Crockett defends slain guard accused of impersonating cops with stolen plates
The man who worked security for Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, but was killed in a standoff with SWAT last week was accused of impersonating a police officer and other offenses, although the congresswoman is defending him, saying his criminal history does not include any violent offenses.
The suspect, who was identified as Diamon-Mazairre Robinson, 39, was shot and killed by Dallas Police SWAT officers on Wednesday. He had barricaded himself inside a vehicle in the garage of a children’s hospital after Dallas Police officers tracked him while investigating an active warrant.
Police deployed tear gas to force him out before the suspect exited the vehicle and pointed a gun at officers, leading officers to shoot him. The suspect did not fire his gun, and no officers were injured.
Dash camera footage of the incident at Children’s Medical Center Dallas was released on Monday.
JASMINE CROCKETT’S ALLEGED SECURITY GUARD KILLED IN STANDOFF WITH DALLAS SWAT TEAM: REPORTS
He was wanted for impersonating a law enforcement officer and had claimed to be one while recruiting for his business that placed off-duty officers in security jobs.
Robinson was driving a replica undercover car with stolen U.S. government plates, often wore fake police uniforms pretending he was a federal agent and created a fraudulent business where he used fake identifying information to hire legitimate police officers for off-duty jobs. Dallas Police also said 11 firearms were recovered during their investigation, including the handgun he was holding during the shooting, which was reported stolen.
He was also not using his real name, going by the alias “Mike King.”
“The agencies that he reported to work for do not exist. So dignitaries, basically special dignitary police, that agency does not exist within the federal government. So that’s who he portrayed to be. There was no actual federal agency that he worked for that existed. He was very good at hiding his true identity … He had been living like this for many years,” Dallas Deputy Police Chief William Griffith said on Monday.
Robinson has a lengthy criminal history, with arrests going back as far as 2010. He has been charged with offenses such as theft and violating probation.
Crockett came to the defense of her former security guard, releasing a statement on Monday saying her office was unable to find any violent offenses in his “limited criminal history.”
“We are saddened and shocked by some of the concerning revelations. Our team followed all protocols outlined by the House to contract additional security. We were approved to use this vendor who also provided security services for additional entities in the local community and worked closely with law enforcement agencies including Capitol Police,” she said in the statement.
The congresswoman said, “the fact that an individual was able to somehow circumvent the vetting processes for something as sensitive as security for members of Congress highlights the loopholes and shortcomings in many of our systems.”
JASMINE CROCKETT CAMPAIGN REPORTEDLY KICKED ATLANTIC WRITER OUT OF RALLY FOR BEING A ‘TOP-NOTCH HATER’
“This is incredibly alarming, especially for those members who receive high volumes of credible and sophisticated death threats,” she said. “This situation reiterates the need for Capitol Police to provide security for members of Congress, especially under this administration’s new normal of inciting attacks on those who dare to speak out. We are fortunate that this is someone who used those loopholes without malice. Furthermore, after an initial review of the limited criminal history of Diamon Mazairre Robinson in Dallas County, we’ve been unable to locate any violent offenses.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The progressive lawmaker added that “there was never any reason to suspect that he wasn’t who he held himself out to be,” saying “he never endangered her team, worked diligently, coordinated with local law enforcement and maintained positive relationships throughout the community.”
“What we’re now learning about his past doesn’t fit the person we came to know as Mike King,” she wrote. “His death evokes a range of emotions. Our hearts grieve the loss of someone we knew and the lost good that could have come from his redemption.”
Stars scold America at the Oscars — then ask why no one watches anymore
Hollywood elites just cannot help themselves. There they were, sailing through Oscar night with Conan O’Brien doing his amusing and mostly inoffensive emcee bit, and actors like Amy Madigan (Best Supporting Actress) happily gushing about their awards, when along comes washed-up comic Jimmy Kimmel the proverbial ant at the picnic, blasting President Donald Trump. Thank heavens Trump critic Sean Penn, who also won an Oscar, was unable to attend.
It could have been worse. Yes, there were the usual dark hints about what a troubled world we live in and at least one reference to Palestine, but mostly the show was upbeat and tolerable.
That was gravely disappointing to some. Hours before Hollywood’s big night, The New York Times ran an opinion piece titled “Oscar Winners, Will You Be Complicit?” In his column, German writer Daniel Kehlmann exhorted Oscar stars to lash out against Donald Trump. He whined that last year’s event was “profoundly disheartening” because the participants’ attacks on the administration were “muted,” unlike Hollywood’s “open defiance” during Trump’s first term.
JIMMY KIMMEL’S TRUMP, MELANIA DIGS AT OSCARS ‘FELL FLAT’ WITH CRITICS
His piece, which assumes (as many Oscar participants evidently do) that the job of movie stars is not to entertain us and make profitable films but rather to educate us, neatly sums up why so many people dislike Hollywood. (A few years ago, an NBC poll showed the film industry had lower approval ratings than the NRA.)
It also shows why fewer Americans watch the Oscars today than in the past. About 20 million people likely tuned in for a glimpse of the red carpet or to catch the opening monologue on Sunday; 55 million watched in 1998, when “Titanic” won Best Picture.
‘ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER’ WINS BEST PICTURE, MICHAEL B. JORDAN EARNS BEST ACTOR AT 2026 OSCARS
The author speculates that actors (or their studios) fear retaliation from the president, or perhaps they sense the public views them as “frivolous, out-of-touch elites.” He recalls then-host Ricky Gervais’ warning to Golden Globes participants in 2020: “If you do win an award tonight, don’t use it as a platform to make a political speech. You’re in no position to lecture the public about anything. You know nothing about the real world.”
Kehlmann says that’s wrong, asserting that Hollywood icons are known around the world, even in dark places like North Korea; therefore, they have a duty to lambaste our country and reveal how the U.S. is becoming a “dictatorship” under the leadership of a “mad king.” He goes on to liken current events to those of the 1930s, when some of Germany’s most famous actors collaborated with the Nazi regime. You can imagine the rest.
BILL MAHER SAYS DEMS NEED TO TELL CELEBRITIES TO ‘SHUT THE F— UP,’ HOLLYWOOD IS HOLDING PARTY BACK
There is a lot to unpack here, but let’s start with the obvious. Half the country voted for Donald Trump in 2024. Those folks don’t want to hear from some privileged Hollywood actor that Trump is wrecking our nation. Open borders, crime, failing public schools, and absurd climate policies that drive energy prices higher — the problems Trump is trying to fix — may not matter to rich movie stars living behind gates, but they matter to most of us.
Second, actors who bemoan income inequality, racism, and other purported shortcomings of our society have become rich and famous because of our capitalist system. They are free to stand on that Oscar stage and say whatever they choose. They are also free to post vicious and even dishonest claims about our president online — and many do.
Kehlmann cannot say the same about his home country. In Germany, people can be arrested or jailed for spreading malicious gossip or reposting lies online. Truly, we do not need guidance from Europe.
CNN PANEL ERUPTS AFTER GUEST CALLS OUT ‘HOLLYWOOD JACKA—-‘ OVER POLITICAL LECTURES AT AWARD SHOWS
Meanwhile, Hollywood is in trouble. It is no coincidence that the Times ran another op-ed the day before titled “Why I Love the Movies — and How to Save Them,” by Tom Rothman, CEO of Sony Pictures’ film studio. Rothman notes that “in 2019, there were 1.24 billion movie tickets sold in North America. In 2025, there were 780 million — a decline of 37 percent.” He says the industry’s gloom has been exacerbated by “the coming end of Warner Bros. — once the mightiest of all studios — as a stand-alone entity after more than 100 years.”
Rothman notes various challenges facing Hollywood, including the threat of AI, and offers thoughtful ideas about how to manage the current upheaval.
Not surprisingly, he does not address what many Americans think is the real problem — the declining quality of movies showing up in theaters. Hollywood needs to make movies people want to see: movies that are entertaining, original, exciting, fun for kids — and not political. This year’s crop of Oscar nominees follows several years of celebrating films that attracted pitiful audiences and made little or no money. That’s not a recipe for success.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION
The highest-grossing films of all time (excluding “Gone With the Wind,” generally considered the biggest winner ever) are “Avatar” (2009), “Avengers: Endgame” (2019), “Avatar: The Way of Water” (2022), Titanic (1997), and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” (2015).
Three of these movies were directed by James Cameron, who has moved to New Zealand because he dislikes Donald Trump and our political climate. I find that reprehensible, but that is his right. What is admirable is that Cameron’s films may contain allegorical themes about colonialism or women’s rights, but the messaging is so subtle that the movies appeal to a broad audience.
Of course, people are free to make whatever kinds of movies they like, but they cannot make people pay to see them. In 2020, Hollywood elites awarded Best Picture to “Parasite,” a South Korean film — the first non-English-language winner. Variety’s Jessica Kiang described the story about social inequality as “a tick fat with the bitter blood of class rage.” I cannot imagine how I missed it.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
This year’s Best Picture, “One Battle After Another,” carried a strong liberal message. Maybe that’s why, despite good reviews, it bombed at the box office. People are tired of being force-fed left-wing dogma.
Last month, Gervais reposted his message on X, adding, “They’re still not listening.”
He’s right.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM LIZ PEEK
Jerry O’Connell says wife and daughters ‘became physical’ after comments on Harris loss
Actor Jerry O’Connell revealed in a new interview that his wife, actress Rebecca Romijn, and their daughters “became physical” with him after former Vice President Kamala Harris lost the 2024 presidential election.
“If I say this, will I stay married?” the “Stand by Me” actor joked on Bill Maher’s “Club Random” podcast on Monday.
O’Connell continued describing the night of the election where he insisted that he did not believe President Donald Trump would win. However, he recalled making off-hand remarks to his family during the night.
BILL MAHER SLAMS OSCARS, SAYS HOLLYWOOD IS ‘A SECRET CABAL OF PEOPLE TERRIFIED OF LOOKING LIKE RACISTS’
“I said something along the lines of ‘there was no planning. This is what they get. There should have been a primary.’ I said something along those lines, you know, like I was just spit-balling ideas. It was a shock. My wife and daughters, without saying anything, became physical with me. They were filled with rage,” O’Connell said.
He continued, “So if I am being careful with you in how I say things, yes, I live in California. I live with not one, not two, but three people who, if I made any kind of joke, they’d become very angry with me.”
HOLLYWOOD FINDS FAILURE TO ELECT KAMALA HARRIS ‘UNSETTLING’: ‘NOT THE DRIVER ANYMORE’
Maher responded by saying he could not live that way.
“Whatever household situation I’m in, I say what I truly think, and if it makes you angry, I’m sorry. We’ll have to work that out. But I am not going to tuck my tail between my legs and just shut the f— up,” Maher said.
BILL MAHER RIPS KAMALA HARRIS’ BOOK, SAYS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CALLED, ‘EVERYONE SUCKS BUT ME’
Fox News Digital reached out to Romijn’s representatives for comment.
O’Connell and Maher’s conversation came after Maher criticized Hollywood’s refusal to award or acknowledge the Paramount+ series “Landman” because it was perceived as a “conservative show.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“First of all, even if it was a conservative show, that should be allowed. This is f—ing America, you a–holes. Okay, you know what? ‘Landman’ has girl bosses. It has Mexicans. It has a trans character. I mean, it’s just not exactly what you are. And so we have to ignore that and pretend it doesn’t exist. You want to know why people vote for Trump? That’s why your s—– attitude is a real turnoff,” Maher said.
HR exec at center of Coldplay kiss cam controversy says she’s shared desks with CEOs
Kristin Cabot is pushing back against the narrative behind the viral “Coldplay Kiss Cam” moment that derailed her career.
The former Astronomer HR executive claimed that her relationship with then-CEO Andy Byron was a byproduct of a high-intensity professional culture where sharing desks and social drinks were standard practice during an upcoming appearance on “The Oprah Podcast.“
Despite the global speculation about an illicit affair, Cabot maintained that she was already separated from her husband at the time and that he was aware of her “very close” working relationship with Byron. Cabot explained that her daughter alerted her to the fact that her estranged husband was attending the same Coldplay concert she was at with Byron on that fateful night.
“My daughter’s like, ‘This is so fun! Great!’ … and in my mind I thought, ‘Well, that’s… is this going to be weird if he sees me with Andy? Like, if I run into him,'” she told Oprah.
COLDPLAY KISS-CAM’S KRISTIN CABOT HITS MIAMI BEACH IN BIKINI BEFORE CRISIS CONFERENCE KEYNOTE
Cabot’s momentary worry didn’t linger for long.
“But then I was like, I’m at Gillette Stadium, there’s 55,000 people here. I’m probably not going to run into him. But it doesn’t matter – I mean, it would have been better at the end of the day if I had just run into him,” she explained. “But, you know, he knows – he knows how closely Andy and I work together. He knows we socially got lunches and got drinks. It was fine.”
“He knows the nature of my work and the way the relationships – I’ve shared desks with the CEOs I’ve worked with,” Cabot emphasized. “Like, it’s just a very close [relationship], and so it didn’t matter.”
During Coldplay’s performance on July 16, Byron appeared on the Kiss Cam with his arms wrapped around a woman, who was later identified as Cabot. The two were shown during Martin’s “The Jumbotron Song,” where the singer improvises lyrics about the couples shown to the crowd.
LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Cabot immediately covered her face and turned away from the camera, while a stunned Byron ducked down and exited the frame. Martin then joked that, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.”
The moment ignited speculation of infidelity across social media as video of the exchange went viral. At the time, she was separated from her husband and Byron had claimed he was also separated. Cabot has since filed for divorce.
“Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability,” the company shared in a statement days later. “The Board of Directors has initiated a formal investigation into this matter, and we will have additional details to share very shortly.”
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
On July 20, Astronomer informed its social media followers that Byron had resigned from the company. Cabot later resigned from her role as chief people officer at Astronomer, a week after the video of her cuddling up with Byron went viral.
The viral moment led to online chatter and even Gwyneth Paltrow, Chris Martin’s ex-wife, poked fun at the Kiss Cam controversy by teaming up with Astronomer as their “temporary spokesperson.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Cancer survivor Rex Culpepper killed in Georgia dirt bike crash weeks after proposing
Rex Culpepper, a former Syracuse Orange quarterback, died this past weekend due to injuries suffered in a dirt bike accident in Georgia. He was 28.
“Our Orange family mourns the loss of Rex Culpepper, who passed away this weekend at the age of 28,” the Syracuse football program said in a statement on X. “Rex lived his life with endless passion, having overcome cancer at the age of 20 while playing for the Orange.
“Appearing in 30 games, Rex played football as fierce as he lived life. Our hearts are with the Culpepper family & all those who loved him.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Culpepper’s fiancée, Savanna Morgan, confirmed his death in an emotional, heartbreaking Instagram post with photos and videos of them together.
Culpepper had just proposed to Morgan less than one month ago.
“No one expects to meet the love of your life and lose them in only 6 short years after meeting,” Morgan began the caption of her post. “Rex didn’t always believe in soulmates but towards the end he told me that he didn’t realize what having a soulmate felt like until we felt like extensions of each other.
DEION SANDERS DELIVERS HEARTBREAKING EULOGY FOR COLORADO PLAYER WHO DIED TRAGICALLY AT 23
“And one thing about us is that we lived every single day like it was our last. We did every little thing that we set our minds to, between learning new skills and hobbies, and traveling to new places, there was never any free time with us and not a moment spent apart. I don’t regret a single day in our 6 years.
“You made six years feel like a lifetime Rexy.”
Culpepper primarily played as the Orange’s backup quarterback during his time with the program from 2017 through 2020. He did eventually get into games as a tight end as well.
During his treatment, Culpepper became quite the name on the Orange football team, as he participated in the 2018 spring game, throwing a touchdown on the final drive to a roaring crowd and sideline with his teammates and coaches applauding his efforts.
He saw time in 30 career games, 16 of which at quarterback where he threw for 1,546 total yards with 11 touchdowns.
As Syracuse mentioned in its post, Culpepper battled cancer while with the program after being diagnosed with testicular cancer in March 2018. He underwent extensive chemotherapy to treat his illness, and he was declared cancer-free in June of that year.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Culpepper is also the son of former Tampa Bay Buccanners defensive tackle, Brad Culpepper, who was a starter with the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears as well over his NFL career.
Pritzker accused of ‘tipping the scales’ in Illinois Senate primary as millions pour in
Gov. JB Pritzker of Illinois is unopposed for his party’s nomination as he seeks a third term steering the nation’s sixth-most populous state.
But the billionaire governor and potential 2028 White House contender has plenty on the line as Illinois on Tuesday holds a slew of competitive primaries that are grabbing national attention.
The contest at the top of the list is the race in the blue-leaning state to succeed 81-year-old Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin, who is retiring after nearly three decades in the Senate.
HEAD HERE FOR THE LATEST FOX NEWS REPORTING FROM THE 2026 CAMPAIGN TRAIL
Pritzker is backing Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, who is facing off against two other major candidates, Reps. Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi, among a crowded field of contenders in the contentious and extremely expensive showdown.
If Kelly or Stratton were to win the primary and then the general election in November, they would become the second Black woman elected to the Senate in Illinois. And Krishnamoorthi, who was born in India and immigrated to the U.S. with his family as a child, would make history as the nation’s second Indian American in the Senate.
ILLINOIS DEM SENATE CANDIDATES SPLIT ON BACKING SCHUMER AS LEADER
Krishnamoorthi is the clear fundraising frontrunner in the race, and has spent big bucks to run ads. And a super PAC funded by crypto titans has shelled out nearly $10 million to back Krishnamoorthi.
The governor, a member of the Pritzker family that owns the Hyatt hotel chain and who has launched several venture capital and investment startups, has dipped into his large war chest to dish out millions to fund a super PAC supporting Stratton.
Pritzker’s support for Stratton is drawing pushback. Rep. Yvette Clarke of New York, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, accused the governor of trying “to tip the scales” in the primary.
“A sitting governor shouldn’t be heavy-handing the race. Quite frankly, his behavior in this race won’t soon be forgotten by any of us,” Clarke emphasized in a statement.
Whoever wins the Democratic nomination will be considered the clear front-runner in the general election in a state where no GOP contender has won statewide in a dozen years.
Former GOP state party chair Don Tracy and attorney Jeannie Evans are among four Republicans seeking their party’s nomination.
2028 LOOMS LARGE: HARRIS, NEWSOM, PRITZKER CONVERGE AT HIGH-STAKES DEMOCRATIC PARTY SUMMIT
But for Pritzker, the Senate primary is viewed as a test of his political clout in his home state as he likely gears up for a 2028 presidential run. The governor has seen his national profile skyrocket over the past year as he’s become a top Democrat leading the resistance to President Donald Trump‘s second-term agenda.
Four Republicans are seeking their party’s gubernatorial nomination, in hopes of facing off against Pritzker in the general election. Among the GOP challengers is former state Sen. Darren Bailey, who lost to Pritzker by more than 12 points in the 2022 governor’s race.
Also grabbing attention in Tuesday’s primaries are the Democratic showdowns in four blue-leaning House districts.
There are crowded and competitive races for Kelly and Krishnamoorthi’s seats, as well as for retiring longtime Democratic Reps. Danny Davis and Jan Schakowsky.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Polls in Illinois close at 7 p.m. Central time.
More than half a million ballots had been cast in early voting as of Friday.
2,000-year-old pagan temple from time of Christ stuns archaeologists
Archaeologists have uncovered a 2,000-year-old temple in Denmark — offering a glimpse into the mysterious, once-powerful society that built it.
The Museum of Central Jutland (Museum Midtjylland) unveiled the discovery of the temple at Hedegård, an ancient site that contains Scandinavia’s “largest and richest burial site,” according to its website. The latest excavation began last August.
Hedegård, located near Ejstrupholm north of the Skjern River, has been identified as Denmark’s largest settlement from the time “around the birth of Christ,” the museum said.
ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNCOVER GOLD-LADEN TOMB FILLED WITH ELITE BURIAL TREASURES FROM OVER 1,000 YEARS AGO
Working with researchers from Museum Horsens and Moesgaard Museum, archaeologists found evidence of a vast fortified settlement that once served as a regional power center during the Iron Age.
The settlement has yielded luxury goods, weapons from Celtic tribes and “prestige” items from Roman workshops.
Evidence shows the settlement “flourished in the period leading up to the birth of Christ.”
The museum said that “this is when we see the rich graves and numerous weapon graves in the cemetery north of the village.”
DOG WALKERS TRIGGER ARCHAEOLOGICAL RACE TO PRESERVE 2,000-YEAR-OLD FOOTPRINTS IN SHIFTING SANDS
But the crown jewel of the excavation was the temple — which measured roughly 49 by 53 feet.
“The structure likely appeared as a tall, almost square, tower-like building with an outer colonnade.”
The structure had once burned down. Beneath the burn layer, excavators found traces of “two temple phases” that offer insight into its history.
“At the exact center was a [6 x 6 foot] raised clay platform,” officials said.
POLICE STUMBLE UPON ANCIENT SHIPWRECK AMID ROUTINE PATROL, KEEP LOCATION SECRET TO DETER LOOTERS
“In the younger phase, an ornamented hearth was built here, partially covering the earlier hearth. The younger temple was shifted about [30 inches] north compared to the older one, but was otherwise nearly identical. The older hearth remained untouched — the new one was simply built over it.”
Archaeologists also found plaster fragments that suggest the temple’s walls were once painted white.
“Preliminary results suggest the temple functioned in the decades around the birth of Christ,” the site stated.
“The structure likely appeared as a tall, almost square, tower-like building with an outer colonnade. The hearth dominated the interior space.”
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
The museum also said, “The temple was carefully cleared before being deliberately burned, leaving few finds. However, two exceptional glass beads were discovered — likely produced in the Middle East or Egypt.”
The site has been the subject of scholarly interest since Danish archaeologists found an unusual number of richly-adorned graves in the late 1980s.
“Christianity did not reach Scandinavia until almost 1,000 years later.”
“It remains unique in Northern European archaeology — an early and unparalleled display of military, economic, and religious power,” the museum’s statement said.
Since the site was discovered over three decades ago, archaeologists have known that the site was “something completely different,” said Martin Winther Olesen, an archaeology curator.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
“When our geophysical surveys revealed a fortification in the village it was clear that this was something out of the ordinary,” he noted.
Olesen identified the temple as a pagan structure, which was built between 50 B.C. and 50 A.D.
“Christianity did not reach Scandinavia until almost 1,000 years later,” he said — adding that Hedegård had “extensive foreign relations” including knowledge of Celtic and Roman architectural traditions.
Evidence appears to suggest that Hedegård was only in use for three generations before it disappeared.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES
All the evidence proves Hedegård had “everything it takes to be an early Iron Age power center,” said Olesen — and he said that he could talk about the site “for two hours straight.”
“The site is strategically located and controls the most important road up through Jutland,” the expert said. “There is clear militarization in the form of weapons, but also in the construction of the fortification.”
He added, “There is a political elite, monumental construction, there are crafts and trade and — of course — it is also a center for the practice of the cult.”
The official noted the discovery was only made possible thanks to “super talented archaeologists and researchers from Denmark and abroad.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“It is an exquisite privilege to be allowed to work with a find that has an international dimension,” said Olesen.
Team USA knows WBC final opponent after thrilling Venezuela-Italy matchup
Team USA has its opponent for the World Baseball Classic (WBC) final on Tuesday night.
Venezuela ended Italy’s magical WBC run on Monday night, coming from behind to defeat them, 4-2 at loanDepot park, earning a spot in the final against the United States.
Italy was the surprise team of the tournament, taking down the U.S. in pool play before defeating Mexico to finish a perfect 4-0 in Pool B.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
But that win over Mexico also kept Team USA alive in the tournament, allowing them to advance to the quarterfinals, where they defeated Canada before earning a thrilling 2-1 semifinal victory over the Dominican Republic on Sunday night to punch their ticket back to the final.
While it felt only right for the U.S. and Italy to meet once more to determine who would win it all before the start of the 2026 MLB season, Venezuela had other things in mind during the bottom of the seventh inning.
Down 2-1 in the contest, Venezuela found themselves threatening with a potential two-out rally after Jackson Chourio, the Milwaukee Brewers’ rising star, singled to center field, allowing Andres Gimenez to advance to third base.
That’s when Ronald Acuña Jr., the face of Venezuelan baseball, reached first on an infield single that allowed Gimenez to score, tying the game at two apiece. But the rally wasn’t over just yet.
The Venezuelans caught fire after Acuña’s single, as Maikel Garcia singled to left field, scoring Chourio, and Luis Arraez brought home Acuña. With two outs, Venezuela seized all the momentum with a three-run seventh inning that made it 4-2.
Italy had been clinging to the lead since the bottom of the second inning, when they made the most of a bases-loaded situation. J.J. D’Orazio walked home a run, while Dante Nori grounded into a fielder’s choice that scored another to give Italy a 2-0 lead.
Slugger Eugenio Suarez got Venezuela on the board in the top of the fourth inning with a solo home run to left-center field, cutting the deficit to one. But they weren’t able to string together additional offense until that seventh inning.
From there, Italy could never get a rally started, as Daniel Palencia eventually shut the door in the ninth inning, striking out the final two Italian hitters.
As Venezuela celebrated, Italy hung their heads, but their story this month has been nothing short of incredible. Their espresso machine in the dugout — which captain Vinnie Pasquantino of the Kansas City Royals helped turn into a home run celebration — went viral as they continued to have success. The roster featured established MLB stars, top prospects and players with Italian heritage, earning praise from big leaguers throughout the past two weeks.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
But it’s Venezuela, ripe with top MLB talent, ready to take on Team USA and starter Nolan McLean, who Italy touched up in their pool play game, on Tuesday night to determine who holds the rights to call themselves the best baseball team in the world for at least the next three years.
Team USA and Venezuela will face each other at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.
Items found at vacation home add twist in retired Air Force general’s disappearance
Authorities searching for missing retired Air Force Maj. Gen. William “Neil” McCasland are investigating a new development after hiking boots believed to belong to the missing general were discovered at his vacation home, officials said Monday.
Investigators said they are still working to determine whether the boots are connected to McCasland’s disappearance, which has now stretched into a third week.
During a Monday news conference, the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office said there have still been no confirmed sightings of the 68-year-old aerospace engineer, and the Silver Alert issued for him remains in effect.
McCasland was last seen leaving his Albuquerque, New Mexico, home on foot around 11 a.m. on Feb. 27, authorities said.
MISSING RETIRED AIR FORCE GENERAL CONSULTED ON UFOS FOR BLINK-182’S TOM DELONGE
Investigators noted he left behind his phone, glasses and wearable devices at the house. However, several personal items remain missing, including his wallet, a revolver and a holster for the gun. Investigators also said Monday that a red backpack is unaccounted for.
Earlier that morning, McCasland was seen speaking with a repairman at his home around 9 to 10 a.m., according to authorities.
The repairman described McCasland as being in a “mental fog,” but investigators said there was no indication he was disoriented or confused, describing him instead as a “highly intelligent, highly capable” person.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we escalated the search to a Silver Alert with that information that was given to us early on,” a Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office official said.
RETIRED AIR FORCE GENERAL VANISHES IN 1-HOUR WINDOW FROM HOME, GUN AND WALLET MISSING
Authorities say McCasland vanished within roughly a one-hour window while his wife was out of the house for an appointment.
Search teams have also recovered a U.S. Air Force sweatshirt more than a mile from McCasland’s home, though investigators have not confirmed whether the item belonged to him.
McCasland is described as 5 feet, 11 inches tall with white hair and blue eyes and was last seen wearing a light green, button-up outdoor shirt with two chest pockets.
GOT A TIP?
Officials believe he left his home on foot.
The retired general is known to be an avid outdoorsman who frequently hikes, runs and cycles in Albuquerque’s Northeast Heights and the nearby Sandia Foothills, where search crews have focused some of their efforts.
FOLLOW US ON X
Authorities said they have received dozens of tips and are urging residents to check home security video captured between Feb. 27 and Feb. 28, which investigators say is a critical window in the search.
The FBI joined the search effort on March 3, assisting local authorities as the investigation continues.
GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL
Investigators said they had not uncovered evidence of foul play, though officials have emphasized that no scenarios have been ruled out.
McCasland’s wife, Susan McCasland Wilkerson, has also pushed back on speculation tying his disappearance to his past military work.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS
“It is true that when Neil was in the Air Force, he had access to some highly classified programs and information,” she wrote in a Facebook post. “He retired from the AF almost 13 years ago and has had only very commonly held clearances since.”
Before retiring in 2013, McCasland commanded the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio and holds a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Despite online speculation, his wife said he had no special knowledge about extraterrestrials or the Roswell incident.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about McCasland’s whereabouts to text BCSO to 847411 or contact the sheriff’s Missing Persons Unit at 505-468-7070.