Clapper pressed to ‘compromise’ standards in Russia report, emails allege
EXCLUSIVE: Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper allegedly directed officials to “compromise” “normal” procedures to rush a politicized 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment – despite concerns from then-Director of the National Security Agency Mike Rogers, who allegedly said his team did not have “enough time” to review the intelligence to be “absolutely confident” that Russia was involved in the 2016 election.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard declassified emails Wednesday. Fox News Digital obtained the declassified records.
OBAMA ADMIN ‘MANUFACTURED’ INTELLIGENCE TO CREATE 2016 RUSSIAN ELECTION INTERFERENCE NARRATIVE, DOCUMENTS SHOW
“The leading figures in the Russia hoax have spent years deceiving the American public by presenting their manufactured and politicized assessments as credible intelligence,” Gabbard told Fox News Digital. “The email released today reinforces what we already exposed: the decision to compromise standards and violate protocols in the creation of the 2017 manufactured intelligence assessment was deliberate and came from the very top.”
“Clapper’s own words confirm that complying with the order to manufacture intelligence was a ‘team sport,’” Gabbard claimed.
In July, Fox News Digital exclusively reported that Gabbard and intelligence officials claimed that the Obama administration allegedly “manufactured and politicized intelligence” to create the narrative that Russia was attempting to influence the 2016 presidential election, despite information from the intelligence community stating otherwise.
The email, exclusively obtained by Fox News Digital Wednesday, from Rogers was sent to then-Director of National Intelligence Clapper, then-CIA Director John Brennan and then-FBI Director James Comey on Dec. 22, 2016, at 7 a.m.
“I’ve just returned from a TDY overseas and been updated on the current status of our efforts to produce a joint product related to Russian attribution and intent for the DNC/DCCC hacks,” Rogers allegedly wrote in the email. “I know that this activity is on a fast-track and that folks have been working very hard to put together a product that can be provided to the president.”
“However, I wanted to reach out to you directly to let you know of some concerns I have with what I am hearing from my folks,” the email continued. “Specifically, I asked my team if they’d had sufficient access to the underlying intelligence and sufficient time to review that intelligence.”
SOROS’ ALLEGED TIES TO RUSSIAGATE EXPOSED IN DECLASSIFIED ANNEX OF DURHAM REPORT
“On both points my team raised concerns,” Rogers reportedly wrote. “They were clear that, at the staff level, folks have been forward-leaning and trying to ensure that we have an opportunity to review and weigh in, but I’m concerned that, given the expedited nature of this activity, my folks aren’t fully comfortable saying that they have had enough time to review all of the intelligence to be absolutely confident in their assessments.”
Rogers clarified, with the email stating he is “not saying that we disagree substantively, but I do want to make sure that, when we are asked in the future whether we can absolutely stand behind the paper, that we don’t have any reason to hesitate because of the process.”
“I know that you agree that this is something we need to be 100% comfortable with before we present it to the President – we have one chance to get this right, and it is critical that we do so,” Rogers allegedly wrote. “If the intent is to create an integrated product that is CIA/FBI/NSA jointly-authored that we can all defend, we need a process that allows us all to be comfortable, and I’m concerned we are not there yet.”
The email continued: “In addition, if NSA is intended to be a co-author of this product, I personally expect to see even the most sensitive evidence related to the conclusion.”
The email said, though, if the “intent is to create a CIA-only or CIA/FBI-authored product, then I will stand down on these concerns.”
“I would welcome your thoughts on these points and any adjustments we might make to the process to ensure that we all have the necessary level of confidence in the final assessment,” it continued.
Hours later, at 7:43 p.m. that same day, Clapper allegedly replied to Rogers’ email, copying Brennan and Comey.
“Understand your concern,” Clapper allegedly wrote. “It is essential that we (CIA/NSA/FBI/ODNI) be on the same page, and are all supportive of the report – in the highest tradition of ‘that’s OUR story, and we’re sticking’ to it.’”
FBI LAUNCHES CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS OF JOHN BRENNAN, JAMES COMEY: DOJ SOURCES
“This evening, CIA has provided to the NIC the complete draft generated by the ad hoc fusion cell,” the email continued.
The “ad hoc fusion cell” was the small team Brennan put together to draft the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment, intelligence community officials told Fox News Digital.
“We will facilitate as much mutual transparency as possible as we complete the report, but, more time is not negotiable,” Clapper wrote. “We may have to compromise on our ‘normal’ modalities, since we must do this on such a compressed schedule.”
The email continued: “This is one project that has to be a team sport.”
The 2017 ICA ultimately assessed that “Russia was responsible for leaking data from the DNC and DCCC,” but an official flagged to Fox News Digital that the ICA “failed to mention that FBI and NSA previously expressed low confidence in this attribution.”
Documents revealed that in the months leading up to the November 2016 election, the intelligence community consistently assessed that Russia was “probably not trying… to influence the election by using cyber means.”
PATEL FOUND THOUSANDS OF SENSITIVE TRUMP–RUSSIA PROBE DOCS INSIDE ‘BURN BAGS’ IN SECRET ROOM AT FBI
Weeks before the emails were sent, on Dec. 7, 2016, Clapper’s talking points stated: “Foreign adversaries did not use cyberattacks on election infrastructure to alter the U.S. presidential election outcome.”
In July, Fox News Digital obtained a declassified copy of the Presidential Daily Brief, which was prepared by the Department of Homeland Security, with reporting from the CIA, Defense Intelligence Agency, FBI, National Security Agency, Department of Homeland Security, State Department and open sources, for then-President Barack Obama, dated Dec. 8, 2016.
“We assess that Russian and criminal actors did not impact recent US election results by conducting malicious cyber activities against election infrastructure,” the Presidential Daily Brief stated. “Russian Government-affiliated actors most likely compromised an Illinois voter registration database and unsuccessfully attempted the same in other states.”
But the brief stated that it was “highly unlikely” the effort “would have resulted in altering any state’s official vote result.”
“Criminal activity also failed to reach the scale and sophistication necessary to change election outcomes,” it stated.
The brief noted that the Office of the Director of National Intelligence assessed that any Russian activities “probably were intended to cause psychological effects, such as undermining the credibility of the election process and candidates.”
The FBI even had concerns with the inclusion of that information in the Presidential Daily Brief.
By Dec. 9, 2016, a meeting convened in the White House Situation Room, with the subject line starting: “Summary of Conclusions for PC Meeting on a Sensitive Topic (REDACTED.)”
The meeting included top officials in the National Security Council, Clapper, CIA Director John Brennan, National Security Advisor Susan Rice, Secretary of State John Kerry, Attorney General Loretta Lynch, Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe, among others, to discuss Russia.
The declassified meeting record, obtained by Fox News Digital, said the principals “agreed to recommend sanctioning of certain members of the Russian military intelligence and foreign intelligence chains of command responsible for cyber operations as a response to cyber activity that attempted to influence or interfere with U.S. elections, if such activity meets the requirements” from an executive order that demanded the blocking of property belonging to people engaged in cyber activities.
After the meeting, according to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Clapper’s executive assistant allegedly emailed intelligence community leaders tasking them to create a new intelligence community assessment “per the president’s request,” that detailed the “tools Moscow used and actions it took to influence the 2016 election.”
“ODNI will lead this effort with participation from CIA, FBI, NSA, and DHS,” the record states.
Later, Obama officials allegedly “leaked false statements to media outlets” claiming that “Russia has attempted through cyber means to interfere in, if not actively influence, the outcome of an election.”
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By Jan. 6, 2017, a new Intelligence Community Assessment was released that, according to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, “directly contradicted the IC assessments that were made throughout the previous six months.”
Current intelligence officials told Fox News Digital that the ICA was “politicized” because it allegedly “suppressed intelligence from before and after the election showing Russia lacked intent and capability to hack the 2016 election.”
Officials also said it deceived the American public by allegedly “claiming the IC made no assessment on the ‘impact’ of Russian activities,” when the intelligence community “did, in fact, assess for impact.”
In July, Fox News Digital exclusively reported that Comey and Brennan are under criminal investigation.
In early August, Attorney General Pam Bondi directed her staff to act on the criminal referral from Gabbard. The Justice Department is now planning to open a grand jury investigation into the alleged conspiracy to tie Trump to Russia in the 2016 election.
Fox News Digital reached out to Clapper for comment and has not received a reply.
Idaho killer’s prison life turns into nightmare as inmates ‘join forces’ against him
Idaho student murderer Bryan Kohberger is facing taunts from other inmates as he adjusts to his new life in prison, weeks after receiving four consecutive sentences of life without parole, plus another 10 years, according to a new report.
The 30-year-old former Washington State University criminology Ph.D. student abruptly pleaded guilty to the murders of four undergrads at the nearby University of Idaho last month – Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20.
The deal allowed him to avoid the potential death penalty – which prosecutors said they intended to seek if the case went to trial.
BRYAN KOHBERGER TRANSFERRED TO MAXIMUM SECURITY STATE PRISON
According to the Idaho Department of Corrections, Kohberger is being housed on “J Block” inside the Idaho Maximum Security Institution outside Boise.
J Block is a secure housing unit with individual cells, according to the Idaho Department of Corrections. Inmates there are typically high-risk prisoners and are limited to one-hour of outdoor exercise a day and face other restrictions. They get access to the showers every other day.
I have no doubt he’s contemplating suicide already because he’s not even a month in, and he’s losing control. Most serial killers tend to be control freaks.
“J Block is a unit that can house up to 128 individuals and includes populations in general population protective custody, long-term restrictive housing, and death row,” a spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “Incarcerated individuals in long-term restrictive housing live in single-person cells, are moved in restraints, and are provided showers every other day along with one hour of outdoor recreation daily. They have access to religious services, communication through JPay, and can place commissary orders.”
IDAHO VICTIMS’ FAMILIES TO ADDRESS KILLER DIRECTLY AT KOHBERGER SENTENCING
But while the killer may be physically separated from other lifers, they are reportedly tormenting him to the point where he has complained to prison guards about the abuse, according to the Daily Mail.
“They are literally getting up into the grate and yelling at him,” Chris McDonough, a former detective who is now with the Cold Case foundation, told the outlet. “The inmates are taking it in turns doing it. It’s relentless.”
The account, based on comments from an unnamed “insider” in touch with McDonough alleges that other J Block inmates have “joined forces” to make killer Kohberger’s life hell in his cell.
BRYAN KOHBERGER TRADED DEATH PENALTY FOR LIFE SENTENCE THAT COULD STILL END VIOLENTLY BEHIND BARS
“It’s driving him crazy,” he told the outlet. “The inmates are tormenting him at night and almost all hours of the day – taunting him through the vents in his cell.”
The Pennsylvania native entered Idaho prison with a target on his back, experts previously told Fox News Digital, due to the notoriety of the crime and the callous selection of victims, whom he had no known ties to.
“I think he’ll have a target on his back – child molesters, rapists and woman beaters get smashed, and he’ll be stereotyped like that,” Seth Ferranti, a former most wanted fugitive turned documentarian, said after sentencing.
“When guys with big cases or who were in the headlines hit the compound, everybody knows,” said Ferranti, whose most recent project, “A Tortured Mind,” explores a mental health condition Kohberger will never have to worry about called post-incarceration syndrome.
IDAHO MURDERER BRYAN KOHBERGER’S FORMER FRIENDS DIVE INTO KILLER’S MINDSET ABOUT WHY HE DID IT
Now Kohberger is reportedly complaining to guards that he can’t sleep amid all the harassment.
“He’s lucky it’s only verbal abuse right now, but what’s going to make it a lot worse for him is that he’s complaining,” Keith Rovere, a former prison pastor, told Fox News Digital. “You can’t do that in prison. You stay silent and keep your mouth shut.”
Otherwise, Kohberger risks becoming labeled a “rat,” according “The Lighter Side of True Crime” podcast host.
“You have a problem with it, you fight back,” he said. “Complaining to the guards is ratting. Now they know they’re getting under your skin so they’re only going to ramp it up even more.”
And this is just his reaction to verbal abuse, he added.
“I have no doubt he’s contemplating suicide already because he’s not even a month in, and he’s losing control,” Rovere added. “Most serial killers tend to be control freaks. Throw autism on top of that and the chaos that the inmates are causing him is making him lose his mind. And it’s only going to get worse.”
In a statement to NewsNation, an Idaho Department of Corrections spokesperson said: “We are aware of Kohberger’s complaints about what he considers taunting.”
“Incarcerated individuals commonly communicate with each other in prison. Bryan Kohberger is housed alone in a cell, and IDOC security staff maintain a safe and orderly environment for all individuals in our custody,” the spokesperson said.
Kohberger, while not fitting the textbook definition of a serial killer, is still a mass murderer who studied serial killers extensively as part of his graduate degree in criminology.
The killer is reputed to be lacking in social skills – illustrated by what his attorneys called a “piercing stare” and lack of social awareness in court filings. Over the past two and a half years of confinement, he appears to have lost some weight, too.
According to documents made public by the Moscow Police Department in Idaho, Kohberger also has a track record of bumping heads with his fellow inmates. On one occasion, Kohberger turned away from a video chat with his mom to snap at another inmate who yelled “you suck” at a jailhouse TV set. Another inmate described him as a “f—ing weirdo” and claimed he would have assaulted him if he wasn’t worried about repercussions.
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Another infamous J Block resident is fellow convicted killer Chad Daybell, who is on death row for the murders of his ex-wife, Tammy Daybell, and the children of his next wife, Lori Vallow Daybell, 7-year-old JJ Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan.
There’s no indication whether Daybell may have been involved in any alleged harassment of Kohberger.
Bill Clinton ‘prime suspect’ in oversight probe into Epstein case, GOP lawmaker says
Former President Bill Clinton is the “prime suspect” in the House Oversight Committee’s probe looking at the late financier Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking case, according to the committee’s chairman Rep. James Comer.
“Everybody in America wants to know what went on in Epstein Island, and we’ve all heard reports that Bill Clinton was a frequent visitor there, so he’s a prime suspect to be deposed by the House Oversight Committee,” Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, said in a Monday interview with Newsmax.
Fox News Digital reached out to Comer’s office and received confirmation of his comments to the outlet.
The House Oversight Committee issued a large batch of deposition subpoenas to those with ties to Epstein Aug. 5 — including the former president and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton — to testify before lawmakers.
COMER SUBPOENAS THE CLINTONS, TRUMP’S DOJ IN HOUSE OVERSIGHT’S EPSTEIN PROBE
Democrats joined Republicans in voting to move forward issuing the subpoenas. The committee requested Hillary Clinton appear Oct. 9, and Bill Clinton Oct. 14.
“So, hopefully we’ll win that court battle with that subpoena and see President Clinton in October,” Comer told Newsmax.
Clinton has said he has never visited Epstein’s island. Clinton wrote in his 2024 memoir “Citizen” that he’d never gone to the island and that he wished he’d never even met Epstein in the first place.
A spokesperson for Clinton did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
Meanwhile, the case has attracted additional attention after the Department of Justice and the FBI announced in July the agencies would not release new documents from the Epstein sex trafficking case and that their review into Epstein was closed.
HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE VOTED IN FAVOR OF SUBPOENAING BILL AND HILLARY CLINTON OVER GHISLAINE MAXWELL CONNECTION
The agencies said at the time that they did not track down a list of sexual predators with connections to Epstein, and determined there were no new people who would face charges.
But that’s at odds with efforts by the Oversight Committee, which also issued a subpoena for all Justice Department documents pertaining to Epstein. The committee also issued subpoenas to former FBI Director James Comey, former Attorneys General Eric Holder, Jeff Sessions and Merrick Garland, among others.
The Justice Department faces a Tuesday deadline to submit documents related to Epstein, Fox News Digital previously reported.
‘NOT GOING AWAY’: INSIDE THE EPSTEIN DRAMA THAT’S THROWN HOUSE GOP INTO CHAOS
While Comer acknowledged it would prove challenging to actually get the former president to testify before Congress, he remained optimistic about the odds — given his track record.
“I’ve never lost a subpoena battle,” Comer said Monday. “I’ve been chairman of that committee for a year and a half — this is the most challenging subpoena I’ve ever issued, but what makes this subpoena different is that the Democrats voted with Republicans.”
GOP senators back Trump’s DC crime crackdown as president eyes longer control
President Donald Trump signaled he may skirt Congress to extend his takeover of the Washington, D.C., police, and some congressional Republicans are heeding the call.
Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., said he would vote for extending Trump’s authority but didn’t believe that Senate Democrats would budge and support giving the president more time.
“I’m absolutely in favor of President Trump doing whatever he needs to do,” Marshall told Fox News Digital. “Of course, we want to follow the Constitution, and I need to go back and read what he can do and not do, but I think it’ll take a 60-vote threshold in the Senate to pass this resolution.”
TRUMP PREDICTS LITTLE PROGRESS IN POTENTIAL SHUTDOWN TALKS WITH ‘CRAZY’ SCHUMER, JEFFRIES
The provision allows for the president to effectively federalize the local police force for up to 30 days, unless Congress, through a joint resolution, grants him an extension. But questions remain over whether that kind of resolution would hit the Senate’s typical 60-vote threshold or if it could pass through a simple majority.
Trump on Monday invoked a section of the Home Rule Act that governs the district to give himself the authority to take control of the Metropolitan Police Department and has since sent in National Guard troops, alongside FBI and DEA agents, to patrol the streets.
TOP HOUSE REPUBLICAN SAYS TRUMP ‘RIGHTLY’ TOOK OVER DC POLICE, DEMANDS BOWSER, OTHERS TESTIFY ON CRIME
Republicans control 53 seats in the upper chamber, meaning Democrats may be needed to grant Trump an extension beyond the 30-day window. But Trump, during a press conference Wednesday announcing new Kennedy Center honorees, said that he would be asking for “long-term extensions” and believed Democrats would not “do anything to stop crime.”
Trump also noted he may not need Congress.
“Well, if it’s a national emergency, we can do it without Congress,” Trump said. “But we expect to be … before Congress, very quickly.
TRUMP ACTIVATES NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS TO ADDRESS ‘TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL’ CRIME IN WASHINGTON
“We’re going to do this very quickly, but we’re going to want extensions,” he added. “I don’t want to call a national emergency. If I have to, I will, but I think the Republicans in Congress will approve this pretty much unanimously.”
House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, whose committee oversees the district, enthusiastically backed Trump’s move to take control of D.C.’s police force Monday. When asked by Fox News Digital if he would back Trump leapfrogging Congress to continue his hold on the local police, a spokesman said, “We support the president’s actions to complete the mission.”
Both Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., initially supported the president’s move to crack down on crime in the district, which was spurred by a recent attack on a former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer.
When asked for comment on Trump’s latest remarks regarding an extension, Thune’s office referred Fox News Digital to his previous statement on social media in which the GOP leader lauded the administration’s move.
“Washington, D.C., should be a place where people can safely live, visit, work, and raise a family, and [Monday’s] announcement is a positive step in that direction,” he said.
Fox News Digital reached out to Johnson’s office for comment but did not hear back.
A clearer picture of where lawmakers stand will likely have to wait, given that they are out of town in their respective states and districts for much of the 30-day window. But the issue will likely be front of mind when they return after Labor Day.
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Still, Trump already has some public support from Republicans for extending his timeframe.
Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., told Fox News Digital in a statement he fully supported “President Trump’s plan to make D.C. safe again, and will back up his efforts in the Senate.”
And Sen. Mike Lee, who has a bill that would repeal the Home Rule Act and federalize the district, similarly would support extending the 30-day window, “with the ultimate goal of working with him to pass the BOWSER Act and restore full Congressional oversight of the city.”
“The safety and sanity of our nation’s capital should not depend upon having good presidents in the Oval Office, but I’m glad we have one now,” the Utah Republican told Fox News Digital in a statement.
Sophie Cunningham rips Caitlin Clark, mocks her skin amid spat over swimsuit video
Sophie Cunningham may be Caitlin Clark’s “enforcer” teammate, but isn’t holding back from clapping back at Clark herself for disagreements on how they spend their off-time.
Clark recently took aim at Cunningham and fellow Fever star Lexie Hull for a social media video showing Cunningham and Hull in swimsuits by a pool ahead of last week’s game against the Los Angeles Sparks. The caption read, “Convince us there’s a swimsuit brand that wants to partner with two Indiana Fever mermaids.”
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Clark commented on the video, “Swimsuit brands plz comment ‘focus on basketball.”
Cunningham addressed the online interaction during an episode of her podcast on Wednesday, pointing out the fact that Clark has been sidelined with injury from the team for about a month.
“Dude, you are ruining me and Lexie’s deals. We’re the ones who have actually been playing, and we need a little break, and that’s when we go to the pool. And I think only like five companies reached out,” Cunningham said.
Cunningham then made it a point to mock Clark for her apparent differing swimsuit style and even Clark’s skin tone.
SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM FINED AGAIN, THIS TIME FOUR FIGURES, FOR CRITICIZING REFEREES A SECOND TIME
“I was like, ‘Dude, you don’t have to be a hater. I’ll get you like a one piece that only shows your eyes,'” Cunningham said. “She did something and has this big bruise on her leg, and I was like, ‘You’re finally getting color.'”
Cunningham originally responded to Clark in the TikTok with a since-deleted comment that read, “maybe a brand will make a full body wet suit for your pale a– too… We all win!”
Cunningham previously became a viral sensation and one of the WNBA’s most popular players after starting a fight against Connecticut Sun player Jacy Sheldon in defense of Clark in June. Cunningham was ejected and fined for the altercation, but saw a surge in social media followers after the incident, quickly crossing a million on TikTok and Instagram.
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It quickly earned Cunningham the title of “enforcer” among Clark’s fans. Cunningham has also repeatedly spoken out in defense of Clark against perceived unfair referee treatment and targeting by other players, and has asserted Clark is the “face of the league.”
But now, Cunningham isn’t straying away from taking some verbal jabs at Clark herself.
Taylor Swift’s album cover revealed as she joins Kelce podcast for rare chat
Taylor Swift was still bejeweled as she released the sparkling cover of her new album, “The Life of A Showgirl.”
Swift, 35, revealed the artwork for her 12th catalog, which included showstopping images of the singer dressed to the nines like one of Las Vegas’ finest entertainers.
The global popstar appeared to be near drowning on the cover, and included a 12-set tracklist with the new drop.
TAYLOR SWIFT ANNOUNCES TS12 ALBUM ‘THE LIFE OF A SHOWGIRL’ ON TRAVIS KELCE PODCAST
“And, baby, that’s show business for you,” Swift captioned an Instagram post revealing the art. “New album The Life of a Showgirl. Out October 3.”
TAYLOR SWIFT AND BOYFRIEND TRAVIS KELCE’S SHARED MORAL VALUES SPARKED ORGANIC LOVE STORY
The pop star also made an appearance on her boyfriend Travis Kelce’s podcast Wednesday. Travis and his brother Jason gave fans a hint earlier Monday morning after posting their podcast would return from hiatus early for a “VERY” special guest. Only the guest’s silhouette was shown at the time, but fans immediately guessed Swift.
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Swift’s appearance on “New Heights” marks the first time the pop star has given an interview since she was named TIME’s Person of the Year in 2023.
At the time, Swift and Travis had just begun dating, and she spoke about their budding romance for the first time publicly. The two first sparked romance rumors in September 2023 after Swift appeared at one of Travis’ NFL games with his family. Shortly before, Travis had tried to give Swift a friendship bracelet with his phone number on it at one of her concerts.
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‘All our hopes and dreams’: O-linemen furious after rookie knocks down Joe Burrow
Cincinnati Bengals rookie first-round pick Shemar Stewart was the reason behind a big scuffle at training camp on Wednesday.
Stewart was rushing during 11-on-11 drills when he lost his footing and fell into quarterback Joe Burrow, knocking him to the turf.
In training camp, it’s emphasized across the NFL to not hit the quarterback to avoid any chance of injury. Even if Stewart didn’t mean to do so, the Bengals’ offensive line took exception, and tensions ran high between the teammates.
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The scuffle was caught on video, though it didn’t seem to escalate to something too physical.
After practice, multiple offensive linemen expressed their displeasure with Stewart’s actions.
BENGALS END TENSE STANDOFF WITH FIRST-ROUND PICK SHEMAR STEWART WITH SIGNING OF HIS ROOKIE DEAL
“Just be smarter…great player, [but] that’s all of our hopes and dreams right there,” center Ted Karras told reporters. “We’ve got to be better, too. That’s on us.”
Right guard Lucas Patrick also pointed some of the blame at himself.
“Gotta protect No. 9. Starts with me up front,” Patrick said, per the Cincinnati Enquirer. “I gotta play better and protect better, but you can’t let No. 9 get hit.”
Stewart was a spotlight early in Bengals training camp, as he still hadn’t signed his rookie deal due to contract language involving guarantees. He previously left mandatory minicamp due to the situation.
After the standoff ended, the 17th overall pick finally agreed to his deal.
The Bengals were reportedly trying to restructure the way their first-round rookie contracts are done, which would allow the team to void future guarantees.
“I’m 100% right,” he said of his stance about his rookie deal in June. “I’m not asking for nothing y’all (the Bengals) have never done before. But in y’all case, y’all just want to win arguments (more) than winning more games.”
Stewart had been attending meetings during minicamp but was not getting on the field. He did not report to training camp earlier this week, which upset Bengals executive Duke Tobin.
“I think Shemar needs to be here,” Tobin told reporters. “I’m not going to blame Shemar. He is listening to the advice he is paying for. I don’t understand or believe or agree with the advice, but I’m not the one paying for it. If I felt we were treating him unfairly as it relates to all the other draft picks in this year’s draft, then maybe it would be a different story. But we are not. I don’t really understand where things are there.”
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Stewart recorded his first NFL tackle in the Bengals’ first preseason game last week against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Major city-owned grocery store closes after receiving millions in taxpayer funds
As New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani promotes the idea of city-run grocery stores, one city-owned market in Missouri closed its doors on Tuesday after years of struggling and millions of taxpayer dollars.
Local news outlets reported the doors to the Kansas City Sun Fresh market were locked that morning with a note saying the store was “unable to serve” the community.
“Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, we are no longer, at this time, able to serve the residents of this important community,” the note read, according to KSHB in Kansas City. “It has always been our dream and passion to provide quality products and services in a safe, family environment. At this time, unfortunately, we are unable to do that.”
GOVERNMENT-FUNDED GROCERY STORE FLOUNDERS IN MIDWEST CITY AS SIMILAR PROPOSAL GAINS STEAM IN NYC
Fox News Digital confirmed the store’s closure through a statement from Community Builders of Kansas City CEO Emmet Pierson, whose non-profit group took ownership of the market in 2022.
“Community Builders of Kansas City, through Midtown Grocers LLC, has worked tirelessly to provide food and necessary services to the urban community throughout its history,” Pierson said. “Community Builders has been vocal for years about our concerns and fears regarding the increasingly insurmountable challenges of the KC Sun Fresh Midtown location – they are well-documented and well-known to the community, the media and the City of Kansas City, Missouri (the landlord of the Sun Fresh Midtown location).”
He continued, “As of August 12, 2025, CBKC is no longer able to serve the residents from this Midtown Sun Fresh location. We have no other comments at this time.”
Sherae Honeycutt, a spokesperson for Mayor Quinton Lucas, confirmed to Fox News Digital that the location would be closed permanently as the city decides its next action.
“We will immediately begin working with community stakeholders, potential new private operators, and neighborhood leaders to identify sustainable solutions for the location,” the spokesperson said. “Despite recent challenges to grocery operations on both sides of the state line, Kansas City’s residents deserve reliable access to quality groceries, and we are committed to continuing our work with private sector actors to help fulfill this long-term community need.”
KANSAS CITY ENDS FREE BUS PROGRAM OVER BUDGET CONCERNS WHILE NYC DEM-SOCIALIST PUSHES FOR NO-FARE TRANSIT
The city purchased the Linwood Shopping Center where Sun Fresh is in 2016 and opened the grocery store in 2018 in an effort to provide more options for residents in the area. Kansas City spent more than $17 million in taxpayer money acquiring and renovating the Sun Fresh market.
Despite its efforts, Sun Fresh has been plagued with empty shelves and crime, leading employees to reportedly carry tasers. Last year, the Kansas City Council approved spending $750,000 in emergency city funding in an attempt to keep the store open.
Sun Fresh came into the spotlight over the last few months after Mamdani began pushing his campaign for similar city-owned grocery stores in New York City.
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In a TikTok video, Mamdani said that his city-run grocery stores will “operate without a profit motive,” instead of focusing on “price gouging” as he alleged some private stores do. He claimed that without having to pay rent or property taxes, these city-run stores would buy and sell at wholesale prices, centralize warehousing and distribution and be able to offer New York residents lower prices than privately-owned stores in the city.
Viral 12-3-30 treadmill trend may burn more fat than running, researchers say
A fitness trend that took TikTok by storm, racking up more than 14 million views, may have some science behind it.
The 12-3-30 treadmill workout, popularized by influencer Lauren Giraldo, promises a fat-burning, low-impact fitness solution: Walk at a 12% incline, at a pace of three miles per hour, for 30 minutes.
But how does it compare to regular running?
FORGET 10,000 STEPS — RESEARCH REVEALS THE REAL NUMBER YOU NEED FOR BETTER HEALTH
A new peer-reviewed study published in the International Journal of Exercise Science compares the 12-3-30 trend to “self-paced” treadmill running.
Researchers sought to determine not just how many calories each method burns, but how the body fuels each workout — specifically, whether the body uses carbohydrates or fat as fuel.
In the study, 16 healthy young adults (male and female) participated in two workouts: one session of 12-3-30 and one session of running at a pace they could maintain for about 20 to 25 minutes.
Both workouts were adjusted to burn the same total number of calories.
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The researchers discovered that 12-3-30 took longer to complete than running to achieve the same output.
Running burned calories faster — roughly 13 calories per minute versus 10 calories per minute for 12-3-30.
Maelee Wells Sutton, a certified personal trainer at Crunch Fitness in New York, told Fox News Digital that it is “no surprise” calories are burned faster during a workout with higher aerobic intensity.
“Walking at 12-3-30 is certainly more intense than walking on a flat surface, but is less intense than a run,” she said.
However, 12-3-30 used more fat as a fuel source — about 41% of energy came from fat, compared to 33% during running. Running also relied more heavily on carbohydrates for energy.
Potential limitations
The participants in the study were already exercising at least three times a week for the last three months, according to Sutton.
“That means [the study] doesn’t consider less active individuals, who actually make up a large percentage of the population,” she said. “Essentially, we can’t draw conclusions about how the average person’s body may adapt to these workouts over time.”
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The researchers emphasized that the actual fat-burning advantage of 12-3-30 is modest. Total calories burned still matter more for weight loss than whether you’re burning fat or carbs.
“This study confirms what exercise science has already known: the ‘fat-burning’ percentage of a workout is not the same as total calorie burn,” Sutton added.
Which is better?
If you’re short on time and want to burn a certain number of calories quickly, running seems to be more efficient.
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But if your goal is to burn more fat, and you prefer a lower-impact workout, the 12-3-30 method has its benefits, particularly for beginners or those with joint concerns, the study suggests.
The most important thing with exercise is consistency, according to Sutton.
“If a person dislikes running but loves 12-3-30, it’s far better to do that consistently than to force a certain workout that a person rarely completes,” she said.
“Trends should be viewed through both a scientific and personal lens — look to experts for guidance rather than relying on social media.”