The U.S. national debt is rapidly approaching $37 trillion with no signs of slowing down as President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill" is projected to raise budget deficits by $2.4 trillion over a decade, according to theCongressional Budget Office (CBO) dynamic analysis.Senators from both parties sounded the alarm on the staggering debt crisis in interviews with Fox News Digital on Capitol Hill."I'm very, very deeply concerned about that," Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., said. "I think that's gonna be part of the next big crisis, where we are gonna have to confront our national debt because it wasn't that long ago that a trillion was unthinkable, and now that there's 40 trillion approaching in our debt, we really have to address it, honestly."Trump signed his "one big beautiful bill" by Congress' self-imposed July 4 deadline. It includes the fulfillment of Trump's key campaign promises through the reconciliation process, including tax cuts and reforms to immigration, energy and Medicaid.MAGA COUNTRY VOTERS SOUND ALARM OVER RIDICULOUS NATIONAL DEBT AMID DEBATE OVER TRUMP-BACKED BILLBut conservative fiscal hawks, including Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who voted no and regularly sports a national debt clock badge, threatened to derail its passage as they spoke out against its contribution to the national debt.DEMOCRAT-CONTROLLED BUDGET OFFICE WRONGLY ANALYZED TRUMP'S BIG BILL, MISSED RECORD SAVINGS, WHITE HOUSE SAYSSen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., a Trump ally and advocate for the bill, told Fox News Digital, "The time for tough conversations is now."She said the United States must continue to look for waste, fraud and abusea nod to former Trump-ally turned online foe, Elon Musk, who spearheaded efforts to cut government spending via the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) earlier this year, before a well-documented fallout between Trump."When you think of things like Social Security and Medicare, people say that they could be insolvent within the next eight years," arguing that interest on the U.S. debt and mandatory spending on programs, like Medicaid, are taking up a big portion of the pie."We've got to make sure that we are more responsible with taxpayer dollars," Britt added.Meanwhile, freshman Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, described the U.S. debt crisis as a "moral failing that we leave this country to our kids and grandkids with this kind of level of debt.""$37 trillion of debt is unimaginable, right? We've got to balance our budget. We need to do it right now. If we don't do it, what's going to happen is interest [rates] are going to go up. Inflation is not going to be under control. It's real simple," Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., told Fox News Digital.Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisc., agreed, "We need to focus on spending, spending, spending. I've been beating this drum really since I got here, but particularly with this administration, since January 1st, trying to return to a reasonable pre-pandemic level spending."While Republicans have led the charge on eliminating waste, fraud and abuse in government spending, Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., said the number one priority should be reversing "all these massive tax breaks of billionaires and millionaires in America."Trump's megabill included an extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), as well as new tax breaks on tipped wages and overtime.Markey added, "We can save trillions and trillions of dollars that are going to be wasted in our country by giving these massive taxpayers by the trillions to the wealthiest. We also have to re-examine our defense budget. We actually don't need a whole new generation of nuclear weapons."

Nebraska, South Dakota, and Vermont have resisted charter schools due to the negative impact such institutions can have on rural school districts but that's reportedly changing due to a shift in political leadership."These are states that love their rural public schools, that depend upon their rural public schools," Carol Burris told Education Week.Burris is the executive director of the Network for Public Education, an advocacy group focused on supporting and improving traditional public schools."These are not states that are going to be welcoming charter schools," Burris added.Burris said that rural states typically resist charter schools. Most states restrict parents to schools within their zip code or the school district that presides over their residential area, but charter schools allow parents the option to send their kids to a different school.REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS TO INTRODUCE BILL TO REPEAL LARGEST TEACHERS UNION'S FEDERAL CHARTERWhen charter schools are located near public schools, they compete for per-pupil funding as parents are allowed to opt out of sending their children to the neighborhood public school.Concerns include that the money taken away from traditional public schools could be used to boost teachers' salaries, invest in public school facilities and recruit more teachers.North Dakota was previously among the states blocking charter school efforts but eventually embraced them.Education Week also spoke with North Dakota's Superintendent of Public Instruction, Kirsten Baesler, who was recently nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as the assistant secretary of elementary and secondary education in the U.S. Department of Education. Baesler still has to be confirmed by Congress.Baesler said the "desire for more school choice among legislators and voters changed things," which "prompted the legislature to pass the new law allowing charters" in North Dakota."This new positionapproved by the states super-majority Republican legislaturealso aligns more closely with the Trump administrations policies on K-12 education," Education Week reported.According to American Federation for Children President Tommy Schultz, Trump's Big Beautiful Bill will have a huge impact on education in the country. It is considered "the biggest piece of legislation that's ever passed in school choice history" by establishing a federal tax-credit scholarship program.Trump and Education Secretary Linda McMahon previously signaled concern about children being trapped in failing schools."Youre not going to have a lot of charter schools in North Dakota. Its rural, and its small," Burris said. She added that residents "value local control and fiscal prudence, which has contributed to a cautious approach toward new state-funded educational models."LINDA MCMAHON SAYS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WON'T PUNISH STATES THAT REFUSE TO ADOPT SCHOOL CHOICEThe report from Education Week came afterseveral red states with GOP resistance to charter schools eventually flipped on the issue.Iowa, Idaho, Tennessee, Wyoming and Texas eventually passed universal school choice, overcoming pushback from state-level Republican lawmakers who had previously obstructed the effort.The states have manyconstituents who live in rural areas. Rural schools tend to face funding challenges due to low enrollment and scarce resources. Rural Republicans, once obstacles to school choice measures, have shifted to supporting the policy in those states.Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds overcame resistance from her GOP colleagues when she sought to pass universal school choice legislation. Reynolds endorsed nine candidates with a pro-parent platform in primary elections, ousting incumbent GOP candidates who did not support that platform.A similar phenomenon occurred in Texas and Tennessee.Several states with GOP trifectas passed universal school choice legislation.Montana is another state that embraced charter schools after electing a Republican governor, Education Week reported. The states superintendent of public instruction said the fate of charter schools depends on the states political leadership."It depends on the legislature. Charter schools have become a cause of the Republican Party,"Montanas Superintendent of Public Instruction Susie Hedalen told Education Week."When Montana had a governor who was a Democrat, the state rejected charter schools," she said.School choice policies typically face hurdles in blue states and where teachers' unions have significant influence. Left-leaning teachers' unions usually reject school choice measures, claiming they debilitate public school funding and resources.No Democratic-controlled state has passed school choice legislation."Burris expressed doubts that Nebraska or Vermont will implement any kind of charter authorization laws, because Nebraska has strong support for its public schools and Vermonts legislature is controlled by Democrats," reported Education Week.

On July 15, President Trump nominated my friend and former Gorsuch clerk colleague Eric Tung to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. If confirmed, Tung will succeed Judge Sandra Ikuta, who recently assumed senior status after a distinguished tenure. Judge Ikuta leaves behind a strong legacy, one Tung is more than equipped to uphold and extend.MIKE DAVIS: CONFIRMATION OF EMIL BOVE A TRIUMPH OF NEW OVER OLDTungs credentials are exceptional. He earned a philosophy degree from Yale in 2006 and graduated with high honors from the University of Chicago Law School in 2010. While there, he served as managing editor of the University of Chicago Law Review, one of the most rigorous legal journals in the country.Following law school, Tung clerked for two of the most respected jurists in America: then-Judge Neil Gorsuch on the Tenth Circuit and Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. These clerkships are offered only to the legal elite. Even among that group, Tung stood out.Although President Trump made inroads during his first term in balancing out the nation's most liberal federal appeals court outside of Washington, D.C., of the 29 active judges, 16 were Democratic nominees. Tung replacing Ikuta won't change that balance, but it will ensure the vacated seat remains in the hands of a strong constitutionalist.Tung's brilliance, ethics, and temperament have earned him bipartisan respect. A letter supporting his nomination was signed by fellow Supreme Court clerks from across the ideological spectrum, from Justice Ginsburgs to Justice Thomas. That level of cross-aisle support is rare and speaks volumes.One signer, Danielle Sassoon, a former federal prosecutor who has publicly disagreed with the Trump administration, went out of her way to endorse Tung. Her support underscores how widely admired he is for his intellect and integrity, regardless of politics.Tungs experience goes far beyond the top of the legal profession. He served in the Department of Justices Office of Legal Policy, where he helped vet judicial nominees, giving him a firsthand look at what makes a good judge. As an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Los Angeles, he prosecuted serious criminal cases, gaining invaluable courtroom experience. Now a partner at Jones Day, Tung handles complex appellate and trial work at a national level.Although President Trump made inroads during his first term in balancing out the nation's most liberal federal appeals court outside of Washington, D.C., of the 29 active judges, 16 were Democratic nominees. Tung replacing Ikuta won't change that balance, but it will ensure the vacated seat remains in the hands of a strong constitutionalist.Despite this impeccable record, Tungs Senate Judiciary Committee hearing was marred by partisan theatrics. Several Democrat senators ignored his qualifications and fixated instead on social media posts I had written. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., quoted part of an old post of mine and demanded Tung "condemn" it. Tung, noting the canons of judicial ethics, rightly declined to weigh in, clarifying that my opinions are not necessarily his.Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., followed suit, hitting Tung over a post where I had labeled certain Democrats "evil Marxists." Booker then attempted to cast himself as a model of bipartisan civility, citing his friendship with Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., conveniently omitting that he once claimed supporters of Justice Brett Kavanaughs confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court were "complicit in evil." Again, Tung refused to be drawn into political grandstanding, displaying the restraint and poise we should expect from a federal judge.This guilt-by-association line of attack is dishonest and irrelevant. Tungs record speaks for itself. Rather than engage with his legal merits, some senators tried to hijack yet another Judiciary Committee hearing to score cheap political points. Tung never took the bait.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONHis nomination also highlights the double standard in how judicial diversity is treated. As the son of Chinese immigrants and a fluent Mandarin speaker, one would think Democrats would celebrate Tung at least for their sacred metrics of representation and diversity on the federal bench. But because hes a conservative, his background is downplayed, or even used against him. The selective celebration of diversity and identity politics in judicial nominations is glaring.Ultimately, what really matters is Tungs record, and its unimpeachable. He is a brilliant legal mind, a fair-minded jurist, and a committed constitutionalist. His combination of courtroom experience, academic rigor, and ethical clarity makes him an ideal appellate judge.The Senate should rise above political posturing and confirm Eric Tung without delay. His confirmation will not only fortify the Ninth Circuit, but strengthen the rule of law nationwide. President Trumps reshaping of the federal judiciary with principled, constitutionalist judges will take a significant step forward with Tungs appointment.Eric Tung is exactly the kind of judge Americans want: sharp, steady, and scrupulously fair. The Senate must act upon its return and confirm him in September.Mike Davis is the founder and president of the Article III Project.

The Trump administration plans to cut millions in security funding for Washington, D.C., despite the president also directing federal law enforcement to increase its presence in the city because of its "totally out of control" crime.In a grant notice posted last week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said that D.C.'s urban security fund would receive $25.2 million, a 44% year-over-year reduction.The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA, said on Friday it slashed funds to multiple cities to be consistent with the "current threat landscape." Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Jersey City also had their security funds cut, but the decrease in D.C. was the largest for any urban area that received funding from the program last fiscal year.DHS has "observed a shift from large-scale, coordinated attacks like 9/11 to simpler, small-scale assaults, heightening the vulnerability of soft targets and crowded spaces in urban areas."PRESIDENT TRUMP INCREASES FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT PRESENCE IN DC FOLLOWING VIOLENT CRIME SURGEViolent crime in D.C. dropped by 35% between 2023 and 2024, the U.S. Attorneys Office for D.C. said in December, stating that there were 3,388 incidents last year compared to 5,215 incidents the year before.Crimes that saw significant drops last year included homicide, which was down 30%, sexual abuse down 22% and assault with a dangerous weapon down 27%. Robberries and burglaries slightly dropped to 8% for both.The federal funding covers security needs in the National Capital Region, which includes D.C. and surrounding cities in Maryland and Virginia.FEMA has $553.5 million to spend to support cities across the U.S. to boost security. It is unclear how much of the National Capital Region's total security budget comes from that program.DC VIOLENT CRIME DIPS 35% IN 2024, REACHES 30-YEAR LOW: US ATTORNEYIn the past, local officials have used federal funds for hazmat training, hiring officers and replacing fiber in theiremergency communications network, according to a 2016 report from D.C.'s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency.On Thursday, Trump directed federal law enforcement to increase their presence in the nation's capital, following a string of violent crimes, including an incident in which former DOGE staffer Edward Coristine, nicknamed "Big Balls", was beaten in the city's streets earlier this week."Crime in Washington, D.C., is totally out of control," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Local 'youths' and gang members, some only 14, 15, and 16-years-old, are randomly attacking, mugging, maiming, and shooting innocent Citizens, at the same time knowing that they will be almost immediately released. They are not afraid of Law Enforcement because they know nothing ever happens to them, but its going to happen now!"CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPThe president said that the nation's capital "must be safe, clean, and beautiful for all Americans and, importantly, for the World to see.""If D.C. doesnt get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City, and run this City how it should be run, and put criminals on notice that theyre not going to get away with it anymore," he continued. "Perhaps it should have been done a long time ago, then this incredible young man, and so many others, would not have had to go through the horrors of Violent Crime."Reuters contributed to this report.

On Friday, Aug. 8, President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. military into action against Mexican and other Latin American drug cartels, taking an anticipated step after declaring these violent groups to be foreign terrorist organizations less than a month into his second term. Sending the military to our southern border, and potentially beyond, is a much-needed step for national security. Because the problem is worse than most Americans realize. Evidence shows that corrupt Mexican military and law enforcement officials are aiding the cartels on U.S. soil.Trump has succeeded in securing the border where former President Joe Biden failed unless failure was the objective. AMERICANS IN VACATION HOT SPOT MAY SEE MORE MILITARY THAN MARGARITAS THIS SUMMERBut securing the border is about more than stemming illegal entrance into America it also encompasses interdicting deadly drugs and preventing or catching criminals, terrorists and hostile agents from entering, as well. From May to July, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released no illegal immigrants from the border to the nations interior. In 2024, over the same three-month period, Biden released 212,000 illegal aliens into the interior with a simple promise to report to an immigration judge at some point. Most didnt bother to report and simply disappeared. Border security isnt just an immigration problem its a national security imperative. Six years ago, the Texas Public Policy Foundation filed a Freedom of Information Act request with DHS for reports of Mexican military or law enforcement operating on U.S. soil or in U.S. airspace. The DHS responded in July 2025, after the Biden administration suppressed the response for years.CARTEL DRONES POSE 'DANGEROUS' DRUG TRAFFICKING RISK IN BORDER STATE, OFFICIAL WARNSWe carefully reviewed 190 pages of Serious Incident Reports that detailed Mexican incursions into America over the six-year period of 2014 to 2019, covering the last three years of the Obama administration and the first three years of the first Trump administration. The reports detailed 78 separate incidents, of which 39 appeared significant and 39 benign. The latter included police in hot pursuit of suspects, or training aircraft taking off from airports close to the border and briefly straying into U.S. airspace. The remaining 39 reports indicated something more troubling: Mexican authorities purposefully violating U.S. territory, likely in corrupt service of the Mexican drug and human trafficking cartels. Of particular interest, of the 39 incidents confirmed on U.S. territory, only four happened during the night. That only one in 10 incidents happened during the cover of darkness appeared odd. Of this, Ammon Blair, a colleague and former Border Patrol agent, told me that, "The cartels owned the night," he went on to remark that nighttime was "Gotaway Central," referring to those whom the Border Patrol saw or had evidence of, but did not apprehend. This means that there could have been hundreds of instances where either the Mexican military or law enforcement crossed the border under cover of darkness to aid the cartels, but that the lack of a positive ID prevented DHS from logging the incursion as being by Mexican government personnel. Further, Border Patrols rules of engagement are very risk-adverse. If its determined that a heavily armed force is operating in the area, Border Patrol teams often just two agents are ordered to pull back. DHS VIDEO HONORS MARINE KILLED BY MEXICAN CARTEL, TOUTS TRUMP'S CRACKDOWN ON 'TERRORISTS'Blair told me of an incident where he and his partner, armed only with handguns, were urgently ordered back to their vehicles. They were told that national intelligence methods had picked up radio traffic that indicated that a Mexican army squad, "Has you in their sights." Ten with rifles against two with sidearms are not good odds. But that was then. Today, after significant investments initiated during the first Trump administration and boosted under the One Big Beautiful bill, both Customs and Border Protection at our ports of entry, and Border Patrol at points in between, have better technology. Autonomous Surveillance Towers with night thermal technology and aerostat surveillance balloons provide far better nighttime coverage than was the case six years ago. That said, not every property owner along the border will allow a tower packed with sensors on their property, leaving dead spaces in ravines and low spots uncovered. About one-third of cameras are broken at any given time. And there are still only about two Border Patrol agents covering each mile of the southern border. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONUnfortunately, in war, the enemy gets a vote. In 190 pages of reports covering six years there was only one mentions of a quadcopter flown by Mexican police over U.S. soil. Last year, DHS reported that 60,000 drones were sighted within a few hundred yards of the border thats 330 a day. Whether employed by the cartels or Mexican officials, these drones serve two main purposes: counter surveillance figuring out where Border Patrol, law enforcement or military personnel are; and area denial Border Patrol wont fly its helicopters in areas where drones are operating. VIOLENT MEXICAN DRUG GANG'S HIGH RANKING MEMBERS SANCTIONED BY TRUMPEven today, we still dont know the reason for the crash of a National Guard reconnaissance helicopter with the loss of three aboard in March 2024 near Rio Grande City, Texas, on the border. And now there are reports that not only have Mexican cartels sent people to fight in Ukraine to learn drone tactics, but theyve also deployed fiber optic-controlled drones in Mexico. These drones are resistant to jamming. Second to the threat from China, the rise of the Mexican narco-state on our southern border presents a grave national security challenge, one that DHS cant handle alone they lack the personnel, the equipment, the training and the doctrine to do so. Instead, only targeted military operations can interdict armed incursions into America something the U.S. military was built to do. Applying the lessons of past conflicts, using the military to ambush and capture armed border infiltrators will raise the costs of violating American sovereignty while sending a powerful message to Mexico City.CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM CHUCK DEVORE

Tesla just opened its long-awaited retro diner and supercharging station in West Hollywood, California. But this isn't just another place to plug in your EV.It's a full-on experience, a throwback to American diners with a futuristic twist. The big question: Is this a quirky one-off, or are we looking at the future of EV charging nationwide? Let's take a closer look at what makes the Tesla Diner a destination and whether this model could work in cities across the U.S.Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, youll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join myCYBERGUY.COM/NEWSLETTERLOAD THE LAUNDRY, GRAB A BEER: INSIDE AMERICA'S LAUNDROMAT BARSTesla Diner isn't shy about going big. It's the largest urban supercharging station in the world, featuring:Whether you're a Tesla owner or just someone craving a burger and a bit of nostalgia, you're welcome to walk in, dine, shop and hang out.This isn't just a flashy gimmick. The design includes solar canopies that help reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 26.6 million pounds of carbon dioxide per year. So, while you're enjoying a classic American meal, your car is quietly recharging under a solar-powered shade.WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?The menu draws inspiration from classic American diners, offering quick bites and full meals made with high-quality ingredients. Whether you're in the mood to eat inside, enjoy rooftop views from the Skypad or stay in your car for curbside service, Tesla Diner has you covered. Tesla drivers can even place food orders directly from their in-vehicle touchscreen and have it delivered right to a window. No need to leave the driver's seat.This spot goes beyond food and charging. Guests can catch everything from retro sci-fi flicks to SpaceX launches on massive LED screens. Watch from your Tesla or lounge on the Skypad. The experience is free, but you must be actively charging or dining to stick around for the show. And, no, you don't have to be a Tesla owner to enjoy the movies or the food. Just be ready to pay with a credit card or Apple Pay. Cash isn't accepted.Tesla has always aimed to reimagine more than cars. With this diner, it's turning EV charging into an experience. It's clever: drivers need time to charge, so why not give them something fun (and profitable) to do while they wait? That said, this model may not work everywhere. West Hollywood offers:GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HEREWould a concept like this thrive in, say, suburban Ohio or downtown Houston? Maybe, but it would likely need some tweaks. Real estate costs, charging infrastructure and regional tastes all play a role.If you're an EV owner, especially a Tesla driver, the West Hollywood diner offers a glimpse into what charging could look like convenient, social and even entertaining. It also signals a shift. EV brands aren't just selling cars, they're creating ecosystems. And, for drivers, that could mean more places to relax, eat, shop and charge all in one stop. Expect to see more companies experiment with "charging destinations," whether it's cafs, gyms, movie theaters or even co-working spaces tied to your plug-in.Tesla's diner isn't just a supercharging station. It's a test. A billboard in real life that says, "This is what the future could feel like." If it catches on, we could soon see charging hubs that compete not just on speed, but on experience. That changes everything for EV adoption, urban planning and the American road trip.Would you spend 30-45 minutes at a diner-movie-charging station? Or is this just a Hollywood novelty? Let us know by writing to us atCyberguy.com/ContactSign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, youll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join myCYBERGUY.COM/NEWSLETTERCopyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

A super PAC supporting Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's 2026 primary challenge against longtime Republican Sen. John Cornyn is showcasing the MAGA firebrand's efforts in the Lone Star State's high-stakes redistricting battle.It's the latest example of how the redistricting showdown in Texas is shaping what is likely to be one of the most bruising and expensive Senate races in next year's midterm elections.A digital spot by Lone Star Liberty PAC includes a compilation of cable news reports, and it highlights Paxton's efforts to track down Democratic Texas lawmakers who fled the state to prevent the Republican-dominated legislature from voting on new GOP-crafted congressional maps in the red state that would create five more right-leaning congressional districts.It includes a clip of Paxton pushing "to remove some of these legislators from office" and conservative media figures praising the attorney general's moves. If also includes a photo of Paxton standing next to President Donald Trump, who remains neutral to date in the GOP primary battle.TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL PAXTON INVESTIGATING BETO O'ROURKEThe Republican push in Texas, which comes at Trump's urging, is part of a broader effort by the GOP across the country to keep control of its razor-thin House majority in the 2026 midterms, when the party in power traditionally faces political headwinds and loses seats.Trump and his political team are aiming to prevent what happened during his first term in the White House, when Democrats stormed back to grab the House majority in the 2018 midterms.SEN. CORNYN SUCCESSFUL IN URGING FBI TO TRACK DOWN FLEEING TEXAS DEMOCRATIC STATE LAWMAKERSWhile the redistricting battle has spread to states across the country as Democratic governors in blue states and GOP governors in red states move toward rare mid-decade gerrymandering pushes of their own, the dispute in Texas is taking center stage in the GOP Senate primary.Texas-based veteran Republican strategist Tyler Norris told Fox News Cornyn and Paxton "are using every tool at their disposal to prove that they're both dedicated to helping the Trump administration gain more seats in Congress for 2026."Cornyn spotlighted his urgent letter asking the FBI for help in tracking down the Democratic state lawmakers who fled Texas. The senator's move resulted in the FBI approving his request to locate the AWOL lawmakers."I am proud to announce that Director Kash Patel has approved my request for the FBI to assist state and local law enforcement in locating runaway Texas House Democrats," Cornyn said in a statement. "We cannot allow these rogue legislators to avoid their constitutional responsibilities."But it remains unclear whether the FBI could actually return the lawmakers to Texas.Paxton is also looking into whether two political action committees aligned with former Democratic Rep. Beto O'Rourke of Texas may have violated state laws by assisting the state lawmakers who fled."Any Democrat coward breaking the law by taking a Beto bribe will be held accountable," Paxton said this week during a news conference.O'Rourke came close to ousting Sen. Ted Cruz in the 2018 midterms before running unsuccessfully for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. He lost to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in the state's 2022 gubernatorial contest, and is considering jumping into the 2026 Senate race in Texas.He's been visible in his support for the fleeing Texas Democrats.And O'Rourke has pushed back against Paxton."The guy impeached for bribery is going after the folks trying to stop the theft of five Congressional seats," O'Rourke argued in a social media post Wednesday. "Let's stop these thugs before they steal our country."Texas state Sen. James Talarico, who is also moving toward entering the Senate race, is among the Democrats who fled to Illinois to prevent the legislature from voting on the redistricting plan.Since arriving in Illinois, Talarico has sat for a couple dozen interviews with media outlets across the country.The only major Democrat who's already announced his candidacy in the Senate race, former Rep. Colin Allred, is also supportive of the fleeing lawmakers.But Allred, who is making his second straight bid for the Senate in Texas, has not been in the media spotlight to the degree of Talarico or O'Rourke.

Amid a flurry of recentglobal headlines declaring an all-outfamine in the Gaza Strip, the leaders of France, Britain and Canada, as well as some other countries, declared theirintentions to formally recognize a Palestinian state as a way of ending the nearly two-year war.Yet, the announcements a direct response to global headlines and shockingphotographs ofallegedly starving children may become hollow statements after the Israeli government on Friday said it would expand the military operation in Gaza as the only way to defeat Hamas,the designated Palestinian terror group whose Oct. 7, 2023,attack on Israel sparked the devastatingwar, and restore peace.Recognition of a Palestinian state by a growing number of states could come as soon as next months United Nations General Assembly. Yet with Hamas still present in Gaza and still holding at least 50 hostages, and with the other Palestinian leadership, the West Banks Palestinian Authority, weak and corrupt, will that recognition undermineefforts to reach botha short- and long-termsolution to the decades-old intractable conflict?STARMER SAYS UK TO RECOGNIZE PALESTINIAN STATE IF ISRAEL DOESN'T AGREE TO CEASEFIRE, HAMAS MUST 'DISARM'"I assume there is a combination of considerations here some related to foreign policy, others to domestic politics but the basis is still the naive belief that a Palestinian state is the right way to solve the conflict," Meir Ben Shabbat, Israels former national security advisor who now heads the Misgav Institute for National Security, told Fox News Digital.Ben Shabbat, who led the National Security Council from 2017 to 2021, said that from the perspective of French President Emmanuel Macron, "the initiative itself is what matters, not its content or chances of success.""Its doubtful whether he hasconsidered the consequences this might have, even within the Palestinian camp itself," Ben Shabbat said.NY TIMES' ERRONEOUS COVER PHOTO OF GAZAN CHILD JOINS SERIES OF MEDIA BLUNDERS FRAMING STORIES AGAINST ISRAELLast week, Ghazi Hamad, a senior Hamas political bureau official based in Qatar, told Qatari news network Al Jazeera that international recognition of a Palestinian state was "one of the fruits of the Oct. 7 attack.""Why are all these countries recognizing Palestine now?" he said, according to a translation from Arabic by non-profit organization MEMRI. "The overall outcome of Oct. 7 forced the world to open its eyes to the Palestinian cause and to act forcefully in this respect. (They recognize now) that the Palestinian people deserve freedom and their own state."Israeli leaders have warned that recognizing a Palestinian state at this juncture would be a clear reward for terrorism, and it will certainly do little tostrengthen the position or popularity of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who has been accused of corruption and who has refused to hold democratic elections for 20 years.International recognition of a Palestinian state is also unlikely to change the reality on the ground in Gaza or the West Bank, both of which have changed physically and demographicallysince initial plans for a two-state solution were drafted as part of the Oslo Accords some32 years ago."In practical terms, the effects of unilateral recognition are quite limited," Ben Shabbat said. "The recognition does not address borders, and, in fact, most of the world has already recognized a Palestinian state when it was accepted as a U.N. observer state (in 2012)."HAMAS ENDGAME IS LONG-TERM AND IS PLAYING OUT FOR ALL TO SEE AS ISRAEL PUSHES DEEPER INTO GAZA"The main impact of these declarations is psychological the momentum they might generate and the foundation they lay for potential future practical decisions," he said.Gayil Talshir, a political scientist and expert on Israeli trends and public opinion from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, said the steps to recognize a Palestinian state were "just empty declarations" that could actuallyend up "worsening the situation.""It's a reaction to images instead of thinking about diplomacy and theprocess of how to make a real change," she said.By contrast,the "New York Declaration" issued last week by the Arab League, which called on Hamas to release all the hostages, disarm and end its rule of Gaza forges a more promising path to peace, she said."What is the political imagination that stands behind the French declaration of support of Palestine if it doesn't say that Hamas should not be part of such a state or that the Palestinian Authority, which is completely corrupt, should not be part of it," said Talshir."A declaration may feel very righteous for France and Canada and the rest of these states, but it actually complicates the situation further and maybe even distances an option that could materialize in the future," she added. "instead of building a process in which you have international supervision over Gaza and maybe also over the occupied Palestinian territories and gradually build Palestinian capabilities of self rule, they are just standing with Hamas against Israel."ARAB NATIONS FOR FIRST TIME PRESSURE HAMAS TO DISARM, RELINQUISH POWER IN GAZAAmong some Palestinians, too, the idea of statehood, while welcomed, feels far out of reach."Practically speaking, I cant see this will happen anytimesoon. It has to happen through long-term negotiations," said Huda Abu Arqoub, a Palestinian peace-building activist, referring to the idea of a Palestinian state coming to life."For Palestinians watching what is happening in Gaza, something inside us has died. And with that kind of despair, we just don't have the luxury right now to think of the day after or of a two-state solution."Once this war is out of the picture, maybe we can breathe, maybe we can regroup, maybe we will be open to having othersolutions rather than just the Oslo-based solution," said Abu Arqoub, who acts as an advisor on peace to the European Union and some Arab states, including Saudi Arabia.Instead of an international community "just taking sides," she added, "there must be a transitional period for Palestinians to regain some sort of trust in the system, in the two-state solution, and to give us a choice whether we want to be part of a political entity that runs for elections or not."

All potatoes are not created equally, a massive new study has found especially when it comes to the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D).Researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that eating just three servings of french fries per week was associated with a 20% higher risk of developing T2D. Baked, boiled or mashed potatoes, however, were not linked to an increased risk."We're shifting the conversation from, 'Are potatoes good or bad?' to a more nuanced and useful question: How are they prepared and what might we eat instead?" said Seyed Mohammad Mousavi, a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Nutrition and one of the study's lead authors, in a news release.SUGAR IN DRINKS LINKED TO HIGHER DIABETES RISK THAN THAT IN FOOD, NEW RESEARCH FINDSPublished in the British Medical Journal, the study tracked over 200,000 Americans for more than 30 years, analyzing their dietary habits and health outcomes.In total, 22,299 participants developed type 2 diabetes, per the study. Meta-analyses of more than 587,000 people and 43,000 T2D diagnoses across four continents were conducted and confirmed the findings, according to the research paper.The association between potatoes the third most commonly consumed food crop in the U.S. and health outcomes, particularly T2D, has been the subject of growing debate, the researchers wrote.While potatoes contain nutrients such as fiber, vitamin C and potassium, recent research has cautioned that their high glycemic index, which causes blood sugar spikes, and the various ways they're cooked could have negative health impacts.5 EVERYDAY FOODS AND DRINKS SILENTLY DAMAGING YOUR LONG-TERM HEALTH, SAY NUTRITION EXPERTSThe latest findings confirm that the link between high potato consumption and increased T2D risk is primarily driven by french fries.Deep-frying potatoes in hot oil not only strips away nutrients but also triggers the Maillard reaction, the chemical process that gives fries and seared meats their crispy, browned texture and savory flavor yet it can also produce harmful byproducts.The good news, however, is that some simple swaps three times a week can significantly decrease the risk of diabetes.Replacing fries with whole grains lowered the risk by 19%, the study found. Even choosing whole grains over healthier potato options reduced the risk by 8%.For more Lifestyle articles, visit foxnews.com/lifestyle"The public health message here is simple and powerful," said study author Walter Willett, professor of epidemiology and nutrition, in the release."Small changes in our daily diet can have an important impact on the risk of type 2 diabetes."More than 38 million Americans have diabetes about 1 in 10 and most have type 2, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The trend has been consistently rising over the past two decades."For policymakers, our findings highlight the need to move beyond broad food categories and pay closer attention to how foods are prepared and what they're replacing," Willett continued.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER"Not all carbs or even all potatoes are created equal, and that distinction is crucial when it comes to shaping effective dietary guidelines."The team also suggested future research into how cooking potatoes with butter or cream, or different frying oils, may influence health outcomes, as well as comparisons with sweet potatoes, which have different nutrient profiles.Potatoes USA, which represents U.S. potato growers and importers, argued that the average American eats about half the serving size used in the study."We shouldn't judge foods in isolation because that's not how people eat in the real world," the organization told Fox News Digital in a statement."Like many foods, fries can absolutely be part of a healthy eating pattern when enjoyed in moderation," it added."With 90% of Americans falling short on vegetable intake, there's a clear need to help people enjoy more vegetables each day. Emerging research shows that when fried potatoes are mixed with other vegetables, total vegetable intake increases."

A drone system designed to confront a school shooter within seconds could soon become a frontline defense in classrooms across America.Texas-based Campus Guardian Angel has developed the technology which stations drones inside schools, ready to deploy the moment an emergency alert is triggered.The drones, all controlled remotely at a central operation center in Austin, Texas, are stored in charging boxes inside schools.Once activated, they are designed to fire powder pellets to incapacitate a shooter within 60 seconds and buy time for local law enforcement to arrive at the scene.EYES IN THE SKY: ARMY DRONE EXPERT EXPLAINS US STRATEGY ON INNOVATION AS GLOBAL CONFLICT LOOMSCampus Guardian Angel founder and CEO Justin Marston joined "Fox & Friends First" on Thursday to detail the process."In mass shootings, most of the shooting happens in the first 120 seconds, and the majority are over before law enforcement arrives on the scene You've got to be there already, and in some of the joint tests we've done with schools, even when law enforcement's on site, we still get there a minute before law enforcement can get there just because we're staged throughout the building," he said.Marston compared the system to sprinklers in that the tool to neutralize the threat is already on-site and can be deployed at any time.U.S. ARMY DEPLOYS CUTTING-EDGE $13M SMART RIFLE SCOPES THAT AUTOMATICALLY SHOOT DOWN ENEMY DRONES IN COMBATHe also said the approach is cost-effective, amounting to around $4 per kid per month, but that amount drops off with volume in larger districts."So to protect your child with an air force during the entirety of their time in K-12 education would cost about the same as a one-way domestic economy flight ticket," he explained."I think most parents, as you say, would be very happy to have this type of technology. I hope you never need it, but, if you do, it could make the difference in your child's life."Marston said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has already approved pilot projects with the drones in three counties across the Sunshine State and private schools in other states are currently working with Campus Guardian Angel to secure their locations.