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Bills cruise past Lions to christen new home behind Josh Allen's five-touchdown performance

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 00:26:30 -0400

The wait for regular-season football at the Buffalo Bills' new home ended Thursday night, when Highmark Stadium hosted its first regular-season game.

Right on cue, Buffalo's star quarterback Josh Allen orchestrated a picture-perfect first half as the home team raced to a 27-10 halftime lead over the Detroit Lions. Allen threw three touchdown passes and ran for two scores to power the Bills to a 41-31 victory.

Allen recorded the fourth five-touchdown game of his career Thursday, one week after throwing two touchdown passes and running for two more in a 36-31 season-opening win over the Houston Texans.

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The $2.1 billion stadium that officially opened last month was built across the street from the Bills' former home.

Allen followed the pregame fireworks celebration with more fireworks of his own by overseeing touchdown drives on each of Buffalo’s first four possessions. Bills running back James Cook had 134 yards rushing and put the game away with a 1-yard TD run with just under three minutes remaining.

Allen’s two rushing touchdowns upped his career total to 83, moving him into a tie for 18th on the NFL list with Jim Taylor. He also picked up his 90th regular-season victory, becoming one of just four quarterbacks to reach that milestone in their first nine seasons.

The Lions were undone by an injury-depleted defense, and a banged-up offensive line that had difficulty opening holes for Jahmyr Gibbs and protecting Jared Goff.

After rallying from a 21-0 deficit to cut Buffalo’s lead to 34-24, the Lions' offense stalled midway through the fourth quarter. Backed up at their own 10, the Lions went three-and-out and were forced to punt after Goff had two passes tipped by Deone Walker, and Gibbs was stopped for no gain.

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Goff finished 26 of 38 for 327 yards and four touchdowns, while Amon-Ra St. Brown had nine catches for 142 yards and two scores. Gibbs scored on an 11-yard catch but was limited to 52 rushing yards, and Sam LaPorta added a 1-yard touchdown reception.

Despite being an open-air facility, the Bills' new home was designed to withstand Buffalo’s weather. Underground heating coils keep the natural-grass field from freezing, while roof sensors monitor snowfall and activate the world’s largest stadium snow-melt system.

The new stadium will also shield most fans from the wind with its 360-degree canopy.

Highmark Stadium seats 60,108 fans, about 10,000 fewer than its predecessor.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Archbishop of Canterbury withdraws award from Muslim cleric after past Osama bin Laden praise surfaces

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 23:59:04 -0400

The Archbishop of Canterbury's office has withdrawn an interfaith award given to a Muslim cleric after past comments surfaced in which he praised Osama bin Laden.

Maulana Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi received the Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation at Lambeth Palace last Friday, during a ceremony that coincided with the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Lambeth Palace announced the reversal Thursday after previous comments by Ashrafi had "come to light," causing it to reconsider the award.

"It is a longstanding principle of interfaith dialogue and co-operation that we must engage with one another across deeply-held differences, and that remains the case," Lambeth Palace said in a statement.

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"However, previous comments made by Imam Ashrafi have come to light that have led Lambeth Palace to reconsider this award and we can now confirm today that the award has been withdrawn," the statement continued. "We have contacted Imam Ashrafi to make him aware of this decision."

Lambeth Palace added that it continues "to pray for the Christian community in Pakistan, and for all those working for interfaith dialogue and harmony in Pakistan and around the world."

According to Lambeth Palace, the award was given to Ashrafi because of his "longstanding support for religious minorities in Pakistan, particularly the Christian community."

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According to the BBC, Ashrafi said in 2007 that bin Laden — the architect of the 9/11 attacks — had "been fighting for Islam against the Russians, Americans and British."

The BBC also reported that Ashrafi said he would give bin Laden the title "Saifullah," meaning "Sword of God."

Ashrafi told the BBC that his remarks had been "totally taken out of context" and described the backlash against him as an "unfair campaign."

He said he made the remarks about bin Laden in 2007 in response to "the hurt felt by many Muslims" over the British government's decision to knight "The Satanic Verses" author Salman Rushdie.

During the award presentation last week, the Archbishop's office said Ashrafi was being honored for "his outstanding work as an ambassador of interfaith harmony in Pakistan, known for his commitment to promoting religious tolerance."

Juror who blocked Lindsay Clancy verdict disputes fellow jurors' claims: report

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 21:44:13 -0400

The lone holdout juror whose refusal to find Lindsay Clancy not guilty by reason of insanity led to a mistrial is speaking publicly for the first time, disputing claims from fellow jurors that he expressed doubts about the prosecution's case.

Michael P. Desronvil said in a statement to NewsNation that he never wavered in his belief prosecutors proved Clancy knew what she was doing when she strangled her three young children in January 2023.

"I didn't have any doubts. As I tried to explain different possible theories during deliberation, I kept getting cut off as if I had doubts based on the evidence present," Desronvil said.

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"Based on all the physical evidence, key witnesses and what the prosecution presents, I thought it was enough proof that she knew exactly what she was doing and planned."

His comments directly contradict accounts from fellow jurors, who said after the mistrial that Desronvil appeared to acknowledge reasonable doubt during deliberations but still refused to join the other 11 jurors in finding Clancy not guilty by reason of insanity.

The jury deadlocked 11-1, with Desronvil standing alone in favor of convicting Clancy rather than accepting her insanity defense, prompting Judge William Sullivan to declare a mistrial.

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The public statement comes as Plymouth County prosecutors weigh whether to retry Clancy, whose attorneys have also floated the possibility of resolving the case without another jury trial. Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley previously told Fox News Digital that prosecutors face the difficult task of deciding whether they can persuade a future jury to unanimously reject Clancy's insanity defense after the first panel failed to reach a verdict.

"The question is whether they could ever get a jury, particularly in Massachusetts, that would unanimously vote against this defendant," Turley said. "For prosecutors, they have to weigh that, but they may find the alternative equally unappealing — to simply walk away and say, 'There are three dead children here, but we just don't think we could ever win this case.'"

Clancy, a former labor and delivery nurse, admitted killing her children — Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and Callan, 8 months — but argued she was not criminally responsible because she was suffering from severe mental illness at the time of the killings. Prosecutors argued she planned the murders and understood the wrongfulness of her actions.

Judge Sullivan has ordered jurors' identities and questionnaires sealed, citing safety concerns following the high-profile mistrial.

Clancy is due back in court Sept. 29 as prosecutors determine whether to seek a retrial.

Brutal MLB collision leaves New York Mets first baseman Jared Young motionless on the field

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 21:33:02 -0400

New York Mets first baseman Jared Young was carted off on a stretcher Thursday night following a terrifying collision with teammate Nolan McLean during a game against the Phillies at Citi Field.

The play unfolded in the top of the sixth inning when the Phillies' Justin Crawford grounded a slow roller up the first-base line. Both Young and McLean, the Mets' starting pitcher, converged to field the ball.

As Young dove toward the grounder, McLean attempted to jump over his teammate.

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McLean's knee made contact with what appeared to be the side of Young's head during the play, sending Young face-down into the dirt. He lay there without moving for several moments.

Medical staff from the Mets dugout rushed onto the field to treat the 31-year-old infielder.

Trainers stabilized Young's neck and evaluated him on the field before placing him on a stretcher.

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Young offered a positive sign to the Citi Field crowd as he was driven off the field, raising his thumb to give a thumbs-up as fans responded with a supportive ovation.

Mark Vientos replaced Young at first base when play resumed.

The Mets have not yet released an official medical update regarding Young's status. The team is expected to provide further details following complete hospital evaluations and concussion testing.

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Ms Rachel urges 'every wealthy White celebrity' to match Macklemore's donation to Palestinian causes

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 21:00:15 -0400

Children's YouTube star Ms. Rachel announced Thursday that she plans to match singer Macklemore's $1 million donation to Palestinian causes and urged "every wealthy White celebrity" to do the same.

In an Instagram post Wednesday, Macklemore shared his plans to donate his earnings from the Loop Tour with Ed Sheeran to six organizations, including the Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF), HEAL Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, UNRWA USA National Committee and American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA).

The 43-year-old rapper was dropped from Sheeran's tour Monday after he repeatedly called for a "Free Palestine" and performed his anti-Israel song "Hind’s Hall" during his opening performance at MetLife Stadium earlier this month.

MS RACHEL SAYS BACKLASH OVER HER GAZA POSTS 'DOESN'T FAZE' HER AS SHE CALLS OUT CELEBRITY SILENCE

In response, Ms. Rachel, whose real name is Rachel Griffin Accurso, wrote on Instagram that she plans to match Macklemore's donation and called specifically on White celebrities to do the same.

"I will match Macklemore's donation and I invite every wealthy White celebrity to match it and speak out against the genocide in Gaza," Accurso wrote, adding that she will be donating to the PCRF.

"Over 20,000 precious Palestinian children have been killed and children continue to be killed every day. We have a moral obligation to use our privilege and platforms to protect children and human rights."

Fox News Digital reached out to Accurso for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Macklemore has challenged New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft to match his donation after Kraft refused to host the rapper at Gillette Stadium because of his activism. Kraft responded that he had already committed $2 million to Palestinian aid in the region, referencing his longtime humanitarian work in the Middle East.

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Accurso was also one of several prominent progressives who called out Sheeran after Macklemore's removal as the opening act for Sheeran's tour, suggesting silence to the cause was "racist."

"If more than 20,000 White children were killed in another part of the world, everyone would be shouting about it at their concerts," Accurso said. "Treating some children’s lives as less worthy of outrage is racist. Silence during a genocide is not neutral."

Accurso has been criticized by pro-Israel organizations and groups that say her posts have shared anti-Israel propaganda by repeatedly accusing the Jewish nation of committing "genocide."

BILL MAHER RIPS MACKLEMORE'S GAZA STANCE, SAYS CELEBRITY 'MORAL CONFUSION' IS FUELING ANTISEMITISM

Rabbi Yaakov Menken, the executive vice president of the Coalition for Jewish Values, previously said in a statement to Fox News Digital, "She claims to care about 35.5 million children suffering from acute malnutrition across Africa, the Middle East and Asia but spends an inordinate amount of time speaking about 0.031 million children in Gaza. When 0.09% of starving children receive 90% of her attention, something is wrong.

"She had nothing to say about Israeli children being held hostage until seven months later, when the backlash became too loud to ignore," he added. "It is clear that her problem is not a deep concern for children, but that she is using her purported deep concern to mask something much darker."

Patriots' TreVeyon Henderson explains siding with family over DCF in custody dispute involving gender identity

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 20:42:23 -0400

New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson stood his ground Thursday when questioned about a social media post defending a Massachusetts family that claims the state took custody of their teenage daughter after the parents refused to affirm her gender transition.

The parents, Joseph and Arlene Kutzko, have been fighting DCF to regain custody of their daughter since charges were filed against them in January 2025, around the time they claim they refused to consent to medical procedures intended to transition her to a male.

In the post, Henderson, a devout Christian, shared a video clip from Fox News, and quoted Scripture. He said, "These parents who want to honor our Lord and lead their daughter into the truth, and away from what she can’t see that will destroy her just as God has entrusted the parents to do. May justice be served."

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Henderson, who is a Christian, stood on Biblical principles on an 80-20 issue. His post so far is resonating. It had 3.5 million views as of Thursday evening.

But when he met with reporters in Foxboro on Thursday, they seemingly asked as many questions about that issue as his status for Sunday's home opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"Yeah, I think the biggest thing, what I saw on my end is I saw the, the state take away someone's child because they didn't want to affirm the daughter as a boy," Henderson said in explaining his reasoning for the post. "And I heard that the school, without the parents' permission, tried to transition a child or do some sort of thing to transition her into a boy.

"And I don't believe that's right. I believe the family, being a Catholic family and having certain morals that they go by and live by, they have the God-given right to raise up their kid, to know the Lord, to honor the Lord.

"...I think what they were doing, trying to raise up their kid the right way from, from what I've read and heard, I think that the family did right by not affirming their daughter as a boy, but choosing to affirm her the way that God created her to be as a girl."

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Reporters pressed Henderson on local reports that the child's father is alleged to have pulled his daughter's hair and even threatened to kill her. The allegations led to no criminal findings and, indeed, all charges are scheduled to be dropped if the father stays away from the girl.

And, again, Henderson held firm.

"It doesn't mean that he was guilty of those charges," Henderson said. "It's just accusations. Just as the same way people make accusations against me, it doesn't mean that those accusations are true. It's just accusations at the end of the day.

"I think you're innocent until you're proven guilty. So if he was guilty, then that's on me, because I didn't know all of that. But if he's not guilty, if these are just accusations that they're making about the father, then I don't think that's right to run away with that and say, the father did this, so we have to take his daughter away.

"I still don't think that's right."

The Boston Herald has reported that Kutzkos’ attorney, Vernadette Broyles, said a restraining order stands against the parents after an unidentified adult assisted the child in obtaining the order against them after being in state custody for nearly a year.

Those details aren't moving Henderson, who believes his advocacy is coming from God.

"I think my perspective of this world has changed," he said. "I just try to look at this world through a Biblical lens now, and, yeah, I feel the calling on my life. I'm not here to just play football. I think I have it in my bio that football is what I do, but a child of God is who I am.

"And so, first and foremost, I'm going to honor God above all else. I know it comes with a cause. But like the Bible says, like, what do I gain if I hold on to my life, but at the end of the day, I lose it? But if I lose my life for His name's sake, then I gain true life, and that's what I gained."

So football is becoming secondary to God for Henderson.

"With this game or without this game, with money or without money, as long as I have Jesus, I got everything that I need," he said. "And so my heart is fulfilled. And I'll continue to honor the Lord and live for him, no matter what it costs me, because I know at the end of the day, it'll all be worth it."

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University event with Hasan Piker in Texas draws backlash from both sides of the aisle

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 20:41:51 -0400

The University Democrats, a student group at the University of Texas at Austin, unintentionally brought together political heavyweights from both sides of the aisle after announcing earlier this month an event featuring controversial Twitch streamer Hasan Piker.

Piker, who hosts hours-long streams on a daily basis, is known for his incendiary rhetoric, anti-capitalist views and anti-Israel stance. The streamer has recently become a source of an offline debate over how Democrats engage with voters.

According to University Democrats, Piker is expected to address "a variety of topics, ranging from immigration, to genocide, to the future of the Democratic Party."

The group noted that the event, scheduled for Sept. 30 and limited to UT Austin students, staff and faculty, will include a Q&A session.

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On Monday, University Democrats claimed in an X post that UT Austin was violating its own policies by "failing to accommodate" the event and provide a large venue. Fox News Digital was not able to independently verify the club's claim.

It didn't take long for Texas lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, including Gov. Greg Abbott, Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Henry Cuellar, to voice their disapproval of the event and condemn Piker.

"Hasan Piker’s scheduled appearance at the University of Texas is deeply concerning," Cuellar wrote on X. "Free speech allows difficult and controversial views, but it does not require anyone to stay silent when someone has a history of hateful comments about Jewish Americans, 9/11, and Hamas terrorism.

"Jewish students at UT should not be made to feel targeted or unsafe on their own campus."

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In a statement provided to Fox News Digital, Cruz said Piker's appearance at an event hosted by University Democrats was a statement about the status of the Democratic Party.

"Hasan Piker is an America-hating Marxist who has said that America deserved 9/11 and celebrates political violence against Republicans," Cruz's statement said. "Americans are entitled to free speech, but it is incumbent upon good people to condemn Piker's incitement. Instead, some Democrats are bringing him to college campuses, while almost all other Democrats are conspicuously silent or worse. It says everything about the state of their party."

Andrew Mahaleris, press secretary for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, also chimed in, telling Jewish News Syndicate (JNS), "Terrorist sympathizers have no place in Texas."

"Hasan Piker said America deserved 9/11 and praised the brutal terrorist organization Hamas. University Democrats at UT Austin are choosing to amplify that disgusting rhetoric," Mahaleris told JNS.

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While lawmakers focused their criticism on Piker's past rhetoric, the streamer pushed back, saying the pressure campaign to cancel the event presented a constitutional issue.

"Ted cruz, greg abbott ken paxton and now, henry cuellar have demanded that i have my speech at UT austin get cancelled. it's a public university. this is a direct violation of the 1st amendment. free speech must be protected. dems should push back against this attack!," Piker wrote on X.

The controversy over the event reflects growing tension over Piker's increasing prominence on the political stage. While some argue that he brings in younger voters, critics say his rhetoric goes too far.

Fox News Digital reached out to University Democrats, UT Austin and Piker for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

ICE deports ex-Liberian fighter accused of torture, recruiting child soldiers

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 20:28:15 -0400

EXCLUSIVE — A former Liberian combatant believed to have ordered and participated in killings, torture and the recruitment of child soldiers was deported after spending nearly two decades in the United States.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed Amos Sheik Massaquoi, 55, to Liberia on Aug. 11, officials told Fox News Digital. He is believed to have served as chief bodyguard to Maj. Gen. Daniel Chea, a former leader in Charles Taylor's National Patriotic Front of Liberia.

ICE said Massaquoi is believed to have ordered and participated in extrajudicial killings, acts of torture, arbitrary arrests and detentions, forced labor and the recruitment of child soldiers during the Liberia's civil wars, from 1989 to 2003.

"If you are a confirmed human rights violator, and you believe you can hide in the United States, you are mistaken," ICE Chicago Field Office Director Frank Padula said.

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"ICE will pursue, arrest and remove any individuals who committed atrocities abroad and ensure our communities are not used as a sanctuary from accountability."

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Massaquoi legally entered the U.S. in August 2006 but was only authorized to remain until Nov. 6 of that year, according to ICE.

He remained in the country until Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) arrested him in Maryland in August 2019 for being illegally present in the U.S. An immigration judge granted him bond less than two months later, and he was released.

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Massaquoi was taken back into custody by ICE Baltimore April 1, 2025, after officials said he failed to comply with the terms of his release. An immigration judge ordered him removed the following month.

ICE said Massaquoi also received specialized military training at an academy in China in 2004, one year after Liberia's second civil war ended.

Liberia's civil wars killed almost 250,000 people, most of them civilians, according to the United Nations.

Taylor, who led the rebel movement before becoming Liberia's president, was later convicted of aiding and abetting crimes committed by rebel forces in neighboring Sierra Leone. He was sentenced to 50 years in prison, according to the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone.

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"Amos Sheik Massaquoi is believed to have engaged in cruelty and terror, marked by killings, torture, forced labor, unlawful imprisonment and the recruitment of children into armed conflict," HSI Maryland Special Agent in Charge Akil Baldwin said.

"If it is confirmed that an individual has engaged in such bloodshed anywhere in the world, then you have no place in the United States."

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The investigation was supported by ICE's Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center, which tracks people suspected of atrocities abroad who try to enter or remain in the U.S.

Since 2003, ICE has arrested more than 520 people for human rights-related violations and removed 1,178 known or suspected human rights violators, according to the agency. The center has also stopped more than 415 suspected human rights violators and war crimes suspects from entering the country.

Anyone with information about a suspected human rights violator in the U.S. can contact the ICE tip line at 866-DHS-2-ICE or submit a tip online.

Hasan Piker insists Middle East would be 'more stable' if Iran had nuclear weapons during Axios interview

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 20:22:12 -0400

Progressive commentator Hasan Piker is not opposed to Iran having nuclear weapons, according to comments he made in an interview with Axios.

"Do you think Iran should be free to build a nuclear weapon?" Axios correspondent Alex Thompson asked in a clip that aired Thursday on CNN.

"I think Iran, much like any other sovereign nation, has a right to defend itself, regardless of its domestic policies," Piker responded.

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The popular Twitch streamer went on to cite political scientist John Mearsheimer in the belief that "mutually assured destruction is the only way for countries to have sovereignty," something he said would bring regional stability.

"Now having said that, do I want Iran to have nuclear arms? No. But I also don't want America, or Russia, or China to have a nuclear arms either," Piker said.

"Do you think the Middle East would be more stable if Iran had a nuclear weapon?" Thompson followed.

"I believe yes. I think that the Middle East would be more stable," Piker responded.

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The far-left personality went on to stress that he's not "advocating" for a nuclear-armed Iran or that it should have weapons-grade enriched uranium, but he insisted that the nuclear conversation is a "distraction."

"Time and time again, they have shown, the Iranian government, regardless of whether you want to trust them or not, you can just look at their actions, have proven that they are utilizing the conversation of enriched uranium as a point of leverage to bring America back to the table to get sanctions relief," Piker said.

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Piker began generating headlines earlier in the day when he claimed the U.S. is responsible for more terrorism than al Qaeda "pound for pound."

Democratic Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, who campaigned alongside Piker during the primary, has repeatedly been asked about Piker's commentary and has attempted to distance himself from his latest comments.

"I do not agree with this statement [on al Qaeda], nor do I give much weight to the statements made by a social media streamer," El-Sayed said. "I am more concerned with the dangerous policies of Donald Trump and Mike Rogers that are raising the prices of gas, groceries and healthcare for Michiganders."

Alexandra Daddario stuns in gingham bikini months after split from husband Andrew Form

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 20:04:32 -0400

Alexandra Daddario is soaking up some time away after a year of major changes.

The 40-year-old actress shared a series of vacation photos on Instagram Wednesday, including two shots of her relaxing outdoors in a blue and white gingham bikini.

Daddario opened the Instagram carousel reclining on a cushioned lounge chair while looking directly at the camera. She wore the checkered two-piece with her long brunette hair loose and swept across one side of her face.

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The "White Lotus" star appeared to keep the look natural and accessorized simply with a silver ring as she leaned on one arm for the close-up shot.

"Vacation details," Daddario captioned the post.

A second photo captured Daddario from a different angle as she stretched out on the same chair. She rested her head against one arm while peeking toward the camera, offering another look at the pale blue gingham swimsuit.

Fans quickly took notice of the vacation photos.

"If she broke my heart i would apologize…," one person joked.

"We missed the Daddarios," another commented.

"Your not allowed to look so good effortlessly @alexandradaddario," another fan added.

Daddario traded her swimsuit for a more dressed-up look elsewhere in the carousel.

In a mirror selfie, the "Baywatch" actress posed barefoot in a cream-colored matching set covered in a bold floral and bird print. The look featured a sleeveless fitted top and floor-length skirt, with a cutout along one side of her waist.

Daddario held her phone in one hand and stretched her opposite arm above her head against the wall as she captured the full look.

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The vacation glimpse comes seven months after Daddario and film producer Andrew Form announced the end of their marriage.

A representative for Daddario confirmed the split to People in February after more than three years of marriage.

"Alexandra Daddario and Andrew Form have made the decision to end their marriage," her representative told the outlet.

"The decision was made with love and respect," the statement continued. "They will continue to co-parent their child together and appreciate privacy as they navigate this transition."

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Daddario and Form married in New Orleans in June 2022 after making their relationship Instagram official the previous year.

The former couple welcomed their first child together, a son, in October 2024. Form also shares two sons with his ex-wife, actress Jordana Brewster.

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Daddario had previously opened up about her journey to motherhood, revealing in a 2024 interview with Vogue that she experienced a pregnancy loss before welcoming her son.

"It's long and complicated, so I don't want to be too specific," she told the outlet at the time. "Those kinds of losses and trauma are very hard to explain unless you've been through them.

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"I really relate to all the women who have been through those kinds of things in a way that I didn't understand fully before. It's very, very painful."

The actress has remained busy professionally amid the changes in her personal life.

Earlier this month, Daddario stepped out during New York Fashion Week for Montblanc's 100 Years of Leather celebration at the Crane Club in Manhattan.

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Speaking at the event, Daddario reflected on how her outlook has evolved as she's gotten older.

"When I was younger, I never wanted to use them," she told WWD while discussing the luxury items she once saved for special occasions. "I didn't want to use the best skin care product. I didn't want to use my fancy bag.

"And now that I get older, I'm like, 'I'm alive. Things are meant to be used. You use them until they wear out, and that's what's good about them.'"

Colin Kaepernick accuses NFL of 'colluding' against Macklemore amid 'Free Palestine' controversy

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 20:00:01 -0400

Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick accused New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and other NFL owners of "openly colluding" to force Macklemore off Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour following the rapper’s pro-Palestinian remarks.

Kaepernick drew a direct comparison between Macklemore’s removal and his own allegation that NFL owners conspired to keep him out of the league after he began protesting during the national anthem in 2016.

"What Robert Kraft and what they’re saying by denying Macklemore the opportunity to go out and perform with Ed Sheeran is that they are willing to collude," Kaepernick told Ben Meiselas during a MeidasTouch interview. "They are openly colluding."

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Macklemore had been scheduled to open for Sheeran at Gillette Stadium, which is owned by Kraft’s company, as part of the singer’s "Loop Tour." However, Macklemore said Sheeran informed him that Kraft objected to his appearance and contacted other NFL stadium owners after the rapper used his performances at MetLife Stadium to say "Free Palestine," criticize Immigration and Customs Enforcement and perform his Gaza protest song "Hind’s Hall."

Kraft confirmed that Macklemore would not be allowed to perform at Gillette Stadium but disputed the suggestion that the decision was intended to silence advocacy for Palestinians. He instead cited what he characterized as Macklemore’s history of anti-Semitic rhetoric and imagery.

Tour promoter Messina Touring Group subsequently removed Macklemore from the remaining dates, saying multiple venues had indicated they would not host the concerts with him on the bill. Sheeran said the decision belonged to the promoter and maintained that he had attempted to facilitate a conversation between Macklemore and Kraft.

Kaepernick argued that the episode demonstrated the willingness of powerful owners to coordinate when they believe their interests are threatened.

KAEPERNICK TELLS 'THE VIEW' THAT NFL OWNERS KEPT HIM OUT OVER POLITICS AND POWER, CLAIMS THEY DONATE TO TRUMP

"They also want people to know that if you take an action that they don’t agree with, they will come for you," Kaepernick said. "They will organize against you, which means that we collectively have to organize to be able to protect our interests as well."

"When we filed the grievance, it was like, 'well, the owners wouldn’t do that. Everybody just wants to win within the NFL,'" he added elsewhere in the interview. "And the realization is, 'no. They want to protect their interests. They want to protect their power. They want to protect their money.'"

Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers in March 2017 and has not appeared in an NFL game since the end of the 2016 season. He filed a grievance later in 2017 accusing NFL owners of colluding to prevent teams from signing him in response to his protests against police brutality and racial injustice.

The league denied that its teams conspired against Kaepernick. The two sides reached a confidential settlement in 2019 without a ruling on the merits of his claim.

Kaepernick also used the MeidasTouch interview to revisit the NFL’s response to the player-led protest movement. He referenced a 2017 meeting at which Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula reportedly said the league needed a prominent Black spokesperson to help resolve the controversy surrounding the demonstrations.

Kaepernick claimed the NFL initially attempted to work through the Players Coalition before approaching him about leading its social-justice initiatives. He said he rejected the proposal and accused rapper Jay-Z of eventually stepping "into that role" through his partnership with the league.

Kaepernick characterized Jay-Z as the "Black face" NFL owners sought to help "subvert the protests," arguing that the partnership redirected attention away from police killings, incarceration and resources for Black communities.

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The NFL and Roc Nation announced their partnership in 2019, giving Jay-Z’s company a role in the league’s live-entertainment strategy and social-justice initiative. At the time, Jay-Z said the country had moved beyond kneeling and should focus on actionable change.

Macklemore, meanwhile, pledged to donate the $1 million he said he earned from Sheeran’s tour to six organizations supporting Palestinians and publicly invited Kraft to match the contribution. Kraft later said Sheeran had already privately asked him to contribute $2 million toward humanitarian relief.

The remaining supporting acts on Sheeran’s tour, including Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga, withdrew amid the controversy.

Kaepernick said the fallout strengthened the parallel he sees between Macklemore’s experience and his departure from the NFL.

"They want to protect their interests," Kaepernick said. "They want to protect their power. They want to protect their money."

Finnish foreign ministry official details how Russia's 'hybrid warfare' reshaped border security

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 19:41:44 -0400

Russian tactics designed to disrupt European nations forced neighboring Finland to fundamentally rethink its border security, culminating in the recent completion of a new border fence along its eastern frontier.

Finland constructed roughly 124 miles of fencing along its border with Russia, a secondary security measure intended to stem the flow of unauthorized Russian migrants, Petri Hakkarainen, political director for the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, told Fox News Digital.

"We have in the past witnessed Russia's attempts … to instrumentalize migrants at the Finnish border," Hakkarainen said. "Basically pushing migrants towards our borders, forcing us then to take them on."

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A sudden influx forces the Finnish government to process large volumes of asylum claims, which could destabilize society if carried out on a massive scale, he explained.

In response, Finland closed its entire land border with Russia in 2023. Moscow swiftly filed a formal complaint, condemning the closure as "Russophobic."

The Kremlin expressed "deep regret" over the move, claiming it replaced decades of "pragmatic, mutually respectful relations" with an anti-Russian political stance.

Finland shares an 833-mile border with Russia, the longest of any European Union or NATO member state. The completed border fence supplements the border closures.

As Russia remains locked in a war of attrition in Ukraine, Western officials have accused Moscow of launching widespread destabilization campaigns, ranging from disinformation to state-sponsored economic coercion intended to erode public trust across Europe.

FINLAND’S FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS UKRAINE ‘IS NOW HOLDING THE CARDS’ AS RUSSIA SIGNALS TALKS

"We think it's important to listen to those of us who live next door to Russia," Hakkarainen said. "Listen to our analysis of the situation: We consider Russia to be a long-term threat to transatlantic security — not only to Ukraine, not only to Europeans, but to transatlantic security as a whole."

Finland launched the border fence initiative after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a landmark conflict that prompted the historically neutral Nordic nation to join NATO in April 2023.

Moscow has long viewed NATO’s eastward expansion as a direct security threat, using it to justify reinforcing its Western defenses.

When Finland officially joined the alliance, Helsinki saw an immediate reaction. Over 1,300 migrants without visas arrived at its eastern border.

FINLAND'S PARLIAMENT VOTES TO LIFT DECADES-OLD BAN ON NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN HISTORIC NATO DEFENSE SHIFT

Finland accused Moscow of weaponizing migration as an act of "hybrid warfare," a charge the Kremlin denied.

Closing the border checkpoints has proven "very effective," Hakkarainen noted. Beyond physical barriers, Finnish lawmakers passed the Border Security Act.

The temporary law allows border authorities to restrict asylum applications and turn back migrants if a foreign actor attempts to destabilize the country by funneling people across the border.

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While the law sparked some initial debate over potential human rights and international law violations, Hakkarainen emphasized that national defense took priority.

"We take these concerns very seriously," he said. "But national security and our own sovereignty ... weighed more heavily in this conversation, though there is broad majority support for the act.

ITALY-SPAIN BORDER FEUD EXPOSES EUROPE’S DEEPENING IMMIGRATION DIVIDE

"We take our security and preparedness very seriously.

"I would say not despite that, but because of that, we are able to lead very normal lives here — regardless of the neighbor we have."

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger quietly rolls back Youngkin's plans to protect girls' sports

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 19:40:30 -0400

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger's administration quietly rolled back proposed protections for girls' sports in the state, without announcing it to the public.

Spanberger’s administration withdrew a proposed regulation that would have prevented biological males from competing on female-only athletic teams and entering certain female-designated spaces, including locker rooms and bathrooms.

The withdrawal occurred July 30, 2026, but received little public attention until September. The administration did not issue a news release or publicly announce the decision.

THE STATES THAT STILL ALLOW TRANS ATHLETES IN WOMEN'S SPORTS FACE QUESTIONS AFTER SUPREME COURT RULING

The change appeared instead on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall website, which lists the proposed regulations as having been "withdrawn on 07/30/2026 after the comment period had ended."

OutKick has reached out to Spanberger's office for an explanation, but has not received a response.

The proposal had not yet become a finalized regulation. Its withdrawal ended the rulemaking process initiated under former Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

The effort began with a petition filed in April 2025 by female athletes Réka György, Lily Mullens and Carter Satterfield. The petition asked the Virginia State Board of Health to adopt regulations barring biological males from female-only athletic teams and competitions, as well as female spaces in which women and girls could be undressed.

The Virginia High School League changed its eligibility policy in February 2025 to restrict participation in girls’ sports to students whose biological sex is female. The organization oversees most public high school athletic competitions in Virginia.

Virginia’s Department of Education also issued model policies under Youngkin in 2023 directing public schools to generally separate athletic teams and intimate facilities on the basis of biological sex. Those policies state that school divisions should provide reasonable accommodations to students while preserving the availability of sex-separated bathrooms, locker rooms and other facilities.

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Implementation of the state’s model policies has varied among local school divisions, contributing to a prolonged dispute over transgender policies in Virginia schools. The issue has been especially contentious in Northern Virginia, where disagreements over bathrooms, locker rooms, pronouns and parental notification have prompted clashes between state officials and local school boards.

The withdrawn Board of Health action would have established a separate regulatory framework reaching organized female sports and sex-separated spaces across Virginia. With the July 30 withdrawal, there are no remaining actions listed under the proposed regulatory chapter. The athletes argued that the participation of biological males in women’s sports and their access to female-designated facilities created physical and psychological harms for women and girls.

In August 2025, the Board of Health unanimously approved the petition by a 14-0 vote and authorized the state to begin developing the regulations.

According to the state’s regulatory website, the proposed rules were intended to "prevent biological males from participating in organized female-only athletic teams and competitions in Virginia" and from entering designated female spaces where women and girls were likely to be in a state of undress.

Trump's EPA reforms are a huge boost to manufacturers, but there's more red tape to cut: expert

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 19:38:27 -0400

trump

The Trump administration's move to eliminate a swath of Biden-era power plant emissions standards will be a game changer for the U.S. economy, National Association of Manufacturers CEO Jay Timmons told Fox News Digital.

Timmons hailed EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin for the move announced this week but noted that even more red tape remains to be cut.

"It really sent a signal to manufacturers that the administration was listening to our concerns," Timmons said of the cuts to power plant emissions standards.

TRUMP'S EPA CHIEF PUSHES BACK ON CLIMATE SKEPTICS BEING LABELED 'SCIENCE DENIERS'

He said NAM and other groups had objected to former President Joe Biden's 2024 standards "very, very clearly" at the time, saying the standards were "simply unworkable."

"The timeline that they had proposed was just, it wasn't feasible. Not that the aspirations for, you know, for cleaner air and a healthier environment aren't good aspirations," Timmons said.

"I think we all share that. I know the current EPA and Administrator Zeldin certainly share those objectives, but how you get there really matters and whether manufacturers are able to meet the challenge.

Timmons noted that the Biden administration had heard its concerns but simply disagreed.

TRUMP-APPROVED ENERGY PROJECTS AT RISK OF SUDDEN DEATH BY NEXT HOSTILE PRESIDENT

The emissions regulations cut this week were removed by executive fiat, but Timmons says more lasting change must come through Congress as manufacturers hope to avoid regulatory whiplash between administrations.

"Uncertainty is the absolute worst enemy for manufacturers because manufacturers are on a very long-term horizon when it comes to planning and strategy, product development, research development. So, when administrations change, there has often been kind of that pendulum swing," Timmons said.

SEN KEVIN CRAMER: CHINA BUILDS FOR WAR WHILE AMERICA WAITS ON PERMITS

One area he said could use further reform is permitting. NAM polling found that 80% of manufacturers say the length and complexity of the permitting process is harmful to increasing investment.

As many as 87% of manufacturers told NAM they would expand business operations, hire more workers or increase wages and benefits if the permitting process was more streamlined.

SENATE MOVES TO UNSHACKLE AMERICA'S DRIVERS FROM CALIFORNIA'S 'CLIMATE ZEALOTS'

Timmons said it is critical for Congress to hear directly from manufacturers when drafting legislation, however.

"There needs to be more opportunities for business to be at the table. To really explain what the art of the possible is. No one is saying that we should not be working hard to achieve cleaner air, cleaner water, healthier communities. In fact, we're saying exactly that. We should be part of the solution to make that happen," he said.

Mike Huckabee calls out Macklemore on antisemitism: 'Voice' of 'Jew hatred'

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 19:28:01 -0400

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee called out Macklemore for antisemitism on Thursday, saying he supports NFL owners pushing to cancel Macklemore's performances.

Huckabee made the statement in an interview with Fox News Digital, saying his time living in Israel has shown him the vast majority of criticisms against Israel are misguided and unfounded.

"It's really unfortunate that Malcklemore has decided that he's going to become the voice, if you will, of Jew hatred, and I don't understand why it's entertainers like him think that it is entertaining to go and take a pro-Hamas position, a position that supports people that viciously raped, beheaded babies, burned elderly people in their wheelchairs and did unthinkable and unspeakable things to innocent civilians as Hamas came across the border from Gaza and butchered, massacred 1,200 people, and then took 251 people hostage, including many Americans," Huckabee said.

ROBERT KRAFT, GILLETTE STADIUM BOOT MACKLEMORE FROM ED SHEERAN TOUR OVER ‘FREE PALESTINE’ RANT

"The fact that there's a pushback against that, why not? I think most of us would say that, you know, you have free speech, but that doesn't mean that you can say anything you want anytime you want, anywhere you want without consequences. The people that own these stadiums, the people that have promoted the concerts, weren't promoting a pro-Hamas rally," he added.

Huckabee went on to address reports of rising antisemitism in Canada and calls for President Donald Trump's administration to take on the issue.

FROM AUSCHWITZ, HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR ISSUES URGENT WARNING OVER RISING ANTISEMITISM IN CANADA

Huckabee referenced a letter sent to Trump by the National Association of Christian Lawmakers earlier this month calling on the administration to allow Jewish Canadians to more easily obtain visas to enter the U.S.

"I think we've all seen and, frankly, been quite alarmed at some of the extraordinary Jew hatred that is taking place in Canada, and many Canadian Jewish people are really concerned and afraid for their lives," Huckabee said.

"And they fear that they might be the subject of some violent attack or a terror attack. The rhetoric in the country has gotten very, very harsh, and President Trump, as you may remember, took the letter from the NACL, and he published it and said that he would certainly look into it."

BILL MAHER RIPS MACKLEMORE'S GAZA STANCE, SAYS CELEBRITY 'MORAL CONFUSION' IS FUELING ANTISEMITISM

The ambassador also addressed the latest developments in the conflict with Iran, namely the Iran-backed Houthi offensive against Saudi-backed government forces in Yemen.

Asked whether Israel may be interested in assisting Saudi forces in the conflict, Huckabee said Israel has made it clear it wants to improve relations with all of its close neighbors in the Middle East.

"Would Israel be willing to bring some assistance? I think they would. Whether they have been asked? That's something to ask the Saudis or to ask the Israelis. Wouldn't be for me to say what has been done or what has been requested. But there is a growing sense that Israel isn't the problem over here. Israel isn't trying to take anybody else's land," he said.

Fox News' Eric Mack contributed to this report.

Nebraska Senate candidate seems to confirm audio claiming Trump supporters' lives 'suck so f---ing bad'

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 19:27:14 -0400

Independent Nebraska U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn appeared to confirm leaked audio on Wednesday in which he suggested people who supported President Donald Trump have lives that "suck so f---ing bad."

In audio obtained by The Omaha World-Herald, Osborn seemed to be heard demeaning Trump supporters in Nebraska, claiming they only support the president because he's "on the winning team."

"Billy Bob in f---ing Red Cloud, Nebraska, who lives next door to the f---ing Trump store as you pull into town and is waving the Trump flag … all he knows is he’s like on the winning team," the speaker who appeared to be Osborn said.

"He’s been so effective at taking Billy Bob and his wife Mary Jane or Mary Jo and telling them, ‘Look, we’re winning. You’re on the winning team.’ And that’s all they care about because their lives probably suck so f---ing bad."

FOUR MONTHS TO MIDTERMS: 12 RACES THAT WILL DETERMINE THE SENATE MAJORITY

When asked about the audio on CNN's "Inside Politics with Dana Bash," Osborn said, "It sure sounds like me," but added that it sounded "out of character" for him.

"I talked to a tremendous amount of people and, again, I don’t remember the context of this one particular conversation, but it certainly does sound out of character for myself," Osborn said.

"I’ve always lived by the golden rule — treat others like you want to be treated — and if somebody was offended by this, certainly I would apologize to those people that might be offended, but I got to tell them I feel their pain. I absolutely feel the pain. We’re all angry right now, and sometimes when you’re angry you say some things."

During the interview, Osborn emphasized that the audio was not what he truly thought of Trump voters and instead a discussion on the "disenfranchised" voters.

FOX NEWS POLL: 'RESILIENT DISCONTENT' DEFINES THE US MOOD AT 250TH ANNIVERSARY

"I talked to a lot of Trump voters and … I’m talking about people are pissed off, people are disenfranchised, especially, and that’s what Trump captured in Nebraska. He captured people who are angry about the political system, and Trump ran outside of that as an outsider," he said.

"That’s what people like about Trump. It’s why I’m running again as an independent running outside the political system because I’m tired of the two-party doom loop."

Fox News Digital reached out to Osborn's campaign for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Osborn's opponent, incumbent Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., told Fox News Digital, "I've been to Red Cloud. I've been to every corner of Nebraska. The people Dan Osborn is mocking are the hardest-working people in America. They don't need a candidate who looks down on them. They need a senator who fights for them. That's what I do every day."

JASMINE CROCKETT DISPARAGES MAGA VOTERS, TRUMP AS 'MOST UNPATRIOTIC PEOPLE'

Earlier this month, Fox News Digital obtained audio of Osborn suggesting he would appeal to Republican voters by distancing himself from progressive issues.

"The state is made up of 50% Republicans, 26% Democrat, 24% independents. So my win numbers, mathematically, I have to get probably 10-15% of Republicans to win this race. How am I going to do that by f---ing saying, ‘Oh, I love trans people, and they should be able to play in sports?’" Osborn said. "F--- no, Jane, that’s not how I win. I win by s---ing on the party."

In another clip, he was heard saying, "I have people recording me, so I can’t say I want to abolish ICE. I can’t say those words. I’ll be f---ed."

Though Osborn has insisted he was "independent" of the two parties, Fox News Digital reported in May that Osborn's campaign was predominantly funded by left-wing donors and activist organizations like ActBlue. Osborn has also predominantly supported other Democrats' campaigns.

Human vs. ChatGPT NFL Week 2 betting picks: AI looks to rebound after disastrous 0-5 debut

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 18:59:58 -0400

Well, so much for the robot takeover.

Last week, I kicked off a season-long experiment in which I go head-to-head with ChatGPT on NFL bets. I also openly predicted that artificial intelligence would wipe the floor with me. It's important to be nice to our future overlords and pray that they show mercy.

Apparently, ChatGPT felt sorry for me because it proceeded to go 0-5.

Meanwhile, I finished 3-2 and gained 0.99 units. That’s hardly the kind of week that makes the guys in Vegas suspicious, but it looks spectacular next to ChatGPT’s 5.23-unit loss.

One week is obviously far too small a sample to draw any sweeping conclusions. So, naturally, I’m going to draw one anyway: humanity is safe. At least for now.

NFL WEEK 1 PROPER REACTIONS: RAMS PANIC, BEARS HYPE AND CHARGERS DOUBTS NEED PATIENCE AFTER ONE GAME

The rules remain the same. ChatGPT and I each make our five best bets using the same set of odds, and no selection can be priced worse than -120. Every wager is sized to win one unit, which means a -110 favorite risks 1.10 units to win one, while a +110 underdog risks approximately 0.91 units to win one.

Before we get to the Week 2 picks, let’s review the opening week.

The Packers losing at plus money softened the damage, and hitting both the Bears spread and Raiders-Dolphins under secured a profitable opening week. We were one garbage-time Deshaun Watson touchdown away from cashing a 4-1 week, but that's why they call it gambling.

Honestly, I felt pretty good about the process. The Packers were the far superior team for a large portion of the game before laying an egg and, as mentioned, the over only hit in Browns-Jags because of a 46-yard touchdown in the final two minutes of a blowout.

Five bets. Five losses. Woof.

There weren’t many bad beats hiding in the wreckage, either. Detroit won but failed to cover, while Houston, Los Angeles and Green Bay all lost outright. The Buccaneers and Bengals also sailed past the total.

ChatGPT spent nearly 20 minutes analyzing every eligible spread, total and moneyline before producing its card. Apparently, it needed another 20.

SEASON REPORT CARD

DAN: 3-2, +0.99 units

GPT: 0-5, -5.23 units

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Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET

It's terrifying to back the Browns after that putrid Week 1 performance, I get it. But the lookahead line, which was posted before Week 1 results could influence the market, had the Browns +6, so oddsmakers have baked in how bad the Browns looked and moved them to more than a touchdown underdog. And, let's be honest, the Buccaneers didn't play all that well, either. I think this is too much of an overcorrection and the public is chomping at the bit to bet against the Browns. We're going to fade the public here and take the points.

This is a pure number play, and the move from Cleveland +6 to +8 is meaningful. Still, the Browns’ offensive-line concerns and Deshaun Watson’s turnover risk give Tampa Bay several paths to create separation, so I would lean toward taking the points but stop short of betting it.

Green Bay Packers at New York Jets, 1 p.m. ET

Week 2 is a great time to fade Week 1 perceptions, and this game is a perfect example. Everyone is piling on the Packers after they blew a double-digit second-half lead to the Carson Wentz-led Minnesota Vikings (rightfully so).

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But the truth is that Green Bay is still a far superior team to New York, which managed to beat lowly Tennessee in Week 1. The lookahead line on this one was Packers -5½, so again, there's been an overcorrection. I just don't see it. I expect Green Bay to compete for an NFC North title and I expect the Jets to be better than last season, but not a team that should hang with an already desperate and hungry Packers team.

I agree with fading the Week 1 overreaction, but crossing the key number of three makes this less appealing. Green Bay has the more talented roster, but Geno Smith has repeatedly succeeded against Jonathan Gannon-coached defenses, so I would have needed Packers -3 to make the bet.

Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. ET

With Tua Tagovailoa still not practicing and uncertainty surrounding Atlanta's Week 2 starter, that's not good news for points. The Falcons only scored 13 in Week 1, but this total is 44 because the Panthers surrendered 59 points to the Bears. Obviously, I don't see a repeat coming. I think with the Panthers installed as favorites, they want to control the pace here and that means a heavy dose of Chuba Hubbard, A.J. Dillon and Jonathon Brooks.

Plus, Atlanta is going to lean on Bijan Robinson a lot to compensate for the quarterback issues and the spread isn't large enough to think this will be a blowout. I see this as a low-scoring game with limited possessions, especially in a divisional matchup.

This is my favorite pick on Dan’s card. Atlanta’s quarterback uncertainty should produce a conservative, run-heavy game plan, while Carolina has every reason to slow the game down after surrendering 59 points in Week 1. The Panthers’ defense creates some risk, but 44 is high enough to make the under playable.

Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m. ET

We won money last week taking the Commanders as underdogs against an NFC East rival and I see no reason not to go back to the well here. Yes, public sentiment turned a bit on Dallas after the no-show performance against the Giants, but I still think people are in on the Cowboys and out on the Commanders. Washington looked far more impressive than Dallas last week and showed a lot on the road against Philadelphia. One might think home-field advantage helps the Cowboys, and it does, but they might be a little tight in front of a home crowd desperate for a win. Also, the Commanders are built like a turf team, so I think that mitigates the advantage, as well.

Washington was competitive against a much stronger opponent in Week 1, while Dallas was thoroughly outplayed at home by the Giants. Getting more than a field goal is valuable, although the Commanders’ growing injury list, particularly in the defensive front seven, keeps this from being one of my five best bets.

Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m. ET

It might seem like I'm relying too heavily on lookahead line changes and that's because ... I am. I believe that there is no bigger overreaction week in all sports than the one that follows Week 1 in the NFL. People are already burying the Chargers and this line moved from nearly double-digits (Chargers -9½) to under the key number of 7.

This feels like an overreaction to Week 1, where the Chargers turned in the worst performance of any team, at least relative to preseason expectations. I expect both the offense and defense to play a lot better. The Raiders beat up on the weak Dolphins, which covered up that Kirk Cousins threw two picks and just didn't look very good. He's going to have to throw a lot more in this one and that's better news for the Chargers than it is for the Raiders.

The adjustment from Chargers -9½ to -6½ appears excessive after one terrible performance. Las Vegas committed four turnovers despite beating Miami, and Kirk Cousins now faces a defense with far more talent. Getting Los Angeles below the key number of seven makes this my second-favorite pick on Dan’s card.

For full transparency, I decided to upgrade the GPT model this week to see if it would produce better results. After using GPT-5.6 Sol with max reasoning in Week 1, I used GPT-6 Pro, powered by GPT-6 Astra, for Week 2. Then, I fed it the OddsChecker board as it appeared Thursday at 3 p.m. ET and gave it the following prompt:

"Pick your five best bets for Week 2 based on the odds provided. No bet can be priced worse than -120. Review every spread, total and moneyline that falls within those parameters and determine whether it belongs among your five picks. Explain exactly why you’re selecting each of the five bets. Also explain exactly why you’re passing on the eligible bets you don’t select. Use at least 10 different sources for each game so you have a broad understanding of everything surrounding each game."

After nearly 35 minutes of thinking, here’s what it came up with.

Editor’s note: Despite being instructed to review at least 10 sources for each game, ChatGPT incorrectly claimed that Denver played an overtime game in Week 1. The Broncos lost to Kansas City, 31-10, in regulation. GPT also incorrectly identified Pittsburgh’s Marquise Brown as being on injured reserve. New England receiver A.J. Brown is the player on injured reserve. Those are fixed below, but we wanted to be fully transparent.

Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. ET

Minnesota’s Week 1 score concealed an offense that averaged only 3.9 yards per play and produced just five gains of at least 10 yards. With Kyler Murray in concussion protocol and Jordan Mason on injured reserve, the Vikings may struggle to generate explosive plays or maintain efficiency.

GPT’s projected score: Bears 24, Vikings 20

GPT coming after my heart again with another under and I LOVE this bet. The Bears’ historic 59-point Week 1 outburst means the public is likely to pour money into the over, so this is a great spot to zig when the betting public zags.

Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots, 1 p.m. ET

Both offenses averaged approximately 4.1 yards per play in Week 1, and New England enters the game without A.J. Brown, who was placed on injured reserve. New England’s defense should limit explosive plays and force Pittsburgh to sustain long drives.

GPT’s projected score: Patriots 21, Steelers 17

I'm a sucker for under bets, so GPT clearly knows the way to my heart. After a historic Week 1 where it seemed like no defenses showed up, it seems likely that some regression is due for Week 2. Neither of these offenses inspired much confidence in Week 1, so I'm not against this play either.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m. ET

Jacksonville’s offense showed a coherent identity in Week 1, and Trevor Lawrence enters this matchup playing efficient football. Denver has to correct several offensive problems on a short week after an ugly Monday Night Football loss, while Jacksonville receives the full protection of a field goal.

GPT’s projected score: Jaguars 24, Broncos 23

OK, I don't hate this look at all. Jacksonville wasn't really tested in Week 1, but they handled business and blew out the lowly Browns. The Broncos, meanwhile, looked like a mess. I thought Denver was overrated coming into the season, and it's possible Jacksonville is actually the better team.

Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday at 8:20 p.m. ET

Indianapolis allowed over 500 yards in its opening game and is already adjusting its defensive communication system. Kansas City should create sustained scoring opportunities against that defense, and the spread remains below the key number of seven.

GPT’s projected score: Chiefs 30, Colts 20

OK, maybe GPT didn't learn anything, and it's going right back to the well with a team that over-performed in Week 1 (Kansas City) laying a touchdown against a team that underperformed in Week 1 (Indianapolis). That's not a spot I ever want to be in.

New York Giants at Los Angeles Rams, Monday at 8:15 p.m. ET

The Giants’ offense looked functional in Week 1, while the Rams’ pass rush takes a significant hit with Myles Garrett on injured reserve. Getting a full seven points at nearly even money provides value in a matchup that projects to stay within one possession.

GPT’s projected score: Rams 27, Giants 23

It seems like GPT learned its lesson about backing touchdown favorites in Week 1 and decided to flip to the other side. The problem is that the Giants are a bit overrated after demolishing the Cowboys and the Rams are a bit underrated after their terrible performance in Australia against the 49ers. This is a pass for me, but I actually lean LA, especially since Sean McVay had extra time to prepare.

OK, that's it for Week 2! Check back next week to see how we both did. Follow along throughout the season as we try to answer the most important question currently facing the United States of America: Who is better at betting on the NFL, humans or robots?

'South Park' rebrands as 'South America' in Season 29 premiere mocking Trump's renaming push

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 18:46:24 -0400

Comedy Central’s "South Park" returned for its 29th season Wednesday night under a satirical new title, "South America," continuing the show’s recent run of political satire related to President Donald Trump.

The premiere follows two seasons that frequently targeted Trump and his administration, including the Emmy-winning 27th season.

The episode kicked off with an updated theme song referencing "South America" instead of the town’s usual name, "South Park," accompanied by a revised town sign and an animated, unclothed Trump.

Later in the episode, characters wearing red and blue "South America Strong" T-shirts appeared during a country-style song celebrating the fictional rebranding.

SOUTH PARK CREATORS MOCK TRUMP'S LAKE ONTARIO RENAME AND COMPANY COMPLIANCE IN MOCK STATEMENT

The show also committed to the gag on its official website, changing the name and branding across much of the site and YouTube account to "South America."

While the main plot centered on the town’s kids getting hooked on e-bikes, leading to Kenny’s death in an e-bike explosion, the "South America" premise satirizes Trump’s efforts to rename geographic landmarks.

TRUMP FLOATS RENAMING THE ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC OCEANS AFTER REBRANDING HISTORIC LAKE

Trump signed an executive order in August directing the federal government to rename Lake Ontario "Lake America." His administration previously directed the federal government to rename the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America."

Ahead of the premiere, "South Park" co-creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone released a statement mocking Trump’s renaming conventions and Apple and Google’s adoption of the Lake America name.

AFTER 'LAKE AMERICA,' TRUMP SUGGESTS A NEW NAME FOR THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO

"Inspired by the bravery and patriotism of Apple and Google, we are changing the name of South Park to SOUTH AMERICA. We especially want to thank our parent company Paramount – a Skydance Capitulation," the creators said in a statement announcing the change.

The joke comes after "South Park" took home an Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program, celebrating the win with another Trump joke showing a cartoon version of the president with his pants down and the caption, "You finally got your Emmy."

The caption referenced Trump’s previous Emmy nominations for his reality show "The Apprentice."

COLBERT WINS EMMY AFTER SHOW'S CANCELLATION BUT AVOIDS DISCUSSING TRUMP

During the show’s 27th season, the writers increased their focus on Trump, beginning with the season premiere, "Sermon on the Mount," which depicted the president in a relationship with Satan. The episode won the Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program, marking the show’s first win in the category since 2013 and its first since Trump initially took office in 2017.

At the time, the White House responded to the portrayal, telling Fox News Digital, "This show hasn’t been relevant for over 20 years and is hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention," White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said. "President Trump has delivered on more promises in just six months than any other president in our country’s history, and no fourth-rate show can derail President Trump’s hot streak."

Entertainment critic Christian Toto argued that the show historically targeted both sides of the political aisle but shifted its approach in its recent Trump-focused episodes.

COLBERT'S FINAL YEAR MARKED BY ATTACKS ON TRUMP, LIBERAL TALKING POINTS AND CELEBS KISSING HIS RING

"Last season, it abandoned that approach and went hard against all things Trump. Like many modern Trump gags, the jokes were obvious and rarely funny. In doing so, ‘South Park' earned the legacy media's newfound admiration. Suddenly, every new episode got ‘breaking news’ treatment," Toto, host of "The Hollywood in Toto Podcast," told Fox News Digital.

He compared the shift to that of other major comedy shows, including "Saturday Night Live," which he said "gave up on bipartisan yuks and became a one-sided sketch factory with diminishing results."

STEPHEN COLBERT'S 'LATE SHOW' JOKES TARGETED CONSERVATIVES 87% OF TIME IN FINAL YEARS, STUDY SAYS

"The first new ‘South Park’ episode of the season mostly avoided politics. We'll see if that continues. Will be interesting to see if the ensuing Trump jokes are funny or more ‘clapter,’ and if creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone return to hitting both sides of the aisle again. It's not as if they lack material on that end. James Talarico alone is worth a half dozen shows," Toto added, referencing Democratic Texas State Rep. James Talarico.

Fox News Digital's Lindsay Kornick contributed to this report.

NBA star Kyrie Irving jumps into NFL drama, offers to pay player's fine for Gaza-themed eye black

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 18:40:38 -0400

Leave it to Kyrie Irving to find a brand-new way to play white knight in someone else’s political circus.

The Dallas Mavericks star is pulling out his wallet yet again, offering to cover the $11,492 fine handed down to Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair after he wrote "Hind Rajab," a five-year-old Palestinian girl killed in Gaza in 2024, on his eye black during Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills.

When the disciplinary report surfaced on X, Kyrie posted regarding Al-Shaair: "I’ll take care of his fine."

NFL RESTARTS SOCIAL JUSTICE MESSAGING WHILE BATTLING DOMESTIC ABUSE, DRUNK DRIVING AND PROSTITUTION ARRESTS

The NFL penalized Al-Shaair under strict rules banning unauthorized personal messages on game-day gear. And this is not his first offense.

In January 2026, he took an $11,593 hit for writing "Stop the Genocide" on his eye black during a playoff matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. That is on top of his history of cheap shots on the field, including the brutal late hit on a sliding Trevor Lawrence that earned him a three-game suspension.

NFL PUTS 'INSPIRE CHANGE' AND 'CHOOSE LOVE' ON FIELDS BUT NOT SO AGGRESSIVE ABOUT ITS DOMESTIC ABUSE ISSUES

Between his vocal Muslim faith and his endless appetite for a spiritual crusade, Kyrie opening his wallet here surprises nobody.

In late 2022, while with the Brooklyn Nets, he sparked a massive firestorm by sharing a link to "Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America," a movie filled with antisemitic tropes, Holocaust denial and claims attributing the slave trade to Jewish people.

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After refusing to unequivocally disavow antisemitism, the Nets suspended Irving for eight games, declaring him "unfit to be associated" with the franchise. An Instagram apology eventually followed, but Kyrie’s habit of using his fortune to back unauthorized political statements clearly is not going anywhere.

Don't expect any nuance from NFL compliance officers.

That same week, Cardinals backup cornerback Kei’Trel Clark caught a $6,651 penalty simply for putting "Glory Be 2 God" and a peace symbol on his eye black against the Chargers. Clark accepted the penalty on Instagram, writing that he will always "give God the Glory and out loud."

Geopolitical protest or religious speech, the league seemingly treats all unauthorized eye-black messages the same.

Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela

Ohio mom of 16 cradles stomach in court, pleads not guilty in severe abuse case involving own children

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 18:27:52 -0400

An Ohio mother of 16 children rescued from a home where they allegedly lived in horrific conditions cradled her stomach while in court, where she pleaded not guilty to charges against her.

Elizabeth Siders, 34, who faces four counts of child sexual abuse and 19 counts of child endangerment, appeared in court Wednesday, FOX 8 reported.

While in front of a judge, Siders, dressed in an orange jumpsuit, kept shielding her stomach and clutched her belly, The Daily Mail reported.

Fox News Digital has reached out to her attorney, Thomas Stolly, for comment on the charges against his client and whether she is once again pregnant.

OHIO MOM ARRESTED FOR HAVING 16 KIDS IN 'EVIL' LIVING CONDITIONS WANTS TO BE REUNITED WITH CHILDREN: LAWYER

"We have an individual in Elizabeth who was married at age 15, who has essentially been pregnant for the better part of two decades," Stolly told local media. "Who has never fully gone through any postpartum period, who has not been receiving regular medical care that would be appropriate for someone who has had 16, 18 children.

"I have concerns about what effects those have had on her."

HSI AGENT WHO INVESTIGATED CHILD EXPLOITATION CASES INDICTED ON RAPE AND CHILD ABUSE CHARGES

Siders and her husband, Gary Siders Jr., are accused of sexual abuse against a minor in 2022. The alleged victim is not among the 16 children, the news report states.

However, the child was in the care of the couple at the time the alleged abuse occurred. Gary Siders Jr. has also pleaded not guilty to the charges against him but was found incompetent to stand trial last week.

Siders and her husband have been ordered to have no contact.

On Wednesday, a judge deemed Elizabeth Siders a flight risk and raised her bail from $250,000 to $550,000.

FLORIDA AG SEEKS DEATH PENALTY FOR COUPLE WHO ALLEGEDLY HELD 4 CHILDREN IN ‘ROLLING PRISON’ FOR NEARLY 7 YEARS

In July, investigators said they found the children — ranging in age from 17 months to 18 years old — living in deplorable conditions inside a home in Hamden.

They were initially investigating child sexual abuse allegations regarding Siders' extended family members — Brandon Henderson, the longtime partner of Gary Siders Jr.’s sister, and Joshua Saunders, a cousin of the 16 rescued children, the FOX 8 report states.

Unearthed clip exposes what 'DEI Queen' in razor-thin House race thought of 'Back the Blue' law

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 18:25:26 -0400

FIRST ON FOX: Christina Bohannan, an Iowa state legislator and the Democratic nominee in one of the country’s most competitive districts, once opposed an Iowa Back the Blue law passed in the wake of the 2020 George Floyd riots, calling it an "overreaction."

"I think that we’re seeing a backlash and, frankly, an exaggerated backlash, an overreaction to all of that," Bohannan said at a 2021 virtual legislative forum on social justice issues.

"That’s what’s happening. A lot of this is happening because they just don’t have a lot of minorities in their districts. They don’t interact with people on any kind of regular basis, and, so, they don’t see these issues."

To some onlooking critics, her resurfaced comments are further proof of what they’ve characterized as her soft-on-crime stances, positions they believe are at odds with the electorate of the Hawkeye State as she wages her third campaign to unseat Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa.

WATCH: BATTLEGROUND DEMOCRAT CALLED IOWA A 'BACKWATER' OVER TRANSGENDER ATHLETES BAN

"Christina Bohannan achieved the ultra rare final boss level of woke where police are bad, criminals are good and anyone who disagrees is racist," Zach Kraft, a spokesperson for the Republican National Committee, said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

"There is a reason why this DEI queen has been rejected twice by voters. She is straight up nuts, and her soft-on-crime agenda would endanger all Iowans."

Bohannan launched her career in education, teaching at the University of Iowa College of Law, where she remained until 2020, when she won a seat in the Iowa House of Representatives, unseating a 20-year Democratic incumbent.

Bohannan has run for Congress before.

In 2022, she lost to Miller-Meeks in a 53.4% to 46.6% contest. She tried again in 2024 and got closer, losing by a fraction of a percent, 50.0% to 49.8%, and by just 799 votes.

VANCE, CRUZ, HEAD TO IOWA ON 2026 MISSIONS AS 2028 GOP RACE TO SUCCEED TRUMP HEATS UP

In all three races, Republicans have attacked her for her statements as an academic and her voting record as a state legislator, painting her as a soft-on-crime candidate.

In the resurfaced clip, Bohannan was referring to Senate File 342, signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds in 2021. Among other provisions, the bill raised penalties for rioting, making it a class D felony punishable by five years behind bars, and implemented more stringent punishments for unlawful assembly.

The law came amid a wave of anti-police sentiment that swept the country after George Floyd, a Black man from Minneapolis, died after Officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck area during a restraint. The incident sparked widespread debate about law enforcement safety and profiling. Where states like Minnesota and Washington passed restrictions on police and other law enforcement officers, Iowa lawmakers rallied to their support.

Iowa Rep. Jarad Klein, a Republican and the bill’s sponsor, framed the legislation as a clear way to support embattled public servants in a floor speech.

"Let me be clear: If you support law enforcement, truly support law enforcement, you will be voting ‘yes’ tonight. If you stand up and say you support law enforcement, your words will become meaningless with a ‘no’ vote. Actions speak louder than words," Klein said.

Gov. Reynolds echoed that thinking at her signing.

"I made it clear in my Condition of the State Address that Iowa’s law enforcement will always have my respect, and I will always have their back. Today’s bill embodies that commitment in a historic way. The public peace is too important, and the safety of our officers too precious to tolerate destructive behavior," Reynolds said in a press release.

For her part, Bohannan said she opposed the legislation, arguing it went too far.

"The bill that’s coming over to the House from the Senate about the protestors actually would make it OK for a person to drive negligently or grossly negligently and hit a protester, and there would be immunity for that. It’s sick. These are kids, mostly," she said.

UNEARTHED CLIP EXPOSES MORE ANTI-POLICE RHETORIC AS EL-SAYED GETS GRILLED FOR DELETING SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS

The final version of the bill does have a provision that protects drivers from civil liability. But it only applies to drivers "exercising due care" and who cause injury to someone engaging in disorderly conduct by blocking traffic on a public street or highway.

Bohannan’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital on her statements from 2021 or whether she stood by her views of the Back the Blue bill.

House GOP lawmaker under fire by fellow Republicans after ad bashing Trump on immigration

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 18:20:22 -0400

FIRST ON FOX: A House GOP lawmaker’s pointed message to President Donald Trump criticizing his immigration policy is under fire from her Republican colleagues.

Rep. María Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., released a campaign ad Thursday that attacked Trump’s handling of immigration enforcement, specifically arguing he has gone too far in pursuing people without criminal records.

"President Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts should be applauded and continue as is," House Freedom Caucus leaders said in an official statement first shared with Fox News Digital.

"Any alien who enters this country illegally has committed a crime. The United States should deport every illegal alien. This is America, and this government should be ensuring the dignity of American citizens. Illegal aliens can enjoy dignity in their home country or come to this country legally.

GOP INFIGHTING ERUPTS OVER IMMIGRATION BILL THAT WOULD SHIELD MILLIONS FROM DEPORTATION

"Granting illegal aliens any legal status to remain in the United States is amnesty. We reject amnesty. The House Freedom Caucus stands with President Trump: secure the border, enforce the law, and lock these policies into statute, so no future administration can erase them with a pen."

TRUMP DHS CHIEF UNDER FIRE FROM CONSERVATIVES AFTER IMMIGRATION SPEECH IGNITES BACKLASH

The ad takes place outside the White House, with Salazar directly addressing the camera.

"Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far,"
Salazar said. "Be careful what your advisors are telling you about immigration policy. The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today.

"You can be for immigration what Lincoln was for slavery and Reagan was for communism. I’m not talking about giving them amnesty. I’m talking about giving them a dignified life in this promised land. And only you can do that."

TRUMP-BACKED REPUBLICAN SURVIVES PRIMARY AFTER BUCKING HIM ON DEPORTATIONS

It’s a notable choice of words, given that her district voted for Trump by double digits in 2024. But she’s one of several Hispanic lawmakers in the House GOP who have been warning their party could be alienating Hispanic and Latino voters who were critical to Republican wins in recent years.

Salazar’s South Florida district is rated R+6 by the nonpartisan Cook political report, meaning it’s likely to stay in Republican hands. But Democrats are targeting her seat as a potential pickup opportunity as they work to win back control of the House.

She previously took heat from the Freedom Caucus over her bipartisan legislation to reform the asylum process and give a legal pathway to undocumented people already in the U.S. who have not committed crimes.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also pushed back on Salazar, telling Fox News in a statement, "DHS is focused on delivering the most HISTORIC mass deportation campaign in American history — exactly as President Trump promised.

"Whether Congresswoman Salazar likes it or not, the men and women of ICE are enforcing the laws passed by Congress. To be clear: The only thing America should be giving illegal aliens is a one-way ticket home or a generous $3,000 check for them to self-deport immediately. We will not ignore the rule of law."

FanDuel Sportsbook Promo Code 2026: Bet $5 per day for seven days and get $350 in Bonus Bets

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 18:18:11 -0400

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The biggest winner here is a new user, as this is exclusively aimed at them. Users are given a "bet-and-get" offer where they need to simply bet on one game, and receive a token for completing the action. As long as this is done for seven days, you can earn up to $350 in Bonus Bets. Ultimately, this does require you to risk $35 of your own money, whereas DraftKings asks that you only risk $5, but your return is not as high ($200 in Bonus Bets).

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'Gone too far:' GOP candidate runs to Trump’s left on signature issue in deep red district

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 18:18:01 -0400

Rep. María Elvira Salazar, a Republican who represents a solidly red district in Miami, has broken with the president on immigration as the midterms cycle hits a fever pitch.

"Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far," Salazar said in a newly released campaign advertisement. "Be careful what your advisors are telling you about immigration policy. The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today. You can be for immigration what Lincoln was for slavery and Reagan was for communism.

"I’m not talking about giving them amnesty. I’m talking about giving them a dignified life in this promised land."

THE HISPANIC VOTE IS UP FOR GRABS IN 2026; CANDIDATES WHO IGNORE IT WILL LOSE

A Fox News poll released Wednesday found President Donald Trump’s overall approval rating at 39%, with 61% of registered voters disapproving of his job performance.

Voters disapprove of Trump generally by a margin of 61% to 39%, according to the poll. On immigration, however, only 56% of voters are unhappy with the president's performance, beating out his handling of the economy and foreign policy.

VOTERS SAY REPUBLICANS OUTDO DEMOCRATS ON THESE KEY ISSUES: FOX NEWS POLL

Salazar’s break with the president on immigration follows a legislative record that has combined tougher enforcement measures with support for legal status reforms.

During her time in Congress, Salazar has supported tougher border enforcement while also backing legislation that would provide legal status to some long-term noncitizens, including through the bipartisan DIGNITY Act.

She also voted for the 2023 Secure the Border Act and the 2025 Laken Riley Act, which expanded immigration enforcement and required the detention of certain undocumented immigrants accused of crimes.

TRUMP ADMIN MARKS 15 STRAIGHT MONTHS WITH ZERO BORDER RELEASES AS APPREHENSIONS PLUNGE 94%

Trump’s hardline stance on immigration, likewise, is nothing new.

The issue defined his initial rise to power during the 2016 presidential election, and he leaned heavily into promises of deportations while on the campaign trail in 2024. Amid the president’s hawkish rhetoric, Hispanics in places such as the Miami metropolitan area and along the Southern border shifted heavily to the right.

Trump has endorsed Salazar’s bid for re-election.

The Salazar campaign did not respond to a request for comment when reached by Fox News Digital on Thursday.

The New Yorker claims women can be 'kind of pregnant' in article questioning pregnancy tests

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 18:11:01 -0400

The New Yorker drew criticism Thursday after promoting an essay that described the binary distinction between being pregnant and not pregnant as "misleading" and said a woman could be "kind of pregnant" or "a little bit pregnant."

The essay, "The Unsettling Ambiguity of Early Pregnancy," by Apoorva Tadepalli, examined the uncertainty surrounding early pregnancy tests, miscarriage and viability through the writer's experience with multiple pregnancy losses and her current pregnancy.

The magazine promoted the piece on X by saying at-home tests capture only a moment when an embryo has implanted and that someone could be "kind of pregnant, a little bit pregnant, or almost pregnant, or maybe pregnant" while still testing positive.

MED SCHOOL DEANS COME UP EMPTY IN TENSE HEARING WHEN ASKED POINT BLANK IF MEN CAN HAVE BABIES: 'RIDICULOUS'

Los Angeles County Republican Party Chair Roxanne Hoge, a mother of four, told Fox News Digital that uncertainty over whether a pregnancy will remain viable does not change whether a woman is pregnant.

"As a mother of four and an actual biological woman, I must applaud the author for noticing that women do, in fact, make babies," she said. "While I sympathize with her on the very sad reality of carrying a pregnancy after a loss, this was a lot of words to try and pretend that a fetus is a clump of cells. You're either pregnant or you're not."

Elizabeth Barcohana, America First Policy Institute California ambassador to the America First Women's initiative, said the distinction should be between the existence of a pregnancy and whether a woman knows that pregnancy is viable.

"A woman cannot be ‘a little bit pregnant.’ Pregnancy is a physical, biological state that begins when a fertilized embryo implants in the uterus and triggers a chemical hormonal reaction," Barcohana said Thursday in a statement to Fox News Digital. "This article is not about being pregnant. It is about a woman’s experience about knowing whether she is carrying a viable healthy pregnancy."

Tadepalli described testing positive during five pregnancies and spending periods of those pregnancies unsure whether she would miscarry. She said those experiences affected her ability to emotionally embrace her current pregnancy, with much of the essay examining what early testing can and cannot tell women about what will happen next.

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Lisa Cusack, president of the Don’t L.A. My Burbank PAC, told Fox News Digital she viewed the article’s framing as an attempt to make pregnancy more subjective while arguing that uncertainty in early testing does not change whether a woman is pregnant.

"This article just seems like a tortured attempt to make pregnancy into a subject experience in order to justify abortion," she said. "The fact that an at-home pregnancy isn’t sophisticated enough to pick up the beginning stages of every pregnancy doesn’t mean you’re ‘kind of pregnant,’ or that pregnancy itself, which literally begins with conception and ends with birth, is ‘nonlinear.’

"Women have always known that early pregnancies sometimes don’t take or show up on tests, but that doesn’t change the fact that you’re either pregnant or not, whether you know it or not or want it or not."

WHAT MY SON'S ULTRASOUND TAUGHT ME ABOUT ABORTION — AND MASSACHUSETTS IGNORES

Barcohana said that element of the essay was relatable to women who have experienced pregnancy loss and blamed The New Yorker’s presentation for shifting attention away from it.

"The New Yorker’s editors betrayed the author with this provocative headline, because what she’s really talking about — in a vulnerable way that millions of women can empathize with — is the utility and impact on women of unreliable early testing," she said. "She tried to talk about something totally legitimate for women trying to start a family, and they [editors] hijacked it."

Fox News Digital reached out to The New Yorker for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

The distinction between detecting pregnancy and determining whether it is viable is also reflected in medical guidance. The Food and Drug Administration says at-home pregnancy tests detect human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, a hormone produced after a fertilized egg is attached to the uterine wall. The agency notes that testing too early can produce inaccurate results and that a positive home test does not provide information about how a pregnancy will develop.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that pregnancy begins when a fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus, while pregnancy viability can require additional evaluation as development progresses.