California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he is ready to fight "fire with fire" as state Republican lawmakers try to enact redistricting in Texas, opposing the move though promising to pursue similar measures if needed.At a press conference on Monday, Newsom said he supports independent redistricting, as well as a national framework, and a proposal being advanced in the legislature reinforces what he supports."The proposal that we're advancing with the legislature has a trigger only if they move forward, to dismantling the protocols that are well-established," the governor said. "Would the state of California move forward in kind? Fighting? Yes, fire with fire."When asked about a meeting between California Democrats on Sunday night, during which time they drafted or were almost done with the draft of redistricting maps, and whether he had seen those maps, Newsom said he had not.AWOL TEXAS DEMS THREATENED WITH EXPULSION, FELONY CHARGES FOR ABSENCE AMID REDISTRICTING BATTLEBut he said there has been an ongoing series of conversations into the evening last night, which continued on Monday morning and will continue until Democrats land on a process."That process has to have the concurrence, the support of two-thirds of the legislature," he said. "The maps, we believe, should be transparent. They should be provided in a transparent way to the public, and as a consequence, those maps are being processed and will be brought to light."At the end of the day, though, Newsom said the people of California will have the ultimate say."We will offer them the opportunity to make judgments for themselves, again, only if Texas moves forward," Newsom said. "Ill reinforce that we believe it should be a national model, independent national redistricting, and it would revert back to its original form, but its done in response to the existential realities that were now facing. Things have changed, facts have changed, so we must change."HOCHUL VOWS TO 'FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE' ON REDISTRICTING WHILE HOSTING TEXAS DEMOCRATS WHO FLED STATE"Theyve triggered this response and were not going to roll over and were going to fight fire with fire, but were going to do so not just punching with the weight of the fourth largest economy, the most populous state in our union, the size of 21 state populations combined," he continued. "We also will punch above our weight in terms of the impact of what were doing, and I think that should be absorbed by those in the Texas delegation. Whatever they are doing will be neutered here in the state of California, and they will pay that price."California GOP Chairwoman Corrin Rankin told Fox News Digital that Newsoms actions could threaten the constitutional rights of Californians while also setting a dangerous precedent."While Governor Newsom frames this redistricting as a defensive move, it undermines Californias nationally respected, voter-approved Citizens Redistricting Commission, and if successful, sets a dangerous precedent that voters choices can be overruled whenever politicians find it politically convenient," Rankin said. "Our primary concern is safeguarding Californians constitutional rights against partisan manipulation disguised as defending democracy; true democracy means empowering voters, not politicians, to decide representation."Dozens of Texas Democrats fled their state and went to Chicago and New York on Sunday night in an effort to block a redistricting vote on Monday.TRUMP, REPUBLICANS RACE TO REDRAW TEXAS CONGRESSIONAL MAP AS DEMOCRATS THREATEN LEGAL WARTexas Gov. Greg Abbott has since threatened to arrest and expel the lawmakers if they do not return by Monday afternoon.Shortly after Abbott released his statement, the Texas House Democratic Caucus issued a simple response, writing: "Come and take it."The statement also described Republicans' proposed districts, which would potentially secure five new GOP U.S. House seats in next year's midterm elections, as a "racist mid-decade redistricting scheme."Abbott criticized the Democrats' dramatic departure, saying that "real Texans don't run from a fight."On Monday evening, Illinois lawmakers hosted Texas Democrats for a press conference, during which time none of the lawmakers took a single question from the press.BETO O'ROURKE DROPS F-BOMB AS HE URGES DEMS TO 'MEET FIRE WITH FIRE' AGAINST GOP REDISTRICTING PLANS IN TEXASStill, Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., welcomed her colleagues and said they could stay as long as they wanted because they believed in what they were doing."What youre doing and whattheyre trying to do in Texas affects you guys, but it affects the whole country," she said. "When you want to remove five Democratsthat hurts us in the House."She explained that when there are not enough Democrats, things like the Big Beautiful Bill, or as she referred to it as "the Big Ugly Bill," and other Republican initiatives get through."They are trying to destroy our democracy, destroy fairness in our country," Kelly said. "And unfortunately, they're starting with Texas. But we want you to know, we stand by your side."Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill.,accused Abbott of not stepping up for the people affected by devastating floods in the Hill Country region of Texas.BETO O'ROURKE CALLS FOR DEMOCRATS TO BE 'RUTHLESS' IN PURSUIT OF POWER, BACKS NEWSOM'S GERRYMANDERING PROPOSALSpecifically, he accused Abbott of not having a special session to help families rebuild, but instead of doing "the bidding" of President Donald Trump to "banish Democrats" from the federal delegation.Krishnamoorthi then directed his comments to Abbott, saying, "don't mess with Texas," because the people standing with him represent Texas."You can silence them. You can smear them. You can saddle them with debts and fins. But you cannot intimidate them," Krishnamoorthi said. "You can gerrymander the hell out of that map. Guess what? Two can play that game. Thats right. Other states will do exactly the same thing and neutralize what youre trying to do in Texas."Other lawmakers standing side-by-side in Illinois chose to accuse Trumps policies of being race-driven.Texas State Rep. Ana-Maria Rodriguez Ramos said Trumps policies hurt working families."That is nothing short of racism," she said. "He is coming after all of us who dont look like him and his Republican colleagues in the Texas House."Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, followed Rodriguez Ramos with more accusations of racism, saying Republicans are doing what Trump has insisted be done."I want you to know that we didn't introduce the race card when this message was sent by and through the Justice Department to the State of Texas, to our attorney general," he said. "They mentioned the race card because they talked about racial gerrymandering. They brought it up, and when they brought it up, they did it, knowing that this was a buzz word. It was a trigger.""They know that thats a buzz word that people would respond to in Texas, but we are going to respond to that buzz word by telling them that your racism is not going to change democracy in the state of Texas," Green continued. "In the United States of America, racism is going to be met with our taking a stand for democracy. You take a stand for racism, we will stand for democracy, and we will win."Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Texas, said she was pleased that states like California and New York were standing up for Texas Democrats because, once it happens in Texas, it will spread to other states.She called the issue a "national war," and "an all-out war" in which everything is on the table."We come from a state of great pride, and I never thought as a Texan, as an elected member of the Texas House of Representatives and now as an elected member from Texas to the United States House of Representatives, that I would see the governor of the proud state of Texas bend a knee to a felon from New York," Johnson added. "I never thought I'd see the day, but here we are."Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, was also standing with fellow Democrats in Illinois and accused Abbott of talking "a lot of noise." She also accused Republicans of being "weak.""The difference is they expect Democrats to kind of be the nice guys that we are," Crockett said. "They expect us to take the punch and say thank you. Well, I am here to tell you not only are we going to punch back, but we about to beat you down."Still, Abbott told Fox News host Sean Hannity on Monday that Texas is doing what it is allowed to do by law.He also accused state Democrats of doing something "un-Texas" by turning their back on Texans and not dealing with the flooding issues still echoing across the state.Abbott said four of the five seats that could change because of redistricting will be primarily Hispanic."These are seats where Democrats are having to come to grips with reality," he said, explaining that Democrats are losing votes to Hispanics and Black voters in Texas.He also said Democrats are "freaking out" because they are realizing Texas has the authority to redistrict."Texas will continue to fight for what is right," Abbott said.Fox News Digitals Anders Hagstrom and Elizabeth Pritchett contributed to this report.

Dramatic video captures the moment two hikers were rescued after becoming stranded on a secluded beach near one of Point Reyes National Seashores most dangerous hazards.The pair became trapped near Elephant Rock when rising tides cut off their only way out, according to a social media update from the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office.After spending several hours in the area, the hikers realized they were stuck and called emergency services, department spokesperson Emily Fuller said in a statement to SFGATE.Due to the lack of safe access by land or sea, a helicopter crew was dispatched to carry out the rescue. Using a 100-foot line, responders hoisted the hikers from the beach after securing them in a "hot seat," a harness designed for aerial rescues.VIDEO SHOWS TEENS ADVENTURE TURN FRIGHTENING NEAR POPULAR TOURIST DESTINATIONThe hikers were then flown to the Marin County Fire Department, the sheriffs office confirmed. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.Video of the rescue shows the dramatic scene as a rescuer descends to the rocky shoreline, then lifts off with both hikers suspended above the water.FIVE HELICOPTERS NEEDED TO SAVE INJURED SOLO CLIMBER ON CALIFORNIA'S SECOND-HIGHEST PEAKWhile Point Reyes is a popular destination for hiking and coastal exploration, it poses serious risks, the National Park Service warns."The ocean is among the most dangerous features at Point Reyes," the parks website notes.HIKER DISAPPEARS FROM EDGE OF THE WORLD CAMPGROUND ON TRIP WITH FATHERVisitors are cautioned about dangers such as powerful surf, unexpected "sneaker" waves, strong currents, polluted water, cold temperatures and hidden hot coals. There are no lifeguards, and the area features challenging terrain, including unstable cliffs and bluffs.Fuller emphasized that some beach areas can become "completely locked in" once the tide rises, leaving no safe path out. She advised that anyone exploring the coastline should check tide charts and carry a reliable way to call for help."Having access to emergency communication is crucial," she added. "Some parts of the coastline dont have cell service, so carrying a satellite communication device like a Garmin inReach could be a lifesaver."Fox News Digital reached out to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office and National Parks for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.

Donald Trump didn't like the slight gain in jobs that the government reported for July. So he fired the commissioner for labor statistics, who nobody had heard of until 10 minutes ago.Problem solved?Well, not exactly.Erika McEntarfer, the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner, didnt unilaterally make the decision that the economy added just 73,000 jobs in July. That figure was produced by hundreds of Labor Department analysts, following established rules, before it reached her level.TRUMP ECONOMIC ADVISER FIRES BACK AT NBC HOST OVER 'SHOOTING THE MESSENGER' CLAIM ABOUT BLS FIRINGFor the president to claim, without proof, that this was "rigged"to make him, and Republicans look baddoesnt change the underlying reality. The number was disappointing. That hasnt changed.The same goes for the downward revision of 258,000 jobs in the previous two months.That is incredibly common. It happened during the Biden administration, in one case a downward revision of an earlier jobs estimate. Its a standard adjustment made once more information has become available.But the economy is what it is. Dumping the Biden appointee doesnt change that.Maybe theres a problem with the constant revisions, but thats been going on for years. McEntarfer should have put out a more detailed statement.There has been an avalanche of media criticism for the president undermining confidence in the reliability of the numbers we all depend on.Kevin OLeary, the "Shark Tank" investor, told CNN: "I did not agree on whacking the commissioner. I dont like that. Whacking statisticians makes no sense whatsoever. You dont shoot the messenger."Trumps BLS chief in the first term, Bill Beach, said "the commissioner doesnt do anything to collect the numbers. The commissioner doesnt see the numbers until Wednesday before theyre published. By the time the commissioner sees the numbers, theyre all prepared"When I was commissioner, we had a 500,000 job revision during President Trumps first term," he told CNN. "And why do we do that? Because firms are created or firms go out of business, and we dont really know that during the course of the year, until we reconcile against a real full count of all the businesses."TRUMP VOWS TO REPLACE LABOR STATISTICS CHIEF WITH SOMEONE 'COMPETENT AND QUALIFIED'Democrats, of course, are going haywire. Janet Yellen, Bidens Treasury secretary and Fed chief, said it reeked of a "banana republic."So once the president names his own person, will the markets and the public have confidence that future jobs numbers are real? Or will that appointee cook the books in his favor?Trumps case: "Last weeks [sic] Jobs Report was RIGGED, just like the numbers prior to the Presidential Election were Rigged. Thats why, in both cases, there was massive, record setting revisions, in favor of the Radical Left Democrats. Those big adjustments were made to cover up, and level out, the FAKE political numbers that were CONCOCTED in order to make a great Republican Success look less stellar!!! I will pick an exceptional replacement." Millions of business decisions are made based on the jobs number being a fair and reasonable estimate, based on Labors survey of participating companies.But lets pull back and look at some other recent Trump actions.The Office of Special Counsel is now investigating Jack Smith, who brought two criminal cases against Trump, for violating the Hatch Act. Thats the law that bars government officials from making blatantly partisan comments. But its usually ignored: When Kellyanne Conway was accused of violating the act and recommended for dismissal, Trump just blew it off.Ex-CIA director John Brennan and fired FBI chief James Comey are under criminal investigation for allegedly politicizing intelligence in 2016.DOJ CRIMINALLY INVESTIGATING FORMER OBAMA OFFICIALS FOR HANDLING OF RUSSIA PROBETrump has also ordered a criminal probe of Barack Obama for his actions in 2016 and declared him guilty of "treason."Id just offer a reminder that Trumps special counsel in the first term, John Durham, investigated all this and brought no charges against these men.I know that his files have recently been declassified, but Durham wrote:"The offices best assessment is that the July 25 and July 27 emails that purport to be from Benardo," a man funded by George Soros, "were ultimately a composite of several emails that were obtained through Russian intelligence hacking of the U.S.-based thinktanks." Durham indicted only three minor officials.Trump is extremely aggressive, of course, whether its suing the media (winning $16-million settlements from ABC and CBS); targeting Ivy League universities (Columbia agreeing to pay a $200-million penalty); ordering an investigation of first-term cybersecurity official Miles Taylor (better known as Anonymous); ordering federal agencies to cut ties with WilmerHale (and saying it was because Robert Mueller worked there), along with defunding NPR and PBS.Oh, and did I mention that the current president has also ordered an investigation of pardons and other actions by Joe Biden, aimed at showing he was too mentally impaired to do the job? The former president, who is being treated for prostate cancer, dismissed the idea as "ridiculous."All this projects an image of strength, enabling Trump to drive the news agenda. But it also reveals a president preoccupied by past grievances and determined to settle scores with opponents he believes unfairly targeted him.And thats why Erika McEntarfer is suddenly out of a job.

Talk show hosts Charlamagne and Stephen A. Smith agreed on Monday that former Vice President Kamala Harris' claim that America's "system is broken" is comical given her decades-long career in public service.After months of staying largely out of the public eye, Harris kicked over a beehive with last week's appearance on "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert." During the interview, Harris spoke about her choice not to run for the governorship of California, making broad generalizations about how, "Just for now, I dont want to go back in the system. I think its broken."Many articles criticized the 2024 Democratic candidate for a lack of concrete ideas six months after losing to President Donald Trump.Charlamagne was one such commentator who argued that she might better serve as a figurehead for the Democrats rather than a political leader. He spoke further about Harris recent public statements on Mondays episode of Smith's show.CHARLAMAGNE CRITICIZES OBAMA'S 'MIND-BOGGLING' ADVICE TO DEMOCRATS AS TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE"I personally believe there's no way in hell she's going to win the presidency in 2028. I don't think that she's going to be the candidate. I think her time - she had a chance at that. It didn't get done and that's where I'm at with it," Smith argued. "What about you?""Kamala is a friend, man. I've been supporting Kamala for a long time," Charlamagne said. "But I can't sit here and say I disagree with you. I think that she should do whatever it is that she wants to do, but when I heard her say that, you know, 'The system is broken' and she wants to take a step back from the system her whole career has been the system.""It made no sense!" Smith replied."Yeah. Her whole career has been the system. I just don't see how now, you know, she's going to take a step back away from the system," Charlamagne said.CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURESmith brought up a series of Harris' major strategic missteps, such as when she wouldn't separate herself from President Joe Biden, arguing this latest interview was another mistake from a "career politician.""You've been there practically all your life," he said. "You've been an attorney, a state attorney general. You've been a prosecutor. You've been a senator. You've been a vice president. My God, you've been a part of it. And now you're saying it's broken? That means you couldn't do but so much to fix it when you was in it.""The system was broken long before Donald Trump, you know, got into office," Charlamagne said.

The man accused of a grisly double murder at Devils Den State Park in Arkansas had passed background checks at different school districts throughout the nation.Andrew James McGann, 28, is charged with two countsof capital murderin connection to the killings of Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, who were found dead on a walking trail at Devil's Den on July 26.He held teaching positions infour school districts across three states in recent years in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.TEACHER ACCUSED OF ARKANSAS HIKING MURDERS BOUNCED BETWEEN 4 DISTRICTS IN 3 STATESIn the20222023 school year, heworked as a fourth-grade teacher at Donald Elementary in Flower Mound, Texas, part of Lewisville ISD. He was placed onadministrative leave in spring 2023 over concerns related to classroom management, professional judgment, and favoritism.District officialsconfirmed with Fox News Digital that their internal investigation foundno evidence of inappropriate behavior,and McGannresigned in May 2023.In the 2023-2024 school year, McGann taught fifth grade at Spring Creek Elementary in Broken Arrow Public Schools in Oklahoma before he moved to San Springs Public Schools, which is also in Oklahoma, from summer 2024 through May 2025.Both districts previously confirmed to Fox News Digital that McGann had passed all legally required background checks, faced no disciplinary actions and left on his own accord. One parent, whose son was in McGann's fifth grade classroom, told The Associated Press that they remembered the young teacher being "reserved" and "not super-friendly.""He wouldnt look at me really, wouldnt talk to me. He would only really talk to the kids and he would just walk away," Kyle Swanson told the outlet. "I dont know, it was a strange interaction."McGann next headed to Springdale Public Schools in Arkansas. The school confirmed that they had offered McGann a teaching position for the upcoming school year, though he had not yet started working or "has not at any time" had contact with students at the time of his arrest."Our entire team extends our deepest condolences to the Brink family," Jared Cleveland, the district superintendent, said in a statement to Fox News.McGann, who graduated in spring 2022 from Oklahoma State University-Tulsa with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education, has active teaching licenses in Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma, according to each respective government certification website. No infractions or suspensions are noted on his public state licensure in any of those states, the AP reported.VIDEO SHOWS ARKANSAS HIKING MURDER SUSPECT ARRESTED MID-HAIRCUTFormer FBI special agent Bill Daly told Fox News Digital that McGanns ability to move between school districts in multiple states without raising red flags reflects serious flaws in how educator background checks are typically conducted."Not all background checks are kind of created equal," Daly said. "It can vary depending upon state and locality, whether it happens because of legal perspectives or cost constraints, where they may not be able to spend that much money doing a background check."He warned that relying solely on broad database searches often misses important red flags and fails to provide a full picture background check. Daly pointed to the concept of "leakage," early signs that may hint at problematic behavior, and said those signals are often overlooked in school hiring."Things that start to add up over a period of time about someone's demeanor, their behaviors."He also noted that it is unusual for teachers to bounce around so frequently."It is quite kind of interesting from an investigative standpoint, the fact that he has moved around fairly frequently to different states who may or may not be able to kind of share information more fluidly," he said.ARKANSAS HIKING MURDERS: TIMELINE REVEALS TEACHER SUSPECTS ROUTE FROM CLASSROOM TO COURTROOMWATCH:Ahead of the start of the school year, Daly encouraged parents to ask about their school districts hiring process and standards for background checks."I think parents are certainly well-advised to ask those questions, among many other questions, about what happens in schools and school safety where they send their children," he said.As for school administrators, Daly encouraged school leaders to take a hard look at their hiring practices, considering the allegations against McGann."For administrators to kind of take a more sober look at their background check process, and they need to be asking a bit more kind of sobering questions, particularly in light of this case."Fox News' Ashley Papa, Greg Norman and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Prince Andrew achieved a quiet victory.King Charles III has given up on trying to evict the disgraced Duke of York from his palatial Royal Lodge home, the U.K.s Express reported. According to the outlet, the monarchs younger sibling "has won the row" and will be staying put despite efforts to relocate him to a smaller property.Buckingham Palace previously told Fox News Digital that they dont answer for Andrew, 65, as hes no longer a working royal.KING CHARLES FACES MASS EXODUS OF GARDENING STAFF AT HIGHGROVE HOUSE ESTATE: REPORTBritish royals expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital shes not entirely convinced that Andrew is out of the woods."This is a limited pyrrhic win, as hes certainly not reclaiming any stature either in public or within his own family," she explained. "His remaining in Royal Lodge is merely due to his legal rights derived from the original binding 75-year lease agreement from 2003 with the Crown Estate rather than anything favorable to Andrews redemption."Fordwich pointed out that Royal Lodge requires "immense annual upkeep" that reportedly costs several million dollars a year. Andrew stepped back as a senior royal following his controversial friendship with late American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.Working or not, Andrew will need to find a way to foot the bill."Public scrutiny of royal spending is intense," said Fordwich. "It will further destroy his relationship with both his family and the public as he is an entitled embarrassment to both.""In 2028, this issue may well be revisited," Fordwich warned. "The Crown Estate will then have new grounds to review or revoke the lease due to property maintenance disputes. In the interim, he must fund the estates costly repairs, all of its upkeep and his security."TheU.K.s Daily Mail previously reported that Andrew had been tending to the gardens of Royal Lodge to pinch pennies. The 30-room mansion is reportedly surrounded by shrubbery and woodland. Other reports claimed that the king, 76, ordered precious artifacts to be removed from Andrews home, due to maintenance and security concerns.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERUs Weekly also reported that the sprawling 19th-century property is faced with dampness issues, as well as"wear and tear"that isravaging the building.It noted that"cracks are becoming worse on the brickwork,"and there is peeling paint, along withplaster falling off.These days, the Express reported that Andrew has been "all smiles" knowing that he could officially stay."It is undoubtedly the case that King Charles would have wished him to downsize," royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital. "But, he has a 75-year lease and, so long as he fulfilled its provisions, he could not be evicted."Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital that Andrew will still need to prove that he can find a way to manage the costly repairs that Royal Lodge requires."Andrew has to ensure that the Royal Lodge is being preserved from a current state of near collapse," Turner claimed, adding that this "will be looked at very closely."Andrew has lived at Royal Lodge since 2004. He currently resides there with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson.LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSAccording to reports, he has spent over $9 million on repairs and renovations over the years and $1 million to take it over. His annual rent is a reported $337,000. But despite Charless concerns, reports claimed that Andrew presented his brother with a lease document which confirmed that he was legally entitled to stay at Royal Lodge.The Sunday Times reported that the king did not renew the contract for Andrews private security team. The monarch had been paying for Andrews security after the prince lost his police protection in 2022. The security team is said to cost the king nearly $4 million annually. At the time, a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace told Fox News Digital that the palace would not comment on "security matters."While Andrew will remain at Royal Lodge, Fordwich stressed that this doesnt mean hell return to public life."The only time hes been seen at any family functions publicly was earlier this year in Windsor at Easter Sunday services and the Garter Day lunch," she said. "He was conspicuously absent this year from [everything else].""Regarding his finances, his family continues to be concerned as to where, in desperation for new income sources, he is securing funding," Fordwich claimed. "In the past, his ill-judged business associations havent exactly been proper, reflecting poorly upon the monarchy."Charles and Andrew were said to be feuding over Royal Lodge, which is located on the grounds of Windsor Castle, since 2019. While Charles urged Andrew to downsize and move to the smaller Frogmore Cottage, Prince Harry and Meghan Markles former U.K. home, the prince successfully dug his heels in.Charlotte Griffiths, the Mail on Sundays editor-at-large,reported in November that the monarch was unexpectedly extending a generous olive branch to his brother and paying his rent. It's believed that's what their late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, would have wanted. For years, it has been said that Andrew was her favorite son.The king was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in February of last year.Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine andauthor of "My Mother and I," agreed with Griffiths' scoop.WATCH: KING CHARLES SECRETLY PAYING PRINCE ANDREW'S RENT, AUTHOR CLAIMS"Theres absolutely no doubt that Charles is the one who is providing the money for Andrew, because the [late] queen wouldnt have left Andrew bereft," Seward previously explained to Fox News Digital."She wouldve made a provision for him, and maybe that provision came through his elder brother as monarch," she shared. "When the king dies or the queen dies, the money goes to the next monarch. Everything goes to the next monarch. So, she either would have made provisions for Andrew before she died, or she wouldve made provisions through Charles.""I believe that Charles is helping him," Seward continued. "I dont see who else would. Im sure [Andrews ex-wife] Fergie would help him. I know Fergie does very well with her books, but I [cant] imagine she would make enough to run Royal Lodge on her own.""I certainly think that the only person who could really be doing this is either monies from the queen or monies from the king," she said.Griffiths also claimed that someone at a "glamorous and usually ultra-discreet dinner table" told her that "Charles has paid for it all.""The king has cleared it. It's all done," the source claimed.PRINCE WILLIAM DRAWS HARD LINE ON UNCLE PRINCE ANDREWS ROYAL FUTURE: EXPERTSThe palace insider, "who's been a guest at Royal Lodge in years gone by," claimed that not only did Charles handle the finances, but none of the funds came from taxpayer money.The Sunday Times previously reported that Andrew had raised enough money to stay in Royal Lodge. According to the outlet, the prince's funds were approved by the Keeper of the Privy Purse as coming from "legitimate sources." Andrews only known steady income source is a Royal Navy pension."The Duke of York, or Prince Andrew as we like to call him, always lived in a palace," said Seward. "He lived in Buckingham Palace, and then his home was Royal Lodge, which is a very grand home and he doesnt want to leave it.""I think King Charles... said to him, Andrew, it would be so much better if you moved out of Royal Lodge and moved into Frogmore Cottage... because its been modernized inside. Its been beautifully done up. Its easy to run. Its not expensive to run. And youre within the security of the Windsor Castle compound, so its not going to cost millions in security.' But Andrew said, No, I want to stay here."Seward stressed that rigorous upkeep and plenty of funds are required to keep the royal property in tip-top shape."Its not just a little house in the middle of nowhere," said Seward. "It is huge and therefore needs a lot of upkeep. But I think that theres no way he and Charles wouldve had a row about it, because Charles isnt like that."PRINCE WILLIAM PLANS TO BANISH UNCLE ANDREW FROM ROYAL LIFE WHEN HE BECOMES KING: EXPERT"He wouldnt have said, 'Youve got to get out,'" Seward insisted. "He wouldve suggested why it would be easier to get out. And Andrew said, No, I want to stay. So, Charles said, Fine, but Im going to have to remove this very expensive security, and well need to find an alternative.'""The Crown Estate wouldve loved to get Andrew out of Royal Lodge, because they could rent the whole thing," said Seward. "It needs to be seen as making money. And as long as Andrew lives in Royal Lodge, thats preventing them from making as much as they could. Its just too bad that he isthe late queens second son.""[But] I dont think the future holds anything for Prince Andrew," Seward added.

Quadruple murder suspect Austin Drummond lived a comfortable life inside his prison cell filled with TV streaming, alcohol and video games, according to pictures he uploaded to Facebook.Authorities continue to search for Drummond, 28, who allegedly killedJames M. Wilson, 21, Adrianna Williams, 20, Cortney Rose, 38, and Braydon Williams, 15, according to the Dyer County Police Department. Their bodies were discovered on July 29. Police said an infant that was found on the front lawn of a random individual's house is related to all four of the victims.Drummond served 13 years in Tennessee prison after being convicted of aggravated robbery and retaliation. The retaliation charge occurred while Drummond was in prison. He was released from prison on Sept. 1, 2024, according to the Tennessee Department of Corrections.Pictures posted to Drummond's Facebook show that he had a Roku, handheld video game device, at least one cell phone, and a pantry filled with food.TENNESSEE 'ASSOCIATES' OF QUADRUPLE MURDER SUSPECT ARRESTEDIn one picture, Drummond can be seen with a bottle of Ciroc Vodka."Ciroc..... almost home living it up till I get there," Drummond wrote on Nov. 18, 2023, just under a year before he was released.Former NYPD Detective and security expert Pat Brosnan told Fox News Digital the prison wardens didn't do their job correctly."I think there was a measure of both irresponsibility, neglect, and probably some recklessness as well in relation to not just the wardens, but the senior management staff, the captains, the deputy warden, the lieutenants," Brosnan said. "But the reality is they're supposed to have very frequent checks of the cells. They call them shakedowns. They shake down and make sure there's no drugs in there or any contraband. That's part of their policy and protocol in the state prison system, as well as the federal prison system."Brosnan said it's "absolutely" a possibility that Drummond knew someone who worked at the prison, and that's why he had the contraband.VEHICLE OF TENNESSEE QUADRUPLE MURDER SUSPECT FOUND AS DETAILS OF CRIMINAL PAST EMERGEWhen Drummond allegedly killed the four individuals, he was out on bond in relation to an attempted murder charge. The attempted murder charge was filed in Dec. 2024, but officials said the alleged crime occurred while Drummond was still in prison.It's unclear how Drummond got the contraband into prisons controlled by the Tennessee Department of Corrections, but he was charged four times with getting contraband into a penal facility.A Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokesperson told Fox News on Friday that the vehicle was found in Jackson, Tennessee, but Drummond wasn't inside. A law enforcement official briefed on the matter told Fox News Digital that Drummond is likely still in Tennessee.Drummond is wanted on charges of alleged first-degree murder, kidnapping, four counts of a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony.Anyone with information about Drummond's whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Dyer County Police Department by calling (731)-285-2802 or 1-800-TBI-FIND.Fox News Digital reached out to the Tennessee Department of Corrections for comment.

The latest statistics confirm the social chatter that Las Vegas tourism has hit a dramatic low, with some even calling Vegas an experience of the past.Only 3.1 million people visited Sin City in June, down 11.3% compared to last year, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA).Social media users have called out the high prices of everything from dining to parking, citing these and other reasons for staying away.LAS VEGAS TOURISM DROPS SHARPLY AS SOME VISITORS CLAIM 'CASINOS ARE EMPTY' AMID RISING COSTSRobby Starbuck, conservative activist and host of "The Robby Starbuck Show," told Fox News Digital it is not just prices that are keeping people out of Vegas."Now nearly everyone under 40 who bets seems to do it online," Starbuck said this week."I dont know one person under 40 who goes to Vegas regularly to bet or play slots," he added. "This trend will continue with younger people because, honestly, our minds are wired differently."The U.S. online gambling market in 2024 was estimated at $12.68 billion, according to Grand View Research.Tom Reeg, Caesars Entertainment CEO, said it would be a "soft summer" on a recent earnings call, according to local reports.Starbuck said generational differences also could be pushing down the popularity of visiting Las Vegas.VEGAS VISITORS SHOCKED BY 'ABSURD' RESORT PRICES THAT ARE TURNING TOURISTS INTO 'SPECTATORS'"Another differentiator is that older generations focused on real-life interaction, while younger generations feel just as content with parasocial online experiences," he said."The Vegas marketing image is one centered on slots and showgirls, two things young people have no interest in," said Starbuck.He added, "The typical casino feel and marketing just wont be as successful with young people who have 40 options to gamble on their phones from the comfort of their own home."An additional generational difference, Starbuck pointed out, is that younger generations are ditching the bottle.For more Lifestyle articles, visit foxnews.com/lifestyle"Younger generations drink alcohol at lower rates than older generations did at their age. Thats going to have a material impact on the Vegas business model if young people drink less," he said.The number of people in their 20s who chose to abstain from alcohol more than doubled between 2001 and 2019, going from 9% to 22%, according to a 2019 National Drug Strategy Household survey. And a recent Gallup survey found that roughly 38% of adults under age 35 now identify as fully abstaining from alcohol.In addition, more than a quarter of Gen Z respondents felt "very concerned" about the potential health effects of drinking alcohol,according to Civic Science.The hotel industry is also feeling the burn of fewer visitors.Occupancy rates dropped 6.5%, while average daily room rates have lowered to $163.64 down 6.6%, according to the LVCVA.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTERMeanwhile, a 43-story hotel and casino has been put on an indefinite pause, SF Gate reported.The property has a prime location on the Vegas strip and will remain an empty lot for parking for now.Starbuck said he's been to Las Vegas a number of times in his life and doesnt see himself visiting again unless there is a change."If it feels like a place where I can see the future and bring my whole family, then youll see me in Vegas again," he said."Without that kind of transformation, Vegas is in trouble in the coming decades," he predicted."If Vegas wants to win with young people in the future, its going to have to transition to a must-see destination that makes you feel like you have just entered the future."

Before the United States Senate broke for the summer and decamped from D.C., one nominee it did confirm was Brian Nesvik, who will lead the United States Fish and Wildlife Service ("USFWS.") The Senate voted last Friday by 54-43 to approve Nesvik, the onetime head of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.This is some great news for Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum who needed some of his top-tier appointees finally put into their jobs more than six months into President Trumps second term. Many other positions across the administration remain blockaded by a combination of obstructionist tactics by the Senate Democrats, as well as White House delay in nominations, paperwork filing by nominees, Senate committee hearings as well as votes, and a Senate work schedule which is leisurely as measured against the private sector even though this Senate has done more in the face of complete Democratic obstruction than recent iterations of the body. (Insiders among the Senate GOP promise they will change the Senates absurd confirmation rules when they return on September 3. Thats a great thingif it happens. It should have happened immediately after the "One, Big, Beautiful Bill" passed the Senate.)Nesviks appointment is crucial because the USFWS long ago blew past the intent of the federal Endangered Species Act ("ESA.") Congress has acquiesced in this bureaucratic mission creep for decades and decades as the agency grabbed more and more power over private landowners, but Burgum and Nesvik can take a sharp machete to the regulatory overgrowth.TRUMP ADMIN REBUFFS SCHIFF, REOPENING MASSIVE PACIFIC OIL RESERVE CAPABLE OF 80% OF REGIONAL PRODUCTIONFirst, though, President Trump should use an executive order to delist all "species" and "subspecies" that landed on the ESA list by virtue of the criteria of "decline in the historic range of the species or subspecies habitat." The USFWS uses this metric to list species and subspecies like the California gnatcatcher (a bird) or the San Diego fairy shrimp (a crustacean) or the Delhi Sands flower-loving fly (an insect) as "endangered" or "threatened." This metric of "projected future habitat loss" is not "science." It is politics and environmental extremism dressed up as "science."It works this way. First, the Service identifies a "species" or a "subspecies" which it wants to "study" (and the definition of subspecies is itself a dodgy process of questionable legitimacy in the original law.) Then the Service proclaims the "historic range" of that subspecies lets say 10,000 square miles. Then "scientists" at the USFWS calculate how much of that 10,000 square miles has been developed for buildings, homes, parks, roads and reservoirs as well as anything else man-made and subtracts that area from the original "historic range."If we are dealing with Southern Californias coastal regions, or the Bay Area, or the area around Las Vegas or Denver for example, a great deal of development of all sorts has taken place in those regions in the past 200 years. The USFWS then subtracts the developed part of the historic range over the past 200 years from the original historic range and then projects the same pace of development out decades or centuries.Thus, if the 10,000 square miles of original "historic habitat range" had seen 7,500 square miles developed in the past 200 years, the Service concludes that the pace of past development which saw 75% of the historic range of the subspecies used by humans is going to continue into the future. Thus, the bureaucrats conclude that the 2,500 square miles will be reduced by 75% in the next two hundred years leaving only 600 square miles of historic range. The same calculation is then applied to the 600 square miles over the next 200 years etc. The conclusion that the species or subspecies is "endangered" or "threatened" by habitat loss is baked into the process. The species or subspecies that is endangered by "habitat loss" is placed on the endangered species list, and all land which is occupied by that subspecies is off-limits to development without one of two federal permits a Section 10(a) permit from the USFWS or a Section 7 permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ("USACOE"). Indeed, sometimes the career bureaucrats at the agency attempt to assert that if the habitat in question could potentially be occupied by the species or the subspecies, it too is off limits to development without a permit.Most permits applied for by private landowners are never granted, and are usually abandoned or made so expensive in terms of mitigation demanded by the USFWS that they end up combined into one big permit application that creates a new regional bureaucracy, which adds another layer of red tape and extreme costs to the private landowners plans. It sounds ridiculous, but its true. I retired from this area of law in 2015 after practicing in it on behalf of landowners for nearly 3 decades. Its only gotten worse since I left practice to teach law and broadcast.The ESA isnt the only reason we have a housing shortage in many parts of the country and that critical infrastructure rarely gets built and never on budget or on time. States have their own versions of the ESA as well and their own versions of the Clean Water Acts and a host of other hurdles to construction. But this maze of species and subspecies law and regulations is backed up by criminal penalties of fines and years in jail for every individual member of the subspecies disturbed not killed, but even just disturbed (the technical legal term is "taken") by a landowner acting without a permit.Its an outrageous and idiotic system and much of it rests on three giant leaps of logic: That the ESA was intended to regulate "subspecies," that the "science" behind declaring either a species or a "subspecies" is sound, and that "decline of historic range" is also a legitimate scientific metric.Hopefully President Trump, Secretary Burgum and Director Nesvik take aim at all three absurdities and, via executive order or rule-making, clear away hundreds of the 1,300 species and subspecies from the list of endangered and threatened species maintained by the Service. (The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration regulates the endangered or threatened species in the water though sometimes the USFWS and "NOAA" have overlapping jurisdiction.)Two other moves would greatly assist the pressing need for more housing of all varieties and for major infrastructure projects and safe forests and wild-lands.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONFirst, the Supreme Court should be on the lookout for a case that allows it to make sense out of a tangle of cases having to do with "regulatory takings," and fashion a new, coherent rule of black letter law to apply to such regulatory takings: If any level of government requires longer than 60 days to approve a landowners plans for their private property, the government owes that landowner rent on a monthly basis. No more uncompensated "temporary" takings by regulation. The framers of the Constitution would be mortified by the extent the federal, state and local governments trample property rights which were explicitly protected by the Fifth Amendment from uncompensated takings, a prohibition applied to state and local governments by the 14th Amendment. Once government had to pay for its delay, the pace would pick up at every level of bureaucracy.Second, Burgum and Nesvik should take the initiative and publish "nationwide Section 10(a) permits" that allow for all fire-prevention clearing, harbor dredging, and pier and pipeline construction and prospectively for "SMRs" "small modular reactors" that are the future of carbon-free energy production regardless of impacts to all species and subspecies. These are all projects of enormous public benefit and almost all of them are held-up if not blocked completely by environmental extremists using the ESA as a disguise for their no-growth, anti-human agendas.President Trump, Secretary Burgum and Director Nesvik cannot make America great again if they cant expedite big new infrastructure projects or prevent vast destruction by wildfires that use uncleared land for fuel or stop the quiet theft of private property by the leviathan of the giant combination of federal, state and local government regulations.Hugh Hewitt is a Fox News contributor, and host of "The Hugh Hewitt Show," heard weekdays from 3 pm to 6 pm ET on the Salem Radio Network, and simulcast on Salem News Channel. Hugh drives America home on the East Coast and to lunch on the West Coast on over 400 affiliates nationwide, and on all the streaming platforms where SNC can be seen. He is a frequent guest on the Fox News Channels news roundtable hosted by Bret Baier weekdays at 6pm ET. A son of Ohio and a graduate of Harvard College and the University of Michigan Law School, Hewitt has been a Professor of Law at Chapman Universitys Fowler School of Law since 1996 where he teaches Constitutional Law. Hewitt launched his eponymous radio show from Los Angeles in 1990. Hewitt has frequently appeared on every major national news television network, hosted television shows for PBS and MSNBC, written for every major American paper, has authored a dozen books and moderated a score of Republican candidate debates, most recently the November 2023 Republican presidential debate in Miami and four Republican presidential debates in the 2015-16 cycle. Hewitt focuses his radio show and his column on the Constitution, national security, American politics and the Cleveland Browns and Guardians. Hewitt has interviewed tens of thousands of guests from Democrats Hillary Clinton and John Kerry to Republican Presidents George W. Bush and Donald Trump over his 40 years in broadcast, and this column previews the lead story that will drive his radio/ TV show today.CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM HUGH HEWITT

Editors note: This essay is adapted from the new book, "One Nation Always Under God: Profiles in Christian Courage"by Senator Tim Scott.Copyright 2025 by Timothy Scott. Published with permission from Broadside Books and HarperCollins Publishers. This is just one of my favorite Jim Lovell stories. Two years earlier, Jim had been on another historic mission. Apollo 8 was the first manned spacecraft to leave Earths orbit, reach the moon, orbit it, and return safely to earth. This mission was crucial in testing the spacecrafts navigation and communication systems over long distances, ensuring that the technology and procedures were robust enough for an eventual lunar landing. And while that mission could easily warrant a chapter of its own, what I love most about it was what happened on Christmas Eve of 1968.NASA recognized the historic significance of every word said on the broadcast of this early mission, especially since there was likely to be a huge audience of families at home for Christmas. But when Frank Borman, the mission commander, asked a NASA public relations official what to say, that official merely said it should be "something appropriate."But how in the world could Borman find the words suitable to such a special moment? At the height of the Cold War, he felt honored that his government trusted him to choose his own words what a contrast to the hypercontrolled cosmonauts of the Soviet Union! but when it came down to it, everything he could think to say seemed unworthy of the occasion. He asked a friend, who in turn consulted a friend who worked in the Bureau of the Budget.BUZZ ALDRIN COMMEMORATES APOLLO 11 MOON LANDING MILESTONE ON 56TH ANNIVERSARY WITH HEARTFELT MESSAGEThe answer finally came when that official asked his wife. A former French resistance member and ballerina during the Second World War, Christine Laitin had the answer."Go back to the beginning," she said.So thats exactly what they did. In a moment collectively experienced by virtually every American citizen, astronauts Jim Lovell, Frank Borman, and Bill Anders took turns reading the first 10 verses from the Book of Genesis. This historic broadcast was heard by countless millions of people on Earth, making it one of the most-watched television broadcasts at the time.SPACE CAPSULE MARKS MILESTONE FOR BRINGING CARGO BACK FROM ORBIT"In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night, And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters called the Seas: and God saw that it was good. And from the crew of Apollo 8, we close with good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas, and God bless all of you all of you on the good Earth."What a moment! The history of the United States is replete with Holy Spirit moments like this. Even the idea of going to outer space is so audacious and visionary that it remained only in the realm of imagination for centuries. While many cultures throughout history have dreamed of reaching the moon, it was the United States that turned this dream into reality. This monumental achievement could only have happened in America.This story is by no means an isolated phenomenon but a recurring theme throughout American history. When faced with adversity, Americans have consistently pulled together to find solutions, overcome challenges, and emerge stronger. This is the story of America! Every story I have told in this book, the story I have personally lived, and the story each and every one of us finds ourselves in is the story of an overcomer. From our nations very beginning, Americans have shown a remarkable ability to unite and confront challenges head-on. As I just laid out in the previous chapter, in the American Revolution, thirteen colonies, each with its own interests and identities, came together to fight for independence against the most formidable military power of the time. The power of collective effort and shared purpose was palpable, driving the fledgling nation toward a hard-fought victory and laying the foundation for the United States.Why is it important to remember these stories? Because this is who we are! No matter how great the obstacle, we as a nation will overcome it. We will rise to the challenge, harness our ingenuity, and achieve the impossible. These stories remind us of our resilience, our determination, and our unyielding spirit. They also reflect the Judeo-Christian principles that have guided us throughout our history, playing a crucial role in every significant achievement. With unity, faith, and perseverance, there is no limit to what we can accomplish.POPE LEO XIV GIVES 1ST HOMILY AS AMERICAN PONTIFF, SAYS LOSS IN FAITH HAS LED TO CRISIS IN HUMANITYBut theres one bigger lesson to take from the experience of astronauts as well. Jim Lovells reaction to space was not to find Earth comparatively small and unimportant but rather to grow more and more appreciative of the gift weve been given to have been born at all. Jim felt revival happen in his heart as he looked at that retreating blue dot, hundreds of thousands of miles in the rearview mirror. Even in the depths of space, astronauts worshiped.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONPresbyterian Buzz Aldrin took communion on the moon, having received permission from his church. "At the time," he later said, "I could think of no better way to acknowledge the Apollo 11 experience than by giving thanks to God." So often, we can only perceive our lack of gratitude when the thing we have taken for granted is snatched away. We only know what we have in its absence. Very few of us will be astronauts, but hopefully, through reading their stories, we can recover our gratitude for what we take for granted, without needing to lose it. We should study the vivid photos of the cold and dead surface of the moon, and that famous photo of Earth peering from over the rim of the moons barren surface, to remind us of what a gift our world truly is.Not for nothing did King David feel his own insignificance when he looked on the stars. He prayed to God:"When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?" Psalm 8:34, ESVAnd yet his final takeaway is one of humility and hope:"Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor." Psalm 8:5, ESVSpace is vast and magnificent, yet at the end of the day, human beings are the most important and valuable creation within it. It is knowledge of this fact that could give Jim Lovell and Buzz Aldrin the knowledge that David prophesied in another psalm:"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,' even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you." Psalm 139: 712 NIVCLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM SEN. TIM SCOTT