Illegal immigrant accused in fatal Florida crash got work permit after Trump rejection
The illegal immigrant truck driver accused of causing a crash that killed three people in Florida was given a work permit under the Biden administration, officials said Monday.
Harjinder Singh, who was arrested on Saturday in Stockton, California, on three counts of vehicle homicide, entered the United States illegally and his work authorization was rejected under the Trump administration on Sept. 14, 2020, said Tricia McLaughlin, the Homeland Security assistant secretary for public affairs.
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McLaughlin noted Singh’s work approval in response to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who said the first Trump administration “confirmed that this guy meets federal and state immigration requirements — YOU issued him a work permit (EAD).”
“As usual, the Trump Administration is either lying or clueless,” Newsom’s press office wrote on X.
McLaughlin noted that the federal government doesn’t issue commercial driver’s licenses.
“False. Harjinder Singh is in the United States illegally and his work authorization was rejected under the Trump Administration on September 14, 2020,” she wrote. “It was later approved under the Biden Administration June 9, 2021. The state of California issues Commercial Drivers Licenses. There is no national CDL. Sincerely, Genius.”
Singh, who officials believe crossed the U.S.-Mexico border in 2018, obtained his commercial driver’s license in California despite his illegal status in the U.S.
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He remains in custody on both state vehicular homicide charges as well as immigration violations.
Singh was driving a commercial truck with a trailer on the Florida Turnpike in Fort Pierce when he allegedly attempted a U-turn in an unauthorized area. The move resulted in the trailer jackknifing and colliding with a minivan — leaving all three of the minivan’s passengers dead, according to officials.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the three deaths could have been avoided if California had followed federal immigration laws.
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“3 innocent people were killed in Florida because Gavin Newsom’s California DMV issued an illegal alien a Commercial Driver’s License,” she wrote Monday on X. “This gut wrenching tragedy should have never happened. My team at @DHSgov will work with @USDOT to root out and prevent illegal aliens from obtaining these licenses from sanctuary jurisdictions that put American drivers and passengers in danger.”
James Comer tells reporters what Bill Barr said about Trump-Epstein connection
Former Attorney General Bill Barr told House investigators on Monday that he never saw anything that could tie President Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein’s sordid crimes, Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., said.
“He said that he had never seen anything that would implicate President Trump in any of this, and that he believed if there had been anything pertaining to President Trump with respect to the Epstein list, that he felt like the Biden administration would probably have leaked it out,” Comer told reporters partway through Barr’s testimony.
The ex-Trump administration official is the first person to appear in the House Oversight Committee’s probe into the federal government’s handling of Epstein’s case.
Like others subpoenaed to testify after him, Barr’s deposition is being conducted behind closed doors.
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Comer said Barr told investigators that he “didn’t know anything about a client list,” and did not have conversations with Trump about such a list.
“Barr said he’s never seen any information that showed that he was in the files, and that he would be shocked if there was anything pertaining to President Trump that was negative that the Biden administration wouldn’t have leaked out prior to the presidential election,” Comer said.
Democrats who were in the room for the first two hours of Barr’s deposition were much more vague about what went on, but they accused Republicans of taking too soft an approach.
“I have more questions now than I did before going in,” Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Va., told reporters before Comer’s remarks. “Just generally, though, I think the Democratic side is doing most of the heavy lifting. I don’t think we’re learning much from the questioning from the House Republicans.”
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Comer said when asked about those comments, “I think it’s unfortunate that the Democrats are trying to, seems to me, politicize this.”
Barr served as attorney general from February 2019 through December 2020, during Trump’s first administration. It was his second stint leading the Department of Justice (DOJ) after first holding the job under former President George H.W. Bush.
Barr notably led the DOJ when Epstein died by suicide in August 2019 while awaiting trial in a New York City jail.
He said days later at a Fraternal Order of Police event in New Orleans that he was “appalled” and “angry” at what he said was the facility’s “failure to adequately secure this prisoner.”
Barr told the Associated Press later that year that he was personally involved in investigating Epstein’s death, specifically that he reviewed security footage from that night that he said showed no one entering the cell the night the late pedophile died.
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He eventually concluded Epstein did die by suicide, Barr told the outlet, owing to “a perfect storm of screw-ups” at the jail.
When asked if Barr told as much to House investigators on Monday, Comer declined to “speak for” the former attorney general but added he believed the “general consensus” was that Epstein killed himself with no external foul play.
Barr’s testimony is part of a wider bipartisan investigation into the handling of Epstein’s case, which has also reached several former attorneys general, FBI directors, and former first couple Bill and Hillary Clinton.
No. 1 pick mocks teammate with own celebration, sparks team brawl in scorching heat
Two stars, one a seasoned veteran and the other a number-one pick, got into a heated scuffle during a scorching-hot Tennessee Titans practice on Monday.
Quarterback Cam Ward, the first overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons were spotted getting into it after a play late in practice.
Ward threw a touchdown to wide receiver Calvin Ridley, and as he went to celebrate, he stopped in front of Simmons to tease him with his trademark “Zombieland” celebration — something Simmons is known for after making big defensive plays.
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Simmons didn’t like it one bit, shoving Ward in the facemask with both hands.
That sparked the Titans’ offensive line to quickly rush in to protect their quarterback, including left tackle Dan Moore Jr.
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“Absolutely not,” Moore said when asked if anyone is allowed to touch the quarterback, per ESPN. “That goes without saying.”
Both players were eventually separated. Simmons lost his helmet during the physical altercation and left the field, while Ward went on to run the next play.
Titans head coach Brian Callahan didn’t let it slide. After practice, he made the entire team run in the 96-degree heat.
“You get that same attitude, confidence, that same edge every day out of those two guys,” cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. said after practice. “That’s what you expect. But when it does happen with the quarterback, you’ve got to break it up as soon as possible. But brothers fight.”
There had been some tension building earlier, as Ward and right tackle JC Latham jawed with Simmons following a short-yardage touchdown run by running back Julius Chestnut. Simmons had been talking trash to the offense, and Ward and Latham were firing back from the huddle.
Ward then threw the touchdown to Ridley and decided to keep the rivalry going, which led to the clash.
While a competitive edge — even among teammates — is encouraged during NFL training camps, no one wants to see the quarterback involved in physical altercations. Simmons, however, wasn’t going to let Ward mock him with his own celebration, though the Titans clearly want to draw a line with these confrontations.
“You never want to see your quarterback in the middle of those kinds of things,” Brownlee added. “But when it does happen, it shows you the kind of dog he has in him. He isn’t going to take anything.”
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Ward, who went just 2-of-7 for 42 yards in his second preseason game over the weekend, will have one final tune-up against the Minnesota Vikings on Friday before his regular-season debut against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 7.
Fungal illness set to break records as officials warn ‘it’s here to stay’
Cases of Valley fever are spiking in California, according to health officials.
As of the end of July, there were 6,761 cases confirmed — which means if this pace continues, the total 2025 numbers will likely exceed the 12,595 cases seen in 2024.
Last year’s total was a new record for the state, where the average has been 7,000 to 9,000 cases annually between 2016 and 2024, per data from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
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The case count is likely to increase due to delays in reporting.
“Valley fever is a serious illness that’s here to stay in California,” said Erica Pan, director of the state public health department, in a statement.
Named after the San Joaquin Valley in California, Valley fever is an infection caused by breathing in the spores of a fungus called Coccidioides, which originates in the soil.
“Valley fever is a serious illness that’s here to stay in California.”
Southern Arizona and Southern California have the highest volume of cases, per the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — but the disease is also prevalent in New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Texas and parts of Washington state.
Research has shown that periods of drought followed by precipitation can promote growth of the Valley fever fungus, sending spores into the air that people breathe in.
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Dr. George Thompson, a professor at UC Davis Health and co-director of the Center for Valley fever in Sacramento, previously spoke with Fox News Digital about the ramp-up in cases.
“We have seen a gradual increase in cases over the last five years, and a greater number of patients are coming into our clinic for diagnosis and treatment,” he said at the time.
Risks and symptoms
While geographic location heightens the overall risk of contracting Valley fever, the CDC notes that certain groups are more vulnerable.
These include people 60 years of age and older, those who have weakened immune systems as a result of certain diseases or medical conditions, pregnant women, people with diabetes, and people who are Black or Filipino.
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Symptoms of Valley fever can vary in type and severity, but they tend to mimic those seen in patients with COVID-19, experts say.
“Some [people] may have a fever, chills or fatigue, or just feel generally unwell,” Thompson of UC Davis Health said.
However, he said he does see some severe cases where patients experience respiratory illness and difficulty breathing.
Other symptoms may include extreme fatigue, bone or joint pain, night sweats, fever, chest pain, severe headaches, weight loss and skin rashes, according to the CDPH.
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Thompson estimated that for 1% to 3% of people, the infection will leave the lungs and travel to other parts of the body, which can lead to meningitis.
People who experience severe Valley fever illness may need to be treated in a hospital, and may need ongoing medical care for months or years, health officials cautioned.
Although it’s rare, people outside the high-risk groups can experience severe effects from Valley fever.
One of those is Rob Purdie from California, who contracted Valley fever in 2012 when he was 38. The infection led to meningitis, which caused severe headaches and double vision, he previously told Fox News Digital.
“Some [people] may have a fever, chills or fatigue, or just feel generally unwell.”
The spores of the fungus had spread from his lungs to his brain and nervous system, a potentially fatal condition.
More than a decade later, Purdie lives with the lingering effects of disseminated coccidioidal meningitis caused by Valley fever.
Prevention strategies
Since the fungus that causes Valley fever lives in the soil, infection is often “hobby-related,” Thompson said. He said he sees many cases among people who are in archeology or who spend a lot of time outdoors.
For those in high-risk groups, the doctor recommends avoiding construction sites or areas where soil is often stirred up into the air.
People can also wear an N95 respirator, a type of high-quality mask, to minimize exposure in dusty areas.
Diagnosis and treatment
Not everyone who acquires Valley fever requires medical treatment, although some may benefit from antifungal medications.
Those who have severe symptoms, take immunocompromising medications, have cancer, have HIV, are pregnant or have had an organ transplant are likely to need antifungals.
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A blood test sent to a lab can confirm a current or prior infection of Valley fever, and a chest X-ray or CT scan can detect cases of pneumonia, according to the CDC.
Anyone who has experienced cough, fever, fatigue or other Valley fever symptoms for more than seven to 10 days should see a doctor, especially if they have been around dirt or dust in areas where the fungus is prevalent.
Cutting one food type could nearly double weight loss, new study suggests
A new study suggests that cutting out a single category of foods could nearly double people’s weight-loss results.
The study, published in the journal Nature Medicine on Aug. 4, found that overweight adults who ditched ultra-processed foods (UPFs) lost nearly twice as much weight over a two-month span as those who did not.
UPFs include microwave meals, sodas, potato chips and packaged cookies, among others.
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But they can also include items marketed as “health foods,” some medical professionals say.
UPFs go through multiple processes to be “stabilized for consumption,” Dr. Jeffrey Kraft, a bariatric surgeon at Hackensack Meridian Palisades Medical Center in New Jersey, told Fox News Digital.
“Processed foods are not natural foods,” he said. “They’ve gone through a factory or been chemically changed so they last longer on the shelf.”
Kraft said they “don’t trigger our normal satiety, which is feeling full.”
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“They are almost always combined with other unhealthy things, like high fructose corn syrup, emulsifiers and hydrogenated oils.”
Weight loss with whole foods often comes down to their higher fiber and protein content, which helps people feel fuller longer, said Ashlee Carnahan, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Henry Ford Health in Detroit.
Even protein bars can be considered ultra-processed — but Carnahan said eating them occasionally is OK.
“Keep in mind, a boiled egg provides 7 grams of protein and is the most complete whole protein-based food,” she told Fox News Digital. “I always encourage whole food first.”
“When consuming processed foods, I would encourage everyone to read the label.”
For those who don’t think they have time to prepare meals, try focusing on foods “in their whole state,” said Carnahan.
These include apples, bananas, carrot sticks, nuts and seeds, natural peanut butter and plain Greek yogurt.
“These are all great foods that just take a little planning and are easy to consume with little preparation,” she advised.
“Slowly increasing your fruit and vegetable intake to 3 cups of vegetables and 2 cups of fruit per day is a good place to start and supports an overall healthy diet.”
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Above all, Carnahan said consumers need to pay close attention to what they’re putting into their bodies.
“When consuming processed foods, I would encourage everyone to read the label – most importantly, looking at total grams of sugar and sodium,” she said. “The lower, the better.”
A quick tip Kraft suggested is to “shop the perimeter” of the grocery store.
“That’s typically your healthiest foods, with a couple of exceptions,” he said. “Things that are going to expire relatively quickly are better for you, just generally speaking.”
Kraft said he usually tells his weight-loss surgery patients to replace breakfast with a low-calorie protein shake.
“The ultimate thing when it comes to weight loss is you have to sleep,” he added.
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“If you’re not sleeping well – meaning you have sleep apnea that’s undiagnosed – you’re never going to lose weight.”
Catherine Zeta-Jones defends her multiple homes as comfortable, not excessive
Catherine Zeta-Jones doesn’t believe her real estate portfolio can be considered “excessive.”
In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, the 55-year-old actress spoke about the many properties she owns with her husband, Michael Douglas, including two in New York, one in Canada and one in Spain.
“I know it sounds very jet-set, and I love to surround myself with beauty, but it’s not excessive, it’s very comfortable,” she told the outlet.
Michael and Zeta-Jones married in a lavish New York ceremony in 2000, and had two children: son Dylan, 25, and daughter, Carys, 22.
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After getting married, the couple moved away from the busy streets of New York, choosing to make Bermuda their home base.
The actress attributes the move to her dislike of “the city in the summertime,” explaining that it’s “too hot,” later joking she didn’t enjoy the Hamptons either because it was “the same people in shorts” and that “the social calendar is exhausting.”
“So Michael took me to Bermuda because his mother was Bermudian and I thought, ‘I love this,’” she explained. “It’s an hour and a half in a plane. It’s a British colony, there were pictures of the Queen when I went to the bank. So we bought a house there and stayed for ten years.”
“I know it sounds very jet-set, and I love to surround myself with beauty, but it’s not excessive, it’s very comfortable.”
The actress also admitted to having a passion for clothing and accessories, telling the outlet she goes “to all the vintage stores in Paris” and invests in pieces “that you are probably never going to wear, like a gorgeous cape.”
Her love of all things fashion has been passed down to her daughter, who Zeta-Jones notes “loves my closet.”
“I get excited about evening dresses. For me, a pair of jeans is a pair of jeans. Spending £200 on a white T-shirt? Nah. But when it comes to couture, beautiful beading, the artistry … I love the theatre of fashion,” she said. ” I have probably the biggest Fendi Baguette bag collection, and she’s [Carys] just found more in my mum’s house. I’ve got everything from denim to pearl to sequins. Carla Fendi used to give them to me all the time, right when they were hot potatoes.”
At the time of their marriage, Zeta-Jones had just starred in her breakthrough role in the 1998 movie, “The Mask of Zorro,” while Douglas was already known for his roles in the films “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and “Wall Street,” the latter of which earned him an Academy Award for best actor.
Zeta-Jones would go on to win an Academy Award as well, for her supporting role as Velma Kelly in “Chicago.” She and Michael keep their Oscars in different homes.
“Mine is in the country house in New York, Michael’s is in the apartment in New York,” she said. “We keep them apart, just in case, you know, there isn’t like hanky-panky going on there.”
While Michael’s big break didn’t come until he starred in the series “The Streets of San Francisco” in the early 1970s, he comes from a famous family, his father being the three-time Academy Award-nominated actor, Kirk Douglas, most known for his role in the 1960 film, “Spartacus.”
Kirk died in February 2020 at the age of 103.
“He was a flirty little thing,” Zeta-Jones said. “He was wonderful and he was very fond of me, as I was of him. I miss him. They [Kirk and his wife, Anne] left a philanthropic legacy that was way beyond movies.”
Zeta-Jones is currently starring as Morticia Addams in the popular Netflix series, “Wednesday.”
America’s looming bill that every taxpayer will have to pay — ‘a sign of how far we’ve fallen’
The federal government’s gross national debt topped $37 trillion for the first time in history last week, and the U.S. has room to add trillions of dollars more to the debt following the enactment of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).
President Donald Trump on July 4 signed OBBBA into law, which included a $5 trillion debt limit increase to avert a potential stand-off over the borrowing limit that was projected to be reached later in the summer. Failing to raise the debt limit could put the U.S. government at risk of defaulting on its debt obligations, which would roil financial markets and likely lead to higher interest rates on the debt to account for that risk.
The debt limit has been used by both parties as leverage to secure their various priorities in negotiations over federal spending and tax policies, though that political dysfunction and brinksmanship has contributed to the U.S. credit rating being downgraded by the three major rating agencies in the years since 2011.
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“The fact that it was included in the OBBB, of course, means that we have avoided the worst risks and potential costs that could come from not dealing with the debt limit in a timely manner, but it didn’t spur a meaningful broader conversation about the unsustainable fiscal trajectory that we are on as a country,” Shai Akabas, vice president of economic policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center, told FOX Business in an interview.
Maya MacGuineas, president of the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB), expressed a similar sentiment, telling FOX Business, “The fact that policymakers managed to enact the most expensive reconciliation bill in history alongside the largest debt limit increase in history is a sign of how far we’ve fallen from taking our fiscal health seriously.”
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Akabas noted that the inclusion of the debt limit in the OBBBA marked the first time it had been raised through the budget reconciliation process, which he said is “an acknowledgement that neither party really views the debt limit as an effective tool for fiscal restraint. It was just tacked onto a bill that is estimated to increase the debt by somewhere between $3 and $4 trillion.”
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With the debt limit $5 trillion higher than it was earlier this year and now sitting at more than $41 trillion, lawmakers are likely to have a couple of years until the debt limit approaches again, though Akabas noted that experience makes it reasonable to doubt it will kick-start a serious debate about fiscal reforms.
He noted that there are a variety of proposals in Congress and in policy circles for reforming the debt limit, such as through the creation of a fiscal commission that would craft budgetary reforms, or legislation like the Responsible Budgeting Act. That proposal would de-risk the debt limit’s potential impact on the economy by allowing the debt limit to be suspended in exchange for Congress voting on specific debt reduction measures.
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