Fox News 2025-05-12 00:12:07


Portnoy’s back with ‘stocks only go up’ mantra — but day-trading king adds caveat

Barstool Sports founder and President Dave Portnoy is echoing his past investment advice that “stocks only go up” and “only losers take profits.” However, he pointed out one important condition during an appearance on “Varney & Co.” on Wednesday.

“I’ve always said the caveat, if you have time pressure, that’s a different story,” Portnoy said. 

“But if you’re in my shoes, a young strapping man, and I can wait, time is always on your side in the stock market, Stuart, and the stock market has proven it,” he continued.

The Barstool Sports founder noted that “stocks always go up in the long term.”

“There’s no point where you could have bought stocks, and if you held, they wouldn’t be higher,” he said. 

While the world went into lockdown in 2020, Portnoy became the poster child of the day-trading craze, livestreaming his daily trading sessions on X, giving followers a glimpse into both his successes and failures as he slung positions worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

BARSTOOL’S PORTNOY ON JPMORGAN’S DIMON’S SKEPTICISM OF BITCOIN: ‘IT’S NOT GOING ANYWHERE’

“I’m trading my own money and lots of it,” Portnoy highlighted. “I’m having fun. As long as we’re still kind of with nothing else to do, I’ll keep day trading,” he said at the time.

Portnoy’s fortune exploded in 2016 when he sold his majority stake in his media company to the Chernin Group, which reportedly valued Barstool between $10 million to $15 million, according to Forbes.

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Admin signals what’s next after locking horns with America’s enemy in 10-hour standoff

President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social Saturday night that “great progress” had been made during weekend trade negotiations with China.

During the meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, between U.S. officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and a Chinese delegation, “many things” were discussed and “much [was] agreed to,” Trump said.

No major breakthrough was announced in discussions that lasted over 10 hours, The Associated Press reported, and negotiations are scheduled to continue Sunday. 

PIVOTAL TRADE TALKS WITH BEIJING LOOM AS TRUMP SWEARS IN NEW US AMBASSADOR TO CHINA: ‘WHAT TIMING’

The administration announced a round of tariffs April 2 and later imposed a 145% tariff on Chinese goods.

After reducing reciprocal tariffs on other countries for 90 days to a baseline of 10%, China raised tariffs on U.S. goods to 125%.

TRUMP IS COMMITTED TO 10% BASELINE TARIFF, WHITE HOUSE SAYS, DESPITE UK TRADE DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT

On Thursday, Trump told reporters at the White House China “very much” wanted to make a deal, ending the intense tariff battle.

While the president did not provide many specifics Saturday night, he described the agreement as “a total reset negotiated in a friendly, but constructive, manner.”

“We want to see, for the good of both China and the U.S., an opening up of China to American business,” Trump wrote in the post. “GREAT PROGRESS MADE!!!”

TRUMP SAYS 80% TARIFF ON CHINA ‘SEEMS RIGHT’ AHEAD OF WEEKEND TALKS WITH BEIJING

A longtime supporter of tariffs, Trump argued that “fair” duties could address the nation’s record $1.2 trillion trade deficit from 2024 and encourage the return of U.S. manufacturing jobs.

Bessent said in April the tariffs could cost China up to 10 million jobs, making Chinese tariffs unsustainable.

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“Even if there is a drop in the tariffs, they could lose 5 million jobs,” Bessent told White House reporters. “Remember that we are the deficit country. They sell almost five times more goods to us than we sell to them. So, the onus will be on them to take off these tariffs.”

Trump steps in as rivals halt fire — and drops a surprise that could shake the region

U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday promised to increase trade with India and Pakistan after the two nations agreed to a ceasefire to end the conflict with each other.

“While not even discussed, I am going to increase trade, substantially, with both of these great Nations,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Additionally, I will work with you both to see if, after a ‘thousand years,’ a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir. God Bless the leadership of India and Pakistan on a job well done!!!”

The fragile ceasefire was holding on Sunday after several days of intense fighting, with dozens killed as missiles and drones were fired at each other’s military bases. The deal was reached after diplomacy and pressure from the U.S., but artillery fire was witnessed in Indian Kashmir within hours of the agreement.

Attacks were witnessed in cities near the border under a blackout, as was the case in the previous two evenings.

INSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE’S EFFORT TO PULL INDIA, PAKISTAN BACK FROM THE BRINK OF WAR

The fighting began on Wednesday after 26 men were killed two weeks prior in an attack targeting Hindus in Pahalgam in Kashmir. Both countries rule part of Kashmir but claim full control.

Late on Saturday, India accused Pakistan of violating the agreement to stop firing and that the Indian armed forces had been told to “deal strongly” with any continued firings.

Pakistan blamed India for violating the truce and said it was committed to the ceasefire.

TRUMP ANNOUNCES INDIA AND PAKISTAN AGREED TO CEASEFIRE

The fighting and explosions reported overnight had quieted on both sides of the border by dawn on Sunday.

“I am very proud of the strong and unwaveringly powerful leadership of India and Pakistan for having the strength, wisdom, and fortitude to fully know and understand that it was time to stop the current aggression that could have lead to to [sic] the death and destruction of so many, and so much,” Trump said in his post.

“Millions of good and innocent people could have died! Your legacy is greatly enhanced by your brave actions. I am proud that the USA was able to help you arrive at this historic and heroic decision,” he added.

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In the Indian border city of Amritsar, a siren sounded Sunday morning to resume normal activities.

Officials in Pakistan said there was some firing in Bhimber in Pakistani Kashmir overnight, but there was no fighting anywhere else and no casualties were reported.

The two countries have gone to war three times, including twice over Kashmir.

Trump admin vows American parents will sleep better — hints at what’s about to unfold

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino shared a detailed update Saturday about the bureau’s operations, making clear the agency is focused on removing dangerous criminals and protecting children.

In a post on X, Bongino outlined several priorities and took aim at what he called misleading media coverage of the FBI’s work.

“The workforce has been working overtime on task force operations to remove dangerous illegal aliens from the country. The work continues,” Bongino wrote. “If you came here illegally to prey on our citizens, your days here are numbered.”

He said these operations are only getting started and will ramp up in the coming weeks.

RUBIO JUST GOT AN ADDITIONAL JOB IN TRUMP’S ADMINISTRATION — AND HE’S NOT THE ONLY ONE WEARING MULTIPLE HATS

“These removal and incarceration operations will dramatically change the crime landscape in the country when combined with the administration’s laser-focus on sealing the border shut,” he added.

Bongino also pointed to a new initiative focused on protecting children from predators.

“Crimes against children are a priority for the workforce. Operation ‘Restoring Justice,’ where we locked up child predators and 764 subjects, in every part of the country, is just the beginning,” he said. “We are going to take your freedom if you take away a child’s innocence.”

He promised more enforcement efforts to come and warned those targeting children to “think twice.”

205 ARRESTED IN FBI CHILD SEX OPERATION, PATEL AND BONDI ANNOUNCE

Bongino addressed the FBI’s efforts to respond to Congress and the public about several high-profile cases. These include the attack on Rep. Steve Scalise, the Nashville school shooting, the Crossfire Hurricane investigation and the origins of COVID-19. He also mentioned the ongoing work with the Department of Justice in the Jeffrey Epstein case.

“There are voluminous amounts of downloaded child sexual abuse material that we are dealing with,” he wrote. “There are also victims’ statements that are entitled to specific protections. We need to do this correctly, but I do understand the public’s desire to get the information out there.”

He also responded to what he described as false stories being spread by some in the media and came to the defense of FBI Director Patel

“He spends anywhere between 10 to 12 hours in the office attending meetings with everyone from foreign heads of law enforcement to our counter-terror teams,” Bongino wrote. “Any assertion otherwise is a verifiable lie designed to stop our reforms and fracture your trust. I will die on this hill. You are being clearly lied to by people with an agenda, and it’s not your agenda.”

He closed by thanking the public for its attention and encouraged Americans to keep watching the FBI’s progress.

“God bless America, and all those who defend Her,” he wrote.

Dan Bongino began his law enforcement career with the New York Police Department in 1995. He joined the United States Secret Service in 1999 and later served on the elite Presidential Protective Division for presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

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After leaving government service, Bongino ran for office as a Republican in Maryland and Florida. Bongino also hosted a Saturday night show on Fox News Channel from 2021 to 2023.

He is the author of several books, including “Life Inside the Bubble,” a memoir about his time in the Secret Service.

The FBI did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

After deadly DC crash, grieving dad credits Trump admin for what’s next

The family of Sam Lilley, a pilot killed in the deadly midair collision between an American Airlines jet and a Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C., earlier this year, is speaking out and hoping to turn grief into action.

“We [want to] make sure that no other family has to go through the loss that our family and the other 66 families have gone through,” said Tim Lilley, Sam’s father and a pilot himself.

The January crash near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) claimed the lives of all 67 people aboard both aircraft. Since the incident, the Lilley family has called for changes to air safety protocols, particularly regarding military and commercial flight coordination near the Pentagon.

Tim Lilley argues long-standing problems at Reagan National, from outdated systems to risky procedures, contributed to the tragedy.

TWO PLANES DO ‘GO-AROUNDS’ TO AVOID MILITARY HELICOPTER NEAR REAGAN WASHINGTON NATIONAL AIRPORT

“It only takes a minute to look at the procedure going out of the Pentagon and know you should not have a helicopter circling east of the Pentagon while there’s aircraft, commercial aircraft, on approach to runway 19 at broader Reagan,” he said.

DUFFY BLASTS BIDEN, BUTTIGIEG FOR IGNORING REPORT ABOUT FAILING AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM: ‘DID NOTHING!’

He recalled previous conversations with his son about the complexity of flying into the area. 

“Sam and I talked quite a bit about the flights into DCA and Ronald Reagan International and the challenges that come with that,” he said.

Their concerns echo broader issues facing the aviation industry. A New York Times report after the crash highlighted understaffing at the Reagan control tower, and a lawsuit claims the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) improperly discarded qualified air traffic controller applicants based on race. 

Tim Lilley also expressed concern about outdated air traffic control technology.

“The system just can’t keep up with what’s going on. This thing was designed decades and decades ago,” he said.

BLACK HAWK PILOT FAILED TO HEED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR IN MOMENTS BEFORE PLANE COLLISION OVER DC: REPORT

Despite the tragedy, the Lilleys are hopeful about efforts underway to fix what’s broken. They credit Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy for moving quickly after the crash.

FAA INCREASING AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL STAFF, SUPERVISORS AT RONALD REAGAN WASHINGTON NATIONAL AIRPORT

“Secretary Duffy, he gets it,” Tim said. “We met with him just a few days after the accident. Everything that we asked for, he’s taking action on. I asked him to do this at the speed of business and not the speed of government, and he’s really coming through.”

The Department of Transportation unveiled a sweeping three-year framework to modernize the nation’s air traffic control system. The proposal released Thursday includes upgraded radar, new telecommunications networks, and six new air traffic control centers nationwide.

Sam’s family expressed gratitude for the administration’s support.

“I just really [want to] thank President Trump for his leadership in putting forth this program,” said Tim, who stressed that aviation safety is not a partisan issue.

“Every family deserves to know that their loved one is on a commercial aircraft that’s [going to] get there safely,” Tim said. “This goes both sides of the aisle. We’re just looking for support from everybody. I think all Americans deserve safe skies.”

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Even as changes begin, the Lilley family says their advocacy is just beginning.

“We are in this for the long haul,” said Sam’s stepmother, Sheri Lilley. “Tim and I are adamant that we want to make the name Sam Lilley synonymous with aviation safety.”

Comedians’ offhand joke on Rogan’s podcast sparks unexpected movement

What started as a self-deprecating fat joke between two comedians has now become an annual 5K for thousands of fans – but this isn’t your average race.

Instead of chasing record times, world-famous comedians Bert Kreischer and Tom Segura are inviting fans to grab a beer, have some fun, and maybe squeeze in a 5K.

“We mistakenly said that we should do 5Ks every year. And so now, we have thousands of people coming out. We are at Raymond James Stadium, and we’re doing a 5K. We have like [6,000] people [who] will come here throughout the day,” Segura, co-host of the “Two Bears, One Cave” podcast, told Fox News Digital.

JELLY ROLL DECLARES HE WILL RUN HIS FIRST 5K IN MAY: ‘I BELIEVE IN MYSELF’

The seed for the “2 Bears 5K” idea traces back to an episode of the “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast, where the duo agreed to a weight-loss challenge against each other. 

This hilarious, competitive spirit continued to fuel a lifestyle change between the two co-hosts. 

“Do something really good for yourself, and then negate it all afterwards,”

— Comedian and podcaster Tom Segura

Kreischer admitted that although the idea began with a lighthearted lark, it has since transformed into a full-blown event that has attracted thousands of fans from across the country.

COMEDIAN BERT KREISCHER REALIZES FORMER MLB PITCHER WAS HIGH SCHOOL FOE: ‘I USED TO BAT OFF YOU’

“This all started with us fat-shaming each other – something you’re not allowed to do, I guess,” Kreischer laughed. 

“And we did it publicly on the biggest platform in the world on Joe Rogan’s podcast [The Joe Rogan Experience]. And so, our approach to this has always been lighthearted fun. You bust your buddy’s balls. That’s how we kind of operate. And this is, I mean, this is great.”

When participants aren’t running, there is a wide variety of activities offered. Fans can enjoy everything from a post-run recovery to a spear-throwing game.

“It’s just a way to bring people together and do something really good for yourself, and then negate it all afterwards,” Segura joked. So, it’s have fun and then party.”

JELLY ROLL DROPS NEARLY 200 POUNDS, SETS SIGHTS ON SKY-HIGH GOAL

Though the event prides itself on being low-pressure, it has inspired many to make lasting lifestyle changes, including Emmy-nominated country star Jelly Roll.

Jelly Roll vowed to support the event and attended last year’s 5K, but that promise quickly turned into a pivotal shift in his life.

Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord went from unable to walk a mile in January 2024 to completing a 3.1-mile race in May of that year – a tear-jerking accomplishment that has motivated others to get in shape. According to an interview with NBC’s TODAY, the country star is currently down 183 pounds.

“He’s such a sincere, awesome guy. And a lot of people could have said, ‘Oh, I’m going to start changing now that I got this going,’ and then regress. But he’s continued to take care of himself,” Segura gushed. 

“He’s down over a hundred pounds now from where he was,” Segura said. “And you can tell. I mean, he looks so much healthier. He feels better. He’s awesome. And yeah, he’s inspiring, I think to all of us, honestly.”

JELLY ROLL SHUTS DOWN CONCERNS HIS WEIGHT LOSS WOULD DESTROY CAREER

Jelly Roll’s weight loss journey is far from over, according to Kreischer.

“Jelly getting behind this race really kind of inspired a lot of people to try to change a little bit,” Kreischer said. “I mean we’re looking at one lady who was 500 pounds, the guy over there lost 120 pounds. And that’s awesome.”

In addition to Jelly Roll, retired Philadelphia Eagles center and Super Bowl champion Jason Kelce also participated, along with Tampa Bay Buccaneers players Graham Barton and Elijah Klein. 

When they are not planning a 5K, Segura and Kreischer have been hard at work selling out arenas and making people around the world laugh.

Segura’s latest special is titled “Sledgehammer,” and his new dark comedy series, “Bad Thoughts,” debuts May 13 on Netflix.

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Kreischer has recently launched a new special called “Lucky,” and stars in the movie “The Machine,” a film inspired by his viral 2016 stand-up routine. 

“We both like doing, you know, multiple mediums of entertainment,” Segura concluded. “We have fun doing it all, and we totally… we support each other.”

Army ditches helicopters for radical new air assault planes to fend off US adversary

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It’s a plane. It’s a helicopter. It’s both. Meet “FLRAA,” the Army’s new tiltrotor for Future Long-Range Air Assault. This is how the Army will island hop in the Pacific to fend off China. And by the way, Chinese President Xi Jinping has nothing like it. 

With a stunning announcement, the Army did more than ax 40 generals and open the door to AI. The Army bet its future on this radical aircraft, whose engines swivel to take off and land like a helicopter, or fly high and fast like an airplane.  

This aircraft was on pace to enter the Army inventory in the early 2030s.  

PETE HEGSETH SAYS WEST POINT PROFESSOR WHO RESIGNED OVER TRUMP ADMIN EDUCATION OVERHAUL ‘WILL NOT BE MISSED’

Then came the Army shake-up. On May 1, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth directed the Army to focus more on the Indo-Pacific. In that region, sheer distance and Chinese missile threat rings are locking out current helicopters. For the mission of air assault – when troops move into hostile and contested areas by rotary-wing aircraft – the hard truth is that the Army has a looming capability gap.  

“We can’t actually do the large-scale, long-range air assault today” with the speed and distance required in modern warfare, Maj. Gen. Brett Sylvia, commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, said last year.  

That’s unacceptable, given Xi’s growing appetite for military confrontation.  

So now the Army wants its revolutionary plane ASAP. On Wednesday, May 7, Army Chief of Staff General Randy George told Congress he wants to move it up several years, “into the 2028 timeframe.” Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll said he met with prime contractor Bell Textron to talk about a rush order.  

It’s easy to see why. The acronym-happy Army says “FLRAA” will fly 1,700 nautical miles without refueling and carry 12 passengers at a speed near 300 mph. Compare that to the 183 mph for the Black Hawk helicopter it is replacing. For pilots, the extra range, speed and survivability of a tiltrotor is a huge improvement on a helicopter. With a tiltrotor, they can zoom all over the battlespace with impunity and land any time, any place, in any conditions.  

You may be familiar with the V-22 Osprey, which first flew in 1989 and is now flown by the Marine Corps, Navy and U.S. Air Force special operations forces. As the first operational tiltrotor, the V-22 has had ups and downs, but beyond question, the V-22 proved itself in combat in Afghanistan. In another vivid example, in 2013, three battle-damaged Air Force MV-22s flew 500 miles from South Sudan to Entebbe, Uganda, spewing fuel, to save the lives of wounded Navy SEALs aboard.  

No wonder the Army pounced on the tiltrotor concept.  

However, the Army FLRAA is an all-new design based on the prototype V-280 Valor, which first flew in 2017.  It is slightly smaller than the V-22, with a 47-foot fuselage consisting of an aluminum structure and carbon fiber composite skin.  

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The big advance for “FLRAA” is in the tilt mechanism. On the older V-22, the whole engine nacelle housing pivoted. For the Army’s aircraft, that headache is gone. The two engine nacelles stay put on the wing. Only the propellors rotate, to switch between helicopter and airplane mode. This is much safer, and the improved rotor design also increases agility and maneuverability in low-speed flight while in helicopter mode.  

The other major difference is that the Army’s tiltrotor is designed as a multi-mission aircraft. Door guns on each side mark it as a dedicated air assault platform. Contrast that with the V-22 which only has a tail gun. The new Army tiltrotor also carries so-called “launched effects,” which is military lingo for a variety of drones, such as self-protection decoys released to divert enemy fire, sensor drones to hunt targets, drones that do electronic warfare jamming and of course weapons drones for the kill.  

With its range capability, the Army tiltrotor can drive these drones deep into the battlespace. With drone operations in mind, software matters, so the plane has an open systems digital backbone ready to plug in new systems anytime.  

Even more intriguing, the FLRAA has the potential to fly by itself. At 240 knots it can deploy from Hawaii to the Philippines in 20 hours. In the future, “FLRAA” may also be able to self-deploy, moving to the theater by flying autonomously as an unmanned aircraft and rejoining with crews at a forward location.  

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It’s easy to see why. The acronym-happy Army says “FLRAA” will fly 1,700 nautical miles without refueling and carry 12 passengers at a speed near 300 mph. Compare that to the 183 mph for the Black Hawk helicopter it is replacing. 

The Army sees the Pacific islands like a chessboard. If China threatens, the tiltrotor “FLRAA” can move soldiers rapidly to land in contested areas and block Chinese forces from taking over.  

Now the Army just needs to give its radical new plane a proper name.  

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Secret staircase uncovered beneath Capitol floorboards — here’s what it was used for

Under the floorboards of the U.S. Capitol lie hidden staircases and passageways left over from the iconic building’s original construction in the 18th century, a viral video posted by Republican North Carolina Rep. Tim Moore shows. 

“Construction started in the 1700s and there are all sorts of little hidden passageways. As you saw, I just pulled this cover up, and you can see,” Moore said in a video posted to his official congressional X account on Friday, showing a secret door in the floor of the Capitol. 

The U.S. Capitol’s construction was commissioned in 1793, with President George Washington laying the cornerstone that same year. The original building was completed in 1826, with various expansions made across the decades, such as a visitor center that opened in 2008. 

SECRETS OF THE CAPITOL ROTUNDA

Moore took viewers inside the Capitol’s Lincoln Room, which he said is one of his favorites to show visitors to Washington, D.C., noting it’s where Abraham Lincoln would sit by a fire and read letters when he served as a congressman representing Illinois from 1847-1849

TRUMP TO BUILD NATIONAL CENTER FOR HOMELESS VETERANS WITH FUNDS PREVIOUSLY SPENT ON HOUSING FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS

“But the most interesting part of the room is underneath the floorboards,” Moore posted to X. 

The North Carolina Republican opened a hidden door on the floor, revealing a dusty and historic staircase leading to what appeared to be another room below. 

TRUMP TO CREATE TASK FORCE TO PLAN ‘EXTRAORDINARY CELEBRATION’ FOR 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICA’S INDEPENDENCE

“We’re just off of what’s called Statuary Hall, which at one time was the actual House chamber.… But this is just an example of some of the little hidden secrets in the Capitol,” Moore said. 

The lawmaker added that he heard through Capitol building lore that the staircase under the Lincoln Room was used by British soldiers in the War of 1812 to set fire to the historic building. Known as the “Burning of Washington,” British soldiers in August 1814 set fire to the U.S. Capitol, the Washington Navy Yard and the White House – which was then known as the Presidential Mansion – before storms put out the fires and military personnel were called to D.C. to defend it from British forces. The War of 1812 ended in 1815. 

TRUMP TO CREATE TASK FORCE TO PLAN ‘EXTRAORDINARY CELEBRATION’ FOR 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICA’S INDEPENDENCE

Moore’s tour of the secret staircase comes as President Donald Trump prepares to kick off America’s 250th anniversary of its founding on July 4, 2026. Trump signed an executive order just days after his inauguration this year detailing how his administration will prepare for the massive celebration, including launching a White House task force, building monuments celebrating the nation’s founding and historical leaders, and protecting monuments from vandalism following such attacks during the riots and protests that swept the nation in 2020. 

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The Army will hold a 250th anniversary of its founding next month with a planned parade that will stretch from Arlington, Virginia, to the National Mall.

Man and dog found dead — what officials say about the bear is a chilling first

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) on Friday confirmed a man and his dog were mauled to death by a black bear in Jerome — marking the first fatal black bear attack in state history.

Family members reported 89-year-old Robert Markel missing from his home and “signs of recent disturbances” that could have been caused by a bear or bears around the property. 

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) notified FWC staff on Monday of a possible fatal wildlife encounter, and FWC law enforcement and bear management staff immediately responded to secure the area.

YOUNG KANGAROO HOPS AROUND FLORIDA TOWN AFTER BRAZEN ESCAPE, OWNER CHARGED

Markel’s remains were found about 100 yards from his home, along with evidence of a “physical encounter” between a bear and a person near the house, according to a news release from the FWC.

Officials also noted a dog was recently killed by a bear near a person, and there were signs that a bear had entered the home itself. 

NIH CLOSES EXPERIMENTATION LABS ACCUSED OF BRUTALLY KILLING THOUSANDS OF BEAGLES FOR 40+ YEARS

While the exact sequence of events remains unclear, the FWC’s Human-Bear Conflict Response Policies and Guidelines outline how the agency should respond when faced with situations that require the removal of a bear for public safety. 

From Monday night into early Tuesday morning, FWC personnel killed three adult male bears weighing 207, 263 and 434 pounds, according to the release.

There was an unsuccessful attempt to trap a fourth bear, but DNA evidence was collected, officials said.

The three carcasses were immediately taken to laboratories in Gainesville for necropsy and testing, along with DNA samples collected from physical evidence at the scene.

FWC officials said the Collier County Medical Examiner is still in the process of completing their investigation, but indicated Markel’s preliminary cause of death was “consistent with injuries caused by a black bear.”

WORLD’S TALLEST, SHORTEST DOGS MEET FOR PRECIOUS PLAYDATE CAUGHT ON CAMERA

Necropsy results revealed that one bear, the 263-pound male, contained partial remains of Markel.

DNA results received on Friday positively identified that the 263-pound male’s DNA was present on Markel, inside his home and on the dog’s body. 

The only bear DNA found at the scene matched the three bears that were killed by authorities.

All three bears were tested for rabies, and all results were negative, according to officials.

FWC law enforcement and bear management staff stayed in contact with the family and maintained a presence near the property until Friday, spotting only one additional bear in the area.

Law enforcement and bear management staff will remain throughout the weekend.

PITTSBURGH FUNERAL DIRECTOR CHARGED WITH SWINDLING PET OWNERS, DUMPING PETS’ REMAINS IN LANDFILL

“We want to thank the family for their cooperation as they navigate this challenging time, and our thoughts remain with them,” said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto. “I am proud of our staff’s professional response and support for the family as they faced an unfathomable event this week.”

Jerome is in the South Bear Management Unit, which has the third-largest population of bears in the state, estimated at 1,044 in 2015. 

The FWC received 16 bear-related calls within a 10-mile radius of nearby Copeland between May 5, 2024, and May 4, 2025, resulting in five site visits, five capture efforts, three bears that were relocated and hazed, and one bear that was humanely killed, according to the FWC.

While it is rare for wild black bears to injure people in Florida, people have been bitten and scratched by bears, most often when there are cubs, food sources or dogs present. 

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The FWC receives an average of 6,300 bear-related calls annually and has documented 42 prior incidents where wild black bears have made physical contact with people since the 1970s, when comprehensive records began being kept. 

Of those, three resulted in serious injuries requiring medical attention prior to the most recent incident.