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Team USA's unsung hero has the team poised to make historic World Cup run as it wraps up group play

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 17:54:48 -0400

As the U.S. Men's National Team continues their torrid run through the group stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, many familiar names have stepped up their play to help guide the squad to back-to-back wins in the tournament for the first time since 1930.

Coincidentally, that 1930 team was the last one to advance past the quarterfinals of the World Cup, and if America wants to reach those heights again, they will need to rely on more than just their marquee players to get there.

Guys like Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun are well known to most soccer fans, but a name that hasn't been as talked about until recently has been midfielder Malik Tillman.

The 24-year-old has plenty of big-game experience, playing in top-flight European leagues for PSV and Bayer Leverkusen, but Tillman has kicked his play into another gear during the first two games of the USMNT's 2026 World Cup journey.

Tillman had a brilliant assist against Paraguay in the United States' 4-1 rout that signified their arrival as a force to be reckoned with in this year's tournament, but it goes beyond the stat sheet.

The German-American sensation was all over the field for both group stage games, showing off flashy back-heel passes and displaying a confidence well beyond his years.

It's not a stretch to say Tillman has been the best player on the USMNT, and you could make the argument that he's the best player of the tournament so far.

USA WORLD CUP TEAM CLINCHES SPOT IN KNOCKOUT STAGE AFTER ANOTHER HISTORIC PERFORMANCE VS AUSTRALIA

That's not just hot air and American "homerism" speaking — the advanced analytics back it up.

According to Gradient Sports, Tillman has graded out as the highest-rated player of the entire group stage through two games.

If you thought Tillman flashed on your screen as much or more than anyone during America's games against Paraguay and Australia, your eyes didn't deceive you.

USA CLINCHES FIRST PLACE IN WORLD CUP GROUP AFTER PARAGUAY'S WIN OVER TURKEY SEALS FAVORABLE BRACKET PATH

Tillman will be an integral part of the USMNT's plans for making a run through the knockout stages of the tournament.

I would say he has to elevate his game to an even higher level, but I'm not sure that's possible given what we've seen.

He's been, quite literally, nearly perfect, and if he continues his superb play in the midfield, there is no ceiling to what this American squad can do.

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Manager Mauricio Pochettino has gotten this United States team to play at a level few American fans have seen in their collective lifetimes, and one of the unsung heroes of this whole operation is Tillman.

Appreciate what you're seeing from this USMNT.

This is a squad firing on all cylinders with a bunch of quality players in the primes of their careers.

Cherish it, because who knows when we will see it again.

Fan celebrates Mexico advancing in the World Cup by dunking his head into a cotton candy machine

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 17:40:21 -0400

Thanks to a 3-0 beatdown of Czechia at Mexico City Stadium — a.k.a. Azteca Stadium — Mexico wrapped up group play with three wins to top Group A and move on to the knockout stage.

Sure, anything less than getting out of their group would've been a monumental letdown for a competitive Mexican team representing a soccer-mad nation, but fans were still fired up about advancing as dominantly as they did.

How excited? Well, one fan was so pumped he decided to dunk his head into a cotton candy machine.

WATCH THE WORLD CUP FINAL ON FOX ONE

The video started making the rounds on social media and... well, it is as advertised.

It is indeed a man sticking his head straight into a cotton candy machine.

He came out of that looking like a sugary version of the Wolfman.

I don't want to be that guy, but I hope this was the end of the night for that cotton candy stand. Imagine waiting in line for cotton candy, then the guy in front of you does that?

FOX ONE’S NEW WORLD CUP VIEWING EXPERIENCE

The vendor would be like, "Pink or blue?" and you'd be like, "I think I'm actually in the mood for a churro..."

Mexican fans are wild. During the 2014 World Cup, some friends and I went to Cancun and watched a Mexico-Brazil match with fans at our resort's sports bar. That match ended as a 0-0 draw, but it's still one of the best sports-watching experiences of my entire life.

The place was just insane.

And, if you need further proof of that, may I direct your attention back to Cotton Candy Head?

If this is how he celebrated advancing to the Round of 32, can you imagine what he'll do if Mexico makes a deep run in this tournament?

I have a feeling it'd make even the "Jackass" crew cringe.

Father Carlos Martins recounts chilling exorcism, claims woman moved objects without touching them

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 17:40:09 -0400

Father Carlos Martins shared a harrowing account of performing an exorcism, describing the chilling moments a woman exhibited unexplained strength and defied gravitational norms.

"She hit my skull with such force I needed two surgeries to repair the damage," he said during a new episode of "Hang Out with Sean Hannity."

Martins recalled how the woman lifted and threw a large man across the room like a rag doll, sending him 15 feet with "remarkable" fluidity.

"He did a complete turn in the air and landed on his rear end," the Catholic priest said.

TEXAS EXECUTES MAN WHO KILLED TODDLER DURING 30-HOUR ‘EXORCISM’

Martins described how the possessed woman caused a screw to unscrew itself without touching anything, then watched as it flew into her hand.

"And then she pointed at the light switch on the wall. You know, a typical light switch has two screws. The cover plate has two screws holding it in the wall," he said. "The top one unscrewed itself."

MARTIN SCORSESE UNRAVELS ST. MARY MAGDALENE'S COMPLEX LEGACY IN SERIES FINALE OF 'THE SAINTS'

"It came through the air into her hand, into her open hand, and then she drove it into her left arm," he continued.

The Catholic priest, who said he has encountered "multiple dozens" of possessed individuals, described how another man exhibited animalistic behavior and a 14-year-old whose reflection disappeared in the mirror.

"I have seen, for example, somebody jump out of a chair and start hissing like a cat and his canine teeth seemed to be over an inch long," he told Fox News host Sean Hannity.

PART 2 OF 'MARTIN SCORSESE PRESENTS: THE SAINTS' RETURNS ON FOX NATION FOR EASTER SEASON

"There was a young lady, a girl, 14 years old or so. Her reflection wouldn't show up in the mirror. So, you could be there in a group in front of the mirror, everybody will show up. She doesn't. In a photograph, the whole group will show up. She doesn't."

Martins attributed those phenomena to the devil’s ability to "bend light."

He said the 1973 horror film "The Exorcist" accurately portrays many aspects of a real-life exorcism, including people displaying extraordinary strength, saying "everything" in the movie could happen — with the exception of the famous moment when the girl's head made a 360-degree turn.

Martins said every diocese is required to have at least one exorcist and to become one you have to be asked. Not every priest can perform exorcisms, he said, because "you can get yourself hurt really easily."

Hannity’s full interview with Martins on "Hang Out with Sean Hannity" is available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Alex Murdaugh's lawyers withdraw request for civilian clothes, accuse prosecutors of creating a 'spectacle'

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 17:06:06 -0400

Alex Murdaugh’s lawyers say prosecutors are trying to turn his next courtroom appearance into a spectacle.

The convicted former Lowcountry lawyer had asked to appear unshackled and in civilian clothes at trial and in televised pretrial hearings as he awaits a new murder trial in the killings of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul.

But after prosecutors accused him of seeking special treatment, Murdaugh’s defense team withdrew the request, saying they would not waste court time arguing over "the optics" of a status conference.

"If the State wants to use that for a public spectacle, so be it," the defense wrote. "Mr. Murdaugh will not waste the Court’s time at the upcoming status conference arguing about the optics."

MURDAUGH DEFENSE FIGHTS OVER DEATH PENALTY, VENUE CHANGE AND EVIDENCE – WHAT COULD CHANGE IN SECOND TRIAL

South Carolina prosecutors had urged a Colleton County judge to deny the motion, arguing that Murdaugh’s fame does not entitle him to be treated differently from other inmates.

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Murdaugh remains in state custody on financial-crime convictions and is serving a 27-year sentence, prosecutors said. He is also serving a concurrent 40-year federal sentence tied to similar crimes.

BECKY HILL’S 'DISGRACEFUL' COMMENTS AND BOOK AMBITIONS UNRAVELED ALEX MURDAUGH'S MURDER CONVICTION: DOCS

His murder convictions were reversed in May by the South Carolina Supreme Court, which ordered new proceedings after finding improper interference by the former Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca "Becky" Hill.

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But the state said the reversal does not change Murdaugh’s status as an inmate or the security concerns surrounding him.

"SCDC’s practice and position here is that any inmate should remain in restraints and in uniform for court appearances," prosecutors wrote, adding that Murdaugh’s long sentence, the seriousness of the murder charges and his notoriety all heighten security concerns.

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The state also pointed to past custody issues, alleging that during the original trial, a family member passed Murdaugh a book through a defense staffer without law enforcement’s knowledge.

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Prosecutors said the book was later found in his cell and led to a jail contraband warrant. They also cited two prison disciplinary actions from August 2023, including abuse of privileges and unauthorized use of another inmate’s PIN.

WHAT TYLER ROBINSON'S DEFENSE WANTS HIDDEN AND WHY PROSECUTORS AND MEDIA SAY NO IN COURT

"This case is ultimately about the fact that Defendant thinks he is special. He is not," prosecutors wrote.

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Murdaugh’s lawyers fired back, accusing prosecutors of "histrionics" and arguing that the state had failed to show any special need to display him in shackles before potential jurors.

They said Murdaugh has never threatened or attempted escape or violence while in custody and has appeared at numerous hearings and through a six-week trial without disruptive behavior.

The defense also argued that courts recognize the danger of showing defendants in restraints, even outside a jury’s physical presence, when cameras could broadcast the image to future jurors.

To make the point, Murdaugh’s lawyers cited the case against Tyler Robinson, the alleged assassin of Charlie Kirk, saying the judge there ordered cameras repositioned after reports Robinson had been shown in shackles and warned they could be excluded if it happened again.

The defense accused prosecutors of relying on rhetoric rather than law, writing that the case is not about whether Murdaugh "thinks" he is special, but whether the state can prove the murder charges against him.

Still, Murdaugh’s lawyers withdrew the motion, saying they did not want to distract from more substantive issues ahead of retrial, including motions involving unknown DNA from the crime scene, access to case materials and a possible venue change.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the prosecutor's office as well as Murdaugh's defense team.

Married Brazilian soccer president accused of World Cup affair & is she hooking up with her sugar daddy again?

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 17:00:25 -0400

Welcome to the latest edition of True Romance. We've caught World Cup fever, sort of. What we've actually caught is the "a soccer president is allegedly caught up in an affair scandal" fever.

It's a slightly different fever, and I'd argue a more entertaining one. I don’t think there's any debate about that. There's no running around all afternoon without any scoring with steamy affair allegations.

What we have is a married president of a soccer organization accused of using funds to allegedly fly his mistress to New York before he traveled to Mexico City and met up with his wife before the World Cup opening ceremony.

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We're also going to take a look at a man who believes that his unemployed pretend influencer girlfriend who is always walking around with a bunch of cash might be sleeping with her sugar daddy again.

Who knows where he's getting that idea?

We're going to get into that and find ourselves in the most erotic things anyone has ever said to people. Plus, we have a few emails this week. Evidently, a couple getting it on while riding a Ferris wheel at a music festival was worthy of emails.

CATCHING YOUR WIFE IN BED WITH THE NEIGHBOR TOOK THE FUN OUT OF SWINGING, AND HOW SOON IS TOO SOON TO MOVE ON?

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Was love in the air in New York for married Brazilian Football Confederation President Samir Xaud and a mistress prior to the World Cup’s opening ceremony? That’s what’s being alleged. I don't know that we're going to get to the bottom of it, but I do know we're going to take the journey through this together.

The Brazilian outlet Portal Leo Dias reports that the 42-year-old was seen out wining and dining in Manhattan with a fitness entrepreneur days before the World Cup got underway, according to the NY Post.

In addition to the wining and dining allegations, the fitness entrepreneur is alleged to have stayed at a four-star hotel for eight days in a room booked under Xaud’s name. The outlet also claims that the two were seen leaving the restaurant in a vehicle rented by the federation for Xaud’s trip.

The early June trip to New York came to an end when the Brazilian soccer president is alleged to have left the fitness entrepreneur for a return trip to Brazil before making his way to Mexico City, where he met up with his wife of more than 20 years, Natalia, for the World Cup’s opening ceremony.

I know exactly what you’re thinking so far. Can’t a guy do some traveling and have friends without facing extramarital affair accusations or claims of inappropriate use of funds on personal trips?

You would think so, but people are always trying to connect dots about one thing or another, aren’t they?

'WORLD'S SEXIEST FAN' DROPS HER WORLD CUP ANTHEM AND HERE'S WHY YOU NEVER ASSIST A BIKE THIEF

This isn’t the end of the allegations against Xaud. Portal Leo Dias alleges that he did this sort of thing before, in December 2025, when he sent a model/influencer to Qatar for a FIFA Intercontinental World Cup match at the federation's expense.

The Brazilian Football Confederation denied the allegations regarding the misuse of funds. Whether this is a case of a man who loves too much or someone on a mission to grow the game in his country isn’t known.

It could be a little of both. What I do know is that it’s done the unthinkable and brought the World Cup to True Romance. I never saw that coming.

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A man is being hit in the face with a ton of evidence that his girlfriend has done the unthinkable and has either started sleeping with her sugar daddy again or found a new one. He doesn’t want to believe it.

He's in love. She says that she's in love. This "wonderful woman" with whom he has a "red hot" sex life might be involved with older men who she sleeps with to fund her lifestyle.

EX UFC STAR PAIGE VANZANT SIZZLES IN MIAMI AND JAPANESE WORLD CUP FANS DISCOVER EVERYTHING IS BIGGER IN TEXAS

Is that a dealbreaker? Well, his hesitancy to bring the subject up with her says a lot. He's done the math on the secret phones, the loads of cash, the designer clothes and the fact that she's unemployed.

"Sometimes she takes off for places like Paris and New York to ‘see friends’ but I’ve never met any of these mystery friends. I fear she’s sleeping with her sugar daddy again," he wrote to the Daily Star.

"What other explanation can there be?"

There could be several different answers to that question. Does it have to equal she's banging a sugar daddy? She could be flying all over the world to serve as the woman who lures men unknowingly into having their organs removed, for example.

So her best friend told you that while she lived in Spain she had an older man who showered her with gifts and gave her a taste of the good life in exchange for her company and sex?

You also know that they officially went their separate ways when she met you. Yet here you are "convinced that she’s contacted him – or someone like him - and that I’m being made a fool of."

Does it bother you that she still likes nice things? Or that she tells people she makes a living as an influencer? Have you tried being happy for her? She wants nice things and she has them.

Did you forget the part where "she swears she loves" you? It sounds like you have.

"I know I should front her up, but I’m just too scared to hear the truth. What if she dumps me because I’ve dared to bring things to a head?"

Words like pathetic and weak probably popped in your head when you read that last statement from this guy. That's probably a contributing factor. I'm not going to pretend it isn't.

But I'm also a hopeless romantic with a glass-half-full approach. What if this is all a test? What if she's an heiress who thinks he's the one and is testing him? What if he fails?

Is a lifetime of living comfortably worth losing if it turns out she's not an heiress and she's just hooking up with a sugar daddy? That isn't for me to answer. He has to figure that one out for himself.

Now to a topic that I think is near and dear to most of us. We've all been on the receiving end of an erotic line or two. Whether it was from a co-worker or a homeless lady with three teeth, you remember those moments.

It could be a compliment about your looks, your smell or even a low percentage on a fixed-rate mortgage that gives you that feeling of excitement. A wow that hit me in a way I wasn’t expecting.

Here are a few of those from the unwashed on Reddit:

OFFICER'S ROMANTIC OUTINGS IN PATROL CAR LEAD TO TROUBLE, NAUGHTY CRUISE SETS SAIL & UNCONVENTIONAL ATTRACTION

- Anonymous writes:

I read your recent piece about the couple at the Download Festival and had to laugh. Calling it "romantic" is certainly one way to frame it, but let’s be honest it’s just public indecency. Whether they thought the glass was tinted or not, they chose to engage in that behavior in a public space where families and other concert-goers were just trying to enjoy the show. It’s not "setting the mood" for Guns N' Roses; it’s just inconsiderate. I hope the police hold them accountable, if only to discourage others from thinking public spaces are their private playrooms.

SeanJo

Talk about a buzzkill. I get that there's a time and a place, but sometimes romance can't be contained and if you're bringing your family out to Guns N' Roses that's on you.

- Anonymous writes:

Regarding the story about the man who received a naked photo from his best friend’s wife: the advice given in your column to "see how far she’s willing to take it" is incredibly destructive. This man is currently in a position where he could save his friendship and protect a marriage by setting a firm boundary and telling his best friend exactly what happened. Encouraging him to play along and "make a complete mess of everything" isn't "romance", it’s toxic. He should delete the photo, block the woman, and have a serious conversation with his friend before someone’s life is permanently ruined by a "test of the water."

SeanJo

I can't believe there are this many people walking around in their everyday lives without the ability to identify when someone is joking. It's insane.

- Anonymous writes:

I had to chuckle after reading your coverage of the couple on the Ferris wheel. Honestly, I think the internet (and the authorities) need to take a breath. People go to these massive festivals to escape the humdrum of their daily lives, and sometimes that includes a bit of spontaneous, rebellious fun.

It actually reminded me of a night I had at Lollapalooza a few years back. My partner and I were caught up in the absolute euphoria of a late-night set near the edge of the grounds. We weren't doing anything as bold as a Ferris wheel, but we definitely crossed the line of "proper" public etiquette in a dark corner of the lawn.

Looking back, it’s one of my favorite memories of that trip not because we were trying to shock anyone, but because, in that specific moment, the energy of the music just made us feel like the only two people in the world.

Are people going to get caught? Sure. Is it a little risky? Absolutely. But festivals are supposed to be wild, unconventional, and a break from the societal norm. As long as they aren't causing a scene or hurting anyone, I say let the "romantic rebels" have their moment. It’s a lot better than the alternative of people being bored and miserable at a show.

SeanJo

This emailer gets it. There are still people out there with a sense of humor. That gives me hope for humanity and for weekly columns such as this one.

-------------

That's it. June is in the books. I'll see you next Thursday in July. Feel free to reach out, anonymously if you prefer, at sean.joseph@outkick.com. Send me whatever you want. I get plenty of hate mail as it is and yours will be a welcomed addition to the pile.

Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce wedding betting frenzy reveals one overwhelming prediction

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:51:57 -0400

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce haven't confirmed a single wedding detail, but that hasn't stopped bettors from putting millions on what could be the biggest celebrity ceremony in years.

With speculation reaching a frenzy, prediction markets are revealing where gamblers think the couple will say, "I do," who will score an invite — and the one outcome they're betting almost certainly won't happen.

While bettors are divided over where the couple will marry and who will make the guest list, there's one prediction with overwhelming consensus: Swift is almost certainly not pregnant.

Polymarket bettors have poured more than $2 million into the market, and only 2% believe she's already expecting.

TRAVIS KELCE'S DAD CALLS TAYLOR SWIFT 'THE GIRL NEXT DOOR' AS WEDDING SPECULATION REACHES NEW HEIGHTS

While bettors appear nearly unanimous when it comes to the possibility of Swift being pregnant, the money doesn't stop there.

An additional $2 million has been wagered on Kalshi over where Swift and Kelce will tie the knot, with New York emerging as the overwhelming favorite. Roughly 75% of bettors expect the Empire State to host the ceremony, and more than half of those predict the couple will exchange vows at Madison Square Garden, according to Vanity Fair.

Twenty-five percent of bettors believe Swift and Kelce will get married at her home in Rhode Island.

TAYLOR SWIFT, TRAVIS KELCE NUPTIALS CALLED A 'ROYAL WEDDING' BY NFL PALS DROPPING MAJOR TIMING HINTS

While people continue to place their bets, an entertainment industry executive confirmed to The New York Times that a multi-day event was set to take over Madison Square Garden, which was rented by Swift, beginning July 2. The festivities will reportedly kick off with an intimate gathering of about 100 people before a much larger celebration for roughly 1,000 guests on July 3.

The July 3 celebration may include stage performances, according to the outlet's sources.

Two NYPD officers patrolling Madison Square Garden on June 24 confirmed to Variety that they had been warned about a possible influx of Swift fans and paparazzi during the alleged wedding weekend.

The speculation doesn't end at the altar. Bettors are also putting money on who will land coveted spots in the wedding party.

Abigail Anderson, Swift's best friend since high school, leads the bridesmaid predictions, with 92% of bettors expecting she'll be part of the bridal party. Ashley Avignone, Gigi Hadid, Este Haim and Kylie Kelce also rank among the favorites. On Kelce's side, brother Jason Kelce, Patrick Mahomes and Swift's younger brother, Austin, are widely expected to make the cut.

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Kalshi users are also trying to predict who will – and won't – receive one of the year's hottest invitations.

An overwhelming majority of users don't believe Blake Lively received an invite. Roughly three-quarters of bettors believe the actress didn't make the guest list following the legal drama surrounding Justin Baldoni's lawsuit, which pulled Swift into the dispute through unsealed text messages.

Harry Styles also isn't expected to attend, despite his engagement to Swift's longtime friend Zoë Kravitz.

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As for those expected to make the cut, longtime friend and producer Jack Antonoff tops the list, followed by Patrick and Brittany Mahomes, Selena Gomez and fiancé Benny Blanco, the Haim sisters and fellow pop stars Sabrina Carpenter and Gracie Abrams.

Neither Swift nor Kelce has publicly commented on the latest wedding rumors, but that hasn't stopped fans from scrutinizing every potential clue.

Mercury's now-deleted social media post mocking Caitlin Clark draws scrutiny after star's injury

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:43:11 -0400

The Phoenix Mercury appeared to think Wednesday night was a good time to mock WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark.

Then, apparently, the team thought better of it.

Screenshots circulating on X appeared to show the Mercury’s official account posting a meme after Phoenix’s 111-109 win over the Indiana Fever that included a cartoon player lying on the floor with the caption, "DE-WANNA PIECE OF THIS?!?"

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The post appeared to be a play on DeWanna Bonner’s name. Bonner, of course, is now with the Mercury after a brief stint with the Fever last season, and the two teams have already had plenty of tension this week.

That timing was notable because of a particularly ugly sequence during Wednesday night's game.

Midway through the second quarter, Clark ended up on the floor after trying to drive to the basket. As players scrambled for the ball, Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas appeared to drive her knee into Clark’s thigh and press her fist into the Fever star's neck and throat area. Many, including Indiana head coach Stephanie White, labeled the play a blatant cheap shot.

No fouls were assessed on the play at the time. On Thursday, the WNBA announced Thomas had received a Flagrant Foul 2 penalty and a one-game suspension following postgame review. The league said Thomas was disciplined for what it described as "recklessly making contact with her fist to the throat area" of Clark and said the incident was deemed a non-basketball act.

Later in Wednesday's contest, Clark was fouled by Valeriane Ayayi on a 3-point attempt. Officials reviewed the play but did not upgrade it to a flagrant foul. Clark grabbed at her back afterward and later left the game and did not return. She finished with 19 points and eight assists in 20 minutes before exiting.

CAITLIN CLARK EXITS EARLY WITH BACK ISSUE AS FEVER FALL TO MERCURY

After the game, White went off on the league's officiating.

"We have a generational talent and a WNBA superstar who had two cheap shots right there that weren’t called," White said after the game.

She called the no-call involving Thomas "absolutely egregious and utterly disrespectful" and called the treatment of Clark "absolutely unacceptable."

That context matters when examining the alleged post from the Mercury’s official account. Many professional sports teams, across all leagues, have adopted a more confrontational style on social media.

But there's a line that shouldn't be crossed. If the Mercury's post meant what it appeared to mean, the official team account could be read as mocking Clark after she took contact the league later deemed worthy of a Flagrant Foul 2 and suspension.

The post is no longer visible, suggesting someone inside the organization realized that maybe this wasn’t the best idea.

OutKick reached out to the Mercury to ask whether the post was authentic, who approved it, why it was deleted, whether the organization believed it was appropriate and whether anyone internally would be held accountable or whether the team would review its social media approval process.

The Mercury did not respond to OutKick’s request for comment by the deadline.

WNBA WANTS A BIGGER STORY THAN CAITLIN CLARK, BUT TV RATINGS KEEP POINTING BACK TO HER

OutKick also reached out to the WNBA to ask whether the league had any comment on the post and whether it had contacted the Mercury about the post or its deletion.

The WNBA did not respond to OutKick’s questions about the alleged post by the deadline. The league’s separate Thursday announcement disciplining Thomas did not address the Mercury post.

OutKick also asked the Fever for a response to the post and whether the organization had contacted the Mercury or the WNBA about the post, the plays White referenced or broader concerns about player safety and officiating.

The Fever did not respond to OutKick’s request for comment by the deadline.

Wednesday’s game came just two days after another physical matchup between the Fever and Mercury. In that game, officials handed out six technical fouls to five players, including Clark, Thomas and Bonner, and Fever forward Myisha Hines-Allen was ejected after her second.

So, this wasn't a normal midweek regular-season game between two teams with no history.

The Fever and Mercury had already created a storyline. Bonner’s connection to Indiana only added another layer. Clark, as always, brought plenty of attention.

And that is the part the WNBA continues to struggle with.

Clark has brought a level of attention to the league that it has never had. That attention comes with higher ratings, bigger crowds, more conversation and more scrutiny.

It also means moments like this don’t just disappear because a social media post gets deleted.

It also means fans deserve answers.

Who approved the post?

Why was it deleted?

And if it was harmless, why not leave it up?

The Mercury should answer those questions.

And while the WNBA has now punished Thomas, the league still should answer why officials missed the play in real time and whether it views the alleged Mercury post as acceptable.

Colorado mom allegedly bought alcohol daily for 16-year-old daughter found dead with 173 empty bottles

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:36:59 -0400

A Colorado mother has been charged in connection with the death of her 16-year-old daughter, who prosecutors say drank herself to death and had 173 empty alcohol bottles hidden in her bedroom, authorities announced.

Gretchen Leanne Ryan, 55, is charged with second-degree murder, according to the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Her daughter was identified in an obituary as Grace Elizabeth Ryan.

The younger Ryan was found dead on March 9 at her Arvada home after authorities received reports of an unresponsive female.

Preliminary autopsy findings revealed the teen had an abnormally fatty liver for someone her age, which medical professionals believed indicated prolonged periods of alcohol consumption. Her cause of death was determined to be aspiration pneumonia related to chronic alcohol use.

ALCOHOL DEATHS HAVE MORE THAN DOUBLED IN RECENT YEARS, ESPECIALLY AMONG WOMEN

The mother and daughter frequently drank extensively and smoked marijuana together, prosecutors said. Beginning in September 2025, the pair discussed drinking and purchasing alcohol on an almost daily basis via text messages, according to authorities.

"The communications indicate Ryan arranged regular alcohol deliveries to the home and took steps to conceal the victim’s alcohol use from her father, who primarily resided in the basement of the home," the DA's office said in a news release.

Ryan kept supplying her daughter with alcohol despite the teen's significant physical health concerns, according to text messages. The communications described episodes of blood vomiting, difficulty eating, difficulty walking and the use of diapers due to symptoms associated with excessive alcohol consumption.

FLORIDA MOM ACCUSED OF ABANDONING DAUGHTER AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS TO GO DRINKING AT BAR

Aware of her excessive drinking, the younger Ryan feared she would die and repeatedly expressed concerns about her health to her mother, authorities said.

Text messages sent to her mother the night before her death revealed that the teen said she was not feeling well.

During their investigation, detectives found 173 empty alcohol bottles hidden in the teen's bedroom — under her bed and inside a closet, the DA said.

The bottles included various brands and sizes of vodka and other hard liquor.

Amid her alcohol consumption, the teen was un-enrolled from her high school in April 2025 to attend online classes, police said.

At the time of her death, she had completed only one online semester of ninth grade and had not participated in activities outside the home for several months.

Ryan is being held in the Jefferson County Jail on a $500,000 cash-only bond.

Detroit Tigers making big demands in Tarik Skubal trade, will historically bad AL keep him in town?

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:24:39 -0400

It's rare that a player of Tarik Skubal's caliber is available on the open market.

He is the reigning Cy Young Award winner in the American League. He's become one of the most consistent pitchers in Major League Baseball. He offers a rare blend of elite stuff that can miss bats when necessary along with the command and control to avoid putting extra runners on base.

To their credit, the Detroit Tigers held on to Skubal over the offseason, despite immense interest from other clubs. Instead, ownership and the team's front office doubled down on their surprising 2025 season, coming up just short of an ALCS berth after losing to the Seattle Mariners. They added Framber Valdez, one of the best available free-agent starters. They brought back Gleyber Torres and Justin Verlander, and added Kenley Jansen to stabilize the back end of the bullpen.

TARIK SKUBAL GETS INTO SHOUTING MATCH WITH RIVAL'S DUGOUT AFTER STRIKEOUT, HELD BACK BY TEAMMATE

But despite playing in arguably the single worst league in modern baseball history, the Tigers as of Thursday afternoon are just 34-46. They're 7.5 games behind in the AL Central, and five games back in the race for the third wild-card spot. And therein lies the difficulty.

There are five teams ahead of the Tigers in the American League standings. Skubal has just returned from an arm injury that required surgery, and has yet to really dominate since rejoining the rotation. His velocity is down a bit in 2026 compared to 2025, but his track record is as good as anyone. And the AL this season is so underwhelming that even at 34-46, Detroit might have a path to postseason baseball.

All these factors complicate a potential trade, which is why it's not surprising that Detroit is making big demands of any team interested in acquiring Skubal for a playoff run of their own.

TIGERS INCREASINGLY LIKELY TO TRADE TARIK SKUBAL BEFORE DEADLINE AS PLAYOFF HOPES FADE, REPORTS SAY

Per the New York Post's Jon Heyman, the Tigers are asking for pitching under team control for several years, and athletic hitters who are close to reaching the big leagues. Heyman also reported that, at least from the New York Yankees, the Tigers wanted their No. 1 overall prospect, George Lombard, and reliever Carlos Lagrange, their No. 4 prospect. Both are highly regarded, with Lombard widely viewed as a top-20 prospect in baseball. The Yankees, reportedly, balked.

That's quite a bit of return for a player only under contract through the end of the season. Especially one represented by Scott Boras, which means he's unlikely to sign an extension before reaching free agency. But Skubal isn't just any player, and Detroit can make big demands, with the position they're in.

Incredibly, entering play on Wednesday, there were just two teams in the AL with a positive run differential. There were eight in the National League. The Chicago White Sox, leading Detroit's division, are just 41-38, having been outscored by three runs on the year. Detroit can tell other teams they're willing to hold on to Skubal, thinking that one hot streak could put them right back in contention.

While the trade deadline is still more than a month away, the Tigers can hold the opposition over a barrel. You want Skubal now? Give us your two best prospects and a major-league pitcher. Or we'll just hang on to him, see if we can get back in position. Or are you willing to risk waiting until the end of July and miss out if the Dodgers swoop in?

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It's one of the most unusual situations and questions we've seen in baseball. But it sure seems like Detroit is willing to trade Skubal. If someone's aggressive enough to meet the asking price.

Kane Brown says he's 'glad I'm here' after 150 mph golf ball struck him in the ear

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:24:28 -0400

Country star Kane Brown is glad to be alive after suffering a brutal injury that landed him in the hospital.

On Tuesday, Brown shared a series of photos detailing the gruesome circumstances.

"Shot in the head by a golf ball," he wrote on the first Instagram Story, accompanied by a photo of his ear.

COUNTRY STAR BILL ANDERSON'S 'FREAK ACCIDENT' FORCED GRAND OLE OPRY CANCELLATION

"Just a scratch," he wrote on a follow-up photo, which highlighted his stitches.

"That said, it will prob get worse next 48 hours but I'm alive and that's all that matters … holy crap," he wrote in a third post.

In a video posted on TikTok, Brown — who appeared to have blood on his shirt — further detailed the incident.

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"A lot of people, they think that the ball came over multiple fairways. No, this one, it was my own buddy. I ain’t going to name any names. He feels terrible, but he needs to know that I’m good," Brown said. "I went to the hospital… I had a split ear and some swelling… it was about a 150 to 180 mile an hour ball, a three-wood slice… We already hit our drives… I’m just glad I’m here."

Brown's wife, Katelyn, shared more details on Wednesday.

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"This wasn't a golf ball that had been flying through the air and had been losing momentum. He was right off the side from it," she wrote on her Instagram Stories on Wednesday. "It could have been so much worse."

"We got great news after his CT scans — nothing internally, no skull fractures — this was just all basically external with a minor concussion. We were so relieved."

Because of the injury, Brown was forced to miss the Tight End University concert in Nashville on Tuesday, June 23.

Representatives for Brown did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Someone with spare time and their mind in the gutter noticed something about Edmonton Oilers head coaches

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:16:07 -0400

The Edmonton Oilers officially have a new voice behind the bench in Mike Babcock, and it's easily one of the most controversial hirings in recent memory.

Only time will tell whether Babcock is the guy who can get this team over the hump after they took a step backward last season, but one thing is certain: He fits the Oilers mold.

It's not because of his style or his demeanor, it's because of his name.

Because someone — someone with a lot of time, and male anatomy on the brain — noticed that the last five Oilers coaches have all had names with some kind of slang term for male genitals in them.

MIKE BABCOCK GOING TO EDMONTON JUST MADE THE OILERS APPOINTMENT VIEWING THIS UPCOMING SEASON

Don't believe me? See for yourself.

Ken Hitchcock, Dave Tippett, Jay Woodcroft, Kris Knoblauch, and now Mike Babcock.

That is a generational run of penis-named head coaches.

ALL-TIME TALENT, ZERO TITLES: THE MOST UNDERACHIEVING FRANCHISES IN NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS

Sure, it's childish, but it's kind of unbelievable to hit five in a row. Two or three would be a funny coincidence, but five? That makes it seem like it's somewhere on the front office's checklist.

Like, it's not a dealbreaker if you don't have a wang name, but if you do, it could put you over the top or fill a gap in your resume.

Even wilder, some common and obvious dong names are not represented. No Johnsons and no Richards.

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That seems almost impossible, but here we are.

So, it seems like Babcock was always destined to be the guy (although you've got to think that using this crotch logic, Peter Laviolette had to be in the running).

Still, you'd think after four straight phallically named coaches in a row and no Cups to show for it, they'd try something else.

Now that they've kept the wiener names streak alive, it's time to get to work on those depth and goaltending issues.

WNBA suspends Alyssa Thomas for 'recklessly' hitting Caitlin Clark in throat during scramble

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:00:58 -0400

The WNBA reviewed the Caitlin Clark-Alyssa Thomas incident from Wednesday night.

The league apparently didn’t like what it saw.

Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas received a Flagrant Foul 2 penalty and a one-game suspension after the league reviewed her contact with Clark during the Mercury’s 111-109 win over the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The WNBA announced Thursday that Thomas was punished for "recklessly making contact with her fist to the throat area" of Clark.

CAITLIN CLARK EXITS EARLY WITH BACK ISSUE AS FEVER FALL TO MERCURY

The play occurred with 6:52 remaining in the second quarter. Clark drove toward the basket and went to the floor as multiple players fought for the ball. During the scramble, Thomas appeared to drive her fist into Clark's neck and throat area.

No foul was called on the play during the game.

The WNBA said on Thursday that Thomas’ action was deemed a non-basketball act. The league also noted that its office has the ability, after reviewing any game, to reclassify a flagrant foul or classify any foul not called as a flagrant during a game. The league can also impose a fine or suspension.

Thomas will serve the suspension June 27, when the Mercury visit the Toronto Tempo.

The ruling came after Fever coach Stephanie White blasted the officiating following the loss.

"We have a generational talent and a WNBA superstar who had two cheap shots right there that weren’t called," White said after the game.

White called the no-call on Thomas "absolutely egregious and utterly disrespectful."

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White also criticized a separate play where Clark landed awkwardly after being fouled by Valeriane Ayayi on a 3-point attempt. Officials reviewed the play, but did not upgrade it to a flagrant foul. Clark grabbed at her back afterward and later left the game and did not return. She finished with 19 points and eight assists in 20 minutes before exiting.

The Thomas suspension won’t change the result. Phoenix still won the game, 111-109.

But the league’s ruling does matter.

It means White’s complaints weren’t just postgame frustration after a close loss. At least on the Thomas play, the WNBA admitted referees missed an obvious flagrant foul.

That’s the part that should concern the league.

Clark is the WNBA’s biggest draw, and the conversation around how she’s officiated isn’t going away. The league can insist it is reviewing plays after the fact, and in this case, it did.

But it’s fair to ask why a fist to the throat area had to wait until the next day to become a Flagrant 2.

Debt collection letter for debt you don't owe? What to do now

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:00:09 -0400

A letter arrives about a debt you don't remember, from a company you've never dealt with, for an account you never opened. For a growing number of people, that notice is how they first learn someone used their identity.

Complaints to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) about attempts to collect a debt not owed rose about 115% above their prior two-year average in 2025, and many of those consumers reported balances they didn't recognize and suspected identity theft.

Before you panic or pay, it helps to understand why these letters show up and what rights you have.

WHY LAST YEAR'S BREACH IS THIS YEAR'S IDENTITY FRAUD

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Why debt collectors contact you about a debt you do not owe

When a charged-off account is sold to a collection agency, the agency receives the original creditor's application file, including whatever identifiers were used to open it. That contact information is often 90 to 180 days out of date by the time the account changes hands.

HOW SCAMMERS BUILD A PROFILE ON YOU USING DATA BROKERS

Before the first call, the agency runs skip tracing: matching a name, Social Security number (SSN) and past addresses against public records, postal change-of-address data, property and utility records and data-broker files to find the current person behind the account. At bulk volume, each lookup costs the agency pennies.

The agency then contacts you directly, by phone or mail, whether or not you have looked at your credit file.

The account behind the notice may have been opened with your information pulled from breaches and resold, then approved by an automated check that matched the data to an existing file without confirming that the applicant was you. Opening a new account is the leading form of attempted identity misuse reported to the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), which counted it more often than takeovers of accounts people already held. What happens after is less understood.

10 SIGNS YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS BEING SOLD ONLINE

Charged-off debts, including fraudulent ones, are sold in bulk portfolios for pennies on the dollar, often with thin supporting paperwork. One fraudulent balance can be sold and resold across several agencies. A debt you dispute and clear with one collector can be repackaged and reappear with another months later.

With medical debt, a bill can sometimes move toward collections before you see every explanation of benefits, insurance update or corrected statement. That is why you should contact the provider and your insurer before paying a collector.

Federal law gives you a defined response, and the clock starts at first contact. Under the CFPB's Regulation F, a collector must send a validation notice describing the debt and your rights in, or within five days of, its first communication with you.

5 MYTHS ABOUT IDENTITY THEFT THAT PUT YOUR DATA AT RISK

You have 30 days from receiving that notice to dispute the debt in writing under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Dispute inside that window, and the collector must stop collecting until it verifies the debt.

One important note: the FDCPA generally covers third-party debt collectors, not every original creditor. However, credit reporting laws, identity theft protections and state laws may still give you rights.

If the debt came from identity theft, send the collector an FTC Identity Theft Report from IdentityTheft.gov. Also, tell the collector in writing that you dispute the debt, that it resulted from identity theft and that you want it to stop reporting the account to the credit bureaus.

IS YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER AT RISK? SIGNS SOMEONE MIGHT BE STEALING IT

Ask Equifax, Experian and TransUnion for a block under Section 605B of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

With a valid identity theft report and proof of your identity, the bureaus must block the fraudulent item within four business days. A block is harder to reverse than an ordinary dispute, which counts when the same debt can be resold.

The CFPB has said it may expand the meaning of identity theft under Regulation V to cover "coerced debt," money run up in someone's name without their consent, including in domestic and elder abuse cases.

Before you send money or confirm any personal details, slow down and make the collector prove the debt belongs to you.

Do not pay, promise to pay or give out more personal information during the first call. Ask for the validation notice in writing and save every letter, voicemail and call log. Then send a written dispute within 30 days.

If you believe identity theft caused the account, create an FTC Identity Theft Report at IdentityTheft.gov. Send copies to the collector, the original creditor and all three credit bureaus. Also, place a fraud alert or credit freeze with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, so it becomes harder for someone to open another account in your name.

With medical debt, contact the provider and your insurer before paying a collector. Ask for an itemized bill and an explanation of benefits. A medical bill can end up in collections while paperwork, insurance reviews or billing disputes are still catching up.

If a collector sues you, do not ignore the papers. Respond by the court deadline or contact a consumer law attorney or legal aid group. Even a debt you do not owe can create bigger problems if you miss a court deadline.

Once a fraudulent account charges off and sells, cleanup gets harder. You may need to dispute the debt with the collector, the original lender and all three credit bureaus. If someone resells the debt, the same problem can come back months later.

YOU HAVE A CREDIT FREEZE. IT STILL ISN’T ENOUGH

Credit monitoring can help you spot a new account or hard inquiry before the debt reaches collections. That gives you time to contact the lender, dispute the account and freeze your credit sooner.

No service can prevent every account opened in your name. However, three-bureau credit monitoring can alert you when lenders report new accounts or hard inquiries. That can help you act before a collections notice arrives or a lender denies you credit.

See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at CyberGuy.com.

A collection letter for an unfamiliar debt deserves a closer look. It may mean someone opened an account in your name. Do not pay just to stop the calls. Ask for written validation and dispute the debt fast. If someone misused your information, file an FTC Identity Theft Report. Then freeze your credit and check all three credit reports. Early alerts can help you catch fraud before collections begin. That can save you money, time and stress.

Have you ever gotten a collection letter or call for a debt you knew you did not owe, and what did you do first? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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JONATHAN TURLEY: Supreme Court hands Trump a border victory liberals can't spin

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:45:02 -0400

"In ordinary speech, no one would say that a person ‘arrives in’ a place ... before the person enters that place."

Those words may seem ripped from the pages of Dr. Seuss, but they are taken from the 6-3 majority opinion of Justice Samuel Alito iin Mullin v. Al Otro Lado. They captured the lost-in-translation character of the Court's fight over whether undocumented persons must be physically present in the United States to make an asylum claim.

In one of a pair of major immigration wins for the Trump administration, the Court ruled that asylum seekers who are stopped on the other side of the Southern border are not present in the United States. If treated as inside the country despite being outside it, these individuals would be allowed to enter and remain while their asylum claims are pending.

The case highlights the lengths to which the Biden administration went to facilitate the entry of undocumented persons into the country. It rescinded a policy of "metering" that was put into place by the Obama administration (and later restored and expanded by the Trump administration).

SUPREME COURT AGREES TO REVIEW TRUMP ADMIN EFFORT TO LIMIT IMMIGRANT ASYLUM PROCESSING CLAIMS AT BORDER

In seeking to bar Trump from enforcing the same policy as the Obama administration, the three liberal justices sounded positively Clintonesque in debating what the meaning of "in" is. Justice Sonia Sotomayor denounced the majority's "illogical interpretation is driven almost entirely by a fixation on a single word: ‘in.’ Words, however, must be read in context and with attention to how they fit into the statute as a whole."

In their view, "contextual" reading means that you can be "in" the United States without actually being "in" the United States.

The sharp disagreement in the opinions spilled over to the release of the opinions. Justice Alito read a summary of his opinion, followed by a more lengthy reading by Justice Sotomayor of her dissent. The stinging dissent produced a rare rebuttal from the bench by Alito, who was surprised by the extended comments and said that, if he had not been blindsided, he would have said more, including how "the policy in question was adopted by two very different administrations."

The court also delivered a major victory in Mullin v. Doe, upholding the right of the administration to strip more than 356,000 Syrian and Haitian immigrants of temporary protection status. Again, lower courts afforded the Obama and Biden administrations greater leeway in granting such status than Trump in rescinding it.

The combination of the two opinions offers significant advances for the administration in addressing millions of undocumented persons in this country.

In her dissent in Mullin, Sotomayor invoked the image of the voyage of the M. S. St. Louis, where Jews fleeing Nazi Germany were not allowed entry in various countries only to be returned to Germany, where many died in the Holocaust.

The problem with the analogy is that all of those on the St. Louis were demonstrably in flight from lethal persecution. Virtually all of the asylum claims made at our borders are rejected as unsupported or invalid. Immigration groups hand out material across the border, coaching immigrants to claim asylum status to guarantee that they can stay in the country for years before any final adjudication can be made. The acceptance rate of these claims is currently below five percent.

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The question is how to limit such constructive entries if being "in" the United States does not require actually being in the United States. More importantly, absent a clear legal basis for such constructive entries, it is not clear why courts should be able to dictate such policies. The control of our borders has long been an area marked by heavy deference to the Executive Branch. During the Biden administration, courts often embraced that discretion as the administration allowed over ten million unvetted immigrants to enter.

Trump was elected on the pledge to reverse these policies by using the same discretion that his predecessor employed to open the border.

The dissent shows how untethered these opinions are from not just "ordinary speech," but principles of judicial restraint. Placing these disputes in "context" is a liberating construct that allows a court to read the words "arrives in the United States" to include those outside of the United States. It also gives a glimpse at the likely approach of the newly expanded Supreme Court that Democrats are pledging if they regain power.

The decisions in Mullin v. Doe and Mullin v. Al Otro Lado will not erase the backlog in immigration cases or remove millions of unvetted immigrants. That will require both an expansion of our immigration courts and real reforms to further streamline the removal process. However, in two 6-3 opinions, the administration regained substantial authority in the management of our borders.

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WATCH: AOC won't rule out Senate bid after New York progressives notch primary wins: 'Inspired and encouraged'

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:42:54 -0400

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., declined to rule out a future Senate campaign after a trio of far-left candidates won New York's primary elections Tuesday, saying the results left her "inspired and encouraged."

"I’m sorry I'm not going to be breaking any news here as I consider what's going to happen in the future," Ocasio-Cortez told Fox News Digital when asked whether the election results made her more inclined to run for Senate.

"But I’m definitely inspired and encouraged by all the new faces that we're going to be sending to the states and to Congress next year," she continued.

AOC CRUISES TO PRIMARY VICTORY AS SPECULATION SWIRLS ABOUT POLITICAL FUTURE

The four-term "Squad" member crushed her two Democratic primary challengers running to unseat her in New York’s 14th Congressional District. Coupled with the victories by three fellow progressives in her state, the results fueled speculation that Ocasio-Cortez could potentially mount a successful primary race against Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

Ocasio-Cortez’s comments come after broader speculations have continued to swirl around the possibilities of her political future. The progressive New York Democrat has also refused to rule out a 2028 presidential run, telling Fox News Digital "maybe, maybe not" on whether her running for president was in consideration.

The victories by candidates backed by socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani over more moderate Democrats also fueled debate over whether the progressive wing is becoming a national blueprint for the Democratic Party.

WATCH: AOC LEAVES DOOR OPEN TO 2028 WHITE HOUSE BID: 'MAYBE, MAYBE NOT'

Asked whether the wins by candidates critical of Israel represented a blueprint for Democrats nationally, Ocasio-Cortez shifted the focus from policy to campaign strategy.

"It's not only about our substantive positions, but also how we organize and run as well," she said.

Like Ocasio-Cortez, the three primary winners have all been critical of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, making the issue a defining point of the Democratic Party's progressive wing.

RISING SOCIALIST STARS ON TRACK TO CONGRESS: WHO ARE DARIALIZA AVILA CHEVALIER, BRAD LANDER AND CLAIRE VALDEZ?

The victories showcased a surge of support for socialist-backed Democratic candidates, at least in New York. Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., in New York’s 13th Congressional District; Assembly Member Claire Valdez won the Democratic primary in New York’s 7th Congressional District, where retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez, D-N.Y., is not seeking re-election; and former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander ousted Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., in New York’s 10th Congressional District — all after aligning themselves with Mamdani's campaign.

If they prevail as expected in November’s midterm elections and head to Congress, their victories would signficantly expand the number of Democratic Socialists of America-aligned members in Congress.

Olivia Dunne is making beer great again before the Fourth, explaining the Caitlin Clark hate & oh no, Orioles!

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:40:23 -0400

Over the hump and safely onto the other side. Whew. We're barreling towards the weekend, and, more importantly, barreling towards a new month. Five days left.

Let's leave it all out on the field and end June with a bang. All gas, no brakes right now. We're full steam ahead until we get a few days off this weekend.

For now, though, we have to defend Caitlin Clark AGAIN after the insufferable WNBA witches tried to choke her last night. Goodness, what a league. What a scene.

Welcome to a Thursday Nightcaps — the one where Olivia Dunne continues to slug back Miller Lites and put the beer industry on high alert.

What else? I've got plenty of fallout from last night's Caitlin Clark mugging, the Orioles have decided to dip their toe into some Pride night nonsense, and I've got a quick PSA for those of you looking for something to binge on Netflix this weekend.

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Don't watch what I watched earlier this week. Trust me. Lordy.

OK, grab you a Miller Lite and settle in for a Thursday 'Cap!

We covered Livvy Dunne's marketing campaign with Miller Lite last month, but it's worth another look today. Such a simple move by Molson Coors to bring in an attractive female to sell more beer, but it's very much appreciated in today's world.

You don't see it often anymore, you know? Remember the Bud Light fiasco a few years back? They're STILL trying to recover. OutKick did a deep dive earlier this year when Dunne joined Miller Lite, because we wanted to see how long it had been since Bud Light featured an image or video of a female on its Instagram account.

Over a year! Go back and look. The last time was April 29, 2025. Amazing.

OLIVIA DUNNE WASHES CARS IN HER "BAYWATCH" SWIMSUIT, NICK SABAN LIKES A "WIDE A--" & ESPN RUINS SOMETHING ELSE

Meanwhile, Miller Lite has Olivia Dunne slugging back mini-pitchers with the Fourth of July one week away.

This is the way. It's simple. It's always been simple.

OK, let's get this class started with the story of the day: Caitlin Clark getting absolutely assaulted last night with not a whistle in site.

Incredible:

Goodness gracious. The obvious question? How was THAT not a foul? What are we doing here?

The second-most obvious question, at least for me? At what point does Caitlin start fighting back?

Yesterday's Nightcaps was centered around Sophie Cunningham sticking up for Clark the night before when she got into a scuffle with some player I won't bother to name because, frankly, I don't care to look it up.

But a person can only be protected for so long until they start to fight their own battles, right? Sure, the argument could be that Caitlin Clark is a superstar and teammates need to protect their superstars.

When a quarterback takes a late hit, you see 1,500 pounds of offensive linemen immediately rush over to stand between him and whoever was brave enough to lay the hit. It's game over for the defender. He's cooked.

The same probably should apply here, but it hasn't. The league is full of jealous, hateful women who despise Caitlin Clark. Why?

Well, let's ask Boomer Esiason. He has a theory that's probably not that far off:

"She's a straight white basketball player. And she is not being treated with any sort of respect."

I mean, is he wrong? Tough to argue with that, right? The proof is in the pudding. At this point, it's undeniable. This feels like a turning point. We've seen Caitlin Clark targeted before, but nothing like what we saw Wednesday night.

I know Boomer suggested she just give the WNBA the finger altogether and go play overseas. But she's not gonna do that. Personally, I say the time for talking is over. The case is closed. We're past debating whether or not Clark is being targeted by the rest of the league.

She is, and if the refs don't have the stones to get involved, she needs to take matters into her own hands.

At some point, you have to fight back. Sophie Cunningham can't fight your battles for you. Head coach Stephanie White, who blasted the league last night, can't do it. You have to just start laying into people. Start cracking some skulls. Throw a haymaker. Have some pride.

And I ain't talking about Major League Baseball's version of Pride!

Speaking of ... let's rapid-fire this Thursday class into a big night of drag-show baseball:

My God. Yes, you read it right.

The Orioles have decided to not only have a Pride night, but also have a drag queen act as the "guest splasher" in the Tower Federal Credit Union Bird Bath during the bottom of the second inning.

The Bird Bath, for those who don't know (hand raised), is the Orioles' popular splash zone in left field. Folks of all ages sit out there, including kids. It's also directly next to the park's Under Armour Kids Home Run Porch, which is billed as "the ultimate gameday destination for kids and their families."

So, yes. Friday's Pride night at Camden Yards will feature a drag queen in the outfield spraying kids with water.

Play ball!

To quote my very old grandmother: "This country is going to hell in a handbasket."

Finally, on the way out, I have that quick PSA for everyone that I mentioned at the top of the hour ...

Stay away from "Maternal Instinct."

The First Lady had some work to do the other night, so she stayed out in the living room while I got in bed. I needed something to watch, and I found this little documentary staring at me on Netflix.

The first hour or so is fine. Frankly, it's nothing absurdly crazy. Sure, this lady is nuts, but I just figured that would be the end of it.

The final 30 minutes is some of the most depressing, disturbing, nauseating content I've ever watched in my life. Admittedly, I had no clue how this true-crime doc ended before I hit 'play,' so it's a little bit on me for not doing my research.

But goodness gracious, it was just horrifying. And horrible. And made me so incredibly angry before putting on an episode of "Roseanne" to fall asleep to.

We got in bed last night and my wife asked me if I'd heard about it. I snapped my head over and said, "Don't even think about it. It's not for you," and left it at that.

Anyway, probably not the greatest endorsement for the folks over at Netflix and "Maternal Instinct," or maybe it is?

Don't say I didn't warn you, though.

OK, that's it for today. Good work, everyone. One day left this week, and then we're off to the races. Keep grinding!

See you tomorrow.

OutKick Nightcaps is a daily column set to run Monday through Friday at 4 p.m. (roughly, we’re not robots).

What would you do if you were Caitlin Clark? Email me at Zach.Dean@OutKick.com.

Chinese drone monopoly put on notice amid concerns over CCP spying: 'Strategic mistake'

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:39:32 -0400

Rep. Pat Harrigan, R-N.C., who serves on crucial subcommittees of the House Armed Services Committee, is leading a charge to phase out Chinese-manufactured drones from use in U.S. law enforcement.

"Here in the United States, we've allowed China to dominate much of the global drone market while American agencies continue relying on systems built by companies tied to the Chinese Communist Party," Harrigan said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

"That's a strategic mistake," he continued.

The bill, titled the American Drone Manufacturing Dominance Act of 2026, would offer domestic law enforcement an off-ramp for whatever Chinese-made drones they might be currently using. It also furthers legislative ways in which Republicans have sought to step away from Chinese manufacturing and supply in sensitive areas. It also makes federal grant funding conditional on not acquiring any foreign-made drones after Jan. 1, 2027.

SEN WICKER: ENDING CHINA’S DRONE DOMINANCE WITH A MADE-IN-AMERICA REVIVAL

In its current form, the bill sets aside $1.5 billion in federal funding, funded through Trump's Section 301 tariffs, to accelerate the removal of Chinese-made drones and would subsidize a domestic drone manufacturing base with defense applications.

Harrigan said drones have become a clear security issue in light of their use in overseas conflicts and their growing sophistication.

"One of the clearest lessons from Ukraine is that drones are no longer a niche capability; they're a foundational part of modern warfare," Harrigan said.

Almost all major U.S. cities have implemented restrictions on the use of drones. In Washington, D.C., for instance, drones are completely banned from use due to the federal Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) that governs highly restricted airspace.

Even so, their use has climbed in recent years — especially in border security, where their fast-moving capabilities have allowed border agents to monitor wide swaths of land.

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In 2020, an internal memorandum authored by then U.S. Border Patrol Chief Rodney Scott signaled CBP’s intent to significantly expand their use.

"These unmanned technologies will achieve levels of detection, response and interdiction efficiencies not realized by current CBP technological capabilities," the memorandum states.

Local law enforcement also uses drones, but is reliant on Chinese manufacturers like Da Jiang Innovations (DJI). In Texas, for instance, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Texas, for instance. The Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) said that of the 966 drones registered to police and sheriff’s departments in the Lone Star State in 2024, 879 were produced by DJI.

Harrigan believes drone use isn’t going away. But even as their use expands, he believes lawmakers should prioritize American safety through U.S. manufacturing.

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"If drones are going to play a central role in national security, public safety, and critical infrastructure, America needs to be able to build them here at home," Harrigan said.

It’s unclear when Harrigan’s bill would reach the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.

Trump's $88B Iran war bill collides with Senate opposition

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:10:16 -0400

The Pentagon’s massive funding request to pay some of the costs of the Iran war is going to be a hard sell for Senate Democrats, and a key issue buried deep in the multibillion-dollar request could divide Republicans.

Congress received the nearly $88 billion package Wednesday afternoon after months of speculation about whether it would ever come, and exactly how much it would cost. The current price tag is drastically lower than earlier estimates, which project the package could reach as high as $200 billion.

But after roughly four months and a tenuous peace deal in place, Democrats appear unwilling to support the funding that would replenish munitions, despite sweeteners that appear geared toward attracting their support.

CLOSED-DOOR OUTBURST TURNS INTO VICTORY FOR TRUMP’S IRAN NEGOTIATIONS

"It seems designed to repel Democratic votes," Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said. "They’re clearly not trying to pass this."

Those sweeteners, which include $11 billion in aid for farmers and $1.4 billion to fight the Ebola outbreak in Africa, didn’t sway Murphy, who charged that the farm assistance in particular was a "war cost."

The package isn’t getting any love from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., either, who accused President Donald Trump of "asking taxpayers to clean up his messes."

"After dragging America into a reckless war, he now wants Congress to hand him tens of billions more to paper over the damage — while families are still paying higher prices," Schumer said on X. "We should be lowering costs for the American people, not writing another blank check for Trump."

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., wasn’t surprised that Senate Democrats appeared ready to bat down the package, which will need at least 60 votes to pass in the Senate, arguing that "they haven’t supported anything this year, or last year."

IRAN WAR'S PRICE TAG HITS $80B — MORE THAN DOUBLE WHAT CONGRESS WAS TOLD

"It's literally true. I mean, including stuff that they negotiated," Hawley said. "FISA, they negotiated, which I didn't like when they negotiated, but still, you know, they negotiated and said, ‘No,’ they negotiated all the appropriations bills then said, ‘No.’ I mean, so, you know, I'd be shocked if they did support it."

The bulk of the request is geared toward the Pentagon and includes $67 billion for the War Department, including $21 billion to replenish missile stockpiles depleted during the Iran offensive, known as Operation Epic Fury, $17 billion for military operations, $2.4 billion for drones and $5.1 billion for cybersecurity and autonomy.

Another $12 billion of the War Department funding would go toward classified programs. The request also includes $2 billion for the Coast Guard and $800 million for the National Guard.

The administration is also seeking $672 million for the removal of Iranian nuclear materials, inspections and verification efforts, and other counterproliferation activities.

According to the proposal, the funding would support the removal of Iranian nuclear materials, including uranium hexafluoride (UF6), uranium in various forms and research reactor fuel, including highly enriched uranium.

The proposal would also fund potential U.S. verification activities in Iran, subject to site access, support inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency, strengthen nuclear-smuggling detection efforts and expand Nuclear Emergency Support Team operations across the Middle East.

The funding comes as U.S. and Iranian negotiators work to translate the recent memorandum of understanding (MOU) into a more detailed agreement governing Iran's nuclear program and stockpile of enriched uranium.

While the memorandum established downblending as the minimum acceptable method for handling Iran's enriched uranium, negotiators have not publicly disclosed whether the material would ultimately remain in Iran, be transferred to another country or be destroyed.

TRUMP SEEKS $672M TO STOP IRANIAN NUKES AS NEGOTIATORS WEIGH FATE OF URANIUM STOCKPILE

While Democrats shake their fists at the supplemental spending package, one provision tucked into the legislation could also give Republicans heartburn.

Among the farm aid provisions is a policy to permanently extend the sale of gasoline with a blend of ethanol, a liquid biofuel made from corn, known as E15.

The E15 issue showed a rare rift in Senate Republican leadership, one that ripples through the Senate GOP based on geography and differing state economies than on a personal leve.

"Promising a year-round E15 mandate is a check the president can't cash," a Republican source said.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., backs it, particularly for the benefits it could give candidates running for election or re-election in states where corn crops are king.

But his second-in-command, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., bucked the House’s year-round E15 bill when it passed last month and has argued that allowing a mandate on the fuel blend would hurt small refiners and undo strides for energy production made in Trump’s flagship legislation, the "big, beautiful bill."

"America’s small refiners are unsung heroes of affordable American energy. Washington D.C., often overlooks them. Working families depend on them," Barrasso said on the Senate floor earlier this week. "I represent several small refineries in Wyoming. The refineries employ thousands of people."

"They make gasoline prices more affordable," he continued. "They strengthen our nation’s energy security. Proposed new mandates on small refineries would harm them and the people who work for them."

Since the House bill passed, Thune said he has continued to have conversations to find a "path forward" on the issue.

"We’re working with the stakeholder community and our members on both sides to figure out if that’s something we can execute on and get done," Thune said.

Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., a proponent of the provision, argued that he viewed it as an "incentive," but acknowledged there was a chance it could be amended out of the broader supplemental package.

"I mean it makes a better deal, and I don’t know why they would want to take it out," Rounds said.

Brooks Nader wows in iconic red one-piece bathing suit as 'Baywatch' reboot films beach scenes

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:07:32 -0400

Brooks Nader is giving fans a sneak peek at her "Baywatch" character.

The 29-year-old actress and model was recently photographed in the iconic red "Baywatch" swimsuit, as she and the rest of the cast filmed beach scenes for the upcoming reboot.

In the photos, Nader is seen flaunting her beach babe bod in a red one-piece swimsuit with a high-cut leg, showing off her long legs.

Also starring Stephen Amell, Shay Mitchell, Hassie Harrison and others, the reboot is set to premiere on Fox in January 2027.

BROOKS NADER AND SISTERS POSE FOR BIKINI PHOTO SHOOT DURING DOMINICAN REPUBLIC GETAWAY

Fox first announced Nader's casting on Instagram in March, writing, the actress "sure manifested this one into being."⁠ She will be playing Selene, a captain of the Zuma beach lifeguards.

Nader then took to her social media to confirm the news, sharing multiple photos of herself on set, as well as herself as a child, including one of her wearing a shirt with "movie star" written on it, and another of her posing in a one-piece swimsuit.

"I believed in this long before it made sense 💫," she wrote in the caption. "Never give up, chase your dreams no matter how wild there are!!!!!@baywatchtv @foxtv LETS GO! ❤️."

While she was excited about being part of the show, many social media users took issue with the influencer-heavy casting on the show.

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Some called it "influencer casting, not acting" and slammed the project as "a JOKE" with an "awful cast." In addition to Nader, influencers on the cast include Noah Beck, who found fame on TikTok, and Livvy Dunne, who has over 13 million social media followers.

"I think that the times are different, and everyone is so multi-hyphenate now. And you can be both an actor and an influencer and have influence," Nader told the Daily Mail in response to critics. "And that's the beauty of the culture that social media has created."

"We now have platforms," she continued. "I think … during the '90s, you didn't have social media. You didn't have Instagram or TikTok. And, so, people could use their voice now, and I think as long as they're using it for good ... I think that … it'll bring a vibe to the show."

The original show, which ran for 11 seasons over the course of 12 years, from 1989 to 2001, and launched the careers of many of its stars, including Pamela Anderson and Carmen Electra.

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Electra joined the show in its eighth season, in 1997. During an appearance at 90s con in September 2024, Electra spoke about her big break and what her life was like prior to being discovered, noting she "was homeless in L.A."

"I knew where I needed to be in N.Y. or L.A.," she said, according to People. "So, there was a lot of struggling, and I didn’t really know what I was going to do. But I just started to try things and come out of my shell really. So that’s the beginning."

Trump scores SCOTUS asylum win — but liberal justice warns it could backfire at border

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:01:33 -0400

The Supreme Court’s Thursday decision to restrict asylum applications, hailed by immigration hawks, could actually end up increasing illegal crossings, according to the three dissenting justices and immigration nonprofit involved in the case.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court held in Mullin v. Al Otro Lado that migrants must physically set foot in the United States in order to be eligible for asylum, reversing lower court rulings that had required the government to process certain asylum seekers turned away at ports of entry. While the decision is broadly viewed as making asylum claims more difficult to secure, an objective of the Trump administration, Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Al Otro Lado both argue that it may have unintended consequences.

"This Court has previously recognized that immigration statutes and procedures should not be construed to ‘create a perverse incentive to enter at an unlawful rather than a lawful location. Yet, the majority’s construction does exactly that," Sotomayor wrote in her dissent. "It tells asylum seekers that they may apply for asylum if they can make it across the border illegally but that they cannot apply if they patiently wait at the edge of a port of entry."

Al Otro Lado argued on similar lines, stating in a court filing that restricting asylum access to those who physically enter the United States would"create a perverse incentive to cross the border between ports of entry" as people who do so will receive greater rights than those stopped at ports.

SUPREME COURT HANDS TRUMP TWO MAJOR IMMIGRATION VICTORIES

It is unclear if the Department of Homeland Security, which celebrated the decision, has prepared for the potential uptick in asylum seekers illegally crossing the border. DHS did not respond to a request for comment when reached by Fox News Digital on Thursday.

The conservative majority, led by Justice Samuel Alito, downplayed this possibility, calling the concern "overstated."

DOJ ACCUSES COURTS OF UNDERCUTTING EXECUTIVE POWER IN HIGH-STAKES SUPREME COURT BORDER CASE

"Metering does not permanently bar any alien from arriving in the United States and then applying for asylum," Alito wrote for the majority. "Illegal entry, on the other hand, may be expensive and dangerous, and it carries adverse legal effects. Entry at an improper location is a crime. An alien becomes ineligible for asylum if he unlawfully re-enters the country after having been removed."

"An alien whose admission and inspection are delayed due to metering would need a powerful reason to apply for asylum immediately for it to be preferable to run all the risks of illegal entry," he added.

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Metering refers to the practice of limiting how many asylum seekers can approach or enter a U.S. port of entry each day for processing. Under the policy, migrants were often told to wait in Mexico until U.S. officials determined the port had capacity.

Alito's rationale was not enough to convince Sotomayor and the other dissenting justices.

"The point, however, is not that illegal entry always produces a net windfall for asylum seekers; it is that Congress was unlikely to devise a system in which asylum is available to those who unlawfully set foot over the border, but not to those who attempt to comply with the law and are physically blocked from entering at the threshold of a port of entry by an immigration officer," she wrote. "It is also the unfortunate reality that, despite the adverse consequences the majority cites, many asylum seekers are desperate enough to flee the persecution they face in their home countries that they are willing to run significant risks to apply for asylum."

Sotomayor went on to cite a 2018 DHS Office of the Inspector General report that found metering had "unintended consequences" which "le[d] some aliens who would otherwise seek legal entry into the United States to cross the border illegally."

The report was published before lower courts held that migrants turned away at the border could apply for asylum, meaning that the conditions it covered are comparable to the new status quo set by the Supreme Court.

"This administration has demonstrated that the border can be secured against illegal entries. As border wall construction continues, the ability to deter illegal crossings will only improve," Matt Crapo, the director of litigation at the right-wing Federation for American Immigration Reform, told Fox News Digital.

"So long as the federal government makes border security a priority, illegal crossings should not be a major concern," he added.

Florida Democrat says his state 'thankfully' doesn't have Democratic socialists like New York

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:00:36 -0400

Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., remarked how "thankfully" he doesn't have Democratic socialists in his state after the recent New York primary election results.

Tuesday's primary election surprised many members of the Democratic Party after three socialist candidates not only won their elections but defeated establishment Democratic politicians.

Moskowitz was reluctant to celebrate the candidates' victory on CNN's "The Situation Room" Wednesday, calling it more of a sign of the Democratic Socialists of America's (DSA) growing power in the country.

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"We’re going to lose two good members in New York that, you know, one had served for four years, one had been there for 10 years," Moskowitz said. "But this is what elections are about, right? I mean, New York City is different than Florida. Florida is different than California. Texas is different than New York. People get elected in different areas. We have districts there that are, I don’t know, D20s, D30s, D40s. So the primary is what matters. Obviously, they’re very progressive seats. The DSA has been increasing their power in New York."

He added, "They have a mayor, and he’s obviously flexing his power. Thankfully, we live in Florida, and we don’t have Democratic socialists like they have in New York. And, you know, like, that’s something that people in New York are going to have to decide whether, you know, they want to stay there and deal with those policies or leave."

A CALIFORNIA TOWN BET BIG ON SOCIALISM. IS IT COMING TO MORE AMERICAN CITIES?

Fox News Digital reached out to the Democratic Socialists of America for comment.

Though Moskowitz remarked that they "don't have" socialists in Florida, Moskowitz himself will face a primary against socialist candidate Oliver Larkin in August.

According to Larkin's campaign website, Larkin is "an activist, union organizer, and proud Democratic Socialist" who previously worked as a volunteer for Sen. Bernie Sanders's, I-Vt., 2016 presidential campaign.

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New York congressional candidates Brad Lander, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier all delivered upset victories in campaigns largely propped by a socialist economic agenda, anti-Israel posture and opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. They each received an endorsement from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Reporter's Notebook: Lawmakers wrestle over whether AI can make the grade in America's classrooms

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 14:53:59 -0400

Reading. Writing. And AI algorithms.

The Senate is now wrestling with how students — and teachers — might use Artificial Intelligence in the classroom.

It’s inevitable.

"The question is not whether AI is going to impact education. The real question is whether we will shape its use thoughtfully. Responsibly," said Delaware Secretary of Education Cindy Marten during a recent Senate hearing.

Lawmakers are focusing not just on what AI teaches students. But how.

"What do we know when it comes to long term cognitive impact of the use of this technology?" asked Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., at the hearing.

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"We have no causal studies on long term impact on social or cognitive development," replied Erin Mote, who, as CEO of InnovateEDU and the EDSAFE AI Alliance, works on technological innovation in the classroom.

Pushing students onto screens, iPads and Chromebooks in the classroom was all the rage about 12 years ago. But since that rush to technology, the percentage of high school seniors performing at grade level in math and reading is down four points from 2009, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NEAP), sometimes known as the report card of the nation.

"The students did not learn the content better and their social and emotional health has suffered greatly. We need to ensure as we move forward teaching about and with AI that we do not become overly tech reliant and that critical thinking skills remain imperative" said David Slykhuis of Valdosta State University at a House hearing earlier this year.

That’s why lawmakers are skeptical that AI can boost classroom performance.

"Kids have outsourced critical thinking. Have outsourced friendship. Have even outsourced moral advice to AI," said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn.

95% OF FACULTY SAY AI MAKING STUDENTS DANGEROUSLY DEPENDENT ON TECHNOLOGY FOR LEARNING: SURVEY

There are also privacy concerns. AI can glean what each student learns and knows.

AI could harvest what lessons they’ve covered. How fast students picked up different concepts. AI or data brokers could then track that for decades as students head to college or even enter the workforce.

"These tools are getting more access to more information about our students that we may not even be aware of," warned Marten.

Teachers are already leaning on AI to develop lesson plans and grade papers. Elementary teachers can certainly deploy AI to grade simple multiplication tables and spelling. But it could spell trouble if teachers or professors use an AI rubric to grade subjective assignments such as creative writing or a term paper.

"For those that start using AI, there's a tendency to trust everything that it spits out that can create serious problems," said Joshua Jones at the Senate hearing. He’s CEO of QuantHub, an education AI literacy firm.

Some lawmakers doubt that AI can do everything. And some aspects of education are hard to copy.

"The foundational relationship between a child and a teacher is not something that AI is going to recreate. It's not something that I will substitute for," said Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va.

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Educators want to know how AI may shift their roles. And if the concept of a "teacher" or a "professor," tomorrow is the same as what we think of today.

"The idea of pulling that away is probably really scary to teachers who think this is what teaching looks like. But we know that it's not an effective way for teaching or for learning. And so it's going to require some real ecosystem shifts," said educator Emily Cherkin, who has written about AI.

Graduating college seniors showered several tech CEOs with a chorus of boos at commencement exercises around the country this spring. The reason? These students may have earned a diploma. But they wonder if that’s sufficient for gainful employment in the age of AI.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently met with a host of bipartisan lawmakers at the Capitol about their hopes and fears about AI.

"I understand that college students have a lot of anxiety about the future," said Altman. "I think there will be a lot of jobs in the future. I think that the impact on jobs has been less than many people in our field expected. And it doesn't mean that it will always stay that way in the future."

Moreover, students may question the value of an education if they can’t get work due to artificial intelligence.

"(High school seniors) were saying that they can't find jobs. Saying that 30 to 40 percent of them are unemployed and they blame AI for this," said Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo. "We've got to make some choices about AI to make sure it actually is good for the American workforce. And I think a lot college grads don't think it is."

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Hawley believes Congress should take action on AI. But not in the ways you might think.

"We ought to pass legislation right now that would require these tech companies to turn over the data on how many jobs they're creating or how many they're destroying," said Hawley.

Rep. Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., is one of the leading voices in Congress on AI. He recently helped draft a bipartisan framework for legislation to regulate AI. Obernolte says he hears what college students are saying.

"It's an indication that we collectively have done a terrible job at articulating to the American public the optimistic case for AI deployment," said Obernolte. "AI will probably be the most powerful tool for enhancing human productivity that we have ever invented. And that will not only have positive economic consequences for our country and our world, but could create this rising wave of prosperity that literally lifts all the boats."

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., wants to pass an AI regulation bill by the end of the year. But the Congressional calendar is especially clogged. The House skipped out of town a day early this week. Even next week’s schedule may be in jeopardy thanks to a dispute over the SAVE America Act. That’s the GOP bill requiring proof of citizenship to vote.

But it’s unclear how a bill may address the specifics of AI in the classroom.

That means AI may continue unbridled in primary, secondary and even collegiate education.

And unless lawmakers move fast, AI may school us all.

Breaking down EA Sports' College Football 27 team ratings: who's too high, who's too low?

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 14:50:09 -0400

One of the most hotly anticipated games of this summer -- especially for college football fans who are looking for anything to satiate their appetites during the offseason -- is College Football 27, the latest offering from EA Sports.

The game is slated for a July release, but EA has been giving fans little breadcrumbs to tide them over, and one of the biggest appetizers they've dropped so far has been the team ratings.

I went through the overall ratings and found a few that raised my eyebrows. Some teams were rated too low, while others seemed far too highly rated.

Below, I'll share with you three teams from each category that caught my eye, and if you think your team is rated too low or your rival is rated too high, don't be afraid to sound off in the comments.

This narrative that the Georgia Bulldogs are cooked in the era of NIL and the transfer portal is a lazy one at best, and that's coming from a fan of a rival SEC team to boot.

Head coach Kirby Smart has recruited like a madman since day one in Athens, and he hasn't slowed down in recent years either.

On offense, the Dawgs have an experienced starter at quarterback in Gunner Stockton returning to go along with dynamite running back Nate Frazier and transfer portal addition Isaiah Canion at wide receiver.

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A veteran defense should lead the way for the Bulldogs, with studs like defensive tackle Jordan Hall and safety KJ Bolden giving Smart one of the saltiest defensive units in the country, and I fully expect Georgia to once again win the SEC.

Sleep on these mutts at your own risk.

Call me a "star gazer" all you want, but Indiana hasn't recruited well enough to merit this high of a team ranking.

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I don't even think the Hoosiers were one of the most talented teams in the College Football Playoff last postseason, and their performance was more a testament to head coach Curt Cignetti and his staff's greatness.

Even their transfer portal class wasn't anything to write home about this offseason.

Sure, it was ranked in the top 10 by 247Sports, but they only took 17 transfers, 11 of which were three stars.

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The only other teams in the top 10 of the transfer portal rankings to take fewer than 20 transfers were Miami and Ohio State, two teams who recruit well enough to not have to rely exclusively on the portal to get their talent.

Indiana isn't there yet, and the fact that they lost their Heisman-winning signal caller gives me pause when it comes to their 90 overall rating.

I'll never doubt coach Cig's abilities as a coach, but I don't think the Hoosiers are the second best team in the country from a talent perspective.

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Two things can be true at the same time: the Clemson Tigers have been one of the most disappointing programs in college football since the turn of the decade, but they've also been one of the more talented teams in the country during that time frame.

If overall team ratings are largely talent based, I'm not sure how Clemson can be slotted where they are in 2026.

While the Tigers aren't known for using the transfer portal, they have consistently signed some of the best recruiting classes in the ACC in the last five years.

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Guys like linebacker Sammy Brown and wide receivers T.J. Moore and Bryant Wesco are still on this roster and have been recruited and developed the old-fashioned way.

I'm not going to sit here and argue that Clemson should be one of the highest-rated teams in CFB 27, but 83 is just way too low for my liking.

This is a perfect example of comparing rosters and poking holes in the rating system.

I understand BYU had a better year in 2025 than Clemson and might even be projected to have a better season in 2026, but you can't look me in the eye and tell me the Cougars are appreciably more talented than the Tigers.

The recruiting rankings refute it. The disparity in transfer portal rankings is negligible at best. And I guarantee you the Tigers will have more players drafted next April than the Cougars will.

I understand BYU is expected to compete for a Big 12 conference title while Clemson has an over/under win total of 7.5, but when you put the two depth charts side by side, I just can't see the Cougars being three overall points better.

If you were to hang out in Tuscaloosa for a weekend and listen to Crimson Tide fans talk about their team's chances this year as well as the direction of the program, you would probably think 86 was too high of a rating for Alabama.

That's just because every Tide fan is comparing their current state to the heyday of the Nick Saban era, but if you look at this roster objectively, you'll see it's littered with talent that makes an 86 overall rating dubious at best.

This team is still littered with five-stars and highly rated four-stars nearly across the board, and Kalen DeBoer has kept the Crimson Tide recruiting at an insanely high level throughout his time in T-Town.

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It remains to be seen whether the Tide can put it all together this season, but the talent is there and the rating should absolutely reflect that.

Threw you for a loop there, didn't I?

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Yes, the Auburn Tigers have an overall rating of 83, which I actually don't have a problem with, but their 86 rating on the offensive side of the ball honestly made me do a double take.

It's no secret the Tigers recruited fairly well on that side of the ball under former head coach Hugh Freeze, but many of their best players hit the transfer portal after he was fired, including their top two receivers from last season, Cam Coleman and Eric Singleton Jr.

New head coach Alex Golesh brought over plenty of his players from his last stop at USF, including quarterback Byrum Brown, but it remains to be seen how American Athletic Conference standouts perform in the SEC.

I wouldn't have a problem with Auburn having an 86 rating on offense come late October when more players have proven themselves, but right now there is just too much to be seen on that side of the ball to give such a high rating.

WATCH: Hearing derails as purple-haired Dem points finger, screams at chair to put DHS chief 'in his place'

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 14:19:21 -0400

A House oversight hearing on the Department of Homeland Security derailed Thursday after purple-haired Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., pointed her finger at Secretary Markwayne Mullin and demanded the committee chairman "put him in his place."

DeLauro and Mullin got into several shouting matches during her questioning, while House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee Chairman Mark Amodei, R-Nev., struggled to maintain order in the room.

At one point, while DeLauro was ripping the Trump administration for a border policy that she said meant "3,900 children were separated from their family," Mullin interrupted, saying, "450,000 kids were lost under the Biden administration, and you didn’t say a word about that."

In response, DeLauro became visibly agitated, pointing her finger and shouting, "Mr. Secretary, Mr. Secretary, do not interrupt."

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Mullin shot back, "Don’t you point your finger at me."

"I will point my finger at you," DeLauro retorted.

"Don’t be a hypocrite. You should be as upset about the 450,000 kids that were lost [under Biden]," said Mullin.

After DeLauro said, "I am upset," Mullin pressed further, saying, "You didn’t say a word about it. For four years you never said a word."

After this, Amodei attempted to intervene, saying, "Mr. Secretary."

Turning to the secretary at the center of the dais, DeLauro said, "Could you put him in place?"

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To this, Amodei turned back to DeLauro and said, "Well, don’t yell at me."

"You should be put in your place," prodded Mullin.

Finally, the chair slammed his gavel, saying, "We are going to have something resembling order here." Turning to Mullin, he said, "If you would like to respond later on there are methods to do that but it’s not a who can talk louder into the mic."

Despite this, Mullin said, "I will not sit here and listen to her lie and accuse something this ridiculous," to which DeLauro said, "Do not accuse me of lying, do not."

"Then don’t," said Mullin.

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"There is concern for children across the board," continued DeLauro. "We care deeply about what is happening to children. I went to the border and I watched children in those fenced in places years ago and what was happening to them. So, I have a long history, Mr. Secretary, in this area. 3,900 kids were separated."

The same day as the hearing, the Supreme Court handed the Trump administration two major immigration wins. The court ruled that Homeland Security officials may resume turning back immigrants claiming asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border before they enter the country to apply for asylum. The court also allowed the administration to end Temporary Protected Status for roughly 350,000 Haitians and 6,100 Syrians while limiting judicial review of future TPS decisions.

Mamdani-backed socialist wins in New York expose growing rift between Democratic establishment, insurgent left

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 14:09:36 -0400

Ahead of this week's closely watched Democratic congressional primaries in New York, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani stressed that the party "must change."

On Tuesday, the 34-year-old democratic socialist mayor of the nation's most populous city took a major step toward that goal as three far-left congressional candidates he endorsed and campaigned tirelessly for defeated more mainstream Democrats, including two incumbents.

The victories by the Mamdani-backed candidates guarantee that the number of Democratic Socialists of America-aligned candidates will at least double in the next Congress and give Republicans further ammunition as they continue to portray all Democrats as far-left radicals.

A decade after progressive champion Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont came close to capturing the Democratic presidential nomination, and eight years after Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez burst onto the national stage by ousting then-House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley in a shocking primary upset, the far left appears further emboldened as it takes on the center-left establishment in a high-stakes battle for the future of the party.

LURCHING LEFT: MAMDANI-BACKED CANDIDATES OUST ESTABLISHEMENT DEMOCRATS

Darializa Avila Chevalier, the 32-year-old Mamdani-backed community organizer and democratic socialist who narrowly topped incumbent Democrat Adriano Espaillat, the 71-year-old Congressional Hispanic Caucus chair and the first Dominican American elected to the U.S. House, called her victory a "clear mandate."

Mamdani-endorsed state Assembly Member Claire Valdez, who won her primary on Tuesday in New York's 7th District, emphasized in her victory speech that "we haven't just won an election. We have declared that this movement is durable — that it is growing, and that it will not stop until working people are no longer asked to just build the table, no longer just offered a seat at the table, but will run the table."

In the race to succeed retiring Democratic Rep. Nydia Velazquez, Valdez topped the congresswoman's handpicked candidate, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, by over 20 points.

Mamdani, whose kingmaker status was dramatically boosted by the primary victories, said Wednesday that he sees "these results as a reflection of the fact that New Yorkers are hungry for a new kind of politics."

And possibly looking to the national stage, the mayor added, "My goal is to make America a place that every American can afford."

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Rep. Ro Khanna of California, one of the most visible national progressive leaders and a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender, said the results in New York City "shows we have a new party."

Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, told Fox News Digital that "New York's clean sweep was a political earthquake that shows voters want shake-up-the-system fighters who are not owned by corporate interests, billionaires, or corrupt Trump allies like AIPAC," referring to the powerful pro-Israel lobbying group.

The results will give Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the top two Democrats in Congress, major headaches in their own backyard of New York.

The 75-year-old Schumer, who is certain to face a primary challenge from the left if he seeks re-election in 2028, repeatedly pointed to Republican President Donald Trump when asked about the victories by the far-left candidates.

"We have a great unified party, and we're going to stop Trump," Schumer told reporters.

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Jeffries is also likely to be targeted from the left.

The crowd at the Valdez victory party chanted "you’re next" as a cable news interview with Jeffries appeared on the big screens on Tuesday night.

Jeffries told reporters on Wednesday, "I'm going to continue to stand behind every single Democratic incumbent, while of course, continuing to focus on what we actually need to do for this country, which is to take back control of the House of Representatives."

Matt Bennett, one of the leaders at the Third Way, a leading center-left Democratic organization, acknowledged that "there is enormous energy around the far left in very, very blue places, like New York City" and that "they are succeeding in their mission to oust incumbents or mainstream Democrats from blue seats and make them bluer."

But outside what has been labeled New York City's "Commie corridor," which includes parts of Brooklyn and Queens where voters in recent years have consistently backed far-left and socialist candidates, more mainstream Democrats prevailed in Tuesday's primaries.

In the high-profile showdown to succeed retiring longtime Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler in Manhattan, former Nadler staffer Micah Lasher came out on top.

Miles north of New York City in the state's swing 17th Congressional District, Army veteran Cait Conley won the primary and will challenge GOP Rep. Mike Lawler in a key midterm contest that is one of a handful which will determine if Republicans hold the slim House majority.

In Utah, former Democratic Rep. Ben McAdams defeated progressive rivals to win the primary in the newly redrawn and blue-leaning1st Congressional District. And in Maryland, just outside of Washington D.C., in the race to succeed longtime Rep. Steny Hoyer, Adrian Boafo, who was supported by Hoyer, topped a crowded and diverse Democratic primary field.

Bennett said that the New York City races grabbing outsized attention "are not representative districts, and it remains the case that the far left, in the Trump era, has failed to flip a single seat in Congress from red to blue, House or Senate."

"They’re doing nothing to put a check on Trump or get power back," he argued. "And in fact, they’re making it harder, because they’re handing Republicans very potent ammunition to use against Democrats in swing districts the way the GOP used ‘defund the police’ very effectively in 2020."

Since Mamdani's shocking Democratic mayoral primary win a year ago, Republicans have used him as a cudgel as they work to hold their razor-thin House majority in this year's midterm elections.

National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Mike Marinella argued that "Zohran Mamdani’s socialist brand is as toxic as it comes."

Pointing to Tuesday's results, Marinella charged that "it was the night the Democrat establishment officially surrendered to Zohran Mamdani and the socialist wing of their party. Every House Democrat, in safe and competitive districts alike, will now answer to the radicals calling the shots. And Americans should be terrified by where the Democrat Party is headed."

REPUBLICANS RELENTLESSLY USE MAMDANI AS SOCIALIST CUDGEL TO BASH VULNERABLE DEMOCRATS

Mamdani says bring it on.

"We've heard from Republicans time and again that they're going to try and make these candidates the face of the Democratic Party. To them. I say that we are ready for that," the mayor said on Wednesday.

Tuesday's primaries were just one chapter in the ongoing struggle between the far left and the establishment. More battles are ahead, including next Tuesday's congressional primaries in blue-leaning Colorado, the high-profile Democratic Senate primary in Michigan, the gubernatorial showdown in Wisconsin in early August, and the Los Angeles mayoral general election in the fall.

And the fight will continue after the midterms, as the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination race officially gets underway.

"For Democrats to win at the national level, they need candidates who span the political spectrum. The party has always had a big tent. But the old battle lines of progressive versus moderate are less important now than insider versus outsider," Democratic strategist Chris Moyer told Fox News.

Moyer, a veteran of multiple Democratic presidential campaigns, said, "More than anything else today, the authenticity question is decisive. Too many politicians are full of s---, and voters have never been better at spotting phonies."