https://meenews.co/post/69eca3b8059ccda1fcc2609f Flagstaff Event Almanac for April 25 te 2026-04-25T11:21:28.764Z Flagstaff Event Almanac for April 25 April 25 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eca38d059ccda1fcc26075 Cowboys legend relishes in Caleb Downs pick as rival team misses out on filling secondary hole te 2026-04-25T11:20:45.122Z Cowboys legend relishes in Caleb Downs pick as rival team misses out on filling secondary hole Dallas Cowboys legend Michael Irvin relished in New York Giants’ fans’ pain on Friday as his former team found gold at No. 12 in the NFL Draft this week. The Cowboys watched as former Ohio State safety Caleb Downs fell to them in the draft, and the Giants decided to go a different route than fill holes in their secondary. New York decided to add another linebacker, Arvell Reese, to their corps and an offensive lineman, Francis Mauigoa. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Dallas got a man to bolster their secondary instead. "We're happy about that," the Hall of Fame wide receiver told TMZ Sports. "Boy a bad boy, now. That's a bad dude. He is a game changer. He is one of the few right now in the game that plays like that dude Kyle Hamilton from the Ravens. That's the kinda safety – plays all over the field and makes a difference all over the place. So, I'm happy about it." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Irvin added that he was going to have a "great" 2026, as he believed he’ll be watching the Miami Hurricanes win a national championship and the Cowboys win Super Bowl. Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves. Miami is in a good position to win a national title after a great run in 2025. But the Cowboys have had high expectations each year since last making the NFC Championship in the 1995 season. Downs, a two-time All-American, Lott Trophy winner and Jim Thorpe Award winner, is a great addition to the team, but games still have to be played. As for the Giants, they’ll still have to figure out where Reese fits and train Mauigoa to be a guard. Good luck. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eca379059ccda1fcc2606c Iconic sections of Disney World closing down and disappearing before visitors’ eyes te 2026-04-25T11:20:25.436Z Iconic sections of Disney World closing down and disappearing before visitors’ eyes Fans of Frontierland at Walt Disney World Resort are bidding farewell to beloved attractions as construction on the upcoming "Piston Peak National Park" accelerates — with much of the Western-themed land to be replaced. Construction walls now dominate large sections, the "Inside the Magic" blog reported, notably around Big Al’s and the nearby Westward Ho area, where guests have been funneled through a narrow temporary walkway.  That limited access may soon end. Based on permit filings and typical Disney timelines, the remaining pathway could close imminently, according to the blog. DISNEY FANS SAY THEY'RE OUTRAGED AFTER THEME PARK ELIMINATES THEIR BELOVED SNACKS If access is cut off, several iconic elements could disappear from view. Big Al’s — one of the few structures tied to Magic Kingdom’s early years — is considered a piece of history, the "Disney Dining" blog said. Fox News Digital reached out to Walt Disney World Resort for comment. Some Disney lovers worry the small back walkway near Country Bear Musical Jamboree, a longtime sit-down attraction, could close as Frontierland shifts toward the Piston Peak setting, the blogs reported. One of the most noticeable changes has been the loss of the Frontierland boardwalk shortcut, once a quiet bypass for guests during peak crowds, "Blog Mickey" said. The Frontierland Walt Disney World Railroad station is closed, and the train is operating as a shuttle between Fantasyland and Main Street, U.S.A., "Blog Mickey" reported. Several staples — including snack kiosks and merchandise locations — are being removed, disappearing from the park as Disney reworks the area, according to multiple reports. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES These updates follow bigger changes that have already reshaped Frontierland. The Rivers of America, Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island closed in July 2025, marking the end of a long-standing centerpiece of Frontierland, "Disney Dining" said. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad — famously the "wildest ride in the wilderness" — remains closed for refurbishment, though it is expected to return in 2026, the blogs said. Right now, Frontierland feels less like the Wild, Wild West to many and more like a construction zone — with walls, detours and shifting pathways, the blogs reported. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Disney’s Piston Peak National Park promises a very different experience, as it is inspired by the Rocky Mountains and the Pixar "Cars" franchise, the "Disney Castle Dreaming" blog said. To create the new rides, Disney is seemingly rewriting a major part of its history. Frontierland was rooted in America’s past. Introduced by Walt Disney in California in 1955, it was designed as a tribute to pioneer spirit, with riverboats, wilderness trails and frontier towns. Magic Kingdom’s version opened in 1971 and expanded that vision into a fully realized Old West setting. But some fans aren't ready to say goodbye to elements of it. "It's a shame Magic Kingdom is losing its Rivers of America to ‘Cars,’" one Reddit user wrote last year after hearing about the changes. Another agreed, saying, "I don’t think Magic Kingdom should lose [it] either. It’s such a beautiful area. Sure, Tom Sawyer could be updated, but keep the river." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Last June, Disney reported, "We are excited to share that Piston Peak National Park will continue the sweeping storytelling tradition that has crossed Liberty Square and Frontierland since opening day." The "Disney Parks" blog also reported, "At the heart of all these stories are heroic characters with a belief in themselves that helped forge a path to their dreams. To continue this journey in great American storytelling, Piston Peak National Park will be part of the largest expansion in the history of Magic Kingdom." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eca147059ccda1fcc25ff0 Inside Seattle’s open-air drug crisis as fentanyl ravages city and activists bail out alleged criminals te 2026-04-25T11:11:03.786Z Inside Seattle’s open-air drug crisis as fentanyl ravages city and activists bail out alleged criminals SEATTLE — Seattle’s fentanyl crisis is impossible to hide from public view, with open-air drug use, rising overdose deaths and struggling addicts highlighting the challenges facing city leaders and community advocates. Hector, an addict, told Fox News Digital that he has been having a "hard time" and that the most common drug used in the area is "Fetty," and cautioned young people to stay away from it.  "The younger people, don't waste their lives on drugs," Hector said. "It's a waste of time, waste of money, waste of life." We Heart Seattle, an organization founded by Andrea Suarez in the fall of 2020 to clean up public spaces and offer resources to people in need, has tried to help Hector multiple times.  ALEX BERENSON: I WARNED ABOUT CANNABIS DANGERS 7 YEARS AGO AND NOBODY WANTED TO LISTEN Suarez told Fox News Digital that she believes the city, which recently elected socialist Mayor Katie Wilson in November, is not doing enough to address the crisis.   "We are the only outreach agency that's actually advocating for people to be held accountable for their own safety and the safety of others," Suarez said. "Because the culture here is very hands-off, live and let live. And drug users are people too, and we're the problem. We caused the trauma because of systemic racism and poverty and capitalism and, like, all this ideology has just taken such a stronghold in Seattle, that it's more of a do-nothing attitude by our politicians and that activists are so loud here that they will even bail people out of jail who are very harmful to the community because they are anti-incarceration of any kind."  In an internal email obtained by Fox News Digital, Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes wrote that "all charges related to drug possession and/or drug use will be diverted from prosecution to the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program," but Wilson denied claims that her administration was changing drug enforcement policy. Suarez said the city should pursue stronger policies to address the crisis. SEAN DUFFY: TRUMP'S CRIME CRACKDOWN IS GIVING DEMOCRATIC LEADERS A BLUEPRINT TO FOLLOW "So if you make that penalty stronger, and you can arrest a person for tenting and using narcotics in a park, suddenly six months or a year in jail may deter you from using in a public space and also accept help," Suarez said.  "As outreach workers, you know, why do we get burned out? Because we can't make a difference without teeth, without law, without law enforcement," she continued. "So better legislation and stiffer penalties around using in these shared spaces and holding the low barrier properties like tiny houses and hotels and permanent supportive housing that allow drug dealers and drug using within their properties, that if they are a nuisance to the community, they should be fined and would force a good neighborhood agreement."  Local outlet KOMO News reported on April 16 that the Syringe Services Program Health Survey found that in 2021, 93% of respondents reported injecting drugs. By 2025, however, 90% said they had smoked drugs in the previous week, while injections had dropped to 44%. JOURNALIST TELLS SAN FRANCISCO BOARD ‘NICK SHIRLEY’S COMING TO TOWN’ AMID FENTANYL, CRIME CONCERNS The Roosevelt News, another local outlet, reported last year that King County recorded 1,067 drug poisoning deaths in 2023 due to fentanyl, a 47% increase from the previous year.   According to the Addictions, Drug, and Alcohol Institute at the University of Washington, opioid overdose death rates in King, Pierce, and Spokane Counties more than quadrupled between 2002-2004 and 2024-2025. The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reported in November that the agency seized roughly 3.4 million potentially lethal doses of fentanyl from the two drug trafficking groups targeted in investigations in the Western District of Washington. JOHN KERRY’S RITZY BLUE CITY NEIGHBORHOOD ROCKED AS DRUG ADDICTS ‘OVERRUN’ COBBLESTONE STREETS  "Hardcore people that were big-time opioid users that ran the streets for years and years, if not decades, will tell you that drugs on top of drugs isn't how you help a drug addict," Suarez said. "Abstinence is how you help if you truly want to help, not thousands of dollars of medication. Often that ends up being a subsidy for the drug addict, only really just to kind of enable them and entrap them into addiction further, which we've seen firsthand as well." Suarez also stressed that the work of some local left-wing activist groups is making it more difficult to curtail homelessness and crimes committed by those looking for quick cash to get their next fix. She told Fox News Digital that these groups are often against incarceration of any kind, regardless of the alleged crime.  The Northwest Community Bail Fund (NCBF) in Seattle, along with other similar groups, often pays bail for individuals unable to afford it, aiming to reduce the harms of the cash bail system. These groups, highlighted in a CBS News story, claim that cash bail disproportionately affects low-income individuals.  Victims of violent crime have previously complained that these groups have bailed out people that are a danger to the public.  Similar to Hector, Erica is another addict that Suarez and We Heart Seattle have been trying to help.  "So this is a common barrier to accepting services and treatment is Erica doesn't want to be separated from her dog under any circumstances," Suarez said. "So even though we've offered to provide kenneling for her … we will pay for people to get their dogs kenneled while they go to treatment. And she was like, ‘Absolutely not.’ So she's got two amputated fingers, living on a sidewalk, frostbitten nose." FBI’S ‘OPERATION BOX CUTTER’ INDICTS CHINESE PHARMA FIRMS, TERROR-LINKED CARTEL ASSETS IN FENTANYL TAKEDOWN Suarez said that the tearing down of a pavilion and picnicking area at Dr. Jose Rizal Park in Seattle is symbolic of the current drug crisis.  "This pavilion is very, very bittersweet to talk about this, because this pavilion was recently torn down because it was untenable with drug use, fire damage. People were just filleted over here," Suarez said. "It looked like a tombstone. And so the neighbors advocated for it to get demolished as the roof was burnt down. And so this is what's left."  Only stubs of the pavilion and scorched cement remain. "It really is very symbolic of what has become of our parks in Seattle with this type of a view, children's playgrounds nearby, that drugs and fentanyl use and their civil liberties are really taking precedence and priority, really priority over the civil liberties," Suarez added. "And so this was very, very hard to see this get demolished, just not even a couple months ago."  Fox News Digital reached out to Wilson and King County Public Health for comment but did not immediately receive responses. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eca134059ccda1fcc25fe7 Once-charming mountain escape now battling homelessness homeowners say turned postcard city into no-go zone te 2026-04-25T11:10:44.157Z Once-charming mountain escape now battling homelessness homeowners say turned postcard city into no-go zone For years, Asheville, North Carolina, marketed itself as a mountain escape known for breweries, boutique hotels and Blue Ridge views. But residents and critics say a different reality has taken shape in the wake of Hurricane Helene: panhandling at intersections, public intoxication, encampments and an unsafe downtown. Carl Mumpower, a private practice clinical psychologist, lifelong Asheville resident and former City Council member who served from 2001 until 2009, said the city’s current challenges stem from decisions made over decades. "Asheville began its efforts to address homelessness at least three decades ago. This effort accelerated in the early part of this century with the first ‘Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness,’" Mumpower told Fox News Digital. "That plan was ill advised but passed with a super-majority. At the time, I suggested to the council that any plan that removed personal accountability from the helping equation was doomed to fail." LEFTIST LAWMAKERS WANT TO MAKE HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS A NATIONWIDE CRISIS Mumpower said the city has continued down the same path ever since. "That plan and subsequent plans have failed with equal enthusiasm. Homelessness, drug abuse, and related crimes have increased relentlessly under the watch of local homelessness experts and a governing body that is dominated by liberal Democrats and those with an even more extreme view to the left. That lack of balance — the last conservative on the council was in 2009 — has led to a myopic repeat of errors." He also argued that city leaders relied on ideas that were not grounded in practical solutions. ONE OF AMERICA'S PRETTIEST CITIES SCRAMBLES TO RECLAIM STORYBOOK STREETS FROM HOMELESS CAMPS, DRUG DENS "As regards homelessness, Asheville has a persisting history of pursuing fantasized interventions over more realistic, measurable and trackable solutions." The Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care, the local, government-supported coalition responsible for coordinating federal homelessness planning and services in Asheville and Buncombe County, said homelessness in the region is at its highest level on record in its latest count. Data from the group’s 2026 Point-in-Time survey found 824 people experiencing homelessness, a 9.1% increase from 2025. That included 334 people living unsheltered, up 1.8% from the prior year. Nearly 500 others were in shelters or transitional housing, a rise the Continuum of Care attributed partly to expanded emergency shelter and transitional housing capacity. These "fantasize interventions," Mumpower said, were accompanied by the city’s pursuit of defunding the police department. "The council’s political dismantling of the police department — resulting in a 40% reduction due to retirements and resignations — has had a dramatic impact on crime in Asheville," he said. "Most ‘smaller’ crimes are no longer enforced or realistically tracked, and return on investment costs have skyrocketed. We have officers who earned over $150,000 in overtime last year due to manpower shortages. Enforcement is not possible without adequate, motivated personnel." "The direct impact on residents is increased and unenforced crime, direct exposure to intoxication and violent street behaviors, and burdensome taxes and fees to chase the recycled program pretenses." GOT A TIP? Mumpower said many local residents have simply stopped going downtown. "The single most common phrase uttered by county and surrounding area residents is ‘I don’t go downtown anymore - it’s nasty, crazy, and scary,’" he said. FOLLOW US ON X He said tourism also suffers when disorder becomes more visible in the city center. "Tourism is impacted, and those we attract are often coming here not as families, but as partiers seeking to join the fray." GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL The issue has taken on added urgency in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which devastated parts of western North Carolina in September 2024. Michael Whatley, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in North Carolina, said the storm worsened hardship in the region and exposed failures in the government response. CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS "The biggest issue set that we’ve been dealing with, obviously, is the hurricane relief coming on the heels of Hurricane Helene and the fact that the Biden administration and Roy Cooper, when he was governor, failed miserably to help that situation in terms of following the hurricane," Whatley told Fox News Digital. Whatley said that the administration’s clearance of relief funds will assist residents to get back on their feet. "As part of President Trump’s government response, $1.4B was made available by HUD for housing relief," Whatley said. "And there also has been over the last month or so a lot of movement with FEMA in terms of the disaster relief that they’re providing to homeowners there." "We’re certainly not ready to hang up a mission accomplished sign by any stretch of the imagination. But federal relief that has been put into Western North Carolina is substantially more than has ever been given into North Carolina as a result of any storm by the federal government." In a statement to Fox News Digital, the City of Asheville said that officials continue to focus on public safety. "This month we launched the Asheville Police Department's Downtown Plan which will essentially double police patrols downtown – increasing day and overnight patrols and, in some cases, responding along with trained mental health counselors. Our REST Team program is an operational response to mitigate the effects of homelessness," the city said. "It uses specially trained Asheville Fire Department staff to engage with concerned residents and people experiencing homelessness to problem-solve and connect them to resources." A city spokesperson also noted that officials expanded their panhandling ordinance and continue working with community partners like the Asheville Downtown Association and its ADID program. Fox News Digital has reached out to Cooper's campaign, the Asheville's mayor office and the police department for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eca120059ccda1fcc25fde JOHN YOO: The left’s war on the Supreme Court just hit a terrifying new low te 2026-04-25T11:10:24.716Z JOHN YOO: The left’s war on the Supreme Court just hit a terrifying new low Last week, the New York Times divulged a fresh trove of confidential internal memoranda between the Supreme Court justices. The documents allegedly show that Chief Justice John Roberts and his conservative colleagues have abused the Court’s technical procedures to block the agenda of Democratic presidents and to favor Republicans. While this accusation can only succeed by ignoring the broader context of the Court’s work, it heralds the latest progressive attack on the Court as a stabilizing institution in our national politics. In February 2016, the Court temporarily blocked the Obama administration from enforcing its "Clean Power Plan." While the Court would eventually strike down the grand plan to rewire America’s energy grid when it reappeared in its Biden guise, in February 2016 the justices only issued an emergency stay to freeze the government plan before lower courts could rule. The order, which prompted dissenting votes from the liberal justices, garnered little attention at the time but allegedly marked the birth of the "shadow docket." Using this new procedure, the Court now intervenes quickly to issue emergency orders that can halt executive action before lower court review, which can effectively stop liberal presidents’ agendas in their tracks. The New York Times alleges that secret memos show this 2016 decision came about not because of concerns over the Obama administration’s abuse of power, but because of Chief Justice Roberts’ campaign against a liberal president. The report claims that Roberts "acted as a bulldozer in pushing to stop Mr. Obama’s plan to address the global climate crisis" and that the memos show the chief justice to be "angry" and "irritated" with the government. JONATHAN TURLEY: CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERTS COULD LEARN FROM BASEBALL GREAT TED WILLIAMS WHEN IT COMES TO LEAKS The Times report leaves out many important facts in order to portray the Court as using the shadow docket to pursue a partisan agenda. It claims the order represented a sharp break from Court practice, when in fact the justices regularly use this procedure to review capital executions and even granted such a stay in the Little Sisters of the Poor’s challenge to Obamacare just a few years earlier. The Times suggests that the conservative Roberts Court uses these stays to stop Democratic presidents. It does not provide examples of the Court’s use of the same emergency stays to frustrate parts of President Trump’s agenda as well. The Court, for example, has issued stays against Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans and against his dispatch of federal troops to inner cities. The emergency stays do not represent an unprecedented weapon wielded by a conservative Court, but rather a response to executive branch regulations that seek to achieve their objectives before courts can intervene. In the Clean Power Plan case itself, the Obama administration hoped that its regulations would force the energy industry to decide on the massive investments required before the case could reach the Supreme Court. JACKSON-KAVANAUGH TENSIONS SURFACE IN CANDID EXCHANGE OVER SUPREME COURT 'SHADOW DOCKET' But the Times report represents a greater affront than just a leak about procedural tussling within the Supreme Court. Last week’s leak of the Court’s memos represents the third breach of the Court’s confidential deliberations in the last four years. It began with the leak — for the first time in American history — of a draft Supreme Court opinion in Dobbs in 2022, which overturned Roe v. Wade. It continued with a 2024 New York Times story based on documents and interviews that detailed the deliberations behind Trump v. United States, which held the former president immune from federal prosecution for his official acts. These leaks represent the latest escalation in the use of political tactics against the Court. The Court has never had a draft opinion leak to the press; indeed, it is difficult to recall any leak of an opinion occurring at any federal court, ever. But leaking is all too common at the White House, cabinet agencies and Congress, even of the most sensitive, classified information. The Dobbs leak itself triggered harassment of the conservative justices at their homes and culminated in an assassination attempt against Justice Brett Kavanaugh in the hopes it would change the outcome of the vote. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION These leaks and the accompanying political pressure undermine the independence and integrity of the federal courts under our Constitution’s separation of powers. While liberals once defended the judiciary as an engine for social change in the wake of Brown v. Board of Education, which struck down racial segregation, they have recently turned against the Supreme Court as Republican presidents have sought to appoint judges committed to originalist principles. Conservatives, meanwhile, have held a far more skeptical attitude toward the Court’s claim of supremacy in interpreting the Constitution. Nevertheless, the Court deserves a robust defense not because of its view on abortion, but because it stands as a valuable institutional limit on simple majority rule. Progressives are taking unprecedented measures against the justices because of their specific votes on abortion, transgender rights or presidential power, regardless of the logic or reasoning of their opinions. Liberals support or attack the Court based on how decisions affect the interests of the groups — minorities, women, environmental organizations — that compose their political coalition. The only difference between a judge and a politician is that politicians don’t get to wear robes. Progressives find law and facts to be mostly smoke and mirrors. Courts should not reach correct outcomes by interpreting the law; instead, progressives say, they should make policy due to the inherent malleability of language and the rapid changes in society and the economy. To them, judges enjoy raw political power in determining society’s winners and losers. These leaks threaten the careful line between law and politics. They make the Court an object in the arena of electoral politics. They also threaten to turn the Court into a political actor internally. If leaks become the norm in important cases, clerks could begin disclosing the Court’s internal arguments and votes, the changing coalitions around different drafts, and even the thought processes of individual justices. Justices might take explicit political factors into account in their decisions.  For progressives who claim they are defending our institutions from a renegade president, their attacks on the Court deliberately undermine one of the core elements of our constitutional order. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM JOHN YOO Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec9eca059ccda1fcc25f0e Radical activist groups circle wagons around Southern Poverty Law Center amid federal charges te 2026-04-25T11:00:26.215Z Radical activist groups circle wagons around Southern Poverty Law Center amid federal charges Left-wing nonprofits are rallying behind the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) as the self-described "beacon of hope" for "fighting white supremacy" faces federal fraud charges. In a blog post written by National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Senior Policy Advisor Mel Wilson, Wilson said, "it is important that we stand with and support The Southern Poverty Law Center until the legal travails are complete — with full confidence that SPLC will be vindicated." Below her commentary, Wilson listed a number of "coalition members" that are standing with SPLC and are a part of "The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights." The list included more than one hundred non-profit organizations. SPLC INDICTMENT BUILDS MOMENTUM FOR BESSENT'S TREASURY TO PROBE PARTISAN NONPROFITS Separately, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) issued a press release defending SPLC, saying that it stands with the nonprofit, and accusing the Department of Justice of "targeting" the organization.  "This reported federal targeting of SPLC appears to be a transparently political attack on the rule of law meant to undermine the vital role civil rights groups play in countering hate groups. This is unacceptable and must not stand," CAIR’s statement read.  "We encourage all Americans and elected officials to stand in solidarity with the SPLC and all other organizations dedicated to the protection of civil rights," the statement continued. BLACK CHURCH GROUP RETRACTS 'INAPPROPRIATE' CALL FOR AL SHARPTON'S SUSPENSION OVER DONATIONS FROM HARRIS CAMP CAIR was named a co-conspirator during The Holy Land Foundation (HLF) trial from 2007-2008, where five members of the HLF were convicted of conspiracy to provide material support to a terrorist organization, providing material support, money laundering and tax fraud after allegations that HLF funneled $12.4 million to Hamas in the early 2000s. While CAIR never faced charges and was only named by prosecutors during the trial, the FBI cut ties with the nonprofit following the case. SEC. NOEM SAYS HOMELAND SECURITY WILL FREEZE GRANTS TO NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS Fox News Digital reached out to NASW but did not receive a response.  Federal authorities announced earlier this week that the Southern Poverty Law Center, known for civil rights litigation and racial justice, was indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly funneling millions to members of violent extremist groups like the Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nations and the National Socialist Party of America (American Nazi Party). FAR-LEFT AGITATOR WHO ORGANIZED MN CHURCH STORMING RAKED IN OVER $1 MILLION FROM ANTI-POVERTY NONPROFIT According to the SPLC’s Form 990 filing with the IRS, the 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization posted roughly $129 million in total revenue in fiscal year 2024 with nearly $800 million in total assets. The organization says that the money was for informants to report back to SPLC and provide information about the groups and their inner workings.  The indictment said that one alleged informant, who was paid $270,000, shared "racist social media posts" under SPLC supervision, and that the nonprofit "helped organize transportation to events" during the deadly 2017 "Unite the Right" event in Charlottesville, Virginia. EX-NONPROFIT BOSS ALLEGEDLY SWIPED $1.2M MEANT FOR HOMELESS PROGRAMS TO FUND LAVISH LIFESTYLE, DA SAYS "These individuals risked their lives to infiltrate and inform on the activities of our nation's most radical and violent extremist groups," SPLC Interim President and CEO Bryan Fair said in a video statement. "When we began working with informants, we were living in the shadow of the height of the civil rights movement, which had seen bombings at churches, state-sponsored violence against demonstrators, and the murders of activists that went unanswered by the justice system." In 1994, an investigative series by the Montgomery Advertiser examined the financials of SPLC at the time, finding that the founder was heavily focused on fundraising for the nonprofit, running the organization like a business or corporation. It also found that the salaries of SPLC were high, and that the nonprofit raised significantly more money than it spent.  The Montgomery Advertiser was a finalist for the 1995 Pulitzer Prize in Explanatory Journalism due to the series on SPLC. SPLC co-founder Joe Levin rejected the paper’s claims at the time. DOJ SAYS SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER FUNNELED $3M+ TO WHITE SUPREMACIST AND EXTREMIST GROUPS Margaret Huang, who served as the CEO of the nonprofit until her resignation last summer, made $522,000 a year as reported by Charity Watch, which gave SPLC an "F" rating in May 2025 "due to it having six years' worth of available assets in reserve." The indictments also raise questions about whether SPLC donors were misled on how their money was being spent, including payments made to members of the KKK and other extremist groups.  "The SPLC indictment is legally valid, well-pleaded, and built to survive motion practice, former federal prosecutor and legal expert Andrew Cherkasky told Fox News Digital. "The wire fraud counts rest on specific, quoted solicitations telling donors their money would be used to 'dismantle' violent extremist groups, paired with the material omission that more than three million dollars flowed to the leaders, fundraisers, and organizers of those very same groups." OVERSIGHT DEMANDS DOJ ANSWERS ON FOREIGN FUNDING OF AGITATOR GROUPS AS IRAN, ANTI-ICE PROTESTS CONTINUE Cherkasky noted that paying informants is not illegal, and that journalists, watchdog groups and the government regularly use them. But he noted "a nonprofit is criminally liable for the acts of its agents committed within the scope of their duties and for the organization’s benefit." "A high-level SPLC employee coordinated payment for documents stolen by a paid source who twice burglarized an extremist group’s headquarters, and a different source was paid six thousand dollars to falsely confess to the theft," Cherkasky explained. "If proven, that is sponsored criminal conduct directed from inside the organization, and it carries institutional exposure that extends beyond the criminal counts to potential loss of tax-exempt status, civil liability to victims, and fiduciary exposure for directors and officers." FBI Director Kash Patel said Tuesday that SPLC was not honest or transparent with its donors. "They lied to their donors, vowing to dismantle violent extremist groups, and actually turned around and paid the leaders of these very extremist groups — even utilizing the funds to have these groups facilitate the commission of state and federal crimes," Patel said. "That is illegal — and this is an ongoing investigation against all individuals involved." Fox News Digital reached out to SPLC, but did not receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec9a59059ccda1fcc25e49 Complaint Accuses Anti-School Choice Campaign Of Misrepresenting Out-of-State Funding te 2026-04-25T10:41:29.655Z Complaint Accuses Anti-School Choice Campaign Of Misrepresenting Out-of-State Funding By Staff Reporter | The coalition behind a ballot initiative to roll back the universality of Arizona’s school choice program is facing a campaign finance complaint. On Thursday, the Protect Education Accountability Act Now Committee (PEANC) was made subject to a complaint, reviewed by AZ Free News. PEANC was accused of falsely claiming that out-of-state contributors amounted to a mere nine percent of funding. PEANC filed the ballot initiative, “Protect Education Act” last month. If approved, the initiative would impose an income cap on enrollment in the Empowerment Scholarship Account Program, among other restrictions to include an elimination of funding rollover. The Protect Education Act superseded an earlier version, the “Protect Education, Accountability Now Act.” In order to make the ballot, the initiative will need nearly 256,000 signatures. PEANC reported gathering over 150,000 signatures during a virtual press conference on Friday.  The complainant, Jack Johnson Pannell, cited a disclaimer posted to the bottom of PEANC’s website. That disclaimer reflects PEANC’s total out-of-state contributors account for only nine percent of its total funding.  Arizona law requires political action committee advertisements to disclose the aggregate percentage of out-of-state contributors as calculated at the time the advertisement was produced for publication, display, delivery, or broadcast.  Pannell’s complaint called for a declaration that PEANC violated Arizona campaign finance disclosure law and an action against the committee.  Pannell said on X that Arizona families deserve the truth behind PEANC. Pannell is the founder of Trinity Arch Prep School for Boys, a microschool.  “More than 100,000 families are choosing great options for educating their children,” said Pannell. “It’s a cheap shot to accuse hardworking people of cheating the system. It just ain’t true.” I’m proud to file this complaint because AZ families deserve the truth. More than 100,000 families are choosing great options for educating their children. It’s a cheap shot to accuse hardworking people of cheating the system. It just ain’t true. #schoolchoice https://t.co/FFz9MkTWLh — Jack Johnson Pannell (@Lyncaeus) April 25, 2026 Contrary to this disclaimer, campaign finance records reveal that 98 percent — $4.5 million, or nearly all of PEANC’s $4.6 million in funding — have come from special interest groups in Washington, D.C.  That $4.5 million came from the National Education Association in four allotments delivered throughout February and March. The first payments from the NEA (over $2.3 million) came on February 13 — exactly a week after PEANC registered their website domain. The earliest available archived version of the site captured on February 12 reflected an out-of-state contributions disclosure totaled at 50 percent.  Other major donors included the Arizonans For Quality Education ($50,000), Nita and Phil Francis ($25,000), and Arizona Education Association ($10,000). The chairman of Arizonans For Quality Education (AFQE) is the Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA)’s former executive director, Justan Rice, now the Libertas Institute director of state government affairs. Its treasurer is ASBA’s current executive director, Ellen White. 99 percent of AFQE’s funding has come from “shadow sponsors”: unnamed corporations and LLCs. The remainder of the funding, less than half of a percent, came from Christopher Kotterman on behalf of the Friends of ASBA.  Kotterman became a senior policy advisor for Gov. Katie Hobbs in late 2024.  Phil Francis is the retired chairman and CEO of PetSmart; Nita Francis formerly chaired the Valleywise Health Foundation board. AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link. The post Complaint Accuses Anti-School Choice Campaign Of Misrepresenting Out-of-State Funding first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec9a2c059ccda1fcc25e1b Military Olympians honored at the Pentagon, against backdrop of Iran war te 2026-04-25T10:40:44.210Z Military Olympians honored at the Pentagon, against backdrop of Iran war A group of 10 American Olympians who serve in the U.S. military were honored at the Pentagon on April 17. War Secretary Pete Hegseth, between leading the efforts in the war on Iran, found time to meet with the athletes for a ceremony to honor their accomplishments in the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. All 10 were members of the high-performance U.S. military-sponsored World Class Athlete Program (WCAP). "It's not every day you get invited into Sec. War's office," U.S. bobsledder Frankie Del Duca told Fox News Digital. "We had a good conversation about the Army." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Del Duca was the Team USA Olympic flag bearer in Cortina back in February. As an American of Italian descent, it held a special cultural significance to him and his family that he had the honor in Italy. Del Duca is also a U.S. Army infantryman. "I'm infantry," he said. "There's different assignments I can take as I gain experience. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve. I'm very proud to serve our country, and I love our country and America." Hegseth himself was an Army infantry officer who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo Bay. But so far Del Duca has only ever done athlete work for the military, enlisting in 2019 and training as a bobsledder at Lake Placid, New York. But as a WCAP athlete, he will serve in a military-related role as well. "We've had members of WCAP that have been in the Army first... and then we have some that maybe do that after," Del Duca said, adding that he falls into the "after" group. "Where I may be stationed next, and where I may, different assignments, where I might end up, I'm going to take those same lessons that I've learned and apply them to that next unit. So it's something that I'm very grateful for and proud of. And I hope that spreads throughout our country. I hope it shows that we're together and that we're resilient, and that we're fit and we're ready." Del Duca is a young father of two sons who are each less than four years old. "It's made me a better father," Del Duca said of his experience in the Army. "I have two sons, [ages] one and three, they keep me on my toes." Other branches of the military are represented well in the WCAP, especially the Air Force. Team USA skeleton athlete Kelly Curtis, who was also honored at the ceremony, is preparing for deployment right back to Italy after competing at the Milan Cortina games. "I'm going back to the 31st communications squadron at Aviano Air Base," Curtis told Fox News Digital. "I'm a knowledge operations technician... it's basically like an information traffic cop." Curtis says she has a lineage in her family, on her mother's side, that includes servicemembers in every American war dating back to the Revolutionary War. She thought her brother would take on the call of duty for her generation. And he did, but she soon learned she be joining him. "I didn't think I would be able to serve in the military," Curtis said. "When this opportunity came around when I got good enough at my sport. I was looking at the Army program, but upon talking with my brother who had also served in the Air Force, I decided to give it a go for the Air Force." Now, as she continues her family tradition of serving in the U.S. military during a time of war, she takes great a sense of honor in the importance. OPERATION EPIC FURY DESTROYS IRAN'S NAVY AND CUTS MISSILE ATTACKS BY 90% IN ONGOING CAMPAIGN "I don't think any particular time is more honorable than an other," she said. "When I took the oath of enlistment, you sign up to defend your country, and that's something that I take seriously. The work that I do with the World Class Athlete Program is different, it's a softer diplomacy, so I don't see a lot of what my colleagues might see... "There's honor all around when you sign up to defend your country." The WCAP program delivered a medalist for Team USA at 2026, including Air Force women's bobsledder Jasmine Jones. Jones became a viral social media sensation for an interview with Fox News Digital when she expressed great pride in representing the U.S. on the world stage, at a time when many Americans craved patriotism among their Olympians. And then Jones went on to win bronze in women's bobsled, alongside teammate Olympic legend Kaillie Humphries, helping Humphries become the most decorated bobsled athlete in history. Jones was honored for her medal during the Pentagon ceremony. "I was honored to be recognized by Secretary Hegseth after medaling in Cortina and to share that moment representing my country," Jones told Fox News Digital. "Being an Airman allows me to serve in more ways than one, and I’m grateful for that opportunity. The unity within our WCAP team is strong. We lead by example, support one another, and continue pushing each other to reach our fullest potential." Meanwhile, the military as a whole continues historic operations in the Middle East behind the leadership of Hegseth and President Donald Trump. Hegseth warned Friday that the U.S. military "will shoot to destroy" any Iranian ships that are laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz.  "President Trump has authorized the United States Navy to destroy any Iranian fast boats that attempt to put mines in the water or disrupt passage through the Strait of Hormuz, to shoot and kill," Hegseth said. "Our commanders have clear rules of engagement. If Iran is putting mines in the water or otherwise threatening American commercial shipping or American forces, we will shoot to destroy. No hesitation. Just like the drug boats in the Caribbean."  Hegseth also said that Iran’s "battered" military, specifically the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has been "reduced to a gang of pirates with a flag." HEGSETH DECLARES 'DECISIVE MILITARY VICTORY' OVER IRAN "They cloak their aggression in slogans, but the world now sees them for what they are -- criminals on the high seas. They don't control anything. They're acting like pirates, acting like terrorists. They're the ones who lay indiscriminate mines, who shoot at random ships, who killed 45,000 of their own people, innocent protesters, in the course of weeks, their own people. They are the bad actors," Hegseth said.   "The vessels that the Iranians seized in recent days, a couple of them, they're not American ships, they're not Israeli ships. They're just random ships where they drove their little speedboats up to and shot at those ships with AK-47's. Anyone with a speedboat, a gun and the wrong intentions can do that. They know that we, the United States of America, control the flow of global shipping, and we know that they know. Their real navy is at the bottom of the Arabian Gulf," Hegseth added.  Trump and his administration have repeatedly made it clear they are looking for a peace agreement with Iran, and have expressed optimism about reaching one soon. Hegseth also said Friday that, "Iran has a historic chance to make a serious deal, and the ball is in their court." "Either way, the War Department stands ready for what comes next. Locked and loaded," Hegseth added. The remarks come after a scheduled second round of U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad failed to materialize this week. Vice President JD Vance and the rest of the U.S. delegation never departed. Reports indicated the Iranians said they would not negotiate again in person until the U.S. stopped its blockade. Vance, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, traveled to Pakistan for the first round of talks with the Iranians earlier this month, but no deal was reached. Fox News Digital's Greg Norman-Diamond, Landon Mion, Emma Bussey, Efrat Lachter, Alex Nitzberg and Jasmine Baehr 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/69ec9a18059ccda1fcc25e12 Giants make big NFL Draft trade to secure wide receiver Malachi FIelds amid heightened attention te 2026-04-25T10:40:24.533Z Giants make big NFL Draft trade to secure wide receiver Malachi FIelds amid heightened attention The New York Giants stayed aggressive during Day 2 of the NFL Draft. After starting the night with only one scheduled pick, the Giants executed a bold trade to secure Notre Dame wide receiver Malachi Fields.   ​Head coach John Harbaugh and general manager Joe Schoen traded back into the third round to snag Fields at No. 74 overall. To move up, the Giants sent their fourth-round pick (No. 105), fifth-round pick (No. 145), and a 2027 fourth-rounder to the Cleveland Browns.   ​Fields brings massive frame and vertical ability to the offense. The 6-foot-4, 218-pound receiver averaged 17.5 yards per catch last season. He provides a large target for quarterback Jaxson Dart and fills the void left by free agent departures like Wan’Dale Robinson. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM ​Earlier in the evening, the Giants addressed the defense with the 37th overall pick. They selected Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood.   ​Hood is a physical, high-motor defensive back who recorded 20 solo tackles and 13 pass breakups in 2024. Analysts praise his ability to disrupt routes and challenge receivers at the catch point. He joins a revamped secondary featuring Deonte Banks and Paulson Adebo. 'SPECIAL' PLAYER JEREMIYAH LOVE GOES TO CARDINALS The Giants have become one of the most discussed teams of this year’s draft, after surprising many fans with the selections of linebacker Arvell Reese at No. 5 and offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa at No. 10. The selections prompted mixed reactions by fans and pundits, as some argued the team should have taken star safety Caleb Downs with one of their top 10 picks, as Downs was later taken by the rival Dallas Cowboys at No. 11.  The Giants are entering year one of the Harbaugh era, looking to get back to credibility after a decade plus of ineptitude. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec9569059ccda1fcc2574e MIKE DAVIS: Southern Poverty Law Center: A tale of a racism scam te 2026-04-25T10:20:25.049Z MIKE DAVIS: Southern Poverty Law Center: A tale of a racism scam Since the 1970s, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has characterized itself as an organization that combats extremist groups like the Ku Klux Klan (KKK). This week, because of an indictment that Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel secured through stellar leadership, we learned that SPLC wasn’t fighting the Klan — but funding it using generous donations from people who thought they were helping fight racism. James Alex Fields, a White supremacist, ran over and killed a Jewish woman named Heather Heyer at the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August 2017. Following the attack, the SPLC doubled its income, using the event to fundraise and claiming it needed more money to combat racism. Yet, thanks to the indictment, we learned that SPLC allegedly paid people to attend the rally and provided transportation. The rally also spawned the "very fine people" hoax. Left-wing critics falsely claimed that President Donald Trump called neo-Nazis "very fine people." In reality, the president said that there are very fine people on both sides of the debate over removing statues of historical figures like Gen. Robert E. Lee. DEMOCRATS EXPOSED AFTER VIOLATING AMERICANS’ CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS Following the discourse, former President Joe Biden asserted that the Charlottesville event spurred him to run for the presidency in 2020, and even served as the vehicle for Biden's "Soul of America" campaign theme. The SPLC is also accused of paying people to post racist materials on online forums, fueling racial hatred. The organization sold its donors a bill of goods, doing exactly the opposite of what it promised. Over a decade, millions of dollars in donations to SPLC went to hate groups like the Klan and Aryan affiliates. According to the indictment, the SPLC funneled this money through fictitious groups such as "Fox Photography" to mask the true source of the donations. In addition to donor fraud, the SPLC is also accused of lying to banks about its transactions. MIKE DAVIS: DON LEMON AND HIS CHURCH-STORMING MOB MUST FACE KU KLUX KLAN, FACE ACT CHARGES This indictment is profoundly important because the SPLC has played a significant role in American politics, especially in recent decades. The group labeled others as "extremists" and "hate groups," and government agencies like the FBI relied on those designations. That is why the FBI began investigating Moms for Liberty, a group of concerned mothers who attended school board meetings and voiced objections to parts of school curricula. Thanks to the SPLC, the FBI investigated the group as a potential domestic terrorist organization. Then-FBI Director Christopher Wray absurdly said that White supremacy was the biggest domestic threat — a claim SPLC instigated. RED-WASHING: HOW THE MEDIA SANITIZES A MARXIST-LENINIST REVOLUTIONARY AS A ‘PRESCHOOL TEACHER’ Turning Point USA and Charlie Kirk were also labeled by the group as "extremists" just months before a deranged leftist assassinated Kirk. The SPLC gave the same designation to mainstream groups like the Family Research Council and Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF). The ADF has argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, along with federal and state courts, hundreds of times to protect Americans' constitutional freedoms. Yet, according to the SPLC, the ADF is in the same league as the Klan — a group the SPLC allegedly funded. While raking in donations from some of the largest corporations in the world — including Apple, JPMorgan and MGM Resorts — the SPLC sought to deplatform and debank people and groups it deemed "extremists." JONATHAN TURLEY: EVEN THE WASHINGTON POST ADMITS JACK SMITH WAS WRONG ON FREE SPEECH The SPLC met with PayPal as part of its debanking efforts and urged Amazon not to sell conservative books. The SPLC also participated in social media censorship on platforms like Twitter before Elon Musk's acquisition, urging Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram to ban those with views the SPLC disagreed with. The group targeted advertisers for conservative shows, branding Fox News' Laura Ingraham "the high priestess of hate." Ingraham has had a distinguished media and legal career, having clerked for Justice Clarence Thomas on the U.S. Supreme Court. The SPLC attempted to destroy Ingraham because she represented a threat by articulating the case for conservatism. If the indictment is accurate, the SPLC was running one of the biggest cons in American history. To secure donations, the SPLC fomented racial division because not enough genuine division existed. SPLC SCANDAL UNDERSCORES HOW THE DEMAND FOR RACISM OUTSTRIPS THE SUPPLY | BOBBY BURACK In reality, America has made such enormous strides toward equality that SPLC had to fund a fabrication to convince people the nation is racist. The SPLC must be held accountable, not only for donor fraud, but for the far more serious offense of poisoning American public discourse. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION The SPLC led Americans to believe racism was prevalent when, according to the indictment, the SPLC was causing much of the problem. Blanche and Patel heroically exposed the scam, and a superseding indictment hopefully will follow. SPLC executives must pay a severe legal price for this monstrosity, which, in addition to the alleged massive donor and bank fraud, has done incalculable damage to public discourse. The indictment is a wonderful start on the road to accountability, and people must go to prison for this unconscionable charade. CLICK FOR MORE FROM MIKE DAVIS Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec933b059ccda1fcc256d9 US turns to drones after retiring minesweepers to reopen Strait of Hormuz amid Iran crisis te 2026-04-25T10:11:07.860Z US turns to drones after retiring minesweepers to reopen Strait of Hormuz amid Iran crisis The U.S. is racing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as Iran threatens one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes, testing a Navy that has recently retired most of its dedicated minesweepers and is now relying on a smaller fleet of unmanned systems to do the job. President Donald Trump has warned Tehran against further escalation and signaled the U.S. is prepared to act to keep the strait open, while Iranian forces have laid mines and threatened commercial traffic in the narrow waterway that carries a significant share of global oil. The confrontation is now testing a weakness in the Navy’s mine-warfare posture. As the U.S. moves to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after Iranian mining threats, it is doing so after retiring most of the ships once dedicated to that mission and while still relying on a limited mix of legacy vessels and newer unmanned systems to clear one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes. At the current moment, any mine-clearing effort is unfolding amid an active standoff in the strait. The U.S. has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports, while Iran has responded with attacks on commercial vessels, seizures of ships and threats to close the waterway entirely. HEGSETH BLASTS BRITS, SAYS IRAN'S CHAOTIC RETALIATION HAS DRIVEN ITS OWN ALLIES 'INTO THE AMERICAN ORBIT' At least several commercial ships have come under fire in recent days, and both sides have intercepted vessels as they attempt to move through the chokepoint, underscoring the risks facing any operation to restore traffic. Iran has tied further negotiations to the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade, while Washington has insisted on security guarantees and reopening the strait, leaving little immediate path to a deal. The operation comes after a major shift in how the Navy handles mine warfare. The service retired its four Bahrain-based minesweepers last year, ending a decades-long presence of dedicated mine-hunting ships in the Middle East. At the start of the current crisis, the Navy’s remaining minesweepers were based in Japan, not the Persian Gulf, and newer littoral combat ships equipped for mine countermeasures were not all positioned in the region. Multiple news outlets have reported Iran has laid at least a dozen mines in the strait, citing intelligence assessments, though some estimates put the number higher. Now, as the U.S. moves to reopen the strait, some of those assets are being brought back in. Two Avenger-class mine countermeasure ships, USS Chief and USS Pioneer, were tracked sailing west from Southeast Asia toward the Middle East in recent days as preparations for mine-clearing operations ramp up. DESTROY THE REGIME’S POWER WITHOUT OCCUPYING IRAN: A SMARTER WAR PLAN The shift has left the Navy relying on a mix of legacy ships being surged into theater and newer unmanned systems designed to detect and neutralize mines. "To be honest, that the minesweepers retired was never a concern to me, because we had brought in newer technology," retired Vice Adm. Kevin Donegan, who previously commanded the Navy’s 5th Fleet, told Fox News Digital. But analysts say the Navy is still working through a transition as it replaces its older minesweepers with newer systems. "We’re sort of at this nadir of the Navy’s mine sweeping capacity," Bryan Clark, a defense analyst at the Hudson Institute, told Fox News Digital. Clark said the Navy has spent years developing unmanned systems to replace legacy ships, but currently has a limited number of those systems available for large-scale operations. U.S. forces are not sending ships blindly into minefields. Instead, the operation begins with a wave of unmanned systems scanning the seabed to identify potential threats. Underwater drones — some torpedo-shaped — are deployed in grid patterns to map the ocean floor and detect objects that could be mines, using high-resolution sonar to distinguish them from debris. "They kind of look like torpedoes and they map the bottom," Donegan said. In parallel, surface drones tow sonar systems through narrow lanes, while helicopters equipped with sensors scan for mines closer to the surface, allowing the Navy to build a detailed picture of what is actually in the water. TRUMP VOICES FRUSTRATION WITH NATO, SAYS IRANIAN NAVY ‘DESTROYED’ AS US PREPS FOR BLOCKADE But identifying mines is only the first step. "The mine neutralization part is really the long leg of the process," Clark said. Once a mine is located, operators deploy remotely controlled systems to disable it — either by detonating it in place or puncturing it so it sinks. Even then, the danger is not fully removed. "You’ve got to then retrieve this thing with EOD personnel," Clark said, referring to explosive ordnance disposal teams tasked with clearing debris that can still pose a hazard to passing ships. Clearing mines remains a slow and methodical process that can stretch timelines depending on how many devices are in the water and how they are deployed. The Pentagon has told Congress the effort could take as long as six months, according to a Washington Post report. Clark said recent war-gaming suggests U.S. forces could identify and begin neutralizing mines within weeks, but fully removing them from key shipping lanes could take significantly longer. "The finding part, you could do within a couple of weeks," he said, adding that neutralizing mines could take additional time and that removing debris and ensuring lanes are completely safe could extend operations into months. Donegan cautioned that timelines are difficult to predict, in part because U.S. forces must first confirm whether mines are actually present in the areas Iran has claimed. "When somebody says they mined it, you have to go validate if that’s even true, and that takes time," he said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec9328059ccda1fcc256d0 King Charles' food preferences revealed by former royal chef ahead of Trump's White House state dinner te 2026-04-25T10:10:48.014Z King Charles' food preferences revealed by former royal chef ahead of Trump's White House state dinner When King Charles and Queen Camilla join President Donald Trump at the White House, the state dinner’s high-stakes menu is expected to dazzle. On March 31, Buckingham Palace announced that the king and queen would travel to the U.S. to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence. Trump said they would visit from April 27 to 30. A state banquet will take place at the White House on April 28. Darren McGrady, who was a personal chef to the late Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana and her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, also cooked for Presidents Ford, Reagan, Clinton and both Presidents Bush. He told Fox News Digital that the British royal family can expect "the best of America" to be served. QUEEN CAMILLA'S ATTEMPT TO BREAK ROYAL PROTOCOL 'POLITELY REFUSED' BY PRINCESS ANNE "I wouldn’t expect to see clotted cream on this banquet menu from President Trump, because that’s British produce," McGrady explained. "America has some incredible produce. But having said that, the palace would have been in touch, saying, ‘King Charles is not a great lover of chocolate, but the queen loves chocolate.’ Anything with chocolate on the menu, Camilla will love.  "If there’s a cheese course, the king will adore that, as he loves cheese. He also loves honey, grilled vegetables, risottos and especially lamb. There’s incredible lamb here. He would be honored if there was lamb." When it comes to food, impressing the monarch is far simpler than you might expect, according to McGrady. WATCH: KING CHARLES’ DC VISIT TESTS 'SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP': AUTHOR "For the king, it’s local produce," he said. "It’s seeing goods coming into season, like asparagus, artichokes, peas, spinach and broccoli. The king would absolutely be thrilled if any of those were on the menu." Royal commentator Amanda Matta agreed. "These events are tightly choreographed but also meant to feel warm and welcoming," she explained. "Charles has long taken an interest in food, particularly seasonal ingredients. So, a thoughtfully curated American menu would absolutely appeal to him. Unlike a British state dinner, which retains a lot of continental French inspiration, a U.S. state dinner will feature a menu that’s American right down to its core." Matta shared that the White House "will absolutely" consult on dietary restrictions and known preferences to impress the royals. "King Charles doesn’t eat foie gras, for example, and the royals are known to abstain from things like red sauces, garlic, or curry for practical reasons," said Matta. "The meal needs to be elegant but not overly complicated, and easy to eat while conversing. That means no handheld dishes, no messy dishes, nothing too experimental and nothing that risks embarrassing guests. But the menu is ultimately the host’s call, making the choices very much a diplomatic flex." "This is the host nation’s moment to showcase its cuisine, domestic production, agriculture and identity," Matta continued. "Every course, every wine pairing, every ingredient will be chosen to send a message about American excellence. That said, it’s not unusual for subtle nods to the guests to be woven in. We might also see a British-inspired dish or dessert, or ingredients that reference the U.K. in some way." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Helena Chard, British broadcaster and photographer, told Fox News Digital she wouldn’t be surprised if one of Charles’ favorites is served to woo the king. "I would expect herb-crusted organic Virginia lamb with copious amounts of humble vegetables," she said. "Minted organic peas sit at the top of the vegetable hierarchy. King Charles is obsessed with peas. Both Charles and Camilla adore artisan cheese and are partial to a slice of organic apple tart." It won’t just be the best of American cuisine doing the impressing. What’s in their glasses will be just as carefully chosen. "The royal family would always have wine, beautiful wine, served at state banquets," said McGrady. "And I know the White House does too. Prince Philip, when he came for a banquet, even at the White House, wouldn’t drink any wine. He would have a beer. A glass of stout was his favorite. "But it’s all about making the guests feel welcome. And for President Trump hosting the banquet here, it’s about making King Charles feel welcome. There may be a nod to something British, but I think on the whole, the table is going to be very, very American." And if Charles’ beloved lamb is served, McGrady said it’s expected that only the best will be on the menu. He recalled going through every single ingredient and dish to ensure there were zero blemishes ahead of a dinner. He described that as "the standard." LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Chard warned that there are certain ingredients that would be off limits. "Royal protocol dictates that garlic and shellfish are strictly off the menu," she said. "The menus will be planned weeks in advance. Much thought will be given to each course, especially as the king continues cancer treatment. Three test menus are drawn up, with the chosen option released 24 hours before the banquet." But the real magic happens after dinner, said Matta. "The dinner itself is only part of the evening," she explained. "A U.S. state dinner follows a fairly predictable rhythm: an arrival ceremony, a receiving line, cocktails, the formal meal, toasts or speeches and then entertainment.  "There might even be a musical performance when, after dinner, guests mingle more freely. The post-dinner revelry has also given us iconic moments over the years, like Diana dancing with John Travolta in 1985. It wasn’t part of the Reagan administration’s official program, but it became the defining image of the night." Camilla is also expected to wear a tiara in the royal couple’s attempt to charm audiences. "She’ll likely choose something that carries cultural significance in an American context," said Matta. "Or perhaps she’ll choose to nod back to Queen Elizabeth II, bringing back pieces she wore on her own visits to the White House. This could include the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland or Queen Alexandra's Kokoshnik. It must be said they are fan favorites among royal watchers." "At its core, the goal of a state dinner at the White House is straightforward: relationship-building at the highest level and a chance for the American hosts to show that they can still cater to royalty at a high level," Matta shared. "We might see Queen Camilla dancing with President Trump, or Melania in the arms of King Charles." "I wouldn’t rule anything out!" she added. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec9314059ccda1fcc256c7 Emails reveal reality TV crew’s behind-the-scenes access to sheriff now leading Nancy Guthrie probe te 2026-04-25T10:10:28.288Z Emails reveal reality TV crew’s behind-the-scenes access to sheriff now leading Nancy Guthrie probe FIRST ON FOX: The Pima County Sheriff’s Department worked closely with a reality TV crew to provide footage and access to deputies — including video of arrests and use-of-force incidents that raised internal concerns — according to emails obtained by Fox News Digital. The emails also reveal that the head of the department's homicide and cold case units had been rotated out in the year before the suspected abduction of Nancy Guthrie from her home in Tucson's Catalina Foothills. Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of "Today" co-host Savannah Guthrie, is believed to have been kidnapped months after filming for the show ended. A June 18, 2025 email from show producer Amanda Riley shows she asked for the contacts of the sergeants running several units. In a reply two days later, Capt. Robert Koumal informed her that "the department has experienced some rotational re-assignments since last year," and revealed that the leader of every team she'd asked about had changed. DNA TESTING IN NANCY GUTHRIE CASE COULD TAKE MONTHS BUT MAY BE FAST-TRACKED, EXPERT SAYS More than 220 pages of emails between PCSD officials and the show's producers show behind-the-scenes exchanges in the creation of a reality show featuring a sheriff's department that would soon become a household name as the Guthrie case played out. Her whereabouts remained unknown as of Friday. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X Some incidents included use-of-force and other behavioral concerns, including discussions over whether to provide bodycam where deputies were swearing to the show. In one case, authorities appeared concerned about an altercation in which the involved deputy didn't start recording until after the fight with a suspect had ended. Read the emails: The emails were shared between members of the PCSD, its public information office, and producers from Twenty Twenty Productions, who worked on the A&E show, "Desert Law." The series focuses on law enforcement in Pima County's Sonoran Desert. SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER While the TV crew went on a series of ride-alongs with PCSD patrols, show producers were generally interested in bodycam and other police-obtained video. They asked for a public information officer to be available to drive a marked SUV in order to create background footage, known as "B-roll." Koumal agreed in a July 1 email, suggesting a deputy "take our new Tahoe." The producers also requested information from an infamous local case, the 1996 murder of Gary Triano. SEND US A TIP HERE Triano died in an explosion in the Catalina Foothills after his wife, Pamela Phillips, hired a hitman to plant a pipe bomb in his Lincoln Town Car. It exploded while he was driving home from a golf course. Friends and family were waiting to surprise him with a birthday party. She was convicted in 2014 and is serving a life prison sentence, as is the bomber, Ron Young, who was arrested after a 2005 episode of "America's Most Wanted." LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST Koumal, the captain overseeing the sheriff's community services division and records management, also sent out a note encouraging deputies to proactively reach out to the show producers "if any incidents occur." Producer Tom Olney praised the cooperation, writing, "thank you as ever for all your continued support, its amazing and absolutely the best I've ever received from any law enforcement department!" LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB He also repeatedly voiced concerns about the wait time for bodycam records and offered to discuss ways to expedite and prioritize the footage to meet show deadlines. In some cases, he asked for his newer requests to be replaced ahead of older ones, a request that officials granted at least once. It's unclear from the provided emails whether any of the TV crew's requests took priority over those from the public. It would be unusual for records keepers to allow certain requesters to skip the line. Typically, agencies process public records requests on a first-come, first-served basis. The emails were sent between July and December 2025, well before the abduction of Nancy Guthrie, whose Feb. 1 disappearance from her home in the Catalina Foothills remains unsolved. PCSD is the lead agency on that case. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec8e9f059ccda1fcc255fb Restaurants hold pet adoption events te 2026-04-25T09:51:27.832Z Restaurants hold pet adoption events Known for their hospitality, food and photogenic dog-friendly patio, 32 Shea will host a pet adoption event on Thursday, April 30 (photo courtesy of POV Foods). Locally-owned restaurant group POV Foods is partnering with animal rescue organizations to host pet-friendly adoption events and fundraisers in honor of National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, Thursday, April 30. The events will be held at several of its Arizona restaurants, all known for welcoming dogs on their patios. The events invite guests to meet adoptable pets, support local rescue groups and enjoy food and drinks while spending time with their four-legged friends. Each location’s patio is designed with pups in mind, featuring artificial turf areas and playful toy fire hydrants where dogs can relax alongside their owners. In north Phoenix, 32 Shea will host an adoption event beginning at 4 p.m. on its dog-friendly patio with live music and local pet vendors. Participating partners include Home Fur Good, Desert Dog Project and Pet Supplies Plus, which will host a booth and provide donation bags for new adopters. Same-day adoptions may be available at the Phoenix event depending on the interview process. Adoption fees typically range from about $150 for senior dogs to $250 to $350 for younger dogs, with some purebred dogs priced higher. The eatery will provide water, pup cups and complimentary lunch or dinner entrees to guests who adopt a dog that day. 32 Shea, located at 10626 N. 32nd St., features For additional information, call 602-867-7432 or visit www.32shea.com. Other POV Foods locations hosting adoption events include Red, White & Brew in Prescott and Lakeside Bar & Grill in Peoria. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec8e8c059ccda1fcc255f2 Weekend Freeway Travel Advisory – April 24-27 te 2026-04-25T09:51:08.272Z Weekend Freeway Travel Advisory – April 24-27 The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) announced that three freeway closures for improvement projects are scheduled in the metro Phoenix area this weekend, April 24-27. Drivers should allow extra travel time and use detour routes as needed for these weekend freeway restrictions: Northbound State Route 51 closed between Indian School Road and Glendale Avenue from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (April 27) for surface asphalt removal as part of pavement improvement project. Northbound SR 51 on-ramps at McDowell and Thomas roads also closed. Detours: Consider using northbound Interstate 17 as an alternate freeway route. Drivers on northbound SR 51 should consider exiting ahead of the closure and using northbound 16th Street to eastbound Glendale Avenue to reconnect with the freeway. Northbound Seventh Street is another detour option. Westbound Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway) closed between I-17 and 51st Avenue from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (April 27) for widening project. North- and southbound I-17 ramps to westbound Loop 101 closed. Westbound Loop 101 on-ramps at Seventh Street and Seventh Avenue closed. Detours: Alternate routes include westbound Bell Road or Union Hills Drive to 51st Avenue to reach westbound Loop 101. Eastbound Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) closed between Arizona Avenue and Gilbert Road in the Southeast Valley from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday (April 27) for widening project. Eastbound Loop 202 on-ramps at Price, Dobson and Alma School roads closed. Detours: Alternate routes include eastbound Pecos and Germann roads. Click on the Weekend Travel Advisory map graphic or visit the ADOT website for additional information. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec8e60059ccda1fcc255c7 NASCAR fans pack into Talladega Superspeedway ahead of Sunday's Jack Links 500 race te 2026-04-25T09:50:24.847Z NASCAR fans pack into Talladega Superspeedway ahead of Sunday's Jack Links 500 race NASCAR's high-stakes Jack Links 500 race is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama, where 41 drivers will take on the league's largest track in front of an estimated 100,000 race fans. The legendary track attracts visitors from "all 50 states and multiple countries," according to track officials. "It's like a vacation for them. There's people that just see each other twice a year here, and they meet up here at Talladega Superspeedway," Patrick Barfield, Senior Director of Venue Experience and Guest Services at Talladega Superspeedway, said. "They all have their little parties and groups, and it's a great site." Josh Harris, Regional President at Talladega Superspeedway, credits the charm of the track to its unpredictable pack racing at extreme speeds exceeding 200 mph. The track, at 2.66 miles, is the longest in the NASCAR Cup Series, and drivers must complete 188 laps to finish the 500-mile race. 2026 NASCAR ODDS: JOEY LOGANO, RYAN BLANEY EARLY FAVORITES FOR TALLADEGA "Everything's just a little bit bigger here at Talladega, and that's how we like it," Harris said. The Jack Links 500 is the tenth race in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series, and drivers are already fighting for their spot in the playoff standings.  "Drivers are positioning themselves. They want to be in that top 16 come Daytona in August and be able to jump themselves into the chase," Harris said. Talladega is always challenging for drivers, according to Harris, both physically and mentally. As the NASCAR Cup Series continues into Spring and Summer, he said the inside of a race car can exceed 100 degrees on an 85-degree day.  Many fans, however, are taking advantage of the warm weather. Thousands of fans started camping outside the track and in the infield over the past week. Riley Eubanks traveled from Indianapolis, Indiana, with his cousin and friend. The three of them are spending their first Talladega race together in a small tent inside turn one, living on "plenty of food and water" and a constant game of poker. LONGTIME NASCAR CREW CHIEF TELLS WILD STORY ABOUT ONE OF THE SPORT'S BIGGEST CHARACTERS "We spent hundreds, if not thousands on meat and plenty of water," Eubanks said. "We're able to provide food to others if they want to come by, but we have got plenty to eat here for a few days." Many fans said they were excited to see the track's infamous 33-degree banking in its four turns, the steepest in stock car racing. The turns are engineered to allow drivers to maintain 200 miles per hour without losing traction.  "The coolest thing is getting over here and checking out how high up that wall really is. Seeing it for the first time. Just crash after crash over years. After years of watching, I got to see it," Caleb Eubanks said.  CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Drivers will begin qualifying Saturday morning to secure their starting position for Sunday's race. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec8576059ccda1fcc25404 Trump will ‘deliver’: RNC chair signals midterms confidence despite ‘doom and gloom’ te 2026-04-25T09:12:22.229Z Trump will ‘deliver’: RNC chair signals midterms confidence despite ‘doom and gloom’ EXCLUSIVE — Despite facing a rough political environment, Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters remains optimistic the GOP will successfully defend its slim Senate and razor-thin House majorities in this year's midterm elections. "I think we're on track. I still think that we have a chance to defy history and win the midterms," Gruters said this week in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital. Republicans — as the party currently in power — were already up against traditional political headwinds that lead to a loss of congressional seats. Add to that the challenging climate fueled by persistent inflation, rising gas prices tied to what polls show is an unpopular war with Iran, and President Donald Trump's underwater approval ratings. "I know it's all doom and gloom out there, but we have the best messenger in President Trump that's ever existed in the party." The GOP is facing a low-propensity problem: MAGA voters who don't always go to the polls when Trump's name isn't on the ballot. WHAT THE LATEST FOX NEWS NATIONAL POLL SAYS ABOUT DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS The RNC chair, a longtime Trump ally who the president picked last summer to steer the national party committee, said Trump will be "barnstorming the country" later this year, adding, "I think what he's doing is rallying people. I think he could deliver these low propensity voters over and over again." The RNC currently holds a massive fundraising and cash-on-hand advantage over the rival Democratic National Committee (DNC). Gruters, who was a certified public accountant (CPA) before taking over the RNC and who still serves as a Florida state senator, touted his party's "superior resources." "If we focus on what's important to us, and that's the making sure we have the resources, making sure we have good candidates, following the president and his messaging, I think we will be successful," he predicted. Deep concerns over inflation boosted Trump and Republicans to sweeping victories at the ballot box in 2024, as they won back the White House and Senate and kept their House majority. DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB But Democrats say their decisive victories in November's 2025 elections, and their overperformances in special elections and other ballot box showdowns last year and, so far this year, were fueled by their laser focus on affordability amid persistent inflation. The latest Fox News national poll indicates that just 28% of voters give Trump a thumbs up on handling inflation, which voters rank as the most pressing issue. The survey also says Democrats have an eight point advantage over Republicans when it comes to handling high prices. During his first year back in the White House, Trump regularly touted lower gas prices when asked about his administration's efforts on affordability. But the surge in gas prices - the national average for regular is hovering slightly above $4 per gallon - due to the Trump-ordered attacks on Iran, has given the Democrats plenty of political fuel. "Donald Trump started a war that no one wanted, and now Americans are paying the price. Gas prices are soaring and families who were already struggling in Trump’s economy are forced to stretch their budgets even further while footing the bill for this war," DNC Chair Ken Martin said in a statement. Martin charged that Trump "stuck everybody else with higher costs with no relief in sight. Americans literally can’t afford the Trump presidency."  TRUMP HITS KEY BATTLEGROUNDS TO SELL TAX CUTS, BOOST GOP AHEAD OF MIDTERMS But Gruters told Fox News Digital, "This conflict is temporary. I think the President knows exactly what he's doing...I think by the time we hit November, I think we're going to be in stride." Democrats are energized, thanks to their ballot box victories and overperformances. "Nearly every week, we're seeing red districts go blue with historic, game-changing victories up and down the ballot," Martin emphasized. "We have momentum on our side, but we refuse to take a single day for granted. Democrats are all hands on deck ahead of November, because it's time to send the Republicans packing." Gruters isn't buying the Democrats' messaging. "These special elections are special for a reason," he said. "The Democrats are motivated because of anger, because every time the president does something good, they get they get angrier." And the RNC chair predicted "by the time we hit the midterms, I think we're going to be in full stride. We have great candidates, we have the right messaging, and I think we'll be successful." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec8562059ccda1fcc253fb DeSantis under pressure as Florida redraw could tip House balance in GOP map fight te 2026-04-25T09:12:02.748Z DeSantis under pressure as Florida redraw could tip House balance in GOP map fight All eyes are on Florida next week, as it is likely the final battleground in the high-stakes fight between President Donald Trump and Republicans versus Democrats over congressional redistricting. A special session of the Florida legislature, called earlier this year by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis to redraw the right-leaning state's U.S. House districts, kicks off on Tuesday. At stake is which party will control the House of Representatives during the final two years of Trump's second term in the White House. Republicans and Democrats over the past nine months have been redrawing the House district maps in states they control to gain partisan advantages heading into this year's midterm elections, when the GOP will be defending its razor-thin congressional majority. DESANTIS AND JEFFRIES TRADE SHOTS OVER FLORIDA CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING Lawmakers in the GOP-dominated Florida legislature are meeting one week after voters in Virginia narrowly passed a referendum that, if it clears legal hurdles, will give the state's Democratic-controlled legislature — rather than the current nonpartisan commission — temporary redistricting power through the 2030 election. It could result in a 10-1 advantage for Democrats in Virginia's congressional delegation, up from their current 6-5 edge. The vote in Virginia put more pressure on DeSantis to deliver a new map in Florida that could create between three and five more right-leaning congressional districts. "Florida has the right and the intention to do it. And my view is that they should," House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters on Wednesday when asked if Florida's maps should be redrawn in time for the midterms. A Florida-based Republican in the governor's wider political circle who asked for anonymity to speak more freely told Fox News Digital, "Gov. DeSantis is under tremendous pressure to deliver an answer to Virginia for Trump and Speaker Johnson." The road ahead for DeSantis is not easy: the governor already pushed through a new House map four years ago, which helped secure the GOP's current 20-8 majority in Florida's U.S. House delegation. Redrawing the map again just four years later is harder. VIRGINIA VOTE GIVES DEMOCRATS MIDTERM MAP EDGE - SPARKS GOP BLAME GAME There are also legal hurdles DeSantis faces: It is illegal under Florida's constitution to redraw maps for partisan gain, known as gerrymandering. Democrats have vowed lawsuits against any new map that may come out of Tallahassee. U.S. House Democratic leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries last week took aim at what some are dubbing "dummymander," a play on words of "gerrymander," and argued that redrawing the maps in Florida — where the GOP suffered setbacks earlier this spring in special legislative elections — would harm Republican members of Congress. "Our message to Florida Republicans is, ‘F around and find out,’" Jeffries told reporters as he referenced next week's redistricting legislative session. Jeffries said the redistricting move would lead Democrats to increase their target list of vulnerable Florida House Republicans. He warned DeSantis and Republicans that "the electoral tide is turning in Florida." DEMOCRATS NARROWLY WIN CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING SHOWDOWN IN VIRGINIA Pushing back, DeSantis said "Please. Be my guest. I will pay for you to come down to Florida to campaign." "I’ll put you up in the Florida governor’s mansion. We will take you fishing," the governor added. DeSantis has argued that the last U.S. Census was full of flaws and claimed that it robbed Florida of an extra congressional seat. And the governor has also pointed to the major influx of new residents this decade who moved to Florida from other states in the wake of the COVID pandemic. Not all Florida Republicans are on board with the effort, due to concerns it may backfire. A Florida-based GOP strategist told Fox News Digital some Florida members of Congress "don't want this." And pointing to the legislature, where there are some grumblings, the strategist, who asked to remain anonymous to speak clearly, said "some don't want to do it, but their hands will be forced." Florida has already moved the filing deadline for congressional candidates back from April to June, but for candidates already running for Congress, the late-in-the-game map redraw brings plenty of complications. "Changing the map changes the race. Candidates have been interview for a job description that just got a requirement change," veteran Florida-based GOP donor and bundler Dan Eberhart told Fox News Digital. Eberhart noted that "these candidates are going to have to call an audible really soon - changing districts and probably new competitors." Florida may be the final battlefield in a political war that started a year ago. Aiming to prevent what happened during his first term in the White House when Democrats reclaimed the House majority in the 2018 midterms, Trump last spring first floated the idea of rare, but not unheard of, mid-decade congressional redistricting. The mission was simple: redraw congressional district maps in red states to pad the GOP's fragile House majority to keep control of the chamber in the midterms, when the party in power traditionally faces political headwinds and loses seats. When asked by reporters last summer about his plan to add Republican-leaning House seats across the country, the president said, "Texas will be the biggest one. And that’ll be five." Republican Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas called a special session of the GOP-dominated state legislature to pass the new map. But Democratic state lawmakers, who broke quorum for two weeks as they fled Texas in a bid to delay the passage of the redistricting bill, energized Democrats across the country. Among those leading the fight against Trump's redistricting was Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom of California. DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB California voters in November overwhelmingly passed Proposition 50, a ballot initiative that temporarily sidetracked the left-leaning state's nonpartisan redistricting commission and returned the power to draw the congressional maps to the Democratic-dominated legislature. That is expected to result in five more Democratic-leaning congressional districts in California, which aimed to counter the move by Texas to redraw their maps. The fight quickly spread beyond Texas and California. Republican-controlled Missouri and Ohio and swing state North Carolina, where the GOP dominates the legislature, have drawn new maps as part of the president's push. In blows to Republicans, a Utah district judge late last year rejected a congressional district map drawn by the state's GOP-dominated legislature and instead approved an alternate that will create a Democratic-leaning district ahead of the midterms. Republicans in Indiana's Senate in December defied Trump, shooting down a redistricting bill that had passed the state House. The showdown in the Indiana statehouse grabbed plenty of national attention. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec854f059ccda1fcc253f2 Michigan governor hopeful pressed on past SPLC work after DOJ indictment: 'What did Jocelyn know?' te 2026-04-25T09:11:43.023Z Michigan governor hopeful pressed on past SPLC work after DOJ indictment: 'What did Jocelyn know?' Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s campaign hit back at Republican attacks Friday after the state GOP demanded answers from the Democratic gubernatorial front-runner on her past work with the federally-indicted Southern Poverty Law Center. Benson is a former volunteer and later board member of the SPLC, which was indicted Tuesday on 11 counts over accusations it fraudulently paid members of extremist groups like the KKK and those tied to the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the SPLC paid members of these extremist groups so it could create a "work product that reported on these activities." "Jocelyn Benson regularly touted her experience as a leader of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), a group that the Department of Justice says secretly funneled money to the KKK and other hate groups they were purportedly tracking," the Michigan Republican Party posted on its official X account on Friday. "What did Jocelyn know, and when did she know it?" JAY JONES TARGETED AS AGS URGE NATIONAL GROUPS TO DENY MEMBERSHIP OVER SCANDALS: ‘STAIN ON OUR INSTITUTION’ After her 2004 graduation from college in Massachusetts, Benson moved to Alabama to work for the SPLC where she aided investigations of hate groups and hate crimes, according to the Harvard Law Review. She also visited the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma where civil rights figures like the late Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., marched and were badly beaten by law enforcement. An official with the Benson campaign confirmed she served as a volunteer researcher for the SPLC after college and later served on the Montgomery-based group’s board from 2014-2018. But when pressed on what Benson knew about the allegations in the DOJ's indictment, her campaign pushed back on the Republican Party's attacks. "Jocelyn Benson has spent her career advancing the unfinished work of the civil rights movement and expanding economic opportunity, including helping dismantle white supremacist and neo-Nazi extremist networks responsible for hate crimes across the country," the campaign told Fox News Digital on Friday. "And while Donald Trump is trying to use his Justice Department to distract from his reckless economic policies that are driving up costs for Michiganders, Jocelyn remains focused on lower costs, raising wages, and protecting the rights and freedoms of the people in this state." Republicans continued to press Benson for answers. MIGOP chairman Jim Runestad told Fox News Digital that Benson’s tenure on the SPLC board coincided with the timeframe in which the DOJ alleged the group began "paying the KKK and other extremist groups." DEM GOV'S NEW CAMPAIGN MESSAGE MAN ONCE SAID 'RELIGIOUS RIGHT' UNITED BY 'WHITE SUPREMACY' "Benson owes an explanation to the public in what she knows about the SPLC's alleged criminal behavior, considering the criminal activity started around the same time Benson was named to the Board," Runestad said. Benson has previously described her early work at the SPLC as focused on investigating extremist groups. In a 2025 interview with "Keen on America," Benson recounted researching groups "claiming to be the reincarnation of [Adolf] Hitler," saying she once sat alone in a hotel room in Spartanburg and feared those people "were going to find out who I was and come and kill me and no one would ever know about it and all the rest." "And that was an act of courage, small and no one saw it, but it helped me build a bravery muscle that and several other points throughout my life so that 20 years later, 25 years later, when I’m standing up to the president of the United States, it wasn’t the first time I’ve had to take on those harrowing fights," Benson went on in the interview. In prior comments, an SPLC official named Penny Weaver described Benson as coming to Montgomery "straight out of college as an unpaid intern, then worked for us." "Benson worked as a waitress to support herself so she could continue to volunteer at the center," Weaver said, adding that Benson begged to be able to volunteer for the SPLC. BLACK LIVES MATTER OKC LEADER CHARGED WITH WIRE FRAUD, MONEY LAUNDERING IN ALLEGED $3.15M EMBEZZLEMENT SCHEME The SPLC is a longstanding left-wing nonprofit that claims to fight white supremacy and racial hatred by reporting on extremist groups and conducting research to inform law enforcement about them with the goal of dismantling the groups. SPLC's CEO, Bryan Fair, addressed the probe in a video message posted online, arguing the Trump administration has "made no secret who they want to protect and who they want to destroy." "We are reviewing the charges," a subsequent statement from Fair sent to Fox News Digital added. "However, after today’s Department of Justice press conference, we are outraged by the false allegations levied against SPLC – an organization that for 55 years has stood as a beacon of hope fighting white supremacy and various forms of injustice to create a multi-racial democracy where we can all live and thrive. Taking on violent hate and extremist groups is among the most dangerous work there is, and we believe it is also among the most important work we do. To be clear, this program saved lives." The complete list of these groups, according to a Justice Department press release, includes the Ku Klux Klan, United Klans of America, Unite the Right, National Alliance, the National Socialist Movement, Aryan Nations affiliated Sadistic Souls Motorcycle Club, National Socialist Party of America (American Nazi Party), and the American Front. Blanche and FBI Director Patel also argued Tuesday that the SPLC tried to hide its payments to groups the SPLC told its donors it was trying to combat, leading to several of the charges in the indictment. Fox News Digital’s Alexandra Koch and Alec Schemmel and Fox News’ Jake Gibson and David Spunt contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec8539059ccda1fcc253d5 Firm Building Trump’s Ballroom Got a Secret No-Bid Contract for a Nearby Job te 2026-04-25T09:11:21.786Z Firm Building Trump’s Ballroom Got a Secret No-Bid Contract for a Nearby Job The National Park Service increased the value of the contract several times over and then awarded it to Maryland-based Clark Construction, in a process that experts said was highly unusual. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec8526059ccda1fcc253cc Under Trump, Green Card Seekers Face New Scrutiny for Views on Israel te 2026-04-25T09:11:02.013Z Under Trump, Green Card Seekers Face New Scrutiny for Views on Israel In guidance to immigration officers, the administration describes participating in pro-Palestinian protests and criticizing Israel as “overwhelmingly negative” factors. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec8512059ccda1fcc253c3 Tennessee Passed a Slate of Immigration Bills. Here’s What They Do. te 2026-04-25T09:10:42.411Z Tennessee Passed a Slate of Immigration Bills. Here’s What They Do. The Republican supermajority in the Tennessee General Assembly approved a series of immigrations bills, crafted in coordination with the White House. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec84fe059ccda1fcc253ba Trump Seeks to Abolish Iran’s Atomic Stockpile, a Problem He Helped Create te 2026-04-25T09:10:22.782Z Trump Seeks to Abolish Iran’s Atomic Stockpile, a Problem He Helped Create President Trump withdrew from the Obama-era nuclear accord in 2018, saying it was the worst deal ever. But Iran responded with an enrichment spree that haunts the negotiations to this day. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec82aa059ccda1fcc2535a Dems put Trump on notice as redistricting fight ramps up ahead of midterms: 'Going to fight back' te 2026-04-25T09:00:26.094Z Dems put Trump on notice as redistricting fight ramps up ahead of midterms: 'Going to fight back' As redistricting battles are reaching a boiling point, Democrats said President Donald Trump "started this" while defending their own party’s response ahead of the 2026 midterms. "Donald Trump started this battle, and if people thought Democrats were going to sit on their hands while this happened, that was not the case," Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said. "We’re going to fight back." "Democrats did not want this," Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., added. On Tuesday night, Virginia voters narrowly passed a congressional redistricting referendum backed by Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger, securing a victory for Democrats and shifting momentum in the race for the U.S. House of Representatives. NEWSOM TURNS VIRGINIA REDISTRICTING VICTORY INTO WARNING SHOT FOR TRUMP ADMINISTRATION The Virginia referendum, which comes after Trump’s push for redistricting in Republican-controlled states, could give Democrats four more House seats. "It all starts with Donald Trump asking Gov. Abbott to do an unusual mid-decade redistricting," Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., said. Aguilar said that President Trump’s push in Texas may have sparked the nationwide map fights, but "Democrats and the American people are going to end it." "Republicans engaged in redistricting discussions in Indiana and in Kansas and in all these other places. It’s incredibly frustrating," Aguilar said. "Republicans started this fight, but Democrats and the American people are going to end it." Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., called the move "a grab by the president." BETO ENCOURAGES DEMOCRATS TO FIGHT 'FIRE WITH FIRE' IN TEXAS REDISTRICTING BATTLE "Mr. Trump said in Texas he was owed five seats, and that’s what triggered redistricting with no transparency," Dean said. "Just a grab by the president." Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., said states following Trump’s lead are "doing the bidding" of the president and escalating the fight. "I think that Trump started a slippery slope that we’re sliding down," Johnson said. "Democrats have to match the overreach of complicit Republicans doing the bidding of Donald Trump." Democrats justified their response as a strategic "play." "What Democrats have done is just play defense," Takano said. "We’re not going to roll over and just allow this to happen." Some Democrats said they had no choice but to join the gerrymandering efforts. Both parties hope to win the House using this strategy. "No one should be interfering with the democratic process, but Mr. Trump was the one who initiated it," Shri Thanedar, D-Mich., said. TRUMP FORCES INDIANA GOP INTO REDISTRICTING REVERSAL IN RACE TO DRAW NEW MAGA MAP Johnson said he believes gerrymandering goes beyond politics and could also impact voter representation. "Partisan gerrymandering is a fig leaf for what’s really happening, which is the racialized redistricting meant to make America great again by excluding Black folks from being able to elect the representatives of their choice, Black and brown people," he said. One democrat suggested redistricting could wind down soon. "I think we may have seen the end of any viable redistricting right now before the election," Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., said. However, Takano said Democrats would not back down. "You can’t bring a knife to a gunfight and say, ‘Hey, Republicans can just change districts mid-decade without a response,’" he said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec794c059ccda1fcc25024 Mississippi governor says he will call special session to redraw district maps after SCOTUS ruling te 2026-04-25T08:20:28.094Z Mississippi governor says he will call special session to redraw district maps after SCOTUS ruling Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves on Friday said he will call a special legislative session to redraw district lines after the U.S. Supreme Court issues a ruling in a key redistricting case. Reeves said the session would take place 21 days after the court rules in Louisiana v. Callais, a case that could reshape how states apply the Voting Rights Act. The case centers on Louisiana’s 2024 congressional map, which added a second majority-Black district and is being challenged as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. The outcome could influence redistricting battles nationwide, particularly in Republican-led states, ahead of this year’s midterms. SCOTUS CONSERVATIVES SIGNAL READINESS TO CURB LATE-ARRIVING MAIL BALLOTS Reeves said the ruling could also affect a separate Mississippi case requiring the state to redraw its Supreme Court district lines. That lawsuit, filed by groups including the Southern Poverty Law Center and the American Civil Liberties Union, argues the current map dilutes the voting strength of Black voters in violation of federal law, according to WLBT. The state appealed the decision to the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which paused the ruling pending the outcome of Callais. JUDGE SET TO CHOOSE NEW CONGRESSIONAL MAP IN FIGHT THAT COULD RESHAPE HOUSE CONTROL "It is my belief, and federal law requires, that the Mississippi Legislature be given the first opportunity to draw these maps," Reeves said on X. "And the fact is, they haven’t had a fair opportunity to do that because of the pending Callais decision." He added that he is using his authority to allow lawmakers to redraw maps once the Supreme Court provides clarity. "For those reasons, I am using my constitutional authority to allow the Mississippi Legislature to use their constitutionally recognized right to draw these maps once the new rules of the game are known following Callais," Reeves said. REPUBLICANS APPEAL JUDGE'S DECISION REJECTING NEW YORK CITY GOP DISTRICT LINES Reeves said the decision could "forever change the way we draw electoral maps." In October, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority appeared open to weakening a key Voting Rights Act provision that bars states from diluting minority voting power. Critics have warned such a ruling could further erode protections for minority voters. The Supreme Court is expected to issue a decision by the summer. Fox News Digital's Breanne Deppisch contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec775c059ccda1fcc24fd6 Chamber of Southern Arizona Names New Board Chair, Three New Members te 2026-04-25T08:12:12.989Z Chamber of Southern Arizona Names New Board Chair, Three New Members By Matthew Holloway | The Chamber of Southern Arizona announced Tuesday that Alison Flynn Gaffney, chief executive officer of Banner – University Medicine Tucson, will serve as chair of its Board of Directors beginning July 1, 2026. Gaffney oversees more than 8,000 employees across Banner – University Medical Center Tucson, Banner – University Medical Center South, Diamond Children’s Medical Center, and 28 clinics in Tucson and surrounding communities, according to the organization. Banner – University Medical Center Tucson was ranked the No. 4 hospital in Arizona and the top hospital in Tucson for the second consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report. According to a press release from the Chamber, Gaffney will succeed current board chair and Tucson Electric Power (TEP) CEO Susan Gray, who has served in the role during the organization’s recent merger of Sun Corridor Inc. and the Tucson Metro Chamber. “Susan Gray did a tremendous job, and I am excited to continue the momentum she helped build,” Gaffney said. “The Chamber is a strong organization, and I look forward to contributing to its mission to help our communities and businesses flourish.” Gray said the combined organization has focused on economic development and business advocacy. “I am immensely proud of the work over the last two years,” Gray said. “With The Chamber of Southern Arizona, we have created a new powerhouse organization driving sustainable economic growth and job creation.” Chamber President and CEO Joe Snell said the organization is focused on regional competitiveness and economic development. “We’re excited to welcome Alison as Chair,” Snell said. “We’re at a critical juncture where regionalism, competitiveness, and leveraging our region’s strengths for economic development success are top focus areas.” The Chamber also announced three new members to its Board of Directors: Jose Arias, Vice President of Business Banking at First Citizens Bank; Marco Melancon, General Manager of Bombardier Aviation’s Tucson Service Center; and retired Gen. Robin Rand, President and CEO of the Kyl Institute for National Security. According to the organization, the Chamber of Southern Arizona represents businesses employing approximately 85,000 people and works with leaders from the private sector, government, nonprofit organizations, and academia on economic development, advocacy, and public policy initiatives. Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for the latest stories or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com . The post Chamber of Southern Arizona Names New Board Chair, Three New Members first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec7747059ccda1fcc24fcd Hamadeh Urges VA to Improve Home Loan Access and Affordability for Veterans te 2026-04-25T08:11:51.998Z Hamadeh Urges VA to Improve Home Loan Access and Affordability for Veterans By Ethan Faverino | Congressman Abraham Hamadeh (R-AZ-08) announced his letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins to adopt common-sense reforms to the VA Home Loan Guarantee Program. The goal is to eliminate outdated bureaucratic hurdles, reduce unnecessary costs, and better align the program with today’s competitive housing market so more young veterans can achieve the American Dream of homeownership. In a formal letter to Secretary Collins, Congressman Hamadeh highlighted the Trump administration’s strong progress in refocusing the Department of Veterans Affairs on its core mission: delivering timely benefits, expanding access to quality care, slashing the claims backlog, and eliminating waste. Building on that momentum, Hamadeh expressed confidence that practical improvements to the home loan program will receive serious consideration. “As my fellow veteran and Committee member, Congressman Van Orden said in our hearing on the subject, we must find ways to eliminate the unnecessary administrative costs of the VA Home Loan program and better align it with other Federal housing programs,” said Congressman Hamadeh. “My family is in real estate.  I am very familiar with housing, and I know the unintended consequences of bureaucratic policies that have little to no protective value and ignore the realities of the marketplace.” Congressman Hamadeh’s recommendations focus on four key areas where the VA Home Loan program lags behind other federal housing programs, such as FHA and USDA loans: Ending Origination Fee Stacking: VA rules cap lender origination and administrative fees at 1% of the loan amount, intended to cover all lender labor and overhead. However, veterans report lenders charging the full 1% while adding separate itemized fees for processing, underwriting, and other services. This practice amounts to an unfair cash grab that increases costs for veterans and should be strictly enforced. Modernizing Underwriting Process: The VA continues to rely heavily on manual underwriting, resulting in average closing times of about 10 business days. In contrast, the FHA has implemented semi-automated systems that can approve straightforward loans in as little as 2 to 7 days. The Mortgage Bankers Association has testified that automated underwriting would accelerate the process and help reduce the perception that VA loans are slower and more cumbersome.  Raising the Seller Concessions Cap: The VA currently limits seller concessions to 4% of the home’s reasonable value. Both FHA and USDA programs allow up to 6%. In competitive markets, this 2-percentage point difference can mean the difference between a veteran’s offer being accepted or denied. Addressing Appraiser Shortages Through Reasonable Certification Requirements: The VA has identified 436 counties in 31 states facing appraiser shortages that delay loans and drive up costs. A major contributor is the VA’s stringent experience requirement of 3 to 5 years for certification, compared to just 12 to 18 months for FHA and USDA programs. Aligning standards would increase the pool of qualified appraisers, shortening waiting times and lowering fees. These targeted reforms would remove barriers without compromising program integrity, helping young veterans secure homes more efficiently and affordably. By modernizing the program, VA can better fulfill its promise to those men and women who have sacrificed for our country. The post Hamadeh Urges VA to Improve Home Loan Access and Affordability for Veterans first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec7733059ccda1fcc24fc4 Complaint Filed Against Campaign to Roll Back Universal School Choice in Arizona te 2026-04-25T08:11:31.157Z Complaint Filed Against Campaign to Roll Back Universal School Choice in Arizona By Staff Reporter | The coalition behind a ballot initiative to roll back the universality of Arizona’s school choice program is facing a campaign finance complaint. On Thursday, the Protect Education Accountability Act Now Committee (PEANC) was made subject to a complaint which AZ Free News reviewed. PEANC was accused of falsely claiming that out-of-state contributors amounted to a mere nine percent of funding. PEANC filed the ballot initiative, “Protect Education Act” last month. If approved, the initiative would impose an income cap on enrollment in the Empowerment Scholarship Account Program, among other restrictions to include an elimination of funding rollover. The Protect Education Act superseded an earlier version, the “Protect Education, Accountability Now Act.” In order to make the ballot, the initiative will need nearly 256,000 signatures. PEANC reported gathering over 150,000 signatures during a virtual press conference on Friday.  The complainant, Jack Johnson Pannell, cited a disclaimer posted to the bottom of PEANC’s website. That disclaimer reflects PEANC’s total out-of-state contributors account for only nine percent of its total funding.  Arizona law requires political action committee advertisements to disclose the aggregate percentage of out-of-state contributors as calculated at the time the advertisement was produced for publication, display, delivery, or broadcast.  Pannell’s complaint called for a declaration that PEANC violated Arizona campaign finance disclosure law and an action against the committee.  Pannell said on X that Arizona families deserve the truth behind PEANC. Pannell is the founder of Trinity Arch Prep School for Boys, a microschool.  “More than 100,000 families are choosing great options for educating their children,” said Pannell. “It’s a cheap shot to accuse hardworking people of cheating the system. It just ain’t true.” I’m proud to file this complaint because AZ families deserve the truth. More than 100,000 families are choosing great options for educating their children. It’s a cheap shot to accuse hardworking people of cheating the system. It just ain’t true. #schoolchoice https://t.co/FFz9MkTWLh — Jack Johnson Pannell (@Lyncaeus) April 25, 2026 Contrary to this disclaimer, campaign finance records reveal that 98 percent — $4.5 million, or nearly all of PEANC’s $4.6 million in funding — have come from special interest groups in Washington, D.C.  That $4.5 million came from the National Education Association in four allotments delivered throughout February and March. The first payments from the NEA (over $2.3 million) came on February 13 — exactly a week after PEANC registered their website domain. The earliest available archived version of the site captured on February 12 reflected an out-of-state contributions disclosure totaled at 50 percent.  Other major donors included the Arizonans For Quality Education ($50,000), Nita and Phil Francis ($25,000), and Arizona Education Association ($10,000). The chairman of Arizonans For Quality Education (AFQE) is the Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA)’s former executive director, Justan Rice, now the Libertas Institute director of state government affairs. Its treasurer is ASBA’s current executive director, Ellen White. 99 percent of AFQE’s funding has come from “shadow sponsors”: unnamed corporations and LLCs. The remainder of the funding, less than half of a percent, came from Christopher Kotterman on behalf of the Friends of ASBA.  Kotterman became a senior policy advisor for Gov. Katie Hobbs in late 2024.  Phil Francis is the retired chairman and CEO of PetSmart; Nita Francis formerly chaired the Valleywise Health Foundation board. The post Complaint Filed Against Campaign to Roll Back Universal School Choice in Arizona first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec7704059ccda1fcc24f90 DC murder rate sees astonishing turnaround as Trump team credits federal crackdown te 2026-04-25T08:10:44.568Z DC murder rate sees astonishing turnaround as Trump team credits federal crackdown Washington, D.C.’s homicide count has dropped sharply this year, falling by roughly half compared to the same period in 2025, as the Trump administration points to an aggressive federal crackdown in the nation’s capital. The administration has credited the appointment of U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, a surge of federal agents and the deployment of National Guard troops with driving the decline. But criminologists say similar drops are playing out nationwide and caution that it is difficult to tie the improvement to any single policy, setting up a debate over what is actually behind the shift. There have been 20 murders at this point in 2026, compared to 42 in the same timeframe in 2025, alongside Pirro’s tough enforcement posture and an increased visible law enforcement presence. The nation’s murder rate overall is at its lowest since 1900, which President Donald Trump has credited to his border policies. As for D.C., the White House said that Trump's crime task force has yielded "tremendous results for the community." SCOOP: WHITE HOUSE TOUTS GUNS AND DRUG HAUL REMOVED FROM DC STREETS AS TRUMP’S CRIME BLITZ NETS 550 ARRESTS "Crime has dropped across the board, dangerous criminals have been removed from the streets, missing children have been recovered, illegal weapons have been confiscated, and more," said spokeswoman Abigail Jackson, crediting the president's "bold actions in D.C." for reduced crime and saying "residents are thankful." But Thaddeus Johnson, a senior fellow at the Council on Criminal Justice and a criminology professor at Georgia State University, said it is difficult to attribute the decline to any single factor. "Crackdowns can have an effect," Johnson said in an interview, though he noted that Washington, D.C., has struggled with court backlogs and delayed cases in recent years, which may have contributed to higher crime rates. He said recent progress in clearing the backlog has allowed prosecutions to move forward and taken offenders off the streets. ‘RESISTANCE’ LEFT BLASTED BY WASHINGTON POST AS MAYOR BOWSER BACKS TRUMP'S DC CRIME PLAN Johnson acknowledged that aggressive prosecutions by Pirro and others have likely deterred some crime. "If you're prosecuting cases, you know that the deterrence is not only the severity of punishment, but it's the celerity or the swiftness of punishment and the certainty of it — the certainty of punishment is more important than the severity." He emphasized that he is not discounting Pirro or the National Guard deployment, but said it is difficult to identify any single action as a "magic bullet," particularly as other cities across the country are also seeing declines. Johnson added that Washington was still grappling with elevated robbery rates as recently as 2024, including incidents occurring outside traditionally high-crime areas in Southeast and shifting into neighborhoods such as the Wharf and Navy Yard, a revitalized nightlife corridor across the Anacostia River. "I haven't seen anything per se, evidence directly, where I can say, ‘well, yeah, it's due to the prosecutions and the judges’ as to why these crimes are going down when we started seeing that many of the crimes had started going down already," he said. "It's hard to say that it didn't play a part … particularly when we see similar patterns across the nation." TRUMP'S DC PUBLIC SAFETY SWEEP RESULTS IN 23 ARRESTS INCLUDING MURDER SUSPECT ON OPENING DAY The White House’s claims of success in reducing crime in Washington contrast with earlier warnings from critics that the National Guard deployment would backfire. District of Columbia at-large councilmember Robert White Jr. warned at the outset that it is abnormal to see armed guardsmen in an American city: "It’s hard to explain to my kids, who are 6 and 9, what’s happening here. It’s an occupation because it’s both unwelcome and unwarranted. It’s also unhelpful. But I don’t think it’s meant to be helpful in any way," White told Governing News in September. The Democrat added local officials "have an obligation to be clear that this is going to make crime worse in the coming years." Rep. Jamie Raskin, a Democrat from adjacent Takoma Park, Maryland, similarly predicted the surge was a bad idea: "No one in Washington is asking Trump to deploy the National Guard or take over the MPD. This is a phony, manufactured crisis if I’ve ever seen one," Raskin said in August. "Since taking office, Trump has repeatedly undermined public safety in our nation’s capital." House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also said last fall that Trump was acting like a "wannabe king" whose "unleash[ing of] the national guard on the city’s youth and homeless population has no basis in law and will put the safety of the people of our nation’s capital in danger." Fox News’ Elise Oggioni contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec61d8059ccda1fcc24a21 US embassy in London warns to 'exercise increased caution' near Jewish sites in UK, Europe after attacks te 2026-04-25T06:40:24.752Z US embassy in London warns to 'exercise increased caution' near Jewish sites in UK, Europe after attacks The U.S. embassy in London on Friday warned Americans to "exercise increased caution" while visiting Jewish and American areas in the U.K. and in Europe because of a recent rise in threats. "The U.S. Embassy in London notes recent attacks and threats targeting Jewish and American institutions in the United Kingdom and Europe," the alert said. "U.S. citizens, particularly those visiting institutions serving Jewish or American interests, should remain alert and exercise increased caution." The embassy further advised Americans to remain alert while visiting tourist and expat areas and houses of worship, review personal security plans and to check local media for updates. Concerned citizens can also enroll in the State Department's Safe Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive travel and security updates. NRA FORGES HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP WITH JEWISH GROUP AMID RISING ANTISEMITISM The advisory followed a series of recent antisemitic attacks in the U.K. and in Europe, including an arson attack on four ambulances linked to Jewish charity in London on March 23, an April 18 attack on the Kenton United Synagogue in London, and a March explosion at a Jewish school in Amsterdam that authorities called a "targeted attack against the Jewish community." No one was injured, but the school was damaged. ANTISEMITIC ATTACKER FACED 30-YEAR SENTENCE, GETS LESS THAN 1½ YEARS IN PLEA DEAL U.K. authorities are investigating whether "thugs for hire" backed by Iran are instigating the attacks in London, GB News reported. Prime Minister Keir Starmer told the Jewish Chronicle: "In relation to malign state actors more generally, proscription, we do need legislation in order to take necessary measures, and that is legislation that we're bringing forward as soon as we can." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec520b059ccda1fcc24617 U.S. reclassifies medical marijuana as Schedule III, easing research barriers and tax burdens te 2026-04-25T05:32:59.318Z U.S. reclassifies medical marijuana as Schedule III, easing research barriers and tax burdens Medical marijuana moves to Schedule III, boosting research and tax relief, but no change to recreational use. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec4f46059ccda1fcc245a6 Police asking for public's help in locating missing endangered person te 2026-04-25T05:21:10.602Z Police asking for public's help in locating missing endangered person BULLHEAD CITY — Police are asking for the public's help in locating a missing person. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec4f32059ccda1fcc2459d IMG_20260424_090852370_BURST000_COVER.JPG te 2026-04-25T05:20:50.699Z IMG_20260424_090852370_BURST000_COVER.JPG Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec3ec4059ccda1fcc24040 US military kills two suspected narco-terrorists in strike on drug-trafficking vessel in the Pacific te 2026-04-25T04:10:44.554Z US military kills two suspected narco-terrorists in strike on drug-trafficking vessel in the Pacific The U.S. military carried out a lethal strike on a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the Eastern Pacific on Friday, killing two suspected narco-terrorists, according to U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). "On April 24, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations," SOUTHCOM said in a post on X. "Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations," the post continued. "Two male narco-terrorists were killed during this action."No U.S. military forces were harmed." ALLEGED NARCO-TERRORISTS KILLED AS US FORCES STRIKE SUSPECTED DRUG-TRAFFICKING VESSEL IN CARIBBEAN SOUTHCOM did not immediately provide additional details about the identities of those killed or the specific groups involved. The U.S. military has carried out numerous strikes in recent months on suspected drug-smuggling vessels as part of a broader campaign to dismantle cartel-linked trafficking operations. The strike comes less than a week after SOUTHCOM said it conducted a similar operation in the Caribbean, killing three suspected narco-terrorists. US, ECUADOR LAUNCH JOINT OPERATIONS TARGETING NARCO-TERROR GROUPS: SOUTHCOM Earlier this month, the military struck a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the Eastern Pacific, killing four alleged narco-terrorists, SOUTHCOM said. SOUTHCOM is responsible for military operations in Central and South America and the Caribbean, including counter-narcotics missions aimed at disrupting drug trafficking networks that threaten U.S. interests. The Eastern Pacific remains a key corridor for narcotics trafficking, with cartels often using small, fast-moving vessels to transport drugs toward the U.S. and Central America. Fox News Digital's Alex Nitzberg and Greg Wehner contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec3eaf059ccda1fcc2401f The 85-Year-Old Widow Snagged by Trump’s Immigration Crackdown te 2026-04-25T04:10:23.423Z The 85-Year-Old Widow Snagged by Trump’s Immigration Crackdown In her first interview since being deported, Marie-Thérèse Ross-Mahé, the French widow of a former G.I., recounted her experience in ICE detention. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec37a8059ccda1fcc23eb0 Lachy Groom to back India startup Pronto at a $200M valuation, sources say te 2026-04-25T03:40:24.906Z Lachy Groom to back India startup Pronto at a $200M valuation, sources say This round, should it occur, would double the house-help startup's valuation in a matter of weeks. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec3550059ccda1fcc23e65 Matthew Stafford's wife sends message to husband's possible heir apparent, Rams draft pick Ty Simpson te 2026-04-25T03:30:24.463Z Matthew Stafford's wife sends message to husband's possible heir apparent, Rams draft pick Ty Simpson Even at 38, Matthew Stafford remains one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks. In fact, he added another trophy to his collection in February, winning his first league MVP award. Stafford edged New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye after throwing a career-best 46 touchdowns. The 2026 season will be his 18th, and with nearly two decades in the league, the Rams appear to be looking toward the future following Thursday night’s first round. The Rams selected former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 overall pick, potentially positioning him as Stafford’s successor. The decision sparked strong reactions and drew a response from Kelly Stafford, the veteran quarterback’s wife. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Simpson said Kelly Stafford welcomed him to the team with a message on social media. "Kelly has actually texted me on Instagram and welcomed me and told me to hit her up if we need anything," Simpson said during his introductory press conference. "But I can’t wait to talk to Matthew. I’m super ecstatic because I just want to pick his brain." FALCONS' MICHAEL PENIX JR SHARES CRUCIAL ADVICE KIRK COUSINS GAVE HIM AFTER TAKING OVER AS STARTER Simpson was the full-time starter at Alabama, throwing for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2025. Rams coach Sean McVay shut down any speculation that Simpson was joining the team to compete with Stafford for the starting job. "There were a lot of players that we liked, but when you do look at it, I think the thing you liked about the body of work is … let’s make one thing clear, this is Matthew’s team," McVay said Thursday. "You get a chance to be able to address the backup quarterback." Simpson's parents visited with Rams general manager Les Snead during Alabama's trip to the Los Angeles area for the Rose Bowl in January, the NFL Network reported. Simpson's father, Jason Simpson, is the head football coach at UT Martin. 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/69ec32f5059ccda1fcc23dbb Arizona sues to block ICE facility near chemical warehouse in Surprise te 2026-04-25T03:20:21.706Z Arizona sues to block ICE facility near chemical warehouse in Surprise Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec3132059ccda1fcc23d98 Supervisors delay health fee vote after dispute over Plan B te 2026-04-25T03:12:50.230Z Supervisors delay health fee vote after dispute over Plan B A disagreement over Plan B forced Mohave County supervisors to postpone a vote on public health fees Monday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec311e059ccda1fcc23d8f GOP to push $17.8B Arizona budget without Hobbs negotiations te 2026-04-25T03:12:30.164Z GOP to push $17.8B Arizona budget without Hobbs negotiations PHOENIX -- Republicans who control the Arizona Legislature plan to give Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs what she's been seeking for months: their budget plan for the state fiscal year that starts July 1. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec310a059ccda1fcc23d86 Possible plea agreement could be determined next month in Kelm case te 2026-04-25T03:12:10.171Z Possible plea agreement could be determined next month in Kelm case According to Deputy Mohave County Attorney Leah Nelson, a range of 10 to 24 years in prison is her standard offer in any plea agreement involving charges of sexual exploitation of a minor. For defendant Richard Kelm this week, the… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec30f6059ccda1fcc23d7d Lake Havasu City man faces prison in weapons misconduct case te 2026-04-25T03:11:50.327Z Lake Havasu City man faces prison in weapons misconduct case A Lake Havasu City man faces potential prison time in a misconduct involving weapons case. Deputy Mohave County attorney Jennnifer Brodie said Jaden Derry, 30, illegally possessed a firearm when contacted by police two months ago. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec30e2059ccda1fcc23d74 Lake Havasu City to light London Bridge red for fallen firefighters te 2026-04-25T03:11:30.250Z Lake Havasu City to light London Bridge red for fallen firefighters Lake Havasu City will glow red next week to honor firefighters who died in the line of duty or from job-related illnesses. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec30ce059ccda1fcc23d6b Havasu stalking case brings 1.5-year prison term for Chino Valley man te 2026-04-25T03:11:10.390Z Havasu stalking case brings 1.5-year prison term for Chino Valley man A short prison sentence has been imposed in a stalking and harassment case that occurred in Lake Havasu City. The incident occurred last Dec. at the end of a relationship between Justin St. Marie, 33, and a 17-year-old girl. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec30ba059ccda1fcc23d62 Bullhead City man admits gun charge, resisting arrest after police scuffle te 2026-04-25T03:10:50.301Z Bullhead City man admits gun charge, resisting arrest after police scuffle A man arrested after scuffling with police officers in Bullhead City last month entered a plea agreement in Mohave County superior court on April 24. Scott Main, 53, pleaded guilty to prohibited possession of a firearm and resisting arrest. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec29ac059ccda1fcc23bd2 Fernando Mendoza says the Raiders have 'the most Hispanic fan base' te 2026-04-25T02:40:44.579Z Fernando Mendoza says the Raiders have 'the most Hispanic fan base' Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza claimed his new team has the "most Hispanic fan base" after going No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft. Mendoza made the statement during his introductory press conference for the team on Friday. "The history of the Raiders, especially the Hispanic history, is like no other. I believe it's probably the most Hispanic fan base and legends like Mr. [Jim] Plunkett, like Mr. [Tom] Flores. I mean, all those legendary Hispanic idols and cornerstones of the franchise. It means a lot as a Cuban American to come to this franchise and help try to carry the torch. But again, I've got to prove it, and I'm really looking forward to connecting with the Hispanic community here," Mendoza said. Mendoza himself is Cuban, as the descendant of Cuban refugees. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM After Fidel Castro seized control of Cuba and installed a communist regime, all four of Mendoza's grandparents fled the country and came to America. "We all thought it was temporary," Mendoza's maternal grandfather, Alberto Espino, previously told The Washington Post. "There was no way the United States would allow a communist regime 90 miles away." But Castro's reign endured, so Espino and the Mendozas remained in the U.S. and built their lives as Americans. GENO SMITH REACTS TO REPORTED MOVE TO RAIDERS: 'GOD IS THE GREATEST Mendoza is coming into the NFL after one of the best seasons by a quarterback in college football history for Indiana. Now, as the quarterback of the Raiders, he will be under pressure to carry one of the league's historic franchises back to prominence after decades of underachieving. "It's a huge responsibility, but it's also a huge honor to honor the legacy. The Raiders are a core historic franchise and one of the faces of the NFL, and I feel like, again, I need to prove it and earn it every single day," Mendoza said. "Especially as a rookie, nothing's given, and my belief in that everything is earned. So, I'm going to come in humble, try to establish myself with my work ethic and lead by example, but at the end of the day, it's all great saying these words, but I've got to do it." 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/69ec2999059ccda1fcc23bc9 Fox News Campus Radicals Newsletter: UCLA mob mess, veiled threats of violence and a major win over DEI te 2026-04-25T02:40:25.167Z Fox News Campus Radicals Newsletter: UCLA mob mess, veiled threats of violence and a major win over DEI DEATH THREATS: DHS lawyer says UCLA 'utterly failed' to stop protest chaos at law school appearance CAMPUS CHAOS: WATCH: Mayhem erupts as leftists interrupt conservative group's UCLA event featuring DHS lawyer TERROR TIES: UC Berkeley slammed after anti-Israel group hosts failed suicide bomber as guest event speaker: 'cesspool' BACKLASH BUILDS: Harvard reportedly investigating Republican Club over social media post about Muslim group's campus event SECURITY ALARM: Trump DEI crackdown ‘misses core ideology' and must target lingering danger on campuses, watchdog warns VIOLENT DISPLAY: Severed Trump head painting displayed at Utah Pride event; kids invited to hit Mike Lee piñata CURRICULUM CHANGE: Texas Tech to recognize only two sexes, freezes gender programs Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec24fc059ccda1fcc23ade Eagles' wheeler-dealer Howie Roseman adds pass rusher Jonathan Greenard in trade with Vikings te 2026-04-25T02:20:44.470Z Eagles' wheeler-dealer Howie Roseman adds pass rusher Jonathan Greenard in trade with Vikings The NFL Draft isn’t official unless Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman is wheeling and dealing to make his team better, even at the expense of others. Roseman was definitely doing all of that during Friday's second round when he added veteran edge rusher Jonathan Greenard to bolster the team's defense, which had lost Jaelan Phillips to the Carolina Panthers in free agency. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! The Vikings traded Greenard and the 244th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to the Eagles in exchange for the 98th overall pick in this draft and a third-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. Immediately upon making the trade, OutKick confirmed that Greenard and the Eagles reached an agreement on a four-year contract extension worth $100 million. ESPN reported the extension includes $50 million fully guaranteed. CHIEFS AND BROWNS MAKE FIRST TRADE OF 2026 DRAFT AND BOTH EVENTUALLY FILL NEEDS So why did the Eagles do this? Well, they just added a player who collected 27.5 sacks the past three seasons in Minnesota and Houston. So they're filling the void left by the departure of Phillips, who has 28 sacks in his entire five-year career. PACKERS PLAYERS TAUNT VIKINGS FOLLOWING GAME-SEALING INTERCEPTION And the Eagles did it at a cost savings because while they're spending $100 million on Greenard, the Panthers signed Phillips for $120 million over four years with $80 million guaranteed. The Vikings, it should be noted, aren't typically in the business of trading away talent. But they were in a pickle because Greenard was demanding a raise on a contract that had two years remaining at an average of $19 million per season. Greenard's contract demands came despite the fact his sack total dipped to only three last season. The Vikings weren't comfortable giving a player with multiple years left on his contract a raise after a subpar season. They also didn't love the idea of enduring a possible contract holdout the entire offseason and possibly into training camp. So when Roseman called, they picked up the phone and avoided all that distraction. But it helped make the Eagles better. FOLLOW ARMANDO SALGUERO ON X: @ARMANDOSALGUERO Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec24e7059ccda1fcc23abe 2 Killed in Boat Strike in Eastern Pacific Ocean, Pentagon Says te 2026-04-25T02:20:23.407Z 2 Killed in Boat Strike in Eastern Pacific Ocean, Pentagon Says The attack — the sixth this month — raised the death toll to at least 182 in a campaign against people the Trump administration accuses of smuggling drugs at sea. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec1e0e059ccda1fcc239aa Scene pkg April 24 te 2026-04-25T01:51:10.513Z Scene pkg April 24 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec1de0059ccda1fcc2396e Scientists revive ancient 24,000-year-old ‘zombie worm’ from Arctic ice — then it reproduced te 2026-04-25T01:50:24.434Z Scientists revive ancient 24,000-year-old ‘zombie worm’ from Arctic ice — then it reproduced Scientists have successfully revived a 24,000-year-old microscopic organism from Siberian permafrost, offering new insight into how life can endure extreme conditions over vast stretches of time. According to a study published in the journal Current Biology, researchers identified the organism as a rotifer — a tiny, multicellular animal often found in freshwater environments and known for its unusual durability. The specimen had been frozen deep within Siberian permafrost since the Late Pleistocene, a period that ended roughly 11,700 years ago. Scientists say the surrounding ice-rich soil, known as the Yedoma formation, helped preserve the organism in a stable, frozen state for tens of thousands of years. After carefully thawing the rotifer under controlled laboratory conditions, researchers observed that it resumed normal biological functions. The organism not only became active again but was also able to reproduce asexually, suggesting that its cellular structures remained intact despite the passage of millennia. STUDY FINDS EVIDENCE OF MICROPLASTICS IN BRAINS AND OTHER ORGANS "Our report is the hardest proof as of today that multicellular animals could withstand tens of thousands of years in cryptobiosis, the state of almost completely arrested metabolism," lead researcher Stas Malavin said in an interview with the Indian Defence Review. The process that allowed the rotifer to survive is known as cryptobiosis, a biological state in which metabolic activity slows to nearly zero. This enables certain organisms to withstand extreme environments, including freezing temperatures, dehydration and lack of oxygen. While scientists have previously revived organisms from ice, those examples have typically involved single-celled life forms or simpler structures. The successful revival of a multicellular organism marks a significant step forward, as more complex bodies present greater challenges when it comes to surviving freezing and thawing without damage. NEW STUDY REVEALS LEPROSY EXISTED IN THE AMERICAS BEFORE EUROPEAN EXPLORERS ARRIVED Ancient microbes, including viruses, have also been preserved in permafrost and are typically easier to revive because of their simpler structure. In some experiments, scientists have reactivated viruses that remained capable of infecting host cells after thawing, though none have been linked to human illness. Researchers say the findings underscore a separate concern: as rising global temperatures accelerate permafrost thaw, long-dormant microbes could be released outside controlled lab conditions, prompting new questions about potential environmental and health risks. Rotifers, though microscopic, possess specialized systems such as digestive tracts and rudimentary nervous structures, making their long-term survival in a frozen state particularly notable. Researchers say the findings could have broader implications for science, including studies on how cells resist damage from ice crystals and radiation over time. The discovery may also inform fields such as biotechnology and astrobiology, where scientists explore how life might persist in extreme or extraterrestrial environments. Despite the breakthrough, experts caution that the findings do not suggest that larger organisms — such as mammals — could be revived after similar periods of freezing. The complexity of higher life forms makes them far more vulnerable to cellular damage during freezing and thawing processes. Still, the study expands current understanding of the limits of life on Earth and raises new questions about how long organisms can remain viable under the right conditions, potentially reshaping scientific thinking about survival in extreme environments. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec1704059ccda1fcc2384c New Surprise ICE facility will be located in 'documented chemical hazard zone,' AG Mayes says te 2026-04-25T01:21:08.029Z New Surprise ICE facility will be located in 'documented chemical hazard zone,' AG Mayes says Mayes said the facility is adjacent to a chemical and gas facility and could pose a danger to detainees. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec16d8059ccda1fcc2381a Houston Texans pick Kayden McDonald cries a veritable ocean of tears at 2026 NFL Draft te 2026-04-25T01:20:24.156Z Houston Texans pick Kayden McDonald cries a veritable ocean of tears at 2026 NFL Draft Kayden McDonald thought he was going to be picked by somebody in the first round of the NFL Draft. But when that didn't happen, he and his family had to decide whether to stay in the so-called green room for the second round or get out of the view of cameras. McDonald returned to the green room Friday and, judging by what happened when he was picked by the Houston Texans, it was everything for the young man. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! The moment his name was called, McDonald began to weep. We're talking a stream of tears as he hugged his family. And more tears as he walked to the stage. And even more as he embraced NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. 'SPECIAL' PLAYER JEREMIYAH LOVE GOES TO CARDINALS Cool. A release. But that wasn't all. McDonald could not turn off the faucet in his eyes as he spoke with ESPN stage reporter Laura Rutledge. It was a veritable ocean of tears. NFL STARS TEAM UP TO SURPRISE MAKE-A-WISH GROUP AT LIDS AHEAD OF SUPER BOWL LIX And pure joy. "It's emotional, man," McDonald said during the moving moment. "I know I'm supposed to be here. I'm just so blessed. I'm just so thankful. I'm just so emotional, like, where I came from. It's a blessing." McDonald is from Suwanee, Georgia, and his neighborhood wasn’t what most would consider rough or impoverished — not affluent, either, but far from it. TOP FIVE HILARIOUS NFL DRAFT NIGHT MOMENTS TO GET THE NOSTALGIA FLOWING McDonald is also generally described as coming from a stable, supportive family. His parents were actively involved in his recruitment process that led him to Ohio State. This is a high-character, disciplined prospect, multiple NFL evaluators told OutKick before the draft. And yet, McDonald's truth is that he rose from the improbable to the second round of the NFL draft. And that moved him. Then it moved us because it moved him on national television. And this is where we sometimes forget, as we watch these athletes head toward notoriety, adulation and, yes, riches, that the journey exacts a price. It can be a trip fraught with hard work and setbacks as well as lined with success and rewards. Either way, it exacts costs. So reaching the milestone of being selected in the draft is a defining life moment for these men. They all obviously know this. Some celebrate it with smiles or excitement. Some celebrate it with tears of joy as a release. That was Kayden McDonald on Friday night. FOLLOW ARMANDO SALGUERO ON X: @ARMANDOSALGUERO Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec122a059ccda1fcc23732 Florida Dem filed for reelection days before resignation as House Ethics Committee ramped up pressure te 2026-04-25T01:00:26.077Z Florida Dem filed for reelection days before resignation as House Ethics Committee ramped up pressure Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is still registered to run for reelection despite having resigned from office amid congressional and federal probes for allegedly mishandling disaster relief funding for personal gain. On April 17, Cherfilus-McCormick submitted notice of her candidacy to the Florida Department of State as a Democrat — just a week before officially stepping down from office. She resigned on Tuesday. The filing raises questions about whether Cherfilus-McCormick believes she can still pursue political office despite facing intense scrutiny in the moment. NANCY MACE CALLS ON CONGRESS TO RELEASE SEXUAL HARASSMENT RECORDS, WANTS AN 'AVALANCHE OF RESIGNATIONS' Her office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Cherfilus-McCormick’s decision to resign from office came right before the House Ethics Committee was scheduled to recommend punishment for misusing disaster relief funding that she allegedly funneled through several companies into her campaign coffers. The committee found that she had committed 18 campaign finance violations, five counts of false financial disclosures, three counts of misusing official funds and one count of lack of candor. In light of those allegations, Cherfilus-McCormick maintained her innocence but announced that she would defend herself outside of her time in office. "This was not a fair process. The Ethics Committee refused my new attorney’s reasonable request for time to prepare my defense. I simply cannot stand by and allow my due process rights to be trampled on, and my good name to be tarnished," Cherfilus-McCormick said in a press release. "Rather than play these political games, I choose to step away so that I can devote my time to fighting for my neighbors in Florida’s 20th district. I hereby resign from the 119th Congress, effective immediately." While Cherfilus-McCormick departure from Congress halted the Ethics Committee’s authority over her, she also faces federal charges. FEDERAL CHARGES FILED AGAINST DEM CONGRESSWOMAN FOLLOWING CONFRONTATION AT ICE FACILITY She was indicted by a Miami grand jury in November of last year for allegedly stealing $5 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has not yet announced a date for a special election to fill her vacant seat. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec0d79059ccda1fcc23640 Riley Gaines, Nick Shirley ask where 'No Kings' protesters are on California bill they say targets journalists te 2026-04-25T00:40:25.521Z Riley Gaines, Nick Shirley ask where 'No Kings' protesters are on California bill they say targets journalists OutKick host Riley Gaines and independent journalist Nick Shirley agreed on Friday that the "No Kings" protesters are oddly silent when it comes to a bill they say would punish citizen journalists. California Democrats are being ripped over a bill that one state assembly member has dubbed the "Stop Nick Shirley Act," which he argues would "criminalize" investigative journalism. The controversial AB 2624 bill, officially titled "Privacy for immigration support services providers," creates privacy protections for immigration support service providers, employees and volunteers, including hiding their addresses and imposing penalties on those who publish their image on social media. Democratic lawmakers say the legislation is needed to protect people from targeted political violence. However, critics, including Republican Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, argue the bill would actually work to "silence citizen journalists and shield taxpayer-funded organizations from public scrutiny." NICK SHIRLEY RESPONDS TO CNN 'HIT PIECE' ON HIS MINNESOTA FRAUD INVESTIGATION Shirley, who became a national figure after making videos about fraud in Minnesota and California as he investigated various businesses, blasted the bill during his Friday appearance on Gaines’ show. "Instead of going after the fraudsters, California is going after the people exposing the fraud," Gaines said as she marveled at the situation, asking Shirley to explain the bill. "And what this will do is it will make it criminal to search and investigate fraud, specifically an immigrant service provider's," and specifically those being funded by taxpayer dollars, he said. "If you were to go and make a video out front saying how much money this location got, and they said that your visit was unwelcoming, they could then charge you for harassment, and you could then be charged $4,000 for a civil fine or $10,000 for a criminal fine, and $50,000 for a felony." Gaines specifically noted that the idea that content would be taken offline for alleging fraud is a violation of the First Amendment. "They're literally saying you cannot film in public space," Shirley said, noting that they can then give a journalist a piece of paper saying they do not have permission to film and they "would then be able to force your content to be taken down unless you want to receive a $4,000 fine." CALIFORNIA DEMS RUN ADS AGAINST GOP ON SEX TRAFFICKING BILL AFTER BLOCKING PENALTIES FOR TEEN SOLICITATION "Feels very authoritarian, which, we see in the news cycle all the time, these ‘No Kings Day’ protesters, where are they when it comes to a bill like this?" she asked. "Do you find hypocrisy in the general public's response, especially those who are on the very radical fringe side of things? Do you notice the hypocrisy there?" "Oh, 100%," Shirley agreed. "And what I'm doing is not like a right or left issue. I'm exposing fraud that's taking place, and now they're trying to censor me for exposing fraud. And they're trying to not just censor me. The bill says ‘people.’ It doesn't say ‘journalist.’" "So, where are the people? Why aren't there other people saying anything?" he asked. "Where's all the protesters that are yelling ‘fascist’ this, ‘fascist’ that, when they are actually trying to suppress our speech by trying to pass a bill that it's a direct attack on our First Amendment?" CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE A local California station, KCRA, published a fact-check that said California wasn't trying to criminalize investigative journalism, saying it was about "organizations that provide services to immigrants and protecting them from harassment." It went on to report Democratic California Assemblymember Mia Bonta wrote the bill to "primarily allow people who work or volunteer at immigration support service organizations to be added to the Secretary of State's ‘Safe at Home’ program."  "The program is designed to protect individuals who fear for their safety," KCRA reported. "Supporters have said this is needed in response to the Trump administration's anti-immigration policies that they say have put workers who provide the services at risk. Under the proposal, immigrant support service providers who have certified, documented threats of harassment or threats would have their personal information shielded." Fox News' Elaine Mallon and Peter Pinedo contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec08ca059ccda1fcc2354f Morez Johnson Jr. declares for NBA draft, maintains college eligibility te 2026-04-25T00:20:26.558Z Morez Johnson Jr. declares for NBA draft, maintains college eligibility Earlier this month, Michigan defeated UConn in the NCAA men’s basketball national championship game. Shortly after the Wolverines captured the program's first title since 1989, Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. announced he will enter the NBA Draft. Despite declaring for the NBA Draft, Johnson has maintained his NCAA eligibility throughout the process. However, he has until May 27 to withdraw if he plans to return for his junior season. Johnson played at Illinois during the 2024-25 season before transferring to Michigan last offseason. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM After joining Michigan, Johnson quickly emerged as a key contributor, averaging the second-most points on the team. He also led the Wolverines in rebounding, averaging 7.3 per game. Michigan’s head coach Dusty May eventually dubbed Johnson "The Enforcer" and "Junkyard Dog," a nod to his tenacity on the defensive end. Johnson was named to the Big Ten's All-Defensive Team. RANKING THE TOP 20 PLAYERS IN THE MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL TRANSFER PORTAL But Johnson’s offensive prowess didn’t take a back seat to his defensive strengths. His shooting from beyond the 3-point line showed improvements as the season progressed. Many early NBA projections gave Johnson a first-round grade. It’s unclear how much name, image and likeness (NIL) compensation he would command if he returns to Michigan or transfers elsewhere. Johnson has been active on social media, interacting with teammates as they consider returning to Michigan for another championship push. Michigan added a key piece this week, with Jalen Reed transferring from LSU, On3 reported. Reed was limited during the 2025-26 season by an Achilles injury. 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/69ec0683059ccda1fcc234d9 Family vacation nightmare unfolds as child is hospitalized after fall on cruise ship te 2026-04-25T00:10:43.543Z Family vacation nightmare unfolds as child is hospitalized after fall on cruise ship A young child was hospitalized after falling on board a cruise ship while it was docked in a popular destination, local media reported. The 2-year-old fell aboard a TUI Cruises-operated ship, Mein Schiff 7, while it was docked in Funchal, Madeira, according to DN Madeira, a local Portuguese news outlet based in Madeira. The toddler did not appear to fall into the water, according to reports. Funchal is the capital of the Madeira archipelago, as well as its main port and a popular cruise ship stop. ANGRY CRUISE PASSENGERS SAY FRUSTRATING ISSUE SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISCLOSED BEFORE BOOKING The child, whose identity has not been disclosed, was reportedly conscious when responders arrived. The child was with the mother at the time. Reports said the toddler fell approximately six to 10 feet, reports said. The circumstances of the fall and where on the ship it took place remain unclear. Authorities have not shared additional details. The 2-year-old was in "serious condition," DN Madeira reported, and was sent to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Dr. Nélio Mendonça Hospital. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER TUI Cruises pushed back on reports about the toddler's condition. The Germany-based cruise company told Fox News Digital in a statement that the child "was never in a critical condition, nor did [the child] have life-threatening injuries." The company said, "We can confirm an incident on Mein Schiff 7 in Madeira involving a child." CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES The child is "in [the] hospital for routine observation," the spokesperson added. An isolated island in the Atlantic, Madeira is located some 300 miles north of the Canary Islands and roughly 600 miles southwest of Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ It remains a popular vacation destination for its mild year-round climate and rugged coastal cliffs, as well as its namesake fortified wine. The recent incident follows a string of other cruise-related incidents this year, including accidents during excursions and onboard mishaps. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec066e059ccda1fcc234b9 Rubio’s Absence From Iran Talks Highlights Stay-at-Home Role te 2026-04-25T00:10:22.550Z Rubio’s Absence From Iran Talks Highlights Stay-at-Home Role President Trump has outsourced much of his diplomacy to others, while Mr. Rubio focuses on his second job as national security adviser. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec0457059ccda1fcc2346c Arizona AG sues Trump over Surprise immigration detention warehouse te 2026-04-25T00:01:27.102Z Arizona AG sues Trump over Surprise immigration detention warehouse Attorney General Kris Mayes announces a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Apr 24, 2026 that seeks to stop the renovation of a commercial warehouse facility in Surprise, Arizona into an immigration detention center. Mayes alleges that doing so would violate federal laws that require public input and mandate the use of “appropriate” facilities to house immigrant detainees, because the warehouse is located across the street from a chemical storage facility. (Photo by Gloria Rebecca Gomez/Arizona Mirror) Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is suing the Trump administration over its plan to turn a warehouse in Surprise into an immigration detention center, saying that federal law prohibits its construction because the building is directly across the street from a hazardous chemical storage facility.  During a Friday news conference announcing the lawsuit, Mayes argued the building was never meant to house people and accused the Trump administration of violating multiple federal laws to support its mass deportation campaign. Standing in front of the 418,400-square-foot commercial warehouse that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement bought earlier this year, Mayes warned that its proximity to dangerous chemicals could result in a “mass casualty event,” if a chemical spill or fire occurred.  “Let this sink in: the federal government wants to open a jail inside a documented chemical hazard zone,” she said, gesturing to two large tankers with multiple warning labels idling on the side of the street, just outside of the entrance to the warehouse’s parking lot.  GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE New facility slated to be operational by the fall  The warehouse is one of at least 24 across the country the Trump administration is aiming to retrofit into new immigration detention facilities to deliver on the White House’s goal to deport one million people every year. ICE originally set the capacity for the Surprise facility at 1,500 people, which would have made it one of the largest detention centers in the state. There are currently six ICE detention facilities in Arizona. The Eloy Detention Center has a bed capacity of 1,500 and the San Luis Regional Detention Center, the second largest, can hold up to 704 people. But the warehouse retrofitting program has seen revisions under new Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, and the planned capacity for the Surprise center was recently reduced to 542, with plans to house 250 by September. The move to erect dozens of new detention centers sparked vehement pushback from elected officials and community members alike. Public criticism of the federal government’s approach to immigration enforcement has spiked in the wake of mass raids and the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Goode in Minnesota.  Hundreds of Surprise residents have consistently packed city council meetings to voice their disapproval of the planned facility, located a mile away from a public high school whose student body is over 60% Hispanic. One council meeting saw over a thousand attendees. But it’s unclear what the city council could do to oppose the federal government. And city leadership has shown little interest in taking up the issue. Mayor Kevin Sartor said he believed the city has no legal grounds to take action against the Trump administration over the facility in an April 15 interview on The Mike Broomhead Show. Instead, Sartor and four other city officials met with the Department of Homeland Security in March to lobby for a reimbursement of lost city revenue and an agreement that ICE operations won’t spill over into the nearby schools.  Mayes: ICE violated federal laws protecting immigrants in detention and requiring public notice During Friday’s news conference, Mayes criticized Sartor’s unwillingness to resist the construction of the ICE facility.  “You lose every battle that you choose not to fight,” she said. “Today, the state of Arizona is choosing to fight.”  The Democrat has vocally opposed ICE’s plans since February, when she wrote a letter demanding more information from then DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and warning that she was considering filing a lawsuit to stop the facility under the state’s public nuisance law. On Friday, Mayes said that idea was dropped in the face of the likelihood that it would fail because of the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, which elevates federal laws above state laws.  Instead, the lawsuit alleges that the Trump administration violated the National Environmental Policy Act, which calls for public input on and environmental assessments of construction projects that are likely to impact local communities; the Immigration and National Act, which mandates that the Department of Homeland Security set up “appropriate places” for immigrants to be detained; and the Administrative Procedure Act, which requires the federal government to offer clear explanations for its actions. Hinging the lawsuit on ways in which federal laws were flouted insulates the legal challenge against potential arguments that the federal government’s decisions take precedence over state regulations, Mayes said.  “The Supremacy Clause doesn’t apply to the federal government’s own laws,” she said. Similar legal arguments against a facility in Maryland accusing the federal government of failing to conduct environmental reviews and allowing public input convinced a federal judge to block construction last week.  Mayes said that locating a detention facility steps away from a hazardous chemical storage facility violates the mandate to hold immigrants in “appropriate” facilities, because it endangers them. The possibility of a chemical accident occurring, combined with the difficulty of evacuating people who are in detention and unable to leave quickly makes for a “perfect storm,” she said. And, she pointed out, that scenario is only worsened by a potential strain on the city’s water infrastructure because of the detention facility’s demand.  Mayes characterized the lawsuit as nothing more than a request that the federal government follow its own laws.    “We are asking the federal government to do something that should not be controversial: follow the law,” she said. “Conduct the required environmental reviews, communicate clearly the information from those reviews and do not open a mass detention facility in a chemical hazard zone.”  Feds didn’t take into account community impact, fell short of own policies In the lawsuit, Solicitor General Joshua Bendor lambasted federal officials for failing to consider the facility’s potential impact on the surrounding community and the safety of the people who would be housed in it.  “Defendents appear to have performed no analysis regarding the appropriateness of housing a captive population a stone’s throw from a storage facility for hazardous chemicals,” he wrote.  The chemical storage facility submitted a risk management plan, as required under federal law, in January. But that report didn’t consider the potential hazards represented by the mass detention facility, because it wasn’t revealed until the end of that same month. And the federal government, Bendor said, has so far not issued its own risk assessment of the problem.  Bendor added that an increase in traffic caused by construction efforts and detainee transportation would negatively affect the nearby residents and schools. The road outside the facility is narrow and often full of idling semi trucks and chemical tankers. Bendor said the traffic spike could also make the city’s ability to provide emergency services more difficult if there are emergencies at the detention center or because of accidents at the chemical storage facility. The lawsuit notes that retrofitting the warehouse to hold even just a few hundred people would be a challenge. The inside of the warehouse is currently one large room, with minimal office space. The Department of Homeland Security has said it plans to construct offices, holding and processing spaces, cafeterias, bathrooms and health care spaces.  “The Surprise Warehouse was not designed or constructed to house, feed, bathe, protect, or provide adequate care for humans,” Bendor wrote. Bendor added that the strain on local infrastructure like water and wastewater systems would be enormous. The lawsuit estimates that wastewater output alone could be between 35,000 and 104,000 gallons per day, depending on whether the facility houses 500 people or up to 1,500, as originally expected. In the Maryland lawsuit, attorneys for the state made similar claims, arguing that the sewage infrastructure wouldn’t be able to handle a jump in the population. The Maryland facility, like the one in Surprise, was also originally slated to hold 1,500 and then reduced to 542.  The lawsuit also accuses the Department of Homeland Security of fumbling its own public notice practices. The agency published a floodplain notice that included a list of planned renovations, including upgrades to parking utilities, indoor construction and new perimeter fencing. But the deadline for the public comment period included on the public notice was set on Jan. 19, four days before the warehouse was purchased. And the agency’s own website added more confusion to the process by setting the deadline at Feb. 20, instead.  Bendor added that DHS has complied with the National Environmental Protection Act in the past, most recently in 2021 during construction of a detention processing center in Texas, making its failure to release an environmental impact report this year all the more baffling. On top of that, Bendor noted that the agency considered four other warehouses in Arizona, which it claims were each evaluated under the protocols established in NEPA, though the agency provided no other specifics on why they were rejected.   On Friday, Mayes denounced the Trump administration for ignoring the potential fallout the planned detention facility could cause and leaving out the concerns of the community.  “The federal government did not ask the people of Surprise whether they wanted this. They did not ask the parents of the students that attend any of the schools near this site if they were OK with this,” she said. “They did not ask the firefighters and paramedics, who would be the first to respond if something went wrong if this was a good idea.They did not ask whether the water and wastewater and power infrastructure of this community could support a detention facility the size of seven football fields.”  YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec0441059ccda1fcc2344d DHS blames ‘weak’ Biden border policies after piracy-linked Somali illegal immigrant nabbed at northern border te 2026-04-25T00:01:05.628Z DHS blames ‘weak’ Biden border policies after piracy-linked Somali illegal immigrant nabbed at northern border U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers have arrested a Somali illegal immigrant who authorities say is linked to a past piracy case and faces an outstanding warrant for passport fraud. Said Jama Ahmed is being held in North Dakota on illegal entry charges after agents apprehended him near the U.S.-Canada border earlier this month. Officials said his fingerprints match records collected during a 2012 U.S. Navy operation involving suspected Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden, according to a Friday announcement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). "Weak Biden Administration border policies allowed this illegal alien to enter and remain in the country despite his multiple law enforcement encounters," DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement.  TOM HOMAN: ‘NOT SURPRISED’ BY ‘POTENTIAL TERRORIST’ APPREHENDED AT US-MEXICO BORDER According to DHS, Ahmed was first spotted on April 14 by an off-duty Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer walking southbound with a backpack a few miles north of the border. About two hours later, a U.S. Border Patrol agent located Ahmed and took him into custody. The fingerprint match ties Ahmed to a 2012 incident in which the USS Halsey, a Navy guided-missile destroyer, responded to a distress call from an Indian-flagged vessel hijacked by pirates, according to DHS. CALIFORNIA ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WITH 49 PRIOR ARRESTS TOPS ICE’S LATEST ‘WORST-OF-THE-WORST’ LIST A Navy boarding team encountered Ahmed and nine others who were allegedly armed and holding the ship hostage. "A Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) team conducted boarding operations and encountered Ahmed and nine other armed pirates who had taken the Indian ship hostage by force, where the Navy then logged Ahmed’s fingerprint," DHS said. Authorities say Ahmed entered the U.S. in September 2022 near San Luis, Arizona, and has had multiple prior encounters with law enforcement. GUATEMALAN MAN CHARGED WITH CHILD PORN POSSESSION RELEASED BY FAIRFAX COUNTY DESPITE ICE DETAINER, DHS SAYS In 2024, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained him during a search for fraudulent documents. A full extradition warrant was issued in April 2025, according to DHS. "We are thankful for our hardworking U.S. CBP officers and Canadian officials for their cooperation in arresting this individual," Bis added. "DHS will continue to work to arrest criminal illegal aliens to protect the American homeland from all threats." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec042e059ccda1fcc23444 Texas substitute teacher accused of improper relationship with student, alarming parents te 2026-04-25T00:00:46.029Z Texas substitute teacher accused of improper relationship with student, alarming parents A former substitute teacher in Texas was arrested and charged with an "improper relationship" with a student, authorities said. According to a Facebook post from the Llano County Sheriff's Department, Angela Palmares, 27, was arrested after the Llano Independent School District notified authorities Tuesday of an alleged relationship between her and a student. The sheriff’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Palmares is being held on a $150,000 bond, according to jail records. The Llano Independent School District notified authorities of the alleged relationship, prompting the investigation. NEW JERSEY TEACHER WHO SLEPT WITH STUDENTS AT FAMILY BAGEL SHOP LEARNS PRISON SENTENCE Following the report, the teacher, who last worked for the district on April 2, was removed from the district’s list of available substitutes. According to a letter the Llano Independent School District superintendent, Mac Edwards, sent to families, the former substitute engaged in "inappropriate communication with students, specifically through a social media platform outside of the school day." Edwards said in his letter to families that the district has been in contact with families of students who may have been affected. IDAHO HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER UNDER INVESTIGATION AFTER ALLEGEDLY WISHING 'UNWANTED PREGNANCY' ON TRUMP SUPPORTER "The district takes all allegations of this nature extremely seriously and remains committed to providing a safe and supportive environment to students," he said. "At this time, we are unable to provide additional details due to personnel and student privacy considerations." Further details were not provided by the school district or the sheriff's office. The Llano County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division began investigating the allegations Wednesday, and after conducting interviews and reviewing evidence, the investigation led to an arrest warrant. The Criminal Investigation Division, in collaboration with the Texas Department of Public Safety Fusion Center, located Palmares in Bell County. "Palmares has been charged with Improper Relationship between an Educator and a Student, a 2nd Degree Felony," the Facebook post read. The investigation remains ongoing as the sheriff's office asks anyone who may be a victim or who has information related to the case to contact the Llano County Sheriff’s Office and request to speak with an investigator in the Criminal Investigation Division. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ec041a059ccda1fcc2343b Grinning suspect cuffed after alleged fiery street takeover, drag race caught on camera te 2026-04-25T00:00:26.433Z Grinning suspect cuffed after alleged fiery street takeover, drag race caught on camera A driver who allegedly helped wreak havoc during a "reckless" drag-racing street takeover was paraded out of his apartment in handcuffs. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the arrest of 22-year-old Asil Assaidi on Thursday. Assaidi was charged with reckless endangerment and riot following a series of "dangerous, fiery driving stunts" near two New York City gas stations on April 18. "Too often there are no consequences in the criminal justice system for this type of outrageous behavior," New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. "Clearly, it’s time for that to change. "My hope and expectation is that Asil Assaidi will be held fully accountable for his actions," she said. NYPD INVESTIGATING 'RECKLESS' DRAG RACING STREET TAKEOVER IN QUEENS Assaidi, who grinned widely as he was led out of an NYPD stationhouse on his way to court for his arraignment, did not have any prior arrests, police said. People believed to be his friends were also pictured as the suspect was captured leaving the station. WATCH: Drag racing suspects cause chaos in NYC street takeover The district attorney's office said that Assaidi participated in a drag-racing street takeover involving more than 100 vehicles in Queens that triggered an NYPD investigation. GOT A TIP? The incident was reported shortly before 2 a.m. near Eliot Avenue and 69th Street, according to the NYPD. One of the participants waved a Palestinian flag out the car window while screeching around the intersection. When officers arrived at the scene, they activated their lights and sirens to disperse the crowd. Dozens of vehicles then fled the area. FOLLOW US ON X Queens Criminal Court Judge Indira Khan ordered Assaidi to return to court May 14. If convicted of the top charge, Assaidi faces up to seven years in prison. Authorities allege that Assaidi was operating a blue Infiniti G37 with a dark hood panel and missing front bumper during the street racing. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL Assaidi, they allege, drove the car in circles around the intersection, nearly colliding with several people standing nearby. Skid marks formed on the road surface and smoke and sparks were produced from the rear end of the car, police said. An individual poured liquid onto the ground and ignited a ring of flames between Assaidi's car and the crowd. CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS The suspect, authorities allege, repeated the reckless driving with a second driver in a silver vehicle that included a second ring of flames in front of the crowd. During the incident, a few people also allegedly jumped on the hood of an NYPD vehicle, causing damage and cracking the windshield before fleeing the scene in a black car. No injuries were reported in connection with the drag-racing incident. Fox News Digital has reached out to the NYPD for comment. Fox News Digital's Landon Mion contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebff90059ccda1fcc232ca Fox News True Crime Newsletter: Zodiac Killer's victim, Gilgo Beach killer's ex-wife, Nancy Guthrie's DNA te 2026-04-24T23:41:04.985Z Fox News True Crime Newsletter: Zodiac Killer's victim, Gilgo Beach killer's ex-wife, Nancy Guthrie's DNA CODEBREAKER: Zodiac Killer may be tied to Black Dahlia case after ‘code cracked,’ new suspect emerges HOUSE OF HORRORS: Gilgo Beach killer Rex Heuermann's ex-wife says she now lives in basement where he murdered seven victims ROOTLESS EVIDENCE: DNA testing in Nancy Guthrie case could take months but may be fast-tracked, expert says SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER IDAHO MURDERS: New book on Kohberger reveals previously unseen evidence, claims sheath could be inadmissible COUNSEL CALLED: Husband of American woman who vanished in the Bahamas hires U.S. lawyer after returning from island YEARS OF DOUBT: Party prep tale falls apart as husband charged in wife’s decades-old cold case murder GENETIC TRAIL: Forensic genealogy unmasks cold case suspect as strangler, sexual predator decades later, officials say PLAIN SIGHT: Decades-old cold case breakthrough leads to arrest in execution-style killings of married couple before child SEND US A TIP HERE DEADLY BETRAYAL: Marine veteran allegedly gunned down by husband in attack outside home, police say BURIED TRUTH: Killer admits to decades-old cold case slaying after investigators lean on new forensic evidence: officials FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X DECK OF INJUSTICE: Prosecutors warn Anna Kepner’s stepbrother shouldn’t roam free after alleged cruise ship murder GROWING LIST: NASA nuclear engineer found dead in burned Tesla after vanishing from his Alabama home last year LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST ‘WAITED FOR ANSWERS’: Wife cuffed in husband’s decades-long murder mystery as cops cite new tech break DARK CONNECTION: Man whose wife vanished years ago now cuffed in separate cold case – authorities say his past was deadly LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB PATCHED PAST: Killer undone by decades-old threads — glove, towel and tee stitch together cold case justice STUCK TO THE TRUTH: DNA from chewing gum nails longtime sexual predator decades after reign of terror: report FINAL ANSWERS: Cold case breakthrough solves teen killing after suspect lived free for decades: 'Better be afraid' Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebff7d059ccda1fcc232c1 Florida mayor says she 'did not resist' arrest over alleged probation violation from DUI case te 2026-04-24T23:40:45.106Z Florida mayor says she 'did not resist' arrest over alleged probation violation from DUI case A Florida mayor who was taken into custody Monday for allegedly violating her probation — stemming from an earlier DUI case — said she "did not resist" when she surrendered to authorities. Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann was arrested by the Collier County Sheriff's Office on a warrant issued for an alleged probation violation. In February, she pleaded no contest to one count of DUI with a blood-alcohol content of 0.15 or higher, stemming from an Aug. 28, 2024, arrest. Her probation sentence included a promise not to consume alcohol and a requirement that she be subject to random screenings. In a Thursday statement on Facebook, Heitmann said she was screened on March 26. DEM REP MCIVER EXPECTED TO MAKE FIRST COURT APPEARANCE AFTER NEWARK INCIDENT "The test returned a result I disputed immediately," she wrote. Two subsequent screens — a urine test and a hair follicle analysis — returned negative results, Heitmann said. She noted that she "did not wait to be asked. I acted." Upon learning that she would be arrested, Heitmann said she attempted to voluntarily surrender to authorities on April 17, based on the earlier disputed test result. However, she said she was told "the system was not yet ready to process my surrender." She turned herself in Monday after her warrant became active. FLORIDA WOMAN ARRESTED FOR AMBUSH MURDER IN KILLING OF DEPUTY, CLAIMED SHE WORKED FOR GOD "I did not resist," Heitmann wrote. "I did not hide. I showed up — because that is what I have always done. I will not shrink from this moment, and I will not allow a false story to define my character or my record of service." Court documents cited by the Naples Daily News alleged Heitmann tested positive for cannabinoids. Her attorney, Derek Verderamo, argued that two samples collected from Heitmann tested negative on March 26 and March 30 for illegal cannabinoids. Fox News has reached out to the city government for comment, as well as Verderamo. Heitmann was originally arrested in August 2024, after breathalyzer tests determined that she had a blood-alcohol content of 0.155 and 0.169; the legal limit in Florida is 0.08. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebff66059ccda1fcc2328d Steve Ballmer blasts founder he backed who pleaded guilty to fraud: ‘I was duped and feel silly’ te 2026-04-24T23:40:22.356Z Steve Ballmer blasts founder he backed who pleaded guilty to fraud: ‘I was duped and feel silly’ Steve Ballmer wrote a fiery letter in the sentencing of disgraced founder Joseph Sanberg documenting all the harm that's befalling him as an investor. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebfd24059ccda1fcc23243 Mamdani in the hot seat after first veto derails bipartisan effort to combat antisemitism: 'Disappointed' te 2026-04-24T23:30:44.337Z Mamdani in the hot seat after first veto derails bipartisan effort to combat antisemitism: 'Disappointed' New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is sparking backlash after using his first veto to derail a bipartisan bill aimed at combating antisemitism by expanding protest security safeguards for places of education. "This could impact workers protesting ICE, or college students demanding their school divest from fossil fuels or demonstrating in support of Palestinian rights," Mamdani said in a statement on Friday. "It is a piece of legislation that has alarmed much of the labor movement, reproductive rights groups and immigration advocates, among others, across this city," he continued. New York's former Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent against Mamdani in the mayoral race last year, slammed Mamdani's decision on X, saying he "chose the whims of his radical, extreme-left DSA base over the safety of students and Jewish New Yorkers at a time of rising antisemitism." MAMDANI IS AN EXISTENTIAL THREAT TO JEWISH NEW YORKERS "Instead of governing for all NYers, Mamdani has repealed the very definition of antisemitism from the city’s books, changed how antisemitic crimes are counted and now vetoed these commonsense security measures when they are needed most," Cuomo continued. "I proudly stand shoulder to shoulder with my Jewish brothers and sisters — just as the Cuomos always have, and always will." The bill, Int. 175-B, requires New York law enforcement to develop a plan to contain the risk of physical obstruction, physical injury, intimidation and interference at educational facilities while still allowing for freedom of assembly and First-Amendment events. The plan would then apply to "any building, structure, or place where educational programming takes place." Julie Menin, the speaker of the New York City Council, had framed the bill as key to warding off threats of antisemitism. "The legislation is part of the Council-led Five-Point Action Plan to Combat Antisemitism," Menin had said in March. ELITE UNIVERSITY ATTENDED BY TRUMP’S SON CRACKS DOWN ON LEFT-WING STUDENT AGITATORS "According to the NYPD, antisemitic incidents accounted for 57% of reported hate crimes in 2025, although only approximately 10% of New York City residents are Jewish. Jewish New Yorkers were the targets of hate crimes more than all other groups combined." The bill passed the New York City Council by a 30-19 vote late last month. Commentators online criticized the veto, citing a need for enhanced protections.  "We are deeply disappointed by Mayor Mamdani’s veto of legislation designed to help protect students from intimidation and disruption outside schools. The right to protest and the right to an education can and must coexist. We urge the City Council to override this veto and reaffirm a basic principle: protecting students is not politics; it is a civic responsibility," the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a pro-Jewish group, said in a post to X. "Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D- HAMAS) vetoed a bill for buffer zones around schools because it 'could impact workers protesting ICE, or college students demanding their school divest from fossil fuels, or demonstrating in support of Palestinian rights.' All the bill would have done was require clear safety plans around schools with law enforcement," Ari Hoffman, a political commentator, wrote in his own post.  Notably, Mamdani approved a very similar bill that applied to religious sites. He explained that he was concerned by the expansive range of what the second bill meant by "educational facilities." "The problem is how widely this bill defines an educational institution and the constitutional concerns it raises regarding New Yorkers’ fundamental right to protest. As the bill is written, everywhere from universities to museums to teaching hospitals could face restrictions," Mamdani said in a statement. NYC RABBI WARNS ZOHRAN MAMDANI 'POSES A DANGER' TO JEWISH COMMUNITY'S SAFETY The city council could override a mayoral veto with a two-thirds vote, according to New York City's charter. Doing so would require 33 of the chamber’s 50 members. Assuming the bill retains the support of the legislators that originally advanced it out of the council, it would require just three more votes to secure its implementation over Mamdani's objection. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebfd0c059ccda1fcc23200 “We said no!!”: Dozens protest as construction of Project Blue data center begins te 2026-04-24T23:30:20.273Z “We said no!!”: Dozens protest as construction of Project Blue data center begins Dozens of protesters gathered at the site of the proposed Beale Infrastructure’s Project Blue on Friday morning to speak out against the construction of the data center south of Tucson near the Pima County Fairgrounds.  Large construction vehicles have started razing the desert to make way for the data center, despite wide opposition from Southern Arizona residents. Organizers have shown up in force to local government meetings and submitted comments to the Arizona Corporation Commission to speak out against the project, citing environmental concerns like large water use and high electricity use.  Protesters arrived at the Project Blue site at 7 a.m. Friday. They held signs that read, “Protect our desert. Fund people’s needs, not TEP,” “Stop Project Blue,” “Not one drop for data” and a blunt, handwritten “We said no!!”  In an attempt to physically slow down the project, protesters a few times stood in front of the construction company’s vehicles, blocking them from leaving the site. At one point, five Pima County Sheriff’s cars showed up and deputies pushed protesters out of the way to let the trucks through.  Pima County Sheriff’s Deputies move protesters to the side to make way for trucks exiting the Beale Infrastructure’s Project Blue site during a protest on Friday, April 24, 2026 near the Pima County Fairgrounds. (Stephanie Casanova/CALÓ News) “Say it loud, say it clear! Project Blue isn’t welcome here!” the protesters chanted. Drivers occasionally honked at the crowd as they passed by.  A months-long ongoing fight against Project Blue Organized by the No Desert Data Center Coalition, the protest was the latest action in a long fight against Project Blue. That fight started last summer, the day before the Pima County Board of Supervisors approved a land sale to Beale Infrastructure. At the June 17 supervisors meeting, Logan Craig, vice president of development for Beale Infrastructure, said if the city didn’t annex the property, “we will not be closing on the land per the contract. So it’ll remain county-owned property.” “That’s what we understood we had to do… stop the city from annexing the land and we did,” said Vivek Bharathan, an organizer with the No Desert Data Center Coalition. “But Beale lied.” Last summer, Tucson City Council voted against annexing the property, effectively blocking Beale from using Tucson Water for the data center. Organizers against the project saw that decision as a huge win, only to be disheartened when Beale worked with Tucson Electric Power to push the project forward, going to the Arizona Corporation Commission to approve a new deal. Vivek Bharathan, an organizer with No Desert Data Center Coalition, addresses the crowd at a protest against the construction of the Project Blue data center Friday, April 24, 2026 near the Pima County Fairgrounds. (Stephanie Casanova/CALÓ News) “We’re just really devastated that it’s gotten to this point… when the City Council voted the deal down,” Bharathan said. “We really believed that we had protected our community, protected the water, protected the land and now we’re here and they’re killing living desert and we have shown up throughout all of the public processes and I don’t know what else we’re expected to do.” Reed Spurling, a member of the coalition who helped organize the protest, said Project Blue threatens to drive up electric and water bills and is destroying the land to make way for data centers that “no one in Tucson wants built.”  “We will continue fighting until we stop this data center,” Spurling said. “Projects like these are not inevitable. We have the power to stop them.” Spurling said the Pima County Board of Supervisors betrayed its residents by making secretive deals with Beale and approving the land sale.  Brinley Carrillo shouts chants through a megaphone at a protest against the construction of the Project Blue data center Friday, April 24, 2026 near the Pima County Fairgrounds. (Stephanie Casanova/CALÓ News) “Rex Scott, Matt Heinz and Steve Christy on the board of supervisors betrayed us,” they said, referring to the three supervisors who voted to approve the land sale. “And I hope today is the beginning of the end of their political careers. They’re not working for us. They are working for big tech and they’re handing over the riches of Pima County to the fossil fuel industry.”  Beale champions a ‘sustainable’ project; residents remain unconvinced Beale has repeatedly promoted Project Blue as “sustainable.”  “Beale’s commitment to pursue 100% renewable energy for its Pima County data center is a significant additional investment and reflects the company’s dedication to sustainable infrastructure development,” the company wrote in its latest news release about Project Blue in November.  Without direct access to Tucson water for cooling, Beale worked with TEP to come up with an updated design for the data center, according to a September news release on Beale’s website.  Construction is underway of the Project Blue data center as of Friday, April 24, 2026, near the Pima County Fairgrounds. (Stephanie Casanova/CALÓ News) “Beale selected an air cooling technology that uses a closed-loop system. This system uses minimal amounts of water that are continuously recirculated, thereby eliminating water loss and the need to consume water for industrial purposes,” the news release says.  But organizers are not buying it. Bharathan pointed to TEP’s use of fracked gas to power the region. On its website, TEP outlines its energy use as 50% natural gas, 19% coal, 12% purchased energy from wholesale providers and 19% TEP solar and wind energy.  Natural gas requires significant water use, according to the Environmental and Energy Institute.  “In 2022, 40% of all total U.S. annual water withdrawals, or about 48.5 trillion gallons, were made by coal and gas power plants,” an article from the Institute explains. “Of those 48.5 trillion gallons, 962 billion gallons of water were consumed and were no longer available for direct downstream use.” Lee Ziesche, co-chair of Tucson Democratic Socialists of America, said the reason Beale was able to strike a deal with Tucson Electric Power was because TEP is privately-owned. And the reason the city was able to block Beale’s access to its water is because Tucson Water is a publicly-owned utility. Ziesche urged organizers to join Tucson DSA’s fight for public power in Tucson.  In the fall, the City of Tucson will vote on a new, 25-year franchise agreement with TEP. Tucson DSA is organizing to stop a new agreement, and pushing for city leaders to make the switch to public power, which studies have shown would reduce resident electric bills over time.  “I do not think that this project will ever be fully built and running in Southern Arizona,” Ziesche told protesters on Friday. “I truly believe that with all my heart, as hard as that seems right now, and that is because I believe in our power to stop it and I believe in our power to change the system that allowed this.”  She called on Tucson residents to pressure Tucson City Council to take on TEP and vote down their franchise agreement.  Bharathan’s frustration was palpable throughout the protest. As he took the mic from Spurling, he paused, took his sunglasses off, shut his eyes tight and wiped away tears, only for more tears to start pooling. He took a deep breath and started talking.  Earlier that morning, he sang along to Rage Against the Machine’s “Killing in the Name Of.” “F- You, I won’t do what you tell me!” Bharathan sang, getting louder with every repetition. Other protesters joined him. Then, he faced the construction site and screamed, a sense of relief washing over him. Stephanie Casanova is an independent, bilingual journalist from Tucson, Arizona, covering community stories for over 10 years. She is passionate about narrative, in-depth storytelling that is inclusive and reflects the diversity of the communities she covers. The post “We said no!!”: Dozens protest as construction of Project Blue data center begins appeared first on AZ Luminaria. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebfae1059ccda1fcc231c2 Florida woman allegedly killed two ex-lovers the same day, and police found out when she asked 'Which one?' te 2026-04-24T23:21:05.738Z Florida woman allegedly killed two ex-lovers the same day, and police found out when she asked 'Which one?' Florida prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for a woman accused of killing both of her ex-lovers on the same day. Susan Avalon, 51, was arrested in December after David Scott, 54, was found with a gunshot wound to his chest at his front door in Bradenton on Dec. 17 and Timothy Flecher, 55, was later found dead at his home in Tampa. Scott was still alive when police arrived, telling them the shooter was "possibly my ex-wife, Susan," an arrest affidavit said, according to The Tampa Bay Times. The day after the killings police found Avalon at her home, and after they told her they wanted to speak with her about her ex-husband, she replied, "Which one?" according to the New York Post. BAHAMAS JUDGE REVOKES BAIL FOR AMERICAN BEAUTY QUEEN CHARGED IN EX-NFL HUSBAND'S MURDER PLOT That’s only when they realized there might be a second victim. She was also reportedly seen bleaching the inside of her car. Flecher was found dead from a gunshot wound inside his home with the back door glass shattered after police did a welfare check on him following their conversation with Avalon. "Witnesses reported seeing Avalon and her vehicle in a driveway near the home around the time of the shooting," the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office said in a release. "Investigators have also found several pieces of evidence they say connect her to the murder." BELOVED TEACHER KILLED AS SHE SLEPT, DAUGHTER STABBED IN ATTACK AS MOTIVE REMAINS UNCLEAR: DA Prosecutors believe Avalon actually killed Flecher first, then Scott next just hours later, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Her current boyfriend, identified as Jeffrey Wescoat, told police in an arrest affidavit that Avalon has been sending him "unusual" texts during the day and had called to tell him: "in case anything happened to her, she loved him," The Times reported. He also heard her say: "f--k David and f--k Tim" when she got home before taking a shower with her clothes on. "While our case focuses on one victim here in Hillsborough County, we know this tragedy did not end with one life," State Attorney Suzy Lopez said in a statement. "Two families are grieving, and we are committed to seeking justice while standing with everyone impacted by this senseless violence." The state’s attorney’s office added that they are seeking the death penalty because of Avalon’s "cold, calculated, and premeditated" crimes that were "especially heinous, atrocious" and "cruel, that it occurred during the commission of a burglary, and that the defendant was involved in a contemporaneous violent felony." Avalon is charged with first-degree murder in Flecher’s death and second-degree murder in Scott’s death. Avalon, who remains in custody in Hillsborough County on no bail, is expected to next be in court in July. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebface059ccda1fcc231b9 Carlos Alcaraz makes decision on defending French Open title again amid wrist injury te 2026-04-24T23:20:46.318Z Carlos Alcaraz makes decision on defending French Open title again amid wrist injury There will be a new French Open champion this summer. Back-to-back reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz announced that he will be off the clay this year after a wrist injury earlier this month. "After the results of the tests carried out today, we have decided that the most prudent thing is to be cautious and not participate in Rome and Roland Garros, while we wait to assess the evolution to decide when we will return to the court. It's a complicated moment for me, but I'm sure we'll come out stronger from here," Alcaraz posted to social media. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM No. 2-ranked Alcaraz was injured at the Barcelona Open this month during his first-round win and withdrew the following day. He pulled out of this week's Madrid Open and attended the Laureus World Sports Awards in the Spanish capital on Monday with his wrist immobilized. Alcaraz started the year in sensational form, beating Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final. That made him the youngest man ever to win all four Grand Slam titles in tennis. He lost the Monte Carlo final to Jannik Sinner at the start of this month and surrendered the No. 1 ranking to his Italian rival. COCO GAUFF ENDS SOCIAL MEDIA HIATUS TO CLAP BACK AT CRITICS OF HER NATURAL HAIR IN LATEST AD Last year, Alcaraz beat Sinner in the finals of the Italian Open and French Open, where he saved three match points in an epic match. Alcaraz then lost the Wimbledon final to Sinner before beating him again in the U.S. Open final. Last year's final between Alcaraz and Sinner lasted five hours and 29 minutes, the longest French Open final ever. Alcaraz came back from down two sets to love, with three of the sets going into tiebreaks. Either Alcaraz or Sinner has won each of the last nine Grand Slams and has faced the other in each of the last four. Alcaraz defeated Alexander Zverev in the 2024 tournament before taking Sinner down. 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/69ebfab9059ccda1fcc23198 One of Two Missing USF Doctoral Students Is Found Dead, Officials Say te 2026-04-24T23:20:25.012Z One of Two Missing USF Doctoral Students Is Found Dead, Officials Say The University of South Florida students were reported missing last week. A roommate of the student whose body was found was charged in connection with his disappearance. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebf609059ccda1fcc22aff Federal judge says lawyer ‘lied repeatedly’ during Epstein-linked suit against billionaire Leon Black te 2026-04-24T23:00:25.784Z Federal judge says lawyer ‘lied repeatedly’ during Epstein-linked suit against billionaire Leon Black A federal judge has sanctioned the law firm representing a woman in a lawsuit accusing billionaire Leon Black of sexual assault linked to the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, but stopped short of throwing the case out entirely. In a 76-page opinion and order, U.S. District Judge Jessica Clarke found that attorney Jeanne Christensen and her firm, Wigdor LLP, engaged in "serious, sanctionable misconduct" during the litigation. Clarke wrote that Christensen "lied repeatedly" to the court and opposing counsel about a related case and directed her client to delete a potentially relevant social media account. "In light of the serious and varied misconduct ... the Court strongly considered granting the case-terminating sanctions Defendant requests in this matter," Clarke wrote. "However, the Court ultimately concludes that lesser sanctions can address the misconduct." HOWARD LUTNICK SHUTS DOWN DEM QUESTIONS OVER JEFFREY EPSTEIN AT BUDGET HEARING The lawsuit alleges that Black, co-founder of Apollo Global Management, raped a 16-year-old girl in New York City in 2002. The accuser, identified as "Jane Doe," claims she was previously abused and groomed by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, who she says trafficked her to other men, including Black. The judge also raised concerns about the plaintiff’s evidence, finding that some materials — including sonogram images contained in personal journals — had been falsified. Clarke did not rule on the underlying allegations but determined that certain supporting evidence could not be relied upon. The plaintiff has alleged she was subjected to an "impregnation game" involving Epstein and others, claiming she was forced to carry pregnancies resulting from sexual abuse. "According to Plaintiff, she was forced to carry out pregnancies that resulted from the men who sexually abused her, and Maxwell took photographs of Plaintiff’s body as it changed during her pregnancies," Clarke wrote. "Plaintiff testified that all of the sonograms in the journals were hers from several abuse-related pregnancies, including some pregnancies that came to term and others that were terminated." HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE CALLS BILLS GATES, LEON BLACK TO TESTIFY OVER JEFFREY EPSTEIN TIES The judge ordered Christensen to file the misconduct ruling in all of her federal cases in the Second Circuit for the next year, and for five years in any case where sanctions are sought against her, her firm or her client. Wigdor LLP was also ordered to pay the defendant's legal fees tied to the sanctions motion, and the plaintiff is barred from using journals containing falsified sonograms. Wigdor LLP, which no longer represents the plaintiff, said it was "upset" by the sanctions but noted the case remains active, Politico reported. "We are pleased that our former client will get her day in court," firm founder Douglas Wigdor said in a statement. Black's attorney said the plaintiff’s credibility has been "destroyed" and called for the case to be withdrawn, urging authorities to investigate what she described as "fraud." EX-PRINCE ANDREW PHOTOGRAPHED KNEELING OVER WOMAN IN LATEST DOJ JEFFREY EPSTEIN FILE RELEASE "Her credibility having been destroyed, Doe should withdraw her Complaint and apologize to Mr. Black for manufacturing false and defamatory claims. We urge the federal authorities to investigate this fraud on the Court," Susan Estrich, attorney for Leon Black, said in a statement." Black, who left Apollo Global Management in 2021, has denied wrongdoing. He is also among several high-profile figures expected to testify before the House Oversight Committee next month about connections to Epstein and Maxwell. Epstein died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted in 2021 on sex-trafficking charges. Wigdor LLP and Susan Estrich could not be immediately reached by Fox News Digital for comment. Fox News Digital's Bonny Chu contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebf3b0059ccda1fcc22a89 Mike Vrabel refuses to apologize to family in press conferences te 2026-04-24T22:50:24.451Z Mike Vrabel refuses to apologize to family in press conferences New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has put on a masterclass in how not to handle a professional PR crisis. Vrabel has not apologized or uttered the word "sorry" a single time in any of his two press conferences regarding his extramarital affair with former NFL reporter for The Athletic, Dianna Russini.  After ESPN’s Ben Strauss dropped a bombshell article exposing how Vrabel and Russini worked together to craft a statement following the release of their photos at a romantic, adults-only Sedona resort by Page Six of the New York Post — with Vrabel calling it a "completely innocent interaction" and any other insinuation "laughable" — he finally held his first press conference Tuesday. In the two-and-a-half-minute opening statement that amounted to little more than word salad, Vrabel repeatedly called it a "private and personal matter," said he spoke with players Monday, and acknowledged having "difficult conversations" with those he cares about most, including his family, but never said "sorry" or "I apologize." PATRIOTS COACH MIKE VRABEL RESPONDS AFTER RUNNING BACK SEEMINGLY DEFENDS JADEN IVEY'S ANTI-LGBTQ REMARKS Vrabel also stated, "In order to be successful on & off the field, you have to make good decisions." That obviously insinuates he made bad decisions. What were those decisions, coach? What is this whole press conference about? Enough with the vague generalities. The entire statement, along with the subsequent media questioning, struck me as odd — not because I or anyone else is owed an apology, but because of the lack of clarity and, more importantly, what seems like a lack of genuine remorse. When asked about telling the New York Post that the implications of adultery with Russini were "laughable," Vrabel responded, "I appreciate the question. I’m going to focus on our football team…" That doesn’t sound like a man that wants to accept accountability. That’s a man that wants it swept under the rug, so he can move on.  This is why I believe Vrabel is not actually remorseful that he cheated on his wife. He’s just sorry that he got caught. He had multiple opportunities to apologize to his wife and children publicly, but he refused. PATRIOTS COACH MIKE VRABEL REVEALS EXTREME SACRIFICE HE'D MAKE TO HIS MALE ANATOMY TO WIN THE SUPER BOWL After that press conference is where things took another wild turn. Following Vrabel's vague posturing in his first press conference, The New York Post released more photos of Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini on Thursday. This time, it was of the two kissing at a New York City bar from six years ago. At the time, Vrabel was married, and Russini was about six months away from her wedding. Vrabel addressed the media hours later. Again, no apologies to his wife or his family. ADAM SCHEFTER GRILLED OVER RUSSINI-VRABEL 'SCANDAL' AND IT GOT UNCOMFORTABLE He used the same tired "personal and private matter" language, as if this isn’t the biggest story in sports currently. This isn't just some coach being unfaithful. This is one of the league’s best coaches and one of the league’s most prominent reporters hooking up for at least six years. That’s not just a "private and personal matter." This relationship, lasting at least six years, has made the public wonder if there has been tampering throughout the process. The NFL doesn’t seem to think so, though. Roger Goodell has said Vrabel will not be investigated and that this is not a violation of the league’s personal conduct policy, calling it a "personal matter." Sure. A "personal matter" with one of the most prominent NFL insiders that has spanned at least six years and multiple teams (Titans and Patriots). But I digress… Vrabel did state in his second presser, "I take accountability for my actions" as well as "My previous actions don't meet the standard that I hold myself to," without explaining what those actions were. Again, what are we doing here? Why is it so difficult to simply apologize to your wife and children publicly? Has he apologized in private? I don’t know. All we know is that he is skipping NFL Draft day three to go to counseling. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Mike Vrabel has done himself, his family, his players, the organization, and the league no favors. While he has proven to be a solid coach, his apparent lack of conviction regarding his morally deplorable actions — which he tried to hide again and again — suggests that he and Russini are cut from the same cloth, willing to do whatever it takes to avoid facing real accountability. Your family deserves better than your weak PR-style monologues and skipping NFL Draft day three for counseling. When you say, "I have always wanted to lead by example," that starts with admitting to and detailing your wrongs. We don't need to know the intimate details, of course, but if you’re going to address the public, stop with the vague, general statements. As for me, I’m inclined to believe this isn’t the end of this saga. There may be more incriminating photos. If someone sat on photos for six years, I find it hard to believe there aren’t more pieces of evidence that could ultimately lead to Vrabel stepping away from the Patriots. That’s all speculation, though. It comes down to this: in his first press conference, Vrabel said, "I don’t want to take away from… the weekend of the [NFL] Draft." Well, Mike, you have. You’ve become one of the biggest NFL Draft distractions in recent memory. You’ve disrespected your wife and family, and if you don’t want things to get worse, you should stop trying to spin the story or sweep it under the rug. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebf16e059ccda1fcc22a0a Young people plan to leave Boston over high rent and 'safety', new chamber of commerce survey shows te 2026-04-24T22:40:46.573Z Young people plan to leave Boston over high rent and 'safety', new chamber of commerce survey shows Young people are fleeing Boston because of the high cost of rent and concern over safety, a new survey shows. The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, an institution that "represents the collective voice of the business community," polled 600 people aged 20 to 30 living in Plymouth, Middlesex, Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk counties. The survey was conducted between Feb. 27 and March 20. The survey showed that 26% said they are likely to leave greater Boston in the next five years. Among those planning to move out of greater Boston, the majority are looking to move to states in the Southwest and the Southeast. BLUE STATE RESIDENTS 'FLEEING IN DROVES' AFTER ‘INSANE’ PROGRESSIVE TAKEOVER, SAYS TOP STATE ATTORNEY The survey was conducted by the chamber three years ago and showed similar results. "Just like in 2023, about a quarter of young residents are planning to leave Massachusetts," the chamber noted. Among the top issues the people surveyed cared about were "housing that is affordable, health care accessibility, availability of quality jobs, and crime and public safety." The report on Boston's population shifts comes after New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles also reported downward trends. New York City lost more residents than those that moved in last year, according to a new study from the Citizens’ Budget Commission released Monday. The Citizens Budget Commission reported that the city’s overall population declined in 2025. The study explained further that the decline in population is due to the 70% drop in New Yorkers moving to other areas and international migration. NEW YORK CITY LOST RESIDENTS ACROSS ALL INCOME LEVELS LAST YEAR, STUDY FINDS San Francisco's population experienced a similar decline, in which it had not recovered since pandemic levels, The San Francisco Chronicle reported in March. The blue cities' losses underscore a broader national trend where taxpayers are increasingly fleeing high-tax, high-cost states. South Carolina is officially the fastest-growing state in the nation, according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau. TEXAS EMERGES AS THE TOP DESTINATION FOR COMPANIES LEAVING BLUE STATES New data released this month by the National Taxpayers Union Foundation, which analyzed the latest available IRS tax filing information from 2022, further affirmed this trend. The study found that while Texas and Florida remain top targets, the overall shift of residents from high-tax states to more tax-friendly environments — including North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee — shows no signs of slowing. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebf159059ccda1fcc229e9 Two Men Plead Guilty in Harvard Medical School Explosion te 2026-04-24T22:40:25.175Z Two Men Plead Guilty in Harvard Medical School Explosion Logan David Patterson, 18, and Dominick Frank Cardoza, 21, pleaded guilty for the November incident in which they set off a commercial firework in a research lab. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebef55059ccda1fcc229b3 Crash near Payson leads to discovery of dozens of fake IDs and thousands of dollars in gift cards te 2026-04-24T22:31:49.962Z Crash near Payson leads to discovery of dozens of fake IDs and thousands of dollars in gift cards Arizona DPS's routine crash investigation led to a major fraud arrest involving fake IDs and $80,000 in gift cards. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebef41059ccda1fcc229a5 Kiwanis brings ‘Terrific Kids’ te 2026-04-24T22:31:29.626Z Kiwanis brings ‘Terrific Kids’ National initiative set to reach 280 local students starting next school year The Kiwanis Club of Sedona-Bell Rock plans to bring the Terrific Kids program, which promotes students who are Thoughtful, Enthusiastic, Respectful, Responsible, Inclusive, Friendly, Inquisitive and Capable, to about 280 s Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebef15059ccda1fcc22979 Beloved teacher killed as she slept, daughter stabbed in attack as motive remains unclear: DA te 2026-04-24T22:30:45.557Z Beloved teacher killed as she slept, daughter stabbed in attack as motive remains unclear: DA A beloved Southern California elementary school teacher was killed and her daughter, a nationally recognized mental health advocate, was critically injured after a man allegedly broke into their home and stabbed them as they slept, prosecutors said. Sergio Meza Fraire, 30, of Burbank, has been charged with murder and attempted murder in the April 20 attack on 59-year-old Arti Varma and her 25-year-old daughter, Meera Varma, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Authorities say Fraire entered the home sometime between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. while the victims were asleep. Around 6 a.m., he allegedly went into a bedroom and repeatedly stabbed both women. Arti Varma, a first-grade teacher at Bret Harte Elementary School, later died from her injuries. Her daughter survived and remains hospitalized. ACTIVIST TIED TO OPRAH, BIDEN STABBED, AND TEACHER MOM SLAIN IN AMBUSH IN QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD Meera Varma is a prominent mental health advocate and TEDx speaker who has worked alongside high-profile figures including Oprah Winfrey, President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, former Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, according to her personal website. She was the youngest speaker in TEDxUCLA history and has been invited to the White House to discuss youth mental health. In 2023, she appeared with Winfrey at UCLA to speak about the youth mental health crisis, focusing her work on supporting young people and encouraging open conversations around mental health. Investigators have said the attack does not appear to have been random, though authorities have not publicly disclosed a possible motive or whether the suspect knew the victims. FLORIDA MAN CHARGED WITH MURDER AFTER ALLEGEDLY STABBING WOMAN TO DEATH IN RANDOM ATTACK IN QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD "Detectives do not believe this was a random act; however, they continue to investigate the relationship between the suspect and the victims, as well as motive," Burbank Police Department Lt. Brent Fekety told Fox News Digital. Despite a burglary charge, police indicated there is no evidence the suspect intended to steal anything. GOT A TIP? "It does not appear the suspect entered with the intent to commit theft," Fekety continued. FOLLOW US ON X Fraire was identified as a suspect following what police described as a comprehensive investigation involving interviews, surveillance review and evidence collection. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL Fraire pleaded not guilty in court and is being held without bail. He is expected to return to court in June as the case moves forward. "Arti Varma was a deeply beloved elementary school teacher who was senselessly taken from her family and community in an act of horrific violence," Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS "We will take every necessary step to ensure that the defendant is held accountable for this vicious and unprovoked attack." If convicted, Fraire could face life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty, prosecutors said. A decision on whether to seek capital punishment will be made at a later date. The investigation remains ongoing. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebef00059ccda1fcc22959 Wildfires Destroy Dozens of Structures in Georgia, Governor Says te 2026-04-24T22:30:24.110Z Wildfires Destroy Dozens of Structures in Georgia, Governor Says Fires fueled by drought have burned tens of thousands of acres in southern Georgia and northern Florida, where officials said one blaze was blamed for the death of a volunteer firefighter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebece8059ccda1fcc22924 Alleged pastor killer wants to plead guilty in exchange for life in prison te 2026-04-24T22:21:28.554Z Alleged pastor killer wants to plead guilty in exchange for life in prison Adam Scheafe previously said he wanted the death penalty. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebecbc059ccda1fcc228ef LeAnn Rimes poses in red bikini in Cabo, shares emotional message about 'heart-wrenching' family issues te 2026-04-24T22:20:44.363Z LeAnn Rimes poses in red bikini in Cabo, shares emotional message about 'heart-wrenching' family issues LeAnn Rimes is posing in a tiny red bikini as she celebrates her wedding anniversary that is filled with "very tense, heart-wrenching things happening at home with family." On Thursday, Rimes took to Instagram to share photos with Eddie Cibrian for their 15th wedding anniversary in Cabo, revealing family struggles. "we got to step away for 3 days amidst work and some very tense, heart wrenching [sic] things happening at home with family," Rimes' caption began. "it’s been a different anniversary, one filled with tears and worry, but in between, there were moments of laughter and deep gratitude for this love of ours. day by day, we walk hand in hand through the rollercoaster of life… and god, i’m so grateful that it’s with each other. "we’ve been through so much in our 15 years as husband and wife," she continued. "we know how to ride the waves 🌊, hold each other in times of need, mend what needs mending. i’m so proud of what we have created together. 15 years is just the beginning." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Rimes included photos with Cibrian on the beach and also thanked the Las Ventanas Al Paraíso romance director for making their anniversary "so special." Amid the very heavy message, Rimes shared a photo of herself in a red bikini, holding a drink in a coconut. "till next time, cabo..." she wrote alongside the image. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Cibrian and Rimes first met while filming the TV movie "Northern Lights" in 2008. Their relationship began controversially while both were still married to other people, leading to highly publicized divorces before they eventually married in 2011. In February, Rimes spoke to E! News about her marriage to Cibrian ahead of their anniversary. "We've evolved so much. We've been through so much together. Now our boys, my stepsons are 22 and 18. They're grown boys. And to help raise his sons — we have a very calm life, which is wonderful," she began. "And it didn't start out that way at all, but now, we've really grown into — we just love each other. We love being around each other. We laugh a lot. He's just a good guy, he really is." "So, 15 years is wild to think about that it's been that long. But so far, so good," Rimes concluded. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebeca8059ccda1fcc228e6 Transgender lawmaker 'doesn't know what a woman is,' White House says after dig at Trump firings te 2026-04-24T22:20:24.951Z Transgender lawmaker 'doesn't know what a woman is,' White House says after dig at Trump firings The White House brushed aside remarks made by Rep. Sarah McBride, D-Del., to a reporter alleging that Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard would be the next Cabinet official to leave the administration because President Donald Trump "only fires women." "Rep. McBride doesn’t know what a woman is," White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said of McBride, a biological male who identifies as a woman. McBride speculated to MeidasTouch reporter Pablo Manríquez that Tulsi Gabbard will be the next Cabinet member on President Donald Trump's chopping block. In separate interviews, Manríquez asked McBride and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., who they believed would be next to be fired. Both said it would not be a man. The remarks come amid a shake-up in the Trump administration, as Trump announced the dismissal of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi within a span of four weeks. On Monday, Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned amid allegations of misconduct towards staffers. TRUMP FIRES TWO DEMOCRATIC COMMISSIONERS ON CIVIL RIGHTS ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AS WHITE HOUSE TARGETS DEI "All of them deserve to be fired," McBride quipped. "I'm supporting impeachment of Pete Hegseth, because obviously right now, we are engaged in a reckless war of choice that he was a primary driver of." "But we know this president," McBride said. "He only fires women, so my guess is Tulsi Gabbard." Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., echoed McBride's sentiment when asked the same question by Manríquez. "Is he out of women?" Ocasio-Cortez asked. "Because that seems to be his pattern right now." TRUMP CABINET NOMINEES, APPOINTEES TARGETED WITH ‘VIOLENT, UNAMERICAN THREATS’ She went on to say that Trump "seems to only have the capability to fire female secretaries." In response to a follow-up question about the "clownish behavior" of War Secretary Pete Hegseth and FBI Director Kash Patel, Ocasio-Cortez claimed that what Patel has done is "a thousand times worse" than what other officials have done. Neither Manríquez nor Ocasio-Cortez gave specific examples of misconduct by either man. Patel has filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic over reported allegations that he is a heavy drinker and that it affects his work. Meanwhile, Hegseth faced sexual assault and drinking allegations during his confirmation hearings, which he denied, and his tenure at the War Department was rocked by two separate Signal chat leaks in which information about military airstrikes were inadvertently shared with a journalist. While the White House has stood by Hegseth, Democratic lawmakers have demanded his resignation and criticized his handling of the war with Iran. "If you're a man in the Trump administration, it seems that they reward misconduct," Ocasio-Cortez said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebea64059ccda1fcc22872 Man confesses to dismembering father, stuffing remains in suitcases as DNA finally solves cold case: police te 2026-04-24T22:10:44.336Z Man confesses to dismembering father, stuffing remains in suitcases as DNA finally solves cold case: police New DNA technology has cracked yet another cold case surrounding a man's dismembered body parts being found inside two suitcases in Ohio nearly three decades ago, police said. Larry Drotleff, 81, of Euclid, confessed to the 27-year-old dismemberment of his father, Lawrence A. Drotleff, who would have been 93 at the time his remains were found, Tuscarawas County Sheriff Orvis Campbell said in a news release.  The case began in February 1998, when authorities received a complaint regarding a suitcase found by a group of children on Winkler Hill Road in Dover Township containing unidentified male body parts – including a pelvis and part of one leg. DECADES-OLD COLD CASE BREAKTHROUGH LEADS TO ARREST IN EXECUTION-STYLE KILLINGS OF MARRIED COUPLE BEFORE CHILD One week later, a second suitcase containing a torso was found along Boltz Orchard Road in Jefferson Township, authorities said. Despite the recovery of a body, authorities were unable to determine the identity of the victim or a potential suspect.  FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X "While DNA was collected from the remains in both suitcases, neither fingerprints from the suitcases themselves nor the DNA from the body parts ever led to the identification of the remains or a suspect," Campbell said. "All leads were run out and leads that did come in over the years were investigated with no progress on identifying the victim or a suspect." SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER The case ultimately ran cold until investigators decided to take another look in February 2023, with DNA testing pointing to Larry Drotleff as a family member of the deceased, Lawrence A. Drotleff, police said. SEND US A TIP HERE Authorities then learned Larry Drotleff had previously been caught collecting retirement and social security funds from his father, according to police. When questioned by social security investigators at the time of the alleged thefts, Larry Drotleff offered the explanation that his father had moved away. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST In January 2024, Larry Drotleff told investigators he was living with his father when he came home from work and found him deceased, according to authorities. He cooperated with the investigation by providing his own DNA for investigators to confirm his father’s identity.  LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB "Larry indicated that he then cut up his father’s body with a manual hand saw and disposed of some body parts in the suitcases and others by just putting them in bags in a dumpster near his workplace," Campbell said. Although the statute of limitations has passed on abuse of a corpse charges, Larry Drotleff is facing two federal counts of stealing his father's Social Security and pension funding, totalling over $250,000.   "While the case did not prove to be a murder, it should be noted that the inhumane treatment of the Corpse was conduct so inexcusable that this case remained a priority for the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office," Campbell said. "It remains difficult to comprehend that the greed of theft could cause someone to treat their father’s body in this manner." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebea4c059ccda1fcc22834 Appeals court says Trump admin must re-open borders to asylum-seekers te 2026-04-24T22:10:20.878Z Appeals court says Trump admin must re-open borders to asylum-seekers Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebe80b059ccda1fcc227d5 31 Sloths Acquired by an Orlando Animal Attraction Died, Officials Say te 2026-04-24T22:00:43.832Z 31 Sloths Acquired by an Orlando Animal Attraction Died, Officials Say Many of the deaths were attributed to a lack of heat at an unauthorized warehouse that Sloth World was using, officials said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebe7f6059ccda1fcc227b9 Palantir is reportedly helping the IRS investigate financial crimes te 2026-04-24T22:00:22.839Z Palantir is reportedly helping the IRS investigate financial crimes The IRS has used Palantir's software since at least 2018, The Intercept reports. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebe5cd059ccda1fcc2276a Your daily coffee habit may be quietly reshaping your gut and mood, study finds te 2026-04-24T21:51:09.496Z Your daily coffee habit may be quietly reshaping your gut and mood, study finds Coffee may do more than keep you going: It could have a noticeable impact on your digestive health, even if you drink decaf. Researchers from APC Microbiome Ireland found that habitual coffee consumption alters the trillions of microbes living in the digestive tract, creating a chemical feedback loop that directly influences mood, stress levels and cognitive sharpness. The study followed 62 participants to determine how coffee interacts with the microbiome. The group included 31 coffee drinkers and 31 non-coffee drinkers, who went through a series of psychological tests and kept detailed journals about their diet and coffee consumption. YOUR DAILY DIET SODA COULD BE AGING YOUR BRAIN FASTER THAN YOU THINK, STUDY FINDS The researchers defined "coffee drinkers" as those consuming three to five cups daily, a range the European Food Safety Authority deems safe and moderate. After people stopped drinking coffee for two weeks and then started drinking it again, the bacteria in their digestive systems behaved differently than the non-drinkers, according to a press release. "Coffee is more than just caffeine," study author Professor John Cryan, principal investigator at APC Microbiome Ireland, said in a statement. "It’s a complex dietary factor that interacts with our gut microbes, our metabolism and even our emotional well-being." COMMON SWEETENER MAY TRIGGER FAT BUILDUP IN WAYS EXPERTS DIDN’T EXPECT The coffee drinkers were found to have higher levels of specific beneficial bacteria, such as Eggertella and Cryptobacterium curtum. These microbes play a vital role in releasing gastric acids and creating bile, both of which help the body eliminate harmful bacteria and manage inflammation, the researchers noted. Both caffeinated and decaf drinkers reported lower levels of perceived stress, depression and impulsivity. This suggests that the non-caffeine components of coffee, like polyphenols and antioxidants, are doing the heavy lifting for mental health. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES However, the two types of brew offer different perks. Caffeinated coffee was specifically linked to reduced anxiety and better focus, while decaf was shown to lead to significant improvements in learning and episodic memory. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER Researchers believe these cognitive gains in decaf drinkers may be tied to better sleep quality and increased physical activity. The study’s findings are limited by a small sample size, which may not accurately represent the diverse microbiome profiles found across different global populations. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Because the research relied heavily on self-reported data regarding participants' coffee habits and mood levels, the results are subject to memory errors and subjective bias, the researchers noted. The study also did not strictly control for other dietary variables, such as sugar and dairy additives, which could independently influence gut health and cloud the specific impact of the coffee bean itself. The research was published in the journal Nature Communications. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebe5b8059ccda1fcc2274b Republicans’ Likely Strategy as Midterms Near: Negative Campaigning te 2026-04-24T21:50:48.276Z Republicans’ Likely Strategy as Midterms Near: Negative Campaigning Republicans are likely to fall back on a tried-and-tested strategy for the midterms: Going negative. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebe5a4059ccda1fcc22742 The ‘Lasting Damage’ of Pirro’s Investigation of the Federal Reserve and Powell te 2026-04-24T21:50:28.674Z The ‘Lasting Damage’ of Pirro’s Investigation of the Federal Reserve and Powell The Trump administration’s attacks on the Federal Reserve have rattled confidence in the central bank’s ability to operate independently before a leadership transition. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebe384059ccda1fcc2265d Obama chooses supporter Stephen Colbert for debut interview at controversial presidential center te 2026-04-24T21:41:24.939Z Obama chooses supporter Stephen Colbert for debut interview at controversial presidential center For his first televised interview from the controversial Obama Presidential Center, Barack Obama is turning to a familiar ally: Stephen Colbert. The sit-down comes just weeks before Colbert is set to exit late-night television after CBS and parent company Paramount canceled "The Late Show." Obama’s decision to sit down with Colbert, an adoring fan of the former president, drew derision from some conservative commentators. Colbert has long been a Democratic supporter, notably MCing a $26 million fundraiser for former presidents Joe Biden, Bill Clinton and Obama at Radio City Music Hall in 2024. The former president has appeared multiple times on Comedy Central’s "The Colbert Report" and "The Late Show." During a 2020 interview, Colbert told Obama he needed to "drink [Obama] in" because he missed seeing a real president. He also once cooed, "I miss you" to a clip of Obama on his show during Trump's first term. KIMMEL, COLBERT SILENT ON ERIC SWALWELL SCANDAL AFTER PLATFORMING DEMOCRAT The announcement of the interview prompted criticism from Outkick writer Ian Miller, who argued Colbert has long traded comedy for partisan activism. "Stephen Colbert going out the way he came in, absolutely refusing to do comedy and putting on the most boring, generic left wing talk show imaginable," he wrote on X. COLBERT FUMES AT CBS, SAYS IT BARRED HIM FROM INTERVIEWING TEXAS DEM AMID FCC CRACKDOWN Colbert announced the interview during his show on Thursday, saying, "Tuesday, May 5 here on ‘The Late Show’ in his first interview from the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, I will be sitting down with former President Barack Obama." Alongside a clip posted on Instagram, "The Late Show" captioned it "Thanks, @barackobama." The interview was confirmed by the Obama Foundation on Instagram, which wrote, "Couch booked. Volume up. Ready to go." DAVID LETTERMAN SPEAKS OUT ON CBS REPLACING COLBERT'S SHOW, SAYS NETWORK DOESN'T WANT TO 'SPEND ANY MONEY' The Obama Presidential Center is slated to open in June following years of public scrutiny over its design and its impact on the Chicago community. The building sits on Chicago’s South Side, where residents have offered mixed reviews of its aesthetics since construction began in 2021. A Fox News Digital investigation revealed that surging public infrastructure costs needed to support the project are being funded by the public. The advocacy group Protect Our Parks also spent years in court fighting the project, arguing that the use of Jackson Park was an illegal handover of public space to a private group. Colbert’s interview with Obama comes only weeks before his show will go off the air on May 21. Paramount canceled "The Late Show" after reports it was losing more than $40 million annually for CBS. CBS said the cancellation was "purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night" and denied the show’s content played a role. In addition to Colbert's left-wing commentary, he books far more political guests than his late-night counterparts. His guests down the stretch of his show have recently included Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Pete Buttigieg and John Kerry. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebe370059ccda1fcc22654 Melania Trump unveils a White House replica beehive buzzing with new colonies on the South Lawn te 2026-04-24T21:41:04.816Z Melania Trump unveils a White House replica beehive buzzing with new colonies on the South Lawn First lady Melania Trump on Friday announced a sweet new addition to the South Lawn, expanding the White House honey program with a newly installed and fully functioning beehive modeled after the executive mansion. An official video released by the Office of the First Lady showcased the expanded setup — designed by the White House Executive Residence staff — buzzing with a large amount of bees. The queen-worthy new hive, hand-crafted by a local Virginia artisan in the image of the White House, will add two new bee colonies to the property's existing two. TRUMP'S ADMIRATION FOR BRITISH ROYALS TRACES TO LATE MOTHER'S DEEP REVERENCE AND INFLUENCE The expansion is expected to boost annual honey production by an estimated 30 pounds, allowing for even greater use in preparing White House culinary dishes, serving as official gifts from the president and the first lady, and supporting charitable donations of healthy foods to local food kitchens, according to the Office of the First Lady. Funded through the Trust for the National Mall, the installation will support the existing colonies in pollinating the nearby White House Kitchen Garden, Flower Cutting Garden and vegetation on the National Mall. It will also serve as an educational feature, offering potential opportunities for visitors on the South Lawn to get a closer look at a working colony and learn about pollination and food production firsthand. The White House beekeeping program started in 2009 after a White House carpenter, Charlie Brandt, started keeping bees on the complex as a hobby a few years prior. The Office of the First Lady said the hobby has since become "a lasting tradition." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebe35c059ccda1fcc2264b Nebraska ends in-state tuition benefits for illegal immigrants under DOJ deal te 2026-04-24T21:40:44.965Z Nebraska ends in-state tuition benefits for illegal immigrants under DOJ deal Illegal immigrants in Nebraska will no longer receive in-state tuition after the state agreed to stop enforcing a two-decade-old law that the Trump administration called unconstitutional. Under a proposed consent decree filed Tuesday and still awaiting court approval, Nebraska agreed not to enforce laws that allow reduced in-state tuition and certain financial aid benefits for people in the country illegally. The agreement came hours after the Justice Department sued the state. In its federal lawsuit, the Justice Department argued that Nebraska’s laws violate federal law by allowing some students in the country illegally to qualify for reduced in-state tuition rates and state financial aid, while U.S. citizens from other states may not qualify for the same benefits. The complaint asked a federal judge to strike down those provisions and bar Nebraska from enforcing them. Later that same day, the United States and Nebraska jointly filed the proposed consent decree, which asks the court to permanently enjoin the challenged laws. TRUMP ADMIN UNLAWFULLY TERMINATED LEGAL STATUS OF MIGRANTS WHO USED BIDEN-ERA APP, JUDGE RULES "For two decades, the Nebraska legislature gave preferential treatment to illegal aliens over American citizens," Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward said in a Tuesday announcement. "We encourage all States to follow the commonsense correction of Attorney General Hilgers, ceasing any policy that rewards illegal entry into our nation with educational opportunities not available to U.S. citizens." The DOJ said that since 2006, Nebraska had ignored federal law that prohibits illegal immigrants from receiving in-state tuition benefits denied to out-of-state U.S. citizens. Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, said the unconstitutional laws "should never have been passed in the first place." ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WILL NO LONGER GET IN-STATE TUITION IN KENTUCKY AFTER FEDERAL RULING "Nebraska’s unconstitutional and un-American laws should never have been passed in the first place and are prohibited by federal law," said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. "The Department of Justice has won on this exact issue in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kentucky, and we will take this fight to any states that fail to put American citizens first." Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen also celebrated the legal agreement. "Nebraskans expect that illegal aliens won’t get the benefit of in-state tuition and financial aid, and federal law forbids it," Pillen said. "Outdated Nebraska laws to the contrary are deeply misguided and unconstitutional, and I am grateful for the combined efforts of President Trump’s Department of Justice and Attorney General Hilgers to deliver this long-overdue correction." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE The Justice Department said this is the eighth lawsuit in a series of actions it has filed over state laws that it says benefit immigrants living in the country illegally over U.S. citizens. The department said it has already won similar cases in Texas, Kentucky and Oklahoma, while lawsuits remain pending in Illinois, Minnesota, Virginia and California. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebe346059ccda1fcc2261a Cohere acquires, merges with German-based startup to create a ‘transatlantic AI powerhouse’ te 2026-04-24T21:40:22.199Z Cohere acquires, merges with German-based startup to create a ‘transatlantic AI powerhouse’ Cohere, the Canada-based AI company that makes AI tools for businesses in regulated industries, announced Friday it would merge with Aleph Alpha, a German company that also builds AI systems for businesses and governments. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebe13f059ccda1fcc225bf Get your yard work done faster with these cordless tools, starting at $21 te 2026-04-24T21:31:43.522Z Get your yard work done faster with these cordless tools, starting at $21 Skip the cords and gas — these cordless tools make yard work faster, quieter and easier to manage. From a Black+Decker hedge trimmer at 45% off to an EGO Power+ leaf blower under $400, these picks simplify lawn care and make spring-cleaning less of a hassle. Sun Joe cordless hedge trimmer: $20.97 (46% off) Kobalt battery hedge trimmer: $99 (23% off) Worx cordless lawn mower: $189.97 (21% off) 3-tool yard care bundle: $239.97 (20% off) Black+Decker sweeper and trimmer set: $125.10 (17% off) Worx 3-in-1 leaf blower, mulcher and vacuum: $109.32 (16% off) LawnMaster cordless mower and trimmer bundle: $204.99 (11% off) New homeowners can tackle yard work faster with these cordless tools. Original price: $129 When you need a lightweight tool that doesn't sacrifice power, choose this Craftsman cordless leaf blower. With wind speeds up to 100 mph and a 28-minute runtime, it's well-suited for smaller yards or spaces like your patio or deck.  Original price: $599.99 With just the press of a button, the EGO Power+ cordless mower runs for up to 50 minutes — enough for larger yards. A self-propelling system means you only need to steer while the mower does the rest. As you mow, you can mulch, bag or discharge leaves from the side.  READ MORE: 7 electric and gas lawn mower deals — starting at $250 Original price: $179.99 Get two tools for the price of one with a Worx trimmer and leaf blower bundle, now $50 off. The trimmer converts to an edger for added versatility, while the blower clears leaves and debris at high speeds. Each weighs less than 6 pounds, making them light enough for teens and older users.  READ MORE: From patio furniture to lawn equipment: Save up to 72% on outdoor deals Take on bigger yard jobs with more powerful cordless mowers and leaf blowers. Original price: $439.99 Two batteries power this EGO Power+ leaf blower for up to 90 minutes on a single charge. The speed trigger instantly ramps up to 200 mph to clear compacted leaves and rocks. A digital display lets you track performance and battery status.  Original price: $129 This dual-blade Black+Decker shrub trimmer reduces vibration by up to 40% compared with single-action models, making tough brush less draining. Its blades cut through branches up to 3/4 inch thick and can trim up to 3,000 square feet on a full charge. A 45% discount drops the price to just over $70.  Original price: $529.99 Cat’s 3-in-1 mower handles bagging, mulching and discharging, giving you more control over the end result. An LED light illuminates your path for nighttime cuts, and the wheels move smoothly across your yard. Its TorqLogic Power Management system adjusts power as grass thickens.  Tackle edges and hard-to-reach spots with precision cordless trimmers. Original price: $199.99 Create crisp edges around your lawn with the Worx cordless edger, which includes a blade guide to keep lines straight. At just 7 pounds, the tool won’t weigh you down, even when edging your entire property. READ MORE: Garage storage finds under $100 that make spring cleanup easy Original price: $319.99 The Greenworks edger makes quick work of weeds with a professional-quality build that lasts for years. With a runtime of 60 minutes and a recharging time of 50 minutes, it keeps you moving without interruptions.  Original price: $179 Kobalt is a more affordable brand that doesn’t slack on power. This string trimmer has two speeds to keep it simple, and a full battery lasts up to 1/2 acre. All Kobalt’s 45-plus lawn tools, including this one, use the same batteries, saving you from buying extras.  Clear branches and fallen trees with powerful chainsaws and pole saws. On a full charge, the Greenworks cordless chainsaw makes 50 cuts on 4-by-4s. It’s a lightweight option at just 6 pounds, making it easy to handle during longer work sessions. A double safety design requires you to press both the trigger and the lock button at the same time to prevent accidental activation. Reach branches up to 11 feet away with the Greenworks cordless pole saw. An 8-inch bar handles thicker limbs like a champ, and there’s no worrying about gas or oil changes, keeping maintenance straightforward.  For more deals, visit www.foxnews.com/deals Original price: $129.99 On sale for less than $100, this 2-in-1 pole saw transforms into a mini chainsaw for smaller limbs. The pole reaches up to 10 feet and cuts through 6-inch branches without hesitation.  If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can get these items sent to your door ASAP. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebe12c059ccda1fcc225b6 Heidi Klum stuns in black triangle bikini during relaxing poolside moment te 2026-04-24T21:31:24.067Z Heidi Klum stuns in black triangle bikini during relaxing poolside moment Heidi Klum is ready for summer. The "America’s Got Talent" judge shared a short clip on Instagram on Wednesday of her strolling around her swimming pool with her three dogs in tow: Uschi, Jäger, and her rescue puppy, Fritz. The 52-year-old wore a black triangle bikini top with high-cut bottoms as she wrapped a towel around herself. She paired the look with sunglasses and wore her hair in beachy waves. "Best time of the day," she wrote in the caption. IRINA SHAYK STUNS IN BARELY-THERE BIKINIS DURING LUXURIOUS GETAWAY Klum shared a second photo on Thursday of her sunbathing with Fritz. Klum’s feed was filled with praise from her followers. "I C O N & ANIMAL LOVER," one person wrote, and another said, "Your pets love you so much." APP USERS CLICK HERE FOR POST On Monday, the supermodel also glammed it up at the New York premiere of "The Devil Wears Prada 2" in a seafoam green, high-neck flowing gown and silver, open-toed heels. TIFFANI THIESSEN POSES TOPLESS AS SHE SHARES HOMEMADE 'NAKED CARROT CAKE' RECIPE The style icon, who is sometimes called "The Body," has been open over the years about her comfort with her body. CANDACE CAMERON BURE SIZZLES IN STRING BIKINI WHILE ON TROPICAL GETAWAY WITH HUSBAND "I grew up going to nude beaches with my parents, so I’m a nudist," Klum told Ocean Drive magazine, according to KHOU-TV. "I have no problems with nudity at all. I’m very free. When I go to the beach, it’s in a very remote place where there are not a lot of people, and I like to go topless." She repeated that sentiment in January when she answered fan questions on Instagram, replying, "It’s just breasts." Last year, she told People, "I’ve always been very open with my body. When I’m suntanning in the backyard, I might not have a top on." She added that she believes her carefree ways have contributed to her children’s body positivity. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "I’m European … my kids don’t know me any other way and are probably more easygoing with their bodies because of it," she said. She told People that some people suggest she's gotten more confident as she's aged, but she asserted, "I have always been confident. I have no problem walking around in my underwear. I’m not hiding in a corner." The mom of four added that she loves having a home where her children "feel safe." "My son was barbecuing with his friends in the backyard the other day and doing all the things I taught him," she said. "It was so cute. For me, it’s always the more, the merrier. I like it when they’re all at home." Klum has four children: Leni, 21; Henry, 20; Johan, 19 and Lou, 16. Klum shares Leni with ex Flavio Briatore, and her three youngest children with ex-husband Seal. Klum married musician Tom Kaulitz in 2019. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebe118059ccda1fcc225ad Hakeem Jeffries left scrambling after child reporter asks why voters view Democrats so negatively te 2026-04-24T21:31:04.384Z Hakeem Jeffries left scrambling after child reporter asks why voters view Democrats so negatively Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared caught off guard Thursday as children of the Capitol Hill press corps questioned him during an event. The exchange came during a Capitol Hill event marking "Take Your Child to Work Day," where children of journalists were invited to ask lawmakers questions. The moment quickly stood out as the blunt question from a young attendee cut directly to a broader political challenge Democrats have faced in recent months — voter dissatisfaction and perception issues heading into a high-stakes election cycle. The first question of the day came from the daughter of CNN’s Manu Raju as she asked Jeffries, "Why do voters view Democrats so poorly?" The audience quickly began laughing as Jeffries was stunned, asking the child if her father gave him the question to ask in advance. JEN PSAKI CALLS OUT THE 'WORST' MEDIA TRAINING ADVICE GIVEN TO DEMOCRATS He clarified that it was "a great question," adding, "It’s a great question in that — I’m gonna have words with you after this, Manu." Jeffries then began to answer the question, diving into a long explanation about growing distrust in institutions across the country. "I think that we exist in an era right now where the American people are understandably frustrated with institutions because far too many people in this country are struggling to live paycheck to paycheck," he said. "They can’t thrive and can barely survive. And so there’s a frustration with Congress, there’s frustration with institutional political parties, whether that’s Democrats or Republicans, certainly a frustration with the courts, with organized religion, with the media, frustration with institutions of higher education, and of course frustration with the current President of the United States of America." ‘LAME DUCK’: JEFFRIES RIPS DESANTIS AFTER FLORIDA INVITATION AS REDISTRICTING FIGHT HEATS UP "There’s a great frustration that applies to every organized institution in this country, and Democrats are not immune from that," he continued. "And we do have a responsibility to continue to convince the American people that, as a party, we’re actually focused on making their life better." Jeffries, who has served as House Democratic leader since 2023, has been tasked with helping shape the party’s messaging as Democrats work to counter Republican attacks and reconnect with voters frustrated over issues like the economy and cost of living. Concerns about the party’s standing with key voting blocs have surfaced in recent polling and political analysis, underscoring the significance of the question posed during the event. The exchange underscored the messaging challenges facing Democrats as they head into a critical election cycle, with even an unscripted question from a young attendee reflecting broader voter concerns. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebe104059ccda1fcc225a4 California millionaire trampled to death by elephants while on African hunting expedition te 2026-04-24T21:30:44.643Z California millionaire trampled to death by elephants while on African hunting expedition A California vineyard owner has died after being crushed by elephants while on a hunting expedition in Africa. Ernie Dosio, 75, was hunting yellow-backed duikers in Gabon when the deadly April 17 incident occurred. Dosio, who kept an extensive collection of animal heads in his home, was trampled to death when he and his guide stumbled into five female elephants with a calf in the Lope-Okanda rainforest, the Daily Mail reported. Collect Africa, the Nigerian-based safari operator, confirmed Dosio’s death to the publication. The California-Hawaii Elks Association also confirmed Dosio’s death on Facebook. ROGAN BLAMES LIBERAL POLICIES FOR ALLOWING 'MONSTERS' TO RUN AMOK, EAT HOUSE PETS "It is with a most heavy heart and sadness that I am reporting the passing of Ernie Dosio earlier this week," Tommy Whitman, secretary of Lodi Lodge 1900 and Central District Scouting chairman, wrote in a statement. "May all of our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones. He will be sorely missed." Fox News Digital has reached out to the U.S. Embassy in Gabon and the safari company. An unnamed hunter in Cape Town who knew Dosio told the news outlet that Dosio had been "hunting since he could hold a rifle and had many trophies from Africa and the U.S." "Although many disagree with big-game hunting, all of Ernie’s hunts were strictly licensed and above board and were registered as conservation culls to manage animal numbers," he said. "Ernie had booked a hunt for dwarf forest buffalo and duikers — in particular, the yellow-backed duiker — and, under strict licensing laws, he could not take along his own guns." The hunting company would supply a shotgun and cartridges for the duiker hunt, he said. The hunter added he believes Dosio and his guide surprised the elephants, who attacked because they felt threatened. "I would rather not go into detail, but it is safe to assume it would have been quick," he said. "Ernie was a very well-known and popular hunter in the U.S. and in Africa, and a very keen conservationist; he did a hell of a lot of charity work and was a really good guy. What happened has been deeply felt by many on both sides of the Atlantic." Dosio's body is being repatriated to America with assistance from the U.S. Embassy. Dosio owned Pacific AgriLands Inc., a Modesto, California, vineyard land management company with its own 12,000-acre vineyard, according to Lodi News. Central Africa is home to roughly endangered 95,000 forest elephants, with the largest numbers being found in Gabon, according to the World Wildlife Fund. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebe0f1059ccda1fcc2259b Cardinals had to delay drafting Jeremiyah Love because they had a wrong phone number te 2026-04-24T21:30:25.209Z Cardinals had to delay drafting Jeremiyah Love because they had a wrong phone number We've all seen teams calling the NFL draft prospects they intend to select minutes before the card is turned in to the league. The moment often plays out on television or is shared on social media — but the Arizona Cardinals initially couldn't connect for their call with Jeremiyah Love Thursday night. It wasn't a lack of trying; the club dialed the number they had for Love. But, nope, no connection to the intended No. 3 overall draft pick. So the team's brain trust calmy stepped back, took a breath, considered options and tried something else. NFL DRAFT HAS 'SPECIAL' PLAYER IN JEREMIYAH LOVE, GM SAYS And all the while underlings scrambled madly for a correct number. "If you want me to tell you the honest-to-God truth, we had the wrong phone number," Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort said later. "The phone number that we were given was the wrong one and so that was a little bit of the delay. But we got that straightened out and we called Jeremiyah and got ahold of him. That is what the delay was, technical difficulties." ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! We have to thank Ossenfort for his transparency. But, on the other hand, yikes! CBS ANALYST RECALLS TIME SHEDEUR SANDERS MISSED PREGAME OBLIGATION WITH NETWORK What made matters somewhat more uncomfortable is the Cardinals actually were hoping to trade down from their No. 3 pick to add more draft resources later on. But there simply wasn't the kind of demand for Love they had hoped. "There was very minimal conversations, some surface-level but nothing that came anywhere close to getting us to move off the pick," Ossenfort said. Eventually, the club found the correct number for Love. And picked him. NFL RESTRICTS ACCESS TO DRAFT PROSPECTS' CONTACT INFO AFTER 2025 SHEDEUR SANDERS PRANK CALL: REPORT Here’s where it helps to understand that the NFL provides players with phones for the draft and then distributes those numbers to teams. But after Shedeur Sanders last year had his number leaked to various sources — including the son of Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich who turned it into a prank phone call with his buddies — the league made changes this year. The league limited access to prospects’ contact information to one person within each franchise. It's unclear if the person holding the numbers for the Cardinals relayed the digits incorrectly or got a bad number from the NFL. Whatever the case, it eventually got resolved. Maybe the club called Love’s personal number because Ossenfort had it and had used it previously. "We had a great interaction with him at the combine," Ossenfort said. "I followed up with him with a call over the weekend and just had a great overall interaction. Like I said, you guys will get the chance to meet him, an impressive kid. Just really excited to add the person to our locker room." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebdec0059ccda1fcc22520 Left-wing podcaster blasts Schumer, Jeffries as 'fascist collaborators' te 2026-04-24T21:21:04.176Z Left-wing podcaster blasts Schumer, Jeffries as 'fascist collaborators' Left-wing podcaster Jennifer Welch described Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., as "fascist collaborators" during an interview on Thursday. Welch, host of the "I've Had It" podcast, spoke to NY1's Errol Louis, host of "You Decide," and called on Democrats to do more to oppose President Donald Trump. "The way the Democratic Party has operated has incubated this to an extent, and we have to be a full-blown, robust opposition party to this man," Welch said. "Too many people in Chuck Schumer's Senate voted to confirm these people that are helping Trump commit war crimes, and basically you have a bunch of dirty cops in the Oval Office right now and the entire executive branch is a crime syndicate." "And Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries should be building the biggest opposition to this, and oftentimes they appear more like fascist collaborators than they do a full-blown opposition to it," she added. WHITE HOUSE KNOCKS CHUCK SCHUMER OVER JIM CROW CLAIM: ‘PROFESSIONAL GASLIGHTER' Louis appeared to defend Jeffries, noting that he interviewed the congressman recently and that Democratic leadership feels like things are going their way. "I don't want to put words in his mouth, but he and the other Democratic leadership, they see things going their way, they read the polls, they're looking district by district, they're targeting, you know, upwards of forty districts and they only need three. They think they're going to win a majority whether they trim their sails or not. If they do win, that doesn't stop your critique, right?" Louis asked Welch. Welch said she wanted Democrats to win and loved "beating Republicans." "That being said, we have to deliver a Democratic Party that won't incubate more fascism," she continued. "We have to deliver a Democratic Party that services the people over corporations. We we have to. We have to deliver a Democratic Party that will take on corporations, raise wages, provide healthcare for workers, etc. So as much as I want them to win, I think we're not in a cult." TRUMP CANCELS MEETING WITH SCHUMER, JEFFRIES OVER 'RIDICULOUS DEMANDS' AS FUNDING DEADLINE LOOMS Welch called Schumer the most disappointing politician aside from House Speaker Mike Johnson. "But Chuck Schumer knows better. And it's just it's so frustrating being alive today and watching these people BS and hem-haw around these answers and then you have all of these people in middle America that pay for all this crap. And it's just it's wholly unfair. And I'm very worried about the state of the Democratic party," Welch added. She said she's reached out to interview Schumer, but hasn't heard back. Louis said he's known Schumer for a long time and explained his role in Democratic electoral politics. "He does what he has to do to raise the money that's needed to try and win Democratic majorities in the Senate. That's literally like his job. This is what he wakes up to. This is what he goes to bed thinking about," Louis said, pointing to Democratic victories in 2020. "Does he get some grace for that?" Welch said, "No, absolutely not." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Schumer has been mocked by comedians and other politicians over his attempts to counter Trump since he began his second term. Schumer and Jeffries' offices did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebdeac059ccda1fcc22517 Three alleged Antifa-linked protesters indicted in Atlanta police training center contractor firebombing te 2026-04-24T21:20:44.728Z Three alleged Antifa-linked protesters indicted in Atlanta police training center contractor firebombing A grand jury indicted three alleged Antifa-linked protesters accused of throwing firebombs at the general contractor of an Atlanta police training center, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr announced in a news conference Friday. The grand jury on Thursday charged Katie Marie Kloth, 39, Tyler John Norman, 42, and Hannah Margaret Kass, 33, with two counts of criminal property damage and a third count of arson for their alleged assault on the Marietta offices of Brasfield and Gorrie, a contractor working on the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, which has been met with protests over its construction by a group called the "Defend the Atlanta Forest," and referred to by detractors as "cop city." On May 12, 2022, the trio allegedly caused hundreds of dollars of damage to Brasfield and Gorrie's office, both with fire and other means, according to the grand jury indictment obtained exclusively by Fox News. The defendants allegedly caused damage "by striking and spray painting fencing, windows, and walls by striking them with hands, feet, and thrown objects and painting them with use of spray paint," according to the indictment. FEDS LAUNCH PROBE TO UNRAVEL ALLEGED NONPROFIT FUNDING BEHIND ANTIFA-LINKED VIOLENCE While the three allegedly enacted their assault on the office building, Brasfield and Gorrie employees were still inside, Carr said. Their attacks included the use of explosive devices and fireworks, officials said. The three are alleged to have traveled from out of the state to participate in the attack, Carr said. The trio are among 61 defendants previously charged with domestic terrorism and racketeering. All 61, including Kloth, Norman and Kass, are members of "Defend the Atlanta Forest," a group which Carr referred to as an "anarchist, anti-police, and anti-business extremist organization." He also alleged that they were connected to Antifa, a loosely-connected anarchist group which President Donald Trump labeled a domestic terrorist organization in 2025. FEDERAL AGENTS ARREST 3 MORE PEOPLE IN CONNECTION TO MINNESOTA CHURCH STORMING "When it comes to fighting Antifa and keeping people safe, we won’t back down," Carr said. "This isn’t Portland or Seattle. If you come to our state and engage in violence, threaten private businesses and damage property, you will be identified and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."  In December 2025, a Fulton County judge dismissed the racketeering charges on many of the 61 defendants, a decision Carr said he strongly disagreed with. He also indicated he would continue to pursue other charges to the remaining defendants. "This is ongoing, it has continued. We are running a parallel track between the appeal that we have regarding the Fulton County case and we will continue to prosecute this case," Carr said. "We won't rest until the agents of violence and chaos concerning the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center are punished," he added. INSIDE ANTIFA-LINKED GROUP'S PLAN TO 'STRUCTURALLY CHANGE' THE US AS MAY DAY UNREST APPROACHES The training center has been the target of protests since the 2021 announcement that the multi-million dollar facility would be built. Protesters moved into surrounding forests and began living in tents near the facility. In January 2023, Georgia State Patrol Trooper Jerry Parish was shot while clearing the forest of campers. The incident resulted in the shooting death of one of the protesters, Manuel Esteban Paez Terán. Despite the opposition, the training center opened in April 2025. Fox News Digital contacted "Defend the Atlanta Forest," but did not immediately receive a response. When contacted for comment a representative for Brasfield and Gorrie directed Fox News Digital's queries to the Georgia Attorney General's office. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebde97059ccda1fcc224f8 Over 200,000 Heated Socks Sold at Costco Recalled After Reports of Burns te 2026-04-24T21:20:23.097Z Over 200,000 Heated Socks Sold at Costco Recalled After Reports of Burns The socks, from the brand 32 Degrees, were linked to reports of first- and second-degree burns, according to U.S. product safety regulators. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebdc6c059ccda1fcc2249c Save up to 50% on HexClad pans, knives and bundles for Mother's Day te 2026-04-24T21:11:08.137Z Save up to 50% on HexClad pans, knives and bundles for Mother's Day If you're shopping for a mom who enjoys cooking, the HexClad Mother's Day sale is worth a look (FOX is an investor in HexClad). Best-sellers from Gordon Ramsay's famous cookware brand are discounted through May 11, including the 10-inch hybrid fry pan and Damascus steel knives, with savings of up to 50%. The sale also includes themed options like the "Mom Knows Best" bundle that comes with all of the brand's best-sellers. Original price: $169 Gift mom her new favorite pan this Mother's Day. The 10-inch fry pan blends cast iron and stainless steel to heat food evenly, while the nonstick surface makes cooking and cleanup easy. It also handles oven and dishwasher use, making it a fit for any busy kitchen. Original price: $149 HexClad's hybrid saucepan uses a nonstick surface to cook sauces, soups and other recipes that require a high-sided pot. The stay-cool handle prevents accidental burns, and metal utensils don't scratch the hybrid coating. It's oven-safe up to 900 degrees (400 for the lid), so you can move from stove to oven as needed.  READ MORE: Amazon's best weekend deals: Up to 88% off Skechers, DeWalt, Swarovski and more Original price: $199 Handle big meals with this large hybrid roasting pan, designed for Sunday dinners and holiday roasts. The nonstick surface still sears while keeping cleanup easy, and a V-shaped rack circulates air for even cooking every time.  Original price: $532 Upgrade your kitchen with this six-piece pan set, featuring three pans with matching lids. The durable design stands up to metal utensils and handles temperatures up to 900 degrees, moving easily from stove top to oven. Cleanup is simple thanks to its dishwasher-safe construction. Original price: $1,188 Give mom a kitchen upgrade with this 12-piece HexClad set. The hybrid stainless steel and cast iron design delivers nonstick performance with excellent heat retention, while staying easy to clean. Six pots and six pans come with heat-resistant handles, and the lids handle oven temps up to 400 degrees. Original price: $259 This set of HexClad Damascus steel steak knives is designed for a polished look at the table and is currently 50% off. The limited-edition knives feature faux ebony handles that resist stains and help maintain their shape over time. READ MORE: Cookout season is here: These are the best grills to buy before Memorial Day Original price: $2,517 This holiday-themed bundle includes a range of cookware to restock a kitchen, from pots and pans to a seven-piece knife set and mixing bowls. These pans use a nonstick coating designed to reduce sticking and simplify cleanup, while the steel knives are built for everyday prep. Original price: $1,804 The "Stay Out of My Kitchen" bundle includes more than just pots and pans, with metal utensils and two collapsible steamer baskets for added functionality. It also comes with a wok and griddle pans, giving you more options to try different recipes without needing additional tools.  Original price: $1,734 This set covers a range of everyday cooking needs, from prep to serving. The hybrid pots and pans set also includes a sauté pan and wok for one-pan meals. A chef's knife handles ingredients like meat, vegetables and herbs, while the mixing bowls with silicone covers make it easy to store leftovers. Original price: $1,459 Dull knives can slow down any kitchen, so this Mega Cutlery Bundle focuses on sharp, durable options. It includes a chef's knife made with 67 layers of Damascus steel, along with paring knives and steak knives for everyday use. The green pakkawood handles are designed to hold up to frequent use. Original price: $3,252 If you’re planning a full kitchen refresh, this bundle includes pots and pans, knives, mixing bowls and wooden serving plates. It covers a wide range of cooking and serving needs in one set, and the current deal offers more than $1,000 in savings. Original price: $487  Add two sets of salt and pepper mills to her kitchen, including an extra-large pair for cooking and a smaller matching tabletop set. Both use adjustable grinders with 10 settings, allowing for a range of grind sizes. Original price: $2,231 This set brings together a wide range of HexClad knives in one bundle, including steak knives, chef's knives and a carving set for everyday prep. It also comes with a walnut cutting board and a separate carving board for prepping, carving and serving. For more deals, visit www.foxnews.com/deals Original price: $9,019 If you're planning a full kitchen overhaul, the "Absolutely Everything" set brings together HexClad’s complete lineup in one bundle, currently discounted by about $3,500. It includes cookware, knives and additional essentials like aprons and oven mitts, covering a wide range of cooking and prep needs. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebdc58059ccda1fcc22493 Late-night targets Trump attendance at White House Correspondents Dinner with impressions, 'alternative' roast te 2026-04-24T21:10:48.630Z Late-night targets Trump attendance at White House Correspondents Dinner with impressions, 'alternative' roast Liberal late-night hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert both took aim at President Donald Trump's upcoming attendance at the White House Correspondents Dinner during their shows on Thursday. "Folks, I try to remember not to be in Washington, D.C., as often as possible. But there is certainly no time I am there less than the weekend of the White House correspondents’ dinner, which is why, this Saturday, I will again not be, but, and it’s a big but. But for reasons that are not clear to me, many others will. If you’re not familiar with the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, it is, traditionally, a lighthearted night when the press and politicians get together, and, in my personal experience, stare in dead-eyed silence at the performer while the president mentally orders a hit by SEAL Team 6," Colbert said. Colbert then launched into a Trump impression. "All you reporters are enemies of the people. I hate you, and if you call me, I will pick up every time. Seriously. Anytime, night or day. I will do that. I will. If I’m anywhere. If I’m on the toilet. If I’m having dinner. If I’m having dinner on the toilet, OK? That’s a real time-saver, folks," Colbert said, portraying himself as the president. JIMMY KIMMEL'S TRUMP, MELANIA DIGS AT OSCARS 'FELL FLAT' WITH CRITICS "Stephen Colbert is a pathetic trainwreck with no talent and terrible ratings, which is exactly why CBS canceled his show and is booting him off the airwaves," White House spokesman Davis Ingle told Fox News Digital in a statement. Kimmel decided to launch into his own White House Correspondents Dinner roast, comparing it to Kid Rock's alternative Super Bowl halftime show. "At the correspondents dinner, typically someone funny shows up and roasts the luminaries, the president, everyone. But our president is a delicate snowflake with the thinnest fat skin of any human being ever. And that means there’s going to be no comedian this year. So, I thought, why not take a page from the Kid Rock alternative halftime show and do some of the jokes a comedian might do if our president wasn’t a trembling drama queen who’s scared of comedy," Kimmel said. The liberal host took aim at several Trump administration officials, including Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair Brendan Carr. "I’m almost out of time. Brendan Carr has given me the light. Brendan Carr is the head of the FCC. Back in September, he tried to get my affiliates to throw me off the air. He said we could do this ‘the easy way or the hard way.’ Same thing he said to Lindsey Graham, 10 minutes ago in the all-gender restroom," Kimmel said. JIMMY KIMMEL JOKES TRUMP SHOULD LET HIM HOST WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS’ DINNER TO 'THINK OF THE RATINGS' Both Colbert and Kimmel pointed out that a comedian wasn't hosting the dinner, as they typically do, and famed mentalist Oz Pearlman will be hosting this year's event. During an opening monologue in March, Kimmel reported on Trump accepting an invitation to attend the dinner for the first time in his presidency after opting out of the event entirely during his first term. This will also be the first time Trump has attended the dinner since 2011, when he appeared as a celebrity. Though Kimmel said Pearlman was an "amazing performer," he called the decision not to hire a comedian a "cop-out." He then jokingly made an appeal directly to Trump to have Kimmel host the event instead of Pearlman. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebdc42059ccda1fcc22462 Two college kids raise a $5.1 million pre-seed to build an AI social network in iMessage te 2026-04-24T21:10:26.506Z Two college kids raise a $5.1 million pre-seed to build an AI social network in iMessage Series, a social networking app that's grown popular on college campuses, announced a $5.1 million pre-seed round from some big names in tech. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebd9fd059ccda1fcc2240e NASCAR makes major change in front office, including new CEO in unprecedented move: report te 2026-04-24T21:00:45.253Z NASCAR makes major change in front office, including new CEO in unprecedented move: report It is the end of an era in NASCAR. The Athletic reported Friday that Jim France is stepping down as NASCAR's CEO, and his replacement will be the first non-France family member to run the ship. The outlet noted that France, who will remain NASCAR's chairman, will be replaced by NASCAR president Steve O'Donnell. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM France's father founded NASCAR in 1948, and it has grown into the most popular motorsport in the United States. Ben Kennedy, France's great-nephew, will also be promoted from executive vice president and chief venue and racing innovations officer to NASCAR's chief operating officer. All the changes are expected to be announced on Saturday at Talladega Superspeedway, where the Jack Link's 500 will be run on Sunday. LONGTIME NASCAR CREW CHIEF TELLS WILD STORY ABOUT ONE OF THE SPORT'S BIGGEST CHARACTERS France took on both roles in August 2018, shortly after his nephew, Brian, stepped down. France's 54% ownership stake of NASCAR will remain unchanged — Kennedy's mother owns the other 46%. This is hardly the first seismic change for NASCAR this year — Steve Phelps announced in January he was stepping down as commissioner in the wake of two racing teams, including one owned by Michael Jordan, filing an antitrust lawsuit against the company. The suit unearthed inflammatory text messages Phelps sent during contentious revenue-sharing negotiations. Jordan's 23XI Racing and NASCAR settled their suit in December. He was named NASCAR's first commissioner last season after a courting process for the same role by the PGA Tour. The opportunity with the PGA was revealed during December testimony in the trial. France, however, is reportedly insistent that the lawsuits had nothing to do with his decision to step down, and it has been a thought for a long while. Fox News' Jackson Thompson 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/69ebd9e6059ccda1fcc223dd Meta’s loss is Thinking Machines gain te 2026-04-24T21:00:22.870Z Meta’s loss is Thinking Machines gain Meta has been poaching talent from Thinking Machines Lab. But it's a two-way street. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebd7a4059ccda1fcc22381 UC Berkeley slammed after anti-Israel group hosts failed suicide bomber as guest event speaker: 'cesspool' te 2026-04-24T20:50:44.529Z UC Berkeley slammed after anti-Israel group hosts failed suicide bomber as guest event speaker: 'cesspool' A chapter of a far-left organization at the University of California, Berkeley's law school capped off a "Palestinian Political Prisoners Day" earlier this week with a message from a failed suicide car bomber who was jailed in Israel for eight years. UC Berkeley Law Students for Justice Palestine shared a video on its Instagram account from convicted attempted car bomber Israa Jaabis, who thanked her western counterparts for supporting her cause. "Firstly, I would like to thank [the students] for their attentiveness, for listening with their hearts," Jaabis said, according to English translated subtitles attached to the video. "For many reasons, even their attendance is enough to make us feel — as liberated Palestinian prisoners — that there is someone who cares about us." FAR-LEFT UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO PROFESSOR CHARGED WITH VIOLENT FELONIES DURING ANTI-ICE RIOTS IN BROADVIEW Jaabis was jailed in Israel from 2015 to 2023 after attempting to set off a car bomb during a traffic stop. The incident occurred near an area where Israeli soldiers would often gather and attempt to hitchhike. Both Jaabis and the Israeli officer, Moshe Chen, were severely burned during the terror attack. While in prison, Jaabis made headlines for demanding cosmetic surgery on her badly scarred face. She was released in November 2023 in a prisoner exchange as the Israeli government attempted to free hostages taken by Hamas militants in the Oct. 7, 2023 terror attack. UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO CONDEMNS VIOLENCE BUT DODGES QUESTIONS ABOUT PROFESSOR ARRESTED IN ANTI-ICE RIOTS "There are those who are in solidarity with us, those who support us and do not abandon us," Jaabis said in the video. "Your attendance — in particular as law students — makes us hopeful that there remains some humanity, that there is someone to support us in the future, delivering our message to the international community and amplifying our call to liberate Palestinian prisoners, as well as to liberate societies from servitude and from bigotry which produces populations complicit in perpetrating inhumane laws." Critics on X blasted both the event organizers and UC Berkeley itself. SIGN UP TO GET THE CAMPUS RADICALS NEWSLETTER "Berkeley being a leftist cesspool is not something that should surprise you," said one X user. "Muslims must be laughing at the insane stupidity of the 'enlightened' useful idiots here in the West," said another. "This stuff keeps me up at night. I don't understand how the world just rewrites morality to fit it's political agenda," said another. A spokesperson for UC Berkeley Law said the school's hands were tied. "As a public university, UC Berkeley has a non-discretionary obligation to abide by and support the First Amendment in a completely content neutral manner," Alex Shapiro, assistant dean of communications, said. "We do not have the legal ability to sanction or censor Constitutionally protected expression." "However, as UC Berkeley has repeatedly informed the student body, if any campus community member feels threatened, they are encouraged to contact the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination. OPHD provides support to those harmed, investigates all allegations, and the campus takes appropriate steps following any findings." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebd790059ccda1fcc22378 WATCH: Trump reveals flashy new color for National Mall's reflecting pool makeover te 2026-04-24T20:50:24.987Z WATCH: Trump reveals flashy new color for National Mall's reflecting pool makeover President Donald Trump revealed that the flashy new color for the National Mall’s reflecting pool will be familiar to most Americans. While speaking with reporters in the Oval Office, he said the reflecting pool’s surface is being repainted in "American flag blue." When planning the reflecting pool renovation, which Trump said was necessary because it was "filthy," the president said his original color idea was turquoise, "like in the Bahamas." But a trusted old pool contractor Trump has worked with in the past convinced him otherwise. "He said, ‘What color would you like, sir?’ I said, ‘Well, what about turquoise like in the Bahamas?’ He said, ‘Well, this is Washington, sir, we can give you turquoise, but why don't you try … We have a color, it's called "American flag blue." I said, ‘That's the color I like,’" he narrated. TRUMP TAPS NEW ARCHITECT TO RESHAPE WHITE HOUSE AS $300M BALLROOM BUILD ACCELERATES Trump added that, "He talked me into it very easily." Fox News Digital reported earlier this month that the president was having the famous Washington, D.C., landmark renovated, saying the Biden administration had neglected it for years. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he was working with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum on the project, the latest in a series of beautification initiatives targeted by the Trump administration. "Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and I are working on fixing the absolutely filthy Reflecting Pool between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument," Trump wrote.  TRUMP APPEARS ON WHITE HOUSE ROOF AMID TALKS OF HISTORIC RENOVATIONS "This work was supposed to be done by the Biden Administration, but Sleepy Joe doesn’t know what ‘CLEAN’ or proper maintenance is — The President and Secretary do!" he added.  Speaking in the Oval Office this week, Trump held up a photo of the progress on the pool thus far, saying repairs should be finished in the next three weeks. "You’re going to end up with a beautiful, beautiful reflecting pool. The way it's supposed to be. Much better than it ever was, actually." TRUMP'S PLAN FOR TRIUMPHAL ARCH MOVES STEP CLOSER TO REALITY He proceeded to make a poke at the media, saying, "I hope the media can go over and maybe watch them do it because its I think it's very exciting." "Fraction of the cost and a fraction of the time, and you get a better product than you could ever get the other way, and it'll be beautiful," he said, adding, "And as he said, it will be American flag blue. Any questions?" Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebd577059ccda1fcc22311 Appeals court says Trump administration must open borders to asylum-seekers te 2026-04-24T20:41:27.353Z Appeals court says Trump administration must open borders to asylum-seekers A family waits in line to apply for asylum at the southern border between El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, in 2023. (Photo by Corrie Boudreaux for Source NM) An appeals court on Friday struck down the Trump administration’s closing of United States borders to asylum-seekers.  An executive order by President Donald Trump on Inauguration Day last year, and later guidance to turn asylum-seekers around without a court hearing, are “unlawful” and “cast aside federal laws affording individuals the right to apply and be considered for asylum,” according to the ruling by a panel of the District of Columbia U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Advocates sued and said the administration’s action violated the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and the right to seek asylum based on fears of persecution. window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}}); Trump’s proclamation on Jan. 20, 2025, said “the sheer number of aliens entering the United States has overwhelmed the system and rendered many of the INA’s provisions ineffective,” and that  “an invasion is ongoing at the southern border, which requires the Federal Government to take measures to fulfill its obligation to the States.” The executive order, along with later guidance, required anyone crossing the border without permission to be turned around or quickly deported without a court date. As of March, about 2.7 million people had been released at the border with immigration court cases in recent years, according to a Stateline analysis.  Those numbers peaked at more than 100,000 a month at times in 2023 during the Biden administration, and dropped quickly to a few hundred a month after Trump’s 2025 order.  White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, speaking on Fox News, blamed the ruling on politics and called it “unsurprising.” White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said the Department of Justice would seek further review of the decision. “We are sure we will be vindicated,” she wrote in an emailed statement to The Associated Press. Stateline reporter Tim Henderson can be reached at thenderson@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/69ebd561059ccda1fcc222f2 Highly contagious stomach bug surges in US as some groups face severe effects te 2026-04-24T20:41:05.848Z Highly contagious stomach bug surges in US as some groups face severe effects → Highly contagious stomach bug spreads fast, hitting certain patients hardest → Woman's longtime vaping habit leads to terminal lung cancer → Your favorite snacks could be quietly wrecking your knees, research suggests → Plastic surgeon Dr. Sheila Nazarian speaks about the risks of traveling to other countries for plastic surgery procedures → Natural hormone may reduce obesity without cutting calories → Common sweetener may trigger fat buildup in ways experts didn’t expect → Common eating habit may trigger premature immune system aging → 'Nonnamaxxing' trend may improve mental and physical health → Psychedelic therapy may be coming to your doctor's office as questions swirl → Intermittent fasting’s real benefit may come after you start eating again CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebd54e059ccda1fcc222e9 'Gigantic' ancient octopus used jaws to crush prey and hunted alongside the dinosaurs 100M years ago: study te 2026-04-24T20:40:46.283Z 'Gigantic' ancient octopus used jaws to crush prey and hunted alongside the dinosaurs 100M years ago: study Octopuses’ earliest relatives that lived 100 million years ago may have been "gigantic" predators that hunted alongside the dinosaurs, according to new research. Although scientists previously believed that the earliest finned octopuses lived around 15 million years ago, researchers with Hokkaido University found fossilized jaws found inside late Cretaceous rock samples, according to a study published in the journal "Science" on Thursday. Because octopuses are soft-bodied animals, they don’t fossilize well except for the jaw bones, making their evolutionary history difficult to trace, the researchers explained in a news release. The researchers used high-resolution grinding tomography and an artificial intelligence model to find the fossils, which were located in rock samples that had been preserved in seafloor sediments found in Japan and Vancouver Island from 100 to 72 million years ago. T.REX DIDN'T BECOME AN 8-TON GIANT OVERNIGHT: SCIENTISTS REVEAL HOW LONG THE APEX PREDATOR TOOK TO GROW The Late Cretaceous was the final epoch of the Mesozoic Era, which was dominated by the dinosaurs, including tyrannosaurus rex and triceratops. The fossils belonged to a group of extinct finned octopuses, known as Cirrata, that researchers believed crushed their prey with powerful jaws. ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNEARTH CHILLING 16TH-CENTURY GALLOWS WHERE REBELS WERE HANGED AND DISPLAYED "Our findings suggest that the earliest octopuses were gigantic predators that occupied the top of the marine food chain in the Cretaceous," Professor Yasuhiro Iba of Hokkaido University said in a statement. "Based on exceptionally well-preserved fossil jaws, we show that these animals reached total lengths of up to nearly 20 meters, which may have surpassed the size of large marine reptiles of the same age." Iba added that the most surprising finding was the "extent of wear on the jaws," which showed extensive chipping, scratching and cracking. "In well-grown specimens, up to 10% of the jaw tip relative to the total jaw length had been worn away, which is larger than that seen in modern cephalopods that feed on hard-shelled prey," he explained. "This indicates repeated, forceful interactions with their prey, revealing an unexpectedly aggressive feeding strategy." These findings change the way scientists view predators during the Late Cretaceous period, which they previously believed was dominated by vertebrate predators, with invertebrates at the bottom of the food chain. "This study provides the first direct evidence that invertebrates could evolve into giant, intelligent apex predators in ecosystems that have been dominated by vertebrates for about 400 million years," Iba added. "Our findings show that powerful jaws and the loss of superficial skeletons, common characteristics of octopuses and marine vertebrates, were essential to becoming huge, intelligent marine predators." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebd53a059ccda1fcc222e0 Meghan McCain reveals peace made with Trump, says he sent 'very kind' message te 2026-04-24T20:40:26.549Z Meghan McCain reveals peace made with Trump, says he sent 'very kind' message Conservative commentator Meghan McCain shared this week on her podcast, "Citizen McCain with Meghan McCain," that she much prefers the "tone" of President Donald Trump during his second term, revealing she had effectively buried the hatchet after receiving a kind message from him. After years of a contentious relationship between the McCain family and Trump, the former "View" co-host and daughter of the late Sen. John McCain shared that they had made peace. McCain, a friend of Tulsi Gabbard, said she was invited to the Trump White House when Gabbard was confirmed as the Director of National Intelligence. There were "behind the scenes" conversations that occurred if it would be appropriate for her to attend, given their past acrimony, and it required Trump's permission for her to attend. MIKA BRZEZINSKI SURPRISED BY BACKLASH TO TRUMP MEETING, SAYS IT'S BECAUSE 'PEOPLE ARE REALLY SCARED' According to McCain, Trump responded by saying she was welcome. She added Trump sent her and her husband Ben Domenech a "very kind and very nice" private message that she would keep to herself. "And I was like, of all the things that have gone on, of all the things that have been said and done, this is very gracious," she said. Trump memorably said in 2015 that Sen. McCain was not a true war hero because he was captured in Vietnam and continued to criticize him before and after his death. John McCain, who died in 2018, did not support Trump's presidential campaign and famously was the deciding vote against his Obamacare repeal in 2017. Meghan McCain once said Trump would never be a "great man" like her father in response to a social media post disparaging him during his first term. In 2024, she said she couldn't vote for Trump despite her opposition to Kamala Harris. WHY TRUMP IS STICKING WITH GAETZ, HEGSETH DESPITE NEW ACCUSATIONS – AND HIS 'MORNING JOE' MEETING McCain added, "I have heard this from other people that [Trump] has sort of been very gracious to other people that maybe have had things that have happened in the past that haven't been positive." Speaking with his daughter-in-law Lara Trump, McCain questioned if this could be because of his second term, age, or the phase of life the president is in, but said overall, she has witnessed a "softer" side to Trump. McCain surmised that these experiences and the softer side of the president might be from the assassination attempts against him. Lara Trump said the president had told his family that he believed people would come after him if he accomplished his goals in office.  "I think when you have these moments that truly your life could have ultimately been changed or ended, I don't think you can discount that at all," she said. "I think that 100% had a huge impact on him." Trump was shot in the ear at a rally in Butler, Penn., in July 2024, in an assassination attempt that killed one of his supporters in the crowd. Another attempt on his life that year was foiled in Florida before any shots were fired. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebd2fe059ccda1fcc2226c NAU ROUNDUP: Women's golf wins 10th Big Sky Conference championship te 2026-04-24T20:30:54.013Z NAU ROUNDUP: Women's golf wins 10th Big Sky Conference championship A look at news and results from NAU. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebd0b0059ccda1fcc221cf Semitruck driver in deadly interstate crash fraudulently obtained license, citizenship: Officials te 2026-04-24T20:21:04.215Z Semitruck driver in deadly interstate crash fraudulently obtained license, citizenship: Officials Ohio officials say a semitruck driver charged in a fiery interstate crash that killed a young family of three fraudulently obtained an Ohio driver’s license, a commercial driver’s license and later U.S. citizenship under an alternate identity. The driver, Modou F. Ngom, 50, was arrested after authorities said he caused the April 11 chain-reaction crash on Interstate 71 northbound near U.S. 36, where a semitrailer slammed into slowed traffic in a construction zone and ignited a deadly fire. The Ohio State Highway Patrol said the crash killed a 37-year-old man, a 36-year-old woman and a 1-year-old child from Ashley, Ohio, who were riding in a Chevrolet Silverado. Three others suffered serious injuries that were not considered life-threatening. GOT A TIP? In a statement, Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson confirmed to Fox News that investigators with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles and Ohio State Highway Patrol uncovered conflicting identity information in state and federal records after Ngom’s arrest. Ngom, he said, entered the United States in the 1990s and used multiple names and dates of birth to obtain state and federal identification documents. Wilson alleged that Ngom fraudulently obtained a new Ohio driver’s license and later a commercial driver’s license in 2007 under an alternate identity, and was later naturalized as a U.S. citizen under that same identity before changing his name back to Modou Ngom in 2015. FOLLOW US ON X Wilson said he directed state investigators to turn the information over to Homeland Security Investigations Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation. He said the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio and the Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office were also notified. Fox News Digital reached out to ICE. LISTEN: 911 call captures fiery horror after driver allegedly used fake identity to get CDL The crash itself unfolded in chaos, according to a 911 call and dispatch records obtained by Fox News. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL "People are stuck in the car," one caller told dispatchers as flames spread. Another voice on the call said, "They're definitely dead. The fire is, like, huge," while callers reported that multiple vehicles and the semi were burning. CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS "A lot of people are out of their vehicles and stopped in the middle of the highway," another female caller is heard telling the dispatcher. "Like, it's pretty bad." The Columbus Dispatch identified the victims as Luke and Lynnea Soposki and their baby Logan. Lynnea was a veterinarian and Luke was a analytical chemist. "Dr. Soposki was an extraordinary veterinarian, a compassionate caregiver, and a deeply valued member of our team," the Muirfield Animal Hospital said. "She brought kindness, dedication, and a genuine love for her patients and their families into every interaction." Ngom was jailed after the crash on vehicular homicide charges, according to police. He was indicted by a Delaware County grand jury on the seven felony charges April 16. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebd099059ccda1fcc2219c X-energy stock pops 27% on first day of trading following upsized IPO te 2026-04-24T20:20:41.688Z X-energy stock pops 27% on first day of trading following upsized IPO Investors flocked to nuclear power startup X-energy in its first day of public trading on the Nasdaq. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebd085059ccda1fcc22188 Tucson woman charged with attempting to smuggle AK rifles, RPG launch tube into Mexico te 2026-04-24T20:20:21.079Z Tucson woman charged with attempting to smuggle AK rifles, RPG launch tube into Mexico Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebce44059ccda1fcc22140 'Dude Perfect' gets BLASTED on social media for ripping off comedian's draft day skit te 2026-04-24T20:10:44.642Z 'Dude Perfect' gets BLASTED on social media for ripping off comedian's draft day skit If you've been chronically online since the early 2010s, there is no doubt you know all about "Dude Perfect." Their social media bio says it best: Just five best buddies kickin' it. Dude Perfect got big with their unique blend of sketch comedy and trick shots, cultivating a massive following on the internet. As of today, they have nearly 62 million followers on YouTube, and their popularity has led them to appearances on ESPN and Good Morning America, to name a few. 'HUSBANDTIKTOK' ENCOURAGED THAT SO MANY DADS ARE 'MAKING AN APPEARANCE' ON THE PLATFORM All that is to say, they are one of the more popular sport and entertainment brands to come out of the social media realm in the past two decades, but the Dude Perfect crew seem to have ruffled more than a few feathers with their latest online skit. Ahead of the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday evening, a few of the members posted a video on X of one of the founders (Tyler) "getting drafted." Harmless, and honestly, pretty funny, right? MEET THE BARSTOOL PERSONALITY WHO DELIVERS VIRAL NEWSCASTS BY ‘JOURNALISMING’ Well, it's been done before. And not just the idea. This video is a near shot-for-shot remake of one that Barstool personality/comedian Lil Sasquatch made four years earlier. Don't believe me? Check it out. Dear Lord! Even the dialogue is similar. They even got "Community Noted." It's almost like the Dude Perfect crew ran the transcript from Lil Sasquatch's video through ChatGPT and said, "Okay, now just change a few of the words so we don't get accused of plagiarizing." SOLD-OUT CROWD AT HAWKS GAME FEATURES FANS IN MAGIC CITY-THEMED MERCH AS BACKLASH GROWS If that is indeed what Dude Perfect tried to get away with, it didn't work, because their comments section was filled with irate fans demanding they give credit to the original mastermind behind the skit. Ouch! Tough scene for the DP boys. There's no denying Dude Perfect has plenty of creativity, as they built an entire empire on YouTube of original ideas that have kept them in business for almost two decades. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! But this is a pretty shameless rip off of an internet classic. There's a very good chance they knew about Sas's video, too, given their longstanding beef with Barstool, and more specifically, "Pardon My Take." It's tough to see the heroes of your youth getting old, but this social media racket is a young man's game. Stick to trying to dunk a basketball while skydiving, boys. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebce2f059ccda1fcc2211f Why Are Politicians Dropping So Many F-Bombs? te 2026-04-24T20:10:23.210Z Why Are Politicians Dropping So Many F-Bombs? Times reporters had a hunch that politicians were using the F-word more than ever. So they analyzed the data and found an interesting trend: Democrats are swearing far more than Republicans. Our reporter Kellen Browning breaks down why. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebcc03059ccda1fcc220dd Andy Biggs caved on FISA surveillance. Every Arizonan with ties abroad should care. te 2026-04-24T20:01:07.061Z Andy Biggs caved on FISA surveillance. Every Arizonan with ties abroad should care. Illustration via Getty Images Arizona is in the spotlight as Congress is currently considering reauthorizing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, one of the most powerful mass surveillance tools in the U.S. government’s arsenal. The need to reform this spying tool has been one of the few issues where people on the right and the left have been able to find common ground, with members of the House Freedom Caucus often leading the charge on government overreach and unconstitutional snooping.  But now, one of their members who originally stood the strongest in pushing back on mass surveillance, Arizona Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, is wavering. He should not.  GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE Section 702 is a controversial program where the government conducts mass collection of Americans’ communications inside the U.S. The ostensible reason is to target communications by and with foreigners outside the U.S., but we know that purely domestic communications get swept in too. And of course, Americans’ privacy rights don’t evaporate when they talk to people abroad.    These communications are put into databases that the Federal Bureau of Investigation searches — and even reads — without a warrant. There is a long history of this tremendous power and related databases being abused to search for communications of protesters across the political spectrum; members of Congress; a congressional chief of staff; a state court judge; multiple U.S. government officials, journalists, and political commentators; and 19,000 donors to a political campaign.   For small business owners, contractors, and professionals across the Grand Canyon State, this is not an abstract threat. If you communicate with a supplier overseas, correspond with an international client or conduct any business across borders, those communications can end up in a government database that law enforcement can search without ever obtaining a warrant.   Arizonans have real reason to want their representatives to stand firm. Privacy in our communications is central to our freedom — Big Brother should not be watching over anyone.   According to 2024 demographics, over 1 million Arizonans were born overseas. And almost two million more are American-born Latinos — many of whom, like so many other Americans, likely keep in close contact with loved ones and others who live abroad. These Arizonans should not lose their constitutionally protected right to privacy in their communications just because of who they communicate with.   Warrant requirements for domestic surveillance have not always been a partisan issue. They are an American one. But even partisan voters know that, the moment you make surveillance exceptions out of political loyalty to your own party, you’ve handed future administrations — including ones you don’t like — a weapon with no safety.  U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs at a February 2020 rally for Donald Trump in Phoenix. Photo by Gage Skidmore (modified) | Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0 Biggs has been a champion of the Fourth Amendment. In early 2025, he said, “We cannot continue to provide our government with clandestine spying powers that violate the Fourth Amendment rights of American citizens.”  To that end, he introduced H.R. 7816, the Protect Liberty and End Warrantless Surveillance Act of 2026, which would provide many changes to the law, including a requirement that law enforcement get a warrant before querying Americans’ communications collected under FISA Section 702. House leadership denied consideration of his bill.  Additionally, he tried to offer an amendment to require a warrant for domestic law enforcement use of 702 data. House leadership also denied consideration of his amendment.  Unfortunately, last week, at the end of a series of votes in the dark of the night and facing enormous pressure from President Donald Trump and Republican House leadership, Biggs voted to reauthorize the surveillance authority with no meaningful changes.  This is a betrayal of years of vocal support for the cause of privacy just when we need him most.  But because of the stalwart refusal of others to join him, Congress defeated the long-term reauthorization and kicked the can down the road for a few days.  We are now operating under a 10-day renewal of the law. By April 30, we need to try again to pass a bill that makes substantial and much needed changes. That means there’s still time for Biggs and others to do the right thing and reform Section 702.   YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebcbeb059ccda1fcc220a4 Maine Governor Vetoes Bill That Would Have Paused New Data Centers te 2026-04-24T20:00:43.478Z Maine Governor Vetoes Bill That Would Have Paused New Data Centers Gov. Janet Mills said she rejected what would have been the nation’s first moratorium on data centers because it failed to exempt a project in a distressed mill town. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebcbd5059ccda1fcc22080 Justice Department drops criminal probe into Fed Chair Jerome Powell te 2026-04-24T20:00:21.975Z Justice Department drops criminal probe into Fed Chair Jerome Powell Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebca0d059ccda1fcc22046 Hamas influence looms over Gaza elections as experts warn vote could backfire te 2026-04-24T19:52:45.415Z Hamas influence looms over Gaza elections as experts warn vote could backfire On Saturday, Gazans in Deir al-Balah will go to the polls to elect new local leaders for the first time in 22 years ­— a move experts warn could allow Hamas room to maintain influence as it refuses to comply with ceasefire disarmament terms. The Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Executive Director Jonathan Schanzer told Fox News Digital that "when you hold elections in the Palestinian Authority and the timing’s not right and the circumstances are still dicey, you get Hamas victories." Schanzer said the Bush administration’s 2006 decision to advocate for elections, which "led to Hamas winning, and it led to a standoff which led to a civil war," adding that "you’ve got to be really careful when it comes to holding elections with a territory like Gaza in particular, where Hamas has so much control, and where terrorist organizations are still considered to be legitimate players." EXPERTS URGE TRUMP TO BAN TERROR-LINKED UN AGENCY FROM HIS GAZA PEACE PLAN Gazan journalists and media personnel continue to be posthumously identified as members of terrorist groups, highlighting the difficulty of distinguishing terror affiliates from civilians. Four parties are contesting the election in Deir al-Balah. To be eligible, candidates were asked to accept the Palestine Liberation Organization and the terms of agreements it has previously made, including recognition of the State of Israel and endorsement of a two-state solution, according to reporting by the Center for Peace Communications. However, many are concerned that one party, Deir al-Balah Unites Us, is affiliated with Hamas. Two of its candidates have been pictured with Hamas officials or police officers. Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, posted on X that "holding elections in Gaza at this time is extremely reckless and irresponsible," noting that "Gazans are being arrested, jailed, tortured, shot, and killed daily for social media posts and anything they say that’s perceived as being critical of Hamas. These elections should be halted and prevented from proceeding, for they are meddling with the transition process that the Board of Peace, [National Council for the Administration of Gaza], and the international community have planned for Gaza, with Hamas’s disarmament and relinquishment of power being the first necessary step." TRUMP SAYS 'REAL CHANCE FOR GREATNESS' AS NETANYAHU WHITE HOUSE MEETING LOOMS FOR GAZA TALKS Disarmament of Hamas, a key demand within the second phase of President Donald Trump’s ceasefire agreement, has yet to be completed. Reports indicate that Hamas has increased its hold in Gaza as of March, continuing to tax locals, building education systems, and placing police throughout the territory they hold. Schanzer says that Hamas is unlikely to hand over its arms. If they were to do so, he said that they "will try to make distinctions between weapons," possibly offering to give up heavy weapons like RPGs while maintaining a large arsenal of automatic weapons. Hamas appears to have made a partial disarmament offer. The New York Times reported on April 19 that two Hamas officials said they would hand over thousands of weapons from their police force and other security institutions. The officials "did not provide a clear answer" when asked if weapons from Hamas’ so-called military wing would be included. HAMAS FACES 'LEGITIMACY CRISIS' AS DESPERATE GAZANS FLOCK TO US-BACKED AID CENTERS Schanzer pushed back on claims that Hamas’ political and military wings operate separately. "That is a fiction. The idea that they are separate in any way or that there is a firewall between them is asinine." He said that this is "a distinction that has been made up by the West in order to be able to have political relations with Hamas, or to justify elections. It’s a mistake to buy into that fiction." Schanzer said weakening Iran could be key to minimizing Hamas’ influence. "The psychological impact of their top patron being defeated on the battlefield, I can’t overstate how important that event could be," he said. "It would be a gut punch to Hamas." With Israel controlling about 53% of the Gaza Strip and Hamas the remaining 47%, Schanzer said "we could continue to see the erosion of Hamas control" amid the "slow and steady process of Israel winning on the ground." He said patience, though, is necessary, adding that "the enemies of the United States and Israel and the West have a very different timeline. They want to wait out everybody because they know that we’d like to move on." The Trump administration did not respond to Fox News Digital’s questions about whether a partial disarmament would satisfy its ceasefire terms, or if it would take action to stall elections until there’s more stability in Gaza Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebc9f9059ccda1fcc2203d Olivia Dunne washes cars in her "Baywatch" swimsuit, Nick Saban likes a "wide a--" & ESPN ruins something else te 2026-04-24T19:52:25.910Z Olivia Dunne washes cars in her "Baywatch" swimsuit, Nick Saban likes a "wide a--" & ESPN ruins something else Final Friday of April? Don't mind if I do! Big day. Big weekend. Big finish for us as we inch closer and closer to summer. Night 1 of the NFL Draft is done, even if ESPN couldn't keep up. God, was that awful. Just painful. We'll get into it. But first, let's start this class off right. It's the weekend, after all. All gas today. No brakes. Let's roll. Welcome to a Friday Nightcaps — the one where Olivia Dunne dusts off her Baywatch swimsuit and gets to work washing some cars. It's called making a living. Look it up! What else? I've got the best of the rest from a loaded week of #content, Nick Saban likes a "wide ass" (who doesn't), and last night's draft gave us a couple all-time moments. OK, grab you a BUSCH LIGHT even though some of you think I'm a juvenile for drinking it, and settle in for a Friday 'Cap! No, I did not get my Busch Light Apple yesterday. They didn't have it at Publix, and the kids didn't quite seem like they had another trip in them, so I'll check out the Walmart this weekend and see where that gets me. As for the Busch Light ... it appears some of you are NOT a fan. From Gary E. in PA: Dude, enough with the bud pimping. It's time to move on from that swill and get some grown up tastes in beer. FOX NEWS SPORTS HUDDLE NEWSLETTER: SPORTS WORLD REACTS TO THE TRAGEDY IN MINNEAPOLIS Stop acting like a little kid in Junior High that raids his dad's fridge and finds the beer he sees on commercials all the time and thinks this must be really good stuff. Bud is the evil empire of beer. It's a crappy product that just can afford to advertise. And getting all giddy over some lame light beer that has apple juice poured into to is just plain embarrassing. There is great grown-up beer out there, do yourself, and us a favor and try to find some. Good God. Sorry, Gary, that I like Busch Light. I also like Miller Lite, if that helps? What's the grown-up beer I'm missing out on? Someone let me know. And please don't say anything with the letters I, P or A in it. Not for me. I live in Florida. It's 4,000 degrees down here year-round. I don't know anything strong. I don't need anything hoppy. I don't need anything that's so dark, I can't see through the glass. Yes, we like light beer down here. We drink to stay hydrated, first and foremost. Now, I'm not a snob. Beer is beer. I don't care what it is. If there's only one beer in stock, I'm drinking it, no matter where I am. Some folks refuse beer if it's A) too light, or B) too dark. I have never, in my life, refused a beer. As for Gary ... if he hates my beer choice, I would imagine my whiskey shelf full of Kentucky Gentleman ain't gonna thrill him, either. Oh well. I like what I like. OK, let's rinse off with Livvy and get this class started: I assume the new "Baywatch" reboot will be awful. Why? No idea. Most reboots are. I guess I'm just playing the odds here. That being said, I'll be dialed in this fall when it premieres just to see how Livvy is as an actress. I don't care about the hot girls in swimsuits aspect of it. That's nothing in today's world of social media. Back in the day, folks were enamored with "Baywatch" because of just that. You can see hot girls in bathing suits any time you'd like in 2026. That's basically all Elon's Twitter is at this point. But can she act? That's what I'm excited for. Big moment here for MLB's First Lady. Can't wait to see how she handles it. OK, let's get to the best #content from a big week. Yes, we're gonna be NFL Draft-centric today. Duh. I mean, just a solid week of #content. As always, the draft delivered, even though some new folks around here don't agree. Like Tim P! Rather sad that the first round of the NFL draft is your "greatest night of the year!" I quit watching this football garbage after one of your hero’s, Colin Cancernick and his racist scum buddies, took a knee. Haven’t watched it since and sure as hell haven’t missed it one bit. You need to get a life! Fall is a beautiful time of the year. Get out from in front of your TV and go see some of it instead of being a "football moron!" Really pathetic! Just saying……. I mean, what a humdinger! I'm going to guess that Tim comes courtesy of our new Fox News audience. Just a hunch. That's fine. Everyone's opinions are welcome in this class. It's a safe space. Tim sounds like he's on our team, just not the biggest fan of the NFL. That's cool. I will NOT tolerate someone accusing me of being buddy-buddy with Colin Kaepernick. That's too far. Colin Kaepernick is a scumbag. No argument there. Take it down a notch, Tim! But, welcome to class! OK, let's rapid-fire this class into a big weekend. First up? Let's check in with Nick Saban! Incredible. God, I love Saban. He's the best. Everyone loves a wide ass, including Nick Saban. Least surprising thing ever. Nick, by the way, wasn't done with the #content! Okeedokee! Put Nick Saban firmly in the NO camp when it comes to UCF defensive end Malachi Lawrence. To be fair, I was a bit confused when I saw a UCF player go in the first round, too. Didn't think that was allowed in the NFL Draft. Next? Speaking of Saban and ESPN's draft coverage ... Did anyone else notice it last night, too? I did right off the bat, and it only got worse as the picks continued to flood in. Just an awful night from ESPN, and, frankly, NFL Network. I purposely stayed off Twitter for the first six picks. Eventually, I hopped on, and the first thing I saw was a spoiled pick ... ... from a team that was selecting THREE spots later. That's how far ahead of ESPN the internet was last night. It was pathetic. I don't know who's at fault, by the way. Part of me wants to blame the NFL for making the players walk four miles down that dumb tunnel after they're picked. And can we please stop making them try on their little hats in front of the mirror? That's just insufferable. Get picked, walk in a straight line to the stage, take your hat from the commish, give him a hug, and move it along. Let's streamline this in 2027, please. FOX NEWS SPORTS HUDDLE NEWSLETTER: SUPREME COURT FACES TEST OVER PROTECTING FAIRNESS IN WOMEN’S SPORTS OK, that's it for today — and this week. And what a week it was! We started out a little bumpy, but I think we're re-finding our footing now. Next week will be smooth. Take us into the weekend, Sean McVay. And congrats on a great pick! OutKick Nightcaps is a daily column set to run Monday through Friday at 4 p.m. (roughly, we’re not robots). How bad was ESPN last night? Email me at Zach.Dean@OutKick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebc9e6059ccda1fcc22034 House Republican would '100%' leave the GOP if red state changed primary rules te 2026-04-24T19:52:06.482Z House Republican would '100%' leave the GOP if red state changed primary rules A congressman in a competitive district in Pennsylvania said he'd leave the Republican Party if his state conducted open primary elections. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., a Republican moderate who has bucked party lines on some of President Donald Trump's key initiatives, including voting against the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act, is seeking re-election in a purple district he has controlled for eight years. Fitzpatrick shared in an interview with Punchbowl News' Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer his "disdain for ideologues and partisans" and said it was "ignorant to subscribe to a party." "Countless people go to the floor saying I really want to vote for this, but I got to worry about my primary," Fitzpatrick said. "It's killing our country. It's killing good policy, and we got to fix that." NEW POLL REVEALS HOW PENNSYLVANIA DEMS FEEL ABOUT FETTERMAN BUCKING HIS PARTY Sherman asked why he does not just run as an independent. Fitzpatrick said his state has a closed primary, meaning only registered party voters can vote in primaries, which he deemed a disadvantage. If Pennsylvania's primary system were open, Fitzpatrick said he would "100%" leave the GOP. "But you can run as an independent," Sherman asked. "There's some way to do it, isn't there?" Fitzpatrick said it wasn't possible in Pennsylvania. FETTERMAN RECEIVES NO SUPPORT FOR RE-ELECTION FROM PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE DEMOCRATS: REPORT "Do you want to forfeit your right to vote in 50% of elections?" Fitzpatrick said, referring to what would happen if voters registered as Independent. Fitzpatrick also mentioned that he was "upset" when people criticized Sen. John Fetterman, D-PA, who has often voted with Republicans on key issues. Fetterman has been vocal about his criticism of his Democratic colleagues such as their strategy to shut the government down to push for health care negotiations last Fall. In the 119th Congressional legislative session, there is only one U.S. House of Representative member who identifies as an Independent — Kevin Kiley, I-Calif. However, when Kiley was first elected, he ran as a Republican. Meanwhile, in the Senate, there are two Independents: Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.., and Sen. Angus Cloud, I-Me,. While they both maintain an Independent status, both senators caucus with the Democratic party. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebc9d2059ccda1fcc2202b Mike Minogue heads to Mass GOP convention ready to take on Maura Healey: 'She's bankrupting our state' te 2026-04-24T19:51:47.000Z Mike Minogue heads to Mass GOP convention ready to take on Maura Healey: 'She's bankrupting our state' As the Massachusetts GOP is gathering for its convention in Worcester this weekend, Airborne Ranger and former Abiomed CEO Mike Minogue appears to have the wind in his sails. With a solid business background, he is positioning himself as the practical problem-solver and outsider, running in the primary against two veterans of the Charlie Baker administration. Minogue, who ran a leading medical devices company for two decades, also benefits from a massive financial advantage over his two GOP rivals, Brian Shortsleeve, former Chief Administrator of the MBTA, and Mike Kennealy, Secretary of Housing and Economic Development under Baker. COMBAT VETERAN TURNED CEO HAS A NEW MISSION: FLIP GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IN BLUE STATE "I am running as the political outsider, and because of that, I have the freedom and the ability to solve problems for our citizens. And I think that's why I'm gonna win, and that's why we've got most momentum." Delegates will vote for the party nomination for governor, and other statewide offices. According to party rules, candidates need 15% of the vote to qualify for the September primary ballot, and 50% of the vote to receive an official endorsement from the party. The convention will be a test of Minogue's ability to capitalize on a robust infrastructure and fundraising effort, against two establishment candidates. Minogue brings a compelling narrative to a campaign in which the GOP will face an uphill battle to unseat incumbent Governor Maura Healey.  He was awarded the Bronze Star for service in Operation Desert Storm, and went on to a highly successful career in the medical devices industry, ultimately guiding a deal in which Abiomed was acquired by Johnson & Johnson for $16.6B.  "Well, I think that the campaign has had a message that it's time for a new kind of governor. And so since I'm not part of the establishment, I'm coming in with a blueprint as a leader. So first of all, people want a leader that has integrity, common sense and compassion. And they want to elect somebody that has a blueprint to bring accountability, affordability, opportunity, and will keep our community safe. And so that's really my platform.  "And on the accountability, the audit that 72% of the voters acted for is something I was able to get involved in as a concerned citizen, and that needs to be done. And so that's something around transparency and holding the one-party system accountable, and as a business person, as the only person who's run and built the company, as a public company CEO for 19 years, I got audited every three months by an outside agency. That's the accountability we need." Minogue brings a unique set of qualifications to the table, which are essential to his campaign message, and its resonance with Bay State voters. "I'm not a political establishment person, the other two are. I also have the most experience from West Point to being a combat veteran, to running a business for 19 years, to also having several entrepreneurial private businesses and also being a leader in the nonprofit world around education, helping veterans, helping healthcare. So I bring a skill set…it's more about my qualifications, less about policy.  "But again, people want someone to come in who will solve problems, doesn't worry about the next election. And so I've got the most energy. I have more cash on hand, in fact, two X the cash on hand than the incumbent Governor Healey. And I am going to stop the overspending, the overtaxing and the overregulating because as a business person, I know how to do that." Massachusetts has long been dominated by the Democratic Party, except when it comes to the governor's office. In fact, five of the last six governors prior to Maura Healey were Republicans.  Nonetheless, the GOP nominee will face a challenge in a state in which only 8% of registered voters are Republicans. DEMOCRAT GOVERNOR AND MAYOR BOOED AT RED SOX HOME OPENER "So I think what people don't understand and why I'm gonna be the next governor is Massachusetts is not a blue state or a red state. In fact, we have low percentages for both parties, but people here have principles. More people say they're conservative as well than the numbers of the Republican party, but people also want common sense. We're a gritty group of people. We started the revolution. We endured in order to drive the British out of. Out of Boston in 1776. And that culture is still here. And I love that about it." Minogue argues that Healey's energy and fiscal policies have left the state, and its business community, in a precarious position. "I think the biggest issue with Governor Healey is two things. One is a failure to be a leader. She hasn't stepped forward and driven the audit of the legislature that we voted for. In fact, she's avoiding it. The second thing is she hasn't solved the energy problem. She doesn't invest in innovation. She keeps investing more and more tax dollars in the green energy, wind and solar. And after two decades and over a billion dollars in tax money, we get less than 6% of our energy in Massachusetts from wind and solar.  "Meanwhile, we get 20% of our energy from the nuclear energy facility in Seabrook, New Hampshire that we don't subsidize. And we have natural gas in America. We're blessed with it. The pipelines need to come from Pennsylvania or New York. That will lower our energy. That's safe, reliable, cheaper." BLUE STATE GOVERNOR DEMANDS PRIVATE AIRLINES STOP PROVIDING ICE FLIGHTS AFTER DEADLY MINNEAPOLIS SHOOTING Minogue argues that Healey does not have a plan to address the exploding state budget, which is particularly feeling the pinch from skyrocketing health care costs.  "So first thing is the overall budget, 63 [billion]. Then I would drill in to the health care budget, which is 54% of our budget, it's around 34 billion. I've been in all the hospitals, I'm an expert in healthcare, it's what I've done for 30 years…It's known that we are one of the top places for Medicaid, Medicare fraud. We know our SNAP benefits and food stamps have massive fraud. Every time our US attorney or state auditor looks at it, they find millions to tens of millions of savings. And we have to understand how this is impacting all the other businesses. Because if you drive health care costs up and you have waste and fraud, and the health care for entrepreneurs and for individuals is one of the most expensive in the nation and energy is one the most expensive in the nation, people leave. That's why we got to do math." In a state in which 65% of the electorate is registered as "unenrolled," Minogue is cognizant of the need to appeal to independents and Democrats. "I will work with anyone to solve problems. I don't care if it's blue, red or independent. It doesn't matter to me. But as the governor, there's some things you can do. So on day one, you can declare that one third of the energy bills, the climate utility tax is gone. So that's gonna help quality of life immediately. Number two is, I can bring in gas pipelines and I can bring in nuclear energy by talking to companies and I will do that. The third is, I can opt into the federal scholarship tax credit, which immediately will be providing educational grants to about 80% of the parents that have kids. It gives them a choice on how they educate their kids." "We need a leader who loves the people more than they hate the other party. And that's what I will do. I will solve problems. We are not political enemies. We are neighbors, and we just need to help people and understand that the goal is to make Massachusetts the best place to live, work, and raise a family, like I've had the blessing to do." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebc9bf059ccda1fcc22022 Baltimore mayor vows to press on with spending, dismisses scrutiny as ‘ridiculous reporting’ te 2026-04-24T19:51:27.204Z Baltimore mayor vows to press on with spending, dismisses scrutiny as ‘ridiculous reporting’ Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott defended more than $52,000 in taxpayer-funded spending on food, drinks, and skybox use at Baltimore Orioles and Baltimore Ravens games, following a City of Baltimore Inspector General report that identified a mix of guests including city employees, children, donors, and political figures. The report found the mayor’s office used public funds for game-day expenses and suite access, prompting criticism over whether those benefits were extended to political allies and donors rather than strictly for public purposes. One critic, taxpayer advocate David Williams, raised concerns about the presence of donors among those invited. "When you look at the list, you see donors," Williams said. "That sends a shiver down taxpayers’ spines because they know what’s happening, is that the mayor is courting a favor with donors, with other elected officials, and this is not what people voted for." BALTIMORE'S PROGRESSIVE MAYOR CALLS REPORTER 'RACIST' IN HEATED EXCHANGE OVER LUXURY TAXPAYER VEHICLE The report also noted that attendees in the skybox included a range of individuals, from families impacted by violence to elected officials such as former Baltimore City Council President Nick Mosby and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore prior to taking office. Scott responded by emphasizing that his office has broadened access to include more everyday residents. "When you look at the amount of people, and if you go back, Mikenzie, you guys are great at doing this," Scott said to Fox 45's Mikenzie Frost. "Look at the amount of regular citizens that get invited to the skybox through me versus what happened before with other people, you’ll see a stark difference." "And I think when you think about those families that lost people, mothers and brothers and kids of people that died in this city that were in the skybox," Scott said. "We’re going to continue to do that, even though you guys are going to continue your ridiculous reporting." EXCLUSIVE: HOUSE GOP REPORT ALLEGES $20B GREEN GRANTS ENRICHED BIDEN ALLIES The inspector general's findings come as Baltimore continues to face scrutiny over government spending and oversight, with prior reports examining procurement practices and discretionary use of public funds. Earlier this year, Scott also faced questions over taxpayer-funded expenditures tied to his official website, including a 2025 Jeep Grand Wagoneer used by his security detail. During a press exchange, Scott criticized a reporter’s line of questioning, calling it "idiotic" and describing it as part of a "right-wing" effort, while also accusing the question of having a "racist slant." BOSTON'S MAYOR WU RESPONDS AFTER CONDOLENCES TO ATTEMPTED STABBING SUSPECT KILLED BY OFF-DUTY OFFICER DRAW IRE CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE A spokesperson for the mayor’s office said the vehicle was procured through standard procedures and that the total reported cost included safety and security modifications required for use by the Baltimore Police Department’s Executive Protection Unit. The office also stated that mayoral vehicles are replaced on a regular cycle due to heavy official use and that older vehicles are repurposed or sold. Fox News' Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebc9ab059ccda1fcc22019 Neo-Nazi, ‘Sadistic’ biker and Charlottesville organizer: 5 of the most shocking SPLC informants te 2026-04-24T19:51:07.375Z Neo-Nazi, ‘Sadistic’ biker and Charlottesville organizer: 5 of the most shocking SPLC informants The Montgomery-based Southern Poverty Law Center was indicted this week on federal fraud charges stemming from a years-long covert paid informant program, which Justice Department officials said allocated millions of dollars in donations to a network of informants affiliated with or closely tied to White supremacist and neo-Nazi groups. The 11-count indictment accuses the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) of wire fraud, false statements to a federally insured bank, and conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering. According to the Justice Department, the SPLC sent some $3 million to its paid informants between 2014 and 2023 — including persons affiliated with the United Klans of America, the National Socialist Party of America, and the Aryan Nations-linked "Sadistic Souls Motorcycle Club," among others. Senior Trump administration officials took aim at the covert paid informant program, which funneled outside donations, at least in part, to informants affiliated with the same extremist groups the SPLC was founded decades earlier to oppose. SPLC FACES BLOWBACK FROM ‘HATE MAP’ TARGETS AFTER DOJ FRAUD INDICTMENT ​​"As the indictment describes, the SPLC was not dismantling these groups," Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told reporters Tuesday at a press conference.  "It was instead manufacturing the extremism it purports to oppose by paying sources to stoke racial hatred." The SPLC's paid informant program funded individuals with ties to the Ku Klux Klan, the National Socialist Party of America, and others — including a member of an online "leadership chat group" that helped plan the deadly "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville, officials said. Here are the top five most eye-popping paid informants revealed in this week's indictment. Among the paid informants identified in the indictment is a member of an online "leadership chat group" that Blanche said helped plan the deadly 2017 "Unite the Right" event in Charlottesville, Virginia.  The individual, referred to only as "F-37," attended the event at the direction of the SPLC and was paid more than $270,000 for his or her work as an informant between 2015 and 2023, according to the indictment.  The indictment alleges that the individual shared  "racist social media posts and helped organize transportation to events" associated with the deadly rally. The news that the informant helped coordinate logistics, at least in some small part, for the deadly rally while under SPLC supervision is significant, especially given that the aftermath of the event prompted a new influx of donations to the nonprofit. "They lied to their donors, vowing to dismantle violent extremist groups, and actually turned around and paid the leaders of these very extremist groups — even utilizing the funds to have these groups facilitate the commission of state and federal crimes," FBI Director Kash Patel said. "That is illegal — and this is an ongoing investigation against all individuals involved." SUPREME COURT CLEARS PATH FOR DOJ TO ERASE STEVE BANNON'S JAN 6 CONVICTION One longtime member of the National Alliance, a White supremacist group tied to multiple violent attacks, profited handsomely from the SPLC in his role as a paid informant. According to the indictment, SPLC paid the National Alliance member more than $1 million over a nine-year period for his role, which included clandestine activities such as breaking into the group's headquarters to steal some 25 boxes of documents, which he photocopied and distributed to the SPLC. The group appears to have later used those documents to create a report about the National Alliance. After the stolen documents were utilized partly in public, SPLC paid another National Alliance member $6,000 to falsely take responsibility for the theft. The National Alliance and the writings of its founder have been closely associated with a litany of violent attacks since the 1980s, including a 1999 multi-state shooting spree targeting minorities and Jewish Americans, and the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. TRUMP ADMIN AGENCIES COORDINATING TO EXPOSE BIDEN ADMIN’S ‘PROLIFIC AND DANGEROUS’ WEAPONIZATION OF GOVERNMENT The SPLC also shelled out more than $140,000 to a paid informant who chaired the National Alliance neo-Nazi group.  The indictment accuses the SPLC of funneling tens of thousands of dollars to the individual between 2016 and 2023. At least some of the payments occurred at the same time the National Alliance chairman himself was listed on the SPLC's website, as part of its public "Extremist File" website — a striking and somewhat ironic fact, given that the site was warning the public about how dangerous the individual was. Among the paid informants was an "Imperial Wizard" of The United Klans of America, a White supremacist group that the SPLC has linked to the 1963 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama, that killed four young girls and injured more than a dozen others. Martin Luther King Jr. described the bombing, which exploded 19 sticks of pre-laid dynamite beneath the steps of a local church, as "one of the most vicious and tragic crimes ever perpetrated against humanity." It was unclear how much the paid informant received from the SPLC. Separately, SPLC also funneled money to a Ku Klux Klan member and spouse of an "Exalted Cyclops" — or a local Klan leader tasked with overseeing membership, organizing meetings, and directing activities. According to the indictment, the informant's link to the SPLC became known during the KKK chapter's application to partake in the "Adopt-A-Highway" program, resulting in the discovery of more than $3,500 in known payments from the SPLC. 'WHITE SAVIORS'' USE OF WHISTLES CAUSES BITTER INTERNAL RIFT INSIDE ANTI-ICE MOVEMENT During the six-year period between 2014 and 2020, the SPLC sent a staggering $300,000 to one paid informant, F-27, who was an officer in both the National Socialist Movement group and the Aryan Nations-affiliated Sadistic Souls Motorcycle Club. The SPLC also sent some $160,000 to other extremist groups, including the former Grand Wizard of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. No individuals were named in the indictment, though Blanche noted during a press conference Tuesday that the investigation is ongoing. According to federal prosecutors, the SPLC's paid informant program began in the 1980s, shortly after its founding in the 1970s, and allegedly relied on a series of bank accounts set up for fictitious entities and used to funnel the covert payments to informants. "They’re required to under the laws associated with a nonprofit to have certain transparency and honesty in what they’re telling donors they’re going to spend money on and what their mission statement is and what they’re raising money doing," Blanche said. The news comes as the SPLC has seen an increase in public support in recent years — including a groundswell of donations following the 2017 Unite the Right rally, and from prominent donors including George Clooney and Apple CEO Tim Cook. "Donors gave their money believing they were supporting the fight against violent extremism," Kevin Davidson, the acting U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Alabama, said in a statement. "As alleged, the SPLC instead diverted a portion of those funds to benefit individuals and groups they claimed to oppose," Davidson added. "That kind of deception undermines public trust and social cohesion." A spokesperson for the Southern Poverty Law Center told Fox News Digital earlier this week they are reviewing the indictment. The group has denied all allegations of wrongdoing. "Taking on violent hate and extremist groups is among the most dangerous work there is, and we believe it is also among the most important work we do," interim SPLC president Bryan Fair said this week in a statement. "The actions by the DOJ will not shake our resolve to fight for justice and ensure the promise of the Civil Rights Movement becomes a reality for all." The spokesperson for the SPLC defended its work monitoring White supremacist groups and other violent extremist organizations — including via the paid informant program — telling Fox News Digital that their use has "saved lives." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebc994059ccda1fcc21fe8 X launches standalone XChat app on iOS te 2026-04-24T19:50:44.948Z X launches standalone XChat app on iOS X's new app promises private chats, disappearing messages, audio and video calls and more. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebc981059ccda1fcc21fdf ComfyUI hits $500M valuation as creators seek more control over AI-generated media te 2026-04-24T19:50:25.081Z ComfyUI hits $500M valuation as creators seek more control over AI-generated media ComfyUI, whose tools give creators more control over AI image, video, and audio generation, just raised $30M. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebc7d8059ccda1fcc21fc6 Cactus Derby holds special place in Phoenix’s lengthy auto racing history te 2026-04-24T19:43:20.294Z Cactus Derby holds special place in Phoenix’s lengthy auto racing history PHOENIX – Auto racing has always been a part of Phoenix sports history.  NASCAR has been traveling to Phoenix Raceway since 1988, and has made a second annual trip since 2005. IndyCar currently visits the track, and its predecessors have been going there since 1964. Formula One even visited the downtown Phoenix streets from 1989 to 1991.  But there was racing in Phoenix long before 1964. Well, more like racing to Phoenix. The Cactus Derby was a race from Los Angeles to Phoenix that took place annually from 1908 to 1914, when World War I began.  George Vickers, owner of the newspaper now known as The Arizona Republic but then called the Arizona Republican, and Arizona Attorney General George Purdy Bullard, an advocate for the Maricopa County Automobile Club, created the Cactus Derby. The race had a few different layouts. It spanned multiple days, usually two, but the final edition took three days as it took a northern route through Barstow, Needles, Kingman, Prescott and Wickenburg.  The first route was near where Interstate 10 now runs, through Blythe and Salome, and it ran until 1911. A change moved the race to a southern route that dipped much closer to the U.S.-Mexico border, generally mirroring the modern path of Interstate 8 toward Yuma for three editions of the race. The finish was at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix. The Cactus Derby was a test of man and machine. The racers often had one or two relief drivers who would also serve as mechanics. The cars were more likely not to finish than to finish, with drivers getting caught in desert sand being one of many issues. Unfortunately, there are no documented quotes from the drivers themselves in these races. At the time, sports journalism focused on the event, not interviews, and there are no remaining racers alive to deliver their personal accounts of a race more than a century in the past. In the inaugural race, Colonel F.C. Fenner won with an average speed of 17.6 mph. It took 30 hours and 36 minutes for Fenner’s steam-powered car, nicknamed “Black Bess,” to win.  The 1909 edition of the race was part of the AAA Champ Car Series, which is a predecessor to modern-day IndyCar. Joe Nikrent won the race in 19 hours and 13 minutes in a Buick, over four hours ahead of second place. The race had an average speed of just under 25 mph. Nikrent ran the race with his brother Louis as his mechanic and co-driver. Joe Nikrent ran two races in Champ Car that season, finishing third in the championship. He appeared sporadically in the series until 1915. The Cactus Derby was his lone win in the series. This piece from 1909 notes the first leg of the 419-mile race as foggy. The Isotta, a prestigious Italian luxury car, was leading at the halfway point, but failed to finish. There were five cars that failed to make it to the halfway point of Ehrenberg, with one being R.P. Harrison, whose Dorris hit a tree. Harvey Herrick won the 1911 race in a National.  “Novice” Olin Davis won the 1913 event in 18 hours and 50 minutes. The young driver was described in a newspaper article as an “unknown” and that he learned to drive a few years before the race. His Locomobile was the only six-cylinder entrant. Barney Oldfield won the final edition in 1914, collecting $2,500 in prize money, with an average speed of between 29 and 30 mph, an increase of nearly 12 mph from the first race five years earlier. Following the win, Bullard bestowed Oldfield with the title of “Master Driver of the World.” Oldfield had some trouble in his race. He blew out a tire near Kingman and drove on the rim. His carburetor got flooded when he crossed the New River, and spectators with mules pulled him out after he lost 15 minutes. He spun into a telegraph pole in the final 20 miles as well. The fifth-place finisher, Bill Bramlett, had a chaotic final leg. He barrel-rolled off a mountain road outside Wickenburg, and later got stuck in the Hassayampa River. Outside Glendale, he slid into a fence and broke his steering linkage. Only seven or eight (depending on the newspaper account) of the 20 entries finished the race, which was hampered by rain and mud. One of the drivers who failed to finish was J.F. Pink, who struck a telegraph pole in the first handful of miles. Pink was not significantly injured. Fans watched the races from a train called the Howdy Special. They dressed in “Yama Yama” costumes, which were red and black. Some of the businessmen called themselves the “Howdy Rowdies,” and they gambled, drank and smoked cigars. The Phoenix Gazette dubbed the Cactus Derby “the hardest auto race ever staged.” While that is merely opinion, the harshness of the terrain, the obstacles drivers faced, and the sheer time involved lend some credence to that account. By contrast in 2026, it takes just over six hours to drive from LA to Phoenix in a regular car – a full day’s length quicker than it took Fenner in 1908. Today’s race cars could complete the trek much faster, but the arduous Cactus Derby will always hold a special place in Phoenix’s lengthy racing history. The post Cactus Derby holds special place in Phoenix’s lengthy auto racing history appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebc7c4059ccda1fcc21fb7 Yavapai County deputy stops a wrong-way driver on Highway 69 te 2026-04-24T19:43:00.060Z Yavapai County deputy stops a wrong-way driver on Highway 69 A deputy intercepted a wrong-way driver on Highway 69 in Humboldt, leading to the arrest of an elderly man for DUI. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebc7ad059ccda1fcc21fa8 Crypto prices for April 24, 2026 te 2026-04-24T19:42:37.554Z Crypto prices for April 24, 2026 Prices as of 10 a.m. Friday, April 24: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebc799059ccda1fcc21f9f Mohave County warns Hualapai Valley irrigation expanding amid water ruling uncertainty te 2026-04-24T19:42:17.870Z Mohave County warns Hualapai Valley irrigation expanding amid water ruling uncertainty A court ruling that upended Arizona’s groundwater restrictions is already triggering new irrigation in the Hualapai Valley, raising the risk of further aquifer depletion, Mohave County officials said this week. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebc786059ccda1fcc21f96 First defendant in Havasu fentanyl case takes probation plea te 2026-04-24T19:41:58.202Z First defendant in Havasu fentanyl case takes probation plea The first of 3 defendants charged in a fentanyl seizure in Lake Havasu City has entered a probation-guaranteed plea agreement. Savannah Ketchersid, 29, pleaded guilty to a charge reduced to attempted transportation of a narcotic drug for sale during an… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebc75c059ccda1fcc21f6e Man pleads guilty to stealing over $1M in PPP loans for supposed amateur basketball league te 2026-04-24T19:41:16.167Z Man pleads guilty to stealing over $1M in PPP loans for supposed amateur basketball league FIRST ON FOX: A man who used government loans meant to provide financial relief to small businesses pleaded guilty to defrauding taxpayers of more than $1 million for a company he claimed operated an amateur basketball league, authorities said. Jamar Johnson, a U.S. citizen, entered his plea on Monday for his role in a scheme that netted him $1,047,824 in taxpayer funds through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said. "Jamar J. Johnson exploited a critical pandemic relief program for personal gain, stealing more than $1 million meant to support American small businesses when they needed it most," said Acting DHS Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. "This guilty plea sends a clear message: those who defraud the American people and attempt to hide their crimes will be identified, investigated, and held accountable. DHS remains committed to protecting taxpayer-funded programs and ensuring justice for those who abuse them." TRUMP ADMIN SAVES TAXPAYERS $1 BILLION IN FRAUD CRACKDOWN OF STUDENT AID PROGRAMS In 2020, Johnson submitted a PPP loan application for a company he said ran the amateur league. However, once the funds were disbursed, Johnson used the money to fund his lifestyle, including purchasing cryptocurrency and transferring the funds to foreign markets in an effort to conceal the illicit proceeds. In addition to depriving the government, the scam also impacted small businesses that needed access to government funds to avoid shutting their doors and laying off employees at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, DHS said. "Fraud of this nature weakens the effectiveness of federal assistance programs and places an additional burden on taxpayers who ultimately bear the cost of these crimes," the department said in a statement to Fox News Digital. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), which operates under DHS, has authority over certain financial crimes and was a involved in the investigation that ultimately led to Johnson's guilty plea. The federal government has cracked down on the massive scale of fraud stemming from the PPP loans. The plea announcement comes as U.S. Small Business Administration on Friday separately referred 562,000 suspected fraudulent loans totaling over $22.2 billion to the U.S. Department of Treasury for collections.  "After extensive review, and with the strong support of the White House Anti-Fraud Task Force, we are taking our most decisive action yet to end a Biden-era scheme that protected over 560,000 borrowers tied to more than $22 billion in suspected pandemic-era fraud," SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler told Fox News Digital. The SBA accused former President Joe Biden of deliberately protecting suspected fraudsters by refusing to refer them to the Treasury. In February, the SBA suspended more than 111,000 California borrowers after uncovering $8.6 billion in suspected fraudulent activity linked to the pandemic. In total, the agency suspended 111,620 California borrowers who received 118,489 PPP and Economic Injury Disaster (EIDL) loans, totaling $8.6 billion. "This staggering number represents the most significant crackdown on those who defrauded pandemic programs, and it illuminates the scale of corruption that the Biden Administration tolerated for years," Loeffler said at the time. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebc748059ccda1fcc21f65 WATCH: Police officer cheats death when bullet ricochets off body camera during savage ambush by armed suspect te 2026-04-24T19:40:56.560Z WATCH: Police officer cheats death when bullet ricochets off body camera during savage ambush by armed suspect New video captured the horrifying moment a Florida police officer’s body camera stopped a bullet from piercing his chest while conducting a routine investigation last month.  The incident unfolded when Deputy Jose Rivera and his deputy trainee responded to a call regarding an assault and battery investigation at a home in Volusia County on Sunday, March 1, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.  Upon arriving at the home, the deputies encountered the suspect, identified as Luis Diaz Polanco, police said.  DRIVER PLOWS THROUGH AIRPORT GATE ONTO AIRFIELD, SNEAKS ONTO PLANES BEFORE POLICE TAKEDOWN, BODYCAM SHOWS While trying to speak with Polanco, he allegedly went back into the house and returned with a handgun before he allegedly started firing at the officers, according to authorities.  Rivera was subsequently struck in the leg and shoulder "after a round ricocheted off of his chest-mounted body-worn camera," the department said. GOT A TIP? Video shows the shootout and the aftermath, including fellow deputies pulling a bloodied Rivera to safety and applying tourniquets.  Rivera, a father of three, is then placed into the back of a police car and transported to a hospital, where he is expected to make a full recovery. FOLLOW US ON X Additional video shows Polanco on the ground with his hands behind his back as police take him into custody.  He was later charged with attempted murder, according to police. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL While in custody, Polanco allegedly told police he had a "horrible day" before the shooting and was previously involved in a confrontation with an unidentified woman, Sheriff Mike Chitwood said in a news conference.  "When the deputies came up to the house, [Polanco] had every intention to shoot them," Chitwood said, adding a direct quote from the suspect, "‘If I didn't run out of ammunition, I would have killed them all.’" CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS Polanco allegedly told officers he was experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of the alleged incident.  The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office shared a photo on social media showing the damaged body camera that stopped the bullet from hitting Rivera in the chest, with the caption, "Deputy Rivera’s body cam took a bullet headed for his chest. His fellow deputies pulled him to safety. Thank God for that." "There's a lot of scumbags out there that have a lot of things to say," Chitwood said. "What they did, what those deputies did, was absolutely outstanding. It was bravery, there was restraint involved. They did everything you could ever ask a law enforcement professional to do."  The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebc734059ccda1fcc21f5c Rob Reiner’s son describes devastating moment he learned both parents were dead: ‘My living nightmare’ te 2026-04-24T19:40:36.723Z Rob Reiner’s son describes devastating moment he learned both parents were dead: ‘My living nightmare’ In a deeply personal tribute, Jake Reiner painted a portrait of devoted parents whose lives and futures were "ripped away" when they were murdered. Jake recalled the devastating moment he learned of Rob and Michele Reiner's deaths on the fateful afternoon of Dec. 14 in a new Substack post. "On the afternoon of December 14, I was in Union Station at a celebration of life for one of my best friends, Christian Anderson, who died in October. It was at that moment I received a call from my sister Romy telling me our father was dead. Minutes later, she called back telling me our mother was also dead," Jake wrote. "The 45-minute Lyft ride from downtown to the west side was unendurable," he added. "My world, as I knew it, had collapsed. I was in a trance. The only thing I could focus on was that I needed to get to my childhood home. I needed to get to my sister. I needed to figure out what the hell just happened." 'PRINCESS BRIDE' STAR MANDY PATINKIN ‘KEPT WAILING AND CRYING’ AFTER LEARNING OF ROB, MICHELE REINER’S DEATHS Los Angeles Fire Department officials responded to a Brentwood-area home at around 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 14, where two bodies were discovered, Fox News Digital previously confirmed. Officials later confirmed the bodies to be of Rob and his wife, Michele. "Upon arrival, officers located two deceased individuals inside the residence, later identified as Rob Reiner and Michelle Reiner," LAPD Assistant Police Chief Dominic Choi later confirmed during a LAPD Board of Police Commissioners meeting. "Both victims were found in the master bedroom of the area of the home." Officers then conducted a "thorough search" of the home and found no additional victims or suspects at the residence. Rob and Michele's son Nick quickly became a person of interest and was taken into custody the night of Dec. 14. He was formally charged in the double homicide of his parents on Dec. 16. He was hit with two counts of first-degree murder with a special circumstance of multiple murders. In his Substack post, Jake addressed the added trauma of his brother's alleged role in the killings. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "We lost more than half of our family that night in the most violent way imaginable. Sure, any loss of a parent is devastating, but nothing compares to losing both of them at the same time and, on top of that, having your brother be at the center of it," he wrote. "It’s almost too impossible to process." "I understand that people have questions about what happened," he added. "Some of those answers will come in time. But some parts of this belong only to our family, and keeping them private is the only way to protect what little remains of something that was taken from us." LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Nick pleaded not guilty during his Feb. 23 arraignment. A spokesperson for the Reiner family told Fox News Digital, "They have the utmost trust in the legal process and will not comment further on matters related to the legal proceedings." For Jake, the loss of Rob and Michele has consumed nearly every moment of his life. "When you are not living through a tragedy the specific way Romy and I are, it’s hard to wrap your head around just how horrific this has been," he wrote. "Because they weren’t your parents, it might be easier to move forward or even forget for a moment about what happened that day, but for us, it’s every single day." "Every day since then has been horrendous," he added. "Every meeting we take, every person we talk to, every tear we shed, every movement we make is connected to our parents being murdered. In the middle of trying to process the most devastating moment of your life, the world demands meetings, paperwork, decisions, and explanations; as if documentation must come before mourning." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebc52a059ccda1fcc21f1c Race for QB1: ASU quarterback competition still open after spring practice with 4 in running te 2026-04-24T19:31:54.040Z Race for QB1: ASU quarterback competition still open after spring practice with 4 in running TEMPE – On a warm Tuesday morning, Arizona State’s four quarterbacks walked off the Kajikawa Practice Fields in lockstep, smiling and laughing after the Sun Devils’ final spring practice. At first glance, they wouldn’t appear to be fixed in a fierce quarterback competition. With former ASU quarterback Sam Leavitt departing for LSU, however, Arizona State is in the business of finding a new signal-caller. To fill the vacancy, coach Kenny Dillingham brought in a mix of young talent and an experienced veteran pair to compete with the room’s lone returner: redshirt freshman quarterback Cameron Dyer.  “I thought they did a good job,” offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo said. “We got a really new room. Three or four or some guys are new to it, with Cam (Dyer) being the guy who hasn’t played much. … The quarterbacks did a nice job of being demanding and sitting in there and letting me be really critical of them every day from the start of spring to the end of spring.” Sophomore Cutter Boley entered the spring as the quarterback with the most buzz around his name. At 6-feet-5, 213 pounds, the towering Kentucky transfer is hard to miss. Cutter Boley takes part in a quarterback drill at ASU spring practice at the Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe, Arizona, on April 9, 2026. (Photo by Devon Horn/Cronkite News) Boley landed on the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman team in 2025, completing 65.8% of his passes – a single-season school record for a freshman – and passing for 15 touchdowns.  However, his 12 interceptions and limited passing yards, playing in a talent-bereft offense with the Wildcats, highlight areas for possible improvement heading into next fall.  Still, his athleticism for his size and raw arm talent, which he displayed numerous times during spring practices by pushing the ball down the field, make him an enticing option for next season. Boley, who grew up in Kentucky and had spent his entire life in the Bluegrass State before packing his bags for Tempe, has enjoyed getting acclimated to the culture and environment that Dillingham has fostered at ASU. “It’s almost felt seamless,” Boley said. “It’s felt like I’ve known this group of guys and these coaches for a long, long time, and I’ve only been out here for a few months. So I’ve just had a great time out here, and it’s been awesome how seamless my transition’s been.” The other quarterback Arizona State nabbed out of the transfer portal, graduate Mikey Keene, is more familiar with the Valley. The Chandler native made stops at Central Florida, Fresno State and Michigan before returning home to play for ASU. His experience makes him a stable option under center, as he’s proven he can spearhead an efficient offense, nearly passing for 3,000 yards with Fresno State in both 2023 and 2024.  Quarterback Mikey Keene competes in ASU’s spring practice at the Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe, Arizona, on March 24, 2026. (Photo by Devon Horn/Cronkite News) In the spring, Keene, who turns 23 in June and is by far the QB with the most experience in a room filled with undergraduates, took on a mentorship role. His veteran presence supplies the room with a knowledgeable presence to lean on as his peers continue to develop and mature.  “You can’t replicate reps,” Arroyo said. “You can’t take 1,000 reps in college football and not have them be really evidence to a guy who knows what’s going on. It’s as simple as breaking the huddle or calling plays, having command for the young guys to see it, for guys around them, for the O-line, for a lot of the new guys, to see what those reps look like after you have them, regardless of where you’re at, is really evident. I think that’s really good for us.” As the lone returner in the room from last year, Dyer also helped with the integration process of the new quarterbacks.  He missed almost all of last season, recovering from an ACL injury he suffered in his senior year of high school. It gave the former Gatorade New Mexico Football Player of the Year a chance to fully ingest the offense and learn from a pair of multi-year starting quarterbacks, Sam Leavitt and Jeff Sims.  Quarterback Cameron Dyer participates in ASU’s spring practice at the Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe, Arizona, on March 24, 2026. (Photo by Devon Horn/Cronkite News) “I think it’s helped me a lot,” Dyer said. “I get images all the time when we’re going through progressions and stuff like that of Sam and Jeff’s reps last year, and so, seeing that, watching that film last year and really being able to digest it in the offseason has been big for me.” Meanwhile, highly touted freshman quarterback Jake Fette came to Tempe by way of Del Valle High School in El Paso, Texas. At just 18 years old, Fette stepped foot on campus this spring as a senior in high school. By enrolling early, he had a chance to grasp the playbook in the spring and get his feet under him. “I loved being out here for spring ball. It’s really helped me,” Fette said. “If I didn’t come out for spring, I would have been lost in the fall, in the heat of the fire, in the season.” If he wins the job, it wouldn’t be the first time Dillingham has named a true freshman a starter. Back in 2023, he handed the quarterback reins to now Mississippi State quarterback Jaden Rashada. Jake Fette takes part in a quarterback drill at ASU spring practice at the Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe, Arizona, on April 9, 2026. (Photo by Devon Horn/Cronkite News) Can Fette earn the same distinction? That remains to be seen. However, he took a strong first step toward doing so this spring, impressing Dillingham.  “Jake’s had a great, great spring, super mature for his age,” Dillingham said. “I’ve been really happy with how he’s progressed and his competitiveness.” With a room filled with quarterbacks who bring different skillsets, it’s clear that whoever lines up under center won’t have to fit into a rigid mold set by the coaching staff. All the quarterbacks regurgitated one word when asked about Dillingham and Arroyo’s offense: quarterback-friendly. “(They’re) two very quarterback-friendly guys that understand how to make it easier for a quarterback,” Keene said. “How to get them into good plays, how to teach the game to them, and then conceptually wise, knowing their bread and butter, having a lot of confidence in what they’ve been able to do here on their own, and then coming together as one. So ultimately, (we) have a lot of confidence in those guys. And when you step on the field, you trust their coaching.” As the season creeps closer, Dillingham will continue to evaluate the group and eventually pick a starter for next fall. Perhaps the biggest indication of maturity in the youthful room has been how they’ve handled the competition.  “I think we all just focus on what we have to do, and focus on ourselves getting better,” Dyer said.  “We just put the faith in our coaching staff, put the faith in the players around us, and really just leave it up to that. And you know, I know for sure, I just focus on what I can do better and how I can best lead this team, and I don’t really worry too much about anything else.” That approach has allowed the quarterbacks to grow tight in just a short amount of time, despite the fact that they’re all vying for the starting spot next season. “This is like the closest QB room I’ve been a part of in terms of hanging out outside of football and just being around each other,” Boley said. “All three of these (other) guys are awesome dudes, and it’s been great to get to know them. All three have really different personalities, and we’re all, we’re all kind of from different places, so it’s just, it’s just been cool to gel with those guys and get to know them more.” For now, Dillingham hasn’t announced a starter. But as the spring draws to a close, he’s comfortable with where the group is. “It’s a good battle,” Dillingham said. “It’s definitely going to go into fall camp. I like where we’re at.” The post Race for QB1: ASU quarterback competition still open after spring practice with 4 in running appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebc4fc059ccda1fcc21ee7 Jack Nicholson spotted in rare photo as legendary actor celebrates turning 89 te 2026-04-24T19:31:08.225Z Jack Nicholson spotted in rare photo as legendary actor celebrates turning 89 Jack Nicholson appeared in a rare photo as the cinema great turned 89. Nicholson celebrated his birthday on April 22. His daughter, Lorraine Nicholson, shared a series of photos of her father on Instagram to honor the A-list actor. Lorraine first shared a throwback photo of Nicholson smoking a cigar, writing "89?" She then posted a photo of her father with Joni Mitchell in the background. "89!!" she simply wrote. Nicholson broke into the mainstream Hollywood scene in 1969 with his portrayal of lawyer George Hanson in "Easy Rider." The role earned Nicholson his first Oscar nomination. JACK NICHOLSON'S SON FELT 'CRIPPLING PRESSURE' BEFORE FINDING HOLLYWOOD SUCCESS From there, he became one of the defining actors of his generation, known for his sharp grin, rebellious edge and ability to balance charm with menace. Nicholson went on to win three Academy Awards throughout his five-decade career. He took home best actor for "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." By then, the actor had already been nominated for five Academy Awards, but had lost all of them. The movie's producer, Michael Douglas, claimed it was hard to get Nicholson to the ceremony. "I remember how hard I had to persuade Jack to come to the ceremony. He was so reluctant, but we got him there," Douglas said in an interview with The Associated Press.  "And then of course we lost the first four awards. Jack was sitting right in front of me and sort of leaned back and said ’Oh, Mikey D, Mikey D, I told you, man.’ I just said, ‘Hang in there.’" LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" went on to win the "big five" categories — best screenplay, director, actor, actress and picture. Nicholson later won best supporting actor in "Terms of Endearment" and best actor again for "As Good as it Gets." He officially stepped away from acting in the 2010s, but his legacy as one of cinema’s most electrifying performers remains firmly intact. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "The Shining" star Shelley Duvall previously spoke to Fox News Digital about what it was like to work with the "classic" actor. "He's the greatest. I mean, the whole crew loved Jack," she recalled. "He was one popular guy, and with me, too. I mean, I had already met Jack with Anjelica (Huston) at a party somewhere and was really thrilled that I was asked to work with Jack." "He's a really great guy, and it's fun to be in that league of extraordinary men." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebc4e8059ccda1fcc21ede US targets China refinery in sweeping Iran oil crackdown, sanctions ‘shadow fleet’ tankers te 2026-04-24T19:30:48.454Z US targets China refinery in sweeping Iran oil crackdown, sanctions ‘shadow fleet’ tankers The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Friday sanctioned a major Chinese oil refinery and dozens of ships tied to Iran's "shadow fleet," escalating efforts to choke off Tehran's main source of revenue. Officials said in a press release that the move targets Hengli Petrochemical, one of Iran’s largest oil buyers, along with a network of shipping companies and tankers responsible for transporting billions of dollars’ worth of petroleum products to foreign markets. The Treasury Department identified these "shadow fleet" vessels as the financial lifeline for Iran's "unstable regime." The crackdown is part of "Economic Fury," a broader campaign to squeeze Iran’s economy by limiting its ability to sell oil abroad, revenue the U.S. says funds the regime’s military and destabilizing activities across the Middle East. "Economic Fury is imposing a financial stranglehold on the Iranian regime, hampering its aggression in the Middle East, and helping to curtail its nuclear ambitions," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. SECOND TANKER SEIZED NEAR VENEZUELA AS US ENFORCES OIL BLOCKADE Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery Co. is a China-based "teapot" refinery, a term used for independent facilities known for purchasing discounted crude, including from sanctioned countries. The refinery, one of China’s largest independent facilities, has received Iranian oil cargoes from sanctioned shadow fleet vessels since at least 2023. Hengli has also purchased oil tied to Iran’s armed forces, generating hundreds of millions of dollars for the Iranian military. Hengli has also received shipments tied to Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars Company, a firm identified by U.S. officials as a front for Iran’s armed forces that helps facilitate oil sales abroad. The company operates on behalf of Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff, using a network of intermediaries and vessels to move sanctioned crude, with proceeds helping fund the country’s military programs and regional proxy groups. IRAN’S REMAINING WEAPONS: HOW TEHRAN CAN STILL DISRUPT THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ The new sanctions also target the network that makes these oil sales possible, a "shadow fleet" of aging tankers and shell companies that move petroleum across global markets while evading sanctions and obscuring the origin of shipments. These ships avoid detection by transferring cargo from one tanker to another in the open ocean. Treasury officials said 19 vessels were targeted in the action. The move is part of the Trump administration’s renewed "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran, aimed at cutting off the regime’s primary source of revenue through oil exports and sanctions enforcement. U.S. officials say oil exports remain the backbone of Iran’s economy, and efforts to restrict those flows are designed to limit the government’s ability to fund its military, support proxy groups and advance its nuclear program. Treasury officials warned that additional sanctions are likely as the U.S. continues targeting the networks, intermediaries and buyers that enable Iran to move oil on the global market. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebc4d1059ccda1fcc21ea2 Louis Taylor asks Arizona appeals court for meeting records to clear his name te 2026-04-24T19:30:25.391Z Louis Taylor asks Arizona appeals court for meeting records to clear his name Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebc29f059ccda1fcc21e67 Adrian Wojnarowski's anti-Trump politics reportedly causing friction with St. Bonaventure community te 2026-04-24T19:21:03.314Z Adrian Wojnarowski's anti-Trump politics reportedly causing friction with St. Bonaventure community No one can question Adrian Wojnarowski's commitment to his alma mater. In 2024, he left ESPN to become the general manager of the St. Bonaventure basketball program. He left a salary of $7 million a year for one just around $70,000. Yes, you read that correctly. But a new report from The Athletic suggests that, as dedicated as Wojnarowski is to the job, his hyper-partisan political views may be complicating the program's growth. That’s the read from local power brokers at The Bartlett Country Club, just outside Olean, about three miles from campus. "All the locals get the sense that he doesn’t want to be associated with them if he doesn’t have the same political bent as them," said Eric Firkel, one of the Bartlett regulars. WNBA FINALLY EMBRACES CAITLIN CLARK'S STARDOM WITH UNPRECEDENTED NATIONAL TV SCHEDULE "Fair or not, that is a general feeling through the community, that maybe you look down on people for being a bunch of MAGA Republicans." We’d lean toward fair. Wojnarowski has been quite open about his disdain for President Trump and the Republican Party. Most notably, ESPN suspended him for two weeks in 2020 after he sent Republican Sen. Josh Hawley a two-word email, "F— you," in response to questions about the NBA’s business ties with China. PACERS’ PASCAL SIAKAM HAS AWKWARD EXCHANGE WITH COLUMNIST PREVIOUSLY SUSPENDED OVER CAITLIN CLARK INTERACTION More recently, he’s been sharing anti-Trump columns from The New York Times on Threads, sometimes adding captions like "Stand up to fascism." He was also a vocal supporter of BLM on social media during his ESPN tenure. The Athletic pressed Wojnarowski on the political friction with the community, and he didn’t exactly push back. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "Wojnarowski didn’t answer directly when asked about the political tensions, but he said he believes a successful basketball team will unite the community," the outlet reported. The county where the Bartlett sits went for Trump over Kamala Harris by a two-to-one margin in 2024. Speaking of Harris, her campaign reached out to Wojnarowski to break the news that she had picked Tim Walz as her running mate. According to Sports Illustrated, another outlet beat him to it. Look, it’s one thing to be a White Dude for Kamala at ESPN while covering the NBA. It may have even helped Wojnarowski connect with NBA sources. However, suffering from Trump derangement syndrome (TDS) isn't an ideal condition as a general manager who's required to connect with donors outside rural Olean, New York. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebc28a059ccda1fcc21e47 Appeals Court Says Trump’s Ban on Asylum Claims at Border Is Illegal te 2026-04-24T19:20:42.188Z Appeals Court Says Trump’s Ban on Asylum Claims at Border Is Illegal The ruling could force the Trump administration to begin processing new applications from asylum seekers at the southern border. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebc274059ccda1fcc21e24 The counterterrorism czar without a counterterrorism plan te 2026-04-24T19:20:20.718Z The counterterrorism czar without a counterterrorism plan Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebc047059ccda1fcc21de9 Elizabeth Smart flexes new chapter, racks up bodybuilding honors in stunning transformation te 2026-04-24T19:11:03.261Z Elizabeth Smart flexes new chapter, racks up bodybuilding honors in stunning transformation Elizabeth Smart is proving she can conquer another challenge after new photos shared by the kidnapping survivor show her taking up a powerful new hobby: Bodybuilding.  The now-38-year-old Smart, whose harrowing kidnapping story captivated the nation, announced her latest endeavor on Instagram over the weekend with a photo showing off her impressive physique. "When I posted the pictures in my [Instagram] story of me standing on stage in a bikini it probably shocked many of you," Smart wrote. "And I understand the shock because had you asked me if I would ever compete in a bodybuilding show a couple of years ago I would have said, ‘Absolutely not! Never in 100 years!’"  CHILD ABDUCTION SURVIVOR ELIZABETH SMART WARNS OF 'TERRIFYING TERRITORY' FOR TODAY'S KIDS Smart participated alongside hundreds of amateur athletes at the Wasatch Warrior Competition in Salt Lake City, Utah on Saturday, and competed in the entry-level Fit Model Division. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X She secured first place in the competition’s novice category, second in Class D and third in the Masters 35+ category, according to the tournament’s website.  SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER "I am so proud of my body, and I want to celebrate it," Smart added. "My body has carried me through every worst day, every hellish grueling experience, it’s created and nurtured three beautiful children, my body has risen to every single challenge life has presented it with and carried me through so I refuse to be ashamed of it." SEND US A TIP HERE Smart was just 14 years old when she was abducted from her family’s Salt Lake City home in 2002.  Investigators subsequently learned she had been kidnapped at knifepoint and taken from her bedroom by Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Breeze. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST Smart was held captive by the pair for nine months, moving between campsites in the Utah foothills and later to California while being raped daily by Mitchell.  In March 2003, authorities located Smart in Sandy, Utah after witnesses recognized Mitchell and Barzee from media coverage in the case. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB Mitchell was later convicted in federal court and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.  Barzee ultimately pleaded guilty to her role in Smart’s abduction and was released from prison in 2018, but was arrested a second time in May 2025 after violating the terms of her sex offender status by visiting a public park, according to FOX 11. Smart’s competition marked one year since her first time taking the stage at the same tournament. Throughout the past year, she has reportedly competed at the NPC Heart of Texas and moved on to the national stage at the NPC Masters USA in Las Vegas in pursuit of an IFBB Pro card. "I refuse to feel embarrassed about trying something new and am embracing my chance at life to the absolute fullest I can," Smart concluded in her post to social media. "I only hope that we all find the courage to chase new experiences, goals, bettering ourselves, and most importantly happiness." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebc032059ccda1fcc21dc9 Camp Mystic May Not Receive License to Reopen After Fatal Flood in Texas te 2026-04-24T19:10:42.231Z Camp Mystic May Not Receive License to Reopen After Fatal Flood in Texas A review by state officials in Texas said the camp, hit by catastrophic flooding last year, was not in compliance with safety requirements. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebc01c059ccda1fcc21da7 U.S. government ramps up mass surveillance with help of AI tech, data brokers – and your apps and devices te 2026-04-24T19:10:20.901Z U.S. government ramps up mass surveillance with help of AI tech, data brokers – and your apps and devices Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebbe43059ccda1fcc21d7e LOCAL ROUNDUP: Flagstaff beach volleyball reaches state semifinals te 2026-04-24T19:02:27.154Z LOCAL ROUNDUP: Flagstaff beach volleyball reaches state semifinals A look at how local teams have fared recently. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebbe1a059ccda1fcc21d71 Delivering Arizona’s Energy Promise te 2026-04-24T19:01:46.585Z Delivering Arizona’s Energy Promise John Graham Let’s face it. Business leaders and consumer advocates aren’t known for agreeing on the composition of our energy mix or the rates and charges consumers are assessed on their monthly bills. Therefore, it might surprise you to learn that, as part of Gov. Katie Hobbs’ Arizona Energy Promise Taskforce and after 40 working group meetings, we found agreement on nearly 30 recommendations.  Diane E. Brown Along with academics, governmental representatives and utility executives, our entities utilized data and expertise to contemplate policy options and chart an energy future for our state. As a result, Arizona’s Energy Promise is comprised of broad principles that ensure energy reliability and affordability aren’t just goals, but standards. Additionally, Arizona’s Energy Promise incorporates a commitment to furthering a clean energy economy, in line with the work of the Arizona Commerce Authority, to attract investment and create high-quality jobs for individuals and families in both rural towns and urban centers.  Although having principles to inform a direction is beneficial, specific recommendations to advance our energy future are arguably more meaningful. Arizona utilities have rightfully deserved recognition for their ability to keep our lights on, and provide power for our air conditioning and heating systems. However, current and projected population booms and infrastructure needs present intensified challenges and opportunities to maintain the reliability of our electric grid. Recognizing these factors, Arizona’s Energy Promise strives to remove unnecessary bureaucracy while maintaining public input for the permitting and siting of energy resources and infrastructure. To forward this objective, a voluntary permitting coordination council, including representatives of state agencies and industries, will be established. When it comes to the affordability of utility bills, we appreciate the governor’s recent launch of Power AZ, as well as the programs that utilities and non-profits, such as Wildfire, administer to provide financial assistance. Though the programs are extremely beneficial for eligible households, Arizona’s Energy Promise seeks to reduce bill costs for households and businesses by amplifying and increasing opportunities to save money through energy efficiency. Through a Statewide Energy Efficiency Campaign, we can expect heightened awareness of Efficiency Arizona, utility offerings, and tips to save energy and save money. In order to expand our state’s clean energy economy, the existing and forthcoming workforce needs to be prepared as power plant conversions take place and new technologies emerge. Arizona’s Energy Promise endeavors to align and develop a next-gen energy efficiency and energy workforce training program.  Energy reliability, ratepayer affordability and workforce development may be core components of Arizona’s Energy Promise but enhanced transparency and opportunities for Arizonans to offer their perspectives are also integrated throughout the Taskforce recommendations. To say that our state is entering a new era in its energy future is an understatement. Similarly, it is an understatement to say that stakeholders and consumers will always agree on its direction. Yet, the fact that diverse entities discussed, debated and ultimately and overwhelmingly supported common-sense measures to arrive at Arizona’s Energy Promise sends a strong signal that we can work together for the betterment of Arizona. And that we should. John Graham is the Chairman and CEO of Sunbelt Holdings, a recognized leader in real estate development, management and investment throughout the Southwest.  Diane E. Brown is the Executive Director of Arizona PIRG (Arizona Public Interest Research Group) Education Fund, a statewide organization that focuses on protecting consumers.  The post Delivering Arizona’s Energy Promise first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebbe04059ccda1fcc21d4d Trump DOJ jumps into Musk xAI court battle as diversity fight heats up te 2026-04-24T19:01:24.539Z Trump DOJ jumps into Musk xAI court battle as diversity fight heats up The Department of Justice joined forces with Elon Musk on Friday by backing a lawsuit his company xAI brought against Colorado alleging a state law regulating artificial intelligence developers was a masked effort to force them to adopt diversity, equity and inclusion on their platforms. DOJ Civil Rights Division head Harmeet Dhillon said DOJ's intervention was the department's first constitutional challenge in an AI case.  Colorado faces allegations from the DOJ and xAI that its state law, set to take effect in June, violates the First and Fourteenth amendments by forcing AI developers to inadvertently discriminate, an allegation familiar to Colorado, which has faced a string of legal losses in other high-profile culture-war cases in recent years.  "We join @xai's landmark suit, and stand against woke DEI standards being imposed by Colorado," Dhillon said. COLORADO'S LATEST SUPREME COURT LOSS ADDS TO GROWING STRING OF CULTURE WAR DEFEATS The lawsuit arose from a controversial consumer protection bill the Colorado legislature passed in 2024 that required "high-risk" developers like xAI, which built the popular platform Grok, to exercise "reasonable care" to protect consumers from "algorithmic discrimination," saying AI tools must not result in discrimination based on protected classes in the state, such as race and religion. Musk founded xAI in 2023.  The Colorado law also targeted entities that deploy the AI platforms, like hospitals or banks, saying the law was intended to make sure consumers in those areas were treated fairly. Democratic Gov. Jared Polis reluctantly signed the bill into law in 2024 but has raised concerns over whether it would alienate tech innovators in his state because of the slate of burdensome regulations it imposed on them. Fox News Digital reached out to Polis' office for comment on DOJ's intervention in the lawsuit. The DOJ lawyers argued in their lawsuit that Colorado's bill actually "fosters further discrimination," citing language in the bill that allowed AI developers to favor certain classes of people in their AI tools when it was "to increase diversity or redress historical discrimination." LEFT-LEANING ACTRESS NATASHA LYONNE LEADING EFFORTS TO LOBBY TRUMP ADMIN ON AI REGULATION The law "jeopardizes the United States’ position as the global AI leader by requiring AI systems to incorporate discriminatory ideology that prioritizes preferred demographic characteristics and outcomes over accurate and merit-based outputs," government lawyers wrote. The DOJ's lawsuit focused on what it alleged were equal protection violations, while Musk's xAI lawsuit alleged numerous violations, including unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination. xAI lawyers contended in their complaint, brought earlier this month, that the law would force AI developers to output "progressive ideology." "By requiring 'developers' and 'deployers' to differentiate between discrimination that Colorado disfavors and discrimination that Colorado favors, SB24-205 compels Plaintiff xAI—a 'developer' under the law—to alter Grok, forcing Grok’s output on certain State-selected subjects to conform to a controversial, highly politicized viewpoint," xAI lawyers wrote. One law firm said Colorado would become a "national test case" for AI consumer protection, saying it was the first state to pass such a law, suggesting the state would once again become a case study on how far it could push constitutional bounds. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court found 8-1 that Colorado’s conversion therapy ban, signed into law by Polis in 2019, violated the First Amendment because it only restricted certain types of speech, in this case talk therapy when the therapy aimed to prevent minors from embracing being transgender or gay. That ruling followed a broad free speech decision in 303 Creative related to a website designer's right to deny creating a wedding page for a gay couple based on religious beliefs and a narrower 2018 decision in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. The libertarian CATO Institute observed a trend in Colorado, citing the trio of recent landmark Supreme Court cases. "This law will inevitably result in developers restricting lawful speech from their AIs in the name of compliance, especially given Colorado’s view of what constitutes harmful discrimination," CATO fellow David Inserra wrote. "And Colorado clearly has strong views on what kinds of speech are harmful and discriminatory, as seen in its multiple losses at the Supreme Court." Fox News Digital reached out to an xAI attorney on Friday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebbdf0059ccda1fcc21d44 How mutiny at Southern Poverty Law Center triggered leadership collapse te 2026-04-24T19:01:04.641Z How mutiny at Southern Poverty Law Center triggered leadership collapse The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is facing federal fraud allegations less than a year after a staff mutiny triggered a leadership shakeup that has plagued the organization ever since. The Justice Department has accused the self-styled civil rights nonprofit of using paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups and funneling money to extremist groups — claims the organization is now forcefully disputing. Margaret Huang, who led SPLC, resigned last July after 92% of staff backed a no-confidence vote months earlier, according to the Las Vegas Sun. The center laid off about 80 employees — about 25% of its workforce — in June 2024, the outlet reported. Huang said she stepped down because she could not both care for her parents and meet the demands of the job, while the SPLC said at the time she left after five years at the helm "to prioritize family life." PRO-POLICE GROUP ASKS DOJ TO PROBE SOROS-BACKED VIRGINIA PROSECUTOR USING BIDEN-ERA LAW ONCE AIMED AT COPS The leadership rupture exposed deep tensions between staff and senior management at the Montgomery, Alabama-based group, which is known for civil rights litigation and racial justice advocacy. Bryan Fair, a constitutional law professor at the University of Alabama and former chair of the SPLC board, stepped in as interim president and CEO following Huang’s departure. Fair has since taken charge of the organization’s response to the Justice Department’s allegations. The group faces federal charges including wire fraud, bank fraud and money laundering tied to its past use of paid informants. "This use of informants was necessary because we are no stranger to threats of violence," Fair said in a video message this week, pushing back on the allegations and framing the investigation as politically motivated. "For 55 years, the Southern Poverty Law Center has stood as a beacon of hope, fighting white supremacy and various forms of injustice to create a multiracial democracy where we can all live and thrive. We are therefore unsurprised to be the latest organization targeted by this administration." He added that the SPLC "frequently shared what we learned from informants with local and federal law enforcement, including the FBI." EXCLUSIVE: TRUMP-ALIGNED LEGAL GROUP FILES FOIA REQUEST FOR DC CRIME DATA, CITING ALLEGED MANIPULATION "We will vigorously defend ourselves, our staff and our work," Fair said. Huang’s high-profile departure marked the latest leadership turmoil at the SPLC. The organization underwent a major upheaval in 2019 when it fired co-founder and chief trial counsel Morris Dees and removed him from its board, according to the SPLC, triggering a broader restructuring. That overhaul led to Huang becoming the organization’s first permanent president and CEO under a new leadership model, according to the SPLC. Huang currently serves as a senior adviser at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition of civil rights organizations. Dees’ dismissal followed internal allegations of misconduct and workplace culture concerns, including claims of racial discrimination and harassment, according to multiple reports. He was not charged with any crime. Dees co-founded the SPLC in 1971 with civil rights attorney Joseph Levin Jr., while civil rights leader Julian Bond served as its first president. Fox News Digital has reached out to the SPLC and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebbddb059ccda1fcc21d24 An Unthinkable Extreme of Domestic Violence: Killing Multiple Relatives te 2026-04-24T19:00:43.192Z An Unthinkable Extreme of Domestic Violence: Killing Multiple Relatives The Shreveport, La., slaying of eight children was an example of what experts call family annihilation. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebbdc6059ccda1fcc21d03 Conservative groups lose appeal of Arizona election overhaul lawsuit te 2026-04-24T19:00:22.129Z Conservative groups lose appeal of Arizona election overhaul lawsuit Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebb97c059ccda1fcc21c61 Giants legend Lawrence Taylor, 67, hospitalized after medical emergency: report te 2026-04-24T18:42:04.419Z Giants legend Lawrence Taylor, 67, hospitalized after medical emergency: report Pro Football Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor was hospitalized on Friday, TMZ reported. The New York Giants legend suffered a medical emergency in New Jersey, warranting the visit, the outlet said. Taylor's status is unclear, but TMZ said that it does not appear to be serious, citing "those close to" him. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Taylor's former Giants did not immediately respond to an email. L.T. is widely regarded as the greatest linebacker to ever play. He was a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, including in his rookie season. He won two Super Bowls, made 10 straight Pro Bowls and was named the MVP of the 1986 season. He also remains the franchise's all-time sacks leader, which includes his 9½ sacks from his rookie season before sacks became a stat. NEW YORK SPORTS RADIO HOSTS LOSE IT OVER CHAOTIC KNICKS, JETS, METS SCENES WITHIN A MINUTE OF EACH OTHER This came despite a lavish lifestyle off the field, which resulted in legal troubles after his playing days. Drug problems have also resulted in health problems later in life. Taylor showed his support for President Donald Trump in 2024, appearing at a rally in Wildwood, New Jersey. "I grew up a Democrat, and I've always been a Democrat until I met this man right here," Taylor said to cheers. "Nobody in my family ever will vote for a Democrat again." Taylor made Giants headlines last year when he quickly turned down Abdul Carter's request to wear Taylor's No. 56 that has been retired by the organization since 1994, one season after he retired. 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/69ebb968059ccda1fcc21c58 Historic NYC church engulfed in 5-alarm blaze as 6 firefighters injured battling stubborn flames te 2026-04-24T18:41:44.909Z Historic NYC church engulfed in 5-alarm blaze as 6 firefighters injured battling stubborn flames A massive fire engulfed a historic New York church on Thursday, as bright orange flames moved through the building and firefighters battled to extinguish the inferno. The five-alarm blaze initially began at a residence attached to the First Reformed Church of Astoria in Queens around 6:45 p.m., the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) said. Responding units spotted the fire in a vacant two-story rectory before it rapidly extended to the church, the FDNY said. "While operating on the exterior, a portion of the roof started collapsing, walls collapsed, and some bricks hit one of our members in the helmet. He was treated by FDNY Rescue Medics, our FAST Unit, and other EMS personnel and then taken to an area hospital," Chief of Fire Operations Kevin Woods said. FIRE UNDER NJ TRAIN SENDS PASSENGERS FLEEING; MULTIPLE TREATED FOR SMOKE INHALATION More than 270 fire and EMS personnel responded to the scene before it was fully under control at 10:30 p.m. Six firefighters were injured. Images of the fire showed flames ripping through the structure as firefighters carried out an exterior attack to extinguish the blaze. Kevin Harris, who said he was the last head deacon of the church, told local media that the community is reeling over the extensive damage the house of worship is expected to suffer. "It hurts; it hurts my whole family. My sister was just over there. My niece went to this church. My mother went to this church. We have elders from Astoria Projects that went to this church," Harris said. "People got married, baptized… this is our life." "We've been going here—I moved out here in '67," he added. PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL BLAZE FORCES PATIENTS TO BE EVACUATED A nearby resident, who gave his name as Jack, said he arrived at the scene of the fire at the same time that firefighters responded. "They looked like they were trying to localize the fire, keep it down, then it seemed to spread to the church," he told FreedomNewsTV. "And it looks like they’ve just been trying to put it out in the church ever since. And it looks like it’s been a bit stubborn. It’s not going away," he added. The church, which opened sometime in the 1830s, was also damaged during a fire more than a century ago on Jan. 14, 1888. That blaze damaged the floor, some pews, and the church organ, according to the New York City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. On Friday, state Assemblywoman Diana Moreno, whose district includes Astoria, praised the FDNY for its work to extinguish the blaze. "Thank you to our first responders for protecting us," she wrote on X. "My sincere wishes for a speedy recovery to the six firefighters who sustained non-life-threatening injuries." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebb954059ccda1fcc21c4a Magic offense should return in Orlando after shooting just 33% from the floor in Game 2 loss te 2026-04-24T18:41:24.976Z Magic offense should return in Orlando after shooting just 33% from the floor in Game 2 loss It has been a bit of a roller-coaster ride for the NBA Playoffs this season. I always say this is the worst way for it to happen. There are going to be games I lose. That’s a fact I can’t avoid. However, as a reader, it is harder to figure out when to follow and when to fade. Hopefully, I can provide some stability, specifically winning games, for us soon. I want to start it here as the Pistons take on the Magic in Game 3. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Detroit shocked the NBA by getting the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference. They won 60 games for the season. This was just two years after losing 68 games. The turnaround has been remarkable, and mostly due to the fact that Cade Cunningham has become a bona fide superstar. The rest of the team has obviously contributed, too. Jalen Duren is one of the better young big men in the league, Tobias Harris is a solid veteran presence, and the depth is better than ever. This series is tied up at 1-1. The Pistons won Game 2, but most of that was due to a dominant third quarter. At halftime, the game was tied. In the third, Detroit outscored Orlando by 22 points. They each had two quarters in the game, but that massive run from the Pistons gave them a lead they never surrendered. Many, including myself, have said the Pistons are likely not going to get very far in the playoffs, and I do think they are in jeopardy of losing to the Magic, as this is a tough matchup for them. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Orlando came into this season with high expectations, and they never came anywhere close to them this year. The Magic made a major offseason trade for Desmond Bane, and that paid off, but it didn’t result in a ton of wins for the team. They had to battle to just make it to the postseason and dropped the first game to the 76ers before dominating the Hornets. In Game 1, they blitzed the Pistons, with Paolo Banchero dominating and the entire five starters scoring in double figures. In Game 2, the team struggled. I don’t know if it was a matter of them saying they won Game 1 and took care of what they needed to, or what it was specifically. They shot really poorly, hitting just 33% from the floor, and 25% from deep. However, the game could’ve been even more out of hand as the Pistons missed 10 free throws. Orlando was also killed on the glass, with 15 fewer rebounds than Detroit. I would love to recommend the under, and still feel like it probably hits, but we are already missing four points from the opener. It started at 217.5, but is already down to 213.5. I just don’t see Orlando shooting, or playing, as poorly as they did in Game 2. I took the points with the Magic, and even after being up 27, the Magic lost by just 15. I think they will score over 105.5 points in this game. The teams are playing at a slower pace, but the energy from the crowd, wanting to get back, and some return to the mean will give the Magic enough points to get over this low total. The Pistons and Magic have now played six games and the Magic have scored 106 or more in four of the games. For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebb941059ccda1fcc21c41 Cher denied temporary conservatorship over troubled son Elijah Blue Allman te 2026-04-24T18:41:05.468Z Cher denied temporary conservatorship over troubled son Elijah Blue Allman LOS ANGELES- A judge denied Cher's bid for temporary conservatorship Friday over her son, Elijah Blue Allman. Cher, 79, petitioned for an immediate court order earlier this week, citing her son's inability to remain financially stable in the wake of drug abuse allegations. Allman, 49, is currently in custody at a "psychiatric hospital" in New Hampshire on multiple criminal charges stemming from arrests in February and March. "I certainly understand the concerns of Mr. Allman's friends and family, but those concerns don't show a conservatorship is appropriate," Judge Jessica Uzcateguisaid said in court. "I don't see sufficient urgency or really any evidence on which the court would base the finding that a conservatorship is appropriate here," she added. CHER FILES FOR CONSERVATORSHIP AGAIN, CITES SON'S DRUG USE AND 'NO CONCEPT OF MONEY' The "I Got You Babe" singer expressed concerns about Allman's ongoing mental health and substance abuse issues preventing her son from making reasonable decisions. CHER'S SON ARRESTED TWICE IN ONE WEEKEND ON BURGLARY AND ASSAULT CHARGES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE "After he receives his trust distribution, he checks into a hotel, usually the Chateau Marmont, buys and does drugs until he runs out of money, ends up in the hospital, or overdoses," according to documents obtained by Fox News Digital. "Based on this pattern, if Elijah were to receive his trust distribution, he will use it [to] buy drugs." The former variety show host claimed the only support her son has received is from "longtime friend Kayti Pease, who by all accounts, has kept him alive." A summer of "known problems" Elijah caused or faced in the last year included thousands of dollars in damages to 14 Airbnb's rented for her son in Kayti's name. "The most recent Airbnb stay, Elijah caused over $50,000 in damages and landed Kayti in a lawsuit with Airbnb," according to the request. "Elijah has been thrown out of a total of 18 hotels because he has made guests feel uncomfortable, screaming obscenities, and acting erratically." "In sum, Elijah's situation has become dire on multiple fronts. His mental health has severely deteriorated, his financial situation is terrible, and his drug dependency is at its worst." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Cher argued that in order to avoid the proposed conservatorship in 2023, Elijah conceded to an inability to responsibly manage his finances, and claimed he was hiring a business manager in addition to relying on his spouse "for his betterment and recovery." His defense, Cher claimed, turned out to be "nothing more than words." LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Allman's estranged wife, Marieangela King, is "not a viable option for support" and would allegedly only reappear for a proceeding if it were "financially advantageous" for her, documents stated. King is now also a "major creditor" of Allman after a court awarded her $6,500 per month in spousal support retroactive to July 1, 2025, in addition to a $10,000 legal bill. Allman was charged in March with burglary, two counts of criminal mischief and breach of bail stemming from a residential break-in involving forced entry in New Hampshire. Days before, on Feb. 27, Allman was arrested at a New Hampshire private high school and charged with four misdemeanors: two counts of simple assault, criminal trespass and criminal threatening. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebb92c059ccda1fcc21c2a The A.A.U.P. Is Growing Fast as It Ramps Up Its Fight Against Trump te 2026-04-24T18:40:44.652Z The A.A.U.P. Is Growing Fast as It Ramps Up Its Fight Against Trump The American Association of University Professors is drawing new members. The group’s critics say its political stances hurt its cause. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebb916059ccda1fcc21c01 DOJ inspector general probing agency compliance with Epstein files transparency law te 2026-04-24T18:40:22.607Z DOJ inspector general probing agency compliance with Epstein files transparency law Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebb6d6059ccda1fcc21bd7 Court ruling limiting adult gender-affirming Medicaid coverage could have national impacts te 2026-04-24T18:30:46.622Z Court ruling limiting adult gender-affirming Medicaid coverage could have national impacts Transgender rights supporters and opponents rally outside of the U.S. Supreme Court as the high court hears arguments in a case on transgender health rights in December 2024 in Washington, D.C. An appeals court ruling in light of that case, U.S. v. Skrmetti, upheld West Virginia’s ban on Medicaid coverage for adult gender-affirming surgery. Experts say it could have broad implications. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) A U.S. appeals court ruling last month that upheld West Virginia’s ban on Medicaid coverage for adult gender-affirming surgeries could embolden other states seeking to impose similar restrictions. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in March overturned a lower court decision in Anderson v. Crouch that had reversed West Virginia’s ban on Medicaid coverage for adult gender-affirming surgeries. The lower court ruled that the ban was discriminatory. The decision came after the Supreme Court last year upheld Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for youth in U.S. v. Skrmetti. The court then vacated several lower courts’ rulings and handed back cases — including West Virginia’s — for reconsideration in light of the high court’s opinion in the Tennessee case. In response, the new West Virginia ruling extends the Supreme Court’s reasoning to the state’s ban on Medicaid coverage for adult gender-affirming surgery. The judges wrote West Virginia’s policy applies only to certain procedures, contending that it doesn’t target certain people or a protected status such as sex. In a unanimous opinion, the three-judge appeals panel wrote, “(I)t is not irrational for a legislature to encourage citizens ‘to appreciate their sex’ and not ‘become disdainful of their sex’ by refusing to fund experimental procedures that may have the opposite effect.” The panel added, “The Supreme Court’s decision in Skrmetti forecloses any argument to the contrary.” The plaintiffs have filed a request for a rehearing by a full panel. Providing care to people that aligns with their gender identity has been associated with overall better well-being and mental health, some research shows. Gender-affirming care includes a range of services, including hormone replacement, chest and genital removal or augmentation, and facial surgeries. Experts say that while the West Virginia ruling technically sets a precedent only for 4th Circuit states, it could embolden and influence other states that are aiming to impose similar restrictions on public funds for gender-affirming treatments for adults. It also aligns with the slew of federal directives issued by President Donald Trump, including his order that federal agencies only recognize a biological, binary definition of sex. “This gives states leeway to enact laws that would potentially restrict access to gender-affirming care for trans youth and adults,” said Elana Redfield, federal policy director at the Williams Institute, a think tank at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law. “It could encourage states to adopt more, broader bans, including Medicaid bans, even for adults.” An estimated 152,000 transgender adults are enrolled in Medicaid, but less than half live in states that guarantee coverage for gender-affirming care, according to the Williams Institute. About 29% of LGBTQ+ people live in states that exclude coverage, according to the Movement Advancement Project, a think tank that also tracks legislation. Carmel Shachar, assistant clinical professor of law and faculty director of Harvard Law School’s Health Law and Policy Clinic, called Anderson v. Crouch “a significant early case in the post-Skrmetti landscape.” “(The ruling) is definitely influential,” she added, saying it’s “a sign of which way the wind is blowing right now when it comes to state policies.” At least seven other states have faced lawsuits over banning or limiting insurance coverage for gender-affirming care, Reuters reported. According to the Movement Advancement Project, a think tank that supports LGBTQ+ rights, 27 states explicitly include gender-affirming care in Medicaid coverage policies, and 11 states explicitly ban Medicaid funds from use for gender-affirming care for people of all ages. Oklahoma is aiming to join that list. Republicans there are advancing legislation that would prohibit Medicaid funds from covering adult gender-affirming care. The bill would also bar public money from being used by any organization or individual to pay for gender transition. It passed the Senate last month and a House oversight committee 11-2 last week. During a floor debate this month, Oklahoma state Rep. Ellen Pogemiller, a Democrat, asked the bill’s sponsor directly whether privately covered adults who get care in public hospitals would lose access to care. “That’s a grave concern,” said Pogemiller, who added that she’s received that question from constituents. “Fair point. I don’t have an answer for you,” replied Republican state Rep. Erick Harris, a cosponsor of the bill. Pogemiller also cited a 2022 national survey by The Trevor Project, which provides suicide prevention services for LGBTQ+ youth, that found 55% of Oklahoma transgender and nonbinary youth had seriously considered suicide in the previous year. The research on whether gender-affirming care prevents suicides in children or adults is inconclusive. “Are you concerned with legislation like this leading to an increase in youth and adult suicide?” she asked. “I am concerned about public funds being used for things that they shouldn’t be used for,” Harris said. “That’s what I’m concerned about.” Shannon Minter, legal director at the National Center for LGBTQ Rights, said the ruling in the West Virginia case could lead to more discrimination. “It invites states to come up with creative ways to discriminate against other groups of people and disguise it as just regulation of medical care,” Minter said. “It’s dangerous when the law and the courts refuse to recognize that type of blatant discrimination.” Hailey Briggs is the executive director of Oklahomans For Equality, which serves LGBTQ+ communities in the state, running support groups and an LGBTQ+-affirming clinic that offers hormone replacement therapy. She said the bill is triggering more fear in the community. Since the start of this year’s legislative session, the clinic has seen between four and six new patients each week, some driving from hours away, as well as an uptick in mental health care service calls. “This entire legislative session in particular has been just absolutely brutal for folks,” she said. The bill is “not a narrow policy change,” Briggs continued. “We do see this as really a sweeping attempt to push essential health care out of reach for a lot of folks.” The organization anticipates a surge in patients and insurance denials should the bill be signed into law, since the clinic isn’t federally or state funded and offers low-cost care. “We work to supplement for folks who don’t have insurance or are underinsured,” Briggs said. “They are going to be turned away from their trusted providers in state-funded institutions.” Texas is one of the states that bans Medicaid coverage for such care for people of all ages. Andrea Segovia, senior field and policy director at the Transgender Education Network of Texas, said there’s an ongoing “chilling effect” as a result of such policies. Her team is increasingly hearing of insurance denials, she said. “They’re seen as cosmetics. They’re seen as not necessary,” Segovia said of some medical procedures. “Somebody will email us and say, ‘I lost my coverage,’ or ‘I got this letter from my insurance.’” Shachar, of Harvard Law School, said the 4th Circuit ruling may make denying coverage easier. “Private insurers would still be free to cover these services, even if Medicaid doesn’t cover them. But I think an insurer who doesn’t want to cover these services might feel a little more comfortable after this case,” Shachar said. “It definitely opens the doors there for insurers to (say), ‘Medicaid’s not covering it, we don’t want to cover it.’” An opinion by Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton last month barred mental health care providers from assisting in transitioning youth’s care, and he said anyone helping with such care is “committing child abuse.” But now, even adults have told Segovia’s team that their mental health therapists are dropping them as patients. “There have been multiple people — adults — who have lost their mental health care provider because (the providers are) concerned that the attorney general would come after them and their license,” Segovia said. “It’s just created a lot of confusion for our professionals.” Stateline reporter Nada Hassanein can be reached at nhassanein@stateline.org. This story was originally produced by Stateline, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Arizona Mirror, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebb6c1059ccda1fcc21bb6 No Wemby? No chance. Take the Portland Trail Blazers +2.5 in Game 3 te 2026-04-24T18:30:25.146Z No Wemby? No chance. Take the Portland Trail Blazers +2.5 in Game 3 What happens when the best basketball player in the world is out? Well, we will find out when the San Antonio Spurs (1-1) visit the Portland Trail Blazers (1-1) at the Moda Center for Game 3 of their first-round series in the 2026 NBA Playoffs. The Spurs' star is "questionable" for Friday after entering concussion protocol when he fell on his face in the second quarter of Game 2. Based on how San Antonio has managed Wembanyama in his first three seasons, I'm literally betting that he won't play in Game 3. Otherwise, there is no way I'd take Portland at anything less than +4. However, I'll gladly BET TRAIL BLAZERS +2.5 (down to a pick 'em) under the assumption that the Spurs don't rush Wemby back. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON OUTKICK.COM Since Wembanyama became the NBA's first-ever unanimous Defensive Player of the Year this season, and he is the presumptive MVP betting favorite for the next 10+ years, this Spurs team should be a road underdog in the playoffs without him. Per CleaningTheGlass.com, Wemby has a +15.3 on/off net rating, and his impact is greater on the defensive end. Trail Blazers C Donovan Clingan becomes the best big on the floor if Wemby is out, and Portland All-Star forward Deni Avdija can get to the rim at will. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! If I'm wrong and Wembanyama does play Friday, then so be it. Granted, they only won 106-103, but the Trail Blazers won three of the "four factors" in Game 2, so it wasn't a "flukey win". They outplayed the Spurs. Also, the lower-seed is supposed to win Game 3 at home, and Portland's defense is good enough to give it a puncher's chance vs. any team. Especially against a San Antonio squad that doesn't have postseason experience. Between their veteran leadership from guys who have "been there before," such as PG Jrue Holiday and C Robert Williams, a breakout star like Avdija, and the juice from a home crowd that has legitimate hope, the Trail Blazers are a live 'dog in this series. _____________________________ Follow me on X @Geoffery-Clark, and check out my OutKick Bets Podcast for more betting content and random rants. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebb468059ccda1fcc21b45 Barricaded suspect in custody, body found after two doctoral students vanish from campus, nearby home: police te 2026-04-24T18:20:24.768Z Barricaded suspect in custody, body found after two doctoral students vanish from campus, nearby home: police One person is in custody and one body has been found in connection to two missing University of South Florida doctoral students, authorities said Friday. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said it closed down a Tampa neighborhood Friday afternoon and took into custody a barricaded person linked to the disappearance of Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, both 27, who were last seen separately on April 16. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL The sheriff’s office announced at about 11:15 a.m. Friday that it had closed the entrance and exit of the Lake Forest Community "due to a police investigation related to the missing USF students." "The situation has been resolved. One individual is in custody," they said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS Limon, a USF doctoral student pursuing a degree in geography and environmental science and policy, was last seen at his home around 9 a.m. on April 16. Bristy, a USF doctoral student studying chemical engineering, was last seen around 10 that morning on the USF Tampa campus at the NES Building. FOLLOW US ON X A family friend notified police April 17 at approximately 4:50 p.m. after concern grew over being unable to contact Limon and Bristy. Both have since been added to the state and national missing persons databases, police said. The sheriff's office said that they will have a news conference Friday to announce additional details. GOT A TIP? Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebb250059ccda1fcc219db Footage shows masked teen allegedly body-slamming girl onto NYC sidewalk after she refused phone number te 2026-04-24T18:11:28.431Z Footage shows masked teen allegedly body-slamming girl onto NYC sidewalk after she refused phone number A 14-year-old boy has been charged with assault after video shows him allegedly body-slamming a teen girl onto a New York City sidewalk and stomping on her head. The incident began after the girl refused to give her attacker her phone number, the New York Post reported, citing unidentified sources. Footage of the violent encounter shows a masked 14-year-old confronting a 15-year-old girl on an East Harlem street in Upper Manhattan around 3:30 p.m. Monday, shortly after school let out. While blocking her path in a crosswalk, the unnamed teen suspect threatens to "knock the s--- outta" the girl. MANHATTAN DA'S OFFICE EMPLOYEE CHARGED WITH SEXUAL ABUSE AFTER ALLEGED INCIDENT ON QUEENS SUBWAY "Do it," someone is heard saying off-camera, egging on the suspect. "Nah, nah, you stand right here," the teen says as the girl tries walking around him. "Get the f--- away from me," she responds as he pushes her back, according to the video. The girl then walks around a parked car in an attempt to get away from the aggressive teen. As she makes her onto the sidewalk, the masked teen is seen grabbing her from behind and lifting her into the air before slamming her onto the pavement. The teen then stomped on her head as she lied on the ground in pain, before walking away. The New York Police Department said officers responded to a 911 call for an assault in progress Monday and upon arrival, were informed that a 15-year-old had been assaulted by an unidentified individual. "The individual threw the victim to the ground and kicked her in the head, causing minor injuries. EMS responded and transported the victim to NYC Health+Hospitals/Harlem in stable condition," police told Fox News Digital. The suspect, a 14-year-old boy, was arrested Wednesday and charged with assault, police said. FORENSIC GENEALOGY UNMASKS COLD CASE SUSPECT AS STRANGLER, SEXUAL PREDATOR DECADES LATER: OFFICIALS "This is not even bullying, this is outright assault — and he could have killed her," the victim's mother Lucinda Arroyo said, according to the Post. "She was very angry at why he escalated so quickly from one thing to another. And you can tell [in the video] she just wanted to walk away from him because he’s bad news. She’s known him as someone who’s bad news for a while." The attack caused a concussion, bleeding, a possible brain injury, splitting headaches, and a twisted neck, injuries that will necessitate ongoing physical therapy, the mother said, according to the outlet. "The video was passed around like entertainment, and that pissed me off the most. She’s ignoring him, so he basically forced her to pay attention to him. And his friends are laughing after that. It’s not just one bully, but community bullying," the mother noted, according to the outlet. "She’s not going back to that school… that school can’t keep her safe," she said. But the suspect's mom, Selma Allen, described her son as a "humble" Christian and claimed that the girl had bullied him at school, the outlet reported. "She was being a bully to him, that’s it," she told the outlet. "He’s been complaining about her. I bring it to the principal’s attention, but he don’t address it. The way my son is being bullied, he doesn’t want to go to school." CHIEFS ASSISTANT COACH CHARGED WITH MISDEMEANOR DOMESTIC BATTERY AGAINST DAUGHTER JUST BEFORE NFL DRAFT The suspect's mother denied that her son was attempting to obtain the girl's number, saying that they were friends who regularly exchanged messages on Instagram and WhatsApp, the Post reported. "It’s retaliation because she pushed him first," Allen said, failing to supply video she claimed she had of the girl shoving the boy, the outlet noted. "He don’t provoke nobody. But if you provoke him, he will lash out." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebb23c059ccda1fcc219ad Barricaded person in custody after two USF doctoral students vanish from Tampa campus and nearby home te 2026-04-24T18:11:08.845Z Barricaded person in custody after two USF doctoral students vanish from Tampa campus and nearby home One person is in custody in connection to two missing University of South Florida doctoral students, authorities said Friday. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said it closed down a Tampa neighborhood Friday afternoon and took into custody a barricaded person linked to the disappearance of Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, both 27, who were last seen separately on April 16. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL The sheriff’s office announced at about 11:15 a.m. Friday that it had closed the entrance and exit of the Lake Forest Community "due to a police investigation related to the missing USF students." "The situation has been resolved. One individual is in custody," they said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS Limon, a USF doctoral student pursuing a degree in geography and environmental science and policy, was last seen at his home around 9 a.m. on April 16. Bristy, a USF doctoral student studying chemical engineering, was last seen around 10 that morning on the USF Tampa campus at the NES Building. FOLLOW US ON X A family friend notified police April 17 at approximately 4:50 p.m. after concern grew over being unable to contact Limon and Bristy. Both have since been added to the state and national missing persons databases, police said. The sheriff's office said that they will have a news conference Friday to announce additional details. GOT A TIP? Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebb226059ccda1fcc2194c Google to invest up to $40B in Anthropic in cash and compute te 2026-04-24T18:10:46.479Z Google to invest up to $40B in Anthropic in cash and compute Google plans up to $40B investment in Anthropic as AI rivals race to secure massive compute capacity, following the limited release of its powerful, cybersecurity-focused Mythos model. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebb212059ccda1fcc21923 ICE deported man who says he’s a U.S. citizen after traffic stop in Central Texas te 2026-04-24T18:10:26.313Z ICE deported man who says he’s a U.S. citizen after traffic stop in Central Texas Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebb01b059ccda1fcc2182b 49ers GM John Lynch skeptical of Rams' decision to draft QB Ty Simpson with No. 13 overall pick te 2026-04-24T18:02:03.142Z 49ers GM John Lynch skeptical of Rams' decision to draft QB Ty Simpson with No. 13 overall pick The San Francisco 49ers traded out of the NFL Draft’s first round on Thursday, so general manager John Lynch didn’t have a player to discuss when he met with reporters. No problem, because he started talking players a couple of division rivals drafted. And it was fascinating. No. 1 PICK FERNANDO MENDOZA TASKED WITH RETURNING RAIDERS TO GLORY Lynch commented on what the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams did. And here’s the kicker: Lynch clearly loved the Cardinals selecting running back Jeremiyah Love. But the Rams drafting quarterback Ty Simpson? With the No. 13 overall pick, no less? Nope, not a fan. Lynch was asked directly about the impact Simpson might have for the Rams next season. That was the question. Talk about Simpson's impact, John.   "Well, first of all," Lynch began through a Cheshire Cat grin, "I think another team in our division, they got a player who is going to have an impact, and I am talking about Jeremiyah Love -- a fantastic player." NFL DRAFT HAS A 'SPECIAL PLAYER' GENERAL MANAGERS SAY So, the Cardinals and Love get the seal of approval from Lynch. But the Rams picking Simpson, not so much. "Ty Simpson is a good football player," Lynch said, his words contrasting his enthusiasm for Love. "I think there was a lot made as to where he would go and what teams would do. "It probably surprised everybody, but one thing I've learned over the years is that with quarterbacks, people will do those types of things, and they certainly did. So, we'll see." Lynch just slimed what the Rams did in the most diplomatic way possible. He made the point that picking Simpson that high was a surprise to "everybody," but teams do unorthodox things with quarterbacks. (The 49ers did an unorthodox thing with their starting quarterback in that they selected Brock Purdy with the final pick of the 2022 draft, which seems like a much better value than picking Simpson at No. 13). BAKER MAYFIELD OPENS UP ON EX-TEAMMATE SAM DARNOLD, REVITALIZING CAREER, AND KEVIN STEFANSKI JOINING NFC SOUTH Simpson, by the way, isn’t expected to play much in the coming season because Matthew Stafford is the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player and the club’s starter. The only way Simpson is pressed into starting duty is if something goes terribly wrong with Stafford. And that’s perfect for a rookie that, by all accounts, needs to develop because he’s started only 15 collegiate games and comes with good although not necessarily spectacular athletic gifts. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! What makes Simpson’s early selection by the Rams curious is that they are in win-now mode. They want to maximize talent around their 38-year-old quarterback before he retires. Simpson doesn’t do that. He’s a pick made with eyes on the future. So, the logic of the pick at the lofty spot it was made is questionable. As 49ers general manager John Lynch basically just told us. Follow Armando Salguero on X: @ArmandoSalguero Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebb007059ccda1fcc21822 Video shows alleged car thief dangle under bridge after wild chase, sparking tense standoff with police te 2026-04-24T18:01:43.683Z Video shows alleged car thief dangle under bridge after wild chase, sparking tense standoff with police A wild police chase through San Francisco took a jaw-dropping turn when a suspected car thief ditched his vehicle on the Bay Bridge and climbed underneath the span, at times dangling from crossbeams high above the water in a desperate attempt to avoid arrest. The April 1 incident began after the San Francisco Police Department received a report of a stolen vehicle near 8th and Market streets. Officers quickly confirmed the car was stolen, and a police drone located it within minutes. When officers attempted to pull the driver over, he refused to stop — triggering a pursuit through city streets and onto the freeway. Authorities deployed spike strips, but the suspect maneuvered around them and kept going, leading police on a chase that lasted nearly 30 minutes before heading onto the Bay Bridge. California Highway Patrol units then took over as the pursuit moved onto the span. SUSPECT ACCUSED OF HURLING CHAINSAW AT DEPUTIES DURING CHAOTIC STOLEN CAR CHASE CAUGHT ON VIDEO The suspect eventually stopped near Treasure Island, but instead of surrendering, he got out and climbed over the edge of the bridge. "He’s on the crossbeams, under the bridge," an officer could be heard saying on body camera video, as a drone tracked the suspect below. Video shows the man straddling narrow beams under the bridge, suspended above the water and at one point, even dangling from the structure as he moved along the span. 17 CHARGED ACROSS NEW ENGLAND AFTER MASSIVE COORDINATED STREET TAKEOVER WREAKS HAVOC IN SUBURBAN BOSTON TOWN Officers noted he appeared to be heading eastbound toward one of the bridge towers while clinging to the beams. Multiple agencies rushed to the scene, including marine units, a fire boat, a CHP helicopter and additional drones, all working to keep sight of the suspect. Crews began preparing for a possible rescue operation as the suspect continued moving beneath the bridge. GOT A TIP? Crisis Intervention and hostage negotiation teams were also called in, working to communicate with the suspect as he briefly hid inside a hollow support beam. FOLLOW US ON X After several tense minutes, the suspect climbed back onto the roadway and was taken into custody without incident. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL SFPD Officer Robert Rueca told KTVU that the suspect ultimately gave himself up and credited drone technology with helping officers track him safely throughout the ordeal. CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS "The voters of San Francisco have allowed us to use this technology to make the streets as safe as we can," Rueca told the outlet. Police have not released the suspect’s identity. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebaff3059ccda1fcc21819 First-ever gene therapy for hearing loss gets FDA approval: 'Groundbreaking' te 2026-04-24T18:01:23.792Z First-ever gene therapy for hearing loss gets FDA approval: 'Groundbreaking' A new therapy for genetic hearing loss has just been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The treatment, Otarmeni (lunsotogene parvec-cwha), is the first-ever dual adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector-based gene therapy — meaning it uses two harmless viruses to deliver the therapy into cells. In an FDA news release, the agency called the therapy "groundbreaking," noting its potential to treat both pediatric and adult patients with "severe to profound" hearing loss linked to the OTOF gene. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES Positive results from drug trials were published in The New England Journal of Medicine in 2025, confirming that the gene therapy "improved hearing in patients with OTOF-related deafness, enabling natural acoustic hearing and normalizing hearing sensitivity in three of 12 treated patients." The FDA approval marks the first disease-modifying treatment for OTOF-related deafness. This is the sixth drug approval under the FDA commissioner’s National Priority Voucher (CNPV) pilot program — and the first gene therapy to be approved through the initiative, according to the announcement. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER "Today’s approval is a significant milestone in the treatment of genetic hearing loss," FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, MD, commented in a statement. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "Through the national priority voucher pilot program, the agency is accelerating therapies for rare diseases with unmet medical needs while proving we can successfully review even the most complex submissions – such as novel dual-vector gene therapies and combination products requiring coordination across multiple offices and centers – in significantly shortened timeframes." Otarmeni is administered surgically as a one-time treatment, using a needle and a tiny tube to deliver the medicine directly into the inner ear (the cochlea) in both ears. The therapy works by delivering a healthy copy of the OTOF gene to key cells in the inner ear, helping to restore the protein otoferlin so that auditory signals can be sent to the brain, according to the FDA. The treatment is intended for patients with preserved outer hair cell function and for those with no prior cochlear implant in the same ear. Side effects may include middle ear infection, nausea, dizziness and procedural pain. The FDA will host a public meeting on June 4 to discuss program implementation, eligibility criteria and other processes for distribution, according to the announcement. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebafe0059ccda1fcc21810 Homeowner confronts CNN reporter during live wildfire report, orders crew off property te 2026-04-24T18:01:04.241Z Homeowner confronts CNN reporter during live wildfire report, orders crew off property A live report from CNN in Georgia was interrupted Friday when a homeowner confronted reporter Derek Van Dam while he was covering wildfire damage in Brantley County, forcing the crew to leave the property as fires continued to spread across the region. The confrontation unfolded mid-broadcast as the woman shouted at the crew to leave, cutting off the report and shifting the focus from wildfire destruction to a tense exchange on private property. "I don’t want nobody near my house! My dogs are out there. Get away, get away!" the homeowner yelled. The incident occurred as Van Dam was reporting on fast-moving wildfires fueled by drought conditions and shifting winds, with local officials issuing mandatory evacuations and curfews in affected areas. PALISADES FIRE: HEIDI MONTAG, SPENCER PRATT LOSE HOME; MORE CELEBRITIES FORCED TO FLEE RITZY NEIGHBORHOOD The fires have already scorched tens of thousands of acres and destroyed dozens of homes, underscoring the volatility on the ground as residents remain on edge. Van Dam acknowledged the homeowner's demands and quickly de-escalated the situation while exiting the scene. "You got it, you got it. We are ... OK. Yeah, we’re going to leave it here. OK? You got it," Van Dam said. Back in the studio, co-anchor Pamela Brown reacted to the abrupt end of the segment as the live shot cut away from the field. "Let’s hope Derek gets to safety there," Brown said. GOV. RON DESANTIS RIPS MEDIA FOR TARGETING TRUMP AMID FIRE RESPONSE: 'DON'T POLITICIZE IT' Earlier in the report, Van Dam described rapidly changing conditions that complicated both reporting and firefighting efforts, noting how wind shifts altered air quality within minutes. "As we were setting up for this live shot, the winds shifted and changed. We put on a mask because there’s this absolutely putrid chemical burning type smell from something that is smoldering in the distance over my left shoulder," Van Dam said. He explained that the sudden change in air conditions posed immediate physical effects on the crew, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the fire environment. "We didn’t have that smell just moments ago," Van Dam said. "But the wind shifts brought that back into it, and it started to make us feel a little bit nauseous, and lightheaded, so we put on the mask for that particular reason." "But I think it really illustrates the point that the shifting winds are what’s making this firefighting effort so challenging on the ground for the firefighters." ‘TOP GUN: MAVERICK’ STAR SAVED LATE GRANDFATHER’S WATCH BEFORE HOME BURNED DOWN IN PALISADES FIRE CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE The report also documented the scale of destruction left behind, including burned vehicles and extreme heat damage consistent with intense wildfire conditions. "Look at these scorched vehicles. Again, we’re in Brantley County. This is southeastern Georgia, on the scarred area from the Highway 82 fire," Van Dam said. "The windshield, the back windshield of this vehicle? Yeah, that glass melted. You need temperatures over 2,500°F in order to melt glass. So, that just gives you an idea of how hot it was." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebafcb059ccda1fcc217f1 Trump Says He Dislikes Prediction Markets. His Family Invests in Them. te 2026-04-24T18:00:43.119Z Trump Says He Dislikes Prediction Markets. His Family Invests in Them. The White House has warned staff not to wager on government decisions, but his family’s involvement with these firms undermines the president’s message. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebafb6059ccda1fcc217d9 Tim Cook is stepping down. What happens to Apple now? te 2026-04-24T18:00:22.388Z Tim Cook is stepping down. What happens to Apple now? Tim Cook plans to step down from his CEO role in September, handing the reins to hardware chief John Ternus.   Ternus may be inheriting one of the most durable businesses in tech, but he’s also stepping into a very different ecosystemthan the one Cook spent decades shaping. The App Store’s 30% cut i Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebad5f059ccda1fcc21782 Ilhan Omar vinegar attacker changes plea after chaotic onstage rush te 2026-04-24T17:50:23.322Z Ilhan Omar vinegar attacker changes plea after chaotic onstage rush The Minneapolis man who sprayed Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., with vinegar during a January town hall is changing his plea to guilty on federal charges stemming from the incident. Anthony James Kazmierczak's assault on Omar occurred weeks after Renee Good was killed by an ICE agent, which heightened tensions between federal officials and Democratic state leaders to an all-time high. Democratic leadership called for federal agents to leave Minnesota. In March, Kazmierczak pleaded not guilty to one federal count of assaulting a United States officer, but an April court filing from his attorney, John Fossum, stated that Kazmierczak will change his plea to guilty after they have "reached a settlement" with federal prosecutors. Kazmierczak's change-of-plea hearing is scheduled for May 7. The exact details of the settlement are unknown. Fox News Digital reached out to Kazmierczak's lawyer for comment. JUDGE ORDERS ILHAN OMAR ATTACK SUSPECT TO REMAIN IN CUSTODY PENDING TRIAL Video of the Jan. 27 town hall showed Kazmierczak rushing the stage as Omar spoke. She was calling for Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to step down and for ICE agents to leave Minnesota. He pulled out a syringe filled with apple cider vinegar and water and attempted to douse the congresswoman with the liquid before an officer stepped in. "She’s not resigning," Kazmierczak said in the video, referring to then Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Kazmierczak also pointed his finger at Omar, screaming, "you’re splitting Minnesotans apart." Omar was not injured and continued her town hall after Kazmierczak was arrested. "I’m ok. I’m a survivor so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work. I don’t let bullies win. Grateful to my incredible constituents who rallied behind me. Minnesota strong," Omar wrote in a post on X at the time. KRISTI NOEM, TRUMP RESPOND TO SHOCKING CROSS-DRESSING PHOTOS TIED TO HER HUSBAND Since the incident, Kazmierczak has been held in custody. A magistrate judge ruled that the "exceedingly serious and dangerous circumstances" of the assault allegations make it impossible to ensure that public safety is not at risk if Kazmierczak is released on bail. During the investigation, an FBI agent interviewed an associate of Kazmierczak, who claimed that Kazmierczak once said that "somebody should kill" Omar. "Assaultive behavior and acts of intimidation directed at officers and employees of the United States will not be tolerated," said United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen. "Persons who engage in this criminal conduct can expect a swift response from law enforcement and federal prosecutors Fox News Digital reached out to the United States Attorney's Office District of Minnesota for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebab30059ccda1fcc21714 'The View' host Ana Navarro boycotts White House Correspondents’ Dinner, says 'no way in hell' te 2026-04-24T17:41:04.111Z 'The View' host Ana Navarro boycotts White House Correspondents’ Dinner, says 'no way in hell' "The View" host Ana Navarro said she would not attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner while President Donald Trump was in office for his second term, even as she acknowledged the legitimacy of media organizations like ABC and Disney continuing to support and participate in the event, according to remarks made on the "Behind the Table" podcast on Thursday. "There is no way in hell. I would have to be dragged against my will, blindfolded by a hundred horses for me to go sit through this this year," Navarro said. The annual dinner, hosted by the White House Correspondents Association, has historically raised funds for journalism scholarships and honored members of the press, and Trump will attend this year after declining to appear during his first term. THE VIEW’S ANA NAVARRO ‘FURIOUS’ AT VENEZUELANS AND CUBANS WHO SUPPORT TRUMP AMID DEPORTATIONS A White House correspondent told Fox News Digital that Trump's presence had heightened interest in the event. "I think people are almost universally excited and curious what President Trump will say in his speech," the correspondent said. "Even if you don’t like the president, the president appearing at the dinner makes the dinner a much more significant event." Navarro framed her refusal as a broader rejection of what she described as the current political climate. WHITE HOUSE REPORTERS RESPOND AFTER BEING CALLED OUT FOR WEAK COVERAGE OF BIDEN'S DECLINE AT WHCD "I cannot normalize the abnormal. I cannot normalize the cruelty and inhumanity," Navarro said. "I am glad that Disney is supporting this because let’s remember… the funds raised at this event go towards scholarships." "The View" executive producer Brian Teta also pointed to the event's role in recognizing journalism, including coverage critical of the administration. "They give awards to journalism," Teta said on the show's "Behind the Table" podcast. "Many of these awards are being given to people that wrote unflattering portrayals and stories about Donald Trump." FLASHBACK: FIVE OF THE MOST POLITICALLY-CHARGED MOMENTS AT THE WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS' DINNER Teta emphasized the importance of defending press freedoms despite Navarro's decision not to attend. "I do think it’s important to stand up for the First Amendment and to support the journalists that are there," Teta said. On a Friday episode of "The View," co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin defended attendance as part of the event’s broader mission. "They should show up. Let’s remember the White House Correspondents Association," Griffin said. "It’s first and foremost about protecting the First Amendment and rallying around journalists who do incredible, important work informing all of us." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "My colleague and Ana’s colleague Kaitlan Collins is receiving an award for her coverage of the White House," Griffin said. Navarro, however, argued that Trump’s participation should come with expectations. "If he is going to show up, he should sit there while Kaitlan Collins gets her award," Navarro said. "Having Donald Trump speak at the White House Correspondents Dinner where the free press is honored is like having a cannibal host a vegan event." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebab1c059ccda1fcc2170b Shocker! Kyle Brandt-Seth Rollins on-set spat was staged te 2026-04-24T17:40:44.238Z Shocker! Kyle Brandt-Seth Rollins on-set spat was staged For those of you who aren't sickos like the rest of us and didn't pay attention to every piece of pre-draft media that came your way, there was a little bit of a tiff on the set of Good Morning Football at the site of the NFL Draft Thursday morning. Host Kyle Brandt and WWE superstar Seth Rollins were discussing the differences between being a professional wrestler at age 39 and an NFL player at 42, and things got a little heated. Rollins stormed off the set, leaving Brandt and the rest of his co-hosts stunned, with the latter begging the former to return and finish his segment. Social media caught wind of this and it blew up into a full-on feud between Brandt and Rollins. STEPHEN COLBERT, CBS AND THE FCC: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE HEATED MEDIA FEUD Or, at least, that's what they wanted you to think, because on Friday morning following the first round of the NFL Draft, the two supposed enemies shared the GMFB stage in Pittsburgh and had a nice, hearty chuckle about the whole incident. Apparently, the whole thing was staged, and only a few people in addition to Rollins and Brandt knew about it, so much so that even the production team was in the dark about the two of them essentially cutting a promo on live television. COMEDIAN TONY HINCHCLIFFE PUT ON NOTICE BEFORE ROAST OF WRESTLEMANIA Shock and awe! Who could have seen this coming? Well, apparently, a lot of people, because several of the comments under the original video on X claim that the two of them are doing a bit, and this was before anyone else knew it was a work between the host and wrestler. Okay, we get it! You guys are so much smarter than everyone else on the internet. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! In fairness to them, it's easier to just assume everything is either staged or AI these days, so it was probably prudent to just say it's fake and play the odds. Hell, everyone still thinks the Will Smith-Chris Rock Oscars slap was staged. Plus, Kyle Brandt is a former reality star, so if anyone was going to pull off something like this, it would be him. Well played, gentlemen. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69ebab05059ccda1fcc216d9 Vail dance studio celebrates 20 years of artistry te 2026-04-24T17:40:21.201Z Vail dance studio celebrates 20 years of artistry When Rachael Reyes founded Studio One in Vail two decades ago, her goal was simple yet ambitious: to bring comprehensive dance education to a community that lacked it. At the time, Vail families had few nearby options to learn jazz, contemporary, hip-hop or ballet. "Our original vision was to come into the Vail area and be one of the first dance education places," Reyes said. "We loved it so much because the families were new and the people were so nice. We felt this was the perfect place to teach kids about the benefits of dance and bring confidence to the community." Studio One stands as a testament to that vision, celebrating 20 years of artistry, education and community. Despite Vail's rapid growth, the studio's mission has remained consistent — it was never meant to be just an extracurricular activity, but a home where artistry could flourish in a region still finding its identity. Studio One's impact extends far beyond the dance floor. As Vail continued to attract young families, it became the primary architect of the area's local arts scene. Among its most significant contributions was helping bring dance programs into the school district. Reyes spent five years building Cienega High School's dance team and pom line, and today rigorous dance programs exist at Empire and Mica Mountain high schools — a reality that seemed unlikely 20 years ago. Studio One in Vail is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a Legacy Showcase and Gala at Proscenium Theatre featuring aumni from across the country. Courtesy of Studio One. Rachael Reyes' brother, Robert Reyes, joined the studio as a 10-year-old dancer and worked his way up to instructor. He's had a front-row seat to the community's transformation. "Tucson is a big city, yet a small community," Robert Reyes said. "Everything is spread out. Having the arts and dance on this side of town gives people an advantage. Everyone in Tucson knows each other, there's always a connection." The studio's history is interwoven with the broader Tucson dance world. The Drop owner Reuben Dorame got his first teaching job at Studio One. Rachael Reyes got her start at the Tucson Dance Academy, now Breakout, and Gotta Dance, now Tucson Dance Company. The Reyes family is continuing to champion this interconnectedness, inviting community members to "say hello and stop by" and fostering collaboration over competition. As the studio prepares for its 20th-anniversary showcase tonight, these full-circle moments are becoming more frequent. Alumni who practiced their first dances in the early 2000s are returning as professional dancers, faculty members and parents of current students. Studio One's reputation is backed by the trajectories of its students, who have graced Broadway stages, performed in the Super Bowl halftime show and earned positions as prima ballerinas for the Swedish National Ballet. Rachael Reyes founded Studio One in Vail 20 years ago with a vision to bring comprehensive dance education to a growing community. Courtesy of Studio One. But for the Reyes family, the success of a student who moves into a non-dance industry is just as rewarding as a professional contract. "Seeing kids meet their full potential makes this so rewarding," Rachael Reyes said. "They find confidence at a recital and unfold in front of a huge audience. That's growth that happens in a couple of minutes." To mark its 20-year milestone, the studio is hosting a Legacy Showcase and Gala tonight at Pima Community College's Proscenium Theatre. The event is designed as both a reflection on the past and a bridge to the future, with proceeds benefiting American Dance Leadership. The stage will include an array of talent, including current students and alumni returning from the University of Arizona, Arizona State University and professional circuits in Los Angeles and New York. As the Reyes family looks toward the future, they remain focused on the idea of dance as a universal language that transcends lifestyle, background and age. For Robert Reyes, the studio is still a place that no one really leaves, a sentiment backed up by the generations of dancers who continue to walk through its doors. "Our legacy is that we are more than just dancing," Rachael Reyes said. "We are a place where people can grow, find themselves, and use what they have learned here to be the next leaders in whatever industry they see themselves doing." Tickets for the showcase can be purchased here. Isabel Vidrio is a journalism major at the University of Arizona and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at vidrioi@arizona.edu. Tucson Spotlight is a community-based newsroom that provides paid opportunities for students and rising journalists in Southern Arizona. Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation. Donate to Tucson Spotlight Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eba8b0059ccda1fcc21694 Monkey carcass, illegal meat seized at US airports as officials warn of disease threats te 2026-04-24T17:30:24.560Z Monkey carcass, illegal meat seized at US airports as officials warn of disease threats This season, U.S. airports aren't just busy with travelers. They're busy with illegal meat busts, too. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport recently uncovered a monkey carcass and illegal meat during separate X-ray examinations. The carcass belonged to a traveler from Cameroon, who packaged the primate in the traveler's luggage. PROTEIN BOOM IS THREATENING TO WIPE OUT VEGETARIAN CHAIN AS SHUTDOWN LOOMS "Due to significant human health concerns, the monkey remains were detained by CBP and destroyed in accordance with partner governing agency directives," the agency said. It wasn't the only concerning find from the region. Another traveler from Liberia tried to sneak in "ruminant meat" identified as beef. "CBP agriculture specialists inspected eight boxes within the traveler's baggage and discovered meat, bones and hair concealed in dried seafood," officials said in a statement. "The traveler admitted that the concealed meat was beef." While seafood is generally admissible, certain meats are banned due to disease risks in their countries of origin, including bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease) and foot-and-mouth disease, according to CBP. CBP said 125 pounds of the meat was seized, in addition to a pound of prohibited fresh leaves and "four types of prohibited seeds for planting" from the Liberian traveler's baggage. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER The monkey carcass in particular riled up social media users on X. "Sounds like they are trying to start the next pandemic," one person observed. "Bush meat, the breakfast of champions," another quipped. A third user wrote, "I feel for the customs agents who came across that mess." CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES The issue isn't just limited to the Windy City. Carlos C. Martel, director of field operations in Florida, announced Wednesday that over 44 pounds of prohibited meat was recently intercepted at Miami International Airport. A picture of the haul shows several "salsicha" hot dogs stacked on a stainless steel inspection table. The prohibited meat came from Brazil. "We relish the inspection process!" Martel's pun-filled X post said. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "In a wurst-case scenario, we discover[ed] something that could hurt our natural resources," he wrote. Michael Pfeiffer, Chicago's acting CBP director of field operations, said in a statement that his agency helps "mitigate the threat of non-native plants and pests, plant and animal diseases and other potential contaminants" entering the United States. "The sheer volume of prohibited items our specialists intercept daily demonstrates how they play an essential and critical role in preventing plant and animal diseases from entering the United States," he said. Fox News Digital reached out to CBP for further comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eba6a9059ccda1fcc21647 GOP budget close: Kavanagh claims party is less than two weeks from proposal te 2026-04-24T17:21:45.050Z GOP budget close: Kavanagh claims party is less than two weeks from proposal Key Points: Republicans say they are close to a state budget proposal  Negotiations occurring amid ongoing bill moratorium by Gov. Katie Hobbs A Prop.123 extension hangs in the balance Republican negotiators say they’re close to sending the governor a state budget, signalling a potential end to Gov. Katie Hobbs’ recent bill moratorium. Out of frustration and with no budget in hand, Hobbs declared on April 13 that she would reject any measure that made it to her desk until Republican lawmakers delivered her a proposal. That challenge was echoed by her spokesman Christian Slater, who again demanded a budget on April 21 — the 100th day of the legislative session.  “It has been a month since Governor Hobbs called on legislators to show their budget to the public, and Republican leadership has given Arizonans nothing but evasive answers and empty promises about their budget proposal,” Slater said in a prepared statement. “It’s time for Republican leadership to show the people of Arizona their plans and come back to the negotiating table to pass a bipartisan and balanced budget.” Now, less than two weeks after that announcement, GOP leaders say they are close to a plan. And Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, told the Arizona Capitol Times that it could come within the next “week or two,” although he said he wouldn’t be surprised if what’s proposed is vetoed by the governor.  “This is an offer we’re making to her. Short of lacing the tower water supply of psychedelic drugs, we expect there will be some changes,” Kavanagh said. Last week, Senate Pro Tempore T.J. Shope, R-Coolidge, also confirmed Republicans were aiming to get a budget done around the 100-day mark of the session.  The effort to coordinate a budget has been complicated by recent reports of lower-than-expected state revenue for January. The Joint Legislative Budget Committee’s updated April 16 forecast now projects $378 million in available resources rather than the $577 million originally estimated last year, a nearly $200 million reduction which staff attributes to the ongoing U.S. conflict with Iran, disruptions in oil markets and changing consumer behavior.  The forecast does not take into account conforming the state’s tax policy to President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, an already-approved federal tax measure expected to reduce general fund revenue by more than $400 million if the state fully conforms. Kavanagh said he expects the reduced revenue projections to have a minimal impact on budget negotiations since they’re working with more than $17 billion.  “We hate to lose the estimate, but I think it’s a transient loss,” Kavanagh said.  Republicans have also signaled they don’t intend to send a ballot referral to voters this year to renew Proposition 123, which Hobbs and Democrats have pushed as a way to free up about $300 million for the state budget. With Prop. 123 expired, the Legislature has had to backfill education funding for the voter-approved school funding measure using money from the state’s general fund.  Still, Capitol observers are optimistic that a Prop. 123 referral could be passed this year — and they may not have a choice.  HighGround Political Affairs Consultants CEO Chuck Coughlin said he believes lower revenue projections might force lawmakers to turn to a Prop. 123 renewal for additional revenue.  “That’s where my head would go,” Coughlin said. “If I’m the Democrats, I would say what do I need to give up here to go get that money and put it in the bank.” But Republicans have been divided on what a Prop. 123 renewal should look like. Rep. Matt Gress, R-Phoenix, previously told the Arizona Capitol Times that there isn’t agreement on the issue within the caucus and Republicans don’t want to bet $300 million at the ballot.  With uncertainty abound, lawmakers will likely look to make cuts to last year’s budget. Kavanagh said he expects “minor” cuts all across the state government, except for public safety.  “Government has grown since the last round of big cuts when we had the Great Recession, so there’s probably a little slab here and there that can be excised without pain,” Kavanagh said.  Whatever budget is first produced will likely just be a starting point between GOP lawmakers and the governor.  “(Hobbs) will be standing at the door of the Capitol with her veto stamp,” said lobbyist Barry Aarons.  The Legislature has until June 30, the end of the fiscal year, to pass a budget and avoid a government shutdown.  The post GOP budget close: Kavanagh claims party is less than two weeks from proposal first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eba692059ccda1fcc21625 Fox News AI Newsletter: Your next Dairy Queen order could be taken by AI te 2026-04-24T17:21:22.928Z Fox News AI Newsletter: Your next Dairy Queen order could be taken by AI IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER: - Dairy Queen's new drive-thrus without humans spark backlash by frustrated customers - Meta informs staff of layoffs affecting 8,000 employees amid AI push - Fox News Poll: Voters see AI as a risk to privacy and paychecks COLD OPEN: Dairy Queen's new drive-thrus without humans spark backlash from frustrated customers – Fast-food chain Dairy Queen is moving toward new, fully automated AI drive-thrus operating without human workers. TRUST DEFICIT: Fox News Poll: Voters see AI risk to privacy, paychecks – A Fox News Poll this week reveals growing anxiety among voters regarding artificial intelligence, with a significant portion expressing concerns that the rapidly advancing technology poses a direct threat to their personal privacy and future paychecks. DIGITAL HEIST: White House accuses China of ‘industrial-scale’ AI technology theft ahead of Trump-Xi summit – Ahead of the highly anticipated summit between former President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the White House has raised alarms over China's industrial-scale theft of artificial intelligence technology. CCP THEFT: Google engineer stole AI secrets for China, Senate hears explosive testimony – In explosive testimony before the Senate, lawmakers heard alarming details about a Google engineer accused of stealing closely guarded artificial intelligence secrets on behalf of China, highlighting national security risks. CODE OR CRIME: Florida launches criminal probe into whether chatbot aided suspect in deadly campus shooting – Florida officials have launched a criminal probe to determine whether an artificial intelligence chatbot provided assistance to a suspect involved in a deadly campus shooting, demonstrating a novel challenge for law enforcement. FINE PRINT FURY: Schlossberg unveils plan to crack down on new frontier of AI putting squeeze on consumers – In a move to protect the public from emerging tech threats, Schlossberg has unveiled a comprehensive plan aimed at cracking down on the new frontier of artificial intelligence that is currently putting a financial squeeze on everyday consumers.. CODED MORALITY: Anthropic's 'moral compass' architect suggested AI overcorrection could address historical injustices – The architect behind the "moral compass" at the AI firm Anthropic has controversially suggested that implementing an artificial intelligence overcorrection could serve as a mechanism to address historical injustices. DIGITAL PREDATOR: Worker at swanky country club accused of using AI to create explicit photos of teen, police say – Police say a worker at an exclusive, swanky country club has been accused of utilizing artificial intelligence tools to generate explicit and inappropriate photographs of a teenager. BOT BEHAVIOR: Expert rips 'irresponsible' AI study over blackmail scenarios – A leading technology expert is pushing back against a recent academic study outlining hypothetical artificial intelligence blackmail scenarios, ripping the research as highly "irresponsible" for stoking unnecessary public panic. DOUBLE DOWN: Reese Witherspoon doubles down on AI comments, adds no one is paying her to say it – Hollywood actress Reese Witherspoon has doubled down on her controversial comments regarding the integration of artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry, emphatically adding that no one is paying her to endorse the technology. EFFICIENCY DRIVE: Meta informs staff layoffs affecting 8,000 employees amid AI push – Amid a massive strategic pivot toward artificial intelligence, Meta has informed its staff of impending layoffs expected to affect approximately 8,000 employees as the tech giant restructures its workforce. ROBOTIC SHOTS: 49ers turning to artificial intelligence at NFL Draft, GM says laggards are already behind – The San Francisco 49ers are heavily integrating artificial intelligence into their scouting process ahead of the NFL Draft, with the team's general manager warning that franchises failing to adopt the technology are already falling behind, according to Fox News Digital. HANDS-FREE FEAST: Alexa lets you order food like a real conversation – Amazon's Alexa is rolling out an updated artificial intelligence feature that enables users to order food by engaging in a seamless, real-time conversation with the virtual assistant. FREE THROW BOT: Toyota's CUE7 robot shoots hoops using AI – Toyota is showing off the impressive capabilities of its cutting-edge CUE7 robot, which utilizes advanced artificial intelligence algorithms to accurately shoot basketball hoops. Facebook Instagram YouTube X LinkedIn Fox News First Fox News Opinion Fox News Lifestyle Fox News Health Fox Business Fox Weather Fox Sports Tubi Fox News Go Fox Nation Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future with Fox News here. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eba67f059ccda1fcc2161c Here’s how to do the Smoky Mountains without traffic and crowds te 2026-04-24T17:21:03.030Z Here’s how to do the Smoky Mountains without traffic and crowds If you’ve ever visited the Tennessee side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you’ve probably been to Sevierville. You maybe just didn’t realize it. Sevierville — pronounced suh-VEER-vul — is the hometown of Dolly Parton. But it’s also the town you drive through on your way to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. The place you’ve probably stopped for gas or groceries on the way to your mountain-view rental cabin with black bear-themed decor and a hot tub on the deck. No shade. I’ve stayed in a dozen of these. It’s a hoot every time. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE TRAVEL STORIES ON FOXNEWS.COM But as my husband and I learned earlier this month, Sevierville actually makes a solid case for itself as a weekend destination. And it all started with a very specific predicament. See, I have one beef with the Smoky Mountains — they aren’t very dog friendly. Of the more than 150 hiking trails in GSMNP, only two allow dogs. Two. And if we’re being honest, those are less "hikes" and more leisurely nature walks. So what’s a girl with a clingy German Shepherd to do? To be fair, I do adore the Smokies. Just last year, I wrote detailed accounts of my treks up to Mount LeConte and to Charlies Bunion. But for this particular trip, I needed an itinerary that worked for me, my husband… and our four-legged child, Rocky. So we gave Sevierville a shot. In an article last fall, I crashed out a little bit about the overuse of the word "glamping." I’ve seen it used to describe everything from a basic campsite with an outhouse to a luxury cliffside glass dome with a clawfoot tub and a sauna. In my opinion, true glamping falls somewhere in the middle — where you’re not exactly roughing it, but you’re also not checking into the Four Seasons. A PERFECT FALL 'GLAMPING' & HIKING WEEKEND JUST OUTSIDE OF CHATTANOOGA When we pulled up to The Ridge, my first thought was: I’ve never seen so many RVs in my life. Everything from compact pull-behinds to decked-out motorhomes that put my actual house to shame, all lined up in pristine rows. For those of us who don’t own beds on wheels, The Ridge also offers tiny homes and glamping tents. We went with the tent. And when I say tent… it was a tent. It just happened to sit on a massive wooden platform with two cozy bedrooms, a full bathroom, a kitchenette and a living room with a TV. It didn’t suck. Once we got Rocky settled in, my husband and I made a beeline for the pool. They have two pools, but as a seasoned traveler, let me offer a quick tip: if one of the pools has a lazy river, that’s the one you pick. So I spent a solid chunk of the afternoon blissfully floating in circles in an inner tube and yapping with other guests until I could no longer ignore the fact that I was starving. Dinner took us to downtown Sevierville to a place called Pinchy’s. I was skeptical about a lobster and raw bar in the mountains of Tennessee, but it came highly recommended. Plus, they allow dogs on the patio, so we figured, why not? Touché, friends. The Connecticut lobster roll — with extra butter, because vacation — was incredible. And the patio atmosphere was even better. An Elvis tribute artist named Hayden Lynn was performing. If you closed your eyes and forgot it was 2026, you’d swear The King himself was crooning into your earholes. At one point, our server asked if Rocky wanted a "puppy burger." Obviously, the answer was yes. What arrived was a bunless, unseasoned hamburger in a little dog bowl, which he inhaled in approximately three seconds. Back at the tent, we cracked open a bottle of red and lit up the fire pit on the deck. There were no wine glasses available, so we drank our Malbec out of coffee mugs. I guess that’s the "roughing it" part of this glamping trip. On Saturday, we had a couple of activities lined up that weren’t exactly dog-friendly, so we dropped Rocky off at The Wag Social for day camp. And for a dog that usually can’t stand to be 10 feet away from us, he forgot his humans existed when they let him loose to run and play with the other pups. After grubbing at Flapjack’s Pancake Cabin — required dining if you find yourself on the Parkway at breakfast time — we headed to the American Eagle Foundation. I actually wrote a separate piece on AEF, so I won’t dive too deep here. But if you’ve never seen a bald eagle up close, they are stunning. AEF is home to several, along with hawks, falcons, owls and vultures. MEET LINCOLN, THE BALD EAGLE BEHIND THE SUPER BOWL'S BEST COMMERCIAL The foundation focuses on conservation, rehabilitation, breeding and education — basically everything that goes into protecting birds of prey. Some of the birds in their care are being rehabbed with the goal of releasing them back into the wild. Others, for various reasons, can’t survive on their own. We got a tour from a volunteer named Nancy, and she was a wealth of knowledge. She knew everything about every single bird in AEF’s care and was able to tell us all about their backstories, personalities and quirks. We even got to feed a chopped up rat to an eagle named Carson. Using tongs, of course, because I’d like to keep my fingers. AEF is also home to Lincoln — famous for soaring through the stadium before Philadelphia Eagles home games and for that Budweiser Super Bowl commercial. He took over for Challenger, who is still in AEF’s care, but now enjoying retired life at Dollywood. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! I honestly had no idea what to expect when we signed up for a ziplining tour at Foxfire Adventure Park. They offer two options — the Waterfall Canopy tour and the Goliath tour — and we went with the first, which promised seven ziplines, two skybridges and (as the name suggests) a waterfall. My husband’s zipline experience consisted of a summer in Costa Rica nearly 20 years ago, and I’d never done it at all. So, really, it was the blind leading the blind. Thankfully, we had two actual professionals, Brittany and Tim, making sure we didn’t plummet hundreds of feet to our death. If they hadn’t been there to hype me up, I might have chickened out. Because these were not your rinky-dink state fair ziplines. These were genuine monster lines stretching between mountains and across canopies of trees. One of the lines was a quarter-mile long. Before we took off, they gave us a quick heads-up: on that long line, you have to position your body just right — lean back, knees up, basically curl yourself into a cannonball. Sometimes, they said, people don’t make it all the way across and have to be… rescued. What that rescue entails, I do not know. But as a smaller human, I was apparently a prime candidate for getting stuck. "Don’t worry," Brittany told me. "I’ll give you a good shove." Happy to report I made it. Thank goodness, too, because that would have been a day-ruiner. Brittany would later try to convince me to ride the last line upside down. I did not. Bless her, she had way too much confidence in me. Maybe next time. Speaking of next time, the Goliath tour has an even wilder zipline that’s a half mile long and 500 feet in the air. So that’s an option for you sickos out there. After all the zipping, we were treated to complimentary hard cider tastings in a building that looks like something you’d find in a hobbit’s shire. (To the guy I saw sipping cider out of a paper cup while your kids wore themselves out at the gem mine, your secret’s safe with me.) YOU DON'T NEED A KAYAK TO APPRECIATE NORTHERN WISCONSIN'S APOSTLE ISLANDS One cool thing about Foxfire is that your zipline ticket grants access to their 150-acre property for seven days. So you can come back to hike their trails, check out the waterfall (from the ground, this time), or just wander around and enjoy the views. The trails are dog-friendly, too, so we made a mental note to bring Rocky back. When we picked up Rocky from Wag Social, he looked like a million bucks. We had asked them to give him a bath while he was there, and he came ou not just bathed — but brushed, de-shedded, nails trimmed, smelling like roses. Probably the handsomest he’s ever looked. Which is really saying something, considering he’s exceptionally handsome under normal circumstances. They even sent him home with a glowing "report card" and photos of him playing with other dogs and staff members. As an obsessed dog mom, there are few things in the world that make me happier than someone telling me how awesome my boy is. Sue me. Anyway, Wag Social does boarding and day camp. So they’re a great option to make sure your pups are well taken care of if you want to spend the day at Dollywood or go hike one of those dog-prohibited trails in the Smoky Mountains. Pro tip: If you’re wanting to see the national park and feel overwhelmed by all the options, check out Smoky Mountain Guides. They do guided hikes, van tours, kayaking trips and even fly fishing excursions. It’s a great way to enjoy the great outdoors while letting someone else do the legwork. For those who have been reading my travel stories for a while now, you know we end every adventure with a good beer. If there’s a brewery, I’m going to find it. If you also love a good slice after a hike (who doesn’t), Gatlinburg brewing has killer pizzas. And they’re 10-inch pies, so you have an excuse to order one for every person in your group. A pizza flight to go with your beer flight. IPA lovers, get the Breakfast Juice. If you’re looking for a bigger menu, Iron Forge is your spot. I’m not exaggerating when I say this might be the most pup-friendly restaurant I’ve ever been to. Dogs are allowed everywhere — in the dining room and outside. We had dinner inside and then took Rocky out to the courtyard to enjoy the live music and sip on a nightcap. It was a perfect evening. So there you go, a trip to the Smoky Mountains without the traffic of Gatlinburg or the hokey dinner theaters of Pigeon Forge.  Again, no shade. I love me some Dolly’s Stampede. But I also love getting off the beaten path. So next time you’re grabbing groceries in Sevierville, take a look around, stay a while, and maybe ride a line through a mountain oasis. Just remember — lean back, knees up and make like a cannonball. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eba66b059ccda1fcc21613 Texas Dem James Talarico rips 'un-Christian' court decision on what's allowed in classrooms te 2026-04-24T17:20:43.600Z Texas Dem James Talarico rips 'un-Christian' court decision on what's allowed in classrooms Texas Democrat James Talarico slammed a court ruling this week allowing Texas to enforce a law requiring classrooms to display the 10 Commandments, calling it a "deeply un-Christian decision." He decried "Christian nationalism," saying, "I’m a Christian, but I know that the most dangerous form of government is theocracy." Talarico, a Democratic Texas state representative, is running to flip one of Texas’ Senate seats blue for the first time in decades. Democrats believe Talarico has a real shot at defeating either incumbent GOP Sen. John Cornyn or current state Attorney General Ken Paxton. A Talarico victory would be devastating to the GOP’s hopes of retaining or expanding its Senate majority this November. Speaking on CNN this week, Talarico condemned the decision by the federal Fifth Circuit Court. He suggested the law requiring the 10 Commandments to be displayed poses an affront to individuals in Texas who are Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh, agnostic and atheist. TEXAS AG PAXTON SUES DEM FUNDRAISING PLATFORM ACTBLUE, ALLEGING 'FRAUDULENT AND FOREIGN DONATIONS' "I don’t want anyone forcing their religion down my throat, and I certainly don’t want the government forcing a religion down my throat. So why would I do that to any of my neighbors?" he told CNN. "I think this is an unconstitutional decision, I also think this is a deeply un-Christian decision, because we are supposed to be loving all of our neighbors, particularly our neighbors of other faiths." In a 9–8 ruling on Tuesday, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the Texas law requiring public schools across the state to display the Ten Commandments. The court ruled the law does not violate either the Constitution’s Establishment Clause or the Free Exercise Clause. The court’s majority opinion stated that "because Plaintiffs fail to show that [Texas law] S.B. 10 substantially burdens their right to religious exercise, their Free Exercise claims must be dismissed." However, Talarico, who is a Presbyterian seminarian in addition to a former middle school teacher, asserted that the law runs afoul of the Christian imperative to love God and love neighbor. "My faith teaches me to love my neighbor as myself. Not just my neighbors who look like me, not just my neighbors who vote like me, not just my neighbors who pray like me. I’m called to love all of my neighbors the way I love myself. That includes my Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh, agnostic and atheist neighbors," he said. He also decried what he referred to as "Christian nationalism," saying, "the only thing worse than a tyrant is a tyrant who thinks they’re on a mission from God." WATCH: HOUSTON FACES $110M HIT AS TEXAS GOV LAYS DOWN LAW ON 'SANCTUARY' POLICIES As a member of the Texas House of Representatives, Talarico has opposed the 10 Commandments bill as "idolatrous" for years. While speaking on CNN, he ripped into Paxton for praising the ruling. Smiling, he said, "I’m not sure that Ken Paxton is in a place to lecture us on moral values." Fox News Digital reached out to Paxton for comment. Paxton, who is currently locked in a bitter primary runoff with Cornyn, had called the ruling a "major victory for Texas and our moral values." He said the 10 Commandments "have had a profound impact on our nation, and it’s important that students learn from them every single day," adding, "My office was proud to defend SB 10 and successfully ensure that the Ten Commandments will be displayed in classrooms across Texas." After Talarico’s dig, Paxton responded on X, writing, "James Talarico says God commands us to believe in six genders, support late-term abortion, and abuse children by ‘transitioning’ them. He's completely and totally morally bankrupt." GOP ZEROS IN ON SOUTH TEXAS DEM WHO URGED TRUMP TO 'ALLOW PEOPLE TO CROSS FREELY' Paxton was not the only one to slam Talarico’s take on the ruling. Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet posted on X, "Imagine being a Christian who goes on CNN to condemn putting the Ten Commandments in schools. Imagine James Talarico." In response, Talarico doubled down, telling Fox News Digital, "Jesus taught us to love God and love neighbor, because there is no love of God without love of neighbor. My faith teaches me to love my neighbor as myself. I don’t want the government forcing a religion down my throat." Talarico added that "the separation of church and state is a sacred boundary that doesn’t just benefit the state — it also benefits the church, because when the church gets too cozy with political power, it loses its prophetic voice." A spokesperson for Cornyn responded to Fox News Digital's request for comment by saying, "We support the ruling." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eba658059ccda1fcc2160a New York sports radio hosts lose it over chaotic Knicks, Jets, Mets scenes within a minute of each other te 2026-04-24T17:20:24.171Z New York sports radio hosts lose it over chaotic Knicks, Jets, Mets scenes within a minute of each other There may have been no finer New York minute than what occurred late Thursday night. The New York Knicks and Mets were in action, while the Jets were set to make a selection in the NFL Draft, and all hell broke loose. Within a minute of each other, the Knicks lost a late playoff lead, the Jets made a controversial selection, and the Mets allowed a game-tying grand slam in the eighth inning. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Those teams are usually grouped together in one's fandom, and all the emotions were caught on camera Thursday night during a New York radio station's NFL Draft watch party. WFAN hosts gathered around cameras and televisions to watch the draft, and as the Jets were set to make the 16th overall selection, the Knicks allowed Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum to hit a game-winning jumper with 12.5 seconds to go, prompting a mini celebrating by Brooklyn Nets fans. Quite literally seconds later, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced the Jets had selected Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq. A baseball game in April is normally on the backburner during the NBA playoffs and NFL Draft, but right after the pick was announced, a host noticed that the Mets just allowed an eighth-inning, two-out, game-tying grand slam just a day after snapping a 12-game losing streak. "Oh my God, the Mets just blew the lead," said midday host Evan Roberts. The Mets wound up scoring three in the bottom half of the inning thanks to Bo Bichette's bases-clearing double, although Devin Williams did make it sweaty in the ninth by stranding the tying run on second. FORMER NFL STAR DESEAN JACKSON ACCUSED OF FOSTERING VIOLENT CULTURE AT HBCU FOOTBALL PROGRAM The Knicks, though, now trail their first-round series two games to one despite being heavy favorites entering. As for the Jets, the pick may confuse some, but Sadiq, one of the fastest tight ends ever, is a mismatch on the field. Gang Green also traded back into the first round late Thursday to select Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper. The only thing missing from the chaos was hockey, but this year marked the first time ever that all three local NHL teams missed the playoffs. 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/69eba419059ccda1fcc215b0 Flagstaff baseball clinches Grand Canyon title on walk-off over Coconino te 2026-04-24T17:10:49.705Z Flagstaff baseball clinches Grand Canyon title on walk-off over Coconino Brody Johnson drives in walk-off run in extra innings. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eba1d0059ccda1fcc2151c Disney's first 'Star Wars' movie in seven years is tracking to be yet another massive disappointment te 2026-04-24T17:01:04.814Z Disney's first 'Star Wars' movie in seven years is tracking to be yet another massive disappointment When The Walt Disney Company bought out Lucasfilm and, by extension, the "Star Wars" universe, expectations were that the two combined companies would make Hollywood’s most popular franchise even bigger. Instead of going decades between "Star Wars" movies, Disney would put its creative might behind more consistent releases and expanding the universe. The company would release movies as part of the "core" stories, then do films or shows that focused on side characters or other stories. Initially, it seemed like the approach, led primarily by then-Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy, would be a success. "The Force Awakens" was a gigantic success, and while it didn’t exactly reinvent the wheel creatively, it launched the new Disney era of "Star Wars" with a whopping $937 million domestic box office gross. Adjusted for inflation, that’s $1.24 billion. Well, with few exceptions, almost everything to come out of the "Star Wars" universe since has degraded the brand and fan expectations. Yes, "Andor" is widely praised. The first season of "The Mandalorian" was a big hit. And "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" has seen its reputation improve since its release in 2016. JOE ROGAN SAYS DOGE SHOULD LOOK INTO HOW BOX OFFICE BOMB 'SNOW WHITE' COST $250M On the other hand, there was the remarkably "woke" Disney+ show "The Acolyte," which was canceled after one poorly viewed season. "The Last Jedi" and "The Rise of Skywalker" were widely disliked. Other movies like "Solo: A Star Wars Story" were critical and box office disappointments. And even "The Mandalorian" has seen its impact diminish. Sure enough, the first "Star Wars" movie in nearly seven years, "The Mandalorian and Grogu" directed by Jon Favreau, is set to hit theaters in May. And with tracking data now hitting the industry, we can see just how bad things have gotten for Disney. You may not have heard much about it, but "The Mandalorian and Grogu" is a big deal for Disney. The first major theatrical release in the "Star Wars" universe since 2019. The Grogu character was a cultural phenomenon for a year or so, making the streaming show a must watch. It’s also the first "Star Wars" film set outside the main trilogy since "Solo: A Star Wars Story" in 2018. That movie was viewed as a disappointment when it opened to just over $84 million domestically and grossed just $392 million globally. Well, this latest attempt isn’t looking much better. Industry website Box Office Theory reported that the opening weekend box office prediction for "The Mandalorian and Grogu," based on pre-release ticket sales, is just $71 million. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Even "Solo’s" opening weekend, adjusted for inflation, would be about $110.5 million in today’s dollars. This latest "Star Wars" release is tracking to come in nearly $40 million behind that. While the film has a lower budget which has been estimated at around $166 million, this is still a disappointment. It may wind up breaking even or turning a small profit, but unless the international market surprises or word of mouth is strong, it won’t be a huge financial hit. And given the poor response to the trailers, word of mouth is more likely to be negative than positive. Really, Disney has nobody to blame but themselves. Kathleen Kennedy had no plan for where she wanted the "Star Wars" franchise to go. They hired a different director for "The Last Jedi," Rian Johnson, who had a totally different vision and view of what he wanted to make than J.J. Abrams. Then, after fans were furious with his take, desperately rushed back to Abrams to make "The Rise of Skywalker." That film felt rushed, inconsistent, and lazy. Storylines built up in the previous movies fizzled out or were totally ignored, which made the lack of planning even more obvious. Many of the Disney+ shows, instead of bringing new fans into the "Star Wars" universe, were moderately successful at best, or completely unwatchable at worst, cheapening the brand’s overall image, taking away some of the exclusivity of the trilogy films, and pulling focus away from the "Jedi-Sith" dichotomy. "The Acolyte" was a clumsy, poorly-written mess, an attempt to shoehorn politics into "Star Wars" that was a predictable failure. So the result of all of these changes, the lack of creative vision and direction, is that fans now approach "Star Wars" with apathy, not excitement. There’s no benefit of the doubt that a "Star Wars" film will be fun, exciting storytelling worth seeing in theaters. And when you lose the benefit of the doubt with your customers, you’re in trouble. Disney’s version of the "Star Wars" brand? Boy is it ever in trouble. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eba1bd059ccda1fcc21513 White House plans guest hosts for press briefings while Karoline Leavitt takes maternity leave te 2026-04-24T17:00:45.359Z White House plans guest hosts for press briefings while Karoline Leavitt takes maternity leave The White House’s purported plan for a lineup of guest hosts to replace press secretary Karoline Leavitt while she is on maternity leave was revealed on Friday, according to a new report. Politico’s White House bureau chief Dasha Burns reported on social media that Leavitt is scheduled to have her second child next week, a baby girl, and will be returning to the podium after her maternity leave, "though it’s unclear exactly how many weeks she’ll take." "No one will be filling in for Leavitt formally during her leave — but the comms shop is planning to have some familiar faces at the podium to brief the press including VP JD Vance, Cabinet officials or even Trump himself," Burns added. The White House confirmed the report to Fox News Digital. WHITE HOUSE BABY BOOM IN FULL BLOOM AS USHA VANCE, TOP TRUMP AIDES ANNOUNCE PREGNANCIES The White House has been experiencing something of a baby boom in recent months. At least four women with close ties to the White House are pregnant, including Leavitt, second lady Usha Vance, and Katie Miller, who is married to White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller.  The Vances announced in January that they are expecting their fourth child in July. The couple share three children together: Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel.  CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Fox News Digital's Diana Stancy contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eba1a8059ccda1fcc214f4 Trump Administration Approves Firing Squad Executions for Death Penalty te 2026-04-24T17:00:24.016Z Trump Administration Approves Firing Squad Executions for Death Penalty The Justice Department also reauthorized the use of a death penalty drug, and will seek to shorten the length of some legal appeals. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb9f9a059ccda1fcc2149f Award-winning university chef allegedly beat his wife to death at campus hotel: officials te 2026-04-24T16:51:38.730Z Award-winning university chef allegedly beat his wife to death at campus hotel: officials A chef at the University of Massachusetts Amherst allegedly killed his wife in a room at a hotel on campus, according to police. Jeffrey C. MacDonald, 36, was charged with murdering his wife, 31-year-old Emma MacDonald, while they were in a room at Hotel UMass on Wednesday, the Boston Globe reported, citing a police report filed with the Eastern Hampshire District Court. After police arrived to the hotel following a 911 call, MacDonald was read his Miranda rights and admitted that he "had intentionally beaten his wife to death, using his hands, feet, as well as a variety of other objects, and that it was his intent to kill her in doing so," officers wrote in the police report. SEND US A TIP HERE Emma MacDonald's injuries were considered "significant" and "it seemed apparent to investigators that her injuries had resulted from a violent assault," officials said. MacDonald pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder as well as assault and battery during a court appearance on Thursday. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST The 911 call was received at 7:42 p.m. on Wednesday, which alerted campus police to the incident which took place at room 414 at Hotel UMass. SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER Campus police as well as nearby Hadley police responded to the room, where a "violent struggle took place" between MacDonald and the officers, with the man accused of throwing objects at the officers, according to the police report, which added that the murder suspect repeatedly struck an officer in the face. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB Less than nine months ago, MacDonald was named Chef of the Year by the American Culinary Federation. "This distinguished honor is a testament to MacDonald’s talent, leadership, and commitment to advancing the culinary profession," the university wrote in announcing the award on Aug. 8, 2025. UMass Chancellor Javier Reyes released a statement on the alleged murder on Thursday. "I want to acknowledge that this is heartbreaking and deeply unsettling news for our campus. Our thoughts are with those affected, including the families, friends, and colleagues of the individuals involved. I also recognize that the lack of complete information may add to the distress many are feeling, but this is necessary to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation," Reyes said. Fox News Digital reached out to MacDonald's attorney. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb9f84059ccda1fcc2146e Marked-up Mac minis flood eBay amid shortages driven by AI te 2026-04-24T16:51:16.370Z Marked-up Mac minis flood eBay amid shortages driven by AI Apple’s sold-out Mac mini is spawning marked-up eBay listings as demand surges for the compact desktop, now favored for running local AI models and tools. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb9cfa059ccda1fcc21415 White House Allowed Officials’ Text Messages to Be Deleted, Lawsuit Says te 2026-04-24T16:40:26.797Z White House Allowed Officials’ Text Messages to Be Deleted, Lawsuit Says Two watchdogs say internal White House guidance that text messages need not be preserved unless “they are the sole record of official decision-making” contradicted the law. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb9ade059ccda1fcc213dc Bill to expand protection for religious activities leaves abortion clinics concerned te 2026-04-24T16:31:26.728Z Bill to expand protection for religious activities leaves abortion clinics concerned Key Points: HB 4117 would add new protections for religious services and activities Supporters say the proposal addresses increasing protests and disruptions of religious services Opponents say it would limit how abortion clinics can manage religious protesters  After protesters interrupted a church service in Minneapolis in January, Arizona legislators moved to expand protections for religious services and activities. Now, with a proposal underway in the Senate, abortion clinics are saying the measure goes too far.  Under HB 4117, filed by Senate Majority Leader John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, intentionally disrupting a religious service or activity could result in a misdemeanor or felony charge.  But Planned Parenthood Arizona says that, if approved, the bill would limit its means to address protesters outside their clinics, especially those who read from the Bible or pray during their demonstration.  “This bill expands to not just services, but religious activities. And not just in a church or a mosque or a building or a temple, but it’s expanded to places where people regularly show up to have religious services or activities, which in our mind is right outside our clinic doors,” Kelley Dupps, director of external relations for Planned Parenthood Arizona, said. At least 22 other states have introduced similar legislation during the 2025 or 2026 legislative session related to expanding protections for religious services.  The bill specifically defines places of religious worship as any designated location where people regularly assemble for a religious service or activity. It also defines it as any public or private location when an organized religious service or activity is occurring or about to occur.  Contextually, protesters at abortion clinics are required to stay on public property and cannot block entrances or impede people from entering or exiting clinics or religious places, as required by the federal Freedom to Access Clinic Entrances Act, or the FACE Act, passed in 1994.  But to Dupps, HB 4117 amounts to an open invitation for more incursions into their space under the guise of religious liberty and protection. More importantly, he believes it could put their volunteers and private security at risk of a felony charge if they interact with the protesters. “Weekly we have protesters that show up outside our clinics, many of them pray, many of them bring Bibles. Many of them want to engage our patients,” he said. “That could be a religious service or even a religious activity.” Instead, Dupps said the bill should stick to the protection of religious services in established religious buildings.  “Harassment is not free speech, and yet these folks are allowed to accost our staff and patients every day. What makes me think that I can call the police as Planned Parenthood and they would show up and say these folks need to leave?” he said. Quelling those concerns, Kavanagh, who wrote the HB 4117 strike-everything amendment, told the Arizona Capitol Times that reading the Bible on the street will not be considered a religious service or activity.  “They’re hallucinating,” he said. “If you intentionally engage in disruptive behavior in a church or a synagogue or whatever, but your intent is not to disrupt the service, you’re only guilty of regular disorderly conduct and not this enhanced disturbing religious service.” Similarly, if two people get into a fight in the middle of a religious service and start screaming at each other, they wouldn’t violate the law because their intent is not to disrupt the service, he added. The main difference is if someone disrupts the service intentionally, the penalty is enhanced from disorderly conduct.  Sarah Kader, deputy director of the Anti-Defamation League’s Desert Region, said the intent is to have narrowly tailored language within HB 4117 that protects people attending religious services from those who want to intentionally interfere and obstruct them following an increase of protests at places of worship in Arizona over the past few years. “We’ve seen protests that are prohibiting people from safely entering their places of worship and being able to participate in their religious services,” Kader said. “Peaceful protest remains a protected constitutional right. We’re just trying to make sure people that are trying to enter their place of worship can do so safely.” If the bill becomes law, the penalty could go two ways. It would be a class 1 misdemeanor, which carries a possibility of six months in jail, $2,500 in fines and/or three years of probation. But the penalty increases to a class 6 felony if the person has a previous conviction for intentionally disrupting services, or if there is more than one person involved or if they use force, threaten force or physical intimidation.  The language is still getting ironed out between Republican and Democratic legislators, the Anti-Defamation League and the Governor’s Office, Kavanagh said.  But some legislators aren’t convinced the law will be narrowly tailored enough to protect places like Planned Parenthood from religious protestors.  Sen. Analise Ortiz, D-Phoenix, said she has formerly worked as a Planned Parenthood clinic escort and has seen the range of people who meet outside of the clinics. She said some were very aggressive, but others were peaceful. A few times, police were called and in some instances that she saw, it was clear that officers had a bias about abortion and would side with either the protesters or the escorts. The bill could open the door for police and prosecutors to bring politically motivated charges, she said.  “I think really what this comes down to is that if there is an interaction outside of an abortion clinic and there are people there who police determine are practicing a religious activity, that could lead to people being hit with an increase on their charge just because they were interacting with a Christian group on the sidewalk,” Ortiz said. “The government should not be empowered to use the criminal justice system to go after political opponents, and this bill is a very slippery slope that opens the door for the government to be able to do that.” The post Bill to expand protection for religious activities leaves abortion clinics concerned first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb9ac8059ccda1fcc213b8 SPLC indictment builds momentum for Bessent's Treasury to probe partisan nonprofits te 2026-04-24T16:31:04.090Z SPLC indictment builds momentum for Bessent's Treasury to probe partisan nonprofits The Treasury Department is tightening Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax-exempt reporting requirements in an effort to uncover nonprofit funding being used for "extremist activity" and "hiding fraud." The move comes days after the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), a nonprofit known for civil rights litigation and racial justice, was indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly funneling millions to members of violent extremist groups like the Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nations and the National Socialist Party of America (American Nazi Party).  "Public money and tax-exempt status demand public accountability," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent wrote in a statement. "We are ending the days of hiding fraud, abuse and extremist activity behind complicated nonprofit arrangements. "When bad actors misuse charitable structures, directors and officers should understand that transparency can lead to scrutiny, accountability and liability under the law." PHILANTHROPY GROUP RIPPED FOR BANKROLLING 'RADICAL' DEFUND THE POLICE, ANTI-ICE GROUPS: 'LESS SAFE' The indictment against the SPLC was announced Tuesday, with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche saying the nonprofit "was doing the exact opposite of what it told its donors it was doing — not dismantling extremism but funding it," at a subsequent news conference. According to the SPLC’s Form 990 filing with the IRS, the 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization posted roughly $129 million in total revenue in fiscal year 2024 with nearly $800 million in total assets.  The organization pushed back against the federal indictments, claiming the money given to extremist groups was spent "to gather credible intelligence" by using paid informants who operate within groups like the KKK. PATEL, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST RIP SPLC AFTER DOJ ALLEGES GROUP FUNDED THE 'VILLAINS' THEY CLAIMED TO FIGHT "The federal government has been weaponized to dismantle the rights of our nation's most vulnerable people," SPLC interim president and CEO Bryan Fair said in a video statement. "And any organization like ours that tries to stand in the breach." "While we no longer work with paid informants, we continue to take their safety seriously," Fair added. "These individuals risked their lives to infiltrate and inform on the activities of our nation's most radical and violent extremist groups." Fox News Digital reached out to the SPLC for comment. UC BERKELEY’S BLOODY PROTEST OF TPUSA ALLEGEDLY FUNDED BY FAR-LEFT NONPROFIT The Treasury Department plans to rein in the lack of transparency that exists surrounding 501(c)(3)s through revisions to Form 990 to clarify sponsorship arrangements that do not clearly show who is operating a project and how funds are being used.  The Treasury noted increased reporting can make it more difficult for organizations to hide behind opaque arrangements.  "Tax-exempt status is not immunity from scrutiny," Treasury assistant secretary and acting IRS chief counsel Ken Kies wrote in a statement. "If an organization receives public funds or tax-deductible donations, it should be prepared to show who controls the money and where it goes." Under current Form 990 rules, nonprofits generally do not have to disclose the names of individual donors and can provide vague descriptions of entities to which payments are routed. OVERSIGHT DEMANDS DOJ ANSWERS ON FOREIGN FUNDING OF AGITATOR GROUPS AS IRAN, ANTI-ICE PROTESTS CONTINUE Rogue actors, like Shanghai-based American tech tycoon Neville Roy Singham, are able to use nonprofits to mask flows of money.  In the case of Singham, a known Chinese Communist Party sympathizer, a Fox News Digital investigation uncovered millions of dollars had flowed from him directly to organized agitator groups across the country. With limited reporting requirements, Singham’s money trail was difficult to trace because nonprofits are not mandated to disclose individual donor names. In the case of the SPLC, federal authorities allege payments were originally made to fake entities, like "Fox Photography" or "Rare Books Warehouse."  Still, those payments to the fraudulent organizations are not required to be disclosed under current Form 990 rules as individual recipients are not required to be reported. JD VANCE'S TASK FORCE FLAGS NEARLY $6.3B IN GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS GOING TO POTENTIALLY FRAUDULENT BUSINESSES The gap in reporting is one of the key ways "dark money" nonprofits hide their money, which the Trump administration said is a central reason behind the plans to revise the Form 990 requirements. "This is an important case brought by President [Donald] Trump's administration, and we're thankful to the president for his leadership and funding of not just the FBI and DOJ, but his commitment to go out there and wipe out fraud, conspiracy, and waste and abuse wherever it occurs, including the Southern Poverty Law Center," FBI Director Kash Patel said on Tuesday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb9ab4059ccda1fcc213af Tigers look to exploit Reds' struggles at home as Framber Valdez takes the mound in Cincinnati te 2026-04-24T16:30:44.274Z Tigers look to exploit Reds' struggles at home as Framber Valdez takes the mound in Cincinnati I had a player prop yesterday as the Phillies took on the Cubs, and that cashed by a narrow margin. A win is a win, so I won't be upset about it. The Phillies lost their ninth straight game, and the Cubs won their entire homestand, also nine games. Today we shift to a different NL Central team as the Reds host the Tigers in Cincinnati. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! The Tigers are American League Central hopefuls. Last season, they looked like the best team in the division from April until August. Then they imploded and ended the season as a Wild Card winner. It didn't matter, though, as they were able to beat the Guardians in the first round of the playoffs. They were eventually eliminated by the Mariners, but it was a very competitive series. This season, the team is 14-12 for the year, but they are brutal on the road at 4-10. Tonight, they send out Framber Valdez to the hill. Valdez came over to the Tigers in the offseason as a free agent from the Astros. So far, Valdez has rewarded them with a 2-1 record, 3.30 ERA, and a 1.20 WHIP over 30 innings. There have been questions about his maturity or maybe him as a teammate, but what you can't question is his reliability. He is almost always turning in quality starts. He has thrown four of them in five outings this season. There aren't a ton of guys who have faced Valdez on the Reds, but Nathan Lowe is 9-for-30, and Eugenio Suarez is 5-for-22 against him. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM To this point in the season, the Reds have to be one of the bigger surprises in the league. They aren't quite shocking because they did make the postseason last year. So far, they are 16-9 for the year, which is tied for first place in the NL Central. Surprisingly, the Reds haven't been very successful at home this year. They are just 6-6 for the season at home, and they have a negative run differential, so there are some concerns. Looking to get a win for Cincinnati tonight is Andrew Abbott. He has struggled in the early season, going 0-2 for the year with a 5.84 ERA, and a 1.74 WHIP. This is rather surprising because Abbott is a solid pitcher. Looking at his stats, he has allowed 16 earned runs in 18.2 innings in April. That spans four starts, so clearly he is not getting very deep into the games. He does have a bit of an advantage here as the Tigers have just eight total at-bats against him from two hitters. They are 1-for-8. It is still very early, but this is the first season that he has had an ERA higher at home than on the road. There is another clear player prop to go after in this game. You can count on Valdez to turn in six innings of work just about every start. There are very few hitters I'm overly concerned about in the Reds lineup. Valdez going over 17.5 outs recorded at -140 is a play I'll put on my card for today. Additionally, I don't think Abbott is in great form. The Tigers don't have a great hitting lineup either, so I won't say that he will get rocked. I do think Detroit has the edge as a starting pitcher. Give me the Tigers to win the game at -130. For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb9aa0059ccda1fcc213a6 Pentagon cracks open Biden’s botched Afghan withdrawal as sweeping report readies all the receipts te 2026-04-24T16:30:24.625Z Pentagon cracks open Biden’s botched Afghan withdrawal as sweeping report readies all the receipts EXCLUSIVE: A new Pentagon review of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan is set to declassify previously restricted materials from earlier investigations, reopening scrutiny of key decisions made during the Biden administration's botched 2021 exit from the country.  The review will include interview transcripts, internal documents and prior findings that officials say were overclassified, according to Pentagon adviser Stu Scheller. "We plan to declassify all of the documents that we source in this investigation — all the interview transcripts, all the previous investigations that the Biden administration did that have been overclassified," Scheller told Fox News Digital. "We’re going to declassify all of it so that everyone can make assessments for themselves." Unlike earlier reviews that cataloged failures but stopped short of pinning down individual responsibility, this Pentagon effort is examining a broader set of records and conducting extensive interviews with both senior military leaders and rank-and-file troops — a scope officials say could reopen unanswered questions about who made the key decisions during the 2021 withdrawal. "There will be accountability," Scheller said.  GOLD STAR FATHER SAYS PRIOR AFGHANISTAN REVIEW SMELLED 'LIKE A COVER-UP' AS NEW LOOK EXAMINES MILLIONS OF DOCS "We’ve talked to many people, all the key generals… and we also interviewed thousands of young service members," Scheller told Fox News Digital of the report. "One of the things they said was that they didn’t feel like their experiences were validated." President Donald Trump has repeatedly blasted the previous Biden administration over the Abbey Gate tragedy that killed 13 U.S. service members, calling the 2021 withdrawal "a Biden disaster" and "the lowest point in the history of our country." The administration in May 2025 ordered a new Pentagon review as part of what officials described as his push for accountability. Scheller’s role in the review marks a striking reversal for a Marine officer who was previously punished after publicly criticizing the military’s handling of the withdrawal. Then a lieutenant commanding an infantry training unit at Camp Lejeune, Scheller drew national attention in August 2021 after posting a viral video in uniform demanding accountability from senior leaders. He was relieved of command, placed in pretrial confinement and later pleaded guilty at a court-martial. "I just felt like there wasn't another voice that was going to advocate for the emperor's not wearing clothes," Scheller said. "I didn’t do it haphazardly." "God was with me on that one. I got through it. Here I am influencing the changes I originally pointed out." Previous investigations by Congress, the Pentagon and federal watchdogs identified a range of failures in planning and executing the withdrawal, including gaps in evacuation efforts, intelligence assessments and senior-level decision-making. A Republican-led House Foreign Affairs Committee report found the State Department failed to develop a plan to evacuate Americans and Afghan allies despite mounting warnings that Kabul could fall, delaying evacuation efforts until the Taliban entered the capital. The report also said U.S. officials were tracking credible threats of a suicide attack in the days leading up to the Abbey Gate bombing — including intelligence pointing to a potential ISIS-K attack at the airport — but operations at the gate continued. Those conditions are now being reexamined as part of the Pentagon’s review, including how actions by Marines on the ground were recognized. FORMER ARMY CAPTAIN WARNS DEMS’ ‘UNPATRIOTIC’ VIDEO TELLING TROOPS TO DEFY ORDERS COULD SPARK CHAOS Scheller said his team focused early on the unit stationed at Abbey Gate, where several Marines had been nominated for higher awards that were later downgraded during the approval process. "They had actually submitted awards that were downgraded. So we didn't create these awards out of nothing," Scheller said. "All seven of these awards were submitted and we had the formal paperwork from the original write-up." The upgrades affected Marines from Company G, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, including cases where commendation medals were elevated to include valor devices and, in one instance, a Bronze Star was upgraded to reflect combat heroism. The bombing at Abbey Gate killed 13 U.S. service members and more than 150 Afghans, marking the deadliest day for U.S. forces in Afghanistan in years. The Biden administration has defended its handling of the withdrawal, arguing the decision ended America’s longest war and prevented further U.S. casualties, while accusing critics of politicizing the issue. A spokesperson for former President Joe Biden did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb9872059ccda1fcc2134a Trump wants to gut local libraries and museums. Congress is not on board. te 2026-04-24T16:21:06.185Z Trump wants to gut local libraries and museums. Congress is not on board. President Donald Trump's budget for the coming fiscal year proposes to end federal funding for libraries. (Getty Images) WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is looking to eliminate funding in fiscal 2027 for the agency that serves as the primary federal funding source for libraries and museums nationwide. But congressional appropriators — who rebuffed similar efforts to gut the agency in fiscal 2026 — expressed little enthusiasm for the proposed cut in interviews with States Newsroom. Groups representing museums and libraries across the country also blasted the president’s proposal.  The administration is requesting $6 million in fiscal 2027 for the agency, known as the Institute of Museum and Library Services, “for necessary expenses to carry out (its) closure.” Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., on Dec. 2, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, noted that her panel did not agree to the same Trump request in fiscal 2026 to eliminate funding for the agency.  “I personally have always been a fan of libraries, and it does a lot for local communities,” said Capito, a West Virginia Republican whose panel writes the annual bill to fund the Institute of Museum and Library Services.  “So, that’s what he does, he proposes, and then we look at it and make our own decisions,” she said.  Last year’s request turned down The spending package signed into law by Trump in February provides roughly $292 million for the agency this fiscal year — a sharp rejection of Trump’s efforts.  Capito said that though her committee will consider the president’s fiscal 2027 request, “if you look at what we did last year, it shows that we kind of rejected that premise.”  Rep. Robert Aderholt, an Alabama Republican and chair of the corresponding Appropriations subcommittee in the House, appeared noncommittal about pursuing Trump’s fiscal 2027 request to gut the agency. In response to States Newsroom’s request for a phone interview, Aderholt provided a written statement.  “We are reviewing the request from the Administration and the requests from every member of the House,” Aderholt said, adding that “this is a member-driven process, and we look forward to working with our colleagues in putting together a strong bill for the American taxpayers.”  Legal battles The agency was created by Congress in 1996 and has a mission to “advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development.” The administration has taken major steps to try to dismantle the agency, including through a March 2025 executive order.  However, Trump’s Department of Justice reached a settlement earlier in April with the American Library Association — the nation’s largest library association — and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees — the country’s largest union of cultural workers — that protects the agency and guarantees it will continue issuing grants and program operations.  In another setback for the administration, the DOJ dropped its appeal this month in a case brought by 21 attorneys general, who challenged the administration’s efforts to dismantle the agency and had secured a major court victory in November.  ‘The barbarians are at the door’ Meanwhile, leading Democrats on the House and Senate appropriations panels dealing with the agency’s spending were quick to lambaste Trump’s proposal in interviews with States Newsroom.  Sen. Tammy Baldwin, ranking member of the Senate subcommittee and a Wisconsin Democrat, described the agency as “such an incredibly valuable entity” and vowed to fight “tooth and nail” to protect it.  Sen. Tammy Baldwin, a Wisconsin Democrat, speaks at a press conference on Sept. 16, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom) Rep. Rosa DeLauro, ranking member of the full House Appropriations Committee and the spending subcommittee with jurisdiction over the agency, said the administration’s request is “just neanderthal.” The Connecticut Democrat said “we’ll work to restore like we try to do every time,” while adding that Trump’s request indicates that “the barbarians are at the door.”  Library, museum organizations push back Leading library and museum organizations fiercely opposed Trump’s request and called on Congress to reject the proposal.  In a statement, Sam Helmick, president of the American Library Association, said Trump’s “continued attack” on the agency in the budget request and the March 2025 executive order to shutter it “shows the extent to which the administration is tone deaf to the needs of millions of Americans who rely on libraries every day: older adults and veterans who use library telehealth spaces; unemployed people who use library resources to find a new job or learn new skills; families who count on story time; and students and faculty who do research in school and academic libraries.” John Chrastka, founder and executive director of EveryLibrary, said Trump’s proposal is “a direct threat to the infrastructure that millions of Americans rely on every day,” in a statement.  Chrastka, whose organization is dedicated to building support for libraries, said “libraries are not optional,” but instead represent “essential public resources that support literacy, workforce development, and community connection in every state.” The American Alliance of Museums blasted the proposal as “misguided and out of step with the American public and Congress,” noting that similar efforts in fiscal 2026 and prior budget cycles to yank funding for the agency were rejected due to “strong bipartisan, bicameral support in Congress and sustained advocacy from the museum community.”  The Institute of Museum and Library Services declined to comment on Trump’s fiscal 2027 budget request. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb985c059ccda1fcc2132a Justice Department announces it's readopting the firing squad as a means of execution te 2026-04-24T16:20:44.524Z Justice Department announces it's readopting the firing squad as a means of execution The Department of Justice on Friday directed the Bureau of Prisons to expand death penalty protocols to include pentobarbital injections and firing squads as part of broader actions to strengthen the federal death penalty.  "Today, the Department of Justice acted to restore its solemn duty to seek, obtain, and implement lawful capital sentences — clearing the way for the Department to carry out executions once death-sentenced inmates have exhausted their appeals," the DOJ memo obtained by Fox News read. "Among the actions taken are readopting the lethal injection protocol utilized during the first Trump Administration, expanding the protocol to include additional manners of execution such as the firing squad, and streamlining internal processes to expedite death penalty cases," the memo read.  This is a developing story, please check back for updates. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb9848059ccda1fcc21321 Watch as Eagles steal Makai Lemon with wild phone call: 'Why is Philly calling me?' te 2026-04-24T16:20:24.812Z Watch as Eagles steal Makai Lemon with wild phone call: 'Why is Philly calling me?' Some folks hate the NFL Draft, which I don't understand. Sure, it's a little silly to make it a three-hour spectacle, but I love drama. My job thrives when dramatic things happen. The NFL Draft is a three-hour reality show. It's some of the best drama on TV every single year. Thursday night's first round gave me exactly what I was looking for, especially when it came to wide receiver Makai Lemon. Put this one in the pantheon of great draft moments. It deserves a spot on the Mount Rushmore. Let's dive in. For those who missed it, Lemon was supposed to be drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers at pick No. 21. It was so much of a "done deal" that Lemon was actually in the middle of the phone call with Steelers GM Omar Khan when he asked a simple question. "Why is Philly calling me?" And then, chaos: Incredible. What a moment. Again, it's an all-time NFL Draft moment, which is saying a lot given this event has produced some iconic moments over the years. SHEDEUR SANDERS IS FALLING IN NFL DRAFT BECAUSE OF HIS FATHER, STEPHEN A. SMITH SAYS But I'm not sure I've ever seen that happen. Getting a call from the team that actually drafted you, while talking to the team that thought they were about to draft you, WHILE it all unfolds on the TV in the corner of the room, is peak stuff. What a whirlwind for Lemon, a talented receiver out of USC. One minute, you think you're going to Pittsburgh and the room goes nuts, and the next you're headed to Philadelphia to, in theory, be AJ Brown's eventual replacement. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Brown has been the subject of heavy trade rumors to the New England Patriots, which many folks think will happen after June 1 for salary cap reasons. Anyway, it was a wild scene on a night full of them. Some folks hate the NFL Draft. I don't. Inject this straight into my veins. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb960a059ccda1fcc212c7 Mohave, River Valley and Desert Star track and field teams finish regular season te 2026-04-24T16:10:50.894Z Mohave, River Valley and Desert Star track and field teams finish regular season The Mohave, River Valley and Desert Star track and field team competed on final time in Lake Havasu City this season for the 17th Annual Lake Havasu Last Chance Invite on Thursday. The three teams were looking to qualify for… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb93c1059ccda1fcc21226 DHS lawyer says UCLA 'utterly failed' to stop protest chaos at law school appearance te 2026-04-24T16:01:05.587Z DHS lawyer says UCLA 'utterly failed' to stop protest chaos at law school appearance Protesters issued death threats and disrupted a talk by Department of Homeland Security General Counsel James Percival at the UCLA School of Law this week. Percival joined "The Will Cain Show" Thursday and explained why he went through with the constitutional law discussion as student activists tried to drown out the event with loud noises and insults. "I might get death threats when I go on a college campus, but the people I work with at DHS get death threats just for showing up to work every day," Percival said. "I really felt like I had an obligation to the people I work with not to back down, to show up and take some abuse." The event, hosted by the Federalist Society’s UCLA chapter, was intended to be a professional conversation on DHS legal operations. Instead, more than 150 protesters gathered inside and outside the venue. DAVID MARCUS: THREE WAYS TRUMP CAN MAKE CAMPUSES SAFE FOR CONSERVATIVE SPEAKERS Students booed, called him a "Nazi" and held signs, including one that read: "F--- you loser." Percival described the experience as "not pleasant." UCLA STUDENT COUNCIL CONDEMNS CAMPUS EVENT WITH FORMER ISRAELI HOSTAGE The school administration issued a statement to Fox News Digital defending the event, noting it proceeded to its conclusion. "UCLA Law is committed to free speech and academic freedom, including perspectives that may be controversial or deeply contested," they wrote. "This student-organized event, which proceeded to its conclusion, was one instance of those principles in practice. The law school worked with the Office of Campus and Community Safety in advance to support the event and uphold the university’s commitment to the free exchange of ideas." GREGG JARRETT: ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATOR MAHMOUD KHALIL CAN'T USE THE FIRST AMENDMENT AS A SHIELD FOR LAWLESSNESS Percival praised the police for effectively ensuring his safety, but said the university leadership failed to ensure the event would remain orderly. "The administration made me promises. They promised to me and my team that they would maintain decorum in the classroom. And I think they utterly failed to live up to that promise," Percival said. He also said that, as a former conservative student on a liberal campus, he valued visiting speakers, calling it "unfortunate" that conservative students at UCLA were deprived of that experience. The DHS responded to the protests in a post on X, writing: "While DHS’ General Counsel James Percival attempted to speak, anti-ICE agitators repeatedly interrupted him, called him a Nazi, and created an environment of chaos. This continued dehumanization of DHS and the patriots who protect our Homeland must end." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb93ad059ccda1fcc2121d Jets draft pick Kenyon Sadiq thought he was getting pranked during phone call te 2026-04-24T16:00:45.752Z Jets draft pick Kenyon Sadiq thought he was getting pranked during phone call New York Jets rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq thought one of the most important calls of his life was a prank call. The Jets drafted Sadiq with the No. 16 overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday, but the 21-year-old wasn’t so sure at first. "Kenyon, how you doing? This is Darren Mougey with the New York Jets," Darren Mougey, the Jets general manager, said to start the phone call. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "I'm doing good. How are you?" Sadiq responded. "You're doing good. We're going to pick you right here and make you a New York Jet," Mougey replied. "OK. I appreciate it," Sadiq said, still seeming to be a little apprehensive that he was actually talking to Mougey and not a prankster. The former Oregon star seemed to realize that his NFL Draft dreams were turning into reality when head coach Aaron Glenn got on the phone. "Kenyon, how you doing, buddy?" Glenn asked. "I'm doing good. I'm excited, coach," Sadiq said. "Good. We're excited, too, man. Listen, we're going to bring you up here. You're going to be a huge weapon for us. All right," Glenn said. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I was thinking it's going to be a prank call for a second," Sadiq said. Glenn laughed and assured Sadiq that he was in fact, going to the Jets. "No, we're not pranking you, brother. No, you gonna be a jet. You gonna be a Jet. Trust me on that, man. You've been a target for us for a while," Glenn said. Sadiq starred at Oregon last season, as in 14 games he caught 51 passes for 560 yards and eight touchdowns. His eight touchdowns led all FBS tight ends and he was named a second-team All-American. The Idaho native impressed at the NFL Combine in February when he ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash. The impressive number was not only the best among all tight ends this year, but the fastest a tight end has run over the last 14 NFL combines. Sadiq was the first of two weapons that the Jets added for new quarterback Geno Smith on Thursday. They traded back into the first round to select Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. with the No. 30 overall pick. Cooper was a top receiver for Fernando Mendoza on Indiana’s national championship-winning team last season. In 16 games, he caught 69 passes for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns. Sadiq and Cooper will join wide receiver Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall as Smith’s top weapons heading into next season. 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/69eb9399059ccda1fcc21214 Loudoun County transgender substitute charged with making school threats te 2026-04-24T16:00:25.968Z Loudoun County transgender substitute charged with making school threats A substitute teacher in Loudoun County, Virginia, who reportedly identifies as female, was arrested Thursday for making threats against a high school. Loudoun County, a formerly ruby-red but now deep-blue suburb between Washington, D.C., and Winchester, has long been ground zero for transgender-related controversies, including sexual assaults on students and disputes over bathroom policies. Hadyn Dollery, 19, of Chantilly, Virginia, was arrested and charged with making "threats of bodily injury" after local sheriffs received tips through the "Safe2Talk" application that the individual was threatening to commit violence at a high school near Aldie. Dollery was later arrested, however, not on school property, and is being held at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center in Leesburg. PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER REVEALS YEARS-LONG EFFORT TO EXPOSE ALLEGED STUDENT ABORTION SCANDAL Fox News Digital reached out to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) to confirm a report that law enforcement told Washington’s ABC affiliate that Dollery identifies as female and is being housed with other men. Dollery was a "non-licensed" substitute teacher for the 2025-26 school year and is no longer on the available substitute list for the district, according to FOX’s Washington affiliate. Nineteen-year-olds may make themselves available as substitutes so long as they have a high school diploma or equivalency approved by the Virginia Department of Education, Loudoun County Public Schools told the affiliate. Dan Adams, a spokesman for LCPS, told Fox News Digital the district does not discuss personnel matters. "However, LCPS takes all threats seriously, as student and staff safety is our highest priority. In this case the substitute is no longer on our substitute list and will no longer be allowed to substitute at LCPS." Loudoun County Dep. Chris Freck wrote in the criminal complaint that Dollery threatened several people via the Discord app in a message to a friend, according to the Loudoun Times. WISCONSIN PARENTS CLAIM SCHOOL PUNISHED DAUGHTERS FOR REFUSING TO CHANGE IN FRONT OF TRANS STUDENT The paper further reported the message or messages spoke of committing a "murder spree" at a school and that a "kill list" was identified. Fox News Digital reached out to LCPS for further comment. In 2021, Scott Smith — the father of a Loudoun County schoolgirl who was allegedly sexually assaulted by a skirt-wearing, female-identifying biological male in a restroom — recounted to Fox News being tackled by police at a school board meeting where he sought to voice objections to school policies. CALIFORNIA TEEN VOWS TO KEEP FIGHTING AFTER CONFRONTING SCHOOL DISTRICT OVER TRANS ATHLETE: 'THIS IS NOT OK' "I am good with gay people and cross-gender people — anybody who wants to be a good American, I am good with — I went there to find out why our children were not safe," he told "The Ingraham Angle." "The next thing I know, another parent-activist approached my wife and started antagonizing her, and I turned around and said stop." Smith said he tried to tell the woman how his daughter was assaulted in the restroom at Stone Bridge High School, but she persisted: "She looked me dead in the face and said, ‘That’s not what happened.' That struck me — how do you know what happened, you don't even know me?" Then-Gov. Glenn Youngkin told Fox News Digital at the time that Smith deserved a "universal apology" for that incident. "He stood up for his daughter's rights and his daughter had been sexually assaulted," Youngkin said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb91f6059ccda1fcc211c2 Mountain Tremors celebrates 10 years of bringing therapeutic choir music to Flagstaff te 2026-04-24T15:53:26.032Z Mountain Tremors celebrates 10 years of bringing therapeutic choir music to Flagstaff The choir offers a way to provide additional therapeutic support for people in Flagstaff living with Parkinson's disease and other neurological conditions. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb91e2059ccda1fcc211b9 Arizona Department of Transportation to begin lighting replacement in Flagstaff te 2026-04-24T15:53:06.061Z Arizona Department of Transportation to begin lighting replacement in Flagstaff Project to support roadway safety and Flagstaff's internationally recognized commitment to dark skies. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb91cd059ccda1fcc211b0 Paws 4 Hope returns to Bushmaster Park on May 2 te 2026-04-24T15:52:45.948Z Paws 4 Hope returns to Bushmaster Park on May 2 Community festival is in support of Cancer Support Community Northern Arizona. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb91b9059ccda1fcc211a7 Optimum in Flagstaff donates to CocoNuts ahead of robotics world championship te 2026-04-24T15:52:25.745Z Optimum in Flagstaff donates to CocoNuts ahead of robotics world championship Coconino High School's team received a $1,000 donation. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb918f059ccda1fcc21184 Ex-NFL star calls Fernando Mendoza 'the most complete player' of the 2026 draft te 2026-04-24T15:51:43.564Z Ex-NFL star calls Fernando Mendoza 'the most complete player' of the 2026 draft The Las Vegas Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick in Thursday night’s NFL Draft. Mendoza led the Indiana HoosiersIndiana Hoosiers to a national championship and he won the Heisman Trophy for the year he produced with the team. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! The 22-year-old was the projected No. 1 pick in many mock drafts as soon as Indiana finished off the Miami Hurricanes in the national championship. He impressed scouts with his workouts and was, by far, the top quarterback. Former NFL star Shawne Merriman told Fox News Digital what made Mendoza the top guy beyond what draft reports have said. "He’s the most complete player," the former San Diego Chargers linebacker said. "I think he’s the most NFL ready of guys you can just throw on the field and have them go out there and play right away. Nothing (against) the other guys. The quarterback at Alabama (Ty Simpson), there’s some really good quarterbacks in this draft. But that No. 1 pick is special. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "That No. 1 pick is special because that No. 1 pick solidifies you as the very best player in this draft and who a franchise is going to rely on, who they’re going to build their entire next 5-10 years around. That No. 1 pick says a lot about who you are and what you can do for a franchise." Mendoza will be tasked with returning the Raiders back to glory. The team also brought in Kirk Cousins to help mentor the Florida native as he begins his NFL journey. Mendoza only played one year at Indiana. He had 41 touchdown passes and 3,535 passing yards. Indiana finished the year 16-0. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb917b059ccda1fcc2117b Celtics should regain shooting form in Philadelphia after going just 26% from three in Game 2 loss te 2026-04-24T15:51:23.672Z Celtics should regain shooting form in Philadelphia after going just 26% from three in Game 2 loss Yesterday, there were three NBA Playoff games, but the spreads were closer than we've seen on any day since the playoffs began. Only one of those three games delivered for us as a close contest. The Hawks and Knicks had a great game and Atlanta took it by one. The Raptors dominated Cleveland in Game 3, winning by 22, and the Timberwolves crushed the Nuggets. Tonight, we have the Boston Celtics going into Philadelphia for a battle with the 76ers. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! The Celtics are one of the bigger favorites in the league to win the Championship, and certainly to represent the Eastern Conference. It is hard to look past this team even without being quite as deep as they were last year. They've already won a championship, and they still have Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Derrick White remains one of the best role players in the league as well. Outside of those three, the team does have some questions. In Game 1, there was no question - the Celtics were dominant. They raced out to a big lead and never looked back, eventually winning by 32 points. In Game 2, the Celtics disappointed. That is part of the issue with the new school NBA. Boston hit just 26% of their threes, and over half of their shots came from deep. If you live by the three, you die by it as well. The 76ers snuck into the playoffs after having some struggles all season. There is always the question of if Joel Embiid will be healthy to play in games. Then they dealt with Paul George and a suspension earlier for drug use. Tyrese Maxey, the All-Star guard, is really the focal point of this Philadelphia team. However, they did get a surprise addition to this team in VJ Edgecombe. Edgecobme flew under the radar a bit because of Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel, but he certainly established himself in Game 2. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM In a game with stars like Brown, Tatum, and Maxey, Edgecombe was fantastic. He shot 6-for-10 from deep and 12-of-20 overall on his way to 30 points, 10 rebounds, two steals, and two assists. Five 76ers ended up with double digits in scoring, compared to just two Celtics. After stealing home court advantage, there is even more reason to like Philadelphia's chances. Teams get a big boost playing at home. Another reason, much bigger, is that Joel Embiid could be ready for this one. He participated in practice after undergoing an appendectomy a couple of weeks ago. If he can go, that's a major edge and boost for the 76ers. Tonight, I expect Boston to regain their shooting stroke. I really don't think it was Philadelphia's defense that did much to disrupt the Celtics, they just missed their shots. The energy for the 76ers should get them a bit more on their total as well. This game should go over the 215.5 comfortably, and I like it even more if Embiid suits up. For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb9168059ccda1fcc21172 Teddi Mellencamp admits she asked her doctor for GLP-1s after gaining weight during cancer treatment te 2026-04-24T15:51:04.168Z Teddi Mellencamp admits she asked her doctor for GLP-1s after gaining weight during cancer treatment Teddi Mellencamp revealed that her cancer journey recently led to an unexpected question for her doctor. The 44-year-old "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" alum is currently in treatment for stage 4 melanoma that has metastasized to her brain and lungs. During the Wednesday episode of her podcast, "Two Ts in a Pod with Teddi Mellencamp and Tamra Judge," Mellencamp and guest Dolores Catania had a candid discussion about GLP-1s, the popular drugs used for weight loss and diabetes. 'REAL HOUSEWIVES' STAR TEDDI MELLENCAMP TOLD FRIEND SHE WAS ON 'DEATHBED' WHILE HOSPITALIZED FOR BRAIN TUMORS Mellencamp recalled how her physician reacted after she expressed her interest in taking GLP-1s during a recent conversation. "I am a health and wellness coach who's dying of cancer," she said while laughing. "And because I gained weight from the steroids [from my treatment], because I'm getting bigger from the steroids, I asked my doctor if I could please have GLP-1s. And he was like, 'No!'" "I’m so sorry someone told you no, but I don’t know that I’d listen!" said Catania, who had previously shared that she planned to start taking a GLP-1 the next day. "I was told no too," Catania added. "Doesn't mean I'm not gonna do it." Catania went on to suggest that Mellencamp find another way to obtain the medication. "I mean, I know people where I could get it," Mellencamp said. "I have friends that do it." "Listen to me, you could get it anywhere," Catania said. "Tell him to shut up Tell your doctor to shut up!" "Listen, let me enjoy my time!" Mellencamp said with a laugh. "Well, I'm taking it tomorrow if you wanna start with me," Catania told her. "Do what you want, Teddi." Catania suggested the doctor’s stance on GLP-1s may point to optimism about Mellencamp's recovery. "I don't think you're dying, because I think he would have said, 'Just go do it.' He's telling you, 'No,'" Catania said. "So rude! Let me live," Mellencamp said. "You tell me to live my best life, but I don't even get … Live your best life? Where are my GLP-1s?" "That's why I think maybe someone's lying," Catania said. "I don't think you're dying. Because he would've said, 'Oh, if that's what you want, sure! Take that, go do some coke, go snort whatever you want!'" LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Mellencamp first shared she was diagnosed with stage 2 melanoma in March 2022 and later shared in April 2025 that her skin cancer had advanced to stage 4 and that it had spread to her brain and lungs. ‘LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE’ STAR MELISSA GILBERT SAYS MICHAEL LANDON HAD SENSE OF HUMOR IN FINAL DAYS The reality star had surgery to remove the tumors on her brain, saying at the time that, while getting them removed, doctors found more. Later that month, a scan showed her tumors were decreasing in size. During an episode of "Two T’s in a Pod" in October 2025, Mellencamp revealed she underwent scans, after which her doctors told her that there was no detectable cancer in her body. However, she said she is continuing immunotherapy and close monitoring as part of her ongoing treatment. In February, Mellencamp reflected on her cancer journey one year after she was hospitalized and required emergency brain surgery. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER In an Instagram photo she shared Feb. 9, Mellencamp had electrodes positioned across her head prior to a brain scan she underwent during her hospital stay last year. Shortly after revealing her diagnosis in February 2025, Mellencamp shaved her head to prep for surgery to remove a few of the tumors. "A year ago today I went into the ER thinking I had migraines and within 24 hours was having surgery on the plum-sized stage 4 tumors on my brain," Mellencamp wrote in the caption.  "I have a lot of anxiety surrounding today but also a lot of gratitude," she continued. "Gratitude for the doctors and nurses who took care of me, gratitude for my family and friends for supporting me, and gratitude for all the love that you have poured into me." "Trust your instincts," Mellencamp added. "Get checked." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb9154059ccda1fcc21169 Former NFL star DeSean Jackson accused of fostering violent culture at HBCU football program te 2026-04-24T15:50:44.587Z Former NFL star DeSean Jackson accused of fostering violent culture at HBCU football program Former NFL wide receiver DeSean Jackson, currently the head coach at Delaware State, an HBCU, is being sued by one of his former players at the school. In a complaint obtained by Fox News Digital, Malachi Biggs alleges that he was brutally assaulted by a former teammate, Anthony Hebert, in the team's locker room on Nov. 19, knocking out at least a dozen teeth and rendering him unconscious. Jackson is accused of running an "unsafe environment" in the locker room, including promoting a "tough guy" philosophy that "relied heavily upon the use of gang-associated slang and gang-associated mentality." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM The former receiver is also accused of failing to prevent hazing and other dangerous conduct surrounding the football program, but instead allowing a culture where it could happen. Biggs claimed that Jackson and other staff "encouraged crimes, assaults, harassment, hazing, altercations." Jackson allegedly did not discipline Hebert and other violent players and went as far as hiring him to be on the coaching staff. Jackson released a statement regarding the allegations, saying he has "never fostered or encouraged...any violent environment. "I take the safety, well-being, and development of every student-athlete in the Delaware State University football program seriously," he posted to Instagram. "I have never fostered or encouraged hazing, bullying, or any violent environment, and that has never been the culture I have worked to build. "Because this matter is the subject to pending litigation, I will not comment further. My focus has always been on creating a positive, respectful place for student athletes to train, compete, grow, and pursue their college dreams." Jackson just wrapped up his first season with the school where it went 8-4. He was previously an offensive coordinator at Woodrow Wilson Classical High School in Long Beach, California, near his hometown. Jackson played for six NFL teams, most notably the Philadelphia Eagles - all three of his Pro Bowl campaigns were with the Birds. Known for his big playmaking ability, he led the NFL in yards per reception four times. His most famous play, arguably, is his punt return for a touchdown as time expired to complete a fourth-quarter comeback against the New York Giants. 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/69eb9141059ccda1fcc21160 Tim Tebow announces his father's death in emotional post te 2026-04-24T15:50:25.141Z Tim Tebow announces his father's death in emotional post Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow announced on social media Friday that his father, Bob, has passed away at age 78. "Heaven ushered in a hero of the faith last night as my Dad was welcomed home! Many will say sorry for your loss but the truth is he’s not lost, we know exactly where he is. He’s home. Forever!" Tim Tebow wrote. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! In 2016, the former Florida Gators quarterback announced in an interview with People that his father was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. "I asked him last week what he looked forward to most about Heaven, and he simply said, 'Jesus,' Tim continued in his tribute to his father. "He couldn’t wait to see Jesus face to face. Praise God that his wait is over. Death has been swallowed up in victory. He’s healed and whole now. So we don’t mourn as those with no hope. See you soon Dad!" In 1985, Bob and his wife, Pam, moved their young family to Mindanao, Philippines where Bob's goal was to "share the Gospel with every man, woman, and child." After his Parkinson's diagnosis, Bob went back to the Philippines to do what he'd done for years – he visited children in orphanages. "When you see Dad in a third-world country with hurting people, you're like, 'that's what he's meant to do,'" Tim told PEOPLE in 2015. "It's his most comfortable place to be in the world." Bob Tebow is survived by his wife, five children and eight grandchildren. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb8eec059ccda1fcc210e7 Funniest WTF moments from the first round of the NFL Draft te 2026-04-24T15:40:28.458Z Funniest WTF moments from the first round of the NFL Draft The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is now officially in the books, and as with any draft day, there were plenty of newsworthy moments. As we discussed earlier this week, each NFL Draft is home to at least a few hilariously head-scratching moments, but Thursday's first round seemed to deliver the viral moments on a silver platter. From depressed head coaches to a spot-on, albeit unintentional Stevie Wonder impression, let's look back on the hijinks of one of the biggest nights on the NFL calendar (just don't say that to OutKick's own Ian Miller). We all remember USC wide receiver Makai Lemon for his mildly horrifying Combine interview, and if you don't, allow me to refresh your memory. Well, after Lemon was drafted by the Eagles with the 20th overall pick, he did his interview on stage with ESPN's Laura Rutledge, and it looks like he's at it again. I'm sorry, did the Eagles draft Makai Lemon or Stevie Wonder. His mannerisms and even the way he talks reminds me of Eddie Murphy's old standup bits about the legendary singer, but maybe that's just me. SHEDEUR SANDERS' NFL DRAFT FREEFALL HAS SPORTS WORLD IN SHOCK: 'THIS IS DISGUSTING' Also, as a side note, shout out to Rutledge for having to be professional throughout these interviews. She's a pro's pro, but there were about half a dozen players on Thursday night that she interviewed where, if I were in her shoes, I wouldn't have been able to keep a straight face (yes, this was one of them). Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese was selected fifth overall in Thursday's NFL Draft by the New York Giants, and afterwards he was asked by the local media who he was most excited to meet out of all his teammates. As it turns out, Reese has no idea who any of his teammates are. That is a long pause, Arvell. You can absolutely see the gears turning in his head in real time, then he repeats the question to buy himself a few more seconds (veteran move) before finally settling on Jaxson Dart. 'NFL REDZONE' HOST SCOTT HANSON PREDICTS WILD FIRST ROUND OF THE NFL DRAFT In fairness to Reese, though, I doubt many people could name a Giants player other than Dart. I talk about sports for a living and I can't name more than three players currently on the New York Giants' roster even if you gave me Reese and Dart to start with. It's all good, they aren't paying this guy to play Guess Who. Just line him up across from the other team's left tackle and have him try to kill the quarterback and everything else will fall into place. The Los Angeles Rams shocked everyone aside from Dan Orlovsky when they drafted Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick. The fans were incensed, but apparently they weren't alone. Here's Sean McVay from the team's post-draft press conference, and you tell me if he looks and sounds thrilled to have Simpson in his quarterback room. Good lord, you could slice through that tension with a dull knife. THE UTAH UTES HAVE A SECRET WEAPON AT TIGHT END YOU NEED TO SEE TO BELIEVE Somebody please put McVay in a padded room for 72 hours until he starts feeling better. I don't think I've ever seen a coach reflect his fans' feelings regarding the team's first round pick, but McVay looks like any guy sitting on his couch in Southern California booing the pick from the comfort of his living room. That has to suck for Simpson, too. I'd feel worse for him if he didn't just land the lottery ticket of a lifetime. Fresh off a Super Bowl appearance (and some other stuff from the offseason that no one cares about), the New England Patriots were looking to get some reinforcements on the offensive line to keep their franchise QB upright. They ended up drafting Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu, who, by all accounts, is a damn good football plyer. What was troubling was the stinger video that played before ESPN showed his highlights. Is he auditioning for a Flashdance remake that I was unaware of? What the hell are those moves? ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Seriously, I was half expecting him to pull a string and have a bucket of water dumped on him. So, the Patriots' two tackles that are being paid millions of dollars to make sure their quarterback doesn't get assassinated on the field are T-Rex-armed Will Campbell and the reincarnation of Jennifer Beals? God help Drake Maye. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb8ccf059ccda1fcc20e9b Reporter's Notebook: Spring cleaning resignations rock House as ethics storm builds te 2026-04-24T15:31:27.366Z Reporter's Notebook: Spring cleaning resignations rock House as ethics storm builds It’s time for spring cleaning. Specifically, House spring cleaning. As in the House of Representatives. Former Reps. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, and Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., resigned last week amid allegations of sexual harassment — and even sexual assault in the case of Swalwell. An aide with whom Gonzales had an affair set herself on fire and died. HOUSE DEMS DEFY JEFFRIES, VOTE TO REBUKE PROGRESSIVE OVER CONTROVERSIAL ELECTION MOVE Former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., resigned this week moments before the House Ethics Committee was slated to recommend expulsion as the panel found she violated 25 House rules. The Florida Democrat faces trial next winter for allegedly bilking FEMA out of $5 million in pandemic relief — and then funneling it to her campaign. "She was put in an absolutely terrible position by the Ethics Committee. This was not a fair process," argued Cherfilus-McCormick’s attorney William Barzee. "But she was left with no choice (but to resign)." Barzee asserted that the ethics panel shouldn’t prescribe punishment for his client until her separate criminal trial is complete. The House used to sit out on launching ethics inquiries for members facing criminal charges. INDICTED DEMOCRAT SHEILA CHERFILUS-MCCORMICK FACES RARE HOUSE ETHICS HEARING However, that changed in late 2023 when the House voted to expel former Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., after he was accused of a host of fraud allegations — including his contrivance of his life story in order to win election. The House voted to expel Santos before his criminal trial where he was later convicted and jailed. He was sentenced to 87 months but released after only serving three after President Donald Trump commuted his sentence. But kicking out Santos before his conviction in court established a new House precedent. "It was setting a standard that we're going to have and keep and it's going to apply to every Member from now on," said Rep. Greg Meeks, D-N.Y., the top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee. LEARNING CURVE: THE NEW PLAYERS IN CONGRESS "Just because one person before (Cherfilus-McCormick) experienced this, it doesn't make it right. We're on a very slippery slope here with what we're doing," said Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio. Let’s say the Ethics Committee recommended expulsion and then the House voted to expel Cherfilus-McCormick — that could have helped prejudice a jury against the former Congresswoman. That may be the very reason she stepped down just before the Ethics Committee acted. "I made a joke that my level of tolerance was at $6 million for stealing from the public," said Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn. "What will happen is we'll clean up our act up here for a little while, and then the dirt bags are going to dirt bag." Cherfilus-McCormick was the third House Member to resign in an eight-day stretch. "Why are we in this period now? Are there just more unethical people or is there something else going on?" yours truly asked Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va. "I don't think we have more unethical people. We've had unethical people everywhere in our society for a long time," replied Beyer. As they say, we absolutely have representative government in the United States. Congress mirrors America. Questions now swirl about Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., and whether he should step aside — or even face expulsion. He’s accused of domestic violence and campaign finance abuses. INDICTED DEMOCRAT SHEILA CHERFILUS-MCCORMICK TO RESIGN FROM CONGRESS AMID EXPULSION THREAT "If he had done things, similar to what the other two (Swalwell and Gonzales) did, then he shouldn't be here," said Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis. "If you treat women that poorly, you have no business being here. Just matter of fact, you need to get your a** whooped." For the record, an "a** whooping" is not among the three historic forms of discipline in the House. Sanctions are typically reprimand, censure and expulsion. Mills contends he’s not going anywhere. "I do not plan to resign," said Mills. "I've never been indicted for anything. I've never been found guilty of any open cases that involve criminal or civil cases." But one Republican believes the House should possibly take action against Mills. "I mean, who hasn't denied allegations?" asked Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo. "You had three resignations. The swamp is kind of draining itself right now." Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., has threatened to trigger an expulsion resolution for Mills — but hasn’t forced the issue yet. In retaliation, Mills drafted an expulsion measure for Mace. "This is a woman who continues to try and go after and attack people because she thinks it's good for clickbait on social media and for the simple concept of sensationalizing something that she can fundraise off of," charged Mills of Mace. "If, by her own definition, that you only need to be alleged or accused of something, and or investigated, then by her admission, she herself should be expelled." NANCY MACE CALLS ON CONGRESS TO RELEASE SEXUAL HARASSMENT RECORDS, WANTS AN 'AVALANCHE OF RESIGNATIONS' House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., seems exasperated by the chatter about resignations and expulsions. "I've talked about this ad nauseam. We're going to allow due process to play out here," said Johnson. "That's all I'm going to say about it." But some lawmakers believe that the current House ethics process demands changes. "It should be sped up," said Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., of the Mills inquiry. "It seems like that's been taking a long time. I think that's a long for the American people. Why is an investigation taking two years?" "Candidly, (investigations) should be taking days and weeks. Not months and years," said Rep. Johnny Olszewski, D-Md. Republicans are now focusing on someone else. "I want (Rep.) Ilhan Omar to resign next when she's admitted to lying on her financial disclosure form," said Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., of the Minnesota Democrat. "Cory (Mills) denies all the charges against him. She's admitted to lying on a financial disclosure. That's a much bigger deal." "Make no mistake, if Ilhan Omar is discovered to have been involved in any or to have benefited in any way from any fraud, she must be held accountable to the fullest extent. And by the way, that includes marriage fraud," said House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn. ILHAN OMAR NOT OUT OF THE WOODS DESPITE FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REVISION, TOP REPUBLICAN WARNS The House Oversight Committee — not the ethics panel — is probing how Omar’s personal wealth skyrocketed from as little as $18,000 to as much as $30 million, according to Congressional financial disclosure reports. Omar said much of that income came from her husband’s businesses. The Minnesota Democrat has now amended her financial disclosure. That said, there’s been no official push to remove Omar. The week came and went without Mace attempting to expel Mills. But nearly every day over the past two weeks featured a change in the size of the House. Swalwell, Gonzales and Cherfilus-McCormick resigned. Rep. David Scott, D-Ga., died. The House swore-in Reps. Clay Fuller, R-Ga., and Analilia Mejia, D-N.J., after they won special elections. The House witnessed everything but an expulsion in recent days. But spring cleaning, might not be over. Spring runs until June 21st. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb8cbb059ccda1fcc20e92 Bus crash near Pentagon injures 23, including 10 War Department personnel te 2026-04-24T15:31:07.909Z Bus crash near Pentagon injures 23, including 10 War Department personnel A Friday morning bus crash near the Pentagon injured 23 people, including 10 Department of War personnel, according to a statement from the Pentagon Force Protection Agency Corporate Communications Office. "At approximately 7:20 a.m. today, an Omni Ride and a Fairfax Connector transit bus collided on the Metro Access Road. Twenty-three passengers were injured. Ten of the twenty-three injured passengers are Department of War personnel. First responders transported 18 individuals to local hospitals for further medical evaluation and treatment. Five passengers were treated on site and released on the own recognizance," the statement obtained by Fox News said. This is a developing story, please check back for updates. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb8ca8059ccda1fcc20e89 City manager 'begged' fired Cincinnati police chief for more officers on street as crime skyrocketed te 2026-04-24T15:30:48.330Z City manager 'begged' fired Cincinnati police chief for more officers on street as crime skyrocketed Cincinnati's now-former police chief, once sued by subordinates for alleged discrimination against White male officers, has been fired. A termination announcement says Teresa Theetge was "begged" to put more officers on the streets during a crime-riddled summer last year. She was from her role as the city's top law enforcement officer on Thursday after only about three years on the job. She was a police officer in Cincinnati for 35 years. City Manager Sheryl Long made Theetge's termination announcement. "I recognize Chief Theetge’s more than 35 years of service to the Cincinnati Police Department and to this City. At the same time, after completing this review, it’s become clear that a change in leadership is necessary for the department moving forward," Long said in a statement to Fox News Digital. AFTAB PUREVAL WINS SECOND TERM AS CINCINNATI MAYOR, EXTENDING DEMOCRATS’ HOLD ON CITY HALL In a scathing termination letter, Long blasted Theetge for what she viewed as ineffective leadership and poor communication, including failing to adhere to a summer anti-violence plan. "As just one example, you admitted you did not agree with the City’s Summer Safety Plan, which included more police coverage in the urban core, and you admitted that I begged you to fill the police work details called for in the summer plan." Cincinnati found itself under national scrutiny last August after a viral beatdown in the city's downtown left a woman with neurological damage. AG BONDI DISMISSES DEI LAWSUITS BROUGHT AGAINST POLICE, FIRE DEPARTMENTS UNDER BIDEN ADMINISTRATION In the early-morning hours of July 26, a confrontation outside the LoVe nightclub, located on the corner of Fourth and Elm Street in the city's downtown business district, led to a horrific beatdown that was captured on video.  The video circulated rapidly on social media, sparking fury as at least two White victims were pummeled into the ground by a group of Black suspects. Once on the ground, the suspects did not back off. Instead, they continued to stomp on the victims, one of whom was left with a possibly life-altering brain issue. Over the course of the next month, seven people were arrested and charged with crimes related to the beating. FORMER COAST GUARD COMMANDANT EVICTED FROM BASE HOUSING 2 WEEKS AFTER FIRING: REPORT Long also ripped Theetge for two shootings in the Fountain Square area in the city's downtown last October, saying she "failed to provide leadership in response to two shootings" in the area that month. "You further admitted that on October 14 (the day after the second shooting) you chose to go to a play rather than attend a public safety town hall meeting..." Long wrote in the termination letter, later adding that Theetge "should not need to be told to attend a public safety meeting … the night after a shooting on Fountain Square." In May of last year, four White male officers filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Theetge, who was the city's first female police chief, saying that they were passed over for promotions and passed over for preferred assignments because of their race and/or sex. "Defendants’ intentional and discriminatory practices in assigning Lieutenants to preferred assignments has disproportionately favored non-White males and/or females, without legitimate, non-discriminatory justification, thereby denying Plaintiffs equal employment opportunities," the suit says in part. "The City and Chief Theetge have actively and systemically undertaken efforts to promote, advance, and make promotion and assignment decisions that are preferable to women and minorities, and to the exclusion of white men, including through hiring, diversity initiatives, outreach programs, promotional processes, and other steps that demonstrate both a systemic practice of discrimination against white males, and that there are background circumstances to support the suspicion that the defendant is that unusual employer who discriminates against the majority," the lawsuit also says. Theetge's attorney did not return a request for comment. Neither did Mayor Aftab Pureval's office. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb8c94059ccda1fcc20e80 Popular destination cracks down hard on tourists as new limits threaten summer getaways te 2026-04-24T15:30:28.910Z Popular destination cracks down hard on tourists as new limits threaten summer getaways As Europe continues to grapple with issues related to severe overtourism, several countries are implementing measures to manage visitor numbers, protect local residents and preserve infrastructure. After experiencing soaring housing costs and an influx of tourists, the city of Athens, Greece, is considering stricter regulations, Euronews reported. This week, the mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, said he may consider capping the number of new hotels in the city to combat overtourism. TRAVELERS MAY BE SLAPPED WITH 'RIDICULOUS' NEW FEES AS POPULAR CITY SEEKS MILLIONS PER YEAR "We really need to see if and how many more hotels we need and where," Doukas said in response to a question from Euronews at the "This is Athens - Agora" event. "We need to see and think about how much extra tourist load we can lift and where." He added bluntly, "We must not become Barcelona." He went on, "We have to understand that there are saturated areas that cannot afford new beds, whether short-term rentals or not. Talking at events around the globe, we see that capping is not only being put on short-term rentals but also on hotels; in specific, 'saturated' areas." In central districts such as Koukaki, Plaka and Kolonaki, a government-imposed freeze on new Airbnb-style licenses is already in place. Authorities are inspecting properties to ensure they meet legal standards that were introduced earlier, The Associated Press said.  Since Oct. 1, 2025, Athens has imposed hefty fines on short-term rentals that fail inspections, according to Hostaway, a vacation rental property management system. TOURISTS COULD GET SLAPPED WITH FEES AS PRICEY GETAWAY LOOKS TO CASH IN EVEN MORE While penalties are aimed at property owners, travelers may feel the impact if a booking is suddenly deemed illegal.  "Basements will no longer be allowed for use: Rental spaces must serve as primary residential use areas, with natural light, ventilation and air conditioning," Olga Kefalogianni, tourism minister, told state-run television station back in January 2025 about the issue. "Our goal is the long-term, sustainable and high-quality development of Greek tourism, not just breaking records every year," she said. Visits to Athens’ most iconic attraction, the Acropolis, are also now subject to a strict daily cap of 20,000 people, enforced through timed entry slots booked in advance, AP reported. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES Government officials have been largely supportive of the short-term rental crackdown.  But Airbnb owners in Greece have, at times, threatened to shut down their properties in protest, according to multiple news accounts. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Early data suggests the policies are beginning to have an effect — with a modest decline in short-term rental listings in Athens reported in 2026, Travel and Tour World said.  "New taxes and regulations are making it impossible for us to compete with neighboring countries," Andreas Chiou, president of the Panhellenic Association of Property Managers, said early last year, Greek City Times reported. "We're not against reasonable regulations," Chiou clarified — "but these proposals go too far." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Vacation rentals have fueled growth in Greece’s tourism sector, while also driving up rents and straining household budgets, AP reported. Greece achieved a record-breaking tourism year in 2025, with inbound arrivals reaching 37.98 million, marking a 5.6% increase in travelers over 2024, according to the Bank of Greece. "There are practices abroad which have been implemented," Mayor Doukas told Euronews.  "We don't need to reinvent the wheel. … We will possibly have to see in Athens what we want in terms of where we want to be in 10 to 15 years." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb8af4059ccda1fcc20e3e 17th Annual Last Chance Meet 4-23-8018.JPG te 2026-04-24T15:23:32.068Z 17th Annual Last Chance Meet 4-23-8018.JPG Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb8adf059ccda1fcc20e35 17th Annual Last Chance Meet 4-23-7474.JPG te 2026-04-24T15:23:11.928Z 17th Annual Last Chance Meet 4-23-7474.JPG Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb8acc059ccda1fcc20e2c 17th Annual Last Chance Meet 4-23-7531.JPG te 2026-04-24T15:22:52.143Z 17th Annual Last Chance Meet 4-23-7531.JPG Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb8ab8059ccda1fcc20e23 17th Annual Last Chance Meet 4-23-7557.JPG te 2026-04-24T15:22:32.061Z 17th Annual Last Chance Meet 4-23-7557.JPG Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb8aa4059ccda1fcc20e1a 17th Annual Last Chance Meet 4-23-7608.JPG te 2026-04-24T15:22:12.269Z 17th Annual Last Chance Meet 4-23-7608.JPG Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb8a90059ccda1fcc20e11 17th Annual Last Chance Meet 4-23-7626.JPG te 2026-04-24T15:21:52.387Z 17th Annual Last Chance Meet 4-23-7626.JPG Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb8a7c059ccda1fcc20e08 17th Annual Last Chance Meet 4-23-7666.JPG te 2026-04-24T15:21:32.648Z 17th Annual Last Chance Meet 4-23-7666.JPG Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb8a68059ccda1fcc20dff 17th Annual Last Chance Meet 4-23-7765.JPG te 2026-04-24T15:21:12.450Z 17th Annual Last Chance Meet 4-23-7765.JPG Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb8a54059ccda1fcc20df6 17th Annual Last Chance Meet 4-23-7794.JPG te 2026-04-24T15:20:52.238Z 17th Annual Last Chance Meet 4-23-7794.JPG Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb8a40059ccda1fcc20ded 17th Annual Last Chance Meet 4-23-7828.JPG te 2026-04-24T15:20:32.232Z 17th Annual Last Chance Meet 4-23-7828.JPG Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb881d059ccda1fcc20b90 Experts reveal how to spot fake 'Wagyu' so you don't get ripped off on premium beef te 2026-04-24T15:11:25.102Z Experts reveal how to spot fake 'Wagyu' so you don't get ripped off on premium beef From grocery store shelves to restaurant menus, premium beef labels are popping up everywhere — but these labels don't always mean what shoppers think. Wagyu, once reserved for ultra-premium Japanese beef but now found on everything from burgers to steakhouse specials, is a prime example. Beef labeled "Wagyu" can vary widely in quality, origin and value, The New York Times recently reported, and customers can be at risk of getting ripped off. "When consumers see 'Wagyu' on a menu or label today, they generally think of an elevated, premium eating experience — exceptional tenderness, rich flavor and that melt-in-your-mouth quality driven by high marbling," said Stephanie Hamilton, a Colorado-based brand manager at JBS Imports, a major global beef producer. TRAVIS KELCE AND PATRICK MAHOMES' STEAKHOUSE BLASTED OVER $650 DINNER: 'THE WORST' "It signals indulgence and affluence, and many people understand that Wagyu cattle are different from conventional beef cattle," Hamilton told Fox News Digital. But that perception doesn't always match reality. "It's often misunderstood," Hamilton added. "Many consumers assume Wagyu automatically means beef imported from Japan — when in reality, most Wagyu available in the U.S. is raised here and reflects Japanese genetics rather than Japanese origin." SHOPLIFTER'S BEEFY BACKPACK RIPS OPEN ON ESCALATOR, SENDING DOZENS OF STEAKS SPRAWLING ACROSS FLOOR Evan Carter, the Seattle-based co-founder of The Meat Dudes, a brand focused on Wagyu education and consulting, said the term has become even broader in practice. "When consumers see Wagyu today, it usually just means the beef has some level of Wagyu genetics, but beyond that, it can vary a lot," Carter said. "It could be a full blood Wagyu animal with traceable lineage, or it could be a blend with a smaller percentage of Wagyu genetics mixed in." The biggest differences come down to origin and genetics, Hamilton agreed.  POPULAR STEAKHOUSE'S DRESS CODE SPARKS BACKLASH AS DINERS TOLD TO DITCH HATS OR EAT AT THE BAR "True Japanese Wagyu is full-blood Wagyu cattle that are born, raised and harvested in Japan, under very strict production standards. It's rare outside the country and typically very expensive." American Wagyu, by contrast, is raised domestically using Japanese genetics, often blended with traditional U.S. beef production methods. "That results in exceptional marbling and flavor but with a style that's more familiar to U.S. consumers," she said. Because the term isn't tightly regulated in the U.S., experts say it can sometimes be used loosely — especially in restaurants. VIRAL HACK COULD SAVE YOU FROM SPENDING ON 'INSANELY EXPENSIVE' AIRPORT FOOD "There's a lot of misunderstanding about Wagyu," said chef Jesse Schenker, who serves authentic Japanese A5 Wagyu at his restaurant FOUR in Oyster Bay, New York. "I think consumers associate the word 'Wagyu' with higher price points, but when you see Wagyu on a menu, you have to be careful that it's not just being used as a buzzword because restaurants can price gouge if they are not using actual Wagyu," he told Fox News Digital. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "In America, the words 'Wagyu' and 'Kobe' beef on menus get consumers excited and, in turn, operators can charge more for ingredients that may be of lesser quality." Fox News Digital reached out to the American Wagyu Association for comment. To avoid overpaying for something that may not live up to the label, experts offered a few tips. Schenker pointed to pricing as a potential red flag. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES "If it's not expensive enough, be cautious as it might not be real," Schenker said.  "For example, if you see a 16-ounce American Wagyu steak on a menu for $49, you know it's not real — it should be more like $79." He also advises shoppers to pay attention to details, from marbling when buying beef to how a restaurant presents itself. Carter said asking a few simple questions can go a long way. "The best thing consumers can do is ask a couple simple questions: where is it from and what kind of Wagyu is it?" he said. "The more transparency you get, the better chance you have of getting something that actually lives up to the name." Carter added, "If a restaurant or butcher can tell you the ranch, you're usually on the right track." Experts agree that, while Wagyu can be worth it, other high-quality but less expensive cuts can be just as indulgent. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "The simplest tip is to think of Wagyu as an experience," Hamilton said.  "If you're buying or ordering Wagyu, treat it as a moment to indulge." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb8809059ccda1fcc20b87 New Yorker journalist who boasted about shoplifting triggers massive blowback online te 2026-04-24T15:11:05.491Z New Yorker journalist who boasted about shoplifting triggers massive blowback online New Yorker writer Jia Tolentino was called out after bragging about stealing from Whole Foods in a Wednesday interview alongside far-left commentator Hasan Piker, who also said he was "pro-stealing." "I will say, I think that stealing from a big box store — I’ll just state my platform — it’s neither very significant as a moral wrong, nor is it significant in any way as protest or direct action. But I did steal from Whole Foods on several occasions," Tolentino said during a New York Times Opinion podcast. She explained a specific scenario in which she stole lemons from Whole Foods and didn't feel bad about it. "I’ve been involved in a neighborhood mutual aid group since 2021," Tolentino said. "And so every week I would go get groceries for Miss Nancy, my now-family friend who lived nearby. And she wanted to go to Whole Foods. She wanted food from Whole Foods. And I was like, ‘OK, great.’ And so I’d be getting Miss Nancy all of her groceries, and then I would finish, and I’d be like, ‘Oh my God, four lemons, I forgot four lemons.’ And on several occasions I was like, ‘I’m just going to go back, grab those four lemons and get the hell out.’"  SEATTLE JOURNALISTS ATTACKED BY AGITATORS CALL OUT FAR-LEFT MEDIA FOR COVERING UP VIOLENCE AT PROTESTS The New York Times' Nadja Spiegelman, who hosted the conversation with Tolentino and Piker, deemed the idea that people are stealing small things from big corporations and feeling justified in doing so, "microlooting." Tolentino was called out by commentators on X, The Atlantic, The Free Press and even some fellow New Yorkers cited by The New York Post. The Atlantic's Thomas Chatterton Williams wrote a piece headlined "Theft Is Now Progressive Chic," taking issue with the pair's argument. "It is difficult to know where to begin with such moral reasoning, if it can be called reasoning," Williams wrote. "At a time of kleptocratic governance and corporate oligarchy, Tolentino and Piker resort to a game of jaded whataboutism. For them, theft is a kind of perverse virtue signaling. Societal problems do not just excuse personal wrongdoing; they ennoble it." FAR-LEFT STREAMER HASAN PIKER WARNS 'AMERICAN EMPIRE' WILL INEVITABLY FALL, LIKELY IN VIOLENT FASHION "Both Tolentino and Piker seem to justify stealing from large companies such as Whole Foods, which is owned by Amazon, because those corporations exploit workers and already budget for theft," he continued. "Why wring our hands about shoplifting when it’s been accounted for? Such an attempt to normalize petty crime makes Vicky Osterweil’s 2020 manifesto, In Defense of Looting, look high-minded." The New York Post reported that Tolentino lives in a $2.5 million brownstone in New York, and spoke to New York City residents about Tolentino's remarks. "She is rich … and I am not. We don’t live on the same planet at all," said Andrea Jones, 49, who lives in Gompers Houses public housing, according to the Post. "Because of her they’ll raise the price and I have to pay more. She is hurting me, she is not helping me." "I wonder why CVS has everything from toothpaste to deodorant locked behind plastic," the Post's Lydia Moynihan wrote in reaction to Tolentino's remarks. In another post to X, Moynihan called for Tolentino to be banned from Whole Foods. American Enterprise Institute (AEI) fellow Robert Pondiscio wrote, "I just cancelled my subscription to @NewYorker. I'll be shoplifting it from now on. Fair is fair, @CondeNast." "Whole Foods should post her picture and bar her from entering in the future," Jonah Goldberg, the editor-in-chief at the Dispatch, wrote. Whole Foods did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.  "Has there even been a more perfect marriage of smug elitism, contempt for commonsense morality, and masturbatory self-importance?" podcast host Coleman Hughes asked. NEW YORK DEM ACCUSED OF ‘STAGED’ ARREST AFTER BEING RELEASED BY FEDERAL AUTHORITIES WITHIN HOURS Piker said he was pro-stealing from big corporations because they "steal" from their workers. "I’m pro-stealing from big corporations, because they steal quite a bit more from their own workers," Piker said on "The Opinions" podcast. "However, one thing that might even help your ethical dilemma is the fact that the automated process that they design, these companies know will increase shrink, right?" Asked about the argument that if a ton of people started stealing from Whole Foods, they would raise the prices, Piker said he supported it. "Yeah, chaos. Full chaos. Let’s go. I mean, look, I’m in favor of fast and free buses and also government-owned storefronts. And two of those policies, the mayor of this beautiful city is currently working on," he said. "'Microlooting' and "social murder" are part of this new soft socialist language that gives permission to break the law and kill," Kirsten Fleming, a New York Post columnist, wrote in reaction to the news. Reason reporter Billy Binion called Tolentino out for shoplifting while shopping for her "mutual aid group." "The most maddening part about this is she says she stole while shopping for her mutual aid group. Those networks supposedly exist to bring communities together, build trust, and pay it forward. Hard to think of a better way to undermine that than to steal from your own community," Binion wrote. The National Review's Jim Geraghty reacted with the suggestion, "If you commit crimes, don't brag about them on podcasts." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Batya Ungar-Sargon, a host at NewsNation, called out both Piker and Tolentino in posts to X as well as in a Substack column headlined, "The Rich Don’t Play by the Rules So Why Should I?" Ask Three Rich Leftists Celebrating Theft and Murder." "In pretending that they steal out of unfairness, out of hatred for corporations and corporate abuses, the educated rich get to cosplay as members of the working class, a gambit designed to disguise their own immense privilege. They get to pretend to loathe the system they wouldn’t replace for anything in the world," she wrote on X. The New Yorker and Tolentino did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb87f5059ccda1fcc20b7e 'NFL RedZone' host Scott Hanson says he's heard a fascinating bye week concept if the NFL expands to 18 games te 2026-04-24T15:10:45.874Z 'NFL RedZone' host Scott Hanson says he's heard a fascinating bye week concept if the NFL expands to 18 games With talks about the NFL expanding to a 18-game regular season growing, "NFL RedZone" host Scott Hanson said he heard an interesting concept about bye weeks. Hanson, 54, said he heard a concept about a potential league-wide bye week if the NFL were to expand to 18 games. "If you had an 18th game, do you add a second bye week? I've even heard a concept where maybe they add an extra game but add an extra bye week that is a complete league-wide bye week," Hanson told Fox News Digital in a recent interview as he's partnered with Lowe’s. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "Maybe there is an NFL weekend in the middle of October, early November, somewhere in the middle of the season, where nobody plays a game, let the players recoup, get their bodies right, everyone can get away from football, just a little bit, and then come and play the back half of the season." Hanson did preface that for an 18th game to be considered a possibility, a lot of big entities need to get on the same page. "Well, look at, the biggest thing about that is the league and the Players Union and all the partners within the NFL ecosphere all need to get on the same page. And this is big business and a big change. Should it occur? So, they have a lot of talks to do through that," Hanson said. MIKE VRABEL ADDRESSED DIANNA RUSSINI SAGA WITH PATRIOTS PLAYERS DIFFERENTLY THAN HE DID WITH REPORTERS Hanson also noted how much later the Super Bowl would take place if the NFL implemented an 18-game regular season. "But if you add that game, you extend the season, maybe by two weeks, if there's the extra bye, meaning the Super Bowl is pushed back to maybe even beyond Valentine's Day, a lot of moving parts there," Hanson said. Super Bowl LVI was the furthest into a calendar year that a Super Bowl has been played, when the Los Angeles Rams beat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 on February 13, 2022. Super Bowl LXI, next year’s big game, will push the date even further, as it is scheduled to be played on February, 14, 2027, also known as Valentine's Day. Hanson said that he will personally be happy if they add more games, because he loves football. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "More games means more action. It means more touchdowns for me on NFL Red Zone," Hanson said. "I'm gonna smile, you know, if it ultimately becomes a reality." 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/69eb87df059ccda1fcc20b4a Nuclear startup X-energy raises $1B in data center-driven IPO te 2026-04-24T15:10:23.394Z Nuclear startup X-energy raises $1B in data center-driven IPO Amazon-backed X-energy was able to raise around 20% more money in its IPO as demand for nuclear power surges. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb858b059ccda1fcc207a8 SEE IT: 2-year-old steals show at White House as Trump spotlights 'miracle cure' for deaf boy te 2026-04-24T15:00:27.029Z SEE IT: 2-year-old steals show at White House as Trump spotlights 'miracle cure' for deaf boy During an event at the White House on Thursday, President Donald Trump highlighted a 2-year-old boy, Travis Smith, who was born deaf but can now hear after taking a "miracle cure." The child can now "hear his mom, Sierra, say, 'I love you,'" the president said, inviting the mother to speak. "Regeneron works miracles," the woman said, referring to the company behind the treatment. MICHAEL AND SUSAN DELL SURPASS $1 BILLION IN DONATIONS BACKING AI-DRIVEN HOSPITAL PROJECT "He didn't know his name. He couldn't hear me tell him how much I love him. And now with Regeneron and this amazing surgery, he can listen to music. And he loves it. And he loves to dance," she said. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given accelerated approval for Regeneron's Otarmeni gene therapy product, the company said in a statement. PSYCHEDELIC THERAPY MAY BE COMING TO YOUR DOCTOR'S OFFICE AS QUESTIONS SWIRL The company indicated that the treatment will be made available for free in the U.S. "Regeneron will provide Otarmeni at no cost to clinically eligible individuals in the U.S. This may not necessarily reflect out-of-pocket costs for administration of this free therapy, which would be outside of the control of Regeneron; individuals should consult with their healthcare provider and/or insurance provider," the company said. Administering the treatment involves surgery, according to the company. "The surgical procedure to administer Otarmeni uses an approach similar to cochlear implantation and allows use in young infants," the statement said. "Otarmeni should be administered by a surgeon experienced in intracochlear surgery and trained in the Otarmeni administration process and should only be administered using the provided Administration Kit for use with Otarmeni." TRUMP ADMIN LOOSENS REGULATIONS ON STATE-LICENSED MEDICAL MARIJUANA Trump noted during the White House event that Regeneron has "agreed to offer their prescription medications at heavily discounted most favored nation prices." "With this announcement, 17 of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, representing 80% of the branded drug market, have now agreed to sell their drugs to American patients at the lowest prices anywhere in the world," he said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb834a059ccda1fcc2071f USA's next Ryder Cup captain decided after Tiger Woods turns down offer: report te 2026-04-24T14:50:50.514Z USA's next Ryder Cup captain decided after Tiger Woods turns down offer: report Jim Furyk is returning as the captain for the United States' Ryder Cup team next year, The Associated Press reported Friday. It's a blast from the past, although not necessarily a positive past - Furyk captained the 2018 team that was shellacked in France, with his captain's picks combining to go 2-10. Keegan Bradley captained last year's team at Bethpage Black, which had an embarrassing first two days but gave a valiant effort at an unprecedented comeback in Sunday singles. They fell just short, 15-13, after entering the day trailing by seven points. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Members of that USA team backed Bradley after their loss, but it appears to be for naught. Furyk led the Americans to victory as Presidents Cup captain in 2024, and he was said to be a reliable voice as an assistant to Bradley at Bethpage. Furyk's 2018 team had issues behind the scenes, too, as Patrick Reed was not happy with being benched twice. He also blamed Jordan Spieth for the two not playing together, which Reed felt could have been successful. Furyk would be the fourth U.S. captain to get a second chance dating to 1979, considered the modern era of the Ryder Cup, when continental Europe became part of it, along with Davis Love III (2012 and 2016), Tom Watson (1993 and 2014) and Jack Nicklaus (1983 and 1987). ESPN'S MAD DOG RUSSO MELTS DOWN OVER ‘U-S-A’ CHANTS AT THE RBC HERITAGE Tiger Woods' name was floated around for the tournament in Ireland, but he took himself out of consideration shortly following his arrest on March 27. It was not known which way Woods was leaning when his SUV clipped the back of a trailer being pulled by a pickup truck on a residential road in Florida, turning his SUV on its side. Woods was arrested and briefly jailed after Florida authorities determined he was impaired. Europe has won 11 of the last 15 matches dating to Oak Hill in 1995. Last year, they became the first team to win back-to-back events since they won three straight from 2010 to 2014. It was also the first time a team won on foreign soil since Europe's Miracle at Medinah in 2012. Luke Donald will try to become the first captain to win three straight times in September 2027 at Adare Manor. Europe returned all but one player from the 2023 squad to Bethpage, the lone difference between an identical twin brother. Furyk played in all nine Ryder Cups from 1997 to 2014 before becoming an assistant for the first time in 2016. He's remained an assistant since 2021. 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/69eb8336059ccda1fcc20716 American journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin acquitted on all charges after 52 days detained in Kuwait, family says te 2026-04-24T14:50:30.970Z American journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin acquitted on all charges after 52 days detained in Kuwait, family says Kuwaiti-American journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, who was detained in Kuwait under new security and misinformation laws, has been acquitted on all charges, his family announced on Thursday.  "We are relieved that Ahmed Shihab-Eldin has been found innocent after 52 days in detention," Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) CEO Jodie Ginsberg said in a statement.  "Ahmed’s freedom and safety remain our topmost priority and we will continue to closely monitor his case," Ginsberg added.  COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS DEMANDS KUWAIT RELEASE AMERICAN REPORTER AHMED SHIHAB-ELDIN Shihab-Eldin was arrested on March 3 in Kuwait, where he was visiting family, and faced charges related to "spreading false information, harming national security, and misusing his mobile phone" – which the CPJ designed to promote press freedoms called "vague and overly broad accusations that are routinely used to silence independent journalists." A spokesperson for Shihab-Eldin’s family confirmed Shihab-Eldin was acquitted but declined additional comment until further information is known. He is expected to be released immediately.  On March 2, Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior posted a chilling message warning against photographs or information related to missiles or relevant locations. Khalid Ibrahim, Executive Director of the Gulf Centre for Human Rights, told CPJ that dozens have been arrested since the war began in cases related to freedom of expression. FLASHBACK: FIVE OF THE MOST POLITICALLY-CHARGED MOMENTS AT THE WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS' DINNER Kuwait then issued a decree stipulating up to 10 years in jail for anyone who undermines "the prestige of the military or deliberately works toward eroding public trust in them," according to the Kuwait Times.  Shihab-Eldin, who is known for work at The New York Times, HuffPost, BBC, Al Jazeera, Vice News and other outlets, posted video of a U.S. fighter jet crash near a U.S. base in Kuwait shortly before he was detained.  The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.  A State Department spokesperson previously told Fox News Digital that the Trump administration "has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans" and they were aware of reports of Shihab-Eldin’s detention. "Whenever an American is detained abroad, the Department works to provide consular assistance in accordance with our authorities under U.S. and international law," the State Department spokesperson added.  The CPJ asked Americans to keep Shihab-Eldin’s situation visible by signing a petition and posting about his detention with the hashtags #freeahmed and #freeahmedeldin and #journalismisnotacrime. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb8101059ccda1fcc20666 Everyday essentials on sale: Pajamas, breathable underwear, walking sneakers from $8 te 2026-04-24T14:41:05.459Z Everyday essentials on sale: Pajamas, breathable underwear, walking sneakers from $8 Build out your wardrobe with everyday essentials, from crisp white T-shirts and durable denim to sneakers and accessories. We found deals on staples for women and men, like a wire-free sports bra for $8, Levi's jeans marked down 40% and a six-pack of Hanes tees for under $20. These versatile pieces make getting dressed easier with mix-and-match options. Hanes women's jersey shorts: $12.99 (41% off) Women's two-piece lounge set: $29.97 (40% off) Skechers Go Run sneakers: $44.98 (38% off) Bagsmart toiletry travel bag: $14.99 (35% off) Swarovski crystal hoops: $45.17 (35% off) Women's summer sundress: $29.99 (33% off) Refresh your wardrobe with comfortable essentials, from underwear to leggings. Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda capri jeans: $27.99 (42% off)  Amazon Essentials cotton bikini brief underwear: $10.40 (28% off) Cozy Earth bamboo lounge set: $88.40 (15% off)  Hanes leggings: $20 (13% off) Original price: $39.99 At 80% off, this is a good time to stock up on these sports bras. The wire-free design, stretchy straps and removable pads are designed for all-day comfort.  READ MORE: Deals 40% off or more: Amazon deals on Beats headphones, Swarovski jewelry and more Original price: $79.50 Levi's Original Fit 501 jeans have a relaxed straight leg with more room through the hip and thigh for a comfortable fit. Priced under $50 in a range of washes, they're an easy option to pick up in multiple pairs. Original price: $12.90 White tees are a wardrobe staple, and these Amazon Essentials tees are on sale. Made from a cotton-jersey blend, they balance softness with stretch.  Step into comfort with shoes from Cushionaire, Skechers and more. Project Cloud flip-flops: $19.90 (60% off) adidas Grand Court 2.0 tennis shoes: $42 (40% off) ASICS gel-contend 9 running shoes: $70.95 (5% off) Original price: $79.99 These Cushionaire flats offer a professional look with a breathable feel and support for long hours on your feet. A buckle strap helps keep feet secure while you're on the move. Original price: $67 These Skechers Go Walk slip-on sneakers are designed for long walks. The rebound insole helps absorb impact, while the mesh upper promotes airflow. The lace-free design allows for quick on-and-off.  READ MORE: Save big on Skechers sneakers you'll wear every day, starting at $39 Original price: $46.99 These platform heels pair easily with both dresses and jeans and come in a range of colors, from neutrals to brighter options like gold and red. The 2.5-inch block heel adds height while providing a more stable base than stilettos. Synthetic leather insoles provide a structured feel underfoot. Finish your look with jewelry, socks and handbags at a discount. Bagsmart expandable tote bag: $23.98 (40% off) adidas athletic quarter ankle socks, 6-pack: $17.13 (34% off) Swarovski crystal stud earrings: $52 (34% off) Fossil women's rose gold watch: $113 (29% off) Original price: $29.99 Currently at a 90-day low, these Cate & Chloe hoops are a standout deal. Lab-created stones line the silver-tone setting for a subtle sparkle, while the hinged closure helps keep them secure throughout the day. Original price: $159 Swarovski’s Emily tennis bracelet pairs a classic design with a secure foldover clasp. A continuous line of crystals adds subtle sparkle, and currently under $100, it's an accessible option for everyday wear. READ MORE: Save up to 52% on Swarovski jewelry — these top picks start at $46 on Amazon  Original price: $378 Kate Spade's leather tulip tote comes in nine colors and has plenty of room for your essentials. Find well-organized pockets on the inside while gold-plated zippers add a touch of sophistication.  Build a durable everyday wardrobe with essentials from Levi's, Carhartt and Hanes. Wrangler cowboy cut jeans: $16.30 (62% off) Fruit of the Loom short-sleeve pajama set: $22.09 (26% off) Hanes boxer briefs, 6-pack: $17.99 (25% off) Hanes performance white undershirts: $18.75 (18% off) Original price: $23.98 Right now, you can get six Hanes shirts for under $20. The cotton fabric feels soft and breathable for warmer days, and the standard fit sits comfortably under layers without adding bulk. Original price: $52.46 These classic Levi's jeans sit snug at the waist with a roomy feel in the thigh. Grab them now while multiple washes are on sale. READ MORE: Durable men's workwear from $20 — Carhartt, Wrangler and more Carhartt shirts are made from heavyweight cotton designed for long-term wear. Currently on sale for under $15, they're an affordable option to stock up on. Shop Fox reader-favorite comfort shoes from Skechers, Hey Dude and more. Under Armour Charged Assert 10 shoes: $49.95 (33% off) Skechers Energy Afterburn sneakers: $57.99 (33% off) Dr. Scholl's Time Off sneakers: $75 (32% off) Reebok Club C 85 tennis shoes: $69.31 (18% off) Original price: $92 Skechers slip-ins have an innovative heel pillow that secures your foot as the contour foam molds to your needs, providing next-level comfort even when you walk all day. When they get dirty, throw them in the washing machine for a quick clean.  Original price: $64.99 Hey Dude loafers slip on and off easily with a secure, cushioned ankle. A soft foam interior provides support without the need for extra insoles, while the lightweight, flexible design makes them easy to pack for travel. READ MORE: 18 comfortable sneakers worth shopping now, from under $60 to $200 Original price: $79.99 If you're looking for a shoe upgrade, these New Balance cross trainers are designed to reduce impact with EVA foam and cushioned midsoles. The suede upper has a broken-in feel from the start. Add the finishing touches with sunglasses, socks and belts, all on sale. Polarized sunglasses: $9.39 (41% off) Champion men's crew socks, 5-pack: $14.37 (20% off) Nike web belt, 3-pack: $19.18 (20% off) Fanny pack: $12.97 (12% off) Original price: $24 Nike’s crew socks add light cushioning for a more stable feel without excess heat. Designed for workouts, they help manage moisture and maintain their shape as you move. Original price: $250 The Citizen Classic watch is 25% off, making it a more accessible option. Its clean lines and leather strap create a timeless look, while the deep blue dial adds a subtle touch of color.  For more deals, visit www.foxnews.com/deals Original price: $49.99 This leather wallet includes an RFID-blocking lining to help protect personal and financial information. Reinforced stitching adds durability for everyday use.  If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can get these items sent to your door ASAP. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb80ed059ccda1fcc2065d Blue state residents 'fleeing in droves' after ‘insane’ progressive takeover, says top state attorney te 2026-04-24T14:40:45.475Z Blue state residents 'fleeing in droves' after ‘insane’ progressive takeover, says top state attorney A top state attorney in Democrat-controlled Maryland says he has had enough and is throwing in the towel after saying the Old Line State has suffered an "insane" "ultra-progressive" takeover. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Haven Shoemaker, state attorney for Maryland’s Carroll County, said that after decades in public service, he is "sick to death" of the policies that "emanate" from the state capital in Annapolis. He said he is especially disgusted with Maryland’s "sanctuary" policies and the high taxes he said are being levied in part to pay for more services for illegal immigrants. "Maryland has become California on the Chesapeake," said Shoemaker. "It only gets worse. It's not getting better. And at some point, I just had to make a personal decision that it's time to throw in the towel and head for what I believe are greener pastures." Shoemaker is not the only one. He said that he sees Marylanders giving up on the state "all the time." "The State of Maryland has one of the worst outward migration numbers of any state in the country right now," he said. "So, I don't know who’s going to be the last to foot the bill for the profligate spending that Annapolis likes to engage in, but it's not going to be me, I can tell you that." MARYLAND DEMS MOCKED FOR PRIORITIZING TAMPONS IN MEN’S BATHROOMS AMID STATE DEFICIT: 'NONSENSE' Moore's office did not respond to Fox News Digital's questions. Fox News Digital also reached out to Maryland House Speaker Joseline A. Peña-Melnyk and Senate President Bill Ferguson for comment. Born in Baltimore in the 1960s, Shoemaker spent three decades in local and state politics before taking the job as Carroll County’s top prosecutor in 2023. His career in public service includes seven years as mayor of Hampstead, Maryland, four years as a Carroll County commissioner and nine years in the Maryland House of Delegates. He rose to the role of House Minority Whip for the Maryland Republican Party. Despite years deeply involved in state politics, Shoemaker said his decision to abandon Maryland has been a long time coming. "I've been contemplating this move for a while, but the linchpin for me was this most recent legislative session where they essentially made Maryland a sanctuary state for illegal immigrants," he told Fox News Digital. Earlier this year, the Maryland General Assembly passed an emergency measure to ban local and state law enforcement agencies from cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through what is known as the 287(g) program. Maryland Democratic Gov. Wes Moore, whose name has been floated as a possible 2028 Democratic presidential candidate, signed the bill into law. While emphasizing that law enforcement would continue cooperating with ICE on deporting individuals who "pose a risk to public safety," Moore lauded the bill, saying, "We will not allow untrained, unqualified and unaccountable agents to deputize our brave local law enforcement officers," according to WYPR. While signing the measure, Moore stressed his view that "Maryland is a community of immigrants," saying, "It is not our weakness, it's our strength." FOUR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS LINKED TO MS-13 INDICTED FOR ALLEGEDLY MURDERING 14-YEAR-OLD BOY IN MARYLAND PARK Shoemaker, meanwhile, said that Maryland’s sanctuary-style policies are "just part of the problem." "In addition to that, their tax policy here is horrendous," he said. He pointed to how state leaders raised taxes in Maryland last year by $1.6 billion. The tax raise was passed by the State Assembly and approved by Democratic Gov. Wes Moore as part of a $67 billion state budget in 2025. The raise was part of a plan to address roughly a $3.3 billion budget deficit. Maryland’s budget is relatively large compared to other states, despite the state ranking 18th in population and 42nd in land size. Shoemaker said that state leaders are "already looking at a structural deficit going into next year's budget of another billion and a half or so." He asserted the "handwriting is on the wall" that "Maryland politicians are beholden to their ultra-progressive base." In the end, Shoemaker said that he has finally decided to escape to the South and head for North Carolina. "A lot of taxpayers from across the State of Maryland are fleeing in droves," he said. He added a warning to Moore and other Maryland leaders: "If you want to staunch the bleeding that's occurring, maybe you should rethink your policies." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb80d7059ccda1fcc2063c Deb Haaland’s Historic Run for New Mexico Governor Hits a Primary Snag te 2026-04-24T14:40:23.986Z Deb Haaland’s Historic Run for New Mexico Governor Hits a Primary Snag The former interior secretary seemed to have an easy path to becoming New Mexico’s first Native American woman governor — until Sam Bregman challenged her. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb7e86059ccda1fcc205f8 Sedona eyes $94.7M in its FY27 budget, down 8% te 2026-04-24T14:30:30.261Z Sedona eyes $94.7M in its FY27 budget, down 8% The Sedona City Council is considering a proposed $94.7 million budget for fiscal year 2026-27, a roughly 8% reduction from the current year’s $103 million spending. The decrease is driven primarily by a 19% — or $8.177 million — drop in capital projects because of the completion of projects, such a Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb7c3f059ccda1fcc20536 How Kevin Warsh Could Shrink the Fed’s Footprint in Financial Markets te 2026-04-24T14:20:47.587Z How Kevin Warsh Could Shrink the Fed’s Footprint in Financial Markets President Trump’s nominee to become the next chair of the Federal Reserve wants to overhaul the central bank, including its more than $6 trillion balance sheet. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb7c2a059ccda1fcc2051a Another spyware maker caught distributing fake Android snooping apps te 2026-04-24T14:20:26.362Z Another spyware maker caught distributing fake Android snooping apps Researchers have found a new case where government authorities used a fake Android app to plant spyware on a target’s phone. The company that allegedly developed the spyware was not previously known to sell this type of software. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb79f9059ccda1fcc204ce Over a dozen Dems demand Trump admin protect Iranians living in the US te 2026-04-24T14:11:05.226Z Over a dozen Dems demand Trump admin protect Iranians living in the US More than a dozen Democratic lawmakers have signed onto a letter urging President Donald Trump's administration to protect Iranians living in the U.S. who could not safely return to Iran. "We write to urge the Trump administration to immediately institute protections for Iranian nationals currently in the United States who cannot return home safely," the letter states. "The Administration must not forcibly return Iranian families in the United States to Iran — where they face the dual threat of the regime’s humanitarian abuses and dangers a resumption of the war poses — and should therefore pause deportation flights and designate Iranians for temporary protection, such as Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED)," it continues. US-IRAN CEASEFIRE DEAL HANGS IN THE BALANCE AS ISRAEL, LEBANON SLATED FOR RARE WASHINGTON TALKS The letter accuses the Trump administration of launching "attacks on Iran unlawfully, without the constitutionally required congressional authorization, plunging millions of innocent civilians into a state of insecurity, with the human cost of the conflict mounting daily." "Having initiated the current war with Iran, the Trump administration bears a moral and humanitarian responsibility to provide Iranian nationals with an immediate shield from removal," the message asserts. "The Administration should also provide assistance to Iranians in the United States while they are unable to return home, by resuming the processing of immigration benefits and expediting the issuance of work authorization documents," the letter states. ONCE TRUMP-ALIGNED PODCASTS ARE WARNING HE'S LOSING HIS COALITION OVER BROKEN PROMISES The April 23 letter is directed to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Todd Lyons, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow. The letter is signed by Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Rep. Yassamin Ansari of Arizona, Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, Sen. Alex Padilla of California, Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada, Sen. Adam Schiff of California, Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, and Reps. Dan Goldman of New York, Hank Johnson of Georgia, Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, Dave Min of California, Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, Brad Sherman of California, Lateefah Simon of California, and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton of Washington D.C. FOX NEWS POLL: MODEST BOOST IN SUPPORT FOR IRAN CONFLICT, BUT CONCERNS PERSIST Fox News Digital reached out to the White House to request comment on Friday. Rubio has yanked the lawful permanent resident status of multiple individuals with ties to the Iranian regime. For example, the State Department announced earlier this month that "the niece and grand niece of deceased Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Major General Qasem Soleimani were arrested by federal agents following Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s termination of their lawful permanent resident (LPR) status."   "Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter are now in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. As identified by both press reporting and her own social media commentary, Soleimani Afshar is an outspoken supporter of the totalitarian, terrorist regime in Iran," the department noted in the April 4 notice. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb79e5059ccda1fcc204c5 Trump admin steps up next phase of effort to protect children’s health te 2026-04-24T14:10:45.470Z Trump admin steps up next phase of effort to protect children’s health FIRST ON FOX: The Trump administration is stepping up its response to childhood lead exposure, launching new EPA public-education tools while pressing states to use previously awarded lead-mitigation funds that had gone unused, Fox News Digital learned.  "There's no safe level of lead exposure, and it's well documented that children are more susceptible to the risks of lead. We've made a lot of progress over the decades in reducing childhood exposure to lead, but there's still more work to do," Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi told Fox News Digital in a Zoom interview.  The EPA is revamping its website and launching a new story map tool aimed at making critical information on the risks of lead exposure easier for the public to access. The move comes as the agency shifts funding toward higher-impact efforts and steps up pressure on states to address contamination risks. RFK JR DEFENDS TRUMP MOVE TO PROTECT PESTICIDE HE TIED TO ‘CHRONIC DISEASE EPIDEMIC’ Lead can be commonly found in paint, household dust, drinking water, air, and soil. The new tools will provide information to the public on current regulations for prevention. "We’re also enforcing our rules when it comes to the lead renovation and painting rule. This comes up when you've got older homes, 1978 and older. Those are the ones that are more likely to have lead in the home, in the paint," said Fotouhi. "When those homes are being renovated, it's critical that folks are following our standards for ensuring the safety of any children that are occupying that home during that renovation." OBAMA-ERA GREENHOUSE GAS RULES GONE AS EPA’S ZELDIN SIGNS ‘SINGLE LARGEST DEREGULATORY ACTION’ IN HISTORY The agency announced $3 billion in new funding for states to reduce lead in drinking water while also reallocating $1.1 billion in unused funding. Fotouhi explained to Fox News Digital that previous federal dollars to protect against lead poisoning and replace service lines sat unused in a handful of states.  "We've really focused on is making sure that states that received lead funding in the past are putting that money to good use," said Fotouhi. "We encountered a number of situations where states had received funding from EPA to replace lead service lines but had not taken and spent those funds to do that work." There are 4 million lead service lines carrying drinking water to homes, according to a 2025 EPA report. The EPA's broader push to prevent lead poisoning also included $26 million for states and territories last year to address lead in drinking water at schools and child-care facilities, underscoring the administration’s focus on children’s exposure risks. READ: DR. OZ PUTS ALL 50 GOVERNORS ON NOTICE OVER BILLIONS LOST TO MEDICAID FRAUD A committee of senior leaders was reestablished in 2025 across the agency’s program offices and 10 regions as part of EPA’s agency-wide effort to reduce children’s exposure to lead. "This is federal, this is precious federal grant funding. Designed specifically to reduce human health risk from lead exposure, and the states need to be doing their job here and putting that funding to good use," said Fotouhi. The administration has cast children’s health as a cross-agency priority, with HHS helping drive that push through the White House’s Make America Healthy Again initiative, which has focused in part on childhood chronic disease and environmental toxins. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb79ce059ccda1fcc20491 Uber CTO Praveen Neppalli Naga joins stacked StrictlyVC SF lineup for April 30 event te 2026-04-24T14:10:22.767Z Uber CTO Praveen Neppalli Naga joins stacked StrictlyVC SF lineup for April 30 event Surprise! StrictlyVC San Francisco, which will kick off this year’s events lineup for TechCrunch on April 30 at the Sentro Filipino Cultural Center, is getting a new addition to its increasingly stacked lineup of speakers. Uber CTO Praveen Neppalli Naga will join the rest of the lineup to discuss op Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb778e059ccda1fcc20443 Comedian suffers wardrobe malfunction on morning show, responds with perfect comeback te 2026-04-24T14:00:46.396Z Comedian suffers wardrobe malfunction on morning show, responds with perfect comeback Nikki Glaser spun an unfortunate situation into comedy gold. The comedian embraced being the punchline while suffering a wardrobe malfunction during a recent appearance on "Live With Kelly and Mark." Glaser, 41, hugged the husband-and-wife hosting duo before taking a seat, wearing a tiny blue mini dress with knee-high white leather boots. GOLDEN GLOBES HOST NIKKI GLASER RIPS ALEC BALDWIN, NICOLE KIDMAN IN JOKES TOO PROVOCATIVE FOR TV As soon as the Golden Globes host sat down, Kelly Ripa quipped, "You can see your underpants." "It’s just for you," Glaser said, without missing a beat. "Right down the barrel. Sorry, guys." While Mark Consuelos attempted to shield his eyes with a few note cards, Ripa confessed that a flash never impacted her line of vision. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "We don’t mind at all," Ripa said before Glaser quipped, "I’ll send you a picture later." The "Trainwreck" actress appeared on the morning show ahead of her hosting responsibilities at the Time 100 Gala, where she was also honored. Despite being consumed by the bright lights of the big city, Glaser revealed she went back to her roots to film her latest comedy special, "Good Girl." "You literally went home to St. Louis and shot it there. How was that?" Consuelos asked of Glaser's upcoming special. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "I live in St. Louis. I moved back to St. Louis after COVID and kind of just got away from it all and stayed there," she admitted of the show, which was filmed at the Fabulous Fox Theatre. "It was lots of people from high school, you know, people from my Pilates class, my self-tan lady from the strip mall. But it was fun. It's fine, I guess, that my childhood dentist knows about my sex life now. I guess that's appropriate." Glaser previously confessed that living in St. Louis "feels a bit more relaxed" than when she's based in a big city. "[Living here] is just wanting to focus on my family while they're still around and healthy, and want to hang out with me," she told "St. Louis on the Air" last year. "It's also just being in a town where what podcast [you have], what spots you're doing that night, what parties you're going to, what red carpets you're attending — doesn't matter," she said. "That's not here, and that's not what people value here. And it just recalibrates me." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb777a059ccda1fcc2043a Democrat Beyer blasts GOP plan to counter Virginia redistricting by eliminating his seat te 2026-04-24T14:00:26.288Z Democrat Beyer blasts GOP plan to counter Virginia redistricting by eliminating his seat A Republican lawmaker is proposing to return Arlington and Alexandria to Washington, D.C., a move aimed at countering Democrats’ newly strengthened grip on Virginia’s congressional map following this week’s redistricting vote. The "Make D.C. Square Again Act" from Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Ga., comes after voters approved Virginia’s new Democratic-backed map positioning the party to expand its congressional seat advantage by linking blue Northern Virginia suburbs with more rural districts — a shift Republicans warn could dilute GOP strength statewide. Rep. Donald Beyer, D-Va., on Thursday lambasted McCormick’s plan to finish what lawmakers in the 1860s started and return the heavily Democratic district to the District. "Rich McCormick’s bill is an embarrassing legislative tantrum," Beyer told Fox News Digital. SOROS-LINKED DARK MONEY NETWORK FUELS VIRGINIA REDISTRICTING PUSH BACKED BY NATIONAL DEMOCRATS "It is also unconstitutional, and a stupid waste of time. Republicans upset about the passage of Virginia’s redistricting referendum should stop whining, as they have no one to blame but themselves." McCormick's bill called the 1846 retrocession "unconstitutional" and restore the District of Columbia's original 100-square-mile boundary. He lamented the redistricting vote and noted that Sen. Benjamin Wade, R-Ohio, originally sparked the retrocession movement with legislation in 1866. An 1836 effort by Sen. William Preston, a Whig from South Carolina, to cede the entirety of Washington, D.C., to Maryland also failed. Alexandria County — now Arlington County and the city of Alexandria — retroceded from the District of Columbia to Virginia amid alleged economic inequities with then-Georgetown County, D.C., political mismanagement and tensions over Alexandria’s then-booming slave trade, as the North, including Washington, D.C., opposed the practice. All that remains of Washington, D.C., on the Virginia side of the Potomac River is Columbia Island, also known as Lady Bird Johnson Island, which remains with the District of Columbia due to an arcane law regarding the river's high-water mark. Presidents Abraham Lincoln and William Taft also voiced support for Wade's mission, but de-retrocession routinely died in the Senate in the several times it was tried. NEWSOM TURNS VIRGINIA REDISTRICTING VICTORY INTO WARNING SHOT FOR TRUMP ADMINISTRATION "Restore to the District of Columbia the portion of its territory taken away by the retrocession," Taft demanded in his 1912 State of the Union. McCormick argued that "absent the vote of DC bureaucrats," the other 90% of Virginia’s geographic voice would remain intact with a "substantial Republican majority." He said 250,000 votes in Arlington and Alexandria — which Beyer’s district comprises along with parts of southern Fairfax — should rightly belong to Washington, D.C. Beyer said that Virginia’s voice opposing President Donald Trump was rightly heard in Tuesday’s election and that Republicans like McCormick are trying to instead "permanently deprive hundreds of thousands of my constituents of their right to vote in federal elections." "Their contempt for voters is breathtaking," Beyer said. Beyer added that Americans want Congress to focus on economic issues and halting Trump’s Iran War but are instead faced with Republicans "humiliating themselves" to curry the president’s favor. "Voters will remember," he said. In a response to Fox News Digital, McCormick shared a meme of a Google Map with Beyer's portrait bordered by the District of Columbia. "On the bright side, you can run for mayor now, Don Beyer." JEFFRIES DEFENDS VIRGINIA REDISTRICTING AS 'TEMPORARY MEASURE' TO STOP TRUMP FROM TRYING TO 'RIG' MIDTERMS In a statement on the bill, he argued that the Constitution is on his side. He said the Enclave Clause puts D.C.’s boundaries in Congress’ hands and gives no authority to retrocede territory back to the states. "The Make DC Square Act restores the District of Columbia as the Founders envisioned it," he said. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger rebuked the idea of giving Arlington and Alexandria back: "Inflation is skyrocketing, gas is close to $4, and Virginia families are feeling squeezed by high prices because of the reckless policies coming out of Washington. Republicans in Congress should be focused on contending with the high costs and economic chaos created by President Trump," the spokesperson said. Not all Virginia lawmakers agreed with Beyer, including Del. Wren Williams of Patrick County in the southern part of the commonwealth. Williams, who is also an attorney, told Fox News Digital he "fully supports this act." "If we’re going to claim we support the constitution while our federal capital remains split over separate jurisdictions, how are we any better than those who allow millions of illegal aliens to flow across our borders as enemies to our nation?" he asked. "We need to resolve the inconsistency. We gave that land to the district, and there are no takebacks." GOP-LED COUNTIES PUSH BACK AGAINST DEMOCRAT'S REDISTRICTING CHARGE, TESTING VIRGINIA’S CONSTITUTIONAL LIMITS Williams said returning Arlington and Alexandria to Washington would begin a necessary "healing process" in Virginia to correct a longstanding divide, which other Republicans have lamented has left southside Virginia without a full voice in Richmond. The Washington-based government-transparency group The Oversight Project has also focused at times on the Arlington boundary dispute. Mike Howell, an attorney and the organization’s president, told Fox News Digital that "aggressive actions" need to be undertaken to return the District of Columbia to its proper confines. He called for returning "D.C. back in its proper constitutional place and to return order and dignity to the Nation's capital." "The Oversight Project has been pushing this issue on many fronts, particularly as it relates to President Trump's authority to take control of the area and an out of control D.C. bar." Howell said his group is making headway in court and offered encouragement that McCormick’s bill would open the door to more action. Given the heavily Democratic tilt of Beyer’s district, removing Arlington and Alexandria from Virginia would significantly alter the state’s political balance, potentially reshaping the state’s political balance after years of Democratic gains. Democrats’ newly approved map relies heavily on Northern Virginia’s dense, reliably blue suburbs to anchor multiple districts, alongside other urban centers such as Richmond, Norfolk and Charlottesville — a structure that could be disrupted if those populations were no longer part of the state. Such a shift could also ripple into state politics, where control of the legislature remains closely divided, though any downstream impact would depend on court challenges, implementation hurdles and whether the proposal gains traction in Congress. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb751e059ccda1fcc20391 Nothing introduces an AI-powered dictation tool te 2026-04-24T13:50:22.211Z Nothing introduces an AI-powered dictation tool Nothing's new on-device dictation tool supports over 100 languages. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb72da059ccda1fcc20328 Companies, Not Consumers, to Cash In Big From Tariff Refunds te 2026-04-24T13:40:42.543Z Companies, Not Consumers, to Cash In Big From Tariff Refunds Many families felt the sting of the president’s now-illegal tariffs, but companies have said little about whether they will share the $166 billion coming back to them. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb72c5059ccda1fcc2030c DeepSeek previews new AI model that ‘closes the gap’ with frontier models te 2026-04-24T13:40:21.816Z DeepSeek previews new AI model that ‘closes the gap’ with frontier models DeepSeek says both models are more efficient and performant than DeepSeek V3.2 due to architectural improvements, and have almost "closed the gap" with current leading models, both open and closed, on reasoning benchmarks. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb70d9059ccda1fcc202ea Arizonans to protest ICE detention centers tomorrow. Here's what you need to know. te 2026-04-24T13:32:09.870Z Arizonans to protest ICE detention centers tomorrow. Here's what you need to know. Groups will be in Surprise, Flagstaff and Mesa. Large crowds are expected to gather for what’s being called a "National Day of Action." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb70c0059ccda1fcc202b8 Giants' draft pick has intense Jaxson Dart message: 'I’m ready to die for you' te 2026-04-24T13:31:44.271Z Giants' draft pick has intense Jaxson Dart message: 'I’m ready to die for you' New York Giants draft pick Francis Mauigoa is ready for war. Maybe that’s a bit hyperbolic, but that’s what the offensive lineman suggested after the team selected him with the No. 10 overall pick of Thursday night’s first round. "I’ll die about this s--- man," he told ESPN when asked what he wanted Jaxson Dart to know about how he will protect him. "I’m ready to die for you man." ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Intense. The Giants didn’t necessarily need to take an offensive lineman that high, especially with other holes to fill and safety Caleb Downs still on the board. Mauigoa was a major reason why the Miami Hurricanes were able to make the college football national championship against the Indiana Hoosiers back in January. He was an All-American and a First Team All-ACC selection during the 2025 season. He also won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, which is given to the best blocker in each conference. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Dart will welcome more offensive line help as he’s come under scrutiny for how he scrambles with the football. He took big hits during his rookie season as the Giants’ starter, which sparked criticism of his failure to slide when he sees defenders rushing toward him. Still, Dart has maintained that he will keep running the way he wants. "I understand the question, but this is football. I'm going to get hit if I'm in the pocket or outside the pocket," Dart said after a game against the New England Patriots. "I've played this way my whole entire life. It shouldn't be any shocker to anybody if you've followed along with my career. We're not playing soccer out here. You're going to get hit, things happen. It's just part of the game." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb70ac059ccda1fcc202af ‘The View’ hosts blast RFK Jr’s leadership as Joy Behar says policies are 'trying to kill us’ te 2026-04-24T13:31:24.624Z ‘The View’ hosts blast RFK Jr’s leadership as Joy Behar says policies are 'trying to kill us’ The co-hosts of ABC’s "The View" launched a blistering attack on Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Thursday, questioning his fitness for office following a series of contentious Senate hearings. At one point, co-host Joy Behar said of the administration's policies, "Sometimes, I feel like they’re trying to kill us."  Kennedy locked horns with lawmakers this week during back-to-back appearances before the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP). The hearings come amid reports that the White House has moved to "tighten its grip" on the HHS, allegedly advising Kennedy to temper public rhetoric regarding shifts in national vaccine policy. One of the moments from the testimony involved Kennedy’s vision for artificial intelligence. He suggested to lawmakers that AI could eventually "revolutionize medicine" to the point of making the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) "irrelevant." KENNEDY TELLS FDA EMPLOYEES THAT 'THE DEEP STATE IS REAL': REPORT "I was just reading about a dog that had cancer, and his owner used AI to develop a personalized treatment that cured the cancer," Kennedy told the Senate panel on Thursday. While co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin admitted she would do anything to save her own pet, she expressed alarm that such anecdotes were being used to guide federal policy by someone she claimed lacks the proper credentials. "This is our expert—somebody who does not have a medical degree, who does not have a background in science," Griffin said. She specifically pointed to the administration's recent decision to pivot away from certain mRNA research. Griffin claimed the HHS has moved to cancel $500 million in funding for mRNA vaccine research—a technology she noted is currently showing "massive breakthroughs" in treating pancreatic cancer. "That has real-life consequences," she warned, adding that the impact could be felt for decades. ROSIE O'DONNELL DEMANDS RFK JR RESIGN OVER COMMENTS ABOUT AUTISTIC CHILDREN Co-host Whoopi Goldberg turned the focus toward government transparency, suggesting that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been "cleared out" of vital information regarding clinical trials. The conversation took an even darker turn when Behar suggested a more malevolent motive behind the administration's health policies. "You know, sometimes I feel like they’re trying to kill us," Behar said. "You think?" Goldberg retorted. RFK JR'S ABORTION 'ISSUE': SENATE GOP PLANS TO SCRUTINIZE TRUMP HHS PICK'S POSITION Behar pivoted to a personal attack on the secretary’s character and past. "Here you’ve got a guy who is in charge of our health, who is a former heroin addict... he swam in sewage! Who does that?" she shouted. "And [he] snorted cocaine off a toilet seat. This is who is in charge of your health, America. We’re in a lot of trouble." Fox News Digital reached out to the HHS for comment but did not receive an immediate response. Fox News Digital also reached out to the White House.  CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb7098059ccda1fcc202a6 NASCAR's Natalie Decker gets out of the pool & into her fire suit for big race, NFL Draft drama, plus MEAT! te 2026-04-24T13:31:04.848Z NASCAR's Natalie Decker gets out of the pool & into her fire suit for big race, NFL Draft drama, plus MEAT! One of NASCAR's biggest social media draws, Natalie Decker, will be back on the track this weekend in Talladega for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Ag-Pro 300 on Saturday. The 28-year-old mom with 200k Instagram followers and about the same on TikTok, hasn't slid into a fire suit since Daytona where she finished 33rd. Instead of racing these days, Decker is better known for Instagram Q&As like the one she recently did on "How much do implants cost?" Spoiler: In the video, the racing veteran says her boobs cost the same price as a "set of tires." Then, the video cuts to a shot of Goodyear racing tires. In 2024, Denny Hamlin said that one Goodyear racing tire was $2,400. You can do the math and adjust for inflation. You get the idea on why Decker heading back to the track is a big deal. CONTENT! You can catch Natalie and the good old boys as they turn left in NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Ag-Pro 300 at 4 p.m. EST Saturday on CW. The good: Goodell and his minions sped up the process. It felt like a pick was coming in just as picks were grabbing their hats and looking into the mirror as they prepared to go bro hug it out with the commissioner. The pace of play has definitely improved over the old days. The bad: It was a boring draft. The emotion of the draft has been stripped away by NIL. Yes, some of these guys walked out with tears in their eyes, but it's just not the same. You're already looking at millionaires walking out to jump into Goodell's arms. Something else that's driving me nuts is the lack of guys being picked out of small schools. Last night, we had a guy picked out of San Diego State and UCF. Throw in two picks out of Arizona State and that's as small-school as it got. The days of Steve McNair out of Alcorn State are done forever. Would Josh Allen have stayed at Wyoming if NIL was around in 2016-17? I doubt it. My crime: I wrote that I was going to use Chinese Temu to have one-off custom golf head covers made. – Jon C. emails: Seriously?  You call yourself an American and you want to farm out a small batch production to some sweatshop?  Sure, capitalism and all that but I’m sure you can find a local print shop or someone with a computerized sewing machine to make a demo.  Big companies and been reshoring production so why off shore yours. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! – Aaron tells me: I love that you've thrown a light on the Travel Ball Industrial Complex through your column.  I could spend hours and pages on this, writing about it from a thousand different directions—-but instead I will keep it relatively short and specific to yesterday's column. Hunter posed some valid questions & points on 4/23 regarding the Travel Ball parents & the cost associated with it. As a parent who did AAU basketball for three seasons with my oldest daughter, the answer, I believe is pretty simple.  The vast majority of parents have very little objectivity about their childrens' athletic ability.  They believe if their child gets this special training, or goes to these "special tournaments", the result will be a scholarship.  When, the truth is, the majority of kids (excluding the elite AAU teams) are not talented enough to play at the college level, or, if they are, may only be offered a preferred walk-on spot or very small scholarship. So, when Hunter asks, why don't they (the parents) throw their hands up & say enough?  The answer is because the majority of parents I come in contact with believe their son or daughter is talented enough to play in college & earn a scholarship. SHEDEUR SANDERS DRAFT SLIDE TIMELINE: NFL EXECUTIVES CAUSE MEDIA MELTDOWN BY REJECTING POLARIZING PROSPECT From the youth level up through high school athletics, I find it rare for parents' to be truly objective about what their kids strengths & weaknesses are. Just so you have the entire story of why we chose to spend the money on AAU.  As a freshman in high school, my daughter stated she wanted to play college basketball.  She was (is) a good athlete, but not exceptional.  In Wyoming, you will receive very few serious looks from colleges (particularly in basketball), because of the dearth of talent in our state, unless you are an obvious Division I athlete. So, in order for her to have multiple offers and several options of schools, we chose to get her exposure through the AAU system (she also did continue to play high school basketball for her high school).  Had we chosen not to go the AAU route, I believe she may have only had one or two offers with scholarships attached & likely only from local Junior Colleges. FOX NEWS SPORTS HUDDLE NEWSLETTER: TRUMP ESTABLISHES TASK FORCE AHEAD OF SUMMER OLYMPICS 2028 RETURN TO US From an economics standpoint, the math is simple.  Spend around 9 to 10K over three years of AAU which resulted in a $120,000 scholarship (over 4 years) & the opportunity to play at a high-level Division II women's basketball program. Again, I could have written the equivalent of Pride and Prejudice on this topic, but appreciate your time. – Jim B. shares: Good day and thank you for your daily contributions to keeping America great. An alternative to the youth travel sports chaos, encourage running and perhaps choose cross country as a high school sport.  Running is a great form of exercise, can be a life-long pursuit and may lead to participation in local 5K, 10K or marathons, Spartan Races or other forms of outdoor activities and more. I know this from my son's experience.  He ran cross country in high school.  During and after college he got into the Spartan Racing thing.  Today he is a very good Ironman athlete competing in both their half and full distance events.   To participate in some of these events isn't cheap.  However, everyone can find a local 5K or 10K to run for a good cause and minimal entry fee. Parents go support your son or daughter running a local 5K. When they cross the finish line it will be very rewarding to all.  Build from there.  Organized off road obstacle races like the Spartan Races are more money and Ironman races are truly expensive to enter.  I'm guessing a Travel Ball summer though is much more expensive. The key is participation in these higher dollar types of events may be later in life when the teenager becomes a young adult ideally with a job and can pay for the expenses on their own or with some parental support. The foundation for this pursuit is formed early on with high school cross country.   Enclosed is a photo of my son finishing at the Ironman World Championships last fall in Nice, France.  His next Ironman is in a few weeks in Jacksonville Florida.  I act as his Sherpa at these events.  It all began back in junior high when he chose to run on the cross country team. Joe, keep up the great work! Screencaps is a daily must read. Kinsey: I hear you loud and clear, Jim. It turns out that Screencaps Jr. took the cross country path this past fall and ended up on the junior high varsity team that finished runner-up in the state of Ohio in Division 1. I couldn't believe it. He went from not caring much about running to finishing 85th. I counted like 20 7th graders who had faster times in his state race. Mrs. Screencaps and I now love cross country. The kids run for 13 minutes, we pull out our lawn chairs or walk around, maybe get a drink, just hangout in the nice fall air. No stress on us. No concerns about the coach not giving our son playing time. It's the most relaxing sport for a parent. We're in heaven. – Jacob N. hits on a topic that I've had on my mind with a 13-year-old in my house who deep down would like to have some sort of motorized mode of transportation: Joe, as always thanks for being a beacon of light in today’s world! Link is to an electric scooter crash in Omaha. https://www.wowt.com/2026/04/23/mother-daughter-injured-after-car-scooter-crash-north-omaha/ Kinsey: This week, Screencaps Jr.'s best friend was in a scooter crash right in front of our house. After I got off a work Zoom call, Mrs. Screencaps told me that the boy was thrown off the scooter and sent flying across the road. He landed on his shoulder, skinned up his arm and leg, but thankfully he didn't break his collarbone or separate his shoulder. It turns out the boy is one of my pitchers and catchers on my 13-14U baseball team which was already short on pitching. Not only did he just about ruin the end of his school year, but his baseball season nearly came to an end. Stay safe out there, kids. Some of you owe me an apology. I don't have the time to go look up your emails, but there were several emailers who called me crazy when I said Wendy's would be a dead fast-food franchise in 5-10 years. That was three years ago. Look at where we're at now. Yet here we are just a week away from the start of the sixth season with Millennials now making up a growing number of the participants. When TNML started, it was dominated by Boomers. Those Boomers are now slowing down while the Millennials pick up the pace. Can a Boomer do the unthinkable and win a national title? It's never been done in league history. ########################### That's it this week. I know it's been stressful for legacy Screencaps readers. Hopefully all of you read the newsletter I put out Thursday to ease concerns. I've been at this a long time. Adjustment is hard, but things tend to work out in the end. It's still the same community, the same morals, the same goals. Let's have a great weekend. Let's stay positive and move forward. Now go dominate the day. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb7085059ccda1fcc2029d ESPN slammed for awful NFL Draft broadcast: 'It's a joke' te 2026-04-24T13:30:45.046Z ESPN slammed for awful NFL Draft broadcast: 'It's a joke' The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft has come and gone, and I think ESPN is still trying to catch up on the picks. NFL Network, now part of ESPN, is as well. What a disastrous night for the "World Wide Leader." I know I'm accused of dunking on ESPN a lot, and I do, but it's usually for good reason. I like to think I have a pretty good pulse on sports fans, especially when it comes to major events. If I notice something, you guys usually do, too. Last night, I noticed how awful the draft coverage was — on both networks. Again, they're now the same, but still, they're different. It's weird. Whatever. Anyway, the draft time for each team was reduced this season from 10 to 8 minutes, and it was evident last night that ESPN just couldn't keep up. Both networks were miles behind the actual picks. If you even dared get on social media, you knew who was picked at 10 while No. 7 was still "on the clock" on TV. It was embarrassing. NEW RUSSINI-VRABEL PHOTOS RAISE ESPN CONFLICT QUESTIONS BUT THE NETWORK WON'T ANSWER THEM And, frankly, a disservice to the viewer. It's 2026. We HAVE to be better than this: I could go on and on. It was a true disasterclass from all parties involved. The NFL. ESPN. Again, NFL Network wasn't quite as bad, but they were still miles behind. And, again, they're also part of ESPN now, so they fall under that unfortunate umbrella. I don't blame the NFL for shortening the time for picks. That made sense. Teams have had months to prepare for this draft. If they still need 10 minutes to decide on a pick, they're probably in bad shape. Taking two minutes away wasn't supposed to hurt anyone ... So, naturally, it hurt the viewer. It's always the viewer who gets hurt. I understand ESPN has advertising obligations. I get it. All networks do. That's how they stay afloat. But did they need to jam 14 commercials in between three picks, when the picks are already shorter to begin with? There HAS to be a better way. The NFL and ESPN had months to figure this out, and they fell flat on their face last night. And by the way, if they don't fix this — soon — folks will just stop watching. They won't stop following, of course, because the NFL is king. But they'll just start going to Twitter to get their info. It would shorten the draft by an hour for most. No commercials. No players walking down that stupid tunnel so we can watch them put their hat on in front of a mirror. No interviews where they're all asked the same question. Just a rapid-fire NFL Draft where the picks are made within minutes of each other. That's where this is going. After last night, it's probably where it needs to go. The one downside? We won't get great analysis like this from Mike Greenberg: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb7071059ccda1fcc20294 FCC router rule raises questions about future updates te 2026-04-24T13:30:25.428Z FCC router rule raises questions about future updates A new move from the Federal Communications Commission is being framed as a national security step. But if you already have a router at home, the bigger question is simple: how long will it keep getting security updates? The FCC recently updated its "Covered List" to include routers produced in foreign countries, which blocks new models of that covered equipment from being approved for sale in the U.S. At the same time, the FCC made something else clear. This change does not affect routers you already own, and it does not stop retailers from continuing to sell models that were previously approved. So nothing shuts off overnight. However, the policy introduces a new layer of uncertainty around how long some devices will continue receiving updates. IS YOUR HOME WI-FI REALLY SAFE? THINK AGAIN Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report The policy focuses on future device approvals, not the devices already in your home. Here is what the FCC says in plain terms: This action is tied to national security concerns about supply chain risks, not a product-by-product security test of individual routers. The key takeaway is this: your current router is not banned, recalled or disabled. The real issue is not about using your router today. It is about future software and firmware updates. Alongside the policy change, the FCC issued a temporary waiver. That waiver allows existing routers to continue receiving updates that patch vulnerabilities, maintain functionality and ensure compatibility with operating systems. Right now, that waiver runs through at least March 1, 2027. That date is not a guaranteed cutoff. The FCC has said it will re-evaluate the policy before then and may extend or modify the waiver. So the situation is still evolving. Your router is the gateway to everything connected in your home. Phones, laptops, smart TVs and cameras all depend on it. When a vulnerability is discovered, a software update is usually what fixes it. If updates slow down or stop, the risk builds over time. That does not mean your router suddenly becomes unsafe. But it can become easier for attackers to exploit known flaws. Even the FCC acknowledged this in its waiver, noting that continued updates help mitigate harm to consumers and support essential security functions. So the concern is not immediate. It is about what happens over time if support policies change. BROWSER EXTENSIONS PUT MILLIONS OF GOOGLE CHROME USERS AT RISK One important wrinkle is that the FCC has already begun granting conditional approvals for some devices. In April 2026, the agency approved certain products from NETGEAR and Adtran to continue operating under specific conditions through October 1, 2027. That shows this is not a one-size-fits-all rule. Instead, it is an evolving policy where some devices may continue receiving support while others may face tighter restrictions. The FCC says the decision is based on national security concerns, including supply chain vulnerabilities and potential cybersecurity risks tied to certain foreign-produced equipment. At the same time, the policy includes a path for exceptions. Companies can seek conditional approvals through federal agencies, and regulators can revisit the rules as more information becomes available. That means the final impact will likely depend on how those decisions play out over time. Until there is more clarity, a few simple steps can help keep your home network secure. First, find your router's exact model number. You can usually see it on a label on the bottom or back of the device. Next, go to the manufacturer's website, such as NETGEAR, Linksys or TP-Link, and search for that model. Open its support page and look for sections like Support, Downloads, Firmware or End of Life. Then, check for a support timeline, the date of the most recent firmware update or any notes saying the product is no longer supported. If you cannot find clear information, that is a warning sign that your router may not receive regular security updates.  Next, log into your router settings. To do this, open a web browser and type your router's IP address into the address bar. Common ones include 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. Then sign in using your admin username and password. Once you are in, look for sections labeled Firmware, Software Update or Administration. Check for available updates and install them if needed. If your router supports automatic updates, turn that on. This helps close security gaps quickly without you having to check manually. If you are not sure where to find these settings, you can also use your router's mobile app if it has one, which often makes updates easier. GET FASTER WI-FI WITH THESE SIMPLE HOME FIXES If your router is already a few years old, start planning for a replacement. Do not wait until updates stop. Instead, look for models with clearly stated support timelines. Check out our picks for the Top Routers for best security at cyberguy.com  Your router is the first line of defense. However, your devices matter too. Keep your phone, computer and tablet updated. Also, use strong antivirus software to help catch threats that slip through. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com From time to time, check what is connected to your network. You can do this in your router settings under "Connected Devices" or in your router's app. If you see anything unfamiliar, remove it right away. Create a strong Wi-Fi password and a separate admin password for your router. Avoid using default credentials. A password manager can help you generate and store secure logins. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com First, log into your router settings using a web browser. Type your router's IP address, such as 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, into the address bar and sign in with your admin credentials. Next, look for settings labeled Remote Access, Remote Management, Web Access from WAN, or Cloud Access. These are often found under sections like Advanced, Administration or Security. Then, turn that setting off and save your changes. This prevents your router from being accessed from outside your home network. If you cannot find the option, check your router's mobile app or the manufacturer's support page. Some routers hide this setting or disable it by default. First, unplug your router from the power outlet. Wait about 30 seconds to let it fully shut down. Next, plug it back in and wait a few minutes for it to reconnect to the internet. You can also restart your router through its settings. Log in, then look for options like Reboot or Restart under sections such as Administration or System. Doing this every few weeks can help apply updates and clear temporary issues that may affect performance or security. If your router supports scheduled reboots, you can turn that on to automate the process. This is not a situation where your internet suddenly becomes unsafe. There is no recall. There is no shutdown. Your router will not stop working on a specific date. However, there is a new question mark that did not exist before. The Federal Communications Commission has created a system where future updates for some devices could depend on how the rules evolve. That puts more importance on something most people rarely think about: how long their router will stay supported. For now, you still have time. The current waiver runs into 2027, and regulators have signaled they may revisit the policy before then. The smart move is simple. Know what you own, keep it updated and stay aware as this situation develops. As policies around your home tech change, how much responsibility should fall on regulators versus the companies that keep your devices updated? 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/69eb6bfb059ccda1fcc2019c Randy Travis’ tour vocalist, James Dupré, exposes hard reality of performing after country icon’s stroke te 2026-04-24T13:11:23.758Z Randy Travis’ tour vocalist, James Dupré, exposes hard reality of performing after country icon’s stroke James Dupré, the vocalist for Randy Travis' "More Life" tour, has been honored with a major task. In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, the Louisiana native opens up about taking the stage with Travis — who suffered a life-altering stroke in 2013  —  and details the challenges he's been met with and gives an uplifting update on the iconic country star's health. "Honestly, when we get on the tour bus, [Randy] gets excited," said Dupré, who was personally selected as the main vocalist by Travis and his wife, Mary, in 2019. "He just doesn't like to sit at home for too long. You know, he shows up every day to the shows and he's always smiling. He's always happy to see his band. I've never seen him say ‘No’ to anyone who wanted a photo or wanted a signature. I mean, he just loves being out there, and it's really fun to be on a tour with that kind of positivity." RANDY TRAVIS' WIFE DEFIED MEDICAL ADVICE TO 'PULL THE PLUG' DURING COUNTRY STAR'S STROKE RECOVERY BATTLE Dupré, whose voice and talent first went viral on YouTube in 2008, has made a name for himself throughout the years. But his style, admitted Dupré, has always been heavily influenced by Travis — which can be a challenge when trying to maintain his own identity as an artist, while also honoring Travis' legacy. "It's hard. Randy was one of my heroes growing up. So my style is already heavily influenced by Randy," he said. "But, you know, obviously I still have my own sound and my own style, but doing his songs every night, it's kind of hard to separate my artistry from, trying to sound like Randy, you know what I mean? And I'm not an impersonator, and I'm trying to impersonate Randy, but it is hard sometimes to separate myself from that. So it's more of a conscious effort, an ongoing conscious effort." Travis suffered a stroke after being hospitalized for congestive heart failure tied to viral cardiomyopathy in 2013. "I could understand what Mary said to me, but I could not respond in anything close to a sentence," Randy wrote in his 2019 memoir "Forever and Ever, Amen: A Memoir of Music, Faith and Braving the Storms of Life." "All this was extremely frustrating for me; I felt like I was trapped inside the shell of my body." The stroke impacted his ability to perform the way he was used to, and left him having to relearn basic daily tasks. Despite the hardships, Travis was determined to continue what he loved: making music and performing for his fans. "He loves being with his fans. He loves the energy of the stage," Mary told Fox News Digital in 2025. "People always ask if it’s hard for him to hear his music played by somebody else. I think for some people it would be, but for Randy, he’s like, No, I’m good with that. Music belongs to all of us." And Dupré sees the impact Travis' resilience has on his fans. "I think what's amazing though, is when he comes out on stage at the beginning of the show, and I come out shortly after, I see people already in tears," he said. "Because they're seeing him and, and obviously for people who have loved him for so long, who haven't seen him in person in the shape that he's in now, post stroke, I think it's extra difficult for people to see him that way. And I remember seeing him for the first time after the stroke, because for me, it was very hard. It's just, it's incredible to see all of those reactions." WATCH: Singer James Dupre exposes hard reality of performing for Randy Travis after stroke CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "I can't think of a more inspiring thing to be a part of because to see what he's had to endure, all that, all the stuff that he's said to endure over the last decade and more, for him to still be so positive and to still want to even go out and see people and want people to see him," he added. "He doesn't quit. You know, and that is so motivating and so inspiring to me. And I try to carry that with me every day." In 2023, Randy and Mary spoke with Fox News Digital about his condition ahead of a tribute concert, which also raised money for the Randy Travis Foundation. The foundation focuses on stroke and aphasia awareness and supporting music education in schools. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "We want people to understand strokes, stroke rehabilitation, that there is life after stroke," Mary said at the time. "We did find that all of the rehab that we went through, life is the best rehab. Just get out there. Go do what you used to do. You know, the world may wonder why you're out here, but just go out there and, you know, dance like nobody's watching and sing like nobody's listening and just have a good time. It truly is the best therapy." Mary also cited her and Randy’s faith for helping them work through recovery. "He's very faithful," she said. "We, you know, we leaned hard on God. It's been 10 years now since the stroke, and that's hard to believe. … There's really no words for it, and there's not a day that goes by that I just don't thank God for his grace and his mercy." Fox News Digital's Larry Fink contributed to this post. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb6be8059ccda1fcc20193 JONATHAN TURLEY: Chicago schools reward protest while students can't read te 2026-04-24T13:11:04.332Z JONATHAN TURLEY: Chicago schools reward protest while students can't read The Chicago Public Schools are facing a major truancy problem... among teachers. The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) was up in arms over suggestions that classes should be held on May 1 when teachers wanted to be out protesting. Called International Workers' Day, May Day is a global day of protest for socialist, communist and unionist groups. The CTU was upset when parents objected that canceling a day of class for teachers to join a political protest was a burden for working parents. These teachers believe that they are teaching something far more important through their activism. In defending the demand for publicly subsidized protests, CTU Vice President Jackson Potter explained that "teaching our students what civic action looks like requires more than textbooks." While that does not help with the dismal proficiency scores of actual students, it is vital to training students as political foot soldiers. CHICAGO TEACHERS UNION BUDGETING MILLIONS FOR 'POLITICAL ACTIVITIES,' ACCORDING TO FISCAL REPORT The CTU and the National Education Association recently collaborated on a "curriculum build" to bring "social justice into the classroom" ahead of May Day. Dave Stieber, a history teacher in Chicago Public Schools is shown declaring that "May Day is a dress rehearsal for maybe there’s a random day in, you know, June that we all are, like, no work, no school, no shopping...So this is a continuation and a buildup of that." In the meantime, with only 2 of 5 students reading at grade level, the Chicago teachers chose to lower proficiency levels rather than improve their teaching record. While failing on actually teaching students, the CTU is proficient at instructing politicians such as Mayor Brandon Johnson through the use of union dues to fund Democratic campaigns. The CTU and other teachers' unions funneled millions into Johnson's campaigns. By one estimate, 93 percent of Johnson's campaign budget came from unions. UNDERPERFORMING DC SCHOOLS' STAFF HAS GROWN 7 TIMES FASTER THAN ENROLLMENT: AUDIT The CTU has long held the distinction of being the most radical teachers' union in the country. It was a CTU delegation that went to Venezuela during the Maduro regime to praise conditions under socialism. In a country where dissenters and reporters were being jailed and killed, the Chicago teachers gushed about how "we did not see a single homeless person!" Chicago area teachers have been charged with violent protests. Suggesting that teachers should work rather than attend May Day protests set off the Chicago teachers. Now, the union has confirmed that classes will be held without the participating teachers, and Chicago Public Schools will pay for buses for both students and educators to go to the protests. The city further promised that there would be no repercussions for either students or teachers playing hooky from school. This is not the first time unions and teachers have allowed students to skip classes to support left-wing protests. In New York, teachers and students were allowed to skip school to demand a ceasefire in Gaza. Previously, students were allowed to skip school to protest climate change. These school districts do not show the same participatory support for protests on the right. There is no accommodation or city-subsidized buses for pro-life protests or demonstrations in favor of Israel. Nevertheless, the Chicago school system is declaring that this is what schooling is all about in the Windy City. CPS CEO Macquline King stated that "the agreement honors the proud history of civic action in Chicago and beyond." Decades ago, my parents helped create an organization to stem the exodus of families from public schools and to reinforce academic standards in the Chicago Public School system. They convinced more families to remain in the system because they believed (as I do) that public schools can play a critical role in shaping citizens through a diverse and shared experience. I was long skeptical of voucher systems because of that commitment to public education. However, teacher unions and administrators are destroying public education in America. They are treating families as captive audiences while infusing education with social and political agendas. The only way to break this decades-long cycle of failure, in my opinion, is to give families alternatives by allowing them to send their children to schools with core educational (as opposed to advocacy) priorities. Nevertheless, Mayor Johnson celebrated the funding of the May Day protests: "We are pleased all parties are working together to ensure school communities can participate in commemorating International Workers Day...Encouraging participating allows Chicagoans to honor our history while advocating for our future. We look forward to a day of meaningful solidarity and community resistance to the forces trying to tear us apart. Schools have long been a target for indoctrination by radical elements. The Cultural Revolution in China was the most extreme example where children were forced into protests and taught that political activism came before scholastics under the slogan "to rebel is justified." CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Mao declared that "our educational policy must enable everyone who receives an education to develop morally, intellectually and physically and become a worker with both socialist consciousness and culture." In the CTU/NEA seminar, Kirstin Roberts, a pre-school teacher in Chicago Public Schools, is shown explaining that the purpose is to "encourage teachers of young children not to feel like this is stuff that’s way beyond their students, not to be afraid of raising up social justice issues, including workers’ rights, anti-racism, pro LGBT, LGBTQIA plus issues, immigration and immigrants rights." The erosion of the line between education and advocacy is now occurring on every level of our educational system. Some universities now have "resident activist" programs or offer degrees in advocacy. INSIDE ANTIFA-LINKED GROUP'S PLAN TO 'STRUCTURALLY CHANGE' THE US AS MAY DAY UNREST APPROACHES In my book Rage and the Republic, I discuss the rise of the "new Jacobins" in the United States, including a cadre of radical educators who use our schools to pursue fundamental changes in our constitutional system. Law professors and deans are now calling for trashing our Constitution as a threat to the nation while teachers are using classes to radicalize students. Chicago's subsidy of May Day protests uses public funds in the struggling school system to foster radical political agendas. It removes any doubt for parents about the priority of Johnson, the CTU, and many of these teachers. Some of the sentiments expressed in Chicago could have been ripped from Mao's Little Red Book and speeches. He insisted "education must serve proletarian politics" and demanded "the period of schooling should be shortened, education should be revolutionized." In Chicago, the "period for schooling" is now being shortened in favor of "solidarity and community resistance." While the students may not be able to actually read, they will learn the three R's of modern education: resisting, raging, and rebelling. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM JONATHAN TURLEY Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb6bd4059ccda1fcc2018a Newsom-backed law lets illegal immigrant child rapist seek early release again as DA urges 'stop the madness' te 2026-04-24T13:10:44.911Z Newsom-backed law lets illegal immigrant child rapist seek early release again as DA urges 'stop the madness' An illegal immigrant from Mexico serving a 139-year prison sentence for raping and impregnating his underage stepdaughter will be eligible to seek early parole for a second time in the coming months due to a loophole in a law signed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Israel Ceja's early release was blocked Wednesday after a review by an en banc parole board convened by Newsom following pressure from Yolo County District Attorney Jeffrey Reisig. An official with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed to Fox News Digital that a new hearing has been ordered for Ceja. Reisig is calling on Newsom and California lawmakers to "stop the madness" by closing the loopholes in the state's Elderly Release Program that allow child rapists to be considered eligible for parole. "Nobody wants this," Reisig told Fox News Digital. "The general public does not want this, and all they're doing is victimizing, re-victimizing the victims and the communities. Nobody wants these guys coming back to their community." NEWSOM BILL COULD SPEND TAX MONEY TO DEFEND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM TRUMP DEPORTATION PUSH: CA LAWMAKER A jury convicted Ceja, 63, in 2000 for his years-long abuse of his stepdaughter, Roxanne Cruz, which began when she was 11 years old in 1993. With roughly 20% of his sentence served, Ceja was granted early release by a two-commissioner parole board panel in January, which did not consult the victim or notify the Yolo County District Attorney's Office that prosecuted him more than 20 years ago, according to Reisig. "It's twisted," Reisig said. "This is twisted stuff." In 2020, Newsom signed a law amending the Elderly Release Program by lowering the eligibility age for inmates to 50 years old with 20 years served. The program was established in 2014 with eligibility set at 65 with 25 years served. Democrats advanced the law in a package of criminal justice reforms intended to address overcrowding prisons. While prisoners deemed three-strike offenders, serving life without parole, or facing the death penalty are ineligible for the program, criminals convicted of violent crimes — including sex crimes against children — are eligible. CALIFORNIA ‘MENTAL HEALTH' LOOPHOLE FREES KILLERS AND CROOKS WITH 'TERRIBLE LAWS,' SHERIFF WARNS Fox News Digital reported in February that David Allen Funston, who kidnapped and molested at least eight children in the Sacramento area in the 1990s, was granted parole under the Elderly Release Program. Both Democratic and Republican California lawmakers have introduced legislation in recent months to ensure convicted molesters aren't eligible for early release. One of those measures introduced by California Republican state Sen. Roger Niello was killed in the Senate Public Safety Committee earlier this week. Niello said in a press release that he was "disheartened" that his measure, which would exclude criminals convicted of rape, sodomy, lewd and lascivious acts and other sex offenses from elderly parole eligibility, was defeated. Last month, Democratic state Assembly member Stephanie Nguyen introduced Assembly Bill 2727, which raises the age for convicted sex offenders to seek parole from 50 to 65 and requires them to undergo a psychological evaluation through the Department of State Hospitals. While the measure passed the Assembly Public Safety Committee earlier this month, the final markup gutted provisions that would ban violent sex offenders sentenced to life from ever seeking early release. GOV. NEWSOM WILL VETO CALIFORNIA BILL BLOCKING PRISONS FROM COOPERATING WITH ICE: REPORT ILLEGAL ALIEN YOUTH COACH COULD FACE DEATH PENALTY AFTER ALLEGEDLY MURDERING, RAPING TEEN PLAYER Reisig called on Newsom to issue an executive order that bans child molesters from the program, citing Newsom's previous order placing a moratorium on the death penalty as evidence that he has the power. "He could issue a moratorium on any elderly parole releases of child rapists with the stroke of a pen," Reisig said. "He doesn't want to admit that, but he did it for the death penalty. He could do it here." "Step up, protect children," Resig continued. "Stop allowing child rapists to get out early." An official from Newsom's office noted that the governor only has the power to reverse a parole grant in murder cases, adding that in all other cases the governor can only refer a decision back to the Board of Parole Hearings for full commissioner review. Less than 12% of scheduled parole hearings result in parole grants by the Board, which the official attributed to commissioners relying on "stringent" and "numerous" steps involving the "use of validated risk assessment tools" in their decision-making. Commissioners seek to ensure grantees "pose no unreasonable risk to public safety." But during Ceja's parole hearing, Ceja admitted to the commissioners that he had active sexual fantasies about his victim in prison, and "couldn't remember" when he had his last one, but that he would pray to find relief, according to a transcript obtained by Fox News Digital. "You don’t understand what he meant when he said he would "pray." He told you guys right there what he was going to do," Cruz said of her abuser during a press conference. "That he was going to go out and prey on little kids, not that he was going to be praying to God." During the hearing, Ceja said he would be returning to Mexico, where he illegally migrated from when he was 15. The commissioners acknowledged that Ceja will likely be deported to Mexico upon being released from prison. Commissioner Neil Schneider said that they were not "unleashing a dangerous man" to Mexico but that Ceja would be an "excellent citizen" there. At a press conference last month, Newsom acknowledged the concerns with the Elderly Release Program, saying that there needs to be "deeper scrutiny" when it comes to the state's handling of violent sexual predators. Fox News Digital reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb6bbc059ccda1fcc20146 From prom dresses to rainbow cowboy boots, campus closets dress students for free te 2026-04-24T13:10:20.649Z From prom dresses to rainbow cowboy boots, campus closets dress students for free Staring down a seafoam green floor-length dress on a clothes rack in a high school classroom, 16-year-old Amaya Williams knew three things: The frock resembled a bridesmaid dress. She would never wear it. She had to have it. “It’s like flowy and stuff and like the top is just there, but it has, like, long straps so you can tie however you want,” says Amaya, a University High School sophomore. “It’s like the style of a bridesmaid dress.” Months after she thrifted the dress at the Rincon-UHS Campus Closet, Amaya had a singular reason to wear it: Prom. Although she will attend the event at a different high school, the find was prescient. “The (prom) theme came up and I’m like, ‘Wait. I have a dress for this cuz I got it from the closet,’” she said. “Like, I’m never going to wear this. But I’m going to wear it! I just got it just cuz. And now prom is May 8.” Prom season is one of the reasons for higher campus closet traffic this week at the midtown high schools of Rincon and UHS, which operate independently on the same site in the Tucson Unified School District.  The dozens of closet shelves — hidden in the back of Room 201 —  include strappy heels and skinny belts, leftover 2022 senior shirts and not enough pairs of jeans (the most-thrifted item.) All clothing and accessories are free for students who shop the closet. The average cost of a prom dress is about $200, according to Teen Vogue magazine. The event is expensive for students and families and ticket prices alone start at $50. Dresses, tux rentals, shoes, flowers, hair, nails, limo rides, promposals and meals can cost $600 to $1,000 or more, according to a Boston University economist who has studied prom inflation. The origins of U.S. proms seem to be in the late 19th century in New England. And although attendance dropped off in the 1960s and 70s, students are back at prom — most dancing in groups with others on the sidelines, tapping their feet or mouthing song lyrics. From Tucson High’s Badger Closet to the Giving Chargers Clothing Closet at Cholla, TUSD has at least nine high schools ready to help outfit students for everything from an average school day to a job interview or the social event of the season.  On Thursday morning, UHS sophomores August Sosa and C.J. Shupe made their way to the closet for the first time. Just minutes before the first bell, Sosa grabbed a Frankenstein T-shirt and a pair of nearly-new Dr. Martens black boots. C.J. found some black-and-gray furry Khombu boots. “They were in my size too,” C.J. said. “I would come back here if I had more time.” The Rincon closet, which opened in 2022, typically operates on the first Thursday of the month before class and after school. But as events approach, like prom, homecoming, winter formal and the freshman dance, things can get chaotic. “If we’re only open the first Thursday of every month, maybe not everybody knows that and they’re not able to come then. So, if a student needs something in between that time, we will just open it up for them,” said Campus Closet club sponsor, Katrina Messing, who is also the UHS recruitment and retention coordinator.  Student executives run the operation: Adelaide Riches and Ariana Williams sort and fold apparel, gather donations and drum up business on social media. University High School students Ariana Williams, left, and Adelaide Riches run the Rincon-UHS Campus Closet, a thrift store for students. As the club’s executives, the duo fold and sort clothes and accessories and post on social media to create awareness. Credit: Shannon Conner “I was really just looking for more ways to get involved with the campus and the community. And I thought campus closet was such a good opportunity to be involved and give back a little bit,” said Adelaide, a UHS junior who’s also the catcher on the softball team and president of the Penguin Perspective, the newspaper club. On Thursday morning, the duo convinced a couple of thrifters to pose for an Instagram post  — modeling potential prom dresses.   To donate Contact each school’s main office for a designated closet drop-off. Rincon-University High School can be reached via Instagram. Ariana, a senior, also on the yearbook staff, before she attends the University of Arizona next year, aims to bring her peers to the closet.  “We really want people to clear out our stash as we have a lot of clothes,” Ariana said. Her sister helps out with that. Amaya was tipped off to the closet by her older sibling and is now a potential No. 1 customer, wearing something from the closet nearly every day, she says. On Thursday, she absconded with hot hair rollers and a black belt with metal notches.  Thrifting is a family affair and her parents support it. “They’re fine with it. They wash everything. As long as everything’s easy to clean, then they’re into it,” she said. “Cuz it’s like, I’m not stealing it off anyone. It’s moral. And you find cool stuff sometimes.” The weirdest item she’s discovered? “Two answers: There’s a poodle skirt back there made entirely out of felt,” she said. “Also, there used to be these really absurd and abstract rainbow cowboy boots.” The post From prom dresses to rainbow cowboy boots, campus closets dress students for free appeared first on AZ Luminaria. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb6984059ccda1fcc20106 Steak 'n Shake's new 'Chief MAHA Officer' teases RFK Jr-inspired menu shift te 2026-04-24T13:00:52.665Z Steak 'n Shake's new 'Chief MAHA Officer' teases RFK Jr-inspired menu shift FIRST ON FOX — Steak ‘n Shake will switch to grass-fed beef at all of its locations by June 1, the fast food chain's newly-appointed "Chief MAHA Officer" Michael Boes exclusively told Fox News Digital. The move comes after Steak 'n Shake sought to align with the "Make America Healthy Again" priorities of the Trump administration last year by switching to beef tallow instead of seed oils in their fryers. "There are a lot of health benefits that I could get into in regard to grass-fed beef and non-grass-fed beef, but the reality is we think it tastes better," Boes said in an interview just days after his new role was announced. "We tested it out in local markets and the customers reiterated that desire to go that route." It's unclear whether the switch to grass-fed beef might result in an increase in the chain’s pricing amid soaring beef prices. RFK JR. CLAIMS HE LOST 20 POUNDS IN 20 DAYS, GAINED MENTAL CLARITY ON EXTREME DIET The move further bolsters the company’s previous efforts to align itself with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s MAGA agenda. At the outset of President Donald Trump’s second term, Steak ‘n Shake announced it would start cooking its french fries in beef tallow — raising alarm among health advocates and praise from those who denounce seed-based oils. Kennedy praised the switch at the time, saying he hoped more companies would follow suit. He confirmed HHS under his leadership would not ban use of seed oils but would allow companies to respond to consumer priorities. "I have a libertarian outlook. People should be able to make their own choices. If you want to eat a donut or seed oils, you should be able to," Kennedy told Fox News during a visit to a Florida Steak ‘n Shake location in March 2025. "We want to do everything that we can to incentivize these companies to be transparent, to switch over from ultra-processed food and to be part of this movement to make America healthier," Kennedy added. MIKE TYSON IN THE 'FIGHT OF MY LIFE' AS HE PARTNERS WITH TRUMP ADMIN IN HEALTH INITIATIVE TO TACKLE OBESITY Boes’ new position, which the company says is "dedicated to advancing nutritional integrity, ingredient transparency and the healthiness of our products," furthers the company’s alignment with RFK Jr.'s aims. Before making history as the world's first "Chief MAHA Officer," Boes worked as a senior advisor at HHS. When speaking with Fox News Digital, Boes said he got sign-off from Kennedy before using the MAHA moniker for his new role. SEN. RAND PAUL: KENNEDY IS CONFRONTING 'CORRUPT' HEALTH AGENCIES TO MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN "During my time serving Sec. Kennedy, I had countless conversations with industry partners about returning to real food," Boes said in a post to LinkedIn on Tuesday. "Time and again, I heard the same hesitation: 'Our customers aren't demanding this.' Steak 'n Shake challenged that narrative and growth followed. Fast food doesn't have to mean processed, complicated or artificial. It used to mean real, simple and delicious — and it can again." Boes did not say when asked by Fox News Digital whether the change to all grass-fed and grass-finished beef on June 1 could result in an uptick in pricing for Steak 'n Shake. The conflict in Iran — and specifically the closure of the Strait of Hormuz shipping route — is resulting in a bottleneck in getting oil and other fuels out of the Middle East, which is driving up the costs of beef and a myriad of other products. Fox News Digital's Katelyn Caralle contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb6971059ccda1fcc200fd Senate hopeful says US should be 'far more cooperative' with China to fight climate change te 2026-04-24T13:00:33.086Z Senate hopeful says US should be 'far more cooperative' with China to fight climate change Maine Democrat Graham Platner is vowing to pursue closer ties with China if elected to the Senate, arguing that the U.S. should be "far more cooperative" with the communist state on issues like climate change. "I think our position towards China should be one of cooperation instead of one of opposition," Platner said during a livestream in February, arguing it would be "absurd" to have an aggressive approach toward Beijing, citing its trade relationship with the United States. "I am not a China hawk, not by any stretch of the imagination," he continued. "I think we need to be figuring out how to integrate, or at least be far more cooperative, especially to fight challenges like climate change." Platner, a staunch progressive, is running to unseat Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, in November’s midterm elections. His views on China appear to be well outside the political mainstream and place him to the left of many Democratic lawmakers, who see the country as the United States’ most formidable strategic competitor or a geopolitical threat. LEFT-WING DEM HIT WITH HOMETOWN CHURCH BLOWBACK OVER 30-SECOND AD The Senate hopeful has also argued that fascism followed by climate change is the top two challenges facing the United States on the world stage. "Before the rise of fascism, I would have said that the biggest challenge we have … globally is climate change," Platner, an oyster farmer and combat veteran, said during the livestream.  Platner referred to federal immigration officers as "armed thugs," accusing them of murdering American citizens, an apparent reference to two fatal shootings during an immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis earlier this year. He has previously advocated for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and dragging agents in front of Congress to testify about their work. Platner’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment. The Republican National Committee (RNC) sharply criticized Platner’s remarks in a statement to Fox News Digital. "Graham Platner’s soft-on-communism radical ideology would lift up dictators, threaten America’s national security, and cost American lives," RNC spokeswoman Kristen Cianci said in a statement. "He has no business in the Senate or any position of power." WARREN CONFRONTED ON CALLING CONTROVERSIAL SENATE CANDIDATE GRAHAM PLATNER HER 'KIND OF MAN' Platner is facing Maine Gov. Janet Mills, D-Maine, in an increasingly nasty primary that has split factions of the Democratic Party. Leading progressives, including Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., have endorsed him while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who leads the party’s establishment wing, is supporting Mills.  Sanders and Warren have doubled down on their embrace of Platner despite the political newcomer’s bevy of controversial online posts and scrutiny over a Nazi-linked tattoo that he has had removed. Platner called for deposing Schumer as Democratic leader, weakening the filibuster to ease the passage of left-wing legislation and adding seats to the Supreme Court to dilute the power of the conservative majority, in an interview with NBC News this week. The Sanders-backed oyster farmer has carved out a dominant lead in recent polling ahead of the June primary, despite Mills serving as the most senior-ranking Democrat in the state.  Collins is running for a sixth Senate term in the blue-leaning state. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the contest as a "toss-up." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb6261059ccda1fcc1ff85 Donald Trump uses Pete Rose to justify soldier's alleged shady Maduro bet, and he's not wrong te 2026-04-24T12:30:25.267Z Donald Trump uses Pete Rose to justify soldier's alleged shady Maduro bet, and he's not wrong Nobody on the planet is still more outraged at the Pete Rose situation than Donald Trump. A lot of things irk the president, and for good reason. The insufferable media. Democrats. The fact that Iran can't seem to pick a new Supreme Leader. Rosie O'Donnell. The list is long, and it's expansive. But the late, great Pete Rose getting kicked out of baseball decades ago for gambling eats at Trump every single day. Why? I have no idea, but I respect it. Years ago when Rose died, Trump wrote a novel of a Truth Social telling MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred to grow a pair and put Rose in the Hall of Fame. It was amazing. Anyway, Trump and Rose are BACK in the news this week. That's right. Strap in. MLB COMMISSIONER ROB MANFRED CALLS DECISION TO TAKE PETE ROSE OFF PERMANENTLY INELIGIBLE LIST 'DIFFICULT' The president was asked Thursday about the situation involving U.S. Special Forces soldier Gannon Ken Van Dyke, who was recently charged by the DOJ for unlawful use of confidential government information. What did he do? Well, he allegedly placed a series of bets on prediction market Polymarket that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro would be out of power by Jan. 31. Van Dyke was involved in the planning and execution of capturing Maduro for about a month beginning Dec. 8, 2025, according to the federal prosecutor’s office. Thoughts, Mr. President? "Was he betting that they would get him, or that they wouldn't get him? That's a little like Pete Rose. Pete Rose, they kept him out of the Hall of Fame for betting on his own team. Now, if he bet against his team, that would be no good, but he bet on his team. "I'll look into it." First off, Trump throwing in a throwaway "I'll look into it" at the end was the good stuff. No he won't. Well, scratch that. He might. Again, the guy LOVES Pete Rose. He's fascinated by Pete, still to this day. If he can stop someone in our great military from becoming a modern day Pete Rose, he's gonna do it. As for Van Dyke ... I agree with Trump here. I've always thought it was silly to punish folks who bet on themselves, or, in this case, their country. What's the big deal? It's why I never understood why Rose got hit so hard for betting on his Reds. PETE ROSE'S REINSTATEMENT HAS BASEBALL FANS IN UPROAR: 'WHAT A SHAME THEY WAITED UNTIL NOW' As someone who bets, and loses, quite frequently, I can promise you that folks tend to care a lot more when they have money on something, or someone. Just last night, I bet that my Miami Dolphins would pick Reuben Bain in the first round of the NFL Draft. $5 to win $30. Not a bad little sprinkle. Bain was there at 12 for Miami, and they passed on him. I was furious. But buddy, did I feel ALIVE. Now, is that the same as a soldier betting on the capture of a vicious dictator? Well, no. But imagine the absolute rush Van Dyke felt as he saw Maduro strapped to the back of that helicopter, blindfolded, wearing his Nike shorts, on the way back to the US of A? ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! I can only imagine. I bet he ate like a king that night. Anyway, Trump's not alone in this thinking. Several notable officials have come to Van Dyke's defense, including OutKick star, Anna Paulina Luna. And if I've learned one thing over the years, it's if Anna Paulina Luna is on your side, things usually work out in the end. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb601d059ccda1fcc1fefd Flight passengers warn new boarding overhaul could trigger more chaos at the gate te 2026-04-24T12:20:45.118Z Flight passengers warn new boarding overhaul could trigger more chaos at the gate JetBlue is rolling out a new "intuitive" boarding process — but frequent flyers say it could make things worse. The airline announced that starting April 29, it will streamline boarding by consolidating its process and switching to numbered groups. The change is designed to make boarding announcements easier to follow and improve the overall experience at the gate, the company told Fox News Digital. AIRLINE PASSENGER SPARKS HEATED DEBATE ABOUT 'RARELY ENFORCED' BAGGAGE POLICY ON FLIGHT "Effective April 29, 2026, JetBlue is simplifying its boarding process by transitioning from branded and lettered groups to a numbered system. Customers will continue to board in a familiar order, with early access continuing for Mint, Mosaic and EvenMore customers," the airline said in a statement.  The "update reflects JetBlue’s ongoing commitment to delivering a smoother, more seamless experience for customers across their travel journey." Gary Leff, a Texas-based travel industry expert and author of the blog "View From the Wing," said the changes are partly aimed at driving additional revenue. "JetBlue is reducing the number of boarding groups, moving from letters to numbers, and people buying better seats get earlier boarding bundled in," he said. "Premium credit card customers get a better boarding group." He added, "This is meant to incentivize high-margin extra revenue that customers add to JetBlue." AMERICAN AIRLINES CRACKS DOWN AGAINST 'GATE LICE' AS AIRPORT PASSENGERS SKIP LINES AMID BOARDING PROCESS Leff said that in his experience, the airline is also trying to simplify its process. "My general experience is that JetBlue is quite good in the air, but a bit confused on the ground," he said, sharing his point of view. "They’re streamlining boarding a bit and standardizing ... while moving to more effectively use boarding as part of their monetization stream." Under the new system, premium passengers and loyalty members will continue to board first. Group 1 will include Mosaic 3 and 4 members as well as Mint customers — followed by Mosaic 1 and 2 members and customers who purchase "EvenMore" extra legroom seats in group 2. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Credit card holders, select fare types and early boarding perks will follow in group 3, with general boarding continuing in later groups based on seat location, the company said. JetBlue said customers with disabilities will still be invited to pre-board, while active military members and those traveling with car seats or strollers will be offered courtesy boarding. The update introduces a new priority for some customers, including those who purchase certain add-ons or hold co-branded credit cards. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES "All JetBlue flights will board in numbered boarding groups (groups 1–8), to make boarding more intuitive, consistent, easier to follow along at the gate — and easier to hear and understand during boarding announcements," the airline said on its website. The changes have already sparked discussion on social media. Some travelers on Reddit questioned whether the new system benefits loyal customers, with several users saying it could reduce the value of certain status tiers. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Others pointed to potential crowding, noting that combining multiple groups could lead to longer lines at the gate and increased competition for overhead bin space. "This will cause more delays," one user wrote, expressing concern about larger boarding groups. Another commenter criticized the shift, writing that it "devalues" certain frequent flyer tiers by placing them in larger boarding groups. Still, some travelers said the changes may have little impact on the overall experience. "I find it so curious that many of you consider your boarding hierarchy a devaluation. Literally everyone [is] getting into the same tube that leaves at the same time," one user wrote. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb6009059ccda1fcc1fef4 Ex-Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore's mistress reveals he got her pregnant during relationship te 2026-04-24T12:20:25.661Z Ex-Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore's mistress reveals he got her pregnant during relationship Paige Shiver, the former University of Michigan employee who had a relationship with former head football coach Sherrone Moore, revealed in an interview on Friday that he got her pregnant. Shiver sat down with ABC News’ Linsey Davis and spoke about her relationship with Moore and what led to him getting fired from the school. In an emotional part of the sit down, Shiver said Moore got her pregnant. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! However, she was diagnosed with Pompe disease, which can cause muscle weakness and lead to respiratory issues. "Multiple doctors and experts told me that it wouldn’t be right or healthy for me to keep the baby," Shiver said as she battled through tears, adding that she wanted to keep the baby. She added that Moore told her that she had to "do what’s right for your body." Michigan fired Moore in December as it was revealed that he had a relationship with Shiver. He was facing charges of stalking, breaking and entering and home invasion after he allegedly stormed into her home and threatened to kill himself with butter knives. He ended up reaching a plea deal and pleaded no contest to two misdemeanors to resolve the felony criminal case. The deal was struck the same day a judge planned to hear a challenge to Moore’s arrest in December on three charges, including felony home invasion. Those previous charges were dropped in exchange for Moore pleading no contest to misdemeanor trespassing and misdemeanor malicious use of a telecommunications device. SHERRONE MOORE'S ALLEGED MISTRESS SPEAKS OUT, CLAIMS 'YEARS OF MANIPULATION' FROM DISGRACED EX-MICHIGAN COACH Shiver recalled hearing Moore come to her apartment immediately after he was terminated. "All of a sudden, I hear footsteps and they’re getting closer and louder, and I’m like, ‘Crap.’ So, I run to my door to try to lock it, he barges in and he’s standing like ‘this’ close to me. And he said, ‘You ruined my life. Why would you do this to me?’ I start backing up and he starts following me," she said. She said she feared for her life in that moment. "He’s 6-4. He comes in with his hood up, looking down at me saying I ruined his life, crying, and starts coming at me," she said. "I tell him to leave and he’s not supposed to be here. He’s not listening to me. And he starts grabbing butter knives." Shiver said Moore should have gone to jail. "Yes. I think he should have gotten more punishment for what he did," she said. Fox News Digital reached out to Moore’s attorney, Ellen K. Michaels, for comment. "Sherrone Moore has closed this chapter," Michaels told ABC News. Fox News' Ryan Morik contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb5dc5059ccda1fcc1fe74 Forensic genealogy unmasks cold case suspect as strangler, sexual predator decades later: officials te 2026-04-24T12:10:45.440Z Forensic genealogy unmasks cold case suspect as strangler, sexual predator decades later: officials Years after DNA evidence linked a 1991 killing and a 1993 rape in Massachusetts, forensic genetic genealogy helped investigators identify the man authorities say was responsible for both cold cases. Evidence from the killing of Cherie Bishop in 1991 and the rape of Donna Bell in 1993 was uploaded to the Combined DNA Index System, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz said Thursday. "For decades, the Bishop and Bell families were deprived of the full story of what happened to their loved ones," Cruz said. "They carried these tragedies across lifetimes." Investigators said Bishop, 28, was found strangled in a wooded area near her Brockton apartment in June 1991. Bell was raped in Brockton in 1993. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X Bishop was found dead in nearby Mulberry Park, wearing only socks and a diamond earring, Cruz said. Her cause of death was ruled to be mechanical asphyxiation, and the manner of death was homicide. Investigators collected DNA evidence through a rape kit and analyzed it at the time, but no suspect was identified. The evidence was later retested as forensic genealogy techniques continued to advance. SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER A rape kit was also collected in Bell’s case. Cruz said Bell was abducted from the street and sexually assaulted by a man in a vehicle, who threatened to strangle her if she resisted. SEND US A TIP HERE She managed to escape after, authorities said, she seized a sharp object. Bell died in 2021. Cruz said investigators had known since 2016 that the cases were connected, but available DNA evidence did not identify a suspect until advances in forensic genetic genealogy provided a breakthrough. "Their exhaustive investigative work, combined with a DNA sample match, identified Robert Carey as the perpetrator," Cruz said. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB The district attorney’s office said Othram, a Texas forensic genealogy lab, identified a likely relative of the suspect, helping investigators ultimately identify Carey. Carey, who died of natural causes in June 2025 at 64, lived at the Brockton Veterans Administration Medical Center, about 1.5 miles from both crime scenes, the district attorney’s office said. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST "None of this would have been possible without the tremendous effort and devoted work of the Massachusetts State Police, Brockton Police, the State Police Crime Lab, Trooper Joe Collett, Assistant District Attorneys Samantha Mullin and Jennifer Sprague, as well as Forensic Scientist Krista Lundgren," Cruz said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb5dae059ccda1fcc1fe3f In another wild turn for AI chips, Meta signs deal for millions of Amazon AI CPUs te 2026-04-24T12:10:22.576Z In another wild turn for AI chips, Meta signs deal for millions of Amazon AI CPUs Meta has commandeered a big chunk of Amazon's homegrown CPUs (not GPUs) for AI agentic workloads, signaling that a new kind of chip race has begun. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb547e059ccda1fcc1fca0 Interior secretary admits mistakes in Dragon Bravo Fire response at Grand Canyon te 2026-04-24T11:31:10.554Z Interior secretary admits mistakes in Dragon Bravo Fire response at Grand Canyon The Dragon Bravo Fire management controversy sparks debate over wildfire strategies as officials reevaluate "suppression vs. containment," amid costly losses. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb5465059ccda1fcc1fc6b US economic chokehold on Iran reaches peak leverage and more top headlines te 2026-04-24T11:30:45.467Z US economic chokehold on Iran reaches peak leverage and more top headlines 1. US economic chokehold on Iran reaches peak leverage  2. Trump pressed on whether he’d use a nuclear weapon on Iran  3. Defense Department scientist’s death raises questions    EYES IN THE SKY — Football field-sized object tracked on sonar at 200 mph, Rep Burchett says. Continue reading … FLEEING THE SCENE — Patriots coach breaks silence on affair scandal after kissing photos leak. Continue reading … DAY IN COURT — School teacher known as 'Mr Wonderful' accused of heinous crimes against students. Continue reading … BEYOND FOOTBALL — Fernando Mendoza’s emotional hug with mom steals NFL Draft spotlight. Continue reading … HEIR APPARENT — Rams shake up NFL Draft first round with surprise pick of Alabama QB. Continue reading … -- MAPS AND MAYHEM — Virginia’s redistricting war lays bare state's sharp partisan turn as legal fight looms. Continue reading … 'LAME DUCK' — Jeffries tears into DeSantis as 'charismatically challenged' over redistricting gambit. Continue reading … NONPROFIT EXPOSED — GOP lawmakers target SPLC-linked federal judge with lifetime appointment on bench. Continue reading … LINGERING QUESTIONS — Epstein fallout grows as DOJ watchdog digs deeper into handling of the case. Continue reading … Click here for more cartoons…   FLASHBACK — Five of the most politically-charged moments at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Continue reading … BITTER FEUD — Patel fiercely rejects NY Times' claim that FBI 'investigated' one of its reporters. Continue reading … BROKEN PROMISES — Podcasters who helped Trump win now warn his Iran war will hand power back to Dems. Continue reading … ROUGH ENDORSEMENT — CNBC host grills Elizabeth Warren on rallying with controversial Senate hopeful. Continue reading … DAVID MAIMON — Iran and its allies are committing epic financial fraud in America. I watch it happen every day. Continue reading …  DAVID BIER — Trump's immigration crackdown may be hitting the legal workers we need. Continue reading … -- ZERO TOLERANCE — Popular destination cracks down hard on tourists as new limits threaten summer getaways. Continue reading … SECRET CRACKED — NOAA identifies bizarre 'golden orb' found 2 miles deep on sea floor near Alaska. Continue reading … DIGITAL'S NEWS QUIZ — What landed this Democrat in hot water? How did Jelly Roll lose his way? Take the quiz here … ROYAL SNUB — King Charles won’t meet Prince Harry during monarch’s US state visit. Continue reading … PEAK VIEWING — Remarkable bird's-eye view shown of tulips in bloom at Illinois farm. See video ... SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM — Iran's economy is in a freefall. See video … BENNY JOHNSON — SPLC's corporate-scale fraud must be shut down. See video … Tune in as federal momentum builds behind psychedelic research, spotlighting a controversial compound’s potential role in treating veteran trauma. Check it out ... What's it looking like in your neighborhood? Continue reading…   Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter LinkedIn      Fox News First Fox News Opinion Fox News Lifestyle Fox News Entertainment (FOX411) Fox Business Fox Weather Fox Sports Tubi Fox News Go Thank you for making us your first choice in the morning! We'll see you in your inbox first thing Monday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb5451059ccda1fcc1fc62 Dianna Russini deletes X account after relentless mocking, questionable comments resurface te 2026-04-24T11:30:25.902Z Dianna Russini deletes X account after relentless mocking, questionable comments resurface NFL reporter Dianna Russini is no longer on X. Russini deleted her social media account on Thursday before the start of the NFL Draft as she faced relentless mocking over posts from past in wake of her questionable relationship with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. Page Six published photos of Russini and Vrabel kissing at a bar in New York City from more than six years ago. Then, TMZ shared photos of the two laughing in a casino after the Titans fired Vrabel following the 2023 season. Late Wednesday night, Vrabel announced he was going to step away from the team to seek counseling. He addressed reporters before the first round of the draft. But didn’t really have any answers as to why he brushed off the initial round of photos that showed the two lounging and getting close at an Arizona resort during NFL meetings early in the offseason. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Social media sleuths had already dug up wild comments from Russini about Vrabel and her husband before Vrabel’s decision to step away on Wednesday, but the additional posts that were found appeared to be too much for Russini. Russini was an NFL reporter with ESPN and The Athletic, now owned by The New York Times, and by all accounts had good sources and broke major NFL news while she was at both outlets. Despite strong support from The Athletic, before the company announced an investigation, Russini resigned from the company. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published," her letter read. "When the Page Six item first appeared, The Athletic supported me unequivocally, expressed confidence in my work and pride in my journalism. For that I am grateful. In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts. "Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete. It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept. Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now — before my current contract expires on June 30. I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career." Neither Vrabel nor Russini have ever addressed their relationship – professional or otherwise. For now, Vrabel still has a job as the Patriots’ head coach. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb51f9059ccda1fcc1fbce Dem gubernatorial hopefuls ripped for playing 'garbage' race card over crackdown on truckers' English te 2026-04-24T11:20:25.292Z Dem gubernatorial hopefuls ripped for playing 'garbage' race card over crackdown on truckers' English Democratic Party candidates for California governor said they would fight the Trump administration's push to get California police officers to begin issuing English proficiency tests for big rig drivers in the state because it's racist. The warnings and fear expressed about implementing stricter regulations to ensure anyone with a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) can understand American road signs came from Democrats during the first California gubernatorial debate since Eric Swalwell was forced to jump out of the race amid sexual misconduct allegations.  It also follows efforts by the Trump administration to push states to become stricter around handing out CDLs and a slew of news headlines and Homeland Security reports highlighting fatal tractor trailer crashes by illegal immigrants who struggle to sufficiently speak English. "Racial profiling is illegal. And, in fact, picking on people based on the color of their skin in the state of California, is illegal," Democrat megadonor and billionaire businessman Tom Steyer said when asked if he would support a policy enforcing police to issue road-side language proficiency tests to truck drivers. WHITE HOUSE SAYS CALIFORNIA GRANTED LICENSE TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT TRUCKER CHARGED IN FATAL DUI CRASH "Is that officer asking everyone he pulls over to explain those road signs? Or, is he asking only people who look like me? If he's doing that, then he's violating the law," former Biden administration Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Beccera said, slamming a police officer in a short local news clip played at the outset of the question showing an officer issuing a field test to determine if a commercial driver who spoke Spanish could understand road signs. Meanwhile, Republican California gubernatorial hopeful Sheriff Chad Bianco slammed his Democratic opponents for pulling the race card.  "Let's stop with this whole racism thing, and racial profiling and all of this garbage. We have to get over this. You either violated the law or you didn't. End of story," Bianco said. "Consequences for bad behavior." The Department of Transportation announced in October that it would withhold $40 million from California, arguing the state has failed to comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's English Language Proficiency (ELP) standards.  The pulled funding came after an audit found that a pattern of states were issuing licenses illegally to foreigners, including through not ensuring drivers could speak sufficient English. In California alone, the audit claimed to have found, more than 25% of non-domiciled CDLs reviewed were improperly issued. EXCLUSIVE: MOM SPEAKS OUT AFTER ILLEGAL ALIEN DUI SUSPECT ALLEGEDLY KILLS 8-YEAR-OLD, MAIMS MARINE DAD In August, a fatal crash with an 18-wheeler driven by an illegal immigrant was caused after an illegal U-turn was made by the foreign driver. Subsequent investigations revealed the driver lacked English proficiency. "This is a devastating tragedy made even worse by the fact that it was totally preventable," White House Spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told Fox News Digital at the time. "Illegal aliens that have no legal right to be in our country certainly should not be granted commercial drivers' licenses." In response to Bianco telling his Democrat colleagues to "stop with this whole racism thing," Democratic candidate and former congresswoman from California Katie Porter said she was "stunned" he would say such a thing. "I am stunned that Mr. Bianco would say to black and brown Californians and immigrants who are being terrorized and racially profiled that you have to 'get over' racism. It's not something that you 'get over, it's something that you 'fight.' If he doesn't understand the importance of that he has no business representing a state with the diversity of California," Porter said when asked about whether she supported enforcing rules so that law enforcement will issue language proficiency tests to truck drivers. Matt Mahan, the former mayor of San Jose, also said he would not support the policy, but he and Porter both suggested that the DMV could use some oversight. "No," Mahan said when asked if he supported the policy to test truck drivers for language skills. "The right answer here, clearly, is to hold the DMV accountable for ensuring that every driver on our roadway meets the qualifications for the licenses they have. That is the appropriate entity to do this." When the moderator pressed Mahan for a clearer answer on whether he would support law enforcement checking truck drivers for language proficiency on the road, he dodged the question. "It's not about whether you speak English," Mahan continued. "What the DMV is responsible for doing is not testing how good your English is, it's whether or not you're a safe driver who understands the rules." "Protecting Californians also includes enforcing traffic laws and we've seen sometimes a need for oversight in California," Porter also said. "For example, we have seen that the Department of Motor Vehicles was not enforcing rules about DUI's and drivers who have convictions for that." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb4ff1059ccda1fcc1fb4e Carrie Ann Inaba shares her struggle to manage hidden, invisible illness: 'It's real' te 2026-04-24T11:11:45.742Z Carrie Ann Inaba shares her struggle to manage hidden, invisible illness: 'It's real' Longtime "Dancing with the Stars" judge Carrie Ann Inaba is spreading awareness about a condition she’s been living with for decades. The dancer and TV personality has recently been transparent about her journey with Sjogren’s disease – an autoimmune condition that can start with seemingly small symptoms but has the potential to become debilitating. Inaba, 58, was rushed to the hospital last week after her condition triggered a medical emergency mid-flight while traveling to New York City. 'DWTS' JUDGE CARRIE ANN INABA RUSHED TO HOSPITAL AFTER MID-FLIGHT MEDICAL EMERGENCY In an Instagram post featuring a video of Inaba being transported in an ambulance, she described how she "suddenly felt quite ill." "And while it seemed like food poisoning, I also suddenly broke out into a cold sweat, got dizzy and my arms went numb," she wrote. "Like many people who live with autoimmune disease, I travel with a health tool kit and am prepared for the worst, but this scared me." SELENA GOMEZ'S HEALTH BATTLE TAKES PAINFUL TURN AS STAR REVEALS LUPUS COMPLICATION In an interview with Fox News Digital, Inaba revealed that she’s been silently struggling with the disease for years, since first developing eye problems when she was younger. "My eyes were really, really dry and I kept having injuries to my corneas," she said. After consulting her ophthalmologist, who brushed off her symptoms, Inaba met with a rheumatologist who directed her to a Sjogren’s specialist. Following extensive bloodwork and a dry-eye test, Inaba was diagnosed with Sjogren’s disease in 2013 – more than 10 years after she first experienced symptoms. Sjogren’s is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease that can affect different parts of the body. If left untreated, the condition can worsen over time, in some cases causing damage to the lungs, kidneys and other organs, according to medical experts. An estimated four million people in the U.S. are living with Sjogren’s, 90% of whom are women. In a survey of more than 3,500 adults living with the disease, 48 different symptoms were reported over the course of a year, per data from Sjout for Sjogren’s. JULIE BOWEN OF 'MODERN FAMILY' GETS REAL ABOUT CHRONIC DRY EYE: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE PROGRESSIVE CONDITION Sjogren’s can show up differently for everyone, making it difficult to diagnose. In Inaba's case, after the initial dry-eye symptoms, she began suffering from "a lot of pain" in her neck and shoulders. As a dancer, this was difficult to differentiate from the normal aches and pains, she shared. Extreme fatigue was another symptom she experienced. "I had no energy to move forward with things, which is unlike me," she said. "I've always been a go-getter ... I was physically active my whole life. And during this chapter, when I was starting to figure out something was wrong, there were all these symptoms, and I didn't understand how they were related." FEELING EXTRA TIRED? THIS VIRUS COULD BE THE CULPRIT, STUDY SUGGESTS Other symptoms can include dry mouth, brain fog, anxiety, swollen glands and lymph nodes, skin rashes, fevers and night sweats. People may also notice numbness, tingling or burning in the hands or feet. Internal organ complications can also occur. Inaba said she relies on a variety of practices to manage her symptoms, including keeping her eyes and environment moist. "I always have a lot of drinks. I'm always spraying things in the air to get moisture in the air. I have a humidifier I sleep with," she told Fox News Digital. "I also do lots of meditation and reiki and body work to make sure I don't get too flared up, because pain is always with me. I live with pain 24/7." Inaba said she’s learned how to listen to her body to tap into what it needs, especially taking time to rest surrounding big events. "I know that more than likely, I might be sick and I might have a few down days afterwards, and it's worth the risk," she said. "If I don't have to be in a crowd, I won't, because I want to take care of my health and prioritize myself." For others who are living with Sjogren’s or experiencing symptoms, Inaba’s advice is to keep "careful track" of the warning signs, to recognize when something doesn’t feel right and to advocate for proper care. This is the message behind the Sjout for Sjogren’s campaign, an awareness movement that Inaba hopes will help spread more knowledge about the disease and reduce stigma. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES "We want people to respect that it is a complicated systemic autoimmune disease that needs care," she said. "There is no FDA-approved treatment at this time, so it's about managing symptoms." "It’s important to also have a community – and part of this campaign is about building a community." The most important thing Inaba wants people to know about Sjogren’s is that "it’s real." "It's an invisible illness," she said. "I know when I'm out there doing whatever show I'm doing, you don't think I'm sick, but I pay a price for doing that." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER "It's sometimes a lonely and isolating disease – and so I want people to know they can reach out … I want people to feel confident enough to shout about what they're going through." TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ She added, "Don't let people tell you it's not real. And have patience for the friends who are trying to understand, but can't quite. Because, most likely, you don't believe it unless you're actually experiencing it." Fox News Digital’s Stephanie Giang-Paunon contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb4fdd059ccda1fcc1fb45 The legacy of 'Eagle Claw': How failure helped build America's elite special forces te 2026-04-24T11:11:25.875Z The legacy of 'Eagle Claw': How failure helped build America's elite special forces Forty-six years ago this month, America learned a brutal lesson in the Iranian desert. In April 1980, Operation Eagle Claw, a Delta Force mission to rescue American hostages in Tehran, ended in disaster. Mechanical failures, a sandstorm, and a catastrophic collision killed eight U.S. service members. The mission failed. The world watched. Our enemies took note. But what they failed to understand then, and what they are being reminded of now, is this: America learns. America adapts. And America returns more lethal. TRUMP TO HONOR SPECIAL FORCES BEHIND MADURO CAPTURE AT FORT BRAGG AS GLOBAL TENSIONS ESCALATE The rescue of two U.S. airmen deep inside hostile territory was not just an extraordinary success. It was the direct legacy of that failure 46 years ago. What the world just witnessed was the full expression of a Special Operations playbook forged in the wreckage of Eagle Claw. Failure Forged the Force the World Fears Today Operation Eagle Claw exposed glaring weaknesses: fractured command, poor inter-service coordination, and no unified special operations capability. America did not retreat. America rebuilt. That failure became a watershed moment in Special Operations history, helping give birth to USSOCOM and JSOC, the modern U.S. Special Operations enterprise: disciplined, integrated, and built for the world’s hardest missions. Units under Joint Special Operations Command now train for the exact scenario we saw unfold this week: a high-risk recovery deep inside denied territory, executed with precision under extreme pressure. This latest mission did not begin when the aircraft went down. It began long before, through contingency plans, rehearsals, and layered decision-making built for speed. When the call came, execution was not improvised. It was immediate. Decision cycles were not measured in hours. They were measured in minutes. MORNING GLORY: PRESIDENT TRUMP’S BIG SPEECH ON IRAN — WHAT WILL IT DO? "No One Left Behind" Is Not a Slogan. It Is a Covenant. Every service member downrange understands one thing: if you go down, America is coming. No matter the cost. Whatever it takes. That belief is not motivational language. It is operational truth. It drives risk tolerance. It compresses timelines. And it reinforces trust across the force in ways civilians rarely see or fully understand. In this case, one airman landed roughly 40 miles from the crash site and survived over 36 hours evading capture, injured, alone, and moving. He did not "get lucky." His training took over. That is Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SEREE) training in action: controlling movement, minimizing signature, mastering fear, and maintaining discipline until recovery forces arrive. Meanwhile, a massive recovery package surged into motion: more than 150 aircraft, including bombers, fighters, refueling tankers, and rescue platforms. This is what global reach looks like. This is what capability looks like. This is what commitment looks like. RESCUE EXPERT SAYS MOST DANGEROUS MOMENT COMES AFTER ‘JACKPOT’ CALL IN RECOVERY BEHIND ENEMY LINES The Brotherhood Civilians Will Never Fully Understand There is something in these missions that is difficult to explain outside the community. A switch flips. Everything else disappears – fear, fatigue, even self-preservation. What remains is singular focus: finish the mission. Find him, secure him, and bring him home. Whatever it takes. I have had the luxury of a front seat to some of our most elite warrior. The tales of teammates throw themselves on top of hostages in the middle of a firefight, willing to absorbing bullets and shrapnel meant for someone else. That is not normal human behavior. That is the product of training, trust, and an unbreakable brotherhood forged over years. These are "no-fail" missions. Not because failure is impossible, but because it is intolerable. We Do Not Leave Our People. And We Do Not Forget Our Fallen. There is another legacy of Operation Eagle Claw that matters just as much. From that tragedy came the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, whose mission is simple and sacred: ensure the children of fallen special operations personnel receive a full education. That is part of America’s battlefield promise. We bring our people home. And if they do not come home, we take care of their families. That promise is not a bumper sticker. It is not a talking point. It is a covenant, paid for in blood and honored in action. A BRAVE MARINE COLONEL TOOK ON THE PENTAGON — AND PAID THE PRICE FOR IT From 1980 to Today: Vindication in the Same Region There is profound historical symmetry in what just happened. Forty-six years ago, in that same region, we fell short. Now, we executed with precision, recovering our people, striking enemy targets, and demonstrating a level of coordination and lethality our adversaries cannot match. This is not just success. This is vindication. It sends a clear message to Iran, China, Russia, and every adversary watching: distance is not protection. Terrain is not protection. Time is not protection. If you harm Americans, we can find you. And we will act. American Exceptionalism, Proven, Not Claimed HIGH-RISK EFFORT TO SAVE 'DUDE 44' CREW IS MOST INCREDIBLE COMBAT RESCUE IN US HISTORY In a world that often questions American strength, this mission answered it. Not with rhetoric, but with results. What you saw in this rescue was not luck. It was not improvisation. It was the culmination of decades of hard lessons from both triumph and tragedy, relentless training, and an unshakable commitment to one principle: leave no man behind. That principle was tested in 1980, and it failed. But from that failure, we built something extraordinary, a force worthy of those still serving, those we have lost, and the warriors who built this legacy. And now, the world has seen exactly what that looks like. Kirk Offel is a Navy nuclear attack submarine veteran and the CEO of Overwatch Mission Critical, a Texas-based Service-Disabled Veteran Owned data center company that trains and hires future leaders for high-skill jobs in the data center industry. He is a Top 10 ranked global voice on data centers. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb4d4a059ccda1fcc1fad2 Giants' bizarre draft decisions leave star player frustrated as true needs go unfulfilled in first round te 2026-04-24T11:00:26.702Z Giants' bizarre draft decisions leave star player frustrated as true needs go unfulfilled in first round The New York Giants had a completely bizarre draft on Thursday – one that even left star wide receiver Malik Nabers visibly frustrated during his own simulcast with Green Bay Packers linebacker Micah Parsons. First, an item that slipped under the radar, former co-owner Steve Tisch appeared in the team’s war room as the team was making its second pick of the night. Tisch transferred his ownership stakes to his family after his name appeared in the Jeffrey Epstein files. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! The Athletic noted that Tisch was "still involved" with the team. Then, came the Giants’ first pick. New York was on the clock at No. 5 and, the way the cards were dealt, they could have filled a big need in the secondary. New York hasn’t had a hard-hitting safety since Shaun Williams was roaming around as a defensive back in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Instead, the Giants decided to add Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese to the team. Reese was a fantastic player with the Buckeyes. He was an All-American and the Big Ten Linebacker of the Year in 2025. However, he’s joining a team that already had four linebackers on the team. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and Terrell Edmunds are already on the team. Nabers expressed his frustration with the pick. THE MOST INTRIGUING TEAMS AND PLAYERS OF THE 2026 NFL DRAFT'S FIRST ROUND "Love the player, don’t get me wrong," Nabers said on the Bleacher Report simulcast. "But where do you play? He is going to want to be on the outside to rush but we just drafted somebody last year to do that same position." The Giants had the No. 10 selection as well after trading Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals. Ohio State safety Caleb Downs was still on the board. However, the team chose to go a different route. New York selected Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa at No. 10 with the reported intentions of moving him from the tackle sport to guard. Nabers also questioned that selection. "I would rather get him then play against him … I’m just saying that Downs was there twice," Nabers said. "The reason why I said Caleb Downs … is because we just traded [Dexter Lawerence], you need you need interior D line —  I understand getting outside backer he wants to rush OK — but when you eliminate something from there you, have to put something in the back end to be secure." Instead, Downs fell to the Dallas Cowboys at No. 12. Nabers will have to see Downs twice a year, as well as former Ohio State star Sonny Styles – who was taken by the Washington Commanders. As the draft was concluding, Nabers was forced to clarify some of the things he was saying on the livestream. "First off, we have to stop overreacting," he wrote on X. "I would never intentionally take away from the biggest moment/night of Arvell’s life. Very excited to see him play on the team and happy that we have another dawg on the squad!" Well, cheers to a few more years of Giants appearing on the New York Post back page for futility instead of something good. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb4899059ccda1fcc1f9bb Amazon just put Elon Musk's Starlink on notice te 2026-04-24T10:40:25.038Z Amazon just put Elon Musk's Starlink on notice Chances are, you have never thought much about who owns the satellites keeping your phone connected in the middle of nowhere. That could change soon. Amazon is betting $11.57 billion that you will start paying attention. Its acquisition of Globalstar is a major move against Starlink, and the stakes go far beyond bragging rights. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report AMAZON TAKES ON ELON MUSK, LAUNCHING 27 INTERNET SATELLITES Globalstar has operated for more than 30 years as a mobile satellite services provider. It brings something Amazon needed badly: spectrum. The company operates in Band 53, a slice of spectrum from 2483.5 to 2495 MHz. It describes this aslicensed spectrum with global authorizations designed to support fast, low-latency connectivity with reduced interference. That matters. Spectrum is limited, and having access to it gives Amazon a real edge.  Amazon is also getting Globalstar's satellites, infrastructure and global licenses. It is a full package. But the real value is the spectrum. This deal is also about what that spectrum enables. Amazon plans to use it to power direct-to-device satellite services, allowing phones to send texts, make calls and access data even when there is no cellular signal.  The system is expected to roll out starting in 2028 and will support features on devices like iPhones and Apple Watches, including emergency messaging and roadside assistance. That turns this into more than an infrastructure deal. It is a shift in how everyday devices stay connected beyond traditional networks. Let's be clear about the gap. Starlink serves more than nine million users and has about 10,000 satellites in orbit. Amazon's Leo network has just over 200 satellites. Adding Globalstar's two dozen barely moves the number. So why spend $11.57 billion? Because this deal is not about satellite count. It is about future capability.  Amazon plans to launch a next-generation direct-to-device system in 2028. This would deliver voice, data and messaging straight to phones. The Globalstar deal gives Amazon the tools to make that happen. It brings spectrum, infrastructure and experience together. MUSK CONFIRMS SPACEX SUCCESS IN PREVENTING RUSSIAN MILITARY FROM ACCESSING STOLEN STARLINK UNITS This is where the story hits home. Amazon and Apple have an agreement for Amazon Leo to support satellite features on iPhones and Apple Watches. That includes Emergency SOS via satellite. If you rely on that feature in a dead zone, it will soon run through Amazon's network. Apple says the service has already helped in real emergencies, including stranded hikers and crash victims rescued in remote areas. Amazon will continue supporting current devices using Globalstar's system while working with Apple on future upgrades. So nothing breaks, but the system behind it changes. The deal still needs regulatory approval, and that takes time. Amazon expects it to close in 2027. The FCC will decide, though early signs look positive. Amazon also faces a deadline. It plans to deploy about 3,200 satellites by 2029. About half must be in orbit by July 2026. That timeline adds pressure to move fast. This deal matters most in places where cell towers do not reach. Satellite connectivity can act as a backup during disasters like hurricanes or wildfires. In those moments, having no signal can be dangerous. But the impact goes beyond emergencies. Remote workers, trucking fleets, maritime crews and rural communities all stand to benefit. These are places where traditional networks fall short. Amazon's full Leo network will include thousands of satellites. It aims to support hundreds of millions of devices worldwide. Take my quiz: How safe is your online security? Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com     BLUE ORIGIN LAUNCHES 38TH NEW SHEPARD FLIGHT INTO SPACE Amazon's $11.57 billion acquisition of Globalstar sends a clear message. It does not plan to let Starlink dominate the sky. Right now, the satellite gap is massive. Amazon knows that. Instead, it is betting on better spectrum, smarter technology and key partnerships like Apple. Amazon executive Panos Panay says billions of people still lack reliable connectivity. Amazon wants to close that gap. That is a real problem and a serious opportunity. The big question is speed. Can Amazon scale fast enough to compete before Starlink pulls further ahead? If two of the richest companies in the world are racing to control the sky, who decides how that access is priced and delivered? And what does that mean for you? 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/69eb4648059ccda1fcc1f966 SHERI FEW: The American Library Association’s Direct Threat To Parental Rights te 2026-04-24T10:30:32.279Z SHERI FEW: The American Library Association’s Direct Threat To Parental Rights By Sheri Few | National Library Week (April 19–25) arrives each year with cheerful slogans about literacy, community and the joy of reading. But behind the celebration stands the American Library Association (ALA), an organization that has shifted dramatically from its original mission. Today, the ALA functions less like a professional association and more like an activist hub advancing a highly ideological agenda — one that increasingly conflicts with the values of American families and the constitutional rights of parents. This is not speculation. It is openly acknowledged by the ALA’s own leadership. The organization’s recent president has publicly described herself as a “Marxist lesbian,” a label she embraces as part of her political identity and governing philosophy. Her statements are not the issue; her ideology is. When the head of the nation’s most influential library organization proudly aligns herself with Marxist principles — a worldview fundamentally at odds with parental authority, individual liberty and local control — it raises legitimate questions about the direction of the ALA and the policies it promotes. And those policies increasingly undermine the rights of parents and the legal protections afforded to minors. For more than a century, the U.S. Supreme Court has affirmed that parents have the fundamental right to direct the upbringing, education and moral development of their children. Cases such as Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1925) and Troxel v. Granville (2000) make clear that this authority does not originate with the state. Parental rights are fundamental, inferred by the Constitution in the rights bestowed on us by our Creator as opposed to being specifically enumerated. Yet the ALA’s policy framework treats parents as intruders rather than primary stakeholders. The organization routinely encourages libraries to adopt policies that give minors unrestricted access to sexually explicit or developmentally inappropriate material, even over parental objections. When parents raise concerns, the ALA does not engage them as partners. It labels them “book banners,” “censors” or “extremists.” This is not merely dismissive. It is legally backwards. Public institutions do not have the authority to override parental rights simply because an activist organization urges them to. The left has executed one of the most effective rhetorical maneuvers in recent political memory: redefining any parental objection as a “book ban.” By collapsing all distinctions — between adult and minor, between access and placement, between removal and relocation — they have created a narrative in which even the most reasonable boundaries become authoritarian threats. But the law draws distinctions for a reason. Courts have long recognized that the government has a legitimate interest in protecting minors from obscene or sexually explicit material. Public schools and libraries are not required to provide children with unrestricted access to everything ever printed. They never have been. Parents who object to graphic sexual content in a children’s section are not banning books. They are exercising their constitutional right — and moral duty, ordained to us by God — to protect their children. The ALA’s “book ban” narrative is not a defense of freedom. It is a political weapon designed to silence parents and shield ideological content from scrutiny. Public libraries and school libraries are funded by taxpayers and accountable to local communities. They are not private advocacy groups. Yet the ALA encourages libraries to adopt policies that elevate activist priorities over community standards and parental authority. When a national organization with openly ideological leadership pressures local institutions to disregard parental concerns, it is not promoting intellectual freedom. It is undermining democratic accountability. National Library Week, in this context, becomes less a celebration of literacy and more a branding exercise — a way to sanctify the ALA’s agenda and portray any criticism as an attack on libraries themselves. The ALA’s recent president’s self‑description as a “Marxist lesbian” is not relevant because of her identity. It is relevant because Marxism is a political ideology that rejects the primacy of the family, elevates the state over parental authority, and views children as instruments of social transformation. When the leader of the nation’s most influential library organization embraces that worldview, it is reasonable to ask how it shapes the ALA’s policies — especially its insistence that librarians, not parents, should determine what minors can access. This is not about personal attacks. It is about transparency, governance and the ideological direction of an organization that wields enormous influence over public institutions. Conservatives should be clear, confident and unapologetic: Protecting minors from graphic sexual content is not censorship. It is a legal and moral obligation. Parents have a constitutional right to guide their children’s education and exposure to sensitive material. Taxpayer‑funded institutions must respect community standards, not override them. The ALA’s leadership and policies reflect an ideological agenda, not neutral librarianship. The “book ban” narrative is a political strategy designed to silence parents, not a reflection of legal reality. National Library Week could be a unifying celebration of literacy and civic life. Instead, it has become a platform for an organization that seeks to redefine parental rights and reshape public institutions according to its own ideological commitments. The debate is not about banning books. It is about who has the authority to protect children — and the law is clear: that authority belongs to parents. Originally published by the Daily Caller News Foundation. Sheri Few is a contributor to The Daily Caller News Foundation and the Founder and President of United States Parents Involved in Education (USPIE), whose mission is to end the U.S. Department of Education and all federal education mandates. Few speaks regularly on radio and television across the country and served as Executive Producer for the documentary film titled “Truth & Lies in American Education.” Few is also the host of USPIE’s podcast, “Unmasking Government Schools with Sheri Few,” which educates Americans on the various forms of indoctrination, harmful policies and affronts to parents’ rights occurring in government schools across the country. Listen to “Unmasking Government Schools with Sheri Few” on YouTube, Facebook, Spotify and X. The post SHERI FEW: The American Library Association’s Direct Threat To Parental Rights first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb4413059ccda1fcc1f8a9 Social media erupts after Mamdani's far-left supporters turn on him over homeless shelter: 'Oops' te 2026-04-24T10:21:07.024Z Social media erupts after Mamdani's far-left supporters turn on him over homeless shelter: 'Oops' East Village residents who voted for New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani by a 40-point margin are now suing to stop a building in their neighborhood from becoming a temporary homeless shelter. The lawsuit, filed with the New York City Supreme Court on Monday, shows hesitation even among Mamdani supporters on the cost of implementing some of his plans. News of the lawsuit has prompted conservative criticism online, with figures like Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, noting the irony of Mamdani’s supporters turning on the fruits of his administration. "Oops," Sen. Ted Cruz said in a post to X. MAMDANI PRESSED ON PLEDGE TO BE TRUMP'S 'WORST NIGHTMARE' AND LANDLORD PUSHBACK ON RENT FREEZE PLAN "No one is more ‘not in my backyard’ than white progressives. This community voted for Mamdani in a landslide but don’t want to live with the consequences," another observer wrote on social media. "Not shocked," Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., said in a post of his own. Election District 45, the area that includes East Village, voted for Mamdani in a 70.1% victory over independent candidate Andrew Cuomo, who garnered just 26.0% of the vote. Even so, 10 residents joined the Village Organization for the Integrity of Community Engagement (VOICE) in their suit against the city after Mamdani announced plans earlier this year to turn a building at 8 East 3rd Street into a citywide intake shelter to house homeless adult men. MAMDANI DISCOURAGES HAKEEM JEFFRIES PRIMARY CHALLENGER, TELLS CITY COUNCIL MEMBER TO 'FOCUS' ON NYC The filing argues the city fast-tracked the process without proper environmental and legal safeguards. "It challenges the city’s hastily made and legally invalid decision to locate a new citywide homeless adult male intake center at 8 East 3rd Street without following any of the legal requirements that must precede such a significant and consequential decision," the filing reads. To circumvent them, the complaint notes Mamdani relied on an emergency declaration from 2022 — a power originally issued to handle an influx of asylum-seekers. Mamdani announced the temporary housing project at 8 East 3rd Street as a way to accommodate the closure of Bellevue Shelter, a separate homeless intake site that the mayor’s office said had deteriorated too far for use. "The Department of Social Services (DSS) and Department of Homeless Services (DHS) will immediately implement an operational plan to vacate 30th Street and relocate the critical functions to other sites. There are approximately 250 individuals in the shelter and the DSS is working to relocate these individuals by mid-March," Mamdani’s office said in a press release. NYC LANDLORDS FIRE BACK AT ‘RACIST’ MAMDANI AIDE'S CLAIM THAT TIES HOMEOWNERSHIP TO 'WHITE SUPREMACY' The mayor’s office also detailed that a second accommodation site would be opened at 333 Bowery St., beginning on May 1, to house families without minor children. The New York Supreme Court has not yet responded to requests for emergency relief that would pause the city’s plans. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb43ff059ccda1fcc1f8a0 Ex-NFL star Shawne Merriman reacts as Patriots' Mike Vrabel caught in scandal te 2026-04-24T10:20:47.565Z Ex-NFL star Shawne Merriman reacts as Patriots' Mike Vrabel caught in scandal New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has been raked over the coals due to the most recent photos that were released of him and NFL reporter Dianna Russini. Vrabel said he will be stepping away from the team to seek counseling. However, he’s put the Patriots into a PR disaster that began when he fervently denied that the first photo dump of him and Russini at an Arizona resort showed anything nefarious. He brushed it off as "a completely innocent interaction." ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Former San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman weighed in with his reaction in an interview with Fox News Digital on Thursday. He said that he didn’t think the dark cloud around Vrabel would affect the team football-wise, but his job depended on what message the organization wants to send. "This is my thing when it comes to that," Merriman said. "He didn’t break any laws first and foremost, right? This is something morally maybe wrong. Something he’ll have to deal with when it comes to that. I do not believe, in my opinion, I do not believe this will be a football distraction. This will have to be, internally, that, we don’t want to deal with it because what it sends a message for, but it’s not going to affect the players in the locker room and how he’s coaching, how they’re coached, how they listen to and follow him, and how Vrabel leads. "Football wise, I don’t think it does anything at all. It just really depends on what message do you want to send by keep going forward with him. That’s what I would say." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Page Six and TMZ published new rounds of Vrabel-Russini photos earlier Thursday. It sparked a pre-draft news conference from Vrabel. "My previous actions don't meet the standard that I hold myself to," Vrabel said. "My priorities are my family and this football team, in that order. And there is a balance there that I am going to create." At the end of the news conference, Vrabel was asked to explain why he initially made a statement calling photos of him and Russini at an Arizona resort "laughable" after they were published by the New York Post earlier in April. "That's a private and personal matter. I don't think that those comments ... it was an attempt to protect your family," Vrabel said. It was the last question Vrabel answered before storming off the podium and out of the room. Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb43ec059ccda1fcc1f897 Olympic legend Kaillie Humphries signs with activist sportswear brand XX-XY Athletics amid political rise te 2026-04-24T10:20:28.120Z Olympic legend Kaillie Humphries signs with activist sportswear brand XX-XY Athletics amid political rise The most accomplished Olympic women’s bobsledder in history is now an official brand ambassador in the movement to "save women’s sports".  Olympic bobsled legend Kaillie Humphries has signed with the activist sportswear company XX-XY Athletics, becoming the latest medal-winning Olympian to represent the brand. "Being able to partner with a brand that believes in the same things I do, that's willing to stand up and actively work on protecting the women's space and women's sports is huge," Humphries told Fox News Digital.  CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Humphries first spoke out about her support for protecting women’s sports from biological male trans athletes in a Fox News Interview that went viral after the Milan-Cortina Olympics in February. Humphries had just returned after winning bronze in women’s bobsled, marking her sixth career Olympic medal. She later revealed that she received backlash for coming out as a Republican with other conservative stances in that interview, but didn't back down. Humphries went on to be honored at a White House Women’s History Month event by President Donald Trump in March, and gave her Order of Ikkos medal to Trump, citing his actions to protect women’s sports.  "Being able to come back to the USA after the Olympics and then be able to make connections and meet some people, I was able to, when I went to the White House, I was able to meet people that were connected obviously in working with XX-XY and that's how the conversation started," Humphries said. Humphries, who is originally from Canada and competed in her first three Olympics for Canada, moved to the U.S. in 2016 and then competed for Team USA at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. FEMALE ATHLETES ANXIOUSLY AWAIT SUPREME COURT DECISION TO TAKE UP TRANSGENDER PARTICIPATION IN WOMEN'S SPORTS Just months after that, America was rocked by the news that male transgender swimmer Lia Thomas was winning championships for UPenn’s women’s swim team. Humphries, who was following the story in the news, found it startling.  Now, as a California resident and the mother of a newborn son, she is energized to help combat the wave of trans athletes in girls’ sports in the state, as California has become the nation’s biggest hotbed for the issue.  XX-XY Athletics co-founder and former U.S. gymnast Jennifer previously told Fox News Digital one of her biggest goals for the brand was to land high-profile superstar women’s athletes as brand ambassadors, especially Olympic medalists. Now, with Humphries, the brand has a three-time Olympic gold medalist and six-time Olympic podium finisher across her stints for Canada and the U.S.  Humphries joins Olympic silver medalist gymnast MyKayla Skinner and gold medal swimmer Nancy Hogshead on XX-XY Athletics’ growing roster of Olympians. "Kaillie is the GOAT of her sport. She is the only Olympian to win gold for two different countries. She is an elite athlete and a courageous, fierce woman who has fought for female athletes to have equal opportunities in sport." Sey told Fox News Digital. "The women's monobob event exists because of Kaillie's leadership, and she has gold-medal proof that women have the skill, strength, and speed to compete at the highest level. She has driven meaningful change and expanded opportunities for women at the Olympic level — more female athletes represent Team USA because of Kaillie. And that's exactly why we're leading with her as we grow in how we support female athletes." 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/69eb4207059ccda1fcc1f81f Zodiac Killer may be tied to Black Dahlia case after ‘code cracked,’ new suspect emerges te 2026-04-24T10:12:23.248Z Zodiac Killer may be tied to Black Dahlia case after ‘code cracked,’ new suspect emerges The Zodiac Killer's cryptic messages weren't just taunts to police — they were a twisted throwback to his first victim, according to an independent investigator who says he's cracked the code and uncovered new evidence suggesting the infamous serial killer began his career 23 years earlier with the California murder of Elizabeth Short, also known as the Black Dahlia. Alex Baber, co-founder of Cold Case Consultants of America, said that after nine months of work, he cracked a double-layered encryption that involved transposition and substitution in a 2 by 7 grid. "Currently, for the first time in history, LAPD detectives approached the family of a suspect to obtain DNA," he told Fox News Digital in an interview on the sidelines of the Hamptons Whodunit event in East Hampton over the weekend. "That's never happened for the Black Dahlia case... we got a pretty good feeling that we're sitting in the right seat." The Los Angeles Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. An FBI spokesperson declined to weigh in. TED BUNDY UNMASKED IN DECADES-OLD TEEN MURDER AS COLD CASE FINALLY SOLVED BY DNA: REPORT Baber's finding, that the Zodiac's "Z13" cipher depicts the name of a prime suspect in the 1947 Black Dahlia murder, was first revealed in the Daily Mail, and he presented them publicly Saturday at the East Hampton Library. With help from a proprietary artificial intelligence software and self-taught knowledge of cryptography, he said the 13-character message is decoded to read "Marvin Merrill." After further digging into social security records, he said he discovered that's an alias for Marvin Margolis, who he said dated Short in the 1940s and had been on the LAPD's suspect list after her murder and dismemberment. His AI software flagged the connection between the two cases, he added. Once he'd developed Margolis as a potential suspect, he said he went to visit his surviving son, who showed him a handwriting sample, which Baber said he suspected was a match to Zodiac both in terms of the handwriting and linguistically. When Baber revealed his findings to the son, he recounted the following reaction: "He immediately turned white, his hands started shaking and he reached across the table — when he grabbed my hand," Baber said. "First time I've ever had an interview where they've initiated physical contact with me, and at that point, he says, 'We're gonna be OK.'" 'DATING GAME' SERIAL KILLER'S RISE TO FAME WAS KEY TO HIS DOWNFALL, ARRESTING OFFICER REVEALS FOR FIRST TIME The son provided writing samples showing both Zodiac and Margolis made the same phonetic spelling errors, Baber said. "I said, 'I hate to blow your mind, but he's also suspect on record not from my agency but from the grand jury inquest with the original files for LAPD in 1947 of Elizabeth Short's homicide,'" Baber recalled. "He said, 'Elizabeth? Well, let me show you something,'" Baber continued. After flipping through his phone, he produced a haunting sketch, labeled "Elizabeth" across the bottom. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X "The first thing I said is, 'Holy s---,'" Baber said. He provided images of a sketch Margolis drew 46 years after Short's death, which he says showed additional detail when viewed in person — indentations on the page from a pencil tip used to add texture to the inked drawing. The alarming part about those features is that they coincide with injuries sustained by Short, he said, and that an impression of the word "Zodiac" is hidden within a black background on the bottom right of the image. SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER After Baber cracked the code, he said he shared it with the FBI and had it peer-reviewed by other experts, including one he described as a former National Security Agency codebreaker. That one, he said, reverse engineered his decryption and realized that the key to the cipher was far simpler: the Black Dahlia victim's first name, Elizabeth. SEND US A TIP HERE "Elizabeth was the key to solving the Z13," he said. He said her name generates a numerical sequence used to rearrange the cipher. Another notable connection Baber said he found was between Margolis and a close friend who specialized in encryption during World War II. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST "His roommate Bill Robinson, who lived with him when he lived with Elizabeth Short, was actually one of the hand-picked cryptographers in World War II by General MacArthur," he said. Margolis lived with Robinson in Los Angeles at the time of Short's murder, according to police records from the investigation Baber obtained and shared with his findings. The records also show Margolis was one of 22 persons of interest back in 1951. John Kelly, a criminal profiler and psychoanalyst who has been following the case for years, told Fox News Digital he reviewed Baber's materials and found his findings "have legs." LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB "This person of interest has had numerous careers and failed at all," Kelly told Fox News Digital. But one that stood out was his service as a medic in the Pacific during World War II. "The career field that produces the most serial killers is the medical field," he said, pointing toward Dr. Harold Shipman, who killed more than 200 of his own patients, and nurse Charles Cullen, who killed dozens of his own. Five of the 22 early suspects in Short's murder were also doctors, the records show. "In my opinion, this guy fits like a glove," Kelly said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb41f3059ccda1fcc1f816 Fox News Digital's News Quiz: April 24, 2026 te 2026-04-24T10:12:03.351Z Fox News Digital's News Quiz: April 24, 2026 Test your news knowledge with this week's Fox News Digital News Quiz, featuring Florida Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick resigning, and singer Jelly Roll admitting he "lost his way" after losing a lot of weight. Looking for another challenge? Multiple women accused Rep. Eric Swalwell of sexual assault, and Heather Locklear connected with an '80s icon, featured in last week's News Quiz. Test your knowledge of fast food frenzy, aviation advantages and more in this week's American Culture Quiz. If you're looking to play even more, you can find all of our quizzes by clicking here. Check back next week for the latest News Quiz from Fox News Digital. Thanks for playing! Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb41df059ccda1fcc1f80d Virginia’s map war lays bare state's sharp partisan turn as legal fight looms te 2026-04-24T10:11:43.823Z Virginia’s map war lays bare state's sharp partisan turn as legal fight looms Virginia’s redistricting fight is racing toward the state’s highest court after a county judge blocked certification of a narrowly approved ballot measure on Wednesday that would dramatically reshape the state's congressional map in favor of Democrats and potentially impact control of Congress. Longtime Del. Terry Kilgore, the Republican leader of the Virginia House, told Fox News Digital state Democrats unlawfully forced through the mid-decade redraw to give themselves a 10-1 advantage, saying he was "irritated" by what he viewed as unprecedented partisanship. "This is Virginia. We normally get along, normally go through things the right way," Kilgore said. "I've been here over 30 years. … I've never seen anything like this so partisan since I've been here, and it was a very sad day for the Commonwealth." He noted the pressure the state Supreme Court, which leans slightly conservative, is now under to address the polarizing election issue, saying he believed it would be struck down. APPEALS COURT RULES AGAINST VIRGINIA'S EFFORT TO BLOCK RE-INSTATEMENT OF SUSPECTED NONCITIZENS TO VOTER ROLLS "I think if they follow the law, they will definitely strike this down and have it null and void, so we're optimistic," Kilgore said. More than three million Virginians turned out to vote on the high-profile, multimillion-dollar redistricting effort, approving it on April 21 by a slim margin of 51.5% to 48.5%, which Kilgore said was representative of Virginia's purple, rather than blue, political landscape. "They thought we were going to lose by 15 points, and that would make their argument that Virginia is a 10-1 state," Kilgore said. "Of course it was like at 2% and that shows you how close Virginia really is, that we are a 6-5 state, and we actually won some of the districts that they have redrawn. This is just a power grab. That's all you can say, a power grab by the national Democrats." OBAMA ENDORSES VIRGINIA REDISTRICTING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT COULD HELP DEMS GAIN 4 SEATS Wednesday's decision by Tazewell County Circuit Court Judge Jack Hurley to block certification of the results stemmed from Republican National Committee v. Koski, one of multiple lawsuits challenging the redistricting referendum as unconstitutional and unlawful. The question that appeared on the ballot on April 21 asked voters if they wanted to approve a new congressional map that would "restore fairness" in elections. The question was reflective of comments by Virginia House of Delegates Democratic leader Don Scott, who said in February the amendment was "about leveling the playing field across the country. Republicans are gerrymandering maps to override the will of the voters," Scott said, noting Texas, North Carolina and Missouri, while leaving out Democrat-friendly mid-cycle redistricting in California and Utah. Scott claimed a "10-1 map levels the playing field."  Newly elected Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger previously vowed to leave Virginia's maps to the redistricting commission but has faced "bait-and-switch" accusations for reversing that stance and signing the amendment, saying it was a temporary response to President Donald Trump's insertion into redistricting fights. Hurley in his decision cited procedural failures in how the legislature advanced the amendment and "misleading" ballot language that he said improperly influenced voters. Attorney General Jay Jones, an elected Democrat, said an appeal was imminent. DAVID MARCUS: RICH MEN NORTH OF RICHMOND SET TO STEAL THE VOTES OF RURAL VIRGI "Virginia voters have spoken, and an activist judge should not have veto power over the People's vote. We look forward to defending the outcome of last night's election in court," Jones said Wednesday. The Tazewell decision came after the same judge, Hurley, had previously ruled against Democrats in another, similar lawsuit brought by Republican state lawmakers over the amendment. Hurley initially blocked the referendum vote from even moving forward as part of that case, but the Virginia Supreme Court stepped in and stayed that decision in March. MARYLAND HOUSE APPROVES NEW CONGRESSIONAL MAP AS SENATE LEADERS WARN OF RISKS "It is the process, not the outcome, of this effort that we may ultimately have to address," the state's highest court found at the time. "Issuing an injunction to keep Virginians from the polls is not the proper way to make this decision." The Virginia Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments in that case on Monday, during which the high court could also address issues raised in the other lawsuits still proceeding through the lower courts. Jason Snead, executive director of the Honest Elections Project, which filed an amicus brief arguing that Democrats violated the state Constitution by extending a special session to pass the amendment, said his group's arguments were among several that would ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court. He said the various lawsuits may also be consolidated since they contain overlapping arguments. DAVID MARCUS: VIRGINIA'S BATTLE OVER GERRYMANDERING BETRAYS OUR BROKEN POLITICS "[The Virginia Supreme Court] has really been backed into a corner by this, and I think that they understand that they're going to have to get an answer here very quickly, and I think that's why they set oral argument in this case so soon after the referendum," Snead said. He added that "I think we're going to get a ruling as soon as May." The deadline for candidates to qualify for the ballot is May 26. Snead said that in addition to an allegedly unconstitutionally extended special session, other concerns laid out by Republicans included that ballot language should have, by law, been posted for 90 days and that Democrats "simply tried to get out of jail with that one" by retroactively repealing the law. He noted the "lack of neutrality" in the ballot language itself, referencing how it framed redistricting as "restoring fairness." Although the case could even make its way to the U.S. Supreme Court, Snead predicted that the fight would end in Virginia. "They're raising questions about legislative process and constitutional procedure at the state level, so I really think this is going to probably end with the Virginia Supreme Court," Snead said. Fox News Digital reached out to Jones' and Spanberger's offices for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb41cb059ccda1fcc1f7fb King Charles won’t meet Prince Harry during monarch’s US state visit: experts te 2026-04-24T10:11:23.952Z King Charles won’t meet Prince Harry during monarch’s US state visit: experts King Charles will not be reuniting with his son, Prince Harry, when the monarch visits the United States. On March 31, Buckingham Palace announced that the king and Queen Camilla would travel to the U.S. in late April to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence. The ceremonial event has received calls to be canceled due to President Donald Trump’s criticism of the British government for failing to support military operations involving Iran, The Associated Press reported. The visit will also mark the second time that a British monarch has addressed Congress. The first was the king’s mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who delivered a speech at the Capitol during a state visit to the U.S. in 1991. KING CHARLES’ ‘HIGH-STAKES’ US VISIT TESTS HISTORIC ALLIANCE, COULD SHAPE HIS REIGN: EXPERTS Trump announced that the king and queen will visit from April 27 to 30. A state banquet will take place at the White House on April 28. "The state visit of King Charles and Queen Camilla is of pivotal importance with Anglo-American relations at a low ebb," royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital. "It is also about the shared history of the two countries over 250 years. It will emphasize, as such occasions do, the mutual sacrifice in war, the enriching cultural links, and what the world’s most powerful nation and Britain do have in common, which means they have special links." WATCH: KING CHARLES’ DC VISIT TESTS 'SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP': AUTHOR A spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex confirmed to Fox News Digital that father and son will not be meeting, noting that the monarch will be in the U.S. on a working state visit, "not a holiday." A source previously told People magazine that the trip is tightly choreographed and that there is an understanding on both sides. "When you’re talking about a state visit, every minute is accounted for — especially when it’s the king traveling as the invited guest of a head of state," said the source. "Harry knows how things are and wouldn’t ask for that either under these circumstances." The king’s visit follows Trump’s state visit to the U.K. in September. It was a glittering occasion that was seen as part of Britain’s effort to nurture the special relationship between the two countries. "I look forward to spending time with the king, whom I greatly respect," said Trump in his recent statement. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER While Charles and Harry will not be seeing each other, the visit will bring the monarch to the country that his younger son has called home for six years. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back as senior royals, citing the unbearable intrusions of the British press and a lack of support from the palace. The couple resides in Southern California with their son, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4. Harry, 41, has returned to his home country several times for court proceedings and charity work. He reunited with his father in September 2025. It was the first time in 19 months they’d seen each other in person. A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace confirmed to Fox News Digital that at the time, they spent about an hour together over private tea at Clarence House, the king and queen’s London residence. Shannon Felton Spence, former head of Politics and Communication at the British Consulate General of New England, told Fox News Digital that the primary focus is wholly on the state visit, one where every minute is accounted for. "The king will be in the U.S. at the invitation of President Trump," Felton Spence explained. "He will be on official business as head of state, and to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. Therefore, the program and guest lists are controlled by the State Department and the U.K.’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office." LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "This is very different from a normal royal visit, and it’s entirely different from a private trip," she said. "There is a lot hinging on this trip between the U.S. and the U.K., which have incredibly frayed relations at the moment. Every aspect of the program will be diplomatically strategic and coordinated." Charles and Camilla’s U.S. trip will include stops in Washington, D.C., New York City, and Virginia, People magazine reported. While in D.C., the king and queen will participate in several events, including a private tea with Trump and first lady Melania Trump, as well as a formal ceremony at the White House and a ceremonial military review. In New York City, the royals will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks later this year, the outlet reported. They will meet with first responders and the families of the victims. In Virginia, the king and queen will attend a block party to celebrate America’s birthday. Charles will also visit a national park, while Camilla explores a farm to highlight the work of America’s horse racing industry. After their U.S. tour wraps up, the royals will travel to Bermuda. It will be Charles’ first trip as monarch to an overseas British territory, the outlet reported. Fitzwilliams said the itinerary was planned "with meticulous care" far in advance. "The focus must be on the principals," Fitzwilliams stressed. "There is simply no place for Prince Harry in this plan. It is essential that they focus on the host and visitors only, not on a situation where attention could be diverted by a media frenzy. This has to be avoided." He noted there will be plenty to look forward to on both sides. "The president is a showman who loves royalty, so it will be spectacular," said Fitzwilliams. "It is also extremely important for America and Britain’s future relations. The presence of the Sussexes would detract from that, and so, it cannot be contemplated." Harry’s September meeting with his father marked their first in-person reunion since February 2024. At that time, Harry visited King Charles after the monarch announced he was undergoing cancer treatment. It’s understood that Charles is continuing his treatment this year. The outlet noted there is speculation that father and son could see each other again when Harry returns to the UK in July 2026 for events tied to the Invictus Games. Those engagements will celebrate the one-year countdown to the Birmingham 2027 Invictus Games.  According to the outlet, it’s not known whether the Duchess of Sussex and their children will join him for that trip. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb41b8059ccda1fcc1f7f2 US economic chokehold on Iran reaches peak leverage as collapse risks emerge te 2026-04-24T10:11:04.301Z US economic chokehold on Iran reaches peak leverage as collapse risks emerge U.S. economic pressure on Iran has reached one of its most powerful points in decades, but inconsistent enforcement has prevented sanctions from achieving their full impact, according to a former Treasury sanctions expert. Miad Maleki, who played a central role in Treasury Department sanctions campaigns against Iran and its network of proxy groups, said in an on-camera interview the current moment reflects a rare convergence of economic, political and diplomatic leverage against Tehran. "We’ve never had the level of leverage that we have today with Iran in the history of our conflict … since 1979," Maleki said.  His assessment comes as President Donald Trump signaled escalating pressure Thursday, writing on Truth Social that the United States has "total control over the Strait of Hormuz" and that it is effectively "sealed up tight" until Iran agrees to a deal. IRAN PRESIDENT VOWS DEFIANCE AS PROTESTS BUILD AGAINST REGIME AMID US MILITARY BUILD UP Maleki argues the current moment marks a turning point because multiple pressure tools — sanctions, a U.S. naval blockade, and tighter enforcement — are being applied simultaneously for the first time in years. Unlike previous cycles, he said, the strategy is now directly targeting Iran’s oil exports and the networks that help move them, raising the risk of a rapid economic squeeze. He said Iran may run out of oil storage in as little as two to three weeks, forcing production cuts, while gasoline shortages could hit on a similar timeline due to heavy reliance on imports. Combined with an estimated $435 million in daily economic losses, the pressure could spill into the financial system, leaving the regime struggling to pay salaries and raising the risk of renewed unrest. Maleki said the real leverage lies in sustained economic pressure and enforcement. At the core of that pressure is an Iranian economy he describes as "on the verge of collapse," driven by years of sanctions and compounded by recent disruptions. He pointed to triple-digit food inflation, a sharply devalued currency and a roughly 90% collapse in purchasing power, along with potential long-term oil revenue losses of up to $14 billion annually. Maleki, who is currently a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, estimated that current conditions are costing Iran "about $435 million a day in combined economic damage … with the blockade and closure of the Strait of Hormuz." A key driver of that pressure is the Strait of Hormuz, long viewed as one of Iran’s primary tools of leverage in global energy markets. Maleki said the dynamic has shifted. IRAN IS 'TRYING TO GIVE THE GLOBAL ECONOMY A HEART ATTACK' BY CLOSING STRAIT OF HORMUZ, UAE MINISTER SAYS "Iran’s economy relies on the Strait of Hormuz more than any other economy," he said, calling its closure a form of "economic self-sabotage." While countries in Asia — including Japan, South Korea, India and China — are most exposed to disruptions, many have built up reserves. "Japan’s oil reserve is pretty significant. Same with China," Maleki said. Still, the region remains heavily dependent on the waterway, with roughly 75% of liquefied natural gas supplies for countries including India, China and South Korea flowing through the strait. Inside Iran, however, vulnerabilities are more immediate. Despite vast oil reserves, the country imports between 30 million to 60 million liters of gasoline per day to cover a domestic shortfall of up to 35 million liters. "If they run out of gasoline… they’re going to have a major crisis domestically," Maleki said, noting that past shortages and price hikes have triggered widespread protests. NUCLEAR EXPERTS WARN IRAN’S URANIUM ‘RIGHT’ IS A MYTH, SAY TRUMP IS RIGHT TO HOLD FIRM The economic pressure is being reinforced by a U.S. naval blockade targeting Iran’s oil exports, the regime’s primary source of revenue. A senior administration official said the Treasury Department is intensifying enforcement under what it describes as an "Economic Fury" campaign, using financial and maritime tools in tandem to squeeze Iran’s revenue streams. The official said the strategy focuses on "systematically degrading Iran’s ability to generate, move, and repatriate funds," including by constraining maritime trade through the naval blockade, which targets Iran’s primary source of revenue from oil exports. Financial pressure is also expanding globally. The official said Treasury has warned banks in China, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates and Oman that facilitating Iranian trade could expose them to secondary sanctions, signaling a more aggressive approach to enforcement beyond Iran’s borders. Treasury has issued sanctions on more than 1,000 targets since 2025 under the current maximum pressure campaign, the official said, aimed at disrupting Iran’s oil trade and financial networks. The official added that Iran is facing immediate logistical constraints, warning that storage capacity at Kharg Island — the country’s main oil export terminal — could be filled within days if exports remain blocked, potentially forcing production shut-ins. "Treasury will continue to freeze the funds stolen by the corrupt leadership on behalf of the people of Iran," the official warned. A new analysis from United Against Nuclear Iran said the blockade is already deterring high-value shipments, even as some Iran-linked vessels continue to transit the region. TRUMP CLAIMS IRAN 'STARVING FOR CASH,' 'COLLAPSING FINANCIALLY' AFTER EXTENDING CEASEFIRE "Effectiveness should not be measured by the total number of Iran-linked vessels at sea," the group said in an April 22 statement. "But by whether the U.S. is disrupting high-value Iranian oil exports… and deterring large-scale illicit shipments." At least 29 vessels have been turned around or forced back to port, including several very large crude carriers, according to the report. The blockade, announced April 12 and enforced by U.S. Central Command, is designed to cut off Iranian crude exports, particularly shipments to China, while prioritizing high-impact targets. While sanctions are clearly biting, Maleki said their impact has been limited by inconsistent enforcement across successive U.S. administrations. U.S. sanctions on Iran have been in place in various forms for years, targeting the country’s oil exports, banking sector and access to global financial systems. Under the Obama administration, sanctions pressure was partially lifted under the nuclear deal. The first Trump administration reimposed "maximum pressure," but enforcement ramped up gradually and lasted only a limited period. The Biden administration later eased enforcement in pursuit of diplomacy. He argued that cycles of tightening and relief — including sanctions rollback under the Iran nuclear deal and pauses in enforcement — have allowed Tehran to adapt. "What’s different now," Maleki said, is the combination of sustained sanctions with real-time enforcement measures that directly restrict Iran’s ability to export oil — a step that was largely absent in earlier phases. To maximize pressure, Maleki said Washington must sustain enforcement, particularly through secondary sanctions targeting foreign banks and companies facilitating Iranian trade. Crucially, he downplayed the likelihood that outside powers could offset the pressure. "I can’t really point to any other nation… that is going to jump in and give the Iranian regime a lifeline," he said. "At some point in the next few weeks to a few months, they’re going to face not just gasoline shortages and oil production disruptions, but also a major banking problem to pay salaries of government employees and IRGC personnel," he said. "Iranians run out of patience again, as they did before, and they’re back on the street. I’m not quite sure if you’re going to have unpaid IRGC forces willing to go back on the street and kill their fellow Iranians who have the same grievances that they have now, which is a collapsed economy." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb41a4059ccda1fcc1f7e9 Unexploded mortar shell from bloodiest battle in country's history unearthed after nearly 280 years te 2026-04-24T10:10:44.527Z Unexploded mortar shell from bloodiest battle in country's history unearthed after nearly 280 years Archaeologists have uncovered a mortar shell from the bloodiest battle in Scotland's history — a shell that never detonated. The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) announced in mid-April that its archaeologists had found a mortar shell at Culloden Battlefield, just outside Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. The Battle of Culloden was fought on April 16, 1746, when a Jacobite force led by Charles Edward Stuart — known as Bonnie Prince Charlie — clashed with troops loyal to King George II. SURPRISED ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNEARTH ANCIENT GRAVES CAUGHT BETWEEN PAGAN, CHRISTIAN RITUALS IN POLAND In under an hour, the Jacobites were crushed, ending any serious bid to restore the Stuart monarchy. Culloden remains the last large-scale pitched battle fought on British soil. Officials believe that the recently uncovered shell was fired by government artillery during the battle. "Intact and gunpowder-packed when it was discovered, the 5.5-inch shell is the first piece of complete government ordnance found at Culloden battlefield. [It] provides fresh evidence for the deployment and action of government and Jacobite forces at pivotal moments in the battle," the statement said. DISCOVERY AT MONTICELLO REVEALS CONSTRUCTION SECRETS THOMAS JEFFERSON LEFT OUT OF MAPS AND LETTERS "Many other projectiles, including cannon shot, musket balls and fragments of mortar shells, have been uncovered at Culloden, but never before has undetonated ordnance been found," the statement also said.  The shell, weighing nearly 18 pounds, is believed to have been fired from one of the government's Coehorn mortars. It was uncovered during excavations in October 2025, but officials did not announce the discovery until April 16 — which marked the 280th anniversary of the Battle of Culloden.  Other projectiles, including pistol shot and lead musket balls, were also found. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "Parts of the battlefield are on boggy ground, and it is thought the shell landed on wet ground and the fuse extinguished before it could ignite the powder," noted officials. The shell still contained remnants of its original plug and traces of plant material, which were recovered for analysis. Officials said that, once the black powder in the shell was exposed, there was a "slight exothermic reaction." CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES A specialist "safely cleaned out the interior of the shell, preserved samples of the contents for further study, and certified the shell as free from explosive hazard," the release noted. In a statement, the NTS's head of archaeology, Derek Alexander, called the discovery a "remarkable — dare I say, explosive — find of the kind archaeologists dream of, but never expect to encounter."  "Along with the other projectiles recovered, this discovery helps us better understand the formation of troops and concentration of fire during this brief, but brutal, battle," said Alexander. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "The mortars may have been aiming at the Jacobite artillery, so the place where the shell landed may mark the heart of the Culloden battlefield." An NTS official told Fox News Digital the shell was buried nearly a foot underground — something only professional archaeologists could uncover — and that the site remains safe for visitors. The discovery comes just months after officials announced a similar find at the same battle site. In late 2025, officials announced archaeologists had uncovered a cache of bullets fired during the Battle of Culloden, shedding new light on its final moments. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb4190059ccda1fcc1f7e0 FLASHBACK: Five of the most politically-charged moments at the White House Correspondents' Dinner te 2026-04-24T10:10:24.952Z FLASHBACK: Five of the most politically-charged moments at the White House Correspondents' Dinner The worlds of politics and the media are colliding Saturday with Donald Trump's attendance at the White House Correspondents' Dinner (WHCD) for the first time as president. The annual gala that celebrates the First Amendment and awards journalism scholarships has gotten increasingly polarizing in recent years, so much so that Trump had boycotted the century-old event during his previous years in office. Here are five memorable moments from the WHCD: Stephen Colbert made a big splash at the 2006 WHCD with a "special edition" of "The Colbert Report," the Comedy Central program starring Colbert with a right-wing persona that made him a household name. He offered tongue-in-cheek praise for his "hero," President George W. Bush, all while in character. "It's my privilege to celebrate this president," Colbert said. "We're not so different, he and I. We get it. We're not brainiacs on the nerd patrol. We're not members of the factinista. We go straight from the gut, right sir? That's where the truth lies, right down here in the gut." TRUMP'S RETURN TO THE WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS' DINNER MARKS A POLITICAL JOURNEY COMING FULL CIRCLE "I believe the government that governs best is the government that governs least. And by these standards, we have set up a fabulous government in Iraq," he later jabbed. He took aim at Bush's poor approval rating, telling the president, "Guys like us, we don't pay attention to the polls. We know that polls are just a collection of statistics that reflect what people are thinking in 'reality.' And reality has a well-known liberal bias." Colbert's biting monologue redefined how aggressively comedians go after the sitting president — at least when it's a Republican. The last WHCD Trump attended was in 2011, when the country only knew him as a celebrity real estate mogul and host of "The Apprentice." However, he was the target of intense mockery by President Barack Obama and comedian Seth Meyers over his outspoken skepticism that Obama was born in the U.S. and called for the release of his birth certificate. Days before the WHCD, the State of Hawaii released Obama's long-form birth certificate proving his citizenship. "Donald Trump is here tonight," Obama said to the room filled with the Washington elite. "Now I know he's taken some flak lately, but no one is happier, no one is prouder to put this birth certificate matter to rest than The Donald. And that's because he could finally get back to focusing on the issues that matter — like, did we fake the moon landing? What really happened in Roswell? And where are Biggie and Tupac?" "All kidding aside, obviously we all know about your credentials and breadth of experience," Obama further jabbed at Trump before poking fun at his "Celebrity Apprentice" gig and mocking the "change" he'd bring to the White House, suggesting he'd overhaul it into a hotel and casino. Meyers then took to the podium to roast Trump. "Donald Trump has been saying that he will run for president as a Republican, which is surprising since I just assumed he'd be running as a joke," Meyers quipped, sparking huge laughs from the audience as the camera was aimed at a stern-faced Trump. "Gary Busey said recently that Donald Trump would make a great president. Of course, he said the same thing about an old, rusty birdcage he found," Meyers later continued. "Donald Trump recently said that he has a great relationship with the Blacks, though unless the Blacks are a family of White people, I bet he's mistaken." Many have speculated that moment spurred Trump's ambitions to seek the Oval Office. In 2018, Trump's then-White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders was sent to represent the administration at the WHCD after Trump decided to skip the event for a second year in a row. Huckabee Sanders sat on the dais as the WHCA's hand-picked entertainer, far-left comedian Michelle Wolf, leveled personal jabs at the Trump spokeswoman. "I actually really like Sarah. I think she's very resourceful. Like she burns facts, and then she uses that ash to create a perfect smoky eye," Wolf said. "Like, maybe she's born with it. Maybe it's lies. Probably lies." She continued, "And I'm never really sure what to call Sarah Huckabee Sanders, you know. Is it Sarah Sanders? Is it Sarah Huckabee Sanders? Like, what's Uncle Tom, but for white women who disappoint other white women?" Wolf was roundly criticized, even by members of the press. The backlash against was so swift that the WHCA chose a historian to be a keynote speaker at the dinner instead of another comedian the following year. During the 2024 WHCD, "Saturday Night Live" star Colin Jost gently poked fun at President Joe Biden while saving his brutal jokes towards Trump. However, Jost put jokes aside for the last several minutes of his monologue to offer a sentimental message for the Democratic president, who at the time was still seeking reelection. "I lost my grandfather this year, as you alluded to, of a firefighter, William Kelly. He’s the reason that our son’s middle name is William. He helped raise me growing up, and I would not be here today without him," Jost told Biden. "You remind me of him. Some of your best qualities remind me of his." WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS' DINNER FEATURES JABS AT BIDEN'S AGE, TRUMP'S LEGAL WOES, MAINSTREAM MEDIA The "Weekend Update" anchor stopped short of offering a full-fledged endorsement of the embattled incumbent. "My grandfather, a Staten Island firefighter, voted for you, Mr. President," Jost said, sparking applause from the liberal crowd. "He voted for you in the last election that he ever voted in... He voted for you, and the reason that he voted for you is because you’re a decent man. My grandpa voted for decency. And decency is why we are all here tonight. Decency is how we’re able to be here tonight." "So Mr. President, I thank you for your decency on behalf of my grandfather," Jost added. At last year's dinner, Axios reporter Alex Thompson accepted the Aldo Beckman Award for Overall Excellence in White House Coverage for his reporting that shed light on Biden's cognitive decline long before his now-infamous presidential debate performance that led to his ousting from the 2024 race. "Being truth tellers also means telling the truth about ourselves. And some people trust us less because of it," Thompson told his peers at the dinner. "We, myself included, missed a lot of this story. We bear some responsibility for faith in the media being at such lows."  WHITE HOUSE REPORTERS RESPOND AFTER BEING CALLED OUT FOR WEAK COVERAGE OF BIDEN'S DECLINE AT WHCD "I say this because acknowledging errors builds trust, and being defensive about them further erodes it. We should've done better," Thompson added.  Thompson's speech made waves in Washington, D.C., sparking debate among journalists about whether there was sufficient coverage of Biden's decline before his abrupt exit from the presidential race. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb3ce0059ccda1fcc1f6e6 Americans choosing to visit smaller towns over big cities as travel costs rise te 2026-04-24T09:50:24.725Z Americans choosing to visit smaller towns over big cities as travel costs rise As travel costs continue to climb, some Americans are rethinking their destinations, swapping out trips to major cities for smaller towns. In Arnaudville, Louisiana, that trend is starting to show up. "[A] small town like Arnaudville is a great place to drop in and visit," said short-term rental host Larry Lemarié. "There’s no pressure here. There’s no traffic here. It’s very laid back people." AMERICA’S AIRPORT AFFORDABILITY GAP: CITIES WHERE TRAVEL COSTS ARE CRUSHING FAMILIES Lemarié has hosted nearly 500 stays at his small wooden cabin, known as "Cajun Acres," which draws visitors from across the country and around the world. "Phoenix, Arizona… Auckland, New Zealand… Marseille, France," he said. He said many guests are simply looking for a quiet getaway. "We do get a lot of people who come to visit New Orleans, but they want to see what’s Louisiana life like," Lemarié said. "So they like to get out of the city for a few days… where it’s much more relaxed and laid back." Arnaudville sits at the intersection of Bayou Teche and Bayou Fuselier, where visitors can explore swamp tours, local art spaces and live Cajun music. Arnaudville was recently featured on a list by Airbnb highlighting 20 lesser-known destinations across the U.S.; places the company says travelers may not have considered before. "86% of travelers said they’re very interested in visiting remote or rural destinations," said Laura Spanjian, Airbnb’s global head of public policy. SOARING JET FUEL PRICES THREATEN TO DRIVE UP SUMMER TRAVEL COSTS Spanjian said that reflects growing interest in trips that are less traditional. "More and more people… really do value traveling off the beaten path," she said. For some, the draw is the food. "Yeah, it was great in New Orleans… but if you come down here, you’ll find out it’s better," Larry Thomas said. That growing interest also comes as travel costs continue to rise. "I think [the interest is up] particularly now with… the rising cost of living and gas and flights," Spanjian said. HIGHER FARES COULD SLAM FLIGHT PASSENGERS TO POPULAR REGION AS AIRLINES SHIFT COSTS: 'NOT A FAN' According to the U.S. Travel Association Travel Price Index, airfares have risen nearly 15% since March of last year, while food and beverage prices are up about 3.7% and hotel and motel prices up about 2.1%. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb3acd059ccda1fcc1f694 Congressman Hamadeh Introduces ‘Maverick Act’ To Save Last F-14 Fighter Jets From Destruction te 2026-04-24T09:41:33.399Z Congressman Hamadeh Introduces ‘Maverick Act’ To Save Last F-14 Fighter Jets From Destruction By Ethan Faverino | Congressman Abraham Hamadeh (R-AZ-08) recently introduced H.R. 8331, known as the Maverick Act of 2026, a bipartisan measure to preserve three of the final remaining F-14 Tomcat fighter jets for historical display and public education. The legislation is the House companion to Senate Bill 4161, introduced by Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT). Original cosponsors joining Congressman Hamadeh include Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06), Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA), Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA), Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA), Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI), Rep. Jake Ellzey (R-TX), Rep. Don Davis (D-NC), and Rep. James Moylan (R-GU). Congressman Hamadeh, a former U.S. Army officer, emphasized the personal and cultural importance of the legendary fighter jets. “As a young man, I was inspired by the popular Tom Cruise movie Top Gun, which featured the F-14, one of the most iconic aircraft ever flown,” stated Congressman Hamadeh. “As a former U.S. Army officer, I know that many of the men and women I served with felt the same way. That is why I proudly introduced this legislation.” The Maverick Act would authorize the Secretary of the Navy to transfer three specific F-14 Tomcats to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission in Huntsville, Alabama. The aircraft would be conveyed at no cost to the federal government through a conditional deed of gift. Currently, strict post-retirement rules have resulted in the destruction of nearly all F-14 airframes. This bill creates a narrow exception, allowing the three aircraft to be fully demilitarized and preserved under rigorous national security protections. The legislation explicitly prohibits any restoration of combat capability and bans any future foreign transfers. All expenses related to transportation, restoration, operation, and maintenance of the aircraft will be the responsibility of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission. The jets will be provided in “as-is” condition, with the Navy permitted to include relevant technical manuals and limited excess spare parts needed for restoration and static display. The Commission may partner with qualified nonprofit organizations to help restore the aircraft. “Because this legislation does not come at a cost to our hard-working taxpayers, I expect that my fellow fiscal conservatives will happily support this legislation,” added Hamadeh. “I am grateful to the cosponsors of the bill, who have already offered their enthusiastic support.” Strong safeguards are built into the bill, including a rescission clause that returns ownership to the United States if any conditions are violated. The aircraft must remain demilitarized and may only be used for public displays, airshows, and commemorative events celebrating U.S. naval aviation heritage. All activities will comply with FAA regulations and applicable export control laws. In a separate but related preservation victory, Congressman Hamadeh secured language in the FY26 defense bill – signed into law by President Trump – that rescued five historic T-37 jet trainers from destruction at Tucson’s aircraft boneyard. These aircraft, which trained generations of pilots, aces, astronauts, and the nation’s first female aviators, will now be restored by the Arizona Aviation Historical Group to support STEM education, aviation heritage, and military recruitment. Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link. The post Congressman Hamadeh Introduces ‘Maverick Act’ To Save Last F-14 Fighter Jets From Destruction first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb3ab8059ccda1fcc1f68b Hobbs’ Vetoes Leave Arizona Small Businesses Waiting On Tax Conformity te 2026-04-24T09:41:12.497Z Hobbs’ Vetoes Leave Arizona Small Businesses Waiting On Tax Conformity By Staff Reporter | With Arizona’s legislative session scheduled to close this week, small business owners are still left in a lurch over a lack of tax conformity.  Twice this year Gov. Katie Hobbs has vetoed legislation that would have provided full conformity in the tax code with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed last summer. The governor maintains that the best path forward would not be full conformity, but rather partial.  Gov. Hobbs wanted the Republican-led legislature to get on board with the Democratic minority’s Middle Class Tax Cuts Package.  The Arizona Free Enterprise Club, a free market policy organization, said Hobbs’ preferred conformity package would require Arizonans to file taxes twice and increase taxes by $200 million.  File your taxes twice. Pay more. Welcome to Katie Hobbs’ Arizona. After vetoing two full conformity bills, Hobbs helped turn what should have been a routine tax update into a full-blown mess in the middle of filing season. Her administration issued forms based on full… pic.twitter.com/eS5n6tiWfm — Arizona Free Enterprise Club (@azfec) March 24, 2026 That threat of double-filing, per Senate President Warren Petersen (R-LD14), has been mitigated because the tax forms sent out by the state aligned with what the Republicans brought to the table (and Hobbs rejected). Prior to the first veto, the Arizona Department of Revenue issued its advice on filing under the new changes to federal tax law. Republican leadership in the legislature urged Arizonans to file their taxes, promising to not support any conformity package that would effectively “punish Arizona taxpayers” and require refiling. “For tax year 2025 we will not support anything that forces Arizonans to refile,” said Petersen.  “Any outcome that requires you to amend your return or pay more is a nonstarter,” said House Speaker Steve Montenegro (R-LD29). Gov. Hobbs justified her vetoes under the claim that Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill would require poorer Arizonans to shoulder more of the tax burden.  “We should not hold tax cuts for over 88 percent of Arizonans hostage in order to force through tax breaks for special interests,” said Hobbs. “Other questions of tax conformity must be decided through budget negotiations, following the precedent set by Governor Ducey.”  Budget negotiations have stalled as well.  Sen. Petersen rejected Hobbs’ view of the federal tax changes.  Petersen dismissed Hobbs’ claim as “a nice talking point” that ignored what he says is the reality of how the federal legislation impacts an overwhelming majority of the state’s business transactions. “That’s just not true,” said Petersen. “We’re talking about tax on tips, we’re talking about tax on car interest loans, we’re talking about no overtime. These are not rich people. These are small business owners. 90 percent of business transactions are small business owners.” “It’s a nice talking point, but it’s really not true.” Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen joined @AZMorningNews to push back on Gov. Katie Hobbs after she vetoed Arizona tax conformity and tax-cut bills tied to federal changes. 🎧 Full segment: https://t.co/iGEdHPCfFL pic.twitter.com/SeHO4brSXB — KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) April 15, 2026 Chad Heinrich, Arizona director of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), told The Phoenix Business Journal that the lack of conformity will cause increased taxes on over 700,000 small businesses in Arizona. Heinrich blamed Hobbs. “Not conforming with the key business provisions is, in practical effect, a tax increase on the Arizonans who can least absorb it — those who own and operate Arizona’s small businesses,” said Heinrich. “The Legislature has done its part. Governor Hobbs should finish the job, now, before one more small business owner has to guess about their future.” AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link. The post Hobbs’ Vetoes Leave Arizona Small Businesses Waiting On Tax Conformity first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb3aa3059ccda1fcc1f682 Arizona Democratic Candidate Dodges Questions On Gallego, Swalwell Ties te 2026-04-24T09:40:51.895Z Arizona Democratic Candidate Dodges Questions On Gallego, Swalwell Ties By Matthew Holloway | Democratic congressional candidate Joanna Mendoza declined to answer questions this week about campaign support from Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and a political action committee founded by former Democratic California Congressman Eric Swalwell. Mendoza, who is running in Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, has publicly highlighted endorsements from both Gallego and Future Forum PAC, a political organization founded by Swalwell. In a September social media post, Mendoza wrote, “ENDORSEMENT ALERT! Honored to have the support of Future Forum PAC!” She added, “Future Forum is dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders in Congress, and together we’ll deliver a stronger, fairer future for every family in #AZ06.” Future Forum PAC was founded by Swalwell, though references to him have reportedly since been removed from the PAC’s website. Mendoza’s campaign website also prominently displays endorsements from Gallego and Future Forum PAC. According to Breitbart News, Mendoza declined to answer multiple questions regarding her continued acceptance of support from Gallego and organizations linked to Swalwell following recent allegations against the former congressman. Arizona Democrat Joanna Mendoza took THOUSANDS from Ruben Gallego & Eric Swalwell's PACs Mendoza proudly displays their endorsements But asked about this, she refused to answer as her Democrat supporters FLIPPED OUT Watch: pic.twitter.com/4cZ7GKRjUO — NRCC (@NRCC) April 21, 2026 During the exchange, Mendoza was asked whether she still supported Gallego despite his longtime friendship with Swalwell and whether she believed Gallego’s statements that he was unaware of allegations regarding Swalwell’s conduct. Mendoza did not respond to the questions. “Lobbyist Joanna Mendoza’s website still touts her endorsement from Ruben Gallego and an Eric Swalwell-founded PAC while she refuses to ditch their money,” National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Ben Petersen said in a statement released alongside video of the exchange. “Mendoza has gone radio silent, but Arizona voters see right through it.” Swalwell suspended his gubernatorial campaign and later resigned from Congress after multiple allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced. One accuser, Lonna Drewes, alleged during a press conference that Swalwell sexually assaulted her after they met socially in 2018. Drewes said Swalwell offered to help her software business and invited her to public events before the alleged assault. “He raped me, and he choked me, and while he was choking me, I lost consciousness, and I thought I died,” Drewes said during the press conference, according to the outlet. “I knew he was married at the time and that his wife was pregnant,” she said. “He was my friend.” Swalwell has denied the allegations. Gallego later distanced himself from Swalwell following the allegations. However, Gallego has also faced allegations of misconduct. Last week, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna said Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s office and Senate ethics officials were reviewing information related to allegations involving Gallego as well as possible campaign finance violations, as reported by CBS News. Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com. The post Arizona Democratic Candidate Dodges Questions On Gallego, Swalwell Ties first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb3a8a059ccda1fcc1f650 Defense Department scientist’s accidental death raises questions as probe into missing scientists grows te 2026-04-24T09:40:26.329Z Defense Department scientist’s accidental death raises questions as probe into missing scientists grows EXCLUSIVE: A Defense Department scientist’s 2022 death, which was ruled an accident, is drawing new scrutiny as federal authorities examine a series of deaths and disappearances involving researchers tied to sensitive government work. The case comes as federal authorities and lawmakers examine reports involving at least 10 to 11 scientists tied to sensitive government research, including individuals connected to nuclear, aerospace and defense programs. The cases, which span disappearances, confirmed homicides and unexplained deaths, have drawn attention from the White House and Congress, prompting calls for federal agencies to determine whether any broader national security risk exists. TEXTS AFTER ANNA KEPNER’S MYSTERIOUS CRUISE SHIP DEATH SHOW FAMILY SCRAMBLING TO CLAMP DOWN ON INFO One of those cases drawing renewed attention is the death of Jude Height, a longtime Army biochemist whose work placed him within the type of high-level research now under federal review. Height, 71, died Sept. 9, 2022, after a vehicle rolled backward down a driveway at a home in Chester County, Pennsylvania, striking and trapping him beneath it, according to the local coroner’s office and official records. The death was ruled accidental. The FBI declined to comment on specific cases, but told Fox News Digital it is "spearheading the effort to look for connections into the missing and deceased scientists. We are working with the Department of Energy, Department of War, and with our state and local law enforcement partners to find answers." The White House similarly declined to get ahead of its investigation.  "The White House continues to coordinate across the interagency in order to investigate these events and provide transparency to the American people," spokesperson Anna Kelly said.  Fox News Digital reached out to the U.S. Army at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland for comment. The War Department referred to the Army.  Height spent more than four decades working as a biochemist for the U.S. Army at Aberdeen Proving Ground’s Edgewood, Maryland, facility, focusing on how nerve agents interact with the human body — work that placed him within the type of national security research now drawing broader federal scrutiny. His work included findings on Novichok agents, a class of chemical weapons used in high-profile international poisonings, including the 2018 attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in the United Kingdom. "We were working on the next generation of nerve agent therapeutics," Scott Peghan, a biochemist who worked with Height through Army research programs, told Fox News Digital.  SAVANNAH GUTHRIE REVEALS NEW DETAILS IN MOM’S VANISHING THAT DON’T ADD UP AS QUESTIONS HAUNT CASE: EXPERT His final research, published after his death, examined how Novichok agents inhibit acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme critical to nerve function. Height was preparing to present his latest findings at the annual Military Health System Research Symposium at the time of his death. "He worked on the structure of proteins involved in interactions with nerve agents," Dennis Reuter, a former senior Army scientist who ran a chemical weapons laboratory and oversaw Height’s work for two decades, told Fox News Digital. "It was very cutting-edge research."  Dr. Emory "Bill" Sarver, a former chief scientist who worked with Height for 25 years, told Fox News Digital his work focused on how those agents bind to key enzymes, including whether those interactions could be reversed — research with implications for both chemical defense and medical treatment.  Nerve agents like Novichok disrupt the body’s ability to transmit signals between nerves, leading to paralysis and, in severe cases, death. Colleagues said the work required highly specialized expertise and was conducted in a limited number of government laboratories. Height deployed alongside special forces as a civilian scientist to conduct onsite analysis related to suspected chemical weapons. In 911 audio reviewed by Fox News Digital, the caller appears to say someone "ran him over a couple times," prompting the dispatcher to repeatedly ask who had run him over and whether it had been intentional. But sworn testimony from Height’s girlfriend — the only person present at the time of the incident — later differed in key respects from the initial police report. In the crash report, police wrote that the vehicle had been parked "unoccupied, overnight." In her later deposition, the girlfriend said she had driven the car earlier that morning and returned home shortly before the incident. NASA COORDINATING WITH RELEVANT AGENCIES IN MISSING SCIENTISTS PROBE The report also stated that Height ran behind the vehicle in an attempt to stop it. In sworn testimony, however, the girlfriend said she did not see him run behind the car, only that she saw him already behind it and falling. Police further wrote that the vehicle "rolled over (Height) two times." In the deposition, the girlfriend said she did not know whether he was run over more than once, describing instead seeing the car "bounce" as it moved. Height's former girlfriend did not respond to a request for comment.  Former colleagues who worked with Height for decades say the circumstances surrounding his death have never been fully explained. "None of us believe the official account. Nothing adds up," said Reuter. "None of it was well explained," said Sarver. A source close to Height with law enforcement experience described the crash report to Fox News Digital as "one of the worst accident reports I’ve ever seen," citing inconsistencies in how the incident was documented. Cases like Height’s have drawn attention as part of the broader review of scientists tied to sensitive government research, though authorities have not indicated that his death is connected to any wider pattern. The crash report provides a basic account of the incident but offers little detail on how the vehicle moved or how Height came to be under it.  Birmingham Township, Pennsylvania, Police said they handled the initial response, but the investigation — including diagrams and analysis — was conducted by Chester County Detectives, who did not respond to a request for comment. The death was ruled an accident by the Chester County Coroner’s Office, which listed the cause as multiple blunt force injuries. The autopsy notes it was conducted based on the circumstances provided by investigators. The coroner’s office did not respond to a request for comment.  A separate autopsy conducted at the request of the family reached a different conclusion, finding the manner of death could not be determined and raising questions about whether the injuries were consistent with the reported accident. The report described findings as "very strongly suspicious of homicidal violence coupled with an attempt to cover this as an accident," and noted that injuries appeared to occur in multiple phases, with damage to the head and neck described as distinct from trauma to the torso. The report also referenced puncture-type injuries, though it did not determine how those injuries occurred. However, the examiner did not make a definitive determination as to the manner of death. Height’s daughter, Kristin Height, has spent years trying to understand what happened and has implored local law enforcement and the FBI to reopen the case. Height told Fox News Digital she was not initially notified by authorities of her father’s death and instead learned of it from a former colleague of her father’s. In sworn testimony, the girlfriend said police instructed her not to contact Height directly. She’s obtained some records, including the initial crash report, but has struggled to access additional investigative materials. "I’ve filed requests … and they’ve rejected (them)," she said, referring to attempts to obtain further records.  Family members said Height had, at times, expressed unease related to his work. "He was kind of concerned about if somebody was like, he was being watched or monitored," his brother Bill Height told Fox News Digital. Height’s daughter said he had expressed concern during the COVID-19 pandemic about working from home and whether bringing government-issued equipment outside secure facilities could expose sensitive information. Family members also said Height had raised some concerns about his relationship. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb385f059ccda1fcc1f5c9 Arizona lottery results for Friday, April 24, 2026 te 2026-04-24T09:31:11.832Z Arizona lottery results for Friday, April 24, 2026 Powerball - April 20 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb384b059ccda1fcc1f5c0 Today's poll: Should the state override local building rules to try to lower housing costs? te 2026-04-24T09:30:51.757Z Today's poll: Should the state override local building rules to try to lower housing costs? Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb3837059ccda1fcc1f5b7 Our View: State bill trades local control for empty housing promises te 2026-04-24T09:30:31.790Z Our View: State bill trades local control for empty housing promises Arizona lawmakers say they want to make homes more affordable. A bill moving through the Legislature claims to do just that by cutting local building rules on new neighborhoods. On paper, it sounds simple: fewer requirements, lower costs. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb33e6059ccda1fcc1f499 Iran and its allies are committing epic financial fraud in America. I watch it happen every day te 2026-04-24T09:12:07.000Z Iran and its allies are committing epic financial fraud in America. I watch it happen every day I spend my days inside fraud networks most Americans never see — dark web forums, Telegram channels and marketplaces where stolen identities are bought and sold like commodities. I study them because understanding how these systems work is the only way to stay ahead of them. What I’m seeing right now should concern every American. Iran, North Korea, Russia and China are not just conducting cyberattacks against the United States. They are running coordinated financial fraud operations inside our system — deliberately, systematically and in ways our defenses were never designed to detect. This isn’t ordinary crime. It’s statecraft. ALARMING RISE OF FAKE LEGAL REQUESTS: WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUR PRIVACY While policymakers rightly focus on Iranian cyber threats to power grids and water systems, a quieter operation is already underway, and this is one that reaches directly into the U.S. financial system using the same tools as everyday fraudsters. Iran has spent decades building what amounts to a parallel financial network that is designed to function when access to the formal system is restricted. MALWARE EXPOSES 3.9 BILLION PASSWORDS IN HUGE CYBERSECURITY THREAT It relies on front companies registered across multiple jurisdictions, nominee directors who exist only on paper and bank accounts opened with stolen or fabricated identities. Each new round of sanctions forces adaptation and, each time, the system evolves. We see new shell companies appear and new identities being deployed. Funds are routed through intermediaries that cannot see who is actually behind the transactions. For example, on June 6, 2025, the Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) sanctioned over 40 individuals and entities linked to the three Zarringhalam brothers — Mansour, Nasser, and Fazlolah --brothers for laundering billions through Iran’s "shadow banking" network. This network uses exchange houses and front companies in the UAE and Hong Kong to evade sanctions and move funds from oil and petrochemical sales. The operation enables payments to flow through international banks in multiple currencies on behalf of sanctioned Iranian entities, including military-linked groups. Proceeds help finance Iran’s nuclear and missile programs as well as support terrorist proxies. HOW DEBIT CARD FRAUD CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT USING THE CARD North Korea’s approach is even more direct. The regime has placed IT workers inside U.S. companies using fabricated identities. These are not low-level scams. The identities are constructed from stolen personal information, purchased documents, and in some cases fully synthetic profiles built to pass employment verification. AI CYBERSECURITY RISKS AND DEEPFAKE SCAMS ON THE RISE Those workers draw legitimate salaries, which flow into accounts that feed into laundering pipelines. The money moves through layers of transactions designed to look like ordinary retail banking activity, until its origin is effectively invisible. Russia plays a different role: supplier. ARREST OF CHINESE NATIONALS IN SWING STATE, ISRAEL'S FIGHT WITH IRAN ARE 'WAKE UP' CALL ON CCP THREAT: EXPERTS Infostealer malware operations harvest Social Security numbers, dates of birth and account credentials from millions of Americans. That data feeds dark web markets where identity components are packaged and sold to criminals and foreign state actors alike. China, by contrast, plays a long game. In 2015, Chinese state actors breached the Office of Personnel Management, exposing sensitive data on 21.5 million people. That was one of the most impactful intelligence windfalls of recent times and it created a durable identity dataset that has been detailed enough to build, verify and sustain false identities at scale. That data didn’t disappear after the breach. It has circulated for years in underground markets, where it can be combined with other stolen information to construct identities that pass financial and employment checks. In other words, China didn’t just steal data. It helped seed the very identity ecosystem that others — including Iran and North Korea — can now exploit. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION What makes this so hard to confront is that none of these states are running a separate, exotic operation. They are the heaviest users of the same global identity fraud ecosystem that ordinary criminals use. The same document forgery platforms. The same AI-composited selfie tools used to defeat identity verification checks. The same Telegram channels and dark web markets. The difference is not the tooling. It is who is holding it and what they intend to do with it. Our financial defenses were built to catch criminals. They screen names against sanctions lists. They flag behavioral anomalies. They check documents. None of that is sufficient when the adversary has the patience to cultivate an identity over years before activating it, and the resources of a state intelligence agency behind every step. I watch these networks every day. The infrastructure our enemies rely on is not hidden. It is operating openly, in the same places domestic criminals operate, using the same playbook. And in some cases, these states are not just the heaviest users of that shared infrastructure. They are its primary suppliers. Russia's infostealer operations produce the raw identity components that end up in Iranian front company structures. China's OPM breach seeded a dataset that has been circulating in dark web markets ever since. The question is whether American institutions are prepared to treat that as the national security threat it is. Right now, most of them are not. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb33d3059ccda1fcc1f490 New HUD rules will stop sheltering illegals in public housing. Here's who really benefits te 2026-04-24T09:11:47.404Z New HUD rules will stop sheltering illegals in public housing. Here's who really benefits This week the Trump administration moved toward a dramatic change in policy governing public and subsidized housing. The public comment period closed on the rule proposed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to reserve housing assistance to American citizens — to "prohibit...making financial assistance available to persons other than United States citizens…in HUD's public and specified assisted housing programs." It could lead to the eviction of an estimated more than 20,000 public and subsidized housing residents who took advantage of a loophole in the law restricting public assistance to citizens. Sparks could fly, à la ICE in Minneapolis, if illegal immigrants and their possessions are thrown into the street. HUD is not wrong that lax enforcement has opened the apartment door for the undocumented. But cracking down on illegals, given their small number, is far less important than another new HUD initiative that could change the character of "the projects" for citizens who have been trapped there in poverty. There’s no doubt that a legal loophole has allowed illegal immigrants to enter public housing, notwithstanding long waiting lists. Here’s how it worked: A legal immigrant can advance off a long waiting list to get into public housing and then invite undocumented family members to join him or her in a "mixed household," so long as they pay rent based on their income — which they must, in theory, report. SEC TURNER: HOMEOWNERSHIP IS MAKING A COMEBACK THANKS TO TRUMP, BUT THERE’S MORE TO COME It’s an important change for two reasons. Jumping the line into subsidized housing lets illegals bypass long waiting lists. In New York City alone, there are 227,000 on the wait list for public housing apartments, and 200,000 waiting for vacancies in the city’s 112,000 housing voucher — also known as Section 8 — apartments. In Baltimore, there are 64,000 on the combined waiting lists; in Boston, 42,000; and in Milwaukee, 47,000. Closing the loophole will also end an incentive for illegal immigration itself, based on the understanding that large extended families will be able to crowd into a cousin’s public housing apartment. Those with green cards — who have not joined the immigration line — should be allowed to stay. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Perhaps the number of illegals in the projects is bigger than the 20,000 estimated by HUD Secretary Scott Turner. But the crackdown will still pale in importance to another rule proposed by the Trump administration’s suddenly reform-minded HUD: a regulation encouraging the nation’s 3,200 public housing authorities to adopt a work requirement and a time limit on tenancies. As it stands, only 24% of subsidized households report wages as a major source of income. Most, in other words, are not working. What’s more, 73% have lived in their units for 10 years or more. HUD’s proposed new rule could, in other words, change the culture of public housing from one of long-term dependency to one of upward mobility: out and up. It’s in keeping with the successful 1996 welfare reform law, which imposed a work requirement and a five-year time limit for cash welfare. More could be done. As it stands, the lowest-income families get priority for subsidized housing. In effect, that favors single mothers, who comprise the largest group of the non-elderly in the projects. Only 3% of households are two-parent families. Giving them priority would be another big step toward changing the dysfunctional culture of public housing, originally meant for the working class. If it turns out that such a change favors legal immigrants, who tend to work and marry, the Trump administration should view that as a victory. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM HOWARD HUSOCK Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb33bf059ccda1fcc1f487 America needs workers, but Trump's policies are sharply cutting legal immigration te 2026-04-24T09:11:27.577Z America needs workers, but Trump's policies are sharply cutting legal immigration President Trump stood before Congress in 2019 and said, "Legal immigrants enrich our nation and strengthen our society in countless ways. I want people to come into our country in the largest numbers ever, but they have to come in legally." In 2024, as he ran for reelection, he repeated the point: "We need people." The president was right. But since Trump reentered office, his administration has cut legal immigration dramatically. Illegal immigration is down, too, but not as much. All told, the administration has cut legal immigration twice as much as it has cut illegal immigration. Indeed, my report for the Cato Institute, which President Trump cited, shows the immigration decline has come mainly from fewer legal immigrants. The president previously promised to prioritize Christian refugees, saying "we are going to help them." But he has not. In 2024, most refugees vetted abroad and admitted legally to the U.S. were Christians, yet he cut the refugee program from 125,000 to 7,500. It now admits only a small number of South Africans. There are zero slots for religious persecution. FEDERAL COURT BLOCKS NEWSOM'S BID TO SHACKLE ICE IN TRUMP IMMIGRATION WIN If persecuted people can somehow make it to the United States, the law protects their right to apply for asylum status. In 2018, President Trump encouraged asylum seekers to apply to enter legally, promising that immigrants may "avail themselves of our asylum system, provided that they properly present themselves for inspection at a port of entry." Yet in January 2025, the president signed an executive order that completely ended the opportunity to apply for asylum. The order slashed lawful entries by asylum applicants by 99.9 percent. On Truth Social, the president hailed this finding from Cato’s report detailing Trump’s legal immigration numbers, sharing the graph of falling legal asylum entries as proof his policies "were the best in the History of the U.S.A." President Trump has praised his own family’s immigration stories, themselves a product of family connections, and has said how "beautiful" it was that his own wife could immigrate legally. Yet his administration has not spared even close family members of U.S. citizens who apply for immigrant visas. In December, the president signed an executive order banning legal permanent immigration by 40 nationalities, and the State Department extended the immigrant visa ban to more than 90 nationalities. These policies are now blocking about half of the prior immigrant visa flow, including half of all immigrant spouses and minor children of American citizens. It’s not just family. Workers are also caught up in the escalating web of legal immigration bans. One single father who has two adult disabled children told PBS that the immigration ban on Sierra Leone is blocking him from bringing back his in-home care provider for them. "The load on me is tremendous. It's a struggle to be able to get enough sleep," he said. These policies are not based on individualized risk assessments. Indeed, background checks of all legal immigrants are vastly superior to anything Trump’s family members would have undergone decades ago. There are legal immigrant spouses of Americans who have spent years getting vetted only now to be blocked. It’s not just the time burden. The government has also collected nearly $1 billion in fees from legal immigrants and American sponsors blocked by its various policies. President Trump has long advocated for merit-based immigration reform, but even the highest-skilled workers have faced insurmountable new barriers under this administration. In September, the president imposed a new $100,000 fee just for the chance to apply for an H-1B high-skilled visa. As he signed the order, he said, "We need workers — we need workers, we need great workers, and this pretty much ensures that that's what's going to happen." Yet the administration has said the fee cut entries so much it has lost the government $20 million, while keeping out nearly 90 percent of new skilled workers requesting visas from abroad. President Trump also campaigned on letting skilled foreign students come and stay in the United States. "It’s so sad when we lose people from Harvard, MIT, from the greatest schools, and lesser schools that are phenomenal schools also," he said in 2024, adding: "You should be able to stay." Even after he came into office, the president has recognized the importance of foreign students whose high-value tuition even helps subsidize U.S. students. In 2025, he said, "if we were to cut [student visas] in half, half the colleges in the United States would go out of business." Odd, then, that the Trump administration cut student visas by 40 percent last summer, largely by suspending visa issuances during the busiest weeks. That didn’t bankrupt many colleges. Nonetheless, it has cost US colleges $3 billion in revenue and forced many colleges to cut back on programming and other spending for students. Many colleges are hanging on, hoping next year reverses these cuts. When you add up all these cuts, you find that the administration has cut legal immigration twice as much as it has cut illegal immigration. That doesn’t align with the president’s stated goals. So what’s happening? Trump’s overzealous subordinates deserve some of the blame. They tell him that these cuts are just zeroing out the problematic immigrants, not that they are slashing the total numbers and replacing them with no one. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION When the president was signing the H-1B order, White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf told Trump the order will "ensure that companies have a pathway to hire truly extraordinary people." That’s quite different from telling him that it will cut visas for new skilled workers by 90 percent. Once again, Trump repeated that "we need people" as he finished signing. The president’s instinct is right. America needs people. U.S. population growth is down 90 percent. Social Security is already short the millions of workers it needs to keep revenues equal to expenses. The workforce will shrink without immigration. Fewer workers with more retirees will lead to higher prices. White House Advisor Stephen Miller tells the president that immigrants are "the primary cause of the national debt." Some immigrants certainly can be a burden, but multiple organizations across the idealogical spectrum agree that legal immigration overall is a massive win for the U.S. budget. No one suggests that America’s legal immigration system was perfect. It would be wise to improve the process, restrict welfare access, and ensure that all legal immigrants are set up to contribute to the United States. But President Trump should follow his own advice: get the people we need. Focus on merit, improve the process, and make immigration great again. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb33aa059ccda1fcc1f468 The A.A.U.P. Is Growing Fast as It Ramps Up Its Fight Against Trump te 2026-04-24T09:11:06.453Z The A.A.U.P. Is Growing Fast as It Ramps Up Its Fight Against Trump The American Association of University Professors is drawing new members. The group’s critics say its political stances hurt its cause. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb3396059ccda1fcc1f45f Todd Blanche Targets Trump’s Enemies Amid Jockeying to Lead DOJ te 2026-04-24T09:10:46.846Z Todd Blanche Targets Trump’s Enemies Amid Jockeying to Lead DOJ Mr. Blanche’s salvo of actions are meant to demonstrate progress on the president’s priorities, chief among them payback. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb3383059ccda1fcc1f456 A New Worry for Republicans: Latino Catholics Offended by Trump te 2026-04-24T09:10:27.249Z A New Worry for Republicans: Latino Catholics Offended by Trump In 2024, the president made significant inroads with Hispanics. But in a competitive Arizona congressional district, voters now express dismay at his feud with the pope. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb2103059ccda1fcc1ec83 Davis Dam releases for April 24 te 2026-04-24T07:51:31.005Z Davis Dam releases for April 24 Saturday Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb20ef059ccda1fcc1ec7a Gas prices April 24 te 2026-04-24T07:51:11.035Z Gas prices April 24 Arizona average: $4.59 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb20db059ccda1fcc1ec71 Best Bets: Friday, April 24, 2026 te 2026-04-24T07:50:51.312Z Best Bets: Friday, April 24, 2026 Coming Up Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb20c7059ccda1fcc1ec68 NAU ROUNDUP: Four women's tennis players earn all-conference honors ahead of championships te 2026-04-24T07:50:31.256Z NAU ROUNDUP: Four women's tennis players earn all-conference honors ahead of championships A look at news and results from NAU. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eb0247059ccda1fcc1df0d Rubio Says Iran’s Soccer Team Can Attend World Cup te 2026-04-24T05:40:23.769Z Rubio Says Iran’s Soccer Team Can Attend World Cup Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that while the players were welcome, anyone accompanying them who has links to the Iranian military would be denied entry. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eaef89059ccda1fcc1da96 Former Giants co-owner Steve Tisch seen in team's draft room te 2026-04-24T04:20:25.711Z Former Giants co-owner Steve Tisch seen in team's draft room Cameras showed former New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch in the team’s draft room Thursday night during the first round. At one point, Tisch was seen standing near Giants head coach John Harbaugh. Despite no longer holding a majority stake in the NFL franchise, Tisch remains the Giants' chairman of the board. ESPN obtained an NFL memo last month detailing plans by Steve Tisch and his siblings to transfer their stake in the Giants to trusts for their children. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "Prior transfers to these Trusts were completed pursuant to 2023 and 2024 Finance Committee approvals," the memo stated. "The Sellers now propose to transfer their entire remaining interests, totaling 23.1% of the Club, to the Trusts. ... Following the transactions, the Sellers will no longer own any interest in the Club." GIANTS CO-OWNER STEVE TISCH, SIBLINGS LOOK TO TRANSFER EQUITY STAKE TO CHILDREN’S TRUSTS, NFL MEMO SHOWS It was not clear if the transfer requests were in any way related to Tisch’s name appearing in the Epstein files released by the U.S. Justice Department in January. Tisch’s name came up more than 400 times in the files. Tisch at the time said he knew Epstein but denied visiting Epstein's island. As for draft night, the Giants made what some viewed as an unconventional pick at No. 10, selecting offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa. Before that, the Giants added another piece to their pass rush, selecting hybrid edge/off-ball linebacker Arvell Reese at No. 5. Reese earned All-American honors at Ohio State and finished his first season as a full-time starter with 6.5 sacks. Reese is set to join a pass rush that includes Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and, likely, Kayvon Thibodeaux. 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/69eaed2e059ccda1fcc1d9ed Porsche is adding an all-electric Cayenne coupe to its lineup te 2026-04-24T04:10:22.539Z Porsche is adding an all-electric Cayenne coupe to its lineup Porsche will start selling the Cayenne Coupe Electric in late summer. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eae881059ccda1fcc1d91e Rueben Bain's short arms and tragic car accident history contributed to his NFL Draft slide te 2026-04-24T03:50:25.518Z Rueben Bain's short arms and tragic car accident history contributed to his NFL Draft slide Everybody knew about the tragic auto accident and the follow-up a year later, but when it came to Rueben Bain’s draft status, people said, "No worries." His arms are short, but he’s really good, so the refrain remained: "No worries." Why then did Rueben Bain slide to the middle of the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday? Whoever said neither issue would cause Bain to fall out of the Top 10 was obviously wrong. He fell to the No. 15 overall selection held by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. TRAVIS HUNTER GETS REAL ON HIS AND SHEDEUR SANDERS' NFL FUTURES: 'WE JUST GOING TO WORK' And judging by Bain's demeanor during his post-draft interview on ESPN, he wasn't thrilled about it. "I know I'm the best in the country, I'm sure," an unsmiling Bain told ESPN's Laura Rutledge after his selection. "That's how I think of myself. "I'm telling you I can do anything I put my mind to because of my mindset. I know when I get to this next level I'm going to pop it. " The Buccaneers selected Bain to be their outside rusher complement to Vita Vea on the interior. BAKER MAYFIELD OPENS UP ON EX-TEAMMATE SAM DARNOLD, REVITALIZING CAREER, AND KEVIN STEFANSKI JOINING NFC SOUTH The Bucs thus get the ACC defensive player of the year and a consensus All-American. But they also get a player that multiple other pass-rush needy teams passed up. The New York Jets took TCU's David Bailey with the No. 2 overall selection and the New York Giants picked Arvell Reese in the No. 5 slot. Bain was not only the 15th player taken overall but the third edge defender. That's considered great by any standard. But it's a disappointment to Bain and changes the narrative on him somewhat. TOP NFL DRAFT PROSPECT ASHTON JEANTY IS 'SPECIAL TALENT' AND 'AWESOME KID,' COLLEGE COACH SAYS "He's got to prove himself and beat the odds and prove he can get it done in the NFL," draft guru Mel Kiper said on national TV. Interestingly, most of the coverage of Bain's slide focused on the short length of his arms. Melvin Ingram once upon a time measured in with arms the spanned 31 1/2 inches. And although that is considered short, Ingram turned into a good player. He played 12 seasons and made three Pro Bowls. GREG OLSEN'S ADVICE FOR NFL DRAFT FIRST-ROUND PICKS ON HANDLING HIGH EXPECTATIONS But Bain's arms measured in at 30 7/8 inches, and that is extremely short. Indeed, it is the third-shortest arm length of any DE ever to participate in the combine. So, is that the reason Bain dropped out of the Top 10? SHEDEUR SANDERS HISTORIC NFL DRAFT DRAMA IGNITES HEATED RACIAL DEBATES: 'FEELS LIKE KAEPERNICK' Or is it his driving troubles and the manner in which he addressed those with teams? Bain, you should know, was driving in March of 2024 when he hit another car on South Florida's I-95 in the 4 a.m. hour and set off a chain reaction — hitting an eastside concrete wall and then careening all the way across the highway to the westside concrete barrier — that eventually left passenger Destiny Betts in a coma. Betts, who had not been wearing a seatbelt, died three months later from complications of her blunt force trauma injuries. SHEDEUR SANDERS' 'MISTAKE' COST HIM DRAFT POSITION, NFL ANALYST SAYS Bain was charged but cleared of careless driving because, in part, the traffic homicide investigator said he received the final report after Bain had already paid his citation. NFL teams were aware of all this, plus an ensuing accident the player had in October 2025, for which he was also charged with careless driving. To make matters more dicey, Bain declined to be fully transparent about the accidents with some NFL teams he met with starting at the NFL combine. That disappointed at least one team, an evaluator on that team told OutKick. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Bain also declined to discuss the matter on Wednesday in front of reporters. The Buccaneers, however, feel good about Bain, his short arms and his questionable driving. "We've known about this a long time," said general manager Jason Licht. "I know it just came out a couple of weeks ago. It was a very tragic accident. Tragic experience for the family. And it's something you never want to see happen. "But he's a good person who was involved in something that, you know, none of us ever want to be involved in and never want any of our loved ones involved in. But he loves football. He loves football." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eadf21059ccda1fcc1d708 Giants use top-10 picks on Ohio State's Arvell Reese, Miami's Francis Mauigoa in 2026 NFL Draft te 2026-04-24T03:10:25.468Z Giants use top-10 picks on Ohio State's Arvell Reese, Miami's Francis Mauigoa in 2026 NFL Draft The New York Giants were armed with two picks in the top 10 of the 2026 NFL Draft, and the new regime led by head coach John Harbaugh showed its focus on the trenches on both sides of the ball. With the fifth overall pick, the Giants saw Ohio State star edge rusher Arvell Reese fall to them and they pulled the trigger, taking their third edge rusher in the first round since 2022. Then, with the No. 10 overall pick, the Giants had the opportunity to take another Buckeyes defensive star, as safety Caleb Downs fell down the draft board. But it’s clear the Giants are protecting their future, quarterback Jaxson Dart, as they went offensive line with their next pick. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa was called out of the NFL Draft green room in Pittsburgh as the No. 10 overall pick. While he played tackle with the Hurricanes, Mauigoa is expected to move to the offensive interior line. The Giants re-signed Jermaine Eluemunor, who shined as the team’s right tackle in 2025, during free agency. He’s expected to remain in that role, but the Giants have question marks at guard, and there’s a belief Mauigoa can move inside. TOP FIVE HILARIOUS NFL DRAFT NIGHT MOMENTS TO GET THE NOSTALGIA FLOWING In some mock drafts entering Thursday, Reese was projected to go second overall to the New York Jets. But the Jets went with David Bailey out of Texas Tech instead. From there, the Arizona Cardinals went with Jeremiyah Love, making him the highest-picked running back since the Giants took Saquon Barkley in 2018. The Tennessee Titans went with wide receiver Carnell Tate, the first Buckeyes player off the board, and Reese fell into their laps. Giants receiver Malik Nabers, making an appearance on a draft show alongside Green Bay Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons, questioned where Reese would play considering Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter, the team’s No. 3 overall pick a year ago, play edge rusher. But Harbaugh hinted at the plan to make Reese an inside linebacker – an area of need on the Giants’ defense. If that is the plan, Reese’s athleticism, which has been on display throughout his Ohio State career, will be tested at the NFL level. As for Mauigoa, the 6-foot-5, 329-pound tackle was viewed as one of the top offensive line prospects in this draft throughout the process. Mauigoa was a first-team All-American selection this past year for a Miami squad that reached the national championship game. He started all 16 games at right tackle for the Hurricanes. There was, however, an injury question surrounding Mauigoa, as he has dealt with a back issue that may require surgery at some point in his pro career. Teams have their due diligence in these matters, and the Giants don’t seem to be concerned to spend the pick on him. This was the 10th overall pick the Giants acquired after trading All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals last week, fulfilling his trade request amid a contract dispute. Mauigoa already put himself in Giants fans' good graces, saying during his draft interview, "I'll die for you, Jaxson Dart." That's the type of energy Harbaugh, Dart and the rest of the Giants are looking for at an essential position on the football field. 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/69eadccf059ccda1fcc1d6ae Ellen Sotelo te 2026-04-24T03:00:31.029Z Ellen Sotelo Ellen Louise Sotelo, 67, passed away at her home, in Sun Valley, on March 27, 2026. She was born April 3, 1958, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Edward George Beyer and Donna May Odland.       Ellen loved the Lord, our God. She also loved fishing and drives in the woods. But her greatest love was her family. She was a wonderful mother! She not only loved and cared for her family, but also those around her.       Survivors include son, Joshua H. Sotelo (Kayla McKernan) and daughter, Amber D. Strong (Martin E. Jenson); and grandchildren, Erick McKernan Sotelo, Kyra McKernan Sotelo and Amelia M. Strong-Jenson.       She was preceded in death by partner, Willard L. Strong Sr.       Services were handled by Owens Livingston Mortuary of Holbrook. The post Ellen Sotelo first appeared on Painted Desert Tribune. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eada72059ccda1fcc1d5b0 Fernando Mendoza embraces wheelchair-bound mom after Raiders select him No 1 overall te 2026-04-24T02:50:26.672Z Fernando Mendoza embraces wheelchair-bound mom after Raiders select him No 1 overall Fernando Mendoza shared the moment of being selected first overall in the NFL Draft with his family from home on Thursday night. He was seen hugging his family, including his mother Elsa Mendoza, in a moment of celebration. Despite being projected to be the first overall pick, Mendoza skipped the in-person draft in Pittsburgh to stay in Florida with his mother, who battles multiple sclerosis (MS) and is bound to a wheelchair. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM When Mendoza was only about 4 years old, his mother was diagnosed with the disease. It is a chronic, autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that can affect the brain and spinal cord. She has spent the last few years in a wheelchair. Elsa Mendoza wrote about the experience in a 2015 letter to her sons that was published in The Players Tribune. "I was diagnosed about 18 years ago, but of course you never knew that. You and Alberto were so young, and I was doing fine… and mostly I didn’t want you to worry. It just felt like this impossible thing to place on you guys. On my sweet boys. And then I kept doing fine until about 10 years ago, when we went skiing and I broke my ankle and knee," she wrote. "But even after that, I wasn’t quite ready to tell you — only that my leg hadn’t healed all the way, which is why your mom had her limp. It wasn’t until five years ago, when I got Covid, that things started to go downhill in a way where there was no more hiding it. It was during football season, and I realized I wasn’t going to be able to travel. And the thought of you wondering if I supported you any less, because suddenly I wasn’t at your games? I hated that. So that’s when I knew we had to sit you and your brother down." INDIANA FOOTBALL STAR AND HIS BROTHER TURN THEIR NAMESAKE BURGER INTO BATTLE AGAINST MS She went on to recall, "how hard of a conversation it ended up being. 'Your mom has this degenerative disease… and while we don’t know how it will progress, it’s going to start to affect us in a few ways. But it won’t affect us in the ways that matter. We’ll have each other, and love each other, and be there for each other. I promise.'" Both of Mednzoa's parents grew up in Miami, Florida, as the children of Cuban refugees who fled communism after Fidel Castro rose to power in the country. Mendoza's father, Fernando Mendoza Sr., was a rower at Brown University and a 1987 Junior World Championships gold medalist. But Mendoza's father also played football when he was younger, and was teammates with Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal at Christopher Columbus High School during the 1980s. Mendoza would go on to defeat his father's former teammate in this year's CFP national championship game. Meanwhile, his mother played tennis at the University of Miami. 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/69ead5c2059ccda1fcc1d2ff Tom Brady offers advice incoming NFL rookies, welcomes Fernando Mendoza after Raiders make him the top pick te 2026-04-24T02:30:26.508Z Tom Brady offers advice incoming NFL rookies, welcomes Fernando Mendoza after Raiders make him the top pick For more than two dozen players, Thursday night marks the realization of their lifelong NFL dreams. By night’s end, 32 prospects will hear their names called from the NFL Draft stage in Pittsburgh. Seven-time Super Bowl winner and Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady reflected on the special moment so many young men were experiencing, while also sharing a message with the league’s newest rookies. "Congratulations to all the rookies who are joining the NFL this weekend," Brady wrote in a post to X. "I hope you can appreciate this special moment… you’ve earned it through hard work, discipline, and determination. You’ve made your family proud, along with everyone else on your journey that has supported you. But this is just the beginning." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Brady then emphasized the challenge ahead, urging rookies to focus on what comes next. "When you wake up tomorrow morning, just know that your career will be defined by what happens going forward. You’ll need to take everything you do to the next level in order to compete with the world’s best." Brady wasn’t in the Raiders draft room, but he still had a message for the No. 1 pick, Fernando Mendoza: "Welcome to Las Vegas @fernandomendoza. Time to get to work. @Raiders." The Raiders’ top pick has a long way to go to match what the New England Patriots found at No. 199 in 2000 — the spot where Brady was drafted. Mendoza said Brady delivered a blunt message during his official visit with the Raiders in the days leading up to the draft. "It was fantastic. He gave me the message that he's going to push me, and he's not going to be all lovey-dovey. And that if the Raiders draft me, he's going to be a mentor and wants to pour into whatever quarterback the Raiders have — whether it's me, whether they draft somebody else." Other notable first-round moves included the Kansas City Chiefs moving up to No. 6 and selecting LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane. A short time later, the Cowboys shook things up, trading up to No. 11 to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. 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/69ead368059ccda1fcc1ccdd Elite school teacher known as 'Mr Wonderful' accused of heinous crimes against students te 2026-04-24T02:20:24.892Z Elite school teacher known as 'Mr Wonderful' accused of heinous crimes against students A former private school teacher, who was nicknamed "Mr. Wonderful," has been charged with three counts of rape involving two of his former students. Matthew Rutledge, 64, walked into Berkshire Superior Court in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, on Wednesday for his arraignment after Melissa Fares, 33, and Hilary Simon, 39, accused their teacher of abusing them when they were students at Miss Hall's School. The abuse allegedly happened between 2000 and 2010. He pleaded not guilty. The allegations include claims Rutledge groomed and repeatedly abused students, according to statements released by the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office. "For a long time, I was living inside trauma without fully understanding it," Fares said in a statement shared by the Berkshire District Attorney's Office. "It was over the last several years that I began piecing together the truth of what happened to me: that Matt Rutledge had used me, abused me, and raped me. That I had been groomed and threatened into silence by a serial predator. That my youth wasn't my youth at all." ICE BOSTON ARRESTS GUATEMALAN NATIONAL CHARGED WITH CHILD RAPE WHO WAS RELEASED BACK INTO COMMUNITY BY COURT Simon said she was 15 years old when Rutledge first began "grooming" her, and that the abuse "continued for years" after she left campus. "I fought this privately for 20 years," her statement read. "I have been fighting it publicly for two. Before any of this, I was just a normal person. A lawyer. A wife and a mother. A woman trying to build a life on top of something I had buried. And then Melissa Fares called. I did not know Melissa. I picked up the phone, and I told her I had been waiting for that call for 20 years." According to NBC, citing a report prepared for Miss Hall’s School, Rutledge allegedly called out "Make way for Mr. Wonderful" as he moved through the hallways. LOUISIANA SCHOOL'S TEACHER OF THE YEAR ACCUSED OF INAPPROPRIATE CONDUCT WITH FORMER STUDENT Fares and Simon said they discovered in 2024 that they had similar accounts of Rutledge’s alleged abuse and decided to pursue charges together. Despite their allegations, the district attorney's office at the time declined to move forward with the case, citing Massachusetts' age of consent law at the time, which allowed for an adult to have sex with a person over the age of 16, according to the women. The two women then pushed for legislation to close what they called a "legal loophole" and make it illegal for a teacher to have sex with a student. Rutledge is now charged under separate rape statutes. Prosecutors have not publicly detailed what led to the decision to charge Rutledge. JUDGE DISMISSES CHARGES IN ALLEGED CAMPUS VIGILANTE 'CATCH A PREDATOR' STING TARGETING ARMY SOLDIER Rutledge was indicted by the District Attorney's office last month. Speaking at a press conference following the arraignment, Fares claimed to reporters that Miss Hall's School was aware of Rutledge’s alleged behavior. "Miss Hall’s School knew," she said. "This whole school knew. They enabled a culture of abuse for decades. They failed us, our families and every girl trusted them to protect her. They must also be held accountable." Miss Hall’s School said in a statement shared with Fox News Digital that it is cooperating with authorities and acknowledged the impact on its community. "Wednesday’s arraignment was an important and painful moment for our community," the school said. "We will continue to cooperate fully with authorities. We are sorry for the harm that survivors have experienced and the impact on our community." A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for June 18, according to WCVB. Fox News Digital's Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eacecd059ccda1fcc1cbda Cardinals draft Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the No. 3 overall pick in 2026 NFL Draft te 2026-04-24T02:00:45.912Z Cardinals draft Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the No. 3 overall pick in 2026 NFL Draft The Arizona Cardinals went with a true playmaker on offense, selecting Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Many believed heading into the first round on Thursday night that Arizona was a perfect trade-down candidate, as teams might have paid a premium to land either Love, or someone else, they coveted. It possibly looked that way as the clock ticked closer to zero, but the Cardinals ended up putting their pick in, landing the consensus top running back in this 2026 class. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Love became the highest drafted running back since the New York Giants selected Saquon Barkley second overall out of Penn State in 2018. And he joins a Cardinals offense that will be revamped under new head coach Mike LaFleur. It’s a West Coast-style offense for LaFleur, and he gets a speedy Love, who ran a 4.36 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. The tape also speaks for itself, with Love showcasing explosive physical traits as well as strength in the trenches. 2026 NFL DRAFT ODDS: BACK DAVID BAILEY AS NO. 2 PICK, JEREMIYAH LOVE TO GIANTS Love also joins a veteran in James Conner, while Tyler Allgeier signed with the Cardinals this offseason. But Love has the talent to set himself apart from the rest, with many believing he was the best overall player in this draft. Love ran for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns this past season for the Fighting Irish, while surpassing 100 yards in six of his 14 showings. He even rushed for a whopping 228 yards against the USC Trojans. Given the Cardinals didn't have a single 100-yard rusher this past season, they’re going with someone who can provide juice to the new-look offense. It’s also a new look with Kyler Murray out, as he went to the Minnesota Vikings following his release from Arizona. The Cardinals, at least for now, are heading into the 2026 season with Jacoby Brissett, the veteran journeyman who took over for the injured Murray last year, as their starting quarterback. 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/69eaceba059ccda1fcc1cbd1 Rams make surprise first-round move, take Alabama QB Ty Simpson te 2026-04-24T02:00:26.459Z Rams make surprise first-round move, take Alabama QB Ty Simpson One of the most intriguing stories entering the first round of the NFL Draft was where Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson might land. Well, fans got their answer sooner than they expected. The Los Angeles Rams surprisingly selected Simpson with the No. 13 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The selection isn't completely out of left field and is arguably the best-case scenario for Simpson. The Rams have Matthew Stafford as their starter for 2026, but Stafford has flirted with the idea of retirement each of the past two offseasons. It's clear the clock is ticking on his NFL career. Now, Simpson gets to sit behind one of the NFL's best veteran quarterbacks, learn the position while adapting to life in the NFL, and not face immediate pressure to succeed. Additionally, the Rams are one of the most well-run franchises in the league right now. Sean McVay is an elite head coach who led the team to a Super Bowl victory to cap the 2021 season and just had the team within one win of another Super Bowl berth before falling to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! The most surprising aspect is the Rams looking toward the future, quite frankly. This is a team that has had no problem trading away first-round picks to make its team the best it can be each season. It seemed most likely the team would use the No. 13 pick to improve its team for next season, which could be Stafford's last. Instead, the team decided to put itself in position for Stafford's retirement without skipping a beat. There were several surprises in the first 13 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft: the Cardinals taking Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 3, the Titans selecting Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate at No. 4, the Kansas City Chiefs trading up to take LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane at No. 6 and even the Cowboys trading up one spot to make sure they drafted Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 11. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM But the Rams completely abandoning their recent strategy (usually trading away first-round picks and loading up for now) to select Stafford's heir apparent is easily the biggest early shock of the 2026 NFL Draft. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eac7b5059ccda1fcc1ca1e Chiefs and Browns make first trade of 2026 draft and both eventually fill needs te 2026-04-24T01:30:29.428Z Chiefs and Browns make first trade of 2026 draft and both eventually fill needs The Cleveland Browns, rumored to be willing to trade down from their No. 6 overall selection in the 2026 NFL draft, did just that Thursday evening when the traded the pick to the Kansas City Chiefs. Cleveland traded the sixth overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft to the Chiefs, in exchange for the ninth overall pick, as well as pick No. 74 in the third round and No. 148 in the fifth round. The Browns now hold the No. 9 and No. 24 picks in the first round of the draft. They have a total of 11 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. So the Chiefs gave up three picks in making the first trade of the first round. BROWNS EXECS RAISE EYEBROWS WITH REACTIONS AFTER DRAFTING SHEDEUR SANDERS FOLLOWING HISTORIC SLIDE And we know what the fan bases of both clubs were thinking prior to the selection: Chiefs fans were thinking we know something they don't. And then the Chiefs selected cornerback Mansoor Delane from LSU -- a move no doubt forced by the club's trade of Pro Bowl cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams earlier in the offseason. So, the Chiefs fill a major need, assuming Delane is indeed the quality corner they believe. GREG OLSEN'S ADVICE FOR NFL DRAFT FIRST-ROUND PICKS ON HANDLING HIGH EXPECTATIONS ESPN's Mel Kiper didn't like the pick, by the way. He had Delane as the 14th best player in the draft. "It was a necessity," ESPN analyst Louis Riddick, a former NFL defensive back, responded. Browns fans weren't thinking that way. BROWNS MAKE STUNNING KENNY PICKETT TRADE TO RAIDERS AS BACKUP QUARTERBACK ROLE REMAINS WIDE OPEN They were probably thinking something akin to "We screwed up." This is understandable because they're Browns fans and this could have been the Browns Browning. Well, the Browns, moving down three slots, gave up a shot to draft linebacker Sonny Styles of Ohio State to the Washington Commanders, receiver Jordyn Tyson to the New Orleans Saints and then the Browns got their chance with the newly acquired No. 9 pick: ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Offensive tackle Spencer Fano of Utah. Fano is good. And he makes the Browns offensive line instantly better because he's going to likely start at left tackle for them. So what will Browns fans think of this pick? They'll probably wonder why the Browns didn't pick Miami's Francis Mauigoa, who went with the No. 10 pick to the New York Giants and promised "to die for" Jaxson Dart if necessary. They'll wonder this because Browns fans expect the worst. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eac580059ccda1fcc1c99d Trump cabinet member scraps Obama-era gender identity housing rule, cites ‘biological reality’ te 2026-04-24T01:21:04.460Z Trump cabinet member scraps Obama-era gender identity housing rule, cites ‘biological reality’ Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner has ordered an immediate halt to enforcement of a key Obama-era housing rule tied to gender identity, directing the agency to operate programs based on biological sex. The directive stops any pending or future enforcement of HUD’s 2016 Equal Access Rule, which expanded gender identity as formally recognized in federally-funded housing programs and shelters. The move marks a significant shift in how shelters and HUD-funded providers operate, particularly those serving women fleeing domestic violence, and implements President Donald Trump’s executive order to restore what the administration calls "biological truth" across the federal government. "I am directing HUD staff to halt any pending or future enforcement actions related to HUD’s 2016 Equal Access Rule, which, in essence, tied housing programs, shelters and other facilities funded by HUD to far-left gender ideology," Turner said. TRUMP STOPPED BIDEN’S PLAN TO FORCE DEI ON LOCAL COMMUNITIES "We, at this agency, are carrying out the mission laid out by President Trump on January 20th… to restore biological truth to the federal government," he added. "This means recognizing there are only two sexes: male and female. It means getting government out of the way of what the Lord established from the beginning when he created man in His own image." The 2016 rule allowed people to self-identify for gender when accessing certain housing services, limiting the ability of shelters to challenge that identification. Critics of the rule argued it restricted the rights of shelters, particularly those serving women impacted by trauma, domestic abuse and violence, by requiring them to admit individuals based on gender identity rather than biological sex. JUDGE FORCES CA HOSPITAL TO KEEP TRANS TREATMENTS FOR MINORS DESPITE TRUMP FUNDING THREAT Turner framed the move as part of a broader overhaul of HUD policy and spending. "Moreover, this is just the first of many examples of how, starting on day one, HUD is going back to work for the American people and being a good steward of taxpayer dollars," he said. "There will be more where this came from." The Equal Access Rule was first introduced in 2012, prohibiting discrimination in HUD-funded programs based on sexual orientation, gender identity and marital status. A 2016 update expanded those protections by requiring programs to recognize gender identity as well. Turner’s order does not repeal the rule, but halts enforcement tied to the 2016 expansion. "As I have said before, we are going to take inventory of HUD’s programs and ensure every dollar that goes out the door is advancing HUD’s mission, which is to provide quality, affordable homes for communities across the country – urban, rural and tribal –and promote economic investment to build stronger communities and a brighter future for all Americans," Turner said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eac569059ccda1fcc1c95e Ocelot striding through Southern Az named by Tohono O'odham students, community te 2026-04-24T01:20:41.137Z Ocelot striding through Southern Az named by Tohono O'odham students, community Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eac555059ccda1fcc1c953 Enviros: Jaguar 'Cinco' is now a regular 'resident' of Southern Arizona te 2026-04-24T01:20:21.595Z Enviros: Jaguar 'Cinco' is now a regular 'resident' of Southern Arizona Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eac33d059ccda1fcc1c8ef Former North Carolina police officer arrested for allegedly planning mass shooting at New Orleans festival te 2026-04-24T01:11:25.013Z Former North Carolina police officer arrested for allegedly planning mass shooting at New Orleans festival A former North Carolina police officer was arrested in Florida after authorities said he planned a mass shooting at a New Orleans music festival. Christopher Gillum, 45, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, was taken into custody around 6:40 p.m. Wednesday at a hotel in Destin, Florida, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said. Authorities said Gillum was wanted for making "terroristic threats" and was believed to be traveling to a festival in New Orleans to "conduct a mass shooting." Investigators recovered a handgun and about 200 rounds of ammunition from his hotel room. 8 CHILDREN DEAD IN MASS SHOOTING THAT BEGAN AS DOMESTIC DISPUTE, POLICE SAY Gillum’s family reported him missing Tuesday, telling authorities he had a history of self-harm and had made threats to harm "Black people," according to a police bulletin from Burlington, North Carolina. Lt. Clint Lyons of the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office said Gillum left the state before authorities could initiate an involuntary commitment, adding there were no legal grounds to detain him at the time. Earlier Wednesday, Gillum had been stopped by law enforcement in Okaloosa County but was released because he did not meet criteria for arrest or commitment, according to the bulletin. NYC GUNMAN SHANE TAMURA SEEN ANGERING POLICE OFFICERS IN BODYCAM VIDEO DURING 2023 ARREST Deputies later conducted surveillance after learning he was under investigation and arrested him once a warrant was issued from Louisiana, authorities said. Gillum is expected to be extradited to Louisiana to face charges, the sheriff’s office said. Authorities did not name the event, but the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival — known as Jazz Fest — runs through May 3 and draws hundreds of thousands of attendees annually. Louisiana State Police said "there are no known direct threats" to any festivals in the state. MAN WHO CRASHED INTO NEVADA SUBSTATION FOUND DEAD IN CAR WITH ARSENAL IN SUSPECTED TERROR INCIDENT: SHERIFF Gillum served as a sworn police officer in Chapel Hill from 2004 until his resignation in 2019, according to a town spokesperson. He later worked as a police officer in Carolina Beach from October 2019 to October 2020, then became a detention officer with the Orange County, North Carolina, Sheriff’s Office in October 2023, leaving in July 2024. Gillum returned to the Chapel Hill Police Department as a non-sworn employee in 2024 before leaving later that year. He was rehired as an Orange County sheriff’s deputy in January 2025 but resigned that September. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eac329059ccda1fcc1c8e6 ICE nabs illegal aliens convicted of child sex crimes and meth trafficking in nationwide enforcement sweep te 2026-04-24T01:11:05.136Z ICE nabs illegal aliens convicted of child sex crimes and meth trafficking in nationwide enforcement sweep U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested multiple individuals on Wednesday who were convicted of serious crimes, including sexual assault and drug trafficking, as part of enforcement actions during National Crime Victims Week, officials said. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the arrests targeted individuals with prior convictions for offenses such as aggravated sexual assault, lewd acts with a child, assault by strangulation and distribution of methamphetamine. "During National Crime Victims Week, DHS is continuing its work to fight for justice for victims of illegal alien crime," Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement. "By removing criminal illegal aliens from our communities, ICE is stopping them before they can perpetrate more crimes and create more victims." Officials highlighted several of the arrests that took place just this week. ICE BUSTS SEVERAL CONVICTED CRIMINALS, INCLUDING CHILD RAPIST WHO THREATENED TO KILL 11-YEAR-OLD VICTIM One man, Carlos Portillo-Nunez of El Salvador, was previously convicted of lewd or lascivious acts with a child in Indio, California, according to DHS. Pablo Blanco-Fortuna, an illegal alien from Mexico, was convicted of aggravated sexual assault and failing to register as a sex offender in Hidalgo, Texas, and Roberto Vallejo-Benitez, also from Mexico, was convicted of assault by strangulation in Wake County, North Carolina, officials said. GUATEMALAN MAN CHARGED WITH CHILD PORN POSSESSION RELEASED BY FAIRFAX COUNTY DESPITE ICE DETAINER, DHS SAYS Guatemalan national Eladio Laines was previously convicted of sexual assault and unlawful restraint involving serious bodily injury in Chester, Pennsylvania, and Alfredo Delgado-Perez, another Mexican national, was convicted of distributing methamphetamine in Los Angeles. The arrests come after the U.S. experienced historically high levels of illegal immigration in recent years. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recorded more than 2 million migrant encounters along the southern border in both fiscal years 2022 and 2023, according to DHS data, before declining in 2024. CHRISTMASTIME ICE OPERATION ‘ANGEL’S HONOR’ NETS CHILD RAPIST, TORTURER The individuals arrested are from Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador, countries that have consistently accounted for a significant share of illegal border crossings in recent years, according to DHS encounter data. ICE has said it prioritizes the arrest and removal of illegal aliens with prior criminal convictions, particularly those involving violence, sexual offenses and drug trafficking. While DHS highlights arrests involving serious criminal offenses, such cases represent a small portion of the millions of illegal alien encounters recorded nationwide in recent years, based on CBP data. The federal agency said the arrests were part of its broader efforts to remove individuals with criminal convictions from U.S. communities. It also pointed victims to its Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office for support services. "Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, DHS will never stop fighting for justice for the innocent Americans whose lives were stolen by illegal aliens who should have never been in our country," Bis said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eac315059ccda1fcc1c8dd California ‘basic income’ experiment fails to provide ‘financial independence,’ study finds te 2026-04-24T01:10:45.681Z California ‘basic income’ experiment fails to provide ‘financial independence,’ study finds A California guaranteed income pilot program intended to lift families out of poverty failed to lead participants to long-term financial independence, according to a new study from researchers at the University of California, Davis. The Yolo County Basic Income (YoBI) program provided "no-strings-attached" cash assistance to a highly targeted group of at-risk residents. While the payments served as a temporary lifeline, researchers found that for the "significant majority" of participants, the program was not enough to break the cycle of poverty. "While [Basic Income] reduced some of the immediate urgency around money and allowed families some stability, most participants still had unmet financial needs," the study reported. FLORIDA OFFICIALS WARNED TO AVOID REPARATIONS-STYLE EFFORT AS STATE GEARS UP TO RESTRICT DEI EVEN FURTHER The program differed from standard Universal Basic Income (UBI) by focusing exclusively on families with children under age six who were already enrolled in the state’s CalWORKs program and experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Nolan Sullivan, the former interim director of Yolo County Health and Human Services, described the initiative in 2022 as a "super targeted basic income" (TBI). "It’s not just like randomly distributing wealth amongst a group of people," Sullivan said at the time. "We are laser-focused on one particular group... really trying to break the rule of generational poverty." Under the pilot, participants received monthly checks averaging $1,289 for a two-year period. The goal was to raise family income to 200% of the federal poverty level. GUARANTEED INCOME PROGRAM MADE TEXAS MOM REALIZE LOW-INCOME, MARGINALIZED GROUPS WERE UNDERSERVED FOR SO LONG The UC Davis findings, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, highlight a recurring theme in guaranteed income experiments: the "survival mode" trap. Participants reported that while the cash helped cover predictable expenses and pay down debt, it did not provide a cushion for the "unexpected." Researchers noted that car repairs, medical bills, or a sudden loss of employment quickly wiped out any progress made through the monthly stipends. One participant told researchers that without the program, they would likely be "out there looking for places to sleep." However, the study concludes that despite these "lived experience" successes in preventing homelessness, a clear path to total financial self-sufficiency remained elusive for most. NEWLY LAUNCHED COALITION WITH ‘AFFORDABILITY AGENDA’ VOWS TO ATTACK GUARANTEED INCOME PROGRAMS Despite the lack of long-term financial independence cited in the Yolo County study, advocates continue to push for the expansion of such programs. Similar pilots have popped up across the country, with Cook County, Illinois, recently turning its pilot into the nation’s first permanent guaranteed income program. Critics, however, argue that these programs create a "fiscal cliff," where recipients struggle even harder once the temporary government funding expires. Yolo County officials did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eac301059ccda1fcc1c8d4 Massive crowd in attendance for NFL Draft in Pittsburgh: PHOTOS te 2026-04-24T01:10:25.998Z Massive crowd in attendance for NFL Draft in Pittsburgh: PHOTOS Well, the NFL got what it wanted Thursday night in Pittsburgh. Hours before Round 1 even started, the line to get into the Draft Experience was already thousands of people deep. The Steelers posted a video of fans lined up in broad daylight, and by the time ESPN was showing aerial shots on TV, the area outside Acrisure Stadium looked absolutely jammed. Whatever official number winds up getting attached to it later, Pittsburgh already passed the eyeball test. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! And that’s really the whole point now. The league has spent years turning this NFL Draft into a giant traveling football party, and Pittsburgh is the latest proof that the concept works. Shocking development: football fans enjoy football. They don't even need football being played on a field. The NFL has shown that it can put its commissioner on a stage, reading a bunch of names, and still draw hundreds of thousands of people to a venue. It's quite impressive, honestly. Pittsburgh is exactly the type of city that makes sense for the league to target for the NFL Draft. Pittsburgh isn't getting a Super Bowl because it's a cold winter city with an outdoor stadium. But the fanbase is rabid and hungry to host major events. Plus, it looks great on TV. The skyline and the bridges produce a beautiful April backdrop. And the shot of that packed area outside Acrisure (still Heinz Field in the hearts of civilized people) is exactly what the league wants the country to see. It also helps that this is the kind of city where people will actually show up for something like this. Because they genuinely care and that matters. It's not like holding the draft in a city like Los Angeles where people are showing up simply so they have something cool to post on Instagram. For all the hand-wringing every year about how many prospects decide to attend in person, the NFL has made its choice pretty clear. It would much rather have a sea of fans outside than a few more players in the green room. That’s where the energy comes from. That’s what looks good on TV. And, more importantly for the league, that’s what keeps turning the draft into one of the biggest events on the sports calendar even though there's not a single player in uniform taking a snap. Pittsburgh delivered that before the first pick was even announced. FERNANDO MENDOZA, THE NO 1 PICK OF THE NFL DRAFT TO THE RAIDERS, TASKED WITH RETURNING A LEGACY TO GLORY Maybe the final attendance number winds up flirting with the biggest draft crowds we’ve seen. Maybe it doesn’t. But nobody looking at the scene Thursday could seriously argue that the city didn’t show up in a huge way. The NFL wanted a monster crowd and a full-on festival atmosphere. Pittsburgh gave it one. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eac0a5059ccda1fcc1c813 Medical marijuana gets rescheduled, but recreational use still treated like heroin under federal law te 2026-04-24T01:00:21.978Z Medical marijuana gets rescheduled, but recreational use still treated like heroin under federal law Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eabe78059ccda1fcc1c7cb Long Island PTA mom accused of stealing $50K from elementary school while she served as NYPD officer te 2026-04-24T00:51:04.503Z Long Island PTA mom accused of stealing $50K from elementary school while she served as NYPD officer Authorities announced Wednesday the arrest of a PTA Long Island mom accused of siphoning more than $50,000 from an elementary school over a three-year span — while she was employed as a New York Police Department officer. Jodi Scarlatos, 43, of Centereach, served as treasurer of the Jericho Elementary School PTA when she allegedly began using association funds to bankroll personal expenses and outings around the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office said. According to a lawsuit filed in Suffolk County Supreme Court, Scarlatos allegedly made the troubling transactions as she began defaulting on her mortgage payments in July 2022, prompting her bank to initiate foreclosure proceedings. The suit said she owes a total debt exceeding $375,000. She was reportedly caught after her control of the PTA bank account was transferred to a new board of members around 2023, at which point the alleged discrepancies began to surface. LOUISIANA 'MEDICAID MILLIONAIRE' BOUGHT LAMBORGHINI WHILE CLAIMING GOVERNMENT BENEFITS FOR YEARS "Parent Teacher Associations serve a vital function in school communities throughout Suffolk County," District Attorney Raymond Tierney said. "The allegations in this case represent a betrayal of the trust the residents of Centereach placed in this defendant, and my office will continue to hold accountable everyone who unlawfully enriches themselves at the public’s expense."  Her lawyer told Fox News Digital Thursday that the PTA mom had previously worked as a transit officer with the New York Police Department. She reportedly retired from the force in January 2025.  According to prosecutors, Scarlatos served as treasurer of the Jericho Elementary School PTA from July 2020 through September 2023. MARRIED OHIO SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR, 43, LEARNS SENTENCE FOR SEX WITH TEEN STUDENT IN OFFICE During that time, she was issued a debit card intended solely for PTA-related expenses but allegedly used the funds for restaurants, hotels, rental cars, Best Buy, Ticketmaster, Amazon and Verizon Wireless.  Scarlatos also allegedly moved cash from the PTA coffers into her personal bank account, prosecutors alleged. In addition, officials said she continued making transactions during summer recesses and holiday breaks, periods when school was not in session. In July 2022, Scarlatos allegedly stopped paying her mortgage, according to a foreclosure lawsuit filed by U.S. Bank Trust National Association in March 2024. Court records point to mounting financial pressure and significant debt leading up to the action. The following year, just months before she stepped away from her school role, the embattled PTA official had initiated a small fundraiser for a hospital supported by the elementary school, according to her Facebook page. "Help me raise funds for St. Jude!," she wrote in a Jan. 17, 2023, Facebook post. "I've joined the fight to help end childhood cancer by participating in the St. Jude Math-A-Thon. I'm solving math problems and raising funds to help St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. You can help me reach my fundraising goal for the kids of St. Jude, who are battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases." FORMER CONNECTICUT POLICE CHIEF ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY STEALING $85K IN PUBLIC FUNDS Scarlatos’ transactions allegedly continued until the next board members for the 2023–2024 school year took over and discovered the troubling findings, according to investigators. Scarlatos ultimately surrendered to the District Attorney’s Office on Monday and was arraigned before District Court Judge Jonathan Bloom on a charge of grand larceny in the second degree, a Class C felony. If convicted, she faces five to 15 years in prison.  The Long Island mom was released without bail and is due back in court on May 5, 2026. Fox News Digital reached out to the Jericho Elementary School PTA and NYPD for more information. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eabe63059ccda1fcc1c7aa Trump Reposts Anti-Immigrant Tirade Calling China and India ‘Hellhole’ Places te 2026-04-24T00:50:43.285Z Trump Reposts Anti-Immigrant Tirade Calling China and India ‘Hellhole’ Places The president touched off a furor with his post sharing a podcast episode in which the host referred to China and India as “hellhole” places. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eabe4d059ccda1fcc1c784 Independent voters can pick one party's ballot in Az's July primary election te 2026-04-24T00:50:21.757Z Independent voters can pick one party's ballot in Az's July primary election Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eabbfb059ccda1fcc1c73c A new survey reveals the MLB's most foul-mouthed fanbase te 2026-04-24T00:40:27.060Z A new survey reveals the MLB's most foul-mouthed fanbase When you start thinking about which MLB teams' fanbases have the filthiest mouths, there's a good chance a few cities instantly jump to mind. In fact, there's a good chance Philadelphia popped into your head. It did for me. But a new survey from Vegas Insider has found the most foul-mouthed fanbases in the MLB, and the top team might surprise you a little at first... and then it will make total sense. That team? Technically, a franchise that played in Philadelphia at one point, but is now in Sacramento limbonow in Sacramento limbo ahead of a move to Vegas: the Athletics. PHILLIES PLAYERS SCATTER AS RAT RUNS ALONG DUGOUT DURING ANOTHER LOSS, EXTENDING SEVEN-GAME SKID This was determined by combing through each of the 30 Big League teams' subreddits on social media platform Reddit and determining the percentage of comments that contained an expletive. The A's led the league with a 6.03% of comments containing a swear word, the most common of which was "f--k." Second was the BostonBoston Red Sox — another one of my guesses for top dog — whose comments featured a four-letter word 5.114% of the time. PADRES PLAYERS HELD BACK AFTER CONFRONTING UMPIRES FOLLOWING CONTROVERSIAL SEASON-ENDING LOSS TO CUBS The most swear-heavy team that made "s--t" their favorite word was the Houston Astros, who came in at No. 9. Now, I was a little surprised about the A's at first, but given the frustrating lack of success followed by their move out of Oakland, I get it. If my team were picking up shop, skipping town, and then playing in a minor league park for a few years, I'd probably let some expletives fly, too. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! The same study also measured the tone of comments, with the Boston Red Sox having the most negative fans, followed by the Athletics. Again. Somewhat self-explanatory. Hopefully, better days are ahead for the Athletics faithful. Otherwise, it seems like they may start adding some swear jars around the stadium. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eab9a1059ccda1fcc1c6ba Fernando Mendoza, the No 1 pick of NFL Draft to the Raiders, tasked with returning a legacy franchise to glory te 2026-04-24T00:30:25.460Z Fernando Mendoza, the No 1 pick of NFL Draft to the Raiders, tasked with returning a legacy franchise to glory The block around Fernando Mendoza’s home in Coral Gables, Florida was roped off by early afternoon on Thursday and the roast pig – a lechon asado to Cubans like the Mendozas – was in the Caja China all day. No, Mendoza didn’t make it to Pittsburgh for the 2026 NFL draft. But his family's draft party in South Florida was, by all accounts, epic. And that’s the way it should be because it was befitting of Mendoza being selected by the Las Vegas Raiders as the first overall pick of the draft. "The last five month have been such a blessing by God, I can't thank him enough," Mendoza said in his first interview after being selected. "I'm just looking forward to get to work, improve at the next level. College was fantastic. I'm so bless to have that career. "But now I step into a great game, the NFL, look forward to proving and earning it every single day." TYLER LINDERBAUM'S $81M RECORD-BREAKING DEAL HEADLINES RAIDERS' FREE AGENT SPENDING SPREE Not bad for a kid who used to occasionally confess to family, friends and teammates, "I don't imagine myself a high draft pick." That all changed when Mendoza transferred to Indiana University before the 2025 season, and out of that unlikely college football power came the improbable Heisman Trophy winner, national championship winning quarterback, and first pick in the draft. The Raiders used only a minute or two of the eight allotted before turning in their card to the NFL for Mendoza. Only in America. JETS TO REUNITE WITH GENO SMITH AFTER RAIDERS GAIN DRAFT PICK IN TRADE: REPORTS The Raiders believe in Mendoza. But the Raiders organization is rife with quarterback misfires in its recent history. The club signed Geno Smith to make them a contender last season under coach Pete Carroll. Smith led the NFL with 17 interceptions, Carroll was fired, and the team was so bad as to "earn" the first pick in this draft. TRADES COULD SAVE NFL DRAFT LACKING FRANCHISE QBS, POLARIZING PLAYERS FROM BEING A YAWNER Before that, Gardner Minshew failed as a bridge quarterback and Aidan O’Connell didn’t quite develop into a dependable starter. Before that, Jimmy Garoppolo signed as a free agent but was often injured and inconsistent when healthy. He started only six games in 2023 and was released the following offseason. Before that, it was Derek Carr, mostly functional during his time, getting benched in 2022 and ultimately released. You get the point. It's been awhile since Ken Stabler, Jim Plunkett or even Rich Gannon won a Super Bowl for the franchise. Mendoza is expected to turn that sad narrative around. But it won’t necessarily be right away. The Raiders signed veteran Kirk Cousins earlier this offseason as a bridge starter while Mendoza learns and develops. The rookie will have some time. But not forever. He’s been drafted to lift a legacy franchise back to glory. But that won't be an easy assignment because other franchises will get a vote whether it happens. PROJECTED TOP PICK FERNANDO MENDOZA MAKES BIG NFL DRAFT DECISION: REPORT Mendoza goes to the AFC West where it is impossible to win without outstanding quarterback play. The Kansas City Chiefs have owned the division since Patrick Mahomes became their starting quarterback in 2018. They won it seven consecutive times until falling back last season. The Denver Broncos won the division last season because they have one of the NFL’s rising quarterbacks in Bo Nix, who came close to a 4,000-yard season in 2025. The Los Angeles Chargers made the playoffs a season ago and Justin Herbert typically is among the league leaders in passing yards (9th last year) and touchdown passes (tied for seventh). Now the Raiders answer with Fernando Mendoza – officially the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eab746059ccda1fcc1c611 Bob Iger rejoins Thrive Capital as advisor after Disney exit te 2026-04-24T00:20:22.735Z Bob Iger rejoins Thrive Capital as advisor after Disney exit The former Disney CEO hold a stake in Thrive, and has previously held the role of the venture partner at the firm. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eab50b059ccda1fcc1c21b Coconino softball gets last laugh over Flagstaff in gutsy, gusty thriller te 2026-04-24T00:10:51.212Z Coconino softball gets last laugh over Flagstaff in gutsy, gusty thriller Castillo’s successive RBI single and diving catch deliver Coconino series split. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eab4f3059ccda1fcc1c143 Patriots' Mike Vrabel speaks out after kissing photos with NFL reporter Dianna Russini leak te 2026-04-24T00:10:27.309Z Patriots' Mike Vrabel speaks out after kissing photos with NFL reporter Dianna Russini leak New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel took questions about his recent decision to step away from the team amid a series of photo leaks that appear to show him engaging in romantic and personal moments with former New York Times/The Athletic reporter Dianna Russini. Vrabel will miss multiple days of the NFL Draft, which he announced early on Thursday. In that hours that followed after that announcement, photos that appeared to show Vrabel and Russini kissing at a bar were published by The New York Post, and were reportedly taken six years ago. TMZ later on Thursday published photos of Vrabel and Russini at a casino. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "My previous actions don't meet the standard that I hold myself to," Vrabel said of the current situation, later saying "My priorities are my family and this football team, in that order. And there is a balance there that I am going to create." At the end of the press conference, Vrabel was asked to explain why he initially made a statement calling photos of him and Russini at an Arizona resort "laughable" after were published by The New York Post earlier in April. "That's a private and personal matter. I don't think that those comments... it was an attempt to protect your family," Vrabel said. It was the last question Vrabel answered before storming off the podium, and out of the room. PATRIOTS COACH MIKE VRABEL SEEKS OUT 'RATS' AFTER LEAKED INJURY REPORT: 'WE’LL FIGURE THAT OUT' Vrabel will be leaving the team's NFL Draft responsibilities in the hands of general manager Eliot Wolf "I'm confident in the people that we have. I'm confident in our preparation," Vrabel said. in the hands "When you prioritize your family first and your job that's what's required. And that's whats was necessary. Got a lot of support from everybody involved. So that's what I was able to do, and willingly, and I want to do that. "When my family needs me I'll be there." When asked if he would miss any more football activities in the coming weeks, Vrabel said, "I can't answer that. I can only say whatever my family needs, that's what I'm going to provide. "I have to do what's needed of me with my family. So again, I'm confident that whatever they need, I'm going to provide." When asked if he felt he had to re-prove himself to the players that were there last year, he said "I have to make them a priority, that's what I have to do, I have to make my family and this football team my priority." The Patriots released a statement ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft Thursday night voicing support for Vrabel. "The New England Patriots fully support Mike Vrabel’s decision to prioritize his family first, as well as his own well-being," the statement from the Patriots said.  "Mike has been open with us about his commitment to being the best version of himself for his family, this team and our fans, and we respect the steps he is taking to follow through on that commitment. "We are confident in the leadership and communication Mike has established with our personnel staff throughout this pre-draft process. While he will not be present at the facility on Saturday, we know the draft evaluations are complete, and Eliot Wolf and his personnel staff are prepared to execute our draft as planned this weekend." Meanwhile, Russini resigned from her position at The New York Times last week. 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/69eab2e9059ccda1fcc1c000 English nature festival makes the important clarification that it is not for nudists te 2026-04-24T00:01:45.454Z English nature festival makes the important clarification that it is not for nudists When you hear the words "nature festival," what do you think of? I think of trees. Tall good ones. However, enough people in the United Kingdom hear "nature festival" and think "nudists" that one such festival had to put out an APB on Facebook to set the record straight that clothing is not just encouraged, it is mandatory. So if you were hoping to see some pasty English buttocks, look elsewhere. JASON DAY ASKED TO TONE DOWN MASTERS ATTIRE AFTER UNCONVENTIONAL CLOTHING CHOICE LAST YEAR The Cumbria Nature Festival runs from May 8 through May 10 and is set to include conservation groups, stands and activities, food, live music, and more. However, "nudity" does not fall under their definition of "more." "Cumbria Nature Festival is primarily aimed at NATURALISTS... not NATURISTS," their Facebook post reads. "Whilst we aim to be as inclusive as possible, and certainly do not judge anyone, we are aiming the event at wildlife enthusiasts. Please do dress appropriately." 'FLYING NAKED' IS THE LATEST TRAVEL TREND DIVIDING THE INTERNET, AND IT DOESN'T MEAN WHAT YOU THINK This has to be the first warning to people that they have to wear clothing to an event that includes the word "whilst." Classy. "We haven't ultimately had to refund anyone so we're hopeful our offering has been sufficient to retain their interest, despite imposing a dress code," organizing committee member Sam Griffin told the BBC. "People hear 'naturalist' and they interpret it as something else. It's a common misunderstanding, I suppose," he said. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Is it though? Call me old-fashioned or even prudish, but whenever I hear about any kind of event — nature festival, box social, wake — I assume I'm supposed to show up clothed. Now, we can debate whether that means formal or business casual or business formal or casual formal or whatever, but clothes will be worn. So the next time you see an ad for a nature festival, save the nice folks organizing the time of having to make a "No nudists" Facebook post and just assume clothes are a must. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eab2d4059ccda1fcc1bfea Trump’s Disapproval Rating Hits Highest Point of His Second Term te 2026-04-24T00:01:24.570Z Trump’s Disapproval Rating Hits Highest Point of His Second Term The president’s weakening poll numbers come as the war in Iran has driven up gas prices, and more Americans are expressing concerns about the economy. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eab2c0059ccda1fcc1bfdd Ex-Police Officer Planned Mass Shooting in New Orleans, Officials Say te 2026-04-24T00:01:04.670Z Ex-Police Officer Planned Mass Shooting in New Orleans, Officials Say Christopher Gillum had targeted a large festival there, the authorities said. He was arrested on Wednesday in a Florida hotel room before he could carry out his plans. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eab2ac059ccda1fcc1bfd0 U.S. Blew Through Expensive Weapons in Iran War te 2026-04-24T00:00:44.121Z U.S. Blew Through Expensive Weapons in Iran War Commanders are concerned about the Pentagon’s shift of long-range precision weapons from the Asia-Pacific region to the Middle East, congressional officials say. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69eab298059ccda1fcc1bfc7 Trump Says Israel and Lebanon Agree to Extend Cease-Fire by Three Weeks te 2026-04-24T00:00:24.392Z Trump Says Israel and Lebanon Agree to Extend Cease-Fire by Three Weeks The president made the announcement after he hosted a meeting at the White House of Israeli and Lebanese diplomats. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/home