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Director of 'cash giveaway' program tailored to new mothers grilled on how taxpayer funding is used in debate
Michigan House Republicans are demanding a rigorous inspection of a taxpayer-funded cash assistance program for new mothers, aggressively questioning its benefits and sounding the alarm over how millions of dollars are being spent.
The scrutiny boiled over during a June 2 House Oversight Committee hearing, where GOP lawmakers targeted "Rx Kids"— an initiative billed as the nation's largest city-wide cash aid program for prenatal and infant care.
"I think there was a belief that there was this small pilot program that was going to be done right," House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. Jay DeBoyer, R-Clay Township, said during the hearing. "When I realized that there was a $250 million allocation to Rx Kids … and you find out that it's really not a prescription drug program for kids, it's a cash giveaway, then you realize that maybe we need to look at this a little harder."
The intense debate over the merits of the program has been escalating for months. House Republicans previously characterized the measure as a "cash for votes scheme." In an interview with local media following last week's hearing, DeBoyer went further, claiming the program is actively "tracking voter data of individuals who receive benefits."
ALBUQUERQUE USES WEED TAX TO FUND 'NO-STRINGS-ATTACHED' GUARANTEED INCOME, SPARKING POLICY DEBATE
Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, has also slammed the initiative, previously labeling it "a scam."
Republicans ramped up their oversight during last week's hearing, which featured tense testimony from Rx Kids founder and director Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha. Lawmakers lobbed a barrage of questions at the director, ranging from the viability of eligibility requirements and steep administrative overhead to whether illegal immigrants are accessing the funds.
"No state funds go to undocumented immigrants — none," Hanna-Attisha testified.
DeBoyer argued that the low barrier to entry raises serious red flags for taxpayer accountability. To qualify, applicants must complete a 30-minute application (available in English, Spanish, or Arabic), be an adult living in a participating community, and be at least 16 weeks pregnant.
First launched as a pilot program in Flint, Michigan, in 2024, Rx Kids has since expanded to several cities across the state, including Detroit. To date, it has served 5,600 families, doling out more than $22 million in direct support.
The initiative is designed to issue a no-strings-attached $1,500 cash payment to expectant mothers, followed by $500 per month during the child's first year.
The program comes amid a growing national trend of local municipalities providing guaranteed basic income or similar cash assistance to low-income households. While Hanna-Attisha previously told Fox News Digital that the program is modeled after traditional "child allowance programs" rather than universal basic income, DeBoyer warned of a broader ideological agenda.
"This is a test balloon for a much larger program that will first be guaranteed basic income for children up to the ages of 18," DeBoyer warned. "Then if we can convince the general public to buy into this, then we'll expand it to just guaranteed basic income."
The lawmaker took particular issue with the total lack of restrictions on how recipients spend the cash.
"You gotta beg the question, what is it that we're doing, taking $300 million and putting it in a bowl on the porch and telling people they can just stop by and grab a handful?" DeBoyer said. "When we pressed on that issue and asked the question, ‘How do we know they're not buying alcohol and marijuana and other things?’ the answer was, ‘We just trust them.’ That's a noble thing to say, but the problem is we're giving them other people's money."
MAYORS WANT TO KEEP HANDING OUT FREE CASH AFTER FEDERAL FUNDS DRIED UP
Hanna-Attisha, who also serves as a professor at Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine, cited internal Rx Kids research to highlight the program's early success in reducing infant poverty. However, DeBoyer pushed back, questioning the legitimacy of data compiled by the very people running the operation.
"All of the data is provided by Dr. Mona, and most of the research that was done to compile the data was done by Dr. Mona," DeBoyer said. "Well, that's not independent research. That’s the people that are getting the money and doling the money out doing the research."
In a statement to Fox News Digital, the Rx Kids team defended their scientific integrity, noting that their "methods are transparent" and their findings have "withstood scientific scrutiny."
"While I serve as the program's founder and director, the research is conducted by a multidisciplinary team of investigators from multiple institutions and disciplines, including economists, epidemiologists, public health researchers, physicians, and policy experts," Hanna-Attisha said, adding that the data has been subjected to rigorous peer-review standards.
DeBoyer also trained his sights on the millions of dollars currently being spent on administrative overhead.
"For darn near $40 million of that money has gone to Michigan State and [nonprofit charity] GiveDirectly in administrative fees," DeBoyer said. "We're going to look into how that money is being spent at Michigan State. We're going to look into how that money is being used at GiveDirectly because $250 million is a lot of Michigan taxpayer money."
NEW FEDERAL PROBE EXAMINES WHETHER TAXPAYER DOLLARS FUND CHILD GENDER TRANSITIONS, LEGAL DEFENSES
Hanna-Attisha strongly rejected the characterization of those funds as mere "fees," countering that the program operates with high efficiency and takes taxpayer accountability seriously.
"The program also had two previous years of state funding. When you consider the 5–6 years of state funding, the administration of the program is about $7–8M/year," she told Fox News Digital, noting that Rx Kids is a public-private partnership that has raised nearly $90 million from non-state sources.
"Funds are distributed through established systems with extensive safeguards, eligibility verification, fraud prevention protocols, auditing processes, data-use agreements, and independent oversight," she added. "The overwhelming majority of funding supports families directly — approximately 15% of state funds support the administration of the program — that is an incredible level of efficiency."
While Hanna-Attisha previously told Fox News Digital that she ultimately hopes to see the program expand nationwide, Michigan Republicans are making it clear that any future funding will face a steep uphill battle.
DeBoyer's office did not immediately respond to a follow-up request for comment.
PGA Tour pro Adam Svensson makes boneheaded, likely very costly mistake during US Open qualifier
PGA Tour winner Adam Svensson made what may turn out to be a career-altering mistake during his U.S. Open qualifier.
As the longest day in golf unfolded, with the 36-hole U.S. Open final qualifying taking place across North America on Monday, the most shocking moment came in Ontario, Canada, in an eight-player playoff with three spots in the year's third major up for grabs.
The playoff eventually dwindled to three, with PGA Tour players Mx McGreevy, Matt Wallace and Svensson battling for the final automatic spot into next week's U.S. Open.
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McGreevy went on to earn the spot with a birdie on the playoff hole, but there was still business left to be done whether Wallace or Svensson would be the first alternate from the site.
Svensson ultimately, and mistakenly, made that process as straightforward as possible.
Wallace was already in for par on the playoff hole, but Svensson did not realize that if he went on to make his par putt, the two would have continued to play on to determine who would earn the coveted first alternate spot.
Instead, Svensson walked over to his ball mark, picked it up and unknowingly gifted Wallace the first alternate position.
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As Golf Channel's Brandon de Jonge noted on the broadcast, there is a very good chance that Wallace will ultimately get into the U.S. Open as the first alternate, with other players already in the field inevitably having to back out of the event for various reasons.
As a former Tour winner who has well over 150 professional starts under his belt, Svensson should have been more aware of the situation.
Having said that, it is a unique situation with the playoff beginning with eight players coming off the back end of a 36-hole marathon.
It's understandable for Svensson's brain to not be exactly firing at peak levels and realizing what was at stake after McGreevy birdied the hole and knocked him out of the running to earn an automatic spot on the field. Nevertheless, it's a moment that Svensson would like to forget.
Trump's DOJ pick in trouble as GOP concerns threaten confirmation
President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Department of Justice is already facing headwinds among Senate Republicans that could derail, or outright torpedo, his confirmation process.
And the process to either confirm or deny acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to replace former Attorney General Pam Bondi is already underway in the Senate, with Trump officially sending his nomination to the upper chamber on Monday.
Blanche’s involvement in the controversial, now-defunct $2 billion anti-weaponization fund, and his actions surrounding the Jan. 6 Capitol Hill rioters are two key breaking points for some Senate Republicans.
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His first challenge will be getting through the Senate Judiciary Committee, where Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., could be the pivotal vote that would make or break his confirmation.
Tillis was vehemently opposed to the anti-weaponization fund, going so far as to offer an amendment to divert the money to the nation’s anti-fraud fund and voting with Senate Democrats every step of the way to ensure there was no chance the move could be made again.
But for Tillis, Blanche’s comments and actions about the Jan. 6 rioters are his main "circuit breaker."
"They better not have said for one minute that the people who beat up police officers, like these right down here, were righteous people," Tillis said. "You come even close to saying that, you don’t have a [chance] of getting my vote in Judiciary."
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The skepticism about Blanche, who previously served as Trump’s personal lawyer before making the leap to the DOJ, extends beyond Tillis among those in the GOP. And he’ll receive no quarter from Senate Democrats, either in committee or during a confirmation vote.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., accused Blanche of both shielding Trump from legal consequences and using "the justice system to go after his boss’ political enemies, bringing baseless charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center, Jim Comey, and others."
"Trump and Blanche are cut from the same crooked cloth," Schumer said.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said it was "hard to say" whether Blanche would have the votes to be confirmed.
TODD BLANCHE 'HONORED AND HUMBLED' BY TRUMP'S AG NOMINATION AFTER EXPLOSIVE WEEK OF FEDERAL ARRESTS
"I think obviously most of our members are pretty deferential to who the president wants in these key positions," Thune said. "He’s already serving in the role and clearly has experience in it. But this is an environment where nothing is a safe or sure bet."
Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, announced that the committee had received the nomination Monday afternoon.
Grassley said he "worked well" with Blanche and has appreciated "his commitment to transparency and support for law enforcement."
"Blanche is well-qualified and has shown his dedication to restoring law and order across our country," Grassley said in a statement. "The Senate Judiciary Committee’s work to process Blanche’s nomination is underway."
Several Republicans were furious over the anti-weaponization fund, and berated Blanche behind closed doors last month over how it would operate, and whether Jan. 6 rioters would have access to the taxpayer money.
How much of a hand he had in that move could also determine his success in a Senate confirmation vote should he make it through the Senate Judiciary Committee.
"I think it’s gonna come down to the extent of his involvement in this weaponization fund," Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said.
Trump's grip on GOP faces fresh challenge in South Carolina governor battle
One week after President Donald Trump's endorsement-winning streak in high-profile Republican primaries was snapped, the president's immense clout over his party is facing another key test in South Carolina's GOP gubernatorial nomination face-off.
A week and a half ago, the president handed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette 11th-hour support as she seeks to succeed a top Trump ally, term-limited Republican Gov. Henry McMaster.
Evette is facing off in the GOP primary against a handful of top rivals. They are longtime South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman, and multimillionaire businessman Rom Reddy.
Since no candidate was expected to top 50% of the primary vote and land a majority, the top two finishers will advance to the June 23 Republican runoff.
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The brute force of the president's endorsement power has been on display in GOP primaries over the past month, with his candidates ousting incumbents he targeted in showdowns in Indiana, Louisiana, Kentucky and Texas that grabbed plenty of national attention.
But Trump's last-minute endorsement of Republican Rep. Randy Feenstra of Iowa in the race to succeed retiring GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds — which came on the same day he also backed Evette — wasn't enough to muscle the three-term congressman to victory.
Feenstra was narrowly edged out by Zach Lahn, a businessman, farmer and former political strategist who was backed by the political wings of MAHA — the acronym for the Make America Healthy Again movement aligned with Trump Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — and Turning Point USA, the powerful conservative organization co-founded by the late Charlie Kirk.
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In the South Carolina GOP gubernatorial primary, the major contenders had long been highlighting their support for Trump and his agenda in hopes of landing his support.
Trump, after staying neutral for months, endorsed Evette, praising her as an "America First Patriot" and a "WINNER" in his announcement.
The president also headlined a tele-rally for Evette on the eve of the primary.
Hours later, on the morning of the primary, Evette once again spotlighted the president's backing of her campaign.
In a social media post, she wrote that Trump "needs a strong partner as Governor who will deliver on our conservative America First agenda. It's why he gave me his 'complete and total endorsement.' Don't let President Trump down. Get to the polls, bring your friends & family, and VOTE EVETTE!"
But Trump, in a social media post endorsing Evette, also said he expected Evette to choose Henry McMaster Jr., the governor's son, as her running mate for lieutenant governor.
The comment by the president led to blowback in South Carolina political circles and speculation that McMaster, who succeeded then-Gov. Nikki Haley when she stepped down to serve as U.N. ambassador during Trump's first term and who is in his 10th year as governor, was trying to give his son a political boost.
But McMaster denied any deal or pressure, and Evette has said she wouldn't name any running mate until after the primary is over.
And on Friday, the younger McMaster took his name out of contention, saying it was "incredibly humbling" to be mentioned as a possible lieutenant governor candidate, but that "now is simply not the right time."
Pointing to what he said was a smaller-than-expected bounce in the polls for Evette, longtime South Carolina political strategist Dave Wilson told Fox News Digital he thinks the Trump endorsement "backfired" because of the president's push for the younger McMaster to join the Evette ticket.
"In South Carolina, we really don't take it very well when Washington tries to tell us what to do," Wilson emphasized.
Surveillance video captures Penn State student's final moments before fatal shooting in armed robbery attempt
Surveillance video captured the final moments before a Pennsylvania State University student was killed after an armed robbery attempt.
The Philadelphia Police Department said Billy Schmidt, 22, was close to home when the armed robbery attempt happened on Saturday around 1:30 a.m. When officers arrived, the college student was found with a gunshot wound to his chest. He was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead at 1:47 a.m., according to police.
Schmidt can be heard saying, "Give me my phone," before a gunshot could be heard seconds later.
Bill Schmidt, his father, told ABC7 that his son was coming back from a bar where he was watching the NBA Finals with his friends. Additional security video shows a man throwing a cellphone before another individual can be seen running around a corner being chased by Billy Schmidt, who was then shot in the chest.
"He was a really good person who cared about everybody and never hurt or bothered a soul, never bothered anyone and for him to get shot like that is a travesty," Bill Schmidt said. "I'm shocked when they stole his phone that he chased them."
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His sister, Anna Schmidt, told reporters she doesn't know how anyone could have killed her brother.
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"I miss him so much, and I don't understand how someone can do this," Anna Schmidt said.
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In a statement, Penn State University said Billy Schmidt was studying journalism at Penn State World Campus and was on track to graduate in December.
"We are heartbroken over the tragic death of William Schmidt and we share our deepest condolences with his family and friends," the university said.
Police have not made an arrest in connection with the college student's killing. One neighbor urged anyone with information to help police.
"I want justice, I want the kid that shot Billy to be found," a neighbor told FOX 29. "If anyone's out there that recognizes anything... they seem young to me. If anyone has any information or recognizes anything about the kids, I would love for them to come forward."
Texas Tech’s Brendan Sorsby won Round 2, but the NCAA is coming back swinging in landmark case
After a judge granted a preliminary injunction that will allow Brendan Sorsby to play this upcoming season for Texas Tech, the NCAA has already filed a notice of appeal in the Seventh District of Texas that signals this fight is only entering round three.
The ruling from Judge Ken Curry sent shockwaves through college athletics, with multiple Big 12 athletic directors expressing frustration over the decision.
Brendan Sorsby wins court injunction against the NCAA despite betting on his own team multiple times
Conference officials are also expected to discuss potential next steps during meetings this week, starting on Tuesday.
But, the court of college opinion is clearly in the favor of NCAA compliance, as they dig their heels in and press the Texas judicial system for a potential favorable ruling in their appeal.
BRENDAN SORSBY ADMITS WAGERING NEARLY $90,000 DURING COLLEGE CAREER AS NCAA FIGHT HEATS UP
For many, betting on your own team would seem like a clear path to losing eligibility.
But Sorsby's attorneys built their case around his struggles with gambling addiction and mental health, while also arguing that the NCAA breached its contractual obligations in the way it handled his suspension.
The strategy worked, and the injunction was granted.
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Not only did Brendan Sorsby gamble on his own team, but he also wagered on college basketball at both Indiana and Cincinnati, while wagering over $6,000 on other college football games, placing over $90,000 in bets total.
"Did betting on hoops play into that 2-game proposal?," one Power-4 athletic director asked Fox News Digital, rhetorically.
And, while the NCAA filed an appeal in the State of Texas on Monday evening, we could already have a dilemma on our hands with the current judges presiding over the process.
Appeals can often take months to resolve, though there are circumstances under which the process could be expedited.
One aspect of the appeal that has already drawn attention is the makeup of the appellate court.
All four judges currently serving on the Seventh Court of Appeals attended Texas Tech. While there is no suggestion that their educational background would influence their decision-making, the optics are notable given the stakes involved.
It remains to be seen whether NCAA attorneys will attempt to pursue any recusal motions related to those connections.
After all, one judge in the original injunction proceedings stepped aside because of ties to Texas Tech.
Whether that becomes a factor in the appeal is something both sides will be watching closely.
While there is clear frustration among some conference officials, Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark and league administrators are expected to proceed carefully over the next few weeks.
On Tuesday, athletic directors from the Big 12 will hold a conference call to discuss the Sorsby issues, and what type of options they have in the form of punishment.
Because of the court's injunction, neither the NCAA nor the conference can simply ignore the ruling and prevent Sorsby from participating in games or practices.
However, the Big 12 could explore whether any conference-specific bylaws, sportsmanship provisions, or ethics policies provide grounds for separate disciplinary action.
As we've seen in past instances, conferences can use their own policies to issue a penalty towards either a school or student-athlete.
That's where things become complicated.
Conferences have imposed penalties independent of NCAA enforcement in the past, but any attempt to sanction Sorsby could open the door to additional litigation. And given the outcome of the initial case, there's no guarantee a court would side with the conference.
At the same time, Big 12 conference officials must weigh whether declining to act creates its own set of concerns, especially in the court of public opinion and the weight of other conferences.
For now, Sorsby has the full backing of Texas Tech, and any decision by the Big 12 would likely be made only after extensive legal review.
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So, while a Texas judge might have granted an injunction on Monday, we still have a ways to go before he actually suits up for the Red Raiders.
This one is far from over, as the countdown begins for the 2026 college football season.
Bikini crackdown at cruise destinations may surprise summer travelers
→ A last-minute deal is breathing new life into a pair of long-abandoned casinos.
→ One summer getaway spot is testing an unconventional plan to curb a growing health threat.
→ What's perfectly fine swimwear on a cruise ship could lead to unwanted attention at certain destinations.
→ This crowded tourist destination is cracking down on visitor behavior with costly consequences.
→ A split-second decision at sea turned one cruise ship passenger into an unlikely hero.
→ One veteran's painful airport journey inspired strangers to step up in a remarkable way.
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→ Researchers say intriguing evidence could reshape a centuries-old debate tied to biblical lore.
→ A newly uncovered palace is prompting historians to rethink a long-held story behind Sparta's ascent.
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A dangerous bacteria discovery near a popular getaway has travelers reconsidering their summer plans.
Sen Collins slams Bernie-backed Graham Platner as too far-left for Maine voters
BANGOR, Maine — Republican Sen. Susan Collins believes that Graham Platner, her likely Democratic challenger in November's midterm elections, is too extreme for voters in her New England state.
But Platner, pushing an economically populist agenda as he takes aim at corporate influences and advocates for the working class, argues it is moderate Collins who is the "radical" one.
With the support of Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Rep. Ro Khanna of California, Platner is aiming to unseat the longtime Republican senator in left-leaning Maine.
The race is among a handful that could determine if the GOP holds onto its slim Senate majority in the midterm elections, and the oyster farmer has been forced onto defense in recent weeks amid mounting controversies and negative headlines.
IT'S JUDGMENT DAY FOR EMBATTLED DEMOCRAT GRAHAM PLATNER
While Collins has mostly kept quiet about Platner's political baggage, she has weighed in on his agenda.
Among his many progressive policy stances, Platner, on his campaign website, urges "passing a constitutional amendment to ban billionaires buying elections!"
And he highlights that he's "a strong supporter of a Medicare for All system" and that he "will support a path to citizenship and an end to the mass deportation machine."
Asked if Platner is too far to the left for voters in her northern New England state, Collins responded in a Fox News Digital interview last month, "I believe that will be the conclusion of Maine voters. But, obviously, I don't take anything for granted."
But Platner challenges that it's Collins who is too "radical."
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"My response is that, trying to bring down costs for working Mainers. Trying to make sure that our communities don't get emptied out because housing has become unaffordable for young people. Trying to create a system in which we are not seeing our health care system utilized as a way of just screwing working people all for the benefit of a health care insurance CEO," Platner responded in a Fox News Digital interview last month.
"I don't think that's radical at all," he added, claiming: "I think, in fact, that what most Mainers agree is what we have to be doing."
Rather, he claimed that "what's radical is somebody like Susan Collins, who, for decades now, has made sure that we pass policies that are going to help corporations and billionaires to the detriment of working people, supporting over and over and over again, illegal and insane foreign wars."
"She voted to send me to Iraq, and now she continues to vote to support the war in Iran," Platner charged. "I'm sorry that I think is much more radical to the people of Maine than having a health care system that doesn't collapse before our eyes."
PLATNER TO SUPPORTERS: 'MAINE, YOU HAVE MY BACK'
Despite his numerous controversies, Platner has drawn large crowds and built a healthy fundraising war chest.
Democrats see Maine as a crucial pickup opportunity in the 2026 midterms as they aim to win back the Senate majority in the fall.
But beating Collins, a moderate who is running for a sixth six-year term in the Senate and has a history of voting against President Donald Trump's agenda, won't be easy. Six years ago, public opinion polls indicated the senator was headed to defeat, but Collins defied expectations and won re-election by topping then-Democratic state House Speaker Sara Gideon by nine points.
Trump keeps forecasting an Iran deal — why the White House still thinks it can happen
President Donald Trump is continuing to project confidence that a final nuclear agreement with Iran remains within reach despite months of slow-moving diplomacy, unresolved disputes over uranium enrichment and a ceasefire that appeared at risk of unraveling over the weekend.
"We're in the final throes of what will be a very, very good deal," Trump told reporters after attending the third game of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, adding that it would come in "two or three days."
Trump has suggested dozens of times over the past two months that a deal is just around the corner, yet little public evidence has emerged that the sides have bridged the core disputes that have complicated negotiations. Since the start of Operation Epic Fury, the president has said a deal was close at least 38 times, according to a CNN count.
Despite months of predictions that a deal was imminent, negotiations remain publicly deadlocked over uranium enrichment, sanctions relief and Iran's growing stockpile of enriched uranium. Yet administration officials and outside analysts say a combination of economic pressure on Iran, a fragile but surviving ceasefire and the high costs of renewed conflict may explain why Trump continues to believe an agreement is achievable.
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In May alone, Trump said a deal was "largely negotiated," later suggested he was making a "final determination" and now says an agreement could arrive within days.
Former National Security Council official Michael Singh said Trump's confidence likely reflects both the president's negotiating style and the reality that neither Washington nor Iran appears eager to abandon diplomacy despite recent military exchanges.
"Projecting optimism is part of President Trump's MO," Singh told Fox News Digital, adding that despite recent military exchanges, "we don't see either side really pursuing any alternative with any kind of determination."
In announcing the ceasefire April 7, Trump said talks were "very far along" but it would take two weeks for "the Agreement to be finalized and consummated."
"Both sides, Israel and Iran, are looking to do an immediate CEASEFIRE! Final negotiations on ‘Peace’ are proceeding, subject to ignorance or stupidity getting in its way. The Blockade will remain in place, and in full force and effect, until a ‘Final Deal’ is reached. Things should move quickly," Trump posted on Truth Social Monday.
The optimism comes as negotiators remain divided over core elements of Iran's nuclear program and after fresh military exchanges briefly threatened to derail the fragile truce between Israel and Iran.
"Iran is desperate to make a deal because of the historic successes of Operation Epic Fury, Operation Economic Fury, and the blockade. Talks on a deal that will prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon are continuing at a rapid pace and are going very well," a White House official told Fox News Digital.
"As the President stated, he will only make a good deal for the American people. He is not going to be rushed into making a bad deal. Due to the successes of Operation Epic Fury, Economic Fury, and the blockade, President Trump holds the cards and has all the time he needs to make the best deal for the United States and the world."
Trump's confidence comes as Israel and Iran traded fire for the first time since a ceasefire took hold and after the president told the Financial Times Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would have "no choice" but to accept a U.S.-brokered agreement with Iran.
The ceasefire itself appeared shaky over the weekend following fresh exchanges between Israel and Iran, prompting Trump to publicly urge both sides to stand down and warning that further escalation could jeopardize ongoing negotiations.
By Monday, however, both sides signaled a desire to avoid a broader confrontation. Netanyahu said Israel would "hold fire" following discussions with Trump, while Iran indicated its latest round of attacks had concluded absent further provocation.
Singh said both sides appear to be trying to pressure one another into an agreement rather than preparing for a collapse in talks.
WHY TRUMP, IRAN SEEM LIGHT-YEARS APART ON ANY POSSIBLE DEAL TO END THE WAR
"It really does seem as though it's sort of down to the details," Singh said. "But, of course, the details can be quite hard."
Negotiators continue to face fundamental disagreements over Iran's nuclear program despite months of talks. But analysts who see a path to a deal often point to the growing pressure facing Iran.
Miad Maleki, a former Treasury Department sanctions official and senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, argued that Iran is facing mounting economic and diplomatic pressure that could eventually force the regime to reconsider positions it has so far refused to abandon.
"Every day that the blockade remains in place, Iran is getting closer to a complete economic collapse," Maleki told Fox News Digital, pointing to inflation, fuel shortages and growing economic strain inside the country.
Maleki argued that Iran's position has deteriorated during the ceasefire, citing continued economic pressure, additional sanctions and the loss of senior regime figures during the conflict.
"The regime is under severe pressure economically and diplomatically," he said.
That pressure may help explain why administration officials continue to view diplomacy as a viable path despite the slow pace of progress.
The Trump administration has maintained that Iran cannot be permitted to continue enriching uranium, arguing that even civilian enrichment capabilities could provide Iran with a pathway to a nuclear weapon. Iranian officials, meanwhile, insist they retain the right to enrich uranium for peaceful energy purposes and have resisted proposals requiring a permanent halt to enrichment activities on Iranian soil.
Negotiators also have sparred over the fate of Iran's uranium stockpile.
Before inspectors lost visibility into key facilities, the International Atomic Energy Agency estimated Iran possessed roughly 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity — just below weapons-grade levels and enough, if further enriched, for multiple nuclear weapons.
Those unresolved disputes have fueled skepticism about whether a breakthrough is truly imminent. But Iran is not the only actor facing pressure to avoid renewed conflict.
The conflict already has pushed energy prices higher and disrupted global shipping routes, with analysts warning that the economic fallout could persist for months even if maritime traffic resumes immediately.
In a recent Fox News Digital interview, Kpler oil analyst Matt Smith said it could take until the fourth quarter of the year for global energy flows to normalize because of logistical bottlenecks involving trapped tankers, swollen inventories and damaged infrastructure.
Moody's Analytics has estimated the conflict has cost American households roughly $100 billion over the past three months through higher fuel, transportation and related costs.
Trump's confidence has also coincided with increasingly public disagreements with Netanyahu about how to handle Iran.
The president recently said Netanyahu would have "no choice" but to accept a deal with Tehran, comments that fueled speculation about growing differences between Washington and Jerusalem.
Ehud Eilam, a former researcher for Israel's Ministry of Defense, said Israel and the United States share the goal of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon but often approach the challenge from different strategic perspectives.
"Iran poses a much bigger threat to Israel compared with the danger Iran presents to the United States," Eilam told Fox News Digital.
Eilam also argued that Washington retains significant leverage over Israeli decision-making through military aid and weapons transfers.
"The delivery of U.S. weapons and ammunition to Israel, now and later, gives the Trump administration major leverage to convince Israel to accept a deal with Iran," he said.
Seattle mayor says sobriety won't be required at new homeless shelter
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson said residents entering a new homeless shelter community in the city's Interbay neighborhood will not be required to be sober, a policy she defended as part of the city's effort to move people indoors and connect them with services.
"We're not demanding that people be, you know, abstinent when they enter this village, but there are going to be, you know, there's kind of repeated efforts to kind of help people along into treatment and so that treatment will always be available and encouraged," Wilson said.
Wilson made the remarks Sunday when asked about the Bayside Enhanced Shelter Community, a new shelter project that has drawn attention from residents concerned about homelessness, public safety and addiction in the area.
"So again, the model here is low barrier, high support," Wilson said. "So we are not requiring treatment for people entering this and this is really an evidence-based model that we've seen be successful. And so, basically, you're bringing people in knowing that the process of recovery is really complicated and difficult."
The new Bayside Enhanced Shelter Community has 50 single-adult pallet home units that will serve as 24/7 transitional housing that is expected to increase to 75 units by the end of the month, KOMO News reported.
Users of the facility will have access to "behavioral health support for addiction and recovery," but neither using those resources nor being sober is required to use the housing facility.
KIRO 7 News reported that each 70-square-foot unit cost $16,000 to build, and Wilson has acknowledged that the city is running behind in its goal to have 500 shelter beds by mid-June and 1,000 by the end of the year.
"So when people say it is a failure not to have created 500 units by now, what I want to say is, as long as there are thousands of people sleeping unsheltered on our streets, yes, we are failing," Wilson said.
In August, the Washington State Standard reported that on Jan. 30, the state documented 22,173 people who were homeless in Washington, adding, "33% were experiencing unsheltered homelessness and 67% were experiencing sheltered homelessness."
Fox News Digital has reached out to Wilson for comment.
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