A 21-year-old University of Kentucky cheerleader has been arrested after allegedly hiding her dead infant inside a closet.The Lexington Police Department took Laken Snelling into custody Sunday after officers were "dispatched for an unresponsive infant at a residence in the 400 block of Park Avenue" earlier last week."When officers arrived, they located an infant that was pronounced deceased at the scene," police said. "The Fayette County Coroners Office will release the infants cause of death."Snelling, whom the Lexington Police Department said was the infants mother, was charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant.911 CALLS, POLICE REPORT DETAILS DARK TIMELINE TO ARIZONA GIRL'S TRAGIC DEATHA University of Kentucky spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that Snelling "is a senior at UK and a member of the STUNT team."University of Kentucky Athletics describes STUNT as a "head-to-head competition between two teams that focuses on the technical and athletic aspects of cheer" that is "one of the fastest-growing female sports in the United States."Snelling is listed as a member of the STUNT team on its website.FBI INVESTIGATES SWATTING HOAXES TARGETING CAMPUSES ACROSS THE UNITED STATESA police document said the "infant was located wrapped in a towel inside of a black trash bag" and was placed in a closet, according to WLEX.The station also cited the document as saying that Snelling, during an interview with police, "admitted to giving birth."The Lexington Police Department said its "Special Victims Section is continuing to investigate."

Forget roaring lawnmowers and fuel-guzzling tractors. Today's solar companies are turning to flocks of sheep to trim grass and control weeds under solar panels. These eco-friendly grazers easily navigate narrow panel rows, cutting maintenance costs and carbon emissions at the same time. In fact, using sheep instead of gas-powered mowing crews can reduce upkeep expenses by up to 20 percent.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 newsletter.WHY AI IS CAUSING SUMMER ELECTRICITY BILLS TO SOARSheep fit neatly between solar arrays, reaching into nooks that mechanical gear can't. They chew rain or shine. And since sheep run on grass, not gas, their grazing helps reduce carbon emissions. Using these natural lawnmowers better aligns with solar's green mission goals. Developers like SB Energy in Texas now rely on herds of around 3,000 sheep to cover thousands of acres, benefiting both their bottom line and the planet.WHY YOU SHOULD THINK TWICE BEFORE JOINING A POWER SAVER PROGRAMThis isn't your average landscaping story. There's even a fancy word for it: agrivolatics, or the practice of combining solar energy production with agriculture.Farmers who jump on board aren't just maintaining the lawn; they're opening up multiple revenue streams. First, ranchers can lease land to solar companies, sign grazing contracts, while still earning from traditional farm products like wool and lamb.Chad Raines is a rancher from Texas. He decided to trade in cotton farming for sheep grazing on solar land. That move has paid off. Last year, he brought in around $300,000. If he had stuck with cotton, he estimates he would've lost about $200,000 instead. That's a huge swing, and it's a real-world example of how solar grazing is helping revive a sheep industry that had been stuck in neutral for decades.Letting sheep do the mowing isn't just about saving time or money. It actually helps the land. As they move through the fields, sheep naturally break down plant material, aerate the soil and leave behind fertilizing manure. This leads to healthier dirt and better carbon capture.Companies like Lightsource BP are already seeing those benefits. They manage over 14,000 sheep across solar farms that produce more than 3 gigawatts of power. These sites aren't just power generators, they're also habitats. Flowers that support bees and butterflies are planted among the panels, creating ideal conditions for pollinators. Some farms have even started producing honey thanks to the thriving bee population.GOOGLE TURNS CO2 INTO BATTERY POWER FOR CLEAN ENERGYThis isn't just happening on a small scale. Enel North America recently signed one of the biggest solar grazing deals in the country. They're deploying over 6,000 sheep across eight large solar farms, covering more than 10,000 acres.At some of those sites, the amount of organic matter in the soil has more than doubled. For solar operators, this approach just makes sense. It cuts operations and maintenance costs, strengthens environmental credibility and builds better relationships with nearby communities.Investors are paying attention, too. In just two years, the number of solar grazing projects has skyrocketed, especially in places backed by heavy hitters like DE Shaw and Berkshire Hathaway.If you care about clean energy, sustainable farming or smart land use, solar grazing is worth watching. It shows how innovation doesn't always require high-tech gadgets; sometimes, it just takes some sheep. For farmers and ranchers, this model opens the door to new income by partnering with solar companies. If you own land or work in agriculture, grazing contracts could provide a steady stream of revenue without giving up traditional operations.For everyone else, this trend offers hope that renewable energy can coexist with rural livelihoods, boost biodiversity and fight climate change, all at once. As solar farms expand across the country, expect to see more flocks doing the work of machines, quietly transforming how we power the planet.Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, youll get a personalized breakdown of what youre doing right - and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here:Cyberguy.com.Sheep-powered solar farms are transforming the way we manage clean energy sites. By replacing gas-powered machines with grazing animals, solar companies are cutting costs, reducing emissions and creating new income opportunities for farmers. This approach blends sustainability with practicality. It supports healthier soil, boosts biodiversity and strengthens rural economies, all while helping solar farms operate more efficiently. With growing investment and proven results, solar grazing is emerging as a smart, scalable solution. And as the industry evolves, don't be surprised if the quiet hum of panels comes with the occasional baaa.What other ways could we find to tie together the future of clean energy with sustainable and natural solutions like farm animals? Let us know by writing to us atCyberguy.com.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 newsletter.Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com.All rights reserved.

EXCLUSIVE: Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said U.S. soldiers are improvising with government credit cards to buy and test battlefield gear as they adapt to the exploding drone threat as the Army shifts its long-term posture toward countering China in the Indo-Pacific.In an interview with Fox News Digital, Driscoll described how elite units like the 75th Ranger Regiment are bypassing the Pentagons cumbersome procurement system to test new drones, sensors and weapons in real time. At the same time, he said the Army is aligning with the Pentagons assessment of China as the nations "pacing threat," building a force optimized for the Indo-Pacific but still capable of deploying worldwide at a moments notice.After a visit with the regiment at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia, on Tuesday, Driscoll said Rangers "basically just use their corporate credit card to go online and purchase things to test, and they will find what works.""Theyll do a lot of that outside the traditional procurement process. That flexibility lets them innovate and test at a speed thats just really hard to do in the conventional force," he added.THRILLED TO BE HERE: ARMY SECRETARY SAYS GUARD TROOPS EAGER FOR DC CRIME FIGHTDriscoll described the 75th Ranger Regiment as "live G.I. Joe dolls." Watching them train in close-quarters battle, he said, you cant help but notice their sheer size and physicality as they wedge themselves through doorways during room-clearing drills. That raw power, he added, is a reminder of why the U.S. invests so heavily in maintaining elite infantry forces.But even Americas premier ground fighters are being forced to rethink how they operate. Driscoll said the age of slipping silently onto an objective under cover of night fast-roping from a Black Hawk, breaching doors, and overwhelming defenders is vanishing.The spread of cheap battlefield technology, from drones to acoustic sensors to loitering munitions, has made stealth insertions far more difficult. "We dont really own the night like we used to," he said, noting that night-vision gear and detection tools that were once expensive and rare are now accessible to adversaries at scale.That shift, he argued, has turned special operators into improvisers. Rangers and other elite units are now experimenting with disposable drones, commercial quadcopters and custom-built weapons to stay ahead.Unlike conventional forces bound by long acquisition cycles, these units have the flexibility to innovate quickly.The idea is for Rangers to test rapidly, see what works, and then pass those lessons along to the rest of the Army.The problem, he acknowledged, is what comes next. While small-unit experimentation is thriving, scaling those solutions across the broader force runs headlong into bureaucratic red tape.HEGSETH TEARS UP RED TAPE, ORDERS PENTAGON TO BEGIN DRONE SURGE AT TRUMP'S COMMANDDriscoll pointed out that Congress once gave the Army a dozen broad funding categories it could move money between say, vehicles in one bucket, drones in another. Today, he said, there are more than 1,400 narrowly drawn "buckets," some tied to specific makes and models, making it nearly impossible to pivot quickly. That rigidity might not matter for tanks or trucks, but with drone technology evolving every few weeks in Ukraine, he said, the Army risks falling behind.Driscoll visited the airfield just weeks after a shooting on base at Fort Stewart, where Hunter is located. He met with students of the criminal investigation division (CID), which is currently leading the probe into the shooting. Five soldiers were injured after a sergeant allegedly opened fire with a personal handgun he brought on base.While he praised the CIDs "speed and professionalism" with the investigation, Driscoll added, "The Army wants zero of these incidents, and so we are looking at everything we can to try to ensure it never happens again."Driscoll spoke with Fox News Digital ahead of an expected global force posture review set for late summer or early fall. That review may lead to sizable shifts in the number of troops deployed at bases throughout Europe, the Middle East or the Indo-Pacific.Driscoll said the Army is aligning itself with the Pentagons assessment of China as the nations "pacing threat."He emphasized that the service is designing its force to be effective in the Indo-Pacific particularly in providing the logistics, sustainment and long-term presence needed to deter or fight a peer competitor.At the same time, Driscoll cautioned against focusing too narrowly on one theater. "Human history has been pretty difficult to predict where the next conflict may unfold," he said, stressing that the Army must remain capable of deploying anywhere the president and defense secretary direct. That flexibility, he argued, is a defining feature of land power.Driscoll declined to outline his full recommendations for the upcoming review but made clear one priority: counter-drone measures. "With the Secretary of Defenses support, we are putting together plans to make a pretty aggressive investment in how to counter the threat from drones across the world and here at home," he told Fox News Digital.In his tenure, Driscoll has kicked off the Army Transformation Initiative, a top-to-bottom modernization drive he says is essential for the Army to remain decisive against peer adversaries like China."If you look at what the Army was like in the late 1990s as it went into the counterinsurgency operations of the early 2000s, we really haven't changed all that much," he said.Now, "the Army is running as fast as it possibly can to try to reinvent itself, to be ready for modern warfare."

His name isn't on the ballot, but President Donald Trump is topic number one on the campaign trail this summer in the top 2025 election battles.Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill, the party's gubernatorial nominee in New Jersey, is repeatedly tying her Republican rival to Trump and the president's sweeping and controversial moves during his nearly eight months back in the White House."As Trump has inflicted all this damage on our country, Republican politicians like Jack Ciattarelli have cheered him on every step of the way," Sherrill emphasized in a fundraising email to supporters.Meanwhile, Ciattarelli, a former state lawmaker who came close to defeating Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy four years ago, is showcasing the president's support.DEMOCRATS SHOWCASE UNITY, BUT CRACKS APPEAR, AS PARTY AIMS TO REBOUND AT BALLOT BOX"We're going to look to deploy the president, the White House, in every way that we can, Ciattarelli said last week at an event at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey.It's not just New Jersey.Statewide and top municipal contests from coast to coast this year are being partially framed as referendums on Trump and his agenda.And Democrats and Republicans see the showdown in New Jersey, as well as in Virginia, the only other state that holds gubernatorial and legislative elections the year after a presidential contest, as key barometers ahead of next year's midterms, when the GOP will be defending its House and Senate majorities.Add to that list the vote this November over congressional redistricting in California, the three state Supreme Court contests in battleground Pennsylvania, and New York City's high-profile mayoral election.NEW RNC CHAIR VOWS TO RIDE THE PRESIDENT ALL THE WAY TO VICTORY"In todays hyper-partisan environment, every election is examined and (over)analyzed for its implications for national parties," veteran political scientist Wayne Lesperance told Fox News.Lesperance, president of New England College, said that this November's election results "will serve as fodder for pundits to make conclusions about President Trump and the GOP or the prospects for Democrats to regain control of Congress."Democrats, who are aiming to exit the political wilderness following last year's election setbacks, when they lost control of the White House and Senate and failed to win back the House majority, are highlighting their success so far this year in special elections.Pointing to a special election victory last week in red state Iowa, where the Democrats flipped a GOP-held state Senate seat, Democratic National Committee (DNC) chair Ken Martin touted, "We have overperformed in every single election that's been on the ballot since Donald Trump was inaugurated.""There's wind at our back," Martin said.TRUMP, DEMOCRATS, FLOAT HOLDING COMPETING CONVENTIONS AHEAD OF MIDTERMSBut special elections are far from perfect barometers of things to come."It defies logic to assume that the results of a state Senate race in one state provide insight into national public opinion about the president or the party of opposition," Lesperance said.And Republicans point to the multitude of problems facing the Democratic Party."Sadly for the DNC, the truth is that Democrats' approval rating is at a 30-year low as the party has hemorrhaged more than 2 million voters over the past four years," Republican National Committee communications director Zach Parkinson told Fox News.Here's a closer look at 2025's top elections.Republicans believe they have momentum on their side as they try to win their first gubernatorial election in blue-leaning New Jersey in a dozen years.They point to Trump's showing in the Garden State last November, when the president improved from a 16-point loss in the state in the 2020 election to a six-point deficit in 2024.Ciattarelli, who is making his third straight bid for New Jersey governor, cruised to the GOP nomination earlier this year thanks in part to Trump's endorsement.And in his primary victory speech, Ciattarelli argued that Sherrill would try to nationalize the race by linking him to Trump."Mark my words, while we focus on these key New Jersey issues, my Democratic opponent will do everything in her power to change the subject. Trust me, if this campaign were a drinking game and you took a shot every time Mikie Sherrill says Trump, you're going to be drunk off your a-- every day between now and Nov. 4," Cittarelli said.Sherrill, a former officer in the U.S. Navy and a former federal prosecutor before first winning election to Congress in 2018, is the polling frontrunner in the general election showdown.Murphy, who was first elected governor in 2017, is term-limited.Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears is facing off against former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger in the race to succeed GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin.Youngkin is prevented from running for re-election, as Virginia's constitution does not allow sitting governors to seek consecutive terms.The 61-year-old Earle-Sears was born in the Caribbean island nation of Jamaica and immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 6. She served in the Marines and is a former state lawmaker who made history four years ago when she won election as Virginia's first female lieutenant governor.Spanberger, age 46, was born in New Jersey. The former intelligence officer in the CIA won election to Congress in 2018 before securing re-election in 2020 and 2022.The winner in November will make history as Virginia's first female governor in the commonwealth's four-century-long history. Additionally, if Earle-Sears comes out on top, she will become the nation's first Black woman to win election as governor.Trump and his polices are a major issue in the state's gubernatorial showdown.The president's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been on a mission this year to chop government spending and cut the federal workforce.The moves by DOGE, which was initially steered by Elon Musk, the world's richest person, have been felt acutely in suburban Washington's heavily populated northern Virginia, with its large federal workforce.Kyle Kondik, the managing editor of the nonpartisan political handicapper Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, said, "Trump matters a lot for the general election."The mayoral election in the nation's most populous city always grabs outsized attention, especially this year as New York City may elect its first Muslim and first millennial mayor.Democratic socialist 33-year-old state lawmaker Zohran Mamdani's victory in June's Democratic Party mayoral primary sent political shock waves across the country. And he's come under attack from Republicans and from his rivals on the ballot over his far-left proposals.Mamdani is the clear frontrunner in the heavily blue city, as he faces off against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who came in a distant second in the primary and is now running as an independent candidate. Cuomo is aiming for a political comeback after resigning as governor four years ago amid multiple scandals.Also on the ballot are embattled Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat who is running as an independent, and two-time Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.Trump, a native New Yorker, has continuously been in the spotlight in the race for months.Voters in heavily blue California will vote in November on whether to temporarily set aside their popular nonpartisan redistricting commission and allow the Democrat-dominated legislature to determine congressional redistricting for the next three election cycles.The vote will be the culmination of an effort by Gov. Gavin Newsom and California Democrats to create up to five left-leaning congressional seats in the Golden State, to counter the new maps that conservative Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law last week, which will create up to five more right-leaning U.S. House districts in the red state of Texas.The redistricting in Texas, which came after Trump's urging, is part of a broader effort by the GOP across the country to pad their razor-thin House majority to keep control of the chamber in the 2026 midterms, when the party in power traditionally faces political headwinds and loses seats.Democrats currently hold a 5-2 majority on Pennsylvania's highest court.But three Democrat-leaning justices on the state Supreme Court, following the completion of their 10-year terms, are running to keep their seats in "Yes" or "No" retention elections.The election could upend the court's composition for the next decade, heavily influence whether Democrats or Republicans have an advantage in the state's congressional delegation and legislature, and impact crucial cases including voting rights and reproductive rights.While state Supreme Court elections typically don't grab much national attention, contests where the balance of a court in a key battleground state is up for grabs have attracted tons of outside money.The state Supreme Court showdown this spring in Wisconsin, where the 4-3 liberal majority was maintained, drew nearly $100 million in outside money as both parties poured resources into the election.

Mary Travis still has her husband, Randy Travis, calling her a pet name nearly three decades into their romance.During an interview with Fox News Digital, Mary gushed about her husband and said he still calls her his "hot mama," just like he has since they got together in 2010."He's so kind to me. He's so sweet to me, you know. What do you always call me?" she asked Randy, who was sitting right next to her during the interview. The country star has limited speech after his stroke in 2013."And it just cracks me up," Mary said before revealing Randy calls her his "hot mama."RANDY TRAVIS' WIFE DEFIED MEDICAL ADVICE TO 'PULL THE PLUG' DURING COUNTRY STAR'S STROKE RECOVERY BATTLEMary credits their long-lasting relationship to their pairing just being "kind of easy." The couple celebrated their 10-year wedding anniversary this year."We got together in 2010. We'd known each other since 1990, but we didn't get together until 2010. So it's almost like I got to marry my best friend and I just feel like the good Lord puts us where we're supposed to be when we need to be there.""I don't know what I would do without this guy right here, and I hope that I can do something along the way to make his load a little lighter. We're just bound at the hip," Mary said.WATCH: Randy Travis' key to lasting love includes pet name he still calls wifeMary has been Randy's rock since before they were married. Randy suffered a life-altering stroke in 2013 and, prior to that, the musician was hospitalized for congestive heart failure tied to viral cardiomyopathy.When asked how the pair have been able to navigate a relationship with Randy's health concerns, Mary simply told Fox News Digital that the country star is "stuck" with her.After Randy's stroke, the singer was in the hospital on life support and doctors informed Mary it would be in her best interest to "pull the plug" on her husband."I think Randy, there was never a doubt in Randy's mind that he could make it through it. It was that magical moment that I went to his bedside when they said, 'We need to pull the plug. He's got too many things going against him at that point.' He had gotten a staph infection and three other hospital-born bacterial viruses like Serratia, Pseudomonas, one thing after another, and the doctors were just saying, 'He just doesn't have the strength to get through this,'" Mary said.WATCH: Randy Travis' wife defied medical advice to 'pull the plug' during country star's stroke recovery battleMary was told that Travis' vitals weren't doing well, his blood cell count was low, and she was told it was time to say goodbye.LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS"That's when I went to him. That was the moment that I knew that Randy Travis was gonna make it because he squeezed my hand and a tear went down his face. And I said, 'He's still fighting,'" Mary recalled.Over the past decade, Travis has turned to artificial intelligence, which has allowed him to continue to make music and go on tour."Randy and I are both on stage. I give a little bit of background as far as the music, the musicians, Randy, the stroke, a song, the AI, of course," Mary told Fox News Digital. She explained that she and Randy made a trip to Washington, D.C., to discuss the positive sides of AI, and how we need to embrace it because it's here to stay.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER"And then we show videos of Randy's historical past, as far as some of his joke-telling, which allows people to see the humor that Randy has. And all the way back to his childhood and working with horses in some of the Westerns that he was in, the funny things along the way. So it gives you a whole, like I said, biographical sketch of Randy Travis. And then James Dupre is singing all of the songs, and it's just kind of a magical night really," she said.Randy recently kicked off his "More Life Tour," and will host shows across the country. His last show will conclude in Torrington, Connecticut right before Thanksgiving. Tickets can be purchased at RandyTravis.com.

Suzanne Morphew's brother had harsh words for her husband, Barry, as his defense team plans to fight for a reduced bail amount.Barry Morphew was re-indicted by a grand jury in Colorado on a murder charge in June, following a failed prosecution in 2021. Barry Morphew allegedly killed his wife, 49-year-old Suzanne Morphew, who vanished on Mother's Day in 2020. At the time, the Morphews lived near Salida, Colorado, where Suzanne Morphew was last seen alive.A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time, where defense lawyers have previously said they'll address the issue of bail. Barry Morphew is being held at the Alamosa County Jail on a $3 million cash bond. He faces charges of first-degree murder after deliberation.On June 20, Barry Morphew was arrested near Phoenix, Arizona, by officers with the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Public records indicate he was living inside a trailer park in Cave Creek, Arizona.SUZANNE MORPHEW'S REMAINS MAY HAVE BEEN MOVED TWICE AFTER BEING KILLED, FORENSIC SCIENTIST SAYSIn a victim impact statement submitted on Tuesday, Suzanne Morphew's brother, David Moorman, said under "no circumstances" should an interim release of Barry Morphew be granted."The interim release of Barry Morphew should under no circumstances be granted. I am sure the grand jurors who indicted him would agree," Moorman said. "He is a flight risk and serial psychopathic controller of all in the realm of his influence. He needs to remain imprisoned through the entire legal proceedings till a verdict is read."Moorman also said he thinks Barry Morphew's punishment, if convicted, should be "death by hanging," but is requesting life in prison with "no chance" of parole."Barry Morphew is a soulless, sadistic, amoral predator that has hunted or used those around him his entire life. There is no redemption here," Moorman said. "Anyone believing such are just foolish lambs awaiting his/her potential slaughter. He is born killer, nurtured by those who sanctioned my sister's death."INSIDE BARRY MORPHEW'S SECRETIVE LIFE 600 MILES AWAY FROM EPICENTER OF MURDER INVESTIGATION INTO WIFE'S DEATHMoorman wrote that he sometimes lays awake "many nights pondering the last few minutes of my sister Suzanne's life.""Once struck by the BAM ladened dart it is hard to imagine the terror she felt as she tried to escape," he wrote. "With every pounding heartbeat, the chemical quickened its pace into her system just like it had on so many deer her now psychopathic partner had shot. The screams, the tears, the pain were the outward expressions as her physical body began to separate from her spirit and soul."Colin McCallin, a Colorado-based lawyer and former deputy district attorney for the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office in Colorado, told Fox News Digital he would be surprised if Barry Morphew's bail is reduced."Truthfully, I would be very, very surprised if bail was granted at this case. First of all, bail was set pretty thoughtfully and deliberately by the original judge who took the case on at $3 million. And there usually has to be a demonstrative, substantial change in Barry Morphew's circumstances for the judge to reconsider that initial ruling. I just don't think we have that here," McCallin said.Though Suzanne Morphew went missing in 2020, agents with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation found her remains on Sept. 22, 2023. According to prosecutors, a 2024 autopsy report showed a deer tranquilizer called "BAM" was found in her bone marrow, which stands for the chemicals butorphanol, azaperone and medetomidine.Prosecutors said Suzanne Morphew's remains were found "in and around a shallow clandestine grave" in Saguache County, Colorado, a "few hundred feet" off Highway 17.

Its been almost a year since Hurricane Helene reshaped Western North Carolina and Southern Appalachia.But as a native of that region, I remember it like it was yesterday: the reports of catastrophic flooding, thousands of mudslides, and infrastructure failuresfrom interstate closures to cell towers being offline.Four days after the storm, I had still not heard from my parents. Cell service across the region was down, power was still out, and there was no way in or out. They were stranded five hours away, and I had no idea if they were OK.When I loaded up my truck with extra gas tanks, cases of water, food and toiletries, I had no idea if I was even going to make it home.DHS JUGGLES MASS DEPORTATION PUSH WITH HELENE RELIEF, ADDS $124M AFTER BIDEN BACKLASHIt was not until I had gotten to Raleigh that I heard I-26 had reopened for traffic into the region. Not 30 minutes later, for the first time in a week, I heard from my brother, who told me my family was safe.But many families in our community werent so lucky. They lost everything, including their loved ones.Survivor's guilt plagued our community as we said goodbye to our friends, family, co-workers, classmates and neighbors and asked, why wasnt it me?SENATOR PETER WELCH: IM A DEMOCRAT AND WE NEED TO FIX FEMA WITH LOCAL CONTROLAppreciation must be given to lawmakers like Republican North Carolina Sens. Thom Tillis and Ted Budd and Republican Reps. Chuck Edwards, of North Carolina, and Tim Burchett, of Tennessee, who never stopped fighting to deliver aid to our region.In the immediate aftermath of the storm, President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance made it their mission to bring awareness to Appalachia. Republican Party ChairmanMichael Whatley, who is now running for Senate, fought to ensure Western North Carolinians could vote despite many polling locations being destroyed by the flooding.Southern Appalachia has overcome a lot since then, and a lot of the credit belongs to private citizens, not just federal officials.The Biden administration failed to act swiftly immediately following the storm, and our region relied on the goodwill of volunteers, celebrities and billionaires to connect our community with the outside world.HELENE-RAVAGED RIVER TOWN REOPENS FOR VISITORS: 'IT FELT LIKE VICTORY'Still, today, credit must be given to the brave civilians who dropped everything to help.It was Elon Musk, not the federal government, who deliveredStarlinkacross the region so they could connect with the outside world.And it wasnt the federal government that delivered food, supplies and water to families stranded with no way to cross the river. It was former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and theCajun Navy.And who delivered warm meals on horseback and scraped mud out of ruined buildings? Churches, nonprofits and universities not the federal government.DAVID MARCUS: IN WAKE OF KERRVILLE FLOOD, LOCALS IGNORE BLAME GAMEFamilies who suffered their own loss during the storm dropped what they were doing to check on their elderly neighbors and family members who had no way of communicating whether they were safe or distressed.Instead of waiting for the federal government to act, our community banded together, threw our differences aside and rolled up our sleeves to restore our way of life.I have spoken to several of our local officials who are still waiting for the help everyone says is coming. Whether it be homes fromFEMAfor families who have already been approved or businesses that are waiting on relief disbursements, our community is still waiting on the assistance they have been promised.For generations, Appalachia has suffered the consequences of broken promises by the federal government. That all changed last November as communities throughout the region sent a message to Washington that they will not be forgotten any longer.VOLUNTEERS HELP REBUILD NORTH CAROLINA HOMES 10 MONTHS AFTER HURRICANE HELENEIn the first official trip of his second term just three days after his inauguration Trump visited Western North Carolina to see the devastation, and the progress, firsthand. He immediately signed an executive order to streamline FEMA priorities and competency.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONIt was at that moment that the tide began to shift. His message to our communityreignited hope.In the months after his visit, the federal government began to work faster. The elimination of regulation and the complete support from the White House helped Western North Carolina get through the initial cleanup phase into the revival phase.Helene devastated two of my county's three towns. In May of this year, both towns held reopening ceremonies tocelebratean incredible milestone.Southern Appalachia is still rebuilding, but the progress we have experienced must be celebrated. Towns have reopened, shops are being rebuilt, and families are beginning to feel a new normal.We celebrate the hard work, dedication and sacrifice made by so many throughout Western North Carolina who have selflessly committed a year of their lives to rebuilding and restoring our region.The revival of Southern Appalachia is a testament to the strength and resilience of Appalachians. We stepped up when our neighbors needed us most, and we are stronger because we never let adversity keep us down.CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM JAKE MATTHEWS

A judge on Tuesday found that President Donald Trump acted unlawfully when he federalized the National Guard and deployed a handful of Marines to address anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement riots and protests in California.Judge Charles Breyers opinion echoed remarks he made during a three-day trial last month when he questioned if presidents have any limits on when they can use the military for domestic purposes."I go back to the thing that I'm really troubled by: What limiting factors are there to the use of this force?" Breyer asked during the trial.Trump federalized about 4,000 National Guard members in June to support federal authorities in California as they carried out immigration raids, despite Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom's vehement objections.TRUMP AND NEWSOM FIGHT OVER NATIONAL GUARD HEADS TO TRIAL IN CALIFORNIABreyers decision comes as most of the National Guard members have since been demobilized. Attorneys for California said during the trial, though, that 300 of them remained, which they argued was a "significant" number."That's certainly a large enough number of soldiers to constitute a Posse Comitatus Act violation," a state attorney said.While the judges decision may have minimal impact on the ground in California, the case could still have nationwide implications as Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth deploy National Guard members in Washington, D.C., and threaten to do so in other blue cities to address street crime. The Trump administration is likely to appeal Breyers decision, which could result in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and even the Supreme Court weighing in on the administration's unconventional use of the National Guard.TRUMP AND NEWSOM ON COLLISION COURSE AS FIGHT OVER NATIONAL GUARD INTENSIFIES IN COURTBreyer, a Clinton appointee and brother to retired liberal Justice Stephen Breyer, said Trump violated the Posse Comitatus Act, a 150-year-old law that says the military cannot typically engage in domestic law enforcement.One witness during the trial, Major General Scott Sherman, who oversaw National Guard activity in California, testified that soldiers were trained on how to stay in compliance with the Posse Comitatus Act, which Breyer said was evidence that it was relevant to the lawsuit. The Trump administration said the law was not applicable in the case.The judges decision comes after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit quickly halted an emergency order Breyer issued in June in which he ordered Trump and Hegseth to hand control of the National Guard back to Newsom.The courts must be "highly deferential" to the president when reviewing his deployment of the National Guard, the appellate court found. The Trump administration is likely to appeal Breyers decision, meaning the Ninth Circuit will likely once again be asked to weigh in on Trumps use of the military in California.This is a breaking story. Check back for updates.

A top tennis star said she "feels great" after drinking tequila, but health experts say to take that not with a squeeze of lime, but a grain of salt.Aryna Sabalenka, the world's No. 1-ranked women's tennis player and reigning U.S. Open champion, recently told Air Mail magazine that tequila is "much better on the body."Sabalenka, a brand ambassador for Maestro Dobel, the official tequila sponsor of the U.S. Open, said she prefers reposado tequila, which is barrel-aged and known for its smooth, mellow flavor.US OPEN'S LEGENDARY HONEY DEUCE COCKTAIL FACES STIFF COMPETITION AS FANS PARTY HARD"You just sip it as a whiskey or Cognac, but it has a better taste, and the next day you feel great," the Belarusian player told the outlet.Sabalenka has joined a growing list of athletes and celebrities including Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, LeBron James and Michael Jordan who have endorsed or launched tequila brands, helping reposition the spirit as a "cleaner," wellness-friendly drink.There might be something to the buzz, industry insiders say."We hear it constantly: Tequila makes people feel lighter, less weighed-down and more energized compared to other liquors," Jon-Paul Fortunati, the Los Angeles-based CEO of Cazcanes Tequila, told Fox News Digital."Additive-free, carefully distilled tequila will almost always deliver a cleaner experience than spirits that rely on sweeteners or shortcuts."RYE GRAIN FROM 1878 SHIPWRECK OPENS DOOR TO RARE WHISKEY REVIVAL EFFORTSYounger drinkers are driving this shift, Fortunati said, choosing tequila because it feels "both celebratory and mindful."Brent Hocking, founder of Tequila Purisima, said tequila also stands out for the transparency of its ingredients."Among spirits, tequila especially additive-free tequila made from 100% Blue Weber agave offers a level of clarity that's increasingly rare," he told Fox News Digital.But not all bottles qualify. Many mass-market tequilas contain sweeteners, coloring agents or glycerin to mask shortcuts in production, Hocking warned.7 BEST LOW-CARB BEERS THAT ARE ALSO BIG ON FLAVOR, ACCORDING TO NEW RANKING"There's something to be said for ritual and moderation," he said. "In traditional settings, tequila is sipped, not shot. It's often shared slowly, with food and conversation. That pacing matters."Pure tequila made from 100% pure agave, sipped as Sabalenka does, may be better tolerated by the body, some experts say."It's naturally lower in sugar and doesn't contain additives, which might make it easier on your body compared to sugary cocktails or heavily processed liquors," Lauren Manaker, a registered dietitian based in South Carolina, previously told Fox News Digital.GEN Z DRINKING MORE ALCOHOL THAN BEFORE, CHALLENGING LONG-HELD INDUSTRY ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT YOUTH HABITSBut Manaker stressed that no booze is truly "hangover-proof" and all alcohol, regardless of type, is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization's (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer.The WHO and other global health bodies have said that no amount of alcohol is beneficial for health and even light drinking carries risks.Part of tequila's reputation comes from its chemistry. Like vodka and rum, it's a clear spirit with relatively fewer congeners the chemical byproducts of fermentation and aging that can intensify hangovers than darker liquors such as bourbon or brandy.But ultimately, congeners aren't the main culprit."Ethanol is ethanol," Dr. Michael Genovese, chief medical advisor at Ascendant New York in New York City, told Fox News Digital. "Drink enough and a hangover will come no matter the purity."CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTERGenetics, biology, hydration levels and muscle mass all affect how a person reacts to alcohol, Genovese added."This can explain why one person swears tequila gives them the cleanest buzz while another insists it wrecks them."Not everyone can expect to feel the same way Sabalenka does after a night out, he added.For more Lifestyle articles, visit foxnews.com/lifestyle"Her muscle mass dilutes alcohol's effects, her hydration and recovery habits blunt hangover severity, and tequila itself when it's high quality has fewer congeners, adding to the effect," he said.Even high-quality alcohol still interferes with sleep, performance, muscle repair and hydration, Genovese said. It may also increase inflammation and stress hormones, which for athletes can mean slower recovery, reduced performance and a higher risk of injury.Recent studies underscore that. A randomized trial published in the journal PLOS ONE found that drinking alcohol after strenuous exercise significantly reduced muscle protein synthesis even when paired with protein intake blunting the body's ability to repair and build muscle.Other research has linked post-exercise drinking to impaired recovery and, over time, greater risk of muscle loss."The bottom line is, tequila is not a health drink. It's just a relatively cleaner alcohol option compared to some others," Genovese said.Fox News Digital reached out to Sabalenka's team for additional comment.Fox News Digital's Andrea Margolis contributed reporting.

Coco Gauff was upset Monday at Arthur Ashe Stadium by Naomi Osaka in the Round of 16 at the U.S. Open, and she admitted to reporters that it was a tough loss to handle emotionally.Gauff said she "kind of broke down" to her team after falling 6-3, 6-2 in a shocking performance for the No. 3-ranked American star."After the match, I was really disappointed," Gauff explained. "Kind of broke down to my team. Then, hearing their perspectives and everything, it definitely is a lot of positive things. I think if I kept the way I was going in Cincinnati to her, I would have been out in the first round. So, I think where my serve started from the start of the tournament to today was a big improvement."CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMBefore the final Grand Slam of the tennis season began, Gauff made a big coaching change, parting ways with Matt Daly and bringing in biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan.The move was specifically done to help correct Gauffs serve, and MacMillan has worked with some of the best in the game, including top-ranked womens singles player Aryna Sabalenka, to get their serves right.AMERICAN TENNIS STAR COCO GAUFF MAKES MAJOR CHANGE JUST DAYS BEFORE US OPENSo, while that area of Gauffs game felt improved in her eyes, she committed 33 unforced errors that were hard to overcome against Osaka, the two-time U.S. Open champion and No. 23-ranked player in the tournament this month.Moving forward, Gauff knows that she and her team must focus on rounding out her game once again."I feel like now I just have to get everything to work together," she added. "But yeah, I knew going in it was going to be a tough tournament for me. Did I feel like I had a lot of confidence after my last match? Yeah, definitely. I think that was a big confidence booster. So today feels more disappointing, I think, than maybe it would have felt losing in the first or second round."Meanwhile, Osakas game has been fun to watch in Flushing Meadows since the tournament began, as the 2018 and 2020 U.S. Open champion is riding high after defeating her friend Gauff."I was super locked in," she said of her performance during the win. "I felt like everyone wanted to watch a really great match and I hope thats what you got."This is Osakas first trip to the quarterfinals at a Grand Slam since she won the Australian Open in 2021. She has dealt with mental health struggles in the past, bravely speaking up about them and taking a break from the sport as a result.Osaka gave birth to her daughter, Shai, in 2023, which led to an absence from the court.Osaka moves on to face No. 11 Karolna Muchov in the quarterfinals Tuesday.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X, and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.