Violent gang accused of ‘controlling’ AOC’s ‘Red Light’ district taken down

Several members of a violent migrant gang accused of “unleashing terror” to maintain control of a notorious crime strip represented by progressive Democratic Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Grace Meng have been taken down by police in a major bust.

Eight members of the ruthless 18th Street transnational gang are accused of carrying out several brutal beatings and stabbings to maintain their dominance of the Roosevelt Avenue commercial corridor in Queens. They also distributed fake passports and counterfeit currency, dealt drugs and trafficked firearms while extorting businesses for rent payments, prosecutors said.

Seven of the eight gangbangers are in the country illegally, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office told Fox News Digital. They are all members and associates of the 18th Street gang, which was formed by Mexican immigrants in Los Angeles in the 1960s and today has members throughout the United States as well as in Mexico and Central America, prosecutors said. 

The suspects “are accused of unleashing terror onto Queens communities through brutal assaults, extortion, fraud, and drug trafficking,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement.

AOC, PROGRESSIVES RIPPED FOR IGNORING ‘RED LIGHT’ DISTRICT AS PROSTITUTION, FILTHY STREETS RETURN

Their turf spanned the two-mile commercial strip, which has been a crime and illegal prostitution hot spot for years and has been extensively reported on by Fox News Digital. 

Locals have likened it to a “Red Light district” or a third-world flea market, given the sidewalks are often full of women soliciting sex as well as vendors selling all sorts of stolen or counterfeit goods and unregulated hot food. Fox News Digital witnessed at least 30 women soliciting sex on one block on the strip following Ocasio-Cortez’s town hall recently. 

The indictment against the gangbangers, which was unsealed on June 16, follows a Fox News Digital report from April revealing that local leaders were sounding the alarm about the 18th Street Gang sweeping in to take control of the area.

The gang had moved in to fill the territorial void left by groups like Tren de Aragua, which local leaders said was largely dismantled after a major winter police operation in the area which resulted in hundreds of arrests.

The local leaders had called on the FBI and the DEA to help them crack down on the criminals who they said had turned their neighborhood into a festering “gangland.” The 18th Street gang has been tagging their gang insignia around the area, marking their turf.

LEADERS IN AOC’S ‘RED LIGHT’ DISTRICT CALL ON KASH PATEL TO CRUSH ‘WORSENING’ GANG CRIME AND PROSTITUTION

The arrests appeared to show that the FBI heeded locals’ calls, with those charged being hit with various charges, including racketeering charges. One of the defendants was separately charged with illegally possessing a 9mm semiautomatic pistol and ammunition as a non-citizen.

FBI Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office Christopher Raia said those arrested carried out a reign of violence that included assaults on innocent civilians and rival gang members in an effort to assert and maintain control over Roosevelt Avenue.

“Those arrested… acted and behaved with callous and cruel disregard for those around them,” Raia said of the multi-agency takedown operation. “Our actions today represent yet another example of the FBI’s commitment to crushing the violent transnational gangs plaguing our communities.” None of the suspects are accused of being involved in prostitution. 

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Former Democrat state Senator Hiram Monserrate, who was part of the group calling for a federal intervention, praised the takedown. 

“As our Restore Roosevelt Avenue coalition stated months ago, what was and is still happening on Roosevelt Avenue is international organized crime involving human trafficking, shoplifting syndicates and the distribution of narcotics,” Monserrate said.

“Many stood silent, we didn’t. Thank you to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI. Still much to do!” 

The 18th Street gang is divided into several “cliques,” with the eight suspects being part of the “54 Tiny Locos” faction of the gang, prosecutors said. 

Prosecutors pointed to three brutal assaults where the gang showed its muscle to assert influence in the area.

In a December 2021 case, three suspects assaulted two victims outside a bar on the strip after being asked if they were members of a gang. The gangbangers allegedly smashed a victim’s head open with a glass bottle of tequila, leaving him with severe lacerations to his face and nerve damage.

In a January 2022 attack, two suspects held a victim down outside a bar while another perpetrator stabbed him in the lung. The 18th Street thugs then attacked a second victim with large wooden planks, causing lacerations that required sutures. 

In June 2024, the gang beat a victim with a bike lock and a metal chair, among other things, believing he was a member of a rival gang.

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Meng praised law enforcement for working to combat gang violence in the area. Ocasio-Cortez’s office did not respond to a request for comment. 

“As I’ve continued to say, public safety must always be a top priority in our communities and dangerous criminals who commit violent crimes must be held accountable,” Meng said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “This includes ANYBODY responsible for these types of heinous activity.”

The troubled strip has been a magnet for crime for years.

WATCH: New York City block becomes open-air brothel

NYPD Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry told Fox News Digital in May that issues like prostitution have permeated the area for decades and he remembers it being a hot spot for prostitution in the ’90s. Daughtry said the migrant crisis exacerbated the situation as many migrants were drawn to the area, given that it already has a large Latin American population.  

In October, Mayor Eric Adams spearheaded a heavy police clampdown called Operation Restore Roosevelt, which consisted of more than 200 additional police officers that reduced crime by 29% in the area, Daughtry said.

Daughtry said 15 brothels were raided out of 30 court filings made by the police. For instance, days after Ocasio-Cortez’s town hall, authorities shut down a notorious brothel dubbed the “bodega brothel” by locals, which was operating above a corner store near two schools in Ocasio-Cortez’s district. 

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Video from inside the cat house obtained by Fox News Digital shows squalid conditions, with five cramped, makeshift rooms sectioned off by wooden panels and shower curtains with just enough room to fit a bed in every one of them.

Several other brothels have been shut down since then.

The takedown was a multi-agency operation involving the FBI’s New York Field Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of New York, the Queens District Attorney’s Office with assistance from Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Secret Service and the Labor Department.

The suspects are Felix Bonilla Ramos, 36; Uriel Lopez, 30; Refugio Martinez, 32; Margarito Ortega, 38; Orlando Ramirez, 24; German Rodriguez, 34; David Vasquez Corona, 29; and Marco Vidal Mendez, 36. Only Rodriguez has legal status in the United States.

WATCH: Brothel across from school in AOC’s district shut down

DeSantis’ tax cut could create a ‘perfect storm’ for Florida real estate

On the surface, not paying property taxes may sound nice. However, real estate experts in the Sunshine State seem to be at odds over the issue.  

Gov. Ron DeSantis recently doubled down on completely eliminating property taxes, a move that would crown Florida as the only U.S. region with no state income or property tax, and live up to its “free state” moniker. While many may view lower taxes as an attractive play, there could be unintended consequences.

“I don’t see how this could possibly hurt anybody that’s going to vote to pass it, but again, it’s all going to come down to exactly what gets affected, because I know that that money does need to be replaced somehow, somewhere by someone,” Continuum Company President Phil Gutman told Fox News Digital.

“I am a native Floridian, and I believe that we have created an environment which is among the best in the entire country as far as the balance of business-friendly and lifestyle, and it is imperative that we maintain that advantage that we have,” Budge Huskey, president and CEO of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, also told Fox News Digital.

FLORIDA COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE BOOM FUELED BY FINANCIAL AND TECH EXECUTIVES RELOCATING SINCE PANDEMIC

“But at the same time, it has to be responsible, and it has to be based on real numbers.”

Lawmakers are reportedly evaluating a number of changes to the state’s housing structure, including a $500,000 homestead exemption (maximum $1 million for seniors), capping property assessment increases at 15% and eliminating property taxes altogether.

“Property taxes effectively require homeowners to pay rent to the government,” DeSantis said in the original press release. “Constitutional protections for Florida homeowners require approval of the voters in 2026. In the meantime, Floridians need relief. I am today proposing a plan that will result in—on average—$1,000 rebate checks for each homestead as a discount on their property taxes. If the Legislature acts on this plan now, we can get this done this year.”

DeSantis’ office pitched the proposal in March, and has since vetoed a study on property taxes that evaluates how local governments use tax revenue and what happens if they are reduced. U.S. House Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., said he supports the veto on “Mornings with Maria,” Tuesday, as it would reveal “what we already know.”

“It’s been annoying me paying those property taxes since I bought a home. So for me, obviously, it sounded great and it sounds great. I’ve followed it closely. I know there’s still a lot of detail left to what he’s proposing,” Gutman reacted. “I have gotten a lot of calls, a lot of questions from clients, potential buyers, a lot of people out of the Northeast and all over the country, for that matter, asking my thoughts on it and what the probability of something like that happening. So for me, I very much welcome it. I think it would be great.”

“It’s creating really a perfect storm for us to be completely flooded with buyers,” he added. “Why wouldn’t you want to move here at that point?”

“I think we’re all of the same mindset that lower taxes are better as long as it’s done with a methodology that is sensible, and it actually allows for the investments that are necessary to maintain the quality of life that is also such a key aspect of attracting future residents or retaining residents within the state,” Huskey agreed before rebutting, “at the end of the day, you cannot simply lower property taxes or eliminate property taxes without replacing at least a significant majority of that revenue through alternative means.”

The Florida Policy Institute reports that property taxes generate $55 billion annually and account for 18% of county revenues, 17% of municipal revenues and up to 60% of public education funds. The group estimates that Florida’s sales tax may need to rise from 6% to 12% to account for the potential property tax loss.

“When you look at the amount of revenue that is collected in property taxes within this state and the implications, if the math is wrong on any of this, especially in the absence of clarity as to alternative funding, to suggest that an investment of $1,000,000, which is a pittance compared to what we are looking at shifting in terms of revenues, it makes no financial or business sense to me,” Huskey argued.

HUNGRY FLORIDA BOATERS SHELL OUT ‘BEST $50 EVER SPENT’ FOR FAST FOOD DELIVERED AT SEA

“It appears as though people do not wish to actually have a thoughtful, well-researched basis on which decisions are made.”

During an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity last week, Florida’s governor teased an “entry tax” for a new wave of residents that could be enticed by zero property taxes in order to make up for the loss of revenue.

“For the real estate world, it doesn’t benefit or negatively affect us in any way. Obviously, it depends on how much that entry tax would be,” Gutman said. “At some point, you have to be okay with paying some sort of fee and entry tax or whatever it takes to get here.”

“From the standpoint of real estate sales in general, it would be very much a positive,” Huskey noted. “However, I do think that in order to try to offset any kind of entry tax, [it] would have to be almost at an exorbitant level based upon the current migration that we have. We are not experiencing the same levels of migration that we had during COVID by any stretch of the imagination.”

“Who’s gonna build the roads? Who’s gonna fund the [police]? Who’s going to fund education? Who’s to do all the things that need to be done to have a productive society?” Huskey also posed. “It gets back to the fact that everybody wants lower taxes, but it must be strategic.”

“We have created an environment which is among the best in the entire country as far as the balance of business-friendly and lifestyle, and it is imperative that we maintain that advantage that we have.”

– Budge Huskey

“I don’t think he’s gonna do anything that’s going to make the roadways less safe, the schooling worse. He’s just not that type of a governor,” Gutman countered. “He truly cares, in my opinion, about the people and the state of Florida. So he’s not gonna do something that’s gonna have a negative impact from Jacksonville down.”

Both industry execs additionally addressed concerns that this proposal disproportionately favors the area’s wealthiest residents.

“When you pass a law like that and eliminate property taxes, it’s obviously gonna benefit a lot of people that really didn’t need that benefit to begin with, right? But that’s just a really small percentage of the people that will be positively impacted… Something like this is a really broad stroke that will be across the entire state. And, ultimately, I do think that there’s a lot of people who are in need of it,” Gutman said.

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“I tend to believe it is a very regressive form of tax because, ultimately, the burden is going to fall on a percentage basis to those with more limited means,” Huskey said. “The elimination of property taxes essentially strips municipalities of any kind of local decisions with regard to funding.”

“I am very much in favor of overall studies to examine what is the best methodology for raising revenues in the state and whether that involves a reduction in property taxes as part of the mix… at the end of the day, I’m a business person. I run a large business. I know the numbers. And I want to have somebody show me the numbers rather than legislating in the absence of clarity,” Huskey concluded.

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Tourist hotspot reverses course on ICE, backpedals on migrant haven decision

A Florida city walked back its decision to defy an agreement with federal immigration authorities, sparking intense public backlash just days after the initial vote. 

In a stunning reversal, Key West city commissioners voted Tuesday to reinstate local law enforcement’s collaboration with federal immigration efforts, ultimately bowing to pressure from state leaders. 

The divisive decision comes one week after the commission opted to end the city’s implementation of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s 287(g) agreement in a 5-1 vote, which would allow cooperation between federal agents and local law enforcement. 

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

FLORIDA CITY COMMISSIONER ‘SHOCKED’ TO STAND ALONE AS COLLEAGUES DEFY TRUMP IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN

Commissioner Lissette Carey stood as the sole vote against dissolving the program last week, and subsequently voted in the majority at Tuesday’s meeting. 

“We absolutely have to support and follow the law of our state and federal government,” Commissioner Lissette Carey told Fox News Digital. “I was shocked that I was the standalone vote and that my colleagues didn’t understand the severity of terminating the agreement.” 

As the commission voted 4-2 to reinstate the agreement, constituents attending the meeting were heard shouting at the officials before walking out in protest. 

Commissioners Monika Haskell, Samuel Kaufman, Donald Lee and Aaron Castillo did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Commissioner Mary Lou Hoover declined to comment on the vote. 

DESANTIS ADMINISTRATION THREATENS TO PUNISH ISLAND CITY THAT VOTED TO END POLICE AGREEMENT WITH ICE

Initial confusion regarding the validity of the decision drew criticism from constituents throughout the state’s southernmost community, with the city’s police chief, Sean Brandenburg, signing the initial agreement. 

“[The commissioners] took an interesting position on [the agreement], stating that it was never valid to begin with,” Carey said. 

In Tuesday’s vote, Carey looked to clarify the legality of the initial agreement after it was signed by the chief of police, instead of City Manager Brian Barroso. 

“I’ve wanted clarity on that,” Carey said. “The city manager is supposed to sign those agreements, but he authorized the police chief to do so.” 

FLORIDA OFFICIALS DIVIDED OVER ICE DEPORTATION DEAL AIMED AT CRIMINAL ALIENS: ‘EMBARRASSED FOR OUR CITY’

According to Carey, city officials informed her that it was common practice for the police chief to sign memorandums of understanding. 

“The commissioner that proposed amendments asked to change ‘reinstating’ into ‘entering into,’” Carey said. “In other words, it was never a valid contract to begin with. So it is recognized via the resolution that this is a reinstatement, which to me says it was valid to begin with and canceled.”  

Both Barroso and Brandenburg’s administrations declined Fox News Digital’s request for comment. The mayor’s office and city attorney did not immediately respond. 

ICE PARTNERSHIP WILL BUILD ‘PUBLIC TRUST,’ VICE MAYOR OF TOWN WITH LARGE VENEZUELAN COMMUNITY SAYS

The vote follows increasing pressure from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration after officials slammed local leaders for dissolving the agreement and promised consequences if the commission did not ultimately choose to reverse the decision. 

“The City of Key West violated state law when they voted to void the Key West Police Department’s 287(g) agreement with ICE,” Florida attorney general James Uthmeier previously wrote in a social media post in response to the initial vote. 

Uthmeier went on to accuse the commissioners of creating a sanctuary city — an illegal practice within Florida — adding, “They have a choice: stop impeding law enforcement from enforcing immigration law or face the consequences.” 

FLORIDA’S LARGEST VENEZUELAN STRONGHOLD POISED TO JOIN FORCES WITH ICE: REPORT

Carey believes the reversal came in response to Uthmeier’s letter to the commissioners, vowing “civil and criminal penalties, including removal from office” if the decision was not immediately walked back. 

“I think some of our commission members took that very seriously,” Carey told Fox News Digital. “So they called for the emergency meeting in order to rectify what they had done a week prior.” 

LARGE CITY SIGNS ONTO DEAL WITH ICE: ‘KEEP THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SAFE’

Immediately following the revised decision, Uthmeier praised the commissioners’ course reversal. 

“Great to see the City of Key West heeding our warning and reversing course by reinstating their participation in ICE’s 287(g) program,” Uthmeier said in a social media post. “Florida requires cities to commit best efforts to help the Trump administration enforce immigration law, and Floridians expect nothing less.” 

The vote comes as the City of South Miami is currently suing the DeSantis administration after a special state legislative session passed a bill in February placing additional responsibilities on local governments within the state to cooperate with ICE. The lawsuit is asking the state to not require South Miami law enforcement to enter a 287(g) while also not automatically declaring a sanctuary city. 

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Key West’s city commission ultimately voted against joining South Miami in its lawsuit against the state. 

With the reinstated decision, local law enforcement is set to aid in immigration enforcement efforts throughout the city — a move Carey believes is positive for her constituents. 

“While some residents and local leaders thought that this was not good for the city of Key West, I actually spoke with immigrants who are here legally and were upset by the action that was taken,” Carey said. “At least when our local law enforcement is working with ICE, they recognize and personally know some of the immigrants that are here legally.” 

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Carey pointed to her own family’s history of immigration, with her mother moving from Cuba with her family when she was just seven years old. 

“My mother came with her siblings and my grandparents to escape communism,” Carey told Fox News Digital. “It is so very important to upload the law and support legal immigration for the safety and security of our country.” 

Supreme Court votes 8-1 to lift block on layoffs as Justice Jackson stands alone

Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson stood alone in dissent as the high court voted 8-1 to allow the Trump administration’s planned mass layoffs in the federal government to move forward.

Her scathing rebuke against lifting a lower court’s injunction temporarily blocking the cuts drew sharp reactions, including from Fox News contributor and George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley.

“This is another shot across the bow to lower courts,” Turley said on “Fox & Friends” Wednesday. “They’ve got to knock this off. They’ve got to stop with these injunctions.”

The layoffs are part of the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency agenda and the White House’s larger effort to downsize the federal government. 

SUPREME COURT LETS TRUMP’S ‘WRECKING BALL’ FEDERAL JOB CUTS PROCEED WHILE LEGAL FIGHT CONTINUES

BARRETT EVISCERATES JACKSON, SOTOMAYOR TAKES ON A ‘COMPLICIT’ COURT IN CONTENTIOUS FINAL OPINIONS

In February, federal agencies were warned to prepare for large-scale job cuts. Later that month, a memo circulated calling the current federal workforce “costly, inefficient, and deeply in debt.” 

Critics of the plan argued it could result in thousands of job losses and damage essential public services. Advocacy groups filed legal challenges and a lower court issued a temporary block on the layoffs, a move the Supreme Court has now reversed. 

Justice Jackson issued a biting dissent to the court’s intervention. 

“For some reason, this Court sees fit to step in now and release the President’s wrecking ball at the outset of this litigation,” she wrote. “In my view, this decision is not only truly unfortunate but also hubristic and senseless.”

TRUMP ADMIN ASKS SCOTUS TO ALLOW IT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH PLANS TO SLASH FEDERAL WORKFORCE

Turley noted that disagreements among the liberal justices aren’t new, but Jackson’s solo dissent stands out.

“On this occasion, Jackson is alone,” he said. “She couldn’t even get Justice Sotomayor to sign on to this dissent.”

APPEALS COURT RESTORES HOLD ON TRUMP ADMIN’S PLAN TO CUT GOVERNMENT AGENCY BY 90%

While none of the liberal justices joined Jackson’s dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor did not endorse the Trump administration’s plan. She argued the court should wait to evaluate the layoffs when they are formally presented. Sotomayor agreed the case should move forward, so lower courts can decide first if the eventual layoffs break any laws set by Congress.

Turley said the court’s ruling sends a strong message to lower courts that delays to the Trump administration’s plans not firmly grounded in legal standing won’t be tolerated.

FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERS HALT TO TRUMP ADMIN’S CFPB TERMINATIONS

“This is six months of delay. It could have been much longer,” he said. “The court is signaling, ‘We’re going to be on you very quickly if you continue to do these kinds of orders.’”

He added that the dissent from Jackson is part of a larger pattern in her judicial style. 

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“This is part of a signature of what’s becoming a type of judicial abandon that Jackson has towards the power of these courts,” Turley said.

Teachers union reveals true colors behind closed doors at annual convention

The National Education Association (NEA), the nation’s largest teachers union, just held its annual convention in Portland, Oregon, and laid bare its transformation into a brazenly political organization. Far from prioritizing the education of America’s children, the NEA’s agenda was a parade of partisan resolutions, misspelled attacks on political opponents, and a clear alignment with the far-left wing of the Democratic Party.  

The tone was set by Ashlie Crosson, the NEA’s 2025 Teacher of the Year, who declared on July 4th that her job is “deeply political” and always has been. “Once I realized how deeply political our profession had always been, I knew I could no longer stay on the sidelines,” Crosson said. The irony of this statement on Independence Day was not lost, as the NEA proved itself anything but independent. Instead, it revealed itself as a loyal foot soldier for progressive causes, far removed from the needs of students or the concerns of parents. 

The convention’s resolutions – which were leaked to me by an NEA conference attendee – were a masterclass in political overreach. One business item called for the NEA to “defend against Trump’s embrace of fascism by using the term facism [sic] in NEA materials to correctly characterize Donald Trump’s program and actions.” Yes, the union that claims to represent educators couldn’t even spell “fascism” correctly in its official resolution attacking the president. The irony is almost too rich to parody. 

NATIONAL ‘TEACHER OF THE YEAR’ RECIPIENT FEELS JOB IS ‘DEEPLY POLITICAL’

The NEA didn’t stop there. Another resolution labeled any move to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education as an “illegal, anti-democratic, and racist attempt to destroy public education and privatize it in the interests of the billionaires.” Calling the abolition of a federal bureaucracy “racist” is absurd, especially when the Department of Education’s track record has failed low-income minority students for decades. If anything, the department’s one-size-fits-all approach has entrenched disparities, trapping kids in failing schools based on their ZIP codes. 

Immigration policy, another topic far afield from teaching math or reading, also took center stage. The NEA adopted a resolution to “defend birthright citizenship and oppose the attempt to revert to pre-civil rights movement – Jim Crow – legal concepts of ‘states rights’ in order to deny citizenship to the children of immigrants.” The union went further, supporting students’ “right to dissent and organize against Trump’s policies” and “against ICE raids and deportations.” 

The NEA’s resolutions also took aim at parental rights. In response to the Supreme Court’s Mahmoud v. Taylor ruling, which allows parents to opt their children out of gender ideology instruction, the NEA adopted a business item signaling its intent to keep pushing such content in classrooms. This defiance of parental choice shows a union more interested in indoctrination than education. Similarly, the NEA passed a resolution supporting “the mass democratic movement against Trump’s authoritarianism and violations of human rights,” further cementing its role as a political activist group rather than an advocate for teachers or students. 

DEMOCRATS SHOULD ‘BREAK UP’ WITH RANDI WEINGARTEN, EX-HARRIS CAMPAIGN AIDE ARGUES

Perhaps most puzzling was the NEA’s decision to “not use, endorse, or publicize any materials from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL),” an organization founded to combat antisemitism. Why single out a group dedicated to fighting hate? This move raises serious questions about the union’s priorities and sends a troubling message at a time when antisemitism is on the rise. 

The NEA’s political bias is not new. Nearly all its political contributions go to Democrats every election cycle, making it less a union and more a money-laundering operation for the Democratic Party. With over $380 million in annual revenue, the NEA has plenty of resources to push its agenda. This one-sided partisanship is particularly galling given the NEA’s unique status as the only union in the nation with a federal charter, granted over a century ago. This special privilege, bestowed by Congress, is no longer justified for an organization so blatantly partisan. Lawmakers should revoke this charter immediately. 

The NEA’s priorities are so misaligned that in 2019, it rejected a resolution to “rededicate itself to the pursuit of increased student learning in every public school in America.” Let that sink in: a teachers union explicitly refused to prioritize student learning. Instead, it has quadrupled down on its war on education, turning classrooms into activist training grounds.  

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The NEA’s actions echo the words of Horace Mann, the father of public education, who said, “We who are engaged in the sacred cause of education are entitled to look upon all parents as having given hostages to our cause.” The NEA seems to agree, treating children as tools for its political projects rather than individuals deserving a quality education. 

TEACHERS UNION BOSSES SPLIT OVER SUPREME COURT RULING ON PARENTAL RIGHTS TO SHIELD KIDS FROM LGBTQ CONTENT

The consequences of this politicization are clear. Only about a quarter of American eighth graders are proficient in math, and reading scores are similarly dismal. Yet the NEA remains focused on partisan crusades rather than addressing these failures. 

The union went further, supporting students’ “right to dissent and organize against Trump’s policies” and “against ICE raids and deportations.”

This radical agenda is free advertising for school choice and homeschooling. Parents are rightly alarmed by a union that sees their children as “hostages” to its cause. Since 2019, there has been a mass exodus from union-controlled public schools, over a million families opting for charter schools, private schools or homeschooling. The NEA’s Portland convention only accelerates this trend, as parents seek educational options that prioritize learning over politics. 

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Teachers deserve a union that fights for their professional interests, not one that uses their dues to fund partisan agendas. Parents deserve schools that focus on reading, writing, and arithmetic, not activism. And students deserve an education that prepares them for life, not one that conscripts them into ideological battles.  

Until the NEA returns to its core mission, it will continue to lose members, credibility and public trust. Lawmakers should start by voting to revoke its federal charter, and parents should keep voting with their feet.   

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STEVE MOORE: Trump just scored the biggest conservative victory in three decades

Everyone knows that the “big, beautiful” tax bill signed into law on the Fourth of July lowers tax burdens for families and businesses. It also averts a $4 trillion tax increase starting next year. That’s enough reason to heartily celebrate. 

But what isn’t well known is that this new law doesn’t just change tax policy. It includes dozens of other long-sought policy goals – what I call “hidden gems.” Here is a list of some of the major policy victories: 

The law is the most aggressive federal advancement of school choice by allowing low-income parents to direct education dollars to private, charter or Catholic schools that are better for their kids. 

TRUMP SIGNS ‘BIG, BEAUTIFUL’ BILL IN SWEEPING VICTORY FOR SECOND TERM AGENDA, OVERCOMING DEMS AND GOP REBELS

The law also expands eligibility for personalized medical savings accounts instead of conventional insurance. This allows workers to control their healthcare dollars. 

The law increases mining and drilling on federal lands to increase access to America’s natural resource supplies to end our dependence on the Middle East or China or Russia. 

BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL IMMEDIATELY HITS THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL IN BATTLE FOR CONGRESS

The law formally ends the absurd Biden student loan forgiveness program, which forced taxpayers to swallow the costs of unpaid college loans. 

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The law ends the electric vehicle mandate and phases out the Green New Deal, thus allowing Americans to buy whatever car they want. 

The law expands opportunity zones and extends tax benefits for investing in inner cities and economically depressed rural areas. (I thought Democrats cared about poor communities!) 

The law increases the tax to 8% on the near-trillion dollars of bloated university endowments – money that was never taxed. Is there a better way to tax the privileged rich? 

TRUMP TOUTS ‘VERY POPULAR’ DOMESTIC POLICY BILL AHEAD OF WHITE HOUSE SIGNING

The law strengthens work requirements for Medicaid and food stamp recipients. History shows that work requirements end welfare dependency.  

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The new law authorizes the sale of expanded spectrum to strengthen rural broadband, secure America’s technological dominance and reduce the national debt by nearly $100 billion. 

There’s much more to shout about, but these are some of the greatest hits in a big and beautiful bill that advances America’s freedom and prosperity. Expect the economy to grow at over 3% in the years ahead, which will bend down the burden of our national debt. Is it the biggest consecutive victory in modern times? It may just be. 

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Archaeologist unearths mysterious Christian settlement hidden for centuries

An archaeologist recently uncovered the likely remains of a long-forgotten Byzantine settlement, offering new insights into the history of Christianity in the Middle East.

Musallam R. Al-Rawahneh, an associate professor of archaeology at Mu’tah University in Jordan, recently published his findings in the journal Gephyra in May. 

The archaeologist believes he’s uncovered the ancient site of Tharais, guided by the enigmatic Madaba Map – a remarkable mosaic that has puzzled historians for centuries.

ANCIENT ROMAN MILITARY FORTIFICATIONS FOUND IN ‘STRATEGIC LOCATION’ IN EGYPT

Speaking to Fox News Digital, Al-Rawahneh said he located the site near the Jordanian village of El-ʿIrāq, in an area known as Ain Al-Qala’a.

Though the site was lost to obscurity, the historian said the once-thriving settlement was located “strategically” along trade routes to the southeastern Dead Sea region.

At the site, Al-Rawahneh and his team uncovered artifacts ranging from pottery shards and stone tools to glass remnants. He also uncovered fossils during his excavation.

The area was filled with architectural remains, including a Byzantine church. When asked what was the most interesting finding at the site, Al-Rawahneh pointed to several discoveries, including the Christian church and an olive oil press.

ARCHAEOLOGISTS MAKE GRIM DISCOVERY AFTER FINDING ANCIENT ROMAN BUILDINGS

The church, which the historian called “basilica-style,” retained fragments of mosaic floors typical of Byzantine Christian sites.

“[It] reflects Byzantine design, including a prominent entrance and possible remnants of decorative elements,” he said.

Archaeologists also found various inscriptions, which Al-Rawahneh said were linked to ancient funerary practices.

While the inscriptions require further research, the professor said they “may include Christian imagery and references,” which will provide more insight into ancient religious practices.

Archaeologists also found various inscriptions. 

So what led to Tharais becoming “lost”? Al-Rawahneh said the site was abandoned by the 7th century A.D., based on what archaeologists have learned about activity in the area.

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The expert pointed to changes in trade routes, earthquakes and environmental changes as possible reasons. 

Al-Rawahneh also noted that the area transitioned from Byzantine to Islamic control in the seventh century.

More research is in the works, including surveys of surrounding areas and additional analysis of the artifacts that were found, he said.

In the future, Al-Rawahneh said he hopes that upcoming research will “enhance the understanding of Tharais and its significance within the broader context of Byzantine archaeology in Jordan.”

The Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, lasted from 330 A.D. to the 15th century.

The empire began to take shape in 330 A.D., when Constantine the Great moved the Roman capital to Byzantium, which he renamed Constantinople.

Many fascinating finds from the Byzantine era still turn up in Asia Minor and the Middle East today.

In May, Israeli officials put a 1,600-year-old Byzantine-era mosaic from a Christian monastery on public display for the first time.

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In Syria, a contractor recently stumbled across a Byzantine tomb complex while clearing rubble.

Workers scramble over soil pile to escape tunnel collapse in $700M LA project

Officials are breathing a sigh of relief after more than 30 construction workers in an industrial tunnel in Los Angeles reached safety after it partially collapsed. 

The cave-in occurred between the tunnel boring machine 5 miles from the entrance and the construction workers who were working 6 miles in. 

The workers, who were about 400 feet underground, scrambled over loose soil more than 12 feet high to reach the tunnel boring machine and then were transported back to the opening. Aerial footage showed workers being brought out of the tunnel in a yellow cage hoisted up by a crane.

BORDER PATROL AGENTS SHUT DOWN MASSIVE DRUG SMUGGLING TUNNEL BETWEEN TIJUANA AND SAN DIEGO

None of those rescued had major injuries, authorities said.

“Everyone is safe. Thank you to L.A.’s first responders and to the people throughout our city who work every day to make L.A. better,” Los Angles Mayor Karen Bass wrote on X. 

Speaking at a news conference, Bass said she had met with some of the workers.

“All of the men that were in that tunnel: rescued up, safe. We had an opportunity to speak with them. We had an opportunity to make sure they were able to reach their family members,” Bass said. “Their family members knew they were safe. There were many anxious family members who were here waiting to make sure that their relatives were okay. We spoke with the paramedics while the paramedics examined the men as they came up. And I just have to tell you that we’re all blessed today in Los Angeles.” 

Bass praised first responders as Los Angeles’ “true heroes.” 

LA City Councilmember Tim McOsker praised the workers for keeping cool heads.

“This is a highly technical, difficult project. And they knew exactly what to do. They knew how to secure themselves,” he said. “Thank goodness for the good people that were down in the tunnel.”

The tunnel, being constructed almost entirely underneath public right-of-way, is 18 feet wide and will be 7 miles long to carry treated wastewater from across Los Angeles County to the Pacific Ocean.

The $700 million project is being overseen by the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts.

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The cause of the collapse is under investigation. Authorities said work will not resume until the project contractor assesses what happened and deems the site safe.

Day 3 of Amazon Prime Day brings the latest deals from DeWalt to Dyson

The third day of Amazon Prime Day is here, with new deals added. From today until July 11, Amazon has deals on pretty much anything you can think of, including tools, solar generators, headphones and more. 

Tech enthusiasts can keep scrolling for the latest and greatest Apple products and TVs that are heavily discounted. Or, scroll down to find some luxury beauty products you can add to your daily routine.

DIYers who need to upgrade their toolbox can find a handful of power tools in our list below that are significantly discounted. And, if you’re looking to get a better night’s sleep, scroll to find Amazon’s best sleep deals. Outdoor enthusiasts looking to upgrade their gear or redecorate their patios can also find some of the best outdoor deals below. 

Best overall Prime Day deals

Ninja CREAMi Deluxe ice cream and frozen treat maker: $249.99 (21% off), originally $314.98
LifeStraw Go Series water bottle 2-pack: $64.56 (15% off), originally $75.95
120″ outdoor projector screen with stand: $59.98 (45% off), originally $109.99
Lego Disney Young Simba, The Lion King $64.39 (50% off), originally $129.99
Thermacell rechargeable mosquito repeller: $28.49 (29% off), originally $39.99
Apple Airpods Pro 2: on sale for $149 (40% off), originally $249 
KIDEE neck fan: on sale for $23.98 (40% off), originally $40
Dyson Supersonic origin hair wrap: on sale for $299.99 (21% off), originally $380
Philips Sonicare rechargeable electric toothbrush: on sale for $69.95 (36% off), originally $109.96
Greenworks 21-inch cordless lawn mower: on sale for $337.49 (33% off), originally $499.99
Dyson Ball Animal upright vacuum: On sale for $329.99 (45% off), originally $600
DeWalt cordless drill and impact driver: on sale for $149 (42% off), originally $259
Breville Barista Express espresso machine: on sale for $549.95 (27% off), originally $749.95
Sonos Beam Gen 2 Soundbar: on sale for $369.00 (26% off), originally $499.00
Beats Studio Buds +: on sale for $89.95 (47% off), originally $169.95
Bose TV Speaker: on sale for $199 (29% off), originally $279.00
Netgear Orbi mesh wi-fi base and extender: on sale for $159.99 (54% off), originally $349.99

Jackery solar generator 1000 v2 with 200W solar panel: on sale for $664 (49% off)

Original price: $1,299

This solar generator set includes a Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 portable power station and a Jackery SolarSaga 200W solar panel to create a self-sufficient energy system. The generator can store 1070Wh (Watt-hours) of energy, enough to power a fridge for up to a day, or keep Wi-Fi running for about four days.  

Apple iPad: on sale for $279.99 (20% off)

Original price: $349

The iPad, which is the latest model available, is the ultimate affordable tablet, complete with an A16 chip, delivering an incredibly fast user experience. The retina 11-inch display rivals the competition thanks to its True Tone adjustments that automatically adjust the screen depending on where you are and the conditions to give you the best picture. There’s an impressive 128 GB of storage, all the way up to 512 GB.

An artist’s dream, the iPad has a compatible Apple Pencil that makes drawing ultra-realistic. Note that the iPad doesn’t support the newest Apple Pencil Pro. The magic keyboard folio turns your iPad into a fully functioning laptop and detaches and attaches with a simple click.

To protect your iPad, a hard cover iPad case (that comes in nearly any color) and a screen protector are a must. They’ll prevent cracks and scratches from everyday wear and tear. 

Best Prime Day tech deals

Furbo 360° pet camera: $129 (39% off), originally $210
Logitech wireless ergonomic keyboard: $118.74 (21% off), originally $149.99
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 smartphone: $1,149 (39% off), originally $2,019.99
Oura Ring 4: on sale for $296.65 (15% off), originally $349
Google Nest Smart thermostat: on sale for $89.99 (31% off), originally $129.99
Amazon Fire TV Stick: on sale for $24.99 (50% off), originally $49.99
55-inch Amazon Fire TV: on sale for $339.99 (26% off), originally $459.99
Samsung Odyssey G3 27-inch gaming monitor: on sale for $129.99 (43% off), originally $229.99
Amazon Echo Show 8: on sale for $109.99 (27% off), originally $149.99
Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet: on sale for $79.99 (56% off), originally $179.99
Amazon Kindle Scribe: on sale for $309.99 (31% off), originally $449.99
Apple Watch Ultra 2: on sale for $649.99 (17% off), originally $779
Mini drone with 4K UHD camera: on sale for $159 (20% off), originally $199

Apple Watch Series 10: on sale for $279 (30% off)

Original price: $399

The Apple Series 10 watch features a water temperature sensor that shares information about your swim workouts and a depth sensor. You can also get notifications if you have a high or low heart rate or if the watch detects an irregular heart rhythm. 

The watch also has many of the same features as your iPhone. You can send a text, take a call, listen to music and podcasts, use Siri and get notifications from your calendar and other apps. 

Apple AirPods 4: on sale for $89 (31% off)

Original price: $129

Redesigned with comfort in mind, the Apple AirPods 4 have a better fit so they won’t fall out of your ears as often. The sound quality has also improved from previous AirPod generations. Now you get a theater-like sound quality no matter what you’re listening to. AirPods are also sweat-, dust- and water-resistant, making them a more durable earbud option. 

Best Prime Day beauty deals

Revlon 2-in-1 volumizer and hair dryer: $28.31 (60% off), originally $69.99
Cordless UV nail lamp: $39.99 (20% off), originally $49.99
SOL DE JANEIRO Brazilian Bum Bum Cream: on sale for $57.60 (20% off), originally $72
Andalou Naturals Collagen + Hyaluronic Acid Serum: on sale for $17.79 (34% off), originally $26.99
Laifen SE Lite Hair Dryer: on sale for $69.99 (30% off), originally $99.99
Briogeo Scalp Revival rosemary pre-wash oil: on sale for $22.40 (30% off), originally: $32
Pro Ceramic Ionic hair straightener brush: on sale for $21.73 (27% off), originally $29.86
24k gold under eye patches: on sale for $21.24 (39% off), originally $34.99
Gillette Venus ComfortGlide white tea women’s razor: on sale for $13.69 (19% off), originally $16.99
Professional teeth whitening kit: on sale for $18.99 (37% off), originally $29.99
Medicube Zero Pore Pads: on sale for $14.90 (52% off), originally $31.00
Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects: on sale for $29.99 (35% off), originally $45.99

Philips Sonicare DiamondClean electric toothbrush: on sale for $149.96 (46% off)

Original price: $279.96

For an advanced clean, the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean toothbrush achieves up to 20 times more plaque removal and helps you get healthier gums. It can also help remove stains much more effectively than a manual toothbrush. 

You can choose from five different brushing modes and three intensity levels. Plus, the brush will alert you if you’re using too much pressure, which can also help your gums stay healthy. 

Shark SpeedStyle Pro Flex ionic hair dryer system: on sale for $199 (20% off)

Original price: $249.99

Dry your hair the professional way with a Shark SpeedStyle Pro Flex. The dryer provides ultra-fast drying with no heat damage. In seconds, airflow reaches up to 100 mph, and you can adjust the temperature level to keep your scalp comfortable. Featuring a 360-degree rotating nozzle, you can adjust the dryer to any angle to get the perfect style. When you’re done, the handle folds up, making this the perfect travel hair dryer. 

Best Prime Day tools deals

DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill and Impact Driver, Power Tool Combo Kit with 2 Batteries and Charger: $129 (51% off), originally $260.83
DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Impact Wrench: $199 (43% off), originally $349
Greenworks cordless drill and impact driver set: on sale for $89.99 (31% off), originally $129.99
DeWalt oscilating tool: on sale for $179 (10% off), originally $199
276-piece tool kit with drill: on sale for $99.98 (21% off), originally $125.99
DeWalt circular saw: on sale for $299 (14% off), originally $349
Craftsman 4-piece power tool combo kit: on sale for $149 (25% off), originally $199
Tietoc 6-Inch Mini Electric Chainsaw: on sale for $39.99 (33% off), originally $59.99

Bosch 5-tool combo kit: on sale for $499 (17% off)

Original price: $599

Bosch’s five-tool combo kit includes an impact driver, hammer drill, reciprocating saw, circular saw, a work light and two batteries. The impact driver works as both an impact wrench and a driver. The lightweight reciprocating saw is just over six pounds, so it’s ideal for easy DIY projects. 

DeWalt jig saw: on sale for $99 (52% off)

Original price: $205

DeWalt’s jig saw has an anti-slip comfort grip that makes controlling the saw easier. The all-metal blade is easy and quick to change, while the adjustable dust blower keeps your line of sight clear while you’re cutting. The saw is battery-powered, making quick work of all your DIY projects. 

Best Prime Day sleep deals

King size platform bed frame with velvet upholstered headboard: $188.94 (21% off), $239.99
Upholstered full size platform bed frame with 4 storage drawers: $195.99 (23%), originally $255.99
Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt + cooling 3-inch king mattress topper: on sale for $398.99 (20% off), originally $499
EGOHOME 14-inch king memory foam mattress: on sale for $599 (14% off), originally $699.99
Sealy Dreamlife 12″ hybrid mattress-in-a-box: on sale for $624.19 (22% off), originally $799
Sweetnight queen hybrid mattress: on sale for $168.31 (40% off), originally $279.99
Neo Sleep 8-inch twin cooling gel memory foam mattress: on sale for $93.58 (42% off), originally $159.98

Beckham Hotel Collection pillows: on sale for $47.98 (20% off)

Original price: $59.99

The Beckham Hotel Collection Bed Pillow set features a 250-thread-count cover that will keep you cool and comfortable. Whether you’re a back, side or stomach sleeper, the bounce-back design of these cooling pillows will hold their shape. 

Casper Sleep Element medium firm mattress: on sale for $416.50 (30% off)

Original price: $595

The Casper Sleep Element medium firm mattress is designed to be luxurious. There’s a top layer of breathable foam that promotes airflow, so you don’t sleep hot. The cover is also made from recycled materials that can withstand years of consistent use. 

This mattress conveniently comes in a box. All you need to do is unroll it on top of your bedframe and wait a few hours for it to puff up on its own.  

Best Prime Day outdoor deals

Anker portable power station 3,200 watt solar input: $2,699 (31% off), originally $3,899
SportRack Vista XL rear opening cargo box: $334.97 (16% off), originally $399.95
Coleman Classic 3-burner propane camping stove: on sale for $129.99 (41% off), originally $220.99
GCI outdoor comfort pro rocker camping chair: on sale for $72 (20% off), originally $90
Pop-up privacy shower pod for camping: on sale for $30.60 (23% off), originally $39.99
Mountain House Freeze-Dried Backpacking & Camping Food: on sale for $9.10 (24% off), originally $11.99

100ft solar outdoor string lights: on sale for $42.59 (29% off)

Original price: $59.98

Add some light to your backyard with this 100-foot set of outdoor string lights. The lights last eight to 12 hours depending on how much sun they get. You can also set them to automatically turn on as soon as it gets dark. The lights are shatterproof and waterproof, making them safe for long-term outdoor use.