Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears delivered a blistering one-two punch this weekend, saying Democratic AG candidate Jay Jones has disqualified himself from office after texts emerged in which he wished for the death of a Republican rivals children.The coordinated condemnations marked the most aggressive escalation yet in a controversy that has thrown Virginia politics into a fever pitch heading into the nationally watched 2025 election."Jay Jones has shown hes reckless, biased, and willing to trade away his integrity," Miyares wrote in an open letter to Virginians, posted to social media late Saturday. "This conduct is disqualifying."Hours later, Sears took the stage to deliver remarks and accused Democrats of being "consumed with hate."YOUNGKIN SAYS DEMOCRAT AG CANDIDATE JAY JONES MUST STEP AWAY IN DISGRACE OVER TEXTS ABOUT FORMER GOP LEADER"The enemy is among us, devouring us in Virginia and in America today," Sears said in a fiery speech. "Jay Jones fantasizes about murdered little children lying lifeless in their mothers arms. And yet he runs for attorney general, our chief law enforcement officer."The uproar followed the publication of private 2022 text messages in which Jones, then a rising Democrat star, said he hoped former Republican House Speaker Todd Gilberts children would die. When challenged, Jones doubled down, saying that such grief might be "a good thing" if it advanced his politics.Jones has since apologized, calling the remarks "embarrassing and shameful," and said he had reached out personally to Gilbert and his family.VIRGINIA AG CANDIDATE ONCE REFERENCED PUTTING TWO BULLETS TO THE HEAD OF GOP LEADER, TEXTS SHOWBut Virginia Republicans said the damage is irreversible. Miyares, who has served as attorney general since 2022, wrote that as a prosecutor he has "sat with crying victims and grieving families" and heard "the cries of a parent who has lost a child." He said no one, "least of all a candidate for Virginias top law-enforcement office, should ever treat such pain as a political tool."Miyares letter put the race's stakes in plain language. "If you believe it is okay to wish death upon a political opponent vote for my opponent," he wrote. "If you believe it is worth the death of children to advance your political goals vote for my opponent. If you want to give a green light to violent lunatics vote for my opponent."The attorney general said his own oath of office obligates him to protect every Virginian, "regardless of whether they are a Democrat or Republican." He added: "I cannot imagine someone running for this job who advocates for violence."Sears broadened her criticism beyond Jones, tying his comments to a culture of what she called Democrat "rage politics.""The leadership of the Democrat Party is inciting violence as a strategy to win power," Sears said. She noted that gubernatorial candidate Rep. Abigail Spanberger urged her supporters to "let your rage fill you.""Well, words have meaning," Sears continued. "Rage is defined as violent, uncontrolled anger." She warned Virginians to take notice, citing past threats and attacks on Republicans nationwide, from the 2022 attempt on Justice Brett Kavanaughs life to school shootings targeting Christians."The unstable pull the triggers," Sears added, "but they are inspired by the hate tolerated and encouraged by the leadership of the Democrat Party."Both Republicans framed the controversy as a turning point in the 2025 election."Prior to this week, this race was about competing views on public safety," Miyares wrote. "Now its about basic fitness for public office."CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPSears closed her speech with a plea for unity and faith: "As an immigrant, I have seen what happens when leftists destroy the foundations of freedom.""Let each of us act to protect our beloved Commonwealth of Virginia and the gift from God that is the United States of America," Sears concluded.Fox News Digital did not receive responses on requests for comment from Sears, Miyares or Jones at the time of publication.Fox News Digitals Greg Norman, Danielle Wallace and Charles Creitz contributed to this report.

Lionel Richie revealed that he almost joined the Episcopal priesthood before one encouraging shoutout from an audience member convinced him to pursue a musical career.In his new memoir "Truly," the 76-year-old music icon recalled growing up, he was a "disastrously shy altar boy" who considered becoming a member of the clergy and was training for the priesthood.During a Friday appearance on "Today with Jenna & Friends" to promote his tell-all, Richie recalled the pivotal moment, while performing with his college band, The Commodores, that inspired him to commit to music.SINGER LIONEL RICHIE ATTRIBUTES FAMILY, GOD TO HIS GENERATIONAL STAYING POWER"I couldnt figure out what the heck to do with my life, couldnt figure it out," the four-time Grammy Award winner said. "Im as shy as I can be. And then I realized, maybe the priesthood might be the best way to go.""Heres what happened to change my mind," Richie continued. "I joined the Commodores in my second semester of my sophomore year and something amazing happened. A lady on the front row of some club said, Sing it, baby!"Richie said that the audience member's comment prompted him to contact church leadership and abandon his training for the priesthood.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER"I called back to the priest and I said, I dont think Im going to be college material. I just gotta be honest with you," the "All Night Long" hitmaker said. "Theres a moment when you have that moment.""All of a sudden, I got an acknowledgment from the other side," Richie continued. "From that point on, I kept thinking, now how does this go forward? I didn't know I was a writer, didn't know I was a singer. Thank God for The Commodores because I would have never discovered Lionel Richie."LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSRichie admitted that he continued to struggle with his shyness while he was performing with The Commodores."Scared to death, can you imagine having panic attacks on stage?" the "American Idol" judge said. "But I wanted to be in this band so badly, and I wanted to be in this business."In "Truly," Richie recalled telling the priests at his church that he had second thoughts about his vocation for the priesthood. "They gave me wise words of encouragement and told me that if things changed the door was always open," Richie wrote. "In fact, in the coming years, whenever I worried that the music thing was to be short-lived, Id talk about returning to my earlier plans."He continued, "I even picked out a seminary in Wyoming. Never went. The moment of truth probably arrived when I began to write songsand realized they were my real sermons."Truly" will be released nationwide on Oct. 15, 2025, through HarperCollins.

The Supreme Court will launch its new term Monday with a focus on controversial prior rulings and a review of President Donald Trumps sweeping executive agenda.After a three-month recess, the nine justices met together for the first time this week to reset their docket, and discuss appeals that have piled up over the summer. The high court will resume oral arguments to confront issues like gender identity, election redistricting, and free speech.But looming over the federal judiciary is the return of Trump-era legal battles. The administration has been winning most of the emergency appeals at the Supreme Court since January, that dealt only with whether challenged policies could go into effect temporarily, while the issues play out in the lower courts including immigration, federal spending cuts, workforce reductions and transgender people in the military.In doing so, the 6-3 conservative majority has reversed about two dozen preliminary nationwide injunctions imposed by lower federal courts, leading to frustration and confusion among many judges.FEDERAL JUDGES ANONYMOUSLY CRITICIZE SUPREME COURT FOR OVERTURNING DECISIONS WITH EMERGENCY RULINGSNow those percolating petitions are starting to reach the Supreme Court for final review and legal analysts say the bench may be poised to grant broad unilateral powers to the president.The justices fast-tracked the administrations appeal over tariffs on dozens of countries that were blocked by lower courts. Oral arguments will be held in November.In December, the justices will decide whether to overturn a 90-year precedent dealing with the president's ability to fire members of some federal regulatory agencies like the Federal Trade Commission.And in January, the power of President Trump to remove Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors will be tested in a major constitutional showdown. For now, the Biden-appointed Cook will remain on the job."A big fraction of the Supreme Court's docket will present the question: can President Trump do? then fill in the blank. And that could be imposing tariffs; firing independent board members; removing illegal aliens; sending the military into cities like Los Angeles," said Thomas Dupree, a prominent appellate attorney and constitutional law expert. "So, much of what the Supreme Court is deciding this term is whether the president has acted within or has exceeded his authority."The tariffs dispute will be the court's first major constitutional test on the merits over how broadly the conservative majority high court views Trump's muscular view of presidential power, a template for almost certain future appeals of his executive agenda.In earlier disputes over temporary enforcement of those policies, the court's left-leaning justices warned against the judiciary becoming a rubber stamp, ceding its power in favor of this president.After a late August high court order granting the government the power to temporarily terminate nearly $800 million in already-approved health research grants, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said her conservative colleagues had "ben[t] over backward to accommodate" the Trump administration. "Right when the Judiciary should be hunkering down to do all it can to preserve the law's constraints, the Court opts instead to make vindicating the rule of law and preventing manifestly injurious Government action as difficult as possible. This is Calvinball jurisprudence with a twist. Calvinball has only one rule: There are no fixed rules. We seem to have two: that one, and this Administration always wins."But some of Jackson's colleagues have denied they are paving the way for Trump's aggressive efforts to redo the federal government.FEDERAL APPEALS COURT WEIGHS TRUMP BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP ORDER AS ADMIN OUTLINES ENFORCEMENT DETAILS"The framers recognized, in a way that I think is brilliant, that preserving liberty requires separating the power," said Justice Brett Kavanaugh earlier this month at a Texas event. "No one person or group of people should have too much power in our system."And Justice Amy Coney Barrett told Fox News' Bret Baier three weeks ago that she and her colleagues "don't wear red and blue, we all wear black because judges are nonpartisan ... We're all trying to get it right. We're not playing for a team."Barrett, who is promoting her new book, "Listening to the Law," said her court takes a long-term view, and is not reflexively on Trump's side."We're not deciding cases just for today. And we're not deciding cases based on the president, as in the current occupant of the office," Barrett told Fox News. "I think the judiciary needs to stay in its lane ... we're taking each case and we're looking at the question of presidential power as it comes. And the cases that we decide today are going to matter, four presidencies from now, six presidencies from now."KAVANAUGH CITES 3 PRESIDENTS IN EXPLAINING SUPREME COURT'S BALLOONING EMERGENCY DOCKETThese sharp court fractures between competing ideologies will likely escalate, as the justices begin a more robust look at a president's power, and by dint, their own."He who saves his Country does not violate any Law," Trump cryptically posted on social media a month after retaking office.Federal courts have since been trying to navigate and articulate the limits of the executive branch, while managing their own powers.Yet several federal judges appointed by both Democratic and Republican presidents have expressed concern that the Supreme Court has been regularly overturning rulings by lower courts dealing with challenges to Trump administration policies mostly with little or no explanation in its decisions.Those judges who all requested anonymity to speak candidly tell Fox News those orders blocking enforcement have left the impression they are not doing their jobs or are biased against the President.TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TORPEDOES SCOTUS WITH EMERGENCY REQUESTS AND SEES SURPRISING SUCCESSThose frustrations have spilled into open court."Theyre leaving the circuit courts, the district courts out in limbo," said federal appeals Judge James Wynn about the high court, during oral arguments this month over the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) access to Social Security data."We're out here flailing," said Wynn, an Obama bench appointee. "I'm not criticizing the justices. They're using a vehicle thats there, but they are telling us nothing. They could easily just give us direction, and we would follow it."The president may be winning short-term victories in a court where he has appointed a third of its members, but that has not stopped him or his associates from criticizing federal judges, even calling for their removal from office when preliminary rulings have gone against the administration."This judge, like many of the Crooked Judges I am forced to appear before, should be IMPEACHED!!!" Trump posted on social media, after a March court ruling temporarily halting the deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members.The target of the attack was DC-based Chief Judge James Boasberg, appointed to the bench by President Obama.Top Trump White House policy advisor Stephen Miller, in interviews, has warned against some unaccountable and "communist crazy judges" "trying to subvert the presidency."TRUMP TURNS TO SUPREME COURT IN FIGHT TO OUST BIDEN-ERA CONSUMER SAFETY OFFICIALSAccording to an analysis by Stanford University's Adam Bonica, federal district judges ruled against the administration 94.3% of the time between May and June.But the Supreme Court has in turn reversed those injunctions more than 90% of the time, giving the president temporary authority to move ahead with his sweeping reform agenda.As for the rhetoric, the high court has walked a delicate path, reluctant to criticize Trump directly, at least for now."The fact that some of our public leaders are lawyers advocating or making statements challenging the rule of law tells me that, fundamentally, our law schools are failing," said Justice Sonia Sotomayor at a recent Georgetown University Law Center event, without naming Trump by name. "Once we lose our common norms, weve lost the rule of law completely."Chief Justice John Roberts in March offered a rare public statement criticizing impeachment calls from the right.But several federal judges who spoke to Fox News also wish Roberts would do more to assert his authority and to temper what one judge called "disturbing" rhetoric.The U.S. Marshals Service responsible for court security reports more than 500 threats against federal judges since last October, more than in previous years. Law enforcement sources say that includes Boasberg, who, along with his family, has received physical threats and intimidating social media posts.TURLEY: JUSTICE JACKSON SHOWS JUDICIAL ABANDON IN LONE DISSENT ON TRUMP LAYOFF RULING"I think it is a sign of a culture that has, where political discourse has soured beyond control," said Justice Barrett in recent days."The attacks are not random. They seem designed to intimidate those of us who serve in this critical capacity," said Justice Jackson in May. "The threats and harassment are attacks on our democracy, on our system of government."The administration in recent days asked Congress for $58 million more in security for executive branch officials and judges, following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist who led Turning Point USA.A Fox News poll from this summer found 47% of voters approve of the job the Supreme Court is doing, a 9-point jump since last year when a record low 38% approved."Over the past decade, public confidence in our major institutions has declined," says Republican pollster Daron Shaw, who helps conduct the Fox News survey with Democrat Chris Anderson. "The Courts rebound could reflect its attempts to steer a middle course on politically polarizing questions or indicate an uptick in positive attitudes toward our more venerable institutions."Still, by more than 2-to-1, more voters think the court is too conservative (43%) than too liberal in its decisions (18%, a low), while 36% think the courts rulings are about right. That continues a seven-year trend.FEDERAL JUDGES ANONYMOUSLY CRITICIZE SUPREME COURT FOR OVERTURNING DECISIONS WITH EMERGENCY RULINGSThe public's views of the court's ability to steer clear of politics will be tested this term.Besides the two Trump-related appeals, the justices are already scheduled to decide:But court watchers are pointing to several hot-button pending appeals where "stare decisis" or respect for established landmark court rulings will be tested: same-sex marriage and communal school prayer. The high court is expected to decide in coming weeks whether to put those petitions on its argument calendar, with possible rulings on the merits by June 2026.But other cases are already awaiting a final ruling:the use of race in redistricting under the Voting Rights Act; and independent government boards."I think the likeliest candidates for being revisited are the ones that involve the power of the president to fire the heads of federal agencies," said attorney Dupree. "This is an old precedent that's been on the books really back since the New Deal, and it's come into question in recent years. There's been a long shadow hanging over these decisions, and I think the Supreme Court is poised to revisit those this term and in all likelihood overrule that."The court may have already set the stage, by using the emergency docket in recent weeks to allow Trump to temporarily fire members of several other independent federal agencies without cause. The court's liberal wing complained that giving the president that power without explanation effectively unravels the 1935 precedent known as "Humphrey's Executor."KAVANAUGH CITES 3 PRESIDENTS IN EXPLAINING SUPREME COURT'S BALLOONING EMERGENCY DOCKET"Todays order favors the president over our precedent," said Justice Elena Kagan in a blistering dissent against Trump's removal of Gwynne Wilcox from the National Labor Relations Board.The court's "impatience to get on with things to now hand the President the most unitary, meaning also the most subservient, administration since Herbert Hoover (and maybe ever) must reveal how that eventual decision will go" on the merits, added Kagan.Sotomayor said recent overturned precedents were "really bad" for certain groups of people."And thats whats at risk, is in each time we change precedent, we are changing the contours of a right that people thought they had," she said this month. "Once you take that away, think of how much more is at risk later. Not just in this situation."The conservative justices in recent years have not been shy about revisiting cases that had been settled for decades but now have been overturned: the nationwide right to abortion, affirmative action in educationand the discretionary power of federal agencies.Other pending issues the justices may soon be forced to confront which could upset longstanding precedent include libel lawsuits from public officials, flag burning and Ten Commandments displays in public schools.One justice who has been more willing than his benchmates to overrule precedents may be its most influential: Justice Clarence Thomas."I dont think that any of these cases that have been decided are the gospel," Thomas said last week at a Catholic University event. If it is "totally stupid, and thats what theyve decided, you dont go along with it just because it's decided" already.

Utah students are standing firm in their faith, even as they voice concerns that it is under attack in America.Fox News Digital spoke with attendees at the Turning Point USA event at Utah State University last week about whether they feel faith is under fire and how TPUSA encourages them to boldly stand up for their values."It's incredibly sad what people, the extreme people, go to just based off religion and really this world is a fight between good and evil, between God and the devil," said Sam, citing the horrific shooting that took place at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Michigan on Sunday.Other recent church shootings include one in Minneapolis, Minn., at the Annunciation Catholic Church & School in August that left three dead. Another at Richmond Road Baptist Church in Lexington, Ky., left two women dead.UTAH STUDENTS REFUSE TO STAY SILENT AFTER CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION DESPITE SAFETY CONCERNS"I think faith is very much under attack," Jaycee said. "A lot of people are attacking Christians for the things they believe in and there's been a lot of shootings and things happening to people of faith."Utah State student Jax also cited the church shooting and said, "I definitely think [faith is] under attack right now."YOUNG CONSERVATIVES FEAR CAMPUSES UNSAFE AFTER CHARLIE KIRK KILLING, BUT VOW TO PRESS ONJacob, also a student, thinks religion is under attack, and believes Charlie Kirk was targeted for being outspoken about his faith."I absolutely do. That was the motive behind the killing of Charlie Kirk. And there's been, a few days ago, that Mormon church was shot up. And then you hear stories about the transgender shooter who shot up the Catholic school and stuff like that. It definitely is under attack," he told Fox News Digital."I'd definitely say the wicked, or getting wicked-er, just happens throughout time," said Nick, another student. "But I'd say in Utah it's a pretty safe place for the most part. And I feel like God has it under control."Although Gavin feels like faith is being targeted, he described witnessing a "revival.""I do feel like it's being attacked right now, but I feel like there is more of a revival than ever because of the events that have happened. More people are coming back to church, buying Bibles, praying. It's something that we need to take into account, but we also need to focus on how much it's been attacked as well," he said.Student Tyler shared an encouraging message that he rather believes faith is growing in the U.S."We're growing stronger as a community and a lot more of the community is turning to God, which is awesome to see," he said.TURNING POINT UTAH STOP MARKED BY RESILIENCE AND HEIGHTENED SECURITYThe students shared how TPUSA is providing encouragement in being bold in their values."Yeah," shared Jax. "I usually wouldn't come out to these things, but I just feel like, if they can do it, so can I."Madison shared she felt nervous after the murder of Charlie Kirk, but also emboldened."I was very nervous, but I mean, it also made me change my mind and think, you know, I can't just be scared. So here I am," she said."I've definitely been standing up for what I believe in, especially when it comes to my faith. I've been trying to do my best to spread the gospel, spreading what I believe in politically, religiously, and I believe that more people are going to be doing that as well," Gavin said.Sam said, "I think a great example of that was the Charlie Kirk Memorial in Arizona. I don't think I've ever seen or even heard about such a massively broadcasted event that was so focused on faith. It was amazing to speak to a speaker that talked about their Savior, Jesus Christ, and how that influences their life and it's just awesome to see that."

Eric Dane promised to "fight to the last breath" in his battle with ALS while talking with lawmakers in Washington, D.C. last week."ALS is the last thing they want to diagnose anybody with. So often, it takes all this time for these people to be diagnosed, well, then it precludes them from being a part of these clinical trials," the 52-year-old told Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., in a video the lawmaker posted to TikTok.The "Euphoria" star was at the Capitol to advocate for Congress reauthorizing the ACT for ALS law, which expands access to treatments and is set to expire next year, according to WJAR-TV.GREYS ANATOMY' ALUM ERIC DANE PREPARED TO GO TO EXTREME MEASURES TO FIGHT ALS"I have two daughters at home," he added. "I want to see them, you know, graduate college, and get married and maybe have grandkids, you know? I want to be there for all that. So, Im going to fight to the last breath on this one."The "Euphoria" star and wife Rebecca Gayheart share two daughters: Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13.Dane was also seen in a wheelchair leaving a D.C. airport last week.When asked by a photographer if he had a message for his fans, Dane said, "Keep the faith."Dane announced his ALS diagnosis, also known as Lou Gehrigs disease, in April.ERIC DANE WAS HOSPITALIZED AFTER ALS-RELATED FALL FORCED EMMY AWARDS ABSENCEALS is a "nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord," according to the Mayo Clinic.It causes loss of muscle control as well as breathing and eating problems andcan cause dementia.WATCH: ERIC DANE CELEBRATES THE WINS FOLLOWING ALS DIAGNOSISWhen he announced his diagnosis, Dane said, "I have beendiagnosed with ALS. I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter. I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to set ofEuphorianext week. I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time."Since then, he has opened up more about his condition, telling Diane Sawyer, "I dont think this is the end of my story. I dont feel like this is the end of me."CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERHe revealed in the interview that his daughter saved him when he was swimming in the ocean following his diagnosis and realized he could no longer stay afloat in the water."When I jumped in the ocean that day andrealized I couldn't swim[or] generate enough power to get myself back to the boat, I thought, 'Oh, God. And then I realized in that moment I'm not safe in the water anymore," he said.He elaborated: "I haveone functioning arm. My dominant side. My left side is functioning, my right side has completely stopped working. I feel like maybe a couple, few more months, and I won't have my left hand either. It's sobering."LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSHe also told Sawyer he was willing to go to extreme measures to treat his disease."I will fly to Germany and eat the head off a rattlesnake if [doctors] told me that that would help," he said. "I'll assume the risk."Gayheart told People last month that their family is taking his diagnosis "day by day.""We have some professional therapists who are helping us, and we're just trying to have some hope and do it with dignity, grace and love," she continued.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP"I mean, it's heartbreaking," she added. "My girls are really suffering, and we're just trying to get through it. It's a tough time."

College sports teams can unify their community on and off the field and one football team is doing just that by using its platform to spread faith to students.University of Pittsburgh football players delivered the gospel in front of nearly 600 people during a stirring Pitt for Jesus event on the universitys campus on September 18. Tight end Jake Overman and Pastor Jason Howard, who organized the function, discussed the event during an appearance on "Fox & Friends."CHARLIE KIRK SHIRTS SEEN IN PENN STATE FOOTBALL STADIUM AS HIS FAVORITE TEAM OREGON WINS THRILLING GAMEOverman expressed how important his teams voice is on campus, and the responsibility that comes with it. "I just think that as athletes, we have such a platform," he told "Fox & Friends" co-host Ainsley Earhardt."We said at the beginning of the event that as athletes we don't want this platform to build up our name. We want to build up the name [of] Jesus."During the event, 65 individuals made a commitment to Christ, 80 others were baptized, and 45 football players declared their faith.Howard stressed the need to introduce faith to younger Americans, and to give their lives greater meaning.BLUE-CITY PASTOR SEES SIGNS OF REVIVAL AFTER TENS OF THOUSANDS ATTEND CHRISTIAN CRUSADE"There is a hole inside everyone that only God can fill," he said. "Its like we need a personal relationship with Jesus. And I think that for a lot of years, that's been missing. And you know, you look for fulfillment in a lot of other places, but it really just doesn't meet the bill it doesn't satisfy."Overman went on to emphasize that student-athletes are more than just the sport they compete in, and that faith can deliver that higher meaning."There are many guys on the team who are following Jesus it's just such an example for the other kids on our team that, hey, follow us as we follow Jesus, and there's more to your story than just being a football player, more your story than just being a student-athlete. And its actually about being a son and a daughter of Jesus."FAITH REVIVAL FOLLOWS CHARLIE KIRK'S DEATH AS MORE PEOPLE ATTEND MASS AND READ THE BIBLEThe Pitt for Jesus event, which went viral on social media platforms, comes amid reports of rising student faith engagement across the country. Some experts are contributing the increase to the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, who was outspoken about his Christian beliefs.

A reported shooting at South Carolina State University dormitory prompted a campus-wide lockdown on Saturday night, the school said.The university wrote in a notice on its website that the campus entered a lockdown after "shots fired at Hugine Suites," a student residence hall on the Orangeburg, S.C., campus.No information about any injuries or a suspect was immediately provided.The State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) was asked to investigate, the university said.Fox News Digital reached out to SLED for any updates but did not immediately hear back.FBI INVESTIGATES COLLEGE SWATTING HOAXES TERRORIZING CAMPUSES ACROSS USAll homecoming events scheduled for Sunday have been canceled following the reported shooting, the university said.Those who are not current students were asked to refrain from trying to enter the campus.Residents of Hugine Suites were asked to "stay put," while residents who were not at the complex during the time of the shooting were asked to report to SmithHammondMiddleton Memorial Center.Students at other residence halls were asked to return to their rooms. Off-campus residents were asked to leave the campus.FLASHBACK: ACTIVE SHOOTER REPORTED ON THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINAS COLUMBIA CAMPUSSen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., said in a post on X that his office was keeping an eye on the situation on campus."My office is closely monitoring the situation at South Carolina State University," Scott wrote. "Praying for everyones safety on campus."Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., also responded to the reported shooting in a post on X."Praying for everyone at South Carolina State University tonight," Mace wrote. "Please stay safe and follow law enforcement instructions as they respond to reports of a shooting on campus. Our hearts are with the students, faculty, and families affected."

No economy is immune to layoffs, and with the increased implementation of artificial intelligence and the unprecedented adjustment of last year's employment numbers, it seems likely that we've entered a period where RIFs are common. Lufthansa Airlines announced its plan tocut 4,000 administrative jobs by 2030, and Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JPMorgan Chase, just said the worlds largest bank will be"fundamentally rewired"for the new AI era.These are two of many examples that represent massive, disruptive changes to our economy and our way of life. And while most of us will eventually be affected in one way or another, we don't have to flounder without hope. Whether youve already been let go or worry that you might be next, the key is to change the way you see yourself, making the prospect of transition less frightening and possibly even liberating.The core problem for many who lose their jobs is that they define themselves too narrowly, limiting their identity to a single role or industry. When layoffs hit, they feel boxed in and unable to pursue work beyond their last position. That often leaves them afraid, depressed and even victimized.WHITE HOUSE PREPARES FOR 'IMMINENT' FEDERAL LAYOFFS AFTER DEMOCRATS FORCE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWNWithout denying the challenge of being laid off, I'd encourage employees going through the process to take a more complete, insightful view of who they are and what they are meant to do. To do that, they need to see themselves in terms of the unique, transferable gifts they've been given, which can be applied to a wide variety of jobs in just about any industry.One of the best ways I know to identify those gifts is through the idea of "Working Genius." There are six types of work that show up in every job, in every industry:The truth is, none of us is good at all six. Every person in any industry has two types of work that give them energy and joy; this is where your Working Geniuses lie.JOBS THAT ARE MOST AT RISK FROM AI, ACCORDING TO MICROSOFTOn the other hand, everyone has two types that drain them and that they dont do well. We call those Working Frustrations.The remaining two types of work fall somewhere in the middle, neither particularly energizing nor draining. We call those Working Competencies.Here's a question that everyone going through a layoff needs to consider: How much harder will it be to find a job if you dont understand your geniuses and frustrations and if you dont realize those gifts arent tied to one role or one industry?CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONTo answer that question, let's consider an example. Lets say youre a computer programmer, and your company decides AI can do the bulk of your work. If you only see yourself as a programmer, your job hunt is going to feel desperate and discouraging because youll be competing with a flood of other programmers for fewer positions.But if you look instead at your natural, transferable geniuses, everything changes. Let's say that your geniuses are Invention and Tenacity. That means you enjoy developing novel ideas and then pursuing solutions diligently until they are finished.As you look for a job, you can now look far beyond programming and even technology, exploring a much broader spectrum of job opportunities that need someone with your geniuses. In doing this, youll realize that there are plenty of roles in a wide variety of industries that need someone like you, and that your prospects of success and job satisfaction will be much higher in a job that fits your talents.Ironically, you might find that your previous job didn't exactly allow you to use your geniuses. Many people get jobs in fields they studied in school, and many just fall into a job by circumstance. But intentionally pursuing a career that aligns better with their geniuses can lead to them realizing that getting laid off, as hard as it may have been, was exactly what they needed.Of course, no job is perfect. We all must do things that dont perfectly align with our strengths. But when we spend most of our time working in our geniuses, we find meaning and fulfillment. When we dont, we feel stuck.What we need is a paradigm shift, to move from thinking purely about our role and industry and instead focus on our God-given abilities. The world needs those gifts. And when you find a job that lets you use them, you might just look back and see the layoff not as a curse but as a blessing.

EXCLUSIVE: Much has changed in the political landscape since former Rep. Dave Brats upset win over then-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., though conservatives have repeatedly managed to gain ground over time.Democrats have been lambasted as of late for heated political rhetoric that has led whether directly or indirectly to death threats and attacks on Republicans and conservatives.Brat, now vice provost at Liberty University in Lynchburg, noted he was speaking for himself and discussed how the politics of "rage" made their way to Virginia in recent weeks.FOX NEWS POLITICS NEWSLETTER: HEGSETH REJECTS 'WOKE' POLICIESRecordings of former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic nominee for governor, telling crowds to "let your rage fuel you" have made the rounds amid already heightened political tensions following assassination attempts on President Donald Trump, Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and the murder of Charlie Kirk."I was on a radio show earlier this morning and Spanberger -- all political views are my own again -- gave out the secret sauce on the left: Let your rage out, right. That's her new line," Brat said, citing those remarks.Spanberger dismissed any contention that she is encouraging violence, telling Fox News Digital through a spokesperson that she will "continue to condemn comments that continue to make light of or justify violence of any kind full stop."Brat was unconvinced, adding that he has looked into "psychological underpinnings" of political movements including the nascent transgender rights issues that have been front-and-center in Virginia schools and public spaces."We (Republicans) believe in protecting the rights of all people. Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness for everybody. We're the ones where the Judeo-Christian West is the tradition. They gave you human rights in the 12th century all the way up through protections in our Constitution. So that's now what's at stake."WATCH: LAWMAKERS WRESTLE WITH HOW TO APPROACH HATEFUL POLITICAL RHETORIC IN WAKE OF KIRK ASSASSINATIONWithin the last week, multiple reports of death threats against Virginia lawmakers came to light.Del. Geary Higgins, R-Lovettsville, told Fox News Digital a man allegedly threatened to shoot him at his next rally in response to a defense of GOP gubernatorial nominee Winsome Earle-Sears after she was faced with racist signage at a protest.Del. Kim Taylor, R-Petersburg, faced a similar threat telling Fox News Digital a man allegedly threatened to kill her while claiming Republicans are ruining the country.Some on the left have harnessed such "rage" politics in their latest attempt to paint the Judeo-Christian right as the "judgmental, bad people" as they have in past elections, Brat said."When minority [groups] get to act like they're the majority and put these crazy sexual stuff in kindergarten textbooks. That's we're against. And then when the trans folks are out with quotes saying When we come alive and find out who we are, the emotions come out full force. And it ends up, you know, letting us, in a sense of rage -- and this is in quotes out on the web all over the place, a bunch of other emotions as well," Brat said.EXPERTS WARN LEFTIST CELEBRATIONS OF CHARLIE KIRK'S DEATH SIGNAL A DANGEROUS MAINSTREAM SHIFT IN POLITICS"And so, for the left to be using these folks as a political tool, for me, it's just obscene."The right, he said, is the actual political wing that created the "protection of minority rights."Similar public derision by conservatives is not new, and is something he had to deal with during his own time in office, Brat contended, when asked what has changed in the decade-plus since."What else has changed: Theres been a MAGA revolution," he said adding it was much different even on the right when he was in office and conservatives were out of vogue.WHO IS VIRGINIAS NEXT GLENN YOUNGKIN: HOW THE GOP WINS STATEWIDE AGAINBrat spoke about the friction he and the new crop of conservatives had with the proverbial "old guard" during their time, remarking that now-Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard then a Hawaii Democrat was one of few to even acknowledge them."We were backbenchers. Tulsi Gabbard would come back and hang out with us because we were fun," he quipped.Brat also clashed with top Republicans including anti-Trump then-Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa., the leader of the House Ethics Committee.Dent later denied Brats claim he wanted to kick the Freedom Caucus out of the GOP conference for not toeing the line.The Freedom Caucus, which included Brat, also played a pivotal role in ousting then-House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio a role for which the man Brat beat, Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., was seen as heir apparent.I'M A DEMOCRAT, AND CHARLIE KIRK'S MURDER MUST UNITE ALL AMERICANS AGAINST VIOLENCEWhile the caucus remains, currently under the leadership of Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland, the "MAGA Revolution" and Tesla CEO Elon Musks split from the Silicon Valley establishment have greatly affected body politic, Brat said.Those, he said, should be a boon to Earle-Sears and the Virginia GOP ticket."So nothing's really changed, its the same ingredients."Brat said the one condition of U.S. politics that has changed since his own win or Youngkins win has been events like the murder of Charlie Kirk, which also connects to the theme of rage in politics.Brat said that after 9/11, church attendance briefly rose and "nationalism kicked in" but faded quickly.Kirks murder and other recent threats against lawmakers are likely to stick longer in voters minds, Brat predicted. Kirks murder has also been linked by some to leftist "rage."Kirk combined faith with constitutional principles, Brat said, adding younger people are becoming educated in that way through people like the TPUSA leader."Charlie was all about faith and reason together in the university -- that's what a university is supposed to do is unite faith and reason," said Brat."If that comes to fruition right now, we could see some shockers in Virginia and New Jersey."

A grieving fathers anguished words in Washington have put a spotlight on a tragedy that many Americans say reflects their worst fears: a justice system that repeatedly frees dangerous repeat offenders until its too late.Stephen Federicos daughter, Logan, 22, was murdered in her sleep in May while staying overnight at a friends house in Columbia, South Carolina. Police say the suspect, Alexander Devonte Dickey, 30, broke into the home, shot Logan, and then went on a shopping spree with her stolen credit and debit cards.But what has shocked and outraged many is not only the brutality of the crime, but court documents revealing Dickeys 39 arrests, and 25 felony charges before Logans murder. Yet he had spent barely 600 days in jail over the past decade."He should have been in jail for over 140 years for all of the crimes he committed," Federico told Fox News Digital. "He was committing 2.65 crimes a year since he was 15 years old. But nobody could figure out that he couldnt be rehabilitated? Well, youd have to put him in prison to see if he could be rehabilitated. Isnt that the idea of prison?"SOUTH CAROLINA AG DEMANDS DEATH PENALTY AGAINST CAREER CRIMINAL CHARGED IN COLLEGE STUDENT'S MURDERStephen spoke at a Congressional hearing on Monday, held by the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance, focused on the growing issue of repeat offenders being let back onto the streets. The hearing was held in response to themurder of Ukrainian commuter Iryna Zarutska onboard a train in Charlotte, which sparked widespread outrage after it was revealed that her killer was also released numerous times before the stabbing."Think about your child coming home from a night out with their friends, lying down going to sleep, feeling somebody come into their room and wake them. Drag them out of bed, naked, force[ed] on her knees with her hands over her head, begging for her life," he said Monday, choking back tears.The hearing turned tense when Rep. Deborah Ross, D-N.C., mistakenly referred to a photo of Logan as the Ukrainian commuter, Zarutska, prompting Stephen to correct her sharply."This is my daughter Logan Federico," he said. "How dare you not know her!"Following the hearing, he told Fox News Digital that he hadnt expected his congressional testimony to become so emotional."Honestly, it went a little different direction than I thought it was going with certain members of the committee," he said. "I worked for days with my team developing what I really wanted to say and had some good stuff really written out. But when Ms. Ross kind of really set off a fire in me the whole complexity of my speech went totally ad lib, to nothing but the feeling of what I had in my heart and kind of the fury I had."Federico said he felt dismissed when Rep. Ross confused his daughter with another victim and appeared unfamiliar with either case."I really felt how unimportant both Logan and Iryna were to her. I thought it was really sad. Not only did she not know who Logan was, but she didnt do her homework, and she didnt even know what Iryna looked like. That changed everything."Now Federico says he is determined to turn his grief into action. He is calling for a federal "Logans Law" that would mandate communication between counties, force prosecutors to account for repeat offenders, and close loopholes that allow criminals like Dickey to slip back onto the streets."Im hoping for a federal Logans law or Logans Act, combined with a lot of different things. But if you start with it federally, it goes down to the state," he said. "Counties dont talk. You cant go in and arrest somebody and see that hes got 40 crimes in two states. They only look at the crime he committed at that time. They didnt do their homework."Federico said he has already received backing from South Carolina Rep. Russell Fry, who has pledged his support, and other members of Congress who offered to work with him on reforms.FURIOUS FATHER SLAMS 'SOFT ON CRIME' POLICIES AFTER DAUGHTER ALLEGEDLY KILLED BY REPEAT OFFENDER IN SCOn Tuesday, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson sent a letter to Fifth Circuit Solicitor Byron Gipson urging him to pursue capital punishment against Dickey.Wilson argued the case carries "clear statutory aggravating factors," including that the murder occurred during a burglary, and cited Dickeys criminal record spanning more than a decade."His past history, as well as his current violent crime charges show an appropriate candidate for the ultimate punishment," Wilson wrote in the Sept. 30 letter.Wilson also announced that his office has assigned Melody Brown, a senior attorney in the Attorney Generals Capital & Collateral Litigation Section, to the Fifth Circuit Solicitors Office to conduct a comprehensive review of the case.READ THE LETTER APP USERS, CLICK HEREThe attorney general gave Gipson until Oct. 10 to declare his intentions, warning that if the solicitor was "unable to proceed," the attorney generals office was prepared to take over. Gipson fired back in an Oct. 1 response, calling Wilsons deadline "reckless, irresponsible and unethical.""To make such a determination a mere four months into the case, without investing the due diligence necessary to conduct a thorough analysis of all facets of the evidence, would set a dangerous precedent," Gipson wrote.Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., pushed back on Friday, writing on X: "Heres the deal: the states top law enforcement officer and chief prosecutor CANNOT politicize a case. And by doing so, Alan Wilson forfeits the states right to pursue the death penalty in Logan Federicos case because of prejudice. Thats what hes done. Its unforgivable.""Logan and her family deserve justice," she said.Mace wrote a letter on Friday to Attorney General Pam Bondi and U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina Bryan Stirling asking for the Department of Justice to intervene and take over Federico's case.Fox News Digital reached out to Mace's office and the Department of Justice for comment.Federico emphasized that his family is not alone, and he plans to organize other families into a coalition demanding change."There are so many of us. There are so many parents hurting right now that were going to form a band, and were going to fight. Because we have to."GRIEVING DAD SLAMS LAWMAKERS FOR CRIME POLICIES THAT FREED DAUGHTER'S SUSPECTED CAREER CRIMINAL KILLERHe admitted that part of his drive comes from a sense of personal guilt."Nothing will change the fact that I think I failed her," Federico said. "But I think what Im doing now is helping maybe Logan will forgive me."Logan, who stood just 5'3" and weighed 115 pounds, was shot and killed in the off-campus housing near the University of South Carolina campus. Stephen pointed blame at a justice system that, in his eyes, failed his daughter and many others. For Federico, the fight is only beginning. He says his daughters death has awakened him to a mission larger than his own familys grief.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP"If we get to the bottom of why Alexander Dickey was out on the street, Im going to turn the state of South Carolina on its head," he vowed. "They have no idea whats coming their way."