Fox News Latest Headlines
Trump pushback, Biden 'disaster' and gender surprise: 5 key moments from Kansas Senate debate
Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., and Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton sparred over President Donald Trump, immigration, Iran, transgender athletes, artificial intelligence and personal controversies during a contentious Kansas Senate debate Wednesday night.
The hourlong showdown came less than two weeks before Election Day as Marshall seeks a second term and Hamilton, a longtime pastor, tries to become the first Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate from Kansas since 1932.
The race has drawn increased national attention as Republicans and Democrats battle for control of the Senate, with Trump traveling to Kansas earlier this week to campaign for Marshall â a topic touched on during the debate.
Here are five moments that stood out from Wednesday night's debate.
SLEEPER SENATE RACE EMERGES AS UNEXPECTED HEADACHE FOR REPUBLICANS AHEAD OF MIDTERMS
The debate wasted little time getting contentious, opening with questions about controversies that have fueled attacks against both candidates.
Marshall was confronted with a New York Times review that found his former medical practice sued more than 700 patients over unpaid bills.
"Every year we gave away $3 to $4 million of charity, but we also had a business," Marshall responded. "We had 300 employees, we had a mortgage payment, we had electric."
Hamilton, meanwhile, was questioned about his handling of allegations involving a volunteer at his church's summer camp who was accused of sexual abuse.
Hamilton acknowledged that he should have ensured the individual did not return to the camp following an initial investigation.
FROM 'THIRD REICH' TO âNOT THAT INFORMEDâ: SENATE DEBATES DELIVER FIREWORKS BEFORE MIDTERMS
"I should have checked to make sure that he wasn't going back," Hamilton said. "That was a mistake on my part."
Trump became part of the debate after moderators played footage from the president's campaign appearance for Marshall in Kansas earlier in the week.
"And at this election, I'm asking you to pretend, please, that I'm on the ballot. Just pretend," Trump told the crowd.
Marshall was then asked whether Trump's support meant Kansans should expect him to back every part of the president's agenda.
"No," Marshall responded, saying there had been "multiple times" when he objected to Trump.
Pressed to identify a specific disagreement, Marshall pointed to recent immigration enforcement in southwest Kansas and Trump's approach to beef imports.
"Just like with my wife, I can disagree with her. My wife is always right," Marshall joked. "And President Trump is not always right."
Marshall nevertheless urged Trump voters to turn out for him, arguing that electing Hamilton could help Democrats capture the Senate.
The two rivals found themselves in agreement when the moderator asked each candidate how many genders there are.
"There's two. There's a boy and there's a girl," Marshall said. "I delivered 5,000 of them and almost half were boys and half were girls."
"There are two genders, male and female," Hamilton responded.
TOP TAKEAWAYS FROM JD VANCE TOWN HALL: COSTLY GAS, DC CORRUPTION, IMMIGRATION HOT TAKES AND THE WAR
The candidates then turned to the debate over transgender participation in women's sports.
Hamilton said decisions over athletic eligibility should generally be made locally but was unequivocal about whether biological males should compete against females.
"I have a 12-year-old granddaughter. I don't want biological men or boys competing against her that could harm her," Hamilton said. "It's not a fair, fair fight."
Marshall argued that by high school, "boys need to be in boys sports, girls in girls sports," while accusing national Democrats of pushing "transgender ideology."
Hamilton later accused Marshall of using the issue to "pick on" and "bully" people.
Hamilton called for greater federal oversight of artificial intelligence and compared the emerging technology to the development of nuclear power and nuclear weapons.
"We developed a Nuclear Regulatory Commission. We need to do the same thing with AI," Hamilton said.
But when the moderator pressed him to identify specific federal regulations he would support, Hamilton acknowledged he did not yet have an answer.
"You know what? I'm not sure, to be honest," Hamilton said, arguing that even experts are struggling to understand the technology's potential dangers.
Marshall advocated a "light touch" approach focused on national security, transparency, protecting children and privacy, while slamming a one-size-fits-all global order for artificial intelligence advancement.
Hamilton pushed back sharply.
"This is an existential â potential existential threat to the human race," Hamilton said. "We can't just go with a light touch and hope everybody does their best."
BIDEN CONSPICUOUSLY ABSENT FROM CAMPAIGN TRAIL AS OBAMA, HARRIS STEP UP FOR MIDTERM PUSH
Hamilton sought to put distance between himself and former President Joe Biden when moderators challenged the Democrat over his claim that he would "lead from the middle."
The moderator pointed to Hamilton's past donations to Democrats, including Biden, former Vice President Kamala Harris and Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kan., before asking him to identify a progressive policy he opposed.
"The Biden policies when it came to the border were a disaster," Hamilton responded. "I believe in strong and secure borders."
"I'm not somebody who favors the Socialist Party," Hamilton added. "I'm somebody who stands in the middle."
Hamilton also reiterated during the debate that he would not support Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for majority leader if Democrats capture control of the chamber.
NASCAR fans have changed the channel for good, and the alarming trend just hit a boiling point
The numbers are in, and they paint a disturbing picture for NASCAR as the series barrels toward its championship race in three short weeks.
Bottom line? Fans are leaving the sport ... in droves.
Nobody is watching. And those who are watching, are complaining. A lot. About the car. About the tracks. About the lack of drama, and personality, and, frankly, about the TV channel.
HAS NASCAR LOST THE SOUTH? EX-DRIVER UNLOADS AFTER SEEING "100,000 EMPTY SEATS"
Most folks have turned it off completely. Those who have stayed aren't thrilled.
I don't need to tell you guys, but that's not a great place to be.
Take a look:
Last Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix drew a pathetic audience of just 1.2 million viewers. That number is alarming, folks. I've seen a lot of bad TV numbers for NASCAR over the years. Believe me.
It's not like they're hard to find.
But that's a low number. It's an unfathomable number given the series is smack dab in the middle of its playoffs. I never thought we'd see the day where a NASCAR Cup Series race drops below the Mendoza line (1 million), but we're getting close. Too close.
For comparison's sake, NASCAR averaged more than 4.5 million viewers per race in 2016, which was a really bad time for the sport. That's when viewers were fleeing left and right. Jeff Gordon had retired. Tony Stewart was on his way out. Dale Jr. was right behind him.
There's been a nearly 50% drop-off in viewership since then! Through 33 races this season, the Cup Series is averaging 2.3 million viewers per race. Through seven Chase races (that's what we're calling the playoffs this season), the number drops to 1.5 million.
So, yeah â I'd imagine alarms are going off in the big glass building across from Daytona International Speedway this morning. At least they should be.
Now, the obvious question they'll be asking themselves is ... why? Why is this happening? Where are fans going? Why are they leaving?
To me, it's a fairly simple answer if everyone is just honest with themselves for 30 seconds. I'll go in order from what I consider most pressing, to least:
Jeff Gordon is gone. Dale Jr. is gone. Tony Stewart is gone. Kyle Busch, tragically, died. He was, perhaps, the last of the "old guard" when it came to NASCAR. Beyond hoping someone goes viral and physically attacks Carson Hocevar every week, I'm not sure who NASCAR is looking at to bring in new fans. He doesn't exist.
And finally ...
CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE
OK, that was a long-winded "30 seconds" of honesty, but you get the picture. You add all those up, and I think it's fairly easy to see how the series has cratered in terms of viewership over the past few years.
As for the answers? I don't know. I'd shorten the season and own the summer. That's probably atop my list. Utilize midweek races in June and July. End the regular season in July, and end the postseason on Labor Day weekend.
That's probably the quickest and easiest fix.
THE CRAIG CARTON SHOWâUNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSABLE. DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!
The TV deal is done, so I'm not sure you're changing that any time soon. A new-era car would take a while to build, so that's probably a ways off, too. As for the lack of personalities in the garage ...
Yeah, I wouldn't hold your breath. Carson Hocevar is gonna need to keep rattling cages for years to come, I fear.
So start with the schedule, and go from there. That's my best suggestion ...
SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY OUTKICK NEWSLETTER
Because right now we live in a world where a WNBA Finals game is outdrawing a NASCAR postseason race.
And nobody wants to live in that world, folks.
Obama-appointed judge at center of Trump's anti-weaponization fund case hit with misconduct claim
FIRST ON FOX: A federal judge appointed by former President Barack Obama is being accused of "misconduct" in a case involving President Donald Trump.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, is demanding an investigation into U.S. Judge Kathleen Williams of the Southern District of Florida after she sanctioned Trump's lawyers over his case against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Jordan wrote to the Judicial Conference of the United States that "there is evidence that Judge Williams abused her judicial authority and violated fundamental tenets of judicial impartiality in connection with an unusual and unsupported order that imposed sanctions after the plaintiffs voluntarily had dismissed the underlying action."
The letter is being co-led by Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., chairman of the panel's subcommittee on courts.
OBAMA-APPOINTED JUDGE WITH TIES TO ANTI-TRUMP CONSPIRACY THEORY HIT WITH MISCONDUCT COMPLAINT
Trump, his adult sons Eric and Donald Jr., and the Trump Organization filed a lawsuit against the IRS in early 2026 seeking $10 billion in damages after a contractor with the agency leaked the president's tax returns to the press. The contractor, Charles Littlejohn, was sentenced to five years in federal prison.
APOLOGIES AND CASH HEADED TO ALLEGED âWEAPONIZATIONâ VICTIMS IN BILLION-DOLLAR TRUMP SETTLEMENT
Trump, who filed the lawsuit in his personal capacity, had it voluntarily dismissed in May. Shortly after, however, the administration announced a settlement agreement that included $1.776 billion for an "anti-weaponization fund" for victims of "lawfare" by the Biden administration. Trump himself would receive no compensation, but would get a formal apology from the federal government and bar the IRS from ever auditing Trump or his family.
Williams, however, then accused the plaintiffs of purposely manipulating the courts to achieve the settlement and sanctioned two of the president's lawyers in a July order. Her order referred lawyer Alejandro Brito to the Florida bar for potential disciplinary action and prevented lawyer Daniel Epstein from practicing under her jurisdiction for at least a year.
Jordan's letter called the timing of Williams' order "suspect" for coming after the case was voluntarily withdrawn.
He also accused Williams of basing the action on an amicus brief submitted by left-wing judicial activist group Democracy Defenders Action. The brief, which the group said was submitted on behalf of 35 former federal judges, called on Williams to reopen the case despite the dismissal by the involved parties and accused both sides of "fraud" over the settlement.
GOP SENATOR UNVEILS BOASBERG ACT TO STOP 'ROGUE' JUDGES FROM HANDPICKING TRUMP CASES
"Judge Williams issued her July 13 order after the plaintiffs filed a notice of voluntary dismissal of the case, ending the dispute between the parties," Jordan and Issa wrote. "Although Judge Williams invoked the courtâs inherent authority to impose sanctions, the Committee is not aware of Eleventh Circuit precedent applying inherent sanctions authority after a plaintiff has voluntarily dismissed a case based on briefing by partisan nonparties on an unrelated question the court never decided."
They concluded, "Judge Williamsâs conduct risks undermining public confidence in the federal courts. Accordingly, we respectfully ask that the Judicial Conference review this matter, including whether it warrants referral to the Judicial Council of the Eleventh Circuit or other appropriate action, and that you inform the Committee of steps taken no later than 5:00 p.m. on November 5, 2026."
CLINTON JUDGE INDEFINITELY BLOCKS TRUMP'S $1.776B ANTI-WEAPONIZATION FUND
Issa told Fox News Digital in his own statement, "The rogue federal judges who make up the Trump Resistance in Robes continue to disappoint but never surprise. Judge Williams hasn't only shown her liberal contempt for President Trump â but crossed a bright ethical line by going after his attorneys."
Trump allies, particularly in Congress, have clashed with federal judges on multiple fronts so far this term. Republicans have accused what they call "activist judges" of weaponizing their courts to block Trump's agenda.
Democrats, meanwhile, backed up Williams' skepticism of Trump's settlement. The anti-weaponization fund proposal, which has since been blocked by other courts, has received bipartisan pushback.
Fox News ‘Antisemitism Exposed’ Newsletter: French Jews forced into hiding as rioters terrorize streets
Fox News' "Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world.
IN TODAYâS NEWSLETTER:
- French synagogues canceled prayers, Jews warned to hide amid riots
- Hasan Piker thinks it's fine to call Jews âinbredâ and âZionist pigsâ
- Macklemore's 'Free Palestine' tour funding anti-Israel org who cheered Oct 7
TOP STORY: Raging French riots have spiraled into absolute terror. Synagogues canceled Sabbath prayers, while terrified Jewish citizens were warned to conceal skullcaps and flee home. Violent mobs carrying Palestinian flags clashed with police, looted hundreds of stores, and flooded social media with over 1,300 hateful anti-Semitic posts. Over 2,400 rioters were arrested as fear grips the nation.
VIDEO: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defends his nation against those who say Israelis live on stolen land on âLife, Liberty & Levin.' WATCH HERE:
SPEWING HATE: Twitch streamer Hasan Piker ignited fierce backlash after defending his use of vile slurs, including "inbred" and "Zionist pig," against political opponents. Speaking to NPR, Piker brushed off the toxic attacks, claiming they weren't meant literally and blustered that criticism against him stems from anti-Muslim bias. The Israeli-American Council forcefully condemned his rhetoric as dangerous, dehumanizing hate speech.
CASH FOR TERROR: Rapper Macklemore launched a solo "Free Palestine" tour after getting booted from Ed Sheeran's lineup over anti-Israel antics. But outrage erupted as tour proceeds are set to fund the radical Palestinian Youth Movementâa extreme group that openly cheered Hamas's brutal October 7 massacre. Outraged Jewish groups are now demanding organizers answer for bankrolling violent extremists.
JUSTICE DENIED: A grieving relative of Shiri Bibas and her two toddlersâbrutally murdered after being dragged into Gaza on Oct. 7âis taking his fight straight to the International Criminal Court. The familyâs legal team filed complaints targeting Iranian officials who bankrolled Hamas, slamming the ICC for double standards and demanding arrest warrants for the regime bosses backing the atrocity.
CAMPUS CLAMPDOWN: The Trump administration made University of North Carolina knuckle under. To kill off 18 federal probes into alleged campus antisemitism and race-based admissions, the university agreed to ban protest face masks, enforce mandatory antisemitism training, and adopt strictly color-blind admissions. UNC avoided paying cash or admitting guilt, but must comply with strict federal oversight through 2028 to keep its funding.
GUEST EDITORIAL: Former New York Post editor David Christopher Kaufman argues that Barack Obama and Kamala Harris are out of touch for pushing anti-Israel rhetoric to court Black voters. He contends that African Americans prioritize domestic issues like crime and unemployment over Gaza, dismissing claims of shared Black-Palestinian struggles as a myth and pointing to polling that shows solid Black support for Israel.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "The Jewish people know what happens when hatred becomes acceptable. Throughout history, pogroms and persecution were fueled by lies that portrayed Jews as less than human. The Holocaust showed the world where the systematic dehumanization of Jews can lead." - The Israeli-American Council, condemning Hasan Piker's anti-Semitic comments.
- Looking for more on this topic? Find more antisemitism coverage from Fox News here.
- Did someone forward you this email? Subscribe to additional newsletters from Fox News here.
Lindsay Clancy holdout juror won't have to turn over phone or face inquiry, judge says
The lone holdout juror who was the only one in favor of convicting her of murder for the strangling deaths of her three young children will not have to have his phone examined or face an inquiry from her defense attorney, a Massachusetts judge ruled Wednesday.
Judge William Sullivan denied Clancy attorney Kevin Reddington's motion for an evidentiary hearing.
Sullivan wrote that the potential evidence to dismiss the juror, referred to as Juror Doe in court documents but understood to be Michael Desronvil, came to light only after the mistrial was declared â which makes it irrelevant under court precedent.
LINDSAY CLANCY HOLDOUT JUROR'S LAWYER TORCHES 'LOONEY TUNES MOTION' TO INVESTIGATE HIM
The defense did not raise the issue that Juror Doe lied on the jury questionnaire before the mistrial was declared, he wrote, â it originated in media reports.
"Because post-trial information potentially affecting Juror Doe's impartiality cannot be used to attack the determination that a mistrial was manifestly necessary, Clancy is not entitled to an evidentiary hearing on that issue," Sullivan found, while also noting that Reddington didn't raise the possibility that Juror Doe used a cell phone improperly until after the mistrial was declared.
LINDSAY CLANCY HOLDOUT JUROR ASKS FOR ONE THING IN NEW VIDEO AFTER MISTRIAL DRAMA
Any further inquiry into the holdout juror is inappropriate because of "the mandate that the court must not delve into a juror's subjective reasoning, thought process, view of the case, or relationship to the other jurors, and must not inquire into the jury's deliberative content, collective thought process, or any disagreement among the jury," Sullivan wrote.
Read the judge's order:
Desronvil told Fox News' Kayleigh McEnany last week that he stands by his decision not to compromise with 11 others who wanted her to be found not criminally responsible due to postpartum psychosis.
LINDSAY CLANCY HOLDOUT PRAISED AS 'AMERICAN HERO' BY LAWYER WHO SAYS HE REPRESENTS HIM
FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X
SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS
CLICK HERE FOR MORE FROM THE FOX TRUE CRIME HUB
He has taken to referring to her slain children as "The Three Angels." They were Cora, 5, Dawson, 3 and Callan, 8 months.
He also denied lying under oath on his juror questionnaire, said jurors only used their cellphones during breaks from deliberations and denied claims from other jurors that he'd ignored reasonable doubts about the case.
Reddington has asked the court to preserve juror records from all 12 panelists and six alternates, including their questionnaires, courthouse hallway surveillance video taken outside the deliberation room and sign-in sheets for the jurors' cellphones.
LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST
But it was only Desronvil's phone he's asked to have examined specifically â between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on each deliberation day.
LINDSAY CLANCY HOLDOUT JURORâS LAWYERS SAY THEY PLAN BAR COMPLAINT AGAINST REDDINGTON
"Everybody had their cellphones and our cell phone was used when we had a break," the holdout juror said. "So not during deliberation."
Clancy returns to court on Nov. 2.
CBS makes J.J. Watt the permanent Tony Romo replacement with a new contract and Super Bowl assignment
Tony Romo's loss has been J.J. Watt's gain at CBS â and now it's permanent.
Watt on Thursday was named lead analyst for the NFL on CBS in a new multi-year contract agreement. The announcement was made by David Berson, Chairman of Skydance's Global Sports Group.
Watt will continue to call the networkâs top NFL games alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson as CBS Sportsâ lead NFL announce team, including during the 2027 season when they call Super Bowl LXII in Atlanta.
TONY ROMO AND CBS PART WAYS BUT HISTORY SUGGESTS ANALYST WILL BE BACK ELSEWHERE
"Iâve had a front-row seat to J.J.âs growth as a top-tier broadcaster, watching him tackle this role just like he did his Hall-of-Fame playing career," Berson said in a release by the network. "Heâs insightful, entertaining, passionate, meticulous in his preparation, and the ultimate teammate. He has a unique ability to see things and communicate to fans of all levels. We are thrilled to have him leading our NFL coverage."
Watt didn't start the 2026 NFL season in his current role. That belonged to Romo, the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback.
NFL ANALYST TONY ROMO PLACED ON LEAVE BY CBS SPORTS FOLLOWING DRUNK DRIVING ARREST IN WISCONSIN
But Romo ran afoul of his assignment when he was arrested on July 23, after a traffic stop on southbound Interstate 43 near downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He later pleaded no contest to a first-offense OWI, with the sentence including a six-month revocation of his driving privileges and an alcohol-assessment requirement.
CBS said on July 31 that Romo was on leave "until further notice," but then the network announced on Oct. 2 that it had "mutually agreed to part ways" with its long-time lead analyst.
WITH TONY ROMO OUT AT CBS, TROY AIKMAN AND GREG OLSEN SUDDENLY BECOME LOGICAL REPLACEMENTS
Watt, meanwhile, was the next man up. He has served as the network's lead analyst since the start of the season and that now becomes a permanent role after what was obviously a successful trial period.
The network chose the man in the seat over other possible permanent replacements for Romo, Greg Olsen and others among them.
"I am incredibly honored and grateful to have the opportunity to represent CBS Sports and all of the fantastic people who make this place so special," Watt said in a statement. "From the brotherhood of The NFL Today to my crews calling games, I couldnât ask for better teammates alongside me on this television journey.
"I am thankful to David Berson for his leadership, vision and trust. I love this job and canât wait to see ya Sunday with Jim and Tracy and many more Sundays to come!"
Watt joined CBS Sports in 2023 as a studio analyst on The NFL Today. Last season, Watt moved to the booth to call games with Ian Eagle and Evan Washburn.
Watt was a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and was honored as the 2017 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.
Former Rangers star Ron Duguay dead at 69 after cancer battle, girlfriend Sarah Palin announces
Former New York Rangers star Ron Duguay has died at age 69 after a bout with cancer.
Duguay's girlfriend, former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, announced the news on social media Thursday.
"Itâs with a shattered heart, but also deep peace knowing Ron is with Jesus now. He fought so hard. Love never ends," Palin posted to X.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE
Palin posted on her Instagram Story on Wednesday asking for prayers for the former NHLer.
Duguay spent his first six NFL seasons with the Blueshirts before joining the Detroit Red Wings for the better half of three seasons and a short stint with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He returned to the Rangers for two seasons and wrapped up with the Los Angeles Kings.
"The New York Rangers organization mourns the loss of Ron Duguay, one of the most popular players in franchise history," the team said in a statement.
NHLER ANNIHILATES FORMER TEAMMATE WHO BEGGED FOR TRADE WITH CRUSHING HIT IN FIRST MATCHUP
"Ron's signature skating style â with his hair flowing as he moved down the ice â captivated The Garden Faithful, and his skill, tenacity, and charisma earned him the admiration of all New Yorkers. We join the hockey community in sending our condolences to Ron's friends, family, and loved ones during this difficult time."
In his 864 games, he scored 274 goals and handed out 346 assists.
SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY OUTKICK NEWSLETTER
Duguay, who made his NHL debut in 1977, continued to play in other leagues until finally hanging up the skates in 1999. He began his pro career with the Ontario Hockey League in 1973.
Virginia state senator indicted, accused of leading a marijuana distribution enterprise
Virginia state senator Lillie Louise Lucas was indicted Thursday on five charges that include Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering, Fraud, and Firearms Charges after being accused of running a marijuana distribution enterprise, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Lucas is among seven indicted in the sprawling racketeering scheme, a group that includes her two daughters Lisa Lucas Burke and Theresa Lucas Lamb and her grandson Ryan Eichelberger, Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a Thursday press conference.
"Louise Lucas has served in a position of public trust in the Commonwealth of Virginia for over three decades," Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a DOJ statement.
"The charges alleged in this indictment reveal the behavior of a public servant who put her own financial interests before the people she was elected to serve. Our federal prosecutors will continue to be guided by the facts and evidence that led a grand jury to indict Ms. Lucas and her alleged co-conspirators."
The 82-year-old Lucas had served as a Virginia state senator since 1991, and as the president pro tempore of the state's senate since 2020. As president pro tempore, she served as the presiding member of the state senate in the absence of the state's lieutenant governor.
She also served as chair of the state's Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee since 2024.
"Through her elected office, Senator Lucas has been a public servant of the people of Virginia. Her first duty should have been looking out for her constituents before herself, but the charges listed in the indictment reflect the alleged behavior of a public servant who put her own financial interests before the people she was elected to serve," Blanche said Thursday.
The DOJ said Lucas led the Lucas Enterprise with a close-knit group of friends and family that included her two daughters and a grandson.
"[They] orchestrated a multi-year scheme to enrich their own criminal marijuana enterprise, âthe Lucas Enterprise,' using Lucasâ position as Chairwoman of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee to insulate the enterprise from criminal scrutiny and influencing legislation to financially benefit themselves," FBI Director Kash Patel said in the statement.
Lucas, who has served as a Virginia state senator since 1991, was directly involved in a wide range of activities within the enterprise, including the acquisition and distribution of 100 kilograms or more of marijuana and for the laundering of the drug sales proceeds, the DOJ said.
-----
This is a breaking news story and will be updated shortly.
Google's new AI shopping cart tracks deals across stores
Ever find something you want to buy online, leave it sitting in a browser tab and then completely forget where you saw it? Maybe you spotted a great pair of headphones while searching Google. Later, you found a birthday gift at another retailer. Before long, you've got a dozen tabs open and no idea which store had the better deal.
Google thinks it has a solution. On Oct. 15, the company began the U.S. rollout of Universal Cart, a new artificial intelligence-powered shopping tool that brings products from different retailers into one place. It also tracks prices, watches for restocks and helps you find savings before checkout.
With holiday shopping approaching, the timing could be especially useful. But there's another question worth asking. Will having everything in one cart help us spend less, or simply make it easier to buy more?
AMERICANS SAY THEY'RE BROKE. SO WHY CAN'T THEY STOP SPENDING SO MUCH?
Join our upcoming CyberGuy LIVE class: 5 Ways to Travel Smarter and Save Money
In this free live online class, Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson will share five practical ways to protect your trip and your wallet this holiday travel season. You'll learn how to secure your phone and personal information, find better travel deals, avoid common scams, save money on bookings and use technology to make your travels easier and less stressful. No technical experience is needed.
Join us Saturday, October 31, at 11 AM ET / 8 AM PT. Register for free now at CyberGuyLive.com.
AMAZON ABOUT YOU MAY KNOW YOU A LITTLE TOO WELL
Google Universal Cart is a shopping hub that works across Google Search and the Gemini app. Instead of keeping separate lists of products you might buy, you can save items from different retailers in one place. For example, you might find a coffee maker while searching Google and add it to your Universal Cart. Later, while talking with Gemini about gift ideas, you could save a pair of sneakers from another store. When you return, both products will be waiting for you. Google first previewed the tool in May 2026. Now, Universal Cart is rolling out to U.S. shoppers. It uses Google's Shopping Graph, which contains more than 60 billion continually refreshed product listings. That information helps the system monitor prices and availability across supported products.
The biggest attraction here is convenience. But Google has added several features that could also help you avoid paying more than necessary.
Shopping online often means bouncing between websites. You find something at Target, check another item at Walmart and then head to Sephora for a gift. Remembering where you saw everything can become a chore. Universal Cart lets you save supported products you discover through Google Search and Gemini. More importantly, your saved items stay together when you return to shopping. That could come in handy when you're shopping for several people or making a big purchase that requires some research. You can keep your options organized without committing to buying anything right away.
Here's the feature I find particularly interesting. Universal Cart can monitor saved products and notify you when a price drops. It can also alert you when something that sold out becomes available again. Suppose you're considering a new television but aren't ready to spend the money. Rather than checking the same retailer every morning, you can save it and let Google's shopping system watch for changes. The alerts could be especially helpful heading into Black Friday and the holiday shopping season. Still, remember that a price reduction doesn't automatically guarantee the lowest price available.
IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION IS CHANGING: WHAT TO LOOK FOR
This is where Google's AI starts doing some extra work. Universal Cart can surface relevant promotional codes and consider benefits associated with your payment cards. Let's say you have multiple credit cards but can't remember which one offers better rewards at a particular retailer. Universal Cart uses information from Google Wallet to understand supported credit card benefits and help you choose between payment methods. It can also show relevant promotional codes directly in your cart, potentially helping you find savings you might otherwise miss. However, I would still check the details before choosing a card. Rewards programs come with conditions, and the highest points offer may not always translate into the greatest savings.
Once you're ready to buy, Universal Cart offers a more streamlined checkout experience with participating retailers. In some cases, you can complete the purchase using Google Pay directly from the cart. Alternatively, Google can transfer your selected items to the retailer's website so you can finish your order there. Google says its simplified checkout experiences include retailers such as Nike, Sephora, Target, Ulta Beauty, Walmart and Wayfair, along with many Shopify merchants. However, the available checkout options depend on the retailer. Either way, the retailer remains the seller of record and handles order confirmations and customer support. That means you'll continue dealing with the merchant for delivery questions or returns.
119,000 FAKE SHOPS COULD STEAL YOUR CREDIT CARD DETAILS
Google began rolling out Universal Cart to U.S. users on Oct. 15. The feature works across Google Search and the Gemini app, although availability may vary as the rollout continues. To explore it, open Google Search or Gemini and look for products you're interested in buying. When Universal Cart becomes available in your shopping experience, you can save supported products from different retailers. Google says those items will remain in your cart when you return, allowing you to pick up where you left off. You can also use the cart to monitor price changes, discover promotional offers and review available checkout options. However, Google hasn't provided a single set of instructions that applies to every device. The appearance and placement of these features may vary.
NEW AMAZON AI SEARCH TURNS WORDS INTO SHOPPABLE IMAGES
Not necessarily. Google says Universal Cart can organize products across retailers, but that doesn't mean every online store supports every feature. The products you can save depend on supported shopping experiences. Meanwhile, checkout options vary depending on the merchant. Some purchases can happen through Google Pay in the cart, while others require you to finish on the retailer's website. Google originally introduced Universal Cart in May with plans to bring it to Search, Gemini, YouTube and Gmail. However, its October 15 launch announcement specifically confirms availability across Search and Gemini in the U.S. Google has not announced a confirmed launch date for Universal Cart integration with Gmail or YouTube.
Behind the scenes, Google uses something called the Universal Commerce Protocol, or UCP. It's a shared technical standard designed to help AI-powered shopping tools communicate with retailers and payment systems. For shoppers, the technical details are less important than what they make possible. UCP helps Google connect product discovery with checkout, reducing the need to jump between different shopping experiences. Google has also been expanding AI shopping beyond the cart. Its Let Google Call feature, for example, can use AI to contact nearby stores and check product availability. Amazon has been developing AI-powered shopping tools, while OpenAI offers AI agents that can assist with shopping-related tasks. The competition to become your digital shopping assistant is heating up.
Having Google organize your shopping could be convenient, especially if you already use Search and Gemini. Still, it's worth considering how much shopping information you're comfortable keeping within your Google account. Universal Cart uses Google Wallet to help identify supported payment benefits and relevant offers. However, Google's launch announcement doesn't provide detailed information about how long Universal Cart shopping data is retained or exactly how it may be used for advertising. Before relying on the feature, review your Google account's privacy settings and Google's published privacy policies. For now, I would avoid assuming that adding something to Universal Cart keeps that shopping interest private. And if you're buying a surprise gift for someone who shares access to your Google account, think twice before saving it there. Of course, the usual online shopping precautions still apply. Before completing a purchase, check the final price and verify that you're buying from a legitimate seller. A familiar checkout experience shouldn't replace those basic habits. For more help spotting suspicious sellers, see our guide on how to tell whether an online store is real or a scam.
I like the idea of having one place to keep track of everything I'm considering buying, especially when the holidays roll around. The price alerts could be genuinely helpful. And if Google's AI can find a discount code I would have otherwise missed, I'm all for it. But I'm also watching where this is heading. Google is making shopping increasingly convenient, and that convenience can be a double-edged sword. When a company knows what you're interested in buying and makes checkout easier, there's less time to reconsider a purchase. My advice? Use Universal Cart to do your homework and save money. Just don't let the technology do the deciding for you.
Would you trust Google's AI to help you shop and choose how to pay, or are we giving tech companies too much influence over what we buy? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Newsletter
Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Rep. Jimmy Patronis asks ACC to disclose sports betting policies amid push for college sports bill
Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Fla., is asking the Atlantic Coast Conference to disclose its policies governing online sports betting by conference employees, referees and other individuals connected to its competitions.
In a letter sent Thursday to ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips and the conferenceâs board of directors, Patronis said the request was prompted by the ACCâs support for the Protect College Sports Act, a sweeping federal proposal addressing NIL rights, revenue sharing, athlete health and safety, transfers and other issues in college athletics.
"Seeing as the ACC is asking Congress for help with NIL, I believe we must have transparency regarding each bodyâs policies and how they navigate online betting," Patronis wrote.
REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: COUNTDOWN IS ON AS SENATE RACES TO PASS CRYPTO, COLLEGE SPORTS BILLS
The Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act, S. 4668, by a 77-22 vote on Sept. 28. The legislation now awaits consideration in the House. Supporters describe the bill as an effort to establish national standards for NIL compensation, revenue sharing, scholarships, medical coverage and the preservation of womenâs and Olympic sports.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE
THE CRAIG CARTON SHOWâUNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSABLE. DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!
Patronis asked the ACC to provide its online gambling policies before Congress returns in November, including rules governing staff members, officials and "other interested parties." He also questioned how the conference is protecting the integrity of college sports as sports betting becomes more widespread.
SENATE MOVES TO REIN IN COLLEGE SPORTS 'WILD WEST' WITH SWEEPING NEW RULES FOR PLAYERS, SCHOOLS
The NCAA has continued to enforce restrictions on wagering that could affect the integrity of college competition. The association says violations can result in severe penalties, including the loss of athletic eligibility, while warning that betting-related harassment and pressure can affect athletes, coaches and officials.
SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY OUTKICK NEWSLETTER
At the same time, the NCAAâs Division I Administrative Committee has moved toward allowing athletes and athletics staff to bet on professional sports, while preserving restrictions involving college competitions. The NCAA said conferences and schools may impose additional rules of their own.
The ACC has been involved in lobbying efforts surrounding the Protect College Sports Act, which conference leaders have described as a way to create more consistent national rules for college athletics