Trump makes major move in House Oversight Committee’s Biden cover-up probe
FIRST ON FOX: President Donald Trump’s White House is waiving executive privilege for a key member of former President Joe Biden’s inner circle, Fox News Digital has learned.
Former White House physician Kevin O’Connor was set to testify this week in House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer’s probe into allegations that Biden’s senior aides covered up his mental and physical decline while president.
“In light of the unique and extraordinary nature of the matters under investigation, President Trump has determined that an assertion of executive privilege is not in the national interest, and therefore is not justified, with respect to particular subjects within the purview of the House Oversight Committee,” a letter to O’Connor sent by the White House, obtained by Fox News Digital by a source familiar, said.
“These subjects include your assessment of former President Biden’s fitness for the office of the president and your financial relationship with the Biden family.”
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When reached for comment, an attorney for O’Connor confirmed receipt of the letter from the White House Counsel’s Office.
Comer subpoenaed O’Connor last week after the physician refused to appear voluntarily for a transcribed interview with House investigators.
O’Connor’s lawyers petitioned for a delay over the weekend, however, calling the scope of the probe “unprecedented.”
“We are unaware of any prior occasion on which a Congressional Committee has subpoenaed a physician to testify about the treatment of an individual patient,” O’Connor’s legal team wrote. “And the notion that a Congressional Committee would do so without any regard whatsoever for the confidentiality of the physician-patient relationship is alarming.”
A House Oversight Committee spokeswoman called their letter a “delay tactic to stonewall the Oversight Committee’s investigation.”
The deposition date has not been changed, and O’Connor could risk defying a congressional subpoena if he does not appear.
The Tuesday letter from the White House counsel’s office read, “The extraordinary events in this matter constitute exceptional circumstances warranting an accommodation to Congress. Evidence that aides to former President Biden concealed information regarding his fitness to exercise the powers of the President — and may have unconstitutionally exercised those powers themselves to aid in their concealment — implicates both Congress’ constitutional and legislative powers.”
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“After balancing the Legislative and Executive Branch interests, as required under the accommodation process, it is the President’s view that this presents and exceptional situation in which the congressional need for information outweighs the Executive Branch’s interest in maintaining confidentiality, especially given the Executive Branch’s own interest in determining the validity of prior executive actions,” the letter said.
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Former top Biden aides and the ex-president’s current allies have insisted there was no cover-up in the Democratic White House. But Biden’s disastrous June 2024 debate performance followed by his stunning exit from the presidential race raised questions about the octogenarian’s fitness for office.
Comer has summoned a number of former top Biden aides for closed-door interviews, including O’Connor, former Chief of Staff Ronald Klain, and former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
Former staff secretary Neera Tanden appeared for a transcribed interview last month.
Texas man breaks down as he recounts the screams of kids he couldn’t rescue in flood
Texas resident Bud Bolton called on the Guadalupe River Authority to step up and put a system in place that alerts people of rising waters, as he now lives with the sounds of screaming children who could not be rescued in time during catastrophic floods in the Hill Country region over the weekend.
FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray spoke with Bud Bolton, who survived the flooding, though several of his friends lost family members as a result of the devastation.
He said there is a stretch of about 75 to 80 homes that “wadded up” along a 300-to-400-yard stretch along the river as a result of the flood waters.
TEXAS SUMMER CAMP EVACUATED 70 STAYING NEAR RIVER AHEAD OF FLOODING: ‘SAW IT COMING’
As devastating as that may sound, he also recalled the horror of not being able to rescue children in trouble.
“It’s just all those screaming kids we had to listen to that we couldn’t get to and couldn’t save them,” Bolton said. “And water rose, what, 28 feet in 45 minutes, and not much you can do.”
Bolton also said he knows about 27 people, maybe not personally, who are missing. He also said about seven or eight of his personal friends said they lost family members.
“It just goes on and on, and so, we’ll stay down here from dark to daylight, just doing what we do,” he said.
TEXAS MOTHER PRAISES BRAVE CAMP COUNSELORS WHO SAVED HER SONS FROM ‘ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATING’ FLOODS
He thanked the Lord for support from people showing up and helping with rescue and recovery efforts for such a major disaster.
Bolton called on officials to take action and install systems to prevent the loss of life when waters rise up so quickly, noting, “this ain’t their first rodeo.”
“They know what this river does, they know what it’s capable of. It should have been handled,” Bolton said. “There’s a lot of failures, a lot failures with Guadalupe River Authority. All the way to headwaters, to city officials, the whole nine yards.”
“What does it take to put a couple of towers down through there?” he asked. “Spread them out a mile and put some megaphones on top of them. Start alerting these people.”
A Kerrville, Texas man who was camping near the Guadalupe River when waters began to rise, though he was able to escape to safety before flood waters reached dangerous levels.
Dion McGee shared his story with Fox News, saying, “We’re powerless compared to Mother Nature.”
McGee described the night, saying weather systems were building over him that included thunder and “intense rain.”
“I started getting the feeling that this river wasn’t gonna be able to take much more of it,” he said, sharing that he quickly left and went back up the hill.
TEXAS MOTHER PRAISES BRAVE CAMP COUNSELORS WHO SAVED HER SONS FROM ‘ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATING’ FLOODS
When he woke up in the morning, McGee went to the top of a parking garage.
McGee said it all came down to choices, and he explained that he could have made the wrong decision by trying to prove something to himself or by trying to have fun.
“If I were to decide to stay here and didn’t pay attention to my surroundings and just what was going on, then yes, I would’ve been a statistic,” he said. “The ‘what if’ is definitely there.”
Having survived the catastrophic flood, he called for better preparation ahead of storms and learning from mistakes that led to over 100 deaths.
“We’re at the mercy of this sky here and we’re powerless compared to Mother Nature,” McGee said. “So, yep, definitely keeping God in mind and the great power God has.”
Parts of New Mexico
were placed under a Flash Flood Emergency on Tuesday night as the Texas Hill Country region continues to recover and search for over 160 people who went missing during catastrophic flooding over the Fourth of July weekend.
FOX Weather reported that heavy rains returned to Ruidoso, New Mexico, which is an area still recovering from the South Fork Fire.
Reports of damage indicate floodwaters reached homes, while several roads in Ruidoso were covered with water.
TEXAS RV PARK OWNER BANGED ON DOORS AS WATER ROSE, FAMILY WAS SWEPT AWAY
Emergency crews have responded to the scene and have been conducting water rescues across the city as the Rio Ruidoso reached over 20 feet. The major flood stage of the river begins at 15 feet, according to the National Weather Service (NWS), and if the levels have reached 20 feet, it would be a record crest.
NWS Albuquerque posted photos showing the Rio Ruidoso’s rapid rise in one of Ruidoso’s neighborhoods as a flood wave made its way through the river.
“A DANGEROUS situation is unfolding in RUIDOSO!” NWS Albuquerque posted on X. “A FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY remains in effect! Seek HIGHER GROUND NOW! Do NOT attempt to drive through the floodwaters. The current will carry away your vehicle!”
In another post, the NWS said, “Another 30 minutes later and it’s hard to tell where the riverbed is. The river is now in major flood stage at over 15 feet. Stay away from the river! Seek higher ground NOW!”
Inspectors with the Texas Department of State Health Services signed off on Camp Mystic’s emergency plan two days before flood waters ravaged the area and killed over two dozen people at the all-girls summer camp.
The Department of State Health Services released five years of records on Tuesday that showed how Camp Mystic complied with state regulations regarding “procedures to be implemented in case of disaster.”
Among the records are regulations that campers must be instructed on what to do if they need to evacuate the camp while also assigning staff members and counselors specific duties.
CAMP FLOODING PUTS PARENTS ON EDGE AS TRAGEDY SHOWS DANGER OF SENDING KIDS AWAY FOR SUMMER
However, the reports do not have details about the camp’s plans, which raises questions about whether the camp was prepared ahead of the Fourth of July weekend flood in the Texas Hill Country region.
The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for the region just before 1:20 p.m. on July 3, prompting at least one of the nearly 20 camps along the Guadalupe River to relocate its campers to higher ground.
Camp Mistic was hit hard when the river rose from 14 feet to 29.5 feet within an hour during the early morning hours.
State inspectors conducted an inspection at the camp on July 2, which was the same day the Texas Division of Emergency Management activated emergency response resources to the region in anticipation of flooding.
Inspectors did not find any deficiencies or violations at the camp as it went through its list of health and safety criteria.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
On a pitch-black night, locals just five miles upriver from Camp Mystic in
Hunt, Texas watched the ominous approach of a deadly flood wall, illuminated only by flashes of lightning, as it surged toward the all-girls Christian camp.
More than 100 people lost their lives and nearly twice as many others went missing in the Hill Country surge that struck in the early hours of July Fourth. Camp Mystic confirmed 27 fatalities among its campers and counselors, as of Tuesday.
TEXAS FLOOD SURVIVORS SHARE HARROWING STORIES, SEARCH CONTINUES FOR THOSE STILL MISSING
33-year-old Shelby Willis told Fox News Digital she was visiting her in-laws’ home on the Guadalupe River in Hunt, situated on one of the higher points on the South Fork.
Read more about what Willis encountered.
This is an excerpt from a story by Fox News Digital’s Alexandra Koch.
Joyce Catherine Badon, a 21-year-old senior at the Savannah College of Art and Design, died in the catastrophic floods that struck the Hill Country region of Texas over the weekend.
The Associated Press reported that the school sent an email to the college community about the Beaumont, Texas resident’s death.
“A beloved daughter, friend, and classmate, Joyce was passionate about using her artistry and talent to impact the world, and had recently helped redesign donation centers for Goodwill,” the school said.
TEXAS FLOODING VICTIMS INCLUDE DALLAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL SISTERS, CAMP COUNSELOR, WALMART EMPLOYEE
Kellye Badon posted on Facebook on July 4 that her daughter was staying in a home on a hill along the river in Hunt, Texas with three friends.
“At 4am this morning, a flash flood came through and washed their cars away. It happened so quickly with so much water, they could not get in the attic,” Kellye Badon posted.
She said one of her daughter’s friends called his parents as it happened when the friend and two others were washed away.
Kelly Badon also said her daughter was the last person heard from on the call before the phone went dead.
On Monday, Kellye Badon provided an update on Facebook.
“We found our lovely daughter who blessed us for 21 years,” she wrote. “We pray to be able to find her three friends soon. Thanks to EVERYONE for the prayers and support. God is good!”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
State Rep. Wesley Virdell, R-Texas, said additional technology needs to be incorporated in the Texas Hill Country Region to provide alerts to people about rising waters like those that devastated the area over the weekend.
John Roberts, the co-host of Fox News’ “America Reports” spoke with Virdell about rescue and recovery operations in the region on Tuesday.
Virdell, who was in Kerrville, said he drove about a hundred miles to get to that part of his district to help first responders.
He said crews are going through debris with the help of cadaver dogs to help find bodies of missing people. According to Gov. Greg Abbott, there are 161 people missing in the area.
TEXAS RV PARK OWNER BANGED ON DOORS AS WATER ROSE, FAMILY WAS SWEPT AWAY
When asked if he had ever seen anything like the flooding that happened over the Fourth of July weekend, Virdell said there was another big flash flood in 2018 in Junction that swept away a lot of RVs, which resulted in the loss of life.
“This one is the biggest ones I’ve ever seen,” he said. “If you’re on the ground, it’s unreal to see how much damage is there.”
Roberts told Virdell that Texas Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick said on the show on Monday that he thought flood sirens may have helped get people to higher ground in time to save a lot of lives. But he also said there are not any sirens down in the Guadalupe River Valley and he is working to make sure some are installed before next summer.
When asked if he thought sirens would help, Virdell told Roberts that if you are camping and a siren is nearby, it will probably work. But in other situations, the sirens may not be effective.
He explained that there is a siren about 200 yards from his house, and from inside the house, he and his family cannot hear the siren. From outside, though, they can hear the siren.
“I think that there needs to be other technology we look at,” Virdell said, pointing to satellite internet provider Star Link and some kind of alert system inside of cabins. “That would make a lot of sense. So, sirens, while they have their place, I think there’s other stuff to bring in also.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said 161 people are still missing in Kerr County after catastrophic floods devastated the Texas Hill Country Region.
Abbott provided the latest numbers on Tuesday afternoon, when he said there are 94 fatalities associated with the flooding in Kerr County.
Separate from the 94 fatalities, there are an additional 15 in other parts of Texas, Abbott said, making the total number of fatalities 109.
CHRISTIAN GIRLS SUMMER CAMP DEVASTATED BY FLOODS HOLDS DECADES-LONG HISTORY WITH PRESIDENTS, TEXAS POLITICOS
“To put this into perspective…there are far more fatalities than there were in Hurricane Harvey. That’s how catastrophic this is,” Abbott said.
Hurricane Harvey slammed into Texas in 2017 and resulted in 68 fatalities.
The governor also said there are still five campers and one counselor missing from Camp Mystic, as well as another child not associated with the camp.
In Kerry County alone, Abbott continued, there are 161 who are known to be missing, according to information from combined law enforcement agencies.
“We will not stop until every missing person is accounted for,” the governor said.
He called on anyone who suspects they have a friend or family member missing as a result of the floods to call 830-258-111 or email kerrvillemissing@dps.texas.gov.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declared a public health emergency for the State of Texas on Tuesday to ensure those affected by the catastrophic flooding in the Hill Country region have immediate access to critical health care resources.
“This emergency declaration allows health care providers from across the country to step in quickly and support survivors and their families without delay,” Kennedy said in a post on X on Tuesday.
TEXAS FLOOD SURVIVORS SHARE HARROWING STORIES, SEARCH CONTINUES FOR THOSE STILL MISSING
He assured Texans that he has had regular conversations with Gov. Greg Abbott, and said his heart is with everyone affected by the “devastating tragedy.”
“To those who have lost loved ones, and to the communities facing unimaginable loss and destruction—you are not alone,” Kennedy said. “We are committed to bringing every available resource to help you recover and heal.”
The parents of a Camp Mystic camper confirmed their 10-year-old daughter died in the floods that devastated Kerr County, Texas over the Fourth of July weekend.
“It’s with shattered hearts that we share the devastating news that our beloved daughter, Greta Katherine Toranzo, lost her life in the July Fourth flood in Kerr County,” Ellen and Jorge Toranzo said in a statement. “Greta was thrilled to return to Camp Mystic for a third summer this year. She was overjoyed to be reunited with her camp friends for weeks of fun, laughter, sports, and sisterhood.
“Whether at home, at school, in the pool, or on the tennis court, Greta radiated joy. She was kind, creative, and full of love and also brave, athletic, and determined,” her parents continued. “She was a caring big sister to her little brother, Oliver, and a friend to so many at Sinclair Elementary, the Timbergrove Sports Association, and the Briar Club.
CAMP FLOODING PUTS PARENTS ON EDGE AS TRAGEDY SHOWS DANGER OF SENDING KIDS AWAY FOR SUMMER
“Our hearts are broken beyond words. We miss her bright spirit, her sweet smile, and her endlessly loving heart,” they added. “We’re deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, support, and prayers from friends, family, and our community. We want to thank the first responders, search and rescue teams, and volunteers who worked tirelessly with urgency and compassion during the flood. Their bravery and care will never be forgotten.”
The Toranzos asked for privacy as they grieve the “unimaginable loss” of Greta.
The Houston Chronicle reported that Greta was a 10-year-old Houston ISD student.
Fox News Digital’s Alexandra Koch contributed to this report.
The father of two 8-year-old twin girls who died in flash flooding at Camp Mystic in Texas told Fox News his daughters shared a bond that only twins could understand.
John Lawrence’s daughters, Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence, were among the victims of the Camp Mystic flash flood tragedy that struck the Hill Country region of Texas over the weekend.
Lawrence shared some of his fondest memories about his daughters with Fox News on Tuesday, describing two very different girls with a bond like no other.
TEXAS MOTHER PRAISES BRAVE CAMP COUNSELORS WHO SAVED HER SONS FROM ‘ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATING’ FLOODS
“Hanna and Rebecca shared a bond that only twins could understand. They were so different, but had the sweetest friendship,” he said. “They both loved books, and could stay up all night reading to each other. And they could spend hours playing make believe games with each playing multiple starring roles. They both looked up to and wanted to be just like their big sister Harper.
“Hanna had endless energy and imagination and could always be found building, drawing, and creating,” Lawrence continued. “She would make new friends wherever she went, as soon as she got there. She loved to push buttons and boundaries, but had a talent for doing it in a way where you could not help but smile. She wanted to be a chef when she grew up so she could open a restaurant that would feed people in need for free.”
“Rebecca loved to snuggle and was always up for a family movie night. She loved her sisters and friends but was also independent and happy doing her own thing. Her laugh was infectious, and no one could make her laugh as much or as hard as Hanna did,” the father noted. “She loved all animals, whether real or plush. She had her own clear sense of fashion and always knew the exact look she wanted. She was sweet and kind, but had a killer eye-roll. She wanted to be a teacher when she grew up.”
Ultimately, he described his twin daughters as “happy girls.”
Fox News’ Brooke Taylor contributed to this report.
The Odessa Police Department in Texas confirmed that one of their own died in the horrific floods that devastated the Hill Country region over the weekend.
On Saturday, police said Officer Bailey Martin and some of his family members took a trip to the Guadalupe River near Kerrville to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday.
Martin was one of several people who was still missing at the time.
On Tuesday, the department confirmed that Martin’s body had been found and that the next of kin was notified on Monday night.
A member of the Odessa Police Department is reportedly on location and working to have Martin’s body returned to his family in Odessa.
“Honor Guard members and officers who were close to Bailey will stand watch over the casket until he is released and will then escort him home,” the department said in a social media post. “We kindly ask that you respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time, as they have not only lost Bailey but also several other family members.
“Our prayers go out to them and to everyone affected by this devastating natural disaster,” the department added. “At this time, all OPD officers are wearing mourning bands over their badges and all flags in front of OPD have been lowered to half-staff. The Odessa Police Department would like to encourage the citizens of Odessa to replace their porch lights with blue bulbs for the rest of the week in remembrance of Bailey.”
Pastor Justin Carpenter from Cross Kingdom Church in Kerrville told ‘The Story’ on Tuesday that “It has been amazing to see the way this community has rallied together in this time of crisis.”
“I woke up in the morning on the Fourth of July to several missed calls and I had just done a funeral for a young 12-year-old girl within our community a week before and my heart sunk and I started to return calls only to find out that this devastation had come through in the night,” he said, recalling the moments he first learned about the flooding in central Texas.
“We hit the ground running. Friday afternoon at 2:30 we had the church open and started taking donations,” Carpenter added. “We are at capacity for physical donations at the moment, thankfully.”
President Donald Trump told his Cabinet Tuesday that “I don’t want anyone to focus on us” when he and First Lady Melania Trump visit flood-ravaged central Texas later this week.
“I’ll be going down on Friday with the First Lady – we will be taking a trip, and we don’t want to get in anyone’s way because, you know, it’s what happens. The president goes and everyone’s around focused — I don’t want anyone to focus on us,” Trump said.
“But it’s possible they could have somebody saved still, you know, a lot of areas, it’s a big area. And, you know, it’s probably unlikely at this point, but there could be. They’re thinking there could be the possibility, but what a tragic situation,” the president added in reference to the search for survivors.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Tuesday that she had broken down inside a cabin at Camp Mystic in Texas while touring the facility over the weekend in the wake of the devastating flooding.
“I had walked through the cabin where all the little girls died,” Noem said during a Cabinet meeting. “And I had kind of fallen apart in there, but I walked out of the cabin and a gentleman was standing there, and he said ‘that man over there needs a hug.’ And so I walked over to him and I hugged him, and I said, ‘do you work here?’ And he said ‘no, my little girl was in that cabin.’ And he said ‘and I just found her best friend about an hour and a half ago, she had passed away.’ And he just fell apart. And so then we just, hugged and talked for probably an hour about that.”
“There was a dad there of one of the counselors. The counselor was alive, but she was dealing with the fact that she had hung on to some of these girls and was trying to keep them out of the floodwaters, and had gotten hit by something and had lost two of the girls and wasn’t able to hang on to them and was going to live the rest of her life, thinking about that moment when she wasn’t able to hang on to these girls,” Noem told President Donald Trump.
“These parents were picking up their kids’ belongings out of the mud and throughout the camp and putting them in bags,” Noem also said. “And then one of the dads said, ‘I knew 50 of these girls here, so I knew that was her dress, my daughter’s friends dress.’ So he was picking it up and putting it in a bag to return to her parents.”
Noem said during the meeting that “We’re still looking for a lot of little girls and, other family members that were camping along that river” and “they will continue until they find every single person.”
Blakely McCrory, an 8-year-old camper who vanished from Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, over the weekend, has been found deceased, her family told Fox News.
“We are exceedingly grateful for each and every one of the thoughts, prayers, and well-wishes that have been sent our way in the past few days,” Blakely’s mother Lindsey McLeod McCrory said. “While we hoped for a miracle, it has been confirmed that Blakely’s life was lost on the Guadalupe that early morning, along with so many others.”
“And, while we find some comfort in the knowledge that Blakely is happy, safe, and secure in the arms of Jesus, we are beyond shattered and will miss her with every breath we take for the rest of our lives. Eight years on this earth is far too short a stay. Still, we know that Blakely was light and life, and she brightened the day of everyone fortunate enough to cross her path,” she added.
“Our little corner of the world is a better and brighter place because Blakely was here. Although we must mourn her absence, we will choose to celebrate her life,” she also said.
Lindsey McLeod McCrory said her family’s “Deepest thanks go to all the first responders, many of whom remained on station for days at a time, without sleep, sustenance, or comfort.
“You brought Blakely home, and for that, we will always be grateful. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the many other families who have suffered unimaginable loss and trauma in this tragic event. May we all find strength in each other,” she said.
Fox News’ Ashley Papa contributed to this report.
The death toll from the flooding in central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend has reached 109, according to the latest numbers from officials.
Deaths have been reported in six Texas counties – Kerr, Burnet, Travis, Kendall, Williamson and Tom Green, FOX Weather reported.
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said Tuesday that “As of 8 a.m. central time, 87 deceased have been recovered in Kerr County, including 56 adults and 30 children.
“Identification is pending for 19 adults and seven children, with one additional person still unidentified. At present, five Camp Mystic campers and one counselor still remain unaccounted for,” he added.
FOX Weather’s Steven Yablonski contributed to this report.
Officials in central Texas appeared to deflect answering questions Tuesday surrounding the warnings that were issued ahead of the catastrophic flooding of the Guadalupe River over the Fourth of July weekend.
Tensions escalated at a press conference after one reporter asked if officials could outline “the specific actions and discussions were that local officials took between 1:14 a.m. — that is when the first flood emergency alert came out – and hours later” when the river was flooding.
“What I can tell you, when I was first notified, it was around the 4 to 5 area, one of my sergeants was in dispatch when the first calls started coming in. The actual 911 calls come in,” Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said in response. “But prior to that, in that 3 to 4 area, my understanding is — we’re in the process of trying to put a timeline, you know, that’s going to take a little bit of time. As I’ve told you several times, that is not my priority this time. There’s three priorities. That’s locating the people out there, identifying and notifying the next of kin. That is what I’m taking as my job as sheriff here to do. Okay?”
“With all due respect sir, I think that the community here is asking these questions. What happened, when did it happen, was the emergency manager awake at the time? Did they push the button to issue an emergency alert?” another reporter then asked.
“Sir, it’s not that easy and just push a button. Okay. There’s a lot more to that,” Leitha said.
“So did it happen?” the reporter then asked.
“I can’t tell you at this time,” Leitha said.
“So you can’t tell me if the emergency manager of the county actually issued an emergency alert?” the reporter said.
“We understand you have many questions. But right now, this team up here is focused on bringing people home,” Texas Game Warden Ben Baker later said, before a reporter added “it seems like you are ducking.”
The Austin Firefighters Association said it is holding a no confidence vote against Fire Chief Joel Baker, claiming he delayed the deployment of firefighters to assist in flood relief efforts in Kerrville.
“It brings the Austin Firefighters no pleasure to report to the community that the Austin Fire Chief DENIED the deployment of Austin firefighters to Kerrville until very late into the event (so today!), with the exception of only 3 AFD rescue swimmers who helped staff helo teams (which still were NOT deployed until the afternoon of the 4th),” the organization wrote on Instagram on Monday.
“The Austin Firefighter Special Operations teams are specially trained for Hill Country swift water rescue and are some of the best, if not the best, swift water boat teams in the State of Texas,” it added.” It is absolutely outrageous that the Austin Fire Chief, Joel G. Baker, would not allow highly trained firefighters from Austin to respond to Kerrville. Because of this egregious dereliction of duty, LIVES WERE VERY LIKELY LOST BECAUSE OF CHIEF BAKER’S DECISION!”
The Austin Fire Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital on Tuesday.
In an interview with KXAN,
Baker said he was aware of three requests for deployment on the Fourth of July as floods were ravaging central Texas: one for an assistant chief who chose not to head there, another for a dispatcher which was denied and a third for rescue swimmers, which were sent over.
“It’s important that we are able to function and maintain a certain level of readiness in the city of Austin. Now, to keep in mind — again — I was not sure how much of the weather would impact my city — the city of Austin. I need to make sure that I have an adequate amount of resources within the city so I can respond for my mutual aid calls and my automatic aid calls around the city of Austin,” Baker told the station.
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said Tuesday that “As of 8 a.m. central time, 87 deceased have been recovered in Kerr County, including 56 adults and 30 children.
“Identification is pending for 19 adults and seven children, with one additional person still unidentified. At present, five Camp Mystic campers and one counselor still remain unaccounted for,” he added.
“We ask private boats to stay off the Guadalupe River to allow search and rescue teams to operate without any interference,” Leitha also said.
“We’ve searched 26 river miles since the tragic event had started. We’ve had approximately 444 rescues. Thirty recoveries. Some of our resources and assets we have dedicated to this tragic event include two helicopters with hoist teams, 12 drone teams, ten K-9 units, nine swiftwater boat crews, 15 airboats, 16 UTVs and 169 4-wheel drive vehicles,” Texas Game Warden Ben Baker told reporters during a press conference.
The owner of a Texas Hill Country RV park and restaurant is recounting her experience of flooding that left more than 100 people dead.
Lorena Guillen, who owns Blue Oak RV Park and Howdy’s Bar and Grill in Kerrville, said the rain started to come down around 1 a.m. By 2:30 a.m., she “went to check the water levels of the river.” At that point, she said, it looked “fine.” She called the sheriff’s office, which had no information at that point, so she went to sleep – only to be awoken between 3:30 and 4 a.m. by “lights of the rescuers.”
“It was so fast,” Guillen told Fox News Digital. “It was so crazy, and I was going from RV to RV, banging on doors, getting everybody out.”
“One of my residents had called 911 because they could hear people screaming,” she recalled. “But this is the middle of the night, it’s pitch black.”
“My husband got down all the way down to his waist in water just trying to rescue the people, and he was asking the guy ‘please throw me your baby’ and few seconds later, they got swept away,” she continued.
Fox News Digital’s Rachel Wolf contributed to this report.
Major corporations are stepping up support for disaster relief efforts after flash floods wreaked havoc across several central Texas communities over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, killing at least 104.
The Home Depot Foundation, Home Depot’s philanthropic arm, pledged $250,000 to support disaster relief efforts in communities affected by the flooding. It is also working alongside its long-standing nonprofit partners, including World Central Kitchen, Convoy of Hope, Operation Blessing and Team Rubicon, to deliver critical relief supplies and meals to affected communities, the foundation said.
Home Depot’s employee volunteer force, known as Team Depot, is also identifying donations needed to support cleanup and other recovery efforts in partnership with local organizations that have boots on the ground, the foundation said.
Walmart is also pledging $500,000 to support disaster relief, including $250,000 in direct donations. The company will also match up to $250,000 in additional customer and member donations, that can soon be made online or in-stores and clubs in Texas.
P&G told FOX Business that it has already deployed its disaster response team, which includes the Tide Loads of Hope Mobile Laundry Unit, as well as mobile shower and restroom facilities. The team will also distribute essential relief supplies to affected areas.
Airbnb.org announced that it is providing free, emergency housing to people impacted by flooding in central Texas. The nonprofit, a separate entity from Airbnb Inc., works to provide free or discounted temporary housing to people in times of crisis.
Texas Rep. August Pfluger told “America’s Newsroom” on Tuesday that more than 100 children at Camp Mystic took refuge on the second floor of a building to escape the rising floodwaters over the Fourth of July weekend.
Pfluger, speaking after being reunited with his two daughters who were evacuated from the camp in Hunt, Texas, said many of the young girls there couldn’t sleep in the early morning of the Fourth of July “because the storm was that intense.”
“Everybody talked about the lightning and the thunder being so intense, and they could see that the water was rising. But it rose so quickly that as they were evacuated out to what they call ‘Rec Hall,’ which, has been mentioned as an 80-year-old plus building. They got into Rec Hall, they walked through almost knee-deep water to get there,” he said.
“And as the cabins were being alerted, that water was rising so quickly that within ten minutes they had gone up to the second floor of Rec Hall, which, by the way, is not a very sturdy place,” Pfluger added. “The campers are not generally allowed to be up there. So you had 100 plus children that were up there watching this water rise almost to the second floor, and seeing the water, you know, continue to come up in a way that it’s just — it’s unimaginable.”
Pfluger said “We got notification, early, really through a network of moms, that there had been pretty severe flooding.
“Nobody really knew, the severity of what that meant, because, you know, the damage that we’ve seen, it’s unimaginable. It happened so quickly. But as those text messages started happening, there was very little contact because power was out at the camp. I mean this wall of water literally destroyed everything in its path. So, the communication came very slowly,” he continued.
“Many families across Texas are grieving, we are continuing to pray for those who have lost their daughters and those who are still searching for their daughters,” Pfluger also said.
The National Weather Service said Tuesday that “isolated to scattered afternoon and early evening showers and storms are forecast across the Coastal Plains, I-35 corridor, and eastern Hill Country” in Texas.
“Isolated pockets of heavy rainfall are possible,” its Austin/San Antonio office said. “Chances of rain will decrease gradually Tuesday. Drier and warmer conditions are forecast Wednesday through the weekend.”
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said Tuesday that “Almost every house on our street in Houston has a green ribbon tied around the trees, to remember the precious girls lost at Mystic.”
The private Christian summer camp in Hunt, Texas, said Monday that it “is grieving the loss of 27 campers and counselors following the catastrophic flooding on the Guadalupe river.”
“Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly,” it added. “We have been in communication with local and state authorities who are tirelessly deploying extensive resources to search for our missing girls.”
Ten campers and one counselor remain missing from Camp Mystic as of Tuesday morning.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is warning scammers they will “face the full force of the law” if they try to take advantage of victims reeling from the devastating flooding.
“There are no words for how wrong it is that morally bankrupt people are trying to take advantage of Texans by using this tragedy to scam them,” he said in a statement.
“The Office of the Attorney General would like to caution everyone in any area affected by storms and flooding to be extremely careful with people offering to help you rebuild or reconstruct,” Paxton’s office said Monday.
“Scams involving contractors failing to perform work they were paid to do are not uncommon following such tragic disasters,” it added. “Flood victims are reminded to be wary of contractors from out of the area, don’t rush into signing a contract, ask for references, and check with the Better Business Bureau to ensure they’re working with a trustworthy business.”
Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice told reporters Monday that some victims’ families are being contacted by scammers who are “saying that they have their kids, pay me money.”
“It’s heartbreaking. It’s absolutely heartbreaking,” he added.
Gracie Hunt, the daughter of Kansas City Chiefs owners Clark and Tavia Hunt, mourned the loss of a 9-year-old relative who died in the devastating Texas floods over the weekend.
Janie Hunt was one of the dozens of children at Camp Mystic who died in the floods. She was just 9 years old. Gracie Hunt posted a heartbreaking message on Instagram as devastating news continued to pour out of the county where Camp Mystic was.
“Some days, it’s hard to understand how the world can hold both so much beauty and so much pain. How can the same God who created the stars and set the planets in motion allow such deep suffering? The truth is, we live in a broken world – one that groans for redemption,” she wrote citing a passage from Romans. “But Scripture promises that one day, Christ will make all things new – a new heaven and a new earth (2 Peter 3:13).
“My heart aches for our extended family and friends who lost daughters – for every life lost and every family shattered by the floods in Texas. I don’t have easy answers, but I do know this: following Jesus doesn’t spare us from pain – but it means we never face it alone.
“Even in the darkest valleys, we hold on to the hope that this is not the end of the story.”
The head of a nonprofit assisting in the search for survivors of the central Texas flooding told “Fox & Friends First” on Tuesday that no rock is being left unturned.
“At the end, it’s all about hope. That is the last thing we lose and that is why we are here,” Project Dynamo President and CEO Mario Duarte said. “Here we are still hoping for miracles, but we also understand that we are getting close to that phase that is going to be probably the hardest, which is recovery and also accepting what we have lost, the people we have lost and the mourning. But in the end in comes with faith also that we will have to rebuild and we will rebuild stronger.”
Project Dynamo describes itself as a nonprofit “dedicated to rescue, aid, and assistance in crisis zones around the world.
Duarte said its members are checking debris along the banks of the Guadalupe River from Center Point to Kerrville.
“We found this little doll, rag doll completely destroyed close to where we found some of the bodies,” Duarte said.
“Our military veterans with Project Dynamo, we are all infantryman, former special forces, former rangers, we are bringing military precision to humanitarian assistance. It doesn’t matter how difficult it is, we are just going along and making sure that we don’t leave a rock unturned. If there is anyone alive, we are still trying to find them,” he added.
Officials in Kerr County, Texas said a “drone operating in restricted airspace collided with a helicopter involved in emergency operations in Kerr County.
“The helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing, and a critical piece of response equipment is now out of service until further notice,” the county said in a Facebook post on Monday night.
“This was entirely preventable. Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) are not suggestions. They are federal airspace rules designed to protect lives during emergency situations,” the county also said. “When you fly a drone in restricted areas, you’re not just breaking the law — you’re putting first responders, emergency crews, and the public at serious risk.”
The Kerrville Police Department warned the public Monday against traveling to central Texas to look at flood damage, saying that “sightseers” are getting in the way of first responders.
“Our first responders were hampered by heavy traffic yesterday, mostly sightseers who are making things worse. If you’re not from here, don’t come here to see flood damage. If you live here, avoid the river corridor so our first responders can do their jobs,” it said in a post on Facebook.
United Cajun Navy Vice President Brian Trascher told “Fox & Friends” on Tuesday that a specialized team of mainly combat veterans is helping search for victims of the central Texas flooding.
“It’s something that you never get over,” Trascher said in reference to finding young victims.
“Normally in these kind of missions we will put out like a wide call for volunteers… but we stuck to what we call special ops volunteers who are pretty much all combat veterans – very mentally tough, very able to handle anything emotionally,” he said. “They do come across some things that are really hard to see.”
Trascher also said the devastation in central Texas is similar to what his organization saw following Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.
“The biggest contrast is the response is completely different. The coordination between the state of Texas and the federal government was from day one and it has been highly professional and highly effective in our opinion. It makes our job as easier as volunteers,” he said.
The United Cajun Navy describes itself as a “grassroots nonprofit organization” based in Louisiana.
“Armed with boats, trucks, and an unyielding sense of community, the United Cajun Navy specializes in delivering life-saving rescue efforts, humanitarian aid, and logistical support in areas severely affected by floods, hurricanes, and other catastrophic events,” it said on its website.
As countless children flock to summer camps around the country to enjoy the outdoors while school is out, the wholly American tradition has not existed without a history of tragic horror stories leaving families grieving the unimaginable.
Over the Fourth of July weekend, 27 children and counselors were killed after a flash flood swept through Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, the all-girls Christian camp said Monday morning. Ten campers and one counselor remain unaccounted for as authorities race to search the receding floodwaters of the Guadalupe River.
The devastating events unfolding at Camp Mystic are the most recent in a long line of tragedies striking summer camps throughout the country, with parents sending their children off with the expectation that the only phone call home will be due to homesickness.
“This tragic event ranks among the most severe flooding disasters in recent camp history, and its scale has deeply shaken the camp community,” American Camp Association CEO Henry DeHart said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Camps across the country work tirelessly to provide safe, enriching experiences, and our focus remains on supporting those affected during this incredibly difficult time.”
The scene
at Camp Mystic is eerily reminiscent of a 1987 tragedy that stemmed from the same river that continues to claim the lives of campgoers after this weekend’s floods.
Nearly four decades ago, over 300 children were attending summer camp at the Pot O’ Gold Ranch, located approximately two miles southwest of Comfort, Texas, when severe thunderstorms moved into the area, according to the National Weather Service.
A total of 39 teenagers and four adults were carried away by floodwaters, with 10 of the teens drowning, according to NWS. The remaining survivors were subsequently rescued — some by helicopter — and taken to safety.
In June 2015, a 13-year-old camper died after floodwaters ravaged a Boy Scout troop’s New Mexico campsite as the children slept, according to the Associated Press.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said Monday that his state sent a team to Texas to support search efforts amid the devastating flooding in the Lone Star State.
“This Louisiana crew is off to Texas to assist with search efforts after the tragic flood,” Landry wrote on X, accompanied by a picture of the team sent to Texas.
“There are 14 Louisiana Swift Water Rescue personnel total with equipment. GOHSEP remains in contact with Texas to see how else Louisiana can support,” he continued, referring to the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.
The governor added: “Please continue to pray for all those affected and our great neighbors in Texas.”
The Houston Astros organization pledged $1 million to aid with relief efforts.
“The Houston Astros organization announces they are committing $1 million to support relief efforts for those impacted by the devastating flooding in Central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend,” the announcement noted.
“The Astros will support immediate relief efforts and needs of our neighbors in Central Texas in the short term, along with supporting long-term efforts around one of the core pillars of the Astros Foundation – youth initiatives. Beyond the initial investment, the Astros Foundation will launch a fan-based initiative to mobilize our passionate fan base. Together, we will provide resources to ensure our Central Texas neighbors have the sustained support they need to rebuild and recover.”
GOP Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, posted three heart emojis when he shared a post about the announcement.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday that additional state emergency response resources have been activated, as he vowed that “Texas will remain engaged until every missing person is found and every Texan recovers from this disaster.”
“The State of Texas is working around the clock to support emergency management personnel and local officials as they continue recovery and rescue operations across the state,” Abbott said in an update.
“There is still a threat of heavy rain with the potential to cause flooding in the Central Texas, Hill Country, Big Country, and Concho Valley regions,” he continued. “Texans are urged to remain weather aware, heed the guidance of local officials, and regularly monitor weather forecasts. Texas will remain engaged until every missing person is found and every Texan recovers from this disaster.”
Under the governor’s direction, the Texas State Operations Center remains at a Level II (Escalated Response) to support requests for assistance from local officials as they continue to respond to the rainfall and flooding that is still impacting the state.
The state has deployed more than 1,750 personnel and more than 975 vehicles and equipment assets to respond to the flooding, the governor’s office said. More than 20 state agencies are responding to flooding threats across the state.
State emergency response resources that remain available to support local emergency response efforts include the Texas Division of Emergency Management, Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas National Guard, as well as at least 15 others.
Mamdani sparks outrage with key voting bloc after vulgar photo resurfaces
A resurfaced photo of New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani flipping off a statue of Christopher Columbus is sparking backlash online and with some members of the Italian-American community.
“Take it down,” Mamdani posted in June 2020, along with a photo showing what is presumably his gloved hand raising the middle finger toward a statue of the famed Italian explorer in Astoria, New York.
In a post around the same time, Mamdani asked his followers in a poll who should be honored instead of Columbus with options that included, “Tony Bennett (Astoria native, music icon) Walter Audisio (Communist partisan, killed Mussolini) Sacco & Vanzetti (Executed due to anti-Italian sentiment).”
The winners of the poll were Sacco and Vanzetti, two anarcho-communists executed in 1927.
NY TIMES GRAPPLES WITH LIBERAL OUTRAGE OVER ITS MAMDANI COLLEGE APPLICATION REPORT
Some in the Italian community took offense to the post, according to a New York Post report, including Columbus Heritage Coalition President Angelo Vivolo.
“We will defend Columbus Day and Columbus statues,” Vivolo said.
“He is being disrespectful to the Italian American community.” Vivolo added. “If you offend one community, you offend all communities.”
Joseph Scelsa, the founder and president of the Italian American Museum, suggested it is unwise for Mamdani to alienate Italians, who the New York Post reported make up 8% of the population of New York City.
“To eliminate such a large population of people would be a travesty,” Scelsa said. “It’s not inclusive. It’s exclusionary. Who’s to say who is a hero and who is not a hero? Columbus is our hero.”
SOME WEALTHY NEW YORK ELITES SURPRISINGLY BACK NYC SOCIALIST CANDIDATE WHO WANTS TO TAX THEM MORE
The backlash to the post could also be found coming from conservatives on social media.
“Not gonna happen,” actor Joe Piscopo posted on X.
“This guy needs to be stopped,” YouTuber Joey Salads posted on X.
“The most defining characteristic of the left is ingratitude,” journalist Megan Basham posted on X.
“He disrespects the critical role Italians and Catholics played in the founding of our nation,” former Trump official Ezra A. Cohen posted on X. “Shameful.”
“What a disgusting socialist,” Florida GOP Chair Evan Power posted on X.
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“so u can be a nepo baby anchor baby who’s never had a job in your life and potentially become mayor of America’s largest city simply on the force of hating white people hard enough,” Foundation for Freedom Online executive director Mike Benz posted on X.
“This communist clown needs to be sent back,” Federalist CEO Sean Davis posted on X.
Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani’s campaign but did not receive a response about the post, which is still visible on his X account as of Tuesday morning.
Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, rocked the political landscape last month when he was victorious in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary despite running on a platform filled with left-wing priorities and a track record that includes previous calls to defund the police.
Mamdani, who was born in Uganda to parents from India, has become a target for moderate Democrats and Republicans over his socialist views and recently faced controversy after it was reported he identified as Asian and African American while applying to college.
Mamdani is set to face off against several candidates in the general election this November, including current Mayor Eric Adams, who is running as an independent, Republican Curtis Sliwa, and former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Candy maker pushes back on RFK Jr campaign to get rid of synthetic food dyes
While several major food manufacturers have jumped on board with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s efforts to eliminate synthetic food dyes from products nationwide, certain candy makers appear to be less enthused by the proposal.
After Kennedy announced a campaign to go after synthetic food dyes in April, many major food manufacturers, such as Nestle, ConAgra, Kraft Heinz, General Mills and PepsiCo, agreed to voluntarily commit to ending the use of petroleum-based synthetic dyes in their products. However, candy manufacturers that rely heavily on artificial food colorings to develop their products are pushing back.
“People can freely buy cannabis, THC products, alcohol, and cigarettes — but vibrantly colored candy is an issue?” asked Christopher Gindlesperger, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs & Communications for the National Confectioners Association. “Give me a break – consumers know that confectionery products are treats and that they contain sugar, food colors, and other FDA-approved ingredients, because candy is intrinsically transparent. People have a unique mindset when they enjoy chocolate and candy that is not present when interacting with other foods. Chocolate and candy are safe to enjoy as they have been for generations.”
PEPSICO TO REMOVE ARTIFICIAL INGREDIENTS FROM POPULAR FOOD ITEMS BY END OF 2025
“People in the U.S. enjoy chocolate and candy 2-3 times per week, averaging just 40 calories and about one teaspoon of added sugar per day – which is far less than the other categories of indulgent food that contain synthetic dyes,” Gindlesperger added.
MARS, one of the nation’s most prominent candymakers that manufactures M&M’s and Skittles, has refrained from joining the cohort of major food companies that are committing to removing synthetic dyes from their products over the next roughly 2 years.
The refusal to get on board appears to be a reversal from an announcement MARS made in 2016, expressing their intentions “to remove all artificial colors from its human food portfolio globally.” According to The New York Times, the reversal stemmed from internal company research which found that consumers were less concerned with the health and nutritional value of candy, compared to that of other food categories.
STARBUCKS WILL FURTHER ALIGN ITS MENU WITH ‘MAHA’ INITIATIVE, RFK JR. SAYS
“We are aware of the administration’s request and our technical experts are exploring alternatives that satisfy scientific safety criteria, technical requirements and consumer preferences,” a MARS spokesperson told Fox Business. “At this time, we have not yet identified fully effective solutions and believe it is premature to make commitments until we are certain they can be fulfilled. We will continue our efforts and anticipate being able to offer consumers more choice in the near future. Meanwhile, it is important to underline that all of our products continue to be safe to enjoy and meet the high standards and applicable regulations set by food safety authorities.”
Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Andrew Nixon said in response to this article that it was “disappointing” that a company like MARS “will prioritize” getting rid of artificial food dyes “in Europe” but will not do the same in the United States.
“Secretary Kennedy is committed to encouraging the removal of artificial dyes from the food supply, particularly those linked to behavioral and developmental risks in children,” Nixon continued, pointing out that many other companies have acted, which, he said, shows “when the government sets clear, science-based standards, the food industry listens and acts.”
“HHS and FDA urge all sectors to follow suit in putting public health first,” Nixon concluded.
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Gindlesperger, meanwhile, did say that despite the criticism from candymakers, they are in agreement with the Trump administration “that science-based evaluation of food additives will help eliminate consumer confusion and rebuild trust in our national food safety system.”
“We follow and will continue to follow regulatory guidance from the authorities in this space, because consumer safety is our chief responsibility and priority,” he concluded.
Angel Reese slaps clipboard out of coach’s hand, sparking social media firestorm
Chicago Sky star Angel Reese was seen knocking a clipboard out of the hands of one of her coaches during a loss to the Washington Mystics on Tuesday.
With less than 30 seconds to go in the game, and both teams tied at 77, Reese walked off the court visibly upset during a timeout. When Reese passed by the team’s vice president of strength and conditioning, Ann Crosby, Reese spontaneously slapped the clipboard out of Crosby’s hand as Crosby appeared to try and show Reese something on it.
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The clip garnered controversy and criticism from fans as it went viral on social media.
“Never disrespect your coaches,” one user wrote.
Another user wrote, “This is not good behavior.”
Other social media commenters used the clip as an opportunity to compare Reese to her former college rival and WNBA phenom, Caitlin Clark.
“Caitlin Clark would never,” one person wrote.
SPARKS’ SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT TAKES SWIPE AT FEVER’S SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM OVER WNBA EXPANSION REMARKS
Another user wrote, “Gotta be a better role model. Caitlin Clark is a great example of one.”
After the Mystics took a 79-77 lead, Reese managed to tie the game by making two free-throws. But Washington’s Shakira Austin responded and gave the Mystics the lead back with a pair of her own free-throws with just two seconds remaining. Washington went on to win 81-79.
The loss wasted one of Reese’s better performances of 2025, as she finished with 22 points, 15 rebounds and four assists.
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Still, the Sky fell to 5-13, and currently hold the second-worst record in the WNBA, just ahead of the 2-16 Connecticut Sun.
Meanwhile, Clark’s team, the Indiana Fever, are 9-9. Clark has missed 10 games this season, but is expected to return to her team on Wednesday for a game against the Golden State Valkyries.
New York-bound Delta fight makes emergency landing on remote island
A Delta Air Lines flight made an emergency landing on a remote island off the coast of Portugal after suffering engine issues mid-flight.
The Airbus A330, operating as Delta Flight 127, was headed from Madrid to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport on Sunday when it made an emergency landing at Lajes Airport on Terceira Island. The island is in the Azores, which is an autonomous region of Portugal consisting of nine volcanic islands.
“As safety comes before all else at Delta, the flight crew followed procedures to divert to Lajes, Azores (TER) after indication of a mechanical issue with an engine,” Delta said in a statement to FOX Business. “The flight landed safely, and we sincerely apologize to our customers for their experience and delay in their travels.”
SOUTHWEST INSTALLS ‘THIRD SET OF EYES’ IN COCKPIT TO BOOST SAFETY
There were 282 passengers and 13 crew members on board, all of whom deplaned at the airport in Terceira. Passengers and crew were given accommodations overnight in area hotels and were provided meals.
Passengers were placed on another plane the following day, which arrived in New York late Monday evening.
The carrier’s maintenance technicians are in the midst of conducting work on the aircraft. Delta is also reaching out to affected customers directly to apologize for the experience and offer compensation.
AMERICAN AIRLINES ‘TECHNOLOGY ISSUE’ RESOLVED AFTER CUSTOMERS REPORT LENGTHY DELAYS
The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of the aviation industry, which has experienced several close calls and crashes since the beginning of 2025. By mid-February, there had already been four major incidents.
Still, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in an interview with FOX Business that aviation is still the “safest mode of transportation in the country.”
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“You can’t travel anywhere safer than on an airplane,” Duffy said in an interview. “We’re working our hearts out to make sure everything is safe, more air traffic controllers and we have a better air traffic control system, new investments, and again it’s going to take us time to undo what wasn’t done over the last four years.”
Idaho killer’s chilling one-page note reveals brutal truth without explaining why
Bryan Kohberger put his guilt in writing and signed the bottom – without giving any explanation for the Idaho student murders that left four college students dead in a home invasion massacre days before they would have gone home for Thanksgiving in November 2022.
Kohberger, in a one-page document published by the Fourth Judicial District Court in Ada County, admitted to breaking into the off-campus house at 1122 King Road, in Moscow, Idaho, on Nov. 13, 2022, with the intent to commit murder.
Then, with premeditation and malice aforethought, he stabbed Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20.
BRYAN KOHBERGER PLEADS GUILTY TO IDAHO MURDERS
Each of them suffered multiple stab wounds from a large knife, believed to be the Ka-Bar that came from a leather sheath found next to Mogen’s body. While the knife has not been recovered, police found Kohberger’s DNA on a snap on the sheath.
The confession is dated July 1, a day before Kohberger pleaded guilty to all charges in court.
IDAHO MURDERS TIMELINE: BRYAN KOHBERGER PLEA CAPS YEARSLONG QUEST FOR JUSTICE
The killer is due to return on July 23 for formal sentencing.
He is expected to receive four consecutive terms of life in prison without parole, plus another 10 years.
As part of the deal, he waived his right to appeal and the right to move for a future sentence reduction.
Kohberger’s trial would have kicked off next month.
Read Bryan Kohberger’s signed confession:
If he were convicted, it would be up to the jurors whether he received life in prison or the death penalty, and he would have been expected to appeal the case for decades, up to the liberal 9th Circuit Court of Appeals or beyond.
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Mogen and Chapin’s parents have voiced support for the plea deal. Goncalves’ family vocally opposed it.
Country singer Pat Green’s family ‘swept away’ in deadly central Texas flood
Country singer Pat Green has revealed that members of his family are among the missing in the floods that hit central Texas over the last week, calling it a “heartbreaking and deeply personal loss.”
“We are grieving alongside countless Texans whose lives have been upended by this tragedy,” he wrote on Instagram on Monday. “Right now, we kindly ask for privacy and space as we mourn, support each other, and begin to process what comes next for our family.”
Green’s wife, Kori Green, added that the “I Love Texas” singer’s younger brother “John, his wife, Julia, and two of their children were swept away in the Kerrville flood. We are heartbroken and anxiously waiting for all of them to be found. Thank you for your prayers.”
Green postponed a concert last Sunday amid the flooding, writing on the Fourth of July on his Facebook page, “Due to the unforeseen weather and tragedy around the Texas Hill Country, it has been decided to postpone tomorrow night’s show,” adding that the new date will be on Aug. 16.
TEXAS FLOODS: MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY, JENNIFER GARNER AND MORE STARS RALLY BEHIND VICTIMS
More than 100 people have died in Texas after a storm caused flash flooding in the central part of the state, including 27 children at a summer camp, while dozens remain missing.
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Green received an outpouring of support on his social media, with followers writing, “Y’all haven’t been far from our minds. Continuing to pray,” “sending love and prayers,” and “Praying for peace and comfort for y’all during this absolutely devastating tragedy!”
Texas native Matthew McConaughey has been urging people on social media to help “where and how you can.”
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“It’s gonna be a long road ahead, but right now the shock, the pain, and the chaos need the steady hand of a neighbor,” he wrote on Monday on his Instagram.
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The “Dallas Buyers Club” star added, “Texans are some of the most resilient and generous people on the planet.”
Top Amazon Prime Day deals to transform your cleaning game and your home
Vacuum cleaners are helpful cleaning tools, especially if you have pets, an old house that collects dust or kids at home. But a truly helpful vacuum is often well into the hundreds of dollars range. You’re in luck, though — Amazon has dozens of vacuums that are hundreds of dollars off for Prime Day.
You can also find other Amazon Prime Day deals on kitchen appliances, air purifiers, mattresses and tech.
To take advantage of these deals, make sure you’re an Amazon Prime member. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today.
Tineco cordless wet and dry vacuum: on sale for $239.00 (40% off)
Original price: $399.99
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Instead of an old mop and bucket, upgrade your mopping setup with the Tineco cordless wet and dry vacuum. It sucks up dirt and dust and then turns into a mop when you’re ready to wash the floors. It’s a cordless, lightweight vacuum with a 35-minute run time.
Shark upright vacuum: on sale for $149.99 (32% off)
Original price: $219.99
The Shark upright vacuum is your standard vacuum that’s more affordable but still packs a powerful clean. It offers powerful suction, making it ideal for carpets and area rugs, as well as hard-to-reach areas.
Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge cordless multi-surface hard floor cleaner: on sale for $299.99 (25% off)
Original price: $399.99
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Vacuum and mop your floors without having to switch machines with the Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge, a cordless multi-surface cleaner. You get up to 30 minutes of uninterrupted cleaning, and the vacuum/mop combo cleans up to 99.9% of germs off your floor. Best used for hard floors like tile, wood or laminate, you can easily reach every inch of your floors with the zerogap technology.
Ecovacs robot vacuum and mop: on sale for $499.99 (50% off)
Original price: $999.99
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If you prefer to leave the vacuuming up to someone else, an Ecovacs robot vacuum might be the best option. It’s a vacuum and a mop that senses when your floors need to be cleaned. It easily moves around furniture, tables and anything else in the way to clean your whole floor.
Shark R-EX201 CarpetXpert upright carpet cleaner: on sale for $179.99 (25% off)
Original price: $239
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Get rid of stains, spots and pet hair with a Shark R-EX201 CarpetXpert. It has a deep-cleaning technology that can eliminate tough stains, even if they’ve been there for a while. You can also clean your couch and chairs with the handheld spot and stain eliminator.
Dyson Ball upright vacuum: on sale for $329.99 (45% off)
Original price: $599.99
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Want a vacuum that’s easy to move, even in places that are hard to reach? The Dyson Ball vacuum lets you swerve and maneuver your vacuum anywhere you need to clean. It comes with a detachable cleaning wand with multiple heads.
For more deals, visit www.foxnews.com/deals
Bissell Little Green mini portable carpet and upholstery deep cleaner: on sale for $69.99 (26% off)
Original price: $94.99
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Pet owners can appreciate the Bissell Little Green mini portable deep cleaner. It quickly tackles spills and pet stains while also removing dander, dust and pollen. Not only can you clean carpets, but the cleaner also works on upholstery, car interiors and pet beds. The whole system can easily be stored away in a cabinet or closet.