Chicago braces for collapse as NYC mayoral frontrunner pushes free programs

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson warns that finances in the nation’s third most populous city have “reached a point of no return.”

The mayor said this week that the city will need to take steps to deal with looming budget shortfalls and that key systems that Chicago provides, including education, housing, health care and transportation, are “woefully underfunded.”

Eight-hundred miles to the east, there are concerns in the nation’s most populous city that if democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani wins the election in November as New York City’s next mayor, the city could be headed for a fiscal abyss similar to the crisis half a century ago, when it came close to bankruptcy.

CHICAGO TRIBUNE WARNS ‘HALLOWEEN COMES EARLY ‘ AS CITY FACES SHORTFALLS

Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who dropped out of the 2025 race for New York City’s Democratic Party mayor nomination and who is running for re-election as an independent, struck a deal with the city council on a roughly $116 billion budget for fiscal year 2026.

“There are no perfect budgets. But we have come a long way, and this one gets pretty close,” City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams said at a press conference announcing the deal in late June.

CUOMO FLIPS SCIPT ON MAMDANI IN NEW YORK CITY MAYORAL RACE

But the 33-year-old Mamdani, who is the polling frontrunner over Adams, former New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and two other contenders in November’s general election, is running on an expensive platform to tackle affordability and inequality in one of the nation’s most expensive cities. 

Mamdani grabbed national attention in late June after topping Cuomo and nine other candidates in the Democratic Party primary, as he took a big step towards becoming the first Muslim and first millennial mayor.

Mamdani, a Ugandan-born state assemblyman from the New York City borough of Queens, is proposing to eliminate fares to ride New York City’s vast bus system, making CUNY (City University of New York) “tuition-free,” freezing rents on municipal housing, offering “free childcare” for children up to age 5, and setting up government-run grocery stores.

There are concerns that the significant spending increases to pay for Mamdani’s proposals, along with the possibility of revenue shortfalls, could put a strain on New York City’s budget.

And at the center of Mamdani’s proposals to pay for his pricey plans is a “millionaire’s tax,” which critics say will spur ultra-wealthy New York City residents to flee.

Mamdani’s agenda has given Republicans plenty of fodder to use to go on offense, as they spotlight his “socialist” policies and try to anchor him to Democrats facing challenging re-elections next year. President Donald Trump has gone further, accusing Mamdani of being a “communist.”

And Mamdani’s rivals in November’s mayoral election are also taking aim at him.

Adams has said Mamdani is making “false promises” that will hurt low-income New Yorkers. And the mayor argues that Mamdani’s proposal to set up government-run supermarkets will “devastate the local bodegas and local stores.”

Cuomo on Friday took to social media to argue that “Chicago is proof that incompetent leadership can turn a deep-dish city into a half-baked mess.”

A day earlier, as he proposed his own plan to address affordability in New York City, Cuomo charged that Mandani is “proposing a theory of socialism that has never worked anywhere.”

“What is the best answer to affordability? It is business development. It is opportunity. It is jobs. It is economic growth. It is not anti-business socialism,” Cuomo said as he asked and answered his own question.

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Firing back, Mamdani campaign spokesperson Dora Pekec claimed that “trusting Andrew Cuomo to address New York’s affordability crisis is the equivalent of tasking an arsonist with putting out a fire — he created this crisis.”

“Trusting Andrew Cuomo to address New York’s affordability crisis is the equivalent of tasking an arsonist with putting out a fire — he created this crisis,” Mamdani spokesperson Dora Pekec said in a statement. 

President Trump hits top federal agency with major personnel shake up

President Trump has decided to remove Billy Long from his role as commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), with the former lawmaker announcing Friday that he will be taking on a new role as U.S. Ambassador to Iceland.

“It is a honor to serve my friend President Trump and I am excited to take on my new role as the ambassador to Iceland,” Long posted to X Friday afternoon. “I am thrilled to answer his call to service and deeply committed to advancing his bold agenda. Exciting times ahead!”

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will step in as acting IRS commissioner until a replacement is found, an official source confirmed to FOX Business on Friday.

IRS SAYS TAX COLLECTION IS MORE EFFICIENT THIS YEAR, AND RECEIPTS ARE UP MORE THAN 5%

“Treasury thanks Commissioner Long for his commitment to public service and the American people,” a spokesperson for the U.S. Treasury told FOX Business in an email. “His zeal and enthusiasm to bring a fresh perspective to the Federal Government was evident in both the House of Representatives and as part of the Trump Administration. A new candidate for Commissioner will be announced at the appropriate time.”

Long, who previously served as a U.S. representative for Missouri’s 7th Congressional district, was sworn in as the 51st commissioner of the IRS on June 16. On June 12, the GOP-controlled Senate approved Long in a 53 to 44 vote along party lines.

DOGE SAYS IRS MODERNIZATION PROGRAM IS $15B OVER BUDGET AND 30 YEARS OVERDUE

His term as commissioner was originally slated to run through Nov. 12, 2027, according to the IRS website.

The former lawmaker took over an agency he once sought to dismantle, previously backing legislation that would have abolished the IRS and replaced income taxes with a national sales tax.

In a message to IRS employees at the time of his swearing-in, Long outlined his intent to reshape the agency’s culture into one that “makes your lives and the taxpayers’ lives better.”

“In my first 90 days I plan to ask you, my employee partners, to help me develop a new culture here,” Long said. 

ACTING IRS CHIEF TO STEP DOWN AFTER IMMIGRATION DEAL WITH DHS: REPORT

Long was the fifth commissioner atop the tax agency since the beginning of 2025. He replaced Michael Faulkender, who was serving as acting commissioner alongside his duty as deputy Treasury secretary. 

On Tuesday, Trump said Treasury Secretary Bessent will not be in the running to become the next chair of the Federal Reserve. 

Senate Finance Committee ranking member Ronald Wyden, D-Ore., on Friday issued a scathing statement in reaction to Long’s change of position. 

“In just a handful of months, Trump and his crew have already gutted taxpayer service, weaponized IRS data against innocent taxpayers and set us up for disaster when next year’s filing season comes around,” Wyden said in a statement. “This is what Trump does — pick incompetent, unserious people for serious jobs, and sit back as the damage piles up.”

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The IRS did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.

Trump secretly authorizes military force to ‘completely destroy’ foreign drug cartels

President Donald Trump has secretly authorized military force against Latin American drug cartels designated by the United States as foreign terrorist organizations, according to reports. 

The move, reported by the New York Times, would give U.S. forces permission to engage the cartels, which traffic drugs like fentanyl across the US-Mexico border,

“The president is determined to not just dismantle – but completely destroy – [Venezuelan dictator Nicolas] Maduro’s Cartel de Los Soles and obliterate their operations in the Western Hemisphere,” a source close to the White House said, the New York Post reported. 

US ACCUSES VENEZUELAN REGIME OF NARCO-TERRORISM OVER ALLIANCES WITH TREN DE ARAGUA, SINALOA CARTEL

The anti-cartel effort is being coordinated among several departments, including the Department of Defense, Justice Department, Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Treasury, the source added.

“President Trump’s top priority is protecting the homeland, which is why he took the bold step to designate several cartels and gangs as foreign terrorist organizations,” deputy White House press secretary Anna Kelly said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Friday said the U.S. military would not be entering Mexican territory following reports that Washington could take action to combat the cartels. 

RUBIO RIPS VENEZUELA’S MADURO AS ‘NARCO-TERRORIST’ LEADER THREATENING US ONE YEAR AFTER DISPUTED ELECTION

“It has nothing to do with Mexican territory,” she said. “It has to do with their country. It does not involve our territory.”

Trump has previously discussed using military force against drug cartels in an effort to stop the flow of drugs and illegal immigrants across the southern border. He has also sanctioned high-ranking members of Cartel del Noreste, one of the most violent drug-trafficking organizations in Mexico and a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization.

Most recently, he has used the threat of tariffs to force Mexico and Canada to actively participate in anti-smuggling efforts. 

In relation to Latin American cartels, the administration has also singled out Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who is wanted by the U.S. On Thursday, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a $50 million reward for information leading to his arrest. 

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“Maduro uses foreign terrorist organizations like TdA (Tren de Aragua), Sinaloa and Cartel of the Suns (Cartel de Soles) to bring deadly violence to our country,” Bondi said in a video message. “He is one of the largest narco-traffickers in the world and a threat to our national security.”

Weeks after taking office, the White House announced the extradition of 29 members of various Mexican drug cartels. 

“The previous Administration allowed these criminals to run free and commit crimes all over the world. The Trump Administration is declaring these thugs as terrorists, because that is what they are, and demanding justice for the American people,” the White House said at the time. 

Dems comply with outrageous redistricting stunts due to primary threats, state rep says

Many of the Texas Democrats who fled the Lone Star State to Democrat-stronghold states amid a Republican redistricting effort are complying with the political stunt out of fear of being primaried by “someone even crazier” within the party, Republican Texas state Rep. Briscoe Cain told Fox News Digital in a Thursday interview. 

“If they were to come back, they would lose in a primary to someone even more socialistic than they are,” Cain told Fox News Digital in a Thursday Zoom interview. “So yeah, they’re actually there out of fear, not out of fear of the Republican legislation, but out of fear of their own people. And so they’ll continue to sit out of state at their own detriment, all because of the fear of being primaried by someone even crazier than they are.” 

“I can tell you that many of them don’t want to be there. They know that ultimately they’re going to lose, but because their party’s run by a bunch of crazies, they have to be there,” he continued of the Democrats who left the state ahead of Monday. 

Dozens of Democratic state lawmakers fled Texas for liberal bastions such as Illinois, Massachusetts and New York to prevent a quorum for a special session as state lawmakers prepared to vote on a redrawn congressional map for the state ahead of the 2026 midterms. 

State lawmakers have reported they plan to be absent from the state until the end of August, when the special session ends. 

ABBOTT, PAXTON LAUNCH LEGAL BLITZ ON FLEEING DEMOCRATS IN REDISTRICTING SHOWDOWN

Texas law requires at least two-thirds of lawmakers in either chamber be present to proceed with legislative matters, with the Democrat minority party currently holding 62 seats in the Texas house to the GOP’s 88.

The Texas House has been at a standstill since the Democrats fled over the weekend. Six Democrats are in the Austin area this week, Cain explained, meaning six more Democrats are required before the body can reach a quorum. 

Cain said that he heard three additional Democrats are in the Houston area and likely “taunting” Republicans to potentially arrest them over their absence. 

“They’re older members, and they’re kind of taunting us to arrest them with the idea that ‘who would arrest grandma?’ It’s kind of a clever play by the Democrats,” he said. 

Texas Speaker of the House Dustin Burrows signed arrest warrants for the absent Democrats on Monday, following the state House approving of such warrants and Gov. Greg Abbott calling on the Texas Department of Public Safety to arrest the “delinquent Texas House Democrats.”  The arrest warrants are largely viewed as symbolic as they only apply to those within state lines. 

TEXAS RESIDENTS SAY ‘THERE SHOULD BE CONSEQUENCES’ FOR DEMS FLEEING STATE TO AVOID VOTE

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) reported Thursday that the FBI agreed to his request to help assist in locating the whereabouts of the derelict lawmakers as Republicans work to reach a quorum upon the Democrats’ returns. 

“I thank President Trump and Director Patel for supporting and swiftly acting on my call for the federal government to hold these supposed lawmakers accountable for fleeing Texas,” Cornyn said in a Thursday news release. “We cannot allow these rogue legislators to avoid their constitutional responsibilities.” 

Cain told Fox Digital that Republicans are doing “everything in our power” after Democrats fled the state, including launching investigations into potential bribery. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced an investigation Wednesday into former presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke’s nonprofit, Powered by People, over claims it was helping fund the Democratic exodus from the state, which he described as a political bribe. 

“They’re being investigated for potential bribery,” Cain told Fox Digital. “And the Attorney General has launched an investigation into Beto O’Rourke’s organization for bribery as well. I’ll tell you, under the Texas Penal Code, offering or accepting or knowingly doing … a benefit to an elected official in exchange for their vote or some kind of discretionary action, like showing up to work, is considered bribery here in Texas. And it kind of looks like that and we need to launch an investigation.” 

In response to the investigation, O’Rourke described Republicans in Texas as “thugs” who are attempting to “steal our country” and accused Paxton of bribery himself.

TEXAS DEMS ALSO SKIPPED TOWN IN 2021 TO AVOID A VOTE, AND SEVERAL CAUGHT COVID-19 IN DC

Democratic governors, such as Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, have since opened their proverbial doors to the Texas Democrats who fled the Lone Star State. 

Cain remarked the irony is not lost on him that the Democrats fled to states that have long histories embracing gerrymandered voting lines. 

“The irony of this entire walkout, of course, they go to states that are some of the worst gerrymandered states that we’ve seen. 

“We’re now being able to expose and show the world the maps of these hypocrites. And they also call themselves brave. But as to quote Governor Greg Abbott, they’re very un-Texan, Texans don’t run from a fight,” he continued. 

TEXAS DEMOCRATS FLEE STATE TO BLOCK TRUMP-BACKED REDISTRICTING VOTE IN DRAMATIC LEGISLATIVE MOVE

Texas lawmakers have used quorum breaking as a political strategy going back to 1870, and last unfolded in 2021, when Democratic state lawmakers fled to Washington, D.C., out of an attempt to block the passage of voting and election integrity legislation, as well as the 2004 walk-out also over redistricting. 

Cain said history shows such stunts have not proven fruitful for Democrats. 

“Democrats lost seats every time they came back – might be a hint that the voters don’t appreciate those things. We also still passed the legislation. So it’s really a costly, futile move whereby it’s just pure theater, a chance to go and fundraise, but really they’re not standing up for democracy at all. Rather, they’re just being pure obstructionists and obstructing the will of the people that have elected them,” he said. 

President Donald Trump has encouraged redistricting in Texas, including remarking on Tuesday that efforts to redistrict in Texas could lead to the GOP picking up five seats. 

“In California, it’s all gerrymandered,” Trump said during an interview with CNBC Tuesday. “And we have an opportunity in Texas to pick up five seats. We have a really good governor, and we have good people in Texas. And I won Texas. I got the highest vote in the history of Texas, as you probably know, and we are entitled to five more seats.” 

For Cain, redistricting in Texas is needed as its demographics have shifted since 2020, when the state last redrew its voting maps. 

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“Over the last few years, Texas has drastically changed, our population has tremendously changed, not just from the open border policies of Joe Biden, but also because of our great economic conditions that have caused people to flee California and Illinois and Boston to come and want to live here. In order to reflect that population change, we need to update our map,” he said. 

Cincinnati viral beating bodycam released as suspects face new charges

CINCINNATI, OH: Police have released new body camera footage showing the moments officers responded to the viral downtown Cincinnati beating that left six people injured and led to six arrests. 

In the footage in the immediate aftermath of the viral beatdown in downtown Cincinnati, officers are seen arriving at the scene at approximately 3:25 a.m. on Saturday, July 26.

Fox News Digital previously reported that a lone 911 call brought law enforcement to the scene. 

“I’m 62 years old. I was attacked. I got attacked by multiple people,” a man in a polo green shirt is seen telling a Cincinnati Police Department officer.

“What led up to the fight?” the officer is heard asking.

“Don’t really know,” the man replied, sounding dazed. “It just got out of the bar and it just got crazy.”

CINCINNATI BRAWL TIMELINE: BRUTAL ASSAULT SPIRALS INTO NATIONAL FIRESTORM

“Okay, you didn’t get into it with anybody inside the bar?” the officer replied.

“No, no, no,” the man replied. “Not at all. I got side-punched. It wasn’t a fair fight at all.”

It wasn’t a fair fight at all…

— Witness, 62

In another officer’s body camera video, also obtained by Fox News Digital, a female Cincinnati Police Department officer is heard asking witnesses if the “argument was about wings.”

Throughout the footage, a group of individuals is seen purchasing and disputing wings at a local food truck in the early morning hours of Saturday, July 26.

“Are they fighting about wings?” the officer is heard asking as the officers arrive at the scene.

“I heard it was the one white guy who called the guy a n—–,” a man replied.

“Do you know who swung first?” the woman asked.

The update comes the same day all six individuals arrested in connection with the viral beating in downtown Cincinnati have been indicted by a grand jury and are facing additional charges.

Patrick Rosemond, 38, Jermaine Matthews, 39, Montianez Merriweather, 34, DeKyra Vernon, 24, Dominique Kittle, 37, and Aisha Devaughn, 25, are each charged with three counts of alleged felonious assault, three charges of assault and two charges of aggravated rioting, the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed to Fox News Digital. 

“What I saw on video is not the Cincinnati I know and love,” Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich said. “These charges hold those involved in the attack accountable.”

The update comes nearly two weeks after a bystander video showing the brutal beatdown on the corner of Fourth and Elm streets went viral, sparking national outrage and forcing local leaders to answer for the beating that broke out around 3 a.m. on July 26. 

Witness video obtained by Fox News Digital shows a man repeatedly yelling racial slurs at a group before being violently thrown to the ground and kicked repeatedly. 

“I saw a little ruckus going on, saw people kind of scuffling, so kind of zoomed in, and once my phone kind of focused in, I saw the so-called victims being pretty aggressive toward the group of people that were already standing out there,” witness Jay Black told Fox News Digital.

CINCINNATI RESIDENTS ON EDGE AFTER VIRAL BEATDOWN SPARKS CRIME CONCERNS: ‘WHAT’S GONNA HAPPEN NEXT?’

Black added that he watched the man get knocked to the ground, before getting up and start fighting again.

“Once he got up, you know people were kind of backing off of him, but he was kind of still going at people, you know, and using racial slurs,” Black said. 

He told Fox News Digital that “contrary to what people think,” there were actually “a lot of people” trying to break up the fight.

The fight ignited a national firestorm as local leaders were left to answer for the apparent lack of police presence in the downtown area when the fight occurred after it was revealed that only 11 officers were stationed downtown the night of the brawl. 

CINCINNATI MAYOR UNDER FIRE FOR POLICE MANAGEMENT AFTER VIRAL BEATING EXPOSES LAX BAIL LAWS

In a press conference held last week, Cincinnati Police Chief Theresa Theetge revealed that, of the approximately 100 individuals present on the street corner at the time of the fight, only one person called 911.

“That is unacceptable to not call the police,” Theetge said. “Traffic was horrendous. People saw this. They were fighting in front of traffic. Why didn’t people call us?”

One of the victims in the attack, Holly, can be seen in additional footage being violently slammed to the ground and knocked unconscious as she tried to split up the fight. 

“I remember being afraid, terrified,” Holly told Fox News Digital. “I just remember my life flashing before my eyes, and all I can think is, ‘Dear God, I hope my children know that I love them.’”

CINCINNATI VIRAL BEATING VICTIM SAYS VIOLENT MOB STARTED ATTACKING ‘LIKE A PACK OF WOLVES’

Holly revealed the horrific fight left her with brain damage and life-altering injuries, including a severe concussion. 

“I’m having someone help take care of me financially, mentally and physically,” Holly said. “It’s very humbling, it’s very embarrassing to not be able to just be able to hang out by myself. I think that’s the scary part, to not know just how deep the damage is going to be.” 

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval also weighed in on the violence that lit up social media at a press conference last week. 

VIDEO OF RACIAL SLUR YELLED DURING THE BRUTAL CINCINNATI BEATDOWN EMERGES 

“This was an awful incident, and our law enforcement has been working quickly and effectively to bring all responsible to justice,” he said while standing alongside other city officials and leaders. “Let me be clear, there is no place for violent crime in Cincinnati, whether it’s a fight or gun violence. We will pursue those responsible and we will hold them accountable no matter who they are.”

However, Pureval has since come under fire for his handling of the city’s law enforcement, with mayoral challenger Cory Bowman, who is also Vice President JD Vance’s half-brother, slamming city leadership for what he believes is relaxed bail policies allowing violent offenders back on the streets. 

CINCINNATI BUSINESS OWNERS SLAM VIRAL ‘OUT OF CONTROL’ BEATING AMID FIGHT TO CLEAN UP DOWNTOWN

“There are things from City Hall that are showing that the police are not supported the way they need to,” Bowman told Fox News Digital. “They are unable to do their jobs because they’ve been told time and time again that they have to use restraint in certain things instead of enforcing the law. They’re told to dial back, and then what happens is that we have prosecutors and judges that have a catch-and-release system.” 

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In a previous statement, Council Member Anna Albi also condemned the brutal beating, while vowing to support the community’s police force. 

“Under no circumstances is it ever acceptable to condone such awful violence,” Albi said. “Our greatest responsibility as elected officials and city leaders is to ensure the safety of our community. That is why this City Council continues to invest in supporting and growing our police force while simultaneously investing in social services to foster safe and healthy communities.”

If convicted, the suspects face the possibility of 29.5 years in prison. 

Gunman dead after opening fire near Atlanta university as shelter order lifted

Authorities confirmed a lone shooter is dead after opening fire near Emory University in Atlanta on Friday afternoon.

Atlanta Police Department officials confirmed one police officer was injured “in the course of the response.” The officer’s current condition is unknown.

“Emory Emergency: Active shooter on Emory Atlanta Campus at Emory Point CVS,” the university’s office of critical event preparedness and response posted to X. “RUN, HIDE, FIGHT. Avoid the area.”

A shelter in place order was lifted by the university at about 6:30 p.m.

SHOOTING AT TENNESSEE CLASS REUNION LEAVES 4 HOSPITALIZED

Emory University is a private university in Atlanta. It houses nine academic divisions, including Emory College of Arts and Sciences, Goizueta Business School and Emory School of Medicine.

Emory College of Arts and Sciences, the primary undergraduate division of Emory University, has more than 5,700 students. 

The school is also affiliated with Emory Healthcare, the largest healthcare system in Georgia.

SEVERAL PEOPLE INJURED IN SHOOTING INCIDENT AT GEORGIA SHOPPING MALL: POLICE

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said in an X post that he was “horrified.”

“We’re horrified by the news out of Emory University and praying for the safety of the entire campus community,” Carr wrote in a post. “We stand ready to assist our law enforcement partners with whatever they may need.”

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp posted to X thanking law enforcement for their swift action.

“Marty, the girls, and I are thankful for all those who answer the call to serve and who protect their fellow Georgians,” Kemp wrote. “We ask that you join us in holding them in our prayers, along with those harmed this evening near the CDC Center.”

ONE DEAD, ONE INJURED IN UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO CAMPUS SHOOTING AS MANHUNT CONTINUES

The shooting location was also near the main campus of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to Fox News Digital DeKalb County Police are at the scene.

The Atlanta Police Department and FBI are also responding, according to social media posts.

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The Emory University Police Department, DeKalb Police Department, FBI Atlanta, Emory University and CDC did not immediately respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital.

FOX News star reveals his friends ‘dumped’ him for someone special in his life

Fox News host Greg Gutfeld reminisced with Jimmy Fallon about their supportive mothers during an appearance on NBC’s “The Tonight Show” on Thursday.

The top-rated “Gutfeld!” host made a late-night crossover appearance on the iconic program, where Fallon noted that Gutfeld’s mother Jackie served as a “senior correspondent” when he hosted the Fox News show “Red Eye.”

“You know what her job was? Her job was to watch Fox News,” Gutfeld said. “She would watch Fox News and tell me what was going on during the day.”

He added that his mother was so popular with his friends growing up that he would sometimes come to his house and see his friends already there.

GREG GUTFELD SHARES HILARIOUS STORY ON HOW HE FIRST MET JIMMY FALLON DURING ‘TONIGHT SHOW’ APPEARANCE

“They’d be in the backyard with my mom,” Gutfeld said.

“I had that too. My friends loved my parents,” Fallon said.

“They dumped me for my mom. So I realized at that point that she was good. She was no BS, and she was a supporter of everything I did, which is like your mom,” Gutfeld said, referring to Fallon’s late mother Gloria.

Gutfeld noted his mother, who passed away in 2014, saw his success on “Red Eye” and then “The Five,” which is now cable news’ top-rated show. 

JAY LENO CRITICIZES MODERN LATE-NIGHT COMEDY FOR ALIENATING HALF THE AUDIENCE WITH PARTISAN POLITICS

“She didn’t see me for the rest of the stuff, but that’s probably well and good,” Gutfeld quipped. 

Fallon said having a supportive mother meant a lot and was no doubt proud of her son’s success. Fallon memorably paid tribute to his mother Gloria on “The Tonight Show” when she passed away in 2017.

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Gutfeld also discussed with Fallon their chaotic first meeting, as well as his FOX Nation game show, “What Did I Miss?”, where contestants who’ve been isolated for months try to pick real from fake news.

Sydney Sweeney’s brother cracks ‘good jeans’ joke after Air Force promotion

Sydney Sweeney and her brother both have “good jeans.”

Trent Sweeney, a newly promoted Air Force staff sergeant, played into the denim drama that’s engulfed his famous sister. 

This week, the 29-year-old proudly posted about his official promotion to staff sergeant on his Instagram story, complete with a cheeky caption aimed at the controversy.

AMERICAN EAGLE FIRES BACK AT CRITICS AFTER SYDNEY SWEENEY CAMPAIGN SPARKS ONLINE BACKLASH

“It’s them good jeans,” he shared with a certificate acknowledging his military promotion. 

Trent’s playful nod to the denim controversy drew laughs from supporters amid the outrage, and he posted another photo holding the certificate.

“The family jeans, congrats on the promotion,” a comment on his social media post said.

Another fan wrote, “True American genes,” while an Instagram comment said, “[S]Sgt with the good jeans.”

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Meanwhile, Sweeney has scooped up some major attention — again! 

The “Euphoria” actress’s Baskin-Robbins ad has resurfaced among her fans.

The commercial featured Sweeney happily indulging in colorful ice cream flavors, and she served up nothing but sweet vibes. 

SYDNEY SWEENEY’S STEAMY DENIM AD SPARKS COMPARISON TO BROOKE SHIELDS’ CONTROVERSIAL ’80S CLASSIC

Sweeney’s signature scoop included rainbow sorbet in a chocolate-dipped waffle cone with rainbow sprinkles and gummy bear minis. She additionally had a signature drink on the menu — sorbet with lemon lime soda topped with gummy bears. 

Fans were quick to respond to her resurfaced commercial for the ice cream company. 

“I love Sydney Sweeney and her good jeans and I love Baskin-Robbins ice cream. You’re the best Sydney,” one comment on X said.

“Love me some Baskin-Robbins! I will wear my new AE jeans when I purchase my Sydney Sweeney sweets,” another comment said. 

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One X user added, “Let’s see who’s gonna get triggered by Sydney Sweeney’s new Baskin-Robbins ad.”

Baskin-Robbins released its collaboration with Sweeney in June.

Sweeney’s ice cream ad resurfaced after “The White Lotus” star broke the internet last month with an American Eagle Jeans ad. 

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The commercial sparked backlash after she spoke about genes being “passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color.”

“My jeans are blue,” she added as the camera closed in on her eyes.

The backlash to Sweeney’s campaign faced the brute force of social media, some suggesting it had shades of “eugenics” and “White supremacy.”

However, others, including President Donald Trump, have come to the ad’s defense. 

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“Sydney Sweeney, a registered Republican, has the ‘HOTTEST’ ad out there. It’s for American Eagle, and the jeans are ‘flying off the shelves,’” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “The tide has seriously turned — Being WOKE is for losers.”

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American Eagle released a statement on its social media Aug. 1, saying, “’Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans’ is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans. Her story. We’ll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone.”

Reps for the Sweeneys and Baskin-Robbins did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Bill aims to require clear labeling of shelf-life coatings on fruits and vegetables

Transparency is the focus of new proposed legislation when it comes to the coatings that are added to produce before the grocery-store items are sold to Americans. 

Focusing on fruits and vegetables treated with a shelf-life-extending coating, Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., introduced HR 4737, known as the Apeel Reveal Act, in the House. 

The bill targets product coatings from companies to provide labeling that discloses the use of the coating.

AMERICA’S DAIRY FARMERS AND ICE CREAM PRODUCERS AGREE TO QUIT USING ARTIFICIAL COLORS

“We should know what we’re eating – transparency is essential for making healthy choices,” Stutzman wrote on X.

“My Apeel Reveal Act gives Americans the clarity they deserve when deciding what to feed themselves and their kids.”

Apeel Sciences, an industry leader in the space, said it agrees with Stutzman that “every consumer deserves to know where they can find safer, higher-quality, fresher produce in their grocery stores.”

“Our plant-based, edible coatings help keep produce naturally fresh for longer, reduce food waste and lower grocery costs for American families,” Apeel said in a statement shared with Fox News Digital. 

What’s desired is “disclosure of certain product coatings used on fruits and vegetables, and for other purposes.” 

“Our products are among the safest and most rigorously tested on the market.”

Apeel said its ingredients are “plant-based simple fats called mono- and diglycerides, baking soda and citric acid” and “common, naturally occurring food ingredients found in the edible peels, pulp and seeds of fruits and vegetables that also have a long history of safe use.”

Apeel reiterated that its products have an Apeel logo or sticker.

They “remain the only post-harvest food coating brand most consumers can name,” the California-based company said. 

All coating materials must be composed of substances “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS). 

They must be produced under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Good Manufacturing Practices for food ingredients and packaging.

The company says on its site, “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) affirms mono- and diglycerides as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). This GRAS designation means that a panel of qualified experts considers mono- and diglycerides safe for consumption under the conditions of their intended use, including their application to fruits and vegetables as well as use in many other everyday foods.”

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The purpose of the new bill is “to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the disclosure of certain product coatings used on fruits and vegetables, and for other purposes,” HR 4737 says.

It also says, in part, “In this subsection, the term ‘covered product coating’ means a coating that is directly applied to a fruit or vegetable to extend the shelf life of the fruit or vegetable. Such term includes Apeel Sciences product coatings, including Edipeel and Organipeel.”

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Apeel’s coatings, according to the company and others, have “demonstrably reduced waste — saving 166 million pieces of produce, conserving 1.8 billion gallons of water, and preventing over 64 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.”