Firefighters contain large blaze that destroys building at historic seaport’s wharf
Firefighters battled to contain a massive blaze that sparked Friday evening at a historic wharf in Portland, Maine.
One building was destroyed in the fire, and others were damaged in the blaze that broke out on the Custom House Wharf, FOX 23 reported.
The Old Port in Portland was a major 19th century and early 20th century hub for the commercial fishing industry in the area and is now a popular tourist area with restaurants and shops; working fisherman still keep their boats there.
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“Unfortunately, it looked like the fire had a pretty good head start on us when we got down here, but the first companies did a great job. And they made a really aggressive attack to keep it from spreading down the rest of the wharf,” Deputy Fire Chief Jon Hendricks told FOX 23.
The Porthole Restaurant and Pub on the wharf posted Friday that it had survived the fire.
“The Porthole is open today during regular hours if you need a familiar place to gather,” the restaurant added on Saturday.
“Our hearts are with everyone impacted by last night’s fire at Custom House Wharf. We’re grateful for the first responders and for the safety of our neighbors.”
Maine Gov. Janet Mills posted on social media last night that she was monitoring the fire.
“I am aware of the fire on the Portland waterfront and my administration is monitoring the situation,” she wrote on X. “Please avoid the area and follow the direction of local fire and public safety officials.”
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The fire broke out after 5 p.m. and was under control by around 7:22 p.m., according to WBTS-TV.
One boat sank and others were damaged, News Center Maine reported.
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Two firefighters also sustained minor injuries but weren’t taken to a hospital.
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The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Honduran woman taken into custody after allegedly crashing into ICE vehicle
A Honduran national had an “unlucky” encounter with Border Patrol enforcement on Friday.
The woman allegedly ran a red light in Slidell, Louisiana, and rammed into an Immigration, Customs and Enforcement (ICE) vehicle, U.S. Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino wrote on X.
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“Apparently she never learned the lesson that red means stop,” Bovino wrote. “Not ‘accelerate and collide with a government vehicle actively enforcing federal law.’”
No injuries were reported as a result of the crash, according to the post, but Bovino said she was “certainly taken into custody” following the accident.
“Unlucky for her. Lucky for us,” Bovino continued in the post.
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Federal agents were reportedly in the area as part of the Operation Catahoula Crunch. The operation targets illegal immigrants in the New Orleans area, according to officials.
“Catahoula Crunch targets include violent criminals who were released after arrest for home invasion, armed robbery, grand theft auto and rape,” Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement.
ICE has reportedly apprehended approximately 370 people in the area, according to a Dec. 18 update.
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“DHS is making the New Orleans community safer as it continues to arrest illegal alien drug dealers, hit-and-run criminals, and one monster who was convicted for arson and threatening a person with intent to terrorize,” McLaughlin said.
The DHS reported that it has deported more than 622,000 individuals in 2025 as of Dec. 19.
The department also reported that 2.5 million illegal immigrants have left the country, and an estimated 1.9 million self-deportations have occurred since President Donald Trump‘s crackdown on immigration.
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Details about the Honduran woman were not made publicly available.
DHS did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Bengals demand historic haul for Joe Burrow as quarterback market heats up
For a third consecutive season, the Cincinnati Bengals will be on the outside looking in when the NFL playoffs kick off.
Joe Burrow’s future with the team has been a topic of conversation as the Bengals come to terms with the reality of another season not going as planned.
The star quarterback recently made comments that seemingly fueled speculation about his status with the franchise that selected him first overall six seasons ago. He hinted that enjoying the game was a priority, saying he wanted to “go have fun [and] play football.”
Amid the speculation, NFL Insider Jonathan Jones reported that multiple teams could pursue Burrow this offseason. While it remains unlikely Cincinnati will deal the 29-year-old, any team that does inquire about Burrow should be prepared to meet a hefty asking price.
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An unnamed executive for an AFC team told CBS Sports it would take a historic haul of draft picks, mentioning “Ricky Williams-type trade” compensation for the Bengals to consider an immediate future without Burrow. It took every pick, a total of six selections, for the New Orleans Saints to get into position to draft Williams in 1999. New Orleans also sent a first-round pick and a third-rounder to Washington.
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Another executive suggested a couple of first-round draft picks as starting point in negotiations.
“Probably depends on if a team has a young QB or players to offer, but imagine they won’t even answer the phone if you don’t have at least two first-round picks, plus more,” an NFC front office executive told the outlet. “Maybe even three if you’re not doing it with any players involved.”
Last week, Burrow attempted to ease concerns about his future in Cincinnati.
“I can’t see that. No.” he responded when asked whether he could picture himself in another NFL team’s uniform in 2026. However, a follow-up question about suiting up for another franchise at some point later in his career prompted a vague response from the star signal-caller.
“You think about a lot of things,” he said.
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Burrow and the Bengals reached an agreement on a long-term contract worth $275 million in 2023. The deal made him one of the highest-paid players in NFL history. The contract also included a no-trade clause valid through 2029.
The Bengals host the Arizona Cardinals Sunday before closing out the season in Cleveland against the Browns in Week 18.
Iranian president says country is in ‘total war’ with US, Israel and Europe
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country is engaged in what he described as a “total war” with the U.S., Israel and Europe.
In an interview published Saturday by Iranian state media, Pezeshkian said that he believes the Western powers want to bring Iran “to its knees,” The Times of Israel reported.
“In my opinion, we are at total war with the United States, Israel and Europe,” Pezeshkian said. “They want to bring our country to its knees.”
Pezeshkian argued that the current conflict is more complex than the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s, saying his country is now under pressure “from every angle,” according to The Times of Israel.
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“If one understands it well, this war is far more complex and difficult than that war. In the war with Iraq, the situation was clear, they fired missiles, and we knew where to hit,” Pezeshkian said, according to The Jerusalem Post.
“Here, they are besieging us from every aspect, they are creating problems for us in terms of livelihood, culturally, politically, and security-wise.”
Despite the strain, Pezeshkian claimed Iran’s military emerged stronger following its June conflict with Israel, according to The Times of Israel.
“Our beloved military forces are doing their jobs with strength and now, in terms of equipment and manpower, despite all the problems we have, they are stronger than when they attacked. So if they want to attack, they will naturally face a more decisive response,” he said.
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The interview with Pezeshkian was released ahead of a planned meeting this coming week at Mar-a-Lago between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump, according to The Jerusalem Post.
Tensions remain high following a brief but intense air conflict in June that was kicked off by Israel.
The fighting resulted in roughly 1,100 deaths in Iran, including senior military commanders and nuclear scientists, while Iranian missile attacks killed 28 people in the Jewish State.
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On June 22, President Donald Trump announced U.S. forces had launched attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, including Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan.
“Our objective was the destruction of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world’s number one state sponsor of terror,” the president said. “Tonight, I can report to the world that the strikes were a spectacular military success. Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated.”
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A US-brokered ceasefire between Iran and Israel took effect on June 24.
Pastry panic at Pop-Tarts Bowl as mascot flees toaster during BYU’s celebration
Tensions got toasty at the Pop-Tarts Bowl between the BYU Cougars and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Saturday night.
While Georgia Tech held the lead for most of the game, BYU pulled off a barnstorming comeback to win the game 25-21. The Cougars finished the season 12-2, while Georgia Tech ended the year 9-4.
Pop-Tarts brought fun to a bowl game, while the competition itself came down to the wire.
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Read below for the five best moments from the 2025 Pop-Tarts Bowl.
Pop-Tarts ingrains itself into the bowl game
Most bowl games that do not have stakes are written off as boring or pointless. But Pop-Tarts brought the fun for the third straight year. Part of it was the unique flare of the end zone and sideline art. BYU and Georgia Tech each had their school names in their end zones accompanied by sprinkles. The sprinkles were also featured on the sidelines and the helmets of each player.
Pop-Tarts Ring of Honor
Pop-Tarts unveiled its Ring of Honor at Camping World Stadium, paying tribute to the Pop-Tarts that were eaten in the two prior bowl games. Cookies and Crème, Hot Fudge Sundae and Frosted Wild Berry held commemorative jackets and did the best they could to honor Strawberry and Cinnamon Roll.
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Pregame unveiling
It wasn’t the Ohio State University band dotting the “I,” but it was still fun. Pop-Tarts held a pregame ceremony to show the crowd in Orlando, Florida, which Pop-Tarts were being featured for the bowl game. There were six Pop-Tarts separated into two teams – Team Sprinkles and Team Swirls. Sprinkles included Protein Slammin’ Strawberry, Cookies and Crème and Frosted Cherry. Swirls included Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Frosted Wild Berry and Frosted Hot Fudge Sundae.
Bear Bachmeier leads comeback
The Cougars trailed 21-10 going into the fourth quarter and needed to dig deep to somehow pull off a victory. A blocked Georgia Tech field goal with 55 seconds left in the third quarter sparked that comeback. Touchdowns from Enoch Nawahine and Jovesa Damuni along with a Bachmeier 2-point conversion helped BYU win the game.
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Protein Slammin’ Strawberry bails out
The Pop-Tarts Bowl payoff was supposed to be a record three pastries descending into a giant toaster for the winning team to enjoy. Protein Slammin’ Strawberry, Cookies and Crème and Cherry were on the top of the toaster dancing to the music and awaiting their fates.
Protein Slammin’ Strawberry held a sign that said, “Not my dream … yet.” The pastry then dove off the toaster and ran away. A message where the Pop-Tarts pastry should have been said, “You haven’t seen the last of me!”
The Cookies and Crème and Cherry Pop-Tarts went into the toaster and were served as giant treats for the champions.
JD Vance, GOP react after viral video raises fresh fraud questions in Minnesota
Politicians took to social media Saturday to criticize Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz after a viral video raised questions about a Minneapolis daycare center that allegedly received millions of dollars in state funding despite appearing largely inactive.
Responding to an X post highlighting allegations of Somali Medicaid fraud and voter fraud in the state, Vice President JD Vance described the situation as “a microcosm of the immigration fraud in our system.”
“Politicians like it because they get power. Welfare cheats like it because they get rich,” Vance wrote. “But it’s a zero sum game, and they’re stealing both money and political power from Minnesotans.”
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Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., demanded Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz be “held accountable.”
“Folks need to be arrested and prosecuted and the Governor of Minnesota needs to be held accountable,” Lawler posted to X on Saturday. “Congress should hold a hearing immediately and start getting answers.”
A 42-minute video posted to X and YouTube on Friday by independent reporter Nick Shirley shows Shirley and another man visiting several childcare centers in the blue state, including a location on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis.
The footage shows no visible activity at the site, which displays a misspelled sign that says “Quality Learing Center,” even though the center is reportedly supposed to account for 99 children and received roughly $4 million in state funds.
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Several other high-profile figures also weighed in on Shirley’s video Saturday.
Donald Trump Jr. wrote on X, “If you haven’t watched this yet. Watch it. All of it. Understand that this is what journalists are supposed to do, but no one in the mainstream media will even bother to look let alone actually publish it. This is what they’re doing to your country with your tax dollars!!!”
Elon Musk shared similar concerns, accusing the “radical left” of exploiting government programs to bring in and retain immigrants to “win elections and turn America into a single-party state.”
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“The more you look at it, the more you will be horrified at what your tax money is doing and the fact that, if this is not reversed, your vote will mean nothing,” Musk posted to X. “The most obvious case example is the Somali voting bloc in Minnesota, a state that historically had zero Somalis, electing Ilhan Omar to the US Congress.”
A day earlier, Musk posted, “Prosecute [Tim Walz].”
The video went viral this week amid the burgeoning scandal enveloping the Walz administration that notably included at least $1 billion lost to alleged social services fraud largely tied to the Somali community in the Twin Cities.
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A portion reportedly ended up in the hands of the Somali terror group Al-Shabab.
Lawler and Walz did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Megan Moroney shares bikini photos from her Christmas beach vacation
Megan Moroney traded a white Christmas for a tropical one this year.
The 28-year-old country singer posted a series of photos on Instagram from her Christmas vacation, which included pictures of the picturesque ocean view.
In one of the photos, Moroney can be seen lying on the sand in a red and pink bikini, which showed off her toned abs. She paired the look with a white and pink hat that covered her face.
The carousel of photos also features a black-and-white picture of her with wet hair, seemingly on a boat in the ocean, as well as a picture of her Christmas tree and one of her and her loved ones posing on the beach, in which she is sporting a pink Santa hat.
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Fans in the comments section wished the “Tennessee Orange” singer a Merry Christmas, with many showing excitement for her upcoming tour, as tickets went on sale earlier this month.
“merry christmas meg!! see you in june!!🩷” one fan wrote, while another added, “all I want for christmas is a real good tan… and to see meg in concert duhh.”
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“merry megmas 💗” a third fan added.
During an interview with People magazine in November, Moroney discussed her banner year, having tied for the most-nominated artist at the CMA Awards in September, sharing that there are many artists she is inspired by.
Topping the list is Taylor Swift, with Moroney explaining she is inspired by the fact “that she can put out 12 different albums, and they all sound different,” adding that meeting Swift is on her “bucket list.”
“The way that she’s handled all the business side of things is something that I’ve learned from her, so I’d like to thank her — and maybe get some drinks or something.”
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While that may be true, the “I’m Not Pretty” songstress also shared that while on tour to promote her 2024 album, “Am I Okay?” she channeled country music legend, Dolly Parton in her on-stage style, opting for white cowboy boots and a variety of blue jeweled outfits.
“Anytime I ask myself in the mirror, ‘Is this too much?’ I’m like, ‘No. Dolly would do it,” she added.
Moroney first gained attention on social media in 2021, when she was still in college. Her breakout hit, “Tennessee Orange,” was released as a single in 2022, with her first album, “Lucky,” dropping in 2023, earning strong critical acclaim and commercial success.
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She followed that up with “Am I Okay?” in 2024, which was also a success. The two albums explore themes of heartbreak and self reflection, which has led to public speculation about her romantic life.
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“I think I’ve never been more dialed in with my career than I am now,” she told Fox News Digital in July 2024. “I really don’t have time for a relationship, and I think it’s reflected in my album. There’s two love songs that are maybe kind of hopeful, and then it ends real quick, and that is an accurate representation of how my love life recently went. So, yeah, I’m focused on the music and my career, and that’s kind of all about all I have time for right now.”
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She was previously linked to fellow country star Morgan Wallen, and after much speculation online, she shared on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast in July 2024 that the two met in 2020 and became friends, adding “it was never a relationship,” but that “We were friends for a long time. We were not just friends. And now we’re friends.”
Four rural communities shaken after peaceful towns become scenes of tragedy
In 2025, idyllic small towns across America were interrupted by acts of violence from Mississippi to Montana, Arkansas to Washington state.
The murders struck during homecoming weekends, inside neighborhood bars, at campgrounds and along hiking trails.
Together, the cases exposed vulnerabilities in small-town America: unresolved personal disputes, untreated mental health crises and domestic violence.
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Devil’s Den, Arkansas:
In northwest Arkansas, a visit to a state park ended in a double homicide.
Clinton Brink, 43, and Cristen Brink, 41, the parents of three children, were stabbed to death while hiking at Devil’s Den State Park on July 26.
The couple had recently moved to Arkansas to be closer to family and begin a new chapter. Friends described them as gentle, active and devoted parents.
“They loved to take the girls and go hiking,” said Mary Hinebauch, a friend from their former church in Montana. “That wasn’t an unnatural place for them to be.”
The Arkansas State Police arrested Andrew James McGann, 28, charging him with murdering the couple. Investigators said the killings appeared unprovoked. The arrest came a day after police released “a composite sketch of a man” they were “seeking to identify for questioning in connection with the double homicide.”
“This was a very safe place to be,” Hinebauch said. “It’s pure evil.”
To read more about this case, click here.
Leland, Mississippi:
On Oct. 11, 2025, just after midnight in Leland, Mississippi, a small city in Washington County where the population hovers around 3,700, the excitement of homecoming weekend was shattered when a shooting broke out following a football game.
At least six people were killed and at least 19 others wounded.
The FBI’s Jackson Field Office announced that four people were arrested in connection with the shooting.
Three men, identified as Teviyon Powell, 29; William Bryant, 29; and Morgan Lattimore, 25, were charged with capital murder. A fourth suspect, Latoya Powell, 44, was charged with attempted murder.
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Investigators said they believe the violence stemmed from a personal dispute, though no final motive has been confirmed.
“This is not who we are as a community,” Leland Mayor John Lee said. “Our hearts are broken for these families.”
To read more about this case, click here.
Anaconda, Montana:
In Anaconda, Montana, a quiet bar in a former mining town with about 9,000 people was interrupted when a man opened fire on Aug. 1, 2025.
Authorities said that Michael Paul Brown, 45, an Army veteran and longtime local resident, entered The Owl Bar around 10:30 a.m. and opened fire. Authorities said Brown lived next door to the bar and was known to the patrons inside.
Four people were killed: Daniel Edwin Baillie, 59; Nancy Lauretta Kelley, 64; David Allen Leach, 70; and Tony Wayne Palm, 74. Kelley was working as the bartender; the others were regular customers.
Brown fled, sparking a massive weeklong manhunt involving more than 130 local, state and federal law enforcement officers. The FBI, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service and Montana National Guard all assisted, deploying helicopters, air patrols and ground teams across rugged terrain.
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Residents told Fox News Digital that fear settled over the town as the search dragged on.
“The town is just scared,” one bartender said. “Everybody’s on edge.”
Brown was captured Aug. 8 near a barn about five and a half miles from the bar. Authorities said he was armed.
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen called the killings “cold-blooded.”
To read more about this case, click here.
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Wenatchee, Washington:
In May 2025, a manhunt was launched for the fugitive father of three accused of murdering his three daughters before disappearing into the wilderness.
The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office said Travis Decker, a military veteran and wilderness survivalist, failed to return his three daughters from a court-mandated custody visit in late May 2025. Days later, the bodies of Paityn Decker, 9; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Olivia Decker, 5, were found at a Chelan County campground.
According to police, the girls had been bound with zip ties and suffocated.
A manhunt followed, spanning rugged mountain terrain and involving multiple law enforcement agencies. In September, human remains were discovered on Grindstone Mountain, less than a mile from where the girls’ bodies had been found. DNA testing later confirmed the remains belonged to Decker.
“This will bring a close to our case,” Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison said after the DNA results were confirmed. “We wanted to show honor to them and let them know we haven’t forgotten.”
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Court records showed Decker’s ex-wife had previously petitioned to modify the parenting plan, citing his worsening mental health and unstable living conditions.
To read more about this case, click here.
Americans will get ‘gigantic’ tax refund next year, Treasury Secretary says
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent predicted that Americans will see “gigantic” refund checks in the upcoming filing season, thanks to tax cuts in President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).
Bessent, who also serves as the acting commissioner of the IRS, made the remark during an appearance on the “All-In Podcast.” The treasury secretary told the hosts that the tax provisions in the act, which Trump signed in July, applied retroactively to the beginning of the year, and because most workers did not change their withholdings, many can expect sizable refunds in 2026.
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“I can see that we’re gonna have a gigantic refund year in the first quarter because working Americans did not change their withholdings,” Bessent told the “All-In Podcast” hosts. “I think households could see, depending on the number of workers, $1,000- $2,000 refunds.”
Bessent’s prediction echoes that of the Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan tax policy nonprofit. The group said in a Dec. 17 report that “refunds will be larger than typical in the upcoming filing season because of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s (OBBBA) tax cuts for 2025.”
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The foundation reported its estimate that the OBBBA reduced individual taxes by $144 billion for 2025, adding that outside estimates suggest that up to $100 billion of that could go to higher tax refunds for Americans. While not everyone will see a massive jump in their refunds, the Tax Foundation said that the savings from the OBBBA could push average refunds up by up to $1,000.
“But because the IRS did not adjust withholding tables after the law passed, workers generally continued to withhold more taxes from their paychecks than the new law required. As a result, instead of gradually receiving the benefit of the tax cuts through higher take-home pay during the year, most taxpayers will receive it all at once when they file their returns,” the Tax Foundation wrote.
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The Tax Foundation lists seven major tax cuts that took effect under the OBBBA that could contribute to higher refunds, including increases to the child tax credit and standard deduction, a higher SALT deduction cap, and new or expanded deductions for seniors, auto loan interest, tip income and overtime pay.