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'The Odyssey' star Matt Damon reveals brutal six-month transformation behind Christopher Nolan film

Sun, 26 Jul 2026 08:00:59 -0400

Matt Damon is opening up about how achieving his dramatic physical transformation for Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" "just kind of took over my life."

The 55-year-old actor appeared nearly unrecognizable starring legendary Greek hero Odysseus in the mythological epic, which dominated the global box office after its July 17 release with a roughly $264 million opening weekend — the biggest debut of Nolan's career.

During a recent appearance on "Live with Kelly and Mark," Damon revealed what it took to fulfill the 55-year-old director's vision for the role.

‘THE ODYSSEY’ STAR MATT DAMON REVEALS STRICT DIET CHOICE THAT 'CHANGED MY LIFE' AFTER HIDDEN HEALTH ISSUES

"He said, 'I just want him to look lean and strong like somebody who's a veteran of the Trojan War and can handle himself, but wouldn't pass up a meal if it was offered to him,'" Damon recalled Nolan telling him.

"And that's kind of the hardest shape to get into, you know, that kind of lean-strong thing," the actor added. "But it just kind of took over my life."

In the movie, which is an adaptation of Homer’s epic poem "The Odyssey," Odysseus spends 10 years trying to return home after fighting in the 10-year Trojan War, enduring shipwrecks, battles with monsters, starvation, imprisonment and constant physical hardship on his journey.

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Damon told hosts Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos that he underwent an intense six-month process to realistically portray the weathered, battle-hardened warrior.

The "Good Will Hunting" referenced his January appearance on Travis and Jason Kelce's podcast "New Heights," in which he revealed that he had slimmed down to his "high school" weight for the role. While speaking with the NFL stars, Damon shared, "I used to walk around between 185 and 200 pounds. And I did that whole movie at 167 pounds."

"I was talking to the Kelce brothers on their podcast like six months ago, and we were talking about it," he told Ripa and Consuelos. "It felt more like an athlete's regimen, kind of like those guys who have to just dedicate every moment of their day to thinking about everything."

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Damon described how he followed a routine in which food portions were measured and every aspect of his diet was carefully monitored.

"Everything's weighed," he said. "It's just very, very intentional about everything."

Damon also reflected on adopting a gluten-free diet to shed the pounds. He noted that he had not previously realized how many food and drink items contain gluten.

"It's in a lot of things, but there are a lot of great things that it's not in," he said, before citing rice and potatoes.

However, Damon acknowledged that he had to make some difficult sacrifices to stay gluten-free.

"Listen, I had to give up beer. That was tough," he said.

"Is there gluten in beer?" Ripa asked.

"There sure is," Damon replied. "Yeah. There are some gluten-free beers though. I'm learning about all this."

"It's in bread. It's in pasta. It's in a lot of the stuff that we love," he added.

During a July interview with People magazine, Damon recalled that his commitment to remain gluten-free was tested when his wife Luciana, 50, and his four daughters Alexia, 27, Isabella, 20, Gia, 17, and Stella, 15, visited him while he was filming "The Odyssey" in Italy.

"I promised them I was gonna have pasta with them, and right after I ordered it, I just called the waiter back, and I was like, ‘I’ll just please have a steak instead,’" Damon remembered.

"And the kids were like, ‘but you promised!’, and I said, ‘I’ll have a bite of each of your pastas,’" he continued. "So I took a bite of each of theirs."

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"I was just in it, I just, it was gonna be four or five more months. It’s all or nothing at this point," Damon added.

While speaking with Ripa and Consuelos, Damon explained why he has continued to maintain a gluten-free diet after completing production on "The Odyssey."

"I just felt so much better," he said.

Damon has previously opened up about drastically transforming his body for roles. For the 1996 war drama "Courage Under Fire," Damon lost between 40 and 50 pounds in about 100 days to play a Persian Gulf veteran dying from addiction and trauma.

The actor later said that his extreme weight loss was dangerous and revealed that a doctor told him that he "could have shrunk my heart permanently."

"I went too far," Damon said via the U.K. outlet Express. "I got sick, and I wouldn’t do that again because it was just too much."

"At the same time, it helped the performance," he continued. "I didn’t have to act at all; I was a wreck. I was getting dizzy spells and hot flashes. I didn’t say anything to anyone for a while because I was afraid I might be really ill."

Meanwhile, Damon has previously said that he had a more enjoyable experience when he gained about 30 pounds to play real-life whistleblower Mark Whitacre in 2009's "The Informant!"

"It was very, very easy to gain the weight. Very, very fun," Damon told reporters in 2009, via NBC."I just basically ate everything I could see for a few months."

However, Damon recently shared that he is no longer willing to subject himself to extreme weight fluctuations for roles.

While discussing transforming his body for "The Odyssey" in an interview with People magazine, Damon noted, "I didn’t change it in an unhealthy way."

"I think if I had done the opposite and put weight on, that would have been dangerous and it’s not something I’ll do anymore," he continued. "I was happy to do it earlier in my life."

Damon has previously shed light on other aesthetic changes that he made to play Odysseus, including growing a long beard and keeping it for a year.

While speaking with USA Today, Damon said that he and Nolan agreed that a fake, hand-laid beard was out of the question due to the water stunts that the actor had to perform for the movie.

"Any movie problem, the best solve is a practical one," Damon said. "In that case, it was like I was going to be thrown around. I was gonna be thrown into the water. Like a beard that wasn't — that didn't stay, you know, a hand laid beard would just come off in salt water."

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He continued, "And so there was no point trying to hand lay a beard, which I've done for other movies and works very well. But in this case, [Nolan] was like, ‘The only practical solution is just just to have the beard.’"

"So I had a big bushy beard for, you know a year or so. My kids thought I looked like Santa Claus," he added with a laugh.

Nolan is known for his commitment to authenticity, which is a hallmark of the Oscar-winning director's filmmaking. "The Odyssey" marked a reunion for Damon and Nolan after they previously collaborated on the hit movies "Interstellar" and "Oppenheimer."

While speaking with Ripa and Consuelos, Damon praised Nolan's directorial style and preference for practical effects.

"It's amazing working with him," Damon said. "He's a great actor's director. He's just so fun to work with."

"And he gets this elite crew," he continued. "They're so good and up for how he wants to do things. He wants to shoot everything in camera. There's no CGI. So if you see a thousand people in a battle, there were a thousand people there. If there are ships in the background of a shot, those are real ships."

"And the amount of coordination it takes between all these departments, that's actually, in this day and age, extraordinary," Damon added. "It really is. It's great to be a part of. It felt like we were doing a movie from 70 years ago, which is very cool."

Damon told Ripa and Consuelos that for him, committing to "The Odyssey" required little deliberation. Recalling the moment Nolan first offered him the lead role, the actor said the director spent about 15 minutes catching up before mentioning he was thinking about going back to work.

"And I'd like to offer you the central role," Damon recalled Nolan saying.

Damon said he immediately accepted, prompting Nolan to ask, "Don't you want to hear what it is?"

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"I was like, ‘Sure,'" Damon said. "And he goes, "It's a two-word pitch: The Odyssey."

"My heart skipped a beat," he recalled. "It's an incredible part to play for an actor. The role of a lifetime."

‘Vibrant’ Florida grandma allegedly killed by illegal immigrant outside Publix, family fights for justice

Sun, 26 Jul 2026 08:00:40 -0400

A Venezuelan man allegedly in the United States illegally is in jail after being charged in the death of an elderly Florida woman by backing over her with an SUV in a grocery store parking lot.

On May 17, Deborah Murphy, an 82-year-old grandmother, was walking back to her car on a crosswalk outside a Publix in Panama City Beach when she was struck by a Toyota 4Runner, according to court records.

She was pushed to the ground by the SUV, but the vehicle continued backing up, "running over Ms. Murphy," according to an arrest affidavit submitted by the Florida Highway Patrol.

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Carlos Suarez-Contreras, 26, was the driver of the vehicle, court records show. Luis Sanabria, 29, was the front-seat passenger.

Both were determined to be in the country illegally, according to arrest records.

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Both men told deputies they were born in Venezuela. The two were issued U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers and booked into the Bay County Sheriff’s Office Jail, court records show.

Suarez-Contreras submitted a written plea of not guilty to the charge of driving with a canceled license and causing a death, a third-degree felony. His Georgia license had been canceled, according to arrest records.

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Under Florida law, an illegal immigrant cannot obtain a state-issued driver’s license. However, 19 states and the District of Columbia do issue licenses to "unauthorized residents," according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

At the scene, Sanabria gave sworn testimony to law enforcement that Suarez-Contreras "was operating the vehicle at the time of the crash."

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Before conducting an immigration investigation, the deputy on the scene noted that Suarez-Contreras gave "suspicious" answers to his questions.

Sanabria immediately left the scene on foot before law enforcement arrived, according to arrest records. He "only returned when I had Suarez-Contreras call him," a deputy reported later.

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Sanabria was found to have an expired visa, according to the incident report. He was released into the custody of ICE, Jacob Navarro, public affairs specialist for the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, told ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

Suarez-Contreras is being held without bond because of his immigration status and because it is believed that "he is a potential flight risk," Florida Highway Patrol records show.

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Just after the incident, Murphy was taken to the hospital and died from injuries related to the crash, according to court documents.

Suarez-Contreras is scheduled to be arraigned on Aug. 17 at the Bay County Courthouse in Panama City, Florida.

"We’re determined to find justice and see Suarez-Contreras held accountable for his reckless actions," Murphy's twin daughters, Beth Schulz and Amy Edge, told ӣ��Ƶ Digital on a phone call. "She touched so many lives as an amazing friend, teacher, mother and grandmother."

Her family remembers her as "a light" who was "vibrant with so many more memories to be made."

Crashes injuring pedestrians

About 16% of fatal traffic crashes in the U.S. involved drivers with invalid licenses in 2024, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That same year, 7,080 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes and more than 71,000 pedestrians were injured.

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The state of Florida reported 10,501 pedestrian-related crashes in 2024, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. There were 678 deaths attributed to those incidents. Drivers failing to look behind them when backing a vehicle in a parking lot is listed as one of the most common reasons for pedestrian crashes by NHTSA.

The Georgia Department of Driver Services told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that Suarez-Contreras' license has been canceled. The agency would not say when it was canceled, citing privacy reasons.

The attorney defending Suarez-Contreras told ӣ��Ƶ Digital in an email that his client "didn’t commit any crime regarding the charges he was arrested on."

"It’s simply an unfortunate incident and not criminal in nature," wrote Russell Ramey of Musca Law in Panama City.

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One of Murphy’s grandchildren presented the family with a collection of reflections on life from Murphy in her own words, her daughters said.

"My husband and I always felt that the best thing we could do for generations to come would be to leave this world with people who would make a difference," Murphy wrote in one of the reflections shared with ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

"It has been a delight to witness one’s own legacy. I thank my daughters for making our dream come true!!"

Fireworks are fading, but their high-tech replacement comes with new risks

Sun, 26 Jul 2026 08:00:26 -0400

Drone shows are rapidly replacing fireworks at concerts, sporting events and Fourth of July celebrations as communities embrace what many see as a safer, more environmentally friendly alternative. However, as the skies become more crowded with drones, security experts say the increasingly crowded airspace around large public events can make it more difficult to detect potentially bad actors.

R2 Wireless CEO of U.S. Operations Cordell Bennigson, who is a retired Marine Corps officer, told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that the growing prevalence of drone shows demonstrates how accessible the technology has become, creating new challenges for event security and public safety.

Bennigson said that he personally enjoys drone shows and finds them to be "impressive," but said the displays highlight a growing security challenge that extends well beyond the shows themselves.

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"A drone show itself isn't a security risk, but it's an indication of how accessible drones are," he said. "The other piece of the puzzle is what happens in the clutter and the noise of the full RF spectrum, all the wireless transmissions that are out there."

The radio frequency (RF) spectrum is made up of the invisible wireless signals used by everything from cellphones to drones. These airwaves can become busy during drone shows, due to the tech involved in the show and the spectators taking videos on their phone. According to Bennigson, the additional wireless traffic can make it more difficult for security officials to identify an unauthorized drone flying near an event, allowing it to blend in with legitimate electronic activity.

"Detection is the first line of defense," Bennigson said. "Obviously, we want to be able to defend against a drone from a bad actor, but we have to be able to detect it, and we have to be able to see through all of that clutter, all of the noise in the electromagnetic spectrum, in order to do that."

While some might think reducing wireless transmissions could be a solution, Bennigson said the idea is "unrealistic." In fact, he believes the technology will only become more prevalent, making it even harder to mitigate noise on the RF spectrum. Instead, Bennigson said that experts need to focus on refining detection capabilities.

"The question has to become, how do we get better at seeing or detecting within the noise, within the clutter?" he said.

Bennigson compared the approach to the use of night vision goggles.

"People with bad intentions used to be able to hide in the dark, and then we didn't get rid of the dark in order to mitigate that. We got better at seeing in the dark in order to mitigate it. And then it turned out actually we could use that capability for other kinds of things as well. So, we have to get better at seeing in the electromagnetic spectrum, which is what our focus is at R2, being able to do exactly that," Bennigson told ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

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Bennigson said artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly important tool in detecting potential bad actors. He noted that the technology is able to rapidly sift through enormous amounts of wireless data, something that would be hard for humans to do in real time.

"AI is really good at picking up patterns. It's really good at rapidly going through large amounts of data," he said. "And so if you want to detect a drone or any other kinds of radio transmission that's happening in an environment where there's lots of other transmissions going on, how do you sort through all of that information really quickly? And how do you learn really quickly when something new shows up that maybe you haven't seen before? AI is very, very effective and very powerful in that environment."

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The challenge of drones becoming more prevalent and crowding the RF spectrum extends beyond shows and events, according to Bennigson. He believes that as drones become more common, cities, states and the federal government will need to rethink how they monitor airspace around stadiums, critical infrastructure and other places where large crowds gather.

"This needs to be something that we are paying attention to at the national, at the state, at city, and at the individual event level. We need to recognize that this is a very easy to acquire and very easy to employ capability for anybody who wants to get their hands on it," he said.

Bennigson added that it is crucial to have detection and defense capabilities that are ahead of the bad actors, rather than chasing them.

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As drone traffic grows, the new challenges that emerge will also require regulators tasked with monitoring an increasingly crowded airspace to make changes.

Bennigson said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has systems that work well for aircraft and drones that are operating legally and broadcasting their location. The problem, he said, is when someone with malicious intent who is unlikely to follow those rules enters the picture.

"We can't be relying on them telling us that they are there. We need to have systems that are in place that can identify them. One way that we're familiar with for that is radar."

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He warned that while radar can detect things that are not transmitting their location, it also has limitations. One problem, according to Bennigson, is that having radars blasting in urban environments risks disrupting other signals. Additionally, radar can have difficulties picking up low flying first-person view drones. He believes that "radar is a piece of the puzzle, but it can't be the only tool."

"If the FAA is only relying on radar and only relying on friendly transmitters, that leaves a gap for some bad actors to be able to utilize, to be able to operate without being seen," he said.

Democrats are in big trouble because Black and brown voters don’t want socialism

Sun, 26 Jul 2026 08:00:17 -0400

The Democratic Party is being hijacked, and the people it claims to fight hardest for are the first ones bailing out.

The Democratic Socialists of America have gone from a fringe debate club to a governing faction inside the party in the span of a single election cycle. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani sits in Gracie Mansion. The organization is reportedly drafting a new platform calling for abolishing the U.S. Senate. This is not a healthcare plan. This is not a "tax the rich" bumper sticker. This is socialism, and in places its more radical wings openly flirt with communism, gaining real traction inside one of America's two governing parties. Democratic leadership is too terrified of its own base to say so out loud.

Here is what should terrify them more: the coalition they need to win national elections is not buying what the DSA is selling.

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Start with New York City, ground zero for this movement. In the June primary, Mamdani lost to Andrew Cuomo among Black voters by nearly six points citywide, and he got wiped out in Brownsville and East Flatbush, two of the city's poorest neighborhoods where more than 60% of residents are Black.

It took Mamdani months of dedicated outreach and a general election pivot toward pocketbook issues like housing costs before he clawed back enough of that support to win in November. That is not a story of Black and brown voters embracing democratic socialism from the start. It is a story of a Democratic Socialist having to run away from his own movement's brand to survive a primary.

The pattern held again just weeks ago. In New York's 13th Congressional District, DSA member Darializa Avila Chevalier unseated five-term incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat, 49.4% to 45.9%, but the coalition that put her over the top looked nothing like the district's base. The New York Times reported Chevalier held just a 5.1-point advantage in higher-income areas, while Espaillat won lower-income areas by 9.1 points.

Espaillat also dominated majority-Hispanic precincts with 56%, particularly in working-class neighborhoods like Morris Heights and Kingsbridge, according to VoteHub's analysis of the results. Chevalier's win was built almost entirely on a 24.5-point advantage with younger voters and a 20-point advantage in college-educated precincts, the same coalition that carried Mamdani, not the working-class Hispanic voters who anchor the district.

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That tension finally boiled over. A senior Mamdani campaign adviser called Black homeownership "a weapon of White supremacy masquerading as 'wealth building' public policy," prompting Queens Borough President Donovan Richards to accuse the DSA of acting like White supremacists.

The head of a Bedford-Stuyvesant organization founded in 1978 to keep Black families in their homes pushed back hard: homeownership is the thing generations of Black New Yorkers fought redlining to secure, not their oppressor. When a mostly White socialist movement tells Black homeowners their biggest asset is a tool of oppression, it should not be surprising that the movement struggles to hold their votes.

That tracks with who the DSA actually is. Its own 2021 internal membership survey found the organization is 85% White and only 4% Black, with a median age of 33. More than 80% of members hold a college degree, and better than a third hold a graduate or professional degree, more than double the national rate, with nearly a third clearing six-figure incomes. That is not a working-class movement. It is an upper-middle-class ideological project wearing working-class language as a costume, and Black and brown voters are not fooled by the costume.

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I am not the only one saying this. Democratic political analyst Van Jones, no one's idea of a conservative, called out DSA activists directly, warning that "no police, no prisons, no borders" is not progressive, it's regressive, and it threatens to drag the party somewhere voters do not want to go.

HBO "Real Time with Bill Maher" host Bill Maher has spent months warning Democrats that embracing Mamdani and Vermont Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders as the party's future is a gift to Republicans, noting that Vermont couldn't sustain single-payer healthcare for 626,000 people, let alone a nation of 340 million.

And former Biden White House aide Yemisi Egbewole has described the DSA's rise as a socialist cub that establishment Democrats let grow into a full-sized lion because nobody had the nerve to stop it while it was small.

These are not Republican talking points. These are Democrats watching their own party get eaten from the inside and saying so publicly, because the alternative is pretending it isn't happening.

Look at what the DSA actually wants once you get past the slogans. Abolish the police. Abolish prisons. End cash bail and misdemeanor prosecution outright. Decriminalize prostitution. Strip mayoral control of public schools. Advocate for government seizure or replacement of private housing and grocery markets.

These are not modest reforms. They are a rejection of property rights, of public safety, of the basic bargain that working people in Black and brown neighborhoods have fought for generations to secure: safe streets, stable schools and a shot at ownership. The National Black Empowerment Action Fund, a Black-led advocacy group, put $2 million behind ads warning that the DSA agenda threatens decades of social and economic progress built by Black Americans.

Let me be honest about where I sit in this. I am a Republican. The collapse of the Democratic Party as a functioning, majority-coalition institution is no sweat off my brow. If the party wants to hand itself over to an organization that thinks abolishing the Senate is a serious policy position, I will not lose sleep over the electoral consequences.

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But there is a bigger stake here than partisan advantage, and it is worth saying plainly: watching an avowedly socialist faction consolidate control over one of America's two major parties should worry every American, not just Republicans.

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Socialism has a track record, and it is not a good one. Every serious attempt to centralize economic control at scale has ended in scarcity, corruption, or authoritarian consolidation, usually all three. The DSA's defenders will tell you this is just Scandinavian-style social democracy with better branding. The platform documents say otherwise. So do the voters, and now the Black homeowners and political leaders, who keep pushing back against it.

For the sake of a Democratic Party that might someday remember it needs Black and brown voters to win anything outside a handful of gentrifying ZIP Codes, and for the sake of not letting a genuinely dangerous ideology dress itself up as compassion, the DSA should have no place in serious American politics. From the mayoral primary to the homeownership fight, the coalition it claims to represent keeps telling it no. Democratic leaders can keep pretending otherwise, or they can look at the numbers.

Trump's SAVE America Act stalls as McConnell's absence complicates Senate path

Sun, 26 Jul 2026 08:00:10 -0400

One key Republican’s extended absence and unclear timetable for return is slowing down several legislative priorities, and could impact President Donald Trump’s Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act in an unexpected way.

And while sparse statements from him and his office say he’s on the mend, there has yet to be a hard date for when he’ll come back to Congress.

It comes as Republicans are twisting and contorting Trump's top election priority into something that could pass the Senate. Though McConnell has voted against the bill before, he would be a key player in crafting what it would look like in the upper chamber.

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"That could be an issue," Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., told ӣ��Ƶ Digital. "I think there are a lot of issues."

That’s because McConnell is chair of the Senate Rules Committee, which will likely be responsible for drafting the version of the SAVE America Act that could pass muster in budget reconciliation, the process that Trump is pushing the GOP to use to pass the bill.

The uncertainty around McConnell, coupled with the late Sen. Lindsey Graham’s recent death, throws a wrench into the process. Graham was chair of the Senate Budget Committee, and acted as quarterback through two dances with reconciliation over the past year.

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But Graham’s replacement on the panel, Johnson, could step in and draft language for SAVE America as chair of the Budget Committee — Graham leapfrogged Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chair Rand Paul, R-Ky., in 2025 to draft his portion of the "big, beautiful bill."

"That’s my understanding — it actually falls to budget," Johnson said. "So, again … this is still really early in the process, so I don't have all the answers by a long stretch. Plus, we've got to find out what the conference wants to do, and what Leader John Thune wants to do."

Thune is focusing on preventing a government shutdown, and is encouraging ongoing bipartisan negotiations on a funding deal to continue. And he has threatened to press pause on reconciliation by holding the House’s own budget framework until that objective is accomplished.

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He reiterated to ӣ��Ƶ Digital that Republicans don’t have the votes to pass the SAVE America Act, and may not have the votes to pass a budget resolution in the upper chamber.

And he noted that the SAVE America Act would have to comply with the Senate’s strict rules for reconciliation that unlock the 50-vote threshold, which the current version of the bill does not.

Getting the legislation to a point where it wouldn’t slam into those guardrails has remained an open and difficult question for Republicans — Thune suggested that it could work if it's "very carefully structured based upon incentive, mostly grant money," for states.

"So, you know, we're gonna do everything we can to move that forward," Thune said. "But as I told you before, the math on that hasn't changed yet. It's still likely to be a 60-vote exercise, even if it's done with a budget resolution."

Trump demanded Republicans ram through their own budget resolution before they leave Washington, D.C., until after Labor Day on Truth Social Friday to fund defense, agriculture, and pass "as much of the SAVE AMERICA ACT as possible."

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"Our voters will be extremely happy — And even impressed," Trump said.

Meanwhile, Thune has received criticism from Republicans for his plan to hold up the reconciliation process in favor of averting a shutdown.

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., told ӣ��Ƶ Digital the only option to pass SAVE America was through reconciliation, and he’s been working on his own plan in the background, and believes it could survive the Senate’s "Byrd" test.

"I can't guarantee it, but it's a — I consider it to be a credible argument," Kennedy said. "And I will try to do that, and I will try to, at the right time, bring my colleagues, and, more importantly, the parliamentarian, along. But if we don't do it through reconciliation, through the House reconciliation, we won't get it done."

"And I’m not sure it will work, but I think it might," he continued. "It’s at least a 50/50 shot."

EXCLUSIVE: Legal group tells NYPD cops they can contact ICE directly despite blue city's sanctuary rules

Sun, 26 Jul 2026 08:00:06 -0400

EXCLUSIVE: A conservative legal group is telling New York City police officers they can contact U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) directly, even if local sanctuary policies say otherwise, releasing a new guide as border czar Tom Homan prepares a major immigration enforcement surge in the nation's largest city.

ӣ��Ƶ Digital has obtained an unreleased 35-page handbook titled "Law Enforcement Officer Immigration Cooperation Guide" from America First Legal (AFL) that tells state and local police officers they can share a person's immigration-status information directly with ICE even if New York City or other sanctuary city policies say otherwise.

The guide argues Section 1373 of federal law bars state and local governments from preventing officers from sharing citizenship or immigration-status information with federal immigration authorities like ICE.

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America First Legal is a nonprofit which describes itself as "founded to unapologetically and boldly defend the rights of everyday Americans."

The guide arrives days after Homan revealed he had reviewed plans to deploy "more ICE agents than you've ever seen" into New York City after Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed an executive order reinforcing the city's sanctuary-status policies.

The guide repeatedly cites Section 1373 of federal immigration law, arguing that state and local governments "may not prohibit, or in any way restrict" officials from sending immigration-status information to federal authorities.

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It tells officers they may contact ICE's 24-hour Law Enforcement Support Center to verify a person's immigration status using only a name and date of birth and says officers may do so "regardless of any local directive telling you not to," according to the document obtained by ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

The release comes as the Trump administration prepares to dramatically increase immigration enforcement in New York.

Homan told ӣ��Ƶ last week that a significant ICE operation is coming to the city after self-described democratic socialist Mamdani reaffirmed New York's sanctuary policies.

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"It's coming," Homan said. "There's going to be a surge, and there needs to be a surge."

While Homan declined to discuss operational details, he said ICE would not back away from enforcing immigration law despite opposition from city leaders.

The guide comes as Mamdani and the Trump administration continue to clash over immigration enforcement.

Mamdani's Executive Order 13 directs the NYPD to review, update and train officers on department policies governing communication, cooperation and coordination with federal immigration authorities.

The order says the city believes "the aggressive tactics that certain non-local law enforcement agencies use in pursuing civil immigration enforcement actions... hinder public safety by creating a culture of fear."

America First Legal argues those local rules cannot lawfully prevent an officer from voluntarily sharing immigration-status information with ICE because federal law supersedes conflicting local policies.

The guide also argues sanctuary policies could create legal risks for the officials who enforce them. AFL contends some officials could face federal criminal charges for obstructing immigration enforcement and that victims of crimes allegedly committed by illegal immigrants released despite ICE detainers could, in some cases, sue those officials under federal civil RICO law.

The organization is also inviting officers who believe they were threatened, disciplined or retaliated against for cooperating with ICE to seek confidential legal representation.

"Politicians who hide behind sanctuary policies are not above the law, and they have no right to bully or gag the officers who are trying to keep their communities safe," AFL Senior Counsel James Rogers said in a statement accompanying the guide.

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Gene Hamilton, president of America First Legal, said officers "should never be forced to choose between following federal law and following unlawful directives to appease politicians committed to sanctuary policies."

New York City Hall did not immediately respond to ӣ��Ƶ Digital's request for comment.

ӣ��Ƶ Digital's Taylor Penley contributed to this reporting.

South Africa’s illegal migration backlash mirrors political battles across the West

Sun, 26 Jul 2026 07:17:18 -0400

JOHANNESBURG: Over 160,000 illegal immigrants have fled South Africa after thousands of citizens took to the streets demanding foreigners leave, as hundreds of thousands of South Africans have followed many in the West in turning against the government for poor border controls, and perceived inaction.

One South African organization claims there are up to 30 million illegal immigrants in a country whose documented citizens number around 63 million. These immigrants, mostly undocumented, are blamed for rampant crime, taking jobs and overrunning hospital wards and places in government schools.

In some cases, groups have gone house-to-house in areas such as Soweto, near Johannesburg, giving deadlines for immigrants to go home. Earlier this month, Reuters reported that 900 people were arrested during a day of nationwide protests. While the protests were largely peaceful, police were called to disperse violent protesters in some areas of the country. One death was reported in the Johannesburg area.

NEW GERMANY SEX-CRIME FIGURES REIGNITE MIGRATION FIGHT AS EXPLOITATION PROBE EXPANDS

Some illegal immigrants have taken buses and left, or been repatriated on flights provided by their home countries across Africa. On one such flight to Ghana in June, the South African border authority said 321 of the 332 Ghanaians who tried to leave Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport were found to be in the country illegally.

Up to five immigrants have been killed by protesters so far this year, but the most prominent anti-immigrant civic group in South Africa, the March and March movement, claims that it is against violence. It is their followers who march the country’s streets, often with large traditional sticks called knobkerries, ‘encouraging’ foreigners to leave.

Their founder and leader, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, told ӣ��Ƶ Digital "We’ve had enough," claiming the number of illegal immigrants living in South Africa is "between 15 and 30 million, and that's an arguable number because everyone is always debating what the actual number is."

The number 30 million is contentious. The only official published figures are from a census taken in 2022 by Statistics SA, queried by some critics because the organization is controlled by the ANC government, under attack for reportedly causing the illegal immigration crisis and therefore seen to be benefiting from low statistics. The body claims there are up to three million immigrants in the country, but Ngobese-Zuma points out this figure includes people who have documents "they're just using the numbers from those who were admitted to being in the country legally."

Immigrants have frequently been seen running away when requested by officials, including Stats SA officials, to show their documents. The head of Statistics SA, Risenga Maluleke, even admitted to the local Eyewitness News that his officials don’t check information on the occasions that they can find immigrants, saying "when people say I was born outside South Africa, we take what they say because we have not had a way of proving it other than relying on what they say.

Ngobese-Zuma added, "The country is being invaded, and we decided to do something about it. There's too much crime going on at the hands of foreign nationals. The actual truth is that a lot of them go unfound because nobody knows who they are. They're not on record. Their fingerprints are not on the system. So there [are] a lot of cases actually that are outstanding when it comes to the issue of illegal immigrants."

Statistics South Africa recently reported that the official unemployment rate for the country is 32.7%. Yet almost all illegal immigrants have found work here, with the country’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, admitting to the nation in a televised address last month, "Some employers hire undocumented immigrants because they pay them wages that are well below the minimum wage and make them work longer hours without due compensation."

DHS ISSUES $84B IN FINES TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS UNDER TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

This led March and March’s Ngobese-Zuma to say, "The issue of jobs is also very important. In our community, where there's the highest unemployment in the world, it only makes sense that South Africans are out there demanding that they be prioritized when it comes to employment."

Several reports claim that in a local Johannesburg government hospital, built to offer practically free care to South Africa’s citizens, patients, even in the ER, have to wait up to 36 hours to be seen, because so many foreigners come to the hospital and use the facilities. At least one patient has died waiting to be seen at the Helen Joseph hospital, near to the center of the city.

Ngobese-Zuma pointed out, "We have a welfare (health and education) system in the country, and currently people are flocking in from all over the African continent and the world to come and take advantage of these free things that they think are free when it's actually taxpayers that are paying for it."

Border controls are so lax that it’s said hundreds of thousands have simply waded across low rivers in some cases to enter South Africa, with crocodiles a bigger problem than police or immigration officials. Bribery and corruption at border posts is endemic. But following the public outcry, and perhaps significantly with local elections coming up, President Ramaphosa has now vowed to ‘crack down’ on immigration issues. As of July 11, the government claims a total of 53,449 foreign nationals have been processed for deportation and repatriation.

This represents less than 0.2% of the illegal immigrants said to be in the country by March and March. Public pressure groups, and politicians such as Herman Mashaba, are calling on the government to do much, much more. Mashaba is president of Action SA, a small but campaigning party in South Africa’s parliament, who’s been battling illegal immigration for 10 years.

Mashaba told ӣ��Ƶ Digital, "Action SA is deeply frustrated by the government's weak and reactionary response to South Africa's immigration crisis, which is ultimately the consequence of three decades of ANC (the ruling party) failure to secure our borders,"

MISSOURI SENATOR WARNS DEM IMMIGRATION POLICIES THREATEN WESTERN CIVILIZATION AFTER SCORING ICE FUNDING WIN

"Rather than presenting a meaningful shift in approach, which we believe must center on mass deportations and the urgent strengthening of immigration enforcement capacity, the government appears determined to simply repackage the same failed and outdated policies that have done nothing to address the consequences of weak border controls and chronic underinvestment in enforcing our immigration laws."

"As in Europe, South Africans have turned against their government on immigration policy", analyst Frans Cronje told ӣ��Ƶ Digital. Cronje, president of the Washington-based Yorktown Foundation for Freedom, added, "Polls conducted earlier this year ranked immigration as the second most pressing concern from South Africans behind unemployment. Overall, 23.0% of South Africans cited unemployment as the most pressing issue for the government to address, followed by 11.7% who cited immigration, 10.1% for cited corruption and 9.8% who cited crime."

Cronje continued, "black South Africans (82% of the population) were three times as likely as their white counterparts to see immigration as a problem for the government to address. Hostility towards immigrants runs very high with regular protest marches and threats and intimidation directed at immigrant communities who are accused of taking jobs and businesses from South Africans, and driving high levels of crime".

Responding when asked why activists such as March and March are taking action, Ngobese-Zuma said "it's the government that should be the one that's making sure that when people say that they don't want certain people in their communities, they remove them before the communities remove them themselves. I think the government is complacent about not only the issue of immigration, our government is just complacent about a lot of things, especially that have to do with crime."

Protests against immigrants have turned nasty in previous years. Sixty-two were killed in riots in 2008, and at least five in 2015.

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Ngobese-Zuma agrees March and March members are gatvol – Afrikaans slang, politely put to mean completely fed up, telling ӣ��Ƶ Digital "We don't care which country comes forward and tells us that we are xenophobic. We've had enough, and nobody can tell us that we must now accept people staying in our country illegally."

ӣ��Ƶ Digital reached out to the South African government, but did not receive a response.

Sports cartoons of the day

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

Congress should honor Teddy Roosevelt and conserve our outdoors for the next 250 years

Sun, 26 Jul 2026 07:00:38 -0400

Conservatives have long understood that conservation is not about locking away America's natural treasures, but stewarding them through responsible use so future generations can enjoy the same public lands that earlier generations worked hard to secure.

Just six years ago, President Donald Trump paid tribute to that legacy when he signed the original "Great American Outdoors Act" into law. That bill established the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF), which budgeted for countless infrastructure projects within our most precious landscapes. But that program expired last year, threatening the future of America’s natural inheritance.

As our country celebrates its 250th birthday, Congress should reauthorize the LRF, one of the most successful conservation achievements of Trump's first term, by passing the Great American Outdoors Act 250 (GAOA 250). At a time when Americans are visiting their national parks in record numbers and the deferred maintenance backlog has grown to more than $40 billion, renewing the fund is an essential component of responsible stewardship.

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER STAYS ICE-COLD AS MASSIVE BROWN BEAR WALKS RIGHT UP TO HIS CAMERA

Setting an important precedent, President Theodore Roosevelt was vocal about this kind of stewardship of public lands and conserving what he called America’s "glorious heritage." His legacy, including the dramatic expansion of national parks and creation of dozens of monuments and wildlife refuges, shines as a guiding example of conservative tradition.

The future of that tradition stands at a crossroads.

A failing sewage system at Yellowstone or Yosemite threatens wildlife and ranchers alike. Washed-out trails in the Sierras mean fewer opportunities to connect with family in the great outdoors. And lack of maintenance leaves our beloved forests vulnerable to devastating wildfires. Ensuring these issues are handled is the basic tenets of caring for America's greatest natural treasures.

FAMOUS BEACH NOW REQUIRES VISITORS TO RESERVE SPOTS WEEKS AHEAD AND PAY FEES

In late June, the House Natural Resources Committee advanced the GAOA 250 under the leadership of Republican Chairman Bruce Westerman, who hails from "The Natural State" of Arkansas. GAOA 250 reauthorizes the LRF at $1.9 billion annually for another five years while prioritizing mission-critical infrastructure and requiring a public dashboard so taxpayers can track every project. The legislation also includes a much overdue, and overlooked, provision.

International visitors enjoy the same park experiences as their American counterparts, yet they do not contribute to the tax revenues to sustain them. American citizens subsidize the international visitor fee gap when they both pay their federal taxes and pay the entrance fees. The foreign visitor surcharge, originally introduced in West Virginia Republican Rep. Riley Moore’s and Indiana Republican Sen. Jim Banks’s PATRIOT Parks legislation, now a component of GAOA 250, would correct this imbalance.

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From Ecuador to New Zealand, countries across the world charge international visitors a premium to access their treasured lands. In that spirit, President Trump ordered a foreign visitor fee through executive action. But the next administration could easily rescind that order, making permanent legislation vital. The GAOA 250 foreign visitor surcharge would return 80% of the proceeds directly to the parks from which they were collected — proceeds to help clear trails, repair facilities and ensure fire prevention maintenance.

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Two hundred fifty years ago, the Founders staked everything to secure this land for posterity. The rivers and the valleys, the mountains and the deserts they died for, are now in our keeping. We must care for them with the same sense of duty born in 1776.

President Theodore Roosevelt famously said, "Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children's children." Passing the Great American Outdoors Act 250 is a fitting birthday gift to our great nation and a promise that the profound treasures of the first 250 years will stand for the 250 to come.

Chris Barnard is the president of the American Conservation Coalition Action (ACC Action).

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100 day sprint to the midterms kicks off as Republicans and Democrats clash for control across the country

Sun, 26 Jul 2026 07:00:14 -0400

The 2026 midterm elections are 100 days away as Republicans and Democrats will battle in Congress and statehouses across the country for control over the future of the country in what is expected to be a contentious and expensive campaign season.

Republicans currently hold narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress, controlling the House with a razor-thin 218-212 edge, with one independent and four vacancies, and the Senate with a 53-47 advantage, including two independents who caucus with Democrats.

With every House seat and 35 Senate seats on the ballot, Democrats need a net gain of just six House seats to reclaim the speaker's gavel and four Senate seats to win back the upper chamber, making even a handful of competitive races capable of reshaping the balance of power in Washington.

The latest ӣ��Ƶ Power Rankings suggest a tough road ahead for Republicans as they go up against the historical headwind of the party not in power usually performing well in midterm elections but the GOP will be bolstered in the House by redistricting wins in states like Florida and Texas.

FOX NEWS POLL: VOTERS WANT MAJOR CHANGE AMID ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL DISCONTENT

"We are in a prime position to win it in November," Republican National Committee (RNC) Chair Joe Gruters told ӣ��Ƶ this week. "Under Biden we had some of the highest inflation ever. Gas prices were high. And this president has gone to bat for average Americans every single day, starting with ‘Working Family Tax Cuts,’ no tax on tips, overtime, social security. The fact that he’s been going to bat for the American worker, bringing record setting investments. The fact that he closed the border down."

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), has been focusing on the economy and affordability in its messaging over the last few days as they promote Democrats in House races.

"From groceries to gas to health care, House Republicans have bled Americans’ wallets dry with their cost-raising agenda," DCCC Spokesperson Nebeyatt Betre said in a press release. "Voters are exhausted by all the bad news vulnerable House Republicans have created, and the DCCC is working to make sure voters know they can hold Republicans accountable on Election Day."

If the election were today, 53% of voters would back the Democratic candidate in their House district and 46% the Republican," a ӣ��Ƶ poll released this week showed. That 7-point edge is just outside the poll’s margin of error.

Democrats were up by 5 points in April. Notably, 53% is the highest percentage either party has received on the generic House ballot in ӣ��Ƶ polling since 1996.

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In the Senate, Republicans are looking to hold on to seats in Alaska, North Carolina, Ohio, and Maine with record amounts of spending already pouring into those states as Democrats hope to capitalize on the historic, economic, foreign policy, and anti-incumbent mood among voters.

The upcoming November clash comes as the Democratic Party deals with a socialist wave of candidates taking more and more control and winning races across the country causing headaches for establishment Democratic leaders like Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries.

Just 50% of voters have a positive view of capitalism, down from a high of 57% in 2019, ӣ��Ƶ polling shows. For socialism, it’s 30% favorable, up from 27% last year but below the 32% who said the same in 2021. The Democratic Socialists of America are viewed positively by 31%.

By an 11-point margin, more Democrats have a favorable opinion of socialism (52%) than capitalism (41%), while by a 50-point margin, more Republicans have a positive view of capitalism (61%) than socialism (11%).

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Republicans are hoping to capitalize on the socialist rise within the Democratic Party, particularly after the socialist victories in New York City that rocked the political landscape in recent months.

"Democrats want to export New York’s ‘commie corridor’ to a state near you, bringing crippling tax hikes, dismantled law enforcement, and bloated government spending with it," NRSC National Press Secretary Bernadette Breslin said in a statement to ӣ��Ƶ Digital. "Americans will reject Democrats’ socialist spending spree this November and elect Republicans committed to advancing an affordability agenda that keeps the American Dream within reach."

NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that Republicans have the "momentum" and over the next 100 days, House Democrats will "spend every day trying to explain away their radical socialist record and why they opposed tax relief for working families, stronger border security, voter ID, and countless common-sense policies Americans overwhelmingly support."

The RNC enters the final 100 days before the 2026 midterms with a significant financial advantage over its Democratic counterpart. According to the latest Federal Election Commission filings, the RNC has roughly $125.5 million in cash on hand, compared to about $14.9 million for the Democratic National Committee, which is also carrying approximately $18 million in debt.

While Democrats remain competitive through their congressional campaign committees and strong fundraising by individual candidates, the national party apparatus currently favors Republicans by a wide margin.

"So why does the DNC have less cash on hand than some expect?" DNC Chair Ken Martin wrote in a memo this week. "Because we made a conscious decision to invest money in the work required to win in 2025, 2026 and beyond. We are converting the cash we raise into electoral assets: more people, earlier organizing, better technology, and stronger state parties."

Martin continued, "That answer may be unsatisfying to people who believe the purpose of a political party is to accumulate the largest possible bank balance until the final days before an election. But a party is not a savings account. Its purpose is to build power."

Beyond Capitol Hill, control of governors' mansions is also up for grabs as Republicans currently hold 26 governorships to Democrats' 24, with 36 states electing governors this November, including a number of battlegrounds that will shape redistricting, election administration and state policy for years to come.

The results will help determine whether President Donald Trump enters the second half of his term with a Republican governing trifecta or faces a divided government that could dramatically alter the trajectory of his legislative agenda.

"We are nearly 100 days until Election Day, and the stakes for governor's races across the country have never been higher," Democratic Governors Association (DGA) Chair and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said in a press release this week.

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"Donald Trump and Republican candidates for governor have a harmful, cost-raising agenda that is making life harder at every turn – and doing everything in their power to restrict our fundamental freedoms. But Democratic governors know how to fight back, and the DGA has the record to prove it."

Republican Governors Association (RGA) spokesperson Kollin Crompton said in a statement to ӣ��Ƶ Digital that "the contrast couldn't be clearer" between the two parties 100 days out from the midterms.

"Republican governors are leading the nation in jobs, wage growth, affordability, safety, and opportunity. Democrat governors are leading in higher taxes, higher costs, rising crime, and families fleeing their states," Krompton said. "It's common sense versus crazy. Results versus excuses. And we'll spend every day until Election Day reminding voters which party is delivering."

Several findings in the latest ӣ��Ƶ Poll show voters are unhappy and want major change, which bodes well for Democrats in November: President Donald Trump’s job approval remains near a record low, more Democrats are motivated to vote, Republicans join Democrats and independents in rating the economy negatively, and 4 in 10 voters want "dramatic" or "revolutionary" change. Plus, more view the GOP as tied to elites than the Democratic Party.

Voters say Democrats can better handle income inequality (+22 points), healthcare (+21), inflation (+10), the economy (+9), and foreign policy (+7). Republicans hold the advantage on crime (+7 points), while government spending (Democrats +3) and national security (R +2) are more evenly divided. On immigration, the GOP had an 8-point edge in April. Now, Democrats are preferred by one point.

More Democrats (68%) say they are extremely motivated to vote in November than Republicans (57%) by an 11-point margin. By a 25-point spread, more MAGA Republicans (66%) are extremely motivated than non-MAGA Republicans (41%).

ӣ��Ƶ’s Dana Blanton and Remy Numa contributed to this report.

Beauty queen Lindsay Shiver’s attorney rips Bahamas dispute he says could sink alleged husband murder plot

Sun, 26 Jul 2026 07:00:03 -0400

FIRST ON FOX: Accused of conspiring with her alleged Bahamian lover to hire a hitman to kill her ex-NFL player husband, Georgia mom and beauty queen Lindsay Shiver should be free from prosecution thanks to "legally fatal" problems with the evidence, one of her attorneys said.

Her U.S. attorney argues Bahamian prosecutors lack the jurisdiction to pursue murder-for-hire charges over alleged conduct that took place while Shiver was in the United States.

"Lindsay Shiver is not guilty of the crimes alleged against her by the Bahamian Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Period," attorney Craig Shirley told ӣ��Ƶ Digital in a statement.

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Shirley said the indictment alleges Shiver was in the Bahamas on July 16, 2023, when the purported conspiracy occurred, but he maintains her defense has provided prosecutors and the court with evidence from multiple independent sources showing she was in the U.S. that day.

"The DPP must prove it. Meaning that, as a threshold requirement, the DPP is required to prove that Lindsay was in the Bahamas on July 16, 2023," Shirley said. "It cannot."

DAUGHTER OF MISSING AMERICAN WOMAN TOUCHES DOWN IN BAHAMAS, SLAMS STEPDAD AFTER HE FLED AMID INVESTIGATION

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Shirley argued that the discrepancy is not only a factual dispute but a jurisdictional defect that prevents the Bahamian government from prosecuting Shiver under its own penal code.

"Lindsay cannot be prosecuted under the Bahamian Penal Code for an alleged act committed at a time when the undisputed evidence establishes that she was not in The Bahamas," he said.

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"This is not a technicality; it is a legally fatal defect in the DPP’s evidence, its charges and its continued prosecution of Lindsay," he said.

WATCH: Georgia housewife Lindsay Shiver on bodycam footage arguing with her estranged husband, Robert Shiver, over use of their private jet

Shirley said that he was "shocked and disappointed" that Bahamas authorities were continuing to pursue prosecution against Shiver, saying that they have the obligation to drop all charges.

"Lindsay should never have been subjected to a prosecution that the Bahamian government lacked the legal authority to bring," he said.

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Shirley noted that he issued the statement independently and that neither Shiver nor her Bahamas-based attorney, Terrel Butler, had prior knowledge he was providing it. Butler declined to provide comment.

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The alleged plot was unraveled by Bahamian authorities during an unrelated break-in investigation at a local bar in Abaco, Bahamas.

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While searching a suspect’s phone, police discovered WhatsApp messages containing photos of Robert Shiver alongside text instructions allegedly sent by Lindsay Shiver reading, "Kill him." Defense attorneys maintained that the messages were taken out of context.

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Shiver, along with her lover, Adrien Bethel, and the alleged hitman, Faron Newbold Jr., were arrested in the Bahamas in July 2023. Shiver, along with Bethel and Newbold Jr., is charged with conspiracy to commit murder under Bahamian law. They pleaded not guilty to all charges.

ӣ��Ƶ Digital has reached out to Bahamas prosecutors and to Robert Shiver's attorney.

Mississippi teen accused of killing elderly couple was suspect in ‘many’ burglaries, car thefts: cops

Sun, 26 Jul 2026 06:00:56 -0400

FIRST ON FOX: The Mississippi teen accused of killing an elderly couple in their home was no stranger to local deputies, who named him a suspect in "many" nearby burglaries and car thefts, according to an incident report obtained by ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

Billy Blair, 74, and his 71-year-old wife Virginia Carol Blair were allegedly killed by Cordarius Hobbs, 17, after he broke into their Mendenhall, Mississippi, home on June 3. Family members of the teen said during a preliminary hearing in July that Hobbs did work for the Blairs for things like cleaning around the house before the alleged shooting.

ӣ��Ƶ Digital obtained an incident report from the Simpson County Sheriff's Department, which alleged Hobbs is a "troubled juvenile" who is a suspect in various other crimes in the area.

MISSISSIPPI TEEN ACCUSED OF KILLING ELDERLY COUPLE HAD WORKED FOR THEM BEFORE SHOOTING: FAMILY

"...When we first arrived I and other Deputies and Investigators believe the suspect could be a troubled juvenile known to us as Cordarius Hobbs who is also suspected of many other home burglaries as well as auto theft in this immediate area," the incident report states.

Billy Newsome, Hobbs’ grandfather, said he believes his grandson was called to work on the day of the alleged shooting but believes he's innocent.

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"My grandson used to work for the man, why you gone rob a man that you work for," Newsome said. "Why you gone stay there that long and you know the police out there, and then you gone wait until everybody gets there to run, it just ain’t adding up, something just ain’t right here."

MISSISSIPPI TEEN ACCUSED OF KILLING ELDERLY COUPLE HAD WORKED FOR THEM BEFORE SHOOTING: FAMILY

Three contractors arrived at the Blairs' home on June 3 to install a generator and found a car door open around 10 a.m., with several guns piled on the seats, according to a Mississippi Bureau of Investigation investigator. The workers called the Simpson County Sheriff's Department for a welfare check at 11:30 a.m.

By noon, the investigator said that officers arrived and were met with shots fired at them, starting a nearly two-hour-long standoff. Hobbs was captured after trying to run away from officers, the official said, adding that the teen was unarmed when he was caught.

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Carol Blair was found curled in the fetal position in a bedroom, shot three times in the back of the head, the investigator said in court. Her husband was found lying on his back in the kitchen with three gunshot wounds to his face.

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Hobbs' defense attorney, Zachary Vaughn, told ӣ��Ƶ Digital in a statement that Hobbs has been respectful and courteous in their meetings.

"I have visited with my client several times in the short time I've known him and he has always been very respectful and courteous to me," Vaughn said.

Vaughn argued after a court hearing that there's a lack of direct forensic evidence connecting the teenager to the shooting.

"There was nothing to say he’s a principal, he’s the one that pulled the trigger on these things," Vaughn said. "One of the things alone was, one of the victims was shot twice on one side of the head and once on the other. I think that’s pretty compelling that somebody else may have been in there. There’s a lot of things that are possible, just a tremendous amount of things."

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"When you have an officer say there’s no one that can identify him at the time of the shooting, I just don’t see how that adds up," he said.

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Hobbs is charged with two counts of capital murder and one count of burglary, in addition to 10 other charges. He was denied bond.

In a statement on Facebook, the couple's family previously said, "We are crushed in spirit, bruised, and brokenhearted, but we are not alone."

American Culture Quiz: Test yourself on costly cities and Trump tee times

Sun, 26 Jul 2026 06:00:54 -0400

The American Culture Quiz is a weekly test of our unique national traits, trends, history and people — including current events and the sights and sounds of the United States.

This week's quiz highlights ballpark battles, costly cities, Trump tee times — and more.

Can you get all 8 questions right?

Give it a try and see how you do!

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To try your hand at more quizzes from ӣ��Ƶ Digital, click here.

Also, to take our latest News Quiz — published every Friday — click here.

Man accused of illegally 'wrestling' protected sharks in Washington state after months-long investigation

Sun, 26 Jul 2026 05:30:10 -0400

An Oregon man is facing charges for allegedly illegally catching and "wrestling" protected bluntnose sixgill and broadnose sevengill sharks in Puget Sound.

The Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife recently shared body camera footage of an officer confronting Connor Seifert, 27, in June in Pierce County, Washington.

"You know your shark rules," the officer could be heard on the video telling Seifert. "You can’t fully or partially remove sixgill from the water.

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"When you wrestle a sixgill to shore like that, you hop on its back, you expose its gills to the air," the officer continued. "You know as well as anybody else does that Puget Sound is a nursery for these sharks. There has been a direct correlation between catching these sharks in this stage in their lives and the mortality of the pups inside the moms."

He added, "Once they exhaust themselves being fought to shore, then all of their babies die. And then, sooner than you know it, you’re not going to have sixgill and sevengill returning to Puget Sound anymore."

This came after months of following Seifert’s movements and his online posts, with officers finally setting up surveillance so they could catch him making an illegal catch.

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He has been charged in Pierce County with nine counts of unlawful recreational fishing in the second degree and one count of making a false or misleading statement to a public servant. The first is a misdemeanor and the second is a gross misdemeanor.

Misdemeanors carry up to a $1,000 fine and 90 days in jail if found guilty and gross demeanors carry up to a $5,000 fine and a year in jail.

"Fishing for sixgill and sevengill sharks is unlawful, and unfortunately, officers are seeing a growing number of online posts showing these sharks targeted and then unlawfully removed from or partially removed from the water," the department said in a post about Seifert’s charges.

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Seifert claimed that he hadn’t been targeting the sharks and that he had accidentally caught them, but videos he posted to social media that allegedly showed him holding a shark’s mouth open, while sitting on its back and holding it by its tail on the shore while it attempted to get away paint another picture.

The department said it has gotten 14 complaints about Seifert, mainly connected to his allegedly targeting the sharks.

"Puget Sound acts like a nursey for sixgill and sevengill sharks before they head out to the ocean, the department said.

The department added, "This is one of the primary reasons why it is unlawful to target these sharks locally, as the anglers fishing for these creatures are targeting them during a highly volatile era in the animals' lives."

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Both shark species are listed as "Species of Greatest Conservation Need" in Washington State.

Bluntnose sixgills are categorized as "near threatened" and broadnose sevengills are "vulnerable," according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Sophie Cunningham inspires high school athletes to speak out on fairness in women's sports

Sun, 26 Jul 2026 07:00:29 -0400

Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham is receiving praise for defending women's sports, with young female athletes saying the WNBA standout's willingness to speak out has inspired them to continue advocating for fairness and safety in girls' athletics despite facing criticism themselves.

"I want to say a huge thank you to Sophie because it's really brave for her to stand up for young girls like Riley and I," said Ella Frei, a high school athlete from Wisconsin.

Appearing Thursday on "Fox & Friends," Frei and Michigan high school volleyball player Briley Lechner joined guest host Kayleigh McEnany to discuss why Cunningham's comments resonated with them.

SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM DOUBLES DOWN AHEAD OF SUN GAME AFTER ESPN PROFILE STIRS CONTROVERSY: 'I SAID WHAT I SAID'

Frei told ӣ��Ƶ she was "ecstatic" to hear that the WNBA star had lent her voice to the cause, adding that she was encouraged to see an athlete with such a prominent platform speak out on a topic she believes many others have been reluctant to address.

Cunningham, a guard for the Fever, stood firm in the face of criticism Wednesday after revealing her stance on the issue to ESPN.

"I said what I said. I think it's kind of common sense," she said.

SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM MANAGES TO ANGER BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT WITH A SIMPLE SOCIAL MEDIA POST

"I think I'll always believe in that. I think it's really important to protect children, and that's little girls who are also involved in that category... That's why you have Title IX. That's why you have some of the greats in women's sports. If Title IX and women's sports weren't protected, then you wouldn't hear about any type of women in sports..."

The message resonated with athletes like Frei and Lechner, who say the debate over women's sports isn't theoretical — it's something they've experienced firsthand.

Frei is suing her school district over its locker room policy, while Lechner said she unknowingly competed against and shared a locker room with a transgender athlete during her most recent volleyball season.

Lechner said Cunningham's willingness to speak out has emboldened young female athletes like herself to do the same.

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"It is making it 10 times more inspiring, and it's encouraging me and a lot of other female athletes to speak out," she said.

"I just hope, and I pray that more and more people contribute and continue to speak up," she added.

ӣ��Ƶ Digital's Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.

WATCH: Democrats blast Trump Saudi nuclear deal as GOP touts regional alliance

Sun, 26 Jul 2026 04:00:39 -0400

Lawmakers offered strikingly divided reactions to the White House’s announcement of a new nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, with Democrats concerned about accelerating a nuclear program in the Middle East and Republicans emphasizing the need for partnership in the region.

"I don't trust anybody as far as I can throw them, but we've got to develop allies," Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., told ӣ��Ƶ Digital. "And as long as we can verify them, we have the people there that can verify that they're using them for the proper uses, then we’re okay."

The Department of Energy released details Wednesday on the agreement, which would support the development of a civilian nuclear energy program in Saudi Arabia by providing U.S. technology and expertise. The agreement also includes safeguards intended to ensure nuclear materials are not diverted for weapons development.

IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL HINGES ON IAEA ACCESS TO LONG-BLOCKED ATOMIC WEAPON SITES, EXPERTS SAY

Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., blasted the proposal as "outrageous," and Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., argued allowing Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium without strict safeguards could "cause a nuclear arms race."

"The president says what we're trying to do is to stop Iran from having a nuclear weapon, but if Saudi Arabia … does not meet all the protocols, etc., then it could cause an arms race where Egyptians or others in the area want a nuclear weapon," Meeks said.

TRUMP'S IRAN DEAL SPARKS GOP DEMANDS FOR VOTE AS CONGRESS REMAINS IN THE DARK

Rep. Mark Alford, R-Miss., said Congress should be central in the decision to pursue any final agreement, while also stressing the importance of having Saudi Arabia as a regional partner.

"I think it's important with any agreement like that that Congress have a role in that and I look forward to reviewing that," Alford said.

"As we continue our conflict with Iran, we need partners in that region who are of the same mindset," Alford continued. "And Saudi, with its reforms that they're undergoing right now, gives me great hope and encouragement that we can move forward together in that region to help bring lasting peace.

BOOKER SLAMS TRUMP’S IRAN DEAL AS AN 'ABJECT SURRENDER,' LABELS HIM THE 'BIGGEST LOSER' WITH 'EGG ON HIS FACE'

Raskin also raised questions to ӣ��Ƶ Digital about President Donald Trump's family's financial ties to Saudi Arabia.

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"Now the Trump administration allows the Saudis to enrich uranium," Raskin said. "So, the Saudis enrich the Trumps, and the Trump's allow the Saudis to enrich uranium and then we're going to have more nuclear weapons in the Middle East to set off another nuclear arms race there. "

The agreement comes as the Trump administration seeks to strengthen its partnership with Saudi Arabia while maintaining pressure on Iran over its nuclear program, a balancing act Congress is likely to scrutinize in coming months.

WNBA All-Star Game draws record crowd as Caitlin Clark’s Team Spoon holds off Team Coop

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 23:27:00 -0400

The WNBA continued its 30th-season celebration Saturday night, bringing the All-Star Game back to Chicago for the first time since 2022.

The game itself had plenty of scoring, but Jonquel Jones supplied the all-around performance that helped Caitlin Clark and Team Spoon outlast Marina Mabrey and Team Coop.

Jones finished with 22 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists in a 129-122 win and was named the most valuable player of the game.

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Eight Team Spoon players scored in double figures in a defense-light All-Star Game that featured 127 3-point attempts, with Allisha Gray adding 19 points and Clark finishing with 17.

The annual summer showcase was played before a record crowd of 19,783 at the United Center, the longtime home of the Chicago Bulls. Friday night’s 3-point contest and Shooting Stars competition were held at the smaller Wintrust Arena a few miles away.

In the second quarter on Saturday night, Dominique Malonga caught a pass from Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese and threw down the milestone dunk.

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The 6-foot-6 Seattle Storm center became the seventh player in league history to record a dunk in an All-Star Game, according to the Storm. The WNBA said the 20-year-old is the youngest player to accomplish the feat during the marquee event.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Seattle Storm's Dominique Malonga becomes youngest player to dunk in WNBA All-Star Game history

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 22:49:14 -0400

The question around Dominique Malonga’s first WNBA dunk was never really if it would happen, but when. The Seattle Storm center found her moment during Saturday night's All-Star Game.

Malonga did not let the defense-light setting go to waste. In the second quarter, the 6-foot-6 center caught a feed from Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese and threw down the milestone dunk.

Malonga became the seventh player in league history to record a dunk in an All-Star Game, according to the Storm. The WNBA said the 20-year-old is the youngest player to accomplish the feat in the annual showcase.

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Malonga became the first player since WNBA legend Sylvia Fowles in 2022 to record a slam in an All-Star Game.

WNBA ALL-STAR GAME BETTING PREVIEW: TEAM COOP'S GUARDS COULD GIVE THEM THE EDGE OVER TEAM SPOON

Malonga is still waiting on her first regular-season dunk with the Storm after 63 games, but her ability to get above the rim has hardly been a secret. She has dunked while playing in Europe and Unrivaled.

Shortly after she was the second overall pick in last year's draft, Malonga showed off her dunking ability in her debut practice with Seattle.

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Before the All-Star game tipped off, fellow Storm guard Flau'jae Johnson joked that she wouldn't speak to Malonga going forward if she didn't manage to pull off a dunk during Saturday's game.

Malonga is averaging 16.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in her sophomore WNBA season.

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At least 1 dead, several injured after van rams into crowd at Pride festival; suspect 'known to police'

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 18:14:35 -0400

German authorities on Saturday canceled a popular Pride festival after one person was killed, and numerous others were injured, when a van rammed into a crowd in Berlin.

Police said there are at least 16 people injured who were treated by rescue personnel.

The incident occurred during the European city's annual Christopher Street Day festival, an LGBTQ+ Pride event.

In an ongoing manhunt for a suspect, Berlin police said they had identified a person who has not been arrested and has alleged ties to Islamic groups, The Associated Press reported.

"The suspect is known to police. He is known to us as a member of Islamic circles here in Berlin, and our search for this person is proceeding at full speed," said police spokesman Florian Nath. "We still have no information whatsoever regarding his specific motives, the exact sequence of events, or his role in the crime itself."

GUNFIRE SHATTERS TORONTO LATIN STREET FESTIVAL, LEAVING AT LEAST 2 DEAD AND MULTIPLE WOUNDED

"We are conducting an intensive manhunt for suspects," police added, later clarifying that there could be one or more suspects.

"At this point, we don’t know anything about possible motives, the identity of the perpetrator or the perpetrators, or anything of that nature," Police spokesperson Alexander Klute told The Associated Press.

By three in the morning local time, police had detained someone whom they said is involved with the "Islamist scene in Berlin," Berlin broadcaster Deutsche Welle reported, adding that it's unclear if the man drove the van.

After the van plowed into the crowd it hit a tree, police said.

More than 2,000 officers have been protecting the event since it started Saturday morning.

In an update, the police said several of the injuries are life-threatening.

Hundreds of thousands of people turned out for the event, which included a parade and ended Saturday evening with a show at Tiergarten park near Brandenberg Gate.

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"It is an attack on our free and open society — after a peaceful and colorful CSD, the assembly for a tolerant and peaceful Berlin was attacked in the most brutal way," Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner said in a translated X post. "Berlin is the city of freedom — and our freedom has been attacked in the most horrific way today.

"My thoughts are with the victims, their families and friends. I thank the emergency services who were immediately on site and did everything in their power. And I trust the police and security authorities, who will investigate at full speed."

California authorities search for 2 children allegedly abducted by father, fear for their safety

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 22:04:43 -0400

Authorities in California are searching for two 9-year-old children who investigators say were abducted by their father this week, warning there is concern for their well-being.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is asking for the public's help locating Solomon and Marozhina Sukonick, who investigators say were taken by their father, David Sukonick, on Thursday.

According to authorities, the children were last seen around 8 p.m. near the 1000 block of West Avenue J-8 in Lancaster.

MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING PARTNER ARRESTED IN MEXICO NEARLY TWO YEARS AFTER FLEEING WITH THEIR TWO CHILDREN

The sheriff's department said in a news release there is "concern for their well-being," urging anyone with information to come forward.

Investigators said the children were last seen traveling in a black 2011 Lincoln Town Car with California license plate SOLOYST.

Marozhina is described as a 9-year-old White girl who stands 4 feet, 4 inches tall and weighs about 90 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing pink shorts and a white shirt.

MALNOURISHED BOY FOUND LOCKED IN FATHER'S VAN FOR MORE THAN A YEAR UNABLE TO WALK, HADN'T SHOWERED SINCE 2024

Solomon, also 9, is described as a white boy who stands 4 feet, 4 inches tall and weighs about 90 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing blue shorts and an unknown-colored shirt.

David Sukonick is described as a 71-year-old white man who stands 5 feet, 7 inches tall, weighs about 135 pounds and has brown hair and green eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department at 661-940-3855.

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Anonymous tips can also be submitted through L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477), using the P3 Tips mobile app or visiting lacrimestoppers.org.

According to the New York Post, David Sukonick shared a photo of the children on Facebook on July 13. One commenter questioned whether the children were OK, writing that they looked "miserable."

At least 1 shot, 1 detained after reported active shooter at Texas mall: police

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 21:42:44 -0400

At least two people were shot and another was detained Saturday after authorities responded to reports of an active shooter at Deerbrook Mall in Humble, Texas.

The Harris County Constable's Office Precinct 4 said deputies responded to the mall alongside the Humble Police Department just after 6:30 p.m. located at the 20100 block of U.S. Highway 59.

During a Saturday evening news conference, Humble Police Chief Chris Battenfield said one juvenile was shot and taken to a hospital. The juvenile's condition was not immediately known.

An adult bystander also suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to a finger, Battenfield said.

AT LEAST 1 DEAD, 5 WOUNDED AFTER SHOOTING INSIDE STATE'S LARGEST SHOPPING MALL

Battenfield said the mall has been secured and there is no ongoing threat to the public.

He also said three officers were already stationed at the mall, allowing police to respond quickly to the incident.

"At this time, one victim has been reported shot, and one person has been detained," the constable's office initially reported. "Law enforcement officers remain on scene as the investigation continues."

The Harris County Sheriff's Office said deputies were working with partner agencies to secure the mall.

"Please avoid the area and follow the directions of law enforcement personnel," the sheriff's office said. "Our deputies are working alongside our law enforcement partners to help secure the scene and protect the public."

SHOOTING NEAR ICE DETENTION FACILITY IN AURORA, COLORADO, LEAVES 1 INJURED, PERSON DETAINED

The extent of the victim's injuries was not immediately known. Authorities said they are not searching for additional suspects.

Police scanner traffic indicated officers were clearing the mall and evacuating stores, though officials have not publicly confirmed those details.

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ӣ��Ƶ Digital has reached out to the Harris County Sheriff's Office for additional information.

This is a developing story; check back for updates.

Knicks star Karl Anthony-Towns reportedly attends Jewish fundraiser as other NBA players take opposite stand

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 21:34:17 -0400

New York Knicks NBA champion Karl Anthony-Towns went to a fundraiser Monday night for the local New York City Jewish youth education group Chazaq, according to The Algemeiner.

Anthony-Towns told the crowd it was "an honor to be able to play for y’all and represent what this city is."

The organization reportedly gave Anthony-Towns a gift promoting its "speak no evil" anti-bullying campaign.

The appearance by Anthony-Towns comes in the wake of Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving and San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama showing approval of an anti-Israel message by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani when they liked an Instagram video in which he called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a "war criminal" and urged federal authorities to arrest him if he enters New York City.

KYRIE IRVING, VICTOR WEMBANYAMA LIKE MAMDANI'S VIDEO CALLING NETANYAHU A 'WAR CRIMINAL'

Anthony-Towns' attendance at the event comes amid high levels of anti-semitism-related cries in the city.

According to the New York Police Department data for 2026, antisemitic hate crimes in New York City remain high, accounting for roughly 55% to 60% of all confirmed hate crimes in the city, despite Jewish New Yorkers making up about 10% of the population.

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The NYPD recorded 78 antisemitic cases out of 143 total confirmed hate crimes (55% of all incidents) in the first quarter of 2026.

JEWISH LEADERS FAULT MAMDANI RHETORIC AS UPPER WEST SIDE STABBING, HATE CRIME PROBE CONTINUES

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has faced intense criticism from prominent Jewish organizations and elected officials who argue his harsh rhetoric regarding Israel and threats to arret Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu contributes to a climate of rising antisemitism within the city.

WNBA commissioner vows to crack down on 'racism, misogyny,' dodges big questions at All-Star press conference

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 20:48:06 -0400

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert dedicated the first serious portion of her news conference at the league's All-Star game to addressing "harassment" against players.

She said the league will be implementing "next steps" to address "every aspect" of player experience on the court, off the court and online."

"The racism, the misogyny, the homophobia, the harassment and threats directed to our players has no place in sport or anywhere else," Engelbert said, adding the issues have intensified in recent weeks but have also been present since "the moment I walked in the door.

"There's more work to do, and we need to make sure we're doing it."

CAITLIN CLARK MAKES WNBA HISTORY WITH RECORD-BREAKING GAME AFTER WEEKS OF CONTROVERSY

Many WNBA fans have raised concern over suspected racially-charged attacks on phenom Caitlin Clark in recent weeks after she was punched in the throat by Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas during a game June 24.

Other fans have expressed concern over racially-charged comments and threats online directed at Thomas and other players, including Aces player Chelsea Gray, who was targeted by alleged racial insult in an Instagram DM earlier this month.

Critics have suggested Engelbert be fired for her handling of the league's controversies this season and in recent years. Engelbert was asked if she expects to be commissioner at the start of the 2027 season. She did not give a yes or a no answer.

REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS PRESS WNBA COMMISSIONER CATHY ENGELBERT TO PROTECT CAITLIN CLARK

"I'm so blessed to be at the helm of this league during this incredible hyper-growth period. ... I will just continue to just do my job, execute the strategy because it has been working," she said.

When asked a question about how the league will address player security, Engelbert launched into a rant about "keyboard warriors."

"Someone gave me this term, ‘keyboard warriors.’ They're very, very adamant to get their messages through to our players, whether it's through DMs, whether it's through other means. So, again, we're gonna try to attack it, and we're gonna communicate a lot more with the players on that," she said.

Engelbert addressed a question of whether the WNBA will make investigations, fines and suspensions more transparent, but she did not give a clear answer on that either, while frequently repeating the line, "We have processes."

Engelbert was not asked any questions about a recent USA Today column that criticized Clark for her handling of hard contact and questionable referee decisions while invoking the murder of Emmett Till.

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She was also not asked any other questions specifically about Clark, Thomas' punch to Clark's throat or a recent letter sent to the league by 11 GOP lawmakers pressing for greater accountability regarding the physical treatment against Clark.

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The commissioner was also not asked about allegedly canceling an interview on "The Dan Patrick Show" in early July.

Engelbert announced that the WNBA will implement a full replay center beginning in 2027 during her press conference.

Armed man in tactical vest emerges from exploding Queens home before being shot by NYPD officers; 2 found dead

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 18:01:29 -0400

An armed suspect wearing tactical gear emerged from a Queens home moments after a fiery explosion erupted Saturday as New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers responded to a 911 call for shots fired and a man yelling, "kill them, kill them."

Keegan Thompson, 33, was shot by police and arrested after the explosion, according to NYPD Assistant Chief Christopher McIntosh. Authorities later discovered two dead family members inside the home.

Officers responded just after noon to a home on Ocean Crest Boulevard in Far Rockaway after a caller reported her husband was armed, McIntosh said.

When police arrived, they encountered a woman outside the home who said she had heard gunshots, entered a room and found a body on a bed before leaving the house and calling 911.

She also warned officers that her husband had a shotgun, officials said.

TWO POLICE OFFICERS SHOT, SUSPECT 'ACTIVELY FIRING AT POLICE' IN SYRACUSE STANDOFF LASTING HOURS: REPORT

Officers established a perimeter, requested the NYPD Emergency Service Unit (ESU) and repeatedly attempted to contact the suspect but were unable to establish communication.

At about 12:15 p.m., as ESU officers prepared to enter, a large explosion erupted inside the home, McIntosh said.

Fifteen to 20 seconds later, the suspect emerged from the burning home carrying a shotgun while wearing a tactical vest loaded with ammunition.

Officers repeatedly ordered the suspect to raise his hands and drop the weapon, police said. When he failed to comply and continued holding the shotgun, an officer fired, striking him.

He was taken into custody, and officers rendered aid before he was taken to Jamaica Hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition.

8 FAMILY MEMBERS, INCLUDING 6 CHILDREN, FOUND DEAD IN MICHIGAN FIRE; AT LEAST ONE VICTIM SHOT: POLICE

McIntosh said Thompson has no criminal history or history of mental illness documented by the NYPD.

Officers later found two dead family members inside the home. The victims have not been identified, and investigators are working to determine their causes of death.

As flames engulfed the house, responding officers evacuated neighboring homes to protect nearby residents.

Investigators have not determined what caused the explosion. When asked whether explosives were involved, McIntosh said the investigation remains ongoing.

"The bravery of the officers who responded today cannot be overstated," McIntosh said. "They responded to a 911 call not knowing what was waiting for them, and they ran toward the danger with no hesitation."

The shooting was captured on officers' body-worn cameras and is being investigated by the NYPD's Force Investigation Division.

Later Saturday, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said on X that he had been briefed on the incident and that his administration was in contact with law enforcement as the investigation continued.

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"I am grateful for the NYPD's swift response and bravery, and am thankful no officers were injured," Mamdani wrote. "My heart is with the loved ones of the victims who were killed today. Our administration is in close contact with our law enforcement partners as the investigation continues."

Ted Danson wanted to 'stop being a liar' at the end of 'Cheers' saying he 'f---ed up' his life so badly

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 20:00:04 -0400

Ted Danson is getting real about the state of his personal life toward the end of his run on "Cheers."

During a recent episode of his podcast, "Where Everybody Knows Your Name," the 78-year-old actor gave listeners an idea about what his life was like when "Cheers" came to an end in 1993.

"People say, 'What was it like? What did you do when she was over?' I said, 'I had f---ed up my life so much that I didn't even realize 'Cheers' was over,'" he said.

Elsewhere in the conversation, Danson admitted he "barely knew myself" and took a "postgrad grow-up class fast" the last year he was on the hit show.

TED DANSON WAS SHOCKED WOMEN VIEWED HIM AS A SEX SYMBOL DURING EARLY ‘CHEERS’ DAYS

He described driving to Long Beach to see his mentor, whom he called "amazing," saying he gave him "a whole different kind of therapy spirituality kind of thing."

"I wanted to stop being a liar," he said. "I wanted to be emotionally mature. I wanted to change."

The "Curb Your Enthusiasm" star previously spoke about the end of the series in an August 2025 episode of his podcast, reflecting on the state of his personal life at the time.

When asked by his guest, Charlie Day, if he was afraid of being typecast when the show ended, Danson said "the transition was easy because I blew my personal life up so badly," and he didn't realize the show had ended for a few months "because I was just dealing with myself and my personal stuff."

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Danson starred on the beloved sitcom as Sam Malone from 1982 to 1993, becoming one of the few cast members to appear in all 273 episodes of the show.

"Cheers" came to an end after 11 seasons, when Danson expressed his desire to pursue other acting opportunities, with executives deciding the show should not go on without him.

"I was changing for the better and working really hard at that, so I thought, 'Might as well jump completely off the cliff,'" he said. "And [there was] a little bit of ... 'If I don't leave now, I may not know if I could do anything else, and I want to see if I can do any other stuff.'"

After his time on "Cheers," Danson starred in "Becker," "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," before introducing himself to a new audience in "The Good Place."

He is currently starring in the hit Netflix show, "Man on the Inside," playing a retired professor who finds himself working as an undercover spy in a nursing home.

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"There's something inherently funny about a 76-year-old man who is a [retired] college professor, his life shut down, his daughter's worried. So, she says, 'Get a project,' and he happens to whimsically find a project where he becomes an undercover spy in a retirement home," Danson told People in November 2024.

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