Lone Democrat who challenged Biden in the primary speaks out about possibly jumping ship
CHICAGO — The sole Democrat who ran against President Biden during the 2024 Democratic primary, Rep. Dean Phillips, said he would accept an invitation to serve in either a Democratic or Republican administration, telling Fox News Digital he aspires to “help this country in some way, shape or form.”
Phillips, D-Minn., spoke to Fox News Digital on the sidelines of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Phillips, a three-term congressman, launched an uphill challenge against Biden in the Democratic primary but suspended his campaign in March.
“I didn’t want to run this cycle. I spent two years trying to call attention to something I was seeing clearly with my own eyes,” he said. “I remember my Republican buddies excoriating Donald Trump quietly behind closed doors and then praising him in front of cameras. I saw my Democratic colleagues doing the same thing about Joe Biden, who we knew was in decline, probably going to lose.”
DEAN PHILLIPS ENDS LONG-SHOT PRIMARY CHALLENGE AGAINST BIDEN FOR DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION
Phillips said he “didn’t want to do it,” but told Fox News Digital “it became evident that our political culture punishes courage, rewards cowardice and silence.”
“Someone had to do it. In two weeks, I put together a campaign to run for president,” he said. “But the message was to try to be a Paul Revere — not a George Washington. It took someone to hand over power, like Joe Biden did, to really make it happen.”
He added, “I’m glad he did. And the rest may be history.”
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When asked if he had aspirations to run for president again in the future, Phillips said he just aspires “to help this country in some way, shape or form.”
“This was not about running for president. This was about showing people that it is never too late, and you should sit up and stand up and do something when you feel that something is wrong. And I did that,” he said.
“If there is a way to serve my country in a Democratic administration — in a Republican administration — my goodness, we should all stand up and accept that invitation whenever it is issued,” he told Fox News Digital. “So, you never know.”
However, Phillips told Fox News Digital that policy is critical.
“Americans remember how they feel. They remember how they feel. They want to feel excited, safe, joyful, optimistic and a lot of that results from policy,” he said.
“As it relates to policy, yeah, we have a border crisis. I’ve seen it twice with my own eyes. We also have to be a welcoming country, as Ronald Reagan would say,” Phillips said. “We have to be a country that has an economy that works for people. Sixty percent of people are living paycheck to paycheck. It doesn’t matter what party you are — we failed a lot of people. Our healthcare system is a mess. This is America.”
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However, Phillips said politicians need to stop the infighting.
“As long as we keep spending all of our time fighting, we’re never going to spend our time developing better ideas,” he said. “And that’s my call to action for my colleagues in Congress and for Americans. We’re not going to solve problems by beating ourselves up.”
Potentially deadly virus that landed Fauci in hospital detected in vacation hotspot
The year’s first case of West Nile virus at a popular New York beach and campground has been detected, officials said Friday.
The virus was found in a mosquito sample collected from a trap set at Watch Hill at Fire Island National Seashore, a 30-mile-long barrier island off Long Island, the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) said.
Watch Hill is a popular camping spot on federal land between Davis Park and the Fire Island Wilderness, and the trap was part of a collaborative mosquito monitoring program between NPS and Suffolk County Department of Health Services – Arthropod-Borne Disease Laboratory.
West Nile Virus was first confirmed in New York State in 1999 – the same year the virus first entered the U.S. The virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the country, per the CDC.
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The virus is transmitted to humans most commonly through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea or rash, although a vast majority — around 80% — of the people who contract WNV will not experience any symptoms. There are no vaccines or treatments for the virus.
More than 1,800 people were hospitalized with the virus last year in the U.S., leading to 182 deaths, per CDC data.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the public face of the U.S. coronavirus pandemic response, was hospitalized earlier this month with the West Nile virus, a spokesperson for Fauci told Fox News on Saturday. Fauci, 83, later returned home where he was recovering, and is expected to make a full recovery, the spokesperson said.
NORTHEASTERN TOWNS ISSUE VOLUNTARY LOCKDOWN TO PREVENT SPREAD OF MOSQUITO-BORNE ILLNESS
Meanwhile, the NPS and Suffolk County will continue the weekly mosquito surveillance program to monitor the severity and extent of the virus within the Seashore. Watch Hill will also receive increased surveillance.
Control methods such as larviciding, spraying or area closures may occur if any threats to human health are identified, the NPS said.
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Park officials said that those visiting Fire Island National Seashore should avoid areas with high volumes of mosquitoes, wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, socks, and long pants, and use insect repellent containing at least 30% DEET.
Netanyahu issues new vow to terrorists after stopping attack against Israel just in time
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday vowed more “surprising blows” against Iran-backed terrorist groups after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reportedly struck launch sites in Lebanon just minutes before Hezbollah was planning to fire thousands of rockets into central Israel.
“What happened today is not the end of the story. Hezbollah tried to attack the State of Israel with rockets and drones early in the morning,” Netanyahu said at a government meeting in Tel Aviv Sunday morning. “We instructed the IDF to carry out a powerful pre-emptive strike to remove the threat.”
“The IDF destroyed thousands of short-range rockets, and they were all intended to harm our citizens and our forces in Galilee,” he continued. “In addition, the IDF intercepted all the UAVs that Hezbollah launched for a strategic purpose in the center of the country. We are hitting Hezbollah with surprising blows…. Three weeks ago, we eliminated his chief of staff, and today, we foiled his attack plan.”
“Nasrallah in Beirut and Khamenei in Tehran should know that this is another step on the way to change the situation in the north and return our residents safely to their homes,” Netanyahu added. “And I repeat – this is not the end of the story.”
ISRAEL ATTACKS TARGETS IN LEBANON TO THWART HEZBOLLAH’S PREPARED STRIKES: IDF
In an earlier statement, White House National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said President Biden “is closely monitoring events in Israel and Lebanon.”
“He has been engaged with his national security team throughout the evening. At his direction, senior U.S. officials have been communicating continuously with their Israeli counterparts. We will keep supporting Israel’s right to defend itself, and we will keep working for regional stability,” Savett added.
It was national security adviser Jake Sullivan leading those updates to Biden throughout the night, officials tell Fox News.
After Hezbollah announced last night that their attack was over, White House officials said they will keep monitoring the situation.
“There are no indications right now that another round is coming,” one official told Fox News.
A Western intelligence official told the New York Times that Israel’s preemptive attack targeted and destroyed missile launchers in Lebanon that had been programmed to fire at 5 a.m. toward Tel Aviv.
The IDF were able to carry out a preemptive attack on thousands of rocket launchers in Lebanon after information gathered from Israeli intelligence agencies, including the IDF’s Military Intelligence Directorate (MID), found Hezbollah was planning to use them to target strategic military sites in central Israel, including in the Gush Dan region, the Israeli English-language newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported.
The IDF also intercepted drones traveling from Lebanon that were intended to target central Israel, according to the newspaper.
Approximately 100 Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighter jets, directed by IDF intelligence, struck and destroyed “thousands of Hezbollah rocket launcher barrels that were located and embedded in southern Lebanon,” the IDF said earlier. “Most of these launchers were aimed toward northern Israel and some were aimed toward central Israel, and more than 40 launch areas in Lebanon were struck during the strikes.”
The IDF said its forces struck Hezbollah launchers in several areas in southern Lebanon to remove threats and identified a terrorist cell operating in the area of Khiam in southern Lebanon.
“The IAF swiftly struck the terrorists,” IDF wrote on X.
At an earlier news briefing, IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Israeli forces identified “extensive preparation by the Hezbollah terrorist organization to fire toward the Israeli Home Front.”
“After extensive identification, the IAF and Northern Command began proactively and broadly striking Hezbollah targets in order to remove the threats aimed at the citizens of Israel,” Hagari said. “We are removing threats against the Israeli home front. Dozens of IAF jets are currently striking targets in various locations in southern Lebanon. We are continuing to remove threats, and to intensively strike against the Hezbollah terrorist organization.”
The Israeli military said it struck because Hezbollah was planning to launch a heavy barrage of rockets and missiles toward Israel. Soon after, Hezbollah announced it had launched an attack on Israeli military positions as an initial response to the killing of Fouad Shukur, one of its founding members, in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut last month.
By mid-morning, it appeared that the exchange had ended, with both sides saying they had only aimed at military targets, according to The Associated Press.
Israeli Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani said Hezbollah had intended to hit targets in northern and central Israel. He said initial assessments found “very little damage” in Israel, but that the military remained on high alert.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that two people were killed and another two were wounded in the strikes in southern Lebanon.
Separately, a fighter for the Amal group, which is allied with Hezbollah, was killed in a strike on a car, Amal said.
HEZBOLLAH OPERATIVES KILLED IN ISRAELI AIRSTRIKES AS TERROR GROUP FIRES 100 ROCKETS AT JEWISH STATE
Hezbollah said its attack involved more than 320 Katyusha rockets aimed at multiple sites in Israel, and a “large number” of drones. It said the operation was targeting “a qualitative Israeli military target that will be announced later” as well as “enemy sites and barracks and Iron Dome (missile defense) platforms.”
Hezbollah said the strikes would allow it to launch more attacks deeper into Israel, but a later statement said that “military operations for today have been completed.” The terrorist group said it targeted 11 bases, barracks and military positions in northern Israel, including the Golan Heights, and dismissed Israel’s claim to have thwarted a stronger attack. Hezbollah did not provide evidence for its claims.
Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, was expected to give a speech later on Sunday.
After an emergency government meeting, Lebanon’s caretaker Economy Minister Amin Salam said officials were “feeling a bit more optimistic” about a de-escalation.
“We feel more reassured since both sides confirmed that the expected operations ended, and we know that the negotiations in Cairo are very serious,” he said.
Meanwhile, Egypt on Sunday is hosting high-level talks aimed at brokering a cease-fire in the 10-month-old Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, which diplomats hope will tamp down regional tensions.
U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. is expected to make a trip to the Middle East to participate in negotiations.
“Over the next few days, the Chairman will visit key allies and partners in the region, Egypt, Jordan and Israel, as a display of the long-term U.S. commitment to the Middle East and to further his understanding of the various perspectives of ongoing tensions,” Joint Staff spokesperson Navy Capt. Jereal Dorsey said in a statement Saturday.
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“In each country, the Chairman is scheduled to meet with his counterparts and other officials for discussions,” Dorsey said. “Gen. Brown will continue to stress the importance of deterring further escalation of hostilities, protecting U.S. forces in the region, U.S. support of Israel’s self-defense, and a coordinated effort in providing humanitarian assistance to the civilians. As cease-fire negotiations continue, the Chairman’s visit is reflective of the importance of reaching an agreement that returns the hostages, ends the violence, and allows the entire region to focus on the next steps toward a more secure, stable Middle East.”
Woman accused of pushing kid-free lifestyle on sister’s kids as social media erupts
A Reddit user who was accused of “brainwashing” her sister’s children by explaining why she opted against having kids did nothing wrong, a family therapist told Fox News Digital.
“AITA for telling my sister’s kids the truth about why I never had children?” asked user “PutSpecial8915” in an Aug. 24 post on the “Am I the A–hole” subreddit.
In the post, the woman said she’s 36 and has a younger sister with three kids, ages seven, five, and three.
REDDIT USER DEFENDED AFTER DAD LEAVES HIM ‘EFFECTIVELY HOMELESS’
“I’m child-free by choice, which has always been a point of contention in my family,” she wrote. “My sister especially has been very vocal about her belief that ‘a woman’s purpose is to be a mother’ and how I’m ‘missing out on the best part of life,’” she said.
In the past, the woman said she’s ignored these comments “to keep the peace,” but recently, her sister’s oldest child apparently asked her again why she’d chosen not to have kids.
“I tried to give a vague, polite answer, but they kept pressing, saying their mom told them that I would change my mind one day because ‘everyone does,’” said PutSpecial8915.
“At this point, I decided it was time for the truth,” she said — and revealed to her sister’s children that she “value[d] my freedom, career and personal time.”
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“I explained that while some people love being parents, others find happiness in different ways, and that it’s OK not to have kids if that’s what makes you happy,” she said.
“I also added that everyone’s life choices are valid as long as they’re happy and fulfilled.”
This, however, did not go over well with her sister — who overheard part of their conversation.
The sister “blew up at me, accusing me of trying to ‘brainwash’ her kids and undermine her parenting,” the woman wrote.
“She said that I was selfish for planting ‘doubt’ in her children’s minds about the importance of family. She even accused me of ‘glamorizing’ a lifestyle that she feels is empty and meaningless,” said the woman in her post.
“She even accused me of ‘glamorizing’ a lifestyle that she feels is empty and meaningless.”
Later, PutSpecial8915’s parents called — and they sided with her sister’s anger over her conversation with her children, the woman shared in her post.
“They said I should’ve just ‘humored’ the kids or deflected the question, and that I owed my sister an apology for causing unnecessary drama,” she said.
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Yet, “I don’t think I did anything wrong,” said PutSpecial8915. “I was honest, respectful and gave a balanced perspective. I’m tired of being made to feel like my choices are lesser or need to be hidden just to avoid conflict.”
She added, “I believe it’s important for kids to know that there are different paths in life, and not all of them involve having children.”
The writer then asked others, “AITA for being honest with my niece and nephews about why I chose not to have kids, even if it caused a family rift?”
Fox News Digital reached out to the Reddit writer for comment and updates.
A therapist told Fox News Digital that she believed PutSpecial8915 did nothing wrong – as long as the situation unfolded as she described.
“She was asked a question and responded truthfully,” Rachel Goldberg, LMFT, founder of Rachel Goldberg Therapy in Los Angeles, told Fox News Digital via email.
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Goldberg also said, “Just because her family didn’t like the answer doesn’t mean it was inappropriate.”
But, in the future, “she might consider giving a shorter response like, ‘I’m not interested in kids right now,’ to keep the peace,” she said.
“Ultimately, she has every right to be honest,” said a therapist.
“Ultimately, she has every right to be honest,” said Goldberg.
“If her sister and the rest of the family don’t like it, they can choose not to ask that question or be around her.”
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Reddit users largely agreed with Goldberg’s sentiment. In the more than 300 responses to her post, the majority said the woman was “not the a–hole” in this situation.
“NTA. Your sister has been undermining you to her kids for years in a very passive-aggressive way. Because of this, this question was bound to come up sometime,” wrote another Reddit user in the top reply.
The user said that PutSpecial8915 opted not to be passive-aggressive in return, and “approached the subject head on.”
The same person wrote, “And your sister couldn’t take it because she is afraid that if her kids are exposed to other points of view, they will develop opinions of their own.”
Another user pointed out that there was not much that the woman could do in this situation.
“What lie was [she] supposed to tell to maintain her sister’s beliefs?” asked user Ok-Cat-4975.
High school quarterback dies after brain injury in opening night game
A high school football player in Alabama died Saturday after suffering a brain injury in his team’s home opener Friday night.
Morgan Academy junior quarterback Caden Tellier received a blow to the head during the third quarter of his team’s 30-22 win against Southern Academy in Selma, Alabama. He was airlifted by helicopter to University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital.
Morgan Academy headmaster Bryan Oliver told Fox News Digital Tellier died from his injuries Saturday evening.
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“It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that Caden Tellier has gone to be with his Lord and Savior. Caden loved the Lord with all his heart and was a shining light every day he graced the halls of Morgan Academy. He was a student, a friend, an athlete and, most important, a Christ follower,” Oliver said.
“There are no words to describe how we feel as a school community and family. We will come together and support Jamie, Arsella and Lyla with our whole hearts. We offer our deepest sympathy to the Telliers’ extended family as well. I want to thank all the schools and individuals that have reached out during this difficult time. Caden will never be forgotten for who he was and what he means to Morgan Academy.”
Earlier Saturday, there was social media confusion about Tellier’s health when a statement from Alabama Independent School Association Executive Director Michael McLendon was posted on the association’s Facebook page. The initial statement, which went up before noon ET, indicated the school had been dealt a “tragic loss” regarding Tellier.
However, that post was deleted and replaced with a new statement that was posted around 1:20 p.m. ET that clarified Tellier had suffered a “tragic injury” and was in critical condition at the time. However, he died later that day.
McLendon added the school is “suspending” all school activities in the coming week.
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“As a small school, Morgan Academy feels this tragedy even more deeply, and the Alabama Independent School Association is here to offer any support and resources to support them as they grieve,” he said.
Tellier played both football and baseball for Morgan Academy. During his first year as the varsity starter as a sophomore in 2023, he threw for 1,228 yards with seven touchdowns and four interceptions in eight games. In baseball last spring, he hit .311 with two home runs and 10 RBIs.
Tellier’s death comes just nine days after a fellow Alabama high school football player, 14-year-old New Brockton High School freshman Semaj Wilkins, died Aug. 15 after collapsing during a practice.
Renowned rapper flips the script on AI with a game-changing secret sauce
While many musicians and celebrities have spoken out against A.I., rapper wiil.i.am is getting in on the technology, announcing a new artificial intelligence app called Raidio.FYI.
FYI is a free artificial intelligence-infused platform that “simulates the radio experience,” allowing users to engage with radio personas and curate content for their interests.
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“We’ve simulated the format of a radio station where we have A.I. co-hosts, and you’re able to have deep conversations around any subject that you’re interested in, real-time information, historical information,” the rapper said on “The Claman Countdown,” Tuesday.
“It simulates a radio experience, talks over a musical bed and then throws to a curated playlist that humans curate,” he added, “and then we build these stations off of projects.”
The Black Eyed Peas member founded the free app as a “creative co-pilot” according to the app website. Instead of needing other humans to work on projects or dissect plans, FYI allows the user to help turn their ideas into reality.
“I have a persona that’s never tired, and it can help me fine-tune my ideas that I have. I don’t need it to come up with an idea,” the rapper explained.
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“If you are worried about or…not secure with your idea, banter with one of our A.I. personas and help fine-tune your marketing plan, your strategy, or your song or book that you’re publishing and have real conversation with it. You could…rant, and it makes sense of your rants. And to help you bring your ideas into form to materialize and strategize around.”
Additionally, the platform allows users to send messages, create project folders and make content calls. FYI also uses advanced end-to-end encryption similar to methods used in securing cryptocurrency transactions.
“It’s super thought out,” he said. “We have our partners and our RSS feeds, our internal journalists, to ensure that what we’re reporting is all factual. And every once in a while, it will get it wrong, but that’s why we urge everyone to push the A.I.”
“We urge everyone to push the A.I. to question it,” he continued. “Push it to go out and fetch more. Treat it like something that you can trust, but with some type of precaution, you have to push it. You can’t just receive everything as facts in a digital world.”
The rapper went on to test the software with host Liz Claman, who remarked that from “C-suite wannabes” and people who work in business, to artists and songwriters, it’s something “anybody can use.”
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Jennifer Lopez shows Ben Affleck what he’s missing in sultry revenge photo
Jennifer Lopez is showing she’s unfazed after her dramatic split from Ben Affleck.
The “I’m Real” singer returned to social media after filing for divorce from the Hollywood actor after two years of marriage.
The 55-year-old pop star took to Instagram to share a sultry selfie, her first post since court documents were submitted for the couple’s divorce.
JENNIFER LOPEZ, BEN AFFLECK DIVORCE FILING LISTS REASON FOR SPLIT AFTER 2 YEARS OF MARRIAGE
The “Atlas” actress was glammed up with her blonde hair flowing with big, voluminous curls over her shoulders. Lopez wore a pink sweatshirt and looked intently into what appeared to be a camera phone.
In the background, a Christmas tree and presents were displayed, along with a clothes rack, and the selfie was shared by a fan account.
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The snapshot appeared to be from December 2020 after celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton shared a similar photo on his account at the time. He described the look as “Deluxe Glam Barbie.”
Lopez’s social media post comes after she filed for divorce from Affleck Tuesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
JENNIFER LOPEZ, BEN AFFLECK DIVORCE AFTER TWO YEARS OF MARRIAGE
According to documents obtained by Fox News Digital, the divorce filings cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for their split.
The “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” singer listed their date of separation as April 26. Lopez additionally stated she did not want either her or Affleck to be awarded spousal support, according to the court documents.
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Lopez filed the divorce papers on the two-year anniversary of the couple’s Georgia wedding ceremony.
Affleck, 52, and Lopez, 55, first said “I do” during a surprise Las Vegas wedding in July 2022.
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Court documents at the time showed Lopez, listed as “Party 2,” requesting a “new name” on their marriage certificate filing, which was first received July 16 and filed with the Clark County Clerk’s Office the following day.
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Affleck is listed as “Party 1” on the document, with his full name recorded as “Benjamin Geza Affleck.” Lopez had legally taken her husband’s last name and changed her name to “Jennifer Lynn Affleck.”
One month after their Las Vegas nuptials, the newlyweds hosted a backyard ceremony for friends and family at the $8 million Georgia mansion Affleck purchased when the couple first began dating 20 years ago.