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Olympians speak out against Iran's public execution of champion wrestler Saleh Mohammadi
The execution of Iranian wrestling star Saleh Mohammadi left the sports world mourning on Thursday.
Iran's regime executed the 19-year-old man on Thursday. Mohammadi was reportedly killed in a public hanging, according to Iranian American human rights activists and dissidents.
Iran International reported that Iran’s regime hanged Mohammadi and two additional Iranian men, Mehdi Ghasemiand Saeed Davoudi, "after being accused of killing two police officers during nationwide protests earlier this year," the judiciary-linked Mizan news agency reported.
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Multiple Olympians have shared their reactions to the execution with Fox News Digital.
"As someone who has traveled to Iran for wrestling twice and welcomed Iranian athletes into our country, I’ve seen firsthand the dignity and heart of the Iranian people. That’s why it’s so heartbreaking to witness a terror regime execute a teenage wrestler," Slay told Fox News Digital.
"My prayers are with Saleh Mohammadi’s family and all who are suffering. In the face of such oppression, I hold to the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the only light that overcomes darkness and only truth that proclaims justice and mercy will one day prevail."
"As an Olympic gold medalist, I’ve spent my life around athletes who represent the very best of human discipline and freedom. What we’re seeing in Iran—the execution of a wrestler after what appears to be a sham process—is a brutal reminder of what that regime stands for. This is exactly why strong leadership matters," Clary told Fox News Digital.
"President Trump has been clear-eyed about the nature of this regime and the need to stand up to it, and moments like this prove why that approach is necessary."
"I’m beyond disgusted by the actions of the Iranian regime today. Murdering a teenaged iconic athlete shows how deeply depraved the Iranian leadership is. President Trump has and continues to do the right thing to ensure this regime is destroyed. A regime that is willing to murder a teenaged athlete is a regime that would be willing to murder Americans if given the chance," Bremmer told Fox News Digital.
"I will continue to support President Trump in taking the leadership to disarm Iran and ensure that the monsters running the country are never able to commit these atrocities against their citizens, Americans, or our allies ever again."
"My heart breaks for this athlete and his family. What makes this more devastating is there were clear, urgent calls for action," Uhlaender told Fox News Digital.
"These athletes did nothing wrong. They represented their sport and their country, and instead of being protected, they were left exposed to a system that failed to act when it mattered most…
"The United States is in a unique position to lead on this issue. Through sport diplomacy and international engagement, we have the ability to set a higher standard—one where athlete safety is non-negotiable, where warnings are acted upon, and where governing bodies are held accountable for their failures to protect. Sport can serve as a symbol of integrity and unity. Action, not silence, must define our response moving forward."
STATE DEPARTMENT DEMANDS IRAN HALT EXECUTION OF 19-YEAR-OLD WRESTLING STAR
"He was hanged for envisioning an Iran free from the predations of a regime now headed by an impotent Nepo-baby whose father thought him so incompetent he couldn't run a lemonade stand. His sacrifice is proof that such a cause was just," Edelman told Fox News Digital.
"This is only a glimpse of the regime’s brutality. A regime that kills its own people and now publicly executes a teenage athlete… For nearly 50 years, some politicians have tried to moderate this regime. They still don’t understand it. We do. We have lived under it. We carry its scars," Pashaei told Fox News Digital.
"Iranian sport is no longer in the hands of athletes. It is controlled by the Revolutionary Guards—the same forces that suppress women, intimidate athletes abroad, and threaten their families. Others are still at risk—and there is still time to save them. The world must act now. Saleh’s only ‘crime’ was protest. He went to the streets for freedom—for a future where protest is not a crime, where executions do not exist, and where people are not held hostage by their own government."
Fox News Digital's Benjamin Weinthal contributed to this report.
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Feds investigate alarming near-miss between Alaska Airlines jet, FedEx plane at busy Newark airport
Federal authorities are investigating after a "close call" was reported Tuesday night at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, involving a commercial jet and cargo aircraft.
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officials confirmed the "close call" happened when an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 overflew a FedEx Boeing 777 while both jets were attempting to land on crossing runways.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that at about 8:15 p.m. local time, an air traffic controller instructed Alaska Airlines Flight 294 to perform a "go-around" because FedEx Flight 721 was cleared for the final approach to an intersecting runway.
A FedEx spokesperson told Fox News Digital that "following instructions from air traffic control, the flight crew of FedEx flight 721 landed safely without incident at Newark Liberty International Airport."
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An Alaska Airlines spokesperson told Fox News Digital Alaska Airlines Flight 294 was also cleared to land at the airport.
"Air traffic control issued a go around to our aircraft, which our pilots are highly trained for," the spokesperson said. "We're aware the FAA and NTSB are investigating."
The incident came just a year after an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided midair with an American Airlines passenger plane near Ronald Reagan Washington International Airport, killing 64 people on the American Eagle flight and three aboard the military helicopter.
Newark Liberty International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the U.S., serving tens of millions of passengers annually. As of late, the airport has been plagued by air traffic controller shortages, leading to strained operations and major delays.
FAA and NTSB officials are investigating the incident.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Jack Hughes clarifies remarks on Olympic gold medal puck after Hall of Fame says it’s staying put
New Jersey Devils star and Olympic gold medalist Jack Hughes clarified his comments about the status of the gold medal–winning puck after his initial remarks sparked a frenzy involving the Toronto-based Hockey Hall of Fame.
In an exclusive interview with ESPN, Hughes expressed his disappointment when he learned that the Olympic puck was now on display in the Canadian-based museum.
"I'm trying to get it. Like, that's bulls--- that the Hockey Hall of Fame has it, in my opinion. Why would they have that puck?" he told the outlet.
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"I wouldn’t even want it for myself," he explained. "I’d want it for my dad. I know he’d just love, love having it. When I look back in time in my career, I don’t collect too many things for myself, but my dad’s a monster collector for the three of us. I know he would have a special place for it."
The irony of the puck residing in Canada was not lost on fans, as Team USA defeated Team Canada for the top spot on the podium.
HOCKEY HALL OF FAME GIVES JACK HUGHES TOUGH NEWS ON OLYMPIC GOLDEN GOAL PUCK REQUEST
Following Hughes’ honest reaction to learning that the puck had been donated by the International Ice Hockey Federation, Philip Pritchard, vice president of the resource center and curator for the Hockey Hall of Fame, told ESPN that the puck "was never Jack’s puck to own.
Days after the back and forth, Hughes clarified his remarks telling reporters that the Hall of Fame is "the most special place in hockey."
"Obviously honored that the pucks there. It’s like the most special place in hockey, so I’m honored that it’s there," he admitted. "Obviously I think things were taken — you know, crazy.
"That’s just the way I felt, and I didn’t know where the puck was. So, it is what it is."
The U.S. swept men's, women's and Paralympic sled hockey gold, beating Canada in each final to win all three for the first time in the same year. Megan Keller scored the women's golden goal, also in OT, and that puck was similarly donated to the Hall of Fame.
Fox News Digital's Ryan Morik and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Duke survives stunning halftime deficit to hold off No. 16 seed Siena in March Madness' first round
The Duke Blue Devils avoided being on the wrong side of March Madness history, as the No. 1 seed rallied late to avoid a massive upset to the No. 16 Siena Saints with a 71-65 victory in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Only twice in tournament history has a 16th-seeded team taken down a top seed in the first round – UMBC over Virginia in 2018 and Fairleigh Dickinson over Purdue in 2023.
Siena was in the driver’s seat to join that rare group, shocking Duke with a 43-32 lead at halftime. But they were unable to keep that lead, as the Blue Devils took over in the second half to avoid a mind-boggling finish in the first round.
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Duke outscored Siena, 39-22, in the second half, as the Saints surprisingly used just its five starters through the entire 40 minutes of the game. That strategy may have come back to hurt them in the end, with players looking gassed midway through the second half.
The effort from the Saints, though, never faltered as they continued to stave off Duke’s comeback attempt. However, with 4:25 left to play in the second half, Isaiah Evans’ layup gave Duke its first lead since early in the first half, 63-61.
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From there, the Blue Devils did what it took on the defensive end to maintain their lead as the clock kept ticking down to zero. Siena got things to a four-point deficit, but Gavin Doty’s missed three-pointer with 28 seconds left was ultimately the dagger in a hard-fought loss.
Doty was the team’s leading scorer with 21 points, though he wants some of his shots back beyond the arc, going 3-of-12 from that distance in the end. He had four rebounds and two assists as well.
Francis Folefac (18 points, seven rebounds and two assists) also played a huge role in Siena’s scare of Duke, while Brendan Coyle also had 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting for the Saints.
Siena was shooting 55% when the first half came to a close, including 45% from three-point territory. Meanwhile, Duke was reeling from distance, making only two of its 15 three-point attempts.
But while they couldn’t get the three-ball going in the second half, it was much better shot selection around the rim that worked in their favor. It was the Boozer brothers, Cam and Cayden, who led the way as they have all season for the Blue Devils. The sons of Duke and NBA great Carlos Boozer set the tone, especially Cam with his 22 points to lead the Blue Devils to victory.
Cam Boozer was also 13-of-14 from the charity stripe, hitting clutch shots at the end of the game. He finished with a double-double after hauling in a team-high 13 rebounds as well.
Cayden Boozer finished with 19 points on 9 of 16 shooting, while Evans had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds for Duke.
The Blue Devils will now go on to face No. 9 TCU, who defeated No. 8 Ohio State earlier on Thursday, in the second round on Saturday.
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Major city hikes hotel tax to nearly 20% as tourism bosses eye major events
The Chicago City Council has agreed to raise its tourist tax in an effort to grow traveler marketing programs.
The vote on Ordinance 2026-0022544 will raise the tax on hotel rooms within that district to 19% from the rate of 17.5% — which includes a combined city, county and state tax, according to the Chicago Sun Times.
The increase will be applied to hotel stays at properties in the downtown and surrounding areas that contain over 100 rooms.
LAS VEGAS TOURISM PLUMMETS AS OFFICIALS CONSIDER $6M PLAN TO WIN BACK CANADIAN VISITORS
The increase will apply to room rates at hotels with 100 or more rooms that agree to opt in.
The city council also passed the formation of the Tourism Improvement District (TID) — which will fund Choose Chicago, the city’s official destination marketing organization.
Revenue will be used for city marketing campaigns and to cover bid fees for conventions and major events.
Chicago is already targeting the Democratic National Convention, which requires a $1 million bid.
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The Windy City previously hosted the DNC in August 2024.
Earlier this month, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) advanced bids from Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver and Philadelphia.
Its advisory board is considering several factors, the DNC said — including a "commitment to selecting a city that shares Democratic values."
Mayor Brandon Johnson issued a press release after the City Council’s vote, praising the decision.
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"Chicago is a premier city for tourism, business travelers, conventions and large-scale events," said Johnson.
"My administration will continue our collaboration with Choose Chicago, as we continue to build up Chicago’s tourism and hospitality industry while leveraging economic growth and development to continue building safe and affordable communities across our city," he added.
Choose Chicago president and CEO Kristen Reynolds said in a press release that this marks a "transformative moment" for the city.
"With the TID in place, we now have the enhanced resources to match the ambition and vibrancy of our city," said Reynolds.
She added, "This investment will allow us to amplify our marketing efforts, attract more conventions and events and ultimately deliver significant benefits to Chicago’s economy and communities."
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Guy Chipparoni, chair of the Choose Chicago board of directors, said in a statement, "It sends a message to our competing cities that when it comes to attracting visitors, Chicago means business."
Reacting on social media to the news about the tax hike, one person wrote, "19% tax on a hotel room, making it the highest in the nation. Vacations can get pricey, especially for a family. How would this help tourism?"
Another X user wrote, "Democrats in Chicago will even dream up a breath tax. It's not far away."
Juror says Kouri Richins sympathy flipped after trial exposed kids’ book author’s plot to kill husband: report
A juror in the murder trial of Utah children’s book author Kouri Richins is speaking out for the first time, describing how the panel went from early sympathy to a unanimous guilty verdict in the fentanyl poisoning death of her husband.
Richins, 35, now faces the possibility of spending the rest of her life in prison after the jury found her guilty on all counts. Her sentencing is scheduled for May 13 at 9:30 a.m. MST.
In an interview with ABC’s "Good Morning America," a juror named Laura said her initial impression of Richins shifted dramatically as the trial unfolded.
"The first thing we hear is these terrible things about her … and she’s just sitting there like all by herself," Laura said. "At first, I was thinking … that Kouri was definitely feeling trapped."
That changed once prosecutors presented forensic evidence.
"I was blown out of the water," Laura said, pointing to cellphone data that helped jurors track movements tied to alleged drug purchases.
"We all led to the same conclusion that she was guilty."
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Rather than taking an immediate vote, jurors held a roundtable discussion to talk through the evidence and their reactions.
"People were really sad because they did not want to find her guilty … and it was really heartbreaking," Laura said.
Laura also described Richins as largely emotionless during the trial, saying she appeared "like a statue" and showed little reaction even when the verdict was read.
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As Richins awaits sentencing, growing attention is also focusing on her mother, Lisa Darden, amid new court filings and past allegations referenced by investigators.
Defense attorneys have made multiple attempts to have counsel appointed for Darden, an unusual move that suggests she could face potential legal exposure if called to testify.
Richins’ former attorney, Skye Lazaro, told Fox News Digital the defense initially filed a motion requesting the court appoint counsel for Darden, but the state objected. Both the defense request and the prosecution’s objection remain sealed by the court.
CHILDREN’S BOOK AUTHOR KOURI RICHINS SAYS SCANDAL AND NOTORIETY POISONED HER MURDER TRIAL
According to Lazaro, the defense renewed that effort in December, and portions of the filing were made public.
"It is my understanding from what was made public they asked for her to be appointed counsel to protect her constitutional rights," Lazaro said, adding that the defense also sought court-appointed attorneys for several other potential witnesses.
The filings suggest Darden could be a key witness, though the exact scope of her potential testimony remains unclear.
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Defense attorneys Kathy Nester and Alex Ramos did not respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment.
But this isn’t the first time Darden has drawn scrutiny.
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In a May 2023 search warrant affidavit, a Summit County Sheriff’s Office detective wrote that Darden may have been "involved in planning and orchestrating Eric’s death," citing her proximity to a separate, earlier death.
According to the affidavit, Darden was living with a romantic partner in 2006 when the woman died unexpectedly. An autopsy determined the cause of death was oxycodone toxicity.
The detective noted Darden had recently been named the beneficiary of her partner’s estate and wrote that, based on his training and experience, the circumstances would "likely rule out the possibility of an accidental overdose."
The affidavit further stated that, given Darden’s "proximity to her partner’s suspicious overdose death" and her close relationship with her daughter, "it is possible she was involved in planning and orchestrating Eric’s death."
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Lazaro pushed back on that characterization, telling Fox News Digital previously that the earlier death was consistent with the broader opioid crisis.
"[She] was one of the millions that suffered from, and ultimately succumbed to, opioid addiction," Lazaro said. "It is tragic, and, unfortunately, quite common."
Darden could not immediately be reached for comment.
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Prosecutors alleged Richins killed her husband in March 2022 by lacing a drink with fentanyl in a bid to collect millions in life insurance and gain control of the couple’s finances.
The case drew national attention in part because Richins later authored a children’s book about grief, "Are You With Me?," for her three sons.
A medical examiner found Eric Richins had more than five times the lethal amount of fentanyl in his system.
Richins denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty.
Fox News' Shannon Bream scores fourth consecutive No 1 New York Times bestseller with new faith book
Fox News anchor Shannon Bream’s latest book, "Nothing is Impossible with God," has debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list, making it Bream's fourth consecutive hit.
In a press release on Thursday, Fox News announced "Nothing is Impossible with God," which released last week, reached the top of the Advice, How-To & Miscellaneous category, cementing it as the top-selling faith-based book of 2026 and outperforming all other releases in the genre so far this year.
The achievement marked another milestone for Fox News Books, the publishing imprint of Fox News Media, which has now produced 17 New York Times bestsellers and sold more than 3.6 million copies since launching in 2020.
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"Nothing is Impossible with God" is Bream’s fourth book with Fox News Books and her fourth consecutive bestseller.
Her debut title, "The Women of the Bible Speak: The Wisdom of 16 Women and Their Lessons for Today," was released in 2021 and became a major success, selling close to one million copies and spending 15 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, including five weeks in the top spot.
She followed that success with "The Mothers and Daughters of the Bible Speak" in 2022 and "The Love Stories of the Bible Speak" in 2023, both of which also debuted at No. 1. Together, the series has sold nearly 1.5 million copies nationwide.
Bream, a longtime journalist and anchor of "FOX News Sunday," continues to build on her reputation as a leading voice in faith-based storytelling. Her newest book explores biblical accounts of unlikely figures who overcame adversity, fear and uncertainty, drawing connections to the modern-day challenges faced by readers.
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In addition to her work as an author, Bream serves as chief legal correspondent for Fox News Media and hosts Fox News Audio’s "Livin’ the Bream" podcast, where she shares inspirational stories and personal insights.
Throughout her career, Bream has conducted high-profile interviews with leaders across politics, law and business, including Vice President JD Vance, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch and Samuel Alito and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
She has also led Fox News’ coverage of major Supreme Court developments, including the 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade, the confirmation hearings of Justice Amy Coney Barrett and the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Mamdani moves to sideline NYC police with new safety office under sweeping overhaul
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Thursday he will sign an executive order to create an Office of Community Safety (OCS), a step toward his vision of public safety that prioritizes support and prevention rather than policing and penalization.
The office, housed within the mayor’s office, will oversee multiple existing public safety programs and signify a major step in building out Mamdani's $1.1 billion Department of Community Safety.
The announcement comes after Mamdani pledged to revise the city's police response in non-criminal emergencies, including mental health crises.
"For too long, we have approached crime and safety by placing only ever-expanding expectations on the police department, as we have asked them to address every failure of our social safety net," Mamdani said during a news conference.
"Crime is one of the most complex issues we face, and yet our city's approach for far too long has been to rely on a patchwork of programs to deal with interconnected problems.
"We must instead pursue a whole-of-government model, one where our strategies are centralized and implemented with coordination and at scale, and one which a deputy mayor oversees," he continued. "This will demand a multifaceted approach to a wide array of challenges across the city."
Mamdani said the OCS will centralize agencies, including the Office of Crime Victim Services, Office of Gun Violence Prevention, Office to End Domestic and Gender-based Violence, Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes and Office of Community Mental Health.
Mamdani announced that Renita Francois, who served in the Office of Criminal Justice during the de Blasio administration, will serve as deputy mayor for community safety and oversee the initiative.
"Renita's commitment to justice began in her childhood in South Central LA, continued in her early career working in Brooklyn Family Court and has been guided by the many years she has spent trying to transform both the way that government approaches public safety and the outcomes it can deliver," Mamdani said.
"Our deputy mayor will oversee policy implementation, reform and expansion of B-HEARD to ensure that when New Yorkers are in a mental health crisis, they will actually receive the care that they need and that their only option is not simply a police response."
The Behavioral Health Emergency Assistance Response Division (B-HEARD), a pilot program that launched in 2021, consists of a team of health professionals, including paramedics from the New York City Fire Department and mental health professionals from NYC Health + Hospitals that respond to 911 mental health calls.
Mamdani said there are "a number" of calls that come in each day that are deemed eligible for a B-HEARD response, but the city is limited in its capacity.
"[The executive order] imbues our deputy mayor with the policymaking expertise and power to ensure that B-HEARD is actually living up to the spirit of its intention," he said. "
Our deputy mayor for community safety is not just going to be working within this portfolio. She's also going to be in every single room where we are making the most critical decisions about the future of this city, ensuring that the lens of community safety is also being applied."
Speaking on potential issues with the new public safety plan, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said "there will be some mistakes."
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"That happens everywhere. It happens in the police department," Williams said. "Most of y'all are not saying, 'Let's dismantle the police department.' As we move to this journey, which is the correct journey, and the nation is watching us, let's work together.
"So, when we get to those bumps in the road, we can pave them out and make them smooth. Because this is about finding a way to allow our police officers to do the job that is best suited for them. Stop asking them to do the job of everyone."
After the announcement, New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Jessica Tisch issued a statement saying she is looking forward to working with the team to "ensure New Yorkers get the support they need" while NYPD "officers remain focused on the work they are trained to do."
"Keeping New Yorkers safe requires more than one approach," Tisch said. "It means making sure people have access to the resources and services they need, whether that’s career training, an after-school program or a police response."
Fox News' Alexis McAdams contributed to this report.
Duffy mocks Newsom’s ‘bridges to nowhere’ as California wildlife crossing overruns by $21M
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy bashed Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom over an unfinished wildlife crossing bridge in the Golden State that is running $21 million over budget.
Duffy shared a post from the X account End Wokeness showing video of the unfinished project stretching across 10 lanes of the 101 Freeway in Southern California. The video shows the incomplete bridge, which is intended to provide safe passage for animals such as cougars to cross over the highway.
"Bridges to nowhere. Trains to nowhere. Leave the building to us @GavinNewsom," Duffy wrote on X.
Construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing (WAWC) was supposed to be wrapped up by 2025, with the total cost of the project estimated at $92 million. That cost estimate has since jumped to $114 million. A press release from the governor's office states the project should be completed by fall 2026.
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At the groundbreaking ceremony held in April 2022, Newsom pledged $54 million of state funding to build the crossing and later added another $10 million. However, in February, the California Transportation Commission announced it was allocating an additional $18.8 million to complete construction.
Wallis Annenberg and the Annenberg Foundation, the namesake of the bridge, provided $25 million for its construction in 2021. Beth Pratt, director of the National Wildlife Federation and part of the leadership team overseeing the project, attributed delays in the project's construction to rising costs in a video posted to X.
Pratt said in a statement to Fox News Digital that the crossing project "experienced significant increases in costs" related to "tariffs, inflation and other factors" that were responsible for delayed construction.
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She added that these increased costs were consistent with other construction projects, citing the FHWA National Highway Construction Cost Index, which shows highway construction costs have increased by 67% since 2021. Pratt said the project team took steps to reduce costs as part of a "rigorous redesign process" funded by private donations, not public funds.
Newsom's press office rejected criticism of the project's ballooning costs, also pointing to tariffs from the Trump administration as the culprit.
"The cost estimate held until last year when inflation — in part driven by TRUMP’s TARIFFS — increased construction costs. The increase is vastly LOWER than the 67% national average increase in highway construction costs," Newsom's team wrote on X.
The governor also said the delay was due to "severe weather."
"The timeline shifted by just ONE YEAR largely due to severe weather last year — five years of work is far from a 'boondoggle," Newsom's press office wrote on X.
Heightened attention on the construction of the wildlife crossing bridge comes as the state faces continued scrutiny over other failed projects. Last year, the Department of Transportation canceled $4 billion in federal funding after the state spent $15 billion in funding for high-speed rail construction projects despite never laying a single track.
Newsom, a 2028 presidential prospect, is also having to navigate a projected $2.9 billion budget deficit for the 2026–2027 fiscal year.
Reality TV star Jordan Wright found dead in drainage canal at 33
British reality TV personality Jordan Wright, who starred on ITV’s "The Only Way Is Essex," has died. He was 33.
A spokesperson for ITV confirmed Wright's death to Fox News Digital Thursday.
"Everyone at TOWIE sends their deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Jordan Wright at this very sad time," the network said in a statement.
'REAL HOUSEWIVES' STAR'S SON DEAD AT 23
Wright was found dead in a drainage canal near Bang Tao Beach in Phuket, Thailand, March 14, according to local reports, per Deadline.
Local Thai police said a worker discovered Wright’s body face down in still water. According to reports, a hotel key was found in his pocket.
Authorities said there were no immediate signs of foul play, and an autopsy is underway to determine his cause of death.
Police Lt. Col. Sutthirak Chuthong of the Choeng Thale Police Station told the Daily Mail Wright had been staying at a nearby hotel and was due to check out shortly before he was found. Chuthong said staff reportedly became concerned after he failed to check out as scheduled.
"The guest was identified as Mr Jordan Wright, a British national, whom the hotel had been unable to contact," Chuthong said in a statement. "A search of the room revealed no signs of forced entry or other irregularities.
"Hotel records showed that he had checked in alone and was due to check out on March 13, but staff reported that he never checked out," the police chief continued. "CCTV footage showed that he appeared restless and was moving back and forth in front of the hotel before leaving the area.
"His movements eventually led to the location where his body was later discovered," Chuthong added. "We are still waiting for the autopsy results from Vachira Phuket Hospital to determine whether drugs were present in his system."
Chuthong also told the Daily Mail investigators believe Wright had been dead for less than two days before his body was discovered.
"The case remains under investigation while we wait for the official autopsy results. CCTV footage related to the incident is part of the case file and cannot be released at this stage," he said.
"We cannot confirm the exact cause of death until the autopsy results are released. If relatives or friends have concerns about the cause of death, they can contact the police station."
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Royal Thai Police for comment.
Wright made his reality TV debut when he joined the cast of the MTV dating show "Ex on the Beach" for its seventh season in 2017. The following year, he starred in ITV’s long-running reality series "The Only Way Is Essex," which follows the personal and professional lives of a group of young people living in Essex, England.
According to the Daily Mail, Wright left the show after one season to return to his job as a firefighter. In Instagram posts shared prior to his death, Wright indicated he had recently moved to Thailand.
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In his final Instagram post March 6, Wright shared photos and videos of himself relaxing in an infinity pool while drinking a glass of wine, scuba diving, riding a motorbike and exploring Thailand. He captioned the post, "I’m Home" alongside a Thai flag emoji.
After Wright's death, fellow reality TV stars and friends paid tribute to him in the comments section of his final post.
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"Rest in Peace," "TOWIE" star Chloe Brockett wrote, adding a heart emoji.
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"Rest in peace Jord," "Love Island" alum Chloe Crowhurst commented, adding emoji of a white heart and a cloud.
Rykard Jenkins, who also starred on "Love Island," shared prayer hands and a heart emoji.
"Lost for words bro. Amazing memories with you mate. Rest easy brother," influencer Brandon P Myers wrote, while DJ Saffron Stone left a string of red heart emoji.