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‘Send help’: LA GOP leader issues desperate appeal after Dem mayor’s campaign vid shocks viewers

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 09:39:20 -0400

EXCLUSIVE: Los Angeles County GOP Chair Roxanne Hoge issued an impassioned appeal for Republicans to "send help" to Democratic-controlled California, describing what she sees as rampant corruption in the state and saying most people "can't understand the level of obsession they have with controlling our lives."

In an interview with ӣ��Ƶ Digital, Hoge addressed the online reaction to a recent viral video posted by Democratic Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in which the mayor said the city government would match six times every dollar donated to her re-election campaign. While some social media users expressed shock, Hoge said she was not surprised.

"The rest of the country doesn't understand what we're living under here," she told ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

"The number one thing people need to understand about Los Angeles in particular and California in general is that they've codified all of their shenanigans," she explained. "What normal people consider cheating or weirdness in the electoral process? It's all in the rules [here]."

LOS ANGELES PROPOSAL TO ALLOW NONCITIZENS TO VOTE IN LOCAL ELECTIONS SPARKS ONLINE BACKLASH

In a recent viral social media post, Bass, Los Angeles’ 72-year-old progressive mayor, said that "when you donate to our campaign, the city can match your donation 6 to 1," adding, "If you donate $5, the city turns it into $35."

Bass said that "thanks to LA’s super match program, every qualified donation from Los Angeles residents is matched six to one by the city." She added that after this year’s mayoral primary, in which Republican candidate Spencer Pratt garnered significant support, "we had to start over from scratch."

"So, we need you to rush in your matching donation right now, to help fuel this campaign," she said.

Social media users questioned and criticized Bass’ comments.

Conservative activist Billboard Chris commented, "How is it legal to take money from Los Angeles taxpayers to fund your own re-election campaign?" Commentator Matt Van Swol wrote, "Can someone please explain to me like I’m 5 years old how this is not COMPLETELY illegal?????"

KAREN BASS RIPPED AFTER SUGGESTING TAXPAYER-FUNDED DENTAL CARE FOR METH USERS

Author Michael Shellenberger simply wrote, "This is grotesque."

"Is this a JOKE?!?" wrote well-known Los Angeles doctor and political commentator Houman David Hemmati. "Why on EARTH are LA City taxpayers, who can’t even afford to clean up their streets or have water in their fire hydrants, forced to match contributions to Bass’ Mayoral reelection campaign 6:1?!? … HUH?! Insanity!"

Hoge, however, said the matching-funds program Bass describes in her campaign video is legal under city law. Los Angeles voters approved a public campaign-financing system in 1990 that the City Council later expanded into today’s six-to-one matching-funds program. Donations are subject to caps and eligibility rules.

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"Voters passed something that sounded so good; they always sound so good at the beginning. Public financing matching funds for campaigns on a one-to-one basis. That seems great, right?" she said. "And then it transmogrifies … into what we have today, this many-headed hydra of insanity where taxpayers are on the hook for $6 for every dollar raised by a city of L.A. candidate."

She noted that the rule applies not only to mayoral campaigns but also to City Council campaigns, adding that they "Have many active [Democratic Socialists of America] members currently sitting and running."

Hoge said "the message that Karen Bass is sending is the same message that those of us who live here behind the blue curtain have been getting for decades."

"And that is, ‘Forget it, Jake, it's Chinatown. Don't try to go against City Hall,’" she said.

SHOCKING PERCENTAGE OF DEMOCRATS IDENTIFY AS 'DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS' ACCORDING TO NEW POLL: 'TOXIC POLICIES'

"We saw Spencer Pratt mount a very strong argument for sanity and good governance. It wasn't partisan, what he was saying. It was pure common sense, and they rose up because they were threatened."

ӣ��Ƶ Digital reached out to Bass’ campaign and office for comment.

Despite California’s political landscape, Hoge urged Republicans not to write off America’s most populous state as a lost cause.

"California is totally worth fighting for because it is an absolute gem," she said, adding, "We are living with people who gleefully would reach into the shower and change the temperature while you're having a bath."

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Addressing Republicans directly, she said, "We belong to the leave me alone party."

"California, being in the west, is the ultimate place where you should be free to write your own story. And that, I think, is the number one thing people have to remember," she said. "They need to send help."

Bryson DeChambeau hard launches new relationship with hockey goalie Mikayla Demaiter, 'Beer Deleter' & Wendy's

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 09:16:44 -0400

Before we dive into Tuesday Screencaps, I have to brag a little bit about the weather here in NW Ohio where it was 53 again this morning with crisp blue skies and birds chirping. I heard from several of you who are roasting in Texas, Louisiana and Florida. Would you trade your year-round weather for my weather?

"Probably not. Our typical fall, winter and spring is perfect down here. It's just that couple of months in the dog days of summer down here that make you rethink your life choices," Dan H. in Louisiana told me.

I get it. The same goes for here in Ohio when it's March/April and it's 51 degrees, raining and the wind is howling at 25 mph out of the east off Lake Erie. That's worse than 20 degrees and bright sun in January.

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU & HOCKEY GOALIE MIKAYLA DEMAITER DATING RUMORS HEAT UP, TARPS OFF IN CHICAGO & NFL TENSION

Bryson makes it officially official with Screencaps legend Mikayla Demaiter

Footage is beginning to surface from the LIV Indy event where Mikayla held Bryson's arm as they walked off the course (for the last time on LIV?) and made their way into the offseason that could be one for the pageview record books. Do you have any idea how many headlines I can get out of these two?

A Wyndham Clark-Emily Tanner battle with DeChambeau-Demaiter this offseason is exactly what golf needs. Villains dating hot blondes has the traditional golf journalists seething while SeanJo, myself and Nightcaps legend Zach Dean sit back and just smile. We get what you guys want to see. The traditional golf journalists have no clue. We get how big of degenerates you are, just like we are.

That's why OutKick columns are must-reads. We're all on the same page here.

📩 Email: joe.kinsey@outkick.com Send photos, stories, tips, rants—whatever you've got.

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I'm BACK on YouTube, but I need a little help getting over that critical 1,000 sub mark where the algorithm really cranks up

The Screencaps' YouTube page is cranking again with my eyes set on cracking the 1,000 sub mark before the NFL season starts. I've been talking to YouTube phenom David Hookstead, who tells me the real action starts when a creator crosses the 1k mark. This morning, I'm sitting at 987 followers.

Let's get over the hump. Go hammer the subscribe button.

WHY THE PERFECT LAWN IS THE ULTIMATE STATUS SYMBOL FOR AMERICAN MEN

In my latest, I break down the wild White Sox fan fight from multiple angles.

I just have to laugh as New York and other media outlets suddenly want in on the travel ball is ruining families content play

"Seriously folks @JoeKinseyexp is the Nostradamus of our time!! He was right about Wendy’s, quarter zips, mowing on Thursdays and the first person to break the trans in sports story! Keep up the great work Joe," said David Valley on Twitter.

I couldn't have said it better. Go ahead and put it on my headstone. Nobody has battled for parents to take back their lives like I have. Communities are strong, healthy and desirable when the rec sports programs are top-notch, but it starts with all of us.

"With 6 kids, I spent years as a travel ball dad. Between baseball, softball, volleyball and soccer I’ve seen just about everything and spent a sh*t ton of money along the way," Tod M., told me last week.

How much did he spend? Tod estimated the total to be $50k. Then, after consulting with his wife, the number changed. "The wife says I was way off. She says closer to 100k," Tod added.

Would he have changed anything even with all the money spent and admitting that "watching the parents is more entertaining than the games."

"Looking back, probably not. Despite it all, we made great memories as a family," Tod concluded.

Oh look, the Denver Post wants in all of a sudden.

Did you see what the Wendy's CEO Bob Wright admitted this week?

– Chris B. in Florida/North Carolina sent this: There’s a standard corp-speak line about focusing on operations. Gee, ya think?

Kinsey: Here's the line from the story that caught my attention and has me thinking that my hammering of Wendy's finally made it to the C-suite. "We certainly have inconsistent operations. We have some areas that we can focus on there," the CEO told the WSJ.

Dammit, Bob, it's very simple: You get on the phone and tell these franchisee owners to get back to hiring grandmas to work the drive-thrus instead of ex-con meth addicts who became the face of this brand during COVID. I get that the food has slipped – it has – but dammit, if I walk in and it looks like Jed York's kind of crowd, I'm out.

Clean it up, Bob.

Veronica Ivy: What a hero to female Canadian golfers

Imagine being Canadian and having to act like this is OK.

Screencaps legend Indy Daryl moved and mowed for the first time at the new place

– Indy D. shares: My goodness has it been a while since I’ve written you. Probably not since my dad passed away last October, and I guess since then I haven’t really felt much like writing.It’s been fun to watch the growth and changes over at Outkick from afar.

The hiccups, the fixes, the increased pressure y’all seem to be under, and through it all Screencaps only seems to be getting stronger. That is a testament to you and your determination to make sure the everyday guys (or gal) has a spot on the increasingly crazy interwebs.

Thanks for putting up with the crazies who chastise you, the grammar police who don’t seem to get what you’re all about, and most of all for keeping ‘Caps ‘Caps.We recently moved and tonight was the first mow on the fresh sod grass (waited for a cable line to be buried and the rain to chill for a hot minute). Feels weird to mow a different lawn, and yet I really enjoyed the familiarity of the mower underfoot. Then was treated to a gorgeous sunset to boot!I hope all is well in the Kinsey house and can’t wait to see what else is in store, especially with football just around the corner. Have a great Sunday night!!

Kinsey: That is a guy who built Screencaps into what it is today. He's been with the column going all the way back to 2020. There are readers who've been with me for 15 years, but Indy Daryl is in a special category. He has contributed topics that have turned into historic conversations, including his 'Do Hard Things' series.

I've very happy that Daryl has a new house, but he didn't show me his home office. That's a disappointment. Indy D. has always been a standup desk guy. I need to see how he transitioned his work area to the new house.

###################

ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!

As for the rest of you, it's time to get another day of life rolling. The sun is out (for some of us) and it's going to be another great day to be productive. Get out there and dominate.

I'll see you tomorrow.

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Outgoing House Democrat Al Green files another impeachment resolution targeting President Donald Trump

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 09:15:36 -0400

Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, who has repeatedly targeted President Donald Trump for impeachment, renewed his effort by filing a new impeachment resolution on Monday.

"Our country and the lives of people within it are at risk as President Donald John Trump is a great threat to the United States democratic republic, its Constitution, and democracy, violating Article II, Section 1, Clause 8 of the United States Constitution and its mandate to faithfully execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States," the document declares.

The resolution accuses Trump of "abusing the powers of the presidency by operating United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as his vicious, quota-driven, unaccountable paramilitary police forces, transgressing with anonymity and secrecy, assaulting people, committing and covering up unjustified killings of civilians (including Renée Good, Alex Pretti, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, and Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero) with impunity (acting as judge, jury, prosecutor, and executioner), terrorizing communities, and brazenly and wantonly devolving the United States democratic republic into an authoritarian regime, where unjustified killings and coverups by ICE and CBP are normalized."

AL GREEN RESPONDS TO JULY 4 QUESTION WITH RENEWED CALL TO IMPEACH TRUMP

In a statement provided to ӣ��Ƶ Digital on Tuesday, White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis said, "This type of garbage is contributing to our law enforcement officers facing a more than 1,300% increase in assaults against them. The brave men and women of ICE and CBP put their lives on the line to arrest murderers, rapists, pedophiles, gang members, and terrorists. Al Green should be thanking President Trump and our law enforcement for delivering the largest decrease in violent crime in American history."

ӣ��Ƶ Digital also reached out to the Department of Homeland Security, ICE and CBP on Tuesday.

Given that Republicans currently hold the majority in both chambers of Congress, his latest impeachment push likely won't succeed.

REP. AL GREEN TELLS HOMELAND SECURITY SEC. MULLIN TO 'SHUT UP' AFTER CALLING HIM A RACIST AT HEARING

But in a letter to the president, Green said, "Mr. President, I am well aware of the fact that you will be defended by persons who will say, ‘The House won’t impeach, and if it did, the Senate won’t convict.’ Sir, my response is that articles of impeachment that are not approved by Congress can express on-the-record disapproval of presidential actions and demonstrate that there are some of us watching and willing to act."

Green has fielded impeachment resolutions multiple times across both of Trump's White House terms.

The congressman, who has served in the House since 2005, lost a Democratic primary runoff to Rep. Christian Menefee in May.

TRUMP COULD FACE IMPEACHMENT IF DEMOCRATS SEIZE HOUSE MAJORITY, GOP LEADER WARNS

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The House impeached Trump twice during his first term, but in both cases, the Senate vote did not meet the threshold necessary for conviction. The Senate's vote on the second impeachment took place after Trump had already departed from office.

Florida-led operation rescues 163 children around globe in historic state sweep, hunts suspected predators

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 09:00:44 -0400

FIRST ON FOX: A multi-agency effort in Florida has recovered 163 children — from 2 months old to 17 — across five continents during Operation Statewide Shield, Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Tuesday.

Working with federal and foreign law enforcement agencies, Florida law enforcement officials spent five days in mid-August tracking and recovering the missing children.

Some of the children were runaways, Uthmeier’s office said. Some had been abandoned, neglected or abused. Some had been trafficked.

MIKE WALTZ, TIM TEBOW LAUNCH EFFORT TO COMBAT ONLINE CHILD EXPLOITATION: 'IT'S HAPPENING IN THEIR BACKYARD'

"Many of these kids have been victimized by those who prey on the most vulnerable," Uthmeier said.

The August mission was Florida’s first statewide child-recovery initiative and the largest operation of its kind in Florida history, according to Uthmeier’s office.

MORE THAN 300 ARRESTED IN SPRAWLING CALIFORNIA CRACKDOWN ON CHILD EXPLOITATION CRIMES

Thanks to the work of the operation’s partners, he said, "these children are now safe and receiving the care they deserve.

"Florida will continue leading the recovery of missing children, hunting down every predator and prosecuting abusers to the fullest extent of the law."

ICE ARRESTS MORE THAN 900 SUSPECTED HUMAN TRAFFICKERS DURING FIFA WORLD CUP, RESCUES 180 VICTIMS: DHS

Rescuers recovered the children in Florida, Alabama, California, Ohio, New York, North Carolina, Puerto Rico and Tennessee. They also found children in Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Dominica, Finland, Ghana, Guatemala, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Spain and Taiwan, Uthmeier’s office said.

Three men have been arrested so far, a spokesman for Uthmeier told ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AMONG 70 ARRESTED IN MISSISSIPPI CHILD EXPLOITATION CRACKDOWN: FEDS

Michael Prescott was arrested on Aug. 21 by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. He was charged with three counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor, one count of felony battery and one count of aggravated assault.

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Prescott already had an active warrant for interference with child custody, according to Uthmeier’s office.

Robert Ferral Allison was arrested on Aug. 20 by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. He was charged with lewd and lascivious battery on a victim 12 to 16 years old.

Jayden Allen Harwood, according to Uthmeier's office, was arrested on charges of interference in a child custody case and resisting officers without violence.

TRUMP SIGNS HAWLEY MEASURE ADDING 200 CHILD EXPLOITATION INVESTIGATORS IN LARGEST CRACKDOWN EFFORT YET

"Many more investigations [have been] started," a spokesman for Uthmeier’s office said. "More arrests are expected."

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As the children were rescued, local law enforcement officers transported them to hubs, where they received support from social services workers, child welfare professionals, medical providers, victim advocates and other child-centered agencies, according to Uthmeier's office.

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Some of the children were reunited with their families, and some were taken into foster care, a spokesman for the attorney general’s office said.

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The recoveries allowed the children’s cases with the Missing and Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse to be closed, Uthmeier said.

DHS HAS ONLY 7 CHILD EXPLOITATION ANALYSTS, HAWLEY MEASURE WOULD FUND 200 INVESTIGATORS

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The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) steered the operation using lessons learned from Operation Dragon Eye and Operation Home for the Holidays, carried out by the U.S. Marshals.

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Helping plan and execute the operation were: the Office of Statewide Prosecution, the Department of Children and Families (DCF), the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), Baycare, More to Life and the Florida Human Trafficking Victims Fund.

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Providing critical assistance were numerous municipal law enforcement agencies and federal partners, and 13 Florida sheriff’s offices including Manatee, Sarasota, Jacksonville, Clay, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Flagler, Orange, Escambia, Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas, Uthmeier said.

3 things Democrats don’t want you to know about AI and data centers

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 09:00:09 -0400

Everywhere you look, people are talking about artificial intelligence (AI). It’s on your TV. It’s on your radio. It’s on your social media feed. And it seems like Democrats and their media allies are doing their very best to scare you away from it by telling you that AI is going to destroy the environment, take your job and hike up your utility bills. But anytime Democrats and liberal journalists are in lockstep on an issue, that should set off your alarm bells – why do they want you to be scared?

The reason is that left-wingers want to seize control of AI for their own political purposes. But don’t take my word for it. As Democratic strategist Jesse Ferguson put it: "the fight for Democrats is not ‘we are for AI’ or ‘we are against AI.’ That framing is a trap. The fight is over control."

Democrats and their media allies want to scare people about AI in order to justify putting woke bureaucrats in charge, where they can force AI to advance their political agenda. Remember how Big Tech companies became Democrats’ political censors under Joe Biden? That’s what Democrats want to do with AI – turn it into a political weapon.

AI HAS AN OPINION AND IT USUALLY LEANS LEFT. YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW ITS AGENDA

But to do that, they first need to scare you enough that you decide you’re OK with the government seizing control over AI. So, of course, they’re not telling you the other side of the story. Here’s that side.

1. AI and data centers are reviving small towns

THE NEXT AMERICAN BOOM COULD BE HERE — UNLESS WASHINGTON REGULATES IT TO DEATH

AI and data centers are revitalizing the pro-Trump small towns that make up the heartbeat of America – the exact small towns that were left for dead when offshoring hollowed out the American manufacturing industry.

Take Ellendale, N.D., for example. Decades of economic decline left the town with barely 1,000 residents as of the most recent census. As the school superintendent put it: "We were a dying little town." But then a data center arrived – and everything changed.

META OFFERS PAID TRAINING FOR AI DATA CENTER JOBS

Jobs went through the roof. Tax revenue did, too, as one columnist recounted: "Ellendale can now afford to repave its streets, renovate its senior center, finance a new public-safety complex, establish walking trails and refurbish its historic opera house."

That’s not a one-off story. In Louisiana’s Richland Parish – a community that voted for President Donald Trump by a nearly 40% margin in 2024 – a Meta data center brought in so much tax revenue that local teachers received bonuses of $50,000.

A SOUTHERN STATE JUST TOOK THE TOP SPOT IN ONE OF THE WORLD’S FASTEST-GROWING INDUSTRIES

Or consider rural Virginia’s Louisa County, where data center development didn’t just bring jobs – it brought tax cuts, too, thanks to the surge in tax revenue from the data centers. And then there’s the little red town of Quincy, Wash., where an investment surge from data centers has brought a new $120 million high school, a 79% decrease in the poverty rate, new sidewalks, more police officers on the beat, property tax cuts and more.

In short: the total revival of the town. So, it’s no surprise that Wells Fargo analyst Ohsung Kwon’s research concluded that communities with data centers are seeing "significant economic benefits" – both during data center construction and for years afterwards.

2. Nobody is telling you the truth about water and utility bills

Nobody is telling you the truth about water, utility bills and what data centers have to do with them. Not the electric companies, not the liberal media and certainly not elected Democrats like New York Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

THE REAL REASON YOUR ELECTRIC BILL IS SOARING THIS SUMMER WILL SURPRISE YOU

The power companies were quick to scapegoat data centers for cost increases that began well before the very first version of ChatGPT was released on Nov. 30, 2022. But in case there was any doubt, President Donald Trump’s Ratepayer Protection Plan guarantees that AI companies pay their own way, ensuring that Americans are protected from rate increases due to data center developments. More than 80% – and counting – of Americans are covered under the Ratepayer Protection Plan.

In some cases, data center developments can actually lead to lower bills for neighboring residents. A June 2026 study found that data center developments indeed led to modest decreases in electricity rates. That might seem counterintuitive at first, but the reality is that electric companies have huge fixed costs – costs that they have to pay whether they have one customer or one million – in which case having a massive customer (data centers) absorb the lion’s share of those fixed costs means fewer costs to spread among everyone else.

THE BIGGEST THREAT IN AMERICA'S RACE WITH CHINA ISN'T BEIJING, TECH EXECUTIVE WARNS

Reality bears this out as well. In Ellendale, N.D., electricity bills were $250 lower per customer thanks to their new data center. Who wouldn’t want an annual $250 discount on their electric bill?

The narrative about water use might be the most misleading one of all. It’s largely due to a bestselling book – "Empire of AI" – that was so factually flawed that it suffered multiple corrections. Even the Washington Post observed that Empire of AI’s calculations were off by a "thousandfold."

DEMOCRATS SOUND ALARM OVER AI JOB APOCALYPSE — BUT LABOR MARKET ISN'T FOLLOWING SCRIPT

And not only was the book wrong, but it quickly became outdated, too, because data centers are moving to closed-loop cooling systems in which "day-to-day cooling doesn’t depend on adding water" and "community water usage for cooling the data center is effectively zero." Or, as Nvidia’s chief sustainability officer put it: "The water consumption challenge for data centers is largely solved."

3. AI is helping the little guy most of all

For decades, America’s biggest companies have enjoyed an enormous built-in advantage: They can afford armies of programmers, analysts, marketers, lawyers and consultants that small businesses simply can’t. AI is leveling the playing field for small businesses by giving them access to the same arsenal of weapons at a fraction of the cost.

So, it’s no wonder that Russell Kaplan, the president of Cognition AI, said he’s anticipating "an explosion in small businesses" thanks to the AI revolution. But don’t take his word for it: small business owners themselves tell a similar story. The Small Business Cash Flow Trend Report found that 61% of small-business owners report using AI, with 91% of those users reporting a positive impact on their business.

It’s not just small-business owners, either. Blue-collar workers are seeing a jobs boom thanks to AI – and these jobs are paying better, too. "Dirty Jobs" host Mike Rowe recounted in a podcast interview how, when he visited a data center in Plano, Texas, he was stunned by the wealth that was flowing to blue-collar workers. "The electricians that I interviewed and met two months ago in a data center in Plano, Texas, all under 30 years old, all making $240,000 to $280,000 a year, all with as much overtime as they want," Rowe said. Everybody wins when the American worker succeeds – everybody except socialists who depend on keeping people poor.

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The world is changing pretty quickly. There’s no doubt about that. But the next time somebody tries to scare you into opposing American AI dominance, ask yourself three questions: 1) Who is trying to make you feel that way? 2) Why do they want you to feel that way? And 3) Are they telling you the truth?

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The answers to those questions will reveal a lot.

California sheriff doubles down on seizing ballots as state Supreme Court hears whether he must return them

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 08:53:31 -0400

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco remains defiant as the California Supreme Court deliberates whether he has to return approximately 650,000 ballots he seized from a November 2025 special election on redistricting.

The court heard arguments Monday from Bianco’s lawyers and from California, where state Attorney General Rob Bonta launched a legal challenge to Bianco’s ballot seizures in March, ordering him to return the ballots.

Bianco, however, refused, arguing through his legal team that he had a legal obligation to investigate the ballots after receiving a complaint.

"I did this, and this was legal," Bianco told reporters. "I went a different route. They are legal. Both routes are legal. It's just their side doesn't like the route I chose."

DOJ DEMANDS 865K DETROIT BALLOTS, THREATENING POSSIBLE LEGAL ACTION

Bianco is still holding the ballots, his lawyer Bradley Hertz told reporters Monday, arguing that they are evidence.

CALIFORNIA ACCUSED OF BLOCKING FEDERAL VOTER ROLL AUDIT AS DOJ ESCALATES PROBE OF ELECTION FRAUD CLAIMS

"The sheriff is holding that evidence, safeguarding it as a custodian for the court," Hertz said.

The ballots are from a November 2025 special election in which state voters decided on Proposition 50, a legislative redistricting measure that passed by more than 3.4 million votes, according to the California Secretary of State.

CALIFORNIA ELECTION LIMBO FUELED BY 4 PRESSURE POINTS DRAGGING OUT VOTE COUNT, EXPERT SAYS

Bianco, however, appeared to question whether the official count was valid.

"How strange, that now we have evidence that the machines counted something different than the ballots that we have, and an Attorney General runs in to stop that investigation so that we’ll never know," Bianco said outside the courthouse.

CALIFORNIA DOGE LEADER SLAMS NEWSOM, BONTA OVER STATE’S MASSIVE FRAUD ISSUES: "EVERY DAY IS OPPOSITE DAY"

In filing his March legal challenge to Bianco’s ballot seizures, Bonta joined the UCLA Voting Rights Project, which launched a separate legal challenge to Bianco’s actions.

"This is a sheriff that – despite the clear language in the California constitution, and in California government code, providing me direct supervision, authority over him – failed to comply with it," Bonta told reporters outside the courthouse Monday.

"He can read, he knows what it says, it makes his violations even more egregious," Bonta also said.

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Bianco, for his part, challenged Bonta’s interpretation of California code. "If you take it word for word, in that context, it means that he has direct authority that if I’m not doing my job he can order me to do it and if I don’t do it he can do it for me. But he cannot stop an investigation."

ӣ��Ƶ Digital contacted the UCLA Voting Rights Project, the Riverside County Sheriff's Office and the California Attorney General's Office for further comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Trump taunts Canada on renaming Lake Ontario the 'Lake America' amid rising border trade rift

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 08:50:13 -0400

President Donald Trump escalated his war of words with Canada on Tuesday morning, floating a U.S. push to rename Lake Ontario "Lake America" and accusing Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney of lying about the Trump administration's position on French-language protections.

"The United States is giving serious consideration to changing the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America in that we don’t expect to [sic] doing much business with Ontario any longer," Trump wrote Tuesday morning on Truth Social.

Trump followed with another broadside aimed directly at Carney, rejecting claims the U.S. had sought concessions affecting the French language during the countries' recently collapsed trade negotiations.

"I would never interfere with Canadians speaking French!" Trump wrote. "In fact, I have never even thought of doing such a stupid thing."

"This lie was made up by a weak and ineffective Prime Minister in an attempt to gain political support, which he has totally lost, from the people of Quebec," Trump added. "I love French Canadians!"

The posts marked the latest escalation in an increasingly bitter dispute between Washington and Ottawa after trade negotiations broke down late last week, triggering a new round of tariffs and threats of retaliation between the longtime allies.

OPINION: TRUMP MUST CLOSE THE BACK DOOR CHINA USES TO EXPLOIT NORTH AMERICAN TRADE

"We were not prepared to compromise on the protection of the French language and our culture," Carney said Saturday while announcing the suspension of negotiations, adding that those issues were "never on the table" for Canada.

Carney doubled down Monday while in Quebec, arguing that French-language protections viewed by the U.S. as trade irritants were fundamental rights in Canada. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, however, disputed Carney's characterization, calling the French-language dispute a "funny, fake story" and saying the U.S. objection instead centered on requirements affecting American streaming companies.

Ontario is Canada's most populous province and a key hub in the tightly integrated U.S.-Canadian auto industry. Lake Ontario is shared by Ontario and New York, making Trump's proposed name change another provocative shot at America's northern neighbor as the economic standoff deepens.

TRUMP JUST EXPANDED HIS TARIFF PLAYBOOK WITH A POWERFUL TRADE WEAPON NO PRESIDENT HAS EVER USED

The president has previously used geographic names to make a political point, ordering the change of Gulf of Mexico to be called Gulf of America.

Vice President JD Vance traveled to Maine on Monday and delivered a lengthy defense of the administration's hard-line approach toward Canada, accusing Ottawa of treating Chinese goods more favorably than products coming from its American neighbor.

"They treat Chinese goods more fairly than they do the goods that come from the people of Maine: It’s insanity," Vance said during a question-and-answer session Monday in Brewer. "And what we’ve said to Canada is stop it."

Vance said the two countries had appeared close to an agreement before negotiations fell apart, blaming Canadian officials for bringing what he described as unreasonable demands to the table at the last minute.

Trump separately announced Monday that 50% tariffs on Canadian automobiles, auto parts, trucks and steel would take effect Jan. 1, 2027, accusing Canada of years of unfair treatment of American producers.

"Canada has been ripping off the United States of America for years," Trump wrote Monday.

Despite the sharpening rhetoric, Vance left open the possibility Monday that Washington and Ottawa could eventually return to the negotiating table.

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"I think that we should have a deal," Vance said. "We expect fairness in our trade policy."

Callaway admits it approved controversial Good Good woman-shoving ad in late-night statement

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 08:42:15 -0400

Callaway Golf has issued a second statement regarding the controversial advertisement with Good Good, this time admitting that it greenlit the since-deleted video showing a man shoving a woman to the ground.

Good Good, the popular YouTube golf channel that boasts more than 2 million subscribers, teamed up with Callaway for a special edition driver. In the advertisement promoting the golf club, Good Good co-founder Garrett Clark shoved member Alexis Miestowski to the turf.

The beginning of the advertisement focuses on Miestowski reaching for the driver in a golf bag. Seeing this, Clark sprints at her, shoves her to the ground with his forearms, and stands over her before saying, "Do not touch my new driver."

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After deleting the video from its social channels, Good Good apologized in a statement, explaining that the ad "ultimately depicted actions that are not aligned with our values as a brand." Following Good Good's apology, Callaway shared a statement of its own explaining, "We are disappointed by the content that was posted, and are appreciative of Good Good for addressing this. We look forward to working together to ensure a more inclusive space in golf."

As questions continued to be asked about how the advertisement made it past production and was ultimately published online, Callaway CEO Chip Brewer released a statement just after 1 a.m. ET on Tuesday morning, owning up to the fact that the company approved the video before posting.

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"Last week, Good Good Golf and Callaway posted a video to promote a co-branded driver. While the video was produced by Good Good, it was approved by Callaway prior to posting. That approval should never have happened. Mistakes were made, and we are taking the matter very seriously," the statement began.

"As we deal with the consequences of our mistake and complete our investigations, I want to make it clear that we sincerely apologize for the video. The content was inappropriate and does not reflect our values. To be clear: We are unequivocally against discrimination, domestic violence, or threatening behavior of any kind.

"As soon as we recognized the seriousness of the issue, it was escalated appropriately, and the video was immediately removed. Preliminary statements were issued by both Good Good and Callaway, and now this statement has followed. We are also conducting both internal and external investigations and have already made changes to our approval processes aimed at ensuring this will never happen again.

"We believe we have been a positive force for diversity and inclusion in the game of golf. This video was completely inconsistent with that. I assure you that we will learn from this and do better."

OutKick has reached out to Good Good for further comment and will update this story if there is a response.

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The PGA Tour commented on the advertisement amid the backlash that Good Good received online.

"The PGA Tour believes in golf’s ability to bring people together and create a welcoming environment for all," the statement said. "We do not condone violence in any form, and the since-deleted video does not reflect our values or commitment to inclusivity and respect."

The PGA Tour stepping into the situation is noteworthy, with Good Good sponsoring the Tour's inaugural Good Good Championship this November in Austin, Texas.

Fun fact: An exoplanet 1,300 light-years away has clouds made of quartz crystals

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 14:25:51 -0400

Scroll through the slideshow and be amazed

Could Iran’s regime collapse? Experts assess Bessent’s bid to sever financial lifelines

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 08:09:47 -0400

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s Monday announcement that America will impose the economic equivalent of the military campaign that defeated Nazi Germany on the Islamic Republic of Iran could set off a series of events leading to the dissolution of the nearly 47-year-old dictatorship in Tehran, according to Iran experts.

Bessent’s declaration of economic warfare follows President Donald Trump’s commitment last week to launch an "economic D-Day" against the Tehran regime. The comprehensive U.S. economic pressure point campaign targeting Iran’s already troubled economy could have dramatic effects on the restive population in the country of over 90 million people.

"In the Second World War, D-Day marked the historic beginning of a campaign with our allies to target and drive the enemy from its positions, including those in third countries. Today, in that same spirit, we are launching an economic onslaught against Iran's financial connections around the globe," said Bessent. He added, "Our objective is to sever every economic lifeline that sustains this tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone. Iran's fanatics devote themselves to death to America and seek nuclear weapons to do just that. They have murdered and maimed more of our citizens and service members than any other terrorist regime on Earth."

TRUMP THREATENS 'UNPRECEDENTED' ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES FOR ANY NATION AIDING IRAN

Just hours before Bessent spoke, Iran’s currency, the rial, plunged to an all-time low. The rial fell to 2.02 million to the U.S. dollar. Iranians are struggling to afford basic goods.

Jonathan Harounoff, an Iran expert and British author of Persian heritage, told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that "Ultimately, this pressure campaign will likely continue to cripple the regime and set the stage for perhaps yet another domestic uprising. The precise timing of such a revolt is impossible to predict."

Harounoff, who has written extensively on upheavals in Iran against the clerical leadership, added, "What isn't impossible to predict is that the regime is governing brutishly over a repressed population that has endured sustained economic and social immiseration. It's only a matter of time before more protests break out, and the real question is whether international organizations like the U.N. and Western governments will choose to stand by — or tangibly support the Iranian people and actively sever any cooperation they maintain with the regime."

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He warned that, "Too often, outsiders speak of regime change as if it were a passive exercise. Certainly, only the people of Iran can bring about organic, homegrown, transformational change — and they have 47 years of turmoil and repression driving them toward it. But there are real ways to support the Iranian people (Starlink, supporting think tanks and foundations, raising awareness of the plight of Iranians, etc.) and help them achieve what has, until now, been a quixotic dream."

Jason Brodsky, policy director at United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), told ӣ��Ƶ Digital, "The question is often asked: what makes this iteration of the maximum pressure campaign different from all other iterations? The answer is this iteration is taking place against a backdrop where there is a synchronization of economic and military pressure against the Iranian regime — a combination which has never been deployed by a U.S. administration until now. The U.S. naval blockade currently in place against Tehran is unprecedented. The Iranian regime's industrial base — for example, steel plants — has also been damaged following kinetic strikes. The Iranian regime’s military capacity has likewise been degraded."

IRAN ACCELERATES EXECUTION CAMPAIGN AGAINST ANTI-REGIME ACTIVISTS AMID INTERNET CENSORSHIP

He noted, "So Operation Economic Outcast is being launched at a time of true weakness in terms of its national power. The regime's risk tolerance may be increasing, but so is its desperation. The drivers pushing the Iranian people into the streets to protest have only gotten worse since January — with political, economic and social forces all deteriorating. The regime is seeking to use the tussle over the Strait of Hormuz as a distraction from all of this."

Alireza Nader, an independent Iran expert, however, expressed skepticism that the tightening of the economic screws could provoke a mass revolt. "I don’t think starving the civilian population in Iran will lead to an American victory. The regime has demonstrated an extreme brutality toward the population, having massacred thousands of unarmed protestors this past January. And Iranians are less likely to rise up when the promised help to them from Trump and Netanyahu never materialized."

Nader said, "The Woman, Life, Freedom movement against the regime prior to the war had the best chance of overthrowing the regime. This war has disrupted the Iranian people’s struggle for freedom."

Beni Sabti, an Iran expert at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) in Israel, told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that "there are some protests inside Iran for pensioners and those who did not get their salaries."

He said the January protests began with "economic problems." President Trump has said that the Iranian regime murdered 52,000 Iranian demonstrators during the Jan. 8 and 9 mass protests against the regime.

Sabti, who was born in Tehran and has deep sourcing in Iran, said Trump’s economic offensive campaign against Iran could "bring out the people again." He said there were some "rumors" that lower-rank army soldiers did not receive their salaries.

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The U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent seized on the point that the regime will have payroll problems today. He said, "To the ordinary soldiers supporting this regime, as more and more of your paychecks stop or are supposedly just delayed, ask whether your commanders are leading your country to triumph or to ruin, and recall that the Berlin Wall fell when ordinary soldiers decided not to shoot at their own people."

New evidence in Lockerbie Pan Am Flight 103 bombing case pushes federal judge to postpone trial

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 08:02:17 -0400

The criminal trial of a former Libyan intelligence official charged in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 was postponed by a federal judge Monday after defense attorneys said they received new evidence over the weekend from prosecutors.

Jury selection was set to begin Wednesday in Washington, D.C., in the trial of Abu Agila Mohammad Mas’ud Kheir Al-Marimi. It would have been the first U.S. trial stemming from the bombing that killed 270 people, most of them Americans.

U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich did not specify the nature of the novel evidence in his order.

Al-Marimi’s defense team said prosecutors handed them the evidence on Saturday, adding in their request to the judge that their "constitutional and ethical obligations require the defense to investigate this development."

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The judge granted Al-Marimi’s lawyers the delay and scheduled a status hearing on Sept. 1.

Al-Marimi is charged with making the bomb that downed the Pan Am flight, killing all 259 passengers and crew members. The plane came down over the small town of Lockerbie, Scotland, where it destroyed an entire city block and killed 11 people on the ground.

Citizens of 21 countries were among the victims, including 190 Americans and 43 people from the United Kingdom. Among those aboard were 35 Syracuse University students returning home from a semester abroad.

The bomb exploded less than 40 minutes into the flight, which had departed from London Heathrow Airport and was headed to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City.

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Kara Weipz, board president of the nonprofit Victims of Pan Am Flight 103, told The Associated Press that her organization has not received any details about what caused the delay in Al-Marimi’s trial.

Weipz’s brother, Richard Monetti, was one of the Syracuse students who died on the flight.

Weipz said the families of the victims had already been packing to head to Washington for the trial.

"At the same time, for almost 38 years we've been seeking the truth of what happened," Weipz said. "If that's what this is, then that's a good thing, and this delay is worth it... It's important to hear all the facts."

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Prosecutors say Al-Marimi carried out the bombing at the behest of Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi, who was ousted from power in 2011 and violently killed by rebels.

In 2000, two other Libyan agents were tried by a panel of Scottish judges on a U.S. military base in the Netherlands. One was convicted, while the other was acquitted.

For decades, the true identity of the bombmaker has been a mystery.

Al-Marimi, now in his mid-70s, faces two counts of destruction of an aircraft resulting in death. He could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted.

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Prosecutors say Al-Marimi worked for Libya’s intelligence service from roughly 1973 until 2011, eventually attaining the rank of colonel.

Investigators allege he brought a suitcase containing a bomb to an airport in Malta and handed it off to co-conspirators for a flight to Frankfurt, Germany. The suitcase was then transferred to London, where it was loaded onto Flight 103.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Mysterious 3,000-year-old hoard with violently smashed sword emerges during construction project

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 08:00:14 -0400

Archaeologists in Central Europe recently came across an unusual hoard of Bronze Age tools — including a sword that had been deliberately smashed with a powerful blow.

The discovery was announced by Archaeological Center Olomouc (ACO), a research institution in the Czech Republic, on August 12. The hoard was found in a heavily flooded area at the end of May.

The cache, discovered near Kojetín in central Moravia during archaeological work connected to a railway project, contained an assortment of worn and broken bronze objects.

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The artifacts included eight deformed sickles, one intact sickle, part of a sword blade, ornament fragments, three ingots and two unfinished objects.

"Use-wear analysis has shown that most of the bronze objects had been used before their deposition and that some were deliberately damaged," ACO officials said in a statement.

Pictures show the mud-covered Bronze Age artifacts shortly after their discovery.

The sword bore particularly dramatic signs of damage, with archaeologists concluding that it had been struck apart with a single powerful blow.

"[It was] probably delivered with a chisel or an axe, while several of the sickles were intentionally deformed," the ACO release read.

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Lead archaeologist Vít Záhorák told officials the team's decision to use metal detection was crucial to finding the objects.

"We knew our work was continuing in an area occupied by an extensive prehistoric settlement, so we also used metal-detecting survey during the archaeological monitoring," said Záhorák.

"It was this method that led to the discovery of the bronze hoard," he added.

While it may seem plausible that the tools were concealed as a temporary hiding place, officials say the evidence points to a more ceremonial purpose.

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"The current interpretation instead suggests that the objects were deliberately deposited in a former wetland and that their deposition may have formed part of a ritual practice," the statement said.

Officials noted that the Kojetín discovery has parallels with other Bronze Age sites.

"Deposits of bronze objects in watery or waterlogged settings are also known from other Bronze Age sites," the statement read.

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"In some of these cases, archaeologists have considered a possible connection with ritual practices. Further specialist analyses will help determine whether the Kojetín hoard had a comparable significance."

The artifacts are currently undergoing conservation and analysis by specialists.

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The Bronze Age hoard is far from the only archaeological discovery to emerge in the Czech Republic in recent years.

Last year, officials announced the discovery of multiple military graves during highway construction, including one dating back to the 1745 Battle of Žďár during the Second Silesian War.

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This spring, ACO officials reported finding over 1,000 ancient artifacts spanning during excavations along a future high-speed railway route.

Charles Barkley declares WNBA is 'for women only' after ongoing transgender athlete debate

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 07:50:09 -0400

NBA Hall of Famer and sports commentator Charles Barkley declared Monday that the WNBA is "for women only. Period."

During an interview on CNN host Michael Smerconish's podcast, Barkley commented on former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom being removed from a WNBA game Sunday night after being confronted by Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud. Critics have accused Freedom of deliberately stirring up controversy by wearing a T-shirt that read "WOMAN noun. adult human female."

Barkley responded that while he respects the transgender community, he believes "under no circumstances" should biological men play against biological women and criticized NBA and WNBA leadership for failing to address that.

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"I'm disappointed in [NBA commissioner] Adam Silver and Cathy [Engelbert] the [WNBA] commissioner," Barkley said. "First of all, you can't let stupid stuff go out to the internet, which is one of the worst things that ever happened to the world. They should have come out two weeks ago before all this. People are looking for attention now...but [Freedom] has a point though, because Cathy and Adam haven't said, 'Hey, it's in the title, WNBA."

Barkley urged the commissioners to come out and draw a line in the sand, saying, "'There's no transgender people going to play in the WNBA. If you don't like it, kick rocks. And we're not going to discuss it anymore.'"

"And Enes is trying to get attention," Barkley continued. "'No, we're not doing that either. The WNBA is for women. And listen, this is the last time we're going to discuss it. We're not going to turn it over to the fools on the internet. We're not going to turn it over to Congress and things like that. The WNBA is for women only. Period.'"

Barkley added that between stories like Freedom's removal from a game and the backlash against Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham opposing biological males in female sports, the WNBA is gaining a bad reputation.

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"When's the last time you heard something positive about the WNBA? I can't even remember. And I'm a WNBA fan," Barkley said.

ӣ��Ƶ Digital reached out to the NBA and WNBA for comment.

Jennifer Sey, founder and CEO of XX-XY Athletics, praised Barkley's comments for speaking "the truth" out loud to his audience.

"Elite athletes have always known the truth about sex and sports. Charles Barkley is just bold enough to say it out loud," Sey said in a statement to ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

Independent Women ambassador Payton McNabb agreed with Sey, telling ӣ��Ƶ Digital, "It really is that easy to say. If the WNBA wants this conversation to go away as badly as they claim, then stop dancing around it and stand up for women. Say the league is for women, period. What are they so afraid of? They continue to create this controversy for themselves by refusing to say something that should be so simple. Charles Barkley had no problem saying it - why does the WNBA?"

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Director of Independent Women's Law Center May Mailman, however, expressed doubts that Barkley's comments would sway public responses to protecting women's sports.

"Men should not play in women’s sports, and everyone knows what that means. The real question is whether Barkley speaking up will give others confidence to do so. And unfortunately, it’s hard to see that, because Sophie, after many years, got the confidence to do so, and she’s nearly had her head taken off at games and has fans showing up to protest her," Mailman said.

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The WNBA came under controversy after both Freedom and former NBA player Royce White declared their intentions to join the WNBA in response to the players and coaches supporting transgender players.

Though the sports league's rules state that "only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA," the WNBA rules do not define what a "woman" is.

DiJonai Carrington's '8/23' post ages like milk after Fever-Sky game, flies under the radar

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 07:48:12 -0400

Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington flew under the radar on Sunday as the hullabaloo between Enes Kanter Freedom and Natasha Cloud dominated the headlines following the Sky’s loss to the Indiana Fever.

Carrington seemed to be extra excited about playing the Fever again after getting into a skirmish with Sophie Cunningham in their previous game. Carrington’s hack on Cunningham led to a Flagrant 2 and a subsequent ejection back on Aug. 8. She then posted "8/23" on her X account and claimed "white privilege" on a separate post on Threads.

ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!

So, when Aug. 23 came around, everyone was expecting some kind of fireworks. Instead, Carrington and the Sky’s performance against the Fever was a dud.

Carrington had seven points on 3-of-11 from the field with an assist and a block in 18 minutes. She was minus-5 off the bench. In the four minutes she played in the previous Fever-Sky matchup, Carrington had eight points, a rebound and was plus-6 on the court.

WNBA watchers took note of Carrington’s "8/23" post and pointed out it came to fruition in a different way.

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Caitlin Clark made eight 3-pointers and the Sky lost by 23 points, 113-90.

Clark was on fire, making 13 of her 24 attempts. She was 8-of-12 from beyond the arc and finished with 37 points. Kelsey Mitchell added 30 points as she was 10-of-19 from the field and 6-of-9 from deep.

Indiana has clinched a spot in the WNBA playoffs with a 25-14 record. The Fever sit in fifth place – a half-game behind the Atlanta Dream, two games behind the Golden State Valkyries for second place and six games behind the Minnesota Lynx for first place.

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Chicago has been eliminated from playoff contention with a record of 15-23. The Portland Fire and Dallas Wings are battling it out for the eighth and final spot.

AI may answer some New Orleans 911 calls

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 07:42:47 -0400

Calling 911 is one of those moments when you expect a human voice on the other end. In New Orleans, though, an artificial intelligence system may answer in a limited situation involving certain calls about already reported auto crashes.

The Orleans Parish Communication District handles 911 emergency communications in Orleans Parish. OPCD says the AI helps manage repeat crash reports while keeping human call-takers available for other emergencies.

Hearing an automated voice after dialing 911 could make anyone pause. So, here is what the system actually does, when it steps in and where humans remain in control.

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SMART STREET SENSORS COULD BE WATCHING YOUR CITY NEXT

How New Orleans 911 AI works

OPCD began working with emergency communications company Carbyne on AI-assisted call triage before launching the system in 2023. Carbyne calls the technology AI-V Emergency Call Triage. The company designed it to help emergency communication centers deal with sudden floods of calls about the same event.

A car crash can create that problem quickly. OPCD says one accident can generate numerous calls from nearby drivers. During busy periods, those repeat reports can pile up while call-takers handle other emergencies. The AI gives OPCD another way to manage some of those repeat calls.

The system checks whether an incoming call comes from within 200 meters, or about 650 feet, of a crash that 911 already knows about. It can step in only when every human call-taker is occupied. OPCD says it has not deployed the system this way for any other category of 911 call.

What happens when the AI answers

The conversation starts simply. OPCD says the AI identifies the call as New Orleans 911. It then asks whether you are calling about an accident at a specific location. Your response determines what happens next.

Answer anything other than yes, and the system returns your call to the 911 queue for a human call-taker. OPCD says this safeguard works regardless of the language you use. Confirm that you are calling about the known crash, and the AI tells you that 911 already knows about it.

Someone involved in the accident or a caller with more information can stay on the line for a human. Otherwise, the system tells the caller that they may hang up. OPCD says the AI itself cannot end the call. The caller decides when to hang up.

What the AI cannot do

The limits of the system become especially important when you are talking about 911. OPCD says the AI cannot dispatch emergency responders. It also cannot determine how urgently a call should be handled.

Its role focuses on identifying this specific type of repeat crash call and determining whether the caller needs to remain in the human queue.

OPCD also says the technology isn’t a large language model like ChatGPT. The system performs a much narrower task within the emergency communications network. Comparing it directly with a general-purpose AI chatbot can therefore create the wrong impression of what it actually does.

What happens when the system does not understand you?

This was one of my first questions about the technology. OPCD says the system sends a call back to the queue or a human operator when it cannot understand the caller.

It also defaults to a human when a call falls outside the limited crash scenario it was designed to handle. The system supports multiple languages. OPCD also trained it using local 911 recordings to better understand New Orleans accents and local street names. That local training can help in a city where a street name could challenge an unfamiliar voice system.

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What happens if you hang up while waiting?

There is another safeguard worth knowing about. OPCD says the AI system keeps the 911 center's normal callback procedures in place.

Once your call enters the queue for a human, hanging up does not erase it. The call center can contact you after staff work through the queue. Still, OPCD advises callers to stay on the line whenever possible. A call waiting in the queue will eventually reach a call-taker.

Calls still get recorded

An AI interaction does not disappear from the system. OPCD says it logs these calls with the normal metadata and audio recording. Those records remain available when investigators need them.

The agency also says calls handled through the system do not get uploaded to an outside large language model. That addresses an obvious privacy question whenever AI becomes part of an emergency communications system.

Has the New Orleans 911 AI made mistakes?

OPCD says it tested the technology for several months before putting it into live use. The agency says its team reviewed 100% of the calls handled by the system during its first three months. During that review period, OPCD says it found no false positives or false negatives.

In practical terms, the system handled the calls OPCD expected it to handle without taking over calls outside its intended use. That result is encouraging, although it covers a defined review period rather than every call handled since the system launched. OPCD says its compliance team continues to audit the technology closely.

Has the system helped?

Carbyne has published performance figures from its work with OPCD. Because Carbyne provides the technology, these numbers are vendor-reported rather than findings from an independent study. In a Carbyne case study, the company says its AI-V Emergency Call Triage system triaged more than 3,500 events during a 90-day period.

Carbyne reports that redundant calls among those triaged calls dropped by more than 30%. The company also says distressed callers got their calls answered up to 40 seconds faster on average. Those numbers suggest the approach has potential. Still, I would like to see OPCD continue releasing its own performance data over time.

Is AI replacing New Orleans 911 call-takers?

OPCD says no. The agency has struggled to fill all of its available call-taker positions. Staffing shortages also remain a broader problem across the 911 industry. OPCD says it views AI as a tool to support its human call-takers rather than replace them.

For New Orleans, the goal is to reduce repeat crash reports during call surges so human call-takers can reach other people waiting for help. The agency says it has not expanded AI triage to other categories of 911 calls.

Could New Orleans expand its 911 AI later?

OPCD is studying what else the technology might eventually do. However, those experiments are taking place in a testing environment rather than on the live 911 system.

The agency says it has explored whether AI could help with other types of call clusters. It has not put those uses into operation. OPCD also says it will not expand the AI triage tool to additional 911 categories unless the agency can ensure the technology works properly. For now, its live use remains focused on the specific auto-crash scenario.

What this means to you

New Orleans may be the test case here, but this story reaches far beyond one city. AI is starting to move into public services that people rely on during emergencies. That means your community could eventually face the same questions. When should AI step in? What should it be allowed to handle? How quickly can you reach a human when something goes wrong?

For now, New Orleans keeps the system on a very short leash. It handles only certain repeat calls about known crashes, and human call-takers remain available for anything outside that narrow use. The bigger question is what happens next.

As more emergency centers look for ways to handle staffing shortages and call surges, AI could become part of the conversation where you live. If that happens, you should know exactly what the system can do, what it cannot do and how easily you can reach a person. That is what I would be watching most closely.

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Kurt's key takeaways

Hearing AI on a 911 call would make a lot of people uneasy. I understand why. In an emergency, you want help fast and a clear way to reach a person. New Orleans has given its AI a narrow job. It can help filter repeat reports of an accident that 911 already knows about while human call-takers are busy. I can see the benefit. One crash may generate many calls while someone elsewhere needs help with a completely different emergency. Still, 911 deserves an extremely high standard. OPCD says its early audit found no false positives or negatives, and the agency continues to monitor the system. I want that scrutiny to continue. Any move beyond this limited use should come with clear safeguards and solid performance data.

Would you feel comfortable hearing an AI system after dialing 911 when it could help human call-takers reach other emergencies faster, or would you always want a person to answer first? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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Abdul El-Sayed battles Jesse Watters over billionaires, Sharia law in tense interview and more top headlines

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 07:28:34 -0400

Good morning and welcome to ӣ��Ƶ’ morning newsletter, ӣ��Ƶ First. And here's what you need to know to start your day ...

TOP 3

1. Abdul El-Sayed battles Jesse Watters over billionaires, Sharia law in tense interview

2. Smithsonian-linked museum in El-Sayed’s backyard puts America’s post-9/11 response on trial

3. Dem mayor in hot seat over 'unhinged' move 'hunting down' property owners leasing to ICE

MAJOR HEADLINES

OUT OF BOUNDS – Enes Kanter Freedom exposes Natasha Cloud's profane tirade after WNBA ejection. Continue reading …

PENALTY ON THE PLAY – 49ers owner busted in $140 prostitution sting near Ohio trailer park. Continue reading …

TARIFF TENSIONS – Canada gears up for payback after Trump slaps goods with 50% tariffs. Continue reading …

NO SURRENDER – Expert says Putin ‘panicked’ as Ukraine’s deep strikes push war further into Russia. Continue reading …

BAD MEDICINE – Doctor accused of shooting two young sisters in violent road rage clash. Continue reading …

POLITICS

'BAD LOOK' – Newsom's attack dog taunts Buttigieg over South Carolina visit as 2028 fight heats up. Continue reading …

SEEN THIS BEFORE – Surging Dem with DSA ties is 'either a bona-fide socialist, or she's not very smart': GOP rep. Continue reading …

BALLOT BOX FACE-OFF – Trump endorsements face key test in Oklahoma, South Carolina GOP runoff elections. Continue reading …

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MEDIA

TOXIC INFLUENCE – Democrat rips Hasan Piker as 'hack who thrives on hate' over his warning to American Jews about Israel. Continue reading …

TURNING THE PAGE – Washington Post ordered to reinstate columnist axed after Charlie Kirk's death. Continue reading …

LONG OVERDUE – 'National Treasure' director predicts upcoming third film won't be able to 'ignore' politics. Continue reading …

DIVIDED DEVOTION – Trump inauguration pastor warns Christians in Dearborn are 'afraid to talk about Christ'. Continue reading …

OPINION

LIZ PEEK – China is cheering as the left blocks America’s AI infrastructure. Continue reading …

BRUCE PEARL – Conservatives are attacking the very college sports bill that protects women. Continue reading …

IN OTHER NEWS

FAMILY FRACTURE – Prince William ‘blindsided’ by Harry, Meghan return as Kate fears new turmoil from royal feud: experts. Continue reading …

SOBER CURIOUS – GLP-1 boom could reshape restaurant bars as diners cut back on alcohol. Continue reading …

SKY-HIGH RIVALRY – Sydney Sweeney tells Tom Cruise to 'watch out' after strapping herself to top of airplane. Continue reading …

AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ – Test yourself on presidential portrayals and summer sips. Take the quiz here …

LISTEN

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PODCASTS

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Sarah Spain says WNBA players need ‘real media,’ but that sounds more like league-approved PR

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 07:01:20 -0400

Sarah Spain thinks the WNBA should steer its players toward what she calls "real media."

That’s a PR job. Not a journalism job.

MEGAN RAPINOE CALLS ON TRADITIONAL WNBA MEDIA TO BE REPLACED WITH THOSE WHO ‘UNDERSTAND QUEER CULTURE’

On a recent episode of her podcast, Spain said she wants the league to keep setting up relationships with "the real media" that covers the WNBA "in a fair way."

Her definition of fair is pretty clear. Players trust the outlet, the outlet helps build their brands and the WNBA helps make the relationship happen.

She’s laying out a league-approved list of "reporters" players are supposed to trust.

The people who don’t make it? Spain threw them in with "a rando" on the internet spreading "bulls---."

And, by the way, Spain’s already inside the system she wants the league to grow. Spain's podcast has recently featured Connecticut Sun assistant coach Roneeka Hodges, Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton, Seattle Storm players Dominique Malonga and Awa Fam, WNBA legends Cheryl Swoopes and Ticha Penicheiro, and former WNBA president Donna Orender.

Spain has the access and she calls that fair coverage. Then she says the WNBA should help its players find more outlets like hers.

That's convenient, huh?

The WNBA has publicists, marketers, agents, sponsors and social media teams to build brands. It doesn't need to turn reporters into another arm of that operation.

The credential emails show what 'fair' can mean

Spain’s preferred media setup is already taking shape in the WNBA.

I know because the teams have put it in writing.

The Atlanta Dream denied an OutKick credential request for its Aug. 5 game against the Phoenix Mercury. In follow-up answers, the Dream said it had denied 14 applications, given priority to season credential holders and outlets that consistently cover the team, and considered "the tone of coverage."

Tone of coverage.

That has nothing to do with whether a reporter got facts wrong. It has everything to do with whether the team likes the way it is being covered.

WOMEN’S SPORTS MEDIA OUTLET BACKS TRANS ATHLETES, THEN AVOIDS QUESTIONS FROM REPORTER WHO DISAGREES

The other credential denials use different words, but the same record keeps pointing in one direction.

The Dallas Wings said priority went to outlets that regularly cover the Wings and WNBA. The Connecticut Sun cited "reputable media/wire services" and outlets with a record of covering the organization. The Las Vegas Aces said it would prioritize local outlets and organizations that regularly provide editorial coverage of the Aces and WNBA.

The Chicago Sky asked a ӣ��Ƶ reporter about his planned coverage, denied the request and said credentials were for media covering games "for basketball purposes."

Then Atlanta told us it weighs tone.

That’s the one that matters.

The WNBA can call the preferred outlets reputable. Spain can call them real media. But a credential decision based on tone is still a team deciding whether it likes the reporter doing the coverage.

The WNBA knows where to take the story it wants told

And the league just gave us another example.

When it wanted the public to know Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White were ineligible for the 2027 draft, the WNBA didn’t answer OutKick’s questions about the rule it used. Instead, unnamed league sources told Front Office Sports the men were ineligible and called their declarations "simply publicity stunts."

Front Office Sports printed the conclusion and the league’s framing. But it never told readers whether it asked the WNBA to define "woman," explain its eligibility standard or say how Freedom and White failed it. If it did ask, readers were never told the WNBA refused to answer.

That’s different from the treatment OutKick gets when we report something inconvenient for the league. Then Front Office Sports wants documentation, competing sources and a discussion about our motives.

Spain says the WNBA should steer players toward "real media" outlets they can trust. The league has already made clear which outlets it trusts: the ones that will carry its message without making it answer the question.

LEFT-WING SPORTS HOST SARAH SPAIN LAUNCHES DISGUSTING PERSONAL SMEAR OF SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM

USA Today columnist Christine Brennan asked DiJonai Carrington whether she intentionally poked Caitlin Clark in the eye during the 2024 WNBA playoffs. It was a question that had to be asked after an incident happened on the court, yet the WNBA Players’ Association responded by calling for Brennan to lose her access.

Spain has gone after Brennan, too. Earlier this summer, she called Brennan’s Caitlin Clark coverage a "dereliction of duties as a journalist" and questioned whether Brennan’s book promotion explained her singular focus on Clark.

In Spain’s version of "real media," the reporters who ask the wrong questions don't belong.

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Then Sophie Cunningham said "biological men" shouldn't compete in girls’ and women’s sports. Days later, the WNBA’s biggest players and Commissioner Cathy Engelbert were available all weekend in Chicago for All-Star festivities.

The questions should have been obvious to any reporter interested in doing their job.

Do you agree with Cunningham? Does the WNBA support female-only sports? What is the league’s policy on transgender eligibility?

The reporters with access didn’t ask.

Spain had access, too. She moderated a panel at the WNBA’s All-Star Media & Innovation Summit, hosted a live show, sat courtside at the game and later said she spoke with Paige Bueckers, Fever coach Stephanie White, Stephanie Dolson and Aliyah Boston.

Her All-Star recap had plenty about the parties, cookies, mascots and her baseline seat. It didn't include a single question about Cunningham’s comments, female-only sports or the WNBA’s transgender eligibility rules.

And when Fever coach Stephanie White read a prepared statement accusing unnamed people of hate, fear mongering and divisiveness, WNBA media elevated the rehearsed rant into an "important" moment instead of testing a single one of those claims.

Spain predictably took White’s side, too. She played part of White’s performative outrage speech on her podcast, said she was "adamantly opposed to Sophie Cunningham’s grift" and said White "was warranted in that anger and frustration."

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Spain wants the league steering players toward outlets that will help build their brands and tell them who to trust. Those are the outlets she calls "real media."

The reporters who ask questions the league doesn’t want answered get hit with a credential denial, accused of having the wrong tone or brushed off as "randos."

That isn’t fair coverage.

It’s a loyalty test that punishes the reporters who are actually doing their jobs.

Major brain changes that occur around age 50 could impact dementia risk

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 07:00:45 -0400

The brain may undergo a notable shift at midlife, as new research suggests that its protective immune cells begin to decline and are increasingly replaced by inflammatory cells at around age 50.

Researchers from the University of California, San Diego; New York Genome Center; and University of California, Irvine, found that these brain changes may help explain why aging increases the chances of neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative disease, including dementia.

The study analyzed postmortem tissue from the hippocampus – the portion of the brain that is responsible for learning and memory – in 40 neurologically healthy adults, ranging from 20 to 95 years of age.

THE 'AGE' OF YOUR BLOOD COULD PREDICT DEMENTIA RISK, NEW STUDY SUGGESTS

"The most striking change was that after about age 50, the brain’s resident immune cells, called microglia, appear to be increasingly replaced by immune cells that enter from the bloodstream," first author Nathan Zemke, Ph.D., principal investigator at the UC San Diego Center for Epigenomics, told ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

"Microglia normally protect the brain by clearing debris and responding to injury, but the incoming cells carry stronger inflammatory signals."

The researchers believe this shift may contribute to chronic inflammation linked to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s.

They also noted the deterioration of cells involved in maintaining the blood-brain barrier – the protective filter that helps keep harmful substances out of the brain – as well as widespread changes in DNA and gene activity.

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One of the most exciting implications of the study, according to Zemke, is that the replacement immune cells originate in the blood, which means they are more accessible than cells already deep inside the brain.

"It may eventually be possible to modify blood-derived immune cells so that they are more protective and less inflammatory when in the brain," he said. "That could provide an entirely new way to approach Alzheimer’s and other neurological diseases without having to directly manipulate cells within the central nervous system."

Although these findings are still in early stages, Zemke said, gaining a better understanding of why this immune-cell replacement happens – and why it happens earlier in some people than others – could lead to new strategies for preserving brain health during aging.

The study’s chief limitation is that it studied human brain tissue collected postmortem from different individuals across the adult lifespan, the researchers noted.

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"That allows us to identify strong age-related patterns, but it cannot directly show how the same person’s brain changes over decades or prove that a particular cellular change causes cognitive decline or Alzheimer’s disease," Zemke said.

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"We also do not yet know what triggers the influx of blood-derived immune cells into the brain. Determining whether changes in the blood-brain barrier, inflammation, genetics, lifestyle or other factors initiate this process will be an important next step."

The researcher emphasized, however, that he would not recommend that people make any specific medical or lifestyle changes based on this study alone.

"These findings are primarily about understanding the biology of brain aging and identifying new directions for prevention and treatment," he said.

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The timing and extent of the brain changes varied considerably between individuals, suggesting that brain aging is not necessarily a fixed process that happens identically in everyone.

"The next challenge is to understand what drives that variation and whether some of those factors can be modified," Zemke added.

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The study also included a small sample of just 40 people and examined tissue only from the hippocampus, meaning the findings may not reflect immune changes throughout the entire brain.

The study, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health, was published in the journal Science.

Atlanta Beltline trail stabbing suspect charged with murder had 30 prior arrests and was on probation: police

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 07:00:11 -0400

The man charged in Sunday’s fatal stabbing near the Atlanta Beltline’s Eastside Trail had 30 prior arrests and was on active probation for an aggravated-assault case, according to the Atlanta Police Department.

Johnathan Hamby, 54, was booked Monday on charges of murder, aggravated assault, terroristic threats and acts, and possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of a felony in the death of 29-year-old Ramon Harris near a Kroger grocery store at Ponce de Leon Avenue.

Atlanta police said officers responded at about 4:01 p.m. to a report of a stabbing, found Harris with an apparent stab wound and detained a suspect at the scene. Harris was taken to a hospital, where he died.

SCENIC SOUTHERN CITIES TARNISHED BY HOMELESS CRIME SCOURGE MUST HOLD ‘FEET TO THE FIRE,’ GOP LAWMAKER WARNS

Authorities said that the stabbing began when Hamby was allegedly arguing with Harris and another man before threatening to stab them. The incident happened near Atlanta's famed Beltline, a 22-mile loop of multi-use trails and public parks around the city.

"We believe this was an attack that was carried out as a result of an argument that was verbal in nature and quickly escalated," Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said in a news conference Monday.

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An arrest warrant, obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta, alleges Hamby then stabbed Harris in the neck. Investigators also recovered two knives at the scene, the outlet reported.

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Schierbaum said that the department’s records showed Hamby was no stranger to interactions with police and had been arrested 30 times. The chief also noted that Hamby was a felon on active probation for a prior aggravated-assault case in Brookhaven.

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FOX 5 also reported that Hamby had previously pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with a knife.

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According to ӣ��Ƶ Digital’s review of Fulton County jail records, Hamby’s previous arrests included allegations of battery, aggravated assault, possession of a knife during the commission of a felony, obstruction of law enforcement and criminal trespass.

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Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said Monday that he asked the city's public safety and Beltline teams to review patrols, camera coverage and the emergency response surrounding the attack.

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"After seeing the video of yesterday’s heinous attack on the Atlanta Beltline, my prayers are with the victim, his loved ones and everyone forced to witness such a horrific act of violence. Atlantans and visitors should be able to enjoy the Beltline safely, and I have asked our public safety and Beltline teams to conduct a review of the safety protocols surrounding this incident, including patrols, camera coverage and emergency response," Dickens said.

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The mayor said that Hamby's long history as a felon raises "serious questions about how someone with that record was once again in a position to endanger the public."

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"Those facts demand that we examine the systems surrounding behavioral health, repeat offenders and public safety, and address any failures plainly with the partners responsible for those systems. Atlanta will continue doing everything within our power to keep people safe, but we cannot solve these challenges alone," he said.

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APD said that its information is preliminary and that the homicide investigation is ongoing. An attorney was not listed for Hamby as of Monday evening. ӣ��Ƶ Digital has requested additional information from the Fulton County Sheriff's Office.

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Sports cartoons of the day

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 11:08:52 -0400

Smithsonian-linked museum in El-Sayed’s backyard puts America’s post-9/11 response on trial

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 06:00:58 -0400

DEARBORN, MI – Nearly 25 years after the Sept. 11 attacks, a Smithsonian affiliate in Michigan continues to use its 9/11 exhibits and anniversary programming to focus on discrimination and government actions in the attacks' aftermath, while giving less attention to the nearly 3,000 people killed that day, ӣ��Ƶ Digital found.

The Arab American National Museum (AANM) in Dearborn, Michigan, features an exhibit arguing that Arab Americans "suffered two-fold as a result of the tragic events of September 11th," both from the attacks themselves and from what the museum describes as unfair treatment by the U.S. government afterward. Since its founding, the museum has repeatedly hosted programs examining what it describes as discriminatory consequences of the U.S. response to 9/11.

ӣ��Ƶ Digital visited the museum earlier this month, reviewed its exhibits and gift shop, and examined years of anniversary programming and federal funding records.

The AANM has received hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities and is also an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. The Smithsonian has been under intense scrutiny from conservative lawmakers in recent months for allegedly allowing political bias to influence its presentation of history.

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One placard criticizes the government’s post-9/11 detention of immigrants investigated for possible terrorist links, noting that "virtually none were charged" in connection with terrorism.

"The Arab American community suffered two-fold as a result of the tragic events of September 11th. As with all Americans, they suffered the horror and grief. However, Arab Americans were unfairly held responsible, yet not a single Arab American was found guilty of any connection to September 11th," it reads.

On Sept. 11, 2001, 19 al Qaeda terrorists hijacked four passenger planes, crashing two into the World Trade Center and one into the Pentagon. Passengers and crew fought back aboard United Flight 93, the fourth plane, prompting the hijackers to crash the plane in Pennsylvania. The attacks killed 2,977 people and triggered the largest investigation in FBI history.

The museum placard also argues that Arabs faced harsher immigration enforcement after the attacks, saying some were "deported for minor visa violations or petty offenses which previously would have been overlooked."

HISTORIAN BLASTS SMITHSONIAN'S ACTIVISM SHIFT AFTER FIRST VISIT IN OVER A DECADE: 'COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PLACE'

In the 11 months after the attacks, immigration authorities detained 762 noncitizens on immigration charges in connection with the FBI’s terrorism investigation, including for overstaying visas or entering the country illegally, according to a Justice Department inspector general report. The watchdog found that some detainees with no terrorism ties were treated harshly and held under unnecessarily restrictive conditions.

Public opinion also showed a more complicated picture of the post-9/11 backlash. President George W. Bush publicly urged Americans not to blame Muslims for the attacks, and polling later suggested attitudes toward Muslim Americans actually improved in the immediate aftermath. The share of Americans who viewed Muslim Americans favorably rose from 45% in March 2001 to 59% in November, two months after the attacks, according to the Pew Research Center.

Beyond its permanent exhibit, AANM has repeatedly used programming around the 9/11 anniversary to examine discrimination and law-enforcement policies affecting Arab and Muslim communities.

The museum holds a "solidarity" town hall each year, where criticism of the American reaction to 9/11 is often the focus. The online description of the event does not mention the deaths connected to the attacks themselves, but rather "offers a safe space for communities to reflect and engage in dialogue about the harmful prejudices that Arab and Muslim (and anyone perceived to be Arab or Muslim) individuals face on both an individual and systemic level."

One such town hall in 2018 examined "how communities of color have been targeted through the frame of national security and profiled as violent threats."

A year later, the AANM’s annual town, which received support from the National Endowment for the Arts, criticized how "institutions and communities of color have been infiltrated" by law enforcement as well as how leaders of those groups have been "targeted" following 9/11.

SMITHSONIAN AMERICA 250 EXHIBIT FEATURES 3X MORE LIBERAL ITEMS THAN CONSERVATIVE ONES

The AANM was founded in 2005, partially in response to the increased scrutiny directed at the Arab American community following the attack on the World Trade Center. In addition to receiving well over half a million dollars in funding from the NEH over its lifetime to support its exhibits and educational programming, the museum also benefited from a $385,000 grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development which helped it expand its physical footprint in 2013. It received further HUD funding, over half a million dollars, between 2017 and 2019 as well as at least $50,000 from the State Department between 2016 and 2017, according to annual reports published by the museum.

Dearborn, where about 54.5% of residents are of Middle Eastern or North African descent, is a key political center in Michigan ahead of one of the country’s most competitive Senate races this year. Socialist-aligned Abdul El-Sayed, who is running for the Senate, drew strong support from the city earlier this month.

The museum’s focus extends beyond its criticism of the U.S. response to 9/11.

On Sept. 10 — the eve of the 25th anniversary of the attacks — the AANM is scheduled to host a screening of "Seeds for Liberation," a film that portrays Hamas’ Oct. 7 terrorist attack as part of a decades-long Palestinian "struggle" and places it within a broader history of "anti-imperialist and decolonial movements."

During ӣ��Ƶ Digital’s visit earlier this month, a section of the museum was dedicated to art criticizing Israel's alleged "occupation" of Palestinian land. One piece of art, the word "wall" presented in a stylized print, accuses the Israeli government of perpetuating a system of "apartheid."

The art installation broadly accuses Israel of targeting civilians in military operations, denying basic necessities to Palestinians and unjustly occupying land.

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One placard accompanying a sculpture states that Israel has killed more than 2,000 Palestinian children since Sept. 29, 2000, citing If Americans Knew (IAK).

The placard’s sourcing is itself controversial. Some pro-Palestinian organizations have distanced themselves from IAK over allegations of antisemitism and ties to White supremacists, allegations the group has disputed. IAK also operates a news site that has published articles rejecting the designation of Hamas as a terrorist organization.

Another placard attached to a sculpture pulls a quote from Defense of Children International Palestine (DCIP), which the Israeli government designated as a terrorist organization in 2021. DCIP and human rights groups have disputed the designation.

The museum gift shop also sells Palestinian-themed merchandise, including map-shaped magnets and key chains, coloring books promising to help children "explore Palestinian heritage" and keffiyehs.

IN CHARTS: A VISUAL BREAKDOWN OF THE SMITHSONIAN'S BILLION-DOLLAR TAXPAYER-FUNDED BUDGET

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The AANM, Smithsonian, NEA and NEH did not respond to requests for comment after being reached by ӣ��Ƶ Digital on Friday.

Smithsonian affiliates, like the AANM, are independently operated museums that maintain formal partnerships with the Smithsonian, providing them with access to artifact loans, educational resources and consultations from institutional experts.

In recent months, the Smithsonian has faced mounting pressure from Republican lawmakers and the president over allegations that its museums advance left-of-center ideological causes through their exhibits. Officials have threatened funding cuts against the institution if it does not root out what the Trump administration characterizes as anti-American bias.

GLP-1 boom could reshape restaurant bars as diners cut back on alcohol

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 06:00:45 -0400

The rise of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs could be changing more than what Americans put on their plates, as restaurants increasingly look to wellness drinks and other alternatives to traditional alcoholic beverages.

The National Restaurant Association's new 2026 Restaurant Beverage Trends report found growing interest in a wider range of drink choices, particularly among younger consumers, as restaurants experiment with everything from wellness and energy drinks to smoothies, lemonades and alcohol-free cocktails.

Chad Moutray, chief economist at the Washington, D.C.-based National Restaurant Association, told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that the growing use of GLP-1 medications is one of several health trends restaurant operators are watching.

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The report, which was conducted by the National Restaurant Association and is based on surveys of consumers and restaurant operators across the country, found that health is already influencing some Americans' decisions about alcohol.

Among adults surveyed who said they don't drink alcohol, 25% cited health reasons. That figure climbed to 34% among Gen Z nondrinkers.

Several trends are converging as younger consumers become more health-conscious and GLP-1 medications become more widely used, Moutray said.

"I think you're seeing a lot younger folks who are, in general, wanting to be healthier. You have the Make America Healthy Again movement, which is also driving some of this trend," he said.

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"You have people drinking energy drinks and health drinks and all those things. And then you add to that the GLP-1 notion, where if you're taking one of those drugs and your appetite is more suppressed, you're not going to drink as much alcohol."

Restaurants are already preparing to broaden their drink selections.

Among limited-service restaurant operators, 24% said they planned to add new wellness drinks in 2026, while 26% planned to add energy drinks, 29% smoothies and 27% lemonades.

Just under half, 46%, planned to add new coffee offerings.

"I think as GLP-1s become less expensive as this year goes on and as we move into 2027, you're going to see restaurant operators continuing to look for alternatives that can be good menu options for consumers that might be taking those drugs," Moutray said.

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Derek Brown, a hospitality consultant and founder of Drink Company, said he's also seeing GLP-1s contribute to a broader shift toward moderation.

"Yeah, there's no doubt that GLP-1s are having an effect on the way that people consume," Brown told ӣ��Ƶ Digital. "And it's part of a basket of things that's contributing to people moderating more often."

The drugs can affect people's appetites for both food and drinks, Brown said, potentially leading some customers to consume less alcohol or choose nonalcoholic alternatives.

"I think that's clearly part of this entire moderation trend that we're seeing that's just a part of it, but it's significant enough, so I think that's certainly a real thing," Brown said. "And I definitely think that bars and restaurants are starting to feel that."

The changing beverage landscape, however, doesn't necessarily mean younger Americans are abandoning alcohol.

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Per the report, 71% of Gen Z adults and 74% of millennials surveyed said they drink alcohol either at home or at restaurants. Sixty percent of Gen Z adults and 68% of millennials said they drink alcohol at restaurants.

Moutray believes younger consumers are instead choosing from a broader portfolio of drinks.

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That broader selection could be increasingly important for restaurants. The report found that 87% of full-service operators and 80% of limited-service operators said beverages can be an important driver of customer traffic.

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"It's driving traffic, it's getting people excited and it's, hopefully, also helping to improve overall profit margins," Moutray said.

Blue state's water failures could threaten food supplies across US, lawmaker warns

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 06:00:39 -0400

California's aging infrastructure is helping fuel a clean water crisis that could have ramifications across the country, a key House Republican warned.

Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo., accused California Gov. Gavin Newsom of playing politics with the management of the Colorado River, a major body of water that millions of people in the Western United States depend on. She's arguing that the Golden State's bloated bureaucracy and environmental regulations are making it more reliant on the Colorado River, thus stressing its supply and affecting the other six states through which it runs.

"The system is now becoming very, very stressed because California has not kept up with the infrastructure demands and needs of its citizens," Hageman told ӣ��Ƶ Digital. "Pinedale, Wyoming, may be a long way removed from Southern California, but when there are calls on the river and when there are demands that we reduce the amount of water that we are able to use in order to meet a demand downstream, that isn't fair."

California's water infrastructure has largely remained unchanged since the late 20th century, despite a ballooning population.

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Hageman argued that California's growing need paired with a lack of new infrastructure is hurting the agricultural sector in areas that rely on the Colorado River — which could have ripple effects beyond the West.

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"California could grow almost all the food we need in the United States, but they've really decimated their Ag industry because they've taken irrigation water away from their Ag industry to try to meet municipal demand and industrial demand elsewhere. So really it's just, it's a whole parade of bad decisions that are being made," she said.

"Food independence is a national security issue. We do not want to become food dependent on Mexico or Central America or bringing all of our food in from other countries. We have the resources to grow healthy, high-quality food right here while also protecting our environment."

Environmental groups like Tell the Dam Truth have opposed new dam builds in California, arguing they contribute to climate change while harming biodiversity.

"With its strong environmental laws, regulations, and policies, California has the opportunity to not only stop new dam construction, but also decommission dams to restore the biodiversity and carbon sequestration currently inundated in river valleys across the state," the group's website states.

Groups like the Sierra Club have also opposed desalination, an alternative water source that would require California to convert its abundant saltwater into a usable product.

But Hageman said that opposition was misguided.

"They're very backwards people. I kind of look at them like flat-Earthers. They're very backwards people in the way that they approach things. They ignore the fact that humans are also part of the natural environment, and they ignore the benefits of what we can create by building this much-needed infrastructure," she said.

The Colorado River's Upper Basin runs through Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico and Utah. The Lower Basin runs through California, Arizona and Nevada.

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It has faced growing problems, in part due to climate change and increased dependence, prompting discussions about whether the seven aforementioned states could update their existing water-sharing agreement.

A failure to do so thus far has prompted the Trump administration to step in and force steep cuts to the Lower Basin states for the next two years.

NEWSOM, WALZ URGE CONGRESS TO BLOCK ANTI-CLIMATE BILL IN THEIR ‘WOKE’ CRUSADE

Newsom praised the plan while pointing out California has reduced its use in recent years, but said it was only a "short-term" solution.

"This is a necessary step to protect a river that 40 million Americans depend on, at a time when climate change is driving a regional water crisis that makes every drop of water count. California continues to lead the way forward, growing our economy while cutting our Colorado River water use to the lowest level since 1949," he said of the Trump administration order. "Any long-term solution must share responsibility fairly across all seven states in recognition of the new reality of the Colorado River."

California also recently made plans for a new reservoir project, projected to cost $6.8 billion, which is expected to be completed in the mid-2030s. The state is also investing in new groundwater infrastructure and other initiatives to expand availability of the critical resource.

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A spokesperson for the California Natural Resources Agency re-emphasized the state's reduced dependency on the Colorado River when reached by ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

"California’s Colorado River use is at its lowest since 1949 – and our urban water agencies have reduced their demand for imports by 50% since 2000. Even with that, we continue to invest billions of dollars to increase water supply as we face changing conditions driven by climate change," the spokesperson said.

"Suggesting we move the world’s fourth largest economy entirely to desalinated water is a deeply unserious proposal that ignores the underlying issues facing all users of the Colorado River. All Basin states must share the responsibility of caring for the Colorado River for generations to come – and that means real conservation from all seven states."

Newsom's attack dog taunts Buttigieg over South Carolina visit as 2028 fight heats up

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 06:00:39 -0400

The battle for the Democratic Party’s 2028 presidential nomination is already spilling into public view, with a top aide to California Gov. Gavin Newsom taking a swipe at fellow White House hopeful Pete Buttigieg over his effort to build support with Black voters in the South.

Newsom communications director Izzy Gardon mocked Buttigieg's recent visit to South Carolina, which his representative Aida Ross highlighted with a post on X over the weekend that included a photo of the former Transportation secretary with members of the Orangeburg branch of the NAACP.

"Pete returned to Orangeburg, SC! Great night with the Orangeburg Branch of the NAACP," Ross said alongside the photo.

Meanwhile, Gardon responded to the post: "First time in SC in 3 years? Nice!"

JENNIFER SIEBEL NEWSOM DODGES QUESTION ON HUSBAND GAVIN'S PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRATIONS

The exchange garnered buzz online, as it placed two of the Democratic Party's most closely watched potential presidential contenders at the center of a growing fight over Black voter outreach — an issue likely to be central in 2028 as South Carolina again prepares to hold the party’s first nominating contest.

It also comes amid wider Democratic tensions over whether the party is doing enough to engage Black voters and the South, with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens accusing the DNC of "abandoning the South" and "abandoning Black voters" after Atlanta was eliminated from 2028 convention contention last week.

Meanwhile, South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Christale Spain declared last month, amid debate over the party’s presidential primary calendar, that "the South is not the past, it is the future," while Democratic chairs from five other southern states also previously warned the DNC against sending Black voters the message that their loyalty is "taken for granted," according to the Associated Press.

When reached for comment, Gardon told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that the post was made from his personal account and in his "personal capacity," calling it "simply my own observation." He stressed that he was "NOT speaking for the Governor or anyone else."

Ross did not respond to ӣ��Ƶ Digital's request for comment.

JASMINE CROCKETT WARNS DEMOCRATS ARE TOO FOCUSED ON WHITE VOTERS, IGNORING BLACK VOTERS

"Love to watch Gavin Newsom staffers dunk on Pete Buttigieg staffers as they all jostle to catch up to AOC in the 2028 Dem primaries," Republican strategist Matt Whitlock wrote on X.

"We’re just dropping all pretenses huh," quipped political polling executive Adam Carlson.

Democrat strategists also weighed in on the in-fighting.

"Staffers of potential 2028ers who denigrate other potential 2028ers at this juncture should be embarrassed. They reflect extremely poorly on their principals," Democrat strategist Jennifer Holdsworth said in response to Gardon's jab.

"Weird tweet to send rn - bad look," Democratic consultant Eric Koch said.

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"Potential 2028 staffers, huddle up: you do not want to start the fighting now or on this platform," added the Head of Digital Engagement at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Stefan Smith. "It’s too early in the cycle. The longer we play nice (and encourage the principals to play nice) the better it is for everyone."

Prince William ‘blindsided’ by Harry, Meghan return as Kate fears new turmoil from royal feud: experts

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 06:00:31 -0400

Prince William was reportedly "blindsided" by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s surprise decision to return to the U.K. with their children.

Several royal experts told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that the Prince and Princess of Wales are "concerned" about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex returning for an extended period beginning this month. Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are set to begin school there in September, People magazine reported.

"Prince William was blindsided," Kinsey Schofield, host of YouTube’s "Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered," told ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

PRINCE HARRY, MEGHAN MARKLE’S UK MOVE PUTS FRESH SPOTLIGHT ON THEIR EXPLOSIVE CLAIMS AGAINST ROYAL FAMILY

"He had found Harry’s recent eagerness to publicly signal that he wanted to spend more time in Britain unusual, but that is very different from anticipating a full return. William now has to navigate a situation he did not create, did not ask for and, given the state of their relationship, almost certainly would not have chosen."

A Kensington Palace spokesperson told ӣ��Ƶ Digital: "We would never comment on private family matters."

In a statement shared with The New York Times, a spokesperson for the Sussexes said, "On the heels of a wonderful trip with family and friends this summer, Harry and Meghan have decided to spend an extended period in the U.K. this autumn. They are excited to have their children spend more time in the country that’s such an important part of their family’s story."

The spokesperson confirmed that the couple’s businesses will remain unchanged and based in the U.S. Meghan and Harry will also keep their home in California.

British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that the Waleses are "feeling uneasy" about facing another chapter in the "endless Sussex soap opera."

WATCH: PRINCE WILLIAM UNLIKELY TO RECONCILE WITH PRINCE HARRY SOON: EXPERT

"It’s about broken trust," Chard explained. "Prince William is said to feel that Harry and Meghan have spent years attacking the institution, then monetizing their grievances through a very lucrative media operation. From his view, it’s an ongoing campaign for maximum impact and self-gain. He’s not going to fuel it, and he’s not going to endorse behavior he sees as damaging."

William and Kate were seen arriving in Scotland on Thursday, where they’ll spend time with King Charles at Balmoral Castle. The royal family has spent summers at the Scottish estate since the reign of Queen Victoria, with family members traditionally hunting, fishing and horseback riding there.

The king learned about Harry and Meghan’s move three days before it was made public, according to reports.

"Prince William, along with Catherine, is currently at Balmoral Castle visiting the king," royal broadcaster Neil Sean told ӣ��Ƶ Digital. "Harry and Meghan have, so far, not been invited to visit the king privately while on a holiday. This will not happen while William is there. I’ve been told he has no desire to connect on any level with his younger brother and simply has no time for [Meghan]."

A spokesperson for Archewell, which handles the offices of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, told ӣ��Ƶ Digital: "We do not comment on the family’s private travel arrangements or meetings with the extended family."

The Daily Mail reported that the king and his heir held a "Sussex Summit" following the announcement. A source told the outlet that the Prince and Princess of Wales "have no interest in engaging with anything Harry and Meghan do or say."

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"Things are projected to be tense at Balmoral," British royal expert Hilary Fordwich told ӣ��Ƶ Digital. "... Princess Catherine is particularly guarded given how deeply hurt she was by both of them. Both she and Prince William are very determined to maintain their own family stability and remain focused on duty with their royal roles paramount."

Several royal experts previously told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that William and Harry haven’t been on speaking terms since at least 2022.

"My sources have described genuine concern within the Wales camp," Schofield said. "I don’t think Prince William and Princess Catherine are sitting at Balmoral panicking about Harry and Meghan returning, but they are understandably apprehensive about what their return could bring. The last several years have taught them that private family tensions have a habit of becoming very public."

"The concern isn’t simply that Harry and Meghan will be geographically closer," Schofield continued. "It’s the unpredictability that comes with the Sussexes. There have been interviews, books, documentaries and very personal allegations about members of the royal family. … My sources tell me the Wales camp has not forgotten the hostility directed at them after some of Harry and Meghan’s previous public accusations."

Schofield said unnamed sources told her Kate is also unsettled by the news.

"My sources tell me that Catherine does not want to revisit that chapter of her life," Schofield explained. "She has endured very personal allegations, an enormous amount of public scrutiny and a difficult few years. My understanding has always been that her priority is Prince William, their children and the future."

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"Meghan returning to Britain doesn’t mean Catherine suddenly has an obligation to reopen a relationship that has caused considerable hurt," she said. "Catherine can wish Harry and Meghan well without wanting them back inside her private life. ... The idea of resurrecting the ‘Fab Four’ is fantasy. Too much has happened, and too much has been lost."

The Sussexes are expected to live at a private, nonroyal residence outside London, The Associated Press reported. They won’t resume their royal duties, which they gave up in 2020.

The couple’s return to the U.K. comes as the king continues treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer diagnosed in 2024. In 2025, Harry said he didn’t know "how much longer my father has" and expressed a desire for his children to get to know their grandfather.

Last month, the king met with Harry, Meghan and their children at Highgrove House.

Vanity Fair royal correspondent Katie Nicholl reported at the time that, according to sources, "not even the Prince and Princess of Wales were made aware that the meeting was taking place."

"The Sussexes played a blinder with the king welcoming them, having not told him last month of a plan they have had for ages as their children will soon be in school," royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

The move is understood to have come together relatively quickly, as Harry and Meghan waited to learn whether their children had been accepted to the private school they applied to.

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"Since the brothers haven’t spoken in years, the imminent arrival of the Sussexes places William and Catherine in a pressured and difficult situation," said Fitzwilliams. "William is reportedly furious. But what is essential is that the king accepts that the Waleses and their children are the future of the monarchy."

Schofield doesn’t believe reconciliation between the brothers is likely, at least anytime soon.

"Geography cannot repair a relationship where trust has been so badly damaged," she said. "Harry’s return could make that estrangement more obvious because people will inevitably ask why two brothers living in the same country still aren’t seeing one another. ... William and Catherine could suddenly find themselves under public pressure to perform a reconciliation that probably doesn’t exist behind closed doors."

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"... William may have reached the conclusion that distance is healthier than reconciliation, and he is entitled to make that decision," Schofield said. "The realistic goal at this stage probably isn’t friendship [with Harry]. I would argue it’s peaceful coexistence for the sake of their father. ... Harry and Meghan moving back to Britain creates proximity, not reconciliation. They can buy a house near London. They cannot buy back trust."

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Good morning and welcome to ӣ��Ƶ’ morning newsletter, ӣ��Ƶ First. And here's what you need to know to start your day ...