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Heavy drinkers cut alcohol use by nearly 30% after adopting one new habit, study finds
Certain people who use cannabis tend to drink less alcohol, a new study found.
Researchers from Brown University’s Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies set out to determine whether cannabis use has an effect on alcohol craving and consumption — specifically, whether smoking marijuana can reduce alcohol use in heavy drinkers.
The randomized, controlled study included 157 adults between the ages of 21 and 44 who reported heavy drinking and regular cannabis use (at least bi-weekly).
ALCOHOL DEATHS HAVE MORE THAN DOUBLED IN RECENT YEARS, ESPECIALLY AMONG WOMEN
Each participant completed three two-hour "lab sessions" with different types of cannabis use. They received one of two levels of THC or a placebo, and then were given the choice to drink alcohol or accept a cash payment.
Those who smoked cannabis with the higher level of THC (7.2%) consumed about 27% less alcohol than those who smoked a placebo. They also reported an immediate reduction in the urge to drink.
Participants who smoked cannabis with 3.1% THC smoked about 19% less alcohol.
"In our controlled bar lab study, after people smoked cannabis, they drank about a quarter less alcohol over the next two hours," lead study author Jane Metrik, Ph.D., professor of behavioral and social sciences at Brown’s Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, told Fox News Digital.
ALCOHOL-RELATED LIVER TRANSPLANTS ON THE RISE AMONG YOUNG ADULTS, DOCTOR SAYS
Cannabis had mixed effects on alcohol cravings, the researchers reported.
"We found a significant decrease in alcohol urge immediately after smoking cannabis, but not a consistent effect on a different measure of alcohol craving," Metrik said. "This suggests that cannabis may not exert a uniform effect on alcohol motivation, and that other mechanisms may also explain how cannabis impacts subsequent alcohol use."
CANNABIS GUMMY POISONINGS SURGE AMONG VULNERABLE GROUP, EXPERTS WARN
The study, which was funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, was published last month in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
The study did have limitations, the researchers acknowledged.
"The study tested only one cannabinoid (THC) in smoked cannabis, which means the results may not generalize to the wide range of cannabis products, formulations and other cannabinoids," Metrik told Fox News Digital. "The study sample also consisted of individuals who used cannabis nearly every day, so those who use cannabis less often may show different alcohol-related behaviors."
THESE ARE THE TOP HEALTH RISKS OF MARIJUANA USE, ESPECIALLY SMOKING CANNABIS
The researchers also did not look at the effects of using cannabis and alcohol at the same time.
As the research was short-term and conducted in a "lab" setting, it’s unclear whether the reduced alcohol use would continue in the longer term or in real-world settings, they noted.
The study results do not justify recommending cannabis as a substitute for alcohol among people with alcohol-use disorder, the researchers stated, as the long-term health effects and addiction risks for cannabis remain uncertain.
"It is important to understand that cannabis’ impact varies substantially across individuals," Mitek said, noting that while the substance may reduce drinking in the short term, it also presents its own risks.
MORE SENIORS ARE USING CANNABIS THAN EVER BEFORE DESPITE HEALTH RISKS, RESEARCH SHOWS
"Our study is a first step, and we need more long-term research before drawing conclusions for public health," she said. "We do not have clear evidence of long-term safety and efficacy of using cannabis as alcohol treatment. For now, I would not recommend using cannabis to cut down on alcohol use."
For people who are already substituting cannabis for alcohol, Mitek recommends that they closely monitor their use and be aware of the risk of cannabis use disorder. She also "strongly encourages" them to consider evidence-based alcohol treatments.
Marcel Bonn-Miller, Ph.D., a cannabis researcher with Ajna BioSciences in Colorado, noted that the study highlights the current market trends, which show that alcohol sales have decreased significantly as THC has become more accessible.
"As many consumers report using THC beverages and other non-inhaled methods of administration as alternatives to alcohol, it would be important for future clinical trials to determine the effect of these formats on alcohol use behavior over time," the researcher, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.
Riana Durrett, director of the Cannabis Policy Institute at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, praised the study’s "rigorous" design.
"Overall, the experimental design is a rare feature in this area of research because it can be logistically difficult to give people cannabis in the lab (given its federal Schedule I status), so this is a really unique study," Durrett, who was also not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.
The results align with the "California sober" trend, where smoking cannabis may be a way to reduce other substance use, she noted.
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While some individuals have reported that cannabis has helped them recover from other substance use disorders, the effect hasn’t been tested extensively, according to Durrett.
The expert agreed that while the study infers cannabis use does decrease alcohol use in a single session, there are some unknowns, including the long-term effects of cannabis use on alcohol consumption.
"So, it is still possible that in the longer term, cannabis use may be harmful for drinking outcomes," she said. "We also don't know the net effect of swapping out one substance (such as alcohol) for another (such as cannabis)."
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"It might be easy to believe that using cannabis instead of alcohol is a win, but we really don't know if that is true or not from the current research."
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Durrett added, "Hopefully, this study and similar ones can add tools to our toolkit on how to reduce problem drinking."
Mitek noted that additional research is needed to evaluate "clinically relevant alcohol outcomes," particularly among people who are seeking treatment for alcohol-use disorder.
Noem calls for 'full travel ban' on countries 'flooding' US and more top headlines
1. Noem calls for 'full travel ban' on countries 'flooding' US with immigrants
2. Trump admin investigating Minnesota tax dollars allegedly funding terrorists
3. Trump, AOC blitz campaign trail in must-win special House election
'FEATHER IN HIS CAP' – Elton John reveals what would make Trump one of the 'greatest presidents' in history. Continue reading …
TURF TROUBLE – Giants kicker's bizarre field goal attempt stuns 'Monday Night Football' fans. Continue reading …
DEADLY AMBUSH – 'Beloved' doctor and his wife executed outside their home as police probe nearby suicide. Continue reading …
TRAGIC TRESPASS – Zoo visitor's fatal decision to enter lion enclosure caught on camera in horrific video. Continue reading …
TROUBLE IN PARADISE – Travel warning issued as gangs carry out armed robberies in tropical hotspot. Continue reading …
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‘MAINSTREAMING HATE’ – Mamdani taps activist who said 'we can abolish police' to key transition committee. Continue reading …
DOUBLE HIT – Spec ops chief ordered deadly Caribbean strike ‘in self-defense’ with Hegseth’s sign-off. Continue reading …
MEDICAL UPDATE – Trump MRI results drop as White House confronts questions over president’s health. Continue reading …
TENSIONS RISE – Trump's escalation with Maduro halts deportation flights to Venezuela. Continue reading …
SHUT OUT – Over 100 California colleges accused of discriminating against US-born students in new DOJ complaint. Continue reading …
‘UNTHINKABLE’ – Madonna pens scathing post against Trump for decision to ignore World AIDS Day. Continue reading …
MASK OFF – Far-left writer says USA would be a 's---hole country' without diverse immigrants. Continue reading …
TINSELTOWN MONEY – 'Big checks are being written': Hollywood elites back Newsom for 2028 battle. Continue reading …
LIZ PEEK – Massive Minnesota welfare heist proves Democrats can't police their own mess. Continue reading …
HUGH HEWITT – Morning Glory: Trump has the authority to strike the narco-states poisoning the US. Continue reading …
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MONDAY NIGHT MAYHEM – Patriots complete rare NFL feat not seen since 1999 as Giants crumble. Continue reading …
GAME CHANGER – SCORE Act receives support from over 20 conservative groups as NIL reform fight revs up. Continue reading …
AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ – Test yourself on TV sitcom stars and exceptional explorers. Take the quiz here …
SEALED SECRETS – Untouched Roman sarcophagus offers chilling glimpse at moment frozen in time. Continue reading …
HIGH DRAMA – Rescuers leap into action when sky-dining attraction stalls in midair. Continue reading …
TOM HOMAN – Trump admin is committed to finding every illegal immigrant not properly vetted under Biden. See video …
KAROLINE LEAVITT – Fake news portal exists, and we need to hold media accountable. See video …
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Madonna pens scathing post against Trump for 'unthinkable' decision to ignore World AIDS Day
Singer Madonna attacked President Donald Trump for no longer commemorating World AIDS Day Monday.
Madonna referenced the day in an Instagram post and remarked that the Trump administration did not promote the day, the first time the U.S. did not commemorate World AIDS Day since it was established in 1988.
"Donald Trump has announced that World AIDS Day should no longer be acknowledged," Madonna wrote. "It’s one thing to order federal agents to refrain from commemorating this day, but to ask the general public to pretend it never happened is ridiculous, it’s absurd, it’s unthinkable. I bet he's never watched his best friend die of AIDS, held their hand and watched the blood drain from their face as they took their last breath at the age of 23."
ELTON JOHN REVEALS WHAT WOULD MAKE TRUMP ONE OF THE 'GREATEST PRESIDENTS' IN HISTORY
She added, "The list of people that I have known and loved and lost to AIDS is pretty long. I'm sure many of you out there can relate. Let me say one more time—there still isn't a cure for AIDS, and people still die from it. I refuse to acknowledge that these people have died in vain. And I will continue to honor World AIDS Day, and I hope you will honor it with me."
News outlets reported days earlier that the U.S. State Department would no longer acknowledge World AIDS Day, a decision the State Department later defended in a statement.
"An awareness day is not a strategy. Under the leadership of President Trump, the State Department is working directly with foreign governments to save lives and increase their responsibility and burden sharing," State Department deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott said. "Earlier this year, we released a global health strategy aimed at streamlining America’s foreign assistance and modernizing our approach to countering infectious diseases."
TRUMP’S GLOBAL HEALTH STRATEGY COULD MARK A TURNING POINT IN THE AIDS BATTLE
In an earlier comment to Fox News Digital, White House spokesman Kush Desai described continuing efforts by the Trump administration to combat AIDS.
"The State Department is working directly with foreign governments to implement a global health strategy to streamline America’s foreign assistance and modernize our approach to countering infectious diseases like HIV," Desai said.
He continued, "HHS, meanwhile, is advancing next-generation HIV prevention and treatment options, strengthening viral suppression nationwide via HRSA’s Ryan White program, supporting emergency preparedness, and expanding access to trusted HIV information."
TRUMP ADMIN PLANNING TO CONSOLIDATE HIV PROGRAMS, SLASHING 'OVERHEAD' AND DEI: OFFICIAL
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), under the Trump administration, also approved in June a new, twice-yearly shot from Gilead Sciences, a U.S. private sector biopharmaceutical company, to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. The shot was nearly 100% effective in preventing the spread of HIV in clinical trials and was shown to be superior to past drugs.
Trump has previously stated his goal of eradicating the disease by 2030, announcing an initiative to end HIV during his first term in 2019.
However, the Trump administration has also sought to cut funding from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in the president's original rescissions package back in July. Senate Republicans later agreed to preserve PEPFAR funding.
Save data by setting your background app refresh to Wi-Fi only
Background activity can drain your battery and use your mobile data without you seeing it happen. Apps refresh in the background to keep content updated, which helps you pick up where you left off. The downside is that this constant activity can strain your battery and burn through your data plan. The good news is that you can limit when apps refresh and choose to let them update only on Wi-Fi.
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ADAPTIVE POWER IN IOS 26 BOOSTS IPHONE BATTERY LIFE
Apps that update behind the scenes use data and power even when you are not opening them. When you switch the feature to Wi-Fi only, you slow down that background drain. It helps save mobile data. It can also help extend battery life because apps refresh less often.
Background App Refresh lets apps update content while you use other apps or leave your phone locked. When you return to an app, it is already refreshed and ready. That convenience comes with a cost. Each refresh uses data and battery power. By limiting this feature to Wi-Fi, you keep apps updated without using your mobile plan.
Follow these steps:
Select Wi-Fi to limit updates to Wi-Fi connections
STOP FOREIGN-OWNED APPS FROM HARVESTING YOUR PERSONAL DATA
If you want to block background updates completely, choose Off in step 4. This stops apps from refreshing when you are not using them. It helps save battery, but it can delay updates when you open an app that needs new content before you can use it.
Android does not use the exact name Background App Refresh, but it offers similar controls. You can restrict background data and background activity, which helps reduce data use and extend battery life.
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer
Data Saver blocks most apps from using background data unless you choose to allow them.
5 HIDDEN BATTERY DRAINERS YOU CAN FIX RIGHT NOW
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Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com
Changing background refresh settings is one of the fastest ways to protect your battery and data. With a few quick steps, your phone runs more efficiently, and your apps use fewer resources. Whether you use an iPhone or an Android device, these settings help put you back in control.
What phone tips or frustrations should we look into for a future story? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
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Trump highlights comments by 'Obama sycophant' Eric Holder, continues pressing Senate GOP to nix filibuster
President Donald Trump is continuing to advocate for the Senate GOP to nix the filibuster.
In a Monday Truth Social post, the president shared a video featuring clips of former Attorney General Eric Holder, who opined that if Democrats win a "trifecta" in the 2028 elections, the prospect of expanding the Supreme Court should be under consideration.
Holder made the comment while speaking with Ben Meiselas, co-founder of MeidasTouch, which posted the video last month.
In the Monday Truth Social post, Trump referred to Holder, who served under Democratic President Barack Obama, as an "Obama sycophant" and said that "Eric Holder (known as ‘FAST AND FURIOUS’) just gave a Speech where he emphatically stated, above all else, that Democrats will PACK the Supreme Court of the United States if they get the chance. The word is, he wants 21 Radical Left Activist Judges, not being satisfied with the heretofore 15 that they were seeking."
Trump suggested that eliminating the filibuster would enable Republicans to win in the 2026 midterm elections and the 2028 White House contest.
"It will be 21, they will destroy our Constitution, and there’s not a thing that the Republicans can do about it unless we TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER, which will lead to an easy WIN of the Midterms, and an even easier WIN in the Presidential Election of 2028," he asserted.
JOHN FETTERMAN RIPS JAMES CARVILLE OVER COURT-PACKING PLAN, TELLS DEMOCRATS TO ‘WIN MORE ELECTIONS’
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"Why would the Republicans even think about giving them this opportunity? The American People don’t want gridlock, they want their Leaders to GET THINGS DONE — TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER, AND HAVE THE MOST SUCCESSFUL FOUR YEARS IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY, BY FAR, WITH NOT EVEN THE HINT OF A SHUTDOWN OF OUR GREAT NATION ON JANUARY 30TH!" Trump declared in the post.
Over 100 California colleges accused of discriminating against US-born students in new DOJ complaint
A civil rights group filed a federal discrimination complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice on Monday alleging that Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and "undocumented" programs at California college campuses unlawfully exclude American-born students.
The complaint, filed by the Equal Protection Project (EPP) of the Legal Insurrection Foundation, and shared first with Fox News Digital, asks the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division to launch a "formal investigation into the University of California, California State University and California Community Colleges systems and 138 participating California public colleges and universities," alleging that they are violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 — which prohibits educational institutions that receive federal funding from discriminating on the basis of race, color or national origin — and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
In a letter to Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon, EPP attorneys argue the programs provide benefits restricted to DACA recipients and "undocumented" students, effectively excluding American-born students. An attached document lists links to campus programs describing services such as "dedicated funding, staff, counseling, advocacy, and other forms of support."
ELITE CALIFORNIA COLLEGES FACE TITLE VI COMPLAINT OVER DEI-LINKED SCHOLARSHIPS
Examples in the complaint include UC Berkeley's Undocumented Student Program, which the university says has been in place since 2012 and "serves nearly 500 students annually" by providing "counseling, financial support, mental health support, legal support, and professional development opportunities" to undocumented students.
The EPP letter urges the DOJ to "immediately" open a formal investigation into what it calls "systemic discrimination against American-born students" at California’s public colleges and universities, and to take legal action to secure "appropriate remedial relief" if violations are found.
"The largest California state higher education systems have decided that American-born students are not worthy of equal treatment on par with DACA and 'undocumented' students," EPP President and Cornell Law School professor William Jacobson said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "This systemic discrimination cries out for action by the U.S. Department of Justice to enforce the civil rights laws and constitutional guarantee of equal protection."
EPP is a nonprofit organization that "seeks to ensure equal protection under the law by opposing unlawful discrimination," Jacobson said. The group says it has challenged more than 600 programs and scholarships it considers discriminatory at over 125 colleges and universities nationwide.
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"This is state-sponsored discrimination, so it cannot be fixed at the state level," Jacobson continued. "If the federal government doesn’t act, the discrimination against American-born students throughout California higher education will continue unabated."
The DACA program was created by former President Barack Obama to provide temporary protection from deportation and work authorization to illegal immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children.
Jacobson emphasized that the complaint does not challenge the inclusion of "Dreamers" or "undocumented" students in these programs, but instead challenges the exclusion of American-born students, arguing the programs should be equally available to them.
"As a California native with degrees from a community college and from UC Berkeley, I am appalled at the discrimination against American-born students," said Timothy R. Snowball, EPP senior attorney, in a statement to Fox News Digital. "If our own institutions of higher education discriminate against American-born students, how can we trust those institutions to educate the next generation of leaders?"
"I was a high school dropout, and know exactly what it is like to need extra support in becoming a successful college student," he continued. "Tutoring programs, career counseling, and financial aid are an important part of this process. But such benefits should never be withheld from American-born students in favor of DACA or 'undocumented' students."
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"I take civic pride in filing this complaint to the U.S. Department of Justice against both my community college alma mater, Grossmont College, and my university alma mater, UC Berkeley," Snowball added. "I am upholding the principles of equality and equal protection those institutions once espoused but now betray."
Fox News Digital reached out to the University of California, California State University and California Community Colleges systems for comment but did not immediately receive responses.
On CSU's website, it says it supports undocumented students by providing "numerous resources, from grants, loans and scholarships to legal and campus support services, including dedicated Dream Centers with full-time staff."
"We seek support for our Dreamers and DACA recipients—and those across the country—to honor their humanity, to remove inequitable and unfair barriers that stand between them and the fulfillment of their personal and professional dreams," CSU Chancellor Mildred García said in a 2024 statement defending these programs. "That’s what the CSU stands for—that’s what we do—and at a scale greater than any other university system in the world."
The Equal Protection Project filed a similar complaint in May against the University of Nebraska Omaha's Dreamer's Pathway Scholarship Program, alleging it also violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Fox News' Rachel Del Guidice contributed to this report.
Oklahoma student flunked by TA after touting Christian beliefs in gender essay, directs others to ‘push back’
A University of Oklahoma student who received a zero out of 25 on an assignment regarding gender norms says she was targeted for her Christian beliefs, citing a scathing response from the teacher's assistant who doled out the grade.
Samantha Fulnecky is a junior pre-med student at the Sooner State's flagship university.
"I was asked to read an article and give my opinion on the article, and the article was about gender binary and mental health and gender stereotypes, specifically in children, because it's a lifespan development class," Fulnecky told Fox News Digital. "So I was asked to give my opinion and my reaction to the paper."
Fulnecky and her classmates were tasked with writing a response to a scholarly article titled "Relations Among Gender Typicality, Peer Relations, and Mental Health During Early Adolescence," summarizing results of a study about gender norms among middle schoolers and the social ramifications children may face for not conforming to gender norms.
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Students were asked to provide a "thoughtful discussion of some aspect of the article." The assignment provided eight suggestions for how to respond, including, "An application of the study or results to your own experiences," "Your own thoughts about how development proceeds in the domain being researched in the article" and whether the student thought the topic was worthy of further study.
"So I did this assignment the same as I would any other in that class, gave my opinion on gender binary and gender stereotypes and that, naturally my views are from the Bible and my Christian kind of worldview," she said. "And so that's what I wrote about and I didn't think anything of it."
Fulnecky, citing her Christian beliefs, responded that traditional gender roles should be reinforced, not degraded.
"The article discussed peers using teasing as a way to enforce gender norms. I do not necessarily see this as a problem. God made male and female and made us differently from each other on purpose and for a purpose," Fulnecky wrote in her essay. "God is very intentional with what He makes, and I believe trying to change that would only do more harm."
"Gender roles and tendencies should not be considered 'stereotypes,'" her essay continued. "Women naturally want to do womanly things because God created us with those womanly desires in our hearts. The same goes for men. God created men in the image of His courage and strength, and He created women in the image of His beauty. He intentionally created women differently than men and we should live our lives with that in mind."
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Later in her essay, she denounced peers who conform to popular discourse on gender so they "do not step on people's toes," adding that she thinks it is "cowardly and insincere" of those who do.
The essay refers to Genesis, the first book of the Bible, in which God created men and women, and says that women are intended to be men's helpers. She defined the Hebrew translation of "helper" — "ezer kenegdo" — as "helper equal to [man]," making the point that God did not make women subordinate to men.
"Society [is] pushing the lie that there are multiple genders and everyone should be whatever they want to be is demonic and severely harms American youth," the essay continued. "I do not want kids to be teased or bullied in school. However, pushing the lie that everyone has their own truth and everyone can do whatever they want and be whoever they want is not biblical whatsoever."
"Overall, reading articles such as this one encourage me to one day raise my children knowing that they have a Heavenly Father who loves them and cherishes them deeply and that having their identity firmly rooted in who He is will give them the satisfaction and acceptance that the world can never provide for them," the essay concludes.
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The grading rubric for the assignment indicates three criteria.
"Does the paper show a clear tie-in to the assigned article?" is the first, worth up to 10 out of the assignment's 25 total points.
"Does the paper present a thoughtful reaction or response to the article, rather than a summary?" is the second, also worth up to 10 points.
"Is the paper clearly written?" is the last criterion, worth up to five points.
The paper was graded by graduate teaching assistant Mel Curth, who uses she/they pronouns.
The teaching assistant gave Fulnecky a zero out of 25, along with an earful about "empathy" and evidence.
"And so then, about a week later, I received a zero on it from the teaching assistant, and he left submission comments saying that my work was offensive, that I need more empathy in my writing, things like if I'm going to argue against the consensus of every medical field. In every medical association in the United States, then I need empirical evidence to back that," she said.
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Curth's response insisted that the grade had nothing to do with Fulnecky's beliefs, but criticized the essay for lacking empirical evidence, which was not mentioned as a requirement in the grading rubric. Curth also described the paper as "offensive."
"Please note that I am not deducting points because you have certain beliefs, but instead I am deducting point [sic] for you posting a reaction paper that does not answer the questions for this assignment, contradicts itself, heavily uses personal ideology over empirical evidence in a scientific class, and is at times offensive," Curth's response said.
Curth said that the concept of only two sexes is not backed by science.
"You may personally disagree with this, but that doesn't change the fact that every major psychological, medical, pediatric, and psychiatric association in the United States acknowledges that, biologically and psychologically, sex and gender is neither binary nor fixed," Curth said.
The teaching assistant also found Fulnecky's use of the word "demonic" to describe the idea of sex and gender on a spectrum "highly offensive."
"Additionally, to call an entire group of people 'demonic' is highly offensive, especially a minoritized population," Curth said.
"I definitely think that I was being punished for what I believe because I very clearly stated in my essay in my response to the article, I very clearly stated my beliefs and stated what — not just my beliefs — but what the Bible and what God says about gender and about those roles," Fulnecky said.
Fulnecky told Fox News Digital that when she challenged Curth on the grade, noting that the assignment directed her to provide her own subjective opinion on the article, the teaching assistant doubled down on the zero grade.
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Fulnecky then escalated to the school's administration.
The university released a statement on social media on Sunday after Fulnecky's story went viral on social media.
"The University of Oklahoma takes seriously concerns involving First Amendment rights, certainly including religious freedoms," the statement said. "Upon receiving notice from the student on the grading of an assignment, the University immediately began a full review of the situation and has acted swiftly to address the matter."
The school said it "acted immediately to address the academic issue raised by the student. College leaders contacted her on the day her letter was received and have maintained regular communication throughout the process."
"As previously stated, a formal grade appeals process was conducted," the statement said. "The process resulted in steps to ensure no academic harm to the student from the graded assignments."
The university also announced that Curth has been placed on administrative leave.
"The graduate student instructor has been placed on administrative leave pending the finalization of this process," said the statement. "To ensure fairness in the process, a full-time professor is serving as the course instructor for the remainder of the semester."
Fulnecky, who said she doesn't believe conservative opinions are well-tolerated at the school, disagreed with Oklahoma's characterization of its own response, and said she found out about the action taken by the school from the social media post.
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"So, the university is claiming that they've been in communication with me and that they gave me some sense of assurance that they wouldn't let this happen again," she said. "But in reality, I had no idea. I didn't think they were going to do anything about the situation. And I honestly don't think they would have if it hadn't blown up on social media the way it did. I really was shocked to see that the university put out a statement about that saying that they have handled everything perfectly and trying to cover their tracks because they wouldn't have done that or even acted like they cared if it hadn't blown up like it did."
Ryan Walters is the former Oklahoma superintendent of public instruction, who now runs the Teacher Freedom Alliance.
"Higher Ed. and K-12 schools, under the thumb of teachers unions, have infected an entire generation with their woke anti-Christian bias," he told Fox News Digital.
"Samantha Fulnecky is an American hero," he said. "She stood firm in her faith despite the radical attacks from the Marxist professors at the University of Oklahoma. The OU staff involved should be immediately fired and OU should not be receiving taxpayer dollars if they continue their assaults on faith. The war on Christianity is real, and we will not be silenced."
Fulnecky told Fox News Digital that she has received messages of encouragement and admiration from fellow students for standing up for her beliefs, but has also received hateful messages online.
She encouraged other students to stand up for what they believe.
"It can be pretty scary, but Jesus is always worth standing up for, and I just encourage those people that are dealing with something similar to push back against that kind of behavior and really fight for your university to change, because if we don't speak up about it, they're not gonna do anything to change it."
"I mean, I would rather have my integrity and give my true opinion and get a zero on an assignment than have to lie about what I really believe," she said.
As for her message to Curth, Fulnecky said God loves the teaching assistant despite the grade.
"I think I would just say that God loves him and that I am saddened that they're offended by the truth of the gospel and the truth that I wrote about in my assignment, and it saddens me to see that that offends them and upsets them the way it did."
Neither Curth nor the University of Oklahoma returned requests for comment.
'Hermetically sealed' Roman sarcophagus frozen in time for 1,700 years finally opened by archaeologists
Archaeologists have opened the lid on a rare, untouched Roman sarcophagus in Hungary — the first time it's been opened in 1,700 years.
The tomb, discovered by archaeologists with the Budapest History Museum, was found in Óbuda, a northern district of Budapest.
Óbuda was known as Aquincum in Roman times, serving as a major settlement located on the banks of the Danube River. The tomb was found in a 3rd-century burial ground, among the ruins of abandoned houses.
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Remarkably, the tomb hadn't been opened by looters since it was buried. Its stone lid was secured by molten lead and metal clamps.
Lead archaeologist Gabriella Fényes stressed the undisturbed nature of the findings in comments to The Associated Press.
"The peculiarity of the finding is that it was a hermetically sealed sarcophagus," she said. "It was not disturbed previously, so it was intact."
Inside was a complete skeleton and dozens of artifacts, including two glass vessels, bronze figures and 140 coins.
Excavators deduced that the grave belonged to a young woman when they found a hairpin made of bone, amber jewelry and gold-threaded fabric.
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The items had been "given to the deceased by her relatives for her eternal journey," Fényes said.
"The deceased was buried very carefully by her relatives," she said. "They must have really loved who they buried here."
Fényes added that she was "very touched by the care and expression of love that we were able to get a glimpse of."
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"Even now, I shudder to think how painful it must have been for the people at that time to bury this young lady," she added.
Though archaeologists discovered eight other graves nearby, they were struck by the well-preserved condition of the woman's tomb.
Gergely Kostyál, a specialist in Ancient Rome and co-leader of the project, said the tomb's contents "definitely make it stand out."
"This probably means that the deceased was well-to-do or of a higher social status," he told the AP.
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"It is truly rare to find a sarcophagus like this, untouched and never used before, because in the 4th century it was common to reuse earlier sarcophagi," he added.
"It is quite clear that this sarcophagus was made specifically for the deceased."
The grave also contained a thick layer of mud that may hold more treasures, Fényes said.
"I suspect we could find jewelry," she said. "We haven't found any earrings or other jewelry belonging to the woman, so I hope that these small items will turn up during the sifting of the mud."
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
Prince William quietly reshaping monarchy as King Charles undergoes cancer treatment, battles scandals: expert
Three years into King Charles III's reign over the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, his Majesty faced more than a handful of personal, professional and public battles.
While the monarch remained at the helm of the British throne through medical issues and familial challenges, royal experts believe Prince William quietly began paving the way for a more modern approach to the crown.
Earlier this year, the heir apparent candidly admitted during an Apple TV+ interview that he didn't want to make the "same mistakes" as his parents. In 2024, Prince William boasted about "trying to do it differently" as he acknowledged his responsibility to lead the dynasty for a new generation.
The king has "taken some umbrage" over William's focus on family and would prefer his oldest son to concentrate on building a legacy as a global statesman, according to royal commentator Hilary Fordwich.
"Prince William is most determined to modernize the monarchy, much of what we don’t see front and center is actually rather critical in this molding of the monarchy’s future image to ensure it remains relevant," Fordwich exclusively told Fox News Digital.
EX-PRINCE ANDREW FIGHTING 'TOOTH AND NAIL' TO KEEP DAUGHTERS PROTECTED FROM ROYAL FALLOUT: EXPERT
"Given his immense popularity and that of Princess Catherine – we know she will play a vital role – particularly as their children grow and are launched. We should expect her to become ever more influential behind the scenes, even with King Charles III as they have a rather wonderful rapport strengthened by their shared health crisis."
Following a hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement in January 2024, his majesty revealed he was battling cancer and postponed a number of public-facing responsibilities as he sought treatment.
His diagnosis was announced shortly after Kate Middleton underwent abdominal surgery at the same private London Clinic. Months later, she disclosed her own cancer diagnosis.
"William early on laid down the markers for his apprenticeship before becoming king, priority and privacy for his family," royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital.
Fitzwilliams acknowledged the attention William received following his appearance on Eugene Levy's "The Reluctant Traveler" series, where the Prince of Wales described his desire to create a specific "atmosphere" at home for his wife and children.
"I think it’s really important that that atmosphere is created at home. You have to have that warmth, that feeling of safety, security, love," William told Levy. "That all has to be there, and that was certainly part of my childhood."
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William added, "My parents got divorced at 8, so that lasted a short period of time."
The Prince of Wales met his future bride in 2001 while they attended St. Andrews University together. They were married in April 2011, and have three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
"Obviously, William and Catherine and their family are the future of the monarchy," Fitzwilliams said. "It has been noted he is not especially religious, though he will become Supreme Governor of the Church of England, which is in decline."
"He and his family are now resident in Forest Lodge in Windsor – their ‘forever home’ – and they will not be residing in the newly refurbished Buckingham Palace when he becomes king."
He added, "William is likely to take a different attitude to the number of royal palaces and properties, some have unique uses as the monarchy is a symbol of national unity, others may be superfluous."
The Prince and Princess of Wales are both heavily involved with philanthropic work and champion causes including mental health advocacy, homelessness and environmentalism.
Kate launched the "Together at Christmas" carol service in 2021 to honor those who went "above and beyond for others" during the coronavirus pandemic, People reported.
The event has since focused on individuals serving their communities across the U.K. This year, the princess aims to thank those who are "acting with love in their communities, contributing to a more cohesive, connected society."
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In addition to his official role as a senior working royal, William is also a pivotal voice in family matters – including the former Prince Andrew's royal scandal.
The king stripped Andrew of his royal titles last month and also evicted him from Royal Lodge after weeks of pressure to act over the former Duke of York’s friendship with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
"He was undoubtedly a powerful force behind the unprecedented decisions the king made about Andrew, removing his titles and ensuring he left Royal Lodge," Fitzwilliams said. "His attitude to his uncle could clearly be seen publicly at the Duchess of Kent's funeral."
Andrew announced Oct. 17 that he was relinquishing his Duke of York title after the publication of an unauthorized biography by British author Andrew Lownie, "Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York," in August.
The former prince also had ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Virginia Roberts Giuffre, an Epstein victim, had sued Andrew, claiming she was forced to have sex with him three times, including when she was 17 years old. Giuffre died by suicide earlier this year.
Her posthumous memoir was published last month.
As he battled his brother's scandal, King Charles also attempted to mend relationships with his own son, Prince Harry.
On Sept. 10, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Harry spent time with his father at Clarence House. It was the first time they had met in more than a year.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down from senior royal responsibilities in 2020 and moved to California.
"There has been considerable speculation about whether William knew about the meeting of royal aides before Harry's meeting with King Charles," Fitzwilliams said. "The brothers have reportedly not spoken in over three years though there are now reports that his attitude may be softening."
He added, "As the monarchy changes and attempts to win back the support of the young, so it is important that William keeps the traditional aspects where Britain is unique and which attract so much fascination worldwide."
Pro-life center fights New Jersey attorney general's 'fishing expedition' in Supreme Court battle
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments Tuesday in a case involving New Jersey pregnancy resource centers challenging actions by the state’s Democratic leadership that they say violate their constitutional rights.
First Choice Women's Resource Centers, a nonprofit comprising five facilities across north and central New Jersey, has been wrapped up since 2023 in the dispute over an investigative subpoena issued by Attorney General Matthew Platkin, who alleges the nonprofit could be defrauding its donors. First Choice counters that the inquiry is baseless and a First Amendment threat because it has rattled donors, who have kept the centers afloat for four decades.
During a tour of the New Brunswick center, First Choice Executive Director Aimee Huber told Fox News Digital that Platkin’s subpoena — seeking donor names, contact information and employment records — is unjustified.
"I think it's important to realize that there have been no complaints that have been cited by the attorney general against First Choice, not one," Huber said. "So, when we received the subpoena, it was clearly a fishing expedition. There were no complaints by donors or clients."
The Supreme Court is weighing a technicality over whether the subpoena fight should play out in state or federal court. In state court, the New Jersey attorney general could have the upper hand.
Dalton Nichols, a lawyer on the case who works for the conservative group Alliance Defending Freedom, told Fox News Digital Platkin’s demand was "egregious" and that it was crucial that First Choice have its day in federal court to make its First Amendment claim.
Nichols said: "this is bigger than just a state court versus federal court issue."
"This could have implications that impact other claims [over] any invasive requests for donor names like that, so a loss for First Choice in this case could be a bit more far-reaching than just state court versus federal court," Nichols said.
"It's getting at whether or not you even have a claim at all, and if First Choice has a First Amendment claim, then First Choice should be able to press that in federal court."
Platkin, a Democrat appointed by Gov. Phil Murphy, began scrutinizing pregnancy counseling centers in July 2022 by launching a "strike force" to promote abortion access in the wake of the Supreme Court’s landmark Dobbs decision. Platkin said such facilities presented consumer fraud concerns because they misled donors and clients about the services they offered.
"If you’re seeking reproductive care, beware of Crisis Pregnancy Centers!" Platkin wrote on X in December 2022. His subpoena to First Choice came less than one year later.
"Attorneys General are the chief law enforcement officers of their States and have broad authority to investigate potential violations of state laws," state lawyers wrote to the Supreme Court in defense of Platkin’s probe.
The state lawyers also argued that First Choice was overstating the threat that the subpoena presented because the scope of donor information it sought could become narrower if hashed out in state court.
Huber said First Choice is forthright about its mission to promote alternatives to abortion.
"We're always very careful to share that we do not perform or refer for abortions, so [the client] knows ahead of time before she comes in what services we can provide her and what services we don't provide," Huber said.
The New Brunswick center, which takes appointments, has an ultrasound room where a woman faces a wall of images of babies growing in the womb as a sonographer or nurse performs an ultrasound on her to confirm the pregnancy. A small separate room is used for consulting clients, the majority of whom are Hispanic, Huber said. Yet another room appears as a large closet lined with baby clothing — a "baby boutique." Huber said economic and family pressures are frequent obstacles for women.
"Women who are scared and vulnerable and think that abortion is their only option come to us, and they receive professional services and compassionate care, all free of charge," Huber said, adding that First Choice has served more than 36,000 women.
Lawyers on behalf of New Jersey said the subpoena was intended to investigate whether donors were being solicited on certain websites under the false pretense that First Choice offered abortions and whether the nonprofit was making unsubstantiated medical claims about the abortion pill.
First Choice lawyers wrote in court papers that the nonprofit provides "medically accurate" information, showcasing a divide over dissemination of information about the pill, which has become a top pain point in the aftermath of the Supreme Court flipping abortion policy to the states.
"Every once in a while, we hear someone who doesn't agree with what we do, and so that happens, but our clients are so appreciative and grateful, and our staff and our donors, so I've learned to focus on the positive and not the negative," Huber said. "Of course, when we received the subpoena from the New Jersey attorney general two years ago now, everything changed in terms of our legal battle and what we were called to do during this moment."