Kentucky state Democratic Sen. Robin Webb, who represents Kentuckys rural 18th Senate district, is switching her party affiliation to Republican after she says the Democrat Party "left me.""First and foremost, Im a mother, a rancher and a lawyer with deep personal and professional roots in Kentuckys coal country," Webb explained. "As the Democratic Party continues its lurch to the left and its hyperfocus on policies that hurt workforce and economic development in my region, I no longer feel it represents my values."TARIFF POLICY IS MAKING IT 'HARDER' ON AMERICANS, DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR SAYS"It has become untenable and counterproductive to the best interests of my constituents for me to remain a Democrat."Webb was originally elected to the Kentucky State House after defeating Republican Ramona Gee in 1998.HOUSE REPUBLICAN ENTERS RACE FOR MITCH MCCONNELL'S SENATE SEAT, SETTING UP HIGH-STAKES GOP PRIMARYThis comes as a major blow to Kentucky Democrats, who have historically held a stronghold in rural regions of the state largely due to union workers and the coal industry.Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear told a local Louisville news outlet that he "would consider" a run as the Democratic nominee for president in 2028, and the newly elected Democratic governor and potential presidential candidate now faces an additional challenge to mobilize his state's party ahead of the 2026 midterms."Like countless other Kentuckians, [Webb] has recognized that the policies and objectives of todays Democratic Party are simply not what they once were, and do not align with the vast majority of Kentuckians," Republican Party of Kentucky Chairman Robert Benvenuti added.REPUBLICAN AGS VISIT US-MEXICO BORDER WALL AS TRUMP'S 'BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL' CLEARS EXPANSION FUNDING"I always respected that [Webb] approached issues in a very thoughtful and commonsense manner, and that she never failed to keenly focus on what was best for her constituents," Benvenuti added. "It is my pleasure to welcome Sen. Robin Webb to the Republican Party."Despite Beshear serving in the governor's office, the attorney general's office, secretary of state and both chambers of the state legislature have a Republican majority."While its clich, its true: I didnt leave the party the party left me," Webb said.Fox News Digital reached out to Governor Andy Beshear's office but did not receive a response.

The district attorney in New Orleans fired back at the local sheriff who sought his recusal from the investigation into a massive 10-man escape from the county's jail, escalating a two-week war of words between the two.After Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson, whose department runs the jail, filed a lawsuit seeking to bar Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams from investigating the jailbreak, Williams made clear his thoughts on the sheriff."After this jailbreak, jail leadership should have immediately requested an independent forensic processing of that scene," he said Thursday evening in a media release. "Its hard not to see this agency as anything but compromised until any bad actors have been identified and rooted out.""The Sheriffs Offices time and resources were clearly misspent this week, and once again, this office finds itself two steps behind the moment," the release continued.NEW ORLEANS DISTRICT ATTORNEY BLASTS SHERIFF OVER BOTCHED PRISON ESCAPE INVESTIGATION"We, along with our other law enforcement partners, will remain focused on the crisis at hand: recapturing every individual involved in this escape, understanding the systemic failures or individual actions that made it possible, and implementing meaningful corrective measures."Hutson filed a motion in a New Orleans court after what she called "ongoing attacks" on the sheriff's office in "an unprecedented display of political self-serving bias," according to ABC News.The sheriff noted that Williams is also backing her opponent in an upcoming reelection bid to remain the parish's top cop. Last week, Hutson suspended campaign operations to focus on the breakout.The matter was settled out of court on Thursday in a meeting with Orleans Parish Criminal Judge Nandi Campbell.Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill's office will continue to lead the investigation into how the men, including a four-time killer and a serial escapee, broke out of their cell and hopped the jail's barbed-wire fence to freedom on May 16."I will continue to conduct an independent investigation into how the ten violent inmates escaped from the Orleans Justice Center on Friday, May 16," Murrill said in an X post on Thursday night, adding that she will provide recommendations to relevant government entities to ensure such an escape never occurs again.Friday marks two weeks since 10 inmates escaped from the Orleans Parish Justice Center in New Orleans. Two inmates, including a four-time convicted killer, are still on the loose after the jailbreak.LOUISIANA AG CONFIDENT REMAINING JAILBREAK FUGITIVES WILL BE RECAPTURED AFTER OFFICIALS MAKE 14TH ARRESTDerrick Groves was convicted in October of a double-homicide stemming from a shooting during Mardi Gras in 2018. After his conviction, he pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter in unrelated cases and was scheduled to be sentenced in July. He was being held in the jail until his sentencing.Antoine Massey, a four-time escapee known locally for consistently evading law enforcement, also remains free.On Thursday, Crime Stoppers and the FBI both increased their rewards for information leading to the arrests of the pair. Each man now has a $50,000 bounty on his head.The eight other escapees have been caught as local, state and federal law enforcement continue to pour resources into ending the manhunt for good.Fourteen people have been arrested for assisting the escapees either before or after they broke out.Fox News Digital reached out to the offices of Hutson, Williams, Murrill and the New Orleans Criminal District Court for comment.

Fox News embedded exclusively with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the greater Boston area this week, when agents were carrying out the arrests of hundreds of egregious criminal migrants in what the agency said is the largest operation it has undertaken since President Donald Trump returned to office.The sweeping operation, called "Patriot," is expected to hit 1,500 arrests and is targeting immigrants like a Salvadoran illegal immigrant convicted ofchild rapewho went to prison and was deported in 2017. He was nabbed by ICE living rightnext to a childrens playground.ICE also swooped on another illegal migrant who is on El Salvadors most wanted list and has an Interpol Red Notice foraggravated murder, aggravated kidnapping and robbery.TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SETS NEW GOAL OF 3,000 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ARRESTS DAILYBoth arrests were captured exclusively on camera by Fox News.ICE deployed 19 teams across Massachusetts this week, and the agency brought in ICE teams from other parts of the country to assist.It is in direct response to Massachusetts and Bostons sanctuary policies, where officials do not fully enforce or assist with federal immigration laws, as border czar Tom Homan has promised to surge ICE to these areas.Fox News is told that about 70% of the arrests are criminals with convictions or pending charges.ICE TOUTS RECORD-BREAKING IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT DURING TRUMP'S FIRST 100 DAYSPatricia Hyde, the head of ICE Boston, said it is not uncommon to see immigrants convicted of child rape roaming public streets close to where children play."It's not unusual. Due to the open border policies, we are finding that plenty of people who have been previously deported and committed heinous crimes and were removed from the country are now back here, just living among us," Hyde said. "And now that's our job to go round them up."Fox News alsojoined ICE as they arrested a Colombian illegal immigrant facing pending charges for sexual assault of a child, as well as a Dominican illegal immigrant with a drug trafficking conviction who is now facing local charges for fentanyl distribution.Meanwhile, other arrests included a Guatemalan illegal immigrant who's facing charges in Massachusetts for aggravated child rape but was released from state custody. They also arrested a Honduran immigrant who is facing local charges for rape and was also released from local custody.ICE Boston told Fox News that local ICE activists have been interfering in their operations.For instance, on Thursday, activists tried to grab onto an immigrant who had been handcuffed by ICE. In another incident, agents were stalking out an immigrant murderer's home, and a crowd gathered and blew their cover.Hyde said sanctuary jurisdictions are starting to escalate against ICE."I think the lack of cooperation is getting worse and worse, and its putting law enforcement lives in danger," Hyde said.Hyde said that ICE agents will continue to round up dangerous criminal illegal migrants, despite pushback from local lawmakers and activists. "We're not going away. It might take us longer. It might be harder, but we're not going away, we're here," Hyde said. "We know what the American people voted for. We understand that we work for the American people and we're going to be here until we send everyone home."

The FBI is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the re-capture of a former Arkansas police chief serving time for murder and rape dubbed "the Devil in the Ozarks" who escaped on the afternoon of May 25.Former Gateway Police Department Chief Grant Hardin, 56, escaped from the North Central Unit, a medium-security prison, that Sunday afternoon in Calico Rock, according to the Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADC).The FBI said Hardin has ties to Garfield, Eureka Springs, Holiday Island and Huntsville."The FBI's Little Rock Field Office is assisting the U.S. Marshal Service, the Arkansas Department of Corrections, and the Arkansas State Police with the search for and apprehension of Grant Matthew Hardin," reads an FBI wanted poster.TEXAS ESCAPED INMATE CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS AFTER PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL BREAKFormer FBI agent Rob D'Amico told "Fox & Friends" Friday morning that Hardin's past as a police chief may give him a unique advantage on the run."I think it makes it a lot more challenging. He knows how they do it. He knows what they look for, he knows how they follow leads. He knows how they do surveillance," D'Amico said.DEVIL IN THE OZARKS WHO ESCAPED PRISON LIKELY STILL IN ARKANSAS AREA: OFFICIALSThe former FBI agent noted that there are likely many unmanned, unlocked cabins and sheds in wooded areas around Stone County, which is located East of the Ozark Mountains.ADC Communications Director Rand Champion said during a Wednesday news conference that authorities are fairly confident in the route they believe Hardin took when he escaped prison and his current location in the region.MANHUNT UNDERWAY AFTER DISGRACED FORMER POLICE CHIEF CONVICTED OF MURDER, RAPE ESCAPES ARKANSAS PRISON"Based on the information that we have and the experience of our teams, they feel fairly confident that he is still fairly close to this region," Champion said, noting that "all it takes is one vehicle" for Hardin to use to travel elsewhere, though officials have established a perimeter around the area of Stone County."As of this time, they are still very confident that he is in the area," Champion said.MASSIVE JAIL BREAK IN NEW ORLEANS 'IMPOSSIBLE' WITHOUT STAFF INVOLVEMENT, SAYS EX-FBI FUGITIVE HUNTERChampion said the public should assume Hardin is "a very dangerous individual," and there is a risk he may commit more crimes while he is on the run.It took less than 30 minutes for prison officials to notice that Hardin had disappeared from prison. Photos that the Stone County Sheriff's Office posted to social media show Hardin wearing an ADC-style uniform during his escape through a sally port, though Champion said the uniform he was wearing was not an official uniform.LOUISIANA AG CONFIDENT REMAINING JAILBREAK FUGITIVES WILL BE CAPTURED AFTER OFFICIALS MAKE 14TH ARRESTHardin was sentenced to 30 years for murder plus additional time for rape.He pleaded guilty to the 2017 murder of James Appleton, 59, a city water employee who was found shot in the face inside his work truck, KNWA reported. While Hardin was being booked into the state prison around that time, officials submitted his DNA sample into a database. His DNA ended up linking him to the rape cold case of a teacher in 1997, the outlet reported.Hardin ended up pleading guilty in that case in 2019, according to KNWA.The former police chief's escape came two days after 10 prisoners escaped a correctional facility in New Orleans, eight of whom have since been re-captured while two remain at large.Hardin is described as a 6 ft. white male, weighing approximately 259 pounds. The FBI is asking tipsters to call 1-800-CALL-FBI with any information concerning the escapee.Fox News' Stepheny Price and Louis Casiano contributed to this report.

Former President Joe Biden honored fallen service members and Gold Star families Friday at a Memorial Day service in Delaware, marking his first public remarks since announcing he was diagnosed with prostate cancer."We come together and remember the debt we owe to the American military," Biden said at the event, sponsored by the Delaware Commission of Veteran Affairs."The military is a solid spine, the spine of our nation," Biden said. "Our troops, our veterans, our military families, and our Gold Star families in particular. Only around 1% of all Americans defend 99% of us 1%. Just 1% of Americans risk the ultimate sacrifice. We owe them so much more than we can ever repay them."BIDEN SPEAKS OUT FOR FIRST TIME SINCE CANCER DIAGNOSISA Gold Star family is the immediate family of service members who died while serving in the line of duty.For the Biden family, the day is deeply personal as May 30 marks 10 years since Bidens son Beau died of brain cancer. Beau Biden served in the Delaware Army National Guard for more than 10 years, completing a tour in Iraq where he earned the Bronze Star for his service, and became the states attorney general before his death.Biden said that his sons proudest moment was wearing his uniform and said appearing at the event eased the pain of the loss of his son. He also offered some words of encouragement to others suffering loss as well.POLITICAL WORLD REACTS TO FORMER PRESIDENT BIDEN'S 'AGGRESSIVE' CANCER DIAGNOSIS: 'INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT'"Everyone who came here today to grieve, who was grieving in your heart, please know you're not alone," Biden said. "You'll never be alone. And your loved one will never be forgotten. Period."Biden said that Beau Bidens son, Hunter, 19, was present at the event, while he reminisced about attending the exact same Memorial Day event as a senator with Beau Biden around the same age.OBAMA REACTS TO BIDEN DIAGNOSIS: 'NOBODY HAS DONE MORE TO FIND BREAKTHROUGH TREATMENTS FOR CANCER...THAN JOE'The former president also said that politics has become divided but that the sacrifices of those in the military to defend democracy should unite everyone."Our troops don't wear a uniform that says I'm a Democrat or a Republican, says I'm an American," Biden said. "I'm an American. That's who I am."Biden announced May 18 that he had been diagnosed with an "aggressive form" of prostate cancer. The former president's office later said he had never received a prostate cancer diagnosis. The announcement came amid heightened scrutiny about Biden's mental fitness for office, following the publication of multiple books this year chronicling the deterioration of Biden's mental faculties.Likewise, leaked audio recordings of Biden's October 2023 interview with former special counsel Robert Hur were released in May, showing that Biden struggled to not slur his words and even appeared to forget the year his son died.

"It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future," Americas philosopher laureate Yogi Berraonce said. Wise counsel, but its difficult to see how Harvard wins its war of wills with President Donald Trump.The oldest and most hallowed university in the country decided to fight Trump after he made a series of demands in April, most of which were reasonable. The reasons why they are fighting arent crystal clear, but they are discernable.One could be sheer hubris. Harvard is Harvard; it thinks Trump a rube and cannot give in to him. In that case, its fate is sealed. Hubris comes before fall.TRUMP RAMPS UP HEAT ON HARVARD: HERE ARE 5 REASONS FROM THE UNIVERSITY'S OWN INVESTIGATIONIt could also be that Harvards dons, and especially its president, Alan Garber, had had just about enough of being a punching bag for students. They knew that fighting a president who is disdained by students and its very leftist professoriate alike would win it accolades from both.It did at this years graduation on May 29. The New York Times gleefully reported that "The mood at Harvards graduation ceremony is vastly different from the scene at last years, where the universitys leadership was frequently booed and hundredswalked out in protestover the universitys handling of Gaza protests. This year, Alan Garber, the school president, has received multiple standing ovations."But that also could be very short-sighted. Argentine military dictator General Leopoldo Galtieri also received the almost unanimous adulation of his countrymen when he invaded the Falkland Islands in 1982. Then when British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher took the islands back in a very short war, the national mood turned very ugly, and Galtieri was overthrown.Trumps and Harvards war of words started witha letterthe administration sent the university back on April 11, outlining 10 demands.TRUMP FROZE FUNDING FOR HARVARD. MONEY TO THESE UNIVERSITIES MAY ALSO BE ON THE CHOPPING BLOCKThe administration, for example, asked that Harvard make "meaningful governance reform." It also requested that it institute merit-based hiring, giving it an August deadline to "cease all preferences based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin throughout its hiring, promotion, compensation, and related practices among faculty, staff, and leadership."In other words, the administration asked Harvard to abide by the law.It also said the university had to reform international admissions so as to exclude "students hostile to the American values and institutions." Again, common sense. Why would a university admit foreign students who hate Americans and their values?TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S EFFORTS TO DEFUND HARVARD DIVIDES CONSERVATIVESSome civil libertarians may have more trouble with the demand for Harvard to audit "the student body, faculty, staff, and leadership for viewpoint diversity." But Harvard is precisely in its current pickle because for years it has hired only liberal professors, producing theideological imbalancewe have now in the faculty lounge.And nobody could argue with such administration demands as auditing programs and departments "that most fuel antisemitic harassment," or discontinuing diversity, equity and inclusion "programs, offices, committees, positions, and initiatives."But Harvard did argue. On April 14, Garber fired back by writinga messageto Harvards stakeholders refusing all the demands. "No governmentregardless of which party is in powershould dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue," he wrote.That very evening, Trump responded by freezing $2.2 billion in multi-year grants. And he hasnt stopped.WHITE HOUSE SLAMS IVY LEAGUE INSTITUTIONS FOR 'EGREGIOUS ILLEGAL BEHAVIOR' AMID TRUMP FEUD WITH HARVARDSince then, Trumps Department of Homeland Security moved on May 22 to revoke Harvards ability to enroll foreign students. Harvard Professor Kirsten Weld called it "an extinction-level event," and it is easy to see why.Foreign students account for almost 7,000 of Harvards students or 27% of the student body in 2024-2025. But the cost of tuition would be even higher. Foreign students, unlike American ones, tend to pay full freight. The hit to tuition could be as high as 40%.Again, Harvard has a tough case to make. DHS saysHarvardhas allowed "anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators" to make campus unsafe for Jews on campus.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONBut Trump has kept punching. He has threatened to revoke Harvards tax-exempt status and threatened to cancelallfederal contracts with Harvard around $100 million. Obviously, Trump has many arrows in his quiver, and even Harvards gargantuan $50 billion endowment could be threatened.In an interview with the BBC recently, a reporter asked me why Trump was pursuing his crusade with Harvard. Doesnt he have bigger things to do, like the economy and foreign policy?I answered her that Trump may not have read much cultural Marxism, but he understands that this woke mind virus started at our universities, and at the highest level. American taxpayers kept sending money to universities because they thought they were centers where culture would be transmitted to future generations. Instead, cultural Marxists used them as venues to kill the culture.His fight with Harvard is a crusade, all right. And like all crusades, this one is about narrative.Or, in Yogis immortal words, "It ain't over till it's over."CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM MIKE GONZALEZ

The legal team representing a Wisconsin judge accused of helping a man evade immigration authorities recently expanded their motion to dismiss the case.Judge Hannah Dugans attorneys say that she is entitled to judicial immunity for her official acts and that the federal government overstepped its authority by arresting and charging her. Additionally, the legal team asserts in its memo that the charges violate the Constitutions Tenth Amendment and the principle of separation of powers.They further argue that Dugan can be charged for conduct that is "wholly unrelated" to her duties as a judge, such as taking bribes or violating someones constitutional rights. Dugan is not accused of doing either of those things in this case."The indictment itself is an ugly innovation. Its dismissal will not be," Dugans attorneys write in the memo.MILWAUKEE JUDGE HANNAH DUGAN ENTERS NOT GUILTY PLEA IN FEDERAL COURTThe Wisconsin judge is accused of helping illegal immigrant Eduardo Flores-Ruiz evade plainclothes ICE agents who were allegedly attempting to serve him a warrant.A federal indictment claims Dugan "falsely" told the agents that they needed a judicial warrant and directed them to go to the chief judges office. Dugan then addressed the case off the record instead of holding the scheduled hearing. Flores-Ruiz faces three misdemeanor battery charges. Despite Dugans efforts, Flores-Ruiz was arrested.NEW FOOTAGE SHOWS MILWAUKEE JUDGE CONFRONTING ICE BEFORE ALLEGEDLY HELPING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT EXITThe Department of Homeland Security celebrated Flores-Ruiz's arrest and slammed "activist judges" who, in the department's view, have attempted to obstruct President Donald Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration."Since President Trump was inaugurated, activist judges have tried to obstruct President Trump and the American peoples mandate to make America safe and secure our homeland but this judges actions to shield an accused violent criminal illegal alien from justice is shocking and shameful," Assistant Secretary Dept. of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement.MILWAUKEE JUDGE INDICTED FOR HELPING IMMIGRANT EVADE ICE FACES UP TO 6 YEARS IN PRISONFootage released last week appears to show Dugan interacting with the ICE agents in a hallway before allegedly escorting Flores-Ruiz and his attorney out a private exit.On May 13, a grand jury indicted Dugan on federal charges of concealing a person from arrest and obstruction of justice. Dugan pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to go to trial in July. If found guilty of both charges, she could face up to six years in prison and $350,000 in fines.Fox News Digitals Greg Norman and Audrey Conklin contributed to this report.Mastantuono, Coffee & Thomas, the law firm representing Dugan, did not respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment in time for publication.

CNN host Jake Tapper blasted the Democratic Party last Thursday after a pair of "left-leaning" podcast hosts made fun of his teenage son for wanting to be a police officer, saying, "This is why you f---kers are losing elections."Tapper and his "Original Sin" co-author Alex Thompson were asked about the Democratic Party having a problem reaching young men on NYU Professor Scott Galloways podcast "The Prof G Pod" and Tapper gave the example of how the liberal podcasters spoke about his son."I went on a left-leaning podcast, that shall remain nameless, and we were talking about my kids and they asked me about my son and I said hes a football player, and he wants to be a policeman and their joke was, Oh, how does he feel about minorities?" Tapper said."Like, the idea that he wants to be a policeman therefore, hes racist this is why you f---kers are losing elections," Tapper added.I'M A YOUNG DEMOCRAT AND I'VE GOT TO ADMIT MY PARTY IS LOSING 2025 WHILE LOOKING AT 2028"My football-playing son, who has no political views - he's 15, he thinks about World War II, and gaming and playing linebacker, that's his world - you're deciding he's a racist because he wants to be a cop."And why does he want to be a cop? He wants to be a cop because he wants to help people, you know, and he thinks that's the best way he can help people," Jake Tapper said. "And that's how the Democratic Party talks to men, not just White men, but men.""They thought Tim Walz could translate the Democratic Party values because he hunts and fishes and drinks a beer I find it just insane," he added. "The Democratic Party has no way of communicating with [my son], they have no entre into his world."President Donald Trump made significant gains among young voters in the 2024 election. Trump ran up the score with his base while narrowing traditional Democratic advantages among Black, Hispanic, and young voters.CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTUREThe show Tapper declined to name is the "How Long Gone" podcast hosted by Chris Black and Jason Stewart which he appeared on in April. When the conversation on that program turned towards the Democratic Partys struggles and appealing to young men, Tapper broached the subject of his own son, which earned the scorn of the hosts.When Tapper told them of his son's interest in being a police officer, the "How Long Gone" hosts broke out in laughter."Like, he thinks theyre cool? I dont understand, what about a cop?" Black asked incredulously."How does he feel about minorities?" Stewart chimed in.The two hosts responded to Tappers latest comments on their podcast Monday, calling the CNN host a "flip-flopper" and Stewarts remark a "really funny f---king joke.""I think this is pretty funny and ridiculous Jakes got a book to sell, baby, and thats the part I respect. Him choosing, willfully, to take a joke wrong, that he definitely knew what it was in the moment, I would say is only a pro move," Black said. "He spun it for his own gain, and its working."

An investigation by theDepartment of Educations Office for Civil Rights (OCR) into two New York state agencies has found that both violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act over a ban on Native American-inspired mascots and logos an issue thrust into the national spotlight because of one Long Island school district.The Department of Education released a press release of its findings on Friday, just a month afterfirst launching the probe into the New York Department of Education and the New York State Board of Regents. "The Trump Administration will not stand idly by as state leaders attempt to eliminate the history and culture of Native American tribes," U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, who visited Massapequa High School on Friday, said.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM"Rather than focus on learning outcomes, the New York Department of Education and Board of Regents has set its sights on erasing Massapequas history while turning a blind eye to other districts mascots that are derived from or connected to other racial or ethnic groups. We will stand with the people of Massapequa until commonsense is restored and justice is served, and until New York comes into compliance with federal law."The investigation was brought about when the Native American Guardians Association (NAGA) filed a complaint in April after claiming that the state agencies forced Massapequa School District, home ofthe Chiefs, to retire its mascot."The Native American Guardians Association stands firm in asserting that the preservation of Native themes and imagery in New York public schools is not only a matter of cultural dignity but a fundamental civil right for all students. We call on federal and state leaders to help us defend these dwindling expressions or our presence and contributions," Vice President of NAGA Frank Blackcloud said in a statement at the time.TRUMP RIPS 'RIDICULOUS' CALLS FOR NEW YORK HIGH SCHOOL TO CHANGE NATIVE AMERICAN MASCOT"Maintaining a respectable presence in NY State schools is vital to educational equity, historical truth, and the civil rights of all American Indians."The Department of Education also found that while Native American-inspired mascots, names and logos were not permitted under the policy, others that "appear to have been derived from other racial or ethnic groups" were, making the policy "discriminatory."The district sued the state in September, claiming its First Amendment rights were violated, but a federal judge ruled against it. Rebranding, including changing the name and logo, would cost roughly $1 million, district officials claimed.President Donald Trump became aware of the issue last month and encouraged the Department of Education to look into the ban, which he called "an affront to our great Indian population."The 2022 mandate requires all public schools to retire Native American mascots and logos or risk the loss of federal funding. Four schools on Long Island have since filed lawsuits.The Department of Education announced Friday as part of its investigation that proposed resolution to the violations includes rescinding the ban on "Indigenous names, mascots, and logos," issuing a memorandum to public schools informing them of the changes, and issuing apology letters to Indigenous tribes acknowledging that the actions of the two agencies "silenced the voices of Native Americans and attempted to erase Native American history."The Department of Education said failure to comply with the resolution plan risks further action by the Department of Justice and the potential loss of federal funding.Fox News Digitals Ryan Gaydos and Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X, and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

A Florida man was shot after pointing a "BB gun that resembled a realistic-looking rifle" at officers in the Orlando area, police said.Matthew Wagner, 20, was hit with gunfire midday Thursday in Kissimmee when police responded to a "911 call for a man armed with a rifle" near a shopping center, according to Chief Charles Broadway."Upon arriving on scene, our officers encountered an individual holding a rifle. Our officers gave several verbal commands and warnings to put the rifle down," Broadway said."The subject then pointed this rifle at the officers and at that time, the officers were forced to shoot the subject to defend themselves and others in the area. The officers immediately started to render aid until EMS arrived to transport the subject to a local hospital," he added.FLORIDA DEPUTY KILLED IN SHOOTOUT OUTSIDE DOLLAR GENERAL STOREBroadway said Wagner is in stable condition following the shooting.The three police officers involved have now been placed on administrative leave while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney's Office are reviewing the incident."Right now, we do not have a motive and do not know why the individual pointed the rifle at our officers, but Im thankful that none of our officers were injured and I want to acknowledge the quick actions of our officers who responded under such a high-pressure circumstance," Broadway continued.TORONTO MAN PLEADS GUILTY AFTER WILD AIRPORT ASSAULT ON TSA AGENTS IN MIAMI WAS CAUGHT ON VIDEO"An early review of the evidence found the rifle to be a BB gun that resembled a realistic-looking rifle," he also said.Its unclear if Wagner will face charges."I [saw] a young man with a gun in his hand and he looked like he was looking up at the trees," witness Dexter Brown told Fox35 Orlando. "He was walking very slow... like he was hunting for birds or squirrels or whatever. I don't know what it was."The station reported that the BB rifle is a Daisy Christmas Wish Red Ryder.