal First Amendment heat. Continue reading … HUGH HEWITT — I asked Trump if he was prepared to remove Iran’s new leaders. Continue reading …  CHAD WOLF — Canada can't expect free trade while leaving our northern border vulnerable. Continue reading … -- THE REAL STORY — Inside Princess Diana and JFK Jr.'s secret meeting that fueled romance rumors for decades. Continue reading … HORNS DOWN — Yellowstone reaches decision on bison after grandfather thrown in frightening attack. Continue reading … LESSON LEARNED — Florida school principals wind up behind bars after July 4 night out. Continue reading … AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ — Test yourself on World Cup wins and burger breakthroughs. Take the quiz here … Tune in to hear how the growing role of artificial intelligence could shape children's cognitive development, long-term memory, and America's path in the global AI race. 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/6a58bc1ca12eaf174af7fee4 Meta now alerts parents if their teen discussed suicide or self-harm with its AI chatbot te 2026-07-16T11:10:20.295Z Meta now alerts parents if their teen discussed suicide or self-harm with its AI chatbot The updates come as Meta and other tech companies are facing scrutiny from regulators and parents around how AI chatbots respond to users in crisis, particularly teenagers. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58b57aa12eaf174af7fe19 Red state governors blast CNBC's 'worst states to live' list, point to booming population growth te 2026-07-16T10:42:02.116Z Red state governors blast CNBC's 'worst states to live' list, point to booming population growth Republican governors are firing back at CNBC after the financial news outlet released its annual quality-of-life rankings, which placed conservative red states in all the bottom-10 spots on the list, even as official U.S. Census data shows those very states are leading the nation in population growth. CNBC faced a wave of online mockery and conservative backlash Monday following the release of its 2026 "America’s Top States for Business" study. Critics quickly took to social media to call out the outlet, alleging a blatant liberal bias embedded in its ranking criteria, which heavily penalize conservative legislation. "Somebody must have forgotten to tell the tens of thousands of new Arkansans who have moved to our state in the last few years about this CNBC report, because they’re voting with their feet and voting overwhelmingly for the commonsense, conservative leadership Arkansas offers," Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders told Fox News Digital. CNBC SURVEY MOCKED AFTER RANKING ALL RED STATES AS TOP 10 'WORST PLACES TO LIVE' Counting down from the tenth-worst quality-of-life ranking to the absolute worst, CNBC ranked the bottom ten states as Arkansas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Missouri, Utah, Georgia, Louisiana, Indiana, Texas, and Tennessee. All ten states are Republican-led and voted for President Donald Trump in 2024. The list is a subset of CNBC’s broader business study, which is now in its 20th year. "CNBC is placing increasing emphasis on Quality of Life, one of the 10 categories of competitiveness in our annual America’s Top States for Business study," CNBC's report states. Under this year's methodology, the "Life, Health and Inclusion" category makes up 11.6% of a state’s overall score, up from about 10% last year. To determine the rankings, CNBC said it utilizes "hard data on factors like crime rates, air quality and healthcare." However, the metric also factors heavily in ideological policies, explicitly penalizing states for a lack of protections against discrimination and restrictive abortion laws. "Some states offer exemplary quality of life. But these ten states do not make the grade," the CNBC report stated. A spokesperson for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott told Fox News Digital that CNBC’s list "does not reflect reality." LIZ PEEK: DEMOCRATS’ AFFORDABILITY SCAM COLLAPSES IN STATES THEY ACTUALLY RUN "CNBC’s ranking is flawed and does not reflect reality. Texas’ low taxes, strong economy, abundant energy, and commitment to freedom deliver the quality of life and opportunity that millions of Americans choose every year," said Andrew Mahaleris, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's press secretary. "Governor Abbott will continue to work to keep Texas the best place to live, work, and raise a family." Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s office also dismissed the rankings as "baseless" and politically driven. "As was made clear by the baseless ‘qualifications’ they used for their report, CNBC has prioritized trendy politics over affordability and the issues that actually matter to real Americans," a spokesperson for Kemp's office told Fox News Digital. Kemp's office added: "Instead of publishing these laughable rankings that no one believes, CNBC should talk to any of the more than 500,000 Americans who have moved to Georgia in the last five years — many of them no doubt fleeing Democrat-run states like New York and California for a red state run by common sense and fiscal responsibility." AMERICANS KEEP MOVING TO TEXAS AND FLORIDA — BUT ONE OTHER RED STATE IS GROWING EVEN FASTER In its report, the media outlet took direct shots at local conservative legislation across the board. Tennessee, which was crowned the single worst state to live in, was dinged for the state's "bathroom law" — which requires transgender individuals to use facilities corresponding with their biological sex at birth — as well as a law barring localities from passing their own local antidiscrimination ordinances. The outlet also took aim at a joint resolution signed by Gov. Bill Lee designating June as "Nuclear Family Month," while also noting the state's high rate of drug deaths. Utah, ranked sixth-worst, was hit for its $7.25 minimum wage, low availability of childcare providers, and air quality. Georgia, the fifth-worst, was explicitly called out for offering "few protections for LGBTQ+ people." Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s press office immediately seized on the study, taking to X to point out the partisan split. "Notice something in common?" the governor's office posted. "All led by Republicans — many suffering from California Derangement Syndrome." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE However, official population shifts highlight a broader, post-pandemic exodus from historically blue strongholds toward the very red states criticized by CNBC. While regions across the South and Sun Belt experience economic and population booms, major progressive hubs continue to bleed residents. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, Texas gained a net of over 67,000 residents through domestic migration alone between mid-2024 and mid-2025, while Tennessee added over 42,000 and Alabama picked up more than 23,000. By contrast, Los Angeles County watched its population shrink by more than 53,000 residents over the same one-year stretch— the largest numeric decline of any county in the nation. Similarly, a recent study by the Citizens Budget Commission confirmed that New York City lost a net of 114,000 residents to domestic outmigration over that period. Fox News Digital reached out to CNBC for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58b566a12eaf174af7fe10 Trump AG pick hangs by a thread as key GOP senators refuse to commit te 2026-07-16T10:41:42.662Z Trump AG pick hangs by a thread as key GOP senators refuse to commit Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is headed for a second straight day of grilling in the Senate, and his path to confirmation still remains cluttered with two key Republicans keeping tight-lipped on whether they’ll support him. Blanche’s first day was fraught with questions about the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) handling of millions of documents related to the late, convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, known as the Epstein Files, the now-defunct anti-weaponization fund and whether he would operate the DOJ as a tool of retribution for President Donald Trump. Two Republicans on the committee hold the key to Blanche’s success, Sens. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and John Cornyn, R-Texas, and so far, neither has committed to voting for him. TRUMP'S DOJ PICK IN TROUBLE AS GOP CONCERNS THREATEN CONFIRMATION Cornyn, who has taken issue with the nearly $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund and the underlying settlement reached by Trump and his family and the IRS, which Blanche acknowledged was still "enforceable" but was not moving forward, was noncommittal on how he would vote. Cornyn, who has taken issue with the nearly $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund, created under Trump's IRS settlement to compensate people who claimed they were victims of government "weaponization," which Blanche acknowledged was still "enforceable" but not moving forward, was noncommittal on how he would vote. "Well, I don't know what other information's gonna be coming in," Cornyn said. "The hearing is not even halfway done. And so, you know, I don't have to make a decision now, so I'm not." Blanche received heat throughout the hearing for being Trump’s former personal defense lawyer, and quickly corrected himself when asked by Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., if he considered himself the president’s friend. TRUMP'S AG NOMINEE RACKS UP MASSIVE SUPPORT AHEAD OF CONFIRMATION HEARING: 'REAL RESULTS' "I’m his lawyer — was his lawyer, and now I’m the deputy attorney general," Blanche said. When asked about the slip-up, Cornyn said, "I think he's trying to walk the line." "I think he's trying to walk a very difficult line," he said. Tillis’ primary concern, similar to Cornyn’s, is the anti-weaponization fund and whether it is truly dead and gone. He declined to say whether he would support Blanche, but noted that when asked if he was willing to work on legislation to put a permanent end to the fund, Blanche said, "Yes." TRUMP DOUBLES DOWN ON $1.8 BILLION 'SLUSH FUND' THAT KILLED HIS AGENDA, SPURRED REPUBLICAN REBELLION "I think that's a pretty strong indication that he and the administration are OK with [it]," Tillis said. "Does anybody really believe that the nominee for attorney general would answer that question if he didn't think that he had the support of the president to end this?" Meanwhile, Senate Democrats on the panel are dug in against him. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., the top-ranking Democrat on the committee, browbeat Blanche for his handling of the Epstein Files release and whether he would actually meet with Epstein survivors. "Anyone who can represent a known pathological liar like Donald Trump can have no integrity," Durbin said. "You can't have integrity if you represent Donald Trump, because he is such an inveterate liar. And that person, of course, should never, never, never be attorney general." And Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., admitted that Blanche was, "qualified … as someone who has been a prosecutor." "But given his legal experience, he should have known better than to be willing to tolerate or support the weaponization of the department," Coons said. "Using it as a tool not to follow the facts and the law, to pursue justice, but to carry out a retribution agenda by President Trump." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58b553a12eaf174af7fe07 NFL quarterback Will Grier retires at 31 te 2026-07-16T10:41:23.210Z NFL quarterback Will Grier retires at 31 Will Grier, a former West Virginia Mountaineers star quarterback who played two games in the NFL, decided to retire from the sport at the age of 31. Grier made the announcement on his social media on Wednesday and the Carolina Panthers put out a news story on his decision. COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL "Retired today," Grier wrote in a post on Instagram. He signed a deal with the Panthers in April and reportedly received a coaching opportunity with the Dallas Cowboys, but decided to walk away from the game altogether. Grier shared messages of support on his Instagram Stories with Dak Prescott, Jake Ferguson and Kenny Pickett paying tribute to the quarterback. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "Never retired, just switching lanes," Prescott wrote in his post. "Congrats my brother." The Panthers selected Grier in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft after he played college football for the Mountaineers and the Florida Gators. He would spend time with the Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles. He only played two games in the NFL – both with the Panthers during his rookie season. Grier had 228 passing yards and four interceptions in his career. The Panthers now have three quarterbacks going into camp, including Pickett, Bryce Young and Haynes King. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58b2e6a12eaf174af7fd91 Caitlin Clark calls out referees for failing to call foul on play she says gave her a contusion te 2026-07-16T10:31:02.796Z Caitlin Clark calls out referees for failing to call foul on play she says gave her a contusion Caitlin Clark directly called out a referee for missing a call against her after a loss on Wednesday night. Clark was seen yelling demonstratively in the face of a referee after a play against Golden State veteran Kiah Stokes. Clark said she was "kneed in the quad" after the game and suffered a contusion. "I got kneed right in the quad, that hurts, the ref can’t miss that," she told reporters. STEPHANIE WHITE GIVES CAITLIN CLARK STATUS UPDATE AHEAD OF FEVER-SPARKS, BUT HER NEXT MOVE RAISES QUESTIONS "And then I have to play with a contusion in my leg for the rest of the game. Ridiculous, you can’t miss calls like that." Clark was seen taking a brief trip to the locker room after the play, as she continues to work her way back to full strength and health after suffering a back injury in June. Clark was asked if she got an explanation on the no-call, and said she told that she herself initiated the contact. "You can’t knee me in the leg and knock me over," Clark said. Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White addressed the explanation herself. "Seems to always be initiating the contact," White said sarcastically of the decision. Footage of Clark yelling at the referee went viral on social media, sparking debate and opposing critcisms, as some fans condemned the referee for missing the call while others questioned Clark's behavior. Clark finished with 13 points and six assists, going just 4-for-14 from the field and 1-of-8 from three-point range. She scored 11 points after coming back from the locker room with the apparent contusion. Tensions have been high in the WNBA in recent weeks after Clark was punched in the throat by Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas, and referees did not call it a foul in the moment. Thomas was later suspended for one game, but the WNBA put out a statement in defense of Thomas from alleged harassment and threats she had apparently been receiving since punching Clark in the throat. Clark meanwhile is playing while still not fully healthy, as she played on a minutes restriction for three straight games in her return from injury. 76ers orthopedic consultant Dr. Nicholas DiNubile previously told Fox News Digital that he is "concerned" with the amount of contact Clark has been taking from other players. "The type of contact and the amount of contact that she gets is concerning to me. It’s troubling to me," DiNubile said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "I don't think there's anything she can do...It's hard to protect yourself with those type of... And that's why they're flagrant fouls, right? You just... There, there's no way to really protect yourself in those instances... she takes it in stride. I don't think she brings any of it on herself." DiNubile's opinion is that the league has to do a better job of actively protecting Clark, via the referees, in order to avoid disaster. "I think they should be calling things," he said. "They can officiate better... I mean, how do they miss this?" Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58b08fa12eaf174af7fd2e Dem Senate hopeful's pink-gloved meltdown resurfaces after viral pep talk ignited mockery te 2026-07-16T10:21:03.920Z Dem Senate hopeful's pink-gloved meltdown resurfaces after viral pep talk ignited mockery Rep. Haley Stevens’ awkward campaign pep talk that went viral this week is not the first time the Michigan Democrat has made waves for an unusual public speaking moment. Stevens, who is now running for Michigan’s open Senate seat, was mocked online this week after a video of her cringey stump speech telling supporters she would bring "a little bit of enthusiasm, a little bit of energy and a little bit of stick-it-to-them … because that’s the Michigan way" went viral and garnered reaction online. The viral moment hearkened back to a separate cringey 2020 House floor episode, when Stevens wore pink latex gloves during comments about the coronavirus pandemic and was repeatedly gaveled down after her time expired. SWING-STATE POLL SPELLS TROUBLE FOR FAR LEFT AS SCHUMER-BACKED CANDIDATE DOMINATES WITH CRITICAL VOTING BLOCS "I rise for every American who is scared right now," Stevens said during the March 2020 floor speech, after requesting additional time while pointing to the gloves she was wearing, her voice raising as her testimony progressed. The Speaker Pro Tempore, residing on the House floor, tried to gavel Stevens out repeatedly, to which she ignored. Eventually, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer yielded her 30 more seconds, at which time Stevens continued addressing doctors and nurses despite the calls to order. "You will see darkness. You will be pushed. And our society needs you to stand together at this time. Our country loves you – to our doctors and our nurses, I wear these latex gloves to tell every American to not be afraid," Stevens continued before once again being cut off by the Speaker Pro Tempore residing over the House floor. MICHIGAN DEM SENATOR THROWS SUPPORT BEHIND CANDIDATE TO REPLACE HIM IN CONTENTIOUS PRIMARY "The gentlelady's time has expired … the gentlelady from Michigan is out of order," the speaker pro tempore said repeatedly, even as Stevens refused to cease her enthusiastic remarks. "The gentlelady from Michigan is out of order. The gentlelady from Michigan is no longer recognized." Stevens' viral moments come just three weeks until Michigan’s Senate primaries, at which time she will take on Democratic challenger Abdul El-Sayed.   "Maybe Abdul El-Sayed is winning hearts and minds in liberal Michigan… or maybe he’s just running against this?" Brent Scher, editor-in-chief for the Daily Wire, said in a post to X, referring to Stevens awkward stump speech.  "I just want to know why, and when, she chose to adopt this fake accent?" Chris Gustafson, the communications director for the Senate Leadership Fund wrote on X after the stump speech. "Stevens’ ads from 2018 sound like an entirely different person. Make it make sense." In recent weeks, the Michigan primary has drawn national attention as it pits El-Sayed, a candidate pushing the party further left on issues like healthcare and international affairs, against Stevens, an establishment figure with the backing of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. Those lines grew clearer as a third Democratic candidate, Mallory McMorrow, dropped out of the race earlier this month, taking away a third, more middle-of-the-road option. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58ae8ba12eaf174af7fcd3 Inside Princess Diana and JFK Jr.'s secret meeting that fueled romance rumors for decades te 2026-07-16T10:12:27.207Z Inside Princess Diana and JFK Jr.'s secret meeting that fueled romance rumors for decades In December 1995, the world's two most famous people met in secret at New York City's Carlyle Hotel. John F. Kennedy Jr. hoped to persuade Princess Diana to grace the cover of his magazine, "George." The Princess of Wales, for her part, wanted to meet the man who had managed the impossible: living under an unforgiving media spotlight without being consumed by it. Caroline Hallemann wrote about the encounter in her book, "The Kennedys & the Windsors," which explores the two dynasties and how their paths crossed over the years. PRINCESS DIANA, HOT DOGS AND A PRESIDENTIAL MATCHMAKING ATTEMPT: ICONIC ROYAL VISITS TO AMERICA "It was this clandestine meeting, and they were able to keep it a secret," Hallemann told Fox News Digital. "They were both hounded by paparazzi throughout their lives. That's something they had to deal with, but they were able to maintain privacy around this moment." "I spoke with Patrick Jephson, who was Princess Diana's private secretary at the time, and I spoke with Rosemarie Terenzio, who was JFK Jr.'s executive assistant at ‘George’ magazine, to hear about what happened in this meeting," she shared. "Patrick was actually in the room when they met." Hallemann wrote that while Kennedy was "excited" to meet the royal, he was also "annoyed about everybody hinting that this would be a marriage made in heaven if they could be together." WATCH: JKF JR.'S SECRET MEETING WITH PRINCESS DIANA REVEALED At the time, Kennedy was considered the world's most eligible bachelor. But for Diana, who had officially divorced then-Prince Charles, the meeting was purely professional. "Patrick shared that this was really a business meeting," said Hallemann. "[Kennedy] thought that she quintessentially represented what the magazine was trying to achieve, which was to focus on the intersection of popular culture, politics and celebrity. And Princess Diana, from the start of the meeting, knew that she was going to say no, but she still wanted to meet with him anyway, which I think is quite telling." Kennedy and Diana had met before, the book revealed. About a decade earlier, they both attended a luncheon in Virginia during the 1985 royal visit to Washington, D.C. "She has the most unusual upward glance, really seductive," Kennedy told his friend Billy Noonan, adding that she had "the most unusual blue eyes," Hallemann wrote. As for Diana, she was "keen" on the idea of spending time with Kennedy away from cameras. "[His mother] Jackie Kennedy was a role model for Princess Diana in terms of how Jackie was able to raise her children in the public eye," Hallemann explained. "And I think that Princess Diana wanted to meet with John Jr. just to see how he managed life in the public eye." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER At first, it was suggested that Kennedy would wear a disguise to throw off the paparazzi. But Kennedy told friends, "I'm not going anywhere in disguise; that's the stupidest thing ever."  The hotel's discretion was described as "extraordinary," Hallemann wrote. Kennedy had lived there following his father's assassination, and it was also a favorite of Diana's whenever she was in New York. When Kennedy came face to face with the princess, he appeared "nervous." "He was quite in awe of her," Jephson told Hallemann. "Not uncomfortable, but he certainly seemed to be on his best behavior." Diana was "very cool — and jolly, you know, and smiley and welcoming." Hallemann told Fox News Digital the pair "spoke about a number of things," including Mother Teresa and the paparazzi. "But ultimately, for John, the goal of this meeting was for Diana to be featured in ‘George’ magazine," she said. "Sadly, he walked away disappointed in that regard." After giving Jephson "a sly glance," Diana told Kennedy that she would perhaps consider appearing in the 50th or 100th issue. Her decision was final. Still, the two spent "an hour or so together" talking. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Later, rumors claimed Kennedy and Diana had an affair that was consummated at the Carlyle that day in a "moment of pure lust." Jephson told Hallemann he was in the room the entire time. "I stayed in the room throughout and was not aware of any mad, passionate activities," he said. "My observation was that it was a kind of mutual sounding out. It was a kind of appraisal, and it wasn't overtly flirtatious, but it was friendly." While Kennedy didn't get the answer he was hoping for, Diana left a lasting impression. "I think he was charmed by her," said Hallemann. "He thought she was quite beautiful. There's one quote that's repeated by several people who spoke to him about her. [He] said she had great legs. I think he thought she was attractive." "But it was really a business meeting — for him it was," said Hallemann. "It wasn't a social call, and he was really hopeful and saw the value she might bring by appearing in the magazine, and that element didn't work out." According to the book, Diana wrote Kennedy a note. It read, "Thank you so much, but not right now." Again, she agreed to appear on a future cover. Kennedy never gave up on the idea. The book describes how he quietly stayed in touch with Diana, asking her for an interview more than once. In February 1997, she wrote him a letter saying she had to "regrettably" turn down his offer once more. She wrote, "'I hope"—with "hope" underlined—'"that the media are leaving both of you and [your wife] Carolyn alone. I know how difficult it is, but believe it or not, the worst paparazzi are here in Europe!" On Aug. 31, 1997, Diana died from injuries sustained in a Paris car crash. She was 36. At the time, she was riding in a car that was being pursued by paparazzi. "Princess Diana's death affected JFK Jr.," said Hallemann. "He saw a real similarity between them. He saw how much media interest and scrutiny there was, and he saw the role the media had played in her death. It worried him." "In particular, it worried him because of the way his wife reacted to it," Hallemann continued. "Carolyn was deeply upset by Princess Diana's death. She was deeply rattled by her own experience with the paparazzi and also by the way Princess Diana died. She was already struggling with her relationship with the media, and this only took it one step further." Kennedy and his wife, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, died in a plane crash less than two years later, on July 16, 1999. LAST PERSON TO SEE JFK JR. ALIVE REVEALS CHILLING PREMONITION ABOUT HIS FATAL FLIGHT THAT NIGHT "I think that when people die young, they are mythologized in a way, and they are canonized in a way," said Hallemann. "For both Princess Diana and JFK Jr., these were two people who lived under enormous media scrutiny. They did a great deal of good, but they were also just people. And for one moment, they came together away from the spotlight." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58ae77a12eaf174af7fcca Billions in taxpayer income are leaving two iconic states — as a new economic map emerges te 2026-07-16T10:12:07.749Z Billions in taxpayer income are leaving two iconic states — as a new economic map emerges As Americans continue relocating across state lines, California and New York remain at the center of the nation's migration story. The latest IRS data show the top 10 counties with the largest net losses of taxpayers to other states were all located in California and New York. Compiled from federal tax returns, the figures offer one of the clearest snapshots of where Americans are relocating — and where their income is moving with them. Economists say those migration patterns help explain broader shifts in state economies, tax bases and housing markets as families weigh affordability, taxes and job opportunities when considering where they want to put down roots. The movement of taxpayers and their income can also affect state and local tax collections, which help fund schools, public safety and infrastructure. Los Angeles County, home to Hollywood and one of the nation's largest economic engines, led the nation with a net loss of 17,496 tax filers. Those departing taxpayers took nearly $1.9 billion in income with them as they moved to other states. THE RED STATES RACING AHEAD IN AMERICA’S POWERFUL WEALTH BOOM — AND THE STATES FALLING BEHIND FLOURISH MAP SHOWING COUNTY MIGRATION: 29696985 Other major counties in California and New York saw similar outflows. The next-largest taxpayer losses were recorded in Queens County, New York (-17,109), the Bronx (-16,319), Orange County, California (-11,618) and Suffolk County, New York (-10,434). One New York county stood out for a different reason. Manhattan gained more interstate tax filers than any other county in the nation while simultaneously losing nearly $1 billion in adjusted gross income, suggesting many of the newcomers earned less than those who left. Compiled from federal tax returns, the IRS migration data provide one of the clearest snapshots of where Americans are relocating—and where their income is moving with them. Economists say the figures offer insight into the economic forces reshaping states, from taxes and housing costs to job opportunities and the long-term health of local tax bases. The latest data continue to point to a shift away from many of the nation's largest coastal counties toward fast-growing destinations in the Sun Belt and Mountain West. "It's very, very clear that people ultimately vote with their feet and when they feel like they're getting taxed too much, they go somewhere else where they will be taxed less," Heritage Foundation chief economist E.J. Antoni told Fox News Digital. "If you look at where these people are going, they're not going to Massachusetts or Illinois or California," Antoni said. "They're going to Texas. They're going to Tennessee. They're going to Florida — places with low or no income taxes and low overall levels of taxation." AMERICANS KEEP MOVING TO TEXAS AND FLORIDA — BUT ONE OTHER RED STATE IS GROWING EVEN FASTER The remaining counties rounding out the top 10 for taxpayer losses were San Diego County, California (-9,401); Nassau County, New York (-9,130); Riverside County, California (-8,968); San Bernardino County, California (-8,462); and Kings County, New York (-6,924). While those two states dominated the counties with the largest taxpayer losses, other parts of the country continued attracting new residents. The counties with the largest net gains in interstate tax filers were Maricopa County, Arizona (+9,353); Harris County, Texas (+8,955); King County, Washington (+8,297); and Clark County, Nevada (+7,524). "The 'vote with your feet' movement, is real," Paul Teller, a conservative strategist who previously served in the Trump-Pence White House, told Fox News Digital. THESE STATES ARE 'AHEAD OF THE GAME' IN BRINGING DOWN HOME PRICES, TRUMP'S HOUSING CHIEF SAYS Teller said Americans continue leaving high-tax, highly regulated states for places where they can keep more of what they earn and face lower costs of living, arguing the migration patterns should serve as a warning for policymakers in states that continue losing residents. "What baffles me, especially as a former New Yorker is that there doesn't seem to be a lot of concern in the states that are losing people," Teller told Fox News Digital. Teller argued the trend could carry long-term fiscal consequences if affluent taxpayers continue leaving. He said the debate has taken on renewed attention as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani advances an agenda that includes higher taxes on top earners, rent freezes for stabilized apartments, free city buses and city-owned grocery stores. California has likewise remained at the center of debates over taxes on high-income earners, maintaining one of the nation's highest top marginal income tax rates. "Let's see what happens when the wealthy keep moving out of big blue states like California and New York," Teller said. "We'll see what happens to tax revenue. We're already seeing it. It's going down significantly." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58ae64a12eaf174af7fcc1 Slain N.J. woman, missing Bahamas boater's spouses lawyer up; one disappears while other recently spotted te 2026-07-16T10:11:48.294Z Slain N.J. woman, missing Bahamas boater's spouses lawyer up; one disappears while other recently spotted Brian Hooker, the husband to missing Michigan mother Lynette Hooker, has kept a low profile for months following her mysterious disappearance. Comparatively, in a separate high-profile case, Conor Hanlon, the husband to slain New Jersey therapist Brooke Hanlon, has been spotted twice in one week. In both cases, these husbands have kept quiet as questions remain unanswered about their wives. Both men have lawyered up. Neither has been charged with a crime LYNETTE HOOKER MISSING IN BAHAMAS: TIMELINE OF MICHIGAN WOMAN’S DISAPPEARANCE, HUSBAND’S ARREST "If I was the criminal defense attorney for either one of these individuals, I would advise them to keep a low profile," says criminal defense attorney and FOX News contributor Ted Williams. In Brian Hooker's case, his wife Lynette vanished from the Bahamas on April 4 while the couple was on a boating vacation. 📩 Send me a story idea: kelsie.cairns@fox.com 📸 Instagram: kelsiecairns_tv 🎥 Facebook: Kelsie Cairns Brian told investigators that she fell from their dinghy while they were at sea. COAST GUARD ASKS PUBLIC TO IDENTIFY SAILBOAT MOORED NEAR VESSEL WHERE LYNETTE HOOKER VANISHED IN BAHAMAS Following her disappearance, he was arrested and subsequently released by Bahamian authorities after questioning. He returned to the U.S. without his wife in mid-April. He has not been seen or heard from in the months following. The U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service (USCGIS) has been leading the investigation into Lynette's disappearance. WATCH: COAST GUARD VIDEO REVEALS SEIZURE OF BRIAN HOOKER'S SAILBOAT AFTER WIFE'S BAHAMAS DISAPPEARANCE In early June, USCGIS relied on divers, underwater vehicles, drones and a cadaver dog while searching an area of Hope Town, Bahamas where Lynette was last seen alive. They concluded the search and returned to the U.S. with the couple's dinghy. Brian's attorney Matt Borgula previously told Fox News Digital, "We have been in communication with investigators and prosecutors on the case and will not discuss facts in the media while the investigation is ongoing." In the case concerning Conor Hanlon, his wife Brooke Hanlon, was found fatally stabbed inside the couple's Chester, New Jersey home on June 6. "Stabbing is a very personal direct attack where there may be physical evidence or where the person who was stabbed attempted to defend themselves," Williams said. He goes on to say, "I'm sure that that is certainly something that the authorities are looking into." The Morris County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit is investigating her death as a homicide. Hanlon has been spotted twice in both Chester, New Jersey and in his childhood neighborhood of Brighton in Boston, Massachusetts. Fox News Digital spotted Hanlon moving a recycling bin in a driveway then jump into a white pickup truck in Boston last week. Days later, Hanlon's possible vehicle, a white Volvo SUV, was spotted by a neighbor in his Chester, New Jersey driveway this week. Conor has a lawyer and has been in communication with investigators, they confirmed to Fox News Digital. Repeated calls to Hanlon hav not been returned. In one situation, a woman has been gone without a trace for more than three months, and her husband has not been seen or made a public statement since April. In the other case, a woman's butchered body was discovered inside her home and her husband called 911; he was seen twice in the last week following his wife's June death. Williams said, "The one question that we don't know, and really in either one of these cases, is how cooperative they are. Are they actually cooperating with the authorities?" He says its likely the husbands are following advice from their hired counsel. "Law enforcement is clearly continuing to look at both of these individuals, yet they have not found sufficient evidence to date to make an arrest. The fact that they have gone underground that could very well be because their lawyers have told them to keep a very low profile," Williams said. Neither Brian Hooker nor Conor Hanlon have been accused of any crime or wrongdoing. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58ae50a12eaf174af7fcb8 Apple AirDrop, Android Quick Share flaws put phones at risk te 2026-07-16T10:11:28.811Z Apple AirDrop, Android Quick Share flaws put phones at risk Apple AirDrop and Android Quick Share are the kind of phone features you probably use without thinking much about them. You want to send a photo across the room. You want to move a file from your phone to your laptop. So you tap share, pick a nearby device and move on. Now, new security research shows those handy nearby-sharing tools can also create a wireless opening around your phone. Researchers at the CISPA Helmholtz Center for Information Security examined Apple AirDrop and Android Quick Share. They found six vulnerabilities across Apple, Samsung and Google implementations. The flaws include AirDrop crash bugs, Samsung Quick Share protocol issues and a Google Quick Share for Windows bug that could potentially lead to remote code execution. BEFORE YOU CONNECT ANOTHER SMART TV, TABLET OR PHONE, LOCK IT DOWN That can affect you in a very everyday way. Your phone may be sitting in your pocket at an airport gate, in a coffee shop or inside a packed conference room while it listens for nearby sharing requests. If a bad actor gets close enough, they could try to take advantage of that open wireless doorway before you even realize anything happened. So, before you leave AirDrop or Quick Share open again, here is what the research found and the settings worth checking now. Free live CyberGuy class: Sick of Spam? Join us July 22. Join us Wednesday, July 22, at 1 p.m. ET for a free CyberGuy Live class that will help you cut down on robocalls, spam texts, junk email and other unwanted messages. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson will walk you step by step through simple ways to filter spam, clean up your inbox and recognize the messages that could put your personal information at risk. No technical experience is needed. You’ll also receive our spam-stopping checklist, and every registrant will get a link to the class recording afterward. Reserve your free spot today at CyberGuyLive.com. The researchers call this a proximity problem. AirDrop and Quick Share are built to find nearby devices without the usual setup of pairing first. That convenience is the whole point. It also means the sharing software has to listen before it fully trusts the other device. According to the research, the affected protocols are used by more than five billion devices. Apple reports more than 2.2 billion active devices running the sharing service tied to AirDrop. Google reports more than 3 billion Android devices with Quick Share available system-wide or used as a default sharing tool on many phones. The study found three AirDrop issues that could be triggered before authentication. It also found two Samsung Quick Share protocol flaws. In addition, researchers found one Google Quick Share for Windows use-after-free bug. Apple, Samsung and Google acknowledged the reports, according to the researchers. Most phone attacks we talk about involve bad links, fake login pages or shady apps. This research points to a different kind of risk because it starts with physical proximity. A nearby attacker may not need your password. They may not need you to open a website either. In some cases, the target device only needs to be discoverable or in a sharing mode that listens for nearby devices. That does not mean someone can grab every photo on your phone by standing next to you. The known flaws are narrower than that. Still, the research shows that file-sharing features sit closer to sensitive parts of the system than many of us realize. AirDrop interacts with Apple's sharing service, which supports features beyond file transfers. Quick Share also moves through low-level networking and device-to-device connection steps. That is why bugs in this area deserve your attention. The most immediate risk is disruption. Researchers found AirDrop bugs that could crash Apple’s sharing service. That service supports AirDrop and other continuity features. On Samsung Quick Share, researchers found protocol weaknesses that could let an attacker manipulate connection behavior before full authentication. Another issue could allow certain control messages to be injected during an active transfer. The Google Quick Share for Windows bug is more serious on paper. Researchers described it as a heap use-after-free issue and said Google awarded a bug bounty for it. The paper says this type of bug could potentially be developed into a full remote code-execution exploit. Google told CyberGuy it has addressed the Windows issue. "We've patched the flaw identified for Quick Share for Windows. As a best security practice, users should always ensure they apply the latest security updates available for their device," a Google spokesperson said. For most phone owners, the daily takeaway is clear. Nearby sharing is useful, but you should avoid leaving your device open to everyone when you do not need it. You should be extra careful with AirDrop or Quick Share when you are around a lot of strangers. That includes airports, trains, hotels and large events. These are places where a nearby attacker could sit close enough to reach many devices at once. The risk goes up when your phone is set to receive from everyone. On iPhone, Apple says the "Everyone for 10 Minutes" setting reverts after 10 minutes if you are signed in to your Apple Account. If you are not signed in, it reverts to Receiving Off. That time limit helps. Even so, you should treat "Everyone" as a temporary setting. Turn it on only when you need it. The good news is that a few quick settings checks can make your phone much harder for nearby strangers to reach. You can also review these iPhone and Android security settings for more ways to lock down your device. Start with regular software updates. The researchers responsibly disclosed the findings, and fixes are underway across vendors. Install iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Android, Samsung updates, Google Play system updates and Quick Share for Windows updates as soon as they become available. Also check the apps or utilities tied to sharing on your computer. Quick Share for Windows was part of this research, so remember the PC side if you use Android-to-Windows transfers. On iPhone, keep AirDrop limited unless you are actively using it. The safest everyday choice is Receiving Off or Contacts Only. On a Samsung phone, Quick Share controls who can see your device and send you files nearby. The safest everyday choice is No one or Contacts only. GOOGLE TURNS OLD PHONES INTO CLOUD SERVERS A file request from a stranger should be a red flag. Even if the file name looks harmless, decline it. Attackers often rely on curiosity. They may use a funny photo name or something that looks like it came from a nearby event. If you did not ask for the file, decline the request. If you are traveling or sitting in a packed public place, turn receiving off. This is especially helpful at airports, train stations and large events. You can still turn AirDrop or Quick Share back on when you actually need it. That small habit gives you more control over when your phone is visible. If you use AirDrop or Quick Share to send personal files, slow down before you tap send. Check the recipient name carefully. When possible, confirm the device in person before sharing. Be extra careful with photos, tax documents, travel confirmations, medical forms, school paperwork or anything that includes your address, phone number or financial details. Avoid sending private files to devices with generic names like "iPhone," "Galaxy" or "Laptop." For sensitive documents, use a trusted cloud storage or file-sharing service where you can confirm the recipient, manage access and add password protection when available. Nearby sharing often relies on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to discover and transfer between devices. You do not need to turn both off all day. However, it is smart to disable sharing features when you are done. Also, skip random public Wi-Fi networks just because they look familiar. Your phone can do a lot in the background. Give it fewer chances to talk to strangers. Strong antivirus software can help detect malicious files if you accidentally accept something you should not have. This is especially important on computers, since Quick Share for Windows was part of the research. Keep your security software updated and scan any file that looks suspicious before opening it. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com. AirDrop and Quick Share are useful, and most of us will keep using them. I know I will. But this research is a good reminder that nearby sharing should not stay wide open by default. The issue comes down to convenience. Phone makers made file sharing feel effortless. That is great when you are sending vacation photos to family or moving a file to your laptop. It feels different when the same feature is listening in a packed airport, coffee shop or hotel lobby. What stands out to me is the range. A bad actor may only need to be close by. So, my advice is straightforward. Update your devices. Keep AirDrop and Quick Share limited to people you trust. Turn off receiving when you are in a crowd. And never accept a file request you were not expecting. Should phones make nearby sharing harder to leave open in public places? 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/6a58ae4ba12eaf174af7fcaf Trump keeps 'really big' address under wraps as White House says ‘nobody knows’ what he’ll reveal te 2026-07-16T10:11:23.207Z Trump keeps 'really big' address under wraps as White House says ‘nobody knows’ what he’ll reveal President Donald Trump announced he will deliver a Thursday night address that he suggested will focus on "free and fair elections," teasing what he called one of the most important speeches of his presidency while offering few details about what he plans to unveil. "As usual, anonymous sources are speculating about what President Trump will say during his speech on Thursday evening," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News Digital. "The truth is, nobody knows yet what President Trump will ultimately say, which is why everyone should tune in." Trump has teased the contents of his speech without fully revealing what it will be about. "It will be a potpourri," a senior advisor told Axios, adding that Iran is something the president "wants to address." The address is expected to begin at 9 p.m. ET from the White House.  TRUMP HOLDS WASHINGTON HOSTAGE OVER SAVE ACT AS MIDTERM CLOCK TICKS ON GOP CONTROL Trump has touted his speech as being "really big news" and called for the country to "to shape up." "Thursday is, it doesn't get bigger because without free and fair elections, you don't have a country," Trump said while in the Oval Office Tuesday. "We'll be discussing other things too. But it's going to be a very big announcement." The White House did not respond to questions about which administration officials are expected to attend the speech. Fox News Digital also reached out to the FBI and CIA about whether FBI Director Kash Patel or CIA Director John Ratcliffe will be present.  TRUMP THREATENS TO EXPAND STRIKES ON IRAN, SAYS POWER PLANTS ARE NEXT TO GO: 'HIT THEM HARD' The address also comes against a volatile foreign policy backdrop, after negotiations over an Iran memorandum collapsed and the U.S. resumed strikes on Iranian targets. CENTCOM announced another round of strikes on Iran on Wednesday morning, marking the fifth straight day the U.S. launched attacks on the country.  Iran has fired back with numerous attacks on U.S. allies in the Middle East, including Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan. U.S. forces reinstituted a naval blockade on Iran Tuesday afternoon. TRUMP TAKES UNUSUAL STEP, LETS BIPARTISAN HOUSING BILL BECOME LAW UNSIGNED AMID SAVE PRESSURE CAMPAIGN Gas prices surged during the early days of the Iran conflict, then fell in June as crude oil slipped to roughly $69 a barrel before climbing again to nearly $80 a barrel Monday. While Trump also suggested Iran would be addressed, he repeatedly indicated Tuesday that election integrity would be a centerpiece of his remarks. Trump has been laser focused on passing the SAVE America Act which includes Trump’s long-sought voter ID and citizenship verification --- which Republicans say is key to ensuring elections are safe and secure. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58ae37a12eaf174af7fca6 Celebrity chef says if you can drive to McDonald's, you can cook healthy meals at home te 2026-07-16T10:11:03.758Z Celebrity chef says if you can drive to McDonald's, you can cook healthy meals at home A Michelin-starred chef wants people to know that a lack of effort — not distance — is what's stopping American families from eating healthily. He argues that advances in technology have made fresh food more accessible than ever, shifting the conversation from access to personal habits. Celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian spoke with Fox News Digital at the Great American State Fair about all things nutrition, but one hot take stood out from the rest. "You're not in a food desert — this is the United States of America," he said during a live cooking demonstration with Dr. Mehmet Oz. MORE AMERICANS NOW EAT IN THEIR CARS THAN EVER BEFORE AS EXPERT REVEALS WHAT IT SAYS ABOUT MODERN LIFE "You've got Instacart. You can get anything you want all the time." The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines food deserts as communities with "low levels of access to retail outlets selling healthy and affordable foods." The agency's designation is based on income and proximity to supermarkets. Instacart, one of many modern grocery delivery apps, was created in 2012, one year after the USDA's food desert map launched. Zakarian pointed to these advances in technology as evidence that today's barriers to healthy eating are increasingly behavioral rather than geographic. 'MASTERCHEF' FINALIST SAYS BUSY FAMILIES ARE LOSING SOMETHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN HOME-COOKED MEALS "Everyone has an iPhone. Everyone has an ability to order food," Zakarian told Fox News Digital, suggesting that online ordering has effectively bridged the geographic gaps highlighted by federal data. Fox News Digital reached out to the USDA for comment. Still, affordability remains a challenge for many families. Grocery prices have risen 32% over the past five years, according to the Urban Institute. The Food Network star said families should focus less on what they lack and more on planning meals, arguing that convenience often costs more than cooking at home. BUTTER, BEEF TALLOW DEBATE ISN'T OVER AS HEART EXPERTS WARN OF RISKS AND US GUIDELINES DIFFER ON FATS "If you can drive to McDonald's, you can go find some place that has fresh food or canned food, or you can order it online," Zakarian said. "It's possible. It's what's great about our culture." Consistently eating wholesome meals comes down to making cooking a priority, Zakarian said. "There really is no reason to not cook for yourself and cook for your family," Zakarian said. "Part of doing this and staying healthy is you've got to put effort in." With so many working families, Zakarian advocated for a structured approach to grocery shopping and meal preparation rather than tackling the kitchen daily without a plan. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ He recommends shopping twice a week and planning meals in smaller blocks instead of trying to cook day by day. "Break it up, and then you have leftovers once in a while sprinkled throughout," Zakarian said. "You'll be shocked that you have five meals for your kids, plus leftovers. It's not that hard, but it does take work." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Zakarian said cooking together creates emotional benefits for families because the kitchen naturally becomes the center of the home. "You go to any house, any party, where do we end up?" Zakarian said. "Everyone's in the kitchen." CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES Investing in the heart of the home helps build a sense of pride that kids carry with them even after they leave the house, Zakarian said. "When they open that food up, I guarantee you the other kids around are jealous that they got good food cooked by mom," he said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58abb4a12eaf174af7fbfb Phone maker OnePlus says it won’t release new phones in the U.S. and Europe te 2026-07-16T10:00:20.316Z Phone maker OnePlus says it won’t release new phones in the U.S. and Europe OnePlus could also wind down its operations in India by 2027. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58a99aa12eaf174af7fbcf Swalwell campaigns drop eye-popping sum to celeb defense attorney weeks after resigning te 2026-07-16T09:51:22.380Z Swalwell campaigns drop eye-popping sum to celeb defense attorney weeks after resigning Disgraced former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., paid one of his attorneys over $360,000 combined from his congressional and gubernatorial campaign accounts just weeks after dropping out of the gubernatorial race and resigning from Congress, a Fox News Digital review found. A $50K payment, which was made on April 24 to celebrity lawyer Sara Azari for "Legal [and] Accounting Services," raises questions about what the payment was for and whether Swalwell was intending to try to salvage his public image amid the sexual abuse allegations that had derailed his gubernatorial campaign and ultimately cost him his congressional seat. The payment came 11 days after he resigned from Congress. Three other payments appear to have been made by Swalwell's gubernatorial campaign the following month to Azari, including a $250,000 payment in early May for "campaign legal compliance," according to California state records.  After weeks of allegations circulating on social media, bombshell reporting from CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle forced Democrats to reckon with allegations from several women, who provided detailed accounts of how Swalwell had allegedly pursued intoxicated women, pressured employees into intimate situations and asked for explicit images from female contacts. SWALWELL ATTORNEY DENIES MISCONDUCT, SAYS CONGRESSMAN TOOK ACCOUNTABILITY FOR 'LAPSES IN JUDGMENT' The allegations immediately took their toll. In the aftermath, even as high-ranking Democrats pulled their support for Swalwell, Azari, who runs a law office with locations in Los Angeles and New York, was one of the few voices to defend Swalwell after his resignation. "The fact that, you know, a day later, years later, or whatnot, you maybe had shame around what you did, or maybe you were in a relationship and shouldn’t have done what you did, doesn’t make it rape," Azari said in an interview with NewsNation. She also released a long statement defending Swalwell on X back in April, claiming the "timing, nature, and coordinated rollout of these vile and heinous allegations speak for themselves." "This is a ruthless and shameless attempt to smear Congressman Swalwell," she added. Notably, Swalwell apologized for past "mistakes" in his resignation announcement despite denying the allegations. SWALWELL CALLS SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS 'FLAT OUT FALSE,' SAYS HE WILL FIGHT THEM 'WITH EVERYTHING' "I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I've made in my past. I will fight the serious, false allegations made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make," Swalwell said in a statement. Azari said she admired Swalwell for confronting the allegations and for removing himself from Congress — as well as the race for governor. GAVIN NEWSOM SETS AUGUST 2026 SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL ERIC SWALWELL'S VACANT CONGRESSIONAL SEAT "I think it demonstrates a tremendous amount of accountability, not because he’s done these things and he’s stepping down, but because how could he properly defend himself and represent his constituency with these serious allegations pending," she added. Swalwell is facing criminal investigations in New York and Los Angeles in addition to a Justice Department inquiry into alleged sexual misconduct. Azari did not respond to questions about the payments or what services it covered. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58a0b4a12eaf174af7fa60 BRET BAIER: Lindsey Graham was a true defender of America and a bridge builder te 2026-07-16T09:13:24.018Z BRET BAIER: Lindsey Graham was a true defender of America and a bridge builder Lindsey Graham was a consequential senator. If there was an important issue, he was right there on top of it. But that’s not the whole story. The essence of his character, the shaping of his background, the joy he found in people and in the political process, and the joy he brought to those around him, is the big story. Over the years I had an opportunity to see Lindsey at work on many occasions, and to hear his passion for the issues. He could be the most entertaining person at any dinner table, but his wit was matched by a razor-sharp mind that was always considering how to solve the next problem. He never stopped working. The night he died he’d just returned from Kyiv, Ukraine where he’d met with President Volodymyr Zelensky. Lindsey’s love for people shined through. He had a special appeal and was socially gifted. Maybe that came from his early years hanging out in the back room of his parents’ bar, where he learned the fine art of schmoozing. People from every walk of life crossed his path, and he was interested in them all. LINDSEY GRAHAM'S SISTER CARRIES ON LATE SENATOR'S WORK, BECOMING SOUTH CAROLINA'S FIRST FEMALE SENATOR Lindsey also learned early in life the meaning of commitment. His mother died when he was 20, followed by his father months later. Lindsey became the legal guardian for his 13-year-old sister Darline, who once called him "a brother, a father and a mother rolled into one." He raised her to adulthood, and they have always been extremely close. With Lindsey’s death, Darline has been appointed by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster to finish her brother’s term, which expires at the beginning of 2027. Lindsey’s death on July 11 at the age of 71 capped a Congressional career that began in 1992 in the South Carolina House, then the U.S. House for eight years, and the U.S. Senate since 2003. From 1995-2015 he simultaneously served in the Air Force Reserves. His passing brought a flood of tributes, including tearful memories from his colleagues on both sides of the aisle. Their disputes melted away as they recalled their friend. What struck me most was how so many of them had stories about Lindsey’s passion for finding common ground so he could get things done. I often observed that Lindsey loved to make a deal. He could work with anybody and threw himself into the most challenging public issues, laboring alongside people with whom he differed on other issues. He never let the differences get in the way—although he never pulled his punches when he disagreed, and he did passionately disagree with the left on many occasions. 'THE HALLS OF THE SENATE ALREADY FEEL EMPTY': TEARFUL THUNE HONORS LINDSEY GRAHAM AS SISTER TAKES HIS SEAT Yet those same people summoned up sincere praise for him in the days following his death. Illinois Democrat Dick Durbin spoke with obvious fondness when he recalled emotionally, "Lindsey, for many years, was the only Republican willing to co-sponsor the Dream Act, a bill that I introduced over 20 years ago and reintroduced in successive Congresses, providing protection to undocumented immigrants brought to this country as children, his support took guts. At a time when issues surrounding immigration were becoming politically toxic, Lindsey stuck his neck out for me and for these young people. I will never ever forget." New Jersey Democrat Corey Booker shared a similar experience, recounting their collaboration on important legislation. He admired Lindsey and appreciated his uniqueness. Booker recounted how a White House negotiator had once told him that "Lindsey Graham was like an unguided missile. That God, he never knew which way he was going to go, whether he would come back and hit you, but when he was aligned, when he would be in the right place at the right time, man, he could get things done that other people couldn't, and bring a lot of light and new possibilities to the efforts." The day after Lindsey’s death, Senate Majority Leader John Thune spoke in the senate. With tears in his eyes he said, "I come to the floor today with a heavy heart. I look to my right, and I see a desk which we in the Senate refer to and know as the John Calhoun desk is covered with a black shroud, and on top of that shroud is a bowl of white roses. That is present as Lindsey Graham's desk. It's difficult to believe that Lindsey Graham is no longer here with us. That we won't run into him at a media day or share a joke with him at this afternoon's vote. The halls of the Senate already feel empty without him, and I know I'm not alone in that feeling. He was a friend to so many of us on both sides of the aisle." KAGAN RECALLS LINDSEY GRAHAM'S VOTE THAT HELPED SEAL HER SUPREME COURT CONFIRMATION One of my favorite interactions with Lindsey came in 2022 at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute in Boston, where an exact replica of the U.S. Senate chamber had been erected. There I hosted a debate between Bernie Sanders and Lindsey Graham, who were fierce ideological rivals, but who shared that common chord of civility and respect. I remember well Lindsey’s opening remarks: "This place is awesome!" he declared, looking around the senate chamber replica. He explained, "We’re here to honor Ted and Orrin—Ted Kennedy and Orrin Hatch, who were great friends. They fought like tigers, but they could work together. And I have a different take on things than Bernie, but I like Bernie." I was struck by Lindsey’s reference to Kennedy and Hatch. They were lions in the senate, and Lindsey was too, all belonging to an era when legislative disputes did not carry over into personal grudge matches.  People like Lindsey were working toward a return to that idea, and the debate with Sanders was a step in that direction. The debate displayed their differences, but also surprising areas of commonality, such as on gun control. At the end, they were both smiling, and they agreed that the debate had been fun. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Lindsey was a big believer in getting along, no matter what it took. During his short-lived campaign for president in 2015, he noted approvingly how Republican President Ronald Reagan and Democratic Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill met together regularly for drinks at the White House, even though they were on opposite sides. "That’s the first thing I’m going to do as president," he promised. "We’re going to drink more." Those who knew Lindsey understood that one of his great loves was golf. I played with him many times.  Was he a good golfer? Not particularly. But he was extremely fun to play with. He recognized the importance of the game as a social bonding activity. He’d make you feel good to be with him. Which is one of the most important qualities of a golf partner, a friend, and a statesman. It’s a big reason we’ll miss having him in our lives. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FROM BRET BAIER Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58a0a0a12eaf174af7fa57 SEN ELIZABETH WARREN: The housing bill is law without Trump. Families need Congress to keep sprinting te 2026-07-16T09:13:04.050Z SEN ELIZABETH WARREN: The housing bill is law without Trump. Families need Congress to keep sprinting The biggest housing bill in more than 30 years is finally law. For more than two weeks, President Donald Trump refused to sign the bill — not because he had a problem with it, but because he cared so little about the squeeze families are facing that he sat on the bill for so long, it became law without him. President Trump calls the affordability crisis a "hoax" and has called this landmark legislation "minor." But overwhelming numbers of Americans understand that the affordability and housing crises are anything but minor. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is an important step toward doing something about it. This new law establishes powerful federal incentives to get communities across the country to build more housing. It removes outdated rules, so that housing can be built more quickly. It makes it cheaper to build manufactured housing. CONGRESS EYES RARE BIPARTISAN HOUSING WIN WITH OR WITHOUT TRUMP'S HELP The bill also stops private equity from buying up single-family homes. For years, I’ve been raising the alarm about private equity taking over industries, stripping them for parts, and running businesses into the ground. Congress had never before held private equity accountable for anything. That changed with the passage of this major bipartisan bill. Nearly 90% of voters support this law, and it wouldn’t have happened without the leadership of Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., mayors across the country, and everyone who helped push it across the finish line. There is much more we need to do to lower housing prices. I’ve proposed dozens of additional ideas, from ending tax benefits for private equity landlords to making more investments to build housing, and we should start moving forward on them. This legislation is proof that when faced with a crisis this severe, even with a disinterested president, Congress can act. But the affordability crisis doesn’t end with housing. So rather than pat ourselves on the back, it’s time to start sprinting. Let’s start by capping credit card interest rates at 10% — something President Trump promised to do last January. Nearly two-thirds of Americans across party lines support this. Families have already paid $368 million every single day for Trump’s broken promise. They cannot afford to wait a day longer. STEVE MOORE: POLITICIANS ARE BLAMING THE WRONG VILLAIN FOR AMERICA’S RISING FOOD PRICES Let’s tackle grocery costs — the No. 1, week after week, financial pressure for families. Dominant corporations across the highly consolidated food industry, from beef to eggs, have been caught engaging in anticompetitive tactics that are driving up grocery prices. Democrats and Republicans support cracking down on grocery store price gouging. Congress can give antitrust regulators more tools to crack down on unfair pricing by major food corporations. And my Price Gouging Prevention Act, which builds on price gouging laws in dozens of red and blue states, would do just that. Let’s take on the crushing burden of health care costs. Trump and Republicans have ripped health care away from millions, and Democrats will keep fighting to reverse those devastating cuts. But voters want more. President Trump and Health Secretary Kennedy say they don’t want Americans paying more than the rest of the world for prescription drugs? Let’s pass legislation to get it done. Another area of bipartisan agreement? Cracking down on giant corporations that gobble up every part of our health care system — from insurers to pharmacy benefit managers to your doctor’s office — and then jack up prices. My bipartisan Break Up Big Medicine Act would address rampant consolidation and help make health care more affordable. SANDERS-AOC BACKED PROGRESSIVE DEBUTS FEDERAL $25 MINIMUM WAGE BILL WITH COALITION OF 100+ ORGANIZATIONS Another idea that is popular with the vast majority of Americans is lifting the Social Security payroll tax cap to save Social Security for the next generation. With prices skyrocketing, the last thing seniors need is their benefits slashed in 2032 if Congress fails to act. Majorities of Democrats, Republicans, and independents favor eliminating the payroll tax cap so the wealthiest Americans contribute the same percentage of their income as a factory worker or a firefighter. I am working on bipartisan legislation to get this done. We should also act to increase wages — starting with raising the minimum wage. Under President Trump, inflation is at its highest level in three years, which means more and more families who work full-time jobs earning the minimum wage still live in poverty. Meanwhile, Congress has sat on its hands for almost 20 years. Across the country, more than 80% of Democrats, independents, and Republicans think the current federal minimum wage is too low. They’re right. It’s decades past time for Congress to act. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION The skyrocketing cost of child care is another concern for Americans across party lines. A whopping 82% of voters say federal child care funding would help lower costs. We should cap the cost of child care at no more than 7% of income, expand child care supply, and boost wages for child care workers. There are so many more ideas to address the affordability crisis that Democrats, Republicans, and independent voters support — like investing in domestic drug manufacturing, stopping data centers from driving up electricity bills, and taking on corporate profiteering across the economy. With ROAD to Housing, we’ve proven that Congress can act to lower costs. Now it’s time to build on the housing law’s momentum and make life more affordable for all Americans. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM SEN. ELIZABETH WARREN Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58a08ca12eaf174af7fa4e CHAD WOLF: Canada can't expect free trade while leaving our northern border vulnerable te 2026-07-16T09:12:44.594Z CHAD WOLF: Canada can't expect free trade while leaving our northern border vulnerable The longest international border in the world has a security problem, and Canada is not treating it with the urgency it deserves. Recently, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin laid out a sobering picture of how people from 78 nations have been apprehended crossing the northern border. U.S. agents are now arresting a terrorist on the watch list nearly every week at the northern border, and over the past year alone, enough fentanyl to kill 17 million Americans has been seized coming through Canada. Cartel organizations, squeezed by the intensified enforcement operations and physical infrastructure along our southern border, are pivoting north. Federal prosecutors have unsealed a string of recent cases documenting organized smuggling networks operating directly through the northern border. They are the front edge of a corridor that cartels and transnational criminal organizations are actively developing. CANADA'S PRIME MINISTER REFERS TO US ECONOMIC TIES AS A WEAKNESS Congressional Republicans are rightly raising the alarm, holding hearings and pressing Canada for action. And the Trump administration is recognizing exactly what leverage it holds. On July 1, the United States declined to renew the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in its current form, opting instead for annual reviews until the agreement expires in 2036. Ottawa and Mexico City wanted the 16-year extension. Washington said no. Canada's economy is deeply woven into American markets. Roughly $900 billion in trade moves across this border every year. Canada wants predictability and a long-term framework. The Trump administration holds the pen. Canada has long been a country that enjoys open access to American markets while keeping its own rigorously walled off. Canada’s bad trade behavior must be called out. ALBERTA SEPARATISTS SAY THEY HAVE ENOUGH SIGNATURES FOR REFERENDUM ON LEAVING CANADA Canada's dairy supply management system often functions as a government-sanctioned cartel, setting production quotas, controlling prices and throttling foreign competition behind tariff walls that can exceed 200%. U.S. dairy producers have filed repeated USMCA dispute complaints over Canada's manipulation of tariff-rate quotas, arguing that Ottawa deliberately underfills import access in ways that violate the agreement's terms. Canada's illicit cigarette market is one of the most sophisticated contraband networks in North America, and it runs directly through the same corridors being used to move hard drugs and people. When law enforcement executed Manitoba's largest drug bust in history in May 2026, police found 1.35 million contraband cigarettes sitting in the same evidence locker. Investigators with decades of experience tracing illicit tobacco networks have noted that contraband cigarette revenues are a consistent funding stream for the same organized crime networks moving fentanyl south. Ottawa has known for years that the illicit tobacco pipeline and the drug pipeline share infrastructure, financing and personnel. The enforcement response has not matched the scale of the problem. NEW MEXICO AG LAUNCHES CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION INTO DEA OVER ALLEGATIONS AGENTS LET FENTANYL FLOOD STATE In telecommunications, Canada has maintained legislative restrictions on foreign ownership for its Big Three carriers since 1993. Bell, Telus and Rogers operate in a market legally shielded from American or other foreign competition, producing some of the highest wireless prices in the developed world for Canadian consumers. American telecom companies cannot meaningfully compete in Canada. That door swings in only one direction. The same dynamic governs Canadian aviation. Roughly 78% of domestic Canadian flights are operated by Air Canada or WestJet, with foreign carriers locked out by restrictions that prevent American airlines from serving routes within Canada. Canada's own Competition Bureau has recommended opening the market. Ottawa has not acted. This is the pattern: Canada extracts the benefits of a rules-based trade relationship with the United States while maintaining sector-by-sector protections that no serious economic partner would defend. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION The northern border is becoming a genuine national security concern, and Canada has neither the resources nor the political urgency to treat it as one on its own. The Trump administration is direct about the trajectory. What happened on the southern border, where cartels have immense power and control nearly every crossing point, will come north unless the cooperation deepens and hardens fast. The Trump administration has made it plain that a new USMCA framework, and the trade certainty Canada badly wants, is available. The price is serious border enforcement, real resources, closed loopholes on small-package drug shipments and accelerated passage of the legal tools Canadian law enforcement needs. Trade sectors that have operated as protected monopolies for decades should be on the table too. Canada is a close ally and the relationship is worth protecting. But close allies do not get permanent exemptions from accountability, especially when fentanyl is flowing, cartels are scouting, and the border remains vulnerable. The United States has leverage. The question is, will Canada finally take action. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM CHAD WOLF Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58a079a12eaf174af7fa45 MORNING GLORY: I asked Trump if he was prepared to remove Iran’s new leaders te 2026-07-16T09:12:25.144Z MORNING GLORY: I asked Trump if he was prepared to remove Iran’s new leaders "Can you or the American military or the Israeli military get to what’s left of their third string and their fourth string and their fifth string? Do you know where they are? Can you kill them?" I posed those questions to President Donald Trump Monday, July 13. "Yeah, I do, but we don’t want to talk about that," the president replied. TRUMP SAYS HE LEFT INSTRUCTIONS TO 'BOMB' IRAN 'AT LEVELS' NEVER SEEN IF HE IS ASSASSINATED "But we certainly are watching, yeah," he added. "I know a lot about that subject. I know a lot, but I don’t think it’s appropriate to talk about it right now." Trump’s restraint about clearing the bench of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is interesting. The public faces of the rump regime in Iran — President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi — don’t have any authority over the killers with the guns. (Trump puts the number of Iranians massacred by the regime over two days in January at 52,000, so we know the ruthlessness of the men in charge.) When the campaign against Iran by the U.S. and Israel opened on February 28, those strikes devastated the first and second tiers of "leadership" in Iran. Pezeshkian and Araghchi were not important enough to be in the command bunkers. TRUMP CALLS TERRORIST IRANIAN A ‘CANCER.’ IS HE FINALLY THE ONE TO REMOVE IT? Sixty-eight-year-old Ahmad Vahidi emerged from the wreckage and his "retirement" after the wipeout of the senior leadership of the Islamic Republic to take command of the IRGC. Imagine how utterly ruthless a benched and passed-over killer must be, and how many grudges he must hold against those who put him out to pasture in the first place. Eli Lake is among the most respected national security reporters in the U.S. On Tuesday, July 14, Lake wholly agreed with what Trump told me Monday: It is unrealistic to expect the Iranian people to rise up only months after such a traumatic mass murder. Instead, Lake explained, students of the history of regime collapses tell us we ought to be watching for splits within the ranks of the men with guns. That’s how revolutions against dictators and their henchmen at the top begin and then gain momentum. The lower levels of security services or a cadre within the military become unwilling to join in the killing anymore. They see the end game and they don’t want to be around or on the wrong side when everything falls apart. Sometimes they flee. Sometimes they turn the weapons on the top men. When that begins, Lake added, it can accelerate quickly. US CLAWS BACK KEY CONCESSION TO IRAN AFTER FRESH ATTACKS ON COMMERCIAL SHIPS IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ With the first Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) torn up by the IRGC, all bets were off. I’ve called the MOU the equivalent of "halftime" in the battle with Iran since it was inked, but was surprised when the rump regime came out of its locker room first and began shooting at ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iran received a thin lifeline of oil revenue from the MOU when we lifted the blockade. The blockade is back, as are the bombings. If the president does indeed ratchet up the air campaign, the already tattered Iranian economy will struggle to meet basic needs. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION The suffering of the population doesn’t matter to Vahidi et al. They can loot the country (and will) and assign whatever imports are getting in to themselves, just as the Hamas terrorists did in Gaza. They may be living underground, but the IRGC bosses won’t be hungry. The vast masses of Iranians know the truth — though they dare not speak it. But if even a handful of colonels or even junior officers decide the time has come for them to rule and save the country (and themselves), they can act. If they succeed, they can shrug off the awful burden of "Twelver" theology and rule as normal juntas rule: with absolute power but without making war on the world. It only takes a few people to crack the whole of the IRGC tyranny. Trump says to the public that he isn’t going to rush that takeover. But who knows what he and the Israelis see and hear courtesy of their intelligence communities. The allies certainly had all the information they needed on February 28. Don’t doubt that they have more and add to their collection every day. 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/6a58a065a12eaf174af7fa3c Inflation Cools More Than Expected As Consumer Prices Fall In June te 2026-07-16T09:12:05.682Z Inflation Cools More Than Expected As Consumer Prices Fall In June By Ethan Faverino | Consumer prices declined on a month-to-month basis in June while annual inflation continued to moderate, according to the Joint Economic Committee’s latest Monthly Inflation Update. The report found that the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), the government’s primary measure of inflation, fell 0.42% from May to June. On an annual basis, consumer prices were 3.53% higher than in June 2025, down from the 4.25% year-over-year inflation rate recorded in May. Core inflation, which excludes the more volatile food and energy categories, also eased. Core CPI declined 0.02% during June and increased 2.59% over the past 12 months, marking a slowdown from the previous month’s annual rate of 2.85%. Energy prices were a major factor in the monthly decline. The energy index fell 5.71% in June after increasing 3.88% in May. Despite the monthly decrease, energy prices remained 15.70% higher than a year ago. Food prices continued to rise modestly, increasing 0.21% during the month and 3.01% over the past year. Inflation continued to vary across the country. The Northeast recorded the highest annual headline inflation rate at 4.3%, followed by the Midwest at 3.8%. The South and West each posted annual inflation rates of 3.2% The June report also showed that workers experienced modest gains in purchasing power as inflation-adjusted wages increased. Real average weekly earnings for all private-sector employees rose 0.77% from May, while real average hourly earnings increased 0.80%. For production and nonsupervisory employees, real average weekly earnings increased 0.55% and real average hourly earnings rose 0.81%. The Joint Economic Committee noted that “real” earnings reflect wages after adjusting for inflation making them a better indicator of workers’ purchasing power. Weekly earnings are considered a more comprehensive measure of income because they account for changes in both hourly pay and hours worked. The report also showed inflation came in below expectations. According to forecasts from the Cleveland Federal Reserve, economists had projected monthly headline inflation of a 0.06% decline and annual inflation of 3.92%. Instead, headline CPI fell 0.42% in June and the annual rate registered 3.53%, indicating inflation cooled more than anticipated. Compared with June 2025, annual inflation remained elevated but continued its gradual moderation. Headline inflation stood at 3.53%, food inflation at 3.01%, core inflation at 2.59%, and energy prices remained the fastest-growing component, rising 15.70% over the past year despite their sharp monthly decline. Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link. The post Inflation Cools More Than Expected As Consumer Prices Fall In June first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58a051a12eaf174af7fa33 Hobbs Signs Executive Order Barring State Employees From Profiting Off Prediction Markets te 2026-07-16T09:11:45.204Z Hobbs Signs Executive Order Barring State Employees From Profiting Off Prediction Markets By Matthew Holloway | Gov. Katie Hobbs has signed an executive order prohibiting Arizona executive branch employees from using nonpublic government information to profit through prediction markets. The governor signed Executive Order 2026-02 last week, directing covered state employees to refrain from disclosing or using information obtained through public service to earn profits, avoid financial losses, or help another person or organization financially benefit from prediction-market transactions. Violations may result in dismissal, other employment sanctions, or referral to law enforcement, according to the order. “Arizonans deserve a state government that works for them, not one where insiders exploit public service for their own gain,” Hobbs said. “I’m proud to set clear, commonsense ethical standards on prediction markets to hold our government accountable. Public service is a privilege, and we will not tolerate anybody abusing that privilege to line their own pockets.” Prediction markets allow participants to trade contracts tied to the outcome of future events, including elections, government actions, military operations, weather, sporting events, and economic developments. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission describes event contracts as swaps that are often structured around yes-or-no outcomes. Their prices reflect market expectations, and contracts typically provide a fixed payout, usually $1, when the selected outcome occurs. Hobbs’ order designates as confidential any nonpublic information obtained by covered executive branch workers that could be used to profit or avoid a loss through a prediction market. That provision corresponds with Arizona’s conflict-of-interest law, ARS §38-504(B), which prohibits public officers and employees from using appropriately designated confidential information for personal profit during their government service and for two years afterward. The law also prohibits the unauthorized disclosure or use of information declared confidential by law. The order covers employees and officers of the Governor’s Office, executive departments, state agencies and offices, and most state boards and commissions. Its definition excludes agencies headed by a single independently elected state official, the Arizona Corporation Commission, and boards or commissions established by ballot measure during or after the November 1998 general election. Hobbs encouraged other statewide elected officials, independent boards and commissions, and the legislative and judicial branches to establish comparable policies for their employees. The order does not create an independent legal claim or remedy and cannot serve as the basis for challenging an action or inaction by a state agency, officer, or employee. It also states that the policy does not alter existing agency powers or override state or federal laws, regulations, or court orders. The governor cited recent reports and a federal criminal case involving alleged use of government information to place wagers on military operations. The U.S. Department of Justice announced in April that Army soldier Gannon Ken Van Dyke had been indicted for allegedly using classified information concerning a planned military operation in Venezuela to make wagers on Polymarket. Federal prosecutors alleged that Van Dyke participated in planning “Operation Absolute Resolve,” a U.S. operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, and placed approximately $33,034 in wagers while possessing nonpublic information about the mission. Van Dyke allegedly profited approximately $409,881 after contracts concerning Maduro’s removal and the presence of U.S. forces in Venezuela resolved in Van Dyke’s favor. Prosecutors charged Van Dyke with violations of the Commodity Exchange Act, wire fraud, and conducting an unlawful monetary transaction. The charges remain allegations, and no conviction was reported in the Justice Department’s announcement. In March, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes filed 20 criminal charges against KalshiEx LLC and Kalshi Trading LLC, the companies behind the Kalshi prediction-market platform. Mayes alleged that the companies operated an unlicensed gambling business and unlawfully accepted wagers on elections. In May, U.S. District Judge Michael Liburdi granted the Commodity Futures Trading Commission a preliminary injunction barring Arizona from enforcing its gambling laws through criminal or civil actions involving event contracts listed on CFTC-regulated designated contract markets. Liburdi found that the federal government was likely to succeed on its claim that the Commodity Exchange Act preempts Arizona’s gambling laws in that context. Hobbs’ order took effect immediately upon signing and will remain in force until it is repealed, replaced, or rescinded by a future executive order. 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 Hobbs Signs Executive Order Barring State Employees From Profiting Off Prediction Markets first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58a03ca12eaf174af7fa2a Petersen Widens Lead To 15 Points Over Glassman In Latest Attorney General Poll te 2026-07-16T09:11:24.724Z Petersen Widens Lead To 15 Points Over Glassman In Latest Attorney General Poll By Matthew Holloway | Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen (R-LD14) has widened his lead over attorney Rodney Glassman in the Republican primary for attorney general according to a new statewide poll released by NextGen Polling. The survey found Petersen leading Glassman 43.4 percent to 28.2 percent, with 28.5 percent of likely Republican primary voters undecided. The poll was conducted July 8-9 among 1,707 likely voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points. Petersen’s advantage increased from approximately six points in a June survey conducted by the same firm. That poll placed Petersen at 25.8 percent and Glassman at 19.5 percent, while 54.6 percent of respondents remained undecided. ATTORNEY GENERAL JUNE 18TH: Petersen: 26% (+6%) Glassman: 20% JULY 9TH: Petersen: 43% (+15%) Glassman: 28% The most genuinely competitive race of the five down-ballot contests, but @votewarren's structural depth means he has a floor that Glassman cannot easily breach. Glassman… pic.twitter.com/QrZb1us5VB — NextGen Polling (@NextGenPolling) July 9, 2026 Between the two surveys, Petersen’s support increased by nearly 18 percentage points, while Glassman gained approximately nine points. The undecided share fell by more than 26 points. “This race proves again that Arizona voters continue to reject political charlatans who attempt to buy their seats in public office,” Petersen said in a statement released by his campaign. “I am truly grateful for the trust voters have placed in my candidacy for Attorney General. These polls demonstrate that Republicans understand we need a candidate who can defeat liberal Kris Mayes in November.” Petersen’s campaign pointed to Glassman’s spending advantage while announcing the polling results. Campaign finance data compiled by Transparency USA through March 31 showed Glassman reporting nearly $284,000 in expenditures, compared with approximately $107,000 by Petersen, a ratio of about 2.7-to-1. The same records showed Glassman reporting more than $2.3 million in contributions and Petersen reporting approximately $1.2 million. Those figures cover activity through the end of March and do not include spending during the final months of the primary campaign. The July 21 primary will determine which Republican advances to face Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes in the Nov. 3 general election. Mayes is seeking a second term and faces no opposition in the Democratic primary. Petersen and Glassman have centered much of their campaign on their respective qualifications to oversee the Attorney General’s Office and their ability to defeat Mayes in November. Petersen represents Legislative District 14 and has served as president of the Arizona Senate since 2023. He earned his law degree from Arizona State University in 2019 and was admitted to the State Bar of Arizona in December 2023. Glassman is a private attorney, former Tucson City Council member, and lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He was the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2010 and has since sought several offices as a Republican, including attorney general in 2022 and the Arizona Corporation Commission in 2018. Both candidates have said they would place greater emphasis on working with law enforcement, prosecuting crime, addressing border security, and cooperating with the Trump administration. A May primary debate between the candidates focused heavily on their legal experience and political records. 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 Petersen Widens Lead To 15 Points Over Glassman In Latest Attorney General Poll first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a589ffca12eaf174af7fa0e Trump Administration Argues for Fencing Off Park Next to White House te 2026-07-16T09:10:20.732Z Trump Administration Argues for Fencing Off Park Next to White House The Commission of Fine Arts is set to consider the administration’s proposal regarding Lafayette Square Park, which has been the site of numerous protests. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58945ba12eaf174af7f7a0 Ask The Vet: Managing concerns about recent screwworm outbreak te 2026-07-16T08:20:43.401Z Ask The Vet: Managing concerns about recent screwworm outbreak Q: I have recently heard about Screwworm in the news. Should I be worried about this with my pet? Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a588d3da12eaf174af7f62f Follow the vote live at HavasuNews.com on Election Night te 2026-07-16T07:50:21.708Z Follow the vote live at HavasuNews.com on Election Night Voters will head to the polls Tuesday, July 21, and Today's News-Herald will provide live, comprehensive coverage throughout Election Day and into the evening as results begin to roll in. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5883f2a12eaf174af7f466 Two families sue North Dakota hospital on allegations babies were switched at birth te 2026-07-16T07:10:42.573Z Two families sue North Dakota hospital on allegations babies were switched at birth Two families are suing a North Dakota hospital, alleging hospital staff mistakenly switched two baby boys at birth more than 36 years ago. Kyle Bylin and Jeremy Morrison were the only two babies born at Unity Medical Center in Grafton, North Dakota, on Jan. 26, 1988, the men and their families said in the lawsuit, according to KVLY. Christian Unity Hospital Corporation, doing business as Unity Medical Center, was named as the defendant. The plaintiffs allege hospital staff switched the infants and sent them home with the other child’s biological parents, the outlet reported. The two men were then raised by each other’s biological families, allegedly without anyone's knowledge. The lawsuit says the switch was not discovered for more than 36 years. FAMILY OF TODDLER FOUND ALIVE IN MORGUE AFTER BEING DECLARED DEAD PLANS LEGAL ACTION Two years ago, Morrison, who now lives in Colorado, took a DNA test and learned the parents who raised him were not his biological parents. Morrison told KKTV that his aunt provided DNA, and Bylin matched as her nephew. Morrison said he does not have any cousins. Morrison told the outlet that he always felt different from the family he grew up with. "I didn't have anyone that looked like me in my family," Morrison said. "I was that blonde-haired kid that stood out in a family full of brown-haired people." "I know I definitely wouldn't be here in Colorado today if I went home with the right parents," he said. "I would have been working the farm with my older brother that I never knew I had." Both sets of parents have met their biological sons, but the two men have not met each other, according to KKTV. DNA FROM SODA BOTTLE ALLEGEDLY LINKS MASSACHUSETTS WOMAN TO 1985 MURDER OF 'BABY BOY DOE' Unity Medical Center denied the allegations and asked the court to dismiss the case with prejudice. Attorneys for the hospital argued that its staff "possessed and exercised the appropriate degree of skill and learning" and "at all times used reasonable care, judgment, and diligence," according to KVLY. The hospital also claims the lawsuit may be prohibited by the statute of limitations, pointing to "the length of time that has passed between the alleged incident and the service of this lawsuit." The plaintiffs are seeking more than $50,000 in damages and have asked for a jury trial. The hospital also raised comparative fault as a defense, arguing that damages, if any, could be attributable to parties other than the hospital. The hospital has also demanded a jury trial. Unity Medical Center said in a statement to KKTV that it is "currently working to better understand a highly unusual situation involving two men who apparently were separated from their biological parents at some point during their lives," adding: "Both men were born at our hospital on the same day in 1988, and we recognize the profound impact this discovery has had on them and their families." "Unfortunately, because of the passage of nearly four decades, the medical and staffing records that might have provided additional clarity no longer exist, and no members of the delivery team from that time are still employed by the hospital," the statement continued. "While we deeply sympathize with the men and their families, we have found no evidence to support claims that Unity Medical Center or its staff were responsible for what occurred." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a586c83a12eaf174af7ede0 ICE arrests record 238 illegal immigrants in one day during South Texas enforcement operation te 2026-07-16T05:30:43.980Z ICE arrests record 238 illegal immigrants in one day during South Texas enforcement operation U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced Tuesday that its Harlingen, Texas, field office, working with law enforcement partners, arrested 238 illegal immigrants in a single-day operation that the agency said set a record for targeted arrests in the Rio Grande Valley. ICE said the arrests marked the highest number of targeted arrests in a single day for Enforcement and  Removal Operations Harlingen. The June 18 operation resulted in the arrests of illegal immigrants with convictions including attempted kidnapping, sexual battery and drug possession, according to the agency. BIDEN JUDGE OVERRULED ON KEY TRUMP IMMIGRATION POLICY "The ICE mission continues to focus on enhancing public safety and restoring integrity to our nation’s immigration system," ICE Harlingen Field Office Director Juan Agudelo said in a statement. "We will stop at nothing to keep our American communities safe by removing one criminal illegal alien at a time," he added. The arrests come as the Trump administration continues its crackdown on illegal immigration and seeks to remove criminal illegal immigrants from communities across the country. ABIGAIL SPANBERGER’S VIRGINIA A ‘HOTBED’ FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CRIME, DHS SAYS AFTER LATEST RAPE CHARGE Among those arrested was Manuel Morales-Geronimo, a Mexican national whom authorities identified as a Paisas gang member. Morales-Geronimo was previously convicted of assault causing bodily injury, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, driving while intoxicated, illegal entry into the United States and three counts of illegal reentry, according to ICE. Jose Alfredo Castillo-Mendoza, also a Mexican national, was arrested during the operation. According to ICE, he was previously convicted of attempted kidnapping, sexual battery and illegal reentry. ICE AGENTS INSTRUCTED TO END MOST VEHICLE STOPS IN MAJOR POLICY SHIFT The announcement came the same day President Donald Trump pushed back on a reported DHS move to pause most ICE traffic stops, calling them "one of ICE's most important and effective Crime Fighting tools." The reported pause followed scrutiny over recent fatal encounters involving immigration enforcement traffic stops. In a social media post, Trump wrote, "We CANNOT give up one of ICE's most important and effective Crime Fighting tools, THE TRAFFIC STOP!" The president added that the DHS policy shift would be "playing right into the criminal’s [sic] hands." Fox News Digital's Peter Pinedo contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5860b4a12eaf174af7e531 5 cyclospora cases reported in Pima County te 2026-07-16T04:40:20.620Z 5 cyclospora cases reported in Pima County Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a585c2fa12eaf174af7e452 Lindsey Graham’s final act reverberates in Senate as sister is urged to “keep pedaling" te 2026-07-16T04:21:03.682Z Lindsey Graham’s final act reverberates in Senate as sister is urged to “keep pedaling" It was 2:35 am et Sunday. The phone rang, yanking me out of deep slumber. Calls like these are never good. In the split second before I answered the phone, my mind traveled to the obvious place for any journalist who covers Capitol Hill and gets a call at that hour. LINDSEY GRAHAM, SOUTH CAROLINA SENATOR WHO ROSE FROM SMALL-TOWN ROOTS TO GOP POWER BROKER, DIES AT 71 Surely it was about former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). McConnell has been out of service and nowhere to be found for weeks — after being hospitalized with an unspecified illness. The internet was rife with conspiracy theories and conjecture. And, considering the dearth of information, I suspected the worst. My longtime colleague Jodie Curtis was on the line when I picked up. Jodie is a senior figure at Fox, forced into weekend overnight assignment editor duty because of an illness. Jodie calling to tell me that Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) was dead. "Graham?" I asked incredulously. "Not McConnell?" Emerging from my stupor, I instinctively presumed this might be about the infirm, Kentucky Republican. You’d have better odds presuming that overnight call was about McConnell than hitting an exacta wheel at Churchill Downs. My instincts immediately kicked in. What if this was psy-ops by the Russians, Chinese or Iranians. A rouse. A hoax. A hack. I told my colleague to just wait a moment while we confirmed. It would be easy to get this wrong. Back in the 1990s, lawmakers "killed" comedian Bob Hope on the House floor, prematurely announcing his death during special orders speeches. Yours truly – and everyone else in Washington – prematurely reported the death of the late Rep. Stephanie Tubbs-Jones (D-OH). She suffered from a catastrophic brain aneurism. Yet after they removed the Congresswoman from life support, she continued to live for a few hours before dying. However, it became clear that Lindsey Graham was indeed dead. I was quickly on the air. When asked about the shock of Graham passing, I invoked a Native American adage: Death comes. And it’s always out of season. Lindsey Graham was gone. But who would succeed him on Capitol Hill? Think all in the family. At least for now. Sens. Katie Britt (R-AL) and Tim Scott (R-SC) both implored the late senator’s kid sister Darline Graham to follow her brother. President Trump believed it would be a fitting tribute to the senator. So did South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) – who was in charge the appointment. "It’s my honor to ask his sister to finish his work now," said McMaster. Darline Graham is a political neophyte. Lindsey Graham adopted his sister after their parents died – and Darline was a teenager. "Lindsey has always been there for me. And now I will be there for him," said now Sen. Darline Graham (R-SC). Lindsey Graham was his sister’s caretaker. Now she’s the caretaker of his Senate seat until January. But who’s next? South Carolina has a small Congressional delegation. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) quickly excluded himself from the immediate running, noting the importance of remaining in the House. Plucking one of South Carolina’s House GOP members and appointing them to the Senate is a problem for the narrow Republican majority. The Constitution bars appointments to the House. So McMaster would have diminished the GOP’s slim majority had he picked a House member to fill in for Lindsey Graham. It would take months to conduct a special election to fill the vacant House seat. Appointing Darline Graham solves that problem. Reps. Russell Fry (R-SC), Nancy Mace (R-SC) and Ralph Norman (R-SC) are all interested in running for the full term. South Carolina will hold a snap primary in mid August. The winner will face Democrat Annie Andrews in November. Lindsey Graham had just secured the Republican nomination for a fifth term last month. President Trump’s influence will play an outsized role in who gets the nod. He’s already singled out Fry. But the election will look a little different this fall. November will mark the first time since the mid-1950s that either Lindsey Graham or late, legendary Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-SC) isn’t on the ballot in the Palmetto State. The Senate met for the first time Monday afternoon since Graham’s passing. "Lord, we remember with gratitude his commitment to the responsibilities entrusted to him and the many ways he sought to serve the people of this country. Give comfort, strength and peace to his family, friends, colleagues and all who mourn his passing," prayed Senate Chaplain Barry Black. The Senate shrouded Graham’s desk with a black cloak. A bouquet of white roses rested on the desk, signifying a new beginning without a Senate titan. "The halls of the Senate already feel empty without him," said Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD). 'THIS IS NOT NORMAL': AOC UNLOADS ON MCCONNELL'S PROLONGED ABSENCE Well wishers left notecards and flowers outside Graham’s office in the Russell Senate Office Building. Senators praised Graham’s tenacity. "He didn't want to just argue about things. He wanted to actually solve things," said Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) on Fox. Even until the end. Over the weekend, Graham appeared to forge a deal on a Russia sanctions measure. "This could be well, this could well be the end of the war in Ukraine. It could put all the pressure on Russia to finally end their illegal war of aggression," predicted Sen. Angus King (I-ME). Lindsey Graham first won a seat in Congress in 1994 as part of the "Republican Revolution." That’s the historic class which flipped control of the House for the first time in 40 years. Graham and Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) are the only members from that 1994 class still serving in Congress. Graham earned a national profile barely four years after arriving in Washington. House GOP leaders tapped Graham to serve as one of the House "managers," prosecuting articles of impeachment for President Clinton in the Senate. "Impeachment is not about punishment," argued Graham before the Senate in January, 1999. "Impeachment is about cleansing the office." Three years after that, Graham left the House. He became one of 100 in the Senate. But his colleagues conceded that the institution felt hollow at just 99. "I am comforted by the knowledge that in the end, he has just changed his address. And that one day, Mr. President…." said Thune on the floor, pausing for ten seconds. "We will laugh together again." The Leader’s voice then cracked as he fought back tears. "Mr. President, I yield the floor," Thune whispered. By Tuesday afternoon, Darline Graham became the 2,022nd senator in American history. But the first to immediately succeed her brother. "He always said that his greatest accomplishment was the way that Darline turned out," said Britt. "I'm glad that there will be another Sen. Graham and that Darline will serve with us," said Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE). "That'll allow for some continuity." Graham’s passing leaves a Congressional chasm. "It will be difficult to pass anything without Sen. Graham because he's been such a significant voice in the Senate," said Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY). It’s unclear if any of that will fall to the Senate’s newest member. LINDSEY GRAHAM'S SISTER CARRIES ON LATE SENATOR'S WORK, BECOMING SOUTH CAROLINA'S FIRST FEMALE SENATOR Darline Graham joined her brother’s side when he briefly ran for President in 2015. She says Lindsey taught her how to ride a bike while growing up. "He would hold on to the bicycle as I pedaled. And he'd run along beside of me. Give me a big push and shout ‘Keep pedaling! Keep pedaling!’ said the new senator. " And then he was the one who comforted me when I stopped pedaling and fell off the bicycle." Today, Darline Graham is again hopping onto that bicycle to finish Lindsey Graham’s term. You can almost hear the late senator, in his "upstate" twang shouting to his sister "Keep pedaling! Keep pedaling!" Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a585c1ca12eaf174af7e449 Marcello Hernández roasts Jake Paul, Tiger Woods and Bill Belichick in ESPYS monologue te 2026-07-16T04:20:44.232Z Marcello Hernández roasts Jake Paul, Tiger Woods and Bill Belichick in ESPYS monologue The ESPYS brought some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment to New York City on Wednesday night, a day that typically ranks among the slowest on the sports calendar. But this year’s ceremony was preceded by a World Cup semifinal match in Atlanta that was already being described as an instant classic. Lionel Messi and Argentina punched their ticket to a second straight World Cup final with a win over England. The defending champions will meet Spain on Saturday in nearby New Jersey, just a short trip across the Hudson River from where comedian Marcello Hernández opened the ESPYS. The "Saturday Night Live" star wasted little time taking a few jabs at Jake Paul, Tiger Woods and other sports figures. ESPN'S JOHN BUCCIGROSS NAMES HIS MOUNT RUSHMORE OF ALL-TIME SPORTSCENTER ANCHORS "Mike Tyson ripped my watch off. Welcome to the ESPYS!" Hernández joked after making a boxing-style entrance in a robe with Tyson as part of his entourage. "I must say, it's an honor to be here among so many great athletes, and Jake Paul," Hernández began in his roughly 10-minute monologue. Paul appeared to take the joke in stride, laughing and applauding as cameras cut to him in the crowd. Hernández then stayed on the YouTube star-turned-boxer, needling him over his history of fighting older opponents. "Jake, that's just a joke. Don't fight me," Hernández continued. "My dad and my stepdad are both here. They're over 50, and I know that's how you like them. So, fight them instead." Paul kept laughing as Hernández’s bit played out, eventually closing with the comedian shifting attention to his father and stepfather, who were shown in the audience. Hernández later used Caleb Williams’ "Madden 27" cover as a lead into Woods. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "I want to congratulate Caleb Williams, the quarterback for the Chicago Bears, who will be on the cover of the new Madden video game. Congratulations to Caleb," Hernández said, before adding, "And Tiger Woods will be on the cover of Grand Theft Auto." Woods was arrested in Florida in March on charges of DUI after a car crash. The arrest report said a deputy found pain pills in his pocket and observed signs of impairment at the scene. Woods later announced he would take time away from golf to seek treatment. Hernández also worked North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick into the monologue, using the 74-year-old’s relationship with Jordon Hudson as part of a joke about the New York Knicks’ title drought. "The Knicks won their first championship since 1973. And to put into perceptive how long ago that was, in 1973 hockey players didn't wear helmets, basketball had no three point line. And in 1973, Bill Belichick was the age his girlfriend is now." The Knicks later took home the ESPY for Best Team. Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby and other members of the 2025-26 Knicks championship team took the stage to accept the award, but Josh Hart was noticeably absent. Brunson drew laughs when he joked, "I want to say thank you to the ESPYS for pulling Josh Hart’s invite." Earlier in the night Brunson also received the "Best Championship Performance" award. Former NBA player Jason Collins, who died in May at age 47 following a battle with Stage 4 glioblastoma, posthumously received the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage. Former MLB pitcher Jim Abbott received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, while Scott Ruskan was honored with the Pat Tillman Award for Service. The ESPYS are held every summer, bringing together top athletes and other stars to celebrate the best moments from the past year in sports while honoring figures recognized for courage, service and impact. In past years, the ceremony has been held in Los Angeles, but shifted to New York this year. 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/6a5859c0a12eaf174af7e379 Applied Computing wants to give oil and gas operators an AI model for the entire plant te 2026-07-16T04:10:40.389Z Applied Computing wants to give oil and gas operators an AI model for the entire plant Applied Computing has raised a $20M Series A to build a foundation AI model for the oil, gas and petrochemical industry. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5859aca12eaf174af7e370 Lululemon backs nylon recycling startup Syntetica in $30M Series A te 2026-07-16T04:10:20.436Z Lululemon backs nylon recycling startup Syntetica in $30M Series A Syntetica, a French startup that has developed a novel approach to recycling nylon, has already obtained big-name partners and investors. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5852d0a12eaf174af7e213 Arizona Wildcats basketball pipeline impresses at NBA Summer League in Vegas te 2026-07-16T03:41:04.552Z Arizona Wildcats basketball pipeline impresses at NBA Summer League in Vegas San Antonio Spurs forward and University of Arizona alumnus Carter Bryant is looking to build off a rookie season in which he scored 4.2 points and grabbed 2.5 rebounds per game. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a584717a12eaf174af7df51 Louisiana man accused of killing deputy US marshal faces possible death penalty te 2026-07-16T02:51:03.687Z Louisiana man accused of killing deputy US marshal faces possible death penalty A Louisiana man has been charged with murder after allegedly killing a deputy U.S. marshal who was shot while serving an arrest warrant, federal officials announced Tuesday. Multiple law enforcement officers were attempting to serve an arrest warrant related to a prior sexual battery charge when Clarence A. Frazier Jr., 48, of Alexandria, allegedly barricaded himself inside his home and opened fire, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Louisiana. Frazier is charged with the murder of a federal officer and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison or the death penalty if convicted. SUSPECT ALLEGEDLY GUNS DOWN DEPUTY IN AMBUSH DURING ROUTINE CALL THAT ROCKED QUIET TOWN, POLICE SAY Authorities identified the slain deputy U.S. marshal as Drew Hanson, whom officials described as a devoted husband, father and son. "Tragically, the defendant's alleged actions claimed the life of a dedicated law enforcement officer who was simply doing his duty," Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement. "The alleged perpetrator is now in custody and will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law." According to officials, the shooting occurred July 13, after members of the U.S. Marshals Service and the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office located Frazier at his residence and obtained a search warrant for the property. HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICIAL'S KILLING LEAVES AGENCY 'DEVASTATED' AS VETTING BREAKDOWN EXPOSED According to the federal criminal complaint, Frazier had failed to appear in state court to face trial on a charge of sexual battery of a person with infirmities. After announcing their presence, law enforcement officers forced entry into the home, authorities said. Frazier allegedly barricaded himself inside a bedroom and opened fire on the officers, striking Hanson. Following a standoff inside the bedroom, Frazier was taken into custody. Hanson later died from the gunshot wounds he sustained during the exchange of gunfire. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a583dcea12eaf174af7dd5f Caitlin Clark drops F-bombs at official while arguing Fever weren't getting the same whistle as Valkyries te 2026-07-16T02:11:26.724Z Caitlin Clark drops F-bombs at official while arguing Fever weren't getting the same whistle as Valkyries Caitlin Clark has seen enough... The Fever star got in an official's face during Wednesday night's home game against the Golden State Valkyries after a no-call appeared to send her over the edge. On the trip down the floor before the confrontation, Clark drove to the basket and appeared to be shoved by Golden State veteran Kiah Stokes while attempting a layup. No foul was called. CAITLIN CLARK BREAKS WNBA ASSISTS RECORD TO A CHORUS OF BOOS AS VALKYRIES SPOIL THE MILESTONE Moments later, with 4:20 remaining in the second quarter, officials whistled a foul on an Indiana teammate. Clark immediately turned toward the referee, yelling from close range and dropping some F-bombs to argue that the Fever weren’t getting the same whistle at the other end. Despite the heated exchange, Clark was not assessed a technical foul. SARAH SPAIN IS ANGRY AND BITTER THAT CHRISTINE BRENNAN WOULD DARE DEFEND CAITLIN CLARK The rough first half extended beyond the officiating. Clark went into halftime with just two points on 1-of-5 shooting, along with two rebounds and two assists. Before tipoff, Clark acknowledged she would be on a minutes restriction as she continues working her way back from injury under coach Stephanie White's plan. She later headed to the locker room after appearing to limp during the second quarter but returned to the bench before halftime to support her teammates. "Caitlin Clark should've stayed in the locker room. I'm so tired of her," one critic wrote on X. Another added, "Watching Caitlin Clark play is like watching a toddler have a tantrum." During the pregame media session, Clark was asked about handling the constant attention surrounding her. "There's gonna be people that love you, there's gonna be people that hate you. It probably means you're doing something right. None of that really affects me," Clark said. "You know, not every one of you is gonna like me, and I understand that, and you know, that's okay. ... You gotta have thick skin to be in a position like this, and I think I have that too." She added, "I love you guys, but at the end of the day, if you don't like me, my life's still gonna go on." Clark returned to the starting lineup to begin the second half. Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a583dbba12eaf174af7dd56 Trump says Iran released American woman held since 2024 in 'gesture of goodwill' te 2026-07-16T02:11:07.276Z Trump says Iran released American woman held since 2024 in 'gesture of goodwill' President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Iran has released an American woman who he said was "wrongfully detained" in the country for the past year and a half. She was identified as Iranian-American citizen Dena Karari by her attorney Jared Genser, who confirmed her release to Fox News. She was reportedly accused of espionage over her work with an American nonprofit helping impoverished children. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the woman was detained in December 2024, during the Biden administration and was recently allowed to leave Iran.  "Iran has allowed an American Citizen, who was wrongfully detained in December of 2024 under the ‘presidency’ of Sleepy Joe Biden, to leave the Country," Trump wrote. TRUMP REVIVES HIS DECADES-OLD IRAN WARNING AS US RAMPS UP MILITARY PRESSURE: 'REMARKABLY CONSISTENT' Karari is reportedly now safely outside Iran and in good condition following her release, according to Trump. Her release marks the first time an American has been freed from Iranian custody since 2023, and represents a notable development amid ongoing military confrontations between Washington and Tehran. Following her release, Trump thanked Iran for what he described as a "gesture of goodwill." "The United States of America appreciates this gesture of Goodwill by Iran!" he wrote. TRUMP SAYS IRAN CEASEFIRE IS 'OVER' AFTER IRANIAN ATTACKS TRIGGER MASSIVE US RESPONSE Gesner released a statement shortly after Trump’s announcement, saying she had been "trapped in Iran on bogus charges of collaboration with a hostile state and espionage" but is now on her way back to the United States. According to Genser, Karari was targeted after Iranian authorities linked her to the Children of Mehr Foundation, a U.S.-registered nonprofit that provides books, literacy programs and other humanitarian assistance to impoverished children in rural Iran. Under the regime, affiliations with U.S.-based organizations operating inside Iran are often viewed with heightened suspicion and can lead to accusations of security-related offenses. Genser clarified that Karari was never formally imprisoned but was effectively held in Iran through a "coercive exit ban." She was reportedly interrogated dozens of times by Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) and "suffered enormous physical and psychological hardship." "We urge Iran to drop all the remaining charges against those who worked locally in support of the Children of Mehr Foundation, who are innocent and committed no crimes," Genser said. "And I personally call on Iran to release both all wrongly imprisoned Americans and those subjected to coercive exit bans and all Iranian political prisoners." PENCE COMMENDS TRUMP FOR WINNING FREEDOM OF BEIJING'S ZION CHURCH PASTOR EZRA JIN FROM CHINESE DETENTION Sources previously told Fox News Digital in January 2026 that Iran may have been holding more than eight American citizens and residents in custody, exceeding publicly available data that listed five American hostages in Iran. Two of the current hostages include Kamran Hekmati, a 61-year-old Jewish man held since May 2025, and Reza Valizadeh, a 49-year-old journalist and dual Iranian-American national held since March 2024. A U.S. State Department official previously told Fox News Digital that "President Trump is working to secure the release of detained Americans around the world." "The Iranian regime has a long history of unjustly and wrongfully detaining other countries’ citizens as hostages for use as political leverage. Iran should release these individuals immediately," the official said. US HOSTAGES IN IRAN FACE HEIGHTENED RISK AS PROTESTS SPREAD, EXPERTS SAY NUMBER HELD MAY EXCEED ESTIMATES According to United Against Nuclear Iran, Tehran detains foreign nationals on vague charges and uses them as "bargaining chips" to extract concessions from other countries, such as securing the release of frozen financial assets locked up by international sanctions. Iran has frequently targeted individuals who hold both American and Iranian citizenship, as Tehran does not recognize dual nationality and often treats dual citizens solely as Iranian nationals, limiting their access to U.S. consular assistance, United Against Nuclear Iran said. During the most recent major prisoner exchange in September 2023, the U.S. secured the release of five Americans who had been detained in Iran for years. In exchange, the U.S. approved the transfer of $6 billion in frozen funds. Fox News' Benjamin Weinthal contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5836c4a12eaf174af7d76a Vance warns there will be a 'socialist president in this country' if GOP doesn't fix economy for young people te 2026-07-16T01:41:24.356Z Vance warns there will be a 'socialist president in this country' if GOP doesn't fix economy for young people Vice President JD Vance warned during a Wednesday interview that if Republicans don’t fix the economic missteps of recent decades, young people will elect a socialist president. Podcaster Joe Rogan revealed during his interview with Vance on "The Joe Rogan Experience" that the rise of democratic socialists in politics has left him shaken, declaring, "Those f---ing people scare me." Vance replied by noting that in his book "Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith," he laid out the historic norms of a Christian idea of a political economy that has been lost in recent American politics, one which was the norm throughout most of western history and avoids the pitfalls of totally free markets and socialism. MORNING GLORY: THE VP’S NEW BOOK 'COMMUNION' IS NOT WHAT THE BELTWAY EXPECTED Vance suggested that even if he detests socialism, conservatives should try to understand why young people are drawn to it.  He proceeded to call out how the U.S. in recent decades has "run the experiment where we just try to do everything with low-wage foreigners, whether they're in the United States via illegal immigration or whether they're outside the United States via offshoring and outsourcing. And what it has led to is, I think, a society where socialism is a bit on the rise." "We were left in quite a hole by 40 years of bad policy," Vance said of his work to undo those underlying issues, arguing that the economic crisis of today cannot just be blamed on the previous Democratic administration.  "This is 40 years of failed bipartisan leadership which has created, really, a kind of shell corporation out of the United States of America. We don't make enough of our own stuff. We don't have enough self-reliance. Our workers don't have enough bargaining power. That has led, in a lot of ways, to this kind of socialism fervor. And we have to keep fixing these problems." "Again, I think that we're going in the right direction. Maybe people disagree, but it's going to take years to fix this problem. And if we don't, we are going to end up with a socialist president in this country," he warned. He argued that under President Donald Trump such issues have at least started to reverse. "This idea that nobody should own anything, we should all become renters, whereas what we're trying to do is lower interest rates. You actually have seen housing costs stabilize in the country over the last year and a half, frankly because of immigration," he added further. "We had way too many people going after way too many homes. You close the border. This is one of the reasons why rent and housing costs have stabilized a little bit." 'AMERICAN HOUSES ARE FOR AMERICAN PEOPLE': TRUMP HOUSING CHIEF INSISTS IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN WILL LOWER COSTS "So I think that unless you go down that pathway of allowing young Americans to own something, socialism is the inevitable outcome," he said, noting that while many Republicans can recognize that socialism is bad, they fail to understand what circumstances drove young people toward it. Vance recalled a Thanksgiving conversation with friends that underscored the problem, where an engineer revealed he couldn't afford a home in a safe area. Another friend said his childhood San Diego neighborhood that was once filled with military families is now out of reach even for Marine officers. "We ran the experiment of offshoring all of our industrial jobs, of becoming a services and finance economy and allowing Wall Street to come in and buy every asset of modern life and turn it into an investable, 'line goes up' asset," he warned. "And what has that done? It's created a generation of kids who kind of are attracted to socialism. We have to fix that problem." Vance argued that ironically, the democratic socialists play into the hands of big business when they push for open borders. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "One of the reasons why I'm such an immigration hawk is because it is really important not to flood the country with low-wage immigrants," he said. "This is why I think the DSA types are a little full of s--- when they talk about helping normal people," Vance added, arguing workers have more negotiating power when immigration is restricted. "Corporations care way more about open borders than they do about any other policy the DSA cares about. So while these people say that they're trying to fight for workers, and they're trying to fight for the working man, the actual end result of DSA policy is to flood the country with low-wage immigrants, which will destroy the middle class in this country," he argued. "In fact, we have run this experiment for decades now, and we have a much weaker middle class than we did before it started," Vance said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5836b0a12eaf174af7d761 Joe Flacco went off on Shedeur Sanders for wearing a helmet visor last season: 'You look like an idiot' te 2026-07-16T01:41:04.906Z Joe Flacco went off on Shedeur Sanders for wearing a helmet visor last season: 'You look like an idiot' Somehow, the 2026 NFL season is rapidly approaching, and equally stunning is the fact that it will once again feature Joe Flacco. The 41-year-old is with the Cincinnati Bengals organization after a midseason trade in 2025, but spent training camp and the first part of the season with the Cleveland Browns. That Browns quarterback room was, without question, the most interesting one in football. Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and then the two rookies, Dillon Gabriel and, of course, Shedeur Sanders. Flacco's role with the team was obvious: help the two rookies grow and develop as they learned the ins and outs of playing quarterback at the highest level. NFL COACHES AND EXECUTIVES SAY PATRICK MAHOMES IS NO LONGER THE BEST QUARTERBACK IN THE NFL Both Sanders and Gabriel likely expected Flacco to help them read defenses, recognize blitzes and coverages, navigate a complex playbook, or learn the best ways to recover at the NFL level. But it's doubtful Sanders expected the lesson Flacco wound up giving him on... helmet visors. In a new episode of Netflix's "Quarterback" show, Flacco absolutely went off on Sanders for his choice to wear a helmet visor in practice. Sanders and Gabriel were first adamant that they're practical choices, then asked why they're not useful since they function as an "eye shield." "Yeah, but if you wear a visor, it's for looks," Flacco said. "You think you look sweet. It's that era. I don't want my kids to wear visors either. They all want visors. I'm like, 'Guys, they're just annoying. They're gonna fog up.' "They f***** suck, dude. It's all about look. When I was a kid I wanted a visor too, and then I'm like, 'The visors suck. They don't make sense.'" He wasn't done there. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "I would let them wear it, but I would tell them, 'You're a quarterback, bro, you're f****** wearing a visor? You look like a f***** idiot,'" he added. "If you're a quarterback, you can tell (when) you're trying to look too sweet." Hey, who's going to argue with someone who's been in the NFL since 2008? Well, Sanders, apparently, because he was still wearing one in minicamp ahead of this season. Though this time it was more clear than the mirror-like finish from last season. The Browns and Sanders open their preseason schedule on August 15 against the Bears, before starting the regular season on the road against the Jaguars on September 13. For Flacco and the Bengals, they have the Lions in their preseason opener, before hosting Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, also on September 13. One thing's for certain, Flacco won't be wearing a visor in that game. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58347ea12eaf174af7d522 Arizona Wildcats basketball pipeline impresses at NBA Summer League in Vegas te 2026-07-16T01:31:42.524Z Arizona Wildcats basketball pipeline impresses at NBA Summer League in Vegas “We definitely respect the program there and the players that come through there,” Spurs Summer League coach Corliss Williamson said. “The guys that we have now are definitely a reflection of that.” Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58346aa12eaf174af7d519 Suns double down after overachieving season, commit to depth, youth, culture te 2026-07-16T01:31:22.560Z Suns double down after overachieving season, commit to depth, youth, culture LAS VEGAS – Following a year in which the Suns outperformed their preseason win total projection by 15 games, owner Mat Ishbia vowed that the 2025-26 season marked the first of a new era for the organization. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58342da12eaf174af7d508 What I learned from touring Maricopa County’s election center te 2026-07-16T01:30:21.640Z What I learned from touring Maricopa County’s election center Eric Luoma Early voting has begun across Arizona, and with the arrival of ballots comes questions about how our elections work and the safeguards in place. I recently toured the Maricopa County Tabulation & Elections Center (MCTEC), the facility where machinery is stored and ballots are collected and counted. We learned about the multiple layers of security procedures in place to safeguard the vote, heard how election workers are trained in signature verification for mail-in ballots, and had a direct Q&A session with the county Elections Director. No question was off-limits. There’s so much misinformation about Arizona elections. Many voters may not be aware: Arizona requires every voter to provide valid ID when registering to vote, and to prove their identity at the polls Our state utilizes paper ballots and conducts post-election recounts and audits for accuracy No tabulation machine is ever connected to the Internet Multiple live video feeds from MCTEC are available to the public, allowing viewers to see what’s happening behind-the-scenes Poll workers and ballot-processing observers come from across the political spectrum, including Republicans, Democrats, independents and more Cameras are rolling. Oversight mechanisms are engaged. And representatives of the political parties are watching closely. I toured MCTEC as part of a local group – Pillars of the Community – that has community members from all political perspectives and walks of life, including businesspeople like me. When there isn’t an election underway, the Maricopa County Elections Department hosts regular tours of MCTEC so anyone can see for themselves how the system works and what protections are in place to ensure honest, accurate results. I did that, and I encourage you to do the same. The current dispute about election responsibilities between the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and the County Recorder has generated headlines and, understandably, public concern. That dispute is real and its resolution matters. But this issue should not be confused with the integrity of the election itself. Regardless of how the disagreement is resolved, Arizona elections go on. The professionals of the Elections Department and Recorder’s Office, and the dedicated poll workers who staff vote centers, are doing their jobs. A multitude of protections are in place to safeguard the vote. Early voting has begun. Your vote is being protected. Go cast it with confidence. Eric Luoma is a member of Pillars of the Community, a bipartisan group that seeks to learn about and educate the public regarding election procedures. Eric owns Cactus Flower Florists. The post What I learned from touring Maricopa County’s election center first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a582fcfa12eaf174af7d414 Maher skewers wealthy celebs who preached 'we're all in it together' during COVID as Americans struggled te 2026-07-16T01:11:43.011Z Maher skewers wealthy celebs who preached 'we're all in it together' during COVID as Americans struggled Talk show host Bill Maher blasted celebrities as being comically out of touch during the COVID-19 pandemic on Monday, even as they said they were struggling alongside everyday Americans. On his "Club Random" podcast, Maher talked with his guest, media mogul Byron Allen, about how much they both prefer living in houses rather than even the nicest apartment buildings, where they would have to share walls with other people. "I don't want to speak for all New Yorkers, but they definitely started to agree with us when COVID hit," Allen said, noting that many New Yorkers fled the city during the pandemic for places like Aspen or the Hamptons. Maher said it was a perfect example of how wealthy liberal rhetoric during the pandemic did not match their actual behavior. JEFF FOXWORTHY SAYS HOLLYWOOD HAS NOT UNDERSTOOD REGULAR AMERICANS IN A ‘LONG, LONG TIME’ "You know, that's one of my big bugaboos about COVID, and the people who attack me about COVID, is that the bulls--- of, every time I turned on the TV, it was some version of, ‘We're all in it together,’" he recalled. "No we're not, you f---ing a--holes, you f---ing posers." Maher added that during that time period, "Half of us are getting food delivered by the other half. And you're the half that's sitting home in your pajamas talking about how much we're all in it together." "No, you're going out to the Hamptons. I know you're putting out Instagram political messages about it, and that's awesome," he joked sarcastically. Maher, despite being a left-leaning celebrity himself, has spoken out numerous times about how his fellow liberal celebrities simply cannot connect to the struggles of everyday people and come across as tone-deaf when they try to do so. BILLY BOB THORNTON PUSHES BACK ON CELEBRITY ACTIVISM: ‘I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT POLITICS’ He went on to argue that such celebrities are actually insulated from the issues of regular people and suggested, "If we're really all in it together, I got an idea. How about we take turns about who's working for Grubhub? You know, if we're really all in it together, maybe that should be something that has to get passed around. So, some of us are delivering some of the time instead of some of us delivering all of the time and some of us in our pajamas all the time." One moment from the pandemic that seemed to illustrate that disconnect was when several celebrities, such as Gal Gadot, Will Ferrell, Mark Ruffalo, Pedro Pascal and Natalie Portman, sang John Lennon’s "Imagine."  While the song is widely known for imagining a utopian global "brotherhood of man" with no religion or countries, the lyrics "Imagine there's no heaven" and "Imagine no possessions" were seen as particularly tone-deaf sentiments from the wealthy celebrities, as millions of people were losing loved ones and livelihoods in a global pandemic. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Years later, Gadot commented that, in retrospect, the video was "in poor taste." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a582fbba12eaf174af7d40b Tim Walz offers strange defense for pardoning convicted child rapist Trump admin deported te 2026-07-16T01:11:23.554Z Tim Walz offers strange defense for pardoning convicted child rapist Trump admin deported Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz publicly defended his vote to pardon  a Laotian national who had been under a final removal order after losing legal status following a child-sex-crime conviction convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a 10-year-old girl after the Trump administration deported him to Laos last week. Tou Lue Vang, 42, received a pardon from Minnesota's Board of Pardons on June 10. Last Friday, the Trump administration announced that Vang's legal status had been revoked and that he had been deported to his home country of Laos. Asked about the deportation, Walz questioned what the move accomplished. EXPOSED DOCS REVEAL WHY TIM WALZ BOARD AWARDED REPEAT CHILD RAPIST PARDON: ‘NO FUTURE’ "Did that make us any safer?" Walz said Tuesday, according to KTTC. "Did that make the children that are left behind any more stable?" "Did it improve the idea that we can’t all be judged by our worst day?" he added. "And I want to be very clear," Walz continued. "These are horrific crimes. They often are." ALLEGED CUBAN INFLUENCE OPERATIVE, FAMILY IN FEDERAL CUSTODY AFTER RUBIO REVOKES LEGAL STATUS Walz also said Vang's pardon was not about immigration policy, noting that the Board of Pardons had denied clemency to other applicants facing immigration-related consequences. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Vang's deportation Friday, telling Fox News Digital: "Americans should never have to live in fear that foreign sex predators — shielded from deportation by their own elected officials — could endanger them or their children." "That's why I terminated his legal status in the United States," Rubio continued. "Vang has now been removed from our country and will never pose a threat to any American ever again." ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT SOCCER COACH WHO USED ALCOHOL AND DRUGS TO SEXUALLY ABUSE KIDS LEARNS FATE Fox News Digital previously reported that Vang admitted to repeatedly sexually assaulting a girl over a period of several years beginning when she was 10 years old. Vang entered the United States through California in 1994 and was granted legal status during the Clinton administration. Between 2002 and 2004, he repeatedly sexually assaulted the victim in St. Paul, Minnesota. The first assault occurred when she was in the fourth grade. After his conviction, federal officials said Vang lost legal status and was placed under a final removal order. The Minnesota Clemency Review Commission recommended a pardon for Vang. The Board of Pardons — made up of Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison and Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Natalie Hudson — later granted the pardon. The pardon drew criticism from federal immigration officials and Republican lawmakers. Walz defended the decision by citing the victim’s support for Vang’s pardon, among other factors, according to KSTP. A spokesperson for Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office told MPR News that the pardon did not protect Vang from deportation. At the time, Homeland Security Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis criticized the decision. "Governor Tim Walz's decision to pardon an illegal alien convicted child rapist so he can remain in our country is disgusting," Bis said. "These are the criminal illegal aliens he and his Minnesota sanctuary politicians are protecting," she added. Fox News Digital has reached out to Walz's office for additional comment. Fox News Digital's Peter Pinedo contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a582f7ea12eaf174af7d3e6 Arizona civil rights board quietly shuttered after 61 years te 2026-07-16T01:10:22.636Z Arizona civil rights board quietly shuttered after 61 years Key Points: The Arizona Civil Rights Advisory Board was dissolved on July 1 A bipartisan extension bill died in the Senate despite clearing the House Attorney General Kris Mayes will continue the board’s work informally On July 1, the Arizona Civil Rights Advisory Board was quietly shuttered, more than six decades after the Legislature established it to track civil rights in the Grand Canyon State.  The Republican-controlled Legislature failed to send a bill to Gov. Katie Hobbs’ desk during the legislative session extending the board’s statutory life, effectively killing it.  The abrupt end of a decades-old, oft-forgotten advisory board was largely overshadowed by the larger political battles of the 2026 session. But Attorney General Kris Mayes vowed on July 2 to continue the board as an informal council within her office. “This work is too important to let it go unfinished,” Mayes said in a statement. “For nearly 60 years, Arizonans with different political beliefs and from different backgrounds have volunteered to work collaboratively with their government on civil rights — and my office is committed to making sure that legacy continues, regardless of the decision made by the Legislature this year.” The board was created in 1965 as the Arizona Civil Rights Commission, before being renamed and restructured as an advisory board in 1972 when the Legislature turned the commission into a civil rights division in the Attorney General’s office.  Its original purpose was to investigate civil rights complaints. But since the 1970s, the board has served as the public outreach and research arm of the civil rights division.  Some question the Legislature’s decision.  “The message it sends out is that the input from the community on civil rights is not important,” said Enrique Davis-Mazlum, a board member and state director for the Latino civil rights advocacy group Unidos US.  According to a fiscal year 2027 budget request from Mayes’ office,  the number of civil rights cases assigned to investigators doubled between 2020 and 2025.  The board, commonly referred to as ACRAB, does not investigate those complaints. Rather, it helps the civil rights division conduct outreach and research civil rights violations related to race, gender, sexuality, disability and related issues.  When the board came to the Legislature for its regularly scheduled sunset review this session, Republican lawmakers pushed behind the scenes to repeal it, according to Rep. Stacey Travers, D-Phoenix, and the governor’s office.  But doing so would have jeopardized the civil rights division, which enforces civil rights laws and arbitrates disputes, as the two were inextricably linked in state statute.  “It was one of the few statutes that had a division actually contingent on the board, and there were some concerns that we would lose some federal funding if the division no longer continued to exist,” said Rep. Stacey Travers, D-Phoenix, who sponsored a bill to extend the board’s statutory life.  Travers worked with Republican colleagues in the House to craft an amendment to her bill that bifurcated ACRAB and the civil rights division, ensuring the division would continue to exist even if the board did not.  Her bill would have allowed ACRAB to continue its work for four more years. But it was never granted a hearing in the Senate, despite clearing the House with bipartisan support.  Travers said she heard Senate leadership had asked House leadership not to send the bill over, but never got an explanation as to why the bill was never heard.  “I don’t know why the Arizona State Senate and the President of the Senate would want to slow-walk it in the House and why he wouldn’t hear it in the Senate,” Travers said.  Senate President Warren Petersen, who is currently seeking the Republican nomination for attorney general, did not respond to a request for comment on the bill. Two spokespeople for Senate Republicans and House Republicans did not respond to a request for comment. The budget package passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Katie Hobbs, who appoints ACRAB members, ultimately preserved the civil rights division. Eliminating the board did not save the state any money, as its eight members are unpaid and its executive director also serves as the division’s chief counsel.  Hobbs did not have many answers as to why the board no longer formally exists, blaming it on Republican lawmakers’ dissatisfaction with Mayes.  “We’ve seen a lot of attacks on civil rights and political attacks on the attorney general’s office, given people in the Legislature’s political ambitions, and that is just very unfortunate because Arizonans are who get caught up in the aftermath,” Hobbs said at a press conference on July 10. The Legislature has set its sights on Mayes’ office this year, pushing three bills aimed at undermining her use of public nuisance litigation and consumer fraud actions. Lawmakers also attempted to attach a provision to a Department of Public Safety appropriations bill that would have allowed the department to retain outside counsel rather than rely on Mayes’ office for legal matters. Republicans in the Legislature have also attempted to indiscriminately eliminate state boards and commissions in the wake of President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency initiatives. Davis-Mazlum said lawmakers did not reach out to ACRAB members to better understand their work before shutting it down. “When you feel that something is not working, the best thing to do is invite those that are working directly on it to try to identify what work is being done and what things could be changed to make things better,” Davis-Mazlum said. “It’s more work, and you have to actually think of how to do things better. … The easy way out is to say ‘let’s get rid of it.’” Before ACRAB ceased to exist on July 1, Davis-Mazlum said the board and other community members were organizing a town hall on housing discrimination in Arizona, with the hope of presenting any findings to the Legislature to help guide policymaking decisions. “The work will continue,” Davis-Mazlum said. “Those of us that were part of the board, we all work in different fields and are very passionate about civil rights, so our input is still going to be there.” Mayes’ office has not informed current board members whether they will be kept on as part of her new Community Civil Rights Advisory Council. Davis-Mazlum said she has an opportunity to use the council more effectively as a sounding board for the civil rights division because it will not be subject to open-meeting laws as ACRAB was.  “It’s an opportunity for the AG to actually build a council that could be meeting with her team like once a month to discuss the different issues that affect civil rights,” Davis-Mazlum said. “Without having also the rules of open meeting laws, it’s going to give [them] an opportunity to talk more freely and not wait for a formal meeting to discuss it.”  Eventually, though, he hopes the board will regain its statutory authority and that lawmakers will come to the table to discuss how it can effectively serve Arizonans. “Hopefully they revisit this in the next session and work bipartisanly to have something better that works for everyone,” Davis-Mazlum said. The post Arizona civil rights board quietly shuttered after 61 years first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a582b1ea12eaf174af7d190 Scene pkg July 15 te 2026-07-16T00:51:42.278Z Scene pkg July 15 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a582b0aa12eaf174af7d187 Scene pkg July 15 NDS te 2026-07-16T00:51:22.315Z Scene pkg July 15 NDS Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a582acca12eaf174af7d153 Trump Says He’ll Seek to Replace Immigrant Truck Drivers With Veterans te 2026-07-16T00:50:20.360Z Trump Says He’ll Seek to Replace Immigrant Truck Drivers With Veterans The president has pushed to curtail the commercial licenses of immigrants, including legal residents, whom he has blamed for crashes. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a582670a12eaf174af7d09e Nevada Lt Gov: Elon Musk could make space tourism state's next big industry te 2026-07-16T00:31:44.707Z Nevada Lt Gov: Elon Musk could make space tourism state's next big industry Nevada Lt. Gov. Stavros Anthony has an unusual plan to rev up the Silver State's entertainment business: space tourism; and with Elon Musk having significant business interests in the state, he won't have to look far to find the man to do it. Anthony's background has been anything but boring: he had a nearly three-decade career in law enforcement, was a regent in the state's higher education system, and served as a longtime Las Vegas city councilman.  He ran a spirited campaign for mayor of Las Vegas, and since 2022 has served alongside Governor Joe Lombardo, leading the Silver State. The Lombardo/Anthony ticket was the only one in America in which Republicans defeated an incumbent Democratic governor and lieutenant governor. Recently, Anthony sat down with Fox News Digital at FreedomFest in Las Vegas to discuss his career, the Nevada economy, and electoral prospects in 2026, in what is shaping up to be one of the tightest gubernatorial races in the country. JOE LOMBARDO CRUISES PAST SIX GOP CHALLENGERS TO SECURE NEVADA REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL NOMINATION Anthony promotes the state as a mecca for the entertainment business, touting a light regulatory touch and a thriving climate for entrepreneurship. He's particularly bullish on professional sports, and the nascent space tourism industry. "If you look at 10 years ago, we didn't have one major sporting activity here in Nevada. They actually would not come here because they thought there would be illegal gambling and corruption and bribery and so on and so forth. In 10 years, we've become the sports capital of the world. Baseball is coming. We have hockey. We have football. We're going to have basketball coming. F1. NASCAR, we have women's basketball on and on and that just kind of cropped up. "The thing about Las Vegas is anything can happen here, so it's really not up to me as a lieutenant governor to decide what's the next big thing in tourism. It's the tourist industry that has to decide what's the next big thing.  REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR TARGETED BY DEMOCRATS LAUNCHES RE-ELECTION BID IN KEY BATTLEGROUND "One thing that is of interest is space tourism. I think that might be a future here in Nevada because we have a lot of open land where… somebody like Elon Musk can shoot rockets up into outer space, hang out up there for a while, have some drinks. Hang out with friends. "What an experience that would be to see the Earth from up there and actually make it a tourist kind of an adventure. So those are the kind of things that we're constantly thinking about, but it's the private sector that needs to do it, and I am very much in favor of allowing our entrepreneurs to come up with the next best thing and to support them." Anthony credits his lengthy career with Las Vegas Metro Police for giving him the problem-solving foundation to launch a successful political career: "You know, most people think of the policing that they see on television. High-speed pursuits, gunfights, bar fights, chasing people down dark alleys, and arresting serious criminals. And that is a big part of policing. But really, 90% of police work is really solving problems. Going into neighborhoods, finding out what are the issues in those neighborhoods, helping those neighbors solve issues to make their quality of life a lot better. "I've learned that that's really what I should be doing as an elected official. My job is to go out there and talk to people and find out what the state can do, what a county could do, what a city could do to make their lives better: helping folks live the American dream and not causing problems like higher taxes, higher regulations, getting in their way, those sorts of things. So that's really what I learned about police work." President Trump has endorsed the Lombardo/Anthony ticket, and he believes that the new no tax on tips policy will prove to be a major electoral boost come November. "Well, President Trump has endorsed the governor. President Trump has endorsed me. He was just here a couple of months ago to talk about his no taxes on tips, which was a huge thing here in Nevada." TRUMP ENDORSES NEIGHBORING STATE LIEUTENANT GOVERNORS FOR RE-ELECTION "I think President Trump will be here. He's welcome anytime to come to the great state of Nevada and talk to folks in Nevada. When he was campaigning, he would have events with 5,000 or 6,000 people attending. So we have a good relationship with him. We want to have a relationship with him, and I believe he'll be here to talk about some of the great things his administration is doing, not only in the country, but how it's impacting Nevada in a positive way." Finally, Anthony notes that his political philosophy is heavily shaped by his immigrant parents from Cyprus who instilled the values of hard work, self-reliance, and fiscal responsibility. "When they came to the United States, and they didn't have anything, all they could do was find a job and get married and raise a family… number one: you work hard.  "Number two: you don't ask the government for anything. You want them to protect you, you want to have roads. But you don't ask them for welfare, you don't ask them for unemployment checks, you don't ask them for food stamps. So that's not something that they thought the government would do. "Their responsibility was to work hard, raise a family, buy a home and live the American dream. That taught me a lot. And that's really how I've continued my public service. I am here to support Nevadans in ways that they want support, but I'm not here to carry them. They need to carry themselves, and I think they understand that." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58265ca12eaf174af7d08a After the Hacienda Healthcare rape, Arizona built a group home watchdog. Now it’s being defunded. te 2026-07-16T00:31:24.739Z After the Hacienda Healthcare rape, Arizona built a group home watchdog. Now it’s being defunded. (Photo via iStock/Getty Images Plus) An independent oversight program created in response to a horrific rape, meant to protect some of Arizona’s most vulnerable people, will cease at the end of this year unless it finds a new funding source, a casualty of Arizona’s newest bipartisan state budget.  In 2018, a 29-year-old woman who had developmental disabilities and could not walk or talk gave birth in her bed at Hacienda Healthcare, a residential care facility in Phoenix. Her caregivers had no idea she was pregnant.  The woman was raped by nurse Nathan Sutherland, who later pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a disabled person and abusing a vulnerable adult, after investigators found that his DNA matched the baby’s. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison. In response to outrage over the crime, then-Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican, created a task force to recommend ways to increase protections for people served by the state’s Division of Developmental Disabilities who live in facilities and group homes. GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE One of the task force’s recommendations was the creation of the Compliance, Oversight, Monitoring, and Investigations Team, operated by the advocacy organization Disability Rights Arizona.  Created as a pilot program in 2022, COMIT provides independent oversight of group homes that care for people who have both developmental disabilities and mental illnesses.  The Republicans who control the Arizona Legislature and Arizona’s Democratic governor chose last year to make COMIT a permanent program. This year, without explanation, they all agreed to completely defund it.  Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen, Arizona House of Representative Speaker Steve Montenegro and Gov. Katie Hobbs all declined to speak to the Arizona Mirror about why COMIT was put on the chopping block.  COMIT’s $1.2 million annual budget is a tiny fraction of the $18.3 billion state budget passed in June, which included cuts to many state departments and programs to pay for the $1.4 billion in Trump tax cuts that both Republicans and Hobbs celebrated.  During a June 10 Joint Appropriations Committee hearing, Amber Brown, whose 22-year-old son has severe autism, warned lawmakers of the consequences of decreased oversight.  She said that her son became aggressive after being assaulted by school paraprofessionals when he was 12 years old. He endured more neglect and abuse in state-run group homes after that, Brown said.  “Here’s what nobody in this building wants to say out loud: Vulnerable people attract predators,” she said. “And when you strip away oversight, you’re not cutting a line item. You’re leaving the door open.” Brown called the decision “penny-wise and pound-foolish” and said it would end with the state spending much more on crisis control when another crime like the one at Hacienda Healthcare happens again.  In 2025, COMIT looked into the daily living environments, diets and person-centered care plans of 154 group home residents living in homes run by 63 vendors.  The program’s 10 employees interview the residents of the group home, as well as the person’s guardians and the group home staff, to ensure they are safe and not experiencing abuse or neglect. They also do a walkthrough of the group home.  J.J. Rico, CEO of Disability Rights Arizona, told the Mirror that the program is dedicated to taking an in-depth look at the daily lives of the people who live in group homes and to ensure they’re receiving the care they’re entitled to.  “It’s a very extensive monitoring tool that we do, much more than I believe the state does,” Rico said.  Rico and the rest of the COMIT team only found out that funding for the program was definitely off the table hours before the budget passed, he said.  COMIT is completely state-funded and will cease operations at the end of 2026 if it doesn’t secure another funding source.  Rico said that COMIT had worked over the three-year pilot program to show that it was necessary, and that the team was excited when Hobbs and lawmakers made it permanent last year.  “Then, less than one year later, getting notice that we weren’t funded — it’s disappointing,” he said.  In 2025, COMIT identified numerous issues at the group homes it monitors, including that 81% of clients were not receiving all of the services they were supposed to receive, problems with record-keeping and staff that lacked necessary skills to do their jobs.  “Direct care staff often could not demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to meet the needs of clients with complex needs to ensure their health and safety,” COMIT wrote in its 2025 report.  It attributed workers’ inability to answer questions about a resident’s care plan or goals and behaviors to high rates of staff turnover and lack of training. COMIT also investigates quality of care complaints about group homes submitted to the Division of Developmental Disabilities. In 2025 it completed investigations of 21 of those complaints, and found that 12 of them were substantiated. In the process of investigating those complaints, it identified 57 additional quality of care problems that investigators said violated state law or DDD standards.  That included 13 substantiated cases of abuse or neglect — and two unexpected deaths that were either caused by an aspect of the person’s treatment in a group home, or could have been caused by it.  Although DDD already investigates all quality of care complaints it receives, COMIT found its processes to be lacking. “COMIT has identified numerous investigations closed by DDD as unsubstantiated that warrant more comprehensive follow-up to ensure member safety and prevent incidents of abuse, neglect, and death,” the program’s 2025 report reads.  And COMIT also found that group homes that were out of compliance did not face meaningful accountability. “The lack of enforcement allows unsafe practices to persist across the system, contributing to ongoing patterns of abuse, neglect, and an observable increase in high-severity incidents, including death,” COMIT wrote in its report. While Hobbs spokesman Christian Slater didn’t answer specific questions about why COMIT’s funding was eliminated, he told the Mirror in a statement that Hobbs will work with the Department of Economic Security, which oversees DDD, “to ensure that the program has the necessary oversight in the coming years.” Last year, COMIT investigators identified what they called systemic concerns with DDD’s investigations, calling into question the quality of that oversight.  “COMIT found that reviews often relied on surface-level determinations and lack the comprehensive fact-gathering needed to fully assess Quality of Care allegations,” COMIT wrote in its report. “DDD does not routinely obtain police reports, witness statements, or other third-party records, limiting the ability to evaluate incidents accurately.” Zane Garcia Ramadan, assistant director of the Department of Economic Security, agreed with some of COMIT’s findings, and said that DDD would take action to correct those problems, including the creation of a quality assurance team to address documentation and training problems at group homes. But Ramadan also disagreed with some of the findings and pointed out in his response that DDD’s internal investigation unit oversees 1,400 residential homes, while COMIT monitors a small fraction of those. Ramadan pointed out that some of COMIT’s findings were due to a misalignment in evaluation standards between the two entities and misunderstanding of what state law requires.  Some of COMIT’s most alarming findings included a current group home employee who was on DDD’s “no contact” list because of past findings of abuse, and another employee who worked with disabled children who had an active arrest warrant.  “A substantial volume of (quality of care) complaints describe staff sleeping on shift, failing to supervise members, refusing to cook, lacking basic caregiving skills, and demonstrating poor judgment,” COMIT wrote. Rico said that he reached out to the Governor’s Office multiple times to request a meeting about the future of COMIT and its funding, but he never received a response. Slater did not answer the Mirror’s question about the governor’s failure to respond to Rico’s requests.  “The governor is proud of the balanced budget agreement she negotiated with bipartisan legislators,” Slater said in his statement. “It includes investments in healthcare, education and water security. No party got everything that they wanted, but it’s a strong deal that will make Arizona stronger, safer and more prosperous.” Without COMIT’s independent oversight, Rico said he worries that instances of abuse and neglect could increase. “I hope I’m wrong about that, but that’s a fear,” he said.  Rico has already informed his employees that they will be out of a job at the end of the year if COMIT is unable to secure another funding source. He said he plans to attempt to convince the governor and legislature to fund the program in next year’s budget, but if COMIT shuts down in the meantime, it will take time to hire new staff and train them.  “If we put ourselves in any of our staff’s shoes, they probably will have another job, and might not be looking to come back or have moved on,” he said. “So, there are no guarantees that that staff will be available if funding’s secured down the road. And they’re great staff.” Rico is urging community members who feel that COMIT’s work is valuable to reach out to their legislators and tell them.  “If there’s anybody out there that would like to contribute or see that the program continue, we’re open to any sources of funding at this point,” he said “We want to maintain this program as long as possible.” YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58261ca12eaf174af7d036 Why Greylock capped its new fund at $1.5B when it says it could have raised more te 2026-07-16T00:30:20.632Z Why Greylock capped its new fund at $1.5B when it says it could have raised more By keeping the number of investments to about 25 per fund, Greylock aims to remain what it calls "the most important partner" to its founders. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a5823f0a12eaf174af7d013 No, Lamar Jackson doesn't deserve to be ranked among the NFL's top 10 quarterbacks te 2026-07-16T00:21:04.976Z No, Lamar Jackson doesn't deserve to be ranked among the NFL's top 10 quarterbacks Is Lamar Jackson no longer even a top 10 quarterback in the NFL? According to at least one respondent in ESPN's annual quarterback survey of executives, coaches, and scouts, the answer is no. Fox Sports Radio host Colin Cowherd agrees. "I no longer trust Lamar Jackson in a big spot. I'm selling my stock... I'd take Bo Nix today in a fourth-quarter, come-from-behind situation over Lamar," Cowherd said Tuesday. SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM IS THE OPPOSITE OF MOST WNBA PLAYERS. AND THAT'S WHY SHE IS A MEGASTAR Cowherd then ranked his top 10 quarterbacks: On the surface, leaving Jackson outside the top 10 sounds like a form of rage-bait. While arguments that Jackson was on the same level as Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes often felt more like culture-war debates than football analysis, Jackson has been one of the league's premier quarterbacks over the past seven seasons. He won two league MVP awards during that span. Given his previous regular-season dominance, Jackson's MVP odds this year are rightfully higher than most of the quarterbacks Cowherd ranked ahead of him. That said, there is a valid counterargument. Though Jackson's ceiling remains among the highest in football, his floor may no longer be. For one, he was not one of the 10 best quarterbacks last season. In 13 starts, Jackson averaged just 196.1 passing yards per game, fewer than Michael Penix Jr. and Geno Smith. Projected over 17 games, his 21 touchdown passes would have been roughly league average. He also wasn't the same rushing threat, finishing with just 349 rushing yards and two touchdowns. By virtually every measure, Jackson was far less dynamic than he had been for most of his career. Perhaps injuries played a role. Maybe he was never fully healthy. If so, he could certainly return to MVP form this season. It's also possible that his decline came sooner than expected. That wouldn't be unprecedented. Russell Wilson went from one of the NFL's elite quarterbacks to an average starter in one offseason. Cam Newton experienced a similarly steep drop-off. Quarterbacks who rely heavily on athleticism often age less gracefully than those who primarily win from the pocket. Jackson is an accurate passer, but his unparalleled running ability has always been central to what makes him special. HERE IS THE REAL REASON WHY THEY HATE CAITLIN CLARK SO MUCH Plus, legitimate questions remain even if Jackson returns to form in the regular season. As Cowherd noted, Jackson has consistently fallen short in the biggest moments. Despite his regular-season success, his postseason résumé is underwhelming. He is 3-5 in the playoffs with a 60.6% completion rate, a 10-to-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio, and an 84.6 passer rating. Those numbers lend support to Cowherd's claim that he would trust Bo Nix over Jackson in a fourth-quarter comeback situation. In one playoff game last season against the Bills, Nix showed more big-game clutch ability than Jackson ever has. If that's one's primary standard for evaluating quarterbacks — how they perform in the biggest moments — then leaving Jackson outside the top 10 becomes a defensible position. It's also reasonable to identify 10 quarterbacks entering the 2026 season with fewer unanswered questions. We don't know whether Jackson is fully healthy, whether his athleticism has begun to decline, how he will adapt under a new coaching staff, or how committed he is to football long term. Nearly every offseason brings reports questioning his dedication to the game or his happiness in Baltimore. Those concerns don't exist to the same degree for many of the league's other top quarterbacks. Mahomes, Allen, Stafford, Burrow, Maye and Caleb Williams all enter the season as safer projections than Jackson. The debate is how he compares to quarterbacks such as Jordan Love, Jared Goff, Jayden Daniels and Sam Darnold. Put simply, it's fair to ask whether Lamar Jackson is still a top-10 quarterback. And until he delivers in the biggest moments, such questions will remain valid. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a58216ca12eaf174af7cf5c Investigators Seek Information From Government Officials as Part of Air Force One Leak Investigation te 2026-07-16T00:10:20.822Z Investigators Seek Information From Government Officials as Part of Air Force One Leak Investigation After The New York Times reported on security concerns related to the Qatari-donated jet, the F.B.I. sought to speak with several people who flew aboard the plane with President Trump last week and asked for their phones. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a581f15a12eaf174af7cec2 Microsoft is reportedly training salespeople to talk down OpenAI and Anthropic te 2026-07-16T00:00:21.104Z Microsoft is reportedly training salespeople to talk down OpenAI and Anthropic Microsoft is looking to sell its in-house AI models as more efficient and cost-effective than its competitors' models. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/home