For the first time in his career, Sam Darnold sat down in NFL free agency with options to be a starting quarterback.Despite a disappointing finish in the playoffs, Darnold's career-best season with the Minnesota Vikings earned him the right to get a big payday. It was just a matter of where not if.While it is a great feeling for any player in professional sports to have that opportunity in free agency, making the right choice is not easy. There are many factors, personal and professional, that go into a player deciding to choose a different team.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMHowever, when the Seattle Seahawks traded veteran signal caller Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, speculation began immediately. Could Darnold be heading to Seattle?He was thinking the exact same thing with his agents at Creative Artists Agency."I was looking at my free agent options and talking with my agent about it, and then all of a sudden, we hear the news that Geno [Smith] was getting traded," Darnold explained to Fox News Digital, while discussing his work with the Lowe's Foundation for SkillsUSA National Signing Day. "And that was kind of like, OK, Seattle could be a potential spot.SEAHAWKS' SAM DARNOLD OFFERS CRUCIAL ADVICE FOR SHEDEUR SANDERS AHEAD OF BROWNS' QB BATTLE"When I just found out about the mutual interest that both sides had in getting a deal done, that was something that was really important for me. Having somebody that also wanted me there, and to be able to have an impact as best I can."Seeing mutual interest is a main factor, but then it comes down to whether or not the player, especially a quarterback, can be successful.The Seahawks had a new head coach last season, Mike Macdonald, who came from the Baltimore Ravens. Although they did not compete in the playoffs, they just missed out with a 10-7 record not too bad for a first-year head coach.Darnold loved what he saw when he faced the Seahawks in a 27-24 win for his Vikings."Theres great players on defense, great players on offense. I feel like Coach Macdonalds scheme on defense was really hard to go against last year, and I know coach Klint Kubiak," Darnold said. "I know him from 2023 in San Francisco, when we made that run there, so Im pretty familiar with the system. I think all those factors combined was really the reason I fell in love with the decision to come to Seattle, and, man, I couldnt be more excited about it."Finally, while the on-field product and scheme look up to par, free agents are always looking at the team chemistry and culture. Darnold saw it right away."Being here for the last few weeks, its been amazing being able to meet some of my teammates and some of the coaches," he explained. "And like I referenced with Minnesota, just meeting some of the people in the building. Its just a special place, because you hear about it in the league. You hear about the good spots, the bad spots, the spots in between."Seattle was always a place that guys love going to. They love the energy, they love the environment, and it really did exceed all my expectations. Im so happy to be here."CELEBRATING NEXT GENERATION OF TRADE WORKERSWhile Darnold is getting his bearings in his new city, he made sure to stop by Lowes Seattle store ceremony for SkillsUSA National Signing Day, which is a celebration mirroring the excitement of athletic signings but for future electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs and builders.Lowes rolled out the blue carpet and all for students who were surprised by Seattles newest football star. This initiative is one that hits close to home for Darnold. His father, Mike, has been a plumber for 30-plus years."It was unbelievable," Darnold said of the experience. "Ive seen the hard work that he put in his entire life to it. So, just being able to see these kids and see the hard work theyve already put in, get to meet them and talk to them about the path that theyre headed, and just how passionate they are about it."I think theres so many more opportunities out there in the skill trades world, and me and my dad have talked about it, how theres not a lot of kids doing that anymore. Its a special opportunity for kids to impact their communities in ways they probably dont even know theyre going to."New data from ADP shows nearly one in five workers aged 20-24 held blue-collar jobs as of May 2023. While that was a 2% rise since 2019, the U.S. faces a shortage of 439,000 construction workers.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X, and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman offers opening remarks before Sen. Ted Cruz' committee.

Sen. Ted Cruz chairs a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on AI

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman offers opening remarks before Sen. Ted Cruz' committee.

Sen. Ted Cruz chairs a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on AI

Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., a potential 2028 presidential candidate, launched a new fact-check website on Wednesday targeting "right-wing misinformation," as a new poll found more than half of California registered voters believe he is more focused on becoming president than delivering for Californians.Newsom's campaign apparatus described the new fact-check website as a "rapid-response website to set the record straight about the Golden State" and President Donald Trump.A new survey conducted by UC Berkeley's Institute of Governmental Studies and co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times found that 54% of California registered voters believe Newsom is more focused on his personal presidential ambitions than solving the ongoing problems at home in the Golden State."By a more than a two-to-one margin (54% to 26%), most voters believe that as Newsom serves out his final two years as governor, he is devoting more of his attention to things that might benefit himself as a possible candidate for president than to governing the state and helping to solve its problems," according to the results of the poll completed April 21-28 among 6,201 registered voters in California.TRUMP DARES NEWSOM TO RUN IN 2028, SLAMS RECORD ON LA WILDFIRESNewsom's campaign, in a press release announcing the new fact-checking endeavor, touted California as the fourth-largest economy in the world, and said the blue state's population is growing, crime rates are at historic lows and California is leading the nation in clean energy and tech innovation.WHITMER DITCHES DEM PLAYBOOK ON TRUMP'S TARIFFS AMID 2028 SPECULATION"This site is for everyone sick of the BS about California. Were done letting the MAGA trolls define the Golden State. Were going on the offense and fighting back with facts," Newsom said.Newsom's latest endeavor targets misinformation from the devastating Los Angeles fires this year and other state issues, including crime, climate, the economy, immigration, energy and housing. California is often ridiculed by Republicans as a representation of the demise of Democratic states. Such was the case last month when a California lawmaker proposed a bill to allow state college and university students to sleep in their cars amid the blue state's housing crisis.The California politician has long been rumored to harbor presidential ambitions. He was one of several names floated as a potential Democratic nominee replacement for President Joe Biden before Biden suspended his re-election campaign last summer and ultimately chose former Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. Newsom also campaigned for Biden and Harris in key battleground states, acting as a surrogate for both candidates when their names were on the top of the ticket.Newsom launched a podcast this year embracing political dialogue across party lines, following Democrats losing the White House and the Senate and failing to regain the House of Representatives in 2024. Newsom has invited Trump allies and conservative guests, including Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon, onto his podcast in an attempt to show he is open to "criticism and debate without demeaning or dehumanizing one another."The strategy follows criticism after the 2024 election that Democrats didn't prioritize new media appearances and unscripted conversations enough.But Newsom's willingness to soak up the national spotlight as Democrats look for someone to lead the party into the next generation may have backfired among his California constituents.Newsom is one of several Democratic governors trying to balance diplomacy with rejecting Trump's agenda during the president's second term. Newsom has spoken out against Trump's tariff policies and executive orders while reaching across the aisle to secure disaster relief following the Los Angeles fires earlier this year.The poll found a majority of California voters believe the state would be negatively impacted by Trump's overhaul of the federal government, as 64% believe Trump's tariffs would negatively impact California business and agriculture and over 50% believe Trump's policies would have a negative impact on education.Meanwhile, Californians are split on Newsom's job performance, with 46% both approving and disapproving of his job as governor and 45% reporting they are not confident in "his ability to be effective in looking out for Californias interests when dealing with the Trump administration.""The Governor is focused on one thing: his job driving L.A.s recovery, confronting the housing crisis, and taking Donald Trump to court over his disastrous tariffs that are raising costs for families and blowing a hole in Californias budget," Newsom's office told Fox News in response to the new polling.

Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter died Thursday at his home in New Hampshire at the age of 85, the Court announced Friday."Justice Souter was appointed to the Court by President George H.W. Bush in 1990, and retired in 2009, after serving more than 19 years on the Court," it said in a statement."Justice David Souter served our Court with great distinction for nearly twenty years. He brought uncommon wisdom and kindness to a lifetime of public service. After retiring to his beloved New Hampshire in 2009, he continued to render significant service to our branch by sitting regularly on the Court of Appeals for the First Circuit for more than a decade. He will be greatly missed," Chief Justice John Roberts said.Souter was described by the Associated Press as a "reliably liberal vote on abortion, church-state relations, freedom of expression and the accessibility of federal courts."CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERTS DOUBLES DOWN ON DEFENSE OF COURTS AS SCOTUS GEARS UP TO HEAR KEY TRUMP CASESUpon his retirement in 2009, President Barack Obama chose Sonia Sotomayor to take his seat.The Supreme Court said Souter was born in Melrose, Mass., on Sept. 17, 1939.He graduated from Harvard College and also received degrees from Oxford University and Harvard Law School.DURBIN CALLS ON JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TO INVESTIGATE ANONYMOUS PIZZA DELIVERIES TO JUDGES' HOMESSouter then rose up the ranks to become Attorney General of New Hampshire in 1976."In 1978, he was named an Associate Justice of the Superior Court of New Hampshire, and was appointed to the Supreme Court of New Hampshire as an Associate Justice in 1983. He became a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit on May 25, 1990," the Supreme Court said Friday."In addition to hearing cases on the First Circuit, Justice Souter participated in civics education curriculum reform efforts in New Hampshire during his retirement," it also said.Fox News' Bill Mears and Shannon Bream contributed to this report.

Columbia University has temporarily suspended 65 students after anti-Israel agitators took over a campus building and handed out pamphlets that glorified an alleged terrorist this week.The protesters stormed into Columbia University's Butler Library on Wednesday evening, claiming to have renamed the building "Basel Al-Araj Popular University." According to the NYPD, 80 arrests were made, with 19 males and 61 females being taken into custody by police. Seventy-eight of those individuals were issued a desk appearance ticket for criminal trespass, and the other two arrested protesters were issued a summons.Homeland Security Investigations is requesting fingerprints and the names of those arrested to check their visa status.In addition to the student suspensions, Columbia has also barred an unspecified number of alumni from campus, and 33 others from affiliated institutions.COLUMBIA FACULTY RIGHTS GROUP CONDEMNS UNIVERSITY'S HANDLING OF LIBRARY TAKEOVER: 'AUTHORITARIAN ETHOS'At the time anti-Israel agitators rushed into the library, students were studying for final exams. Protesters were chanting "Free Palestine" and demanding that the university divest from Israel. Some protesters were seen climbing on tables inside the library.During the library takeover, students handed out pamphlets glorifying Basel Al-Araj Popular University, an alleged terrorist who was suspected of planning attacks in Israel, according to The Times of Israel.Al-Araj was killed by the Israel Defense Forces and Israel Polices counterterrorism unit in 2017. Officials allege he was part of a terrorist cell plotting attacks on Israeli targets.He "directed the cell and was responsible for purchasing the weaponry," police said at the time.Al-Araj was killed after he opened fire on Israeli authorities during an arrest raid.Columbia University Apartheid Divest, which helped organize the library takeover, posted a portion of the pamphlet on its X account.Portions of the material handed out to students were posted online, showing the campus groups made a hero out of Al-Araj.MOSTLY WOMEN ARRESTED IN COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARY TAKEOVER: NYPD"At the original Popular University project in the West Bank, Basel al-Araj taught about the Palestinian resistance and insisted that knowledge must serve liberation, not empire," reads the pamphlet posted by CU Apartheid Divest. "Today, we teach each other the stories our universities refuse to tell. We feed each other, protect each other, learn with and from each other. The Popular University is not only a demand for divestment."Included in the pamphlets is a list of demands, which include divestment from Israel, "Cops and ICE off our campus" and amnesty for all Columbia University members facing discipline.COLUMBIA'S ACTING PRESIDENT SLAMS STORMING OF CAMPUS LIBRARY BY ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS: 'UTTERLY UNACCEPTABLE'Claire Shipman, Columbia's acting president, said in a statement Wednesday the NYPD was called to help "secure" the library. She added that two university police officers were injured."Sadly, during the course of this disruption, two of our Columbia Public Safety Officers sustained injuries during a crowd surge when individuals attempted to force their way into the building and into Room 301," Shipman said. "These actions are outrageous."In a separate statement, Shipman called out the library takeover as unacceptable.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP"Disruptions to our academic activities will not be tolerated and are violations of our rules and policies; this is especially unacceptable while our students study and prepare for final exams. Columbia strongly condemns violence on our campus, antisemitism and all forms of hate and discrimination, some of which we witnessed today. We are resolute that calls for violence or harm have no place at our University," Shipman said.Fox News' Greg Wehner, Alexis McAdams, Jennifer Johnson, Louis Casiano and Bill Melugin contributed to this report.

FIRST ON FOX: A Democratic governor enthusiastically posted photos with a Chinese Communist Party diplomat on Wednesday evening, saying she was "grateful for the opportunity" to meet with him.Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, who went viral late last year for vowing to use "every tool" to fight back against President Donald Trump's deportations, took to X to highlight a meeting she and one of her top appointees had with Chen Li, the consul general of the People's Republic of China, in New York."Massachusetts is home to a vibrant Chinese-American community, and China is one of our largest trading partners," Healey wrote in a X post, which included three photos. "Glad to welcome Ambassador H.E. Chen Li of the People's Republic to China to the State House, and grateful for the opportunity to discuss future collaboration!"All three photos included Healey and Li, whose jurisdiction covers almost a dozen states. However, one photo also included now-former Massachusetts Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao, an American-born citizen whose parents are originally from China. Hao's last official day in her role was earlier this month, according to local outlets. However, she is still serving in the Healey administration as an unpaid advisor.BROTHER-IN-LAW OF TOP DEM SENATOR PLAYED KEY ROLE IN RECRUITING CHINESE FIRMS TO DEEP BLUE CITYA press release from Healeys office on Wednesday highlighted how Massachusetts and China "shared economic and cultural ties" in addition to their "commitment to continuing to work together for the benefit of our people and our economy.""China is Massachusetts third largest trading partner, with over $7.2 billion worth of goods exchanged in 2024. In 2024, Massachusetts imported $3.4 billion in goods from China, including toys, games and sports equipment, apparel and accessories," the press release continued. "Massachusetts exported $3.8 billion in goods to China in 2024, including industrial machinery, medical devices and plastics."She appeared to then try to justify the meeting by highlighting how she makes "it a priority to meet with foreign officials when they visit Massachusetts," listing off several foreign officials who she has met with, including the "Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Ahmed Dadou, and Singapore's Ambassador to the United States Lui Tuck Yew."Li, who has repeatedly praised the CCP and echoed the partys talking points about Uyghur genocide allegations being "fabricated," responded to Healeys post by quoting it and saying he was "honored to have a very pleasant conversation" with Healey. He added that he was "focusing on the cooperation between China and Massachusetts."SCHUMER SPOTTED POSING FOR PHOTO WITH CCP OFFICIAL AS WARNINGS SWIRL ABOUT CHINA INFLUENCEFox News Digital has extensively reported on the influence that Li and his predecessors have had in the United States, which has included cozying up to Democratic politicians like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Gov. Kathy Hochul, in addition to administrators at top American universities across several states on the East Coast, including Kean University President Lamont Repollet.Chen, like his predecessor Huang Ping, has repeatedly praised the CCP and denied Chinas alleged genocide against the Uyghur population, which has been condemned by many on the world stage, including the United Nations."Its hard to imagine how could genocide and forced labor associated with such a place where population grows steadily, society is safe and open, and people enjoy happy life. Where do the accusations come from?" Chenwrote in 2021. "Genocide was claimed by former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the very last day of his term. It was based on reports fabricated by some extremist anti-China individuals who havent been to Xinjiang for years and accounts of a few so-called witnesses who were proved to be trained actors and actresses."Michael Sobolik, an expert on U.S.-China relations and a Hudson Institute senior fellow, previously told Fox News Digital that the "Chinese Communist Party is always looking for ways to penetrate U.S. businesses and civil society. We shouldnt make their job easier for them."Earlier this year, Chen posted multiple times about participating in New York City parades, which included Schumer and anti-Trump Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. He also met with Sen. Richard Blumenthal's brother-in-law to light up the Empire State Building to mark the Lunar New Year, a tradition between the Chinese Consulate and the Empire State Building that goes back over a decade.Prior to Chen, Ping was in his position between 2018 and 2024. Ping was implicated in an unsealed indictment against Gov. Kathy Hochuls former deputy chief of staff, Linda Sun, who was charged "with violating and conspiring to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, alien smuggling, and money laundering conspiracy," according to a Justice Department press release.The indictment revealed then-Lt. Gov. Hochul wanted to mention the "Uyghur situation" in China for her 2021 Lunar New Year message, but the plight of the minority group being persecuted by the Chinese government was ultimately omitted after Sun overruled the speechwriter.The indictment alleges Sun revealed to Ping what the speechwriter wanted to include, but insisted that she would not let her boss mention Uyghurs after admitting that she was "starting to lose her temper" with the speechwriter. The indictment later detailed other exchanges she had with Ping and said he gifted her parents with Nanjing-style salted ducks prepared by his chef in exchange for her help in influencing the governor's policies.Fox News Digital reached out to Gov. Healey's office.

Have Floridians finally figured out what causes most alligator attacks? A group of researchers from the Sunshine State say yes.A recent study from the University of Florida delved into the topic and found there was one reason that caused 96% of alligator bites. With help from experts from Centre College in Kentucky, the team recently published their results in the journal Human Wildlife Interactions."[This] research is the first to develop a ranking system that categorizes human actions immediately before an alligator encounter," the University of Florida said in a statement.EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ALLIGATOR 'STOLEN' IN GEORGIA, PROMPTING FRANTIC CRIES FROM OWNER AND SOCIAL MEDIA FANSSo what causes alligator bites? Most of the time, the study says, it's the fault of humans."Researchers found that in 96% of recorded incidents, some form of human inattention or risk-taking preceded the attack," the university's statement said."The findings show how alligator bites are not random; theyre preventable."The study went as far back as the 1730s to reach its conclusion.The research team analyzed nearly 300 years' worth of records, from 1734 to 2021, on human-alligator interactions using the CrocBITE database.11-FOOT-LONG 'KING ARTHUR' THE ALLIGATOR SPOTTED AT SOUTH CAROLINA GOLF RESORT WITH MYSTERIOUS HEAD PIECE"The team then augmented that information with internet searches, literature review and communications with wildlife agencies," the statement added."Each case was classified by the level of human behavior risk: no risk, low, moderate or high."Most bites "occurred following moderate-risk behaviors, such as swimming or wading in areas known to be inhabited by alligators," the release noted.For more Lifestyle articles, visit foxnews.com/lifestyle"The highest proportion of fatal bites occurred after high-risk behaviors, such as deliberately entering alligator-inhabited waters," the press release noted."In contrast, low and no-risk behaviors, like walking near water or simply being present on land, rarely resulted in attacks."In a statement, Centre College professor Mark Teshera said that creating a ranking system was important "because it showed that the overwhelming majority of bites stemmed from some level of humans engaging in risky behavior in places where alligators live."CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER"Therefore, we should not call these encounters attacks,'" he added.University of Florida professor Frank Mazzotti said the study's takeaway is that many unfortunate alligator interactions can be avoided. He urged the public to have situational awareness around wildlife."Many bites can be prevented if humans are aware of their surroundings and minimize risky behaviors such as walking small pets near bodies of water or swimming where alligators are known to be present," he said.Mazzotti added, "Ultimately, the study underscores that situational awareness and informed choices, especially during recreational activities in alligator country, can help protect both people and wildlife."