Mayor Eric Adams is being sued by a former high-ranking New York Police Department official for allegedly operating a "criminal conspiracy" at the department to enrich top officials.A spokesperson for Adams, who is running for re-election as an independent, called the allegations "baseless accusations from a disgruntled former employee."Politico reported that former interim NYPD commissioner Tom Donlon filed a suit in the New York state Supreme Court in Manhattan against Adams, the department and several other current and former city officials on Wednesday.In his suit, Donlon alleged that "a coordinated criminal conspiracy had taken root at the highest levels of City government carried out through wire fraud, mail fraud, honest services fraud, obstruction of justice and retaliation against whistleblowers."According to the outlet, Donlons allegations against New York City officials amount to racketeering.'NO DIGNITY' IN SOCIALISM: NYC MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES RE-ELECTION BID AFTER MAMDANI WINS DEM PRIMARYDonlon stated that "this enterprise the NYPD was criminal at its core."Politico also reported that Donlon said in an accompanying statement that "this lawsuit is not a personal grievance; it is a statement against a corrupt system that betrays the public, silences truth, and punishes integrity.""The goal is to drive real change, hold the corrupt, deceitful, and abusively powerful accountable, and restore the voice of every honorable officer who has been silenced or denied justice," wrote Donlon.THE PLOT TO STOP MAMDANI: DEMOCRATS SCRAMBLE TO BLOCK FAR-LEFT TAKEOVER IN NEW YORKIn response, Kayla Mamelak Altus, a spokesperson for Adams, told Fox News Digital that "these are baseless accusations from a disgruntled former employee who when given the opportunity to lead the greatest police department in the world proved himself to be ineffective.""This suit is nothing more than an attempt to seek compensation at the taxpayers expense after Mr. Donlon was rightfully removed from the role of interim police commissioner," Mamelak Altus claimed.The spokesperson said Adams office "will respond in court, where we are confident these absurd claims will be disproven."ADAMS REBUKES MAMDANI FOR 'ROMANTICIZING' SOCIALISM IN NYC MAYORAL CAMPAIGN"The NYPD is led by the best, brightest, and most honorable professionals in the nation and their results speak for themselves: crime continues to fall across the city, with shootings at the lowest level in recorded history," said Mamelak Altus.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPAdams is currently facing an uphill fight for re-election against Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani, a self-professed democratic socialist, as well as former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent, and Republican candidate and activist Curtis Sliwa.

Bradley Beals tenure with the Phoenix Suns is at an end, and hes already joining a rival in the Western Conference.Beal, the three-time All-Star shooting guard, agreed to a contract buyout with the Suns, and ESPN reported on Wednesday his plan is to join the Los Angeles Clippers on a two-year, $11 million deal for next season.The deal reportedly has a player option for Beal, which could clear the way for him to be a highly sought-after free agent in 2026 if he wishes to opt out of his deal.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMBeal will join a Clippers squad that already sports Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Ivica Zubac and more.The Clippers have been active in free agency as well, adding veteran center Brook Lopez, who can also hit the three-ball if needed. They traded Norman Powell to the Miami Heat as part of a three-team deal that got them forward John Collins from the Utah Jazz as well.LEBRON JAMES, LAKERS RELATIONSHIP MIRED IN PLACE OF UNCERTAINTY, NBA INSIDER SAYSBeals tenure in Phoenix was disappointing, to say the least. Its why the Suns granted him permission to speak with teams interested in a potential trade. But after that process over the last few weeks, both sides agreed on a buyout to allow Beal to go elsewhere.Teams like the Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers pursued Beal, per ESPN. There reportedly were conversations with his representation over the last few weeks.As part of the buyout, the report said Beal will be giving the Suns $13.9 million of the $110 million remaining on the final two years of his pact back to the franchise. The Suns will likely not be hitting their books with that remaining money over the next two seasons, rather extrapolating it over a few years.Beal averaged 17.6 points, 4.3 assists, and 3.8 rebounds with the Suns over the past two seasons. He also shot 50.5% from the field, as well as 40.7% from three-point range.However, injuries and overall team woes made the stay in Phoenix hard. Beal played 106 of his possible 164 contests with the Suns.Beals stardom in the NBA began with the Washington Wizards, who he played 11 seasons for after being drafted to the franchise in 2012.Over his 13-year career, Beal has averaged 21.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game over 801 contests.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X, and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

A type of flesh-eating bacteria has killed four people in Florida so far this year.The states health department confirmed the deaths in a notice posted on the Florida Health website.A total of 11 people have contracted the bacteria in 2025, according to the same source.SCIENTISTS CRACK THE CODE ON NEW VACCINE FOR DEADLY PLAGUE BACTERIAVibrio vulnificus is part of a wider group of Vibrio bacteria, which are found in coastal waters, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states.This specific bacterium, Vibrio vulnificus, typically lives in warm, brackish seawater, and can enter open wounds when people are swimming.Another potential source of infection is raw shellfish, especially oysters, Florida Health noted.Although infections are rare, Vibrio vulnificus can cause an illness called vibriosis, often marked by vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain, as well as potentially severe skin infections, the above source cautioned.WOMAN DIES OF BRAIN-EATING AMOEBA AFTER USING TAP WATER IN NASAL RINSE DEVICESigns and symptoms of a Vibrio skin infection include fever, redness, pain, swelling, warmth, discoloration and discharge, per the CDCs website.While healthy people generally experience only mild symptoms, those who are immunocompromised or have chronic liver disease can face serious health risks.If Vibrio vulnificus enters the bloodstream, it can cause severe illness marked by fever, chills, septic shock and blistering skin lesions, according to Florida Health.About half of these bloodstream infections are fatal.Some severe cases can cause an infection called necrotizing fasciitis, which is when the flesh around an open wound dies, the CDC cautions. This rare side effect has led to Vibrio vulnificus being described as a "flesh-eating bacteria."No cases of person-to-person transmission have been reported, Florida Health stated.The bacterial infection is diagnosed by testing cultures obtained from stool, wounds or blood, according to health officials.For mild infections, the CDC recommends increasing fluid intake to prevent dehydration.Those with severe or prolonged infections should receive antibiotics to improve survival rates.For those with infected wounds, surgery may be necessary to remove dead tissue.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER"Aggressive attention should be given to the wound site; for patients with wound infections, amputation of the infected limb is sometimes necessary," Florida Health stated.About one in five people will die from the infection, sometimes within a day or two of illness, the CDC states.Health officials caution against entering warm saltwater or brackish water if any fresh cuts, scrapes or wounds are present.Its also recommended to not consume raw oysters and other raw shellfish, and to avoid cross-contamination of other foods with raw seafood or its juices.Protective gloves should be worn when handling raw shellfish.Those with liver disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV or thalassemia (a group of hereditary blood disorders) as well as those who are taking immune-suppressing medications are at a higher risk of complications and should take extra precautions, the CDC warns.For more Health articles, visitwww.foxnews.com/healthIn 2024, a total of 82 cases of Vibrio vulnificus and 19 deaths were reported to Florida Health.There were 46 cases and 11 deaths in 2023.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., pulled back the curtain on New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani's "productive" meeting with Democratic lawmakers in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.When asked by Fox News' Chad Pergram how Mamdani's message resonated with Democrats during a "Communication and Organizing Skillshare Breakfast," Ocasio-Cortez said the Democratic nominee shared critical insights about how to "level up all of our games in terms of technique."The progressive superstar urged the outstanding Mamdani skeptics to "get to know him" before "making assessments from what you may see on television." She applauded her caucus for "showing up in good faith" to give him a fair chance and demonstrating a "willingness to listen and make assessments for themselves."But when a reporter asked if House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., would formally endorse Mamdani, Ocasio-Cortez said she wouldn't speak to any individual's endorsement, or lack thereof.AOC WELCOMES SOCIALIST MAMDANI TO NATION'S CAPITAL AS DEM LEADERS WITHHOLD ENDORSEMENTSJeffries and Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., have confirmed plans to meet with Mamdani in New York City later this week, but both top Democratic leaders from New York have yet to endorse the self-described Democratic socialist candidate.MAMDANI'S PRIMARY WIN EXPOSES DEMOCRAT DIVIDE AS TOP LEADERS WITHHOLD ENDORSEMENTS"We want Democrats to be successful," Ocasio-Cortez told reporters. "We want Democrats to win. As the Democratic nominee for New York City, Zohran Mamdani is overwhelmingly favored to win the general election. And in doing so, we want the next mayor of New York City, a Democrat, to be as successful as possible.""Squad" member Ocasio-Cortez has dominated headlines since she arrived on the political scene in 2018, unseating a longtime Democratic incumbent. The New Yorker said she shared with Mamdani that "the way sometimes people are painted in the media doesn't always align with who we really are as individuals.""I think that when people get to know him as a person, when people get to know us as real people, what they find kind of surprises them," Ocasio-Cortez explained.And across Capitol Hill on Wednesday afternoon, Sen. Bernie Sanders, the longtime progressive champion, posed for friendly photos with Mamdani outside an office building on the Hill. Like Ocasio-Cortez, Sanders endorsed Mamdani ahead of his Democratic primary win last month."Had a great meeting with @ZohranKMamdan and am deeply impressed by the grassroots campaign he is running," Sanders said on X. "The Oligarchs are prepared to undermine democracy & spend tens of millions to buy the election for his opponents. We will not allow that to happen. Stand with Zohran."Mamdani, in turn, said it was an "absolute honor to meet with one of my heroes and the champion for working people across our country." He called Sanders "Brooklyn through and through," noting that the Vermont senator was born and raised there.Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., said he would not attend Ocasio-Cortez's breakfast on Wednesday. Suozzi, a moderate, has emerged as a vocal opponent of Mamdani's campaign among New York Democrats.Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., endorsed Mamdani last week after backing former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the primary. Cuomo announced on Monday his decision to stay in the mayoral race as an independent.Several Democratic leaders were spotted leaving breakfast on Wednesday morning, which took place in Washington's Navy Yard neighborhood after a last-minute location change.While leaving the breakfast, longtime Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York, who has endorsed Mamdani, was asked by Fox News if Schumer and Jeffries would eventually endorse the mayoral nominee. He replied that he "would assume so in time."But Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., attended the breakfast meeting and told reporters as she departed that Mamdani had successfully utilized social media on the campaign trail. Dingell also blamed the media for what she said was rhetoric that Democrats are moving towards socialism.A top progressive House member, Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington state, told reporters as she left the meeting that Mamdani was "inspiring."Rep. Ro Khanna of California, another leading progressive lawmaker who is also considered a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender, told reporters on his way out that Mamdani was "very impressive."Rep. Nydia Velzquez, a Democrat from New York who has endorsed Mamdani, told reporters as she left the meeting that "it is just beautiful to have someone who is so authentic, you know, money cannot buy that. And, we had a great conversation."It appeared Mamdani didn't delve into specifics regarding the far-left agenda he's hoping to enact if he's elected New York City mayor, and instead spotlighted his effective campaign trail messaging, which focused on the crucial issue of affordability.Democratic Rep. Luz Rivasof California told reporters upon leaving the meeting that "it was just more how he was getting that message out," when asked what Mamdani discussed.Fox News' Kelly Phares, Tyler Olson, Oliva Patel, Dan Scully, Aishah Hasnie and Chad Pergram contributed to this report.

Minor league baseball players have had the opportunity to get familiar with the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system. Major league players were introduced to it in spring training, but once the regular season began, human umpires ruled whether a pitch fell within the strike zone.The challenge system, which has sparked some controversy in the baseball world, made its primetime debut Tuesday night in Atlanta at the 2025 MLB All-Star Game.It didn't take long for the ABS system to affect the Midsummer Classic.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMIn the bottom of the first inning, American League pitcher Tarik Skubal's pitch to Padres infielder Manny Machado was called a ball. The ruling resulted in a 1-2 count instead of a strikeout. But an appeal was made to the ABS challenge system, which sent Machado to the dugout with a strikeout."I ain't a fan of ABS," Buxton told Fox News Digital in the American League clubhouse Tuesday, just hours before the robot umpire challenge system made its debut at the All-Star game in Atlanta.'I THOUGHT THEY WERE KIDDING': THE THRILL AND CONFUSION OF MLB'S FIRST ALL-STAR SWING-OFF"That's why baseball is the way it is now. That's why you get crazy Instagram messages, Twitter messages now. ABS just seems to make things a little more complicated (because) if you can bet on if that pitcher (is) going to throw a strike or not. that's pretty wild to me.""I don't know how many people are going to get 4,000 hits," the 31-year-old told Fox News Digital. "In my opinion, it's pretty wild he wasn't in the Hall of Fame to be able to see it. It's just one of those (things) where, give him the respect. (No other player got) that many hits, so give him the respect."In May, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced Rose, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson and other deceased players were removed from the league's "permanently ineligible list."Buxton hit a key double in the ninth inning of Tuesday night's All-Star game at Truist Park. The National League won the first swing-off in All-Star game history to secure its second All-Star victory in three years.Follow Fox News Digitals sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Emma Watson was banned from driving in the United Kingdom for the next six months due to a speeding ticket she received in 2024.The "Harry Potter" star had been going 38 mph in a 30 mph zone when she was caught by a camera on July 31, 2024, according to the BBC. Watson already had nine points on her license when she received the citation, the outlet learned at a court hearing Wednesday.Watson was also fined nearly $1,400 for the citation.Fox News Digital reached out to Watson's representative for comment.HARRY POTTER STAR EMMA WATSON FELT CAGED, LEADING HER TO STEP AWAY FROM ACTINGThe 35-year-old actress did not attend the hearing, the BBC reported."She is in a position to pay the fine," her attorney said on her behalf at the hearing, which lasted five minutes.LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSWatson has been living in Oxford, England while studying for a master's degree in creative writing.The movie star previously revealed she "felt a bit caged," which led her to take a step back from her acting career."The thing I found really hard was that I had to go out and sell something that I really didnt have very much control over," Watson told the Financial Times. "To stand in front of a film and have every journalist be able to say, How does this align with your viewpoint? It was very difficult to have to be the face and the spokesperson for things where I didnt get to be involved in the process.""I started to realize that I only wanted to stand in front of things where if someone was going to give me flak about it, I could say, in a way that didnt make me hate myself, Yes, I screwed up, it was my decision, I should have done better," Watson added.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERWatson first gained fame in 2001 at the age of 11 when she starred as Hermione Granger in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."She starred in the role until 2011, when the eighth and final film in the franchise was released. At the time, Watson was 21.Since then, she has starred in movies like "The Bling Ring," "The Perks of Being a Wallflower," "Beauty and the Beast" and most recently "Little Women."Watson directed and starred in her own film, "Prada Paradoxe," in 2022.

Colin Clark, the brother of Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, suggested that WNBA officials were to blame for the sharpshooting guards injury, which she suffered on Tuesday night.Clark left the game in the final minute after she came up lame following a bounce pass to Kelsey Mitchell. She walked gingerly down toward her own basket and banged her head against the padding in frustration. As she left the court, she was seen in tears.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMThe two-time All-Star had missed several games due to injury and was working her way back to full health following a groin injury. The physicality had not turned down. It led to Colin Clarks post on social media amid the concern about his sister."Make no mistake, this is on the reffing," he wrote on X.Colin Clark deleted the post afterward.CAITLIN CLARK LEAVES FEVER'S WIN IN TEARS AS SHE APPEARS TO SUFFER INJURYBut the officiating had been under the microscope all season long. Players from the Fever and the Connecticut Sun got into a brawl earlier in the year as officials let competitive play turn into heated confrontations, which led to a bigger issue.Fever head coach Stephanie White spoke about the physical play after Indianas win over Connecticut on Tuesday night."Theres a level of physicality that theyre able to play with against her. I knew it as an opponent, and I see it as her coach. Im not exactly sure why. It just is what it is," she said. "Weve got to help her learn to adjust and use it against them in certain ways. Weve got to find some ways to make it a little easier for her."Admittedly, White added that theWNBAas a whole has seen more physical play on the court than ever before."The level of physicality overall in our league has been at a different level than its been for a long time."Fox News Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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Caitlin Clark was ruled out of Wednesday nights contest against the New York Liberty just hours before tip-off after the Indiana Fever guard re-aggravated her groin injury late in Tuesday nights win over the Connecticut Sun.Clarks absence will mark the third time this season that the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year has been sidelined with an injury.She missed five games in May after suffering a quad injury, and most recently missed a handful of time with a left groin strain.Clark never missed a game throughout her collegiate career and her first season in the WNBA. Her latest injury comes just days ahead of the WNBA All-Star break.This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.

A 28-year-old man reportedly died from his injuries this week after being struck by lightning while participating in a golf tournament in New Jersey.Simon John Mariani a resident of suburban Franklin Lakes in New Jersey was struck while playing the 15th hole at the Ballyowen Golf Course on July 8. He died "unexpectedly" on Monday, the New York Post reported, citing an online obituary.OLYMPIC MEDALIST DIES IN TRAGIC LIGHTNING STRIKE DURING TRIPBrian Delia, a fellow golfer who reportedly witnessed the lightning strike around 300 yards in front of him, said Mariani was taking part in an all-day golf tournament when storms rolled in. Delia filmed the cloudy sky shortly before the incident, according to ABC 7."I started filming, and he was right in front of me, and all of a sudden the lightning strikes, and I ended the video recording, and we immediately just started heading back to the clubhouse," Delia said.Following the lightning strike, Mariani's father provided mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and other golfers gave him CPR while they waited for authorities to arrive. The 28-year-old was then taken to the hospital, ABC 7 reported.SUMMER BEACH DAY TURNS DANGEROUS AS LIGHTNING STRIKES THREE AT ST. AUGUSTINE PIER IN FLORIDACrystal Springs Resort which operates the 250-acre golf course said the stormy conditions developed quickly that day, and that staff sounded an alarm to warn golfers to seek shelter from the weather. However, Delia said his group did not hear an alarm, according to the New York Post."Last week, the family specifically requested that no information be released about this incident," a spokesperson for Crystal Springs Resort told Fox News Digital in an email. "Out of respect for them, we continue to honor that request."Mariani had been working as an associate at MTS Health Partners in New York City at the time of the incident. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in accounting and economics and received his master's degree in finance from the same university in 2024, the New York Post reported.LIGHTNING STRIKE INJURES 20 AT POPULAR SOUTH CAROLINA VACATION GETAWAY"Outside of his professional life, Simon embraced all things family and enjoyed painting, photography and baking," as noted in the obituary. "He also loved the outdoors, including the beach, boating, fishing, hiking, golfing and skiing."Mariani is survived by his parents and his two sisters.The news follows several other recent reports of deaths caused by lightning strikes.Olympic medalist Audun Groenvold died after being struck by lightning this past Saturday.Last month, Spencer Loalbo, a father of three in Texas, died after a lightning strike hit him while he was golfing.