Fox News Latest Headlines
Trump endorses Texas congressional candidate after rival drops out over affair scandal
President Donald Trump on Wednesday endorsed Texas Republican Brandon Herrera after his primary rival exited the race amid an ethics investigation into an admitted affair with a former staffer.
Herrera, a self-described Second Amendment activist and social media personality, was touted by Trump as a Republican who would promote the MAGA agenda in Texas’ 23rd District.
"Brandon is strongly supported by many Highly Respected MAGA Warriors in Texas, and Republicans in the U.S. House," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. "As your next Congressman, he will work tirelessly to advance our MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN Agenda."
"Brandon will fight hard to Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Advance MADE IN THE U.S.A., Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Safeguard our Elections, Champion School Choice, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Support our Brave Military, Veterans, and Law Enforcement, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment," Trump added.
MIKE JOHNSON ASKS EMBATTLED HOUSE REPUBLICAN TONY GONZALES TO DROP RE-ELECTION BID
Herrera thanked the president for his endorsement, which adds to backing from conservative lawmakers, including Reps. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., and Mary Miller, R-Ill.
"Thank you President Trump," he said in a post on X. "It’s now time to take the fight to the Democrats in November and continue working to deliver great wins for TX23 and the rest of the nation."
Trump’s endorsement comes after Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, announced last week that he would not seek re-election, clearing the path for Herrera to claim the GOP nomination.
TRUMP ALLY CLAY FULLER ADVANCES IN GEORGIA FIGHT FOR MTG’S FORMER SEAT
Herrera narrowly edged Gonzales by a 43.33% to 41.73% margin in Texas’ GOP primary for the 23rd Congressional District earlier this month, forcing a runoff because neither candidate earned 50% of the vote.
Gonzales — who was initially backed by Trump — bowed out of the race amid a House Ethics investigation into an affair he admitted took place with a former staffer.
Gonzales, a married father of six, admitted to the affair during an appearance on a conservative talk radio show the day after advancing to the primary runoff.
"I made a mistake, and I had a lapse in judgment, and there was a lack of faith, and I take full responsibility for those actions," he said on "The Joe Pags Show" last week. "Since then, I've reconciled with my wife, Angel. I've asked God to forgive me, which he has, and my faith is as strong as ever."
Herrera previously called his opponent’s withdrawal from the race the "appropriate decision."
He will face Katy Padilla Stout, a local attorney and the Democratic nominee, in November.
Team USA hockey star Matthew Tkachuk reveals whether Olympic gold tops Stanley Cup win
Team USA hockey player Matthew Tkachuk said it is hard to compare the achievements of winning the Winter Olympics versus the Stanley Cup on "Hang Out with Sean Hannity."
Tkachuk, who won the National Hockey League's ultimate prize in back-to-back seasons with the Florida Panthers, shared that the Stanley Cup is physically demanding and earning the title is an extraordinary accomplishment.
"Winning a Stanley Cup physically on your body is so tough, he said. "It's the hardest trophy to win in sports."
"When it's done, and you're lifting the cup and your body's just mangled, like you realize how hard it is to win it. And there's something special about having your engraved on that for history," he added.
TEAM USA HOCKEY HERO JACK HUGHES 'EXCLUSIVELY' DATING CANADIAN POP STAR: REPORT
But the outpouring of support he received for representing the "greatest country in the world" at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina was equally meaningful.
"But with that being said… we had people tuning in that have never watched hockey, that were just fans of USA," Tkachuk added.
"I had somebody that came up to me the other day that said that the only reason they watched is because how like patriotic we were and how we were representing the country, and now they're big hockey fans and they couldn't name a handful of players."
TAGE THOMPSON RESPONDS TO MAGA HAT CRITICISM AFTER TEAM USA GOLD: 'PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN'
Tkachuk helped secure the United States’ historic win against Canada for the first time in 46 years at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Tkachuk, 28, also announced he is expecting his first child with his wife Ellie after nearly one year of marriage.
After five years together, Matthew and Ellie married in July 2025. The couple is waiting to learn the baby’s gender until it is born, Tkachuk shared.
DEVILS FANS WELCOME JACK HUGHES BACK TO NEW JERSEY WITH PREGAME CELEBRATION
"We aren't finding out," he revealed. "We're going old school approach, which I wasn't too fond of early, I will say."
The star hockey player shared his excitement for potentially having a son, who could carry on his hockey legacy, joking that he will get him on the ice as soon as possible.
"At some point would definitely love to have a boy," he said.
"I'm lacing him up… the second he can… at least stand up, I'm gonna carry him around the ice," he added.
"I think I'm more excited for youth hockey one day than my current hockey right now like honest to God," he told Fox News. "I can't wait for the road trips, I can't wait for the family to come, I can wait for tht the parents to be in the hotel lobby bar at night talking about the day."
Tkachuk’s full conversation with Hannity drops Thursday morning on the "Hang Out with Sean Hannity." podcast
Alabama teen comes to mother's aid, knocks out stepfather during alleged strangulation attempt
**Warning: This story contains graphic photos.
An Alabama man was arrested after allegedly trying to strangle his wife, only to be knocked unconscious by his 13-year-old stepson, authorities said.
Daniel Hernandez-Lopez, 32, was charged with domestic violence strangulation, according to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.
Police responded to a home in Foley, Alabama, around 8 p.m. Monday, where Hernandez-Lopez was allegedly trying to strangle his wife during an argument, Fox 10 reported.
AUSTRALIAN TEEN SWIMS 2.5 MILES FOR HOURS TO SAVE FAMILY SWEPT OUT TO SEA
According to the station, deputies said the woman’s son confronted Hernandez-Lopez, who lunged at the teen and tried to hit him with a bicycle.
The 13-year-old allegedly punched Hernandez-Lopez multiple times in the face, knocking him unconscious before deputies arrived, the sheriff’s office said.
The station reported that Hernandez-Lopez appeared to be intoxicated and possibly under the influence of narcotics.
HUSBAND ACCUSED OF KILLING WIFE SAYS HE HEARD LAUGHTER, THEN SCREAMS BEFORE FINDING HER DYING
Police also said Hernandez-Lopez is not a U.S. citizen, according to Fox 10.
Hernandez-Lopez was booked into the Baldwin County Jail on Tuesday.
It was not immediately clear whether Hernandez-Lopez has retained an attorney who could comment on the allegations.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office for additional information.
Trump suddenly seems anxious to end the war as American casualties mount and Iran finds ways to hit back
It was Mike Tyson who famously said, "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth."
In terms of sheer firepower, the greatest military machine in human history has totally overwhelmed Iran and is decimating the country.
But the Iranians are finding ways to fight back, as American officials acknowledge, and those who envisioned a cakewalk are finding a rockier road.
EXILED IRANIAN WARNS REGIME WAS 'AGGRESSIVELY PATIENT THREAT WAITING TO POUNCE' ON AMERICA
The Trump administration’s disclosure that 140 U.S. service members were wounded in the initial attack that killed Ayatollah Ali Khameini and other top leaders highlights the ability of even an overwhelmed enemy to inflict pain.
As President Donald Trump sends decidedly mixed messages about the duration of the war, the question hovers in the air: What amounts to winning?
There are some, including Republicans, who want Trump to declare victory and get out. He can boast that he disrupted the terror state’s latest attempt to develop a nuclear weapon.
Yesterday, in fact, the president told Axios that the war will end "soon" because there is "practically nothing left to target … Little this and that … Any time I want it to end, it will end."
Trump’s explanation: "We have done more damage than we thought possible."
Just days ago, the president said the military campaign against Tehran would take four to six weeks.
More important than the timing, Trump had insisted that Iran must undergo regime change. He proclaimed that he had to approve the country’s next leader. Well, with the Iranians anointing the ayatollah’s son, who Trump had specifically deemed unacceptable, that obviously didn’t happen.
The almost seamless quality of the U.S. kidnapping of Venezuelan leader Nicholas Maduro and takeover of that country’s oil may have given the Trump team a sense of overconfidence when it comes to Iran, which has 90 million people.
There’s no mistaking the fact that Trump, allied with Israel, has made other dire threats against an Iranian regime that has bedeviled a succession of American presidents since the 1979 hostage crisis.
"If Iran does anything that stops the flow of Oil within the Strait of Hormuz," he posted, "they will be hit by the United States of America TWENTY TIMES HARDER than they have been hit thus far."
But that’s exactly what the Iranians are doing, with reports that they are booby-trapping the strait, a major chokepoint for world oil shipments, with land mines.
Among other things, according to officials and experts cited by the New York Times, militias backed by Iran have attacked hotels utilized by American troops.
There was a series of drones launched at an affluent hotel in the Iraqi city of Erbil.
An Iran expert at Johns Hopkins University told the paper that the Iranians learned from the initial U.S. attack last June that the Pentagon is lacking certain missiles and defensive weapons that can intercept drones.
Another Times story, assessing the first 12 days, concluded that Trump and his advisers "misjudged how Iran would respond to a conflict that Tehran sees as an existential threat."
MICHAEL OREN: IRAN HAS WAGED WAR ON AMERICA FOR 47 YEARS — TIME TO END IT
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, however, told reporters that "I can’t say that we anticipated necessarily that’s exactly how they would react, but we knew it was a possibility. I think it was a demonstration of the desperation of the regime."
Beyond weaponry, the war launched by Trump has had a more predictable financial impact, creating economic uncertainty around the world.
Americans have been hit with soaring gas prices and shrinking retirement plans. The market volatility and oil prices have bounced around, but this has clearly fueled feelings of anxiety.
What’s more, unemployment has ticked up and tens of thousands of jobs have been lost, which predates the war but also may be linked to the Supreme Court ruling rejecting Trump’s tariffs.
America has punched Iran in the mouth. But the theocratic dictatorship can declare a victory of sorts simply by surviving.
Trump, for his part, can boost his party’s uphill chances in the midterms by bringing this war to an early conclusion.
That would also end a different war, the acrimonious debate within his MAGA coalition between those who defend the assault on Iran and those who believe he betrayed his base by abandoning his America First pledge to stay out of foreign wars.
Dr Oz helps older woman who collapsed during Trump's speech at Kentucky event
Dr. Mehmet Oz rushed to help after a woman collapsed during President Donald Trump’s speech in Kentucky on Wednesday.
About halfway through Trump’s remarks at Verst Logistics in Hebron, Kentucky, an older woman behind the president’s riser appeared to need medical attention, prompting Trump to ask the crowd, "Do we have a doctor in the house? Take your time, please."
A medical team quickly reached her, including Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Oz.
"First responders are incredible," Trump said as he turned and watched emergency medical personnel take care of the woman.
DR. OZ REVEALS HOW HE IS BRINGING CHANGE TO DC AND HELPING THE MOST VULNERABLE AMERICANS
The president paused his remarks and asked if a song could be played in the meantime.
"Do you think the people backstage are listening to me?" Trump said, adding that if they could hear him, he suggested playing "Ave Maria."
The song did not play, and Trump continued to watch as the woman received treatment.
"Take your time," he said. "She looks great."
As first responders began escorting the woman away, Trump noticed Oz was among those helping her.
"It’s Dr. Oz! Can you believe it? Dr. Oz!" Trump said. "He’s a good doctor. Thank you, Oz."
RFK JR: DR OZ SAYS TRUMP HAS 'HIGHEST TESTOSTERONE LEVEL' HE’S SEEN IN A MAN OLDER THAN 70
Trump resumed his remarks about seven minutes later, returning to criticism of California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
"We were talking about Gavin New-scum," Trump said with a laugh. "Doesn’t seem like a very good subject right now. It made that young lady not feel so good."
Wednesday’s event was not the first time Oz, a former heart surgeon, assisted during a medical episode while serving in the Trump administration.
In April, a young girl fainted near the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office while Trump was speaking during Oz’s swearing-in ceremony.
Oz quickly rushed over to assist the child, who was later confirmed to be a member of his family.
In November, a man collapsed in the Oval Office as Trump was giving a press conference, prompting Oz to once again step in to help.
CNN's Abby Phillip issues on-air correction, says she takes 'full responsibility' for Mamdani flub
CNN host Abby Phillip issued an on-air correction Wednesday night for her comment about the ISIS-inspired terror attack in New York City last weekend after offering a mea culpa on social media earlier in the day.
"This morning I issued a correction first thing in the morning on X for a mistake that I made in last night's show, but I also wanted to do so on air as well," Phillip told viewers. "I incorrectly said that the bombs that were thrown by ISIS-inspired suspects in New York over the weekend were directed at Mayor Mamdani. They were not. I failed to catch and correct that mistake in real time and I take full responsibility for that."
"And while we do make mistakes, it is important to acknowledge and correct those errors when they happen," Phillip added.
CNN REPORTER DELETES POST FALSELY CALLING MAMDANI ‘TARGET OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE’ IN LATEST FOUL-UP
Phillip issued an apology on X after she had gone viral for falsely claiming the attempted terrorist attack was "against" New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Notably, during Phillip's program Tuesday night, CNN political commentator Ana Navarro repeated the falsehood, which was corrected by Republican panelist Joe Borelli.
"To be clear, the attack wasn't on Mayor Mamdani," Borelli told Navarro. "It was attacking protesters, people protesting Mamdani. To frame it as an anti-Muslim attack would actually completely reverse what happened. Someone who shouted ‘Allah Akbar’ threw a bomb that didn't go off at the protesters."
CNN BOTCHES NEW YORK TERRORIST ATTACK COVERAGE, FORCED TO ISSUE MULTIPLE CORRECTIONS
CNN senior reporter Edward-Isaac Dovere similarly claimed on X that Mamdani was a "target of political violence." Dovere later deleted the post and issued a correction.
"I want to correct something I posted earlier on X, which inaccurately implied that Mayor Mamdani was the target of political violence in last week’s ISIS-inspired attempted terror attack in New York City," Dovere wrote.
"Law enforcement officials have said the two terror suspects threw improvised explosive devices at an anti-Islam demonstration and a counterprotest near Mayor Mamdani’s home Saturday, but did not say that he was the target. I apologize for the error and have deleted the original post."
CNN's botched coverage of the attack began Tuesday when it oddly portrayed the terror suspects as teenagers who could have simply enjoyed nice weather.
"Two Pennsylvania teenagers crossed into New York City Saturday morning for what could’ve been a normal day enjoying the city during abnormally warm weather," CNN's now-deleted X post said. "But in less than an hour, their lives would drastically change as the pair would be arrested for throwing homemade bombs during an anti-Muslim protest outside of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s home. Here's what we know so far."
The network followed up with this explanation on X: "A post regarding the two individuals arrested for throwing homemade bombs outside of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s home failed to reflect the gravity of the incident thereby breaching the editorial standards we require for all our reporting. It has therefore been deleted."
Pennsylvania residents Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, were charged with material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and use of a weapon of mass destruction after they allegedly tossed explosive devices toward law enforcement and anti-Muslim demonstrators outside Gracie Mansion on Saturday protesting Mamdani.
Both of the terrorist suspects are U.S. citizens. One suspect’s parents are naturalized U.S. citizens from Turkey, while the other suspect’s parents are naturalized U.S. citizens from Afghanistan.
Italy win over Mexico sends Team USA to WBC quarterfinals
Team USA can breathe a sigh of relief, and they can thank Team Italy, the squad that put their World Baseball Classic hopes in limbo, after their win over Team Mexico on Tuesday night.
With Italy’s 9-1 victory at Daikin Park, they have won Pool B with a perfect 4-0 record and earned a spot in the WBC quarterfinals.
But Italy also ensured that Team USA’s run in the tournament continues despite handing the star-studded group a shocking 8-6 defeat on Monday night.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Team USA knew going into this game they would be big fans of Italy, one of the more surprising teams of the tournament thus far, but a thrill to watch. They have the fun espresso home run celebration, which has been used a ton including Tuesday night’s game, and a mixture of veterans and top prospects who have been giving their pool fits on the field.
However, Vinnie Pasquantino, the team’s captain who stars for the Kansas City Royals, came into this contest without a single hit through three games. Luckily for Italy – and indirectly the U.S. – his first three hits of the tournament were difference makers.
Pasquantino belted three solo home runs in the win, marking the first time in WBC history that a player went yard three times in a single game.
TEAM USA'S WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC HOPES TAKE MASSIVE HIT WITH ITALY UPSET
He got Team Italy on the board first in the top of the second, hitting a 342-foot blast to right field. Then, in the top of the sixth inning, he hit a towering shot that stayed fair down the right field line to take a free trip around the bases again.
As he stepped to the plate in the top of the eighth inning, Pasquantino, already two espresso shots deep after his first two longballs, got just enough to get it over the right-field fence one last time.
But, just like the other three games, there wasn’t only one Italy hitter showcasing his power. Jon Berti, who has had a great tournament thus far, made use of the Crawford boxes in left field, hitting one just far enough in the top of the fourth inning to extend Italy’s lead to 2-0.
Meanwhile, Mexico couldn’t get the bats going against veteran hurler Aaron Nola, the reliable Philadelphia Phillies starter who had his patented knuckle-curve working in Houston. He tossed five innings, allowing just four hits while striking out five over 69 pitches.
The game started to get away from Mexico, too, in the top of the fifth inning, when nine-hitter Dante Nori dropped a perfect sacrifice bunt that scored Pasquantino’s Royals teammate, Jac Caglianone, to make it a 3-0 game. Then, Miami Marlins outfielder Jakob Marsee came in clutch with a two-out, bases-loaded single that scored two runners before he was picked off at first base to end the inning.
With a 7-0 lead, Mexico, facing desperation, saw some offensive life in the bottom of the seventh with bases loaded and no outs. But after Alek Thomas’ groundout to first, and Rowdy Tellez hitting a liner right at Pasquantino for the second out, Jarren Duran struck out as they were only able to get one run out of a potentially game-changing situation.
Pasquantino's third home run flipped momentum right back to Team Italy, and they rode it into the final frame where they sealed victory.
As Italy soars into the quarterfinals, Mexico is eliminated as their players will head back to their respective big league camps to finish out spring training.
Team USA's quarterfinal matchup will be against Team Canada, the winners of Pool A, at 8 p.m. ET in Daikin Park on March 13.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Giants co-owner Steve Tisch, siblings look to transfer equity stake to children’s trusts, NFL memo shows
Steve Tisch and siblings Laurie and Jonathan Tisch are seeking to transfer their collective equity stake in the New York Giants to trusts established for their children.
ESPN obtained an NFL memo that offered some details about the Tisch family's request. The transfer would require approval from the NFL's finance committee before it could be finalized, according to the memo.
If approved, the move would dissolve the Tisch siblings’ ownership stake, with a memo noting they would "no longer own any interest" in the Giants.
"Prior transfers to these Trusts were completed pursuant to 2023 and 2024 Finance Committee approvals," the memo stated. "The Sellers now propose to transfer their entire remaining interests, totaling 23.1% of the Club, to the Trusts. ... Following the transactions, the Sellers will no longer own any interest in the Club."
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
A request from Fox News Digital to the Giants seeking comment did not immediately receive a response. A team spokesperson told ESPN he had "nothing to add."
It was not clear if the transfer requests were in any way related to Steve Tisch’s name appearing in the Epstein files released by the U.S. Justice Department in January. Steve Tisch’s name came up more than 400 times in the files. Tisch at the time said he knew Epstein but denied visiting Epstein's island.
"We had a brief association where we exchanged emails about adult women, and in addition, we discussed movies, philanthropy and investments," Steve Tisch said in a statement on Jan. 31. "I did not take him up on any of his invitations and never went to his island. As we all know now, he was a terrible person and someone I deeply regret associating with."
Federal authorities arrested Epstein in 2019 on sex trafficking charges. Tisch has not faced any criminal charges, although his future status with the franchise is uncertain.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in February said the league would look into Tisch’s association with Epstein.
"Absolutely we will look at all the facts," Goodell said at a news conference in San Jose, California, during Super Bowl week. "We’ll look at the context of those and try to understand that. We’ll look at how that falls under the (league personal conduct) policy. I think we’ll take one step at a time. Let’s get the facts first."
The Tisch family has shared ownership of the Giants since 1991 with the Mara family, which founded the franchise in 1925. John Mara serves as the Giants president and CEO. Despite revealing a cancer diagnosis in September 2025, Mara has remained active with the team, playing a central role in the hiring of head coach John Harbaugh.
Also in September, the Koch family secured a noncontrolling 10% stake in the team.
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.
California State University board meeting falls into chaos amid SJSU lawsuit vs Trump admin over trans scandal
The California State University (CSU) system's board of trustees meeting Tuesday was shaken by a stampede of emotional residents and alumni reacting to a decision to sue the federal government.
CSU and San Jose State University announced Friday they are filing the lawsuit to challenge the U.S. Department of Education's recent findings that SJSU violated Title IX in its handling of a transgender volleyball player from 2022-24.
Tuesday's meeting turned into a war of words. Many speakers ignored instructions to address the board and instead addressed other speakers in the crowd.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
One woman, a CSU employee, said she showed up with the intention of discussing budget cuts but abandoned that plan to address "transphobia" by other speakers once she heard what they said.
"The fact that I have to get up here and have to say that trans women are women and that's what I have to use my time to do is absurd. Shame on you. Shame on all of you," she said.
The female employee then took aim at the "save women's sports" speakers who spoke from the perspective of lesbian women.
"And shame on you for using lesbian politics as a front for your transphobia because this lesbian has had plenty of girlfriends with penises," she said.
The moderator then instructed the speakers to "please make your comments to the board. That's what we're here to hear."
But other speakers did not direct their comments to the board.
Prominent California "save women's sports" activist Beth Bourne directed her comments at any transgender people listening.
"I want to speak to anyone who is listening who is transgender or nonbinary. You've been lied to," Bourne said. "They're making money off of your body. If you're taking cross-sex hormones, you're harming yourself. You're permanently harming yourself. And just remember your mother and your father love you more than anyone in the world."
The moderator then interrupted the next speaker to again remind those in attendance to direct comments to the board.
"I would remind everyone, speak to us please. Don't speak to each other. Thank you," he said.
Other speakers did direct their comments to the board.
An SJSU alumnus expressed her objection to the CSU and SJSU decision to defy the Department of Education's mandate.
"I'm so disappointed that Cal State is no longer welcome to women. I'm here to support Title IX and state a basic truth: Males cannot become females," she said. "Everyone understands this in sports."
A current student, who claimed to head a club at SJSU called "Trans Saga," expressed support for the decision to sue the government.
"Our community has been angry, scared and tired. Today, I'm here to share my gratitude and support for the board of trustees' decision," the student said. "As a transgender student who is in his third year at SJSU, I'm asking you, please listen to us, and please keep protecting transgender students."
Alison Foote, the treasurer for the Independent Council on Women's Sports (ICONS), showed up to the meeting wearing an XX-XY Athletics shirt. She called the recent decision to sue "an embarrassment to the entire CSU system."
"This is CSU-sanctioned sexual abuse of the women you are obligated to protect. Your internally inconsistent Title IX and DHR guidelines that prioritize gender identity over sex has created the hostile environment unfolding before you now, but most importantly for the 260,000 women enrolled on your campuses," Foote said.
SJSU and CSU announced their lawsuit Friday after the Department of Education determined SJSU violated Title IX in its handling of a transgender volleyball player from 2022-24.
U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon responded on Wednesday, warning the institutions they have 10 days to change their tune or risk federal funding cuts and a referral to the U.S. Department of Justice.
WHITE HOUSE MAKES STATEMENT AFTER BROOKE SLUSSER COMES FORWARD WITH SJSU VOLLEYBALL ALLEGATIONS
"Based on the recipient’s proactive refusal to voluntarily negotiate resolution of OCR’s concerns, OCR has determined that a voluntary agreement will not be reached and we are at impasse. OCR will issue a Letter of Impending Enforcement Action in 10 calendar days if a resolution agreement is not reached within that 10-day period," a letter from McMahon said.
"Enforcement action may include the initiation of an administrative process set forth in 20 U.S.C. § 1681, et seq.; 34 C.F.R. Parts 100, 101, 106; and 20 U.S.C. § 1234, et seq. to suspend, terminate, or refuse to grant or to continue Federal funding — or other means authorized by law, including referral to the Department of Justice. This letter does not constitute final agency action."
SJSU and CSU have since responded to Fox News Digital's inquiry for a response to McMahon's warning.
"We have shared numerous documents and resources on our website, which you can refer to, including all related legal documents, FAQ and our official statement. As this remains an ongoing legal matter, the CSU will not be commenting further at this time," the response said.
SJSU President Cynthia Teniente-Matson disputes OCR's findings.
"Because we believe OCR’s findings aren’t grounded in the facts or the law, SJSU and the CSU filed a lawsuit (March 6) against the federal government to challenge those findings and prevent the federal government from taking punitive action against the university, including the potential withholding of critical federal funding," Teniente-Matson said Friday.
"This is not a step we take lightly. However, we have a responsibility to defend the integrity of our institution and the rule of law, while ensuring that every member of our community is treated fairly and in accordance with the law. Our position is simple: We have followed the law and cannot be punished for doing so."
Teniente-Matson affirmed the university's commitment to defending the LGBTQ community in the announcement.
"Our support for the LGBTQ members of our community, who have experienced threats and harms over the last several years, remains unwavering. We know the attention the university has received around this issue and the investigative process that followed have been unsettling for many in our community," she said.
"We’ve heard the fear and anxiety that it has created and recognize that waiting for the university’s response has been difficult at a time already filled with uncertainty."
The conflict has been amplified by recent revelations by former SJSU co-captain Brooke Slusser, who revealed what it was like sharing an apartment with Fleming in a Fox News Digital interview Sunday.
"You find out you're just chilling in a bed with a man that you have no idea about. … I [was] unknowingly sharing a bed at that time with a man," she said.
"It's hard to process. I don't even know if I can say I've fully processed it to this day. It's just, you're told something for so long, you think something for so long and you act very normally about a situation, and then come to find out it's all a lie."
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Graham Platner claims voters concerned over trans athletes are 'manipulated by billionaires'
Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner suggested that opposition to transgender athletes in female sports was a result of an "out-of-state billionaire" agenda.
Last week, Platner spoke on Slate's "Death, Sex & Money" podcast where he was asked by host Anna Sale about the topic being an ongoing issue for Democratic politicians such as Maine Gov. Janet Mills. Platner admitted that it's an issue that he can't take "seriously" because he considers it "propaganda."
"It is this whole campaign is funded by a billionaire not from Maine...The anti-trans campaign in Maine," Platner said. "It's funded by an out-of-state billionaire to make sure that we have this discussion, and we don't talk about raising his taxes. That's why it exists."
As an example, Platner recalled wrestling girls in high school in 2003 and "nobody cared" at the time.
"There was no uproar. And that's wrestling. That's about as like actual violence," Platner said, though he added he "won" all the fights he had with girls.
"So your response is you are being manipulated by billionaires by asking me about this instead of asking me about access to rural healthcare?" Sale asked.
"Quite literally," Platner responded.
DEMOCRATIC MAINE SENATE CANDIDATE GRAHAM PLATNER CONFRONTED BY MS NOW HOST ABOUT TATTOO CONTROVERSY
A referendum to bar biological male athletes in female sports will be on the Maine ballot this November following the efforts of the Protect Girls Sports in Maine organization last month.
Maine became the focus of transgender women in sports after Mills sparred with President Donald Trump over his threats to cut off federal funding if she refused to follow his executive order protecting girls' sports.
"We'll see you in court," Mills responded.
TEEN CALLS MAINE'S STANCE ON WOMEN'S SPORTS 'HEARTBREAKING' AS DOJ ANNOUNCES LAWSUIT
In a statement to Fox News Digital, White House spokesperson Kush Desai said, "We get it’s hard for Democrats to admit that there’s no logic or common sense to letting biological men play in women’s sports, but conjuring up made-up conspiracy theories isn’t making them seem any less crazy."
Fox News Digital also reached out to Mills' office for comment.
Platner has faced several controversies ahead of his Senate primary campaign. In October, he revealed a skull tattoo on his chest that resembles the "Totenkopf," a symbol of the SS, or Schutzstaffel, under Adolf Hitler.
He's also come under scrutiny for old social media posts where he referred to himself as a "communist" and argued that if people "expect to fight fascism without a good semi-automatic rifle, they ought to do some reading of history."