Teen murder suspect accused of stabbing Texas high school track star to death freed on bail

After a significant bond reduction Monday morning, the 17-year-old accused of stabbing Frisco, Texas track star Austin Metcalf to death has been released from jail. 

Karmelo Anthony, 17, faces first-degree murder charges in Metcalf’s death. His bond was dropped from $1 million to $250,000 Monday morning, FOX Dallas Ft. Worth reported.

Anthony’s bond conditions include house arrest and an ankle monitor, and he will only be able to leave his home with the judge’s permission.

His newest criminal defense attorney, Mike Howard, hired Saturday, confirmed immediately after the hearing that Anthony would post bond, but said he was unsure exactly when that would happen. 

“I anticipate that he will be able make bond,” Howard told reporters after the hearing. “I can’t speak to how quickly that will go. The funds that have been raised are not quick to come out and then there’s obviously a process to the release process once bond is posted.”

Anthony is accused of stabbing Metcalf, also 17, at a high school track meet. Metcalf died in his twin brother’s arms.

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The Anthony family had crowdfunded almost $415,000 on the platform GiveSendGo as of Monday morning. 

“Every Texan has the right to defend themselves when they reasonably fear for their life,” Howard said. “Self-defense is a protection that applies to each and every one of us. There are two sides to every story.”

“This is a tragedy all the way around for both families,” he added. “Rushing to judgment, trial by public perception, and trial by media is not how we ensure justice is done. We are confident that, after a full investigation, that the truth will come out.”

Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis said the case will be taken to a grand jury.

“The judge has made the call, and so what’s important is what’s next,” he said. “Frisco PD will be finishing up their investigation. They will submit the case to my office. We will review it and ultimately present it to a grand jury, and so that’s what’s next. That’s really much, pretty much all I can say right now. We do our, speaking as far as the facts go, in the courtroom.”

If convicted, Anthony cannot face the death penalty because he is a juvenile, thanks to a 2005 Supreme Court ruling in a case called Roper v. Simmons.

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“The Supreme Court has said not only can you not seek the death penalty against someone who committed a crime when they’re 17, you can’t even get them life without parole,” Willis said last week. “That would not be something we could do even if we wanted to.”

Metcalf was laid to rest Saturday.

“My son is gone, and he’ll never come home again,” Austin’s father, Jeff Metcalf, said Thursday on “America Reports.”

“Do not politicize this,” he added. “It’s not… this is a human being thing. This person made a bad choice and affected both his family and my family forever.”

“People ask me, how can you forgive this other person? I said I forgive the other person because the forgiveness is not for him. The forgiveness is for me so I can have peace,” he said. 

“His life is destroyed. My life is destroyed.”

The altercation unfolded under a tent at a track meet in Frisco. The arrest report from the incident said Anthony “grabbed his bag, opened it and reached inside it” and told Metcalf, “Touch me and see what happens.”

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In the next moment, a witness told police that Anthony “reached into his bag and the male took a knife out of the bag and stabbed Austin.”

The witness told the officer that Anthony deserted the scene following the stabbing. Metcalf died in his twin brother’s arms.

Anthony told the responding school resource officer, who cuffed him upon arrival at the scene, that he was protecting himself. The officer also noted blood on Anthony’s left middle finger. 

One officer at the scene referred to Anthony as the alleged suspect, and Anthony made a “spontaneous statement,” according to the report: “I’m not alleged, I did it.”

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Anthony also asked the officers if Metcalf was “going to be OK” and asked if what happened could be considered “self-defense,” the report said.

Fox News Digital reached out to Howard for comment.

DOGE uncovers massive VA contract — says it canceled it, saving millions

The Department of Veterans Affairs canceled an “unreasonably priced” $15.3 million contract in an effort to overhaul how the agency cares for its warfighters, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) said Monday. 

“Great work by the @DeptVetAffairs cancelling an unreasonably priced multi-year $15.3M services contract for ‘salary survey data and analysis,” a DOGE post on X states. 

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The contract cost the agency $3.9 million annually. 

It was replaced by a “market price” of $5,000, DOGE said, saving $11.1 million over the life of the agreement. 

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Earlier this month, DOGE said the VA was paying $380,000 per month for minor website modifications. The contract was renewed and the work was not being done by one internal VA software engineer spending 10 hours per week. 

In February, the VA announced that the dismissal of more than 1,000 employees would enable the agency to redirect more than $98 million annually in resources back to health care, benefits and services for VA beneficiaries.

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VA Secretary Doug Collins has defended DOGE cuts at the VA as part of the new administration’s efforts to reform the department and better serve veterans.

DOT saves taxpayers over $60M by terminating high-speed rail contract

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Monday that it will save American taxpayers over $60 million by ending a grant to help fund a high-speed rail project in Texas.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy made the announcement, saying an agreement between the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Amtrak to terminate the $63.9 million grant had been reached.

The grant was awarded to Amtrak under the Corridor Identification and Development Program for the Amtrak Texas High-Speed Rail Corridor, previously known as the Texas Central Railway project.

“I am pleased to announce that FRA and Amtrak are in agreement that underwriting this project is a waste of taxpayer funds and a distraction from Amtrak’s core mission of improving its existing subpar services,” Duffy said. “If the private sector believes this project is feasible, they should carry the pre-construction work forward, rather than relying on Amtrak and the American taxpayer to bail them out. My department will continue to look for every opportunity to save federal dollars and prioritize efficiencies.”

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The Texas Central Railway project was originally announced as a private venture, but its cost estimates increased dramatically, and the project became dependent on federal dollars and Amtrak for its development.

DOT said the capital cost for the project is believed to be more than $40 billion, adding that the price makes construction unrealistic. The cost also makes the project a risky venture for taxpayers.

Amtrak has struggled with operating deficits, though ridership has recovered since the pandemic.

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The main rail company in the U.S. has also experienced operational challenges, including the loss of its Horizon coach fleet to corrosion and delays in the Northeast Corridor.

FRA has made fixing Amtrak’s issues a top priority.

Amtrak, under the Biden administration, considered massive loans underwritten by the U.S. government, as well as grants, to be able to take on construction activities, DOT said.

Walking away from the Texas project allows Amtrak to focus on much-needed improvements to be more reliable to its riders, according to the DOT.

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“Connecting Dallas and Houston remains one of the more exciting opportunities for new passenger rail in the United States,” FRA Chief Counsel Kyle Fields said. “Today’s announcement reflects a recognition by Amtrak and FRA that federalizing the Texas Central Railway proposal is not the best use of taxpayer funding.”

Amtrak did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on the matter.

According to the DOT, the FRA will continue to seek out new rail projects.

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The $60 million saved by terminating the project will be reallocated for other projects that “support safe, efficient, and reliable rail transportation,” the DOT added.

Associated Press cries foul after WH reportedly blocks them out, despite judge’s order

The Associated Press accused the White House of violating a court order after it was once again banned from an Oval Office event.

On Monday, AP writer David Bauder reported that a reporter and photographer were barred from attending a news conference with President Donald Trump and El Salvador President Nayib Bukele.

This decision came despite U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden ruling last week that the White House had violated the Constitution by blocking the longtime publication’s access to press events.

“The Government offers no other plausible explanation for its treatment of the AP. The Constitution forbids viewpoint discrimination, even in a nonpublic forum like the Oval Office,” McFadden wrote in his order.

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McFadden ruled the White House must restore AP’s press access but delayed the order for one week to allow the White House a chance to appeal. According to Bauder’s article, the order was set to take effect on Monday.

The AP also reported that McFadden rejected the White House’s request to delay the order on Friday.

The White House quickly filed an appeal and set up a hearing with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. circuit for Thursday over whether AP’s access can still be restricted while the case is reviewed.

In the meantime, AP spokeswoman Lauren Easton said in a statement that she expects access to be restored.

“Our journalists were blocked from the Oval Office today. We expect the White House to restore AP’s participation in the (White House press) pool as of today, as provided in the injunction order,” she said.

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House and AP for further comment.

The controversy began after Trump signed an executive order renaming the “Gulf of Mexico” to the “Gulf of America” on his first day in office. The AP later issued style guidance for how the news outlet would refer to the body of water. 

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“The Gulf of Mexico has carried that name for more than 400 years. The Associated Press will refer to it by its original name while acknowledging the new name Trump has chosen. As a global news agency that disseminates news around the world, the AP must ensure that place names and geography are easily recognizable to all audiences,” the guidelines stated.

The White House then blocked AP from the Oval Office and Air Force One in February over its refusal to use the term “Gulf of America.”

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Case against man accused of death threats against Trump widens to include GOP rep

EXCLUSIVE: A man charged with making threats to murder President Donald Trump was also found to have threatened Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., a source with knowledge of the matter told Fox News Digital.

Mace’s office was informed by U.S. Capitol Police that Shawn Monper of Butler, Pennsylvania, made threats against her on social media in January, the source said.

The man allegedly wrote of Mace on YouTube, “If I ever see her unprotected in public I would live to be the one to put a bullet in her skull. What a disgusting peice [sic] of trash.”

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Mace appears to be the only member of Congress targeted by the suspect for now, the source told Fox News Digital.

It’s not immediately clear why Mace, an outspoken Trump ally, was threatened.

But it comes amid concerns about escalating threats against elected officials on both sides of the aisle.

Trump, who was subject to two failed assassination attempts during the 2024 election, was targeted by Monper in a series of threats on YouTube, according to a release by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

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The FBI “received an emergency disclosure regarding threats posted to YouTube by user ‘Mr Satan'” between Jan. 15 and April 5, according to the release.

Monper also got a firearms permit “shortly following” Trump’s inauguration, and posted in February under the aforementioned username, “I have bought several guns and been stocking up on ammo since Trump got in office,” the DOJ said.

Posts in March showed Monper threatening a mass shooting.

Further posts uncovered by federal authorities show him targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials and Elon Musk, the release showed.

The U.S. Secret Service was alerted to the suspect’s threats against Mace as well, the source told Fox News Digital.

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U.S. Capitol Police said it would not comment on potential investigations when reached for confirmation.

Mace confirmed the incident on Monday evening, telling Fox News Digital in a statement, “If you think attempting to assassinate elected officials makes you a hero, you’re not an activist. You’re a terrorist. And you should never see the light of day again.”

“This political violence is getting out of control, and silence is no longer an option.I won’t be intimidated. I won’t be silenced. We have a duty to call this evil out—loudly and publicly,” Mace said

Suspect accused of torching governor’s mansion displays strange antics before court

The suspect accused of setting fire to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s mansion over the weekend was out on bail when he allegedly committed the crime, Fox News has learned.

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, resident Cody Balmer, 38, made bail and was due in court later this week over a 2023 simple assault charge, according to court records. A source told Fox News that the case was related to a domestic dispute. 

Balmer was arraigned on Monday in connection with the arson attack, where he stuck his tongue out at reporters trying to ask him questions. Speaking to Judge Dale Klein, Balmer identified himself as a former welder who is not currently employed, and stated that he had no savings or income.

Balmer also said that he had no history of substance or alcohol abuse, and said that he had taken medication for mental health in the past, but that the pills “lead [him] to different types of behavior.” The judge later denied Balmer’s bail request on the grounds that his behavior endangered the community.

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Earlier on Monday, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) said that Balmer was “currently receiving treatment” at a hospital for a “medical event not connected to this incident or his arrest.”

The suspect was charged with attempted murder, aggravated arson, burglary, terrorism, and other related offenses after allegedly setting the fire at around 2 a.m. on Sunday morning.

Shapiro and his family celebrated the first night of the Jewish holiday of Passover shortly before the fire started, and were asleep at the time of the incident.

In a press conference on Sunday, PSP Lt. Col. George Bivens said that Balmer hopped fences and brought “homemade incendiary devices” to the governor’s mansion.

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“He actively evaded troopers who were here to secure the residence,” the official explained. “While [police] were searching is when he attacked at the residence, [and] broke in and set the fires…it was a very quick event that occurred.”

Shapiro denounced the attack on Sunday and expressed gratitude to the authorities who saved him and his family.

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“This kind of violence is becoming far too common in our society,” Shapiro said. “And I don’t give a damn if it’s coming from one particular side or the other, directed at one particular party or another, or one particular person or another. It is not okay and it has to stop. We have to be better than this.”

‘Harry Potter’ actor warned by doctors that he may never walk or speak again

Nick Moran, who portrayed Scabior in the “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” films, is recovering from a “life-threatening” diagnosis that caused him to undergo emergency spinal surgery. 

“Nick had surgery a little over a week and a half ago and is home walking, talking and making a full recovery,” a representative for the 55-year-old actor told People magazine.

“Nick will be back working on his next film shortly and is looking forward to being back at the studio, tending to his busy schedule. Nick would like to thank all of the well-wishers and assure them that he is well and appreciative of their support.”

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In a lengthy interview with The Daily Mail, Moran’s friend, Terry Stone, told the outlet that Moran’s girlfriend was the one to encourage him to seek medical help after the actor was experiencing neck pain. 

Stone said his friend was told he needed an “emergency operation because this is life-threatening.” 

“I spoke to one of his family members, and he damaged his neck somehow, and it’s affecting his spinal cord and some of the things that operate your speech and your legs,” Stone said. 

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“He’s recovering but [doctors] basically said [ahead of surgery] that he might never walk or talk again, which was traumatic. He’s not in the best of health, but when he came out of the operation I was like, ‘Thank, God,’ because I think he’d decided he’d rather not walk or talk than die.”

“They had to replace [bones in his neck] with artificial bone, it was micro-surgery and because there’s so many nerves around the neck and spine, this made the operation tricky with those awful chances of not being able to speak or walk again,” he added. 

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Stone said that while he’s recovering, Moran still has a long road ahead of him. 

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“He’s speaking now, which is a good sign, but he’s shuffling around like a 100-year-old and has a neck brace on and taking it easy,” he said.

A representative for Moran did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. 

‘Duck Dynasty’s’ Phil Robertson and Miss Kay back together in care facility

There is some good news for “Duck Dynasty” star Phil Robertson as he battles his Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

On the “Unashamed with the Robertson Family” podcast, sons Jase and Al Robertson shared that their father and mother, Phil and Miss Kay, have been reunited in a care facility.

“We now have Phil and Kay back together. It has been fantastic,” Jase said in the April 11 episode.

While Phil has been in “professional care” as Jase put it in a previous episode, Miss Kay is recovering in the hospital from an infection following a cut she got from a fall. 

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“My dad’s not doing great overall, and my mom is not doing great physically,” Jase said. “She has to have pretty much 24/7 professional healthcare, but my dad, it’s like, ‘You’re helping her morale.’ She’s helping his morale.”

Al added, “He’s been so much calmer since she came back.”

Jase explained that family and friends have been visiting, with Miss Kay’s visitors dubbed “Kay’s Kingdom” and Phil having his own respective “kingdom” of visitors.

“They’re in a facility where there are other people, but they have their own little private room. It’s great. And so, they’re helping each other, so that’s been positive,” Jase said. 

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He added that with a large extended family and network, “the challenge has been, we have so many people coming up there, we’re being disruptive. We’ll have to address that later.”

Jill Dasher, wife of Robertson cousin Zach Dasher, was on the podcast as well, and shared a funny story about Phil recognizing the fact that his wife of almost 60 years hasn’t been able to have her hair dyed, asking, “What’s Kay got going on [with] that half-devil hair?”

Jase confirmed Phil notices Miss Kay’s typically dark hair looks different, and that they bicker a little like old times.

Earlier this month on the podcast, Jase, Al and Zach shared the “blunt truth” that Phil is not doing well.

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“We’re making him comfortable, and we’re doing the best we can. I think that’s just what you do,” Jase said.

He first shared the downturn in his father’s health in December, saying on the podcast that Phil has the “early stages of Alzheimer’s.”

“It’s like accelerated, and it’s causing problems with his entire body. And he has early stages of Alzheimer’s. So, if you put those things together, he’s really not doing well. He’s struggling,” Jase said at the time. 

Willie Robertson, Phil’s son, also spoke with Fox News Digital by phone at the time and clarified that Phil is “battling a lot of different things right now.”

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“He’s got a blood disorder, and then he’s got the mental issues that could be early [on-set] Alzheimer’s… and probably some mini-strokes because of his blood,” Willie explained. “And so, it could be some stroke stuff happening, that has happened. So, we’re still checking on all that. But then he also has a back issue. He’s fractured his back and that’s where the pain’s at. So, he’s kind of battling many different things at the same time.”