Fox News Latest Headlines
Federal court clears way for Ten Commandments to be displayed in Louisiana public school classrooms
A federal appeals court cleared the way Friday for a Louisiana law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms, lifting a lower court block and reigniting debate over religion in public education.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals voted 12-6 to lift a block first imposed in 2024, finding it was too early to determine the constitutionality of the law. Critics argue the requirement violates the separation of church and state, while supporters say the Ten Commandments are historical and foundational to U.S. law.
The court said in the majority opinion that it was unclear how schools would display the poster-sized materials, noting that the law allows additional content, like the Mayflower Compact or the Declaration of Independence, to appear alongside the Ten Commandments.
The majority wrote that there were not enough facts to "permit judicial judgment rather than speculation" when evaluating potential First Amendment concerns.
COLORADO TEEN WINS FIGHT TO REPAINT SCHOOL PARKING SPACE WITH CHRISTIAN DESIGN AFTER LEGAL CHALLENGE
In a concurring opinion, Circuit Judge James Ho, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, wrote that the law was constitutional and "consistent with our founding traditions."
"It is fully consistent with the Constitution, and what’s more, it reinforces our Founders’ firm belief that the children of America should be educated about the religious foundations and traditions of our country," Ho said, adding that the law "affirms our Nation’s highest and most noble traditions."
Circuit Judge James L. Dennis, an appointee of former President Bill Clinton, wrote in a dissenting opinion that displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms would amount to "exposing children to government‑endorsed religion in a setting of compulsory attendance."
"That is precisely the kind of establishment the Framers anticipated and sought to prevent," he added.
The ACLU of Louisiana and other groups representing the plaintiffs said they would pursue additional legal challenges to block the law.
"Today’s ruling is extremely disappointing and would unnecessarily force Louisiana’s public school families into a game of constitutional whack-a-mole in every school district," the groups wrote in a joint-statement. "Longstanding judicial precedent makes clear that our clients need not submit to the very harms they are seeking to prevent before taking legal action to protect their rights."
WASHINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT FORCES STUDENTS TO HIDE BIBLES IN BACKPACKS, LAWSUIT ALLEGES
Republican Gov. Jeff Landry on Friday praised the court's decision, writing on Facebook, "Common sense is making a comeback!"
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill issued a statement following the ruling, saying schools "should follow the law."
"Don’t kill or steal shouldn’t be controversial. My office has issued clear guidance to our public schools on how to comply with the law, and we have created multiple examples of posters demonstrating how it can be applied constitutionally," she said.
Joseph Davis, an attorney representing Louisiana in the case, celebrated the court's decision.
"If the ACLU had its way, every trace of religion would be scrubbed from the fabric of our public life," he said in a statement. "That position is at odds with our nation’s traditions and our Constitution. We’re glad the Fifth Circuit has allowed Louisiana to display the Ten Commandments in its public school classrooms."
Friday’s ruling came after the full court agreed to reconsider the case, months after a three-judge panel ruled the Louisiana law unconstitutional.
A similar law in Arkansas faces a federal court challenge, while Texas implemented its own Ten Commandments classroom requirement last year.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Corinne Stoddard breaks US women's Olympic short track medal drought with bronze win at Winter Games
Friday’s short track competition at the Milan Cortina Olympics was defined by dramatic moments, culminating in a historic breakthrough.
Team USA’s Corinne Stoddard claimed a podium finish, becoming the first American woman to medal in the event in 16 years.
Stoddard, who entered the Games ranked second in the world in short track, captured bronze in the 1,500 meters after overcoming a series of early setbacks. On her first day on the ice in Milan, the 24-year-old slipped three times.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Stoddard regained her form and appeared to have little trouble skating through the preliminary rounds to reach the final. Once the race began Friday, she held the lead for much of the event before South Korea’s Kim Gil-li and Choi Min-jeong overtook her.
AMERICAN JORDAN STOLZ SECURES SILVER MEDAL IN MEN'S SPEEDSKATING 1,500-METER EVENT
Kim and Choi won gold and silver, respectively, in the race. Stoddard credited her team with helping her after the early stumbles.
"I think after the 1000 meters, I basically spent the whole day crying in bed," she said. "I basically came from the depths of hell to get here, and I couldn't have done it without my team and my staff and my coaches, everyone, just lifting me up and [giving] me the confidence that I could skate the way I know how to after so many terrible races.
"Today was just to prove to myself that I can skate under the Olympic pressure and to prove to myself that I'm still me. And I did that. And I feel like that's a great way to end such a terrible Olympics."
With her bronze Friday, Stoddard earned her first Olympic medal. The victory also snapped a seven-year medal drought for American short track skaters.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
State Department warns Americans of 'extremely dangerous' avalanche conditions across Europe
The State Department on Friday issued a warning of "significantly increased avalanche danger" in parts of Switzerland, Austria, and France, telling Americans abroad to monitor local avalanche forecasts.
The warning comes after dozens of people have died in avalanches across Europe this season so far.
"Authorities report significantly increased avalanche danger in parts of Switzerland, Austria, and France," the State Department wrote in the alert. "Monitor conditions via the European Avalanche Warning Service: https://avalanches.org."
An alert from the U.S. embassy in Austria said Austrian authorities have reported "significantly increased avalanche danger in Alpine regions," with parts of Tyrol and Vorarlberg at Danger Level 4, which is considered high, and other Alpine regions in are at Danger Level 3, which is "considerable."
6 MOTHERS WHO ‘CHERISHED TIME TOGETHER’ AMONG VICTIMS IN AVALANCHE NEAR LAKE TAHOE
"At Danger Level 4, avalanches can be triggered very easily, and large to very large natural avalanches can be expected," the embassy wrote. "Exposed transportation routes may be at risk. Conditions are extremely dangerous for snow sports outside marked and open trails. Local authorities may preemptively close certain areas and prohibit access."
STATE DEPARTMENT ISSUES SECURITY ALERT AMID ‘HEAVY GUNFIRE’ NEAR US EMBASSY IN HAITI
The embassy said Americans in those areas should monitor avalanche forecasts, listen to local authorities, avoid backcountry activities, and stay on marked trails.
The U.S. embassy in Switzerland also reported "significantly increased avalanche danger," with large regions in the Cantons of Valais and Graubünden at Danger Level 4 and other alpine regions in Switzerland and Liechtenstein at Level 3."
In France, the U.S. embassy also reported "strong or very strong avalanche risk in Alpine regions in France along the borders with Italy and Switzerland," including Hautes Alpes, Isere, Savoie, and Haute-Savoie."
Fox News Digital has reached out to the State Department for comment.
In the U.S., eight skiers also died near Lake Tahoe and one remains missing this week in the deadliest avalanche in California history.
Undefeated boxing legend Floyd Mayweather coming out of retirement after nine years
Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather said he is coming out of retirement after nine years away from the sport and will make his return this summer.
He is returning to the ring for a match under a promotional deal with CSI Sports/Fight Sports.
"I still have what it takes to set more records in the sport of boxing," Mayweather said in a statement. "From my upcoming Mike Tyson event to my next professional fight afterwards, no one will generate a bigger gate, have a larger global broadcast audience and generate more money with each event (than) my events."
The undefeated Mayweather, who turns 49 Tuesday, hasn’t fought in a real match since 2017 against Conor McGregor. Mayweather declared himself retired after that match with a 50-0 record and 27 KOs.
JAKE PAUL SAYS 'BABY FEVER' HAS HIT AS BOXER STEPS AWAY TO RECOVER FROM INJURY
The former five-division world champion has still been in the ring regularly throughout his 40s with a series of lucrative exhibition bouts against the likes of online influencer Logan Paul, YouTuber Mikuri Asakura and John Gotti III, the grandson of the infamous mafia boss.
Mayweather has already announced yet another exhibition coming up this spring against 59-year-old Mike Tyson, although no location or television partner has been confirmed.
Mayweather spent more than a decade as arguably the biggest American star in boxing, and he beat Manny Pacquiao in 2015 in the richest fight in boxing history at the time. His superb defensive skills and quick hands were his ring strengths, but his stardom and wealth proliferated largely because of his "Money May" antihero persona.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Now, he will give it another go as he approaches age 50 and puts his undefeated record on the line.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
ICE arrests illegal immigrants convicted of child rape, sexual assault, drug trafficking
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Friday announced new arrests carried out by federal enforcement officers targeting illegal immigrants convicted of violent and sexual crimes.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrested multiple offenders Thursday who had prior convictions for crimes including child rape, sexual assault of minors, methamphetamine trafficking and aggravated assault, according to DHS.
"Even while facing doxing, threats, harassment, and a more than 1,300% increase in assaults against them, ICE continues to go after criminal illegal aliens, including pedophiles, violent sex criminals, and drug traffickers," outgoing DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement.
WEEKEND ROUNDUP: CONVICTED MURDERERS, CHILD SEX ABUSERS AMONG ILLEGAL ALIENS NABBED BY ICE ACROSS US
Among those arrested include:
Michelle Rodriguez-Berrio, a criminal illegal immigrant from Colombia, who was convicted in Salt Lake City, Utah, for unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
Rene Lopez-Balbuena, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, who was convicted in Monmouth County, New Jersey, of endangering the welfare of a child and sexually assaulting a child.
DHS SHUTDOWN LEAVES LOCAL EMERGENCY RESPONDERS ON THEIR OWN AMID EXTREME WEATHER, EXPERT WARNS
Luis Elias-Santos, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, who was convicted in Boone County, Missouri, of second-degree statutory rape.
Jeovanny Porras-Rodriguez, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, who was convicted in Buncombe County, North Carolina, of trafficking methamphetamine.
Leonardo Garcia-Meza, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, was convicted in Collin County, Texas, of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Earlier this month, a DHS spokesperson told Fox News Digital that ICE officers are "facing a coordinated campaign of violence against them."
According to DHS, assaults against ICE personnel have increased by more than 1,300%, death threats have risen 8,000%, and vehicle attacks have climbed 3,200%.
"Nearly 70% of all ICE arrests are of illegal aliens convicted or charged of a crime in the U.S.," McLaughlin added. "If you break the law, you will face the consequences. Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S."
DHS did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Fox News Digital's Breanne Deppisch contributed to this report.
Former Connecticut police chief arrested for allegedly stealing $85K in public funds
Former New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson was arrested Friday on larceny charges after authorities alleged he stole $85,000 from two city funds, prosecutors said.
Karl Jacobson, who stepped down from the department in January, turned himself in on an arrest warrant and was later released on a $150,000 court-set bond. He faces two counts of larceny tied to alleged fraud involving public funds.
"An allegation of embezzlement by a police official is a serious matter and potentially undermines public confidence in the criminal justice system," Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin said in a statement.
Jacobson’s lawyer, Gregory Cerritelli, said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital that he couldn’t respond to the specific allegations, but noted that "an arrest is not evidence of guilt and allegations are not proof."
CALIFORNIA MAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY STEALING MILLIONS IN HOMELESS FUNDS
"This is the beginning of a very long process," he stated. "I urge everyone to keep an open mind and avoid a rush to judgment."
New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker called the allegations "shocking" during a news conference, and he said the former police chief had at first only admitted taking $10,000 from one account.
"We didn’t know how deep this went," Elicker said, adding that the arrest warrant outlined that Jacobson had "severe issues" with gambling.
"It’s a very sad day for the city to see a chief, who was beloved by so many people, arrested for a theft of public money and also money that was intended for children," Elicker said.
Last month, Elicker announced Jacobson’s retirement, saying the former chief acknowledged taking money from a city fund used to pay confidential informants who assist in narcotics investigations, according to The Associated Press.
Elicker also said the former chief had confessed to taking the funds for personal use after being confronted by three of his deputies over financial irregularities.
The State’s Attorney’s Office said the investigation revealed that $81,500 was unaccounted for or misappropriated from the New Haven Police Department Narcotic Enforcement Program Fund between Jan. 1, 2024, and Jan. 5, 2026.
Bank records show that department checks were deposited into Jacobson's personal checking account, prosecutors said.
Investigators said they also found two checks totaling $4,000 were allegedly embezzled from the New Haven Police Activity League Fund in December 2025.
Jacobson was a member of the department for 15 years before serving a three-year stint as police chief.
Fox News Digital reached out to Jacobson's attorney for comment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
CIA retracts, revises 19 past intelligence assessments deemed politically biased
The CIA on Friday said that director John Ratcliffe had ordered the retraction or "substantive revision" of 19 intelligence assessments over the past decade that were deemed to be politically biased.
In a release, the CIA included three redacted assessments from between 2015 and 2021 that related to White women's extremist radicalization, attacks on LGBT activists in the Middle East and Africa, and the COVID-19 pandemic limiting access to birth control in developing countries.
"The intelligence products we released to the American people today — produced before my tenure as DCIA — fall short of the high standards of impartiality that CIA must uphold and do not reflect the expertise for which our analysts are renowned," Ratcliffe said in a statement.
He added, "There is absolutely no room for bias in our work and when we identify instances where analytic rigor has been compromised, we have a responsibility to correct the record. These actions underscore our commitment to transparency, accountability, and objective intelligence analysis. Our recent successes in Operation ABSOLUTE RESOLVE and Operation MIDNIGHT HAMMER exemplify our dedication to analytic excellence."
The CIA release said the assessments were identified by the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board, which did an independent review on hundreds of reports from the last decade, adding that the assessments "did not meet CIA and IC analytic tradecraft standards and failed to be independent of political consideration."
The agency said an internal review led by Deputy Director Michael Ellis "agreed that they did not meet the high standards the American people expect from CIA’s elite analytic workforce."
CIA DIRECTOR WAS IN VENEZUELA TO MEET WITH ACTING PRESIDENT DELCY RODRIGUEZ, OFFICIAL SAYS
The first of the three reports included in the release was titled "Women Advancing White Racially and Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremist Radicalization and Recruitment," and was published in October 2021, in the first year of the Biden administration.
It focused on women in groups overseas "that incite, facilitate or conduct violence because they believe that their perception of an idealized, white European ethnic identity is under attack from people who embody and support multiculturalism and globalization."
The second report was titled "Middle East-North Africa: LGBT Activists Under Pressure," and was released near the end of the Obama administration.
That assessment claimed that "The tough stance taken against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community by governments in the Middle East probably is driven by conservative public opinion and domestic political competition from Islamists, and is hindering US initiatives in support of LGBT rights."
The last declassified report included in the CIA release was titled "Worldwide: Pandemic-Related Contraceptive Shortfalls Threaten Economic Development," and was published in July 2020, nearly the end of President Donald Trump’s first term.
"The COVID-19 pandemic is limiting contraceptive access in the developing world and will probably undermine efforts to address population pressures there that are hindering economic development," it stated.
A senior administration official who spoke to The New York Times on condition of anonymity said that most of the rest of the flagged assessments dealt with diversity, equity and inclusion.
The Times added that former officials it spoke to both questioned the decision to declassify the three documents and the claims that the assessments were flawed, believing they just showed the policy priorities of past administrations.
Kentucky Lyft driver charged with sodomy, kidnapping now faces federal immigration detainer
A Kentucky Lyft driver accused of sexually assaulting a female passenger during a ride to a doctor’s appointment is now also the subject of a U.S. immigration detainer, according to local police records.
Yordan Diaz Vera, 34, of Louisville, is charged with first-degree sodomy, menacing and kidnapping, according to Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) records obtained by Fox News Digital.
He also has a U.S. immigration detainer, indicating federal authorities believe he is subject to removal.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not immediately confirm to Fox News Digital if Diaz Vera was in the country illegally.
UBER IN HOT SEAT AS PROBE FINDS VIOLENT OFFENDERS WERE CLEARED TO DRIVE PASSENGERS: REPORT
The victim told authorities that on Feb. 4, her doctor's office arranged a Lyft ride to take her from her home to an appointment.
After picking the victim up, Diaz Vera allegedly opened the car's glove compartment, revealing a gun, according to an incident report.
Police said he then pulled over, got out of the car and into the backseat with the victim.
She tried to escape, but was unable to open the door due to it being locked, the report noted.
LYFT DRIVER ACCUSED OF BRUTAL BACKSEAT ATTACK, THREATENING TO KILL PASSENGER DURING RIDE
Once Diaz Vera was in the backseat with the victim, he forced her into sexual acts, according to authorities.
The victim said once she was dropped off at the doctor's office, she was able to call police.
LMPD officials told Fox News Digital there is "currently" no evidence to indicate the incident was part of a pattern of related incidents.
"The subject was taken into custody quickly due to the prompt reporting and timely investigative actions by the LMPD SVU Office of Sexual and Physical Investigations," the LMPD wrote in a statement. "It is our hope that timely investigations and successful prosecutions such as this empower victims—past, present and future—to come forward and communicate with law enforcement."
A Lyft spokesperson told Fox News Digital that Diaz Vera was permanently removed from the Lyft platform, and the company is assisting law enforcement with the investigation.
"The behavior described is reprehensible and has no place in the Lyft community or society," the spokesperson wrote in a statement.
All Lyft drivers must meet certain requirements to drive on the platform, including holding a valid Social Security number and driver’s license.
Crosby-less Canadians rally past Finland to punch their ticket to gold medal game
The Olympic men's hockey semifinals got underway on Friday morning, and the opening course was a heavyweight clash between Canada and Finland.
Both the Canadians and Finns made it this far thanks to OT thrillers in the semi-finals, but for Team Canada, the win came at a cost. Captain Sidney Crosby was injured on a hit from Czechia's Radko Gudas and left the game early.
Just a little before puck drop on Friday, it was announced that he would be out of the lineup against Finland.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
This was the last news Canada needed against a very good Finnish team that plays way more physically than Finnish teams in Olymipcs past.
The Finns opened the scoring toward the end of a fast and physical opening frame with Mikko Rantanen lighting the lamp just seconds into a Finnish power play after Canada's Sam Bennett got the gate for goaltender interference.
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros came up big multiple times as the Canadians got much more rubber on net than the Finns did.
Special teams continued to be a big story in the second as we got our first taste of the Crosby-less Canadian power play after Sebastian Aho was called for interference, but things went off the rails in a hurry.
Finland stunned Canada by managing to clear the puck out of their zone and spring Nashville's Erik Haula for a shorthanded breakaway, which he buried to go up 2-0.
ALYSSA LIU BREAKS TEAM USA'S 24-YEAR OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL DROUGHT IN WOMEN'S FIGURE SKATING
About ten minutes later, Finland's Anton Lundell took a high-sticking penalty, and — would you believe? — special teams were the story once again, only this time it was in Canada's favor.
Lundell's Florida Panthers teammate Sam Reinhart deflected a Cale Makar shot from the point to get rid of that goose egg for the Canadians.
Canada continued to bring the pressure, and with just under ten minutes left in regulation, they were outshooting the Finns 29-14.
That pressure resulted in a Shea Theodore missile from the top of the circle finding the back of the net.
The Finns were unhappy about the contact that Brad Marchand made with Saros, but if you watch that again, the contact was clearly initiated by Finland's Erik Haula in the crease.
Canada never took its foot off the gas after that, and that pressure certainly played a role in Finland's Niko Mikkola taking a penalty for high-sticking Nathan MacKinnon with around two and a half minutes left in regulation.
And once again, special teams produced, with Nathan MacKinnon scoring the game-winner with just 35.2 seconds left in regulation.
The Finns challenged the goal, saying the Canadians had entered the zone offside — and boy, was it close; totally worth taking a swing at — but the call stood, and Team Canada was up 3-2.
That was how things ended, with the Canadians going on a 3-0 rally to cement their spot in the gold medal game on Sunday, where they'll face the winner of Friday afternoon's other semifinal game between Team USA and Slovakia.
As for the Finns, they still have some business to tend to as they'll face the loser of that game in the bronze medal game on Saturday.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Campus Radicals Newsletter: Teacher who lost job over 2-word post breaks silence, Chicago 'racial segregation'
DEI EXPOSED: Illinois district where faculty celebrated Charlie Kirk's death exposed over racial 'segregation' plan
ART AXED: University of North Texas cancels exhibit featuring anti-ICE art
CAMPUS CAUTION: Illinois university moves classes online after learning ICE is operating in the same building
SIGN UP TO GET THE CAMPUS RADICALS NEWSLETTER
ALLEGATIONS DISMISSED: White teens cleared of hate crime allegations levied by Black Virginia Tech professor
BOOK BATTLE: Nashville teacher allegedly threatened with termination for refusing to read LGBTQ book to first graders
DEPORTATION DENIED: Palestinian activist accused of expressing desire to 'kill Jews' wins deportation case
FACULTY REVOLT: Columbia pulls promotion for DHS career expo after faculty claims university is aiding 'authoritarianism'
HARVARD ACTIVISM: Harvard students earn course credit helping asylum seekers as critics calls school 'bastion of woke activism'
CAREER DERAILED: Chicago-area teacher breaks silence after losing job over 2-word Facebook post supporting ICE: 'Devastating'
TPUSA CONTROVERSY: Maryland woman says TPUSA high school event raised 'serious concerns,' says Child Protective Services notified