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Charlie Kirk assassination suspect's defense playing long game for possible death row appeal: legal expert
A former assistant U.S. attorney says Tyler Robinson's defense team isn't just fighting to win Friday's rulings, they're laying the groundwork for a death penalty appeal, regardless of how a judge decides two consequential motions in the alleged Charlie Kirk assassination case.
Judge Tony Graf is set to issue rulings Friday at 3 p.m. local time on two defense motions, one seeking to delay Robinson's preliminary hearing, currently scheduled for May 18, and another to ban cameras from the courtroom entirely.
Former assistant U.S. attorney and criminal defense attorney Neama Rahmani told Fox News Digital he thinks these motions are part of the defense team's long game, aimed at creating issues that could be raised during appeal.
"The defense is probably thinking that if they raise these motions, whether it's to exclude cameras in the courtroom or to disqualify the Utah County Attorney's Office, they're creating potential issues on appeal, even if Judge Graf denies those motions," Rahmani said. "So if Tyler Robinson is sentenced to death, he may have more arguments that both state and federal appellate judges will be looking at if he is on death row."
WHAT WILL BE TYLER ROBINSON’S DEFENSE STRATEGY? EXPERTS WEIGH IN ON ACCUSED CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSIN
He said it's more likely that Graf will rule to delay the preliminary hearing, but cautioned it may not be pushed back by six months, as Robinson's attorneys are requesting.
"I think it's more likely that the judge grants the defense request to continue the preliminary hearing. And this is why, if they did receive hundreds of thousands of documents recently and they need time to go through it, it is the defendant's right to a speedy trial. And the defendant has the right to waive that right," he said. "Now, six months may be excessive. Maybe the judge continues it to some later date, weeks or months out. But ultimately, if the judge refuses to grant that continuance, that creates yet another issue on appeal."
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Robinson's defense team in January filed a motion to exclude "television cameras and microphones, still photographers, radio microphones and other similar implements of the electronic or broadcast media" out of the courtroom. His defense team argued that "highly sensational" media coverage threatens Robinson's due process rights and the ability to seat a jury.
TYLER ROBINSON DEFENSE ASKS COURT TO BAR CAMERAS FOR NEXT IN-PERSON HEARING
During an April hearing, social psychologist Bryan Edelman, a witness called by the defense, said news coverage of the assassination of Kirk and Robinson's alleged involvement included "sensationalized" content.
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Cole Christiansen, an investigator with the Utah County Attorney’s Office, argued that media coverage "went both ways" and wasn't one-sided.
"I think the tone of it went both ways. I think some of the tone of it was negative toward the prosecution and some of it was negative toward the defense as well. Some of it was negative toward Erika Kirk, and some of it was negative toward Charlie Kirk," he said.
"We strongly support open and transparent proceedings in this case, so that the public will trust the process here," Deputy Utah County Attorney Chad Grunander said during the April hearing. "There are conspiracy theories that abound. There are questions being raised, and the best antidote for falsehood is the truth in accuracy. It's the actual real proceedings. And that's why we favor opening this court and allowing the cameras in the courtroom."
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In late March, Robinson's attorneys asked Graf for a minimum six-month delay for the preliminary hearing, arguing they aren't capable of reviewing the "voluminous" files received by prosecutors for discovery, which isn't yet complete.
Robinson's attorneys said in an earlier filing that defense attorneys received more than 600,000 files from prosecutors during a meeting on March 12, which they say will take time to review. His defense team asked for a minimum six-month delay for the preliminary hearing, which is currently scheduled to begin on May 18.
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"Discovery in this case is incomplete, voluminous, and the processing of it is complex," the defense team wrote.
One of the defense's experts, a forensic biologist, said she would need six months to review the evidence.
Robinson faces multiple charges after he allegedly killed Kirk, who founded TPUSA, on Sept. 10, 2025, including aggravated murder. His charges are death penalty eligible.
Fox News Digital reached out to Robinson's attorney.
Fox News Digital's Stepheny Price contributed to this report.
Alzheimer’s risk slashed by eating more of one common food, study suggests
A new study has revealed a link between egg consumption and reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
The research from California’s Loma Linda University, published in the Journal of Nutrition, aimed to analyze the relationship between the neurological condition and dietary habits.
The study noted that eggs are known to be a "source of key nutrients that support brain health," which led to this investigation.
KEEP THE EGGS BUT REPLACE 5 BAD-FOR-YOU BREAKFAST FOODS, SAYS NUTRITIONIST
The researchers analyzed data from nearly 40,000 U.S. adults over 65 years old, from a large study linked to Medicare records, to identify Alzheimer’s diagnoses.
After 15 years, 2,858 people had developed Alzheimer’s. The participants’ diet and lifestyle were assessed via questionnaire.
Egg consumption was characterized by how often people ate them, on a scale from never to more than five times per week.
Egg intake was divided into two types: "visible" eggs, like boiled, scrambled or fried eggs eaten on their own, and "hidden" eggs, which are used as ingredients in foods like baked goods and packaged products.
People who ate eggs one to three times per month, or once a week, had a 17% lower risk of Alzheimer’s, the researchers found. Those who ate eggs five or more times per week had a 27% lower risk.
EGGS NOW QUALIFY AS ‘HEALTHY’ FOOD, FDA SAYS: HERE’S WHY
Those who consumed no eggs had a higher risk of Alzheimer’s compared to those who ate about 10 grams of eggs per day, based on a separate model in the study.
"In this health-conscious population, moderate egg consumption was associated with a significantly lower risk of Alzheimer's disease," the researchers concluded. "These findings suggest a potential neuroprotective benefit of nutrients found in eggs when consumed as part of a balanced diet."
Dr. Joel Salinas, a Harvard-trained behavioral neurologist and chief medical officer at Isaac Health, called this a "reasonably well-designed study with a long follow-up," with a finding that is consistent with previous research.
"Eggs are concentrated sources of choline, DHA and B12, which are nutrients the aging brain depends on," Salinas, who practices at NYU Langone, told Fox News Digital in an interview.
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"That said, this is observational data from a uniquely health-conscious population, so causation can't be established here," he pointed out. "It’s more directional rather than definitive."
While eggs "aren't quite the prescription yet," Salinas said, they're "one piece of a much larger health picture that includes exercise, a brain-healthy diet and more."
Lauri Wright, director of nutrition programs at the University of South Florida's College of Public Health, also reflected on these "encouraging" findings in an interview with Fox News Digital, urging people to "interpret them with some caution."
Wright, who was not involved in the study, reiterated that the study is observational and can only show an association, not causation.
People who eat eggs regularly may have different lifestyle habits and dietary patterns that could influence the findings, she noted.
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Even so, she said, there are "some good reasons that eggs could play a role in brain health."
"Egg yolks are one of the richest dietary sources of choline, which the body uses to make acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in memory and cognitive function," Wright said. "Eggs also provide nutrients linked to healthy aging, including lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin B12, quality protein and small amounts of omega-3 fats."
Wright added that eggs can "absolutely fit" into a healthy dietary pattern that supports brain health, but noted that the overall context of the diet matters.
"Eggs served with vegetables, whole grains, fruit, beans, nuts or fish are very different nutritionally than eggs consistently paired with processed meats, refined carbohydrates and high-sodium foods," she said. "For most healthy adults, moderate egg intake can fit within a heart-healthy eating pattern."
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Healthy eating is rarely about "one superfood," according to the nutritionist.
"The bigger picture is maintaining an overall dietary pattern that supports cardiovascular and metabolic health, because what is good for the heart is often good for the brain as well," she added.
MAKARY, DIAMANTAS: Parents worried about baby formula safety just got the news they needed
When it comes to infant formula, the safety of every bottle is non-negotiable. That’s why the U.S. Food and Drug Administration just completed the most comprehensive and rigorous testing of infant formula for chemical contaminants in our nation’s history.
We analyzed more than 300 products and generated over 130,000 data points, screening for the contaminants that parents are most concerned about: heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic; pesticides, including glyphosate and glufosinate; per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS; and phthalates.
The results are clear — and a relief. The U.S. infant formula supply is safe, with the overwhelming majority of products showing undetectable or extremely low levels of these substances. While breast milk is widely recognized as the gold standard, millions of parents and caregivers depend on formula. For these families, the results from our testing are reassuring.
Here’s a sample of the results: No pesticides were detected in 99% of samples, and 1% had fewer than 0.25 parts per billion. For the heavy metals we tested, all samples were well below Environmental Protection Agency requirements for drinking water. PFAS and plasticizers had similarly reassuring results.
FOOD SAFETY IN FOCUS AT RFK JR. MEETING AS MAHA INFLUENCERS URGE SAFEGUARDING OF AMERICA
Despite these positive results, there is more work to be done for Operation Stork Speed — our mission to enhance the safety and nutrition of infant formula — to be a success.
Supply chain failures, bureaucratic sluggishness and outdated regulatory standards continue to strain the trust families place in the food system. Under President Donald Trump, we’re prioritizing babies over bureaucracy, so families can have confidence in what they feed their children.
Our "Babies First" approach rests on three essential pillars: safety, availability and quality.
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To ensure the safety of infant formula, we will continue to use every available tool to drive contaminant levels as low as possible. This work does not end with a single round of testing. The FDA will continue to monitor infant formula products, expand our data collection, and apply the latest scientific tools to ensure standards remain as strong tomorrow as they are today, including through the establishment of action levels. We will test new products as they enter the market, ensure accountability, and share our findings openly with the public.
To promote availability and prevent shortages, we will remove unnecessary regulatory barriers and work with industry to monitor potential supply chain disruptions so that safe, high-quality products can reach store shelves without delay. We’ve also asked Congress to modernize the FDA’s authorities so we can better establish limits for contaminants and address microbiological risks.
As part of this project, we are committed to delivering a greater variety of infant formula product options for the American people to meet demand for products with more natural ingredients and without certain ingredients, such as added sugars, corn syrup and seed oils.
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We are not simply reacting to past challenges. To enhance formula quality for the future, we are modernizing the framework of pediatric nutrition. As part of this effort, we have launched a joint effort with the National Institutes of Health to study how dietary exposures in infancy influence health outcomes across a lifetime. We are also using modern scientific tools to anticipate future innovations and risks and protect the next generation.
Before we came into office, the last comprehensive review of formula nutrients occurred in 1998. That gap is unacceptable — especially in a country that leads the world in scientific innovation. As science evolves, our regulatory framework must evolve with it.
The Trump administration believes that a strong nation begins with its smallest citizens. That’s why we don’t see Operation Stork Speed as just a mission to regulate certain products. It’s a commitment to protect American families and America’s future, grounded in transparency, strength and action.
When it comes to infant formula, the safety of every bottle is non-negotiable. We are committed to putting babies first today and every day.
Kyle Diamantas, J.D. is Deputy FDA Commissioner for Food.
AOC slams ‘oppressed’ Trump states while touting NYC services despite $5B deficit and transit crime spike
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., sparked backlash Thursday by arguing that "red states" that supported President Donald Trump are "oppressed" and "neglected," while holding up New York City as a model of public service—even as the city grapples with a massive deficit and a surge in violent transit crime.
Appearing on the latest episode of the podcast "It's Open with Ilana Glazer," the progressive congresswoman claimed she feels "sorry" for MAGA voters, suggesting their political views are a byproduct of state-level oppression rather than genuine conviction.
"I don't care if you're a red state or voted for Trump," Ocasio-Cortez said. "A lot of these red states, they're not red. They're oppressed. I've driven across the country many times and I'll drive through really rural areas and I see the level of neglect and I'm like, yeah, I'd be pissed off at paying taxes, too."
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Ocasio-Cortez contrasted those states with New York City, praising the city’s high tax rate as "worth it" to fund public transportation, "amazing" teachers, and sanitation services.
"When it snows out, I get to look out my window and I get to see well-paid sanitation workers clearing that stuff out in a minute," Ocasio-Cortez said. "I get to walk out of my house and take the subway, which is publicly funded, and I say, ‘Yeah, this is worth it.’"
However, Ocasio-Cortez’s glowing assessment comes as the city faces a starkly different reality under the administration of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who was sworn in this past January.
NEW YORK CITY LOST RESIDENTS ACROSS ALL INCOME LEVELS LAST YEAR, STUDY FINDS
Despite the congresswoman's praise for city services, New York is currently facing a $5.4 billion budget gap. Mayor Mamdani has already signaled that higher taxes on "the 1%" and potential service cuts may be necessary to stabilize the city's finances.
The sanitation services Ocasio-Cortez lauded have also been a point of contention. Earlier this year, the Mamdani administration faced intense criticism after a massive winter storm left garbage and snow clogging city streets for over a week, leading to accusations of administrative incompetence.
Safety on the "publicly funded" subway system has also remained a top concern for New Yorkers. In March, the city was rocked by the death of Richard Williams, an 83-year-old Air Force veteran who was fatally shoved onto the tracks at an Upper East Side station.
AOC'S MUNICH 'STUMBLES' DRAW CRITICISM FROM LIBERAL CRITICS ADMITTING COMMENTS WERE 'NOT GREAT'
The suspect, Bairon Hernandez, a 34-year-old Honduran national who entered the country illegally, was recently indicted on murder charges. Hernandez had a lengthy rap sheet including 15 prior charges such as aggravated assault and possession of a weapon, raising questions about the city's sanctuary policies and the effectiveness of the transit police under the new administration.
Fox News Digital reached out to Ocasio-Cortez's office for comment.
Global scam crackdown leads to 276 arrests
We've often warned you about romance scams and crypto "investment" opportunities that feel too good to pass up. Now, there's a major update that shows just how organized these operations have become.
The Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation announced a sweeping international operation that led to at least 276 arrests and the shutdown of multiple scam centers tied to cryptocurrency fraud. These networks targeted Americans and drained millions of dollars from victims.
The operation spanned continents and involved coordinated efforts by law enforcement and tech companies.
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TOP 5 SCAMS SPREADING RIGHT NOW
Authorities worked with partners around the world, including the Dubai Police and law enforcement agencies in Thailand and beyond. Together, they dismantled at least nine scam centers linked to large-scale crypto fraud.
Several suspects now face federal charges in the United States, including wire fraud and money laundering. Investigators say these operations functioned like businesses, with recruitment, management layers and structured systems designed to deceive victims.
Officials made it clear that this effort sends a message. Fraud crosses borders, and enforcement is now doing the same.
These schemes often follow a pattern known as "pig-butchering." It is a slow, calculated tactic that builds trust before any money is involved.
A scammer may reach out through social media or a messaging app and start a casual conversation. Over time, that interaction turns more personal. In some cases, it feels like a real relationship. Once trust is established, the topic shifts toward investing, often framed as a unique crypto opportunity.
Victims are guided through setting up accounts and transferring funds to platforms that appear legitimate. The dashboards may even show fake gains to build confidence. At that point, control of the money is already gone. Funds are quickly moved through multiple accounts and eventually end up with the scammers.
Many victims are encouraged to keep going, sometimes borrowing money or taking out loans to invest more. By the time the truth becomes clear, the losses can be devastating.
Meta Platforms, Inc. played a key role in the investigation by providing data that helped law enforcement identify and track these networks.
The company says it has taken aggressive action across its platforms. In 2025 alone, Meta removed more than 159 million scam ads and shut down 10.9 million accounts linked to scam centers. More recently, it disabled over 150,000 accounts connected to these networks as part of a coordinated enforcement effort.
"Meta is committed to combatting online fraud and scams, and we are proud to partner with law enforcement in these efforts," Chris Sonderby, Meta's vice president and deputy general counsel, said. "We applaud the DOJ and FBI for their leadership in holding criminal scammers accountable and protecting American consumers."
FROM FRIENDLY TEXT TO FINANCIAL TRAP: THE NEW SCAM TREND
Meta is also rolling out new protections across its apps to help users spot scams before they get pulled in.
On Facebook, users may see alerts tied to suspicious friend requests, especially when an account shows unusual behavior such as limited connections or inconsistent location details.
On WhatsApp, new warnings are designed to prevent scammers from linking their own devices to someone else's account, giving users a chance to pause before approving a risky request.
Messenger is also expanding its scam detection tools. When a conversation shows patterns linked to common fraud tactics, users may receive prompts that explain the risk and suggest actions like blocking or reporting the account.
This operation highlights how organized these scam networks have become. These are not random messages from a single person. They are coordinated groups running structured operations designed to build trust, create urgency and move money quickly.
Even with hundreds of arrests, the threat remains. New networks continue to emerge, often using the same playbook with slight changes. That means staying informed is still one of the most effective ways to protect yourself.
Scammers follow familiar patterns, which means there are clear warning signs you can watch for and simple steps you can take to protect yourself.
If someone you do not know reaches out and quickly builds a personal connection, slow things down and question the situation. Scammers rely on momentum, so taking a pause can help you spot inconsistencies.
Before sending money to any investment platform, take time to verify that it is legitimate. A professional-looking website or app does not guarantee it is real. Look for independent reviews and official registration details.
Avoid sending cryptocurrency to individuals or platforms you cannot confirm. Once those transactions go through, they are extremely difficult to recover.
Be aware of pressure. If someone pushes you to act quickly or invest more, that urgency is often a warning sign.
Strong antivirus software can help block malicious links, fake investment sites and other threats before they reach you, adding another layer of defense against scam attempts. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.
THE ONE THING SCAMMERS CHECK BEFORE TARGETING YOU ONLINE
Scammers often rely on publicly available information to build trust. Reducing how much of your personal data appears online by using a data removal service can make it harder for them to target you in the first place. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting CyberGuy.com.
It also helps to strengthen your digital security. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts and use trusted security tools to reduce exposure to malicious links and messages.
If you believe you have been targeted or defrauded, report it to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov as soon as possible.
This global crackdown is a meaningful step forward. It shows what can happen when law enforcement, tech companies and international partners work together. At the same time, these scams are not going away. The tactics will continue to evolve, and new networks will take the place of those that were shut down. Awareness and caution remain your strongest defenses.
We report a lot about scams but not so much about scammers getting caught. Does this make you feel like real progress is being made in stopping them? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
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Pro wrestling star Ben Bishop on changes he'd make to independent scene: 'It's little things'
"Big Trouble" Ben Bishop is one of the most recognizable names on the independent wrestling circuit.
The 7-foot giant has appeared across several promotions in the U.S. and will be involved in a big match against Foxx Vinyer at Awesome Championship Wrestling’s (ACW) Reckoning next weekend at the MJN Center in Poughkeepsie, New York.
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Bishop has seen it all – the good and the bad. He opened up to Fox News Digital about what he would change about the indie scene, understanding that small companies putting on a wrestling show is a bigger undertaking than most people realize. Finding the perfect venue to have a ring, a backstage area, paying fees and setting a reasonable ticket price are all things that have to be considered.
"You gotta figure out where the sliding scale is. So, I get it. It’s tough. So, when I hear something like, ‘What would you change?’ It’s little things," Bishop said. "I think basic necessities on the independent scene is something that’s really important. The big joke in independent wrestling is like water is for the boys. Water is in the locker room. I think that’s a basic thing. I think that’s something that every promoter should be able to provide."
Bishop said that the timing of each show should also be a thought in a promoter’s head. He said shows shouldn’t really be more than 2 1/2 hours with showcase events having the ability to go up to three hours.
"I think people just want to enjoy wrestling and want to get out of there at a reasonable time, maybe go to dinner, maybe grab a drink somewhere and enjoy their night – have them leave wanting more," he continued. "At the end of the day, I think all us wrestlers, we are getting to do what we love. There’s going to be some independent shows that are much better than others. There’s gonna be some that are much worse than others – and I’ve been to all of them. I’ve seen them all, and I know what the bad ones are, and I know what the good ones are.
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"And when it comes to Awesome Championship Wrestling, they’re unlike any of the indies that I’ve done. The MJN Center is beautiful. There’s a beautiful locker room. There’s so much room. There’s enough chairs for people to sit in. There’s even couches, which is incredible. They have snacks and food, and ‘catering,’ and that doesn’t happen very often. But you know what it does? It leaves the locker room happy. Nobody’s miserable in that. And if nobody’s miserable and everyone’s happy, then the product is gonna be better.
"Nobody’s worried about, ‘Oh, I haven’t eaten in eight hours,’ or ‘I’m dying of thirst here. I can’t find a water bottle.’ It’s all those little things. But I just think basic necessities, if indies could just take care of that. I’m not asking for a huge spread. I’m not asking for sandwiches or pasta or anything of that stuff. Some water, basic things, and I think that could go a long way on the indies scene."
Bishop has been in Richard Holliday’s corner as well in recent ACW shows. While Holliday lost the ACW Heavyweight Championship to Killer Kross, he will have a chance to showcase his talent against current IWGP global heavyweight champion Andrade.
ACW Reckoning takes place on May 16.
Olympic gold medalists rip Newsom for California's trans athlete situation ahead of protested track meet
Three-time Olympic women's gold medalists Nancy Hogshead and Kaillie Humphries have spoken out on the growing girls' track and field controversy in California, as a trans athlete is looking to defend a pair of state titles.
Hogshead spoke out against California Gov. Gavin Newsom for his state's policies that continue to allow trans athletes in women's sports. The medalist responded to a statement from a source within Newsom's office on the issue that stated, "The Governor has said discussions on this issue should be guided by fairness, dignity, and respect."
"Governor Newsom seems to exclude girls from his own standard of 'fairness, dignity and respect.’ It is impossible to include a male — however they identify — into girl’s sports and have a fair competition, respecting and dignifying the unique biology of females. Females aren’t weakened males; males and females are built from different molds, so different that it justifies formal, government-sanctioned sex segregation," Hogshead told Fox News Digital.
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Hogshead, who represented the U.S. at the 1984 Summer Olympics, where she won three gold medals and one silver medal in swimming, has become a prominent activist in the fight to save women's sports, despite being a lifelong Democrat. Hogshead is also a civil rights lawyer.
"The government never segregates racially and religiously, but we do segregate by sex because of biology, material reality. Girls and women rely on that formal sex segregation to have the possibility of equality in sport. Governor Newsom needs to include the girls competing in track in his own analysis. As a law professor, this is a big fail," she continued.
Humprhies, who is a tax-paying California citizen and rising Trump ally in the effort to protect women's sports, criticized Newsom as well. Humphries has won three Olympic gold medals in bobsled for the U.S. and Canada and six medals in total, making her the most decorated women's bobsledder in history.
"There is nothing fair about allowing boys to take opportunities from girls in sports. It’s just the left’s thinly veiled misogyny. Governor Newsom should be focusing on California hosting the Olympics which actually knows the difference between men and women and quit pushing his woke agenda which is out of the mainstream of the American public," Humphries told Fox News Digital.
The source within Newsom's office responded to news that a "Save Girls Sports" protest will be held on Saturday at the site of a track and field playoff meet.
"The Governor has said discussions on this issue should be guided by fairness, dignity, and respect. He rejects the right wing’s cynical attempt to weaponize this debate as an excuse to vilify individual kids. The Governor’s position is simple: stand with all kids and stand up to bullies," a source within the governor's office told Fox News Digital on Wednesday.
"California is one of 22 states that have laws requiring students be permitted to participate in sex-segregated school sports consistent with their gender identity. California passed this law in 2013 (AB 1266) and it was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown."
President Donald Trump's White House has also called out Newsom ahead of the start of the state's girls' track and field postseason.
"Gavin Newscum is a truly sick individual who has no regard for fairness, dignity, and respect. If he did, he wouldn’t allow men to compete in women’s sports, limiting women’s opportunities and jeopardizing their health and safety. President Trump fights for commonsense policies that uplift every athlete and restore fairness on the field," White House spokeswoman Allison Schuster told Fox News Digital Thursday.
And Hogshead is not the only U.S. Olympian speaking out on the situation ahead of the event.
Former Team USA cyclist Giddeon Massie addressed the controversy in a statement to Fox News Digital.
"God in His perfect will and sovereignty created men and women to be different and we can be thankful for that. Men have a clear biological advantage in Track & Field which focuses on disciplines that test at the most basic levels, strength, speed, and endurance," Massie said.
"It is a chief of all lies, intellectually dishonest, and evil to suggest that women in their chosen sport be forced to compete against men that could not be competitive in their biologically correct category be labeled fair."
The Saturday protest, organized by former NCAA women's soccer player Sophia Lorey, will be held at the site of the California Interscholastic Southern Section, Division 3, preliminaries in Yorba Linda, as a trans athlete for Jurupa Valley High School is set to compete after winning two finals last season.
Last year's California girls' track and field state finals erupted into a chaotic and nationally publicized spectacle that included competing protests, the arrest of a pro-trans activist for allegedly attacking a conservative activist, a plane flyover with a "Save Girls Sports" banner and even Lorey's ejection from the venue.
After Jurupa's trans athlete won first place in triple jump and high jump, and second place in long jump, Trump's Department of Justice launched a lawsuit against California state agencies for alleged Title IX violations last July.
Trump's administration cracked down with a more targeted investigation of JUSD in January. The U.S. Department of Education announced JUSD specifically would be investigated for potential Title IX violations, along with 17 other institutions.
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Fox News ‘Antisemitism Exposed’ Newsletter: Haters caught on video
Fox News' "Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world.
IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER:
- NYPD releases footage of 4 suspects wanted in hate-fueled graffiti spree
- Radical professor calls for ‘Death to America’ at Virginia Tech
- Germany warns Islamist, far-left rhetoric driving spike in antisemitic attacks
TOP STORY: The NYPD is hunting for four suspects following an antisemitic graffiti spree in Queens. Over five separate incidents, the group spray-painted swastikas on synagogues, homes, cars, and a Holocaust memorial plaque. Surveillance footage shows the individuals fleeing the scene. The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the vandalism, which city officials have condemned as a deliberate act of hatred.
VIDEO: Fox News national correspondent Garrett Tenney reports on left-wing influencer Hasan Piker’s rally with Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. OutKick founder Clay Travis gives analysis on ‘The Faulkner Focus.’ WATCH HERE:
RAGING RADICAL: Former Columbia professor Mohamed Abdou urged students to dismantle the "U.S. empire," praising the October 7 attacks as a "blessed day." Despite university claims the event was unregistered, Abdou told attendees they are part of a "religious war," urging them to disrupt American supply chains and defense industries.
HATE WAVE: German officials warn that Islamist and far-left extremists are driving a dangerous spike in antisemitism by exploiting Middle East tensions. Incidents including verbal abuse and vandalism have become a "new normal," leaving Jewish communities feeling isolated and increasingly fearful for their safety despite Germany's historical responsibility toward protecting Jewish life.
PROF GETS BOOT: The University of Washington removed Aria Fani as Middle East Center director after he used a school listserv to call Zionism "cancerous" and criticize Israel. Fani, who remains an associate professor, claimed his dismissal followed pressure from pro-Israel groups. The university cited positional requirements and privacy for the decision.
CANCELED ON CAMPUS: Georgetown Law commencement speaker Morton Schapiro withdrew after students launched a petition condemning his pro-Israel views and lack of legal background. Schapiro, a former university president, stepped down to avoid distracting from the ceremony. He was replaced by Professor David Cole, an ACLU veteran known for defending pro-Palestinian speech rights.
GUEST EDITORIAL: Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, an Israeli civil rights attorney and president of the Shurat HaDin Law Center, warns that Britain’s antisemitism crisis could trigger legal reckoning at home and abroad. While some Jews are considering legal action to force the government to protect them, many Jewish families have already decided to move to Israel, she writes.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: ""Mr. El-Sayed not only is spewing hate, but he’s spewing it at political conventions and everywhere. With our history in Michigan, it’s shameful. He’s not a qualified candidate. It’s time for the Jewish community, and, for that matter every other community, to stand up and say no, and enough is enough." - Michigan resident Steve Cohen on Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed.
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US intel community agreed before war 'Iran wasn't developing a nuclear weapon': ex-counterterrorism chief
Former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent asserted in a post on X that prior to the start of the Iran war, the U.S. intelligence community agreed that the Islamic Republic was not developing a nuclear weapon.
"One of the many tragedies of this war is that before the war began the U.S. Intel Community, including CIA, was in agreement that Iran wasn't developing a nuclear weapon & that Iran would target U.S. bases in the region & shut down the Strait of Hormuz if they were attacked by Israel & the U.S.," Kent wrote in a post on Thursday.
"The IC also properly assessed that targeting the Iranian leadership would strengthen the regime and embolden the hardliners. Despite the professionalism & accuracy of the IC, the narrative & agenda spun by a foreign government- Israel, won the argument & forced us into this war," he continued.
EX-COUNTERTERRORISM CHIEF SAYS TRUMP MUST RESTRAIN ISRAEL BEFORE HE CAN DECLARE VICTORY IN IRAN
"We need to understand exactly how this happened to ensure we are never put in this position again," he concluded.
Fox News Digital reached out to the White House on Friday for a response to Kent's comments.
Kent resigned from the National Counterterrorism Center director role back in March.
WHAT ISRAEL WANTS FROM AN IRAN PEACE DEAL: NO ENRICHMENT, MISSILE LIMITS AND STRICT ENFORCEMENT
"I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran," he wrote in his resignation letter. "Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby."
In an April Truth Social post, President Donald Trump slapped down the notion that Israel convinced him to enter the war against Iran.
TRUMP PUSHES BACK AGAINST PUNDITS, SAYS ISRAEL DID NOT TALK HIM INTO THE IRAN WAR
"Israel never talked me into the war with Iran, the results of Oct. 7th, added to my lifelong opinion that IRAN CAN NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON, did," the president wrote in part of the post, referring to the heinous Oct. 7, 2023, terror attack perpetrated against Israel.
DR MARC SIEGEL: Hantavirus cruise outbreak is alarming but fear is spreading faster than facts
Fear is generally far more virulent than the virus that causes it. This is the case with the current hantavirus outbreak unless something about the virus itself has changed, which is very unlikely.
As far as we know, the only thing that this hantavirus has in common with the SARS-CoV-2 virus that sparked the COVID pandemic is that both are single-stranded RNA viruses and both sparked outbreaks on cruise ships. Of course, the current hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius is sparking memories of the Diamond Princess, which departed from Japan in late January 2020 for a cruise of the Western Pacific. The cruise ended up being quarantined off Japan for two weeks, after 712 of the 3,711 people on board became infected with the new COVID-19 virus.
But that’s where the similarity ends. On the MV Hondius, which left from Argentina, where the Andes strain of hantavirus is found, eight patients have become infected, and three have died, in part because the Andes strain can cause highly dangerous and deadly hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, or HPS. Unfortunately, the Andes strain can lead to HPS, and, given the close confines of a cruise ship, the vessel is an optimal environment for the spread of contagions.
HANTAVIRUS IN THE US: WHERE THE RARE, SOMETIMES DEADLY DISEASE HAS BEEN FOUND
One question that needs to be answered urgently is: Who or what carried the virus onto the ship? Was it an infected rodent or an infected person? If the story is true, as has been reported, that the Dutch couple got infected before they boarded the ship during a bird-watching trip through Argentina, Chile and Uruguay, where they likely became infected from rodent droppings, urine or saliva, then the eight cases that occurred are all due to human-to-human transmission, which is much less common than rodent-to-human spread. This at least raises the question whether the virus itself could have changed, as does the case of the flight attendant who appears to have acquired hantavirus from an elderly Dutch passenger who later died of it.
But it is far, far more likely that nothing about the virus itself has changed. The Andes strain can spread from one human to another, though with great difficulty. A study from Chile showed only 1% spread among household contacts and 17% among sexual contacts.
HANTAVIRUS DEATHS ON CRUISE SHIP HIGHLIGHT DANGERS OF RODENT-BORNE DISEASE
A more recent study from Argentina also showed extremely limited person-to-person spread. "From November 2018 through February 2019, person-to-person transmission of Andes virus (ANDV) hantavirus pulmonary syndrome occurred in Chubut Province, Argentina, and resulted in 34 confirmed infections and 11 deaths."
Fortunately, there are only 15 to 50 cases of hantavirus in the U.S. yearly and 150 to 300 cases in all of the Americas. The most common strain is the Sin Nombre strain, which does not pass from human to human. There are 10,000 to 100,000 cases in Europe and Asia every year, but they have all involved strains that don’t support human-to-human spread. Hantavirus remains essentially a rodent virus.
WHAT IS HANTAVIRUS, THE CAUSE OF GENE HACKMAN’S WIFE’S DEATH?
Here are three things you need to know about hantavirus in order to protect yourself from the fear and myths that are circulating.
While it is true that human-to-human spread is possible, it requires extremely close contact, most often sexual contact, and has only been shown to occur with the Andes strain.
This is extremely unlikely. This virus spreads mainly among rodents. The numbers are consistent from year to year, there are very few cases in the Americas, and the chance of this increasing is very low without a major mutation.
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False. Not only is this virus very rare in the U.S. and very difficult to contract unless you come in direct contact with infected mouse or rat droppings, saliva or urine — as the wife of actor Gene Hackman did before dying of HPS — but, in addition, the deadly HPS manifestation — which has a fatality rate of about 40% — is much less common in U.S. cases than the more typical diarrhea, muscle aches and high fever.
Authorities in South Africa and Europe must trace contacts of any passengers who got off the hantavirus-infected ship, but at the same time, the risk to the general population remains extremely low.
It is also prudent for public health officials to quarantine all the MV Hondius passengers and crew members, around 150 people, now with cabin isolation and strict disinfection protocols and upon arrival in the Canary Islands, since the incubation period can be up to eight weeks.
Virologists must also examine the genetic structure of the current Andes hantavirus that is circulating. Above all, it makes sense to counter the spread of fear with facts. Of course, a crucial part of this is for virologists to examine the structure of the Andes hantavirus that infected these passengers.