The American Culture Quiz is a weekly test of our unique national traits, trends, history and people, including current events and the sights and sounds of the United States.This week's quiz highlights football firsts, harvest highlights and a lot more.Can you get all 8 questions right? Give it a try!For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyleTo try your hand at more quizzes from Fox News Digital, click here.Also, to take our latest News Quiz published every Friday click here.

America has always prized strength. From our soldiers and athletes to our business leaders and parents, we admire people who can keep their cool when life turns up the heat. But heres a truth we dont talk about enough: strength isnt the absence of emotion: Its the ability to master it.For too long, weve equated toughness with never showing feelings. But holding down emotions doesnt make us strong it makes us brittle. True grit means knowing how to harness emotions, such as anger, fear and sadness, so that they fuel perseverance rather than sabotage it.Research shows that emotions are not a choice theyre built into the human brain and body. Neuroscientist Jaak Panksepp demonstrated that "core emotions" like anger and fear are hardwired survival responses. They help us avert danger and assert ourselves wisely. At UCLA, psychologist Matthew Liebermans research found that naming emotions plays a role in emotional regulation. This small act calms the brains threat response, which strengthens self-control.7 STEPS TO SUPER-AGING ARE KEY TO LIVING A LONGER, MORE FULFILLING LIFE, EXPERTS SAYAccording to these researchers, emotional mastery isnt about suppressing feelings; its about using them strategically. Its this skill set that makes good pilots steady, leaders decisive and fathers patient.Take Richard, for example, a 45-year-old man who came to therapy for depression. Beaten as a child, Richard had burning rage toward his father for the abuse he endured. Without someone to help him name and work through his justified anger, Richard expressed his fury in actions. He bullied other kids; it was the only way he knew how to let off steam.Another former patient, Ben, got into trouble at work and took his emotions out on his kids. He yelled at them and criticized their mistakes. Underneath his anger, Ben felt a deep sadness and fear, but his parents never taught him how to work through these emotions, so they came out sideways. FAMILY BREAKUPS OVER POLITICS MAY HURT MORE THAN YOU THINK, EXPERT SAYSBoth Ben and Richard had learned messages that made them push away their emotions, instead of dealing with them directly. As a result, they had less self-control, not more. Every American success story is powered by perseverance. And not one of us can persevere without emotional grit.The Harvard Adult Development Study the longest-running study of human thriving found that people who flourish dont avoid their feelings. Rather, they know how to regulate them and stay connected under stress. BACK-TO-SCHOOL SADNESS CAN SLAM PARENTS, TOO. HERE'S HOW TO HANDLE ITDiscouragement, frustration and fear are what make people quit. Grit means knowing how to face those feelings, manage them and keep going. Emotional skills are the backbone of perseverance.While emotional intelligence helps us thrive in every domain of life, society doesnt equip us with education in emotions. I teach a tool called the Change Triangle, a simple map for working with emotions. It shows us how to move from being hijacked by anxiety, shame or rage back toward strength, clarity and calm. When irritability rises, the Change Triangle helps us ask: Whats underneath? Fear? Sadness? Frustration? Once identified, we can troubleshoot these emotions by working through them, which empowers us to respond with strategy instead of freak-outs. 5 WAYS YOUR POLITICAL POINT OF VIEW MAY BE DAMAGING YOUR MENTAL HEALTHIts a playbook for life one that transforms raw emotion into disciplined action.The American Dream has never been about ease. Its about building something great despite obstacles. Emotional mastery is the hidden fuel that helps us achieve our dreams. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONIt gives young men the steadiness to build reputations on reliability, not volatility.During trying times, America doesnt need more "snowflakes." We need strong, resilient leaders, parents and helpers who can tap into the brilliant data that emotions provide. Anger tells us weve been violated. Fear helps us avoid true threats. Sadness helps us mourn unbearable losses. This know-how doesnt weaken the human spirit; it fortifies it. Tragedy and hard times befall us all, and its the ability to handle these emotions that makes us unbreakable.CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM HILARY JACOBS HENDEL

Two archaeologists from the American heartland are embarking on an Amazonian adventure to uncover the remains of a lost civilization proving that world-class research can emerge from the Ozarks just as easily as it can come from Ivy League schools.Missouri State University research archaeologists Daniel Pierce and Christopher Bodine are heading to Brazil this fall to study geoglyphs large designs or motifs on the ground comprised of natural materials.The two founded the Terra Incognita Research Institute to uncover the past and make their discoveries accessible to the public.MYSTERIOUS 1,600-YEAR-OLD SETTLEMENT EMERGES FROM SOIL WITH RARE ROMAN MILITARY FINDSTheir latest efforts are part of the GOJIRA project, short for Geoglyph Observations through Jungle Imagery in Remote Amazonia.The pair will be going into the jungle, off-trail, to study these features more closely. Using LiDAR technology, they've identified structures that have been hidden away for several centuries beneath the jungle canopy structures found only recently due to deforestation in the Amazon.Pierce described geoglyphs as "large manmade design[s] on the earth, often created using stones or mounded soil," he said."In the Amazonian geoglyphs, at least the ones that have been discovered thus far, we see more geometric shapes, such as giant circles, squares, crosses, etc.," Pierce told Fox News Digital."Some of these are as small as 70 feet across, or as large as 400 feet across."Pierce added that he and Bodine are "really just scratching the surface," of the project, and they don't know how old the geoglyphs are, or who built them, just yet."These glyphs are perhaps the first evidence we have of a completely unknown ancient civilization,"Pierce observed.ELITE ROMAN FAMILY'S ANCIENT TREASURE UNEARTHED IN RUINS OF FIRE-SCORCHED DWELLING"Overall, typically geoglyphs are so large that they cant even be seen from the ground itself, but must be viewed from the air. This is what makes them so amazing."He added, "How did ancient people design them so perfectly to be seen from above, when they themselves could not see them from above? It's truly amazing stuff."ANCIENT CHRISTIAN CHURCH REVEALS MYSTERIOUS 1,600-YEAR-OLD WARNING TO NONBELIEVERS: 'ONLY THE RIGHTEOUS'Pierce said that while he doesn't expect to find El Dorado, he believes the geoglyphs may have been part of "a large-scale complex civilization [perhaps] along the lines of some of the large moundbuilders in the United States, such as the Mississippians at the famous Cahokia Mounds."Building the geoglyphs would have taken a lot of work, the archaeologist noted."They didn't have modern tools. They didn't even have horses to help carry the dirt," Pierce said. "This would have been done 100% by carrying basket-loads of dirt one man at a time. Imagine how big of an undertaking this must be."RARE ANCIENT GOLD DISCOVERY MADE BY FLORIDA STUDENT AT ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITEPierce also described the Amazon as "one of the last frontiers" in archaeology, estimating that 90% of the region's geoglyphs are still undiscovered though LiDAR technology is changing that."We have to be willing to get dirty, roll up our sleeves, put ourselves out there, and take some risks," he said. "That's how the explorers did it in the past. And that's how we conduct our research."Remarkably, the research expedition is being crowdfunded, as traditional funding like grants and university support is "increasingly difficult to come by," Pierce said.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER"The Terra Incognita Research Institute allows us to try to still do research without grants or using taxpayer dollars in any way," he noted. "We are putting faith in a sort of new approach to research that doesn't rely on tax dollars, grants, or even university support. Rather, [we're] making ourselves accountable to the public.""[We] hope that the public sees value in our work enough that they will chip in a few dollars here and there to help us out. We arent here to profit. We are here to explore. This right here is a passion project."For more Lifestyle articles, visit foxnews.com/lifestylePierce said the expedition is also a chance to show that world-class research comes out of the Ozarks too. Both he and Bodine were born and raised in Missouri."We have both moved around a lot, and have even lived, studied and worked in other countries and states," the archaeologist said. "But we both somehow ended back up in Missouri."Pierce emphasized that Terra Incognita Research Institute is just a "group of normal people trying to do extraordinary things.""We know people would never expect this type of research to be coming out of a university in the Ozark Mountains," he added."But we are demonstrating that everyone has a shot at chasing big goals, even if they do sound crazy, like they are straight out of an Indiana Jones movie."

More than 100,000 heavy hearts are set to converge on Arizona's State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., today to commemorate the life of Charlie Kirk the fiery young activist who ignited fierce loyalty, sharp, yet civil debate, and whose shocking assassination has left a movement in mourning.Those in attendance at Kirk's service, which begins at 11 a.m. local time in Glendale, will hear from Republican political heavyweights including President Trump and Vice President JD Vance, close allies, and family members who will pay tribute to the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA.CHARLIE KIRK MEMORIAL IN ARIZONA EXPECTED TO DRAW 100,000Kirks widow, Erika, will speak about his legacy and her new role at the helm of the powerful national organization he built. The service is anticipated to be both a moment of mourning and a declaration of continuity, signaling how his movement intends to carry forward without its founder.COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CHARLIE KIRKKirk was assassinated on Sept. 10 during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University. The gathering was the first stop on TPUSAs planned "American Comeback Tour," and, at first, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.The charismatic Kirk, known for his signature debates on college campuses, sat beneath a white tent emblazoned with the slogan "Prove Me Wrong," taking open-mic questions from a crowd of thousands. Moments later, a single shot ended his life.SCRUTINY INTENSIFIES OVER SECURITY LAPSES SURROUNDING CHARLIE KIRK SHOOTINGIn the wake of his death, many Americans are learning for the first time of the unlikely rise of the young activist who vaulted from obscurity in suburban Illinois to become a defining voice for a generation of conservatives and one of the movements most formidable power brokers.At 18, Kirk dropped out of community college to co-found Turning Point USA. By his mid-20s, he became the youngest speaker at the Republican National Convention in 2016 and a household name in conservative circles. By 31, he commanded a $95 million political empire, galvanized millions of followers online and established a direct line to Trump.CHARLIE KIRK DROPPED OUT OF COLLEGE AND BY 31 BUILT A $95M POLITICAL EMPIRE WITH A DIRECT LINE TO TRUMPHis death leaves behind an energetic movement that indisputably reshaped conservative youth politics.With backing from Republican donors like Foster Friess, Kirk turned the scrappy campus operation into one of the fastest-growing conservative nonprofits in America. Today, its a political juggernaut its revenue, according to tax filings, soared from just $2 million in 2015 to $85 million in 2024.Add in revenue from its political action arm, Turning Point Action, and the haul climbs well above $95 million.After his death, TPUSA has seen a massive surge in inquiries for new college chapters as the organization works to advance Kirk's vision.'THIS IS THE TURNING POINT:' TPUSA SAYS CAMPUS CHAPTER REQUESTS SURGE AFTER KIRK'S ASSASSINATIONAndrew Kolvet, executive producer of "The Charlie Kirk Show," said the organization has received more than 54,000 requests to establish new campus chapters in the week since the assassination a surge that would add to its existing network of 900 nationwide.He also told Fox News Digital that he has "personally received hundreds of offers to work" for TPUSA.Kirk's widow, recently tapped to head the organization, vowed to carry on her husbands mission in her first public comments since his death."To everyone listening tonight across America, the movement my husband built will not die," Kirk said on Sept. 12. "I refuse to let that happen. No one will ever forget my husband's name. And I will make sure of it. It will become stronger. Bolder. Louder and greater than ever," she added.Kirk said that TPUSA's annual "AmericaFest" conference in Phoenix this December will continue as scheduled.

"Dukes of Hazzard" star John Schneider opened up about the meaning behind the song he wrote in honor of Charlie Kirk.On Friday, the 65-year-old actor and musician released "Charlie's Words," which he described as an anthem to Kirk, the 31-year-old Turning Point USA founder and conservative activist who was assassinated on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University.During an interview with Fox News Digital, Schneider, who has pledged to donate the proceeds from the song to Turning Point USA, reflected on whether "Charlie's Words" was intended as a call to action in the wake of Kirk's tragic death."I think we've already been called to action," Schneider said. "I think this song is certainly a tribute to a wonderful guy. It's a song for those who've already been called to action. So now it's kind of a battle cry."'DUKES OF HAZZARD' STAR JOHN SCHNEIDER SAYS CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION WILL SPARK 'LOUDER AND PROUDER' VOICES"It's a call to battle," he continued. "But it's a battle of wits. It's a battle of intelligence. It's the battle of good versus evil. I mean, I truly do believe we've been involved in a battle of good versus the evil in the last four or five years. And it amazes me how people can't see that.""But I'm a Christian guy who drinks bourbon. So what do I know?" Schneider joked. "But I'm hoping that this will let people realize that they can make a difference. They can make a difference today in their household. They can make a difference in their town, on their street, in their state. And we really must, we must make a difference."Schneider shared his view that the country is at a crucial moment, saying that he believes the political world has "tilted over onto the side of sanity and of common sense.""There's a tendency with folks like us to then get comfortable with that," he said. "We must not get comfortable with the position that we all fought and kicked and clawed to get to, that Charlie Kirk gave his life for. Keep the ball. Let's keep going. Let's make it better for our kids to go to school. Let's make it for our elderly in their twilight years. Let's make it better. Let's make it great.""It's a pretty good saying, right? Make America great again," Schneider added, referencing President Donald Trump's famous political slogan.Kirk died after being shot while hosting an outdoor Turning Point USA event in front of a crowd of thousands on the UVU campus. At the time of the shooting, Kirk was fielding a question at one of his signature "Prove Me Wrong" debates, in which he invited students to challenge his political and cultural views.Kirk's alleged killer, Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested Sept. 12 in Washington County, Utah.Prosecutors and Robinsons family said he had become more politically engaged, particularly in support of LGBTQ+ rights, which differed from his familys conservative leanings. Some of his text messages indicated an ideological motive, including a belief that Kirk was spreading hate.On Tuesday, Robinson was formally charged with aggravated murder and felony discharge of a firearm causing bodily injury, two counts of obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering and one count of committing a violent offense in front of children. He will remain in custody without bail as prosecutors said they will seek the death penalty in the case.Since Kirk's assassination, many people, including teachers, pilots and health care workers have been fired or disciplined for posting hateful, celebratory or mocking social media messages about his death.Schneider told Fox News Digital that he was initially inspired to write "Charlie's Words" after being stunned by the online vitriol."What first moved me was the ignorance of the people who don't seem to understand or did not seem to understand that this man was giving voice to people," he said of Kirk."A lot people get it, a lot of people love him, but I'm just amazed at the anger and the hatred I'm seeing out there," he continued. "I knew about Charlie, absolutely, my God, what an outspoken, amazing guy that I'd like to say, he went up there and said, Change my mind. You know, if you're going to bring something other than a participation award to this debate.'""So when people didn't and they kind of huffed off, that's what people are remembering," Schneider added. "Oh, look, he made so-and-so cry.' Oh, come on. We're adults. So I wanted to write a song that explained at least my understanding of how this man was such an incredible communicator.""It's so tragic," he said.While speaking with Fox News Digital, the "Smallville" alum also reflected on how Kirk had personally inspired him.LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS"His absolute belief publicly and display of his belief in Jesus Christ, for one, makes you a very strong person," Schneider said. "But again, I'm going to go back to his willingness, his encouragement of people to bring their A-game to the little conversation.""A lot of people don't do that, you know, the recently fired talk show hosts. You know, they don't do that. They bring their opinion, their voice, their power, their machine, and they beat people over the head with it," Schneider continued. "I don't think Charlie ever did that. I think he was grossly misunderstood by people who never bothered to take the time to listen to a debate. And maybe now they will."WATCH; JOHN SCHNEIDER HOPES HIS SONG FOR CHARLIE KIRK ACTS AS A BATTLE CRYSchneider noted how some of the lyrics in "Charlie's Words" were inspired by the words of Kirk himself, as well as the late media personality's wife, Erika Kirk. Last Friday, Erika spoke out for the first time since Kirk's death, delivering an emotional tribute to her husband and vowing to keep his mission alive.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER"One of the lines in here is, He gave strength to people even when they disagree. Speak it loud, speak it proud with a voice God gave to them,'" Schneider said. "And then from his beautiful widow, I got that word, 'They have no idea what they've done.' They have called into action legions of otherwise sleeping people of faith.""And this doesn't mean they're going to go out and get sticks and rocks," he continued. "They are going to go and bring their A game to debate. They will bring their A game to church. They're going to bring their A game to local politics. They're going to bring their A game everywhere.""Because now they are speaking their words, yes, but their words have been so fueled and fired by Charlie's words," Schneider added. "But now we have a responsibility, I feel, to Charlie, to his legacy, to his family, to the indelible mark that he made on our society and societies all over the world.""We have to get off the fence. We can just sit on the fence anymore and watch Charlie fight our battles. It's our turn."The public memorial for Kirk is scheduled for Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Kirk was a close ally of Trump, who is slated to speak at the event. In addition, the event will also feature addresses from Vice President J.D. Vance and other top Trump administration officials.Schneider told Fox News Digital that he and his wife, Dee Dee, will be watching the memorial, which will be aired on major networks and live-streamed on Kirk's Rumble account."I'm sure it's going to be unbelievably amazing," Schneider said. "He deserves it to be unbelievably amazing. So we'll be there in spirit."

NATO has been on high alert since Russia invaded Ukraine more than three and a half years ago, but a recent spike in the alliances airspace violations has security experts increasingly concerned that warnings of war with Moscow are no longer theoretical, but inevitable.President Donald Trump on Thursday said the U.S. could "end up in World War III" over Russias war in Ukraine and conceded that Russian President Vladimir Putin has "let him down" over his refusal to end his military campaign.One day later, Russia sent three fighter jets over Estonia's capital city of Tallinn in a direct and clear violation of its airspace, prompting another NATO member to spark Article 4 for the second time in as many weeks.RUSSIAN JETS VIOLATE ESTONIAN AIRSPACE, FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS"Russia is testing NATO again dozensof drones in Poland last week, drones in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and now fighter jets in Estonian skies. These are deliberate provocations," Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene told Fox News Digital. "They are deliberate teststests of our readiness, our resolve, and of the limits of our deterrence."Sakaliene said the Friday violation was just the latest in "an escalating pattern of pressure by Russia.""For Estonia, for Poland, for Lithuania, for all of NATOs eastern flank, this is a direct threatnot just to territorial integrity, but to citizen safety," she added.The Lithuanian defense minister warned that the biggest line of defense NATO holds right now, apart from its actual military readiness, is showing a united front to dissuade Moscow from taking direct action against a NATO member and prompting what could become a global war."Our biggest risk currently is miscalculation by Russia," Sakaliene said. "Does Russia believe that NATO will not allow violations of its territory? Does Russia believe that Europe is going to strike back together with [the] United States?"That's now the last line of defense between if and when [war with Russia happens]," she added.TRUMP AND ZELENSKYY TO MEET AS POLAND PRESSURES NATO ON NO FLY ZONE OVER UKRAINEConcern over direct NATO conflict with Moscow escalated earlier this month after a swarm of at least 19 Russian drones not only flew over Polish airspace, but forced a multi-nation response when NATO, for the first time since the war began, fired upon Russian assets and brought down as many as four drones that posed a threat.While Trump suggested that the drone swarm could have been a mistake, Poland refuted this and said it was "deliberate" and a "planned provocation."Drone strikes have long been a favored wartime tool of Russia's in its operation against Ukraine, with the number of strikes peaking in July with some 6,297 long-range drones fired across the country.That figure dipped to 4,216 drones fired in August. Though notably, the majority of those UAVs were fired between Aug. 16th and the 31st, when some 3,001 drones were deployed beginning the day after Trump met with Putin in Alaska on Aug. 15.An American company, which sat less than 30 miles from two other NATO nations, Hungary and Slovakia, was also hit with "several" cruise missiles in late August."The scope of air attacks from Russia to Ukraine is really rising. They are using more drones, more rockets, and they are still expected to rise," Sakaliene said."We have to admit and adapt to this new reality. High intensity war by Russia against Ukraine is ongoing," the defense minister said. "That means that more and more UAVs are going to wander off into the territories of the bordering countries, and even further."Russia has increasingly turned to gray-zone tactics, which involve incidents that fall below the threshold of open warfare, but which allow Russia to test NATOs resolve and response capabilities.Over the last month, Poland saw three separate incidents in which its airspace was violated by Russian drones, including UAVs carrying explosive components that crossed into its airspace from both Ukraine and Belarus.TRUMP DEMANDS NATO ALLIES HALT RUSSIAN OIL PURCHASES BEFORE NEW US SANCTIONSJust three days after the drone swarm bombarded Polish air defense systems, a Russian drone crossed into Romanian airspace and prompted a French fighter jet and Polish helicopter to respond under NATOs Operation Eastern Sentry a defensive posture the alliance launched just one day prior.These events came after Lithuania in late July was forced to sound the alarm following two separate incidents in which Russian Gerber drones violated its borders, including one which was carrying explosives.But these tactics are not the only threats that security experts in recent weeks have flagged as concerning behavior from Moscow.Earlier this month, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) based in Washington, D.C. drew attention to an op-ed published by former Russian president and current Security Council chair Dmitry Medvedev on Sept. 8 in the state-sponsored news outlet TASS, which used language that directly mirrored rhetoric by the Kremlin in the lead up to its invasion of Ukraine.In his article, Medvedev accused Finland of being "Russophobic" and claimed, "the thirst for profit at the expense of Russia was installed in Finnish minds back in the days of Hitler."He further claimed that Helsinki has attempted to erase the "historical and cultural identity" of ethnic Russians and said joined NATO under the "guise" of defense, but in actuality, was covertly preparing for war against Russia, reported the ISW.Medvedevs comments were not stand-alone threats. Multiple Kremlin officials, including Putin who said "there will be problems" after Finland joined NATO, have claimed the alliance will use Finland as a "springboard" to attack Russia."Russia has been steadily setting conditions to attack NATO over the past several years: Moscow is standing up new divisions and optimizing its command and control headquarters on NATOs eastern flank," George Barros, Senior Russia Analyst with ISW told Fox News Digital. "The Kremlin information warfare apparatus is fabricating claims and justifications for why Finland, the Baltic States, and Poland are not real countries."These are the prerequisite preparations for future war that Moscow is preparing," he warned.Sakaliene echoed these concerns and additionally pointed to Russia's use of "soft power," often employed through social media and traditional media, to influence public perception, which she warned is "alarmingly effective."CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP"We see a picture of a very aggressive country which is investing a disproportionate amount of its funds into their military capacity," the defense minister said. "Despite heavy losses every week, every month, they are moving forward in Ukraine, and at the same time, they are expanding their capabilities."It raises considerable doubts if all that mass of military power is being accumulated only for Ukraine," Sakaliene said.

A federal appeals court has reinstated a Vermont Christian school in statewide competitions after it was banned by state officials for forfeiting a basketball game against a team with a transgender athlete.In a Sept. 9 ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit overturned a district court order and granted a preliminary injunction to Mid Vermont Christian School to rejoin the Vermont Principals' Association (VPA) while the case continues. The panel said the school is "likely to succeed" on its Free Exercise claim because the VPA decision demonstrated "hostility toward the school's religious beliefs."The legal fight began in February 2023, when Mid Vermonts girls basketball team, the Eagles, forfeited a playoff game against Long Trail School after learning a biological male transgender student was on the opposing roster. At the time, school officials cited safety and fairness concerns for female players competing against biological male athletes.Three weeks later, the VPA expelled the Christian school from all state-sponsored sports and non-athletic events, including spelling bees, science fairs and debate competitions.CALIFORNIA GIRLS' VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS REFUSE TO PARTICIPATE ALONGSIDE TRANSGENDER TEAMMATEAlliance Defending Freedom, a religious liberty group, sued state officials on behalf of the school and one of its families. The lawsuit argued the school was punished for exercising its religious beliefs protected under the First Amendment.According to court documents, VPA Executive Director Jay Nichols publicly criticized Christian schools two days after the forfeit, calling Mid Vermonts decision "blatant discrimination under the guise of religious freedom."The VPAs appeals committee also dismissed the schools fairness and safety concerns in girls sports as a "myth" and called its religious objection "wrong.""It is a myth that transgender students endanger others when they participate in high school sports or create unfair competition," the committee wrote in its ruling.FEDERAL JUDGE STRIKES DOWN MINNESOTA LAW BARRING RELIGIOUS COLLEGES FROM STATE PROGRAMHead coach Chris Goodwin, who has led the Eagles for nearly a decade and whose daughter plays on the team, told Fox News Digital the forfeit was a difficult but necessary decision."Its clear in Scripture that there is a difference between males and females. So if we decided to play that game, in essence, wed be agreeing with the states belief system that boys can be girls and male athletes can be female athletes," he said.Goodwin said safety and fairness were also concerns. After the expulsion, athletes had to drive hours away to New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Massachusetts to compete in a Christian league, losing exposure and scholarship opportunities in the process.He called the punishment "excessive" and said the VPA was trying to "make an example" of the school.CALIFORNIA SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DESCENDS INTO EMOTIONAL CLASH AMID TRANS VOLLEYBALL PLAYER CONTROVERSY"Athletics in high school and junior high is a really big part of the overall educational experience. So for that to be taken away from the kids was very disappointing, and for them to lose out on opportunities to be recognized in the state as all-state athletes or all-conference athletes and also have the possibility of receiving scholarships is a big deal. And they were denied that opportunity by the state," he said.David Cortman, senior counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom, told Fox News Digital the ruling sets a precedent that should protect other religious schools faced with similar situations. He celebrated the decision."So having to force the school to make a choice between standing up for their religious beliefs and losing out on all their athletics was an improper choice for the state to make," he said. "So were glad the court righted that wrong and are now looking forward to the school getting back into all the athletics and being treated on the same basis as everybody else."The Second Circuits order grants Mid Vermont a preliminary injunction to rejoin the VPA while the lawsuit continues.VPA Executive Director Jay Nichols told Fox News Digital the VPA doesn't comment on pending legal matters but that it doesn't discriminate against anyone based on their religious beliefs.Other defendants named in the suit, Vermont Secretary of Education Zoie Saunders and State Board of Education Chair Jennifer Deck Samuelson, said they could not comment on pending litigation. Christine Bourne, Heartland School Board, Randall Gawel and Waits River Valley School Board did not respond to requests for comment.The case highlights growing debates and legal fights across the country over transgender athletes competing in public school sports. The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review state bans on transgender athletes in public schools this fall.

Hollywood actress Candace Cameron Bure's faith is the "guiding light" to her decision to give back.Bure, who has worked with multiple charities over her storied acting career, opened up to Fox News Digital about how her Christian calling pushes her to help those in need. The "Full House" star completed a trip to the Dominican Republic while working with Free Wheelchair Mission to help give mobility to those in need."You know, the Bible tells us to help the least of these, to help The Widows and The Orphans. I mean, that's a calling for every one of us," the 49-year-old actress told Fox News Digital. "And so, of course, my faith guides me in my choices that I make.""I couldn't live out my Christian calling without helping those in need," Bure added. "And I mean, I guess that's the guiding light for me, but truly, when you're involved in it, you end up becoming the receiver because you really... It just, it feels so good to give and participate in helping change someone's life or adding to it, giving them hope, watching their resilience. To let them know that they are loved, and they're cared for, and they are worthy of being here and being loved by people and especially by God."CANDACE CAMERON BURE SHARES THE UNEXPECTED WAY GOD SHOWS UP IN HER SCARIEST MOMENTSFor Bure, nonprofit work to help those in need has been incredibly important. She learned about Free Wheelchair Mission after hosting the Miracle of Mobility event for the organization last year. Bure explained she was personally impacted by the stories shared.Bure chose to go on a four-day trip with Free Wheelchair Mission to help distribute wheelchairs to those in need. The "Growing Pains" actress traveled to the Dominican Republic, where the team handed out 11 wheelchairs."You're going into more remote places where people don't have access," she recalled. "They don't have running water or necessarily power. And to think of living in those types of conditions and then being disabled, not being able to move yourself, having to be carried or crawl on the ground or living in isolation because you don't have mobility. It was really eye-opening for me.""It really changes who you are, the joy that you are able to give to someone and to see this need fulfilled," Bure said. "It's the biggest gift that I could personally receive, and it's not about me. You're there to give, and yet I'm the one that's I feel like I'm walking away with even more."LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSBure traveled to the Dominican Republic with Free Wheelchair Mission's CEO Nuka Hart."The transformation that takes place when someone receives a wheelchair is life-changing," Hart told Fox News Digital. "One wheelchair can change the lives of an entire family and their communities.""A child who once had to be carried can now attend school," she explained. "A parent who could not provide for their family can do meaningful work. It brings freedom, not just to the individual, but to those around them. And yet, 80 million people need a wheelchair and the vast majority around the world are still waiting living without mobility. Were working every day to ensure that anyone who needs a wheelchair has one so they, and their families, can live with renewed dignity, independence, freedom, and joy."CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERWATCH: CANDACE CAMERON BURE REVEALS THE UNEXPECTED WAY GOD SHOWS UP FOR HERBure has always been open about her faith and recently told Fox News Digital how God has shown up for her in the "scariest moments.""I am always amazed because He always shows up, and it's sometimes in unexpected ways," Bure said. "Sometimes it's the way I want Him to show up, and sometimes it's the way I was hoping He wouldn't show up, but He did.""But what I've learned over the years in knowing Him and knowing His character is that He's always there, literally always there," she added. "So, sometimes, in the scariest moments, when I'm like, God, I need you with me. I need to feel your presence. Bring me through this. And sometimes you want the win at the end. He brings you through, and you're like, Yes, I did it."

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., sparred with CNN host Kaitlan Collins on Friday over a video the liberal lawmaker shared on social media and her remarks about Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk. Collins pressed Omar on why she reposted a video that said, "Kirk was Dr. Frankenstein and his monster shot him through the neck.""Because there were a lot of things in the video that I did agree with. Obviously, we share videos. We dont have to agree with every single word, but I do believe he was a reprehensible, hateful man. Like, that is my view of the words that he has said about every single identity that I belong to. He didnt believe that we should have equal access to anything. He also just didn't even believe I could be smart enough, I could have thoughts that could be equal to a White man. Where are we missing this conversation about who this man was and the things that he said?"Singling out Collins, Omar asked, "How do you not find that reprehensible, Kaitlan?"Kirk was assassinated on Sept. 10 while speaking at a campus event in Utah.ABC REPORTER CALLS CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSIN'S TEXT MESSAGES WITH TRANSGENDER PARTNER VERY TOUCHINGThe lawmaker turned the question back to Collins, who said, "Of course, I don't subscribe to that."Omar asked Collins, "You think I dont have the brain processing power like you or a White man?" The CNN host said, "Of course not" as Omar asked her if she would find that reprehensible."Im not asking why you think hes reprehensible. I think youre obviously allowed to have your own views. Thats why we have you on here so often. Because we like to hear your views and what you think on something. I just think it was the video where it called him Dr. Frankenstein and said his monster shot him through the neck. I mean, obviously, this is a person. And looking at this, this is someone who was a husband and a father. And in the days after his shocking death, that happened as a result of his views or happened as a result as he was sharing his views publicly with people, that people found it jarring to hear such criticism of that in the immediate aftermath of his death," Collins said.Omar said she found it jarring that people wanted to memorialize Kirk and excuse "reprehensible things" that he said.PHIL MICKELSON CONDEMNS REP. ILHAN OMAR FOR CHARLIE KIRK INSULTS: 'HOPEFULLY SHE'LL BE SENT BACK TO SOMALIA'"It is one thing to care about his life, because obviously so many people loved him, including his children and wife. But I am not going to sit here and be judged for not wanting to honor any legacy this man has left behind, that should be in the dustbin of history, and we should hopefully move on and forget the hate that he spewed every single day," Omar continued.Omar was criticized over an interview she did with Zeteo's Mehdi Hasan after Kirk's assassination.CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTUREOmar expressed condolences for Kirk's family but went on to criticize him during the interview."But what I do know for sure is that Charlie Kirk was someone who once said, Guns save lives after a school shooting," Omar said. "Charlie was someone who was willing to debate and downplay the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police downplay slavery and what Black people have gone through in this country by saying Juneteenth should never exist."Omar went on to lament that there are a "lot of people who are out there talking" about Kirk "just wanting to have a civil debate," prompting Hasan to interject and call it a "complete rewriting of history."Fox News' Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this report.

Attorney General Pam Bondi vowed swift justice after Charlie Kirks assassination and the shocking murder of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, warning would-be copycats that federal authorities will "find you, catch you, and prosecute you.""Look at the work the FBI did with ATF on Charlie's assassination. How quickly the FBI had someone in custody for this murder, so we will find you, we will catch you, and we will prosecute you," Bondi said during "My View with Lara Trump" on Saturday."I think that's a huge deterrent because I think a lot of people think they can get away with it, and they can't."BONDI SAYS ERA OF RADICAL LEFT NORMALIZING POLITICAL VIOLENCE IS OVER AFTER CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATIONBondi, whose recent "hate speech" remarks drew criticism from conservatives, drew a sharp line between protected speech and unlawful incitement, telling Fox News host Lara Trump the Justice Department is ready to go after those who cross the line into violence."You can be hateful all day long, but if you're going to attack someone and have the ability to do that and say things to carry it out, we are coming for you."She emphasized that Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirks death had not silenced him, calling celebrations of his murder "disgusting" and stressing that it had the opposite effect by energizing his supporters.PAM BONDI CLARIFIES 'HATE SPEECH' COMMENTS AFTER GETTING BLOWBACK"I don't think they knew what they unleashed when they assassinated Charlie," she said."Look at all the Turning Point chapters that are coming up around this country already. I've had my friends' daughters reaching out to me, wanting to start Turning Point chapters. I didn't even know they were conservative.""You know what else?" Bondi continued. "Charlie was a Christian. We know Charlie is in heaven. Charlie was Bible-based, and so is Erika look at Erika Kirk and what she is about to accomplish and what all of Charlie's friends are going to accomplish."The cases surrounding Kirk's and Zarutska's murders are ongoing, with suspects Tyler Robinson and Decarlos Brown Jr. in custody.Prosecutors in Utah have indicted Robinson on first-degree murder and are seeking the death penalty, while federal authorities weigh additional charges. In Zarutskas case, the Justice Department has confirmed that the death penalty remains "on the table" after her killing on public transit in Charlotte, North Carolina, back in August.President Donald Trump previously slammed Bondi for "all talk, no action" while pressuring her to prosecute adversaries in since-deleted Truth Social post.The president namely called for charges against former FBI Director James Comey, Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and New York Attorney General Letitia James."Pam: I have reviewed over 30 statements and posts saying that, essentially, "same old story as last time, all talk, no action. Nothing is being done. What about Comey, Adam "Shifty" Schiff, Leticia??? Theyre all guilty as hell, but nothing is going to be done."Trump later added that Bondi could not delay prosecutorial action against his opponents any longer, noting "Its killing our reputation and credibility.""They impeached me twice, and indicted me (5 times!), OVER NOTHING. JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!" he wrote.After deleting the post, Trump sent out another, commending Bondi for her "careful" work over the last eight months.When pressed by reporters, Trump denied being angry with Bondi, saying he simply wants people to "act fast."The Justice Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's prior request for comment.Fox News' Alexandra Koch contributed to this report.