The 2025 government shutdown is about to enter its second week, with Democrats and Republicans still unable to agree on a federal funding deal.It's the first government shutdown since 2019, when federal agencies were shuttered for 35 days.Both sides have been blaming the other for the dysfunction in Washington; Democrats are accusing Republicans of letting healthcare premiums go up for millions of Americans, while the GOP is blaming the left for putting vulnerable Americans at risk while holding the government hostage for partisan demands.Political strategists who spoke with Fox News Digital, however, have downplayed the shutdown's effects on the coming 2026 elections.HERE'S WHAT TRUMP WANTS TO DO TO RESHAPE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DURING THE SHUTDOWN"Every time there has been a shutdown, there have been myriad of stories on winners and losers, who gets the blame, what does it mean for the elections, etc. And yet, every time the result is the same voters arent thinking about the last shutdown when they vote," GOP strategist Doug Heye told Fox News Digital."Republicans lost the 2013 shutdown. Impacts on the 2014 election? Zero. Could this be different? Maybe. But theres nothing to suggest that yet."Others have suggested Republicans could see some public blame, but similarly argued that other issues namely, the economy and cost of living would take precedence in voters' minds next year.GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN SPARKS GOP PLAN TO PENALIZE LAWMAKERS WITH NEW SALARY TAX"Ultimately, what's going to decide the midterms next year is going to be the economy. People are very upset about the economy. They're very upset about inflation. They were promised that everything was going to get less expensive. Now everything's more expensive," said Mike Nellis, a Democratic strategist and founder of fundraising and campaigns firm Authentic."So I think that's going to be a much greater decider than the government shutdown."In the short term, however, Nellis said he saw Republicans bearing the brunt of the blame noting they control the House, Senate and White House."Typically, neither party looks good during a shutdown, just broadly. But the party in power gets blamed for what's happening," he said.Meanwhile, John Feehery of EFB Advocacy, who served as press secretary to former Republican House Speaker Dennis J. Hastert, said blame would fall mostly along party lines.He added that Independents, however, would likely blame the GOP, "because they are the ones who typically like shutdowns.""I would say that even though the Democrats clearly are to blame for this, because this is their strategy, I think Republicans are going to get blamed slightly more than the Democrats," Feehery said.On the 2026 electoral impacts, however, he said, "Theres winners and losers in the parlor games in Washington, but amongst the American peoplethey blame both sides, and they don't seem to really take it out on whoever the party in power is."Brad Bannon of polling firm Bannon Communications Research, a Democratic strategist, said inflation would likely matter more than the shutdown in 2026."If prices start going down, you know, the whole issue would not be a problem for Republicans, and it won't have any impact," Bannon said. "I think the key question is not how long the shutdown lasts, but how much, in 13 months, inflation continues to be a problem."He pointed to a recent poll in the Washington Post that showed Republicans seeing slightly more blame for the current shutdown than Democrats in terms of short-term impact.That poll showed 47% of Americans blaming Republicans, compared to 30% blaming Democrats. Twenty-three percent of people were undecided.The shutdown is poised to enter its second week after Senate Democrats rejected the GOP's plan for a fourth time on Friday.The measure, called a continuing resolution (CR), is a mostly flat seven-week extension of current federal funding levels. It also would include $88 million in security funding for lawmakers, the White House and the judicial branch which has bipartisan support.But Democrats in the House and Senate were infuriated by being sidelined in federal funding talks.They have been pushing for an extension of Obamacare subsidies enhanced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those enhancements would expire by the end of 2025 without congressional action.Republican leaders have signaled openness to discussions about reforming and enhancing those healthcare credits but are rejecting Democrats' demand to include them in the seven-week bill.

A recent episode of the hit Hulu comedy "Only Murders in the Building" highlights a hormone therapy that many men request as they get older.Steve Martins character, Charles-Haden Savage a washed-up actor who gets a second career solving murders in his apartment building brags of his newfound strength after startingtestosterone therapy."Yesterday, I opened a pickle jar like it was no thang," he said.COLORECTAL CANCER MAY CAUSE THESE 4 HIDDEN WARNING SIGNS, EXPERTS SAYWhile talking to Oliver Putnam, another crime aficionado who also happens to live in his exclusive New York apartment building, he admits, "If Im being honest, I am also really fighting the urge to pick you up right now.""Its supposed to build bone strength and give you energy," Martins character added of the testosterone therapy.So, can testosterone really help you open hermetically sealed jars or make you feel like a professional wrestler at age 80?Heres what the experts say."Testosterone is mostly produced in the testicles, with a small portion coming from the adrenal gland,"Dr. Petar Bajic, chair of the American Urological Associations public media committee and director of mens health at Cleveland Clinic, told Fox News Digital.As boys become teenagers, the pituitary gland in the brain triggers the production of testosterone.The hormone helps to keep bones and muscles strong, maintains sex drive, produces sperm, and controls hair growth and body fat in men, according to the National Institutes of Health.The hormone starts to naturally decline as men get older. "Testosterone deficiency is quite common, affecting nearly 10% of men over age 50," Bajic told Fox News Digital.Some conditions that can cause low testosterone include the following.Many symptoms of low testosterone can mimic other health conditions, according to Dr. Tanya Munger, a nurse practitioner who specializes in endocrinology at the Duke University School of Medicine in North Carolina.NEW STEM CELL THERAPY SHOWS 'PROMISING' RESULTS FOR TREATING HAIR LOSS IN PRECLINICAL TRIALSSome warning signs of low testosterone are listed below.Men can ask their primary care doctors to perform a blood test to check their testosterone levels, Munger advised.A diagnosis requires two separate blood tests taken early in the morning (or two hours after waking) that show total testosterone levels below the normal reference range.A low testosterone level is typically considered below 300, but the normal range depends on the lab conducting the test, the doctor added.PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING AFTER 70: EXPERTS QUESTION GUIDANCE AFTER BIDEN'S DIAGNOSISIf testosterone levels are found to be normal, the patient should ask a doctor to evaluate for other causes of symptoms, addedDr. Susan Spratt, an endocrinologist and professor of medicine at Duke University School of Medicine.For those who have low testosterone levels without a reversible cause, the first strategy should be to target lifestyle factors like diet and exercise, according to Bajic. If those are not effective,testosterone replacement therapy may be recommended."Options include gels, injections, testosterone pellets implanted every few months, and oral testosterone," Bajic told Fox News Digital.Therapy should be generally reserved for men who have symptoms of hypogonadism, a condition where the body does not produce enough testosterone, according to the Endocrine Society.Diagnosing hypogonadism can be challenging, however, because the symptoms are sometimes non-specific and may overlap with other medical conditions.NEW PROSTATE CANCER TEST PINPOINTS DISEASE BETTER THAN PSA OPTION, STUDY FINDSRoutine screening of testosterone levels in the general population in the absence of symptoms is not recommended, experts say.Testosterone testing and prescriptions have nearly tripled in recent years, with up to a third of men placed on therapy without meeting the criteria for deficiency of the hormone, according to the American Urological Association.Testosterone can increase the number of red blood cells, Spratt noted. "That sounds like a good thing and it is if you have anemia, but there's such a thing as too much of a good thing."High levels of red blood cells can increase the risk of stroke and clotting, the doctor noted.Testosterone can increase the chances of the prostate becoming enlarged, causing blockage of urine. It can also increase prostate cancer growth for those who already have the disease, Spratt warned.Experts say testosterone therapy can also cause the following side effects.Testosterone can also trigger mood changes, particularly for those taking higher doses than the body needs, Spratt said.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTERFor those who have normal testosterone levels and start undergoing therapy, that can cause levels to get too high, which can carry significant risks, experts caution."Some research shows that testosterone therapy can increase the risk of heart disease, but the data is conflicting and inconclusive," Munger added. "Risks can be minimized by keeping the total testosterone levels in a healthy range and not exceeding the upper normal limits."Providers often perform testing to measure baseline prostate levels and blood counts to ensure they are not abnormal before starting therapy.Testosterone replacement therapy is designed to restore normal hormone levels in men with deficiency, not to boost or optimize performance, Munger noted.For more Health articles, visitwww.foxnews.com/health"Prevention strategies [for low testosterone] include maintaining a healthy diet, limiting alcohol consumption, engaging in regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy body weight," she added.

A Madison, Wisconsin, high school teacher allegedly told a student she must publicly identify her political leanings for a class assignment despite the students concerns that doing so could subject her to harassment from classmates.Moms for Liberty Wisconsin chair Scarlett Johnson said the incident took place at Middleton High School during a U.S. government class.According to Johnson, students were instructed to write their names on red, blue or gray squares and identify themselves as Republican, Democrat or Independent. The assignment required students to present their choices publicly in the school hallway.One student declined to participate after hearing older students point to the red squares and say, "All those people are Nazis," Johnson wrote in a post on X.EDUCATION DEPT. LAUNCHES INVESTIGATION INTO SCHOOL DISTRICT ACCUSED OF FORCING EXPLICIT SURVEY ON STUDENTSThe student later explained her concerns to her history teacher, Andrew Hartman, but said he dismissed them and told her she would be required to complete the assignment in the next class."When she told her history teacher she was afraid she was visibly shaking and explained what shed heard, he dismissed her fears and ordered her to participate anyway," Johnson posted.In a follow-up post, Johnson shared more details from the students written account of what transpired.The student recalled being asked to list three political issues that she wanted to resolve, such as immigration or abortion, and explain why, in front of classmates, before posting her paper with her political affiliation to the bulletin board.HOUSE REPUBLICAN SAYS TEEN SON'S SCHOOL PROMOTES 'NON-MONOSEXUAL IDENTITIES' IN AM ANNOUNCEMENTS, URGES ACTIONImmediately after the presentations, she said she observed students she believed to be seniors pointing to her friend's paper on the board and remarking, "All those people are Nazis." She told her teacher she refused to do the assignment, but he told her she was wrong about the comments she had heard and said she would be completing the assignment the next class.Hartman did not respond to Fox News Digitals request for comment.The Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District confirmed the assignment was part of the curriculum for a semester-long civics and government course that has been taught at Middleton High School for more than a decade."As part of the semester-long government simulation process, students declared a party affiliation (Democrat, Republican, Independent) in order to form leadership structures and caucuses," the district said in a statement to Fox News Digital.ONE STATE'S BOLD FIGHT AGAINST CLASSROOM INDOCTRINATION TARGETS WOKE 'WELCOME' SIGNS"Teachers of the course follow a prescribed curriculum, which has been taught at our high school for 12 years. It has long been a popular class among students that emphasizes student agency, civil discourse, and a collaborative approach," the statement continued.The district said students who requested to opt out of the activity were allowed to do so and denied that any teacher threatened or intimidated students. However, officials acknowledged that the public nature of the assignment made some students uncomfortable."Through our conversations with students and their families, we learned publicly declaring a party affiliation as part of the course has made some students uncomfortable. Because of safety concerns and student input, we have removed the political spectrum display where party declarations were documented. Going forward, students in the course will continue to be given the opportunity to make a party declaration privately," the district said.It added that the district is "actively and aggressively investigating any reports of student-to-student harassment as a result of participation in this activity" and said that an anonymous harassment reporting tool is available to students.Moms for Liberty later shared that parents from "multiple" school districts within Dane County had come forward to say their children were given the same assignment, with one parent calling the activity divisive.

In their internal strategy sessions, Democrats clearly tell each other that they can shut down the federal government with the confidence that the national media will blame it on Republicans no matter what. You might imagine that internally, Republicans would fear a government shutdown, knowing the media will blame it on them.This has been the pattern with the broadcast networks since Bill Clinton vs. Newt Gingrich three decades ago.When Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., voted to avoid a shutdown in March, the partys base was furious. Taxpayer-funded PBS anchor Geoff Bennett took Schumer to task in an interview: "There are Democrats who say that, if the government had shut down, you force Republicans to own it. All the pain that Americans would feel that you just described, Republicans would pay the political price. Why not be as tactically ruthless as Republicans have shown themselves to be?"Journalists reward "tactically ruthless" Democrats and punish the ones who bend. Theyre not going to spend anytime reflecting on how Democrats have horrible poll ratings right now, and Schumers afraid of being challenged in a primary campaign by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. Democrats are always presumed to be noble in their resistance, not selfish.BLAME GAME: REPUBLICANS CLAIM SCHUMER FORCED SHUTDOWN 'BECAUSE HES TERRIFIED' OF AOC PRIMARY CHALLENGEOn September 24, Bennett interviewed Schumer again, and they were more aligned. But the PBS host was still pushing ruthlessness: "Democrats are outraged by what they see as President Trump's abuse of power. But has the way he's wielded power made you rethink how Democrats should govern if you regain the White House, given the tools, the expanded executive authority, and the approach that he will have left behind?"ABC reporter Rachel Scott used the term "Democrats say" threetimes in her evening story before the shutdown on September 26. There was no "Republicans say" sentence. Then three days later, Scott repeated the DNC points: "Democrats refusing to back down, saying they will not vote to fund the government unless Republicans reverse cuts to Medicaid and keep healthcare premiums from rising for some 20 million Americans."Scott kept the Republican response to Trump "mocking Democratic leadership with an A.I. generated video on social media, with fabricated and false audio. The video shows an A.I. version of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., wearing a sombrero and a fake mustache, with fabricated audio of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer." In other words, dont laugh. Theyre bad and bigoted people.MORNING GLORY: THE BELTWAY BUBBLE LEADS DEMOCRATS OFF A POLITICAL CLIFFThe networks always drag out the sob stories for their blame-Republican spin. Scott laid out the consequences: "If the government shuts down, as many as four million federal employees could go without a paycheck. Two million troops could be forced to work without pay, leaving military families in limbo. Heather Campbell's husband is a Major in the Air Force in Alabama. She worries about making ends meet for their three kids."ABCs Jack Smith pushed this tactic during a shutdown in December 1995: "And the shutdown now has a human face. Joe Skattleberry and his wife Lisa both work for the government. Both have been furloughed. They can't afford a Christmas tree." The next month, CBS reporter Scott Pelley was worse: "In April, terrorists tried to kill them. Today, politicians stopped their paychecks. In Oklahoma City's Social Security office, they're being ordered to work for nothing."WASHINGTON POST WARNS DEMOCRATS MAY HAVE WALKED INTO TRUMP 'TRAP' OVER GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWNDemocrats and Republicans face wildly different interviews on broadcast networks. Exhibit A was ABC morning host George Stephanopoulos, the former Clinton press secretary. Speaker Mike Johnson faced hardball questions from Stephanopoulos: "The Democratic proposal is designed to prevent millions of Americans from losing their health insurance, losing Medicaid coverage, or paying higher healthcare premiums. Why are you against that?"Speaker Johnson replied: "Thats an absurd statement what you said there. Lets be clear about what happened last night, George." Stephanopoulos shot back: "Its a factual statement."Then ABC switched to Democrat leader Hakeem Jeffries, who fielded a series of "your response, sir" set-up questions from Stephanopoulos: "You also heard the speaker say the Democrats want a fund for health care to illegal aliens and immigrants trying to reverse what was in the Presidents domestic spending bill earlier this year. Your response?"CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONDespite this, every aggregator on the internet puts ABC News in the "reliable source" category, while conservative sources are considered unreliable. It all depends on how you define "reliable." ABC News was also "reliable" for Democrats on their program "The View." Moderator Whoopi Goldberg read Democrat talking points off a note card.When CBS morning host Tony Dokoupil attempted to underline some reality in Democrats backing health care funding for illegal immigrants, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. practically yelled at him for being disobedient. "It is a flat-out lie. It is a flat-out lie! There is nothing in Medicaid, nothing in Medicare, that permits one undocumented immigrant to get one dollar of assistance. None." Thats false. Blue states like New York openly advertise their Medicaid benefits for illegal migrants.Dokoupil didnt back down. "Sorry, in the Democratic counter-offer, the proposal for funding, there is a restoration of Medicaid benefits for certain noncitizens that had been taken away in the Big, Beautiful Bill, as Republicans put it."Just as most political observers arent optimistic that the shutdown will end anytime soon, we should presume, based on decades of evidence, that theres no reason for the broadcast networks to be any less partisan for the rest of this shutdown.The fix is always in. The game is always rigged.CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM TIM GRAHAM

Democratic gubernatorial nominee in New Jersey Rep. Mikie Sherrill is once again declining to endorse her party's nominee for mayor in neighboring New York City."I amnot getting engaged in that race because Im completely focused on New Jersey. Im going to let the people of New York decide that race," Sherill said at a gubernatorial candidate forum.Sherrill's answer comes as some Democrats continue to view Zohran Mamdani as politically toxic given President Donald Trump and Republicans aim to anchor the 33-year-old Democratic socialist mayoral nominee to vulnerable Democrats up for election this year or in next year's midterms.During Friday's forum, which was hosted by PIX11 News, Sherrill said New Jersey voters weren't asking her about the New York City mayoral race, which has grabbed plenty of national attention after Mamdani soundly defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and nine other Democrats in June's primary to win their party's mayoral nomination.GARDEN STATE BATTLE: DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN NOMINEES TRADE FIRE OVER THIS KEY ISSUE"People in New Jersey are constantly talking to me about affordability," she said."Theyre talking to me about their cost, about electricity, about housing prices, etc., about healthcare. They're worried about the freezing of gateway tunnel funds," Sherrill emphasized.Amid the government shutdown, the Trump administration announced this week that it was halting federal funding for the massive Gateway Tunnel project to build a new rail tunnel between New Jersey and New York City.Asked a second time during the forum about the New York City race, Sherrill responded, "Again, Im focused on the New Jersey race, and thats a New York race. Im not registered to vote there. So Im focused here."FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN SPARKS BLAME GAME IN CRUCIAL RACE FOR GOVERNORWhile Sherrill's comments at Friday's forum reiterated past statements about Mamdani, her Republican rival in the 2025 ballot box battle to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy has accused her of trying to have it both ways.This summer, GOP New Jersey gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli highlighted in a social media post past comments from Sherrill, including one saying she hasn't weighed in on the New York City race, as well as another of her saying, "if hes the Democratic candidate, which it sounds like he is, I assume I will."The Ugandan-born Mamdani, if elected, would become the first Muslim and first millennial mayor of the nation's most populous city. He is the clear frontrunner in the latest public opinion polls in the mayoral race in the Democrat-dominated city.Mamdani is sitting on double-digit leads over Cuomo, who's running as an independent in the general election, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, in the latest New York City public opinion polls. FIVE RACES TO WATCH WITH FIVE WEEKS TO GO UNTIL ELECTION DAY 2025While the Democratic National Committee and some top Democrats are backing Mamdani, others have kept their distance and have yet to endorse him.New York Gov. Kathy Hochul did recently endorse Mamdani, but Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the top two Democrats in Congress and fellow New Yorkers, have declined to support him.Mamdani surged to the Democratic primary victory thanks to an energetic campaign that put a major focus on affordability and New York City's high cost of living. It was fueled by a massive grassroots army of supporters and backing from top national progressive champions, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPMamdani made smart use of social media platforms, including TikTok, as he engaged low-propensity voters. He proposed eliminating fares to ride New York City's vast bus system, making CUNY (City University of New York) "tuition-free," freezing rents on municipal housing, offering "free childcare" for children up to age 5 and setting up government-run grocery stores.Mamdani has been heavily criticized by his rivals for his far-left platform, as well as his verbal attacks on Israel, his past critical comments about the New York City Police Department (NYPD), and his proposal to shift certain responsibilities away from the NYPD and focus on social services and community-based programs.

Buffalo Bills fans have long wondered why theyre often excluded from the "New York sports" conversation, but they may now have their answer.The "New York sports" list has normally been composed of the New York Yankees, Mets, Rangers, Islanders, Giants, Jets, Knicks, New Jersey Devils and Brooklyn Nets - yes, even a team on the other side of the Hudson River would be in that conversation.But the Devils play in Newark, which is well within the New York metro area. Buffalo, on the other hand, is a roughly six-hour drive to Midtown Manhattan.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMWell, the Bills showed their true colors on Friday by wishing "good luck" to their "friends up north" in the Toronto Blue Jays, who match up against the Yankees in the American League Division Series."Yeah dont call yourself a New York team again," wrote one X user.Even pro tennis player Jessica Pegula, whose parents own the team, was shocked."Ohhh???" she wrote.YANKEES' CAM SCHLITTLER TROLLS RED SOX AFTER HISTORIC OUTING, EXPLAINS WHY IT WAS 'PERSONAL' FOR HIM"This is blasphemous," added Gary Sheffield Jr."Shouldnt we root for teams that actually play in the great state of New York?" wrote another user. "It's the National Football League... National to America. The United States. There's not even an NFL team in Canada."The Blue Jays, however, replied by posting a photo of Josh Allen in a Blue Jays jersey.Since the Montreal Expos left after the 2005 season, the Blue Jays remain the only MLB team in Canada. They won the AL East over the Yankees due to the tiebreaker of head-to-head matchups in the regular season.This is the first time the division rivals will face one another in the postseason.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X,and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

A Kansas professor says she has been placed on administrative leave after her social media posts shared in the wake of conservative activist Charlie Kirks assassination drew backlash.On Sept. 10, the day Kirk was fatally shot at a Utah university, Nuchelle Chance, an assistant psychology professor at Fort Hays State University, posted on Facebook: "Me thinks the word karma is appropriate. Sad day all around."Chance linked to a partial quote from Kirk about the Second Amendment.Two days later, after police identified Tyler Robinson as the shooter, she wrote: "But when we tell yall that statistically White American men are the most dangerous animals on the planet were wrong. Lets not be hasty they say"PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS FACE BACKLASH FOR SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS MOCKING CHARLIE KIRKS ASSASSINATIONThe posts circulated widely after being amplified by the account Libs of TikTok.In a TikTok video Tuesday, Chance said she was being "targeted" by "MAGA" and argued her "karma" comments were mischaracterized as celebrating Kirks death, which she said would be immoral. She defended her post about "White men," saying she was simply saying the perpetrators in these incidents of mass violence "tend to fit a certain demographic."In a statement to Fox News Digital, Chance said her posts were "misinterpretedintentionally and deliberately"calling the backlash a "manufactured outrage campaign rooted in misogynoir," a term she said describes as the intersection of racism and sexism faced by Black women. She added that her use of the word "animal" was drawn from behavioral science and not meant to be degrading.Chance also rejected claims that her personal commentary undermines her classroom role."I have never discussed my political views in the classroom. That would be inappropriate and unprofessionaland frankly, asinine. My role as an educator is to foster critical thinking, not to impose personal belief," she said, noting her teaching evaluations and grading practices consistently reflect fairness across demographics.She added that her academic work is grounded in equity and humanism, not bias."My scholarship and teaching reflect a commitment to justice and inclusion. I welcome diverse perspectives in my classroom and remain committed to creating a space where every student feels seen, heard, and respected," Chance said.HILLARY CLINTON RIPS WHITE MEN OF A CERTAIN RELIGION, SPARKS BACKLASH FROM CONSERVATIVESShe added, "I am deeply concerned that the image of Fort Hays State University is being shaped by veiled, anonymous trolls whose goal is not dialogue, but disruption. These actors do not represent our values, and their tacticsdoxxing, misrepresentation, and intimidationundermine the mission of higher education."Fort Hays State University addressed the controversy in a Monday statement, stressing that "individuals who post commentaries to their personal social media accounts do not speak for the University."The school reaffirmed its commitment to "free, open, and respectful dialogue" and praised student groups for encouraging discussion "that embodies the values of our university." Officials described the matter as a "confidential personnel" issue and asked for patience "as we address it with the seriousness it warrants."The university did not say if any disciplinary action had been taken, but Chances faculty page has since been removed from the schools website.PROFESSOR FIGHTING DISMISSAL FOR CALLING CHARLIE KIRK A 'NAZI' HANDED LEGAL WIN, FUELING FREE SPEECH DEBATEChance said she had been placed on administrative leave."I am currently on a two-week administrative leave from Fort Hays State University and will not be checking my university email regularly during this time," she said in an auto-reply from her university email.A Fort Hays State spokesperson told Fox News Digital Thursday it was "still working through the issue and asking those who have expressed concerns for patience as we address this matter with the seriousness it warrants."The case comes as several other educators across the country face discipline over social media posts about Kirks killing.In South Dakota, a federal judge temporarily reinstated professor Michael Hook after the University of South Dakota moved to fire him for a post calling Kirk a "hate-spreading Nazi," while an Iowa teacher, Matthew Kargol, is suing his district after being terminated for writing "1 Nazi down." Both men argue their remarks were protected speech, part of a wave of legal challenges testing how far schools can go in punishing employees for controversial online comments after Kirk's murder.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

DENVER - The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) is sounding the alarm over a surge in financial sextortion schemes that are targeting teenage boys at unprecedented levels, often with devastating consequences.Callahan Walsh, son of child safety advocates John and Rev Walsh and a key leader at NCMEC, says the surge in cases is unlike anything theyve seen."We saw a massive shift in sextortion after COVID," Walsh told Fox News Digital. "Teenage boys were now being targeted at a much higher rate for financial gain, often by overseas criminal enterprises."These predators often pose as peers on gaming platforms and social media apps, Walsh explained, luring boys into sharing explicit images. The second a photo is sent, the blackmail begins.AUSTRALIAN MOTHER CALLS FOR SOCIAL MEDIA AGE RESTRICTIONS AFTER DAUGHTER'S SUICIDE"The threat is real and it's relentless. The message is: pay up or we expose you to your school, your family, your entire online world," Walsh said.During a Sept. 16 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., emphasized the urgency of addressing sextortion and online exploitation of minors, calling it a crisis that demands a more "targeted approach.""We need answers. I want to talk about child sexual exploitation," Britt said, thanking FBI Director Kash Patel for making child protection a top priority. "We know that that is the greatest gift that we have. That is our greatest treasure here in the United States the next generation. And finally, we have an FBI director that is putting that at the top of his list."Britt, who noted she is raising teenagers herself, described the toll sextortion is taking on American families. "I have had a number of parents sit in front of me telling me terrible, heartbreaking stories about their children ultimately taking their own life because of being blackmailed," she said.Patel acknowledged the severity of the problem. "That is a problem that we are seeing explode on generative AI and private sector and social media companies," he testified.Citing alarming data from the NCMEC, Patel warned: "They have seen a 1,325% increase in generative AI leading to sextortion and child sexual abuse."CHRISTIAN MUSIC STAR LAUREN DAIGLE BRINGS ONLINE CHILD SAFETY FIGHT TO CAPITOL HILL, BACKS STOP CSAM ACTThe FBI, Patel said, has stepped up its response through operations under its Violent Crimes Against Children initiative, noting that agents had arrested 1,500 child predators and 300 human traffickers, while identifying and saving 4,700 children in the past year."We arrested 400 individuals in one month," he added, calling it evidence of "a mission that our agents and intel analysts have never left."NCMEC, founded after the 1981 abduction and murder of 6-year-old Adam Walsh, now runs the nation'sCyberTipline, which received over36 million reports of suspected child sexual exploitation in 2023 alone."Obviously, our number one goal is to analyze those reports, try to find out who are these children that are being exploited and fight back against it, and recover those children and find the perpetrator," Walsh continued.FBI REVEALS 1.3M CRIMES AT PUBLIC SCHOOLS. A NIGHTMARE OF VIOLENCE AWAITS OUR KIDSThe organization is currently working on approximately30,000 active missing-child cases, a scale Walsh says requires cutting-edge tools, robust data analysis, and unwavering public support."Weve helped recover over 480,000 missing children since our inception," he said.Founded in a Florida garage with "a card table and a landline," NCMEC, which was originally named "The Adam Walsh Center," now leverages high-tech tools likedigital billboards, social media campaigns, genetic genealogy, and real-time analyticsto help law enforcement identify and locate missing children faster than ever before."DNA is the fingerprint of the 21st century and its revolutionizing the way we find missing kids," Walsh noted.One of NCMECs current battles isnt just against predators its againstmisinformation."You do not have to wait 24 hours to report a missing child. Call law enforcement immediately," Walsh emphasized.He also urges the public to rethink how they talk about "runaways.""That label can hide grooming or abuse. These kids may be in the custody of a predator and those cases deserve to be taken seriously."The organization relies on both federal funding and private donations, but Walsh emphasized that greater action is needed from lawmakers and technology platforms."We need the tech industry and Congress to keep the lights on," he said. "These arent just statistics theyre kids, families, and futures on the line."YOUNGKIN CREDITS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WITH BOLSTERING ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING EFFORTSStill, Patel cautioned that law enforcement alone cannot solve the problem. "That cannot be countermanded by the FBI alone," he said. "We need help from social media companies. We need help from the private sector and the internet service providers that allow this generative AI to be hosted on their platforms. We have got to get a resolution on that with our partners in Congress, in the private sector."Britt pledged to continue working with the FBI and her Senate colleagues to bring an end to sextortion, framing it as a national emergency requiring coordination, urgency, and new tools."What are you doing to protect children and specifically sextortion?" she demanded, underscoring the hearings central question.Walsh, who now co-hosts"Americas Most Wanted"with his father, says the pain of his brother Adams loss continues to drive NCMECs mission."We always said we need to make sure Adam didn't die in vain. And if his song is to continue that, we must do the singing. We try to do that every day," Walsh said about keeping his brother's legacy alive."Adams disappearance changed the way we look for and protect children in America," he continued. "Every child deserves a safe childhood."When asked about his goals for the coming years, Walsh smiled and said he hoped to one day be out of a job."I would love to say every missing child's been found. There's not going to be any more missing children. And we've eradicated exploitation online. That's our goal," Walsh shared. "We want to put ourselves out of a job. Unfortunately, we're not there yet, and I don't know if that's going to happen in 5 or 10 years, but we're trying, and we really look towards the tech industry to help us with that."For more information or to report a tip, visitmissingkids.orgor call 1-800-THE-LOST.

Pete Davidson is standing by his decision to perform at the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia more than two decades after his father, New York City firefighter Scott Davidson, was killed in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.Scott, who served with Ladder Company 118 in Brooklyn Heights, was 33 when he died responding to the World Trade Center. Pete was just 7 years old at the time.The 31-year-old "Saturday Night Live" alum is one of 50 comedians in the lineup for the festival, which began Sept. 26 and runs through Oct. 9. The roster includes some of the biggest names in comedy Dave Chappelle, Louis C.K., Jimmy Carr, Kevin Hart, Sebastian Maniscalco, Aziz Ansari, Andrew Schulz, Whitney Cummings and Hannibal Buress.During a Sept. 23 appearance on Theo Von's "This Past Weekend" podcast, Von asked Pete about the festival.DAVID CROSS SAYS DAVE CHAPPELLE, LOUIS C.K. CAN'T BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY EVER AGAIN AFTER SAUDI SHOWS"There's a lot of people that say people are getting paid by this Middle Eastern money right, you know, and that they can say this, or they can't say that or that they are over there, they're going to try to influence you guys in order to speak certain ways," Von said. "Are you part of that conspiracy theory or is that nothing you're on?""I've heard there's subreddits of like, I think all these people are in bed with that. I just, you know, I get the routing, and then I see the number, and I go, Ill go,'" Pete said. "Ive been getting a little bit of flak just because my dad died (in) 9/11. So theyre like, How could you possibly go there?'"15 of the 19 hijackers on 9/11 were Saudi nationals, and lawsuits have alleged links between the Saudi government and the attackers. Saudi officials have denied involvement.In a Sept. 23 press release, Human Rights Watch accused Saudi Arabia of hosting the festival to "deflect attention from its brutal repression of free speech and other pervasive human rights violations."Some comics have also condemned the festival, arguing Saudi Arabia is using the high-profile event to polish its global image despite alleged human rights abuses.In a statement posted on his website, comedian and actor David Cross blasted his peers for taking part in the event, citing the host nations "crimes against humanity."He referenced the accusations that the Saudi government assisted 9/11 hijackers as well as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman allegedly sanctioning the 2018 murder of journalist and dissident Jamal Khashoggi and the kingdoms view of LGBTQ and womens rights.Cross wrote he was "disgusted and deeply disappointed in this whole gross thing," accusing the participants of condoning "a totalitarian fiefdom for what, a fourth house? A boat? More sneakers?"During a recent episode of the "Matt and Shane's Secret Podcast," comedian Shane Gillis revealed that he was offered a "significant" amount of money to perform at the event but declined the gig. He said that the festival's organizers doubled their offer, but he once again turned them down."I took a principled stand," Gillis said. "You don't 9/11 your friends."Marc Maron, who has said that he was not invited to perform at the festival, also referred to 9/11 and Khashoggi's murder while ripping the lineup's stars during a stand-up set."I mean, how do you even promote that? Like, From the folks that brought you 9/11, two weeks of laughter in the desert. Dont miss it!'" he said.Meanwhile, "Silicon Valley" star and comedian Zach Woods shared an Instagram video in which he mockingly promoted the event and referenced 9/11 while suggesting that comedians regularly "whore themselves out to dictators."Fox News Digital has reached out to Davidson's representatives for comment.Over the years, Pete has spoken out about how his father's death in the 9/11 attacks has impacted him. He has also previously shared that he uses dark humor as a method of coping with his grief and moving forward.LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSWhile speaking with the New York Times in 2015, Pete told the outlet that trauma from his father's death led him to "rip his hair out until he was bald" while he was in school."It was overwhelming," Pete said.During a 2020 interview on "CBS Mornings," Pete reflected on whether the experience of losing his father at such a young age had fundamentally changed him as a person."Oh, yeah, absolutely," he said. "One of my best friends is forever gone."In a 2023 appearance on Jon Bernthal's podcast "Real Ones," the comedian recalled that his mother Amy withheld the truth of his father's death from him for several days and said that he first learned of Scott's passing while watching the news."My dad told me he was going to pick me up on 9/11," Pete said. "I got picked up by my mom. She didnt tell me what was going on for like three days. She kept telling me dads at work, I had no idea. My moms like, Youre just grounded, youre not allowed to watch TV."PETE DAVIDSON, EMILY RATAJKOWSKI MATCH OUTFITS: A LOOK AT OTHER TIMES 'SNL' ALUM MORPHED INTO HIS GIRLFRIENDS"I was like, What? I didnt do anything. And then one night I turn on the TV and I saw my dad on TV. Theyre like, These are all the fireman who are dead."While speaking with Bernthal, Davidson noted that Amy was only 30 at the time of Scott's passing and praised her for how she had handled the aftermath of her husband's death and raised him and his sister Casey."As I get older, Im like, Man, my mom was awesome,'" he said.Pete has previously said that he was drawn to comedy because it gave him a sense of escape and relief from grief. During his appearance on "Real Ones," Pete reflected on why he has occasionally joked about his father and 9/11."I'm trying to share little jokes here and there about him because I like to keep that memory alive," Pete said. "My dad was a great dude."Pete has shared tributes to Scott through the year and also honored his father through his work, most notably in the 2020 semi-autobiographical film "The King of Staten Island."CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERThe coming-of-age story followed a young man dealing with the repercussions of losing his firefighter father when he was seven, and the struggles he had to confront head on to move forward with his own life."I think when you're able to share a story like this at this magnitude and with so many people, it really allowed me to be as open and honest as I could be, and it helped me deal with a lot of my personal demons," he told E! News in 2020.On the morning of 9/11, Scott's company Ladder 118 was dispatched from its firehouse in Brooklyn to respond to the crisis unfolding at the World Trade Center.Scott's crew crossed the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan a trip captured in a now iconic photo showing the firetruck headed toward the burning towers.The firefighters reported to the Marriott World Trade Center Hotel, located at the base of the North and South Towers, where they helped evacuate staff and guests.When the North Tower collapsed at 10:28 a.m., the hotel was destroyed and all six firefighters of Ladder 118, including Scott, were killed inside.During his appearance on "This Past Weekend," Pete discussed the famous photo, which was first featured on the cover of the New York Daily News after the attacks in a tribute to the fallen firefighters of Ladder 118."They were the first truck over there.and pretty much the whole house died, which is pretty sad but at least he died with his pals," Pete said.The "Bupkis" star told Von that he remembered Scott for his good sense of humor, saying that his father was "f------ hilarious." "My memories are, you know, few and far between because I was seven but I just remember laughing a lot and him being pretty jacked and smoking a lot of cigarettes and driving a Subaru Impreza," Pete said. "Always had a big smile on his face."Pete told Von that in the past, people have lied and said that they knew Scott so that they could visit him backstage at his comedy shows."I could always tell who is telling the truth because the second they start talking, they have this big smile and their eyes kind of light up and they call him Scotty which is what his friends call him so I always could tell and everything I hear is always really sweet," Pete said.Pete also shared his thoughts on why he has always sought out friendships with people who are older than him."When you go through a tragedy that young, your brain is older," he said. "I always felt like I was older in school.""That innocence is kind of taken away really fast. And that's why I got into stand-up," he continued. "I think that's why I veered towards laughing a lot. Because I'm a sad dude."

FIRST ON FOX: House Democrats' campaign arm is rolling out new ads to pressure Republicans to return to the negotiating table as the 2025 government shutdown is poised to enter its second week.Democrats have sought to make the ongoing standoff into a healthcare fight, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., insisting their caucuses will not vote for a funding bill that does not include an extension of expiring Obamacare subsidies enhanced during the COVID-19 pandemic.The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is investing in a four-figure ad buy across 13 districts where Democrats believe they can hold or flip seats in the 2026 midterms.HERE'S WHAT TRUMP WANTS TO DO TO RESHAPE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DURING THE SHUTDOWNThe ads point out that "Republicans control the government" and say, "They just shut it down." The ads in Democrat-held districts say lawmakers there are "protecting affordable health care."Three of those districts are held by Republicans, while 10 are held by Democrats.Both the House and Senate are out this weekend after the upper chamber tried and failed for a fourth time on Friday to advance the GOP's plan to fund federal agencies through Nov. 21.The bill, called a continuing resolution (CR), is an extension of fiscal year (FY) 2025 federal funding levels, which also include $88 million in security spending for lawmakers, the White House and the judicial branch amid a heightened political threat environment.Democrats have argued that Americans who rely on the enhanced Obamacare subsidies are in imminent threat of seeing their health care premiums skyrocket if not dealt with in this measure.The Obamacare subsidies were given a temporary enhancement during the COVID-19 pandemic under former President Joe Biden's American Rescue Plan, and later extended through 2025 under his Inflation Reduction Act.GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN SPARKS GOP PLAN TO PENALIZE LAWMAKERS WITH NEW SALARY TAXRepublican leaders have said they are willing to discuss reforming and extending the subsidies at a later date, while accusing Democrats of holding the government hostage at the expense of vulnerable Americans who rely on federal services."Vulnerable House Republicans shut down the government because they dont care about working Americans having access to affordable health care," DCCC spokesperson Nebeyatt Betre told Fox News Digital. "While Republicans create a health care crisis, House Democrats will keep working to lower Americans health care costs. Make no mistake: vulnerable House Republicans own this shutdown, and the DCCC is making sure voters know who to blame."House Republicans' campaign arm, meanwhile, released an ad earlier this week on the heels of the government shutting down at midnight on Wednesday.Their own ads, also a four-figure investment, accused Democrats of refusing to "fund the government" at the expense of military paychecks, veterans, farmers and small businesses.Republicans have been pointing to Democrats' counter-proposal for a CR as proof that Democrats are fighting to restore health care for illegal immigrants. The left's plan called for repealing the health care changes made in the GOP's "One Big, Beautiful Bill," which, among other measures, tightened restrictions on who can access Medicaid.Democrat leaders have denied fighting for illegal immigrants, however."Out of touch Democrats shut down the government to bankroll handouts for illegal immigrants and appease their radical base. Voters wont forget who betrayed them, and the NRCC will make sure Democrats pay the price," NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella told Fox News Digital at the time.