FIRST ON FOX: House Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., is taking aim at Georgia's senior senator in a new ad highlighting the vulnerable Democrat's stance on transgender student athletes.Carter, who is running for Senate, is releasing a 30-second advertisement titled, "Ossoff Fan," which features a purported transgender woman complaining about Carter's own Republican stances. It opens by showing a transgender woman, played by a stubble-chinned biological male wearing a wig and a dress, sitting in a living room beside a dumbbell watching Carter on Fox News."He's been MAGA from the beginning," the person says on the phone. "He's been loyal to Trump, defended him during impeachment."The person on the other line says, "And Buddy helped Trump at the border with deportations."HOUSE GOP TARGETS ANOTHER DEM OFFICIAL ACCUSED OF BLOCKING ICE AMID DELANEY HALL FALLOUTThe transgender person picks up a trophy and says, "And preventing people like me from competing in women's sports. Buddy Carter even believes there's only two genders.""Now Buddy wants to help Trump in the Senate and beat Jon Ossoff," the individual says. "It's just not fair." Meanwhile, the voice on the phone quips, "After all Ossoff has done for us!"The ad ends with the transgender person picking up a sign with pink lettering that says, "Ossoff for Senate," putting on a pair of wedge sandals, and stomping to their car.The short but punchy advertisement signals that Republicans still believe the debate surrounding transgender inclusion is a potent issue for turning out voters in favor of the GOP. It proved to be a key issue in the 2024 general election, with moderate Democrats spending weeks after the fact decrying their own party's intolerance to differing views.Ossoff is a first-term lawmaker who was the first Democrat to win a Senate seat in the Peach State in roughly two decades. Republicans now view Ossoffs seat as one of the most viable flip opportunities in the upcoming 2026 midterm cycle, when the GOP hopes to keep and expand upon its thin majority in the upper chamber.Carter was the first Republican to jump into the contest after Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who was considered a heavy favorite to run against Ossoff, opted to forgo a Senate bid. Georgia Insurance Commissioner John King is also running in the race as a Republican.Ossoff joined with all other Democratic senators to filibuster the bill from Sens. Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt, both Alabama Republicans, in March, effectively killing the legislation after it advanced out of the House earlier this year.Their bill, called the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, is designed to bar transgender athletes from participating in federally funded school athletics at all levels, from elementary school to college.It would amend Title IX to make it a violation for any school athletic program that receives federal funding to allow a biological male to participate in sports or activities that are meant for women or girls, and defines a persons sex by their reproductive biology and genetics at birth.MEET THE TRUMP-PICKED LAWMAKERS GIVING SPEAKER JOHNSON A FULL HOUSE GOP CONFERENCEThe measure is similar to anexecutive order from President Donald Trump in February that argued that the participation of biological men in women's and girls' sports was "demeaning, unfair, and dangerous to women and girls, and denies women and girls the equal opportunity to participate and excel in competitive sports."The Carter campaigns ad is also not the first time in the early days of the looming midterm cycle that the vulnerable senator has been targeted for his vote against the measure.One Nation, a nonprofit advocacy group closely aligned with Senate Republican leadership,ran an ad last month that accused Ossoff of "running point for the radical left" with his vote to block the men in womens sports bill.Fox News Digital reached out to Ossoff's campaign for comment on Carter's ad but did not hear back by press time.

Chicago was plagued by violence over Memorial Day weekend when 22 people were shot, including two fatally, ABC7 reported.One fatal shooting reportedly occurred when an argument erupted inside a vehicle on the city's Northwest Side in the Logan Square neighborhood on Saturday afternoon. The 35-year-old victim was attempting to exit the vehicle when he was shot and killed by someone else inside the vehicle.The shooter then fled the scene and remains at large.CHICAGO, MY HOMETOWN, KEEPS WINNING IN ONE SHAMEFUL WAYThe second fatal shooting took place in the same area of the city, also on Saturday afternoon, according to the report. A 46-year-old man on the Northwest Side was shot in the head while inside his vehicle near Humboldt Park. The vehicle then crashed into another car and a pole.The victim was transported to the hospital and later pronounced dead. The suspect in that shooting also remains at large.Two other people were also shot near a Humboldt Park homeless encampment, and one was critically injured. The shooter remains unidentified.On the city's South Side, two people were sitting inside their home when they were shot. The assailant in that incident also fled the scene and remains at large.CHICAGO DUBBED AMERICA'S MURDER CAPITAL AS DEMOCRAT LEADERS 'DEMONIZE' POLICE, SPLURGE ON MIGRANTS: ALDERMANAccording to the Chicago Tribune, which keeps a running tally of the number of homicides in the city each year, 139 people have been slain in the troubled city so far in 2025. The same outlet reported that 573 people were killed in Chicago in 2024.Last week, two Venezuelans living illegally in Chicago were arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in connection with a deadly mass shooting.Ricardo Granadillo Padilla, 25, and Edward Martinez Cermeno, 24, suspected members of the violent Tren de Aragua (TdA) street gang, were taken into custody by federal law enforcement for allegedly killing three and wounding five others after opening fire during a December house party.More than a dozen suspected TdA members were also arrested as part of the investigation into the shooting.Fox News Digital reached out to the Chicago mayor's office and the Chicago Police Department.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected President Donald Trumps push to have the next round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks at the Vatican an idea the president has floated since the newly appointed American pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, suggested it earlier this month.Special Envoy Keith Kellogg confirmed the news while speaking on "Fox & Friends" Tuesday morning when he said, "The Russians didnt want to go there" and suggested that instead the talks could next be held in Geneva.Though it remains unclear when another round of talks will be held as Russia has yet to agree to the U.S.s peace proposal and its foreign ministry on Tuesday claimed it was still working on its memorandum of terms.GOP LAWMAKER BLASTS 'DUMB' TRUMP COMMENT ON ZELENSKYY DESPITE 'PERFECT' CRITICISM OF PUTINUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of "playing games" as it continues to bombard Ukrainian cities with massive drone strikes, including a Sunday attack in which Russia launched 335 drones and nine cruise missiles at civilian targets.The attack prompted Trump to condemn Putin as "crazy" in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social."I've always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him," Trumpsaid Sunday. "He has gone absolutely CRAZY!He is needlessly killing a lot of people, and I'm not just talking about soldiers. Missiles and drones are being shot into cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever," he added.RUSSIA, UKRAINE SWAP HUNDREDS OF PRISONERS HOURS AFTER MOSCOW LAUNCHES MASSIVE AERIAL ASSAULTTrump took it one step further and warned Putin that should he attempt to take "all of Ukraineit will lead to the downfall of Russia."The Kremlin clapped back at Trump and accused him of being "emotional."When asked about the presidents comments, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, "We are really grateful to the Americans and to President Trump personally for their assistance in organizing and launching this negotiation process."This is a very crucial moment, which is associated, of course, with the emotional overload of everyone absolutely and with emotional reactions," he added, according to a Reuters report.But Trump didnt limit his verbal attack to Putin in his social media post and claimed Zelenskyy was "doing his country no favors by talking the way he does.""Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I dont like it, and it better stop," he added, though it is unclear what Zelenskyy said that prompted this reaction.

More than six months after the Democratic Party suffered major setbacks in the 2024 elections, the party is seeking a path to escape the political wilderness.Part of that effort includes a recent gathering by top party consultants and donors trying to figure out how Democrats can improve outreach to male and working-class voters.President Donald Trump won back control of the White House while Republicans flipped the Senate and defended their fragile House majority in November, and the GOP made gains among Black and Hispanic voters, as well as younger voters all traditional members of the Democratic Party's base."Everything we've done up to this point has resulted in re-electing Donald Trump," longtime Democratic strategist and communicator Joe Caiazzo told Fox News Digital.OPINION: WHAT DEMOCRATS NEED TO DO TO WIN AGAIN"If anyone tells you that we don't have to course correct, they don't know what they're talking about," added Caiazzo, a veteran of Sen. Bernie Sanders 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns.In the face of Trump's sweeping and controversial moves since his return to the White House in January, an increasingly angered and energized base of Democrats is pushing for party leaders to take a stronger stand in leading the resistance to the president and Republicans.The anger directed not only at Trump and Republicans, but also at fellow Democrats, appears to be a factor in the party's polling woes, with Democratic Party favorable ratings sinking to historic lows.WATCH: DEMOCRATS' PARTY CHAIR MAKES CASE IN FOX NEWS SUNDAY APPEARANCEDemocratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Ken Martin vows the party will compete in all 50 states going forward.In an interview earlier this month on "Fox News Sunday," Martin highlighted that the party's focus right now is "squarely on making sure that we stand up for hardworking Americans who are being left behind in this Trump economy."A 2024 election DNC postmortem is currently underway, with the findings expected to be issued later this year. However, grabbing the spotlight in recent days was a gathering hosted by the Democrat-aligned super PAC Future Forward at a luxury resort along the California coast.Among the strategy discussions at the gathering was a$20 million effort titled, "Speaking with American Men: A Strategic Plan."The recommendations of the effort, which is code-named SAM, included having Democrats drop what is described as a "moralizing tone" toward male voters, changing the party's language used toward men and purchasing more ads on video games as part of male outreach.Some former key staffers on the 2024 campaign of former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris, who replaced Biden as the party's nominee last summer, heavily criticized the effort, which was first reported by the New York Times and later confirmed by Fox News."Instead of studying working-class voters and men, why doesnt the Democratic Party donor class go out and meet some? What the hell is this?" James Singer, a spokesman for the 2024 campaign, wrote in a social media post. "As a Democrat, its embarrassing."It was a similar message from Ammar Moussa, another veteran Democratic strategist and communicator who worked on the Biden and Harris campaigns."This is embarrassing. Truly," Moussa wrote on X.Democrats have long had a problem attracting male voters in presidential elections. Trump won the male vote by 12 points over Harris in the 2024 presidential election, and according to the Fox News Voter Analysis, that margin ballooned to 15 points among men 45 and older.Fast-forward to this spring, and the Democrats' ratings stood underwater in the latest Fox News national poll at 41% favorable and 56% unfavorable in a survey conducted April 18-21.That is an all-time low for the Democrats in Fox News polling, and for the first time in a decade, the party's standing was lower than that of the GOP, which stood at 44% favorable and 54% unfavorable.The figures were reversed last summer, when Fox News last asked the party favorability question in one of its surveys.HEAD HERE FOR THE LATEST FOX NEWS POLLINGThe Fox News poll was far from an outlier.The Democratic Party's favorable ratings were well in negative territory in a Pew Research national survey - 38% favorable, 60% unfavorable - conducted in early April and at 36% favorable, 60% unfavorable in a Wall Street Journal poll in the field a couple of weeks earlier.Additionally, national polls conducted in February by Quinnipiac University and March by CNN and by NBC News also indicated the favorable ratings for the Democratic Party sinking to all-time lows.However, there is more.Confidence in the Democratic Party's congressional leadership also sunk to an all-time low, according to a Gallup poll conducted early last month.The confidence rating for Democrats' leadership in Congress stood at 25% in the survey, which was nine points below the previous low of 34% recorded in 2023.The semi-annual Harvard Youth Poll, which was released late last month, indicated that approval ratings for Democrats in Congress among Americans aged 18-29 nosedived.An ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll conducted in mid-April indicated that more respondents trusted Trump (40%) than Democrats in Congress (32%) to handle the nation's main problems.Additionally, a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted late last month suggested Republicans hold a significant advantage over Democrats on two top issues: the economy and immigration."If Democrats want to be competitive in this country and build lasting majorities in both chambers and be competitive for the White House, we've got to broaden the tent," Caiazzo insisted.He lamented that Democrats have "become hyper-focused on a certain set of issues that only speak to a certain set of people while letting the most important issues of the day fall by the wayside. Every single day, Democrats should be focused on how we make things better for working people. And the way we deliver that message has got to meet people where they are."

A Los Angeles County woman, who served on a presidential advisory committee under the Biden administration and has an extensive history of donating to Democrats, reached a plea agreement with the Department of Justice (DOJ) for making tens of thousands of dollars in illegal campaign contributions to reportedly secure a seat on the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees, the DOJ announced Wednesday.Teena Maria Hostovich, 66, was charged Wednesday with making contributions in the name of another aggregating to more than $10,000 in a year, which is a felony, the DOJ reported.She revealed in her plea agreement that she carried out the scheme in part to secure a spot on the Kennedy Center's Board of Trustees, the DOJ stated in the press release. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts serves as the national cultural center of the U.S. and is located in Washington, D.C.Hostovich is an insurance broker who used the identities of 11 other people, including co-workers and family members of co-workers, to illegally contribute more than $75,000 to political candidates between 2020 and 2023, the DOJ stated in a press release.DOGE SAYS IT'S REFERRED DOZENS OF POTENTIAL VOTER FRAUD CASES TO DOJ"According to her plea agreement, from May 2020 through 2023, Hostovich knowingly and willfully made a total of $75,700 in contributions to federal candidates principal campaign committees and federal joint fundraising committees in the names of other people," the DOJ said in a press release. "For the calendar years 2021 through 2023, Hostovichs conduit contributions aggregated to more than $10,000 during each of those years."Hostovich agreed in a court filing Wednesday to plead guilty to the federal criminal charge and pay a $43,500 fine.Her scheme included contacting co-workers, their family members and other people "who performed personal services for Hostovich and her family" to ask them to make a donation to a political campaign or fundraising committee, according to the press release. She would then use PayPal to reimburse the individual for the contribution or pay them up front before the contribution was made, the Justice Department explained.STACEY ABRAMS-FOUNDED GROUPS SLAPPED WITH HISTORIC FINE FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE VIOLATIONS"To execute these conduit contributions, Hostovich sometimes explicitly stated that she would advance the money for the contribution or pay the person back for that contribution," the press release outlined. "Other times, the person had an implicit understanding that Hostovich would advance the money or reimburse them based on her history of advancements and reimbursements of political contributions. Hostovich generally advanced or reimbursed these individuals in amounts that exceeded the exact contribution amount but often the amounts were very close to the contribution amount."Fox News Digital reviewed a website promoting a book Hostovich wrote in 2024 on climbing America's corporate ladder, which also touted Hostovich as a member of the Clinton Global Initiative, and that former President Joe Biden appointed her to serve on the Presidents Advisory Committee on the Arts."She is a member of the Clinton Global Initiative and the White House Historical Association. President Biden recently appointed her to the Presidents Advisory Committee for the Arts, and she is the Co-Chair of the Advisory Council to the Kennedy Centers President and Chairman," the bio states, which is accompanied by photos of Hostovich with high-profile Democrats such as Hillary Clinton, former President Bill Clinton and Biden. Fox News Digital reached out to the Clinton Foundation for comment but did not immediately receive a reply.An archived official White House press release from 2023 under the Biden administration detailed Hostovich's position on the Presidents Advisory Committee on the Arts, including touting her "corporate governance responsibility, political activism, and philanthropic work.""She has combined her lifelong passion for the arts, history, and education with her corporate governance responsibility, political activism, and philanthropic work," the bio states. "In addition to serving on the Board of the Los Angeles Philharmonic for over a decade, she has been one of the Chairs (along with her husband and son) of Hollywood Bowl Opening Night many times (including 2023) honoring significant artists and showcasing the LA music community while raising money for Music Matters benefitting music/arts programs in public schools."It is unclear how donations made in other people's names would bolster her reported efforts to secure a spot on the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees. The president appoints general trustees to the board, while other members are appointed by Congress.CALIFORNIA WOMAN AND MAN CHARGED WITH ALLEGEDLY STEALING OVER $2 MILLION IN ILLEGAL COVID RELIEF FUNDSA representative for Hostovich told Fox News Digital in an emailed statement Tuesday morning that "Teena Hostovich has agreed to plead guilty to one count of making contributions in the name of another, involving five donations of $2,900 each in 2021. In doing so, she is accepting responsibility for her conduct early and swiftly."The statement continued that Hostovich's "mistakes are out of character," arguing that her "career, accomplishments, and numerous charitable deeds reflect a lifetime of hard work and generosity.""Her generosity and commitment to her community led to her involvement in donating and fundraising for causes and candidates that she believed would champion fairness, equality, and improve society," the spokesperson continued. "She deeply regrets that her ardent support of some candidates led to lapses in judgment in a fraction of the donations she helped to raise and make. She is even more remorseful for the shadow that this investigation may cast on the candidates to whom the donations were made, as they had no knowledge of any wrongdoing.""Throughout this process, Ms. Hostovich has cooperated fully and worked transparently with law enforcement authorities. She is committed to making the appropriate amends."The DOJ did not identify in its press release which political party Hostovich favored, though Federal Election Commission (FEC) records reviewed by Fox News show Hostovich made hundreds of donations across the years to Democrat politicians, the Democratic Party and left-wing political action committees.Hostovich has nearly 1,000 entries on the FEC's database regarding donations she made under her own name stretching back to 2008 through the 2024 election cycle.The FEC data shows she donated to campaigns and groups such as the Obama Victory Fund, Democratic Party of Virginia, Pasadena, California, area United Democratic Headquarters and Chris Coons for Delaware during the 20082012 period.More recent data from the 2024 election cycle shows she donated to groups such as the North Carolina Democratic Party Federal, the Wyoming Democratic State Central Committee, the Pennsylvania Democratic Party and the Democratic State Committee (Delaware). Searching for donations made to groups or campaigns containing the name "Republican" or "GOP" yielded zero results, Fox News Digital found.The FBI carried out an investigation into Hostovich before she was charged and reached a plea agreement, the DOJ said. The DOJ told Fox Digital on Tuesday that Hostovich is scheduled to appear in court on June 13 in Los Angeles.

Jim Gaffigan made a bold admission about his weight-loss journey.The 58-year-old confessed that his transformation was less about willpower and more about convenience, as he credited Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for shedding 50 pounds."I did appetite suppressants, so it's not like I can even take any pride in it," the comedian shared on "Today.""I was brave enough to stick a needle in my stomach," he joked.ROSIE O'DONNELL CREDITS MOUNJARO FOR DRAMATIC WEIGHT LOSS, STUNS FANS WITH SLIMMED-DOWN APPEARANCEThe injectable prescription medicine is primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes."The Skinny" comedian used to weigh 270 pounds, according to People.Despite not taking pride in his weight-loss transformation, he pointed out the benefits Mounjaro has had on his body."Its great because my knees dont hurt standing up," he explained. "Im less exhausted Its always good, you know, like the health benefits, like, Ill live longer,'""But I love it just because I feel better," he said. "It is great. Its beneficial."Gaffigan previously had reservations about the medication."I had very low expectations because I did know someone that had tried it, and they were like, Oh no, I was just nauseous for a week," he told People at the time."I thought my true joy of eating would overpower anything," Gaffigan admitted. "That's some of [the] why I wanted to talk about it, because I almost thought it was kind of odd that people were resistant to talking about it. I don't think there's anything wrong with it."Gaffigan isnt the only celebrity who credited Mounjaro for their slimmed-down figure.APP USERS CLICK HERE TO VIEW POSTRosie ODonnell, 63, recently took to social media to share a photo of herself performing stand-up and acknowledging her much smaller frame.LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS"I can't believe this is me now," she captioned the photo, which included the hashtags "#mounjaro,"#weightloss" and "#bodydismorphia."Comedian Amy Schumer additionally praised the effects of Mounjaro in a video clip shared on Instagram in March.In a previous attempt to lose weight, the comedian said she experienced debilitating side effects while using Ozempic for weight-loss purposes."I wanted to share and keep it 100 with you, that years ago I tried Wegovy, and I was like puking," said Schumer."I couldn't handle it" she referred to her previous weight-loss prescription.However, things appeared to take a turn when she switched to Mounjaro.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER"My hair is fuller, my skin is better, I have more energy, I want to get down more if you know what I mean I'm talking about sex."Schumer added, "So that's been great, Mounjaro's been great I'm having a really good experience with it and I wanted to keep it real with you about that."

Prominent conservative social media users tore into "60 Minutes" correspondent Scott Pelley for slamming President Donald Trump during a recent commencement speech.After the CBS News reporter accused the Trump administration of attacking journalists and universities and creating a spirit of fear for "truth seekers" in the country during his address to Wake Forest University graduates earlier this month, conservatives took to X to blast the "pompous" media figure."Pompous CBS journalist Scott Pelley closed his commencement address at Wake Forest by telling graduates they are the fierce defenders of democracy, the seekers of truth,' and the vanguard against ignorance thats taken over the country (i.e. Trump)," the Media Research Centers Curtis Houck wrote.CBS NEWS CEO WENDY MCMAHON ABRUPTLY RESIGNS, CITES DISAGREEMENT WITH COMPANY AMID CHALLENGING PERIODDuring his fiery speech last week, the CBS journalist painted a dark picture of the Trump agenda."Why attack universities? Why attack journalism? Because ignorance works for power," Pelley said. "First, make the truth seekers live in fear, sue the journalists and their companies for nothing. Then, send masked agents to abduct a college student who wrote an editorial in her college paper defending Palestinian rights and send her to a prison in Louisiana charged with nothing. Then move to destroy the law firms that stand up for the rights of others."He continued, stating, "With that done, power can rewrite history with grotesque false narratives. They can make criminals heroes and heroes criminals. Power can change the definition of the words we use to describe reality. Diversity is now described as illegal. Equity is to be shunned. Inclusion is a dirty word. This is an old playbook, my friends. There's nothing new in this."Pelley then urged the graduates to speak up against the censorship and fear he said is being fostered by the administration."In this moment, this moment, this morning, our sacred rule of law is under attack. Journalism is under attack. Universities are under attack. Freedom of speech is under attack. And insidious fear is reaching through our schools, our businesses, our homes and into our private thoughts, the fear to speak in America. If our government is, in Lincoln's phrase, 'Of the people, by the people, for the people,' then why are we afraid to speak?"PARAMOUNT FACING MOUNTING PRESSURE FROM CBS STARS, DEM LAWMAKERS AS COMPANY MULLS SETTLING TRUMP LAWSUITPelleys words come as the Trump administration has sought to withhold federal grants from Harvard and other prestigious universities for allegedly promoting left-wing policies and failing to crack down on antisemitism on campus.The president is also in the middle of a lawsuit against Pelleys employer, CBS, alleging that the network deceptively edited a 2024 interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris shortly before the presidential election.Conservatives on X werent buying Pelleys assessment of Trump.Comedian Adam Corolla wrote on X, "TDS [Trump Derangement Syndrome] hits narcissist especially hard."CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTUREMoms For Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice mentioned an interview she had with Pelley to show evidence of his left-wing bias.She wrote, "I read porn from public school library books to @ScottPelley, who listened with his glasses tucked between his lips. He edited out that part of the @60Minutes interview to make our concerns seem unfounded. Scott is a liar and fraud."Former Trump senior advisor Jason Miller commented, "OK @ScottPelley @CBSNews @ParamountGCD we see you."Bill Clinton sexual assault accuser Juanita Broaddrick remarked, "What a pompous POS."CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPCBS did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

The Carolina Hurricanes staved off elimination and avoided being swept as they defeated the Florida Panthers 3-0 on Monday night in Amerant Bank Arena.With the win, the Hurricanes now trail the Panthers 3-1 in the best-of-seven series. The Hurricanes had lost their prior 15 Eastern Conference Final games before Mondays win.They were swept in 2009, 2019 and 2023, and they dropped the first three games of this matchup against the Panthers.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMLogan Stankoven gave the Hurricanes their first lead of the series when he buried a wrist shot past Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky about midway through the second period.Stankoven gave credit to Alexander Nikishin, who set him up with a cross-ice pass."It all starts with him," Stankoven said of Nikishin's pass. "Great play by him."PANTHERS' BRAD MARCHAND LEANS INTO DESSERT DRAMA AS FLORIDA LOOKS TO ADVANCE TO STANLEY CUP FINALHurricanes goalie Frederik Anderson started Games 1 and 2 and was pulled in favor of Pyotr Kochetkov for Game 3. Head coach Rod BrindAmour went back to Anderson for Game 4, and the goalie stopped all 20 of the shots he faced."There were some real tough shots that looked easy tonight," Brind'Amour said of Anderson. "That's when you know he's really on."The Hurricanes sealed their victory with a pair of empty-net goals at the end of the game, as Sebastian Aho and Jordan Stall scored to secure the win in the waning minutes of the third period."Credit to them ... they were good," Panthers coach Paul Maurice said.The Panthers were short-handed in the loss, as Sam Reinhart, Nike Mikkola and AJ Greer all did not play.The Panthers will have another chance to clinch and move on to the Stanley Cup Finals when they take on the Hurricanes in Game 5 on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.The Associated Press contributed to this report.Follow Fox News Digitals sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to get local law enforcement involved should California continue to allow a transgender athlete to participate in girls sports.Trump cited the biological male athlete in California who will compete in the girls long jump and triple jump in the state championships next week. The athlete recorded a distance of 40-04.75 in the triple jump, compared to the runner-ups 39-06.00. In the long jump, the athlete recorded a distance of 19-03.50, while the runner-up managed 19-00.75.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMThe transgender athlete has continued to perform in California under California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) events despite Trumps executive order to prohibit biological males from competing in girls and womens sports.Trump called out California Gov. Gavin Newsom in a post on Truth Social."California, under the leadership of Radical Left Democrat Gavin Newscum, continues to ILLEGALLY allow MEN TO PLAY IN WOMENS SPORTS. This week a transitioned Male athlete, at a major event, won everything, and is now qualified to compete in the State Finals next weekend," Trump wrote. "As a Male, he was a less than average competitor. As a Female, this transitioned person is practically unbeatable."THIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS. Please be hereby advised that large scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered to. The Governor, himself, said it is UNFAIR."Newsom previously talked about transgender participation in girls sports back in March with prominent conservative Charlie Kirk."The young man who's about to win the state championship in the long jump in female sports, that shouldn't happen," Kirk said. "You, as the governor, should step out and say no. Would you do something like that? Would you say no men infemale sports?"TRANS ATHLETE QUALIFIES FOR CALIFORNIA GIRLS' TRACK AND FIELD STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AMID FEDERAL INVESTIGATION"I think its an issue of fairness. I completely agree with you on that. It is an issue of fairness its deeply unfair," Newsom told Kirk. "I am not wrestling with the fairness issue. I totally agree with you."Kirk pressed Newsom on whether he would condemn the athlete in question from Jurupa Valley High School after the athlete won another event at the time. Newsom did not directly address the win but said "its a fairness issue.""So, that's easy to call out the unfairness of that," he said. "There's also a humility and a grace. These poor people are more likely to commit suicide, have anxiety and depression. And the way that people talk down to vulnerable communities is an issue that I have a hard time with as well."So, both things I can hold in my hand. How can we address this issue with the kind of decency that I think, you know, is inherent in you but not always expressed on the issue?"Newsom further explained his point of view in a press conference on April 2 when asked whether there should be a law to prohibit males from competing in girls and womens sports."And I'm about as transparent about this as anybody out there, particularly in my party, on this, and to the extent someone can and do it in a way that's respectful and responsible and could find a kind of balance, then I'm open to that discussion. ... You're talking about a very small number of people, a very small number of athletes, and my responsibility is to address the pressing issues of our time."And this, I think, has been colored in and weaponized by the right to be 10 times, 100 times bigger than it is and so my focus is on a myriad of other issues in this state. And to the extent that someone could find that right balance, I would embrace those conversations and the dignity that hopefully presents themselves in that conversation, meaning the humanity around that conversation, not the politics around that conversation."Trump, in his Truth Social post on Tuesday, wrote that he would speak with Newsom about it."I will speak to him today to find out which way he wants to go??? In the meantime I am ordering local authorities, if necessary, to not allow the transitioned person to compete in the State Finals. This is a totally ridiculous situation!!!" he wrote.Fox News Digital reached out to Newsom's office and the CIF for comment.Trumps administration has already warned the CIF and the athletes high school of consequences for allowing the situation. The federation came under additional scrutiny when its officials allegedly forced athletes toremove shirtsthat read "Protect Girls Sports" at the Southern Sectional prelims on May 10.Fox News Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

FIRST ON FOX: House Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., is taking aim at Georgia's senior senator in a new ad highlighting the vulnerable Democrat's stance on transgender student athletes.Carter, who is running for Senate, is releasing a 30-second advertisement titled, "Ossoff Fan," which features a purported transgender woman complaining about Carter's own Republican stances. It opens by showing a transgender woman, played by a stubble-chinned biological male wearing a wig and a dress, sitting in a living room beside a dumbbell watching Carter on Fox News."He's been MAGA from the beginning," the person says on the phone. "He's been loyal to Trump, defended him during impeachment."The person on the other line says, "And Buddy helped Trump at the border with deportations."HOUSE GOP TARGETS ANOTHER DEM OFFICIAL ACCUSED OF BLOCKING ICE AMID DELANEY HALL FALLOUTThe transgender person picks up a trophy and says, "And preventing people like me from competing in women's sports. Buddy Carter even believes there's only two genders.""Now Buddy wants to help Trump in the Senate and beat Jon Ossoff," the individual says. "It's just not fair." Meanwhile, the voice on the phone quips, "After all Ossoff has done for us!"The ad ends with the transgender person picking up a sign with pink lettering that says, "Ossoff for Senate," putting on a pair of wedge sandals, and stomping to their car.The short but punchy advertisement signals that Republicans still believe the debate surrounding transgender inclusion is a potent issue for turning out voters in favor of the GOP. It proved to be a key issue in the 2024 general election, with moderate Democrats spending weeks after the fact decrying their own party's intolerance to differing views.Ossoff is a first-term lawmaker who was the first Democrat to win a Senate seat in the Peach State in roughly two decades. Republicans now view Ossoffs seat as one of the most viable flip opportunities in the upcoming 2026 midterm cycle, when the GOP hopes to keep and expand upon its thin majority in the upper chamber.Carter was the first Republican to jump into the contest after Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who was considered a heavy favorite to run against Ossoff, opted to forgo a Senate bid. Georgia Insurance Commissioner John King is also running in the race as a Republican.Ossoff joined with all other Democratic senators to filibuster the bill from Sens. Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt, both Alabama Republicans, in March, effectively killing the legislation after it advanced out of the House earlier this year.Their bill, called the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, is designed to bar transgender athletes from participating in federally funded school athletics at all levels, from elementary school to college.It would amend Title IX to make it a violation for any school athletic program that receives federal funding to allow a biological male to participate in sports or activities that are meant for women or girls, and defines a persons sex by their reproductive biology and genetics at birth.MEET THE TRUMP-PICKED LAWMAKERS GIVING SPEAKER JOHNSON A FULL HOUSE GOP CONFERENCEThe measure is similar to anexecutive order from President Donald Trump in February that argued that the participation of biological men in women's and girls' sports was "demeaning, unfair, and dangerous to women and girls, and denies women and girls the equal opportunity to participate and excel in competitive sports."The Carter campaigns ad is also not the first time in the early days of the looming midterm cycle that the vulnerable senator has been targeted for his vote against the measure.One Nation, a nonprofit advocacy group closely aligned with Senate Republican leadership,ran an ad last month that accused Ossoff of "running point for the radical left" with his vote to block the men in womens sports bill.Fox News Digital reached out to Ossoff's campaign for comment on Carter's ad but did not hear back by press time.