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Judge rules West Virginia parents can use religious beliefs to opt out of school vaccine requirements
A West Virginia judge ruled on Wednesday that parents can use religious beliefs to opt out of school vaccine requirements for their children.
Raleigh County Circuit Judge Michael Froble on Wednesday issued a permanent injunction, saying children of families who object to the state's compulsory vaccination law on religious grounds will be permitted to attend school and participate in extracurricular sports.
Froble found that a state policy prohibiting parents from seeking religious exemptions violates the Equal Protection for Religion Act signed into law in 2023 by then-Gov. Jim Justice.
West Virginia was among just a handful of states to offer only medical exemptions from school vaccinations when Gov. Patrick Morrisey issued an executive order earlier this year allowing religious exemptions.
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However, the state Board of Education voted in June to instruct public schools to ignore the governor's order and follow long-standing school vaccine requirements outlined in state law.
The board said following Wednesday's ruling that it "hereby suspends the policy on compulsory vaccination requirements" pending an appeal before the state Supreme Court.
Morrisey said in a statement that the ruling "is a win for every family forced from school over their faith."
Two groups had sued to stop Morrisey's order, arguing that the legislature has the authority to make these decisions instead of the governor.
Legislation that would have allowed the religious exemptions was approved by the state Senate and rejected by the House of Delegates earlier this year.
The judge ruled that the failure to pass the legislation did not determine the application of the 2023 law. He rejected the defendants' argument that religious exemptions can only be established by legislative moves.
"Legislative intent is not absolute nor controlling in interpreting a statute or determining its application; at most, it is a factor," Froble said.
A group of parents had sued the state and local boards of education and the Raleigh County schools superintendent. One parent had obtained a religious exemption to the vaccine mandate from the state health department and enrolled her child in elementary school for the current school year before receiving an email in June from the local school superintendent rescinding the certificate, according to the lawsuit.
In July, Froble issued a preliminary injunction allowing the children of the three plaintiffs’ families in Raleigh County to attend school this year.
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Last month, Froble certified the case as a class action involving 570 families who had received religious exemptions in other parts of the state. He said the class action also applies to parents who seek religious exemptions in the future.
Froble said the total number of exemptions so far involved a small portion of the statewide student population and "would not meaningfully reduce vaccination rates or increase health risks."
State law requires children to receive vaccines for chickenpox, hepatitis B, measles, meningitis, mumps, diphtheria, polio, rubella, tetanus and whooping cough before attending school.
At least 30 states have religious freedom laws. The laws are modeled after the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which was signed into law in 1993 by then-President Bill Clinton, allowing federal regulations that interfere with religious beliefs to be challenged.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Toronto adds Dylan Cease, reinforcing pitching rotation after World Series loss: reports
After coming up short in a Game 7 World Series thriller, the Toronto Blue Jays wasted little time making a free agency splash.
According to multiple reports, free agent pitcher Dylan Cease agreed to a $210 million, seven-year contract. Cease has been a reliable arm, making at least 32 starts in each of the last five MLB seasons.
The right-hander posted a 4.55 ERA with the San Diego Padres. He recorded 215 strikeouts and walked 71 batters in 168 innings.
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Cease spent his first five years with the Chicago White Sox, including a 2022 season in which he went 14-8 with a 2.20 ERA despite leading the majors in walks. He finished second in AL Cy Young Award balloting.
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After one more year in Chicago, he was traded to San Diego in March 2024 and went 14-11 with a 3.47 ERA that season, finishing fourth in NL Cy Young Award voting.
Cease was one of the top free-agent pitchers on the market this offseason and he joins a Blue Jays team that won the American East division this year.
Toronto’s rotation already features Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber and José Berríos. Chris Bassitt and 41-year-old Max Scherzer, the three-time Cy Young Award winner who started Game 7 of the World Series, became free agents this month.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Passenger allegedly opens emergency exit door on taxiing plane, deploys slide at Atlanta airport: police
A flight departing from Atlanta was delayed Tuesday after an unruly passenger allegedly opened the jet’s emergency exit door and deployed the inflatable slide while the plane was taxiing, according to police.
The incident triggered a security scare at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and prompted the Amsterdam-bound aircraft to return to the gate, where officers boarded the plane.
Flight 622, operated by KLM Airlines was then canceled out of safety concerns, FOX 5 Atlanta reported.
The Atlanta Police Department said the passenger, 32-year-old Johannes Van Heertum, had called 911 from inside the aircraft, claiming he saw another traveler with a weapon. Investigators said Van Heertum seemed to have panicked and acted out, forcing the aircraft to return to its ramp.
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Police said Van Heertum appeared to be experiencing a mental health episode and was evaluated by EMTs before being taken into custody. He was charged with reckless conduct, criminal damage to property and interfering with security measures.
He was then transported to the Clayton County Jail without incident, and APD’s Homeland Security Unit was notified.
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KLM said that all remaining passengers were rebooked on the next available flights, FOX 5 added. No weapons were found onboard.
Passengers told the local outlet the incident unfolded quickly and was "terrifying," though no injuries were reported.
KLM Airlines did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
Joe Rogan thinks he'd get arrested if he hosted his show from the UK due to speech laws
Podcast giant Joe Rogan said Wednesday he would probably be arrested if he tried to host his program from the United Kingdom.
For crises ranging from grooming gangs to arresting people for online speech, the U.K. is often touted by American critics as a cautionary tale of liberal government that restricts speech and lets violent criminals run rampant. Guest and fellow podcaster Chris Williamson, who recently left the U.K. for the United States, spoke on "The Joe Rogan Experience" about a study claiming it is the second-most miserable country in the world.
"It can’t just be the weather," Rogan said.
"Maybe it’s the Online Safety Bill," Williamson quipped, referring to the U.K.'s Online Safety Act that many critics argue is a nightmare for free speech.
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"Could be," Rogan said. "That would get me depressed. I'd be so depressed if I lived in England right now. I'd be like, ‘I'm f-----, like legitimately f-----.’
"Like, imagine if I was running this podcast in the exact same way out of England," Rogan proposed. "I'd get arrested. I saw them. They arrested a teacher because he refused to refer to one of his students as a ‘they,’ and this was like his second infraction. And, so, they arrested him for failure to recognize a singular plural."
"I don't like s----ing on the U.K. because it feels like I'm pulling the ladder up after I've just got out of it," Williamson lamented. "But it's just, I don't know how many more ways you can face-plant over and over again."
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Williamson added that the U.K. seems to be running on borrowed time and nostalgia, and it could look back years from now with shame at some of its current policies.
He recalled the appalling treatment of mathematician Alan Turing for being gay, even though he played a crucial role for the Allies in World War II by helping crack German codes, and the posthumous apology he got from the British government.
College basketball player dies after suffering in-game injury
A Connors State College basketball player died after suffering an in-game head injury, school officials said.
Sophomore Ethan Dietz died Tuesday, the school said in a statement posted to its Facebook page.
School spokesperson Shannon Rigsby said initial reports indicate Dietz suffered some type of head injury.
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"The Cowboy family has suffered an unimaginable loss. As you know, sophomore Ethan Dietz was injured during a men’s basketball game on Saturday. He passed away this morning, November 25," the school's statement said.
"Ethan exemplified what it means to be a Cowboy, to value hard work and being part of a team. While the team and the Cowboy community are processing our own grief, our hearts go out to his family and friends.
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"Ethan’s loss reminds us all how precious life is and how much those around us impact our lives. As we move through this loss together as a community, let’s be inspired by Ethan’s spirit, friendship and love."
Several of the college’s men’s and women’s basketball games were canceled after Dietz’s death.
Dietz was a 6-foot-8 forward from Vilonia, Arkansas, who was averaging 11 points per game through eight games this season. He had eight points and four rebounds in 20 minutes Saturday before he was injured.
A vigil in his honor is scheduled for Dec. 1 at the college’s campus in Warner, Oklahoma.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
LAX travelers abandon cars, walk to airport as protesters block building during Thanksgiving rush
Holiday travelers heading to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) faced severe disruptions as hundreds of protesters blocked the road outside during one of the busiest travel periods of the year, according to reports.
The demonstrations brought traffic outside the main airport building to a standstill, forcing people to abandon their cars and walk to the airport to catch their flights on time, according to FOX 11.
On Tuesday, the protesters marched onto Century Boulevard, blocking a major entrance to the airport and shutting down traffic around LAX’s main pickup and drop-off zones.
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Police in riot gear arrived and cleared the intersection shortly after 6:15 p.m., gradually allowing traffic to resume.
Fox News reported another protest broke out in Terminal 7 Wednesday morning involving workers from USWW, the nation's largest security officers union.
At the center of the protest outside the airport is an escalating labor dispute with Flying Food Group, one of LAX’s largest airline catering contractors.
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Unite Here Local 11 and employees of Flying Food Group are demanding a new contract with higher wages while raising safety and labor concerns.
"Honestly, people don’t care about the people who make food and put it on their plates," Susan Minato, co-president of Unite Here Local 11 told FOX 11.
"We wanted to make a statement."
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Minato acknowledged the disruption but defended the timing, arguing that demonstrations during peak travel periods are necessary to draw attention.
"It is a busy time of the year, no question," she said. "But that’s also how you get some attention."
Earlier this year, the union successfully pushed for a city ordinance raising the minimum wage for hotel and airport workers to $30 by 2028.
While protests through Wednesday were not expected to block vehicle access, the New York Post reported that police were still preparing for disruptions amid the main holiday travel rush.
Nick Saban makes case for Brian Daboll to fill Penn State’s head coaching vacancy
Penn State parted ways with head coach James Franklin Oct. 12, just one day after Northwestern upset the Nittany Lions.
Franklin has since accepted a job at Virginia Tech, while Penn State continues to search for someone to fill its head coaching vacancy. Multiple reports have linked Brian Daboll to Penn State. The New York Giants relieved Daboll of his coaching duties earlier this month after 3½ seasons.
Amid the chatter, legendary college football coach Nick Saban threw his support behind Daboll. Saban said Daboll would be an "outstanding hire" for Penn State.
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Saban has familiarity with Daboll's coaching. Daboll worked under Saban when Daboll was Alabama's offensive coordinator during the Crimson Tide's run to the College Football Playoff national championship in 2017.
Saban cited the successful one-year run he had with Daboll and also highlighted Daboll’s other successes as an assistant coach in the NFL.
"I love Brian. He did a great job here with us. Offensive coordinator, we won the championship with him calling the plays. He's been to the Super Bowl several times with [Bill] Belichick and won," Saban said Wednesday during an appearance on ESPN's "The Pat McAfee Show."
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Before landing the head coaching opportunity with the Giants, Daboll had assistant coaching stints with the New England Patriots, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills.
"I think he was in a tough situation with the Giants, but I do think that he's a very good coach. He's a bright guy. He's a good recruiter," Saban continued.
"He relates well to the players. He's a good teacher. He's got a good offensive mind. He'll be able to put a good staff together. I think that would be an outstanding hire."
Earlier this month, The Athletic reported that Daboll was "believed to have interest" in and "expected to get some consideration" for the Penn State job.
The report added Daboll received support from "some former NFL players with strong ties to Penn State."
After dropping a close game to No. 2 Indiana in Week 11, Penn State has won its last two games. The Nittany Lions travel to New Jersey for a regular-season finale with Rutgers Saturday.
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White House blasts MS NOW correspondent's 'beyond sick' reaction to DC shooting of National Guardsmen
The White House is taking aim at MS NOW correspondent Ken Dilanian over his initial reaction to Wednesday's shooting of National Guard troops in Washington D.C.
Dilanian appeared during the network's breaking news coverage and was asked about the environment in D.C. since President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard earlier this year. He responded by noting how the National Guard's presence has been normalized, and it was no longer seen as controversial after D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser embraced the deployment.
He then pivoted to the political climate around the country.
"Of course, you know, there's so much controversy happening in the United States right now with ICE, who are also wearing uniforms and wearing masks," Dilanian told MS NOW's Katy Tur. "And so there's — you don't know — people walking around with uniforms in an American city. There are some Americans that might object to that. And so apparently this shooting has happened."
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Tur and Dilanian also questioned the legality of the National Guard deployment in D.C., citing a federal judge's ruling that it was unlawful, which the Trump administration is appealing.
The White House's rapid response team slammed Dilanian's comments on social media.
"@KDilanianMSNOW, two heroes were just shot protecting our nation’s capital — and this is your takeaway?" the White House wrote on X.
"Democrats have relentlessly demonized these Patriots, calling them ‘illegal’ and even suggesting THEY might start shooting Americans. Get help. You are beyond sick," the White House added.
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Other critics slammed the MS NOW correspondent.
"MS NOW is about to have to rebrand again. This is truly disgusting," Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet reacted.
"How about blaming the murderer," former ESPN reporter Ed Werder suggested.
"Ken Dilanian is a disgusting individual," Red State writer Bonchie posted.
A spokesperson for MS NOW declined to comment.
Two National Guardsmen are in critical condition in what authorities call a targeted attack just blocks away from the White House. The gunman, identified as 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is in custody and is being treated for injuries.
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SPEAKING OUT – Andrea Thompson was awarded the "World's Strongest Woman" title after a transgender controversy marred the competition. In a social media post, Thompson wrote her moment has "sadly been overshadowed by scandal." Continue reading …
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TEAM SHOCK – UAB redshirt freshman Daniel Israel Mincey has been charged with aggravated assault and attempted murder after allegedly stabbing two teammates hours before the Blazers played against South Florida. Continue reading …
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THANKSGIVING DAY NFL – Thanksgiving Day, FOX is serving up a classic NFC North rivalry, as Jordan Love and the Packers take on Jared Goff and the Lions. Coverage begins at 11 am eastern today. Watch on FOX or stream live and free in 4k on Tubi. Continue reading …
FROM FOX SPORTS – Thanksgiving week delivered clarity in the debate over the NFL’s top division, with three NFC North teams landing in the latest edition of Tom Brady’s top 10 NFL Power Rankings. Continue reading …
FROM OUTKICK – The NFL will help launch celebrations for America’s 250th birthday. Starting in January, game-used footballs will feature special embossing and fields will carry commemorative markings. Roger Goodell said the move is part of the league’s work with the White House’s Salute to America 250 Task Force. Continue reading …
WATCH NOW – Shedeur Sanders will be the starter for the Cleveland Browns Week 13 matchup with the San Francisco 49ers. FOX. Sports' Colin Cowherd asks if Sanders is ready for the task and whether he gives the Browns the best chance to win right now. Watch here …
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Bipartisan support, outrage pour in after 'targeted' DC shooting of National Guardsmen: 'Horrific'
Lawmakers from across the political spectrum began expressing support amid news that two West Virginia National Guard members were shot blocks away from the White House Wednesday afternoon.
After news of the shooting, members of the West Virginia delegation were quick to respond, as was Vice President JD Vance and President Donald Trump, who referred to the suspected shooter as an "animal."
"The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen, with both being critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals, is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform as details of the shooting emerged.
"God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. These are truly Great People. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!"
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West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey, a Republican, said he and his wife were "devastated" to hear the news.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the two West Virginia National Guardsmen remain in critical condition, correcting an earlier report from Morrisey that the pair had died.
Both of West Virginia's two Republican senators also chimed in, offering thoughts and prayers but did not shed any additional details. Democrats from the state expressed messages of support as well.
"Tonight, our hearts are heavy for the two members of the West Virginia National Guard shot in Washington, D.C.," Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, the West Virginia Democratic Party chairman, told Fox News. "This cowardly and tragic act of violence should never happen in this country, and our hearts grieve for the families who are dealing with this senseless tragedy.
"This tragedy transcends party lines. Two families will now have to spend Thanksgiving in agony for their loved ones, who did nothing wrong and answered their call of duty. We honor these soldiers’ service, sacrifice and courage. We hope and pray for the best. These young men and their brothers and sisters in uniform represent the very best of us and the very best of West Virginia."
Democrats outside West Virginia spoke up as well, including some of the party's top national leaders, such as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who slammed "political violence" in his response despite no confirmed reports about a motive.
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"There must be zero tolerance for violence — of any kind — against the brave men and women in uniform who selflessly serve our communities and our country," Newsom said of the shooting. "The shooting of National Guard members in Washington, D.C. is horrific and unacceptable. Jen and I are praying for the service members, their families, and the entire National Guard community."
Maryland Democratic Gov. Wes Moore reached across the aisle as well to offer assistance to Morrisey.
"We condemn this violence in the strongest possible terms and we are holding the Guard, their families, and their loved ones close in our hearts," Moore said. "I have reached out to [Morrisey] and [Capito] to offer any support. We are closely monitoring the situation for updates."
Metropolitan Police Department Executive Assistant Chief Jeffery Carroll said Wednesday the lone gunman allegedly "came around the corner" in an "ambush" style attack and opened fire on the two National Guardsmen. Other members of the National Guard nearby reportedly heard the gunfire and intervened, restraining the suspect after he had been shot, Carroll said.
It remains unclear who fired the shot that wounded the suspect, and suspect individual has not yet been identified.
Fox News Digital's Alexandra Koch contributed to this report.