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Colorado Democrats formally censure Gov Polis over Tina Peters commutation
Colorado Democrats formally censured Gov. Jared Polis on Wednesday after he commuted the prison sentence of former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, a prominent election denier convicted in a voting system breach case.
The Colorado Democratic Party State Central Committee voted Wednesday to censure Polis, a fellow Democrat, after he issued a controversial commutation for Peters, who was convicted in connection with a 2021 voting equipment breach case.
"Reducing her sentence now, under pressure from Donald Trump, is not justice," the party said in a statement. "It sends a message to future bad actors that election tampering has consequences, unless you’re friends with the president."
"That’s a dangerous and disappointing precedent to set," the statement added.
COLORADO GOVERNOR COMMUTES TINA PETERS' SENTENCE AS TRUMP POSTS ‘FREE TINA!’
The party accused Polis of having "materially harmed" the state party’s credibility and barred him from participating in official Democratic Party-sponsored events moving forward.
It also said the clemency decision "does not reflect the values, institutional positions, or democratic commitments of the Colorado Democratic Party."
When reached for comment, a spokesperson for Polis defended the governor’s decision in a statement to Fox News Digital.
TRUMP CONTINUES TO PUSH FOR RELEASE OF TINA PETERS AS COLORADO GOVERNOR WEIGHS CLEMENCY
"The Governor made this decision based on the facts of the case and what he believed was the right thing to do," the spokesperson said. "Sometimes the right thing isn’t the popular thing with everybody. Democracy is strongest when disagreement is met with debate and dialogue, not censorship."
The reprimand came after Polis announced clemency for 44 individuals last Friday, including 35 pardons and nine commutations.
Peters was among those granted a commutation, reducing her prison sentence and making her eligible for parole beginning June 1, 2026.
APPEALS JUDGE SEEMS SKEPTICAL OF SENTENCE FOR PRO-TRUMP COLORADO CLERK TINA PETERS
Peters became a nationally known figure among 2020 election skeptics following the Mesa County voting equipment breach controversy and subsequent criminal prosecution.
President Donald Trump quickly weighed in on the commutation, posting on Truth Social: "FREE TINA!"
According to the executive order signed Friday, Peters’ sentence was reduced from eight years and three months to four years and four-and-a-half months.
The order also stated the clemency action "shall not in any way affect the underlying criminal conviction."
Peters was convicted in 2024 of three counts of attempting to influence a public servant, along with conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, official misconduct, violation of duty and failure to comply with secretary of state requirements.
In a statement announcing the clemencies, Polis said, "the Clemency power is a serious responsibility, and not one that I take lightly."
"This power has the ability to change lives — help grant a second chance for someone who has made grave mistakes — and it comes with great consideration, and sometimes even controversy," he added.
The move was immediately condemned by Democrats, including Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, who accused Polis of legitimizing "the election denial movement."
Fox News Digital's Jasmine Baehr contributed to this report.
Brooklyn mother who drowned her three children in the ocean near Coney Island sentenced to decades in prison
A Brooklyn woman who drowned her three children in the Atlantic Ocean near Coney Island’s famous boardwalk will spend decades behind bars.
Erin Merdy, 34, was sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty earlier this year to first-degree murder charges in the 2022 deaths of her 7-year-old son Zachary, her 4-year-old daughter Liliana and her 3-month-old son Oliver.
"No sentence can fully measure the loss of a seven-year-old, a four-year-old and a three-month-old baby, or the grief their loved ones will carry forever," Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said in a statement.
"We sought the strongest possible accountability in this devastating case, and while nothing can bring these children back, this sentence ensures the defendant will be held responsible for taking their lives," he added.
JUDGE SENTENCES NEVADA MOM FOR DROWNING YOUNG SON, DAUGHTER: 'I WILL REMEMBER YOUR CASE FOREVER'
Gonzalez said the children’s lives were taken "in the most heartbreaking and unthinkable way."
The children were found the morning of Sept. 12, 2022, after one of Merdy’s relatives called 911 expressing concern the children might be in danger.
Prosecutors said Merdy left the beach around 1:25 a.m. and began walking toward the apartment of the father of her youngest child.
Authorities later found Merdy barefoot and soaking wet about two miles from where the children were discovered.
According to prosecutors, Merdy repeatedly said the children were gone and that she was sorry.
The children’s bodies were recovered hours later along the shoreline just steps from the boardwalk.
The city medical examiner ruled the deaths homicides caused by drowning.
Prosecutors said surveillance video showed Merdy walking toward the ocean with the children shortly before 1 a.m.
Merdy’s mother told the New York Daily News at the time that her daughter had recently struggled with mental health issues and may have been experiencing postpartum depression.
"I reached out to her yesterday and she said she was doing laundry and I said I wanted to speak to the kids," Jacqueline Scott, 56, told the outlet. "I tried to call her twice on the phone after that and there was no answer."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Former DOJ prosecutor charged with stealing confidential Jack Smith investigation documents about Trump
A former Justice Department prosecutor was charged Wednesday with allegedly emailing confidential records tied to former special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into President Donald Trump.
Carmen Mercedes Lineberger, 62, of Port St. Lucie, Florida, faces four criminal charges stemming from her handling of Smith’s final report: one felony count of obstruction of justice, one felony count of concealing government records and two misdemeanor counts of theft of government property valued at less than $1,000.
According to the indictment filed in the Southern District of Florida, Lineberger allegedly altered electronic file names of government records to conceal unauthorized transmissions of the documents to her personal email accounts.
At the time, she was serving as the Managing Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Fort Pierce branch of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.
FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKS RELEASE OF JACK SMITH REPORT'S SECOND VOLUME
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon previously blocked the public release of the volume of Smith’s report related to the classified documents investigation involving Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in January 2025.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced the charges in a post on X.
"This afternoon, a former managing assistant U.S. Attorney who supported Jack Smith’s politicized investigation of President Trump has been charged with stealing the confidential investigation documents," Patel wrote. "Carmen Lineberger allegedly emailed the confidential material to her own personal email, disguising them as dessert recipes to conceal them from record searches."
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT MOVES TO DROP PROSECUTION OF MAR-A-LAGO STAFF IN TRUMP CLASSIFIED DOCS CASE
Lineberger’s attorney declined to comment to Fox News Digital.
Smith previously brought indictments against Trump alleging he illegally attempted to overturn the 2020 election and improperly retained classified national defense information.
The classified documents case was later dismissed by Cannon, who ruled Smith had been unlawfully appointed as special counsel.
Prosecutors alleged Lineberger concealed her actions by saving electronic copies of government records under misleading file names, including "chocolate cake recipe" and "bundt cake recipe," before sending them to personal Hotmail accounts.
According to the indictment, Lineberger received a copy of Smith’s report before Cannon ordered it sealed. Months later, she allegedly forwarded the report to her personal email account.
The indictment further alleges Lineberger knew transmitting the volume outside the Department of Justice violated Cannon’s court order.
Lineberger pleaded not guilty during a federal court appearance Wednesday.
If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison on the obstruction charge, three years for concealment or removal of public records and up to one year on each theft count.
Thunder hold off Victor Wembanyama as SGA puts his stamp on Western Conference Finals in game two win
Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs was an instant classic.
A back-and-forth battle as the Spurs took the halftime lead, before the Thunder came roaring back in the fourth quarter to send it to overtime. Two overtimes later, San Antonio separated to secure the 122-115 win. And with an all-time great postseason performance, Spurs star Victor Wembanyama made it clear that he's on track to be the NBA's next big star.
Wednesday's Game 2 was pivotal for both teams. Another dominant performance from Wembanyama and the Spurs could take control of the series up 2-0 as it moves to San Antonio.
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For OKC, it was a must-win game, with the Thunder facing the prospect of a 2-0 series deficit and the next two games on the road. And despite another outstanding showing from Wembanyama and an injury to Jalen Williams, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder held on for a massive 122-113 victory.
But once again, Wembanyama lit up the highlight reels, with a massive putback dunk, off his own miss, halfway through the third quarter.
He also fed teammate Stephon Castle for arguably the biggest highlight of the game, a massive poster slam over Isiah Hartenstein.
All told, Wemby once again filled up the stat sheet. 21 points on 8-16 shooting, including 3-7 from 3-point range. He also added 17 rebounds, with five offensive rebounds, four blocks, six assists and a steal. But the Thunder have a star of their own in newly crowned MVP SGA, who put his stamp on the series in Game 2.
Unsurprisingly, he led all players with six free-throw attempts, making all six, and going 12-24 from the field to pour in a game-leading 30 points. Along with his four rebounds, two blocks, a steal and nine assists, he put the nail in the coffin late in the fourth quarter to secure the win.
Wembanyama and SGA will match up again on Friday night at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio in a big Game 3, with control of the series on the line.
Geaux Tigahs, again: Ed Orgeron returns to LSU, joining Lane Kiffin’s chaos crew on the Bayou
After spending six years as the head coach, leading the Tigers to a national championship in 2019, Ed Orgeron is returning to LSU to join Lane Kiffin's staff.
Sometimes, college football creates some of the wildest marriages that you could imagine. And this latest move by the Tigers will surely create a buzz along the Bayou.
After spending the past number of years outside of the game, providing us with plenty of hilarious moments along the way, the stars aligned for the former head coach to return to LSU after being let go in 2021 by former athletic director Scott Woodward.
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But, with his firing came a massive $17.1 million buyout, which Orgeron gladly took on his way out the door with a national title in his back pocket.
Now, he returns to the building as the "special assistant to recruiting and defense" for Kiffin, which will also allow him hit the road recruiting thanks to a rule passed by the NCAA in recent years.
"I’m excited to bring Coach Orgeron back to LSU," Kiffin said. "He brings us tremendous value with his ability to recruit elite players nationally, but especially the impact he can have for us recruiting the great state of Louisiana. Coach O understands my expectations and commitment to being a championship program. I look forward to seeing him with recruits and his intensity working with our defensive players."
How will the former LSU coach adjust to the new era in college athletics, with money legally being paid to players?
"It’s a minor adjustment. Back then, we used to walk through the back door with the cash, now we just gotta walk through the front door with the cash. A joke, obviously," Orgeron said while laughing to Bussin' With The Boys.
Getting the band back together in Baton Rouge
Coach O and Lane are obviously no strangers, as Kiffin lured him away from the NFL when he accepted the Tennessee job in 2009. After Kiffin accepted the USC job just one year following his arrival in Knoxville, Orgeron followed him to Los Angeles, where he once again coached on the defensive side of the ball.
"I was like head coach No. 2 on the staff. The reason I went back with him, because he and I were tight at USC, Ed Orgeron told 'Bussin' With The Boys last year. "He was a young coach, but man, a great, great recruiter, great evaluator. Had a bright future ahead. I went to go work with his daddy, Monte Kiffin. That’s the reason I went to Tennessee.
"Then the USC job comes open. Look, nothing wrong with Tennessee, but look, USC we had been there and Tennessee’s just a little bit different. I believe if we had stayed at Tennessee, we would have won the SEC East and we would have played in the championship for years to come. We were doing a tremendous job there, tremendous job recruiting."
Now, years later, and after coaching against each other in 2020 while both were head coaches at Ole Miss and LSU, the pair will reunite in what should make for some interesting times on the Tigers campus.
In addition to Orgeron, it was former colleague Tee Martin who accepted a position on Lane Kiffin's staff at LSU, which now looks like one big reunion from their USC days.
Obviously this is going to create a stir, and there will be a number of callbacks to their days together coaching at Tennessee and USC, where drama seemed to follow the pair.
But, it's hard to downplay what Orgeron can do along the recruiting trail, and on the defensive side of the ball, with his years of experience.
Just when you thought the Kiffin experience couldn’t get any crazier along the Bayou, he goes out and hires one of the most polarizing figures in college football history.
This will be one entertaining tenure in Baton Rouge for Lane Kiffin, no matter how this chapter ends.
LeBron James fuels Cleveland Cavaliers reunion speculation after appearing to like Instagram post about return
LeBron James' eighth season in Los Angeles ended with a four-game sweep in the Western Conference semifinals at the hands of the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Lakers’ playoff exit fueled more questions about James’ NBA future and a potential 24th season.
James remains undecided about his basketball future, but he did reveal plans to take time with his family before making any decision. "I don’t know what the future holds for me, obviously, as it stands right now tonight," James said on May 11. "I’ve got a lot of time now. I think I said it last year after we lost to Minnesota. I’ll go back and recalibrate with my family and talk with them and spend some time with them, and then obviously when the time comes, you guys will know what I decide to do."
As speculation about his future intensifies, James' name has been linked to the Lakers, Warriors and even a potential return to Cleveland, where his storied career began.
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If James ultimately did return to his native Ohio, it would mark his third stint with the Cavaliers. He reunited with the team in 2014 after a four-year run with the Miami Heat, bringing Cleveland its first NBA title in 2016.
The Cavaliers dropped Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals to the New York Knicks on Tuesday, but James still appeared to hint at a potential offseason destination on social media.
LEBRON JAMES NEXT TEAM ODDS: LAKERS, CAVALIERS, RETIREMENT IN MIX
James reportedly liked an Instagram post calling for a return to Cleveland.
Even if James wants a return to Cleveland, the Cavaliers would face major financial obstacles in making it happen. The 41-year-old would likely need to take a sizable pay cut, assuming the team could work out a sign-and-trade deal with the Lakers.
The Cavaliers already carry several sizable contracts on their roster, with star guard Donovan Mitchell and center Evan Mobley both scheduled to earn more than $50 million annually next season. James Harden could also exercise his $42.3 million player option, while forward Jarrett Allen is projected to count roughly $28 million against the salary cap next season.
James averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists during the 2025-26 regular season.
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String of burglaries rocking LA residential area committed by South American gangs, DA says
Seven people are facing felony charges in connection with a string of organized residential burglaries targeting homes across Los Angeles County, including at least 20 break-ins tied to crews operating throughout the San Fernando Valley, prosecutors announced Tuesday.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said the suspects are accused of carrying out "brazen, calculated and predatory" crimes that left victims feeling unsafe inside their own homes.
"These organized burglary crews target hardworking families in the very place they should feel safest, their homes," Hochman said during a news conference. "If you come into our communities to terrorize neighborhoods and prey on innocent people, law enforcement will track you down and you will be held accountable."
Authorities said the cases highlight a growing problem involving sophisticated burglary crews, including organized South American theft groups, operating across Southern California using advanced tactics to avoid detection and target affluent neighborhoods.
HOMEOWNERS IN LEAFY ENCLAVES HIT BY BURGLARS ZEROING IN ON HIGH-END HOMES FOR SMASH-AND-GRAB SCORES
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna warned residents that many crews conduct extensive surveillance before burglaries, often monitoring victims’ social media posts for expensive purchases or vacation photos that indicate homes may be empty.
"Please, whatever you do, don’t tell the world you’re in Paris when you live in LA," Luna said.
Investigators said some crews disguise themselves as delivery drivers using fake DoorDash, Uber Eats or Amazon bags to approach homes without raising suspicion. Others use hidden cameras disguised as landscaping decorations and Wi-Fi jamming devices designed to disable home security systems and cloud-connected surveillance cameras.
BURGLARS CAUGHT SPYING ON HOMES WITH HIDDEN CAMOUFLAGED CAMERAS BEFORE STRIKING NEIGHBORHOODS
One of the largest cases involves Byron Gonzálo Sáez Sotomayor, also known as Kevin Diaz, who prosecutors say is charged with 15 counts of first-degree residential burglary, three counts of attempted first-degree residential burglary and one count of grand theft of a firearm.
Authorities allege Sáez Sotomayor burglarized or attempted to burglarize 18 homes throughout the San Fernando Valley and West Los Angeles between January 2025 and May 2026, including homes in Reseda, Van Nuys, Encino, Granada Hills, Sun Valley, Beverlywood and Westwood. Prosecutors said he allegedly stole jewelry, handbags, money and a firearm.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said Sáez Sotomayor was arrested May 4 after allegedly breaking into a home in the Beverlywood area while a resident was inside the house.
BRAD PITT’S LA HOME BURGLARY LEADS TO 4 ARRESTS IN ONGOING POLICE INVESTIGATION
According to McDonnell, the homeowner saw the suspect on surveillance cameras after hearing a loud crash at the rear of the property and locked himself inside a bathroom before calling 911.
Three other suspects — Christopher Sanchez, Owen Rivera-Chacon and Edisson Fabian Boyaca — were each charged with one felony count of first-degree residential burglary stemming from an alleged May 1 burglary in Santa Clarita.
Authorities said investigators with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office tracked the suspected crew into Los Angeles County before coordinating with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department on a takedown operation along a freeway.
Deputies arrested Sanchez after stopping a vehicle on the freeway, while Rivera-Chacon allegedly fled on foot before being found in a nearby dry streambed. Boyaca was later arrested driving another vehicle roughly one mile away, authorities said.
Investigators recovered jewelry, cash, a luxury handbag, gloves, burglary tools and a Wi-Fi jammer from the suspects’ vehicles, according to law enforcement officials.
Rivera-Chacon also faces allegations tied to a prior strike conviction for residential burglary and could face up to 17 years in prison if convicted. Sanchez and Boyaca each face up to six years behind bars.
HIDDEN CAMERAS LURKING IN YOUR GARDEN MIGHT BE WATCHING YOUR EVERY MOVE, OFFICIALS SAY
The final case announced Tuesday involves Wilmar Santiago Castelblanco-Robles, Alan Rolando Rodriguez-Pulido and Cristian Rios-Cuadros, who are each charged with one felony count of first-degree residential burglary tied to an alleged April 26 break-in at a home in Burbank.
Authorities said neighbors saw suspects breaking into the home and called police. Investigators allege Rios-Cuadros and Castelblanco-Robles fled on foot before officers used a police helicopter equipped with a heat-detection device to locate them hiding nearby.
Rodriguez-Pulido was later arrested while allegedly driving the suspected getaway vehicle, where officers recovered wallets, high-end handbags, watches and jewelry believed to have been stolen from other victims.
Luna said residential burglaries reported to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department have dropped more than 30% since 2022, though he acknowledged crime statistics provide little comfort to victims whose homes were invaded.
"A victim that has had their sanctuary broken into — I don't care what statistics say," Luna said. "They broke into my house and I don't feel safe sleeping there. That's why we're all up here. That's why we will continue to work our butts off to make sure that we catch these individuals."
Illegal immigrant truck driver from India arrested in deadly California hit-and-run after Biden release
An illegal immigrant truck driver was arrested Tuesday after allegedly causing a deadly multi-vehicle crash in California and attempting to flee the scene, federal officials said.
The undocumented immigrant from India, Manvir Singh, instantly killed two people near Lodi, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) alleged.
Singh, who faces multiple charges, reportedly entered the U.S. illegally through Arizona in 2023 and was later released by the Biden administration, federal officials told Fox News.
His arrest also marks the fourth illegal immigrant truck driver with the last name "Singh" accused in a fatal crash since last year, DHS said, highlighting what officials described as a growing trend involving illegal immigrant commercial drivers from India.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CAUGHT DRIVING COMMERCIAL TRUCK WITH VALID NEW YORK CDL AT CALIFORNIA CHECKPOINT
"Allowing illegal aliens, many of whom do not know English, to obtain CDLs to operate 18-wheelers and transport hazardous materials on America’s roads is reckless and incredibly dangerous to public safety," officials said.
Around 12:20 p.m., Singh reportedly skidded off a road and struck a guardrail, triggering a crash involving three other vehicles, according to Legal Advocate, citing the California Highway Patrol.
He then attempted to flee the wreckage on foot before officials with the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office were able to apprehend him, officials said.
Singh faces multiple charges, including vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, hit-and-run resulting in death or injury and resisting or obstructing a police officer, DHS said.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has also lodged a detainer request, asking California authorities to hold the suspect for transfer into federal custody.
"This criminal illegal alien from India should never have been behind the wheel of a semi-truck and allowed to kill two innocent people in a multi-vehicle crash in California," Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said.
"This is yet another example of why illegal aliens should not be operating trucks on American highways. We need Congress to pass Dalilah’s Law to prohibit states from granting illegal aliens commercial driver’s licenses."
Dalilah’s Law is a proposed federal measure that would bar states from issuing commercial driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. It is named after Dalilah Coleman, a young girl who suffered life-changing injuries in a 2024 crash in California allegedly caused by an illegal immigrant driver.
Tuesday’s crash marks just one of several recent incidents involving illegal immigrant truck drivers accused of deadly crashes, officials said.
In April, ICE arrested an illegal immigrant truck driver who was issued a CDL in California. He was accused of killing a newly married couple in Oregon on Nov. 24, 2025. Authorities said he was initially released from jail in a sanctuary jurisdiction before later being arrested by federal agents.
In February, another illegal immigrant truck driver in Pennsylvania was accused of killing four people on Feb. 3 after swerving into oncoming traffic and striking a van head-on.
Last December, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) said an American was killed by a Chinese national and CDL holder who allegedly failed an English proficiency test after the crash. DHS said the driver entered the United States from Mexico in 2023.
In August, illegal immigrant Harjinder Singh was arrested on three counts of vehicular homicide after allegedly attempting an illegal U-turn through an "Official Use Only" access point in St. Lucie County, Florida. Authorities said the reckless maneuver blocked all lanes of traffic, causing a crash that killed three people.
Texas man arrested after allegedly driving Tesla Cybertruck into lake to test 'Wade Mode': police
A Texas man was arrested after police say he intentionally drove his Tesla Cybertruck into Grapevine Lake to test the vehicle’s "Wade Mode" feature, only for the truck to become disabled and start taking on water.
Officers responded Monday to Katie’s Woods Park Boat Ramp after reports of a Cybertruck partially submerged near the shoreline, according to the Grapevine Police Department.
The driver allegedly told officers he purposely drove the vehicle into the lake to use the Cybertruck’s "Wade Mode," a feature Tesla says temporarily raises the truck’s ride height and pressurizes the battery system to help navigate shallow water and rough terrain.
Authorities said the experiment quickly went wrong when the Cybertruck became disabled in the water.
COLLEGE STUDENTS KILLED IN FIERY CYBERTRUCK ACCIDENT DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING
The driver and passengers safely escaped the vehicle before the Grapevine Fire Department Water Rescue Team helped remove the truck from the lake, according to police. Police said no injuries were reported.
Photos shared by authorities showed the stainless steel pickup partially submerged at the boat ramp as emergency crews worked to recover it from the water.
The driver, whose identity has not been released, was arrested at the scene on charges, including operation of a vehicle in a closed section of a park or lake, along with multiple water safety equipment violations, police said.
A representative for the Grapevine Police Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
"We want to remind drivers that although a vehicle may be physically capable of entering shallow freshwater areas, doing so can create legal and safety concerns under Texas law," the Grapevine Police Department said in a Facebook post.
Grapevine Lake is a popular recreation area in the Dallas-Fort Worth region known for boating and fishing.
Tesla has heavily marketed the Cybertruck’s rugged off-road capabilities since the vehicle launched in late 2023.
The incident comes as some Cybertruck owners have posted videos online testing the electric pickup’s durability and off-road performance in mud, sand and water crossings.
Tesla says "Wade Mode" is designed for shallow water crossings, but advises drivers to avoid water conditions that exceed the vehicle’s capabilities.
Joey Chestnut will defend Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest title on July 4 while serving probation sentence
Joey Chestnut will be in Coney Island defending his Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4 despite being on probation.
Chestnut pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor battery charge on April 20 and was sentenced to 180 days of probation in Hamilton County, Indiana.
However, "Jaws" was granted permission to travel outside the state, which allows him to participate in the event he’s won 17 times, including this past year, on July 4 in New York City. He had previously filed petitions to travel outside Indiana with the Hot Dog Eating Contest taking place.
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Chestnut, regarded as one of the best competitive eaters of all time, was accused of slapping a man in the face during a night out at an Indiana bar around 2 a.m. on March 21, per Us Weekly. He later told authorities that he was drunk and didn’t recall the interaction with the man.
The man also claimed he recognized and approached Chestnut while at the bar and shook his hand before he was slapped on the left side of his face.
JOEY CHESTNUT SENTENCED TO PROBATION AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO DRUNKENLY SLAPPING A MAN AT BAR
"The accused pulled [the victim] forward, moves closer and uses his right hand to strike [the victim] on the face with an open hand. [The victim] is observed reacting to the strike and moving his head downward and holding it there while the accused stands over him and [his friend]," the officer said in an affidavit obtained by Us Weekly. "[Chestnut] moves toward [the victim] again and [the victim] moves away from the accused.
"The touching was nude, insolent or angry because the open-handed strike was nonconsensual to the victim in a manner that caused pain while the accused allegedly used provocative language toward the victim to illicit a reaction."
Chestnut’s attorney, Mario Massillamany, said that his client took "full responsibility for this misunderstanding," the outlet reported.
Chestnut will be going for his 18th title in his last 19 attempts, though he may have had another one if not for Nathan’s banning him from competition in 2024. He had signed a deal with Nathan’s rival, Impossible Foods, prior to the competition.
But Chestnut and organizers of the event found common ground on sponsorships before the 2025 contest.
He went on to consume 70.5 hot dogs and buns in the 10-minute timeframe.
Now that he’s locked in for the contest, Chestnut should be the overwhelming favorite. He’s also coming off a victory in the 2026 Ultimate Bologna Showdown in Tennessee, winning the event three years straight now. Chestnut ate 16 pounds of sausage in eight minutes, setting a new world record.
Fox News’ Ryan Morik and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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