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After Deadly E-Bike Crashes, N.Y. Lawmakers Consider Crackdown

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 18:45:00 +0000

The City Council on Tuesday presented 17 proposals to make electric bikes and scooters safer for riders and pedestrians.

Washington wildfire arson suspect previously charged with first-degree murder, records show

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 18:42:55 +0000

The man accused of setting the largest of the wildfires that have destroyed hundreds of buildings and forced tens of thousands of people from their homes in eastern Washington was previously charged with first-degree murder before pleading guilty to a reduced manslaughter charge, court records show.

Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, was arrested Monday on suspicion of first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire, the largest of three blazes burning in and around Spokane, Washington's second-largest city.

The fires have destroyed at least 700 buildings and forced about 67,000 people to evacuate. Authorities have not alleged any connection between Farinacci and the other two fires, which remain under investigation.

WASHINGTON MAN ARRESTED ON ARSON CHARGE TIED TO DEVASTATING SPOKANE WILDFIRE

The arrest came hours after Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat, pointed to climate change as firefighters battled the region's destructive wildfires.

"Climate change isn't some existential global thing," Inslee said Monday. "It's our neighbors. It's our friends."

Court records reviewed by Fox News Digital show Farinacci was initially charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault in a 2010 Arizona homicide before pleading guilty in 2012 to reduced charges of manslaughter and aggravated assault.

The Associated Press reported that Farinacci, then 21, fatally shot his father during an argument over washing dishes in Mesa, Arizona, in 2010. Farinacci also shot himself but survived.

A Maricopa County judge sentenced Farinacci to 12 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to manslaughter and aggravated assault. Arizona Department of Corrections records show he was released on Dec. 23, 2020.

Less than six years after his release from prison, Farinacci again found himself accused of a major crime.

The Spokane County Sheriff's Office said Major Crimes detectives and Washington State Department of Natural Resources fire investigators identified Farinacci as the suspect after developing probable cause during the investigation.

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Detectives obtained arrest and search warrants before taking Farinacci into custody without incident at his Spokane residence, where he was booked into the Spokane County Jail on suspicion of first-degree arson.

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Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said witnesses reported seeing a man – later identified as Farinacci – acting suspiciously near where the fire started. After returning home and noticing smoke rising from the same area, they flagged down an Airway Heights police officer and provided investigators with a physical description of the man and the clothing he was wearing.

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Deputies initially detained and questioned Farinacci before releasing him as first responders focused on evacuating residents threatened by the rapidly growing fire, Nowels said.

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As detectives reviewed witness statements, body camera footage and evidence gathered with fire investigators, they developed probable cause to arrest Farinacci.

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When deputies first contacted Farinacci, he was carrying waterproof matches and a butane lighter, investigators said. Fire investigators later determined the blaze was consistent with dry grass being ignited by a match or lighter.

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Nowels said the first-degree arson charge reflected the evidence investigators currently have but cautioned that additional charges could be considered as the investigation continues and authorities assess the full scope of the fire's destruction.

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The sheriff credited observant residents with helping investigators quickly identify the suspect.

"As it happens in so many critical cases, it was citizens who were paying attention to their surroundings, being aware and willing to step up and say something that led to the relatively quick apprehension of Mr. Farinacci," Nowels said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Shrugging Off Trump’s Warning, Max Miller Pushes Ahead in Ohio

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 18:42:18 +0000

Republicans hoped a shove from President Trump would persuade the embattled congressman to drop his re-election bid in the face of abuse allegations. It hasn’t happened.

An Angry Trump Struggles to Understand Iran’s Defiant Leaders

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 18:39:22 +0000

Iran’s leaders have perplexed several American presidents, perhaps none more than President Trump.

New York police official accused of driving getaway car for son in gang-related shooting

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 18:35:46 +0000

A New York police official is being accused of serving as the getaway driver for her son in an apparent gang shooting in New York City, the New York Post reported Tuesday.

Police sources told the Post that Jennifer Lackard, a deputy police commissioner with the Mount Vernon Police Department, was arrested along with her son, Chase Lackard, 20, at their home Tuesday morning. Authorities said Chase was charged with shooting at rival gang members near the Bronx Criminal Court in late June.

Sources told the Post that Chase ran to his mother in her car after the shooting, and she sped off.

No one was injured in the shooting.

NANCY GUTHRIE RANSOM DEMANDS RELEASED BY PIMA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IN BID TO IDENTIFY SENDER

Both the mother and son have been charged with attempted murder, attempted assault, criminal possession of a firearm, conspiracy and reckless endangerment.

The Mount Vernon Police Department said Tuesday that Lackard had been terminated effectively immediately.

"The allegations are unrelated to her duties with the Mount Vernon Police Department and do not stem from any conduct associated with the Department or the performance of her official responsibilities," the department wrote on social media.

ROMANIAN NATIONAL LEARNS FATE FOR SWATTING US OFFICIALS, INCLUDING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, JUDGES

The incident was far from Chase's first run-in with law enforcement. He was shot by police in 2024 after allegedly wielding a gun during an argument.

He was also shot once before in 2023 by three other youths during a dispute on a bus. Chase is allegedly a member of the "Slutty Gang," according to the Post.

He reportedly demanded to know what gang the other youths belonged to and then attempted to drag one of them off the bus before being shot in the chest.

Embattled GOP rep takes dramatic step to 'clear my name' as abuse allegations engulf House race

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 18:34:49 +0000

Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio, is calling for an investigation into abuse allegations made against him by his ex-wife, as the dramatic family feud overshadows his race for re-election.

Miller has consistently denied wrongdoing and accused both his ex-wife and her father, Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, of trying to take down his political career.

"In light of all the renewed interest in my family affairs, I am going to file my own paperwork for an ethics investigation into myself to clear my name from these horrific attacks on myself and my family. I have absolutely nothing to hide," Miller wrote on X on Tuesday.

"We will be providing the committee all necessary documents needed for a detail examination. The accusations continue to change, but my facts stay the same. I am looking forward to my colleagues reading everything for themselves."

OHIO GOP FAMILY FEUD EXPLODES AS SEN BERNIE MORENO CALLS ON REP MAX MILLER TO RESIGN

The Ethics Committee confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that it would investigate allegations that Miller "may have engaged in domestic violence and abuse or illegal drug use."

Emily Moreno, who filed for divorce from Miller in 2024 after two years of marriage, has accused him of physically abusing both her and their young daughter. Allegations include that he scalded Moreno with boiling water and held a gun to her head during two separate occasions, and that she had to get their daughter medical aid for a broken collar bone after she was in Miller's care.

Miller suggested in a livestream on X over the weekend that Moreno had suffered from mental health issues in the past and that might be the reason behind her accusations. He also said none of the allegations she made have been substantiated by relevant entities.

"Every single one of these allegations were already investigated. No criminal charge has ever been filed against me," Miller said in the video. He said the water incident occurred during "horseplay" between the two, and disputed that the water was boiling. He also said Moreno took their daughter to the emergency room thinking there was a bruise on their daughter's neck, but that the mark was from finger painting.

SEN BERNIE MORENO CALLS FOR EX-SON-IN-LAW TO RESIGN FROM HOUSE, GET 'SERIOUS PSYCHOLOGICAL HELP'

But mounting public pressure has brought the Cleveland-area feud to Washington, where Sen. Moreno told reporters Tuesday that Miller "fails to meet that minimum basic standard" for elected officials who get to serve.

He also criticized Miller in a statement posted on X, calling him a "danger" to his daughter and granddaughter. Miller and Moreno share custody over the child.

The intense public scrutiny is also potentially putting Miller's re-election into question, with Democrats seeing new opportunity in what was a relatively safe red seat in the Cleveland suburbs.

One House GOP source, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly about a sensitive situation, told Fox News Digital the situation was a "f—-ing trainwreck."

DEMOCRATS TARGET MORE GOP HOUSE SEATS AFTER SOCIALIST VICTORIES ROCK LEFT-WING PRIMARIES

The source noted that the allegations against Miller had not been substantiated, but said "the court of public opinion is a b—-."

Miller likely appears to voters to have "a little too much on his plate," the source said.

Meanwhile, a House Republican, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly, said Miller should not run for re-election. "We must lead by example," they said.

The same House Republican also called for Reps. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., and Cory Mills, R-Fla., also facing harassment allegations that they have denied, to similarly drop out of their races.

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But Miller has been defiant so far, expressing confidence that he'll win in November.

The House Ethics Committee, which Miller is calling on to investigate his case, recently recommended that Edwards be censured for his behavior toward two young female staffers.

Devastated mother blames soft-on-crime policies after career criminal is charged in son’s death

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 18:27:49 +0000

The family of a 12-year-old boy killed by a stray bullet in the Bronx is demanding change after a suspect with a lengthy arrest record was charged with his murder.

After the death of Jacob Freytes, the son of a retired NYPD detective sergeant, his mother and sister are pushing for "Jacob's Law," which they say would require life sentences for people convicted of recklessly taking a child's life.

"I gave him a kiss, and I walked out, and we always do a little dolphin kiss. And I walked out and went to work," Migdalia Martinez, Freytes' mother, told "Fox & Friends" Tuesday.

2 DETAINED AFTER SHOOTING IN NEW YORK LEAVES 15-YEAR-OLD KILLED, TWO OTHERS WOUNDED: POLICE

"Around five o'clock, they called me and said that he had gotten shot. And all I could do was try to think of different ways to get here faster," she added. "When I got there, I just seen my boy gone."

Freytes, who was riding his bike to a nearby bodega to buy a ball, was shot and killed after a suspect opened fire during an alleged street dispute. Two other adults were also wounded in the shooting.

Police said William Ferrer, 45, was arrested and faces multiple charges including second-degree murder. He has pleaded not guilty. Ferrer has an arrest record dating back more than 25 years, including prior charges for drunk driving, drug possession, menacing and criminal contempt, according to the New York Post.

New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch addressed Ferrer’s arrest on X, writing, "Jacob was an innocent bystander on his bike when he was taken from his family yesterday in an act of senseless gun violence."

HOUSE DEMOCRAT BLASTED AFTER EARLY RELEASE LAW FREED INMATES LATER CHARGED WITH MURDER

She added, "No arrest can ever ease the pain of this unimaginable loss, but the NYPD will continue to do everything in our power to seek justice for Jacob."

The family is calling for a proposed "Jacob's Law" that they say would require life sentences for people convicted of recklessly taking a child’s life. The family also criticized New York's crime policies, including cash bail reforms for misdemeanors and the end of stop-and-frisk.

"It's just so much that they allow that, at this point, it's just safer more for the criminals than it is for hardworking people," Martinez said.

Freytes’ sister, Angelica Coriano, said the family welcomed the charges but remained uneasy about whether the suspect would receive enough prison time if convicted.

LOUISIANA BILL EXPANDS FIRST-DEGREE MURDER CHARGES AND DEATH PENALTY ELIGIBILITY AFTER MALL SHOOTING

"'Jacob's Law' will allow for there to be no in-between whether somebody goes to jail or not for taking a child's life recklessly. It'll allow for criminals to go straight to jail or prison instead of the family having to go to court continuously hoping and wondering if they're [going to] get the justice that they deserve for the child that they lost," Coriano said.

"And we went to court and found out all the charges that he'd be receiving, which is great, but we still have to sit with the worry whether he'll face all the time that is necessary enough to keep him where he needs to be. And that type of uncertainty is very uncomfortable for us as a family, knowing that we'll never see our child again."

Martinez remembered her son as a "funny, quirky kid" who loved his friends, family and playing video games.

"There wasn't an old woman he didn't help with bags or cross the street," she said. "There wasn't a person that if he caught your eye, he'd make sure to tell you hi."

Angel Reese got a Barbie doll, signature shoe and WNBA theme night, then played victim again

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 18:14:36 +0000

Angel Reese just wrapped up an extraordinary 10-day stretch that most young girls in America could only dream about.

On July 24, Mattel unveiled a Barbie doll made in her likeness. The doll wore a pink jersey featuring Reese’s No. 5, the number she wears with the Atlanta Dream, and included details such as her headband, leg sleeve, necklace, pink nails and signature Reebok shoes.

On July 25, she competed in her third consecutive WNBA All-Star Game.

On Aug. 3, a matching Barbie edition of the Angel Reese 1, her signature sneaker, went on sale.

WNBA COMMISSIONER VOWS TO CRACK DOWN ON 'RACISM, MISOGYNY,' DODGES BIG QUESTIONS AT ALL-STAR PRESS CONFERENCE

That same night, the Dream held "Barbie Game Day" at State Farm Arena, complete with special ticket packages and limited-edition merchandise. Reese’s doll sat beside her during media availability.

In 10 days, Reese received her own Barbie, a matching version of her signature shoe and an entire WNBA promotional event tied to the collaboration.

Yet even that wasn’t enough to keep Reese from returning to her favorite subject: what the world had denied her.

"Honestly, I didn’t have a lot of dolls because I didn’t have dolls that really looked like me much," Reese said when asked what dolls she played with growing up.

"That’s why I kind of really wanted to make sure this was super intentional, because now that they have a doll that looks like you, nails and hair, but also you can be a killer on the court as well."

Reese didn’t say Black dolls never existed, but she clearly framed her childhood doll options as a failure of representation.

So, it's worth noting that Mattel introduced Christie, a Black character in Barbie’s world, in 1968. The first doll officially named Black Barbie arrived in 1980, more than two decades before Reese was born. American Girl introduced Addy Walker in 1993.

And in 1998, Mattel sold officially licensed African-American NBA Barbie dolls wearing authentic team uniforms and packaged with basketballs.

That was four years before Reese was born, meaning that a Black basketball-playing Barbie existed before Angel Reese did. Somehow, that didn't qualify as a doll that "looked like her" and could be a "killer on the court."

Her new doll doesn't mark the arrival of representation that had never existed. It marks another lucrative commercial opportunity for one of the most heavily promoted athletes in women’s sports.

Last month, I wrote about how frequently Reese presents herself as overlooked or unfairly treated, even as attention has helped make her one of the most famous and commercially successful players in women’s basketball.

ANGEL REESE’S LATEST WNBA CONTROVERSY SHOWS HOW VICTIMHOOD BECAME CENTRAL TO HER BRAND

Here's the truth: Angel Reese is incredibly privileged.

Reese attended St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, a private school where high school tuition is currently $15,000 per year. She was a McDonald's All-American and one of the top college recruits in the country.

She then played basketball at Maryland before transferring to LSU on a full scholarship, earning a free four-year college education and a bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.

Now, she's a professional athlete with major endorsements, millions of social-media followers, a podcast, a signature shoe and a Barbie doll. She walked in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and attended the Met Gala for the third consecutive year in May.

And the preferential treatment hasn’t been limited to corporate America.

WNBA FANS CALL OUT GLARING DOUBLE STANDARD AFTER ANGEL REESE’S CLUELESS RESPONSE TO PAIGE BUECKERS BET

The Dream acquired Reese from Chicago in April for two first-round picks. The deal came only months after Reese publicly ripped the Sky’s roster, questioned her teammates and warned that she might have to "move in a different direction" if the organization didn’t improve.

Chicago suspended her for comments it deemed "detrimental to the team."

Yet, rather than suffer any real consequence for publicly bashing the organization that drafted her in the first round of the 2024 WNBA Draft, Reese landed with a ready-made contender willing to pay a premium price.

That team then made her the centerpiece of a major marketing campaign, including an entire game-night promotion built around her personal brand.

Most athletes never receive any one of those opportunities, let alone all of them.

Yet, sitting beside a doll made in her image during a night built around celebrating her brand, Reese focused on what the world had failed to give her.

At this point, victimhood no longer seems like an occasional theme in the Angel Reese story.

It looks like the brand.

Stocks in Record Territory as Investors Shake Off Worries

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 18:04:00 +0000

The price of oil fell sharply on hopes that talks were progressing on reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

The soaring demand for Patriot missiles, from the Middle East to Ukraine

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 18:01:04 +0000

The U.S. and its partners depend on Patriot interceptors to shoot down incoming ballistic missiles. But Russia and Iran are firing their weapons at rates far higher than Patriots can be produced.

(Image credit: Efrem Lukatsky)

Slain LSU student Madison Brooks’ alleged rapist wants supporters banned from wearing pink at trial: report

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:59:26 +0000

One of the three men accused of raping a young woman before she was killed wants to prevent her friends, family and supporters from wearing pink at the upcoming trial.

Madison Brooks, 19, was a student at Louisiana State University when she was hit by a car and killed after a group of men allegedly raped her then dumped her out of a vehicle on a Baton Rouge highway in 2023. The driver involved in the fatal crash stayed on scene was cleared of charges.

Three years later, one of the accused rapists, Desmond Carter, 21, is set to appear before a judge later this month.

LSU DEATH: MADISON BROOKS' LAST TEXT TO MOM WHO 'KNEW SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENED'

Prosecutors allege Carter, alongside Kaivon Washington and Casen Carver, sexually assaulted Brooks inside a vehicle following a night of drinking together at a local bar; all three men face rape charges in connection with the incident.

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According local outlet WBRZ, Carter's defense team filed a motion looking to prohibit pink attire and clothing with supportive messages, arguing it could unfairly influence or intimidate the jury.

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The defense referenced Supreme Court cases "Sheppard v. Maxwell" and "Estes v. Texas" concerning media-driven "carnival atmospheres" and procedural fairness to argue that spectator displays compromise Carter's right to a fair trial.

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The prosecution opposed the motion, characterizing the pink clothing as victim advocacy rather than jury intimidation.

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Mets call up pitcher known for his over the top strikeout celebrations as dismal season hits new level

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:57:36 +0000

The New York Mets very comfortably occupy the basement of the National League East and are set to miss the postseason for the second consecutive year. A franchise living in that reality making a roster move would not garner any attention, but when that move involves a guy who does the splits after striking out hitters, an exception is made.

The Mets selected the contract of left-handed pitcher Jefry Yan on July 2, and hours after the MLB trade deadline officially passed on Aug. 3, Yan was among a handful of pitchers reportedly promoted.

Mets fans have nothing to look forward to in the immediate term, but watching Yan potentially make his debut in The Show may as well be appointment viewing.

BREWERS PITCHER ABNER URIBE APOLOGIZES AFTER CONTROVERSIAL STRIKEOUT CELEBRATION SPARKS BACKLASH

Beyond the 29-year-old's impressive numbers at both the AA and AAA levels in 2026, Yan puts on a show, in the most literal way, every time he takes the bump.

Jumping into the air, doing the splits, screaming at the top of his lungs, smacking the ground. You name it, Yan does it.

While his antics look like something straight out of a Savannah Bananas game, the dude can throw a baseball.

After bouncing around the Minor League systems of the Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins, and Colorado Rockies early in his career, Yan inked a deal with the Mets in August 2025, and 2026 has been a mighty kind year for the Dominican native.

In 26.2 innings of work with AA Binghamton, Yan posted a 3.71 ERA while striking out 45 batters. After taking the step up to AAA Syracuse, his stuff only got better.

In his 15.0 innings with Syracuse, Yan owns a record of 2-1, an ERA of 2.40 while giving up just six hits and striking out 32.

Do the jokes write themselves given that Yan plays for the punching bag of Major League Baseball? Yes. Will the Mets get clowned on social media when Yan gives up a home run or struggles after doing a Michael Jackson stunt on the mound? You bet.

On the flip side, at least Mets fans have something to talk about for a brief moment other than the team being 19 games below .500 in early August.

Talks With Iran to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Make Progress, Officials Say

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:57:27 +0000

Qatar said that draft language of a deal was being circulated, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed optimism about the talks but added that nothing was final yet.

The New York City Parking Sticker of Shame Is Back

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:56:59 +0000

After 14 years, the city has returned to slapping bright stickers on cars that do not move for street sweepers.

The Suicide Crisis in Wyoming

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:53:27 +0000

Wyoming has one of the highest suicide rates in the nation.

Tick-borne 'rabbit fever' spreads with cases reported near major metro area

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:52:54 +0000

Health officials on Long Island are warning residents about a rare but potentially serious tick-borne illness.

Three probable cases of tularemia — also known as "rabbit fever" — have been confirmed by the Suffolk County Department of Health Services (SCDHS).

"SCDHS currently has three probable cases of tularemia this year," the agency said in a statement provided to local outlets. "Confirmation of a tularemia diagnosis requires a combination of laboratory testing and fulfillment of specific clinical or epidemiologic criteria. The laboratory testing to confirm a tularemia diagnosis may take several weeks."

NO CURE, NO VACCINE: EXPERTS WARN OF RARE BOURBON VIRUS AFTER FIRST NY CASE

One case involved a 9-year-old patient who was bitten by a tick while playing outside, according to NBC4 New York. After the tick was removed, he later developed high fever, severe head and neck pain, swollen lymph nodes/glands, body aches and extreme fatigue.

After multiple doctor visits and nearly a month of illness, an infectious disease specialist diagnosed the boy with tularemia.

Although the family's yard is home to wild rabbits, the patient's mother said he never handled the animals. Doctors believe infected ticks likely fed on the rabbits before biting the boy, transmitting the bacteria, according to reports.

Caused by the bacteria Francisella tularensis, the disease commonly infects rabbits, hares and rodents. However, it is zoonotic, which means it can spread from animals to humans.

The bacteria is a "tier-1 select agent," a classification given to agents and toxins that "present the greatest risk of deliberate misuse with significant potential for mass casualties or devastating effects to the economy, critical infrastructure or public confidence, and pose a severe threat to public health and safety," per the CDC.

TICK BITE ER VISITS HIT HIGHEST SEASONAL LEVEL IN YEARS AS DOCTORS WARN OF DISEASE SURGE

Although tularemia remains rare, with 196 U.S. cases reported in 2023, the disease has become more common in recent years. CDC surveillance found 2,462 cases between 2011 and 2022 — a 56% increase in incidence compared with the previous decade (2001–2010).

Daniel Ruderfer, M.D., chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Hackensack Meridian K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital in New Jersey, believes that the increase in cases is mostly due to improved microbiology detection methods.

"The traditional method of confirming cases has historically been via growth in culture and antibody testing," he previously told Fox News Digital.

"However, newer detection methods, such as PCR testing, are likely a major contributor to the increase in reported cases."

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Humans can contract the disease through bites from deer flies or ticks, contact with infected animals, or exposure to contaminated water or aerosols, the same source stated.

Symptoms of tularemia can vary depending on the type of disease. General symptoms include chills, headache, malaise, fatigue, anorexia, myalgia, chest discomfort, cough, severe sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, according to Ruderfer.

"Depending on the location of the infected bit or scratch, people can develop localized lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes) and a cutaneous ulcer at the infection site," he said.

"Other manifestations include conjuctivitis, pneumonia and potentially even bloodstream infections."

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The death rate from the disease is typically low, less than 2%, but the CDC noted that it can be as high as 24% in rare, severe cases.

Tularemia can be treated with antibiotics, but no vaccine is currently available.

"The infection is absolutely dangerous and potentially life-threatening if not treated with appropriate antibiotics," said Ruderfer.

Those most at risk include children between 5 and 9 years of age, older men, American Indian and Alaskan Native people, and those living in central U.S. states, according to the report.

The general population is not at an "obvious" risk for infection unless they come into physical contact with an infected rabbit, tick or deer fly, the expert noted.

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Those who hunt or interact routinely with rabbits should see a doctor if they develop any concerning symptoms, he advised.

"Many factors might contribute to the higher risk for tularemia in this population, including the concentration of Native American reservations in central states and sociocultural or occupational activities that might increase contact with infected wildlife or arthropods," the CDC wrote.

Divided federal appeals court says Trump administration was wrong to terminate climate funds

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:50:58 +0000

Stocks in Record Territory as Investors Shake Off Worries

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:49:29 +0000

The price of oil fell sharply on hopes that talks were progressing on reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

WNBA fan goes viral for half-court shot horror show that left him sprawled on the court

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:43:08 +0000

Few things in sports can get a fan's nerves up like being told you get to take a half-court shot at an NBA or WNBA game for cash or a car.

Sure, you could, by some miracle, make the shot, but you're more likely to embarrass yourself in front of an arena full of people... at least the ones who are still in their seats and aren't in line for a beer or the bathroom.

But, at least we can all be sure that if you take a shot, the odds of it being a worse display than one put on by a Portland Fire fan over the weekend are very, very low.

WNBA COMMISSIONER CATHY ENGELBERT CAUGHT HITTING LAUGHABLY BAD GOLF SHOT AFTER ALLEGEDLY DITCHING INTERVIEW

The Fire (whose logo I only just realized is a flaming rose. Seriously, I've had an easier time decoding death metal band logos) have a half-court shot competition according to their website. It's sponsored by Toyota, meaning that draining the shot earns you a brand new Toyota.

Hopefully a Land Cruiser. Those are cool.

One fan got this golden opportunity on Sunday when the Fire took on the Los Angeles Sparks and... well, let's just say that Portland area Toyota dealers were not sweating it on this one.

Oh, dear God...

ATLANTA BRAVES FAN TAUNTS THE FREEZE WITH A BLOWN KISS AND GETS PASSED IN SPECTACULAR FASHION

Rule No. 1 of half-court shots should be that whatever you do, your biggest goal is to at least hit the backboard. I'd argue it's much better to airmail that ball into the club level seats than it is to barely get it past the free throw line.

That's a rough look as it is, but imagine putting every last drop of mustard you have on the ball to the point that you go scrawling across that flaming rose logo (seriously, did anyone else not pick up on that at first?). That tells the entire crowd in attendance you gave it your all... which is normally good, but that's not enough "all."

The big winner in all of this is that guy's glasses. Talk about a snug fit. Those things were on there!

That was maybe the only thing that went right for him. If those specs had gone clattering across the hardwood, I think he would've had to change his name, move out of Portland, and start rooting for a new WNBA team.

Luckily for him, he wasn't the only loser as the Fire fell to the Sparks that night 106-101.

Senate Democrats say banks turned blind eye to suspicious moves by Jeffrey Epstein

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:43:06 +0000

A report from Senate Democrats accuses big banks of failing to report suspicious money transfers made by Jeffrey Epstein until after his arrest in 2019.

(Image credit: Martin Bureau)

French trans phenom Julie Tétart looks WNBA-ready — so why hasn’t the ‘inclusive’ league called?

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:32:06 +0000

French trans basketball player Julie Tétart is waiting for a call from one of the inclusive WNBA teams who needs a 6'3 scoring and rebounding machine.

During the 2025-26 season for a club team in Monaco, Tétart dominated the second-tier French women's basketball Ligue 2 by dropping 21 points per game while grabbing 20 rebounds. The biological male, who came out as trans in October 2021, led the league in both categories. It was as season unlike any the Ligue 2 had ever seen.

With those numbers, the WNBA should be knocking down Tétart's door, right?

SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM SPEAKS OUT TO PROTECT GIRLS AS WNBA ALL-STAR INITIATIVE BACKS ‘GENDER-EXPANSIVE’ GROUP

"If they contact me, I won't say no. But you have to be realistic: I'm old, and there are far better players than me!" the overly humble 34-year-old Tétart told OutKick in French over Instagram direct messages on Monday.

Far better? Are you sure?

Tétart's season was so dominant that French media was stunned when the shredded center didn't win league MVP honors. The season was still good enough to win Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Domestic Player of the Year.

Woke WNBA fans swear there's no clear and present trans danger to biological women. They swear this is some sort of delusion cooked up by MAGA.

RILEY GAINES SAYS WNBA IS 'HELLBENT' ON BEING AN ACTIVIST ORGANIZATION OVER A BASKETBALL LEAGUE

Meanwhile, Tétart destroyed Ligue 2 so badly that there were collusion allegations being made against league captains and coaches who voted on the MVP award.

Those same voters are alleged to have excluded 43-year-old trans player Aurore Pautou (14.4 PPG, 7.7 RPG) from winning postseason awards. French trans groups are furious. "Despite top-tier athletic performance on the court during the 2025/2026 season by Julie and Aurore, voters for the Ligue 2 Féminine de Basket Awards deliberately decided not to grant them any awards," activist group TRANSpire cried on Instagram.

Former WNBA player Audrey Sauret, who's French, spoke out in April after the MVP drama and sounded a warning to leagues around the world as to what's coming if they don't protect biological females.

"Ligue 2 serves as a kind of testing ground, to introduce trendy ideas, but by allowing them to participate in professional competitions, we create unfair competition, especially for younger players," Sauret wrote. "This can close doors and discourage aspiring athletes. This situation risks becoming commonplace, even if it’s regulated. Men and women aren’t built the same way. Changing hormones doesn’t erase gender differences. I regret that this issue wasn’t addressed much sooner."

TRANS ATHLETE WINS NEW YORK STATE GIRLS' SHOT PUT TITLE, BEATING SECOND PLACE BY MORE THAN 2 FEET

During a March game that should've been a trans showdown, Tétart had 21 points and 30 rebounds, which was a new league record, breaking the previous record of 25 rebounds (Tétart held that record, as well), but Pautou didn't play.

The question we had for Tétart was simple: Would you ever consider trying out for the inclusive WNBA? The trans scoring and rebounding machine seemed confused at first before realizing we were 100% serious.

"Obviously, it's a childhood dream just like for any female basketball player, but unfortunately, it's not possible," the French native wrote back.

Wait a minute, why not? The WNBA is inclusive. What are we missing here?

WNBA COMMISSIONER VOWS TO CRACK DOWN ON 'RACISM, MISOGYNY,' DODGES BIG QUESTIONS AT ALL-STAR PRESS CONFERENCE

"The league, yes. The country, no, haha," Tétart fired back while hinting at some sort of problem with Donald Trump's presidency.

When pressed on what would need to change politically in the U.S., Tétart stopped playing games with me, finally admitting that if a WNBA call came, it would be time to talk business: "I won't say no."

As for Sophie Cunningham's stance that biological males need to stay out of women's sports, I gave Tétart a chance to respond. "Aucun," the French stat stuffer replied.

Translation: "None."

Imagine a Tétart vs. Cunningham matchup in 2027. It's time for the WNBA to once and for all prove just how inclusive it is. Tétart's DMs are wide open.

Commanders cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon retires from football at 31

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:19:33 +0000

Washington Commanders cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon is retiring from the NFL at 31 years old.

The team announced Tuesday that they placed Witherspoon on the Reserve/Retired List and signed cornerback Fabian Moreau to take his place. Witherspoon practiced Monday and informed the team Tuesday morning that he was retiring, according to ESPN.

Witherspoon signed a one-year, $1.41 million contract with the Commanders in May but will not end up suiting up for them this fall.

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Witherspoon played college football at Colorado, where he starred as a defensive back. In 37 games, he recorded 71 tackles, three interceptions, 27 passes defended, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble.

In his senior year, Witherspoon led Division I college football with 22 passes defended. The San Francisco 49ers selected him in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, and he became a key piece in their secondary.

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He started 33 of the 47 games he played with the 49ers, recording 117 tackles and four interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, with 24 passes defended.

After four years with the 49ers, Witherspoon signed with the Seattle Seahawks, only to be traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers before ever suiting up for them. He spent the next two seasons in Pittsburgh.

Witherspoon played in 13 games with the Steelers, starting seven of them. He recorded 35 tackles and four interceptions over his two seasons.

After two years in Pittsburgh, he then signed what would become the first of three consecutive one-year contracts with the Los Angeles Rams. The best season of his career came in his first year with the Rams, when he started all 17 games and recorded 52 tackles and three interceptions.

For his career, Witherspoon started 64 of the 96 games he played in, recorded 243 tackles, 13 interceptions and 60 passes defended.

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Second lady Usha Vance gets candid about new baby, juggling four children and motherhood

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:14:33 +0000

FIRST ON FOX: In her first interview since the birth of her fourth child with Vice President JD Vance just a few weeks ago, Usha Vance described the joy of being a new mother all over again during a candid interview with Fox News Digital on Tuesday, August 4.

The interview came on the same day the newest episode of her popular podcast, "Storytime with the Second Lady," was set to go live.

"It's been really lovely so far," she said of the experience of having four children, speaking from the Vice President's Residence. "One of the things that has just been beautiful to see is how excited my older kids are about their new brother. They're always fighting over holding him. When we do diaper changes or clothes changes, one of them is always there helping. They're willing to burp him, they want to grab things for him, they want to entertain him."

JD VANCE AND WIFE USHA WELCOME FOURTH CHILD, REVEAL BABY BOY'S NAME

She added, "So there's this really great way in which their needs are complimentary with his."

Vice President Vance and his wife announced the birth of their fourth child in a July 20 Instagram post, as Fox News Digital previously reported. The couple said their baby boy, Alec Neel Vance, was born on Sunday morning, July 19.

"We are excited to announce that our baby boy, Alec Neel Vance, was born this morning," the couple wrote. "Usha and the baby are happy and healthy, and our kids are overjoyed to meet their little brother."

On Tuesday in her on-camera interview with Fox News Digital, Mrs. Vance called out the importance of doing things one on one with each of her children and the baby.

"They feel like they're getting their own personal time with both of us," she said.

"For example, we go out [of the residence] and do something every day. And we've been doing that since the day we came home from the hospital. So yesterday was my middle child's day, and we went to a bookstore, we went to lunch — we did a quick return at a shop, and the whole time, it was just really special.

IVANKA TRUMP AND BETTINA ANDERSON'S CLOSE BOND ON DISPLAY AT MAR-A-LAGO BRIDAL SHOWER

"And we're trying to do that all the time. Now, I'm sure there are going to be hiccups here and there! But for right now, they seem to be really thriving."

She added, "My older kids see this as only good for themselves. Like, there's only one more kid to add to their pack. The parents are now outnumbered two to one!"

She referenced the jitters she had a bit ago — and how those were swiftly put to rest, and now part of the past.

"I would say I had all sorts of angst about this. My family [had] felt so complete. My kids were growing into a new phase," said Mrs. Vance.

Now, she said, "I'm really glad that we took this plunge. I'm really glad that we decided to move into the unknown and do something that felt like a little bit of a risk to a settled and happy family dynamic because it's only become happier.

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"And we're looking forward to seeing what the next few years bring."

She is also continuing to expand and develop her podcast, "Storytime with the Second Lady."

The latest episode features author Jackie Oshry reading her children's book about summer camp. Mrs. Vance said the podcast is designed to encourage children not only to read books but also to imagine creating stories of their own.

"One of the things we're trying to do with this podcast is highlight authors of books to show [the children] that it's not just reading that you can do," she said. "You can imagine your own stories. You can write them yourself."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS

So why this signature issue for her as second lady — and not others that she might have chosen? Mrs. Vance said that reading has long been one of her favorite hobbies and something she enjoys sharing with her own children.

She said she chose literacy as one of her key initiatives because she wanted to make "a concrete change" while serving as second lady. She noted how critical it is that children in America develop a love of, and facility with, reading from a young age.

She is also encouraging children in kindergarten through eighth grade to participate in the White House Summer Reading Challenge by reading 12 books before the end of August. Families who complete the challenge will be entered to win prizes — including a chance to visit the White House, she said.

In the waning weeks of summer, Mrs. Vance said her family is preparing for a new school year by gathering school supplies, organizing clothes and spending as much time outdoors as possible before classes begin for her older children.

"We're trying to make it a celebratory thing," she said of the family's back-to-school traditions.

"Over the month of August, we slowly get everything prepared so it doesn't come as too much of a shock when they have to wake up at 6:30 again every morning."

President Donald Trump declared in a Truth Social post right after the Vances' new baby was born, "Congratulations! A perfect baby boy for the wonderful Vance family."

His post included a photo of the infant and two children.

'Sharp rise' in cyclosporiasis cases in UK linked to Mexico travel. What to know

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:12:00 +0000

Florida steakhouse offers classy nude dining experience that does not allow 'touchy-feely stuff'

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:03:59 +0000

If you're looking for a classy steakhouse dining experience without the stress that comes with trying to figure out what to wear, there's a Florida establishment that offers up exactly what you're looking for.

They have a nude dining experience that includes everything you could want from fine dining at a steakhouse without the pressure and restrictions that are attached to clothing. And don't worry, there's no "touchy-feely stuff."

This is about enjoying a meal with a few strangers in the buff like an adult. Any funny business will have to be conducted elsewhere, obviously.

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The clothing free night is held on the first Monday every month at the CLASS Soiree Steakhouse in Hollywood, Florida. Owner and chef Maurad Ali told Local 10 that he came up with the idea to attract new business.

Ali says there's a market for the nude dining experience and on Monday, the first of the month of August, they were expecting around 20 customers.

If you're interested in getting in on one of these nude dining experiences, you're not alone, and it will cost you a couple of hundred dollars. The tickets are $250 for men, $150 for women, and $300 for couples.

HISTORIC NUDE BEACH IN CALIFORNIA IS PUTTING ITS CLOTHES ON WHEN IT OPENS

"I'm the chef and owner, my crew, we are all professionals," said Ali of the five-star experience dripping with class and elegance that his business provides.

There's also a hostess at these events who is there setting the comfort level. Tashaeba Hart explained her role, "Once you walk through the door, I’ll most likely be nude, no clothes on, so when you come in you do feel more comfortable."

Perfect. You're not going into this alone. The hostess is there to set the mood for the evening. And don't worry about whether any laws are being broken. This is all on the up and up.

A spokesperson for the city of Hollywood confirmed that to Local 10. Joann Hussey said, "Yes, it's legal. It's legal because the staff members working are clothed."

Finally, an answer for those who can’t fully enjoy dining at a steakhouse because of the requirements that they wear clothes.

The scam text test: Spot danger before you tap

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:00:58 +0000

Your phone buzzes. The text reads, "Your package is delayed. Confirm your address here." A little later, it's a text message about an unpaid toll, suspicious bank activity or an account that will be locked unless you act now.

That's how scam texts work. They don't always look wild or obviously fake. They look routine, urgent and easy to deal with in a hurry. The good news: You don't need to memorize every scam. You just need a quick way to test suspicious messages before you tap. Here's the simple scam text test to run before you click, pay or share anything.

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Our free CyberGuy Live class, "Sick of Spam?", has ended, but you can still watch the full replay and download our spam-stopping checklist. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson walks you step by step through simple ways to reduce robocalls, spam texts, junk email and unwanted messages. You’ll also learn how to curb political texts, clean up your inbox and spot messages that could put your personal information at risk.

Get the free replay and checklist now at CyberGuyLive.com.

FAKE SHINYHUNTERS SEXTORTION EMAIL USES CARNIVAL BREACH DATA

If a text asks you to click, pay, verify, sign in or fix a problem, run through these checks first.

Are you actually waiting for that package? Do you use that bank? Did you recently drive on a toll road? If the answer is no, treat the message as suspicious. Even if the answer is yes, don't assume it's real. Scammers rely on coincidence. They send thousands of similar messages knowing that some recipients will be waiting for a package or use the company being impersonated.

Urgency is one of the biggest red flags. Watch for phrases like:

A real company may send an urgent alert, but scammers use pressure to stop you from checking whether the message is legitimate. Take a breath before responding. A few extra minutes spent verifying the message can prevent days or weeks of dealing with a stolen account.

Before tapping, check for:

Even if the address looks legitimate, avoid opening links in unexpected texts. Scammers can disguise links or create convincing copies of real websites. Verify the message through the company's official app or a website you type in yourself.

Many scam texts use vague greetings, odd wording, awkward punctuation or slightly incorrect brand names. You might see a message addressed to "Dear customer" instead of your name. It may refer to a package without showing an order number or claim to come from a bank without identifying the account involved. Good grammar doesn't guarantee a message is safe. Scammers now use artificial intelligence to write more convincing messages. Still, sloppy wording and missing details remain warning signs.

Be skeptical of any text asking for:

Legitimate companies may send you a one-time verification code. However, a bank, government agency or customer service representative should never ask you to give that code to someone else. Anyone who asks for your code may be trying to take control of your account.

This is the most important step. Instead of using the link or phone number in the message:

If the issue is real, you should still be able to find it through one of those trusted channels.

FAKE PASSWORD-MANAGER ALERTS COULD PUT YOUR VAULT AT RISK

Scam texts often fall into a few familiar categories.

These messages claim a package was delayed, an address needs to be corrected or a small shipping fee must be paid. The link may lead to afake postal or delivery websitethat collects your card information, password or home address.

These texts claim someone used your card, your account has been locked or you must verify a transaction immediately. The message may include a phone number connecting you to a scammer pretending to work for the bank.

Toll scams claim you owe a small amount and will face a larger penalty if you don't pay immediately. The amount is often low enough to make paying seem easier than investigating. The payment page then steals your financial information.

These messages claim your email, payment app, streaming service or social media account will be suspended. They direct you to a fake login page designed to capture your username and password. These scams work because each message sounds plausible. The goal is to make you react first and think later.

Don't panic, but act quickly.

Simply opening a phishing page doesn't always mean your information was stolen. The risk increases if you entered information, downloaded a file or approved a permission request.

Use a different password for every important account. A password manager can create and store strong passwords so one stolen login doesn't give scammers access to everything else.

Change the affected account's password immediately and check whether a new device, email address or phone number was added. Contact the company through its official app, website or phone number. Tell the representative that someone may have gained access to your account.

Report any charges you don't recognize as soon as possible.

HOTEL WI-FI PHISHING ATTACK TARGETS MICROSOFT LOGINS

Visit IdentityTheft.gov to create a recovery plan. You may also want to place a fraud alert or security freeze on your credit files. A credit freeze can prevent criminals from opening many types of new accounts in your name.

Avoid entering sensitive information on the device until you are confident it is secure.

After securing your accounts:

Reporting scam texts helps phone carriers and government agencies identify active campaigns.

Good habits are your first line of defense, but strong antivirus software can add another layer of protection. Some security tools can warn you about suspicious links, phishing websites and malicious downloads before they put your information at risk.

Many text scams are only the first step. The message sends you to a fake website. That site may steal your password, payment details or other personal information. In some cases, it may also try to install malware on your device.

Look for security software that offers:

Security software cannot catch every scam or replace careful judgment. Still, it can help stop a suspicious link or malicious download before one quick tap leads to fraud or an account takeover. Features vary by provider and device, so check what is included before choosing a service.

Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com

You never have to solve a surprise text from inside the text. Stop, verify independently and only act through official channels. That one habit can help you avoid a huge number of text scams.

Scam texts work because they make an everyday problem feel urgent. A package delay, unpaid toll or bank warning can seem believable enough to make you tap without thinking. Don't use the link or phone number in the message. Open the company's official app, type its website yourself or call a number you already trust. Strong antivirus software can help flag some suspicious texts and fake websites, but no security tool catches everything. Taking a few seconds to verify the message can save you from a stolen account or a costly mistake.

What is the most convincing scam text you have received, and what tipped you off before you tapped?Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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Rabbit fever cases detected in US. How to check for symptoms

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:59:20 +0000

Cyclosporiasis cases in Michigan climb to 11,508 in ongoing outbreak

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:53:58 +0000

Jelly Roll says he's planning to 'take some time off and heal' after final tour stop

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:51:12 +0000

Jelly Roll announced that he is taking an indefinite hiatus from touring following a tumultuous year in his personal life.

While performing at the Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah on July 28, the 41-year-old country star, who recently finalized his divorce from his ex-wife Bunnie Xo, 46, revealed that he would not be hitting the road again for the foreseeable future.

"This has truly been a lifetime experience for me," the "Save Me" singer told the crowd, via Country Now. "And in a couple of nights, I go to Colorado Springs and do my last show for a year or two. I’m fixing to take some time off and heal. Thank you for the opportunity."

KACEY MUSGRAVES ABRUPTLY CANCELS CONCERT DATES FROM 'MIDDLE OF NOWHERE' TOUR

Fox News Digital has reached out to Jelly Roll's representatives for comment.

The July 28 concert in Salt Lake City marked the final stop on Jelly Roll and Post Malone's co-headlining BIG ASS Stadium Tour Part 2. Jelly Roll gave his final scheduled performance at his solo show at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on July 30. Per Jelly Roll's official website, the rapper has no upcoming concert dates.

Jelly Roll's break from touring comes after he and Bunnie split following almost 10 years of marriage. The two first met in 2015 at a concert in Las Vegas and they eloped a year later. Following their marriage, she became a stepmother to the country singer’s daughter, Bailee, and son, Noah.

The "Son of a Sinner" hitmaker filed for divorce from Bunnie on May 18, but he listed the date of separation as May 9. Jelly Roll, whose real name is James DeBoard, cited "irreconciable differences" as the reason for the split. The former couple finalized their divorce in early July.

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JELLY ROLL FILES FOR DIVORCE FROM WIFE BUNNIE XO AFTER ALMOST A DECADE OF MARRIAGE

Terms of their settlement remain confidential. However, People reported at the time that the former couple would split their assets, including homes, cars, an aircraft and any intellectual property.

Additionally, Jelly Roll would make a "one-time, confidential lump sum payment to Bunnie, so there will be no alimony claims to be made in court," the outlet reported.

Jelly Roll previously shut down speculation that infidelity led to the split, telling fans "nobody cheated on nobody," a claim later echoed by his daughter Bailee. Bunnie also denied that either she or Jelly Roll were unfaithful, saying on her "Dumb Blonde" podcast that "nobody cheated."

Last month, Bunnie made headlines after she was seen kissing reality TV personality Dylan Wolf at Jelly Roll's Goodnight Nashville Bar over the Fourth of July weekend. She later said on her podcast that she wasn't dating the "Calabasas Confidential" star, describing the PDA as part of her "hot girl summer" and adding that Jelly Roll "gets it."

In a since-deleted June podcast episode, Bunnie claimed that Jelly Roll had "started dating" again after their split.

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Since the split, Jelly Roll has remained focused on his career, releasing the inspirational single "Hands Up" in June. The country star, who has lost 275 pounds over the last few years, has also continued to chronicle nearly every step of his health journey, celebrating both major milestones and the everyday habits that have fueled his transformation.

Despite untangling their finances and going their separate ways, Jelly Roll and Bunnie have made it clear they aren't severing every tie.

She said on a since-deleted episode of her podcast that the former couple still plans to have a baby via surrogate and co-parent after their divorce, and Jelly Roll later told fans that "every word" of her podcast was "the truth" while calling her his "best friend."

How Well Is the Progressive Left Actually Doing?

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:47:09 +0000

Its wins have been largely confined to highly educated and heavily Democratic parts of urban America. But two races could change that.

Man Arrested on Suspicion of Arson in Spokane Wildfire

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:39:56 +0000

Aaron Farinacci, 37, was arrested after a witness reported seeing him kneeling near the ignition site, officials said. Winds were forecast to increase Friday and Saturday, bringing a return to extremely critical fire weather.

David Ellison: In Defense of the Paramount-Warner Deal

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:39:49 +0000

The issue is whether I can be trusted as a steward of CNN.

Europe heat wave fuels drought, fires and energy fears

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:37:38 +0000

Europe's heat wave exposes buried history and new threats — Nazi-era wrecks emerge from the Danube, nuclear reactors face cooling risks, and Greece battles deadly wildfires.

(Image credit: Darko Vojinovic)

Athletes go 'missing' after Commonwealth Games ends

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:37:31 +0000

After Deadly E-Bike Crashes, N.Y. Lawmakers Consider Crackdown

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:31:15 +0000

The City Council on Tuesday presented 17 proposals to make electric bikes and scooters safer for riders and pedestrians.

Paul Finebaum’s proclamation about Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer reignites college football ‘culture fit’ debate

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:30:34 +0000

I mentioned it a while back, but August is the only time of year when almost every college football fanbase feels like their team has a chance to win it all.

Hope does indeed spring eternal every summer, but there are still plenty of programs who realistically have no shot at even making a College Football Playoff appearance.

One juggernaut who has historically been among the "haves" rather than the "have nots" is the Alabama Crimson Tide, but according to college football commentator Paul Finebaum, Bama's days of owning the lion's share of championship trophies may have come to an abrupt halt.

And it's all thanks to the man they hired to fill the team-issued polo previously worn by Nick Saban.

DID ALABAMA DOOM THEMSELVES TO MEDIOCRITY WITH KALEN DEBOER EXTENSION?

"I'm selling that," Finebaum said on Crane & Co. when asked if he would "buy or sell" Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer winning a natty while in Tuscaloosa. "I'll spare you the 'I think Kalen DeBoer is a good football coach.' I think everybody does. The question is, 'is he going to win a championship at Alabama?' And my answer is no."

Finebaum goes on to call the "culture fit" between DeBoer and Bama "okay," and says Alabama is a unique job where sometimes really good football coaches don't necessarily win titles due to factors that go far beyond the painted lines of Bryant Denny Stadium.

"In the last 60 years, only three people have won national championships, two of them happen to be the greatest coach of all-time on the day they retired," Finebaum stated. "At Alabama, you can be unique, you can be different, but Kalen DeBoer, to me, just doesn't have the right ingredients to win the title there."

'HOT SEAT RANKINGS' FOR ALL 16 SEC COACHES AS BEGINNING OF 2026 COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON DRAWS NEARER

It's interesting to hear Finebaum say that DeBoer doesn't have the right "ingredients" to win at Bama, but if you know what he means by that, it makes a ton of sense.

"Ingredients," in this instance, doesn't refer to talent on the field, because DeBoer and his staff haven't exactly been lacking in that department.

In the three full offseasons that DeBoer has been the head coach at Alabama, his average recruiting class ranking according to the 247Sports composite has been 2.5.

Every coach in America can only dream of averaging a top-three recruiting class every year they've been at their current school, but it's more than just a talent issue.

IF YOU BELIEVE ALABAMA WASN'T RECRUITING JEREMIAH SMITH, YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND RECRUITING

As Finebaum mentioned, the "culture fit" wasn't right from the start between DeBoer and his current employer, and though that may sound like a nebulous excuse, there's some real weight behind it.

"He's capable of winning it elsewhere," Finebaum reasoned. "He came within a reasonable chance of winning it at Washington. I think he could probably have won one at Michigan. Alabama's different."

For those who don't remember, DeBoer was rolling while coaching the Washington Huskies.

In his two seasons in the Pacific Northwest, DeBoer had two top-ten finishes and a national championship appearance under his belt.

BY ADDING ED ORGERON TO STAFF, LANE KIFFIN AND LSU ADDRESS KEY FLAW FROM PREVIOUS REGIME

Even before he arrived at the ranks of the Power 4, DeBoer was a noted winner, capturing three NAIA National Championships while at Sioux Falls and guiding Fresno State to a nine-win regular season in just his second year there.

The point is, DeBoer didn't just forget how to coach the moment his plane touched down in Tuscaloosa, and it's not like he's been an abject failure for the Tide either.

Averaging ten wins a year and making a CFP appearance would be welcomed at 99% of schools in the country.

But as Finebaum said so poignantly, "Alabama is different."

CURT CIGNETTI REVEALS HOW WORKING FOR NICK SABAN CHANGED EVERYTHING: 'EVERY DAY WAS 4TH-AND-1'

It's the same reason a guy like Brian Kelly, a coach who went 145-61 in his three FBS stops prior to landing in Baton Rouge, "failed" at LSU.

Kelly is not a bad coach or even an average coach, but he didn't understand the culture and expectations that come with being the Tigers' head coach.

Will DeBoer prove everyone wrong and win a title at Bama? I can't say for sure.

As long as they keep recruiting at their current pace, a coach like DeBoer has a chance.

WHAT DOES A REALISTICALLY SUCCESSFUL FIRST YEAR LOOK LIKE FOR HEAD COACH LANE KIFFIN AT LSU?

But I also wouldn't be shocked to see him looking for a job in two to three years either.

Programs like Alabama and LSU have one goal and one goal only: to win a national championship.

And sometimes, even that isn't enough to save your job (see: Ed Orgeron).

DeBoer will be judged by the trophy case he assembles while coaching the Crimson Tide, and right now, that sucker is looking a little empty.

Talks With Iran to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Make Progress, Officials Say

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:27:57 +0000

Qatar said that draft language of a deal was being circulated, while the U.S. Treasury secretary suggested an agreement may be imminent.

Talks With Iran to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Make Progress, Officials Say

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:27:56 +0000

Qatar said that draft language of a deal was being circulated, while the U.S. Treasury secretary suggested an agreement may be imminent.

Kelly Osbourne demands child support and her dogs back in fiery rant amid reported breakup

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:22:44 +0000

Kelly Osbourne appeared to take aim at her reported ex-fiancé, Sid Wilson.

The television personality sparked new questions about their relationship after posting a barrage of blistering Instagram Stories on Monday.

The since-deleted posts, viewed by Fox News Digital, appeared to accuse the musician of dodging accountability while vowing to put their son first.

KELLY OSBOURNE WELCOMES FIRST BABY WITH SID WILSON, SHARON OSBOURNE PRAISES DAUGHTER: 'SO PROUD'

Although Osbourne, 41, never mentioned Wilson by name, the timing and tone of the posts quickly raised questions about the pair's reported split.

One of her first messages took aim at someone she suggested was deflecting blame instead of accepting responsibility.

"Strange how the loudest defense of the guilty is rarely innocence... It's distraction. When the mask slips, they don't face the mirror they throw it at someone else. I also heard that when you break a mirror you get 7 years bad luck! Or is that just karma? This is why I always take accountability! As they say some are sicker then [sic] others," the post read.

Osbourne also reposted a quote that read, "My son's little heart once beat right beside mine. So trust me when I say... I will protect it at all costs," seemingly referring to the couple's 3-year-old son, Sidney.

In another message, she wrote, "Wake the f--- up and take some responsibility. I will not take your s--- anymore! I'm done. I want to be happy, and I have a beautiful son to raise. Leave me alone. Let me heal. I can't protect you from yourself anymore."

She later reposted another message about choosing children's well-being over everyone else's.

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"My job is to protect my kids. Not your feelings. Not your expectations. Not judgments I didn't ask for. My responsibility is to protect their well-being. Their nervous systems. Their emotional safety. I will choose them every single time. Over anyone. Over anything."

Osbourne then appeared to reference unresolved issues involving possessions, finances and the care of their son.

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"Also while I’m at it can I have my dogs back and all my possessions. Oh yeah and maybe some child support?"

Fox News Digital has reached out to Osbourne and Wilson for comment.

The cryptic posts add another chapter to the couple's reported breakup.

Osbourne and Wilson reportedly ended their engagement in March, about eight months after Wilson proposed, though neither has publicly confirmed the split.

The pair began dating in 2022 and welcomed their son, Sidney, later that year.

Meanwhile, Wilson has also faced career uncertainty in recent days.

SLIPKNOT’S SID WILSON SUFFERS SEVERE BURNS AFTER FARM EXPLOSION

The rocker was reportedly just fired from Slipknot after 28 years with the band, according to TMZ. The outlet reported the band had become fed up with Wilson's alleged behavior, particularly his treatment of fellow members.

Amid the speculation, Slipknot guitarist Jim Root urged fans not to jump to conclusions.

"Don’t believe everything you read," he wrote. "Stop. Think. Take a breath. Sit with it for awhile. Maybe. Just maybe even wait until there’s more information," according to People.

Wilson has not publicly addressed the reported firing.

David Ellison breaks silence on Paramount-WBD merger fight, CNN insiders don’t buy ‘lip service’ about network

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:12:42 +0000

Paramount CEO David Ellison believes that opposition to his planned Warner Bros. merger isn’t truly about market share but rather whether he "can be trusted as a steward of Warner’s CNN."

Unfortunately for Ellison, much of the distrust is coming from inside the house.

In a striking New York Times guest essay published on Tuesday, Ellison wrote that others have attempted to tell his story while he remained silent because the head of a news organization "shouldn’t put a finger on the scale," but he wouldn’t remain silent any longer.

The essay quickly spread through CNN, where concerned staffers attempted to read between the lines to see if it offered a glimmer of hope. One CNN employee flatly rejected the notion that Ellison’s essay will ease tensions, while CNN chief media analyst Brian Stelter called it "remarkable."

CNN STAFFERS SEE PARAMOUNT MERGER AS 'INEVITABLE' DESPITE LEGAL BATTLE DELAYING ELLISON TAKEOVER

Ellison’s Paramount is attempting to build a media empire of historic proportions by acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery for $111 billion. The European Union and the U.S. Justice Department have each signed off on the deal, with the final roadblocks coming from an antitrust lawsuit led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and a suit from the Writers Guild of America. Paramount recently agreed to delay the deal until next year while the lawsuits play out in court.

"The states claim this deal will give one company too much influence over theatrical releases and cable operators, while the W.G.A. argues that our combined market power will hurt writers. Both suits imagine a Hollywood that no longer exists — an industry ruled by a handful of legacy studios," Ellison wrote.

Ellison noted that "a combined Paramount-Warner would account for less than 20 percent" of the time Americans spend watching television and "just 18 percent" of the domestic box office over the past 12 months.

"Those are not the numbers of a company that can dictate what audiences watch or what writers get paid," Ellison wrote.

"I believe this fight is not really about market share," Ellison continued. "The issue is whether I can be trusted as a steward of Warner’s CNN. There has been speculation about my politics, my loyalties, my intentions."

CNN has been plagued with morale issues ahead of the looming merger, as the network has seen multiple leadership changes in recent memory and there is widespread concern about the direction of the network under Ellison. Some staffers are anxious about job security, while others are frightened that Bari Weiss, Ellison's handpicked editor-in-chief of CBS News who irks liberals throughout the media industry, would take on an oversight position at CNN.

MOOD IS ‘HORRIFIC’ INSIDE CNN AS STAFFERS BRACE FOR CHANGE AMID POTENTIAL PARAMOUNT TAKEOVER, INSIDERS SAY

Ellison has previously publicly vowed that CNN will maintain its editorial independence, but skeptics don’t seem to take his promise at face value. Critics of Weiss and Ellison have accused them of bending the knee to Trump and trying to curry favor with his administration, but the high-powered mogul continues to insist that is not the case.

"I have regularly voted for candidates of both parties; I hold some views that would be called conservative and others that would be called liberal, just like most Americans; and when it comes to our news operations, I do not aspire to lead these companies to bend their newsrooms to my views. I believe that news should be based on facts and truth," Ellison wrote.

"Great news organizations like CNN and CBS News are here to tell it straight down the middle," he added. "That requires newsrooms that reflect the whole world, not one side of it. And it requires independence."

Ellison wrote that CNN journalists would "continue to answer to the facts and to all the people they serve — not to any party or cause," once he takes control.

PARAMOUNT-WBD MERGER ON HOLD AFTER JUDGE GRANTS TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER

Ellison, the son of billionaire Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, then noted that only 28 percent of Americans trust the news, citing a recent Gallup study.

"The temptation is to say the problem lies elsewhere. Our obligation is to look inward and say: We can do better. We are in a moment when Americans trust few institutions, but journalists haven’t always helped their case by refusing to engage with critiques," Ellison wrote. "Trust can’t be argued back, but it can be earned back — story by story, day by day."

A veteran CNN staffer suggested that Ellison’s essay won’t exactly lift spirits.

"I don't think it will calm the nerves of anyone at CNN! No one is worried about his politics, we're worried that he doesn't have any affection for the role of journalism," the staffer told Fox News Digital.

"And as much as he paid lip service in this piece to those concerns, we don't really have to guess at what he'd do — his moves at CBS have reflected the opposite," they continued. "A disregard for independent storytelling, holding powerful people accountable, and investing in journalists and journalism, as executed by his hire, Bari Weiss."

CNN declined comment when reached by Fox News Digital.

A former CNN producer, who isn't a fan of the direction the network has swung in recent years, doesn’t believe the essay will go over well with ex-colleagues.

"David Ellison is making clear that under his leadership, CNN and CBS News must stop ‘refusing to engage’ with critics of their liberal bias and ‘look inward.’ He probably didn’t realize that he’s kicking a hornet’s nest," the ex-CNN producer said.

"The folks at CNN and CBS News view any challenge to their biased, disconnected and badly produced programming as a violation of their free speech rights, and they’re coming at David and Bari with everything they’ve got," the source continued. "David is going to have to burn both places down before he can fix them."

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

CBS News did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Ronald Lauder, a Billionaire G.O.P. Backer, Closes His Wallet

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:12:03 +0000

Ronald S. Lauder, a major funder of conservative political causes, has not given a single dollar this year to Republicans in his home state, and his super PAC has gone idle.

Trump offers Iran ‘last chance’ deal as repeated pauses fail to end war

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:11:13 +0000

President Donald Trump is warning Iran that it has one last chance to make a deal, even as Tehran denies the negotiations Trump says persuaded him to hold off on a major U.S. attack.

The clash has left the status of the diplomatic effort unclear. Trump says indirect talks could reopen the Strait of Hormuz and eventually address Iran’s nuclear program, while Tehran acknowledges only limited discussions with Oman and has not publicly embraced the broader deal Trump has described.

"There’s certainly an element of posturing involved," Ali Vaez, deputy program director for the Middle East at International Crisis Group, told Fox News Digital. "While there are no ‘talks’ in the sense of U.S. and Iranian officials sitting at the same venue exchanging proposals and counter-offers, engagement appears ongoing."

Trump said diplomacy persuaded him to call off a planned attack on Iran that he described as the biggest since World War II. Over the weekend, he said Iran and several Middle Eastern countries had asked for more time to finalize an agreement reopening Hormuz and addressing Tehran’s nuclear program.

TRUMP WARNS IRAN FIGHTING ISN'T OVER AS HE VOWS US WILL 'WIN' AS TALKS FADE

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said, however, that Tehran was neither holding talks with the United States nor expecting an American delegation. He described the Oman discussions as a bilateral effort to establish a temporary shipping corridor through the Strait.

Trump, in response, accused Iran’s leadership of being "unbelievably duplicitous."

"They ask for a meeting, some would say ‘beg,’ talks begin, with more scheduled in the immediate future, and they say, openly and proudly, that they’re not having any discussions," Trump wrote Monday on Truth Social.

Later that afternoon, Trump called the talks Iran’s "last chance" to avoid an escalation in U.S. strikes. He said negotiators would first seek to reopen the Strait, then turn to Tehran’s nuclear program.

"The first phase is the opening of the straits. The second phase will be the denuclearization," Trump said in the Oval Office. "And that will take a little while."

Trump said reporters could learn more about the negotiations "today or tomorrow." Iran has not publicly endorsed either phase of his plan.

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf allies have urged Trump to hold off on the planned attack, fearing more Iranian reprisals against their territory. Jonathan Schanzer, executive director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said those concerns have complicated Trump’s next move.

"He’d like to be able to walk away with a win. The Iranians are not allowing him to do that," Schanzer told Fox News Digital. "There is not a clear path ahead for him at this moment."

US OFFICIAL SAYS JD VANCE MADE 'GREAT PROGRESS' IN IRAN TALKS, CALLS SNUB REPORTS 'FOREIGN PROPAGANDA'

A June memorandum also opened with promises of a broader settlement. The United States and Iran signed it to halt fighting, lift the U.S. blockade and reopen the Strait.

Shipping became the first test of the June memorandum, and it quickly exposed how far apart Washington and Tehran remained. Each side had its own plan for restoring commercial traffic through the Strait. When U.S. officials accused Iran of firing on commercial vessels days later, American strikes followed. Tehran said Washington had tried to force through a new shipping arrangement without its consent.

Negotiators never bridged that divide. Trump declared the ceasefire over in early July and expanded the U.S. air campaign. Iran answered with missile and drone attacks on American positions and regional partners.

That fighting set up another, shorter pause at the end of the month. Trump said mediators had asked the U.S. to hold fire, an arrangement Iran said it would match. Within days, Iranian missiles targeted U.S. forces in Jordan and the conflict spread again.

Brief breaks have become a feature of the conflict, which Schanzer described as a "ceasefire war."

"It is a war that is punctuated by short bouts of calm, only to see conflict return," Schanzer said.

Even if Oman succeeds in opening a temporary route, it would settle only the immediate question of how ships move through the Strait. Trump wants that step to lead into negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, a sequence Tehran has yet to publicly embrace. As long as Iran can still threaten traffic and Washington can maintain its blockade and prepare further strikes, each side may decide it can wait the other out rather than make the concessions needed to end the war.

"Fundamentally, both sides know that the status quo is a recipe for continued military and economic attrition without a clear endgame," Vaez said.

Is this Trump’s last ‘last chance’? Ceaseless string of broken ceasefires fuels doubt over Iran deal

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:11:13 +0000

President Donald Trump is warning Iran that it has one last chance to make a deal, even as Tehran denies the negotiations Trump says persuaded him to hold off on a major U.S. attack.

TRUMP WARNS IRAN FIGHTING ISN'T OVER AS HE VOWS US WILL 'WIN' AS TALKS FADE

Trump, in response, accused Iran’s leadership of being "unbelievably duplicitous."

"The first phase is the opening of the straits. The second phase will be the denuclearization," Trump said in the Oval Office. "And that will take a little while."

Trump said reporters could learn more about the negotiations "today or tomorrow." Iran has not publicly endorsed either phase of his plan.

"He’d like to be able to walk away with a win. The Iranians are not allowing him to do that," Schanzer told Fox News Digital. "There is not a clear path ahead for him at this moment."

US OFFICIAL SAYS JD VANCE MADE 'GREAT PROGRESS' IN IRAN TALKS, CALLS SNUB REPORTS 'FOREIGN PROPAGANDA'

A June memorandum also opened with promises of a broader settlement. The United States and Iran signed it to halt fighting, lift the U.S. blockade and reopen the Strait.

Brief breaks have become a feature of the conflict, which Schanzer described as a "ceasefire war."

"It is a war that is punctuated by short bouts of calm, only to see conflict return," Schanzer said.

"Fundamentally, both sides know that the status quo is a recipe for continued military and economic attrition without a clear endgame," Vaez said.

Exclusive-US has used 'virtually all' of its long-range precision missiles during Iran war, sources say

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:09:21 +0000

Wisconsin governor candidate appears open to canceling Thanksgiving

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:08:07 +0000

Reporter's Notebook: Inside the Senate showdown over Trump's push to scrap August recess

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:07:53 +0000

"Should I stay or should I go now? If I go there will be trouble. And if I stay it will be double." – The Clash

The words "schedule" and "Congress" don’t always mesh.

But the formal Senate schedule has long had senators taking off at the end of this week until early September for the customary "August recess."

Only thing is, President Trump and some conservatives pushing for approval of the SAVE America Act don’t want the Senate to beg off. They assert that the Senate should remain in session until it passes the bill, which requires proof of citizenship to vote.

"I think there’s nothing more important than they pass the SAVE America Act. I think they should stay," said President Trump. "They do what they want. But I think they should stay."

SEN RICK SCOTT: AMERICANS WORK FIVE DAYS A WEEK, WHY CAN’T THE SENATE?

The Senate has already defeated two efforts to adopt the SAVE America Act. So there’s not an obvious pathway to alter those previous outcomes. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has rebuffed the President’s demands to stay in session.

"I don’t think having a Congress sitting around here for the month of August and quorum calls or having to vote on Democrat amendments is probably a good use of anybody's time," said Thune.

There’s tension between the South Dakota Republican and the President over the Senate’s legislative realities. Thune may be Majority Leader. But Thune believes the President bears responsibility for changing some minds on Capitol Hill.

"We have in the past suggested to he and his team to come up here and visit with some of my Republican colleagues," said Thune. "Now if he can change the facts and start moving some of those senators who are noes into yesses, then we have a different conversation. But that's just the reality."

As always, it’s about the math. And the SAVE America Act lacks the votes.

"I know Sen. Thune says the votes aren't there. I'm not saying he's wrong. I'm just saying people change their mind sometimes," argued Sen. John Kennedy, R-La.

But it doesn’t look like there will even be a vote on that, unless something ripens quickly.

That’s where Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Roger Marshall, R-Kas, Rick Scott, R-Fla., and others have suggested the Senate shouldn’t go on break unless they pass the bill.

So what happens next?

Let’s say we get to Friday night. The Senate has taken its final vote of the summer. Maybe to confirm Todd Blanche as Attorney General. Perhaps the measure named after late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., which sanctions Russia. The Senate is ready to finish until mid-September. In recent years, the Senate has not voted on a resolution to go out of session for weeks on end. That’s where SAVE America Act proponents would attempt to block such an effort. But its immaterial since there is no vote.

In the not too distant past, the House and Senate often approved "adjournment resolutions." But not right now. Such a plan must align with the wishes of the House of Representatives. Article I, Section 6 of the Constitution bars either body for adjourning for more than three days "without the Consent of the other." The House isn’t around to approve an adjournment resolution. It’s been out of session for a couple of weeks now. Moreover, it’s not clear that the House could adopt an adjournment resolution.

So, under the Constitution, each body must - at a minimum - hold a brief "pro forma" session where lawmakers convene for just a few seconds and then immediately gavel out. That meets the Constitutional requirement.

But there’s the rub.

When the Senate wraps up, Thune or one of his lieutenants would usually go to the floor and ask "unanimous consent" that the Senate meet on a series of Mondays and Thursdays or Tuesdays and Fridays between now and September. These are the "pro forma" sessions, convening at three-day intervals. But if Lee or someone wants to object, they’re stuck. The Senate can’t green light the set of pro formas. The Senate must have buy-in of all 100 senators.

REPUBLICAN SAYS TRUMP'S TOP ELECTION PRIORITY 'DEAD' IN SENATE AS GOP FRACTURES AHEAD OF MIDTERMS

But an objection in this case hardly blocks the recess or compels debate – let alone a vote or passage – on the SAVE America Act.

If Thune or his designee can’t get unanimous consent, the only option they have is to move to meet again the next day. Let’s say 9 a.m. ET. If someone objects to the time, it will meet at noon et under the Senate’s default protocols.

That said, this is where someone could force what might constitute the de facto "vote to go on recess." A Republican senator might demand a vote on the Senate adjourning for the day on Friday and meeting on Saturday. This is not a vote to "go on recess." But it’s the closest someone can engineer a possible vote related to Senate action.

A motion to adjourn is not debatable on the floor. But it is amendable. Someone could offer another option about when the Senate should meet. But that’s about it.

On this hypothetical Saturday session, it’s possible that Thune could simply get recognition and ask for the Senate to adjourn for the day again. One of those pushing the SAVE America Act doesn’t even get recognized to speak. However, if Thune is gracious and is willing to allow someone to have their say, they could get the floor and hold it as long as they want.

Note that doing so does not constitute a filibuster. Filibusters are efforts by senators to stop something. In this case, advocates of the SAVE America Act are trying to start something. So no filibuster. This would just be a really long speech. But Thune might not let it come to that. And even though they’ve chattered about it a lot, the strongest advocates of the SAVE America Act have not taken advantage of their prerogatives as senators and gone down to hold the floor at length.

Keep in mind that SAVE America Act advocates could potentially do this and push for recognition on the floor on all subsequent days during the August recess. Thune could block them from speaking because the order of the day is to convene and adjourn during a pro forma session. And if the SAVE America Act faction were to push for a vote, all it takes is another senator to block them on the floor.

One might ask the question about whether the SAVE America Act group might demand a "live" quorum call (where all senators must report to the floor for attendance) or even the more extreme motion of "instructing the Sergeant at Arms to arrest" absent senators and bring them to the floor. Well, this works at cross purposes during August. The reason? The Senate doesn’t have a quorum. In the old days, the Senate took quorum calls to establish if enough senators present were present to do business. It violates the Constitution to conduct business without a quorum present.

The SAVE America Act coalition may prove that there aren’t enough senators in Washington to conduct business. That helps make their point. But it also forces the Senate to adjourn because it can’t operate without a quorum.

WATCH: DEMOCRATS ADMIT WHEN THEY'D ELIMINATE THE FILIBUSTER AS SAVE ACT FIGHT HEATS UP

These gambits might not achieve the legislative goal of passing the SAVE America Act. But there are other benefits for SAVE America Act advocates. A series of lengthy speeches could potentially delay the recess. These Republican senators could argue that they are willing to stay and debate the SAVE America Act while their colleagues fled Washington for summer. Such a maneuver would focus attention on the issue. It would draw a contrast between senators willing to fight for the issue and those who went home. The effort might impress President Trump. And such a maneuver could show divides between them and Thune – who the President often chastises.

But pass the SAVE America Act? It’s not going to do that. And some Republican senators emphasize the importance of taking a few weeks off so their colleagues can campaign.

"The worst case scenario is for us is to stay all the way through and then we lose the Senate in the days ahead," said Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., on Fox. "Then President Trump is dealing with all the impeachment crazy all over again."

Remaining in Washington for the next five weeks would pull the most vulnerable GOP senator off the trail, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.

Collins was crystal clear when pressed by yours truly whether she would campaign and miss her first roll call vote since entering the Senate in 1997.

"I don’t miss votes," said an emphatic Collins.

So don’t expect the Senate to forgo the recess at the end of the week.

In fact, a decision by the Senate to go on recess may even work to the political advantage of those pushing for the SAVE America Act. They can then rail against Thune’s leadership and their colleagues for not passing the bill. Again, they don’t score the legislative outcome. But they sure rack up some political points.

This is why those philosopher kings who comprise the band the The Clash may have been on to something. If the Senate stays, Republicans can’t pass the SAVE America Act. But if they go, certain GOP senators can rabble rouse.

There’s trouble whether senators stay or go.

Ukraine accuses Russia of war crime after video shows drone attacking vegetable seller in Kherson

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:03:46 +0000

Ariana Grande and the Debate Over Health, Privacy and Celebrity

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:01:55 +0000

The pop star has long pushed back on comments about her weight loss, urging fans to be “gentler.” As her fame reached new heights, so did the scrutiny.

Scientists identify an insect-eating plant, proving Charles Darwin right after 150 years

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:53:28 +0000

U.S. Trade Deficit Dips in June Along With ‘World Cup Effect’

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:49:32 +0000

Imports and exports both declined, retreating from a busy month in May, data from the Commerce Department showed.