FBI investigates whether leftist groups knew of Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin’s plans

A source familiar with the investigation into Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk’s assassination told Fox News Digital that the FBI is investigating leftist groups in Utah to see if they had any connection to the alleged shooter.

Kirk was assassinated during an event hosted by TPUSA on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He was taken to a local hospital in critical condition following the shooting, where he later died, officials said. 22-year-old Tyler Robinson has been named as a suspect in the assassination.

The source told Fox News Digital that the FBI is investigating the leftist groups to see if they knew about the alleged shooter’s plans beforehand or provided any assistance to him. The source did not elaborate on which groups are being investigated.

CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION SUSPECT UNDER ‘SPECIAL WATCH’ IN CUSTODY, BEING KEPT IN SEPARATE HOUSING UNIT

Axios first reported the development.

Robinson’s father turned him in to authorities after he recognized his son in surveillance videos that the FBI released, a law enforcement source earlier told Fox News Digital.

COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CHARLIE KIRK 

Gov. Spencer Cox, R-Utah, said on Sunday that Robinson isn’t cooperating with authorities.

“He has not confessed to authorities. He is not cooperating, but all the people around him are cooperating. And I think that’s very important,” Cox said on ABC’s “This Week.”

CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION SUSPECT AWAITS CHARGES AS UTAH RESIDENTS DESCRIBE ALLEGED KILLER AS ‘VERY QUIET’

Authorities said Sunday that Robinson is being held under “special watch” pending the completion of a mental health evaluation.

Until Robinson clears a mental health evaluation, authorities are keeping a “close eye” on him, the Utah County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement.

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After Robinson is cleared, he’ll go through the classification process used to determine where those in custody are housed.

“He will continue to be monitored by mental, medical, and custody staff throughout the duration of his stay,” the statement continued.

Man arrested for sickening act at Charlie Kirk memorial outside Turning Point HQ

A man was arrested and charged after he blatantly trampled the growing memorial for Charlie Kirk outside the Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix on Sunday. 

Fox News cameras were rolling as the man walked through the memorial, kicking over items including flowers, vases and flags. A mourner gathered at the memorial stepped in to stop the man’s sick actions. A man in a blue polo shirt is seen yanking the man out of the memorial and throwing him to the ground. 

Phoenix police identified the alleged vandal as 19-year-old Ryder Corral. In video of Corral’s arrest, he appears to be wearing a shirt similar to the one worn by the man suspected of assassinating Kirk. 

VIDEO SHOWS WITNESSES TO CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION DROPPING TO GROUND IN CAMPUS ATTACK

Corral was wearing a black shirt featuring an American flag and an eagle. The shirt bears a striking resemblance to the shirt worn by Tyler Robinson when he allegedly shot and killed Kirk while he was speaking at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. 

Local law enforcement then escorted Corral away from the area. He is now in custody at the Maricopa County Jail on one count of criminal damage and one count of disorderly conduct, according to Phoenix Police Department Public Information Sergeant Philip Krynsky.

CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION: DISPATCH AUDIO REVEALS SUSPECT IN BLACK TACTICAL GEAR, CARRYING LONG GUN

No serious injuries were reported. Officers had already been on scene to assist with traffic control due to the large community presence in the area, Krynsky said.

On Friday, law enforcement officials arrested the man accused of shooting and killing Kirk, in Utah after a frantic 33-hour manhunt. 

CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION WITNESSES DESCRIBE MINIMAL SECURITY, HORRIFYING SHOOTING

A day earlier, the FBI released photos of the person of interest in the assassination. The images show a thin male wearing jeans, a long-sleeved black shirt with an American flag graphic, black sunglasses and a hat. 

Kirk, a husband and father, was fatally struck by a single bullet Wednesday while speaking at an event on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem. Kirk was rushed to Timpanogos Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He was 31 years old.

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Turning Point USA did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

School resource officer removed from job over sick posts about Charlie Kirk

A school resource officer (SRO) in an affluent suburban New York school district was pulled from her post over inappropriate social media comments about the assassination of Charlie Kirk, local law enforcement confirmed to Fox News Digital on Sunday.

Screenshots of several social media posts from SRO Tanisha Blanche — employed by the Westchester County Police Department and assigned to Somers Intermediate School in Westchester County — began circulating online this week.

In the posts, Blanche appeared to mock the death of the conservative leader and Turning Point USA founder, who was fatally shot on Wednesday while speaking at an event on the campus of Utah Valley University.

One of Blanche’s alleged social media posts, along with a video of Kirk, read, “Well that white sniper was over qualified when he put that hole in your neck hunni bunni.”

FLORIDA WILL TARGET TEACHERS FOR ANY ‘VILE BEHAVIOR’ RELATED TO CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION

“This is who y’all crying about on my feed? Get a life,” Blanche allegedly wrote in a separate post.

EX-MICHIGAN PROSECUTOR SPARKS OUTRAGE AFTER BLAMING CHARLIE KIRK FOR HIS OWN KILLING

Other social media posts appeared to call out the race of the suspected shooter, as well as the location where the assassination took place.

Blanche has since been removed from her post at the school, and she will only be handling administrative duties within the police department, pending an investigation, a spokesperson for the Westchester County Police Department confirmed to Fox News Digital.

SECRET SERVICE EMPLOYEE WHO CELEBRATED CHARLIE KIRK’S ASSASSINATION PUT ON IMMEDIATE LEAVE

Somers Superintendent of Schools Adam Bronstein — in a letter to parents notifying them of Blanche’s removal — said the posts were “completely unacceptable” and “glorifies violence,” the New York Post reported.

“The Westchester County Police Department has affirmed that another SRO will be assigned to our schools on Monday,” Bronstein said. “I am in touch directly with the police to ensure the safety and continuity of our SRO program going forward.”

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Neither the Somers Central School District, Bronstein nor Blanche immediately responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

‘Born morally on third base’: Shapiro stuns Maher’s audience with biblical defense

Ben Shapiro and Bill Maher sparred over morality and the Bible on “Real Time with Bill Maher: Overtime” Friday, and the conservative Orthodox Jewish commentator received an unexpected reaction from the liberal comedian’s Los Angeles audience.

Maher, the star of the anti-religion documentary “Religulous” and a well-known atheist, said the Bible contains “nonsense” and “wickedness.”

“If God wrote the book, how could there be ‘things we don’t agree with?’ It’s got to be perfect because it’s written by you-know-who, or it’s just not perfect because it was written by people, obviously, and it’s full of nonsense and wickedness,” Maher said, drawing laughter from the audience.

BILL MAHER URGES AMERICANS TO UNCONDITIONALLY SUPPORT FREE SPEECH, AVOID BECOMING LIKE BRITAIN

Shapiro and the “Real Time” host discussed the Bible as part of a broader conversation about Shapiro’s new book, “Lions and Scavengers.” The book argues that society is made up of two contrasting personality types: lions, who seek to build, and scavengers, who seek to destroy. Maher then asked Shapiro whether he would feel comfortable being compared to German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, whose work was highly critical of Christianity.

The Daily Wire co-founder argued that Nietzsche’s criticisms of Judeo-Christian religion — suggesting it encourages weakness over strength — were unfair. Shapiro added that those who believe in the Bible should also have faith that virtue produces better outcomes in life than not behaving virtuously.

COMEDIAN MARC MARON SAYS HE’S ‘ALWAYS HAD A PROBLEM’ WITH BILL MAHER, CALLING HIM ‘DESPERATE’

He quoted Deuteronomy 30:19: “choose life, so that you and your children may live,” and said it was a foundational belief of Judaism. 

When Shapiro told Maher he wasn’t going to try to force him to believe in the Torah, Maher launched into an anti-religion critique. Shapiro countered that the Bible provided the moral foundation not only for him, as a religious Jew, but also for Maher, an atheist.

“Bill, you and I agree on morality I’d say at least 87 percent—” Shapiro said.

“Morality… but not from the Bible,” Maher interrupted.

“Why do you and I agree on morality like 87.5 percent? I’m a religious Jew, you’re an atheist — why do we agree on those things?” Shapiro asked. “We probably grew up a few miles from each other in Western society that has several thousand years of Biblical history behind it. So you can think that you hit that triple and formed your own morality, but the reality is you were born morally on third base.”

When Shapiro concluded, the audience erupted in laughter and applause. Maher responded that Western society derived its morality from the Enlightenment, which he said was anti-religious. He argued that America’s Founding Fathers weren’t “particularly Christy,” while Shapiro pointed out that Thomas Jefferson compiled a version of the Bible focused on morality with the miracles removed. 

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When Maher When Maher asked why people should continue believing in the Bible in modern times, Shapiro responded that “cut flowers die,” arguing that a society that severs itself from the roots of its morality cannot sustain its values indefinitely.

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Chicago schools face alarming student exodus as families flee: report

Chicago Public Schools enrollment dipped further than last year, preliminary data shows.

Chalkbeat analyzed preliminary data of the district’s enrollment ahead of Sept. 15, when the district releases the official count. The outlet reported that data, which is available on CPS school profiles, shows a decline in the number of English language learners and Black students.

Chicago Public Schools has not officially provided its enrollment for the 2025-26 school year. 

The district told Fox News Digital that it would not comment on the preliminary numbers.

“Chicago Public Schools utilizes the 20th day of school each year – which this year is September 15th – as the official Districtwide student enrollment count.  With that in mind, CPS will not comment on any figures before the final analysis of 20th day enrollment as numbers normally fluctuate during the first month of school as late registrations and student mobility continue to affect totals,” a spokesperson said.

“Twentieth day enrollment is a CPS-owned metric that does not have any explicit relationship to funding levels for CPS. The District will provide an enrollment update to the Chicago Board of Education later this fall, following the 20th day,” the spokesperson added.

CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS AGREES TO PAY FEDS BACK $1 MILLION OVER MISALLOCATED GRANTS

According to Chalkbeat, CPS saw a 4% decrease in students from last year looking at preliminary numbers.

Enrollment currently stands at just over 313,000 students—the lowest the district has ever recorded—with 12,000 fewer students than last year, the report said.

A recent report showed that declining enrollment in Chicago left about 150 of its schools half-empty.

The Chalkbeat and ProPublica report found that 47 schools are operating at less than one-third capacity, driving up costs and limiting course offerings.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS HIRE CONSULTANTS TO RECRUIT STUDENTS AS THEY FACE ENROLLMENT CRISIS: REPORT

Chicago Public Schools had roughly 325,000 students enrolled last school year after losing 70,000 students over a decade. CPU officials have recently noted a continuous increase in the percentage of students with special needs. 

A declining birth rate, global migration, and the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to declining enrollment in CPS.

Chicago Public Schools enrollment challenges reflect a broader shift in American education, where families are increasingly exploring alternatives such as homeschooling, microschools, and school-choice programs. Homeschooling in particular grew after the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating more parents who are looking beyond public schools.

Arizona became the first state to offer universal school choice in 2022, launching an $800 million program that gives parents $7,000 to put toward tuition. Several other states followed suit, signaling a wider movement toward alternatives to traditional public schools.

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Top Trump ally slams New York governor for backing ‘Communist’ NYC mayoral frontrunner

It took nearly three months, but the top Democrat in New York state has finally endorsed New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani.

“New York City deserves a mayor who will stand up to Donald Trump and make life more affordable for New Yorkers. That’s @ZohranKMamdani,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Sunday evening in a social media post.

The governor’s endorsement is significant, as it may help Mamdani secure the backing of other key members of the party’s establishment. And it will likely put more pressure on two other top Democrats in New York State who are still withholding their backing of Mamdani – Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the top two Democratic Party leaders in Congress.

Mamdani, in a statement, said he was “grateful to the Governor for her support in unifying our party — as well as the work she’s done standing up to President Trump, securing free lunch meals for our kids, and expanding access to childcare.”

TRUMP REVEALS NEW NICKNAME FOR MAMDANI

Hochul announced her support for Mamdani, the 33-year-old democratic socialist state lawmaker from Queens who shocked the political world in June with his convincing win over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and nine other candidates to capture the Democratic Party’s mayoral nomination, in the New York Times.

“In the past few months, I’ve had frank conversations with him. We’ve had our disagreements,” the governor wrote. “But in our conversations, I heard a leader who shares my commitment to a New York where children can grow up safe in their neighborhoods and where opportunity is within reach for every family. I heard a leader who is focused on making New York City affordable — a goal I enthusiastically support.”

POLL POSITION: JUST HOW LARGE IS MAMDANI’S LEAD IN THE NYC MAYORAL RACE?

The Ugandan-born Mamdani, if elected, would become the first Muslim and first millennial mayor of the nation’s most populous city. He is the clear frontrunner in the latest public opinion polls in the mayoral race in the Democrat-dominated city.

Mamdani is sitting on 22-point margin leads over Cuomo and the rest of the field in surveys released last week from Quinnipiac University and New York Times/Siena College. And a survey from Emerson University and the Hill also indicates Mamdani comfortably ahead by double digits.

CUOMO SHAKES UP CAMPAIGN IN BID TO TAKE DOWN MAMDANI

Guardian Angels co-founder Curtis Sliwa, who for a second straight election is the Republican mayoral nominee in the Democrat-dominated city, was a distant third in the polls, with embattled incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is running as an independent after deciding to skip the Democratic primary amid anemic polling, further down in fourth place.

Both Sliwa and Adams have repeatedly committed to staying in the race in recent weeks amid multiple reports that Trump’s advisors floated administration roles for both mayoral hopefuls if they dropped out.

On Sunday, following a new report that Adams would drop out in the coming days, the mayor’s spokesman fired back.

“Let me be perfectly clear: any rumor or tweet suggesting Mayor Adams is stepping down this week is complete bulls—,” spokesman Todd Shapiro wrote in a statement. “These lies are being spread by desperate opponents who can’t match the mayor’s record, his campaign energy, or his support across this city.”

Mamdani surged to the Democratic primary victory thanks to an energetic campaign that put a major focus on affordability and New York City’s high cost of living. It was fueled by a grassroots army of supporters and backing from top national progressive champions, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

Mamdani made smart use of social media platforms, including TikTok, as he engaged low-propensity voters. He proposed eliminating 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.

Mamdani has been heavily criticized by his rivals for his past critical comments of the New York City Police Department (NYPD), and his proposal to shift certain responsibilities away from the NYPD and focus on social services and community-based program. 

Hochul recently said an apology from Mamdani was in order, and the mayoral hopeful told the New York Times a couple of days ago that he intended to apologize.

Hochul said that in her conversations with Mamdani she made “it very clear that our police officers should have every resource to keep our streets and subways safe. I urged him to ensure that there is strong leadership at the helm of the N.Y.P.D. — and he agreed.”

The governor also addressed Mamdani’s past critical comments about Israel.

“We discussed the need to combat the rise of antisemitism urgently and unequivocally. I’ve been glad to see him meet with Jewish leaders across the city, listening and addressing their concerns directly,” Hochul said.

Hochul’s endorsement may not only benefit Mamdani, but could also help the governor shore up support from the Democrats’ progressive base as she seeks re-election next year.

Mamdani praised Hochul for her focus on tackling affordability. 

“I look forward to fighting alongside her to continue her track record of putting money back in New Yorkers’ pockets and building a safer and stronger New York City where no one is forced to leave just so they can afford to raise a family,” he said.

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But Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, a top Trump ally who is expected later this year to launch a 2026 run for governor, took aim at Hochul.

“At the exact moment when New Yorkers are looking for strong leadership from their Governor with a majority opposing Zohran Mamdani, Kathy Hochul embraces this raging Communist who will destroy New York making it less affordable and more dangerous – once again putting criminals and communists first, and New Yorkers LAST,” Stefanik argued in a statement.

Archaeologists make ‘significant’ discovery at pool where Jesus healed a blind man

Archaeologists have discovered an ancient dam in Jerusalem’s City of David, not far from the body of water where Jesus famously healed a blind man.

Officials noted in an Aug. 30 release that the wall was recently found during excavations near the Pool of Siloam within the Jerusalem Walls National Park.

The Pool of Siloam, rediscovered in 2004, existed as a basin fed by the Gihon Spring. The Gospel of John recounts the testimony of a blind man who was healed by Jesus at the pool.

RARE BIBLICAL SEAL WITH ANCIENT FINGERPRINT FOUND IN DEBRIS FROM JERUSALEM’S TEMPLE MOUNT

John 9:10–11 states, “‘How then were your eyes opened?’ they asked. He replied, ‘The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.'”

The newly discovered dam dates to the ninth century B.C., nearly 2,800 years ago. It could have been built under the reign of either King Joash or King Amaziah, according to officials.

The dam was found as part of a joint study between the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) and the Weizmann Institute of Science. The team published its research in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) on Aug. 25.

Remarkably, the dam is the largest ever discovered in Israel and the oldest in Jerusalem.  

WORLD’S OLDEST KNOWN NURSING HOME DISCOVERED IN RUINS OF ANCIENT CHRISTIAN CITY, DATES BACK 1,600 YEARS

Pictures from the site show archaeologists excavating the massive stone-built dam.

The structure is roughly 39 feet high and 69 feet long, in addition to being 26 feet wide.

Researchers also pinpointed the dam’s age to a very slim 10-year margin, thanks to twigs and branches that were embedded in the dam’s mortar. It was built between 805 and 795 B.C.

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The City of David noted that the dam may have been a “creative solution to a climate crisis,” as a direct response to the drought and flash flood conditions present in ancient Jerusalem.

“The dam was designed to collect waters from the Gihon Spring as well as floodwaters flowing down the main valley of ancient Jerusalem,” the excavation directors said in a statement.

“All the [studied] data pointed to a period of low rainfall in the Land of Israel, interspersed with short and intense storms that could cause flooding. … It follows that the establishment of such large-scale water systems was a direct response to climate change and arid conditions.”

In a statement, IAA Director Eli Escusido called the dam “one of the most impressive and significant First Temple-period remains in Jerusalem.”

He added, “In recent years, Jerusalem has been revealed more than ever before, with all its periods, layers and cultures – and many surprises still await us.”

As the most-referenced city in the Bible, Jerusalem is full of ancient history that is still being discovered today.

Earlier this year, proof of an ancient garden was found at the holiest site in Christianity, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

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A coin minted just before the destruction of the Second Temple, an event predicted in the Gospels, was also recently found in Jerusalem.

‘The View’ co-host says Sotomayor’s third term remarks about Trump were disturbing

“The View” co-host Sunny Hostin said Tuesday that her show’s interview with Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor scared her because of what the justice said about President Donald Trump.

Hostin claimed that Sotomayor’s answer on whether Trump could secure a third White House term disturbed her. Though the justice told the hosts that the 22nd Amendment prevented Trump from seeking a third term, Sotomayor noted that it had never been tested, a statement that struck Hostin as ominous. 

“It scared me,” the co-host declared during the latest episode of “The View: Behind The Table” podcast. 

LAWMAKER UNVEILS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO GIVE TRUMP THIRD TERM

“And she said the Constitution should be the highest law of the land. Should be. She sort of clarified it, and that scared me,” Hostin added after co-host Joy Behar said Trump doesn’t follow the rules.

Trump has teased the idea of seeking a third term, telling NBC News in March 2025 that he’s “not joking” about it. 

“A lot of people want me to do it,” Trump told the outlet in a phone interview on Sunday. “But, I mean, I basically tell them we have a long way to go. You know, it’s very early in the administration.”

TRUMP CHALLENGES AOC AND JASMINE CROCKETT TO INTELLIGENCE TEST AFTER CALLING THEM ‘VERY LOW IQ’

During Tuesday’s episode of the ABC daytime talk show, co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin asked Sotomayor whether Trump seeking a third term is possible.

“There has been talk Donald Trump might seek a third term. It’s my personal belief that if he did, the Republican Party would likely support him. I want to ask you, obviously, the 22nd Amendment prohibits somebody from seeking a third term. Do you believe the 22nd Amendment is settled law?”

“The Constitution is settled law,” Sotomayor replied. “No one has tried to challenge that. Until somebody tries, you don’t know. So, it’s not settled because we don’t have a court case about that issue. But it is in the Constitution, and one should understand that there’s nothing that is the greater law in the United States than the Constitution of the United States.”

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As Hostin explained during the podcast, Sotomayor’s point about it never being tested bothered her. 

“Supreme Court justices are usually very reluctant and guarded to say — they don’t say much. And her answer, I think, in particular, to whether or not Donald Trump would seek a third term Ω— even though the 22nd Amendment of the Constitution prevents that was …”

“Was vague?” Behar asked.

“No, it wasn’t vague. I thought it was pretty clear. She said it hadn’t been tested yet. There’s no case.”

Behar added, “Anything that he does that overwhelms or overtakes anything that’s in the Constitution ‘cause he doesn’t follow the rules. And it hasn’t been done before. No one has done any of the things that he has done.”

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Eagles QB fires back at Chiefs star with expletive response after narrow victory

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones were heard trading barbs toward the end of their game on Sunday evening.

Hurts was getting the offense set to kneel out the clock when Jones was heard talking smack.

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“You didn’t even have 100 yards,” Jones said over the Eagles’ offensive line, possibly directed at Saquon Barkley.

Hurts replied, “We won the f—ing game. Shut your a– up.” 

WARNING: EXPLICIT LANGUAGE

Philadelphia escaped with a 20-17 victory over Kansas City in a rematch of Super Bowl LIX. The Eagles’ offense wasn’t as explosive as it was during the Super Bowl back in February but it did enough to get the win.

STEELERS RETURNER SUFFERS MAJOR KICKOFF BLUNDER IN LOSS VS SEAHAWKS

Hurts ran for a touchdown at the goal line in the fourth quarter to go up 10 points. After the Chiefs scored on a pass from Patrick Mahomes to Tyquan Thornton the team couldn’t score again.

The star quarterback was 15-of-22 with 101 passing yards. Hurts had a rushing touchdown Barkley was held to fewer than 100 yards rushing – he had 88. But he scored a touchdown.

“The most important thing is finding a way to win. We showed up when we needed to the most. Being able to play turnover free football,” Hurts said, via NBC Sports Philadelphia. “There is a level of patience you have to have. Play within yourself.”

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Mahomes was 16-of-29 with 187 passing yards, a touchdown pass and an interception. He also had a rushing score and led the team in rushing yards with 66 on seven carries.