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Valerie Bertinelli admits that Eddie Van Halen and Tom Vitale splits were ‘completely different’
Valerie Bertinelli is opening up about her two divorces.
During a recent appearance on "The Drew Barrymore Show," the 65-year-old actress spoke candidly about divorce with host Drew Barrymore, who has been through three divorces herself.
On the Jan. 27 episode of the talk show, Barrymore and Bertinelli were joined by Ross Mathews during a discussion about divorce in which Barrymore brought up the new trend of divorced women turning their wedding rings into celebratory jewelry.
"I mean I've had two divorces, and they were completely different," Bertinelli said. "My last divorce, I actually, I did go back to the jeweler and sell my ring back, and I got a celebratory, like, evil eye bracelet."
Barrymore seemed to be a fan of the trend, saying divorce can often be "a source of shame," noting this new trend is a great way to "lift someone's spirits when they feel like they have failed."
She went on to call her three divorces "as awful as anything I've ever experienced," and that this trend is a "weird tone change," which brings "some empowerment [and] some rebelliousness."
"It's like the celebratory part of it, because, I mean, there's a celebration of not being in that pain any longer, but there was love at one point between those – I mean at some point," Bertinelli agreed.
The "Hot in Cleveland" star was married to Eddie Van Halen from 1981 until 2007, and then financial planner Tom Vitale from 2011 until 2022. Following her split from Vitale, Bertinelli has spoken out about their relationship, calling it toxic on social media.
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In an Instagram post shared in February 2023, she shared she was wearing a pair of pants she thought she had put away forever, after she "stopped wearing them because I was … mercilessly mocked" for her weight. One month prior, she shared a similar account on Instagram.
"I have been screamed at so many times and told how fat and lazy I am," Bertinelli said on social media in January 2023. "I realize … that was someone just projecting on me whatever they needed to project on me, but my part in all of it was believing it, and I don't believe it anymore. But it still doesn't stop the feelings from coming up and the hurt."
The "One Day at a Time" star later announced she was in a new relationship in March 2024 with Mike Goodnough, telling USA Today at the time that her relationship with him was "unlike any relationship that I’ve ever experienced with a man."
She and Goodnough dated for 10 months, ultimately calling it quits in November 2024.
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"I have two failed marriages and fumbled the last true good man I met," she said in a lengthy Instagram post in February 2025, reflecting on her breakup. "Maybe don’t take advice from me."
Bertinelli shares one child – Wolfgang, 34 – with her ex-husband, Van Halen. The legendary musician died from cancer at age 65 in October 2020.
Democrats push bill blocking ICE near polling places — despite clear constitutional conflict
Virginia Democrats are pushing legislation that would prohibit federal immigration enforcement near polling places, a move Republicans say is unconstitutional and sets up a direct conflict with federal law governing the arrest and detention of illegal immigrants.
At issue is House Bill 1442, patroned by Del. Alfonso H. Lopez, D-Shirlington, which would bar "any person" from enforcing federal immigration laws within 40 feet of polling places, election board meetings or recount facilities — a restriction critics argue Virginia has no authority to impose on federal agents under the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause.
The bill from Lopez, who represents a deep-blue district just south of Washington, D.C., is one of several Democratic-backed measures targeting federal immigration enforcement since the party took full control of state government last month.
In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore, R-Gate City, suggested the bill won’t hold legal water even if passed due to federal supremacy.
HOUSE OVERSIGHT PROBE PUTS MINNESOTA ELECTIONS UNDER SCRUTINY OVER NONCITIZEN VOTING CONCERNS
"Ignoring the obvious constitutional problem of having a state tell the federal government what it can do, this bill makes it clear that Democrats not only want illegal immigrants voting, Democrats think they’re already voting and want them to continue," Kilgore said.
The longtime lawmaker cited the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution, which declares federal statutes the "supreme law of the land" and maintains precedence over conflicting state laws that attempt to usurp federal authority.
In that regard, 8 U.S.C. § 1226 says an "alien may be arrested and detained pending a decision on whether the alien is to be removed from the United States," while Section 287(a) — of which the oft-cited subsection 287(g) is a part — permits agents to "interrogate, without warrant, any alien or person believed to be an alien concerning his or her right to be, or to remain in the United States."
Those two sections would run directly counter to Lopez’s bill.
When asked for a response to the legislation, a DHS spokesperson told Fox News Digital the agency is not planning any operations targeting polls — but said it’ll be business-as-usual if an individual illegal immigrant finds themselves near one.
"ICE conducts intelligence-driven targeted enforcement, and if a dangerous criminal alien is near a polling location, they may be arrested as a result of that targeted enforcement action," the spokesperson said.
Since Virginia Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger took office last month, Democrats led by Senate leader L. Louise Lucas and House Speaker Don Scott, both of Portsmouth, have spearheaded several left-wing proposals anchored by their redrawn congressional map that likely unseats every Republican in the state except Rep. Morgan Griffith of the heavily rural southwest.
Lopez, whose biography mentions that his father was a "former undocumented" immigrant from Venezuela, previously supported legislation to make ballot drop boxes permanent and to make DREAMers eligible for college financial aid, according to his campaign website.
CONSERVATIVES RIP VIRGINIA GOVERNOR'S ‘MODERATE’ LABEL AFTER RADICAL LAUNDRY LIST OF DAY 1 MOVES
"Virginia Democrats just gave away the game on illegal alien voting," the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus said in response to the new bill.
"Now why would Democrats be concerned about illegal aliens being arrested near polling locations?" read a statement from the caucus, which is led by Sens. Ryan McDougle of Hanover and Mark Obenshain of Rockingham.
Local ABC News affiliate reporter Nick Minock asked a similar question on social media:
"Why would an illegal immigrant be within 40 feet of a polling place if they're not supposed to vote in Virginia elections?"
DEMOCRATS PUSH ANTI-ICE BILLS NATIONWIDE AFTER DEADLY MINNEAPOLIS SHOOTING
Lopez’ bill isn’t the only one targeting election-day procedures:
State Sen. Barbara Favola, D-Ballston, put forth a bill extending the deadline for Virginia absentee ballots to be received to three days after an election at 5PM ET.
Another bill from Virginia State Del. Cia Price, D-Newport News, would prohibit hand-counting paper ballots "for any reason or purpose not specifically authorized by law."
DEMS BLASTED FOR TRYING TO ‘DEPORT’ ICE FROM SWING COUNTY, REFERENCING ‘BLOOD MONEY’ RENT
Price’s bill requires ballot-scanners be used instead, as several critics cried foul over the fact that hand-counting ballots moots any claims that machinery or technology could be "hacked" as has arisen in recent elections.
In comments to the Daily Signal, former Rep. Dave Brat, R-Va., rebuked the bills and tied federal supremacy to what’s happening in Minnesota.
"Minneapolis right now is rioting all across the streets because local law enforcement won’t cooperate with the federal," he said.
"Everywhere where the local does cooperate with the federal, there’s peace and quiet and harmony."
Other "bad bills" cited by Republicans include a bevy of bills creating new niche sales taxes, bans on gas-powered leaf-blowers à la New Jersey, expanding ranked-choice voting à la New York City, several Second Amendment-related taxes and removal of a "grandfather" provision for certain otherwise legally held firearms.
Fox News Digital reached out to Lopez for comment.
MIKE DAVIS: Why surrender is not an option for ICE's Minnesota mission
Under the United States Constitution, We The People have the most crucial sovereign power: to control our border and populace. Through our elected members of Congress, we decide who gets to come to America – and who must go. We set our national immigration policy decades ago through our elections and our subsequent federal immigration laws. In this last election, we gave President Trump a broad electoral mandate – including a congressional majority – reaffirming his constitutional and statutory duties to mass-expel illegals from America–starting with the most dangerous criminals among them.
For many months after Trump’s inauguration day, Democrat politicians, plaintiffs, attorneys, judges, and other activists have conspired to thwart the will of American voters through Democrat judicial sabotage. After a series of legal losses at the Supreme Court, these desperate Democrat operatives are now turning to violence. Indeed, Democrats are openly encouraging their agitators to obstruct – and even attack – federal agents in the line of duty. This is particularly true in Minnesota, after brave independent journalist Nick Shirley uncovered billions in alleged fraud by the Minneapolis Somali community, a key political constituency of Minnesota Democrat politicians. What’s a great way to distract from the biggest scandal in Minnesota history? Riots, of course, driven by the same Minnesota Democrat politicians who benefit from the billions in the Somali fraud schemes.
After days of Democrat-spurred riots, President Trump and Minnesota Gov Tim W.alz had a phone call on Monday. Trump described it as "very good," and Walz expressed a desire to "work together." This detente may be short-lived, as leftist agitators have now turned on Walz and directed their protests to his office. Regardless, ICE’s withdrawal from Minneapolis would be a disaster and cannot occur.
Empowered by seditious rhetoric from insurrectionists like Walz, who has described his state as "at war" with the federal government, leftists have decided that they have the freedom to confront and assault ICE officers with no repercussions—including, this past weekend, biting the finger off a federal agent. Some leftists have died in the resulting fray, the latest being Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old anti-ICE agitator who was shot while resisting ICE officers’ attempts to take his pistol.
JONATHAN TURLEY: DEMOCRAT POLITICIANS ARE RISKING LIVES WITH RECKLESS ANTI-ICE RHETORIC
Leftists have impotently tried and failed to legally stop President Trump from fulfilling his campaign promises of a secure border and mass deportations. Now, out of options, they’ve resorted to violence. The last time Democrat-run states took up arms en masse to resist the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution, nearly 400,000 red-blooded Americans were killed restoring order. But even after the Civil War, America has faced state insubordination many times.
In 1957, President Eisenhower had to commandeer the Arkansas National Guard after segregationist Democrat Governor Orval Faubus mobilized state forces to prevent the integration of Little Rock Central High School. In the 1960s, Presidents Kennedy and Johnson both invoked the Insurrection Act of 1807 to quell violent anti-civil rights rioting.
Immigration is squarely under the federal domain. Indeed, over a decade ago, the Obama Justice Department successfully sued Arizona for attempting to independently enforce federal immigration law. Now, ICE is in Minneapolis pursuant to this core power. Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson did not cave to threats and violence from segregationist states angry about the federal government enforcing federal law. They stood strong, even deploying the military and federalizing the National Guard where necessary to restore order and preserve the rule of law.
TRUMP WARNS MINNEAPOLIS MAYOR HE'S 'PLAYING WITH FIRE' AFTER IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT CONVERSATION
President Trump faces similar insurrectionist challenges to his predecessors. Just this past weekend, Walz referenced Anne Frank when denigrating ICE. He and other leftists have made the disgusting claim that ICE "kidnapped" a 5-year-old child, after officers took the child to safety when his father abandoned him while fleeing arrest. (Curiously, Walz was silent when the inept Biden administration lost 300,000 children, many to sex slavery, who were brought illegally to the United States).
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ICE is not the problem in Minneapolis. Leftist violence is. Florida and Texas each have far more people and illegals than does Minnesota. We do not hear about tumult in those states for one reason: stellar state leadership. Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis respect the United States Constitution, including ICE’s law enforcement authority. These governors do not use Holocaust references, and they do not tell the good men and women of federal law enforcement to get out of their cities–in sharp contrast to Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. Abbott and DeSantis do not defend the storming of churches by anti-ICE maniacs–in sharp contrast to Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. These governors are cooperating with the federal government to fix the existential crisis that dementia-addled Biden caused when he allowed millions of illegals to pour into our country.
Our nation has an immigration crisis thanks to leftist open-borders policies. Minneapolis has a violence crisis thanks to demented and insurrectionist rhetoric from pathetic state and local leaders. Caving to the demands of these seditious conspiracists will not abate the crisis; it will exacerbate it. Spoiled children often think they can get whatever they want if they throw a loud enough tantrum. President Trump, in keeping with one of his favorite 2016 campaign songs, must remind these rioters that "You Can’t Always Get What You Want."
President Trump must follow the courageous lead of Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson. We will soon find out whether Walz’s sudden cooperativeness is a sincere attempt to de-escalate–or if Walz resumes his role as a modern-day confederate governor. If Republicans cave to this insurrectionist and seditionist behavior, they will send an unequivocal message to every purple-haired SSRI addict in the country: domestic terrorism works. Caving will incentivize more radical leftist violence across the country. If leftists learn that they can use violence to make ICE withdraw in Minneapolis, they will employ the same strategy across America.
Jon Gruden rejects Jets staff role despite seeking return to coaching: report
Jon Gruden desperately wants to coach again, but even he has a line he will not cross.
Gruden, of course, parted ways with the Las Vegas Raiders during his third year of a 10-year contract after he was found to have used racist, sexist and homophobic language in emails.
He has since joined Barstool Sports and has shown heavy interest in returning to football in some capacity, but there is one team he does not want to be part of.
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Gruden was reportedly contacted by the New York Jets about the idea of joining their staff, but he was not interested.
It's not known what Gruden's role would have been, but he automatically would have been the most successful voice in the building. The Athletic was the first to report the news.
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, a die-hard New England Patriots fan, said on X that it was the "Top 1 most insulting job offers of all time."
The Jets have turned over just about their entire coaching staff, aside from the head coach. Aaron Glenn has parted ways with numerous assistants after just one year, including both his offensive and defensive coordinators.
This past season, amid their 3-14 record, they became the first team in NFL history not to record an interception all season long. They also lost each of their last five games by at least 23 points, another NFL first. It was the third time the Jets had ever lost at least 14 games, also doing so under Rich Kotite and Adam Gase.
TONY ROMO OPENS UP ABOUT COMMENTATING CRITICISM HE CHOOSES TO IGNORE: ‘THEY’RE WATCHING’
Tanner Engstrand and the Jets reportedly parted ways on Tuesday after many conversations regarding a change in his role. They were unable to agree on what his role should be, resulting in the split.
Three different quarterbacks started for the Jets, as Justin Fields was benched and Tyrod Taylor was hurt in his absence, prompting Brady Cook to start at the end of the season.
At the trade deadline, the Jets traded Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams for draft capital. Those trades were with the Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys, both of whom missed the playoffs. The picks they got from them (the Colts’ 2026 first and Dallas’ 2026 second) are not half bad. Plus, the Jets now own the second pick of the draft.
Gruden sued the NFL after he left the Raiders, alleging that a "malicious and orchestrated campaign" was used to destroy his career by leaking the emails. The leaked messages were from when he was an ESPN analyst and a "Monday Night Football" broadcaster.
Gruden was the beneficiary of a key ruling in his case against the league in August when the Nevada Supreme Court determined his case could proceed in court instead of arbitration. In October, the Nevada Supreme Court unanimously denied the NFL's petition to rehear that decision.
Gruden worked with Derek Carr after he joined the New Orleans Saints and had a visit with the Detroit Lions. With Barstool, he met with incoming pro quarterbacks for "Gruden's QB Camp."
"Hopefully I’m not done. I’m about to make a comeback," Gruden said about coaching in July. "Hopefully, some of these guys that fell off my branch, if you say it that way, maybe they can hire me 'cause I’m looking for a job.
"I don’t care if I coach at Jones Junior High. I’m going to coach again. I’m still coaching. I’m just not on a team officially, but I do have some private assignments I work on, and I wear some gear when I’m watching the games that nobody knows about who I’m pulling for."
Fox News' Ryan Gaydos and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Tennessee man dies after suffering heart attack while shoveling snow, adding to storm toll
A 66-year-old man in Tennessee died after suffering a heart attack while shoveling snow at his home in Tennessee, according to multiple reports citing the Haywood County Sheriff's Office.
Paramedics reportedly pronounced the man dead shortly after arriving at his home, WALA-TV reported, citing Haywood County Sheriff Billy Garrett. The outlet said that the man's identity was being withheld until next of kin had been notified.
Heart health experts have warned of the risks associated with the physical strain of shoveling snow, particularly for older adults. While there isn’t an official age that’s "too old" to shovel, some cardiologists recommend that individuals over 45 should exercise more caution to lower their chances of a cardiac event.
SHOVELING SNOW COULD POSE DANGEROUS HEALTH RISK FOR ONE GROUP, EXPERTS WARN
A 2025 Mayo Clinic review found that just 10 minutes of heavy snow shoveling can push the heart to about 97% of its maximum rate. Exposure to cold air was also found to increase blood pressure and reduce coronary blood flow.
Dr. Navjot Kaur Sobti, an interventional cardiologist at Northwell’s Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, N.Y., told Fox News Digital that individuals above the age of 65 who have risk factors for heart disease should be "very, very cautious about shoveling snow."
Sobti recommends using a "pushing or sweeping" motion instead of heavy lifting when shoveling snow.
SIMPLE NIGHTLY HABIT LINKED TO HEALTHIER BLOOD PRESSURE, STUDY SUGGESTS
The Tennessee Department of Health has reported eight weather-related fatalities across seven counties in a matter of days. The counties include Cheatham, Crockett, Davidson, Haywood, Hickman, Knox and Obion. The Crockett County Sheriff’s Office told WMC-TV that one of the deceased was an 11-year-old boy, though the office reportedly did not share how the child died.
As of Tuesday evening, Tennessee remained at a Level 3 State of Emergency, which is the designation given when "a serious emergency or minor disaster" has taken place.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) said on Tuesday that restoring power remains the state's priority, adding that prolonged cold temperatures have put a strain on the state's utility systems. TEMA also said the state is still seeing hazardous road conditions due to ice and refreezing, as well as "limited effectiveness of treatments in extreme cold."
Fox News Digital reached out to the Haywood County Sheriff's Office and the Tennessee Department of Health.
5 myths about identity theft that put your data at risk
Most people think identity theft starts with a massive hack. In reality, it usually starts much more quietly, with bits of personal information you didn't even realize were public: old addresses, family connections, phone numbers and shopping habits.
All are sitting on data broker sites that most people have never heard of. During Identity Theft Awareness Week, organized by the Federal Trade Commission, it's a good time to clear up some dangerous myths that keep putting people at risk, especially retirees, families and anyone who thinks they're "careful enough."
Let's break them down.
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FIBER BROADBAND GIANT INVESTIGATES BREACH AFFECTING 1M USERS
Reality: You don't need to be in a breach to have your data exposed.
Data brokers legally collect personal information from public records, loyalty programs, apps and online purchases. Over time, they build detailed profiles that can exist for decades, even if you've never been hacked. Scammers often use this data as a starting point. It helps them sound legitimate, personalize messages and choose the right angle to trick you.
Reality: They usually have more than enough.
Scammers don't need your Social Security number to cause damage. A name, address history, phone number and family connections can be enough for someone to:
This is why scams often feel unsettlingly personal.
Reality: Retirees are one of the most targeted groups.
Why? Because scammers assume:
Many scams are designed specifically for retirees, from Medicare updates to fake government notices and investment fraud. A recent widespread scam involves fake IRS calls and the illegitimate "Tax Resolution Oversight Department" that tries to steal your money.
Reality: Credit monitoring only tells you after something has gone wrong.
It doesn't stop scammers from:
Think of credit monitoring like a smoke alarm-helpful, but it doesn't prevent the fire.
Reality: You can take control, but doing it manually is time-consuming and frustrating.
Most data broker sites allow opt-outs, but each one has a different process. Some require forms. Others need ID verification. And many re-add your data months later. That's why I recommend a data removal service. These services contact hundreds of data brokers on your behalf, request the removal of your personal information and keep monitoring them so it doesn't quietly reappear. For families and retirees, this matters even more because once scammers connect relatives through broker profiles, multiple people can become targets.
While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren't cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It's what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.
Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.
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ILLINOIS DHS DATA BREACH EXPOSES 700K RESIDENTS' RECORDS
Identity theft rarely begins with a dramatic moment.
It usually starts with:
By the time fraud shows up on a credit report, the damage has often already been done.
If there's one takeaway this week, it's this: reducing your exposed data lowers your risk.
Do not trust surprise emails, texts or calls, even if they appear to come from a bank, retailer or government agency. Scammers often copy logos, language and phone numbers to look legitimate.
If a message claims there's a problem with an account, pause and verify it independently. Use the official website or phone number you already know, not the one provided in the message.
Remove your personal information from data broker websites that collect and sell names, addresses, phone numbers and other details. A data removal service can help you do just that. Less exposed data means fewer opportunities for identity thieves. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever it's available. Even if a criminal gets your password, 2FA adds a second barrier that can stop account takeovers.
Use strong, unique passwords for important accounts and avoid reusing them across sites. A reputable password manager can securely store and generate complex passwords, making it easier to stay protected without memorizing everything.
Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our No. 1 password manager pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials.
Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com.
Consider identity theft protection software that monitors your personal information, alerts you to suspicious activity and helps you respond quickly if something goes wrong. Some services also assist with data broker removal and recovery support if your identity is compromised.
Identity Theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security Number (SSN), phone number and email address, and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.
See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft at Cyberguy.com.
Scammers often target seniors and teens. Walk family members through these steps, help them secure accounts and encourage them to slow down before responding to urgent messages.
Identity theft isn't about being careless; it's about how much information is floating around without your permission. The fewer places your data lives online, the harder it is for scammers to use it against you. Taking action now won't just protect you this week; it can reduce scams, fraud attempts and identity theft risks all year long.
Which of these myths did you believe, and what personal information do you think is already out there about you without your consent? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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China infiltrates key Pacific territory of Micronesia with infrastructure projects as US urged to act
FIRST ON FOX: China’s expanding push into the Pacific Islands is raising alarms among experts, who warn that Beijing is quietly working to establish a foothold in territory long viewed as vital to American defense.
Rather than deploying troops or building overt military bases, experts say China is using infrastructure projects, political influence and economic leverage to gain access to strategically sensitive areas across Micronesia, a region tied to the United States through decades-old security agreements.
Fox News Digital has learned that a Chinese-backed runway on the island of Yap is due to be officially opened during a handover ceremony on Feb 9. The president of the Federated States of Micronesia is expected to attend, along with representatives from the Chinese company involved in the project.
One of the experts tracking the developments, FDD senior fellow Cleo Paskal, traveled to the Federated States of Micronesia to see them firsthand. She told Fox News Digital she spent four days sleeping on the open deck of a Chinese-donated cargo ship in order to witness a Chinese company breaking ground on a project to rehabilitate a World War II Imperial Japanese runway.
"It’s not a huge runway, but what it does is it gets China in the door and on the ground in a very strategic location," Paskal said.
The project is located in the state of Yap, a remote east-to-west island chain that sits along key maritime and air routes connecting Hawaii, Guam and East Asia. U.S. military planners have long considered Yap one of the most strategically important locations in the Pacific.
Paskal said the same Chinese company involved in the runway is now working on another major infrastructure project on Yap: the reconstruction of a bridge on the main island.
"At the same time, because of how strategic it is, Secretary Hegseth announced not that long ago about $2 billion worth of defense infrastructure investment for Yap," she said. "Now, when he says Yap, what he means is the main island of Yap."
According to Paskal, that distinction matters.
"The story here is that the Department of War is focused on the main island, but, from what I’ve seen, there are no plans for the rest of the island chain," she said. "Meanwhile, the Chinese are using other entry points into the political and economic system in order to start to break open access to Yap."
She described China’s approach as fundamentally different from Washington’s.
"So it’s not just a physical kinetic infrastructure operation," Paskal said. "It’s also a political warfare operation, whereas the U.S. is focusing more just on a very narrow band of the kinetic map."
The geography at stake has shaped American security strategy for generations.
During World War II, the lagoon at Ulithi, part of the Yap island chain, served as the largest U.S. naval base in the world, hosting hundreds of American warships as the military prepared for operations against Imperial Japan.
That history, Paskal said, helps explain why the region remains so sensitive today.
Under the Compact of Free Association, the United States retains exclusive defense rights in Micronesia. The agreements allow Washington to deny military access to other powers, establish defense facilities and maintain strategic control, while granting Micronesian citizens the right to live and work in the United States and serve in the U.S. military. The Compact creates such deep ties that Micronesia is considered part of the U.S. domestic mail system.
The compacts were designed after World War II to ensure Pacific islands once controlled by Japan could never again be used as launch points for attacks against the United States.
But Paskal warned that China is finding ways to work around, and potentially undermine, those arrangements.
She said U.S. officials often focus on visible construction sites while underestimating the broader political campaign that enables Chinese access in the first place. This includes cultivating ties with national leaders, engaging local officials such as customs and immigration officers and securing contracts through regional development banks in order to place Chinese companies and personnel on the ground.
According to Paskal, Chinese firms are often willing to absorb financial losses in exchange for long-term strategic positioning.
CHINA QUIETLY BUILDS WORLDWIDE SPACE NETWORK, ALARMING US OVER FUTURE MILITARY POWER
The concern is heightened by political shifts within Micronesia itself. While states such as Yap have historically been more resistant to Chinese engagement, the national government has grown closer to Beijing in recent years.
Former President of the Federated States of Micronesia David Panuelo warned in a March 9, 2023, letter that China was engaging in political warfare, including alleged bribery and pressure campaigns. He later lost his re-election bid, while the current government is viewed as more receptive to China.
When asked by Fox News Digital about China’s activities in Micronesia, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington said, "I am not aware of the specifics."
The spokesperson emphasized that China views Pacific Island Countries (PICs) as partners in development and denied any geopolitical intent.
"China always respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of PICs," the spokesperson said, adding that Beijing has "never interfered in the internal affairs of PICs, never attached any political strings, and never sought any geopolitical self-interest."
Paskal said this characterization is not accurate, pointing to what she described as China’s targeted efforts to interfere with the internal decisions of three Pacific Island countries — Palau, the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu — to recognize Taiwan, including explicitly attaching support to derecognition.
The spokesperson’s statement added that the South Pacific should be "a stage for cooperation, rather than an arena for vicious competition" and insisted China’s engagement does not target any country.
For U.S. security experts, however, the concern is not a single runway or bridge, but the gradual erosion of strategic access in a region that has underpinned American defense for more than 80 years.
China expert Gordon Chang told Fox News Digital, "We lost so many American lives in World War Two, taking these islands from the Japanese. And now we are letting China dominate them. This is just wrong. I can't, I get angry when I think about this. But the important point here is that we have the power to stop this," he said.
"The three compact states are our closest military allies, our closest allies full stop. We said that again. The three complex states in the Western Pacific are our closet allies. Guam is actually part of the United States. So we have the power to stop this and we're not doing that. And this is now on us, a strategic failure, a failure to understand what China is doing. I hope that the administration starts to understand the significance of what's occurring and moves to block Chinese infiltration of the Western Pacific."
As Paskal warned, China’s campaign in the Pacific is unfolding not through force, but through influence, access, patience and presence.
Neither the White House nor the Department of War responded to requests for comment from Fox News Digital.
Abby Phillip says Trump is 'responsible for the vitriol' behind Ilhan Omar town hall attackSho
CNN anchor Abby Phillip said President Donald Trump is "responsible for the vitriol" behind the attack on Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., at a Minnesota town hall on Tuesday.
During Tuesday’s broadcast of "CNN NewsNight," Phillip argued that Omar has been "the center of a lot of awful attacks" by Trump before asking former Minnesota attorney general candidate Jim Schultz, a Republican, whether the president should call the congresswoman following the attack.
Trump previously called Omar "garbage" during a Cabinet meeting in December, accusing her and fellow Somali migrants to the U.S. of coming to the country and offering nothing but complaints.
‘SORRY, TRUMP’: ILHAN OMAR FIRES BACK AFTER TRUMP TARGETS HER IN TRUTH SOCIAL POST
"What should the president do? Should he pick up the phone and call her? Should he? Should anybody say, ‘Enough is enough, we need to tone this down,’ particularly when it comes to her?" Phillip asked.
Schultz replied that "we should be saying enough is enough across the board on these things," and while it's up to Trump whether to call Omar, he would do so if he were the president.
"Here's the thing, though. Donald Trump is actually responsible for the vitriol. So is there going to be any acknowledgment of that?" Phillip shot back. "Should there be?"
Schultz reiterated that he would give Omar a call "to see if she's OK" if he were president because "that's what we do as Americans."
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"We should pick up the phone and care about someone on the other side, even though you vehemently disagree with everything they say," he added.
The White House did not immediately return Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Omar was sprayed with an unknown substance by a man that charged at her while she was speaking at a town hall in Minneapolis on Tuesday night.
The congresswoman was immediately pulled away by her security and the man was tackled and restrained. Omar appeared to be shaken but largely unharmed.
"We will continue. These f--king a--holes are not going to get away with this," Omar shouted as the room reacted.
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"It smells terrible," a member of her entourage said as she urged Omar to stop and get checked out.
The Minneapolis Police Department identified the suspect as Anthony James Kazmierczak, 55, who was charged with third-degree assault.
The incident happened as Omar was hosting her first in-person town hall of the year in North Minneapolis.
Fox News Digital's Emma Bussey and Michael Sinkewicz contributed to this report.
Trump Mountain? Georgia lawmaker introduces resolution to rename Atlanta-area landmark after president
A North Georgia landmark could soon be renamed after President Donald Trump – if one state lawmaker has his way.
Rep. David Clark, R-Buford, introduced a resolution Tuesday to rename Sawnee Mountain in Forsyth County, located a little under 50 miles northeast of Atlanta, as "Trump Mountain," according to WSB-TV.
"President Trump is one of the most transformative presidents in our nation’s history," Clark wrote in a Facebook post detailing the move.
"That’s why today I introduced a resolution to rename Sawnee Mountain in Forsyth County to Trump Mountain to honor his historic legacy of Making America Great Again."
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The decision drew backlash from some Trump critics who blasted the move in the comments.
"This is satire right?" one commenter wrote.
Another chimed in by saying, "Transformative is not a compliment."
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Others pointed to the mountain's historical significance to the Native American community, drawing parallels between the two.
According to FOX 5 in Atlanta, the mountain's current name stems from a celebrated Native American chief.
Some commenters were more supportive of Clark's proposal.
"He's [Trump has] certainly earned it. No President since Lincoln has faced the headwinds from the other side that he has," one said, with another Trump supporter chiming in with, "Trump is THE most transformative figure in U.S. history, and it isn't close."
Clark's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Clark is also running to be the Peach State's next lieutenant governor.
Browns hire Todd Monken as next head coach: reports
The Cleveland Browns hired Todd Monken as its next head coach on Wednesday, replacing Kevin Stefanski, according to multiple reports.
Monken will be the 11th head coach since the team returned to the NFL in 1999. He was the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive coordinator from 2023 to 2025 under John Harbaugh. Monken was in the running to stay under Harbaugh when he took the New York Giants’ job but apparently passed on that for his first head-coaching opportunity in the NFL.
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He will replace Stefanski, who was fired after a 5-12 season in Cleveland. Stefanski led the Browns to two playoff appearances and was a two-time NFL Coach of the Year before he was let go. Stefanski took the Atlanta Falcons’ job and the Giants will have to look elsewhere for an offensive coordinator.
As for Monken, he has previous experience in the Browns’ organization.
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He was the team’s offensive coordinator in 2019 under head coach Freddie Kitchens. Cleveland was 6-10 that season with Baker Mayfield leading the charge at quarterback. The team finished 22nd in yards gained and points scored. He was also the offensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2016 to 2018.
Monken had some success at the college football level. He served under Kirby Smart as the offensive coordinator from 2020 to 2022. Georgia won the national championship in 2021 and 2022. He was the head coach of Southern Miss from 2013 to 2015 as well.
Cleveland will have a lot to address on the offensive side of the ball in 2026. The team still has questions surrounding its quarterback and will have to do more to bolster the defense beyond Myles Garrett.
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